-Michiru-

Michiru looked shortly and quizzically at Setsuna but as she turned back to Haruka, the blonde was already gone. Before she could say anything, her aunt appeared from around the corner and took her by the hand.

"Michi-chan, come with me." Riko just said with cheeky smile that did not fit with the melancholic look in her eyes.

"Where are we going?" Michiru asked curiously.

"Catching some fresh air." Her aunt kept the response purposely short to ignite her curiosity.

They went upstairs and went out onto one of the balconies of the mansion where the cold air immediately reminded both of them that they were not appropriately dressed for this time of the year, at least not without their thick coats and scarves.

Michiru looked at her aunt with the obvious question of 'What is going on?' in her eyes, but her demeanour did not give away the confusion that she was plunged into.

"Slight adjustment of plans. That's all. We will proceed as planned, but some factors cannot be counted on at this moment." Was all that her aunt was whispering while barely moving her lips.

Before Michiru could ask more, Daniel appeared.

"So, here you are." He said slightly out of breath.

"Oh, I am sorry, I didn't know you were looking for me." Michiru replied.

"I should apologise. I just wanted to show Michiru the amazing night sky tonight. The Milky Way is particularly prominent tonight and she told me that she wanted to paint something in that direction but did not have the right inspiration for it yet." Riko added.

"Oh, you could have said so, I have a better place for you to have a look without either of you having to freeze out here. But don't tell anyone that I took you there." Daniel said conspiratorially and both women just nodded before they followed him.


-Taiki-

Taiki was watching Kakashi as he was packing his things to move to the agency's safe house this very evening.

"I don't have a good feeling about this." Taiki finally blurted out uncharacteristically causing for Kakashi to stop for a moment and to turn to face him.

Kakashi looked at him for a long silent moment before he started to talk.

"Who did Haruka leave in charge?" The older man asked him.

"Me." Taiki replied.

Kakashi just sighed and resumed to finish packing.

"Can't you talk to her and make her take someone with her?" Taiki asked Kakashi with an underlying pleading tone.

"You and I know what it's like when she has made up her mind." Kakashi just responded sombre.

"But she is leaving with just Kakyuu and zero additional backup." Taiki tried to argue.

"And they will be fine. They will be back in time for breakfast tomorrow. Instead of standing here with me, you should rest up. Knowing Haruka, it won't be long until she will contact you to get more work done." Kakashi zipped up his bag and stood up straight.

"Aren't you worried?" Taiki asked the other almost surprised.

"I worry for her constantly, but I trust her judgment and so should you. She is leaving you in charge here, because she thinks that you can do more here not because you would be useless by her side." Kakashi clarified. "Also, do not let your worry for Kakyuu cloud your judgement of the situation." Kakashi said as he put his hand on the Taiki's shoulder while passing him on the way out. "Take care of your brothers, Seiya still needs to recuperate and Yaten is at his limits with juggling everything away from the comfort of his office. We all have our roles to play, might as well play it well." Kakashi added with a melancholic smirk before he left.


-Haruka-

After a quiet flight to New York in Jade's jet, they were driven into the city in a big unassuming armoured car. No one spoke an unnecessary word and Jade exuded her usual pragmatic calm that she was famous for. Once they had entered her family's building, the other woman seemed to tense up but no one commented on it and Christine seemed to outright ignore her bosses increasing discomfort in her own home.

They took the private elevator to the penthouse in complete silence and while Haruka watched the number on the display steadily changing, she could feel how Kakyuu's hand was reaching for hers and she gave it a gentle squeeze before letting go from it.

On arrival on the top floor, a whole host of servants was already awaiting their presence and welcomed them warmly but that did not seem to put Jade to ease in any manner.

Jade walked ahead of them to a heavily guarded door where she left Christine behind as they entered.

The room was filled with as many machines as Haruka's clinic room and the beeping of the heart monitor was all too familiar to Haruka.

"How is my father doing Dean?" Jade asked the doctor who seemed to be attending to her father's needs.

"He should be resting well and not be waking up soon. It was an eventless night and he is very stable at the moment, but I still had to give him something to fall asleep. If you like, I can wake him up for you." Dean replied quietly.

Before Jade could answer, Haruka raised her hand to stop her from doing so.

Haruka had seen how the man, who was sleeping in the bed in front of them, started to relax the moment his daughter started talking. From the moment they had entered the room, her eyes had focused on him. Even asleep, the man had a presence that was unmistakable. The face, etched with concern and worries over the many decades on this world, easing the moment his daughter's voice could be heard.

"No need for rush. I have time. Jade, would you mind letting Kakyuu catch up with Dean on your father's condition?" Haruka asked the other woman who was slightly surprised but caught herself immediately.

"Of course not. If you both could please do it outside though?" Jade addressed Dean and Kakyuu who obliged immediately.

They waited until the other two were outside before Jade spoke again.

"His cancer is well managed but his dementia has been worsening rapidly recently and he has been very restless. Lately he has been asking for your father incessantly and nothing could distract him from it except medical intervention. As if he can't rest before he has seen him or spoken to him." Jade explained to Haruka who just let the other one talk. "He has forgotten almost all of us already. He only remembers Ken at occasions and he has been asking for mum less and less." Jade continued with a melancholic voice as she mentioned her older brother who refused his inheritance a long time ago to follow his heart and to marry the love of his life instead of following the family's tradition and to take over the family business.

When Jade mentioned her deceased mother, the crack in her voice made Haruka's heart ache. She knew that pain all too well.

Jade walked away from the bed and to the Shogi board that stood in one corner of the room and touched the tiles tenderly.

"You know, I used to watch them play when I was little and even long after your father had left us, my father would tell me about great battles that your father and him shared on here." Jade rested her finger on top of a pawn.

"Mum and dad used to talk about how hard it was to play with your father. Dad always said that he was a very good strategist, second to none." Haruka recalled some of the late-night chats between her parents that she had witnessed.

"So, you suddenly have time?" Jade asked her and looked up at her inquisitively.

