Author's notes: *puts her hand on her head and makes a dramatic pose* My life is in shambles! *pretends to faint but falls headlong into a pile of books and notes* Drat. I've said it before, and I'll say it again… school sucks. XP (Just to let you know, that's why I couldn't write these past few weeks. Typical.)

Just a bit of something… this chapter starts off in Thursday afternoon after Misao's "date" (which was morning). The previous 'Kaoru' chapter was like an intermission, and it doesn't affect the flow of the time. That chapter happened while Misao was dealing with Aoshi in the other chapters. ^_^ Gah… well, you get the picture.

Minnie me: *takes out a camera and takes a picture* SMILE!!!

Tch. That is so corny. *shakes head in annoyance*

Disclaimer: Let's study etymology, shall we? *fixes glasses* Dis means not. Claim means take as your/ my own. Er means… errr…. Whatever. So disclaimer means I do not take this as my own. Errrr. Right. English subject's taking its toll on me. ~_~'

Mission: Frustration!

By Tesuka- chan

Chapter 10

Medallion

She was gone for the entire morning.

He was sitting under a tree that is situated on a cliff, a little over the dig site. It was the only place he could find where he can sit peacefully and meditate, away from the hussle- and- bussle down below. He needed it now, more than ever, to help him concentrate on the job at hand – and not on a certain black- haired, blue- eyed woman.

The woman who despised him with all her being… the woman who is a great mystery in herself… the woman who caused a confusion inside him. The woman who was nowhere to be found after that incident in the trailer.

He breathed in the sweet mountain air and closed his eyes.

He needs to accomplish his mission.

Regardless of the consequences.


"SETA- SAN! Did I miss anything?" Misao ran over to Soujiro, catching her breath.

"Eh… Tomo-san, you didn't have to shout," Soujiro patiently said while trying to fix his eardrums the way it was before. Smiling his forever- odd smile, he finally got his hearing back and tried to listen to her ramblings.

"Oh, sorry! It's just that I had such an amazing morning and I really feel happy!" Misao cheerfully declared, her face glowing, her eyes a bright blue. Soujiro thought that she really looks pretty when she's like this. Then he saw her bandages.

"Tomo- san! What happened?" he said, pointing to the cuts and wounds, clearly worried.

"And then I – what? Oh these little cuts? It's nothing," she waved her hand in a flippant way, "I just got run over by a car."

"WHAT?!"

"Oh, it wasn't that bad… the stupid driver wasn't watching where he was going and I crossed the street at the wrong time." Misao shrugged. "Don't worry, I've had worse."

Soujiro gave her a you-should-take-care-of-yourself look, which the genki woman interpreted correctly and laughed. "That look doesn't suit you! I'll be fine, really."

"Physically, possible. But in with your attendance with the lectures, I promise you, you won't be fine if you keep this up," a low voice stated coldly from behind her.

Misao's cheery outlook darkened. Just let it go… he isn't worth it. AH! To hell with it! Who does he think he is, my father? She opened her mouth, about to give the icicle a piece of her mind when another voice cut in.

"Oi Tomo-san!! Where've you been hiding? You sly weasel… you were probably out on a date while we were all groveling around in Professor Shinomori's lecture and – OW! What d'ya do that for, Omasu?" the voice whined.

"AHERM…" *pointing glare*

"Huh? Don't glare at me like that! I didn't do anything!" Chou whined defensively, then looked around, finally seeing the said professor. "OH. Ah, what I meant was… we were LOVING the professor's lectures… ehehe," he winked shamefully, being caught.

"Yeah… it was very… informative." Okon's smile trembled.

Aoshi looked like he didn't hear – or he didn't care. As usual, his thoughts were difficult to read with his expressionless features. He was looking at Misao, at the bandages on her arms. His cobalt eyes narrowed. "Next time, I expect you to be there on time."

Humor him. "Don't worry about it! Next time I have an accident, I'll surely limp to the conference hall, with my arm nearly decapitated and blood gushing out of my head, and I'll be on time too!" Her voice dripped with sarcasm as she smiled "sweetly" at him. Well, he provoked me! I'm not just going to stand here and let him walk all over me! As if a car isn't enough! Misao braced herself for a tongue- lashing.

But the icicle just kept quiet, barely inclined his head and left.

For a moment, every one was silent. Then:

"Whoa, weasel! You're one tough cookie!"

