It has been a looong time since I added a chapter, life has been very busy. This is the next chapter as Raizo's and Mika's journey continues. I promise it will not be as long a break for the next chapter.

Raizo awoke to the sweet sound of Mika's heart beat in his ear. A smile curved his lips as he inhaled her intoxicating scent. This felt right, Mika felt right and for the first time ever, his life felt right. Raizo kept his breathing shallow; he didn't want to wake Mika. She needed her rest; she'd tended to him nonstop while he was out. Though not conscious, he was still aware of his surroundings and what was happening even though he could not respond. He'd heard all she said and he understood. He knew he'd have to tell her about Ozunu if for nothing other than her own safety. But he was concerned, no, he was afraid that Mika would not be able to accept what he was. She knew he was different, she just didn't know how different.

I know the plans I have for you. Those words kept running through his mind, but he wasn't confused. He knew now from where those words had come. He'd never given much thought to God. He'd heard people call out to a god and plead to a god just before the sword pierced and ended their lives. But their gods had never shown up to save them. Raizo didn't see the point in believing in a god who didn't show up. But this was different; this Raizo felt in the core of his being and it was real. All his life he'd never understood why he had to kill. He'd seen other young children doing the things children do and did not understand why that didn't include him. Why was he chosen to kill? He still didn't understand why but he knew now that there was a purpose for it, a good purpose for it.

Mika stirred as she awakened still feeling the warmth of being in Raizo's arms. Only he wasn't there, she realized as she reached out to him. Panicked, her eyes snapped open and she began to rise from the bed when strong arms settled her back onto her pillow. "It's ok, Mika, I'm here" Raizo says gently in an effort to calm and reassure her. "Raizo, I thought…"

"I know, but I'm here and I'm fine" Mika attempts to get up again when Raizo leans over and places a gentle kiss on her lips. This kiss was different. Mika felt the difference immediately and had she not been laying down she would have collapsed from the sweetness of it, the strength of it, and the depth of it.

Raizo took this moment to express the weight of what he was feeling. He couldn't put it in words but he could show Mika just how much she meant to him. Pulling her close Raizo kissed Mika as every emotion he felt for her flowed from his lips to hers. He also took this time to caress specific pressure points in her body that would relax her. She was exhausted and need to rest, this would allow her to get the rest she needed. He began to feel her body relax even though their lips never parted. Raizo pulled away and looked into her lethargic eyes "Raizo, I'm…"

"Ssshh, Mika, rest." Raizo said as he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead and laid her on the pillow as her eyes drifted closed. She looked so beautiful and peaceful, Raizo didn't want to leave her but he had to. But he'd be back soon.

Raizo made his way to the dojo. Fumito looked up from his work at the sound of Raizo entering the shop. A smile crossed his face as he looked Raizo over. He could he was back, strong and in good health. Raizo stood before Fumito and looked him in the eye. "Ahh…I see" Fumito said. No other words were necessary; Fumito knew that Raizo had found his purpose. He could see the light in the depth of his eyes. He knew his journey would not be easy but he also knew the warrior who stood before him and knew he would not be swayed. "Come young ninja, there is work to do."

Mika awoke slowly, almost reluctantly from her sleep. She lay languidly in the bed as her mind caught up to speed of the happenings of the past hours. Raizo, he was ok, Mika smiled as the thought and realization comforted her. Mika showered and got dressed and even though her body was totally relaxed and rested her mind was not. Something kept niggling at her trying to make its way out. Something she was supposed to remember.

After a thorough work out Raizo walked slowly on his way from the dojo back to Mika's. Everything had taken on a new light, as if he'd been looking at life through dulled lenses and now everything was bright and clear. He felt free.

Mika showered and got dressed. The last few days worrying about and nursing Raizo had drained her both physically and emotionally. She sat on the couch and turned on the T.V. engrossing herself in a comedy. She certainly need a laugh but she was soon dozing off. Ozunu. Mika jerked upright as the name whispered in her subconscious. "Ozunu" Mika spoke out loud "Ozunu" Mika said again and then it clicked that was the something that had been dancing just outside her conscious all day. That was the word Raizo had repeated over and over while he was unconscious. This Ozunu must be pretty important to Raizo for it, him or her to weigh so heavily on his mind.

Mika retrieved her Europol laptop and logged on. The Europol laptop was far more advanced than one you'd purchase in a store. It contained the most sophisticated and technologically advanced software there was. There was nothing in any country or language it could not find. Mika typed the word Ozunu in the search browser and waited.

Raizo took his time as he walked back to Mika's. He really loved the outdoors, it was the only place he could find any sense of freedom when he was in the Ozunu camp. He could always find a nook or corner where he could be alone away from prying eyes and the tyrannical influence of Ozunu's rule. Raizo's gaze was drawn to the park and there again was another ritual in which a couple was getting married. A faint smile played on Raizo's face as he remembered Mika's explanation of the ritual. Two people who loved each other, now that he knew what love was he knew without a doubt that he loved Mika. Two people who wanted to be together forever. Yes! He wanted to be with Mika forever, he couldn't imagine his life without her. He realized that up until Mika came into his life he was merely existing now with her in his life he was living.

Mika sat stunned by what she'd learned. No longer able to sit still Mika began to pace the room. Ozunu-orphans-assassins. Assassin, Raizo was an assassin! But no, he couldn't be, Mika thought as she paced faster digging her hands into her hair. He couldn't be. Mika thought of Raizo's incredible abilities, his fighting expertise and his uncanny way of picking up on sounds and noises nobody else could here. He was good. He was good because he'd been trained since childhood. He'd been trained since childhood to kill. The last thought stopped Mika in her tracks. Oh God, Raizo was an assassin!

Raizo entered Mika's apartment full of anticipation. Not that anyone would be able to tell from the stoic expression on his face. He knew what he wanted the question now was did Mika want the same thing. When Raizo entered the apartment he knew immediately that Mika wasn't there. He also knew that her absence was not good. He walked around the apartment picking up on the energy Mika left behind. Something was very wrong. He had to find her. Raizo rushed toward the door only to have it open suddenly. Raizo's hope that it was Mika disappeared when Daniel walked through the door.

"Hey man I thought I'd come by and spend a little time with you and Mika. Hey Mikaa!" Daniel yelled in anticipation of his friend appearing and giving him a hard time for yelling in her house.

"She's not here" Raizo told Daniel. "Oh, where is she?"

"I don't know"

"What do you mean you don't know, Raizo?" Daniel asked irritably.

Raizo, still trying to grasp the fact that Mika was not there shot Daniel a cold and threatening look.

"Whoa, ninja, I'm just as concerned as you there's no need for that look friend." Daniel replied as he saw the one thing he'd never seen before reflected in Raizo's eyes. Fear. A subtle flick but there all the same which left him curious and concerned. Daniel watched as Raizo's eyes shuttered over closing him out without a word. Wanting to say more but knowing better Daniel walked slowly over to Raizo.

"Okay…okay, we can work this out". Daniel said, let's just take a minute, we can figure this out. We'll find her.