~Chapter Four~

You both kicked each other and your heel caught onto Snake Eyes' bottom sole. You were forced back by his push with his foot and you used your hidden two swords inside your gloves to stop yourself from sliding any further. The entire place went silent and you used your keen sense of hearing to find out where he went. Underneath his mask, he was smiling to himself as he told the crew not to say anything or make any move of that sort. He was testing your instincts and when he saw you pull your hair back in a bun with one of your daggers that lay to the side of your right calf, he took the opportunity to quietly move forward to you. At first you didn't hear him but then you close your eyes for a second or two listening to his heartbeat and reopened them as your ears picked up the sound of footsteps.

Mercedes: "You underestimate my hearing sense, Snake Eyes. I may be blind but at least I'm not deaf and dumb." With a striking attack, you both charged at each other and attempted to retain a powerful hold on both blades, which in turn were deflected knocking the both of you to the ground.

Crowd: "Oooh!"

H. Duty: "Yikes! That's going to leave a mark."

Scarlett: "Never in my life would I believe Snake Eyes could get knocked down." She said sounding surprised. The crowd broke into applause and the General came through.

G. Hawk: "Excellent. Nice work the both of you." Snake Eyes slowly got up and you felt around for you sword as you felt someone hand the hilt into your reach. You grasped it tightly and the person held onto your waist helping you up as well. You moved your other hand from your side towards your helper and touched his smooth, leathery, muscular arms going up to his completely masked face. Faces were pushed back and some looked over to their next door neighbor's facial expression of pure interest at the scene before them. You continued observing the person by touching a visor where once was his eyes on to his lips down towards the chest, where you smiled at that moment, and finally into his hands as you let escape a two letter word.

Mercedes: "Thank you." You both unarmed yourselves by replacing back your blades and bowed in respect to the match. "You fought well. I misjudged your skills in Ninjutsu. It would be an honor to work alongside with you. I am at your allegiance." There was a seconds worth of silence and you looked around for an answer from him until you realized the truth. "Do you not speak?" Silence again. This time it was broken by a new voice you have not heard.

Breaker: "He doesn't speak." You smiled towards the voice's direction and nodded.

Mercedes: "Then I would rather feel a response from him to believe what my eyes don't see." You listened for a sign of Snake Eyes' movement but none came. He smiled to himself again and so did you as the entire room got filled with laughter. He then snapped his fingers and you quickly turned over to where he stood. "Playing tricks on a blind person will get you into trouble." You said playfully as some gave soft chuckles. You made your way forward with outstretched hands and he held onto them as he brought your hands up to his face. "Do you not speak, I ask?" You felt him shook his head from left to right and you slowly moved your hands away. "Well that makes us both have something in common that we lost. How about it? I'll be your voice and you my eyes."

That evening, you had dinner in your room and headed over to the training room where you sat at one of the chairs, getting to know the others. They were very nice to you and you learned at heart to accept them as true friends. You found the shooting exercises to be the most challenging but enjoyed it very much. The one time you teamed up with two other of the latest Joe members, Ripcord and Duke, along with Snake Eyes during one of the sessions, it was down to one last hologrammed enemy. You were given the honor to shoot him down as you looked to your left, aimed the gun to your right, and shot the figure straight into the designated area to win the team their point.

Ripcord: "Nice. Where did you learn to shoot like that?"

Mercedes: "My Sensei taught me everything I needed to know." You said, reloading the weapon and being secretive with what you were telling them. For some reason, you had this strange feeling that Snake Eyes' eyes were penetrating your soul. Having learned from the best of the best, you were able to block those emotions creating an expressionless look. "He took me under his wing when no other person would ever help me master my skills as a blind person."

Duke: "Whatever happened to him?"

Mercedes: "He disappeared from the face of this world two months ago. Never heard or seen from him." You returned the gun back to its safe and bowed to them. "If you'll excuse me, I need some rest. I will call this a night for today. I've overworked myself more than I thought. Goodnight." You walked over to the railings and followed the way to your bedroom. As you got into your night gown, you rolled over to your side and started reminiscing of the past.

[Flashback/Six Months Before]

Two weeks ago you had your black belt handed to you by Sensei Arashikage as an honor in completing your training.

Thomas A.: "You have finally achieved your goal. I've got to admit, I had the pleasure in training you. You are a quick learner." He strapped on his bag and made to leave but you stopped him.

Mercedes: "Sensei!" He stopped in his tracks near the door and answered your call without facing you.

Thomas A.: "Yes." You smiled softly to yourself at what you were about to ask him. Over the time of this training course, you had developed a relationship you felt secret that was more than him being just a teacher to you. You had grew a physical attraction towards your Sensei but felt defeated whenever he was around you by telling yourself every day that he doesn't know you exist in this world to him as that kind of person. "Yes, Mercedes."

Mercedes: "I was just wondering. Would you like to have dinner with my family and I this Saturday?"

Thomas A.: "I have other plans on that day." You lowered your gaze in rejection.

Mercedes: "Oh…ok."

Thomas A.: "But I would like to reschedule." He said quickly, hearing the tone of your voice. "How about two weeks from Saturday? I won't be busy during that time." You were smiling again.

Mercedes: "Perfect." You answered nonchalantly.

Thomas A.: "Have you ever tried telling your father what you were doing behind his back?" He said, coldly. You stopped packing your bag and stood still.

Mercedes: "I did."

Thomas A.: "And what did he say?" He urged on.

Mercedes: "He was rather please with you and me. He said he's been looking for years for someone to help me learn to defend myself and that he was glad I found you."

Thomas A.: "That went well. Good to hear that. Well I'll see you two weeks from then."

Mercedes: "Most definitely. Bye, Sensei." He smiled to himself and bowed to you before leaving.