When I write...I feel so powerful. Everyone's lives are in my hands and I do as I please. Who needs fate when you got the author. Ok continue reading.

Cheers xoxo

Chapter 21: Japanese Brides

Misaki was pressed against the door. Her senses had come alive... she could hear a pen scratch against paper through the door.

"The International Affairs is getting anxious..." a low voice said. "No doubt they will send someone to poke around soon...if they haven't already..."

Misaki felt her heart speed up a little. Again, everyone was speaking in Korean...and a rare dialect of it too.

"Why not throw out all the girls this year?" another voice asked. "Start clean-"

"We can't do that..."

"Why not?"

"We need to get the president a wife this year... If we want to fully control Japan, one of our people has to be by his side,"

"But practically all the officials in Japan have our people as maids or as wives...surely we can force the President to agree to our terms."

"We can not be rash...we can only sound the Jade alarm once."

"Do we have any good choices yet?"

"Its still early..."

Misaki heard papers shuffle and people start to get up. She quickly climbed up a pillar and hid behind a support beam. The door opened and two men walked out. One was Hue, the other was unfamiliar.

"What are you going to tell the Boss?" the man asked.

"Her?" Hue laughed. "She may be the boss but I hold the cards..."

The door was locked and the two men left. Misaki didn't even dare breathe until they were far away. She silently slid down the pillar and pulled out a long silver needle from her hair. A few jerks of the wrist and the lock clicked open. Misaki opened the door slowly and carefully.

Misaki swallowed and softly stepped inside. She eased the door shut and blinked twice. Her contacts snapped a picture of the room. Misaki pulled on her gloves and flipped through the files. There were profiles of all the girls. Misaki refused her curiosity by not reading her own. There wasn't time for that.

Misaki snapped pictures of files whether or not they looked important. There was another file of girls that had came from Traditional Brides. There were photos of beautiful exotic Japanese women. Each sheet of paper listed who they were married to, their talents and their family members.

Was this for blackmail? People that were important to these women were clearly listed.

Misaki blinked until her head hurt. Surely this had to be a good start...

Misaki didn't dare remain any longer. She put everything back and carefully left.

Even when she was back in her room, Misaki couldn't sleep. Her mind was trying to put the pieces together. Were those men Korean or Japanese?

"You look tired," Lotus observed as Misaki sat down for tea.

"I couldn't sleep last night," Misaki said, with a small smile. "I've just never been away from home..." This wasn't a lie! Misaki never lived anywhere else besides the academy but the real reason why she was so tired was that she'd barely slept in the past few days. Even after poking around, Misaki couldn't fall asleep. Too much was on her mind..

"You'll adjust," Lotus reassured her.

Misaki nodded and rubbed her thumb on her glittering bangle. Every day the girls had a new outfit to wear. Today's kimono was lavender with pink lotus flowers. Misaki had grown use to the heavy ornaments in her hair... The glittery jewels and gold decorations weighed a ton though.

"Has anyone taken interest in you...?" Lotus asked.

During lunch, a bunch of officials would come and interact with the girls. Misaki was forced to smile sweetly at those bastards and laugh at all their jokes. Sometimes the men requested private rooms with a girl. They weren't allowed to do anything to them though. The rule was: don't damage the merchandise or you'll marry them.

Misaki gritted her teeth. This was death to any Grace Marshall girl. Misaki was raised to be proud of her gender and to be strong, not to be submissive and shy.

"Must be the newbie's bad luck..." Misaki thought. In regular workplaces, the new employees got the worst jobs- why not at the IA too...

"No," Misaki told Lotus. "Everything's been casual..."

Lotus nodded. "Don't worry...you've only been here for a few days."

Misaki smoothed down her hair as everyone lined up for lunch. They all orderly filed in to serve lunch to the officials first.

Misaki caught Usui's eye. He was dressed in some expensive clothing and had brown colored contacts in. "Finally!" she thought her herself. Her "partner" finally showed up... Where had Usui been sitting around all this time?

Misaki calmly went about her business pouring tea and scooping rice into bowls. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Usui whisper something to Hue.

"Misa Nana!" Hue called.

Misaki carefully set down the tea pot. "Hai," she said, bowing.

