SA: To my second reviewer, here's my explanation: First off, Yami is one of the earliest designations of assassins in the history of assassinations. Second of all, they had to introduce themselves in this way because no one, NO ONE, not even the Judge, has heard of Yami. Yes, they're THAT mysterious. Third, Chloe has a bit of respect for the 'Gentleman of Darkness'. She's been caught off guard by his mysterious nature. Finally, since Yami is Japanese for darkness, most of the weapons that they use are black. As for the profiles… I am not going to say anything, except… Let's just say that the Dragons are pulling 'double duty'.

Black Meets Darkness, Part 1

By Sonic Angel

Disclaimer: See the last two chappies.

In the city of Paris, France, a young teenager, 17 years of age, was walking alone. He had black hair, and definitely looked Japanese. He was walking toward the flower shop near the Eiffel Tower when he saw two ladies. One of them was a blonde haired woman, who was a year older, and a Japanese lady that looked to be his age. He thought, 'There's no mistake! They were the two that I've seen… In the courtroom… That means… Oh my God… They're… They're Noir!'

He whipped out his black cell phone with a dragon pattern on the back. He instantly called his friend.

The voice on the other line answered, "Yo, Michael here!"

The young man said, "Michael? Good! Come to the flower shop, tout suite!"

Michael asked, "Why?"

The young man snapped, "Noir."

Michael asked, "You've found Noir?"

The young man replied, "Yeah."

Instantly, Michael appeared behind the young man, thanks to his electric scooter.

The two walked in to the flower shop and the clerk looked at the young man and smiled, "Ah, mousier Akira. I see you've bought your friend here today."

Akira smiled, "Bonjour, Jéan! How are the kids, and your brother, Piérre?"

Jéan replied, "They're doing fine, mon ami! Say, how's rooting out evil doing for you two?"

Akira sighed, "It's a busy job, but somebody's got to do it!"

That's when the blonde woman came across their conversation and smiled, "I've seen you around here."

Akira smiled, "You too." Then, he held out his hand. He said, "I am so sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. I am Himura Akira."

Then, the young Japanese girl came from behind the woman and asked, "You are Japanese, am I correct?"

Akira opened his eyes and said, "Yes."

The Japanese girl held out her hand and stated, "Yummura Kirika."

Akira shook her hand and smiled, "Nice to meet you."

The dirty blonde man said, "And I'm Michael Gustav."

The young blonde smiled, "Nice to meet you. I am Mireille Bouqet."

Akira put his hand on his hand and started to walk around the store. He said, "I know I've heard your name from somewhere, I just can't place it where…"

Mireille stated, "Ah! I know I've heard your names from somewhere! You're the Dragons, right?"

Michael grinned, "Yup! That's who we are!"

Akira smiled, "Our bounties are the disease, and we're the cure!"

Then, a voice called out, "Pretty confident for bounty hunters, I must say."

A young, green clothed, purple haired woman walked in to the flower shop.

Akira sighed, "Confidence is nothing unless you have skills to back it up. And I do have skills."

The young lady looked into Akira's eyes. She could see an equal combination of innocence and dangerousness all at once.

Akira thought, 'There's no mistake about who you are too. 'True Noir'.'

The young woman smiled, "I know you do. Akira Himura."

Akira sighed, "There goes my being mysterious."

Michael sighed, "Dude, you were never mysterious."

Akira growled, "I. Resent. That."

Then, Akira returned his attention to the young lady. He said, "You know my name, I would like to request that I know yours."

The young lady stated, "Well, if you put it that way, Mr. Himura, my name is Chloe."

Akira smiled, "A beautiful name for a girl that looks so deadly. And you know what they say about looks, Michael."

Michael sighed, "If looks can count as weapons, then against these three, we'd be as good as dead!"

Akira sighed, "We'd be dead three times over!"

Mireille stated, "You say that like we're all assassins."

Akira grinned, "Maybe. Who knows? Maybe, in this shop, we're all assassins."

Mireille then turned his attention her attention to Jéan. She asked, "What do you know about the current incarnation of Yami?"

Jéan replied, "I know as much as the people in the deepest parts in the Underworld, madam. Their codenames, their assassination techniques, their weapons…"

Mireille asked, "Let's start with the weapons, Jéan. What do you know about their weapons, Jéan?"

Jéan replied, "Only the Dark Arsonist uses guns annd explosives. As for the Dark Blade, he uses only bladed weapons. Such as a raiper and Japanese throwing knives. Nothing more."

Mireille asked once again, "Now, about their techniques, Jéan?"

Jéan replied, "Of course. The current incarnation follows the tradition of their past incarnations to a T. The Dark Arsonist is very loud, while the Gentleman of Darkness, also known as the Dark Blade, is…"

Kirika replied, "Silent and deadly. A true assassin in the sense of the word."

Jéan replied, "Yes, he is. Even I would like to meet them."

That's when Akira spoke up. He sighed, "Even though Yami is skilled, I believe that there is another pair that's better than them."

Michael raised an eyebrow. "Better… Than… U…Them?" Then, he laughed, "What pair of assassins could be better than Yami?"

Akira simply said, "Black."

