AN: I am back! Sorry to make you guys wait. . .College man, college is not a place where time can be spent idly (even if for a fun and relaxing cause). Ugh. This story is really tough to iron out. I want to be specific and lay out the grounds for bigger things. BUT, that slows down the pace of the fic. Sorry if things still do not roll in motion. What do you think? Is a worthy sacrifice? I wonder if that is why not a lot of people take to this fic. Perhaps it is the unpredictable updating frequency! Well, that, my friends, is about to change. If feedback for this chapter is positive, I promise to update weekly. But, regardless of feedback quality/quantity, I promise this fic will be finished. It will be. You can, at least, hold me accountable to that. Once again, this chapter is a talking chapter.
Sorry to blab for so long about that. . .now, onward ho
Chapter 5: Lunch with a Mission
Kaoru observed the humdrum of life and she and Soujirou sat down in a coffee shop not to far from their office. A woman chased her daughter, pausing slightly to catch her breath before taking off again. Leaves gathered at the corner of the road, autumn had arrived without Kaoru's noticing. Leading busy lives and having little money to spare, neither one of them knew any good restaurants nearby so they settled for a quaint and quiet coffee shop at the corner of the street across from their office.
"What do you want?" Soujirou asked, folding the menu back onto the table.
"Its been a while since I've eaten out," Kaoru mused aloud, "I really have no idea." She fingered the frayed edges of her menu.
"Me too," Soujirou grinned sheepishly. "Ever since I began working for Saitou, life has been way too busy for me to think about anything else."
"Cheers to that," replied Kaoru sarcastically. "You know what I've been craving?"
"Hmm?" Soujirou scratched the back of his head and raised his eyebrows.
"Chocolate. Something with an insane amount of chocolate on and in it"
"Women really like chocolate, don't they?" Soujirou remarked innocently. Hearing his reply, Kaoru scowled indignantly.
"Chocolate tastes good. Besides, I can't, for the life of me, imagine why men don't enjoy it as much as we womenfolk do. . . sheesh, how dare you imply that I am typical!" Kaoru half jokingly creased her brow and retorted.
"Ah ha ha. . ." Soujirou was definitely not used to such light hearted and carefree conversation. How long has it been since he last relaxed and just chatted with someone? He could not remember. Not that this would last for long. . .Damn Saitou. Damn the company. Damn the two people who escaped from jail. Saitou sort of gave him the day off, Soujirou snorted, 'a day off' was a concept that Saitou did not understand. Saitou said something about Kaoru, but he really did not remember what was uttered. What was he doing here with her anyway? Uncharacteristic of him, he decided to enjoy this short little break he received. Take a plunge, what could hurt?
"Seta-san? Hullo?" Kaoru waved her hands in front of Soujirou and he blinked suddenly. "Are you okay? You were spacing out for awhile"
"Ah, sorry about that, a couple of things were bothering me."
"Oh. Hmmm. . . no pressure to share," Kaoru grinned good naturedly. "Everyone needs their alone time. I don't even remember when I last had time to myself. I've been so busy lately, thanks to my lovely family and job."
"Thanks," Soujirou smiled, somewhat grateful for her understanding but still troubled by his thoughts.
"Can I take your order?" interrupted a waiter.
"I. . ." Kaoru scratched her head "I would like a cup of mocha, the chocolate cheese cake and. . ."
"A cheeseburger" Soujirou chimed in "We'll both have the same thing" He smiled as the waiter nodded and walked away.
"Hmmm. . .such healthy food and what a weird combination too, might I add," Kaoru grinned. "The last time I ate trash like this was in college, when I had no choice because the menu was already decided by campus dining services."
"True, but what is wrong with having some fun from time to time?"
"Very very true," Kaoru nodded her head solemnly. "Fun is definitely underrated." Their conversation was interrupted by the simultaneously ringing of two cell phones. The duo looked at each other and couldn't help but smile.
"Looks like our lives are demanding our attention," Kaoru grabbed her cell phone and jumped out of her seat. "Excuse me for a minute."
"Same here," Soujirou nodded courteously while pulling his phone out from his back pocket. He flipped open his phone, oh great, Saitou. Caller ID should never have been invented.
"Seta Soujirou speaking," he mustered in his usual professional voice.
"Lazy bum," a disgruntled voice commented from the other end.
