xSapphirexRosesxFanx: sorry its been so long my beta reader had some real life issues, but thankfully she's back & I even scored 'life207' as another beta reader…more insight if you will.

CharmedSerenity3: yep but figure her training this way, you are always bound to learn something new!

Life705: I thank you so much for your help with this chapter! props to both my beta readers!

Oh sorry for the LONG wait, but life issues once again…

Usako ch.9

Seeing Beryl again sparked up old memories within me. All the sessions we'd had about the fact that she could never fully figure me out…all that came back in a rush just seeing her face as she walked in. I already knew that this…was going to hurt…and I knew how the bitch worked her magic too.

Mind games…they were her favorite…I watched as two guards brought in a wheeling table, the type that your teachers used to roll equipment on and in from classroom to classroom. "The inquisitor…huh…" I looked away slowly as if in deep thought, "This is gonna hurt." I couldn't help but let that out.

"Trust me when I saw you won't know pain till this has started." She remarked, clearly still pissed that I beat her mind tricks back then. Well bitch I'm beating them again today…I hoped that is. I was still mentally counting down the time for when the plan would be implemented and I would be on my way out of here.

Preparing for the worst I asked as if I didn't care, "So what's in your little box of horrors under the sheet? Your knives, those needles, the electro shock?" All of them hurt but I had been through this before…sorta…when they trained us how to deal with pain. It was always good to feel it but at the same time we could choose to not feel it.

That part was the trickiest, to not feel the pain that told you you were still alive. You needed it to help remind you that you were still in the world and that you still had a fighting chance. Pain would help, and when I could I would turn it off. However that's physical pain…not emotional pain.

She looked at me with a trace of surprise in her features as she said with the same slip of surprise in her voice, "I'm a little worried that you have a preference for them? Didn't figure you for the submissive type." Submissive doesn't always mean you're the one on the receiving end of pain.

"I'm not…at least not really." I wasn't going to deny that whenever Mamoru took me as his own that it didn't thrill the hell out of me: that him pinning me down physically didn't make me wetter than even my own vibrator could, didn't mean that I was always submissive.

Just meant that even us control freaks…which regardless of anything I'll deny being one to my last breath…want to make those moments where when we met our alpha and want to have that control taken away…even if for only a little while. Beryl wouldn't know the first thing about giving up control.

I played this game of hers coolly, "Regardless of personal preference none of this shit will make me talk. Your game here is useless." Make her feel low, that she can't do anything here, but if anything she only looked at me with smugness encompassing her features. "Good. Not interested in hearing you ramble on."

Then what was the point here? Instead I saw her right hand reach for the cover on the box and pull it off to reveal a t.v. set. She was about to hit play when she acted like she suddenly came up with an idea. She turned back to me, You know what, it wouldn't be fair to watch t.v. with just me."

What was she getting at here? She walks to the door and signals for someone to come in…or to be brought in. fear gripped my heart at who it could be. She walked back in, "Lets see how your boyfriend here reacts to who you really are." My boyfriend? Mamoru? No he's supposed to be safe!

He has to be…I had him leave with his family…please don't tell me everything I did was for nothing! I watched him, shackled, walk in and being planted down on the seat they provided for him. I looked over to him, shock on my face, "What? How?" I muttered out towards him.

He was still dirtied up…from running in the woods. I looked back to Beryl, "Why is he here? Where is his family?" I ground out in a voice barely above normal levels. Remote control back in her hand she replied, "We'll get to that in a second. Mamoru I trust she has told you that she works for us."

"Yeah." He muttered to her. I looked over to him to make sure he wasn't hurt. Sitting only a few feet from me I saw that he was sans jacket. Facing the smug bitch once more, I snapped back at her, "Why is he here? He has nothing to do with this!" Her look was that of menace, "Oh yes he does."

I was beyond mad but I didn't let it show, "You see I think he has a right to know just the type of person you really are. The type of person he's attached himself to. Then well see if he's ready to be with you, all of you." I prayed to whoever was out there that he didn't hate me…again, once this was all over with.

But I did happen to catch the look of desire she herself sent his way. However my musings were cute short upon see the tape play. It was me from back when I first started out here. It was the de-briefly log they had us tape. Since we all knew the tapes would be reviewed, we were careful to make sure our answers perfect.

