Razorbacks

Raven yawned and slapped the beeping alarm clock beside her bed. It was seven in the morning, and the night had passed too quickly. At least Raven had a well-earned day off to herself. She was looking forward to toady. She'd debated just lounging for the day, but decided against just lazing about. Raven thought she'd go and visit Chidori.

In an odd way, Raven actually missed her old life. There was something predictable and mundane about the shop life that she missed. Well, maybe "predictable" and "mundane" were not exactly the right words to describe being a scrap peddler. That day she was recruited into Fenrir was one example of just how not-mundane a job like that really was. In reality, she'd just exchanged the danger of getting cheated, kidnapped, and murdered for the danger of getting eaten, torn apart, or infected by Oracle Cells. For her at least, there was no escaping danger one way or another.

At least that didn't have to be the case anymore for Chidori. Now that she had a steady income, Raven could provide for her mother. That was part of why she needed to visit Chidori today. Raven also felt a little homesick. It had been only just short of a week since leaving her old life in the Ghetto behind. To her, it felt like much longer since she'd seen her mother. Besides, she needed a little nostalgia.

Raven wasted no time in getting dressed. She decided on the outfit she wore in the Ghetto. It was comfy and familiar. She also took her machete and strapped it to her hip. Better safe than sorry, especially since she planned to leave her God Arc here for today. Next, she headed over to the cafeteria and got a quick breakfast. She wasn't in a rush, but Raven also didn't want to waste the day. As she left the cafeteria and went to the lobby, she saw Kota and an unfamiliar woman talking by the exit doors. The woman had short, dark hair and green eyes. She was dressed in a rather revealing green halter and a frilled green skirt with a long slit all the way up one leg. Raven noticed that she had a red armlet on her right wrist, marking the stranger as a fellow God Eater. Raven couldn't help being surprised: this woman hardly looked the part. When Raven approached the doors, both Kota and the stranger turned to her.

"Hey, 'sup buddy!" Kota waved enthusiastically to Raven, then seemed surprised. "Whoa, you look different today. Where're you going dressed like that?"

Raven nodded back a greeting as she approached. "I'm going out to visit my mother today, so I thought I'd wear my street clothes. Feels more natural." She glanced in the direction of the scantily-dressed woman, "Who's that?"

"You must be our newcomer. Good timing," the stranger said, "I wanted to come and find you before our mission tomorrow."

"Wait, what?" Raven was taken aback, "I didn't see anything about a mission…"

"Lindow just sent the mission guidelines a few minutes ago. He's coming too." She smiled kindly at Raven, "It's good to meet you, Amy."

"Call me Raven," she corrected with more annoyance than she'd meant to show. She was more than a little ticked that Lindow sent her a mission with no notice!

The woman nodded, seeming not to notice Raven's tone. "Very well. Raven it is. My name's Sakuya Tachibana. I'm a medic in the First Unit."

A medic huh? Raven guessed it would be a good idea to have someone like that along, especially on more dangerous missions. Raven nodded respectfully, "Good to meet you too, Sakuya."

Sakuya smiled in acknowledgment. "You have good manners. I read some of your bios on NORN, and I was a little worried you'd be..."

"A punk?" Raven finished with a slight glare, "I get that a lot."

"Well, I admit I thought you'd be a hardened street thug. I read that you've had a rough time. I know people have it hard out in the Ghetto, but still..."

"Hey, that stings Sakyua!" Kota protested, "Does that mean I'm a thug to you too?!"

Sakuya shook her head, seeming a bit sheepish, "Look at me, gossiping like that. Sorry. That was judgmental of me. I'm just glad you both seem nicer than your rep!"

Raven sighed, her good mood darkening. "Apology accepted. Now let me out."

"Oh, right. Sorry again," Sakuya stepped away from the doors, "I hope we can get along."

Raven looked at her. At least this Sakuya woman was sincere if nothing else. "We'll see. See you around." At that, Raven left for the Outer Ghetto, leaving the two God Eaters to exchange looks.

"Was it something I said?" she heard Sakuya ask.

"Probably. You did just call people from the Ghettos thugs. I'm going to go after her." was Kota's distant answer.

