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The sun was setting as Hikosaburo locked the door of the Dojo and started making his way down to the river. A broad-shouldered and muscular man, he was barefoot, dressed in a loose white tunic closed with a black belt, his black hair cut short. Reaching the river, he sat crossed-legged on the bank, watching the sunset. Above him, the first few stars were beginning to shine. He smiled as he saw a shooting star, his smile fading as it grew larger and he threw himself flat as it struck the ground on the other side of the river.

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Hikosaburo made his way across the scorched field where something had dug a huge furrow, grass, earth and stone torn up as if by a huge plow. At the end of the furrow lay a large wreck of twisted, melted metal. As he watched, part of it opened with a hiss and a figure climbed out. It was half as tall again as a man, heavily muscled with olive skin, dressed in clothes made of hide and with a metal mask that covered it's face. It dropped to the ground, turning towards him and Hikosaburo thought that he heard a hiss. A silver cylinder rose from it's shoulder and pointed towards him, the end glowing blue with a faint humm. Then, there was a shower of sparks and the blue glow faded. The creature gave another hiss and extended his fist, a knife ejecting from his gauntlet as he advanced towards him, thrusting the blade towards his chest. Instinct took over and Hikosaburo blocked the blow with his forearm, driving him back with a kick to the chest. The creature retaliated with a punch that got through his guard, grazing his ribs. Hikosaburo staggered backwards with a grunt of pain, but he did not go down, launching himself into a jump kick that sent the Predator staggering backwards. Hikosaburo landed, raising his hands again, but the creature stepped back, retracting his blade.

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The Predator hissed as the human's kick landed on his chest, driving him back a step. It was rare to find another that could fight evenly against him, much less a member of such a weak species. As he watched, the human raised his hands and he stepped back, retracting his gauntlet blade. The human seemed to understand because he did not move, although he kept his hands raised. Without moving, the Predator hissed a command for his mask to search the local language and translate his words...

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Hikosaburo watched as the creature stood still for a few seconds and then it spoke. However, these weren't the hisses that he had heard before. Despite a slightly monotone intonation, it was recognisable as Japanese.

'You have fought well,' it said. 'I have hunted your kind before and few have been able to match me in combat...'

'Who...who are you?' Hikosaburo asked. 'Where do you come from?'

In response, he pointed to the stars, before kneeling down and taking something from his belt, placing it on the ground. It was a round, semi-spherical device with a blinking red light in the centre.

'What is that?' Hikosaburo asked.

'It will tell my people where I am. They will come for me...'

'What will you do?'

'I will return to the hunt,' he said, just as a red light started blinking on his gauntlet. 'My people are coming. You must not be seen or they will kill you.'

Above them, a light like the meteor was coming close. Quickly, Hikasoburo turned and ran towards the trees, ducking out of sight just as the ship came into view. It settled onto the ground and ramp lowered, three more of the creatures descending. The one that he had fought walked up to join them and the ramp closed, the ship lifting off.

Good luck, Hikosaburo thought, as it disappeared from sight.

Thank you for reading. I hoped you enjoyed it. Any reviews, comments or constructive criticisms are very welcome.