A/N: If you read, please reply. I can't get better without your input.

For those who want to read the story scroll down to Part one, and begin your journey in to the DTB universe.

I wrote this to try and capture the feeling that you were watching a DTB Episode. That you would not only see what was going on, but you'd hear , smell, touch, and even taste it. I wrote this story because I didn't like the second season of DTB as much as I loved the first. I think that's because they shift the focus from Hei, to a random character we originally knew nothing about. This is my attempt at continuing the story without shifting focus from the character we all know and have come to love, Hei. Don't worry, other characters all love will get some light too. =) I hope you enjoy the read. And tell me what you think by reviewing it afterwards.

Darker Than Black: Grim Destiny

A Rude Awakening

Part One

Under the cover of the night sky, an inky black convertible with tinted windows pulled up in front of a towering building. The door swung open , and out stepped a woman with red leather leggings that had heels on the end of the sole. Tucked into her leggings were navy blue khakis that had a grey blouse enfolded at the brim. She glanced up at the sign hanging above the doors. It read Agora Financial. Even though it was too dark to actually read the sign she knew what it said. She was here for a reason. The patch over her left breast said Agora Financial Security in a times new roman font. The words were etched over the image of a half moon.

The woman strutted over to the glass doors, robustly swaying her hips with each step. She had to get the attention of the guard sitting at the desk some how. She had even unbutton her shirt a little more than required before stepping out the car. She was expecting that the guard would mistake her for a female colleague pouring signs of lust, and would hurry over to the doors. And then open them thinking he stood a chance. Otherwise, a more forceful approach would be required. That would be a waste. A lot of time went in to concocting this new guise. She even wore a curly brunette wig. On an ordinary mission she wouldn't have even gone that far.

The security guard who was formerly slumped over his desk, with his head in hand, stood up dutifully. As he got closer she saw that he as a lanky tall man, with a stubble beard masking his lower face. He straightened the security hat he was wearing, then popped his collar to make sure it was just right.

" Human men all think the same thing." Her full pink lips smirked. The guard must of mistook it for a smile, and increased his pace as he drew closer. The guard arrived the door, cautious at first. But then he glanced at her half exposed breast. His chest rose as he attempted to affirm his manliness to her. Men and their egos. The woman read the name badge on his left peck. It said Pete Harmon. The guard used the second to glance down her blouse again. She caught him in the act, men. Pete the Creep, that's what she was going to refer to him as. Honestly, she didn't care about it one way or the other. She just saw it as an opportunity to use one of the many tools in her arsenal. The woman perked her chest up more.

" What er' you doing here," He said through the thin glass in a thick southern accent. He was probably from America. Pete glanced at his watch. " It's 2:03 in the am. I'm the night guard fer t'night."

She mentally reviewed the mission file in her head before she gave an answer. " I'm here to do one last security sweep before they release the pest poison." The woman smiled.

" Well pest control get herre bout an hour from now," Pete scratched his head. "And I wuddnt told bout no security sweep."

She wasn't going to take no for an answer. Even with the glass door separating them he still couldn't prevent her from entering. Instead of ruining her alias, she took one last attempt at a civil solution.

If he still won't budge, then..

" Look, I got the call to come here an hour ago. I got home two hours ago. I don't want to be here just as much as you do. But like yourself I have a job to do." She stepped closer to the glass pane. Her eyelids lowered slightly, her slowed breathe caused dew to appear faintly, then fade on the glass between them. Now for the final blow. "I'm sure you and I could," she bit her lower lip slightly "Work something out."

Pete pulled the keys from his belt clip and began fumbling through them. At one point he dropped them entirely. She giggled briefly. Pete grabbed them and smiled. His face was beet red. He singled out a key, then unlocked the door, opening it for the woman.

She cased the place out in an single moment. In the middle of the tall atrium was a desk, directly behind that was a tall wooden pillar big enough for a room to fit. She pictured doors on the side. On the wall behind it were two elevators on both sides of pillar. They were too risky to use for this mission, simply because they were too slow and could be stopped with out her control. Hence, it was a liability. She glanced over at the far right wall, and saw a door there. Probably a staircase. Perfect.

