In a more dim lit bar, most of it filled with the rowdy drunks already
yelling loudly. Around the bar sat an innocent long eared grassrunner, long
flocks of pink hair falling down to lower back, a blue cap flowing down her
back, a large white blouse covering most of her upper body, hanging on her
small frame. Her lower area having a thigh hugging skirt that went down to
her knees. Her black high heel boots twiddled on the edge of the stool, as
she sighed taking a sip of her drink. She had on a small pair of glasses,
the reading types that she used mostly when she was reading a novel or
watching something.
"Well, wudda we have 'ere?" Came a drunks voice, as he pressed his hand on her shoulder, clasping it tightly.
"You're a prety sight ta see." The drunk bellowed, his breath already had the smell of alcohol in it.
"Fuck off you drunk." She snapped, elbowing him in the gut.
"Ey, you gots some nerve thinkin ye can elbow me in the gut, now I'm gonna bruise that pretty little face of yours." He remarked, grabbing her by the hairs and turned her to face him, as he slapped her across the face.
"You ain't gonna be pushin' me off anymore missy." He shouted, the bar still continuing their normal chatter.
At that moment a mug was thrown from behind, smashing the masculine drunk smack dab in the back of the head, smashing as it impacted in the back of his head.
"Ey! 'oo da bloody-hell threw dat!?" He yelled turning to glance behind him.
"I did dumbass, and I suggest you take you hands off that girl and get your damn brute ass outta this town." The woren a few stools from where the drunk stood called out, as he glanced at him with ever so bitter eyes.
"Yous Worens ain't so toughs, specially when yous gets in a fights wit us." The thug said, the bar had grown silent when the woren threw the mug, and a few thugs at the tables now stood from their chairs.
"Heh, so your with a crummy gang of thugs, don't make me laugh, I could take out every single one of your asses if you dared even tried to get me." The woren said standing from his chair.
"Wuts dat! Yous really are a foolish one to thinks ye can jus mock us. Time we taught ya a lesson in respect!" The thug yelled as a few thugs began to advance in on the woren.
In the blink of an eye, the woren was first to throw the punch, hitting each in the face as they flew back knocking a few thugs down. A few others ran in from the right, the woren this time throwing a tornado kick that hit the thugs with a force that was dangerous enough to kill.
"Get'em, get'em, kill da bastard!" The drunk yelled as more rush in, only to be hit with fist that blazed at a speed the naked eye could never catch.
The fists impacted directly around the gut, shoulders, and face, hitting the offensive thugs all over in a few seconds, as each fell to the ground from the pain. The woren stood there, brushing his hands together as he wiped the sweat off his forehead taking a sigh.
"Wut, deres no way ye could've taken all me men out." The drunk yelled in disbelief.
"I just did, and if you don't get out of my sight in five seconds, your gonna join them on the ground." The woren said, as he cracked his knuckles the way any fighter would, pressing them down into a ninety degree angle using his palm.
The drunk only growled, as he ran forward mindlessly, roaring as if to try and scare the woren out of his wits. The woren only remained silent, as he lifted his foot up at point blank with the thug, who smashed into it, and stumbled back, dazed by the hit. The woren continued again, this time with an uppercut that sent the bastard flying onto a table and smashing it in two.
The girl glanced at him, surprised that someone had beaten the living shit out off that many thugs with his bare hands. The woren glanced over with a welcoming smile.
"Long time no see, Kiki." He greeted welcomingly, as she gasped, her face surprised as tears formed in her eyes.
"Wes!!" She cried running over to him, and hugging him tightly.
She buried her face deep within his chest, as he in return hugged her back.
"Surprised you remember me." He replied rubbing her back.
***
The smashing of marble balls smashed into one another, breaking apart the triangle set balls, each aligned in a lest to greatest number order. The set was scattered all along the table, the red stripe went into the left pocket at the far side from the shooter.
"Heh, you always seem to call strips it seems Thomas." Hudson commented, watching his rival opponent of billiards moving to another area.
"You know me, I always love to make the long range shots... but with the cue ball so close to them, the fun just lost its hype." Thomas sadly replied, kneeling over to make his next shot.
"Well, you only beat me a couple of times, maybe this time you may break the current wining strike." Hudson said, watching as Thomas made another shot, sending the blue strip ball directly into the middle pocket on his opposite side.
Thomas only smirked as he tapped softly on the cue ball, necking the strip fourteen ball that was near the same pocket the first ball went into.
"So tell me Hudson, how are we going to get the Fae? Seems we have a traitor and as expected that dumbass Duane is dead." He remarked taking aim at the cue ball to hit at another stripped ball near the pocket directly across the one he had made his shot from.
"I wouldn't know Mai never did meet me personally. You forget, the regents who joined us after the Dragon Purge never did meet all. Mai is one among them as are about a few others..." Hudson noted, with a deep sigh.
"Mai is too concern with the public then she is with us." Came a voice from the corner.
"Fox, just what brings you here?" Hudson asked, knowing the voice.
"Well, I was wondering, is that 'vampire' still optional for use?" He asked with a sly smile.
Thomas slipped up, as his shot went a foot from his original shooting position. He glanced over a the half-breed kitsune, his teeth clenched.
"You can't be serious?" He remarked in anger.
"Well Tommy-boy, I see you never do change, then again, you almost did become the first ones victim when it went berserk if I am correct?" Fox remarked rudely.
"That is not any concern, tell the guards you have my full permission and remember, don't let that remote for the anti-serum nanos fall into its hands. That bastard is can duplicate any area of its body, no matter how many times you slice an arm or even his head off. Its immortal, but it cannot be trusted, even if we gave it a child's mind; it still is just as deadly." Hudson warned with a near fearful tone.
"Hudson, the first one turned on us in the heat of the battle, there's no telling what he will do... especially if we send him after the Fae." Thomas stated.
"True, but that thing could very well take care of our little nuisances, and then the Fae shall be ours." Hudson noted with a smile.
"I still need proof Hudson, just because I am a regent doesn't mean they are going to let me through." Fox noted holding out his hand.
"Take this, it will be enough." Hudson said throwing a personal seal of Auron with his direct signature on the back.
"I bid you both adieu." He said, vanishing just as fast.
The room was quiet, before Thomas coughed, catching Hudsons attention.
"Your shot... since I missed." Thomas said, crossing his arms.
"Guess your losing streak continues." Hudson replied, as he walked over to the cue ball, planning his shot.
***
The party had decided split up to do some exploring for their own. Ichiro decided to stay at the inn, concentrating on his own meditation, Mai at the food store, mostly getting supplies for herself and three other people, the woren mostly she wanted to have nothing since he was still such an asshole towards her when she admitted to being a spy for the regents.
As for Ryu and Nina, the two were presently in a theater house, watching an on stage show. The title was known as 'Passion Oasis', a hit that attracted many to the town of Delfina. Many theaters had plays such as this, with several talented actors, and great prompts set up on stage. Ryu may not have been much for any musical, but when it comes to trying to resist a cute face as Nina's, he was finding it harder and harder to resist it when she frowned.
The play recently ended, as a crowd of people came out, the sappy types already in tears, Nina being one of them.
"It was so sad how he had to die like that, just for her own life." Nina sobbingly said, blowing her nose.
Ryu only remained quiet, he only listened to some of the movie, but ignored most of it.
"Ryu, what did you think of it?" She asked, glancing up at him.
"I don't know, I fell asleep halfway into the play." He said with a yawn.
"Grr, you really are a pain Ryu, why can't you just try and feel some emotion for some play?" She asked with a already saddened glance.
"Nina, if I did see that death, I wouldn't have cried. I don't get all emotional just over a play. I lost many who were dear to me so many times, but now... I feel nothing for just some tragic play." He coldly replied.
"Hmph, always trying to be the tough guy huh? For once could you try and be somewhat caring?" She asked snuggling against him, as her wings flapped against her body.
"Doesn't risking my ass off to keep you safe count enough. Sheesh, I ain't emotional and I sure as hell won't fall to that level. I never did like poetry to much anyway." He said still walking ahead.
Nina was about to get him, when she noticed something else. Tallhouse Bistro known for its gourmet cooking that combined several foods together. It was also pricey, only the rich and wealthy would be able to afford such food.
"Ryu, I'm getting hungry... could we stop and get something to eat?" She asked, putting on the sad face once more, knowing he was weak to say no to.
"Nice try, but we ain't eating here, that place is more expensive then our zenny could ever afford, much more we are on the verge of poverty and were gonna be broke if we do eat here." He remarked eyeing her.
"Aw, your such a meanie!" She pouted, crossing her arms and looking away.
"Look, someday we can come back here, until then we have to keep our zenny intact, remember, I still need ammo to fight those gunsmith regents off and we have to watch out spending. Wes wouldn't like it if we did spend so much." Ryu replied, walking away from the still disappointed Nina who followed slowly behind.
***
Wes seemingly out of character cut his hand grasping the cutting knife tightly as he cut a small piece of the meat off slowly bringing it to his mouth as he nibbled the small chunk slowly before cutting himself another piece.
"With the way you dressed, I never thought you learned to be delicate with you table manners." Kiki replied with a giggle.
"I have to show some class, since the prices here are expensive to rob me. Sides, you did say this was the best place in town, right?" Wes asked, after swallowing his piece.
"True, but you always will be that boy who stands up for the weak. That's the reason why I remember you so well... ever since that day." She said, leaning onto her positioned forearm that was kept on the table.
Kiki slowly thought back to that day, the day when Wes first had stood up for her.
She was around nine years old and more of a bookworm then anyone else. As usual, kids never did learn to respect people who were different then them, especially the weak types. Kiki was sadly one of them, a person who was deep in reading novels and never participating in sports or other athletic activities. The kids though one day decided to mock her, by ganging up on her.
"Where you going nerd, going to read you books again?" One of the punks cried, shoving her back into another.
"Yeah four eyes, I swear, you read too much." One of the others commented, shoving her to the ground, as she fell down.
"Are those books the only friends you have Kiki. Hah, you haven't got a friend in the world." Another replied, laughing mockingly at her.
She was indeed someone who was picked on, by everyone just about, just because she was different they all were picking on her and never gave her any bit of respect. They always picked on her, taking her things and making a fool out of her by tossing it to each other, keeping it away from her. Other times they played pranks on her, easily making a bigger fool out of her. When she told the teacher, she never successfully was able to prove they had done it, since nobody ever did admit they saw anything.
