By EliadS

Author’s note: I apologize in advance If this current chapter may seem dull, but I am currently connecting the threads toward the future parts of the fic, if you do not like, please do be honest with me, I thank you for your time, and now for the chap itself.

** Museum, middle of the night, Tokyo, Japan **

Adam Winters had for not the first in his life gotten himself into some very serious trouble, but this time in contrast to others he didn’t know how to get out of it.

The room was completely locked, the doors locked automatically and windows locked with bars. Leaving Adam with the feeling he was like a lab rat in a fancy cage.

The Mysterious young woman, who Adam had ignored and took no heed to, had the nerve to later trigger the museum’s alarm system on him. By the way she had avoided security and question she asked, not to mention the stealth she possessed she was no doubt a Shinobi.

It was so frustration to him. He was a mere second before he had the ruby in his hands. It was low, it was vile, it was nasty, and it would cost her, cost her dearly.

He had felt something was going to happen, but due to being so close, took a gamble, to his disdain his gamble went bad, and now he was pretty much screwed. In a matter of minutes the place would be flooded with cops and he had no hope of escaping.

”What the h*ll do I do now? I gotta find an escape route, can’t afford to be put in the slammer now, there’s gotta be a way out.” He thinks while taking back his EMP pulse device and puts it in his sash. Then absently looks at the exhibit Ibuki’s object shattered.

He notices the object is a small rock, with a note tied to it. He raises a brow and dashes toward it. He picks it up and takes off the note. He looks at the simple white printer paper and reads the text written.

“Dear Mr. Winters, If you’re reading this, it means you’ve refused to comply to my simple request for some answers. You’re probably really angry and frustrated since the security system has locked you inside this museum without a hope to escape, aren’t you?” It writes.

Adam snarls and crushes the ends of the note lightly, gritting his teeth ”She had this planned, she knew I was coming, she couldn’t have…unless, MOLE! The Shinobi must’ve forced him to sell me out, b*stards…” He thinks and curses the organization for all the trouble it’s causing him. Then he reads on.

” Anyway, I hope this will teach you not to deny a Shinobi of his or her needed knowledge. Luckily for you I’ve tampered with the security system, so you can find an open door in the next corridor, 3rd door to the right. You might not like your escape route, but it’s your fault for not listening to reason. Or…you could stay and play with the cops…” The second paragraph reads.

”I knew it! I knew those d*mn ninjas were behind this! Ooooh…this is all that B*tch Vibora’s fault, stupid, manipulative lil…oh f**k it, I don’t need an assassin on my back too, d*mn I hate being helpless and played as a pawn…” He thinks as he sighs and reads on.

”Oh and by the way Mr. sloppy, careless thief, you didn’t shut down the security cameras. Had I not disabled it myself your identity would’ve been recorded and your cover blown due to our lil conversation since you didn’t hurry to deny who you are or take any kind of heed to such a fact as cameras. And you’re supposed to be one of the best…really…nevermind that now.

Till we meet again Mr. Winters, have a nice evening,
Your friendly neighborhood Shinobi ninja.”

Adam then decides to take the paper, for future reference, maybe make a writing test and find out which Shinobi messed with him, or maybe squeeze some more well earned money from Vibora.

As he does he chokes down the extreme anger, insult he’s feeling. The Shinobi had insulted his talent, his honor and made a fool out of him, tampering with his fixer and causing him to have to escape an alarm, something he rarely did.

But what annoyed Adam the most was that she was right, he hadn’t taken cameras under consideration when he talked to her. He had been too engrossed in removing the glass container, too occupied on snapping at the pesky Shinobi that he had forgot to conceal who he was and that is what bugged him the most.

He then runs over to the door the note told him about, hearing feint sirens in the background helps fuel his will to escape and his speed in accomplishing this task. He notices no bars have blocked out this door and blinks, then he tests the doorknobs and finds it opening.

When he opens the door he narrows his eyes “No way, No way am I doing this” he mutters and looks at the interior of the room. It’s a large kitchen, a large garbage chute has been marked for him, but a large arrow drawn in marker.

Adam shakes his head and exits the room, hoping to maybe find an alternate way, he runs around the museum frantically, but all the doors, all the windows, are locked. He sighs and then hears the front door being opened.

