DISCLAIMER: IF I owned them, neither anime would have male characters.
A/N: I considered leaving the previous chapter without a resolution, but decided against something that could possibly enrage my readers (again). Here is more back story on our agents.
Headquarters
The Middle East
SEVERAL YEARS AGO
"And a good evening to you too," Chie said smiling.
"What the hell are you doing here…and at this hour?" Natsuki demanded as adrenaline surged through her body.
"Is that any way to talk to the person who has come to rescue you from your 'baby sitting' job?" Chie asked as she entered the penthouse suite.
Chie's sharp vision immediately spotted the pink blush in Shizuru's cheeks and the almost completely dilated pupils, explaining why Natsuki was so upset when she answered the door. Chie knew Natsuki was not going to be happy with her news.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Natsuki demanded.
"Well buddy, I hate to tell you this, especially now," Chie gestured to Shizuru, "but you've been reassigned to assist me in the Middle East."
"What? Why?" Natsuki exclaimed.
"'L' said you've been wanting out of this assignment since you got it," Chie said.
"When do we leave?" Natsuki asked.
"Now," Chie answered.
"Now?" Natsuki exclaimed and gave Shizuru an apologetic look.
"Now, grab your stuff, we're out of here," Chie said.
"Can't 'L' assign another agent?" Natsuki asked as she looked at Shizuru.
"The only other available agent is The Roaring Thunder, who will be taking over this assignment tomorrow morning," Chie said and winced as she pictured Haruka interacting with Shizuru.
"The Mouth That Roared with Ms. Fujino? Talk about international incident," Natsuki laughed.
"Ano, The Mouth That Roared?" Shizuru asked concerned.
"Actually, her C.O.D.E. name is The Roaring Thunder, but she's SO loud and abrasive, the other agents call her "The Mouth That Roared," Natsuki explained to Shizuru, "Never to her face, of course."
"Of course," Chie laughed and nudged Natsuki.
"I cannot have this agent as my armed escort. She WILL cause an international incident," Shizuru shook her head and walked to the kitchen to make tea.
"Can 'L' send The Mouth in my place?" Natsuki asked.
"With me? Ice Wolf…buddy…pal…please," Chie whined.
"I promise. I'll make this up to you," Natsuki said and motioned her head towards Shizuru.
"You're going to owe me for this one," Chie said and smiled.
"Anything," Natsuki assured.
"Please, come have some tea," Shizuru called as she placed a tea tray on the dining table.
"Thank you Ms. Fujino, I would love some," Chie smiled.
Chie smirked at Natsuki as she walked past her, ignoring Natsuki's attempts to get Chie to leave. Natsuki watched as Chie sat down next to Shizuru.
"Ms. Fujino, you look absolutely stunning this evening," Chie flirted.
"Ookini, Blue Rose," Shizuru blushed.
"What is that lovely fragrance you're wearing?" Chie asked as she smoothly took Shizuru's hand and sniffed the inside of Shizuru's wrist.
Shizuru put down the tea cup in her other hand and covered her mouth as she giggled.
"Yeah, she smells wonderful," Natsuki growled and removed Shizuru's hand from Chie's grasp as she passed them on her way to her seat.
Chie just grinned at Natsuki's scowling face seated on the other side of Shizuru.
"Hey Ice Wolf, I think I should stay here with Ms. Fujino. You and The Mouth can handle the assignment in the Middle East," Chie said as she lustfully looked Shizuru up and down.
"I would not mind you being my armed escort, Blue Rose. I know you would not cause an international incident," Shizuru flirted and took a sip of her tea, while watching Natsuki's reaction from the corner of her eye.
"What?" Natsuki exclaimed.
"Well, since The Ice Wolf has been trying to get away from me all this time, I do not want to keep her against her will," Shizuru teased.
"No, I-I-I…that was in the beginning. I li…don't mind being your armed escort," Natsuki sputtered and stomped into the kitchen.
Chie grinned at how well Shizuru played Natsuki.
"Well played, Ms. Fujino," Chie leaned close and whispered in Shizuru's ear.
Shizuru smiled and sipped her tea. Natsuki returned with a package of Pocky biscuits.
"Here, these are the only type of cookies this woman has," Natsuki grumbled and gently tossed the package to Chie.
"What? No Walker's?" Chie asked.
"I could go for a Hanuta right now," Natsuki said as she bit into a Pocky stick.
"Ara, I would like to snuggle with a certain wolf right now," Shizuru leaned close to Natsuki's ear and purred softly, sending shivers down Natsuki's spine.