"Why don't you punks leave her alone?" Yelled a furious voice from a figure that walked out towards them.
"Wes, you got a nerve to mess with us." One of them stated, as he put his fist up.
Wes said nothing, only walking up to the bully and giving a narrowed eye glance, as he threw a fake punch, before delivering a blow by foot to the boys testis, the shot easily bringing the kid to his knees, as Wes kicked him over. More ran towards him, only to be beaten by a storm of raging fists that pounded them rapidly, forcing them to the ground, noses now flooding with streams of blood, as each started to cry from the pain.
Wes walked over, as he knelt down, helping Kiki with her things. At first she was frightened, thinking he was only here to take her for himself, before he picked up her books, stacking them in a neat pile and handed them to her with a friendly smile. Kiki knew by that smile that he was there for her, why else would he stand up to any of the punks that had picked on her so many times.
"Don't worry, if they pick on you again, I will make sure they get beaten to the point they are braindead." He said cracking his knuckles.
Kiki frowned shaking her head, as Wes now was confused.
"No? But they won't stop picking on you, they will just keep bullying you til you cry." He remarked, but she only held her glance.
"But they don't deserve to be beaten to death. They just need to be punished. Violence is not always the answer... even if it gets some of the job done." She lectured, almost crying under her breath.
Wes would have said more, but he knew she was right, he didn't need to just beat them down to the point that they were dead, he should just have given them a few punches to the face and they would learn.
"Fine, but let me-"
"Well Wes, it seems you still never learn to stop this violent temper of yours." The headmistress of the orphanage commented, as she gave a scowl look to the young woren.
"They were picking on Kiki, so I gave what should've been given to them." He shouted spitting as did.
"I won't hear it, that does not excuse the use of such things here. Come with me." She shouted grabbing his arms.
"Fine, but Kiki's going with me as well." He replied, grabbing her.
"No she's no. Your going to be punished, alone."
The two did argue, but eventually the mistress hesitated, seeing the girl was a bit more brightened eyed then usual. While Kiki did go with them, she waited in plain view while Wes took a spanking, since it was the way they were punished. Still, it was that day that he and Kiki became close to each other, friendship wise at least.
Slowly she came back to reality, as she glanced dreamy eyed at the now full grown woren who sat before her.
"I sure was such a fighter back then, but I just couldn't stand seeing you get picked on like that." He remarked with a frown of regret on his face.
"You were the only one who at least stood by me, the only one who tried to be my friend. I guess that day I was adapted, it was sad to leave. Yet that was my life of hell, they beat me and used me only for their own gain. I was eventually abandoned and forced to live out on the street. I was rapped several times, the horror is something I only wish to never have seen or wish to ever face again. Still, what is past is past, and right now, I don't want to think of my past right now, especially when I have found someone who I truly can still depend on." She replied glancing gleefully at the woren.
"Well, I wish I could say the same, but I ain't the same guy I was when I was younger. I guess I just sloped down to a slob." He stated, scratching the back of his head.
"You seem still the same; you helped me out back there in the bar, so how could you have changed?" She asked wondering why he seemed so doubt worthy of himself.
Wes told her of the past life, how he became a worker at a shipping station, his years of more hopeless flirting, and how he had also turned to being a lone gun hunting for the Black Market, but left out a lot of details, mostly of Ryu and Nina, not wanting to get someone like Kiki involved in something such as this.
"Well, you've been through a lot, havencha?" She asked with a sly grin.
"Yeah, but you don't seem too disturbed, I mean, considering how I always tried to flirt with every pretty face." He answered feeling ashamed.
"You will always be that boy who defended me when I was young, even if it was for only six years." She confirmed with as sigh.
"First time someone called me a hero. So what do you do for a living anyway?" He asked, still curious.
"Well, secretary work, but I am taking a vacation." She mentioned, still glancing at him.
Wes somehow couldn't help it, but he never did go on dates to much. This was nearly a date, since he and Kiki were catching up with times. Somehow, she seemed to have changed, but something about still seemed hidden, but whatever it was, Wes only was glad to have found someone he had once knew in that ever so boring orphanage he grew up in.
***
The door slowly opened, as Mai walked in, a few bags within her hands, as she set them down on the counter, taking a deep breath of relief.
She already bought enough food to supply a few of the party, mostly four people, considering that she wasn't going to help the woren who always went a-wall on her. She strolled into the luxury room, flopping herself down into the cushioned chair. Ichiro still remained in meditation, keeping his legs and arms crossed, breathing normally as he remained in his tranquil state.
Mai would've woke him up, but seeing as she was tired from carrying some of the food, and leaving the other things in the dune buggy. Her mind still wondered, she knew the Gunsmith regents would be going after their party and considering her betrayal, she would be marked for death.
"Well Ichiro, I hope your skills are enough to aid us in this battle against those regents. These guys are truly more vicious then anything you will ever meet in this lifetime." She remarked, taking a deep sigh, glancing out to the peaceful blue sky.
"Hell knows who their gonna send next... but one things that's certain, it won't be an easy fight." She remarked shaking her head.
***
The halfbreed kitsune slowly walked over to the bunker ahead, still clenching the card that Hudson gave him to grant clearance. The kitsune had a not so original choice of clothing, a black leather vest with a long white collared T-shirt underneath the vest, long black trousers that came down to his leather brown boots and the cowboy hat he wore always, black like most of his clothing. His face a bit near the early twenties in looks with short whiskers coming from his chin.
"Hold it, this is a restricted a-"
"Magnum Fox of the Gunsmith Regents, clearance authorized and granted by the Vice CEO of Auron and leader of the Gunsmith Regents Hudson Taylor. I'm sure this card is proof enough that he has granted me access into this facility." Fox mentioned holding the card up to the two military personnel.
The two glanced at it, before stepping aside and giving him a salute.
"Our apologies Sir Fox, you are granted access within this area. Be very cautious to your surroundings." They mentioned as he walked by, not concern with what they called him.
"Now then... let's see just what kinda worrier this place has frozen in that tube." The fox said walking along the ever so narrow hallway, feeling the chilly area already grow colder as her reached closer to the main entrance to the lab that held the life form.
Fox input the password, being told ahead of time what it was by one of the facility's security guard by surveillance. He punched in the numbers, as the door slowly opened; finding himself in one very cold freezer, frost covering ever area of the place, including the capsule where the beast was kept. Tubs were hanging down from the ceiling, connected to the main capsule that sheltered the beast.
"Well, so this is the second of the vampires, the one beyond prototype. Mindless or not, it best get the fae alive." Fox remarked as he pressed the button to unleash it.
The room turned from a dark blue lighted room to a red hot room that began to smoke. The Frost started to melt down, the capsule now unthawed as the ice within the capsule, the water now being drained down, as the creature began stirring, its body pale gray, and its eyes pure white as snow. The teeth all normal with long fangs burrowing up, little cloths it wore, but it would regain some.
"Well then, what have we here... Lustblood... hmm, guess you are a vampire with that name." The fox remarked as he walked around.
"What the bloody hell do you want?" The creature groggily commented.
"Simple, I need your help to deal with these fools. The target is a blue haired man named Ryu, he is guarding a blond fae that Auron has ordered secretly the capture of her. I want you to kill the man and capture the fae, at all cost; she must be brought back alive." Fox calmly mentioned, not meeting eye contact with the creature.
"And if I refuse?" Lustblood rasped once more.
"Simple, you will suffer." Fox mentioned, as he pulled out the remot and pressed the green button, the creature squirmed feeling the shock of hell grasping him.
"Bastard, always with the remote nanos, guess I have no choice, but to aid. Still, if the girl is pretty, I'm gonna have some fun with her." He remarked snickering.
"Don't tempt me, remember, I hold the remote. That capsule though isn't thick, just a mere one punch break and your out. So why resist escaping?" Fox asked, wondering what was holding Lustblood back.
"Simple, if you were fully aware, if this was opened from either side, then the nanobot's will activate in me and kill me. Unless you impute the code to deactivate the program, then you have my sworn loyalty. One toll for another wouldn't you agree?" Lustblood asked with a smile.
"Hmm, sounds tempting, but remember, you fall out of line, you die. This isn't the only remote Auron created; this is just the first, known full well to react within a few second delay. I doubt that time would help you out." Fox lectured, as he crossed his arms.
"It is not any of your concern, I am not as flawed as the last one was. I am yours to command." Lustblood sworn, kneeling before Fox.
In tap of several buttons, and a chime that signaled the deactivation of the locks, the vamp smashed through the glass walking out.
"So, where's the target located?" He demanded with a evil smirk.
***
Ryu sat within the tiny outside area, easily blowing at his cup of roumen, trying to cool it down so it wouldn't burn his mouth. Nina though had her own choice, mainly the ever so cool and in several million flavors and styles ice cream, mostly a triple scoop, as she licked it slowly, savoring the flavor as she did.
"You know, it's a wonder, when we first met, people were scared to even get involved, and now nobody seems to even try to force you away." Ryu said, noticing that everyone seemed to act normal.
"Guess people are finally accepting me as I am. Or my beauty leaves them all shy to glance upon me." She remarked with a flush on her cheeks resting her head on her chin.
"Dream on, you getting over your head thinking your Miss Beautiful." Ryu day dream shatteringly commented.
"Always the hard type, huh Ryu. You wanna know something? You melt my heart even more when you act so bold. I just want to kiss your lips tightly when I hear you." She said leaning forward, her leg rubbing against his."
"Right, well we can do it later, right now, I'd rather not make a scene in front of these people, we already cause enough problems with all the fights we get into." He seriously stated
"Humph, your no fun Ryu, why can't you for once loosen up and try to have some fun?" She asked, rubbing a foot against her leg.
"Because we are still wanted by the Regents, I don't know why they are keeping this a secret, but something's up. I bet they want the location of New Wyndia, but they won't risk publicity problems." Ryu said leaning closer to Nina, staring seriously into her eyes.
"Your too serious Ryu, even when it is so peaceful." She said, crossing her arms.
"I have good reasons, you know how dangerous the regents truly are and that is a good... enough... reason..." Ryu's voice drifted off, as his eyes widened with an opened jaw as he glanced at a familiar couple walking along the street.
It was none other then Wes and Kiki, who were now heading back to Kiki's place.
"What is it Ryu?" Nina asked glancing behind to what Ryu was surprised by as she gasped, "Well, looks like our woren finally caught someone with actual good taste." Nina said with a giggle.
