There Nina laid, peacefully in bed, her head resting ever so softly on the
fluffy pillow, the thin covers pulled over her. Ryu sat next to her, his
trench coat with the crew, being imprinted with his recent take down, he
now wore his white tank top, considering the blazing heat outside would
have gave him numerous strokes if he was wearing a long or short sleeved
shirt that was heat absorbent. His head rested back on the top of the
chair, his eyes slowly closing, after a rough day such as this, he was
lucky that both he and Nina were allowed to sleep in the Peace Ranger's
Station.
It was near midnight, and Ryu was slowly drifted away into a good nights rest. He had been kept awake by questions going through his mind. Why did he even bother to help Nina? Was he really that soft? Did he have pity for the girl? Just why would he even risk his life against hordes of ruthless outlaws just to protect one girl who he never had known for his entire life?
Ryu though only took one glance at Nina, sleeping ever so relaxed, he already felt himself grow tired just looking at her. His eyelids slowly slipped over his eyes, until her drifted away, falling asleep next to the ever so beautiful Fae in bed. The room was dark, set up with at least a comfy bed, but the room wasn't to well decorated, only white walls, and a cold grey tiled floor, and only a tray table that seemed to represent a shelf.
Ryu usually had few dreams, ones where he died, others where his parents were alive, and some where the world was a paradise, with green all over the place, meadows as far as the eyes could see, trees surrounding the vast lands, the world that was only known in storybooks. Nightmares though where those he killed came back to haunt him, and usually killed him. Tonight though was going to be no dream, but more of a flashback that always had brought him to his knee's, an event that truly made him weak in the knee's.
Ryu slowly walked into the quiet and wrecked bar, bullet holes marked throughout the place, chairs, tables, and shelves behind the bar counter and a few other places shattered into many pieces. Ryu could only look on in horror, as many bodies laid dead, all over the place, bleeding badly, their bodies showing numerous amounts of bullet holes around their upper body area.
Only on person seemed to stand, someone familiar, as Ryu gasped, the man turning, as he glanced back, eyes widening as his eyes met Ryu's.
"Long time no see...Ryu." He said with a smile.
"Did you...did you do this? Did you kill these people?" Ryu said, tear welling up in his eyes.
Slowly, the man stood, brushing his short light purple hair back. He wore a long red trench coat, black boots and pants. He took a few steps forward, but stooped, his smile turning to a frown, his eyes glancing at Ryu's trench coat. He pulled out a handgun, pointing it towards Ryu.
"I think it is obvious, I did kill them, by accident like the rest who are listed on my murder count. I only wanted to save the girl, but I ended up making a bigger mess." He said, looking at each of the people.
Ryu shook his head, he could already tell the man was lying; his voice easily gave that away, as well as his quick to the gun draw. Ryu only sighed, looking up to the man.
"You've changed...your not the kid I grew up with, your just an outlaw, a murderer, just what gives you the idea that killing will solve your problems?" Ryu snapped, shaking his head.
"You don't get it, these people think they can push me around, tell me what to do, what I should do.well, push me once, I just push back, but twice, then I attack." He said, his index slowly moving closer to the trigger, ready to push it.
Ryu drew out his gun, as he fired, the bullet striking the man in the leg, whose face went into shock, as he looked back at Ryu.
"You...you shot me! How could you...my only friend...shot me..." He disbelievingly said, raising his voice, as he then roared in anger.
He pulled the trigger, but his aim was not to accurate, as the bullet pierced Ryu's shoulder, as he moved out of the way, running for the bar counter, as the man shot furiously at him. Ryu landed flat to the alcohol soaked and shattered glass ground as he crawled, the bullets halted for as the man reloaded his weapon.
Ryu moved up, giving two shot near the man, the man turned, and fired back, this time his shot hitting Ryu within the shoulder, as Ryu fell back, hitting the wall, as he fell to the ground.
"I guess I have nobody to even trust, my own friend betrays me..." His gun remain focused to Ryu, who already was holding onto his wounded right shoulder.
Ryu glanced up, his arm moving up, pointing to the ceiling; he fired, the bullet breaking the line that helped keep the chandler up. Ryu's opponent though, caught glance of this as he jumped back, reloading his gun, and returned fire, Ryu strutting from side to side dodging the shots, he fired back, missing his target on purpose. The man moved slowly across the room, the wound from his leg greatly stopping him.
He shot back, as the two continued exchanged fire, moving from one area to another within the bar, but eventually, the man planned to end this, as he pulled out a lighter, pulling down on the lighter wheel, as he threw it to the area soaked in alcohol, a fierce flame followed, and soon began to burn the entire area, soon enough. Ryu knew his old friend was now his own enemy, and he had no choice but to finish the fight.
Getting in firing range, he aimed and fired, striking his opponent within the arms, legs and shoulders, the man fell to the ground, shivering form the inflicted pain. Ryu looked on, as he friend raised a hand, looking to him.
"Ryu...Help me....." He screamed, his eyes filled with tears, the flames spreading closer and closer.
Ryu only turned, his back now facing his friend, as he walked out of the place, his eyes closed, as he left, the man looking on in horror.
"Ryu!?" The man screamed louder, but Ryu walked on, the only thing keeping him from helping his friend was his voice, telling him he had no choice, the man had to be punished.
"RYU!!"
"Ryu?.....Ryu...Ryu...wake up." Slowly he opened his eyes, finding Nina standing over him, her lips frowning, worried about him.
"Nina...?" Slowly Ryu glanced over to the window, sunlight shining through, at the angle of a morning, around at least nine o'clock.
"You okay, you looked like you were having a nightmare." She asked with concern.
Ryu only shook his head, it was no dream, and it was something he wished to forget, something that haunted him, a guilt that never seemed to go away. In all his life, he never could forgive himself for what he had done on that day. He only could tell himself it was the right choice.
"Are you sure, I could swear you-"
"It is none of your concern Nina!!" He shouted, panting as he clenched his teeth.
Nina flinched, as he raised his tone, slowly backing away. Ryu sighed, as he shook his head.
"Sorry, it's just...that some things that happened.that seem to just return...that set me off, that past.regrets, things I try...to convince myself...was the right decision..." He said ever so mellow.
"Ryu..." Nina slowly walked closer, placing her hands on his shoulders, not saying another word; Ryu's breathing slowly returning to normal.
He slowly stood up, as he walked to the door, grabbing his holster and sword sheath as he walked out, wiping the tears from his eyes. He glanced to Nina, who face still seemed filled with concern. She slowly followed him, as they walked down the hallway, to the main desk, where the female clerk sat, reading the local news paper, papers and materials scattered all around the desk.
"Is my hit recorded?" Ryu asked, placing his hands, as he leaned closer, looking down at the annoyed clerk.
"Of course, here." She sarcastically responded, as she threw it at him along with a bag full of his money, before returning to reading the paper, a free hand twirling her long curly red hair, she continued chewing on her gum.
"Well, thanks anyway." Ryu deliberately commented, as he turned, walking towards the exit.
"Oh yeah, the bike outside is yours, the key is with the Fae, I gave it to her to hold on until you wake up, did you receive it?" Ryu glanced to Nina, who held it up, smiling innocently as Ryu started to get dressed up in his Peacemaker uniform.
Ryu sighed, he wasn't a good driver, when it came down to riding a motorcycle, it was a frustrating job for him. He never could drive one without wrecking like he had done to the one before. That for him was his biggest failure, but not anything he was embarrassed about, considering many walked, and that the bikes were a little to hard to even control.
Ryu though took it anyway, knowing his boss possibly sent it as a gift. Ryu was perhaps the only one who received anything like this, the others were given a good pay, but never anything like this. Ryu couldn't say no, the thing was already hard to come by, especially when it was a new model that was even harder to resist.
Still, Ryu decided to walk out and see what his boss had sent him this time. As he walked out into the somewhat near busy town, with chatter here and there, but right in front of him, there it was, in his favorite color, a navy blue type, with wheels placed on exclusively for terrain usage, and traveling, perhaps this was the baby that would take him through the desert at a more relaxing and easy drive. Nina ran over, looking it over in confusion, and excitement, never had her eyes even seen such a machine so great, it already seemed like something that was fancy, but with the right driver, it would be a relaxing ride.
Ryu watched on smiling, this was different, from the handles, the accelerator, and the size, it seemed like it was made to fit his handling, edited to his perfection. He took one step before he was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Well well well, what do we have here; two of the people I have been searching for, it must be my lucky day." Ryu stood frozen, his eyes widening in shock. Nina looked over, a puzzled look on her face.
