Click to Enter Chapter Four
www.kendoweb.net\kaoru\news&updates
Entry 12-10-2034
My penchant for gaming has finally taken advantage of me. Friends, I am seeking a gamer, a newbie from ToM. If you have the name and plugport number of the red-headed wanderer from yesterday then give me a yell. I'll be hanging around the dojo as normal. Catch me between five and ten PM game time and I'll be able to show you some new moves.
Ice Eyes: Find Itachi-Musume and bring her to me. I noticed that she was Online the other day and DID NOT come say hi. She deserves punishment for that. I also have a good line for you on that tank you've been wanting. Come see me.
Itachi-Musume: You're about three eye blinks away from having your character deleted. COME SEE ME NOW!! We have things to talk about. I need your help finding someone and I think you're going to be just the person for this little hide and seek job. The player we talked about the other day has resurfaced under a new ID. He's a smiling con job. Get Online NOW!!
Now on to the daily/weekly/monthly matterings of my life. I, (see first paragraph), have given into what most of us hardcore Onliners normally sneer at and am disgusted at myself. Then I take a step back and think. It is really so bad to actually want to MEET one of the people you've met and talked with while Online? Is it really so low to want to see if they're as nice in reality as they are in the game, and believe you me, if he's as nice in reality as he is in the game I will take him in a heartbeat.
This occurrence brings to the fore of my thoughts a very delicate subject that we seem to have been able to avoid, misplace, and generally ignore. This is the tiresome and weighty subject of your Online self versus your real self, and how far is too far. It's that time of year again, folks. The discussion will be held at the Maekawa Dojo in ToM. What can we, as the founders of the Online community do to make sure that we're all 'keepin it real'. Check at the Dojo for discussion time.
Till next time, and keep your eyes peeled for my red-headed wanderer. This is Shinhandai. Over and out.
* ********************************
Soujiro continued smiling as he handed the printed page back to Houji. "So, they're on to us."
"Yes, they are. This 'Shihandai' is a power in the Online. She needs to be taken out." Houji grimaced as he crumpled the page and threw it into the trashcan. "How did she come to suspect us? Is this just a game thing and I'm overreacting? No! She's got your image down perfectly." Houji stopped his grumblings to look up at the young assassin. "Do you even have to smile in the game?"
"But Houji," Soujiro answered. " There's just so much to smile about right now. Soon all of Shishio-sama's enemies will be gone and he will be free to take over whatever he wants. We will finally be able to bring order to this chaotic world."
Houji nodded in agreement. "Yes, Shishio's power will rule them all soon, but we need to take out this Shihandai girl first. See to it, tonight!"
Soujiro grinned wider and gripped the hilt of his ever present sword. "I think I know where to begin looking for her." He pivoted and left the room.
"Yes, yes. I'm sorry, Kaoru. Really I am. I was training some newbies. It's about that new case I told you about. I really am sorry. You know I would have stopped by to see you if I'd had the time, but we still don't have that tank yet. Mmhmm.. I'll clue the director in on that. He might be interested. WHAT? Well, yeah I read your update, but all you said was a smili.... now wait Kaoru.. no really... Yes, I can help you. You know I'm never too busy to...Of course. Yes. It does make sense. We'll have to look into it. My new agent friends might have a bit of insight to this. Mmmhmm.. maybe we should all meet. Where? No, Online is probably not a good idea just yet. Your place? What about food? Or maybe even goign out for drinks? Oh, you're Online... WAIT!! You're calling me on a phone and Onl....... So that's the new stuff you were working on. Mmhmm.. yeah, well you sound as clear as a pin dropping. OK. I'll see about driving them over. Just two. Male. One tall brunette and one short red head. No, I'm not bringing him. He'll just sit and be quiet. You know how that annoys me to no end. Of course. Yes, I'll make sure he shows next time. From here? Well, maybe thirty minutes? No, it shouldn't be longer than that. You're still considered on the edge of town instead of being trapped downtown like us. We'll be there. Make sure Megumi makes something, or orders something. Oh? She's not there? Got a hot date? No? A hot check? from those JP people? Oh, so she's all nighting it with the accountant, huh? Poor thing. OK. We'll be there soon. See you in a bit, Kaoru.
Misao hung up the phone and blinked at the two men who were staring at her. "What?! I can't have a phone call sent to your office? You have a problem with my spit on your telephone?"
