Standard disclaimers: I don't own Ruroken. Unfortunately Watsuki and some big name companies already have this privilege. BUT: If you want to use one of 'my' characters, 'my' notes or some parts of 'my' story-line it would be nice to ask me FIRST, because they are MINE! Again: Special thanks to Hana Himura for editing and Firuze Khanume for pre-reading and giving helpful hints and advice. CHECK OUT THEIR FICS! IT IS WORTH IT! Answering questions first: Romance? well, there is going to be 'some' romance. KnK? well, read and find out! If you want to know if I'm a KnK or a KnT supporter, I have to disappoint you, I won't tell you here. I have my own opinion about these two women and some people out there know it (Morgane, Mica-chan *WAVE*). I won't spoil my own story. Oh, AND: YES, I WRITE LEMONS =^^= Oh, *happy Mara* *SMILE* *SMILE* someone asked me for Saitou! OF COURSE HE WILL APPEAR! WHAT A QUESTION! Hana Himura's comment on this: Congratulations, Mara! Someone out there loves the Psycho Cop too??? :) *Mara falls from her chair* OF COURSE! ARGH! Something I forgot to mention: THIS IS NO RE-INCARNATION FIC! Chapter3: Introducing Early in the morning Misao was woken up by her clock and yawning, sprawling in her bed she rubbed her sleepy eyes. Then it suddenly stroke her mind what day it was and instantly she was wide-awake, standing upright in her bed. Her first day in University! She jumped up, dressed and raced into the kitchen were her sister was already sitting with Megumi enjoying a cup of tea, eating some rice for breakfast. "It is enough left for you in the rice-cooker, help yourself." Tokio offered. "Thanks." Hastily Misao took a bowl with rice and started to eat. "Nervous?" Megumi stood up to prepare some more tea. "No, I would say I'm excited but not nervous..." she chewed the rice and swallowed it "I mean I will meet a lot of people there, and I hope I can make some new friends there..." She paused calculating for an effect "a bit younger than you two." Megumi just shrugged her shoulders "This doesn't work with me, Misao. With the age comes wisdom and experience." She leaned forward to Misao "I would say this is an advantage." Startled Tokio glanced at her watch "We have to leave Megumi, otherwise we will be much too late." Misao raised her eyes over her rice-bowl "We meet at lunch in the cafeteria? As arranged at 12.30?" Nodding while grabbing her keys Tokio turned to her sister "Shall we give you a ride to university, Misao?" "No, thanks. I'll take Enishi's motorcycle, then I'll be independent from you." Tokio leaned back her head appearing once more in the door-frame with a frown "Drive carefully, Misao." Annoyed Misao slammed her chops-ticks on the table "YOU of all people have to tell me to drive carefully. You must know of what you are speaking." A wide grin spread over Tokio's face, defeated "Bye, till lunch." "Bye." Misao replied barely lifting her eyes over her rice-bowl. ~~~~~ The area of the University was larger than Misao had assumed, it looked different on the map from the actual place. She had visited Tokio at the Cambridge campus sometimes, but the University of Tokyo was different. She had asked some students for the way and was finally standing in front of a huge building where the introduction event for the Graduate school of education was supposed to be held. Lifting her head to inspect the building she didn't pay attention to the path she was walking on and collided with another body, the other one's books scattering to the ground. "Hey, can't you be more careful?" "I'm sorry." Quickly Misao apologised. It was a young woman she had bumped into and she inspected her closer. She was of her age, her hair bond in a low pony-tail, she was wearing a worn-out t-shirt and jeans. Misao bend down to help the girl to gather her books and her look fell on one title "You are studying education?" "Yes, it is my first term here." Misao nearly dropped the book back to the dirty ground "Really? Mine too. It is my first day here." Surprised the young woman raised her head "What a coincidence! So you want to visit the introduction event?" "Yes, I was just about to go inside." "Me too." She smiled and bowed, introducing herself "Kaoru Kamiya." "Misao Makimachi." Politely smiling Misao bowed back and they started to walk into the building while making conversation. It was a flurry of activity in front of the building, most student wanted to reach the first classes in the morning in time and they followed the mass. Interested Kaoru inspected Misao from the corner of her eyes "Where do you come from? You have no typical accent." Cheering up, Misao grinned knowing that this was unusual. She was proud of been grown up in a foreign country. "The last ten years I lived together with my parents and my sister in London, I came back to Japan with my sister to study here." Kaoru clapped her hands together exited, nearly dropping her books "Really? Great! Living