The Heretic (II)

August 27th 2015.

Narita Airport.

Japan.

Heretic watched as the plane landed in Narita Airport, Japan.

It was late afternoon, a little after two weeks since her meeting with Sparrow and his search for John Constantine.

Apparently, he was a very elusive and busy man from what Sparrow had told her.

A notorious con man with quite a number of past body counts.

A supernatural investigator whose skill set comes with a price.

An expert sorcerer and magician but also an accomplished liar and thief with a number of problems and the former member of a band called the ‘Mucous Membrane'. Was it any surprise they’d flopped in the first place with such a name?

Whenever Sparrow talked about him, it always seemed to her like he’d met the man before but didn’t like him one bit. While she was curious about the story, she didn’t really care to know.

What she’d recently heard though was that he was a member of something called ‘The Justice League Dark’.

When she’d heard that, she hadn’t been too happy about it.

Anyone that had anything to do with the words ‘Justice league’s was a no-go area for her but it wasn’t like she had a choice.

Also Sparrow had assured her the group was apparently nothing like the Justice League itself, being a group of people that had been brought together to fight mystical threats. That alone meant there would be a bunch of people with similar powers to Constantine himself in the group.

Still though, he was a Leaguer, and she wanted absolutely no connection to such people.

It was a mixed decision, but it wasn’t like she had any other options, seeing as the Wizarding World was still closed to her at the moment.

But now wasn’t the time to worry about such.

Walking out of the airport building with her bag, she looked around for a moment, ignoring the slight hustle and bustle as well as the honks of cars all around before focusing on a man holding a placard with a single name ‘Sparrow’ on it.

Perfect.

She walked over to him immediately, not wanting to spend too much time at the airport any further.

Sparrow had been a wonderful find if Heretic was being honest.

His name was Tony Whent, and she’d met him a little over 6 months ago when she had been in London for a little while and her connections and spy networks were still little and non-existent.

Well, more like stumbled into the situation as he had been about to be killed or heavily disfigured by a group of thugs whom he had revealed some secrets of to their boss who they had been about to betray.

She wouldn’t have bothered helping him if she hadn’t recognized him a bit. Also, it had been a lovely exercise for her and her powers as well and after the little fight, she walked away with someone not only indebted to her, but someone who had quite a lot of underground connections that she could use to create her own.

It didn’t mean she fully trusted him though. One of thing Heretic had learnt the hard way all her life was to only trust one person, and that person was herself.

Heretic sat on her large bed at the Yokohama Royal Park Hotel, a laptop in front of her as she typed in the coordinates Sparrow had sent to her on where Sensei Yoru’s dojo might be.

Mostly because the destination wasn’t exactly a known secret and she’d have to find it herself.

Most might wonder why Heretic wanted to learn these arts when she had powers to call upon. But Heretic had gone through a lot and she’d be an utter idiot if she put all her trust on her powers alone.

She’d seen such a situation during her suicide squad times.

Heretic had her powers to call upon and wield to a number of shapes but Emil Dorian had been faster, swift and used his mass to his advantage and she’d almost died.

So what if she had powers to her name, what could they do if she was weak and didn’t have the strength to dive away from a bullet, or someone who could use magic just like her?

Not much was known about Batman, but he’d beaten up people seemingly stronger that he was and come out unscathed.

Or even Harley Quinn, granted that lady was a whole bag of crazy, she used whatever was in her vicinity and whatever she could to her advantage.

Why shouldn’t Heretic do the same?

And on the brighter side, Heretic loved conjuring knives and swords during any fights she found herself in. Why not learn the way of the sword?

Her Orphans were learning it after all, and she sure as hell wasn’t going to leave a clear disadvantage on her side.

A small ping brought her attention back to her system as she ordered closer at the destinations she had to check.

While annoying that she had no particular destination for the dojo, it was still better that having none at all.

Another reason she’d chosen to search this sensei out was because of her powers.

He might not have magic like she seemingly did, but apparently he knew a lot about mysticism and that would prove good for her.

With a small gulp of her drink and a small sigh, she spoke up.

“Well then… let the search begin.”

_________________________________

The search was turning out to be a failure.

It had been a little over 4 days since she began her search and it has all been leading to dead ends or wrong places entirely.

She was presently going through the final street though she held no true hope.

