Seven Story Publishing

JACK THE RABBIT

Vengeance

Prologue

It was a chilly night and sky was clear as glass with star lights shining through. But dark smokes started to cover the view followed by a gunshot and a woman’s scream.

“You can’t do this to me Hizashi; let my family go at least.” Daijirō pleaded bleeding on the floor of the burning building.

“We both know I can’t do that. Vengeance is a powerful thing; I don’t want to leave any loose ends that’ll haunt my future.” Hizashi replied and shot his wife again who was barely holding on to life.

“Himari!” He cried out, “Why? Why are you doing this?” He hit his fist hard on the floor. His son Hayato was tied to a pillar near the living room. He watched, screaming and begging for mercy but they ignored him.

“Why? Because you’re a dangerous man and you know too much. Yes you’ve helped the organization a lot in dealing with difficult situations and that’s why you’re a threat to us to. The old man sends his regards, good bye old friend.” He bent over and whispered something in his ears that left him shocked and speechless. Hizashi left ignoring their screams with his team of skilled agents. He stopped to pick a call.

“Hello? Yes sir! It is done, the rabbit is dead.” He turned to Hayato who was still eight and crying his eyes out, “Don’t worry, it’ll be over soon.” He patted him on the head and left the building. The fire was getting intense; if they stayed longer they might get caught in it too. One of his men pulled out a folded chair from the car and he sat and watched them burn.

I

FUKUDA GROUP INC.

20 Years Later…

New York

“Fukuda group inc. has taken its roots in the city of New York and in the hearts of the people having revolutionized the world of medical science and technology. Their leading scientists are top notch from all corners of the world.” The channels news lady said while conducting an interview with the famous company that has done tremendously well over the past eighteen years.

In the background was a timid young scientist in glasses making his way to the third floor to continue with the research on regenerative cells. The news lady suddenly caught sight of him and drew all attention him.

“Here we have one of the junior staffs of the company. What’s your name?” She asked.

“Umm… Me… I’m… I’m Enji, a junior scientist.”

“How is it like working in the most advanced company in New York?”

“Umm… Umm… It’s, huh… It’s a dream come true I guess. I’ve worked for three years now and… and, ummm… I can say,that… that we’re truly making a difference I guess.” He replied folding his lips in and twisting his lab coat tightly.

“You guess? You don’t have to be nervous, you work in Fukuda inc. be proud of it. And in related news, the company are working on robotics. A future with flying cars is not so far away.” Veronica continued with her camera crew to a different section of the building. Enji sighed and made his way to an elevator and got in. He pushed the button but right before the doors closed, a lady quickly rushed in.

“Phew! I made it on time.” She turned to see Enji looking away and maintaining his distance. “Hi, I’m Niko and you are?” She asked.

“I… I’m Enji, ma’am.” He gulped before replying.

“NG?Engine? What kind of name is that?”

“No, E-N-J-I Enji.” He spelt it out. The elevator stopped on the third floor, “I’m getting off here.”

“Hey, I might be the daughter of your boss but don’t call me ma’am again. I’m Niko okay?”

“Yes ma’am… I mean Miss Niko, I’ll be going now.” He kept his head now and quickly walked away. Niko stayed in the elevator and got off on the fourth floor. She was the oldest daughter of the president of the company.

“What are you doing here?” June, her younger sister asked as soon as Niko walked into the lab and pulled her to a corner.

“Our father owns the company; you don’t have to work with them you know.” She said openly pointing at the lead scientists with her finger wiggling at them.

“Don’t point at them like that. Come; let’s talk in Dad’s office.” June walked her out of the lab and they entered the elevator to the fifth floor. “You don’t normally come to the company, what happened?”

“Director Edward Castillo is dead, along with his wife and kids.” Niko said getting all serious. She pulled out her phone and showed her a picture of the murder scene.

“What? How’s that possible? We upgraded the security on all the directors after the last attack. Who did it?”

“Who else? It’s the rabbit of course. He has declared war on the Fukuda family and their associates, it’s clear he won’t stop till we’re all dead. I wonder if he was hired or if it’s personal. Anyway, Dad has called us to him office to brief us on everything.” She slid her phone back into her little purse. June couldn’t believe her ears, it was the third attack that month, if nothing is done he would eventually come for them. Ding! The elevator stopped at the fifth floor and both sisters got off and into the long hallway leading to largest office at the end of it. On both sides of the walls were framed pictures of the Fukuda family leaders, associates and their greatest accomplishments. Both sisters had always dreamt of seeing their own portraits on those walls but would have to settle for a family picture on their father’s desk.

“Do you think he’s bothered by it?” June asked.

“He’s the president of Fukuda Inc. Once he puts he’s mind to it, this issue will be resolved immediately.” She replied. They both stepped into the office and found him nose deep in his computer. They stood there for a moment waiting for him notice them but it seemed he’s mind was far gone.

“Dad? Are you okay?” Niko asked, drawing his attention away from the system. He looked up to see his two beautiful girls, one in a sexy super model outfit and the other in a lab coat, glasses and her hair tied up.

“Oh girls! You’re finally here, it’s been a while since the three of us got together. I’m

fine Niko, don’t worry.” He replied.

“Dad cut to the chase, what are we doing about the rabbit? I mean he killed heavily guarded executives in less than a month on his own. That’s a huge insult to our family, we have to…”

“Calm down baby girl, daddy’s got everything under control, there’s nothing to worry about.” He reassured her but June wasn’t convinced.

“Are you sure about that? You seem very distracted, that’s not like you.” June pointed out. She walked closer to his desk reaching for his laptop but he quickly slapped it shut and dragged it close to him.

“It’ not what it looks like, you don’t know if I’m watching something private? You girls don’t want to see that do you?” He pulled the laptop closer to his chest, holding it tightly.

“I doubt that, it’s probably him. But I don’t want to take the gamble, it might be private stuff. You were so engrossed in it earlier. So there was no point in us meeting at all then?” June asked pissed.

“Calm down, I just wanted to see my girls. Niko is hardly around and June you are so deep in your work in the lab that I can’t even see you when I come in. How about this, let’s go out for dinner tonight just the three of us and catch up.” He said.

“Yeah sure, I guess I got time. We’ll meet you at the restaurant at eight, don’t be late Dad. Let’s go June.” They left the office and headed back to the elevator. “You don’t actually believe things are fine?”

“Of course not! This rabbit guy has even him shaken up; we have to fix it ourselves.” June replied.

He opened the laptop again stares intensely at the screen with his fingers interlocked. He’s mind was running to different places, it just doesn’t make sense. He hit the enter key again replaying the camera footage on the night of the night of Director Edward’s death. Each time he paused when the rabbit looked straight into the camera.

“The job was done well so how could this happen? Can it really be you? Hayato!” He muttered, “Are you here for vengeance? Don’t make me kill my best friend’s on again, I can’t that pain again.” Hizashi slammed the laptop shut and leaned backwards on his chair. “Daijirō, you decided to burden your boy with avenging you, we both know how it’ll end old friend. He’s going to have to die.”

II

Hayato Arai

“I’ve got another guy you can go out with; I think he might be the one finally!” Niko shrieked in excitement, June walks faster trying to avoid her. “Wait up! June!!” She hurried trying to catch up, “We’re just looking out for you. You need to find yourself a man.”

“You and dad have to drop this already. I don’t need a relationship;I need to focus more on my work. I’m getting really close to fixing those patients affected by the XK-24, it’ll be good for our company’s name if we could pull this off and it will draw attention away from Edward’s death.” She tucked her hands into her pockets and went up to her apartment. Niko ran after with her phone, glasses on the right and a bunch of shopping bags on the other hand.

“At least find out who he is first before making your mind.” She quickly crashed into the elevator with her, “Look…” She slams her phone in her face trying to show her his picture with the clothes and shopping bags scattered all over the place.

“Get off me! Act like an adult for once Niko, huh!!” She sighed and after a moment of silence and the two sisters staring at each other, she finally gave and glanced at the picture. “Doesn’t he work with us?” She asked and Niko quickly nodded. They picked themselves up and she hit the button for the sixth floor. The doors slowly shut and it started moving.

“He’s name is Enji and he’s a nerd like you, I can tell he hasn’t dated before and he respects women. You two will get along nicely and added bonus, since he’s a scientist too, he could help you cure the XK-24 victims.” They got off the elevator and she walked her to her door.

“If I agree to go out him would you leave me alone?” June asked.

“I promise, I will never get in between two love birds,” She replied and quickly ran past June into the apartment.

“You are so annoying!” June sighed and sluggishly entered.

20 Years Ago

Daijirō’s burning house.

The fire was spreading quickly; Hayato had inhaled a lot of smoke and could pass out anytime. Daijirō, whose legs were cut off desperately tried to crawl to his son before the whole house falls apart but halfway there, a burning wood fell right on his back, Hayato watched his father cough up a lot of blood.

“If only I was strong enough.” He echoed in his head while trying to stay awake. Daijirō kept trying to say something but more blood kept shooting out. Hayato couldn’t even cry anymore, he kept coughing till he passed out.

His eyes flickered as he regained consciousness but something was wrong, he was moving. He was too weak to move, he didn’t know who was dragging him across the floor boards. He forced himself to look up and he saw his mother who was already riddled with bullets still forcing herself to move just to save him.

“Mu…M…Mum…” He muttered.

“Shhh, save your strength.” She said slowly panting. She got to a corner of the house and opened a hatchet that Daijirō had built as an emergency escape route for the kids if anything happened, considering his lie of work, he knew something would eventually go wrong. Daijirō stretched his hands towards them and muttered his name before dying. Tears ran down his face, he gripped her blood stained dress tightly as she forced him down the tube, he opened his mouth but words were crumbling at the tip of his tongue.

“We’re already dead but you have to live, live Hayato!” She shoved him down and closed the hatchet. With tears in her eyes, she smiled and laid there laughing, reminiscing about the past and the time they shared together. Shortly after, the whole house came down and they were burnt to a crisp.

He kept sliding for hours in the tube, crying his eyes out as loud as he could. Daijirō had made the underground tube so long; it went from his house past two towns and finally connects to a city’s sewers. Splash! He fell head first into the dirty pool of water in the sewer; it was infested with huge black rats and cockroaches scouring for food. He laid in the waste crying for a few more hours and passed out.

“Hi, are you okay?” A female voice said beside him stroking his hair.

