Jason walks back into the room with a towel over his tight black muscle shirt, but wore the same pants as normal. He closes the cellphone he had and puts it away, suddenly coming to a stop as he sees the new arrivals. He looks at them momentarily before replying:"And they are..."

Vondeamia snaps into the fact that Jason never seen them before, or at least doesn't recognize them and says:"My brother, Draenaria, and his life partner, Alcaedo." The two nod to Jason, who replies:"It's nice to meet you both."

He closes the door as he walks over to the chair he was once sitting in and sits back down into it, placing the towel over the armrest and leaning forward.

"I just got off the phone with one of the heads in a nearby city. Reinforcements are not only on the way, but we're getting supplies for this mission we have already being placed underway. I also called the mayor of the city, and a major wise evacuation is going to placed out tommrow morning. The cover story: there's radioactive placed around the city and it's extremely harmful, so this will be convincing enough to move evryone from their homes for now. It can't be helped, but ti's the least we can do to at least save lives."

Mavis looks at him. "What about-"

"Don't worry. I have someone special going to the district where you and your friend came from. Trust me. If anyone can relate to them, it's him. Now, since we've got this underway, let's go over the briefing. Firstly, I need to know, who is all in this. This is a decisive mission that will decide if we suceed or fail. If you're not cut out for this, speak now."

Cadence walked out of Chloe's room sluggishly, ruffling his hair, which had been successfully tousled out of shape whilst he slept, as he moved.

The aforementioned owner of the room was apparently involved in a discussion with the owners of the apartment and the four girls who had apparently awoken and were able to join in the debate.

"Take a seat Cadence." Chloe murmured without turning her head, and gestured for him to settle down at the relatively unoccupied chair. "We were about to discuss on our choice of actions from now on."

"And we've got bad news." Kylie added, for once not on hyper mode. "The Dragons have recruited a new force against LAW and Phoenix."

"To be more exact, they are not new forces, but synthetic creations. Like man-made pychics and shapeshifters." Kyler corrected. "They seem to be just like those who defected in the previous triad war. However, from what we've heard, they are not exactly the same."

Cadence nodded mutely along with the others, mentally noting the similarities between the two triads, where scientists were both recruited for the same reason.

"How did you come by this information?" one of the girls asked then, echoing the question that had appeared in his head.

"They are the Lennox family, Maria. I'm sure you've heard of their prestige." Chloe replied.

Glancing in surprise at the two... hyper and immatured (in appearance) teenagers, the girl seemed mentally taken aback for a second, before swiftly recovering her composure. "I see. The Lennox Family who excelled at pretty much everything on the field, and especially in reconnaisance and espionage..."

"But we're not that smart." the twins sighed in synchrony, "We've always been bad at espionage. Mother always told us that it was important, but we just couldn't keep up..."

"Alright, cut the theatrics. And let's return to our main topic." Chloe said, waving her hand in a dismissive gesture, "I don't care to whom, we bear alliance to, our main problem right now, is the possibility of a large scale war breaking out in Tewen within a few hours. Kyler and Kylie have informed me of another hidden organisation whom the Lennox family had suspected to have a hand in this since the first triad war."

"That's Hades." Kylie continued for her. "We've been trying to confirm their existence for as long as before we even entered Phoenix. However, they've managed to hide themselves really well, and the information we've gotten of them are few and far between. For now, all we know is that they are composed mostly of psychics, regardless of natural or synthetic, and that their purpose seemed to be along the lines of the the destruction of the Phoenix Triad."

"Thus the need for us to plan our next course of action." Chloe added, "First and foremost, we need to rearm ourselves. Then, we will need to watch how the situation turns out. At this point of time, I hope that we at least abandon our alliance to any organization or triad, and instead focus on surviving this war. Will that be alright?"

Another wave of bobbing heads met her before another of the girls , one whom he seemed to hear Kylie call Catalina, spoke up, "There are several warehouses in Tewen where we have weaponry and firearms stored. There are even medical supplies in some of them, and I think Beatrix wouldn't mind us using those."

"Alright then, let's get prepared to go over."


[OOC: Sorry for not posting on the situation at Jason's room, Vex. I figured that it would end up being a one-liner or two, and decided against posting it. They will participate in the mission though.]

Enyalios was not sure what shocked him more. The fact that the normal calm and collected Phobos was flaring up and gave him a lecture that would take him two lifetimes to forget, or the fact that his disobedience went largely unpunished because of certain pressing matters.

His golden eyes were contemplative as he settled on his bike and zoomed off to the location which Phobos gave him the coordinates and details for, leaving his previous stolen ride hidden for future retreival. He had grown fond of the Porsche, although it would be need extensive customization if he was going to make it his own for real.

It did not take long for him, who was breaking the speed limit as much as he can without putting himself in too much danger, to reach an apartment block that was the one Phobos described. Leaving his bike somewhere convenient and taking his weapons with him, Enya quickly located the elevators and then, the place he was supposed to approach.

Unit 1024, apartment of one Lieutenant Jason Dinguard of LAW.

"Enya!" The door opened when he was still deciding whether to ring the doorbell or knock the door, and Enya was greeted as a certain rabbit shapeshifter lauched herself at him and knocked him over. "What are you doing here in Tewen?"

"Settling personal scores." And disobeying orders, and then obeying them. Enya answered as the Vondaemia got off him and allowed the other occupants of the room to take a good look at him. "But right now, I'm here on Phobos's instructions."

"You're from Hades then?" Jason asked, seeking confirmation to the question in half of their minds. The non-Hades half of them, that was. "And involved in the operation?"

"Correct on both counts. You must be the one Phobos told me to find... Jason Dinguard? Well, nice to finally meet you, after I heard lots from Deimos. He and Phobos are coming by the way." Enya got up, patting the dust off himself as he grinned at Vondaemia. "Daemie-chan, some of your friends are coming too. They want to meet you and your two supposed-to-be holidaying brothers at this cryptic place called 'the resting hotel after rebellion'. Is that a code or something?"

Alcaedo was the one who answered, even as the pair of shifters from Hades shared a meaningful grin. "Not exactly, but you can put it that way. When will they be arriving, and how many of them?"

"Four hours and around twenty minutes from now, which would make it eight in the evening. I don't know how many are coming though, Phobos did not tell me, even though I think he knows. I didn't think of asking, at that moment." Making a wry expression, Enya then turned to Jason. "The rest of our people, including Deimos and Phobos, will arrived at around twelve midnight, at two seperate locations. Let me know who are going, so that we can plan the operation for tomorrow."

[OOC: Yume, settle the number of psychics you're bring down asap. Vex, please do the same for your people. It's time to destroy the two clans once and for all. ]

Jason stands to his feet, walking a bit over to the dining area, his hands behind his back. But he stops then faces the group after stepping up to the higher floor of this area of his house, which was only an inch.

"Alright, then. Mavis....Brute...are you assisting us?"

The two looked at one another for a moment before looking back to him. Brute folds his arms as Mavis speaks. "We have nothing better to do. Plus, this will allow us to give some payback to those who did this to us."

