Everything was burning. His village and his home. Jiro felt shattered as his house collapsed on top of his family. He couldn't stop the tears from spilling down his cheeks. He was all alone now. No more coming home to his family each day. No more playing with his friends and family. And worst of all, no more Jina. Jiro couldn't believe that he'd never see his little sister every again. For him, it felt like a part of him died as well.
The soldiers that attacked his village went around, shooting any stragglers. Jiro backed away and started to run. He heard shouts and a bullet whizzed by his head, barely nipping his ear. He turned to see two soldiers running after him, guns raised and shooting. Jiro ran faster, ignoring the fatigue from the run back to his house. Bullets landed in front of him, making Jiro change the direction he was running. Eventually, he ran into the woods. Diving into a bush, he was hidden from view of the soldiers trying to kill him. The men went right past his hiding place. Jiro immeadiately got up and ran in another direction away from the soldiers.
Jiro ran as fast as he could, not caring where he was heading. Tears flew off of Jiro's face. A moment later, he tripped on a rock, falling facefirst onto the ground. Instead of getting back up, Jiro buried his face into his arms and conitnued to cry. He felt completely hopeless and was wishing that a soldier would come and finish him off so he wouldn't have to suffer any longer.
"They destroyed your village too, huh?" a voice asked. Jiro looked up. A silver-haired woman with a skull bandana and a sword was standing over him, looiing down at him with icy blue eyes. Jiro got up and turned back to where the red light from his village was slowly beginning to fade.
"If you want the strength to strike back, then come with me," the woman said. Jiro turned to face her.
"What do you mean?" he asked. He was intrigued by what she could offer him. A blue aura surrounded her and a blue bat rose out of the ground, screeching. Jiro backed away, more out of fear than surprise. What WAS that thing? !
"This is my Shadow," the woman continued, as if reading Jiro's mind.
"Shadow?" Jiro echoed, looking down. The bottom of this "Shadow" was connected to the woman's feet.
"I believe you also have Shadow powers," the woman told him.
"Power? Seriously?" Jiro asked. Did he really have that kind of power?
"Mm-hmm," the woman answered. She held out a hand towards Jiro. "Come with me."
Jiro continued to gaze at the bat, still amazed at it. Then he looked down at the woman's extended hand. If there was any chance he could avenge his family, he would take it!
Jiro's face went serious and he reached out his own hand, grabbing her's. Instantly, her grip tightened and she pulled him as she ran. Her Shadow vanished in a blue light. He could hear shouts coming their way. Jiro turned his head and saw the two soldiers that had chased him before in hot persuit of him and this woman. Gunfire sounded from behind Jiro. A bullet skimmed past his arm, tearing his white shirt sleeve.
"Hurry!" the woman exclaimed, pulling Jiro harder. Jiro was running the best he could, pain shooting up his legs from tiredness. Suddenly, he slipped and he lost his grip on the woman's hand, falling to the ground. He could hear the soldiers coming up behind him. He rolled over onto his back and saw one soldier standing over him, the end of his gun barrel aim at Jiro's head. The soldier began to squeeze the trigger when a yellow blast hit the soldier, throwing off his aim and causing him to shoot the ground next to Jiro. Jiro turned to see that the woman had summoned the bat again. The soldier that was about to kill Jiro slowly got up. The front of his suit had been blown off, leaving bare and bleeding skin. The two soldiers yelped when the bat roared and hightailed it out of there.
"What cowards," he heard the woman chuckle as her Shadow vanished. She held her hand out to Jiro and he grasped it as she helped pull him back onto his feet. "You all right?"
"Yeah. . ." Jiro replied. He was still at a loss or words at this woman's strength.
"By the way, what's your name, kid?" the woman asked.
"I-it's Jiro. . ." Jiro stammered.
"Jiro, huh? I'm Zola. It's nice to meet you," Zola replied, smiling. She turned and walked out of the woods, Jiro following close behind.
Ok, that's chapter 1! XZOLAX wanted me to make this fanfic. I hope you liked it! Please review and keep watch for more chapters!