Hello everybody. Here's Chap 11! Sorry about the long wait...I had problems. LOL. Anyway, the next Chap should be along sooner! Promise!

A Big-Fat thank you to TheTruthAboutAngst! Thanks so much for beting!

Chapter 11

With determination I tie the purple straps of my apron behind me. I grab a hair band, and pull my hair up into a messy bun. Breathing deeply, I snatch the twin spatulas, one in each hand and swing them through out the air in front of me.

"Right! Let's do this!" I cry out, almost too dramatically. Sucking in a sharp breath, I eye the different coloured foods laid out in front of me.

In cooking animes, ones like Yumeiro Patissiere, where that anime has that one head-strong character who gets unbelievably jealous and wants to show off to get the girl? He does amazing things, catching carrots and such with amazing speed, the girls' eyes wide as the size of plates as they watch the show of skill.

You know them, right?

That's exactly how I am cooking. Well, trying to, anyway. Glaring at the sizzling vegetable pancake, I flip it over and watch it turn a golden colour before flipping it back over. "YOSH!" I cheer gleefully, placing the food onto a plate and ripping a part off. Placing it into my mouth, I freeze. My eyes widen and my face pales.

"Whaaa~" crying loudly, I charge across the restaurant and grab onto thee dark haired boy who doesn't even knowledge me. Shaking him, I whine loudly, "Ero-chan! I can't do it!"

"Yeah…I can tell."

Bastard! He really is a little brat isn't he! No! He doesn't help, heck no. He just stands there, cooking his perfect Okonomiyaki. Seriously! How the frick does he do that! Every damn day, the boy is able to create it just so perfectly! I'll be lucky if I can get it in a oval shape!

"Help meeeee~" I cry into his ear, throwing my arms desperately around the shorter boys shoulders, hugging him tightly while crying. The boy simply grunts, his body arched to the side with half-lidded green eyes. Yup! Since last night, everything had surprisingly changed with a flip of switch, Miharu no longer ignores me and we talk about stupid things before going to sleep again! We actually had an interesting conversation last night about the wonders of an amazing thing named 'Yaoi!' The poor sap didn't understand what a 'Uke' and 'Seme' is, I may have scared him off after that….Hm?

Miharu always struck me as the Seme. You'll never know how many times I've had fights over this! I WILL always win this fight! SO don't even try! I mean come on! Do you really think Yoite would even think about contact like that unless Miharu tricked him into it? And I highly doubt he'd want to put his jelly bean into the hula-hoop. If yah' know what I mean.

I may be a little perverted this morning….

"Here…try feeling it." Miharu's voice called out. I blink my so not innocent eyes and grinned. Yeah. That sounded wrong.

"Huh?" frowning as I felt Miharu grab my hands and placed his spatulas into them before he began to direct it around the spread out oven. I find myself blushing brightly as I realize I was pressed up against his back, I could feel his fingertips gently massaging my hands as he moved them. Gulping, I slowly rested my head against the space between his shoulder blazes,

"Welcome."

Frowning deeply, I looked to the door from the corner of my eyes. My eyes widen and I found myself going a new shade of red as I mete the stunned trio standing in the doorway. Cutting of the sunlight from touching us, all three of their bodies glowing, almost godly.

"…Err….Hi…"

Well…this is awkward.

Raimei let out a gasp, looking between Miharu and I with wide golden eyes. I smile nervously at her, twitching. Yes, this position is very awkward. Trust my luck to be caught like this! Thobari's eyes teared up as he stared at us before lunching forward with his arms stretched out towards us, "Rokujo! Danforth!"

"…Huh?" Blinking my eyes, slightly confused at what had happened. One minute I was squashed against Miharu's back, but now I found myself standing alone next to the so-not innocently cooking Okonomiyaki. I gasped, my eyes widen when Miharu swiftly punched the older guy in the face, sending Thobari back. It wasn't much later when the man was back up again, sobbing as he tried to hug the little demon who easily avoid his arms with a bored expression. "Was Thobari-Sensei always a cry-baby?" I wonder out loud, my blue eyes following the two's males movements.

