Happy 2017!

Oh my goodness this chapter turned out huge! So I split it in two. As promised though there is a canon character in here.

On another note I have no idea when I'm posting next as I'm moving house for the next couple of weeks as well as starting uni so I may be busy but I'll try my best to finish and post the rest of The Puppet Mizukage. It's intense like whoa.

Hope you enjoy ;)

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 13: The Puppet Mizukage: Part 1

The bar was sticky but I still lent upon it in a careless sprawl waving my empty cup at the bartender.

'Another,' I purred.

The bartender threw me peeved look but did go and get me another glass of the bottom shelf whisky I had been taking all night. Also the one that I had suspected was watered down anyway.

'Another Aki?' the man to my immediate left asked surprised, 'That's your eighth!'

'I'm a big woman,' I drawled hefting my chest up to rest on the sticky bartop, 'There's a lotta' storage space.'

The man whistled, 'You can certainly say that again.'

I chuckled and let my body move with the motion catching the absent interest of a couple of men across the room.

'What's your poison anyway Irino?' I asked as the bartender made his way back with my drink.

'Well sake usually but Water Country has shit sake and can never import the good stuff. So, I'm wasting away on what they call beer,' he griped.

The bartender sniffed haughtily from where he was 'polishing' a glass with no apparent change in cleanliness.

'Wow chill Irino you'll get us kicked out,' I chided swilling my whisky around before downing it.

Well… by downing it I mean replacing the contents of my glass to that nearby water jug…

'…and what a waste that'd be…' he muttered.

I laughed and shook my glass at the bartender for yet another.

'I could see if I could improve the importation of sake?' I offered spinning on my stool to face him more.

'Like you tried to get in fresher meat at a reasonable price?' Irino scoffed.

'Hey! Its not my fault the tariff for importation into these islands is obscene! Plus! Gatou's a moneygrubbing backstabber! I absolutely refuse to do business with him anymore,' I said loudly.

'Oh? What he do this time?' Irino asked interestedly.

'It's what he didn't do that bothers me,' I grumbled, 'He didn't pay me… again!'

'Shit… well I guess I'll try to steer clear from relying to heavily on him,' Irino mused, 'Thankfully all my products are non-perishable and handle the long transport times with the less successful shipping merchants.'

'Yeah well good for you…'

'Hey! You're the one that found yourself in fresh produce business. Don't begrudge others for making better life decisions.'

'Why don't you just have another drink Irino and stop talking hmm?'

Irino laughed but didn't order another drink, which was probably wise of him.

It's likely the bartender would spit in it.

'Why are we drinking in a dive like this anyway?' Irino asked peering around.

I peered around too taking in the dingy setting and the shady characters occupying the small bar.

I shrugged and sprawled back against the bar top and winked flirtingly at a posturing meathead over by the gaming table.

'I'm in town, you're in town, this place was in town. Make the connection,' I said nonchalantly.

Irino gave me a droll look.

'Even you're more classy than place like this. Shit, it's not like you cant afford better with your connections.'

I snorted, 'True.'

'So c'mon? What's up?'

It was then I looked sharply at Irino's face. It was a plain face and it sort of reminded me of a mouse with it small pointed features and brown colouring. From my experience though- I knew him to be more of a gossipy gutter rat. But, I suppose that was what I was counting on.

I sighed.

'I'm trying to lay low I suppose,' I admitted.

He perked up.

'You running from something? Gatou?' he asked curious.

'Na, just staying under the radar. Trying to hear some whispers. That's all.'

'Whispers?'

'Yeah… there is a rumour going around that there is some happenings in Water that is going to do some damage to business. I'm here to suss out if it's true.'

Irino crossed his arms and appeared to ponder something.

'Rumours? Be more specific. I have a couple of things that this could effect business but none I was aware could make any lasting difference.'

'To do with Collateral 5,' I stated meaningfully.

He appeared interested and hummed.