for such a long time in a foreign country, you are very lucky." Slyly Misao rubbed her cheek, she was supposed not to tell everybody what their father was doing. They had reached the entrance and she nearly bumped into the door the student walking in front of her had let go carelessly "My father works for the Japanese government there. What is your father working?" Suddenly Kaoru's excitement scattered and subdued she looked the stairs to the second floor of the building "He runs a fitness-centre and a dojo in a suburb of Tokyo." Amazed, not fully aware of the sudden change in the behaviour, Misao started to walk up the steps "A Dojo? WOW! That is great!" Kaoru's eyes clouded "Yes, my father is very proud of his dojo, he even still teaches his own style." Anger appeared in her features "but in nowadays people are not so interested in martial arts, he had to open a fitness centre." Misao fell silent realising the reason behind the subdued mood, not knowing how to respond at the moment. They reached the second floor, the corridor was crowded with students, some chatting, some enjoying soft drinks from a vending machine placed beside the stairs, waiting for the classes to start. Seeing the crowded corridor Misao and Kaoru cleared a path into the direction where they supposed the room the event was taking place. "I'd love to visit you for training session." Kaoru straightened up "Really? What are you training?" Misao bend her head aside and placed a finger thoughtfully on her cheek what caused Kaoru to laugh "Kempo. What are you practising...I mean when your father runs a dojo, you surely train something." Flushing Kaoru fumbled on her books used to the negative reaction she caused telling people what kind of sport she was practising "I'm training Kendo." That surprised Misao. She had thought that nearly no female was practising Kendo, she eyed her new acquaintance with awakened interest, she seemed to be different "What? An ancient art! Sounds impressive." For the first time Kaoru got the feeling that she wasn't treated with suspicion after telling someone about her sport, Misao seemed really interested. Embarrassed Kaoru looked to the ground, "I'm quite good in it." Laughing at the Kaoru's embarrassment, Misao gave her a pat on the back. She seemed to be human, not wanting to admit self-confident that she was successful. "I can imagine. Your father is the owner and trainer, you are supposed to be good." They had reached the auditorium by now and were lucky to get two seats side by side in the last row next to the exit. The following introducing of professors, possible courses and older students who were supposed to take care of the 'fresh-men' lasted some hours. Not every information given was important for Misao and Kaoru and they started whispering, listening to the speakers only half-hearted. Bored about the speeches Misao whispered in Kaoru's ear "Concerning ancient arts: Have you heard of this tea ceremony club they have here?" "Yes, I heard of it, I think this will be quite interesting. I always wanted to know more about these traditions, my father was not of much help in this point." With widened eyes Misao looked at Kaoru silently wondering about her mother, but she did not ask further. Instead she explained her own motivation "My mother always wanted to show me, but it was annoying when she tried to explain." she grimaced "Furthermore my sister was always around and I was told to behave more like her." Kaoru couldn't keep a straight face, seeing Misao's annoyed face and burst out in laughter. The professor who was just speaking in front of his auditorium had enough of the two whispering, silly girls in the last row. He had seen much in his career, but such a behaviour on the first day! "SHUT UP YOU TWO! Or you leave the room instantly." Alarmed Kaoru and Misao straightened up, exchanged a determined nod "Let us join the club together." and listened to the speakers at last. When they finally were allowed to leave the room they were relieved not to have more input of information, were exhausted and felt hungry. Kaoru checked her watch, "It is almost lunch-time,...", and was jostled from a hasty student coming from behind, what sent her books once more to the ground. "Sorry!" the young man waved back already vanishing around the next corner. "Oh," Misao stopped dead in her tracks remembering the agreement with her sister and looked down at Kaoru who angrily gathered her books grumbling about inconsiderate fellow students. On the other hand she did not want to lose the contact to the new friend she just met and who promised to be much fun. Her decision was made "I wanted to have lunch with my sister and some of her friends. Do you want to come with me? You can meet her and her weird friends." Picking up the last book and pleased about the invitation Kaoru stood up "Oh, of course, thanks for the offer." ~~~~~~ The University of Tokyo, cafeteria, lunch-time: