Eiri looked down at the flashing message panel as the Japanese characters appear anew on the screen. She smiled and tapped a message back.

___

I do believe that Caomei needs the English classes. A British man moved into our house this morning. He's studying to be a doctor at the Daigaku. They said that he is on some scholarship in my father's name... I didn't even know there was such a scholarship.

___

Eiri sent the message and then looked over at Caomei, who had timidly returned, teary-eyed, to her seat. She was bent over a piece of paper sketching madly, and Eiri could see that it was a beautiful, if depressed- looking, woman. Both girls sighed softly.

/When the hell will this day end?/ thought Eiri /I want to get home and check out the new boy.../

Good things in the future... Eiri hoped Caomei was right. She wouldn't mind living with that sexiness forever. Just the thought of him was enough to make her almost scream out in ecstasy. She was almost tempted to tell Teacher that she was sick and needed to go home.

"Ah... perfect..." Eiri murmured, half to herself, and half to her sister and the frail boy in front of her.

Kojirou replied happily, as he knew now there was a way for him to stay in the classroom without sleeping.

___

So, you have a guest now? That's cool. I wonder how he's feeling in that Eden's Garden of a house you have...

___

Eiri looked down and typed a message back.

____

He's a bit of a pervert [he likes teenage girl's panties...], but he's as hot as anything. He seems to enjoy his room. He's got the room on the top floor with the all-around balcony looking to the back yard...

____

She couldn't believe she was telling a boy that was younger than her about her hot housemate... not like Kojirou did care about that at all. His twisted sense of beauty was far beyond gender. He grinned widely and started replying.

___

Well, you can't really blame him for acting like a pervert, considering who he's living with. But I got a feeling you're not entirely angry with that...

You and Mei-chan jankenpo'ed for him already? :P

___

She giggled, remembering the stunned look on Adam's face when her high heel slammed him in the face...

___

Mei-chan isn't at all interested... she's given him to me. I hit him with a shoe, by the way.

___

Kojirou suppressed a laugh.

___

Watch your actions, sweetheart... what if he also has a shoe fetish?

___

Eiri couldn't repress her laugh when she saw that message. She grabbed her handkerchief from her desk and pretended she was coughing, really laughing. The glare of the teacher told Eiri that she had been found out. She stared up at the old woman, contemplating her plan to leave.

/Ara, ara.../ Kojirou scratched the back of his head.

___

Eiri-chan, if you keep on laughing like that I won't be able to stop either... but seriously, the next time you throw a shoe at him, you might not be able to get it back. I can almost picture him pouting and hiding it from you.

___

She thought for a moment then tapped a note back.

___

I wouldn't be surprised if all of my little lacy thongs are gone when I return home. My bathroom probably won't have my dirty clothes on the floor anymore either.

___

Kojirou burst out laughing. He knew he wouldn't be able to hide it anyway. After getting his breath back, he looked up to see an old, angry woman staring at him and Eiri. "Guess who's going to stay here after class, Eiri- chan..."

"Very perceptive, Sasaki-san. You and Tsugoyaki-san WILL stay here after class. But for now, let me know what amuses you so..." the teacher said as she walked to get their NAVIs.

Eiri panicked and clutched her NAVI to her chest. She sure as hell DIDN'T want the teacher reading aloud to the class about her sexy houseguest and her lacy thongs... Kojirou just put his right hand on top of his, shaking his head. "I'd advise against it."

Eiri stared at the back of Kojirou's head, wondering what the hell he was planning to do.

"Oh, and why shouldn't I do it?" the teacher asked amusedly. Kojirou tapped a few buttons in response. "It will serve you nothing. Unless you're a psychic and can read my mind for the password."

Eiri scolded herself for her own stupidity. She laid down her NAVI on her desk and set her password on, then grinned at the teacher in response. The old woman seemed about to scream or beat the two students up. Since neither would be suitable for a teacher she just sent both out of the classroom. Eiri seemed pleased with herself and walked proudly out of the classroom. When she got out of the door, she looked at the huge dent in the floor.

"Aaaaah, freedom..." Kojirou said as he stood up and stretched. He even scratched his eyes like a cat, just for fun, then walked out.