My words on film were those of someone trying to keep her life intact there, her sanity. If I had known how my words then could be taken now in such an instance…especially my words of 'no one would believe that the woman we created is without a man herself, and what I want to implement is that what I do is in service to-'

Beryl placed another tape in and played it right as I said 'the target fell from a bullet to the heart. I confirmed the kill with checks to the pulse on his neck and hand', "You see Mr. Chiba, or Mamoru as she calls you, you're dealing with a highly trained agent of ours, a rogue one…" she looked disappointedly to me on that note.

I rolled my eyes at her as her expression then shifted back to Mamoru, "A deadly assassin none the less, she could kill you in less than a minute if she wanted to. She's also a traitor to this organization and to this country. Betraying those she was most loyal to…us."

For once I was thankful that I had told Mamoru and his family the truth about myself that I had explained things to Mamoru. He'd already had over a day to deal with this, "We were always honest with you Usagi, about the happenings that we worked with around here, its obvious now how you were the devious one."

Only with you Beryl…well you and Hanision. "Let me guess this is where things actually get interesting?" I inquire. I show her how unimpressed I am with her theatrics. "You have no idea." Taking out the tape she puts in a new one. This time I am shocked. It's my room at Mamoru's parent's house.

It was the night before the gajin came in and tried to kill us all. You heard the grunting as we made love before she fast forward a little bit to hearing us talk. My words of 'oh-oh-oh god, Mamoru' were loud from the volume level in the room. You don't realize how things sound when you're in the moment.

Then afterwards as we came down from our highs you heard him say 'I love you Usako' as you could see me write it on his chest just before we both ended up falling into a bliss filled slumber. She cut the tape off now. That was not only our privacy that was-… "Even after all I discovered I'm still stunned." I admit.

"I can't believe you guys set up a tape in my room! You have so little going on that you've got to get off on the lives of others just to be entertained?" My voice rose with anger over that. Her next words had me stunned. "Oh, that wasn't done by just any one of us…that was courtesy of Diamond. He was always keeping an eye on you."

Diamond…I was going to kill him… "He's the one who set it up. Though I do have to admit, after I saw it myself, I think I finally figured out why he was always on you. It's clear you have some unbelievable ability to stir desire in other men; both foreign and domestic." That built up nausea within me.

However it wasn't till she said, "Oh that reminds me…" switching to another video there was us together in Mamoru's bed. Granted it wasn't a big deal in the flesh area since it was the night of his drinking. But to know that while I was keeping up appearances with Hotaru at classes and working they were taping my every move as well.

And to be in his bedroom… "That wasn't right." I looked to her with disgust in my features, "That was their home." I hiss out at her. She acted as if it was a regrettable act but that was it, her lame attempt at acting when she really didn't care at all. "You're correct, I mean after all we should have had more faith in you."

I hated this woman with a passion… "Usagi you had a real chance at making yourself into something more, making yourself a hero of the people. You had the chance to become something few others even dream of. And you blew it…all for him…all for them…" and I'd do it again in a heart beat cause YOU'RE the enemy!

I wanted to yell that at her but I also didn't want to give her the satisfaction of getting a huge reaction out of me, "You blew it and you betrayed us all…tell me Usagi was it worth it? Was he…they worth it?" She asked indicating him. He hadn't spoken up much during this whole exchange.

Probably to much in shock and trying to figure out how the hell to get out. she directed her gaze and talk to Mamoru now, "This Mamoru-" He cut her off, "Fuck off. I don't care about what she did before, its not who she is now." Stunned by his words towards her she replies, "So he has a wayward tongue on him."

Leaning over towards him she replies, "You have no idea what she's capable of doing." She leaned back up, "What you just saw was just the tip of the ice berg, one of the many moments she spent in service of us." Before she could play another I had had it with her mind games.

It was time to end this…literally. I had been mentally counting down the 25 minutes I gave Rei and hoped to hell it went through. It was our only way out. "Cut it out." I told her, "Oh we're just getting this party started here." I had to stop that stupid tape of hers…damn the bitch for getting under my skin.

"I never lied to you about anything that had to do with me. The identities you guys gave me, the lies and secrets I kept for you cause I was told it was a matter of national security, those were lies. You guys were never my friends and you were never anything more than 'employers and land lords' to me." I bitched out to her.

She was angered now, "Bullshit. We gave you food to eat, clothes on your back and we taught you have to defeat an enemy and to guard yourself. We gave you everything and you spit in our faces!" She ground out at me. I spit right back at her, "No, you taught me how to murder."