Kenshin blinked then smiled. "Misao, you spoke to your friend with such a note of respect in your voice that I was surprised. In the two days I've known you I've never heard you speak that way to anyone, not even Mr. Shinomori."
Misao blushed. "Well, you're about to find out why I speak to Kaoru that way. She wants us to meet at her place. It seems that there are some things she's been concerned about lately that just might pertain to our case. She promised to provide the drinks."
Sano's head popped up and his eyes brightened. "Drinks?"
"Yes, and you're going to be our designated driver, Tori-Atama." SHe frowned as she watched Kenshin's head suddenly swivel back in forth as his eyes widened in fear.
"My name is Zanza," Sano insisted while ignoring Kenshin.
Misao laughed. "You sound just like I did when everyone kept calling me Itachi-Musume. I kept wanting them all to call me Okashira, but my friends just thought it was too funny. So Itachi-Musume I am. Give it up Sano, your Online identity is too easily changed." She twirled her braid around her fingers and opened the door. "Get your things, boys. Himura, I've decided to let you drive." She had already stepped out of the office or she would have seen Sano's look of abject fear and Kenshin's smug grin as they followed her out.
* *********************
Kaoru sighed as she raised her face to the sunny sky and then filled its blue depths with dark boiling rain clouds. She smiled softly as the heavy drops adroitly avoided her even without an umbrella then looked to her left to see a flowering bush suddenly bloom with neon green pansies. "This is becoming altogether too easy now." She continued walking around her small construct world causing odd things to happen; slightly amazed at the quickness she was able to affect the program while still rather bored with what she was doing.
She had just begun to seriously meditate on a new program when the sky flashed a warning red. Immediately she was suspended in space surrounded by many different viewing screens that began to circle her. Some of them showed continuously running lines of code, some of them showed the interior of her house. She reached out a finger to touch the one image that had red lights around it's edges. The screen stopped and enlarged itself so she could fully see its contents. At first the image of the front of her house seemed normal until she noticed just slightly too much shadow around the front door. Somebody had entered the house and not known the security code. She touched the corner of the image and it shrunk and began circling after resuming its place.
Kaoru reached out her hands with her fingers splayed wide. With mere flicks of her fingers the screens began jumping in front of her as if eager to show off their images. Kitchen, bathroom, Megumi's office. She scrolled through them all looking for signs of movement. She was about ready to unplug and physically search the house herself when she found him. The last screen, the one room she thought he never would have been able to make it into without her knowing. He was standing in front of her, the real her suspended in a support tank so her mind was free to roam the Online. Her eyes widened then narrowed in thought.
"I know you're there," she told him through her computer speakers. "I can see you, my friends can see you. The entire world is about to know who you are." Kaoru kept herself calm as she watched the young boy smile. "The tank you see in front of you is made from near impenetrable material. By the time you can get to me help will already be on the way." Kaoru could almost feel her Online self sweat as she began to truly test her skills. While continuing to focus on the boy in front of her she began dialing Misao's cell phone in while activating the computer rooms defenses. She was concentrating so hard on the connection she almost missed the whispered words as well as the hiss of cold steel being unsheathed.
"Almost impenetrable is not good enough." Soujiro posed then did a short skipping jump.
Misao stared oddly at her cell phone after saying hello into it several times. "Well, the ID said it was Kaoru, but she must have gotten disconnected."
Kenshin looked sideways at Misao. "Bad phone service? From what you've told us of her it seems like she would have a better service."
Misao ignored him as she continued to stare at her cell phone. "You're right. She does have better service." She was quiet for a moment. "And she's not calling back."
Kenshin's foot was pressing into the gas pedal even before Misao turned to ask him.
To Be Continued.... SOON!
* AUTHOR'S GREATLY BELATED NOTES Well, you all have my sister to thank for this and the next several updates. I tried writing the fourth chapter over and over and it just didn't work. Then recently my sis and I were exchanging emails.. she mentioned that she had finally read my modern day K&K with the computers. I mentioned to her the problems I'd been having with how to have Kenshin and Kaoru meet. She replied to me with the perfect solution. Vesca, she said.. Kenshin always saves Kaoru... just get her into trouble and have him save her. And then just like a mallet I was flattened by the perfect solution and some urgently needed friction within the story. So there you have it and hopefully soon you'll have yet another update.
