"Damn! You're going to regret hitting me." the man slowly unsheathed a blade

"Gotcha punk!" one of the thugs grabbed my arm, twisting it behind my back. It hurt, it hurt so much I could barely think but I couldn't take my eyes off the knife. The moonlight glinted cruelly off the sharp edge, my knees started shaking.

I can't believe I never realized something so simple; knives are fucking scary

The world seemed to slow down, I took in every detail of the instrument, the blade was long and thin with a stocky wooden handle. This was a weapon. It was designed to hurt and kill without regard for right or wrong. My mouth dried up, I couldn't breathe. I tried to pull free but he just twisted my arm farther. My eyes met the knife wielders, his eyes were dark and cloudy with rage.

'Oh, man what the hell am I going to do!' the guy behind me wrenched my arm, painfully twisting as the knife slowly approached. He got three steps before Miu's foot slammed into his face

"Aghh"

The pressure on my arm was released.

The thug grabbing me was sent flying through the air replaced by a long blond braid. What the hell? My eyes followed the long braid, but it was already in motion cracking like a whip. The girl seemed to fly through the night closing in on the man to my right. He throw a hasty punch out. She seemed to flow around his fist, her elbow slammed into his face and he went down spitting up teeth. I couldn't even move and the girl I rushed to save had taken apart two grown men and the third one was being riddled with punches. I couldn't' even move and a girl my age was taking out gangsters left and right and the only thing I could do was watch, and I could barely do that. She was so fast I could hardly keep up. I was enamored, the beautiful girl seemed to float through the sky weightless while other times she dived on them like a hawk. I didn't even notice him creeping up behind me.

"Hold it right there girly!" A cold edge pressed under my chin. The first guy, the one I punched in the face. He was holding the knife to my throat, I couldn't swallow. I started sweating. What the hell was I going to do? The girl I tried to save simply scowled, raised her fists and inched forward.

"Take another step! I dare you, I'll cut this prick's throat open I swear!" he drew the knife closer. Was Miu really going to gamble with my life? Didn't I have any say in this? He could kill me right now and there was nothing I could do about it. The only thing between life and death was a slim piece of metal and a teenage girl….. I'm so fucked

"Hey! That's enough!" Someone yelled from down the road, I tried to turn but the goon pulled me closer

"Knock it off right now or I'm telling Raiga you're threatening kids again." The newcomer yelled

"How the hell do you know the boss!?" The goon took a step back. "Shit, are you the guy we're supposed to be picking up?" He said keeping his eyes looked on Miu

"Yes I'm Emiya, now let him go " He said flatly.

"Christ, I thought my day couldn't get worse" he sheathed his blade pushing me down with his free hand. I kissed the pavement, the cool concrete pressed into my face, and I breathed a sigh of relief."Take your boy toy and get out of here, I'm letting you off with a warning"

Miu didn't lower her fists "I'm not letting you get away that easy!" She glared, moving faster then before she closed in. He jerked back barely dodging her fist, the new guy rushed in leaping in front of the goon, catching her fist on his forearm.

"Hey! Stop! Look, I'm sorry for what he did but there doesn't have to be any more violence today. Let's just all go home, you never have to see him again alright?" the new guy offered

She considered it carefully never letting her guard down for a moment. "Hmph, fine but don't think for a second I'll forgive what he's done," She said backing away

The newcomer sighed, a small smile on his face. "Thank you.". He turned to the thug. "Can you get the car ready without starting any fights this time?"

"Whatever, kids these days got no respect" he muttered walking off

The new guy, Emiya, walked over to the man who held me down and started dragging him towards the curb. I didn't understand till he packed the unconscious man into the backseat.

Miu jogged over to me "Kenichi! Are you alright" She pulled me to my feet. She quickly checked over me before sighing in relief. "Thank you for helping me" She smiled

"I..t It was nothing" of course it was nothing, I didn't do anything. I just made it worse. I got so caught up watching Miu I didn't even notice the guy sneaking up on me. I grimaced

The strange man grunted as he pulled the last of the thugs into the car and slammed the door closed, it sped off shortly after. "Who was that guy?"

She frowned, pursing her lips, I followed her eyes to her knuckles a small bruise forming. Forget knives, girls are scary


Bam!

My vision blurred, I tasted copper as I hit the mat

"What the hell do you think you're doing Shirahama!"

He grabbed my gi and lifted me off the ground.

Smack!

Just like before I didn't even see his fist as he punched me. I clutched my stomach , trying to ignore the pain

"I told you not to touch the bags! you stupid punk. I hate people like you." He pulled me closer, "People who join karate club for fun make sick" he spit, looking more pissed by the second

"I didn't' join to have fun!. I joined so I can get stronger!' I won't be weak anymore. I won't rely on other people to protect me

"Ha!, Listen up shit head, karate is for the strong to get stronger not for weaklings like you to mess around." He throwing me down "If you have any self-respect you'll quit the club today."

