Author's Note: The chapter focuses on a history folks, no romance feature for the two characters...well there's a couple talk though...
Chapter 9
The Suspicious Butler
7A.M; Wardington City; Section 34; Medical Unit Base A-1
Shun was pacing back and forth as he impatiently waits for Ace and his team to get recovered. He wanted to get that slight information Ace had retrieved from their last mission on French which placed by the name of Barcelona, one of the second most important places in Italy.
Dan can't help but chuckle softly as his boss, same goes for Dan's men as well.
When the nurse came before him and said about Ace's stable condition, that's when Shun sped off to see his room leaving Dan and the others slowly walking behind the Criminal, as if this isn't one of those important things to matter.
Ace was lying in his bed with some signs of injured bandages with Mira sitting beside him as she is looking for latest trends of clothes in a certain magazine.
Ace observes at his friend and a smile crept upon his face, it's been such a long time seeing her once again.
Just then, Shun barge the door making both of them look the source of that commotion and raise an eyebrow as Shun grab a vacant seat.
Ace adjust to his seat, flinch to his back, thinking that he hasn't been fully healed yet.
Shun smiled assuring that his right hand man is still in his condition and asked a question.
"So, this is the first time you've failed at a certain abroad mission? Getting rusted by your proud skills as a Reconnaissance Leader?" asked Shun mockingly
Normally, when it's just two of them, they would just act like normal persons praising each other like brothers like Dan and him but since he is an open public, He still consume for being an arrogant and merciless Criminal who never battled an eyelash when hundreds of opponents came before him with armed equipment while he on the other hand only used his brawled hands to fight in combat.
"Huh, The Criminal came here just to belittling my specialty?" asked Ace rhetorically.
Then a strike of conversation came….until Shun asked about the 'man' who is after their busted butts on fire.
"I figure you might ask that…so I brought my documents with me….Mira?" asked Ace with Mira handling some papers she get in the desk.
Shun scanned the documents thoroughly.
Name: Raj
Position: Unknown
Specialty: This primary individual has three capabilities
One is to fight armed forces, either with backup or not, this person was to keen and too mechanically fight merciless when it comes to close or long range combat.
Second is to be able to spy on a target area with the target itself can't even notice or know that they are being watched by the thousand eyes of Raj. It cannot be estimated per say as this one is a hard lookout and very hard to identify his name.
Third was a genius especially in making technologies way more advanced in a blink of an eye. Thus making the opponents armory weapons still traditional a big disadvantage to them to fight Raj.
Also, this individual's location cannot be detected and can only show to someone who is can be a good trophy in display for him.
"And guess what, the former Dragon Head has this document long before Raj openly introduce to us…"
The moment the title "Dragon Head" made Shun snap his neck and look at Ace with pained eyes, still cannot believe this news to him. He already knew this would happen but couldn't accept just mocked this.
He might be the current Dragon Head and the Criminal at the same time, but still these types of files are still confidential to him? This means….that this is the code his grandfather left to him.
It might be….but it can't…..?
The nurse that went to Shun earlier, knock the door and bowed to the three with Dan looking from the entrance.
The nurse assists Ace but not before Mira asked the nurse that she will handle the wheelchair. The nurse obliged and left Mira to assist the injured Ace.
When Dan approaches to Shun, The Criminal faces his best friend with a very serious expression on his face. Dan knows that expression too well, and with a slight nod in reply. The two barked commands to their men and each of them went to their assigned vehicle.
They need to know…..just who this person who is after their lives…is.
Section 34; Shun's mansion
Mira and Ace went back in order to properly heal Ace's wounds with a calming breeze at the garden. On the peripheral vision, Alice is helping the gardener remove the weeds and started to plant gumamelas and bougainvilleas.
Ace smiled silently as Mira pecked his left side cheek, their silence and a simple kiss meant to him more than a hundreds of cheesy words she can come up next.
Ace raised an eyebrow when by the entrance of the gate; just below them came before their butler named Robin packed up some supplies of groceries.
On the other side, Robin sense something someone's been looking at him and look up at the hill to see Ace sitting on the wheelchair with Mira standing behind him. Robin smiled exultantly at him as his gentleness radiance with pure bliss and went back to his duty.
