Chapter 14
The other side part 1 : Kruger
Rough hands held the young girl securely in their arms, viridian eyes stared attentively at the face in front of her. The man looked old but still retained some youth, yet his eyes reflected strength and wisdom.
"Natsuki, tonight I want you to have a good rest. Tomorrow, you will come back with me to my country."
"Yes, sir.."
"Good" he smiled toward the child in his arms. A few commands were given to his men to manage another body that was laying on the ground before he took a step into their car.
As the morning came, Natsuki was greeted by one of the man's assistants as they gave her clothes to change into, a black t-shirt and long brown cargo pants. The size however was bigger than her body. Looking back at the assistant as she held the big sized pant, the assistant just sighed and retrieve his belt and wrapped it for her. He then folded the pant so it was within a nice length.
"You will have a breakfast with master and then we will depart as soon as possible. Is there anything you want to bring along with you?" the assistant asked.
Natsuki remembered the picture in her house. The picture of her mother, father and Nina as she nodded.
"Yes. May I stop by my house a little. I...I want to get my family's picture" Natsuki replied to the assistant, her heart feeling heavy at the thought of going back.
"I will inform Master."
The car drove slowly towards the house as Natsuki's expecting eyes turned to despair and horror. The charred remains of what was once home now stood as the ground was covered in ashes. Running toward what was left of the house, Natsuki fell to her knees as she tried to rummage through the wreckage.
Okaachan... Otouchan... Kaachan...
Her pant and t-shirt were already smeared with charcoal and dirt, but nothing was found.
Okaachan..Otouchan...whoever did this to you.. whoever did this to our house, one day I will hunt them down. I will destroy everything they have until nothing is left. I will make sure they witness it with their eyes before as I burn them alive.
This time, there was no more tears sliding her cheek. There was only anger left in her heart, burning fiercely as Natsuki felt ready to pounce and kill anything they came by.
"Let's leave. Don't look back..." that was the order from that man she would now call master.
Before taking a step, Natsuki turned towards her burned house for one last time.
I promise Okaa-chan, Otou-chan, I will be back. For now...Ittekimasu.
...
Standing in front of the big double door, Natsuki was mesmerized at the emblem that was carved on it. Her viridian eyes stared in wonder at the two dragons, one in gold and the other in silver. As if knowing the questions on her mind, her master stood next to her as he explained. "Natsuki, to the Chinese, the dragon represents the power of heaven protection. It shows power, dignity, pride and resolution. Yet, at the same time, the dragon is also a fierce creature that can destroy everything in their path when they are enraged. Although, I am not a born Chinese, I believe the power of the dragon in protecting me and giving me power. So, I do hope, when you enter this place, the dragon that protects me will also walk beside you."
Dragon..
Dragon, will you stay beside me in my journey of revenge?
I need your power. Please lend me your power until I have fulfiled my revenge. After that you, can take me with you.
"Hai, master" Natsuki nodded.
Two of the guards pushed open the doors as both of them walked inside the big mansion. Natsuki was greeted by a garden with a stone path towards the traditional japanese style house.
"Anata..."
Huh?
Alert, Natsuki turned toward the voice of a woman. A young, beautiful woman approached them, careful in her steps as she held her hand against her pregnant belly.
Who?
"Julia.." her master greeted back as he hugged the woman. After a moment, he then turned towards Natsuki and motioned the young girl to follow him.
"Julia, this is Natsuki. She will live with us from now on. Please treat her as your own child. And..Natsuki, this is my wife."
Bowing, Natsuki greeted shyly "N..nice to meet you..ma'am." she could feel her heart beating fast at the sight of the beautiful and gorgeous woman.
Why am I feeling like this?
She couldn't understand why she felt that way.
Julia extended her hand for a handshake.
"Natsuki...call me mother, is just fine." the soothing voice calmed her heart. Natsuki found she was blushing and fidgeting. Slowly, she accepted the gentle hand.
"Ku-Kuga Natsuki.." she introduced herself, the blush still evidence on her cheek.
... 3 months later..
What's taking so long? Urghhh...
She had been pacing around the room for a long time, her head hung over as her mind was running all kinds of thoughts through her head. It was only at the sound of a cry from the other side of the room that Natsuki's feet came to a stop. Feeling a bit nervous, she approached in front of the door and kneeled.
