-Taiki-

Taiki walked onto the training floor early in the morning, just to find Haruka doing pull ups on the cool down station.

"Did you at least try to sleep?" Taiki sighed.

"I. Am. Fit. As. A. Fiddle. " Haruka said as she made her last couple of pull ups before lifting her legs onto the bar and continuing with her crunches.

"At least pass by Kakyuu today again." Taiki requested.

"Ok" Haruka agreed.

"Did you read my preliminary report on the data that I sent you yesterday?" Taiki asked as he got onto the bike to warm up.

"Yep" Haruka replied curtly.

"And?" Taiki continued to ask.

"It's good" Haruka said reassuringly.

"How is it even remotely good? Miller is a nut job. He thinks he can resurrect the dead with that drug." Taiki asked infuriated.

"Hmm" Haruka agreed as with a nod.

"Haruka, that won't wake up Tomoe-san." Taiki insisted.

"I know" Haruka agreed calmly.

"How can you be so calm about it?" Taiki asked exasperated.

Haruka stopped, did a flip to get off the bar and landed in front of Taiki.

"Look Taiki, the man is desperate to get his wife back. I understand that he wouldn't stop at moving mountains to do that. At the same time, I know he is not reckless enough to try it on her before he hasn't done some trials. He will realise soon enough that it is futile." Haruka said empathetically.

"I am not so sure about that. From what Kakyuu has told me, he has been deteriorating mentally quite rapidly lately." Taiki voiced his doubts.

"Hotaru is staying with Ichiro. There is no safer place than that outside of the tower and maybe the Myamoto estates. The agency has tripled the security since the last time I supervised the redraft of it and Soichi is an adult. He is responsible for his own actions. I had Yaten bug Sayuri's room and machines ages ago. If there is any change with her, we will be the first to know." Haruka informed Taiki as she walked off to the other bike while Taiki moved onto the treadmill.

"By the way. I am driving Kakashi tonight to an event, so don't take any last minute jobs for tonight." Haruka continued.

"I have suspended all new jobs until Kakyuu gives you the green light to work again, anyway." Taiki said evenly.

"Of course you did. I'll go see her later then." Haruka sighed.


-Haruka-

Haruka was driving to Kakashi's apartment. The sun had long set and the air was fresh but still warm. She enjoyed the wind flowing through her hair and relished the thrill of the drive in her Audi on the express way.

As she pulled up in front of Kakashi's place, Kakashi was already standing outside waiting for her.

"Haruka-chan, please tell me you are going to close the roof when we are driving together."

"Aye, aye sir, wouldn't want to ruin your hair" Haruka mocked him and pressed a button in the Audi to close the roof.

Kakashi got into the car and buckled up.

"Excited Haru-chan?" He asked her as she pulled onto the street again.

"Why would I be?" Haruka asked indifferently.

"It has been a while since we hung out together in public" Kakashi noted with enthusiasm.

"That is because you define 'hanging out' with me with me having to work for you" Haruka said dryly.

"You can't tell me this won't be fun" Kakashi chuckled.

"It is just some classical music recital….right?" Haruka asked suspiciously.

"Yes, but you get to see Kaioh-san in action and she is amazing with the violin" Kakashi boasted.

"So you keep saying." Haruka replied unimpressed.

"You'll see. The recital starts at 9:30 and the yacht leaves the port at 9:20, so we are cutting it close" Kakashi said in passing as he relaxed in his seat.

"Why didn't you tell me that earlier?" Haruka accelerated agitated.

"And miss this?" Kakashi laughed as they broke all speed limits on their way to the harbour.

The closer they got to Tokyo bay the more restless Haruka got but she hid it well. Years of experience hardened the mask she wore when she was under pressure or nervous.

They made it with twelve minutes to spare.

"Ready?" Kakashi asked her as she finished parking at the pier.

"Always." Haruka responded curtly.

The moment Kakashi left the car, his cheerful behaviour changed to the usual cold and indifferent demeanour.

Haruka sighed internally, so this was work after all.

"You are dropping me into a shark tank aren't you?" Haruka asked him nonchalantly.

"Yep" Kakashi answered matter-of-factly.

Kakashi walked towards the docked yacht with Haruka right behind him.

"Welcome, Takahashi-sama, Tenoh-sama" both were greeted by bowing members of the crew before they were led to a security check.

After being scanned thoroughly, they boarded the yacht.

"Go and have fun." Kakashi told her on board with an emotionless smile that never reached his eyes.

Haruka knew that that was code for 'watch your back and play nice', so she just nodded with played cheerfulness and each went their own way.

She needed to find the concert room as soon as possible if she didn't want to disrupt the performance. Haruka quickly found it, with almost all tables and seats already taken.

"Tenoh-sama?" A crew member tending the entrance to the performance room asked her as she arrived.

"Yes." Haruka confirmed.

"Please follow me" Another attendant asked her and led her to a table on the upper level balcony with the perfect view over the whole room and the stage, yet still fairly hidden itself.

"What would you like to drink, Tenoh-sama?" The attendant proceeded to ask.

"I will have a Godfather." Haruka requested after having a quick look over the menu and soon was left alone again.

"Not satisfied with the range of whiskeys that we have on offer?" Yumi asked her, suddenly standing behind her.

"I would have thought you would know my taste better than this by now, considering you were the one who requested my presence." Haruka stated evenly as she watched the attractive woman, dressed in a flattering dark green evening dress sitting down on the other side of the table.

"I didn't. I have stopped trying a long time ago, since you only come when you feel like it, anyway." Yumi said unfazed.

"I thought you did a favour for Takahashi-san." Haruka stated evenly.

"Now, you should know me better." Yumi said calmly.

"Indeed" Haruka agreed.

"I was surprised myself when Takahashi-san called yesterday morning to confirm your attendance. I thought we agreed to no meetings in public." Yumi informed Haruka.

'Damn that silver fox.' Haruka thought to herself. "Of course. This is a mere coincidence Myamoto-san" Haruka replied formal and turned towards the stage.

The lights dimmed to indicate the start of the performance.

Haruka saw Michiru enter in a gorgeous long white dress.

Though, merely calling Michiru beautiful, would be a crime in Haruka's opinion. Michiru looked elegant and poised as she moved to the centre of the stage, yet Haruka knew how much wilder Michiru could be if she wanted to be.

She watched her from the shadows greeting her audience with such humble and yet confident manner which just made her look even more perfect in Haruka's mind that it was impossible to look away.


-Michiru-

Michiru started to play her second piece with closed eyes and immersed herself in the melody.

It was a happy tune and she had to think back at the joy she had while riding through Paris with Haruka.

There it was again. The thoughts of the intangible blonde seemed to haunt her that even now she felt like she was being watched by Haruka, by those mysterious teal eyes that hid a universe of its own.

She started to play more avid. Moving onto her third and fourth piece with so much passion, she hadn't felt in a long time.

This was her sanctuary, her music, this was where she found joy and comfort when she needed it. In her music she could explore it all, her hopes, her dreams, her desires and right now she hoped to find release of the desire she harboured for the blonde that visited her even in her dreams.

There was no denying it, she enjoyed being in Haruka's presence, she desired the blonde for more than her carefree nature and irresistible charms, which would make it just so much more difficult to work with her as long the craving lingered. There was only two ways to go about it. To either give in to her carnal desires and count on Haruka's professionalism to be able to proceed afterwards as if nothing had happened or to extinguish this before it got out of hand.

Too soon, she arrived at her final piece and dragged out its last note for all its worth. Once she opened her eyes again and actually focused on another standing ovation that was in front of her, she noticed a tall blonde on the higher balcony standing up and leaving, with a beautiful looking black haired woman following her.


-Kakashi-

Meanwhile, Kakashi was sitting stoically in a large conference room awaiting the final person to arrive. He sat there along with another 25 people from various continents and countries at tables set in a big horse shoe formation.

Finally, a stern looking man entered the room and sat down at the only table that was not taken.

"Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen. Before we start with the procedures, I would like to thank Myamoto-san for this wonderful arrangement for us." He said in a low and even tone.

Katashi Myamoto who was standing in the back of the room just bowed dutifully and the man in sitting at the lone table at the focal point of all attending proceeded.

"For all of you who are new here. I will be conducting the selection process for the next mediator.

Just to clarify the rules one more time:

Each of you are eligible for one entry of your choosing who is not affiliated with your group in any way.