Enishi leaned back folding his arms behind his head staring at his untouched meal "There she is coming." Tomoe turned and waved her friend "Tokio! Over here!" Seeing the siblings Tokio changed her direction, walked to them and sat down on the table. "Where is Megumi?" Enishi wondered searching the long queue in front of the meals serving. Taking her place Tokio explained the absence of their friend "She can't come, an emergency was admitted and she has to be present, she will eat a bite later." "How unfortunate." Tomoe started to eat visibly not touched one bit. Tokio cast a glance from the corner of her eyes at Tomoe and turned enthusiastically "WOW, Tomoe! Is this a new jumper? I've never seen this on you before. It suits you perfectly!" Embarrassed Tomoe chuckled over Tokio's excitement "Akira bought it for me, he said that he loves me dressed in black polo-neck jumpers." Tokio leaned forward, touched the wool, caressed it. It was a very soft material. "Is it cashmere?" "Yes, it is very comfortable to wear." Envious Tokio retreated her hand, jealousy shining in her eyes "You are so lucky, Tomoe. Having such a wonderful caring and loving man as Akira." Enishi cleared his throat "I will hope so. It would be not good for his health otherwise." Furtive Tokio bend over to Tomoe whispering in her ear, an idea crossing her mind "Maybe you could help Misao with clothing and men." Enishi rolled his eyes "Gods! Girls! Stop chatting! It is annoying!" Tokio inquired about last night's events, changing the subject as asked "Megumi told me you won the race yesterday?" Self-confident Enishi leaned back, a smirk crossing his features "Yes, It earned me some money. Sagara arranged the bets, we worked on the motorcycle before...." He paused, his smile getting even wider "I would not say it was very fair, the others did not know about the modification we made....." he grinned evilly "but by now, they should know." Giggling Tokio started to look out for Misao "I'd love to have seen their faces." Getting serious she tried to spot her sister in the queue "Misao plans to participate in the next race. She'll have her own motorcycle by then." a quirk crossed her face "Be prepared to lose, Enishi. I'll make my bet on her." Enishi bend over the table, his eyebrows furrowed "Don't be to sure of yourselves, sisters." "Hey, there is Kenshin." Tomoe had recognised the red-haired in the crowd and all three turned to the noticeable law-student who looked for a free seat when his sight fell on the white-haired and the two women, there was still some free space on their table. Kenshin changed his pace towards the three. They wouldn't mind if he would join them and in addition to that Tokio was sitting there. "Hello, you all." They nodded back to greet him "It is surprisingly crowded today, what has happened?" "It is introduction week, all new students are here today." Tomoe picked on her food, it had already been lukewarm when she got it and by now it was cold tasting horrible. "There is Misao!" Tokio jumped up and waved her arms to catch her sister's attention "Hey, Misao! We are here!" what earned her some astonished looks from the students on the tables around. Kenshin eyed the unconventional girl interested, her behaviour was refreshingly different. Irritated she sat down "What is wrong?" "You are not in England anymore, Tokio. This is not an usual behaviour here." Deciding that it would be better to eat the insipid meal instead of starving Tomoe finished her plate. Enishi narrowed his eyes at Misao, watching her proceeding to the meals serving "She has a girl with her." All turned to look at Misao and the unknown girl with whom she was having a lively conversation as they moved forward in the queue. "Do you know her, Tokio?" Enishi wanted to know an interested expression on his features. "No, it must be someone she just met." "She occurs familiar to me." Kenshin interjected after he had caught a good glimpse of her. "Familiar?" Tokio knitted her brow. This seemed to be one of the typical dé-jà-vu. "Yes, I'm sure I have seen her before, but I'm not sure were." Kenshin watched the young woman, as longer he observed her as more familiar she occurred to him. Her movements, her built, as hard as he thought about her, he came to no conclusion. By now Tomoe's interest was awakened as well and she glanced at the two waiting girls, her judgement instantly clear "My Gods! Two tom-boys!" Tokio nearly chocked on her food, Kenshin stared at the graceful, elegant woman and Enishi eyed his sister proudly, assuring her "No match for you, Tomoe." It was time for Tokio to interfere "Thanks very much, Tomoe, Enishi." Sincerely Kenshin leaned forward, a mischievous grin spreading on his face as he recalled the look at Tokio's wide-cut T-shirt one week ago. Enishi registered it and threatening he bend over "Better not finish your thoughts, Himura. You are as readable as a book right now." Flushing