Well here is the next chapter for all of you. Sorry it took so long to get out. With moving and adapting to a new school in the middle of your senior year is pretty tough. But I was able to get this one out for you. Thanks to those who have let me borrow their character for this story. Enough of me chatting aimlessly.
This chapter is especially dedicated to Musei Kage who helped me out and is watching my back. Owe you lots!
I don't own anything except for my own characters and Kanna and Yusuke belong to Musei Kage...
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Chapter 11: New Troubles (Part 1)
"So Miko-chan, what exactly happened on Valentine's night?" Mariah asked the said girl with a mischievous smirk on her face. Kumiko raised an eyebrow at the pink haired girl then realized that the other girls were just as curious. All of them were anxiously waiting for the details of what happened. Kumiko just rolled her eyes at them.
"What Kai-kun and I did is none of your business" Kumiko replied crossing her arms and closing her eyes. All of the girls whined out loud and gave her big puppy dog pouts. Kumiko looked at each of them but held her ground. "It's not gonna work this time."
"Fine. Be that way Miko-chan. I bet Kai's telling the guys all about what he did with you" Mariam stated, pout still showing, hoping to change her mind.
"Oh I know he's not" Kumiko remarked in an as-a-matter-of-fact tone.
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"Oh come on Kai! You can tell us. We won't tell a soul" Tyson begged the dual haired boy who was sitting in the middle of the large group of guys. He was sitting there with his arms crossed and eyes closed not saying a word.
"The least you could tell us was how far you two went" Tala pried, putting his arm around Kai's shoulders. Kai opened a single eye to look at the red head but closed it a second later. Tala just sighed aloud, a sure sign that stated that he gave up.
"They must have gone all the way if he's so silent about it" Ian mused with a teasing smirk. When they saw no reaction from Kai at the remark, everyone looked toward Kai and stared at him, thinking of the possibility. Tala, being the closet to Kai, saw the slightest movement of an upward curve at the corner of his mouth. Tala's eyes widened drastically at the revelation he made but didn't say a word knowing Kumiko wouldn't want anyone to know. It was then that he saw a familiar silver chain necklace around Kai's neck.
"It's hopeless. Kai's not gonna say anything. Why bother pursuing the subject" Rei reasoned to the group. They all sighed in defeat and Kai just cracked an eye open that twinkled in amusement. The guys had been bugging him just as the girls have been bugging Kumiko ever since that night. Both agreed not to utter a word about the night to the others, knowing they would definitely ask. Kai smirked to himself at seeing the great disappoint on their faces.
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"Is this an inconvenient time to be calling all of you" Kumiko questioned to the four people on the large screen.
"Not at all. We were waiting on your call. I see that Shadow himself has finally graced us with his presence" Shogo joked, seeing Ryo sitting at his desk with a smile on his face. "I also would like to extend my greeting to your second Haraguchi. Tala Valkyrie, it's been a while" he greeted to the red head who was next to Ryo on the left while Kumiko occupied the right. Tala was about to return the greeting when a familiar annoying voice made itself known.
"Tala! Is that really you?"
Tala paled possibly even more than he already was and nearly died when he a saw a dull pink haired girl appear next to one of the leaders. Everyone tried to hide their smirks at the red head's misfortune. They were surprised that he was still there, then realizing that it wouldn't be possible for Araki to glomp him. Annoy the hell out of him was another story.
"Tala! Sorry that I can't be there with you so we could spend some...alone time together... but seeing you is enough for me!" Araki babbled excitedly. Out right laughter was soon heard, Kumiko knowing that Kanna and Liika were probably rolling on the ground, laughing their asses off.
"It's uh...nice...to see you Araki" Tala greeted, a sick kind of tone in his voice. Everyone began snickering at the predicament of the red head. Kumiko decided to stop the situation before anything could happen.
"Alright. Let's get down to business. What's the progress for you all?" Kumiko questioned with a serious tone.