"Wha?" Natsuki exclaimed and choked on the Pocky in her mouth.
"So, what say you Ice Wolf? You and The Mouth handle the Middle East and I'll handle Ms. Fujino?" Chie flashed her most charming smile at Shizuru.
Chie put a Pocky in her mouth and offered the other end of it to Shizuru. Shizuru looked at the agent with the Pocky sticking out of her mouth and smiled. Shizuru leaned closer to Chie's Pocky offering. Out of the corner of her eye, Shizuru could see the color rising in Natsuki's face.
"The Middle East is calling you," Natsuki said as she pulled Chie up out of her seat by one arm, leading Chie quickly to the front door.
"Hang on," Chie said as she stopped Natsuki from pushing her out the opened front door.
"What?" Natsuki asked.
"You're coming with me," Chie said and pulled Natsuki out the door.
Chie pulled the front door shut. Shizuru stood staring at the front door for five minutes, waiting for either agent to return. When no one did, Shizuru locked up and went to sleep.
In the hotel bar, Chie and Natsuki sat talking over drinks.
"You like her, right?" Chie asked as she popped a handful of nuts in her mouth.
"N-n-no," Natsuki said irritated.
"You love her?" Chie exclaimed and nearly choked on the nuts in her mouth.
"NO!" Natsuki yelled.
"You're in lust with her?" Chie asked skeptically, knowing Natsuki kept an extremely tight rein on her lust.
"No…jeez," Natsuki said disgusted.
"Then what's going on?" Chie asked.
"Damned if I know," Natsuki sighed deeply. "It's just way too surreal. She is a dead ringer for the late Special Investigator, who I did love."
"So what do you want me to do about your new assignment?" Chie asked as she finished her drink and signaled for another.
"Can you imagine the chaos with The Mouth and Ms. Fujino in the same room?" Natsuki chuckled.
"Mmmm...international incident," Chie mumbled through a mouthful of nuts.
"Are you hungry? Let's order some appetizers," Natsuki said and smiled at a frantically nodding Chie.
Natsuki returned to Shizuru's penthouse suite after straightening out matters directly with 'L.' Even though Natsuki was now indebted to Chie, she was happy to have any possible international incidences avoided.
Natsuki quietly slipped in to the penthouse suite, so she would not wake Shizuru. Without turning on the lights in her bedroom, Natsuki quickly changed into her silk pajamas and got into bed. She was just dozing off to sleep when an arm snaked around her waist, accompanied by a lilting murmur. Natsuki's hand instinctively reached for the sidearm she kept on the nightstand, but she stopped less than an inch short when she realized Shizuru was in bed with her. Natsuki smiled and moved out of Shizuru's grasp, which woke the sleeping Kyoto beauty.
"Welcome back Ice Wolf," Shizuru said sleepily. "I trust matters have been settled?"
"Yes Ms. Fujino. All possible international incidences have been avoided," Natsuki joked.
"Wonderful, now let's get some sleep," Shizuru said as she wrapped herself around a stunned Natsuki.
"M-m-ms. Fujino?" Natsuki stuttered.
"Ara, please call me Shizuru. Now that we're sleeping together," Shizuru teased.
Natsuki's face turned a deep crimson red and a grunted huff was her response, which only delighted Shizuru more. Natsuki's fatigue was quickly setting in, so she reluctantly let Shizuru win this battle and went to sleep with Shizuru happily wrapped around her.
The next morning, Natsuki awoke first to find a beautiful content angel asleep in her arms. Shizuru had her head on Natsuki's chest and her arms were wrapped around the agent. Natsuki glanced at the clock on the nightstand.
"Ms…Fu…Shizuru?" Natsuki called softly.
Shizuru murmured and tightened her arms around Natsuki.
"Shizuru, you have a meeting this morning," Natsuki said.
"Ara, I do not wish to go," Shizuru looked up, rested her chin on Natsuki's chest and pouted.
"Excuse me, but you have to attend your own meeting," Natsuki said looking down at Shizuru, trying desperately not to smile.
"I want to stay in bed with my wolf puppy," Shizuru said happily and smiled brightly at Natsuki.
Natsuki winced at the nickname Nao always called her. Not one to miss much, Shizuru caught Natsuki's wince.
"Ara, did I say something wrong?" Shizuru asked innocently as she lifted her chin off Natsuki's chest.
"N-n-no…yes," Natsuki wavered.
"Ano?" Shizuru asked.
Natsuki unconsciously growled out loud as she quickly thought about what she wanted to tell Shizuru.