Kenshin chocked on his food, causing him coughing and gasping for air. Tokio and Tomoe instantly cared for Kenshin patting him on his back what made Enishi rolling his eyes annoyed. "Gods, girls! He won't die on his food." Tomoe shot a punishing glance at her younger brother "You better be quiet, you are the one who caused this. Or do you want to organise the tournament alone?" Indignant Enishi focused on his plate being reprimand from his sister, the only person he fully accepted orders from. This wasn't something he liked. Tomoe and Tokio had managed to clear Kenshin's throat, he was still struggling for air with a crimson face but was capable of breathing now. Meanwhile Misao and Kaoru moved slowly forward in the queue, it was rush-hour in the cafeteria. Elbowing her new acquaintance Misao pointed at the table were the Enishi-gumi sat "Do you see the red-head and the white-head over there?" Kaoru craned her neck to spot the table and her breath caught in her throat. Kenshin Himura... Enishi Yukishiro...two of the men that had won the most Kendo- competitions the last years. She had been to every tournament that took place in Tokyo and these two men had impressive fighting styles. And Misao knew the men she had wanted to meet so badly? Kaoru turned her attention back to the chatting girl beside her. "...and the one with the tousled bun is my sister Tokio." It went unregistered by Misao that Kaoru had been distracted for a short time. "The one with the red-hair is Kenshin Himura?" She wanted to be sure. "Yes." Misao laughed "He is so much fun, you should have seen him last week when he fell out of the window because of Tokio." Giggling they proceeded to the meal serving and ordered, it gave Kaoru time to hide the hurt she felt when she heard about Kenshin and another woman. She had to be sure, before too much hope raised. "Is he the boyfriend of your sister?" Shrugging her shoulders Misao payed for her meal "I don't know." Slyly she whispered in Kaoru's ear as they walked over "It is better not to care too much about your siblings love-affairs." A sad expression appeared on Kaoru's face "Unfortunately I have no siblings." Suspicious about her sad features Misao wanted to interrogate, but she decided not to ask for intimate things she was not told spontaneous. It was too intimate, Kaoru would tell her when the time was right. They reached the table and four questioning eye-pairs focused their attention on them "Hello everyone." Misao greeted before introducing, pointing to her new friend "Kaoru Kamiya, she started education here. We are in the same classes." Kaoru bowed politely in the round furtively watching Kenshin under her eyelashes, noticing the furrowing of his eyebrows at her and her heart began to pound louder. Did he remember and recognised her from the tournaments? This would be more than she had hoped. Misao continued her introduction "Kenshin Himura, he makes his PhD in Civil Law at the moment. Enishi Yukishiro, he studies Computer engineering. Tomoe Yukishiro, she makes her PhD at the department for Chinese and Japanese culture, Enishi's sister." Misao paused, she needed to breath to be capable of continuing "And, finally Tokio Makimachi, my sister. She studied in Cambridge and just started her PhD at the Institute-Hospital about..." Teasingly Misao stopped knowing how sensible her sister was about her work "some rotten corpses." Turning up her nose Tokio chose to ignore her naughty sister. Attentive Kaoru eyed her 'rival' and her hope began to sink. She looked much more mature, female than herself. Absent-minded she stared at her till she registered the puzzled look on Misao's face "Don't you want to have a seat?" "Oh, sure." Quickly Kaoru took the free seat facing Kenshin who nodded acknowledging her. Misao looked back and forth between the two silent persons and decided to make conversation smacking Kaoru on the back of her head "Just imagine, Kenshin! Kaoru practices Kendo as well!" Furrowing his eyebrow Kenshin inspected the young woman. Kendo? this was not a common sport for females and quite rare too "Really? Where are you training?" Exited Misao interfered "Her father runs an own dojo in a suburb of Tokyo! Right Kaoru?" Flushing, picking on her meal, Kaoru shyly met Kenshin's eyes "Yes." This caught Kenshin's attention and interested he leaned forward "Then you must be quite good. I'm one of the instructors of our Kendo-club here at university. Why don't you come and have a look at our sessions? We need everyone we can get." Furtive Kaoru cast a glance at Tokio, she did not seem to care about her supposed boyfriend, she did not pay attention to the conversation. Either she was very self- confident or he wasn't her boyfriend at all she resumed quickly. Still shy she cracked a smile to Kenshin "I think I'll join your next session. I know how it feels when you don't have many interests, we have the same problem with our dojo." Concerned