Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ On The Line ❯ Chapter 19 ( Chapter 19 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: archforge 
Needed truths...
Anime/Manga: Digimon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Comedy / Angst / Adventure / Romance | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 02.16.2003 | Pages: 7 | Words: 4.0K | Visits: 244 | Status: Work In Progress
Needed truths...
Anime/Manga: Digimon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Comedy / Angst / Adventure / Romance | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 02.16.2003 | Pages: 7 | Words: 4.0K | Visits: 244 | Status: Work In Progress
Disclaimer:
I don't own anything about Digimon.No money is being made and no copyright or
trademark infringement is intended.
Author Notes:
I'm finishing this up, around about 2 in the morning... So I'm pretty darn tired, this chapter
markes the switch over in subplot and the beginning of the new plot that I was mulling over...
I'm still not sure if you guys will like it or not but I hope you do. Don't worry Rika and Henry
will still be the main point of the story, that will never change.
Next thing is who thought I wouldn't have this chapter out this soon?? Well I didn't so don't
worry about it... LOL!
Now I will thank all those who reviewed and answer your questions.
The Biggest Dreamer Lily
-No Ryo isn't evil in this story his genuine concerned for Rika and Henry and you'll... I let that
wait for awhile.
d
-I'm trying but it's hard trying to find the right words to put this story down properly... I also am
working on some other fics that I want to get up so it's turning out harder then I thought.
Tinabedina
-Well here it is, and not a day too soon I think...
jenruki-gal4ever n H/B beauty
-Thanks for wanting to read more and I'll keep trying to update on time.
Kara Kasai
-Frontier is sort of growing on me too but I still miss the old characters especially Takera and Hikari...
Now I'm missing Jenrya and Ruki.
~*Jenruki*~
-Well if your always checking I hope this story doesn't disappoint you then and thanxs for the encouragement.
LB
-Ryo isn't a bad person I'll try to outline that more soon but I get the point, LOL! Don't worry I'm Henry and Rika
all the way! So thats a good thing.
Takako
-I was considering it but it seeemed to OCC for Jenrya so I opted for this way instead...
Furor
-Thank you like always and this chapter will tell what happen next.
Silent Angel
-I'm not going to switch it to a Ryo and Rika but there will be... Ergh I better stop there.
jenruki
-Thank you and I hope you keep reading!
SNS
-I'm trying to keep up the pace but I think I'm trading in quantity for quality and that is definitly something I don't want
to do so I hope you guys will tell me if my standards are slipping.
littleweirdout
-Thank you and I'll try to keep writing great stories for you guys!
Henrika
-We'll see how things go, but Kenta and Suzie aren't out of the picture yet, in fact all the characters have big parts coming up...
I'll let that stew and you all can get angry at me for not finishing that thought.
Hope that answers all the questions and I'll keep answering them if you'll ike but please enjoy.
****************************************
On The Line
Chapter 19/?
*******************
To put it bluntly, Henry was having a bad day, well more then a bad day, more like a horrible
day, the worst day imaginable. First he was kicking himself for walking from the girl of his
life, even though he was hurt, even though he was confused. When he woke up this morning he
started to pound his head on wall, the next thing that went wrong was that he was late for
work. Usually he would catch a ride with his dad but his dad had to leave early today so he
opted for the bus. Well no surprise but the bus was late, so he opted to start walking to the
next stop, however this turned out to be a mistake because just as he left the bus stop the bus
pulled up and pulled away. He was then half an hour late for work, next thing he knew as soon
as he got to his desk there was a stack of work so high that it might have been confused as a
mini replica of the skyscraper building that he worked in. To push his button further in order
to finish all his work he had to work through his break and lunch, while he tried to call Rika,
which she either ignoring him or her cell phone wasn't working. Finally to top this incredible
day off he was being summoned to the Director's office, Henry has never been summoned to the
Director's Office, in fact he could never remember being summoned to the Principals office. So
to say that he was peeved was putting it mildly, he was genuinely pissed and the only way he
would consider his day getting worst is if the world was going to end before he could make peace
with Rika.
"He'll see you now," said Sandy with her normal neutral face.
"Thank-you," said Henry politely as he entered Director Yamaki's Office.
"Henry, have a seat," said Yamaki waving Henry to a seat in front of his desk.
Henry eyes widened when he saw who occupied one of the two chairs in front of Yamaki's desk,
"What are you doing here?"
"It's sort of complicated Henry," said Alice with a shy smile, "please sit down like the
Director said."
Nodding mutely Henry sat down in the stylish chair waiting for the Director to speak.
"Henry how much do you know about this company?"
Henry looked curiously at Yamaki for a second before he spoke, "This Company used to be
government funded project to defend against the Digital World menace that was cropping up three
years ago. However when the Digital problems ended Hypnos seemed to be disbanded, however
this was apparently not true. It seemed that Hypnos's directive changed instead of losing all
it's high-level programmers that the government had accumulated they decided to turned Hypnos
into a high level security company. This company would be public as well as working for the
government, so after a year of Hypnos being apparently disbanded it reopened with it's new
directive and has continued for two years with growing success. I joint the beginning of this
year school calendar so I'm not completely sure of what was happening during Hypnos's
transition."