"Mmm…my wolf puppy is growling," Shizuru purred, rested her chin back on Natsuki's chest, and tightened her arms around the agent.
Natsuki winced once again.
"Ara, I believe you do not enjoy being called a wolf puppy?" Shizuru asked with amazing intuition.
"Yes," Natsuki said and quickly added, "It's a long story."
"So what should I call you?" Shizuru asked.
"Ice Wolf is fine," Natsuki said.
"Does The Ice Wolf have a real name?" Shizuru asked pressing further.
"Yes." Natsuki answered.
Shizuru waited for Natsuki to elaborate, but Natsuki remained silent. Unfortunately for Natsuki, Shizuru woke up in an extremely playful mood this morning.
"Is The Ice Wolf going to tell me her real name?" Shizuru asked.
"No, it's against protocol," Natsuki stated firmly.
"Ara, even for me?" Shizuru pouted and moved closer to Natsuki's face, so she could look into the agent's eyes.
"Especially for you," Natsuki growled and explained, "You're a client."
"So, if I were not a client, you could tell me your real name?" Shizuru asked.
"No, but…" Natsuki began and thought better of it.
"No, but what?" Shizuru pressed.
"Nothing," Natsuki growled.
Shizuru was not about to let this go, so she straddled Natsuki's waist, grabbed both of the agent's wrists and pinned them over Natsuki's head.
"Shizuru?" Natsuki asked, seriously worried about being in this position.
"Now, Ice Wolf will tell me her real name," Shizuru smiled wickedly and looked deep into Natsuki's eyes.
"No. I can't," Natsuki said.
"Ara, cannot or will not?" Shizuru inquired and moved her face closer to Natsuki's.
"Can't," Natsuki replied and leaned her head as far back into her pillow as possible.
Shizuru smiled and slowly leaned in close to Natsuki's face. The older woman gazed deep into the agent's eyes, as if searching for something. Natsuki found herself helplessly lost in Shizuru's eyes. The agent could feel the blood quickly rushing to her face. Natsuki stared at Shizuru's full lips. The agent unconsciously parted her own lips. Natsuki's tongue quickly darted out to moisten her now dry lips. Shizuru smiled at this.
The heat between the two women was reaching critical levels as they each waited for the other to make the first move. Natsuki lifted her head slightly, bringing her face closer to Shizuru's. As Natsuki moved to capture Shizuru's lips, her special communicator on the nightstand began to vibrate violently.
"DAMN IT! This is SO unfair!" Natsuki yelled in frustration.
Shizuru sadly slid off Natsuki as she released the agent's wrists. Natsuki growled, picked up her special communicator, and glanced at the display. She stared at the display incredulous and blinked rapidly, as she felt all the blood drain from her body. The display rapidly flashed 'C.O.D.E. RED,' which meant there was an emergency at headquarters.
Natsuki slid open the communicator and the live video feed being broadcast caused her to drop it. Shizuru, who was watching Natsuki the entire time, picked up the special communicator and looked at the screen. Her hand immediately shot up to cover her mouth.
"Hey, you shouldn't be seeing THAT!" Natsuki yelled after coming to her senses and grabbed her special communicator away from Shizuru.
"Ara…," Shizuru muttered as she plopped down on the bed in shock.
"Shizuru? Are you alright? I'm really sorry you saw that, but I've got to go," Natsuki said rapidly, hoping her words made sense and Shizuru heard them.
Natsuki quickly dressed and dashed out of the penthouse suite.
As she rushed to headquarters, her thoughts immediately went to Haruka.
"SHIT!" Natsuki yelled and grabbed her special communicator.
Chie's ashen face appeared on the screen and answered most of Natsuki's questions.
"She saw??" Natsuki asked frantically.
"We ALL saw! Every single C.O.D.E. agent with a special communicator saw!" Chie yelled in angry frustration.
"How is she??" Natsuki asked.
"See for yourself," Chie said and flipped the camera towards Haruka, who was seated with her knees up to her chest, rocking back and forth, crying, and muttering something Natsuki could not understand.
"She's a mess," Natsuki stated the obvious, after Chie flipped the camera back.
"Hell, you would be too if you witnessed your lover being beaten, gang raped, and you're completely helpless to stop it!" Chie growled through clenched teeth, so Haruka would not hear.
"So everyone is on their way back?" Natsuki stated the obvious once again.
"Yes Ice Wolf," Chie said patronizingly.
"Don't take that tone with me!" Natsuki reprimanded.
"Only if you stop being a dumb ass by stating the obvious!" Chie countered.
"I'll meet you at the temporary command center," Natsuki said apologetically.