“Police…FREEZE!” many police officers shout as they aim guns at him. Adam and breaks into a sprint toward the door Ibuki left him open. He curses his attempts and hopes for an alternate route costing him. Luckily the cops will never know who he is due to his guise and his covering his hand with gloves and thus his fingerprints.

The cops run after him, don’t open fire due to the exhibits that might be damaged and keep on trailing, he outruns them easily and enters the kitchen. He quickly pushes a heavy cart full of dishes before the door, blocking the cops out and grimaces as he walks over the chute.

“Here goes nothing…d*mn that b*tch for this…” he mutters as he opens it and leaps inside, the chute opening closing behind him, he stops breathing as he slides down the oily and stinking tunnel.

He lands outside, inside a large trash container. He lands inside the piles of waste; he sinks deep inside the stinking mass of various old food objects. He wrinkles up his nose in disgust as he wriggles through the piles like an upside beetle until he manages to turn around to his front side.

He finally manages to get a grip on the end and pull himself up, and out of the container. Then he lands on his feet and looks at his clothes and growls. His expensive black leather clothing was ruined, stains of all kinds of food and sauces cover him from top to bottom.

“This suit cost me 2000 yen and now it’s ruined, D*mn you, D*mn your clan, D*mn everything! Sh*t how am I supposed to walk home in this!” he thinks and hits the metal container angrily.

That’s when he notices the note attached to it. He takes it carefully to not smear the writing with the stains on his gloves. He scans it, recognizing the same writing from the museum and narrows his eyes.

” If you’re reading this, I reckon you’ve taken the lil ride I planned for you, now wasn’t that fun? Don’t ya just wanna do it again? Btw I hope you liked them cops, I know you wouldn’t take the chute till you were truly cornered.

Well isn’t life a b*tch for you nowadays Adam. You’re smelly, smeared with rotten food, you’ve got no job in the near future, your pride is blemished, your streak of success cut short, you’ve got no way to retrieve your rep...

Shall I go on, or are you ready to listen to reason and consider answering my questions Mr. Winters.

Anyway, if you’re smart you’ll meet me at the Howard INC office building construction site at the outskirts of the East Side of Tokyo tomorrow at midnight. We’ll “talk”, If I’m pleased enough with what I hear, I’ll drop the embargo on your work.

And if you’re really nice I also might teach you a thing or two about thieving. Give you a few pointers if ya know what I mean, since you obviously have got a lot to learn by the performance of this museum job.

Well take care now, don’t forget, meet me tomorrow evening, oh and do shower by then, you probably wreak worst than trash…oh Oops, you smell just the same, my bad, Gomen. Anyway I’ll be waiting for you, don’t disappoint me this time Winters.

Trust me, you can’t afford to.

Your Shinobi “friend”” It writes.

Adam looks at the piece of paper, his hands shaking. He was angry, actually he had never been so angry. She had gone too far with this note, usually he might have let it drop, consider using his contacts, but this time, he’d deal with her personally, teach her and her clan to back off.

“You’ve made an big mistake by doing this B*tch, a very big mistake, I’m gonna make you regret this night, ooh yes, regret it indeed.” He mutters and sighs, he was tired, he needed a cigarette, though he’s officially quit, he always needed one to calm down when extremely agitated, luckily he had some for special cases like this.

It would help him clear his mind, and get ready for meeting up with the girl who single handedly proved stealthier, more cunning and more devious by manipulated him with such ease and expertise of a true pro.

He most definitely didn’t like being played a fool, That’s why he would make sure she never tries anything of this sort again, and maybe make other people with such plans reconsider in all possible means at his disposal.

Or least most of them save maiming and murder since then the Shinobi would have his head on a silver platter. And he most definitely didn’t want that.

He curses the day he took Vibora’s job while walking back home, trying to stick to the back streets to keep concealed from both people or any cops, keeping his mask on to hide the shame of his appearance.

This was one of the worst days of his life, he wonders if it can get any worse, and as he 30 minutes later reaches his apartment he decides not to boggle himself on it. One to not get depressed and Two to not open his big mouth and cause his luck to get worst.

** 3 hours later, Xavier’s secret Thailand-based H.Q, Mountains of Thailand **

Xavier’s stealth jet lands within the hanger and the engines die down. Xavier sighs lightly and gets out of his pilot seat. It was time to awaken Rose and lead her to find something to eat, the poor woman seemed so weak and pale from malnutrition, not to mention the beatings, he would have to have his doctors treat that problem.

