Ehhh… just corrected a minor mishap! Thanks to Kate for pointing it out! ^_^

Author's notes: MWAHAHAHAHA!!! *evil gleam in the corner of her eyes* This is where the fun begins… mwahahahaha!!!

Okay, to explain that quite undignified, SCARY outburst, I just wanted you all to know that I didn't exactly know where I was going. *shrugs* Now, I really got inspired and I'm gonna add a bit more humor from now on. *grins* I've got the whole basic plot planned in a scratch paper and I'm going to follow that, more or less. ^_^ So I hope it will be better!

Oh yeah, I did had "Entrapment" (The one with Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones) in mind when this started out but I swear, this is going to turn out a whole lot different. I hope (minnie me: yeah right *snigger snigger*). If it's similar to any other movies or books, well… there is such a thing as coincidence. ;p

Oh, and who said that it was Aoshi? *GRINS EVILLY*

I mean, they have the same cold blue eyes (though of different shades, turquoise and ice blue), and the same stoic face. Errr… sometimes. Everyone's stoic in one part of his or her life, right?

I love the devil in me. *MWAHAHAHA!*

In other words, it might be revealed in the end who the rival really is. We'll never know. Though you can guess, I'm not saying anything specific. Teeheehee… *horns and a wicked tail growing*

Anyway, I think this is long enough! On with the story!

Disclaimer: Bugger off!!! *pokes disclaimer boy with a trident*

Mission: Frustration!

By Tesuka- chan

Chapter 3

The Job… Among Other Things

*THUD*

I'm so stupid.

*THUD*

How clumsy can I get?

*THUD*

THE WHOLE FRIGGIN WORLD IS LAUGHING AT ME!!

*THUD* *THUD* *THUD*

"Hey careful! Or you might be the first one in history to die because of pounding your head against the computer keys! Hahaha! That'd make a good story!"

Kaoru's head slowly lifted, her blue eyes narrowed, stating a message – no a warning clearly: I don't give a shit. A strange, dark aura surrounded her.

The male reporter backed away slowly, his left eyes twitching, his whole body feeling the dread, the terror… and the incoming pain. He shouldn't have said that, but he couldn't help it. He was the 'joker' after all, and everyone laughed at his jokes… well everyone except Kaoru – who'd conjure up a rolled newspaper magically out of thin air and bash out at the person, especially when she's pissed off.

Well, like right now.

I'm dead…. Kami- sama! I've lived a long full life, please accept me in heaven!

He waited for the final blow…

The final blow that will take him to his mother and father up above…

The final blow that will give him peace and access to the hottest babes in heaven…

*SIGH*

"Just, go away, Miko. I'm not in the mood."

Eh?

He cautiously lifted an eyelid, not exactly wanting to see the soon-to-be cause of his death. All he saw was Kaoru's head settled on the tabletop, defeated and forlorn.

Is this for real? Is Kami-sama giving me another chance in life?

Miko fell down on his knees and began offering praises to Kami-sama.

Kaoru got ticked off.

A newspaper was conjured up magically out of thin air.

"GO AWAY NOW BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND AND BASH YOUR HEAD TO PIECES!!!"

Little Miko scampered away, feeling that he had just had a brush off with DEATH. Good thing he didn't mention that her pounding episode caused those little red marks on her forehead that were shaped like the keys in the keyboard.

"AHHHHHHHHH!!!!! My forehead!!! "

Yep. Good thing indeed.

Shiittt! This is great… just great! Kaoru thought as she swabbed a piece of cotton soaked in alcohol on the little red marks. Yup. That's right… I'm suicidal. One day Kaoru, you're gonna die because of pounding your head against the keyboard! One day, those little keys will finally get inside your brain, infecting your intelligence, and you will die stupid! She furiously continued rubbing the cotton.

"Kamiya- san, why did you go to work? I'd thought after that incident yesterday, you'd be at home."

*grumble grumble*

"Ahhh… ehh… okay, Kamiya- san, you can do whatever you like! Ahehe… I'll be in my office if you want to talk, okay?" The executive producer quickly strode off, her high heels clicking on the wooden floor. Scary….

Darn… annoying… alcohol doesn't work…

"KAORU!!!"

