The Duchess: Hello Everyone! Our apologizes with the late edit and no new (even unedited) chapters. Both the Duke and I haven't had the time, but we promise to pick up the slack and hope you guys haven't lost faith in us! You should see a lot more chapters being done from now on. Two weeks is our timeline lets hope we stick to it!

The Reunion

Coming face to face with the only person that managed to make her feel insignificant was not what Yako had in mind when she woke up that morning. "Hello, Neuro. It's good to see you again." Finding it difficult to speak, Yako hoped Neuro heard her and wouldn't make her repeat herself.

"I didn't quite hear you, slug. Speak up," a cold expression was etched into Neuro's countenance.

No such luck. "It's good to see you again, Neuro," this time Yako hoped she mustered enough courage to sound like she wasn't about to sink into the ground.

"Is it? The last time you saw me you made it very clear you didn't want anything to do with me. Why are you here, slug? And why do I smell a mystery surrounding you? Explain."

"I know what I said was out of line, but I have something I want to show you. I think you'll find it very interesting."

"So, now you claim to know what interests me, slug."

"Neuro please let me explain. If you don't want to help me, you'll never have to see me again."

"Very well you have 1 minute, speak."

Yako tried to explain her conversation with Ishigaki and the letter she received as quickly as she could and by the time she was done she was out of breath. Throughout the entire story Neuro's face didn't change expression, he stood motionless and unimpressed.

"Here's the letter and one of the tickets. I'd be grateful if you helped, but don't feel obligated."

"No one could make me do something I don't want to. You should know that better than anyone, slug."

"So will you help?" A curiosity came over Yako and she had to ask if he was interested in working with her.

"I will go. I smell a mystery and your childish nature won't stop me from feeding. The ticket is scheduled for tonight. I will meet you there."

"You'll meet me at the airport?"

"Stupid question, slug. I will meet you on the island."

"The island is uninhabited, how will you get there?" As soon as the question left her lips she wished she could take it back. What a stupid question, he's a demon! He can go anywhere he wanted to go, whenever.

"You've de-evolved, slug."

"Neuro, you're my partner. Can't you call me by my name?" Sadness crept through Yako's heart. They had left off on such a good note, and she couldn't wait until he returned. Why did it turn out like this?

"I will call you partner when you deserve it. Now leave, I will meet you on the island."

"Very well. I'll see you soon Neuro."

As Yako turned around she couldn't explain the feeling she had. A mix of happiness and hope crept in, hope that maybe one day he would forgive her and she could tell him what happened since he left.

Walking down the stairs and out the door, Yako took her time surveying the crowd and every person she walked past. She criticized the people who were on their phones, not paying attention to their children and those who looked like they had sticks up their asses. She thought of the knowledge she gained while working as a detective and how she hated the cynical way she thought of people. Yako had always thought of herself more as a negotiator only because of her clear understanding of people's psyche. She knew how the cruelest of people thought.

As she aimlessly stared at the sky, Yako noticed that the sun and clouds seemed to smile and encourage a playful atmosphere. She brought her head back down and reevaluated the people she walked past. This time, everyone seemed kind: a mother and father swinging their daughter between them, a little boy with his big sister were eating ice cream, and a person who looked rushed stopped and dropped a dollar in a homeless man's cup.

This was the society Yako wished she could be in all the time. Smiling at her own childish dream, she thought of all the mysteries she solved. Neuro would have been proud of me if I hadn't taken my frustration out on him that one time.

Returning to reality, Yako noticed she made it back home, walking through the lobby and up the stairs, she decided on packing lightly. Since Neuro is coming, the mystery will probably be solved in no time. Opening the door to her apartment Yako headed straight for the kitchen. After eating her fill she went to her room and jumped on the bed.

In five hours she'll be on a flight to a remote island where she'll probably spend two days and then come home again. Thinking of all the adventures she could have, Yako started drifting off.

Dreaming of a paradise where she never had to think about the way people thought was deceptive and nice; a home by the beach with no one disturbing her peace with endless buffet. A buffet that could keep up with her appetite, Yako started to drool. She turned her head to the cabana on the beach and headed in its direction. She opened the door and walked to the bedroom. It had a wide window overlooking the ocean. An arm wrapped around her waist, she turned and saw the last person she expected, Neuro!

Her eyes snapped open and Yako turned her head to the alarm clock on her draw. She flew out of bed, only an hour and a half left. How could I have overslept that much? Rushing to find her luggage, she packed clothes for every occasion and called a cab to take her to the airport. Yako went searching for the ticket she knew was in her purse. Frantically opening every zipper,. she finally found the ticket folded in half in a pocket on the side. Heading down the stairs at lighting pace, Yako's wish was answered. The taxi was already outside. Climbing in, she gave the driver instructions to drive as fast as if his life depended on it, not forgetting to add that if she made it to the airport in twenty minutes she'd add a couple of twenties.

