Well, here's the next chapter. It's actually part of a giant chapter. I split into two parts, and I'll try to post the second part as soon as I can. That's why it may seem a little short.. Thanks to all who reviewed. When I read what you've written, it really makes me want to continue this story, and write as fast as I can. That's all I have to say.

Disclaimer: I don't own RK

" = speech

` = thoughts

Last Chapter:

"Hello Lord Shishio. This is Soujiro."

~What's the news? Have you seen Kamiya?~

"Yes, I have met with Kamiya. In fact, I'm taking her out to dinner tonight."

~Perfect. You know what to do.~

"Yessir. I'll get her to talk."

~Good.~

"Okay sir. I'll come after our date tonight. Bye."

Chapter 4: The Mission, Part One

Soujiro arrived at Shishio's building angry and wet. His boss was not going to be happy. A man appeared and motioned for him to follow, "Mr. Shishio expects you." Soujiro walked into Shishio's office and sat down. There was silence for a few minutes.

"I take it you were unsuccessful Soujiro."

"Yes Lord Shishio," Soujiro said, bowing his head down, "I forgot how Kamiya acts when she's had to much to drink."

"How foolish of you Soujiro. I expected better out of you."

I know sir."

"Never mind, and go get some sleep," Shishio said, "I have an assignment for you. And it's very important."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kaoru woke up the next morning and found herself alone on the couch. Last night she had fallen asleep in Kenshin's arms, but now he was gone. Kaoru sighed in relief, glad. It would have been awkward waking up in his arms again. Taking in a deep breath, she smelt something being cooked. She began to stand, but instantly felt a sharp pain in her forehead, a headache. She fell backwards onto the couch.

"You shouldn't try to stand Kaoru. I take it your feeling the effects of what you did last night."

Kaoru looked up to see Kenshin standing there, holding a tray with breakfast. He sat next to her on the couch, and handed her the tray.

"Thanks Kenshin."

"Don't mention it. So, how was your date with Soujiro last night, if you don't mind me asking?" Kenshin said.

"Well, I don't remember much after our dinner arrived. Sou and I had a little too much to drink," Kaoru said.

"And does this usually happen often?"

"No. Last night we just got carried away. I was so happy to se Sou again," Kaoru replied. A few seconds later, she grabbed her forehead, in pain.

"Might I suggest some pain killers?" a voice said. They both looked at the doorway, and saw Saitoh standing there, a bottle in his hands.

"Oh.thanks," Kaoru said as she took the bottle.

"Hurry up and take them. Hiko wants to see both of you upstairs."

Kaoru swallowed the pill and began to stand up. Her head still hurt, and now she began to feel dizzy. She hoped the relief would come soon. Kaoru felt herself begin to fall back, but she was grabbed by Kenshin.

"Thanks."

"Dizzy?"

"Yes."

"Come on. I'll carry you."

"No it's okay Kenshin, I'll jus-"

Kaoru stopped talking as Kenshin swept her up bridal style, and went upstairs to see Hiko. Kenshin arrived at the office, and opened the door. He stepped inside, and almost dropped Kaoru when he saw Hiko. There his uncle sat, with at least ten empty sake bottles on the desk. Typical Uncle'.

"It's about time you got here," Hiko said, "Hey, what's wrong with the girl?"

Kenshin looked down at Kaoru, and saw that she now seemed to be half asleep, "Well, she is feeling some effects from last night, and she just took some pain killers."

"Well get her moving, we have a simulation to run."

"You mean.?"

"Yes, you have an upcoming mission."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kenshin heard the doorbell ring as he was carrying Kaoru to her room. Figuring Saitoh would get it, he continued on carrying Kaoru. As he was about to enter her room, the bell rang again.

"Baka Deishi, answer the door!"

Sighing, he took Kaoru downstairs, placed the drowsy girl on the couch, and answered the door. It was Sano.

"Hi Sano. Coming in I presume?" Kenshin said, stepping back to allow Sano in.

