Disclaimer: Laughable…disclamable…. I am disclaiming…. I am…oh forget it!

Okay this chapter is 10,000 words…. Very long, I know but it should be two chapters. It was supposed to be but I won't be updating for awhile because I will be taking a whole bunch of practice test to get ready for my P.S.A.T tests and S.A.T ones'. So you can read this at whatever pace suits you and don't have too worry about falling behind on chapters…besides I want people read this story slowly…it will be easier to understand that way.

Important! When reading this chapter, pay attention too much of what they say as most of it is symbolic and almost prophetic to things that will come in the future. Maybe if you are a very perceptive person you'll be able to guess what's going to happen. ^_^

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Chapter Ten: Between truth and lies!

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Slowly they will drive you insane but as slow as that you will start to remember everything…you have to and hopefully you will do it before we run out of time. I need to know where I hid it as I forgot but you know somewhere within your mind you know where I put it and you will tell me.

I didn't mean to, be so rough on you the other day in the bar but my goodness Kai, you have grown so old and very strong. Believe me you almost had me so I had to go into drastic measures.

Sorry…

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Kyoto. January, 22.

~ Tala ~ "What do you mean you know me and Kai are assassins, where'd you get a dumb idea like that?" I questioned, remaining false on some of my words.

He smirked. "Nice cover but no dice… Sometimes my gifts are a curse as sometimes I can't control it and my mind starts to journey into others." He began and I cut him off before he could finish.

"So, what are you saying?"

He put his had up in a stopping gesture, stopping me from questioning further. "I was so upset when Ditch began to pick fights with you and your brother that I kind of lost myself… I heard Kai thinking about his life and you, it was muffled by everyone else's thoughts but I know what I heard."

I bit my lip... Damn his powers of the mind… "I guess I can't deny what is already known." He nodded and I spoke further. "So if you knew why didn't you say anything…aren't you loyal to Ditch?" I wondered.

He cackled. "There's a fine line between loyalty and doing what's right." He explained. "Though I do feel awful about lying to him, it's like betraying a brother."

I narrowed my eyes glancing down at the dirt as I began to kick it around moderately. "That bad huh, so why do it for someone you hardly know?"

He smiled weakly. "I don't know, I think it was because of what I saw and felt as I traveled through Kai's mind." He said, his eyes riveting within his thoughts.

I kicked the dirt harder this time. What he saw must have been great and that peaked, my curiosity. "What did you see?"

He shook his head while shrugging. "I can't explain it nor can I even began to understand it." He informed. "But that's besides the point, now, I brought you here to talk about another way to hack into their system."

I nodded. "I am listening."

He leaned up against a rundown, hoops game-stand with a smile. "If we can sneak into this Organization's main room, we can hack into the original computer. And you would be able to find out what you want a whole lot easier and probably a lot more then you could from another computer but…" He trailed off.

"But what?"

"-But the main center is hidden within the governments' main building."

"How could they have their main office within a medium sized building, it's not big enough?" I wondered.

"It's not inside the building, it's underneath." He informed much to my surprise.

"How'd they get under there? Is the government helping them?"

Ozuma shook his head. "No I probed the mind of a simple lackey man and I found that the government is oblivious to it all." He informed. "They built this main station before the government even grazed over the land."

My stomach at that point felt like an empty pit. I gave him a look surprise topped off with suspicion. "How is that possible? They would've had to been around for centuries!" I spat.

He scratched the tip of his nose before replying with a frown. "Exactly."

I glanced at the ground once more. How was this all possible, it was as Lain had suspected there is more to this organization then me and Kai had thought! I looked up at Ozuma completely prepared. "All right then lets get started."

Ozuma smirked. "Good, I am glad you are ready." He tossed his duffel bag out in front of me. "Open it!"

I narrowed my eyes curiously as I knelt down to the ground, pulling the bag by its strap closer to me. "What is it?" I said aloud not caring for a reply as I unzipped it, dipping my hand carefully into it. My eyes widened at what I saw and felt. "What is this?" I said wording my question a little differently as I pulled out a stretch tight black shirt with stretch tight black pants. There were other items within the bag as well but I only took the clothes.

"Put those on, they will make it easier to sneak in?" He explained. "In that bag contains some of the items we'll need to bypass security and some hacking tools as well. Security is going to be tight so if you get captured your own your own." He warned.

I glanced up at him with a dry look as I walked behind an abandoned haunted ride as I stepped inside the shaft it led into to change out of my clothes. "Gee that's refreshing!" I commented, as I took off my trench coat and other garments.

He grinned. "It's how I work."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah well then the same goes for you."

Once I was completely naked besides the important items, I put over my head and over my chest the black spandex shirt. Then the spandex pants…I looked down at myself once complete with a sour look, I did not like these clothes. They were dumb, horrifying really!

He laughed. "That's fine."

Coming out of the shaft, I scoffed. "Good."

He looked at me perceptively and nodded. "You hate them don't you?" He cackled.

Bobbing my head sourly, I replied. "What was your first clue?"

"That sour look on your face." He shook his head still laughing slightly. "I hate them too." He explained.

I looked at him skeptically. "Yeah well at least you don't have to wear them."

He opened his long black overcoat that I hadn't noticed him wearing before, revealing that he too was wearing the hideous outfit. "They are the most horrible outfits and definitely something I wouldn't be caught dead in but they are important for our mission."

I put my hand over my mouth stifling my laughter as I looked at him while he quickly closed his trench. He looked more ridiculous then me so I felt a little better. "That's a good idea." I agreed as I took up my trench in my other hand and put it over my body. "I would never be caught dead in one of these. So please don't tell Kai about this."

"Don't worry your secret is safe with me, unless you tell Ditch about me."

I considered before answering him. "Fine."

After a brief understanding in silence, I sighed. "Okay now that we have come to an agreement why don't you tell me how we're going to get there?"

Using his thumb, he pointed to something over his shoulder with a jubilant smirk. "Our rides are over there!" He directed.