"Isn't anyone around here sensitive enough to LET ME WALLOW IN PIECES?!" She whirled her swiveling chair around, intending to glare the newcomer to death. Oh, wait. "HI MISAO!!"

Misao grinned at her partner-in-crime… well, in Tokyo News of course. "How are you? I saw that little blunder you made yesterday. I didn't laugh, mind you."

"Yeah," *snicker* "you only guffawed and rolled on the floor, snot coming out of your nose."

*grin* "Hey, what can I say? You bring out the best in me!"

*snicker snicker*

Face turned quite serious now, Kaoru inquired, "hey, why were you absent yesterday? Were you sick?"

"Ah, I was just doing some extensive research for the news, you know… about Jade Jaguar," Misao answered, a thoughtful expression on her face. Then her eyes suddenly had this diabolical gleam on them, her grin wide enough to put a plate in. "That's really one tough cookie to bite. Much like what your cookies are like."

"Sure… you're just jealous of my culinary artistry."

"Hey, at least they're good as paperweights, and everyone in the office has one! Very useful…"

Kaoru stood up and looked around the room above her cubicle. Sure enough, every office table has a rock- hard black thing on their desks, sitting idly on top of piles of paper. What? The cookies I gave them for Christmas? They didn't eat them? Why those good for nothing –

Misao sweatdropped. I thought she knew about it. Besides, it's already spring! She should've noticed before. "Eh… well, Kaoru… about the news…"

"GAH! I've had it! These people don't appreciate my efforts! I'm taking a break! YOU HEAR ME? I'M TAKING A VACATION!"

The sound of typing and an occasional cough or sneeze can be heard throughout the establishment.

*huff huff*

Misao, trying to keep a straight face, gingerly patted the angered girl behind her back "Mou, Kaoru, calm down! You might get fired! C'mon, I'll treat you to some Mochi balls ice cream!"

"You're such a good friend, Misao."

"Yeah, yeah… I know. I'm the best, right?" One corner of her lips quirked up in a crooked smile. "Okay, what do you want? Cookies and cream or Green Tea? In my opinion, this is a 'green tea' day! It's good for the calming of the soul, and its really…"

Kaoru listened while her best friend babbled on. It sure is nice to have a friend like her… one in a million! She smiled, feeling better already. The two walked out of the room, chattering gaily.

A collective sigh was heard around the office floor.


Phew, I'm beat!

Misao sighed as she plopped down the bedroom. Eating Mochi balls with Kaoru is a serious business… I think I'll make a pass on that particular dessert for a whole week! She smiled as she remembered both of them hoarding the ice cream store. They consumed a total of 5 boxes! Of course, the ice cream guy was pretty happy about it, mumbling something about angry women good for business.

She sighed yet again, glancing at her digital clock on her side table. Hmmm… 6:00. I've got a lot of time to sleep… *yawn* Besides… I've never been late before… *yawn*

She set her alarm for 9:00, leaned back against her fluffy pillows and snored happily away.


Nyam nyam… hmmm… that was a nice nap. Misao yawned and sat up groggily.

She noticed the darkness around her, the eerie silence. She forgot to turn on the lights before she slept so that she'd be able to wake up easier. Looking out the window, the indigo sky was slowly fading into a darker hue, and tiny dots of stars were just beginning to come out. She yawned again, not really wanting to give up her rarely peaceful sleep. What time is it? The alarm didn't ring yet. She looked at the blinking green numbers… uhrm… only 9:45… lots of time to…

9:45????

Apparently, she set the alarm to 9:00 am.

She was supposed to meet Sano by the bridge fifteen minutes ago.

Her blue- green eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at her watch, dumbfounded. Then all immediately went to a blur as a 'tornado' whipped around the room, causing chaos everywhere she went.

Ahhh… damn, I forgot to do the laundry!!! Uhhh… my last fuschia pink *cringe* baby t- shirt… oh dang! No more baggy pants too? ARGH!!! @#%$!! Okay… what do we have here… uhh… my really short shorts from college… and… uhh… my really short shorts from college?! I'm SCREWED!

