Well…we find ourselves in a familiar spot. I hope everyone has been well and I also hope you will enjoy this sequel to "Spy Versus Spy". It took me a long time to figure out what story I wanted to write next, and as a result, there may be a couple of RK one-shots in the future ^_^
So, hopefully, some questions will be answered and you will be fully entertained.
Chapter One
Kaoru tried to open her eyes, but they seemed to be swollen shut. It wouldn't have mattered if they weren't. The room was dark. Not the smallest hint of daylight penetrated the black-out blinds, nor were there any lamps to illuminate the space. Just darkness. The only thing more overwhelming than the absence of light was the silence.
Nothing could be heard; not a car, an animal, a person walking past. It was as if Kaoru had fallen into a void. And that's exactly how she felt as she sat in the cheap folding chair. It was not often Kaoru felt fear. After all, she was a spy without parallel. You didn't become one by giving into emotions such as fear, joy or anger. A tight reign was needed, unless you wanted to end up dead…or wishing you were.
Kaoru, codename: "Karma Chameleon", was just that. She could insinuate herself into the bosom of any organization with incredible ease and efficiency. Her cover had been blown a handful of times, and those few times caused much trouble for her and her organization. After the Helsinki incident, she had sworn it would never happen again. Funny thing is, Kaoru thought when you swear something will never happen again, it usually happens again.
Her target was a very difficult one; Shishio Makoto had a massively tangled web of spies, intel and assassins. That her identity was exposed spoke more on Shisho's skilled network than any deficiency in Kaoru's. But, the fact of the matter was, her identity was determined by her target before the job was complete. Not only that, she was unable to kill a spy who was also tasked at killing the Underworld Kingpin. Yes, Shisho was dead, as well as his next in command. But the spy, the legendary Himura Kenshin, lived.
In an uncharacteristic move, Himura did not work in the shadows to kill his prey. He covered his distinctive scar, took on another identity and infiltrated Shishio's ranks. Kaoru's infatuation with Himura was just as uncharacteristic. She had ascertained early on that he was a spy. As he masqueraded as "Shinta", a minion of Shishio's making his way up the ladder of the Underworld, she took on the persona of "Paloma", a prize fighter and assassin.
They tried to kill each other several times. But Kenshin met all of Kaoru's attempts with entheusim and skill. He was no mean opponent.
In a strange twist, both spies failed to kill their mark. His cunning second in command, Soujirou, was the one to do the deed. This small point could be forgiven, especially since Soujirou's life was forfeited. But, the fact the Kenshin lived could not be.
Kaoru couldn't help but to crack the slightest of smiles. What she really didn't want to admit to herself was that she lusted after Himura, and that might cost her life. He was a most worthy opponent, and their battles with Eros left her breathless.
She wanted to laugh, but Kaoru was pretty sure her left collar bone was broken. It was hard to tell without being able to feel. Her arms were bound behind her, so she could do nothing but sit, wait and think. Kaoru had been there in the chair for at least two days, or, she thought it was two days. It didn't matter. The boss would deal with her when he was ready.
After some time, the sensation of light hitting her eyelids caught her attention. Though she did not hear the sound of footsteps, she knew she was being approached. Kaoru braced herself for a physical blow. Instead, she got a verbal assault.
"I am disappointed in you, Kaoru," a smooth masculine voice said.
"I couldn't tell," Kaoru responded sarcastically.
The sound of flesh against flesh echoed through the room. The open-handed blow across her face would have hurt if it wasn't already numb.
"You try my patience, my beautiful dove. Do you know how much I long to kill you? But I can't because you are my best spy! Do you know how infuriating that is?" Kaoru's boss raged. It was not often she heard his voice tinged in anger. It did not bode well.
"Yet you beat the shit out of me? What good am I to you down here…like this?" Kaoru asked defiantly.
"What good are you to me if you cannot kill your mark? If you cannot kill your opponent? Why you didn't keep your sorry ass in America instead of coming back here, I don't know!"
"I had to collect the rest of my money."
"You only get money for completed jobs."
"The mark is dead."
Kaoru was dealt a blow to the chest, tipping her chair backwards. Her body hit the carpeted floor with a thud. She wanted to cry out in pain, but did not. It would do her no good to show any weakness now. She had to prove her worth…somehow.
"The mark is only dead, Kaoru, because the mark was poisoned by his second in command," her boss whispered through gritted teeth. "And do you know why? Because Shishio was handed your identity and wasn't going to kill you despite the knowledge. The boy was beyond his years, and he knew what needed to be done," the master assassin raged. He paused, taking a moment to grab a cigarette from his jacket pocket. After light it and taking a drag, he continued to berate Kaoru. "Your cover was blown and your mark was still alive. You could have corrected your error by killing Himura, but you couldn't even do that!"
When her boss' boot connected with her ribs, Kaoru finally groaned with pain. Instead of inflaming him, the sound cooled his anger. She heard him swear under his breath, then she felt her chair being set upright. Now, I need to play it straight, Kaoru thought.
"You have to let me go after him. I can kill him," she said weakly.
"No. Not yet. I do believe you when you said you tried your best. You two were evenly matched. No. You have to train more. After that, I am sending you on another job. You finish the job, then you will have your chance at Himura," he boss said calmly.
Kaoru tried to swallow back her anger. More training? It was that damned Kenshin that would need the training if he had any chance against her. No! She had to kill him….and now!
"Stop your fuming. You may not be able to see me, but I can see you. Do you know why you couldn't beat Kenshin, nor he you?"
"No."
"I do."
"And what is the reason?"
"You loved him, of course. And I think he holds a similar affection for you"
Kaoru was strangely quiet, then said, "That's impossible." She could smell the smoke coming from his cigarette. At least one of her senses was intact.
"It is very possible. Murderess you may be, you are still human. It is also possible that you and Himura are truly evenly matched. Either way, you will train. And when you see him again, you will kill him without hesitation," Kaoru's boss said as if it were a matter-of-fact.
Slowly, slowly, Kaoru was able to open her left eye. She could see the boss hovering over her. He was a tall man with jet black hair. His cigarette balanced precariously on his lower lip as he smiled a wry smile.
"I will kill him, Hajime," the female spy whispered.
"Then let us begin your training.'