"This here is Taka Kei," Hue said. "You'll be taking lunch with him in a private chamber."

"Yes sir," Misaki said, straightening up.

"This is an important official's son," Hue said in a low voice to Misaki. "Be anything less than a perfect lady...and I'll tan your hide."

"Yes sir," Misaki said, dipping into a tiny bow.

"Serve him well," Hue said waving her off.

Misaki nodded and walked behind Usui as they led them to a small room. There was a whole table of food and comfy couches.

Usui checked outside before closing the door. "How have you been...?" he asked.

Misaki pretended to point a gun to her head.

Usui chuckled. "Traditional clothing suits you," he said, pulling out a chair for Misaki.

"Traditional life style does not suit me..." Misaki muttered. "All this bowing and entertaining..."

Usui took the chair next to her. "Have you found anything?" he whispered.

Misaki pulled the memory stick out of her sash and handed it to Usui under the table.

"I'm starving..." Misaki said, picking up a pair of chopsticks. "We hardly ever eat lunch..." she said, shoving a mouthful of food into her mouth.

Usui poured her some tea. "Aren't you suppose to be serving me...?" he teased.

Misaki gulped down the tiny cup of tea. "Not a chance...Kei sama..." she said, smirking.

Usui smiled. "But in all seriousness..." Usui said, pouring himself a cup of tea. "I've been doing some investigation outside...This place started out as a small girls school of etiquette. When the first few students wed powerful officials, more families started sending their daughters," Usui explained, sipping his tea. "I asked around with some of the families that were involved with the school since the beginning. Their daughters were the first few to enroll here...have you heard of this person...?" Usui asked in a low voice. He dipped his finger into his cup and wrote some Japanese characters on the table in tea.

"Hyoudou Satsuki..." Misaki read. "I don't know who that is," she said out loud.

"Apparently she was the one and only teacher when Traditional Brides first opened..."

"What happened to her...?" Misaki whispered.

Usui shook his head. "No one knows...according to the people, she should still be here. No one heard of her leaving or passing away."

Misaki set down her empty bowl. "I haven't seen any female teachers here..." she whispered. Misaki got up and walked over to a bench.

There was a traditional instrument. It was a long thick board with strings running horizontally across it. Misaki placed her hands on the strings. With one hand she pushed down on the different strings while with the other she plucked the strings.

Usui leaned back and listened to Misaki play. The simple melody filled the room and covered their voices.

"So you're saying Hue isn't in charge?" Misaki asked.

"He seems to be in charge," Usui observed. "I just wonder what happened to the original teacher..." he said. "Also, I met with a girl who went here...she said that every year the female teachers got less and less,"

"There are none left..." Misaki said, furrowing her brow. Her fingers danced upon the strings and her mind twisted and turned with explanations...

"I think someone's switching them out," Misaki whispered. "The men all speak Korean..."

Usui nodded. "I'll let them know," he said.

Misaki paused her playing and got up. She grabbed a few more meat buns and chewed on them.

"You look like you're starving..." Usui said. "Chew slower. You'll choke."

Misaki swallowed. "We rarely get a full meal. We're always serving this person or that person. I have to take little bites. By the time I'm halfway done with my food, dinner is over..." Misaki complained.

"Perhaps I'll stop by more often," Usui said, spooning some soup into a bowl for Misaki.

"They might make you marry me of you come too often," Misaki joked.

"I wouldn't mind," Usui said to himself, handing Misaki the bowl of soup.

Misaki gulped down the hot soup and sighed. "That hit the spot..." she said.

"I have to get going now," Usui said, getting up.

Misaki walked over and opened the door for Usui. "Please come again, master," she said, bowing.

"I will..." Usui said, patting her shoulder.

"Taka sama," Hue said, coming down the hall. "Did you have a pleasant lunch?"

"It was beyond wonderful..." Usui said. "I just might- oh never mind..." he said, walking away.

"Hue sama," Misaki greeted, bowing her head.

"You did well, Misa," Hue said, nodding. "If you can get him to marry you...you can live the rest of your life in luxury and comfort. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Misaki nodded. "I will do my best," she said. "Thank you, Hue sama, for your guidance."