After a few close calls in the cab, Yako had made it to the airport in thirty minutes. An accomplishment she wouldn't forget anytime soon. After all the flights she had missed, she didn't want to press her luck and headed to the front desk to check in.

"Hello Miss, how can I help you today?" The stewardess asked, sounding far too familiar to Yako. So, when Yako looked up her eyes grew wide. It was the same flight attendant that had been on the flight when she got back to Japan.

"Hello, I'd like to check in for a flight." Yako hoped the woman wouldn't recognize her and if she did, then she prayed the woman wouldn't say anything.

"Ticket please."

"Here you go." Within five minutes she had checked herself in and was heading to the boarding gate.

By the time Yako had found the gate, passengers had begun to board. Going over to stand in line, her mind wandered back to the dream that woke her up. Her face flushed as she thought of the implications the dream would have lead to. Yako had made her way to the front of the line and handed her boarding pass to the stewardess at the front.

Going through the door and on the ramp Yako made her way to her seat. The seats didn't differ much except that the first four were larger and allowed more leg room. Yako looked at her boarding pass and saw the number 2A. She took her seat in the second row at the window and noticed that it the same seat she had on her flight back to Japan. She cringed at her memory of the flight back, how much she wished she could take that moment back.

Once everyone was on the plane the flight attendant announced that their departure would be in ten minutes.

Yako buckled her seat belt and began to dose off. Her mind took her to the dream she had in her apartment; a beach with white sand and crystal blue water, the cabana right by the ocean and the door wide open. This time Yako was more cautious as she entered the bedroom. Looking out at the ocean, a calm feeling overcame her. Again strong arms wrapped around her waist and lips whispered into her ear, "where did you run off to last time?"

Yako spun around, "Neuro, what are you doing in my dreams? You're not even torturing me! Hell, you're being nice!"

"I can't be nice?" Neuro brought his head down so their lips almost touched.

"No, you can't be. I know you too well. Even my dreams know better than to make you like this."

"You're right." A smug smile spread across his lips as the weather took a turn for the worse. The ocean began to move violently and the wind picked up. Clouds blocked the sun and a chill set in, "I smell a mystery Yako, so wake up."

As if she was compelled, Yako shot up and looked around. The plane looked fine and she didn't see Neuro anywhere. A dream, that's all that it was. A sigh of relief escaped her lips and she looked out the window. Yako noticed the island in the far right corner and the fact that the sun was about to start setting. One thing she loved about the summer was that the days were long and could be filled with extraordinary adventures.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we will be landing at Chichi-jima in ten minutes. Please return your seats to their upright position. And on the behalf of everyone at Tokyo Air, have a nice evening."

Yako rubbed her eyes and stretched her arms, she was never big on flights. Yet, she learned a long time ago that sleeping was a great way to pass the time. A few minutes later she felt the plane begin to land and her stomach began to tie in knots, her nervousness got the better of her and she couldn't wait to get this mystery solved.

Disembarking didn't take that long and Yako only had a carry-on. Walking down the terminal she began to think of excuses as to why Neuro, "her assistant", wasn't with her. Turning the corner a chill passed down her spine and she had a bad feeling that something unpleasant was about to happen. Shrugging off the feeling, she hurried to get out of the terminal and find the man that was supposed to pick her up.

Suddenly, a hand picked her up from her collar and waved her around as if she weighted like feather. Throwing her in the direction of the exit,. she came straight into contact with the door.

"Hello Ms. Katsuragi, are you alright?"

"Yes," a stranded answer was the only one she could give through the pain. She didn't bother to think of how the man knew her.

"Sensei, Sensei! Are you alright? That looked like a hard hit. You should be more careful," an innocent and pity stricken face came into Yako's view, as she saw that it was non-other than Neuro.

Of course, only he would find it hilarious to send me through the glass door of an airport terminal and then fake that he cared.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both. I was sent by Mr. Tanaka to pick you up from your flight," a well-built and lean man said from behind the two of them.

"Oh, thank you," she answered as she accepted his helping hand.

"I've told Sensei countless times to be more careful, but she always manages to get into some sort of trouble. What did you say your name was?" A fake curiosity crossed Neuro face. Yako knew he didn't care much what the man's name was, but he had to keep up appearances.

"Excuse me for my rudeness, my name is Jintao. I know you must be tired from the flight, but we must get going if we're going to make it to the island before sundown."

"Of course," Yako whispered. She quietly followed the man as she took her luggage and placed it into the car.

"Mr. Nogami, where is your luggage?"

"Sensei was in a rush and refused to let me pack anything, she said we didn't have the time."

Jintao accepted the answer and didn't bother to press for more information. He opened the back door and nodded for her and Neuro to get in. The car ride only lasted ten minutes until they reached the docks. There, they boarded a small private boat that looked like it was at least fifty years old.

"How long until we reach the island?" Curiosity got the better of Yako as she asked. She didn't really like the circumstance they were in.

"We will be arriving in thirty minutes," a matter of fact tone left nothing up for discussion and so the rest of the ride was spent in silence.