This is a short chapter.  I'm sorry…  It's almost the end of the term, and hopefully I'll be able to add more over term break, before the craziness starts up again… I guess I'm lucky to even be able to post this much…

Nobody noticed as Sano ambled up to the outskirts of the group, they were too engrossed in what they were doing.  The Japanese teen's height worked in his favor, though, as he was able to see over many of the other peoples' heads.  He was just tall enough to discover that his suspicions were in fact correct – this was a confrontation.

Just like all the other times, he couldn't understand a word anyone was shouting.  He tapped one of the boys on the outside of the circle on the shoulder, in hopes of gaining some information.  The boy not only did a double-take, he did a triple.  Here was a guy speaking to him in English, this guy looked like he was from eastern Asia, and he was dressed funny.  Out of pure curiosity, the kid complied, and answered Sano's questions.

"Well, that guy's a friend of a friend.  We were on our way up to Acre, and decided to stop off here for a short break, maybe switch driving…  Anyway, we were about to get back in the car when these other guys stopped us.  Next thing I know, we've attracted a crowd.  Neither of them has thrown any punches yet, they just keep going around in circles."  He turned his head back to face Sano, when he realized that the other had already started making his way towards the center of the circle.  "You're a fool," he mumbled.

"Oi!  If you need someone to fight with, fight with me.  I could use the practice."  The English-speaker immediately had everyone's attention.  "Well?  Who's first?"

Needless to say, the entire crowd just stared at him, dumbfounded.  Finally, the toughest-looking among them spoke up.  "Fine, if you're really that foolish to pick a fight with us, I will face you."

The circle backed out to leave enough room for the fight, with Sano at one end, and the tough-guy at the other.  The tough-guy said something in Arabic to his comrades, which made several pairs of the other group's eyes grow wide.

Sano acted like he didn't notice.  For now, it didn't matter.  Instead, he decided to tease the other fighter a little more.  "Come on, let's get this going, I'm already bored… oh, and by the way – where I'm from, we introduce ourselves when we fight… I'm Sanosuke Sagara."

Heat and anger visibly rose in the other man and his friends.  "I DON'T HAVE TO GIVE YOU MY NAME!  YOU WANNA FIGHT, SMART$$?  I'M READY!"  He was infuriated even more when Sano just stood in place, so he made the first move.

'Che, too slow.'  The Japanese teen moved slightly to one side to let the other pass.  The Arabic-speaker stopped and turned around as soon as he realized he had gone past his opponent.  This happened twice more before the tough-guy's patience had all but withered away.  "Who are you," he demanded.

"I already told you that."  Sano started to walk away, hands in his pockets, followed by looks from the others of surprise and confusion.  "I don't like fighting weak people… Man, did I pick a boring fight, or what?"  Because his back was turned, he didn't see the other fighter signal his friends.  However, he did hear several clicking sounds.

The Japanese teen raised his hands in the air.  "Heh, I should have known you'd resort to fire power."  He moved quickly as the shots rang out, trying to get out of the way.  A couple of the bullets did make contact, though, and Sano slumped onto the ground.

The antagonistic group walked off, laughing.

End Chapter 8

A/N:  I know, I know… I'm such a horrible person, ne?  Not only is it short, but it's a cliffhanger!  Well, I hope I did the fight scene adequately, it's my first try.

OMG, no Hebrew words to translate this time!

Imalefty, you'll just have to wait and see!