** the following day, Hidden chamber, Shadowlaw main command complex, depths of the Himalayas **

Brown eyes dart around the room, leather tapping against steel repeatedly as fresh spring’s shower, mind in turmoil, wandering frenziedly around like a caged beast, debating and reflecting over the same thought, over and over onto the very brink of madness, “how?”

“He did he survive? The plan…the plan was perfect…I made sure it would be, the trap should’ve been the end of him…” fists clench, sweat beads down pale skin and wildly horrified eyes, frustration and sheer terror swelling deeply within the depths of the consciousness, dominating all.

He had risked his life, his sanity in order to betray Xavier, sending very sensitive information to both the brotherhood’s refuge and Interpol, giving them an edge in their war against Shadowlaw, desperately begging for his attempts to succeed.

Truth is he betrayed his former lord even before knowing the secrets that he was forbidden to discover, the dark hearted psychic too dangerous and merciless to be allowed to live, so he waited patiently and helped Urien set a trap for Gill in return for helping kill Xavier in return, then the both of them would split the leftovers between themselves.

But it was all for naught, he came back, like locust, pestilence with no cure, a reoccurring nightmare, the accursed beast refused to return the hellish realm which he was spewed from at birth, the merciless murderer, the blank eyed, blood thirsty devil, his heart colder than the tundra of the arctic, darker than a moonless night.

The room is chaos, furniture broken and thrown askew, stains of blood and shards of glass splayed across the carpet in an eerie pattern, a young man cradling his head in his hands, kneeling in the center of the room, muttering incoherently.

The Reaper was breathing against the back of his neck, chills reverberating across his psyche, fear entangling his very core into the murky surfaces of despair, the impending doom sluggishly catching up with him, the voices of the dead whispering in his sleep, leering at him, inviting him to join them.

“One…last chance…while he’s gone to who knows where…I can land the fatal blow…” crimson stained hands tremble, shaky legs push against the earth, the glint of finality, pushing himself out of the room, stumbling drunkenly through the corridors.

“Co…Commander Reeve? Sir? Are you…?” the voice roars like thunder within his weary mind, shaded eyes narrow, velvet painted lips, cracked and dry split into a snarl, lungs heaving a growl, hand slapping into the throat of the man, so very innocent, disturbing the hopeless rebellion of a fading man.

Gurgles of surprise and pain fade from reality, firm bone crushing soft tendon and flesh, blood spurting forth, air jammed and unable to escape in form of a scream, death claiming another pool soul, threading its soul into the wheel of fate.

“No…time for mercy…no time for humanity…must…reach the core…” hands lean against walls of steel, nameless witnesses to horrors and sins untold, inaudible whispers of times of trouble all of naught, warnings falling upon those who cannot hear.

Blood loss begins to kick in, every step is like eternity, every breath is excruciating, the world is on fire, his stomach twisting and nausea struck, the burden of Atlas on his shoulders, hammers pounding against his skull like an anvil, delirium and haze setting the world into an impossible vertigo.

“Commander Reeve…Master X specifically said that…” one of a pair of rifle bearing guards warns hesitantly, noticing his commanding officer’s poor state and unsure how to react. Brown eyes crystallize, setbacks wouldn’t do, bystanders mustn’t live, knowing that he mustn’t leave loose ends.

Adrenaline fuels the feeble and ill struck body, palm rising and slamming into the right guard’s nose, the might of the blow and angle forcing the bone into the delicate flesh, the sensitive nerve clusters ripping apart, bloody inner lacerations sending yet another soul to the abyss.

“What? Sto…!” Out of my way! I have no time for you!?” let if be impatience, madness, or determination his unstable emotions force him over the edges of morality, everything paling, meaningless in the eyes of his final redemption, to stop the bastard he once called lord from ever realizing his goals.

Resistance is futile, hope is an illusion, survival is forfeit, lustful passion guides shaky hands to the petite and delicate neck of the victim, iron strong fingers digging into warm flesh, thumbs pushing against flesh.

Pleading is snuffed out by the pounding in his ears, the shivers up his spine intensifying as he lifts his hand, grasping the chin firmly and twisting the head angrily, the sound of bone grinding against tendon and flesh swallowed in the howls of his psyche goading him onward, discarding the meaningless mortal whom will never see another sunrise, pushing the doors open.

“Now…Free her! Cut the psychic lifeline which makes Xavier the juggernaut he is! Mortalize him, destroy him!” the voice screams, his eternity ripping apart, ears bleeding and hands clutching burning temples, stumbling into the most inner sanctum in all of Shadowlaw.

Glazed eyes gaze dazedly at the very core of the psycho drive, the living battery of Xavier’s most secret weapon, his own mother, the ageless, esoteric psychic also known as Rose, the target in sight.

