Ninja Assassin: Attraction

by Sally Keira

  “So what. It’s called tactics, bitch,” Anton snapped back at her.

  Kaiya stood glaring at him with her hands on her hips, whilst Anton aggressively shovelled more food into his mouth. She felt ill looking at his foul face as he deliberately chewed with his mouth open. Unable to stand the sight of him, Kaiya stormed out of the kitchen in disgust.

  Kaiya could not believe how gutless Anton was, to prefer to face an injured opponent over her! She fumed over this for the next couple of hours, whilst Kazuo prepared to fight Anton. When the two men left the dojo to combat, Kaiya paced up and down the courtyard in their absence. It was obvious Anton was going to defeat Kazuo due to Kazuo's wrist disadvantage. But she still held out hope. Kazuo needed to win, because she needed her chance to teach Anton a lesson.

  When the two men finally returned to the dojo, Kaiya was still waiting earnestly for them in the courtyard. She narrowed her eyes at Anton's smug grin of satisfaction and Kazuo's pained expression, as he clutched his injured wrist and gritted his teeth. Kazuo retreated to the infirmary pagoda.

  “Anton, please proceed to the eastern pagoda tower,” Sensei Shinji’s amplified voice broke out on the speaker system.

  Anton smirked at Kaiya across the courtyard.

  “You bastard, you’ve deliberately worsened Kazuo’s injury!” Kaiya yelled.

  “So what?” Anton said smugly, stalking toward her.

  “That was the only means you had of defeating him, you pig of a man.” Kaiya snapped.

  “I hope his wrist needs surgery then,” Anton said in her face.

  “Your face will need surgery when I’m finished with you,” Kaiya said, throwing a punch.

  Anton just blocked her fist before it impacted on his nose. He counter-attacked with a punch also toward her nose, which she also blocked. Her leg swiped up and kicked him in the gut. Anton staggered backward, fuming as he righted himself. There was the promise of more violence on both of their faces.

  “Stop!” Boomed Sensei Shinji’s voice. “Kaiya, leave the courtyard now!”

  Kaiya hesitated, glaring at Anton.

  “If I never see you again, it’ll be too soon!” Kaiya snapped.

  “Good bye, bitch,” Anton said to her back as she stormed off.

  ***

  Kazuo and Kaiya found it strange to be left in the dojo just the pair of them, it almost felt awkward between them. Kaiya spent the day after Anton’s departure meditating, and she also went for a run in the forest to keep up her fitness. She observed Kazuo struggling to rest his wrist in the absence of plaster and a proper sling. It was obvious that he was in a fair bit of pain too. But he was one of the toughest men she knew, and it did not surprise her that he didn’t complain to her once.

  The sense of relief was stronger than Kaiya’s nerves when their final morning at the dojo arrived. Kaiya and Kazuo both rose early to get their battle over and done with. Kaiya stood facing Kazuo in the courtyard of the dojo, thinking about how weird it felt to be in the final moments of the most gruelling training program of her life. A strong sense of pride overcame her when she thought about everything she had accomplished over the past five months.

  Had Kazuo not been injured now, she would have been somewhat excited to face him, and find out once and for all who of them was the better fighter. However, because he was injured, Kaiya knew this was not going to be a fair and satisfying fight between them. For once she did not take pleasure in holding a clear advantage over another opponent. Even one she had always been so competitive with.

  Kaiya had let Kazuo select tantō daggers again because they both liked that weapon and he was skilled enough to attempt fighting her one handed.

  “I dare you to come at me,” Kazuo said menacingly.

  “Ooh. That thick and cumbersome bandage on your wrist is terrifying me,” Kaiya said.

  Kazuo narrowed his eyes at her. He was circling her in the courtyard with deadly concentration on his face, waiting for one of them to make the first move.

  Kaiya briefly considered besting him by damaging his wrist further. So many combinations of kicks and punches could be used against a vulnerable point and they both knew it. Kaiya hoped that Kazuo’s decision to put off seeking medical attention for his wrist would not result in permanent impairment. He actually might even need surgery after Anton had worsened the injury. Any further blows she made to his wrist would likely be excruciating for him.