"I'll be honest Haraguchi. We need a bit more time. There is some suspicious stuff going on around here and we need to find out what it is" Ryuhei informed with a semi sheepish expression.
"What's wrong?" Tala asked curiously.
"Minor groups have been assembling major amounts of ammunition and stuff. We think they are associated with the Radicals but haven't cracked it down yet" Ryuhei explained briefly.
"How long do you think you need?" Ryo questioned the Red Dragon.
"Not sure. We're kinda stuck at the moment" Ryuhei responded with a sheepish smile.
"Need some help? I can come over and help figure out what's wrong" Kumiko offered to the Chinese man.
"We'd appreciate it if you could" Ryuhei accepted with gratitude.
"Okay, I'll be there within a week. How about you others?" Kumiko questioned, looking toward the other leaders.
"We're pretty much set. We just need a date and time" Daisuke informed to the group.
"As are we. We just need to get out stuff to our location" Kisho stated.
"That can be arranged if you need it" Ryo offered to the Night Raider. Kisho shook his head in decline.
"We'll be fine. Don't worry about us" Kisho assured to the Dark Shadow.
"We too need to get to where we are going but that's already been arranged. Everything else is done" Shogo informed positively.
"So everyone's ready for the small exception of the situation with the Red Dragons. Excellent work. Try to keep your schedules open for the next couple of weeks. I'm not sure how long it will take us to solve this problem in Hong Kong, but it shouldn't take too long" Kumiko informed to the other leaders. They nodded in agreement and talked a bit more about any more activity going with the Radicals. After each report was told, they all said their good-byes and would call each other should anything come up. Tala left a bit earlier to avoid talking to the annoying Blue Pyro female.
"How long do you think you'll take?" Ryo asked his daughter when they were done with the meeting.
"Honestly? I don't know. I guess it'll depend what leads they have and if I'll work by myself or not" Kumiko reasoned thoughtfully to her father. Ryo smiled at his daughter's wise answer. He began to reminisce about when she started to live with him when she was ten, and how she's grown up to the person she is now. Kumiko glanced at her father and saw the far away look on his face. Her glance turned curious as she questioned him. "What are thinking about otou-san?"
"I was just thinking about how much you've grown ever since you started living with me" Ryo answered with a fatherly like smile. "And I've also put a lot of thought into this as well. I think it's time for you to take one the full role of being Dark Shadow leader."
"Na-nani?" Kumiko asked incredulously. That was something she was not expecting. She didn't think she would get the responsibility until she was at least 21. She decided to hear her father out before she would jump to conclusions.
"Don't sound so surprised. You are ready. You've been handling the group well and have yet to lose someone. Everyone trusts your judgment and I'm positive the minor members will follow you loyally" Ryo explained to his daughter with a serious but soft expression. "I've taught you everything I know and you've developed your skills ever since then. You far surpassed anyone's expectations and have yet ceased to amaze me. I'm very proud of you and I know you'll a great leader to the Dark Shadows." Ryo embraced his daughter who returned the gesture immediately, needing the assurance of her father.
"If you believe me ready, then I should be more than ready to become Dark Shadow leader. I accept" Kumiko accepted with a firm tone in her voice. If her father thought she was ready, then she wouldn't let him down. She lifted her head up and gave him a soft smile in which was returned.
"You'll do fine. I'll be here when you need me" Ryo assured once again. "Now you should get ready for you trip. Take someone with you if you really need it and I'll arrange it with you school." With that Kumiko broke from the embrace and nodded an agreement. She left her father to his work and began her trek to her room. She thought of what her father said about taking someone with her and actually considered on doing just that. Before she knew it, she reached her room and went in. There she found Tala sitting on her bed looking at some kind of file.
"And here I thought you wanted to have a nice chat with your old fried Araki" Kumiko teased with a smile. Tala looked up with an annoyed expression on his face. She gave a slight giggle at his expression and sat down on the bed next to him.
