Part 4
The next few days, Kamakura and Marie didn't find much. They were only able to surmise that the twins had started the business to win over business owners with loads of money, but what else was new?
"I've been checking in with the family," Marie told her husband. "They're excited to see us after our little vacation."
"Only a handful of days left on our little island paradise." Kamakura agreed. He had a look of nervousness in his face. No one else in the Casino Ballroom seemed to notice, but Marie knew that they couldn't afford the chance. She reached up to her partner's face and brought it to her lips. This kiss was different from the ones they'd shared before. It was an attempt to comfort him, and to remind him that the mission wasn't over yet. It was probably the most genuine embrace they'd ever shared.
When she pulled back, Kamakura's face flushed ever so slightly. Marie gave him a small smile and withdrew.
"How about a drink?" She suggested. "Just a little one to relax."
"Alright. I'll go get them." He gave her hand a squeeze with his, then walked away.
Marie stared after him, remembering all of the times that she spent training with him and Snake-Eyes. She was no apprentice, so she was able to learn so much about the Arashikage ways just by watching the two. They taught her enough varied martial arts on the side to protect herself, and she would be eternally grateful to them for that. That was why she'd joined the Joes-to return the debt for the freedom that they'd been able to give her.
A hand touched her shoulder and whirled her around. Marie jumped when she saw the face-a very foolish gesture.
"I thought that was you," Tomax said with a grin. Marie regained her composure, but knew inside that she was too late. Tomax took her hand and gave it a gentle kiss. "If you know what's good for your partner, you'll honor me with a dance. Now." Marie glanced back into the crowd, but Kamakura was no where to be seen. She reluctantly gave into the request.
A small portion of the ballroom had been sectioned off to hold a formal dance, complete with elegant orchestra music. Tomax took one of Marie's hands and then held her waist close to his. They swayed in perfect time to the rhythm.
"It's been so long, Marie," he said. "What have you been up to since you left Cobra's family?"
"You mean left their scaly clutches," Marie hissed. The man chuckled.
"Now, that's no way to treat the organization that took care of you and your brother for eight years."
"You mean kept me prisoner! I never saw the light of day until the Joes found me."
"You didn't seem to mind at the time."
Marie looked away. "For a long time, I didn't," she admitted. "But that's because I didn't know any better."
The man suddenly released her hand and took a strand of her hair in his. "We love-"
"Your new look." Xamot finished, cutting into the dance. He took his brother's place, and the strand of hair that Tomax was holding. He put it to his nose and inhaled. "You still smell the same, doesn't she, Tomax?"
"Indeed, brother." Marie pushed herself away from both men.
"Don't touch me," she muttered.
"Now, now," Xamot said. "Be nice. You wouldn't want us-"
"To harm your dear ninja friend," Tomax concluded. Marie grunted.
"Where is he? What did you do to him?" Kamakura hadn't shown up yet, and this worried the girl.
"He's fine."
"For now."
The brothers kept going back and forth, but Marie didn't want to listen. She needed to find her partner. She needed-
"June." Kamakura's hand grabbed her arm. She jumped.
"Sean!" She said in relief. The boy flinched at the use of his real name.
"Don't worry, Joe," Tomax spoke. "We-"
"Already know who you are," Xamot said. Kamakura brought Marie behind him.
"Why haven't you taken us out yet?" He asked them.
"We're waiting for the perfect opportunity," the twins spoke together before Tomax carried on.
"What are you here for, Joes? Are you looking for something?"
"Why? Do you have something to hide?" Kamakura countered.
"Not at all. We just wonder-"
"Why all the trouble to get into our hotel?" Xamot met Marie's eyes. The girl averted her gaze, then drew in a subtle breath.
"Let's go to bed, Kent," she said suddenly, grabbing the boy's arm. She spoke loud enough for the on looking guests to hear. "We have a honeymoon to continue." She drug the boy away, though it took some coaxing.
"Sleep well," the twins called.
…. ….
In their hotel room, Marie found her phone. It had been on the table, which was why she hadn't received any of the three warning texts from Scarlett. She cursed herself-it was all her fault that this mission had gone under.
"Why did you just run away?!" Kamakura scolded as he went for the battle equipment specially hidden in his luggage.
