CHAPTER ONE
Disclaimer: I do not own Ninja Assassin. This is a work of fanfiction and was created purely for fun and my own twisted fantasies. Now please sit back, read and enjoy. Let me know what you think. Thanks.
Mika Coretti walked headlong into the doors of conference room A, her arms laden with books, records, file charts and the first fresh brewed cup of coffee of the day. Her long wild brown hair tussled out at her shoulders with heavy bangs floating just above her dark brown eyes. She huffed and walked faster, blowing out a great gust of air to push aside the strands before leaning heavily against the conference room doors and barging inside. The board room was empty save for her former partner Ryan Maslow who was standing at the head of the room. He was leaning over the long cherry wood table, a frown settled into his forty something face hovering over a series files and loose papers on the table top.
He reached absently for his coffee. "Mika you're late," he muttered.
Mika flushed and continued into the room still fussing with the over load of books and files in her hands. She looked up at the round clock hanging just above the exit door to Maslow's right, he was correct. She was late by almost twenty minutes. She dropped her paper work atop the table and took a seat to his left. She smiled up at him.
"My apologies Ryan I've had a rather heavy case load of late as I'm sure you're aware seeming as how your responsible...won't happen again." she said with a bright smile and then took a sip of coffee. Maslow, her former partner, was a man in his mid forties, married to his job as his salt and pepper hair more than attested to. She liked him after a fashion, he was a hard worker, dedicated and a by the books kind of guy. Sometimes frustratingly so- but it came with the job.
"So what's up? Why the meeting?"she asked suddenly as she watched his eyes move frantically over the paper work in front of him.
"Ryan...what's the matter?" she asked now growing concerned.
He turned to answer when the conference room doors opened and a new visitor strode in. Mika gasped and Maslow watched her intently, shifting his gaze between their new guest and his former partner. Her reaction was not completely unexpected and he knew then that his suspicions about the Ozuno incident from one year past was still firmly set in her heart in both fear and longing. He tried to dismiss the latter.
"Maslow...who is this...?" she breathed in question not taking her eyes from the new arrival as a tall, business clad young Asian male strode into the room. On first sight she saw Raizo, and not a business man at all do seep the longing to see him again. However on closer inspection, such a correlation was absurd. No matter that it wasn't him it did very little to quell the pounding of her heart at the very idea that maybe he had come back, and she could see him again. Beyond that she never got the chance to thank him. This new addition to the conference room was not Raizo but posed a burgeoning mystery all his own.
Mika pushed back in her chair then realized her poor manners and went to stand as Maslow moved to greet the young man while flashing a rather menacing stare for her imprudent behavior.
She nodded and cracked a weak smile then stood up only to come face to face with a man whom she could only surmise as some new upstart agent.
"Thank you for coming down here so early and on on such short notice Agent Matsumoto, I know you've just flown in from Tokyo only hours ago. Please, let me introduce you to Agent Mika Coretti- this offices finest researcher, and lead on the Ozuno case. Mika Coretti meet Takanori Matsumoto."
Mika swallowed back as Maslow introduced her with such esteem and honor and her heart skipped a beat at the name 'Ozuno'. The leader of the ninja clan that had nearly killed her a year past. Deep down the events of that week still bothered her, causing nightmares and cold sweats. It was hard to return to life and the sanctuary of ones own bedroom when the dark still scared you. She took a deep breath and extended her hand to Agent Matsumoto who raised a curious brow at the mention of 'lead'. He took her small hand in his and gripped it loosely as though uncomfortable with the physical contact, then ushered forth a slight bow. Mika returned the gesture as Maslow watched silently.
Mika studied the new agent then taking in the mystery of him. He was taller than she was a sharp nose, tawny sun kissed tanned skin, gentle brown eyes and a trace smile at the edge of his full lips. His silky black hair was cut business length short and his hands well manicured. Apparently Agent Matsumoto wanted to project a very kempt appearance.
