Babysitter Break

Back at the Shika Clan Compound, Morotsuka, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan…

Omani stayed overnight once more to tend to Santi and Bryce who were now both sound asleep in their beds. She was exhausted from teaching them basic ninjitsu and watching their every move. It was almost midnight, and yet, still no word from Hide or Urenna. Omani went outside to try and contact them through the cordless phone. She tried dialing Hide. She got nothing. It was the same way with Urenna. Omani shook her head in disappointment.

Omani: "I wish I could find out where they are, but that is not possible. The boys need me because they have no one else besides us. The Ishida's could look after them, but I don't want to inconvenience them any more than I already have. Please be safe Hide, Urenna."

Back in Fujian Province, China…

Nurse: "Excuse me? Crow? You have a guest."

Hide: "Mmm?"

Zhang Tsai (appears from the outside of the tent curtain): "Hide?"

Hide: "Zhang Tsai." (Hurting) "Ach! I didn't think you even bother to see me."

Zhang Tsai: "I had to come see you in person. Obviously, you are healing quite well despite that brutal fight against that Russian."

Hide: "Yes. He was definitely strong, but not invincible."

Zhang Tsai: "Hide. I don't think you should remain here for much longer. I just heard from one of Kang's men that they plan to detain you once you have been medically cleared from this place."

Hide: "Detain me?"

Zhang Tsai: "Yes. Because of that girl. I think they now know that you two are together. She exposed herself yesterday by yelling your name right in front of everyone. Do you know where she is right now?"

Hide: "She is helping me with my investigation on Bogdan. I told her not be exposed like that again and to not pick a fight like she did the other day against Kang. He is too dangerous. As far as where she is, she should be in the hotel."

Zhang Tsai: "Hmmm…I will have security here try to find her and tell her to get out of this place. I will have you sent to another hospital at the city nearby. The medical staff are getting an ambulance ready just for you right now."

Hide: "You're serious."

Zhang Tsai: "Yes, If I know that Kang, he will find out everything about his adverseries. One way or another. Time is of the essence, so get dressed up."

Back at the hotel…

Urenna was back in her room as she slept after long night of snooping around the rooms occupied by Bogdan Dragunov and his colleages. Other than the information about Cain possibly being in Vietnam, Urenna didn't find anymore new details. However, she did see that Bogdan's military ranking was very high and that he was working with all sorts of bad people involved in the black arms market. She spent many hours, sneaking in various rooms and digging up information from wallets and bags. Lucky for her, no one noticed her presence and Bogdan was not present at the hotel due to his injuries from Crow. But just when she woke up, there was some loud banging at her hotel door.

Urenna: "Mmmmhhhh…? What do you want?"

Though she was still tired, Urenna carefully got closer to the front door. These people hitting the door where not room service at all. From their ki, their intent was not welcoming. Urenna would command her voice to know who was behind that door.

Urenna: "Just who are you?!"

Chinese government officer: "Open this door! You are under arrest!"

Urenna: "Whaaaattt?"

Chinese government officer: "Open up now!"

Urenna (Whispering.): "Sh*t! They figured out my room number? And Hide is still at the medical tent. What if they have him too!? I gotta get out of here now."

It was a good thing Urenna did not have too many clothes or supplies stored inside her hotel room. She just needed to take her valuables with her and leave the rest of the items in the room. Urenna looked outside after packing her backpack. Everything below appeared to be normal, so she would leave out from her balcony. Leaping as high as she could, Urenna jumped off from the edge of the balcony. With the rope she took from her utility pouch, Urenna was able latch onto a tree branch and safely rolled into the grassy area of the parking lot. After brushing away twigs and leaves from off her body, Urenna pressed on. She would head right for the medical tent.

Meanwhile…

Zhang Tsai managed to get a private ambulance parked at the driveway of the medical tent facility where Hide was being hospitalized. Hide was just cleared by the doctor there even though his body was still brusied up from the previous fight with Bogdan Dragunov. When he walked up to the driveway, Zhang Tsai got out of the ambulance passenger side to open the back door, so Hide could continue resting.

As the ambulance drives towards the hotel exit, a police vehicle appeared and it blocked the exit driveway heading for the street! A few Chinese cops got out of the vehicle and drew their weapons at the ambulance. One of them commands that the ambulance halts and stays in its position. Zhang Tsai could hear sirens from inside the back of the vehicle.

Zhang Tsai: "They knew we were leaving already? Damn that Kang!"

Hide: "What's happening?"

Zhang Tsai: "The police are here to arrest us! Thanks to Kang's meddling lies!"

The situation got tense really fast, but then.

Urenna: "Taaaaaa!"

Urenna disarmed the four policemen aiming their guns at the ambulance with her shuriken. She boldy landed on her feet and stood right in front of the cops. The kunoichi demanded that the officers let them pass.

