A/N: I will work on the reverse TF: Prime story, but I've got a lot on my plate at the moment. I'm already trying to wrap up Pheromone. Then there's another story that I'd promised I'd do after Rising is complete. I don't want to keep them waiting for too much longer. Thanks for the reviews and I hope you stick by me through this and my next story.

Chapter 31

Agent Fowler and Mizuki McCloud walked into Tokyo's lower districts, the safe house not too far from their current location. The two walked in silence and moved as quickly as they could without appearing to do so. They kept their eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary, such as people following them for more than a few blocks. They had to remain vigilant, lest they be caught off guard by Oroku Saki's Foot Ninja. There was no telling who was a regular person and who was under the Prime Minister's influence.

Shortly after Fowler's arrival, he and Mizuki received word of an unusual attack by a gang member near the safe house. Under orders, the investigated the matter and discovered that the young man had been attacked by ninja. Naturally, they suspected it was the Foot Clan letting them know they knew about the safe house. This meant they could attack at any time. The two continued to walk in silence until Mizuki finally broke it, "So what are they like?"

"Excuse me?" Fowler asked.

"The Autobots," she said. "What's it like to work with them up close and personal? I've heard rumors and all, but I think you could give me a clear picture."

Fowler hesitated a moment before answering, "Well, those rumors you heard? Chuck them out the window. It's not easy dealing with the 'Bots, especially their medic. He never shuts up about humanity's lack of advancement in technology, not that they've ever offered any to us."

"A little bitter?"

"Not me," Fowler said. "It's the boys upstairs that don't like it. As you know, our tech is more advanced than we let on. If humans were so inferior, how could MECH get the drop on them and knock 'em out?"

"Because we haven't given them complete access to our technology just yet," Mizuki stated.

"Bingo," Fowler replied. "Our bosses in the U.N. seem to think that if the Autobots don't want to share their secrets, we shouldn't share ours."

"Even if it means putting them at an even greater disadvantage than they already are?" she asked.

"I never said it was the right call, but they don't want to risk the 'Bots turning on us, not that it would ever happen. That's not to say they're easy to work with. The medic, Ratchet, as I mentioned, can be a bit of jerk. Bulkhead, the team's heavy lifter, can be a little clumsy and easily talked into things by 'others'. The scout, Bumblebee, is a bit of child. The SIC, Arcee, has quite the attitude. The only 'Bot I manage to get along, barely, is their leader, Optimus Prime."

"Sounds like you got one fun job," Mizuki replied sarcastically.

"Yeah," Fowler grumbled. "It loads of fun." The special agent looked around to find that he and Mizuki were in an alley. They were walking toward the safe house's back entrance, probably to avoid ninja. Fowler's hand unconsciously reached for his gun, just in case anyone tried anything. They made their way toward the door and Mizuki reached for it, only to hesitate.

"What is it?" Fowler whispered.

"The lock's gone," she whispered back, reaching for her own gun. They got on either side of the door and readied themselves. Fowler felt a slight anxiety filling him. This was just like his days in the Army, only without the threat of being attacked by ninja. He could feel his heart rate increase as Mizuki stepped toward the door and slowly pushed it open.

She entered first, followed by Fowler, looking around for any sign of life. She looked at the living room, more importantly, the furniture to see if anything had been misplaced. She kept her weapon trained on the darkness, her eyes adjusting to get a clearer outline of the room. She slowly turned back to Fowler and nodded, signaling him to venture deeper into the house. Returning the nod, Fowler took a few more steps into the building and slowly closed the door, sealing them in darkness.

They moved in the darkness, trying to figure out find anything unusual about the safe house. As of yet, they found nothing, but Fowler could not shake off the feeling they were being watched. He had to think; if he were trying to ambush an enemy, where would be the best place for it. For a ninja, would it be the ceiling, Fowler thought as he looked up, but found nothing. Maybe over by a wall.

Fowler looked over to a wall, but found nothing, and kept looking around, his mind coming up with more places for an enemy, a ninja especially, to hide. Suddenly, it hit him and he turned toward the door and aimed his gun, only to be disarmed and feel something sharp against his throat. Before he could anything, the lights came on and he came face to face with ShadowStrike.

"Jack?"

ShadowStrike Rising

The Autobots were going about their usual business, Ratchet on the monitors searching for Decepticon activity. Bulkhead and Miko were watching a monster truck rally with vigorous interest, much to the medic's annoyance. Bumblebee and Raf were racing cars happily while Optimus was in his quarters, working on things. Arcee and June were sitting on the couch in an awkward silence. Neither could believe it had been five months since Jack disappeared.

They were both worried for his wellbeing, but June could sense something more to it from Arcee. She knew that the femme and her son were close, closer than any of the Autobots and their charges. Even before all this craziness with Vector Sigma began, June had picked up on some subtle signs of how close the two were. She noticed how disappointed Jack was when Arcee left to go on a scouting mission with Bulkhead because her statements. When Arcee recalled their encounter with Airachnid in the forest, June took notice of how she trembled at the thought of how close she was to losing Jack (a thought that frightened her as well).

When Rafael was nearly killed and June decided that the kids should cut off all contact with the 'Bots (of course Miko wouldn't budge), she noticed just how broken up Arcee was at the thought of separation. She had told that June was his mother, meaning he should go with her, but she caught the hurt in the Autobot femme's optics when she said it. Jack no doubt noticed it too and it gave him the strength to defy his mother, much to her dismay. In her mind, that had meant that Jack had chosen Arcee over her, something she never thought would happen until he met that special someone. And from these signs she picked up, Arcee was that special someone.

He clearly saw how much they cared for one another, even if the others saw it as only a casual friendship. They supported each other when needed and were always the first to go off for a ride when a mission was complete. As much as the thought shocked and slightly horrified June, she couldn't help but be happy for them. It isn't often that love like that existed, especially in today's harsh world. She would only have to wish them the best of luck if and when they chose to pursue a romantic relationship.

"June," Arcee asked, concern on her human features. "Are you okay? You've been pretty quiet."

"Just thinking," she replied. Optimus entered the room, having finished his own reports for Agent Fowler when he returned.

"Prime!"

"We hear you special Agent Fowler," the Prime responded. "Have you uncovered any activity that may implement Oroku Saki?"

"Nothing yet Prime, but I found something else."

"Is it 'Cons?" Bulkhead asked.

"No," there was a slight silence on the phone before he answered. "I found Jack."

ShadowStrike Rising

A/N: Sorry for the short chapter, but I'm still a little tired. Given that it's going to be a long day (24 hours and what not), I may update later on. 'Til then, Next Time: Jack has been found, but the young ninja still has to deal with the Hollows before anything can he decides to go home.