Brute nods, but responds:"I also have some unfinished business there, too."

"Ok," Jason says. "As to your question, Enya, the numbers aren't sure, but whatever help we receive, we will divide between them. However, not everyone will be going on this mission. The reason for that is because we will need to have some of our special forces stay here to defend the city from falling to destruction. But again, all that will be taken care of once we see what numbers and people we are working with. Until Deimos and Phobos arrives, we cannot plan out our mission entirely."

"No matter what," Mavis says. "We'll never have enough to pull this off however." Everyone looks toward her with confused faces, but Enya replies:"You'll be surprised what only small numbers can do."

"That's not the point," Mavis says quickly, looking at him. "I believe you guys are good, but you're underestimating the enemy here. Dragon didn't spend all that money for nothing. It's likely they have hundreds of people like yourselves, just waiting to have their skills come in use, and when that happens, it can be the end of this mission before we know it."

"Which is why," Jason interrupts, we hope to accomplish this with as little disturbance as possible, to not alert the clan entirely. "But if that situation ever comes up....we'll sure to be ready."

Mavis looks at him slight fear on her face then away. "Fine. It's your funeral."

She stands to her feet as she walks to the hallway, going into the bathroom and closing the door, the lock being heard. Brute watched her with a slight sweat on his forehead, evident that her words were true. Jason shakes his head before saying to Enya:"Alright. You and I are to go and meet those two who are to arrive. Of course, we'll need one more person to go with each of us, just in case something happens."

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Standing at the edge of one of the buildings, a figure stood erect and silent, his short hair blowing in the small breeze that was going past his body. His round glasses reflected the city's lights that he looks over, a large span of the city being right in front of him. Walking up behind him was another figure, hidden in the shadows of the night, yet a gleam can be seen going from its chest. The shadow says to him:"The enemy has already started to move in, sir."

The glass-wearing man looks over his shoulder at him. "This soon, hm?" He looks back forward. "Well, isn't this a shock? It seems our friends want to start ahead of schedule. Very well. Call HQ. We'll do the same thing."

The shadow nods before fading away. The remaining one smirks. "You may have destroyed our base, but like they say:' The phoenix will rise again.' He starts to laugh, but it isn't manical, but very casual like, showing his seriousness even when he's in joy.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Blaze rubs his eyes as he slowly wakes up, along with the three girls that Beatrix once knew. They all blink before they yell, Blaze crawling back from them, and the three doing the same.

"Where the hell are we," one of the girls say.

Looking at Blaze, they reply:"You kidnapped us, didn't you?! You were trying to get a good one off of us without paying, isn't that right?"

"Wait, wait, wait, no, that's..."

The three stand to their feet and march over to him, cracking their knuckles while Blaze leaps to his feet, getting into a boxing stance. "Now stay away, you three. I won't hit a lady, but if I have to...."

Staring at the fading back of Enyalios, Jason, Draenaria and Alcaedo, Vondaemia heaved a tiny sigh at the loss of entertainment before turning back to Brute who was still trembling vaguely.

"I'll be off in a bit. Don't miss me!" she giggled almost childishly to the shapeshifter before running off to in the direction of the bathroom and shifting into rabbit behind a door where she was effectively out of his visual range.

It was several minutes after that Mavis emerged from the bathroom, a snowy white rabbit carefully snuggled in her folded arms.

~*~

"Alright now ladies." Chloe said, hiding her mirth behind a raised hand as she stepped out of the kitchen where she, Wyane, the twins and Cadence had hidden whilst Catalina, Maria and Valerie had their fun with their male captive. "I don't mean to interrupt, but if you do carry out what you intend to do with him, there might not be enough of him left to answer our questions."

"Point taken." Valerie answered for them as they paused mid-advance to ponder. "But we'll still get our fun once you're done with him."

"No problem." the twins chorused, proceeding to bounce towards the LAW member and forcefully sitting him down on the tiled floor with the combined weight of both twins latched on either of his sides. The pistols that they had pointing at his neck and head seemed to persuade him quite effectively as well.

"Standard questioning routine, always begins with the five 'W's and one 'H', deployed by every commonfolk in the traids." Chloe began, explaining the process the Cadence first before turning back to their almost suffocating captive. "Who are you?"

The man seemed to hesitate, until Kylie released the safety on her pistol, which was pressed against the back of his head. Reluctantly, he uttered, "Blaze."

The process continued for the following half hour before they finally managed to squeeze several quick answers and agreements Blaze and had him set free, on the threat that should he harm any of them, he would die the worst possible death they could offer.

"Now we have been met with one too many delays." Chloe turned to the girls, "Would you ladies like to lead us to your warehouse where we may rearm ourselves?"

[OOC: Sorry for the lack of contents in this post. I hope I'll be able to elaborating more in my next post.]

Impatience rose within her as the hands of her watch seemed to pass even slower than they had done before. Checking her nails over she realised her hands were stained with blood, she wasn’t wasting anytime on gracefulness. However with the amount of time she found herself losing in the elevator she couldn’t help but imagine the big boss escaping down the stairs. Beatrix wasn’t one for waiting, people waited for Beatrix not the other way around.

Thoughts of doubt crept into her mind like some old unwelcome friend at a high school reunion. This reminded her she had never been to a reunion in fact high school and any education seemed like a blur. It was typical of Phoenix to do such sketchy work on her memory, too bad they hadn’t worked harder on adding a few happy ones. Answers didn’t really matter that much to her anymore, it was like the hatred was taking over and all meaning had fallen apart.

Banging her fist against the elevator door in frustration she remembered that other psychic from earlier. How full of spite and bad humour she was, Beatrix didn’t want to become one of those kinds of psychics. If she was ever going to get used to this thing, no that wasn’t an option. Was her mind tricking her?

Paranoia

If only it would go away, it was some sort of weird thing that ran in the women of her family. Beatrix had hid it well over the years, now she felt imprisoned in this elevator…alone in the world….and as if maybe everyone…no she wasn’t that important. The elevator finally came to a halt and the doors opened, ignoring the indent she had made upon the door earlier she walked through entering a hall. She had walked this hall many times; however she had never walked it with the intention of killing her old friend. Then again she had never known her old friend had been experimenting on her, unless that scientist girl was right and Beatrix has opted for it.

If so why did they not bother telling her? If she had been told she could’ve faced this but they’d let her keep on living her life without any real knowledge of what was happening around her. Maybe she’d opted for that as well, whatever it was their plans hadn’t worked out the way they’d wanted them to. A few guards came running for her with surprised expressions, perhaps they hadn’t thought the intruder would be a woman they had once looked up to.

“Hello boys…I’m sorry but you’re going to have to make an appointment”, Beatrix smiled revealing her shining katana that had made a puddle behind herself.

They proceeded with fearful steps, almost afraid the floor below them would melt. Beatrix was unsure of the expression she was making but it was supposed to be a sort of deadly smile, she had never liked her smile. It was strange how she found herself smiling more and more often than she had ever had when everything was- well ‘fine’.