"So what are your thoughts of the company?" asked Yamaki leaning back on his chair, his
sunglasses effectively cutting off any way of seeing his eyes.
"I think it's a good company," said Henry truthfully, "but there are some inconsistency that
I've noticed."
"Oh?" asked Yamaki pulling a folder from his desk he began to flip through it.
"Yes," nodded Henry slowly, "first we do a lot of decrypting, not only that but it seems weird
that a company that is solely apparently suppose to be based in the Asian Region would be
decrypting and encrypting things for North America and Europe also."
A small smile touched Yamaki's face, "Please continue Henry."
Henry shrugged with uncertainty, "I don't know what else to say, it's just strange also that
there are so much security measures in this building. I mean I had to give several security
codes just to get up to this office, not only that, but all the guards in this building is
armed and there are a lot of guards, there are about ten on each floor. Not only that but this
building is bigger then a fifty floor building but for some apparent reason we can't access
those other floors."
Yamaki sighed in appreciation, "Very good Henry, you passed the test."
"The test?" asked Henry puzzled.
Standing up Yamaki pulled out a piece of paper out of the folder he was reading, "Henry Wong by
order of the United Nations you are requested to service for the good of the world. This is to
stand that you have completed all the requirements of your regional head has seemed fit to see
you through. We at the United Nations understand that you might not want to enter service but
be assured what you are to do is for the good of the world and you will be doing much needed
service to safe guard the world. By the confidential documents you have signed with the
employer you have you will notice that you are not allowed to speak of anything that you learn
to anyone even after you are dead. So stands this, the breaking of this contract will mean
certain death to you and those who you tell. We sincerely hope you accept service Henry Wong."
Henry stared in shock at Yamaki, turning to Alice who had a neutral face he turned back to
Yamaki, "What?" Yamaki took a deep breath to repeat what he said but was waved off by Henry,
"No I want to know the summary of what you said."
"You are being requested into service by the United Nations," said Yamaki uneasily, "by request
of course it means forced because if you don't accept you could be killed and your love ones as
well."
Henry slumped in his chair, "You have got to be kidding me."
Yamaki shook his head, "I'm afraid not Henry, you show great aptitude in many things, not only
in programming but in your martial arts, academics, and other extra curricular activities. It
all comes in handy for being an Operative."
"Operative?" asked Henry confused.
"A spy," explained Alice patting Henry's hand.
"Spy?" asked Henry shocked.
"His taking this well isn't he?" joked Yamaki glancing at Alice who looked at Henry with a
sympathetic smile.
"So I don't get a choice?" asked Henry wearily.
"No," answered Yamaki taking off his sunglasses he squeezed his sinuses with a sigh, "none of us
ever did."
"Well that's just great," said Henry shaking his head, "and I thought this day couldn't get any
worst."
Yamaki sat back down on his seat with a heavy sigh, "I'm sorry Henry, your father and I did
everything in our power to protect you from this but we just couldn't..."
Henry looked angrily at Yamaki then turning to Alice, "And what are you doing here?"
Alice glanced at Yamaki who nodded his permission, "I'm your handler Henry."
"Handler?"
"Yes, I'm the one who trains you basically I'm your mentor and partner," explained Alice.
Henry shook his head, "I don't want to believe this."
Yamaki smiled, "None of us did Henry but you know it's true already... Don't you?"
Henry glanced up at Yamaki and nodded slowly, "There was just too many hints like someone was
trying to tell me what this place really was."
Yamaki sat straighter in his chair, "That would be Operations, he, she, it, or they control
everything, Operations found that you had talent and began to leave subtle hints. When you had
enough to pull the pieces together then you were ready to join."
"I don't want to be a spy," protested Henry feebly, "I'm just a sixteen year old boy that just
wants to get out of work today and talk to my girlfriend before she hates me even more for being
a jerk to her yesterday."
"And I wanted to retire from computers completely and become a farmer," said Yamaki humourless,
"we don't get what we want Henry that's life I'm sorry, Alice please take Henry out and explain
the rest to him."
"Yes sir," said Alice standing quickly she snapped a salute to Yamaki before walking out of the
office with Henry in tow.
Entering the elevator Alice ran her key card through the reader, "Helen floor thirteen please."
"Acknowledge, Sarah, progressing to floor thirteen," said the computer neutrally.
Henry noted that there was no button for the thirteenth floor, turning to his fellow student,
"So you mind telling me how you are involved and who the hell is Sarah."
"I'm Sarah Rowen, Henry," said Alice calmly in a different accent, "Alice Hitomi is just a cover
here while I took schooling at your school."
"Your accent... It's British," accused Henry taking a step back from his friend.
"Yes," acknowledged Sarah, "I'm British from descent, I was transferred here a year ago,
enrolled in your school and told that I had to become the most popular girl and to wait."
