A/N: I know that this took me a while to update and I know that the other fics are taking even longer. I know many of you are requesting for Formidable Duo, Meet the Family and for your prompts but I am sorry that I cannot promise anything more than what my muse is telling me. This story has somehow brewed and it seems to be the only one which I can see at the moment. So please don't hate me and continue reading as well as reviewing. Thanks for your continuous support for such a crappy and slow writer...

Chapter 2

"Who are you?" The brunet asked Misaki with his weapon still in his hand.

Beads of sweat started rolling down her forehead and she felt her heart palpitating in her chest. He started moving towards her and she could tell he was ready to attack if she made any sudden movements. Slowly, she backed into the shelves and then she knew she was cornered.

"Answer the question." He snarled. He kept his green eyes fixed on her the entire time and she knew she had to say something before he attacked.

"I-" She started.

All of a sudden there was a thud outside the room. The brunet turned towards the noise and she knew this was her chance to run. She ran towards the door as quickly as she could but she could hear him tailing her. In the moment of panic, she ran deeper into the palace compounds and soon found herself lost in the midst of the palace gardens. She would have stopped to admire the magnificent landscape if only there wasn't someone chasing after her but she could hardly even catch her breath, let alone go sightseeing.

Misaki found a huge sakura tree right in the middle of the garden and chose to hide behind it. She covered her mouth to make sure her labored breathing doesn't give her location away and she was glad she was able to just take a short break just to catch her breath and think logically through out all the panic. After a minute or so, she waited for signs of the man pursuing her but only silence greeted her. She wondered if it was a trap to lure her out when she felt the false sense of security but she didn't know what else she could do. She could not hide forever especially since she is on a schedule.

Slowly, she peeked out from behind the tree to check if the coast is clear. She looked left and right and there was no one in sight. She then took a deep breath to brace herself and stepped out from her hiding spot. All she could see was a blur that dashed in front of her and the next thing she knew, she was face to face with the brunet again. His sword was still in his hand but as he lifted his other hand, she could see he had a hold of her sling bag.

"I hate to repeat myself, especially to a thief. So I would appreciate it if you would answer my previous question." He kept his gaze on her again, making sure that she wouldn't be able to run this time.

Scenarios started forming in her mind as she weighed over what she could do now. If she gave herself up and surrendered, everyone at the orphanage is sure to pay the price. If she decided to tell the truth and plead for mercy, she hopes that this could actually give her the chance to be able to save the children at least, even if it costs her own freedom or even her life. Shakily, she raised both her hands up slowly to her hood as he watches warily like a dog on attack mode. Once she revealed herself, he looked a little surprised.

"My name is Tokura Misaki." She explained. He continued keeping his gaze on her, trying to sum her up either as a threat or merely a common thief. But after she started confessing of her identity, she could see the hard gaze soften a little. She couldn't help but wonder if it was due to the fact she had just revealed she was a girl.

"Kai? What's going on?" They both heard a male voice from nearby. Misaki turned to her right to check. A blond male who was roughly the height of the man who stood across from her had arrived, watching the scene in front of him with a curious expression.

"I caught her in the library." The brunet, which she now knows is called Kai, had replied calmly. "She tried to run and I cornered her here."

"What were you doing in there?" The blond asked this time. She could see that both of them were waiting intently for her to answer.

"I was sent here to retrieve something. A scroll." She replied honestly. Both the men were watching her for any signs of lying but her conscience is clear even though she is a thief who was just caught red-handed.

"And just who was it who sent you?" Kai continued. He had his eyebrows slightly raised as listened,

"Before I tell you, I need you to promise me that you would give me the scroll after this." She said.

"Oh? And do you really think that you are in any position to negotiate?" Kai moved his sword closer to her. The green eyes which were soften previously turned cold again. But Misaki wasn't afraid of his sword or his gaze. She was afraid of what would happen to children if she didn't have the scroll ready in time. So she only returned the killer glare right back at him.

"Why don't you tell us what exactly happened before we make any rash decisions?" The blond smiled, trying to persuade both parties to calmly negotiate terms.

"I know that I am not in any position to negotiate terms but I really need the scroll. That is all I need. I don't care what you choose to do to me after that. You can execute me for all I care. I promise I wouldn't run." Her expression hardened with determination.

It was as if she could see the gears in his brain moving, figuring out what the proper solution should be. Eventually, he nodded and the blond sighed in relief.

"Kai, you should probably keep the weapon now. I mean, she did say that she wouldn't run… And you got what she wants." The blond said to the brunet. Kai sheathed his sword while still holding onto her bag.

"Now, explain the situation." Kai said very curtly. Misaki could only conclude that he was not a patient man.

She explained her story to both of the men, who listened in silence. Once she was done, she felt like exhausted. It felt like it had taken all her energy to tell the two strangers who were here with her everything. She knew that all her energy was needed to convince them that she was desperate. After a few more minutes of staring at both the men who were lost in thought, she was growing impatient. It was nerve wrecking to see Kai stare blatantly at the bag in his hand at the while his friend started pacing to and fro in front of her. So she finally spoke up

"So, can I have the scroll now? You can follow me to the orphanage to make sure I don't run."

"I'm sorry. Now that I understand the situation, I am not able to give the scroll to you." Kai finally replied, grasping the bag in his tighter in his hand. Misaki's eyes widened with rage.

"You promised!" She started to lunge herself at him, trying to grab the bag. But he held it high in the air, making her jump to try and get it.

"You are a liar!" She said each word with every jump she made.

"Calm down. I'm sure Kai didn't mean it that way." The blond finally spoke.

"I meant what I said. You can't have the scroll." Kai replied and the blond gave him an exasperated smile.

"Then at least tell me the reason!" She demanded; breath labored after all the jumping.

"This scroll is not something that should fall into the wrong hands. It contains something mystical and to date no one has been able to unlock the scroll to find out what it is. If you handed it over to them, it could possibly cause more trouble than you could ever imagine." Kai explained.

Misaki's jaw slowly fell open before falling onto her knees. She was entirely out of options. This could only mean that the other orphans were bound to be… She couldn't even think about it. The thought was too horrifying.

"I'm sorry about that breaking the promise." Kai apologized. He tied the sling bag onto the black and gold colored sash around the waist of his dark red Qing dynasty styled clothing.

"But… I think I might have a plan to help you." He continued. She glanced up at him, hoping that she hadn't heard him wrongly.

"You do?" She was desperate and willing to try anything now.

"It's risky and I can't promise that it would work. Are you willing to take that risk?" He explained.

"I don't care anymore. I just want to save the orphans." She replied.

"Good." His lips curled into a small smile. "That is all I need to know."

End of Chapter 2