A/N: Hello, everyone! I'm back with another chapter after such a long time. For these past two months, I've been studying and preparing for my state competency test here in WA and this is the only time I have to post another chapter of my story.

To all who posted reviews, thank you very much! :)

So onward to the story

Italicized sentences are spoken in Japanese.

Chapter 7 Almost Unmasked

August 5, 1944

It was almost three weeks since I have last seen Lieutenant Nushi. Ever since my return from Swamp Bottom, I never saw the arrogant and aloof police officer visit the church. Not even once. Even as I did errands for Hermana Anna or Padre Kanor, I never even saw him passing by the street in his car or even stand by a corner with that annoying smirk of his directed at me. He did say that Major Ogata had kicked him out of the White Dragon case and assigned him to keep an eye on me. Did he plan on going incognito this time so that I would not know where he was?

There was a mass to honor the President, who died four days ago after years of battling consumption. While Hermana Anna assigned the maids to do the cleaning after every mass, Ate Lina and I were tasked to buy flowers and candles. As we walked along the crowded street where the market was, I was craning my neck over the crowd, searching for any sign of Lieutenant Nushi. I was busy trying to catch a glimpse of him that I did not notice Ate Lina giving me an inquisitive stare.

"Azon!" she exclaimed, making me almost jump in surprise, "Who in the world are you looking for?"

I immediately looked straight ahead. "Oh, nothing." I lied.

Ate Lina clucked her tongue. "Yeah, sure." She said nonchalantly, "If you're not looking for anyone, then why are you craning your neck for the last fifteen minutes or so?"

I sighed. One thing was certain: I was never a good liar. That fact had been proven with my encounter with the two Kempeitai officers that should have led to more trouble had it not been for Lieutenant Nushi's intervening.

"Are you looking for him?" Ate Lina asked shortly. We had stopped on our tracks in front of a small bookstore. As soon as she asked that question, I did not dare look at her in the eye. It was so obvious who she was referring to.

I heard my friend huff and pulled me by the wrist. We bustled along the busy crowd towards the abandoned stall in the middle of the bookstore and a tailor shop. Ate Lina placed her hand on my shoulder, a concerned look gracing her face.

"Azon," she said softly, "Ever since that day you came home, you were acting…strange." I could see she was trying to find the right words to describe me. Then, she continued, "To be honest, it's getting all of us worried about you."

I did not reply to what she said, which made Ate Lina continue to speak, "Aren't you glad he's out of your sight now?" she chided, "The fact that he's not coming to the church and harass you…"

She was right. I should be glad that he is out of my sight for almost three weeks and counting. But the fact that he was definitely hiding something made me more curious about him and his secret.

"So, are you definitely looking for him?" she asked me again. Her hand was not on my shoulder anymore.

I finally decided to tell her the truth. "He's hiding something." I said.

Ate Lina rolled her eyes. "Hiding something." She repeated exasperatedly, "Honestly, Azon, I don't think you should know what that is."

"And why not?" I asked, affronted, "Even Kaonashi tried to convince him to tell me and he wouldn't listen.

"That secret," I continued, "I overheard him telling Kaonashi that he wouldn't know how I would feel if I found out about it."

"Is that so?" Ate Lina said thoughtfully and we started walking again, "Probably…he left a wife back from where he came from and probably misses her. So," she shifted her eyes towards me, "he probably saw you as a potential target to be his mistress while he stays here."

I gaped at her after she told what was on her mind about Lieutenant Nushi's secret. "A…a-are you s-serious?" I sputtered.

Ate Lina snorted. "Surprised?" she asked snidely, "Come on, Azon, you know why the number of comfort women grew ever since these mutts came here is because of the fact that they left all their sweethearts behind and the military needed to increase its men's morale!" she clucked her tongue in annoyance, "Increase morale, my foot!" she muttered under her breath.

I still thought about that possibility. Although it was true that the reason why the Imperial military would increase its men's morale by using the comfort women, I could not imagine Lieutenant Nushi doing those things to women. "But," I said softly in disbelief, "Could he really do such thing?"

"Azon, do you watch him 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?" Ate Lina asked a matter-of-factly, "Just because you don't see him slapping or harassing women in front of you doesn't mean he'll not do it when you're not around."

"If that's so," I mused out loud, "Then…why didn't he do those things…to me?"

Ate Lina was flabbergasted after I said that. "How could you even ask those things?" she exclaimed angrily, "You should even thank God that he's never done those things to you ever!"