"It is mine to do what I like with it and I decided to spend more time here." Haruka replied nonchalant as she sat down on one side of the board arranged the tiles on her side for a fresh game.

Jade joined her and sat down on the other side to emulate her actions.

Once they were done, they started to play in reverent silence.


-Michiru-

Shortly later, after a few security gates, they arrived on the highest floor and entered a small observatory with a glass roof.

The view from here was breath taking and Michiru looked around with amazement.

"It is truly beautiful here." Michiru said with sincere awe.

"Not as beautiful as you." Daniel let slip and had the decency to blush as Riko had to chuckle.

"Ok, I will leave you two kids here alone, but promise me to behave and not to let an old lady wait too long in the exhibition alone." Riko winked before she turned around to exit the observatory again.

"Oh, you don't have to go…" Daniel started.

"I know when I am the third wheel. I trust you to be respectful of my niece. Any violation of her will and you will have to answer for it, Mr. Ferguson." Riko said with chuckle before she exited the observatory.

"Do you think your aunt knows her way back?" Daniel asked her.

"My aunt would punish you so hard right now if she knew that you think that she is that senile to not remember the way back to the gallery." Michiru had to giggle.

"Alright, let's make this quick. I am too afraid to ask what she would do to me if we took longer than she approves of." Daniel concurred and ushered her to the be big telescope.

A few adjustments later, she was looking through the scope and into the clear night's sky.

"What's your favourite luminary?" Daniel asked as he sat at the computer.

"I have feel kindred spirits with Neptune." Michiru replied after a moment of thought.

"Neptune, coming right up." Daniel responded before he pushed a few buttons on the keyboard and the whole telescope moved.

Michiru watched how the celestial bodies moved by and for a moment she spotted Uranus before the telescope focused on Neptune.

"It is a very beautiful planet." Daniel commented as she focused on the dark spot on the planet.

Suddenly the door behind them opened again and Thomas stepped through it with Ami trailing behind him.

"Ferguson." Thomas called out in a strict tone.

"I.." Daniel was about to apologise but Thomas cut him off.

"There are some necessary changes that need to be implemented for tomorrow. I trust you to get that done as soon as possible." Thomas just said inexpressive and Michiru got up from the telescope.

"You, Ms. Kaioh, are welcome to stay and to enjoy the night's sky. Dr Mizuno here was so kind to volunteer to assist you with the system in Ferguson's stead." Thomas gestured for Michiru to sit back down. "Dr. Mizuno, if you have any troubles with the system, please do not hesitate to call me. The observatory will automatically lock itself again when you leave, so please do not concern yourself with the security protocol here." Thomas addressed Ami who nodded and expressed her gratitude before replacing Daniel at the computer that controlled the system.

Both women watched the men leaving before they started to talk.

Michiru was about to ask her something but Ami adjusted her glasses with her left hand which was their sign that they were still being watched.

She sat down quietly at the computer and noticed on which planet the telescope was focusing on.

"Did you know that Neptune was actually only discovered due to Uranus not moving as calculated?" Ami asked Michiru.

"No, I didn't." Michiru admitted.

"Uranus was a big fascination to many astronomers back in the days, and even today, the more we learn of it, the more it stands out from the rest of the planets, starting even with how it is tilted, don't you think?" Ami continued to muse. "But as big and wayward it may seem, it is still influenced by Neptune's gravitation."


-Kakyuu-

When she returned to Jade's father's room, she found her friend and her counterpart sitting intensely staring onto a shogi board.

The constellation looked difficult and the position of many tiles were precarious.

Suddenly Jade's father started to stir and opened his eyes slowly.

Jade rushed to his side as she could see that he was attempting to sit up and helped him to get comfortable.

"Who are you?" He asked her benign.

"I am Jade." She responded with a routine in her voice that showed that this was not the first time that he had not recognised her.

Out of habit, Kakyuu reached for the stethoscope on the table next to the bed before she read the machines and noticed with relief that his vital signs were normal.

"Why are you here?" He asked his daughter puzzled but before she could reply, Haruka adjusted her glasses and she stepped up next to the bed of the old man, waiting for him to look at her.

"She is with me, as is the doctor." Haruka clarified in a calm, deep tone.

"Thank you, doctor." The old man moved his head to look at Kakyuu with warm but tired eyes before he turned back to his daughter. "Thank you Jade. Thank you for helping me….Jade… My youngest is called Jade, too. I hope she grows up to be just as pretty and graceful as you." The old man smiled gently and the other woman just nodded silently.

"Haruki. You got my call. I am glad you made it." The old man finally looked at Haruka with immense kindness and warmth.

"How could I let you wait when you call, Shohei-ji?" Haruka replied with a subtle chuckle.

"Where is Tomo-chan? Is she with the kids?" Shohei asked her.

"Yes, you know how kids are when they are so little. Inseparable from their mother." Haruka replied with mirth in her voice.

"Oh, I know. Ken and David used to be like that and now little Jade is inseparable from Stephanie. It is nice to see Stephanie relax a bit more and to work less…." Shohei mused. "But that is not why I called you." The old man said more gravely. "Jade, would you mind leaving the room?" he addressed his own daughter without recognising her.

"I have nothing to hide from her. She is family, like you are, to me." Haruka excused Jade's continued presence.

Shohei looked at Jade for a long time and then turned back to Haruka.

"Ok, I trust your judgement. You know, I hope one day none of my kids will have to do what we do. Stephanie and I want to give up the whole business and just live. Jade is almost twelve. Ken is about to finish university. Steph has made great sacrifices to work as part of the hand, a sacrifice that we do not wish upon any of our kids." Shohei's breathing started to become more laboured and Kakyuu got busy with the help of Jade to make him more comfortable.

"Are you telling me that Stephanie-ba wishes to retire?" Haruka tried to hurry the matter along so the other man could rest again.

"No, we have come to realise that you cannot retire from this world, but since Jade is here, we realised that there is more to life than this world as a whole and we want to spend more time with her. We missed out on many important moments in Ken's and David's lives, but more importantly, we do not want them to sacrifice their life for this ungrateful world. Especially Jade. You know how it is. You have a little girl of your own. You are doing all you can to enable for her to live a carefree life. We are doing the same." Shohei explained.