The figure approached the red trench coat, the boots, and the aqua blue tinted glasses, the light purple hair, Ryu gasped, jaw opened, and eyes widened in horror, watching him approach.
"Alive, yes, you betrayed me Ryu, and left me to die in the flames of hell, and I want revenge for that." He muttered smiling.
"Draco...so you are still alive..." Ryu said, looking at him in fear.
"Don't tell me you reported I was dead, last I checked; I was still considered a criminal, but that's not why I am here." He mockingly responded as he looked to Nina.
"I am here for her, but if I am right, your protecting her, at least that is what the last batch of beaten cronies claimed." Draco commented laughing sadistically.
"Just why is it you scumbags are after her!?" Ryu yelled out loudly, as Draco only smiled.
"That is something you don't need to know, but considering you were my only friend as a child, I will tell you why that Fae is important." He spat, his tone brightened.
"The black market has put a bounty on a Fae's head, one worth around thirty five billion dollars. They want her alive though, why or for what is not my concern, I just want the money. Going through you though is another good reward, considering I hate you with all my heart, I will not rest until your dead!?" He yelled, drawing out his gun, and opening fire on where Ryu stood.
Immediately screams followed, as people began running in every direction, many inside the nearest area of cover that could be found, others got on whatever carriage, or horse they could find and rode out of town. The sight was obviously one that many had found best to run from, rather then stand and die. The town was not yet a ghost town, but was about to become silent an almost as run down as one.
"Nina, take cover and don't you dare interfere with this fight. This is between me and Draco!" he yelled furiously, drawing his weapon as he returned fire.
Nina didn't hesitate, by the serious and demanding tone Ryu had used, he wasn't joking when he had asked her to stay put and not interfere. She ran towards the alleyway of the ranger headquarters, planning to get inside and take cover until Ryu was victorious. She opened up the door nearby, getting inside, and slamming the door shut, as she ran all the way to the back, taking cover in a closet, she could tell from the flames in Ryu's eyes that he was about to encounter one tough fight, and it wasn't going to be a controlled one either.
"That man...He said Ryu left him to die...could it really be true, is Ryu...that heartless?" Nina thought, quivering at the idea, Ryu couldn't be evil, sure he may have been cold hearted when she met him, but he didn't just ditch her, he wouldn't leave her to die, would he? She already couldn't believe what the man said, he was Ryu's own friend as a child, but he was left to die in the flames.
"Draco...just what did Ryu do to you?"
Slowly she sat down, wrapping her arms around her legs, the thought of even Ryu being a murderous bastard was something she couldn't believe, sure he killed people, but those were outlaws, they were nothing but trouble, they deserved to die for all the murders they committed. She shrugged it off, she didn't know a damn thing of what occurred between the two; she had no right to even make an assumption of what went down then.
Outside almost everyone was out of sight, none stood outside, much less tried to even look outside, as the sound of gunshots echoed throughout town. Ryu ran across the front of the town's in, as bullet holes emerged from behind him among the walls. He jumped, counting each shot, suspecting that if his friend had a handgun, type 9mm, he had about eight bullets within one clip, and already seven were shot.
Ryu took a chance, making a clean jump, as he landed softly onto the ground front first. Draco though took off running, knowing full well he was a sitting duck without a loaded gun, especially for a Peacemaker. Ryu rolled over, firing three shots that easily missed the target, which already had started dashing when he noticed Ryu aiming for him.
Jumping to his feet, Ryu pursued Draco, running at full pace, gun grasped tightly, knowing full well his old friend would try and murder him at any given time. Draco made his way to the bar, jumping inside, Ryu slowed down, coming to a halt, as he held the gun up, glancing around, knowing his friend was plotting a attack from one of the windows, a shot that would take Ryu by surprise.
Ryu blinked, taking a deep breath, as he ran forth, keeping his eyes locked on each of the most optional uses of a shot, his heart throbbing fast, the suspense already high, as he finally busted through the twin mini doors, into the tavern. The whole place was abandoned, not a person in sight, silence, even not a dead bleeding corpse at all within the place.
"DIE!!" Ryu jumped to his side, a bullet landing where he last stood.
There behind the counter of the bar, the top wooden, but the lower part bronze, Draco was perched, his arms stationed on the top, and his gun marking its target, Ryu. He repeatedly fired upon the peacemaker, as Ryu ran from the entrance and exit of the saloon to the back of it, keeping his gun low, his face still remaining emotionless, hiding his fear.
Draco once more hid, as he ducked back behind the bar, as he reloaded his gun, locking a clip in. Ryu meantime grasp a chair and chucked it at full strength, sending it flying directly to the bottled alcohol behind the counter, a loud crash followed, the bottles shattering, the alcohol leaking onto the floor, the shards of broken glass falling to the ground. Draco growled, locking the clip into place, he jumped out form the closed by a bar counter, and once more fired away, but his accuracy was off by a good amount.
Ryu took chance, as he shot his last two bullets, the first that missed, the other easily pierced across Draco's cheek. Ryu ran once more, kicking a table up, and reloaded his weapon immediately. Draco smiled, spotting a familiar antiquity, as he closed one eye, gazing up at the area he planned to shoot at.
"What comes around goes around Ryu!" He yelled, and fired one shot, as the chandler fell down, smashing the table where Ryu was hiding behind.
Ryu had quickly reloaded his slots, and locked it in place before the chandler came crashing down on his position. He had immediately fled, and took cover around the bars one curved area, where he could remain for a good while. Draco laughed hysterically, he knew Ryu wasn't crushed; it was not like the guy to even die by a falling object and be crushed, but he was the one this time pulling the surprises.
"For someone who lost before, it is a wonder what the hell you have done these past two years; it is a wonder just why you didn't try and kill me the first time!!" Ryu spat, breathing ever so fast, his heart throbbing with great force.
"That is something that I doubt you need to know, either way, I think this time, you're the one who is going to be left in the fire." Draco said calmly, as the sound of a match scrapping across the rough but narrow black surface was heard, then a poof, it was obvious he planned to burn the bar down, and with Ryu inside.
"Now be a nice guy and die!" he remarked, walking outside and away from the bar.
Ryu knew there had to be a backdoor the place, how else would the innocent bystanders be able to leave the bar when Draco entered, and why didn't he kill them. Ryu knew Draco wasn't that kind of person, who killed people just for looking at him oddly, or just out of anger, he was more of a self defense type one, but he did have a problem when someone demanded that he moved, or give him problem.
He ran to the door with the Employees only sign on the door, he shoved it open, keeping up the pace, as he looked around, spotting the emergency exit at the end of the long hall. He kept running, he knew where Draco was heading, it was clearly obvious considering what he mentioned earlier, Nina was his next target, and Ryu knew full well just how far Draco would go to get what he needed, considering how many bank heists he pulled off, and murders he committed during them.
"Nina, please hang in there!?" He though, as he dashed to the alleyway, and through the now burning saloon, he approached the intersection of town, but stopped, bullet holes now lined up along the wall, only one person could have even made those shots.
"I suspected you were alive, I just didn't think you would be this persistent in protecting the Fae." Draco said, still pointing the gun at the alleyway Ryu was using.
Ryu remained in place, he kept his eyes out, knowing he had to make his move at some point, and he had to time it right or end up shot. He took a deep breath, and ran out, opening fire in the direction he estimated was where Draco was positioned. Draco shot as well his bullets hitting Ryu within the right leg, forcing him to cry out in pain.
Ryu though had hit Draco as well; two out of his six shots fired had hit Draco in the stomach and the other in his right shoulder. The two now were handicapped, Draco in two areas that would affect his aim and Ryu in the one thing that help him avoid the shots his opponents made. The two aimed once more at one another, Draco having no more bullets, Ryu as well empty of ammunition in his colt pistol.
The still pulled the triggers of their weapons, the sound of an empty cartridge was all that was heard, a click, the two repeatedly pulled, but to no avail, the guns only sound was a click. Both glance eye to eye within the middle of the towns market, their free hands to their sides, waiting for the right time to reach in and pull out the bullet, one that would end the battle by death shot. Ryu panted, he knew he had no choice, time was almost going so slow that each second seemed like an hour, he had to make his move, but was his hands quicker then his opponents eyes?
At that moment he reached into his pocket, picking up a bullet, as he opened his gun placing it into the next slot, Draco doing the same, only releasing the empty clip, he pulled out a clip with one bullet inside, and placing it into the gun, before locking it in place. Ryu locked his barrel in place, and at the same time as Draco both fired away, their guns being hit and flew back a few feet behind them.