Glass shatters, icy cold water bathes him, body shivering madly, hands thrashing frantically at the mass of wires and nullifying contraptions within, roaring madly in a hyperventilated frenzy, eyes masked in red and mind too weary to congeal anything thoughts but one, “Free Rose at all costs”

When the deed is done, the once proud general crumbles backward, stamina wasted, strength gone, panting weakly while shivering at the cold touch of water, eyelids fluttering, seeing only the silhouette of a woman, and two bright bluish-purple eyes, and then, delicious freedom in the grasp of beloved darkness.

** 6 days later, back alleys of Metro city**

“Are you sure this is a good idea!?” an irate snarl crawls forth from dry pink lips, long curls of blond hair shifting gracefully at the wake of movement, body spinning, leg thumping against muscle, momentum and precision prevailing a knife wielding felon flung a brick wall heavily.

Brown slanted eyes gleam with some surprise, neck flicking sideways, shifting in and out of fist range and carefully slipping between multiple blows. They were cornered, their backs to a dead end, the odd eight to two.

Arms wring around her arms, a knife the woman turning and clocking the fist’s owner with a wooden nightstick, the young man staggering back.

“We’ve been through this before Maki…we don’t have any choice…” quiet serenity and calm envelops words mingled with frustration and despair, handsome oriental features fixed in granite impassivity, arctic brown freezing the soul of his opponents, their bravado shattering like glass beneath his glare.

Steel gleams in with golden white radiance, light rebounding off tools of murder, the lethal weapons of war eager to drink the blood of man. Mind is crystallized; consciousness spanned across the horizon, instincts rendering time motionless, fists as firm as stone dispersing all in their path like autumn winds the leaves.

“Just for the protocol, I told Nanse I was up for crimination when they drag our cold bodies back home…because YOU insisted on not waiting for help…” cold sarcasm finding solace in the grasp of anxiety and uncertainty, a bitter, hushed chuckle escaping the Bushinryu Kunoichi.

“Well…Sounds like a plan to me…” lips slant into a faint smirk, worried eyes twinkling with fading humor, the street now silent save the nocturnal sound of cars, nature stroking its children fondly, unseen fingertips fondling the weary denizens of Metro city.

“My My, If it isn’t Metro city’s very own vigilantes, what have I done to receive the honor of such a visit?” mocking words slip from the shadows, overshadowed by an amused chuckle that pierces the blissful silence, tension replacing tranquility, the duo ninjas whirling around to meet the newcomer.

“Where’re Hokotu and Kairi?” distaste and distrust mirrored by a concealed sneer, dark brown eyes hiding the blaming amber of hatred churning beneath the surface, long fingers pushing brown bangs aside, the heir and sole Grandmaster of Bushin never one to beat around the bush.

“What makes you think I have the answers you seek, little maggot?” the former President of the ‘Brotherhood’ questions coolly, the muscular behemoth of a man flexing his massive frame lazily.

Silence hanging like the rotting corpse of a hanged condemned, cold eyes averting from one another, pearly teeth uncovered beneath thick brown lips, rectangular sunglasses pushed down, aqua colored luminosity bathing a feral face in an eerie radiance.

“Because of the hospitalized wretches you employ who were kind enough to relinquish this information…” Guy hisses lowly and bitterly, it had only been 3 months since Urien rose in power here, but even so his influence ascended horrifyingly, controlling a respective piece of the action in Metro city, despite Shadowlaw’s iron grip on the town.

“Is that so?” cunning raptor eyes scan the surrounding area, surveying his bodyguard’s unmoving forms, quirking a grey brow curiously, glasses thrown aside. Wind swirls around him, loose fitting fabric flailing helplessly, unseen fibers of reality crackling with energy, twin eyes flashing fiercely, smooth golden skin darkening to a deep brown, a secret little grin playing on the Egyptian’s lips.

“Why don’t you make me tell you…” amusement coating the whisper like a thin layer of snow, leather shoes kick off the pavement, impressions left where inhuman strength is felt, the colossus of might rushing forth, heaving his wrecking ball of a fist at the duo, closing the gap between them with surprising speed, baring pearly teeth angrily.

The pair of ninjas leap sideways at the last possible second, almost blinking out of existence in their speed, kicking off the concrete walls and leaping away to safety, alarm filling them as they feel the power within the beast’s aura, rushed limps scuffling into loose stances.

Bricks reel under his might, shattering into jagged fragments as fumes of grayish dust disperse around Urien’s arm. The terror lord of the Egypt rips his fist from the damaged wall, flexing his neck, popping sounds sending chills up Maki’s spine, cracking his fingers malevolently as electric currents darting across his pale blue cornea.

“You’re powerful as they whisper in the shadows Urien…but you rely on strength…and force if useless if you can’t hit your target…” Guy muses knowingly, kicking against the ground and dashing forth, practically teleporting towards Urien’s left, whereas Maki follows suit except to his right.

The human colossus doesn’t even move, watching as Guy unleashes his fish, hungry as raging beast, biting into Urien’s abdomen maliciously, year long training guiding his fist to the diaphragm. The giant absorbs the blow silently, head snapping aside slightly as moments later Maki’s heel crashes into his chin, the spinning roundhouse kissing off his face.

