BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
The sharp blaring beeping sound pierced through my sleep and shook me. I opened my heavy eyes and looked where the sound was coming form. It was just my alarm clock blaring, screaming for me to wake up. Disoriented, I slammed my hand on it for it to stop it from its screams. Why do I have to be always rudely awakened? Ok, I'll just close my eyes for a moment until my whole body is perked up from this suspended animation. I never felt so groggy, the same thing every time I wake up in the morning. Jeez, what time did I sleep last night? 3? I can't seem to remember...
Finally, after some few moments, I'm fully conscious. I looked at the alarm clock on the table beside my bed. It's 7:00. Which reminds me, I got to be ready in less than hour for my class, my stupid class. Going to school seems senseless for me these days, yet I don't know why I still continue to go there. Oh yeah, it's because of Dad. Because Dad says so. To avoid suspicion, so as he says. Now that I'm finally an assassin, I need to keep a low profile. And while I'm at it, I can be also trained to take over our stupid family business. Yeah, an assassin beneath this schoolgirl.
The steady hum of the aircon fills the stillness of my room. The cold draft blows on my body, sending goose bumps over my skin. I lied on my back, staring blankly on the ceiling. From the shiny dark mirror tiles on the ceiling I can see my faint reflection. There's me, lying on my back, arms stretched like I'm being crucified, my hair lying disheveled with silver streaks spreading out like silver snakes, wearing only my black skimpy tank top and shorts. No wonder I feel so cold. It's stupid that I hate the cold, yet I'm here on my tank top with the aircon set on coldest.
I stretched my hands towards the ceiling, trying to reach my reflection. I know this is stupid. No matter how I hard I stretch my hand, I won't reach the ceiling with me lying here in my bed. But somehow, it's quite amusing seeing my reflection trying to reach me out here. Funny, someone is finally reaching out for me, wanting me, making me feel that I'm wanted. I've been always a lone kunoichi, never been needed nor having the need to need someone. Perhaps if only mother...
"Ms. Gail…breakfast is ready. You can now come down and join Master Keiji at the table anytime."
It was the maid calling me out for breakfast. I simply nodded. Dad will be joining me at breakfast. This is quite unusual. He seldom joins me at breakfast. Dad would be usually gone to his office the moment I wake up. Maybe he has something important to say to me, now I'm one of the S-Unit, our assassin group.
At the dining table, there was Dad sitting on the far end. He's in his business suit. His graying hair neatly combed. He was somberly reading the morning paper. He then looked at me as I sit opposite to him. I greeted him a good morning.
"Jesus, Gail, you could have at least combed your hair before going here. And at least worn anything other than that tank top," he said in his cold, husky tone.
I replied with a grunt.
"And about your hair. Didn't I tell you last night to get rid of it? You'll attract attention with that."
He's talking about my silver streaks. I dyed my hair about a week ago out of pure whim. He frowned upon seeing it. He wanted me to keep a low profile. I need to put up a good front, so no one could ever suspect or identify me as an assassin. Some front. All this low profile crap is killing me. I just wanted to be myself, that's all.
"This won't attract much attention Dad. Most of the girls in our school are dyeing their hairs," I replied.
"Okay. Just keep a low profile. Don't stand out too much. You're an assassin now, Gail. Things will be different."
I nodded, and then went back to my breakfast. It was eerily silent. Unusually quiet. I thought he was going to tell me something important? It's a rare chance to join Dad at breakfast. Surely, he won't go through the trouble of joining me here if he didn't have something important to say to me. He's a busy person. He would be usually gone abroad for weeks, taking care of our "business empire".
"Gail," he abruptly called.
"Yes Dad?"
"Have you been in touch with Akizuki lately?"
"You mean Jedd? Haven't seen him for nearly a month."
He was silent. He then motioned the maids, who were standing near the table, to go away. They then obediently left the dining room. I guess he has something important to say. Something that has to do with the S-Unit. This could be it, the one I've been waiting for. After the maids were gone, he then turned to me.