Curiosity brushed across me, as I inclined forward trying to see past him and then finally I saw it and my eyes expanded slightly. "Holy-" I muttered as I stalked past him towards the objects that had caught my eye. There were two Harley Motorcycles behind him; one was a shiny blue and the other a silky black. Residing next to them, I placed a hand to the blue one it was so beautiful. These bikes were classics and probably very expensive. Looking over my shoulder, I asked, "Where'd you get these?"

He winked at me deviously. "Borrowed them from Ditch." He explained, tossing me a pair of keys.

Catching the keys gracefully and clenching them against my heart, I gaped at him in somewhat fear. "Um…is…is he going to be okay with this." I questioned but moreover, just wanted to know that if Ditch catches me, I won't receive another beating, as I did not want to play a weakling again.

Hopping onto the blue motorcycle, he smiled knowingly. "I can see where you are going with this and just let me tell you that you are safe as I take these bikes all the time. He doesn't mind."

I sighed in major relief as I glimpsed quickly at the murky sky before getting onto the black bike. "Good, I don't feel like losing anymore blood to him." I scoffed.

He started up his engine, shaking his head at me. "I am sorry for what Ditch did to you as is he." He apologized.

In somewhat a startled fashion, I started up the ignition. I didn't get what he meant as why would he have to apologize for something he took no part in. "You don't need to apologize...you didn't do anything wrong?"

A reaction took place on Ozuma's face as those words left my lips. It was a reaction, I had not expected, he looked almost hurt by what I said. His grip of the handles on his bike tightened as he starred as if in a trance at the ground. "He was very upset afterwards, after what he did to you and even the girl in alleyway, you know. He just couldn't help it, it was the only way he could find to deal with his pain." He explained.

His words sparked my interest as I questioned him. "What do you mean? What's wrong with him?" I wondered.

Completely disregarding my question, he changed the subject quickly to matters that were more important. "We need to leave now, it will take us two days to reach Kanto where the main governmental office is located. We need to make it there by nightfall of the second day after everyone has gone home for the day as it will make it much easier to bypass security and other stuff." He paused taking a deep breath before going on. "There will most-likely be a few security guards about the place but we should have no problems getting passed them." He explained.

I really wanted to know what was up with Ditch but my question seemed to be an area where Ozuma didn't want to go so, I let it slide. I nodded my understanding before replying. "All right, well then we should hurry and-." I paused, gripping my handles.

Ozuma tilted his head to the right, gaping at me curiously. "What?"

"Thanks for keeping my brothers secret and for helping me now... " Then I went on as if entranced letting my curious musings loose. " Still I wonder why you would help a complete stranger?" I shook my head of the thought and then sighed. "Well let's go."

"I have my reasons." He murmured and then we took off out of the abandoned amusement park, down the paved road, heading towards Kanto and the secrets that have been, locked away from me and Kai.

Minutes down the road I fell into a dead silence, my vision and everything living about me sucked into my body as my mind mused over what would be awaiting me within the organizations files and databases. I knew what I find would change everything; it would be like entering to another world. One more destructive and painful then the one we're in now.

I didn't get far in my thoughts as quickly enough Ozuma, who rode at the right of me, began to speak on the matters I thought had faded long ago at the park. "His sister is dying…" He muttered.

Shifting my head to the right a little jarred, I replied. "You mean Ditch's sister?"

Taking in the fresh wispy air around, he bowed his head. "A week before Ditch beat you up, his sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. He totally flipped: he destroyed is bedroom, burned down a whole field, and even hurt himself by stealing a car, crashing it and himself into a wall…he was lucky to survive."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing, I couldn't believe that guy actually cared for someone else besides himself but still no one should hurt themselves at the expense of another. He needed to think how his sister would feel if she knew he was hurting himself because she was hurting. "Is she going to survive?" I questioned, but after a while of silence I was beginning to think that maybe the rushing wind passed us had disoriented my voice and he didn't hear me or didn't understand.

None of those was the case; he just was having a hard time with the answer, so I learned after a few minutes. "She doesn't like doctors…ever since their mom was killed by one. So she wouldn't go there for the longest time, even when she was receiving symptoms that she needed to visit one. Finally after a while Ditch got her to agree to go to one and they ran a few tests and found that she was a carrier of it for months. If she would of came earlier probably would have been able to survive using new treatments but because it has had a while to grow and develop...they aren't so sure anymore." He informed sadly.

I bit my lip, I never knew it…but even bullies must have their reasons for things just as me and Kai for our mother…except his actions are more destructive. "Oh man…that's horrible."

"There is one treatment that could save her life…it's new to this world, newer then the ones I was talking about before and has proven good results. The doctor said it would most-likely be a surefire way to save her but-." He paused abruptly.

"But what?"

"-But Ditch doesn't have enough money to pay for it."

Still biting my lip, I questioned him, "How much does it cost?"

He replied. "200,000 yen."

My tooth went through my lip in shock. "That's outrageous!" I barked.

He smirked, cackling slightly. "Life is priceless but when it comes to saving one it costs eternity." He shook his head. "That's why Ditch has been so upset lately, it's why he beat you up and everyone else around him."

Wiping the small amount of blood onto my hand away from my lip, I looked up at the sky. "Ain't that the truth…and…I understand why he beat me up so you can tell him that I forgive him." I paused, admiring the deep blue abyss that is the sky. "In his place I would do the same thing." I explained. It's true, if Kai were going to die I would probably go on a destructive streak, destroying everything in my wake and then later probably join the Russian Mafia.

"Yours and Kai's situation is a hard one but the basic plot is the same with Ditch. You and Kai do what you do for your mother and he does what he does for his sister. The only difference is that what you do actually keeps your mom alive and his…well, his only causes further pain."

