AN at the end :)

"S-Shishio? As in the Shishio who owns at least six corporations who cater to even more countries? That Shishio?" Kaoru couldn't keep her voice down. She had heard rumors about the man ever since she had become involved in the information business. The rumors she had heard whispered of dangers that would make even the most hardened of men shiver. Kaoru had no desire to get involved with the man.

"Yes, that Shishio. It has come to my attention that he has some very…how should I put this? He has some very unsavory contacts in China and the Middle East. It is because there is no real proof that having these contacts is a threat to Japan that the police are unable to act. This is where I come in hopefully with your help in getting the information I need to move forward." Tomoe told her. Kaoru could only stare. The only thought in her mind was why in the world would a restaurant owner be interested in taking down one of the most powerful men in Tokyo?

"I…I don't understand. How did this affect you, Tomoe? I mean, what could you possibly gain by possibly bringing unwanted attention from Shishio down on your head?" Kaoru asked. Tomoe giggled before folding her hands and bringing them up to her chin. Kaoru swallowed at the smile on her face.

"I know it's odd that as a restaurant owner I should be so interested in something like this. I haven't been completely honest with you, Kaoru. I own this business, yes, but there is something else I do on the side." Tomoe revealed. Kaoru swallowed while wondering if she wanted to know. She knew she could walk away now and forget this whole event. Something kept her rooted though. She realized it was the look in Tomoe's eyes. The look in those brown eyes was asking her to stay and hear Tomoe's story out.

"I'm not sure what to say about all of this. You seem like a nice woman and there's still something in me telling me I can trust you. So, please, tell me what this is all about and I will do what I can to help." Kaoru told her. She watched as Tomoe's hands dropped from her chin to rest on the large wooden desk that separated. Kaoru got the distinct impression that there was something far bigger separating them than the desk but she had no idea what. She shook her head to clear her thoughts. She needed to focus on what Tomoe was about to tell her so she could decide on where to go from there.

"I must give my thanks for agreeing to hear me out. As I said, Shishio is smuggling weapons into the country. These weapons, from what I've managed to gather, are very specialized. This is only a guess on my part but I have the feeling Shishio doesn't know how to fully utilize these weapons. In making that particular connection I also have the feeling Shishio is on the hunt for people who can use those weapons.

"The information I need is about the people he has been contacting outside of his normal circle of acquaintances. The only problem is I have no idea who that circle is." Tomoe told her. Kaoru scratched her head before nodding with a small smile on her face.

"It probably won't be hard to figure that piece of information out. Just watching the television will probably tell who his inner circle is. From what I've seen already I doubt Shishio has kept public record of people he has met with that he doesn't want others knowing about." Kaoru replied. She brought her fingers up to her lips and began to tap as she thought. It was a habit she had picked up as a child and unable to drop.

"You have a good point. Oh, Kaoru, you make this sound much more complicated than what I thought it would be." Tomoe groaned. Kaoru looked up from here knees before giggling as she covered her mouth.

"This is my job, Tomoe, I never expect for my jobs to be easy. It wouldn't be nearly as fun if it was easy." Kaoru told her. She watched as the other woman blinked at her before bursting out into laugher. Kaoru watched her while wondering what she had said that was so funny.

"You continue to both surprise and amuse me, Kaoru. The only thing left for you to answer is if you're going to help me or not." Tomoe said. Kaoru grinned as she nodded.

"I don't think I can back down from this. I'll get started immediately." she told her. She made to stand up before Tomoe lifted her hand to stop her.

"I want you to understand just how dangerous this job is. If you'll allow me I want to give you someone to help assure your safety." Tomoe said. Kaoru tilted her head before frowning.

"I like to work alone. I know he's a dangerous person but I feel as though I'd manage to do a better job by myself." she told the older woman. She wasn't offended by the desire to have someone accompany her. She knew Tomoe was thinking about her safety but she was doing what she could to make sure she did the best possible job.

"Trust me, the person I want to help you is made for stealth. You'll barely know she's there. Unless, of course, you accidentally get in trouble." Tomoe told her. Kaoru felt her shoulders drop as she knew the woman was telling her the truth. She could defend herself when absolutely necessary but probably not against people who worked for someone like Shishio.

"Since you won't let me outright refuse I can make the compromise of agreeing to meet the person. If I think they'll be too much for what I need to do I will refuse." Kaoru said sternly as she met Tomoe's eyes. The other woman tilted her head in understanding before reaching for her phone.

"Alright, then. I'll have her come in and meet you." Tomoe said. Kaoru bit her lip before nodding in agreement. She felt as though she had somehow just lost the battle without even fighting it. She also got the feeling that was who Tomoe was. She allowed you to think you had won when in reality she was the victor.