"You... know the green-haired man, didn't you?"

"Yeah, I just met him today."

"Does he always yell English obscenities?"

"Not that I know... but I think he does. He's got the worst temper I've ever seen."

"Is he actually staying here for school?"

"It seems so. And it can be quite a dangerous thing. He seems to have a problem even bigger than mine with authority."

Eiri thought silently for a few minutes then flashed back to that morning. "He was the guy in front of your house this morning who looked like he was going to tear it down..."

"Yes, and he would really have done it had I taken a few more seconds to open it. He was there to test the Mansion's restraints... it proved to be a bad idea as soon as he started."

"You'd think something that big could break anything..."

Kojirou let out a long sigh "Exactly. And he did break a lot of things at home.

At that time, Eiri looked up at the ceiling of the hallway. It was untouched. "How the hell did he get in here?"

"Even I don't know for sure. His brother explained it to me and onee-chan, but I don't know enough about the Wired to understand it fully... ... ...in few words... he can access the Wired with his body instead of using a NAVI. But he's got no control when, where and if he's coming back."

She was silent for a moment... "That is so fucked up..."

"I thought quite the same thing when I heard the explanation. I wish I were able to say 'I've seen weirder things.' , but this time I can't."

Eiri listened to the continuing lesson inside the classroom. "Do you think that Teacher will notice if I leave?"

Kojirou smiled at that. "Hoe, you're certainly eager to get back home... which reminds me, how does your guest-soon-to-be-sexual-slave look?"

Eiri licked her lips, thinking about Adam. She pushed a randomly hanging curl behind her ear and then started her description. "Dark blond hair... obviously dyed because of the light brown roots. His eyes are fabulous... many, many layers of different blues. He is slightly tanned, but not too much. Very tall... almost a foot taller than me. Muscular arms..." She stopped before she felt the need to run to the restroom and pleasure herself... at school.

Kojirou felt numb as he saw the look on his classmate's face. He had to breathe deeply with his eyes closed for some seconds in order to keep control. He realized he wasn't paying that much attention to her words.

She looked over at Kojirou. "Fucking hot. Literally... figuratively."

"I... *breathe in* ... *breathe out*... see. Well, given he is this hot, and a pervert, you really should get home right now. When and if the old lady realizes, you'll be far away already."

Eiri smiled at him. She turned quickly on her heels and started walking down the hallway. She looked back at him.

"Just tell Caomei to take my stuff home. She has a railcard- it shouldn't take her too long to get home."

Kojirou walked closer to her, smiling. "Alright, bloody kisu." With trained speed and grace, he slashed his lips open, drawing blood, then brushed them against Eiri's slightly parted ones. Although surprised for a second, she licked the blood off after his half-kiss, savouring the saltiness of it. "Thanks" she said, then winked at him. He closed his eyes in response, as a spark made it's way up his spine.

Eiri spun sharply and then walked quickly down the hallway.

***

A couple of eternities had passed, and Kojirou still waited outside the classroom. /End, stupid class... I wish I could have gone home, like... E... i... ri... / Kojirou touched his still bleeding lips. As he did that, he realized he could still feel the sweet taste of Eiri's. And he could hear his classmate's voice, and still see her beautiful eyes... Kojirou's whole body shook.

He needed Eiri... no, it was more serious than that. He desired her. He raged for her. And a bloody spiral of images of Eiri clad in suffocatingly tight, revealing leather clothes, tied to or tying Kojirou to the Mansion's walls raced in Kojirou's mind, destroying what little control he had over himself.

He was barely able to stand up, as he felt as if about to faint, as he really was. The boy staggered all the way to the bathroom. As he got there, he went to the closest sink, stuffed some paper towels into the drain and opened the faucet, burying his face under it. As the sink got completely full, he kept his face inside it for long minutes. When Kojirou raised his head again to look in the mirror, he felt a lot calmer, so he headed back to the hallway to wait for the class to end. For how long he'd be able to maintain that state, no one could tell.

***

Eiri walked quickly, fearing that Teacher would come up behind her at any moment. She made record time, being almost home in about ten minutes. Her eyes filled with joy as she saw the Vespa still parked in the front lawn. She raced in, hoping to see Adam waiting for her on a couch when she arrived.

