Chapter 12 [ Brats & The Big Guns ]

~

Beads of sweat rolled off his forehead to greet the heated planes of his face. Rukawa surveyed the mist that left not much to the scenery, a blurred lamppost which flaunted the colour grey and the yellow rays of the awakening sun fighting off the sleepy mist around it. He had left early on the weekend, leaving a message on the refrigerator with his barely discernible writing that he was going out for a jog. His running shoes protested the motion of grain against rubber and the friction caused a distinct grating noise every time his feet mocked the pavement.

His raven hair limp across his forehead, they covered the blue eyes which seemed to stare straight ahead. The muscled physique just barely noticeable with the black attire he adorned, hinted at its hidden strength. The damned man just had to stayed over, he grumbled. 'It's my house, why can't I have a say over who stays and who gets the hell out?' The corners of his mouth pulled down in protest of the unwanted guest.

The night before proved both a mixed welcome to him. He had smiled at the cheery girl for inviting him for dinner but the mood was completely ruined over the suspicious eyes that seemed to strike him all through dinner. Pride had made him not thank the bodyguard for his dinner. Pride had made him wake up early, much to his body's protesting whines, and jog in the chilled atmosphere. He did not want to be stuck serving that man his breakfast, a fact that did not leave him since he was forced to do it before.

So into his own grumbling thoughts, he did not notice another fellow riser, only smaller in size making her way to him.

"Good morning, Mister," she intoned with a bright smile upon her face. The dyed-curly locks bounced around her face as she looked up at him. "" She jogged beside him, keeping in the pace in which he chose to go by.

Suddenly snapped out of his inner thoughts, his eyes saw that the mist has indeed been lifted and now the sun shone brightly upon each and every occupant of the park. Dew sparkled mischievously at him, the benches wet from the mist and the rays of sunshine cast a glowing effect onto the grass. It seemed to taunt him with the fact that he was in a foul mood this early in the day.

He chose to ignore the girl who dared to bring in this picture and he quickened his jog.

"Hey!" she called, trying to keep up with him. Eyes narrowed in annoyance, he broke into a run, eager to lose the bumbling slip of a girl. Now, he was really working out. His ears drummed as blood pounded into his arteries and veins, keeping up with his speed. The fading calls of the girl was deaf to his ears as his feet pounded onto the pavement. He didn't know where he was going but he hadn't a care in Japan. All he knew was that he had to work off some frustration and running was the next best thing to basketball.

He had probably rounded the park a couple of times, and when exhaustion finally crept up with him he could only collapse on the grass, panting.

"That was quite a workout, Mister," the girl admonished, a grin plastered on her face.

"Go away," he muttered, throwing an arm over his eyes.

"Aww…come on Mister, a wee bit of your time?" she pleaded, an endearing look on her face.

'What an annoying look…' He set his mouth in a firm line.

"No," was his answer.

"You're so cute!"

An sardonic eyebrow founded itself raised under the hot skin of his arm. 'I'm cute, sure. Don't you mean, handsome, gorgeous and mysteriously so?' he chuckled inside, still maintaining the grim line out of sheer will itself.

"Go away," he repeated flatly.

"Hmph…he hmph," came the sounds to answer him.

Without even realizing it, he raised his arm to find the girl nowhere to be found in his line of vision. Rukawa blinked.

Once.

Blades of grass was falling all over him.

Twice.

It's raining grass.

Thrice.

Rukawa whipped his head to the side, seeing a glimpse of red curls bouncing just outside the corner of his vision.

His eyes narrowed.

"Stop doing that," he told her, no he commanded her.

"Why should I? It's not like you own the whole park," she continued.

"Stop it," he growled.

"Pfft, like I would after you ignored me. I have ways to heal my pride," she scoffed.

"Immature brat," he muttered under his breath and stood up.

"Whasat?"

"Imm.." He wasn't going through with this! He has things to do than argue with annoying brats. Namely, like going home and carry a perfectly civil conversation with Darth Vader in disguise.

"Mister, you're one hot-headed hottie…"

He stopped. Then looked at the brat with a barely speculative glance. She just freaking called me hottie. React responsibly, Rukawa. The brat might just pop your eardrums to oblivion today.

She smiled a toothy grin, bouncy curls and all.

Rukawa put on an expressionless face.

"You look totally drool-worthy, mister!" She unabashedly declared with a tilt in her head and a mischievous glint in her eyes.

A muscle twitched at the side of Rukawa's cheek.

"Plus, you look really handsome in that-" Her smooth talking was abruptly cut off with a swift clamp of hands.