It was weird hearing someone else voice our problems and even talking to someone else about them besides Kai; but then again, it was rather nice. Before speaking in compliance to him, I made a sharp right turn on the bike into the middle of nowhere. There were fields on either side of us; they were, littered with trash and the grass, which made it up, was all dried and dead. I nodded. "Exactly." and then a little bit after the right turn was executed we made a left into more fields.

"He made a bad name for the Highlanders awhile after that day of finding out. It wasn't just you. He beat up a lot of people and destroyed a lot of things." He explained. "Do you know what the Highlanders were renowned for?"

I had only met them on that dreadful day when I was tortured by choice as I didn't fight back, so of course I didn't know the first thing about them. Until today at this moment, I didn't even know they had a heart. Today at school, I was beginning to learn a little bit about them and they seemed nicer but I thought their only reason for that was because Kai threatened them. Ozuma's story of Ditch's reasoning for the things he did to me and I guess everybody around did shed some insight into him. Now I know that he wasn't just some sick twisted kid who enjoys the art of infliction. He was just a troubled kid trying to rid himself of the pain in knowing he couldn't save one of the only people that mattered to him…I could relate to that. "What…?"

The smile that ensued, Ozuma's lips was one the said to me he was drowning in a blissful memory. He glimpsed at me quickly, before going back to watching the road. "We're a gang and gangs are bad so of course we did steal from people a threatened to beat them up if they didn't give us there money. But what's funny is we didn't really beat people up-maybe sometimes but rarely ever. Ditch would make himself look scarily tough when he threatened people and so they would believe he would actually hurt them. After that they'd cough their money right up but Ditch didn't keep that money for himself…he used it for helping others."

I cocked a brow, interesting. "Really…like what?"

He mused for a moment before replying. "Well, Ditch didn't have a good childhood, his mom died by a doctor, who had a freakish obsession with her. He killed her because he couldn't have her. After that Ditch's father went insane and he would beat him and his sister badly. I won't tell you everything 'cause Ditch will kill me if he finds out I told what I have already but something bad happened and his dad died. His sister and him were, taken to an orphanage but they didn't want to separate so they escaped and formed this gang. But they never did anything illegal like selling drugs, they have a honor code." He paused. "But the point is whenever Ditch sees someone in need, he has to help them because they remind him of what he went through. So he gives money to the poor or if someone needs it for something serious he'd give it to them or is just in need of plain help…like me." He said smiling meekly in remembrance.

"What did he do for you?" I questioned, curiously.

He shook his head. "Nothing…I've said too much already…just know that he is sorry for what he did to you." He whispered.

I think I gawked at him with a black look for a whole two hours. I did watch the road at the same time, I didn't want to crash, but I just couldn't help but look at him in wonderment. He was so loyal to Ditch and after hearing his story, I had a feeling I knew why…my guess was that Ditch did something for him long ago and I wondered what it was. Also I could see what he meant by helping me would be like betraying a brother...and I knew that he was sticking his neck out for me. But the way he talked about Ditch, it was like he was saying he was a saint but somehow I still had my doubts, even so, I do see him in somewhat a new light.

After a few more minutes of lousing around in thought, Ozuma snapped me out of it when he began to talk. "Okay make a right into this hotel, we are going to spend the night and leave at early dawn. We should make it nearing nightfall to the main office." He explained.

I shook my head, as the information slowly spread through my brain. "All right." Looking around at my surrounding environment, I danced into shock at what I saw. Endless dried fields no longer surrounded us; we had made it into a small town.

Pulling up to the small hotel, I took up parking at the right of Ozuma as I immediately jumped off the bike. The hotel was a small fixer upper. The ceiling looked, even from where stood as if it would cave in at any moment. The walls were, whitewashed with many small holes adorning it. I cocked a brow. "This is where we are staying…why don't we just sleep outside, and put a sign on us saying, I am an easy target, come get me." I said. This hotel was so rundown it probably was the mainstream for all crimes, staying here would just be like saying we are their next clients of attack.

He rolled his eyes in annoyance. "You city boys don't know the first thing about a good hotel." He explained. "We'll be safe here."

"Is that a guarantee?"

"Sure."

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~ Kai ~ A cold breeze, a heavy silence. It didn't last long. Footsteps, fast paced footsteps danced the silence away along with a merry laughter. The birds chirped their jubilant song as the animals pranced around the grass, playing tag. Their game was, suddenly interrupted as the footsteps threatened to pounce, them into oblivion. The laughter then grew stronger-.

"You won't get me Tala!" I shouted.

"Yeah you just wait Kai, I'll get you…give me back my Game-Boy SP!" Tala shouted, running quickly up the hill after me, his brother, who had stolen his video game to get him, riled up so I could have some fun. I hadn't any in such a long time.

I swayed my head within the breeze that blanketed me as I ran swiftly. "You can't get me…I am Shippo no Zin the fastest and strongest person alive." I warned.

"Yeah well then I'll just turn into father and force you into the ground."

"Father isn't as good as Zin, Zin could whip his butt anytime." I squealed.

He snorted. "Father has the power of the belt, the power of groundation and the power to take those he helped bring into this world out. That can destroy even the mightiest of men." He warned.

I laughed at the creativity in his words. "Good one!"

I could feel the replying words slipping from my brother's mouth; they were on the tip of his tongue on the verge of escaping his lips. It would never be, I would never hear them for the words designated as the birds scampered away from the trees within the current of the shrilling scream. It was a scream the informed me its owner was terrified and possibly in trouble. I stopped in my place looking over to Tala, who pulled the video game from my clutches with an alarming frown.

Tala kissed his game boy repeatedly. "Your home again…it's okay I won't let mean Kai take you away again." He promised.

Ignoring his childish words, I went on in my curiosity. "Did you hear that Tala?"

He looked at me, his looks growing suspicious. "What…you mean that scream?"

"Yeah."

He shrugged. "Probably someone playing around with their annoying older brother as I am." He explained.

I shook my head. "No, this wasn't a playful or annoyed scream it was shrill wrapped in terror…I think someone is in trouble." I explained.