"Something wrong Ace?" whisper Mira as she rests her chin on his head following his murderous gaze on the butler.
Ace sighed heavily "Yeah, the butler…"
"You're still being paranoid over everything Ace, it's the stress. Just learn to relax a bit."
"That's the job of being the Reconnaissance Leader Mira. Anyone can be judge, no matter how evil and good their eyes sparkles are…."
"And you're saying…."
"That butler…Robin right?"
"Yeah, what about him?"
Ace twirl his wheelchair making Mira jumped in surprise.
Ace look at Mira one last time "Let's go Mira, I have a bad gut over that guy."
"Oh okay" she nodded still confused over Ace sudden change.
Bayview City, Section 12; X-12 Main Base; Time: 11AM
In a faraway forest lies deep beneath dark secrets, alas a pure light will shine upon the moment that justice will bring upon the mystery itself.
Shun and Dan walked upon the hallway with some man wearing black coats and a hat that look like suspects bow down to them as they went closer to the former Head Eagle's office.
Shun stop with Dan trailing him stop as well. Shun glance back and nod indicating that he wanted to see the Head Eagle alone. Seeing the sign, Dan sighed as numerous bodyguards that blocked the entrance are glaring at him and his men.
One of the bodyguards opens the marble door leading Shun slowly walked inside. The door closed with Shun facing the former founder of the Criminal's Organization itself.
Shun look at the far end of the corner seeing his grandfather lying calmly in his seat. The old man signals his two personal guards to let it go and motion his grandson to seat down.
As Shun went to his seat, He heaved a sigh and asked for one of the guards for something to drink. Same goes for his grandfather as well.
Silence erupts in the room as the two of them battle their eyes on a silent conversation until the old man spoke up.
"I'm quite impressed on your actions as you've played your roles on my behalf, Criminal…"
"Grandpa…"
"Okay, okay. It's really hard to elaborate your personal relationship when my recruits are here…" the old man chuckled
Shun went to his side and pour some wine in the old man's glass cup.
"So what brings you here Crimi—I mean Shun…"
"About Raj"
The old man widens his eyes as he gripped his drink tightly like his life is depending on it.
"I don't know what you're talking about son…..You've…"
"Tell me grandpa, do you know who…."
Okiru Kazami asked for his two personal guards to leave them alone for awhile which they willingly obliged seeing the familiar stare the old man gave to them.
"Raj is merely nothing but a mere hooligan Shun! I'll cut your…"
"Then what is this?!" Shun barked as he placed the documents in front of Okiru's ornament desk. Okiru glanced at the document labeled "Confidential" then to Shun.
"Where did you get this?" the old man whispered with a tint of anger from his voice.
"It doesn't matter….Tell me! Is this the reason why my mother….."
"ENOUGH!" the old man stands
"Don't you dare order me old man! I inherit your position 2 years now and I HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW!" Shun stand and shout to his grandfather who turn utterly quiet yet pissed beyond words.
"Before I answer your questions, may I ask where you've get this files?" asked Okiru
Shun thinks for a second, trying to compromise the question since he values Ace as his comrade and despite the fact that Shun, himself is the Head Eagle and Criminal. He can't underestimate the old man's influential capabilities.
"From the Reconnaissance Leader…."
"I see…." then Shun heard from his old man's murmur about his finacial expenses and value report later.
"I figure you might found out that man but….neither that I thought you will know my relationship to him…." the old man said
"You've better spill the beans grandpa. I only came here for important matters and not family reunions. My mind business can agree to my matter on." Shun warned to him
"Raj …..Is the person I highly respect of….and a loyal friend of mine…." the man said as he looks at Shun's hazel eyes.
20 years ago, I met that man in the flesh and became close acquaintances. One year after that, we began founding this organization itself. We are honored by the nights of the cities of Bayview seeing that even the government officials are seeking to us help on how to empower the whole embassy, some hooligans and gangsters willingly cooperate to our sides and started our very first production of black markets called "The Den Society".
One day, while we are dealing with some mobsters for the counterfeit bills of Europe, we were scram by some government police in Bayview with the cooperation of the French. We were surrounded of course. We never expect that to happen. Raj helped me to escape by the warehouse and by the time the place got exploded, That's the last time I seen his honorable face in pride saying that I should continue living his legacy with honor.
