Burning Flyer Miles

By Manx Maiden

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or its characters. I also owe many other fanfiction writers for the ideas that inspired this story.

Authoress' Note: I was so happy with the review turn out for the last chapter. My thanks to everyone who reviewed! Your support really helped speed this chapter along. It would have been done quicker, but I just moved and have no internet as of yet. I had to download this chapter at work and write it back at home. Because of that, I didn't have a lot of time to revise and correct grammar mistakes. Sorry. I have been working on my notes for future chapters and I can tell everyone that this story is definitely turning out to have a lot of twists and turns. The notes themselves are turning out great, so I am eager to get started on the next chapters. Hopefully, this chapter will meet expectation and I look forward to your reviews.

Plot: Kaoru and her little brother have just inherited a dojo in Japan. All goes well, until her best friend and famous journalist drops in. Soon, Misao has them tangled in a web of revolution, government conspiracy, and two dangerously handsome men.

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Chapter II

The Game Begins

The dojo was a steady and peaceful quiet. The only sound was the rhythmic patterns of birds singing brightly outside the windows. Warm sunlight flowed throughout the dojo highlighting the both the dust and splendor of the ancient building. All was a steady calm as silence floated through the place like a whispering river. Even the animals had sensed the stillness and returned to their dens around the gated school. All was a utopia.

"Kaoru, you ugly moron!"

…..Or not…….

The bedroom door nearly being torn off its hinges shocked the two women inside from a heavy sleep. Kaoru woke from her futon with a start and she tried to steady her furiously beating heart. Misao's reaction was less dramatic. She merely lifted her head up to stare at him with sleepy eyes. Throwing a pillow at his head, she rolled over and slid her eyes closed again. He threw it back and hit his mark, but she didn't even move in response. Their other sister was far from subtle.

"Yahiko! What are you doing waking us up at this hour?" Kaoru yelled once she could breathe again.

"What do you mean "this hour", ugly? It's a quarter to eight! I'm going to be late for school on my very first day! Oh, hey, Misao."

Misao merely saluted with her back turned while Kaoru's temper roared to life.

"No, it's not! My alarm was set at a seven! It hasn't even gone off yet!" she defended.

"Then, it's broken because it's seven forty-five!" he said in frustration. "I though you were awake already!"

"No, it isn't!" Kaoru argued, "It's……"

Her statement was cut off when Misao tossed Kaoru's cell phone at her. Glancing at the time, Kaoru began to shout and threw her alarm clock against the wall shattering it. Flinging the covers off herself, she sprinted towards the bathroom.

When he saw this, Yahiko shouted in fear, "No! Kaoru, don't! It will take you forever to get ready! Who cares if you smell! We have to meet the principal at eight thirty!"

He kept pleading for her to come out, but his cries were in vain. He wanted to stop her, but he would not go into that bathroom for any reason other than life or death. He did not need that mental image swimming around in his head. He had enough of a need for therapy as it was.

Suddenly, the door flew open five minutes later and he was shocked into silence. Kaoru's hair was brushed, her make-up on, and she looked like she was fresh out of the shower. How on earth was that possible?

"Misao! All my dress clothes are still packed! Can I borrow a suit of yours?" Kaoru asked calmly.

Misao merely gave her a thumbs up and Kaoru disappeared out of the room. Yahiko was still shocked and Misao was now asleep again, so silence rained. Yahiko fell into a new state of shock when he saw Kaoru come back into the room dressed in a sky blue suit and pumps. Grabbing his neck, she hulled the frozen boy out the door and into the jeep. All the while, Yahiko was muttering "how" and "when". The jeep screeched away and the only sound left in the dojo was Misao's snoring.