Tilting my head to the side, I smile happily at Granny as she stepped into the room, her green eyes shinning with worry, "Umm…Thobari-san…you do know that Miharu and Reilly had just been staying with Kouichi-kun and Raimei-chan's for a few days…right?"

Laughing softly, I rub my red cheeks softly and slowly looked to the side, "Granny…" I mumble softly to myself. It was a story that kept changing between Miharu and I. As we spoke, each of us kept changing it, adding in useless words before finally the story ended with such a crappy and obviously made up story. I'm beyond surprised Granny buys it. Maybe she doesn't believe it and is just going along with it…

Oh my God! It's GGG! Not like other Granny's, never liked the quitting bees or Bingo parlours and would rather live life to the extreme! Such an awesome little-old Granny! The one from Hoodwinked. Yeah….*insert dreamy eyes* I want a Grandma like that.

"So! the best course of action is probably to open communications with Togakushi." Thobari speaks, the five of us now sitting at the corner table. Miharu stands cooking the Okonomiyaki because….well…I can't cook and if I tried, I'd probably end up ending their lifes. Stupid food. "If its as Fuuma-Dono said, the Iga and Kouga villages have always been enemies. The relationship between Kouga and Kairoushuu being especially hostile."

Blah-Blah. I don't get any of that, it just goes straight over my head. I just nod along with his words, uncaring really. Ah! Did I mention that I was almost killed? No. Well okay then. Now you know. Rai-chan almost killed me with her hugs! Holy cow! Can that girl hug!

"To the surface world, it's a dispatch company, but deep down it's an underground assassination organization. Even thought it's been infiltrated by Fuuma, it doesn't mean that it's security is that loose." Frosty-chan speaks, biting into his own Okonomiyaki that Miharu had made beautiful for him. Stupid pancake. The white haired male sweat-drops nervously as he notices the way I was glaring at the food, he lets out a soft chocking-like laugh.

"It'd best if they would just, kindly, hand over the Kinjutsu-sho." Thobari sighs to himself, lifting his arms up and resting his elbows onto the table, looking like those men in black, the villains. All he needs now is a cute kitty-cat! Oh. What an amazing image. Thobari sitting in a large white chair, he spins around with his legs crossed and arms around a black buff-ball, gently stroking the cat. A pair of black shades sitting, snugly over his nose. Just the thought makes me giggle, gaining a few concerning glances from the ones around me.

"That's right, where's Banten's Kinjutsu-sho hidden?" Frosty-chan frowns, his head tilting to the side.

Rai-chan lifts her head, dang that girl loves food, huh? Her cheeks puffed out as she chews, a small trail of roll over her chin. "Yeah! It must be some-where on Sensei, right? Let's take a look!" Her voice spills out muffled. Swallowing the food, the girl grins her golden pony-tail spikes up.

Rolling his eyes, the tall dark haired man grunts, "I've already hidden the Kinjutsu-sho somewhere, where it can't be taken. It's none of you business." he mumbled, somewhat nervously. His dark eyes shifts off to the side, pale lips presses together in a tight line. I couldn't help but give him a sly look to which he puffed out his cheeks, his pale face growing a bright shade of red, he grumbled and glares at us. "Seriously!"

Rai-chan's eyes narrows at the man. She bares her teeth at the tall man, much like a vampire baring it's fangs. "That's not fair! Aren't we comrades? Comrades shouldn't hide things from eachother!" she shrieks. Her voice boomerangs throughout the empty restaurant. She waves her hand around and I suddenly have a horrible thought. What if she accidentally slaps her hand on the open oven-table? She'd burn herself. Poor Lass…even if it would be cool to see…

"Shimizu!" Thobari snapped, his eyes darkening as they looked at the short blonde. His face twists oddly as he tilts his head to the side, carefully cupping his hands together across the table. "There are some things you're better off not knowing." he muttered, slowly twirling his head to the side. His eyes shift, looking briefly at the raven haired male standing to the side, cooking silently, his emerald eyes gazing bored down at the food. Obviously un-interested in anything the male is saying. "As for things everyone should know, we should just…say…um…it…"

Humming softly, I finally pull my eyes from the window and turned me head towards them. Err. Right something isn't right here. Everyone looks pale and their eyes are shifting side to side, as if they're trying to cover up a great secret. HA! Imagine that! They'd suck at it, they'd be caught right out. They're body language is all wrong. So. If you're amazing like myself, you'd be able to read between the lines!