"You wouldn't believe what I saw," she muttered, pulling on her ninja suit. It was a one-piece, no-sleeved outfit with no back. Black fabric hugged her sides, while the front and back of the clothes had a deep blue shade. She pulled a gray face mask over the bridge of her nose.
Kamakura slipped into his green tunic and matching pants, sliding a black mask over his entire face. His brilliant sword sat in its dragon-imprinted hilt, and his slipped this over himself, too. His hazel eyes were all that could be seen, now, and they turned to meet Marie.
"What could you have possibly seen?"
"I saw Icarus dust being distributed and used, right in that ballroom! I think that a good majority of the guests have taken possession of some."
Kamakura rose a brow. "How can you tell?"
"I'd recognize that sparkly little powder anywhere. It looks like normal glitter that they use in raves and parties, but you can't fool these eyes."
"How have we not noticed?"
"Most of the dealings have probably been in secret. Extensive Enterprises has some of the biggest and baddest company heads in here. It may have been a welcoming gift, or a marketing ploy. It must've been going into exclusive hands."
"Looks like some weren't able to keep the party favors a secret, then," Kamakura concluded. "If they're trying to distribute it, though, do you think that means…?" Marie took her own sword from the luggage. Its blade was long, thin and black-a gift from her Sensei. She attached it to her hip.
"I don't know. But if it works on others like it did me, then we're in big trouble."
The door burst open and Cobra Viper Troopers stormed inside. Kamakura drew his sword and pushed Marie back.
"Jump!" He hollered. They ran to the balcony and leapt off. Kamakura gripped his partner's waist and grabbed the edge of one of the balconies below their 4th-story floor. He grunted as his arm made a strained "pop".
"Sean!" Marie cried. She slipped from the boy's grip as they were fired upon by the Troopers above. The men had small weapons with silencers on them-presumably so that the other guests wouldn't be alerted of the attack.
"Hold on!" Kamakura called. Marie tried to with both hands, but a bullet slit an indent into her shoulder and she released. "Marie!"
The girl tumbled down, reaching for anything she could to catch herself on. Instead, a dark shadow zip lined from out of nowhere and snatched her out of the air, taking her down to the ground below them. The girl beamed at her rescuer.
"Snake-Eyes!" She greeted the ninja with a brief one-armed hug. "You know that wasn't necessary, though. I would've been alright." Snake-Eyes gave her a look from beneath his silver shades then led the way to the beach. Kamakura had made his way to ground-level and followed after. Scarlett was waiting on the edges of the beach, shouting something into a COM link. When her teammates approached, she ceased the chatter immediately.
"What's the status?" She asked, flipping her long red ponytail behind her.
"Our cover was blown," Kamakura told her. "Cobra Troopers are approaching fast."
"I've already called Deep Six. He's on his way with Torpedo and couple of S.H.A.R.C.'s to get us out of here."
"Wait, what about the Icarus?" Marie asked. "It's being sold and marketed right in that hotel lobby!"
"You can debrief us on that later. We need to get out of here now."
Two water vehicles came from out of the water. Scarlett started gesturing the team to get in them.
"But…" Marie bowed her head and gripped her shoulder. She knew perfectly well that didn't have anything to debrief. If only they had a little more time.
A cry came from above and a barrage of bullets followed. Snake-Eyes pulled Marie and Kamakura out of the line of fire and tried to head for the nearest S.H.A.R.C. Marie looked up to the sky and gasped as another bullet hit the inside of her thigh. She toppled into the water, letting out a long wail as her wound started filling with salt.
"Marie!" Kamakura attempted to pull her up, but she pushed him away.
"Leave me!" She begged. "Get out of here before it comes!"
"Not a chance!" Kamakura picked her up in his arms and started carrying her to safety. He didn't even look over his shoulder to see what was going on until the girl gripped his tunic in her bloodied fists.
"Sean, LOOK OUT!"
Another stream of bullets was launched their way and Marie had to release her "Restraint". Her brilliant wings extended from her shoulder blades and covered the man's back. The bullets hit the outside feathers, which were coated in a silver plating. It was able to block the projectiles from entering her comrade's flesh. Kamakura ducked down with her until the spray ceased. Marie cautiously moved her feathers out of the way and peered at the enemy before them.
Another woman landed at the edges of the splashing waves. From his own back sprouted majestic black wings that shimmered in the moonlight above.
"No," Marie breathed. "It can't be possible! I was supposed to be the only one…."