Surprisingly Miko was still in her office. Even though it wasn't obvious, I knew she was worried about how the meeting went.

Knowing she wouldn't ask me out right, I decided to speak first. "So I have good news and bad news. My question is do you want all the details? Or do just the short and sweet version?"

Miko sighed. "Well, out with it."

"Okay then. Good news: Minato performed his part perfectly. Bad news: Your father now considers you an enemy of the crown."

Horror took over her face. She ran her fingers through her hair in frustration.

"Minato did his best to try and get your Father to see reason, but his mind was already made up." I continued.

"Noo...This can't be happening..." She mumbled to herself.

"Your Father also said that your next action would be taken as hostile and would be treated accordingly."

She stared at nothing in particular. I could even see a little fear well up inside of her. It surprised me. I didn't think this would cause such a reaction.

"What do you want to do?" I asked.

After a few moments of her trying to gather herself, she finally spoke. "I need to finish what I started, hopefully my Father will come around."

"If you want my opinion, I doubt he will. Minato tried reasoning with him and he didn't budge."

"If that is what it takes... Then so be it." She said to herself.

"What?" Her comment made no sense to me.

She looked up at me. "If we can't change his mind, then we will have to do it, without his approval."

"Are you sure that's wise?" Desti asked.

"What choice do I have?" I could tell by her tone that it wasn't really a question.

"Well, if you still want to keep doing this, then I'm with you." I said.

"Desti?" She looked

"I'm in, but maybe I should stay here and cover for you."

"That's a good idea."

A couple weeks later, I went into town as always and waited for Minato outside of his tavern. It wasn't like him to have it closed at this time of the day but I decided I should wait.

Sure enough, he came walking up with a serious look on his face. I could tell something was wrong. He didn't say anything as he unlocked his tavern and I followed him inside.

He sat at one of the tables and gestured for me to do the same. I did as he suggested and patiently waited for him to speak.

"Prince Zen talked with me today. He knows I'm not the Red Whirlwind."

"What?! He figured that out already?!"

"Are you really that surprised? He is an intelligent man."

"I know but still... does he know I'm involved?"

"No, I kept your name out of it."

"Did anything else happen?"

"He listened to what I had to say, although I'm not sure how much he'll actually take to heart."

"He actually listened? That's a first." I said sarcastically.

Minato gave me a playful smile. "You're just bitter because you're a pirate."

"Damn straight!"

"You should talk to him, he's more reasonable than you may realize."

"Maybe one day, but not now... is that everything?"

"Yes, did you want a drink?"

"Sure, but only one."

"Done."

I entered Miko's office with haste. "Bad news. Minato just told me that Prince Zen knows he didn't talk to the real Red Whirlwind." Miko's expression didn't change. "Wait a second! You knew?!"

"Minato was here." She said indifferently. "Given his release... It's obvious to be sure."

That explains why he wasn't at his tavern.

"So what now?" Desti asked.

"Same as always. It's too late to turn back now."

About another week passed and things were growing more and more intense between the Red Whirlwind and Prince Zen. He'd almost caught us a few times, but thankfully Miko managed to get away. I was always impressed with her skills.

I noticed Miko had been more quiet than normal. I couldn't imagine what kind of turmoil was going on inside of her. She was practically fighting against herself.

I entered Miko's office and handed her a letter that had been dropped off with Minato. No royal seal on it this time so I had no way to know who it was from.

She opened it and began to read.

"What is it this time?"

Her face grew more serious.

"Remember Nyra?" She asked after she finished reading her letter.

"How could I forget?!" The woman was ridiculously annoying and didn't know how to take 'no' for an answer.

"They have taken her. They claim that they will kill her, if I don't show up."

"Oh please, she's just looking for attention."

"I don't think so. A girl didn't write this."

"So she got a friend to help. Either that, or it's a trap."

"Of course it's a trap!" It was nice to know Miko still had a clear head. "I have to meet them. If there is any chance, that what they're saying is true."

"Fine. But you aren't going alone." Desti insisted.

I smiled. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Miko hid in the trees as I stood and waited at the rendezvous point. A man emerged from the bushes with Nyra firmly in his grasp. Several other men appeared, but it was nothing Miko or I couldn't handle.

"I asked for The Red Whirlwind!" He spat.

"He's sick, so he sent me." I said confidently. This man didn't look like that big of a threat. But I knew I had to tread carefully, if he killed Nyra, Miko would be very upset, to say the least.

"If he doesn't show up, then I kill her, right here, right now." He pulled out a knife and put it to her throat.

"... Please... I don't want to die..." She cried out pleading with me. I could tell by the look in her eyes that this wasn't some setup of hers to get attention.

He pressed the blade harder against her throat, drawing blood and causing a whimper out of Nyra.

"Stop! If it's me you're looking for, then I am here! Let her GO!" Miko, dressed as the Red Whirlwind, leapt out of the tree.

Nyra looked relieved.

A new look entered the face of the man who held her hostage as he released her.

Miko drew her sword and I, my wakizashis.

"Kat, there are more in the trees!"

I realized it just as she said it and they leapt out of the trees and joined their comrades. A man swung at Miko, but she managed to dodge.

"You take care of those guys! I got this!"

Swords clashed and chaos ensued. I smiled devilishly, I had missed this. Unlike your typical bandits, these men were actually a challenge and it had been too long since I had been in a fight. It was exhilarating!

One by one they fell by my swords. I struck down my final opponent then turned to see how Miko had fared.

She was letting him get away! Not on my watch! I was about to strike when Miko stopped me.

"Let him go! There has been enough loss for one day."

