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.

My fic is actually picking up! The last update doubled the total amount of reviews! I'm so happy. Thank you so much.

Dementedchris: Thank you so much for the suggestions on how to write the dialogue and stuff. The mall-going chapter contains a couple of important hints as to how things will turn out, so it may not be as useless as we think.

Lady-Inu-Yasha: I'm pretty sure I won't leave this fic unfinished.

SAGE: I guess you're right about the reviews, huh? Anyway, thanks for leaving a review for each chapter, and sorry about the PDA confusion, hihi..sorry..Oh and about Aoshi and Kaoru being caught, LOL, how come I didn't think of that?? That would have been funny, hihi.

MaraJadeBlu: Sorry about the recurring switch in tenses. I really tried to edit it. Maybe my eyes just got used to the text that grammar mistakes don't register anymore. I'll try and fix those soon.

To all: I know the last chapter was pretty vague. I intentionally did that. As to why, well maybe I wanted to leave people questions in their minds, which are to be answered in the upcoming chapters. As for the character development, I am aware that almost everyone, except Kaoru, is a flat character. Only Kaoru has the in-depth first POVs so far. Again, these will all make sense after a couple of chapters.

If you want me to email you once I posted the next chapter, just tell me and don't forget to leave your email address.

Other Side of the Moon

Haze

Chapter 7

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Forgetting the person I care about –

Where's the happiness in that?

---Misao

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Are there any questions?" Takahashi-sensei asked.

"None sensei," the class answered.

"Good. Class dismissed."

The class then broke off into groups talking about the upcoming project, plans, when to meet, and of course telling each other how hard Takahashi-sensei's class is.

"When's this due again?" Ryo asked.

"The end of the month," Kenshin answered.

"Ah! I hate this. I can't believe I have to work with Mikagami again!"

"Don't worry Misao we're almost halfway done with this school year. You just have to control a few months more," Kenshin said trying to ease Misao's anger.

"Argh, I wish you or Ryo were my partner instead of that bitch. Man, even Sano is better!"

"What do you mean by that? Are you saying I'm not in the top of your wish list?"

"Not exactly," Misao answered carelessly, not really considering how Sano will react.

"Why you little?!?!?"

"That's enough Sano. I'm sure Misao didn't mean it. She's just too caught up with her frustration," Kenshin interjected. "Isn't that right Misao?"

"Yeah, whatever," Misao answered automatically.

"So when are you free to meet Ryo?" Kenshin said, trying to change he topic.

"I guess we can start this weekend. Is that ok?" he answered.

"Sounds good to me. What time?"

"How about after lunch?"

"'K, where?" asked Kenshin.

"I don't know. Wherever is fine." 'Oh, how can I not consider that? Working anywhere besides my house would mean that Soujiro's going to tail me. Poor Sou-chan.' "I take that back. I suggest we work at my place, if that's all right with you."

"Sure no prob."

"Let's go eat! I'm tired of all this Physics planning," Sano said as he dragged the three towards the cafeteria.

**

"Having any luck Kenshin?"

"No, not at all."

Saturday afternoon--- Ryo and Kenshin were working with their project as planned. The two decided to split up the work with Ryo working on the written report and Kenshin assembling the actual model.

"This stuff just won't stick to the base. I think we should try a different type of adhesive."

"Ok. We'll do that. Don't worry we have lots of time. This ain't due in two weeks," Ryo replied as he tore his eyes away from the monitor and looked at his problematic partner.

"I know, but you know how I want to finish things ahead of time so I'll have less things to worry about," Kenshin insisted.

"That's your problem Kenshin. You worry too much."

"Because there's reason to worry."

"Sometimes, I think you're just downright paranoid," Ryo half-joked.

A defensive Kenshin answered, "I am not. I'd rather call myself cautious than paranoid."

"All the same."

"You know Ryo, when it's just us or when we're with Sano and Misao you seem different."

'Uh-oh, what do I know say now? Deny idiot.' "What do you mean?" Ryo answered a bit startled.

"I mean you're more open, more relaxed. When we're around other people, it feels like you have a wall around yourself."

'Ahck! How could I've been so reckless? And why does this guy have to be so observant?'

"Are you all right Ryo? I'm sorry if I offended you in any way. You can just forget about it if you want."

