The glass elevator stopped on the sixth floor and Allouette half expected Ellis to get in. Of course it occurred to her that Ellis wasn't the only person on the sixth floor, but Allouette was shocked when Kayin stepped into the elevator with her. She nodded to him politely, afraid to do more than that. She always had a harder time killing when she got friendly with her prey.
Kayin didn't expect to see her when he got into the elevator. She stood in her cloak, silent and beautiful. He had seen women better looking than her, but there was a quality about her that he couldn't put his finger on. He had to say something.
"Hello."
She turned and looked at him, cocking her head to the side like a curious bird. He smiled, finding the gesture incredibly endearing.
"Hello."
Kayin didn't realize she had spoken until her lush lips stopped moving and pursed together again. She watched him with one delicate eyebrow arched.
"I'm Kayin Amoh. I'm sure you've heard of me."
A small chuckle escaped her lips, "I don't make a point of learning the names of arrogant men."
"Arrogant? I like to think of myself as incredibly self-assured."
"Then you're going a fantastic job. I'm Allouette James."
She held out a hand and Kayin took it quickly, "Allouette. . .that means sky lark in French."
"Very good. My mother had a passion for French romance novels at the time of my birth. I believe Allouette was the main character in 'A Night to Remember'."
Kayin laughed and released her hand. It had squeezed with a grip too firm to belong to a normal woman. They chatted until the elevator stopped at the lobby and they got out to let more people in.
"Going to dinner?" Kayin asked.
Allouette nodded, "Care to join me?"
He nodded, walking right past a familiar face. Eiji Shinjo had to run to catch up to Kayin and the woman he was engrossed with.
"Kayin, I almost didn't recognize you. I didn't think women got that close to you."
Allouette turned, amused, and Kayin turned around ready to throttle his best friend. Eiji stood in front of them, smiling like the world's happiest man. Eiji held out a hand to Allouette and she took it, shaking it firmly.
"Allouette just asked me to dinner, if it's any of your business. Allouette, this is Eiji Shinjo, my best friend." Kayin shook Eiji's hand and gave him a friend smack on the arm.
"Pleased to meet you. You must be who Ellis was talking about."
"Ellis is here?" Eiji asked, interested.
Allouette nodded and smiled, "Sixth floor. I think she's still there if you want to catch her."
"Thank you Allouette. Talk to you later Kayin." Eiji headed off towards the elevator and left them alone again. Kayin led Allouette into the hotel's dining room and sat down at a table in the corner.
"He seems nice." Allouette said, referring to Eiji.
"He's been there for me ever since we trained together."
Allouette nodded, paying attention to Kayin's story, ignoring the fact that she had plans that night to kill him.



Eiji took the elevator up to the sixth floor, watching Kayin walk away with Allouette. There was something he couldn't put his finger on, but she wasn't what she seemed. He shook his head and transferred his thoughts to the good humor he wanted to give Ellis. When the elevator opened, he stepped out, knocking someone over.
"I'm sorry, let me help you."
"You idiot! Why don't you watch. . .Eiji!"
Ellis jumped up and embraced him tightly. Eiji hugged her back and she stepped back quickly, suddenly embarrassed.
"Did I hurt you?"
"No, of course not."
"Did you see Kayin yet?"
Ellis looked puzzled, "No, why?"
"He's being nice. To a woman."
Ellis gaped at Eiji, who nodded knowingly, until Sofia came out of one of the rooms.
"He is being nice to her, but he might be falling into a trap."
Eiji and Ellis turned to her, Ellis raising an eyebrow, "Huh?"
"Come to my room, we need to talk."
Eiji and Ellis followed Sofia inside her room, the blond woman shutting the door behind them both. She gestured to them to sit down in the room's plush chairs.
"I'm wasn't sure what she was doing here at first, but that woman I saw Ellis with is the same one I saw with Kayin a little while ago. I couldn't place her at first, though she seemed familiar.
"She's Allouette. I met her in the elevator." Ellis said.
Eiji nodded, "I met her with Kayin in the lobby. Though I suspect she's more than she seems."
Ellis laughed, "You sound like a bad mystery novel."
"Well it's true! She's got an unbelievable level of ki. I felt it when I shook her hand."
Sofia nodded, "Allouette James isn't what she appears. I remember coming across her once on a mission. She's a bounty hunter who is known in some circles as the Predator. She works silently and quickly, taking down who ever she must with her skills. Her title is well deserved, and I believe she's after Kayin."