That had her eyes narrow at me, "Then you lied to me so I'd kill them. Innocent people are dead because of your lies and deceit." I ground out at her. She almost smirked before she threw right back into my face, "If your really going to go there were could always tell Mamoru about the girl in prison."

He already knew bitch…she turned to him, "She killed her family in a drug induced rage." I snorted out, "That's a FUCKING lie and we both FUCKING know it! I would NEVER have hurt my family! The people here are protecting the men that did! I will find them and kill them myself!"

She narrowed her eyes into little slits…then something passed through them. It was brief but it was there…belief? She did know the truth right? She had to have known…it was in my file, Diamond knew. "They didn't tell you did they?" I asked. She raised her head high, "It had to have been in my file."

No words, "I didn't kill my family, but I know who did. If I can find them I can avenge my family's death. Their killers are very high up on the food chain. But as a psychologist your only need to know information is to make sure I'm battle ready. They didn't tell you the details on why. Only Diamond knew."

Un-freaking believable. I thought she knew everything…turns out she was on a need to know basis with the recruits around here as well. She seemed angered that it was possible that she didn't know, considering she was as high up on the food chain as she thought she was, "Spread your lies elsewhere and tell me, either of you, where the information we seek is." She demanded.

So that's what this was truly about. Mr. Kou used her to retrieve the details about where the information was. "So I'm guessing this is your first retrieval mission." I smart mouthed off to her. I was stunned and feeling adrenaline inspired happy all at once. Now that she had some doubt in her mind she would start to snoop to…I hope.

"Just tell me where it is and this can all end. We can protect innocents all over the world but we need the information you have." Remembering my mental count down I counted my hopeful time at 57 seconds. Then I could make my move and hope to hell that it would work.

She looked exasperated before walking forward picking my face up from its downward position before slapping me. "That isn't even in the percentage of pain your going to feel when Kinko gets his hands on you." I looked up, "Yeah, if I don't come out of here with the location of the information he will be in here next."

Lovely… "Believe me you don't want that, now tell me what I want to know." My count down was nearly done…I was over halfway through at 28 seconds to go. Soon Mamoru soon we were getting out and then we were getting your family out. "It's too late for you to deal a bargain but there maybe time to…"

I brought my head up and cut her off, "Beryl…right now I think you should be more concerned with whose going to save your-too big for that skirt-ass." She furrowed her brows before getting angry. I knew a hit was coming but then my count down was over with and I felt the first rumble of the explosive go off.

She felt it too but didn't react till we felt the explosive in the ceiling above go off and the cement just above us holding my chains crack significantly. I raised myself up several feet off the ground using the spare chain attached to my feet…morons…I didn't bother looking at Beryl but I had a feeling that shock was etched on her features.

Giving a few good yanks I was loose…well as loose as I could be with chains still attached to my wrists. She backed up before jogging out and yelling out with some anger and a trace of fear evident in her voice, "Guard's she's loose!" I looped the chains twice around my hands, gripping them tight for the moment as I gave them a few swings before I swung out into an attack.

I let them go in the first swing out and felt as they pulled so hard on my hands they dislocated my thumbs. Chains off my hands I used my teeth to painfully relocate my thumbs and take the chains off my feet as well. Going over to Mamoru I unbound his own chains thanks to the keys on the guard.

He grabbed my hands and saw the blood on them from the chains ripping at my skin. "Trust me this is nothing. Now where did they take your family?" I asked. "They don't have them." he responded, "But then how-" he cut in, "I came back for you…I couldn't not fight with you. They caught me on the way back."

He got caught because of me…gathering myself together I grabbed the guards walkie talkie and taser before running out, Mamoru running behind me as well. We got down the hall towards the med bay when I saw Diamond briefly. He seemed stunned to see me to, "We have to go." Mamoru said.

I stuttered on my feet for a few seconds time enough to have Diamond walk out of the room and towards us, "What do you think you're doing?" He asked anger all over his face, "I think I'm saving his and my own ass." I replied. His face sharpened, "I think not." His hand reached for his gun.

I reacted, kicking it out of his hand propelling it in the air where I, thankful for its positioning, grabbed it and killed the guard that came up behind him. Two shots in the chest and he was out of the fight. Aiming his gun back at him he held his hands up before saying, "You won't kill me." I kept the gun pointed, "Don't be so sure."