By now you have probably finished reading the list of entries submitted by your fellow attendants. All entries are on board and you are welcome to talk to each of them, as long as you do not reveal the true reason they are here.

You may not, under any circumstances, harm or threaten any rivalling entries.

Anyone breaking any of those rules, disqualifies his or her own entry.

Each of you has three votes he or she may give to any other entry but his or her own, of whom he or she knows their superior would be willing to work with.

Votes that have not been cast by the end of this event are forfeited. Has everyone understood the rules?" The man spoke clearly and with authority.

No one in the room spoke and everyone just nodded to show their understanding of the rules.

"Very well then. Herewith I, Kaioh, Osamu, the current mediator, declare the selection process for the next mediator as officially started." Osamu stood up and dismissed everyone.


-Michiru-

She just left her changing room, where she stowed her violin and refreshed herself before re-joining the rest of the party, when man, who was waiting for her outside, congratulated her on her performance. "You were magnificent Kaioh-san" He said kindly as they walked together towards the celebration hall.

"Oh, thank you Myamoto-san, but I still have so much to improve on" she replied modest.

Katashi Myamoto was a pleasant and yet a still rather nondescript looking man. His voice was gentle and his eyes were warm, but besides that it would be very hard to pick him out of a crowd.

"I don't dare to think that that is possible. Will you indulge me and let me introduce you to my wife? She is an avid fan of yours." He asked Michiru as they walked together through the main door of the celebration hall.

"Of course." Michiru responded obligingly.

They walked into the main celebration hall where Michiru spotted Haruka talking with the woman she spotted earlier. The woman seemed pleasant and friendly but Haruka seemed rather cold and distant, polite nonetheless.

She looked so in and yet out of place. She wore her tuxedo better than anyone that Michiru had ever seen wearing a tuxedo before. It was so neat, proper, elegant, seductive even and yet she looked wild, like a storm brewing on the horizon.

They walked towards them and Katashi introduced them. "Darling, may I introduce you Kaioh Michiru. Kaioh-san, this is my wife Myamoto Yumi. She is the one who manages our tea houses." Katashi explained.

Both women bowed and smiled politely.

"It is so nice to finally meet you in person. I have heard only a few of your works but they are all so wonderful. I wish you would bring out an album. It is such a shame that we can only hear them in your performances." Yumi said with a gentle smile.

"That is more praise than I deserve. I only play in my spare time and I don't think that I would have enough to fill a complete album." Michiru returned the friendly smile.

"Oh, may I introduce you to one of our most valued clients? This is Tenoh Haruka." Yumi introduced them.

"Pleased to meet you Kaioh-san." Haruka said emotionlessly.

"Pleased to meet you, too, Tenoh-san" Michiru answered evenly.

"If you would excuse me, I just go and get myself another drink" Haruka excused herself, lifting her nearly empty glass.

"Of course." Katashi answered for them all.

Once Haruka had turned and left the group Katashi continued talking. "Please excuse Tenoh-san, Kaioh-san. She is very particular about her beverages. Even with the long standing reputation of my wife's tea houses and the accomplished tea masters that we have the fortune of hosting, Tenoh-san is always very specific with the request to drink the teas my wife prepares for her specifically and she can tell the difference between all of our tea masters who sometimes struggle to live up to her demands." Katashi excused Haruka.

"She has a very sensitive tongue and an even more particular taste." Yumi added.

"I see." Michiru nodded understandingly.


-Yumi-

After more people had gathered around Michiru Kaioh, Yumi had excused herself to cater for the other guests and went to look for Haruka.

Eventually she found her outside of the main hall leaning against the railing looking inside.

"I thought I might find you here." She commented as she approached the blonde.

Haruka's figure was slightly slumped, it seemed like she had too much to drink and was looking bored into the room, but at second glance, she was still holding the same glass from the performance earlier, unfinished, and her eyes were scanning the whole room meticulously.

"What is it with this charade Myamoto-san?" Haruka asked her evenly as she turned to look her into the eyes.

"I do not know what you are talking about Tenoh-san" Yumi managed to respond with an equal calm.

Haruka lifted her other hand and revealed a listening device, which she slowly returned under the rail uncommented.

"This is a charity function my husband has organised for his valued clients and not a charade Tenoh-san." Yumi looked into Haruka's eyes imploring her not to kick up a fuss.

"I see, I am sorry Myamoto-san, I had a really long day at work prior to attending this recital. You know me and social gatherings. I am not well tempered for them. You seem to be cold, please take my jacket as token of my sincere apology." Haruka apologised.

As Haruka took off her jacket and put it around Yumi's shoulders she whispered into her ear. "Your secrets are always safe with me."

"Should we go back inside Tenoh-san?" Yumi asked Haruka while looking into her eyes gratefully.

"I think I stay outside here. I do not play well with others when it needs excessive social niceties. See how these people huddle together in smaller groups, like sheep? I think they are fine without my continued presence" Haruka said with a chuckle.

"I would be a bad host if I would be leaving you here on your own Tenoh-san." Yumi said gently.

"Then excuse my selfishness Myamoto-san" Haruka said with a smirk before returning to watching the room.

"Of course, Tenoh-san" Yumi nodded.

Yumi watched Haruka watching the people inside silently. She noticed that Haruka was watching Michiru particular intently. Just as she was about to comment on it, Haruka broke the silence between them.

"Someone is pestering Sasaki-san" Haruka stated without averting her eyes from Shinobu and the man who was slowly cornering the smaller girl.

"Why do you care so much for Sasaki-san, Tenoh-san? She has been trained very well to deal with threats." Yumi couldn't help but sound slightly hurt.

"That is because I know she is your most valued apprentice, Myamoto-san, and an apprentice that is precious to you, makes her precious to me" Haruka looked warm yet mischievously into Yumi's eyes for a second, handed her the glass before turning around and rushing to get in between Shinobu and her assailant.

Yumi sighed and thought to herself, 'this is exactly why it is so hard to let go of you Haruka'


-Haruka-

Haruka crossed the room swiftly and stopped the intoxicated man from hitting Shinobu with his drink by standing between them and holding back his right wrist in her left hand. Yet at the same time she stopped Shinobu from stabbing the man with the knife concealed in her right sleeve with her other hand.

"Sasaki-san, please refrain from what you are about to do. It would cause Myamoto-san a fair bit of grief" Haruka said quietly to the girl behind her.

"WHO are YOU?" The man growled at Haruka.

The hall grew quieter.

"Sir, I am just a fellow guest here. Please refrain from making a scene." Haruka said clear and cold.

"She started it" the man in front of her insisted.

"I am sure we can find a mutually beneficial solution if there is anything that has displeased you." Haruka said evenly.

"That bitch refused to bring me another drink." The man slurred angrily.

"I think that is her prerogative, considering the state you are in." Haruka looked at him coldly.

With the flick of his wrist he flung his glass at Haruka which cut her just above the eyebrow.

Before the glass could hit the ground, a sickening crack could be heard coming from the wrist Haruka was holding in her left hand and her right hand had let go of Shinobu and was holding the man's mouth shut to muffle any possible scream.

Her opponent's knees buckled in front of her and he fell to his knees, crouching in pain. Haruka looked down at him, her murderous intent all too clear in her eyes.

Now the whole hall was completely quiet and the sound of the glass shattering filled the silence along with whimpering.

"Sir, I believe you owe Sasaki-san an apology." Haruka said evenly.

Muffled refusal could be heard and Haruka increased the pressure on the dislocated wrist and his mouth. More muffled howls could be heard and then a weak nod could be seen.

"Tenoh-san" Kakashi said evenly as he reached her side. "I believe he is regretting his actions towards Sasaki-san. He needs medical attention." Kakashi put a hand onto her shoulder to indicate to her that he would stop her from further actions if necessary.

"It's only a dislocated wrist…" Haruka let go of the other's hand and mouth, who was by now curling in pain on the ground.

Kakashi handed her a handkerchief and she wiped her hands.

"You are bleeding." Kakashi tapped his eyebrow to draw Haruka to her own one.

"Tch" Haruka scoffed.


-Michiru-

Michiru witnessed the whole scene unfold in front of her frozen in place.

The immense unadulterated murderous intent that filled the room completely and could be felt in the air just moments ago had dissipated, but it still left an impression on Michiru.

The heartless and cold look in Haruka's usually so mischievous and mysterious eyes was chilling.

