Standard Disclaimers Apply.

A/N:

Hey, thanks for those who reviewed.

Zian Shiory:

huh? Sorry, but I only got as far as Español dos, and that's years ago. I understood it a little bit, but a translation would be nice. Languages aren't really my thing. Thanks again.

Kazuha of silmelin@yahoo.fr:

So sorry about that.

About the ken-neechan thing, I know that it's only for elder females. It was a typo on my part. I finished chapters 3 and 4 in one day without a rough draft (I always write straight at the computer) and I was on a rush because I still have to review for my graded recitations for the following day. Plus, I don't have a beta reader (anyone out there interested?). OK, so I'm being a little defensive here =) (never did know how to take criticisms positively, oh, well).

As for the baka thing, I didn't know that! Thanks. You really do learn something new each day =)

But I suppose I can't stop using some Japanese words. There are no English translations of neechan or Nissan and some of the other Japanese honorifics. In fact, even small children in the West can call their elders by their first name.

Rest assured that your corrections were duly noted and immediately amended.

And no, I'm not angry. =) In fact, I think I owe you one. Hope to hear from you again (if only to correct my mistakes, I only know Jap words from the net and from this guy at school…but I think I'm starting to annoy him just a little bit with all of my questions (",) .)

Thanks for the review!

Jay Kamiya:

Well, I think they'd do just that, eventually. But I can't tell you exactly what happened. =)

Sherry4869:

I'll do just that. Hope you enjoy this installment.

Ann:

Thanks for the suggestion. I don't know when the next chapter (the one after this is due) would be out. I'm in college (post graduate, actually) and we have graded recitations everyday. So I can only write when I have time. I can't be regular coz I have to prioritize my studies (blech!).

Blue detective:

Nope, I'm not from Malaysia but I am from SEAsia. Pardon my ignorance, but what's an astro?

Chapter 5:

On Her Own

          Kazuha took a deep, calming breath before entering the opened doors before her. A large, beefy man glanced at her suspiciously before stepping aside to let her in. The place was dark, and it took a while before her eyes adjusted. Loud, pounding music blared from the inside. Kazuha tried to keep herself from wincing as the noise got louder. The first thing she noticed when she stepped inside was the sheer number of people. No wonder their contact chose this place. About two-thirds of the people were on the dance floor dancing (or more accurately, jumping) in beat with the music, arms waving every which way. The DJ on stage shouted something that Kazuha failed to comprehend to which the dancers replied in unison.

          Bars really aren't her thing.

She unconsciously tugged at the yellow rose tucked behind her ear. She was beginning to feel not a little bit silly at the flower, but that was the only was for their contact to recognize her. The flower was out-of-place in the glaringly modern bar. But, as Sonoko had put it, if Drew Barrymore could pull it off, than so could she.

For the thousandth time, she prayed that nothing would go wrong.

It was her first assignment alone.

And she knew that she has a lot more to prove than either Ran or Sonoko.

The two were invited into their organization.

She was not.

She took another deep breath and mingled with the bar's regular customers.

"What are you to me, Kazuha-chan?" Miyagi Ken asked.

Kazuha frowned, wondering where their conversation was going. "I'm your runner, Ken-kun," Kazuha had replied. A runner was the lowest of the low in the classification of spies. Their job description involves merely picking up files and other indispensables, transporting such things from places to places, and stealing, ahem, borrowing, things as the need arises (like what they did at the Yulo Manor). They didn't even have those cool-sounding codenames (though the three girls had once spent talking a whole night thinking about what codenames they wanted to adapt).

Kazuha sat at the bar.

"What're you getting?" The bartender asked.

"Tequila, please." She replied softly. Today, she was 19-year old Kazama Ruriko, as her new (fake) ID would attest. She can order all the alcoholic drinks she wants. But she was not at liberty to drink, as she needs a clear mind to pull off today's assignment. Especially at a time like this.

 "You're like my baby, Kazuha. You were the last person to join my group." Miyagi told her. "That's why I worry about you most of all. That and the fact that you live so far away," his voice trailed off.

Now, Kazuha was positive that this conversation was indeed going somewhere. Miyagi is about to let her go, she just knows it!

Kazuha liked her new job. Even Miyagi was in Tokyo. But the distance between her and her partners didn't matter, thanks to the advances in technology. Her role in their partnership is to toy around with the new toys that the organization gives her. More often than not, she's behind the computers, intercepting passwords and whatnots, or receiving information Ran and Sonoko feed her through hidden cameras and microphones (via satellite, of course). Sometimes her job would require legwork, but those kind of assignments were few and far in between (like the aforementioned Yulo Manor job). The jobs that were more dangerous were left to Ran. Those that would require infiltration were left to Sonoko. And she was left to cracking codes and interpreting data.

