[Disclaimer: I don't own King of Fighters or any of the characters used in this fic. I wish I did, then IorixVice would be way more canon! :( Alas, tis why I write these stories in hopes that my dream might come true. Takes place before the events of the KOF XIII tournament. I tried to make the relationship realistic, how they would really treat each other in character. Enjoy! P.S. don't forget to check out my web comic based on this fic. Will post the link soon!]

The King of Fighters
Orochi Saga: Take 2

"So you've returned? Humph..." Iori spoke as Vice stood before him alongside her colleague Mature in a dark alleyway somewhere in Southtown. Something about her was strangely different than before. She was, perhaps a bit more serious than usual.

"We've decided it was time to exist again in this realm, seeing as though the treasure I'm to be watching over has been taken from you." Vice placed a hand on her hip smirking as she subtly mocked Yagami's personal "tragedy". Iori held his hands in his pockets and closed his eyes. "I don't need you to protect me from anything Vice, things were fine when they didn't involve Orochi Blood." Vice looked over at Mature who remained silent but smiling. "Is that so Iori? If that were the case wouldn't you still have the Magatama? Ha-ha, it seems you need me after all."

Iori opened his eyes and took a step towards Vice. He smiled slyly, "You're the smooth talker as ever, even as an illusion." Vice slowly walked towards Iori. She ran her hands along his broad shoulders and whispered softly in his ear. "I am flesh and blood. A carbon copy of the Vice you know me as. And you, know me very well." She winked.

Mature interrupted the seductress, "Well you two, I guess it's safe to assume we're reuniting?" She smiled and met her two former teammates. "If that's what you wish to call it. But the rules are the same: Stay the hell out of my way."

Vice looked into his eyes. He could feel her bright red eyes trying to reach the depths of his mind. Yes, something was very different about her.

"Let's face it Yagami, you need us. I forgive you, as I'm sure Mature does. It was, beyond your control," She gently touched his face. "The Riot of Blood is an untamable force." She smiled and turned her back. Mature stood by Iori just as confused as he. "She's not the same you know, not after what happened. It's almost as if she's more in tune to her Orochi blood than ever." He could feel his adrenaline mounting as this woman of Orochi seemingly called him to battle without sparing a word.

At that, Iori ran to Vice and pinned her to the ground. "Oof!" She landed with a thud. He looked into her eyes intensely. She didn't fight him off; she only stared back with the same vigor.

Mature hesitated to break them up, "Uhhh...I'd better just let him see this..."

Vice let out a shrieking laugh, "Hahahahaaaa! I know what you want Yagami!" She blasted him off her and threw him to a brick building in the alley. A purple aura emanated from her body as she walked toward him. Iori rose from the rubble, wiped his mouth, and readied to fight. They charged.

Mature stood by the sidelines and watched, "Show, him Vice." She mumbled to herself as the two children of Orochi engaged in fearsome combat.

Iori could see that she had greatly strengthened since their last encounter. They exchanged blows equally. They were an even match. "Hah! Formidable even without the Magatama! Truly impressive Iori! But, I- I want somethin' more! Let's see if YOU can handle the intensity of the BLOOD RIOT!" As she said this her eyes shot yellow and her whole body shuddered.

"Kaaaaaa! Ya- yagaaaamii!"

Iori quickly glanced at Mature who stood amused at the confrontation. Just then, the raging Orochi warrior attacked him. He tried with all his strength to fight her off, but her strength was impossible to overcome. She took blows easily and dealt them back just as.

Minutes later the moon appeared shining brightly through thick clouds and almost instantly, Vice regained herself. She collapsed to the floor beside a badly beaten Iori. Mature ran over to her. "Vice! Snap out of it! Vice!"

...

She opened her eyes. "Uhh..." She held her head, "Was that too much?" She moaned. Mature shook her head. "I'd say that's payback enough." She helped Vice up and they walked over to the unconscious Iori. Vice picked him up and threw him over her shoulder with ease. "Let's take him." Mature nodded.

...

They walked to a small apartment that would be their residence for the time being. Mature unlatched the door and walked in, Vice right behind. She gently placed Iori on a small bed in one of the rooms. She sat alongside the bed. "Iori...it's been too long." She stroked his hair.

Mature walked into the room and a startled Vice jumped. "Vice? You're not getting all gushy over Yagami are you?" Vice blushed still a little shaken up, " No- no- uh, I was just about to fix up his wounds ha-ha. You're funny Mature ya know that?" Mature smiled, "I might be, but for years since the incident, all you've been talking about was the next time you'd see him. I thought you were losing it then after what he did, but now, I really think you're crazy."

Vice laughed as she unbuttoned his black jacket, "Believe me; he doesn't have the capacity to love. How could any woman deal with that? It's no wonder he's been single for years."