"Of course Kenshin. Guess whatI won some money least night. I think my luck is changing," Sano said grinning, "Hey, where's Jou-chan."

"On the couch, and out of it. Know a good way to wake her up? Hiko wants us to train for an upcoming mission," Kenshin replied, as he led Sano to her.

Kaoru lay on the couch, sound asleep. Her mouth was open, and one of her arms was dangling off the side of the couch.

"Jeez.she really is out of it Kenshin. Hey! I have the perfect way. I'll be right back," Sano said as he took off up the stairs. Two minutes later he came back down and picked up Kaoru, "Come on, I'll show you a fool proof way."

Kenshin followed Sano up the stairs and into Kaoru's room. They then proceeded into her bathroom where Sano had filled the tub with water. Cold water to be exact.

"Sano," Kenshin began, "I don't think that is a good idea.."

But it was too late. Sano threw Kaoru into the tub. There was a large splash as she went under. Kaoru jumped out of the water moments later, and began turning red with anger.

"Oh shit," was all Sano had to say.

Kaoru glared at the boys, and they just stood there looking at her. She looked down, and saw she was wearing white, which was now wet, and clinging to her body.

"HENTAI!!!"

The word echoed through the house, and Hiko sighed. Is it going to be like this every day? At least she's awake.' Saitoh, who was cooking his breakfast, put down his spatula, and went upstairs to see what the commotion was all about. When he got to Kaoru's room, he found the bathroom door closed, and two severely beat boys with giant red slap marks across their faces. Ha! Serves them right.'

"Alright. Both of you out. Sano if you can't behave, go home."

"Hey Saitoh, you wouldn't happen to be making breakfast now?' Sano asked.

"Yes I am. Why does it matter?" Saitoh said getting irritated. The freeloader was always asking for food.

"Because something smells like it's burning, and there's a nice little cloud of smoke," Sano said.

Saitoh saw the black smoke, and took off toward the kitchen, muttering some words along the way. Sano just stood there laughing.

"I think we should leave the room before Kaoru comes out and decides to actually kill us," Kenshin said.

Sano nodded, and left the room, heading for the kitchen. He was hungry, and wanted some food. Plus, he couldn't wait to see what kind of mess Saitoh had made.

Kaoru stood in the bathroom, still in wet clothes, wrapped in a towel. She was going to kill those boys, especially Sano. It was mainly his fault. Hoping that hey had both left in fear of her wrath, she stripped down, and wrapped a dry towel around her body, and one around her wet hair. She slowly opened the door and peeked out. Good. No one was in her room, and the door was even closed. She went to her closet, and grabbed the first outfit she saw, when there was a knock on her door.

"Kaoru?"

"YesKenshin. What do you want?" she said a bit angry.

"Sorry about earlier. Hiko said to put on your thief outfit, we're going to train for tonight. We have a mission."

"Fine."

Kaoru reached into the back of her closet, and pulled out a box. She grabbed the outfit inside, and began to put it on.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kenshin and Sano sat on the couch watching tv.

Sano glanced over at Kenshin, an unsure look in his eyes, "Not that it's my business, but how did Jou-chan get that way this morning?"

"She had too much to drink last night with Soujiro. She was drunk," Kenshin replied.

"Oh," was all Sano had to say, "Hey Kenshin, is it me, or is there something not right about Soujiro?"

"It's not just you Sano. I didn't like the aura and ki that he gave off yesterday. It was weak, but it felt like he was hiding something greater" Kenshin said trailing off.

"Same here. I agree with you," Sano said.

"Agree on what?" a voice behind them asked.

They both turned around and saw Kaoru standing there.

"Oh nothing Jou-chan. Just that you take forever to get ready," Sano said smirking.

"I was going to forgive you for earlier," Kaoru said, crossing her arms, "but now I'm not."

"What?!? Oh come on Jou-chan. I was kidding! Please forgive me!" Sano said, with pleading eyes, "Please?"

