Greetings minna! So what's up with everyone... Really? That's great! Well today I woke up having an allergic reaction in my eye and neck. So I'm not exactly ecstatic about the swollen puffy pinkness and red swellings, but I'm happy enough to write this new chappie for you all!

Anyone ever seen Moulin Rouge? Really good movie, that it is. I just watched it and can't get off topic. Anyone who hasn't, I recommend it for a Saturday night movie rental.

Wow, it's really hot in here. Even in a tank top and short shorts. And it's gonna get even hotter once Aoshi-sama gets here! Oh and speaking of Aoshi-sama, Misao will be calling him that in the story once they meet again. Just thought I'd let ya know.

I think that's all for now, so I'll let you get on with life and reading!

I OWN NOTHING EXCEPT THIS COMPUTER, SOME CLOTHES, AND A LARGE CD AND VIDEO COLLECTION!

much luv
Sephiress

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Chained by Sephiress

Chapter 2) The Hunter

Misao smiled her famous genki grin as Kaoru came back to their table with their drinks. She uttered a thanks before sipping her favorite, a grande mocha creme frappachino. The women sat in their usual spot, in their usual coffee shop down the street, drinking their usual drinks. No one would ever guess that the two dark-haired girls by the fireplace were really professional criminals

It had been nearly three weeks since 'the hot guy mistake', as she and Kao had dubbed, and they were on normal terms once again. At first, her partner had been pissed off at the slip-up, but chocolates and the puppy- dog look had settled the woman's famous temper.

And this is where Fate found the two, bundled in colorful sweaters due to the chilly air of late November. They chatted merrily away about pointless things, never worring about the troubles life would soon bring. Somewhere in the cafe, a cell phone rang, but the two payed no notice to it.

"Ok Kao, Himura's sweet, thoughtful, polite, and pretty much everything you can't find in a guy these days." Misao paused to sip her drink as Kaoru nodded in agreement. "But he still looks and acts so girlie!"

"Kenshin does not look acts a girl!" Kaoru glared at Misao's accusation of her boyfriend. "He may seem a little over-sweet, but he can turn the exact opposite sometimes!" Misao raised her eyebrow.

"Oh really...and just when did you discover this...inner personality?" Misao asked, her voice suggestive. At the question, Kaoru began to blush a deep red, only causing Misao to smile wickedly. She motioned for her friend to continue, sitting back with her frappachino to enjoy watching Kao try to get out of this one.

"Well...we were...um...you see", Kaoru stuttered, losing her composure dramamtically. Misao was doing her best to hold in the laughter threatening to escape her throat. If there was anything funnier then an angry Kaoru, it was an embarassed Kaoru.

"I knew it! I figured something happened when you didn't come home after Tae's birthday party. You guys were so drunk..." Miaso laughed wildly at Kaoru's tomato-colored face. Where as a camera when you need one.

"We wern't drunk!" Misao laughed again.

"So then I guess you can tell me ALL the details since you guys were 'sober'..." Kaoru's blushed deepened even further and Misao could barely surpress the giggles escaping her mouth. She continued to prod her friend into spilling, Kaoru eventually spilling the details. The two woman continued to giggle as she told the story, which somehow involved some alcohol and a collapsing couch. They were so caught up in the story they didn't even notice the stares they recieved. Eventually the conversation turned.

"Now that guy I fought with at STI, he was hot! He was a real man, unlike your Himura", Misao leaned back as Kaoru fumed again at her comment.

"Really? Do tell." Misao closed her eyes and tried to remember that hunk of a man.

"Well, I was running out the doors, but all the sudden, I rammed into this guy. And he was absolutely gorgeous! Tall, with jet hair that fell in front of his eyes. Oh and I saw his eyes, they were this icy blue color that looked like they could freeze." Misao paused momentarily to imagine his dreamy eyes again. "And he had a great physique too, you could tell by the way he fought. He damn near beat me too, but his suit was constricting him."