"Tomo- san, I couldn't believe that you said that to him!"

"I can't believe he just left like that!"

"What's your secret?"

The questions were asked at the same time. Everyone was clearly astonished. In truth, Misao was actually trembling inside. She didn't know what came over her. Something in him made her feel… things. She soon shook that feeling away, and smiled at the group. "Sheesh, don't make such a big deal out of it."

"Not make a big deal out of it?" Chou burst out, both of his eyes wide open. "He's not called the 'icicle' or 'iceberg' just for being cold! He always degrades people with his cold, stinging words!"

Misao almost laughed out loud. Him? Spiteful? He rarely speaks, the more spouting out vicious words! Haha! She just couldn't picture it.

"Oh, Tomo- san, it's true," Omasu gently reprimanded her, seeing her barely controlled mirth. "Though he may seem like the silent type, he could literally physically hurt you with words." She shuddered, as if recalling a certain experience.

Misao looked at all of them, not believing, but they were all seriously nodding their heads. At this, she sobered, and shrugged, wanting them to believe that it doesn't matter… though it deeply troubled her inside. In their early years, he didn't let down people; he was always the silent polite type. She decided that she would find out whatever happened, and what made changed him.

"Oh well, who cares, anyway? He was just probably surprised that someone has actually the guts to face him!" She laughed gaily. "On to a lighter note, what's the schedule for this afternoon?"

Soujiro's eyes lifted. "Well, we're finally going to the site and excavate!" He smiled, excitement filling his eyes.

"Che, it's about time…" Chou mumbled.

"I'm probably going to help out with the less strenuous work in the lab," Omasu stated, the scientist in her thrilled at the aspect.

"Pah! That's boring!"

"It's better than being caught under a boulder!"

"That's the exciting part!" Chou grinned.

"I'm not going to risk my precious life!" Omasu huffed. "Besides, chemicals and computers are way better! Okon and I are experts in that field!" She stuck up her chin, looking down at Chou who just winked at her.

"Oh yeah, where ARE Okon and Shirojo?" Misao queried, noticing for the first time that the said people were not there.

Something glinted in Omasu's eyes. "Probably dating in town." She grinned.

"Oh." Wow. She never even realized that they were seeing each other. A wistful look came across her eyes. Must be really nice to just go out on a date like that, with no worries at all.

"What are you thinking, Tomo- san?" Soujiro queried, looking at her expression. His smile made her feel better about everything. Such a pity that she's a crook and he's just a normal teenager.

"Oh… I just hoped that it will all work out for them." She smiled her genki smile at him.

There was something lacking in that smile, and Soujiro had noticed. His thoughts whirled around the mysterious woman with them, smiling and laughing outside…

…but crying desperately inside.


*DIG CRUNCH CRUMBLE*

Well.

She hadn't imagined that excavation would be this difficult. She had thought that it would be like what they show in National Geographic and Discovery Channel… brushing along the dust with small brushes, and voila! A piece of clay pot will appear. Apparently, this was not the case – far from it. They had to wear those ridiculous hard hats like the construction workers use, with matching jumpsuits that were very uncomfortable, and they had to use a shovel in place of a dainty little brush.

And to top it all off, professor "icicle" was always correcting her ways, always there, always reprimanding.

If he was a she, she'd bet he had PMS.

Talk about slave driver.

Her teeth gritted in frustration. Hmph! Haven't they ever heard of technology? Shouldn't they use machines to do this? And I thought this project had good funds! They couldn't even afford to buy digging machines! Misao fumed on, unconsciously digging faster with a quiet vengeance that frightened the other workers around her. And THIS caught the professor's attention. AGAIN.

"Makimachi, you should be careful with every stroke, every hit you make. You might damage relics that might be found underneath that soil." Aoshi smirked. "Of course, you would've known that if you had attended the lecture this morning." Cold blue eyes gave nothing away.

TO HELL WITH HIM AND HIS FUCKING LECTURES!!! The angered girl almost burned a hole through his thick, stubborn skull with her glare. What's his problem anyway? He's such a… ARGH!!! THIS IS THE LAST TIME I'M EVER GOING TO TAKE ANY SHIT FROM HIM!!!