"What are your plans Shohei-ji?" Haruka asked him patiently.

"I cannot tell you yet. We don't have concrete plans yet, but when things are calming down and need less governing from our side, I do think that we will gradually pull out and maybe, if Katsuo-ni finds it in himself, I might be able to come home. We might be able to come home and I can show the kids where I am from…." Shohei said dreamily. "But I know my brother and you know your father in law. Persuading him to take me back will be harder than retiring from the hand." Shohei turned serious again. "But that is beside the point. I am glad you have not gone to Cairo yet and I know there is nothing I can do to stop you from doing it, but when you go, do not take unnecessary risks and roam around alone." He said gravely.

"What is wrong with Cairo?" Haruka asked as calm as she could while hiding her curiosity.

"It came down the grapevine that you we have a traitor amongst your ranks." Shohei whispered.

"You mean in the council, the conglomerate…, the syndicate? You know that everyone gets double and triple checked to even get in." Haruka replied calmer.

"No, not the council…the clans, Haruki. Amongst your clans, there is a traitor, Haruki." Shohei gripped Haruka's wrist imploringly. "They are not just after you, they are after us, Haruki. They are after the research, they are after Tomo." Shohei insisted.

"What do you mean they are after Tomo? Tomo is only a doctor…" Haruka asked him urgently in return as she could see that the old man was getting worked up by her calm demeanour.

"You and I know that she is not just a doctor. We know your boy is special. Someone is after him, and more importantly, they are after Tomo…Tomo" Shohei's heart monitor was starting to show a heartrate that was not healthy for the old man and the beeping only increased the sense of urgency that Shohei needed to calm down.

Dean rushed back into the room and prepared an injection to calm the old man down.

"What do you mean Shohei-ji? Why are they after Tomoko?" Haruka tried to pry out of the old man before in the injection would put him to sleep.

"Tomo…Tomo…" where the last words that Shohei muttered before he fell asleep again and his hand loosened the tight grip on Haruka's wrist.

"I am sorry about that. I did not think that he would bring this up. I thought he would talk about the move on the shogi board that he wanted to do that he always talked about when he talked about your father." Jade said quietly.

"All good there. Nothing to apologise for." Haruka looked how the peace slowly returned to the old man's face before she returned to the Shogi board and sat down in one of the chairs next to it, leaving Kakyuu and Dean to take care of the old man.

Jade sat down opposite to her and they both looked wearily at the board between them.

"This is not good." Haruka mumbled into her folded hands as she looked at all the tiles on the board, with her elbows resting on her thighs.

"I would say we have identified patient zero for the disease that has afflicted the council and our structures. If my father's mind is as clear as it was the day of the incident in the regards to this…this would explain a lot." Jade pondered aloud before she leaned over the board.

"We need to get rid of the root of this evil." Haruka said gravely.

"We need, no, can't do anything. At least not right now. My father is still alive, even if just barely, but as long as he is, he is part of the hand and I am only his representative and many are out for his seat at the table." Jade countered.

"It is possible to use that to our advantage. Let me grant his wish. I know you called me here so that he could make his last request directly. Let him come home. I own the houses in Okinawa from both of my parents' families. Mum left the beach house to me. I know it is not the Kyoto estate, but it is closer to home than New York." Haruka offered. "And we will instate you properly when the time comes. If you still want that. You heard him. he wants you to be happy." Haruka reminded Jade.

"How can I be happy when my parents' lives' work is being destroyed in front of me and I cannot do anything about this right now?" Jade asked Haruka.

Kakyuu could see that Haruka knew that Jade had too much pride to ask her for a favour, but she also knew that the stressed woman needed a break. Her life had been by no means easy and now the pillar she used to lean on was crumbling fast.

"This is shogi, not poker. We play the long game and I know what to do." Haruka replied with a calm that Kakyuu had never seen before.

"How will you justify it with your grandfather or, better, grandfathers?" Jade asked her seriously.

"I won't. I do as I like in the home that I own. I have my own ports for you to use. It will not impede on any of their resources or businesses." Haruka shrugged nonchalant.

"Do you have a secure route in mind." Jade asked her.

"I do." Haruka replied confident.

"I will start making arrangements then." Jade made an inexplicable move and was about to stand up when Haruka held her back.

"Are you really going to sacrifice your silver general?" Haruka asked the other concerned.

"I am sacrificing no one. I am merely taking a break from all of this. After all, it is the hubris of the general that will be its downfall and pawns that don't do as they are told, are useless. Shall they all sleep in the bed of their own making. It is their choices after all that will get them where they will be." Jade said cryptically and Haruka just nodded knowingly.

"Don't forget, I still need to get back to Dublin." Haruka reminded Jade.

"Why?" Jade asked surprised.

"I still need to get back to the auction." Haruka reminded her.

"For Kaioh, or for your mission?" Jade asked her evenly as she looked deep into Haruka's eyes.

"The mission." Haruka replied steadily.

"You know, I only ask because I care for you, cousin." Jade clarified.

"I know. And you know I will do all I can for you because we are family." Haruka responded in kind.


-Yaten-

He was sitting quietly in the lounge, checking up on their home as Taiki walked into the room, with his phone glued to his ear.

"I understand…..I understand…I understand…yes, you can leave it to me….Of course….immediately….I understand…do you want me to get Abe-sensei….I understand…. I will inform all the necessary people. You can leave it to me…. Of course…Till then." Taiki spoke into the phone.

"Haruka?" Yaten asked after Taiki had hung up.

"Yes." Taiki replied short.

"Need help" Yaten offered.

"No. Yes. No, not yet. I will let you know." Taiki responded absent minded before he pulled out his laptop and opened it.

"What do you think is happening?" Seiya asked Yaten as he joined him at the table.

"No, clue, but it seems to be serious." Yaten whispered in return.