Disclaimer: I do not own Kenshin. But I will bid on him if he ever shows up on ebay.
www.kendoweb.net\kaoru\news&updates
Entry 12-10-2034
My penchant for gaming has finally taken advantage of me. Friends, I am seeking a gamer, a newbie from ToM. If you have the name and plugport number of the red-headed wanderer from yesterday then give me a yell. I'll be hanging around the dojo as normal. Catch me between five and ten PM game time and I'll be able to show you some new moves.
Ice Eyes: Find Itachi-Musume and bring her to me. I noticed that she was Online the other day and DID NOT come say hi. She deserves punishment for that. I also have a good line for you on that tank you've been wanting. Come see me.
Itachi-Musume: You're about three eye blinks away from having your character deleted. COME SEE ME NOW!! We have things to talk about. I need your help finding someone and I think you're going to be just the person for this little hide and seek job. The player we talked about the other day has resurfaced under a new ID. He's a smiling con job. Get Online NOW!!
Now on to the daily/weekly/monthly matterings of my life. I, (see first paragraph), have given into what most of us hardcore Onliners normally sneer at and am disgusted at myself. Then I take a step back and think. It is really so bad to actually want to MEET one of the people you've met and talked with while Online? Is it really so low to want to see if they're as nice in reality as they are in the game, and believe you me, if he's as nice in reality as he is in the game I will take him in a heartbeat.
This occurrence brings to the fore of my thoughts a very delicate subject that we seem to have been able to avoid, misplace, and generally ignore. This is the tiresome and weighty subject of your Online self versus your real self, and how far is too far. It's that time of year again, folks. The discussion will be held at the Maekawa Dojo in ToM. What can we, as the founders of the Online community do to make sure that we're all 'keepin it real'. Check at the Dojo for discussion time.
Till next time, and keep your eyes peeled for my red-headed wanderer. This is Shinhandai. Over and out.
* ********************************
Soujiro continued smiling as he handed the printed page back to Houji. "So, they're on to us."
"Yes, they are. This 'Shihandai' is a power in the Online. She needs to be taken out." Houji grimaced as he crumpled the page and threw it into the trashcan. "How did she come to suspect us? Is this just a game thing and I'm overreacting? No! She's got your image down perfectly." Houji stopped his grumblings to look up at the young assassin. "Do you even have to smile in the game?"
"But Houji," Soujiro answered. " There's just so much to smile about right now. Soon all of Shishio-sama's enemies will be gone and he will be free to take over whatever he wants. We will finally be able to bring order to this chaotic world."
Houji nodded in agreement. "Yes, Shishio's power will rule them all soon, but we need to take out this Shihandai girl first. See to it, tonight!"
Soujiro grinned wider and gripped the hilt of his ever present sword. "I think I know where to begin looking for her." He pivoted and left the room.
"Yes, yes. I'm sorry, Kaoru. Really I am. I was training some newbies. It's about that new case I told you about. I really am sorry. You know I would have stopped by to see you if I'd had the time, but we still don't have that tank yet. Mmhmm.. I'll clue the director in on that. He might be interested. WHAT? Well, yeah I read your update, but all you said was a smili.... now wait Kaoru.. no really... Yes, I can help you. You know I'm never too busy to...Of course. Yes. It does make sense. We'll have to look into it. My new agent friends might have a bit of insight to this. Mmmhmm.. maybe we should all meet. Where? No, Online is probably not a good idea just yet. Your place? What about food? Or maybe even goign out for drinks? Oh, you're Online... WAIT!! You're calling me on a phone and Onl....... So that's the new stuff you were working on. Mmhmm.. yeah, well you sound as clear as a pin dropping. OK. I'll see about driving them over. Just two. Male. One tall brunette and one short red head. No, I'm not bringing him. He'll just sit and be quiet. You know how that annoys me to no end. Of course. Yes, I'll make sure he shows next time. From here? Well, maybe thirty minutes? No, it shouldn't be longer than that. You're still considered on the edge of town instead of being trapped downtown like us. We'll be there. Make sure Megumi makes something, or orders something. Oh? She's not there? Got a hot date? No? A hot check? from those JP people? Oh, so she's all nighting it with the accountant, huh? Poor thing. OK. We'll be there soon. See you in a bit, Kaoru.
Misao hung up the phone and blinked at the two men who were staring at her. "What?! I can't have a phone call sent to your office? You have a problem with my spit on your telephone?"