Kenshin knitted his brow "It is a shame. In our days only a few people are interested in ancient arts." "Yes, most scholars and students are interested in baseball..." "OH MY GODS!" Tokio jumped up pushing her chair back in the aisle, a student who just wanted to pass the table stumbled about it and landed with his face on his tray. It went unoticed by Tokio who charged away yelling "I forgot time completely, I have to go back, please excuse me." Kenshin's eyes widened in shock recalling his duties. His boss was on a conference this week and he had to represent him in the classes "I'll miss the lesson I have to give, please excuse me." He grabbed his tray and headed towards the exit, suddenly he remembered what he forgot to mention and turned back speaking to Kaoru who still sat in front of her lunch "I'll see you in the next training." Flushing Kaoru nodded her agreement, not a second later he vanished through the exit. Enishi prepared to leave together with his sister but before he left he addressed Misao with an evil grin "Better prepare yourself for the race next weekend. Your sister will make her bet on you. You know what happens when you disappoint her, don't you?" Troubled Misao's features crumbled casting a deadly glare behind Enishi and Tomoe as they left. "Race? What kind of race, Misao?" Kaoru wanted to know, her thoughts still occupied with the red-head. Disparaging Misao waved her hand "Only an insider, nothing special." "I'm sorry, but I have to leave too." Regretting Kaoru stood up "I'm supposed to meet my father downtown. I hope we can see each other tomorrow again." "I'm sure, Kaoru. I'll visit the next introduction event tomorrow morning." "Me too." "Perhaps we can meet in front of the building?" "This would be great, Misao. At 8 am?" Smiling wide Misao nodded and waved her good-bye for this day. In first week Misao and Kaoru visited most of the offered events and got more and more inseparable, doing nearly everything together. Tokio and Megumi got involved in their research and started to work in the hospital of Megumi's parents on some evenings to gain more practice and experience. Finally the weekend with all its nice distractions was near. Absent-minded Tokio entered the house, it was late Friday night, she and Megumi had helped in the Takagi's hospital. Megumi was still there, working on some formalities and Tokio had had some busy hours in the forensic, nobody around, only limb corpses. Frustrated she kicked her shoes in one corner. She had preferred to see Misao's and Enishi's race, furthermore she wanted to participate as soon as possible too. Passing the living room, glancing inside from the corner of her eye she stopped dead in her tracks about the sight. Tomoe was kneeling in the cushions of the living room, a sad and lonely figure as she read in her book, TV switched on in the background, a report flickering on the screen, the volume was very low, it was scarcely understandable. When she noticed Tokio in the door- frame she cracked a smile "Hello Tokio." "What are you doing here all alone? I thought Akira would come this weekend. I thought he took a day vacation for tomorrow." Tomoe turned away from her friend, hiding her face. "He can't come. They have to work on the building site, they are laid back with their work." Thoughtfully Tokio looked at her friend and headed to the kitchen to take a bottle of scotch whisky out of the shelves together with two glasses and some ice-cubes out of the fridge. Kneeling down beside Tomoe she handed her a glass and filled it two-fingers high with the light-brown beverage. "Misao and I brought this whiskey with us from England. It is my favourite one." Tomoe took the glass and tried a sip, astonished looking at it "That tastes VERY well." Satisfied Tokio settled back, relaxed after the heavy-going day and decided it was the time to talk with Tomoe seriously "I know how you are feeling, Tomoe." She put on a fake smile "At last you have someone to wait for and to miss. Why don't you drive to Kyoto?" "I can't visit him because of the opening, I have to arrange too many things here." Sadly Tomoe looked down at the glass in her hands, emptied it and filled it again. Tokio laid an arm around her friend "Then you see each other next weekend. Where is the problem, Tomoe?" "I haven't seen him for one month now and I won't be able to see him next weekend, because I have to be present during the opening." She snuggled closer to Tokio laying a hand on her cheek "Do you remember our last visit in London?" Tokio hugged her, laying her forehead in the hair of her friend, inhaling the scent of her shampoo "How could I ever forget about this Tomoe?" She swallowed the content of her glass and poured herself and Tomoe the next. Tomoe shook the glass, letting the ice-cubes and the malty liquid in it circling around, watching how the water of the melting ice intermingled with the lighter alcohol "You promised