***************

Aoshi finally woke up that morning around eleven. After taking a quick shower, he sat down at his writing desk to review the newest reports and requests. Aoshi always had new letters and papers on his desk to read. They ranged from simple things as unimportant as giving approval for an Oniwabanshu wedding to giving an order to storm one of Shishio's barracks. Aoshi read each one carefully though, and had been known to even refuse something as simple a certain food to be ordered if he found fault with the proposal. Therefore, all his members would spend hours correcting and rewriting their reports and requests. Their Okashira was certainly a strict man, but he did have a reason for every motion he passed or denied.

One of these reports, however, was the kind he dreaded. Though he never revealed it, Aoshi hated these kinds of reports. They required neither approval nor rejection. They simply were what they were. All he could do was acknowledge it and send his regards to the family. What pained him even more was that this had been a rather simple mission, too.

The operative's assignment had only been to observe Shishio's latest political program. Not to take action. This man had had a rather large family too. Aoshi had wished him to stay out of this mission for that very reason, but he was the only one they could really send. The Oniwabanshu would take care of his wife and five children of course, but they could not erase the pain of their very heavy loss.

Sighing, Aoshi read over the report with a fine toothed-comb as he did to all the others. His eyes narrowed. What was this? This operative had died defending a woman? Aoshi scowled. He knew what this meant. This woman had been no agent of theirs, so the operative had gone and brought a civilian into Oniwabanshu business. He was lucky he hadn't survived the mission. This was one of the things he did now tolerate from his men. 'Cheating on his wife and betraying his children. Why that little……'

Aoshi's thoughts were interrupted when Hannya bowed and entered the room. Hannya was the only member of their group that could enter their Okashira's room without his permission. He had been Aoshi's second-in-command since he had taken leadership when he was only fifteen. Hannya had soon become something else that very few men in Aoshi's position could afford. A close friend.

"I take it you have read Tomo's report, Lord Aoshi?"

"Yes, Hannya. Where is the woman?"

Though she did deserve it, Aoshi could not just hand her over to face the danger was no doubt in. She was a civilian after all, and it was the Oniwabanshu's original purpose to protect civilians. Besides, she would no doubt have forbidden knowledge about Tomo's mission. That could not fall into the hands of the enemy. She had to be protected. Of course, Aoshi would just see to it that she was protected far from Tomo's family and himself.

"She has disappeared, sir."

Aoshi frowned. "Then, she is already in Shishio's hand. Or the Tenken's."

"No, Okashira. They are searching for her too. She seems to have disappeared completely with Tomo's report, I might add."

Aoshi suddenly got a sudden feeling in his gut. Although it might be a long shot……

"Hannya," Aoshi ordered, "Return to the library and continue your cover."

Surprised, Hannya asked, "For how long?"

"Until, I say otherwise. Thank you, Hannya. That will be all."

Hannya began to leave the room when Aoshi spoke again. "Wait," he commanded.

Hannya simply turned to face him. "Where is Kenshin?"

Hannya smirked from inside his mask. "He has left. He was hungry."

"He is a thrill seeker," Aoshi corrected, "That is why he has been shot so many times. He likes to flaunt in front of Shishio's spies."

Hannya smiled a sad smile and bowed. He took one last look at his Okashira before leaving the room. Aoshi might criticize Himura's freedom, but Hannya knew the truth. Aoshi envied it. For the child who became a man before his time to lead the ninja of the shadows, such an open life was forever beyond his reach. It was a world that few could ever venture in to. Therefore, Hannya feared that solace would forever be the young warrior's soul mate.

***************

Kaoru's pace was slowed from exhaustion. The lack of sleep was really taking a toll on her. All the cleaning, unpacking, and picking up furniture, she and Yahiko had done yesterday wasn't helping either. Her brain graved coffee and that was why she was currently braving the crowds on food. She had parked her jeep several blocks back. In this part of Kyoto, there was very little parking and it was nearly impossible to find. She had no energy or tactical skills to keep from crashing into angry city drivers, so she thought it was better to brave crashing into a pedestrian or a pole.