"So you became my friend why?" demanded Henry angrily, "Are you my friend?"
"Yes Henry I hope I'm still am," said Sarah tiredly looking up at Henry her eyes filled with
hope, "I didn't know you were my assignment till yesterday Henry I'm sorry but it's just... I
didn't expect that I would have fallen for the boy that was my target."
Henry shook his head, "I don't know if I should believe you."
Sarah took Henry's hand into hers as the elevator doors opened she sighed, "I have a lot to tell
you Henry, we'll start out slow okay."
Henry eyes were filled with distrust but nodded, "I'll keep an open mind."
*******************
"Mom can I ask you something?"
Ms. Nonako looked up from her magazine she was reading, staring at her orange hair daughter who
was fidgeting as she waited for a response, "Of course dear, I'm glad you want to ask me
something," said Rika's mother warmly as she patted the seat on the coach beside her.
"Actually you were the only one here," said Rika sitting beside her mother.
Rumiko Nonako smiled, three years ago Rika's comment would have hurt but since then she had
discovered her daughter in a new light, it didn't mean that she didn't stop trying to make her
daughter wear a dress but it did give her some new insight. One was that Rika only said these
things because she didn't want to seem like she was relying on anyone. Actually what had really
tipped her off that Rika needed a talk and a talk especially with her was Rika asking her
Grandmother to buy some dark chocolate today. Everyone in the household knew that Rika didn't
like dark chocolate so with a raised eyebrow the eldest Nonako made a shopping list while Rumiko
called Charles and had all her appointment cancelled. Then sitting herself in the living room
with a large romance book she waited for her daughter, who paced impatiently in her room
awaiting her grandmother to leave. "Go ahead Rika," said Rika's mother encouragingly.
Rika frowned uncomfortably not knowing what to say.
"How about I guess and you can say whether I'm getting closer," offered Rumiko gently.
Rika nodded slowly with appreciation.
"Is it about school?"
Rika shook her head.
"Then it would most likely be about Henry," stated her mother with a sigh.
Rika nodded guiltily.
"Would this have anything to do with Ryo?"
Rika made a noise that her mother interpreted as, "Maybe."
"Could it have anything to do with your month by month relationship with Ryo?"
Rika made another noise that sounded like "Maybe."
"Did Henry do something wrong?"
Rika shrugged.
"Something right?"
Rika shrugged.
"You're not exactly sure but you know you are confused and you want to wear a dress," teased
Rika's mother smiling.
Rika started to nod but caught herself then glared at her mother.
"Sorry dear," apologized Rumiko smiling gently, "but it would be a lot easier if you just told
me Rika."
Rika shook her head.
"Things are always so difficult with you," sighed the older Nonako, "okay did Henry say
something about his feelings?"
Rika nodded keep her eyes averted from her mother.
"Did he tell you something you didn't want to hear?" asked Rumiko quietly.
Rika sighed and nodded.
"I'm sorry," said Rika's mother wrapping her arms around her daughter, "I really thought he
liked you."
"He told me he loved me mom," said Rika closing her eyes.
"So why wouldn't you want to hear that?"
"Because... Because I don't know how I feel about him," Rika cried out as tears flowed from her
eyes.
"Isn't it obvious dear?" asked Rumiko Nonako as she soothingly combed her daughter's hair.
"You're all worked up and worry about how you feel about him, you think about him constantly and
he means everything to you."
"Are you saying that I love him?" asked Rika in disbelief.
"Is that so hard to believe?" asked her mother with a gentle smile, "
"Yes," blurted Rika, "I can't be in love with Henry."
"And why not?" asked Rumiko clearly amused.
Rika lowered her head in thought, "I don't really know how I'm suppose to feel when I'm in love
with a boy."
Rika's mother smiled with a sigh, "Now that is a question that I can't answer but I'm sure your
friend Juri can answer that."
Looking up in surprise Rika nodded to her mother before standing up, "Thanks mom."
"Anytime dear," said Rika's mother gently patting Rika's hand.
*******************
Suzy looked again at the piece of paper then at her surroundings, "Great I'm lost." She had
taken the bus like Kenta had written down and it lead her straight out of town and into the deep
suburbs. Looking carefully around Suzy noticed a grey haired man in a tux standing beside a
Rolls Royce. Walking timidly up to the elderly man Suzy cleared her throat, "Excuse me but can
you tell me how to get to here?" Suzy showed the elderly man the scrap of paper that Kenta had
written his address on.
"Yes I can Miss, it's up the road about another ten kilometres," said the man gently.
"Oh," said Suzy disappointed, picking up her heavy box that held her experiment she sighed.
"Would you like a ride?" asked the old man kindly.
Suzy looked surprised, "Well..."
"It'll be no trouble," said the grey hair man taking g the box out of Suzy's hands he carefully
deposited into the trunk of the car. "Besides I will presume you are Miss. Wong?"
"Suzy Wong," said Suzy dumbfounded.