"So wudd you have in mind?" he asked, as he stepped aside and extended his right arm out in a welcoming gesture. She lightly traced her red fingernails across Pete's bushy face all the way to his lips. Her own lips simpered, as she walked in.

"Let me worry about that honey." The woman's hands were resting on the side of her thin hips. Her curvaceous butt swung back and forth. She didn't have to look back, she knew he was looking. Pete's jaw hung slack as he watched her walk in the direction of the stairwell. He'd almost forgot to close the door, among other things.

"Hold up," he locked the door then caught up with her. He tapped her shoulder to get her attention " I aint even ask yer name. I need that and yer badge number. I'ma call just to make just to make sure. Den we can talk bout workin something out."

"So much time went in to making this believable disguise. Now all that work will go to waste. I guess killing you will make up for that though." The woman sighed.

"What?" Pete reached for the baton on his belt. At that moment the woman jabbed his windpipe with a closed hand. Pop! Pete dropped to his knees clutching his throat with both hands. He wheezed for air as he glared up at the woman. Rivulets of blood poured from his mouth. Sheer terror had seized all expression on his face.

"Normally, I would watch you drown on your blood. But since you were such a gentleman, I'll put you out of your misery." The woman let out a whole hearted laugh as she walked behind him. "I don't really mean that. I just don't have the time to watch you squirm like a little helpless fish." She took hold of both ends of his head, starting with his chin. Then.. SNNAAAP! She let go of his skull, causing his body to land on the porcelain floor with a thump.

The Killer glanced at the entrance. Not a soul was to be seen, especially at this time of the night. She looked up at the camera hanging on the terrace directly above the desk. The security office would have a view of all the cameras in the building. The Killer fast walked over to the side of the pillar. She was right. Doors were there, and it had the words SECURITY imprinted above it. She grabbed the lifeless Pete by the arms and dragged him to the door. Upon ruffling through all his pockets she found matches and a key card. She swiped the key card and the door clicked open. She dragged the body into the middle of the room.

The entire left wall was covered with security cameras flashing different views every few seconds. A control terminal was dishing out below them. She took the baton out of Pete's belt sash and headed to the few lockers on the right wall. She found his, then smashed the lock until it bounced to the floor. It swung open, exposing a full fifth of cheap whiskey and a pack of cigarettes. Her hand reached for the bottle, then she made her way to the terminal. The Killer didn't bother stepping over Pete. Her red heel pressed in to his chest. A dark shade of blood oozed from every facial orifice

"I gotta tell ya Pete, with this bottle of cheap whiskey you sure do know a way to a woman's heart."

She sat down at the terminal and looked at the clock. The time was showing 2:16. Setting the bottle on the floor, she got to work erasing the camera feed. Pest control was scheduled to arrive in less than thirty minutes. There was more than enough time. But she figured if she hurried she could watch the room burn for a few minutes after she torched it. Her limber fingers swiftly traced the keyboard, clicking letters continuously. Since she didn't have the password, she had to find a back door to override the system. Within in minutes she was in, and cameras across the wall started to go blank. It wasn't long before the screens across the wall were showing nothing but a bunch of static. The Killer pressed the button over the hard drive. A white disk slid out a slot, aside the button. It was the recorded feed. She threw it in the trash by the door. The Woman grabbed the whiskey bottle and began dousing the room, starting with Pete's face. She poured it on the floor, the terminal, and even splashed some on the lockers and walls.

Walking over to the door, she set the rest of alcohol down on the floor. Then began disrobing her shirt and pants. Underneath was a one piece dark red leather out fit that could zip all the way up to breast. It hugged tightly enough to her skin that it easily went unnoticed before. She discarded the rags into the trash, then pulled off the wig adding it to the pile. The Woman undid the pins that held down her purple hair. It gracefully dropped over shoulders, glinting like metallic linen clothe.

"That's much better."

With the security feed erased there was no need for the ruse any longer. She wore red leather mainly because blood wouldn't show when it was splattered upon by an unfortunate victim. It became like a second skin, or a uniform for her. So to wear anything else irked her, and she'd avoid it when ever possible. However, she did make exception an for black.

