Author's notes: Err… nothing to say, really. ~_^ I won't make the Mtv first… just wanted to finish this chapter. *grins* I think I need caffeine… *drinks a bottle of coke all in one gulp* O.o WHEEEEE!!! A bottle of coke goes a long way! *wide-eyed and running around the house*

Right. Now that I have my sugar/ caffeine rush, let's begin the chapter! *grins widely*

Warning: Eh… some profanity, swear words. I can't help it. ^_^

Disclaimer: No own, no care! WHEEEEE!!

Mission: Frustration!

By Tesuka- chan

Chapter 7

Set…

Mount Fuji, Thursday, 8:00 am

Misao breathed in the fresh mountain air, felt the cold rush of the icy winds, saw the beautiful white landscapes before her. This is what life should be all about… all fresh and fragrant, free from nerve-wracking pollution and technology. Life should be simple, appreciating nature.

Misao snorted. Yeah right. Teens can't even live without their cellphones and televisions nowadays.

She fixed her tortoise shell- framed glasses up on her nose and made sure that there are no stray locks falling from the bun at the back of her head. Straightening her tweed coat, she approached the group planning under a tent. She tapped the shoulder of the man nearest to her.

"Excuse me… sorry for bothering you but I'm the new student from Tokyo University." She smiled and looked at him with her huge green eyes.

The brown- haired man turned. He was not tall, a bit short actually, and his smile was uncanny as he looked at her. His blue eyes had hidden depths that Misao can't comprehend.

"Hello! You must be Makimachi Tomo. I'm Soujiro Seta," he said, holding out his hand, which Misao took and heartily shook. This guy's kinda cute but he has an eerie smile.

"Hi! Well, I was sent here to document the proceedings in the excavation of the sword."

"Ah, yes. Well, we just found some markings in the cave over there and we're still trying to make sense out of it." He nodded at the direction of the group behind him, bent over a slab of stone on top of a table. "Anyway, I don't think anything's happening right now so I'll just show you around the camp, if you want, then you can settle in." He smiled again.

"Sure! Thanks for the offer!" What good luck! He's really a friendly guy. I can get info out from him.

"Well, this is the mess tent where we eat, that's the conference hall where we meet and discuss things, the lab's on the right, and on the farther end are the trailers." Soujiro pointed the respective structures as they walked around, ignoring the busy people around them. "We got good sponsors, since this is such a huge project, so we could afford the high tech equipment and the trailers. It is better to live there than tents," he explained.

Misao 'ooh-ed' and 'ahh-ed' at everything, thinking that this project should certainly be worth all the expenses paid here. There were the high- tech computers, distinguished anthropologists from around the world, everything! For a moment there she felt guilty… but a job's a job and to survive, one has to think of oneself first. So what if they lose a couple of millions for this? They're rich enough to handle the loss. She shrugged and listened to the pleasant voice of her companion.

"Your trailer's here." he stopped in front of the last of the trailers, stainless steel and quite the state of the art, like the rest. "I'm afraid since you're the last one to arrive, you're going to have to share it with one of our sensei's. He went away for some time but I think he's coming back this week."

"It's okay. I'm sure he won't be so bad."

Soujiro suddenly had a funny look on his face. "No. He's actually quite the genius." He grinned, which was more pleasant than the weird smiles he often use. Misao began to wonder, what's the joke? But she waved it away, thinking that her roommate is unimportant while the mission is waiting.

"Well, thank you, Seta- san. Do you mind if I call you that?"

He smiled yet again. "I don't mind at all. It was nice meeting you, Makimachi- san."

"Call me Mi – err… Tomo." Oops. Almost slipped there.

"All right, Tomo- san. Do you need any help with your bags?"

"No, it's okay. I packed light."

"Okay then… ja! See you around." He gave her a little wave and cheerily walked quickly down the row of trailers and into the conference hall.

Misao grinned and went inside the trailer. On the left part were the kitchenette and a door leading to the toilette. To the right were the beds. Nothing special, the single beds were separated by a space in the middle where the occupants can pass and a side table at the end. This is cozy… her jade eyes gleamed. Despite of the assignment, I think I'm gonna like working here! I'll just have to be discreet when my roommate comes.

She smirked. I'll bet Shinomori hasn't even thought of a plan like this. She grinned.