"Of course I do." I responded softly, "But Lieutenant Nushi…"

Ate Lina huffed in exasperation. "Azon," She said my name impatiently, "Don't tell me you're in love with him."

I turned my head towards my friend and stared at her wide-eyed at her accusation. "What-no! Of course not, Ate!" I said rather defensively, "You know my heart has always longed for Master Haku and that will never change."

We had already reached the flower shop and both of us stood in front of the door, facing each other. Ate Lina's hands were already on her hips and she looked at me with a glare on her face. I knew I was definitely in for a scolding.

"It's because you sound like you're being blind about Nushi boy." Ate Lina said in a reprimanding tone, "You have to open your mind about this, Corazon. Just because Madame Zeniba can be trusted doesn't mean you have to trust her own nephew who is in league with the enemy."

I merely stared down at my brown leather shoes and gripped the side of my skirt. She was definitely right that Lieutenant Nushi should never be trusted. But then, if he ever is abusive to women, then why would he not do it to me? (Not that I would want him to, but I was just wondering.)

I suddenly felt a hand caress my left cheek. I looked up to see Ate Lina's hard glare had already softened into that of motherly concern.

"Azon," she said softly, "You do know that the consequence of Tiyo Andoy's fight for our freedom is very severe. The last thing he would want to happen to you is to be a victim of the very people he is fighting against."

I bit my lip as I held back the tears. Indeed, the consequence of fighting for our country's freedom is very severe and many have died by doing so since the Spanish colonization. Tatay was definitely one of those willing to risk his own life for the future and what I fear the most is that he might end up like the martyrs who gave up their lives for freedom.

"Ate!" we heard the high-pitched voice of Caring ringing from the distance. I looked over Ate Lina's shoulder and true enough, I saw my friend, squeezing through the crowd. However, my heart sank when I saw her tear-stricken face looking at us with despair.

When she finally reached us, she was trying to control her sobbing when she said, "P-padre Kanor…" she said shakily, her tears spilling from her eyes as she struggled to continue.

"Padre Kanor?" I exclaimed, my heart even sinking further as I heard the elderly priest's name, "Why? What happened?"

Caring gasped for breath as she struggled to say more, "H-h-he…was t-taken away!" she sobbed.

Both Ate Lina and I gasped in shock. "Did the Imperial police take him away?" Ate Lina asked.

My friend nodded shakily, sniffing, "A-and Pepe was t-taken too." She added before sobbing again. The people passing by were looking at us with puzzled looks on their faces.

We had to go somewhere else where no one would listen. "We have to go back to the church." I said, but Caring shook her head roughly.

"You wouldn't want to do that." She said softly as she wiped her tears with a handkerchief, "The police are there and said they will free Padre Kanor and Pepe if you agree to come with them."

I felt the fury inside me growing. So it was me that those bastards wanted and used Padre Kanor and Pepe as bait. But I knew that time was of the essence and if they don't have what they want, they might kill the two of them.

"Let's go back." I said monotonously. My two friends gawked at me.

"Are you out of your mind, Azon?" Ate Lina exclaimed, "You heard what Caring said. Those mutts are out there and just waiting to drag you to God knows where and you still want to go back to the church?!"

"There's no choice, Ate." I replied calmly, "If I don't go with them, who knows what they will do to Padre Kanor and Pepe?"

They did not say anything after that. I then continued, "Is Major Ogata there?"

Caring nodded, "And also Lieutenant Nushi." She added.

For some reason my heart skipped a beat after hearing his name. "I see." I replied, feeling my hands becoming a bit of cold albeit the warm weather of noon. I then began to move forward, "Well then, let's go back. If they really want to put me in jail that bad, they can go ahead and arrest me." I said boldly and started to walk away.

"Azon!" I heard them calling out to me in unison and I felt a warm embrace from behind. I heard Caring sobbing from behind, with Ate Lina going in front of me.

"Don't do this, Azon." She said softly, trying to hold back her tears, "We wouldn't know how to face Tiyo Andoy if anything happens to you."

I gave her a small and sad smile. "I do feel at unease about this but if I don't go," I lifted one hand and touched Caring's hand, "But if I don't go, I don't think I could ever forgive myself if anything happened to them." I suddenly heard the sound of a car engine growing louder behind us and when we turned to see who it was, it was Madame Zeniba's car and we saw the elder doctor stepping out of the car.

"Oh thank goodness I spotted you!" she said cheerfully and walked towards us, "Would you three girls mind joining me for a cup of tea?"