Seeing that there's nothing else left in her emptier- than- a- black- hole cabinet, she put these on, not without cringing a LOT of times, and shoved her feet into her combat boots. Thank KAMI-SAMA for trench coats! She hastily got out her black coat and tied it around her tiny waist with a wide belt, hiding her scantily clad body within its soft folds. She quickly braided her hair, got her phone and shades, (what's a burglar without her shades?) and ran out of her apartment as fast as she can.

And what met her outside the grand doors?

Traffic.

Ah, what would a fine day be without the sweet smell of smoke and the heat waves from the engines of the vehicles?

Oh damn! I'm so ready to tear my hair out! Deciding that she would go faster if she jumped from place to place, she regretfully left her black Ferrari behind and opted to do just that. Her fleeting shadow was barely visible as she rushed out into the streets, her rope of a hair whipping behind her ever- jumping form, her trench coat flying behind her against the wind.

One thought was in her mind as her body automatically moved with its own will…

I am sooooo going to destroy that Omega clock and get myself a new Rolex!


Jade Jaguar walked stealthily towards pier 109.

She had made it in record time, about five minutes, considering that it would at least take 30 minutes to get there in a car without traffic. Upon arriving, she quickly found Sano's Benz, put on the wiring (managing not to show Sano her *aherm* outfit), and zoomed out of there.

Now that's she's walking out on the pier, her combat boots thudding dully on the wooden planks, she secured her trench coat tighter. She had put on her shades (infrared, of course), and cautiously looked around for any sign of movement. She stopped, the strong sea wind whipping around her, its salty taste on her mouth. There were no clouds in the sky and the stars were shining brightly. It was a new moon, and no light guided her except the gas lamps by the posts.

A sign painted on a post said: Pier 109

Securing the vicinity, she noted the tugboat on her near left, in which two muscular fishermen were unloading their catch for the night. Tugboat with crane: check. Two suspicious muscular fishermen: check. Errr… fish: check. On her right, wooden boxes were piled up, ready to go. Besides that, nothing seems out of the ordinary.

"Looks normal to me, Sano."

"Ch… it always start out that way."

She shook her head and checked her watch. It's exactly 10:03. He's late. I can never tolerate tardiness. She smirked, deciding to leave in two minutes if the contact did not show up.

Then suddenly, a shout broke the impeding silence.

"Watch out, Lady!"

Misao looked up…

and saw the crane with a net full of fish swinging towards her.

Eh?!?

Recovering quickly, she jumped over it, avoiding a fatal crash and definitely fatal smell. It quickly passed below her while she was still airborne, and now she landed with a loud *THUD*, one knee up, the other on the floor. Her hands were laid flat against the wooden planks, giving her that crouched position. She raised her head, a twinkle of haughtiness and anger in them. Do you think you can kill me with that? Think again!!

Then she caught sight of the stunned fishermen looking at her.

Wait… not looking AT her, but BEHIND her.

The net full of fish swung right back at her…

… its thin, black ropes straining and breaking…

… the fish wriggling earnestly, wanting to get away…

and the whole darned thing fell and dumped on her like a bucket of fish falling on a cat. Now a very wet cat. And a very smelly one too. Yeesh.

"Hey lady! It's gonna fall on ya!"

Oh gee… thanks for the warning.

Misao seethed inside as she stood up carefully, the huge tuna on top of her head sliding off on her back, and the fish stuck on her boots wiggling off. ECK! What a mess! How did I get into this situation?? I HATE THIS DAY!!! A slimy thing ran down her throat. Her face twisted in disgust and apprehension, she slowly put up her left hand and took off the 'slimy thing'. A tentacle. And that tentacle was attached to something in her back… a LARGER slimy thing… a slimy thing with a huge head and seven other tentacles… AN OCTOPUS!!!!

Misao began dancing and swearing in the middle of the pier, trying to get the stupid, icky, slimy, disgusting THING off her. Feeling that its tentacles are tightly clinging on around her coat with their built- in suction cups, she quickly took off her trench coat and began banging on the thing with a piece of driftwood.

"Hey Misao! You okay?" a voice buzzed in her ear.

*BANG! WALLOP! SQUISH! SQUELCH!*

"Weasel… *static*… you do know… that this equipment is… not water resistant…*static*" And the voice was gone.

*BANG!* You! *WALLOP!* stupid! *SQUISH* octopus! *SQUELCH* ruining my COAT!!!!!