Miharu's return is too sudden. No one knows what to say. Wait…are they avoiding looking at me too? Is my return too sudden, as well?! Oh. I suddenly feel depressed.

"Tell us what happened." Thobari suddenly demands, snapping his head up, his eyes glowing as they looked at the short dark haired boy standing by him. He's frowning. His eyes are glued to Miharu, watching his ever movement.

Okay. So I can see this is getting intense. Perhaps if I move slowly and carefully, I can avoid being questioned. Reilly, carefully move along the tables towards the door. Hm-Hm.

Yelping as the back of my white-hood is grabbed, I almost shriek when I'm pulled backward.

"Nothing happened, just forget about it!" Miharu smiles cutely, bubbly. He waved his hand around as he spoke. Blinking a little, I glared at him and tried to tug off his hand, only to frown when his hand didn't move. Stupid, little brat! He's such a demon. I can only stare at the hand like it was some kind of virus, sinking into my skin. I think he might have noticed it too, as Miharu gave a small tug on the cloth.

"Why won't you say anything?" Thobari demands.

Growling, I snapped my head around to look at Thobari. A chill goes down my spine at the look our Sensei was giving us. His face grows even darker, his eyes glow evilly. My heart pounds at the look, my eyes grow wide and without so much of a second thought, I twirl around and tried to run away once again, only to have Miharu yank me back with bored eyes. Pouting, I eyed the tall man before standing behind the short black haired boy. Hiding behind him to block Thobari's gaze, I resist the urge to lift him up from ground as Miharu is shorter then me. Hehe~ Imagine that, holding the tiny boy up, I'm sure he wouldn't be pleased with me…I'll probably get the cold shoulder for the rest of my life.

"There's nothing to say…" I quickly snap my head around to look at Miharu as his emotionless tone filled my ears. Miharu stands numbly, ignoring my hands clenching his black-hoodie.

Oh my! Thobari-Sensei looks like he's gonna blow!

"I don't believe you!" he growls out, his lips peeling back to reveal his teeth, an angry sneer.

Miharu shrugs, uncaring. "Then don't," he huffs, rolling his eyes and looking off to the side. His own lips turn into a small sneer of his own.

Has…Has Miharu ever looked so scary before? Hmm. Guess he's not that girly after all….he's really is a guy after. Not that I thought he was girl. Well, you can never really tell. Seriously Yoite, Miharu's more a girl then you are, you have nothing to worry about. Oh. I really have to tell him that, one day.

"He won't let you talk!" Pulling myself from my thoughts, I blink furiously as I find Thobari-Sensei grabbing Miharu by his shoulders and shaking him slightly. "Rokujo!" he snaps, hissing out as he stared up at the green-eyed boy.

Miharu's eyes slid closed. His eyebrow twitches as he breaths in deeply, chest shuddering. After a few seconds, his emerald eyes flutter open, he rolls his shoulders up and ducked his head cutely. Emerald eyes teared up and pale cheeks flushing pink, "I've already said that nothing happened! Why won't sensei believe me? I don't like sensei anymore!" he cries, his feet gently touching the ground as the man drops him and falls face first against the table with visible guilt spilling out of his body.

Sighing to myself, I turn my head to look at Miharu. The boy has a tiny smirk across his face with black horns and wings sticking out of his body. He walks across the restaurant.

It took long, but eventually they left. Rai-chan an Frosty-chan walk off together, I swear they were holding hands. I even hear Rai-chan talking about spending the night at his house. *shrugs* Soon after, Thobari-Sensei leaves, looking like an old drunken mess, tired and worn out. I feel bad, I just want to run after him and spill everything to do with Yoite. I almost do, until Granny tells Miharu to go after him. I stand numbly, watching as the boy sighs and disappears into the darkness.

