** Inside Russian secret facility, Siberia, Russia **

"What was that?" A Russian soldier mouths in Russian as he hears a subtle clanging noise from above. His eyes scan the metal railing above, his face tilting upwards as his blue eyes seem tense and slightly fearful.

He was a mere Corporal, he had no fighting experience, the general had requested a platoon of fresh soldiers be sent to guard the facility, though it perplexed the young man, also known as Boris, he hadn't spent time to ponder that weird command.

His hands grip the handle of his Kalashnikov automatic rifle tightly, his knuckles becoming slightly white, his index finger on the trigger. He breathes slightly more heavily, feeling nervous, swearing her feels a pair of eyes on him, looking around almost frantically.

"What's wrong with you Boris, hehe, No idiot would even try to infiltrate this facility, calm down comrade, nothing is the matter, stop being so tense" an older friend of his, named Yevgeni says with a soft chuckle.

The older man's hand soothing in its touch as it clasps around his shoulder. Boris gulps and slowly lowers his rifle, yet a foreboding nagging feeling is gnawing inside him, urging him to stay ready, he can't explain it, he can't define it, but it's there.

"I guess I'm still tense about being in such an important facility, I've only been in army for 6 months, I left Yulia at home, I miss her so…" He says and smiles lightly.

That one mixed thought of fear and longing to his love is the last one he'll ever contemplate as suddenly a rattling sound is heard, echoing inside the closed quarters as bullets begin to be launched out of a firearm from the railing above.

Footsteps can be heard as the bullets begin to change angles, as the assailant changes its position. By the speed of the footsteps it is quite obvious it is strafing, bullets flying toward the clustered group of Russian troops.

With a sickening cracking sound, several M-16 bullets pierce his chest cavity, sending him to his death, blood oozing from quite a few large holes in his upper torso.

Then more fire is opened upon them and more gasps and groans of pain and multiple thuds and squishing sounds join the symphony of death as the bullets come hurtling down with great accuracy, the assailant obviously knowing what it is doing.

As 5 more troops hits the ground, dead, and another 3 wounded, one in the gut, one in the knee and ribcage and the third in the shoulder and upper torso the remaining combat able Russian, 12 in number lift their rifles and begin to open fire.

But since they were caught surprised, and the assailant's positions itself well out of danger behind another large crate which soon becomes the resting-place of many bullets.

** Large room, Unknown location in the midst of the Amazon jungle **

"Friends, We are assembled today to discuss dire matters" A deep and commanding voice speaks, the voice echoing around a very large room.

The room is enveloped in a shroud of darkness, shadows weaving their touch around the entire sanctum. A group of five figures are assembled around a circular ivory table. Each of the people is dressed with great taste, the clothing showing of great status and riches.

Also each person is quite abnormal in at least one way, for they are not humans, they are the ancient protectors, they have been here in the shadows of humanity always, watching, guiding, they are the council, rumored to be the highest and more power psychics in the world.

One man is standing while the others are seated. He is a Latino looking man, he is wearing a sharp business suit and his hands lie upon the table, rising to his impressive 6'5 feet of height. His face is of the visage of 40 years of age, yet his eyes speak of many eons of knowledge which surpass his mere physical shell's look.

"We know this already Roberto, Move on to the point" A soft, yet sure and confident tone speaks, obviously the speaker fears not the commanding figure. She is a quite attractive Middle Eastern looking woman, in her early twenties by the looks of it, wearing a rather tight garment of the crimson color.

"The Point! The POINT?! The point is…you sniveling stupid bimbo, is that we are being hunted! By a pup! A baby psychic! How has this come to pass! We are the most powerful of our kin to ever walk the planes!" He says angrily, his eyes glowing in bright crimson as he rams his fists onto the table, his body being surrounded by a soft reddish hue.

"Don't lift your voice on me! And don't dare try to presume yourself to be my superior Megano! You are not my master or have more power than I Spaniard!" She hisses in a venomous tone, rising to her feet as well, her eyes flickering in dark blue as she clenches her fists, bluish power enveloping her body as she grits her teeth angrily.

"ENOUGH! Quit this childish quarreling, we have more urgent matters than your foolish rivalry!" A very deep and booming voice erupts audibly in a calm yet commanding tone. It is the voice of the most powerful of the assembled people, and ever the voice of reason within the council.