"Thank you," Soujirou answered pleasantly. He could just sense the eye rolling on the other end of phone. "Is everything going along as planned?"
"No." The simple reply worried Soujirou. "We still haven't been able to contact either the Red Dragon or the White Tiger."
"I see. Small wonder considering we still have no idea who they really are." Saitou grunted at Soujirou's response.
"Don't you get smart on me."
"Yes Sir."
"And wipe that fake smile off your face; I can practically hear it on the phone."
"Ah...yes sir." Soujirou winced and wiped the sweat drop off the back of his head.
"I need you back in the office by the end of this hour. We need to find the remaining members of the broken Oniwabanshu," Saitou commanded as he drew in a breath from his cigarette.
"What for?" He had heard of this group of information gatherers before. Didn't they disband already?
"They were the only ones who ever came close enough to exposing the dirt on the dragon and the tiger," Saitou spoke as he watched his cigarette smoke curl as it snaked towards the ceiling. "You are too a slow, boy."
"Now that you've mentioned it, I seem to remember something like that," Soujirou scratched the back of his head, trying to ignore Saitou's snide comments.
"Yes, one of them was especially talented. You know who I am referring to, the one who was caught."
"Oh," Soujirou's eyes widened in realization as he remembered Saitou's words at the beginning of his term with the company.
"Took you long enough," Saitou grunted, "you need to get their assistance. I don't think I need to instruct you more."
"I understand. But, what if," before Soujirou could finish his sentence Saitou cut in.
"No uncertainties, just do as I say."
"That was not my concern," Soujirou smiled, "I was wondering if the other side has gotten to her already?"
"We will just have to see, won't we?" Without another word Saitou hung up, leaving a slightly troubled Soujirou staring at his cell phone. This line of work really wasn't pleasant, sighed Soujirou. At least he had his cheeseburger to enjoy, if anything.
"Hello?" Kaoru glanced at her phone. Why oh why do people have the ability to block Caller ID? Really makes the game of receiving phone calls unfair. . .
"Kaoru" chimed a cheerful voice.
"Hi Misao" grumbled Kaoru "I was just about to enjoy a wonderful meal with superbly cute company, oh, I didn't mean say that. . ." Kaoru's face turned beet red as Misao burst into laughter.
"You slipped! Freudian slip! Freudian slip! Freudian slip! Cute guy eh? Ha ha. . . Anyway, I need you to meet me by the end of this hour."
"I'm on my lunch break," protested Kaoru. A fine, peaceful day interrupted. She had such good company too. No wonder people always tell her she had no change at marriage or a meaningful relationship. No life. Yup, she has no life of her own to speak of.
"Yeah, well, I'm not going to let you off even if you whine," Misao grinned when she heard Kaoru sigh in defeat.
"When and where exactly?" Kaoru cursed her predicament as she tore a piece of paper out of her notebook and copied down Misao's instructions.
"Seta-san," Kaoru tapped Soujirou's shoulders "I'm sorry but I have to run soon," she smiled sheepishly. "My friend's emergency demands my presence."
"Me too," he inclined his head and played with his hands, his mind still on the conversation that occurred not too long ago with Saitou, "our boss called."
"Well," Kaoru made a face, "let's at least enjoy whatever lunch time we have left." She grinned and pointed at the pile of food in front of their faces. Soujirou nodded, so this was the girl. He should have known earlier. Why else did Saitou, the man who harbored a great resentment for all MBA majors, hire her? That damn, sly man knew all along. Soujirou rubbed his temples. This was going to be a difficult conversation to start and end.
"Kamiya-san," Soujirou prodded his cheese cake silently.
"Hmm?" Kaoru replied half-heartedly, completely focused on the ketchup mark on her shirt. She hated ketchup stains, especially ones on new, white blouses.
"Kamiya-san," breathe Soujirou, you can do this, wipe that serious look off your face and put on that emotionless smile. Good, breathe, ready to go now. "Have you ever heard of the Oniwabanshu?"
The flash of bewilderment on Kaoru's face did not escape Soujirou's eyes as she quickly tried to hide her shock by taking a sip of mocha.
"Hmmm, afraid not. I'm quite out of touch with the going-ons of the world. Are they popular nowadays?" Soujirou did not miss the carefully crafted implications of her question.