"Here sweetie," Looking up, I smile, taking the cup Granny holds out to me. She has a warm smile.

Sitting quietly on the restaurant step, staring out into the darkness, I can't help but smile warmly at the white cup of hot chocolate in my hands. I glance into the night. I look up when I hear foot-steps, tilting my head to the side to see a figure slowly merging from the darkness. "Miharu You're back," I hum, watching the boy as he got closer. "You took so long." I sigh tiredly, rubbing my eyes.

"I told Thobari-Sensei everything." he spoke bluntly.

My eyes widen in surprise as my lips part to speak, and I jump when his hand gently reaches out and pats me on the head. "You don't have to worry about it anymore," he smiles weakly, I swear his eyes sparkled. He tilts his head and his cheeks flush light pink as he smiled.

The funny thing is? My chest tightened and my face started to grow warm.

"I…I….O-Okay…" I didn't know what else to say. I couldn't meet his beautiful green eyes. I could only pull my hot cup of hot-chocolate closer to me and swallow the sudden dry lump that had formed within my throat.

~#~#~

The sun glows brightly above us, mid-day. I yawn lightly as I run my hand through my crimson hair. I'm wearing the school uniform only without my jacket, my white blouse sleeves rolled up to my elbows. My white school vest hangs loosely over the top-part of my body. How'd it get so hot so quickly? Sighing to myself, I wipe my forehead.

"Hey! Are you even listening?!"

Letting out a soft 'huh,' I lift my head and look at Frosty-kun with half-lidded eyes. My lips part and hanged open tiredly. The thick sent of hopelessness fills the small area we sit in. Thobari-Sensei laid out across the stone bench, his arms stretched out across the back of it with his head dipped. His black jacket is unbuttoned and his tie hangs loosely around his neck. "I was. You just mentioned kelp." he grumbled out with a disinterested tone. His eyes droop, even as he tries to stay awake.

"…No…" Rai-chan groans out, her tone low and tired. The golden haired female sits, curled up at the end of the bench. Her knees pulled to her chest with her arms wrapped tightly around them. Her head rested gently on them, her covered sword laid against her back. Her golden pony-tails are spiked out in ever direction, two parts falling perpetually in her face. Whoa. Rai-chan really is a Barbie girl, isn't she? I'm just lucky she's nice and not a cow. "It was something about sweaters."

I'm not even sure what Frosty-kun was talking about. My head feels fuzzy and heavy. I think I'm sick or something. I didn't get much sleep last night. My heart was pounding so hard and my face, well when I went to the bathroom, it was so red that it could rival a tomato. I had stared at myself for hours before trying to cool myself down using cold water. Entering mine and Miharu's room, I found myself standing in the doorway, just watching as the dark haired teen sleeping. My hand had clenched the cloth of the nightie I wore, clenching the clothing stretching over my chest as I could hear the thumping of my heart-beat within my ears. I must have caught a fever or something the day before. I can still feel the effects of my fever today. Breathing deeply, my right hand gently rubs the spot above my heart while my other placed with Shiratama. Her glowing pink eyes gazed up at me, her snow-white fur shined from the sun above them. I have to admit, Shiratama is one beautiful cat, but every time I look at her, I feel something tugging on the back of my head. It's as if I've forgotten something important, something needing, something I've forgotten about her and everything else around me, but I can't place it. No matter how hard I try, I can't remember. It's so frustrating.

"Meow." Sitting straight, snapping out my somewhat depressing thoughts. My cheeks flush red as I let out a soft gasp, my lips pressed tightly together in a line. My blue eyes widen briefly as I looked to the side. The short raven haired male sat next to me, Miharu leant over looking at Shiratama with his green eyes. I can't pull my eyes off him as he tilts his head, leaning his head against the palm of his head. His lips quirk up into a smile as Shiratama lifts her paw an presses it against his forehead with a cute meow. Letting out a loud sigh, I drop my head. I am really sick after all.

"What's the matter? You've been quiet all day," Miharu speaks without lifting his head.