I cocked it before aiming to pull the trigger. I had really planned on a leg wound that would take him out of the game but he was quicker than I thought he was. But then again, when you see that hair, knowing that with just a fraction of a movement and you know your life is at stake you can move faster than you normally would.

However he didn't just kick the gun he took another step and kicked me down. I flipped myself back up to my feet with a quick, "Stay there, I got this!" thrown to 'confused on what to do' Mamoru. I dodged Diamond's right hook to my left as I took the fight into the adjoining room by grabbing the right hook.

I pulled his arm in and swung it around twisting it back behind his own back and shoved him into one of the operations quarters where we frequently talked about missions and deployments. Thankfully there was only a big table in there followed by a few chairs. Less things to crash into just in case I went down.

However he used his left elbow to hit me. I had to let go of my hold on him to block it or take the hit. As I blocked it, I also aimed for an elbow but he blocked my hit as well. Knowing his tactics I ducked his next hit to my head. Turning around I backed up a few feet to give myself arm and leg to maneuver and kick in.

"Tell me Usagi-was he worth it?" Diamond roared out. Unbeknownst to us both said he was in the doorway ready to help out if I needed it. "Was it worth it when you were 'fucking' him? He can't give you what I can and yet you choose him over ME!" He was beyond pissed off.

Deciding that egging on my main trainer I bit back my initial 'Every second was worth it, and FYI we didn't 'fuck' we made love…repeatedly…and by the way, we–you and I-were never together!' retort and instead diverted the topic…though I was curious as to how he knew Mamoru and I were even together.

"Was every illegal thing you did here for Mr. Kou worth it?" I asked instead.

His eyes hardly narrowed or responded, "Was knowing that my family's murderers were really being protected by this PLACE worth it as you trained me?" I screech out in anger. We circled each other as we each looked for a weakness, "Your family's murder has nothing to do with this and we BOTH know it!" He barked out.

"The hell it doesn't! This place just uses us…or at least the recruits it uses! Tell me how many jobs did you know were being blamed on innocent people? Huh? How many people that were innocent did YOU knowingly kill?" I asked in defiant anger, "You think that they didn't deserve it? No one is innocent Usagi." He remarked.

He was acted more calmly about this than I was, so I took a step back, mentally speaking, and calmed myself down. If I appeared as he did he wouldn't know what to make of my next move or choice in words even, "Unless they committed any illegal or un-justifiable acts then they are INNOCENT!" I yelled out.

I raged out and went in for a swing. I had to admit for being out of practice for so long and having been mentally tortured by Beryl just a few minutes ago…wonder where the bitch is now-I was, I was still fighting pretty damn good. Something I'd have to get myself out of doing at some point in the future if I was going to live a normal life. Well as normal as life can get for me.

But first off let me beat Diamond down…we exchanged jabs and swings to each others heads, both hitting and missing heads and other body parts as we both ducked many hits, many times over and over again. Finally on one of my jabs with my back turning he caught it.

Grabbing my left arm he twisted it around so I would have to swing back in order to avoid breaking my arm entirely. He grabbed my other arm and brought me into a lock position with him now slightly bent over me against the desk. "Where do you think most of our recruits came from?" He asks.

I cringed, "Everyone here is from dead parents?" but… "Not all of them no, but the ones who showed the most promise…the ones who had vengeance to exact for their families, that could 'fight for the country'…those came from dead families. It gave them…you… the ammo you needed for this place." Sick BASTARD!

I lost some of my composure and rammed my now loosened left elbow into his face surprising him into letting me go, "You know what you're right! I am exacting vengeance for them, by killing those men that killed my family and taking your asses down in the process!" He didn't seem to like that.

I made a right hit but he deflected it faster that I could reach out to him. I forgot how fast he was. He made for a left jab himself but I managed to grab his hit and pull his arm in. It didn't last long, he broke the hold I had. "Hanision is everywhere you can't do anything." He smiled through pearly white teeth.

I wanted to wipe that smile from his face, "You honestly believe I can't? Cause guess what? I have friends all over and this place has more leaks than even BP." He snarled before ramming his right knee up into my stomach. I took it but used it as an opening to jab him in the left arm.

The first two didn't hit and the third I miscalculated causing him to catch it and bend it out of a hitting position. I barely bit back my cry of pain as he pulled me back up and jerked me near his chest, "Give it up Usagi! I've got over ten years of training on you!" I was ready to throw out my retort when he leaned in closer.