"A few days after that…Your mother met your dad who happens to be one of my subordinate in my organization…" Okiru said to him.
Your mother, she was radiating with innocence that I was afraid to tell her that my source of income are coming from illegal dealings and serial killings. She knew nothing about my life. I asked my subordinate to stop seeing my daughter but being the persistent that he is, He kept showering my daughter love and care and they both fell in love…..But then, your mother's house was being ambushed by some unknown robbers. Your father fought of course but my daughter never seen him after that since.
My daughter….she become sober the moment he saw his lover gone with the bubbles and cried by the times I couldn't count off. Then, it took my entire stubbornness to tell the history of his lover and mine. My daughter cried heartily as she too have been keeping secrets to me
Three months ago, she announces that she was pregnant with you over their three years of their relationship,
"I see…." Shun thought to himself.
The moment that she bears you, it was the happiest day of my life. Heck I even cried in joy seeing your face. But three years after you were born, Your mother and I got to a car death-chase, well per say that I was the one being chased by my opponents but my daughter paid the price for it as me being a coward run away from my life.
I don't know what to do…..more likely what will I do to save you from being the next victim. I was left traumatized and having no choice, I kept you in my organization in order to train yourself to be left unharmed. But over the years I've spent, we were left barged by my enemies and even our walls keep standing to protect the organization, I couldn't afford you from getting harm anymore. I told myself you can't be safe from any places. I couldn't afford losing the only relative and grandson of my life.
"That's when you place me….."
"Yes, one of my scouts had confirmed a certain place where it cannot be seen by hundreds of maps and signaling GPS devices. Heck with the satellite dishes also. An abandoned yet ancient village…."
"Presharar Village…"
"Very observant indeed Criminal."
Yes, I've placed you in that village as well and I accounted some civilians in order for you to be well educated and socialized. In fact, I also founded the village. Well almost, I represent a certain candidate to do the job of presenting Presharar Village on its own accord and I left that candidate the task of doing his job of protecting the village and especially you.
I also assigned some professionals to even train you out there and be well formed educated as well.
"Wait…..I thought Presharar is known to be religious and all…." trailed Shun but then cut off by his grandfather.
"Well, I leave it all to my candidate's hands so I don't really know what your doings inside that village are. I already give my proposition to that man so I had no responsibility left on that deserted place….well I wouldn't called it deserted seeing that the land itself disappear not only maps but in our eyes as well….hehehe" the old man chuckles.
"It wasn't my intention anyway. Some watchguard name Joe happens to explode the village. Nothing there is my fault. I only wanted the two items…."
"So there you have my story….." said the old man and yawns
"Wait….how will this story related to the Raj guy I face now?" asked Shun curiously. The old man drinks his wine in one go and his eyes reflect his sadness afterwards.
"That Raj guy…..is an imposter. Someone's been using his name in order to mock and haunt the whole organization's primarily founders and me of course. I asked for my 'professionals' to do the investigating….including the ambush during the Treaty in France…"said the old man making Shun noting his grandfather's disappointment.
"You knew about Trace in his abroad mission?" asks Shun
"Yeah, just because you took my position doesn't mean you could control ENTIRELY this organization. I have the eyes of an eagle you know and the claws of the tigers anyway." The old man said proudly with the latter rolling his eyes for his grandfather's childish boastfulness.
"I've better get going….I'll need to pressure some issues at my hands now." said Shun momentarily. As he was about to exit, the old man said something that stop his tracks.
"And the girl? I heard that you are letting a nun stay at your mansion for quite some time now."
Shun turn his head around "She means nothing to me anyway."
"Then you should dump her, throw her away! But all you did is just made her stay even more and getting touchy with your men!"
"She will not be a hindrance anyway; I only kept her because she's the only one who knows the whereabouts of what I seek. The bishop's baton and the symbolic purple robes, that's what I wanted in the first place."
The old man massages his temples and sighs heavily.
"You do realize that she is a Presharar villager, the same village you went since childhood? Despite that relationship, you barely know her!"
"What makes you say that gramps?" Shun challenged
"You have to be on your guard! She might be one of the Raj's spy or something! You and your men should be more careful than dragging a person like that! And don't you find it odd that after you keep her in your mansion, Someone name Raj manages to enter the premises easily!" shout the man angrily making his bodyguards flinch by every fiber of his words raised.
