Author’s Notes: Ok first things first guys. Shin, thanks for getting my back. Sometimes it’s really frustrating that after I explained more than once why I wasn’t updating soon people STILL were giving me ‘update soon’ and stuff.
 I mean, guys, I have a lot of stuff going on and I just got my room back so please. I didn’t have to leave a note explaining why I hadn’t updated this week, but because I wanted to be nice I did, hoping no one would whine at me.
	Now I love all you guys, really, I love getting good reviews and having ‘fans’, but it is sometimes a pain in the ass to have people complaining for me to update after I explain why I haven’t or can’t.
	Ok, with that said, fic business.
  Everyone liked the last chapter, although comically my best friend read and was like, ‘dude, their sex is basically like quickies’. Geez, I thought it was implied they had been ‘going at it for a while’. ::Shrugs:: 
	::now who won that little challenge, V-chan? Hmm mm. That’s what I thought. ^^::

	So, this is...guess what...THE LAST CHAPTER and then there’s an epilogue. AHAHA!!!
	I would make this longer, but I tend to like ending a fic before I keep running out of ideas and have then suck. And this way I can focus on Duet and crank out some one shots and start other ideas. 			
God I love laptops...I can sit in bed and type, which is good cuz I spent the good part of yesterday morning with a hangover. 
 And Shin I really do remember everything but thanks anyway for the email. 
	Ok!
			******************************************************

	Chapter XI: Simple and Clean
							


	Aoshi looked blankly at the paper before him, unable to concentrate at all. He set the paper down on his desk and took his glasses off for a moment to rub the bridge of his nose. His usual concentration was failing him, as all his thoughts centered around one certain partner of his. He was still very displeased about her current assignment, but for argument’s sake (or rather to prevent one), he relented. Not that he really could do anything to stop her. Misao was stubborn, tenacious, strong-willed...and he loved those qualities about her.
	He loved...
	“Well well, look who’s looking like a lost little puppy.”
	Aoshi looked up and grimaced as she saw hard, gold eyes staring at him with amusement. 
	“What do you want Saitoh.” Aoshi muttered, non-too pleased to see the Mibu wolf. But then again, aside from Tokio, Aoshi wondered if ANYONE was pleased to see him.
	“I heard an interesting rumor about a certain Weasel turning to a life of prostitution. Here I thought she was your personal whore.” 
	It was amazingly fast how it happened. One moment Aoshi was seated as Saitoh leaned against his desk, and in the blink of an eye Saitoh was pinned against the desk with Aoshi’s hand clenched around his throat.
	“Don’t you EVER call Misao a whore!” Aoshi said, his voice full of venom.
	Saitoh punched the side of Aoshi’s head and sat up, lighting up another cigarette.
	“Damn, Shinomori, have you even told her you loved her?” Saitoh asked.
	Aoshi blinked and remained silent.
	“I thought so. You may think I’m the last person who should be telling you this, but it’s blatantly obvious that you’re in love with the Weasel. You’re not the ‘fuck buddy’ type of person.”
	Aoshi frowned.
	Did everyone know he was sleeping with Misao?
	“What’s your point?” Aoshi asked.
	“Tell the girl. Tell her how you feel or else you’ll be in a shitload of trouble in the long run. Trust me.” 
	“How did you know, that you loved Tokio?” Aoshi asked.
	Saitoh’s mouth opened, a little taken back by the question.
	“When she made me soba.”
	Aoshi arched an eyebrow.
	“Fine Shinomori, to answer your question. How did I know I loved her? When she can look past everything I say and do that would piss off most people and still want to stay, the way she furrows her brows at me when I’m being ‘difficult’, how she smiles when she’s happy, how she says my name. I can’t say exactly when it happened, but it did. I realized I loved her.”
	“It’s her smile. Her energy....you can’t keep her down for too long. That optimism and brightness...I never want her to lose that.”
	“So tell her. Honestly, the brooding is getting old.”
	“So are you.”
	“Touche, Ice block.” 
	“Saitoh...did we just have a....bonding moment?”
	“I believe we did.”
	“Let’s NOT do this again.”
	“Agreed. Now Shinomori, get some balls and tell Weasel how you feel. You’re much easier to make fun of with her around.”
	“Bastard.”
			****************************************************