  Concentrating hard, Kaiya watched her opponent carefully. Kazuo looked ready to lunge straight off, regardless of his disadvantage. Kaiya made an impulsive decision, surprising them both when she threw her dagger on the ground in abdication.

  "I'm done with this training, you can have the title, I yield," she told him.

  Kazuo stared at her in shock. Kaiya shrugged and turned to walk off.

  "Wait, Kaiya," Kazuo called out. "You are right in thinking that I'm not fit to fight you with this wrist. I just wanted to continue so you could at least leave with the title."

  Turning back to face him, she stared at him, surprised that he would do that for her.

  “But that would be no satisfying victory for me. You would have just told everyone that I only beat you because your wrist was broken! If you had been uninjured I would have gladly proved once and for all that I am the better fighter,” Kaiya told him.

  “I am actually disappointed too that I don’t get to face you without an injury. I guess I might just have to challenge you back in Tokyo, when my wrist is better of course. I am dying to know who would really win between us after all we’ve learned here.” Kazuo decided thoughtfully.

  “Me too. We’ll postpone our showdown then?” Kaiya asked.

  “Agreed,” Kazuo said. "Anton should have challenged you, he was too spineless to face losing to a woman half his size. I am sorry that you were denied a satisfying final combat.”

  The microphone switched on and Sensei Shinji’s voice bellowed out sternly over the loud speaker, disrupting their conversation.

  "Opponents, please confirm if Kaiya has yielded?"

  Kaiya shrugged her shoulders, she really did not care anymore.

  "We both yield, our match is forfeited!" Kazuo yelled out before she could answer.

  Kaiya knew that Kazuo was also too proud to take the title without a fair battle. They both nodded at each other, before heading off to their rooms to prepare for their return trip to Tokyo. At least they could exit the Mizuchi Ninjutsu training program at the same time and return to Tokyo together. If anything, they would leave this program with greater respect for each other.

  ~

  PART TWO

  TOKYO

  Six Months Later

  ~

  Chapter 12

  Tokyo, Six Months Later

  It was a Saturday night in the bustling, neon-bright entertainment district of Central Tokyo. Kaiya was sitting at a booth in a small yet trendy upmarket bar, sipping just one glass of an imported Australian Shiraz. Smiling, she allowed, Nao, a handsome slightly older ninja from work to flirt with her. Kaiya was dressed in a cute little black dress with high heels and was wearing her hair down. Nao was dressed formally in a suit. He was used to seeing her in her black ninja attire so was enthralled with how stunning Kaiya looked that night. They were sharing the booth with Kazuo and Kaiya's older sister, Mariko; who were also both formally attired. Kazuo’s inability to take his eyes off Mariko in her fitted red dress, amused Kaiya.

  Mariko had insisted that the three ninjas take a break from their preparations to go after a computer chip that Tatsuya wanted retrieved at all costs. Kaiya, Kazuo and Nao had only agreed to go out with Mariko because their plans were just about finalised for tomorrow anyway. Tatsuya had commanded the ninjas to retrieve the chip tomorrow night, based on Intel suggesting there was lighter security arrangements for Sundays, at the lab that the chip was held at.

  Mariko had been trying to persuade Kaiya all week to have a night off, and Kaiya had finally given in to her sister’s persuasion. Besides, Mariko w
as not allowed to go out without their escort and Kaiya felt sorry for her sister's lack of freedom. Kaiya was very aware that their father favoured her sister and more heavily protected Mariko, who unlike Kaiya had minimum training in self-defence. Not at all jealous of her sister's closer relationship with their father, Kaiya preferred having the greater independence to do what she pleased. She was proud that their father trusted her ability to look after herself. And so he should, because she had proved numerous times already how capable she was in various dangerous situations. After all, she was one of her father’s two most formidable assassins. Following the Mizuchi Ninjutsu training, Kaiya had even been promoted to the commanding role in her father’s ninja clan.