'Collateral 5? Certainly a couple of years ago there was real problems in terms of visa admission but recently I thought it had been quiet?'

'Really? Not too quiet maybe?'

'No? Why? What do you know?' he questioned eagerly.

'Well lets just say a birdy told me that someone has been stirring the pot a bit too much and it's boiling over into our side.'

'Bloody ninja…' Irino grumbled, 'Why can't they just keep their issues to themselves? Why do they always seem intent to bite the hand that feeds t hem?'

'It's because most of them are short-sighted idiots,' I said with certainty.

Irino sighed.

'Why wouldn't I have already I known about this? I'm the one that lives closest after all. Why am I the last to hear?'

'It's probably because you are a non-perishable supplier,' I teased, 'Don't you know you're last in everything?'

'Hey!'

'Don't' begrudge others for making better life decisions,' I stated coolly throwing his words back in his face.

He flipped me the bird.

'Liar. You make the worst life decisions,' he grumbled, 'another one is the one sitting across the room that you've been eyeing off all night.'

I nodded to the guy Irino was talking about. He nodded back in interest.

Well that's my cue.

'You're very right there. Well! It's been nice Irino. Lets not leave it six months before the next catch up.' I crooned to him as I got off the bar stool and flicked a few coins on the counter, 'Now please excuse me- I have a poor life decision to make.'

With I sauntered over to the hulky guy who had situated himself near the door in preparation of leaving.

'Stay classy Aki!' Irino called back loudly

I laughed and sauntered out of the bar into the night air.

Well… Dead end there… Lets see if my next contact has any better information.

I dismissed my clone as we turned the corner and headed to my accommodation still in my 'Aki' disguise.

I was a little disappointed in the fact that I hadn't heard anything on the coup in the few days I had been in Water Country but I did also understand. Practically all my contacts were civilians but I was holding out hope that someone had heard at least something somewhere.

Even if I fail though… At least this time I'm at least trying to help.

The air was still around me as I tried doing my best to blend into my surroundings- hopefully with some success.

I was furiously trying to regulate my breathing into something normal but ,y heart was beating so fast in my chest I was actually worried that my pursuers would be able to use it as a beacon to find me.

I had been two days from the nearest village steadily working my way into the inner islands of Water Country when I noticed my tail. If it weren't for my slight whimsy into looking at a curious red bloom I wouldn't have noticed them at all. All it took was a flare of my sharingan to try and etch the flower into my memories so I could try and classify it later that I noticed the foreign chakra trail.

Unfortunately, I spooked.

My instinct to run definitely wasn't the wisest because it notified my followers that I had noticed them and they pursued without the stealth.

It had taken a day of using every trick in my bag to stay one step ahead of them. I had eventually depleted all my weapon scrolls, run out of my trusty ninja wire and was down to my last chakra pill. But eventually my resources ran out which left me the option of trying to find somewhere to hide.

So, this meant that I was thigh deep in mud hoping that my heart wouldn't give me away.

I tucked myself away in a swamp on one of the smaller island in the north of Mizu laying low hoping that at least one of my decoys had distracted whoever was chasing me.

I damn well better have lost them seeing as I swam into this snake infested mud-hole trying not to make a chakra trail.

Damp and feeling incredibly stupid I sulked and tried to calm down.

I must have caught the attention of the Kiri-nin somehow and now I was likely to be facing some serious consequences.

It's a small mercy that I'm still in my Aki disguise.

I smothered the urge to snort. A shell protection nothing else. They would sap me of my chakra quick smart that will cause me to lose my henged attributes so it wouldn't matter in the end.

I eventually calmed my breathing and scanned the area.

I wish I could sense chakra beyond using my sharingan. I have no idea if I managed to escape notice.

Just to be on the safe side I decided to stay in the bog listening for any sign of my pursuers.

I stayed for quite a while.

The shadows of the nearby reeds deepened and soon it was sunset. As the cover of darkness enveloped the area I waited still but I still didn't think I had the courage to move.