“I… Ich… Ichika.” He muttered weakly, opened his eyes for a moment and passed out again. He was in some stranger’s house and remained uneasy.

“Who’s Ichika? His mum?” The woman asked her husband who happened to find him in the sewer and brought him home. The couple had no kids of their own and so decided to take care of him. He recovered nicely within a month but had trouble speaking; the couples needed a name for him. After much consideration, they called him Jack taken from a story book; Jack the rabbit and friends, which he kept with him at all times. The family of three were happy but they can’t help but worry about Jack who seemed disassociated from reality. He refused to school and stayed home watching TV and reading on his own.

A year and half later, the couple returned to find Jack missing along with their savings. He left a note which read:

“Thank you for everything, sorry about the money. Jack.”

Worried about the eight year old, they reported to the local police station but they waited 24hrs before declaring the boy missing. A sketch artist was brought to make a missing persons poster of the boy based on the couple’s description since it seemed Jack had

destroyed all pictures of him the couple had taken. The sketch wasn’t very accurate because the couple hardly saw him despite living under the same roof.

III

THE DATE

Ring! Ring!! Hizashi’s phone rang non-stop. He already knew who was calling and was hoping to avoid it till things were settled. He sighed and picked the call, it was mostly quiet for the first 30 seconds and it scared Hizashi, he stood in front of the glass wall in his office and starred at nothing while waiting to hear his voice.

“Mmm! Hizashi, why aren’t you talking?” The old man said. He gulped and inhaled deeply trying to answer, “Don’t bother, I’ll do the talking. You said the Arai family was completely killed so tell me, why is there a punk running around in a rabbit mask killing my business associates?” He yelled.

“You see the thing is…”

“I told you not to speak! Hizashi, I could’ve sent anyone to handle Daijirō but I knew how strong he was that’s why I sent you my son, his best friend to take him out. Sure if I sent high class assassins after him, they might succeed but the casualties would be big on my part and the organization might end up being exposed.” He paused for a while.

“You don’t seem to understand the bloodline of the Arai clan. There’s a myth saying they are harbour the spirit of death in their blood. Daijirō was the perfect assassin but that’s just the problem, if he turned against us then we would be helpless. I thought I already explained this to you? No survivors!” He suddenly started coughing heavily and a bunch footstep rushed in calling out to him.

“Dad! What’s happening?” He asked hoping someone there would pick up the phone and answer him.

“Hello sir? Yes, the Chairman had a seizure but we’re here with him sir. He’s taking his medications as scheduled and…” One of his personal doctors said but the Chairman interrupted.

“Give me the damn phone!” Doctor Hart quickly handed him the phone on his right hand while the nurses checked his blood pressure and injected him with a few fluids on his left arm.

“Hizashi, we can’t afford for this to get out of hand, the press are already taking

notice of the deaths. We don’t have time to find out if any of the Arai clan survived, search New York and kill any Japanese male within the ages 20-28. That’s the only solution. Send our rabbit after him and don’t fail this time or I’ll have your head instead of the rabbit’s.” He hung up, laid back on him comfy chair in his study and started smoking, with each puff he relived old memories he didn’t want to dig up.

Hizashi was in a state of panic but tried to maintain his composure. Killing all the Japanese men that fell within the age bracket would draw the attention of the public and the rabbit will be more alert and cautious. He had to be careful, any wrong move and it is all over.

“Hey! June? I’ve been texting you all day, what’s going on.” Niko barged into the lab as usual. June sighed and walked her out of the lab to more private place to talk, her office. They both sat down and spent about a minute staring at each other.

“Well?”

“All day is a bit of a stretch, it’s eleven in the morning.”

“Nobody cares, what about Enji? Have you talked to him? When’s the date?” Niko asked completely ignoring every other thing.

“I’m his boss’s daughter, you can’t force these things. It has to happen naturally, you know.”

“All you had to do was just say hi and let the rest play out.” Niko sighed. Someone suddenly knocked on the door.

“I’m not expecting anyone, who could it be.” June suddenly noticed a grin on Niko’s face, “What did you do?”

“I’m a force of nature.” She smiled, “Come in!” She called out and Enji walked in looking confused. “Enji! We met a few days back, do you remember?” She asked him casually.

“ Yes ma’am, I mean Niko. I got your text to come up to this office for an emergency, what’s wrong.” He asked.

“Don’t mind my sister, everything is fine. You can …”

“Nothing is fine Enji!” She said dramatically and held on to Enji’s lab coat fake crying. “It’s a love emergency!” She shouted embarrassing June, “She needs a date, can you take her?” She asked in a low tone.

“Niko!”June yelled in a fit of rage.

“Umm… I… I would love to. Miss June is very… umm… very pretty, if you’ll have me I

promise to be worth your time.” Enji replied with his head facing the ground. Niko turned to June smiling brightly.

“What a gentleman, I’m sorry for my methods but don’t turn him down. Please?” Niko begged. She looked at the humble man, sighed and accepted.

“I’ll text you the address of the restaurant. Eight O’clock sharp, if I wait for 3 minutes and you’re not there I’ll leave. Tomorrow night?” June suggested.

“No! You don’t have any plans, go tonight, and enjoy yourself June.” Niko cut in and after much consideration she accepted to meet up with Enji at Milestone restaurant and visible smile grew on Enji neutral face.

Milestone Restaurant…

7:25 PM

June got off and gave her keys to a vale to pack the car for her. She stood at the entrance for a while trying to prepare herself for what might happen next. She had come earlier than eight and decided to wait and prep herself. Niko helped her pick out an outfit that was so dazzling other men entering the restaurant couldn’t take their eyes off her. She stepped in and suddenly saw a hand waving at her from a table near the window. It was Enji, she quickly made her way to him but he dressed casually.

“Wow, that’s… just wow.” Enji thought out loud. June suddenly felt embarrassed for being overly dressed.

“I knew this was a bad idea.” She quickly tied up her hair and turned around to leave but Enji held her back, “I know you’re only doing because my father owns the company but you really don’t have to pretend to be ok with this setup.”

“N… No Miss June, you’re mistaken. I was surprised because you looked amazing and well dressed and I look… well, I look like this. I want to be here that’s why I came early to prepare myself and so I don’t mistakenly make you wait. Please, have dinner with me.” He pulled out a chair for her. She was a bit relieved and sat down.

“You can let down your hair, you look amazing either way.” He said and untied her hair letting her long black hair loose. She was a bit nervous but in less than an hour he made her comfortable and June was happy to be herself with him.

“Okay so what’s your favourite superhero cinematic universe?” June asked while they ate sushi.

“I would say… Marvel, I love Marvel. DC is good but I prefer Marvel, they’re more practical. DC is full of magic, it’s very unnatural” He said but looked up to see June disappointed, “What happened?” He stopped chewing.

“How can you say that? DC has more powerful heroes and villains; they can easily wipe out Marvel’s universe. The justice league is enough even, Superman can do it alone as well.” She defended.

“I disagree. Scarlet Witch alone will destroy the DC multiverse, Doctor Strange too, hell even Spiderman could do it.” He said laughing. June had never seen him laugh, he looked cute, he was always nervous but he seemed free now.

“Now you’re just being a kid, Spiderman? Really?” They both broke out in laughter. Her phone started ringing; it was Hizashi so she excused herself and went to the restroom.

“Hello Dad, this is not a good time, I’m …”

“Listen June, we have narrowed the rabbit’s identity down to a Japanese male around 20 – 28. Your sister told me you’re on a date with one of our scientists, Enji, he fits the description. He might be the rabbit and probably playing you to get more information or access to our family.” Hizashi said.

“How can you say that? He seems like a decent guy…”

“You’re already falling for him. Think June, be rational about this. What best way to destroy your enemy than to get close enough to deliver a finishing blow. Of course I might be wrong but we can’t afford any mistake. Investigate him and find out if he’s the enemy but be careful, if he is, he would be hard to take on alone. Have fun on your date, I love you.” Hizashi hung up. She walked out of the restroom and stared at Enji who was waving at her again, wondering how he could be a cold blooded killer. She sat back down.

“He can’t possibly be the rabbit can he? But then again he could be a great actor and this Enji character is the perfect disguise…” She was lost in her thoughts staring into space.

“June? Are you with me?” He asked waving at her.

“What?” She came to her senses.

“I just gave a detailed explanation of how Spiderman could defeat DC, weren’t you listening?”

“I’m sorry, I got lost for a moment there. Let’s order more food.” She called the waitress and they placed their orders.

IV

The Hunt

“You already know what to do, be discreet and leave no evidence.” Hizashi hung up and gave a sigh of relief and sat down more relaxed now staring out the glass wall of his office. It slowly started raining, he couldn’t help but wonder if Hayato was really back, if he was

actually one of his employees.

“I had a good time Enji, thanks for tonight.” June said and pecked him on the cheek. They both went outside and saw the weather was getting worse.

“I would offer to take you home but…” The valet suddenly brings her car over, “It seems you drove here and… I don’t… ummm… I don’t have a car.” He said bowing his head again. June started laughing and got her key from the Valet.

“You’re funny, I like you.” She said with a smile, “Please don’t be the rabbit; all I can do now is prove your innocence.” She thought to herself. “Want a ride?” She asked.

“No, no…” He laughed nervously stroking his head, “I’ll go by taxi, I’m sure you have other important things to do.”

“Okay, good night!” She said. The Valet helped her with an umbrella till she entered the car. Enji quickly rushed into the rain to her window, she lowered the glass and saw a desperate look on his face but he tried to mask it with a laugh.

“What is he planning?” She kept thinking.

“Umm… Miss June, I know you said you had a good time but I hope it wasn’t a lie. I umm… I… like you too; can we do this again sometime?” He asked standing in the rain with a smile on his face.

“Yes, I would love that.” They both smiled and she drove off.

“I really should’ve brought an umbrella.” He muttered sadly and entered the rain after waiting 20 minutes before seeing a taxi. He walked a good distance before hitching a ride back to his apartment.

The next day he came to work looking horrible and sleep deprived. June kept an exclusive watch on him with the CCTV cameras. Niko walked in on her completely focused on Enji.

“What are you doing? Stalking him after your first date? That’s creepy.” Niko said and sat down on a long sofa in the office with her legs crossed.

“It’s not like that. The date went so well, I don’t want him to be the rabbit because…”

“Because you love him?” Niko said waiting to see her reaction.

“No, no… No of course not. No, I just think he’s a good guy.” She said blushing.