Ryu didn't reply, he only watched as the two entered the hotel on the other end. Then again, when you knew the woren long as Ryu had, this would really shake anyone's curiosity. Ryu was more curious about how Wes had managed to even get a girl with more class then he was to even lean on his shoulders. Sure, some girls did dress like that for occasions, but to be with a brute like Wes, you'd be drunk and have more wrinkles in your dress.
"Think we should go up and 'introduce' ourselves to them?" She asked with a sly smile.
"I'd say we ask Wes when he gets back to the apartment, that way we can get some answers." Ryu said, as he took a few strands of his noodles and slurped them up, making Nina cringed at the slurping sound.
"Must you always do that when you have roumen?" She asked unpleasantly.
"That's the only way I know of." He replied with a smart ass tone.
***
Kiki stood out on the balcony, looking in the distance at the fire colored sky formed along the clouds, the shimmering colors that glowed along the clouds always gave a warm feeling within her heart.
"Sunsets still entice you?" Wes asked, walking over to her, as he placed his arm behind her, clamping his left hand on her shoulder, pulling her closer to him.
"The sunsets always seem to intrigue me; the colors are something you see rarely. I guess it's more of a relaxing sight to see when the day nears end." She mentioned, leaning her head against him.
The two remained in silence, their eyes locked on the sunset, both feeling a bond that had been reattached once more. Wes already felt more then a big brother, her felt more like a bold man finally finding his destiny. Younger he was more of a brother who stood up for Kiki, while she helped him become more intelligent in understanding. Perhaps it was her that helped him relies his more gentle side. Younger he was the troublemaker of the orphanage, always giving kids problems, just for his own entertainment. He never did understand how much trouble he caused until the day he saw three other bullies who picked on the smarter kids. He never did take kindly to them, but he somehow felt pity, seeing the girl being shoved around. His heart shouted for compassion, he took action, and gave the kids a beating.
"Kiki, are you truly vulnerable?" He questioned, very edgy that she was so close to him, almost by fear.
"Vulnerable? I... well... err..." She took a deep sigh, glancing down to the marble ground. "I can manage, but I guess I am scared... but I manage still to live." She said, shaking her head.
"Don't worry, if anyone threatens you they answer to me, I'll pound them so hard they'll really regret picking on you." He stated, making a fist and smacking his palms with it.
Kiki only could giggled, for once smiling.
"Still the same boy who I grew up with, but I guess this world is more lawless then ever." She sadly admitted, shaking her head.
Wes said nothing else, he knew it was the truth and throughout the known history, there always was crime, but in this day and age, tracking it was even harder. Only one thing could have been the reason the lands had never been able to have a day of peace, and the cause was none other then the corporation Auron.
***
Ichiro and Mai already checked in for the night, Mai in her own quarters, while Ichiro slept on the floor, with his own sleeping bag, obviously liking the hard floor more then the other types. Ryu and Nina though, boringly waited for Wes to return, mostly by his own reason.
"Damn, usually he would have been back by now." Ryu muttered, glancing the ceiling clock hung on the wall.
Nina, who barely seemed awake, yawned as she laid her head down on the table, ready to sleep.
"Might as well do the same since she's already asleep. Then again, I at least have a bed all to myself." He said, usually he always had let her take the bed.
Getting up, he walked away from the sleeping princess, as he removed his trench coat, and laid down on the bed, slowly falling asleep. For once, it seemed like Wes was having a joyful time for once and with a girl unbelievably.
***
Wes was indeed, for that night he and Kiki unbelievably were in bed, making passionate love with each other, their screams of pleasure possibly would give several complaints the next morning, but it wasn't anything they were concerned with. (Sorry fans, I ain't making a lemon of this scene)
"Kiki..." Wes said taking a few deep breaths.
"Wes... I know already... and I feel the same way..." She said, breathing deeply as well.
It was then that the two laid together, side by side, in peace as they fell asleep in one another's arms.
***
The sun rose once more from the eastern area, casting its shine to the world that it set its glow upon the town of Delphina.
Nina slowly woke up; still near silence was all that was heard in the house. Wes definitely didn't come back home, usually the mornings with him were always the loud types that always woke everyone up when they wanted to sleep in. The only one up was Mai, who seemed to be cooking herself some breakfast of her own, the crackling of bacon easily giving its scent out all over the place. Nina finally pulled herself together, as she stretched out her arms, giving off a soft yawn as she stood to her feet.
"So, you can cook food too?" Nina asked walking over to where Mai was.
"Only for myself, you and the others can make your own food." Mai said, shuffling the bacon inside on other ends, loud pop spat grease near Mai's face.
"Aren't we being selfish, I though it was your duty to guard me." Nina teased giving a low giggle.
"Birdy, why don't you get you own food, because I only cook for myself. I'm with your party only to help."
"Hmph fine since you wanna be such a bitch today." Nina said, as she opened the fridge getting out an apple, as she took a deep bit out of it.
"Nina, watch it before I go all out on you." Mai hissed, as she kept turning her bacon.
"Gee, don't know why your so angry this morning, considering Wes isn't around, I thought you'd be in a cheerful mood." Ryu said, walking into the kitchen.
Mai turned off the stove, setting her now grease covered bacon on a few napkins to collect some of the grease on the stove.
"You'd rather I act like Little Miss Sunshine here?" Mai asked as she turned giving a scowling glance to Ryu.
"Who you calling Miss Sunshine?!" Nina spat, angered by the comment.
"Great, early morning and were already starting an argument." Ryu murmured shaking his head.
"Wes perhaps was the aggressive man, but he also did sometimes play the settler." Ichiro said walking into the kitchen.
"Morning Ichiro." Nina gleefully greeted.
Ichiro only nodded, as he walked to the fridge opening the door and taking out the orange juice pouring himself a glass.
"I have a feeling we better prepare ourselves, if the regents are as quick as they are known to be, they are possibly here already." Ichiro commented.
"Here al...rea...dy... Nina, you think...?"
Nina remained silent, but moving her hand to her heart, she concurred the exact same idea that Ryu just feared, the girl Wes was with.
"I think one could be here already, and Wes is with her." Ryu stated as the two others stopped what they were doing.
"What did she look like?" Mai asked concerned.
"Lets see, long pink hair, dressed in a more non casual type clothing, business type mostly... and she wore very small lens glasses." Ryu described, knowing only little detail.
"Cannonshot Kiki, she's very quiet, but she isn't one to seduce men, more likely she's a coward. Though she might be using Wes as bait." Mai stated shaking her head.
"Forget the details, let's move it before she does use Wes for a hostage." Ryu stated, running to his room to get his arsenals.
The others followed, suiting up as they got themselves ready as they all gathered, and started to trek outside, Ryu explaining where he last saw Wes at. They started they trek, their destination the hotel where Wes was last seen.
"If it isn't the traitor and the two pissants that are getting in our way." Came a voice from the corner, as the halfbreed kitsune stepped into the light.
"Fox... Just what the hell do you want?" Mai said reaching for her gun.
"Simple, to please our master... Lustblood, it's time." He called as a creature cloaked in a black robe and hood, as he threw off the cover, revealing his pal gray skin body.
"What the hell is that thing?" Ryu asked in disbelief.
"You unleashed that thing... do you-"
"Poor, poor Mai, did you forget, the control that forces him into being my slave." Fox said brandishing it in front of them.
"A bio-genetically created? So the rumors were true." Ichiro stated pulling out his sword.
"Lustblood huh, let me guess, a vampire." Ryu said pulling out his gun.
"I'm not too informed on the details, but I do know one thing, that creature is known to be immortal." Mai said clenching her teeth.
"In that case, Ichiro, you and Mai take on Fox, leave Lustblood to me." Ryu said taking aim to the beast.
"Who died and made you the leader?" Mai shouted angrily.
"Heh, you, a jobless gunslinger. Hah, suite yourself, but I guess I concur with the set up." He said vanishing.
BANG! PWING!!
Ichiro stood before Mai, his sword angled to the flat side, as he glanced to the now visible Fox.
He vanished once more leaving the area, as Ichiro trailed him, Mai staying closely behind him.
"So you're the one that's been protecting the damsel, how pathetic. A normal human was able to even slaughter a few of the regents is a joke." Lustblood commented laughing.
Ryu fired several shots to the gray skinned creature. The shots impacted into the skin, a bit of blood draining out, but soon enough healed.
"So he can he can heal any wounds... not good." Ryu said with a gulp.
"Why not let me have a crack at 'em, my magic could take him on."
Ryu remained silent as he listened to the creature.
***
Kiki silently slipped out of bed, as a ringing sound called her off. Entering the bathroom, she pulled out her communicator watch, as she pressed the answer button.
"What is it?" She asked sighing.
"You owe the Gunsmith Regents a big favor. Your task has come." Mentioned the more computerized voice on the other end of the line.
"So what do you need me to do?" She asked bitterly.
"Aid Fox in getting the fae, otherwise you know what will result if you don't." The person mentioned.
"Understood sir." She said hesitatingly, as she turned off the phone walking out and over to her closet opening the door, a grenade launcher easily kept inside.
"So, your have learned to fight, huh Kiki?" Wes said sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I have reasons to keep my identity hidden. I have to do something Wes... afterwards, we can-"
"I cannot let you Kiki. There my friends, and friends protect one another. I don't want to fight you, but I won't let you harm them." He said, standing up, fully dressed.
"Wes, please, don't make this harder for me, I don't want to fight you either." She said walking to the door.
Wes in the blink of an eye leaped over and stood in front of the door, arms to the side preventing her from leaving. Kiki sighed, as she dashed for the balcony, and leaped down from one floor to the next. Wes followed, pursuing her as both finally came to ground level.
"Wes... if you are going to be this feisty, then your leaving me with no other alternative." She said as she took aim with the grenade launcher.
Locking onto target, she opened fire, a cloud of smoke now pouring through, as several of the townspeople watched, a few screamed running off.
Wes still stood, a few feet from where the show impacted, a emotionless glance pursed on his face.
***
Ichiro and Mai kept their pursue speed up, trying to gain on the warping kitsune.
"Right here!" He shouted, sending a shot off that Ichiro easily repelled with his sword.
"You're a coward to use your speed Fox, why not fight us like a real man does." She shouted waiting for his response.
"Why should I, it's not my fault that you cannot keep up with my speed." He mentioned appearing in another direction, he opened fire again, but Ichiro repelled the attack once more.
Mai kept her gun close to her, as she took a deep breath, waiting for the man to make a few more moves.
He appeared once more, this time not opening fire as he vanished and fired from another location, his shots still repealed.