Gasping Beatrix pointed behind the men, the fools they were the looked. Starting for them she aimed for Romeo, he wasn’t that strong and the rest of the guards always made fun of him. Grabbing his gun she twisted it in a 180 degree angle and pulled on the trigger, bye bye Romeo. The others were cake; aiming the AK47 in their direction she yet again allowed death to do its work. Dropping the gun she made for the main doors, this was too easy there was something behind these doors and you didn’t need to be psychic to tell.

Kicking them open a bright room shined into her eyes, it seemed as homely as ever. Darting her eyes around the office she realised it was empty, unexpected. The boss had ran away? Was he on business or something? Beatrix would’ve expected him to face her and take it like a man; yes everything appeared in a new light. What would she do now? She had no leads to follow up on; unless she met up with that scientist again she seemed to want to get her own back. Too bad she had killed Christian he was rather handy in these situations. Removing her phone from her pocket she opened the lock and checked the phone book, it was strange how the only saved number was the Phoenix office.

When the black jeep pulled to a stop in front of the entrance of an ordinary seeming hotel in the small business district of Tewen, Enyalios and Alcaedo was already standing by the door, waiting patiently.

"The carpark is in the basement, Hormes." Phobos could be heard saying as he and a redhead lady stepped out of the car, which took off seconds after the doors were pushed shut.

The clairvoyant standing with the Enyalios at the door raised an eyebrow. "That is Exile?"

"Was. Now he is Hormes, undergoing training with Deimos." The dual psychic answered, before he and Alcaedo both straightened to greet his mentor and the female with a formal bow. "Phobos-sama, Nemesis-sama."

"Let's get to our rooms. The others have reached their destination. Lieutenant Dinguard and Akratos have made contact." Phobos gave them his usual polite smile as he passed them, and as Enya nodded in response, he wondered if the general psychic was still angry with him.

"I'm still not quite used to our codenames, even after nearly two years." Alcaedo smiled wryly from beside Enya as they followed their superiors towards the elevator after a very short pause at the reception table. "Drae and Daemie don't seem to have that problem."

Enya gave him an amused grin. "Well you'll get used to it in time. I haven't heard my real name for years, just like most of the others. It'll take longer for you, but you'll get used to it."

Alcaedo nodded thoughtfully and silence reigned until when the four of them were inside a spacious VIP suite, and Exile joined them a couple of minutes later.

As the two higher ranked Hades members took the seats at the coffee table, leaving the others standing respectfully, Phobos spoke. "Before we proceed, Nemesis, meet Enyalios and Epiphron. Enya will also be participating in the Phoenix side of the mission."

"I have heard of them." The cold smile on the lips of the lady with dark copper hair turned into a smirk of the same nature, aquamarine eyes set on distinct European features were glinting with amusement. "Hormes, Epiphron and Akratos is from the batch Deimos recruited from two years ago from this place."

"Which is why they are here, along with some of their companions." Phobos gave an affirmation before he tilted his head and frowned slightly in concentration. "Deimos just informed me that all stations are ready, so we can start the meeting now. Enya, we'll use your phone. Set it to multiple parties, the sixth programmed frequency and loudspeaker mode."

"Took you long enough, darling." Deimos's smirking tone was the first thing they heard when the phone accessed the secured line successfully. "By the way, Wayne and rabbit girl will be listening in via my telepathy. Kaito, Moros and the Triad Wars bunch are all connected. We are free to talk now."

"Thank you, Deimos." Phobos smiled, though his tone was all about business. "Will you do the honors of briefing us on the objectives of this mission, and an approximate plan that we can build on, Lieutenant Dinguard?"

[OOC: *edited* I edited the profiles and some additional details (such as who has what codename) into my OOC post so that it will not be too confusing.]

To fail, to miss one scrutinizing detail, it would always result in death - or so, he was taught. He was sent to watch over the operations and doings of the Phoenix Triad, yet what did he miss? Streams of conspiracies fluttered through a trained assassin's head, as he casually walked down the hall. Yuri followed close behind. On another occasion, the scene may have felt 'normal'.

Looking down the hall, the sight of guards met both his eyes, and the eyes of his companion.

"Kaito, what happened here?" A slight edge carried in her voice, cautious, but nothing more.

As the being made to leave the Phoenix leader's room, Kaito moved to one side of the hall, the one closest to the door, and drew a shuriken. By this time, Yuri was in front of him, crouched.

"Kaito, this one's mine, okay?"

Yet, it wasn't an enemy - it was Beatrix. Shaking, Yuri questioned herself as to whether she should end the girls life now. It was Kaito who gave her the answer.

"No.

"Beatrix-san, it's always a pleasure to see you." Bowing, Kaito still carried the same sadisitic grin as before.

"Kaito, I'm really not in the mood for your ####### right now."

"How dare you speak to Kaito-san like that, you -"

"No, Yuri, It's okay," the Hades assasin replied. "How about this: you talk, I listen. I'll respond when you wish me to, but at no other time. Does that sound fine?"

"Talk? You must mean about my new-found powers."

"That, and about why these guards are dead."

"And what about your-" Beatrix sputtered, glancing at the kunoichi.

" - Yuri will do the same."

It did not matter what Beatrix was about to call his kunoichi, Kaito knew that for this to work, he had to avert trouble. The look of anguish on Yuri's face said it all, not so much as in her face as in her eyes. All the shinobi could do was nod apologetically, and mentally note to say it in person. After some meditation, he could only hope that she would be cooled down - at least a little.

"Honestly, I'm not sure what's going on myself."

Silence.

"I see. And the guards?"

"They were in my way."

"They were specially trained to defend Phoenix. Your work is rather impressive.

"You realize that when he finds out about this, he will kill you."

"Phoenix won't dare, especially now."

"He'll try. Beatrix, you're too good for this, and if you want to get better -" Kaito handed Beatrix a small sheet of paper containing the number to his private line.

"Who said anything about me needing your help?"

"Beatrix-san, it's always a pleasure speaking with you. I do hope you take care."

Kaito turned and made off for his room, Yuri following closely behind.

~Kaito's Room~
"Kaito, you know exactly how I feel about her - about people like her. How dare you?! I was in prostitution for too long to be allied with her, and you.... You have plans for her, don't you?" Alone, her face contorted into a mix of anger and despair.

"Yes."

"You know I can't forgive you for this, don't you? Do you remember that I still have wounds...?"

"Yes."

"And do you care?"

If she could only know.

Even in the midst of the argument, the pair settled into a deep meditation.

( Edit: OOC: Alex, if I misused Beatrix in even the slightest way, please tell me so that I may fix it.)

Pushing back a strand of blonde hair Beatrix studied the number jotted down on the piece of paper, it seemed strange that Kaito would do this considering that they had never gotten on that well but she was thankful all the same. Kaito had always seemed to be such a dedicated member of Phoenix obviously this wasn’t the case or he would’ve attempted to kill her. Right now at her weakest and most vulnerable Beatrix knew that the two of them had the opportunity and capability to do away with her, although they didn’t.