“That’s a lot of ‘No’s’. You definitely like him. But if he’s the rabbit then that’s a big problem. Dad’s methods of doing things aredifferent from yours but I managed to convince him to let you investigate Enji.” Niko said and sighed.

“I called him to see why he’s been so tired all day. He’s probably going to lie; maybe

he was up all night digging up his next victim.” Niko said but before June could react, Enji walked in dragging his feet.

“Enji? You’re here. Why do you look like that?” June asked concerned.

“*Sniff* Umm… After you left, I umm… I wasn’t able to get a taxi so I walked under the for a while. I got a taxi later on but somehow I caught a cold, I promise it won’t affect my work performance though.” He coughed and sneezed, breathing through his mouth.

“I know it’s not contagious but I can’t be here, there’s mucus coming from his nose. Eww!” Niko got up quickly and ran out.

“I’m really sorry about this Miss June, I should have carried an umbrella or have better immunity, I…”

“Lie down.” June said, she grabbed him the shoulders and guided him to the sofa, “You don’t have to be sorry about anything, you got rid of my annoying sister so it’s ok but you should have accepted my offer then to drive you home.” She got a blanket and covered him.

“Is this really okay, I mean… I shouldn’t be here and…” She pressed her finger against his lips and hushed him.

“Will you be my boyfriend?” She asked him out of the blue with her face screaming ‘Say Yes Please.’ He opened his mouth to answer but ended sneezing on her.

“I’m so sorry, sorry. I’m sorry, I wanted to say yes. I understand if you fired me.” He jumped up and bowed his head in shame. Instead of getting angry she suddenly started laughing which frightened Enji more. He broke out in a nervous laughter himself with his eyes darting round the room looking for the nearest escape route.

“Stay here; I’ll go get you a hot soup and some drugs.” She left him there alone. He laid there looking at the ceiling wondering what type of luck he had to have survived sneezing on his employer’s daughter’s face.

“Maybe she’s in love with me.” He thought out loud to himself, “No that can’t be. She’s amazing and I covered her in snot. She probably going to get a knife and stab me to death in her office without anyone knowing.”

Weeks later after their first date, June had been scarce and Enji wondered if she had forgotten about him or probably avoiding him. It was a Saturday morning and he didn’t have to come in for work so he sat on his couch and turned on his TV to take his mind off June ghosting him.

“Breaking News, the number of the XK-24 victims is skyrocketing and has reached an

all time high. It’s not just in New York but in other states of America, the drug known as XK-24 has been said to be very addictive and has multiple side effects including death if the victim does not get another dose in 48 hours. A single tablet is enough to drive someone crazy.” Reporter Jennifer Crew said.

“I can’t believe some people are still buying it after knowing this.” Enji muttered.

“Some of the victims have claimed to have no knowledge of consuming the lethal drug while the rest gave reasons such as depression, pain, escape. We are live at the Fukuda Grand Welfare Clinic where the daughter of the president of Fukuda Inc. and leading scientist in the search for the XK-24 cure, June Fukuda, is desperately trying to save as many people as she could. Tell us June, what do you think of this devastating situation?” Jennifer asked her handing her a microphone and the camera turned to her.

“June!” Enji exclaimed jumping to his feet. “She has been at the Welfare Clinic all this time? How could I have been so stupid, I have to go see her and help out.” He started getting dressed and rushed out immediately.

“Some of the victims appeared to have been drugged with XK-24 without knowing. This is some sort of sick game by the owners of the drug or some powerful idiot. I don’t know what their aim is or if they’re just playing with human lives. It’s kind of ironic, to keep them alive we have to keep giving them a certain amount of the XK-24 or else they’ll die. We’re just poisoning them and prolonging the inevitable.” June said sweating and panting. She hasn’t slept well in days. While the news was still ongoing, an ambulance brought in three more victims who were having seizures and amongst them was Enji who collapsed on his way to June. June left Jennifer and the news crew and helped rush them in.

“Isn’t that Enji? They got him too? Who’s supplying this much XK?” Niko asked.

“Can you keep a secret Niko? It’s me; I drugged everyone with it including Enji. It’s the only way to find the rabbit. So June doesn’t suspect me, I drugged other people who weren’t Japanese. This is a war and I’ll fight it with everything I’ve got and in any way possible as long as I win.” Hizashi said with watching the news with Niko in his office.

V

Jack the Rabbit

“He really thought that kind of cheap trick would work. Hizashi, you just made a big mistake by showing your fear and desperation.” Jack chuckled sipping a glass of scotch. He stood on the torch of the statue of liberty and watched the city of New York’s slow descent into chaos.

“You’re right to be afraid; I’ll make sure nothing is left of the Fukuda clan even if it kills me.” He muttered to himself.

“This is a whole new level even for you Dad. June really likes that guy; you’re putting a lot on her plate. I understand why you did what you did but…”

“She’s my daughter, she can handle it. It looks bad yes but on the bright side, one of those addicts is the rabbit and sales of XK-24 couldn’t have been higher. Every hospital and clinic in America is buying it and the public is okay with it as long as it’s for a good reason.” Hizashi said to Niko and pour her some wine. He kept the bottle on the table and sat down across from Niko. It was already late but Niko got a text from June saying she would stay the night at the hospital again and watch over Enji and the rest.

“How did you even drug Enji? When did you drug him?” Niko asked.

“It would make sense if the rabbit was one of the 5 young Japanese scientists here so I gave them a much bigger dose than the rest. There’s a camera in June’s office, I was watching the whole time.” Hizashi replied.

“You know that’s a bit perverted right?” Niko pointed out.

“June ordered a hot soup for him since she was busy and went to the lab while waiting for the delivery; I had someone intercept the delivery and mix in the XK-24 into it. Even the drugs she sent for where XK, some of it though. I watched and made sure he took it all in.”

“That’s way too much Dad. Okay now you got everyone addicted but how are you going to find out who the rabbit is? The XK-24 won’t kill you immediately; won’t they just keep taking it till their bodies eventually give up?” Niko takes a sip trying to understand Hizashi’s thoughts.

“You can live with XK-24 but the more you use it the less you are likely to live longer and if you don’t take it, you will die within 48 hours or more. The spasms victim experience when they miss a dose of the XK-24 is an indescribable pain. Anyone would kill to stop it, so if the rabbit or someone who knows something about him is there, he would definitely talk.” Hizashi said and gulped up his glass.

“And what if they don’t say anything despite the pain? Doesn’t that mean they know nothing?” Niko asked drinking a fair amount of win.

“Huh!” He reached for the bottle and started drinking, “I’ll admit, I didn’t think this plan through. Normally a normal person would even lie about knowing something about the rabbit to stop the pain but if they really don’t know anything then they die. The XK-24 will be blamed.” Hizashi said staring into a void while drowning himself with alcohol. Niko understood the pressure he was under, everything he had built for more than 20 years could collapse in front of him.

“I’ll help with the extraction. I know how I can get them out of the hospital with June’s approval, text me the location and I’ll bring them there. I’ll be going now.” She got up

to leave but Hizashi, already drunk quickly ran to her. He held her by the shoulders and looked deep into her eyes.

“You can stay the night here, there’s plenty of room. This is your home too.”

“Don’t worry Dad, I have to make arrangements for tomorrows extraction, I’ll be fine.” She said with a smile on her face.

“Thank you Niko, for everything.” He suddenly hugged her, “You ARE my daughter.” He embraced her warmly; tears broke through and ran down Niko’s face. “I’m happy you are mine.”

“*Sniff* Dad stop, I have to go now, take care of yourself.” He let go of her and she quickly walked out trying to hide her tears. Hizashi stood at the corner of a window and watched her cry for a while in her car before driving off. He sighed and opened up another bottle and got wasted. He eventually slept off on the couch with a half emptied bottle of liquor in his hand.

The next day, Niko appear at the Welfare Clinic to see June and Enji. The place was already crowded and they were short staffed. Civilians who were concerned volunteered to help out and there were too many shifts to cover. Some of the patients had self inflicted injuries and several organ failures. The XK-24 affects everyone differently at first but at a certain level, the symptoms are very similar and results in death.

“Morning, Hi, damn this place is not for the Fukuda princess. June, when last did you looked in a mirror?” Niko asked as she waltzed in with two cups of coffee. The room was supposed to be private but Enji shared it with 2 other patients and their family.

“I’m a scientist and a doctor Niko; I don’t have time for that. This is much bigger than us.” Niko replied staring at Enji was fast asleep.

“You’re the one handling the XK-24 cure research. If you die while working your ass of here, they will all die. You can’t save anyone if you can’t save yourself. I’m here as your substitute, so get some sleep or go to the lab and continue the research, just go far away from here, it’s depressing. I can handle it, I’m very positive. I’ve got a doctor willing to run some scans on them and help minimize the effects of the drugs.” Niko said while she sat down next to Enji and the patients along with their family urged June to look after herself too.

“Huh!” She sighed, “Call me when Enji wakes up okay.” June said and gave Enji a peck on the cheek before leaving. Niko quickly called her agents as soon as she confirmed that June was gone and they took some of the patients, mostly the Japanese men away to an unknown location under the pretext of creating more room in the Clinic and giving them better treatment.

Hizashi was already at the secret location and all the patients were locked up in different

rooms except for the non-Japanese patients who were attended to by real doctors in a separate location. The patients slowly woke up one by one and found themselves in an isolated room with no windows or doors, just a single light bulb above them. A voice started talking to them through a speaker that was implanted in each room. Secret cameras were also put in place and all the rooms were monitored at the control centre where Hizashi and his agents were.

“Hayato, can you hear me?” Hizashi said through the speakers but his voice sounded differently to avoid recognition. “How did you escape the fire that night?”

“What… What fire?”

“Who’s Hayato?”

“Where am I?”

Each of the patients locked up had the same reaction; they were confused and had no idea what the stranger was asking them. Some were claustrophobic and started panicking while the rest kept trying to find a way out. The rooms were constructed in a way that it can only be opened from the outside.

“One of you is Hayato and I’ll figure out who.” Hizashi thought to himself, “You received a small dose of the XK-24 yesterday morning to keep you from having seizures or any other side effects of lack of the drug but it has already been 24 hours since then so by my calculations you should start having your episodes soon. If you tell me what you know about the rabbit or Hayato, I’ll quickly send someone in to give you another dose. If you prove stubborn or play dumb then you’ll just have to endure the pain till it kills you.” He said to them.