"Yes, Master Kenta sent me," said the man opening the door to the car.
"I'm sorry I didn't get your name," said Suzy seating into the comfortable seat.
"Wilfred, Miss, humble butler of Kitagawa family," stated Wilfred as he got into the car and
started to drive.
"Kenta has a butler?' wondered Suzy staring out of the window the large estate that the car was
driving up to. The house was large, Suzy couldn't put a finger on the architecture but it
looked like a cross between Japanese and Chinese design. Wilfred opened the door allowing Suzy
to climb out handing her the box that held her experiment, Suzy followed the butler into the
large house. Suzy had been to Rika's house but Kenta's definitely was in a different league
then Rika's, for one thing Suzy was pretty sure the house had it's own postal code.
Entering a large library, Wilfred bowed to Suzy slightly, "If you would wait here Miss. Wong,
I'll go inform Master Kenta you have arrived."
Suzy nodded still stunned at the sheer magnitude of the place, putting her box carefully down on
a table Suzy's eyes wondered around the library. Studying the books Suzy noticed that most of
the books were creased and worn. A glitter caught her eyes, a chess board sat between two plush
chairs, the figurines were beautifully crafted and were made of crystals, decorated with
expensive stones. Suzy was sure one of the chess piece was worth more then everything she owned.
"I see you found the place alright."
Suzy turned to Kenta who wore a dark grey golf shirt with black dress pants. For some reason
the clothes made Kenta look more sophisticated if not older, suddenly Suzy really felt
uncomfortable.
"Welcome to my estate," said Kenta self mockingly as he took a seat while watching Suzy
carefully.
"Yo... Your estate?" asked Suzy dumbfounded.
"Yeah, I live here alone... Except for the hired servants and of course Wilfred," said Kenta
with a wave me sighed as he sank deeper into his seat.
"Where's your parents?" asked Suzy puzzled.
"My mother is somewhere in Western Europe and my father is in North America," stated Kenta, "I
haven't lived with them since I moved here three years ago."
"Must be lonely," said Suzy turning slowly around to see the large library.
Kenta smiled softly, "You know you are the first one who said that."
Suzy turned to Kenta in surprise, "Huh?"
"Everyone else usually says that I'm lucky or that it wouldn't be so bad but you are the first
one who thought how lonely I would be first," said Kenta melancholy.
"My brother never said anything of you living in a big place like this," said Suzy taking a book
of the shelf she began to skim it.
"I made them all promise not to tell anyone, I didn't want to be alienated any more then I'm
already am," explained Kenta standing up he began to pull Suzy's experiment carefully out of the
box.
"So is it wonderful?" asked Suzy raising an eyebrow at Kenta.
"Living here on my own?" Kenta looked up at the ceiling in thought for a second, "For the first
two weeks it was then I realized how lonely I was."
"Hard to imagine," said Suzy thoughtfully, "I have a big family and it's always so hard to find
some time alone... Usually there would be someone knocking on the door or something, telling me
to get my butt out of the washroom, stop hogging the phone line, or it's time for dinner."
"Sounds nice," said Kenta grinning at Suzy.
"The grass is always greener on the other side of the hill," quoted Suzy putting the book back
on the shelf she walked up the Kenta and kissed him gently on the cheek.
"What was that for?' asked Kenta surprised.
"For sharing this with me," said Suzy waving her hand around her.
"Oh, well you deserve to know... And isn't like it's a horrible secret," said Kenta picking up
a piece of Suzy's experiment he held it up in the air to study it.
Suzy slapped Kenta on the arm, "Put that down, it's fragile."
Kenta grinned, "Does it work?"
"Of course it does, give me a second to put it together," said Suzy smiling as she began to
assemble her project.
*******************
"It doesn't work."
"It was working this morning when I tested it for the fifteenth time," protested Suzy as she
looked over the entire machine.
"Maybe something got damaged during transport," suggested Kenta tapping a tube.
Suzy slapped Kenta's hand, "Stop that, and no nothing got damaged during transport I checked it
all before I put it together."
Kenta reached out to adjust one of the tubes but thought better of it when he saw Suzy raised
hand, "Maybe there is a clog."
"I don't see where," said Suzy eyes following the tubes as the dirty water passed through each
tube and filter.
Kenta scratched his head, "It seems like it's working it's just there isn't any..."
"Water pressure," exclaimed Suzy finishing Kenta's thought, both students looked at the bucket
that held the dirty water and noticed it was empty.
"Well that was easy let's go get some more water and dirt," said Kenta picking up the bucket.
Suzy followed Kenta looking around the hall, as she exited outside the house, she gave a gasp in
surprise. A beautiful garden that stretched for miles lay before her, "It's beautiful."
"It better be," commented Kenta as he filled the bucket with dirt and water. "Apparently, I
have about ten gardeners."
"Would you give me a tour of the garden?" asked Suzy suddenly turning to Kenta childishly.
Kenta glanced at Suzy, "I would love to," Kenta said truthfully, "but I have a date."