"So, using your ears rather then your eyes... you are well trained for a swordsman." Fox commented with a chuckle.
"Your footsteps give you away, that is how I easily know where your firing from, your bullets though crack the winds to give your own whereabouts and your shots position." Ichiro stated remaining in his frozen sword defensive stance.
"Well, in that case, lets see how you do at my warp speed." Fox commented as he started running in circles, his image now appearing in four different area's all holograms of himself.
Mai now knew it was near the end for her, he was already pulling out the stops as he moved at a speed such as this one.
"Ichiro, it's up to you, I can't do anything against this guy." She replied sadly.
He didn't reply, he kept his attention focused on the enemy, keeping himself focused on where the shot would come from.
***
Nina unleashed her Typhoon spell, easily putting forth most of her pure negative emotions to give it the strength to overwhelm mostly any creature that was a few feet larger then herself. The wind smashed forcefully against the creature, tearing him a few new cuts as it soon threw him off his balance and sent him flying a few feet backwards. Nina took a deep breath, unleashing what she just had really took a lot out of her.
The sound of laughter easily shattered the moment of what seemed to be a victory, as Lustblood stood there laughing, glancing over to the two opponents her had.
"Your attacks are worthless, no weapon on this planet could stop me, and not even a dragon can slay me." He remarked as he took a few steps forward.
Ryu already felt his heart pound so greatly that his entire body shook in pain. He knew he had within him the power of the Dragon and it wanted to be unleashed. Taking a deep breath, Ryu took off his trench coat, throwing it to the side, as he closed his eyes, summoning the power that was deep inside of him. It finally took over, the raw force of the dragon ran through his veins, pulsing intensively, as his body finally changed, claws emerging at his fingernails, horns forming on his head, and the wings ripping his shirt off from his back, as his now blood red eyes opened, glancing over to Lustblood.
"Lets go!" Ryu shouted, charging forth, Lusblood doing the same as the two clashed.
Ryu easily was the one to strike the first blow, thrusting his right claw deep into the chest of the creature. He then struck a second time as his hand smashing the face of the creature dead on to send him flying back, blood dripping from the wound. Ryu continued the assault slashing around the upper body, before he finally slice the area where the biceps and shoulders meet, the arms falling to the ground afterwards.
Only did a few seconds pass when the wounds closed up, Lustblood once more smiled, as he chuckled mockingly at Ryu.
"When will your idiots realize, I am immortal. Your damn powers are no match for my rejuvenating body." He said, as his arms once more revived.
With that he charged forth, as his fist beat at Ryu, who carefully tried to keep his blocking arms up.
"If he can rejuvenate his arms and body... then he must be unholy to be able recover at a rate like that." She thought, remembering the teachings of her magic, of how there is holy magic that heals and dark magic that was used for curses, instant death, and many other things. Only one type could destroy the magic that was holy.
Closing her eyes, she slowly focused her attention to where Ryu and Lustblood remained engaged in combat. She gripped her wand tightly, slowly gathering the magic up, she could feel Ryu's pain of all that he was going through, he was still a bit struggled, filling near fatigue from trying to control such a power. She easily put all her care and emotions of pure care as she cast a healing spell on both, maximum that it easily pushed her body to its limits, the holy aura engulfing both as a cry of pain could be heard shrilling screamed out. The light died down with the area returning to its normal glow.
Both remained standing, Ryu's dragon form now looking fully at power. Lustblood stood there, shaking as he loud out a groaning cry of pain, his body suddenly shriveling up, and turning to ashes as it fell and blew away in the winds.
Ryu only stood, looking to Nina, who fell to the ground, taking a few deep breaths.
"Holy magic... but how much effort did you put into it?" Ryu asked seeing Nina in fatigue.
"Full emotion... and it did the trick." She mentioned, falling down to her knee's.
"Dark magic never did survive holy magic." He mentioned, going back to his human form, taking a deep sigh.
"I wonder how Mai and Ichiro are doing?" She said still gasping.
***
A few more shots rang out, as Ichiro shifted his sword to repel each of the bullets that Fox unleashed upon him.
Fox kept moving at a speed that he appeared in about for areas at once, but Ichiro easily saw through, he was trained to easily use his senses at their strongest in order to see through any illusions that were used to fool those who lacked such will to see anything that would cause such disaster.
Eventually, fox made his last flaw, as Ichiro, on accident had repelled a bullet that made impact with the right arm, Fox's none shooting arm, but the pain stopped him dead in his tracks.
"You lose Fox." Mai said, as she opened fire on the position, but missed, as Fox vanished.
"Ha, don't let a wound fool you." He remarked, appearing atop one of the buildings, standing on the roof holding his wound.
He noticed his remote was already beeping, the sound indicating the main creature was not defeated. He knew this was bad and already was he no match against these two. It was a bad idea, but he wasn't going to leave yet, there was one thing that he had to see. If things were as he had predicted, there was sure going to be something he could get out of it.
***
Kiki kept her shots on coming; easily she was missing as Wes took a few steps in any direction as the shots came near him. He knew she wasn't trying to kill him, he knew she didn't even want to do this in the first place. His sharp vision already could spot her wet eyes, she was suffering, she was forced to do this just because she was a regent. He knew she wasn't going to give up, if the regents were as tough as they looked she wouldn't stop until she sent Wes to dreamland.
Her hands trembled as she fired each shot, she was already sad it had come to this, but she had no other choice. If Wes was going to stand in her way, she was going to have to get him out of the way. She wasn't going to kill him, her heart pleaded for her not to. She couldn't kill the one man who actually did care for her and show he meant it.
She shot once more, reloading a shell afterward. She was packed, and she knew what had to be done. She kept firing, as Wes kept avoiding.
"Stop this Kiki, I know that this is not what you want. Stop this already, you don't want to do this." He shouted, remaining in his stance.
Kiki only fired at him once more, the shot exploding as it blew up a few feet from Wes. He shook his head knowing what was going on. He had to convince her to stop, even at the risk of his own life. He stood up and started walking forward, holding his hands out. Kiki took aim, her hands trembling, her legs shaking as she was truly uneasy about making the shot, was Wes advanced forth. She moved to the left a bit, making shot, as it impacted, Wes continued to walk forth.
She fired a few more rounds, each away from him as he kept moving forth, slowly getting closer. She finally took aim closer, closing her eyes as she fired the shot placed directly in front of him. As the sound of an explosion occurred, she fell to her knee's, tears flowing out from her eyes.
"Wes... I'm..." She shook her head, sobbing as she really was in regret.
"Kiki... please... put the launcher down." He asked as he walked in front.
Kiki immediately dropped it, wrapping her arms around him, as she cried into his undershirt. Being the guy that had been close to her when young, he returned her hug by rubbing her shoulders.
"Wes... I'm sorry for trying to kill you..." She sincerely apologized.
"Kiki... it's okay... even if you have such skill, your still the one that I could never kill... I still love you, for who you truly are. You're not a fighter; you're a gentler girl, who uses her brains rather then arsenals." He noted still massaging her.
"I am that... I thought I could..." She stopped, as she pushed Wes away, a bullet shot striking her directly near her heart.
Wes had fell to the ground when she shoved him, and glanced in horror at the mark, as she fell to the ground. He glanced up finding the Fox with the smoking gun standing atop the building, smirking to the woren.
"I may have missed my intended shot on you woren, but at least I it hit someone that deserves the bullet... for her failure, it is the fate she gets for resisting the order of the Gunsmith Regents." He said, with a chuckle.
"BASTARD!!! I'LL KILL YOU." Wes yelled, as the Fox vanished, leaving the entire area.
"Wes, don't... please... don't leave me." Kiki begged holding her arm up, glancing with her now tear soaked eyes up at wes.
Wes ran over, as he slowly held Kiki in his arms, his face now frowning in fear, he knew she was growing weaker, the loss of blood was already too much. She would soon bleed if not treated.
"Kiki... hang in there, there's hope, I have a healer, she can-"
Kiki weakly shook her head, still glancing into Wes's eyes, taking deep breaths.
"They will still get me... it is the punishment of the Gunsmith Regents... failure is not forgivable." She whispered.
"Kiki... why did you join them... you're not like them..." Wes questioned shaking his head.
"Ever since I left that orphanage... my life has been pain... my foster parents abused me... and I always was picked on... I ran away, trying to make a life. I was rapped so many times... I can't even remember how many. I wanted to be stronger... I wanted to be able to stand up for myself. I found help... and weak as I was... I retentively agreed. That time I became sharper with a grenade launcher, but I still tried to be myself... I never thought I would be forced to fight you... " She remarked sadly as she felt his hands tremble, tears filling his eyes.
"Kiki... if only-"
"Wes... do not feel sorry, sad as it is that I shall leave this world... there is one thing I cannot regret," She said, glancing up into his face, she brought a hand up, caressing his cheek, she smiled. "I feel warm being in your arms, the last moments of my life are spent being with you. I am with you, Wes, my love... I can't ask for anything else, then to be with you, and to gaze at your handsome face. I could not ask for anything else Wes, then to be in your arms as I slowly leave this place." She whispered, gasping slowly, as she trembled, her hands dropping from rubbing Wes face.
Her body became lifeless, as she fell limp, no longer was she breathing, her eyes glancing upward. Wes closed them, sobbing more as his tears dripped onto her body, the blood that had fell out of her body now dripped to the ground, a puddle surrounding Wes.
"Kiki... KI-ki... KIKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!" He shouted out roaring loudly with a cry that anyone would know was pain.
***
"Wes..." Nina said, as the party excluding Wes was now all together.
"Cry of pain... a great loss has befallen him." Ichiro said, crossing his arms.
Ryu shook his head, knowing it was not good if Wes had lost someone dear, Mai remained silent, but deep down she felt sorrow, especially when she felt someone lost a person very dear to her. This was indeed not a victory for Wes, but a tragedy that would scar him emotionally.
**************************************************************************** **********
Next Time:
Draco: A Outlaws vacation never last, even when trying to train a kid become a good gunsmith. This time though they are sending a slayer, a halberd swinging gargoyle with the strength of an Ox. Even in a normal town, the apprentice can still prove their worth when it comes down to the rough battles that I face.
Next Chapter: Trigger Happy.
Author's notes: I hope the ending was emotional, that's what I was aiming for, but I aint no romanticist. Anyway, thanks to the reviewers on anonymous who reviewed more then once in one day. And Magnum Crow, glad you like the fic. Others... well, I don't see you, I don't thank.