"He has agreed to join the S-Unit, right?"
"Yes, Dad."
"Good. He's going after his father's footsteps. Hyueh and I are close associates before he died," he paused, as if he said a forbidden word. He then dug in his pocket and took out a cigar, lit it, and sucked it gently.
"Anyway, Gail," he then continued after a moment of silence. "I will be gone for a week. I have to take care of our companies abroad. While I'm gone, I would like you to do something for me."
He took out a brown folder with a bunch of documents inside it. He then threw it to me. I caught it, and then opened it to read the document. A picture of a bald man caught my eye. It was Toyama, one of Dad's associates. What could Dad wanted from him?
"Take him out for me," he said coldly. I was surprised. I looked at Dad with astonishment. I never expected Dad wanted one of his associates dead.
"Why, Dad? Why Toyama?"
"Assassins don't ask questions, Gail," he replied gruffly. "They follow orders exactly, without any questions or doubts."
So much for my curiosity. I leafed through other documents. There were photos of Toyama, the floor plan of his office building, a table of his schedules, and other papers I didn't bother looking on to.
"Everything you need to know is there," Dad continued. "This would be your first assignment. Take the whole gang with you, including Akizuki."
The "gang" he's talking about is none other than the S-Unit, our crack operative group that specializes from assassination to espionage and infiltration jobs. I wonder why he took a special mention of Jedd. He seemed to have caught Dad's interest now he joined the S-Unit.
"How would you like us to accomplish the job, Dad?" I asked him, after leafing all through the folder's contents.
He puffed from his cigar, then let out a soft chuckle, "Now your beginning to sound like a true assassin, Gail. You sounded like your late Mom back then…" he paused, as if taken aback by the mention of Mom's name.
"Anyway," he continued. "It's up to you to plan how will you accomplish the job. I will leave to you the planning and the execution of the assignment. I'm allowing you to use our family's resources needed to complete you mission at your own disposal."
"But always remember this: never compromise the secrecy of the S-Unit's existence. We can never reveal the group's existence to the public. Failure is an option here, Gail. If you can't accomplish the mission on a given time, you can always abort it and find other time to execute the plan rather to compromise the safety of the whole group. Think wisely, Gail. Use what your Mom and I taught to you. Assassin's instinct, Gail. Always remember that."
I was silent after Dad finished talking. I have been trained as an assassin since childhood. Instead of dolls, my nodachi and my guns have been my toys. This would be the first time my skills would be put into use. Suddenly, my body felt so light. It is as if new blood has been coursing through my veins. Excitement over prospect of a new kill. Actually, this would be my first kill. Sudden rush of euphoria takes over me.
Dad then stood up, "I should be going now, Gail. I'm leaving the assignment to you and the gang. After you perfectly execute the assignment, then I would answer your questions."
He then turned and started heading out of the dining room. Just as he was about to leave, he turned to me, puffed from his cigar, and said in his typical husky tone, "By the way, Toyama would have an inauguration party for his new business venture. That would be a good chance to execute your assignment. And call Jedd. Tell him that I need to talk to him here, at four."
I nodded, "Okay Dad."
"Good luck, Gail," he said, before heading off to his car.
You may think being the only and seemingly spoiled daughter of the most successful multi-millionaire businessman in the city is the best thing in the world, think again. You may think being the only daughter of Keiji Murasame, the top businessman here in the city is like being a princess in fairy tales, well, that's quite right in the shallowest sense. It's true, I do live like a princess. I have the best clothes I wanted, all the luxury a 17-year old girl always wanted, and a team of maids on 24-hour standby to attend my slightest whim.
I'm not your typical spoiled rich girl. Unlike other spoiled daughters of my Dad's associates, I don't like indulging in those teen girls' cheap pleasures. I hate shopping, going into nightclubs and discos, reading those stupid beauty magazines, and other cheesy girlish pleasures. My only pleasure is locking myself inside my room and listening to eerie gothic music, and honing my skills in guns and swords. Being an assassin took over my whole life. Teenage life is too cheesy, and it's worth throwing away.
