AN: FYI, I don't own the storyline, but Jugo and the Beastfolk are my own design.

Jugo reluctantly walked down the hallway. What had Masa wanted to talk to him about? While Jugo doubted that the merman knew of his true nature, it was still a possibility. The construction of the Michishio residence was rather rapid. Jugo barely had time to slip in and plant bugs last night. He was fairly certain that he hadn't been caught. Still, it never hurt to be too careful.

When Jugo entered the room, Masa was sitting at a desk, grading some papers. "Mr. Semagawa, Thank you for coming."

Jugo leaned on the edge of the desk opposite Masa and asked, "May I ask what you need to speak with me about? Is there a problem with my grades?"

Masa sighed. This kid kept quiet in his classes and always did the work assigned. If it weren't for the sword case he would have pegged the boy for a bookworm. "I was wondering if you would be open to tutoring another student."

Jugo looked surprised. He had not expected this.

Masa continued, "You are the first among your classmates to grasp the concepts of what is being taught. All the teachers have noticed this. In fact I would argue that you understand it before class even starts. There is a student who is having difficulty and we would like to ask if you would be willing to assist them."

"I don't have a problem with it." Seeing Masa's uneasy look, Jugo put two and two together. "But if Lunar is going to treat me like everyone else, then I won't help her at all. I'm sure you know we don't get along, I will not spoon feed her. If she does want tutoring, I expect her to actually think about something other than her career."

The normal unflappable Masa had a brief moment of incredulity. "How did you know?" He collected himself. "I do not believe I mentioned who it was that needed help."

Jugo tilted his head. "You have a stack of tests all with a score of zero with her name on them stacked on your desk. She is the only student who misses over half of the classes she is supposed to attend. She also has her public image to keep up, as well as whatever deal or appearance needs to be fulfilled. As such she likely doesn't have a lot of time for her studies. Since the class seems to have forgotten she lives at the Michishio residence, any normal resources she might have, she can't draw on without bringing additional attention to herself. This would bring in paparazzi and other problems."

Masa was shocked. What else had this kid figured out?

Jugo folded his arms; he was worried he overplayed his hand. "If any of the other students started thinking about what they saw and heard, and applying even the least amount of common sense, they would come to the same conclusion. You need a nonbiased tutor to provide the most help to a student. With my grades being high, and since I am not one of hers or Sun's fans, you would be able to remove the element of competition between the two and avoid another fiasco between the two factions. That makes me the most likely candidate. The fact that I seem to be the only one who could care less about her being a pop star and don't act like I owe her something for gracing me with her presence furthers that assumption. You can offer it to her, but knowing her she'll put on some bravado and decline. Or insult me regardless of my academic standing. The girl is far too proud for her own good." Jugo stood. "Is there anything else Mr. Masa?"

The man shook his head. "Can you come back in about fifteen minutes? I will be speaking with her then."

Jugo nodded. "I will wait outside the room. My presence likely will be a detriment to you having a civil conversation with her."

Masa decided that if this kid ever got into the police force, they wouldn't be having trouble just from the Beastfolk. He was very sharp. He certainly wasn't ruled by his hormones like the other boys in the class. Maybe he should encourage the kid to go to into another line of work, maybe a doctor. With Zenigata in class, the kid becoming a cop was a possibility if she figured out how attentive he was. Jugo as a cop would certainly give any Yakuza group trouble if he moved closer to their operations.

When Masa went to speak with Lunar, and Mawari showed up, Masa was able to butt in. "I thank you for the offer Miss Zenigata, but I have already approached another student to act as her tutor. He is willing to tutor her if she wants to take him up on it." Jugo was waiting outside the door.

Lunar looked doubtingly at the Seto Gang's lieutenant. "Who would that be Mr. Masa?"

Mawari looked curious as well.

Masa tried to dodge the issue. "He actually has the highest scores in your class. When I asked him, he didn't have a problem offering to tutor you."

Lunar laughed internally. Of course he didn't. A bookworm like that should be grateful she would even give him the time of day! She could probably get him to take the tests for her.

Mawari looked to think about something. "Who has the highest scores Mr. Masa?"

Suddenly Lunar was interested as well. If he was already part of her little fan coalition, this would be perfect.