"Okay, see you there," Chie smiled.
When Natsuki arrived at the temporary command center set up near headquarters, she was met by "The Feared One," Maria Graceburt, C.O.D.E.'s most loyal and dangerous agent. She was obviously commanding the strike force and rescue mission. Chie and Haruka arrived a few minutes after Natsuki. Chie had to help Haruka into the temporary command center.
"I was afraid of this," Maria said shaking her head as she looked at Haruka.
"She isn't in any condition to be effective on the strike force, but how are we going to keep her from it?" Chie asked.
"We're just going to have to keep her somewhere safe until we've gotten Toki and 'L' out," Maria stated.
"YUKI!!" Haruka yelled upon hearing Yukino's name and was quickly restrained.
"I hate to do this, but she's a liability right now. Put her in a holding cell for the time being and make sure she's comfortable," Maria commanded.
"Toki has been taken as well?" Natsuki asked incredulous.
"Yes. It's a bloodbath in there, but fortunately it's mostly THEIR blood. Koto informed me after the initial hit on headquarters, everyone got out, including 'L,' but after they realized Toki was taken hostage, 'L' went back in to get her out," Maria stated.
"How many of them are there?" Natsuki asked.
"Ten, as far as we can tell. The initial strike team of four and a second backup team of six," Maria stated.
"Who are they?" Chie asked.
"Acquaintances of The Red Spider. This is retaliation," Maria stated.
"What's the plan?" Natsuki asked.
"As you can see on this thermal scan of headquarters, most of them are located in and around Research and Development," Maria stated.
"Of course those stupid men would be there," Chie said sarcastically.
"I've sent a team in to take them out first. Once that is accomplished, I want you two to go in and take out the two holding Toki and 'L,' Maria commanded.
"Deadly force?" Natsuki asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yes. No mercy," Maria stated coldly.
After an hour, the first C.O.D.E. team returned with eight dead men. Natsuki and Chie immediately went in next.
"Ice Wolf, you go get 'L' and I'll get Toki," Chie said softly as they crouched near the entrance.
Natsuki nodded and they cautiously entered with their guns drawn. When they arrived at the front stairs, they separated. According to the thermal scan, Toki was being held in a front office and 'L' was being held in her private suite in the rear of the building.
Chie made her way up to the floor where Mai was being held. The agent silently made her way down the deserted hallway. As Chie got closer to the office, she could hear Mai screaming.
"STOP! PLEASE STOP! NOT AGAIN!" Mai screamed as Tate began another sexual assault on her.
"SHUT UP BITCH!" Tate yelled and slapped Mai.
"Please…stop," Mai whimpered.
"You love it! You know it! I wonder where that bitch The Merciless Ghost is, I'd like to give her some of this too," Tate grinned and forced Mai's legs apart.
In a split second, Chie had her arm wrapped around Tate's neck and the barrel of her gun pressed against his temple.
"I have something you'll like," Chie hissed in Tate's ear as she pulled him off Mai.
"Wha? Who the hell are you?" Tate asked his eyes wide with fear.
"Let's just say The Merciless Ghost sends her regards," Chie said sarcastically and slammed the front of Tate's body up against a wall.
The impact against the wall broke Tate's nose. He screamed in pain as he held his nose and slid down the wall.
"Does it hurt?" Chie grinned and taunted.
Tate lunged at Chie, but the agent was too quick and dodged his attack. After he landed, Chie kicked him hard in the ribs, breaking a few with her reinforced steel tips. Chie didn't think it possible, but Tate screamed even louder than the first time as he grabbed his ribs. The agent glanced over at Mai, who was watching everything with an insane grin on her face.
"Toki, you should leave. This is going to get pretty nasty," Chie said.
"I'm staying," Mai said coldly.
"Suit yourself," Chie shrugged.
Natsuki quickly made her way up to 'L's' private suite. She wasn't sure if whoever was holding 'L' was monitoring the security cameras, so she avoided the ones she could and took out the ones she couldn't.
When she reached the main door to the suite, she pressed her ear up against it and listened. The door was too thick to hear any noises, so she cautiously opened it, lying low as she entered. When she didn't find anyone in the main entrance, she made her way to the security room. She found it empty as well, so she headed to the bedroom.
From the main sitting room entrance, Natsuki could see the bedroom on the other side of the room. The bedroom door was open and she could see 'L' sitting on the bed, bound, blindfolded, and gagged. Remnants of her clothing clung to her battered body. Natsuki had to consciously suppress the urge to quickly storm the bedroom and rescue 'L.' She cautiously entered and secured the main sitting room.
