Author's Note:

School has been.. really daunting. There's a lot of new information that I find hard to grasp. Well, thinking of stories for the Fan-Fiction is still there! Don't worry about it! A thing to note, Amato has fallen unconscious, so to tell the story of what happened, we will be switching perspectives. Try to figure who.

Chapter 9: Loyalty

A Sacred Code.

The sun shone as I stood, powerless and fear-strucked by what happened. The wind blew through my hair, giving off a cool and very normal sensation. Students and teachers can be seean talking and walking home all around us. I watched, as if time slowed and the sounds mellowed around me. I saw my best friend jumped in front of me, and then fell to ground. I was confused, exactly what had happened? No one else beside Regina standing beside me seems to notice what occured. As Amato fell, only one thought came into my mind, while I stood feeling anger, confusion and fear.

Darn it, not again!

I only managed to break from that trance when I heard Regina's voice.

"Amato!" She called out, her warm smile fading fast, as she ran towards him. I find my legs following as soon as I regained control. Grabbing Amato's shoulders before he landed on the ground, I held on tight while my mind tried to process what happened.

"Amato, are you alright? What happened?" I asked out, although deep down I know it was pointless to ask. Someone has tried to take his life. Again. And once again, I stood helpless.

Amato has all but lost consciousness, his body now longer showing any movement. I went to check his pulse and found out that though it was still there, it felt weak and irregular. "We need to get him to the hospital, or something! Anything!" I yelled out to Regina, finding myself slowing lost in the panic, holding up Amato's body.

That was when I saw two deep holes on Amato, one at the left side of his body, the other at his right arm.

"This.. is.." I gave out as my eyes stared at the wounds. "He.. he was protecting us.." I muttered out, sweat starting to flow down from my forehead.

"Sniff.." soft whimpering can be heard from my side, and I turned to see Regina trying hard to keep the tears from bursting out.

"You idiot..." I called out, as if expecting Amato to hear. The blood had not stop flowing out of the wounds, the crimson color being soaked by Amato's white shirt, dyeing it red. The shirt is torn by the shots as rips and tears, huge ones, can be seen.

All the while, I find myself desperate and scared. I don't know what to do. My best friend is on the floor with two gunshots. I hate myself for not being able to prevent this from happening to him. The stone floor was unsually cold even though the afternoon sun was beating down on us. I'm sure Regina must be feeling the same thing.

Grr, I hate this feeling!

"All right, we gotta go, Regina." I informed her as I carefully moved Amato, trying to hoist him on my back.

"Sniff.. Okay.." She replied as she tries to stand, only to lose her balance as she took her steps.

"Whoa, you okay, Regina?" I quickly asked her as I move my left hand to support her. That was when I realized that my hands are shaking. Am I afraid? What am I afraid of? I find myself looking at my shaking right hand, before clenching into a fist to rid it of the shake.

Right, the Bushido Code, I have to help, even if I am afraid. Not to mention it's my best friend.

"Hang on, Amato."

Ba-Dump. It occured so suddenly. My heart just went faster as if my body sensed something. Among the remaining students that was walking out the school, none of them actually see what happened. As the wind blew, I felt something like a warning. Is it danger? Ba-Dump, Ba-Dump. My heartbeat is going faster, and I'm definitely sensing something wrong. It felt like a muderous intent, I think. But, those things comes from stories, they can't be real. I spread my eyes across the area, but the sound and sight of the students was making it hard to pinpoint what exactly I'm feeling. Unknown to us, a stranger was walking towards us. Shifting between the groups of students and teachers, he quietly walked closer with each step.

That was when I saw him. My heartbeat accelerating with each of his steps, it was as if my body wants me to escape so that I could survive, like an animal. Is this instinct? His eyes meant business, as serious as they come, together with hair and black hat, he definitely fits the description for an assassin. . Black leather shoes produced his footsteps as he came ever-closer. His dark, blue hair is certainly an unusual sight, but, I was more focused on the long object he is holding behind his back. Casually even, as he makes no attempt to conceal it. Its a sniper rifle, but it's way longer than those you see in them videogames.

"Huh?" Regina gave out softly as she notices him getting to close.

No doubt he's here to finish the job. I can't let him do that.

"Regina, if anything happens, I want you to run." I whispered to her.

"Bu-but.." Regina replied, looking even more afraid and confused because of my statement.

"Look, if you're not careful, you might die here so no buts, and I'm sure Amato would want you to be safe." I told her, trying to make her undestand the danger that we are currently facing. Mafia. With each heartbeat I felt, my body was slightly shaking the whole time. Darn it, this is no time to be afraid!

"Be careful, Regina." I muttered those words, as if saying goodbye.