I picked myself up and stared him in the eyes. "So, as long as I'm strong it's fine if I stay." I just need to prove myself, then I can start getting stronger.

He laughed again "Weak and stupid what a combo, sure if you beat me in a match you can stay but when you lose you quit and never show your face around here again punk. A week from today, same time, the same place. I'll see you then" he smiled and swaggered off.

He picked up the seventy-pound dumbbells easily curling them. He turned to me and gave me a vicious smile.

Crap.

I'm so screwed, I can't just back out but if I don't Daimonji is gonna kill me. Crap think Kenichi think, maybe I have a book that-

"Hey, weak knees~"

Oh great, not only am I going to get killed I get to deal with the alien, I sped up trying to get away from him

"I wouldn't ignore this if I were in your size sixes" he called out as I walked away

"How the hell do you know my shoe size!" I demand stomping over to him

"Oh you'd be surprised at what info is just lying around but I'm here for more than just shoes. He smiled nastily

"I'm sure you've heard but in case your ears are as weak as the rest of you, we have two more transfer students. A girl and a boy, Tohsaka Rin and Emiya Shirou. Weird pair, almost no information on their transcripts." He flicked through his PDA.

Wait, I know that name

"Hold on did you say Emiya Shirou? Tall, red hair, yellow eyes?

"That's the one, looks like you might be good for something after all Shirahama. You tell me what you know about them and I'll tell you about Daminji."

Nijama was always scheming, he was a jerk but he sucked up to the bullies so no one could do anything about it. He might tell me something helpful about Daimonji , or he'll tell me something useless. Not a lot to lose either way I guess

"Whatever, look that Emiya guy? He's bad news alright, I met him the other day and he was ordering around some Yakuza thugs." I warned him

He started cackling "aha ha ha! I know something was off about him! No one is that nice and not hiding something. Don't worry weak knees, I'll have the Yakuza prince wrapped around my finger within a week" He took out his PDA and started rapidly typing. "Know anything about that other one? Tohsaka?" I shook my head

"Didn't think you would, a girl as hot as she is wouldn't even notice you exist much less talk to you keke" he laughed,

"And she'll care about an alien like you?"

"You little punk! Listen up Weak knees, your stats are all F class. You know what that means?" He sneered. "No? It means I can do this!" He pulled my cheeks.

"Oww, stupid alien" I slapped his hand away

"And you can't do anything about it. The sooner you learn your place the better it'll be for you. Still, a promise is a promise, I suppose I should tell you something about Daimonji", he flicked his PDA scrolling through the profiles finally landing on Daimonji's. " Ahh here we go; He's a brute, he beats down everyone who gets on his nerves. It's so bad in middle school he sent two kids to the hospital for annoying him, shook them up so bad they moved schools." He pushed a button on the side powering down the device and pocketing it "In case you're having trouble understanding what this means let me put it in words you can understand; you're dead meat." He rested his hand on my shoulder "But I have some good news too"

Finally

"If the hospital bill is over one hundred dollars it's tax-free!" he cackled and walked off

Shit.


So that's what's going on" Miu said, "You know he's wrong about Karate."

"Huh?" I looked up from my desk

"I know a little and my master always said Karate was created to let the little guy win against the big guy."

I put my head back on the desk, maybe I can distract him with fortune cookie wisdom

"So what are you going to do now?" She said leaning on a desk

"What does it matter? I'm just going to get murdered. Have you seen that guy? He's huge. He's going to pop my head like a grape." my head fell on the desk. Maybe I'll get lucky and he'll trip in my blood after he kills me.

"Look, Kenichi, strength isn't power. You need to understand that" She walked off, putting her hand on an open window "But if you fight him the way you are now you'll definitely lose if you can't even imagine beating him you're better off running away," She said as she leaped out

"What the hell, we're on the second floor!" I rushed to the window just in time to see her hopping a fence across the street. What's with all the crazy people lately.

"Ding Ding~" the last bell, the freedom cry of students everywhere, the sweet relief of getting out of the nut house, my relief was short lived when the thought of Daimonji being one day closer to destroying me filled my head.

Unlike the crazies I decided to use the front door as I started walking home. Now, what? I stared at the sky. I could give up, maybe if I scrap my head on the ground and quit the club he won't kill me. Maybe I can beg the club president? No, he wants Daimonji in the club way more than he wants me. I could just not show up, never show my face, hide from the members and hope they forget about me. Yea, that'll work I bet they'll have a laugh and forget all about me.

When did I become such a coward? No, I never became a coward, I've been a coward for as long as I can remember. The second that guy looked at me I froze up, Miu didn't even flinch when the guy pulled a knife.