Both fishermen quickly ran over to her, frantically trying to save what's left of their catch from this obviously crazy lady.

"Hey miss! You okay?"

"Stop lady! We need that octopus!" a burly hand tried to grab her arm.

Her wide electric blue green eyes penetrating through their bones and nerves were enough to send them scrambling the opposite way, scooping their fish in record time, and drive off their tugboat, as far from that lady as possible. It doesn't matter if they didn't catch a lot of fish, they're lucky enough to escape alive. Must be the new moon.

After a few minutes of releasing her anger (on the poor octopus which is actually as big as a baseball and can also be termed as a 'squid'), she straightened her back proudly, her wet braid clinging on her body, her pink shirt and very short shorts wet through. And that's what you get for ruining my beloved coat!!!! She glared at the flattened 'octopus' one last time before she grabbed her smelly trench coat and marched away.

"My, my… something fishy's going on here."

Stopping in mid- march, Misao's face paled then reddened. Who dares MOCK me? Who even has the GALL to say the word FISH right now?!!! She stonily turned around to face her oppressor. "And what the HELL do you care? It's none of your business!"

A man was standing within the shelter of the shadows, hiding his face and form. With quick, long strides, he walked out to the light of the gas lamp.

The first thing that the female burglar noticed was his height. The man was uncannily tall, almost a whole foot taller than her five foot three frame. He was wearing a hat and a dark pair of glasses, hiding his hair and eyes. The leather trench coat that he was wearing nicely accentuated his firm build, shaping his broad shoulders and narrow waist. His whole being emitted an aura that intimidates anyone that comes across his path. Misao took this all in with awe and fascination.

At the same time, the man was taking his fill of the sight before him. Here was a girl, must be around her early twenties, who was clad in a blinding pink- colored shirt and really short shorts, revealing her smooth muscles in her calves and arms. White skin contrasted with the night, and her long wet braid flapped lifelessly behind here. But what caught his attention were her eyes: a deep hue of blue with a mix of green, with a coldness and intelligence of a professional. He could also see the courage and challenge in them, giving her a strong character. She was interesting… and we was very intrigued indeed.

Ignoring her earlier question, he asked her with one of his own, "Do you want the job?"

Misao snickered. Well, look who's acting all high-and-mighty, Mr. Tardy! "Well, I wouldn't be here if I didn't."

He got something out of the inner pocket of his coat and tossed the manila envelope over to her. She caught it easily, curiously examining it under the pale yellow light. She looked up at the mysterious man. "How much are you willing to give?"

"10 grand."

She whistled. That much money? This must be really big. She never had an offer as big as that before.

"I want you to get some very important documents. The details are inside. Just procure the black envelope. It's as easy as that." The deep voice drawled.

"I see. When do you need it?" Misao queried, deciding to open the yellow envelope later on her apartment.

"On the Ides of March."

Jade eyes narrowed. "March 15. Shakespeare. Julius Caesar."

The corner of his lips quirked up. "Yes… you know your literature."

"I'm not just another one of those airhead bimbos, sorry to disappoint you." Hmph! Who does he think he is!! Chauvinistic ass!

"If you say so. I'll be expecting the package in the designated place," his head moved up and down, as if looking her over. "Hopefully in a better state and smell that you are now."

Grrrrr… why that good for nothing twit! I'll kick his ass worse than that octopus!!!! Controlling her urge to body slam the guy (realizing right away that she won't win in that), she clenched her teeth and managed to grit out a reply. "Right, boss."

More than a little amused by now, the man nodded in her direction and walked away, disappearing almost immediately in the shadows.

Boiling in anger and condemning all men to hell, Misao stomped off in the other direction, dragging her now soggy and most probably ruined coat where the flattened octopus is still attached on. If it weren't for the money, I swear I would've enjoyed wringing that neck of his! What an egotistic self-centered bastard! Argh!

While steaming off all her anger and humiliation, the genki woman didn't notice a hat rolling behind her on the wooden floor and the flash of silky white passing on the shadows, following her. Hmph… this would be easier than I thought.

He attacked.