The thought that the eyes that held that boundless warmth and care for Hotaru were capable of so much pure and untainted disregard for human life was terrifying.

Not until she saw blood trickling down Haruka's face, was she able to move quickly pass the people around her to the blonde's side.

"You need that bandaged." Michiru remarked calmly.

"I'm fine." Haruka pointed at the guy on the ground with her thumb. "Him on the other hand ….. " she added with a wry chuckle.

"…no bandage from a small first aid kit will help him. Come with me to the changing room, you have caused enough commotion for one night." Michiru finished with new found determination her sentence.

"Go with Kaioh-san, Tenoh-san. We will talk about this later." Kakashi said evenly.

Haruka returned him his handkerchief and followed Michiru without another word.

They walked silently towards the changing room and Michiru made Haruka sit in the only chair in the room.

"We should really stop meeting like this." Michiru said as she fished her first small first aid kit from her handbag.

"What do you mean?" Haruka asked with a wide unapologetic grin on her face.

"You bleeding and me needing to patch you up." Michiru replied unimpressed.

"Oh, I don't think so. I am enjoying myself right now." Haruka smirked.

"Hold still" Michiru instructed as she applied disinfectant to the cut.

"Ouch." Haruka winced.

"I'm sorry" Michiru apologised by force of habit. "See there is nothing enjoyable about this."

"Oh, I don't know….anyone blessed with vision would disagree with you right now." Haruka snickered.

Just then Michiru noticed that Haruka had been looking down her décolleté the whole time Michiru had been tending to the blonde's wound.

Michiru punched Haruka's shoulder.

"Ouch, is that how you care for the injured?" Haruka whined playfully.

"It is not very polite to stare down a woman's décolleté." Michiru reprimanded the blonde delinquent.

"How is it my fault that I am blessed with good vision and a sense of appreciation of beauty when it is right in front of me and staring at me?" Haruka asked defensively.

Michiru punched her again.

"Ouch and what was THAT for?" Haruka demanded to know.

"That's for 'Alex'." Michiru said, before applying the bandage.

"What was so bad about 'Alex'? I think 'Alex' did a great job, showing you the nicer sides of Paris… 'Michelle'..." Haruka said unremorseful.

"You started it. Why did you lie to me anyway?" Michiru asked offhandedly.

"Oh, I don't know….how else would you have introduced yourself to a beautiful woman you are mentally already undressing and internally are drooling over from the moment you laid your eyes on her? Hi, I am Tenoh. Tehoh Haruka, I just kicked a dozen guys to pulp and I am bleeding profusely from my right arm, but don't worry, while my right hand has gone numb, my left is still pretty good, too?" Haruka smirked at Michiru challengingly.

"So you were already planning to seduce me?" Michiru asked unfazed.

"Have you had a look in the mirror lately? Anyone gifted with vision and a pulse would have done that." Haruka said easily.

"How is it that you can say the most obnoxious things and still be so charming?" Michiru asked before she took hold of Haruka's face and kissed the blonde deeply.

Haruka wrapped her arms around Michiru's waist and pulled her gently on top of her lap. They deepened the kiss and Michiru ran her fingers through Haruka's hair, as the blonde's right hand travelled down her side and up the slit of her dress.

Suddenly the yacht shook lightly and they broke off the kiss. There was a knock at the door and Michiru got up from Haruka's lap, adjusted her dress and opened the door revealing Kakashi on the other side, holding Haruka's jacket.

"We are back, stop wasting time and get up Tenoh" He threw the jacket towards the blonde which Haruka caught with ease.

"Do you have a ride home yet, Kaioh-san?" he asked Michiru.

"Not yet" Michiru answered earnestly.

"Then Tenoh-san will be driving you home with us." Kakashi said curtly before leaving them alone again.


-Haruka-

Internally Haruka was cursing a whole new encyclopaedia of insults and abuses towards Kakashi for interrupting Michiru and her earlier. Externally though, none of that irritation could be felt nor seen. Haruka was her usual cold and distant self. She drove Kakashi and Michiru swiftly to the address of Michiru's residence that had been provided to her and lost no word in the meantime.

"Thank you for driving me home, Tenoh-san." Michiru spoke softly as Haruka pulled up in front of her condominium complex.

"I help you with your bags and walk you to your door, Kaioh-san. Will you be ok on your own Takahashi-san?" Haruka just added curtly.

"Of course." Kakashi responded in kind.

Haruka parked her car in one of the designated guest parking spots before getting out of the it and opening the door for Michiru.

She reached for the bag next to the violinist, walked behind Michiru to the main front door and followed her inside.

Once inside the elevator, Haruka asked: "Cameras?"

"Cameras." Michiru just nodded.

The tension between them was so tangible that the air between them could have been cut by a knife as they both awaited their arrival on Michiru's floor.

As soon as the apartment door was closed behind them, bag and violin case were forgotten on the floor and all that mattered was Michiru's hand on her neck that pulled her down for another passionate kiss. The kiss was hungry, needy and Haruka pushed Michiru against the wall for more leverage as she picked her up by the hips.

"Wait." Michiru broke of the kiss.

"Why?" Haruka proceeded with kissing down Michiru's tender neck and throat.

"Takahashi." Michiru whispered as she had a hard time suppressing a moan while Haruka's hand travelled up her dress and thigh.

"What's-with-him?" Haruka asked between kisses on Michiru's collar bone.

Michiru grabbed a fistful of Haruka's hair and pulled the blonde up to her eye-level.

"I want you uninterrupted. So drive him home quick and get back here." Michiru breathed as she looked deep into Haruka's hungry eyes, her own brimming with lust.

"Fine" Haruka peeled herself reluctantly off the beautiful violinist, but before she could walk out of the apartment, Michiru pulled her in for another kiss.

"Hurry." Michiru added with a sigh.

"Of course." Haruka smirked.


-Kakashi-

He was sitting pensively in the car as he watched the other two walking, rather distant towards each other, to the apartment door.

Suddenly his phone rang and he picked up without averting his eyes from the couple that had just entered the building.

"Kakashi? It is Osamu here." An even low voice on the other side addressed him.

"Yes, Osamu?" Kakashi replied calmly as he slowly turned to look straight ahead again.

"You were right. VanBuren wasn't on the guest list. Myamoto-san has found diving and climbing gear which he must have used to crash the party." Osamu Kaioh informed Kakashi.

"Where is he now?" Kakashi asked unsurprised.

"I am sending him to E17. I don't have time to interrogate him. I was wondering if you could do that in my stead and send me a report of it." Osamu asked Kakashi.

"I think I have an even better person for the job." Kakashi replied as he awaited Haruka's return.

"When can I expect to get some results?" Osamu asked evenly.

"Hmm, from experience I would say before sunrise." Kakashi answered pensively.

"Good. By the way, the votes have been counted. Your candidate has been chosen. Congratulations Kakashi. I'll be awaiting her for the final interview at lunch time." Osamu informed Kakashi.

"Better make that tea or dinner. She will be busy till sunrise and you would never want to face her hungry AND tired." Kakashi suggested with a chuckle.

"Just like her old man, I take it." Osamu smirked.

"The best chip of the old block that he could have hoped for." Kakashi snickered.

"Tea it is then." Osamu agreed.


-Haruka-

Just as she arrived on the ground floor, it hit her.

Kakashi and her still needed to…'talk'… about the incident earlier. That just meant further delays to getting back to Michiru. Haruka groaned. 'How hard could it possibly be to just simply get laid' she thought to herself with a groan as she climbed back into the car.

"We need to make a detour." Kakashi welcomed her back.

"Why? It is nearly one in the morning and I still have plans for the rest of the day." Haruka complained.

"They will have to wait." Kakashi said evenly.

"What if I do not want them to wait?" Haruka replied defiantly.

"They have no choice, just as much as you don't." Kakashi replied indifferent.

"I am going to kill you if it is not a life and death matter." Haruka growled.

"Remember VanBuren?" Kakashi asked unfazed.

"Doesn't ring a bell" Haruka replied curtly

"Child molesting mercenary you shot in Africa?" Kakashi jogged Haruka's memory.

"Oh, right. What's him?" Haruka replied annoyed.

"He's here. As a matter of fact, you dislocated his wrist just about an hour or two ago." Kakashi stated evenly.

"I didn't think the CIA would let him live after I passed him onto them." Haruka replied slightly surprised.

"I think they thought of him pretty much as good as dead as well, when they dumped him in the African desert. Be that as it may, he was not invited, and we need to know why he came and who sent him." Kakashi surmised.