Instead, she saw Adam sitting across from her sister in the living room.

"Sister..." Eiri whispered.

The older woman looked up at Eiri. Blonde and red streaks fell softly across her face. Her smile was radiant enough to fill the entire room with its glory. She stood quietly, almost slyly, then walked over to Eiri. At 5'11", she was 8 inches taller than her youngest sister. Eiri fell into her sister's arms.

"Natsumi!" she screamed happily.

Adam watched them, an almost stunned look on his face, as he hid the files he had been reviewing with the elder Tsugoyaki...

***

"Mei-chan, Eiri-chan went home already. And she asked me to tell you to take her stuff when you go back home... though I'd advise you not to go there already, as she is probably doing very pleasant things with your guest right now..." Kojirou would have grinned, but the feeling of numbness told him he was again starting to rage.

Caomei looked up at him with large brown eyes. She reached over numbly and grabbed Eiri's bag and coat, then looked back at Kojirou.

"Her sister's coming home today... I forgot to give her the message!" Her face twisted cutely and she sighed.

"I see... well, I wonder if she'll be happy or angry with her sis showing up..." as an afterthought, he added "Or both."

"I... think she likes this sister. She doesn't like one of her sisters, but... wait... what was she going to do with Adam?" she stared blankly at him innocently.

Kojirou couldn't tell if it was feigned or true innocence in Caomei's eyes, so he went with the latter. "Well... from what she told me, Eiri-chan's more than a little interested in Adam... even if he's a pervert..." /Damn, Kojirou, chant or anything, but DON'T let your body take over.../

"I think that they are very cute!" said Caomei, smiling. "They would have very cute little babies." to emphasize her point, Caomei cradled Eiri's coat in her arms like a baby.

"I hope you're right, Mei-chan... *breathe in* ... ... *breathe out* ... ... after all... Eiri-chan does deserve to have cute kids..." only then Kojirou realized they'd been standing inside the classroom. "Hm, shouldn't we get going already?"

"I do suppose so... Eiri might get worried if I don't make it home after she left me here..."

/That is, if she does remember you between her sis and her object of desire... damnation, shut up, Kojirou!/ he motioned for Caomei to walk out first, then he went out of the room and after her.

Caomei walked out, looking down at her tiny feet. "What's wrong, Kojirou- kun?" she whispered. "You are acting even more odd... than usual."

"Oh... hm... *gulp* ... odd? How so?"

She stopped abruptly, causing Kojirou to slam into her. She spun around and looked him right in the eyes. "Eiri!" she said loudly. "Eiri, Eiri, Eiri!" she narrowed her eyes slightly, trying to judge his reaction.

Kojirou closed his eyes strongly, trying to focus on getting himself not to shiver. It was beyond useless. His legs weakened and he was in the verge of falling to his knees. Awkwardly, Caomei took a small step back, looking at the boy.

"Alright... *pant*... Mei-chan... my whole body is aching for her.... *pant* ... there..." he breathed longly before continuing, "Are you happy?" he let his body recline against a wall and fell to a sitting position. Kojirou unbuttoned his shirt and swung his purse off his shoulders, holding it in one hand. "Now... ... ... ... can you help me up?"

Caomei's mouth fell open and her face took on that 'Oh my God you want to do something nasty to my sister' look. She slowly put a medium-toned, tiny hand out and offered it to him. The boy gave her one of his feline 'Damn right, sweetie...' grins in response. He then grabbed the girl's hand and, forcing his feet against the wall, stood up. "But don't worry... ... ... ... not about her, at least..."

"What do you want to do? From what you've hinted, she believes that she's taken."

"Actually... Adam is the one... who is taken... ... but... ... ah, you wouldn't understand..."

"If she loves Adam-san, why would you want to split them up?" again, her innocence flashed in her face.

"Bloody hell... that's not it, Mei-chan..." /Hmmm, I'm not shivering anymore.../ "It's just... hormone overdrive, so to say... ... ahn... what happens to your body when you're sexually aroused?"