Guy steps back and holds his fist, teeth grit, eyes slightly wide in shock whereas Maki lands ungracefully and falls back onto her butt, holding her ankle and cursing audibly, eyes shutting against pain.

“What good is speed…if your blows are useless…Bushin…” Urien mutters, eyes flashing blue, crackling electricity coalescing around his cornea, catapulting forth, foot rearing upwards, lashing like a slave driver’s whip.

Guy sidesteps, the blow missing, back flipping to gain some distance, hands tapping upon pavement, pushing himself back to his feet quickly “Guy! Look out!” but it is too late, the Bushin only having time to turn his eyes to the upcoming assault, the golden skinned warrior imbedding his fist into Guy’s abdomen, sending him flying into the wall with impossible force.

His entrails are on fire, lungs wheezing painfully, legs unable to support his body, hand barely keeping him in a kneel, the air knocked out of him, the juggernaut of a man looming over him menacingly, grinning “I was hoping for a more of a challenge, I must say I’m disappointed…”

Guy’s eyes narrow, smirking lightly as he sees something Urien can’t, Maki rushing forth into the fray, eyes burning in azure, energy escaping her spirit body, finding substance and swirling madly around her legs, her speed blurry, imbedding her foot into the behemoth’s back, sending him crashing into the brick wall.

Guy rolls aside. pushing against the pain, the fleeting sensation fading beneath a shower of adrenaline and natural stamina, rising upwards and focusing his chi around his foot, cracking it into the silver haired man’s nose the second he pushes away from the wall, forcing the mountain of muscles a couple of steps backwards, planting his feet upon the wall and launching himself away from the aqua eyed ox.

“Not too shabby…” eyes losing their lightness and steeling, sharp as a blade’s edge, twin fists rising and melting into a fighting stance, eyes flickering momentarily, watching the twin shadow warriors circling around, their eyes equally tranquil like the silence before the storm.

** Meanwhile, Maximum-security cellblock, “Stonehenge” prison, Nevada desert, USA **

“It’ll be any minute now…” coffee eyes glare into space, clear pools of cold chocolate rippling from emptiness into chilling calm, twin petals of rose curling into a faint grin, pearly white rows peeking naughtily as the tapping boots echo within her ears.

Ibuki basks in the presence of two auras she knows so well by now as they approach, the gratifying jingle of keys ringing causing her blood to rush, anticipation and adrenaline spreading within like wild flames across a forest on a midsummer day.

“Lunch time…” female tone grumbles in the dark, the thick steel choking the words to the untrained ear. A voice full of youth, of innocence, of inexperience, Lauren, the rookie guard, the shadow mistress’ ticket to deliverance.

Groans mingled in a blanket of sniffles, coughs ringing clear as golden bells aside sneezes, illness dejecting the voice of logic, reason drowned in a cold pool of nausea, dizziness and exhaustion. However, the poor young one’s cold will soon turn out to be the last of her worries, for today was the day, the day Ibuki, the last Shinobi to walk the earth remembrances freedom, one way or the other.

“Hey! I thought I told you to be careful! You can’t just barge in there!” the older voice cuts undermined irritation falling upon deaf ears, experience ignored by the audacity. It would be amusing if it weren’t so sad, for if the young woman had heeded the senior guard’s advice, Ibuki’s plan would’ve become extremely complicated.

However, this is not the case, their argument is music to her ears, the traveler in the gloom concentrating, screening out irrelevant chatter and shuddering in elation as her time arrives with the wake of a simple click. Eyes snap open, ice turns to flame, limbs roar into action, air rustling grudgingly with her lightning quick motion, melting into blurs, pouncing silently upon her prey in a blink of an eye.

“Will you stop yelling for crying out loud?! She’s f**king harm...” ire shatters like broken glass, vision flashing in black, pain cutting her off, teeth fed the stone firm taste of bone, expelling her petite body, feet bumping into once another clumsily into a stagger which leaves her sprawled upon the wall.

“Stop!” her older counterpart shouts, fear creeping into her heart, hands shaking, fumbling blindly for her pistol. It is all too little, too late, shadows envelop her, pain ripping her from consciousness as a blood-thirsty fist glides forth, rooting deeply against her face like a great oak’s roots.

Gravity is defied, reality is sent spiraling out of control, black and red bubbling before misty eyes, all coming to stop at once, ascent vetoed by the impassible hurdle of stone. Moments seem like years, everything held in place tensely only to be rocketed forward at the wake of another blow, her world exploding into pieces, Ibuki’s heel sending her to the sandman’s realm.

“Sh*t…” Karen whines, eyes wide, shining with terror, eyes burning, bathed in sweat, heart’s beats frantic as a smithy’s hammer, foreboding surroundings whirling menacingly, leering at her evilly. Left cheek flares, teeth jitter painfully, the panic of impending doom gripping her with the visor firm vigor, waves of black hair dancing like wheat in the storm.

