NEW LIFE : A SECOND CHANCE

That invisible line that put the wool over the peoples' eyes.

Country M was conservative and even now, Xavier was being drowned by the spit of the anger by the citizens. How could such a person remain in position?

Especially the Minister of Defence?

The one that is supposed to be clean and pure?

Though one would say his private life should have no bearing whatsoever to his job, in reality, that cannot happen. If the people no longer trust you and see you as a scumbag, how could you be seen to protect the Nation?

He would have to go, and placed in a less conspicuous position. Until this whole scandal thing was over then he could slowly go back up. He was still useful. He had done a lot for the Nation, so the couldn't just brush him aside.

"Syed, Syed," Mahmat, the Prime Minister lamented, "Why were you so careless?"

He looked at the pictures in disgust. Being a man that had been married faithfully to his wife, he couldn't understand how some could live their lives this way. It wasn't that he was a monk or a saint, but the sanctity of marriage was something he held dear.

Why get married if you're going to fool around?

"You know, he was careless because he was careful about other things," a voice came from somewhere in the room.

Mahmat jerked up, staring at the figure that was sitting on the window sill, a leg placed leisurely across his knee. He was dressed all in black, just like a ninja of old. The fact that he was dressed so was more amazing to him that he had actually managed to evade all the security to be sitting there.

Why was he sitting on a window sill anyway?!

Both of them were looking at each other.

In truth, Kyle was feeling rather like a giddy star-struck teen right now, seeing the man he truly did admire, sitting there in the seat of position.

When he was Kylie, he hardly paid any attention to the politics of the nation.

He did his duty by voting and such but all the drama surrounding the politics? He ignored them. Like they say, "Better the devil you know than the angel you don't". He would much rather vote for the devil he knew.

He had watched and supported all those who were calling for reform, to get rid of a corrupt government and such. He welcomed it. He wished for it.

Now, however, after being reincarnated, some of the wool had been ripped from his eyes.

Perhaps, he became jaded because now, he was well aware that it wasn't as simple as some would love to paint it. Being in a position of power isn't just a matter of choosing what is right and wrong or black and white: but shades of grey.

The man he was looking at right now, had to make choices that weren't popular but had to balance it and take the flack. Not many realised the sort of sacrifices he had gone through, and he had done so willingly. He accepted the criticisms, for, as his belief was 'the buck stops here'.

Did he make mistakes? Heck, yes. But he had done it all with one pure intention: for the good of the nation.

So, meeting the man that he actually did idolise a bit, made him feel like a fan-boy. Kyle had to clear his throat a bit. Boy, was he glad he was in his ninja outfit so that only his eyes could be seen.

Mahmat just looked at him, raising an eyebrow and not even panicking.

"So what do I owe this honour?" he asked, unafraid.

Kyle got up, and took out a file that he had strapped on his back. It was black as well and passed it to Mahmat slowly.

"Syed Xavier needs to go," Kyle said softly.

It didn't take long for Mahmat to look through the file, his face darkening.

"How did you get this information?" Mahmat asked.

Kyle shrugged, "I have my ways. Your investigations were hindered by him whereas mine wasn't."

"You knew?" Mahmat asked in surprise, putting down the file.

"I suspected," Kyle said, "You just confirmed it."

This made things easier. It meant that Mahmat was on the ball and would do what was needed.

"So the expose on Xavier was your doing?" Mahmat guessed.

"A prelude," Kyle replied, "A cover-up of sorts so that you can do what you need to do to get strip him of any position in the government."

Mahmat was silent.

He knew that this mysterious figure was not an enemy.

The fact that he could enter so stealthily yet not do a single thing to him meant a lot. That was why he wasn't worried at all and just sat to listen to what he wanted to say. He didn't raise the alarm though he had the panic button right there.

"And in return?" Mahmat asked.

Kyle smiled under his mask.

The man was truly sharp.

"Let the investigation on his death die," Kyle replied.

Mahmat took a deep breath and after a few seconds, nodded.

"May I ask why you're doing this?" Mahmat asked curiously as Kyle turned to go.

"You mean, besides all the atrocities he has committed?" Kyle asked, "Isn't treason enough?"

"For me, yes, but you?" Mahmat said, "I don't believe you're a loyal citizen of Country M."

"I have my personal reasons," Kyle said, "Our end goal is the same, so it's best that we work together."

Mahmat kept silent and watched him go.

Truly, the guy would save him a lot of trouble.

Mahmat wanted nothing more than to fling Xavier into court and have the law deal with him. With this file, it was undeniable that Xavier had committed treason. That was the death penalty.

Unfortunately, too many things could go wrong with going the 'right' way.

This 'wrong' way, however, would achieve justice.