I gently shook my head, "We would love to, Madame Zeniba," I replied, "But I just heard that Padre Kanor and my friend's fiancé have been arrested by the police and now they want me to go with them if I want them to be free."

Madame Zeniba's cheerful disposition suddenly changed to that of a blank shocked stare. "Oh, is that right?" she said calmly, "Well they just can't do that!" she suddenly said boldly and then she motioned for us to get in her car. "Come. Let us go and tell them to get off their high horse and start being civilized."

I firmly shook my head. "Madame Zeniba," I said warily, "If this means getting you in trouble-!"

"Nonsense!" Madame Zeniba said with a wave of her hand, "If you must know, if there's one person they can never touch, it is me. And it's not because of my nephew!"

I had no choice but to trust in her. But as Ate Lina, Caring, and I went inside the car, I fervently prayed to God and any of the saints to heed my plea and let this run smoothly.

When we had already reached the church, I was not surprised that I saw a dozen black cars surrounding the building. But most of all, I easily spotted the tall slender figure of Lieutenant Nushi standing at the side of the large mahogany church door, beside Major Ogata, who was clutching the sword attached to his right side. Lieutenant Nushi's eyes betrayed no emotion even as he spotted his aunt's car, which slowly came to a halt in front of the church door.

(Kohaku POV)

I was a bit surprised that I saw oba-san's car coming to a halt in front of the church. I had thought that Corazon would come alone, knowing her fiery spirit to face anything even death itself. However, I was also worried about her at the same time. Ogata had planned the arrest to convince her to come with them for an interrogation on her father's whereabouts, while torturing the two men if she would not cooperate.

When I saw her lithe figure step out of the car, I could not help but admire her from a distance, but I had to guard myself before my superiors would suspect anything.

Just like what happened the day after I brought Azon home.

(FLASHBACK)

"NUSHI!" I heard the booming and obviously enraged voice of Major Ogata from his office. Did I do something wrong? I slowly stood up, leaving my paperwork strewn all over my desk and walked towards the open doorway of my office. Being the second-in-command of the Constabulary meant I had my space all to myself. But that did not mean I was spared from the Chief's ire at the least.

When I opened and stepped inside his office, I promptly saw my superior standing behind his desk, his face almost the color red beet as he fumed at me.

"WHERE WERE YOU LAST NIGHT?" he roared.

"I…" I began, thinking of the correct words as to not get myself caught, "I was at home with a fever." I immediately said innocently.

"With a fever, eh?" Major Ogata sneered, stalking from behind his desk towards me, "Did you know what happened last night, boy?" he asked in a low deadly voice.

I did not reply. I had always gotten away with a blatant lie or two to these scoundrels. But something told me this was sort of different.

"The White Dragon!" he yelled, throwing his hands up in the air, "He was there last night when our Kempeitai troops were about to execute those rebels and because of that wench, the execution failed miserably. MISERABLY!" he inhaled a deep breath after he accentuated the word "miserably" with a roar. I had wanted to laugh at him, but by doing so would be suicide.

"So what do you say about that?" he asked with a snarl. I stared at him with the blankest look I could muster.

"What do you mean, sir?" I asked while feigning ignorance. Bad response. I felt a hard blow on my abdomen that hurt so much that I kneeled on the floor with a grunt.

"YOU DARE GIVE ME THAT ATTITUDE, BOY?" he roared, pulling the hair on my head to face him, "JUST BECAUSE I PULLED YOU OUT OF THE CASE TO WATCH CORAZON OCAMPO DOESN'T MEAN YOU GET AWAY WITH YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES OF KEEPING ORDER IN THIS TOWN!"

Order? More like human rights suppression!

Ogata roughly released his hold on my head, but not before giving another blow on my face which sent me flying to the opposite end towards the wall. If only I had my way, I would have defended myself, but by doing so would put me in danger of being unmasked too soon.

"I get it now." I heard my superior mutter in what I could perceive as laced with malice, "I think you're interested in Ocampo's daughter, am I right?"

I immediately looked up to face him and that hard glare on his face while I struggled to stand up.

"Maybe." I replied with a sly smirk, "True she is a peculiar yet attractive young lass, however," I fully stood up now while holding on to one of my sides, "She may be the only key for us to unmask that wench quite soon enough."

"And how do you think that works?", Ogata spat.

"Don't you see," I replied, "Each time she is in danger, that wench appears and saves her. There could be a possibility that their relationship is much deeper than we all think."