"So what took you so long? I know I didn't leave that early" Tala asked curiously, going back to his file. He looked up at her when she didn't say anything for a moment. "Something wrong Miko-chan?"
"Iie. I guess I'm still surprised at what otou-san has done" Kumiko responded, snapping out of her thoughts. She looked at the red head and saw that he had a questioning but curious look on his face. Kumiko smile softly at him to assure him that everything was fine. "I've been promoted Tala" she stated simply, knowing he would instantly know what it meant. She was right when she was suddenly engulfed in a fierce hug from her long time friend. He pulled back and gave her a wide smile, an ecstatic expression on his face.
"What brought about this sudden promotion?" Tala asked wonderingly, curiosity etched on his face.
"It was just a while ago. Otou-san said I was ready and so I accepted. He said that I was more than capable and that I would be a great leader to the Dark Shadows. Plus he wanted to concentrate more on the company and get it ready for me" Kumiko explained briefly with a small grin on her face. "He also said I should take someone with me to Hong Kong. I just don't know who." Tala sat silent for a moment, thinking about what she just said. He was about to volunteer to go with her when he thought of a better person.
"How about you take Kai?" Tala suggested to his new leader. Kumiko gave him a questioning glance that said he should explain. "Well, he has been with us for a while but he hasn't experienced any more than just the small run-ins with the Radicals. He should experience different things to get the feel of it" Tala explained simply, logic ringing in his tone.
"That's true but for some reason I have a feeling that there's more to it than that" Kumiko accused with a raised eyebrow.
"I don't know what you're talking about" Tala said feigning innocence. He gave her a boyish grin in which Kumiko just rolled her eyes at while getting up from her bed toward her closet. She rummaged through it and pulled out a small suitcase and placed it on her bed next to Tala.
"You'll take care of things while I'm gone, right?" Kumiko asked while picking out some pieces of clothing she would need. She folded them neatly into her suitcase while waiting for his answer.
"Of course! Have I ever let you down before?" Tala asked with mock charisma.
"Do you really want me to answer that?" Kumiko countered with a teasing smile. Tala put on an act of being hurt by her words, which made Kumiko smile. "Iie Tala-kun, you have never let me down before and hopefully never will in the future. That's why you're my second-in-command."
"That's right!" Tala proclaimed like a child, a proud smile on his face.
"And you'll be having great fun at all the Alliance meetings we'll have" Kumiko said, going back to her closet for more clothes. She smirked triumphantly at hearing the red head groan in response to what she said.
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"It's good to see you again Yume-san" Kumiko greeted to the older woman with a bow. Yume pulled the younger girl into a hug, which was returned fully.
"Kumiko it's good to see you! You know you are welcomed at any time" Yume greeted to the said girl when they broke the hug. "Come on, Sho is in his office with Kai discussing things about the business but I'm sure they won't mind a small break." The kind woman led the quiet girl toward the back of the house and stopped in front of a pair of cherry wood doors. She knocked on the doors and opened them when the occupants inside allowed entry. Kumiko stepped into the large study and waited until Yume closed the door behind them.
"Konnichiwa Kumiko. It's nice to see you here" Sho greeted to the said girl who bowed in response. Kai smirked at his girlfriend from his position next to his father and wondered what she was doing here, not that he was complaining. This would give him a chance to break away from the business talks with his father.
"Konnichiwa Sho-sama. Gomen nasai if I interrupted something important" Kumiko greeted pleasantly with a sheepish smile.
"Nonsense! You're welcomed here anytime. Besides, we could use a break from all this talk" She insisted, waving the apology off as if it weren't a big deal. "Sit, tell us what brings you here." Kumiko took the offer and quickly sat down in front of him, Kai also taking a seat next to her. Yume made a move to sit on the arm of the chair her husband was sitting in. They were all waiting for her to talk.