After, finishing my breakfast, I stood up from the table. I then headed to my room to get ready for school. I grabbed a towel and headed to the bathroom. I opened the faucet to fill my bathtub. Funny, I have few minutes left before my class and here I am, wallowing in my bathtub. The lukewarm water seems to lull to sleep as I lie in the water. I stared blankly on the wall, somewhat mesmerized by the intricate patterns of the tiles. Truly, the assassin's blood runs through my veins. Dad was an assassin, and so is Mom too. Dad used to tell me that they used to belong in the S-Unit, before they fell in love with each other and got married. Funny that assassins also fall in love with each other. There's warmth inside each assassin's heart though they cold-heartedly take someone's life, without compassion or mercy.
Dad tells me that she was the best kunoichi around. She would accomplish jobs alone flawlessly. She was called by her teammates as Mayumi Hattori, the Sword Devil Queen, as she always used her nodachi for her assignments. But as time goes by, time catches over her. She then realized she have to lay down her sword and lead a normal life. She fell in love and married her fellow assassin and boss, the powerful businessman Keiji Murasame, Dad. Then I was born, everything was normal until four years later she got married, and that fateful day came.
I never knew what happened that fateful day. Dad always tells me that she died because of a car accident on her way to my 13th birthday. But I don't believe him. I knew it has something to do with her being an assassin. When Dad told me about Mom's dark past and came to this part, he was holding back his tears. He wouldn't tell me, as he would change the topic when we get to that part. I would try to coax him into telling me what happened to her after his business trip.
I snapped out of my self-induced trance. I quickly stood up from the tub and wrapped a towel around my pallid body. I headed towards my room. The sun was already shining brightly through the window. I drew the blinds down, partly because I'm naked, but most of all, I just hate the sunlight. No wonder I'm so pale. I looked like a vampire in awful need of blood. I glanced at the clock. Jeez, it's 8 minutes before 8! Got to hurry.
I quickly put on the black blouse and my black skirt. Gothic look for today. I quickly jumped inside my boots then picked my backpack. I was about to rush outside when I suddenly remembered something. I turned to my closet and opened it. There it was, my prized nodachi (four-foot long katana), forged in a lost ancient technique that would require the blacksmith a whole week to finish the sword. Dad told me that this nodachi belonged to my Mom. In this sword Mom's soul flows to me and gives me the strength to fight. This sword is my only link to Mom. A sword covered with blood of Mom's victims, and now mine's. This sword is a legacy of a kunoichi, a legacy bound in my blood and destiny as a scion of the great Murasame clan, a bloody legacy I chose to tread upon.
I drew the sword a bit. As I looked upon the shiny silver blade, I saw my reflection on it. I gazed upon it, imagining that the reflection I see was of Mom. I touched the blade. Cold. Is this the same coldness Mom felt whenever she slays her victims? They say assassins are cold-hearted, but I wonder if Mom is too. Will I must be this cold to tread the path of a kunoichi? Funny how others are already calling me a kunoichi when I never did a single assassination job for someone. All I did is to endlessly hone and train, fight some thugs who cross my path. Slash them with this assassin's blade after putting up a futile fight. Much honorable than slashing a victim in cold blood. I wonder if Mom ever came to think of that.
I knew it would be stupid to carry a bladed weapon in a public place, let alone bringing my nodachi in the university. But my instincts tell me I should bring at least a small bladed weapon. Yeah, here goes my assassin instinct. Being an assassin may be in the genes, an inherited vocation. So I took a rough gray cloth and wrapped my nodachi inside it, then tied it with strings, then slung it on my shoulders. I put a little bloody red lipstick on my lips. I love bloody red, especially most of the ones I fight who admit that they like my bloody red lips before I finish them off. Now with everything set, I'm ready to go.
I quickly headed out of my room and of my house. I made my way out of our garage and into my car. A black sports sedan. Dad bought me this at my 18th birthday, to mark my "coming of age". He says I'm no longer a girl who plays with swords. I am now an assassin. I then started the engine and started to drive.