Lungs emit a hysteric gasp, stumbling back upon the entrance, body falling upon the cold floor, body scurrying back in trepidation, shudders shooting up her spine at the bone chilling sound of steel sliding against itself, the cell door sliding open in a blink of an eye.

Glaciers of brown bore into her soul, gloomy ice from the depths of hell, paralyzing calm, authorities silence which holds her tongue, choking in stammers as her vision blinks white before it slips away, body submitting to the inviting cosset of heavenly slumber, body limp.

“Sorry but I really need this right now…” the liberated kunoichi muses inaudibly regretfully, kneeling beside the senior woman, relinquishing her of her wristwatch, nodding in self approval at the pace she is dictating thus far, exhaling shakily and turning back to the task at hand.

Bone and muscle strain, hands gripping fabric the young guard thrown into the cell, “11 minutes and 42 seconds…” sneaks out of alluring lips, the convict on the run entering the cell and beginning phase 2 of her plan.

“I’ve missed doing this…” exhilaration filling her, the excitement and thrill of the mind game of hunter hunted, her dormant instincts and teachings once more allowed to surface, a part of her long since neglected revitalized.

Fingers play with the buttons of the uniform, quickly and carefully pealing off both shirt and pants, rendering the unconscious femme nearly nude. The femme fumbles slightly at undressing herself, unconsciously at the arctic cold of the cell, left in a similar state of clothing as her victim.

“D*mnit, she’s skinnier than she looks…” the forgotten ninja grunts, slight sounds of extrusion escaping her throat as her body battles its way in the guard uniform with difficulty, tending to make every detail seem authentic, down to the cap that now lies snugly upon her shoulder long black hair.

The practitioner to the art of the shadow picks up the out cold woman’s baton and hooks it to her newly acquired belt before examining herself with a quick glance, frowning a bit at the insanely tight fit, but rationalizing that this is all for the best.

“8 minutes and 50 seconds” the kunoichi hurries and dresses up the now shivering femme into her prison garment, before tossing her onto her mattress and covering her up, leaving her with her back to the cell entrance, grinning to herself at how Lauren looks almost exactly like Ibuki herself would.

“Now…let’s get rid of you…” Ibuki murmurs, exiting the cell’ turning to lock it, “D*mnit, this one’s fatter than she looks…” an amused little chortle echoes within her heave, effortlessly hefting the unconscious woman on her shoulders.

The complex is a hive like structure of endless corridors, junctions and turns, to a stranger this labyrinth would be impossible to traverse, but in the course of the last few weeks the forgotten shadow walker had been carefully memorizing and mapping the area, easily making her way to her next pit stop, the nearby guards’ restroom, glancing at her newly acquired watch upon arriving, “4 minutes…”

The “guard” quickly enters the restroom and closes the door behind her, quickly tossing the unconscious woman inside one of the two booths within it, locking the booth from within before climbing outside.

Content and relief wash over a restless spirit, like a caged tiger eager to hunt and roam once more, the kunoichi dusting her hands, looking contently at the buyable sight. Wrists wipe of beads of sweat, hands desperately fiddling with her skin tight clothes, exiting the restroom and making her way to the personal quarters of the D cell block’s guard population “20 seconds...”

“Say Lauren…have you seen Karen? I haven’t seen her since you two gave the “Ice queen from hell” her lunch…” the Asian warrior’s lips curl into a small fake smile, mimicking the young guard and laughing cheerfully, head tilted downwards at all time, eye contact kept to a minimum while pointing at the restroom with a thumb “Bad case of Mexican food…” Ibuki coughs out in a hoarse tone, scrunching her face in disgust.

“Thanks for the warning…” the guard laughs, shrugging off the small voice that hollers angrily that there’s something odd about “Karen’s” behavior, turning to sit down near the security camera console instead, leaning back, yawning and stretching slightly.

“Hey Christie, I gotta go to the bathroom myself, I’ll be right back” Ibuki murmurs and fakes a sneeze, stumbling in feign tiredness to the door, the latter grinning and nodding in approval while yawning out a sleepy reply of “Whatever,”

“Ok…now to get out of here…” The shadow mistress makes her way out of the cell block, navigating towards the garage, intent on getting the keys to the supply truck, the gargantuan vehicle more than able to force its way through the bars of the front gate, and withstand any bullets which might be directed at it.

“Huh? You again?! What’s fat boy want now?” a gruff voice barks out angrily, twin green eyes glaring irritably at Ibuki. An oafish looking man is sitting on a small coach, watching television. He some old, torn jeans, a white undershirt which looks like it’s been through ww2, the stench of bear, sweat and nicotine polluting the room and making the shadow mistress’ stomach to do somersaults

An answer is a privilege the orc of a man is not given, niceties a waste of precious time, fingers sliding against steel, palm firmly grasping the baton. The distance between them melts away like ice in the sun; body turns at hip, arm rears back before exploding forward.