Suzy felt her heart seize up, "A date?"
"A date," confirmed Kenta, "Kazu is trying his hand in hooking me up with another girl again."
"Oh," said Suzy disappointed.
"Next time?" suggested Kenta.
"Okay," nodded Suzy with a weak smile.
I don't own anything about Digimon.No money is being made and no copyright or
trademark infringement is intended.
Author Notes:
I'm finishing this up, around about 2 in the morning... So I'm pretty darn tired, this chapter
markes the switch over in subplot and the beginning of the new plot that I was mulling over...
I'm still not sure if you guys will like it or not but I hope you do. Don't worry Rika and Henry
will still be the main point of the story, that will never change.
Next thing is who thought I wouldn't have this chapter out this soon?? Well I didn't so don't
worry about it... LOL!
Now I will thank all those who reviewed and answer your questions.
The Biggest Dreamer Lily
-No Ryo isn't evil in this story his genuine concerned for Rika and Henry and you'll... I let that
wait for awhile.
d
-I'm trying but it's hard trying to find the right words to put this story down properly... I also am
working on some other fics that I want to get up so it's turning out harder then I thought.
Tinabedina
-Well here it is, and not a day too soon I think...
jenruki-gal4ever n H/B beauty
-Thanks for wanting to read more and I'll keep trying to update on time.
Kara Kasai
-Frontier is sort of growing on me too but I still miss the old characters especially Takera and Hikari...
Now I'm missing Jenrya and Ruki.
~*Jenruki*~
-Well if your always checking I hope this story doesn't disappoint you then and thanxs for the encouragement.
LB
-Ryo isn't a bad person I'll try to outline that more soon but I get the point, LOL! Don't worry I'm Henry and Rika
all the way! So thats a good thing.
Takako
-I was considering it but it seeemed to OCC for Jenrya so I opted for this way instead...
Furor
-Thank you like always and this chapter will tell what happen next.
Silent Angel
-I'm not going to switch it to a Ryo and Rika but there will be... Ergh I better stop there.
jenruki
-Thank you and I hope you keep reading!
SNS
-I'm trying to keep up the pace but I think I'm trading in quantity for quality and that is definitly something I don't want
to do so I hope you guys will tell me if my standards are slipping.
littleweirdout
-Thank you and I'll try to keep writing great stories for you guys!
Henrika
-We'll see how things go, but Kenta and Suzie aren't out of the picture yet, in fact all the characters have big parts coming up...
I'll let that stew and you all can get angry at me for not finishing that thought.
Hope that answers all the questions and I'll keep answering them if you'll ike but please enjoy.
****************************************
On The Line
Chapter 19/?
*******************
To put it bluntly, Henry was having a bad day, well more then a bad day, more like a horrible
day, the worst day imaginable. First he was kicking himself for walking from the girl of his
life, even though he was hurt, even though he was confused. When he woke up this morning he
started to pound his head on wall, the next thing that went wrong was that he was late for
work. Usually he would catch a ride with his dad but his dad had to leave early today so he
opted for the bus. Well no surprise but the bus was late, so he opted to start walking to the
next stop, however this turned out to be a mistake because just as he left the bus stop the bus
pulled up and pulled away. He was then half an hour late for work, next thing he knew as soon
as he got to his desk there was a stack of work so high that it might have been confused as a
mini replica of the skyscraper building that he worked in. To push his button further in order
to finish all his work he had to work through his break and lunch, while he tried to call Rika,
which she either ignoring him or her cell phone wasn't working. Finally to top this incredible
day off he was being summoned to the Director's office, Henry has never been summoned to the
Director's Office, in fact he could never remember being summoned to the Principals office. So
to say that he was peeved was putting it mildly, he was genuinely pissed and the only way he
would consider his day getting worst is if the world was going to end before he could make peace
with Rika.
"He'll see you now," said Sandy with her normal neutral face.
"Thank-you," said Henry politely as he entered Director Yamaki's Office.
"Henry, have a seat," said Yamaki waving Henry to a seat in front of his desk.
Henry eyes widened when he saw who occupied one of the two chairs in front of Yamaki's desk,
"What are you doing here?"
"It's sort of complicated Henry," said Alice with a shy smile, "please sit down like the
Director said."
Nodding mutely Henry sat down in the stylish chair waiting for the Director to speak.
"Henry how much do you know about this company?"
Henry looked curiously at Yamaki for a second before he spoke, "This Company used to be
government funded project to defend against the Digital World menace that was cropping up three
years ago. However when the Digital problems ended Hypnos seemed to be disbanded, however
this was apparently not true. It seemed that Hypnos's directive changed instead of losing all
it's high-level programmers that the government had accumulated they decided to turned Hypnos
into a high level security company. This company would be public as well as working for the
government, so after a year of Hypnos being apparently disbanded it reopened with it's new
directive and has continued for two years with growing success. I joint the beginning of this
year school calendar so I'm not completely sure of what was happening during Hypnos's
transition."