Chou and the others cautiously backed away from the human time bomb. They could all see her struggling with her temper… and clearly losing. Of course, since she couldn't just kill the man, she might do something worse. Like cause a cave- in. Which was very bad indeed.

The low voice echoed throughout. "I guess you're not competent enough for the job."

Though not really understanding, all heads went back and forth from the professor to the student. All of them thinking the same thing: This. Is. Bad.

Her fists clenched. Long bangs, damp from sweat, shadowed her eyes. She calmly turned around, faced the cave wall, crouched and steadied. She seems to be clutching something heavy…

A gasp was heard.

"Professor! I found something!"

Aoshi turned around towards the voice… completely missing the petite woman lifting a particularly heavy boulder and aiming the thing at him.

"What is it?"

Chou and the others, five full- muscled men all in all, struggled with the infuriated Misao, who was ready to hurl the 100- pound pure rock at the unknowing Aoshi.

"It's a… clay pot of some sort! Looks like something from the Yayoi era!" The voice was excited, not realizing the odd happenings behind him.

Professor Shinomori had walked towards the beaming student when a sound resonated throughout the vicinity.

*THUMP!*

He quickly turned around to see what had happened.

"OOOHHH! Is that an earthquake?"

"Ah! This is dangerous!"

"Maybe we should stop for today…"

"Look at that boulder! It moved from here to there! Must really be an earthquake!"

"You're right!"

All five men were huddled together, looking around as if the roof of the cave might collapse at them any minute. The genki student was nowhere to be seen.

Aoshi looked up worriedly. Maybe they SHOULD go back for now. These tremors are very unstable. Besides, they found something very interesting… and it may be just the item that he was looking for. The job turned out easier than he thought. He made a decision, and nodded at the students saying, "all right, we shall retire." He ordered some workers to carefully transport the relic, and he abruptly left.

A collective sigh of relief was heard from those remaining.

"LEFFFTTTHHMMIIIIIHHHHGGGOOOHHH!!"

The huge hand over her mouth was quickly removed after biting for a couple of times. She was very VERY angry. Why did they stop her? Didn't they know that she had to kill the scum of the universe?! "You idiots! Why did you do that?" She vehemently shouted.

"Ouch! You sure you don't have rabies, weasel?"

*BONK!*

One man down.

"Geesh… are you totally out of your mind? You could've killed everyone here!" Chou burst out, breath heaving, eyes wide. He couldn't get over what happened… who would've thought that there's a lot of kill-the-icicle energy inside that small frame? He shook his head, trying to calm down. Everything's just… weird.

"Hmph! Well, at least HE'LL be dead!" Misao stomped her foot childishly.

"Yeah, and his body will rot… along with ours!!!"

"Hey," a third voice intruded, "don't you think we should go? This isn't very stable you know…"

"Yeah, and there IS that relic that was found! We'll have to go and look at it!" An excited voice piped in.

A relic?

When did they find a relic? Oh my Kami- sama… the sword might be in there! Misao's eyes widened in disbelief at her own stupidity. Drat! I should've gone there long ago! He must've found it by now… shit! She frantically gathered her things, much to the astonishment of rest.

"Hey, look! There's something else here!"

Shirojo, more interested at the relic than Tomo- san's antics, had gone to where the clay jar was found. Looking around, he spotted something shining buried under the soil. He quickly dug it up… and was both baffled and surprise at what he had uncovered. He had shouted to the others, and Tomo- san was the first one there.

"Look, it's a golden disc of some sort… like a medallion! But it can't be… there weren't any gold discovered yet during the Yayoi era…" He scratched his head.

Misao's eyebrows were knit together, looking intently at the medallion on her hand, after borrowing it from Shirojo. This was definitely not from the Yayoi era… most probably from the latter time periods. Unless…! Ocean blue eyes widened at a possible thought. Yes! It must be it!

"Shiro- san, can I bring it to Professor Shinomori? I'll be going to the lab anyway to visit Okon and Omasu, and you won't have to bother with it." She smiled brightly at him.

A funny expression was on his face. "Uhhh… sure."

"AH! Arigatou!" She quickly jumped up on her feet and walked, no, skipped quickly away from the confused group, bringing with her all her tools and materials.

The men looked at each other, questions hovering about their minds.

"Now THAT was weird," one of them commented as he gathered up his tools.

"You'll never know what going to happen next, one moment she's ready to kill the professor at all costs, the next she's eager to run him an errand!" Chou threw his arms above his head in exasperation. "I just can't understand her!"