The Killer poured the rest of the contents from the bottle into garbage. She gazed at the clock that read 2:23, then tossed the bottle at it. The bottle smashed in to the clock making it drop to the ground. She lit one of the matches then dropped it to the garbage. It set a blaze immediately. She kicked the can over. It caused a chain reaction of flames through out the room. She watched from a safe distance as the flames danced around the room. She let the stench of burnt flesh fill her nostrils while the flames licked the dead body. Most people would puke. But she was unlike most people in so many ways. There was no sense in cleaning up the trail of blood either. Her presence had been completely erased just now, so she was in the clear.

No more than two minutes had passed before she started to make her way to the stairwell. Enough fun had been had already, now it was time to focus on the reason she was here in the first place. The Matsu Chip. The Killer opened the stairwell door then headed up. The Syndicate said their mole had told them the chip was on the tenth floor. The mission file, which was double classified, said that the chip's retrieval was of top priority. It contained a paper trail that could lead to a existence of multiple high ranking Syndicate officials if it got in to the right hands. The chip got in to the hands of a financial agent by pure accident. It had only been here one day. There's no telling what damage has been done already. Any longer and it could have been pure chaos. It had to be retrieve at all cost. That's why she was on the job, because the Syndicate needed a sure thing.

The Killer kept walking calmly up the steps. There was no need to rush. She knew exactly where it was and had plenty of time to get there. As the Woman reached the ninth floor she thought she heard a thud sound coming from the floor above. She stopped in her tracks, hoping to hear a repeat. Usually a person wouldn't care about making more noise. She dismissed the possibility of someone else presence. It must have been a bird hitting a window or something. Arriving at the tenth floor, she pulled on the door handle. She opened the door then walked through.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

The zip-line tottered back and forth as The Black Reaper made his accent towards the top of the Agora Financial skyscraper. The clear night sky provided enough light for him to place each step carefully. The back alley concrete would be welcoming him below if he made the slightest mistake. Or he could fall fifteen stories and land in to an open dumpster. That would be an interesting bit for the newspapers. Even with his white mask obscuring some of his view, he wasn't worried . Hei had always been good at climbing, even as a kid.

When Hei was about ten, Pai and him would always spend their weekends playing in the apple orchard behind their house. His little sister would always pester him about playing hide and seek until Hei would finally cave in. Hei would always go first, and he'd always manage to find her, no matter where she hid. By the time Pai finished counting, Hei was already well up in the trees. Each time she came near, he throw an apple, sending her to search in another direction. Then he'd make his way to a different tree until Pai finally gave up.

"Brother! Brother Hei!" she cried out. Before tears would swell up in her eyes, he'd hopped out the tree in to a barrel roll. " You cheater!" she screamed. Hei just laughed then put his arm around her shoulders. "It's called hide and seek. Not hide in a place where you could find me."

"Still it's no fair." She exclaimed. Pai pursed her lips and crossed her arms in resentment. Hei just laughed some more. Not a moment later she joined him. That was a good memory, Hei told himself as he recalled the moment.

And this was not the time to think about it either, especially not now. Too much was at stake.

Hei continued his trek up the skyscraper. He was more than half way up when someone from Evening Primrose radioed in. The earpiece began distort with static and then a clear voice followed.

"This is Amagiri. What's your status?" the voice asked.

Hei roped the zip line around his right arm for more support, then used his left hand to press the transmit signal in his ear. " I'm on the seventeenth story. Only 13 more to go." responded Hei.

"I would laugh but this mission is too important, plus I'm a contractor. So my sense of humor is lacking"

"Well for being a contractor that was rather funny. Almost makes me want to tell you to get your ass up here with me" Hei wasn't sure Amagiri heard the sarcasm in his voice until he heard a throaty laugh over the earpiece. " Ah, so you find that funny do you? I assume you didn't radio in to hear me tell bad jokes. Or did you Amagiri?"

The serious tone returned immediately. "No, I'm just simply reminding why your on this mission."

"I know why. I have to get the Matsu chip. I don't understand how a chip containing a stream of data is going make the Syndicate stop coming after Yin and I." Hei put the micro on speaker and continued his climb.

Amagiri continued, "The Matsui chip might contain vital data that possibly expose the Syndicate in some way. This chip could be used as your bargaining piece to keep Yin and You safe for a while. Long enough for EVP to set you up in a secured hiding place."

