AN: And here we are again. The last time I updated, Britain was in the beginning of summer, and now we are passing through Autumn. Anyway, here is the long awaited next chapter of Sapphire in the Smoke, thankyou for being patient.

Before you read I'd like to mention a few things. Firstly, I'd like to say a big thankyou and express my gratitude towards two readers and artists who were inspired enough to produce some wonderful pieces of fanart for the Fic. Saikotic - you can find the piece in her gallery here - saikotic. deviantart. com - just after around the third or fourth chapter, but with my bad memory I kept forgetting to tell you. Wolfie, who is the first person to read each and every chapter and also my muse and most cherished friend, made two pieces, and these can be found in her gallery here - phantomfeline. .deviantart. com (please copy and paste the links, deleting all spaces)

Thankyou!

And finally, thankyou to everyone who has ever added SitS or myself to their alerts, it is greatly appreciated and gives me motivation in writing my chapters.

Now, do enjoy.

Chapter 14 – Circles Within Circles

Natsuki awoke before Shizuru, the first rays of morning light illuminating the room with a dim glow. She pressed her naked body up against Shizuru's equally naked back, her hands softly caressing the brunette's stomach whilst she nuzzled and kissed her exposed neck. The memories made hours earlier swirled in Natsuki's mind, making the young girl blush slightly. But she also smiled, the thoughts not unwelcome in the least.

She remembered the vision of calm, controlled Shizuru, helpless in the throes of passion, unable to speak any words but one-

“Hmm, Natsuki?” The sound of that word brought Natsuki out of her reverie, and she whispered softly,

“Shizuru?” She queried, pushing herself up onto one elbow but continuing to trace circles upon Shizuru's stomach with her other hand. She took in the sight of the very different Shizuru, far removed from the girl she had witnessed sleeping the morning before: the girl who had seemed locked in a perfect state, unable to drop her mask, even in sleep. Now however, Natsuki was blissfully happy to see the older girl looking so at peace with the world, so content. Her usually perfect hair was now tousled and untidy, the chestnut strands splayed out over her pillow in disarray.

Natsuki chuckled as the Mistress came round, planting small kisses on her pale cheek and hugging her closer. She didn't feel so afraid of what she felt any more. Yes, there was still the niggling thought that she was leaving herself too open, a thought that was brought on by her years of living alone. But she ignored it, focusing instead on the main object of her thoughts; Shizuru. The brunette had opened her eyes, and turned her head to look up at Natsuki, a smile on her lips as Natsuki gently kissed her, pushing a few strands of hair out of her face with her fingertips and putting them behind the Mistress' ear.

Natsuki broke the kiss, her nose gently nudging Shizuru's as she whispered,

“I...I think I love you...Shizuru.” Shizuru smiled, giving the raven-haired girl a quick kiss before replying.

“Its okay, Natsuki...I love you too.” She whispered back, “But I think we had better get dressed,” She chuckled, “It wouldn't do to have Arika try and walk in on us as we are, would it?” Natsuki's earlier blush returned tenfold and she reluctantly pushed herself away from Shizuru and out of the bed, wishing she hadn't had to move. But she agreed with the Mistress, she didn't think either of them were ready to be seen together, let alone by someone like Arika Yumemiya.

She was surprised to find that her shoulder did not twinge as it had done every morning, and decided to leave her discarded bandage off. She pulled on her shorts and then her shirt, rising from the bed and turning to find Shizuru already standing, the bedclothes wrapped around her tightly. She walked over to Natsuki, one hand holding the bedclothes, the other reaching out to cup Natsuki's face.

“I'm sorry you have to become Natsuki Kuga again, Natsuki...I just...I can't risk him realising who you are...” Shizuru's hand fell to her side, her crimson eyes downcast. She felt ashamed of herself, having to hide Natsuki like she wasn't meant to be seen. She hated her father more than ever, which was something she had not thought possible. Natsuki, seeing Shizuru's change in demeanour, grasped the hand that had fallen and brought it back up to her mouth, kissing the slender fingers and gazing at Shizuru.

“I'm happy to do it, Shizuru, and I'll do it for as long as you need me to, okay?” She leant forwards in order to kiss Shizuru again, but was cut short by a knocking on the door. She gave the brunette a quick peck on the cheek, and fled through the door to her room, faintly hearing the chirpy voice of Arika as she burst through Shizuru's door and exclaimed,

“Miss Viola! I have your fresh towels!”

Tomoe was exhausted. Chie's interrogation had continued on right into the night and the early hours of the morning. When she had finally left, Tomoe had tried to sleep, but had given up and resigned herself to sitting at her vanity table, staring at her slightly dishevelled appearance in the large mirror and wondering what she was going to say if, and when, somebody found her like this. She couldn't tell them the truth. No, Tomoe bitterly admitted to herself, the street-rat had been extremely clever in that sense. She sighed as she remembered what Chie had said just before she had left.

