Is he picking on you again? Her voice startled her. She took a deep breath, holding it in. a small hand reached towards her and gently grabbed the picture frame.

What? She didn't even hear her entering the room. The only hint was the slowly closing wall behind her small frame. Then catching sight of a childlike face disappear as it closed.

Her name is Megumi Watanabe. And she was someone to fear. However, small in size and frame, which made her the brunt of many of Ronan's jokes. To which she'd feign anger and would yell and chase him. That was their relationship. He was the son she never had. He warned them never to let her know the obvious. I'm adopted and laughed. -Ronan was Caucasian-.

She can't tell that I'm not Japanese…and when he would say it, loud enough for her to hear. She'd glare, I still have the receipt for you…nodding.

She knew the truth. During the spring and fall festivals, they'd visit his parent's graves on Sakura Island.

Megumi Watanabe looked like she could be the mother next door or at a teacher-parent conference. A demure mouth and almond shape eyes helped the masquerade. She was a wealthy industrialist and de facto leader of all the vampires, except the bund, in Japan. For centuries, her family had been given that right by the Vampire Goddess Mochizuki, who had lived on the archipelago islands long before humans arrived. There was even a rumor saying she and her ancestors were the first to arrive. -

Ronan… You two always got into it. I figured it is because he was too close to Mikoto. She laughed, slowly taking the picture away. She gazed at it and dried off the tears, and gently placed it back on the altar. You know…getting between you and the one who got away. She grinned. Nothing was going on between them. I'm sure of it. She had a confident expression. Anastasia wouldn't let it happen, she shrugged, but He had a way of getting under your skin, didn't he?

Kuroko's expression was a little awkward. Knowing what she meant. Everyone knew she had major feelings for Mikoto Misaka.

But you know, fate is a little fickled…so…She began humming a tune as she turned to her desk and opened the drawers pulled certain small items out and placed them neatly on the desktop: bug spray, flyswatter, and a ping-pong paddle.

But It's so good to see you. It's been a while.

Yeah… I really didn't want to…her throat tightened. coughed.

His death really hit her hard. It had been unexpected. But there was work to be done. But the real reason she didn't go was a certain person would surely be there. Ronan was killed in a simple robbery gone wrong. And it was funny in an odd devastating way. Given the many violent and brutal encounters, he survived. The convenience store was located just across the bridges leading to Sakura Island. Inside the wolf's territory. Wolf security in the backroom, wolves behind the counter. And wolves waiting to be served. He was surrounded by wolves, and yet at the register, a human decided to pull out a shotgun, and hell broke loose.

No need. It was quite a ceremony. She sighed, going out like a wolf. The bonfires, the smoke, flames, embers taking flight and burning bright, lighting up the night sky. Lots of laughing and joking and drinking. I must say, wolves sure know how to celebrate the death of a comrade. Sounding a little somber. Everyone came, little Gwen, who is not so little, Francesca, Albedo, Silva, Heidi, and Senessa, to name a few. Oh. Mikoto Misaka and Anastasia also…she added.

She knew the names. Francesca and Albedo were two of the four Queens of the four kingdoms. Silva and Heidi, pack leaders under Anastasia von Alucard. Senessa and Gwen had their own fiefdoms. And, of course, she knew Mikoto Misaka. Bonded mate to Anastasia and Queen regent.

So, tell me, she turned around and crossed her arms over her chest and with a professional look on her face and tone of her voice she asked, why are you here?

I'm just doing my job. I am here to take Uiharu back to Academy City.…

Uiharu?! With a tilt of her head and looking suspicious, Megumi Watanabe rolled her eyes and asked again. Why are you here? Her gaze burned.

I told you I'm here on a mission for Academy city. They want me to bring back Uiharu.

Megumi Watanabe closed her eyes and sighed. Her small mouth tensed as if she were holding something back. Kuroko knew that Megumi Watanabe had a temper and was a formidable fighter. And often, when she made that face, Ronan would yell, run, and take off.

Kuroko, she said with very little emotion in her voice, her eyes barely slits, Perhaps you don't know this, but I happen to be on the board behind the board of Academy city. I am the money that started the city. I am the one who takes a little bit of profit from everyone. I'm pretty sure I know everything that goes on. And if there are things that I don't know and I find out, I tend to get very angry.

These are just my orders.

I know, I know I know, she said, waving her hand dismissively. Why don't you have a seat over there? Pointing to the small chair in front of the desk.

She nodded and walked around, and sat down. Good, Megumi spoke as she adjusted the sleeves on yukata. And picked up the flyswatter. We'll get to the bottom of this but first.

She walked over to a small bush in the corner of the room. do you know what this is? She knelt down, reached inside, and grabbed a branch.

A bush?

Very good… There's hope for you yet. She said as she shook the bush. But do you know what kind?

No.

Well… You're about to find out, giving it a violent shake, and stepped back.

She raised the flyswatter above her shoulder. This is called the Hawthorne and is known as the fairy tree in Ireland. It is often referred to as the gentle bush, lone bush, or thorn, as it is disrespectful to mention the fairies by name…

Fairies…

It is considered a fairy tree. It is believed to be extremely bad luck to cut down or remove branches or even hang things upon them. Do you know why?

No…

Because you might disturb the little folk.

Huh?…

You know, in 1999, work was interrupted on the main road from Limerick to Galway because of fairy tree stood in its path. The road had to be rerouted, and construction was delayed 10 years.

You know what I say? Chop the freaking thing down and get on with it. She spoke.

And you actually believe?

In 2009, numerous sightings of ancient ghosts were thought to reappear in Tyrone after the felling of a fairy tree. Most people respected and fear it, and very few would remove or damage a hawthorn standing alone.

And yet you're shaking, said lone bush, holding a flyswatter.

Yep… You know why…

I guess you're about to tell me.

Because the little bastards are hard to kill.