It didn't take me long before I reach school. I parked my car on our school parking lot. Here I am at last, at Johun-dai University, where the rich and the powerful send their offspring to be trained to take over their businesses in the future. I knew Dad is also training me to take over our business empire so he sent me here. But he kept on telling me that this is just a front to hide my kunoichi identity. Some expensive front. It costs a small fortune for one to study here. No wonder the school parking lot looks like a sports car show gallery. You can find all kinds of expensive rides here. Spoiled rich kids with their expensive toys. Tsch.
I quickly headed to my classroom. Inside, I scanned the room in the midst of the ruckus, looking for a familiar face. Not a single person I knew closely. I don't like meeting people much here. People come, people go. It's pointless to be friendly here. Pretentiousness. In this zoo of rich and powerful, friends and acquaintances can be easily bought and sold.
Our professor then entered our classroom. The ruckus inside suddenly subsided and was replaced by a mind-numbing silence. The old bald professor started his roll call in his monotonous voice. But he is still not here.
"Akagi. Ritsuko Akagi?" he called. Someone answered his call. He marked the notebook he's holding, then glanced again at our class, his eyes blankly rolling left and right, as if in a stupor.
"You've been absent for three time, Ms. Akagi. I will not tolereate more absences," he slurred, as if he was drunk.
I wonder where the heck is Jedd. I haven't seen him lately. He has been a freelance assassin. Doing jobs for different people alone. Did he fail in an assignment last night and was unlucky to be wounded, or worse, killed? Nah, that wouldn't happen. Jedd wouldn't be taken out so easy. Which reminds me, I haven't seen him for almost a month. Well, not really that I didn't see him, but we haven't talked to each other for that long. The incident on the rooftop where he took out that sniper was the last time we talked to each other. He was virtually incommunicado after that.
He was always like that. Cold, silent, aloof, and seemingly melancholic. He would sit besides me, staring blankly nowhere. After that, he would simply disappear into oblivion. He hasn't got over his parents' loss? It has been five years since that incident. He should be able to recover by now. He's a strong man, I know it. But I couldn't blame him for being still in pain. What he is carrying now is a heavy lot. Relina is the only one he got now. Such sweet girl. She was like a little sister that I never had though I had met her only once. I wish she wouldn't go away from Jedd, or else…
"Murasame. Gail Murasame."
"Uhh...here...present..." I awkwardly answered. This class sucks. I wish this would be over soon.
After our old professor finished his roll call, then started another one and a half hour of mind numbing lesson. What the hell was he talking about? Physics? Algebra? I didn't care anyway. My mind was flying ten times the speed of light oblivion and beyond. Disparate thoughts about Mom, Jedd, Relina, duels, my nodachi, my upcoming assignment, Dad, and even my lunch flew randomly in my head. So rapid and random that I can barely make anything out of it.
"That will be it for now. Be prepared for a recitation next meeting."
What?! The class is over? How I've been in trance? I looked at the clock. 9:30. So my mind has been flying around for almost one and a half hour? Time really flies fast when your mind does.
I headed out of the classroom. My next class will be at 11. That means I have an hour and a half more to roam and frolic like a moron. I leaned at the railings on the side of the corridor. I'll just kill time here by staring at the passersby and eavesdropping on other's conversation.
A group of girls gathered near me. They were giggling like morons hearing a stupid joke. Hmm, cheerleaders. Models. Hiphop chicks with their shiny bling-blings, is that what they call it? They cover their faces with thick powders and make-ups, an attempt to hide their ugliness inside with lies and deceit. They sicken me. They have nothing against me, but I have everything against them.
"…and do you know what he gave me last night? He gave me beautiful necklace!!! (giggles) Here, take a look. He was like, aaawww!!!! Isn't he sweet? I think I'm starting to like him..."