“...I trust you'll be keeping our little conversation to yourself?'” The dark haired vagrant chuckled as she rose from her chair, Tomoe's purple-grey eyes following her every move whilst shifting every now and again to the letter-opener in her hand. It took a few moments for Chie's question to sink in. Tomoe snapped her head up to look at the vagabond through hate-filled eyes.

“And what makes you think I won't say anything!?” She hissed, incredulity in her tone. Chie glanced at her over the rim of her glasses, a smirk playing about her lips.

“Oh, its very simple, my dear. You see, I know what your boss is like, and I think even you know that he holds a certain...distrust, for women of your stature and, though it pains me to say it, intelligence. Now, what do you think might happen if Osamu Viola finds out that an employee he already holds little regard for had managed to let a street-rat into one of his establishments, and worse! Find out a few of his secrets in the process, hmm?” Chie chuckled again as Tomoe's eyes widened, knowing that everything the dark haired girl had just said was true. She couldn't tell anyone, not unless she wanted to find herself hanging at the end of a rope. A rope held by Osamu himself.

She gulped, feeling defeated and at a loss for words. Chie was beside the bedroom door then, having just unlocked it with the key she had held safely in her back pocket. She grinned at Tomoe, flicking the key in her direction. It landed at the older girls feet, and she stared at it dejectedly.

“Don't look so sad, Tomoe. Who knows? You might be seeing me again sometime soon...” With that, the vagrant slipped through the door and out onto the balcony to escape the workhouse. Tomoe remained sat on her bed, trying to find a solution to her new problem.

Tomoe's thoughts were interruptedwhen Mary came bustling through her door. The green-haired woman glared at the young Maid menacingly.

“You should learn to knock!” She snapped in English, making the Maid almost jump out of her skin. Mary cowered as Tomoe rose from her seat, having sampled many of the workhouse Mistress' rages before. She felt old bruises beginning to tingle as she remembered, and slunk back away from Tomoe. Tomoe looked on, a smidgeon of control returning to her and making her feel better. The Maid continued to stare at her Mistress fearfully. Something must have happened during the night to make her this way, the Maid thought. Her eyes momentarily passed over the letter opener, which still lay on the floor where Chie had dropped it just as she was leaving. Yes, something had happened. But who was she to think upon such things? She was just a maid, as Tomoe delighted in reminding her at every opportunity. It would be best if she remained quiet, she concluded.

“Go and start breakfast, you stupid girl, and you had better do it quickly!” Tomoe said, sharply. She watched the girl as she flew through the door, enjoying her discomfort. When the room was left in silence once again, she began to work on a plan. A plan that involved the removal of Chie Hallard and all those who surrounded her.

“Can't believe I have to traipse you around with me all day, this is cruelty!” Erstin was only partly listening to Nao's rants. She was more focused on the area around her, her eyes wildly searching the faces of people around her as she walked beside the red-head. She hadn't felt the same since her torturous week in the workhouse, and her newly acquired confidence had been diminished to almost nothing.

Nao walked on, apparently oblivious to Erstin's nervous state. Well, that's how it seemed to the little blonde girl. In actual fact Nao had been keeping one eye firmly on Erstin's movements, noting how the girl had taken a large leap backwards and become the girl she had first met all those years ago. She took in the Erstin's withdrawn body language, how she hunched her shoulders forward and kept her hands close to her chest. Her fingers were intertwined with each other; Erstin was wringing her hands together.

Nao shot a worried glance at the young girl, something she didn't do often, with anyone. She quickly disguised the worried look with a cough and mentally chastised herself for being so soft. With a grimace she realised she'd been living around all these little kids for far too long.

Erstin, for her part, was starting to get used to being outside again. They had been walking for almost an hour, making their way to the Viola residence through the foggy streets of London. They weren't in any particular rush as they walked along at a relaxed pace. Midori had insisted that they do not hurry, telling Nao that it was better for Erstin to be outside for as long as possible, to get her used to ordinary life again.

They pressed on, Nao constantly watching the younger girl's reactions as they went.

Midori closed her eyes in contemplation as she listened to Chie. The second-in-command had arrived back not two minutes ago, and already the Director was wishing that everything Chie was saying was a lie. But she knew it was all true. Disgustingly true.

“You were right, Midori. Marguerite told me everything, though I'm sure a few of her facts weren't the whole truth, being as deceiving as she undoubtedly is...” Chie trailed off, unsure if the Director was still listening. Midori seemed lost in her thoughts, and Chie knew that until she had explored every angle of what she was thinking, Midori would not speak, or appear to be listening. Chie sighed inwardly. A lot of what Tomoe had told her had simply been confirmations of what they already knew. However, they had originally thought that Osamu was trying to move into the sex-slave trade, but now they knew that he was already knee deep in such a business. What Osamu wanted to do was expand that business, all in the pursuit of money and power.