Shock plagues the mind; agony bores into his reality, leeching comprehension and thought. Lungs heave out a roar of bloody murder, body rising from the grave of liquor and nicotine, a long string of curses being born into the world as the metallic object crushes bone and tooth, the sheer force behind the blow and the angle ejecting the bestial slob off his repulsively smelling abode.

“You b*tch!” powerful coughs escape through a fractured jaw, vision is blinding by a screen of red, rage mounts through his veins like molten fire, chips of tooth mixing with saliva blood, veins bulging as adrenaline goads him to strike.

The titan of fat and muscle rages forth like a locomotive, pain drowned by vigorous rage and indignation, his colossal body tumbling forth like an avalanche. Sapphire eyes twinkle with animalistic frenzy, full of malevolence, the floor rumbling beneath his weight.

Like a viper she curls around him gracefully, so quick it is like chasing a shadow, the clumsy attack neither a surprise nor a threat by far to her. The warrior of gloom dodging wild blows with ease, blinking in and out of his vision, more an illusion than a foe to him.

Touching her like is like trying to grasp sand, slipping from his grip like sand through fingers, in a manner of seconds spinning around, baton pulverizing the giant’s knee, him collapsing like a ton of bricks, greeted by a baton to the temple, force raping his cheek to kiss the floor.

Pants of pain and rage escape blood stained lips, hands clawing against the pavement, frantically trying to push up the beached whale of a man, gravity pinning the beefy man like a squashed bug to the wall, colorful adjectives and descriptions rushing out of his mouth before darkness swallows him, the steel rod thumping off the back of his head.

“Hmm…I probably have 4…5 mins,” She kneels by the driver, ruffles through his pocket, taking out a keychain, smiling a bit in relief at the thought of getting out of this hellhole, making herself scarce and leaving out the back door, hooking the baton back to her belt, just in case,, who knows, it just might come in handy.

The huge truck comes into view, a low whistle escaping her grin formed lips. Senses flare, wrist whipping upward, bone meeting bone, stepping back and lifting both arms to repel a sidekick neatly. Blurs dance before her, the back of her mind knocking madly against her attention, forcing her to realize the identity of the assailant.

A scowl reaches her lips and her eyes narrow coldly, falling into a dynamic stance, allowing her to shift between offensive and defensive at will, her assailant taking a few steps back while laughing lightly, a satisfied half visible grin irking the child of Hasigawa.

The last of the Shinobi’s eyes are empty voids , her voice sharp as a katana, venom coated as the bite of the cobra “I don’t know how you got out of your cell and frankly I don’t give a sh*t” legs press lightly against concrete, poised to strike, a part of her pointing out that something odd is amiss.

“Stay the hell out of my Mei or so help me god I won’t hold back this time…” lips purse to a thin slit as her body stiffens in preparation for battle, the silence before the storm, collecting her chi, energy fueling her body, leaning forward and preparing to dash toward the truck.

“Is that before or after I pump you full of lead?” mocking whispers pierce into her like blades, shredding her anger into thin ribbons of realization, coffee brown eyes widening momentarily before crystallizing once more, shifting to the third speaker with a side glance, recognizing her as one of the Warden’s personal assistants, her sensitive ears hear the click of a gun being cocked.

The Kunoichi is a volcano, the granite exterior of impassivity concealing molten hot violence and malice, blind rage melded in icy determination, muscles calming, breathing slowing considerably, footing loosening stealthily, her aura expanding around her.

Mei bolts forth inhumanly fast, footsteps like distant taps of rain again the roof, steadily growing louder. Light rebounds of an iron pipe, a gleaming streak of light passing across Ibuki’s vision, her mind compiling the data, formulating several possible actions to execute, eyelids blocking out the illusions of the corporeal, giving her a clearer glance at the ethereal view of existence, and then, all hell breaks loose.

** Back in Metro city **

The golden rays of heat blaze strong, beads of sweat drizzling down her cheek, tongue moistening dry lips, brown eyes glaring silently at her foe, the towering mountain of a man looking all more dangerous with the arrogance fading like vapor, and the biting pain in her ankle isn’t helping her much.

“Maki! Snap out of it!” a voice cuts her line of thought, a blow sending her spiraling sideways, in time to miss certain annihilation at the hands of Urien’s kick, which narrowly misses her temple, skidding to a halt against the wall, blinking and wondering when in heaven’s name did the Egyptian titan become so agile.

However, much to Guy’s misfortune his action left him open for punishment. The Japanese man is well aware of his vulnerability the ninja tries to push Urien back, kicking at his body quickly, if only to get a breather, knowing that at close distance he has no hope to survive the bout with Urien.

This proves to be a fatal mistake, the human locomotive grabbing his ankle and hefting him around alongside his momentum, slamming him into the wall mercilessly, the sound of bone rattling ringing into the red clad warrior’s brain, sinking gracelessly to the ground, wincing in pain as he turns to his front side, climbing to his feet shakily.