Jeez, what a sucker. Just few crappy dole-outs and these poor imbeciles are jumping like overjoyed gerbils on coke. Yeah, diamonds are girls' best friends. I manage to hear more of their stupid talk.
"...you know, I'm starting to worry about my skin...I'm not getting enough sunlight!!! My gosh!!! I'm turning into a zombie!!!"
Damn, while I hate all the sunlight, these morons here seem to be chasing all of it. What if I tie them in our rooftop and let them fry in the sunlight, will they get enough sunlight now? Tsch, me and my fiendish pleasures.
"...my God, I don't be like...like...so pale like that...that...that one!"
I turned towards them. They were looking at me, as if I'm some sort of an alien being from some other planet. I flashed them a baleful look. They were giggling like stupid, then whispering to each other, then giggling again. These assholes are really getting to my nerves. I try to steer away from any fight or commotion, so I walked away from them. I'll kill time somewhere else, anywhere than here.
"My gosh, will you look that? Gothic. And her hair, sliver streaks?! It's like sooo waaay out! No wonder she had no boyfriend." I heard one of them say as I pass them, then a chorus of giggles.
"Yeah, I have no one to screw me like a Thanksgiving turkey. I don't need someone screwing me all night just to feel beautiful and accepted," I replied loud enough for them to hear. Fiendish smiles.
"Why you slut?!" one of them yelled at me, the girl with red bangs.
"Do you have anything against me?" I asked her coldly.
"Yeah...lots of you're weird! Freak..." then a mad giggle from her fellow insects.
"Keep pushing it, asshole, and you'll have it."
"And just what are you gonna do? Hit me with your sti..."
A swing from my shrouded nodachi hit her face before she can finish what she was saying. I hit her lips, which was now bleeding. I think I hit her with the hilt side of my nodachi. I didn't expect my sword would be still this deadly even if it was covered with rough cloth.
I turned away from her and walked away. It took her a while before she realizes that her lips were bleeding. Stupid bitch. She drew first blood anyway, she said if I'll hit her with my "stick", so hit her with my stick I did.
"Why you bitch?! Look what you did to my face!!! I'll show you!!!" I heard her scream as she ran towards me. She's berserk.
My training honed my reflexes very well. She tried to grab my hair while I wasn't looking. I quickly dodged aside. Then she raised her fist trying to sock me. Before she could even charge with her punch, I hit her on her belly with the end of my nodachi. She fell on the ground in pain.
"Urgh...why you..." I heard her say as she flinched.
I looked at her. She was so pathetic. I turned away, the sight of her disgusts me.
"You'll not get away with this, Murasame!" she shouted as her fellow insects came to her to help her up.
I walked away from them as it started to attract a crowd. That's the first time I've beaten someone because she piqued me. I know Dad would be mad if he heard of this incident. He would rant at me for displaying my "skills" to openly. I know, that would blow my cover and draw attention from our enemies. The incident on the rooftop was a proof that I already became a target for our enemies' assassins. Which reminds me, Dad doesn't know a single thing about that incident. Good thing he's abroad for him not to know this. I guess I'll go somewhere to kill time without being pestered by these insects.
I finally came to a secluded place in the campus. It was surrounded by ancient large trees that effectively blocks most of the sunlight. Have I been here before? I walked along the shady corridor. It was so silent. There was no one except me here. Only the rustle of the leaves as it swayed with the wind fills the air.
Suddenly, I hear slight draft of air behind me. Instinct tells me that somebody is here. I took my nodachi and slowly removed the strings. It's getting closer. I can feel it even I didn't see it. I slowly removed the cloth covering my sword. It's approaching. It's coming straight towards me. I didn't dare to look back. I slowly drew my sword. It's coming closer. Closer. Closer. NOW!
CLANG!