"So what are your thoughts of the company?" asked Yamaki leaning back on his chair, his
sunglasses effectively cutting off any way of seeing his eyes.
"I think it's a good company," said Henry truthfully, "but there are some inconsistency that
I've noticed."
"Oh?" asked Yamaki pulling a folder from his desk he began to flip through it.
"Yes," nodded Henry slowly, "first we do a lot of decrypting, not only that but it seems weird
that a company that is solely apparently suppose to be based in the Asian Region would be
decrypting and encrypting things for North America and Europe also."
A small smile touched Yamaki's face, "Please continue Henry."
Henry shrugged with uncertainty, "I don't know what else to say, it's just strange also that
there are so much security measures in this building. I mean I had to give several security
codes just to get up to this office, not only that, but all the guards in this building is
armed and there are a lot of guards, there are about ten on each floor. Not only that but this
building is bigger then a fifty floor building but for some apparent reason we can't access
those other floors."
Yamaki sighed in appreciation, "Very good Henry, you passed the test."
"The test?" asked Henry puzzled.
Standing up Yamaki pulled out a piece of paper out of the folder he was reading, "Henry Wong by
order of the United Nations you are requested to service for the good of the world. This is to
stand that you have completed all the requirements of your regional head has seemed fit to see
you through. We at the United Nations understand that you might not want to enter service but
be assured what you are to do is for the good of the world and you will be doing much needed
service to safe guard the world. By the confidential documents you have signed with the
employer you have you will notice that you are not allowed to speak of anything that you learn
to anyone even after you are dead. So stands this, the breaking of this contract will mean
certain death to you and those who you tell. We sincerely hope you accept service Henry Wong."
Henry stared in shock at Yamaki, turning to Alice who had a neutral face he turned back to
Yamaki, "What?" Yamaki took a deep breath to repeat what he said but was waved off by Henry,
"No I want to know the summary of what you said."
"You are being requested into service by the United Nations," said Yamaki uneasily, "by request
of course it means forced because if you don't accept you could be killed and your love ones as
well."
Henry slumped in his chair, "You have got to be kidding me."
Yamaki shook his head, "I'm afraid not Henry, you show great aptitude in many things, not only
in programming but in your martial arts, academics, and other extra curricular activities. It
all comes in handy for being an Operative."
"Operative?" asked Henry confused.
"A spy," explained Alice patting Henry's hand.
"Spy?" asked Henry shocked.
"His taking this well isn't he?" joked Yamaki glancing at Alice who looked at Henry with a
sympathetic smile.
"So I don't get a choice?" asked Henry wearily.
"No," answered Yamaki taking off his sunglasses he squeezed his sinuses with a sigh, "none of us
ever did."
"Well that's just great," said Henry shaking his head, "and I thought this day couldn't get any
worst."
Yamaki sat back down on his seat with a heavy sigh, "I'm sorry Henry, your father and I did
everything in our power to protect you from this but we just couldn't..."
Henry looked angrily at Yamaki then turning to Alice, "And what are you doing here?"
Alice glanced at Yamaki who nodded his permission, "I'm your handler Henry."
"Handler?"
"Yes, I'm the one who trains you basically I'm your mentor and partner," explained Alice.
Henry shook his head, "I don't want to believe this."
Yamaki smiled, "None of us did Henry but you know it's true already... Don't you?"
Henry glanced up at Yamaki and nodded slowly, "There was just too many hints like someone was
trying to tell me what this place really was."
Yamaki sat straighter in his chair, "That would be Operations, he, she, it, or they control
everything, Operations found that you had talent and began to leave subtle hints. When you had
enough to pull the pieces together then you were ready to join."
"I don't want to be a spy," protested Henry feebly, "I'm just a sixteen year old boy that just
wants to get out of work today and talk to my girlfriend before she hates me even more for being
a jerk to her yesterday."
"And I wanted to retire from computers completely and become a farmer," said Yamaki humourless,
"we don't get what we want Henry that's life I'm sorry, Alice please take Henry out and explain
the rest to him."
"Yes sir," said Alice standing quickly she snapped a salute to Yamaki before walking out of the
office with Henry in tow.
Entering the elevator Alice ran her key card through the reader, "Helen floor thirteen please."
"Acknowledge, Sarah, progressing to floor thirteen," said the computer neutrally.
Henry noted that there was no button for the thirteenth floor, turning to his fellow student,
"So you mind telling me how you are involved and who the hell is Sarah."
"I'm Sarah Rowen, Henry," said Alice calmly in a different accent, "Alice Hitomi is just a cover
here while I took schooling at your school."
"Your accent... It's British," accused Henry taking a step back from his friend.
"Yes," acknowledged Sarah, "I'm British from descent, I was transferred here a year ago,
enrolled in your school and told that I had to become the most popular girl and to wait."
"So you became my friend why?" demanded Henry angrily, "Are you my friend?"
"Yes Henry I hope I'm still am," said Sarah tiredly looking up at Henry her eyes filled with
hope, "I didn't know you were my assignment till yesterday Henry I'm sorry but it's just... I
didn't expect that I would have fallen for the boy that was my target."