"Sergio?" Regina questioned, still staying beside the unconscious Amato.

"Hhhyyyyaaarrrggghhh!" I charged at the stranger with no warning, roaring to keep my head clear from fear. His movements were slow but precise. As I closed in on him, I threw a very basic punch, aiming for his jaw. My heart is basically exploding with each beat, and I find beads of sweat falling from my face. To my surprise, my actions garnered no reaction from him, and with no effort, he swung his rifle around and used it to block my fist, all with only one hand. The speed was inhuman. It looked like something out of a cartoon. I couldn't believe that swing took place in about 2 seconds.

"Crack!"

"Argh, augh!" I gave out as I pulled back my hand by reflex. Did he added his own strength to that block? Pant.. Moving my fingers gave out sharp jolts of pain. It doesn't seem like I'll be able to keep using my right fist anymore. It felt like I just puched a thick slab of metal. As I staggered past him, I turned and looked towards the guy and saw that he was still walking towards Amato and Regina, one step at a time. I guess with Amato down, he expects no other resistance. I could also feel this feeling of helplessness inside me, gnawing at my inner-self.

No way I'm letting him anywhere near my friends!

"Haaaaahhhhhh!" I gave out once again. I don't know why I'm shouting like this. Maybe it's because I'm afraid. Maybe it's because deep down I know that my actions will accomplish naught. Of all the fights I've been in before, I have never felt so helpless, so powerless to do anything. This time, I throw my left fist, aiming for his solar plexus. All the while still, no reaction, no words, not a sound from the assassin. The cold wind was numbing my right fist as I charged against the guy again, legs running and sprinting hard. I can feel the hard-stone paths that is so present in throughout Venice as I ran, closing in on the Blue-haired assailant. In an instant, however, I see him twist his rifle around my left arm. He didn't even need to see where my arm was. It felt completely impossible. Then, he twists the barrel of his rifle and pushed me away, and I find my body being twisted and thrown.

As I flew getting pulled from the sudden force, I was completely stunned by what happened. There was pain coming from the joints of my left arm. I gave no sound as I flew. There was too much clutter between my thoughts. I was also finding it difficult to grasp everything that was happenning. That feeling of inability was eating my mind like a voracious carnivore.

"Clank!" The rings sounded off as I landed, breaking a few of the potted plants that was present there. It seemed like I landed not far from where Amato and Regina was. Now, my body was shaking even more than before. "Pant.. Pant..." I was also running out of breath. As I laid on the stone-floor, my body was constantly assaulted by the presence of pain, coming at irregular intervals. Did that fall broke some of my bones? I could not know.

"If anything, I give you my respect for standing up for your friend." The first words came from the guy, yet, they only seem to push me down further into the ground. It felt like he was so convinced that I am nothing before him. I bet he wasn't even planning to kill me. As his words end, he continued his slow walk towards Amato and Regina.

"Please... stay back." I can hear Regina crying out. I can even see her trying to pull Amato away. Though it was difficult for her to even move him by a few meters alone. "Please, don't kill him." I can hear Regina's feelings through her voice.

"This is not my choice." The guy gave back a rather strange response. In fact, he sounded reluctant, just barely.

While all this was happening, a certain memory was constantly flashing through my mind. It was when I was six years old. It was when my father first told me of the Bushido code.

As I walked into the living room, Father was looking really happy. Beside him was a suit of Samurai armor, its metal plates kept in prime condition, still shining from the sunlight coming from outside. Father was always proud of his Heritage, and would sometime complain that Italy has made him forget the traditions and virtues that he learned as a child back in Japan. My sister took no notice, but I was curious. And, of course, that armor looked awesome. Father would sometime spent hours just looking at it, tweaking it and polishing it. Even then I knew it was precious to him. Father was righteous, he don't drink, smoke, and he told me that he couldn't even remember the last time he went to a club. He said that he is already content, living the way he is. He always had that certainty in his eyes.

One day, I got curious enough to ask.

"What's so special about the armor, Dad?" That was when he gave me a smile, as if he was expecting it.

"It comes from our family. It belonged to your great-great grandfather." Father begins to explain, putting his fingers on one the plates. "We, the Endoh family, had always kept the Bushido code, the 'Way of the Warrior' with us, even after the Samurai era." Father explained proudly, hitting his chest, almost like he's boasting about it.

"The Bushido Code comprise of virtues which help straighten our personality and morals, ensuring that we do not stray to the path of evil, or lose ourselves to our sins. Samurais would often uphold these virtues all the time, and those whose virtues are the strongest are often looked upon as an example to others." Father went on as his eyes followed the blade of the katana beside the armor. I looked on with eyes of admiration and wonder.