He narrowed his eyes. I could see he was carefully considering my words. "But…are you sure…I mean how would you know?"

How would I know? I had no idea how to answer that. It was a feeling I had. A tingling sensation… a calling telling me that someone needed my help, I could feel their fear boiling within my stomach and when the second scream sounded, I knew someone was in need of me. I turned away from Tala and began running further up the mountains aiming for the top. "It came from this way, come on Tala we need to help this person, we are Machiavellian warriors, it is our job to protect the people of our village." I reminded.

Tala nodded his agreement. "-But I am only six and you're only eight, why don't we get an adult like Zin."

I shook my head at his ignorance. "Zin is only 15 years old, he's strong for his age so everyone treats him a lot older then he is but so are we. And this person in trouble can't wait for us to go find someone." I explained.

He sighed. "You got a point…let's hurry then." He groaned.

Smiling, I replied. "Thanks."

About halfway up the mountain, I caught sight of a young girl around Tala's age, playing around Mount Stinky's volcano -we named it ourselves- in her hands were about five small dried volcano rocks. Behind her, the volcano began to shake measurably and she was losing her footing. Loud obnoxious rumbling and squealing sounds sprung from its mouth and she screamed once more in fear then went her footing as she slid towards, falling backwards into the eye of the volcano.

The sounds around us faded into a mute disposition as intensity coursed through my veins, weighing my stomach down. My eyes widened while I lunged at her, grabbing the digits of her hand. As I starred her down trying to pull her away from the casting of death's door to oblivion, my breathing rose to heights I had never felt before…I thought I was going to faint. Squinting, my eyes straining myself to save her, I sought using words to quell her fears. "Don't worry I got you, you will be safe…I am a Machiavellian warrior…your life is in good hands."

She nodded, fretful tears dribbling in the corners of her eyes.

I managed to allay her fears but it did nothing for my own. Tala was right, we probably should've called someone older but then again, I know they wouldn't have made it to her in time and she would've became wax. I know I was doing the right thing, I just wish, I was stronger. With that in mind, I said a little prayer within my head…

'Oh Lord please don't let, this young girls life slip through my fingers. I am only eight I can't bare to live with that for the rest of my years, her eyes are so filled with fear and yet with trust and hope that she will be safe now that I am here. I can't tell her I am as scared as she is please fill me with the strength and courage to pull her to safety. Please answer my prayer, I ask not for myself but for this scared child- in Jesus name I pray this prayer…Amen'

This small little prayer was taught to me through Zin, who taught me all about God for he said that God had saved his life in these troubled times of war. Saved him from death during battle and death when he was suicidal as result of living a war-life and now I hoped he would save hers.

The rumbling vibrations grew more immense, the squealing sounds grew louder and my strength had been, sapped, her fingers were slipping through mine…had the prayer not worked, did I not pray right? I wondered.

"Kai I am coming!" Tala shouted as he ran towards me. I had thought he was right behind me during this whole thing but he must've fallen behind as I went too fast. My prayer for more strength was, answered as Tala wrapped his arms around me, pulling me up along with her, until we were completely away from the eye of the volcano.

By the time we were all away from the volcano, at the end of the mountain, our breathing had doubled its out and intake by five, as we couldn't even control ourselves enough too barely calm down. The little girl's ankle had sprained so I was, forced to carry her down the mountain.

On the ground where we lay, I turned to look at the girl with a suspicious questioning glare. "What were you doing up there? You could've died you know…you should know once the volcano signals its eruption time that it is no longer safe up there and that you need to leave."

She sighed, tilting her head, smiling at me. "I was collecting cold volcano rocks for my father's research…he's a scientist for the Machiavellian society." She sniveled still smiling as she showed me some of the rocks that hadn't left her into the volcano. "And I wasn't in any real danger because you were there…what's your name?"

From her words, I began to fill with ridiculous jarring emotions. "Kai…Kai Hiwatari." I stammered.

"You know Kai, it's a Japanese proverb when you save someone's life that life belongs to you, it's yours too protect. Ha-ha, so I guess that means I am yours." She explained.

My eyes narrowly widened in horror as I backed away from her. "What! You are so weird." I groaned.

She frowned, scooting closer to me. Tala watched from afar near a tree in as much horror as I. I thought I was getting away from her until my hands slid on something rough and I fell onto my back. She sat herself over me, looking me over then knowing I was okay took up seating beside me. "But it's true…my mommy told me so." She wined.

I sat up shaking my head of an oncoming migraine. Placing a hand to my head, I shifted my eyes to look at her first with a frown but it easily contorted into a bright smile once I saw the sincere innocence in her eyes. "I guess so…I guess… I'll protect you forever then." She laughed joyfully and I went on. "But first…what's your name?"

A bright light tore through this strange otherworldly place before she could reply. It was filled with brightly formed colors, it was almost origami and then they combusted. Everything then went dark…silent.

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Unknown Land.

Thin glistening rays of light slid through the cracks of my eyes. My body felt like it had self-combusted five times in a row and still was on fire, this was all I needed too finally awake. My eyes slowly cracked open, I moaned slightly within the pain and after that was when confusion grasped its poisonous claws around my neck.

Where was I? How did I get here? What happened? Those were just some of the questions that had bombarded my mind. Leisurely as I lay amongst wherever I was, bits in pieces came back to me until after a few more minutes I had a good understanding of what had occurred.

I shot up in my place. My eyes dead like a robots. "What did you do to me!" I shouted in pain, my breathing expanding as I brought my wrist to my face recalling the events in the bar. He had cut my arm with a wicked blade…there was something on that blade. My eyes strained in their widened position as I saw nothing. But how could that be? I know he cut along my wrist…maybe... I brought my other wrist into view thinking maybe that I had the wrong one but…nothing. I know what I saw; maybe it had already healed…no that would be too fast.

I shook my head. "Was I dreaming this up…no…because then the other dream would be real, the one with the girl." I smiled. "What a silly dream…I don't even understand half the things in it but I know it was just a dream…" I trailed off into another thought. "What is real anyway?" I muttered.