Feeling a sudden rush of excitement and energy, she quickly went out to her car and began unpacking.


"Come on Kamatari!" Kaoru 'whispered' as she stealthily moved from her place behind a post to a space behind a box.

Her companion was lagging behind, shoulders hunched, tired eyes straining; all in all a forlorn look. "Kaoru, hon, don't you want to stop and rest?"

"Stop and rest while a burglar's on the lose? You're crazy!"

"Fine. Well, if we're pretending to be tourist, can you at least ACT like one instead of looking like… no… BEING a damned idiot?"

"Oh geesh, if you're going to be grumpy the whole time, you should've stayed in the motel!"

"Then who'll be you're beautiful camera- woman?"

"Hmm… good point." Kaoru looked suspiciously from side to side. "Look! She's wearing green! Do you think that's her? Or that one! SHE'S WEARING A BLACK CAT MASK!!" Kaoru began to pounce on the masked girl when she was held back on the collar.

"Kaoru! Why don't you just shut up for once and use your noodle?! That's a kid!" Kamatari said, his teeth clenched in a smile. He quickly bowed apologetically at the alarmed and clearly freaked out mother and daughter passing by the sidewalk.

"Momma, that's a scawy woman!" the kid trembled.

"It's okay hon. We should pity people from the mental hospital, not be scared of them." The mother ushered her child away from the two.

"At least that other girl's pretty, momma." They heard the kid say while they were walking away.

Kaoru was struggling under Kamatari's grasp. "Let me go! You scared her away!"

The cameraman sighed. This is going to take a lot of patience out of him. "No, YOU scared her away you maniac! You just don't go around pouncing on people, Kaoru!" he plopped the girl down on a bench. "Maybe I should follow that woman's advice and put you on a mental hospital," he muttered under his breath.

"Oh well," Kaoru sighed. "It couldn't have been her… she called me pretty!"

"I believe she was talking about me."

"BWAHAHA! You ARE delusional, Kam. I think I should put you in a mental hospital." Kaoru laughed maniacally.

Kamatari slapped his hand on his forehead. I give up. Just let her have her way. "Fine. I'm delusional, you're pretty, and we're stopping for a rest. Do you even have a plan?"

She blinked at him.

*SIGH*

"A plan? Preparations? Scheme? Layout? Strategy?"

*BLINK BLINK*

"Kaoru! You can't just go around without knowing what you'll do next! I thought you told me everything's under control?" Kamatari said, exasperated.

"Well, yeah, with the motel arrangements and transportation," The reporter said begrudgingly.

This girl is going to be the death of me. "Okay, let's just go back to the motel and plan things out. That way, we can get some rest and at the same time, we'll be able to plan things out. Okay?"

"Oh, all right." Kaoru said, looking much like a lost puppy.

Suddenly, something caught Kamatari's eye.

"Hey… is that..? OH MY KAMI-SAMA!"

Kaoru's head snapped up. "What? WHAT?"

"Is that the latest fashion line of Gucci shoes? I HAVE to go in there!" he zoomed towards the posh store in a matter of seconds.

After the initial shock, Kaoru hunched her shoulders and shuffled towards the deranged shop-a-holic. "And I thought you were tired," she muttered, barely keeping up with the blur of gaudy colors shooting form one store to another.

*SIGH* I have to put him on a leash before he buys everything in sight using our travel money.

This 'woman' is going to be the death of me.


"As you see here projected on the board, the markings on the slab we discovered were ancient Japanese writings. Roughly translated, it just gives us a warning about a curse." The anthropologist smiled. "Which is a good thing, indeed."

"Cursing people to death is a good thing?" Misao muttered under her breath. Unfortunately, everybody heard her. Laughter was heard throughout the tent as Misao blushed beet red.

The lecturer smiled. "Yes, it's a good thing, Makimachi-san because if they started cursing us, it means that we're on the right track. We're getting near the sword."

Still blushing to the roots of her hair, an almost inaudible 'sorry' was heard from her lips. She bent her head and began to furiously take down notes on her palm top. Well, pretending to be. She couldn't handle the embarrassment right now.

"Okay, I'm done with my piece. I'll give the floor to Professor Shinomori who had just arrived this noon. He has graciously accepted our invitation to give you a lecture about proper excavation."

A couple of snickers and smirks were heard around the vicinity.