“Meaningless maggots, worthless vermin, they can’t really be worth wasting my time?” Thoughts flashing through his mind, but not enough to prevent him from hearing the running footsteps behind him.

He bides his time and patiently awaiting his victim, life force flowing madly through his body, focalizing into his fist the skin crackling with energy, eyes glowing in silvery white. Gratification and glee fill a dark heart as the delicious sound of bone cracking filling his ears, rock hard knuckles ravaging her ribcage, the energy discharging, the shockwave fracturing and ripping anything in its path, a gasp of agony causing his grin to widen, leaping upwards and spinning around.

“MAKI!” Guy screams, eyes widening in horror as the monstrous kick bends his good friend like a piece of tin foil, her body flailing like a scarecrow and landing limply onto the ground with a thud. His eyes glaze some and a lump jams in his throat, rage bubbling underneath the surface, eyes narrowing and fire blazing through him.

“SHI NE!” Guy roars in Japanese, eyes flashing brightly and chi exploding around him, a dark blue hue surrounding his limbs, “BUSHIN…” he screams, hatred and murderous intent filling him, eyes locked upon his target, unleashing his rage upon the bastard whom has wounded Maki so severely.

Urien grunts in pain, the chi enforced blows raining upon his abdomen, fist after fist pushing him a step or two back, tightly grit teeth spewing small surges of air, the unstable fiery ki burning the surface of his rock hard skin only lightly, whereas it should have burned it severely as the frenzy struck ninja screams the Japanese word “Ryu”.

“KAYKU!” the Egyptian’s eyes snap open, seizing his change he parries the blow, having absorbed enough damage to know that he is indeed the man he was looking for and requires, eyes blazing in pure white, electric energy blinding the slightly winded Guy, the chi rush gone, left empty and weakened.

“Game over…” nature lends its force, body shuddering in pure elation, orgasmic sensations of immortality and omnipotence filling the titan, focalizing it masterfully, surges of energy swirling, heaven’s force enslaved by iron will, hands steady as they cup against chest, blinding light bathing the entire area in a silvery luminescence.

“I’m sorry Kairi…Hokotu…I’ve failed…” the Bushin whispers to him, unable to summon the strength to rise to his feet, kneeling helplessly before the upcoming onslaught, “Temporal…” the wind whipping around angrily, the globe like a void sucking in the air.

“What…no…MAKI! NOOOOOOOOO!” the heir of Bushin screams helplessly, his best friend dashing behind Urien, intent on stopping him, Urien’s lips twisting into a grin, turning around and unleashing the projectile at the woman from point blank range, the shockwave throwing her into a wall with godlike might.

Guy’s soul withers and weeps, eyes wide and moist, seeing her lie lifelessly, clothes burned and skin singed deeply, fumes rising from her, the scent of burnt flesh filling his nostrils, aura so very weak and fading away, body thrashing unconsciously from some after currents, his tears slowly falling .

“Your mine” the sight of Maki’s dwindling existence the last thing he sees before a rips his gaze away, his heart screaming at the injustice and mind struggling to combat the darkness, faintly aware of the murderer, as he picks Guy up like a rag doll and begins walking, but it is in vain, weary body forcing it’s will, and shutting down.

** Back in the garage **

Time seems to move in slow motion, the hunted moving in blinding speed at the last possible moment, startling the gun-wielding accomplice of Mei’s, a powerful nudge to her back forcing her body to lurch forth, colliding painfully with the blow originally directed for Ibuki.

Teeth rattle and bones creak, the poor guard smacked aside like a bothersome mosquito, splattering on the floor and holding her now bleeding and fractured jaw, moaning and exhaling irately in indescribable pain.

“Godd*mnit! Stand still B*tch!” an angry hiss bursts through the 2nd hunter’s clenched teeth, the young Kunoichi’s coffee brown eyes ablaze with volcanic rage and frustration, hip gyrating sideways alongside body, hands guiding the metallic cylinder toward her older cousin in a wide, diagonal arc.

A swish is all that greets Mei’s ears, her enemy’s body slipping away gracefully. Hatred fuels a poisoned spirit, determination and indignation melding into a forbidden emotion, urging her onward, setbacks such as dodging not deterring her, spinning while hefting her weapon, locking eyes with her hated relative shortly before striking once more.

Ibuki winces, the air being sucked in quickly, teeth gritting lightly as a long line of sheer crimson decorating a sheer line, the warm liquid begins drizzling down her arm, the jagged edge of the makeshift weapon breaching her skin, a stinging ache racing up her arm hastily/

“Enough…” the former heir of Geki hisses, leaping forth suddenly, foot nuzzling against Mei’s body, might pressuring her lungs, air spewed out unwillingly, body bending forth lightly only to be greeted by a rising kick to the nose, further forcing the woman several steps backwards.

Eyes glaze and head spins, footing light as blood pours through broken bone, throat and lips spewing saliva and crimson, breathing unsteady as the main breathing organ is damaged, blurry shapes dancing before the ninja’s eyes, only able to see her cousin shift her stance to an offensive one before the older ninja is upon her once more.