With these thoughts out in the open and my questions halfway answered, I sought to find an answer to a question that had been in the back of my mind since I started to awake…. Where was I? Looking around at my environment -something, I hadn't done yet- I frowned at what I saw. I was in a Dumpster…that stupid bartender must've done this after I was out cold…the jerk. I sighed…Karma couldn't be real could it? "Lain was right…if I kept being a jerk to everyone I was going to end up in a Dumpster…" I looked down at myself curiously. "Well at least I am not naked."

Standing up in the Dumpster, I jumped immediately out onto the other side. It was beginning too really stink in there and I didn't want to have that smell as my personal cologne. Looking around this small city another item of attention came to me. Something I needed to be working on…my assassination but first I needed to find out where I landed when the plane went down and where the plane is.

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~ Lain ~ He had been gone all night, he had never, come back. I waited up for him all night and almost all morning as it was now ten o'clock in the morning but he hadn't come back yet. Was he so mad at me he could even stand to look at or be near me anymore? Was he just going to leave me and never return? It wouldn't really bug me if he hated me or didn't want be around me but for other purposes I just can't have that…otherwise it's all over.

I switched my position of leaning against the window atop my bed to lying within the covers, falling fast asleep easily…hopefully when I awoke things would be better.

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~ Tala ~ We had left at dawn as planned and as Ozuma had guaranteed the hotel was safe. It was actually one of the best sleeps of my life. Ozuma had a longtime friendship with the owner of the rundown hotel. So we were allowed to stay for, free, which was great because I could never imagine paying to stay in that crummy place even if it was the best sleep of my life.

The ride since we left and even now had been very silent. Ozuma didn't seem to feel like talking as much as yesterday and I wondered what happened as I really couldn't stand it. I preferred loudness instead of the sheer silence. Silence was great but loudness felt more at home too me.

"Ozuma how much longer until we reach Kanto?" I questioned looking for anything to bring about a conversation.

It was silent again for about a minute and I thought he was just going to ignore me until finally he replied. "About six more hours." he whispered.

Six more hours…I thought we would make it there by nightfall, I mused as I brought my watch around my wrist to my face denoting the time was eleven o'clock in the morning. "But that would mean we'd make it there by five o'clock in the afternoon…you said it would be nightfall when we got there?" I reminded in confusion.

"We'll be going in at nightfall…it's going to take awhile to get ready you know."

I nodded. "Oh… "

He laughed but not because of something funny, more like a warning of what's ahead. "You know this won't be easy…there is going to be a high chance of us getting caught?" He explained.

"Yeah I know, I've mused over every possible grim outcome and I know I must do this for Kai and for myself but…still I wonder why you would risk your safety for me and my brother?" I didn't get it, what would he gain by doing this seemingly selfless act and for someone he barely even knew? It just never made any sense to me.

"Do you trust me?" He questioned.

The question he brought forth to me brought me to a halt in my mind. If I didn't trust him I know I would've never taken him up on his offer of help but then again I don't think I do. I think I went with him because I was curious, curious about his offer to help me and what I would find but I don't think it was a matter of trust…I just don't know… I shook my head. "I don't know. Trust is a hard thing to earn. There are some things you do that implicate I shouldn't trust you that you're hiding something. Other times you seem trustworthy like when you promised to keep our secret…I just don't know if I should trust you." I explained.

He grunted a smirk that I couldn't quite depict adorning his lips. "I understand…. And to answer your question of why I would risk myself…well it is as I have said there is a reason and it in no way will hurt you…. I won't betray you if that is what you are thinking…I just saw…oh never mind, if you don't trust me that's fine." Ozuma informed.

There was something in his voice. Something that said he did have a reason for helping me. Whether it was a good one or not is still a mystery. But I wonder what he was going to tell me before he never mind it? I swayed the thoughts away. "Maybe when this is over but for now I am open to all possibilities you have to be aware to everything not everyone is a friend in my line of work." I explained and then I went on to change the subject. " So, if we get caught…are we as good as dead?"

"Probably…but no one will know for sure the government is quite good at covering things up." He warned.

"The government hid the bodies of aliens in Roswell, Mexico in area-51...where do you think they'll hide are bodies?" I questioned, somewhat jokingly.

He grunted. "Probably in some isolation chamber at the bottom of Russia's major ocean…" He trailed off, seemingly entranced in what looked to be a memory.

I could see it in his eyes; he was in another world. "Is something wrong Ozuma?"

He sniveled, clutching a hand to his forehead. "Just a headache…I am fine." He sighed heavily. "Pull into that field on the right to us…the government office is up ahead but we'll prepare right here and walk to it, so they won't spot us." He explained.

"Okay." I agreed, as I swerved my bike into the field.

~|~

We got ready quickly. Ozuma came up with a game plan to sneak through the ventilation shafts and then on into the computer room below the governmental office on the first floor. The shaft leads down into the organizations' unknown base and main computer. From there we would began to hack into it and find out the secrets that have been, kept from us.

It was dark now; the moon hung high in the sky in the shape of a blood tinted red dagger. The night was young; young enough to endure the strains that would take place when we would sneak in, into the oncoming deathtrap that would undoubtedly beset for any breaking and enterers.

There was a high voltage fence around the building and while, I got ready, Ozuma busied himself on crawling through a small whole, he'd dug under the fence to get to the other side. On the other side he found a box, he hooked up his hacking system to it, allowing for it to shut down the system, so I could get through.

The building was larger then I thought it would be: It was about thirty feet tall, glass windows built up the front but you couldn't seen in as they were dark tinted. I would believe that there could be another building underneath it now as I saw that this office was, built upon a hill, or thought to be hill.

"So this is it." I said dryly.

Ozuma nodded, walking ahead of me with the duffel bag around his shoulder. "Yep, now quit admiring and let's get this show on the road…we need to hurry time in limited." He explained.