-Michiru-

It was the last auction day and Haruka was nowhere to be seen. Just the Kings and Hiroko were present as well as all the usual suspects from the day before. Michiru exchanged pleasantries with the other people and roamed between the various pieces of arts aimlessly. Even Daniel didn't show up yesterday nor today and so she spent most of her time talking to Denton. The man was by no means unpleasant, just a bit stiff and dry.

The last auction was about to start, but Michiru didn't have to attend the auction itself until the buyers would request a meeting and so she used to time to say goodbye to all her pieces one last time before they would be taken to the auction room.

She found Joy standing alone in front of 'the end of the world', seemingly looking at the picture, but she knew better. She knew that Joy was blind.

"Oh, Michiru, how come you are not in the auction room with the others?" Joy asked her as Michiru came closer.

"I could ask you the same." Michiru chuckled.

"My mums are better at spotting a good piece of art." Joy responded with a light chuckle lacing each of her words. "You are probably wondering how I even enjoy your art." Jade mused aloud.

"It is hard to deny that." Michiru replied coy.

"I enjoy the presence of the people beside me and how they relish the art. You could say, I enjoy art by proxy." Joy explained.

"Ah, but you are here alone." Michiru noted.

"Oh? Am I really?" Joy chuckled. "You seem particular critical of this piece." Joy continued and Michiru turned her head to look at her painting.

"Apprehension would be more befitting." Michiru said absentmindedly.

"Interesting. You are only the second person to say that." Joy mused before the others and Denton joined them.

"….Well John, when will you be moving the pieces you acquired tonight?" Belinda was asking Denton as they were coming closer.

"Tonight." Denton replied dry. "I will wait for as long as possible, but I have the order to move them all before midnight" He elaborated.

Just the evening before John Denton had bought every single painting that Michiru had exhibited. It wasn't even an auction, but more a one buyer transaction since the prices he was willing to pay had a very generous margin that no one even dared to make counter offers.

"Michiru, we have just come to pick up our little trouble maker and to say goodbye for now. I will be looking forward to more of your works" Belinda winked and the small group proceeded to say their goodbyes before they left Michiru, Elsa, Riko and John behind in the slowly clearing gallery.

"Aren't you going yet, John?" Riko asked the man to her left.

"I am waiting for my client" Denton explained.

"Oh, you resold the painting already?" Elsa asked surprised.

"Oh no, Ms Grey. I am a curator for a private collection and I am waiting for main client to have a final look at all the pieces before I pack them for shipping." Denton explained.

"Did you bring your special equipment?" Riko asked him.

"Of course." John replied with a slight offense that was taken denoted in his tone.

"You have to know Elsa, John is one if the best art movers. If you need art moved safely, he is your man." Riko explained to Elsa, which seemed to stroke Denton's ego enough to be very pleased with himself.

"Really? What methods do you use?" Elsa asked him with her trademark reporter inquisitiveness.

"It is a bit hard to explain, but I can show you if you like." John was positively pleased with himself.

"Well then, let's go." Riko encouraged them.

"I think I stay here a bit more to say goodbye to my work, but you all go and come back to tell me about it." Michiru declined.

"Are you sure?" Elsa asked her.

"I am sure. You go and learn something from the expert. I will be waiting here for you until you get back." Michiru reassured her friend.

"Ok, suit yourself, let's go, so we do not waste too much of Mr Denton's time so that he will be back in time for his client." Elsa said eager. She was clearly smelling a story and so Michiru was left completely alone in the gallery.

She looked up the big canvas and let herself get lost in the scenery when she could hear the door open again.

"Did you forget something? Or did you change your mind and want to drag me along after all?" Michiru laughed lightly as she turned her gaze to the door, where someone else stepped through it.

It was Haruka.

Haruka walked in with her eyes glued to her phone and her thumbs dancing over them like they were doing the quick step. She seemed unusually distracted from her surrounding and yet highly focused on her task.

One moment Haruka was focused on her phone the next she was looking up, right into Michiru's eyes and Michiru could see how her fingers seized to move for a moment before the blonde looked down again and seemed to finish the thought that she was putting down and putting the phone into the inner pocket of her jacket.

"I see you have not gone home yet." Haruka smirked as she came closer, but her eyes were unusually unanimated behind her glasses, instead they were highly guarded like a fortress.

"You missed the auctions." Michiru replied with an even tone.

"I am sure you were successful despite my absence." Haruka countered as she came to stop right next to Michiru and turned to face the canvas that was bearing the sight of death and destruction.

"I am sure I don't need to tell you how it went." Michiru conceded.

They stood in silence in front of the big picture and Michiru's inner turmoil seemed to be unbearable, like the big waves that were swallowing up the skyscrapers in her work, they wanted to break free and make a path of their own. But she knew, they weren't allowed.

She turned to Haruka who was standing stoically by her side, looking at the big painting pensively.

"You better take it up as much as possible, someone is coming to pick it up any time soon now." Michiru tried a lighter tone before things would escalate as it did the last time they spoke.

"I know." Haruka just responded calm. "Are you satisfied with the proceeds that you received for your works?" The blonde added after a moment of silence.

"It is not for me to be satisfied or not. I am donating it to an orphanage." Michiru clarified. "Are you satisfied with what you came here for?" Michiru added after a moment's hesitation.

"Hmm" Haruka just nodded with a silence that was heavy with thoughts but that were never voiced.


-Yaten-

He had barely gotten news that Haruka had just landed and got up to tell Seiya about it but he was nowhere to be found in the big mansion. Even the other occupants couldn't tell him where the dark-haired man was. Yaten looked everywhere and checked the security system for his brother's signature, but he had seemed to have gone off the radar until Yaten suddenly smelled tobacco from one of the balconies facing the inner court and walked into direction of it. Seiya was not on the balcony but hiding under it, smoking and talking to someone on the phone.

"We can't meet in London...at least not like before…No, that is not how this works. If you want to woo me, try with wowing me first. This offer is subpar. I am used to a lot better offers than this and I turned them down without batting an eye. You got to do better than this. A true upgrade…Don't bother calling again if you are just going to repeat yourself." Seiya spoke with slight irritation in his tone into the phone before hanging up with a grunt and lighting another cigarette.