"Might? Possibly expose the Syndicate?" Hei shook his head. "I don't like the sound of this. And how do you know someone isn't watching through the tint as I climb up windows?" Hei quizzed.

"A mandatory pest control repellant is being distributed through the ventilation at three. So the building is pretty much cleared except for night shift on the first floor. They're supposed to let the Pest control in the building. Everyone will be out by three though. As for the rest, possibly is all we got. We're not even sure if this chip actually exist. But now is are only chance to confirm that. We burned a lot of contacts just to catch wind of this Intel. We're taking actions for relocation as we speak."

"Great, so basically we're chasing a myth in the dark." Hei sighed.

"Hei, even if this op has the slightest chance of success, the slimmest chance to undermine the Syndicate, then its worth the risk. You of all people should know that."

"Your right, Amagiri. Thank you for reminding me. I won't fail you." confirmed Hei.

"Good. That's what I wanted to hear."

"I will not fail you, Yin." Whispered Hei.

"What was that?' asked Amagiri.

"Nothing. I'm near the top, I'll signal you after I've completed this mission." Hei pressed the button on the earpiece, cutting the signal entirely. He grabbed on to the ledge of skyscraper and pulled himself up. The roof top door was off to the right. Hei walked over and put his hand on the cold metal handle. A jolt of electricity shot through metal. It caused the electronic lock to disable, and the alarm shut off simultaneously. He glanced at his watch, the time showed 2:13.

Hei pulled the door latch and walked through. Upon entering, he saw a white metal railing that had multiple flights of stair enclosed. According to the schematics he studied before hand, each level of stairs had a door to that floor. He was on the 30th floor. The chip is supposed to be on the 10th. Hei cast another zip-line from his black coat at the railing. The grappling hook swung around the rail and caught grip. He gave it a good tug before he attached the free end to his belt. Hei wasn't worried about being seen by the night guard since there were no cameras in the stairwell. He ran towards the guard then leaped over it, descending down the open air between the staircase at a high rate. The adrenaline was bursting in his veins.

Everything had to be done perfectly or he could lose everything within a glimpse. He could lose Yin. The Syndicate chased Him and Yin relentlessly after the particle accelerator incident. The two had been on the run for a year straight. Each time they settled down in what they assumed was a safe haven, the Syndicate would always come knocking on their door. From gunmen, to contractors, even dirty local politicians tried to coax them in to giving up. They traveled from Japan to the edge of the middle east. The outcome was always the same. Now, He was in back in Japan on a wild goose chase. No, this wasn't a goose chase. It's was a chance.

The line was still flaccid as Hei dropped tremendously. A moment later he was near the desired level when the line abruptly stopped. Causing him to bounce violently. When it calmed Hei glanced at the yellow paint on the cement wall. It read '12th floor.'

"Shit!" He cursed. "I cut the grapple line too damn short." He began fluttering his feet back and forth, as if he we're on a swing at a playground. He used the momentum to grab on to the railing for support then let himself down. He rushed down to the 10th floor and went the door. Freedom was just a few more yards away.

The Black Reaper proceeded down the hallway, taking mental notes of what he was seeing. The main floor had a maze of small cubicles that flooded outer floor. While the sides of the room had offices with glass windows and doors separating it from the rest of office. Hei figure these we reserved for manager's or highly esteemed employees. The place he was told search was at the far right end in one of these esteemed offices. He arrived at the oak door and pulled out his lock picking tools from his coat pouch. This door, and the glass window were the only two things that stood between him and salvation. He could easily break the glass, and enter that way. But why raise more suspicion?

After a few clicks the lock popped. He twisted the knob and swung the door open. It revealed a spacious office. The desk sat directly ahead. It had two chairs on each side and was complete with a computer set. Off to the left, was a bookstand that contained numerous books. Pictures of distant sceneries covered the excess walls. Hei thought he recognized one but wasn't sure.

Hei moved over to the computer and began surpassing it's safe guards instantly. After gaining access he did a rabbit search on any information about the Matsu Chip. Nothing. Not even a reference or conversation about it was found. Hei moved over to the bookshelf. He began pulling books, flipping through pages then discarded them to the ground. Half of the books were scattered across the floor when he decided to move and go through the desk drawers. Still nothing turned up.

