Author's Notes: I just made some revisions of the first chapter along with writing this chapter. I was somewhat confused about the color of Misao's eyes. Someone said they were blue and some said they were green and some said a combination of the two…blue green or turquoise I should say…I just ended up making her eyes green…I imagine her with green eyes anyway…big green eyes like this O_O lol I also played around with some of the jokes…*AhEm* the Enishi part…I'm sorry I'm just a big hentai who ends of thinking of the most scandalous jokes sometimes…if you thought that Enishi joke was slightly bad…this one is a bit bigger…excuse my pun…^_^ Oh yea thank you to the reviewers!!! I was so happy! Let me just say that reviews make my day…like I said I have no life other than checking my mail every half an hour to see if I have any new reviews!

Chapter 2 – The Art of Seduction

He's dying…

Aoshi stared expressionlessly at his father's lifeless body on the massive bed. He stared at the bed that seemed to mock the illness of his father, as if trying to signify that it will soon consume the man Aoshi calls father. Body shrunken. Face gaunt. Eyes closed. Lids that may never open again. A mouth that may not speak another word, not even the soft blessing of goodbye. Strings of white have tainted the wisps of black hair that still lay on the man's head. His expression serene to the unbeholding eye but to Aoshi, who has yet to see it in this man, sees it now. He sees a weakness. Anguish. Pain. Suffering. None of this at all resembled the man Aoshi once knew.

How can someone who was once so powerful, so merciless and strong…turn this…this weak? This… helpless?

From Aoshi's now familiar corner farthest from the bed, he sighed deeply. The unbearable smell of anesthetics and sickness filled the air and gloom overfilled the enormous room. All that is heard is the ragged breathing of the once great Shinomori. All that is seen is the diminishing light that has peaked through the gap of pale blue curtains, one that let wandering eyes see the shadow that is now his father.

Why?

Not being able to bear the pain that took over him, Aoshi walked away, head down – the expensive plush carpet drowning any sounds of footsteps that might be heard. The room is empty. Nothing is left and what is left is nothing to be accounted for.

Meanwhile in another part of town, in but another empty room, a girl sighed. Except this room is empty in an entirely different way. Not gloom and the smell of anesthetics filled the air but exasperation and dust…lots of it.

Ah-Choo!!

Ah-Ah-Choooo!

"GaH! Why is there so much dust here??!? I thought I just cleaned behind the fridge." Misao proceeded to squeeze herself behind the back of the small dust covered refrigerator to clean it up a bit. She furrowed her brows as she tried to pick up a very strange looking, fuzzy black ball.

"Hmmmm…what a weird looking piece of- AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Misao screamed as what must be the world's largest cockroach came crawling out of the dust ball thing. It was a monstrous thing with beady eyes and long antennae that reached the floor. If there was a color for revolting, it would be the color of this cockroach. It was a muddy poop-colored brown, with yellow eyes. Eyes that seemed to follow Misao's every move.

Ohmygoodnessohmygoodnessohmygoodness!!!!Thisissodisgustingthatit'snotevenfunny!!!!

Misao backed away to the farthest point of the kitchen while clutching onto a spatula, waving it around frantically.

Ewewewewewewewewewewewewewewewew! Oh my goodness…It's looking straight at me…I can feel its legs on me already. Misao shuddered.

The cockroach proceeded to crawl around in circles, while fluttering out its clear yellow wings…it looked almost like some intricate tribal victory dance done after the defeat of a great enemy.

Oh. My. Goodness…IT'S CALLING OUT ITS MINIONS!!!

No sooner had Misao had the thought then about a hundred other cockroaches swarming out. Misao gasped.

What am I gonna do?!?! I know! Okay, I have to push the refrigerator back before they all come out and infest my body…Ew! Okay………One-Two-

"THREE!"

Misao yelped as she jumped beside the refrigerator and with all her strength and plenty of released adrenaline, she managed to push the refrigerator back. Misao leaned with her back against the refrigerator as she tried to steady her breath.

Okay…one two three… Misao inhaled. Three two one… She exhaled………I did it. I beat those devious bastards! They think they can beat Misao Makimachi! I just showed them one!

"Who's the Master?!? MISAO!" Misao jumped up and did her own little victory dance, not noticing that the King of Roaches, himself, was slowly descending down her back…

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

DONE! Yes! I'm finally done cleaning!

Misao looked over her empty apartment. Everything was bare, except for a few boxes lying in the living room that would soon be sent back to Jiya's place, a beanbag, and Misao's unfinished lunch on the counter. Misao looked over the apartment again with an air of satisfaction…until she set eyes on the kitchen.

Cans litter the floor and the walls were covered with splotches of dark green slime. In fact, the kitchen looked as if a drunk leprechaun just vomited all over it. Misao grinned widely.

At least I got that little sucker and his little friends too!

