Never Let Go [Hiatus]

Part II, Chapter 14- Encounter

Madara groaned in annoyance. Tsch! He changed position for the tenth time, restlessness building within him. Rolling his eyes, he resisted to scream his frustrations into the night.

Really? Really? Did they really just said that they would only allow us to survey the perimeters?

Letting out an exasperated sigh, Madara rubbed the back of his head feverishly, messing up his long dark hair.

Urgh, mattaku., he thought. What, were they actually looking down on us? Give us some confidence, for fuck's sake. What's with the 'too dangerous for kids' thing?

He had wanted to raise his objections at the briefing but Hide signaled for him to stay silent.

'This is an extremely high profile contract, Mada. We cannot afford ANY mistakes, any at all. One slip, and that'll be the end. We may have the skills, but not the experience. What we've done so far is barely enough to prepare us for this, and you know it. Let the adults lead this mission. We'll provide support.'

Crossing his arms, Madara had looked away with a 'Hmph!'. Yes, he admitted that Hide had been sensible for once, but his pride refused to acknowledge their inferiority.

Madara surveyed the West Tower, taking in its layout, security and surroundings. It was a relatively isolated tower, separated from the main castle by long corridors as it stood amidst a massive garden. Tall, iron gates serve as barriers protecting the property, vines creeping up their strong bars.

Someone's personal chambers maybe?

But as he observed for the next hour or so, he started to grow confused. Things would have been straightforward if not for the unusually sparse security. Madara narrowed his eyes, focusing on the unmoving silhouettes blanketed by the night. It was weird that only two guards were deployed per 300 meters along the gates. Shouldn't security be tightened around such places? More so if his deduction about it being someone's private quarters was right.

But he shook off the thought. It was nothing for him to worry about. He was only responsible for the exterior layout of the West Tower. Unit 4 would take care of the interior as planned.

Madara smirked, wondering how his fellow assassins had so smoothly gotten themselves within the castle as royal guards. From what he had learnt, the whole palace was insanely huge- rows after rows of identical doors, staircases that seem to go on forever, chambers that interconnect. It was like a giant maze. No wonder their contractor had conceded to the two-week time frame. Everyday, their agents would gather information as they roamed the corridors under the pretext of a conscientious guard, their eyes sharp to details, their minds quick to carve what they've seen into their cognitive map. They pried information from their fellow guards during idle chats, their tongue skilled with the right words to avoid suspicion, their ears sensitive to useful intel.

Damn them. Keeping all the exciting parts to themselves and relegating us to this!

Madara let out a huge groan. The dullness of his task was killing him. The need to keep still, to stay hidden and to observe silently was not only suffocating but infuriating, especially when he knew that the other members were on the act. He wiggled his toes and flexed his muscles unconsciously, irritation creeping in.

He itched for something to happen. Something, anything! As long as he could feel his blood pumping through his veins, the adrenaline rushing through his body! If only-

Madara turned sharply, his heightened senses acutely aware, his body ready to react to the slightest threat.

The presence of the other was strong. In fact, it was so strong Madara wanted to laugh. If anything, people usually concealed their presence to the best of their ability, not the other way round. His enemy was practically screaming 'I'm here! Kill me!'

Madara pinned his attention on the clearing before him, slowly reaching for his kunai.

That guy is definitely here somewhere.

'Wherever you are, come out. I know you're here. Stop hiding.' he called. It was met by silence. The night wind whispered, causing the leaves to rustle. Madara stood firm and waited intently. A few moments later, the bush to his left shook as his enemy steeped forward. Instinctively, Madara moved to attack.

'Go-Gome! I-I didn't mean to spy on you!'

Madara pulled himself to a stop, his eyes widening in surprise.

A girl?