He is Adolph Richter, Serving as a general in the armies of Germany for many eons, in many guises and masks over the ages. He is a middle-aged man, presumably of 50 years of age, wearing a military uniform of the highest level of Germany's army. His eyes shine like black suns, wisps of black dancing within the orbs of which reflect his ancient and calculating soul.

** Back in Russia **

Cammy inhales deeply; shutting her eyes at sparks which are released as some bullets rebound off the metal walls, so many bullets being sent at her from below. She needs to get a clear shot. She approaches the edge of the crater slowly and leans against it.

She had removed her special helmet as it hindered her with it's bulkiness and since she found it hard to concentrate on chi channeling and sensing with the infernal soft buzzing of the battery. She would manage, her blond hair is quickly pushed out of her eyes as she inhales slightly more heavily than normal.

She then gulps and exchanges clips in her M-16 and shuts her eyes, leaning the rifle's barrel against her forehead for a second, muttering an inaudible prayer before opening her eyes, a determined look reaching her eyes.

"Here goes…nothing! She thinks as she waits for the firing to weaken somewhat before taking a sidestep and opening fire again. Her rifle rumbles lightly as rattling fire is sent forth from her M-16.

She knows standing in place is certain death and thus keeps on moving, strafing aside quickly, while firing before rolling and reaching cover. But unfortunately for her, not without price, a bullet grazes against her shoulder, ripping off some of her commando uniform and biting into her skin to some extent, leaving a trail of crimson and a load of burning pain for Cammy.

She leans against the box, gritting her teeth and exhales through grit teeth, shutting her eyes and trying to calm down "Concentrate Cammy, block out the pain…focus…I know how to get these bastards…hmm…yes…just…focus…and…STRIKE!" She thinks before rising to her feet and moving her hand from the trigger to a small pulling device on the rifle itself.

The second she hears a clicking sound she lets go and the mechanism comes launching forward, sending a grenade out of a large barrel under the bullet firing barrel, her grenade launcher sending the metallic sphere off the rail and toward the soldier's below.

They blink and try to dodge it, but they're too late as it implodes in a huge mushroom of flames, the recoil sending them flying sideways, the heat ripping them apart and incineration parts of them, literally leaving a bloody hell in its wake.

A shroud of smoke is left and the boom still echoes audibly in the room, hiding the sounds of the door sliding open. Cammy sighs in relief and straps her rifle to her shoulder. She then goes down a metal ladder in the middle of the metallic railing.

She approaches the console, holding her rifle ready, unstrapping it and holding it in a ready posture, quickly walking through the smoke while looking around. She curses as she sees nothing just before her rifle and sends it flying away as something large hits it, sending Cammy staggering back a little as well.

"Greetings Cammy! We meet again! Though this will be last time, I let you not interfere in return of Lenin's dream…" A heavily Russian accented English voice speaks.

Cammy blink and growls "Zangief…" she mutters as the smoke clears. Leaving her standing a foot's distance from the Red cyclone himself.

He is clothed in his traditional garment, yet now 2 identical tattoos of red stars with the communism sigh are spread across each of his shoulders Zangief chuckles and swings his massive fist at her.

** Back in the assembly of the psychic council **

"Joseph is gone, and our sixth member William was murdered recently. Also I have heard that the armies of our old nemesis' son grow more powerful and efficient whereas our numbers dwindle and lessen on a monthly basis. But that is not why we must truly worry…" He says.

"What? What do you speak of? What is worst than the threat of ultimate oblivion?" A young Man asks. He is John Gray, American Hi-Tech tycoon and head of one of the largest corporations in the last century, his soft green eyes confused and worried.

"He has freed the true wielder of the Psycho power, the true core of evil energy in our world, The psychic flower, Rose." Adolph says.

"Impossible! How could he have found the prison! How can this have come to pass?!" A young oriental woman asks, her voice almost frantic, her casual, common clothes flapping as her power erupts out of control at immanent panic.