Yaten had stayed quiet in the safety of the balcony before he slowly retreated. It was obviously not the best time to talk to Seiya and it wasn't that urgent yet anyway. Haruka would be back soon and then they could finally head home, he thought to himself with an uneasy feeling in his gut.


-Kakyuu-

"Oh my farking goodness Haruka, say something. Anything. Don't let her hang like that." Kakyuu groaned into her headset as she watched the scene unfold on her phone while Taiki was driving her to the mansion, but Haruka didn't budge and kept staring onto the painting. If she could have, she would have turned the blonde's head to see how Michiru was holding up and probably forced Haruka to give the other woman the much-needed hug of which the necessity was palpable, at least to Kakyuu, in Michiru's voice.

Before Kakyuu could continue her tirade on Haruka though, she could hear faint footsteps coming from the distance and cursed the fact that the blonde had put her phone into her inner pocket instead of the outside one, through which Kakyuu was listening in, which muffled all sounds a bit.

"Haruka, I am glad that you made it back in time." A familiar male voice called out to the blonde and she turned around to bring into view the old man whose face soften at the sight of Haruka.

"John, it is good to see you." Haruka replied while they exchanged a firm handshake.

"Been skipping the boring parts of these events again, haven't you Haruka-chan." Riko teased Haruka, who only chuckled lightly.

"Riko-sensei, I would never…"Haruka said with a smirk in her voice that was unmistakeable.

Kakyuu noticed how Elsa looked at the blonde, the eyes observant and penetrating, almost distrustful while the lips were curved into a friendly, nearly warm, smile. This girl meant trouble, Kakyuu thought to herself as Haruka exchanged further pleasantries with the people that had joined them, while conveniently ignoring Michiru.

"It is about time for me to move the paintings, I hope everything is as you wanted to be." John remarked as he looked down onto his watch.

"I take it all has been authenticated once more?" Haruka asked him in passing.

"It has. With the new additions, Kaioh-san has been so kind to sign further authentication for future use." John commented.

"I see, then it is all as needed." Haruka replied pensively.

"What about Amsterdam?" John asked Haruka as he put on his cotton gloves.

"It is an unsanctioned endeavour. I trust you to flood the system as needed when the time comes." Haruka's voice was low and ambiguous as it could be.

"Understood. I should still have a few laying around to do so from the earlier years and a few very nice commissions. I think that should do. Is there anything else that I need to be aware of?" John asked Haruka while he opened special crates that lay ready to stow away the smaller art pieces.

"I would like to add the Monet as well as the new additions to the reserve and the Picasso to the liquidity pile. I dislike holding onto Picassos longer than absolutely necessary and I would like your liquidity levels to be adequate for you to have all the resources that you need. What do you think John?" Haruka asked.

"Thank you. I will not let it go to waste and I absolutely agree. The liquidation should be swift. I have several people on the waiting list for it. Would you like to send any to exhibitions or just the retrieval?" John asked her in return.

"Right now, I don't think I want to send any statement pieces out at this moment. Sometimes the lack of something will cause people to think enough. I trust you to have whatever is necessary on display when needed." Haruka replied.

"Indeed. I will get onto my work then and let you know as soon as everything has been moved into storage. We keep in touch." John nodded before he said his goodbyes in advance and immersing himself with packing and moving all the art pieces that he had acquired for Haruka.

A wistful look passed in Michiru's eyes while a mirthful smirk passed by Riko's lips.

Taiki pulled into the mansion which Kakyuu didn't even notice until she heard the creaking that the big gates made as they closed behind them and she as looked up, she noticed Seiya and Yaten waiting for them.


-Setsuna-

They had returned to their accommodation and were taking stock on all the footage and recordings that they had made during the exhibition and the meetings to compile them for Tenoh Sr. before they would get back.

Kakashi was sitting with Ami and Rei, going through the minutes and sorting them according to topic and person to whom it was connected.

A clear picture of someone having had profound influence in the European forces crystallised, but Setsuna couldn't be entirely sure and she made a note to consult with Riko as soon as possible.

Suddenly, Kakashi pulled out his phone and typed a quick message before going to Setsuna.

"We need to go home." He stated stern.

"But we are not scheduled to go yet." Setsuna reminded him.

"Don't forget who you are now. You are the vice director of the agency, you set the schedule and if you say that we are going home, we will go home, and I adamantly recommend you to make that call now." Kakashi insisted and Setsuna took a moment to think. She looked around herself where Ami and Rei were attentively waiting for her instructions. It was not new to her to be in charge, but the severity of possible consequences if she did not act now was clear in Kakashi's tone.

"I take your advice. We are packing up. You go and fetch Minako and Makoto and help them to finish up their duties. Rei and Ami will help me to finish packing up here." Setsuna instructed Kakashi who disappeared immediately.

Rei looked puzzled but Ami frowned and so Setsuna knew that Ami had spotted something that had most likely prompted Kakashi to behave as he had.

Before Ami could say anything, Setsuna stopped her.

"We will evaluate in HQ, there is no time to waste. We are done here. We got what we came for." She just said commanding and the two women nodded before they got busy and packed up all their equipment.


-Haruka-

After John had left to get the rest of his crew to move the biggest of all paintings, she said her goodbyes to the other women as well and excused herself to see the host one more time, but in reality, she had already talked to Thomas before she entered the gallery and so she stood now in the dark driveway and took out her e-pipe, waiting for one of Thomas's servants to fetch her car.

"Hey little bear." Riko's voice came from the shadows.

"Hey." Haruka replied as she exhaled a small minty cloud.

"Stressed?" Riko asked, pointing at the small cloud that rose ever higher into the clear sky.

"Me? Never." Haruka replied with a chuckle.

"Will you be busy for a while?" Riko continued to ask.

"Relatively." Haruka replied with a shrug before taking another drag.

"Anything I should know?" Riko looked up at her with those eyes that she had never managed to deny any request or lie to at any point in time.