Chie's troubled thoughts strayed to Aoi, wondering how the young Maid was coping under Osamu's rule. She had already expressed her own concerns about the dictator's visit to his daughter's residence, but Midori had slightly settled her nerves by sending Nao and Erstin to oversee the goings-on in the house. That did not stop her from wanting to travel down there herself, though, in order to check upon her beloved. But it would be stupid to risk such a thing with Osamu around, and luckily, Chie wasn't a stupid person.

So instead she sighed and waited until Midori's thoughts had rejoined the present, the vision of Aoi a constant presence in her mind, as it had been since she had met the girl.

Nagi was furious. He paced his room as Mashiro and Mr Adams watched him warily, the latter sporting a heavily bruised eye. They were stood waiting for the explosion that was sure to come. Sure enough, Nagi turned to Mr Adams and bellowed into his face, having to stand on tiptoe in order to get high enough, which only made him angrier.

“How did this happen!?” he shouted, his whiny voice sounding much worse when amplified. Mashiro winced and longingly gazed at his bed, wanting only to crawl back inside it and sleep some more. Nagi continued, “Were your men sleeping when they were supposed to be patrolling!? Honestly, she could have just walked right in if she had wanted to, with your attempt at security I'm surprised we still have four walls surrounding us!”

“But Sir, you assured us that there was nothing taken, there's no harm-”

“That does not excuse the fact that I had somebody inside my home last night!” Nagi snapped, instantly silencing Mr Adams. “Double the night-watch, I want the house surrounded by men twenty-four seven!” He paused for a moment, composing his thoughts before saying, “And...get some men on the trail of the intruder, I want her back here...alive.” Mr Adams did not try to plead his case again, he fled through the door, leaving Nagi and Mashiro alone.

Nagi's anger had subsided slightly, and he stood against the desk in his room, his hands splayed out on the marble before him, trying to quieten his thoughts further. He had been dressed for hours, since the letter had been stolen, a white pinstripe shirt with black trousers held up by braces. He felt Mashiro, who was still in her sleepwear, slip her nimble hands around his waist from behind, nuzzling his tense back with her nose.

It had been a long time since she had seen him, and desire had been biting at her ever since she and Tate had entered the mansion. She couldn't describe the desire as love, she did not think for one second that she loved Nagi. She preferred to think of it as something of a convenience, and she was sure that Nagi believed it to be the same. However, though it was true to say she did not love him, she did harbour something that came close to affection for him, and it was this which had prompted her to try and comfort him at this moment.

“Is everything alright?” She asked, breathing in his cologne, the desire to return to bed, with him in tow, surfacing as it had done the night before.

Nagi sighed, his rigid shoulders relaxing slightly. Nobody had to know the letter had gone missing, not yet anyway. He did not want the contents finding their way into the hands of somebody who could do some real damage with such information. Osamu Viola already had a good idea of what had been going on, and Nagi wanted it to go no further than that. Finally he turned in Mashiro's arms, gently pushing her away from him.

“Everything is fine, perfectly fine...Now, go and get dressed, we have some travelling to do today.” His voice was now jovial, and Mashiro was nonplussed for a few moments. Eventually she said,

“Why, where are we going?” She folded her arms, defiance written in her features. If he thought she was going to just follow him like a lap dog he had another thing coming. Nagi grinned at her, his smile devious and layered with hidden meaning.

“Why, we're going to see Osamu Viola of course!”

Miyu pulled to a stop as she reached the outskirts of London. The beast beneath her beat it's hooves in frustration, heavy breaths of air blasting from its nose. Miyu had ridden all night without stopping, knowing that there could be somebody following her at any moment. Nagi had a lot of people at his disposal, she wouldn't be surprised if he had already gotten word to everyone he knew within a fifty mile radius by now.

She trotted steadily into London, trying to blend in with the late morning crowds; men and women of all shapes and sizes moving through the streets. She stopped at an inn, telling the stable-boy there to take the horse for a few days, thrusting a bag of ill-acquired money into the boy's hands. He lead the horse away, a toothless grin on his young face.

Miyu continued on. She still had far to go before she would reach Brockley Road, and she was hoping to get there before the sun set once again. She had still not opened the envelope, and did not plan to either. Her army-like loyalties to Midori restrained her curiosity immensely, making her wait until Midori herself had read the letter.

The blue haired vagrant strode into the road, and with a graceful leap landed on the rear step of a passing coach. She hung onto the handrail fixed to the rear doors and climbed up to the luggage rack on the roof of the vehicle. She hoped that the driver was travelling in the general direction of Brockley Road, but knew that at some point she would more than likely have to catch a different coach.