Hue pulled something from his pocket. "This is the best face powder on the market," he said, handing Misaki a small tin. "A small reward..."

"Thank you, Hue sama," Misaki said.

"Dismissed," Hue said, waving her off.

Misaki went and found Lotus. "Quick question," she said. "Which girl has been here the longest...?"

Lotus tapped her chin. "Probably Hamamoto Guri," she whispered. "I heard that no one has taken interest in her. Each year she just stays here..."

Misaki looked at the girl sitting by herself. "Early twenties..." Misaki guessed.

Shortly after Lotus left, Misaki went to go sit with this girl. "Hello, I'm Misa," Misaki said.

The girl looked disheartened. "What do you want...?" she asked.

"I got some face powder," Misaki said, pulling out the tin. "I was wondering if you'd like to split some with me?"

"I don't even know you,"

"But we can get to know each other," Misaki offered. "You seem kind of lonely..."

"Left behind..." Guri said with a sigh. "It's too late now anyways..."

"Why are you still here...?" Misaki asked, cautiously. "Will they let you go?"

Guri shook her head. "The only way out...is marriage. I can't get married to an official anymore. I'm damaged merchandise..." Guri said, bitterly.

Misaki covered her mouth. "I thought they had to marry you then,"

"Not if they aren't an official," Guri said, under her breath. "This place is filled with male teachers now...it's bound to happen."

"Is that why all the teachers were female before..?" Misaki asked.

Guri paused. "How do you know...?" she asked.

"I knew one of the girls from here. She spoke of a female teacher once," Misaki explained.

Guri nodded. "I don't understand why they kept switching the female teachers out. They were gentle and caring- unlike these freaks..."

"Do you know why all these female teachers left?" Misaki asked.

Guri chewed on her bottom lip.

"You can tell me..." Misaki said, gently.

"Its probably a rumor...but I heard they're all...dead..." Guri's voice was barely audible.

Misaki blinked. "I see..." she said.

"I've already said too much," Guri said, getting up. "Keep the powder. You still have a chance of marriage."

That night Misaki was staked out outside the door but it was empty tonight. Misaki waited for around an hour before leaping back onto the ground.

She crept down a different hallway. Her head kept whipping back and forth. Any moment someone could catch her. Misaki swallowed hard. Her mouth was really dry.

There were footsteps in the distance. Misaki felt her heart almost stop beating. She frantically looked around. There was a huge tapestry... Misaki hid behind it. Her hand pressed against a stone and all of a sudden, she was falling.

Misaki hit dirt ground and scrambled up. She was in a dark tunnel. There was a little stream of water running through the center.

"Where is this place..." Misaki wondered. She couldn't see clearly. Everything was too dark. Misaki winked her left eye twice and everything lit up.

There were lots of pathways, at least a dozen. Misaki walked over. She had no idea which path to take. She blinked her right eye twice and her heat sensors activated.

Misaki clamped her hand against her own mouth. There were lots of people down here. Their bodies lit up in red and orange showing body heat.

Misaki rushed behind a corner and peeked around it. These were jail cells...and there were prisoners in each one.

Misaki kept her back pressed against the wall and inched over. The three women in the cell immediately jerked up.

Misaki put a finger to her lips. She pulled down her mask. "Who are you...?" she whispered.

The women rushed to the bars. "Save us!" they whispered. Their cheeks were hollow and their eyes were dead.

"What's going on...?" Misaki whispered.

A woman with tangled brown curls clasped Misaki's hand. "They're destroying this place..." she whimpered. "Satsuki hadn't been acting herself. We saw her less and less. One day, during the night, Hue has me escorted down here. One by one, we were locked up..." she said, as if she had been planning to tell this story for a long time.

"How long have you been down here?" Misaki asked.

The woman shook her head. "I don't know...too long..."

Misaki felt her heart pounding. "Are you the female teachers?" she asked.

The women nodded.

"I'll get you out..." Misaki promised. "But I have to get to the bottom of this..."

The woman nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "Find Satsuki..." she breathed. "Also, find a woman named Cherry." The woman pressed something in Misaki's palm. It was another pendant. It was made of garnet and had a rose carved on it.

"Who is Cherry?" Misaki asked.