"Ma..master..." she called.
The door open as her master's face greeted her. His face showed a sad smile.
"She is fine and healthy." He knelt down; a towel in his arms was held close.
Approaching her master, Natsuki peeked inside the bundle of towel.
"Yes, she's cute." she smiled at the sign of the baby.
"Natsuki, I want you to think of a name for your sister." her master said as there was a tugging at the ending in his voice.
At those words, Natsuki raised her head to look at her master. "But... what about mother?"
"Natsuki..." her master patted her on her head before he closed the door behind him. "Lets take good care of this child from now on. Both of us.."
"Us..?" Natsuki was confused.
"Us... Julia is not here anymore." Even though there was no tears showed, Natsuki knew there was sadness in those words.
Not here anymore?
At that moment, Natsuki realized she had lost yet another person she came to love. Months spending together with the person she called mother was left just a memory. And at that moment, Natsuki finally understood her feelings for that woman.
Mother...No... Julia... I love you.
Clutching her hand on her chest, she could feel the emptiness inside her grow even bigger.
"Natsuki.." his master's solemn voice managed to stop her from crying. She mustn't show any weakness in front of her master. "Try to hold her.." he motioned Natsuki to take the child. Slowly and gently, Natsuki took the child into her arms. The child's eyes looked at her and her mouth open to form a smile. Looking at the cute child, a name came into her mind.
"Nao..." she voice out.
"Nao..?" her master asked.
"Master, can we name her Nao?" Natsuki turn toward her master.
"Nao...hmmm" the man looked again toward his daughter and called "Nao"
Hearing the name, the baby smiled. "It's too short. I think I want to add some more...hmm"
"Ju...Juliet..." the man stared lovingly at the child. "Yes. Juliet."
"Juliet Nao Zhang." he smiled as he touched the baby's cheek.
Looking at the baby in her arm, Natsuki softly muttered "Juliet Nao Zhang"
...
Two years had passed as Natsuki was already twelve years old.
While she playing with her sister, Nao, her master's assistant came beside her and asked her to meet her master. At that time she had developed a close relationship with the family and adopted the Kruger family name.
Kneeling in front of the wise man she had known as her master and her father, Natsuki knew it must be important as it was rare for her to be called into her father's dojo.
"Natsuki..." her father start.
"Yes, master" Natsuki knows she was summon for a serious matter, not for a family matter. Natsuki had learned from her two years with the family, that this house is not an ordinary house, it also an underground powerful organization. The family is a much influenced family and they do have hierarchy in their well-organized family. And so Natsuki learned the border between being the family's adopted child and the organization's member. Right now, she is the organization's member.
"In two years you have already mastered the sword arts and juijutsu" her master started.
"Yes, master." she bowed
"Therefore... I'm asking you once again just to make sure.." he paused and change into a much gentle voice "Natsuki. Are you really sure you want to be an assassin?"
Closing her eyes, Natsuki could still picture the memories she had tried to forget...the memories of her past...never can she forget...it has become part of her...
The burned house
The rainy night
The bloody floor.. The smell of the blood...
Her father lied there motionless
Her mother's voice...
"Please. Let my children go. Spare them. Just leave them. I beg you."
"I love you Nina, Natsuki"
and Nina..her sister..
The song they happily sing that night
Tick Tock Tick Tock~
It's my grandfather clock~
An antique clock on the wall
Every hour it sound
Telling me what time it is
As she look at her sister's happy face. She laugh happily, swinging their arms back and forth. But then...it has ended...
"Onee-chan..."
"O..nee-chan... re-remember the story mom -always told us before bedtime?..."
Her pledge...
Okaachan..Otouchan...whoever did this to you.. whoever did this to our house, one day I will hunt them down. I will destroy everything they have until nothing is left. I will make sure they witness it with their eyes before I burn them alive.
Her master's words...
"How far would you go for revenge? If you've lost everything you had, your family, your home, your life and your heart in just one night...ne, tell me, child, how far would you go for revenge?."
A smile crept along her face, yet it was not a happy smile. It was far from a happy smile. A smile that would bring the end, a smile of a shinigami. A deathly smile, her eyes flaring with the rage of fire.
