Author's Notes: Okay. I lied, I updated earlier, but that's not a bad thing, is it? I'm going to give you some clues in every chapter.
1. During cryogenic sleep, a person's memory can be erased and if certain machines are at use, during the same time as the cryo-sleep, memories can be replaced with those of a previous person, who has undergone the same treatment.
2. Often, when two enemies co-operate, one ends up backstabbing the other and using whatever they have against their enemy.
3. Think of Kasumi's clones.
The angel of mercy: Thanks. I'm trying to get this one, to be better than my previous one. But I don't think it will be.
Joey/Mai fan15: Thanks. Your guesses make sense and I think I will surprise you with who the assistant is. I'm not sure, though.
TigerEyes2: Thank you. I'm not sure how I will end the story, but I have some idea of where it will go… I think.
Wolf Runner: Thanks. Well, who knows…? The assistant can be anyone! Oh and the woman, I mean, Donovan's wife, is not a Kasumi clone.
Nakahito: Thanks. I tried to add more descriptions in it and I'm glad you noticed it, I didn't think anyone would. Oh and you're welcome, reviewing is probably a hobby of mine, so if you keep writing I'll keep reviewing your story!
Figure 09.
* Nothing ever stops all these thoughts and the pain attached to them
Sometimes I wonder why this is happening, it's like nothing I can do will distract me
When I think of how I shot myself in the back again
And for the infinite words I can say, I put all the pain you gave to me on display
I didn't realize instead of setting it free, I took what I hated and made it a part of me
And it never goes away….*
- Figure 09, Linkin Park
A few days went by, the cold weather started to come. There were about four and half months until the tournament was to start, which gave Haru enough time to practice, plan out his mission and rest. His fighting had improved, as the day of the tournament's start, April 19th, approached and he was ready for the challenge.
Haru looked up, as the door was opened to his room. He saw a figure, he recognized as Donovan, followed by another person. It was the young female ninja, Haru had seen earlier. He must have been hallucinating, he had seen the woman in a cryogenic chamber and now she was here.
" Haru, this is Kasumi X. It, I mean, she will be your assistant," Donovan introduced the ninja. She looked around, scanning the place.
Haru looked at the two of them.
" I don't need an assistant, I work alone." Haru protested, coldly. Donovan looked at him, a little bit of anger was seen on his face. Donovan grabbed Haru by his arm, and made sure the young man followed him.
" Excuse us." Donovan said, before the two retreated and left the female kuniochi alone.
The room was small, had white walls and cream colored floor tiles. The color theme was simple and consisted of light colors. There was an awkward silence, broken by a few words.
" I don't work with anyone, I thought I told you that… before she came."
" Haru, Kasumi X will help you. She has been in the tournaments before; she knows her way around and will be very useful to you. After you get help from her, you can just simply dispose of her." Donovan said, trying to persuade him into the co-operation.
" I see. I'll be in the Dojo." Haru said, and left downstairs. The Dojo was big and had many different items, used for exercise. Haru scanned the place, before making his way to the punching bag.
The young man smashed his fist at the punching bag, making it swing from side to side. Another punch was swung against the object, letting small flakes of sand drop to the ground.
He kicked the bag once and resumed punching it. As he punched the bag, his inner-anger was released and he felt better inside. The only sound heard in the room, was the one of the punching against the bag.
A knock was heard. Was he starting to day dream?
Nevertheless, Haru continued to punch. The door was opened and someone appeared. Haru didn't turn around to see who had entered. He didn't care.
" Can I train here, too?" A soft voice said, Haru thought that it must have been that ninja, Kasumi X.
Haru motioned towards the punching bag and stepped out of the way, he headed towards another machine; A treadmill.
A loud thud was heard; Haru spun around and got off the treadmill. The young ninja had punched the bag, with a lot of force and strength; enough power to knock the punching bag off the ceiling and onto the ground, causing the sound.
His eyes widened, remembering that Donovan had forgot to mention that she was a fighter. A good one at that.
The kuniochi continued to punch the bag and kicked it a few times, when it was lying on the ground.
Haru averted his gaze back to the treadmill. After a while, he was out of breath, seeing as the machine was on 'Maximum speed'.
