"Again!" Sakaki yells at Kinichi as I wander through the dojo. "Come on little man! At least put enough force into it for me to feel your punches!" He has the giant mitts on his hands that Kennichi is supposed to be hitting repeatedly, while learning to dodge too.

"I'm trying damnit!" Kenichi yells back in frustration, punching away.

"Too slow!" Sakaki yells, punching Kenichi straight through the wall of the dojo.

"Sakaki! Stop breaking the house!" Miu adds her voice to the insanity that is daily life here.

Suddenly, I feel the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I instinctively bring my elbow back hard and make contact with Kensei's hand, hovering just in front of his face and behind my ass. I glare at him. Ever since the day Akisame and I fought, Kensei has apparently decided he can treat me like all of the other women at Ryozanpaku. Akisame says it just means he's fully accepted me. Kensei claims to be testing my reflexes – trying to get more of my training to come through the blank hole in my mind. I know he's just a pervert that wants to feel me up…

Life has gone back to normal at the dojo – or at least a better version of normal since my amnesia. Akisame no longer runs from a room as soon as I enter. Sometimes he is affectionate and will kiss me or run his fingers through my hair. Other times he's more reserved; keeping his distance with his hands tucked in his sleeves. I've pretty much figured out that these are days when he doesn't trust his restraint as much. It's a lesser version of removing the temptation. The other masters tease him about it nearly constantly. Sakaki and Kensei seem to feel like his continued insistence on not having a relationship with me is some form of temporary insanity. I've decided just to give the situation time.

It's so hot out today! I have on one of Miu's purple tank tops. Fortunately, it's the stretchy kind, and she's not so much bustier than me that it looks too big. I also have some small black running shorts which I asked her to pick up from the store for me. My ass has definitely seen more years than hers – but I don't mind it. But my hair is driving me crazy; making the heat that much worse. I've got it pulled up on the back of my head in a messy bun, trying to keep it off my neck. I've borrowed one of Shigure's paper fans. I wanted to ask Akisame if he could pick up something refreshing from the market. I know he's partial to watermelon… but I can't seem to find him. I prop my hand on my hip in frustration, using the fan to keep myself as cool as possible.

"Whoa…" I hear a young man's voice whisper behind me. "Hey Kenichi… is there some kind of beauty requirement for the women who live here?"

"Oh her," Kenichi pipes up in a whisper to match the new voice, "That's Sachi. She's new, but yeah, it definitely seems to be a trend. I have to say…" he continues, lapsing into a perverted tone. "It sure does make staying here worth it sometimes…"

"You guys do know I can hear you right?" I pipe in with a clear voice; turning to face them with a smirk.

"Oh, sorry," Kenichi says with a blush. "This is my friend Takeda. Takeda, this is Sachi – the new resident of Ryozanpaku."

Takeda has long, and surprisingly blue, hair pulled back into a pony tail. He has bright clear eyes and the face of a pretty boy. He must be one of the biggest heartthrobs of his local high school. His posture is loose and carefree, but confident. His hands are taped like a boxer. I wonder what he's doing here.

"Nice to meet you," he says walking up and placing a kiss on my hand like some old knight of Camelot. This kid is dangerously smooth for a teenager. "Are you a martial artist then?"

"Sort of," I admit, not sure how to explain – or if I even should. "Are you honestly coming on to me?" I'm a bit shocked. I'm still fit, but obviously older than he is. The thought makes me almost sympathetic for Akisame… but not quite.

"Wow," he says, rubbing the back of his head while a blush blooms on his cheeks. "You're pretty blunt huh? Well… yeah I guess. You're pretty beautiful standing there like that."

Definitely dangerous… Akisame walks through the dojo doors with an interesting expression on his face. It's not quite amused, and not quite aggravated – somewhere in the middle perhaps.

"Well, thank you," I respond to Takeda's compliment, trying not to be rude despite my distraction. "That's very kind of you, but I think you're a bit young for me handsome. Are you even 18 yet?"

"Almost…" he admits sheepishly.

"Ah Sachi," Akisame's smooth voice cuts in, "I see you've met my patient." He walks over to join us.

"Yes," I smile back with my true enthusiasm to have finally found him. I feel foolish now for not thinking of the clinic. "Kenichi introduced us already."

"Is she one of your patients, doc?" Takeda asks. The tone he uses with Akisame borders on worship. I wonder what Akisame is treating him for. "Akisame's the best," he turns to me insistent. "He's helping me heal my arm up so I can be a professional boxer someday!"

I smile at his enthusiasm. Suddenly, I feel Akisame's arm snake around my waist and pull me against him. I can't quite get a look at him, because he nuzzles his face into my neck – breathing deeply as if he's smelling my hair. He kisses my neck tenderly and pulls back to look into my eyes. I know I probably look like a love-struck puppy staring at him like this… but I just can't help it when he acts this way! This is more open than normal for him.

"I'm sorry if you've been looking for me," he says in a seductively dark tone, ignoring Takeda's question. Then he chuckles warmly. "I realized I didn't tell you I left for Takeda's appointment. I nearly forgot the boy."

"It's okay," I say, taking a risk and kissing his lips softly.

He accepts my little kiss graciously. Then he turns his attention back to Kenichi and Takeda, and I turn with him. When I do, I realize Takeda's mouth is hanging open in shock. Kenichi is standing beside him grinning from ear to ear.