"How could I forget." her voice slithered dangerously as her eyes twitched and her face crooked into a menacing smile "This is what I am living for, hihi.. I want to be assassin. I must be an assassin. I will kill whoever you want me to until the time I will take my pleasure hunting them down"
"Natsuki.. Being an assassin is not easy. You must never become weak. Never surrender your body, your soul or your mind...until the time comes, not just to anyone"
"Until the time comes, not just… to anyone?" Natsuki asked with her brow raised. For her, this is all just a revenge. Her road for destruction and madness. Where she would gave up and surrender everything for it. That's how she thought of it.
"Yes.. You must be resolute. Never surrender to just anyone. Never betray our family. Until the time comes, you will know when it will happen, until then don't give up your life, your soul or your mind. Keep alive, stay strong but better to die than to betray. This is an assassin's pride"
At that time, Natsuki still couldn't comprehend the words her master said.
"Therefore..." her master raise to stand in front of her. "Tomorrow, we will start your training. Be prepared"
"Heh. I can't wait.." she gritted her teeth as she smile sadistically, a drop of blood trickled down from her lips.
Her training was not as early as she expected. She was very anxious from morning while waiting the call from her master. Either when she training katana, or when she punched the bag, her mind goes elsewhere. Part of her was still thinking about the words from her master but no matter how much she pondered over it, she still couldn't understand it.
It was already dark when the assistant came to fetch her and as she followed the path of their underground chamber, she could smell the ion and stench mixed with the gun powder and sulfur. The underground chamber of the family is a restricted area for her, so she had never been there before. As an obedient child, she never did anything that would cause trouble for her master. Every order and words from her master, she would follow without question. She would spend her day and night training and sharpening her martial art skill. And when she had little time in her days as she rested, she would go play with Nao.
Nao...
The cute little devil that reminded her so much of her sister; Mischievous, playful...
The thick wooden door open and inside was an empty area. She could see a few ropes hanging on the wall. The darkened and rusty crimson coloring the wall; she suspected its maybe blood judging by the pattern of the splatter.
"This is the torture room..." her master's voice came from behind her. "We use this place to torture people to get information or...just for warning. Either way, nobody has stepped out of this alive."
With a motion of his hand, two more assistant grab Natsuki's arms and wrap the rope around it restricting her from moving.
"Do you want to stop..?" her master looked her in the eyes. Looking back, Natsuki wave her head "No"
"To be an assassin, one must know first what is to feel pain."
The ropes on both her arms tightened as she was raised up until her feet could no longer feel the ground.
"To inflict pain to others, to taste the pain, to learn from it as we embrace it, but...never surrender to it."
He stopped as he touched her shoulder and again look her in the eyes for confirmation. All he could see is resolution, insanity. Closing the distance, he whispered for the small innocent ear to hear.
"The name is Shenlong. Never reveal it."
Natsuki creased her brow but couldn't understand why her master mentioned the name. Looking at her master's standing form, she nodded. After one last look, her father motioned for his assistant to start.
A big tall man stepped in front of her with a whip in his hand. A wicked smile on his face showing his broken tooth. A scar on his brow looked grim as he began lashing the whip on her body.
...
"Left...right...aichaaa!" a teenage girl exclaimed as she kicked the ball in front of her.
The ball roll on the ground until it stopped in front of a pair of boots. Gloved hands grabbed the ball from the ground.
"Nao.."
Raising her head to look at the person in front of her, the girl smiled happily. "Natsuki-nee!" She laughed and ran towards the older girl for a hug but before she could reach the warm body in a leather jacket, a hand stopped her.
"Ack!" Nao found that her sister stopped her by grabbing her head and pushed her backward. Disappointed, she tried to push forward, but the hand that stopped her was too strong until she was tired and fell on her knees.
"Hahahah! I know you just want to grab my boobs...no way in hell" the older girl laughed loudly.
Nao pout "That's not fair, Natsuki-nee."
"Then, fight for it!" the older challenged as she formed a fist with her hand.
As Nao had been trained in martial art since she was four, the sparring with her sister was a common thing.
"I accept your challenge!" Nao shouted as she lunged forward for an attack.
After fifteen minutes of sparring, Nao was already tired, lying on the ground trying to catch her breath. Standing tall above her was Natsuki, not even breaking any sweat. Looking closely at her sister's face, she noticed yet another new wound.
"Nee-chan. What happened to your forehead?"
