The Obligatory: Author's Notes -
    Not much to say this time round, so I'll be brief, and just jump to the
disclaimer! Again, C&C is more than welcome.  Let me know what works, what
doesn't, it's the only way I'll learn.  ^-^

    Disclaimer: All of the following is pure fiction, no events, or people
really exist.  The characters are the property of Sukyandaru productions,
and the result of too much anime exposure, and an overactive imagination.  I
hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

   Kageko Megumi was starting to get impatient.
    She'd been sitting in the office for nearly ten minutes now, and was
still waiting to be recognized as present. She repressed an urge to clear
her throat, and busied herself by flipping open the manilla file folder she
carried, and shuffling through the papers, and pictures it held. This
occupied her for all of thirty seconds, and she sighed in frustration,
silently, as she closed the folder.
    Sitting next to her, in a highbacked, antique leather chair identicle to
the one she occupied, was Damatsu Kosuke. He was non-descript, with bland
features, and short, black hair. The only thing that stood out in his
appearance were his dark eyes, that shone like mirrors, even in the subdued
light of the office. He was dressed in a business suit, expensive in cut,
and style, and tailored to fit his stocky frame perfectly. He sat seeming
almost asleep, eyes half-closed, expression relaxed. It was a pretense, one
she knew all too well. Damatsu was constantly aware of his surroundings,
noticing everything, reacting only when neccesary. He conserved his energy,
like a predator waiting for the right time to strike. Right now, there was
nothing worthy of his attention.
    She wore a business suit similar to his, with a more feminine cut, and
style. She wore a pleated skirt that fell just below her knees when
standing, and a blouse and choker, instead of a tie. Also, it was tailored
to accentuate her figure, not hide it, allowing no mistake that she was a
woman, unless the veiwer was blind. Her long hair flowed like brown water,
cascading down just beyond her shoulders, framing her face. High cheekbones
supported eyes the color of an angry sea, before tapering to a slender chin.
She knew she was attractive... and she used it to her advantage as much as
she was able.
    She sighed internally again, looking around office for the umpteenth
time. The first thing you noticed about the office was the color scheme, or,
more accurately, the seeming lack of it. Everything was done in black and
white, three of the walls covered in dark, hardwood panneling, polished to
look like black mirrors, the floor was covered in a white carpet so thick,
it was like walking on a cushion. A real bitch in high heels, so she tended
to wear flats, not that, at 5'9", she needed the extra height the heels
provided anyway.
    Light was provided by tall standing lamps, alternating black and white,
along the walls, and from the west wall.
    The west wall consisted of a single plane of glass, a huge window that
stretched from floor to ceiling, wall to wall. It revealed an breathtaking
view of the city, through glass so clear, it almost looked like the room
wasn't finished, the wall was missing entirely.
Resting a few feet away from the window was a huge antique desk, carved from
a single block of black jade, marked with white veins. Nearly six feet
across, the top was bare except for a few manilla file folders, and an
antique ink and brush set, placed just off center. Behind the desk was a
highbacked, black leather chair, turned to face the window. The occupant of
the chair was watching the sun settle on the horrizon.
Finally, the sun disappeared, and the light from the lamps automatically
intensified, to compensate for the lack of daylight. The chair behind the
desk, and it's occupant leveled a steady gaze on her, and Damatsu. The
latter sprang to life, his eyes snapping open, as he straightened, looking
alert, and ready. For her part, she met the gaze unflinchingly, already
alert.
    The occupant of chair was a young man, mid to late twenties by
appearance, with ash-blonde hair, and a complexion the color of alabaster.
He wore a black suit what was just short of being a tuxedo in cut, that
contrasted with his natural coloration that made him blend into the decor of
the room. His face was handsome, with a strong chin that curved back into
well defined jaw. Ice-blue eyes peered out from under feather-light brows,
with a gaze that almost literaly carried a weight.
    Old eyes, she thought, an old soul. She'd been mesmorized by his eyes
since the first day she'd met him, and the feeling hadn't faded over time.
>From time to time, their icy depths would grow warm, turning to saphire,
often for her, and her alone.
Now, though, they were cold, angry, although his face didn't display any
emotion other than careful disregard.
    "Let me see if I'm crystal on this," he said in light voice that was as
cold as his demeanor, "the object we purchased, and the object we currently
possess, are not the same?" His gaze shifted to fall completely on Damatsu,
and the stocky man blinked slowly.
    "Hai," he replied softly, unbothered by the pale man's tone, "I've
looked into it myself. I could show you-"
The pale man waved his hand. "I trust your judgement, Kosuke," he said, his
voice still tight with anger, "What I want to know is why don't I have what
I paid for?"
Damatsu paused, his eyes sliding half-shut again. "I don't know, for
certain, but I believe somone made a switch, supplying us with a fake."
    The pale man's eyes narrowed. "The shopkeeper?"
    Damatsu shook his head. "No, Wen doesn't have the intelligence to pull a
trick like this. Besides, my agents assure me that it was the original item
when it left Hong Kong."