"It is truly an honor to meet you Agent Coretti. I have heard all about your investigation into the fall of the famed Ozuno clan, it is very impressive work. Your dedication to the case." he said slowly his accent rich threaded heavily with his first language but pleasing to the ear none the less. She smiled nervously at him then turned to Maslow.
"Thank you... but I have to admit that I don't know what all this is about. The Ozuno case has been sort of a taboo subject around here since it was solved...a year ago...why mention it now?" she asked curiously between the two men. Maslow cleared his throat and suggested they all take a seat. Mika resumed her spot while Agent Matsumoto was seated to Maslow's left.
"Right," Maslow began ,"to the point then. I called this meeting today because I was asked by my superiors to reopen the Ozuno case file. It seems that there have been a rash of brutal killings in the business district of Asakusa, Japan. Agent Matsumoto is one of our overseas operatives, a former member of the metropolitan Tokyo police force now under our employ. He has some information, leads from the street in Tokyo. Mika we need you to go with him to observe, research and offer any useful advice on the subject, believe it or not you are the foremost expert on modern day ninja not mention the Ozuno clan."
"But why me Maslow? The whole board knows that case file, you read it yourself. I'm not beyond anyone else at the top with clearance to work on that file. Why pull me back into this?" she seethed angrily. Agent Matsumoto narrowed his eyes in her direction and it did not go unnoticed by the young researcher. She ignored him, unconcerned with his opinion, he had no idea what dealing with Ninja's was like. No matter that he came from their country of origin. The Ozuno case was just too damn personal.
Agent Matsumoto interjected.
"Perhaps Agent Coretti should know the finer details Agent Maslow...in order to better understand the gravity of the situation."
Mika starred angrily at Matsumoto noting the threaded meaning of his statement as he was privy to information she was not yet party to.
"Maslow what's he talking about? Details?" she barked and then took a shaky sip of her coffee. She frowned, it had gone cold. A great way to start a Monday morning.
Maslow leaned in on the table to scour through the scattered paper work and files on the conference room table.
"Trust me Mika," he said, "I didn't want to pull you back in on this one but the pictures don't lie. We think your ninja..."
"My ninja?" she breathed incredulously then sat back hard against her chair. "You mean Raizo..."
"Yeah, that's him. We have reason to believe that he may have revived the Ozuno clan and is working for the highest bidder. Take a look at this."
Mika leaned forward her eyes shaking. Maslow had to be lying there was no way Raizo would revive the Ozuno, the clan that had made him a killer, enslaved him. Stolen his life in essence and marked him for life. She looked down at the black and white photograph and saw Raizo's face, dressed in his customary black hooded track suit, across from a Caucasian gentlemen at what appeared to be a money exchange.
"No...that's not...it can't be..." she whispered and fought back the flood as tears threatened to surface and she couldn't understand just why. She hadn't seen him in over a year and all at once she remembered the deep timbre of his voice, the way he smelled, the strength in his hand as he held hers, his presence. It all slammed back into place causing her to loose her breath and gulp down the cold coffee to hide her swirling emotions.
Agent Matsumoto leaned forward in his seat a frown setting into his otherwise smooth features as he watched the ebony skinned woman struggle with emotion. In addition Maslow also noted her shaky stance odd behavior his faith in her starting to shatter. Just what exactly went on between on his former partner and the ninja named Raizo? On some level it made him angry but more so a growing disappointment was gaining the better of him.
"From your reaction," sighed Maslow,"it would appear that is indeed the rouge ninja from the Ozuno clan- the one you were working with. It seems he has resurfaced in his home country and has returned to the only life he knows."
Mika turned to answer but found her voice a million miles away. The picture did in fact reveal Raizo in what looked like a shady deal, but it just couldn't be true. She knew him well enough to know the depth of his hatred for the ninja clans and their manipulation there just had to be more to it than a simple photo.
"You want me to help you track him?" she asked openly.
