She's really going to defend this hero? Really? What does she see in him? He's weak. And he sounds like a magical girl from a shojo anime. Sonic focused his gaze on Ayano as he gripped a shuriken, waiting to see if she would make the first move.

His intent had been to follow them and slaughter the plain-looking man standing beside her. It was meant to be quick and easy. After all, the man was a lower class hero and he had no weapons. He was just a simple, plain little man that Ayano seemed to like, for some unfathomable reason. This hero would never stand a chance against Sonic.

As he stood, he watched the girl push up her glasses. Those honey-colored eyes that he was so used to seeing full of admiration were now narrowed in determination. Grinning, he turned his gaze to her friend. "You think you can stop me?" To his frustration, his voice came out filled with excitement.

"You could have hurt civilians-!"

"I don't care. What can I say? I'm bored. So let's make this interesting." Sonic unsheathed his blade and pointed it at the man's face as he tried to control his grin. He tried so hard to keep it from spreading, but when he saw the man seem to almost step back, his grin grew unprofessionally wide. "Those explosions were just to draw you out. You're my target. I'll give you a ten second head start, but I doubt that it will be enough to let you save yourself."

The man's hands curled into fists and he took a fighting stance. "I'm not going to run! Heroes don't run from danger!"

So you're going to die, still trying to impress her. That's fine with me! You can die with that pride! Sonic's speed was reduced due to his injuries, but he was still faster than the hero. He knew he would easily be able to split his skull and that would be the end of the man.

He rushed forward, but his blade never reached the man's head. Metal clashed against metal and Sonic's cold gaze met Ayano's warm one. The girl threw her weight forward, pushing him back a few inches. Once she had succeeded in putting a bit of distance between him and her friend, she lifted her right leg and drove it into the hero's stomach to push him back as well.

Sonic wanted to laugh. She had actually managed to block his katana. Not only that; she had also pushed him. We'll see just how good you are! The man pushed himself forward again, shoving her backwards.

She shifted her weight, legs moving to stop herself from tumbling onto her back. Her stance corrected, she reached for a second blade. The throwing knife that was strapped to her right wrist. She tossed it, catching it with ease and keeping her gaze on Sonic the whole time. "I won't let you win."

So accustomed to seeing her warm side, he was impressed by this. The cold tone of her voice, the apathetic expression on her face. She looked like a professional killer in this moment; nothing like a hero. It made Sonic's heart skip a beat and he chuckled. "We'll see how well you can really fight. I'm not going to go easy on you."

Ayano's lips twitched ever so slightly, as if a smirk might form. She sprinted forward again, her sword clashing against his. The girl's left leg moved quickly as she attempted to hook it around his knee to knock him off balance, but Sonic was easily able to leap back and escape.

His excitement grew as he watched her pursue him. Training had never been like this. Even sparring paled in comparison to this. The vicious way that she was coming after him, slashing again and again, made his pulse beat unbelievably fast. Sonic let a handful of normal shuriken fly in her direction and his pride grew as he saw her dodge the majority of them. A few sliced her coat sleeves and she simply let the coat fall to the ground behind her.

The girl twirled and her knife came soaring past him, narrowly missing his face as he twisted to avoid it. If he was a normal man, he would be dead. As he lifted his katana to block the slashing of two swords, the ninja found his gaze wandering over her swiftly moving figure. Her stances were much better than they had been when they first met and her speed had vastly improved.

It was during this moment of distraction that Sonic felt a sharp sting in his cheek. Warmth spilled down the side of his face and neck, soaking into the man's shirt. He leapt up onto a rooftop, taking a moment to reach a hand to his left cheek. His fingers came away sticky and crimson. She cut me? Sonic smirked and looked down at Ayano, who was ready to defend against an attack from above. He licked his lips, his excitement almost uncontainable. Someone's begging for a punishment! Just wait until we get back to the base, Ayano!

Shift P.O.V

She took a deep breath, attempting to calm the rapid beating of her heart. Blood was running down the side of Sonic's neck and she felt a pang of guilt at having hurt him. At the same time, she knew that he wanted her to go all out. If she held back, he would never forgive her. This is my chance to prove myself!

The ninja brought his bloody fingertips to his mouth and licked away the crimson slickness, his eyes locked on her. A laugh left the man as he stood again. It was brimming with excitement and sounded almost stifled. Like he was trying to contain himself, but he was losing control.