  Kaiya realised that she was glad to be out on the town having some fun again. After she had returned from the Mizuchi Ninjutsu training, she had not been herself for quite a while. Eventually she had disclosed to Mariko some of what had transpired between her and Lawso during their training. Mariko had been encouraging her for months to move on and Kaiya finally felt like listening to her sister. Talking to Nao tonight was enjoyable enough. Nao had been openly interested in her for some time and she was sick of thinking about Lawso. A handsome distraction was just what she needed.

  Kaiya was impressed with Nao's confidence in perusing her, because she was definitely attracted to men who were bold enough to go after what they wanted. Nao was not a bad fighter either, she thought, but not as skilled as her and Kazuo of course. Kaiya and Nao were sitting close, deep in conversation. At the same time they both became aware of Mariko and Kazuo openly kissing each other at their booth.

  “Look at these two,” Kaiya shook her head at them in amusement. "You do realise Father will find out about you both now."

  Mariko pulled her lips away from Kazuo long enough to respond to Kaiya.

  "I'm done hiding our relationship, father is going to have to deal with it," Mariko said.

  "He might kill you though, Kazuo,” Kaiya reminded him.

  "It'd be worth it," Kazuo replied and they continued kissing each other passionately.

  “Let’s give them some space,” Nao suggested to Kaiya.

  “Good idea, I don’t want to watch that either,” Kaiya laughed.

  “Come and dance with me,” Nao suggested.

  Nao grabbed Kaiya's hand and gently tugged her onto the dance floor before she could object. Nao's hands rested on her hips and he smiled down at her while they danced. She could tell by the look in his eye that she held all of his attention.

  “You are the most stunning woman in this room,” Nao said sweetly. “You should wear dresses like that more often.”

  “I can’t kick properly in dresses,” Kaiya smiled.

  “Well, maybe I’d have a chance of beating you then, if you sparred against me in a dress,” Nao said.

  Nao’s mouth descended toward hers. When their lips touched, Kaiya was startled by the intensity of Nao's kiss. Unaware of Nao’s surprise that she was letting him kiss her, she encouraged him by deepening the kiss. Nao was a good enough kisser, there was a slight spark there. Nothing like the spark she had with Lawso though. No, she would not think about Lawso now! She needed to get him out of her head. Kaiya kissed Nao back even more urgently in an attempt to vanquish Lawso from her mind. She was unaware that their kiss was captured on another patron's Mobile phone camera.

  ***

  Later, the four of them left the nightclub together. While they were being chauffeured back to Kaiya and Mariko's shared apartment, Kaiya was contemplating letting Nao come upstairs with her. Kaiya's phone started ringing while they were in transit and she realised it was her father.

  “Hello father-”

  “Kaiya, I know you’re out on the town.”

  She grimaced as she detected anger in Tatsuya's voice.

  “We are completely ready to go tomorrow, you don’t need to worry,” Kaiya tried to reassure him.

  "Your plans are pushed forward to tonight,” Tatsuya commanded. “Tadao is aware of my intention to go after the chip. You have been spotted having a night off so he will send his ninjas in there tonight. Get your team out there within the hour and secure that chip."

  Kaiya was barely able to acknowledge Tatsuya’s command before he terminated the call. Rolling her eyes, she signed loudly. This was typical of her father and exactly why they had all only had one or two drinks at the bar. Hopefully, for Mariko's sake her father had not been told that Mariko had been kissing Kazuo. Kaiya turned toward the others.

  "Party is over. Father wants the chip now and we might have company from Tadao’s ninjas. Make some calls Kazuo. I'll take Mariko upstairs and grab those on shift to meet you guys at the rendezvous point in forty minutes."

  Mariko looked openly disappointed. Kaiya noticed with amusement that Nao did too.

  “Good, I’d prefer to go after it tonight. I’m done waiting,” Kazuo said.

  Kazuo looked excited to go after the chip and Kaiya knew just how he felt. Kaiya and Kazuo understood each other’s passion for danger and purposeful violence.

  “I’m more than ready too,” Kaiya said. “See you both shortly.”

  As Kaiya and Mariko exited the car, Kaiya realised that she would have let Nao come up to their apartment, had there not been a change of plan.

