Thanks for the reviews! :) I made this chapter a bit longer than usual since I'll be out of the country for the next two weeks...enjoy!

Warning: Violence, swearing, and will probably have some girl-on-girl action in the future. All the good stuff. ;)
Disclaimer: Don't own a single darn thing, either James Bond or Mai Hime. T'is a shame, really..
Disclaimer #2:I made Manchester seem like an absolutely horrible place to live in this chapter, but I based it off on my teacher's descriptions of growing up there in the 70s. I'm sure that now it's a lovely city, and not the "dodgy" place that my teacher describes it as it was then.


"No."

Shizuru pouted. "Ara? So eager to refuse me."

Natsuki defiantly crossed her arms. "I don't have a reason to help you."

"I don't have a reason to let you live," Shizuru smoothly countered.

Natsuki glared. "If I wanted to be a detective, I would have joined Scotland Yard."

"No, Miss Kruger is something even better: a MI6 agent. Surely you have some connections in the world? Or am I misplacing my confidence in England's 'best agent?'"

Natsuki ignored the nearly imperceptible jab to her ability. "Kenji Viola was assassinated in Tokyo. Get the Japanese police force on it."

Shizuru continued to smile pleasantly. "Ara, due to my extended absence from VCS's Kyoto branch, there has been less than friendly encounters with the local yakuza groups. Unfortunately, the police force's superintendent general is also the brother-in-law of one of the yakuza heads, so you would understand if I would rather look for outside help."

Natsuki blew air out of her mouth. "And if I would rather not help?"

"I would consider that a rash and regrettable decision. You do have more to gain from it, considering that I am offering help in getting rid of my cousin in exchange for your help in merely searching for my father's murderer. However, should you choose to walk away, I would of course be more than happy to provide you with transportation back to England."

Natsuki was immediately suspicious. Shizuru's bargain seemed too mild for the notoriously ruthless crime leader. "Alive?"

Shizuru chuckled darkly. "Alive. Although, only for the first time. The next time you come into an area under Viola jurisdiction, we would of course have no other choice than to kill you. Matters of security and such, but it shouldn't be too bad if you avoid the areas where my family has set up holdings."

Natsuki narrowed her eyes. "Except your syndicate has bases among 30 countries on all six continents."

Shizuru struck a mock thinking pose. "Ara, I believe it is seven." At Natsuki's flabbergasted look, Shizuru gave a smug smile. "The Violas sponsor a research station in Antarctica."

Natsuki wanted to strangle the woman before her. "Damned if I do help you and damned if I don't."

"Don't flatter yourself, Miss Kruger. You were already damned even without my help."

Huh, can't argue with that. Just go with the flow, Kruger. "Your 'help' in bringing down Kanzaki better be worth it. Although Kanzaki's absence will probably be as beneficial to you as it is to me."

Shizuru smiled and looked at her nails. "Ara, a propitious turn of events, I suppose."

Natsuki looked away darkly. Like you didn't plan it out that way.


London, England

Haruka sincerely wished listened to that tingling in her spine that told her not to pick up her phone at one in the morning, since now she had a pounding headache.

"You have five seconds to explain what you are doing at Heathrow Airport and exactly what you mean when you say that Kruger's been kidnapped by that devil-woman."

Mikoto shrugged, although Haruka couldn't see it over the phone. "Well, we were ratted out in Dubai, we met Viola, she kicked me out of the room to talk with Natsuki, someone jabbed a needle in me, and then I woke up on a bench in Heathrow like some vagabond."

Haruka wanted to throw her cell phone across the room. "Damn it. Go home for tonight, there's nothing more you can do now."

A weary Mikoto gratefully hung up the phone. Haruka began to get dressed, cursing everyone and everything the entire time. One thing she detested about being the head of MI6 was the erratic working hours.

Haruka grabbed her communicator and considered calling Natsuki. There was no harm in trying, right? It was good if she did, and too bad if she didn't. She pressed the dial button and impatiently waited for the click that would indicate a connection. Haruka was about to give up and end the call until she heard that small click on the last ring, and immediately let loose. "KRUGER! WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING, BEING KIDNAPPED LIKE SOME AMATEUR? DIDN'T I TELL YOU BEING AN AGENT TAKES GUTS?"

A stunned silence came over the phone. "…Haruka Armitage. I do recall hearing that you became head of MI6 last year, my belated congratulations."

Haruka's blood ran cold at that familiar voice. "Shi—Viola! What in the name of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are you doing with my agent? You need to release her RIGHT NOW!"