"The west is dying." Haruka replied cryptically, with the full confidence that Riko would understand what she was trying to say.

"I see." Riko nodded deep in thought.

"The west is dying at home." Haruka stated calmly and waited for the negative backlash that should follow, but nothing came. Riko just stood there slowly looking up into the sky and then nodding to indicate that the information had been noted.

"Good. No, that is good." Riko mumbled. "Will you go home now?"

"Yes, I need a vacation at the beach. You are welcome to join me. I know you don't love the cold." Haruka chuckled.

"I'll see if I can make time." Riko joined in the chuckling. "But how will you get them onto the island unnoticed, it is not like you can hide their movements." Riko gave Haruka to think about.

"They don't need hiding if everyone is busy looking at something else." Haruka replied quietly before taking another long drag and exhaling slowly.

"Hmm" Riko nodded.

"In either case, will santa come on time this year?" Haruka asked her teacher the question that had been burning in the back of her mind since she had seen her old piano teacher in summer.

Riko looked at her melancholically before she raised a hand to move a strand of blonde hair out of Haruka's face.

"Of course." Riko replied with a smirk, before she followed that up with: "If you have been a good child"

"Me? Always." Haruka chuckled.

"Sure" Riko laughed heartily.


-Daniel-

He was standing in Thomas's private office in a silence that was becoming more uncomfortable by the second. Minutes ago, he had passed Tenoh on the way into the office. The air that she had left behind in the room was heavy and had grown heavier since. What Thomas and her had discussed was unknown to him and he hoped to learn of it soon, but the man he was called by wasn't talking but had his back turned to Daniel, with his eyes affixed on his estate.

Daniel started to shift on his feet that were growing sore from standing in his new shoes.

"How long have you been working for me?" Thomas suddenly asked him.

"Seven years, sir." Daniel answered prompt.

"Hmm" Thomas nodded, his eyes not averting from something that Daniel had not identified yet while he looked into the same direction, just a few metres further away from the window.

Thomas put his hands into his pockets and stared even more intently into the distance.

"Is there something you want to tell me?" Thomas asked him in a very unemotional manner and Daniel felt hesitant to reply.

Tenoh had been in here alone with Thomas before he came and it was obvious that both had a very serious talk together. Two glasses of whiskey were poured but neither had touched their drinks. The glasses were still standing abandoned on Thomas's desk.

"I have nothing that I wish to tell you, sir." Daniel replied, trying to keep his voice calm. If he had been found out and would be eliminated now, is this how it would happen? He had heard stories of people disappearing in Thomas's service when he was done with him. Was he next? Would he fail to investigate what he had come for like all he predecessors that were fished out the Themes or vanished? Did Haruka find something out that would compromise him and shared with Thomas his true identity and objective? Would he now be 'disappeared'?

He could not tell.

The blonde had passed him on the way out of this room with a face that was colder than Antarctica and eyes more distant than the Milky Way.

He needed to brace himself for the worst.

He listened out for steps from Thomas's other staff that might be storming in any minute now.

If his mission was found out, he would be lucky if his parents would find anything to burry at all.

"I think it is time…." Thomas said as he watched a small cloud rise into the sky.

Daniel was still debating with himself if he should just deny all allegations that would be put in front of him or if he should just fall onto his knees to plead for his dignity and to take care of his termination himself, but Thomas stayed quiet and just watched another smoke cloud rise.

Someone must be smoking underneath the office, Daniel thought to himself and almost chuckled how he wanted to groan at the idea that he would have to tell that person off for slacking off from their guard duty. He really had no time to waste on that frivolity.

"Sir, if you don't mind me asking, time for what?" Daniel had decided to go onto the offensive. He had nothing to lose and everything to gain. He had worked too hard to get into Thomas's organisation to give up now.

"Time for a vacation." Thomas replied calm a he turned around and faced Daniel with his usual unemotional face.

"Where would you like me to organise your trip to?" Daniel asked, almost too eager.

"You are not coming with me. I have a list of things for you to do and to finish until I return. I trust you to get it done right." Thomas handed him a large envelope.

"Of course, sir." Daniel replied, trying hard to not show his relief.

"I will not be available for a while. I trust you to hold off any important appointments for when I return. If I am needed, you know how to get into contact with me." Thomas said in a clear tone.

"Where will you be going, sir?" Daniel asked tentatively.

"I think I will choose some island. I will decide when I am in the plane." Thomas replied with no emotion in his voice.

"I wish you safe travel's, sir." Daniel replied.


-Mamoru-

He exited the hospital after a long shift in surgery and was looking forward to dinner and a long bath, but he knew that plan was out of the question when he spotted his grandfather standing at the reception and waiting for him.

"Good evening grandfather, are you not well?" Mamoru greeted the retired head of the Chiba family but Kenichi Chiba instructed his grandson to give one of the servants that were to his side his car keys instead of answering the question that was asked.

"Itou-san will be driving your car to your house and dropping off your family's dinner for today to make up for taking you to dinner with me today. Don't worry. I will have you driven home at a sensible time." Kenichi just replied as Mamoru handed his car keys reluctantly to the servant. "No need to sulk. I am taking you to your favourite restaurant." Kenichi continued good naturedly.

'Impossible, my favourite would be a nice hot Ramen in one of the seediest places around here…' Mamoru thought to himself but just nodded obediently before they both entered the black Sedan.

"How is the hospital treating you?" Kenichi asked as he sat calmly in his Kimono opposite to Mamoru.

The Kimono alone already told him that the place they were going to was not just simply upper-class but beyond the realm of reason and suddenly he felt very underdressed in his work suit that he had put on this morning.

"They are treating me no different to any other respected doctor who works here." Mamoru replied calmly.

"Good." Was Kenichi's only short reply as they drove through the streets of Tokyo.

The lights were blinking bright in the dark night as they drove through the nightlife of downtown Tokyo and Mamoru couldn't help himself but to dread the place, they were heading towards, in Roppongi.