"Could say so, you know. The leading lady, she's become quite a sensation since their break up."
"Really?" Kaoru raised her eyebrows and took a bite out of her burger. "How so?"
"The uproar that their breakup ended has resurfaced." Soujirou cupped his coffee. Kaoru frowned.
"Really, has anything changed since?"
"I don't know all that much. . ." Soujirou trailed off, trying to avoid the larger issue looming over both their heads.
"Come on, neither one of us has much time to dilly dally. Let's stop playing this game of pretence and get straight to the point. What do you want from me?" Soujirou smiled, his tact succeeded. Saitou would have been proud.
"Since you just openly admitted to me that you know something about and may possibly be directly related to the Oniwabanshu, I am requesting your assistance"
Dammit! Kaoru knew she should not have let her impatience get the better of her. This always happens; her lack of patience caused, oh, who knew, how many mishaps? Damn.
"A request can still be refused," Kaoru smiled, scratching the back of her head. "Perhaps, if the conditions were elucidated, the person in question may change her mind."
Soujirou smiled, this was going along exactly as he and Saitou planned.
Kaoru fidgeted. So maybe she was getting a little nervous. Who wouldn't? The identity that she spent the last nine years trying to forget and hide was uncovered and coming back to haunt her in the last 24 hours. Remember who you were, Kaoru. Even though so much has changed, you can still play that part and succeed. You cannot be taken advantage of. Remember what Misao said last night. This time, its not just your life on the line, your family, the people you care about, are also involved. Breathe and smile Kaoru, breathe and smile to protect what is important to you.
"I have to know one thing before anything else is said," an uncharacteristically cold gaze met Soujirou, "whose side are you standing on?"
"Nobody's actually," replied Soujirou good naturally, seeing as Kaoru was finally willing to listen, "we're neutral."
"Don't lie," Kaoru shot Soujirou a strong stare, "everyone plays a part in this game."
"I. . ." Soujirou racked his brains, what was he to say to that? Should he tell her everything? How much information was he willing to share? Seeing Soujirou's hesitation, Kaoru decided to prod him on some more.
"I am not going to risk the well being of people I care about for some hazy cause. You have to be crystal clear and tell me your objectives. Otherwise, I will walk away right now." Seeing the seriousness in Kaoru's countenance, Soujirou sighed.
"We need you to catch the tiger and dragon." Hearing Soujirou's response, Kaoru threw her head back and laughed.
"No way. You know what happened to me last time I tried to do that. No way."
"It's different this time," protested Soujirou.
"Oh really?" Kaoru raised her questioning brows, "care to enlighten me?"
"We need you to contact them to prevent them from returning to the side that they were working for before this all happened," Soujirou scratched the backside of his head.
"Exactly why is their return to their old alliance a threat to your cause?" Kaoru was not going to buy a half answer from Soujirou. She needed to get as much information out of him as she could.
"This may sound odd," chuckled Soujirou, "but, ever since the beginning, we all were, and still are being manipulated by one man, playing the part of an archetypal villain. This man, whose name I cannot mention in any public venue, was the reason why the pair became who they were. They worked for him and put their loyalty and faith into his cause but were completely unaware of what he aspired to do. You do know what he sought to do?"
"Same thing the Oniwabanshu attempted to do," replied Kaoru, her usual smile replaced by a contemplative frown, "to deliver justice to the people in power. Ugh, this sounds so robin hood-ish. So so silly. . ."
"Not exactly," Soujirou cocked his head and swirled the mocha around in his cup "The Oniwabanshu, please correct me if I am wrong, attempted to replace evil with good."
"Uh huh, that was the plan," nodded Kaoru in agreement, her thoughts still occupied with how naïve her cause was.
"Yes, to fight for goodness. This man, however, is doing the exact opposite. He says he is delivering justice to those in power, which is how he got the tiger and dragon to work for him. In reality, he is seeking to place himself into the position of power."
"Okay, so he does what most politicians do. What is wrong with that?" Soujirou bit his lip in frustration, did she just not get it?
"This is a selfish man Kaoru, having him in power will be worse than anyone society has experienced before. You know what is capable of doing. He will not hesitate to do so if anyone gets in his way."
"He really is the typical villain, isn't he?" Kaoru sighed; she knew full well what Soujirou was saying.