A sigh was heard over the connection. "You are as brash as always, my friend."

Haruka flinched. "I am not your friend," she countered harshly.

There was a few seconds of silence before a cold voice responded. "My mistake, Miss Armitage. To answer your question, Miss Kruger remains here of her own volition. I have something she wants, she has something I want. Is that clear enough for you?"

Haruka gritted her teeth. "Kruger has no idea what she's getting into. We can make a deal, Viola."

Shizuru responded with an almost maniacal glee. "Too late, I've already made one of those with Nat-su-ki."

Haruka was shocked by Shizuru's use of Natsuki's first name. "Just what are you planning—"

"Ah, I must go, Miss Armitage. I have to prepare for a busy day. Don't call this number again, and don't expect her back for a while. I'll send periodic updates, if only for your peace of mind. Sayonara, Chief Armitage."

"Wait—"

A loud "click" resounded in Haruka's ears. She slumped in her chair and stared at the communicator in her hand. "Damn it." Nearly six years of silence between them, broken by a two-minute phone call that hadn't even been on purpose. Haruka would never have imagined that their friendship would be reduced to this…it was a pretty bad way to start a day.

A bleary-eyed Yukino appeared in the doorway. "Haruka? Did something come up?"

"Yeah, Kruger went and got herself kidnapped. I have to go make some calls to the other division heads and make new security measures and such. Today's gonna be hell, Yukino."

She smiled apologetically at the frazzled blond. "Is it a bad time to tell you that your presence was requested at another Cabinet meeting later today?"

Haruka sighed and walked over to Yukino, planting a kiss on her forehead. "Yeah, but it's not so bad if it's coming from you. I'll see you at work."

She gazed fondly at the petite brunette, her previous irritation having subsided at Yukino's soothing presence. Everyone should have their own Yukino, Haruka mused as she flagged down a cab.


Manchester, England

Nao downed a shot of whiskey and set the glass down on the bar counter. She was on another training mission; her task was to supply evidence to police to help arrest a local drug supplier. It was considered child's play for actual MI6 agents, but agents in training were required to undergo missions such as these. Nao sighed, bored out of her mind. It would have been more interesting if Chie had been assigned to the same mission, but Chie was across the city trying to incriminate a pimp who specialized in underage girls. But nooo, the gods above hated her and partnered her with Tomoe Marguerite. Nao scowled and ordered another drink. A movement on her right caught Nao's attention.

"Stop drinking so much, Zhang. You're gonna be too drunk to complete the mission at this rate."

Nao shot Tomoe a dirty look. "Shut up, Marguerite. If you were focusing on the mission instead of whining, you'd have seen that our target has just entered the premises and is heading for that table, four o'clock."

Nao was looking at the mirror hanging behind the bar; she could see the drug supplier, a greasy-looking man in dire need of a shave. He joined a table of ten other men, all small-time drug dealers who thought they owned the city.

Nao shook her head in mock sympathy. The poor idiots had no idea what they were getting into. They were definitely going to get swallowed up ruthlessness of Manchester's underground, give or take a couple years. Ah well, not my problem.

-000-000-

Nao glanced at her watch; nearly two hours had passed since the drug supplier entered the bar, and the men were showing signs of winding down. Perfect timing too, since the bar was slowly getting packed. The group stood up and began to prepare to leave. Nao threw some bills on the table and stood up. "They're leaving. We can wait outside to see where they're going."

Tomoe complied, and the two women walked outside. Nao shivered in the chilly evening air. Soon, the drug dealers left the bar, shouting and roughhousing. Nao smirked. They were obviously drunk, which would make following them all the more easier. A flashy Mercedes pulled up, and the drug supplier detached himself from the group and stumbled towards it. He unceremoniously got into the backseat and opened the window to thrust a piece of paper towards one of the men, who clumsily caught it.

The drug supplier slurred out, "Those are the details for the next shipment of goods. I wrote it down 'cause I know you fucks don't remember shit. Don't lose it Vinny, or it's your head."

The one named Vinny gave a sloppy salute. "Sure thing, Mr. Wilson. It s'a pleasure doin' business."

The car drove off and the group of men began to go the opposite direction, flicking out switchblades and arguing whose skill with a knife was better.

Nao and Tomoe exchanged glances. "Looks like Vinny-boy's gonna have to lose his head," Nao stated.

Tomoe gave a sadistic grin and placed her hand on her concealed gun. "I think we should shoot them in the kneecaps."