She heard footsteps approaching from behind as she maneuvered the streets and alleys towards the Ghetto. She wasn't in a particularly social mood, but she lacked the desire to stop Kota if he wanted to trail her.

"Hey! Raven, wait up!" Kota rushed up to Raven's side, "Are... are you angry?"

"A little. People who judge me before they even meet me are the worst," Raven said irritably.

Kota nodded sympathetically, "I know what you mean. I've seen the way people act around us, and it's aggravating. Don't let it get under your skin. Besides, I don't think Sakuya meant any offense."

Raven got the sense Kota was trying to apologize on Sakuya's behalf for some reason. Whatever. She didn't particularly care. Something about the conversation earlier had put her in a loner mood; she wasn't feeling up to a chat. "You didn't have to follow me. I'm not that upset. Go back to the base or something."

"I get it. I'll let you cool off. I was going to visit my family too. I promised Nozomi big bro'd come over today. I'll let you go. Stay safe, 'k? Later." At that, Kota took another path, headed west.

Raven, meanwhile, headed north towards the scrapyard. She checked her hip one more time for her machete, making sure it was securely in its sheath. Resting her left hand lightly on the hilt, she made her way through the familiar roadways. People moved in groups up and down the street, not wasting a moment lest they be targeted by thieves or gangs. Raven realized she was standing out, and quickly filtered into a nearby flock of passerby as she moved further north. The sounds of this place brought a smile to her face. The chatter of the pockets of beggars, the giggles of the playing children, and the crowing of the street vendors felt so nostalgic, like an anthem of the slums. Almost instantly, she felt herself becoming less God Eater Raven, and more scrap vendor Amy Hidaka again.

As Amy continued to walk to the scrapyard, people gradually broke from the herd until she was walking alone again. Amy was getting closer to Chidori's shop, and it was a dangerous part of town in an already dangerous neighborhood. This was underscored by a snippet of conversation Amy overheard.

"-ya 'ear me?! I says quit fightin', ya damn bitch!"

"Stop it! Leave my sister alone!"

"Shut it, twerp! Or I's kill ya, and take dis lovely li'l thing!"

"I said stop it! I'll give you anything you want if you let her go!"

"Ugh, annoyin' li'l whelp. E's more trouble 'an e's worth."

"Den kill da idjit, but make sure 'e watches wot I's do ta 'is sis 'fore ya do!"

The familiar accent made the hair on the back of Amy's neck stand on end. It sounded like the same accent as the scavengers who tried to kill her last week, and what she heard sounded dire. She had to help!

Her grip tightened around her machete, fingers slipping the restraining straps from the hilt and freeing it for an easy draw. She had an awful feeling of what she was going to find, but she couldn't let those bastards just do as they please. She bolted in the direction of the shouting, pulling her machete free from the scabbard, but quite not fully drawing it just yet.

Amy rounded a corner and found a sight that chilled her blood. Two scavengers had cornered a pair of teenagers, and were violently assaulting them. One was hunched over a boy on the ground and was kicking and punching him brutally about the stomach and head. The boy was curled up in the fetal position, but the savage was unrelenting. He was electing to stomp on the kid's head when he guarded his belly, then pummel his midsection when he covered his head. The second thug had a girl pinned against the wall. He had one hand up her skirt and the other around her throat, hoisting her a few inches up in the air. The girl was desperately clawing at the highwayman's hands, but Amy could see she was no match for the burly brute.

Amy banged her machete loudly against the wall, startling the scavengers and making both look her way. "You!

"Oy! Stop that bitchin'!" the scavenger pinning the girl protested, "Can't a man finish 'ere!?"

The bruiser stood to his feet, cracking his knuckles. "Bugger off, ya bint. Dis ain't got nuttin' ta do 'ith ya."

Like hell it didn't! These animals needed to be stopped right now! "What the hell you fucking dogs think you're doing?!"

The rapist gave Amy a cruel smirk reminiscent of a snake, moving his hand further under the girl's skirt and making her squeak in protest. "Wot's it look like, princess? Wanna join me? I's pay well fer a strong, sexy lass like ya."