Atyon Seraph sat behind his desk in the bottom layers of the building. The Toshinden Tournament was going on above his head, and he was sure Allouette was up there as well. The stockholders had agreed that the Tournament should be held again, this time with a new face to the name. After what had happened last year, they needed a new image. Atyon was happy to help as the chairman of the board. Now his carefully laid plans were coming together.
It wouldn't be long. Allouette was ready, and all he needed was the final sacrifice before he could gain what he wanted. The power of the Ittou No Okibi would be his. The sword would help him gain control of not only Japan, but the world. Atyon slid back into the white leather chair and gazed into the shadows. Nimbus stepped out, one hand flipping a dagger in the air, catching it as it came down.
"Nimbus, I want you to tail Allouette. Make sure she does her job. If she doesn't, report back immediately so that the proper persuasion can be arranged."
Nimbus bowed, his long dark blue hair covering his pale gray eyes for only a moment before he looked up, a smile on his cruel face, "If she fails, may I kill her?"
Atyon frowned, "You are not to harm a hair on her head. If she dies, the power is gone. If this fails, the only life you should be worrying about is your own."
Nimbus nodded again and left the office, teleporting to the lobby to tail the worthless woman his master saw fit to use as a power source. Personally, he hoped to get to choose his reward. Tormenting Allouette seemed like it would fill his days with fun for months. Then eventually he could do as he pleased with her, especially his favorite fantasy.
This thought brought a smile to his thin lips as he blended in with the other people going to check out the fight board and the dinning room. He spotted Allouette with the man she was supposed to kill, laughing and joking. Nimbus knew the Storm wasn't one to take to strangers. Nimbus watched and made sure that Allouette, though charming, didn't get too involved.



"So we destroyed the Himitsu Kessha and rescued Naru. This year I'm back only for the prize money promised the winner. One million dollars American would be a lot of help for putting Naru through school."
Allouette nodded, finishing her dessert that she ordered only after Kayin had teased her mercilessly on how she couldn't be that good a fighter being so thin. Taking the last bite of cheesecake, she wiped her mouth, "You seem like a devoted father."
Kayin searched her face when he asked her, "Why are you here?"
"I'm here to find my father."
He was amazed. Her face had gone from soft and animated to solid, emotionless stone.
"Your father? Why do you think he's here?"
"I know he's here because my invitation said he was." She said, biting her lower lip.
"Then I hope you find him."
Allouette smiled, "Thank you, I'm sure I will."
She yawned and looked at the clock on the hotel restaurant wall. "It's getting late and I want to watch the matches tomorrow. I better turn in."
Kayin nodded, but was shocked when she continued, "Would you like to come upstairs?"
He grinned and held an arm out to her, which she readily took. Allouette chatted with him as they went up in the elevator, but her mind wandered to her job and what she was about to do. Truthfully, she didn't want to think about it, but time was running short not only for the two being alone, but also for her father.
The elevator stopped on the nineteenth floor and Allouette led Kayin to her room. She opened the door and he stepped in, whistling his appreciation.
"Wow. Nice digs."
Allouette nodded and turned on only one light as they walked into the living room.
"Allouette, I can hardly see. Turn on another. . . ."
Kayin didn't have time to finish his sentence as Allouette pulled him to her and pressed her lips against his. The blood immediately rushed to his groin as well as his cheeks as her tongue slipped between his teeth and caressed his own. He sighed against her mouth, his hands reaching inside her cape to caress her lithe hips.
Her hands roamed his body, slipping down his back, her fingers kneading his bottom gently. Kayin groaned and moved his hands to pull her closer to his body. She leaned in and kissed down his jaw to his ear, nibbling gently.
"Allouette. . ."
"Shhh. . .it's destiny."
Kayin winced as he heard that line, almost diverting his attention enough to see her knee come into his groin. Allouette pulled away and Kayin doubled over in pain, giving her the opportunity to deliver a kick to his chin with the toe of her boot.
He went flying over the back of a couch and landed on the floor, lying still to catch his breath. Kayin could hear the metallic swish of her blades as she pulled them free from the scabbards, one in each hand. He groped at his side and slowly pulled out Excalibur and held it above his body, waiting for her.
Allouette stalked around the side of the couch and leapt into the air.
"ANGEL WRATH!"
Her swords lit with a silvery purple light instantly, her ki level so shocking Kayin that he almost forgot to roll out of the way. Allouette came down on both feet, her swords in a reverse grip slamming into the floor where Kayin should have been. She brought both swords back to the normal grip and hissed.
"Allouette, what are you doing?" Kayin asked, standing with his sword in front of his body defensively.
"I am sorry. I didn't mean to get involved like this, but this is a matter of life and death. Your death will save my father's life."
Kayin frowned, "Who sent you?"
"That doesn't matter, pretty boy. You are Kayin Amoh. You are the Storm. It is my job to end your life."
"So be it."