Chapter 6 - Playtime

Osaka, Japan...

"Is she going to be okay, doc?"

Birdie stood watching the doctor sift through the paper on his clipboard, nervously awaiting the answer. The doctor looked up, glaring through his thick glasses. He smiled.

"She's going to be just fine," he said, "she'll be out in just a couple of seconds. She just has to make sure she gets plenty of rest."

Birdie smiled. "That's good."

The doctor coughed lightly as if to get Birdie's attention. "If you do not mind me asking, where are the girls parents?"

Birdie shook his head. "I don't know, they weren't around during the attack. I saw her lying on the floor, and brought her here. I think she is alone."

"I see," said the doctor rubbing his chin.

"What are you going to do about her?"

"We shall ask her," replied the doctor. "It is her choice whether she wants the police to make a full investigation into the incident or not."

Birdie nodded. "I'm just going to stick around, say hello, y'know?"

The doctor nodded and walked down the hallway. Birdie took a seat near a wall. He hated hospitals, the surgical smell, and the bright, white colours. It made him feel weak. The hospital was for the sick, and he did not intend to be part of that collective. Finally, the doctor emerged, Sakura nearby, looking lively as ever. She had a white plaster on he left cheek. The doctor pointed towards Birdie and she rushed over to greet him. Birdie smiled.

"Hi," she said, Birdie standing to bow. She looked up into his bright eyes.

"Hello," said Birdie, "how are you feeling?"

Sakura punched the air. "I've had much worse," she said, smiling, "but still, thanks for getting me out of there."

Birdie sat. "Where are you parents?"

Sakura hesitated to reply. "They are...away...on business, I mean."

"Hmmm..." Birdie did not wholly believe her answer, but gave her the benefit of the doubt for the minute. "Want me to walk you home?"

Sakura smiled at Birdie. It'd been a long time since Birdie had felt such emotion about a person. She was full of life, and he yearned to protect youth, but his latest dealings hadn't given him the opportunity to do so. He had become stronger in the body, but weaker in his mind, living a life of evil. Finally, he thought he'd found a way to repent for his past sins.

"Let's go," said Sakura, making her way towards the hospital door.

He quickly stood, and followed he into the street.

* * *

Gokuento...

"I do not join fools who do not know how to wield true power," said Rukuma, his eyes piercing his guest.

Urien tried to remain confident. "The Illuminati can offer you many things. We want to create the ultimate paradise on Earth, and we want you to consider helping us."

Rukuma formulated a plan in his mind. "Take me to your leader. Take me to Gill."

Urien smiled. "With pleasure."

And within seconds, Rukuma, Urien, and the soldiers of the Illuminati were airborne, on their way to an unknown destination.

* * *

They walked down the dark street together, looking into the darkness in front of them. It was night time now, and all around was close to pitch black. Birdie wondered why the street lamps were off, as Sakura skipped gaily next to him, uncaring.

"Things are too quiet," said Birdie, noticing that they were the only two people in the street.

Sakura laughed out loud. "C'mon," she said, "there is nothing to worry about Mr. Birdie."

He could smell it. He knew danger lurked ahead of them and behind them. It was just a matter of protecting Sakura at all costs. They continued walking, as he watched all angles.

"Relax Mr. Birdie," Sakura said, smiling, "I'm almost home. You really don't have to worry."

Birdie smiled. "I don't want to scare you, but we are being followed."

The smile left Sakura's face, making way for a pale complexion. "How can you tell?"

Then she appeared from around the corner wearing a red cape emblazoned with the Shadaloo symbol. Birdie knew her face, those cold blue eyes, and the scar on her cheek. She was Killer Bee, Bison's most trusted soldier.

"Assemble!" she shouted.

Suddenly, they appeared. The girls in the black uniforms surrounded Birdie and his diminutive companion. There was no escape.

"Agent Shadow!" said Killer Bee. This was met by two of the faceless soldiers making way for a tall man with bright blonde hair. His faced looked like it could be kindly, but was covered with a shadow that was misplaced. He looked grim and his colourless eyes pierced Birdie.

"Designated Target, Sakura, found. Initiating capture process, defeat threat!" Birdie knew this was him, and so he readied himself to fight. Sakura felt a tear drip from her eye as she readied herself to help Birdie.