Kaoru's eyes widened as she watched Misao rant on about this 'mystery guy'. Usually her partner didn't melt over guys, but now Misao was like butter on a hot knife. Kaoru pointed this out and laughed when Misao blushed and defended herself.

Eventually, the two ladies were pulling on their black leather jackets, with matching scarves, and gloves. Both faces were tinged pink from laughing so much, even more giggles randomly escaped their throats from time to time. But as they moved to leave, something caught Misao's eye.

"What's wrong Misao?" Kaoru paused on her way to the door, seeing her friend was still standing by the table. She followed Misao's gaze, which was on the person sitting in the corner table. You couldn't see their face, as it was covered by a large newspaper. But it was obviously a male, judging by the long muscled legs and broad chest.

Misao continued to stare at the stranger. Something about him was all too strange, and Misao didn't like the vibe she was getting from him. And she could have sworn she had saw something behind the newspaper, almost like...a burst of light or...

"Earth to Makamchi Misao? Come in Misao!"

Or maybe it was just nothing.

Misao tore her ocean-colored eyes from the man in corner. Shrugging at Kao's questioning gaze, she brushed off the uneasy feeling. The two woman walked outside, oblivious to the eyes that followed them as their figures vanished into the cold winter snow.

As the doorbell chimed, the newspaper was set down. A large hand came up and cupped his chin, a cocky smile appearing on his tanned face. He tossed around what he had learned in his head, knowing the value of the information he held. His lips moved descretly, testing out the name he had added to his memory.

"Misao...Makamachi Misao."

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It was official, winter was upon the city of Kyoto. Through the blistering winds and thick snows, you could see the people bundled in warm jackets and scarfs. The snowplows made rounds multiple times a day and children anticipated snow days as December was just around the corner. The shops were already preparing for Christmas as Thanksgiving had just passed, and it seemed everyone had a festive spice about them.

But as always, for every happy Cratchet family, there is a Scrooge.

The crowds parted a path as expensive black boots walked the sidewalks. The shoes were made only of the finest leather, as was every other piece of clothing on this person's body. His beige trench coat lashed in the wind, that being the only tint of color on his body. Everything else was black, as always.

Shinomori-san was not happy. The man hated holidays, as he found it just an excuse for lazy slackers to skip out on work. As the break between Christmas Eve and New Year drew closer, he squeezed every work hour to the last drop, demanding almost double the usual labor from his employees. He had never heard of the 'Christmas bonus', and charities no longer came knocking at his door. All in all, the 'Ice Block' nic-name wasn't a bit out of reason.

But this season, Aoshi had another thing on his mind besides the holidays. Ever since that one night, his usual demeanor had turned, if possible, more cold and withdrawn. Ever since the night he had been left flat on his back on the floor of the company building, he could not rid himself of the frustration. His training dummings were proof of that, their wood and straw bodies skewered in many places by various weapons.

God damn that woman. And God damn the police for being such failures. The squad had not been able to find a single piece of evidence. He had even hired a personal investigator, Saitoh Hajime, the best in the city. But nothing came up. He had given a good description of her appearance, but it could take weeks, maybe even months to find a match among the millions of people in Japan.

And so the buisness man was walking down Main Street, his step powerful, demanding respect and recognition. If a random child brushed against him, he shot a glare and walked on. He was wearing one of his many Brooks Brothers suit, black shirt and tie. In his gloved hand, Aoshi clutched a black cane with silver ebroided into the fabric. Not many people knew it, but within the stick lie his double kodachi. Aoshi had many enemies, and he would not make himself vulnerable.

Aoshi paused as he reached the intersection between Main St. and Park Avenue. His expensive heel tapped impatiently as he waited for the walk signal to change. His eyes flicked around aimlessly, watching the people around him. Tall and stout, large and thin, beauty or beast, it didn't matter to Aoshi, all he saw was a mass of people in his way. The crowd pushed along as the light changed, allowing them to cross. Aoshi walked with them, his eyes focused on his destination. And then, for a brief moment, he looked down as he felt something stir in his pocket. His long fingers pulled out a black cell phone, a tone emitting from it. Aoshi pressed his ear to it, a deep voice speaking before he could utter a word.