Mei’s Brown eyes widen, the air in her lungs jamming painfully once more, abdomen protesting achingly as her counterpart catapults forth out of the blue, knee first, the joint pillowing itself snugly in Mei’s solar plexus, the might of the opposite momentum and her own ripping her off the ground.

The world is rolling around before her eyes, body turning several times before she comes to a stop. Legs ache, back protests but will prevails as she climbs back to her feet, shaking her head, only to meet a knuckle sandwich, bells ringing in her ears, stepping back to gain some distance.

“Enough games…” a cold exclamation escapes the forsaken Shinobi, feet spreading some, clenched fingers pealed open, palms cupping together, the air beginning to swirling around her feet, black bangs flailing under unseen fingers she invokes her life force, a prickling feeling spreading across her as matter forms from nothingness, summoned by her very soul.

Skin tingles, heart races rapidly, blood gushes through her body, nano sized particles of energy curling around her arms, racing up her limbs at her command, glowing in deep blue luminosity, her cornea flashing in whitish blue, crackling energy forming between her palms, urging achingly to be released.

A cry of pain pierces the air, Mei’s body helplessly spiraling, shoved backward by the sheer might behind a hammer like extension of ethereal energy, heat invading her spirit and body at once, the spiritual energy finding a different form to wear, choosing thermal energy, embracing Mei lustfully.

The Mind swims in agony, right shoulder licking against the earth in an awkward angle, eyes shut tightly, red flashing before her eyes instead of raven, pain choked by grit teeth threatening to drown her into nothingness, nausea and dizziness hitting her, heavy pants escaping dry lips, fumes of smoke rising from her singed body.

“@#%$!” Ibuki yelps as a bullet ricochets against the steel hull of the truck, bouncing off the wall, Ibuki lunging sideways madly, rolling to safety while planting her hands against the cold stone, taking cover behind a pillar of stone just in time to wince as another bullet narrowly misses her.

Raptor eyes full of rage glare at her, grit teeth venting out moans of pain, blood spilling out of cracked lips, footsteps tapping against the concrete beside her limp body, edging closer to her original prey, Mei climbing up to her feet slowly, glaring daggers at her detestable cousin.

“Ok…this isn’t good…unless…” consciousness expands deep into her core of being, body tensing as the invisible energies once more embrace her physical body, manifesting within her, vigor and force fueling, her motions blurry and unnaturally fast as she leaps out of her hiding place and darts forth.

Auras approach the building from outside, leather boots can be heard, the sense of violence and danger hanging heavily in the air, like the stagnant stench of death, polluting the air, the bitter taste of it sinking into in Ibuki’s mouth. There was no time, it’s sink or swim, murmuring a pray she keeps on running, hearing gunfire faintly, concentration adverted to reaching her target “4…3…2…”

“Wait! Stop! Don’t shoot!” Mei screams in horror, though knowing it is in vain, realizing too late what Ibuki has planned all along, the older kunoichi leaping upward, planting her hands on Mei’s shoulders, bending her knees to her body and proceeding to kick against Mei’s back, sending the woman staggering forward.

Time pauses completely, reality crystallizing before her brown eyes, moisture filling them as she looks down at her abdomen, coughing painfully as her legs shake, warm liquid bursting forth, bathing her clothes and hands with crimson.

Eyes roll and footing buckles, Mei’s body ungracefully falling into Ibuki’s arms, the young woman laying sprawled in a heap in a firm grip, her shirt thirstily drinking the liquid of life, the world turning so very cold, throat dry, breathing so hard, so impossible, limbs feeling so heavy and bulky.

“Your clip…” effort shows on her features, hefting Mei up “Is empty!” hurtling the woman towards her 2nd foe, Mei’s weight taking the nameless guard to the ground, both femmes left lying in a heap, as Ibuki turns to use the long since neglected keys to open the truck door.

“I’ll…this…this isn’t over…” a weak and frail whisper reaches Ibuki’s ears, causing her to pause momentarily, sadness and some regret filling her brown eyes, the ninja pushing out a heavy exhale and climbing up into the driver’s seat, buckling up and pushing the key into the ignition.

“@#%$ @#%$ @#%$!” suddenly dozens of bullets pounding into the back and side of the truck, digging into the cargo container and steadily getting closer to Ibuki as the key turns, the engine igniting, the huge beast of steel and rubber roaring to life as she pushes the pedal all the way down.

The truck begins moving sluggishly in reverse transmission. “Bring the grenade launcher! Take her down!” a red warning light flashing in her mind, turning the wheel hard to the left and pushing the pedal to the floor, the truck beginning to move forward as she switches transmissions.

“FIRE!” the truck rumbles and the wind shield shatters at a huge shockwave that slams into the truck, Ibuki’s ears ringing painfully, eyes squinting as she bursts through the shutters of the entrance, the truck gaining speed and momentum, huge holds gaping in the sides of the container, smoke and flames rising into the air.