It was only when a chill swept through the area I surmised that I could not wait there any longer. I had a couple of choices then, either I could move and find a more secure location with protection from the elements or I could begin regulating my chakra through my body for warmth. Both were a bit of a risk.

If I moved and someone was watching- I would be caught. But, if a sensor was nearby they could easily hone in on my location with the fluctuations- and I would be caught.

Simply keeping my henge up was a risk but I must have had some small bit of hope left, as I couldn't will myself to dispel it in case I truly did escape.

It took another hour of sitting in the cold mud for me to make the decision to move. I moved slowly as I had remained quite tense for a while and my body had gone numb.

One step.

Two steps.

I was backing away from the bog with faint suctioning steps heading towards an uplift in the area. I emerged from the densely reeded swamp and moved towards the rocky formation. Hopefully it would provide a bit of shelter from the rain that was now drizzling down.

Living in Tani definitely teaches you to spot rocks that may have caves.

The rock formation, I discovered as I got closer, was made of limestone which was quite eaten away from the moist conditions. I continued to hold hope there would be at least one of the eroded crevices could perhaps fit one undersized girl who wanted somewhere out of the mud.

It took a while but I discovered an open fissure in the stone that I could squeeze though. I entered with no reservations and followed the dark crevice until I reached the opposite side of the formation. I peeked out curiously to see where I had ended up and noticed another crack I could creep into.

I decided to keep travelling these cracks until I could discover one that didn't open up at the top so when light came I could still be hidden.

I travelled through many more cracks but none appeared to ever be completely closed in from the rain above, which made travelling infinitely more miserable.

Why cant there be at least one decent cave in Mizu! Just one!

I stopped myself short in shock then grinned wryly before I continued.

I sound like such a Tani-nin.

Now, I like to blame my fatigue and irritation for the next debacle but truthfully I really should have known better. It was only when I saw a flash of silver as a kunai was placed under my throat that I realised that I had actually been walking towards the glow of a fire.

'State your name and purpose,' a low voice growled from behind me.

I quickly swerved from the kunai and aimed an elbow at the guys solar plexus and was rewarded with him kicking the back of my knees and having the air forcefully pushed out of my lungs with a powerful palm strike to the centre of my back.

I gasped and fell forwards.

'Desist! State your purpose or I'll take immediate action.'

'A-a,' I sounded out before coughing painfully.

'Hey, do you know where- Hey! What's going on?' a voice called from my left beyond my eyesight, 'what the-? Aki?! The hell?'

There was the sound of what seemed like wood dropping before a familiar face entered my vision.

'Takuma?' I wheezed.

'How? What? Why?' he stuttered, 'Oi! Noba get off her!'

'Takuma. Explain who this woman is,' the grumbling man asked.

'She's one of those traders that patched me up after our skirmish in Kaida. I'd be lying in a ditch somewhere for sure if it wasn't for her,' Takuma vouched heartily.

'Aki you said?' Noba echoed in apparent realisation relaxing his stance slightly, 'The produce trader Aki?'

'Yeah! Freshest you can get in Mizu! She even imports the tropical stuff from Kaminari!'

The blade was removed from my throat.

'…I love her mangos,' Noba mumbled.

The hands that held me in place also loosened and I was able to lean back and take a proper look at their faces.

Noba was a sallow looking dude with a thin frame and dark features. He also boldly proclaimed his allegiance to water from his hitai-ate on his arm. Takuma in almost complete contrast was nut brown with an eager grin on his face and his brown eyes glimmering with enthusiasm. I peered at them then to the fire where I noticed another man staring at us all in disbelief.

'What the hell!?' the third exclaimed in complete incredulity, 'You cant just let a suspicious kunoichi go simply because you like her mangos! Are you guys fucking crazy?'

The third man it seemed was a little on the dramatic side.

'Na, Aki's cool man,' Takuma vouched, 'She's not even a proper kunoichi.'