"And which royal 'we' are we talking about? The agency clearly doesn't look like it is the main player, considering Katashi was the one who organised the event." Haruka started to dig.

"Haruka, who do you think holds the most important position in the Council?" Kakashi asked Haruka evenly.

"Hmmm…..the mediator. While he can and even might be the weakest in the forces and resources he holds, the allegiances the other Council members pledge to him make him the most powerful person on the Council with his decision being final and irrevocable." Haruka replied pensively.

"Last month the current mediator announced his retirement and tonight was the selection for his successor." Kakashi informed Haruka.

"Well that sucked if one of those spineless champagne drinkers got chosen for the job." Haruka smirked.

"Well, I have never known you to fancy champagne, but I do remember seeing you drinking it from time to time…" Kakashi commented amused.

"HEY, I don't remember volunteering for that ungrateful job. It has to do with dealing with power plays, territory disputes and trade agreements. It is such a hassle." Haruka protested.

"That is the whole point. Someone without any interest in power needs to be the mediator, since that person is least likely to be corrupted." Kakashi explained.

"I refuse." Haruka objected curtly.

"Your dad would be proud of you." Kakashi said suggestively.

"How would you know?" Haruka asked suspiciously.

"He was the mediator before the current mediator." Kakashi smirked.

"…" Haruka looked out of windshield and up to Michiru's apartment.

"A Tenoh would be finally back to what you have been doing for generations." Kakashi added.

"The tradition would die with me again once someone assassinates me, like they did mum and dad." Haruka said quietly.

"Maybe, but the council has improved, and no one would want the chaos and excessive bloodshed that took place twenty years ago, with the sudden absence of the mediator. Also, you would finally have all the access you can dream of to find out, who actually killed them." Kakashi advised Haruka.

"It was some deranged lone wolf." Haruka said detached.

"Do you really believe that Haruka? Your father was one of our best and my sister would have never let something so trivial get to her. She loved you and your brother more than herself or even your father, yet she left you both with me on that day." Kakashi prodded.

"Where is VanBuren now?" Haruka asked dispassionately.

"E17" Kakashi replied.

"What do you want to know of him?" Haruka continued.

"Who sent him and what his mission was." Kakashi informed her.

"Will I have alone time with him?" Haruka put the car keys into the ignition.

"I have called the boys to make preparations and notes for the council, but otherwise he is all yours." Kakashi answered evenly.

"Fine" Haruka conceded and pulled out her phone to write a short message before she pulled out of the parking spot.

At least it wasn't going to be just her who would suffer tonight, Haruka thought wryly to herself.

She drove at breakneck speed out of Tokyo to the black site only known as E17 to people who needed a quiet place for unconventional interrogation methods.


-Kakashi-

Haruka was in her element as she put the pedal to the metal.

Kakashi watched the buildings just fly by them as they rushed through the streets at break neck speed. It didn't take long for the high-rise buildings to give way to smaller residential houses and eventually farmland. Two police units had tried to catch up to them while they were still in the Tokyo city area and Kakashi had to commend them for even trying to catch up to Haruka.

But nothing could stop her once she was in her zone, so he called the chief of surveillance to … drop the matter.

As they pulled up to the remote building deep in the woods known as E17 in the intelligence community, Kakashi saw two helicopters already parked on the area adjacent to it.

Haruka parked next to the entrance and got out of the car wordlessly. Her walk was brisk and focused. Kakashi knew, this would be a show he wouldn't forget for a while.

The blonde walked into the observation room with Kakashi following her close behind.

"Is everything ready?" She asked the three men who were already waiting for them.

"Yes." Yaten replied as he offered her a cup of hot coffee.

"Hmmm. I think I just grab some water." Haruka responded as she grabbed a small bottle of water from the table next to the recording equipment and walked into the interrogation room.

The three men gave each other sideway glances.

"I think I ruined the date she had planned for today." Kakashi informed them with an apologetic smile.

They watched her walking over to the bearded man lying tied down and spread out on the stretcher, with his arms straightened out and fixed to each side, the steady beeping of the heart monitor hooked to VanBuren ever present in the background.

"Lenny VanBuren, you have let yourself go….no wonder I didn't recognise you straight away." Haruka said matter-of-factly. "Anyway, I am supposed to ask you who sent you and what was the objective of your visit was." Haruka stated with an even cold tone.

The man was gagged and his response was only muffled curses.

"Still so much vigour in you, at least this won't be boring. Personally, I am not a fan of torture. Pain only makes people say what you want to hear, not what you want to know." Haruka continued evenly. "By the way, the cameras here, are only here to monitor me, that I do not kill you. Lenny, may I call you Lenny? I take your silence as a yes. I am going to be completely frank with you. I actually don't give a crap about who sent you or what you were supposed to do but the person on the other side of that pretty mirror behind me is the one who wants to know and he is the one stopping me from skinning you alive and hanging you out there in the woods to be eaten alive by the local bears. Since you are not particular able to talk…" Haruka fastened the gag in VanBuren's mouth a bit tighter. "… you are welcome to raise your thumb whenever you are ready to talk, then the man behind the mirror will come in, take my spot and have a nice chat with you. If he hears what he needs to hear, I guess he will fulfil you a wish. Till then I am happy to hold this conversation on my own." She smirked and walked over to the table that had various torture instruments laid out on them.

"What did the CIA do to you to make you sing? Waterboarding? Electrocution? Sensory deprivation?" His heart rate wavered ever so slightly at the mention of waterboarding and Haruka could see the effort, VanBuren had to make to keep his heart rate steady, etched on his face.

Haruka opened her water bottle and took a big gulp. "Waterboarding is such a waste of perfectly fine water, don't you think? I mean yes, you feel as if you are drowning, over and over and over again. But really…if you have already given up on life, drowning isn't so bad… Electrocution on the other hand… messy, messy, messy …. All the tingling in and around your limbs and yet this numbness in your fingers that you have after they remove the electrodes…and the heart fluttering…the constant sensation of this impending heart attack… that pressure in your chest…..the constant fear that the next heart beat might be the last. But even that passes eventually…when you just give in to death…." Haruka reminiscent let her hand caress over a couple of pliers.

"Sensory deprivation is a whole different story. It takes way too much time though. I mean the hallucinations can be fun. Meeting your personal daemons and shaking their hands… talking with them about the good old times of self-doubt and fear…but really… time is so precious don't you think Lenny? The time, the kids you killed for your pleasure, never had." Haruka said as she grabbed a revolver and a single bullet from the table.

Meanwhile in the observation room, Seiya got excited.

"Haruka hasn't eaten in over eight hours, I bet 10000 yen she will break him with one pull of the trigger" Seiya proposed eagerly.

"She hasn't slept in 30 hours, she will definitely drag it out to two." Taiki observed calmly.

"Haruka never refuses coffee…..She's pissed" Yaten said as he took a sip from the cup he had just offered Haruka earlier. "I bet she'll take her time and make him squirm. My bet is that she'll break him after the third."

"Kakashi-ji, don't you want to join the bet?" Seiya asked Kakashi who had been quiet throughout the whole observation.

"I have a feeling she is missing out on a pretty important date, so I wouldn't put it pass her if she went all the way with him to the last chamber." Kakashi smirked.

None of them averted their eyes from VanBuren who was staring defiant at Haruka.

Back in the interrogation room Haruka stood over VanBuren and looked down at him emotionlessly.

"When I got your file five years ago, I didn't think much of you, but my brother insisted on going easy on you." Haruka resumed to speak. "Do you know why many of the deadliest snipers are female? We want to get the job over and done with quickly. On shot, one hit, one kill. We don't like to drag out the suffering… usually. When I spotted you on that rooftop in Kairo though, I had to think of little Mohammad, that I found the night earlier, abused, misused and bleeding to death slowly in a back alley. I was thinking about shooting you right here." She placed the barrel of the gun above his Adam's apple. "That would have been a clean death, even left you pretty enough to have an open coffin funeral. But then I thought, little Mohammad was only four, he couldn't have a proper funeral, his parents couldn't have an open casket at his funeral, because his face was smashed in and his limbs were mutilated. And that is when I thought about hitting you here." Haruka moved the barrel to his carotid artery. "This would have made your death more Tarantino style, bleeding you out spectacularly, making you the source of blood fountain. That would have been a sight, don't you think?" Haruka looked down at him, the murderous intent he felt earlier on the boat was back with full force. "But no, I was told to spare your life and hand you over to the CIA and that is why I only shattered your shoulder and arm joint. I mean for a fellow sniper not to spot the enemy, that is just negligent so that is the least I could do… Does it still hurt by the way?" Haruka asked as she applied pressure to his left shoulder.