Henry shook his head, "I don't know if I should believe you."
Sarah took Henry's hand into hers as the elevator doors opened she sighed, "I have a lot to tell
you Henry, we'll start out slow okay."
Henry eyes were filled with distrust but nodded, "I'll keep an open mind."
*******************
"Mom can I ask you something?"
Ms. Nonako looked up from her magazine she was reading, staring at her orange hair daughter who
was fidgeting as she waited for a response, "Of course dear, I'm glad you want to ask me
something," said Rika's mother warmly as she patted the seat on the coach beside her.
"Actually you were the only one here," said Rika sitting beside her mother.
Rumiko Nonako smiled, three years ago Rika's comment would have hurt but since then she had
discovered her daughter in a new light, it didn't mean that she didn't stop trying to make her
daughter wear a dress but it did give her some new insight. One was that Rika only said these
things because she didn't want to seem like she was relying on anyone. Actually what had really
tipped her off that Rika needed a talk and a talk especially with her was Rika asking her
Grandmother to buy some dark chocolate today. Everyone in the household knew that Rika didn't
like dark chocolate so with a raised eyebrow the eldest Nonako made a shopping list while Rumiko
called Charles and had all her appointment cancelled. Then sitting herself in the living room
with a large romance book she waited for her daughter, who paced impatiently in her room
awaiting her grandmother to leave. "Go ahead Rika," said Rika's mother encouragingly.
Rika frowned uncomfortably not knowing what to say.
"How about I guess and you can say whether I'm getting closer," offered Rumiko gently.
Rika nodded slowly with appreciation.
"Is it about school?"
Rika shook her head.
"Then it would most likely be about Henry," stated her mother with a sigh.
Rika nodded guiltily.
"Would this have anything to do with Ryo?"
Rika made a noise that her mother interpreted as, "Maybe."
"Could it have anything to do with your month by month relationship with Ryo?"
Rika made another noise that sounded like "Maybe."
"Did Henry do something wrong?"
Rika shrugged.
"Something right?"
Rika shrugged.
"You're not exactly sure but you know you are confused and you want to wear a dress," teased
Rika's mother smiling.
Rika started to nod but caught herself then glared at her mother.
"Sorry dear," apologized Rumiko smiling gently, "but it would be a lot easier if you just told
me Rika."
Rika shook her head.
"Things are always so difficult with you," sighed the older Nonako, "okay did Henry say
something about his feelings?"
Rika nodded keep her eyes averted from her mother.
"Did he tell you something you didn't want to hear?" asked Rumiko quietly.
Rika sighed and nodded.
"I'm sorry," said Rika's mother wrapping her arms around her daughter, "I really thought he
liked you."
"He told me he loved me mom," said Rika closing her eyes.
"So why wouldn't you want to hear that?"
"Because... Because I don't know how I feel about him," Rika cried out as tears flowed from her
eyes.
"Isn't it obvious dear?" asked Rumiko Nonako as she soothingly combed her daughter's hair.
"You're all worked up and worry about how you feel about him, you think about him constantly and
he means everything to you."
"Are you saying that I love him?" asked Rika in disbelief.
"Is that so hard to believe?" asked her mother with a gentle smile, "
"Yes," blurted Rika, "I can't be in love with Henry."
"And why not?" asked Rumiko clearly amused.
Rika lowered her head in thought, "I don't really know how I'm suppose to feel when I'm in love
with a boy."
Rika's mother smiled with a sigh, "Now that is a question that I can't answer but I'm sure your
friend Juri can answer that."
Looking up in surprise Rika nodded to her mother before standing up, "Thanks mom."
"Anytime dear," said Rika's mother gently patting Rika's hand.
*******************
Suzy looked again at the piece of paper then at her surroundings, "Great I'm lost." She had
taken the bus like Kenta had written down and it lead her straight out of town and into the deep
suburbs. Looking carefully around Suzy noticed a grey haired man in a tux standing beside a
Rolls Royce. Walking timidly up to the elderly man Suzy cleared her throat, "Excuse me but can
you tell me how to get to here?" Suzy showed the elderly man the scrap of paper that Kenta had
written his address on.
"Yes I can Miss, it's up the road about another ten kilometres," said the man gently.
"Oh," said Suzy disappointed, picking up her heavy box that held her experiment she sighed.
"Would you like a ride?" asked the old man kindly.
Suzy looked surprised, "Well..."
"It'll be no trouble," said the grey hair man taking g the box out of Suzy's hands he carefully
deposited into the trunk of the car. "Besides I will presume you are Miss. Wong?"
"Suzy Wong," said Suzy dumbfounded.
"Yes, Master Kenta sent me," said the man opening the door to the car.
"I'm sorry I didn't get your name," said Suzy seating into the comfortable seat.
"Wilfred, Miss, humble butler of Kitagawa family," stated Wilfred as he got into the car and
started to drive.