He also knew he would have to play his time well, though he worried for his mother, and wanted to be there for her and help her he still had much to do. He had found out a new Venom blade part and knew this time he would have to deal with it himself.

Besides, he was getting out of practice, he needed the thrill of the battle to pump the adrenaline in his veins, not only would he get the part he needed he would finally either get rid of a rather annoying pest or gain a most powerful ally.

He pushes the thoughts aside and closes his eyes for a second, he also needing to rest soon, being awake and flying and keeping the stealth shield on with his powers was quite draining.

He walks up to the room where Rose is sleeping and just as he is about to open the door, it opens for before him.

Rose is standing before, clad in the clothes he had arranged for her. It is her old attire, except its colors are different, the dress being black and the shawl being a pure color of white of the same color.

Her face is pale, but other than that her eyes are now normal, beautiful wells of soft violet. No longer are blue bags under her eyes and her hair is neatly combed. She looks alive, like a new woman, just like Xavier imagined her to be in person.

“Ah…mother, you’re up, how’re you feeling?” Xavier asks with a smile.

Rose looks at him, her eyes troubled, but she forces a small smile. “I…I’m ok, I’m glad to be out of there…but…I…” she stammers weakly and falls forward. Xavier quickly steps forward and catches her.

“Mother, you’re still weak, let me help you, I’ve arranged for some food, real food for you to eat, let me escort you to my dining hall” he says softly.

Rose looks up at him, her smile widening a little and nods slowly “Th…thank you Xav…Son” she says, softly, a little wary and unaccustomed still, also still anxious and nervous around men, even her son, after her 2.5 year long traumatizing experience.

Xavier can sense her troubles, fears, doubts and holds back his anger. She had such a poor and suffering soul, so much intense pain, so much sadness and anguish. So clear and sharp were the emotions that her body language and tone reflected it as well.

But she’s also strong, keeping it inside, dealing with it as best as she can, fighting it, Xavier had to hand it to his mother, she was a fighter, he doubted he could do the same in her situation.

Then he lets her lean on him, holding her arm and slowly escorting the weak winded lady toward the exit of the ship. He then notices the bizarre bracelets on her hands and raises a brow.

“What’re these things?” he wonders, glancing at her wrist and feeling the eerie and concentrated power from within the pieces of jewelry. He stops in place looking forward, his face impassive, revealing nothing of his state of mind.

Xavier’s halting in place causes Rose to stop as well. She looks at him silently for a few seconds, scans his face and body, and thinks for a small while. She then ahhs under her breath, looking at the ground and sighing lightly while closing her eyes. She then raises a wrist, understanding what ails her son’s mind.

Xavier blinks in surprise “How could she know? She didn’t use her powers, I wasn’t looking at the bracelets, father told me she knew how to read a person by his face and stance, but I didn’t know she was so good…” he thinks and marvels her silently.

“These, are nullifying bracelets, they use them to prevent prisoner psychics from using their powers. They also weaken the person’s body and stamina, this is why, I suffered, I…*shiver, shudder, small sniff, suppressed sob*, why…why…I…I couldn’t…I tried…But I…I couldn’t stop him” she whispers, closing her eyes, holding back tears and leaning against him more for support.

Xavier holds her wrist gently and scans it curiously, while using the other arm to hug his mother soothingly. “Is that so? Then they’ll just have to go…” he muses and smoothes his fingers on the texture of the metallic bracelet.

He is perplexed as he finds no mechanism, nor is there a lock. It’s as if the bracelets were bound to her wrists, to her soul. But Xavier was never one to say naught and concentrates hard. He feels his powers flow gently through his body as they travel up his natural chi lines of his body.

He runs his fingers on the metallic texture of one of the bracelets. He can feel their own power flare in response and narrows his eyes “This may hurt, brace yourself mother...” Xavier says and then lets his chi envelop his fingers.

Rose nods, her eyes reflect silent wariness, but also warmth and trusting, it is obvious she believes in her son after he saved her, one might question if her belief is misplaced, but then again a mother’s love knows no bounds.

Rose outstretches both wrists, turning her head aside and inhaling deeply. Xavier lets one of each of his hands touch the surface of one bracelet and then feels his hands shake gently as he channels force tremendous amounts of his power, feeling a powerful grip of psychic power around the bracelets, and knowing It won’t be easy to unravel it.