"Just come back to us. I'll protect you the best that I can." His lips breathed over my ear causing me to shudder in disgust. As always he took it the wrong way, "I can work this for the both of us Usagi. I l-" His words were making me want to cringe and run to Mamoru's side.

But Mamoru stood where he was ready to help if I needed it. I knew once I gave the signal he'd be in trying as hard as possible to take Diamond down. Feeling Diamond's grip loosening, probably thinking I was agreeing I used it to my advantage. "Little something you should know Diamond." I retorted.

He simply replied, "What's that?" I smirked, "They didn't teach you to fight dirty!" I jerked out of the grip before slamming my fist as hard as possible into his face nearly knocking him out. He backed up a few paces and looked to me shocked with blood covering his teeth…good…

"Little things you should know." He was dazed as I left briefly to take the plastic zip cuffs from the guard outside and put them on him. He looked up to me, "I never saw you in that way. You were my trainer NOTHING more. So every time I shivered around you it was out of disgust!" His anger was welling up within.

I jerked his face to look at me, "I hate everything you represent right now. However I am going to let you live-" He seemed ready to say something, "NOT because I care for you in the slightest but because in the end you did train me and as respect from student to teacher I won't kill you." I saw this look in his eyes.

"But I guarantee you this, from this point out if you try to even hurt Mamoru, I will without thought, kill you." His lips sealed shut. I landed one last kick to his face before grabbing the gun again and then grabbing the one the guard had on him before running out grabbing Mamoru's hand along the way.

Giving him one we entered the central elevator. "Take the safety off then point and shoot at the bad guys." I tell him. He nods his head, "Usako…" he says. I look up to him, "I'm going to do everything I can you give you everything you ev-" I cut him off with a kiss feeling the elevators stop.

"Don't pay mind to what Diamond says, he's just jealous that I want and I love you and what we have is something he could never give...not that I'd want it from him." I said in that in disgust while holding his hands. The elevator doors opened, "We didn't hit a button what happened?" he asked.

I already knew… "They did. By remote control. Be ready." He aimed his gun as ready as I was. I couldn't let him do this but at the same time I needed someone to draw fire and shoot as well. I already knew what level they would stop the elevator on. Training level where they watched their newbie's perform.

I couldn't shoot at the primary 'HQ' center towards the end of the floor I knew they would send us to, that was bullet proof glass windows, same thing they used in high rise hotels in Vegas. This was perforated glass.

Walking out of the elevator I only saw three people, but their reputations made them already known as enemies of mine. I needed to protect Mamoru at all costs. We were steady handed with our guns at the ready. The three of them were down there but I knew that within minutes guards would be coming in from every direction.

We'd have to make this little meeting quick. I looked around for our quickest exit only to find Rei up on the landing where the guards would be. She looked quizzically at me before rolling her eyes at the right exit. I sighed in thanks before she walked away. I turned my attention back on the small group in front of us.

"So where's your boss?" I asked them. Seeing the brute of a guy he was actually a bit scary, Beryl's sister, she looked more psychopathic than steady in the head. It radiated off her in waves. Then the third one made his presence known as well. "He's around, we save the best for last." Beryl's sister, Lania remarked.

I saw the way she looked at Mamoru and stepped in front of him. I raised my gun up ready for action. The big hulk guy came at me first figuring pure brute strength would be enough. It almost was. At first as I aimed my gun ready to shot when a metal piece of weight lifting equipment hit my gun.

I avoided two more hits and fell back behind the exercise equipment. Oh great the training room. He was shoving anything to get near me and it looked pretty bad that this was big equipment and here he was shoving it around like it was a small chair. Getting back to my feet I used the equipment piece next to me to gain the upper hand.

I vaulted myself off of it and kicked him in the chest. He went back maybe an inch or two at the most. Looking back up at me all he did was smirk in satisfaction. If I didn't gain control here he was going to kill me then Mamoru. Remembering to keep him safe I looked for where my gun landed.

It was gone…shit…I was positive that I was looking at where it landed. However my moment of distraction provided the perfect opportunity for the brute to grab me by my throat. Holding me up in the air I was literally being chocked to death. I felt unconsciousness start to take hold till I heard six piercing sounds.