A very red one at that, too.

Akagi Haruko was there, cheeks crimson with embarrassment and what's that? Barely concealed laughter?

~

The tall figure surveyed the scene around him. God, he barely survived. He had lost two of his men last night and another three the day before. What is this world coming into? People were trying to sabotage him. He'd be damned if he let those bastards touch his daughter. He took in the ravaged walls, the upturned desks and chairs. Papers were strewn all over the room. His office. They were actually stupid enough to think he kept documents as important as that here. Fools. Bastards.

Kenji slumped into the chair behind him. His face, ragged with exhaustion, he closed his eyes and thought of calling his daughter. Why did this had to happen? His dear Emi wasn't suppose to know about this whole mess. He should've just turn away from the proposal when he had the chance.

"Sir," intoned an invisible voice.

"What?" he barked out, rubbing a trembling hand over his face.

"One of the family of the deceased is demanding for compensation," the voice, all monotone and businesslike.

"Just give them what they want, we need to focus on the problem at hand," Kenji grumbled out.

"Yes, sir."

"Tell me, have the Shirayuki made a move yet?"

"Yes, sir. According to our sources, they are planning to take us on and do a hostile take over,"

"Yes, they wouldn't have it in any other way. Our merging was refused by me and I suppose I am to blame, right?"

"…"

"No, tell me! She's only sixteen! The hell, if I'd hand her over to them! The new age has no room for old-fashioned arranged marriages!"

"Emi-sama…"

"She's fine. She's far away but she's safe. Do not be concerned."

"Yes, sir."

"Now, Honda, I need you to run a little errand for me today," Kenji's voice turned cold. " I want it to be done precisely and accordingly. I will not tolerate mistakes and consequences will be in order if you decide to test my tolerance."

"I understand, sir."

"Good, Shirayuki will be damned well baffled when they hear about this!" A smile twisted itself onto his haggard profile.

~

"Nakamura."

"Kenji, any news? Shirayuki is currently moving their base to Japan. I'm afraid they've discovered our whereabouts."

"I've got it all under control. Kaoru has been informed and I'm sure she'll be willing to help me cover up my tracks."

"Kaoru?"

"Yes, we need her."

"She's just a-"

"Do not underestimate her, Nakamura! She is after all been running the Rukawa Corporation since her husband died. I trust she has done exceedingly well in honing onto her skills and taking care of the late Rukawa's stronghold."

"She is not as she seems…"

"Now, over the years we've been having anonymous transactions with them, under her supervision of course. We're trying to bring the Shirayukis' down once and for all. They've been holding on too long on their drugs trade and the CIA are getting suspicious."

"The CIA can't touch us, Kenji. You know that, we're clean."

"They were smuggling drugs using our shipments!  We are not clean, my friend. We are very far from that in fact. These shipments have been going on under my nose for too long and I smell a despicable rat."

"Surely, if we could just explain to the-"

"Explain? Explain that the port we used were actually Shirayukis' domain and that they've been transporting drugs by accident?"

Nakamura didn't reply, the tension between employer and employee was tangible across the line.

"Just…keep her safe while I settle things here," Kenji spoke gruffly, the day's exhaustion catching up with him.

"But I don't think-"

"Don't think Nakamura, just do. I need you on this and trust me, Kaoru is secure, okay?"

"If anything happens, you know I'm not going to be responsible for my actions," he warned Kenji.

A pause. Voices in the background and then silence.

"Damn it," Kenji cursed softly, "Factory in the north just burned to cinders."

"They're really going hard on us."

"Oh really?"

"Kenji…"

"It's the stress, okay?" Kenji sighed. "We'll talk later, I got a trip to make. Keep her safe Nakamura and uh, you too."

"I will." Nakamura clicked off the phone.

~

Author's note:

I really…really am very, very, truthfully sorry. I doubt you guys would even remember this story. It's probably been buried for a long time, ne? To those who wants to read my excuse(s) then just read the next paragraph:

Loss of muse? Stress? Couldn't find the time to write? *cough* No, not that one really. Big, stupid writer's block, yes. And the other two before. I'm really sorry guys. I was actually thinking about you know discontinuing the story, just like I discontinued Missed Him. Even though I do have some definite, *cough*sucky*cough*, unfinished chapters littered about somewhere in my hard drive. I've had this chapter lying about for quite a while. *turns head shamefully*

To those who had emailed or just gave me msg thru' yahoo :

THANK YOU!!!! ^____^ *big hugs*

Renei: Nyaar~ *kicks you* You still reviewing round these parts?