Muffled screams followed.

"Judging from your muscle mass in your left arm, you haven't been using it much in the past couple of years?" Haruka asked rhetorically. "Oh well, I did let you still keep your right hand for those lonesome nights, didn't I?" Haruka walked over the wrist she had dislocated earlier and pulled on a finger. "…..or not...anymore…"

More muffled screams.

"Well at least you can't touch any kids for a while then." Haruka walked to the foot of the stretcher. "You seem bored…I for sure am, so let's play a game. In this economy we can't waste precious resources so we are going to play Russian roulette. I am going put this single bullet into this gun and move from various spots on your body to the next and we just see what you will lose until you either talk or die. Personally, I hope you will indulge me by holding out for the second option." Haruka smirked wryly as she gave the cylinder a good spin before she locked it, undid the safety and pulled back the hammer.

VanBuren's eyes went wide.

"Shins are a funny place on the body, aren't they? Just bundles of nerves and bone covered with a bit of skin. Lenny, did any of those kids in the Philippines and Thailand that you used and abused ever kick you in the shins? That place hurts, right? I mean not as bad as bumping your little toe in the door frame, but it still hurts, right?" Haruka dragged the gun from his foot up and placed the end of the barrel dead centre on his shin.

"Now imagine how it would feel like when I am going to shoot it from this distance, all the hairline fractures along the whole lower leg, all the shattered bone and torn muscles. You have experience with shattered bone and how much it hurts. How much every step will hurt..." Haruka spoke the words in a low but clear voice as pressed the gun deeper into his skin.

She watched his eyes slowly fill with fear and him holding his breath as she pulled the trigger.

Click.

VanBuren let out a relieved sigh.

"So now that you know what is awaiting you. Let's move on. Your knee looks inviting." Haruka sardonically traced the gun up to his knee.

"Did you know that if I shoot straight onto your knee cap that it will not just shatter it but also everything behind it, tear all the tendons and blast out all the wonderful cartilage that makes walking such an ease? It makes the rest of your leg pretty useless, but with today's amputation techniques and medicine that is recoverable. But then again if I just angle the gun like this…." Haruka moved the gun and aimed to shoot just diagonally from beneath the knee cap.

She pulled the hammer back again.

VanBuren's heart rate sped up.

"…with this angle I will shatter parts of your upper leg and imagine that incessant chronic pain, even 30 years from now…. with every step you take….." She almost sang the melody of a very famous song as she iterated the last few words and locked the gun in the intended angle.

Haruka pulled the trigger.

Click.

VanBuren's heart beat skipped a beat.

Haruka dragged the gun higher up his thigh to his hip.

"Hmmm, you know, I guess, nowadays, walking isn't so important to you… sitting on the other hand….." She adjusted the angle of the barrel.

"If I get this right, I will hit the place where your leg joins your pelvis bone. Think about it. Not capable of walking without pain, sitting without pain, lying down without pain, leave alone any hip movement for the most enjoyable recreational past time...…" Haruka pulled back the hammer again.

VanBuren's heart rate was through the roof, he began to struggle against his restraints and started to scream. "Thumbs Lenny, thumbs" Haruka said evenly.

"Or maybe I hit a good artery and you just bleed out slowly, that still gives me hours of fun and the chance to reload and start again.

He flicked her the middle finger and she locked the gun in place.

"I see you are a man of conviction. I can respect that." Haruka said calmly.

More muffled screams.

Haruka's wry smile grew wider and she pulled the trigger.

Click.

The sweat on VanBuren's forehead collected in small puddles and the defiance in his eyes made way for genuine fear.

"I have a conviction, too. I do not think hurting kids is something anyone can excuse, so let's move onto the main perpetrator." Haruka said calmly as she lifted the gun off Lenny and weighed it in her hand in different angles.

"You know what the fantastic thing about Russian roulette is Lenny? As an experienced shooter, you can tell where the bullet lies, just by the way the gun weighs in your hand. How many internal organs do you think I will hit after I obliterated your family jewels?" Haruka asked him evenly as she moved the gun between his legs and aimed upwards towards his head.

"Do you think the bullet will reach your heart quickly to end your misery, or do you think it will get lost in your bowels and just cause havoc there, for you to just bleed out internally, causing you to die slow and in agony?" Haruka asked rhetorically.

His eyes went wide with shock and he was trembling.

Muffled begging could be heard.

"Now you want to talk?" Haruka asked with a hint of disappointment in her voice.

VanBuren nodded vehemently.

"Thumbs up, Lenny. I don't see any thumbs." Haruka reiterated.

She pulled back the hammer again.

VanBuren raised his thumbs in agony.

"See, that wasn't so hard now, was it?" Haruka asked cynically.

In the observation room, Yaten grinned victoriously. "Pay up people!"


-Haruka-

Haruka turned one last time around back to VanBuren and looked him cold into his petrified eyes before she walked out of the interrogation room and was replaced by Kakashi who started a friendly chat in which VanBuren was more than cooperative. She sat down on one of the chairs in the observation room and rubbed her temples.

Taiki went to her and stretched out his hand for the gun, which she gave him wordlessly.

"The bullet, too, Haruka" Taiki spoke evenly.

Haruka reached into her pants' pocket and passed him the bullet that she had feigned to have loaded the gun with and leaned back into the chair before she closed her eyes.

She felt physically and mentally drained. Her body ached for sleep but 1000 thoughts were running through her head.

"Will you guys be ok without me here?" She asked into the room.

"Sure." Seiya answered steadfast.

"Great. I am driving home." Haruka told them and got up again.

"Let me drive you." Taiki offered.

"I need you to make sure everything gets completed without a hitch here." Haruka put a hand on his shoulder to show her appreciation but then walked out alone. "I'll try to drive slow. We'll see each other at home." She said before she closed the door behind her.

-Michiru-

It was eight in the morning and Michiru was still lying in bed. She picked up her phone and looked at the last message that she had received.

'Something came up. Will make it up to you over dinner tonight at the Peninsula. H.' was what the message read that she received shortly after Haruka left her apartment.

Slightly frustrated she had replied with 'You better'. Michiru threw her phone on the other side of the bed. Haruka better have a damn good excuse for her to let this one slide, she thought to herself when she got up to get ready for her regular brunch recital every first Saturday of every second month. Michiru was about to call a taxi to take her to the concert hall early where the recital would be held when suddenly her doorbell rang. She walked over to the door buzzer and saw her parents being downstairs at the main door. Buzzing them in with a slight surprise, she gave her apartment a quick last glance to be sure it looked presentable before her parents would reach her door.

"Mum, dad, what are you doing here? Why didn't you call and tell me you were coming?" She greeted them with over the years well-trained cheerfulness.

"We wanted to surprise you. We just missed you so much and your dad has to work on Monday in Tokyo, so we thought we could pass by and finally attend one of your recitals again." Her mum answered.

Michiru then remembered that she always sent them invitation to her recitals when they weren't mission related, but the chance of them attending had dwindled to such a negligible probability over years, that for her, it had grown to be a token gesture. She would have never dreamt of them actually attending it.

"Right, come in, come in. Let me take your bags. Please make yourself comfortable in the living room. I'll make us some tea." Michiru said as she went to her kitchen. 'What on earth is happening?' she thought to herself. This was supposed to be her day off from problems and worries. At least her parents hadn't caught her and the blonde between the sheets this morning. She had that going for her.

After a few minutes, Michiru returned to the living room with some fresh brewed tea and served it to her parents.

"Michiru, shouldn't we get going soon?" Her father asked before he had a sip of the tea she had given to him.

"Yes, but we still have a few minutes before we need to go. So where are you staying?" Michiru asked them as she sat down.

"At the Peninsula" her mother answered.

Michiru choked on her tea.

"Are you ok Michiru?" Her mother asked concerned.

"Everything is fine. I am just surprised that you don't want to stay with me while you are here." Michiru deflected.

"See Osamu, I told you, Michiru would want us to stay over with her. Nothing beats family, right?" Aiko turned to her husband.

His phone suddenly rang and he excused himself that he needed to take this urgent call from work.