	Misao glanced around the room from her seat at the bar. In the past couple of days of subtle interrogation, she had learned quite a bit.
	Technoir hired more women of Anglo descent than Asian.
	All the victims had been Japanese.
	The victims all showed signs of little struggle.
	And another thing she had managed to discover was that Dhalia hadn’t liked any of the victims. 
	“Hey Misa, everyone’s talking about that really good looking guy you were with a few days ago.”
	Misao looked up at the brunette girl standing before her.
	“Really Ella? Geez, am I the envy of the brothel?”
	“Oh yeah. I got a look at that guy. I’m usually not into Asians, but now that I wouldn’t have minded. So how was it?” Ella asked.
	Misao blinked and felt her cheeks reddened.
	“It was...um...good?”
	“Oh come on!”
	“A lady never boffs and tells.”
	“Except we’re not ladies, my dear.” Ella murmured, throwing an arm over Misao’s shoulder.
	Misao closed her eyes and sighed.
	“Ella, how old are you?” 
	“Twenty-two, why?”
	“Ella, can I ask you why..”
	“Why I chose this fabulous lifestyle? It’s simple really. My family move here a couple years ago for my dad’s job. Then they got divorced, and my mom left. My dad was upset, but he was busy all the time. Eventually I moved out, but I had trouble finding work since my Japanese wasn’t good. I tried finding any type of work, and that’s how I met Miss Akachi. She noticed I needed work, and took me in.”
	“But, this kind of life...”
			“It’s not so bad. You can pick a client, free housing, good pay.” 
	“If you could do something else, what would you do?”
	“I dunno, Misa. Probably waitress or something. But that’s all hypothetical. And you, Misa? What brought into this?”
	Misao blinked.
	“Er...I dunno. Hard times, desperate measures, seemed like a good idea after watching that ‘Pretty Woman’ movie.”
	“Except there’s no rich businessmen to sweep us off of feet and fall madly in love with us.” Ella sighed.
	“I suppose not. Tell me Ella, aren’t you a little nervous working here with all the girls who’ve gotten killed?”
	Ella sighed, and slumped into a chair next to Misao, spinning around in it slightly.
	“A little, but Miss Akachi tells us all to not worry since it’s only Japanese girls getting killed. Sometimes I get the feeling she knows more than us, but can’t really question the boss lady.”
	“Nope. Guess not.” Misao murmured, and hopped off her stool. 
	“Listen Ella, I’m going for a walk. I’ll be back in a bit.”
	“Sure thing Misa. Grab some beer on the way back, ok?”
	Misao shook her head and waved.
	“Yea yeah. See ya.”
			*****************************************************

	Aoshi walked down the hall of his apartment building, past Hatsumi and Ryoki who pulled apart from kissing and blushed at being caught.
	Aoshi merely nodded a hello to them and kept walking when he noticed a shadow leaning against his doorway.
	“Care for a good time, stranger?”
	Aoshi towered over Misao and glared down at her, then smiled and kissed her on the forehead.	
	“What have you learned?” he asked, opening the door and letting her in. 
	“Well it appears a certain brothel owner has a thing against Asians and that all the girls killed may or may not have been on her bad side.” Misao said, taking off her black leather trench coat.
	Aoshi stared at her for a moment.
	She was wearing her leather hooker boots with a short pair on denim shorts and black sleeveless shirt with the British flag on it and her wig.
	Misao noticed his glances and put a hand on her hip and smirked.
	“Settle down, big boy. We don’t have time for that?”
	“Oh? Not even a quickie?” he ventured, crossing his arms.
	Misao narrowed her eyes and pouted.
	“I know you’re joking, Aoshi-sama. That’s not funny.”
	“I’m sorry, Misao.” he murmured, walking to her and ruffling her wig hair.
	“Anyway, find out everything you can about Dhalia Akachi and notify me as soon as possbile.” she said, shaking her legs out.
	“Those boots hurting?” Aoshi asked, glancing at her legs.
	“You have NO idea.” she groaned, tapping her toes against the floor.
	“Would you care for some Snapple brand iced tea, made from best stuff on Earth.” he murmured, opening his fridge.
	“Um no. I should get going, Ella wanted me to bring back some beer.”
	“Ella?” 
	“She’s one of few girls there I actually like. Real shame though, she’s too nice for that line of work.”
	“Aa.”
	Aoshi grabbed an iced tea and watch her. 
	‘Tell her.’ Saitoh’s voice echoed through his head.
	“Misao.”
	“I better get going. Did you want something?” she asked, shrugging her coat back on.
	“No. Nothing. I’ll get that information for you.”
	“Thanks.” she murmured and walked out the door.
	Aoshi sighed and hit his head lightly against the fridge.
	“Baka baka baka...” he murmured to himself.
	