Pig. Amy changed her grip to a two-handed pose, glaring their way. "Get out of my way! Both of you! Run off, and I won't gut you like a fish!"

"Dumb bitch thinks she can threaten da Razorbacks, she does." Snake's vile grin darkened to a predatory smirk. "But she's cute fer an idjit. Wouldn't mind finishin' off with 'er."

Bruiser finally stopped trying to beat the boy long enough to stand, leaving his groaning victim groaning on the ground. "Well, well, well. Lookie wot we's got 'ere, eh? Crazy rat thinks she's a fuckin' tiger! Wot a joke!"

Amy waved her machete in fury. "Last chance! Fuck off and leave the kids, or both you maggots die!"

"Argh, can't gets off with dat hellcat'a screechin'! We's gets 'er too." Snake dropped the girl, who landed roughly on the ground on her butt. She coughed and clutched her throat, gasping for breath as she stared up in horror. "Jus' dun kill 'er yet. We's play with both of 'em, yeah?"

"Good idear!" Bruiser smirked at Amy, "I's gettin' lonely jus' watchin'. Now we's got enough ta share!"

"R-run..." the boy sputtered hoarsely, only to be cut off by another kick from Bruiser.

"Stuff yer gob!" Bruiser roared, "Wait yer turn an' watch 'ow it's done!"

At that, Bruiser and Snake charged Amy as one. Snake drew a machete from his back-sheath, and Bruiser pulled a pistol from out of his waistband. Amy was caught off guard by the sight of the gun. Guns were very rare, even more so around here. She doubted Bruiser had ammo, but she couldn't count on it. She had to act fast.

She decided to take out Bruiser first. Amy knew she could take a slash or two. She wasn't so sure she could survive being shot, God Eater or no. As she predicted, Bruiser took aim right at Amy's chest. She charged low into a shoulder-first ram. Amy's tackle struck Bruiser directly in the groin, and she heard him give an "Oof!" of pain. He fired a wild shot that she heard ping off the side of a building. She grabbed hold of Bruiser's legs and threw him to the ground with ease. Amy was more than a little stunned at how easily she overpowered the hulk. Maybe becoming a God Eater had given her super strength?

"C'mere bitch!" Snake cursed and leaped on Amy's back while she was caught off guard. Amy screamed and spun as she tried to shake the man.

Snake's reaction was to slide his machete under her chin. "Ya wanna die? Keep strugglin'."

Amy froze, pretending to be helpless. She heard Snake chuckle triumphantly behind her and say something lewd to Bruiser. Then, she bent over, threw Snake over her shoulder, and slammed him to the ground as hard as she could. Amy could hear the snap of several bones as the brute hit the pavement. He rolled and howled in pain as he clutched his right leg, which was now bent at an unnatural angle at the knee.

"Damn... you...!" Snake growled, then uttered another foul string of curses as he nursed his leg.

Bruiser finally rolled to a crouch, and Amy heard the click of the gun's hammer being cocked. She bared her machete, but she knew her blade would be powerless against a gun.

Bruiser just smirked and aimed the gun at her head. "Ya gots balls, lil girly, brass balls. Ya thinks ya can jus' tell a Razorback wot ta do?! Na, we tells ya wot ta do! Now on yer knees, bitch!"

Amy thought fast as she slowly got to her knees. This was bad, very bad! As long as Bruiser had that gun, she was outclassed at this range. Maybe she could throw her machete, but even that was a gamble. If he saw her make a move first, he could kill her right then. Maybe if she complied, he'd come closer. Or, maybe not. Bruiser seemed smarter than Snake: he was keeping his distance from Amy. It looked like that trick she pulled with Snake wasn't going to work on Bruiser.

Bruiser nodded in satisfaction, "Good, good lassie. Now, puts yer sword down right in front of ya. An' don' try nuttin' funny or I's blast ya inta next week!"

Amy looked around, desperately trying to find something she could do. She saw the girl shaking in the shadows, curled up in a fearful ball in the corner of the alley behind a trash can. That was when Amy noticed the boy was missing.

She didn't have the luxury of searching for him, as Bruiser fired a warning shot at Amy's feet that made her jump and land on her butt. "I says put yer sword down, ya idjit!"

