Chapter 5: New Bonds
Just one last glance at the target gave me my answer. I brought my blade down... piercing the ground right next to her head. I stepped back and put away the scythe.
"Get out of here, now..." I growled, fighting the demon within's influence. The target stumbled to her feet and tried to run, only to collapse after a couple of steps.
'What the hell are you doing?' Kill her already!' The demon yelled.
"God dammit... Shut up..." My head began punding, so I brought my hand up to massage my temple. Closing my eyes, I tried to clear my mind of any remaining anger. "A Blizzard operative must remain cool as ice, they cannot give in to their emotions..." I took a deep breath and calmed down, pushing the demonic influence to the deepest part of my mind.
I approached the unconscious target and looked her over. None of the wounds looked too serious, despite the intensity of my attacks, giving me the impression that she was something inhuman. She seemed like she'd be fine after enough rest. I reached down and lifted her up bridal style.
Just as I started to walk towards the inn, the rest of the group arrived. Nightwing rushed straight to Sora to check on her, while Epsilon Squad surrounded me.
"Are you all right? Where's Shiro?" Angel asked. I glanced towards the rookie's corpse, my face now void of emotion.
"Oh god..." Angel said quietly, covering her mouth. The rest of the squad had similar reactions, some of them glaring at the target.
"That's our target in your arms. Is she..?"
"She's knocked out." I started making my way towards the inn again.
"Where are you going? Just finish her off while she's hurt." One squadmate suggested. "Or would you rather let Shiro's death be in vain?" I paused and glared back at him.
"Silence. There's more to all of this than meets the eye, and this girl's going to help me find out what exactly is going on." I said.
"Lieutenant, the mission was simply to-"
"Sometimes there are things more important than simply following orders."
"So, what're we going to do?" Angel asked.
"Epsilon squad, clean things up around here and return to HQ. Report my findings to the Commander. It'd be best if I finish up here alone."
"Lieutenant-"
"Go." With that, I walked away and left the group to their job. For this part of my plan, the fewer people involved, the better. I'd rather not endanger anyone else.
Once I returned to the inn, I noticed Nightwing approaching, carrying Sora on his back. When the fox boy got close he spoke.
"What was that back there?" He asked. "Why were you fighting that little girl, and what was that talki about missions and reporting to HQ?"
"Classified."
"Like hell!" He growled. His ears were pointed back aggressively, and his expression seemed to darken. "Sora just got her ass beat helping you, and you aren't even going to tell us why?" He grabbed my collar and glared. "You better start talking, now."
I opened my mouth to respond, but I noticed Sora wince in pain.
"We don't have time for this. Let's get these two inside. I'll explain what I'm authorized to once they're resting." I said, walking past Nightwing and entering the inn. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, but I soon heard his footsteps as he followed me in. Once we had both ordered rooms-I had ordered one for both the target and I, while Nightwing had ordered one for himself and one for Sora- I went to the fox's room to explain the situation. Walking in, I leaned on a wall and looked at him.
"Before I begin, know that this information is top-secret. You are not to speak of what you learn here to anyone, unless you want to become a target. The only reason you are getting this information is because you've helped multiple times in the mission and to make up for trouble we caused. Understood?"
"Understood."
"Then I'll begin. I'm a member of a..." I paused, deciding what to say. "It's a hidden organization. The details are classified, but essentially we hunt down and deal with dangerous criminals around the continent in any way possible."
"So... that girl..."
"The Bloody Marionette, serial killer and thief. A rank S criminal."
Nightwing shot a worried glance towards the door. "If she's so dangerous, why help her recover?"
"The target doesn't seem to understand what they are doing, and they made mention of a 'Papa'. I'm not positive, but I suspect that there's someone else behind the curtains, pulling the strings." I replied. "I plan to use the Bloody Marionette to find this 'Papa'."
"So you're going after the mastermind?" Nightwing smirked. "Mind if Sora and I help out?"
I took a moment to consider this. I had made the other Epsilon members return for the mission's efficiency, as well as their safety, but one or two allies to back me up wouldn't hurt.
"Do as you wish." I said, standing up straight. "We'll begin as soon as the target awakens. Here's the plan..."

For the next few weeks, Nightwing and I took turns watching over the target, as did Sora once she was able. The target hadn't shown any sign of waking for twenty four days. On the twenty fifth day, however, her big gray eyes fluttered open. It was my shift, and the other two were at the market buying supplies.
It was just me and the Marionette.
"Hm? Mari doesn't recognize this place." She said, looking around. Her eyes locked on mine, and we both froze for what felt like hours. Bright red slowly crept onto her face and she jumped up. "B-Blue-Hair was watching Mari sleep?!" She glared at me with embarassed, tear-filled eyes. I have to admit, it would've been a cute sight if she weren't an assassination target. "D-D-Did Blue-Hair tou-"
"No." I cut her off quickly. She seemed to relax slightly, but then jumped back up as if remembering something.
"Mari needs to report to Papa! She was supposed to be back before nighttime. Ooh, he might scold her again..." She said. I chuckled softly before I could stop myself. She sounded just like a kid out past curfew.
This childlike innocence of hers gave me an idea. I faked an apologetic smile and spoke.
"Why don't you take me to your Papa? I'll explain what happened so you don't get in trouble. I'll also apologize for hurting you and breaking your dolls." I suggested, sounding as genuinely sorry as I could. I silently prayed that she wouldn't see the obvious hole in my facade. She apparently didn't.
"Not dolls... Elizabeth and the others were Mari's friends..." The target wiped her eyes.
"I'm sorry..." This girl really considered her puppets as friends, didn't she? Maybe she was lonely... I shook my head, returning my thoughts to the mission. Focus Nyte. Remember, this girl's simply a means to an end. Don't turn this fake friendship into a real one, or what comes later will only hurt more. "In that case, I really need to apologize, huh?"
"Yeah..." Mari - The target - stood up and started towards the door. "Mari will take Blue-Hair to Papa now."
"Please, call me Nyte." I smiled, despite myself, as I wrote a note to leave for Nightwing and Sora. I placed it on the nightstand.
"Okay... Nyte." The target smiled shyly at me.
"Well then, Mari, let's go." I said, my smile widening. As we walked out, I pushed a thought to the back of my mind.
What's this warm feeling in my chest?

Nyte: There's number 5. It's an uneventful one, but the next one will have more action.

Mari: Sorry about the LOOOONG wait. Some relationship stuff(both good and bad) and other issues got in our Author's way. He promises he'll try to update more often once everything's sorted out.

Nyte: And since his latest reviewer sent in an OC from a guest account, which means he can't PM you, I'll just tell you his comment here. The character seems interesting, but he's very overpowered. Try toning him down a bit, then he'll consider adding them in.

Mari: And speaking of OCs, our Author apologizes to anyone who wants to see their character in the story. He's trying to pace the story and seperate it into arcs, so it may be a while until your character appears. Please be patient with him.