"I'll tell you how it has come to pass! By our stupid decisions!" He says pointing at the council. "I now know back stabbing her way a mistake and now…our once loyal peer and friend will no doubt will to avenge herself for the way we mistreated her. First forcing her to kill her husband, then abandon her child, then lock her up in a hidden jail, stripped of powers to rot when she showed only flickers of danger…" Adolph says calmly.

"It is in the past! We cannot rectify it now, it is beyond forgiveness and we must commit more sins unfortunately to preserve our community, thus…What is important is what to do now!" Megano says in a slightly nervous tone, wiping some sweat off his forehead, sinking back into his seat, sighing tiredly and rubbing his temples.

"I shall deal with this, myself…I know where she is…soon, I shall go and either bring her back alive to be locked up, or bring her back to dead to be buried…" he says calmly and lifts his fist. "I shall not fail, I am not like all of you!" he ends in a venomous tone.

Then he waves his hand outward and vanishing into thin air with a swishing breeze and a soft hue of black fire.

The council is silent, a heavy feeling of immanent disaster left in the leave of Adolph. While Richter is strong, skilled and wise so was Rose. She was only 2-3 years younger than he was and very strong and though calm and a pacifist mostly, when she fought few could stand in her path.

Not even Bison was her equal; she had well proven it by killing him in battle after being forced by the group vote of the council.

What would come to pass nobody knew for certain, but one thing was for sure, the fireworks would erupt violently when those two met. That was for sure for it had been Adolph to capture and bind Rose's powers himself since only he could match her, she would most likely not forget his "favors".

** Back in Russia **

Cammy leaps slightly back, getting out of danger's way as Zangief's punch screeches toward her, the massive hammer like fist missing her face by narrow inch or two.

She quickly scurries to her stance as Zangief rushes forward and brings his huge foot toward her chin in a crescent kick, the inner roundhouse moving surprisingly quickly for a man of his size and bulk.

Cammy grits her teeth lightly as she blocks with both forearms pressed against each other and is sent staggering back by the sheer power behind the blow, feeling very much like soccer ball being shot toward the goal.

As Cammy tries to regain her footing and stance Zangief rushes forward and clocks her with a crushing blow to the abdomen sending Cammy off her feet and crashing to the ground heavily. Cammy lands on the metallic ground with a grunt and sharp exhale.

Zangief chuckles and cracks his fists "You're not as tough as you used to be Ms. White, you're getting old little woman" he says and approaches her in a ready stance.

Cammy grits her teeth and then spins around on the ground while swinging her foot toward Zangief's ankle. Cammy didn't needed nor wanted to voice words to Zangief, it was not the time for words.

She was a professional, he was in the way of her job, thus he would be removed, one way of the other, the fact he had cost Mi6 many operatives and was on the "to kill upon sight" list only made this battle more sweeter for Cammy.

The Russian giant is overwhelmed by her speed and is swept off his feet, crashing heavily onto the ground. Meanwhile Cammy quickly leans on her hands and pushes herself to her feet as Zangief rolls to his feet as well, pouncing at her in a tackling motion.

Cammy bends her body backwards, she places her hands on the ground and brings her legs whipping upwards with extreme velocity and momentum as does a reverse hand stand and returns to her feet a foot's distance away.

Zangief's head snaps backward and his tackle it broken as he lands heavily on his face, grunting and growling lightly as he tries to get up in a pushup motion. But to his disdain Cammy doesn't allow him that privilege as he feels her boot collide into his face and sending him crashing to his back.

Zangief grunts and spits, a mixture of blood and saliva smearing on his beard as he suddenly freezes as he sees Cammy hoisting her gun at him, the barrel aimed at his head. She eyes him neutrally, her eyes cold and serious, the eyes of a hunter.

Zangief sees her finger about to press the trigger and prays for a miracle, shutting his eyes before hearing a moan from beside him and snapping his eyes open, he sees Cammy quickly shift her gun to aim at a Russian troop trying to lift his rifle. A silenced boom later the man is dead a bullet imbedded in the center of his neck.

Though Cammy shoots him quickly with extreme precision and speed it has a price because before she can resume her aim on Zangief he's already all over her, grabbing her wrist and twisting her arm, causing her to gasp in pain and grit her teeth. Then he punches her diaphragm and causes her to choke as the air is forced out of her lungs.

