Chapter 14 – I'm Okay
The trees in the valley waved and rippled as the winds rolled down from the high mountains and passed through them. The day was clear and bright, but there was a heaviness to the atmosphere – like a mounting dread… building.
"I know I heard a shot!"
The tense silence was finally broken by Kokoro's sudden statement. She looked at Gen Fu who was standing at the rail to her right – then Bass who was to her left. They looked tense, worried and uncertain… she wasn't sure they had heard her.
"That was a shot – I'm sure of it! It was right when Ayane dropped below the treetops – wasn't it? Oh, Bass – Gen! She could have been hit!"
Her fingers turned pale with the pressure as she gripped the rail and leaned out as if to see into the distance more clearly. The wind blew and tossed her long black hair wildly, as she turned to her friends in distress.
"She was too close – there's no way Ayane could have reacted in time to avoid tha – we can't just stand here! What are we going to do?! We have got to DO something!"
The anguish in Kokoro's voice spoke to the feelings that the three of them shared, as they stared out over the rail.
From their vantage point on the high deck, Kokoro, Gen Fu and Bass had all watched with great concern as Ayane raced off over the trees into the distance. They had seen her sprint through the canopy towards the mysterious shooter hidden somewhere on the far slopes beyond. They had also seen her fall out of view the moment the distant boom sounded.
Bass continued to scan the trees in the valley below as Gen Fu patted Kokoro on the arm and tried to calm his young friend.
"Ayane said we are to wait here. So wait here we will – and hope for the best. If anyone can stop the villain who was shooting at us, it will be her."
Kokoro frowned and opened her mouth to speak, but stopped as Gen Fu raised a finger and continued.
"Kokoro, we have to be patient. By the time we could get over there, it would be far too late to influence the outcome. You know this is true."
Kokoro could only stammer. Her cheeks reddened, as tears of frustration began to well up in her eyes.
"B-but…"
"Gen's right Kokoro." Bass' deep baritone got their attention.
They turned to look at him as the massive wrestler gazed out over the rail. He continued talking, almost to himself.
"Whatever was gonna happen… has already happened. But…"
Bass turned and addressed Gen Fu who could see the inner turmoil just beneath the calm surface of the large westerner.
"…Kokoro's right. We still gotta get down there. Even – even if we're too late and the shooter did get Ayane. Dammit, we still gotta try. Just standin' around like this… it doesn't sit right with me."
A gentle, familiar voice – came down from the roof behind them.
"You both really should listen to Gen Fu."
The trio at the rail turned as if powered by a single thought to see Ayane. She was crouched on the roof, above the deck looking down at them. They stared in surprise as she sprung lightly and soundlessly to stand next to them by the rail. As she landed, the experienced eye of Gen Fu could not help but notice –
The small muscles… around her eyes and jaw. It was very slight, but I saw them tense as she landed. Even though she is smiling now, I can tell… Ayane is in pain.
Kokoro only saw her friend, and quickly recovered from her initial shock and rushed over to Ayane and threw her arms around her shoulders.
"AYANE! I thought – huh – I thought you had been shot! I… I didn't know if you were dead… or – or if I'd ever see you agai…"
As Gen Fu and Bass looked on, Ayane gently took Kokoro's arms from around her neck and held her by the shoulders at arms' length, looking intently at her. Kokoro just stared into Ayane's large amber eyes. There was a softness in them as she stroked the stray hairs from Kokoro's face. Then Ayane smiled and spoke with a warmth that quieted Kokoro's fears – washing them away – inspiring confidence.
"I am fine Kokoro, I'm okay."
After making that simple statement, she suddenly felt a deep, strong and fiercely protective impulse towards Kokoro – it radiated out and extended to Bass and also Gen Fu. It was immensely powerful and penetrated to the core of her being. Kokoro noticed her friend's expression change as concern clouded Ayane's striking features. The enormity of this responsibility began to weigh heavily on her mind as she glanced out over the rail and thought to herself.
They knew we were here. This Kouta person – he will send more after us – sooner than later. Kokoro, Eliot, Bass, even Gen Fu – they are not prepared to face this… they are not killers… like me. They will hesitate when it matters most. They'll die. I have to get them out of here. As soon as possible – before it's too late.
A huge hand touched her shoulder with surprising lightness. It pulled Ayane out of her thoughts and back into the moment.
"Ayane?"
Ayane looked at Bass. He could see in her expression she was wondering what he wanted.
"The shooter – were you able to find him?"
"Yes."
Gen Fu stepped forward and tentatively queried.
"Did you ki-"
"Yes." She immediately interrupted.
There was a deep rumbling from the other side of the house, the sound of wheels crunching in the gravel of the driveway. It was the unmistakable sound of Ayane's 250 GTO Ferrari, the car she called –
Omo! I would know that 12 cylinder growl anywhere… Eliot – he has returned – and just in time.
"Eliot's here – we need to leave."
They followed Ayane as she strode quickly through the sliding glass doors that led from the deck to the house. With swift, elegant movements, she gathered her sword strapping it to her back and then slung a shoulder holster that housed the massive SW five shot .50 caliber revolver under her left arm in a single fluid motion.
As she bent over to flick some dried blood from her sheer, black leather pants and check the steel knee-clasps to her boots, Bass noticed the wound in her side had reopened and had been bleeding through her white t-shirt. He hit Gen Fu with his elbow to draw his attention to what he was seeing.
Gen Fu shared a concerned glance with Bass and gave a quick nod. There was a lot of blood, the whole right side of her t-shirt was saturated with crimson. The leather that sheathed her right leg was sticky from the unchecked bleeding.
Ayane staggered. It was slight, but noticeable. Just a short step to the side, then she was solid again as she turned to the trio and spoke.
"Okay – get what you need and…"
Ayane paused and looked puzzled. She glanced at the floor and the walls around her. There was something odd about the room.
It's like the floor is moving. And the walls… they – are they sagging or… no – They are melting! How is this possible? I think there is something seriously wrong here… we have got to get ou-
"We – we uhhh are… in dangerrr uhhh… we gotta ged… oudda hhhh…"
Ayane turned drunkenly, her legs buckled, but she corrected swiftly, locking her knees – forcing herself to stand. Her movements were stiff and clumsy as she stumbled several steps to the door. Ayane's arms shot out in an attempt to regain her balance. Bass rushed forward and caught her just before she hit the wall.
"Ayane! Shit – Gen, what the hell?"
"She has lost too much blood from that infernal gunshot wound. Valiant warrior that she is, Ayane is still only human – the trauma has finally caught up with and eclipsed even her incredible stamina."
Throwing open the door, Gen Fu led the way, down the front steps towards a confused Eliot who had just pulled Ayane's car next to their old black and white VW Van. He called back to Bass who was carrying an unconscious Ayane and Kokoro following behind with medical supplies.
"We need to follow her instructions and leave right away. We'll head to Nirasaki – Ryu has a safe house there I know of. We'll be able to regroup there."
Bass carefully laid Ayane in the back of the van then ran around to jump in the driver's seat, as Kokoro began to immediately remove the blood-stained shirt and apply medicine to Ayane's untreated wound.
Gen Fu popped his head in the passenger side window and spoke briefly to Bass.
"Go – Eliot and I will follow behind in Ayane's car. We will stop for nothing until we arrive in Nirasaki!"