Chapter 43

While with slight talks with the president Jonathan Pryce,who agreed that they can't let anyone take over Mars Industries since some of them could be a puppet for McCullen.So Arashikage Industries took over Mars Industries without too many issues.In the barracks that night,after the meeting a battered and bruised, Scarlett hurriedly enters the barracks.She checks around to see that she's alone then she heads for a mirror over one of the sinks, peeling back her collar to check the choke marks on her neck. Her hands are trembling.She turns on the water and cleans her face with a wash cloth.

Ripcord enters the barracks behind. Like Scarlett, he looks around to see if he's alone. He catches Scarlett looking at him in the mirror, as if he's unwanted. Then he notices the choke marks. He is genuinely concerned asked"Jesus, you okay?"

Scarlett looked down and replied"I'm fine."

Ripcord shook his head and said"You're not fine, let me look at that."

Scarlett sighed and replied"I looked at it, it's fine."

Ripcord got slightly close and wanted to look at bruise saying"Take it easy, just trying to help."

Scarlett frowns and said"I know what you're trying to do."

Ripcord confused asked"And what is that exactly?"

Scarlett shook her head and said"I don't have time for this."

Ripcord crossed his arms and said"You know, not everything I do is too get into your pants. You do know that, don't you?"Scarlett stops and returns to the sink,she ignores him,cleaning the blood off her face. Scarlett's face softens while saying"It's not you, I... I didn't really want anyone to... see me in here."

Ripcord was confused questioned"Why not?"

Scarlett sighed and answered"I don't know. All the people we lost last night. General Hawk... My neck is not that important."

Ripcord frowned and said"You almost died. You're allowed to be concerned."although he knew Anna was taking it easy on her,after all he knew Anna was trained by Kage during the time they dated.

Scarlett taking breath replied" This is the first fight I've lost since I was a kid. My father would be... he was my instructor."

Ripcord crossed his arms and asked"So you never lost of Snake eyes or Kage."

Scarlett shook her head and replied"They both are different,after all they were trained to killer from a young age.From what I have seen,Kage and Snake eyes are beyond human."

Ripcord understanding her thoughts said"You think your father would be disappointed."

Scarlett with disappointed tone replied"He taught me to win."

Ripcord said"I don't know how you teach anybody to win at everything every time.But I do know you can teach someone to get up when they get knocked down."

Ripcord turn her gently in the mirror and said"Look at you. Still here. Maybe this is what he wanted you to learn."Scarlett stares at her reflection briefly while Ripcord continued"But of course, that would be an emotional response, one that can't be explained or quantified."

Scarlett gave chuckle as Ripcord added"Also Baroness or Ana was trained by Kage himself,so you can guess the odds where in her favor."

Ripcord turns and heads for the door. Scarlett watches him as she said"We're not a couple.Kage and me. We're... close, he's like a brother, but...we're not a couple."

Ripcord looks back at her, nods saying"I already knew that." then walks on out.

While Kage was now talking with Gisele,who was projection.Gisele hearing about Alex's exe appearing out of nowhere as a spy said"So she didn't leave on her own will."

Kage nodded and taking deep breath,thought he had moved on from Ana.But now her sudden appearance and the fact she didn't leave on her own violation had created ripple in his emotions.

Kage taking deep breath and thought"Ana is my past and Gisele is my future."

Gisele did feel slightly jealous seeing Alex still had some feelings for Ana,but she knew she would be in a similar state too.Gisele said"It's not your fault that you are still having some feelings for her.After all you never got closure in that relationship."

Kage smiled and in an apologizing tone said"Thank you for understanding."

Gisele smiled and giving nod,asked"So you need me to help you out?"

Kage nodded and replied"I need you take private plane to France,the Joes are currently busy as our base has been exposed.So most of them are changing the location to different base."

Gisele frowned and said"I will be there."

Kage smiled hearing that and replied"Thank you for having my back."

Kage sighed seeing the projection of Gisele die down as he thought"So to France to stop nanomite missile."