A/N: Thanks to all who have reviewed. A special thanks to Metalhead411 who has given Rising its 300th review.

Chapter 43

The ground-bridge back to base seemed slower than usual as Jack and Arcee walked in an uncomfortable silence. The young man tried to find something to say, but he couldn't form any words. This should have been a time for celebration as they managed to finally bring down MECH's plans, even if only for the moment. But thanks to untimely appearance of Oni-Kage, the two partners were now in a state of awkwardness. Because of the ninja's big mouth, Jack was forced to tell Arcee about the Ninja Tribunal and his relationship with Chikara.

"I was going to tell you," he finally said. Arcee jumped a bit, but kept on moving, not wanting to hear it. She couldn't explain it, but the thought of Jack being with someone else left her feeling odd. She wanted to beat the scrap out of him just to make herself feel better, but she fought off the urge. There was no explanation for how she felt right now, but she knew it would be hard to talk to Jack without sounding angry or worse, hurt.

She prided herself on always having to appear strong before the others, never letting her guard down. Even with Optimus, with whom she shared a bond with, she never let her weaker side show. It was only with her partners that she allowed her walls to lower. It was the same with Tailgate and Cliffjumper, yet their deaths didn't seem to teach her a lesson. She let her walls down and allowed herself get close with and Jack.

She had always been afraid that letting him in would only hurt her if he was killed by Airachnid or Megatron. She never expected so much hurt to come from a still living partner. Right now, she only wanted to get to base, be debriefed, and lock herself in her quarters to sort things out. Finally, they exited the ground-bridge and entered base. What the saw confused them both.

They found Raf sitting on the ground, June tending to him, while Mizuki and Fowler were talking about something in private. Miko was holding an icepack to Raf's head. There was dry blood on his wound. The whole scene was rather surprising and unsettling. It was then that Jack realized something, "Where's Sunny?"

His voice cut through the silence like a knife, earning everyone's attention. Optimus was in med bay, being attended to by Ratchet after his encounter with Nemesis Prime. He tried to stand up and explain, but Ratchet forced him down, "You must rest Optimus."

"Where's Sunny?" Jack repeated, a familiar sensation of anger building in him. His eyes darted from one individual to another, gauging their response. Bulkhead looked shamefully sheepish, as did 'Bee. Miko, Raf, and June avoided his gaze, much like they did five months ago. Finally, his glare landed on Fowler and Mizuki, the looking like he was ready for a verbal debate.

"I am afraid that she is on her way to a foster home," he said calmly, but the words still shook Jack to his core. Sunny had been taken from him while he was away? Several emotions ran through his mind at once. Sadness at the thought of the girl calling out for him while she was being taken away and the possibility that she thought he abandoned her. Worry for where she was being taken, having seen plenty of children in foster care while visiting his mother's work.

Finally, there was pure uncontrollable anger bubbling from within. How dare Fowler take her away! He didn't even have the guts to try and do it in his presence. Before he realized it, he'd gone from his previous spot by the ground-bridge to the deck where Fowler was. Mizuki quickly removed herself from his path while Fowler stood, ready for whatever the young man had in store.

"Where is she?" he growled.

"I believe I've already answered that question," Fowler replied calmly. "She has been put into a foster home."

"Where?"

"That is classified information," the agent said, going into full on government mode. "All you need to know is that she is safe from harm."

"She was fine right here," Jack said, venom dripping from his voice. He wouldn't stand for the government B.S. Fowler was trying to throw his way. The man would tell him where Sunny had been taken, or he would introduce him to a new world of pain. "Last chance, Fowler. Tell me where she is."

"And would you do with that information if I gave it you?"

"Use your imagination," the ninja replied.

"If you are going to attempt to remove her from the protection of foster care-" Fowler was cut off by Jack slamming him against the wall, his sword under the agent's chin.

"There's no protection in foster care!" Jack shouted, causing everyone jump. "She was safe right here with me! You didn't have the guts to try and take her right in front of me!"