My nodachi fell heavily on another blade, resounding a loud clang. Good thing my instincts never failed me. It was a shinobi (male assassin) who was stalking me. He was armed with a short katana. He was wearing all black, his face hidden behind a black shroud, leaving his eyes uncovered. I started charging towards him madly. I swung my nodachi at him as hard and fast as I could. Every blow seems to shake him as he helplessly manages to parry my attacks with such small blade. I swung my sword as hard as I could. I make sure every blow will shake him to the bone. I will stun him with my hard blows, or break his sword then move in for the kill. Blows, blows, and more blows. He was so helpless that all he can do is block my attacks without attempting to counter. At last, my last blow causes him to fall helplessly on the ground. Stunned by my attack, he fumbles his sword and desperately tries of take hold of it. I pointed my nodachi to his neck before he can take hold of his weapon.
"Who sent you here?! Speak, before I kill you!"
"You're good, young kunoichi. It is what I expect from a scion of the Murasame clan..." he said while trying to reach for his sword. I pressed my nodachi on his neck, then kicked his sword away. Damn, he's really getting to my nerves! I try to fight the temptation of killing him now. I must somehow know who sent him, his motives, and all the information I need before I waste him. His life is only worth as long as he holds information.
"Cut the crap...who sent you here!!!???"
"My intent is not to kill you, Lady Murasame...I'm just being sent here to protect you…" he begged in a thin voice.
"Bullshit! Who sent you here!?" I asked him, pressing the blade further into his throat as he began to gag.
"No really, Lady Murasame…I'm sent here to look after you you…"
I then removed the shroud covering his face, keeping my sword pointed to his neck. What I saw took me by surprise.
"Toji?! What the…!!??" I nearly screamed in astonishment.
"I told you I was sent here to look after you, Ms. Gail" he said, panting. "Now could you please let me go? You can get someone killed with that sword."
I was then shook from my disbelief. I then withdrew my sword and put it back to its saya. It's just Toji, our young assassin. He's one of our S-Unit. He was younger than me. So young yet so determined to be an assassin. He picked his short katana and stood up, shaking off the dust in his clothes.
"What the hell are you doing here? Who sent you?" I asked him.
"Master Keiji. He said to look after you, protect you if someone tries to kill you," he replied.
"Dad? But I could protect myself. Why such the need?" I wondered.
"The incident a month ago with an enemy sniper reached Master Keiji. He was alarmed by your carelessness, Ms. Gail. If it weren't for Jedd Akizuki, you would be done for. So he decided to send me to look after you, in secret, of course."
"Damn," I cursed beneath my breath. So that incident had reached Dad. I would be dead meat when I get home. Surely, Dad would chew me out nonstop. Or worse, he could remove me in my first assignment, my opportunity for my first kill. A rush of fear suddenly bolted into my mind.
"Surely, Ms. Gail, your significance in your family's business empire has been realized by your family's enemies. Or worse, they knew that you are already an assassin for the S-Unit. They are now after your head, Ms. Gail. Master Keiji couldn't take any chances. He sent me and other shinobi to look after you. The others are outside, watching you stealthily," he continued.
"But why did you fight back? I thought you were one of the enemies assassins." I asked him.
"My apologies, Mistress Gail," he apologized, bowing lowly. "If I'm not to take any action back then, you could have killed me. I have to defend myself after all. But your attacks are superb, Ms. Gail. I couldn't find a way to counter your attacks. Your blows, it's like catching a sledgehammer blow with my short katana."
"Don't patronize me, Toji," I snorted. "Your orders are to protect me. Your wouldn't even counter even if I didn't stop my attack. You would even let yourself be killed by me, you meek dog."
"I guess so, my mistress," he replied, letting out a blush. I let out a soft chuckle. He was the most obedient and loyal assassin working for us. He would follow orders without question. After all, Toji owes a lot from us. Dad took care of him when he was orphaned when he was just five. He sent him to school and trained him as an assassin. From the way I look at it, he sees me as an older sister, and Dad as his father. But for me, he is an assassin who happened to be a lot close to me.
I dug into my pocket for my cigarette pack. I took a stick and lit it. I savored the smoke deep in my lungs before exhaling it. Dad would surely be mad if he sees me smoking. If an assassin would not kill me, perhaps the cigarette smoke will. I offered Toji some cigarettes, but he declined. I forgot. Toji doesn't smoke.