Anyways... remember my policy people, I don't care if the things perfect, this is idea expression, and I still make some effort to try to make it readable rather then crap like 'Totally High', a stupid fic in this section. So remember, I don't want to be a better writer, I just want to express my ideas, isn't that the true purpose of writing... or are you all to blind to struggle in advancing?
"Well, wudda we have 'ere?" Came a drunks voice, as he pressed his hand on her shoulder, clasping it tightly.
"You're a prety sight ta see." The drunk bellowed, his breath already had the smell of alcohol in it.
"Fuck off you drunk." She snapped, elbowing him in the gut.
"Ey, you gots some nerve thinkin ye can elbow me in the gut, now I'm gonna bruise that pretty little face of yours." He remarked, grabbing her by the hairs and turned her to face him, as he slapped her across the face.
"You ain't gonna be pushin' me off anymore missy." He shouted, the bar still continuing their normal chatter.
At that moment a mug was thrown from behind, smashing the masculine drunk smack dab in the back of the head, smashing as it impacted in the back of his head.
"Ey! 'oo da bloody-hell threw dat!?" He yelled turning to glance behind him.
"I did dumbass, and I suggest you take you hands off that girl and get your damn brute ass outta this town." The woren a few stools from where the drunk stood called out, as he glanced at him with ever so bitter eyes.
"Yous Worens ain't so toughs, specially when yous gets in a fights wit us." The thug said, the bar had grown silent when the woren threw the mug, and a few thugs at the tables now stood from their chairs.
"Heh, so your with a crummy gang of thugs, don't make me laugh, I could take out every single one of your asses if you dared even tried to get me." The woren said standing from his chair.
"Wuts dat! Yous really are a foolish one to thinks ye can jus mock us. Time we taught ya a lesson in respect!" The thug yelled as a few thugs began to advance in on the woren.
In the blink of an eye, the woren was first to throw the punch, hitting each in the face as they flew back knocking a few thugs down. A few others ran in from the right, the woren this time throwing a tornado kick that hit the thugs with a force that was dangerous enough to kill.
"Get'em, get'em, kill da bastard!" The drunk yelled as more rush in, only to be hit with fist that blazed at a speed the naked eye could never catch.
The fists impacted directly around the gut, shoulders, and face, hitting the offensive thugs all over in a few seconds, as each fell to the ground from the pain. The woren stood there, brushing his hands together as he wiped the sweat off his forehead taking a sigh.
"Wut, deres no way ye could've taken all me men out." The drunk yelled in disbelief.
"I just did, and if you don't get out of my sight in five seconds, your gonna join them on the ground." The woren said, as he cracked his knuckles the way any fighter would, pressing them down into a ninety degree angle using his palm.
The drunk only growled, as he ran forward mindlessly, roaring as if to try and scare the woren out of his wits. The woren only remained silent, as he lifted his foot up at point blank with the thug, who smashed into it, and stumbled back, dazed by the hit. The woren continued again, this time with an uppercut that sent the bastard flying onto a table and smashing it in two.
The girl glanced at him, surprised that someone had beaten the living shit out off that many thugs with his bare hands. The woren glanced over with a welcoming smile.
"Long time no see, Kiki." He greeted welcomingly, as she gasped, her face surprised as tears formed in her eyes.
"Wes!!" She cried running over to him, and hugging him tightly.
She buried her face deep within his chest, as he in return hugged her back.
"Surprised you remember me." He replied rubbing her back.
***
The smashing of marble balls smashed into one another, breaking apart the triangle set balls, each aligned in a lest to greatest number order. The set was scattered all along the table, the red stripe went into the left pocket at the far side from the shooter.
"Heh, you always seem to call strips it seems Thomas." Hudson commented, watching his rival opponent of billiards moving to another area.
"You know me, I always love to make the long range shots... but with the cue ball so close to them, the fun just lost its hype." Thomas sadly replied, kneeling over to make his next shot.
"Well, you only beat me a couple of times, maybe this time you may break the current wining strike." Hudson said, watching as Thomas made another shot, sending the blue strip ball directly into the middle pocket on his opposite side.
Thomas only smirked as he tapped softly on the cue ball, necking the strip fourteen ball that was near the same pocket the first ball went into.
"So tell me Hudson, how are we going to get the Fae? Seems we have a traitor and as expected that dumbass Duane is dead." He remarked taking aim at the cue ball to hit at another stripped ball near the pocket directly across the one he had made his shot from.
"I wouldn't know Mai never did meet me personally. You forget, the regents who joined us after the Dragon Purge never did meet all. Mai is one among them as are about a few others..." Hudson noted, with a deep sigh.
"Mai is too concern with the public then she is with us." Came a voice from the corner.
"Fox, just what brings you here?" Hudson asked, knowing the voice.
"Well, I was wondering, is that 'vampire' still optional for use?" He asked with a sly smile.
Thomas slipped up, as his shot went a foot from his original shooting position. He glanced over a the half-breed kitsune, his teeth clenched.
"You can't be serious?" He remarked in anger.
"Well Tommy-boy, I see you never do change, then again, you almost did become the first ones victim when it went berserk if I am correct?" Fox remarked rudely.
"That is not any concern, tell the guards you have my full permission and remember, don't let that remote for the anti-serum nanos fall into its hands. That bastard is can duplicate any area of its body, no matter how many times you slice an arm or even his head off. Its immortal, but it cannot be trusted, even if we gave it a child's mind; it still is just as deadly." Hudson warned with a near fearful tone.
"Hudson, the first one turned on us in the heat of the battle, there's no telling what he will do... especially if we send him after the Fae." Thomas stated.
"True, but that thing could very well take care of our little nuisances, and then the Fae shall be ours." Hudson noted with a smile.
"I still need proof Hudson, just because I am a regent doesn't mean they are going to let me through." Fox noted holding out his hand.
"Take this, it will be enough." Hudson said throwing a personal seal of Auron with his direct signature on the back.
"I bid you both adieu." He said, vanishing just as fast.
The room was quiet, before Thomas coughed, catching Hudsons attention.
"Your shot... since I missed." Thomas said, crossing his arms.
"Guess your losing streak continues." Hudson replied, as he walked over to the cue ball, planning his shot.
***
The party had decided split up to do some exploring for their own. Ichiro decided to stay at the inn, concentrating on his own meditation, Mai at the food store, mostly getting supplies for herself and three other people, the woren mostly she wanted to have nothing since he was still such an asshole towards her when she admitted to being a spy for the regents.
As for Ryu and Nina, the two were presently in a theater house, watching an on stage show. The title was known as 'Passion Oasis', a hit that attracted many to the town of Delfina. Many theaters had plays such as this, with several talented actors, and great prompts set up on stage. Ryu may not have been much for any musical, but when it comes to trying to resist a cute face as Nina's, he was finding it harder and harder to resist it when she frowned.
The play recently ended, as a crowd of people came out, the sappy types already in tears, Nina being one of them.
"It was so sad how he had to die like that, just for her own life." Nina sobbingly said, blowing her nose.
Ryu only remained quiet, he only listened to some of the movie, but ignored most of it.
"Ryu, what did you think of it?" She asked, glancing up at him.
"I don't know, I fell asleep halfway into the play." He said with a yawn.
"Grr, you really are a pain Ryu, why can't you just try and feel some emotion for some play?" She asked with a already saddened glance.
"Nina, if I did see that death, I wouldn't have cried. I don't get all emotional just over a play. I lost many who were dear to me so many times, but now... I feel nothing for just some tragic play." He coldly replied.
"Hmph, always trying to be the tough guy huh? For once could you try and be somewhat caring?" She asked snuggling against him, as her wings flapped against her body.
"Doesn't risking my ass off to keep you safe count enough. Sheesh, I ain't emotional and I sure as hell won't fall to that level. I never did like poetry to much anyway." He said still walking ahead.
Nina was about to get him, when she noticed something else. Tallhouse Bistro known for its gourmet cooking that combined several foods together. It was also pricey, only the rich and wealthy would be able to afford such food.
"Ryu, I'm getting hungry... could we stop and get something to eat?" She asked, putting on the sad face once more, knowing he was weak to say no to.
"Nice try, but we ain't eating here, that place is more expensive then our zenny could ever afford, much more we are on the verge of poverty and were gonna be broke if we do eat here." He remarked eyeing her.
"Aw, your such a meanie!" She pouted, crossing her arms and looking away.
"Look, someday we can come back here, until then we have to keep our zenny intact, remember, I still need ammo to fight those gunsmith regents off and we have to watch out spending. Wes wouldn't like it if we did spend so much." Ryu replied, walking away from the still disappointed Nina who followed slowly behind.
***
Wes seemingly out of character cut his hand grasping the cutting knife tightly as he cut a small piece of the meat off slowly bringing it to his mouth as he nibbled the small chunk slowly before cutting himself another piece.
"With the way you dressed, I never thought you learned to be delicate with you table manners." Kiki replied with a giggle.
"I have to show some class, since the prices here are expensive to rob me. Sides, you did say this was the best place in town, right?" Wes asked, after swallowing his piece.
"True, but you always will be that boy who stands up for the weak. That's the reason why I remember you so well... ever since that day." She said, leaning onto her positioned forearm that was kept on the table.
Kiki slowly thought back to that day, the day when Wes first had stood up for her.
She was around nine years old and more of a bookworm then anyone else. As usual, kids never did learn to respect people who were different then them, especially the weak types. Kiki was sadly one of them, a person who was deep in reading novels and never participating in sports or other athletic activities. The kids though one day decided to mock her, by ganging up on her.
"Where you going nerd, going to read you books again?" One of the punks cried, shoving her back into another.
"Yeah four eyes, I swear, you read too much." One of the others commented, shoving her to the ground, as she fell down.
"Are those books the only friends you have Kiki. Hah, you haven't got a friend in the world." Another replied, laughing mockingly at her.
She was indeed someone who was picked on, by everyone just about, just because she was different they all were picking on her and never gave her any bit of respect. They always picked on her, taking her things and making a fool out of her by tossing it to each other, keeping it away from her. Other times they played pranks on her, easily making a bigger fool out of her. When she told the teacher, she never successfully was able to prove they had done it, since nobody ever did admit they saw anything.
"Why don't you punks leave her alone?" Yelled a furious voice from a figure that walked out towards them.
"Wes, you got a nerve to mess with us." One of them stated, as he put his fist up.