She was good with computers to begin with and after numerous seminars and trainings given by the organization, she now considers herself somewhat to be an expert. Just her luck to be fired just as she was beginning to enjoy her job!

          "Excuse me," a deep voice startled her reverie.

          Kazuha turned around and looked up expectantly. She smiled welcomingly thinking that her contact has finally arrived. However, her smile slipped to a frown when she saw a waiter set something on the bar before her.

          "This is from the guys over there." He said as he motioned with his arm.

          Kazuha looked to where the waiter pointed. A man about twenty-five or so was sitting on a table, grinning suggestively at her. Kazuha kept herself from rolling her eyes. She turned back to the waiter.

          "Please return the drink to him. I don't accept drinks from strangers." She said.

          The waiter nodded understandingly as he placed the drink back to his tray. "Yes ma'am." He quickly left.

          "You know self-defense, right?"

          Kazuha was surprised at the sudden shift in topic. "Yes," she replied truthfully. "Perhaps not as well as Ran-chan, but I can sure kick bad-guys' butts." She grinned, in spite of herself.

          "Good, good," Miyagi seems to be speaking more to himself than to Kazuha. He then cleared his throat. "The reason I'm asking you all these things is because I'm giving you another assignment." He paused. "I know, I know, this isn't your first assignment, and all. What I meant was, this would be your first assignment alone."

          "Alone?" She choked out.

          "Alone." Miyagi replied. "Without Sonoko-chan or Ran-chan." Miyagi sighed. "They would've been here, but the assignment's there in Osaka. And I can't pull out either of them here, some people are beginning to get suspicious. So my resort is to trust my instinct to put you out there all alone. I know you can do it.  But if you're not ready I can always—"

          "I'm ready," Kazuha interrupted him immediately.

          "Are you sure, Kazuha?"
          That question brought back Kazuha's suspicion that among the three Ran-chan was Miyagi's favorite. Of the three of them, Ran-chan was the only one who was assigned assignments to be accomplished alone. Though, that might have something to do with the fact that Ran-chan could really kick butts big time.

          "Yes." Bring it on, she thought to herself.

          Nope. Definitely no alcohol. This was her first solo assignment. It could be her first big break. So she would do everything according to plan. Everything should be perfect.

          And she pities the man who would ruin anything tonight.

          "Kazama-san?" A hand placed itself on Kazuha's shoulder.

          Kazuha turned around, this time with certainty and conviction that their contact had finally found her.

          At the darkest corner of the bar, a figure watched intently as a young brunette turned around and beamed at the young man whose hand was on her shoulder.

          The stranger's eyes narrowed as the woman invited the man to sit down beside her with a wave of her hand. The man complied.

          The man seemed nervous, jumpy even. Like he was doing something illegal. The woman then turned her full attention towards her new companion. The man bent towards her.

          Unconsciously, the stranger's hand gripped the glass he was holding tighter as the man began whispering to the woman.

          The woman's smile disappeared, her head bobbing occasionally.

          But before the stranger could smash the glass with his bare hands, the man stood up. He then handed a small package to the woman, and disappeared as fast as he appeared.

          Kazuha glanced at the package in her hand.

          "They're after me. If I'm unable to contact you in three days, that means they've got to me. But I don't care anymore. I just want this to end.  But you be careful. What I'm about to give you can cause you're your life. Use it wisely."

          That was one heck of a message. She can still feel the chills on her spine.

          She then slipped the package in her evening bag. She paid for her drinks and stood up. She got what she came here for. But her night's only beginning.

          "Excuse me, miss,"

          Before Kazuha could make her hasty exit, a man placed himself squarely in her path. She noted that it was the same man who tried to give her the drink. She looked around and saw that no one was paying attention to the two of them even in they were practically in the middle of the bar.

          No one, that is, except the stranger.

          "What do you want?" Kazuha grumbled as she stepped away from the man.

          But the man was fast and was able to grab her hand. "Aw, how come you want to play with that other guy and not with me?" He asked.

          Kazuha could smell alcohol on his breath. "Let go of me or I'll cut your hands off." She snarled.

          The man laughed maniacally. "Feisty." He said appreciatively. "Exactly what I want in a woman. Come with me, baby. I'll teach you things beyond your imagination."

          "Maybe I could also teach you a thing or two," Kazuha said sweetly.

          The man relaxed at her sudden change of demeanor. He then leaned forward expectantly.

          Two words. Big mistake.

          Kazuha also brought her face nearer to the man's, very fast as to give it force. The man soon found this out as Kazuha's forehead met with his nose—hard. Very hard.

          The man staggered backwards, both hands clutching his now-bleeding nose.

          Kazuha glared at him before turning around and walking away.

          In the background, the stranger who had stood up during the interaction (which took less that two minutes) barely glanced at the bleeding man as he immediately followed the woman.

-tbc