Chapter 2

Singed

The rain had stopped into a balmy drizzle, and the wind died down but the air still foretold peril. A cold chill went down her spine and she looked over her shoulders. She went back to her other hotel, checked out and went down half a mile north. Traveling she surveyed the area, it was beautiful. The Coquin Singe was just a half a mile down but everything was so different. Vibrant and bold lights splashing color throughout the city. Small bistros and cafes scattered around every block. From her peripheral version she caught a man and a woman gently holding hands. And the Coquin Singe was no slouch in the beauty department. It was very elaborate, chandeliers decked out in diamonds and even a fish pond in the center. The place was huge, marble mosaics placed all along the walls and leather chairs placed around strategically. Ayane had to book a room simply because of its sheer beauty and because she was close to Christie.

"Hello, I'd like to book a room tonight. Nothing fancy really." The skinny and pale clerk looked up with furrowed brows; he was obviously annoyed that she didn't want anything extravagant to help his paycheck along.

"Will you be staying with us for a week or more," he said as he began to type furiously.

"No, but I do ask you of a favor."

"Which is?"

"I need to find my friend; her name is Christie Sellick. Do you know what room she's in so we can catch up?"

"I'm sorry Miss...."

"Chikako Araki,"

"Um, yes well I can't disclose that type of info, would you like the Premium Plan tonight? You get a free mini bar, and refrig..." Before he could say another word she pulled out a small dirk. It was small enough so that no one could see it.

"You talk too much. Now, you'll tell me where my friend is at. You'd be foolish to do otherwise," she'd begun to thrust the point so that it wouldn't kill him but gave him significant pain. Beads of sweat raced down his face, landing on his Adam's apple as he swallowed.

"She's...in room 202 second floor; here's the key to....your room." Ayane snatched the keys.

"If you tell anyone what you have seen or heard I will surely put you on my agenda. And believe me you'd wish you never knew me." She quickly retracted the dirk and spoke softly once again. "Thank you; are there complimentary chocolates on my bed?"

With fear in his eyes he spoke, "I'll give you all of them if you want."

"It's not necessary, goodnight sir." And with that she traveled to the elevator. She knew that the man was going to squeal soon so she had to be quick. Eventually she got up to the elevator and wondered if this was really necessary. Why couldn't I just be a normal Japanese girl eating sushi, and drinking saki like a fool? Although she specialized in killing and the art of stealth she didn't altogether enjoy the killing of people. She was a nature lover at heart, loving to sit in a forest and listen to its sweet melodies and watch the clouds move languidly. After all she was still a woman, but a tough one. Business is business I guess. And she stepped off the elevator. She took her key and unlocked the door. I have to threaten this guy more often. Everything in her room was deep purple, maroon curtains, maroon bed, maroon shower, and dark blue pillows. What kind of luck is this? Desserts were placed in her mini bar, along with martini mixes. Marrons Glaces! She grabbed one, devoured it, and moved on about her mission. She opened her bag and took out her ninja uniform. It was a very heavily hued purple gi with large black boots, and arm guards. But this suit brought back a painful memory, she was haunted by demons that hunted her and ate her alive each day. Carved into her mind was her father figure Genra, whom she had to kill since he'd become a threat to mankind. She vividly remembered that intense burning inside her thoat when she put up her guard to fight him. Genra had struck the ground, and Ayane had leapt into the air and with a knife she stabbed him in the heart. He collapsed, and he fell into the flames. The embers danced that night engulfing his body. But the flames inside Ayane also devoured and singed her very existence. Tears suddenly erupted from her eyes, and she clutched a pillow and held it tight.

"Dammit, why can't I forget him," she began to hiccup and more tears exploded from her eyes, "that bastard, why'd he do it?" She cursed at thin air, hoping to accomplish something.

Genra, if you hear me. I hate you. She settled into her anger so deeply that she remembered all the times she fought Kasumi, all those times when she had to battle Hayate, all those people that she killed. She hated herself for it and honestly she wished she wouldn't kill. After she did the deed it dawned upon what she had done and she broke down. She always got deep into thought when she was hurt, one thought leading to another like a chain. She had to admit, she honestly didn't have the best life but it was hers.