Disclaimer: page 1

Chapter 9:

"So do you think you can get in?" Tatsuha looked at the scrawny man next to him. Krishna was one of the best hackers around on campus! "All I want you to find out for me is when Tim Rogers checked in. I also want to know if he left the plane anytime after checking in. can you give me the information you find ASAP. I also want one last thing, where he was sitting and how much of the plane got damaged…"

Krishna nodded. "But why do you want all this Tatsuha? You know if we get caught, then we're in big trouble! Its all classified information….you want me to hack into the Japan Airlines records as well s the police files. What's going on?"

Tatsuha looked at him for a while. "Krishna I can't tell you. If we get caught you'll be telling the truth when you say you don't know. But if you get this it'll clear up a lot of things. Please find it for me."

Krishna sighed. He and Tatsuha had been friend since they got here. He wondered why it was so important it dismissed it all the same. "Fine. You'll have it by tomorrow if I can find anything at all."

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Aiko munched on her sandwich thinking. She couldn't forget the way Tatsuha's kiss felt. He'd just hurried out after letting her go. He didn't turn back or say anything. She was very confused, now how was she supposed to be when he was around? Should she pretend nothing happened or should she ask him what was going on? No… she had realized he was in love with her…she didn't want to believe it. Tatsuha didn't deserve someone like her. She also realized she'd found the other part of his alcohol issues. He deserved better. She wondered how much he loved Ryuichi. Wait more importantly…did she love him?

"Hey Ai! What's up? You look all broody." Tatsuha walked up to her a big smile on his face. She smiled back deciding to follow his lead; she wouldn't mention it unless he did.

She smiled. "I was just thinking. So what have you been doing anyway? I did come down in the morning but you weren't there. Anyway I've got some news for you. I need you to help me find an apartment. I think I'd better live in the city. I'm in my sixth month now and when I'm at its end I'll have to move closer to the city." Tatsuha nodded. Then he smiled.

"I'll ask Shuichi and Tohma. We could room together. Don't interrupt! If you think I'm, going to leave my best friend to take care of herself you're wrong. Shuichi would offer to let you stay with him and Yuki…but I doubt that's what you want to do."

She had to agree to that. She smiled back at him, into his dark eyes and felt a wave of warmth…and a tinge of guilt as her eyes passed over his almost healed nose. "Your nose is healing nicely. So shall we go house hunting tonight? And please lets call a cab…I love you motorbike, but I don't think I'd be comfortable."

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Shuichi and Tohma gave them four or five apartments to look at. Tohma also sent a car so they could cut on cab fare. Some of them were above their budget, but at last they found a nice one close to Shuichi's house. It was small, two bed roomed, the living room had big French windows and the kitchen had all the modern essentials. Plus it came furnished!

Tatsuha looked around and slipped into one of the bedrooms. Aiko inspected the kitchen when she heard a shout from Tatsuha. "What?"

"I said this is going to be my bedroom! It is so me! Come here!"

Aiko followed him and looked at the room. It was smaller than the other one, but it was pleasant. She smiled and glanced at Tatsuha. "So…are you going to decorate it with Sakuma Ryuichi?" she regretted saying that the moment his face fell. "I'm sorry, I didn't think about what I was saying…"

Tatsuha grinned. "You're absolutely right! My god Sakuma Ryuichi is going adorn the walls of this fine room, it will be my personal shrine! Hey just cause we're only friends now doesn't mean I don't admire him for his music…I'm still the fan boy at heart!"

She looked at him blankly for a minute before she burst out laughing. "You're always a kid! When are you going to grow up baka?"

"When its time to. So let's go get some food."

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they ate at a small diner. Then they decided to walk a while. Tatsuha glanced in at the bar as they passed, he really wanted a drink. Yuriko smiled at him and waved. He bit his lip and turned to find Aiko looking at him. she saw the slightly pleading look in his eye and motioned for him wait outside. A muted conversation with Yuriko and then she came out with a bottle of beer.

She walked a little while before handing him the bottle. "Here…I think it's unfair of me to expect you to give it up all at once. Maybe if stop slowly it'll be better." He stared at her, wanting to please her by not drinking it. he was grateful she'd understood, but he wondered if he could stop at one bottle. They were in the park now.

She smiled and slipped her hand into his and led him to a bench. "Finish up, you really didn't think I'd let you take it to your room? Finish here, then I'll distract you for awhile. Then I'll check your room for other alcohol if you don't mind." He gave in and opened the bottle. He drank it alternating between gulps and sips aware of Aiko watching him all the while.

Then they took Tohma's car up to Aiko's place. Tatsuha promised her he didn't have a stash of hidden away alcohol. Then he got dropped off at his room and sent the driver back to Tohma. The moment he reached the door, his phone rang. It was Krishna. "Tatsuha, I think you'd better come here first thing in the morning! You don't want to delay this any longer."

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Tatsuha jogged up to Krishna's dorm in the morning. The man opened the door looking worried. He yanked Tatsuha inside and shut the door quickly. "Ok…here goes." He typed quickly and brought up the files. He opened one of them and looked at Tatsuha.

"Tim did get on the plane. He checked in at eleven thirty and nothing shows that he got of the plane. The plane was due to leave ten minutes after…but the airline didn't record anyone leaving…he could have left if there had been a phone call or something…that was urgent. Yes so as the police must have seen it, it is probable that he died in the crash except for one thing…it was the front half of the plane that was damaged. Tim was seated right at the back…most of which remained intact. There were a lot of survivors in this crash…most from the back of the plane."

"So unless Tim had gone to the front of the plane for anything at all…he would have had to be alive! So what do you think? It seems a little fishy to me…you mind filling me in?" Krishna looked at his friend questioningly.

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A/N: ok so the plots unraveling now. Don't you wonder how Tatsuha will solve this?

Taka