Ch.7
Old Friends or New Enemies
"It's bigger than I thought. What do you think it is?" Misty was awed by the massive structure that Hiei and she had climbed onto and were presently exploring.
"Not sure. Let's just find a door. Maybe if we see inside we can..." Suddenly Hiei threw his arm back and shoved Misty into the wall. "Shh."
"What..." Misty whispered, but she was cut off by another shush from Hiei. She listened for a moment and realized that footsteps could be heard, and they were getting closer. Hiei stood frozen. His breath slowed, and his shoulders dropped. His face changed. It became cold and hard. The footsteps were getting closer and closer. Suddenly, Hiei stepped out and swung an open hand. As he did, a young man stepped around the curve of the wall and ducked in time to dodge the flying hand. However, the man behind him was not so swift. He took the force of the blow to his chest and went skidding down the narrow walkway. Then, without missing a beat, Hiei swung back the other way. The man who had ducked the first attack had turned to face Hiei's back. He saw the next blow and leaned back just in time. He staggered a few steps and stopped in a fighting position with his hands near his chin and his feet apart. Hiei turned toward him slowly. He had his head down, which cast a shadow from his hair that covered his eyes. He stopped at a profile, with his head turned over his left shoulder.
"That has to be Hiei Asumoro." Takami said in a calm, somber tone.
"It's good to see you too Tak. What brings you here?" Hiei asked, his voice raspy and monotone. Misty had taken to standing a few feet behind Hiei, away from the raucous.
"You do. I left to come find you. We have some outstanding business to settle. Unless you've forgotten how you humiliated my family. Or is it like everyone says? Did you leave to get away from something? Or someone?" Takami smiled.
"He deserved what he got." Hiei stepped square to his opponent. He lifted the back of his hand to face him, and motioned for him to move forward. "We both know where this is going. Let's just do it, and end it.
"I plan to." Takami took a step forward, and bent his knees till his right hand touched the ground. Then, with lightning speed, he covered the distance between him and Hiei. With one swift, almost undetectable motion, he carried his weight into a right hook. Hiei ducked to the right and grabbed Tak's wrist with his left hand. At almost twice the speed of Tak's first attack, Hiei threw his arm up and sent a powerful punch directly to his nose. As Tak was hit, his momentum carried his body past his head and he fell hard on his back. Hiei stepped around and paused. Suddenly, he heard a scream.
"Hold it!" It was Cori. He had grabbed Misty around her neck from behind. "I'll kill her now. It's not a problem."
"Cori, NO!" Tak yelled.
"I got this Tak."
"Let her go" Hiei said. A slight quiver had developed in his voice.
"What do you think you're gonna do?" Cori tightened his grip on Misty who had not even been struggling.
"Idiot!" Tak yelled again. However, it was to late. Hiei had moved the thirty feet between himself and Cori and Misty. He jumped up over their heads and sent a swift kick into Cori's forehead. Cori went down unconscious.
"We'll have to end this later Tak."
"Very well. Next time then." Tak walked over and hoisted Cori over his shoulder as Hiei and Misty jumped over the side of the walkway and into the ocean.
Cori had just woken up and found himself in his quarters. He wasn't sure what had happened. He remembered grabbing the girl, and Tak yelling at him. Then, nothing. He decided there was one way to find out. He got out of his bed and opened the door to the hall. He looked around and didn't see anything. He was a little confused, but realized that he would have to wait for answers. Right now, nature was calling. He walked the long corridor to the bathroom. He still could not recall what had happened, but decided not to worry about it for now.
Halfway down the corridor, he stopped. He could here voices in the room to his left. He wasn't sure what the room was for, only that it said "Security Clearance Lvl. 7." Curious, he decided to do a little "investigative listening."
"Did you see the security tape?" Cori recognized the voice of his commanding officer.
"Yes, he's amazingly fast. I would have never thought that kind of movement was possible." The other voice was unfamiliar.
"Yes, but I'm worried about the other one. If he decides to get in the way he may be a problem." Stf. Sgt. Andrews commented.
"Yes. Keep an eye out. Also, make sure you keep our new member happy. A weapon like that should not be taken for granted."
"Yes sir." Stf. Sgt. agreed. "How about project 'Icicle'?
"The digging is going well. If all goes to plan, we should reach the goal in about two years." The unfamiliar voice stated.
"I have to wait that long to get my own men back?"
"Do not question Giovanni's leadership. All available personnel have been sent there. As I hear it, the boss plans to oversee the project himself when it nears its end."
"Giovanni doing field work. Must be big. Just let me know how my men are doing."
"I'll keep you posted. Good night Stf. Sgt. Andrews." At this, Cori took his cue to leave.