Urenna: "Move the car or you will all suffer a worser fate!"

The cops reluctantly did what she commanded them to do. It was like Urenna was a demon of sorts. A bad omen of despair and suffering awaited them if they disobeyed her wishes. The police car backed away once traffic was clear again and it even drove away from the vicinity. Urenna could tell that Hide was inside the ambulance just going by his faint ki. She then asked the driver if Hide was there.

Urenna: "Is Crow in the back?"

Driver: "Yes he is. I will unlock the door." (Gets out of the truck.)

The back door is open…

Urenna: "Crow!"

Hide: "Urenna?"

Zhang Tsai: "Well I'll say! We owe you one Urenna."

Urenna: "Are both of you alright?'

Hide: "I'll manage better now that we can leave."

The ambulance starts moving again…

Urenna: "Now where are we going?"

Zhang Tsai: "To Nanping. It will take at least an hour to get there. There is a hospital where Hide can be treated. I personally know the head doctor who runs it."

Urenna: "Alright. But…why are the police after us?"

Zhang Tsai: "My guess is you young lady."

Urenna: "Me?"

Zhang Tsai: "You did have that outburst yesterday at the tournament. And they must have found out about you sneaking around in the hotel through the cameras and fingerprints as well. So that is my guess."

Urenna: "Oh. I should have known that."

Zhang Tsai: "At any rate. Did you guys find out any information on this Cain person?"

Urenna: "Just a note saying that he was in Vietnam. I'm hoping he is still there."

Zhang Tsai: "I hope not in Ho Chi Minh City. That place still has a serious crime issue going on."

Urenna: "It's just the type of place he would be in too. I need to see for myself."

Hide: "Wait Urenna…We have to know for sure! Aggcchh!"

Zhang Tsai: "Settle down Hide! You should not speak. Urenna, you need to protect your master in case the cops are still after you guys. I don't think they will do anything to you in this hospital. Not if my friend has anything to say about it."

Urenna: "Well…if you insist."

A few days later…

After Hide was released from the city hospital of Nanping, he and Urenna had to go back the Jouzhou Temple area. They had left the helicopter camoflagued within the valleys. Lucky for them, no one ever found the chopper since it had stayed there for almost four weeks. Because of Onami's worries, Hide decided to return for Japan so that he could continue healing his injuries. Urenna obeyed, but she wondered if she was missing her chance to quickly find Cain before he left Vietnam. Inside the compound, Onami wanted to speak with Urenna while the baby Bryce and Hide were still asleep. The other boy Santi was already up studying Japanese grammar in his room. The women both spoke in the kitchen as Onami was preparing lunch.

Onami: "Urenna, thanks for waking up and having to listen to me."

Urenna: "Ummm…sure Onami. What's on your mind?"

Onami: "I remember the other night, you wanted to find that man who murdered your parents and brother. Cain was his name, yes?"

Urenna: "Yeah. Hide said I still couldn't go. Said it was too soon and you would be worried still."

Onami: "Right. I mean…had you just left without saying it, then of course, I would be just as worried. But maybe after tomorrow, I can help you find that man."

Urenna: "Huh? You mean?"

Onami: "I have been on the sidelines for a long time now. I could use some excitement for once instead of…you know…cooking and babysitting." (Smiling.)

Urenna (Holding her laughter.): "But what about Hide? He's still hurt. He might not want us to go together."

Onami: "I know it, but let me talk to him. I will have my friend look after him and the children while we can investigate Cain's location. For your sake Urenna, we can't let this chance slip."

Urenna: "Wow. I can't believe you are willing to help me."

Onami: "It's the least I can do Urenna. You have grown up so strong and courageous. And now we have a real family amongst the Shika Clan. I don't want this to disappear. Do you?"

Urenna: "No. Absolutely not."

Onami: "Atta girl. So once I prepare the rice, I want you to keep watch while I disturb our leader with my plans."

Urenna: "Understood."

Urenna felt relieved and surprised that Onami would just volunteer to help her find out where her family's killer is hiding. She hoped that Hide would not blow a casket over this mission. For a brief moment, she could hear Hide and Onami begin to argue, but then, it was quiet again. Soon enough, Onami came out and asked Urenna about the rice being boiled.

Onami: "Is the rice over boiling?"

Urenna: "No…I don't think it is."

Onami (Looks into the pot.): "Its ready."

Urenna: "What did he say?"

Onami: "Oh him? He was trying to stop us, but rest assured, I told him that we will do our best to find out more about this Cain man." (Pours the hot water into the sink.) "Not to mention, its his turn to look after the boys."

Urenna: "Yes! Thank you again Onami!"

Onami: "My pleasure Urenna. Now let's set the table for lunch."