It was a quiet residential area with more traditional homes here and there and the dark skies beautiful, the air blowing calmly and her footsteps sounding against the floor, her signature black cloak coat on with black tights and boots.

For a moment, Heretic wondered how it would have been like, living normal… not having to be put in prison or the number of things she had gone through, but she shook herself out of the dreams and back into reality.

It wouldn’t do to duel in the past and wish for something you can’t grasp anymore.

For a moment, she stopped, taking a deep breath, looking into the sky and wondering if she should just turn back and leave. It didn’t look like she was going to find the man.

But then, she paused.

Her eyes suddenly becoming shape as she brought her hands out of her pocket, holding them into fists.

It was quiet.

Too quiet.

Not even the leaves seemed to rustle like before.

For a second, nothing happened… and the she saw them.

They were dressed in all black.

From head to toe, with only their eyes and hands seen. They wore bamboo hats over their heads but there was no weapon she could physically see on them.

She tensed up crouching and watching, even as she knew that just like three were in front of her, three were also behind her.

“Just what did I do to attract ninjas to myself?”

She sarcastically asked and yet the said nothing, and no one moved…

And then the first one ran towards her with practiced ease almost on his/her toes, hands poised to attack and with a leap, kicked at her but Heretic wasted no time rolling out of the way.

Before she could take a breathe, the ninja leaped at her again, landing a hit on her knee and she fell with a pained grunt.

Heretic immediately moving to knock the ninja off their feet but with another jump, they back flipped into a shadowed area and seemingly melted into it.

Another ninja stepped forward immediately, hands raised and immediately tried to hit Heretic with a jab punch but she immediately crouched and moved to land an uppercut punch on the chin of the ninja who blocked it with their crossed arms and grabbed Heretic, landing a knee punch into her stomach.

Heretic winced even as anger clouded her mind and she immediately returned the knee punch making the ninja stagger back in surprise, and just like the first one, took a couple of steps back and into the shadows.

Heretic breathed out as one came forward again and she gritted her teeth.

“Who are you and what do you want??”

She snarled but the ninja said nothing, and Heretic decided she wasn’t going to act nice anymore, and so her hands lit up, two daggers in both.

The ninja paused, and thinking she had an upper hand, lunged at the him, intending to land a violent hit, only for her dagger to hit metal, and she found herself staring at a poignard dagger of sorts in the ninjas hands. Both hands.

“What the…”

She wasted no time lunging the second at his waist but he jumped back, taking a swipe at her neck but she moved back just in time, wincing a bit when she felt slight pain.

Then he stopped, taking a step back into a shadowed area like the rest.

Heretic breathed in and out quite harshly, as another ninja stepped forward and this time, she didn’t care enough to fight them and so created over a hundred sharp knives that hovered around the remaining ninjas.

Immediately they paused and she let out a smirk.

“So you stop now?”

She raised a hand and as the knives all made movements with her hand, the ninjas seemed to slip into shadows before she could send the knives at them.

It was quiet for a moment, no sounds of feet and she let out a small sigh of relief, vanishing the knives as she suddenly felt tired, her heart beating fast.

Who the fuck were they and where did they come from??

And who the hell was after her??

Before she could think more on it though, she heard footsteps again and immediately turned to the house next to her, the roof in particular as she stared at a ninja, this one dressed slightly different and more intense.

She lit her hands up again and two swords appearing in each hand but the ninja made no move, only staring right at her which she returned and in the blink of an eye, he raised his right hand and in between his index and middle finger was a rectangular piece of paper which gave her a pause, especially when he threw it at her and it landed at her feet.

And then she watched as he melted back into the shadows like the others.

For a moment, she looked around just to be sure no one would attack her again and then crouched, picking the paper and looking at it.

It was brown but simples and a letter in calligraphic handwriting was on it.

I watched as you searched me out.

You have a journey, and I accept becoming your teacher.

Sensei Yoru.

Heretic’s eyes widened in surprise, turning it and seeing an address on it and she looked back at the roof again, before a thought came to her.

This… her fight earlier…

Had they been testing her??

They had, hadn’t they?

A small scoff escaped her lips even as she pocketed the paper and turned to walk off.

Good to know she passed the test.

_________________________________

September 3rd, 2015.

Privet Drive.

Surrey.

It was early evening.

The wind blew across the quiet street and James wrinkled his nose slightly as he stares at all the similar looking houses.

Not a difference in one.