"No way, Akisame!" Takeda shouts. "She's your girl? Man I'm so sorry! If I'd known I'd..."

"She isn't my anything," Akisame feels the need to clarify. "I appreciate your concern, but Sachi is not a possession. She can do as she pleases. I simply enjoy her company."

"Right…" Takeda mumbles, even more confused than before.

"Just ignore that idiot!" Sakaki yells from across the room. "She's his woman he just won't admit it! Now damnit, Kenichi… Get back here and finish your training!"

"Yes, master Sakaki…" Kenichi says in a defeated tone, dragging himself back. Akisame walks back with him, leaving me with Takeda as if he's proving some kind of point. I can't help but laugh at all of them, and Takeda joins in with me. Suddenly… I feel the hair on the back of my neck rise again. I bring my elbow back, and hear a laugh like the devil himself split the room as a rail thin figure leaps out of my way.

"Hey hot stuff," the alien-looking young man says in a grating tone, "Why don't you ditch that old geezer and find out what a real man can do for you… hmmm?" This kid creeps me out.

"Kenichi!" I yell for him again, "Is this one of your weird friends?"

"Nijima!" Kenichi yells, barreling back in the room.

"What the hell?!" Sakaki shouts. "How the hell are we supposed to get any training done with all your buddies dropping in like this?!"

"Well…" Akisame sighs, "Well just have to make him do more laps around the city to make up for it."

"But it's not my fault!" Kenichi screams in denial. "Damnit master Koetsuji! Sachi needs my help! Back off you alien freak!" He throws himself between me and the strange alien boy. I am amused, but somehow thankful.

The kid is tall and crazy skinny. He has extremely long pointed ears like some woodland elf or mutated alien. His face is thin and cut with severe angles. He has short black hair which almost seems to form into devil horns atop his head. His little beady eyes are the icing on the cake. But his outfit… my God! He's dressed in some kind of strange black jumpsuit with aluminum foil-like strips down the sides. Between the foil strips are what appear to be… black lights?... strapped all over his body emitting a weird glow.

"Nijima…" Kenichi says in a worried tone, taking stock of his strange outfit too no doubt. "What the hell are you wearing?"

"This, my friend," Nijima waves at the ridiculous costume proudly, "is all the rage in London. It's the newest thing in rave parties. Personal black light suits! If you weren't such a social reject you'd know that. Just think of it Kenichi. Loud music… pulsing bodies… half-naked women in glowing white bikini's! Beat that baby!" His devilish laugh erupts again as his tongue flails around like a snake. I shudder at the sight.

"The boy has clearly lost his mind," Akisame states in a sympathetic tone.

"Apa…" Apachai pipes in, sticking his head through the new hole in the wall. "Akisame, what is a rave?"

"It's a type of party or dance with loud electronic-style music where people come together and make fools of themselves in large groups," Akisame explains very matter-of-factly.

"Oh put a sock it in old man!" Nijima screams. "Raves are the best way to…"

WHAM! Kenichi hauls off and punches the poor boy in the face. Nijima is now sprawled on the floor twitching.

"You are crazy!" Kenichi screams. "Now get out of that thing before someone calls the cops about the alien freak that was just seen coming in here!"

Nijima pops back up, dusting himself off in obvious frustration. "You just have no taste," he spits, "Unlike your beautiful friend. Nice tattoo by the way, sweetheart." He winks his creepy beady eye at me.

Tattoo? Is he talking to me?

"How hard did you hit him, Kenichi?" Akisame asks with concern in his voice. "Young man, Sachi doesn't have any tattoos." Akisame puts his hand to Nijima's forehead as if to take his temperature.

"You sound awful sure of yourself for someone who isn't dating her…" Nijima leers suggestively.

"Now I'm going to hit him…" Akisame states standing back up.

"Actually I saw it too." Takeda jumps into the conversation, surprisingly to Nijima's defense. "It's pretty cool Sachi. What does it mean?"

"I… I don't know what you're talking about…" I mumble, confused.

"Oh come on, don't be shy…" Nijima says leaning into me and then jumping back in fright after glancing back at Akisame. "The one you've got right on the back of your neck. I have to say it's very clever. Black light tattoos are pretty hard to come by. Where did you get it done?"

"Show me!" Akisame's voice is suddenly demanding.

"You mean…" Nijima says; his face suddenly looking confused after he sees the confusion clearly written on my own. "How can you not know you have a tattoo? Didn't it hurt?"

I am frozen in confusion and dread.

"Just show me!" Akisame shouts again.

"Okay, okay! Calm down!" Nijima holds up one of the black lights from his suit. "Turn around will ya?"

I turn and hear the whole room gasp. "What?" I ask. "What does it look like?"

"That's remarkable," Akisame mumbles. "I've never seen this design before. Kenichi! Grab me some paper and my calligraphy brush."

"Yes, master Koetsuji!" Kenichi shouts, running for the other room.

"Sakaki, do you recognize it?" Akisame asks.

"Nah," Sakaki mumbles. "Never seen it before. That's pretty cool stuff though. I've never heard of a tattoo that can only be seen by black light before."

"Nijima," Akisame says, still standing behind me. I hear footsteps running back. "Oh thank you Kenichi. Nijima, I'm going to need to borrow one of those black lights from you."