The others nodded their heads vigorously in total agreement.

Probably this secret code thing that the women always use as an excuse.

PMS.


GOT A CLUE. GOLD MEDALLION OF SOME SORT. SEE ATTACHED SCANNED PICTURE. – JADE

Misao sent the message to Sano after scanning the medallion at every angle. Upon observing the item, she was definitely sure now that it has something to do about the sword, one way or another. Sending it to Sano was just a precaution… and he might find something anyway. She shrugged and started keeping her equipment when a knock on her trailer door was heard.

"Hey, Tomo- san! Are you in there? The professor asked us all to go to the lab!" Soujiro called from outside.

Misao quickly wrapped the medallion in a cloth and carelessly dumped it inside her knapsack. "Hai! I'll be out in a second!" She packed a few other items and went out, seeing the ever- smiling face of Soujiro. She grinned back and they started towards the laboratory.

Most of the students were there, as well as Okon and Omasu. The relic found earlier was perched on top of an operating table, all sorts of tools and devices scattered around it. Aoshi was wearing a white lab coat and was washing his hands on the sink when they came in.

"To start off, " he wiped his hands on a towel, "upon observing the relic thoroughly and analyzing the rope pattern and its composition in the computer, we have concluded that the clay pot was definitely from the Yayoi period." He put the towel down and put on a pair of spectacles that made him look more sophisticated and wise.

A couple of students ooh-ed and ahh-ed.

"Sir, you mean we are actually on the right track with the sword?" a diligent student asked.

"Since the sword is rumored to be from the Yayoi era, then yes." He nodded, blue- black bangs covering his eyes.

Oh no… what if Shirojo asks about the medallion? I'll have to do something… Misao peeped towards Shirojo, who had a thoughtful and confused look. He looked like he was about to ask a question. His mouth opened, his hand was starting to lift up. She sweated.

"A- ano, sensei… tell us more about the process on how you analyzed the data," Misao suddenly spoke up. Right. I'll just keep on asking questions until this session's over. She grinned at her ingenious tactic.

Aoshi looked at her with those cold eyes, a flicker of suspicion dancing in their depths. Then it was gone. He answered the question politely, breaking into a long lecture. Right after this, she quickly asked another question. The cycle went on until it was time to end the session… and all the others sighed in relief. They were doing this sighing a lot lately, and all because of Tomo- san. They sighed again.

"Tomo- san, did you have to ask so many boring questions?" Okon asked, a bit irritated at the girl.

"Well, yeah. I find it kind of interesting." Misao answered, smiling.

Everyone groaned.

"What?" she said innocently.

"Ah, let's just go to the mess hall and have some dinner." Soujiro said, ushering people out of the lab.

Hell, I almost smashed that stupid pot into bits out of pure boredom. She sighed inwardly. What's done is done… at least I prevented Shirojo from asking questions. I'll have to ask him not to tell Aoshi because… well, I'll think of a good reason.

Misao started putting her notes inside her knapsack when the medallion slipped out, still wrapped in cloth. Ahhh!! Drat! She quickly put it back in, looking around the lab if anyone saw it. Thankfully, the room was mostly vacated and Aoshi was doing something across the room, his back to her. Phew, that was close! I'll have to secure this in a safe place. She closed her bag and went out, joining her friends.

Unbeknownst to her, Aoshi had seen a golden flash in the mirror in front of him. Thinking that it was only the light, he continued looking at the most baffling mystery on the pot, which he had not shared to the students because he himself was puzzled…

… the hollow circular hole on the underside of the clay base.

As if something had been placed there. And it had been lost.

His eyes narrowed, frustrated. He just KNEW that it was important. He'll just have to go back to the caves later.

*Cough* "Ano… sensei…" *cough*

"Hai? What do you need, Shirojo?"

He heard a shuffling behind him. "Eto… didn't Tomo- san give you the other relic we found?"

Aoshi's head snapped up. Another relic? "No… what is it?" he turned around, facing the student.

Shirojo scratched his head and said, "well, it was a gold – "

"AH SHIRO-SAN! THERE YOU ARE!" Misao bounced frantically towards the two, a false smile plastered on her face. "I've been looking all over for you! C'mon, let's eat!" She quickly dragged him away, leaving the professor alone and thoughtful inside the lab.

