A/N: I finally managed to type this chapter and update it. Back to focusing on my main characters, was kind of getting side tracked.

Chapter 14

(NP's Leader)

"Sumimasen," she said rubbing her neck, "I failed my mission. I won't make any excuses for my failure. I underestimated Mitsui's feeling for Kogure. He never believed Kogure would stop loving him."

"The requisite for love is trust," I stated, "would've thought you'd have that in your calculations."

"Not good with calculating the calibre of people's love for each other. But Mitsui will be preoccupied with reviving Kogure and won't be a threat to us. What will my punishment me?" she asked with a sigh.

I frowned, "Forget it. I got another mission for you. And this time if you fail, you will be punished severely."

"Hai."

"But first we must get back Davenport."

She smiled, "No problem."

.

(Sendoh)

"Thanks Jin."

"Why do you want that info on Maki Shuichi?" Jin asked.

"I don't know. Thought it might be interesting to read," I said.

Jin didn't look convinced, "You know him?"

I nodded, "But people change. Thanks again."

"You're welcome. But if you want to thank me, buy me something nice and expensive."

"Let me think about it," I said and skimmed through the info, 'adopted by Sawakita Hideo at age 7. Inherit Sawakita Industries at age 19, two years after the death of his brother, Eiji who dies of SID. SID huh?'

"You still here?" Koshino asked, "isn't Rukawa waiting for you outside?"

"I forgot about that!" I cried and rushed out.

"Gomen nasai, Ru! I didn't mean to be late but-"

He yawned and rubbed his eyes, "You're being too noisy."

"I was so scared you'd just drive off without me and I'd be stranded here, since Kosh won't let me touch his car, Ayako left, Jin rides a motorcycle, and Hikoichi needs his car today."

Rukawa sighed and started the car, "Then don't be late."

I smiled, "Have you noticed?"

"What?"

"You're treating me a lot better than before."

"Baka," he muttered.

.

(Jin)

"Ah, that time of the month again."

"Guys have that time of the month too?"

"Ayako don't scare people like that. It's interest time. Stealing a penny from every America bank account that gets an interest of more than ten cents and converting it to our Japanese account is very profitable you know," I said with a smile.

"You resorted to theft," she said tsking.

"Hey, if I didn't-" I began to protest, when it hit me, "I'm such an idiot."

"I always thought so."

"Don't you have school or something?"

Ayako sighed, "My professor is having some conference and told me to go home. So what made you realize your stupidity?"

"Sendoh isn't a very popular last name. I ran the search of him through almost every database I could think of and came up with nothing. I forgot the bank accounts!"

She nodded, "You are an idiot."

I made a face, "Alright, lets see if I remember his parents' names. Hope they don't hide all their money under the mattress."

.

(Sendoh)

'Apparently nobody knows me, the chances of Maki knowing me is slim to none. But he was my friend…worth a shot, but I can't just go out and ask him if he knows me. Maybe I can walk around in front of him and see if he recognizes me. That seems wrong too…'

The door opened, "I've noticed you walking outside my office, is there something you want to see me for?"

"Uh…no. I'm just waiting for the washroom. Have we met?"

"No, at least I don't believe so."

I smiled, "Guess I got the wrong person. Bye."

"Weren't you waiting for the washroom?"

"I'll go use another one," I said, "bye!"

.

(Ayako)

Jin smiled, "And we're down to 15."

"Maybe you should rest…" I suggested.

"I can't! I'm almost there, I can't stop now!"

"You make it sound like you're on the last level of a video game or something."

"It is like that," Jin said, "only this is much more challenging."

"Uh-huh…I'm going to go and rest now," I said walking by the living room to see Rukawa sitting in the dark.

"What are you doing here?"

"Can't sleep."

That surprised me, "Kaede, you can't sleep?!? This got to be big. So what's up?"

He sighed, "Confused."

.

(Rukawa)

"Ah…Sendoh."

"Am I that transparent?"

"Other than Sendoh I don't think anyone or anything can faze you," Ayako said with a smile, "since he's been here you've been acting much more human."

"I'm not human, I'm a mutant."

"You know what I mean. So lets hear the problem that keeping you awake."

"My problem…I don't know. I think like him, yet at the same time…I think there's something seriously wrong with him. He's just so…I can't understand him at all."

Ayako laughed, "That's because you're a baka, you can't understand him? He's so blatantly obvious everyone understands his intentions but you. In my professional opinion you have issues. You got to start trusting people more easily. I will ask you three questions and all will be clear."

I looked at her sceptically, "Right."

"One, do you like him?"

"Yes."