Thankfully, she hadn't hit either yet. In fact, she had made it all the way there without a collision. She happily stepped into the café and smelled the sweet aroma of baked goods and flavored coffee. The line was very long and she soon had beautiful caffeine beverage in her hands. She had always preferred plain coffee. Misao had also liked the fancy flavored stuff, but she never saw the point in it. Coffee is coffee after all.

Kaoru sighed at the though of Misao. She had been expecting her sister, but she was not supposed to arrive for another week. Misao had sent most of her major belongs ahead of her and Kaoru has simply put them in a corner. She had expected Misao to arrive with some sort of danger filled story as always. What she did not expect was for Misao to burst into the dojo bleeding. Well, okay…

Kaoru was being a bit dramatic, but Misao had been in fight and come in just before dawn. What sister wouldn't dramatize?

Misao had been too tired to say more than a few words last night. They had agreed to discuss it after Kaoru came home from meeting Yahiko's new principal. Now that had been so much fun. The man had turned out to be a total pervert. Thankfully, he had sent Yahiko out of the room before her brother had noticed. He had always been over protective of her and Misao. It had gotten even worse since ….. Kaoru quickly switched her thoughts back to Yahiko. He may be only eleven, but he was an excellent fighter like the other boys who grew up in their old neighborhood. Most grown men would be fools to take the kid on.

She didn't help matters any though. Apparently, she had been too tired to pay much attention at the suit she had chosen. Misao was well-known to pick clothes that, well….. outlined her curves very nicely. While most of her wardrobe consisted of tight leather jumpsuits, pants, dresses, strapless tops, her suits were actually the outfits that commanded the most attention. Misao really didn't mean anything by the way she dressed. It was just…. Misao. It was a habit from her rough childhood that had carried over to womanhood. She lived everyday to the fullest and refused to dull herself down for anyone. It was just her.

But it was not Kaoru. While Kaoru was a rather thin woman, Misao was absolutely tiny. The blue suit Kaoru was wearing left very little to the imagination. The collar came across her chest in a heart shape and exposed more cleavage than she would have liked. The shirt was well above her knees and Kaoru had hung her purse over her legs for modesty throughout the hour long meeting. While she was sure that nothing vital could be seen, that pervert had been staring at her legs the entire time. She was going to kill Misao.

Kaoru was tired and felt like she had been kit by a truck. She had been whistled at by most the men in Kyoto and she couldn't remember just how many of them she had made sopranos. She was almost tempted not to pick up lunch. Her stomach growled in protest though and she remembered that there was no food in the house. She sighed in frustration and considered if she should punish Misao by not feeding her. Well, she shouldn't be that cruel….. Should she?

Kaoru sighed. She really wanted to go sleep now.

***************

Misao was annoyed. Misao was tired. Misao was injured. All three of these things come together to equal one thing: a very moody Misao. Once again, all the local animals had run away in pure terror. Misao had been shouting at things all day long. She had yelled when something would break. She had yelled at that gunk growing in the fridge. Now, she was just yelling out of anger.

When Kaoru had called her that morning, she had promised to bring Misao something home to eat. Misao had just said that was fine, but didn't know why Kaoru had to bring something home for them to eat. However, Misao got her answer when she had decided to do something nice for her best friend. Misao had cleaned the entire kitchen and therefore discovered that the only food in the dojo looked like it had been there for years and bugs had made their nests in it. Yuck.

Misao had braved the fungus, the slime, the grime, and that random brown stuff growing in the guest bedroom; and had cleaned much of the dojo from top to bottom. She had found many recognizable insect species living with them in the dojo. She was sure that if she had waited to clean, then the dojo occupants really would have had "bed bugs". However, Misao was certain that she had discovered some new species of bug. She was so not going to catch them to prove that theory though.

Kaoru and Yahiko had only gotten as far as to clean their bedrooms, one bathroom, and some of the kitchen. Misao had managed to clean all but a few rooms within about four hours. It was a big dojo, too. Thankfully, Misao did buy an energy drink at the gas station last night. Hey, give her caffeine and she could do anything at lighting speed. Best of all, Misao had managed to clean the dojo from top to bottom. That Kaoru would love it.