A notion struck her just then. Maybe the boy was able to escape! Hopefully he was going to get help. She just had to bide her time and pray Bruiser didn't lose patience. Amy slowly complied, laying her machete down at her feet.

A sudden noise from the other end of the alley made Bruiser look over his shoulder. Amy saw her one chance, and bull-rushed the thug. He only had the time to point the pistol at her again before Amy was upon him like a bulldozer. She rammed him with all her might into the wall. Once again, Amy heard bones crack as Bruiser screamed in pain. Amy threw her entire weight into an uppercut and hit Bruiser in the chin, sending his head snapping back like his neck was made of rubber. He slumped motionless to the ground, and Amy turned to her last remaining foe.

"Ya's a demon! I demon I says! Lemme go! A bit o' ass ain't worth dis! Spare me! I's treat ya nice like! Real nice!" Snake begged, scuttling on all fours down the alley and dragging his broken leg behind him like a wounded dog.

Amy's fury had not been sated yet. She was still out for blood. These cockroaches were trying to kill her those kids! As much as she hated it, there could be no room for pity. Mercy would only be repaid with betrayal in this hellhole. This was the way scavengers think. She kicked his good leg out from under him, making Snake collapse with a yelp.

She stood on his back with one foot and yanked both arms behind his back. "Not today, dog. You fucked up big time. I'm holding you right here until the guard shows up."

"Don't bother," Amy looked up at the new voice and saw Chidori walking down the alley as if on a Sunday stroll, "His kind don't rehab. He's nothing but a parasite. Parasites have no place here."

"Bwaah?!" Snake squealed, "Chidori Hidaka! Oh bugger me, I's gonna die ain't I?!"

Chidori grabbed the thug by his neck, lifting him into the air, "What do you think?! You honestly think you can do something like that and live?!"

"Da... Razorbacks'll... get... 'cha... fer... dis...!" Snake sputtered, "Revenge...!"

Chidori replied with a stab to Snake's stomach, dropping him as she finished the swing. She wordlessly turned from the dying criminal and came to Amy's side. "Amy! Are you alright?!"

"I'm okay... I think." Amy checked herself over, but to her surprise found no serious injuries.

Chidori threw her arms around her daughter and said, "We have to stop meeting up like this." She pulled back and asked, "Now why the hell did you pick a fight with a scavenger gang this time?"

"They were attacking two kids. One was trying to rape a girl and the other was beating up a boy. I think they both ran and hid during the fight." Amy said as she looked about. She could see the terrified girl still shaking in the corner with her knees drawn to her chest. The boy was nowhere in sight.

Amy slowly approached the girl. Now that she saw her better, Amy could see that she was around her age, maybe slightly younger. The blonde girl's green eyes were sparkling with tears, and one of her twintails had fallen out. Her clothing was torn, and she had lost her shoes somehow. This poor girl looked like a beggar in this state.

"You okay?" Amy asked gently, "Did he...?" The girl silently shook her head no, but didn't say a word.

"It's over?" A male voice from nearby asked. Amy turned in a start, and saw the battered boy's head pop out from under a cardboard box. He looked quite similar to the girl, but his eyes were blue not green. He also looked a bit younger than her, but had a similar facial build. Amy guessed these two were probably siblings.

"They won't bother you two anymore. You're safe." Amy's words earned a sigh of relief out of the girl. The boy crawled out from under the box, and Amy could now see the extent of his wounds. His face was swollen, and he had a severe black eye. Blood was seeping through his clothes, staining his white t-shirt red. Judging from the way he held himself, he might also have some broken bones as well.

"I saw everything!" The boy almost whispered in awe, "You were a total badass! You owned those gangsters so hard!"

Amy smiled, "I'm just glad you two are alive."

"Wait a second...!" The boy suddenly caught sight of Amy's armlet. "You're a God Eater?!" His eyes widened in amazement and his jaw dropped when Amy nodded in acknowledgment. "No way! Maya, check this out! We got saved by a God Eater!" The tone he used was nearly idolizing. A mix of awe, amazement, and utter astonishment was pasted on his face. His companion, who he called Maya, seemed stunned as well, but also a little afraid.