"Hai. Yes we do." replied Agent Matsumoto.
Mika laughed. "I'm not much more than a librarian Agent Matsumoto. I don't know of how much help I'll be to you and your assignment."
Agent Matsumoto leaned in on the table and steeped his fingers with a smile. "You are far to modest Agent Coretti for you have helped in tracking his like before I don't see why this would be any different."
"I have enough of a case load already- I can't handle this..." she whispered.
"Agent Maslow will look after your case files I am certain." he replied with a half smile. Mika frowned angrily he seemed to be playing a game with her, like he was teasing her.
"This case upsets you clearly...is it perhaps to personal?" he asked after a time.
Mika jumped. "Too personal?..." she seethed and then turned to look up at Maslow who refused to keep eye contact with her. He seemed ashamed of her. Was he? What was going on here?
She cleared her throat and ran her fingers through her hair roughly- just who was this Agent Matsumoto and why was he being so intrusive?
"I've only just met you Agent Matsumoto- you don't know me from a hole in the ground so with all do respect what right have you to ask me that?"
"Mika!" Maslow cut in but Agent Matsumoto was already shaking his head with a sly smile having already gathered up his answer by her lack of admission. Perhaps she was more of value to the case than she realized.
"It is quite alright Agent Maslow I suspected that she might be a bit emotional as pertains to this case. It is a fact of record that you were wounded during the finality of the confrontation with Lord Ozuno by the man himself...forgive my rudeness. I meant no disrespect. However your eyes are needed on this case, it can pass to no one else but you. That is why Agent Maslow has asked you here today."
"He's right Mika...that's the truth of it." stated Maslow.
"So I'm just bait then?" she questioned.
Maslow and Agent Matsumoto looked at one another till one of them finally found the conviction to break the awkward silence. It was Matsumoto who spoke up first. "If that's how you're going to think of it then maybe the answer is yes. No matter I'm afraid you are on this case regardless of your misgivings."
"You're asking me to betray a man that saved my life," she whispered, "who brought a criminal syndicate to justice, solved one of our top case files- the same man who pulled our branch's ass out from public embarrassment."
"Mika you saw the picture..." said Maslow.
"I saw a picture Maslow and that's it! You expect me to just run head long back into this case based on some photo you drag in here and claim is proof of Raizo's alleged shady activities?."
"Then why are you so upset?" Matsumoto cut in.
Mika turned to look at him her dark eyes flexing and shaky. She didn't much like the new agent and he was digging himself deeper and deeper into the ledger of her shit list.
"Like I said before, you don't know me and least of all you don't know what I went through on that case. If it makes you feel any better or solves your questions, yeah- this case bothers me. It's too personal. I don't think you need to hear anything other than that. So I'm less than thrilled that my hand is being forced does that satisfy your morbid curiosity Agent Matsumoto?"
Matsumoto simply inclined his head and smiled while Maslow was massaging the bridge of his nose in a splay of embarrassment.
After an awkward silence Mika gathered her belongings and headed toward the rear conference room doors desperately in need of the solace only her office could provide along with a stiff drink and time to think.
"Mika where are you going? There are some files and surveillance video's I'd like you to-" Maslow called out as he watched the young woman stalk out of the conference room. Agent Matsumoto looked on in delight seemingly intrigued.
"What's it matter Maslow? I'm on this case weather I like it or not. Right? Send it to my office later today and I'll take a look...if you'll excuse me." she shouted back then walked out of the room letting the conference door slam shut in her wake.
Maslow sighed then turned to Agent Matsumoto. "I do apologize, she is not normally like that. She really is one of our best, she'll do what she can on this case I assure you."
Matsumoto inclined his head and pushed away from the conference room table to look outside. The blur of cars and pedestrians from twenty stories below swirled and danced to create a living mural. He leaned in on the thick glass.
"No need to apologize Agent Maslow," he whispered, "I wouldn't have her on the case otherwise."