Xavier’s eyes burst into light and then purple energy erupts from his fingertips, enveloping the metallic bracelets with crackling currents of purple electricity. Rose gasps lightly and then closes her eyes, pursing her lips against the pain.

Then the bracelet glows brightly and snaps in two, falling off her hand, emitting a clanging sound as it collides against the floor lightly. Xavier then grits his teeth as immense waves of psychic energy jolt him, forcing mental and physical pain into his mind and body.

He holds back the urge to scream and holds still as the effects ravage him. Then he pants lightly as the power begins to fade and a subtle soothing feeling of content and satisfaction fill him as he looks at Rose.

Rose opens her eyes slowly, they are slightly moist, but she blinks it away and looks at her wrist. Her lips curl upwards and her eyes widen slightly. She smiles a small smile, her wrists finally free from the d*mned bracelets that had ruined her life for so long.

Then she inhales deeply and shudders slightly as she can feel the enormously powerful gush which is the true essence of her long lost powers run through her body and mind once more, like old times.

She closes her eyes, her smile widening and her face turning to a happy one. “I’m free…” she whispers, smiling wider and seeming to light up, as if a .

He nods “Yes, you are free Mother, your powers are back” He says, although bits of exhaustion and weakness enter his unwavering voice. He is now sweating lightly and his breathing is irate, he was in need of food, water and then a good long nap, the constant use of his powers was draining and not simple on even one in his caliber.

He then inhales and stands straight “Come Mother, I have arranged a true meal for you, I’m sure you miss your Italian homeland’s food.” He says.

Rose’s eyes light up lightly, it’s obvious she’s hungry, but she has dignity and only smiles and nods “It has been a while…since I’ve eaten anything with flavor…thank you so much Xavier…you’re…you’re too kind” she says and her eyes sparkle with gratitude.

Xavier extends his hand, and Rose takes it, still too weak to balance her own body properly she needs his support, at least for now. She doesn’t like being a burden, but she knows she won’t do any better by fainting or collapsing now.

Xavier smiles “Don’t worry, I understand…” he says.

Rose blinks “Oh, I forget, I must control my mental projections in the face of other psychics, It has been so long, so long since I’ve been able to hear, feel, experience these sensations…so long” she sends to Xavier mentally. Her face turning heavy with exhaustion and sadness, once more the memories obviously returning to her once more.

“Do not worry Rose, in time, you will be fine, I’m positive of it, I have faith in your power, Father did, and I know he was never wrong when it came to you” he says.

Rose nods slowly “not answering or acknowledging his words, the subject of Bison obviously most delicate, and painful for the psychic woman.

Xavier sighs lightly as he leads a now silent and seemingly depressed Rose out of the jet, he curses himself for his foolishness on reminding her of old pain. He looks guilty and in pain at his actions.

Xavier, the man who is known to be the reflection of impassivity and cold malice for one of the rare times in history is showing what seems to be caring, love, trusting. It is unbelievable and quite shocking to the guards who eye the scene of the two passing psychics with apparent disbelief and shock.

** The following evening, 5 past midnight, A few hundred meters from Howard INC office building construction site, Outskirts of Tokyo, Japan **

A single figure is walking down the deserted road, quickly approaching the meeting place the Ninja had scheduled for them to meet once more. His face is cold and calculating, his lower jaw is slightly tensed. Something bothering, obviously the thoughts of what the Shinobi had done to him still linger in his mind.

Adam winters was ready, he was ready to tangle with the Shinobi woman who had pestered him and made him feel like a complete incompetent fool, not to mention the fact she screwed up his job, a sharp insult that one such as Adam did not take lightly.

He’s wearing some Biker-like black jeans, a black T-Shirt and some sneakers. Above his T-Shirt he wore a short black leathered coat. His eyes are fixed forward, the construction site getting closer and closer as it comes into his view.

He sighs and his mind trails back to a few days ago, why oh why did he not heed Kimberly’s warning right away. At that thought he suddenly realizes something.

The girl, the girl who tried to catch him then, the girl who messed with him at the museum, they are one of the same. He smacks his forehead and sighs in frustration.

”Vibora was right, only one blasted girl, if that’s the case, I’m sure I can deal with it, I’m sure the Shinobi won’t mind me beating one of their ninjas. I won’t kill her or anything like that. But now I sure will be able to teach her to not mess with me. Now I’m confident enough that I can win and have nothing to fear or reason to hold back my blows. Ooh this is going to be fun…” He thinks and smiles wickedly, feeling pleased and content at the new revelation.