Such was the life of a Street Rat.

Natsuki was stood behind Shizuru in her office, whilst Osamu sat across the table, reading through the wad of papers that Shizuru had previously passed over to him. From what Natsuki could gather, they were documents containing the details of several businesses that Shizuru had taken on in the last year or so. Osamu, never a man to be in the dark about many deals that took place in London, had heard of these purchases and had insisted that he should take a look at the contracts.

Shizuru observed him, her chin resting on her interlinked fingers, propped up by her slender elbows. The appearance of calm that she was projecting belied the intense anger she was feeling inside. It was perfectly clear to anyone that the only reason Osamu was checking the files was because he believed she was not able to choose rightly, or run her businesses as well as he would.

He pored over the papers, no clear indication as to whether he approved or disapproved of her choices. Natsuki watched him warily, her patience wearing thin. She was once again in her maid uniform. She had had a rather embarrassing episode that morning when she had tried to button up the pinafore alone. Having no Aoi to help her as she had previously, Natsuki had gotten her hair caught in the buttons which fastened up her back, and for a few minutes had struggled to release her locks. Eventually, Arika had stumbled into the room, and had willingly and enthusiastically helped her with the garment, much to Natsuki's discomfort.

She had strode with forced dignity into the corridor, where Shizuru was already stood waiting for her. It hadn't helped her one iota when, upon seeing her, Shizuru had let out a small giggle, her dainty fingers hiding her mouth as she chuckled. It was obvious she had heard the events that had happened in the room, and Natsuki scowled moodily. Would life with the brunette always be this teasing?

She had been proved wrong as she had followed Shizuru into the study, where Osamu was already sat waiting, Aoi standing stock still behind him. With the arrogance of a man who believed himself to be above all others, he had not risen from his chair, as it was usually custom to. Shizuru had barely spared him a glance as she had taken her seat and placed the documents he was reading on the table before him.

Natsuki shifted her gaze to the clock, wondering how much longer they were going to be in here. The room was warm, her neck-tie was beginning to itch and she could feel her shoulders beginning to sag. She straightened up abruptly, taking a quick glance at Osamu to check that he had not noticed. She inwardly relaxed when she saw that he still had his eyes on the documents, and almost his nose, he was looking so closely.

Natsuki wasn't used to standing so still for such long periods of time. She was an energetic street-rat and as such liked to be constantly on the move. She fought the urge to tap her foot impatiently. Instead she settled for clicking her tongue against her teeth. Too quiet for Osamu to hear it, but loud enough to Natsuki to keep her occupied for the time being.

Shizuru could also hear the clicking noise, and gazed sideways at the younger woman. She noted that Natsuki was becoming restless, and realised she had better do something to change the situation for the raven-haired maid.

“Natsuki, please will you prepare and bring us our tea? I'm sure Mai will already have unlocked the kitchen by now.” She said, though if she hadn't said Natsuki's name the younger girl would never have known that it was her Shizuru was speaking to. The brunette had not moved her gaze from her father, and still sat watching him intently.

Natsuki quickly strode from the room, receiving a small smile from Aoi as she passed. Once out of the room she hurried to the kitchen, not wanting to leave Shizuru alone with Osamu for longer than was absolutely necessary. She did indeed find the kitchen unlocked, but when she entered it she found no sign of the bubbly chef, and she briefly wondered what Mai did on her days off. She shook the thought away and concentrated on making the tea.

She had to brew the teas separately, due to the fact that Osamu had a very different taste to his daughter's when it came to tea. Shizuru liked her tea sweet and milky, and would allow it to cool down first before she would drink it. Osamu however, preferred his to be burning hot when he drank it, and without sugar. He liked only a certain amount of milk in it, and would notice if it was a single millilitre under or over the amount he liked. Natsuki cursed him again for his absurdly close attention to detail. He had transformed the simple act of making a mug of tea into a hellish nightmare for the raven-haired girl.

She poured Shizuru's tea first, holding the mug steady in one hand as she did so. She imagined Shizuru's slender hand slipping over hers as she did so, and closed her eyes as the Mistress' other hand came sliding around her waist. When she felt her hand burning her eyes flew open, the daydream disappeared and a reddening blotch appeared on her hand, stinging with pain and making her eyes water.

“God damn it!” She hissed, rushing over to the washbasin on the side and thrusting her hand into the cool water with a small splash. She sighed as the pain receded, and vowed never to let her thoughts run riot again whilst she was making tea. She finally pulled out her hand and inspected the scorched skin sceptically. Surely, it would be fine. She looked around the kitchen and found an abandoned handkerchief on the side and wrapped it around the injured hand, securing it with a knot on her palm. Hopefully, nobody would notice or ask any questions. Hopefully.