She knew that the realtors' had said that this dojo was over a two hundred years old, but Misao could tell that it had been well kept threw the generations. Kaoru had told her via emails that no one had lived here since before World War II. She could tell that someone had been coming here and recently. It had brand new plumbing and electricity. True, the stove was old and the place was filthy. It wasn't falling apart though, so Misao was sure that someone had been caring for the place. Nana had always wanted to move back home to Japan. Before she died, Nana had been planning to just that to get everyone out of that neighborhood. She must have repaired this old dojo after all.

Misao cringed suddenly. She was covered in gross stuff. And, no…. she didn't want to know what exactly all of it was. Sprinting into the shower, the hot water poured over her and she cringed. The wound in her side ached. She hadn't told Kaoru about that injury. It was horribly deep and already disgusting to look at. She was sure that grime she was not washing off her body hadn't helped it, but she doubted it would be infected.

She cleaned it out regularly. She knew it would leave a scar though and she would have to explain it to Kaoru, if they went swimming anytime soon. It was still really sore, but there was not longer a sharp shooting pain when she breathed like at first. As she got out of the shower, she wiped the steam off the mirror with a towel. She gazed at the wound that went across her stomach. She was lucky. Very lucky. A man had died for her, so that this slash would be all the injury she got. As a matter of fact, it was already beginning to close up. The hospital she had fled to had sewn her up nicely. Of course, she had also tested the stitches out as she climbed out the window and down to the ground.

Suddenly, Misao heard Kaoru's jeep pull up. Throwing on some clothes, she came out to greet the clearly exhausted woman. Kaoru walked into to the kitchen and plopped her purse on the counter. She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. She simply sat like that for a few minutes as Misao watched her from the doorway. Kaoru suddenly opened her eyes and her head snapped up. Glancing around the kitchen, she fell into a stunned silence. She got up and began to walk around the dojo. After about five minutes, she appeared in the kitchen again and just stood there. She stared at Misao in shock.

"Like it?" Misao asked as she leaned against the doorway.

"Wow, Misao," Kaoru said in amazement, "It looks…. Wow."

"Yep," Misao nodded, "I demand lunch for all my hard work. That and a massage from a well-built Swedish guy."

Kaoru tossed her a coke and they both sat down at the now clean table. They dived the food between them and ate in silence. Both ladies knew that their upcoming conversation was going to be a tough one. Misao had been cheery of course, but Kaoru knew that look. The last Misao had that look had been she told Kaoru they her fiancé had betrayed her. Kaoru knew this had to be bad. It would be hard. But… She didn't have the patience to wait anymore.

"Ok, Misao! Out with it! What's going on?"

Misao looked at the now empty take out box in front of her. After a minute or two, she looked at Kaoru with serious eyes. She wouldn't tell Kaoru about the stomach. She didn't need to know about the many yahoos with swords. She would tell her everything else though.

Misao sighed and began. "About a month ago, I was sent to Tokyo to report on a new string of orphanages that President Shishio is setting up. He's spending millions to upgrade the horrific conditions of Japan's orphanages and foster houses. He's going to give them a better education and a better environment over all. It's gained huge international support and charity money has been in from all over the globe. I was sent to report the progress of the program. Believe it or not, this was supposed to be a relaxing story for me to cover. It was supposed to be sort of a paid vacation."

"I was put up in the best hotels and given the best food, but as usual I used an alias so that I would get the true story. The strange thing is, I check all of Shishio's records and dealings in the matter. He was doing everything for these kids that he said he would. He lied about nothing. These kids were happy and thriving. I was almost about to pack up and go home. This one old woman approached me though, and she changed everything."