He then grabs her by the waist and lifts her up quickly before leaping and picking her up with him. Cammy grits her teeth and braces herself for impact as Zangief slams her heavily into the floor, causing every fiber of her body to ignite with waves of pain.

She moans in pain and is dizzy and unfocused as she shivers and pants lightly. As she does Zangief lifts his foot and prepares to stomp on her face "Goodbye Ms. White, It's been nice…" Zangief muses under his breath lightly.

** Secluded Mansion, Mountains near Venice of Italy **

The soft breeze of the afternoon smoothes itself across the arid lands as well as marble floors and creamy white walls of a quite Victorian looking mansion. The Estate is built into the mountain, and is quite beautifully crafted, obviously the owner has quite a little money in his or her possession.

Soft tapping sounds are heard and the figure of an exotically beautiful woman rears itself into the solace of the mansion's porch. A tall and attractive lady of a European decent, she is garbed in a nightgown, gazing down at the breathtaking scenery of the Italian landscape.

She leans on the Veranda railing and lets the wind weave through the long violet locks of her hair. She is Rose, once one of the most powerful and high stated psychics in the world. She is still one of the most if not most powerful single psychic in the world, if not taking account her son who's true power is untested to this date.

Her son, an enigma in its own account, he treated her nicely, protected her, hugged her when she was broken, fed her, revitalized her soul and body, yet she senses it is not all of true and undying will and love for a mother.

When she gazed into his mind, he blocked her out, his psy barriers were commendably strong, and he was ever building a wall between himself and her. He seemed to love her, but not trust her with his inner secrets and heart, just like his father in the final years before their final meeting and battle.

Bison, her once beloved husband. How happy they were, together with no worry in the world. Then they had ruined it all; they had hurt her, and he had lost his cool, he had killed a council member of the highest degree, one known as Dimitri Krakoff.

What Bison didn't know was, that Krakoff had secretly infused himself with the forbidden darkness, the essence of evil, the psycho power, and the curse of it is, that whenever the wielder died, the killer would be the next to gain "gift".

Now, she was in the same position he had once been in, combating the corrupting messages and influence of the dark presence within her soul, a parasite leeching her power and sanity. Perhaps it was best she was left here, here she could concentrate on her inner combats in peace, be able to patch up her traumatized and bleeding soul and heal it.

She had lost so much to the council… to some particular members of the council which names she can't even voice from the amount of hatred she feels toward them. First they had caused her and her beloved to be severed forever, then they had asked her to kill her first and only child.

She had disobeyed them, she could kill him, kill her precious little child, baby. She had given him to Bison, to safe keep and raise. Now, it seems her child had grown in the visage of the corrupt Bison, his eyes reflect his soul, dark, cold, evil.

Maybe she being his one and only loving mother, could slowly help mend and heal his poor and bleeding soul, she had hope.

She inhales deeply and then brushes her hair aside, she feels a void in her heart bite deeply, so much at stake, so much danger, so much pain and suffering all due to the manipulations and stupidity of the psychic council.

Ooh how she willed to get her hands on those fools, make them pay for her, Bison's, Xavier's pain and suffering.

"One day…one day I'll fix things, and make you pay…" she mutters to herself a vow before sighing and dragging herself back into the house. She smells the cooking of the personal servant girl Xavier had given her and smiles lightly at his consideration, unknowing of his real goals in putting her in such a secluded area and estate.

Then her face falls and she shuts her eyes, ready once more to share a lonely dinner by herself, all by herself.

** Back in Russia **

Zangief's foot lowers itself toward Cammy's Neck with great speed, Zangief grins widely expecting the deathblow to connect with the sickening thud he's learned to expect from such a blow, but to his surprise he is left greatly disappointed.

Cammy cross both arms and blocks his stomp, with a grunt through clenched teeth. She then lifts her foot quickly and hits his family jewels hard with her boot. As the boot connects Zangief's eyes widen and he exhales sharply.

Then Cammy's other foot rises and kicks him back. Zangief staggers back, bending and holding his pained groin area, his face flushed and his breathing labored. Cammy allows herself a snicker as she quickly leaps to her feet and reaches for her thigh, taking out her commando blade and swinging it before her once in a testing manner.