"Huh?' Natsuki touch her forehead. A smear of blood lingered on her finger. "Ah. Maybe it was from when I knocked my head when I fixed the motorbike"
"Huh?" Nao didn't believe the excuse. It was obviously a cut, not a bruise wound.
"So..how's school?" Natsuki sat next to her.
"Nothing..bored.. I can't wait for next week's final exam. Then I can be high schooler" Nao was unfazed with showing her boredom.
"Nao, you should enjoy your middle school life." Looking at her sister, she knew her sister could be a little delinquent and trouble maker. Last time she caught her sister street fighting down the alley. Before that she saw her sister trick a group of people to get some money from them. All that time, she just observed the event quietly from above the roof and never interfered. She was just there to make sure her sister is alright and nobody was going to ever lay a finger on her. If someone ever tried to hurt her sister, she didn't think twice to move from her spot.
"..." Nao rose into a sitting position. "Ne..Onee-chan. Can I ask you something?"
"What?" Natsuki answered shortly as she stared at the blue skies above.
"Urmm...can you promise me you will answer honestly?"
"Hmm? Just ask me already, kiddo.." It seem Natsuki has lost her patience at Nao's hesitance.
"Actually..you see...I want to know...what is you are actually doing out there?"
"What I'm actually doing? What do you mean? I manage the company of course..haha.." Natsuki answered easily.
"I know that. What I mean is the other thing." Nao's voice came out on her question slowly, afraid of her sister's reaction. "I heard...father..."
"Nao...stop" Natsuki stopped her before she could ask anymore. "You are such a fortunate person. We all love you. It is best if you don't know, it's for better"
"But... I am also in this family. I have the right to know!" Nao raised her voice.
"Nao..." Natsuki looked at her sister's pleading before she hugged her. Patting Nao's head, Natsuki once again said in a gentle voice "Please...don't..."
"Nao.." it was their father's voice that interrupted their conversation. Her father then turned towards the older girl. "Natsuki.. I want you two to come to the dojo"
Natsuki's eyes widen at the command.
No!
Please master... Not Nao too...
As they sat in front of the old man, both in silence and waiting for the words.
"Nao.." their father began. "I presume you have already mastered the martial arts?"
Please..don't...
Natsuki pleaded inside her head as she tighly shut her eyes.
At that moment she felt afraid of what might happen.
At the motion of her father, Nao nodded acknowledging.
"Therefore, it's time for you to learn about our family business"
No...stop…
"Father, I can manage the business..." Natsuki tried to interrupt but was cut short by the next word from her father.
"You are my heir, Nao. So, I want you to learn as early as possible. For a starter, tonight, Natsuki will bring you to our underground chamber."
"Father, Nao is too early for that" Natsuki tried to reason.
"Natsuki. Nao is my daughter, my heir. I want her to wake up as soon as possible. I want her to learn the truth and I don't want to hide anything from her. I want her to know the burden of our family holds." now her father looked directly toward Natsuki.
No...
please...don't...
Nao is still too young..
Don't taint her with blood..
"I will not train her. I want you to train her, Natsuki" the last word from her father shocked her.
"Me?" Natsuki asked to confirm.
"Yes, you. I know my training is too harsh even for you. But, you know a better way to train Nao. I want her to become your partner. Teach her what she needs to know. Teach her the art of killing"
At the words of killing, Nao's heart stop and her eyes widened as she turned abruptly towards her sister that sat beside her.
Natsuki knew she will have to face this sooner. She knew there will be a time when she had to reveal the truth to her sister. Looking back at her sister with absolutes eyes, she opened her mouth to confess.
"Nao..." Deep green eyes meet with lime ones "I am an assassin of the Shang. I was hired to kill people"
Behind those deep green eyes, Nao realized there was something else hidden. The crazy and cold blood killer eyes that sent the shiver up her spine. That was the first and last time she dared to look her sister in the eyes for she was afraid of being drown inside those insanity too.
6 years had past since that day when she had brought Nao into the Underground Chamber. Looking outside through the clear window, Natsuki remember back the shock in her sister's eyes. Apart from it, there was something else in her sister's lime eyes. She could sense frighten from her sister; like a cornered mouse. Inhaling deeply, she avert her gaze from outside toward her desk.