"And…..?"
"And what?! Don't you see that—"
"I know what I'm doing gramps, don't underestimate me. I have the eyes at my back and front. And I know who will I trust or not." said Shun as he walked out with Dan standing on his way.
The man frowned and took his newspaper but before Shun could walk out in the scene, the old man whispers
"You do have the will and strength of being a Criminal, but sometimes true criminals are always been the last one to be expected and not the other way around.
Alice was placing the items in the kitchen cabinet when someone knocks on the door. She turned around seeing Robin smiling at her.
"Robin?" asked Alice in which the main butler cross his arms and asked "Yes?"
"Shouldn't be Shun…I mean the Criminal be here right now? His food is getting cold." asked Alice inwardly and continue her work.
Robin raised an eyebrow and chuckles at the same time *that's a start* He thought and shrugs his shoulders
"According to his men, He was going to a meeting, seem urgent."
"I….I see…."
Robin glances at her disappointed figure and chuckles again. "I have to go Al, butler duties." said Robin and winked at her. Alice, not looking at his retreating back smile genuinely as she placed the last canned goods and closes the cabinet.
Alice went back to Shun's bedroom. It's been days since they share their companionship in his bed but she felt comfortable and happy even it just merely a presence to him that brings thousand of heartbeats in her chest. She went to her study table and opens the drawer. She took a bracelet with a small ring bound to it. She put it to her chest and closes her eyes.
"It's been years but I guess even now, you don't remember me…."
Alice opens her eyes and looked at the mirror in front of her.
"But I'll wait for you….I miss you friend….even if you've changed….I know….that you will remember me…..in time."
Flash of memories at her former beloved village and the villagers blinked in her thoughts but among them, a boy at her age grinned at her making her smile all over again.
She placed the bracelet back in the drawer and went to the bed to get some good sleep, for a human need to rest her heart by the time continues to move, memories faded but the mark of their existence.
Author's Note: Don't ask why I put that cheesy line in the end, I'm being dramatic all over again and super sorry for the late update. Study habit in my veins, can't help it. I love to read books and explore discoveries and adventures!
Shaii: *coughs* Book worm
Alexa: Geek
So as confirm from the chapter...Alice and Shun do know each other during their childhood days (reread chapter 6 - before the author's note)
Thank you for those who review!
shadowwing1994 (Hi Ess! Thank you for reading the story though it was too lame to be a start. I'm just not good for making action sceneries such as this but I do appreciate that you read this and love it until the end. Yeah...uhhh...I thought at first, you will not going to make a review out of this since you're busy and all so I have to make you an author of the book's guide for perverted boys...hehehe...Update your stories okay? )
InnocentDiamond ( Hehehe Shun just knows almost everything! That's what I propose to his character in the story...well almost...Actually there's a reason why I put Mira's alias name as Belle. Remember Julie's alias is Anna...and the two girls are almost inseperable and together during board missions regarding the operations in the enitre organization. If you combine their alias name (Anna and Belle), you can make a name Annabelle and not some character that I know from a vampire story. Thank you for the review
NMS (I understand though I have to admit I do tend to make mistakes of grammars and sentences fragments but I can't seem to know that I made a mistake at the first place. I'll promise I will be more careful with the pronouns statements as well. Don't blame me, I'm still a newbie for this but I appreciate that you review the chapter, I do wonder why I don't have that much reviews but I guess I consider this story as an epic fail anyway. I thought that noone will like this story because it sucks and all but I'll try my best to entertain and shock the readers in anyway I can. I'm sorry and thank you again for informing me this) *hide instantly not knowing who this stranger is*
BunnyTea (I just read you review and really I have to raise both of my hands in surrender. Your sister is planning to make her own version of this story!? Wah! Please tell your sister to make a story far less relevant to my story at hand. I'm not that selfish though but its okay that you can get her some ideas in the story just don't really copy the entire story LITERALLY. Thank you for the review
Anyways, thank you for reading. The purpose of this chapter is kind of revelation or confession and more likely to riddle out who is the Raj really is that was after their lives.
Have a healthy life and see you soon =)