Some things in this world are unfair, but those who adapt are the ones who survive'

Issac Takashi thought of that while he returned from the first week of school. "Man is it me, or is teenage life not really what I hoped for," He scratches his stark-white hair," and they say high school is the best place for some excitement." Issac thinks aloud as he takes the train back home. When arriving back into the apartment complex he lived in for the past year he pulled out his key and before inserting it, suddenly noticed something. In front of his door was a shag welcome mat that he has NEVER stepped on, but now there was a clear mark as someone stepped on it. He quickly looked at the keyhole and noticed that there was a clear scratch in keyhole. an indication that someone picked the lock. He set his backpack down and with a fluid motion, he pulled the 4 throwing knives he keeps in his jacket. As slowly and quietly as he can he opened the door, noticing that it was already unlocked, blaring alarms in his head, and slowly crept into the dark apartment.

As he walked throughout the apartment, no footsteps could be heard, and he grew tenser and tenser. When walking into the living room, he could hear a faint click in the kitchen. He immediately focused his attention on the hallway that leads to it. As he began walking towards it, throwing knife ready, he began thinking who woul-

"Love what you've done with the place, kid."

As a natural reflex he threw the knife he was holding at the source of the voice with pinpoint accuracy and clapped twice to turn on the lights to focus on who he just stuck a knife into. As the lights turn on Issac saw a woman in her late 30s, with golden tan skin very similar to his own, bleached blond-brown hair braided to the left side of her head. Her outfit was composed of a yellow tank top covered by a black leather jacket faded blue jeans and black boots. She is sitting on the couch and in her left hand was the throwing knife that he just threw and was holding it as if she just caught it.

Issac immediately relaxed as he put the knives away, "Mom, didn't you say that you were gonna, I don't know, TELL ME THE NEXT TIME YOU WERE VISITING!?" Issac shouted angrily, "I could've killed you!"

Issac's mother scoffed, " Kid you really think you could have killed me? You couldn't lay a finger on me until you were 15, and I was blindfolded with my left arm tied around my back." She got up and Issac and put her hand on his shoulder, "I liked the nice touch of never stepping on the mat as a sign, though you should have noticed that anyone could have seen it. And the scratches on the lock," she scoffs " no professional would make a rookie mistake like that. But other than that, that was a good reflex, if I didn't catch the knife, you would've got me right in the heart." She then ruffles his head and returned to the couch that she plops down in.

Issac groans, "Can I have my knife back please?"

"No need already put it in your jacket"

He immediately checks his jacket and lo and beholds the knife was back with the others, "I don't even want to know how you did that" Soon a small smile appears on his lips, " So how was your vacation, Mom?" A small smirk dances on her lips," Well you know, Barbados is great this time of year, but I just wanted to see my little brat and asks him how the school is?" Issac sighs " It's not BAD, but it bound to get better." He gives a half-effort laugh.

She gives him a look and pats down the spot on the couch next to her, he gets the message and sits next to her. "Look kid, I know you want to go out there in the world, but I just want to keep you safe, okay? Yeah, I let you do jobs here and there, but if you really want to let loose..." Issac looks at her with hopeful eyes as she continued, " an old friend in Japan asked me to be a teacher at some elite school for the talented kids or whatever-"

"And you accepted!?"

She looks at him like he grew a third eye, "Hell no! I already got to watch over one brat, I don't need to watch over a class full of them! No, I want you to go to school."

Issac cocks his head "A school for talented kids? What talent is a bounty hunter to them?"

She cocks an eyebrow " Kid, you never failed a job and I've seen you shoot the wings of a butterfly from 50 feet with nothing but a bow and arrow, I knew the archery lessons Oli gave you were worth it. Plus you need to make some friends and find people who you can count on. I'm not going to be holding your hand and cashing in favors for your sake anymore." She places her hand on his cheek and looks him in the eye, "Trust me on this, I got a good feeling about this. Another thing is you might find yourself a nice girl. Or guy." She winks at this remark.

Issac groans "So that means we're going to Japan? We haven't been there since.." He struggles to continue.

She gives him a sad smile "If you don't want to go back there then that is your choice and I will support you 100%. If you do go, you're gonna be on your own 'cause I have some business back here in New York."

"So am I gonna use one of the safehouses to live in or did you buy a place?"

Nah, nothing like that, I have a friend back in Japan so you'll be staying with him for the time being. He even has a brat of his own that's your age."

"A friend or someone who owes you?" Issac says with a dead expression.

"A friend. Geez, kid. do you think every one of my friends is people who just owe me? You know what, don't answer that."

" So who is this friend of yours, the prime minister, another outlaw, or someone of your past boyfriends"

"First of all, ow, and second just my old drinking buddy who happens to be the head of the Yakuza"

Issac's eyes go wide. "Say what now?"

I know you must have heard this, but this is the first time me writing anything other than school-related stuff. I've been reading fanfiction for YEARS and this idea literally came to my head while laying in the middle of the night, so enjoy!

This story was originally on Ao3 but a friend of mine said it might be a good idea to bring it here!