"Yes, he is," Soujirou frowned, "which is why we have to try and stop him. Conflict between people of our kind is different; at least we adhered to the rules of morality, brotherhood and loyalty. This man didn't, by giving the the tiger and the dragon to the police, he betrayed all of our unsaid rules in order to save himself."
"That's what happened!? I should have known. Those two could not have been caught, they were too good. I understand. The man brings a whole new definition to 'evil' in practice, right?" Kaoru lowered her head, all this drama! In one day too!
"Will you assist us?" Soujirou asked gently.
"Let me think it over," Kaoru tapped the table lightly, "I really need to think this over. Unlike before, I cannot play this game with no strings attached. There is a lot at stake here. Please give me some time."
"You have until tomorrow morning to give me an answer," Soujirou nodded his head in ascension as he handed her a piece of paper, "call this number and ask for the wolf."
"What is with these people and animal nicknames? We got a wolf, a tiger and a dragon on our hands!" Kaoru exclaimed aloud, earning a grin from Soujirou.
"I have no idea either, perhaps it is a fetish?" Kaoru had to laugh to Soujirou's reply.
"All right, you have my word," Kaoru tossed placed some money on the table as she stood up. "I really need to get out of here before my friend murders me."
"Thank you, Kamiya-san," Soujirou bowed respectfully only to earn a small punch on the back by Kaoru.
"Ugh, Kaoru to you now, you know too much about my past to still address me as 'Kamiya'"
Soujirou watched her retreating figure and smiled. Maybe things will not be too bad. If they had her on their side, maybe. . .maybe there is still hope.
AN: Yup, motionless talking. Blah blah blah. Sorry about that. This conversation HAD to happen sometime. I just decided it to be this chapter. I already have part of the next chapter written. Yes, a lot of action and excitement! Whoo hoo
Sneak plot preview: Kaoru finally meets Tomoe and Megumi.
Stay tuned for more (posted next week, hopefully)
Reader Shout outs
Kitsune KeNsHiN: heh heh. . . did I lie again? Did I say Megumi and Tomoe will appear in this chapter? Sorry. You can hit me on the head now. But, one thing is for sure, they are going to appear in the next installment. Next week too, if I can pull it off. Thanks for the positive feedback. Greatly appreciated. Really really. Well, at least I delivered the semi- date, didn't I? (didn't lie about that part) ;; Do you think there should be more of this serious randomness?
Jen: You love my story? Whoa, I'm flattered. I kept on wondering if it was a good idea to stick Kaoru into all those sticky situations. I wondered if it would have been overkill to put all those blunders into one chapter. Seems like you thought it was fine Thanks! Love square? Really? Hmmm. . . as of this point, the pairing will not be the focus of my writing (on w/the plot!! on w/the plot!!). I am, however, contemplating a 'moment' next chapter. You know, one of those heart to heart sessions where Kaoru debates her problem aloud with someone. Who do you think it should be? There is a wealth of choices. Soujirou, however, is not among them though.
IMPROVED Uber Rei Model: Whoa! [Tries to run away from the tackle but still gets socked in the head] Sorry about the late update (like I said to Jen, I'm glad you don't think that multitude of blunders was overkill for one chapter). I had a good laugh when the idea came to my head Ha ha, lurking. I do that as well. How do you think this 'dinner' went? A lot of talking, yes, I know. I really wanted to kick the plot into motion. Its so hard to do when I have so many ideas in mind. Another idea for next chapter, get Kaoru into some combat! What do you think?
Tigerrelly: Yeah! You love it! Well, I hope you haven't forgotten about the existence of this fic, I am not a good person about updating. I hope this chapter lives up to that 'love' standard That is about to change, like I said. Once a week! Heh heh.
Kuroiamaya ((lazy...)): Yeah, your's was the reaction I coveted! I hoped someone would burst out laughing, and you did! Thanks!! [hugs tightly] Interesting pairing suggestion. Heh heh. . . I will put it in the back of my mind.
Satora Bonai: Yeah! You laughed too! (all you laughers rock) Yup, if you didn't notice, I love to mess with characters I like. This chapter wasn't as light-hearted as I wished it to be, but, at least it contained some sou/kao moments, right? Next chapter will definitely be more fun. I hope to at least have some genki Misao moments followed by a soulful Kaoru and someone who I have yet to decide moment. Thanks!