"Well, maybe because I prefer being in a small crowd."

"Is that so. Well, let's put that aside now," Kenshin suggested and smiled.

"Thanks."

**

'Finally! Bed! Oh, how I love my bed.' After Kenshin left early in the evening, Kaoru decided to clean the apartment and do the laundry. She decided to take a quick shower before going to bed, making her feel her weariness the moment she climbed her bed. 'Boy, what a day. I didn't think researching and cleaning would do this to me. I can barely move.'

For a minute or so Kaoru just laid still on her bed waiting for sleepiness to drown her in. When suddenly she heard herself say, "Hmm..Kenshin…"

'Mou!! What the hell was that?' It didn't take long before she answered her question herself. 'I now very well what that was about. I think I like this guy. Not just like, as in friend-like but… something else.'

"Ack! Stop it! Think about something else or better yet try to get some sleep!" Kaoru screamed at herself. Just when she was about to close her eyes, she heard the doorbell ring. 'Mou! Who could be at the door at this hour?' Unwillingly, Kaoru forced herself out of bed and checked who the late night visitor was. She didn't feel alarmed or scared because Soujiro should have warned her already if danger waits at the porch.

Just when she was about to open the door, she realized she was in her pajamas and wearing pink fuzzy slippers. 'Great if this one's a person from school, I'm busted.' Kaoru peeked through the glass before she opened the door. 'Aoshi, thank goodness' *sigh*

"Good evening Kaoru," Aoshi greeted the girl, who opened the door, who obviously looked like someone who just walked out of bed, hair all messy and pajamas creased at every angle.

"Hello too," Kaoru replied as she motioned Aoshi to come in. "What's up?"

"Sorry for dropping at this hour, but I have something important to tell you."

This definitely shook sleepiness away from Kaoru's head. "I'm listening."

"We finally pinpointed who the 'Shadows' are."

Kaoru who was definitely taken back with Aoshi's news remained speechless.

"The people who are after you is the Takeda Enterprise."

"What? You mean the multi-billion company that owns almost half of Japan's businesses?"

"Yes."

"I didn't know they're involved with underground businesses."

"There have been rumors that not only does the said company own majority of Japan's businesses, but they are also the biggest distributor of illegal arms here in Japan."

"And you knew all of these from the beginning? How come it took you so long to find out?"

"They've been suspected from the beginning, but we can't give our conclusion with plain hearsay."

"Forgive me. What do we do now?"

"For you, same as usual. Be careful."

"For me? What do you mean? How about you and the rest?"

"Officer Soujiro, the Captain and I will continue watching you. Officer Megumi, Officer Tae and again, the Captain will start their investigation with the Takeda Enterprise. That's all we've agreed so far. We'll make our next move once we've gathered enough information."

"I see. What do you think Aoshi?"

"Don't worry. This is supposed to be good news. We're moving on to something. At least we're not fighting off people we don't even know. Soon, we'll find out their plans, which will make it easier for us to ensure your safety."

"Thank you so…" Kaoru paused when she heard the doorbell.

"I'll get it," Aoshi volunteered.

"Good evening sir."

Saito acknowledged Aoshi's greeting with a nod then spoke, "Did you tell her already?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. I'll take it from here. You may go now Officer Shinomori."

Aoshi nodded then bid Kaoru farewell, "I better get going now. Goodnight Kaoru."

"Goodnight Aoshi. See you in school."

Aoshi nodded once more then stepped out of the house.

"How are you Saito-san?" Kaoru politely greeted.

"Same. Did Shinomori answer every question in your head?" he replied.

"Yes he did."

"Then why are you still sitting there? Go to your room and get some rest."

"Yes 'father.'" Kaoru said teasingly. "Goodnight to you too."

Saito smiled inwardly with the 'father' calling then went to his position, since it's his shift to watch the girl.

A/n: I know its short, gomen… The next chapter will be posted very soon.

Lastly, thanks to the people who reviewed…

Omochi, MaraJadeBlu, LittleDragon5, selene, Dogmatix, cool camzy blue, Lady Inu-Yasha, SAGE, Gypsy-chan, Inuki, dementedchris, Tan Kimiko, sync*in, Hell's-Angel, Koneko-dono, osvark, fangboy, sulky girl