"I just quickly prepare the bedroom for you." Michiru told her mum as she stood up again.

"I come and help you" Aiko said cheerfully. "By the way, I have invited Motoki-san to join us." Her mother informed her.

"Motoki-san?" Michiru asked with a hint of surprise.

"Weren't you listening? I called you a while back to tell you that I have set up and Omiai for you." Aiko explained as Michiru pulled out fresh bed covers from the cupboard.

"Mum, I am really busy with work at the moment. I barely have time for myself, let alone choosing a husband." Michiru tried to talk herself out of having to meet her suitor.

"That is why I chose a possible option for you. That way you don't have to do all the looking for yourself. Just meet him first and see how it goes." Aiko reasoned.

"Ok, when will I need to meet him?" Michiru sighed.

"I invited him to your recital today since you didn't get back to me about it." Her mom told her beaming cheerfully.

"Great." Michiru forced a smile.

"I would say we need to go, if we don't want the main star of the event to run late." Osamu cut the conversation short as he entered the bedroom. "My driver has waited long enough for us downstairs." He hurried them to come.

"Sounds good." Michiru agreed.

-Kakyuu-

She watched as Haruka mechanically pulled into her parking spot and how the blonde stumbled out of the car.

Her body must have hit a limit, the doctor thought to herself as she walked up to the blonde and put a hand onto her shoulder, just to be pinned against the car by Haruka's well trained reflexes.

"Calm down Haruka, it's me" Kakyuu said calmly.

Haruka let go of her and leaned her head on the car door. "Sorry Kakyuu. I am a bit dizzy." Haruka excused herself.

"You shouldn't have been driving. If you do not care about your own safety, then at least give some consideration to the other people who you share the road with." She scolded Haruka lightly.

"I just had a lot on my mind." Haruka said with closed eyes.

Kakyuu took the blonde's arm and put it over her own shoulders to support Haruka into a straight standing position before she closed the car door.

"Let's get you to bed big baby and you can tell me all about the things that are on your mind." Kakyuu said softly.

Haruka followed Kakyuu's lead without protest.

Once in the elevator, Kakyuu pressed the button to Haruka's apartment floor, careful not to lose grip on the blonde.

"Ne Kakyuu…" Haruka started with a slight drawl.

"Hmm? What is it Haruka?" Kakyuu asked in return.

"Why am I so tired?" Haruka asked with her head hanging low.

"Because you haven't slept for a long time." Kakyuu stated matter-of-factly.

"Why haven't I slept in a long time?" Haruka continued to ask.

"Because you tend to have nightmares." Kakyuu explained calmly.

"Why do I have …." Haruka broke off midsentence.

Kakyuu could feel Haruka's head leaning onto her shoulder as she fell asleep and sighed as the body she held went even limper in her arms.


-Osamu-

Osamu was sitting in the middle of lunch with his family and Motoki in a restaurant which was close to where Michiru held her recital when he received a message on his phone.

'Finished. Viewing with tea 3p.m. K.' was all that it read.

"Darling, no phone during meal times." His wife reminded him.

"I am sorry darling; it was just work." Osamu apologised.

"Speaking of work. What do you do besides playing the violin so wonderfully?" Motoki asked Michiru.

"I just write music and manage music events." Michiru replied in a friendly manner.

"Oh, so you are not planning to take over your father's business?" Motoki seemed surprised.

"Motoki-san, Umi-tech has been a Tomoe Corp subsidiary for two decades now. I don't think I could ever achieve my father's technical competence and I have never been asked to do so. Therefore, I have been given the freedom to pursue my own convictions a long time ago. I think once my father retires someone with far more suitable skills than mine will manage it better than I possibly could." Michiru explained evenly.

"Michiru, did you know that Motoki-san has a PhD in Electrical Engineering?" Her mother interjected.

"Dad, do you need any good Electrical Engineers at work?" Michiru turned to her father.

"I would need to ask human resources that." Osamu smirked. "Anyway, I am sorry but I need to excuse myself. A work matter has come up and I need to leave now for an urgent meeting." He continued.

"Would you mind dropping me off at Michiru's on the way? I think all this excitement today has tired me out." Aiko asked him.

"Of course not." He replied tenderly.

"You two kids just take your time with lunch, ok?" Aiko told Michiru and Motoki.


-Haruka-

Haruka woke up groggily with a slight headache. Looking around she recognised her apartment.

While trying to recollect her last memories before the world went black for her, Kakyuu came out of the shower, just wrapped in a towel.

"Finally up?" She asked Haruka as she walked towards her clothes that were spread out on the couch.

"Hmmm" Haruka grunted. "How long did I sleep?" Haruka asked as she stretched her stiff neck.

"About 6 hours. I'll be making us some food, so why don't you go and clean up. I already let in a bath for you." Kakyuu informed her before pulling a shirt over her head.

"Hmm. Thanks." Haruka nodded.

"By the way your phone was dead, so I put it on the docking station for you. You better check your messages. The boys haven't come back yet." Kakyuu pointed out.

Haruka got up and walked over to her phone and switched it on.

Five messages:

'Work done. Y'

'You better. M'

'Flying detour. S'

'Source retired. T"

'Tea at 4.K'

'I better what?' Haruka wondered while she scratched her head. Slowly it dawned on her when suddenly the elevator indicated that someone was on their way up to her.

Kakyuu had just finished getting dressed when Taiki walked into Haruka's apartment.

"I let you two talk. I'll be in the kitchen making a late lunch. You will be eating as well, right, Taiki?" Kakyuu asked smiling as she passed him on the way to the kitchen.

"Aehm, yes, thank you Kakyuu-sensei." Taiki answered her with a slight delay.

"I see all went well." Haruka commented.

"Yes. I have the recording for you here if you want to see it." Taiki showed her a small chip.

"Just give me the summary of things." Haruka replied as she massaged her temples.

"Someone is trying to infiltrate the Council. VanBuren was there to lay the groundwork and collect data on everyone who will be attending the meeting. Apparently one of the attending is the target of a kidnapping." Taiki informed her.

"I see…. Why don't you go and help Kakyuu with lunch? I just go and get cleaned up." Haruka indicated with her hand for him to go to the kitchen while she headed to the bathroom.

Taiki's demeanour immediately changed from his usual stoic one to a face with an actually happy smile.

Haruka chuckled and went to the bathroom.


-Osamu-

He sat with Kakashi at the small table drinking tea. They had just finished watching Haruka's little performance and Osamu couldn't help but keep smirking throughout the whole clip.

"Truly, if I wouldn't know better, I would have thought that that would have been Haruki himself." Osamu told Kakashi after he snapped the chip with the recording between his fingers in two.

"Haruka always had a lot in common with her father." Kakashi chuckled.

"Down to the posture, the spitting image of him. It brings back memories." Osamu reminiscent sipped his tea. "When will she be here?" He asked with excitement laced between his words.

"I'd say about now." Kakashi surmised while looking at his watch.

There was a knock at the door and Shinobu informed both men that Haruka had just driven through the gate.

"I better go and get her myself, just to see if I need to order some snacks. Wouldn't want to face this tiger with work when she's hungry." Kakashi chuckled as he stood up to pick up his niece from the entrance.

Osamu looked at his watch, picked up his phone and dialled his daughter's number.

"Hello Dad." Her voice came just moments later.

"Michiru, do you need a getaway card?"

"Oh mum is not feeling well?" Her concerned voice made him chuckle.

"That bad huh?" He smirked.

"Of course. I can come home immediately." Michiru's performance was flawless.

"I think mum will be pretty upset with you, so we better take her out for a good dinner later. Tell her that I want to take her out for some really good kaiseki when you reach home. That should appease her." He smirked.

"I'll be on my way right now." Michiru informed him before she hung up.


-Haruka-

Haruka drove up to Yumi Myamoto's tea house, smartly dressed and in her black Aston Martin, before she was greeted by Kakashi at the entrance.

"Aaaaawww how deep did you dig your hole this time that you are pulling so many registers, Haruka-chan?" He teased as he looked her up and down in her dark suit.

"You got me into that trouble to start off with, old man. Otherwise I would have had a lot more fun today already. Let's get this over with. I have places to be." Haruka said curtly as she took off her shoes. Unexpectedly her phone rang. It was Michiru.

"Why don't you go ahead. I am sure Sasaki-san won't mind showing me the way to the tea room when I am done with this call." Haruka tried to get rid of him.