Like he predicted it was an unassuming restaurant with a tiny sign that said 'by referral only' and the moment they pulled up in front of it, a well-dressed man with white gloves opened the unassuming door and another exited to welcome them.

"Good evening Chiba-sama." The men greeted them with a deep bow which his grandfather acknowledged with a barely noticeable nod, before passing them on the way in.

After they got seated in a private room and were left alone, his grandfather resumed their one-sided conversation.

"Mamoru-kun, you know that a family is only as strong as its weakest link, right?" Kenichi asked him with an even gaze focused on him.

"I do" Mamoru replied evenly, suppressing all thoughts of Usagi's general clumsiness and dread that his union with her would inevitably be the topic of the conversation as well as the need for a male heir.

"I want you to understand that I just want the best for you and our family." Kenichi reiterated.

"I understand." Mamoru replied stoically.

"We need to look after one another." His grandfather went on.

"I know." Mamoru replied with continued stoicism.

"You are always welcome to move back home. The sooner the better." His grandfather said with a tone that left no space for rebuttal.

Mamoru knew that this was not just a mere suggestion, but more a subtle nudge, with a gigantic invisible baseball bat where the family jewels were.

A barely noticeable knock interrupted just in time so that Mamoru could let out a silent sigh to relief some of the tension that had built up in him.

The cook himself came in to set up their dinner with two assistants and while the menu looked delicious, Mamoru had lost all appetite.


-Michiru-

They had a rather eventless return flight to Japan and Elsa still had sleep in her eyes when they were slowly descending on the airport of Nagoya at the crack of dawn.

Riko had separated from them in Ireland, saying there was some business with one of her other clients, but promised to join Michiru as soon as possible so that they could spend time over New Years.

She was just getting her hand luggage when Elsa's phone seemed to be blowing up as she switched it back on.

"Why is all the good stuff happening when I am asleep?" Elsa groaned, flicking through the avalanche of messages that came in.

"What's wrong?" Michiru asked curiously.

"Someone broke into the Rijksmuseum and stole 'The Night Watch'!" Elsa exclaimed frustrated.

"That is not the title of…" Michiru started but was cut off by Elsa.

"Unbelievable, we even had a layover at that exact time in Amsterdam, we could have caught the story just as it broke." Elsa whined.

"There, there. Let's grab some breakfast before catching up on the world's chaos." Michiru tried to calm down Elsa, who was animatedly staring at her phone and was mumbling incoherently.

Michiru steered her friend carefully between the other passengers who disembarked with them and they eventually managed to claim the little luggage that they had with them.

Suddenly a familiar long white coat caught Michiru's eyes and she covertly turned her head to see who it was.

Indeed, Kujakuseki, the reasonable one of Hiroko's minders, was at the airport and, like Elsa, he seemed rather distracted and unaware of his surroundings.

Michiru quickly pulled Elsa to the side to avoid them bumping into each other. Where he was, Hiroko couldn't be far, or so Michiru thought, and so she kept a wary eye out for the other woman. This could not be a coincidence. She needed to avoid her friend to bump into any affiliates of the Chiba's right now. Elsa's curious nature would only get Michiru into an awkward situation of disclosing half-truths and herself into deeper trouble that she had an affinity to.

The tall white-haired man didn't pay the two women any mind as he rushed past them, eyes with an ironclad focus on something that seemed that only he could see in the distance.

Michiru cautiously followed his line of gaze and noticed that two other men, similarly clothed, were waiting for him in the special luggage claims on the far end of the terminal.

The younger one she recognised as Mamoru's rude cousin before all three men disappeared in the customs office.

"You are right." Elsa suddenly sighed next to Michiru. "We are here now and there is nothing that can be done to un-miss this story of a century. Let's just grab some breakfast. I should worry more about your upcoming Christmas concert rather than this painting." Elsa continued with a resigned sigh before resuming to her more cheerful nature as they left the airport.

The cold November wind hit them once they stood outside looking for a Taxi but instead, they found her father standing peacefully next to one of his drivers, chatting calmy and quietly.

"Welcome home." He greeted them with a subtle smile.

Michiru and Elsa thanked in unison and all climbed quickly into the car to get out of the cold.

"Dad, you didn't have to take a day off from work today for us." Michiru answered the unspoken question from Elsa.

"How could I not when your aunt has even called me to tell me that you both were on this flight. The weather is particularly wet this time of the year and I wouldn't want either of you to get sick after such a taxing trip." Her father answered in his usual patient manner.

"Thank you so much for taking me home, Kaioh-san." Elsa joined the conversation.

"No need for such formalities. Osamu will do and no need to thank me, Elsa. You are almost like family and this is the least I could do to repay you for looking after my daughter throughout this trip. I hope she didn't cause you too much trouble." Osamu chuckled.


-Yaten-

"Good, make sure everything is scrubbed. We will see you back in Tokyo." Haruka said into her phone.

"How are they doing?" Yaten enquired about his brothers.

"They seem to make swift progress now that ever major player has left the vicinity." Haruka just replied sombre as they were overlooking the small private airport on Okinawa, waiting for an unregistered flight to come in.

The sun was setting as the private plane landed smoothly on the tarmac and was guided into one of the waiting hangers where Kakyuu was ready to receive their visitors with special equipment.

Haruka and Yaten left the tower and joined Kakyuu as she was instructing several other doctors and nurses to bring their patient to a vehicle that had been prepared specially for them.

"How are you holding up Jade?" Haruka asked the smaller woman who just nodded stoically.

"I am ready for a bath" she just replied and Haruka nodded understandingly.

The drive to the beach estate was silent, inconspicuous and almost peaceful, if you didn't know that the whole area was put on the highest alert level, Yaten thought to himself as he watched the last remaining sun rays disappear in the distance through the passenger side window of the car.

Special security forces from the Myamotos as well as Okamotos were stationed at every other corner but even so, Haruka insisted on driving her guests herself. All he could do was sit by her side and stay vigilant as their small caravan of security people headed towards one of the most peaceful places that he knew on this planet.


-Taiki-

He had just hung up the phone and sighed.