Both looked to one another, with death eyes, Ryu reaching behind, as he grabbed his sword, knowing full well Draco had his own, it was haltered at his left side, the opposite side of his own holster. As Ryu charged forth, grasping his sword tightly in his hands, Draco drew out his sword, as he stood, motioning Ryu to 'bring it on' with his fingers.
Ryu was first to strike, as Draco blocked, but slowly moved back, his face showing he was struggling. Ryu though already was having trouble even keeping himself standing, with the leg bleeding from the wound, the two though ignored the pain and kept fighting, each time changing from one to offense, the other on defense.
Nina remained in hiding, the outside quiet, the gunshots had seemed to stop, all seemed quiet, but she wasn't going to get out until Ryu came in and told here it was all right. The door suddenly was pulled open, Nina looked up, her eyes widening in horror, it wasn't Ryu who opened the door, it was a female holding a shotgun in her hands.
The girl was a carrot long haired female, human in every way, no tail nor ear differences, her eyes yellow, like a cats, her body truly well kept, skinny and tanned skin, but her rear end seemed a bit large, but nowhere near a tramps. She dressed though a bit fancy, a southern skirt that went down to her ankles, it was a sandy brown color, only with black buttons that didn't fit the camouflage. Her boots were a white elastic type, under he pantyhose she had covering her legs. Her chrome shotgun was a more antique type, but the barrel was more advanced for more explosive bullet shells.
"Get up Fae!?" She commandingly ordered, her tone harsh, as she aimed the gun forcibly to Nina's skull.
Nina had little choice; she slowly stood to her feet, the female smiled, as she then motioned for Nina to start walking. Nina though was a bit cleverer; she knew full well that if she was worth a lot alive on the black market, then this lady wouldn't even try to kill her. She slowly followed through, but using her magic ring on her left hand, she would easily surprise her enemy.
It only took a second, as the ring unleashed a wind spell, pushing the armed female to the ground, landing roughly on her soft yet large behind. Nina immediately started running, fleeing from the room as she shut the door, running to the outside. The girl though, quickly grabbed her gun, and taking the chair nearby, she chucked it to the window, breaking the grass, as she jumped through, and looked around, waiting for Nina to flee through the door.
Nina burst through the door, but halting to a stop, noticing the one she had run from had already caught up with her. The girl held the gun at her smiling.
"Just who the hell are you!?" Nina yelled, clenching her fists.
"The name is Lecha, and I plan to help Draco out by capturing you, since he is held up at the moment attacking your boyfriend." She raucously said smiling, as she held the gun near her head.
"B-b-b-boyfriend!? Ryu's not my b-b-b-" She said stuttering, her cheeks blushing at the thought, sure, she did depend on him in times of need, but she wasn't in a relationship like Lecha had mentioned.
"Aw, your blushing, how pathetic, from your looks, I would say your around your twenties, and yet you act like your still a teenager, how embarrassing." She mockingly commented, firing two feet in front of Nina, as she chuckled.
"So, what about you and Draco, I bet you want to win his heart by capturing me, don't you." Nina said, smirking with pride.
"Well, I see you're not as dumb as the blonde hair makes you look." Lecha said, as Nina's face went red in anger.
"Yes, I have been with him ever since his friend abandoned him to die, the bastard, I am surprised you even trust him." Nina face became more emotionless; it seemed this female knew what had happened on that day.
"What do you mean, just what did Ryu do that makes Draco want his blood so bad, why do the two fight?" Nina asked entreatingly, her hands almost clasping together in pleading motions.
Lecha slowly lowered her gun, closing her eyes, as she took a deep sigh.
"Two years ago, in the town known as Grandel, your friend left Draco in a bar, screaming at the top of his lungs for him to help, but all he did was walk out, and away, leaving the wounded Draco to die right there in the inferno. I though heard his cries, and rushed in, I found him unconscious, and loosing blood fast. So I picked him up, and pulled him out, taking him to a inn, where for a few days, I treated him, treating his wounds, feeding him, nursing him back to health. When he finally came two, he did try and sway me off, but I still stayed at his side, proving worthy to be his partner." She then raised her shotgun back up.
"Ryu...he wouldn't." Nina said, her eyes widened in shock, she wouldn't believe it, even as tough as Ryu acted, he still had a kind and yet gentleness that not many males had.
"He did, and I saw it with my own eyes, Ryu left him to die!!" She said harshly, Nina glancing to the ground, she knew it was no use, she wasn't there, and whoever this woman was, she had every idea of what had happened on that day.
"Even if he did, he has reasons, Draco and you I doubt are even good people, your manners seem more hostile and threatening then even polite." Nina uprightly commented, her eyes locking directly onto Lecha's.
"Polite? Fae, this world is a world where politeness is the least thing we give, it is a struggle to even live in this place. Your clan abandoned this world and cut links because they considered us unworthy!" She shouted raising her voice.
"That's not true, we don't-"
"Face it, you don't even know why, your clan said we were violent, hostile, and ruthless, but do you see it as that?"
Nina could only shake her head, she had no clue just why her clan did close ties to the planet, was she perhaps another person that was only told a fib, a cover up story that was used on numerous occasions. Though she didn't care, she remembered why she left her home, she was in search of the true world, even if outlaws roamed the entire lands, she still knew that their was still some peace, some stability left in the world.
"No...I see it as a world where there are those who try to make a living, even in the darkest hour, you only reflect off the scum of this world, never searching for a joy, you are the one that turns to the ways of malice and become the ones my clan so despises! It is you that my clan fears!" Nina shouted, Lecha only growling at the tone the Fae was giving her.
"We don't choose malice, we follow it, nobody is born good, or evil, we are forged to be what we are by experience, like a blacksmiths creations, that is how life is Fae." Lecha despicably responded, as she raised her weapon, aiming for the Fae once more.
"You won't shoot me; I am wanted alive, if I am correct." Nina scorned, pulling her left eyelid down and sticking out her tongue.
"True, but I still can bring you back wounded." Lecha responded taking aim and firing directly at her, Nina though jumped up taking flight. The shots missed the Fae, as she took flight, and hastily gathering elemental magic energy.
"You Fae's never were combatants, just magic users." Lecha scowled, as she aimed her rifle up, but Nina kept moving affecting the accuracy of Lecha's shot.
"Then take this, SEVER!!" Nina shouted, as a rough amount of winds came sweeping through, the force slashing against Lecha's face, sending her once more flying back, but this time, her shotgun went further from her, that she had to run and get it.
Nina smiled, glimpsing down at the now unarmed female.
"At least magic isn't something that is so easily lost by just one blow." Nina said, flying over to where the gun laid, she landed to the ground, crossing her arms, standing right where the gun flew.
"Only a newbie of magic doesn't know that, QUAKE!!" As if by surprise, Lecha sent a ground tunneling attack directly towards the Fae, knocking Nina back and onto her back.
Lecha immediately rushed in, grasping her gun tightly, as she aimed towards Nina once more.
"Draco doesn't hire someone who is just a gunsmith, he has needs of a magic user, and I fit that part perfectly." She said cheerfully.
Nina stood slowly to her feet, holding her arms up; she had just about no choice but to surrender. Lecha slowly walked over, her lips still curled up, as she looked her over.
"Well, for some girl who is so well mannered, it is a wonder why you're dressed in such a humiliating outfit such as that." Lecha degradingly said, circling around Nina.
"Lecha, time to learn how much hell you are about to deal with!" She said, as she used her ring once more, throwing Lecha back and onto the ground.
Nina once more took flight, hovering over her opponent, keeping her eyes on Lecha, locked tightly, but her ears though caught a loud rumble, a revving of a loud engine, the type of a cars, she glimpse to the distances quickly, still looking down, but her eyes found just what she was searching for, a few miles from town was huge rowdy bunch of gunmen, driving at full speed towards the town that Nina was in, dust follow as they sped towards the city.
Lecha slowly walked over to her gun, still glancing to the Fae, but noticing that she wasn't glimpsing to her at all, and the loud sound of motors now echoed throughout town. Nina slowly flew to where Ryu and Draco were fighting.
The two men clashed one blade to another, already both sweating with the intense heat, near twelve o'clock. Ryu finally finished him off, as he swung hard with all his strength, forcing Draco's sword from his own grasp, sending it flying several feet from where they stood. Draco growled, still looked with dead locked eyes onto Ryu. Ryu only sighed, dropping his sword, as he ran forth, slugging Draco within the jaw. Draco as well began a fist fight, both throwing one punch to another, Ryu giving several to the gut and three to the jaw, Draco punching Ryu in the cheeks and jaw in several swings.