"Who could have told Dad about that incident? There wasn't anyone around except me, Jedd, and that assassin," I asked him.
"You know, Ms. Gail, you can barely hide anything from the S-Unit. Remember, we're not only assassins, we're also spies," he replied.
"Oh," I simply nodded. I puffed deeply from my cigarette, held the smoke inside for a while then watched it waft away. So Dad has a way to find out anything. Then, anything would be hardly a secret. This sucks.
I looked at Toji. He was nursing his bruised arm. My hard blows must have hurt him. I somehow felt sorry for him. Well, it was his fault in the first place. If he didn't sneak up at me like that, ninja style, I wouldn't beat him that badly. I wanted to say something to him, but my jaws remained clamped. I guess I'm just too tired to say anything. I just went on puffing from my cigarette, breathing in the noxious addictive smoke
"Good thing Akizuki joined the S-Unit," Toji said abruptly, still holding to his arm.
"Huh?" I looked at him, puzzled.
"He would be a great help to us, especially now that the threat of your family's enemies are growing," then he paused to massage his bruised arm for a while.
"What's his name again?" he asked me.
"Jedd. Jedd Akizuki."
"I have heard of Jedd's feats back then. It seems that he came from a long lineage of assassins, just like you, Ms. Gail. His speed, his fighting style, his unflinching will to execute an assignment, he has what it takes to be a great assassin. He would be a good addition to the S-Unit now that…" he said, as if making airs for Jedd.
"I don't think so, Toji," I cut in.
"Why, Ms. Gail?"
"We can never be too sure of Jedd," I said, hushing Toji, who looked at me puzzled.
"Jedd has been working as a freelance assassin," I continued. "He owes his allegiance to no one, except to himself. He hasn't worked with anybody before. You never know to whom his loyalties lies."
I sounded quite cynical. There was sudden hush between Toji and me. The aura between us suddenly became gloomy, a sickening taciturnity looming between us. I didn't mean to be pessimistic about it, but we couldn't take chances on him, though we knew Jedd for quite a while. A tamed wolf could be still dangerous. You can never be too lax.
"But I have to admit," I said, breaking the silence. "I admired Jedd."
Toji smiled, his face lightening up, "You like him, Ms. Gail?"
"Sort of. You can't deny he's quite attractive for an assassin," I replied, breaking a weak smile.
"Tee-hee," he chucked. "I knew it. Even hardened assassins have still a soft spot in their hearts. That's all right, we're still humans after all."
"Partially dehumanized humans," I thought.
"The same story went on with Master Keiji and Mistress Mayumi. They're both assassins. Yet they found love inside their hardened hearts," he continued.
I was silent at the mention of Mom's name. Mom has been so caring and tender. Is it really possible that she is a cold-hearted assassin the way Dad tells stories about her? If she was, how could she love a fellow assassin such as Dad? Could their love for each other made them lay down both their weapons and trade it for a normal life? I couldn't tell. If Mom is only alive today, perhaps I could ask.
"Ms. Gail, is something wrong? I'm so sorry I mentioned something about Mistress Mayumi," Toji apologized, seeing that I'm quiet.
"No, it's okay, Toji."
Then another moment of sickening silence. No one dared to speak. Toji may had ran out of words to say.
"Besides, I said I liked Jedd. That doesn't mean I love him," I said, shattering the lull.
Toji smiled, "Wootsoo, you don't have to deny it, Ms. Gail. It always ends up in love," he teased.
I manage to break a weak chuckle. I looked at my watch again. Five minutes before 11. That means I have been loafing around for nearly an hour and a half. Crap, it will be time for my next class. Perhaps another mind-numbing hour. Damn.
"Toji, I have to go," I said to him. "It's time for my next class. Sorry for that little run-in a moment ago."
"That's ok, Ms. Gail. Then I will go with you…"
"No," I refused. "I will be just fine all alone. I can protect myself. I will be extra careful."