I gave Takuma a sharp look.

'What do you mean "not a proper kunoichi"?' I protested but the third man spoke over me.

'No! not "cool". Now Takuma I expected but Noba…' the man paused in evident disappointment, '…I thought you knew better.'

Noba practically wilted.

'Now hey!' I called out in defence, 'It isn't Noba's fault… umm… whoever you are! Takuma vouched for me and I'm all but weaponless. I'm hardly going to attack three armed ninja. I'm not an idiot.'

'Oh! This is Kanade Shouma. Shou-taicho this is Aki,' Takuma introduced belatedly.

I gave Takuma a mystified look but he just shrugged it off and grinned at me.

'Alright… Shouma-san. I'm not going to harm you- you big baby- I was just looking for a place to stay the night,' I admitted.

Takuma perked up and opened his mouth but a swift glare from Shouma had him close it with a click.

'How can we trust you? You, a woman alone with mysterious connections in the middle of nowhere apparent,' Shouma asked shrewdly.

He had a point. I did sound pretty sketchy.

'I find it hard to believe that you arrived here alone. In fact I think you're travelling with a group,' he continued.

I frowned.

'I'm not travelling with a group,' I denied.

'Well its just coincidence then that a group of masked individuals were sensed only a few hours ago before you stumbled onto this outpost?'

What? Masked? Outpost? What!?

'I have no idea what you're talking about,' I said quite honestly.

'Hey ease up Shou. She can't be with them. They were some foreign hunter nin. You know why they're probably here,' Takuma said heavily hinting at something.

'Wait what? Are you seriously trying to saying that it's a complete coincidence that the only action we've received in the past month apart from that crocodile incident- that we are not going to go into again- is not connected to her? You're out of your mind.'

'Well…' Takuma looked at me oddly taking in my muddy pants, dark eye rings and perhaps he had an eyeful of Aki's bust before quirking an eye. He looked disbelieving at Shouma.

'There is no way,' he affirmed.

I don't know if I should be offended.

'Wait, wait? You said masked individuals? They weren't yours?' I asked as a sudden thought came to me.

The three water nin shared apprehensive looks at each other.

'Not technically I don't think,' Takuma said carefully.

'Don't say anymore Takuma,' Noba warned, 'Even if this is Aki… its not safe information to spread around.'

'Well also "Aki" or not we can't just have her wander off either,' Shouma grumbled.

'So she can stay the night?' Takuma asked brightly.

'She's going to have to. We'll wait for the hunting party to come back at the very least. Leader will know what to do,' Shouma conceded looking quite put out.

'That's cool I guess,' I mumbled, 'What now?'

I shifted awkwardly in place and in the interim Noba headed towards the fire as a decision was hesitantly made. Takuma wandered closer to me.

'It'll be alright. Terumi-taicho is a great leader. There shouldn't be any problem.'

Terumi? Wait…?

My thoughts were interrupted by a voice near the fire though.

'Have you had dinner?'

'Noba! Don't feed her.'

'But… isn't she the one that ultimately feeds us?' Noba said pensively.

'Now is not the time to get introspective Noba. Fine! Give her a bowl of stew but she's getting tied up.'

So they pulled out some rope and a spare bowl and I found myself situated in front on the fire warming up nicely and in a pair of Takuma's spare pants that he kindly lent me.

Well this is not the type of water-nin imprisonment I was expecting… This isn't actually that bad at all.

It wasn't until late morning that Noba perked up and wandered over to one side of the camp and stood somewhat stiffly waiting. In reaction to this movement I sensed Shouma and Takuma pick up the pace in their morning activities as if they suddenly realised they were falling behind. I looked curiously up from where I had been 'trusted' enough to have my hands untied to do the dishes.

It was almost five minutes later I had an answer to my unasked question and could sense the flickers of chakra amongst the mist softened crags that hid the camp. I shifted awkwardly in place. If I could sense this much chakra it usually meant that there were quite a number of ninja quite close by.