Both soon pushed each other off, as they looked to one another, bleeding from their mouths and noses, eye to eye, panting deeply, as they roared, running forth, and throwing more punches, Ryu striking around the shoulders and face, Draco in response to the gut, and giving an uppercut to the jaw. Ryu as if by sudden lifted his foot up, and shoved Draco back, as he breathed hard, glancing with a now bloodied face to his heartless opponent.
Abruptly out of nowhere, a huge ground shifting blast, struck Draco, knocking him out, he fell to the ground with a loud thud, Nina standing a few feet from where the two once stood.
"Damn it Nina, I said not to interfere!?" Ryu yelled, slowly walking staggeringly over to her with a blood dripping face.
"Calvary, there are around nine cars driving towards this town, and by the looks of the men hanging from outside, it looks more like they are packing heat, and it isn't no rifles." She stated whiningly, pointing in the direction of where they were coming from.
Ryu glanced to the fallen Draco, then glancing to his still usable navy blue bike.
"Damn, guess we don't have much of a choice." He groaned, but ran to it anyway, getting on the soft yet still new cushioning seat, Nina getting behind, putting her arms behind his back, dangling the keys, Ryu grasping them, and placing them into the ignition area, as he revved the engine, starting the bike up, he placed the goggles on his head, and hitting the accelerator roughly, he sped out, driving at full speed to the area opposite of where Nina pointed, as he sped out, the sand shifting in huge waves, like water with a boat, he grasped the easy to use handles with ease, handling it even better then her could ever have.
Draco slowly stood, growling as he watched the two escaping from town. Ryu though leaned down, as he grasped the gun that lay on the ground, his own silver colt magnum and placing it in his holster. Draco stood, howling in anger, he gazed to the ground, panting, already he felt the bitterness of defeat, and losing his target was the second thing he so hated.
"Draco.....!?" Slowly his angry face glanced over to Lecha, who looked at him with distress, her eyes widened, as she walked over, once more placing her arms around his shoulders.
"You were suppose to capture that Fae, and you failed!?" He muttered, growling angrily, but fell to his knee's as the pain was so great.
"Now is not the time to argue, we must get you to safety, it appears we have more trouble heading our way. By the sound of the loud rumbling, I think it is obvious they are from the black markets flunkies." She said, casting a healing spell, slowly humming as she cast the low type, but still effective type.
"Damn, just my day, I lose a great bounty, my one target and now this." He muttered, breathing deeply.
"C'mon, I know a place where we can lay low, and I doubt those fools will find us." She calmly spoke, as she led Draco to a nearby house, picking up his gun that was nearby, as the two entered through the door, moving ever so quickly.
She immediately entered the house, opening the secret compartment, pulling on a certain book, opening the bookcase, and heading down to a cellar, as the door immediately closing behind, she carefully and slowly carried Draco the bed in the room below, a cozy neatly made bed. Lecha slowly lifted Draco onto the bed, pulling the covers over him, her hands rubbing around his chest, as she breathed softly.
"Draco.well get them, but for now, we must lay low, you and I are in no shape to even rumble with the thugs that are here." She softly said, as Draco glanced back, smiling, as his hand slowly moved to her, his eyes glancing to hers.
Lecha softly clamped his hands, stroking them with ever so relaxing way. She leaned over, kissing him on the cheek, blushing a bit, as he wrapped his free arm around her back, and pulled her closer.
"Lecha, you failed...and so did I, but...I may be known as Draco 'Hundred Kills' Carter, and indeed, I did murder so many with no regrets to them.you though.I could never murder, not after you saved me.and stood by me, even after you learned my true identity." He said softly, slowly falling asleep.
"Draco, I love you." She said, a tear falling down her face.
"I know.not many could stand by me, unless they had a crush...I do share the same feeling, but I am not sure if it is love, or just trust..." He replied, but smiled.
"Don't think about it now, lets just relax...there is always tomorrow, yes, tomorrow." Lecha said, leaning over, as she fell asleep along with her love.
***
"Damn, any sign of that Fae!?"
"Not yet, were searching each house, but it appears that there is no trace of her." Responded the flunky holding a Tec-9, and who wore a long black jacket.
"Great, must have fled, what about the other target, the one known as Draco 'Hundred Kills' Carter, any sign of him?" The captain demanded, clenching his fist.
"Perhaps the same, he isn't anywhere to be found either. Though by the damage left on this town, it no doubt he was here." The flunky said.
"That Peacemaker still is with here, knowing them, the only other town they should be heading for is Rondale, a few miles to the east. Call in the boys, were heading to Rondale ASAP." The captain said, getting into the car.
"So the Fae is still on the move aye?"
"Afraid so sir, it appears that other bounty on the head of Draco will also be in our grasp as well." The captain replied through the walkie talkie.
"I don't care about that fool, even though he has a bounty on his head on our market, his price isn't anything to the Fae, so get your own damn heads out of your asses and move it!!" The man yelled unpleasantly with anger, that it sent chills through the captain's body.
"Y-y-yes sir, will do." He said fearfully, the voice obviously a cold one.
As each of the flunkies reported in, not one had any good news; the Fae indeed wasn't within their grasp and had high tailed it out of there. The men immediately revved up their engines and drove off to the east, heading to the possibly next town on the list, Rondale.
***
Nina looked to Ryu, still holding onto his shoulders as the two drove off to the next town, the moter wasn't so loud, but more of a cats purr. Nina though felt confused; she already remembered what Lecha had told her, about Ryu leaving Draco to die, about how he and Ryu were once close friends. Nina could only see a more kind and gentle person in Ryu, not a cold and heartless killer. She knew she had to get some answers, and she wanted them now.
"Ryu?" She asked, with a normal tone.
"Yes Nina?" He said sternly, but not so annoyed.
"Did you...did you leave Draco...to die...in that bar?" She asked, gulping in fright.
"Why do you ask?" He replied strongly.
"Lecha, his partner said you left him to die... when he called out your name."
"I didn't expect him to die, but he had to learn his lesson. He is known better as Hundred Kills because he has murdered over hundreds of people, many of them innocent people, he is one of the worst outlaws to ever run into. His record has him also wanted for rape, robbery, assault, arsonist, and of course forgery. When I confronted him, he killed all those people in that bar, and he was already becoming hostile with me, leaving me no choice but to fight." He said, shaking his head.
"You still considered him a friend, huh?" Nina replied calmly.
"The Draco I knew as a child Nina is dead." He said raising his voice.
"You knew?" She said confused.
"Draco was my only childhood friend, back then he was a bit kinder, but.....he was also abused by his drunken father..." Ryu stopped there.
"So what happened?" Nina asked.
"Nina, I would rather not explain...it isn't something I am up to telling yet...it is something that I want to even think about." He said arrogantly.
Nina didn't say anything, she had a feeling that whatever it was that had went on in the past wasn't pleasant, and Ryu wasn't in a good mood to even tell it, even after all the years that had passed. She only looked on, into the opened sandy wasteland, with only a few cactuses in sight. She looked up the ever blue sky, with only a few clouds roaming through.
Ryu shook his head, he remembered what happened on the day Draco ran away, he remembered what had happened.
"Draco.....whats wrong, speak to me, why are you crying?" Ryu asked, his eyes widened.
Draco, around the age of thirteen, only stood there, holding a handgun in his hands, a colt 9, as he breathed, tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Ryu...I cannot stay here...your parents, they will never understand..." He said sobbing.
"Draco...Understand what?" Ryu asked once more.
"My dad...he's dead...and.."
"Ryu, whose there?"
"It is only Draco dad." Ryu said, looking away, but as he glanced back, there was no sign of Draco, he was long gone, and not a trace of him remained. His father walked over, looking around.
"I don't see him, c'mon; get back inside before you let the bus in." He replied, as Ryu went in.
Ryu only heard the next day that Draco's father had been shot in the head, the bullet from a colt 9 handgun, proving that Draco was indeed a killer. Ever since then, Draco slowly sunk down into a life of crime, murder after murder, ever since that day. Ryu had lost his friend ever since that day, and since then, the two had drifted apart, and now where nothing more then arch enemies, complete opposites.
It was two years since he had seen him, and by now, he was burning for revenge. If there was one thing that Draco had that was greatly troubling, it was his grudge, one thing he was known for was holding them, and considering what Ryu had done, Draco was out for revenge, and he wasn't going to give up anytime soon.
