Chapter One: Oh the Sh*t We Fall In
The night air was frigid as snow began to gently fall from the sky coating the already slick ground in a pale blanket. It hurt to breath as my shoes pounded across the forest trail weaving through trees and bamboo groves as I went. Behind me I could hear the troublesome wanna-be bandits in close pursuit. The first three I could see being runners since they were skinny but the fourth was a hog and keeping up. Kudos to him. The path suddenly turned sharply to go down some steps and I lost my traction on some ice. The force threw me over the edge, sending me rolling down the snowy hill to clip a temple, and sprawl out into the main boulevard before the temple. My shoulder was throbbing with the impact of the temple and, hearing footsteps, I quickly rolled onto my stomach popping to my feet. The thieves confronted me.
"Nice try foreigner." Idiot 1 snapped.
Idiot 2 pulled out a butterfly knife, "Give us the purse."
I took a quick glance around me to find no one really around in the pavilion. So no help would be coming.
"Aren't you guys a little old to be snatching old ladies bags?" I asked squaring off.
Idiot 4, Tubby, was keeled over panting desperately for breath and looked ready to die.
"Look Foreigner don't fuck with us." Idiot 2 growled.
I smiled. With all my stretch I chucked the bag up high making it land on the second tier of the temple roof with a thunk. Idiot 1 charged me enraged by the ditching of his lazy prize. He came down on me with a right hook; I ducked down and around, letting my fist find purchase into his gut. Gasping he went down-
"HEY!"
Kicking him I heard his jaw snap. Something struck me in the back of the head making stars burst in my vision. I staggered foreword, breathing in, and swiveled on my heel. Idiot 3 had remained silent during the exchange earlier but as I faced him I spotted the brass knuckles on his left hand. Something warm was oozing from the back of my skull. Idiot 3 charged me again with Idiot 2 following close behind; brass knuckles and butterfly knife. Crap! Idiot 3 swung again, I dodged, only to feel the slice of a knife across my cheek.
"HEY! STOP!"
Ducking down I retrieved a hunting knife I kept in my boot and flipped the blade open with a spring. Idiot 3 twisted, bellowing I charged towards him knife in hand, and sacked him in the middle. He went down and I heard his head crack against the brick of the pavilion. Idiot 2 was right on top of me. Bringing my knife up I met his puny butterfly blade. It slid down the length of mine catching on the hand guard and sinking into the soft pad there.
"Idiot!" I barked as I pushed him back.
He swung barely cracking my cheek. Twisting the blade I tore his weapon away and tossed it several feet where it skidded until it hit another temple and rested there.
"I'm from L.A. and you don't fuck with us!"
Again he swung, I brought my blade up slashing across his knuckles, and as I lunged foreword a tall man with blonde hair got Idiot 2 in a headlock.
"Call the cops!" he yelled.
Slowly turning I saw that there were monks that had gathered in the plaza and looked on dumbfounded. Idiot 2 roared as the monk restraining him forced him to his knees. Walking up I gave the bandit a swift kick to the stomach.
"Lights out punk."
He slumped to the ground unconscious. When I looked up I couldn't find Tubby anywhere and figured he'd toddled off to find a chocolate bar. Oh well. Adrenaline was wasting away from my muscles and my vision suddenly split. Shaking my head it merged into one solid picture and I was able to focus. I motioned towards the temple I had to climb up there and get the bag back. That poor old lady at the airport must be worried sick.
"Miss?"
I felt so tired and woozy from that hit in the head that turning to look back took all my focus. The monk standing there was very tall, dashing looking, with sharp golden hair and brilliant golden eyes.
"Um,-"I bowed and the motion sent me falling onto my hands and knees.
The blonde haired monk was suddenly holding me, picking me up, and turned me over on my back in his arms.
"Miss!"
"S-sorry about the ruckus but up there-"I pointed to the temple roof, "is an old ladies purse. She's at the airport so if someone could get that I'll be on my way to return it."
"I don't think you're in any condition to go anywhere."
I blinked but it felt slower than normal. Sirens began to wail in the distance and I could've sworn I saw sweeping red and blue lights.
"I-I have to meet someone important though." I muttered.
Oh god was I losing blood that quickly that I was going to blackout?! That hit must've been more detrimental than I thought. Someone was holding my hand.
"Squeeze my hand okay. Stay with me." The man spoke.
"B-but I have to meet…"the world grew black, "my new family." Then it went silent.