Ayano gripped the handles of her blades, scuffing a boot over the pavement as she shifted stances. I have to be ready for anything! His speed isn't what it usually is, but he's still faster than a normal person. Normal…person? Wait. It was now that she realized that Sonic was not looking at her, but something behind her. The girl hesitantly looked over her shoulder.

Mumen Rider was running to join her, his mouth set in a determined frown. "Don't worry, Sword Girl! I'm here to help!"

"Don't-!" She was too late. A shuriken buried in his shoulder and he stumbled back a few steps, clutching at his bleeding wound. No! Ayano turned her gaze back to Sonic and she had to fight to keep herself under control. Mumen Rider is a real hero! He actually helps people! Sonic…why would you hurt him?!

"What's the matter, Sword Girl? You don't like me attacking your little crush?" Sonic taunted from his perch above her.

The man's grin was bloody now, from licking his fingertips. He looked even more dangerous than usual and it might have made any other person quiver with fear, but he could see it even from this distance. Ayano was quivering with something other than fear. "Heh. I'm going to slice your vanilla little hero into tiny pieces and scatter them around! How does that make you feel? Would that break your heart, Sword Girl?"

She was blushing now. She could feel the intense burning in her cheeks and she hated that Sonic acting like a true villain brought this on. He's…so cool. But he hurt a real hero! Mumen Rider isn't like Amai Mask; his intentions are pure! I can't let him kill Mumen Rider! And…what was that about a crush?

"S-Sword Girl…I'm okay! I can help you fight!" Her friend was pushing himself to stand, but his shoulder was gushing blood. The shuriken was dropped onto the street, clanging loudly.

"You want to spend your last moments alive standing next to her?"

Ayano moved without thinking, putting herself between Sonic and Mumen Rider as a katana swung downward. She blocked it with both of hers and twisted, trying to dislodge it from his grasp. The ninja allowed it and leapt backwards. She let his katana fall to the side and ran after him, determined to protect her friend and also prove her strength.

His grin had vanished when she defended the hero, but now it was back full force. Putting some distance between himself and her, he wiped a sleeve over the bleeding cut on his cheek. He licked his lips, waiting for her to make a move. She tightened the hold on her blades and scuffed a boot over the ground, silently challenging him.

Sonic rushed forward and a Wind Blade Kick sent the girl sprawling onto the ground. He was slightly disappointed that she was unable to dodge it, but when he saw her on her back on the ground, it fueled his excitement. Her blades were soon thrown aside and she twisted up into a crouch, glaring at the man. "You don't want to see him die, do you? Come on! Show me your full strength!"

Ayano gritted her teeth, mind racing for a plan of attack. When she settled on one, she lunged forward. Both arms went around his neck and she swung onto his back, tipping his balance and attempting to make him fall. The man was steady, however, and in a few quick movements, he had her facing him as she was pinned to the outer wall of a building.

Her heart was pounding in her chest as she stared up into the man's eyes. His right hand closed around her throat and she instinctively lifted both hands to grip his wrist, a leg lifting to try to wedge between them. The man's free hand gripped her knee and pushed it aside, drawing a soft whimper from her. This is a serious fight! What is he going to do?!

He was about to speak when he abruptly released Ayano. Sonic turned in time to dodge a punch aimed at his head and grasped Mumen Rider by the neck. Lifting the man off his feet, he grinned up at him cruelly. "You're so insignificant that I almost forgot you were here. What should I do with him, Sword Girl? I wanted to cut him up, but maybe you have a better suggestion."

"L-let him go!" She started toward him, but a shuriken flew at her left arm and drove her back. Her upper arm was sliced and now began to ooze.

"I think I should just take you apart piece by piece. I bet that removing your body parts one piece at a time would be the worst kind of death. Every day, I'll take something else until you're just begging for me to put you out of your misery."

Mumen Rider was kicking at air, desperately trying to break free. His face was beginning to go from red to purplish and it sent Ayano into a panic. She had seen all of the good that this man did. She knew how selfless he was. The world needed a hero like him. Before she could move to help, his body went motionless and he was dropped. She could see that he was still breathing, but he was unconscious.

The girl rushed to his side to check on him and found herself being lifted and slung over Sonic's shoulder. "Wait! I…I have to make sure that he's okay!"

"I left him alive; I just put a little fear into him." Sonic laughed quietly and wiped at his wounded cheek once more. "And now…I have to teach you a lesson. I thought I made myself clear; I don't like sharing. You were too friendly with him."

"W-we're just friends and it's…because we're both heroes."

"I have a decision to make now. What kind of punishment do you deserve?"