Nao scoffed and dismissed her notion with a flick of a hand. "You have no imagination. This mission's been pretty damn boring, let's make it a little exciting with some physical violence."

"We should wear something to conceal our faces."

Nao gave Tomoe a quizzical look. "Why the hell would I want to cover a gorgeous face like mine?"

Tomoe shrugged. "With masks, we can pretend to be muggers."

"…Finally, an idea that isn't totally stupid. Keep it up, Marguerite, and you might not be completely hopeless after all."

Tomoe glared at Nao, but she ignored the teal-haired woman and unwrapped the scarf around her neck, using it to conceal her lower face.

Nao noted the direction the men were going and turned into an alleyway. "We can cut them off if we go this way."

"How did you—ah, I forgot, you grew up in this dump, right?"

Nao climbed over a fence with ease. "Careful, I also learned thirty-three different ways to break someone's spine by growing up in this 'dump'."

They ended up at the entrance of another alleyway, and a peek around the corner revealed the gang coming down the block. Nao shot Tomoe a triumphant look, who merely scowled and looked away.

Nao grabbed a metal trash can lid and motioned for Tomoe to grab something. As the two training agents waited for the men to reach the mouth of the alleyway, Nao wondered, How did Marguerite know I grew up here?

Her train of thought was interrupted by drunken hollering. Time for some fun.

Nao stepped out from the shadows. The gang stopped in confusion, and Vinny stepped in front of the others with a lascivious grin. "Lookie here, it's a woman. A damn sexy one, at that," he added, looking at Nao's body up and down with obvious lust.

Nao's smirk was covered by her scarf, but the malicious gleam in her eyes shone clearly. "Hello there, ugly."

She threw the trash can lid like a Frisbee, hitting Vinny in the face and immediately breaking his nose. Vinny dropped to the ground like a stone, and the rest of the drug dealers began to shout, reaching for their knives and guns. Nao calmly stepped forward towards the nearest man, who slashed at her frantically with a serrated switchblade. She neatly ducked and roundhouse-kicked him in the chin, all the more painful due to her high heels. She ducked another clumsy swing and sarcastically shouted at Tomoe, "Feel free to jump in anytime. I guess that talk about shooting them in the kneecaps was just talk after all, huh?"

Tomoe hesitated, but joined the fray by gripping a glass bottle around the neck and shattering it on someone's head. After a few more minutes of ass-kicking, mostly courtesy of Nao, most of the men were unconscious on the ground. Nao surveyed the scene with satisfaction.

She turned around to brag to Tomoe about her obviously better-than-Tomoe skill at kicking ass, but quirked an eyebrow at the sight of Vinny staggering to his feet behind an oblivious Tomoe. "You couldn't even have picked up a weapon to stab that bitch, Vinny?"

Tomoe whipped around. The blood poured from his shattered nose, but Vinny glared at the two women and sluggishly raised his fists. "You…whores!" He swung wildly at Tomoe, who easily avoided his pathetic attempts.

Tomoe let out a disdainful laugh. "Stop trying to fight, you're embarrassing yourself." She smugly smirked at the man, but gasped when Vinny lunged for her face and managed to pull her scarf off. Vinny squinted in confusion. "Tara Morrison?"

Nao narrowed her eyes. This guy knew Tomoe Marguerite?

Vinny let out a hysterical laugh. "You bitch, Tara, I had heard you took new job, but I had no idea you'd be attacking one of your own. I guess he pays pretty well, what's-his-face, Kumaki or Kan—"

—BLAM— Nao stared at Tomoe in disbelief. The teal-haired agent was pointing a SIG P230, the assigned gun for training agents, at Vinny. A round hole in the middle of his forehead was soon apparent when the blood began to trickle down his shocked face. Tomoe calmly put away the pistol inside her coat and reached into Vinny's coat pocket, extracting the small scrap of paper.

Nao roughly grabbed Tomoe by the shoulder and spun her around. "What. The. FUCK."

Tomoe placidly stared back at Nao and shrugged. "He was annoying me."

"So you shot him? Goddamnit Marguerite, when these drug dealers wake up, the first thing they'll see is their dead friend! And then you know what? They're going to tell that drug supplier, and he's going to cancel the goddamn meeting! The same meeting for which we've gathered evidence for in the last three days! At least if they were all alive, they could have passed it off as a robbery or something, you dumbass!"

Tomoe shoved Nao away from her face. "Shut up, Zhang, you don't know what you're talking about."

Nao grabbed Tomoe's collar. "Apparently I don't! You better explain exactly why that guy called you Tara Morrison, or better yet, how he knew you, and what the hell he was talking about!"