"Well I have news to tell. I thought it appropriate to tell you before telling the others" Kumiko began and glanced at the Hiwatari family. "I have officially been declared as Dark Shadow leader as of earlier this morning" she finished and waited for their response.
"That's outstanding! Leader of the Dark Shadows and only 18 years old. Here I thought that you had to be 21 at the least" Sho proclaimed, casting the young woman a questioning glance. Yume herself was just smiling widely while Kai nearly beamed at how proud he was.
"That's true but otou-san believed that I was ready for the job. Plus he wanted to focus more on the company for when I would take over" Kumiko explained briefly. Sho nodded in understanding and looked at Kai who was smiling softly at the newfound leader. "There's also one other thing. There's a slight problem going on in Hong Kong and I must attend to it soon. I leave tomorrow and I was wondering if Kai could come with me." The said boy threw a questioning glance at her while Sho seemed to be considering it for him.
"I don't see why not. It'll be good for him" Sho replied with a shrug. He looked up to his wife who made an indication that she too didn't mind. Kai turned to his parents with a somewhat disbelieving look. "Don't look at us like that Kai. Although the family business is important, you have a responsibility to what you have committed yourself to. Besides it will be a great opportunity to see the sights of Hong Kong" Sho explained with a smile to his son. Kai nodded in acceptance, thinking of what could happen.
"Pack the essentials and I'll take care of the rest. Be at my house by noon tomorrow" Kumiko informed with a smile.
"Kuminee-chan and onii-chan, are you two leaving?" a voice asked timidly from the doorway. Everyone turned their attention toward the small figure at the doorway. Kari shyly made her way into her father's study with a slight saddened expression at what she just overheard. Kumiko got up from her seat and gestured for Kari to come closer. Kumiko embraced the younger girl in a gentle hug and patted her head softly. Kari relaxed against the older girl hoping nothing bad was happening.
"Kari-chan, don't worry. Hai, Kai and I are leaving but only for a short while. We'll be back soon, I promise" Kumiko gently assured. Kari pulled back from the embrace far enough to look at Kumiko and smiled at seeing promise in the older girl's eyes. "Alright then, I should get going. I still have a few things that needs to be done before we leave" Kumiko said standing up straight and facing the Hiwatari family. She gave them a slight bow before taking her leave. Kari took the chance to escort her to the front door.
"She is one amazing young woman" Yume commented after the two left.
"Hai she is. Better not let her go Kai. You don't find someone like often" Sho advised to his son, knowing that he wouldn't let her slip away. Kai just sat there with a thoughtful expression on his face. He considered what his parents were implying and made a decision.
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"You wanted me Kadin?" Jake questioned to his leader as he entered the office. He closed the door after him when he was inside and sat down in front of the Radical leader. He waited patiently for Kadin to talk, wondering why he called him here. Usually Kadin would call him here because of some plan he's developed for the Dark Shadows, plans that have failed so far.
"Jake I want you to meet someone. Get in here" Kadin ordered in a loud voice. A door off to the side opened to reveal a young man. He stepped through the doorway and approached the two Radicals. "Yusuke Shimada. He had his own plans for the Dark Shadows and I have given him permission to execute them." Jake raised a skeptical eyebrow at the said guy and wondered what he planned to do.
'It must be something if Kadin gave him permission, but then again Kadin's plans aren't exactly genius either,' Jake thought. "What do you plan to do?" Jake inquired with a questioning glance. Jake became slightly angry when Yusuke didn't respond to the question. He looked toward Kadin who just gave him a smug smile.
"Don't worry about all the details Jake. He'll be able to get the job done" Kadin said with a glint in his eye. Yusuke still hadn't said a word to them and just stood there with calculating narrowed eyes. Jake gave up and took his leave, sighing once he left the eerie office. He made his way toward his own office, which was significantly smaller than Kadin's. He sat at his desk and leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples.