"All right…so where's the ventilation shaft?" I wondered as I followed behind him.

He pointed around the back of the building. "On the other side, there is a small opening…we'll have to do a lot of climbing upwards until we reach the first floor shaft. We go through it until we reach the end and then we jump down." He explained.

It made sense. I nodded. "Okay, I understand."

The back of the building was a rather dry place. It wasn't as nice as the front. Within the bottom, crevasses of the building were lodged garbage particles. Trash also floated loosely among the grounds. It smelled horrible back here too…like a dirty sweaty pig or moldy cheese mixed with rotten eggs.

At the right edge of the building was a 3-foot-tall square-shaped opening and I guessed it to be our way in as Ozuma kneeled next to it. "This is it, no turning back…are you ready?" He warned.

I nodded, kneeling next him. "I am ready." However, as soon as those words escaped my lips as I saw through the small-darkened hole a feeling came over me. As I looked forward, I could see no end, my eyes traveled through the same area repeatedly, but it would never stop. My head became light, my breathing extenuating as time passed. A tingling shaky feeling wrapped around my body while tarring through it at a vicious rate and at that moment, I fell backwards on my butt, putting my hands over my face rather losing myself.

I could recall a time when I was, locked in a white room. It was small with a 3-foot width and a 3-foot height. It was confined…I could recall being taken from the room to be tortured and right after I was beaten I was put right back into the room…this process, it happened repeatedly, it would never stop.

The memory faded almost instantly. I shook my head, how was this possible, how could I remember something that never happened yet when I looked into that hole I felt it all over again. Claustrophobia: An abnormal dread of being in closed or narrow spaces. That was how I felt and I knew I couldn't go in yet I had to. Slowly I began to back away, I just couldn't. "No…no…" I mumbled.

Ozuma gaped at me in confusion as he moved closer to me. "Tala? Tala what's wrong? Are you all right? Tala?" He questioned repetitively.

I shook my head forming myself into a ball, rocking back and forth. "I don't want to go in, you can't make me…I am sorry, I didn't mean too, just don't put me back in there." I whined as I child would before it, was punished yet deep in the back of my mind and heart I wondered what I was doing.

Ozuma's eyes narrowed conspicuously in concern as he placed a hand to my shoulder. "Dude…are you okay…are you even awake." He closed his eyes with a heavy sigh and it made me a little uneasy as I jerk away from him moaning for him to leave me alone. But he didn't heed as he opened his eyes he spoke to me. "Tala, it's okay…it's not real…you are just dreaming…dreams aren't a reality just a doorway, all you have to do is shut it." He explained.

I could hear his voice and yet I couldn't but I slowly followed it. I shook my head looking up at him and this time that reality, that feeling it was gone and I didn't remember it as I stood from the ground. I gawked at him questioningly. "Dude what are you doing are we going in are not…quit procrastinating, not like it will get any easier if we wait." I explained.

He smirked. "All right, you go in first."

I nodded, taking from him two Tee-studs: a crescent shaped leather tool with four sharp nails protruding from the outside. It is, worn around the hand; it has a strap that binds it in place. It is, used to climb up thick hard and thin surfaces and it would be very helpful when we'd climb up the shaft to the first floor.

Tightening the tools around my palms, I glanced up at Ozuma vaguely before moving on into the shafts. When faced with the unknown demon, I began to feel trapped and slowly backed away, shaking my head in bewilderment. "I don't know why but when I look at and even when I go in I feel trapped." I laughed. "I think you'd call that claustrophobia."

"If you want I'll talk to you through it all…I'll have to be quiet but maybe if I talk to you, you will forget about the feeling." He offered.

I looked over my shoulder. "I am not a child, I don't need you to be my mother." I explained. "Besides, I was just making an observation." I informed brashly, not really thinking as this fear still lay with me.

Ozuma shook his head. "That didn't make one damn bit of sense but if you don't want my help that's fine." He said. "Just, let's hurry then."

Excepting the confined feeling, I began to stick the nails into the metal one at a time, moving slowly up the shaft, my body dangling behind me. Once I was three feet up, Ozuma followed. The more I moved up the more the sensation possessed me and the more I began to feel closed in. I tried to tame my breathing but I couldn't, I sounded like a lunatic cave dweller huffing at the man trying to take my meat, only mine was less barbaric and more fearful. Wanting to escape the pain, I took up Ozuma's offer without saying an acceptation. "Why would you care anyway…why do you care so much about my brother and me. I know I asked you this before but I don't like your answer." I questioned in a drained whisper.

"I wanted to help you because I know how you feel." He explained. "I know the feeling."

"What do you mean?" I questioned, feeling the dread leave me slowly.

"I know what it's like to feel that panic attack, to live in breath within a claustrophobic moment." He explained, dodging the part of my question once more of why he badly wants to help us.

I let it slide, as I was very much intrigued in his answer. Maybe if I learn more about him, I can figure out why he helps us… I know he is up to something. "How can you relate?" I wondered.

"When I was six, my mom and dad were already dead and I was alone…I drifted along the outskirts of Russia, which is strange 'cause now I live in Kyoto. Anyway, I don't really remember everything, sometimes I remember bits in pieces, but still it's hazy. I was walking, I was hungry, it was so hot out and I was unclothed as if I had just been born. Around late afternoon, I collapsed at the edge of the city into Kyoto and when I awoke, I was clothed lying in a bed. I became scared not knowing what was going on so, I left and began to journey further trying to find something…"

Still climbing, I interrupted him as I saw the shaft up ahead. "We're close to the first ventilation opening." I explained and once he told me he understood I urged him to move on in his story. "So… "

"Well…I was so weak from the heat that I collapsed…actually I tripped over a few pieces of scrap items and fell into a small confined hole not far from the house I had escaped from. Inside that hole sensations began to engulf my body and they weren't pleasant ones. I felt trapped as if the whole world was sitting on top of me…I could barely breath and then I lost it."