This chip was turning out to be more of a myth than an actuality. Hei ran over to the bookshelf and pulled them off in the masses. Maybe the shelf had some secret switch that was hidden. Each book that hit floor, his heart sank little more. Until finally there was one more book left. Maybe with enough luck that was it, the switch had to be under that book. But there was no such luck to be had, the last book slipped from Hei's trembling fingers and landed on the pile.

That was it. The shifty Intel said it would have to be in this room. And he didn't have much time to go through the entire office floor before the pest poison was released. He'd searched every inch of this office and came up with nothing. Nothing to show for the mission. Nothing that could expose the Syndicate. Nothing that could protect Yin from them.

"No!" muttered Hei as his tightened fists pressed against his mask . He reached for the edge of the empty book shelf with both hands, then pulled it down. It crashed on to the pile books with a thump, causing pages to tear. The sound wasn't as bad as it would have been if the books hadn't been there to dampen it. He assumed it could only been loud enough to hear from the floor below. Which meant no one heard it.

Hei glared at the wall.

"I don't believe it." he stepped over the shelf and approached the wall. His hand touched the safe, which to his luck, was electronic. Had it been a dial safe it could of completely compromised the success rate of getting it to open. But since it was an electronic one that scanned finger signatures, he could short the power. It would open then because if the charge goes out then the door opens as a failsafe to retrieve the items stored in it. The charge usually last for decades. A bolt of electrical current zipped through the pad then immediately it went black. The safe door was ajar.

He swung the door completely open. It's contents were a few files, some money, and the chip.

The small computer chip was encased in plastic, and it had small hole that had linen necklace running through it. Hei grabbed the chip then went over to the computer. He had enough time to see what was on it. Just as he was bout to open the case, Hei heard the stairwell door slam shut across the other side of the entire office. He put the necklace over his head, hopped over the desk, and barrel rolled in to the cubicle facing the small office from which he came. There goes all assumptions.

He crawled under a desk and pulled the chair towards him to make it look undisturbed. The soft patter of foot steps made its way through maze towards his direction. Judging from the trajectory they the person was headed towards the office. The timing in between steps was too short. So who ever it was they weren't going to the office because they were alarmed by a noise. If they did they'd be running and the timing between steps would be much longer. Then why were they heading to office?

The steps drew closer until they stopped in front of the ransacked office. If the person standing there looked back, they wouldn't be able to Hei. It's because the desk is located on the cubicle wall that faced office.

"Interesting, somebody got here before me." It was a woman's voice. "No one was supposed be here." The woman walked in to the office. Hei heard the ruffling of a torn pages being kicked around. "Hmmmnn, It looks like they got the chip." Hei's heart leaped up to throat. How could she know the chip was gone? He didn't know it was there to begin with. "I better get out of here before pest control shows up."

The woman's steps retraced the path all the way back to the stairwell. He hard the door slam shut again. She must have left. Hei pushed the chair and stood up.

"Too easy." Said the same voice that was now directly behind him. Hei swiftly turned while lifting up his leg for a roundhouse kick. " Too slow." Before it even came close to connecting, a cold fist met the right side of his face. It knocked his mask clean off as it sent in him crashing through the cubicle wall. Cardboard debris and papers were flying off in different directions. Hei slammed in to the ground hard, making his neck whiplash from the blow.

"For someone who is know for his legendary speed, Mr. Black Reaper, you aren't all that fast. Or am I just faster," the woman put a finger over her lips and looked up, almost as if she were pondering her own question. Her hands returned to her sides "Yup! I'm definitely faster." She laughed briefly.

A dazed Hei started to push himself up on to his knees from his stomach.

"You're not much of spectacle. I got the Black Reaper on his knees in a single punch! Or should I just call you by your name, Hei?"

He shook his head briefly then turned around to get a glance at his attacker. Standing before him was a woman wearing red leather that hugged her sleek curvaceous body. She stared back at him with big dark brown eyes. Her nose was slender, as her lips were rather large, and rather kissable. If they weren't attached to a lethal bitch, Hei thought he might of done so. What was really unique about her was the flowing locks of purple hair, that sat naturally on a her large breast. It had a familiar look to it, but Hei crossed the thought from his mind. It had to be dyed.

