"Breaking news! Police have just issued a statement concerning escaped convict, Dominic the Giant, convicted of six counts of murder. A bounty was issued for Dominic, and police have just informed the public that he is now deceased. I repeat, Dominic the Giant, six time murderer, has been killed. Though police officials are withholding how Dominic was killed, a spokesperson for the Bounty Officials has confirmed that Dominic was taken down by a bounty hunter. Reports from inside sources state that the bounty hunter in question has decided to conceal their identity. Now, back to your normally broadcasted program..."

"Did you hear? Some hotshot bounty hunter got Dominic the Giant barely a day after his bounty was posted!" The bartender indicated the wall of wanted posters opposite the bar. "I heard around town it was a local hunter, not some wandering big shot."

"Well, I heard from a buddy of mine that his poster was claimed yesterday at the Express, y'know that bar near the park? Some guys were arguing about who could take it when some new hunter walked right up behind them and tried to take his poster."

"What happened after that?" The bartender asked, staring at the speaker, as was a few of the other occupants at the bar.

"A fight broke out, they were doing a few cool moves until they got in too close to the guy, and he grabbed them and started to crush them against his chest. Suddenly people told them to let the hunter go, but he doesn't... so next thing that happened..."

Black Rock Shooter smirked as she stood up and interjected into their retelling of her bounty claim. "I kicked the fat fuck in the balls, drew one of my swords, and dared anyone else to challenge me over the poster. Nobody did, so I took the poster, made an offical claim, and got to work. Any more you gentlemen need to know about?"

"You're the one who claimed the bounty on Dominic?" He asked, clearly denying her announcement. "Little bitch like you couldn't hurt a..."

His statement was cut short when Black Rock Shooter unsheathed one of her swords with blinding speed. The blade hummed slightly as she stared at him down the length of her weapon.

"What? A fly?" She finished his sentence before she spoke in a low and deadly voice. "Believe me when I say this... I enjoy hunting bounties. Best job in the world... But I fucking hate the way people second guess me when I reveal my profession. So do me a favour... Pay for my coffee, and I'll forget you even opened your mouth. Deal?"

With a nod, he agreed to her threat, slowly reaching for his wallet and producing a ten Credit note. "Is this enough... Ma'am?"

"Plenty. Thank you." Black Rock Shooter removed her blade from his neck, sheathing it on her hip once again before returning to her seat nearby as if nothing had happened between them.

The entire bar was silent for the remainder of the time she was still present, staring out the front window in a calm silence. She finished her coffee, gave a nod to the bartender, and pointedly glared at her storytelling patron before leaving the bar.

Outside, she scanned the street thoughtfully. She had some time to kill, so she decided to head back to hers and Miku's apartment for some time to relax. It was still a bit early in the morning, so Miku was likely still asleep or barely out of bed yet. Might as well head home to see her, if not for any other reason.

When she pulled her bike to a halt outside her apartment, she instantly scowled when she spotted the same black car that followed her yesterday parked across the street from her building.

Whoever it was, they were persistent. She thought as she dismounted her bike and entered her building.

Inside her apartment, Black Rock Shooter felt a wave of serenity pass over her as she closed the door. She was home, safe and sound, just like she'd promised Miku before she left yesterday.

Peeking into their shared bedroom, Black Rock Shooter smiled at the sight of Miku asleep on their bed. She looked so... peaceful.

Taking in the sight of her girlfriend before her, Black Rock Shooter savoured the image for as long as she could, burning it into her memory forever.

Satisfied, she shrugged her long black coat off her body, slowly and carefully joining Miku under the blankets. She'd been up the entire night awaiting the unnecessary official report from the police department and Bounty Officials to verify that she'd done her job. First they had to transport the corpse to a morgue, then the coroner had to remove the bullet from his head. Next, she had to hand over the gun she'd used to fire the bullet, as well as the shell casing, handing them over to the Ballistics department within forensics. They then matched the bullet to the casing, then the casing to her gun itself. Finally, she had to fill out an extensively detailed report of her methods and execution of the events leading up to Dominic's death.

The entire process had taken eleven and a half hours. She'd finally gotten her gun back at nearly five in the morning, and then she had to report to the Bounty Officials in full detail. She'd finally staggered out of the Bounty Branch Office at 7:20am. She immediately went to the first place she found that served coffee, and came home after a very long night.

"You look half dead. Have you slept at all last night?" Miku's voice snapped Black Rock Shooter back to reality, and she turned her gaze towards Miku with a small shake of her head. "Go back to sleep. I don't work today, so we can sleep in a bit." Miku mumbled before she went back to sleep.

Black Rock Shooter wrapped her arms around Miku's waist, their bodies perfectly molding to match each other's curves. She remained still, enjoying the sensation of Miku's heartbeat against her chest, in perfect rhythm with her own. She finally nestled her face against the crook of Miku's neck, exhaustion finally taking its toll on her body as she fell into a dreamless slumber with her left hand intertwined within Miku's.

When Black Rock Shooter opened her eyes, she was laying on her side, her arm stretched out under her head and the blankets flung carelessly askew, leaving only her legs covered. She slowly lifted her head, looking around for Miku, but found that she was alone in the eerily silent apartment.

"Babe?" She called out, receiving only silence. "Miku?"

Sitting upright, Black Rock Shooter realized that she wasn't dressed. Maybe she and Miku had sex and they passed out? "Miku? Babe, you still here?"

Hastily pulling her clothes back on, Black Rock Shooter felt a strange sense of dread rising in her chest. Without a second though, she grabbed her gear belt and quickly put it on, drawing one of her guns and quietly drew one of her swords in her other hand. "Miku, honey, you awake?" She called cautiously, using the tip of her blade to push open their bedroom door. She peered around the corner of the short hallway, her heart beginning to hammer loudly against her chest.

Entering the bathroom, she realized that the air inside was still quite humid. Miku must've taken a shower before going out for some reason. She placed her gun on the edge of the sink, wiping some of the condensation off the mirror with her palm to examine her own very pale and drawn face. She looked horrible.

It took several seconds before Black Rock Shooter noticed something in the mirror's foggy reflection. It was positioned with her back to the door, which lead to the living room. Something behind her in the living room had caught her attention, but she felt all the dread in her chest expand to the point where she felt unable to breathe.

Her fingers curled around her gun as she panted into the mirror, her breath coming out in short bursts as she slowly turned to see what was behind her...

A/N: DUN DUN DUUUUUUUN!