I took a deep breath, I'm going to do it. I won't let this be like every other time! I started running, I kept running until I was red in the face, then ran faster. I won't be weak knees Kenichi anymore! I sprinted through the front door, blowing past my sister. I slammed the door to my room closed. I collapsed in a chair raggedly breathing.

A few minutes later I stood, tall and proud. I gazed upon my secret weapon. Slowly pulling it from its place on the bookshelf. Taking in every facet of its cover. The title emblazoned on the cover, I spoke reverence in my voice

"John Cena's guide to getting stronger while having fun" with this maybe I can win after all


"Wow, Emiya! That's amazing. I can't believe I've never seen you at a competition."

"I've just been too busy I guess." He shrugged nocking another arrow. He aimed at the target, the outcome was certain. It will hit, it was not vanity. There was no pride in his form or joy in his success. No matter how many times he fired, the arrows would always land where he designated it. Why would something as simple as breathing make anyone happy? He released the arrow and I looked down at my watch.

six seconds to draw, nock, aim, and fire twice. I walked down range pulling the arrows from the plastic target. Shinji was always disgusted with my form.

"Emiya, how are you doing this?" She said inspecting the two arrows. Fingering the small notch where the second arrow dug into the first one

"You can't just walk off the street pick up a bow and shoot an arrow with another arrow without aiming." she sighed placing the arrows on the ground. "I guess this is the difference between talent and practice." she took her phone out taping out a short message

I gave her a friendly smile "I was part of the archery club back at my old school so I'm not a complete amateur." I probably shouldn't mention I was only in it for six months. I drew two more arrows from the box and placed them inside my quiver.

He took aim. The outcome was assured before he picked up the bow. The only thing that mattered was how he got there. draw nock, fire, draw nock fire.

I looked down at my watch. three seconds to repeat with His style what my own did with six. That's three seconds saved, three potential lives saved and all I had to do was copy Archer.

"That's a nasty face for such a good shot," the captain said as she lazily approached "Are you bullying the new guy, Shima?" she teased ever present smirk plastered on her face. She was easy going and never really took her duties seriously, as long as she could practice in peace it didn't really matter to her what people did and as a result, the club was filled with people who wanted a place to goof off.

"Wah, no way. I'm just checking out the new guy's skills. They're crazy, I don't think I've seen him miss all day!"

"Is that so?" The captains smirk expanded into a smile. "it's been awhile since I've had any competition around here."

"I'm right here you know," I said lamely putting my bow back on the rack. I wonder who supplied the club, the bows here were all new carbon fiber bodies and Spectra strings. Expensive but built to last, made the single wooden bow stick out even more.

"Oh, don't worry, we're just teasing you. I look forward to competing with you." She nodded at me. I doubt I'd stay long enough to compete with her. I just needed a place to test His skills against mine. I tried practicing in the apartment Raiga was lending me but Rin absolutely refused to patch any more holes in the wall so I had to find a new one.

Beep beep

I glanced at my watch "Damn, is it that late? Thank you for showing me around but I have to get going." I grabbed my coat hurrying out the door.

"What an odd guy. What do you think Captain?"

The Captain pulled the wooden bow and a dozen arrows from the rack.

"He's interesting. At the very least he's a good reminder not to laze around, my dreams a long way off if people like him are around." She nocked an arrow

"You're so serious captain Sako, it's not like you." She said taking her phone out

"Only about the things that matter" She felt the arrow and the target become one, it wasn't a matter of aim anymore just timing. She let go, her arrow whistled through the air slamming into the bullseye.

"Shirou…. You're late." Those words were the only sound in the dark house. This was getting dangerous.

"Sorry, I got caught up at the range." He walked slowly through the door feeling around for the light switch. If I can get the lights on maybe I can avoid whatever trap she set up, wait if I avoid it will that just piss her off more? Should I just take the hits? No, it's too soon to resort to that.

"So your little toy bow is more important than your word." the voice came from everywhere and nowhere. "It's not like that, I promise." We wouldn't even be having this problem if she let me practice in the living room again

"Just like you promised to be home at six." She's got me there. I'm going to have to pull out the big guns

"If you kill me, I can't cook dinner." I declared giving up my search for the lights

"Hmm," the voice considered my plea "...Fine" The lights flashed on momentarily blinding me "But you better not be late again." Rin pouted crossing her arms "I can't believe you, skipping magus practice for some silly game."

"It's not a game Rin, I'm practicing" I sighed in relief. I was safe for now, but I wasn't out of the lion's den yet

"I don't see why you bother, it's not like you ever miss." She uncrossed her arms and sat down on the couch, skipping through a magazine. "By the way, Fujimura Raiga stopped by, he wanted to thank you for telling him about that underling, said that he's been appropriately chastised. He even offered a couple tickets to a sumo wrestling match. You know some weird guys Shirou but I can't complain about the free apartment" It took Rin two days to find out I had gotten a rent-free apartment, it took her one to find out where and it only took her half a day to move in all her stuff.

