Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. This fic is entirely fictional and Japan did not have a Project Messiah nor a Mission Messiah as far as I know. The makers of Weiss Kreuz own the song 'Other Side of the Moon'. I'm just borrowing it as the fic's title.
To the Readers…
Thank you so much for reading this fic, special thanks goes to the people who left a review namely, MaraJadeblu, sulky girl, Koneko-dono, dementedchris, Gypsy-chan, and Fangboy.
MaraJadeblu: About the dialogue, sorry about that I noticed it too when I was proofreading, but it's so hard to think of variations. Err..so please bear with me ok? Plus, notice I used 'Mou' in this chapter like you suggested. ^_^
Dementedchris: This fic won't be a heavy science, action fic. Maybe a few chapters will be, but I guarantee that there'll be chapters to lighten things up. And yes, this is going to be a KnK fic. Of course, shounen-ai implications will be a danger, but I'm currently working on how to avoid that, I just hope it works!! LOL.
Gypsy-chan: I'm so glad that you didn't get confused whenever Kaoru switches between her girl self, and the boy half. I was feeling worried that people will get confused. Whew..
Fangboy: This chapter will clear things up as to why Kaoru has to dress up as a boy. Hope it answers your question!
Ok here's Chapter 3!
Other Side of the Moon
Autumn-nightfall
Chapter 3
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Why does it take eternity to heal the wounds that only took moments to make?
--N.O.
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Aoshi was in the faculty room clearing his desk. He was about to leave his desk, when he noticed a swoosh of black hair leaving the first column and transferring to the next column. 'How could she be so careless? Sneaking into the faculty at this hour. If there weren't a faculty meeting, this room would have been crowded.'
'Mou, I didn't think it would be this hard. I can't find him. It's a great thing there are only a couple of teachers around. Ok, let's see, where could the math department be? Think…thi..'
Kaoru's thoughts were interrupted when a pair of hands covered her mouth and gripped her wrists.
"Be quiet."
Aoshi quietly sneaked towards the door and cracked the door open slightly. He checked if anyone was still loitering on the corridors. Naturally, given the time, the halls were empty. He gave out an audible sigh and completely stepped out of the faculty room. Kaoru chose to spoke first.
"I know you're disappointed, if not mad. I am so sorry, but I can't just go home and ignore all this. I need to have the answers to my questions now."
"That is not enough to justify your actions. You should have given thought about it further before trying to sneak into the teacher's room. If someone saw you, then.."
"Nobody saw me. Well, eerrr…except you. But you're different! You're not just a teacher. Come on, sorry, really. It was stupid, I know, but curiosity's biting me."
"Let's not talk here. We'll talk in your apartment."
"Wait a second. Isn't that more ridiculous? What if somebody saw us? You're my teacher, Shinomori-sensei," Kaoru said with an emphasis on the sensei.
"Nobody will see us. Now let's go."
'No use arguing, its not like Aoshi's some bonehead who gets convinced easily nor changes his mind ones he sets it.' *sigh*
~~~~ At 42 Sapphire Lane ~~~~~~
"Would you like something to drink?"
"Tea would be fine if you have some."
"Sure I do. Make yourself comfortable while I boil some water."
"Thanks."
Kaoru has changed her clothes and was now wearing girl's clothes. She has also decided to tie her hair up in a high ponytail once more.
"Why don't I start asking questions, Aoshi."
"I'll answer the best I can."
"All right, first of all, why are you teaching at my new school and why is Megumi there as well?"
"For your protection."
"Like duh, as if I didn't know that already. Come on. We've been playing this game for years, and the team has never been this tight before. Something's up and you know it."
"I don't have a clue on what you're leading this conversation to."
"Stop playing innocent! I deserve to know because my neck is the one in line here! You can't just make me believe that everything's going to be all right because it just isn"t!!"
Aoshi's eyes slightly became larger as he stared at her in silence. She's never raised her voice at him nor to any other person, as far as he knows. She must really be having a hard time or really afraid.
"I am sorry, I didn't mean to raise my voice like that. I..I am just, I don't know, confused maybe, or even tired. I'm afraid too. As much as I would like to stay strong and brave, its really hard when you know danger's just lurking around the corner," Kaoru explained with her eyes never leaving the sight of her shoes.
"There is no need for you to apologize. You deserve to know the truth as you've said. I just wasn't sure if it was the smartest thing to do right now. However, since I see how being ignorant is affecting you, then I'll tell you what you want to hear."
Kaoru gave a small nod urging Aoshi to continue without interrupting his words.
"It has been an enigma for years on how fast the so called Shadows have been able to track you down, which had become worse during the past couple of years. Of course, the idea of having a traitor amidst the force has always been there but no form of evidence could be acquired, until a week ago.
A week ago, substantial amounts of evidences were accumulated that proved that the 'Shadows' have an inside informant. This led to the arrest of Maehara Jun, a senior police officer assigned to Tokyo Police two years ago. I will skip the details and go on to what I know greatly bothers you. It is suspected that Maehara is not the only person who has infiltrated our guards. There may be one or couple more pretending to be innocent just like what Maehara did for years. However, these people are highly trained, smart and certainly not allowed to be careless. They leave us neither proofs nor even clues to lead us to them. I am greatly sorry for not being able to identify these 'Shadows' until now, but if it will make you feel a bit better, I will tell you that the list is now down to three organizations. We are hoping that with the arrest of Maehara, the 'Shadows' will soon be revealed, although I doubt if he'll actually spit the whole thing out. Because of all this, the Mission has decided to strengthen your protection. Although only the Mission Messiah are the only ones allowed to know your identity data, leakage are bound to happen with all the 'Shadows' in the force. This is why I will be constantly watching you wherever in school and so with Officer Takani. Also, this is why we've decided to dress you up as a boy. This may probably slow them down together with the arrest of one of their people."
"I see," Kaoru murmured.
"I don't think this will help but I'll say it anyway. Don't worry. We are trying our best to solve this case as fast as we can, although years don't really count as fast."
"I know. I know all of you are giving all you can for this mission and I appreciated all of it. Thank you so much. Still, you can't blame me for getting all tensed up."
"I will protect you Kaoru, the whole team will. I will never let them touch you as long as I live. I've pledged my life to this mission."
"You don't have to say that Aoshi. You should have a life outside your job, you know?" Kaoru suggested trying to lighten the atmosphere a bit.
"I have all I need."
"Sure, sure. Whatever you say." 'Why do I even bother telling him that anyway? He never considers it anyway.'
"I'd better get going now. It's getting late. You should start doing your schoolwork."
"Hai Shinomori-sensei!" Kaoru gave a salute and a toothy grin.
'She always tries to be cheerful around everybody. Sometimes I don't know if that's good or not.'
"Good night then. See you in class," Aoshi said then walked towards the door.
"Good night," Kaoru replied as she closed the door and locked it.
'Now that I know what really happened, I'm not too sure if I really wanted to know all of these. I must control myself in order not to be freakishly paranoid around everyone. The whole team's around anyway, so there's no need to worry. No need to worry at all. Yup, I am safe. Safe, safe, safe. Ok, Kaoru or rather Ryo, let's start with Math.'
"Let's see, the inverse of x^3 + 5 is… Darn it! Why do I feel so darn scared?"
A/n: Review please! Thanks!
