The Beast Within

Chapter One

By KellyQ

Rudger stepped back from what he was doing when the door opened to see his friend and boss, Hakase Fudo. He was a fine looking man with black soft raven hair that gave the characteristic of pinchers of a crab that spiked out on either side of his head. His long bangs parted to the side, covering his left eye. Rudger was a young well-built man with blonde hair and blue eyes. Rudger raised a brow when he noticed that Hakase had several knife wounds across his face a sling holding his left arm in place.

"What happened?" Rudger asked, watching him walk to his desk.

"Our house was ransacked last night by some some guards," Hakase explained, sitting down. "They said some of my research didn't make any sense, and they threatened me."

Sudden anger and concern welled up in Rudger. "Why didn't you call me?"

"And have you risk your life? No! The last thing I want is to see you get dragged off or killed just because of me."

Rudger let out a frustrated sigh. He felt powerless not being able to help. "Where are you staying at now?"

"Don't worry about it. I'll figure it out," Hakase answered, avoiding the question altogether.


A young woman walked down the street. She had long brown hair pulled back in a bun. Fair tan skin and cobalt blue eyes. This woman went by the name of Hana Fudo. In her arms was her 2-year-old son, Yusei Fudo. The child was spitting image of his parents. Dark raven hair spiked out on either side of his head, and his bangs were short.

"Mama, where's daddy?" he asked.

Before Hana could answer, familiar voices called out to them. Yusei twisted his body to the side to see his three friends running up. Hana placed her son down as he ran up to them. Hana smiled and glanced at them. The blonde haired boy was Jack. The red haired child was Crow, and the other was Kiryu.

"Why don't you guys go play?"

"Do you want to play with us?" Crow asked.

Hana smiled. "You're sweet, but I have some things I need to take care of."

"Mama, where's daddy?" Yusei asked again. He didn't feel safe, and what happened after last night, he was still shaken up.

Heavy footsteps echoed outside their home and there was a harsh knock. Hana walked toward the door but Hakase stopped her and shook his head.

"Open up!" Shouted a guard. "Immediately!"

Hakase stepped to the door and opened it to see several guards standing there.

"We need to examine your papers," one of the guard demanded.

"What papers? What is this about?" Hakase asked defensively.

"Don't give us any trouble or this will end badly for you. Step aside, now!"

"But..." Hakase protested.

With that, another of the guards pushed Hakase to the ground, at which point Hana screamed, "Stop it! Get out of our house!"

The guards paid no attention. They walked straight in toward Hakase's desk and pulled it over on its side, its drawers spilling their contents all over the floor.

Just then, Yusei came around the corner of the hallway from his bedroom. "Mama, what's happening? Why are those men doing that to daddy's desk?"

But the guards were already ripping up any paperwork they could find, bits of it floating around the room like a tornado had just hit.

"Yusei, come here," Hana implored. "Come to me!"

Yusei ran across the living room to his mother, as his father was getting to his feet.

"What do you want with us?" Hakase shouted. "Just take what you want and leave!"

Again, the guards did not respond. Apparently, they had found what they were looking for because as quickly as they came, they were headed out the door in a flash.

"Don't you ever come back here," Hakase demanded.

"What did you say?" One of the guards was approaching the father slowly.

"I said don't come back."

In a flurry, the guard drew a hidden knife from under his uniform coat and made several fast slashes at Hakase's face.

"I won't ever listen to a word you say," the guard said calmly. Hakase was on the ground, holding his face in his hands, blood coming out between his fingers. "And here's how you're going to remember that!" The guard pulled his foot high in the air and brought it down on Hakase's torso, but his arm was in the way. In excruciating pain, Hakase rolled over on his stomach and moaned.

"And don't make me come back and do that to your wife and kid, you hear me?" the guard said, bending close to Hakase's ear. The soldier stood up straight, brushing his hands on the front of his coat, and walked out the front door.

Hana continued to walk down the street, trying to shake the feeling that never left her, wondering what was going to happen to her and her family.

To be continued...