I walked into the kitchen, Riaga made sure I had a top of the line kitchen and a fully stocked fridge. He said it was so I would feel more at home but I had a feeling he just wanted to make sure I could keep cooking for his daughter. I didn't mind, at the very least it would keep Taiga out of trouble. She was way too excitable for a teacher. I should give her a call, She hasn't' stopped by recently. Probably stuck in meeting about my old school. I should make her something nice to pick her spirits up.

I absent-mindedly put on my apron and considered my options. Curry? Nah, I'll save that for leftovers day. Maybe something simple? I could grill some chicken, Nah I don't have any lemon. Hamburger steaks? I should use the meat sooner rather than later anyway.

I pulled it out and lost myself in preparing the meal


Beep Beep Beep Beep~

The worst part of the day, I slammed the snooze button the clock quieting down instantly. I yawned and crawled out of the futon then turned off the alarm, stretching lightly. Time to get going, I throw on some running clothes and crept out of the house. I had to be quiet, Rin was a lot of things morning person was not one of the. I'm pretty sure she's still upset at me for waking her up the first time.

A light jog, followed by pushups squats and sit ups. The only way to start the day, I closed the door behind me. Breathing in the cool air as I started out from the house. I turned my brain off and just focused on putting one foot in front of the other. This routes getting kinda boring, maybe I should get a new one. I could run by the river, it'll give me something nice to look at when the sun came up.

"Kou hoo… High Hoo….Kou Hoo….High Hoo"

I was pulled from my musing by those odd words. "Kou Hoo...High Hoo" There it was again, I turned the corner. Wait it's that kid Raiga's thug was attacking. What's he doing? His left foot slid out pivoting and swinging his body with the words. Weird kid, glad to see he's okay after getting roughed up. He just kept stepping and pivoting, slowing sliding down the street. He was so focused on his movements he didn't even notice me till I passed him.

"Agh!" he leaped back, abandoning his weird shuffle in favor of hiding behind a garbage can. He moved quickly when he wasn't dancing. Wonder why he hid though. Still, I didn't have time for this. I had to get back and cook breakfast, Rin's still a little pissed about me skipping magus training last night best way to calm the beast is a good breakfast. I picked up the pace.

What the hell is this guy doing? I started at my textbook, trying to ignore the pointy ears bobbing up and down outside the window. Wait, was this the guy my classmates tried to warn me about?

"Kekeke"

Was that a cackle? He peeked up from behind the wall. What's with this guy? I can't focus if he just keeps staring at me. It wasn't the first time I noticed him, hanging around me. Maybe he's just shy? The other guys said he greets every new student this way so he's probably just nervous. Hmmm, I should go talk to him. Not like I'm paying attention to the lesson anyway, and the fresh air well do some good.

"Excuse me. May I use the restroom?"

"Sure"

I walked into the hallway slid open the window and quietly vaulted outside. I walked silently to the corner peeking around to see if he was still there. Nijiama had taken out a phone and was tapping away, a serious look on his face. I knelt down under the window and slowly made my way to where the boy was hidden.

"Hey" I whispered to him

"Aghhh!" He shot straight up, I grabbed his shirt and pulled hard sending him tumbling to the ground. I leaped on top of him covering his mouth and dragged him into the shadow of the building. I kept quiet as possible the teacher was bound to stick his head out and look for the cause of the noise.

"Hey, come on, I'm not supposed to be out here. I'm going to let go now, promise not to yell again?." I whispered into his pointy ear. He answered with a frantic nod, satisfied I let him go

"Great Nijama barrel roll escape!" He yelled and started rapidly rolling away, despite his odd way of doing it he moved at a breakneck pace. Honestly, if it wasn't so weird I'd be impressed. I watching him spin end over end as he disappeared out of view. I'm beginning to think everyone around here was crazy. First, we have kids dancing down the street at six in the morning and now this? Maybe weird is normal at this school? Does that make me the weird one? Hmm, whatever I should probably get back to class.


Auther's Note

Thank you for taking the time to read this story. I urge everyone to leave a review, even if it's something simple such as a suggestion for what diction you would enjoy seeing this story progress, a review featuring my many technical errors, pointing out that I fucked up people's names several times(I hope this is no longer the case but I missed it the first time so it's worth mentioning) or really anything you believe is worth mentioning. I do this to improve myself so feel free to be as harsh as you like.

If this edit sets off an alert sorry about that, a reviewer informed me that the site is eating my scene brakes and I needed to fix it.