"You can come up now. I know you've been listening at the bottom of the stairs." Kaoru shook her head as she realized Tomoe had been pressing a button on the phone to talk to a person on the other end. She got the distinct feeling when Tomoe wanted something she got it.

"Alright! You're too good, Tomoe!" Kaoru blinked at the feminine voice that replied through the device. Something in Kaoru's mind told her she should recognize the voice. She shook her head before turning her attention towards the door as she waited for the person who would be helping her whether she liked it or not.

"That's because you're too easy to read." Kaoru heard the other woman mumble under her breath. She shot a glance at Tomoe to see the woman had an affectionate smile on her face.

"I'm here!" Kaoru watched as the door burst open to reveal a young woman with a long braid over her shoulder. Kaoru felt her mouth drop open in surprised recognition.

"Misao? What are you doing here?" Kaoru cried as she jumped up to greet her friend. The smaller girl was the last person she had thought she would meet in a restaurant like this. She blinked as she noticed Misao was wearing the waitressing uniform that Kaoru felt made her look underdressed.

"Well, I work here! How else do you think Tomoe knew to contact you on your private line? It's why I also volunteered when she said she would feel better if one of us tagged along for your safety!" Misao told her as she threw up a peace. sign. Kaoru raise her eyebrow as she stared at the girl. She slowly turned towards Tomoe with a blank look on her face. She ignored the way Tomoe smiled at her sheepishly.

"You want Misao, the klutz of all klutzes, to help me do a job that requires stealth and grace? Please tell me this is a joke! No offense, Misao." Kaoru shot over her shoulder before turning back to Tomoe. The older woman blinked up at her innocent before shrugging her shoulders with a bright smile.

"She's good at her job. She does more than just waitress for me." Tomoe revealed. Kaoru crossed her arms as she waited for an explanation. She was ready to tell Tomoe she could forget it if she didn't find someone else. Misao was one of Kaoru's closest friends and she loved her but she felt as though 'stealth' just wasn't in the girls' vocabulary.

"Kaoru, please! Trust me!" Kaoru barely had time to blink let alone brace herself before Misao tackled her from behind. The taller girl let out a cry of surprise as she fell to the floor with a pleading Misao sitting on her back. She had the distinct feeling she was going to pass out from being unable to breath if Misao didn't get off her.

"Misao, please get off Kaoru. I need her to do me this favor. If she smothers because you're sitting on her she can't exactly do that." Tomoe finally intervened. Kaoru let out a breath of relief as Misao jumped off of her.

She slowly sat up while rubbing her lower back. She shot a glare at Misao who was grinning at her sheepishly. She blinked as a small white hand entered her line of vision. She followed the arm the hand belonged to only to be met with Tomoe's smiling face. She gently returned the smile before she took the hand. The other woman helped her to her feet easily before Kaoru turned on Misao. The other woman quickly put the desk between them.

"I'm sorry, Kaoru! I got carried away! You know how I am!" Misao cried. Kaoru shook her head before turning back to Tomoe. The woman had sat back down behind her desk to watch the interaction between Kaoru and Misao.

"Before this goes any farther, how about the two of you sit down and tell me how you already know each other?" she suggested. Kaoru shared a look with Misao before the both nodded in a truce. They sat down in the empty chairs, Kaoru doing so with her arms crossed.

"We met in college, Tomoe. We had a couple of classes together. We became friends so we could help each other survive. We don't talk daily but I like to think we're still friends, right, Kaoru?" Misao asked softly. Kaoru let out a soft breath before turning to her friend with a small smile on her face.

"We're still friends, Misao, but that doesn't mean I'm going to trust you to help me on a job like this. You're still a klutz." she told her. The other black haired girl sighed as she crossed her arms.

"Kaoru, tell me, have you ever heard of a group called the Oniwanbanshuu?" Tomoe suddenly asked. Kaoru looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

"You hear a lot of things on the streets. Especially when you make a living in gathering information. I've heard of them and know they are basically modern day ninjas. Other than that, I'm as in the dark as the rest of the general population." Kaoru confessed. She watched as Tomoe gave her an amused smile.

"What would you do if I told you that you were sitting next to one of the most respected members of that group?" Tomoe said. Kaoru blinked as she looked over at Misao. The girl was smiling brightly. Kaoru turned back to Tomoe who nodded with the same amused smile still on her face.

"You aren't joking, are you?" Kaoru asked. Tomoe shook her head.