One by one, they each started screaming in pain and rolling on the ground. Enji felt his head was about to explode, he started banging his head against the wall but it seemed they were fortified with soft materials making it hard for them to inflict pain on themselves which usually reduces the XK-24’s effects but damages their bodies more. If they were to be taken back to the Clinic, Niko can easily create an excuse without anything contradicting it. Hizashi sat there watched them scream in pain, begging for one of the most dangerous drugs in the country.

“This would be over if you just told me what you knew!” He yelled at them but they kept screaming and ramming their heads into the walls. After two hours of nothing but pain, a few agreed to speak but when asked what Hayato’s last name was, they all got it wrong, even the names of the rabbit’s victims were unknown to them. While still watching them, an agent ran in breathing heavily.

“Sir, Mr. Richard Coldwater died in an explosion with his family. An inside footage from one of his security cameras is being broadcasted in the news.” Agent Gosly said. They

handed him a tablet and with the news station on. His phone started ringing, it was Niko.

“Dad, are you watching this?”

“Yes, it must be the rabbit again.” He hung and focused on the news. The footage showed Mr. Coldwater’s daughter entering her father’s private study with a big coloured egg in her hand escorted in by his wife and two guards.

“What is that you’re holding?” Mr. Richard asked with a smile on his face as he sat her on his lap.

“It’s a gift got you Daddy.” She said sweetly.

“Oh! Who is it from? You? Mummy?” He asked laughing along with his wife.

“It’s from the Easter Bunny!” She screamed happily, immediately the words left her mouth, the egg exploded and everyone in the room died including the 5 year old girl.

“Another footage was received from an anonymous source which showed a man in a rabbit mask handing the egg to the girl yesterday around 11:00pm in her room last night. No one knows who this cold hearted killer is but several authorities have connected him to the chain of murders that occurred in the past 2 years.” Reporter Mavis said live at the scene of the explosion. Hizashi was left without a word but just then his phone rang, thinking it was Niko, he quickly answered the call.

“Niko, the rabbit is clearly declaring a war on us and he is no longer hiding in the shadows.” Hizashi blurted out.

“Yes he is, hello Hizashi Fukuda.” A male voice replied.

“Who is this?”

“I’m jack, you’ve probably heard of me but know me as Jack the rabbit.” Jack replied slightly chuckling.

“You, you’ve been doing this. Jack, that’s just an alias, I know you’re Hayato!”

“I’ve only killed bad people and a few innocents were collateral damage, you’re worse than me. Hayato Arai is dead Hizashi but I Jack, will avenge him and his family who died that night in the fire.” Jack replied, “You almost drugged all of America in attempt to catch me, I’m always on step ahead of you. Your clan and its allies will die at my hands.”

“Hayato you can’t… Hello? Hayato! He hung up.” He smashed both his phone and tablet on the ground in a fit of rage. He turned back to the monitors and slowly began to doubt if any of them was Hayato. But he still needed to be sure just in case any of them was working with him. He sat there and continued to observe them. In less than five hours, 3 men died with their rooms. They had screamed uncontrollably with rushing out their

mouths, nose and eyeballs.

VI

ENJI

Enji woke up back at the Clinic with a splitting headache; his vision was a bit blurred. He tried to get up and look around but someone quickly grabbed a hold of him and laid him back on the bed.

“Where am I?” He asked.

“You’re at the clinic, get some rest. June is on her way.” Niko said and sat with him. Niko then went ahead to tell him why he was there and how badly it has affected even June who went back to the lab to continue her research rather than taking a break. Minutes later June rushed into the room and quickly hugged Enji.

“You’re finally wake! That was a long sleep.” June said happily.

“What are you talking about? I was awake yesterday morning I think. I was in this room and a voice kept asking me if I…”

“You were just hallucinating.” Niko cut in, “I took a few of the patients to a different facility to receive treatment. Some died because their body was already beat down and most of the patients had shared hallucination. XK-24 can affect a hug number of people with exactly the same effect.” Niko said quickly covering up her tracks, June backed up her claim on the drug since she had been at the clinic for weeks. Niko left them alone to catch up; the room was emptied now because half of the patients were moved to a different location which is an actual institution and not the secret asylum where they were before.

“I actually thought you didn’t want to see me again after I… Umm… I sneezed on you” He said nervously with his head down.

“Can we not talk about you covering me in mucus? I’m glad this happened to you.” June apologized; her minded started to wonder, thinking the rabbit might have done all this to throw them of his scent.

“This doesn’t count as our second date does it?” He asked nervously. She chuckled and disagreed. “By the way Fukuda Grand Welfare Clinic is a long name for a hospital.”

“I know right but it’s already registered so the damage has been done.” They both laughed and continued to talk.

Niko met up with Hizashi at a hotel to go over their next course of action. She got to room 301 and inside was her nervous father. She walked in and sat down trying to analyze the situation just from looking at him.

“So it’s safe to assume the rabbit is not among them?” Niko asked.

“I was almost certain it was Enji then the explosion and the phone call.” Hizashi said staring at the floor of the room.

“Wait, what phone call?”

“He called me, he said his name was Jack and assured me he wasn’t Hayato but he was going to avenge the Arai clan.”He stood up and stated pacing about, “What connection does he have to Hayato or his family? He could have had someone make the phone call and visit Mr. Coldwater, but if it was actually him then we’ve got a big problem, I ran a background check on him but there was nothing on him. He’s a ghost, a ghost of the Arai clan.”

“There’s not much we can do trying to figure things out here, he’s obviously one step ahead of us so we have no choice but to bait him and end him once and for all.” Niko suggested. Hizashi loved her idea, just then his phone rang, it was the Chairman.

“Hizashi, why are you wasting time? I was happy when I heard the XK was selling well, even the public are authorized to buy it but then I see Richard’s blown to smithereens and a video of the rabbit. If you won’t end this then I’ll come to New York and settle it.” He barked and hung up while coughing. Hizashi exhaled and started working on a plan with Niko.

Enji later discharged along with a few others who showed they could live a while longer by continuous intake of the drug. He went out with June on a proper second date, everything was going well again for Enji and he spent more time with June at the Clinic helping out others who aren’t as lucky as he was since they needed other chemicals and machines to keep them alive till a cure is found.

For their 3^rd date, they decided to see the statue of liberty and other interesting places in New York. A whole day for them to relax and enjoy themselves, on the both Enji was different from his usual self, he seemed more confident. He looked over at June, their eyes met and she smiled but he had a no expression on his face. He then proceeded to ignore her, she was shocked, Enji always looked her with adoration like she was a goddess but this man completely didn’t care. She brushed it off as Enji being too shy but when they got to the statue, Enji kept smiling and waving at her.

“Are you okay?” She asked.

“Yeah of course, a little headache but I’m good. It’s weird.”

“What is?” She asked him as he kept looking around the statue.

“This is definitely my first time coming here but it feels so familiar. I’ve been here before.” He said looking so certain. June had no idea what was actually happening to him but she decided to stay with him and figure it out.

“Or maybe it’s the XK?” June suggested.

“Yeah, maybe.” They decided to take their minds off the drug and work and just see how the day goes.

It was getting late, June once again offered to drive him home but he tried to decline but she refused and insisted. As much as she would hate to admit it, she didn’t know much about Enji even though they agree on a lot of things, there was still a world of mystery shielding him. She had fallen for him and wanted him to let her in. He got in and she drove to his apartment.

He got off and walked to the door but stopped, he looked back and June was still there, “Just invite her in.” He said to himself.

“Umm… Do you want to… maybe come in for a while?” He asked nervously fidgeting. June was excited that he offered, she didn’t want to impose.She parked and they both went up to his apartment. On entering his apartment, they both were disappointed by the sight. His clothes were on the all over the couch and he hadn’t taken out the trash.

“Wow, I mean just wow.” June thought out loud as her eyes ran round the room. He had a pile of comic books, action figures and even superhero costumes.

“I can explain, I’m not usually like this. I forgot to clean the place because I wasn’t expecting you over…” She looked at him shocked, “Not just that, we’ve been hanging out a lot and I been distracted a lot by you.” He quickly said before she concludes he was slob. She looked around the apartment, apart from it being unorganized it was normal.

“He couldn’t be the rabbit.” She thought to herself, “I don’t mind. We could umm… watch something together while I’m here.” She suggested. Knowing she loved movies with magic he jumped online and found the best on Netflix, he cleared the couch and they both sat and enjoyed the movie. 2o minutes in, she drew closer to him and leaned on his shoulder. He froze and his heart beat was fast, all he could think about was kissing her but he just couldn’t.

“It’s too soon right? I want to do it but she might not like it, I have to wait.” He kept thinking and stressing out. June suddenly called his name slowly and looked at him. He turned and all he could see was her lips. “I just can’t but I want to. No, I have to.” He suddenly held her by the cheek and drew in and kissed her. It was the best kiss they both ever had mostly because it was their first kiss.

“I’m sor-” He tried to apologize but June couldn’t hold herself back anymore, she dragged him closer and kissed him again. They stared at each other momentarily and quickly raced to his bedroom taking off their clothes along the way.

They both got under the sheets and went crazy, 5 minutes in she stopped, “What? Am I doing it wrong?” Enji asked nervously.

“No, you’re great. I want you to join me in the XK-24 cure research.” June asked. He quickly agreed, not that he would refuse giving his current situation, he would agree to anything.

“Fukuda Princess.” Enji blotted out and they quickly stopped again.

“What?” June asked.

“What?” Enji replied.

“You just called me Fukuda princess, I heard you.” She insisted.

“Did I? It must have slipped out. Don’t mind me.” He apologized. “What am I doing saying stupid things like that? I should just shut up for the whole night.” Enji thought to himself.

“No, it kind of turned… umm… it turned me on. Could you say it again, the exact way you did before?” She requested and Enji quickly took control and made it a memorable night for her. It began to rain shortly and June decided to spend the night with him.

VII

Confrontation

Rabbit VS Rabbit

2 weeks later, Enji was promoted and worked on the fourth floor with June and her colleagues. Ever since then the research that she handled with care and ought most caution and a serious look on her face, she now handled with less severity.

A month later she met up with Niko at a coffee shop to get the details on the rabbit’s case which Hizashi and Niko are now handling so she could continue with her research.

“Wait a minute, you look different June. What’s going on? Normally the XK cure research leaves you depressed and tired but you’re so full energy these days and smiling like you couldn’t stop even if you wanted to.” Niko said staring at her suspiciously.