"She's a woman in the cell next to our's. She has something to help you..." The woman whistled a short verse. "Go..." she said.

"I'll come back," Misaki swore. She turned on her heel and ran.

"Cherry..." Misaki hissed. The women in the cell stirred. "Cherry," Misaki whispered again. She held out the pendant. "Your friend sent me here..."

A woman with long red hair crawled over. "Rose..." she croaked.

Misaki kneeled down next to the bars. "I'm here to help..." she whispered. Misaki handed her the pendant. Cherry squinted at it.

"You're from the IA..." she breathed.

Misaki froze. "How do you know...?"

Cherry's lips held a weak smile. "I'm a Grace Marshall girl..." she whispered, weakly.

Misaki jerked back. The woman before her was from the IA?! She was dying! Why was she here?!

"How- What?" Misaki stammered.

"I probably was deemed MIA..." Cherry gasped out. She coughed a few times. "I was sent to investigate a smuggling case many years ago except I was in Korea..."

"The men speak Korean," Misaki breathed. "How did you end up in Japan?"

Cherry nodded. "I was tracking some suspects...the IA-" Cherry choked out. "Tell them its not a drug case...its a firearms case-"

"What about human trafficking?" Misaki asked.

Cherry shook her head. "These men are smuggling firearms from Korea to Japan. This is simply where they're storing them. This organization was clean...before them..."

There were footsteps heard again. Misaki jerked up.

"Keep going straight!" Cherry wheezed. "There's a door that leads to a room!"

Misaki turned and ran.

"Baegsaeg bichwi!" Cherry gasped out after her.

"White Jade...in Korean..." Misaki thought to herself as she sprinted down the tunnel. Why did Cherry say that? What does it mean?

Misaki ran into the door and flung it open. She quickly closed it behind her and ran up a set of crumbling stairs. The stairs led to a wall with a large square hole. Misaki took a deep breath and crawled into the hole. She squirmed through the tight space. Her hands were shaking so bad. Her hands touched solid wood and Misaki swore. Dead end!

Misaki panicked...she couldn't back out either. It was too cramped. Her trembling fingers felt around the wood. There were a few dents at the bottom...like finger prints. Misaki shoved up and the board flew up.

Misaki crawled forward and tumbled out into a room. She crashed into a table, causing a racket.

A girl jumped up and turned on the light. "Misa?!" Lotus demanded. "What are you doing in my room at this hour?" she hissed.

Misaki stood up and brushed herself off. "Sorry..." she said. "I got lonely and so I came here..." she lied.

"What are you doing looking through my cabinet?" Lotus demanded.

Misaki looked over. She had just crawled out of Lotus's cabinet...how weird. Misaki quickly walked over, pulled the board back down and closed the cabinet. "Its empty..." she said.

"So?" Lotus asked.

"You don't have any food?" Misaki asked.

Lotus paused and then smiled. "You get use to the hunger..." Lotus said. "We don't hide food in our rooms. You're lucky my roommates aren't here tonight or else you'd scared the daylights out of them."

Misaki nodded and sat on a chair.

"Are those your pajamas?" Lotus asked, patting the spot next to her on the bed.

Misaki sat down. She was wearing stretchy denim pants and a hoodie. "Yeah..." she lied.

"Here," Lotus said handing Misaki some clothes. "These are comfier..."

Misaki just finished changing when the door burst open. She kicked her clothes under the bed.

"What are you doing here?!" Hue demanded.

Misaki was at a loss for words.

"Misa was scared," Lotus explained. "She just needed a friend,"

"I've never been away from home..." Misaki said, forcing tears into her eyes. "I miss my mom..." she whimpered.

Hue rolled his eyes. "You have a whole room to yourself, others would love to be in your position. I expect you to stay there!" he snapped.

Misaki nodded and immediately got up. "I'm sorry, Hue sama..." she said, sniffing.

"For Izzy, I won't punish you this time," Hue said. "Get back to your room. Don't let me catch you outside during the night again,"

"Yes Hue sama," Misaki said, bowing. Even when she was safely back inside her own room, Misaki was shaking. She collapsed onto her knees, panting.

Misaki had barely hit the tip of the iceberg...