Green eyes stared at the blank white paper in her hand. Just like the paper in front of her, her mind was also empty, thinking about nothing at all. In the half empty room only filled with basic furniture, all coloured in white and red, there was not a sound but a slow and steady gushing wind from the cold air conditioner on the wall.
A knock on the door and a tall man in a black suit walked across the empty space until he came in front of an empty white office desk.
"Kruger-sama, a letter for you." he place a red envelope at the center of the desk. Green eyes glanced at the envelope sharply before waving her hand. The man bowed and exited the room quietly.
Now her eyes were focused on the red envelope on that white empty desk while her mind was thinking of a few reasons and possibilities.
Taking out the letter opener, she slid the blade on the red sheet.
Opening the white sheet from the envelope, a few letters typed neatly and simple; for her to immediately return to the main house.
Standing up, she placed the letter in her pocket and walked towards the double door. The same man bowed to her again before following her in tow.
A few hours later, she now in front of a man, although now that man looked old, but the wise and proud image that he portrayed never faltered. Those eyes never changed.
"Natsuki" he looked straight at the girl kneeling in front of him.
"Yes" Natsuki answer short but firm.
"I have a mission for you."
Now the woman bowed deeply "Your order, master."
The man coughed before he could continue "I want you to marry the Fujino heir"
"..."
What the...
Natsuki's eyes twitched. She was shock beyond words. She's an assassin, not a bride for hire.
"Do you have any questions?" he asked when he received no reply.
"Anoo...Master, I don't understand" she asked carefully, still in deep bow. Deep inside her heart, she felt like she was about to laugh out loud at the order.
"What is it that you don't understand?" now the man's tone turned into sorrow.
"A..about marrying the Fujino heir, am I going to kill her after?" she stated as matter of fact.
Yeah, maybe that's the case.
The man than walked toward the woman and touch the woman's shoulder. Understanding the gesture, Natsuki's raised her head and stared up at her master.
"Come" he ordered again before he walked towards the garden, with Natsuki following behind.
Looking at the zen garden, the man stood at the center as he crossed his hands behind him reminded her of Julia.
"Natsuki, I'm not strong and young anymore… " he smiled before he continued. "My time will come. You have done well under my care, you have trained my daughter to become the next great heir and you also done a good job at the family business. I couldn't ask more than what you have given to me" approaching the attentive girl, he patted the girl's head "I know why you did all this. To find the people who killed your family, isn't it?" he grinned as Natsuki's eyes narrowed a little. "I still remember your eyes on that rainy night. Right now, it still looks the same to me, although you try to hide it from me. That's why, I did this. You are such a stubborn child." another cough interrupted him as he cleared his throat. "This is my last order for you. I release you of the Zhang fate and I want to entrust you to the Fujino. I know my friend, Fujino Shirai, has a daughter a year older than you, so, this will be the hardest mission for you." he chuckled. "This is a challenge for you, Natsuki. Make the Fujino heir fall for you and marry her. Then, I want you to merge The Zhang Group with the Fujino Corporation. This is my last order as your master, and also my last wish as your father". Even though the words came out nonchalantly, the eyes of the man showed he is serious and definite with his order. "This is your mission"
Natsuki look straight at her master eyes before she bow. "Yes...father. Your order will be fulfilled". Grabbing Natsuki into a hug, the old man pated her on her shoulder before releasing. "You are such a nice girl, you know, haha..."
Smiling softly, Natsuki looked into the her master's eyes for one last time before turning around, and walked with a determined step passing the sliding door.
"Natsuki-nee, going for another mission?" it was her sister, Nao, leaning on a wall next to the door. Nao had been back home from Japan after two years training as Japan's branch manager. Their father decided Nao should train early in the business which was the reason why Nao had to cut short her final year at high school to learn about their company. Aside from the underground business which she had already started when she was just a mere first year at high school. As the heir to the Zhang family, Nao did a great job and had a natural talent, although at first she was quite shocked and endured a short moment of trauma after her first kill. Together, they were renown for the most feared and professional assassins. Although, nobody knew the real identity behind the twin dragons or so the Triad called them the Shang for there was no witness alive in their present. As her master who trained her in the arts of killing, Natsuki felt proud but at the same time she felt sad and responsible for her sister.
"Yes" Natsuki paused "This will take long" she stated monotonously without looking at her sister, passing by as she left Nao all alone, her eyes trailing her.
Ittekimasu...