Yuri and he were very close and Yuri had been an employee of hers for a time, maybe there was some kind of underlining behind this kindness. Releasing her eyes from concentration Beatrix glanced around herself wondering how she was going to get out of this building, by now security must have been on to her. She could take on a few at a time but taking down them all was not an option that was a suicide mission she wasn’t going to take on by herself.

Studying Kaitos number again Beatrix soon realised he and his Yuri were her only safe way out of this place. Discovering this new part of herself or this old part it depended on how you looked at the situation, gave her a clean slate, one which she would use to wipe the floor with Phoenix. Hopefully Yuri would accept her not that she went out seeking forgiveness but she didn’t want to be remembered for what she had been. Whipping out her mobile she began to punch in the numbers Kaito had given her, however she was cut short be the sound of ringing. Examining the mobile screen it seemed Kaito’s number had already been inserted, maybe there was more to this being psychic than she originally thought.

“Kaito, it looks like I might need you’re help after all”, Beatrix talked into the phone after hearing it being answered by whomever.

(OOC: Tag reanimation and you played Beatrix perfectly, thanks)

A short ring and the trance-like state was broken.

"Kaito.... who is it?" Yuri moaned, somehow already knowing who would be at the other end. Once more, the shinobi looked apologetically at his ally, his friend. What else could he really do? Kaito mentally cursed himself for putting her through this.

Another ring.

The phone was picked up.

"Kaito, it looks like I might need you’re help after all." It was as she suspected; it was Beatrix.

"I'm glad, Beatrix-san. I'll have the papers drafted immediately."

"Wha- Papers?! Kaito, what are you talking about?"

"If you're still willing, you'll be moving under my custody. You didn't expect that we would host an all-out assault on the entire organization, did you?" Kaito chuckled the last part, angering the Phoenix Pimp.

"No, but you didn't say anything about being your charge!"

"It makes the most sense doesn't it? Yuri is protected, she doesn't have to abide by Phoenix orders. Also, I would allow you much freedom in this."

Yuri cringed at the mention of her name. Speaking to.... her, was one thing, but bringing her under his custody?! Bringing her name into this. Yuri mentally noted, with a rather sadisitic grin, how much the shinobi would need to account for when all was said and done.

"And in return?" A masked sense of hesitancy clouded her tone.

" You will show complete respect to both myself and Yuri-chan in public. In private, I could care less what you call me. On the rare occasion that I ask something of you, you are to comply with it - no buts. Lastly, you are to meditate daily with Yuri and I."

"Meditation?"

"Yes, theoretically," Kaito could hear a slight chuckle to this, " meditation will afford you more control over your powers.

"I'll give you some time to this this over. Take care, Beatrix-san."

Static. A dial tone. The phone clicked as it was placed on its base.

The look on Yuri's face said it all: if Beatrix did not kill him, Yuri would. In all the years he had known Yuri, known Deimos, he had never seen such a look of anguish as was on his Yuri.

"Yuri -"

//Kaito, it's time.//

//Okay, Deimos-san. I understand.//

He wondered: didn't she know he wouldn't let anything happen to her?

(OOC: once again, I hope that everything was satisfactory.)

Setting up a team to go out and meet with the Hades member, Draenaria decided to come with Jason, while Enya and Alcaedo went to another of the two deployed gatherings. Mavis had decided to go with Jason, whereas Brute kept in the hallway of the apartment, even though he was still listening in on the situation via a small device he placed under the couch he was currently at. He didn't want to be left out of this. The black jeep pulls out of the underground garage and is off toward the place of meeting. Soon, they stop and get out, only to me Deimos once more. After a nod, Jason talks into the speaker phone now in his possession.

"Ok, then. This is what we are to do."

He pull sout a device from his back pocket and punches a few buttons before the screen lights up in front of his face.

"Okay. After a little downloading, I have received the map of Matissi, the residence of the Dragon Clan. In the center, the largest building is the HQ itself. That is our goal. Sounds simple, right? Wrong. From what the information I had just gotten, there are checkpoints everywhere around the place that lead to the more important places inside their territory. Not only is there twenty four hour patrol, there is said to be snipers and watch-outs placed virtually anywhere that may be used for infiltration.

"If they are going through all of this just to keep anyone from getting near the headquarters, just think of what they may go through inside. This is no easy mission. That is why I do not want any of us to make any mistake. And if you do, compensate for it immediately." The screen flickers to the map of Phoenix.

"Now, Phoenix's HQ is rather odd in that they are split between four main buildings, all placed in the cardinal directions of this city. Not only does it make taking any of their main sources down harder, but it also leads to complications of going as a team. If we are known in one, obviously, the rest will be notified, making us face a decision of having the team going into Vincellio split up even more, thus weakening our force. And like Dragon, the outside alone is a highly-watched area."

"The only alternatives we have," Mavis interrupts. "Is sticking to low profile areas in these cities. The sewers is rather another possible place, however, I go against it. The clan does not have any security down below. but those who have entered, never return. They have even used them as a drop place for prisoners to meet their deaths. But again, it is a low surveryed place."

Jason sighs. "That is why we asked for your help, Hades. We are going up against two clans who have fortified their offenses and defences for an all out war. If we are noticed....this mission will reach critical status. Therefore, let us get down to our objectives. We are to first inlfiltrate each city. That won't be too hard. Next, we are to secure a safe haven in each city in order to provide us a place to plan, depending on the situation currently going on and the update of what ou encounter. Next, would be to locate the main security watches and use our acquired knowledge to get to their headquarters without getting caught in any way. Once this is done, the next objective is to infiltrate the headquarters. This should be done under as much stealth as possible. Finally, we are to take down the heads of the clans themselves. I hate to say this, but it will be best if they are dead. Demolitions is our final mission, as well as our last resort. Each headquarter needs to be destroyed, with Phoenix, all four at once. And it would help if all the key structures in these cities were taken out, as well.

"If you think you can decrease the number of oppositions we will have and not alert the entire area, then you may do that also to make your missions safer. Remember: our true mission is to take down both's headquarters and key bases. If times call for desperate measures, then use drastic force. But if you feel you can no longer do the mission, get out of there as quickly as you can."

Mavis inhales and exhales as he says:"So practically, we're walking into a death trap. Why do we even bother?"

Jason responds:"Because it's our duty to make sure this city is protected. And to bring peace once and for all. It is futile to have the two converse a treaty. Tension disallows that now. Well, that is my briefing. Let us compose the teams, shall we? There is nine of us here now. Twelve makes Wyane and Kaito, right? So already, we have at least six people on each team. A resonable number. But before we choose members, we choose leaders. I will be the head of the team heading into Matissi, the Dragons' terrority. Now the question is, who will lead the team of the Phoenix infiltrators? Any volunteers? How about you, Deimos?"

He looks over to the man he once saw as an an enemy, but now as a friend. "I believe you will serve the perfect leader for them."