Next Time:
There are many faces you see and at times meet with during your travels. Faces of beauty can hide a pure evil hearted person within themselves, and a face so hideous can hide the ever so calm and bright nature of the true person of heart. Wes is a Woren with a huge coffin that is said to carry the bodies of those he has killed in battle, but the rumor is not always the true as the one who tells it.
Next Chapter: Chain Gun Woren
It was near midnight, and Ryu was slowly drifted away into a good nights rest. He had been kept awake by questions going through his mind. Why did he even bother to help Nina? Was he really that soft? Did he have pity for the girl? Just why would he even risk his life against hordes of ruthless outlaws just to protect one girl who he never had known for his entire life?
Ryu though only took one glance at Nina, sleeping ever so relaxed, he already felt himself grow tired just looking at her. His eyelids slowly slipped over his eyes, until her drifted away, falling asleep next to the ever so beautiful Fae in bed. The room was dark, set up with at least a comfy bed, but the room wasn't to well decorated, only white walls, and a cold grey tiled floor, and only a tray table that seemed to represent a shelf.
Ryu usually had few dreams, ones where he died, others where his parents were alive, and some where the world was a paradise, with green all over the place, meadows as far as the eyes could see, trees surrounding the vast lands, the world that was only known in storybooks. Nightmares though where those he killed came back to haunt him, and usually killed him. Tonight though was going to be no dream, but more of a flashback that always had brought him to his knee's, an event that truly made him weak in the knee's.
Ryu slowly walked into the quiet and wrecked bar, bullet holes marked throughout the place, chairs, tables, and shelves behind the bar counter and a few other places shattered into many pieces. Ryu could only look on in horror, as many bodies laid dead, all over the place, bleeding badly, their bodies showing numerous amounts of bullet holes around their upper body area.
Only on person seemed to stand, someone familiar, as Ryu gasped, the man turning, as he glanced back, eyes widening as his eyes met Ryu's.
"Long time no see...Ryu." He said with a smile.
"Did you...did you do this? Did you kill these people?" Ryu said, tear welling up in his eyes.
Slowly, the man stood, brushing his short light purple hair back. He wore a long red trench coat, black boots and pants. He took a few steps forward, but stooped, his smile turning to a frown, his eyes glancing at Ryu's trench coat. He pulled out a handgun, pointing it towards Ryu.
"I think it is obvious, I did kill them, by accident like the rest who are listed on my murder count. I only wanted to save the girl, but I ended up making a bigger mess." He said, looking at each of the people.
Ryu shook his head, he could already tell the man was lying; his voice easily gave that away, as well as his quick to the gun draw. Ryu only sighed, looking up to the man.
"You've changed...your not the kid I grew up with, your just an outlaw, a murderer, just what gives you the idea that killing will solve your problems?" Ryu snapped, shaking his head.
"You don't get it, these people think they can push me around, tell me what to do, what I should do.well, push me once, I just push back, but twice, then I attack." He said, his index slowly moving closer to the trigger, ready to push it.
Ryu drew out his gun, as he fired, the bullet striking the man in the leg, whose face went into shock, as he looked back at Ryu.
"You...you shot me! How could you...my only friend...shot me..." He disbelievingly said, raising his voice, as he then roared in anger.
He pulled the trigger, but his aim was not to accurate, as the bullet pierced Ryu's shoulder, as he moved out of the way, running for the bar counter, as the man shot furiously at him. Ryu landed flat to the alcohol soaked and shattered glass ground as he crawled, the bullets halted for as the man reloaded his weapon.
Ryu moved up, giving two shot near the man, the man turned, and fired back, this time his shot hitting Ryu within the shoulder, as Ryu fell back, hitting the wall, as he fell to the ground.
"I guess I have nobody to even trust, my own friend betrays me..." His gun remain focused to Ryu, who already was holding onto his wounded right shoulder.
Ryu glanced up, his arm moving up, pointing to the ceiling; he fired, the bullet breaking the line that helped keep the chandler up. Ryu's opponent though, caught glance of this as he jumped back, reloading his gun, and returned fire, Ryu strutting from side to side dodging the shots, he fired back, missing his target on purpose. The man moved slowly across the room, the wound from his leg greatly stopping him.
He shot back, as the two continued exchanged fire, moving from one area to another within the bar, but eventually, the man planned to end this, as he pulled out a lighter, pulling down on the lighter wheel, as he threw it to the area soaked in alcohol, a fierce flame followed, and soon began to burn the entire area, soon enough. Ryu knew his old friend was now his own enemy, and he had no choice but to finish the fight.
Getting in firing range, he aimed and fired, striking his opponent within the arms, legs and shoulders, the man fell to the ground, shivering form the inflicted pain. Ryu looked on, as he friend raised a hand, looking to him.
"Ryu...Help me....." He screamed, his eyes filled with tears, the flames spreading closer and closer.
Ryu only turned, his back now facing his friend, as he walked out of the place, his eyes closed, as he left, the man looking on in horror.
"Ryu!?" The man screamed louder, but Ryu walked on, the only thing keeping him from helping his friend was his voice, telling him he had no choice, the man had to be punished.
"RYU!!"
"Ryu?.....Ryu...Ryu...wake up." Slowly he opened his eyes, finding Nina standing over him, her lips frowning, worried about him.
"Nina...?" Slowly Ryu glanced over to the window, sunlight shining through, at the angle of a morning, around at least nine o'clock.
"You okay, you looked like you were having a nightmare." She asked with concern.
Ryu only shook his head, it was no dream, and it was something he wished to forget, something that haunted him, a guilt that never seemed to go away. In all his life, he never could forgive himself for what he had done on that day. He only could tell himself it was the right choice.
"Are you sure, I could swear you-"
"It is none of your concern Nina!!" He shouted, panting as he clenched his teeth.
Nina flinched, as he raised his tone, slowly backing away. Ryu sighed, as he shook his head.
"Sorry, it's just...that some things that happened.that seem to just return...that set me off, that past.regrets, things I try...to convince myself...was the right decision..." He said ever so mellow.
"Ryu..." Nina slowly walked closer, placing her hands on his shoulders, not saying another word; Ryu's breathing slowly returning to normal.
He slowly stood up, as he walked to the door, grabbing his holster and sword sheath as he walked out, wiping the tears from his eyes. He glanced to Nina, who face still seemed filled with concern. She slowly followed him, as they walked down the hallway, to the main desk, where the female clerk sat, reading the local news paper, papers and materials scattered all around the desk.
"Is my hit recorded?" Ryu asked, placing his hands, as he leaned closer, looking down at the annoyed clerk.
"Of course, here." She sarcastically responded, as she threw it at him along with a bag full of his money, before returning to reading the paper, a free hand twirling her long curly red hair, she continued chewing on her gum.
"Well, thanks anyway." Ryu deliberately commented, as he turned, walking towards the exit.
"Oh yeah, the bike outside is yours, the key is with the Fae, I gave it to her to hold on until you wake up, did you receive it?" Ryu glanced to Nina, who held it up, smiling innocently as Ryu started to get dressed up in his Peacemaker uniform.
Ryu sighed, he wasn't a good driver, when it came down to riding a motorcycle, it was a frustrating job for him. He never could drive one without wrecking like he had done to the one before. That for him was his biggest failure, but not anything he was embarrassed about, considering many walked, and that the bikes were a little to hard to even control.
Ryu though took it anyway, knowing his boss possibly sent it as a gift. Ryu was perhaps the only one who received anything like this, the others were given a good pay, but never anything like this. Ryu couldn't say no, the thing was already hard to come by, especially when it was a new model that was even harder to resist.
Still, Ryu decided to walk out and see what his boss had sent him this time. As he walked out into the somewhat near busy town, with chatter here and there, but right in front of him, there it was, in his favorite color, a navy blue type, with wheels placed on exclusively for terrain usage, and traveling, perhaps this was the baby that would take him through the desert at a more relaxing and easy drive. Nina ran over, looking it over in confusion, and excitement, never had her eyes even seen such a machine so great, it already seemed like something that was fancy, but with the right driver, it would be a relaxing ride.
Ryu watched on smiling, this was different, from the handles, the accelerator, and the size, it seemed like it was made to fit his handling, edited to his perfection. He took one step before he was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Well well well, what do we have here; two of the people I have been searching for, it must be my lucky day." Ryu stood frozen, his eyes widening in shock. Nina looked over, a puzzled look on her face.
The figure approached the red trench coat, the boots, and the aqua blue tinted glasses, the light purple hair, Ryu gasped, jaw opened, and eyes widened in horror, watching him approach.
"Alive, yes, you betrayed me Ryu, and left me to die in the flames of hell, and I want revenge for that." He muttered smiling.