"She said that they had taken her grandson and had placed in a home. I researched into it and found that she had Alzheimer's disease. I dismissed her claims and packed up to leave. Then, the next day she was dead and no one seemed to know anything about it. That caught my attention, needless to say, and I looked into it further. The woman really did have Alzheimer's disease, but she was right about the boy. I did some digging in the underground and found out that Shishio has been taking kids from any adults that have some form of mental problems or from adults that no one would believe. He's been doing it for months now."

Kaoru looked at her with a shocked and horrified expression. "What on earth does he want with them?"

Misao continued in sad voice. "He is making an army. He's creating soldiers that he himself can raise and instruct. His model for these soldiers is his apprentice and personal assassin, the Tenken. The Tenken is public knowledge, but the underworld knows him well enough. He's the one making sure that no one discovers Shishio's dirty little secrets. I know his real name, but he is young. He's about our age and I do know that his childhood was very hard. Both before and after he met Shishio. I know that Shishio is guilty of many other sins, but this is by far the worst. He's just making the boys into his mindless soldiers, but you want to know what he's planning to do with the girls."

"When I found these things out, I was approached by this man. He claimed that he had been secretly poisoned and that he was dying. Even, if he some how survived, he told me that he family would be harmed if he returned home. He refused to tell me who he worked for, but he said that they would help me. In his final hours, he asked me to help him rescue two kids that were going to taken that night. I agreed and the two of us fought off masked. They were ninja, Kaoru. I kid you not. They were modern day ninjas."

"The children were saved and only I know where they and their parents are hiding. My only ally in this was killed as he blocked a bullet meant for me." Her voice took on a confused tone. "He said that I had greater ties to his organization even more than he did. He told me to go to the library in Kyoto and look for an old man. I'm suppose to tell him that "the bell tolls" and the "winter comes" and then just leave. He said that I should talk to a man named Aoshi Shinomori."

Misao took a drink from her coke. Kaoru sat silent as a statue for a while. She looked at Misao as if gazing through her soul.

"There's more?"

Misao looked down. "Yes, the man supplying Shishio's weapons is ….."

"Enishi," Kaoru finished in a whisper.

Misao nodded. She watched as Kaoru got up and turned to stare at the window at the setting sun.

"Kaoru…I…."

"You know, Misao, I moved out here to get away from that man. I moved out here to give Yahiko an actual future. One that the slums we grew up in can't provide. But, I guess we can't escape the world."

"Are you in then?"

Kaoru turned around with a cocky smirk on her face. "Yes. I helped create Enishi. I, unknowingly, made the "White Tiger" what he is…. But… I have brought down mafia bosses before and he will be no different. It being him will just make it easier."

"Shishio is a modern Asian nazi," Misao accused, "He will stop at nothing. Nothing other than total rebellion would stop him."

"I agree. You hid your face from his men though, right?"

Misao nodded. "Still, I think I shall stick to traveling at night just in case."

"That would be wise," Kaoru agreed, "I think we should bring this Aoshi Shinomori into our court though. At least, until we know more about him. By the way, what's was the name of the guy who gave you all this information?"

"His name was Tomo."

***************

Yahiko hurried through the hall to his locker. He first three classes had been uneventful and boring. He seemed to be surrounded by mostly rich preppy kids. How annoying. Yahiko hated spoilt kids who had everything. True, thanks to their Nana's inheritance money he was technically one now….. But, still! He wasn't some spoiled brat! And he certainly remembered what it was like to have nothing.

Yahiko shook his head. He had met one cool group of kids though. In fact, they were all going to meet at the Akebeko for lunch. Now, that was one of the perks of going to a rich school that he didn't mind so much. It meant no cafeteria food. That was always good.

Yahiko put his books in his locker and slammed it shut. He hurried down the hall. The Akebeko was about ten minutes away and he didn't want to be the last one to get there. His dead run came to a complete stop, however, when he reached the front school yard. Right in the middle of the yard, was a group of five boys surrounding a pretty girl about his age. She looked terrified and one of the boys was right in her face.