Caomei looked either confused or embarrassed. She blinked a few times, then decided to ignore the question. "I..." she stopped and turned around, continuing down the hallway.

"You do know, alright... and of course, you know what happens to most men's bodies." Kojirou waited a few seconds to see her reaction.

"I have only read in textbooks." was her curt answer.

"That's enough. You see, that's not how my body works. My blood, instead of concentrating where it should, rushes like a beast all around my body. So, some minutes ago, when all my mind was turned to taking Eiri-chan's body, instead of having an erection like most men, I felt all numb and weak... but as you can see it's over now. Though I wonder for how long."

Caomei shuddered at the sexual thoughts, trying to force all knowledge of sex from her body. Suddenly, she remembered Eiri's comment about S&M at the Mansion and she grew pale. Was Kojirou wanting to do some sick S&M thing with her Eiri-chan? She winced.

Kojirou scratched the back of his head "Oe, oe... no need to be scared... I can control myself... as long as you don't tease me like that again."

"Perhaps I should use her birth name around you instead of saying her name..." Caomei looked up for a moment. "That way I don't have to have impure thoughts."

Kojirou let out a short laugh. "So, let me try to understand that, you're blaming me for your having nasty ideas?"

"I think about the sick things you would do with..." Caomei paused for a moment. "Elika-chan."

"Elika? That's a beautiful name... but as I said, I wouldn't do anything to her if she didn't want me to. And she doesn't. So don't worry." Kojirou smiled sweetly at the cute girl.

Caomei looked at him and smiled. He was really a decent guy, though her initial impressions of the day seemed otherwise.

"I'm glad we had this cleared up, Mei-chan." Kojirou looked around to realize he was just next to his home. "This is where we part ways. Send Elika-chan a bloody kiss for me, alright?" he gave Caomei a peck on the cheek.

She gasped a bit at the feel of his cold lips, but nodded.

Kojirou bowed slightly, then crossed the street to disappear into the Mansion's darkness.

Caomei kept on watching after the darkness for a moment, then continued her walk home.

***

The two stepped out of the dilapidated building that was the dojo and onto the neon-lit street of Tokyo. Cars moved past in a brilliant blur, tinny music played from a radio nearby. The masses of people moved past them as if they weren't there. Walking down the street, Yousuke's instructor began to speak to him, and he listened quietly.

"Yousuke, I find that the most interesting thing about the world is its tendency to change so rapidly. Even now, our world is changing, becoming more advanced. It's the same with the martial arts that we practice. You know that the our school is the Kyouryokukou School, but do you understand the significance of the name?"

"High-tension steel." said Yousuke. "I'm sure there is something to it, I've thought about it before."

"It is good you have thought about it, with a name like that, I'm sure the answer will come to you if you think for a second." said his instructor.

"I think I know why." said Yousuke, his teacher nodded for him to go on. "Right, our style of karate is much like the others I've seen except in how we train, and the rhythm that we use. Where some styles show how to be smooth in your strikes, ours is a jagged, rhythm-breaking style. It's modern and new, and emphasizes a sudden movement all at once. That's why it's 'high-tension'. Steel has been around for a long time, but it's a symbol for modern times. Even our name signifies a modern style, and so do our sensibilities."

"That's very good Yousuke, I'm impressed with your insight. I will tell you something else about change, because that is our subject. Change is just as much building up as it is tearing down, and what is the universal force of tearing down Yousuke?"

"I don't understand, it's a question I don't think about much."

"I know, but that's because it may seem morbid to dwell on thoughts as universal destruction. Actually, it is not, anymore than it is morbid to contemplate the new growth in the spring. It is just a part of life, and a very important part. The answer, if you've studied physics or anything of that nature, is what is called 'entropy'. Does that ring any bells?"

"Actually, I remember that. Entropy is the break-down of all existing systems, or the universal cooling of the universe or something." replied Yousuke.

"Yes, but I'm speaking in this case of the dissolution of present systems. If you've studied history, you realize that for a new government to be established the old one has to break down. This is the same in every part of nature and the world. What does this tell you Yousuke?"

"It tells me that for something new to occur, it must come only when another thing ends. So it is that destruction fosters growth."