Misao was still scribbling. Proper excavation by Prof. Shinomori… right. Looks like he's not appreciated by many… WAIT JUST A DAMNED MINUTE! Professor Shinomori?!!! Her head quickly snapped up and her glasses fell to the tip of her nose. This can't be happening to me!

But there he was, the proof in front of her eyes. She sat at the back, staring dumbly at the man walking to the front. What the hell is he doing here? How did he become a professor all of a sudden? And why does he wear that lab coat like it's a goddamned leather trench coat? (a/n: SEXY!!!!) She sat still, astonishment clear on her face.

Pull yourself together, Misao. You should've expected something like this from him.

Right. Misao quickly settled herself, looking calm and bored outside, and somehow suppressed her screaming self inside. After this seemingly impossible effort, she noticed that everyone in the tent became quiet and subdued. She began to wonder. Most probably they feel icicles shooting out from him. I do. She smirked and finally brought herself to look at his eyes… which were staring at her direction.

Misao swore she felt her body jumping out of her skin… not to mention the prickly sensation crawling up her spine. She felt herself tense again as a finely arched brow went up. Green eyes glowed with rage and her face filled with blood. She looked down, breaking the contact. Why the hell does he have such an effect on me? Those invisible icicles sure do a hell of a good job. She sighed and saw her hands clutching on her palm top and pen. She loosened her fingers a bit and composed herself. Deal with it, Misao! Don't be such a wimp!

He just has an imposing figure and spirit, that's all. She angrily shoved her glasses on the bridge of her nose, gripped her pen, and tried to actually listen to the bastar– err… professor. What he's saying might be actually useful.

"Excavating is a very delicate process. You don't just use picks and shovels to dig up the ground like a grave… you might destroy any type of artifact that can give us very important and useful information. One utilizes these tools… small, yes, but very handy and effective," he went on and on about the purpose of each tool.

Misao raised both eyebrows as she listened to his low voice. Well, I'll give him credit for being knowledgeable about this stuff. He could convince the best of the professors that he's really one of them. She took down notes and listened.

Suddenly, for some unknown reason, she felt VERY antagonistic.

She raised her hand.

"Yes?"

"Professor," she stressed on the word, like it was something vile and should be prohibited. "If we use those tools, wouldn't it take us millions of years before we find an important artifact or clue, let alone the sword?"

Everyone was silent. No one questions the iceberg. One just simply accepts what he says.

"Well," he answered quite calmly (Misao actually thought she saw the corner of his lips quirk upward! Scary…). "You obviously haven't been listening. I have said earlier that there are other tools that are for bigger projects, and I was about to explain that." He paused, tension rippling in the air. "I do not tolerate incompetence, Makimachi- san."

His eyes were as cold as ever.

Misao gulped, an action that was difficult to accomplish in itself. She wanted to spite him and prove that he's wrong somewhere… instead, she made a fool out of herself. Her spirit deflated as he went back to lecturing and explaining. She forgot to listen as thoughts ran around her head, random and incomprehensible. She didn't care anymore… she just wanted to finish this job as soon as possible.

"Class dismissed."

Misao resurfaced from the deep recesses of her mind. It's done? Thank goodness. I can get out of here. I'll just have to ignore that bastard for the rest of my stay. She quickly gathered up her things and stood up to leave, like the rest of the students. Okay, I'll have to look at those files sent to me and see if there's a clue around there. Or maybe I could –

"Makimachi- san, I need to talk to you."

The students who were still there looked at Misao with haunted eyes. Some refused to look in her direction. But all of them said the same message: get ready to be ice burned.

Shit.

In the blink of an eye, everyone was gone. They only left a cloud of smoke behind them, showing their hurry to get out. The opening of the tent flapped carelessly against the wind. Misao's eyes twitched. Grrr… deserters! Fly like a chicken when trouble comes, eh? Wimps!! "Baka's…!"

"Misao."

"What?!" It came out angrily, her voice dripping with irritation. "Embarrassing me is not enough for you? Now you just want to gloat in front of me? Well, be done with it! I have a lot of things to do and you're wasting my time!" Misao heaved, a little bit surprised at her outburst. Still, the bastard had it coming for humiliating her like that.

Aoshi looked at her intently, his hands in his pockets.

Why is he staring at me? "Why are you staring at me?"