Tomoe struggled to get out of Nao's grip; failing that, she resorted to glaring. "You're not the only person to grow up in Manchester, asshole. He was an acquaintance of mine. Now let go of me."

Nao narrowed her eyes. "I think you're lying."

Tomoe smirked maliciously. "Just 'cause my mother wasn't a prostitute doesn't mean that I couldn't have grown up here."

Nao's viridian eyes darkened with uncontrollable rage, but before she could follow her instinct and kill Tomoe, her phone rang. Tomoe took advantage of Nao's momentary hesitation to pry Nao's hands off her collar and backpedal backwards, putting ten feet of space between her and Nao. "What's the matter, Zhang, did I hit a sore spot?"

Nao debated between killing Tomoe first and then answering the phone, but she didn't want to get blood on her phone. Plus, the call was from Midori. She flicked it open. "Zhang."

A genial voice sounded over the phone. "Oh Agent Zhang, did you or Agent Marguerite, by any chance, fire your weapons explicitly against my orders? The Manchester police force has received a call concerning gunfire in the vicinity of your training mission."

Nao shot Tomoe a nasty glare. "Yeah, Agent Shithead, a.k.a Agent Marguerite, decided to use one of our targets as a literal target."

Midori gave an irritated sigh. "Fantastic, now we have the Chief Superintendent breathing down our necks. The police are damn lazy when civilians commit crimes, but the minute one of our agents commits a misdemeanor, they're all over us like ugly on an ape. All right, just meet at the appointed rendezvous point. Agents Hallard and Yumemiya are already waiting for pick-up. See you soon, kid."

Nao snapped, "Don't call me kid!" but Midori had already hung up. She turned to look at Tomoe, who had already started walking towards the rendezvous point. "Don't think this is over. Chief Sugiura's going to hear about this."

Tomoe gave Nao a sickeningly sweet smile. "Au contraire, I think we're done. You'll just find out that I'm exactly like you, a street rat that rose above what was expected of her to become a member of Her Majesty's service. It's the same story over and over again."

Nao glared at her retreating back. Except my story adds up, unlike your bullshit. Growing up here doesn't explain why he called you a different name and referred to you being an agent as "another job."

Nao glanced once more at the still-warm body of Vinny laying on the cold ground before turning her back and following Tomoe. Once I find out the truth, Marguerite, you're fucking dead.


"You can't be serious!"

Haruka's thundering voice rattled all the china in the cabinets of Number 10 Downing Street. Sakomizu glanced worriedly at his personal cabinet, fearing for his crystal teapot collection.

A blonde man with a peculiar scar on his brow frowned at Haruka. "Certainly not. Chief Armitage, as Director-General of MI5, I must insist that you cease all efforts to take down the Viola Crime Syndicate!"

Sergay Wang, a distinguished retired military colonel and head of MI5, locked eyes with Haruka, neither willing to concede. Sergay was the first to look away, and Haruka let out a silent huff of victory.

Foreign Secretary Maria Graceburt frowned at both of them. "Director Wang, I understand that you were absent at the last meeting, when Chief Armitage first brought up the issue of eliminating organized crime in Great Britain. The general consensus was that VCS and other similar criminal organizations should be aggressively discouraged; are you against the eradication of VCS?"

Sergay turned to face the rest of the Cabinet. "Not at all, Madam; I certainly think we should do all we can to stop this crime groups in England. However, I think I'm being practical when I say that any effort to completely shut down these groups in a relatively short period of time, as Chief Armitage is suggesting, will only end in failure. VCS has too many connections to easily sever."

Haruka stood up and pointed accusingly at Sergay. "Director Wang, what you call practical is what we in the real world call cowardly!"

Sergay opened his mouth to argue, but Nagi cut him off. "Now, now, Chief Armitage, I believe Director Wang is making a reasonable argument. As I've said before, the expenditures to undertake this policy would be enormous. Also, the gritty truth is that the business operations of VCS and other organized crime groups is deeply steeped into British economy, to the point where there may be economic repercussions, should we abruptly remove those sources of revenue."

Haruka snorted. "Those 'business operations' are mostly illegal, Chancellor, and should have no impact on the economy whatsoever if England was truly free from corruption, which I seriously doubt when I look at some people." She gave a pointed look at Nagi, who pretended not to notice.

Miss Maria frowned. "That's a very hefty accusation.'

Sakomizu decided this was a good place to chime in. "And also very interesting, Chief Armitage."

"Thank you, Minister."