"Kenta has a butler?' wondered Suzy staring out of the window the large estate that the car was
driving up to. The house was large, Suzy couldn't put a finger on the architecture but it
looked like a cross between Japanese and Chinese design. Wilfred opened the door allowing Suzy
to climb out handing her the box that held her experiment, Suzy followed the butler into the
large house. Suzy had been to Rika's house but Kenta's definitely was in a different league
then Rika's, for one thing Suzy was pretty sure the house had it's own postal code.
Entering a large library, Wilfred bowed to Suzy slightly, "If you would wait here Miss. Wong,
I'll go inform Master Kenta you have arrived."
Suzy nodded still stunned at the sheer magnitude of the place, putting her box carefully down on
a table Suzy's eyes wondered around the library. Studying the books Suzy noticed that most of
the books were creased and worn. A glitter caught her eyes, a chess board sat between two plush
chairs, the figurines were beautifully crafted and were made of crystals, decorated with
expensive stones. Suzy was sure one of the chess piece was worth more then everything she owned.
"I see you found the place alright."
Suzy turned to Kenta who wore a dark grey golf shirt with black dress pants. For some reason
the clothes made Kenta look more sophisticated if not older, suddenly Suzy really felt
uncomfortable.
"Welcome to my estate," said Kenta self mockingly as he took a seat while watching Suzy
carefully.
"Yo... Your estate?" asked Suzy dumbfounded.
"Yeah, I live here alone... Except for the hired servants and of course Wilfred," said Kenta
with a wave me sighed as he sank deeper into his seat.
"Where's your parents?" asked Suzy puzzled.
"My mother is somewhere in Western Europe and my father is in North America," stated Kenta, "I
haven't lived with them since I moved here three years ago."
"Must be lonely," said Suzy turning slowly around to see the large library.
Kenta smiled softly, "You know you are the first one who said that."
Suzy turned to Kenta in surprise, "Huh?"
"Everyone else usually says that I'm lucky or that it wouldn't be so bad but you are the first
one who thought how lonely I would be first," said Kenta melancholy.
"My brother never said anything of you living in a big place like this," said Suzy taking a book
of the shelf she began to skim it.
"I made them all promise not to tell anyone, I didn't want to be alienated any more then I'm
already am," explained Kenta standing up he began to pull Suzy's experiment carefully out of the
box.
"So is it wonderful?" asked Suzy raising an eyebrow at Kenta.
"Living here on my own?" Kenta looked up at the ceiling in thought for a second, "For the first
two weeks it was then I realized how lonely I was."
"Hard to imagine," said Suzy thoughtfully, "I have a big family and it's always so hard to find
some time alone... Usually there would be someone knocking on the door or something, telling me
to get my butt out of the washroom, stop hogging the phone line, or it's time for dinner."
"Sounds nice," said Kenta grinning at Suzy.
"The grass is always greener on the other side of the hill," quoted Suzy putting the book back
on the shelf she walked up the Kenta and kissed him gently on the cheek.
"What was that for?' asked Kenta surprised.
"For sharing this with me," said Suzy waving her hand around her.
"Oh, well you deserve to know... And isn't like it's a horrible secret," said Kenta picking up
a piece of Suzy's experiment he held it up in the air to study it.
Suzy slapped Kenta on the arm, "Put that down, it's fragile."
Kenta grinned, "Does it work?"
"Of course it does, give me a second to put it together," said Suzy smiling as she began to
assemble her project.
*******************
"It doesn't work."
"It was working this morning when I tested it for the fifteenth time," protested Suzy as she
looked over the entire machine.
"Maybe something got damaged during transport," suggested Kenta tapping a tube.
Suzy slapped Kenta's hand, "Stop that, and no nothing got damaged during transport I checked it
all before I put it together."
Kenta reached out to adjust one of the tubes but thought better of it when he saw Suzy raised
hand, "Maybe there is a clog."
"I don't see where," said Suzy eyes following the tubes as the dirty water passed through each
tube and filter.
Kenta scratched his head, "It seems like it's working it's just there isn't any..."
"Water pressure," exclaimed Suzy finishing Kenta's thought, both students looked at the bucket
that held the dirty water and noticed it was empty.
"Well that was easy let's go get some more water and dirt," said Kenta picking up the bucket.
Suzy followed Kenta looking around the hall, as she exited outside the house, she gave a gasp in
surprise. A beautiful garden that stretched for miles lay before her, "It's beautiful."
"It better be," commented Kenta as he filled the bucket with dirt and water. "Apparently, I
have about ten gardeners."
"Would you give me a tour of the garden?" asked Suzy suddenly turning to Kenta childishly.
Kenta glanced at Suzy, "I would love to," Kenta said truthfully, "but I have a date."
Suzy felt her heart seize up, "A date?"
"A date," confirmed Kenta, "Kazu is trying his hand in hooking me up with another girl again."
"Oh," said Suzy disappointed.
"Next time?" suggested Kenta.
"Okay," nodded Suzy with a weak smile.