"No. Misao acts like a klutz to hide the fact she is part of that group. She is very good at her job. You've only known one side of it, Kaoru. Trust me, she'll make sure everything goes as you want it and keep out of your hair." Tomoe told her. Kaoru look towards Misao to see she was also smiling at her. Kaoru let out a breath before bowing her head in acceptance.

"It seems I don't have a choice, do I? I suppose if Tomoe says you're good at this type of thing, Misao, I'll trust you. However, don't think if you klutz out once I won't beat you with the bokken I keep hid in bedroom." Kaoru said cheerfully before standing up. She bowed to Tomoe with a small smile in place. "I'll contact you tomorrow once I figure out how exactly to attack this. Have a good rest of the evening, Tomoe."

Tomoe and Misao watched as Kaoru left the room with the door closing silently behind her. They listened as she descended the steps before silence took over the small office. Misao was unsure of how long they sat there. She knew when Tomoe wanted to say something she would. Misao could also tell by looking in her eyes that Tomoe had something she wanted to say.

"Did you notice?" Tomoe finally asked softy. Misao met her eyes briefly before swallowing.

"I did. Why now, Tomoe?" Misao asked. The slightly older woman tilted her head indicating she was deep in thought. Misao waited for her to reply.

"A storm is brewing, Misao. Everything is coming to a head." Tomoe once again spoke.

"What do we do now, Tomoe?" Misao asked quietly. The woman let out a deep breath before standing up from her desk to look out the window of her office. Misao knew she was watching the people below hurry along the streets.

"You do everything to help Kaoru get the information we need and do your best to keep her out of this feud. This is between us and Shishio. No innocent bystanders." Tomoe told her sternly. Misao stood up before bowing to the woman.

"I understand." she replied. She turned towards the door only to stop as it opened to reveal Kenshin standing there. Their eyes met and he tilted his head in greeting. She smiled in response.

"I saw your guest leave, Tomoe, I was hoping we could, that I was." Kenshin said to the woman still standing at the window. Misao also turned to Tomoe wondering what she would say in the obviously melancholy mood she had thrown herself into.

"I assume your insistence means Shishio is also moving in Kyoto." Tomoe replied. Misao turned to Kenshin to see he was staring at Tomoe's back.

"Indeed. Aoshi said he would fax you the reports later tonight. Are you sure Miss Kaoru will be able to do this job? She looks as though she is barely out of high school, that she does." Kenshin replied. Misao had to keep herself from jumping to Kaoru's defense. She knew Tomoe would do that herself.

"She certainly seems as though she knows what she's doing. The way she reacted seems to suggest she knows what she's doing. I trust her to do what I've asked. Misao has also agreed to accompany her to protect her should something interfere." Tomoe finally spoke. Misao turned to Kenshin with a shrug of her shoulders as he let out a breath.

"Sounds as though you've made up your mind, Tomoe, that it does." Kenshin replied. Tomoe turned towards him with a blank look on her face. Misao swallowed as she wondered what was going to happen. She really didn't want to get caught in the middle of a fight between them.

"My mind has been made up about this for a long time, Kenshin. You know that and you know why. Do you really want to let him continue on this path? Aren't you the one who talks about doing everything possible to protect those who need it?" Tomoe asked. Misao watched as one of Kenshin's eyebrows quickly rose. Misao had to bite back a wince. She knew it had sounded like an accusation and from the looks of Kenshin's face he had taken it that way.

"You were the one who taught me that, Tomoe. You need to remember that before you start throwing accusations out, that you should." he told her coolly. Misao bit back a sigh. She had a bad feeling about this. A really bad feeling.

"My apologies, Kenshin. You know how short my temper is when it comes to the subject of Shishio. This has been going on far too long." Tomoe whispered. Misao watched as Kenshin nodded his head in agreement.

"Indeed, it has. Do you think we've finally found the answer?" Kenshin asked. Misao blinked before looking at Tomoe.

"I hope so." the woman replied.

"Tomoe, this question is hanging over all of our heads. What happens if Kaoru finds out the truth?" Misao asked softly as though she didn't want anyone else to hear her. She met Tomoe's eyes before the woman shook her head.

"Then her life will be in much more danger than it is now." Misao watched as Tomoe's eyes flashed an unnatural color before returning to their normal brown. She bowed her head before turning back to the door. She was stopped once again from leaving only this time it was Tomoe's voice. "Protect her, Misao. Not just from Shishio but from the truth. I like her, I don't want her to become like us."

"Agreed."

Now, first off before anyone thinks it...this is NOT a vampire fic! Not by a long shot but that's all I can say! Also, thanks to those who reviewed and follow, you know who you are! For those of you who are ghost readers I also appreciate you and I want you to know I'd love to hear what you think of the story! Thanks for reading and please review! Reviews make me happy!