'Umm… What's going on Takuma?' I uneasily mumbled when he passed close to me.

'Oh! The hunting party is coming back!' he answered merrily, 'Here! Come and help me with this log over here. We need more seats!'

Hustled into helping make room around the fire I bustled about as well and received a disgruntled look from Shouma. I just motioned to the fact that I was 'helping' and got an eye-roll in reply but I didn't get tied up again so that was a plus.

'Incoming,' Noba warned and the first of the shinobi landed in the clearing.

I'm not sure how many of them there were as I was way too focused on just the one.

Terumi Mei…

In a world full of pastels and shades of grey she was vibrant and… red.

Oh so very red.

I felt my palms sweat as I realised I was coming in contact with someone that would change the face of this world. I really didn't want to be causing waves here. So, I stayed quiet and did my best to look as uninteresting as the bleak surroundings around us.

Of course I was noticed right away.

'Kanade-san… who is this?' an eye-patch wearing guy (who must be Ao surely?) asked disdainfully, 'You do understand the concept of a secret camp don't you?'

'Ao-taicho let me apologise. This is Aki-' Shouma began but was cut off.

'Oh? Well if it's 'Aki' then…' he drawled sarcastically, 'No excuses captain. You are aware this woman is a kunoichi correct?'

'Ah yes … Like I said this is Aki-' Shouma tried again but Ao talked over him once more.

'I don't care who she is captain, she doesn't belong in this camp,' Ao reprimanded, 'I would love to know why she is here though. Is living rough messing with your… delicate sensibilities? Got a little too lonely all by yourselves hmm? This new generation is so soft it's a miracle we make any progress…'

Silence followed Ao and Takuma who had moved next to me in support had a smile fixed awkwardly to his face as Mei who had wandered over to the conversation started putting off a ominous killing intent.

'Ao…' a cool voice murmured softly, 'Shut up or I'll kill you.'

I glanced over at Mei who was giving Ao the evil eye.

'Loneliness I do not think is the issue here,' Mei bit out harshly and turned to Shouma, 'Ao brings up a good point though. We were not expecting a visitor- especially now. Adding the information of the recent group of shinobi we intercepted… it is suspicious. Now. Who are you?'

I now had the unfortunate experience of being the sole focus of Mei's attention.

'Umm… I'm Aki,' I stuttered unsurely.

'Aki… your name is familiar… Do I know you Aki?' Mei asked.

'Umm I not really sure…'

The back of my neck was pricking with the stares of shinobi who were intently watching.

Oh, I'm sweating so much right now...

Mei looked hard at me up and down then appeared to stare at my chest. Her face then suddenly cleared, as she seemed to reach an epiphany. Meanwhile, I suffered through a small heart attack.

'Mangoes… Oh, I remember now!' she exclaimed, 'Are you Aki-san the trader?'

At my stiff but sure nod she seemed to relax.

'You supply Mizu with Mangoes right? Poor timing but it was on my list to track you down at some stage.'

'Wait what?' I asked confused.

'This really is the worst possible time but it also seems like its an opportunity not to waste meeting you here. Would you mind speaking over there with me?' Mei asked politely pointing to some large boulders right next to the camp.

'My lady! I don't think that's a wise idea… There is something not quite right with this woman,' Ao warned, 'I sense she is hiding something. Let me check first...'

'Ao,' Mei warned, 'I appreciate the offer but it is unneeded. I want to speak with her… alone. Unless you don't think I can handle myself?' Mei drawled giving Ao a haughty look.

'I wouldn't dream of it Mei-sama. Just…' Ao sighed, 'Just be aware.'

Mei flipped her hair at him cheekily and strode over to the nearby crags leaving me to follow. When Ao turned his frown to me I quickly turned to follow Mei. I really didn't want him to take a look at my face with the Byakugan. While I could disguise my shape with a modified fat suit and a subtle henge there was no way my makeup was still on so my baby face would definitely peek through. That is of course assuming that he was not skilled enough to see tenketsu. If he could then I was screwed no matter what.