"Draco...so you are still alive..." Ryu said, looking at him in fear.
"Don't tell me you reported I was dead, last I checked; I was still considered a criminal, but that's not why I am here." He mockingly responded as he looked to Nina.
"I am here for her, but if I am right, your protecting her, at least that is what the last batch of beaten cronies claimed." Draco commented laughing sadistically.
"Just why is it you scumbags are after her!?" Ryu yelled out loudly, as Draco only smiled.
"That is something you don't need to know, but considering you were my only friend as a child, I will tell you why that Fae is important." He spat, his tone brightened.
"The black market has put a bounty on a Fae's head, one worth around thirty five billion dollars. They want her alive though, why or for what is not my concern, I just want the money. Going through you though is another good reward, considering I hate you with all my heart, I will not rest until your dead!?" He yelled, drawing out his gun, and opening fire on where Ryu stood.
Immediately screams followed, as people began running in every direction, many inside the nearest area of cover that could be found, others got on whatever carriage, or horse they could find and rode out of town. The sight was obviously one that many had found best to run from, rather then stand and die. The town was not yet a ghost town, but was about to become silent an almost as run down as one.
"Nina, take cover and don't you dare interfere with this fight. This is between me and Draco!" he yelled furiously, drawing his weapon as he returned fire.
Nina didn't hesitate, by the serious and demanding tone Ryu had used, he wasn't joking when he had asked her to stay put and not interfere. She ran towards the alleyway of the ranger headquarters, planning to get inside and take cover until Ryu was victorious. She opened up the door nearby, getting inside, and slamming the door shut, as she ran all the way to the back, taking cover in a closet, she could tell from the flames in Ryu's eyes that he was about to encounter one tough fight, and it wasn't going to be a controlled one either.
"That man...He said Ryu left him to die...could it really be true, is Ryu...that heartless?" Nina thought, quivering at the idea, Ryu couldn't be evil, sure he may have been cold hearted when she met him, but he didn't just ditch her, he wouldn't leave her to die, would he? She already couldn't believe what the man said, he was Ryu's own friend as a child, but he was left to die in the flames.
"Draco...just what did Ryu do to you?"
Slowly she sat down, wrapping her arms around her legs, the thought of even Ryu being a murderous bastard was something she couldn't believe, sure he killed people, but those were outlaws, they were nothing but trouble, they deserved to die for all the murders they committed. She shrugged it off, she didn't know a damn thing of what occurred between the two; she had no right to even make an assumption of what went down then.
Outside almost everyone was out of sight, none stood outside, much less tried to even look outside, as the sound of gunshots echoed throughout town. Ryu ran across the front of the town's in, as bullet holes emerged from behind him among the walls. He jumped, counting each shot, suspecting that if his friend had a handgun, type 9mm, he had about eight bullets within one clip, and already seven were shot.
Ryu took a chance, making a clean jump, as he landed softly onto the ground front first. Draco though took off running, knowing full well he was a sitting duck without a loaded gun, especially for a Peacemaker. Ryu rolled over, firing three shots that easily missed the target, which already had started dashing when he noticed Ryu aiming for him.
Jumping to his feet, Ryu pursued Draco, running at full pace, gun grasped tightly, knowing full well his old friend would try and murder him at any given time. Draco made his way to the bar, jumping inside, Ryu slowed down, coming to a halt, as he held the gun up, glancing around, knowing his friend was plotting a attack from one of the windows, a shot that would take Ryu by surprise.
Ryu blinked, taking a deep breath, as he ran forth, keeping his eyes locked on each of the most optional uses of a shot, his heart throbbing fast, the suspense already high, as he finally busted through the twin mini doors, into the tavern. The whole place was abandoned, not a person in sight, silence, even not a dead bleeding corpse at all within the place.
"DIE!!" Ryu jumped to his side, a bullet landing where he last stood.
There behind the counter of the bar, the top wooden, but the lower part bronze, Draco was perched, his arms stationed on the top, and his gun marking its target, Ryu. He repeatedly fired upon the peacemaker, as Ryu ran from the entrance and exit of the saloon to the back of it, keeping his gun low, his face still remaining emotionless, hiding his fear.
Draco once more hid, as he ducked back behind the bar, as he reloaded his gun, locking a clip in. Ryu meantime grasp a chair and chucked it at full strength, sending it flying directly to the bottled alcohol behind the counter, a loud crash followed, the bottles shattering, the alcohol leaking onto the floor, the shards of broken glass falling to the ground. Draco growled, locking the clip into place, he jumped out form the closed by a bar counter, and once more fired away, but his accuracy was off by a good amount.
Ryu took chance, as he shot his last two bullets, the first that missed, the other easily pierced across Draco's cheek. Ryu ran once more, kicking a table up, and reloaded his weapon immediately. Draco smiled, spotting a familiar antiquity, as he closed one eye, gazing up at the area he planned to shoot at.
"What comes around goes around Ryu!" He yelled, and fired one shot, as the chandler fell down, smashing the table where Ryu was hiding behind.
Ryu had quickly reloaded his slots, and locked it in place before the chandler came crashing down on his position. He had immediately fled, and took cover around the bars one curved area, where he could remain for a good while. Draco laughed hysterically, he knew Ryu wasn't crushed; it was not like the guy to even die by a falling object and be crushed, but he was the one this time pulling the surprises.
"For someone who lost before, it is a wonder what the hell you have done these past two years; it is a wonder just why you didn't try and kill me the first time!!" Ryu spat, breathing ever so fast, his heart throbbing with great force.
"That is something that I doubt you need to know, either way, I think this time, you're the one who is going to be left in the fire." Draco said calmly, as the sound of a match scrapping across the rough but narrow black surface was heard, then a poof, it was obvious he planned to burn the bar down, and with Ryu inside.
"Now be a nice guy and die!" he remarked, walking outside and away from the bar.
Ryu knew there had to be a backdoor the place, how else would the innocent bystanders be able to leave the bar when Draco entered, and why didn't he kill them. Ryu knew Draco wasn't that kind of person, who killed people just for looking at him oddly, or just out of anger, he was more of a self defense type one, but he did have a problem when someone demanded that he moved, or give him problem.
He ran to the door with the Employees only sign on the door, he shoved it open, keeping up the pace, as he looked around, spotting the emergency exit at the end of the long hall. He kept running, he knew where Draco was heading, it was clearly obvious considering what he mentioned earlier, Nina was his next target, and Ryu knew full well just how far Draco would go to get what he needed, considering how many bank heists he pulled off, and murders he committed during them.
"Nina, please hang in there!?" He though, as he dashed to the alleyway, and through the now burning saloon, he approached the intersection of town, but stopped, bullet holes now lined up along the wall, only one person could have even made those shots.
"I suspected you were alive, I just didn't think you would be this persistent in protecting the Fae." Draco said, still pointing the gun at the alleyway Ryu was using.
Ryu remained in place, he kept his eyes out, knowing he had to make his move at some point, and he had to time it right or end up shot. He took a deep breath, and ran out, opening fire in the direction he estimated was where Draco was positioned. Draco shot as well his bullets hitting Ryu within the right leg, forcing him to cry out in pain.
Ryu though had hit Draco as well; two out of his six shots fired had hit Draco in the stomach and the other in his right shoulder. The two now were handicapped, Draco in two areas that would affect his aim and Ryu in the one thing that help him avoid the shots his opponents made. The two aimed once more at one another, Draco having no more bullets, Ryu as well empty of ammunition in his colt pistol.
The still pulled the triggers of their weapons, the sound of an empty cartridge was all that was heard, a click, the two repeatedly pulled, but to no avail, the guns only sound was a click. Both glance eye to eye within the middle of the towns market, their free hands to their sides, waiting for the right time to reach in and pull out the bullet, one that would end the battle by death shot. Ryu panted, he knew he had no choice, time was almost going so slow that each second seemed like an hour, he had to make his move, but was his hands quicker then his opponents eyes?
At that moment he reached into his pocket, picking up a bullet, as he opened his gun placing it into the next slot, Draco doing the same, only releasing the empty clip, he pulled out a clip with one bullet inside, and placing it into the gun, before locking it in place. Ryu locked his barrel in place, and at the same time as Draco both fired away, their guns being hit and flew back a few feet behind them.
Both looked to one another, with death eyes, Ryu reaching behind, as he grabbed his sword, knowing full well Draco had his own, it was haltered at his left side, the opposite side of his own holster. As Ryu charged forth, grasping his sword tightly in his hands, Draco drew out his sword, as he stood, motioning Ryu to 'bring it on' with his fingers.