"That's right. Just like the growth of our school of thought and action put forth by our school of martial arts had to let certain traditions and thoughts die so we could move forward with the times. We keep what is important to us, but let everything else atrophy. In time we develop our own virtues that the past has lacked. In this way we grow. Do you understand Yousuke?"

"I think so, sir. Is there anything else I should think about?" asked Yousuke.

"No, I think that's enough for tonight. How did you get to the dojo? Did you walk or drive?" asked Yousuke's instructor. Yousuke was surprised to find that they had been walking for quite a while, and they were quite far away from the building they had started from. Luckily, he had walked, as the school hadn't been far from his apartment in the first place, and they had been walking more or less in that direction.

"I walked, sir. I can make it home from here. I'll be in on Thursday!" he called, walking off.

***

Kojirou's entry to the Mansion was met by the sound of plastic being violently crushed. /Eh? Is Tak around here?/ "Hoe, I'm home..." he walked into the kitchen to find the source of the noise "Ah, hoe, Kannai!"

"Greetings." Kannai was slightly taller, heavier and significantly stockier than Nakita's beanpole frame. He had matted black hair... the eyes matched. Personality wise, he was far colder and reserved.

"I didn't know you were coming early today. Anyway, do you know where onee- chan is?"

"No. I just recently arrived myself."

"Ah, I see. Well, that goes without saying, but make yourself at home." Kojirou bowed, then climbed up the stairs to the fourth floor.

Kannai started checking out the rooms... noting, with a slight frown that two were under repair... and mentally noting adjustments.

"Hoe, onee-chan..." said Kojirou as he walked into Hime's room "I didn't know Kannai was coming this early. I guess we're about to have a busy day, huh?"

"Actually just Kannai is going to have a busy day..."

"Hm, I see." he gave Hime a peck on the cheek, then went to his own room to bathe and change.

Kannai continued preparing... apparently oblivious to Hime's plans... about five minutes later, Hime went down to the lower floors. After some search, she found him. "Hoe, Kannai. I hope you don't mind, but for some reason so many people called asking for you I had to schedule them earlier than we usually open. You'll much likely have to be with two or more of them at once. Is that a problem for you?"

"Then the overtime rate of pay will kick in earlier. Could be... mixed gender?"

"More than fair. And yes, it could be."

The piercing black eyes swept over Hime en passant...

"You will have to notify those mixed-gender groups that have booked time with me their booking is tentative."

"Tentative?"

"That is what I said."

"But what do you mean?"

"I may not take such a group."

"Oh. Alright, I'll let them know. When they arrive." /Well, I hope you take one particular group I have in mind.../

"As you yourself have stated numerous times... while the Mansion makes every effort to ensure customers get their requested session with their requested employee... said employee has final veto."

"Exactly. You do as you find best, I won't push it."

"Precisely."

"Well I'll be going then. You make the preparations you find necessary. I believe the first group will be here in..." she glanced at her watch "...about 45 minutes. If you need anything, use the intercom, I'll be in my room." Hime turned back and headed for the stairs. Kannai continued setting up... made a couple of phone calls...

***

Kojirou was in his bath, his thoughts had again turned to Eiri. It was a good thing, though, as working in state of rage intensified the fun since he'd have quite a lot of tension to release. /But come to think of it... I was supposed to be in detention right now.../ he shrugged and sank in the tub, his shaking body calmed don by the cold water.

***

The afternoon and night passed pretty standard. Pain, pleasure, recharge, yet more pain, more pleasure... the only big difference was that Kojirou was abnormally excited. Nothing seemed able to stop him, and he had added quite a few scars to his body, as well as other people's bodies.

Hime was VERY pleased at that. It was always a spectacle when Kojirou was in state of rage. She, on the other hand, needed a break when it was almost midnight. So she went for the kitchen and got some juice, setting herself down for the first time in hours. Her body seemed a lot heavier than it really was. Awaiting her... was Nakita.

Hime raised an eyebrow at the sight of her lover. "Ara? When did you come in?"

"A little while ago... I didn't want to disturb you."

Hime walked closer to Nakita and kissed him. When they broke the kiss, she asked again "Hm, let me rephrase... how did you get in?"