Misao stretched her arms and back, and plopped herself on the familiar polka dotted beanbag she's had for so long.

Misao sank comfortably in the old beanbag. I should really return this beanbag to the Oniwabanshuu. I wonder if they noticed it was gone…oh what the heck…they have plenty. I wonder if I can bring this to the school! Make my new room a little more homier…

Misao rested her chin on her hand as she recalled her prior meeting with Saitou.

Saitou took a long smoke while opening the commonly used manila folder.

"Your assignment is to go undercover as a high school student. Now, mind you, it is a very prestigious school and we had to do some convincing…"

"You mean threatening, bribery, or just plain badgering them around?" Misao said knowingly.

Saitou grinned. "Actually, they were quite understanding…" Saitou guffawed. "Okay, we had to do more than just convincing. We did all three…except in the reverse order you said. Hey, those prissy rich guys were too damn stubborn. Anyway, as I said, it is a v-e-r-y prestigious school and you must do very well. But you wouldn't have any problem academically. We've had you specially tutored since Jiya first brought you here. You should do fine. Also, this gives you an opportunity to mingle around with kids your own age, but remember, this is an assignment and you can't let anything get in your way from accomplishing it. We may have look passed a mistake once but one more thing like the factory incident and you're out, Misao-san. I excused your last mistake but the Oniwabanshuu should always come first and we can't afford to make any mistakes, especially in this case right here. I am not authorized to tell you the full report yet but let me just say that if you mess this up then you have ruined not only yourself but also the Oniwabanshuu. Not to put any pressure on you, of course." Saitou smirked.

Misao fingered her braid and said coolly, "Nothing like the factory incident will ever occur again. So I made a mistake but you know as well as I do that I never make the same mistake twice. I will do this and nothing will get in my way."

"Good! Now, you are to somehow seduce young Shinomori. Not right away of course, you must get to know everyone in the school. Get to know all your peers and their backgrounds. Know who are his enemies and who are his allies. Know what goes on in the school like the back of your hand. Also, try to get as much information on Shinomori as you can get. You must acquaint yourself to young Shinomori first and play around as time goes on. Once you familiar yourself with the boy, we will inform you on any future objectives. Recap: One – know your way around school. Two – make 'friends' but know more about them than they about you. Three – Gather information about Shinomori, etc…Last but most importantly – you must get close to Shinomori some way or another, preferably seducing him. That way you are able to gain the upper hand in the relationship and be able to know all that happens. Keep in mind that this is an assignment and nothing else. As the wise man once says, 'Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer'."

All the while Saitou was talking; Misao could only wonder what being in school with people her own age would be like. She's hardly had any friends her own age since she practically grew up in the Oniwabanshuu. Everyone there was a lot older than her, with the exception of a few people. This will be an experience after all…

"Oh yea, only the headmaster knows your true identity…to everyone else you are Midori Nyoko. No one, and I mean no one, is to know your true identity. And this is a boarding school, so go ahead and pack up your apartment; you'll be there for a while. We've already enrolled you in the school and they expect you there in three days. We will have some contacts in the school that we will tell you about later but for now just act like a student and keep a low profile. I wish you luck, Misao-san, lots of it." Saitou picked up his folders and prepared to leave.

"But how do I do this?" Misao blurted out. "I mean… I know I can do it, I just don't know how…" Misao's voice trailed off…

"Misao! Don't worry! We've given you the best tutoring; you won't have any trouble keeping up your studies-

"No. I mean, how do I get Shinomori to you know…fall in love with me?" Misao asked, turning red.

Saitou replied shocked, "You are a sixteen year old girl! I'm pretty sure you know how to flirt and all that silly shit…It seems to me that all women were born to do that…………you seriously don't know?" Saitou sighed. "Don't worry about it. I'll send some help soon."

And Saitou walked out of the room, leaving Misao confused and wondering to herself.

Misao's thoughts were interrupted by the sound her of cell phone ringing from her handbag on the counter. Misao ran to her purse but as soon as she reached it, the ringing stopped.

Misao sighed.

It always waits until I'm right here then it stops. Oh well, might as well check my voicemail.

Misao dug her hand inside her purse, trying to fish out her cell phone, when she touched something a papery surface. She opened her purse wide and took out the stuffed folder.

The Shinomori folder. Jeez! I must have been really distracted not to notice that the folder was still here! Mou! And I only just took my keys out of that that bag…how weird! Hmmm…I wonder what he looks like…

Misao strolled back to the familiar beanbag, which has known many moments like this, and plunked down again.

He's probably a repulsive spoiled brat…

Misao flipped the folder over and gasped.

Never has she been so wrong.