"I found her."

Aoshi's step faltered, causing him to knock into the woman in front of him. She turned to look at him, but Aoshi meerly walked briskly pass her, not apologizing.

"Where?" Aoshi asked urgently.

"She and a friend just left Shizuki's Cafe on 21st Street. That's where I am now", the voice spoke. It was obviously male, the baritone of it leaving no room for anything but buisness.

"I'll be there in 5", Aoshi said back. His arm already raised to hail a taxi. There was no response form the other end, just a click signaling the lines had been disconnected. He muttered a curse about rudeness as he stepped into the taxi that had pulled over.

"Shizuki's Cafe, 21st Street." The cab driver nodded and tried to start up a conversation, but Aoshi never responded. The scruffy man in front eventually gave up on talking to his brooding customer, sending the car into a silence. A few minutes later, they reached a small buliding with the words 'Shizuki's' written in multi-shaped letters. Aoshi payed the driver and the cab sped off while Aoshi walked into the cafe, anticipation written on his face.

The cafe was small, but cozy. A bar was along the north side with stools made of chestnut under it's surface. The rest of the room contained sets of small tables and chairs, a fireplace, and many cheery people. A jazzy tune played from hidden speakers, reminding you of good times. Without ordering anything, Aoshi made his way to the corner table where his accomplice was waiting. He sat into the wood chair, staring into cool eyes.

"Saitoh."

"Shinomori."

Hajime Saitoh was a man of few words, his cold exterior tinged with a predetory aura. He was tall and thin, with muscle lining most of his body. His broad chest was covered by a black shirt and jacket, black jeans over his legs. His face was narrow, with slits for eyes, revealing the tiniest amount of gold irises. Three black bangs fell over his forehead while the rest was slicked back. Saitoh's posture was relaxed, comfortable, confident. He gave off the impression that he knew something you didn't. And in this case, it was quite appropriate.

Aoshi nodded for him to begin. At his signal, Saitoh took out a photograph. It was a young woman with long ebony hair in a tight braid. She was quite beautiful with ivory skin and youthful features, but the thing that stuck out the most were her glowing ocean-blue eyes.

"Her name is..."

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"MISAO!!!!!!" Kaoru's voice echoed through the apartment loud enough to alert her friend, even though her headphones were blaring. Misao turned to watch her wave as she walked out the door, her arm linked with that of a red-haired man. She quickly set down her headphones and watched them walk down the hallway. An evil grin appeared on her face.

"Hey Himura!" she shouted. Violet eyes turned to look at her as Misao ran down the hallway. She put something in the pocket of his dinner jacket. Before he could pull it out, she scampered back to the apartment and slammed the door. Himura took out the 'thing' and looked into his hand at the circular object.

Misao could hear the shout of her name from an irritated Kaoru. She really wasn't expeccting her friend back tonight, and the best she could do for the couple was offer some protection. Misao giggled evily and went back to her room.

A few hours later, Misao was walking out of her bathroom in a dark blue bathrobe. Steam from her bath rushed out, clouding the room momentarily. She pulled on a t-shirt and sunk onto her silk sheets, not bothering to clean up her room. She felt oddly tired for someone so genki. Her finger had just touched the lamp switch when the phone rang.

"Uhhhhhh..." Misao got out of bed and walked groggily to the phone, ready to give whoever it was a tongue lashing about calling so late. But as soon as she picked up the telephone, someone spoke before she could. The tone was so deep, so masculine that Misao shuddered and was left breathless for a moment. It wasn't until they spoke again was she able to comprehend what they were saying.

"Good evening, Misao. I do hope you remember me."

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Ugh, I hated that ending, but I wanted to post something to make you guys happy. So tell me what you think in a nice little review. Otherwise, I'll just work on some other stuff.

much luv
Sephiress