This was what she always loved most about her profession; the adrenaline and feeling of freedom. But maybe that was just her backwards way of thinking, because most people would feel something else entirely if they were in her situation. They would feel the terror and the feeling of being hunted down by the predator. But never her. This was just her average day of running for her life. Isn't that a fun way to pass the time?

With a silent laugh, she effortlessly maneuvers around the obstacles in her path, such as the numerous trees and undergrowth. Her feet glided across the forest floor silently. She makes only the quietest footsteps. This was simple child's play for her. The forest was her domain, and she had every advantage. No one had ever caught up to her once she had reached the safety of the forest. There had been a few close calls, but in the end she always prevailed.
Dodging another tree she grabs hold of the lowest hanging branch and propels her body upward to launch into the coverage of the treetops. The motion was effortless for her, and from anothers view, it would seem as if she had flown. She landed feet first on one of the higher branches; her hands out to her sides to balance herself. A smug smile had laced itself across her features. She was confident that she had left her pursuer behind. That even if, for a chance, he knew which direction she was in, he wouldn't be able to spot her in the camouflage that was the leaves and branches.

She crouched down on her branch as she stared out from her perch into the surrounding area. She knew he wouldn't win this game of hide and seek, but it didn't hurt to confirm he wasn't anywhere around.
This was what a lot of days were like for her. The predators would give a good chase, but they would never equal her skill. She has been playing this game for too long for that. However this job was more important than all the others she had done in the past and instilled a sense of extra caution. Her hand reflexively clutched the object hanging from her neck. This was more precious to her than any of her other finds, and now that she finally had it in her grasp, there was no way that it would be taken from her. She wouldn't allow it.

She pulled herself away from her thoughts, and turned her attention back to her surroundings. Still no one appeared. Her head turned at a slight tilt as she listened for anything. 'Wonder if I should move quickly or stay for another minute...' She thought.

Before she could decide anything of the sort, she noticed something. It was too quiet. There should at least be the buzz of insects or the movements of some demonic animal. But there was absolutely nothing, not a sound.

Rust colored eyes narrowed as she cautiously stared out into the forest. That's when she felt the sudden chill. Her body stiffened, and the world seemed to drop a few degrees. Darkness appeared over her unexpectedly. The shadow's form almost looked as if it had wings, but she knew better. 'I'm such a fucking idiot!' She internally screamed. 'Why didn't I look up?!' Though the biggest question she had now was: How did he manage to find me?

But she wouldn't let him know how much he terrified her. Her mouth twisted into its usual smug smile as she turned her face to look up at his form descending from the treetops. His long black coat that resembled wings fluttered around him. Cool, violet eyes met hers as he landed on a branch of a tree opposite.

They didn't say anything for a few seconds, just quietly observed each other. His eyes seemed to burrow straight through her, but she defiantly held his gaze. Finally he spoke; not surprisingly, his voice was soft and devoid of emotion. "That wasn't a very intelligent move on your part."

The girl chucked. "Intelligent enough to outsmart you the first time. Though it seems as if we're tied in this game now. One for me, and now one for you since you managed to catch up to me."

She looked up at the sky, and her smile turned into a slight frown. The sky had started to become a darker shade, as daylight was running out. She'd have to leave here soon if she meant to get where she needed to in time before it was gone. She turned her gaze back to the dark man before continuing. "I'd love to finish this lovely conversation, but it looks like it'll have to wait until later."

She hopped down from the tree branch before his silky voice spoke once again. "As soon as you return the item."

She chuckled yet again. "Then you're up for round three?" Without giving him a chance to answer, she sped back down in the direction she was originally going. She was so close to it now. Just a few more meters.

Just as she was about to reach it, an explosion went off. Time seemed to slow down from there. The skin on her back erupted in heat, and she could smell hair burning. She let out a scream from both shock and pain. The explosion had also senther flying. It didn't help that her back slammed up against a tree. She let out a yelp, and her body crumbled back onto the ground. When she tried to look back up, her vision was too blurred.

After a few seconds, the world stop spinning enough for her to see the dark figure had returned. He was standing a few meters away. He was holding a strange creature looking thing in one of his hands. It had a single orange eye and a pair of wings. The girl suppressed a shiver at the eerie feeling coming off it in waves. Keeping it in her eyesight, she glanced at the area surrounding her. There it is. Only a few feet to her left.

She shakily rose back onto her feet, leaning slightly onto the trunk of the tree. Her body fully protested against the movement but she knew if she didn't there was no doubt in her mind that she'd be dead in a few moments. The man released the creature, and she noticed a tiny fuse on the top of it now lit as it flew rapidly towards her. Well it was now or never. She flung her body to the left, and with a parting smile said, "Later."

Then in a small flash of light her body disappeared without a trace. But not before the bomb went off.

The last thing the girl saw before she lost consciousness from pain that covered her entire body was a pair of green eyes looking down at her.

"Rima?"