Upon opening the folder, a pair of icy blue eyes stared back at her. Never has she seen something so beautiful yet cold. His hair was jet black, as ink, as ebony, as an infinitely dark sky, one so young and sad that it has not yet known its future eternal light-bringing friends. Yet, it wasn't so much as his appearance that startled her, it was his expression. He had none. It was as if he was hiding behind a mask, a very thick one at that. No feelings whatsoever escaped from him. One can't see anything in the picture but the fierce cold stare in his eyes.

"That's him?" Misao whispered softly.

He's so…I can't even explain it. How can someone hide behind a mask? Has the world been so cruel to Aoshi that he is afraid to let anyone see his true self?

Misao stared intently at the picture, thinking, not noticing that she just referred to Aoshi Shinomori by his first name.

Why is it that I feel sympathy for someone I've never met? Someone who is practically my enemy… Mou! This is an assignment and I must be focused…

Misao stared doubtingly at the picture.

And Saitou-san thinks I could seduce him? I don't think that is even possible in someone like Aoshi. He is not one who easily gives up his feelings…This is gonna be very difficult. Anyway, why would a guy like Aoshi-san like someone like me? He's good-looking…okay, he's damn sexy…so he probably has girls throwing themselves at his feet. Ai-yah! Saitou-san didn't even help me a bit with this. I barely even know Aoshi and Saitou-san expects me to seduce him!

Misao quickly skimmed the pages upon pages on Aoshi Shinomori and frustratingly threw the folder on the floor.

All these pages and it tells me nothing. This is one of the most important assignments in my life and all Saitou-san gives me is a freakin folder!…… but he did say something about help though… I wonder what he meant by 'I'll send some help soon'?

*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*

Misao stood up and started walking towards the door. Speak of the…

The door flung open by itself and there stood Megumi, leaning back seductively against the doorframe, as if expecting a photographer to take her picture any second now. She was dressed in low-rise jeans and a top that looked as if it was made solely from a handkerchief.

"Devil…" mumbled Misao not noticing that she has spoken the last word aloud.

"Well? Aren't you gonna invite me in?" Megumi questioned, still posing against the door. Megumi didn't wait for an answer and strode inside to the living room, reminding Misao of a pendulum as her hips swung consistently from side to side.

Megumi glanced around the room before finally settling down to lean against a wall. "Goodness, this place is small!" She caught sight of the kitchen. "I don't even wanna know what happened in there…" Megumi continued to look around, all the while making clicking noises with her tongue.

"It's a good thing you're moving out of this dingy little place…" Megumi paused as she finally noticed Misao. She flipped over her Gucci sunglasses, revealing a pair of cinnamon brown eyes, to get a better look at Misao's disheveled appearance and smirked. "Then again, you look well suited for it…"

Misao inspected herself.

After hours of cleaning, packing, and sorting through years worth of memories, she admitted to herself that she did look a little grubby. She was wearing her scruffiest pair of jeans and an old white-turned-gray T-shirt, that were both now stained with dirt, grease and a strange splotch of green. Her long braid was trapped by a red bandana wrapped around her head and random specks of dirt tainted her pale skin.

Misao fumed.

"On the brochure, it said no rodents. I guess they forgot about foxes cuz I see one big pest right here…………" Misao muttered irritably, closing the door behind her.

Megumi feigned a hurt look. "Oh Misao! That hurts right here." Megumi put her hand on her chest and smiled. "That is, it would hurt right here if I had a heart……"

Misao rolled her eyes.

What is she doing here? Dammit she's the one who got me into this mess in the first place…tricking me like that… Hmmmmm…She has to be up to something…why else would she just drop by?

"Really Megumi, there aren't any men in here so you might as well leave. No use getting your hopes up and just wasting your time, ne? " Misao said mockingly.

"And that is precisely why I'm here…" Megumi smiled evilly. "Saitou sent me. I'm going to help you…"

Misao absorbed this in slowly…

You mean… she is the HELP? Of all the people, he sent Megumi…He must have a really twisted sense of humor. Could be worse though…He could have sent Enishi. Reminder to self, never ask Saitou for help again…………

"And why would you help me? You wouldn't help me…" Misao asked, confused.

"Misao! Do you not see the big picture? I am not helping only you. This is a big case! Anything can go wrong and I'm not going to be held responsible for any mishaps." Megumi snapped.

"What ? Why would you be held responsible, it's not like I'm your responsibility!" Misao argued indignantly, her pride getting the better of her.

"Wrong again, weasel. Saitou made you my responsibility. NOTHING can go wrong here. And if you are still wondering why I'm here…" Megumi pursed her red lips together. "………I am here to teach you the art of seduction."

Author's Notes: So sorry that this story is going by so slowly but I promise Misao and Aoshi are going to meet in the next chapter! Had I included the scene then it would have been too long! The next one will be mostly of Misao's experience at the new school, meeting Aoshi and other people…etc…can't give away too much clues…Thank you so much to the reviewers! Lol! Next chapter by next Saturday! Please Review. ^_^ By the way, I update every Saturday!