I was dropped after several seconds. My throat grasping for air as I watched the big ass fall…hard to the floor. His two comrades who had been watching the little show stood up ready to fight. But they seemed more shocked as to whom the shooter was. I looked up and over to see none other than Mamoru.

Holding his gun I still saw the smoke coming from the barrel. He looked pissed as hell before he said more steadily than I would have given him credit for after everything he's been through, "Anyone who tries to even hurt her again I'll kill them. Just like this dick here." He motions his gun to the big brute with six bullets in his back.

I go up to him as he hands me my own gun back. I make our way past the dead brute only to see all the guards coming in. This shit just got even tougher. Then I saw Mr. Kou behind the glass of course. He pushed a button, "Did you really think you could escape Usagi-or wait no…" He looked over to a techie.

He looked to be flipping through some pages, "Usako…isn't that when he calls you." He said it more as a fact. How long had they been…? "How long?" I asked anger evident in my voice with my recent discovery. He just looked slightly upset and disappointed, all aimed at me.

"You were one of our best students 'Usak-" I cut him off, "DON'T! Only he gets to call me Usako." I motion behind me to Mamoru. Mr. Kou shrugged it off, "Fine…'Usagi', we knew after the third month. When you failed to report back to us. We knew something was up so we sent in a special team." He brought in four men.

They were dressed in the security outfits that the security surrounding Mamoru's parents place wore. "They were sent to figure out why you hadn't been in contact with us. They were told to not engage until they were 100% positive that your methods weren't a way to tactically get closer to the family." This all was a set up?

"You really think we would have let an agent go off from the radar for so long without checking in periodically? As soon as Diamond found out the truth, he reported back to me and practically begged for you to be placed under his direct care. He wanted so badly to save you…his obvious feelings got him demoted."

Sorry to say I don't care… "As for you, you have two choices, surrender the intel you have on us and we'll let him leave out of here alive, or two you both die here and we find the intel anyways. The choice is yours." He said. Too many men to shoot at with just the little guns we had.

"Usagi all this can end swiftly but recognize the fact that you aren't going to make it out of here alive. There are guards on every floor. You can't possibly kill them all with one cartridge casing of bullets." He was right. Only up to nine bullets were in these clips, it wouldn't be enough for every guard.

"It's too late for yourself but he can still be saved." He tried again. I was nearly ready to answer when another explosion went off along the exit path we needed. One of those girls out there is really looking out for me! I used the distraction to run forward. Seeing Lania catch my aim, she tried to stop me.

"Where do you thi-" I smashed my fist into her face before she could finish. I heard several shots being fired behind me. I had been more than shocked to see the other guy in a gun fight with Mamoru and surprisingly Mamoru was doing well. Then again he does work on a set that deals with prop guns so maybe he learned a thing or two.

Not wanting to be further distracted I turned my attention back to Lania. Smashing my fist into her face, she retaliates with a left jab, I block it only to receive her right hit, it knocked me sideways a little so to avoid her next hit I ducked but she elbowed me in the face. I was surprised. "What? You think all I can do is manipulate?"

I answered honestly, "Now not so much." Now just to figure out her style so I can fight her and beat her. I back hand her in the face before engaging in a more serious combat style. I then knee her in the gut as she kicked me away before gaining ground on me and swinging her right arm to hit at me three times.

I had to admit she was strong…but I was strong and fast. I used her hits to pull her in smashing her head into one of the metal bars used in the exercise room. The guards were still trying to find the source of the explosion which bought me very few precious minutes of time.

However in my distraction she reversed our roles and smashed my head into one of the metal bars. That hurt…I manage to spin around and shoved her face away long enough to distract her and smash her in the kidneys a few times. I once did hear that if a human being took 30 something shots to the kidney they'd die.

Huh…I wonder…she backed away long enough for me to kick her in the stomach as she did me and throw her against a barbell set. Before she could think to use it, I grappled her into a grip that forced her to fight and unable to grab anything to hit me with. She instead swung out her right arm to hit me.

I took it in, grunting in slight pain before dodging three more hits to my midsection. I saw another hit coming for me, grabbing her arm I twisted it till she was bent to the waist and used her back to roll her over, away from the barbell set and just in time to nail her from under her own nose.

We exchanged a few more fists and delivered several more blows, some more painful than the last. Back hands were her preferred choice that I saw so I took the advantage and grabbed her latest one and swung her to myself. I turned myself at the last second to have her hit my back as I bent over.