Yahiko wondered how the boys were even at their school because they looked like they were in high school, not in junior high. The boys had to at least be fifteen. Yahiko wanted to know what their problem was, so he got a little closer. He didn't to get involved if it was some stupid boyfriend/girlfriend fight or something. He didn't care much for drama.

Suddenly, the girl was back-handed and sent sprawling to the ground. Okay. Now, Yahiko was going to get involved. Racing across the school yard, he placed himself between the girl and the older guy who had been yelling at her. Shooting them a rather furious look, he turned around and picked her up off the ground.

"You okay?" he asked. He knew it was stupid. The hand print on her face and the tears in her eyes clearly screamed she wasn't alright. But that was what all human beings asked at a time like this. Besides, he said it more to keep her calm than anything.

She surprised him though with her reply. In a very steady voice, she replied, "I'm fine."

"Hey, brat!" a voice called him from behind. Turning to face the girl's attackers, he looked at them with a bored expression.

"What, prissy?"

The older boy snarled at Yahiko's comment. "Who are you calling prissy, kid?"

"You pansy. It takes five of you to bully only one of her. Then, again," he though of his sisters, "I guess that would really depend on the woman herself, right?"

The girl blinked in surprise at his comment. He continued, "So, what's your story? Did she trip you and make you drop your lunch? Did she scuff your new shoes? Or did she just reject when you made a pass at her?"

The older boys' eyes widened at the eleven-year-old's words. The older boys all looked at each other in bizarre amazement. Who was this kid?

The obvious ring leader who had slapped the girl spoke up. His words weren't as confident as before, but he still glared at Yahiko.

"She stole my mother's purse!"

"She gave it to me!" the girl defended herself.

"Yeah, right!" the boy scoffed, "Why would she give the maid's daughter a designer purse?"

"The strap was broken and she knew I needed one! Ask her, if you don't believe me!"

Now, Yahiko understood. This girl was no girly rich broad like all the other girls he had met so far. She was probably a scholarship student whose mother worked three jobs to keep her in this school. He also knew that whatever this boy did to her he wouldn't be punished for either. His mom might give the poor maid's daughter an old purse out of pity, but she wasn't going to believe her accusations against her son. Who knew, this guy might try to pull other things with this girl as got older too.

Yahiko snarled. Like heck he was. "You pansy, are going to go back to your fancy school and leave her alone. You are also not going to hassle anymore when she comes to see her mother at your house."

Laughing, the teenager asked, "Really? Now how are you going to make me, squirt? Besides, if you cause any trouble I'll bring it back on the little wench's head. Her mother doesn't have to work for us. She can always go back to "working" for that American guy next door. He always did have a thing for Asian women."

He burst out into laughter and was soon joined by his idiot friends. Yahiko narrowed his eyes and the girl behind him clenched her fists together. Yahiko could tell that she was insulted and angry. Who wouldn't be?

Suddenly, Yahiko looked behind to see that she was gone. He didn't know who was more surprised; himself or the ugly ring leader who she just kicked in the nuts with her sharply heeled toes. Now, Yahiko was very impressed. The once shy girl had just become Xena, the Warrior's Princess's newest rival. She stood there with brown eyes alive with fire and feminine body shaking in rage.

"I think," she began in a growl, "That it is your mother he would prefer more. Most men want easy women after all."

Yahiko watched her in amazement. The fist coming at her face snapped him out of his amazement. It was one of the ringleader's followers and Yahiko caught the boy's wrist easily. The boy began to scream slightly as Yahiko began to apply pressure on his wrist. Finally, Yahiko flicked it off to the side, snapping it. He heard the girl gasp and the other boys stared at him in shock. While the boy with the snapped wrist writhed on the ground in pain, the other boys charged at him.

The first boy came out him from the front and Yahiko sent him to the ground with one punch and a bloody nose. Another boy came out him from behind and Yahiko caught the foot that was aiming for his head. Flipping the guy on his butt, he took the opportunity to yank the boy off the ground and slam him against a nearby bench. The last lackey managed to grab Yahiko from behind, but one jab to the stomach mixed a black eye and that guy was out too.

