The Nemesis

Operation Enemy!

Izumi gently sealed him up. Hiroto kept working on the stab wound. Izumi said, "He was shot many times."

Hiroto examined the wound in his left shoulder. He said, "When he escaped, he was shot right next to his shoulder. The bullet touched him, but went past, causing mild damage."

Izumi winced, but said softly, "He is a soldier, alright. I need not pity him. I need not feel sorry for him. That would be a..."

Hiroto said, "Izumi, you can pretend to be Fuyuko, but for me you will forever be Izumi. Not Fuyuko. Not the girl you pretend to be. But the girl you are. That is Izumi Fuyuko. "

Izumi said smiling, "Izumi died a long time back, Papa, in the foreign land of USA. Why did you save him? He will live. He would have lived even if he was left there. Yes...he would have been captured. They would have dealt with him. Why did you house a trouble?"

Hiroto sighed, and said, "Alas, dear, I can't let a man be captured, when I know how horrific detention camps for POW are."

Izumi said, "Think about Sumiko, Papa. What would happen to her, if we are to be discovered?"

Hiroto said, "Sumiko is my daughter, Izumi. And just like you, I know her. Compassion runs in our veins. Your grandfather whom you adored was a very liberal man. My mom was dogmatic. But yet, I took after my father. And I am glad, I have a wife who understands me. You too need to respect my decision. I am not a traitor. I love Japan with all my heart, but I love humans more."

Izumi nodded and said, "I can't accept what you are doing, but I will do nothing to prevent you from fulfilling your humanitarian duty. But once he is alright, I will hand him over. Its my responsibility. I have obligations to fulfill too."

Hiroto said, "I understand your concerns. But don't do anything rash to be more Fuyuko."

Izumi got distracted. The man whom he was stitching just shook a little. Izumi said, "Papa, he just stirred."

Hiroto nodded gravely. He said, "He is coming back to consciousness. Effects of the anesthesia fading."

Izumi said, "Papa, Operation Enemy is unfortunately successful. Alas, this man will live. But as soon as he is a little better, ask him to escape. And don't tell him our names. We don't need to b all friendly now. I will be taking your leave then."

Hiroto said, "Wait, Izumi. You need to feed this man some soup. I asked Aya to prepare some."

Izumi was furious. She said, "No, Papa, dont ask me to do this. I can't feed my enemy soup."

HIroto said, "You will listen to your father."

Izumi protested, "Why me?"

Hiroto said, "He is a man of intrigue. Maybe he will reawaken the dead Izumi in you."

He smiled, and left. Izumi was shocked. No, she cannot be moved by kindness. She immediately resolved to be nothing but brutal to this man. No matter how it pained her heart to see all the torture marks on this young man. No, what is she thinking? She will not be moved. Not at all. 

She got up, and went over in the kitchen. Aya was cooking the soup, Himari was helping  her. 

Himari asked excitedly, when Izumi came into the kitchen, "Fu, is he awake?"

Izumi sighed, and said, "No. But hopefully he will be up soon. Mrs. Takeshi, why are you staring at me that way? Do you have something to say?"

Akira who was standing next to Himari, nodded and said, "Your father is insane, all nuts. My husband too is blindly doing whatever his friend is telling him. You will reason with your father. Make sure you get rid of this person soon. Or else I will go up to the authorities and complain. I dont want to risk Himari's future. And Asahi and me too shouldn't be the sacrifices."