I froze in position. It took everything I had to follow Miko's order and the man turned tail and ran like a coward.

"You are amazing!" Nyra squealed.

"We need to take care of that wound, before it gets infected." Miko pointed out, ignoring Nyra's praise.

"Of course." She smiled wholeheartedly.

"I'll take care of it." I pulled out a small jar of the 'miracle cream, applied it to her neck and wrapped the wound to protect it.

"Now that it's dealt with, will you kindly take me up on my offer? You have saved me twice, there must be something I can do to repay you!"

"What do you have in mind?" Miko asked sounding exasperated.

"Please follow me to my villa, and I will show you!" Nyra was getting more irritating with every word that came out of her mouth.

Miko and I reluctantly followed her and eventually arrive at her home. It was nice but nothing compared to the castle.

Miko paused at the door. I didn't blame her.

"Welcome to my humble home, Red Whirlwind."

"Thank you..." Miko replied.

I entered just behind her.

"Please make yourself at home. Would you like some tea?"

"No thank you."

I decided I was going to take full advantage of this 'make yourself at home' invitation. "Don't mind if I do!" I flopped on the couch and placed my feet on the short table that sat in front of the couch.

Miko seemed to relax and sat on the couch across from me. Nyra practically sat on Miko's lap when she sat next to her.

"So what made you decide that you wanted to be a hero?" Nyra started playing with Miko's fake hair. I just watched. This was going to get amusing.

"I like to help people, I know this way I am making a difference for each person I meet."

"You made a difference in my world. I will be forever grateful to you." Her voice was now a seductive one. I had to stifle my laugh. As annoying as Nyra was, this was turning out to be entertaining.

"Then I've succeeded." Miko answered.

"I don't think you understand..." She changed her position so that she was seductively pressed against Miko. "...there is only one way I can repay you for your kindness..." She placed her hand on the side of Miko's face causing it to be only inches away from hers.

I couldn't take it anymore and burst out laughing as Miko's eyes went wide.

"I think we should go!" Miko decided as she hastily stood up and headed out the door.

"Wait! I haven't even..." Nyra chased after Miko.

"Just leave it alone. Trust me, you're not his type." I explained as I followed them.

I went outside, leaving Nyra at her home, and found Miko hiding in a tree. "Is that... what I thought it was?" Her face was bright red with humiliation.

I couldn't help but smile in amusement. "Yes it was. I wouldn't have let anything happen, though."

Miko leapt out of the tree and landed in front of me. "Let's get outa here!"

It was entertaining to see Miko this flustered. It was a rare occurrence.

"Yes, sir."

Once we returned to the castle, I backed off to give Miko her space when Mitsuhide approached me.

"Prince Zen wants to see you."

I felt my stomach tighten. Why would he want to see me? I guess the only way I was going to find out was by following Mitsuhide.

"Lead the way."

We arrived at Zen's office and he was leaning against his desk with his arms crossed in front of his chest.

"You asked to see me, Your Highness?"

"I want you to explain what you were doing with the Red Whirlwind."

I was shocked. How did he know I was involved?! Unless...

"I saw you fighting alongside him."

That's what I thought.

"I help him out from time to time." I tried my best to stay calm and answer his questions vaguely but truthfully.

"Judging by the way you fought, you must be close to him."

I remained silent. If there was any way of getting out of this without exposing Miko, then I would.

"Kat! How well do you know this guy?!" Prince Zen was starting to get frustrated with me.

"I know him very well." My code of honesty sucked at a time like this. But I was determined to be an honorable pirate, even if it was an oxymoron. And it wasn't just that. I knew Prince Zen was doing his job the best he could.

I braced myself for Prince Zen's next question.

"Who is he?!"

There it was! There was no getting out of it. If I didn't tell him then I would be lying. I took a deep breath and mentally prepared myself for whatever punishment he would give me once he got his answer. I just hoped that I'd get points for being honest.

"He's not a man... the Red Whirlwind... is Miko in disguise."

"WHAT?!"

I flinched at his explosion of rage. Without saying a word, he harshly grabbed my wrist and dragged me out of the office. I was sure he was going to take me to the dungeon and flog me himself! As we walked, however, I realized that we were headed to Miko's office.

"Kat tells me, that you are 'The Red Whirlwind'!" He shouted after we burst in and he finally released my wrist.

Miko just sat there silent. She was probably as worried as I was.

"Well! Is this true?!" Prince Zen demanded.

"It is."

"Kat! Desti! Leave us!"

He didn't have to ask me twice! I was out as soon as he finished giving the order. I didn't want to be around him when he was this angry.

Desti and I decided to burn off our nervous energy by sparring. Our training swords clashed as we talked.

"I've been meaning to ask... What were you and Miko doing before I returned with Minato?"

"You mean when you first suggested he stand in?"

"Yeah."

Desti blushed and that caused it to finally click in my head. I don't know why I didn't see it before!

"You kissed her didn't you?!"

His face went red.

"Finally! At least she'll remember that one."

"Yeah, but I think it might have been a mistake. She is a Princess after all."

"Don't talk like that! I'm sure things will work out!"

I caught Desti off guard and pointed my training sword to his throat.

"No fair beating me when you're asking me questions like that!"

"Sorry, but in a real fight you can't let your emotions interfere."

"Guess you're right."

"Come on, let's go get something to eat, I'm starving."

"Right behind you."

Once Prince Zen discovered that Miko was the Red Whirlwind, he agreed to one last adventure. It had involved some madman thinking he could force others to work for him. Then there were arrows shooting at us and something crazy with a clock tower. By the end of it, everyone knew that Miko was the Red Whirlwind and our adventures had come to a close.