Miss Maria gave an exasperated look at Sakomizu. He was a smart man, but not quite cut out for the bloodthirstiness that often defined politics.

Haruka continued. "You can also see that the rate of crime in our cities, although not as high as in other countries, is slowly rising!"

Sergay frowned. "That's exactly the point, Chief Armitage. I'm not saying that getting rid of VCS is a bad idea, but we should focus on eradicating crime in our cities, not international crime! You're suggesting that we should petition the U.N. for a sanction against VCS, but I think we should concentrate on getting rid of domestic organized crime first, putting emphasis on just the British branches of VCS, as well as other organized crime groups, before we try to take on the whole world. And if I remember correctly, domestic organized crime falls under the jurisdiction of MI5, not MI6. Or am I wrong?"

Haruka looked annoyed. "VCS is an international organization! You can't expect MI6 not to get involved. And I agree that organized crime is a serious issue, which is why we should aim for the head and take out VCS, since it's the largest! Dealing with the smaller, less influential groups first is going to take damn near forever, which will give VCS more time to consolidate power."

Sakomizu brightened. "Ah yes, speed is essential to win the war: a principle espoused by Sun Tzu in 'The Art of War.'"

Everyone in the meeting room glanced briefly at one another, unsure how to respond to their eccentric prime minister.

Nagi cleared his throat. "Yes, well, I am in favor of Director Wang's proposal."

Miss Maria didn't even look up from the memo she was skimming. "And I happen to agree with Chief Armitage."

The entire table of ministers was set abuzz. Some advisors arguing for Sergay's plan, while others agreed with Haruka.

Nagi deliberately raised a hand for silence. Haruka immediately distrusted the mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Why don't we just have a little friendly competition? I believe MI5 and MI6 are both equally capable of solving this little problem; does it really matter how VCS is wiped out, as long as it is done?"

Haruka opened her mouth to argue that her idea was exponentially better than Sergay's, but Sakomizu enthusiastically cut her off. "A wonderful idea, Chancellor! Competition brings out the best in you." Nagi smirked and nodded at Sakomizu's praise. Haruka gritted her teeth in annoyance.

Sakomizu glanced at his watch. "Oh, has it been three hours already? Time flies when a good debate rages on; unfortunately I have a press conference to attend in half an hour."

The rotund man stood up and looked at Haruka and Sergay. "Chief Armitage and Director Wang, would you please send me your respective proposals to my desk so I can peruse them thoroughly? Thank you…" Sakomizu trailed off as he gathered various memos and shoved them into a briefcase before rushing out of the room. The newer advisors looked confused at the abrupt end to the meeting, while the more experienced ones were used to it and started to pack up themselves.

Haruka turned towards Sergay, determined to finish their conversation, but the clearing of a throat captured both their attentions. John Smith, chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, smirked down at them. "Director Wang, Chief Armitage."

They both nodded stiffly at the blond, middle-aged man. Haruka forced out a polite smile. "Chairman. Did you need something?"

"I just wanted to share a recent observation of mine…I haven't seen any major successes from either MI5 or MI6 lately, now why is that?"

Sergay frowned. "With all due respect, sir, there haven't been any major failures either. Staying at middle ground is fine with me, sir."

Smith looked condescendingly at the spiky-haired man. "I'm disappointed, Director Wang. I would have expected more ambition from a man of your caliber. Of course, the Joint Intelligence Committee desires only the very best for the security of England. Due to the recession, a large percentage of the population is in dire need for jobs…the person who brings about unsatisfactory results in the handling of England's rampant organized crime issue may also find themselves wanting for a job."

Haruka's face looked stony. "Are you threatening to fire us if we don't perform to your standards, Chairman?"

Smith shrugged. "Think of it as collateral, Chief Armitage. I'm sure you and Director Wang can deliver on your promises, no? Have a good night." The blond man sauntered off.

Haruka and Sergay looked furiously at Smith's retreating back. Haruka turned to Sergay. "Perhaps it would be better if we worked together."

Sergay considered her words for a moment before shaking his head regretfully. "Chief Armitage, I can see the reasoning behind your plan, but I still think that you're wrong. I feel it would be only to the detriment of England's security if I made any concessions. You just were appointed as head of MI6 last year, while I've been head of MI5 for almost twenty; we are much more capable of handling these organized crime groups, so just leave it to us!"

Haruka gave him a stubborn glare. "I can't. You MI5 guppies will mess everything up. How about you do your thing and I'll do mine? Then all you'd have to do is stay out of my way."