She ducked behind the boy, clinging to his shoulder timidly. "A God Eater..." she spoke softly, stating the first words since Amy met her, "I can't believe it! A real God Eater saved us, Noah!"

Amy scratched her head sheepishly, "Hey, cut that out. I'm nothing special. I just saw those men harassing you two and I had to help."

Chidori slapped Amy across the back. "Ha, look at the hero! So modest! You'll get a fan-base before long if you keep those antics up. You might also earn an early grave. Remember that not a lot of people out here really like Fenrir."

"I know." Amy said, slightly deflated.

"But enough of that. I think that kid's hurt bad. Let's get the kids to the shop." Chidori reached for Noah, but he pulled away.

"I can't impose like that. You two saved me once. I owe you too much already! C'mon Maya, let's get home. I still gotta make dinner." Noah tried to walk ahead, but he wobbled off course and stumbled into Amy.

She caught Noah by the shoulders. "Where do you think you're going? You can barely walk!"

"I'm... fine..." Noah started to waver on his feet again. Amy helped him to the ground as a worried Maya knelt down.

"Noah!" she said with worry lacing her voice.

"I'll be fine... don't worry, sis." Noah struggled out.

So I was right, she thought, they are siblings. No wonder they look almost alike! Poor Maya must be worried sick to see her brother like this...

"I'll go get a medic. Stay with those kids, Amy!" Before she even finished her sentences, Chidori was already running down the alley. Amy looked back to Maya, who was holding Noah's hand in hers.

"It's gonna be okay, got it Maya? Mom's getting help. I won't go anywhere until she gets back, alright?" Maya nodded silently, but she didn't say anything again. Amy got the sense that Maya was shy, timid, or maybe just scared. Amy wouldn't fault her for being scared. Those men tried to do some awful things to her and her brother. They were both lucky Amy was able to fight the thugs off. Footsteps interrupted her thoughts. Amy looked up to find Chidori returning with a doctor racing behind her.

"They're over here!" Chidori shouted, "C'mon, move your ass, white-coat!"

"I'm doing my best, Ms. Hidaka!" the medic protested as he struggled to keep up.

The medic rushed over to Amy and Noah, already preparing a portable stretcher from his bag. "I need a hand. You two, can you ladies help me?"

"Of course. Maya?" Maya nodded and quietly began helping Amy with the setup. Once the stretcher was assembled, Amy gently helped Noah onto it. He painfully dragged himself onto the stretcher and looked at Maya before breaking eye-contact.

"I'm sorry. I guess I got hurt worse than I thought..."

"Why are you sorry?" Amy said, "You should consider yourself lucky! If I hadn't come along when I did, you'd probably be dead!"

Noah nodded slowly. "You're right. I gotta pay you back someday, I swear it! What's your name?"

"I'm Amy. Amy Hidaka."

Noah smiled. "Amy Hidaka... I'll never forget this, Amy! My name's Noah, Noah Walker, and that's my sister, Maya. Even if it takes me a thousand years, I'll pay you back! I swear it!

Amy's smile broadened. Noah was nothing if not enthusiastic! "For now, just swear not to overdo it. Focus on getting better. I'll cover your bill, so you can relax. It's the least I can do."

Noah's eyes widened and he gasped in amazement, "What, really!?" When Amy nodded in reply, Noah's jaw dropped yet again. "I... that's...!" Noah sputtered and made unintentional fish-faces as he tried to speak.

"Think nothing of it. Just get better, okay? I live nearby, so maybe we'll see each other again soon." Noah nodded his acknowledgment as the doctor and Maya carried the stretcher off.

Chidori folded her arms. "I'll be damned. I had no idea you were so good with kids!"

"I don't think he's that much younger than me. He's not really a 'kid' to me." Amy answered.

"Well, let's get the hell out of the alley. I'll make my report later today. The medics will report all this soon anyways." Chidori was already walking out of the alley with Amy close behind. Amy couldn't wait to catch up and forget what happened. But thinking of the thugs, Amy couldn't help getting a sense of foreboding about them. They had the same accent as the scavengers who tried to rob her last week. That couldn't be a coincidence... could it?