Moving up into the first floor shaft, Ozuma following behind me, I questioned. "What happened?" I wondered as I watched ahead of me…seeing only darkness.

"Well, it turns out the one who had found me before was Ditch…he searched for me after I ran away and found me quickly. He saved my life…brought me back from that dreadful place and I have always been eternally grateful to him…we became blood brothers shortly after it too, always saving one another. Getting each other out of tight jams was our specialty." He said laughing at the memory.

Blood brothers? Why did that sound so familiar? It didn't understand but it felt nice, happy almost but it wasn't my memory but for some reason, I felt I could relate. "That's sounds nice…I mean you two becoming blood brothers…it sounds nice. Everything else is sad." I gulped, remembering something said so long ago. "You know someone important once told me that God makes people endure horrible things just so they can reach and appreciate something as special as a blood brother. His words were God works in mysterious ways. He saved my life, my war-life by making me endure it to the point I wanted suicide but then at that, moment a feeling came over me and then my sister was born…God sent me a savior. He said." I explained…but I don't recollect where exactly I heard that.

"That's cool…so who is he?"

"Who?"

"Your friend?"

"Oh… I don't remember." I grunted. "And don't even probe my mind for your answer." I warned.

He immediately answered. "Wouldn't dream of it...besides it's my code not to barge into others minds without permission, unless it is dire to a cause."

I could see it through the darkness, the shaft we were to go down, it was inches ahead of us and so I stopped abruptly in my place. "We are here at the shaft that leads into the underground…so what do we do now?" I questioned.

"That's easy, fall down the shaft." He explained. "You go down the shaft and find the computer."

"What about you aren't you coming too?" I wondered.

"Two is bound to be more trouble then one." He informed.

"I don't know how to hack…I need your help."

He cackled. "Never thought you'd actually beg me for help." He jeered.

I rose a brow and huffed. "I wasn't begging…this is your idea and you say you are backing out on me right as we are actually in the middle of the plan." I scoffed.

He laughed. "You really are a moron…I am not leaving, I am going to slip you a walky-talky and when you get there at the computer I am going to instruct you on what to do…okay?"

"Well why don't you just come with me?" I questioned… It didn't make any sense.

"I can't go with you for other reasons…just leave it there…. just trust me okay?"

He asks a lot for someone who isn't being honest about his true intentions with me, but…I need his help as much as I think he needs mine so… "Fine, I trust you…but don't you dare betray me otherwise, I will slit your throat." I threatened.

"Agreed…I'll even position my neck for you so it won't be too messy." He offered.

Strange dude… I laughed. "I'll hold you to that." I said as I slid myself over the edge of the shaft but immediately turning myself around in mid air, grabbing the edge of the shaft to stop me from falling completely.

I could see Ozuma's face; he was serious as he moved closer to me. "Here…" He said as he pulled his hanging arm around his body, to reveal the black duffel bag. I quickly took it from him with my left hand, shifting it over the side allowing it to hang around my hand. "In there is a walky-talky and a few other objects I'll explain to you about later." He then pulled out from his trench his walky-talky. "I'll communicate to you on this…don't move or do anything without me telling you it's safe."

I nodded. "Okay…see ya when this is over." I said as I allowed myself to fall.

It wasn't as deep as I thought it would be only a few feet, I lost my breath for awhile, but it came back as my feet touched the ground. Kneeling down to the metal flooring, I pulled the walky-talky from the bag and clipped it to my stretch shirt within my trench, turning it on in the process. Then lying on the ground, I began to crawl, army-style into and through it, holding behind me the duffel bag. "Ozuma…are you there?" I questioned quietly.

I am here… His voice muffled through the box.

"Good…I am crawling through the vent into the underground base." I informed.

You're still crawling! He questioned seemingly in amazement.

I snorted in disgust. "What…I am sorry I am not going fast enough for you master!" I scoffed.

I could hear brief laughing over the speaker before he replied, I wasn't meaning it in that way dummy…I was just going to say that soon there will be another drop, leading through the ceiling into the base. He explained.

I huffed, still moving forward. "Good, I hoped you weren't getting cocky with me." As those words left my mouth, I suddenly realized what he had told me that the shaft opening would be up ahead and I was still crawling. Lowering my head to the ground, looking where I was at, I then noticed that it was too late, as I slipped on the edged falling into the shaft.

Tala, are you still there? I heard a loud noise…are you okay? Ozuma wondered his voice a little static.

My back had crash roughly into the metal bottom of the shaft and my head banged harshly into the wall. Groaning slightly in pain, I moved to a kneeling position and then replied. "I am fine, just a small accident." I explained.

You fell didn't you?

I grunted as if I was, disgusted by his insinuation, but quickly began to laugh. "Yes…" I moaned.

I could hear Ozuma laughing over the box. Thought so…now what you're going to do next is crawl through that duct and push out the vent.

I nodded. "Okay."

The vent wasn't that far. I only had to crawl for a few seconds before I saw it and with meager strength, I pushed it open keeping one finger through the blade in the vent, holding it from hitting the ground. I turned it at an angle pulling it inward and throwing it behind me. Popping my head outside, I studied the outer surroundings for any possible security measure. When it was clear, I carefully allowed myself to fall, landing on all fours. "I am out." I informed.

Good, now you should see a long hall…moved down it until you reach the third door and then stop, unless you want to go up in flames. He explained.

"What about the first two doors, wouldn't it do the same?"

No, those are just broom closets.

I nodded. "Okay."

The hall was a straightway-narrow passage- it reminded me of the one we had at home. It was very white, with six doors exactly five inches away from each other. I walked down the hall attentively watching every square inch around me. Slight fear boiled in my stomach as I wondered if Ozuma was right about the third door because I did not plan to die engulfed in flames.

I passed the first door; a tingling sensation ate at my stomach as I shut my eyes awaiting the inevitable. After a second, I realized that I was still a whole and sighed, moving forward to the second door where I did the same awaiting to burn but it never happened. I stopped deadbolt at the third door, as I trusted moving forward passed it would be my end. "I am at the third door…what now?" I questioned into the box on my shirt.

