" YUANFEN " genji shimada.

v | the nogitsune

yuanfen.
act two, chapter five.
"the nogitsune"

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"WE MUST NEVER ALLOW our targets to escape. All must die. That is where you failed, Vixen."

    The pain that ran through her body, only just beginning to subside after an entire day had passed since the Process, was an aching reminder of her failure, but the Reaper's cold words were like rubbing salt in a wound, and she flinched. She had no idea if the Reaper had gotten enough satisfaction out of her punishment; she half-expected him to lash out and punish her himself at any moment. She stood before him at attention. Her chin was held high and she could only hope that he didn't notice the nervous shaking of her legs.

    "But I am giving you a second chance," the Reaper concluded, causing her to visibly relax. "You have one last chance to kill the target- the ninja. Do so, and you will be on the path to forgiveness. Fail again, however, and the pain of the Process will feel like heaven compared to what you will endure."

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    The wind howled loudly in Vixen's ears, making it nearly impossible to hear anything over the noise. The tiny sliver of the moon that was visible in the night sky was now hidden behind a thick billow of dark clouds, casting her surroundings in darkness. She preferred this, however; the sound of the wind and the lack of moonlight only made it easier for her to remain hidden in the shadows.

    Her head pounded against her skull, and pain shot down her spine in waves. She longed for the comfort of her bed, for the only time she was able to get any relief from her pain was when she was asleep. But she was determined; she had to succeed this time. She never wanted to go through the Process again, and the threat of an even harsher punishment made her terrified to fail.

    Hell, at this point, she was even ready to beg the stupid ninja to let her kill him just so she can save her own ass.

    Vixen found the ninja near the old omnium once again. She made sure to remain hidden in the thicket of bushes that surrounded the old building, silently watching his every move. He stalked around the back of the building, then paused to scan the wall in front of him as if looking for something. Vixen took a moment to study his appearance, feeling an odd sense of curiosity towards the ninja. He was seemingly an omnic, with a body made completely of metal with a dim green glow illuminating off of his suit. He wore a pair of sweatpants and a thick hoodie, hood pulled up over his head.

    He began moving once again, and Vixen was snapped back into reality. She couldn't allow herself to grow distracted. She had to succeed this time, and she knew that she had to strike as soon as possible. She slowly slid out of her hiding spot, moving up behind the ninja. She was thankful for the wind howling around them, formed by the impending storm that gathered on the horizon, that muffled the sound of her footfalls across the gravel. Vixen whistled once to grab his attention, a shrill sound that pierced through the air and caused him to whip around in surprise. She struck before he was able to react, and because of his shock, she was able to easily overtake him. She shoved him against the brick wall of the omnium, holding an arm over his chest and smirking behind her mask.

    "Hello again, ninja," she greeted him mockingly. Her other hand held his arm down by his side, and she was surprised to feel warmth beneath the layer of metal that covered his arm. Omnics didn't emmit such warmth, making her wonder if there was actually a man hidden beneath the armor.

    A soft laugh rumbled in the ninja's chest. She wondered how he could be laughing at a time like this. "I guess you were correct when you said I cannot hide," he commented smugly. His voice was slightly robotic, tinged with a heavy accent.