"The virtues are:

Rectitude: The will to follow and do what is right, always, without falter.

Courage: The strength to stand up for what you believe in, as well as to those who are wrong in their actions.

Benevolence: The heart to know kindness and restraint, as well as the ability to promote goodwill.

Respect: The knowledge of attitude, opinion and admiration, as well as to know who to give it to.

Honesty: The choice to always be honest to yourself, in your actions, and to others.

Honor: The mind to conform, abide and to act accordance to what is right, even if you do not personally want it.

Loyalty: The soul of which certainty in where your loyalty lies."

As these images flashed across my mind, I find myself ignoring all pain. My body got up on its own. It felt almost like I was in a trance. Soon, I find myself already beside Regina and Amato. I could see the blood still present on Amato's shirt. The bleeding seems to have stopped though. Is this what Amato has to go through often? Looking at his grazed body, covered with bandages, I would have never thought that he had to endure this much hardship if I wasn't with him last night. Yet, he had time to smile and do stuff for people, to be kind and helpful to the class, despite what they say about him.

"Your great-great grandfather died sacrificing himself for his lord, by this code." Father continued, but now he was sitting japanese-style on the floor in front of the armor. "

What? Why did he do that?" I asked out in surprise.

"You'll understand, I'm sure of it..." Father gave out as he stood up patted me on the head.

"You are Endoh, after all."

I... think I understand now. My mind certain, I find that lingering fear in my mind less daunting, and is able to ignore it. I threw my arms wide open, acting as a shield between him and my friends, just as Amato did last night. "By my Bushido Code, I will not let you kill him, not as long as I live!" I declared, certainty in the tone of my voice.

As the pain continues to throb, the wind blew against my hair. It felt cooling. This time, I charged without a sound, my mind was clear. The guy was still silent, his eyes still focused on Amato, ever serious. It's like he don't even see me. I threw another punch with my right fist. That was when in a swift motion, he redirected it to the ground. I watched as my vision fell. And suddenly, a very sharp pain erupted from my knee as soon as my face hit the ground. It seems the guy had thrusted that rifle, using it akin to a staff, and pierced into the joint. I could feel my muscles as they were torn, and the pain throbs even more as I tried to get up.

Darn it, stopping my movement so that I will no longer be a nuisance! No time, I must do something!

"Regina, run!" I called out as the guy stood in front of Amato. Amato was still unconscious, and showed no signs of waking up.

"Please, just stop!" Regina cries out, tears flowing, grabbing the guy's arm. The only response he gave was pushing her away. Lifting the rifle, he aims it straight at Amato's head.

"Goodbye, Zanna Decimo." He gave out as the rifle clicked as it was loaded.

"No!" I yelled out, barely standing, still feeling paralyzed from that strike.

"GET AWAY FROM HIM!"

Suddenly, the guy jumped back a few meters as a figure in robes appeared, bringing down her giant weapon. The weapon looked like a mace, or just a giant piece of metal, but it was adorned with finely crafted designs of wings and lightning bolts. As it came down, shockwaves erupted from the grounds as the stonefloor cracked and exploded, forming a small crater of sorts. That was when I realized that the school was empty now, and I could see groups of people in suits closing in on us. Is this Amato's Famiglia? Wait, the girl looks familiar.

A plethora of emotions was shown from her serious eyes as her golden bangs was blown by the wind. Her maid outfit looking graceful in the afternoon sun. No doubt, this is the girl that appeared yesterday. Amato told me about his caretaker, a maid that had been with him ever since his Father went missing. As soon as the name came to me, I blurted it out.

"Kiera!"

"The Black Valkyrie, I knew I should've ended it quicker." The guy voiced out, sounding regretful, though his tone would say otherwise.

"You two, please get Boss Amato outta here, head back to the mansion!" She commanded as members of the Zanna famiglia came to our aid. Two men helped me up while a number of them got Amato into a stretcher. Soon we were making our way to a limousine parked near the school. It seems they came prepared. As I looked back, I saw as the guy jumped towards us only to get knocked away straight in the face by that giant shield. The sound of their weapons clashing was intense. Clearly, these fighters are in a league of their own.

"All right, lets go." I called out to the members as well as Regina, who reponded with a nod. Her tears had stopped.

As the car screeched away in high speed, the two was still clashing with each other. Any attempt the assassin makes to give chase would end with Kiera blocking him with her shield. "I'll show you just why they call me the Valkyrie." Kiera give out her last warning before beginning her assault.

My, what's gonna happen now? Is Amato going to be make it out alive? I'm sorry for being late again. You guys won't mind if the updates come a few days late, right? Anyways, as usual, praise, comment or criticize in your reviews!