Chapter 1:  Running

Flashes of light flicked on and off, accompanied by the report of several guns. The monotonous beat of machine guns could be heard, following a retreating figure. The noise was deafening almost.

The thunk-thunk of Rei's boots could barely be heard as she ran, not even pausing as she shot wildly behind her. The bark of the Walther echoed the opposing gunshots. Huffing, Rei ducked behind a stone pillar, a hand disappearing inside the gray duster she wore. A dragon, jade in color, was pictured on the wide black lapel. Her hand emerged with a grenade; grunting as pulled the pin, the bomb was thrown. Seconds later the explosion erupted and Rei darted out from her hiding spot.

Debris rained down on her, the duster billowing behind her. More gunfire from above and she stumbled when a bullet found a calf. Rolling to her back, three rounds were fired and the slump of a lifeless body reached her ears. She was up and running again.

A spray of bullets in front of her halted her progress, forcing her to take cover behind another pillar. Chips of stone flew at her as a bullet or two nicked the pillar, causing Rei to duck or lunge to the side. The Walther clicked empty, the clip spilling into her palm and thrown away; another was jammed in its place. Then, a question flitted through her mind, one that had been nagging at her these last few months; why was she here? She was born into it, born into the Jade Dragon syndicate, rival to the Red Dragon. A bullet that came a little too close to home brought her back from her thoughts and those burgundy hues searched for a way out, finding none until … there! To her right, a corridor. A soft growl, she had had enough of this life, and I'm going to end it here, she thought. Pulling another grenade from the duster, teeth pulling the pin she launched it to the opposite end of the enclosed courtyard and ran for the corridor.

Pain erupted in her shoulder, a burst of blood as a bullet ripped through her shoulder. A choked scream was all she could muster before being propelled forward down the corridor by the explosion. Rei's lithe body slammed into the ground, sliding to a stop. Pushing herself to her feet, she just ran, another thought floating around her head, maybe if I keep running I can leave it all behind . Rei kept running, running out of the courtyard, down the fairly deserted street. Just … running. Perhaps 10 minutes had gone by before she started to slow, legs wobbling from the exertion and the loss of blood, which created a nice trail of crimson down her arm, and she slumped to her knees. A soft sigh escaped her lips, burgundy hues lifting upward as a figure approached her. Tall, green hair and a slouching frame. Grunting, Rei tried lifting the Walther to ward off the oncoming figure, but darkness kept swimming across her eyes until she lurched forward, unconsciousness taking her.

Author's Note: It has been brought to my attention that Rei from the above fic could be portrayed as Rei Ayanami from Evangelion. Yes, Rei Ayanami was the inspiration for my character, however, my goal or idea is not to have Rei (in the story) be the soft spoken, unemotional, Rei of Evangelion. Rei (in the story) is "played by" Rei from Evangelion.

Disclaimer: I, sadly, do not own the characters or show of Cowboy Bebop (or Evangelion since Rei is played by Rei Ayanami).  Sunrise, Bandai Entertainment, and Shinichiro Watanabe have the auspicious title.  I am merely an avid, humble fan having fun.