Durin slowly picked himself off his knees in the deserted graveyard. The sound of sirens seemed could be heard of in the distance, but the area still seemed calm. Rain slowly trickled down from the sky, wetting Durin's long Brown hair. The air though stale still had a freshness to it, that was almost indescribable. Durin walked away from the gravestone that was marked 'Tarie Drake' with no epitaph at the bottom, and placed his hands in his black suit pockets. He slowly walked through the puddles that quickly erected in the graveyard and unto a small stone path here a bench lie, he sat quietly enjoying probably the last peaceful moments he will get for a long time. The rain stopped, and slightly wet Durin fell into a deep day dream, picturing the sun rising over an everlasting sea, the sky glowing a bright orange and birds flying in numerous directions, thugh Durin came to his senses at the sound of a gunshot in the distance.

OOC: I hope that is a good enough place for you to meet me at I couldn't really think of anything.

"I believe you will serve the perfect leader for them."

Deimos quirked an eyebrow and smiled grimly. "Based on the fact that I was once a member of Phoenix, that would be the logical decision. But no, Phobos will be leading the team infiltrating Phoenix, while I'll be going with you. This is the decision that we made after taking in what we knew into consideration, and it is one that will give both operations a better chance to succeed."

Jason agreed after giving it a moment's thought. "If that is what you have decided."

"Before we came here, we had already given the team formation some thought. Our members here with me will be part of the team going for Vincellio, while those with you will be heading for Matissi. Kaito and Moros will join my team later. We will decide which team Bendis and the rest of you who are taking part will be going with later." Phobos's calm authoritive voice flowed clearly through the speaker, and all who were part of the meeting listened quietly as he continued his briefing.

"Mister Dinguard, Deimos will arrange a way for you to send us the maps and information that you have at hand. The people you have called into this operation will be part of your team. Once we decide on the rest of the teams and collate the information, we will start making the operation plans. To prevent things from being overly complicated, there will be two seperate operations, taking place at the same time. Due to some internal matters that we had to take care of, the Phoenix infiltration operation will have an extra set of objectives that I am afraid we will not be able to let you and your people know, Mister Dinguard. I hope you are alright with that, because we cannot budge on this matter."

Before Jason could say anything, Deimos stared at him with a straight face that was very uncharacteristic of him. "This is very important to us, and we had already been planning to do this even before you approached us. And unless you plan to become a part of Hades, it is for your own good for you to not know about it."

Jason stared right back and his answer came after a while. "As long as it does not jeopardize the main objectives, suit yourself."

Deimos's silvery-blue eyes were almost demonic as he grinned. "Even if we will, you don't have to worry too much about it. Right, Phobos?"

"We thank you for your trust in us, Mister Dinguard. The purpose of arranging it so that the team with me will consist purely of our people is also taking into consideration that should we fail, we will absorb the loss and will not implicate you and your people. With that settled, let's gather together what we know and start making a more detailed plan, shall we?"

After Jason's note of agreement, the meeting moved into the discussion phase. And while Jason was sending the data he gathered on the two triads to Phobos, Deimos took the chance to send a private telepathic thought towards the two Hades spies.

/Kaito, Moros, your points of contact will be discussed after the both of you report to Phobos immediately after the end of this discussion, but be prepared to withdraw from Phoenix once the order is given. So start packing your bags, Kaito-chan, and let Phobos know what you plan to do with your lady ninja./

[OOC: Vex and yume, please confirm who are going on the mission so that we have an idea what we will be working with. Vex, Jason's people will all be part of Dragon's infiltration operation, so you'll do the plan thingy for it. I'll do the one for Phoenix's infiltration, but first, let's know the number of people taking part. Reanimation, if you can, please indicate Kaito's status in the operation somehow. I think that will be all, yea. ^^; Hope I'm not asking for too much.]

"Yuri -"

"I know, Kaito. I know."

Seeming to resume his state of meditation, Yuri followed, trying somehow to sort out both the known and unknown. Meditation can never fully assist in the creation of "inner peace," if the user was undergoing some sort of mental / physiological conflict -- or, that was her reasoning behind it.

It seemed odd, though: No matter how much Kaito told her, there always seemed to be something left out. Something she was not being told. She could only hope Kaito trusted her as much as she thought he did. Or, was everything a delusion of grandeur? During her training in Dragon, she learned that the word "utopia" carried two meanings: "no place" and "best place." Back then, she believed it whole-heartedly, but now, she was not too sure.

As Yuri pulled herself out of her trance, Kaito was already sipping on a small cup of herbal tea. The cup was placed down lightly on the small wooden table at which Kaito sat.

"Kaito, what's wrong?"

"Yuri, how do you feel about leaving Phoenix for good?"

"Seriously?"

"Am I ever not serious?" Kaito chuckled slightly.

"Kaito, why won't you just give me a straight-forward answer?"

"Yes, Yuri, I'm serious. We'll leave as soon as you've packed your bags."

"And Beatrix?"

"She's coming with us. After that, she’s on her own."

"But you were planning on putting her under your custody..."

"I didn't want her as an enemy. Now, are we going to leave, or aren't we?"

"Thank you very much for this, Kaito," Yuri bowed and stepped outside of his room. Through the thinness of his wall, he could see her shadow bound down the hall to her room.

Without hesitation, Kaito removed the phone and dialed Beatrix’s number:

“There has been a change in plans. If you want to leave, meet me at my room.”

“Whatever.”

Click. Dial tone.

In a matter of five minutes then that Beatrix slowly made her way to the door, her bags in hand. Before she was even able to knock on the door, something Kaito feared she would do, he told her to enter. Kaito stood and bowed, offering her a seat before sitting once more.

"Kaito, I don't understand any of this, and after what I've been through, I would like an explanation."

"I apologize Beatrix-san, but these matters are not for you to understand. If I felt you needed to know, I would tell you."

"Kaito, while I am thankful for your help, please don't ##### around with me!"

"Let me put it to you this way. I have a mission. If you interfere with that mission, I'm sure Yuri-chan will take great pleasure in killing you."

"Kaito, I'm trying to make a fresh start here."

"It would be wise if you did not start with your death, then, wouldn't it?"

Some time later, Kaito sensed the chi of an aero kinetic approaching.

"There is no need to knock, Yuri."

Quietly, Yuri slid open the door, first bowing to Kaito, then to Beatrix.

“Let’s go, then. Others are coming,” Kaito informed, motioning the others to follow him as he stepped into the hallway.

Beatrix followed Kaito’s lead, possessing an air of arrogance in her stance.

“Beatrix, don’t take Kaito’s kindness lightly. He could have easily left you to die.”

Dodging through empty halls and corridors, guided by the shinobi’s senses, Beatrix sighed in relief in the knowledge that they had successfully made it to the parking garage. Upon entering the lot near Kaito‘s vehicle, the Hades assassin glanced towards an empty Porsche.

“Kaito… what is it?”

“It’s nothing, Yuri-chan.”