Finally, the annoying prissy ringleader who had started all this had managed to recover from the girl's power kick. He went down easiest of all. One blow to the jaw and a few broken teeth finished finally shut his mouth. As the boy lay on the ground, Yahiko grabbed his neck to lift his head up and whispered something slowly in his ear. The injured boy's entire body shuttered and he nodded enthusiastically. Clapping was suddenly heard, and it was the first time that Yahiko realized he had had an audience. Apparently, most of the people walking nearby, many of his fellow students, and even some of the teacher's was applauding him. Apparently, those guys had been a real pain in the butt.

Yahiko turned to the girl and found her glancing quickly between the boys on the ground and him. He finally got to take a good look at her. Her cinnamon colored hair was cropped short and accented those large innocent eyes of hers. She was certainly pretty and looked like the type of girl most boys would worship from afar. Yahiko never was the sort for that kind of sappy moping.

"What's your name?" he asked not wasting a second.

She smiled at him, and said, "I'm Tsubume. What's your name?"

"Yahiko," he said smirking back. "At the risk of sounding really cliché, do you want to come with me and meet up with my friends at the Akebeko?"

Tsubume's smile broadened and she nodded. They walked side by side down the street towards the smell of fresh food. Not knowing, that a pair of impressed amber eyes had seen the whole thing.

***************

Hannya sighed as he sat the wooden table reading genealogy books. He personally found the subject boring, but it was part of his cover. After all, what else does an old man read in library all night? Hannya still couldn't figure out why his Okashira had wanted him to maintain his cover. The mission was over and Hannya couldn't figure out what hunch Aoshi could possibly have. Hannya placed his genealogy book down and closed his eyes. He knew someone was watching him. They had been for some time. It was just now, however, that his senses alerted him to the delicate foot steps coming towards him slowly.

"Excuse me," a feminine voice spoke, "I'm a little confused. Do you know when the library closes?"

Hannya opened his eyes and he turned to face her. His eyes widened in bewilderment. By the sound of her walk and the tone of her voice, he had expected a lady of some wealth and distinction to be addressing him. This young woman was dressed in a black leather jump suit that showed off her every curve. It was strapless and had shorts that showed most of her legs and had sent up the heart rates of the few other men in the room. Stiletto boots adorned her feet and a black leather jacket shielded her from the chilly weather outside. Her hair fell around her shoulders in crimped locks and she had the emerald eyes of an angel.

"Um, yes," he stuttered, "It closes in ten minutes actually."

"Oh, really? Well, I hope that I'm not bothering you, but do you know where the poetry section would be?"

"Well, I believe it's actually sorted by authors. I don't think there is a poetry section in itself, miss."

"Hmm…" Her face seemed to fall in disappointment. "You wouldn't by any chance know who wrote the poem "Who Whom the Bell Tolls", would you? I need it for a class project."

Hannya's eyes narrowed. "I'm sorry, miss. I don't know."

She sighed. "Well, no use looking for it, if there's only twenty minutes left then. Besides, it's getting colder out side by the minute and I have to walk home. I knew I should half driven my car here. It's already freezing out there. Winter is coming, you know."

Hannya's eyes widen slightly and she smiled prettily at him. She thanked him and walked out of the library. He was in shock, but he hid it well. He slowly made his way out of the library and out of public sight. Hannya recognized that girl from somewhere, but he couldn't place her. It didn't matter anyway. He would learn everything about her soon.

Hannya pulled out his cell phone and flipped it open. When he heard a voice on the other line, Hannya said, "Okashira, your hunch was right. There's has been…. an unexpected turn." Hannya stared at the piece of paper she had slipped to him. He read the address of the meeting place to Aoshi. Hannya's senses were now on high alert and he was very aware that his could be some type of trap. Still… Hannya smiled to himself. He couldn't wait to see how well his tough Okashira could keep his disposition iced over in light of that woman's obvious inner fire.