This time, the tables were turned when Ogata now had that stupid blank look on his face. Or so I thought when I saw his face growing dark and I could see an evil grin beginning to widen.

"I see now." He said evilly, "Good job, Nushi. I never even thought about that. Probably if we use her as a bait to catch that wench, probably we can get him to reveal himself to us."

"I do not seem to understand." I lied, though my heart sank. I know exactly what Ogata means and that was…

"Goddamit Nushi!" he said exasperatedly, "SHE is his weakness! If something terrible happens to her, and if what you are saying is correct, then the White Dragon will never hesitate to blindly avenge her and that's where we can all join forces and catch him!"

(END FLASHBACK)

My heart even sank further after I heard his plan. It was stupid that I had to tell him that the White Dragon and Corazon have a deeper relationship but it was needed for me to keep my identity a secret. This time I had to play my cards well.

Ogata had moved towards the four women and I followed suit, noting the glare on Corazon's face that was directed towards us.

When Ogata had approached the women, I immediately stepped to the side and kept my distance, while watching Ogata's hand touched the hilt of his sword. At that sight, I slowly moved my hand towards the lapel of my gray Americana suit, pretending to straighten it out but only to pull out my gun underneath my suit if anything goes wrong.

"So what is this?" he sneered, "You decided to bring someone close to the Governor-General to defend you?"

"Of course not." Oba-san replied, "I came here even if Corazon did not want me to just to tell you that detaining a clergyman and another innocent citizen to force her to be present at the station is just uncivilized of your men!"

"With all due respect, Madame, but I did not ask you any question." Ogata responded in a not so respectful manner that made my eye twitch in fury. He better be careful with dealing with my aunt or else.

"So, Ocampo." He drawled, "I believe you are aware that your presence is needed and two of your friends have been detained as a result."

Corazon gave him the most intense glare that I have ever seen. "I do am." She said coolly, "However, I still do not see why you have to have Padre Kanor and Pepe involved here."

Ogata scoffed at her reply, "You do know that your father is actively involved in guerilla activities and is one of the most wanted throughout the country." He said, tapping the hilt of his sword.

"And you think I don't know?" she quipped with a smirk on her face, "Probably the reason you are so desperate enough to even use my friends to accomplish your schemes is because you and your men are not competent enough to catch my own father!"

A loud slap came when Ogata's large hand hit the left side of her face. I felt the fury grow inside me and I slowly reached for my gun underneath.

"You disrespectful wench!" he spat. Corazon only glared at him in response. Oba-san then intervened.

"Major, I think that this is enough." She said coldly, "Why don't you let those two men go and leave Corazon alone. They do not have anything to do with this."

Ogata paid her no mind as he suddenly unsheathed his sword and pointed it towards Corazon, the tip near her face. My hand had already reached my gun and I slowly pulled it out. Don't you even dare try to harm her in any way, old walrus.

"All right, then." Ogata said with an evil smirk, "Why don't you tell where your father is right now and I could spare your life and set your friends free."

"And do you think I will have the nerve to tell you myself?" Corazon replied to almost a yell.

"Corazon Ocampo." Ogata said, "You have a very bright future ahead of you. If you tell me where your father is, we could even make him change his mind about our empire and he could even receive monetary support for his family."

"In behalf of my father, I'm afraid we have to say no to corrupt and heartless people who dare manipulate others based on material wealth." Corazon mocked.

Ogata snarled and suddenly raised his sword to strike her. Corazon turned her head with her eyes closed and oba-san and Corazon's other friend were about to intervene. I was at the point where I should pull my gun out right now and shoot at Ogata, not caring whether I will be arrested for treason or killed.

I suddenly heard a loud 'chink' and was about to pull out my gun when I saw a chunk of Corazon's hair fall to the ground. I discreetly hid my gun back, relieved that Ogata never dared chopped her head off.

"Nushi!" he called in a booming voice.

"Hai." I replied with a curt nod.

"Arrest this insolent woman." Ogata said in an angry low voice. I nodded and unhooked the handcuffs from the side of my belt and approached Corazon, who glared at the sight of me. I gently took her wrists and cuffed them. As my gaze shifted from Corazon to oba-san, she only gave me a stare that betrayed no emotion.

This is where I realized that it was never easy living a double life. Especially, when the woman you love views you as the enemy.

A/N: God, I felt that this wasn't such a long chapter to make. So let me know what you guys think! Just press the review button down below and write your thoughts. Your opinion matters! And I'll be posting more chapters as soon as I'm done with my state test. Peace out! :)