She tumbled over me smacking her head into the matted floor. Not enough to knock her even remotely out but the boot I delivered to her face was enough to send her into dream land. I found a gun tossed my way. It was a semi automatic. I looked up to find that another bomb had gone off.

Knocking with it several more guards. I looked over to see a very furious Mr. Kou yelling about behind the tempered glass. So much I just wanted to be able to shoot past that glass and kill him now…to end his life. But it would be useless. No amount of bullets could penetrate that glass. You'd have to line the right areas with C4 bricks just to get in with it being weakened by the bullets.

Instead I grabbed the semi from the guard that had been thrown away by the blast and looked for Mamoru. He was still engaged in the fight but both parties had run out of bullets so it was a fisticuffs fight. I had to admit Mamoru was doing well against the guy…getting his ass kicked a bit.

But when you have Mamoru up against an 'eraser' he's lucky to even be alive. Seeing that the ass had the upper hand with a chock hold on him AND was preparing a death blow I reacted without thought and shot him in the back. Mamoru grasping for air coughed loudly as the body fell down.

Semi still in hand I still had 80% of the ammo left in it. It was strange how that whole fight lasted less than two minutes. Which by the way, left us no more now than one minute to get off this floor. Once down to the sub levels we could find the exit out of here. I knew the elevators were out of the question.

The only option left was to go down to go up. Take the right path and you can find a back door anywhere in any building. You've just got to know where to look. We ran out as I used the semi automatic to shoot the remaining guards out of our way. I heard a shout of 'NO!' come from Mamoru.

I turned around to see that Lania had woken up and thrown a knife aimed at me, but Mamoru had caught it…in his shoulder. Judging by where his shoulder was, her aim was at my head. Knowing it was a small flesh wound I took it out eliciting a growl of pain from him before throwing it back at her.

My speed was too fast for her; the knife hit her dead on…in her mouth. She looked shocked before falling back. Her head falling to the side, blood oozing out. We ran the rest of the way. Hallway after hallway we ran down as I used the semi when needed for long range kills.

It felt bad at first killing the guards, but to know the place they worked for, that they knew how the company worked…I shot them without thought. At the last hallway I used the last bullet to take out one guard while the other one was knocked out by a surprising Mamoru, "What? I'm a black belt." He stated.

Shocker, "Why didn't you tell me?" I asked. No wonder he was able to fight off the 'eraser', he actually knew about protecting himself, "Is now really the time to be asking that?" He asked me. I agreed and we continued running down the last corridor. This place on a bad day looked like a freaking maze.

We came to a near screeching halt as I saw Diamond. I looked down to see his standard issue gun. He kept that piece glued to his side at all times. He only had it prepped up at us, not completely aimed. Maybe I could…I don't know…I dropped the semi I had been holding…though why I did I don't know.

"Usagi…" He warned. He was blocking our only exit out of here. "Don't do this Diamond, just let us go…let me go." I could tell he was fighting with his decision. A moment of clarity was coming for him, but so were the guards hot on our asses. We had precious time before they would be here.

"I wish I could but…I can't protect you…not after what you've done." He said defeated, his attitude seemed different now than what it was when we were fighting. Maybe the fight was what had to happen so he could see the point, the truth, the light. "Get on the ground, both of you." He said.

He indicated the floor, Mamoru did as told but stood right back up when he noticed I didn't follow, "Get down on the ground Usagi, and toss your 9mm to me. I know you have it in the belt loop of your back." He thought he knew me so well. "I don't have one there." It was truth…I had Mamoru help me place it in the strap of my bra.

Just in case… "Bullshit. Just do it." He said his anger getting the better of him, I had to smirk, "kinda like old times huh? Where we'd practice this just incase I'd get caught by cops, or troopers, or FBI, CIA-" He yelled out once more while trying to avoid anyone hearing us, "Enough!"
We had precious moments before the rest of the guards came in. "Tell me one thing?" I asked, he raised his gun higher at me, "If you knew the innocent people that were being killed why protect the people in charge?" He faltered, "It's my job. I don't ask questions." Figures…

Looking around he asked me briefly, "Answer me this…was he truly worth it?" I smile, "I love him…so yes, every brief moment was worth it." I could see the pain in his eyes but the resolution in them as well. We were mere feet away and had so little time to chit chat, I needed to act.