“God above…oh crap…” she mutters quietly as she sees the huge steel gate of the entrance coming into view as she passes through the main courtyard, the guards posted in the towers contributing to the trucks poor state with more rifle fire.

“Here goes nothing…HOLY SH*T!” At approximately 60 mph the huge truck slams into the steel bars of the gate, Ibuki shutting her eyes and gripping the steering wheel hard as the truck shakes and rips through it, the metallic barrier torn out of place as she drives to freedom.

Relief shows on her features, the Japanese woman wiping sweat off her forehead, baking in the heat, turning to flip the air conditioning on, that is, before reality’s cruelty lands upon her once more like an anvil, sirens buzzing audibly in her ears, the sound of a chopper looming forebodingly above her.

“They must be really stupid to try and ram a truck…with those…” her mind wanders, a devilish grin reaching her lips, suddenly hitting the breaks as two police cars come up at her sides, the two vehicles passing her, hitting the breaks in surprise, and begin to spiral madly, the stage set for some destruction derby style fun.

“See ya later boys!” She shouts to herself and puts the pedal to the metal, the truck’s exhaust coughing out black smoke angrily, the engine roars mightily as the behemoth rocks violently and rockets forth, the cops only having time to scream as the sheer size of the truck stupefies them..

The twin cars sent spiraling off course as the solid steel bumper makes short work of their vehicles as if they were tin foil, pushing them off the road and allowing them to eat dust as they roll off into the sand.

“Huh? What the?! F**k!” eyes suddenly widen in alarm, following the odd sounds above she looks at the ceiling and her jaw gapes, the steel of the roof denting inward as a rain of bullets gnaws hungrily at the roof of the truck, stabbing into the metal like angry daggers.

Then, the least expectable thing happens at the least expected time, the glove compartment beside her emits a ring, a cell phone ring to be precise, causing her to leap out of her skin, panting wildly she fiddles with the thing, while keeping her eye on the road and praying for survival.

After around 12 rings she manages, Ibuki impatiently moving to pick up the cell phone and turn it off, her concentration diverted to the infernal ring, however something upon it’s screen changes her mind, mainly the scripture. “Call from : Pick up the phone”.

“Hello? Well I suppose I’d say that’s convenient…but you make me sick…” A venomous hiss, profanities muttered under her breath, followed by a growl as she rages at the receiver “You have a funny way of showing it, ya know!?” eyes flashing angrily before she curses audibly, a police roadblock in her path.

“And just how the hell am I supposed to do that?! I got a whole Police squad waiting to crawl up my a** and a f**king chopper trying to make me into the world’s biggest piece of Swiss cheese!!” she rants with ire, ducking her head as bullets miss her narrowly and shatter the windshield.

The truck shaking violently as it pushes past yet another pair of police cars, its front now crumpled and broken. “What?! That’s you?! But you’re supposed to be on my side?!” her tone falling to a hiss and fingers digging into the leather wheel, shaking slightly at the sheer nerve of these people.

Instinct reigns over rage, her hands move to fiddle within the glove compartment, taking out a large slab of metal, hefting the hunk onto the pedal, keeping it steady in place, listening carefully to the instructions she is given over the phone.

Eyes show irritation, lips falling into a thin line, looking quite upset, mirth and irritation blazing through her gaze as she turns to push the door beside her open, chocolate eyes squinting against the forceful wind that slaps into her face.

“The things I do for freedom…I gotta be crazy to hope this works…” unbuckling herself she sits up in the seat and lifts both hands, grabbing onto the roof firmly, before shutting her eyes and swinging herself outside carefully.

Feet tap onto metal, footing slowly steadying as her eyes gaze upward to lock upon a rope ladder dangling a few feet ahead of her. The ninja kneels some and gradually makes her way forward, fighting against the forceful resistance of the wind, willing with all it is to throw her off the truck.

Just when you’d think things can’t get worse, they become so, the truck rocking suddenly, begin to tipping over, a shockwave knocking it off track, a deafening explosion and painful heat engulfing her, an antitank rocket fired from a police vehicle imbedding itself into the side of the truck, the suddenly movement launching Ibuki off the truck.

All her strength and determination focus to a desperate act of despair, reaching out for the ladder as the ladders comes roaring her way, the truck beneath her feet long gone, gravity lacing around her tightly and pulling her towards the earth maliciously.

A scream of effort escapes her, some fingers grazing it and only three managing to lock around it, her body weight being held above ground barely, insufferable agony plaguing her, the weight of her body too much for her sheer grip.

Ibuki’s grip slips and the reaper laughs in delight, Newton’s law dictating her demise, being sucked down towards the ground, the opposite hand wildly flailing upward and grasping the last of the rungs, the chopper suddenly rising quickly, Ibuki gasping and cursing, her other hand joining its twin at the last possible moment before her grip is broken, dangling helplessly over the growingly shrinking ground below, irate and upset, but at long last, free.