"Ok." Kakashi said cheerful as went back the way he came from with Shinobu leading the way.

"Hello?" Haruka answered the phone.

"Haruka?" Michiru's voice came from the phone.

"Yes, your one and only." Haruka chuckled

"I can't make it for tonight." Michiru said hurried.

"First you ask me to make it up to you so therefore I make arrangements for us ….and now you hang me out to dry?" Haruka pretended to be offended.

"Something came up." Michiru explained hastily.

"I hope that 'something' counts as just as important as my 'something'." Haruka smirked.

"We can count it as such." Michiru snickered.

"I made restaurant reservations….." Haruka started.

"I am truly sorry." Michiru tried to apologise.

"I even got out of bed early….." Haruka continued.

"I tug you in, the next time I get to see you then." Michiru suggested seductively.

"Deal." Haruka smirked

"I need to get going, we talk later." Michiru suddenly whispered.

"Ok." Haruka hung up, sighed and called the Peninsula to cancel her reservation.

The moment Haruka hung up again Shinobu came around the corner.

"Thank you for waiting for me Sasaki-san. I hope you have been well since the last time I have seen you." Haruka spoke softly.

The girl blushed. "Yes, thank you for helping me earlier Tenoh-sama. I never got the chance to thank you properly." Shinobu said shyly.

"That is fine. You are doing more than enough for me with your loyal service to Myamoto-san." Haruka said good naturedly as she followed the girl to the tea room in which she was awaited. "Please send my regards to your mistress." Haruka said before she entered the room.

Kakashi was sitting with another robust looking, grey haired man at the table and Haruka greeted both men with a respectful bow before she sat down opposite to the stranger as she was indicated to do by Kakashi.

"Before I can introduce you, we need to know if you are going to take the job, Haruka" Kakashi asked her.

"Will I be able to continue my work as I have so far?" Haruka asked in return.

"Yes, as long as you follow the guideline of taking no side nor giving anyone within the Council an unfair advantage over another member." The man opposite to her told her in his low and even voice.

Haruka thought for a moment and then nodded. "I take it."

"Very well then Haruka, this is Kaioh Osamu, the current mediator. Osamu, this is Tenoh Haruka." Kakashi introduced them both and both bowed.

"Since my job here is done, I am going to take my leave now." Kakashi said as he stood up. "I wish you both successful talks." He said as he left the room.

'Kaioh huh?' Haruka thought to herself, as she had a closer look at the man opposite to her.

"There are a couple of more things we need to clear up before you can get the job" Osamu explained to her. "First of all, it is best if no one else besides the Council members know that you are the mediator, not even your family and friends." Osamu explained calmly.

"I don't have any living family that actually knows of me or cares about what I am doing besides Kakashi." Haruka answered earnestly.

Osamu watched her and listened to every word of hers carefully.

"You are quite well known to frequent many beds. There is no lover you would entrust your secrets to?" He asked her with his eyes unwaveringly watching hers.

"No. Pleasure and business are strictly two different things. Knowledge is only power in the right hands. For uninvolved third parties to know anything is just an added security risk, mainly for them. Anyway, you can be assured, talking, is the last thing on my mind when I go to bed." Haruka smirked.

"Ever been tempted?" Osamu kept prodding.

"No, and never will be." Haruka said unfazed.

Osamu suddenly started to laugh heartily and surprised Haruka with his reaction.

"I used to know your father Haruka-san." Osamu chuckled.

Haruka's interest was piqued. "What of him?" She asked in an even tone.

"Haruki used to say the same thing, until he met your mother Tomoko. Don't get me wrong. I used to think the same thing as well, until your mother introduced me to my wife. You are still young Haruka. Being a mediator in itself is nothing dangerous. You just help two or more parties to come to a consensus. That's it. The difficulty is to have the council to accept your authority. Also, not to have anything that they can use to have leverage with you. Though I don't think that will be an issue after your performance yesterday." Osamu snickered.

"How would you know?" Haruka asked suspiciously.

"I was watching the whole process and I read up on you." Osamu said calmly.

"Hmmm." Haruka frowned.

"You hold nothing particular dear to you. None of your lovers, none of your workers, not even any of your cars nor Hotaru. All are equal to you. You would defend them all alike and revenge them all in kind." Osamu continued.

"Love is a weakness. Love someone and you open the door for them to break you from the inside. Or the one who holds power over them to do the same thing." Haruka stated evenly.

"You know, I actually quit the agency the moment Aiko was pregnant with Michiru. I would have done it earlier, since Aiko isn't as strong as your mother was. She was just an ordinary girl who used to go to the same high school as Tomoko. But Haruki asked me to stay on for just one more job." Osamu said pensively.

Haruka looked Osamu up and down. The man didn't look anything like Michiru, besides maybe the dark teal eyebrows and the shape of his ears, nothing else would have given it away that they were related.

"I wanted to remove all possible danger from her and so after I helped your father one last time, I quit. I took over my cover properly and had been the CEO of Umi-tech since, until I received news of your parents' passing." He took sip from his tea and Haruka just watched him silently.

"I had been selected, just like you were now. Without knowing what I am getting into. I just learned your dad was the previous mediator on the day I got the job. I have been looking into their deaths since, but the waters you are about to enter aren't as clear as you might think and I had to think of my family as well." Osamu explained.

"Understandably" Haruka nodded and drank of her tea.

"Your father saved my life countless times and your mother introduced me to the love of my life. I owe them a lot. If you need anything that is within my power. Just let me know." Osamu said earnestly.

"Does your daughter know what you really do?" Haruka asked straightforward.

"Of course not, but you can imagine how hard it was to keep it a secret from her. She has a very good intuition like her mother. I would be obliged to you if you could keep it that way." Osamu not so much requested as stated it as a given courtesy.

"Of course, but you do know of her work?" Haruka continued to ask.

"Of course. She might think that I believe her that she is just semi-professional violinist. But you and I know better thanks to Kakashi-san." Osamu smirked.

"Why didn't you stop her from joining the agency?" Haruka asked curiously.

"She did it behind my back. Once she was signed up, it was too late. It would mean admitting the knowledge of the existence of the agency." Osamu sighed.

"Hmm" Haruka nodded pensively.

"Haruka-san, I am confident that you will do well as mediator and will not abuse the powers that are given to you." Osamu stated unwavering.

"What gives you that confidence?" Haruka asked sceptically.

"I watched my daughter talking to you yesterday." Osamu stated evenly.

'Oh shit….did he bug his own daughter's changing rooms?' Haruka thought as she took a sip of her tea to hide the sudden realisation.

"You were pretty cold to her." Osamu continued.

'Ok, doesn't look like it...' Haruka thought, to her relieve.

"I am just not one for useless chit chat." Haruka kept an indifferent demeanour.

"Pretty much like your father. But Michiru didn't seem to mind and even volunteered to patch you up" Osamu commented while looking at the bandage over her cut above the eyebrow.

'You could say that…..' Haruka thought to herself. "Well, she told me I was an eye sore with all the blood running across my face." Haruka shrugged.

"I trust my daughter's instincts. So, I think the council's right hands have made the right choice last night." Osamu concluded.

"I thank you for your confidence, Kaioh-san." Haruka bowed.

"It is getting late; I have heard from Kakashi that you have dinner plans?" Osamu asked.

"Oh, I had to move those." Haruka smirked.

"I hope that is not because of me." Osamu looked truly apologetic.

"Don't worry. I am sure I can reschedule those dinner plans." Haruka reassured him.

"Well since I have cost you your dinner plans and you are free tonight why don't you join me and my family for dinner to celebrate your promotion and my retirement?" Osamu suggested.

"It would be an honour." Haruka had a hard time to supress another smirk.


-Michiru-

"Mum are you ready?" Michiru asked through the bathroom door.

"Not yet. Your dad said that a business partner of his would join us for dinner and that he had a surprise for me. I need to look presentable." Her mother answered back just shortly before she opened the door and looked Michiru up and down. "Are you sure you want to wear that?" Aiko asked unimpressed by Michiru's attire.

"Mum, it's just a dinner with dad…." Michiru sighed.

"...and one of his guests." Aiko reminded her daughter.

"Old men really shouldn't care what I am wearing to dinner with my parents." Michiru pointed out.

"What if he isn't old?" Aiko gave Michiru to think about.

"Mum, dad is not like you. He would never trick me into an Omiai with a stranger." Michiru stated calmly.