He enters the sight, looking around absently, sizing up the terrain. He sees many metal beams, the foundations for the building already up a few floors high. He also sees metal rods; piles of wood and heavy machinery scattered around the site.

He senses a Chi concentration and turns around quickly, he feels a silhouette standing in the shadows. It is identical to the concentration belonging to the woman who had triggered the alarm on him at the museum.

He isn’t surprised to see that the figure is completely blended within the shroud of darkness, typical stealth of a ninja, but he had an edge, he could feel her, not only see her.

His teeth grit lightly and his hands clench into fists. He forces himself to calm down and think straight, guessing that if she is a Shinobi, he must be totally focused and ready if he hopes to stand a chance against her.

“You’re late Winters, I’ve been waiting for 8 minutes, highly unprofessional to do considering your carrier is in my hands.” A cold feminine voice speaks out, it is completely blank, hiding all trails and signs of her thoughts of her emotions.

The words are simply words, nothing else, they convey nothing, quite impressive, and annoying. Adam didn’t like be left in the dark, but he was beginning to think he would have to bear with it for the time being.

Ibuki eyes the man, her brown eyes shining with curiosity, not that anyone can see this. “Nice outfit, if you’re a second rated side man in some cheap action movie” she says and steps into the light.

“You’re gonna pay for that stunt at the museum” He states simply, ignoring her words, dead serious. His body tense and ready, his eyes reflecting cold and concentrated anger, but not seething anger, controlled anger, the kind which is very dangerous when fueling a fighter.

Ibuki raises a brow, “Is that so? So how should I pay you? American Express? Visa? Stock shares?” she asks, her eyes bemused and a soft and subtle touch of sarcasm coating her words. A soft breeze passes through the air, ruffling Ibuki’s hair and the folds of her uniform.

Her body is at ease, but the positioning of her feet teach she can in a split second lash out and attack or dodge to defend herself. Adam must admit he’s impressed, her brushes some bangs of his hair aside, the wind pushing them over his eyes and shakes his head.

“Not funny, you’ve humiliated me, you’ve put an embargo on my work and you’ve screwed with my work. Nobody’s done that before, and that’s you’re up for a different kind of pay, you got me?” he says coldly.

Ibuki sighs and shakes her head from side to side “A shame, I was hoping we could end this in a civilized manner, but if you insist on fighting, I will oblige to your request” she says, turning to look at him seriously.

“You lost the right for that when you threw a flash bomb in my face, you conniving b*tch!” she spits out coldly, his eyes catching a soft blue hue.

Ibuki doesn’t change her facade at the remark, nor does she show signs of any kind of emotion. “I had to do what I had to do. It was the only way I could get you here, no? This seems like the only way of forcing you out of your hiding. That’s the price of cowardliness” she says simply.

“It’s called caution, and I’m not the one who’s stalking and attacking from the shadows, you talk of cowardliness but wear masks and assassinate instead of fighting with honor, there is no honor in the way of the Ninja, only greed and bloodlust” he says in the same tone.

Adam smirks a flicker of anger passes through Ibuki’s eyes, he knows Japanese have a high sense of honor, moreover a guild with codes and rules, he knew he was gonna hit straight on the money with that remark.

“Interesting notion on the concept of honor and greed coming from a lowlife thief that hides in the shadows and bribes and flees like a child when caught” she muses and inhales softly.

“Before we duel, are you going to answer my questions?” she asks, she knows he’ll decline but she has to be certain just in case.

“Not on your life” he says in the same tone.

“Ok, if that is your final decision I will have no choice but to force the answers from you once I’m done” she says seriously.

“You’re welcome to try, but I doubt you’ll be able to extract anything except oxygen from a life support system when I’m through with you,” he says and enters a stance.

Ibuki doesn’t reply on the remark and instead enters her stance. She exchanges a cold glance with Adam before inhaling softly and preparing mentally for battle.

She had expected him to be uncooperative, that’s why she chose this battleground, it was dark, full of place for maneuvering and a perfect spot to exploit her acrobatic superiority by using the various beams and machinery to her advantage.

“Enough talk, Ikuzo!” Adam says, signaling her to get ready.

Ibuki nods “ fain, faito!” (“Fine, fight!” according to Japanese dictionary) Ibuki says loudly and motions him to approach.