"Kannai let me in. Speaking of which..."

Kannai entered the kitchen... drained two bottles of apple juice and left again.

"I see... by the way, about that teamup... from what he said today, I think Kannai won't agree with it."

"How so?"

"You see, he had some mixed-gender groups scheduled for today. When I told him about them, he said he might not take such groups."

"Well... it is his call.. as you have preached..."

"I know. And he said the same thing. Well, I wouldn't dare push it, since he's one of our biggest crowd draggers."

"Like with me and Tak professionally competing."

Hime nodded "Yeaown, exactly like that." as an afterthought, she added "Though Kannai did take the groups... he was the active part in all cases."

"Well.. I'm gonna have a packed week..."

"You bet." Hime answered winking. She then looked at the clock on the kitchen's wall. "I have an electrical stimulation session in some minutes. You want to watch?"

"Nothing else to do..."

"Which reminds me, what did you come here for?"

"Well... you most importantly..."

Hime smiled happily at that. "Well, let's get going, then." she took Nakita's hand and led him to a room, closing the door after he entered.

There was a one way mirror on one wall, next to which a group of people gathered eagerly, sitting on what looked like theater chairs.

/Hope Nakita knows what he's doing... hey... why am I complaining... I'm getting double time./

Some minutes later, a middle-aged, metal mail clad man was led into the room by Kojirou. He was bound to a large metal X in the opposite wall, then the boy got a large vase filled with water from a corner and splashed it on the customer. The man looked at the mirror, knowing there were people on the other side, and smiled.

Kojirou bowed at the mirror and headed out, crossing with Hime at the door. She leaned down and kissed her brother, who said something that couldn't be heard to her before leaving. Hime locked the door and walked closer to the mirror, grinning maliciously and eliciting much groaning and sighing from the watchers.

Hime started very mildly, setting her Raiya to the weakest. Instead of whipping, she passed the whip slowly through the customer's body. He shook and seemingly moaned, as did the voyeurs. The show hadn't even started, and some of them were already masturbating. Nakita withheld comment.

In little time, Hime was more than a little excited. She set the Raiya aside and got a pair of clips that connected to a large battery. As a spark passed between then, Hime licked her lips and closed them each around one of the man's nipples. He arched his body and seemingly screamed, but the watchers couldn't say for sure since the room was acoustically isolated.

/Glad I don't have to double for him in the bedroom.../

The session went quite pleasurably for everyone. The customer was more than satisfied, he had orgasmed at least three times, two of them when Hime shocked his crotch. Of course Hime just let that happen cause the now cum drenched metal suit was his. He walked out first, followed by the mistress after she put the toys back in place.

After the performance, Hime went to meet Nakita again. "So, what did you think?"

"Can't say I would enjoy that... but diversity makes the world."

She giggled in response. "But wouldn't you enjoy... not even as active part?"

"Nah..." Nakita shook his head.

Hime looked at him strangely. "And why not?"

"Just... don't... reminds me... of having to subdue Tak too much...."

She gave Nakita another awkward look. "What's that so suddenly?"

Nakita fell silent and stayed that way.

Hime knew there was something SERIOUSLY wrong... "Did something happen today?"

"Nah... guess I spent too much time thinking about what I had to do to Tak when he was non compos mentis..."

"Well, I hope some time here will bring your nastiness back..."

"Maybe... but I'm not the sadist... Reika and Kannai are."

Hime looked downright outraged. "You're not the sadist? So I suppose you have another name for choking me when we were making love..."

"That was just a kiss..."

"That settles it. Who the hell are you? And I sincerely hope you have a good explanation for coming here and posing as Nakita."

"Oh, would stopping a psychopath from serial murder be a good enough reason?"

Hime raised an eyebrow, with the most skeptical look on her face. "Excuse me?"

"You asked what reason I had, I gave you it."

"And now you explain this reason. And tell me who you are."

"Nakita recognizes he has borderline psychopathic tendencies. I'm merely a double he hired."