“What are you talking about? Nothing’s changed.” June said trying to bottle up her happiness for a while but kept staring into a void and laughing.

“No, something did change. Enji! Since he came into the picture you’ve been different. Oh my gosh!! Have you two been f**king?” Niko asked shocked and June started stammering while trying to answer. “You totally have! You were smashing and didn’t tell me? I thought we were sisters.”

“It’s really no big deal, it sort of happened weeks ago and now here we are.” She replied, “That’s not why we’re here though, so about the plan to catch the rabbit?”

“Hold on, I have to ask, was he good?”

“I honestly can’t say.” She shrugged her elbows, “He’s my first so far but…” Niko leaned in to hear the rest, “It was great! I enjoyed every moment of it.” She squeaked and thy both laughed.

“Damn! I didn’t know you had it in you.” She gave her a ‘thumbs up’ making June embarrassed. “About the rabbit, almost all the executives are dead so rather being on the defensive, we are going o the offense using the remaining executives. A private party will be hosted in their honour, we will make it an invitation the rabbit won’t refuse. He’s clearly cutting down our sponsors and allies before coming to us.”

“I see…”

“Now no one knows this but when he makes his way in, we will send our best assassin after him, you. I you can take him, the only reason that he has been able to get this far is the art of surprise which we will use against him.” Niko said drinking her black coffee. “The party is in 2 days, along with the art of surprise, he also knows how to get information so he will be there.”

“I have date with Enji that night but he called this morning to cancel so I’ll be there. I haven’t worn the rabbit mask in a while.” She said staring at her coffee recalling the faces of her victims whom deserve her judgement. She never liked killing or so she kept saying to herself.

Inwood Hill Park, New York.

“You’re late Tony.” Jack said sitting on his bike while Antonio, an old friend made his way through the woods to meet him.

“Well sorry, other people have jobs and other important things to do than sit and plot revenge.” Antonio said trying to blow off some steam, “I’m sorry Jack; it’s been a rough week for me. My grandma…”

“Yeah I didn’t ask so don’t tell.” Jack brushed Antonio’s problem aside making him angrier, “The party is 2 days, I have to be there.”

“Seriously dude? We both know it’s a trap, you almost killed all their executives and top officials and they decide to throw a party? You’re smarter than that.” Antonio said.

“I obviously know it’s a trap you idiot! That’s exactly why I’m going.” Jack said with a grin on his face.

“You are going because you know it’s a trap? That doesn’t make any sense, they obviously know you would figure out it’s a trap. Besides what about Enji you’re creating more problems for him, they already think he is you.” Antonio argued.

“So? Enji will serve his purpose as will I and we’ll end this soon. Time is a luxury we can’t afford; I can’t let nature take its course before I meet the old man.” Jack said and asked Antonio to get on the bike, “We have a party to crash.” He drove off with Antonio.

SATURDAY NIGHT

Executive Party

It was held at a secluded location with a one way entry, no back exits and security was tight. The remaining executives began to arrive shortly and soon the party kicked off. They were worried but having seen all the measures Hizashi had taken to protect them, they let their guards down and enjoyed the party. There were girls, drinks of different kinds, drugs and gambling games. June was stationed at the only hall that led to the entrance. She hid in the shadows and kept watch each person passing through. Most of the executives had arrived when she heard a slow-paced footstep down the hall.

“Are you going to keep hiding or are we going to do this?” A voiced asked from a distance. June stepped out of the shadows and so did the stranger, they slowly walked towards each other and the light lit the centre revealing who they were.

“Jack, the vengeance driven rabbit.” June said, “Your nuisance ends here.”

“The rabbit assassin of Fukuda Inc., it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. The Fukuda princess, how naïve must you be to think you can actually take me on and survive?” Jack chuckled. He had two swords behind him and two M-11 in his hands while June had 2 M-10 with her and an M-15 strapped behind her back.

“Isn’t that a bit heavy to carry, princess?” He asked.

“You don’t have to worry about me; you’ll be dead in 15 seconds.” She raised her guns pointing at him.

“Wanna bet on that?” He grinned. They both stared at each other for a few seconds and suddenly let loose firing every bullet they had. The halls were sound proof so the executives wouldn’t panic by the gunshots. The hall was wide and had different spaces in the walls to hide which they both jumped into while shooting.

“I can’t believe you still came here knowing it was a trap.” June yelled from her side.

“I was clearly invited; it would be rude to turn down an invitation.” He replied and continued to fire filing the walls with holes. The cameras in the halls which Hizashi and Niko used to monitor the event from a different location were damaged, luckily for them 3 hidden cameras was still intact and they kept watching.

“How about we stop hiding and face-off completely?” Jack suggested and June took him up on the offer. They both jumped out and started shooting till their bullets finished. Jack drew his sword, having mastered the art of two-style; he was more deadly with a blade than a gun.

“This is why I carry the M-15.” She pulled up the M-15 and started shooting while Jack ran straight towards her dodging the bullets.

“For two high class assassins trying to kill each other they do talk a lot. They should just get it over with already.” Niko said. Hizashi was completely focused on the fight and eagerly waited to see the outcome.

He was definitely fast on his feet, June didn’t expect that. His blades helped him change the trajectory of the bullets as he swung it around and bright flashes of light were created when his swords clashed against the surface of the walls or ground distracting and breaking June’s focus. Before she knew what was happening, Jack was afraid within striking ranging, he raised his swords and slashed. June froze in fear and watched as her M-15 diveide into four and fell to the ground. He pointed the tip of his sword to her face and hesitated for a moment, June stole the opportunity and knocked the sword off his hands.

“You are not a very good assassin. That was a clear chance to end me .” She said and drew back.

“It wouldn’t be fun if it were that easy to kill you.” Jack chuckled again and leaped forward trying to kick her. They were now down to their martial arts skills. He was faster and read her movements countering all her attacks but landing some his blows on her. She dodged a few of his but took quite a beating, in an effort to retreat she rushed outside the hall into a courtyard but he went after her and grabbed her by the hair, ripping off her rabbit mask.

“Princess, this is the end.” Jack said. June struggled to free herself from his grip but it was in vain, sweat dripped down her bleeding face as she waited for his finishing blow.

“No! June!!” Enji called out. June opened her eyes looking for Enji but he wasn’t there. Jack’s grip loosened and he let go of her, it was as if he froze. June had no idea what happening but took advantage of it and started hitting him with everything she’s got. Blood started flowing out of the mask, she reached out to unmask him but he came to his senses, grabbed her by the arm and slammed her on the ground. He quickly dived on top of her to

finish her off but his arm froze in the air, it seemed killing her was going to be a challenge. She noticed he wasn’t himself as he was before and quickly pulled out a dagger to stab him in the heart. He blocked the attack with his left arm and the dagger plunged bone deep in his arm. He moaned in pain and slapped June and pulled the dagger out. He proceeded to stab her with it but his hand kept moving slightly away from his target and missing her.

“This is a game with no winners Princess, only losers. Here is your next loss…” He said and the underground rooms for the executive party blew up to the surface in bit. No one could possibly survive such explosion. She was too weak to move but kept wondering when he set the explosives. The explosion cracked the ground and the buildings within the proximity started sinking into the ground. Jack noticed a camera in the courtyard and stared at it for a while knowing Hizashi was watching before exiting the area. Niko quickly called for back up again but they weren’t responding. June got up crawled her way out till some people evacuating saw her and helped her escape the mini earthquake. Hizashi arrived at the scene and took June to a private hospital to get treated. The image of Jack staring directly at Hizashi through the security camera stuck in his head like glue.

VIII

Enji’s Persona

Enji kept calling June for several days but she wasn’t available. She was absent at the company too, Enji sent her multiple texts apologizing for cancelling their date on Saturday but she ignored it all. His anxiety took over creating different scenarios on how June took the text and what she must thinking. Enji couldn’t remember sending the text and wondered if someone else did or if his phone was hacked. He ended up over thinking things as usual and decided if she was no longer interested that he would let her and move on. Five days since the private event that brought Fukuda a huge loss occurred; June despite week went to see Enji.

“Hi.” She said once Enji opened the door, “I’m sorry if I have been scarce again, I had something to attend to but it got out of hand.” Enji quickly embraced her passionately and kissed her forehead.

“Are you okay though? You have bandages on, I can see them clearly.” He pointed out. June suddenly remembered that he was wounded and knew he was going to worry too much as usual.

“I’m fine, it’s almost healed up but the doctor said I should keep them on for another week and please don’t ask how I got hurt, it’s a bit silly.” They both laughed, “But this doesn’t stop us from… you know…” She tugged her head towards his room. Enji smiled and lifted her up into the bedroom but was moaning in pain slightly. She couldn’t help but wonder if she was heavy but they started taking off his clothes.

“Damn! It would take too long for this to heal.” He muttered loudly. June hurried to him to see if he was okay but she then saw his left arm was wounded deeply; it was most likely a stab wound. She took a few steps away from Enji looking at him shocked.

“What are you doing June? Don’t worry I’ve been to a doctor, he said…” Enji kept talking but June wasn’t listening anymore, she was lost in her thoughts. The voice of the rabbit echoed in her head along with Enji’s. She froze for a minute still staring at him scared.

“Could you believe I woke up on Sunday morning with my body aching and this wound on my arm? Maybe I was sleep walking and crashed into a few things, though my apartment wasn’t that much of a mess when I woke up. I might have sleep cleaned the place.” He chuckled. He was now in his underwear when he noticed June standing in a defensive pose with a pocket knife.

“June, I didn’t know you were into foreplay and all that freaky stuff. I’ll try and play along.” He said, “Get over her, Fukuda Princess…” He grinned. June screamed and leaped at him with intent to kill. “Whoa! Calm down June, I was just following your lead!!” He yelled running out into the living room. She went after him and tackled him to the floor; she looked into his eyes and saw real fear. For a moment she hesitated letting her emotions take control, Enji suddenly grinned and toppled her over and pinned her on the floor.

“I’ll finally get to finish our dance.” Enji said and tried to stab June but his hand froze midway. He kept forcing it down but it wouldn’t budge. “Why can’t…I… Kill you!” He muttered forcefully. June quickly head butted his nose and kicked him off the floor and sent him landing with his back. She pulled out another pocket knife but as she jumped in to attack, Enji started behaving weird again like his normal self.