Masa was sweating. Why didn't the girl hand over the papers and leave? "Mr. Semagawa currently has the highest scores in your class."

It took Mawari a moment to puzzle that out.

Lunar grinned. She didn't recognize the name, but it would be better than some midget daughter of a cop. "That would be acceptable. As long as can work with my schedule; that would be fine."

Masa sighed in relief.

Mawari had to ruin the moment. "You asked Jugo to tutor her? He agreed to it?"

Masa thought the girl sounded like Fujishiro for a second there.

Lunar paled rapidly. That boy tutoring her would be unacceptable. "Thanks Mr. Masa, but when I get back to my house, I have a team of people there to tutor me."

Jugo stood in the doorway. "If that is indeed true, I would fire them if I were you. If you do have top quality tutors, that wouldn't explain your current scores."

"How do you know about those?!"

"I don't." Jugo lied, "But if a caring teacher such as Mr. Masa is approaching a student to tutor another student it is most likely because they are doing rather poorly. Given the amount of classes you miss or sleep through, it is likely you are ranked last."

The pink haired girl was fuming. This annoying commoner was top ranked student too? Was the world conspiring against her greatness?

Lunar threw on her pop star persona, "Because of all the stress it is so hard. I slacked off in my studies this one time. I have to work extra hard to make up for it."

Jugo muttered, "Some of the stuff on the tests is months old."

Lunar shot him an evil glare.

Mawari offered, "Well, you can ask me anytime if you need help."

Lunar thanked the girl profusely.

Jugo smiled sweetly as she left.

Lunar glared in return. She couldn't let this silly human get to her. She would have to find her own tutor. The manservant should do fine. His grades weren't great, but even a little help was better than nothing.

A few days later, Jugo was listening to the goings on of the newly reconstructed Michishio residence. Apparently Lunar had forced Nagasumi to help get ready for the next test. Jugo frowned, Lunar was really insecure. Maybe he should stop antagonizing her so much.

Jugo went to get groceries. On the way back from the fish store he saw President Edomae trying to shoot a fleeing Nagasumi. Jugo then watched from a few houses down as a confrontation between Nagasumi and the East and West heads. Jugo was confused at what they were talking about. He highly doubted that a tutoring session would turn into Nagasumi having his way with Lunar. Nagasumi was roughly shoved into the helicopter and it took off.

Jugo's eyes narrowed. What was going on? The look on Sun's face was almost heartbreaking. She really did care for that idiot. He cursed himself. This would end the mission. With the boy being taken by the Edomae, the Setos would likely return home. Jugo swore. Hairballs! It was times like this when he hated to have to do the honorable thing. Especially if it made him have to go to school longer.

When Jugo got home he reviewed the tapes. Apparently Lunar had ordered Nagasumi to dry off her tail and her father walked in at the wrong time. She used this to snag the boy for herself.

Jugo swore again. He called and left a message for the school that he had to go visit family for an urgent matter. Since they knew he was here on his own, it would be accepted. The fact he was top of his class would likely lay fears to rest that he wouldn't be able to handle the absence.

Jugo debated for a while how to handle this situation. Sun trusted the Black Cat to some extent. But he would need something a little more convincing. Listening to the girl talk to herself, Jugo could tell that Sun was rather distraught. He was known as the Black and White Tiger by many members of the Seto outfit. While they knew him to work hard to stop their operations, he had also shown that he didn't hurt family of the Merfolk of the Seto Fish Commission, unlike other Inquisitors. This was regardless of the fact that he carried his family's swords. The same swords that scarred the face of their boss. Jugo knew that there were reports that he had stopped another Inquisitor he worked with from attacking the wife and children various Seto members. He hoped that would be enough to convince the girl.

He picked up the phone and dialed the Michishio residence, transforming enough to change his voice.

"Hello?"

"I would like to speak with Sun Seto please."

"Can I ask who is calling?"

"An acquaintance of her family."

At this, Mrs. Michishio quickly brought the phone to Sun who was sitting in the attic. "Hello?"

Jugo spoke quickly. "Miss Seto. I have something you need to hear. I will meet you on your way to the train depot tonight. I work with the black cat that has helped you. You have my word that this is no trick."

At this Jugo hung up the phone.