to take care of me, never to leave me." A sad expression crossed her features "You made a promise you won't be able to keep, Tokio." Caressing her shoulder, placing a kiss on Tomoe's forehead Tokio felt her throat closing, a clump forming in it. "I know, Tomoe. But I'll promise to give my best." In silence the two women stared at the TV-screen, not actually following the report about Japanese foreign affairs they showed, and leaned back into the cushions. Tomoe laid her arm around Tokio's waist, placed her head on her breast, listened to Tokio's calming heart-beat. "Tokio?" "MMM." "Do you want to marry someday and have children?" She heard Tokio's heart-beat fasten and smiled knowing that Tokio was not pleased with that question. "Why do you ask?" "Perhaps it is due to my marriage to Akira. We have saved enough money now." Tomoe replied in a soft voice feeling the body of her friend tensing. "You saved enough money now? When do you want to marry?" "As soon as possible. Maybe in one year, the preparations need some time." Tokio closed her eyes displeasure spread inside her "You know what that means, Tomoe. You will have to give up everything you fought for in the last years. You will have to stay at home and raise his children till you are old and witheredd. You give up all these years you spent on your education, on your future. All this for just one MAN?" Tomoe stiffened in the embrace of her friend, that was exactly what she had expected "I don't think I necessarily have to give this up. I know, the only reason why Akira left for Kyoto was because of me. He wants to be successful, he wants me to be proud of him." "Have you told him that you love him?" Astonished Tomoe looked up to Tokio "No. He knows." She noticed the hurt in Tokio's eyes "Have you ever been in love, Tokio?" Tokio set the glass down on her breast and tried to remember. Had she been in love? What was love for her? Thoughtfully she caressed her friends back "Honestly, I don't know. At the moment I think I wouldn't give up my career for a man." "Don't you think this is worth it? Having children, seeing them grow up? What would I have from a career? It is the question what is more important for you, Tokio. Your private own happiness or the success in your job." Enjoying the draught running down her throat, Tomoe already poured the next drink. "We need some more ice-cubes, give me your glass, I'll get you some." As Tomoe left the room Tokio curled in the cushions. Now her best friend would marry and there was no way she could prevent it. She knew when Tomoe had made up her mind there was no way of persuading her anymore. Coming back Tomoe saw the curled form of her friend, she knew it would hurt her. "Please, Tokio. You knew this would happen sometime sooner or later." Tokio nodded accepting the offered glass filled with whiskey "Yes, but it hurts me. To see you lonely like this and it won't change a thing when you are married." "But is the kind of life I chose. I can work at home, I don't need a equipment like you, I'm doing fine with just my computer." Tokio observed her friend closely and noticed the tears forming in her eyes, she reached out her hand and touched her cheek, caressed it. "It will be a lonely life." Tomoe leaned forward, placing her forehead against Tokio's "I know, but I made up my mind." She closed her eyes "But what about you, Tokio? Don't you want to marry and have children?" "No, this is not the kind of life I intend to lead. I don't want to be dependent from a man, from my husband. I want to work for my own, built up my own future." Tomoe reached out her hand, tracing down Tokio's cheek till she reached her neck "You spent too much time in England, Tokio. This won't work here." Cracking a smile Tokio laid back on her back, taking Tomoe with her "Maybe you are right, but let me try it." Tomoe hugged her friend sincerely "Wait, Tokio. Someday you will meet someone who will be as precious to you as Akira is now to me." "I? never!" Sadly she looked at her friend "You are precious to me." "That is not the same. You will see, Tokio." Settling back the two woman stayed in their embrace, holding the other one close, finding comfort in the friend. The now emptied whiskey bottle rolling on the floor. "We are back!" Misao's voice was heard from the entrance and Tokio and Tomoe turned their glazed eyes towards the door, Enishi appearing in it. "Good news, Tokio! Misao won today!" "???" Two women were looking at him, lying clinched to another in the cushions, an empty bottle on the floor. Angrily he turned to Misao who took a short glimpse at the two, displeasure spread in him "They are drunk again. No use to talk to them now, they won't understand us anyway." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To be continued... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- started on April 15th 2002 finished on April 30th 2002 first posted on April th 2002 Ja ne, Mara