Author's notes:

Double update, whoo!

I just could not resist, guess I'm on a roll!

Remember: Jacqueline has appeared on the scene. What will our Top Ranks do? Read to find out!

Enjoy!

Chapter 17 – Invisible Step!

Vectra was completely tense. In front of her there stood Jacqueline, the warrior that she and Hitomi were supposed to bring back to the Organization – or the warrior that they had to kill in case she refused. The deserter's eyes and face lacked any kind of expression, just like the face of a doll. She then understood why she had been named Blankface by her comrades: even though most warriors don't have remarkable expressions she stood out even amongst them. There was, however, something about her, that stood out even more. It was an aura unlike everything Vectra had ever felt before. Not that of a Yoma. Not that of a warrior. Not that of an Awakened Being. 'Is that even Yoki?' she asked herself. Just facing her gave Vectra a feeling of absolute inferiority, just as if a deity was standing right in front of her.

She gulped and warily flinched a little, as Jacqueline made a few steps and stopped a mere meter before her. The significant height difference between the two of them did not make her feel any better. Worse, at best. Jacqueline's eyes, as expressionless as they were, seemed like the personified abyss to her and it felt, as if she was being dragged right into them.

Even though her voice was deep and calm, it tore through the tense atmosphere like a carnivore's claws through its helpless prey: "I'll ask again: What might it be you want, that it makes to threaten my friend like that?"

Vectra gulped. She felt that several beads of sweat had formed on her temples and forehead and how some of them were already rolling over her cheeks and face. She blinked a few times, took a deep breath and then began to explain as calmly as she was able to: "The Organization is offering you a full pardon in exchange for your return. We fell for your trap and ended up catching up with Vanessa instead of you. During our conversation with her we came to the conclusion that it would be best to lure you out by putting her into a tight spot."

Well, that was what had happened, but if it had been Vectra making the decisions things would have been different, she was sure of that. In the end she did not see any possibilities to not just go with her comrade's flow. After all, especially looking back at the fight they had, she was by far the weakest person present – and the strongest of them unfortunately was the exact opposite of a reasonable person once she had lost it.

"I see," the black haired warrior said calmly, "in that case I refuse."

The Number 2's heart skipped a beat. Exactly what she had feared – and exactly what the former Number 2 had told her. In that case the two of them were supposed to take Jacqueline down, but there was no reason for the latter to know about that. Hitomi knew Jacqueline better and even someone with her level of sensing capability had already said that defeating Jacqueline simply is not possible – so by fighting her it would result in a devastating defeat. Just as she wanted to say something Hitomi began making steps towards them. 'What is she doing?' Vectra thought, fearing that it would be something stupid.

Two meters behind Jacqueline Hitomi stopped. Though Jacqueline did notice her, she did not react.

"I'd like to ask something" Hitomi said expressionlessly.

"Go ahead" Jacqueline answered without turning around.

"Is it true, that of all your former comrades I am the one you want to see least?"

"It is."

"May I ask the reason?"

A tense moment of silence followed, as Jacqueline turned around, began to walk and stopped right next to Hitomi, without deigning to look at her, and answered: "It would be a bother."

She then began to walk again but had to stop because Hitomi's left hand had grabbed her left lower arm. After nothing happened for a few moments Jacqueline asked: "What is it, still?"

Hitomi faced the ground as she answered: "Well, you see, in case you are to turn the offer down we are to execute you. And, no matter how you act towards me, I'd just hate to have to do that."

At that moment a little something died deep within Vectra. 'What is that idiot thinking? She herself said it was impossible and now she is picking a fight?' Her face clearly showed how shocked she was.

Jacqueline's gaze wandered upon Hitomi for the first time since she had come there. She let it rest on her straight blond hair for a bit, before she plainly said: "I understand."

Hitomi instantly let go of Jacqueline's arm. The latter walked a few meters away, turned around and drew her blade. Number 5 also turned around to face Jacqueline and slowly drew her blade.

Vectra, who still had not given up the hope of stopping a fight this useless was, even before she could begin to talk, told by Hitomi that she should stay out of it – since she'd be in the way.

"What are you saying, Hitomi?" Jacqueline asked. "Your job is to execute me and since you cant all you want is proof that you have tried and failed, am I right?"

Hitomi's gaze wandered back to Jacqueline to meet hers. Her face darkened, as she said: "What are you saying, Jacqueline?"

For a split second the deserter's eyes widened before returning back to their expressionless shape. Was Hitomi actually serious about this? She could not help but think that way.

"I hope you have not forgotten," she explained, "how I am able to manipulate Yoki at will? Don't you think that my skills have dulled. The opposite is true: even your faint Yoki will not be a problem to me anymore. Honestly, you could swallow dozens of suppressants and it would still no be sufficient!"

Faster than everything she had ever seen Hitomi disappeared just to reappear meters behind her. To Vectra it had looked like her comrade stepped right through the former Number 6.

And numb sound broke the silence. Jacqueline raised her left lower arm so her hand would be on her eye level. It was missing, though, along with the lower part of her lower arm. It was the cleanest cut that she had ever seen.

"You can act high and mighty after proving you are" Hitomi stated calmly, leaving Jacqueline and Vectra thunderstruck – both for different reasons.

Author's notes:

So now we can all be surprised about where Jacqueline's divinity has disappeared to.

kstefan88