Iori listened, his body too weak to move. She was lying to Mature, lying to herself and she knew it.

Mature laughed, "Maybe you two are in the same boat, you always have reminded me of him!" Vice slowly dragged her hand along Iori's chest, her gentle hands using her power to heal his wounds. "No Mature, there are more important things at hand than that," her voice sunk as she spoke "Yagami has a crossroads steadfast approaching him. It's our job to help him. The only way to do that is eliminating the Hakkesho."

Iori subtly raised an eyebrow as he lay still with his eyes closed.

Mature frowned, "I know what we discussed Vice, but that doesn't mean we have to forbid our own emotions!" she said with much conviction.

Iori jolted up and breathed heavily. "Huff...Huff...Huff." Vice stood back. Iori faced them both though his eyes stared deeply into Vice.

Mature once again broke the awkward situation, "The next King of Fighters Tournament isn't for another four months. I'm sure Kusanagi will be there, but until then," she pulled out a small notepad, "Vice and I have a little to-do list that should suffice all our needs." Iori scoffed, "Bah! I don't need your little plans woman. There's only one thing I'm after in case your incapacitation made you forget, and that has nothing to do with your chores."

Vice jumped in growing increasingly aggravated, "All you care about is yourself huh Yagami? That's pathetic! For someone so strong, you're truly weak on the inside!" Iori shot up from the bed and pinned Vice against a wall. Mature fought to go to her aid but Iori held his hand to her signaling her to halt her movement. He spoke, his face nearly touching Vice's, and painted with anger. Anger at the truth?

Vice stood her ground though cornered. "To say you don't know me would be stupid. You're one of the few that do. But listen here you brazen fool, that's all the more reason for you to hold your tongue!" Vice frowned. "No Iori! I won't! If someone doesn't say these things to you, you'll just end up falling in a mad spiral of loathing!" Iori stared long into her eyes. "Tch..." Mature called out, "Yagami! Let her go!"

He released her but his crimson eyes still stared into hers.

Mature got in the middle. "Yagami, why don't you go sit over there..." she pushed him to the bed."And Vice, come with me." She walked out of the room with Vice behind her.

...

After some hours, Mature had fallen asleep in one of the rooms. Vice threw a warm blanket over her.

She then walked into the room where Iori stayed. He sat, back against the wall, peering out the window and into the crystal night sky. She sat down quietly next to him. For a few moments, neither of them spoke a word, only sounds of feint breathing could be heard. She held her knees to her chest, cuddling herself, Iori beside her, his arm resting on his knee.

"Tell me, what's your real motive?" Finally, the silence broke. Her eyes trailed the crisp night sky as she spoke.

"...To do away with the Hakkesho for good...To rid the world of Orochi influence." He raised an eyebrow.

"Worn out your resurrection obsession huh? Hah...figures..." Vice smirked at this,

"No, I no longer care to be a slave to a cause that has done nothing for me. There's no personal gain."

"What makes you think destroying the Hakkesho will save you from your perpetual damnation?"

"...Once all those of Orochi blood are sealed away there will be no others that can carry out any bidding." He laughed,

"Doesn't that mean you'll meet your end also? Hah...foolish woman..." His voice was not as strong as his words. His voice spoke only of regret.

"At this point, I'd...I'd rather be free than anything else."

He thought to himself, "So she really is going to do this...she couldn't be more selfish..."

A cool breeze shot through the room.

"And this is your ultimatum? Killing yourself? I could always take care of that for you." He said half jokingly. She laughed,

"I'm afraid that without your Magatama, it won't be as easy as last time." "How are you existing now, if you died years ago?" Vice looked down. A question she didn't want to answer. "Orochi never truly live, nor die. Our existence on the human plane can be interrupted by acts such as the stunt you pulled, and it will take some time for us to regain our human forms, but I'm here to help you and handle my own business. I'm not waiting for it." "If Orochi never truly live nor die, how did I manage to kill you?" Vice laughed, "Haha, for us to truly 'die' in the human sense of the word, we need to be properly sealed by all three retainers of the Sacred Treasures, unless of course we seal ourselves away, which is my plan." He smirked, "That explains why your here now...so, you choose death to rid yourself of your own burden? Cowardess..." "No Iori, I choose to erase myself from existence to free a lost soul from his shackles." He looked into her eyes with a smile. "This person must be important to you...good! Now you can leave me alone!"

She smiled as she rose and made her way to the door. "This person needs my help, and I need his. Goodnight Iori." She gently closed the door behind her.

"Humph, goodnight..." He sat still on the floor for a few moments. Thoughts of her drifted through his mind. He didn't want her to do this, but she was nothing to him! Was she?

"She's insane..."

…

"Arghh!"

…

"Why am I even thinking about her?"

He moved to the bed, where he lay with one arm covering his eyes. He thought still, until he drifted into sleep with the fleeting wind.