"Usagi I warned you to not get emotionally attached to anyone and look what you did, look where it brought you?" He was trying to rationalize the situation…but for his benefit or mine I didn't know. I took a step forward, putting myself within arms reach of the gun, my hands still held up at level with my shoulders, "Like you did when it came to me?" He knew I was hitting the nail on the head.

His gun went higher, "If you value your life don't even bring that up." He spoke in dangerous tones. "I don't care what happens to me, only him." I spoke the truth as his gun faltered. He loosened it up, "I want to protect you but, you've made your choices in life." I agreed, I had.

"Please…let us go, or kill us now." It was a risky thing to say but I had given him his choice. If he stalled too much longer we would be dead anyways, by Hanision hands. Mamoru would be tortured for information as would I all over again. And when they discovered that I didn't know they would kill me, plain and simple.

Mamoru, after they got what they wanted from him, would be dead too.

I saw the look in Diamond's eyes before he dropped his gaze. I could give myself a head start…I took the opportunity for what it was. Since I was only a few feet from him, when he stepped out of nowhere in our path it didn't take much to disarm him. Knocking my elbow into his face his head flew back in pain.

It was long enough for me to spin him around and flip him over my bent on his back before grabbing his tie…not the best but it would serve to work long enough for us to get past him…and tying…no pun intended…his hand to one end while looping the tie into a pipe along the wall and tying the other end to the foot he tried to kick at me with.

"Someday you'll thank me for this! I promise." I saw the betrayal in his eyes; I seemed to be getting that a lot lately. "You're nothing but a traitor to us all. Those people you killed back there were friends, comrades, and soon to be your partners!" I looked to him in confusion. "The hell are you talking about?" I barked out.

He smiled, "Mr. Kou told me after he first sent you out on this mission that if you proved your worth for deep undercover ops that you would have been a prime considerate for an 'eraser'. Who knew how wrong he really was." I'm glad…I'm not a killer…not anymore that is.

"Just wait till Kinko finds you. Now that you've killed his team he'll come for your blood." I snorted before making to run off, "You leave now and you're leaving behind your life!" He shouted after me. I shouted back just before turning the corner, "NO my LIFE is with him out there!"

It took us another four minutes to find the exit. We acted calm and cool about it till we reached a safe distance. By that time we ran as far as our legs would take us before we ran out of breath and collapsed in the nearest alleyway. I had no idea where we even were right now.

My lungs burned for breath. After several minutes for both of us we finally managed to stabilize ourselves to walk and look normal among the masses. After keeping our heads down, staying together and guiltily shoplifting from a few outside vendors to mask ourselves we went to the nearest bus station.

I made sure Mamoru used cash only since I knew they'd be tracking his credits cards. I was surprised they let him even keep his wallet, but I guess they saw no threat in him. After all he was mostly being used against me to begin with. After boarding the first train out we set for a half way point just in case.

So they couldn't track how far from our destination or how close we actually were. I let my head fall to Mamoru's shoulder as I began to feel the dregs of sleep start to take me in. Every time my eye lids closed they wanted to stay that way. I was more than exhausted and I needed sleep.

"Go to sleep. You've already been more than strong for us both today. Let me be strong for you." His sweet words did the trick and I fell into a very welcome sleep. Not even the train's bumps along the railroads could wake me up. My mind was slowly shutting down as we got further and further away.

All I could think of was thank you for giving me another chance…I manage to mumble out in my sleepy state, "Thank you for not hating me…not completely anyways." I pass out into dream land myself not aware of the shocked eyes that now looked straight at me nor the sound of Mamoru's voice.

"I could never hate you. I didn't mean…I was just angry at you. But I understand now why you did it. You didn't have a choice. I think if I were in the same situation I would have done the same thing. You did right by your decisions." I snuggled myself deeper into his embrace.

He kissed my forehead before saying sweetly to me, "I love you…my Usako. You'll never be rid of me." Even in my sleep I let out a heart felt chuckle at the ending piece, "Mamoru…" I mumbled out, he 'hmmed?' me, "I love you too….don't you ever forget it." He could feel the warmth in his smile against my hair.

This was sure to be a long journey with the feeling of a bigger battle yet to come; I still had Kinko to deal with. His comrades were all dead, if not by me then by Mamoru; he would have one hell of a bone to pick with me. I just hoped to hell that I came out of there with all my limbs intact.

I guess we'll just have to see where this road takes us…and who knows I may be able to beat this bitch…