Zangief slowly resumes his stance though his footing is unsure and slightly shaky. Cammy grins lightly and circles around him slowly, while shifting the position of her blade, eyeing him coldly with an almost predator like gaze.

Zangief recovers and enters a wary stance. He knows Cammy is most definitely a most dangerous foe in hand to hand combat, but he hand no doubt her weapon skills added would make her a hundred times more deadly, not a good omen for him.

Zangief growls and lunges at her anyway, feeling the best defense is a good offense. Cammy is waiting for him, she dodges his well aimed punch by shifting her stance and position, rendering his offensive useless as it hits nothing but air.

She then extends her hand and with a quick slashing motion runs the blade across his ribcage, leaving a long line of crimson across his skin while moving behind him and kicking his lower spine, sending him staggering slightly at the precise blow to his nerve center.

Cammy then flips backwards lightly, gaining some distance again, deciding it's best to play on Zangief's bulk and size to her advantage and not get into close quarters with the Russian titan. Zangief grits his teeth and feels the warm liquid of life flow down his body, smearing his skin and hair in the iron-full crimson.

He pants lightly, feeling a tad dizzy and narrows his eyes, she would get what she deserves, he had an idea. He rushes toward Cammy like a mad bull while growling like a lion, his face twisted with feral and animalistic rage.

Cammy eyes him curiously and steps back lightly, trying to analyze what will be Zangief's next move. He throws a punch that Cammy ducks under neatly, Yet Zangief continues with the motion, shifting his footing and shifting his body sideways he spins around.

Zangief then summons his Ki and lets blue wisps envelop his hand as he spins around while bringing his hand in a quite wide diagonal arc, a huge trail of Chi follows his arm, the condensed life force quite violent and bright and obviously dangerous.

Cammy however is quite an adept street fighter and his move is easily registered, sensing his Chi beforehand she skillfully slides under his large legs after ducking, coming out from behind him she neatly brings the blade across his throat.

Cammy never had liked Zangief. He always was suspicious. Also the "Blond Fox" had received much Intel information on his defection from the lines of freedom fighters and turning rogue, he had murdered many agents who had tried to apprehend him, some very close to Cammy herself.

She felt no guilt or had any remorse toward the Russian titan as blood begins oozing out of a second smile across his neck, from ear to ear. His cut open veins and windpipe quite staining his body with blood as his legs buckle under his weight and he crashes to the ground, dead

She then cleans her blade and gathers her weapons. She then sees red lights begin to flash and the alarm buzzes much more wildly, she looks at Zangief's body before she walks up to the computer console and the pillar beside it and removes the VB part. Then she blinks as she hears a ticking sound and curses.

She looks at the computer screen " Self destruction mechanism initiated, in 60…59…". Cammy goes wide-eyed and curses as she sweatdrops.

** Hours later, Streets of Barcelona, Spain, Europe **

Barcelona, World renown city of the beautiful country of Spain, In the midst of the Spanish speaking central city a single lady stands out. Though she wears casual clothing and is trying not to gain unwanted attention the fact she is of Asian decency gives gains her the curious look here and there.

Ibuki is this woman; our young Heroine is currently investigating the city. She is acting as any common tourist would. Browsing through shops, sightseeing and enjoying the multitude of national foods.

"What a beautiful place, so different than other places I've been too, Viva la Spania indeed fits this place…" She muses to herself in Japanese, her voice soft and inaudible as she walks down the busy streets.

She is wearing a set of casual summer clothing, a pair of blue short pants, a turquoise sleeveless shirt, a straw hat and a pair of sunglasses. Her makeup hides most of her facial bruises and her shirt covers the tight bandages across her abdomen.

She finds a restaurant and enters it, she is then led to a table, she manages to order a local meal and sits beside a table for two, sitting against the wall to be able to lean back, her back quite pained and aching.

She takes off her hat and sunglasses and places them on the side of the table as the waiter brings her order 5 minutes later. She thanks him and smiles at him, bowing her head lightly, he smiles and walks off.

Ibuki then begins to eat silently and quietly, her pace slow and her manners commendable, Her mother indeed brought her up well by the looks of it, her eyes scanning the dining room casually, or so it seems since she is looking for a certain someone.