Sergay shook his head. "The folly of youth. I do hope you have another trade to fall back on when you're fired."

"I always have the option of practicing law, since I have the qualifications. What are you going to do, soldier-boy? No army is going to enlist an old man like you after you're given the pink slip."

Sergay huffed in annoyance, but his mouth twitched slightly upwards. He grudgingly shook hands with Haruka. She turned away and started to gather her papers, but Nagi's voice calling after Sergay immediately caught her attention.

"Director Wang! I'm glad you took our last conversation into consideration."

Sergay nodded tersely towards the shorter man. "Thank you for bringing your concerns to my attention, Chancellor; they certainly are very valid."

Haruka frowned suspiciously. Nagi had gone to talk with Sergay beforehand? Sergay seemed to be an honest and capable official, and was undoubtedly a good man. However, he was also too much of a military man, too accustomed to taking orders and being treated without guile to fully recognize when he was being manipulated. Nagi's influence on Sergay's decisions was an issue of serious concern. Haruka had a similar personality as Sergay's, but at least she could recognize deceit and manipulation when she saw it, thanks to her years of studying at Cambridge law school.

Haruka sighed and left the meeting room. She sometimes wished that she had followed her father's footsteps and taken over the family's construction company, especially on days like these.


Dubai, UAE

Shizuru stared at the phone in her hand. The device had been confiscated from Natsuki, and she had placed it in her pocket and forgotten about it until it had started vibrating. The person on the other line was the last person Shizuru would have expected to hear again. She looked around surreptitiously, and seeing no one around, finally winced in pain; her ears were still ringing.

Was it really almost six years since she had last seen the brash blonde? Shizuru felt the slightest twinge of regret and nostalgia; those days back at Cambridge had been some of the most enjoyable days in her life. But those days were over, and Shizuru Viola now had a syndicate to lead.

Shizuru headed for the single door at the end of the hallway, which led to the penthouse, and nodded at the guard stationed outside. "You can go now."

The guard left with a nod. Once he was out of sight, Shizuru pressed her ear up against the door. Hearing no movement inside, she slowly unlocked the door and slipped inside the penthouse.

The sprawling penthouse was one of many that Shizuru owned, and it had a panoramic view of the city below. However, Shizuru wasn't looking at the breathtaking view; rather, she was focused on a dark-haired beauty sleeping in the king-sized bed in the middle of the penthouse.

Natsuki Kruger was sleeping on her side, clutching a pillow near her face. Shizuru blinked. The sight was rather…cute.

Shizuru strode over to the armchair located next to the bed and sat down to study Natsuki's face. The agent looked younger than she actually was when she was sleeping, the angry look that Shizuru was accustomed to having melted into a peaceful expression. Shizuru kept studying the agent's face, even after Natsuki began to stir at the feeling of being watched. Shizuru chuckled. For a secret agent, Natsuki slept rather deeply.

Natsuki blearily opened her eyes. She immediately caught sight of an unfortunately familiar (or so she told herself) face. Natsuki sat up in a flash. "What the hell? Why are you watching me sleep?"

Natsuki had the urge to smile at Shizuru's melodic chuckle, but managed to prevent it from showing.

"Ara, I cannot help it. Agent Kruger looks so cute when she sleeps."

Natsuki gaped. Was this woman for real? "Are you for real? What are you doing here in the first place?"

"Ara, I think I have more of a right than Agent Kruger to be here; this is my apartment, after all."

Natsuki glanced around frantically. Of course! With a closer inspection, it was obvious that someone inhabited this apartment; Natsuki had been too tired to do anything but collapse on the bed as soon as she was escorted here.

"You had me taken to your apartment?"

"We do have to get used to each other's presence, since we are working together 24/7."

"So you decided that we share a bedroom?"

Shizuru shrugged. "No one ordered Agent Kruger to sleep on the bed, she obviously chose to. Agent Kruger can do whatever she wants."

"What 'Agent Kruger' wants to do is to go back to sleep!" Natsuki grabbed the alarm clock on the nightstand. "You woke me up at five in the morning? You really are as malicious as they say."

Shizuru interlaced her fingers and rested them on her stomach. "Whoever 'they' are, they have no idea what I'm capable of. Besides, the flight to Tokyo takes eleven hours, and I would like to arrive there sometime today. Get up and get dressed."

Natsuki glared at Shizuru, who just made a shooing motion with her hand. Natsuki scowled and stomped to the wardrobe, grabbed a set of clothes, and stomped into a bathroom the size of a small house. Shizuru stifled a chuckle; Natsuki was quite childish when cranky. There was more to the secret agent than she had originally thought.