“What? Why am I holding a knife?” He looked up to see June ready to go at him again, “Why are you holding a knife?” She jumped into the air and kicked Enji’s right cheek and sent him crashing into his TV. He quickly got up acting like a totally different person, June wasn’t sure anymore who she was fighting.

“There are other ways for me to hurt you Princess.”Enji said with a grin wiping the blood from the side of lip with his thumb. They bold held their stance, ready for a bloody fight to the death but then the door opens and Antonio walks in with a box of pizza in his hand.

“So Jack why did you call me to Enji’s place?” He asked with a piece of pizza of pizza already in his mouth. “What the fuck!” He said as he turned around to see the two most

deadliest assassins in one room.

“That stupid Enji just had to get involved with Princess here.” Jack raged. June was still confused and quickly jumped towards Antonio with the knife to his throat. “You know I don’t care if you kill him right?” Jack said.

“Ouch man!” Antonio said, “But he’s actually serious, he doesn’t so please drop the knife.” He pleaded with her.

“Someone tell me what’s going on here?” June asked furious. Jack sighed, dropped the knife and went to get himself a glass of water. “Aren’t you underestimating me a bit?” She asked, annoyed that Jack wasn’t even taking the fight seriously.

“Underestimating you? I beat you like six times already; you only got me because Enji took over.” He said on his way back to the living room. He sat down and stared at June for a while. “There is two of me, let go of Tony and I’ll explain.”

“He has two personalities in one body but Jack is the one in control, Enji is just a cover for him but Enji isn’t aware of that.” Antonio explained once she set him free. “I know it sounds crazy but his mind is fractured but it got worse when he took a mysterious drug which is now known as XK, secretly produced by Fukuda Inc.”

“What? That’s not true.” She gasped in shock, Jack got up and pulled out various information and files he hid in Enji’s apartment as back up and handed them over to her. “This can’t be…”

“Why do you think the XK-24 was forced on the people of New York? And to cover their tracks they made it to the whole of America, just to find me, one little rabbit. I see you don’t know anything. Sit down let me catch you up.” Antonio led her to a seat.

“My mind was already cracked after what your family did to Hayato, he is the core personality, the real owner of this body. Having watched his parents and little sister killed by your father, he grieved and moaned but the pain was too much for a six year old and his mind cracked. His anger, pain and hatred were born in the form of me. I exist to avenge his family.” June couldn’t believe her ears, she knew her father w bad but to go this far to end one man, what possible threat could he pose.

“At the age of ten, stuck on the streets, trying to survive, Hayato somehow got involved with XK in its purest form and it completely split his mind, creating Hayato and Jack. Normally he should have died but somehow we lived and later on Enji was born to shield us while I avenge him.” Jack said. “I’ll burn everything down to fulfil my purpose; I don’t care what it is. Your relationship with Enji is creating unnecessary problems.” He looked at her irritated.

“Wow! That’s a lot to take in.” She took a few moments to breathe, “I want to help.” She offered but Jack quickly refused even though Antonio argued it would be good to have

someone on the inside.

“Let me talk to Enji.” She demanded but Jack refused, “Enji!” She called out to him and Jack suddenly blacked out and collapsed.

“What’s… What’s going on” Enji asked confused seeing his old college roommate Antonio and June around him. “What are you doing his Antonio? My head hurts, was I dreaming? Sleep walking?” He asked. “It’s happening again Antonio, the black outs. I think they’re back aga-” He blacked out again. It seemed he was out cold and so they lifted him on top of the couch. Antonio stepped out to the balcony with June.

“What did he mean by that? What is the black outs?” June asked.

“Just like you saw, no one knew Jack; he was like a ghost hiding behind Enji. He was in full control and could take over anytime without Enji fighting back. Enji would black out and wake up at places he never knew or went to. People accused him of what Jack did, he thought he might be losing it or possessed. I was his roommate and I experienced it up close. Jack threatened to kill my family and I when I met him, he told me about Enji’s case and forced me to help him with his revenge. I’m glad to help knowing I’m going to help stop the people that killed my mum with XK. Jack doesn’t have much time left.” He said.

XI

Revelation

“Where am I?” Enji said waking up in a room without lights; he couldn’t see a thing but suddenly heard footsteps heading towards him. “Who’s there? Where’s June?”

“What did that girl do to you? You were supposed to be a nerd with no confidence or self-esteem but you go and fall head over heels in love with her, not just anyone but the daughter of our enemy.” Jack said.

“What are you talking about? Our enemy’s daughter? June? Who are you?” He asked confused and worried. The room slowly lit up and was engulfed in flames that illuminated the whole place and what he saw left him speechless. A cooler version of him that looked angry and annoyed. They were in Hayato’s burning house on the night his family died. He saw the fire and started to panic, but Jack remained calm and sat down on a burning chair.

“Are you mad? You’ll get…” He saw that the flames just went through him, “How is that…”

“Have a sit Enji, it’s about time we finally met and talked. You don’t know me but I know everything about. You’re probably how there is two of you and why the fire isn’t burning you to crisp.” Enji sat down on a long couch but his eyes kept going round the room.

“First of all we’re not real, we are just personalities generated by a traumatized six

year old kid who’s afraid to live again. We were created to live for him.” Enji looked at him like he was crazy, “I know it sounds crazy but we’re in his mind right now. This a memory of the night his whole family was burnt to death, for some reason he keeps replaying it and hiding in the escape tube his parents put him in to save him.”

“Wait stop, hold up. How am I supposed to believe anything you are saying?” Enji asked with a stern look on his face.

“Your black outs back in college, that was me. I would take control of the body and handle my business and then return it to you. But people started noticing you don’t remember some things you did or say and you state freaking out going for exorcism and therapy which was really annoying by the way. I needed to remain hidden for my plans to succeed so I gave you control and take over whenever you went to sleep. Hayato Arai is the original owner of this body and our creator; we owe it to him to avenge his family.” Jack said.

“What do you mean Jack doesn’t have enough time?” June asked Antonio.

“There 3 types of XK; XK-24, XK-20 and XK-27. He has XK-27 in his body and made a little Toxin to slow down its rate of activeness. Jack is dying, that’s why he’s being more reckless than usual. He wants to end this as soon as possible.” Antonio replied.

“But if he dies…”

“Yeah, Enji die too. I’m sorry.” Antonio replied. June quickly ran inside to Enji and sat beside him.

“I didn’t know you were fighting such a big battle, if you let me I’ll fight with you.” June whispered to him. Her voice echoed all over the burning house where Enji and Jack were.

“June? She wants to help us, that is good. See, I told you she was evil like her father.” Enji said excitedly.

“What kind of idiot are you? She could be pretending and backstab us in the back when she gets the chance.” Jack argued.

“She won’t do that, I know her.” Enji defended and tried leaving the building.

“I’ve been here on the inside watching everything you do, you’ve only known her like 2 months, she’s obviously using you to…” Enji suddenly walked up to Jack while he was still talking punched him right in the face with all his might and sent him to the floor. He quickly ran out the door and woke up in his living room with June next to him. Antonio stepped in and realized Enji was back but he had to do what Jack asked him to do. He quickly brought out blueprints of the safe house where XK is being stored. Jack’s plan was to attack it and destroy their whole inventory before going after Hizashi. The 3 of them went over the plan knowing Jack could hear and see them too. But Enji insisted on waiting for his arm to heal a

bit.

“It has to be Enji, he must be the rabbit.” Hizashi said to Niko on their way to the XK safe house.

“How did you come to that conclusion?” Niko asked.

“Apart from fitting the description, I drugged him with the XK but it took him few weeks to get affected, which only means…”

“He was already an XK addict.” Niko said.

“Exactly, he’s either aware he’s the rabbit and pretending or he has an alter ego. I don’t know for sure if Jack is Hayato though. By my calculations, he’ll try to attack the safe house next but we’re going to strike first.”

“What do you mean?” Niko asked.

“It’s safe to assume that June already knows and is protecting him. She has chosen a side in this battle and ready to die. It’s a shame; she was one of the best killers we have. But Jack took her down twice, so it’s best to let her go.” He turned Niko, “At least we still have you, don’t disappoint the Fukuda name, you’re Fukuda by blood unlike her.”

“Yes sir.” She replied with a sad expression on her face.

“We have to fortify the safe house. Few agents were sent to take care of Enji and June. I’ve been tracking her, she’s at his apartment.

They suddenly heard many footsteps rushing to Enji’s door but before they could anything, heavily men in black suits swooped in through the window. June quickly slid down through one’s leg and stabbed him repeatedly till he bled out and took his gun. She shot at the remaining four and passed a gun to Enji and Antonio.

“I’ve never used a gun before!”Enji said. Antonio started shooting like a mad man. Jack had given him a few pointers on how to shoot. They started shooting the door and more men kept dropping from the window and balcony. The apartment slowly started getting crowded, soon they were outnumbered.

“Let me out Enji.” Jack said.

“How do I do that?”

“Just picture the burning house and you’ll be back here.” He said, Enji quickly shut his eyes and was suddenly back at the house. “I’ll take care of this.” Jack said about to run out the door.

“You have to save her, June. Keep he safe Jack, promise me!” Enji yelled but Jack ignored him and too over the body.

“Tony, smoke bombs.” Jack said and Antonio dropped several smoke bombs filling the whole apartment with thick smoke. “Hold on to me tightly, we’re going to jump off the balcony.”

“Are you mad? This apartment is very high up.” June scolded.

“I’m with her Jack, let’s run through the door to the stairs.” Antonio said.

“They are all over the building and the stairs. The safest way is to jump out. Don’t you trust my capability Tony? Jack asked.

“Yes, you are good but you also don’t care what happens to me so no I don’t trust…” Before Antonio could finish, he ran off with them holding tightly to his shirt. He ran through with speed and force and leaped off the balcony. Agents on the outside saw them jump out of the smoke when Antonio started screaming and they started shooting at them. Jack held on to a zip line he had installed for a situation like this and glided over to the next building across the street while June shot down at them and Antonio held on tightly. They got to the other building safely and followed Jack down to the garage where he kept a van hidden, if he ever needed an escape car. They got in and drove out back but the agents were hot on their trail. At the back of the Van were different kinds of ammunition, June and Jack loaded up and started firing non-stop at the agents who kept falling like flies while Antonio drove.

It took time but they finally got away from them and quickly switched vehicles just in case. June and Jack took one car to a secret location, Jack’s hide out. Antonio came on his own in a separate car and met up with them since Hizashi had drones monitor the whole scene.