Ryu was first to strike, as Draco blocked, but slowly moved back, his face showing he was struggling. Ryu though already was having trouble even keeping himself standing, with the leg bleeding from the wound, the two though ignored the pain and kept fighting, each time changing from one to offense, the other on defense.
Nina remained in hiding, the outside quiet, the gunshots had seemed to stop, all seemed quiet, but she wasn't going to get out until Ryu came in and told here it was all right. The door suddenly was pulled open, Nina looked up, her eyes widening in horror, it wasn't Ryu who opened the door, it was a female holding a shotgun in her hands.
The girl was a carrot long haired female, human in every way, no tail nor ear differences, her eyes yellow, like a cats, her body truly well kept, skinny and tanned skin, but her rear end seemed a bit large, but nowhere near a tramps. She dressed though a bit fancy, a southern skirt that went down to her ankles, it was a sandy brown color, only with black buttons that didn't fit the camouflage. Her boots were a white elastic type, under he pantyhose she had covering her legs. Her chrome shotgun was a more antique type, but the barrel was more advanced for more explosive bullet shells.
"Get up Fae!?" She commandingly ordered, her tone harsh, as she aimed the gun forcibly to Nina's skull.
Nina had little choice; she slowly stood to her feet, the female smiled, as she then motioned for Nina to start walking. Nina though was a bit cleverer; she knew full well that if she was worth a lot alive on the black market, then this lady wouldn't even try to kill her. She slowly followed through, but using her magic ring on her left hand, she would easily surprise her enemy.
It only took a second, as the ring unleashed a wind spell, pushing the armed female to the ground, landing roughly on her soft yet large behind. Nina immediately started running, fleeing from the room as she shut the door, running to the outside. The girl though, quickly grabbed her gun, and taking the chair nearby, she chucked it to the window, breaking the grass, as she jumped through, and looked around, waiting for Nina to flee through the door.
Nina burst through the door, but halting to a stop, noticing the one she had run from had already caught up with her. The girl held the gun at her smiling.
"Just who the hell are you!?" Nina yelled, clenching her fists.
"The name is Lecha, and I plan to help Draco out by capturing you, since he is held up at the moment attacking your boyfriend." She raucously said smiling, as she held the gun near her head.
"B-b-b-boyfriend!? Ryu's not my b-b-b-" She said stuttering, her cheeks blushing at the thought, sure, she did depend on him in times of need, but she wasn't in a relationship like Lecha had mentioned.
"Aw, your blushing, how pathetic, from your looks, I would say your around your twenties, and yet you act like your still a teenager, how embarrassing." She mockingly commented, firing two feet in front of Nina, as she chuckled.
"So, what about you and Draco, I bet you want to win his heart by capturing me, don't you." Nina said, smirking with pride.
"Well, I see you're not as dumb as the blonde hair makes you look." Lecha said, as Nina's face went red in anger.
"Yes, I have been with him ever since his friend abandoned him to die, the bastard, I am surprised you even trust him." Nina face became more emotionless; it seemed this female knew what had happened on that day.
"What do you mean, just what did Ryu do that makes Draco want his blood so bad, why do the two fight?" Nina asked entreatingly, her hands almost clasping together in pleading motions.
Lecha slowly lowered her gun, closing her eyes, as she took a deep sigh.
"Two years ago, in the town known as Grandel, your friend left Draco in a bar, screaming at the top of his lungs for him to help, but all he did was walk out, and away, leaving the wounded Draco to die right there in the inferno. I though heard his cries, and rushed in, I found him unconscious, and loosing blood fast. So I picked him up, and pulled him out, taking him to a inn, where for a few days, I treated him, treating his wounds, feeding him, nursing him back to health. When he finally came two, he did try and sway me off, but I still stayed at his side, proving worthy to be his partner." She then raised her shotgun back up.
"Ryu...he wouldn't." Nina said, her eyes widened in shock, she wouldn't believe it, even as tough as Ryu acted, he still had a kind and yet gentleness that not many males had.
"He did, and I saw it with my own eyes, Ryu left him to die!!" She said harshly, Nina glancing to the ground, she knew it was no use, she wasn't there, and whoever this woman was, she had every idea of what had happened on that day.
"Even if he did, he has reasons, Draco and you I doubt are even good people, your manners seem more hostile and threatening then even polite." Nina uprightly commented, her eyes locking directly onto Lecha's.
"Polite? Fae, this world is a world where politeness is the least thing we give, it is a struggle to even live in this place. Your clan abandoned this world and cut links because they considered us unworthy!" She shouted raising her voice.
"That's not true, we don't-"
"Face it, you don't even know why, your clan said we were violent, hostile, and ruthless, but do you see it as that?"
Nina could only shake her head, she had no clue just why her clan did close ties to the planet, was she perhaps another person that was only told a fib, a cover up story that was used on numerous occasions. Though she didn't care, she remembered why she left her home, she was in search of the true world, even if outlaws roamed the entire lands, she still knew that their was still some peace, some stability left in the world.
"No...I see it as a world where there are those who try to make a living, even in the darkest hour, you only reflect off the scum of this world, never searching for a joy, you are the one that turns to the ways of malice and become the ones my clan so despises! It is you that my clan fears!" Nina shouted, Lecha only growling at the tone the Fae was giving her.
"We don't choose malice, we follow it, nobody is born good, or evil, we are forged to be what we are by experience, like a blacksmiths creations, that is how life is Fae." Lecha despicably responded, as she raised her weapon, aiming for the Fae once more.
"You won't shoot me; I am wanted alive, if I am correct." Nina scorned, pulling her left eyelid down and sticking out her tongue.
"True, but I still can bring you back wounded." Lecha responded taking aim and firing directly at her, Nina though jumped up taking flight. The shots missed the Fae, as she took flight, and hastily gathering elemental magic energy.
"You Fae's never were combatants, just magic users." Lecha scowled, as she aimed her rifle up, but Nina kept moving affecting the accuracy of Lecha's shot.
"Then take this, SEVER!!" Nina shouted, as a rough amount of winds came sweeping through, the force slashing against Lecha's face, sending her once more flying back, but this time, her shotgun went further from her, that she had to run and get it.
Nina smiled, glimpsing down at the now unarmed female.
"At least magic isn't something that is so easily lost by just one blow." Nina said, flying over to where the gun laid, she landed to the ground, crossing her arms, standing right where the gun flew.
"Only a newbie of magic doesn't know that, QUAKE!!" As if by surprise, Lecha sent a ground tunneling attack directly towards the Fae, knocking Nina back and onto her back.
Lecha immediately rushed in, grasping her gun tightly, as she aimed towards Nina once more.
"Draco doesn't hire someone who is just a gunsmith, he has needs of a magic user, and I fit that part perfectly." She said cheerfully.
Nina stood slowly to her feet, holding her arms up; she had just about no choice but to surrender. Lecha slowly walked over, her lips still curled up, as she looked her over.
"Well, for some girl who is so well mannered, it is a wonder why you're dressed in such a humiliating outfit such as that." Lecha degradingly said, circling around Nina.
"Lecha, time to learn how much hell you are about to deal with!" She said, as she used her ring once more, throwing Lecha back and onto the ground.
Nina once more took flight, hovering over her opponent, keeping her eyes on Lecha, locked tightly, but her ears though caught a loud rumble, a revving of a loud engine, the type of a cars, she glimpse to the distances quickly, still looking down, but her eyes found just what she was searching for, a few miles from town was huge rowdy bunch of gunmen, driving at full speed towards the town that Nina was in, dust follow as they sped towards the city.
Lecha slowly walked over to her gun, still glancing to the Fae, but noticing that she wasn't glimpsing to her at all, and the loud sound of motors now echoed throughout town. Nina slowly flew to where Ryu and Draco were fighting.
The two men clashed one blade to another, already both sweating with the intense heat, near twelve o'clock. Ryu finally finished him off, as he swung hard with all his strength, forcing Draco's sword from his own grasp, sending it flying several feet from where they stood. Draco growled, still looked with dead locked eyes onto Ryu. Ryu only sighed, dropping his sword, as he ran forth, slugging Draco within the jaw. Draco as well began a fist fight, both throwing one punch to another, Ryu giving several to the gut and three to the jaw, Draco punching Ryu in the cheeks and jaw in several swings.