He also contacted the tech people and got them to discredit the photos that Maki had leaked to the news about Nagasumi groping Lunar. It would take a day or two, but it would be done. This would blow over by the end of the week.

Jugo, dressed in a shirt, pants, and vest with a color scheme that matched the pattern of his fur, watched and listened to the house. For her return to Seto Inland, Sun had made plans to go to the train depot herself. She wasn't asking for help. She knew he couldn't speak to her otherwise. He saw members of the Edomae group arrive while he could hear Mr. and Mrs. Michishio trying to convince Sun to stay.

As the forlorn girl wheeled her case around the corner, he decided to make his move after landing a GPS locator and audio bug in Mr. Michishio's shirt pocket. The man was too nervous to even notice.

"I never would have thought that a Seto would give up so easily." He seemed to melt out of the shadows.

Sun's eyes widened and Maki brought her shell machine gun to bear. Her shaking hands betrayed what she felt. "You're the Tiger. What are you doing here in Saitama?" Maki spat out.

Jugo tossed a recorder to Sun. "Listen to that. Nagasumi didn't cheat on you. While I have issues with your parents, and a few others in the Seto Outfit, I hold nothing against you. Letting you go home would end my observational mission here, but it wouldn't be right. I don't hurt family of Yakuza. I only hunt those that break the law."

Sun put the recorder up to her ear and began listening.

Maki lowered the gun slightly. "Like we should listen to you. You want to kill me and the Boss for what we did to your dad."

Jugo smiled sinisterly. "I already have my revenge." Jugo held up the tiny sword he had snatched out of the air at field day. "Do you honestly think that unsuspecting human could dodge that attack by the Seto's foremost liquidator? I knew what you were planning and neutralized your efforts. I know your sword well enough to make a copy. I heard what you and Edomae were planning, I made sure I was there to keep you from attacking him." He tucked it back into the vest he wore. "I have the sword that ended my father's career. That is enough for me. You will be forever shamed in your family for losing the Slice of Fugu. What you have is a fake. I made sure to not put a mark on it saying who it was made by. One good blow should break the fake. As for Gozaburou, I'm still deciding what to do to him."

Maki was raging at the cat in front of her. Her anger at the moment was overriding her mind numbing terror.

She was promptly grabbed by Sun Seto and shaken. There were tears in Sun's eyes. "You knew Maki. You were there and didn't say anything! You encouraged Lunar to steal my husband! I know ya don't like Nagasumi, but he's my husband. You let someone take him from me. Why did you lie to me? Where is your Honor Among Thieves Maki?!"

Maki was shocked at the change in the girl. She hadn't thought what her actions would do to Sun.

Jugo folded his arms and leaned against the wall. "Sun Seto, may I speak to you for a moment without the Conch listening in? You have my word I will not lift a weapon of any kind against you unless you do so first. It is in regard to what you listened to."

Sun debated for a moment. Standing before her was the reason for half of the injuries and scars of current members of the Seto Gang. The swords he carried had scarred her father. There was no mistaking the decorations. Yet here he was giving her the tools to take back Nagasumi. Why? It made no sense. She had spoken with a few members that they had been in a fight, but the Tiger kept the others from harming their families. The Tiger was vicious, but he didn't hurt those who couldn't fight. Sun answered, with steel in her voice. "Maki. Go to the next light. You will still be able to see us. I am very disappointed in you right now."

Once Maki had left Jugo spoke again. "You probably want to know why I am giving you this recording." At Sun's nod he continued. "Because it is the right thing to do. I do not harm women and children. It is not my way; it was not my father's way. He once told me that I could do the right thing, or what was easiest for me. He also told me that if I chose the one that was easiest I would never be able to look myself in the mirror again. He was right. For whatever reason, you care for that boy. I can see it. Since I knew the truth, I had to let you know."

Sun looked oddly at the imposing figure. "What do you want for this?"

Jugo smiled. "Nothing. But if you are offering to do something, I would like some video of your father's reaction. I'll even promise to not sell it among the other Inquisitors if you like. Or I could give you a cut of the profits. The wedding will likely be held underwater at the Mermaid Reception Hall where the mermaid Yakuza conferences are held. I cannot go there." Jugo's watch beeped. "You need to catch your train. If you decide to do that for me, meet me outside Nagasumi's grandmother's house at five am the day of the ceremony."