Michael asked, "Black?"

Akira sighed, "Think French, mon ami!"

Jéan could only quiver. He stammered, "N… No… Noi… Noir."

Akira nodded. "Yes, Jéan. Noir."

Akira got out a piece of paper and recited a poem. He said, "Noir. It is a name of an ancient fate. Two maidens, who govern death; the peace of the newly born, their black hands protect."

Jéan regained his composure and sighed, "So, we've got gentlemen with dark souls, and maidens with black hands."

Michael asked, "Why do you think that Noir is better than Yami?"

Akira sighed, "First off, they're girls. They can do some things that w…they can't do."

Michael retorted, "Oh, name them."

Akira sighed, "Seducing your targets, for one."

Mireille smiled, "You've got a point there. Maybe Noir is better than Yami."

Akira sighed, "What can I say? I believe that we guys have been hogging the spotlight too much."

Michael said, "Well, so can Yami! They can…"

Akira sighed, "Seduce female targets. Yami has their limits."

Jéan replied, "Understanding the limits of assassins. You sound as if you know Yami, Akira."

Akira replied, "Maybe I do, Jéan, maybe I don't."

Mireille stated, "Sometimes, I've seen you walking around quite a lot, Mr. Himura."

Akira slowly smiled, "I'm the kind of fellow that does a lot of thinking. And please, Mr. Himura is so formal. Just call me Akira."

And Michael said, "And you can call me…"

That's when Akira glared at Michael. Menacingly, even assassin style. He said, "Shut up. Do not act perverted. If she wants to kill you, she will kill you. Isn't that right, Mireille Bouquet, a 'most trustworthy assassin for hire'?"

Mireille asked, "You seem to know who I am, Akira. How is that so?"

That's when Akira closed his eyes and smiled, "What, me? I guess… It was from the dark rumors of the underworld?"

Mireille thought, 'That… That wasn't because of that! When I heard Akira speak, and when I saw him glare at Michael, that wasn't the glare and speech of a bounty hunter… That was the glare and speech of an assassin!'

At the same time, Chloe was thinking, 'Gentleman of Darkness. I've finally found you.'

Akira went to Jéan and asked, "So, about our target…"

Jéan replied, "Oh, yes, Takeru Seta, that 'perverted' ninja that the French police hired you to turn him in, dead or alive. He's been pretty angry at you for foiling his attempted crimes."

Akira simply quipped, "I cannot let that creep get away with his crimes! As a gentleman, I will make sure he never does this to anyone else again!"

Now, once again, Akira eyes narrowed and snarled, "Even if I have to kill him. For the crimes that he and his gang have comitted, I swear, in the name of darkness, I will make him rot in the deepest pits of hell."

Jéan thought, 'It would seem as if you can't hide the darkness within, my friend.'

Michael said, "I'll be there with you, man. You know you can count on me."

Akira replied, "Thanks. Together, we'll prove, or, at least, die trying, that light isn't the only element to change the world!"

Then, Michael felt a gun muzzle to his head. Akira said, "My friend isn't your target, Taichi Kunabara. It's Jéan, isn't it?"

The assassin whom Akira addressed as Taichi Kunabara sneered, "My target is none of your concern, Akira Himura."

Akira closed his eyes and said, "You know, for one of Takeru Seta's 'Noir Ninjas', you're pretty smart. Taking backup with you is not a bad idea, to say the least."

Akira's eyes opened, and once again, he glared menacingly. This time, his laser like focus was on Taichi. He said, "But for a rookie hired gun, you're as dumb a bag of nails. You should've hidden your backup in not so predictable locations."

Akira raised his left hand and launched a silver kunai to the back of the car, and killed backup assassin #1.

Akira raised his right hand and launched a white kunai and killed the backup assassin who was hiding behind the Fiat.

Then, Michael whipped out one of his guns and cleanly shot the third and final assassin.

Akira smiled, "Excellent work, Michael. Have you been training much on the target practice fields?"

Michael grinned, "Not that much, my friend."

Taichi growled, "So it would seem as if that you are not who seem to be, Dragons."

Akira said, "Yeah. It's kind of a 'We'd like to tell you, but then we have to kill you' thing. Oh, right. We are going to kill you. Jéan is under our protection. I sugesst that you run and tell Takeru that your mission is a failure."

Taichi raised his Beretta M9, but as fast as he could draw it, Akira launched a razor sharp kunai from his left hand and destroyed it. The only difference from the other kunai that he launched that this time… It was a different color.

Kirika recognized the kunai. She said, "It has become ovbious to me now that I know what your true profession is. Akira Himura, and Michael Gustav. You two are the last in your respective families' line. That means that you are the ones carrying the torches for your fathers." Kirika said, "You two are Yami."

SA: (Grins) Not exactly the way you two wanted identites busted, eh?

Michael: I didn't want our identities busted at all.

Mireille: Well, that's the way life goes, isn't it?

SA: Next time, Tai and Akira go head to head, in the Assassin's Dance! You don't want to miss all the knife wielding, razor edge action on the next chappie, "Black Meets Darkness Part 2: Destinies Accepted, Destinies Intertwined!"