She continued making the tea, and began the journey back to the Study, the tea-tray in her hands. She pushed the door open to find the room an its occupants almost exactly as she had left them, the only difference being that Shizuru watched her as she entered, a playful glint in her eye that made Natsuki blush ever so slightly. Shizuru returned her gaze to her father, who seemed to be reaching the end of his reading session.

Natsuki placed his tea before him with her uninjured hand, and then stepped around the table to place Shizuru's in front of her. It was awkward for her to use her clear hand this time, so she had no choice but to reveal her bandaged hand to Shizuru as she gave her the beverage. Shizuru eyed her hand as it moved before her, and cast a slightly worried look at Natsuki. Natsuki caught the look and shook her head, dismissing the injury as nothing. She gestured towards Osamu with her head, silently telling Shizuru that it would be best to discuss this later.

Shizuru returned to observing her father just as he finished reading and met Shizuru's eye. She braced herself for the oncoming subtle abuse she was sure she would receive. She was marginally surprised when Osamu smiled and pushed back the papers.

“Everything seems to be in order, dear Daughter. Now, I am afraid I shall be taking my leave. I have some business to attend to this dinnertime and I ought not to abandon it. I shall be back for Tea though, and I shall be staying another night. Tomorrow morning I will be returning to my own home.” With that, he turned and exited the room, and moments later the occupants heard the front door open and close.

Natsuki and Aoi shared a look of confusion, and then both turned to see something neither of them had experienced yet; the expression of a dumbfounded Shizuru.

Osamu stepped out into the cold morning air, sucking in a deep breath satisfactorily. He walked towards his coach and stepped inside it, pulling the door shut and sitting back with a smile on his face. The driver clicked his tongue and the horses trotted forward, snorting with the effort.

“Did you receive my message, Sir?” Came a voice from beside Osamu. The voice belonged to a man in his late twenties, dressed in a black suit and sitting straight. His skin was dark by Japanese standards, though his features were distinctly oriental, which was only expected of one of Osamu's close employees. His face was scarred on the left, and angular in structure. His eyes, though it was hard to tell in the dim light of the coach, were a deep green, and his hair was dark brown and spiked.

“Yes, Takeda, I was quite delighted to receive such news. When will he arrive?” Osamu replied, taking a cigar out of his pocket and lighting it with a match. The man named Takeda let him smoke it for a few moments, and then answered his question.

“About noon today, He's bringing Tate with him, and Mashiro Blan de Windbloom has also been seen entering the coach earlier today.” Takeda Masashi was a simple man in terms of happiness. He had a wife and two beautiful children whom benefited well from his shady work, though none of them knew exactly what his shady work entailed. His main aim in life was to ensure the safety and the comfortable living style of the people he loved, and if that meant doing Osamu Viola's dirty work for him. then so be it.

He'd started out life as a pauper, managing to scrape by in a little known Japanese village. He'd lived with his uncle for a time, his parents having perished in a fire when he was two years old. When he reached seventeen, he fell for the daughter of a wealthy man. But the courtship was heavily frowned upon, and Takeda and the girl were forced to flee. They ended up in England, and Takeda worked long and hard to eke a living for him and his wife to be. Before long, and through a variety of contacts, Takeda had begun work for Osamu.

It had been varied work to say the least, ranging from heavy jobs to full scale crime rings. He wasn't particularly proud of the things he did, but he was proud of the living he made for him and his family. He was now Osamu's number one man, and most trusted employee.

“Good, good,” Osamu answered, exhaling smoke as he spoke. The silky wisps floated between the two men, catching the morning light which poured in through the windows. Having never been one for smoking, Takeda pulled open the window and the wisps became unsettled, swirling more rapidly now and rushing out into the streets.

“Takeda, I'd like you to do me a favour, if you will,” They both knew it was not a request, “I'd like you to find out as much as you can on a certain Natsuki Kuga. She's originally from Japan so I suggest you begin there. I'd like everything you manage to surface within the week.” Takeda gave a quick nod.

“Yes, Sir.” Osamu leant back in his seat, taking a moment to relax and gather his thoughts. There was something not quite right about that Maid, and the exchange between her and his daughter earlier in the study had been interesting indeed.

Far too interesting for him to ignore.

Miyu's pale pink eyes studied the faces of Big Ben, London's tallest tower and biggest time keeper. The clock was said to never be a second out of the correct time, and Miyu often wondered how a mechanism so massive could be controlled so accurately. It was a quarter to noon.

She was just over a block away from Brockley Road, and she rose from her comfortable perch on the luggage rail of a rich-man's coach. She descended the steps fixed to the back of the coach, and in one swift movement jumped and landed on the cobbles. Nobody paid her any attention; why would they? She was a mere street-rat, hardly worth their attention. She ignored the occasional disapproving looks, and continued on her way.