With this Jugo jumped back into the shadows and shifted back to his human form. He made sure to sit at the opposite end of the train from Sun. He pulled his hat down over his eyes and slept. He would need it.

Jugo made sure to get off of the train after Sun did. With the early hour, Jugo stopped by Headquarters to get some gear. No one was really around. From what he had heard, the wedding would be tomorrow. His visit to Headquarters took him past the time for breakfast. After a meal, Jugo quickly made his way back to his house for a surprise visit.

When he walked in the door, his words of greeting died in his throat as he saw his parents. He quickly turned around. "I'll come back later." Some things could not be unseen. Not even if he tried.

Jugo sat watching the waves of the Seto crash against the rocky outcroppings. Saitama was nice, but he missed the ocean. Even though he hated getting rained on, he didn't mind swimming. He was even more than halfway decent at swimming. When he went back to his house, he held up a hand forestalling any comments from his parents. "Let's just pretend I just got home and forget about earlier."

Kiriko, Jugo's mom pouted, "You mean…"

Renji covered his wife's mouth. "That is enough dear. I think we have traumatized our son enough." He looked at his son. "What are you doing back here? Did the Setos leave Saitama?"

Jugo shrugged. "Maybe. It may be only temporary. There is a Yakuza meeting that they are attending. I figured I would take the time to see you guys."

His mother's laughter echoed. "You little sister has missed you. She keeps trying to measure up to what you achieved. She works herself so hard."

"Is she learning both schools of fighting like I did?"

Renji laughed. "Yes. She takes after your mother though. The dual sword style is hard for her."

Jugo laughed. "It was hard for me too. But it has been worth it."

The talk then devolved into what Jugo had been up to. Both his father and mother laughed so hard at how the secret of how their family's rules regarding marriage got out.

Renji, in between laughs choked out, "You know. That is exactly why I told you to always keep track of your surroundings in a fight."

Jugo grumbled in response.

Before he could say anything a chipper voice rang through the air. "Mom, Dad, I'm home. It was a short day today. How was…Jugo!" In her excitement she lost partial control of her transformation, and her ears and tail popped out.

His sister Amane was a sweet girl. While her hair was almost the opposite of his, white with black spots, she kept it long. She had grown in the time he had been away. Her full cat form looked like a snow leopard.

"Jugo, you're back! I've missed you so much! Tell me all about Saitama! Have you beaten up any Yakuza thugs? Is the fish there worse than here?"

Kiriko cut in, "No but he has already had a few Engagement Challenges." The smirk on her face was rather pronounced.

Amane's jaw dropped. "How dare they think they can beat my brother?! I'll wipe the floor with them if they think they…" Jugo's hand covered her mouth.

"I won. Don't worry. They were all humans with only a few years of training. I did spar with Sun Seto. She is rather good. I still beat her though."

Amane smiled in victory. "Of course you did Jugo. You're the best! No one can beat you. I won't let any girl win you who isn't perfect."

Jugo laughed. "I'm sure there is someone out there who can. I can barely beat dad."

"So is your mission over Jugo? Why are you here?"

This of course led to a retelling of what brought him here.

That night, Kiriko made a rather large meal to celebrate Jugo's visit.

Before he went to bed, Renji called his son over. "What aren't you telling us about your visit?"

Jugo rolled his eyes and then recounted the real reason why the Yakuza were having a get-together and what that had to do with him.

Renji put his hand on Jugo's shoulder. "You made the honorable choice son. I'm proud of you."

Jugo was surprised. His father had always given small tokens of approval. This was the first time he said it out loud.

Jugo was pulled into a hug. "I'm glad to call you my son."

Jugo hugged his father back. "Thanks dad."

They separated. Renji spoke up, "Come on. Let's get inside before your mother realizes that we had a moment."

The white bakeneko stood in the doorway, gazing at the scene. "Too late." She teared up. "It was beautiful. I love you two so much."

Jugo dodged his mother's hug attempt and beat a hasty retreat. The look of betrayal on his father's face when he was left alone with a clingy, teary woman was enough for Jugo to laugh. While his father didn't show emotion all that often, his mother was the exact opposite. When Jugo went to lie down, Amane stood in his door. "Thanks for coming back for a visit Jugo. I know you might not stay long, but I'm glad to see you." She then glomped her brother again. When he was released from her clutches, she said goodnight. Jugo set his alarm.