Birdie smiled again, and glanced at her. "Sorry little lady, but this isn't your fight."

Sakura looked at him, struggling to keep her tears back. "But, you saved me. I have to help you."

He shook his head. "No, Sakura," he said, placing his hand on her head, "you are a fighter at heart, but you cannot become involved in this. You must live away from this danger, and from Shadaloo."

She fell to her knees, and cried uncontrollably. Birdie had no tears to shed, but felt the same sadness.

"I... I want to help..."

The agents looked on, emotionless, the man readying himself for the duel.

"Stay back Sakura, this is my fight."

He held back his own emotion and stepped towards Agent Shadow, his fist at the ready. The women made more space for the two as the fight began. Sakura remained away from Killer Bee, but not too close to the battle. She looked on in fear as Birdie the first blow.

Dashing at the warrior, Birdie smashed his head into his opponents. This had no effect on the warrior. Instead it caused Birdie to fall back in agony. It was as if Agent Shadow was composed of metal. Birdie tried again, this time throwing his massive chains around the neck of the monster. Shadow grabbed the chains, coiling them around his extended arm, before pulling Birdie towards him. As he did so, he jumped into the air.

"Somersault!" he shout, unleashing powerful energy from his feet, pulling Birdie into the air with him and causing him to crash back to earth, his chains following afterwards.

"NO!" Sakura cried out as Birdie lay on the ground, loosing consciousness.

He reached out for Sakura. "Run...RUN!"

She shook her head violently, her tears spraying all around. "I...can't leave you...behind..."

"Run..." He drifted into darkness. He was out cold.

She stood up and wiped her eyes. Turning on her heel, she dashed towards Killer Bee. Jumping into the air, she smacked her with a mighty kick to the face. Killer Bee retaliated with a punch to the stomach, and flying kick. But Sakura wasn't going down as easily this time. She had to get away from them, she had to escape from Shadaloo.

They continued to brawl, when a jeep suddenly pulled into the street and sped towards the crowd. An American man with tall blonde hair, much like Agent Shadow's, jumped from the jeep and hurtled into the crowd. He was followed by a young Chinese, female warrior wearing a blue, oriental styled tracksuit. After them came two others, a man wearing a red bandana, built like a brick wall. A similarly built man followed, sporting a black cap and sunglasses. Sakura saw them and the panic on Killer Bee's face. She had seen these people before.

The American hurled towards Agent Shadow and fought him, using similar techniques to him. Agent shadow seemed to be taken of guard by his new opponent and lost his balance among the fray that had started. The Chinese woman spun on her hands, kicking all who approached while the other two men hurled the Shadaloo agents like baseballs. Killer Bee used this opportunity to grab Sakura and head into the darkness. Both were tired, but Sakura had not the same strength as Killer Bee, and, within seconds, they were gone, followed by twelve of the women. Six were left behind, as well as Agent Shadow.

He knelt on one knee in front of the blonde American. The shadow waned, but it still held him. The agents had been rounded and apprehended, while Birdie was being treated by the Chinese woman. Agent Shadow looked up at his opponent. The American spoke.

"Charlie," he said, dismissing the name of Agent Shadow, "what did he do to you?"

"System failing, mission complete, commencing shutdown," said Charlie, who was struggling to break away from the shadow. After a few seconds of pain, he was free.

"Charlie?"

He looked up at the face of his old companion. "Guile...you won't believe the story I have to tell you..."
* * *

An undisclosed location...

Rukuma entered the throne room and saw the leader of the Illuminati in all his splendour, surrounded by armed guards. Gill rose to meet the monster.

"At least we meet, my friend," he said, smiling, "I have long wished to meet with you."

Gill was a tall man with flowing blonde hair. This was not peculiar, but his face was. Divided by a distinct line, one half of the mans face was blue, the other red. However, Rukuma was not shaken.

"I am not your friend, Gill," he said, his monstrous tones shaking the foundation of the hallway, "I have come here for a single reason: to challenge you. Your empire would be useful to me, but not with you as leader. That is why I will challenge you to a fight for the leadership of the Illuminati!"

Gill smiled.

"As you wish..."