"Motoki-san was no stranger, he used to go to the same primary school as you. Don't you remember?" Aiko tried to jog her memory.

"Ok, fine, I am getting changed, but only under the condition that I will NOT hear another word about Omiais or Motoki-san for the rest of the month." Michiru negotiated.

"I barely mention those things." Her mother responded defensively.

"Make that two months. I am serious mum." Michiru answered unimpressed.

"Ok, ok, get changed." Her mum hushed her towards the bedroom.

When they were both ready, they went downstairs to the waiting driver her father had sent and drove to the Kozue Restaurant that her mother liked so much for its views over Tokyo.

While they were driving, Michiru's phone received a message.

"Is your father running late?" her mother asked her.

"No, he just asked us to pick them up from the Peak bar when we get there." She informed her mother after putting her phone away again.

They arrived shortly later and took the elevator to the Peak bar to pick up her father and his guest. Her mother spotted her father first while he was talking to a tall blonde who had the back turned to them. Michiru recognised that messy blonde head straight away and her stomach turned into a knot.

'Composure Michiru' she told herself.

"Osamu!" Her mother called when they were nearby and as feared, Haruka turned around and flashed her irresistibly charming smile as her father beckoned them to come closer.

Haruka was wearing a very handsome black suit and graphite shirt with the top button undone. Michiru could see her tie being rolled up and peeking out from her jacket pocket. Under any other circumstance Michiru would have considered dragging the blonde out of the bar and straight to one of the hotel rooms below them, but with her parents around that wasn't even an option she dared to scratch at.

"Aiko, may I introduce to you Tenoh, Haruka. Tenoh-san, this is my wife Kaioh, Aiko." Her father introduced Haruka to her mother. What happened next was both unexpected and new to Michiru.

For the first time in her life, Michiru got to see her mother rendered speechless. She just stood there stunned and then went up to Haruka and hugged her tight. Even Haruka looked for a moment surprised and at little lost before she comforted her slightly teary mother. After Aiko let go of Haruka, Haruka bowed to her and greeted her mother with the expected respect. "Good evening Kaioh-san. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"Good evening Tenoh-san. Please excuse this old woman's sentiment, but you really do have your mother's eyes." Aiko suppressed a sniff and dried her tears in the handkerchief Osamu passed her.

"Oh, of course." was all that Haruka managed in response.

"Tenoh-san, may I introduce to you my daughter, Kaioh, Michiru." Aiko introduced Michiru. Knowing looks were exchanged and Michiru and Haruka bowed.

"Pleasure to meet you again, Tenoh-san" Michiru smiled.

"The pleasure is all mine." Haruka smirked.

"You two know each other?" Aiko looked surprise.

"I wouldn't say we know each other Kaioh-san." Haruka elaborated. "It is just that my firm has supported some of Kaioh's performances and that we have crossed paths in the subsequent celebrations." Haruka explained.

"We should go downstairs to the restaurant." Osamu requested the group to go back to the elevator.


-Haruka-

Haruka was sitting opposite to Osamu Kaioh and diagonally across to Aiko Kaioh, Michiru's mother who had just hugged her surprisingly just moments ago. Michiru herself was silently sitting to the left to her, dressed in a beautiful and elegant off-white dress that accentuated Michiru's curves temptingly.

"Osamu, you should have told me that you meant Tomoko's child with business partner." Aiko scolded her husband.

"That would have ruined the surprise." Osamu chuckled. "Tenoh-san, you must know, your mother, Tomoko-san, and Aiko were close childhood friends. She was devastated to hear that you would live with Tomoko-san's younger brother after your parents' passing." Osamu explained.

"Well, it wasn't so bad. I had a lot of freedom growing up." Haruka smiled.

"I take it Kakashi-san never got married?" Aiko commented coolly.

"No, Kakashi-jii was busy enough with my brother and me, there wasn't much time for his own love life." Haruka smirked.

"By the way what happened to your forehead?" Aiko looked concerned at the bandage over Haruka's eyebrow.

"Oh, that...just a small scratch I got during an inspection at work." Haruka waved it off.

"I would have never thought that you would take over the family business, I always thought your brother would do it. It must be tough for a woman to work in the heavy industries." Aiko remarked. "I must say though your eyes and your nose are definitely from Tomoko but otherwise you look very much like your father, Haruka-san. Don't you agree Osamu?" Aiko looked over to her husband, who just nodded. "But that is probably because you grew up in a men-only household." Aiko said as their first course arrived.

Haruka scratched her head sheepishly: "Oh, I don't know Kaioh-san. I guess I never figured out the whole dresses, skirts and makeup trifecta." Haruka tried to explain.

"Please call me Aiko. Of course, how could you with that lack of female influence in your childhood. Do you live in central Tokyo, Haruka-san?" Aiko asked her.

"Yes, Aiko-san." Haruka nodded and took a bite of her grilled fish.

"That is great, then you and Michiru could meet up and Michiru could help you with that, when she has time." Aiko suggested.

"I wouldn't want to impose Aiko-san, I am sure Michiru-san is a very busy young woman and between juggling her own social life and work responsibilities, I would just be a nuisance." Haruka deflected.

"Michiru, you wouldn't mind, right?" Her mother turned to Michiru.

"Of course not." Michiru replied politely.

"Do you have a boyfriend, Haruka-san?" Aiko continued her interrogation.

Suddenly the fish, meant to go down her oesophagus, seemed to have missed its target.

"Mother." Michiru interrupted.

After a few moments of coughing, that Michiru tried to ease with very welcomed gentle strokes on her back, Haruka answered: "Aehm, no." Haruka grinned sheepish. "I haven't had the time to dedicate myself to the whole process of starting a family, yet."

"Oh, let the poor child eat Aiko." Osamu tried to change the topic.

"I am just worried that Haruka never got the motherly guidance she needed when she was younger, to prepare her for the life a woman should lead." Aiko explained defensively.

"That's ok, I really appreciate the concern you have for me Aiko-san. I am sure my mother would be no different with Michiru-san, if she were in your position." Haruka smiled understandingly.

"That is true, your mother was a very caring person. Nothing ever escaped her observational skills." Aiko agreed.

"By the way, when I was little my mother always told me how much she enjoyed visiting great grandfather's beach house down in Okinawa with you. She always told me that those were the moments she could see mermaids." Haruka smoothly changed the topic and watched how Aiko blushed slightly before she went on a dreamy retelling of her vacations with Haruka's mother when they were younger.

-Michiru-

They had just finished their last course and were enjoying some tea when her mother excused herself to go to the restroom and her father needed to take another call from work.

Now both were sitting alone at the dining table and looked over the night skyline of Tokyo.

"What are you doing here Haruka?" Michiru asked Haruka as she turned to face the blonde.

"Having dinner?" Haruka suggested.

"Don't play cute." Michiru said stern.

"I don't need to play cute. According to your mum, I am not just cute but even adorable." Haruka grinned unapologetic.

Michiru rolled her eyes.

"By the way, did you do a bug sweep in your changing room yesterday?" Haruka asked her casually.

"I did you one better. I always keep the signal jammer in my violin case on when I am in the room." Michiru stated evenly.

"Wow, you sound experienced." Haruka chuckled.

"That is the upside of having obsessed fans. Several times I have found cameras and microphones in my changing rooms. I just don't have the time to clear them all every time so I jam them the moment I get in. Why do you ask?" Michuru asked in return,

"Just wondering." Haruka shrugged before she leaned back in her chair and cracked her neck.

"Haruka, you haven't answered my question." Michiru reminded the blonde.

"As the owner of Sora-industries, I need to tend to business relations all the time. Umi-tech has been in partnership with us since the time of my father's leadership. You know as much as me, that tending to one's cover is the A and O of the business Miss violinist." Haruka smirked.

"I hope you aren't selling my father any lemons." Michiru frowned.

"Oh please, Kaioh-san. We have been trading a lot of equipment for decades." Haruka smirked.

"What are you two talking about?" Aiko asked as she re-joined the table.

"I have just been telling Michiru-san that I really like the dress she is wearing tonight. That it really reflects the feminine beauty and values you have instilled in her with your upbringing, Aiko-san. This subtle elegance paired with this dignity is truly a superbly irresistible choice." Haruka pulled the words out of thin air but Michiru still couldn't help a light blush rising.

"Didn't I tell you that getting changed was a good idea?" Aiko looked at Michiru triumphant.