“We rest up here and tomorrow we attack.” Jack said and sat down and quickly injected and XK into his vein right in front of June.

“What are you doing? You’re killing Enji!” June freaked out.

“We’re already good as dead; at least this takes away the pain.” Jack said and went to sleep. But an hour later he ran back to June and hugged her, it was clearly Enji. They both took a tour of his hide out; it was horrible with pictures of all his victims and the people he was yet to kill. June also had something similar in a dark room at her apartment but Jack’s own was on a whole new level. Niko, Hizashi and even June herself were on the wall. On one part of the wall was a drawing he made of Hayato’s family, they were erased by the Fukuda so no pictures of them were left. Antonio told them the story of Hayato as Jack told him and June couldn’t help but sympathize with him more.

The Next Day…

Jack geared up along with June in fake rabbit masks and stormed the XK warehouse. Jack already knew they would be expecting him and going in stealthy wouldn’t work so he got into an armoured van and drove right through the gates and into the building while June

fired as many shots as she could. It became a shoot between two great assassins and an army of highly trained agents and officials.

“At the count of 1 we jump out and run really fast and find cover.” Jack said to June.

“Why?”

“Just run!” He yelled and jumped out forgetting to count. June shrieked and ran after him while the enemy shot at them. Shortly after the armoured van blew up along with other kinds of bombs he had planted inside. The bomb kept going off destroying half of the building.

“What is wrong with you?” June yelled as they took cover having covered a good distance. The explosion quaked more than 2 blocks of New York, “You didn’t even count before running and what’s with that crazy explosion?”

“Are you stupid or something? The way I said ‘Just run’ should be enough for you to run before I even counted. Use your head for once, is this what Fukuda’s rabbit assassin does on missions? Pathetic.” He got up and went further into the building. June ran after him furious till they ran into a room and it automatically closed locking them inside.

“Welcome Jack, June, you two have caused quite a mess. You once said you were one step ahead of me but all the XK is gone, I moved it yesterday and you are trapped here with your silly lover. It seems I outsmarted you. There’s a red button here, once I press it, the room will be filled with poisonous gas known as the XK-27. Only one person in history has had it and still lives today, my old man.” Hizashi said. He was at a different location as always while handling things at the safe house. Jack suddenly started laughing like a mad man and it freaked June out, she took two steps away from him.

“You’ve lived with an actual mad man all your life calling him Daddy but I laugh and suddenly I’m a psychopath.” He said to June with an annoyed expression on his face. “I would’ve destroyed this safe house days ago but Enji keeps holding on too tight.” He said to Hizashi.

“So you do have two personalities. It doesn’t matter, you’ll both die together along with his lover, the girl I took in and raised as my own. Funny story about that, I’m guessing he told you what I did to Hayato’s family, well I did kill them but Daijirō was my best friend and like a brother. I don’t know if you are actually Hayato Jack but if you are, remember that night, I whispered to him before leaving you all to die. To honour our brotherhood, I offered to save his daughter who was just a year and 2 months old. I raised Ichika Arai as my daughter and named her June.” Hizashi revealed at least. June fell back and was shocked.

“You’ve been sleeping with Enji so… Oh my God!” Jack exclaimed.

“You’ve sleeping with your own sister and almost killed her when you two fought. I trained you to replace your father as our assassin, there was something about the Arai clan

and killing that no one can explain. Daijirō tried to make a normal life for you two so you didn’t have to kill but that’s a big waste of talent. Look at what you two accomplished, almost bring my family down it’s sad that it has to end here though.” Hizashi said.

“Ichika!” Hayato finally surfaced, took off the rabbit mask and embraced his little sister, “It’s Hayato, I thought you died in the fire that night. I’m happy you’re okay.” He held her close while tears ran down his eyes. June couldn’t help but cry too, even Hizashi.

“I wanted a part of Daijirō to live on but you ruined everything Hayato, you and your personas. Goodbye kids.” He said about to press the button.

“You think you’ve won haven’t you?” Jack over again and let go of June, “Wait for ten seconds; you’ll receive a call that all the XK is gone. I’m not stupid, I want vengeance but I also plan ahead, I have anticipated every move you’ll make. The current safe house is rigid to blow soon and if you press that big red button, we’ll die but so will you. I know you’re in your office with Niko, I rigid it too to blow up Fukuda Inc.” Jack said.

“You’re bluffing; this is your desperate attempt to save yourself.” Hizashi said.

“I don’t bluff and you know that quite well. You can call it a desperate attempt or a counter measure but it doesn’t change the fact that it will happen.” Jack replied. Hizashi got a call confirming the explosion at his secret base where he had transported all the XK overnight.

“Open the door and let us leave or die with us. It’s your choice.” Jack grinned. Hizashi punched a hole in his desk in a fit of rage but decided to open it up. He also sent agents to finish them off but he knew they weren’t enough to take down the rabbits. He sat back on his seat wondering how angry the Chairman would be if he heard this. Niko called in bomb experts to diffuse the bomb. Jack and June got away with a few minor injuries but Hizashi’s big reveal has rendered them unresponsive. They didn’t know how to move on with the news they just received.

X

What Did We Create?

“Damn it!” Hizashi yelled in a fit of rage. His phone started ringing, Niko already knew it would be her granddad and he was a very harsh and strict man, she quickly made her way out of the office before he vents all his anger and frustration her. He took a deep breath and answered the call.

“Hizashi why do you keep failing?” He asked furiously.

“I just need one more chance sir, I promise you…”

“I’m tired of your promises. I’ve been watching you for a while now and time and time again you’ve made decisions that have brought forth this problem. You were too soft to kill Hayato yourself so you left him to die by fire and Daijirō got him out. You also spared his daughter because she would have no memory of that night and now she’s with him. You killed all your agents that night so I wouldn’t find out you willingly let one of them live.”

“I know I made a few mistakes but…”

“A few? You don’t seem to understand the gravity of this situation, Hizashi even if I decide not to kill you for all of this; you are as good as dead. Hayato will have your head and will come for mine. He’s more resourceful than his father and smarter. He’s always 2 steps ahead; I’ll come for you once I’ve taken care of this.” Chairman Fukuda said.

“There you go again, giving them more credit than they deserve. I’m your son goddamnit!”

“Then act like it. I never regretted taking in Daijirō, he was the son I always wanted but he kept his family away from my reach. Kids with a bloodlust that would benefit me, I’ve always regretted killing him but it had to be done. You can say I was a bad father but so are you; you’ve neglected your own daughter giving Ichika all your time while she struggles for your approval. Your daughters are even better than you Hizashi; you’re a worm, just die already.” He coughed badly while hanging up. Hizashi yelled with tear filled eyes and smashed his phone on the floor. Niko was outside the office eavesdropping so she decided to help her father gain the Chairman’s acceptance like she did when she made the XK-20 by reducing the deadly toxins in the XK-27 which Hizashi failed at. She decided to catch Jack and June on her own or at least triangulate their location.

Jack’s Hide Out…

Everyone was seated and silence filled the atmosphere when suddenly Jack blacked out. He woke up inside the burning house and Enji was there too.

“What’s happening Jack? I can’t move.” Enji said.

“I don’t know, something just dragged me down here. I can’t move either.” They suddenly heard a noise at the far corner of the house. Something was trying to break through the floor boards.

“It can’t be…” Jack muttered in shock.

“What can’t be…? What’s coming out of there?” Enji asked worried, “Is it another personality?” Enji watched in fear. The floor bursts open and a little kid steps out with tears in his eyes. With each step he took towards the door, the fire slowly went out.

“Who’s that and why is he crying?” Enji asked.

“Huh!” Jack sighed, “That’s Hayato Arai, the core persona. He’s hid himself down

there and cried for over eighteen years. I tried to break open the floor but it wouldn’t open.” Jack answered. Hayato opened the door and looked back at them.

“Thank you Jack… And you too Enji.” He said and stepped out.

“Jack are you alright?” Antonio asked after he collapsed. Jack slowly got up trying to understand where he was, he suddenly saw June and ran to her and gave her a big hug.

“What’s happening?” June asked confused.

“Ichika, it’s really you. You’ve grown very big and beautiful.” Hayato said with a big smile on his face.

“Hayato? My… Brother? That’s you?” She asked.

“Yes!” He replied enthusiastically, “I’m starving, hey Mr. Do you have something good to eat?” He asked Antonio who was completely confused.

“Me? Umm… I think so, check the fridge.” Antonio replied and they watched Jack run over to the fridge like a little kid and took out an ice cream. “He just called me Mr.” Antonio whispered to June.

“What’s happening to him? Did the news about us being related break him more?”

“No, I think hearing his little sister was still alive brought a little bit of light into his darkness and he regained control of his body again. Jack told me that the XK-27 completely split them in two at the age of eight. He never surfaced again and left Jack in charge of his body. If I’m right, his mind never grew passed that age and that’s why he is acting like a kid.” Antonio said.

“This is just so confusing. I love Enji, Jack is a bit much and my big brother that I didn’t know I had are all in one body. I slept with my brother, God!” She muttered.

“Technically, you slept with Enji not Hayato.” Antonio tried to make her feel better.

“Last time I checked siblings are bonded by blood regardless of their state of mind. Huh!” She smacked her forehead, “My dad really broke him.”

“Ichika! Want some? It’s really good, he has different flavours.” Hayato said carrying the ice creams over to June. She felt sorry for everything he had been through and decided to spend time with him. He handed her a spoon and they spent time eating and talking.

“You’re dating Enji? He didn’t tell me, I thought you would have gone for Jack instead.” Hayato said.

“Wait you’ve met them? Where are they?”

“Yes. They’re back at the house; I saw them when I was coming out. The fire is gone

now so they’ll be fine.” Hayato replied.

“House? Our family house that burned down years ago.” June asked.

“June, don’t dig up suck traumatic memories.” Antonio said. Hayato suddenly dropped his spoon and looked at the two of them for a while. They froze wondering if he was going to freak out.

“It’s okay really. Now I see why Mum and Dad fought so hard with their dying breath to make sure I survived. They must have known you were safe and wanted us to take care of each other.” He picked up the spoon and continued eating.

“He’s surprisingly taking this whole thing well.” Antonio said and later left to make sure their location was still safe and prepare for Jack’s next attack.