*points above* just a little something there to confuse your minds. *cackles evilly*

A/n: BWAHAHAHA! Somebody call the priest before I spread my evilness around the world!!! MWAHAHAHA! *makes weird throaty sounds like the ones from the exorcist* The devil in me is back and no one can stop me!!! AHAHAHAA!!! *head begins to turn clockwise*

Teeheehee… gomen. I guess the evil streak isn't completely vanquished from me yet. *sigh* Oh the horror. Oh well… I hope you liked this chapter! I was quite inspired and stuff so viola! It ended up quite weird. *sweatdrop* Evil me is in control now. (*BWAHAHAHA!*)

'^_^' ~* ß devil version with horns and tail.

Ehhh, enough with that. So I guess I just wanted to thank the following people:

JadOo: Hallo! I'm super glad you're reading this! Thanks so much for your support! *grins* Well, I'll really try my best to stick to their characteristics this time… but it's gonna be hard, especially Aoshi! He's as interesting as a piece of rock! *Tesuka pokes at Aoshi but gets hurt in the process* But he's still cute though. ^_^

DarkFairy: ehhh???? *moves eyebrows up and down* you sure it's Aoshi? MWAHAHAHA! Maybe… maybe not. It'll come out. *grins mischievously* Thanks a lot for your unending support gal!

Dallisse: Thanks! I'll try to keep this fun and interesting in every chapter… I don't want anyone to get bored. Hehehe… For me, boredom's the worst thing in the world!

Kmye- chan: You!!! *points finger at Kmye- chan* You I have a lot to thank for! *grins widely* Actually, as I said above, I didn't really know where I was going. I just thought that Misao being a burglar would be cool and I came up with this. I know, it was pretty lame with the first two chapters and I WAS rushing it. I'm very guilty in everything that you said! *head hung sadly* Though when you mentioned all of that, I began wracking my brain for a real plot and I've come up with one! I do hope that it's gonna be original though. Thanks for cracking this lazy brain of mine! I'm eternally grateful! ^_^ (oh yeah… what's Cat's Eyes? I don't want my story to end up looking like that… *teary eyed*)

The Wanderer: Ehehehe… well, I'm glad this story caught your interest! I hope you keep reading!

Lady Macbeth: *laughs evilly* We'll see… you've got a point there with Enishi being handsome and rich and crazy… not to mention sexy! But… we'll see! ^_^

Bee: Oh, I gotta thank you for the 'egotistic self-centered bastard' thing. I'm afraid my cursing words aren't very flowery and I had to get from someone… sorry! And thanks! Heehee… Oh yeah, Aoshi didn't do anything… yet.

Luli451: Wow! Thanks for the flattering encouragement! I'm glad you like it so far… Sorry about TVA. Couldn't come up with an appropriate plot yet. ;p Don't worry, I'll write it soon. ^_^

Megami no Ushi: Thanks for reading this! Well, I like complicated plots, don't you? *smiles sweetly* Don't worry, everything will turn out fine! (minnie me: *smirk* yeah… after she twist their lives with her demented mind and imagination!) *bonking can be heard* Ahhh…don't mind that! Ahahahaa!! *laughs gaily*

Nekonomiko: Hallo! Yeah… I think Mochi balls is my trademark. No pest- infested ideas this time… though there will be slimy pink octopuses! Hahahaha! ^_^ Thanks!

Kawaii sakura- chan: Heh! Thanks! ^_^ I bet you're just bored that's why you're reading this. *sticks tongue out* Hey! Did you update yet??? You have to or I'll bonk you to bits!!!

Angelyca_: Yeah! *sings Jason Mraz… 'sleep all day, sleep all day…'* Heehee… thing is, I go out often and I do a lot of things! dang… I'd rather stay put in an air- conditioned room and sleep the day away… *sigh* Oh yeah, thanks! ^_^

Mi: Wow… well, we'll see! This is gonna be quite confusing but it'll clear up in the end. ^_^

Sugarsweet143: I guess this is a better cliffhanger than the previous chapter. *grins evilly* Yeah, I love them too! But if you're worried and having doubts because of this chapter, all I can say is: keep reading! Teeheehee… ^_^ Thanks for supporting!

YAY! Thanks to the reviewers! *hugglez*

Please READ AND REVIEW! Thanks! ^_^