It was all so… cage-like to him.

How can they live like this?

But that wasn’t really what was on his mind though.

His mind was filled with thoughts of a little black haired girl with emerald eyes who had once looked to him like he was her universe. And he wondered if she still remembered him… him and her mother and her twin.

He turned to his right where his wife walked next to him. A look of apprehension on her face and a million things seemingly going on in her head.

Her moved his hand to hers, holding it and she turned to him, a small smile on her beautiful face.

“It’s going to be okay lils, trust me.”

Lily sighed.

“I know. I just… it’s been a long, long time since I’ve seen Petunia and then there’s also Leilani… I know she won’t remember us… I’m pretty sure my sister wouldn’t say anything about us, just like she’d said but… this could be disastrous James.”

She stopped, making him stop and they both faced each other.

“I keep thinking maybe this was a bad idea. I mean, Chase is safe at Hogwarts. Leilani is safe in the muggle world too… right?... Maybe we’re unknowingly leaving a trail for Voldemort to follow… I just…”

“Calm down, Lily. There’s no trail we’re leaving… trust me… I’d know. Or have you forgotten your husband’s an auror?”

He joked and a small smile forces it’s way on her face which James counted as a win and she nods.

“Of course. Yeah, you’re right. I’m being silly.”

James shook his head, placing his palms on her cheeks.

“No, you’re not honey. You’re just being a mother. Now, come on… if I didn’t know any better, I’d say there’s a lady peeking at us through her curtains.”

He looked behind Lily who also turned to see a black haired woman staring suspiciously at them.

Once she saw she’d been caught, she immediately yanked her curtains closed and the pair turned to each other and snorted in amusement.

Muggles…

James thought.

They were such an eccentric people.

The walk to number 4 took less than 3 minutes as they walked towards the door of the house.

The lawn was well tended and a small rose garden well taken care of.

The baby sized toy car though threw Lily off for a minute as she wondered if Petunia had given birth again.

Her sister didn’t seem the type to go for a huge family.

Petunia had always talked about having the ‘perfect’ numbered family.

Meaning an husband, a wife and one child, preferably a boy.

For a moment, a dark feeling clouded her memory as she thought about her daughter.

She truly hoped her sister hadn’t been too bitter taking in Leilani.

Hopefully the years had made her warm up to her baby girl.

Because, even though Lily had promised to keep her distance, if she so much as finds out that her daughter had been neglected in any way, shape or form, even just a little bit, then Petunia would have to answer for it.

“Okay… here we are…”

James sighed out as they stopped in front of the dark oak door and he turned to Lily.

“Shall I do the honors or will you?”

Lily shook her head and immediately places her hand on the doorbell button and it made a small noise which James listened to with an interested look on his face.

It was quiet for a few seconds before an unfamiliar voice answered.

“Coming!”

A frown appeared on Lily’s face as she turned to James who shrugged, not looking too concerned and she turned back to the door as the door was unlocked and opened.

“Hello there, can I help you?”

Lily blinked once and the stared for what seemed like an eternity.

The woman in front of her was unfamiliar.

Her dark brown wavy hair, her chocolate brown eyes and the three year old boy in her arms.

“I’m, hello. Is this number 4? Have we made a mistake?”

James spoke up, a confused look on his face as he turned back for a moment and the woman cleared her throat.

“No sorry. This is number 4… is there a problem?”

She frowned, looking at the couple and Lily quickly spoke up even as her heartbeat picked up.

Maybe this woman was a visitor?

Petunia’s friend?

“Sorry I’m looking for Petunia Dursley. She lives here.”

The woman gave her a funny look.

“Petunia Dursley? I’m sorry no one here goes by that name.”

Lily faltered.

“…What… but she… I…”

“My husband and I have lived here for almost a decade now miss. Petunia Dursley does not live here, nor do I know who that is.”

It felt like the world was spinning to Lily as she took a step back and fear suddenly crashed into her very being.

Maybe… maybe she just moved somewhere else?

Maybe they moved down the street? A lottery?

Maybe… maybe…

But why did it feel strange to Lily?

Why was she feeling this way?

So apprehensive?

Petunia Dursley does not live here, nor do I know who that is.

It reregistered in her head again and Lily suddenly felt super dizzy as her legs gave up beneath her.

“Lily!”

James’ frantic voice seemed so faraway to her in that moment.