The cloaked being gripped the passenger door. A click. The door was open. The kunoichi moved up, into the vehicle. Beatrix was motioned to do the same. Yuri’s bag was secured. The shinobi entered last. The keys were entered into the ignition. The vehicle accelerated quickly.

In but a matter of minutes, the three reached the city border.

“Beatrix, from here on out, we part ways. Of course, you’re free to do whatever you want, but please remember what I told you earlier. In time, we may even be able to form an alliance.

Yuri‘s bag was removed from the Jeep‘s trunk and placed in Kaito‘s hand. “Yuri, from here on, we are going to walk, okay? Where we are going shouldn‘t be too far.” He knew the blonde pimp could not risk being tracked, but he could only hope she would be smart enough to take up the hint.

“Very well then, Kaito-san.” Kaito nearly reveled in the feeling of pure ecstasy his kunoichi’s smile exposed.

“Kaito, your full of it.”

“Please take care, Beatrix-san.”

Approximately fifteen minutes later, both runaways approached an extremely shabby, run-down, two-story complex. Wires hung limply from nearly every angle; cracked tiles littered the floor. Cramped tightly in a portion of splintered tile lay a single enamel tooth. Hard drives too damaged to be repaired littered the top of piles of chunks of burnt wood, where a counter may have stood. The monitor lay missing -- stolen. Along the window seals, tattered curtains fluttered helplessly against the wind. Blood had stained bare walls, a threadbare couch, and faded rug, where once the Phoenix symbol proudly stood. One would barely be able to recognize the heap of wood as a sofa, if not for minute patches of red silk.

“Kaito… what is this place?”

“It once stood as Phoenix’ recruitment center for this section of the city. After the last war, well, you can see for yourself.”

“What now?”

“We wait.”

~Flashback to Kaito's "Meditation"~
//So start packing your bags, Kaito-chan, and let Phobos know what you plan to do with your lady ninja.// - Deimos.

//Domo arigato, Deimos-san. Within the hour, I should arrive at one of the old recruitment centers. If memory serves, it is the one you were to oversee before your leave from Phoenix. I will await new orders there.//

(OOC: Please forgive the length and time it took me to post. Seluna-chan, Alex, if anything should be changed in this post --and I'm sure there is-- please do not hesitate to notify me. I will change it as soon as I can.)

[OOC: It's fine, ^^ I can work with it.]

"Be thankful you don't have to wait long, Kaito." Enya walked into the room on silent feet right after the shinobi finished his words, a smirk on his face. "I have been waiting here on Phobos's orders. You've got everything packed?"

"Yes. What are Phobos's instructions for us?"

"There's good news, and there's bad news." Enya detached his twin chakrams from his belt and twirled them both, one on a forefinger on each hand. "Good news is, from now on, Yuri-chan is part of Hades. And she gets to join Operation Extinguisher together with you, though you won't be working together all the time."

Kaito nodded. "Bad news?"

"Bad news is this. You will be returning to Vincellio and meeting with Moros, who will know what to do from then on. Phobos has arranged for Yuri-chan to meet with him, so she will not be going with you. But you won't be going alone, since I'm coming along."

"With what you did to the HQ here, how are you going to enter the city full of Phoenix members?"

"Well, you'll have to bring me in, that's for sure. Just remember how Deimos brought back rabbit girl, and you'll do fine. But don't worry, I'll help you out with it."

With a bright smile and without warning, the chakram on Enya's right hand flew towards Kaito.

[OOC: Yay, a fight! Tag, rean! ^^ If you don't understand Enya's hint, just let me know. XD]

Without a moment's hesitation, a hand slipped into a cloak pocket, reaching two daggers. As one hand moved to parry the blow with a shaken, the other gracefully armed itself with the other. Immediately, the other chakram was released from the other's hand.

Moving to fend off this attack as well, Kaito ducked, scratching what he hoped to be the middle of the cord with a shuriken. The other chakram embedded itself an inch into the shinobi's skin before being swung away.

"On the defensive? I was hoping you'd put up more of a fight than this."

At once, both chakram were flung toward Kaito. The cloaked being ducked and sprinted foward. With both cords extended completely, the shinobi felt comfortable with his marking. Just after he was able to knick the other the other cord in the center, both chakram were immediately pulled backward.

Seemingly trapped, Kaito flung both ninja star toward his rival. As Enya hopped to the left, Kaito motioned to yank the cords down, bringing both blades up and arround him. From the position of Enya's hop, it became easier for the dual psychic to bring one chakram moreso towards himself. The blade barely missed his tendons, while the other was immediately angled as to avoid Kaito's reach.

It was then that Kaito realized something. If this was a real fight, he would have lost. Then and there. One arm still lay wounded from his fight with Jevadite, while the other may have become completely useless from Enya's assault.

Blood trickled from the wound, but in a matter of seconds it stopped. Hemoglobin was being pulled together to try and clot what would become a scar.

"Yuri, please don't... I can't allow you to do this..."

Sure, this was not an actual "fight to the death." Even so, he doubted her skill, which would only become more difficult to manage as the battle progressed.

Once more, the shinobi was armed with two more shuriken. From their look, from their feel, Kaito could tell they were laced. If memory served, the poisin would serve dehydrate the boy. It was always interesting, the knowledge one could pick up from past battles.

(OOC: I always feel self-concious about my posts.... I hope this works, Sel-chan. Also, I believe this marks the end to my inactivity.... at least till June ^^;;;)

"You have to do better than this, Kaito." Enya grinned cheerfully even as his golden eyes glinted coldly with a predatory light that could be found in the eyes of wild beast. "Or there just may be a change of plan."

Holding one of the cords in the middle, Enya started spinning the chakram above his head like a lasso, with a speed that made the dark colored weapon a blur to normal eyes. Even as the edge of the weapon made accidental contacts with various parts of the room, the velocity did not change.

Smiling widely at his tensed opponent, he suddenly released the hold on the wise. Driven by momentum, the chakram sped out towards Kaito swiftly with Enya right behind it, the other chakram clutched in his hand.

~Kaito's POV~
As the blade approached, Kaito's mind flashed through the possibilities. Judging from the pure momentum behind it, any attempt to stop it completely would only result in the defense being peirced - shattered completely.

The shinobi quickly ducked slightly to the left, knowing that any attempt to blatantly dodge it would cause Enya to once more release his second chakram.

//I have one chance at this.//

Pushing off both legs, moreso his left, Kaito swirled, hitching both shuriken in the center of the circle, against the edge of the closest side. Carrying through with his own momentum, the angle of the attack was changed as to slightly miss the shinobi. As the motion continued, however, the speed of the chakram brought the other edge of the center through both shuriken. His whole body facing the right, Kaito tried to use whatever mometum he had left to bring him from 180 degrees of his original position to a complete 360.

//I can't keep this up too much longer...//

Only managing to make about three-fourths of the complete circle, Kaito hopped back, hoping to buy some time. By this time, however, Enya had already withdrawn another chakram from his pack, making his way to Kaito with an enormous speed. Before landing, Kaito threw one of the shattered shuriken, the pain from the other shoulder now setting in completely.