As she walked she began to have the feeling that she was being watched. She slowed her pace and strained her ears as she turned into a side street, one which was far less busier than the main road. Footsteps followed behind her, the heavy clump of the shoes on the pavement revealing the person wearing them to be male. He was far enough away as to appear inconspicuous, and to a normal person it would seem as if he was simply taking a stroll through the streets. But Miyu wasn't particularly normal, and as she turned corner after corner, the footsteps continued to turn with her.

It was obvious that he did not want to take her just yet, and Miyu realised that he must have a different goal. He wanted to know her destination, and then perhaps he would take her. She changed her route immediately, leading the man away from Brockley Road. She would sooner have her throat slit than have the underground hideaway discovered because of her.

She increased her pace, hoping that her pursuer was slow. Eventually, she set of at a running pace, but the stranger managed to keep up with her. He was beginning to gain on her, which wasn't surprising since she'd had next to no sleep in the last two days. She was exhausted, and it showed in her steadily declining speed. She urged her legs to work harder, to go faster. She could hear his ragged breathing as he gained on her.

Just as she thought all was lost, she heard the man grunt, followed by a sharp crash. She stole a look behind her, but did not stop. She saw the man, whom she immediately identified as Mr Adams stumbling over a pile of wooden crates which were not there before. She glanced around, seeing no sign of her saviour, until her eyes flickered upwards. On the roofs above them were various children of all shapes and sizes, their ragged appearance proof of their alliance with Midori. They must have seen her running, Miyu surmised.

She silently thanked them and continued running, turning corners whenever she thought the thug could not see her. The vagrants continued to hinder his progress, throwing rocks, hurtling slates and shouting curses at him. He was stalled long enough for Miyu to slip down an alleyway, vault herself over a dividing fence and scramble up onto the roofs to join her comrades. She left them with Mr Adams, setting out upon her original path, back to Brockley Road.

Mr Adams, Nagi's personal bodyguard, Miyu thought. That must mean he's here, in London. Managing to somehow drag up the energy, Miyu burst into a sprint, leaping from building to building with the grace of a cat. She dropped into Brockley Road and flew to the hidden entrance of the underground empire.

Nao and Erstin had been crouched behind a garden wall, watching intently as Osamu stepped into his coach.

“Interesting...” Nao whispered, tapping at her lip with her finger. Erstin watched the coach leave and then turned to face Nao, an odd smile on her lips.

“Does this mean we can see Natsuki? I haven't seen her in ages...” She trailed of, her lime-green eyes flitting between the ground and Nao. Nao glanced back at the Viola house, her mind racing. Surely it couldn't hurt, they wouldn't be there more than an hour. They just needed to find some way of getting Natsuki's attention.

“Come on then,” she said, a grin spreading across her face. In all fairness it wasn't only Erstin who missed the raven-haired girl. Nao found most of her days to be quite boring without Natsuki around to argue with and insult, and though Nao would never admit it out loud, Natsuki was the closest friend she had, so close that Nao considered her practically a sister. They had spent endless hours together wandering the streets of London in search of potential targets, often competing against each other to see who could pick a victim's pocket first. Nao would usually win these games, mainly because Nao would always find some way or other to sabotage Natsuki's attempts.

Presently Nao crept from behind the wall, Erstin close behind. They slipped through the guinnel separating Shizuru's home from her neighbour's. The houses, large as they undoubtedly were, were grouped together in a curving line around a huge fenced off area of greenery. Luscious flowers and plants grew inside it, and in the centre stood a fountain, which sprouted water in the summer months but remained still from September till March.

Nao and Erstin stepped into Shizuru's rear garden, which was big in size and well tended. The grass was crunchy underfoot with frost, and Nao could feel the rags she had wrapped around her cold feet beginning to get damp. She had a flat cap perched upon her head and she tilted it backwards in order to peer up at the variety of windows adorning the rear of Shizuru's house. There were many to choose from, and there was always a chance that Natsuki wasn't even in the house, let alone in the rear of it. Erstin paced behind her, becoming more nervous with every passing second now that she was here.

“Stop moving, stay still,” Hissed Nao, staring up at what she assumed was a bedroom window. The window had just been thrown open by a hand garbed in white, and Nao could hear voices issuing from the opening, one of which seemed quite familiar. She grinned impishly and scanned the ground. Erstin just watched her with growing apprehension.

Meanwhile, Shizuru had regained her composure had started to reorganise the business documents left on the table. Natsuki watched her, observing the calm expression she knew was hiding a torrent of thoughts and emotions. She pulled at her collar, her neck feeling stuffy. There were no windows in the study and the fire was still burning, as they always did in winter. Her hand was tingling slightly, the burn searing as it rubbed against the cloth. She winced involuntarily and then jumped as Shizuru's head jerked in her direction.

“Oh, Natsuki, your hand, what did you do?” Shizuru reached out to take the wrapped appendage but Natsuki pulled it away, her pride making her do so.