Natsuki paused in front of the bedroom entrance and listened. She silently thanked Chie for pounding this behavior into her head, because it saved her life more than once. When Natsuki didn't hear any noise, other than 'L's' whimpering, she slowly entered the bedroom. She silently secured the room.
"'L," it's The Ice Wolf. I'm here to get you out," Natsuki whispered in Yukino's ear before moving to secure the bathroom.
As Natsuki reached for the bathroom door knob, the door flew open, knocking Natsuki backwards. Her sidearm flew out of her hands and she found herself staring up at a rather large man who had her pinned to the floor.
"Who the hell are you?" Takeda asked.
"None of your business," Natsuki spat.
"You must be another one of those arrogant C.O.D.E. agents," Takeda growled.
"Get the hell off me!" Natsuki demanded.
"Arrogant AND feisty, I like that," Takeda grinned and grabbed Natsuki's breast.
"Son of a bitch!" Natsuki yelled.
"Yep, feisty! I bet you're one hot fuck too," Takeda drooled.
Natsuki struggled to no avail. Takeda was too heavy.
"Let's find out," Takeda grabbed the front of Natsuki's shirt.
Takeda suddenly stopped. His eyes flew open wide and his jaw went slack. Blood trickled out the side of his mouth. Natsuki looked at him stunned and quickly scooted out from under him. After she was able to see over his shoulder, she saw the reason for his sudden odd behavior.
"Shi-zu-ru?" Natsuki stuttered.
Shizuru stood behind Takeda with her naginata embedded deep in his back.
"Kannin na, I could not locate you until now," Shizuru apologized.
"No apology necessary. I'm just thrilled to see you," Natsuki said gratefully and added, "Wait a minute…why are you here?"
"I thought my Ice Wolf might need some help," Shizuru teased.
Natsuki stood staring at Shizuru incredulous for a few minutes.
"Ara, excuse me, I need to finish this," Shizuru said as she lifted her naginata up, impaling Takeda through the chest, thus killing him.
Shizuru shook her naginata with flawless expert precision, sending Takeda's dead corpse into a corner of the bedroom.
Natsuki carried Yukino, bridal style, to the temporary command center with Shizuru following closely behind. Yukino had her face buried in Natsuki's neck, causing the agent to involuntarily blush. When Haruka saw Natsuki approaching with Yukino in her arms, the blonde agent rushed out and took Yukino from Natsuki.
"Ice Wolf, I can take it from here," Haruka said gruffly.
Natsuki watched Haruka carry Yukino back to the temporary command center.
"You're welcome, Mouth," Natsuki chuckled after Haruka was out of earshot.
Shizuru and Natsuki entered the temporary command center to several questioning looks. Natsuki reported to Maria, who glared at Shizuru.
"Ice Wolf, who is your companion and why is she armed?" Maria asked sternly.
"This is Ms. Shizuru Fujino. She saved my life in there," Natsuki answered.
"She saved your life?" Maria asked incredulous.
"Yes," Natsuki replied.
"Where is the…?" Maria asked.
"The scum's corpse is in 'L's' bedroom," Natsuki cheerfully reported.
Maria immediately sent a couple of agents to retrieve the body. A few minutes later, the agents returned with Takeda's dead body and threw it over with the rest of the bodies.
"Where's The Blue Rose?" Natsuki asked.
"She hasn't reported back yet," Maria said concerned.
Natsuki bolted out the door towards headquarters. As she was headed towards headquarters, she saw Chie and Mai walking toward her. Chie was carrying a body over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes. The two women met up with Natsuki at the halfway point.
"Where are you headed?" Chie joked.
"I was coming to find you," Natsuki said defensively.
"Awww…it's nice to know someone cares about me," Chie chuckled.
"Screw you," Natsuki scowled.
"Anytime Ice Wolf," Chie flashed her most arresting smile.
Natsuki rolled her eyes and huffed in response. They all walked back together.
"How are you holding up Toki?" Natsuki asked after finally noticing Mai's torn clothing.
"I'm MUCH better now," Mai said as she looked admiringly at Chie.
"The 'knight in shining armor' again?" Natsuki whispered teasingly in Chie's ear.
Chie just grinned. When they arrived at the temporary command center, Shizuru was waiting for Natsuki outside.
"Why is Ms. Fujino here?" Chie asked confused.
"I'll tell you over drinks later," Natsuki answered.
"Appetizers too?" Chie asked brightly.
"Yeah, appetizers too," Natsuki smiled and slapped Chie on the back.