Wes said nothing, only walking up to the bully and giving a narrowed eye glance, as he threw a fake punch, before delivering a blow by foot to the boys testis, the shot easily bringing the kid to his knees, as Wes kicked him over. More ran towards him, only to be beaten by a storm of raging fists that pounded them rapidly, forcing them to the ground, noses now flooding with streams of blood, as each started to cry from the pain.
Wes walked over, as he knelt down, helping Kiki with her things. At first she was frightened, thinking he was only here to take her for himself, before he picked up her books, stacking them in a neat pile and handed them to her with a friendly smile. Kiki knew by that smile that he was there for her, why else would he stand up to any of the punks that had picked on her so many times.
"Don't worry, if they pick on you again, I will make sure they get beaten to the point they are braindead." He said cracking his knuckles.
Kiki frowned shaking her head, as Wes now was confused.
"No? But they won't stop picking on you, they will just keep bullying you til you cry." He remarked, but she only held her glance.
"But they don't deserve to be beaten to death. They just need to be punished. Violence is not always the answer... even if it gets some of the job done." She lectured, almost crying under her breath.
Wes would have said more, but he knew she was right, he didn't need to just beat them down to the point that they were dead, he should just have given them a few punches to the face and they would learn.
"Fine, but let me-"
"Well Wes, it seems you still never learn to stop this violent temper of yours." The headmistress of the orphanage commented, as she gave a scowl look to the young woren.
"They were picking on Kiki, so I gave what should've been given to them." He shouted spitting as did.
"I won't hear it, that does not excuse the use of such things here. Come with me." She shouted grabbing his arms.
"Fine, but Kiki's going with me as well." He replied, grabbing her.
"No she's no. Your going to be punished, alone."
The two did argue, but eventually the mistress hesitated, seeing the girl was a bit more brightened eyed then usual. While Kiki did go with them, she waited in plain view while Wes took a spanking, since it was the way they were punished. Still, it was that day that he and Kiki became close to each other, friendship wise at least.
Slowly she came back to reality, as she glanced dreamy eyed at the now full grown woren who sat before her.
"I sure was such a fighter back then, but I just couldn't stand seeing you get picked on like that." He remarked with a frown of regret on his face.
"You were the only one who at least stood by me, the only one who tried to be my friend. I guess that day I was adapted, it was sad to leave. Yet that was my life of hell, they beat me and used me only for their own gain. I was eventually abandoned and forced to live out on the street. I was rapped several times, the horror is something I only wish to never have seen or wish to ever face again. Still, what is past is past, and right now, I don't want to think of my past right now, especially when I have found someone who I truly can still depend on." She replied glancing gleefully at the woren.
"Well, I wish I could say the same, but I ain't the same guy I was when I was younger. I guess I just sloped down to a slob." He stated, scratching the back of his head.
"You seem still the same; you helped me out back there in the bar, so how could you have changed?" She asked wondering why he seemed so doubt worthy of himself.
Wes told her of the past life, how he became a worker at a shipping station, his years of more hopeless flirting, and how he had also turned to being a lone gun hunting for the Black Market, but left out a lot of details, mostly of Ryu and Nina, not wanting to get someone like Kiki involved in something such as this.
"Well, you've been through a lot, havencha?" She asked with a sly grin.
"Yeah, but you don't seem too disturbed, I mean, considering how I always tried to flirt with every pretty face." He answered feeling ashamed.
"You will always be that boy who defended me when I was young, even if it was for only six years." She confirmed with as sigh.
"First time someone called me a hero. So what do you do for a living anyway?" He asked, still curious.
"Well, secretary work, but I am taking a vacation." She mentioned, still glancing at him.
Wes somehow couldn't help it, but he never did go on dates to much. This was nearly a date, since he and Kiki were catching up with times. Somehow, she seemed to have changed, but something about still seemed hidden, but whatever it was, Wes only was glad to have found someone he had once knew in that ever so boring orphanage he grew up in.
***
The door slowly opened, as Mai walked in, a few bags within her hands, as she set them down on the counter, taking a deep breath of relief.
She already bought enough food to supply a few of the party, mostly four people, considering that she wasn't going to help the woren who always went a-wall on her. She strolled into the luxury room, flopping herself down into the cushioned chair. Ichiro still remained in meditation, keeping his legs and arms crossed, breathing normally as he remained in his tranquil state.
Mai would've woke him up, but seeing as she was tired from carrying some of the food, and leaving the other things in the dune buggy. Her mind still wondered, she knew the Gunsmith regents would be going after their party and considering her betrayal, she would be marked for death.
"Well Ichiro, I hope your skills are enough to aid us in this battle against those regents. These guys are truly more vicious then anything you will ever meet in this lifetime." She remarked, taking a deep sigh, glancing out to the peaceful blue sky.
"Hell knows who their gonna send next... but one things that's certain, it won't be an easy fight." She remarked shaking her head.
***
The halfbreed kitsune slowly walked over to the bunker ahead, still clenching the card that Hudson gave him to grant clearance. The kitsune had a not so original choice of clothing, a black leather vest with a long white collared T-shirt underneath the vest, long black trousers that came down to his leather brown boots and the cowboy hat he wore always, black like most of his clothing. His face a bit near the early twenties in looks with short whiskers coming from his chin.
"Hold it, this is a restricted a-"
"Magnum Fox of the Gunsmith Regents, clearance authorized and granted by the Vice CEO of Auron and leader of the Gunsmith Regents Hudson Taylor. I'm sure this card is proof enough that he has granted me access into this facility." Fox mentioned holding the card up to the two military personnel.
The two glanced at it, before stepping aside and giving him a salute.
"Our apologies Sir Fox, you are granted access within this area. Be very cautious to your surroundings." They mentioned as he walked by, not concern with what they called him.
"Now then... let's see just what kinda worrier this place has frozen in that tube." The fox said walking along the ever so narrow hallway, feeling the chilly area already grow colder as her reached closer to the main entrance to the lab that held the life form.
Fox input the password, being told ahead of time what it was by one of the facility's security guard by surveillance. He punched in the numbers, as the door slowly opened; finding himself in one very cold freezer, frost covering ever area of the place, including the capsule where the beast was kept. Tubs were hanging down from the ceiling, connected to the main capsule that sheltered the beast.
"Well, so this is the second of the vampires, the one beyond prototype. Mindless or not, it best get the fae alive." Fox remarked as he pressed the button to unleash it.
The room turned from a dark blue lighted room to a red hot room that began to smoke. The Frost started to melt down, the capsule now unthawed as the ice within the capsule, the water now being drained down, as the creature began stirring, its body pale gray, and its eyes pure white as snow. The teeth all normal with long fangs burrowing up, little cloths it wore, but it would regain some.
"Well then, what have we here... Lustblood... hmm, guess you are a vampire with that name." The fox remarked as he walked around.
"What the bloody hell do you want?" The creature groggily commented.
"Simple, I need your help to deal with these fools. The target is a blue haired man named Ryu, he is guarding a blond fae that Auron has ordered secretly the capture of her. I want you to kill the man and capture the fae, at all cost; she must be brought back alive." Fox calmly mentioned, not meeting eye contact with the creature.
"And if I refuse?" Lustblood rasped once more.
"Simple, you will suffer." Fox mentioned, as he pulled out the remot and pressed the green button, the creature squirmed feeling the shock of hell grasping him.
"Bastard, always with the remote nanos, guess I have no choice, but to aid. Still, if the girl is pretty, I'm gonna have some fun with her." He remarked snickering.
"Don't tempt me, remember, I hold the remote. That capsule though isn't thick, just a mere one punch break and your out. So why resist escaping?" Fox asked, wondering what was holding Lustblood back.
"Simple, if you were fully aware, if this was opened from either side, then the nanobot's will activate in me and kill me. Unless you impute the code to deactivate the program, then you have my sworn loyalty. One toll for another wouldn't you agree?" Lustblood asked with a smile.
"Hmm, sounds tempting, but remember, you fall out of line, you die. This isn't the only remote Auron created; this is just the first, known full well to react within a few second delay. I doubt that time would help you out." Fox lectured, as he crossed his arms.
"It is not any of your concern, I am not as flawed as the last one was. I am yours to command." Lustblood sworn, kneeling before Fox.
In tap of several buttons, and a chime that signaled the deactivation of the locks, the vamp smashed through the glass walking out.
"So, where's the target located?" He demanded with a evil smirk.
***
Ryu sat within the tiny outside area, easily blowing at his cup of roumen, trying to cool it down so it wouldn't burn his mouth. Nina though had her own choice, mainly the ever so cool and in several million flavors and styles ice cream, mostly a triple scoop, as she licked it slowly, savoring the flavor as she did.
"You know, it's a wonder, when we first met, people were scared to even get involved, and now nobody seems to even try to force you away." Ryu said, noticing that everyone seemed to act normal.
"Guess people are finally accepting me as I am. Or my beauty leaves them all shy to glance upon me." She remarked with a flush on her cheeks resting her head on her chin.
"Dream on, you getting over your head thinking your Miss Beautiful." Ryu day dream shatteringly commented.
"Always the hard type, huh Ryu. You wanna know something? You melt my heart even more when you act so bold. I just want to kiss your lips tightly when I hear you." She said leaning forward, her leg rubbing against his."
"Right, well we can do it later, right now, I'd rather not make a scene in front of these people, we already cause enough problems with all the fights we get into." He seriously stated
"Humph, your no fun Ryu, why can't you for once loosen up and try to have some fun?" She asked, rubbing a foot against her leg.
"Because we are still wanted by the Regents, I don't know why they are keeping this a secret, but something's up. I bet they want the location of New Wyndia, but they won't risk publicity problems." Ryu said leaning closer to Nina, staring seriously into her eyes.
"Your too serious Ryu, even when it is so peaceful." She said, crossing her arms.
"I have good reasons, you know how dangerous the regents truly are and that is a good... enough... reason..." Ryu's voice drifted off, as his eyes widened with an opened jaw as he glanced at a familiar couple walking along the street.
It was none other then Wes and Kiki, who were now heading back to Kiki's place.
"What is it Ryu?" Nina asked glancing behind to what Ryu was surprised by as she gasped, "Well, looks like our woren finally caught someone with actual good taste." Nina said with a giggle.
Ryu didn't reply, he only watched as the two entered the hotel on the other end. Then again, when you knew the woren long as Ryu had, this would really shake anyone's curiosity. Ryu was more curious about how Wes had managed to even get a girl with more class then he was to even lean on his shoulders. Sure, some girls did dress like that for occasions, but to be with a brute like Wes, you'd be drunk and have more wrinkles in your dress.