"I'll have to keep that in mind, Enya." All of the battles between them seemed to progress like this, most of which with the shinobi loosing, due to his apparent disadvantage. Kaito could only chuckle at the memories.

Never taking his eyes off Kaito, Enya flipped up, spinning both chakram as a sort of leverage. Dropping the other shuriken completely, the cloaked figure brought forth the last two shuriken he kept on his being at the time. Judging from the aura of the last two, Kaito mentally smiled to himself. It happened to be his strongest venom, literally attacking the circulatory and respiratory systems simultaneously.

//Eh... Yuri should know where the antidotes are. You don't train with someone for over a year without learning that much.//

Throwing both shaken at once, the shinobi then turned to creating the seals necessary for fudo kanashibari no jutsu. Turning to Yuri, Kaito nodded, mouthing her name. Nearing the ground, Enya once more readied himself for the oncoming shuriken. As the last words left the cloaked figure's breath, Kaito blacked out.

~Yuri's POV~
'Kaito... please be okay...'

Soundlessly, the kunoichi mouthed these words. As the fight progressed, Yuri could not help but tense as the strain using aerokinetics continued to make itself known. If he, if Kaito, had not been so injured, she thought she might just stare at the situation in awe at the beauty of the attacks.

Keeping herself completely still, Yuri noted as Kaito turned and mouthed her name.

'I understand, and... I'm sorry.'

Depending on what happened next, Yuri knew. If Enya takes in the poison, she would release the her kinetics completely.

(OOC: ' text ' = words mouthed, but not actually voiced.)

"Kaito!" Golden eyes widened as Enya saw shinobi go down, and as he paused in surprise, his defensive pose dropped too. He only realized that he did when the shurikens struck him, one on his right arm and the other embedded in his left shoulder, and he muttered a curse under his breath as he examined the wounds.

The poison from Kaito's projectile acted quickly, as the effects already started showing, and Enya frowned as he recognized it, and he swore. "Of all things, all the poison, you use this one. Damn you Kaito."

As though his words were the signal, Yuri turned from where she was half-kneeling beside Kaito, and stared at his direction with narrowed eyes. The air rippled violently around Enya, and stinging cuts from all around his body started registering with his nerve center.

Enya dropped to his knees, weakened by the venom, and he hissed sharply as a air sliced deeply into his lower thigh. Enya knew that he would better not put any weight on that leg. Deciding that he had have enough, a feral look appeared in his golden eyes, and he stretched his arms out to the side, wincing as they became covered with tiny slices.

The main supplies of electricity to the room exploded and electric current snaked towards Enya and surrounded him in a sphere, cackling loudly against the air. Yuri's attacks were rendered useless and she stopped, frowning. Then her eyes widened when Enya suddenly gasped and the sphere became forcibly absorbed by his body.

Yuri had never seen an electric shock of such scales. Normal people would have died, but Enya was a psychic and dealt with electricity. But even with his high electrical tolerance, he was taking some severe damage. His hands and arms were badly burnt, and he was trembling from his effort as he tried to keep the current contained, even while the poison took further effect.

Then all the electricity was gone, and the part of him that was upright fell forward. His body was smoking but golden eyes were open and filled with pain as he spoke in a very hoarse voice. "I don't have much time so listen carefully. Wake Kaito up, and have him take me to Vincellio where Moros waits. Kaito won't miss him. And you-"

He coughed and spat out a mouthful of blood, and his voice was audibly strained and increasingly breathy as he began. "You take my bike and go straight east... no turning. Sombody will attack you, but they have the same earring as I do... Get caught, and you'll meet Phobos... He... he'll tell you the rest..."

With that, he fainted.

With a peculiar degree of certainty and haste, the kunoichi’s form motioned, seemingly automatic, yet free, toward the fallen shinobi. With every step forward, the air thinned, spread, as if wishing her freedom from small degrees of friction, though such is never truly the case. Those symptoms. Enya. Kaito. He knew. Only to realize the known, Yuri lifted the cloaked figures hand. A scratch from which an oblique, river sought its own drought.

Wasting not a second, the cloak was yanked from his being. Either he suffered or he died. Not a single molecule in her hoped for the latter. Slipping into the inner recesses of the cloth, the kunoichi’s trained fingers retrieved a single vile of orange liquid. By know, she had memorized exactly where each of the antidotes lay on his being, for exactly such moments.

Tilting the cloaked figures head back slightly, the contents of the vile slowly traversed his throat, until only half of the putrid-tasting antidote remained. Motioning toward the other being, Yuri poured one-fourth of the remaining amount into his throat as well. Peculiar or not, she was certainly sure that whatever was to happen would only become worse with his demise. Placing the beings head lightly on the floor once more, his keys were removed from his pocket.

Laying the shinobi on his back, the kunoichi tilted his head a small degree backwards. Closing Kaito’s nasal passage, the kunoichi covered his mouth with hers, exhaling, releasing for air, and repeating. Yuri placed her hand over the other, now on Kaito’s sternum, exhorting small amounts of force fifteen times. The procedure continued, looped, repeating, until the sounds of choking filled the air.

“H... how long has he be....been out for?”

“About five minutes.”

“And th...the antidote?”

“I gave him enough to survive for now, but we have to hurry. He has less than thirty minutes. Enya, he wants you to take him to a place called Vincellio to meet a guy named Moros.

Hearing the name, the shinobi rose to his feet.

“Kaito-san, this is where we part ways... Please be safe.”

As with custom, the kunoichi bowed to signify respect, yet when her posture returned to normal, small droplets of water streamed down her cheeks, as arms wrapped around her. The gesture seemed peculiar. Rigid. As soon as it began, it ended.

“You too, Yuri.”

"Kaito-san?"

"My Amaterasu, no need for formalities, neh?" Kaito chuckled in good-nature.

"Kaito, that..."

"Yes, I know what it means. Now go." Once more, the shinobi took great pleasure in the kunoichi's blush, producing an evident smile.

Without looking back, the kunoichi ran off to where Enya's bike sat.

~~Kaito POV~~
"Enya-chan, what am I going to do with you?" Kaito stated, placing the cloak once more on his being.

Sweeping the would-be model off the ground marriage-style, the shinobi could not help but think of how many ways Anteros would torture him at the sight of this.

//Death would be letting me off much to easy in his eyes.//

Once near the vehicle, Kaito used a knee to balance Enya as one hand slipped to deactivate the car's numerous alarms. Next would be trickier: once more bracing the man with both arms, he secured one foot in the space between a rear tire and the frame, pushing his body up as to lay the seemingly life-less corpse in the rear seat.

Retreiving what shuriken lay scattered throughout the building's first floor, Kaito then set to reaching both Vincellio and Moros.

~~Yuri's POV~~
Upon reaching the cycle, Yuri slid the key into the ignition, revved the engine, and headed straight east, as she was instructed.