"What in hell is Kadin getting himself into?" Jake questioned to himself. He began to think of all the things that have happened ever since he joined Kadin. He narrowed his eyes and began to doubt his judgment that he made not too long ago.
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News of Kumiko's ascension to the leader of the Dark Shadows spread like wild fire. There wasn't a single person on the streets that didn't know. While the gossip was spreading, the said person people were talking about was on her way to Hong Kong to deal with the problem the Red Dragons were having. Next to her on the flight was her partner who was busy looking over business documents for his father. She herself had nothing she really had to do so she took this time to relax, not knowing if she would be able to later on. The flight didn't take too long and soon they were waiting at the airport for their ride.
"Haraguchi"
Kumiko turned to the person who called her name and was greeted by the red Dragon's second, Kanna Chan. They waited for her to get to them. When she arrived they said their usual greetings.
"Kanna Chan of the Red Dragons" Kanna greeted formally with a slight bow.
"Kumiko Haraguchi and Kai Hiwatari of the Dark Shadows" Kumiko greeted and gave a slight bow in return. Kai followed her in the gesture, not really knowing what to do. Kanna just grinned at the dual toned haired boy who was obviously new.
"He's pretty cute Kumiko. Is he with you?" Kanna asked the girl in Chinese, hoping and at the same time not hoping that he didn't understand.
"Interested?" Kumiko responded back in Chinese as well, a raised eyebrow with a slight grin on her face. She sneaked a glance at Kai who she knew that he very well knew what they were talking about. He just gave off a slight confused expression to show was playing along.
"I won't deny" Kanna replied with smirk. It was then that Kai made himself know among all the talk about him.
"Should you really be talking about someone who stands right before you, knowing there was a possibility that they could understand?" Kai questioned in Chinese to the Red Dragon.
"Good, you do speak Chinese. Now we don't have to switch back and forth between languages" Kanna countered him. She seemed unfazed by the fact that he understood, but Kumiko knew she was covering up the fact that she was surprised and a bit embarrassed. However, Kumiko knew that Kanna wouldn't deny about what she said. "Alright, let's go shall we" Kumiko and Kai picked up their bags, all the other things being sent directly to Ryuhei's manor. When they arrived at the manor, they were greeted by the Red Dragon leader himself and to Kumiko's surprise the leader of Black Chaos and his second as well.
"Ryuhei Zhou-shin of the Red Dragons" Ryuhei greeted, curious at whom the male with the Dark Shadow leader was.
"Shogo Kawada and Liika Low of Black Chaos" Shogo greeted, also curious at whom he was.
"Kumiko Haraguchi and Kai Hiwatari of the Dark Shadows" Kumiko responded to them and gave a slight bow, which was returned. She turned toward the two Black Chaos members with a questioning glance. "What are you two doing here?"
"We thought we could help out as well and spend some quality time with the new leader of the Dark Shadows" Liika answered with a smirk. Kumiko just rolled her eyes but was glad all the same to have the help. "So who's the new guy?"
"I already told you who he was. Kai, these are the others from the Alliance with us. Our gracious hosts Ryuhei Zhou-shin and Kanna Chan are from the Red Dragons and Shogo Kawada and Liika Low are from Black Chaos" Kumiko informally introduced while pointing to each said member.
"A pleasure to meet you. Kumiko has mentioned you but have yet to know about you" Shogo greeted with a handshake. Ryuhei greeted the male Dark Shadow in the same way and then gestured for all to follow him to his study away from prying eyes and listening ears. They all sat down and got comfortable while Ryuhei pulled out some files.
"Getting down to business, this is all of the things we have been able to find out about these increases in shipment. We suspect that there is a connection to our current target and should be taken care of immediately if that is the case" Ryuhei briefed to the group. Each person looked at the files and scanned through the reports and examined the pictures. Kumiko examined everything carefully, hoping to get some kind of lead as to who was responsible. She scanned the photos carefully, trying to see if there was anything that would give them away. It was then that she spotted a shady looking character off to the side, ordering the others around.