'Eliminate the target'

Haruka's voice rung in his head and he couldn't shake the shiver that run down his spine. He never liked that part of their work, but it was an inevitable part of it.

Seiya gave him a look as if he wanted to ask if something was wrong but seemed to decide otherwise and resumed poking in his Shepherd's pie with his fork.

"Don't play with your food." Taiki reprimanded him habitually and dreaded immediately the inevitable rebuttal that Seiya usually gave in those moments, but nothing came from the other man. Seiya just resumed eating without another word.

'Maybe he is still upset', Taiki thought to himself.

Before Haruka left with Yaten, the blonde and Seiya had a loud but unintelligible argument that left no one the wiser and the two just left things unresolved at the time of the departure. He tried to ask each side what it was about but was just met by a wall of silence on both sides.

Suppressing a sigh, he leaned back in his chair and looked out of the window of the pub that they were in. The rain had subsided and the sun was lighting the wet, leaf and litter strewn streets.

He already missed being back in Japan but he knew that they were left behind for a reason. Another emergency conglomerate meeting would be called soon, and while Haruka had her complete trust put in the Kings, it was a matter safety for more than just them that they needed to stay.


-Haruka-

Everything was in place.

The old man was finally resting in his designated room, well cared for by all his doctors and the vicinity was as safe as one could make it.

She turned away from her great-uncle and his daughter and turned her gaze to the restless sea.

The wind had been turbulent and waves had been high and threatening.

Suddenly Yaten tapped on her shoulder.

"Kakashi is here." He whispered to her and she just nodded before she followed him out of the room to the main entrance.

Familiar small thundering steps were rushing her way and she caught Hotaru just in time, as the small girl launched herself into her arms.

"Oh, hey there Hime-chan." Haruka couldn't help but chuckle.

"Missed you Haruka-papa." Hotaru exclaimed.

"Missed you, too." Haruka couldn't help but grin.

"Thought you could use some cheer." Kakashi noted as he took off his shoes.

"Are you saying that I am always in short supply of that, old man?" Haruka chuckled.

"Just stating the obvious." Kakashi smirked back.

"What about school?" Haruka asked Hotaru.

"I have done all my homework and my teacher gave me all the work that we will be doing in the coming week." Hotaru replied dutifully.

"I am pretty sure you were not this responsible at her age." Kakashi snickered.

"I'll make sure to ask one of your brothers if you were this responsible at that age." Haruka replied unfazed.

"How about I bring you to Haruka's room and show you a table where you can put your books Hotaru-chan?" Yaten offered as he picked up Hotaru's bag from the ground and Hotaru nodded.

"I'll be having tea with Kakashi-ji in the meantime then." Haruka explained to Hotaru and Hotaru nodded understandingly before Haruka put Hotaru back down.

Haruka proceeded to motion for Kakashi to follow her into a different room and when Yaten and Hotaru were out of sight, closed the door behind them.

"I take it you will be staying for a while." Haruka stated.

"I might not have agreed with him on many things, but he is still family." Kakashi said nodding as he sat down opposite to Haruka at the low table.

"You really think grandfather won't come to see his little brother off?" Haruka enquired.

"We Takahashis are only known for two things, to call things by their name and to be hard headed. Shohei-ji was, no, is a great man and he achieved it by defying the family, I doubt that he will find rest in our family grave, just as much as I know that I will have to find sanctuary one day in the Tenoh's attaché cemetery." Kakashi chuckled rather ruefully.

"You are always welcome, but don't plan on taking that spot any time soon. Hotaru still needs some sort of granddad that spoils her to bits." Haruka tried to steer the conversation to a more cheerful place.

"How long does he have?" Kakashi asked her.

Haruka leaned back and took a deep breath. She knew that this question would have to come up eventually, but it didn't make it any easier to reply to.

"No one really knows. Best estimates would have him see his last New Years here." Haruka replied.

"And what is the most realistic estimate?" Kakashi asked concerned.

"Few days, at most a week." Haruka sighed.

"I see." Kakashi replied pensively. "That is throwing all our well laid plans out of schedule."

"Indeed." Haruka agreed.


-Mamoru-

After the dinner with his grandfather, he more or less ignored the less than subtle hint to move home and went on with his daily life as if nothing had happened. Something that was ingrained in his DNA, the ability to ignore the obvious to be able to continue with what was needed. Back in the days he would do it for his family, but now he had a family of his own and they were more important than the Chiba name, at least to him. But he always knew that he could not outrun his bloodline forever. He was ordered to come to estate, this time by his grandfather rather than his mother. There was no veiled pretence, no allusion to excuses, just a 'Come to the estate.' by his grandfather.

That his father would resort to involve his grandfather to call him to talk, or to berate more likely, deeply bothered him.

Reluctant and grouchy he drove through the gate and parked his car before he walked to the main room reserved for 'serious' matters.

He remembered the last time that he was ordered around like that was when he announced that he would marry Usagi with or without their blessings, so the memories made there were not the best.

Before he got there, he was greeted by his grandfather coming towards him and gesturing for him to follow close behind him.

When he arrived, he noticed that all main men of the Chiba clan were gathered, including his uncle and his right-hand man who both were supposed to be in the UK as well as another older man that he had never seen before.

"Sit down next to me." His grandfather instructed him the moment Mamoru entered the room.

"I have an announcement to make." His father stood in all his might and pride in front of the gathered people. "it has been twelve generations since we have let in an outsiders into our midst, and three generations since we have been steadily losing influence on the reality that we used to shape, but I have it from a very reliable source that this will be changing very soon. This New Years, it is possible that we will be welcoming new members amongst our midst and I want to hear no rebuttal to that. You have now the chance to bring forth the best men amongst you to challenge them to prevent that, but know that we Chibas will take back our spot in history that we used to have throughout time. To achieve that, only the best will do and we will stop at nothing and no one. We will no longer be overlooked and underestimated. It is time for us to step out of the shadows that we have been limited to. We will take our rightful place in this world." His father declared with pride at the head of the table which caused Mamoru to become very uneasy.