"We had to act fast," Fowler grunted. "We needed to get in foster care before the Decepticons made found out about her." Fowler wasn't proud of what he'd done, but he knew it was the right thing. He knew there would be hell to pay for this and that the 'Bots and the others might lose respect for him, but he had his orders. "I understand that you are not happy with the situation, but-"

"You know what she told me the night you first tried to take her?" Jack seethed, his anger starting to hurt him. "She said she didn't want two strangers acting like they were her mother and father. You sent her away without even considering her feelings!"

"Change is hard for anyone to accept, especially children."

"Yet you did it anyway! You sent her away, acting like it was just another mission. She wasn't some nuclear powered device or some person of interest. She a little girl! A little girl who needs me!"

"Sounds more like you need her," Fowler replied coolly. "I am sorry, Jack, but I had my orders. Unlike you, I don't have luxury of disobeying others at a whim. It you want to take your anger out on me, that's fine."

"Anger is last thing on my mind," Jack pressed the blade beneath Fowler's chin and dragged it across. He drew blood before he felt a comforting a hand on his shoulder. He turned to find his mother, looking at him in sympathy.

"Jack, getting angry won't change anything," she said softly. "Raf tried to stop the man who came, but all he got was concussion. Sure enough, Fowler's going to have to answer for that once he goes to file his report. I know it's hard, but please calm down." The anger faded from Jack's eyes as despair took over, the realization finally hitting him. Sunny was gone and, in all likelihood, he would never see her again. It killed June to see her son like this, but what was done was done. She didn't like it any more than the others, but there was nothing she could do.

Fowler refused to budge and Mizuki didn't know a thing either. She watched as her son waked away, sadness and despair oozing from him. She turned to Fowler, who was grasping in his chin. Blood seeped out as she directed him to med bay, her face stoic but angry. As much as she resented Fowler for what he had done, she was still a nurse and she had taken an oath to help people.

ShadowStrike Rising

Aboard her military transport, Sunny was curled up like a ball in the back seat. She ignored the soldiers' conversation as she silently cried, a sob or two occasionally racking her body. After Jack and Arcee left to help Optimus, Fowler made a call and minutes later, soldiers entered base. They asked her to come with them, but she wouldn't be fooled. She knew they were there to take her away.

She may have been young, but she wasn't stupid; she'd heard enough about foster care to know it was almost as bad as losing your parents. She was afraid of being taken as soon as she knew Fowler was an agent. They told her it was for her own protection, but she was just fine where she was; with Jack. The young man may not have appeared to be kind, but Sunny knew better. He was just scared.

He was afraid of getting close to her because he knew something like this might happen. Maybe that was why he treated so coldly at times; because he didn't want her to get attached to him. He failed in that endeavor as Sunny knew they needed each other. She wanted to stay with Jack because he was everything her father was to her; kind, caring, and responsible. She was happy with Jack and now her happiness was ruined.

She was so angry, but so sad at the same time. Why did they want to separate her and Jack? For her protection? Jack protected her just fine during the weeks they were together in Japan. He was willing to hurt anyone who would hurt her, not that it ever came to that.

Then there was Rafael. The two were close in age, so it made sense that Sunny would befriend him (plus he was kinda cute). She had even kissed him on the cheek to gauge his reaction. He was embarrassed, but pleased with her show of affection. Sunny had never had a real friend before she met Jack and the Autobots.

Despite the obvious difference between them, the 'Bots and the humans interacted like some family off a sitcom. They joked around, got into trouble with the father (Optimus Prime), and supported each other when they needed it. It seemed like a nice enough place for Sunny to say, but government didn't think so.

"We're here," the soldier said. Rather be dragged out and appear to be a problem child, Sunny got out of the car and was met with a frightening sight.

"Hello, Sunny," greeted the Shredder as the two soldiers escorting her changed into ninja outfits.

ShadowStrike Rising

A/N: Cliffhanger! Next time: As he deals with his separation from Sunny, Jack is called upon by the U.S. government to strike a potential MECH hideout.