Take off your trench coat, this is where that hideous outfit of yours will come in handy.

I rose a brow, and whined. "Oh man." as I pulled my lovely safety precaution, which guarded against the ugly stretch outfit away from my body. I took a deep breath preparing for the next phase. "What now?"

That outfit is so skin-tight it practically is your skin. Open the duffel bag, take out a small spray can, and spray it all around the area of the door. It should reveal red energy beams, which is the security. Years ago those would just sound the security that someone has broken in but now they make it so it will automatically burn whatever goes through…so be, careful. He warned.

As I listened to him speak I had already begun to spray the can and as explained red beams did appear. "Now what?" I questioned not seeing how I was too get through this.

Around the door, you will see the beams are weak and don't all the way connect. The outfit you are wearing, I made out of a special cloth and chemical. It is, made to withstand a high level of heat if you quickly slid yourself against the door through to the other side between the next security lines. There's a box against the wall, which will shut off all security in the level. He explained.

No wonder I had to wear this retarded outfit, I thought as pressed myself against the wall moving slowly through it. I still didn't trust Ozuma completely so as I went through I awaited myself to start on fire but so far all I felt was a slight heating sensation as if from the sun, and then I made it out. On the other side, I looked around slowly not to hit the other security system looking for the box and then found it to be behind me…I am an idiot not to see this sooner. I smiled. "Found the box…now what?"

Okay now open it up…you will see a series of buttons but that's just for morons…just punch the whole thing inward. He informed.

My eyes widened…what the heck, are you thinking, I wondered. It didn't make any sense it wanted a code, not a fist. "What do you mean…I'll get electrocuted…why don't you just give me a code?"

I could hear a heavy sigh over the speaker. That's just what they want you to think and right as you push a button they'll come. Just trust me and punch it. When you do it will hit a button on the other side that automatically shuts off all security in this level. He explained.

With that said, I decided to trust him and then I punched it, shutting my eyes at the same time waiting for the shock of a lifetime…but nothing happened. When I opened my eyes, I noticed that the red beams were gone. I smirked, moving back to where I started to grab my trench and duffel bag. "Done…now what?"

Go into the fourth room, and then you've made it to the main computer. He explained sounding happy that I made it without too much trouble.

The fourth room was rather large and very dark. The only light that existed here was the faint blur that was, created from the main computer's screen saver, which sat at the front of the room on a large desk. Quickly not paying attention to anything around me - I was lucky I didn't ram into anything, I ran to the seat at the computer. Then moved the mouse forcing the computer to reveal a locked screen access menu, which asked for, a code to enter the computer desktop.

"I need an access code?" I said into the walky-talky.

To enter the computer…the code is…weird…it's Seraph. He said, in a rather awe inspired tone.

"Didn't you already know the code…I don't understand what the surprise it all about?" I wondered as I typed in the code. On the screen popped up a smiling devil face…How fitting for them…It was, holding a sign that said access granted.

I didn't know the code until now when I went into that simple lackey man's mind again.

"So you probed him…I have a question for you?" I said as I waited for the computer to boot up its settings.

What?

"How did you acquire this gift to get into someone's mind?" I questioned. This question was something I had wondered for a while, as I couldn't understand how this was even possible.

The computer finished booting up. "But before you say…I need to know what to do next."

It took awhile to break through the walls the organization had put up but with Ozuma's help and his hacking tools, which were in the bag, we got it done and I was into their databases and important files. While I looked and searched for anything relating to Kai's situation and mine Ozuma began to explain the coming of his powers.

I thought I told you I was born with it. He reminded.

As I read some files, I replied. "Yeah but what caused it?" My eyes narrowed at a certain word…a file name…Project Seraph, what was this? It was the same name as their password so I knew it had to be important and then I quickly clicked on it.

Oh…well, you know what…you ask too much questions…I have already told you basically my whole life's story and Ditch's isn't that enough?

"You saw me and Kai's whole life without permission so, I think it is only fair if I know everything about you…don't you?" I reminded. This file was, filled with a strange blue print; it looked almost like an angel…a cyber angle…What are they making? I wondered, another thing that had caught my eye was the name of the people who were creating this…Sceadu…ancient Hebrew for the keeper of Death. Strange.

You got a point well, let's see…. When I was in my mother's womb, she had an accident, which forced her to go into early labor. The idiot doctor gave her this drug called Siferex it was suppose to help make the delivery less painful and easier but it didn't. The drug took some strange effects on my brain wave pattern…It completely disoriented it and it completely incapacitated my mothers body…her heart gave out and she died during the birth but I was lucky enough to survive. A brief silence played out after his story and he whispered. Are you happy now?

I was, too in tuned to what I was reading on here…everything on here was completely freaky and I began to understand somewhat of what the organization was making us do and what they were keeping us from. I don't know the exact answers to these questions but when I am done with this, I was sure I would. Still I did hear Ozuma's story and I bowed my head in silence because of it. "I am sor-" But I could not finish my sentence as I felt a large sharp needle transfix the center of my shoulder blade and after a few seconds…I slumped over in my chair.

Tala? Tala is something wrong…. Did you find something? Tala you acting strange…are you even there?

A dark gloved hand, slid the walky-talky from my shirt, taking it to his lips. "He won't be coming back." The masculine voice explained in a dark lifeless tone.

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Author's note: Yep that was a long chapter… And like I said, it is actually supposed to be two chapters…I have test to do…practice S.A.T. Tests to study and prepare for so I will be ready for the real ones. I am trying to get into a good college.

Anyway, I hope this chapter was to your guy's liking. Oh and I hope you all keep everything that was said in this chapter in mind because it all has to do with the end of the story and other parts that will come up in later chapters.

I won't update until seven or nine days pass…because it's my studying time.

I am not writing any review replies today, but still I want to thank everyone who has reviewed, I appreciate you all.