¤
Haru rolled over to his side, and awoke quickly. He heard his name being called and looked up at the ceiling. He averted his gaze to the person, in front of him; The kuniochi, Kasumi X.
" Ah, you finally woke up." The woman said, and crossed her arms.
Haru buried his face in his pillow, after speaking. " What do you want?"
His tone was very cold and the kuniochi tried to counter his tone, with even a colder one.
" Donovan told me to wake you up. Otherwise, I wouldn't even bother with you." The kuniochi muttered, and watched as the young man was starting to gain consciousness.
" It turns out, we have another mission to deal with…" She continued, gaining the Japanese youth's attention.
" We…?" He asked, almost forgetting he had to work with the ninja. Kasumi X nodded, in reply.
" Yes, we."
She left the room, after that.
¤
The living room had faded blue walls that went lighter and lighter, until the color reached pearl white from bright sky blue. Delicate and historic paintings hung in the room, as well as in every other room.
A table was also in there in the middle, standing surrounded by comfortable chairs.
Donovan and his wife, whose name appeared to be Aiko, sat at the table in the living room. Kasumi X stood up, she wandered around the room; circling it, several times as she went.
A staircase connected the first floor to the second one, through the living room and the second floor hallway.
" There you are." Donovan said, as he saw Haru marching down the staircase. Aiko got up, instantly and sauntered off to the kitchen to get tea. Haru was wearing a sleeveless, white, muscle shirt and a pair of black faded jeans. He wore that to bed, and had needed to change.
Haru eyed Donovan, and then, changed to Kasumi X.
Donovan wore another business suit, this time dark blue. His hair was messy and he looked tired, he sat in a cosy chair. Kasumi X wore a skin tight black bodysuit, which she filled out perfectly. Her long brown hair had been groomed and was held in a high ponytail. The ninja had an agitated look on her face, just like most people, who were woken at three o'clock in the morning, would.
Haru sat down, on one of the chairs, next to the female ninja, who lazily sat down and across Donovan. The older man pulled out, a picture and a piece of paper.
He handed them over, the paper to Haru and the picture to Kasumi X. " Your mission against the Ivamoto family, Hitomi and Hayate, is being planned. Meanwhile, we have a mission for you."
There was a silence, late broken by the older man. " You are to assassinate a person, who may be of danger to our plans. All our plans."
Kasumi X looked up, before speaking. She was playing with her Katana. " So, who is it we're assassinating. The Hayabusa girl? Or that freelance assassin, hired by the Maikei family?"
Donovan waited, before replying. " Have patience, Kasumi, dear…"
The female ninja glared at him. " Don't call me, that. My name is Kasumi X."
Before Donovan could continue, Aiko entered the room. She was holding a tray with four cups of tea, which she set out on the table, infront of her husband and his houseguests. " Here."
" Thank you." The female ninja replied, as she took one of the cups. Haru remained silent, he wasn't thirsty or hungry, for that matter. He just wanted to know what the mission was about.
Donovan reached forward and lifted his cup, drinking, prior to continuing. " Where was I… Ah, no, we are assassinating an assassin, who used to work for us and betrayed us, by helping a victim, targeted for our attacks flee. Our target is a woman, who goes by the name of Christie, but whose real name is Louisa Wellington."
Haru and Kasumi X exchanged glances, before glimpsing back at Donovan.
" Nevertheless, she is to be destroyed. Whatever it takes, she is to be six feet under. I want you, two, to complete this mission…. carefully. This woman, Louisa, as I've mentioned, is an assassin, is residing in the south of London and has an adoptive son, by the name, of Kahuku Ka Lei. Beware, the boy is smarter and slyer, than what he might look like," Donovan repeated, importantly.
Donovan looked at two, before adding a few words to his previous speech. " That's why, you, Haru and Kasumi X, are taking a little trip to England."
Haru let his thoughts race. " When are we leaving?"
" Oh, in about a few hours to be exact. I suggest you, pack your bags." Donovan added, and looked at the two. Kasumi X got up, and the older Japanese man remembered something. " And before, I forget….. Here."