"Ryuhei, do you have these photos on a computer?" Kumiko questioned, not taking her eyes off of the figure.
"Did you find something?" Ryuhei questioned back with interest in his voice. Everyone looked at the Dark Shadow female with questioning curious glances.
"Possibly. So do you?" Kumiko replied back. When she saw Ryuhei nod his head, she stood up. "Send them to me while I get my laptop." She left them all in the dark, wondering what she saw. Ryuhei went to his computer and immediately sent the pictures to the younger leader. They looked up when she entered the room again with her laptop in tow. Sitting down in her seat, she turned it on and waited for it to boot up. When she was on, it showed that she had mail, no doubt the pictures Ryuhei had just sent. Opening up a program, she began to pick one of the pictures apart, adjusting it so that it focused on a single person. She gestured for everyone to have a look and soon they were crowded around the obvious computer expert and saw what she discovered.
"Who is that?" Kanna asked aloud first, staring at the photo of a man.
"That's what I want to know" Kumiko commented narrowing her eyes at the picture. The man in it was obviously tall and had a pale complexion. He seemed to have short purple hair in an odd hairstyle and was probably around his late forties. It was someone Kai recognized all too well.
"Boris" Kai growled out the name with obvious hate for the man. Everyone turned toward him with questioning stares.
"You know him?" Shogo inquired to the slightly angry teen. Kai nodded his head in response and soon had everyone's immediate attention to him. "Who is he then?"
"He was one of the scientists that worked for Phoenix Corporation. He was a genetics scientist and thought up inhuman ideas to create genetically improved humans" Kai explained, narrowed hate filled eyes glaring at the man. "He often came to my father to promote his work but my father always turned him down."
"I remember him now. He came to my father as well but turned him down before he could say anything" Kumiko realized with a thoughtful expression.
"He was relieved from Phoenix Corporation a few years ago. This is the first time I've seen him since" Kai informed to the group. Kumiko began to search for his database and actually took awhile before she found it.
"Boris Balcov. Age 46. Currently employed at Biovolt Corporation as head scientist. Currently working on a way to genetically enhance babies so that they would grow up to be genetically perfect in mind, body, and skill. Well, isn't that a problem" Shogo commented dryly.
"Think of what could happen with genetically improved humans. They could be the ultimate killing machine" Ryuhei stated looking at the group.
"But what would he do with so much ammunition?" Kanna questioned, everyone wondering the same thing.
"What if it's not all ammunition? They could be hiding something other than ammo and say it is" Kumiko reasoned as if a light bulb went off in her mind. She hurriedly began another search while everyone else waited patiently for her to tell them of her discovery. When she was done, they all looked at the screen again and realization dawned onto them. "He's been using the shell of a bullet to smuggle in what he needs."
"What does he intend to do with all those chemicals?" Ryuhei inquired, voicing the main question on everyone's mind.
"That's what I intend to find out" Kumiko stated with narrowed eyes. "Ryuhei, do you have a place where I can work? Particularly a large open area."
"Why?" Ryuhei asked curiously.
"I'm gonna figure out what he's planning to make with all those chemicals" Kumiko responded taking up her laptop and getting up from her seat. "I have most of the things he's got. It's just the matter of what the finished product will be."
"Do you really think you can figure out what he's planning to make?" Liika asked a bit skeptically.
"If one person can do it, why can't another?" Kumiko asked with a smile, amusement and something close to excitement showing in her eyes. She then pulled out her cell phone and quickly dialed a number. She waited for the other person to pick up and was about to give up when someone answered. "Ian? Get on the next flight to Hong Kong and bring all your stuff. We have a discovery to find."
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Well there goes half of the chapter...now I just gotta figure out the rest. But don't worry, hopefully I'll be able to get it out soon. Thanks to all my readers and please review.
later, kurai hoshi