"Think we should go up and 'introduce' ourselves to them?" She asked with a sly smile.
"I'd say we ask Wes when he gets back to the apartment, that way we can get some answers." Ryu said, as he took a few strands of his noodles and slurped them up, making Nina cringed at the slurping sound.
"Must you always do that when you have roumen?" She asked unpleasantly.
"That's the only way I know of." He replied with a smart ass tone.
***
Kiki stood out on the balcony, looking in the distance at the fire colored sky formed along the clouds, the shimmering colors that glowed along the clouds always gave a warm feeling within her heart.
"Sunsets still entice you?" Wes asked, walking over to her, as he placed his arm behind her, clamping his left hand on her shoulder, pulling her closer to him.
"The sunsets always seem to intrigue me; the colors are something you see rarely. I guess it's more of a relaxing sight to see when the day nears end." She mentioned, leaning her head against him.
The two remained in silence, their eyes locked on the sunset, both feeling a bond that had been reattached once more. Wes already felt more then a big brother, her felt more like a bold man finally finding his destiny. Younger he was more of a brother who stood up for Kiki, while she helped him become more intelligent in understanding. Perhaps it was her that helped him relies his more gentle side. Younger he was the troublemaker of the orphanage, always giving kids problems, just for his own entertainment. He never did understand how much trouble he caused until the day he saw three other bullies who picked on the smarter kids. He never did take kindly to them, but he somehow felt pity, seeing the girl being shoved around. His heart shouted for compassion, he took action, and gave the kids a beating.
"Kiki, are you truly vulnerable?" He questioned, very edgy that she was so close to him, almost by fear.
"Vulnerable? I... well... err..." She took a deep sigh, glancing down to the marble ground. "I can manage, but I guess I am scared... but I manage still to live." She said, shaking her head.
"Don't worry, if anyone threatens you they answer to me, I'll pound them so hard they'll really regret picking on you." He stated, making a fist and smacking his palms with it.
Kiki only could giggled, for once smiling.
"Still the same boy who I grew up with, but I guess this world is more lawless then ever." She sadly admitted, shaking her head.
Wes said nothing else, he knew it was the truth and throughout the known history, there always was crime, but in this day and age, tracking it was even harder. Only one thing could have been the reason the lands had never been able to have a day of peace, and the cause was none other then the corporation Auron.
***
Ichiro and Mai already checked in for the night, Mai in her own quarters, while Ichiro slept on the floor, with his own sleeping bag, obviously liking the hard floor more then the other types. Ryu and Nina though, boringly waited for Wes to return, mostly by his own reason.
"Damn, usually he would have been back by now." Ryu muttered, glancing the ceiling clock hung on the wall.
Nina, who barely seemed awake, yawned as she laid her head down on the table, ready to sleep.
"Might as well do the same since she's already asleep. Then again, I at least have a bed all to myself." He said, usually he always had let her take the bed.
Getting up, he walked away from the sleeping princess, as he removed his trench coat, and laid down on the bed, slowly falling asleep. For once, it seemed like Wes was having a joyful time for once and with a girl unbelievably.
***
Wes was indeed, for that night he and Kiki unbelievably were in bed, making passionate love with each other, their screams of pleasure possibly would give several complaints the next morning, but it wasn't anything they were concerned with. (Sorry fans, I ain't making a lemon of this scene)
"Kiki..." Wes said taking a few deep breaths.
"Wes... I know already... and I feel the same way..." She said, breathing deeply as well.
It was then that the two laid together, side by side, in peace as they fell asleep in one another's arms.
***
The sun rose once more from the eastern area, casting its shine to the world that it set its glow upon the town of Delphina.
Nina slowly woke up; still near silence was all that was heard in the house. Wes definitely didn't come back home, usually the mornings with him were always the loud types that always woke everyone up when they wanted to sleep in. The only one up was Mai, who seemed to be cooking herself some breakfast of her own, the crackling of bacon easily giving its scent out all over the place. Nina finally pulled herself together, as she stretched out her arms, giving off a soft yawn as she stood to her feet.
"So, you can cook food too?" Nina asked walking over to where Mai was.
"Only for myself, you and the others can make your own food." Mai said, shuffling the bacon inside on other ends, loud pop spat grease near Mai's face.
"Aren't we being selfish, I though it was your duty to guard me." Nina teased giving a low giggle.
"Birdy, why don't you get you own food, because I only cook for myself. I'm with your party only to help."
"Hmph fine since you wanna be such a bitch today." Nina said, as she opened the fridge getting out an apple, as she took a deep bit out of it.
"Nina, watch it before I go all out on you." Mai hissed, as she kept turning her bacon.
"Gee, don't know why your so angry this morning, considering Wes isn't around, I thought you'd be in a cheerful mood." Ryu said, walking into the kitchen.
Mai turned off the stove, setting her now grease covered bacon on a few napkins to collect some of the grease on the stove.
"You'd rather I act like Little Miss Sunshine here?" Mai asked as she turned giving a scowling glance to Ryu.
"Who you calling Miss Sunshine?!" Nina spat, angered by the comment.
"Great, early morning and were already starting an argument." Ryu murmured shaking his head.
"Wes perhaps was the aggressive man, but he also did sometimes play the settler." Ichiro said walking into the kitchen.
"Morning Ichiro." Nina gleefully greeted.
Ichiro only nodded, as he walked to the fridge opening the door and taking out the orange juice pouring himself a glass.
"I have a feeling we better prepare ourselves, if the regents are as quick as they are known to be, they are possibly here already." Ichiro commented.
"Here al...rea...dy... Nina, you think...?"
Nina remained silent, but moving her hand to her heart, she concurred the exact same idea that Ryu just feared, the girl Wes was with.
"I think one could be here already, and Wes is with her." Ryu stated as the two others stopped what they were doing.
"What did she look like?" Mai asked concerned.
"Lets see, long pink hair, dressed in a more non casual type clothing, business type mostly... and she wore very small lens glasses." Ryu described, knowing only little detail.
"Cannonshot Kiki, she's very quiet, but she isn't one to seduce men, more likely she's a coward. Though she might be using Wes as bait." Mai stated shaking her head.
"Forget the details, let's move it before she does use Wes for a hostage." Ryu stated, running to his room to get his arsenals.
The others followed, suiting up as they got themselves ready as they all gathered, and started to trek outside, Ryu explaining where he last saw Wes at. They started they trek, their destination the hotel where Wes was last seen.
"If it isn't the traitor and the two pissants that are getting in our way." Came a voice from the corner, as the halfbreed kitsune stepped into the light.
"Fox... Just what the hell do you want?" Mai said reaching for her gun.
"Simple, to please our master... Lustblood, it's time." He called as a creature cloaked in a black robe and hood, as he threw off the cover, revealing his pal gray skin body.
"What the hell is that thing?" Ryu asked in disbelief.
"You unleashed that thing... do you-"
"Poor, poor Mai, did you forget, the control that forces him into being my slave." Fox said brandishing it in front of them.
"A bio-genetically created? So the rumors were true." Ichiro stated pulling out his sword.
"Lustblood huh, let me guess, a vampire." Ryu said pulling out his gun.
"I'm not too informed on the details, but I do know one thing, that creature is known to be immortal." Mai said clenching her teeth.
"In that case, Ichiro, you and Mai take on Fox, leave Lustblood to me." Ryu said taking aim to the beast.
"Who died and made you the leader?" Mai shouted angrily.
"Heh, you, a jobless gunslinger. Hah, suite yourself, but I guess I concur with the set up." He said vanishing.
BANG! PWING!!
Ichiro stood before Mai, his sword angled to the flat side, as he glanced to the now visible Fox.
He vanished once more leaving the area, as Ichiro trailed him, Mai staying closely behind him.
"So you're the one that's been protecting the damsel, how pathetic. A normal human was able to even slaughter a few of the regents is a joke." Lustblood commented laughing.
Ryu fired several shots to the gray skinned creature. The shots impacted into the skin, a bit of blood draining out, but soon enough healed.
"So he can he can heal any wounds... not good." Ryu said with a gulp.
"Why not let me have a crack at 'em, my magic could take him on."
Ryu remained silent as he listened to the creature.
***
Kiki silently slipped out of bed, as a ringing sound called her off. Entering the bathroom, she pulled out her communicator watch, as she pressed the answer button.
"What is it?" She asked sighing.
"You owe the Gunsmith Regents a big favor. Your task has come." Mentioned the more computerized voice on the other end of the line.
"So what do you need me to do?" She asked bitterly.
"Aid Fox in getting the fae, otherwise you know what will result if you don't." The person mentioned.
"Understood sir." She said hesitatingly, as she turned off the phone walking out and over to her closet opening the door, a grenade launcher easily kept inside.
"So, your have learned to fight, huh Kiki?" Wes said sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I have reasons to keep my identity hidden. I have to do something Wes... afterwards, we can-"
"I cannot let you Kiki. There my friends, and friends protect one another. I don't want to fight you, but I won't let you harm them." He said, standing up, fully dressed.
"Wes, please, don't make this harder for me, I don't want to fight you either." She said walking to the door.
Wes in the blink of an eye leaped over and stood in front of the door, arms to the side preventing her from leaving. Kiki sighed, as she dashed for the balcony, and leaped down from one floor to the next. Wes followed, pursuing her as both finally came to ground level.
"Wes... if you are going to be this feisty, then your leaving me with no other alternative." She said as she took aim with the grenade launcher.
Locking onto target, she opened fire, a cloud of smoke now pouring through, as several of the townspeople watched, a few screamed running off.
Wes still stood, a few feet from where the show impacted, a emotionless glance pursed on his face.
***
Ichiro and Mai kept their pursue speed up, trying to gain on the warping kitsune.
"Right here!" He shouted, sending a shot off that Ichiro easily repelled with his sword.
"You're a coward to use your speed Fox, why not fight us like a real man does." She shouted waiting for his response.
"Why should I, it's not my fault that you cannot keep up with my speed." He mentioned appearing in another direction, he opened fire again, but Ichiro repelled the attack once more.
Mai kept her gun close to her, as she took a deep breath, waiting for the man to make a few more moves.
He appeared once more, this time not opening fire as he vanished and fired from another location, his shots still repealed.
"So, using your ears rather then your eyes... you are well trained for a swordsman." Fox commented with a chuckle.