"You did this to yourself, you know." He said quietly, coming towards her, taking long strides. "You made a fool out of yourself."

Misao glared back at him, anger replacing the inkling of fear that had built up inside her. I know that! But I'm not confessing that in front of you! She kept quiet and stayed her ground. She's not going to be intimidated by him. She's NOT going to be intimidated by him.

*GLARE GLARE*

He moved closer, less than a foot in front of her. She had to lift her head to look at him in the eye. He suddenly stopped, merely inches from her. Her whole body was trembling now, and she clenched her teeth and formed her hands into fists to try to control it. His aura was reaching at her, caressing her without touching, moving her entire being. Her heart began beating erratically in a way it had not in years.

He leaned towards her.

She automatically lifted her right fist to defend herself if necessary, but his huge hand caught it. Jade eyes widened from what could only be called fear pumping into her veins.

She gasped, a small sound.

He bent down to her ear and whispered, his breath tickling her ear and neck, "you haven't changed, Misao. Even after all these years, you're still the same stubborn- headed girl who worshipped me like I was a god."

*SLAP*

"No," Misao had stepped back, her left hand still on the air from the slap. "I've changed, Aoshi. I've changed a whole lot. You must have a damned huge of ego to say such a thing. Let me tell you one thing… since the day you betrayed us, my heart has forgotten who you are. I don't recognize you. I don't know you." Liquid jade turned to steel as both her heart and her soul hardened. "For all I know, you're six feet under."

Liar, Liar, pants on fire.

Aoshi straightened up, fixing his jaw and feeling his reddened cheek. "You've always hit hard." A faint smirk can be seen on his hard lips. "I'm going to enjoy competing against you. We'll see if you have changed after all these years." His eyes roved down her body, and up again. "At least there is one change for the better."

Hot blood suddenly rushed to her cheeks. "You're such a bastard, Aoshi. A fucking bastard."

At that, she left the tent, leaving the huge-ego-that-grew-legs-and-feet behind. She just hates him so much, she could just scream! She stomped around, going nowhere in particular, when someone called her.

"Tomo- san! Over here!" Soujiro was waving his hand at her, sitting on a bench with a bunch of people whom she met earlier that day.

Misao was startled. She didn't know that she had wandered into the mess tent. She made her way towards Soujiro's table. "Hey Seta- san." She smiled at him.

"Why don't you join us? We're eating some soup left over from lunch. It's freezing out there." He gave her a bowl full of crab and corn soup.

"Thanks. I don't mind the cold, actually." I didn't even notice it. Smelling the delicious fragrance of the soup, she found out that she was hungry and started attacking the poor bowl, finishing it in seconds. Hmph! That bastard… who does he think he is, saying those stuff to me? She started on another one and angrily scooped up the contents, letting out all her anger and fear. He doesn't have the RIGHT to say those things! He's a goddamned, egocentric asshole! MAY THE FLEAS OF A THOUSAND CAMELS INFEST HIS ARMPITS!!!

*GOBBLE GULP CHOMP*

"Errr… Tomo-san…"

"Are you okay?"

"Stop her before she chokes!"

"Oh no! Her mouth's foaming!"

"No, baka! That's just the soup!"

"Poor Tomo-san… that encounter with Shinomori- sensei must've been really bad…"

Misao suddenly stopped eating and glared at the one who spoke, a girl named Omasu. "MMMPPTTFFFFTT!!!"

Omasu promptly shut up.

"Eh… at least she survived," the one called Chou said.

"Tomo-san, are you okay?" Soujiro asked gently.

Misao finally answered, being full and content after seven bowls of soup. Her hatred against Aoshi had also mellowed while eating. "Hai, Seta- san! I was just ravenous, that's all." She grinned widely at him, feeling her spirits rise.

Everyone suddenly roared into laughter. Even Soujiro's shoulders shook, tears coming out of his eyes. Misao looked at them as if they just got out of the mental institution. O-kay… weird idiots. "What?" Her face had a perplexed expression on it.

They all laughed again. She stood up, her eyes twitching. "What the hell's going on? If you won't tell me now, I'll march out of here, you hear!?" She put her hands on her hips, trying to look intimidating, which only made them laugh harder.