	Misao walked towards Technoir, swinging the bag holding the beer in it as she whistled.
	‘Man, I should of taken Aoshi-sama up on that quickie thing. Geez, I’m even starting to really act kinda slutty. But...Aoshi-sama is sooooooooo sexy. Ooh...I can’t wait until this case is over.’
	Suddenly she heard a noise coming from the alley. Setting down the bag she walked cautiously towards it.
	“Hello?” she called out, slowly creeping down the alley.
	She looked around and didn’t see anything. Shaking her head she sighed.
	“You’re losing it.” she murmured.
	And then something hit the back of her head, knocking her out.
	Slumping to the ground, a shadowed figure stood over her smiling.	

		*******************************************************************


	Aoshi paced around the break room, sorting through all the information he could gather.  Family records, criminal records, anything he could get on Dhalia Akachi. He sipped his tea as he read over her police files. 
	“Aoshi-san, how’s the research going?” Okon asked, as she walked in and began to brew coffee.
	“So far not much.”
	“Well I managed to pull another file up for you, it’s on your desk when you’re done with that. It seems Dhalia Akachi was once suspected of killing her father, but was let off due to lack of evidence.”
	Aoshi glanced up from the papers to stare at Okon for a moment before he headed quickly to his desk. 
	He grabbed the file and began reading. Four minutes later he grabbed his coat and stormed out of the station in a hurry, jumping into his car and driving off quickly. His mind kept repeating the same thing over and over.
	‘Please be okay Misao.’
	He knew he was breaking all traffic laws as he sped towards the red district. His hand tensed around the steering wheel as he drove with reckless abandon, skidding to a stop in front of Technoir. He rushed out of his car and inside the building, colliding into a brunette girl.
	“Where is she?! Where’s Misao?” he asked, his eyes narrowing.
	The brunette tensed, blinking nervously.
	“Who?”
	“Misa, where is she?” 
	“Misa? She never came back why?”
	“Shit!” Aoshi swore, rubbing a hand over his face.
	“Are you after her or something?” the girl asked cautiously.
	Aoshi flashed his badge and took a calming breath.	
	“I believe she is in danger. Anything you know, please tell me, Miss...”
	“Ella.”
	“Ella? You’re the girl she mentioned.”
	“Wait..you’re the client she had a couple nights ago. Is she..helping you or something? Like a mole?”
	“There’s no time to explain. Where’s Dhalia Akachi?” Aoshi asked.
	“I don’t know. She left a while ago.”
	“Damn. This is my number, if either shows up here call me right away and don’t say anything to anyone.” Aoshi murmured, scribbling down his number and handing it to her.
	“And what makes you think you can trust me?” Ella asked with a frown.
	“Because Misao likes you.”
	Ella’s mouth opened but no words came out.
	Aoshi turned around and walked back to his car, pulling out his cell phone.
	“Omasu, I need you to do a trace on Misao’s cellular phone. It’s always on. It’s important and I need it ASAP.” 
	“Right, sir.”
	Aoshi tapped his fingers impatiently against the hood, scowling.
	‘I should of said something to her. She was right there.’
	“Aoshi-san? We got her cell phone signal tracing her to a building down by the bay near Pier 4. 110 Saigo Avenue.”
	“Thank you Omasu.” 
	He got into his car and raced towards the bay, his anxiety increased tenfold.	
	‘I’m coming Misao!’ he mentally shouted.
		*********************************************************