At four o'clock, Jugo snuck out of the house, his swords on his waist and a bag over his shoulder. He ran through the town, and arrived fifteen minutes early at the house where Nagasumi had spent most of his summer break. Sun was waiting for him.

When he dropped from the trees she was startled. "I'm gonna take back Nagasumi. I wanted to thank you for sharing that with me. I know that ya didn't have to. I am in your debt."

"No you're not. I am doing what is right."

Sun shook her head. "I want you to know that you were right. They are having the ceremony at the Mermaid Hall."

"I would imagine that the Edomae family will not be happy with you stopping things. That could cause the Yakuza wars to break out again. That would mean more problems for the Seto Gang."

Sun nodded. "I know. That is why I will be cutting ties with my family before I stop the wedding. That should stop the wars from restarting."

Jugo nodded. "If that is what you think is best. I will not interfere. I planted a bug on Mr. Michishio. They have already been taken to the Hall. I doubt it will pick up anything once he changes clothes. You'll just have to guess when the best time to arrive is."

Sun nodded. "I have to get away from my bodyguards. Father and Mother do not want me there."

Jugo nodded and tossed her a thick envelope. "If you decide to record it, this is a camera and battery pack. It fits over your ear and belt. This model is extremely hard to see. It is waterproof and since it is made for Beastfolk, it will move with your hair to keep things in focus. Good luck Sun Seto."

Sun replied, "Thank you." She then made her way back to the ocean.

Jugo sat near the ocean watching the feed from the camera. He was recording it on his laptop. With the water interfering, it would be difficult to be too far away. He had set up a receiver just above the water. Luckily the Michishio family was close to the main hall when they changed. The bug picked up muted conversation, but it was still able to be cleaned up and enhanced. While yes, this would be amusing, it would also give him faces for their database. These meetings were attended by all the underlings of the East and West. With any luck they could get another entry for the database.

He heard footsteps behind him and the voice of his boss. "What are you doing back in Seto?"

"It was a spur of the moment thing. I am trying to stop another East-West Yakuza gang war."

This stunned the older fox. "You report said that the Edomae daughter was now living there too. Was this what started this whole thing?"

"Since you won't let me email it to you, I put my latest report on your desk early this morning. I guess you didn't read it."

The kitsune noted the camera feed. : "What is this?"

"Infiltration of the Mermaid Hall. Sun Seto is going to stop Nagasumi Michishio from marrying Lunar Edomae. Since I gave her the recording showing that this entire thing is a sham, she is going to stop it. I gave her a wide angle model camera so that I can catch as many faces as possible. Not only that, should we have to storm it, we can actually get a modicum of a floor plan."

"Using a girl's feelings against her? That's new for you."

Jugo scoffed. "I didn't use her feelings against her. I told her the truth and she worked everything else out. Those two girls are the future heads of their respective syndicates. I prefer to think of it as preventing a future Yakuza war. They are still young enough to iron out their problems. Not only that, she actually cares about Michishio. It was the right thing to do on all counts."

"Ah yes, the vaunted sense of honor from your clan."

Jugo activated his mike. "Sun, I'm patching in what audio feed I have. We got lucky. The shirt is in the next room over. Make your entrance count."

Jugo heard a quiet, "Ya have my thanks Tiger. I still say I owe ya one."

The kitsune cocked an eyebrow. She waited until Jugo had disengaged the microphone. "I thought you said that you were masquerading as another Inquisitor."

"I was but, given the circumstances, I felt she wouldn't trust the information. As the Tiger I am known for being ruthless but merciful to those not involved. Particularly dealing with the families of Yakuza members. I know her parents have spoken about me possibly being in the area. It got her to listen to me."

"It was a reckless move."

"True, but it worked. She even ordered the Conch to let us speak privately."

He could feel the General's eyebrows rising.

"Yeah it surprised me too. I'm recording the feed to see if we can catch any new faces. I will forward them over to our computer people to see about running matches in the facial recognition database."

"There's something else isn't there?"

Jugo smirked. "You'll see."