“Can you tell me about our parents?” June asked, a bright smile appeared on Hayato’s face and his mouth ran wild. June was happy to see him so excited; the way he talked about them made her wish she took Hayato’s place.

“What now?” Enji asked when they were finally able to move.

“We leave him alone with his sister. She’s the main reason he hid himself, he felt he wasn’t even able to save her.” Jack replied.

“He was six, he couldn’t do much.” Enji sat down comfortably took a good look at the house. Their family picture was there and they looked happy.

“Every single time you took control of the body, I would appear here and memories of that night replayed over and over again in front of me. All I can do now is to avenge him.” Jack muttered. They remained there waiting for Hayato to return.

“It’s been a week now; I want to see my girlfriend.” Enji whined.

“You’re forgetting that she’s his sister too and this is his body too which you used to commit incest.” Jack said.

“In my defence, I didn’t know all that.” Enji said.

“Now that you know, will you leave her alone?” Jack asked. Enji was speechless, his lips couldn’t even move. He just sat there looking at him. “I thought as much, I don’t care what either of you do but don’t get in my way. I must make the Fukuda pay.”

“Someone’s coming!” Antonio yelled, “I think your sister found us.” He said to June. Hayato quickly started packing some of the things June bought for him. “What are you doing? Leave it, give Jack control.” Antonio said.

“No! I’ll protect my sister myself.” Hayato said with a furious look in his eyes, it scared Antonio. June quickly geared up while Hayato grabbed his swords.

“Are those enough?” June asked.

“Dad thought me his two-sword style, I think I can fight.” The area was surrounded, luckily Jack and Antonio had rigged the whole place with traps and the agents sent by Niko kept setting them off. Few assassins managed to block their path when they took an underground tunnel but before their eyes, Hayato took care of them with just his swords.

“What kind of training does an eight year old have to go through to be that good?” Antonio muttered to himself while they kept running. They got to a tube which led to a boat that took them out to sea and they went to another base while the old one went up in flames as a security measure in case they ever left in a hurry, the enemy won’t learn much about them or their next move.

“Why did you launch an all out attack?” Hizashi yelled at Niko who reported her activities to him.

“Maybe they died in the explosion?” She said trying to calm him.

“I think history has proven that fire is nothing to those two. You should have let me handle this!” He paced about his office.

“They have someone who’s better than me. He discovered what I found out at the same time as me. I had to mobilize every Agent I could before they escaped. I did it for you so you could show granddad that you’re as good as June’s father.” She said and bursts out in tears. Hizashi exhaled and looked at her; he drew her close and hugged her.

“You’ve done so well Niko, I’m sorry if I never acknowledged you the way I did with June. You are better than me, smarter even. I kept my distance from you because you reminded me so much of your mother. She was the best thing to ever happen to me and it was hard to lose her. I’m proud of the woman you’ve become, you’re just like her. Thank you for sticking with me through everything.” Hizashi said holding onto her. She had waited to hear her father say those words and finally see her. Now she’s motivated to do everything for him even fight her sister June.

“Hell no!” Jack said and forced his way through the door dragging Hayato back to the house when June asked Hayato to help her break into Fukuda Inc. “We’re not going to Fukuda Inc.” He said to her.

“I know that attitude, it’s you, Jack. I need all my research papers before you blow it up. Unlike you I want to save people.” June argued. “Think about it, we attack Fukuda and while they’re distracted, we hit them directly at Dad’s mansion and end it all.”

“Her plan is actually good. Disorient the enemy, they won’t have time to think things through and then hit em with a final blow.” Antonio supported June. Jack sighed and decided to go ahead with the plan. June went to get ready; they were going to end everything in one night.

“Hey Tony, what do you think is wrong with me? I tried to kill June thrice but my hands always froze, do you think it’s because she’s Hayato’s sister?” Jack asked.

“No, Hayato wasn’t aware of that at the moment. I think it was Enji, love affects us in different ways, I guess it made him more confident and his will to keep her safe stopped you.” Antonio said, “Now Hayato is in the picture and the two of them want to keep her safe at any cost, that means…”

“It means they might decide to sacrifice themselves for her and I might die. I know we aren’t friends but can I ask you for a favour?” Antonio nods, “It’s almost certain I’ll die tonight, take care of June. Hayato created me; I know he’ll rather save her than get revenge. We don’t have much time to live anyways.” He coughed up blood right in front of Antonio and quickly pulled out an inhaler which had the XK he had tried to purify in it, which kept him going all these years.

“Someone broke into the company!” Hizashi said as soon as the alarm went off in his mansion. “We have to get there quickly, I’m sure it’s Hayato and June. Call all the agents!” He ordered Niko.

“No Dad, they’re coming here, the break in is probably a distraction to leave us unguarded. Trust me, I know how June thinks. Get ready for war.” Niko said and gathered all agents and fortified the mansion. Hizashi waited for them downstairs with a good number of agents but they dropped from the sky and onto the roof. Niko had already anticipated that too and guards were everywhere in the building in high numbers. They jumped onto the glass balcony and agents had them surrounded them, Hayato dropped a smoke bomb and sliced through them while June laid low and shot them down from the feet making it easier for Hayato to cut through them. They both had rabbit masks on with dried up blood stains on it. It looked like Daijirō’s own but it was theirs and was significant to each. The Chairman got the alert of the break in and accessed live footage of the company and saw people in rabbit masks looting the whole place, they also easily bypassed all traps and security systems which meant the alarm was to distract them. He accessed live footage of cameras he secretly planted in Hizashi’s mansion and saw the chaos that was occurring.

“June or should I say Ichika, fight me!” Niko challenged her. June accepted and asked Hayato to go ahead but he refused, Jack quickly took over and dragged him back to the house where Enji was supposed to hold him back. Jack ran ahead shooting down everything on sight. They kept in touch through a wireless receiver Antonio gave them, he handled the break-in operation at the Fukuda Inc. Jack ran into a little girl whom Hizashi had recently adopted and was probably going to raise as an assassin.

“What’s a little girl doing here? Probably an assassin in training, It’s better to end her.” He said and quickly pulled out a gun to shoot her but June heard him and begged him not to kill her. His hands froze again; it seemed Enji was obeying her. The effects of the XK-27 were either deteriorating or he was weakening. He hissed and went pass her moving down

to where Hizashi was.

“I don’t want to kill you, we were sisters.” June said.

“Kill me? You’re definitely too overconfident don’t you think? We’re not sisters, just because you’re an Arai doesn’t mean you’ll win. Dad trained me secretly and I endured a lot just to be as strong as you and honestly I think I’m better than you now.” Niko said.

“Don’t do this Niko. What Dad did to my family was unforgiveable, you know that.”

“Maybe but he’s still my father, I’ll die for him anytime.” Niko said and leaped at June. Both went straight into hand to hand combat.

“You finally made it Hayato.” Hizashi said once Jack dropped in leaving ten dead bodies on the floor. “I told Daijirō this would happen.”

“Uncle Hizashi, you don’t look well.” Hayato said right after dragging Jack back in. Jack was worried he wouldn’t be able to take on Hizashi since he was still a kid.

“You could have left with your sister and lived happily somewhere safe instead you chose vengeance and put her in danger.”

“We both know you’ll come after us to end everything. That night proves it. Enough talk.” Hayato started slashing while all the agents outside ran and started shooting at him. They seemed a lot for Hayato to handle but then Antonio showed up in a chopper and shot straight into the leaving room and didn’t stop. Hizashi hid while all his agents all fell, his ammo finished and he flew away.

“It seems we’re alone.” Hizashi said with a smile and quickly shot at Hayato who quickly slid down dodging the bullets and swung his swords cutting his pistols in half. Hizashi smiled, the whole place was littered with guns. He quickly picked up a pair and it soon became a shootout. Hayato soon gave in and let Jack take over, his aim was better and precise. Hizashi was shocked at how he got instantly better but then remembered he had other personas that might be better than him. June quickly rushed down after a bloody battle with Niko, her face was bleeding, body aching and gasping for air.

“What happened to you?” Jack asked while still shooting Hizashi from behind a chair.

“I killed her.” June said, “Do you know what the worst part is, I enjoyed it, I loved the rush I got from piercing her skin with my dagger and watching the light fade from her eyes.” June said and left Jack spooked.

“I’m the one with 3 personalities but girl you need help, that’s dark, even for me.” Jack said. Hizashi knew Niko wasn’t a match for June after what he saw her do when she was little. June quickly shot Hizashi’s gun off his hand when he tried to shoot and Jack shot his other arm and his leg. They both started firing at him but intentionally missed vital spots to make him die with pain. In the heat of the moment June kissed Jack and was mesmerized by

him covered in blood. While Hizashi bled out, they made out in front of him. June looked around to make sure no one else was coming, as she entered the room again Hizashi with his dying strength pointed a gun at her.

“I’ll at least take one of you with me.” He muttered and shot at her.

“Ichika!” Hayato yelled and dove right in front her taking the bullet to the heart which XK had almost destroyed already. He fell on his knees but June caught him before he reached the floor. She took off her mask and held him close.

“I guess this is it June. I enjoyed every moment with you, thanks for going out with me.” Enji said and vanished.

“If it were to me you would be dead but they chose to save you. Finish what we started and end the Fukuda.” Jack said and vanished.

“Stay with me, don’t go…” June cried.

“They’re already gone; I can feel myself slipping away too.” Hayato said, “We were going to die anyways but I’m glad I got to spend some time with my baby sis and fight by her side. Mum and Dad will be happy to know you’re okay. Live no matter what sis.” Hayato said and slowly gave up. June cried while Hizashi watched as he too slipped away. Suddenly she got up and walked over to Hizashi, her face completely void of emotion, she brought out her dagger kept cutting up Hizashi making sure he was still alive to feel the pain. She opened up his stomach, cut off his fingers, his ears and took out one of his eyeballs. She sat down like a little girl and played with his body while he screamed in pain. She suddenly looked behind her to the hidden camera.

“I’m coming for you.” She said calmly and continued slicing up Hizashi. Fear gripped the Chairman as he watched such grotesque and bizarre manner of murder.

“What have we created?” The Chairman asked himself trembling with fear.

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About

I’m a Nigerian writer in his early 20s and has been more in tune with fantasy than reality. I write poems, novels and short stories on various genres especially Fantasy, Sci-fi and Horror, all fiction.

I don’t have any grand goal of saving the world with my writing but I do hope to give people a little escape from reality and a change in perspective. It goes a long way.

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