"Borderline psychopathic tendencies..." Hime echoed absently. "... ... ... ... ... alright. You come with me." Hime led the double to another room, where Sari was making out with another girl Hime didn't know. Se approached her employee from behind and kissed her neck, while cupping her breasts. She turned to the other girl, smiling gently. "I'll have to borrow her for some minutes, OK?" she said with a wink.

"Sari, I have a session in ten minutes in the basement's third voodoo room. Maybe I won't be able to be there in time, so could you go there and let them know about it?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"Thank you." she locked her lips against Sari's shortly before leading her by the hand to the other girl.

Hime then got out of the room turned to Nakita's double. "So, now can you explain in detail why Nakita has hired you?"

"Well... he's the professional psychologist... one of his personas is, at least..."

"Keep going... actually, come to the upper floors. I'd rather have nobody else hear that."

The double shrugged and warily followed.

"Now, then... keep going."

"Nakita has recognized, much to his credit, that he has at least three personas... one is the normal, unassuming kickboxing psychologist..."

"The others?"

"Numero duo is Kannai... the third... I don't know but it's presumably psychopathic."

"Bloody hell... how am I ever supposed to believe that?"

"That's what he told me."

She let out a long sigh. "Alright... so... what else did he tell you?"

"He don't wanna let the third persona take control."

"I still don't get it. How's that supposed to help?"

"As far as I understand it... when Nakita's around... stress builds up... and that's gotta be relieved..."

"Alright... and?"

"Enter Kannai."

"I see... as for the third?"

"When too much stress builds up... Nakita snaps. The third persona takes control.. and we don't wanna know what happens from there."

"What I still don't understand is what you have to do with all that."

"Isn't it obvious? While Kannai is at work... you did want to team up with Nakita on him..."

"And? It ISN'T obvious."

"Well.. Nakita hasn't managed to clone himself."

"Bloody damnation... can you explain that straight, please?"

"Well.. if Nakita's supplying the body for Kannai... who's doing the same for Nakita?"

"But we were NOT gonna team up on Kannai. Not tonight, at least."

"So sure?"

"Yeaown... I was gonna ask him some other time."

"Also.. when Nakita snaps... his physical strength increases to approximate his brother's."

"I see... well... is Nakita in charge right now, or Kannai?"

"Well.. I would assume Kannai."

"Alright... and how your coming here would stop the third persona to take over? ... ... oh, wait a sec. I want this recorded." Hime headed for her room, coming shortly after with a small voice recorder in her hand. "Alright, now you start." she said as she turned it on.

"I'm only here to do the teamup. Kannai's driving the boat to relieve the built up stress."

"Now I see... but Nakita had told me he'd have no time for the teamup... well, anyway... what's your full name?"

"That's not important."

"Is for me."

"Ask Nakita," the man replied with a sardonic grin, "when he's around."

Hime rolled her eyes, sighing. "Alright... and you were called here because?"

"Nakita hired me."

"What did he hire you for?"

"What does it look like?"

"I want that recorded. So say it."

"No. You draw your own conclusions. Now my contract with him has been frustrated, I am leaving."

"No, you're not." Hime answered with an evil grin. "You came here with a purpose, and be it far from me to frustrate it. Let's go talk to Kannai. Oh... and you better impersonate Nakita's sadistic side."

"As you wish."

"Good boy..." Hime headed back to the lower floors, searching for Kannai.

***

The double took advantage of the momentary distraction to bail.

Out the front doors... down a side alley... then he started running... removing the disguise as he ran...

Skidding to a halt near an empty dumpster... the bits of the disguise are hauled in.... in follows a primed incendiary grenade... he starts running again... 3 seconds later... the grenade detonates... slagging the dumpster down...

***

Only when she did find Kannai, Hime realized whoever it was had left. She was burning in anger, but was able to hide it well enough.

"Nakita and I were thinking about teaming up on you, to... hmmm... see if we can put you into submission. So... is that alright with you?"

Kannai appeared to give the matter some thought....

"You don't have to answer it right now."

"Well... I have never found submission even remotely arousing or pleasing..."

"Say no more. I'll tell Nakita you don't want it, he'll understand."

"Understood."

Hime turned away and left, gritting her teeth. She needed to discharge her frustration. "Someone might not leave the Mansion tonight..."