"Answer me now."

Jugo sighed. Orders were orders. "The battery pack I gave her contains low profile monitoring drones. As she walks, they will deploy at random intervals effectively bugging the Hall. I used the long life ones."

"Those require special permission. Permission you don't have. They are also extremely expensive."

Jugo shrugged. "I didn't have time. Besides, forgiveness is easier to obtain than permission." Jugo handed her a key. "You also shouldn't leave the key to the tech storage room sitting on your desk."

"How many did you take?" The vixen had accepted the inevitable. There was no changing what had happened.

"Not many, I figured about forty ought to do the job."

"We only had forty on hand!"

Jugo looked at his boss. "Who wouldn't jump at the chance to get an ear in there? By the way, can you sign the requisition forms?" Jugo handed her a clipboard.

The kitsune huffed. "Only because you are bugging the foremost locale of Merfolk Yakuza meetings and conferences will I allow this." Under her breath she growled, "Opportunistic little punk." She signed the paper without looking and threw the clipboard back at him. She began sucking on her finger from a paper cut. A drop of blood was on the last piece of paper.

Jugo grinned. "Think of it as payback for sending me back to school. Of course if it yields good intel, it will be worth it. Not only that I'm sure you'll spin the expense as an extremely rare opportunity to gain insight into the inner workings of...blah…blah…blah."

The kitsune frowned at the boy. His father had taught him too well.

Jugo held up a hand, forestalling any response. "Shh. It's starting. Once it is over, I will be sending the feed into the monitoring station. I'll send them an email with close-ups to scan for faces when they got the feed uplinked to Headquarters."

The video feed began to flesh out as more drones came online. There had been a lot of empty rooms, but these might gain additional info later on. Jugo laughed openly at Gozaburou's face when Sun declared she was cutting family ties. He decided that would be the new background for his desktop.

Sun was able to keep up with the various members of the Edomae group. With her declaration of loving Nagasumi, the vixen shook her head. "I'll let our men know to not touch the boy until he formally is a part of the Seto gang. To see a teenage girl pull things off that you would, she would carve them up if he got hurt." When she sunk her sword into the seashell containing the sake, the General stood. "Let me know how this turns out."

When the Setos stood behind Sun, Jugo shook his head.

Luckily Kamata of all people came to the rescue. Jugo muted his speakers. While harmless, the Festival Song was rather powerful. Idly, Jugo wondered if the watchers would be able to mute the audio in time. Meh, it wasn't really his problem. With things wrapping up, he would be able to return to Saitama.

Once a team arrived with a better receiver for monitoring, Jugo spent the rest of the day with his parents and sister. Amane begged him to stay. When she wouldn't let go of his tail, Jugo tickled her until she let go. He knelt next to the teary eyed girl. "I will come back as often as I can. I promise you that."

She hugged him close. "I don't want a wimpy sister in law. Don't lose any fights."

Jugo laughed. "I won't. I haven't even had to go above the first level of training yet."

On the train ride home, Jugo mused over the fact that the uplink had audio going when it uploaded. Oh, well, even if they were still singing the Festival Song, they would stop after an hour or two. Maybe the desk jockeys would realize they still needed to work to not be affected by Songs.

Jugo returned to school and the Setos still weren't back yet. It was another four days before they would return. Jugo frowned. What had held them up? The day before the Setos returned he got a phone call from Headquarters. It was the General. She sounded exhausted and angry.

From her tone, Jugo knew he was in trouble. "Do you know how long the Festival Song went on?"

"A few minutes. At most, I would guess an hour tops. Why?" Confusion was evident in the boy's voice.

"The observation team has been dancing for over four days! All of our other operatives who went in there were caught as well!"

Jugo was stunned. "Well, that would explain where the Setos have been. I left so that I could return before they did and maintain my cover. I'm amazed that the two of them could keep going that long."

Jugo was puzzled about one thing. "Why didn't you call me before I left for Saitama? I could have redirected the feed and given them time to mute it. My encryption was good for twenty four hours."

Silence was the only response

Jugo put two and two together. Time to end this conversation. "Well, hopefully the new feeds yield results boss. Gotta go! I'll be late for class." He had some phone calls to make. Someone had to have caught that on camera. That and he had paperwork to do.