Flushing in embarrassment, my lips twitch as he looked to the side. "I'm f-fine…r-really…" I squeal, what's wrong with me! I've never been so sick before, nor have I never stuttered either. What if I start puking up next? What if this illness spreads?!

Miharu's head slowly lifts, his green eyes glance at the me from the corner of his eye. "If you could hear everyone's thoughts, things would be a lot easier," a female voice suddenly filled the area. The short boy tilts his head to the side, uncaring really as Thobari-Sensei snaps his head around with wide eyes.

A woman appears. She has long silky black hair with dark creamy green eyes. She walks towards us with her round hips seductively rocks. Beautiful pale skin with a gentle flush of pink across her cheeks. She wore a simple button up blue jacket with a mini-skirt. I suddenly feel self-conscious. She looks familiar but yet I can't remember from where. "When people congregate, everyone harbours their own thoughts. What a strange group of bedfellows we have here." she smiles, her lips a deed-blood red colour. Standing nervously behind her was a shrimpy male, he gulps as he looks at us. The woman's green eyes darkens as she looks at Thobari-Sensei, a dark and twisted smirk spreads across her face.

"Read your mind? Something like that."

A cool-chill goes up my spin as she turned to look at us. Her arms crossed behind her back and she leant forward. Her long black curls flutters over her shoulders as her eyes looks mockly at Frosty-kun, Rai-chan and I. "Ah~ Everyone seems to be hiding un-speakable secrets." she purred out, her eyes looking at Frosty-kun, said male stared back, his eyes hidden from the shadows of his hair. "Someone's made the decision to not let me spill any secrets." she chuckles, her lips twirling into a red grin similar to that of the Cheshire Cat. Eyes twirling over to Rai-chan, the golden haired girl hugged her sword tightly, her eyes widen. "Someone's wavering between thoughts of hate and friendship." Rai-chan gulps at the words, her shoulders trembling.

"Hmm." she chuckles lowly, looking over at me. I felt a chill slid down my spin. I couldn't help but gulp, my throat suddenly incredibly dry. My mind swirled as I tried to come up with any secrets I've got, anything I've tried to keep from them. My heart pounded, there was something. I know there way, but I couldn't remember it. What was it? I don't know. Shuddering, I try to step away as the woman came up to me, her eyes shining darkly at me. "And somebody has a difficult decision to make. Should I stay, should I go?" she purrs out, her eyes staring into my soul. Should I stay or should I go? What's that supposed to mean? "All in good time." she hummed, her eyes flickering off to the side. Blinking, I followed her line-view to find Miharu standing to the side, watching her somewhat bored eyes.

"As for you, Miharu Rokujou." she smirks widely, walking towards him and leaning down. "So that's how it is…your lips are sealed?" she laughs. Her eyes narrow, staring directly down at the short male. "Your childhood memories have been mostly lost, making you uncertain as to where you should stand." she says, watching as Miharu's eyes widen. "That's right, I can even know your heart's deepest feeling." she smiles, wiggling her finger around, lightly poking the boy on the nose. "I know everything." she whispers, leaning closer an tugging harshly on cheek, pulling his head to the side and nodding off to the side. Miharu's eyes widen as he follows her eye direction. I tilted my head in confusion, my lips pressed together as we made eye-contact. Miharu's eyes narrow and he turned his head back to glare at the woman heatly. "There-There." she laughs, patting him on the cheek. "Yet, the one who's hiding the most is Thobari-Sensei. If I told you all his secrets, you'd all be very surprised."

The dark haired female stares at Thobari, smiling as he holds a kunai up to her throat. He frowns, tightening his hand around the kunai. "You didn't flinch because you know I won't kill you," he observes.

"I already knew that you're a shinobi without the resolution to kill or harm," she says, pulling away from the man. She stretches her arms out before throwing her black locks over her shoulder. "I am the leader of Togakushi, as well as president Yae Oda of the dispatch company 'Fog Blue'," she says, her eyes closing as pulled out a small card and held it out.

"I've come to ask for assistance of the Banten Ninjas."

The next chapter will be a little different. Not by much, I don't want to spoil it. Haha. But I'm almost finished it, oh, and I'm hoping to make it longer!