"Fine, but on one condition."

"Fine Jou-chan. Name it."

"You and Kenshin will take me shopping tomorrow."

"WHAT?!?" Kenshin yelled, "I already apologized. Why do I have to get dragged along into this?"

"I never accepted you apology earlier," Kaoru said smirking, "Deal?"

"But you just got new stuff a while ago." Sano said.

Both boys looked at each other in defeat, "Deal."

"Yay! Now come on, Hiko's waiting for us."

Both Kenshin and Sano followed an unusually cheerful Kaoru, their shoulders slumped down. It was going to be a long day tomorrow.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Soujiro had just fallen into a deep sleep on a couch outside his employer's office, when he heard his name being called, and somebody tapping his shoulder. He slowly sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"Oh good. You're awake Kid. Lord Shishio has something important news to tell you. Then you can go home and get some sleep. You look like you need it."

"Thanks Yumi," Soujiro said, sweeping past the lady, and into Shishio's office.

"You wanted to see me Mr. Shishio?" Soujiro asked as he entered the office.

"Yes Soujiro. Sit. As you probably already know, the world's largest ruby, the Empress Ruby, is going to arrive at the local museum today. It won't be here that long, and I want you to steal it. There will be a little social event before it, so you will have to wait until after it is over. It should be a simple task, so I'll leave it all in your hands."

"Yessir," Soujiro said, as he began to leave.

"Oh, and Soujiro."

"Yes Mr. Shishio?"

"Be careful. Hiko's fools may be there."

"Yessir."

Soujiro exited the building, and jumped in his car, heading home to sleep. He was going to be up late tonight.

"Does Lord Shishio really believe that I can't handle Hiko's stupid thieves? I can take care of them myself. I can handle anything thrown at me," Soujiro said out loud, to no one.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"So you're telling me that we have to steal some ruby?" Kaoru said.

"Yes."

"Is that all? Jeez..I thought it would be something more challenging then that," Kaoru said sighing.

"Don't worry. You'll have some fun. You do get to go to that little social event, and there should be a decent security system on the ruby. Not to mention other thieves," Saitoh said, "Hiko, is that idiot going?"

Saitoh pointed at Sano, who grew angry.

"I'm not an idiot!" Sano yelled, "So am I going?"

"I don't see why you can't help on the mission. It's up to you Sano. Just don't mess it up," Hiko said.

"Alright! We're going to have some fun!" Sano yelled, punching Kenshin on the back. Kenshin, who was not paying attention, landed on the ground, "Sorry Kenshin"

"Enough foolishness. Get you're weapons, and we'll start the simulation."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dark. It was dark. The only light came from the dim spotlight shining sown on a display case. Three figures appeared at the doorway.

"See any cameras?" Kenshin asked, as the y all hid in the shadows.

"Nope," Sano said back.

"There are lasers all over the place. Put on your goggles, and watch your step," Kaoru said, going ahead.

They nodded, and began to move, crawling, jumping, and bending over the numerous lasers. Within 15 minutes, Kaoru reached the case. Kenshin got there soon after. Sanowell, he was stuck between numerous lasers, unable to move another inch.

"Sano, move another inch, and you're hair will set off the alarm," Kenshin said, and then began to laugh, "You always pick the impossible path."

"Hey. Stop laughing at the idiot, and give me a hand. This require two people," Kaoru said.

Kenshin helped her lift the case, and then held it, while Kaoru made the switch. A fake ruby in place of the real one.

"Got it. Now lets-"

"Ah-ah-choo!"

"No Sano! Don't move your head!"

Alarms went off as Sano's hair moved through the laser. They had failed.

Good thing it was just a simulation.

That's all. I know it's a little short, and a little dumb and boring, but it's just setting up the next part. I'm not to fond of this chapter, but it had to be written. Oh well. I'll try and get part two up as soon as possible.

-Les723