Chou was sprawled on the bench, panting and gasping because of too much laughter. Omasu and her sister Okon were falling over each other, their faces flushed and pinched. Shirojo was just sitting there, laughing out loud. Soujiro was more subdued compared to the rest, wiping a tear hear and there.

"Ano… Tomo-san… you have soup all over your mouth… haha!"

Misao furrowed her eyebrows together, irked at them all. If they're pulling my leg, they're gonna pay… "If this is some kind of a joke – "

Okon pulled a mirror out of her purse and managed to hand it over to Misao in between hiccups. "He- re… se-e for your-self.." She began giggling again.

'Tomo' angrily snatched it off the other girl's hands and looked at her image. Why those good for nothing little – "EEEEEEEPPPP!!!"

Thick, white soup curd rimmed her lips like a moustache or milk. Little strands of crabmeat hung from her mouth, while a piece of yellow corn was stuck between her teeth. All in all, she was a mess. It just goes to show that being a slob has consequences.

"Oh, what GREAT new friends I have, laughing at me instead of helping me!" Her voice dripped with sarcasm as she vehemently wiped her mouth. "A little 'oh, Tomo, you have soup on your mouth' would've helped A LOT!!!"

She wanted to kick them to Pluto.

But come to think of it… I did look funny, she thought, her lips quirking up into a smile. I looked like a bad impersonator of Santa Claus... with funny glasses and a tweed jacket! She looked around the table and saw that Chou had passed out on the floor, probably because of lack of oxygen. Omasu and Okon were leaning against each other with just a silly smile on their faces, while Shirojo had lain his head on top of the table. Soujiro was grinning like an idiot.

She laughed, finally thinking how ludicrous this situation was.

"I'll try to stay away from all of you this afternoon… with all that air in your stomach, you're probably gonna have a farting orchestra later," she snorted and began laughing hysterically at them.

A small *poot* sound was heard, along with the smell of rotten fish and eggs.

A new round of laughter was heard again at that table, except for Chou who was twitching on the floor, eyes swirly, and still farting.

*poot*

"Ugh, gross!"

"I never knew that someone can faint and fart at the same time."

Misao chuckled while holding her nose. She hadn't laughed like this in a long time. For a moment there, it made her feel like she belonged, like she was normal. A normal person having a life.

She knew that she will never be normal.

But at least she can pretend for now.


A/n: LOL. This was supposed to be longer but I cut it instead. I was supposed to make it one day per chapter but… oh well. *grins* I had fun writing this one… (may the fleas of a thousand camels infest your armpits! BWAHAHAHA! Got that one from my crazy aunt… heehee…)

Oh yeah, she sort of changed her name to "Tomo" here. I was surfing around the internet for the info on Soujiro's eyes (heh… people can't decide…) when I saw this site about Misao. Turns out her voice actress' name was Tomo (not real name, though). So I decided to put it there. ^_^

Anyway, next chapter probably coming up next week. Guess who's the roommate? *laughs evilly* I am going to torture Misao.

Misao: EVIL!!! *brings out cross and thrusts it in front of Tesuka-chan*

Tesuka- chan: *hiss hiss* Ngar!!!

Aoshi: …

Okay… too long. ^_^ Thanks for the following reviewers! ^_^

JadOo: Hehe… hope you liked the Kaoru part! I made it especially for you! BWAHAHAHA! Hmmm… what's Koiji? Is that a fanfiction here or a real book? ^_^ Well anyway, you sure that was Aoshi? *evil laugh*

Dallisse: Yup! Just read the next chapters! I won't give anything away until the right time comes… ^_^

Kmye- chan: you noticed? *grins* damn, now I have to kill you. Nah, jke! Haha! Well, I can really be obsessive about things… teeheehee. Don't worry about things, I'm handling it. Hmmm… why does everyone think it's Aoshi? *think think*

Bee: yup! Giving out hints already… sheesh! ^_^

Innocent Dreamer: Oops… did I say Kenshin's the lead? I meant that in my other story… the not-yet-written one. *tries to shirk away from innocent dreamer* Maa maa… your kenshin- bopping suggestion just gave me an idea! *lightbulb!* MWEHEHEHE…

Cat H: Gomen! I shall have to create more question- worthy chapters until I am satisfied to answer them! Heehee… I love confusion! ;p Thanks for reading my fic!

KYA! *deranged self taking over* LADEEDAAA!!! Please read and review! ^_^