-000-000-

Natsuki watched in slight confusion as the elevator lights stopped at the basement. "I thought we were headed for the airport?"

Shizuru was studying the contents of a thin folder in her hand and didn't even look up. "Yes, there is just a small issue that requires my attention. It shouldn't take too long."

Natsuki followed Shizuru past numerous unmarked doorways, finally stopping before a room that looked suspiciously similar to the one where she and Mikoto had been held. This time, there was a blindfolded man tied to a chair, shivering in fear; two VCS henchmen were guarding him. Natsuki raised her brows when she saw they were holding a bucket of hot coals with an iron brand, a toolbox, and a canister of liquid nitrogen.

Shizuru took the folder from under her arm and glanced at Natsuki. "You can come in if you want, but don't interfere." Natsuki frowned at this. What would I interfere with?

They entered the room, and two VCS gangsters, one with blond hair and the other with black, looked up to respectfully nod at Shizuru. Shizuru looked down at the blindfolded man. He had already obviously been beaten up severely, dark purple splotches marring the skin on his stomach and ribs. "What's the problem here?"

Natsuki almost gaped at Shizuru. The woman had transformed into a cold-blooded gang leader right before her eyes.

The blonde gangster spat on the ground and looked contemptuously at the blindfolded man. "We lost one of our cargo ships and twenty men, thanks to this pig."

Shizuru's face remained expressionless. "Oh?" She ripped off the man's blindfold. Thomson flinched at the sudden movement, and his trembling increased twofold when he saw Shizuru.

Natsuki looked at Shizuru cautiously; her red eyes were blank, empty. Shizuru seemed to encompass the room with her foreboding presence. She pulled out a sheet of paper from the folder and glanced over it. "You are Jeremiah Thomson, member of VCS Dubai for three years, no parents, one brother, no significant other." The man fearfully mouthed a yes.

"Is this you, Mr. Thomson?"

Shizuru withdrew a grainy black-and-white photo of what appeared to be a clandestine meeting between Thomson and two other men. Thomson whimpered at seeing it, but otherwise remained silent.

Shizuru spoke in a quiet, almost kind, voice. "If the accusations against you are true, if you've broken our code of silence, then you know that I have no other choice but to kill you. However, how you die is up to you. Why not make your last few moments on this earth relatively painless?"

Thomson's eyes widened in fear, but still remained silent. Shizuru took out more photos, showing the man meeting with the two men at other places. Shizuru's tone now held a hint of warning. "Answer me, Thomson: this is you, correct?"

"…Yes."

"Who are these two men you're seen with in every photo?"

The bound man avoided Shizuru's eyes. She sighed and gave a nod to one of the gangsters. Natsuki's eyes narrowed as the VCS goon gleefully took a wrench and smashed it against Thomson's face with a casual violence. Thomson screamed and writhed in pain.

Shizuru looked at Thomson. "This pain can be avoidable. Who are they?"

Thomson left ear seemed to not work anymore, which didn't surprise Natsuki, since a copious amount of blood was pouring from it. He panted and looked pleadingly at Shizuru. "Please, they approached me first! They offered to release my brother from death row in exchange for information!"

Shizuru continued to pace slowly in front of the bound man. "Who is 'they,' Thomson? I am losing my patience." But he simply shook his head.

Shizuru looked at the dark-haired henchman. "I don't think his right eye is necessary for talking, is it?"

The swarthy man laughed cruelly. "No, ma'am." Natsuki solemnly watched as the man took a screwdriver to Thomson's right eye, heedless of his pleas.

"No, please! They were agents from the Department of Export Control!" His words dissolved into a scream when the gangster jabbed the screwdriver and twisted.

Natsuki shifted uneasily and opened her mouth, but a sharp glance from Shizuru told her to keep her mouth shut.

Shizuru sighed. "Family loyalty is a commendable quality that very few possess, Thomson, and a very stupid weakness that others would not hesitate to exploit. So these two government agents offered your brother's freedom in exchange for information on one of my exporting cargo?"

Thomson nodded with a sob.

"Ah, so let me get this straight: you went to the same people who were responsible for putting your brother in jail, to help you get him out? That wasn't very sensible, especially since you know that VCS would have had equal, if not more, power than these two men."

Thomson froze at Shizuru's words. Shizuru noticed his reaction and let out an exaggerated sigh. "Did you really think I was that stupid?" She flashed another photo in front of Thomson, this one depicting him accepting money from the two Dubai agents. "Familial loyalty may have been a small factor in your betrayal, but money was your main motivation, wasn't it." It wasn't a question.