"Mou, Tomo- san! I was about to ask him about the medallion!" Shirojo whined, "why didn't you give it to him?" He raised a questioning brow.

"Shhh!" Misao looked around, and seeing that everyone's inside leaving them alone outside, she quickly clutched his arm. "Don't tell anyone but… I lost it," her voice squeaked.

"WHAAATTT? B-but it's an important relic! How could you – how did you – ?" He stared at her in disbelief.

Misao pouted, trying to look as guilty as she can. "Well, I put it down for a while then when I got back to it, it was gone." Puppydog- eyes look! Work it!!

Shirojo's eyes softened at her pitiful expression. He sighed in exasperation and looked heavenwards. "I don't know what I'm going to do with you!" He started walking towards the mess tent.

Misao ran along beside him. "So you're not going to tell?" she asked, her face hopeful.

"No. You owe me big time!"

"Hai! Arigatou!" She skipped along merrily. Phew, that's taken care of! Haha! No one can resist my charms! Sometimes men are too vulnerable towards weak-looking women. If only they knew… She grinned maliciously and lost herself to the scent of soup and noodles.

Inside the lab, Aoshi was pondering, trying to fit the pieces of puzzle in his head. Then it was suddenly there, the completed thought, clearly laid out to him.

Another relic.

With Misao.

That golden twinkle.

He'll have to confront her later.

Ice blue eyes flashed.


A/n: I meant to add more but I have simply too much to do right now and I really wanted to update today. I feel sooo guilty. *sob sob*

Well, I know this chapter's more on the conversation side, but it's really like that. Hehe… I'll try to put on more descriptions later. ^_^ I'll have to, anyway. Also, I've realized that the story's kind of shallow, which is not exactly how I meant it to be, so I'll add some serious stuff (or as serious as I can write) soon. *Sigh* I'm just starting to get my muse back, and it's really awkward. Once again, I hope you bear with me!

Anyway, thanks to the following readers!

Innocent Dreamer: wow, that's the first time you didn't yell at me… a good thing too since my eardrums are only recuperating. *wince*

NatsuNoAme: Well, glad you're liking Kamatari! I find him a very interesting character. ^_^ Nah, I won't blame you for not choosing… I can't choose myself! @_@ They're all hot bishounens! If only they were real… *sigh*

DarkFairy: Hullo! Thanks for your support! *grins* As for Misao and Enishi, well, you'll just have to find out. Can't say! *hops around chanting* I'll never tell! I'll never tell!!

Cat H: I suppose she would be. Hahaha! How I wish I'd have that much shoes… *sniff*

Nekonomiko: Thanks! Hope I didn't make you one of the "deranged" people while I kept you waiting… Gomen! *bows a lot of times* LOL. Dog fight… will come. Not soon though. ;p

Varie: Glad you liked it! ^_^ About Misao knowing Kenshin, well, not yet. But you know those type of dreams that seems like predictions or some kind of premonition? Let's just say it's something like that… hehehe.

Moonstorm: I love that movie! *starts singing* I'm so pret- ty! So very pret-ty! MWAHAHAHAHA! *laughed maniacally* I think I need some kind of mental management… BWAHAHAHA!!! Hmmm, Kaoru already went to a therapist. Teeheeheee…

Kmye- chan: *shakes head* You and your shoe fetish! Pah! :P Well, here it is! Gomen nasai for the long wait! ^_^

Devil: thanks for those inspiring three words! *grins happily*

Hitokiri- miao miao: Hmmm… maybe I should start changing my plot… people keep dying because of laughing so hard… LOL. Well, thanks!

Dusk_angel: Thanks! I consider that as a compliment! *grin grin* I like mystery, comedy, and romance, all jumbled up! that's why I'm writing this. hehe.

MoonPhoenix: Oh, it's okay… I'M sorry for not being able to update earlier. Sort of kept people waiting. *sweatdrop* I'm expecting pitchforks and a stake anytime soon. *looks at watch* Well, about your question, I'll throw it back to you. What do you think? *grins evilly*

Well, thanks again minna- san! Hope ya'll READ AND REVIEW! C'mon people, give me inspiration! Teeheehee… (minnie me: what she's actually saying is 'give me reviews' *smirk*) Hmph! Am not!!! But reviews aren't bad… ;p