She nevertheless wears a calm and warm expression of silent joy as she sits beside a small table for two in a small restaurant. She's eating some very spiced and delicious meat with a side of sautéed vegetables and fries.

"*Sigh* My How I loved touring new places… I only wishes I could do this more often and on better circumstances...Anyway, this is getting unsettling, where is that Baka?" She thinks a small frown reaching her graceful face as she taps her fingers lightly in an impatient gesture.

She had a splitting headache, and her body quaked all over, not to mention the jetlag was killing her. All these did little to help her patience and mood, a not so small amount of displeasure and anger contempt beginning to build up inside her.

Besides touring and shopping for some new clothes, her own collection of clothing getting old and is in need for change. She also checks out the less pleasant parts of the city, to gain some surface info on Vibora, like where she lives and hangs out, when and how often, for that she needed her contact to arrive.

She taps her fingers on the table and hmms lightly, sipping from a glass of Coca-Cola and shutting her eyes for a second. She had been waiting for him for 20 minutes after the time Geki had told her to meet this fellow Shinobi at. While Ibuki is a patient woman, she is very tired, and in need for rest.

She sighs lightly and then puts down her glass as someone sits beside her table, while calling for the waiter. "It's about time you showed up" Ibuki muses in a slightly Spiting tone, sighing lightly and rubbing her eyes for a second, stifling a yawn as the Shinobi smirks and adjusts his seat and eyes her with subtle amusement.

** Hotel room, 4 star hotel, New York, U.S.A **

The hotel room is lighted with the soft dim light of a single lamp, this small electrical appliance left beside a large and comfortable looking bed. Upon this bed a tall and muscular man lies. He cradles his head in his hands and gazes idly at the roof.

His eyes are bright blue and slightly unfocused, yet by the furrowing of his brows he is deep in thought and that probably explains his slightly out tuned look. His breathing is calm by the movements of his muscular upper torso rising and descending in a repetitive pace.

This man is of Caucasian complexion, his facial hair is truly non existent and his hair is currently damp and combed neatly backwards, the blond locks drizzling a drop of water here and there. This man is known as Guile, Special Ops veteran, U.S airforce Captain and world warrior level Street fighter, his name indeed perceives him.

"Loki said he makes Bison seem weak and stupid…who could be so powerful? Gill? No, he's dead. Perhaps the Raging Demon, Akuma? No…he's not interested in using underlings or conquering the world, only the ultimate fight…then who the hell could this Xavier be?" Guile thinks and sighs lightly.

He brings his hands to his face "I got that d*mned meeting tomorrow…I hope the gals had more luck than me…maybe we can still salvage some information. This is getting old, these freaking wild goose chases…" Guile thinks and runs his fingers over his face lightly before sitting upright.

He looks at his wrist watch and sighs "3am, Skippedy Joy, I gotta be up in 2 hours…" He thinks and then turns to adjust a portable alarm clock and lies back. "I do know one thing…Colorado…there's a base in Colorado, least we got one clue out of this… He thinks and lies down, covering himself and adjusting himself to the bed and shutting his weary eyes.

"And if that doesn't work…I know one person who can probably give us all the info he knows, and his honor would probably oblige him to do so, no matter the danger. Oh yes! This is a good idea indeed… he thinks and a grin flashes across his lips for a few seconds.

Soon, Soon if God helps them, the shroud would begin to clear and it would be time to strike back.

** Elsewhere in Barcelona, Estate of the Lorenzo family, Hill at the Outskirts of the city **

"C'MON! Attack me!" The voice of the mistress of the house barks in annoyance. She is standing in a hand to hand stance, brandishing her trademark claws of death, her main weapon of murder.

Four large men who are looking at her worriedly surround her. Her steel blue eyes shift with rage and impatience as she grits her teeth, she is wearing her battle garment, a tight black leather suit, clinging to her body like a second skin, her chrome colored metal mask gleaming in the dim lighting of the training room's lighting.

The room is large and resembles an Oriental Dojo, Ninjitsu being Vibora's main art of combat, mixed with the traditional bull fighting and some moves she picked up from opponents on the way. Making the mixed up style she wields ever more deadly.