“Its nothing, I just had an accident when I was making the teas, its just a little burn...” She trailed off into a short hiss as the injury twinged again. Shizuru rose from her seat.

“Please, let me look at it,” She said as she moved, “we have salves in the bathroom.” Natsuki followed, glad to be out of the heated room. Shizuru lead her to the closest bathroom, which was on the floor above the one they were on. As they entered, Shizuru hurried over to the basin, checked the temperature of the water inside and beckoned Natsuki over. Natsuki protested slightly with words but did not disobey, trudging over to the basin like a child who loathed to bathe.

Shizuru wordlessly took her bandaged hand when she was within distance and began to gently unwrap the cloth, her fingers caressing Natsuki's palm as she did so, causing the younger girl to colour slightly. She was glad that Shizuru had not asked for details of the incident, knowing that it would become deadly ammunition if Shizuru were to use it to tease Natsuki in the future.

Shizuru discarded the cloth, taking Natsuki's hand in both her own. She brought it up to her face, scrutinizing the large patch of deep red skin covering Natsuki's hand from the base of her thumb and across the back of the hand to the base of her little finger. The skin had been rubbed raw by the cloth but now that it had been removed Natsuki felt the injury recede in pain.

“What did you do after you had the accident?” Shizuru softly asked, rolling Natsuki's sleeve up and pushing her hand into the water, which Natsuki was surprised to find was warm.

“There was a bowl of cold water in the kitchen, I put my hand in it and then wrapped it in the cloth.” Shizuru nodded, and then upon seeing Natsuki's confused expression as she looked at the warm water, said,

“Ara, the warm water will bring blood back to Natsuki's hand, helping the wound to heal faster in the next few days. I don't think it will leave a scar.” She finished, leaving Natsuki's hand in the water whilst she went to retrieve the salves from the bathroom cupboard. When she returned Natsuki asked,

“How do you know so much about these things?” Shizuru continued to massage the hand under water as she answered.

“My Father ensured that my education was thorough, whatever could be learnt, I was taught.” Shizuru pulled Natsuki's hand up and held it as she massaged the cream into it. Her hand stung for a few seconds to begin with, but Natsuki did not complain. She was too busy thinking about Shizuru's hands upon her's, savouring the soft and gentle caresses as the Mistress did her work. They lapsed into a comfortable silence as Shizuru bandaged her hand.

When she was done, Shizuru brought the hand up to her mouth and kissed Natsuki's knuckles, her crimson eyes boring into the younger girl's green ones.

“This is the longest Natsuki and I have been alone together all day...” She teased, eyeing the blush that crept across the former vagrant's cheeks as she said it.

“Sh-Shizuru!” Natsuki exclaimed, though she did not pull her hand away. Shizuru simply smiled, her eyes full of adoration. Natsuki could feel heat around her neck again that had nothing to do with room temperature. She stood abruptly, gesturing to the window, “it's a little warm in here, can I open the window?” Shizuru nodded, the smile never leaving her face. Natsuki strode over and flung the window open, breathing deeply as the cool air flowed into the room.

“Shizuru...” She paused, wondering how best to address Shizuru's father, “...Osamu left quite quickly today, do you think he knows something?” Shizuru shifted slightly, gazing out of the window as she answered.

“I do not know, Natsuki, but his departure did indeed worry me,” She paced over to where Natsuki stood by the window ledge, and encircled her waist with her arms so that they were pressed together with their faces mere inches apart. “I suppose we shall just have to wait and see what he has in store for the remainder of the day, perhaps we are fussing over nothing.” But perhaps not, she added as an afterthought. She chuckled upon seeing Natsuki blush yet again, and held her all the more tighter.

“Ah!” Natsuki suddenly cried, slipping out of Shizuru's grip and rubbing furiously at the back of her head. Shizuru was confused for a second until something came flying through the window and clattered onto the tiles of the bathroom floor. Natsuki whirled around and leaned over the edge of the window frame, only to catch a glimpse of a pebble seconds before it struck her forehead.

“Oops, very sorry Natsuki, I do hope we didn't interrupt anything...” Nao chuckled from below, discarding the stones she still held in her hands. Natsuki scowled at the red-head.

“Nao! What are you doing here?” Then Natsuki noticed Erstin for the first time and added, “And Erstin? Has Midori sent you too!?” Nao simply waved her hand dismissively and said,

“Natsuki, are you actually going to come down and talk with us or do you want the whole neighbourhood to listen, hmm?” Seeing the sense of her words, Natsuki withdrew from the window and muttered an apology to Shizuru. The brunette gave her an understanding smile and followed her out of the bathroom, and then left her to go and speak with Nao.