    The pale man sat back, leaning one elbow on the rest of his chair,
fingers cupping his face.
    "So, it happened here, in Tokyo." Damatsu nodded, and the pale man
frowned. "I want that item found, Kosuke," he said icily. "If it falls into
the wrong hands..." He paused, "It could make things very unpleasant. Am I
crystal?"
    "I'm looking into it personaly, sir," Damatsu said, bowing his head.
    Suck up, Megumi commented silently, then shivered, as both men turned
their gazes toward her. Either of their gazes were unsettling, both was
unnerving at best, frightning at worst. She repressed another shudder, and
met the pale man's gaze unflichingly, ignoring Damatsu. The pale one smiled.
    "Moving on. What do you have, Megumi?" he asked, his voice decidedly
less hostile than it had been towards Damatsu. She felt, rather than saw,
the other man's gaze flit from her to their boss, then back to her.
    "Surveilance at the airport brought these to me this morning.
Appearantly, they were taken last night," she passed the manilla folder to
the pale man. He flipped it open, his blue eyes flickering as he glanced
over the written report, then turned to the pictures. His eyes narrowed,
hardening, as he examined the glossy, black and white photos.
    "San Yun?" he said, surprise filtering through his voice, "Here?" He
paused, tossing the folder onto his desk top, looking thoughtful, and
slightly bemused. "It seems Meimei is making her move. Not that I'm
surprised, I just wasn't expecting it so soon. This could complicate
things."
    "Could it be diplomatic?" Megumi asked, already guessing at the answer,
but she wanted to be sure.
    The pale man shook his head. "No, I would have recieved notification
before he arrived. They're trying to sneak him in the back door." He
frowned. "I'm surprised he got this far." His gaze fell heavily on Megumi,
the questioning look sufficient to reveal his displeasure, and, worse, his
disapointment.
    "We've grown lack," Megumi said defiantly, trying to keep the hard edge
out of her voice, "Too much attention has spent on Damatsu's research, and
aquisitions." She glanced sideways, guessing correctly at the scowl the man
in question was wearing.         "Our defenses are weak, if almost
non-existent. To be blunt, I'm not surprised Jin He chose now to strike."
    "When we're at our weakest, ne?" The pale man looked thoughtful, then
sighed, holding his head. "You're right, and you've been right for a long
time. As I recall, you warned me this might happen, when I started funneling
resources into Damatsu's holdings." He paused, then clapped his hands on the
desktop. "Fair enough. I'll transfer some resources into your holdings.
Damatsu, reorganize what you've got, then let me know what you can spare.
How are your projects coming along?"
    "We're nearing completion," Damatsu said, tossing a hostile glance in
Megumi's direction. She repressed an urge to go Nyah nyah! "We've narrowed
down the candidates for the miko to these four, we're still looking for the
fifth. Also, the 'special' project is finished, and ready."
    "Go with it. I wan't beta test results on my desk in two days," the pale
man ordered, then turned to Megumi. "I want you to bring San Yun in for a
meeting. Use whatever forces necesary, but I want him here by sundown
tommorrow, am I crystal?"
    "Hai." Megumi nodded, her mind already formulating plan for the
'invitation.' The sound of a bell ringing interupted her thoughts. Her boss
frowned, and touched the top of his desk.
    "Hai?"
    "There is someone here to see Damatsu-san, Ayumishi-sama," a female
voice intoned from the polished surface of the desk. The pale man arched an
eyebrow at Damatsu, who shrugged in response, then rose from his seat,
bowed, and left the office. Silence filled the air, as the pale man turned
to look out the window. Megumi sighed gently, running one hand through her
hair, tugging out gnarls with her fingers. She was caught in one stroke, as
Ayumishi's chair swivelled suddenly to face her.
    "You and Damatsu haven't been playing well together lately. Problems?"
    Megumi paused, finishing her action while she formulated her thoughts.
"We've been butting heads over resources mostly," she said finally. She
frowned, "You did funnel a lot into his holdings. It gave him... ideas."
    Ayumishi arched an eyebrow. "Oh? Interesting." He paused. "Work it out.
I'm going to need you both soon-"
    The door reopened, and Damatsu hurried into the room. He moved to stand
just in front of the desk, and bowed deeply.
    "I've found the item, sir. As I suspected it was switched after it
arrived here. It appears our friend Mr. Lim has a history associating with
certain... elements."
    "I'm not surprised. He is from the mainland, isn't he?" The pale man
waved his hand dismissively before anyone could reply. "Irelevant. Will you
have any trouble retrieving it?"
    Damatsu paused, his dark eyes narrowing. "I don't believe so."
    "Yoi." Ayumishi turned towards Megumi. "Megumi, would you be so kind as
to extend an invitation to Mr Lim? I would very much like to meet the man."
His smile was predatory, and sent a shiver up her spine.
    "I'll send it out imediately," she replied.
    "Yoi," he said, leaning back in his chair. "Any other business...?"