Please don't use the Byakugan. I'm way to busy to die yet.

When we were out of earshot from the other shinobi milling about the place Mei turned and peered at me curiously.

'Now, I would usually take more time on pleasantries but we have business to discuss,' Mei said bluntly, 'Aki-san the trader… You're hiding something yes?'

I shuffled awkwardly in place before forcibly stopping myself. I sighed.

I really need to adult right now. I can't do this conversation as Ringo or even Akiko. I need to be Aki. Fearless Aki.

'I hide a lot of things,' I murmured demurely taking a more relaxed stance.

'Hmm. I see…' Mei hummed back a glint of humour in her eyes.

She shifted closer to lean on the nearby rock.

'May I ask why are you in Mist Aki-san?' she asked with a playful air.

'Rumours,' I said mysteriously.

'Rumours? Do tell?'

I gave her a dry look but as she held all the cards I suppose I had to cater to her without much return but I wasn't giving it up easily. I leant up against the rock too oh so subtly entering her personal space.

She eyed me like a challenge.

'Yeah… Rumours. A little bird reached my ear about something that may affect trade. So, I decided to take a look. I'm a good businesswoman after all.'

Mei reached up to play with the ends of my hair. I forced myself not to tense with her bold movement.

'Oh? A bird you say? I must have left my cage open for none were suppose to be missing. Now, how is it a girl like you finds a bird willing to whisper things to you?' Mei asked coyly.

'I'm very persuasive,' I whispered tilting my head to send my breath over her ear.

I'm playing very dangerously here.

'I can see that,' she murmured, 'Your talents lay more in persuasion that outright combat correct?'

I went to pull back in confusion but Mei reached out to hold me keeping me close.

'It seems too odd that a combat group of tracking hunter nin would pass through on the same day as a rouge kunoichi entering our camp without there being some connection,' she continued coiling my hair around her finger still.

I fought tensing up.

'But… I don't think it's the connection one would immediately pull,' she continued.

'Oh?'

'You know a lot for a simple trader Aki-san. That and you have well hidden kunoichi traits but no alliance to a hidden village. You're a bit of a wildcard. You can see why we'd be… apprehensive of your motives.'

'I'm merely here to protect my investments,' I replied surely leaning my face more into Mei's.

I have to face this head on. I can't afford to be hesitant. I need her to believe me.

'Oh I believe you. You're an honest sort aren't you? After all, I've heard all about Aki-san the Trader. Who never charges more than someone can afford and doesn't discriminate for country or class,' Mei said smiling, 'I just wanted to know a little bit more about Aki-san the Woman,' she purred and nuzzled my nose. I crinkled it and peered into Mei's eyes… that were inches from my own.

'You certainly know how to get a person off-guard,' I murmured to her.

'I know,' she replied smiling which made her green eyes sparkle.

I can't help but admire that.

It also made me wonder how many times she had conducted interrogations like this.

'I think we may have gained an audience Aki-san,' Mei muttered brushing right up against my lips.

I glanced sideways to see our stunned audience of delighted men at different levels shock. Some of them I caught staring outright holding their noses dreamily.

'Let's not excite them too much then,' I sniggered lightly and leant back in a more relaxed stance.

You could hear the disappointed sighs.

'You're fun Aki-san but lets get to the point now,' Mei sighed, 'Now that I know why you're here and your motives I will tell you what I want. Truthfully… I have a favour to ask,'

'Ask away Terumi-san I'm sure it'd be a pleasure,' I purred.

'Mei please,' she corrected amused but then turned serious, 'You've seen how Mizu is doing. It's unsustainable. We need a lot more support than what we've been receiving but our borders have been closed for too long and our population is in decline. There is already a too larger age gap. Our country needs change- and fast. Already there are those who think we cannot defend ourselves against invasion.'