“What's going on?” Natsuki asked the minute she was out in the garden. Ignoring her, Nao said,

“Oh, how are you Nao? I'm fine thank you Natsuki.” She grinned, knowing that Natsuki was getting wound up. Then, taking in Natsuki's attire, she burst into peals of laughter that made Natsuki flare up with embarrassment.

“God damn it Nao, What do you want!?” Nao's giggles receded and she wiped the tears from the corners of her lime-green eyes. Then she calmly replied.

“Calm down, Natsuki, Midori just sent us to check up on you, Erstin's with me because...” She faltered, glancing at Erstin who turned away, but nodded. “You see, Natsuki...Erstin got into a little bit of trouble last week...” Natsuki silently raged as Nao told her the full story, Erstin occasionally filling in any details Nao might have missed. When she finished, Natsuki spoke.

“Are you okay now, Erstin?” Still avoiding eye-contact, Erstin uttered her reply.

“...I...I'm better...” Hearing the girl speak and watching her jagged and shaky movements, Natsuki finally saw the damage that Tomoe had wreaked upon Erstin. As Nao had before her, Natsuki saw the frightened little girl that she had first met, and her blood boiled with anger. Nao quickly told her of all the other events that had transpired in the past week, and then asked Natsuki for any news she may have herself.

Natsuki coughed nervously, realising that she had not found much that they did not already know. She told the red-head about Osamu's every move, but chose not to tell her about Shizuru and herself, not ready to let anyone in on their secret just yet. Nao raised her eyebrow in amusement.

“So...That's all you have?” She chuckled, “What does Miss Viola have you doing for the rest of the time, eh, Natsuki?” Natsuki scowled at her, gnashing her teeth.

“Tell Midori I don't need any help, I can handle everything here alone.” Then she turned to Erstin and gripped her shoulder with her bandaged hand. “Tomoe will pay for what she did, Erstin, I'll see to it personally.” Erstin gave a small smile, and Natsuki smiled back reassuringly. Nao eyed her hand and tersely said,

“What happened to your hand?” Natsuki moved it out of view and replied shortly,

“Nothing, its nothing.” Nao decided to leave the subject for another time. Presently she sighed.

“Okay Natsuki, if you're sure you're fine, we'll tell Midori. But I'll be coming back, we still need more on Osamu and Kanzaki. That is what you're supposed to be doing, remember?” She cocked an eyebrow in question, and Natsuki nodded.

“I know, now get going, I have to go before Osamu gets back, and you have to get out of here!” Nao gave a swift nod and grabbed Erstin's arm.

“Come on.” She said, and bounded out of the garden, back towards the streets. Natsuki shook her head and went back inside, having much to think about.

“Where has Midori gone?” Miyu asked Chie, surveying the latter through unblinking eyes. Chie folded her arms across her chest and stared back, her chocolate brown eyes lazy due to her lack of sleep.

“She's just out, Greer, she didn't tell me where she was going, she just took off as soon as I told her about Tomoe and Osamu.” Chie resumed her snoozing, leaning back in the Director's chair and letting her eyes droop shut. Miyu was undeterred.

“And what was it that you told her?” Chie shifted in her seat, irritated.

“Osamu, the workhouse...Its just the training ground for his future whorehouses. Tomoe, she teaches them...” Chie opened her eyes and her face hardened, “Even if they don't want to be taught.” Miyu processed this piece of information, easily understanding what Chie was saying. It made the letter she concealed within her rags all the more important. Presently she pulled it out and dropped it onto the desk.

“I took this from Nagi's mansion in Scotland. Whatever it contains worries Artai no end, I believe the Director should see it first.” Chie eyed the envelope, curiosity welling up inside her. But Miyu was right, Midori should be the first to see it. "I trust you'll keep it safe until she returns?” Chie nodded, taking the letter and pushing it into the inside pocket of her waistcoat.

“I shall guard it with my life. Where will you be going?” Miyu regarded her with emotionless eyes.

“I have a job to complete” And with that she left the small underground room.

At that very moment, a lone girl wandered the icy streets, her head wrapped with a shawl and a thick coat keeping her warm. She paced quickly, leaving the busy streets behind and walking through a myriad of empty ones until she stopped and slipped into a narrow alleyway and through an open door which lead into an old grain factory. Here she waited, listening out for signs of life and hearing nothing. There were no windows in the building, so she relied on her memory as she picked her way through the factory to the office. She stepped inside, giving a startled cry when she heard the sharp stroke of a match and a faint light pervaded the small room.

The shrouded figure watched in slight fear as the flame moved through the air and lit a candle upon the now visible desk. The wick burned bright and the office became lightened, as did the person sat in the tall chair behind the desk. Moments passed as each person surveyed the other. One with fear in her eyes, the other with a wicked glint. Eventually someone spoke.

“Good afternoon, Miya.” Tomoe drawled, a sly grin upon her face.