One of them gathers courage and lunges at her, wielding a long steel blade, the shape and length resembles that of a Katana. He swings it at her abdomen, shifting his weight behind the blow, letting his whole body follow the movement to follow it up soon after.

Vibora blocks it soundly with one set of blades while lifting the other and slipping the blade between two of her blades, entrapping it between them and then pulling it downward. The man gasps as he masked face rams into his nose.

He staggers back, taking a step backwards. As he does Vibora's foot follows him, hitting his cheek in an inward kick, whipping his head side ways. She then follows the motion by ducking and extending her foot as she spins around on the ground when she kick to his shins, sweeping his feet.

He lands heavily on his back and rolls away, meanwhile Vibora crosses her arms and lifts them upwards as soon as she finishes the sweeping and blocks a blade strike of another man. She then parts her blades and rolls back on her back while lifting her feet, ramming them into his abdomen and then pushing, sending him staggering.

She then rolls sideways and resumes her stance, hearing two try to approach her from her flank. She waits for them to approach before leaping, their blade strikes missing horribly, she lands behind then, landing on the balls of her feet and retracts her blades, grabbing both by the head and ramming their heads one against the other's.

They slump to the ground unconscious from the extreme force of the collision. Vibora then turns to the last man, who drops his blade and backs away. Vibora snarls "Coward!" she hisses and pounces on him, kicking off his chest and then grabbing his head and bringing it downward, hard onto the floor, knocking him quite unconscious.

Vibora looks at the men and spits in disgust "Weak and pathetic little piglets, You are no training for the Shinobi…" She muses under her breath and rolls her eyes. "I will have to prepare myself and my house for her, I wouldn't want to be rumored to be a bad hostess" she muses and takes off the mask after retracting the claws.

She then walks out, not caring for the hired help, they would awaken and go home with time. She then turns off the light and brushes a strand of her blond hair away from her eyes. "Soon, Soon I shall have you in my web little Ninja…soon…" she whispers as she heads back for her house.

** Interpol Offices, Manhattan, New York **

"I failed chief…I couldn't get him…and I lost almost all my troops…" A soft feminine voice says in a downcast and bitter tone. The voice belongs to the one Chunli Xiang, the worldwide feared and famed detective.

She seems not to be intimidating or even slightly special at the moment, her body slightly slumped, her face broken with woe, her eyes fixed on the floor and her voice soft and weak. Defeat is a bitter pill but failure of others was a completely worse tempest.

"I already know that…why? What happened?" He asks, concern and curiosity infused as one in his tone, his eyes gazing in slightly shock at his star agent, the undaunted, the unbeatable Chunli, or so she used to be most of the time.

"We cornered him, like we had planned along with the Mossad and Shabbach. They offered me some of their operatives, but I refused…Perhaps I should've reconsidered…" She says and sighs.

"Are you telling me one man, killed almost 10 SWAT operatives?" He asks, quirking a brow, looking shocked to the fullest extent. "That's…that can't be possible!" he says, wary at the prospect of such a being existing.

Chunli nods once solemnly. Her commanding officer rubs his temples "Holy crap…we're in deep sh*t, what if there are more like him. D*mn! We're f**ked…"" He thinks before licking his lower lip "Anyway, what do you know about him?" He asks, almost afraid to do so.

"His skill was impressive, I wish we had a file on him, so we could know what we're up against…all I know is, he sure can use firearms, and his physical power is also almost inhuman in extent." She says.

"I see…well, I'll figure out our next actions soon enough, get some sleep Chunli, you got a meeting with your counterparts tomorrow, and you don't wanna be late, maybe they have information which can help our cause." He says and puts a hand on her shoulder.

Chunli nods and smiles lightly "K Chief, I'll see ya soon" Chunli says and tilts her head downward in a humble manner before getting up and heading outside. She shuts the door behind her and sighs.

"You maybe tough Jason, but I've seen tougher, soon enough murderer, I'll have your hide…you'll pay for this. Maybe sooner than you expect if Guile and Cammy got what they were after…I'll just have to wait and see…" She muses under her breath as she enters the elevator.

"Soon…" She whispers under her breath as the elevator doors slip against eachother and close.