Approximately ten minutes later, she reached a secluded area of the city. Progressing further, Yuri barely made out a being in an alley as she passed. Turning completely around, the kunoichi swung her leg off the vehicle, hoping this to be whomever shares the earring.

//Maybe now, I'll get some answers...//

The figure in a black suit standing in front of an abandoned gas station that was not more than a mile from the Vincellio city checked his watch again for the tenth time in the past five minutes. His long dark gray hair was now braided and pulled over his shoulder to rest against his chest, and his sharp silvery purple eyes were directed towards where Kaito would arrive from Tewen.

They were late.

A small frown touched his brows, adding a tiny sign of humanity and life to his statue-like self. Normally, he would have smoothed it back to his usual emotionless expression, but he was too worried to bother. He trusted Enyalios and Kaito, but the situation was too delicate for anything to go wrong at this point of time. Besides, what could possibly happen during a short ride from one city to another?

Relief was like a spring flood when he saw the jeep that he recognized as his fellow spy's property, and he raised a hand to stop the vehicle. The frown had turned into a stern one, and he managed to hide his concern with cold displeasure. He knew that Enya could probably see right through it, but Enya was not awake, was he?

No, Enya was knocked out, as Moros had expected him to be. But what was decidedly strange was the fact that he was bound tightly by ropes, keeping his hands behind his back and legs together, with his injuries aggravated and his lower lip very recently torn. He asked crisply, "What happened?"

"He seemed to be having a nightmare. We nearly had an accident when he suddenly started screaming and grabbing at me from behind." Kaito answered in an almost indifferent tone of voice. "I would have sedated him, but I was not sure if he could take it since he was poisoned, so I knocked him out physically."

"It can't be helped then." After determining Enya's condition, Moros nodded and settled himself in the passenger seat. "I have told Dolos that you captured Enyalios, and he is anticipating our arrival. Let's not keep him from waiting."

With that, the jeep headed towards the Suzaku Tower in Vincellio, where the traitor of Hades waited.

[OOC: I may or may not edit in Yuri's path, but it depends. ^^ Just post if you can, guys. Oh and Rean, I forgot to tell you that I don't exactly have a set appearance for Dolos. XD You can make him up for me. ^^ Just keep in mind that he's a conniving bastard who screwed Enya up once and you'll be fine.]

At one point in time, Vincellio may have been as any other growing complex, attracting tourists and potential residents for the peace and solitude it offered. Yet, cities are never quite as peaceful as they may appear.

It always seemed to amaze the shinobi, how the city had, as many called it, progressed from complete savagery to a bustling metropolis. As disgusted as he had been with the new world, it interested him, the reasons and methods behind the change. One cannot truly despise something without first completely understanding it.

If memory served, the city was first founded due to the wishful thinking of a newly founded oil company. For such an investment to progress, a number of facilities were needed, such as markets and housing. Thus, the city’s core and its first ring were created. Any goods necessary for survival or simply luxurious living, not that such a social class was possible due to the wages employees received, could be bought, sold, or bartered at the company’s designated market area. This would allow the company to regain the meager wages they ransomed to the hardest worker. History books listed the site had become a tourist attraction “The First Oil Spring in Vincellio.”, or something like that.

As other facilities such as power plants were established, the second ring around the city came into existence: markets. Competitive wages between companies inadvertently increased benefits, while decreasing work time. With these new-found salaries, supermarkets rallied to make a profit venture.

While the second ring became known as the slums and ghettos, a new ring of entrepreneurship rapidly established itself. Thus, another residential area became necessary as the fourth and final ring.

In other parts of the country, the Phoenix Triad looked favorably toward the city for a number of reasons: location, an easily targeted political system. The clan’s control quickly spread, increasing the wealth and prestige of inexperienced business owners, as well as producing corporate take-overs. To secure their wealth and control, Phoenix established four towers, each positioned in the third ring of the city, in the direction of the four cardinal positions. To the east was Seiryuu, the azure dragon. To the south was Suzaku, the vermillion bird. To the west was Byakko, the white tiger. To the north was Genbu, the black tortoise. Shortly after, pieces of the residential district were rationed off for entrepreneurial use, and what remained of the area transformed, slowly at first, but progressing with rapid continuity, into apartment complexes the size of sky scrapers, as well as other forms of residential commercial development.

Due to the triad’s influence, the ghettos spread, consuming portions of the fourth ring. The concentration of crime sat most heavily in areas closest to the towers, yet the police failed to act. Many have come to blame large donations from the Phoenix Triad for the current situation. Political infiltration, propaganda, as well as fear tactics brought the clan to its highest level of power. Vincellio became its capital.

The voyage between the two remained relatively silent, the shinobi reflective of the task ahead, although he could never truly pin Moros. Everyone’s diligence, all of the hard work and determination, would soon bring this war to an end. That was the plan. To end this. Kaito could not help but be a little pensive.

So much of Yedo had become clear during the past two years. Both clans' motivations. His role.

//Orpheus… Is this what you wanted for me?//

As the Jeep progressed, a couple of youngsters were busy helping themselves to the content of a local convenient shop. The shinobi could only figure that without a large business and financial backing, the owner may not have been able to play the number of relief funds to the city’s puppeteer.

//Why…?//

Pulling into the lot attached to Suzaku, before the two were even able to pull themselves out of the vehicle, a being clad in a pin-striped business suit, surrounded by two body guards pulling the Mr. Smith look, clapped nonchalantly at Kaito’s efforts.

“Well done, Kaito.”

“Dolos-sama…”

The business man possessed a rather feminine appearance, holding large, yet narrow, hazel eyes, as well as elevated cheek bones. The only aspect of his face reminiscent of a male’s were two narrow locks of hair , framing his façade, yet even this transformed into a dark brown which flowed like a mucky river.

(OOC: I hope this is what you were looking for, Sel ^^
Edit: tenses)

"You have done a great job in bringing him to me." The man who betrayed Hades and became the force behind Phoenix's revival, signalled for the door to the jeep's backseat to be open. "At first, I had doubts regarding your loyalty to us as you were an apprentice to that drugged up Deimos, but you have proven them unfounded."

Kaito did not respond visibly, only bowing his head in the respectful way that was required of him as he unlocked the jeep's door.

Dolos looked down at Enya's unconscious form and murmured, "I knew that you will come after me for what I have done, but I also know that you will fail. You were always too hotheaded and too trusting. You should have learnt from Phobos, but perhaps I should be thankful you didn't."

"Bring him to my... private interrogation room, Moros. I will question him later, personally." With that, he straightened up and his cool brown eyes swept towards Kaito before he and his guards led the way towards the exit. "Come with me. I shall have you rewarded for your effort."

Moros picked Enya up much like how Kaito did previously, and as he stepped past the shinobi to follow the Hades traitor, he turned and caught Kaito's eyes.

And he smiled.

[OOC: I wanted to post for Yuri's meeting with Phobos, but the scene in my head was a little too short to my liking, so I skipped it. I hope this is a good enough finish on my part, Vex. ^^;]