	Misao groaned as she opened her eyes, feeling a dull ache in the back of her head. She tried to rub her eyes, but couldn’t. Her hands were tied. It was then she realized it. She was tied to a chair. Looking around she noticed she was in an empty building that was dimly lit. 
	“What the.....”
	“So you finally woke up.”
	Misao looked to her right to see Dhalia standing against a pole, arms crossed as she dangled a small knife in her hand.
	“Akachi-san? So it is you. You killed those girls.” Misao murmured, struggling against her bonds.
	‘Shit, she used duct tape.’ Misao noted.
	“Very clever, Miss Stone. If that’s even your name. I did some checking up on you, and Misa Stone doesn’t exist. But funny enough, that man you were fucking a couple nights ago just happened to be a detective.”
	Misao closed her eyes and groaned. 
	She didn’t think anyone would do any checking on her.
	“So what was it Akachi-san? Why did you kill those girls?” Misao asked, hoping to buy time.
	“You Japanese bitches, always have to butt in where you aren’t wanted. It wasn’t really personal, I just can’t fucking stand Asian girls.”
	“That’s insane! You’re half Japanese!”
	Dhalia frowned, stepping away from the pillar.
	“A technicality really. My father was a Japanese businessman who married a young British teacher, my mother. We were happy when I was a child, really, but everyone on my dad’s side gave him shit for marrying a British woman. My mom ignored it, but it hurt her. And then when I was twelve my mom found him in bed with a whore, a young Japanese whore.”
	“So that’s it?! You killed those girls cause your father was an asshole?”
	“My mother killed herself after that! She just walked out the damn door with a knife and stabbed herself. My father, he pretended to care but it was bullshit! He deserved what he got. He kept seeing that damn whore until I got sick of it. They deserved to die.” Dhalia said, her voice raising.
	“You killed your own father?” Misao asked is shock.
	“He ruined my fucking life! He took my mother from me because of that fucking whore, so I shot him, both of them! They couldn’t arrest me. Not enough evidence.”
	“And so you opened a whorehouse to what? Get back at any Japanese prostitute you could?”	
	“Not at first. At first it was a means to help girls like me who couldn’t make a living in this fucking country because they weren’t Asian. Then I realized I could really get revenge on all the bitches who probably ruined families like mine was.”
	Misao gasped, panicking.
	“If you kill me you’re in for a shitload of trouble. I’m a detective!” she shouted, desperation rising in her.
	Dhalia laughed, and walked closer.
	“Figures. But that’s not going to save you. I can’t have my little secret being discovered now can I?”
	“My partner will know it was you! He’s probably on his way here now.”
	“Confident aren’t we? I see...that man’s your partner. Did you sleep with him to keep your cover or have you two already been going at it?”
	“That’s none of your business!” Misao muttered defensively.
	“I see. Well I don’t think even your partner’s going to save your ass this time.” Dhalia murmured, tracing the blade of her nice up and down Misao’s cheek.
	Panic was now clearly visible in Misao’s eyes.
	‘Aoshi...please find me!!’ 
	“So what do you think? Should I make it a clean throat cut? Stab in the heart? Quick? Maybe long and drawn out......”
	Misao closed her eyes, feeling tears welling in her eyes.
	‘I don’t want to die! Not when I finally found happiness with Aoshi!’
	“What will it be?” Dhalia asked, stopping the blade.
	Misao whimpered, biting her lip when she heard a door being kicked open.
	“MISAO!!!”
	Misao opened her eyes and saw Aoshi standing in the door way, huffing with breath as he walked into the room.
	“Stay where you are or I’ll slice her throat.” Dhalia threatened, pressing the knife against her neck. 
	Aoshi’s eyes narrowed at the woman, then softened as his gaze met Misao’s. 
	“Let her go.” Aoshi said harshly, his fist clenching.
	“Dream on lover boy.” Dhalia murmured, pressing the blade harder against Misao’s neck.
	“Aoshi!” Misao cried out, tears now streaming down her face. 
	Aoshi’s gaze hardened as he looked at Dhalia, and prayed that his next coarse of action would work.
	Suddenly there were a blur of Aoshis, and Dhalia backed away slightly, confused. Misao watched as Aoshi performed the Kaiten Kenbu, following his movements with a skilled eye.
	Dhalia swung her knife around wildly, stabbing air.
	“Where the fuck are you?!” she yelled out in frustration.
	She never saw it coming when he stopped behind her and knocked her out.
	She fell to the floor hard.
	“Aoshi!”
	Aoshi ran to Misao, ripping apart the duct tape holding her to the chair. When she could move, she wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.
	He returned the embrace, then broke it off to kiss her. His blue eyes gazed into hers, as he stroked her cheeks with his hands.
	Misao placed her hands over his and pressed her forehead to his.
		**************************************************************************

	End of Chapter 11

	If it’s lame, gomen, I totally have no other ideas!!!! 
	FEAR NOT PEOPLE! THERE IS AN EPILOGUE!!
	The last of Blue Paradise. ::sniff:
 While it didn’t go EXACTLY as I had intended, you all seemed to like it.
 Ok, off to read Sex and Sashimi again.
	LATER!