Both soon pushed each other off, as they looked to one another, bleeding from their mouths and noses, eye to eye, panting deeply, as they roared, running forth, and throwing more punches, Ryu striking around the shoulders and face, Draco in response to the gut, and giving an uppercut to the jaw. Ryu as if by sudden lifted his foot up, and shoved Draco back, as he breathed hard, glancing with a now bloodied face to his heartless opponent.
Abruptly out of nowhere, a huge ground shifting blast, struck Draco, knocking him out, he fell to the ground with a loud thud, Nina standing a few feet from where the two once stood.
"Damn it Nina, I said not to interfere!?" Ryu yelled, slowly walking staggeringly over to her with a blood dripping face.
"Calvary, there are around nine cars driving towards this town, and by the looks of the men hanging from outside, it looks more like they are packing heat, and it isn't no rifles." She stated whiningly, pointing in the direction of where they were coming from.
Ryu glanced to the fallen Draco, then glancing to his still usable navy blue bike.
"Damn, guess we don't have much of a choice." He groaned, but ran to it anyway, getting on the soft yet still new cushioning seat, Nina getting behind, putting her arms behind his back, dangling the keys, Ryu grasping them, and placing them into the ignition area, as he revved the engine, starting the bike up, he placed the goggles on his head, and hitting the accelerator roughly, he sped out, driving at full speed to the area opposite of where Nina pointed, as he sped out, the sand shifting in huge waves, like water with a boat, he grasped the easy to use handles with ease, handling it even better then her could ever have.
Draco slowly stood, growling as he watched the two escaping from town. Ryu though leaned down, as he grasped the gun that lay on the ground, his own silver colt magnum and placing it in his holster. Draco stood, howling in anger, he gazed to the ground, panting, already he felt the bitterness of defeat, and losing his target was the second thing he so hated.
"Draco.....!?" Slowly his angry face glanced over to Lecha, who looked at him with distress, her eyes widened, as she walked over, once more placing her arms around his shoulders.
"You were suppose to capture that Fae, and you failed!?" He muttered, growling angrily, but fell to his knee's as the pain was so great.
"Now is not the time to argue, we must get you to safety, it appears we have more trouble heading our way. By the sound of the loud rumbling, I think it is obvious they are from the black markets flunkies." She said, casting a healing spell, slowly humming as she cast the low type, but still effective type.
"Damn, just my day, I lose a great bounty, my one target and now this." He muttered, breathing deeply.
"C'mon, I know a place where we can lay low, and I doubt those fools will find us." She calmly spoke, as she led Draco to a nearby house, picking up his gun that was nearby, as the two entered through the door, moving ever so quickly.
She immediately entered the house, opening the secret compartment, pulling on a certain book, opening the bookcase, and heading down to a cellar, as the door immediately closing behind, she carefully and slowly carried Draco the bed in the room below, a cozy neatly made bed. Lecha slowly lifted Draco onto the bed, pulling the covers over him, her hands rubbing around his chest, as she breathed softly.
"Draco.well get them, but for now, we must lay low, you and I are in no shape to even rumble with the thugs that are here." She softly said, as Draco glanced back, smiling, as his hand slowly moved to her, his eyes glancing to hers.
Lecha softly clamped his hands, stroking them with ever so relaxing way. She leaned over, kissing him on the cheek, blushing a bit, as he wrapped his free arm around her back, and pulled her closer.
"Lecha, you failed...and so did I, but...I may be known as Draco 'Hundred Kills' Carter, and indeed, I did murder so many with no regrets to them.you though.I could never murder, not after you saved me.and stood by me, even after you learned my true identity." He said softly, slowly falling asleep.
"Draco, I love you." She said, a tear falling down her face.
"I know.not many could stand by me, unless they had a crush...I do share the same feeling, but I am not sure if it is love, or just trust..." He replied, but smiled.
"Don't think about it now, lets just relax...there is always tomorrow, yes, tomorrow." Lecha said, leaning over, as she fell asleep along with her love.
***
"Damn, any sign of that Fae!?"
"Not yet, were searching each house, but it appears that there is no trace of her." Responded the flunky holding a Tec-9, and who wore a long black jacket.
"Great, must have fled, what about the other target, the one known as Draco 'Hundred Kills' Carter, any sign of him?" The captain demanded, clenching his fist.
"Perhaps the same, he isn't anywhere to be found either. Though by the damage left on this town, it no doubt he was here." The flunky said.
"That Peacemaker still is with here, knowing them, the only other town they should be heading for is Rondale, a few miles to the east. Call in the boys, were heading to Rondale ASAP." The captain said, getting into the car.
"So the Fae is still on the move aye?"
"Afraid so sir, it appears that other bounty on the head of Draco will also be in our grasp as well." The captain replied through the walkie talkie.
"I don't care about that fool, even though he has a bounty on his head on our market, his price isn't anything to the Fae, so get your own damn heads out of your asses and move it!!" The man yelled unpleasantly with anger, that it sent chills through the captain's body.
"Y-y-yes sir, will do." He said fearfully, the voice obviously a cold one.
As each of the flunkies reported in, not one had any good news; the Fae indeed wasn't within their grasp and had high tailed it out of there. The men immediately revved up their engines and drove off to the east, heading to the possibly next town on the list, Rondale.
***
Nina looked to Ryu, still holding onto his shoulders as the two drove off to the next town, the moter wasn't so loud, but more of a cats purr. Nina though felt confused; she already remembered what Lecha had told her, about Ryu leaving Draco to die, about how he and Ryu were once close friends. Nina could only see a more kind and gentle person in Ryu, not a cold and heartless killer. She knew she had to get some answers, and she wanted them now.
"Ryu?" She asked, with a normal tone.
"Yes Nina?" He said sternly, but not so annoyed.
"Did you...did you leave Draco...to die...in that bar?" She asked, gulping in fright.
"Why do you ask?" He replied strongly.
"Lecha, his partner said you left him to die... when he called out your name."
"I didn't expect him to die, but he had to learn his lesson. He is known better as Hundred Kills because he has murdered over hundreds of people, many of them innocent people, he is one of the worst outlaws to ever run into. His record has him also wanted for rape, robbery, assault, arsonist, and of course forgery. When I confronted him, he killed all those people in that bar, and he was already becoming hostile with me, leaving me no choice but to fight." He said, shaking his head.
"You still considered him a friend, huh?" Nina replied calmly.
"The Draco I knew as a child Nina is dead." He said raising his voice.
"You knew?" She said confused.
"Draco was my only childhood friend, back then he was a bit kinder, but.....he was also abused by his drunken father..." Ryu stopped there.
"So what happened?" Nina asked.
"Nina, I would rather not explain...it isn't something I am up to telling yet...it is something that I want to even think about." He said arrogantly.
Nina didn't say anything, she had a feeling that whatever it was that had went on in the past wasn't pleasant, and Ryu wasn't in a good mood to even tell it, even after all the years that had passed. She only looked on, into the opened sandy wasteland, with only a few cactuses in sight. She looked up the ever blue sky, with only a few clouds roaming through.
Ryu shook his head, he remembered what happened on the day Draco ran away, he remembered what had happened.
"Draco.....whats wrong, speak to me, why are you crying?" Ryu asked, his eyes widened.
Draco, around the age of thirteen, only stood there, holding a handgun in his hands, a colt 9, as he breathed, tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Ryu...I cannot stay here...your parents, they will never understand..." He said sobbing.
"Draco...Understand what?" Ryu asked once more.
"My dad...he's dead...and.."
"Ryu, whose there?"
"It is only Draco dad." Ryu said, looking away, but as he glanced back, there was no sign of Draco, he was long gone, and not a trace of him remained. His father walked over, looking around.
"I don't see him, c'mon; get back inside before you let the bus in." He replied, as Ryu went in.
Ryu only heard the next day that Draco's father had been shot in the head, the bullet from a colt 9 handgun, proving that Draco was indeed a killer. Ever since then, Draco slowly sunk down into a life of crime, murder after murder, ever since that day. Ryu had lost his friend ever since that day, and since then, the two had drifted apart, and now where nothing more then arch enemies, complete opposites.
It was two years since he had seen him, and by now, he was burning for revenge. If there was one thing that Draco had that was greatly troubling, it was his grudge, one thing he was known for was holding them, and considering what Ryu had done, Draco was out for revenge, and he wasn't going to give up anytime soon.
Next Time:
There are many faces you see and at times meet with during your travels. Faces of beauty can hide a pure evil hearted person within themselves, and a face so hideous can hide the ever so calm and bright nature of the true person of heart. Wes is a Woren with a huge coffin that is said to carry the bodies of those he has killed in battle, but the rumor is not always the true as the one who tells it.
Next Chapter: Chain Gun Woren