Kenshin blinked then smiled. "Misao, you spoke to your friend with such a note of respect in your voice that I was surprised. In the two days I've known you I've never heard you speak that way to anyone, not even Mr. Shinomori."
Misao blushed. "Well, you're about to find out why I speak to Kaoru that way. She wants us to meet at her place. It seems that there are some things she's been concerned about lately that just might pertain to our case. She promised to provide the drinks."
Sano's head popped up and his eyes brightened. "Drinks?"
"Yes, and you're going to be our designated driver, Tori-Atama." SHe frowned as she watched Kenshin's head suddenly swivel back in forth as his eyes widened in fear.
"My name is Zanza," Sano insisted while ignoring Kenshin.
Misao laughed. "You sound just like I did when everyone kept calling me Itachi-Musume. I kept wanting them all to call me Okashira, but my friends just thought it was too funny. So Itachi-Musume I am. Give it up Sano, your Online identity is too easily changed." She twirled her braid around her fingers and opened the door. "Get your things, boys. Himura, I've decided to let you drive." She had already stepped out of the office or she would have seen Sano's look of abject fear and Kenshin's smug grin as they followed her out.
* *********************
Kaoru sighed as she raised her face to the sunny sky and then filled its blue depths with dark boiling rain clouds. She smiled softly as the heavy drops adroitly avoided her even without an umbrella then looked to her left to see a flowering bush suddenly bloom with neon green pansies. "This is becoming altogether too easy now." She continued walking around her small construct world causing odd things to happen; slightly amazed at the quickness she was able to affect the program while still rather bored with what she was doing.
She had just begun to seriously meditate on a new program when the sky flashed a warning red. Immediately she was suspended in space surrounded by many different viewing screens that began to circle her. Some of them showed continuously running lines of code, some of them showed the interior of her house. She reached out a finger to touch the one image that had red lights around it's edges. The screen stopped and enlarged itself so she could fully see its contents. At first the image of the front of her house seemed normal until she noticed just slightly too much shadow around the front door. Somebody had entered the house and not known the security code. She touched the corner of the image and it shrunk and began circling after resuming its place.
Kaoru reached out her hands with her fingers splayed wide. With mere flicks of her fingers the screens began jumping in front of her as if eager to show off their images. Kitchen, bathroom, Megumi's office. She scrolled through them all looking for signs of movement. She was about ready to unplug and physically search the house herself when she found him. The last screen, the one room she thought he never would have been able to make it into without her knowing. He was standing in front of her, the real her suspended in a support tank so her mind was free to roam the Online. Her eyes widened then narrowed in thought.
"I know you're there," she told him through her computer speakers. "I can see you, my friends can see you. The entire world is about to know who you are." Kaoru kept herself calm as she watched the young boy smile. "The tank you see in front of you is made from near impenetrable material. By the time you can get to me help will already be on the way." Kaoru could almost feel her Online self sweat as she began to truly test her skills. While continuing to focus on the boy in front of her she began dialing Misao's cell phone in while activating the computer rooms defenses. She was concentrating so hard on the connection she almost missed the whispered words as well as the hiss of cold steel being unsheathed.
"Almost impenetrable is not good enough." Soujiro posed then did a short skipping jump.
Misao stared oddly at her cell phone after saying hello into it several times. "Well, the ID said it was Kaoru, but she must have gotten disconnected."
Kenshin looked sideways at Misao. "Bad phone service? From what you've told us of her it seems like she would have a better service."
Misao ignored him as she continued to stare at her cell phone. "You're right. She does have better service." She was quiet for a moment. "And she's not calling back."
Kenshin's foot was pressing into the gas pedal even before Misao turned to ask him.
To Be Continued.... SOON!
* AUTHOR'S GREATLY BELATED NOTES Well, you all have my sister to thank for this and the next several updates. I tried writing the fourth chapter over and over and it just didn't work. Then recently my sis and I were exchanging emails.. she mentioned that she had finally read my modern day K&K with the computers. I mentioned to her the problems I'd been having with how to have Kenshin and Kaoru meet. She replied to me with the perfect solution. Vesca, she said.. Kenshin always saves Kaoru... just get her into trouble and have him save her. And then just like a mallet I was flattened by the perfect solution and some urgently needed friction within the story. So there you have it and hopefully soon you'll have yet another update.
Disclaimer: I do not own Kenshin. But I will bid on him if he ever shows up on ebay.