"Are you happy with him?"

"I guess…"

"Finally, has he done anything to harm you?" she asked.

"Well, no…"

Ayako go up, "My job is done here. I got to sleep now."

I waved her off, 'She got a good point. I'm so awake…I have to clear everything up.'

I walked to his room and pressed the intercom, "Open the door."

No response, 'He's probably asleep.'

I shrugged and walked through the door into his room and turned on the lights to see him sprawling on the bed in his boxers, "…"

.

(Sendoh)

Light hit my eye and I jolted awake, "Ah! I'm blinded!"

A snort, "You're fine."

Through my watery eyesight I could make out Kaede, not that I need to see him to know it was him, I'd recognize that voice anywhere. I rubbed my eyes until that burning sensation was gone.

"What is it, Kaede-kun?" I asked looking at the light bulb that was hanging beside me, "did you do that or did the wire just fall loose?"

He decided to ignore my question as the light bulb rose back up into the socket and the wire disappeared, "I need to ask you three questions."

I smiled, "Just 3? I'd answer 300, 3000, 3-"

"Just three and be serious."

'He looks very serious but then again he's always serious,' I sat up straight, "hai!"

"Do you like me?"

'What kind of question is that?' I was about to make a joke but caught the expression on his face and replied serious, "I love you."

Silence, he looked like he was going to say something but changed his mind, "Have you lied to me?"

'That sounds like something I heard on soap-wait, could he know something? I'm starting to feel scared. Have I lied to him? Does not telling him the while truth count?' I wondered, 'he's looking at me odd…'

.

(Rukawa)

'Does he have to think about it that long? It's a yes or no question.'

"No," he stated, "I don't lie to the people I care about."

"Are you keeping something from me?"

Sendoh had that really guilty look, like someone caught red-handed, "Yes…but everyone has their secrets, right? I'm no different, but I promise you it's not anything harmful to you…"

'He's right. Why is he looking at me like that? Does he expect me to say something?'

"Can I ask you a question now?"

"What?"

"What are you doing in my room in the middle of the night? Not that I mind or anything, I don't mind nightly visits from you. Or visits any other time for that matter, I welcome it. Do you want to stay for the night?" he grinned.

'That's an attractive offer…no!! What am I thinking?!' I got up, "I got something to do tomorrow. Ask Ayako to drive you to school. Meet me at the open field across from the Bio Science building at 3."

"Uh…ok. So are you going to stay?" he asked hopefully.

I turned away from him and smiled slightly, "Baka."

.

(Jin)

'Ah, ha! Could this woman be Sendoh's mom? From the name, age, and absence of all other records it could be. Plus she's suspicious, all these stocks that raised at least 20 times in value, no one can be that lucky or skilled, unless they got a son like Sendoh that can go back in time,' I thought quite positive with my guess, 'but why would she live in a place like that?'

I yawned, 'She lives a 5 hour drive away from here, I'll check it out. But first, must sleep.'

.

Next Day (2:30):

(Sendoh)

'Wow. I'm 30 minutes early. I'm so nervous, it's our first date. Maybe that's just wishful thinking. It probably isn't-'

"Akira-kun?!"

"Yes…"

A girl fling herself onto me, 'Nani?!'

"Where have you been?! It's like you fell off the face of the earth! You scared me to death. I thought Rukawa discovered your plan and killed your or something!" she said sobbing.

"…" I was confused, "what? Please stop crying. What plan?"

"What do you mean what plan? Don't your remember?! Your dad's in NP's hands and your were given an ultimatum, spy for them or your dad dies. You know if you don't give them something soon or show up, they're going to kill you dad. What happened, don't you remember the deadline?!" she asked in disbelief.

'What? This can't be real!' I thought, 'calm down. First, I got to get her out of here. I can't let Kaede see her and this isn't a save place to talk.'

.

(Rukawa)

I was shaking as I listened to them behind the tree, 'How dare he…'

"We got to go somewhere more private," Sendoh said.

"Why?"

"We can't stand here and talk about this matter. But I got to meet someone. How can I contact you?" Sendoh asked.

She pulled out a pen and jotted something down, "This is my address."

He nodded.

She whispered something into his ear, then gave him a peck on the cheeks and ran off.

'Unbelievable!' I thought and tossed the small box I was holding onto the ground. I noticed my claws were out and took a deep breath to calm myself down.

'I won't forgive him,' I vowed and stormed off.

~TBC

A/N: Shakespeare once said the course of true love never goes smoothly, and I think it's true. So Y should Akira and Kaede's be NE different? *L* And Kaede shall resume acting as his cool self.