"But Master Keiji's orders…"
"Okay, just watch me from a distance. Don't get too close. Tell other to do the same, okay?"
"Yes, Lady Murasame," he replied with a low bow.
"And stop calling me Ms. Gail or Lady Murasame. Gail would be just fine."
"Yes, Ms. Gail…I mean…Gail…" he replied, smiling sheepishly. He turned around then ran towards the bushes, disappearing in the middle of the leaves and branches. Toji, he's such a guy.
Damn, it will be class again. Another hour and a half of stupidity and loafing around. I wish this day would be over soon.
I suddenly remembered that Dad wants to see Jedd before he leaves abroad. I took out my cell phone and searched for Jedd's number, then pressed the "CALL" button. After some few rings, someone answered. It was Jedd's familiar husky voice.
"Hey Jedd, it's me Gail..."
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Finally, all of my classes are over. I'm just here sitting, killing time, waiting for Jedd to come. I said we'll meet here in Tiffany's, a cafe just outside our school. Me and Jedd used to eat here most of the time.
I gazed at my fuzzy reflection on the shiny table. Am I really up to this assignment? Do I really have to do it? Is it because I wanted sheer fun? No, that's an extremely shallow reason I think. Is it because I enjoyed seeing bloodshed, deriving fiendish pleasure from it? Nah, if I wanted that then I would stick to killing thugs instead. Lots of pathetic thugs are dying to take me out by themselves.
Maybe it's fate? Nah, I don't believe in that destiny crap. But maybe it's fate. A legacy handed down in our family. Am I bound to follow that legacy too Like my countless ancestors did? Like Mom did? This sword is a testament to this legacy. A bloody legacy tied to every scion of Murasame clan.
Why do I fight? Is it because it is where I get my kicks? Maybe. I wonder if Mom also got her kicks from seeing her victims bleed to death, or seeing her blade slowly sink in the fragile flesh of her opponents. If Mom has this morbid pleasure, I wonder how another merciless assassin like Dad fell in love with her.
Funny, I fight because of kicks. The flood of dopamine in my brain in the heat of a battle takes over me. I wonder if Jedd fights because of kicks. Nah, I don't think so. I never saw him overjoyed on the sight of a dying victim. A bloody legacy such as mine? I don't know. He doesn't talk about much his past. When he fights, he fights as if a raging demon set loose for a while. After that, no hint of any rage he got during the fight. No fiendish pleasure, no sarcastic smile, no sighs of relief.
"Fighting is a proof of life". That's what he says to me always. I wonder what he meant by that. I took out my cigarette pack and fished out a stick. Yeah, like I have said before, if an assassin wouldn't kill me, maybe cigarettes will. Damn, how long have I been waiting here? Time feels like so slow when you're doing nothing. I looked at my watch. 4:09. He should be here any minute now.
Suddenly, I felt a warm touch from a hand. I turned to look. There it was. His shiny midnight black shoulder length hair, his dark rimmed glasses, his deep dark brown eyes.
"The diabolical golden eyes of a fierce, merciless swordsman. And a deep dark brown eyes of a troubled young man..."
His eyes. Far different from his diabolical golden eyes I see in his fights. There were no traces of any guilt, disgust, sarcasm, or anything. Just plain tired, haggard eyes. Soon he averted his gaze. Is he conscious that I'm trying to decipher his psyche through his eyes? Heh, Jedd is such an interesting person. He's a walking contradiction. Innocence and brutality. Rage and taciturnity. Diabolical and holy.
He sat opposite to me. He was carrying a backpack. I bet he got his twin kodachi (short sword) inside. He's always on his toes. Good instincts. I drew my nodachi closer to me.
He was the usual: staring blankly nowhere. Then he turned to me. I managed a faint smile. He replied with the same faint smile. I guess all this dueling and finding for his missing sister have caught up with him. Taciturnity began to loom between us. I waited for him to say the first word. Getting sick of the silence, I decided to break the first word.
"Hi..."