The kuniochi looked at the item, she had received. It was a golden blonde well-groomed wig, which was cut short and a bag, identified as one of clothes. " What's this for?"
Donovan chuckled, in reply. " You two, are having disguises, Kahuku was at the last tournament, if recognizes you… you're doomed- Especially, you…"
He pointed to the younger man. Haru was handed a box, which he didn't have much time to view.
He dashed out of the room, leaving Donovan alone with his wife. The ninja had already left.
¤
Haru put everything; he needed, in the bag. His black duffel bag was fairly large and could take everything he needed and much more.
He scanned the items, carefully: making sure, nothing was forsaken.
Cellphone, weaponry, clothes, mission description, some Japanese cash and a lot of English currency, which was needed; Yes, everything was there.
He left toward the bathroom, which was connected to his room. He cast a glance over his bed, making sure nothing was forgotten. He strode into the bathroom, after that and closed the door, behind him. He looked at the mirror.
The mirror, held his reflection, staring back at him. Haru looked at himself, and quickly shifted to looking at the box, he held.
It was a box of hair color; he looked at the picture on the front. It notified him, of that the color, his hair was going to be was a black color with a tinge of navy blue.
" Not my color, at all. But oh well…"
He started to prepare for what he was about do, as much he hated it. He opened the box, and surveyed the contents.
Anything for undercover, the thought went through his inner-workings and then, he drifted out of thoughts. He proceeded with moderately changing his rugged appearance.
After a while, he showered and wrapped a towel around himself, starting underneath his stomach, revealing his muscles.
After doing so, he left and then, entered his room. He looked at his nightstand, seeing attire set out on there. He looked at the clothes, after glancing at the clock. Seeing as time wasn't exactly on his side, he quickly grabbed the clothes and started to dress up.
¤¨
It took fifteen minutes, for him to get ready. He was now wearing a dark blue, button down shirt and pair of matching pants of the same material. A pair of matching accessory were worn; A pair of black sunglasses and designer black shoes, that somewhat matching the color theme.
His black hair was spiky, and the almost metallic dark blue color in it, was shining, when touched by light.
He looked at his watch, which showed the time as being six o'clock in the morning. Seeing, as he didn't want to be late and eventually following the consequences to that, miss the flight; he picked up his bag and headed downstairs.
As he made his way down, he saw Donovan and Aiko sitting there, drinking another round of early morning tea.
Aiko smiled at him, as she sipped her tea slowly. Donovan glanced at his watch. " Have you seen Kasumi X?"
Haru shook his head and took a seat, next to them. Donovan cursed loudly in Japanese, letting Aiko give him a look.
" You always were the eloquent one, Donovan." Aiko remarked and laughed. She slumped against her seat, sipping some more tea.
Aiko got up, and dusted herself off.
" I'll go tell her to hurry up." The older Japanese woman said, before leaving the room.
Aiko had got to the staircase, before seeing a somewhat familiar figure. Kasumi X.
Kasumi X had a more European look to her, instead of the usual ninja garb, she wore. Her brown hair was covered by the blonde wig, which stopped a little below her chin. Not a strand of brown hair, was seen and that was good. Another difference was that she wore blue contact lenses, covering her intense brown eyes.
She wore a bronze colored jacket, over a sleeveless pearl white button-down shirt. A white and beige plaid skirt made it's way down her curvy figure. High heeled golden brown shoes were an accessory, worn on her feet. She held a small beige hand bag, over her left shoulder and held a slightly bigger one.
" You look great," Aiko commented. " Both of you."
" We don't have time to chat; we need to get going…" Donovan said, and quickly lead the two out of the room.
" We have to stop at the left side entrance of the airport, near the phone booth and the small photo machine. We need passport pictures for you." The older man explained, as they walked out of the building. A brand new-looking red car was standing outside, parked on the street.
Donovan walked towards it, and started to talk to the man inside in fluent Japanese. He motioned for the younger man and woman, to make their way over there and get into the car.
The car door was pulled open and the ninja stepped in first, followed by the young man.
" Here." Donovan said, and handed the two plane tickets. With that, Donovan left and the car drove away. Haru looked out of the window, as the car drove further and further away, from the place he considered his 'home'.