***************

"Alright, now I have programmed my laptop to pick up Misao's signal. We will should see everything she sees and hear everything she hears," Yahiko informed Kaoru.

"Awesome," she said, "So, don't go to the bathroom in the trees again this time, Misao."

"Hey," Misao's voice sounded over the computer speakers, "I couldn't hold it anymore. Drinking while waiting for that weapons dealer down in Peru was not one of my smartest ideas."

Kaoru and Yahiko were seated in a black van lined with selves holding all of Yahiko's electronic equipment inside. That had bought the van to aid in undercover work, and the brother and sister were sitting over Yahiko's laptop to monitor Misao's up coming meeting. Misao was armed as usual, but their contact's connections were still a mystery. Misao might just need back up, if there was trouble. Besides, Yahiko just loved put his computer skills to the test.

Yahiko had been told the details of Misao latest mission when Kaoru picked him up that day from school. He had been as eager as the girl's to aid in the fight, and had insisted that they use video surveillance for Misao's meeting that night. He wondered how many other preteens his age had such interesting quality time with their families as he did with his. Then again, espionage really isn't on the list of most modern families as possible activities. They must be really bored.

Yahiko had told Kaoru and Misao about the fight. They had reacted the way he though they would. Kaoru said that she was proud of him for protecting Tsubume and glad that he had not seriously hurt someone. Misao had congratulated him on his quick win and told him "way to punch". They had both warned him not to draw to much attention to himself though. They were still in hiding after all.

They all waited for about an hour and Misao was quickly losing her patience. She finally stuck her face up to the tiny camera on her jacket and whispered into the hidden microphone in her sleeve.

"I Am So Bored! I don't think he's coming."

Kaoru rolled her eyes. Why did Misao need something to keep her occupied all the time?

"You know as well as I do, that these meetings take time, Misao!" she huffed.

"Seriously, chill out weasel."

"Yahiko, I swear I'm going to kick your butt for that moment," Misao hissed.

Yahiko simply rolled his eyes and Kaoru ordered her to have patience. Have patience?! She was the one freezing out on the cold roof! They got to sit in the nice warm van. Okay, sure, maybe she should have worn a little more cover than the jumpsuit, but it was her style here! Although, she could have worn the leather dress with the flowing skirt….. Blast it.

Misao learned back to on the handle bars of her bike as she draped the rest of her body across the seat. She one leg over the over and put her hands behind her head as a cushion. She closed her eyes and focused on the sounds of the city. Kaoru had never liked the city. She had always preferred the country life style, while Misao and Yahiko were true city rats. Forget wide open plains, she would take the chaos of the city any day.

After another twenty minutes or so, she heard nearly silent foot steps coming close. The owner stayed silently in the shadows. Misao flipped her body around to a sitting position with her legs still crossed. She placed her hands on either side of her body to balance herself on the seat of her motorcycle.

"You have some information?" the man in the shadows finally spoke.

"Yep, and you can come out, you know. I don't exactly bite," Misao replied with a cocky smile hidden by darkness. "I take it then, that you are Aoshi Shinomori?"

"I am," he replied in a smoothly controlled voice.

Finally, the man stepped into the light. A look of surprise came across Misao's features.

"Well," she breathed, "Hello again… blue eyes."

He stared back at her with a shocked expression.

"You…."

***************

End Notes: I had written so many versions of this chapter in note outlines. This resembles none of them. In fact, I went back and gutted the original chapter I wrote because I didn't like the events that took place. This was actually a bit slower than I planned, so it's mainly another set up chapter. I did especially like Yahiko's scene though. I noticed that in most fanfics he was always sort of in the background, so I plan to give him a real role in this story. Also, I'll give you a little peak into the next chapter. Misao comes face to face with a somewhat smitten Tenken. To speed up the next chapter, read and review!