I sighed deeply.

'You sure know how to get to the meat of it,' I drawled leaning back more fully to the rock and looked onto the camp where there was a bunch of people pretending not to be completely focused on what we were discussing.

'Unfortunately it's also a bit of a time sensitive issue,' Mei admitted, 'The rumours you've heard are likely to have been the result of hastiness.'

'What are you asking me exactly Mei-san,' I said directly, 'What could I possible do to effect the politics of Water- because that's exactly what the source of Water's issues are at the core.'

'You're very informed,' she mused.

'I make it my business to be.'

She snorted.

'Well, yes you're correct. It's the truth that our country is falling apart from the inside. Our leadership has been… well… our leader…' she trailed off and stared blankly out at the camp along side me, 'It needs fixing.'

We lapsed into a silence pondering our own thoughts until I broke it.

'Still… how do I factor in?'

Mei peered at me from the corner of her eye.

'I need support,' Mei said bluntly, 'If anything is ever going to change then it needs to be broken to be put back together. You run the quickest fresh trade in Mizu and are known to be a fair and honest trader. I will need your continued support even if things should… fall apart.'

I hummed interestedly.

'Fall apart? How much apart are we talking?'

'Completely apart,' Mei said decisively and with passion in her voice, 'Or die trying.'

I reached out but halted just before touching her shoulder.

Ah- Screw it.

I placed my hand firmly on her shoulder and squeezed lightly.

'You'll have my support Mei-san. I may not know the particulars but I have heard more that one rumour about the comings and goings in Mizu. Change is coming and that is exactly what needs to happen. What do you need?'

Mei looked at me pleased.

'Only that you'll continue to trade in Mizu even if there is a change in management. Perhaps even consider expansion?'

'Expansion?' I asked surprised.

'Yes. We need to encourage trade with the border countries. Perhaps we can even organise a contract for protection if you can manage to bring in larger shipments? Would that work?' she offered.

I laughed.

'I would need bigger ships,' I joked.

Mei looked thoughtful then sly.

'What about Gatou Shipping Company?'

I scowled.

'I would never do business with that lowlife scum.'

Mei looked started at my vehemence but then grinned at me a little haughtily.

'Ohoho! So you haven't heard the rumour? How shocking?' Mei crowed, 'It seems Gatou Shipping Company has undergone its own… management changeover. The great mogul himself was reported dead just two days ago in Wave Country.'

I took a startled breath as I digested this information.

So soon!?

'Ah… I've been out of touch,' I defended weakly, 'Change of management? Who took over the company? Surely not his bastard son?' I asked grasping for any information. Last I heard Gatou was officially heirless. I also had no idea who his second in command was.

'Son? No?' she looked befuddled over that but moved on, 'No, a man by the name of Ikura Irino is said to head the company. Quite scandalous actually. Bought out all his men shortly after the tycoon himself went to deal with a small matter in one of the smaller towns and never returned.'

A harsh sound of shock escaped me.

'What? Ikura Irino!?'

Mei peered at me curiously.

'Yes? Does that name mean something to you?'

'Yes! That rat! He took my information and profited from it. That sneak bastard. I'll wring his neck!' I muttered furiously.

He doesn't even need faster ships! He works with non-perishables. Oh! He better not even think of entering fresh produce trade.

'Don't worry about it. I'll get that contract don't you worry… That rat bastard will get those ships over my dead body,' I swore.

Mei looked as if she was holding back laughter.

'Oh I can't wait for the future!' she said cheerfully, 'Well as soon as I clean house lets you and I have another one of these chats and we'll take this one step further.'

With that she stepped right up into my personal space and planted one straight on my lips. I reeled back scandalized.

The hell?

Mei laughed merrily, flicked her crimson hair and swanned off back into the middle of camp heedless of the amount of bug-eyed people staring between her and I.

I stared after her a little bug-eyed myself.

…I actually think that she just stole my first kiss in this life?

xo