"Who the hell are you?" He exclaimed.

"That won't matter for you much longer. I've already got what I came here for." The woman in red held up her hand. She was clutching a linen necklace that had a chip dangling on the end of it. Hei looked down and grabbed his chest where the chip was supposed to be. He grasped a fist full of shirt.

"Im…Impossible." He mumbled. A wide eye Hei locked eyes with the woman in disbelief.

The woman in red was showing a genial smile before she continued. "Now that I've completed my mission I don't think it would hurt to have a little more fun. We've got time. I'm sure I'll get a nice hefty bonus for completing the bounty that's been placed over your pretty little head." Hei's fingers recoiled into a fist. "It's such a shame to see such a handsome face go to waste. But after I get done with you, I'll be sure to put Yin at the top of my list." The woman laughed hysterically.

"You won't touch a hair on Yin's Head!" He stepped forward with fist raised, and threw a strong arm left punch. She dodged it flawlessly, then jabbed his rib cage with right hook. She then swung a left hook which hit him directly in the upper cheek. Hei didn't even wince because of the adrenaline. In response, he swung a quick right jab. It was going definitely going to hit her jaw line for sure.

Synchronously, the woman lowered her back, then dodged under the punch like is was limbo. As quick as Hei threw the jab, she whirled four punches in harmony. Three of them connected. They were body shots that completely ruptured his sense of balance. The fourth blow was an upper cut that smashed directly in to Hei's own jaw. Completely sending him off hit feet in to nearby desk. His back broke through the middle of it like a hammer, causing splinters of wood to shoot up in the air.

"What a pathetic joke. I don't know why I thought you'd put up more of a fight." Her finger went up to her earpiece, she listened as a dispatcher spoke to her on the other end. "Yes, I have the chip. Alright, I understand. I'll be there right away." Her hand returned to her side. " You're in luck Hei. I won't kill you tonight after all. Something more important has came up. " Hei groaned as he sat up. The woman pressed her fingers against her lips, then blew a kiss. "Chow."

Hei recovered, and hopped up on to his feet. He sent a flurry of punches off in her direction. While back tracking, she blocked most of them and dodged the rest. Just as her back thumped up against the glass, Hei lifted his leg up for a low kick. The woman put her hands down in a diamond formation in order to block the blow. She was about to deflect it, but then Hei stopped the kick, and grabbed her by the throat. The shock of it all was written all over her face.

"Impressive," she gurgled as the grip around her neck tightened. "It takes a lot of endurance to stop a kick in mid motion.

Hei's sullen blue eyes stared in to hers. He uttered a single word. "Die."

A recurring buzzing noise filled the room. Hei briefly looked at the flashing red siren lights that occupied each corner. It was the fire alarm. He looked back at the woman. A blue hue covered her body, and a red sparkle lit up in her eyes. Hei was about to touch his power but by then it was too late. Her entire figure became and ethereal white mist. Hei's tight grip loosened instantly. The smoke just wisped around his fingers, then it vanished entirely. He spun around and peered both ends of the room, looking for any signs of the woman. She was no where to be seen or even heard. She was gone.

Hei walked over to the debris on the ground and retrieved his mask, and earpiece. He put on both back on then radioed Amagiri.

"Amagiri, Do you read me?" Static whizzed in his ear. "Come in, Come in! This is Hei reporting in!" Nothing. Hei started to make his way towards the stairwell. What could possibly be keeping them from answering. This was a top priority mission. That's why he got a direct line to Amagiri himself and not some EVP representative. Hei wasn't in a hurry to tell them he failed them. He definitely wasn't in a hurry to look at Yin and tell him he failed her. But someone should still be on the other line.

"Hei! Come in Hei!" said a frantic voice on the other end of the receiver.

"This is Hei, I'm reporting on my mission. Where's Amagiri? He asked.

"None of that matters right now. Get to hideout number three immediately!" the voice proclaimed.

"Why? What's going on?"

"We're getting multiple reports that a new gate appeared." The line cut out. An alarmed Hei began sprinting towards the exit.