Natsuki studied Shizuru's mannerisms carefully. Her expression was neutral, with a hint of condescension, her body language was relaxed, and her calm tone and slow pacing back and forth was clearly unnerving Thomson. Natsuki cocked her head in thought. If she didn't know any better, she would've thought Shizuru was a lawyer in court, grilling a defendant.

Shizuru ripped the photo in half and dropped in on the ground, shaking her head in mock disappointment. "I would have gone easier on you if you had told the truth in the first place. I've already let you off relatively easy, since I've recovered the cargo already."

Thomson's single eye shone in relief. "Thank you, boss!"

Shizuru looked at him like he was crazy. "For what? You're still going to die."

"W-What? But I thought—"

Shizuru looked bored. "You broke the rule of Omertà, which is punishable by death, as you were told when you joined my organization."

"No—please—"

"You cost me almost a million dollars, and sent twenty of my subordinates to jail."

"It wasn't—I didn't—"

"Finally, you lied to me, and then thought you could away with it?" Here, Shizuru sounded incredulous.

The two gangsters laughed cruelly as Shizuru picked up the brand from the bucket of coals. Natsuki furrowed her brow. She's burning him now? You'd have thought that taking his eye and ear would be enough for her.

The smell of burning flesh permeated the room as Shizuru pressed the brand against Thomson's forehead. Amidst the disgusting smell, the piercing screams of Thomson, and the loud laughing of the henchmen, Natsuki thought she saw the briefest look of regret cross Shizuru's face. She blinked and peered closer, but dismissed it as wishful thinking, since Shizuru's face was completely neutral like before.

Shizuru withdrew the brand, and Thomson slumped down in his chair, half unconscious from the pain. On his forehead, scarred flesh now read: "Fides supra omnes."

Shizuru replaced the brand in the bucket and inspected her handiwork. "What do you think, gentlemen, Miss Kruger?"

The blond henchman leered cruelly at Thomson. "We haven't had a chance to use the liquid nitrogen yet, Miss Viola. I think we should ice his balls and shatter them."

"Yeah!"

Natsuki spoke out coldly. "I think that's enough." She glared venomously at the two henchmen, who withered under her fierce gaze. Shizuru, on the other hand, gave her a pensive look.

"I suppose Miss Kruger is right." Shizuru walked over to the door and opened it, letting in a group of men carrying baseball bats or crowbars. Thomson stiffened in the chair. Shizuru glanced at him. "Yes, Mr. Thomson, these are the men that suffered from your indiscretion. Fortunately, although unfortunately for you, I was able to post bail for most of them. They'd like to convey their gratitude for the ordeal you put them through." The men were smiling sadistically at Thomson, who looked like he was going to be sick.

"Ara, Miss Kruger, I'm done here." Shizuru walked towards the exit, but was stopped by Thomson's quavering voice. "Miss Viola—? If you could, at least, ensure that my brother gets out safely…"

Shizuru stopped, but didn't turn around. Her voice slightly softened, but remained aloof. "Your brother was executed at 4:15 this morning. My condolences." Shizuru ignored Thomson's agonized sobs and left the room.

Natsuki quickly followed, not too eager to see the bloody slaughter that was sure to occur. She frowned deeply at Shizuru, who seemed unaffected by the fact that she had just tortured and killed a man. "That was cruel of you."

Shizuru didn't even look at Natsuki. "Ara? What is Agent Kruger talking about, she didn't even have to wait fifteen minutes!"

"Not that! I mean that fact that you tortured him unnecessarily!"

"Strange, I thought it was absolutely necessary. Besides, Agent Kruger hurts and kills people all the time, does she not?"

"That's different! I do it for my country!"

"I do it for my family and their legacy. There really is no difference; killing is killing."

"At least I don't torture and maim before killing!"

Shizuru stopped at the elevators and finally looked at Natsuki. "I'd be delighted to continue this debate, as I'm sure Agent Kruger's views are very interesting. Unfortunately, we have a busy day in front of us, and no time to waste."

Natsuki glared at Shizuru. "What was with that whole forehead thing?" She gestured vaguely towards her head.

Shizuru gave her a polite smile. "'Fides supra omnes' was something my father used to say."

"…What's it mean?"

Shizuru looked forwards into the distance as the elevator doors opened with a chime. "What it means, Miss Kruger, is 'Loyalty above all else.'"


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