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.