  Tatsuya owned the whole top three floors of the skyscraper that Kaiya and Marika lived in, and had had each floor converted into three excessively large luxury apartments. Tatsuya kept the top floor to himself. Although, it was mostly vacant because he primarily resided in his mansion on the other side of Tokyo. The girls shared the middle floor and the lower floor was kept for the other ninjas in their clan. The security was tight and Kaiya was confident that the top three floors could not be breached. Their ninja clan were always aware of when the sisters arrived home due to their camera surveillance. There were also always two ninjas placed on duty in the corridor outside their apartment, a safeguard that Tatsuya insisted on.

  Kaiya stopped on the security floor on their way up, to let her selected team of ninja's know that they were about to extract the chip.

  "Meet me at our vehicles in ten minutes, we’re going after the chip now," she told those of her selected team who were present.

  The ninjas scrambled to get ready. Kazuo would phone the other ninjas needed tonight. He was in charge of the roster so he would know who was already upstairs.

  As the girls entered their massive apartment, they nodded politely at the two ninjas outside their door who were on duty that night. Once inside Mariko poured herself a glass of wine. Mariko headed off to the hot tub to attempt to calm her nerves, knowing her sister and boyfriend would risk their lives tonight.

  Kaiya ran to her room to change into her tight black ninja outfit, rapidly braid her hair and attach her weapons to her body. When Kaiya emerged she ducked her head into the room with the hot tub.

  “I’m heading off now, Mari.”

  “Wow,” Mariko's mouth dropped open, as she assessed how deadly her younger sister appeared.

  Kaiya was dressed completely in black with only her eyes showing under her black ninja hood. Fitted armoured plates covered her chest and back, and metal guards graced her wrists and shins. Two samurai swords were attached to her back, and her silenced MP5 automatic sub-machine gun was slung in her front webbing. Her ninja stars were also hidden in her webbing but not visible to Mariko. Mariko could see Kaiya's combat knife holstered to her right ankle and an ammunition pouch holstered to her left thigh. Kaiya also wore a black bracelet on her left wrist, which was actually a GPS homing device.

  Mariko herself, would not know how to use any of those weapons and was beyond amazed by how deadly Kaiya was. It was almost comical how very different the two sisters were. But regardless of their differences, they had always been close and loved each other dearly. Kaiya calmly waved goodbye to a stunned Mariko and took off to the lift. She headed down to the secured basement carpark level that Tatsuya also owned, which was not accessible to anyone else wh
o resided in the skyscraper.

  Kaiya found five similarly dressed male ninja's waiting downstairs next to two armoured hummers.

  “Ready to go?” Kaiya asked.

  “Yes. We are all here,” one of them answered.

  Kazuo and Nao would pick up the other two ninjas who were needed tonight. Kaiya climbed into one of the hummers and shut the door. There was a screech of tyres as the two heavy vehicles sped up out of their secure private car park level and into the night.

  Chapter 13

  The two hummers drove into an industrial warehouse one block away from their target destination. When they approached, the warehouse door lifted by remote control operation and then slowly lowered to a close once the two vehicles were inside. Kazuo's hummer was already there. He was waiting inside the dark warehouse with Nao and two other ninjas. Kaiya was aware of subtle differences between the nine men dressed completely in black. Even in the poor light she was able to tell her team a part at close range, despite not being able to see their faces. Kaiya knew she could easily be identified as a woman because there was no mistaking her curves and petite frame in her tightly fitted outfit. But she also knew that if she was captured on camera, no one could prove her identity with her face covered. Kaiya actually liked standing out from her team. She liked being the only woman. She also liked being in charge.

  The ten ninjas attached their clear coil earpieces and slipped out the side of the warehouse, and into the night. Although Kaiya was in command she split off in another direction with only Nao and two other ninjas, as planned. Their task would be to circle around the compound and enter through the rear of the well-guarded privately-owned computer science facility. Kazuo would make his own entrance, leading the other five ninjas. Once inside, Kazuo's team would split into two groups of three and take out anyone who got in their way.

  Kaiya's smaller team took longer to reach their breach point due to running a further distance around the fence line. Despite her pounding heart, she enjoyed the rush of the danger.