¤
The two got out, quickly. Donovan had already paid the driver, to take them there. Kasumi X led the way, seeing as she knew the way.
The two wandered around the crowded airport. The female kuniochi stopped infront of a machine, she bent down and put some coins into it. She got into the machine, after that.
Haru waited outside, after he had heard three sounds, indicating three pictures being taken, Kasumi X stepped out of the machine and pushed him. He looked up, before quickly entering.
There was a wide-screen before him, which was monitored by a camera, showing him and what he did. He clicked the button, taking the first picture.
Click.
The second picture followed, after he had changed the expression displayed on his features.
Click.
He accidentally clicked the button a third time.
Click.
He looked at the screen, seeing a blank screen, indicating that all the pictures had been taken.
Haru looked at Kasumi X, who waved a small leaflet of pictures before him. She carefully showed the leaflet in her bag.
" Let's go," She said, and led her partner in crime, to follow.
They walked through the airport, strolling around the area and stopped at the gate. Haru read the screen above them. " Flight 413, Kobe, Japan to London, England boarding in twenty minutes."
Kasumi X remembered the photos, and tapped Haru on the shoulder. " I'll be right back."
Haru wasn't paying attention and looked up to see the ninja running out of sight. He waited for a while, and looked at his bag. He hoped the alarm wouldn't go off, when he pushed the bag through the small machine.
Haru watched as his bag, went through. Luckily, the alarm was slow and went off, when the next bag was pushed through. A bag, that didn't belong to him. A few guards appeared and started search the bag of the person, behind him.
Haru smirked and looked up, as Kasumi X entered and was there, by his side. She pushed her bag, through the machine and waited for it to go over to the other side of the machine, where a man stood; Ready to carry all luggage on to the plane.
The female ninja handed him his new passport. He looked at the picture, seeing as she had switched the real photo of the person; the passport belonged, to his own photo.
" Nice work," Haru said, unenthusiastically and looked at the plastic, concealing the photo and protecting it, from being damaged. There were no traces of marks of the photo, being switched.
Kasumi X smiled, as a woman was there to check her passport and she handed her passport and plane ticket over to the woman; the woman did her job and let her pass onto the plane.
Haru looked up, seeing as the woman was suspiciously eying the passport.
" You don't look British?" The woman said. Her voice was accented with Japanese and her tone was suspicious and glanced at the passport. " What was your name, again?"
Damn. Don't panic, or show signs of nervousness, Haru continuously reminded himself in his mind.
He realized he had forgotten to look at his name and identity. But then again, being questioned was rare.
Haru looked up, at the woman confidently and tried his best to pull of a British accent. " I don't think I have to justify myself to you. Look at my passport, you ignorant fool."
The woman gave him a rude look, but looked down and started to do what she was supposed and let him pass.
Kasumi X stood near the passage, leading to the plane. She walked to the plane, side by side, with Haru.
They got into the plane and had looked at their seat numbers. They found their seats and were among the last people to enter the plan and most of the seats were already taken. Haru slumped against the chair and put on the seatbelt, after a flight attendant's voice came on speaker phone, telling everyone to.
" If you mess up, the mission, you will be disposed off, too." Haru whispered in Kasumi X's ear.
She looked at him, before quietly replying. " Oh, I'd like to see you try. Many people have tried to get rid of me, but have failed. I've been targeted, since I am a clone of the ninja Kasumi. The nineth clone and the only surviving clone."
The plane started to drift off into the air; Haru looked out of the window and began to fall asleep, seeing as he was very tired.
¤
Author's Notes: I left a clue for you, as the title being 'Figure 09.' and I thought someone would think of cloning and then, Kasumi X. Kasumi X doesn't have a real personality, and I decided to make her evil and to make her, a person, who doesn't get along with Haru. Oh, you'll find out why Christie is to be assassinated. Donovan set the whole thing up to get rid of and to have some time to plan out Haru's other important mission: The assassination of Hitomi and Hayate. I hope this isn't rushed, which I thought it was…
Anyway, I'm hoping to have the next chapter up by the 15th or 16th of August. Tell me, what you think!