** Small hotel, Barcelona Spain **

Ibuki rests her head against a soft pillow, her tired and fatigued body lying heavily against the mattress. Her breathing is slightly labored and her face flushed lightly, also small droplets of sweat glisten upon her forehead and drizzle down from head to neck.

Ibuki sighs and wipes her forehead and shuts her eyes, the dark brown ovals burning lightly and thus Ibuki lets them rest. She had been participating in very intensive reconnaissance and espionage missions across Barcelona for the last 20 hours.

For the first 2 days she had done nothing but rest, she had barely moved from the hotel room beside to eat and drink. During this time she had taken time to meditate and try to decipher and determine what she must do next, yet many answers still eluded her.

She then gets up and slides out of her clothes in her way to the shower, she quickly folds her clothes before she does and puts them on a chair nearby.

Then she enters the bathroom and from there the shower. She sighs contently as she lets the warm water of the shower fall down on her body, rinse over her tired and weary skin, caress her skin and ease the tension within her.

Though she is one of the most trained and dangerous Shinobi in the clan nowadays, it does not eliminate the doubts and fears which gnaw in her heart, the darkness she feels well up inside. Nor does it vanquish the despair which seems to engulf her more from encounter to encounter as the end seems far of sight.

Ibuki carefully applies soup over her body while shutting her eyes and melting into the gentle waves of heat which sooth her. "I know now, there is no way to escape bloodshed, my path has been chosen for me, I cannot flee my fate, I am enforced into the true ways of the Ninja, the ways of the Assassin…" Ibuki thinks as she begins to shampoo her hair.

Her body was mostly healed other than some bruises, this being a direct effect of hours of chi channeling for healing manners, many peaceful hours of sleep and near nil physical extrusion. She was now ready in body, but she wondered if in soul.

"I've learned your habitat, I've studied your surroundings, allies, guards and fighting style, yet I can't help but feel…you are waiting for me…can it be? Are you planning a welcoming committee for me? Not that I'd be surprised with my lucky streak…*sigh* For once I'd like an easy infiltration, oh well, I guess the easy way was never my way anyway…" Ibuki thinks and frowns lightly.

It is very late, the wee hours of the night so to say, the surrounding area being silent and serene. She had acquired accommodations in a more secluded area of Barcelona, not too far away from her target's adobe. Now she prepares herself.

She then turns off the water before exiting the shower and carefully drying her body, feeling quite invigorated and revived physically, her weariness gone and her senses sharp once more, it was time.

She quickly dries herself off and wears her undergarments before exiting the bathroom and standing before a large mirror and looking at herself. She then grabs a long piece of white cloth she left on a chair nearby.

She slowly and carefully tightens and secures the bandages around her abdomen, though these bandages are seemingly useless since her pain had faded away for two days now.

Yet Ibuki knew better than to underestimate her wounds, it had almost cost her with her life not too long ago, only a few months ago actually when she had almost collapsed in the midst of a dangerous situation.

She then takes some long straps of black cloth and ties them neatly around her arms from elbow to within her palms and to secure her clenched fist in the midst of combat. Then she ties similar cloth around her leg from knee to ankle to secure her footing.

She then picks up a black Ninja garment which she had folded pre handedly and slips into it, securing the belt around her waist tightly.

"Alexis Lorenzo…Lady Viper, Assassin extraordinary, I know not if I can beat you…but I do know I can give it a shot, not as if I have a choice anyway…" She thinks as she then ties her hair in a single long braid.

She then puts on her mask and then slips on a pair of wrist guards and puts on her special ninja shoes, the padded shoes concealing any sound even when running, a very useful stealth keeper. She then turns to the other corner of the bed before picking up and strapping some Kunai and flash and smoke bombs to herself.

She then applies the final touch, strapping her Katana to her back and slipping the blade into it's sheath. After preparing her tools and body she puts both hands together, and presses them gently to her chest, shutting her eyes and inhaling deeply.

She quickly forces her mind to order, pushing her doubts aside and when she opens her brown eyes, they are cold and calculating, reflecting a flicker of the soft lighting of the outside street as she looks outside before inhaling deeply.

She walks over to the window which faces the part of the hotel which faces not the street and opens it and leans one foot Yet one question remains unknown: Who is to be the hunter and who is to be the prey?