"Your footsteps give you away, that is how I easily know where your firing from, your bullets though crack the winds to give your own whereabouts and your shots position." Ichiro stated remaining in his frozen sword defensive stance.
"Well, in that case, lets see how you do at my warp speed." Fox commented as he started running in circles, his image now appearing in four different area's all holograms of himself.
Mai now knew it was near the end for her, he was already pulling out the stops as he moved at a speed such as this one.
"Ichiro, it's up to you, I can't do anything against this guy." She replied sadly.
He didn't reply, he kept his attention focused on the enemy, keeping himself focused on where the shot would come from.
***
Nina unleashed her Typhoon spell, easily putting forth most of her pure negative emotions to give it the strength to overwhelm mostly any creature that was a few feet larger then herself. The wind smashed forcefully against the creature, tearing him a few new cuts as it soon threw him off his balance and sent him flying a few feet backwards. Nina took a deep breath, unleashing what she just had really took a lot out of her.
The sound of laughter easily shattered the moment of what seemed to be a victory, as Lustblood stood there laughing, glancing over to the two opponents her had.
"Your attacks are worthless, no weapon on this planet could stop me, and not even a dragon can slay me." He remarked as he took a few steps forward.
Ryu already felt his heart pound so greatly that his entire body shook in pain. He knew he had within him the power of the Dragon and it wanted to be unleashed. Taking a deep breath, Ryu took off his trench coat, throwing it to the side, as he closed his eyes, summoning the power that was deep inside of him. It finally took over, the raw force of the dragon ran through his veins, pulsing intensively, as his body finally changed, claws emerging at his fingernails, horns forming on his head, and the wings ripping his shirt off from his back, as his now blood red eyes opened, glancing over to Lustblood.
"Lets go!" Ryu shouted, charging forth, Lusblood doing the same as the two clashed.
Ryu easily was the one to strike the first blow, thrusting his right claw deep into the chest of the creature. He then struck a second time as his hand smashing the face of the creature dead on to send him flying back, blood dripping from the wound. Ryu continued the assault slashing around the upper body, before he finally slice the area where the biceps and shoulders meet, the arms falling to the ground afterwards.
Only did a few seconds pass when the wounds closed up, Lustblood once more smiled, as he chuckled mockingly at Ryu.
"When will your idiots realize, I am immortal. Your damn powers are no match for my rejuvenating body." He said, as his arms once more revived.
With that he charged forth, as his fist beat at Ryu, who carefully tried to keep his blocking arms up.
"If he can rejuvenate his arms and body... then he must be unholy to be able recover at a rate like that." She thought, remembering the teachings of her magic, of how there is holy magic that heals and dark magic that was used for curses, instant death, and many other things. Only one type could destroy the magic that was holy.
Closing her eyes, she slowly focused her attention to where Ryu and Lustblood remained engaged in combat. She gripped her wand tightly, slowly gathering the magic up, she could feel Ryu's pain of all that he was going through, he was still a bit struggled, filling near fatigue from trying to control such a power. She easily put all her care and emotions of pure care as she cast a healing spell on both, maximum that it easily pushed her body to its limits, the holy aura engulfing both as a cry of pain could be heard shrilling screamed out. The light died down with the area returning to its normal glow.
Both remained standing, Ryu's dragon form now looking fully at power. Lustblood stood there, shaking as he loud out a groaning cry of pain, his body suddenly shriveling up, and turning to ashes as it fell and blew away in the winds.
Ryu only stood, looking to Nina, who fell to the ground, taking a few deep breaths.
"Holy magic... but how much effort did you put into it?" Ryu asked seeing Nina in fatigue.
"Full emotion... and it did the trick." She mentioned, falling down to her knee's.
"Dark magic never did survive holy magic." He mentioned, going back to his human form, taking a deep sigh.
"I wonder how Mai and Ichiro are doing?" She said still gasping.
***
A few more shots rang out, as Ichiro shifted his sword to repel each of the bullets that Fox unleashed upon him.
Fox kept moving at a speed that he appeared in about for areas at once, but Ichiro easily saw through, he was trained to easily use his senses at their strongest in order to see through any illusions that were used to fool those who lacked such will to see anything that would cause such disaster.
Eventually, fox made his last flaw, as Ichiro, on accident had repelled a bullet that made impact with the right arm, Fox's none shooting arm, but the pain stopped him dead in his tracks.
"You lose Fox." Mai said, as she opened fire on the position, but missed, as Fox vanished.
"Ha, don't let a wound fool you." He remarked, appearing atop one of the buildings, standing on the roof holding his wound.
He noticed his remote was already beeping, the sound indicating the main creature was not defeated. He knew this was bad and already was he no match against these two. It was a bad idea, but he wasn't going to leave yet, there was one thing that he had to see. If things were as he had predicted, there was sure going to be something he could get out of it.
***
Kiki kept her shots on coming; easily she was missing as Wes took a few steps in any direction as the shots came near him. He knew she wasn't trying to kill him, he knew she didn't even want to do this in the first place. His sharp vision already could spot her wet eyes, she was suffering, she was forced to do this just because she was a regent. He knew she wasn't going to give up, if the regents were as tough as they looked she wouldn't stop until she sent Wes to dreamland.
Her hands trembled as she fired each shot, she was already sad it had come to this, but she had no other choice. If Wes was going to stand in her way, she was going to have to get him out of the way. She wasn't going to kill him, her heart pleaded for her not to. She couldn't kill the one man who actually did care for her and show he meant it.
She shot once more, reloading a shell afterward. She was packed, and she knew what had to be done. She kept firing, as Wes kept avoiding.
"Stop this Kiki, I know that this is not what you want. Stop this already, you don't want to do this." He shouted, remaining in his stance.
Kiki only fired at him once more, the shot exploding as it blew up a few feet from Wes. He shook his head knowing what was going on. He had to convince her to stop, even at the risk of his own life. He stood up and started walking forward, holding his hands out. Kiki took aim, her hands trembling, her legs shaking as she was truly uneasy about making the shot, was Wes advanced forth. She moved to the left a bit, making shot, as it impacted, Wes continued to walk forth.
She fired a few more rounds, each away from him as he kept moving forth, slowly getting closer. She finally took aim closer, closing her eyes as she fired the shot placed directly in front of him. As the sound of an explosion occurred, she fell to her knee's, tears flowing out from her eyes.
"Wes... I'm..." She shook her head, sobbing as she really was in regret.
"Kiki... please... put the launcher down." He asked as he walked in front.
Kiki immediately dropped it, wrapping her arms around him, as she cried into his undershirt. Being the guy that had been close to her when young, he returned her hug by rubbing her shoulders.
"Wes... I'm sorry for trying to kill you..." She sincerely apologized.
"Kiki... it's okay... even if you have such skill, your still the one that I could never kill... I still love you, for who you truly are. You're not a fighter; you're a gentler girl, who uses her brains rather then arsenals." He noted still massaging her.
"I am that... I thought I could..." She stopped, as she pushed Wes away, a bullet shot striking her directly near her heart.
Wes had fell to the ground when she shoved him, and glanced in horror at the mark, as she fell to the ground. He glanced up finding the Fox with the smoking gun standing atop the building, smirking to the woren.
"I may have missed my intended shot on you woren, but at least I it hit someone that deserves the bullet... for her failure, it is the fate she gets for resisting the order of the Gunsmith Regents." He said, with a chuckle.
"BASTARD!!! I'LL KILL YOU." Wes yelled, as the Fox vanished, leaving the entire area.
"Wes, don't... please... don't leave me." Kiki begged holding her arm up, glancing with her now tear soaked eyes up at wes.
Wes ran over, as he slowly held Kiki in his arms, his face now frowning in fear, he knew she was growing weaker, the loss of blood was already too much. She would soon bleed if not treated.
"Kiki... hang in there, there's hope, I have a healer, she can-"
Kiki weakly shook her head, still glancing into Wes's eyes, taking deep breaths.
"They will still get me... it is the punishment of the Gunsmith Regents... failure is not forgivable." She whispered.
"Kiki... why did you join them... you're not like them..." Wes questioned shaking his head.
"Ever since I left that orphanage... my life has been pain... my foster parents abused me... and I always was picked on... I ran away, trying to make a life. I was rapped so many times... I can't even remember how many. I wanted to be stronger... I wanted to be able to stand up for myself. I found help... and weak as I was... I retentively agreed. That time I became sharper with a grenade launcher, but I still tried to be myself... I never thought I would be forced to fight you... " She remarked sadly as she felt his hands tremble, tears filling his eyes.
"Kiki... if only-"
"Wes... do not feel sorry, sad as it is that I shall leave this world... there is one thing I cannot regret," She said, glancing up into his face, she brought a hand up, caressing his cheek, she smiled. "I feel warm being in your arms, the last moments of my life are spent being with you. I am with you, Wes, my love... I can't ask for anything else, then to be with you, and to gaze at your handsome face. I could not ask for anything else Wes, then to be in your arms as I slowly leave this place." She whispered, gasping slowly, as she trembled, her hands dropping from rubbing Wes face.
Her body became lifeless, as she fell limp, no longer was she breathing, her eyes glancing upward. Wes closed them, sobbing more as his tears dripped onto her body, the blood that had fell out of her body now dripped to the ground, a puddle surrounding Wes.
"Kiki... KI-ki... KIKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!" He shouted out roaring loudly with a cry that anyone would know was pain.
***
"Wes..." Nina said, as the party excluding Wes was now all together.
"Cry of pain... a great loss has befallen him." Ichiro said, crossing his arms.
Ryu shook his head, knowing it was not good if Wes had lost someone dear, Mai remained silent, but deep down she felt sorrow, especially when she felt someone lost a person very dear to her. This was indeed not a victory for Wes, but a tragedy that would scar him emotionally.
**************************************************************************** **********
Next Time:
Draco: A Outlaws vacation never last, even when trying to train a kid become a good gunsmith. This time though they are sending a slayer, a halberd swinging gargoyle with the strength of an Ox. Even in a normal town, the apprentice can still prove their worth when it comes down to the rough battles that I face.
Next Chapter: Trigger Happy.
Author's notes: I hope the ending was emotional, that's what I was aiming for, but I aint no romanticist. Anyway, thanks to the reviewers on anonymous who reviewed more then once in one day. And Magnum Crow, glad you like the fic. Others... well, I don't see you, I don't thank.
Anyways... remember my policy people, I don't care if the things perfect, this is idea expression, and I still make some effort to try to make it readable rather then crap like 'Totally High', a stupid fic in this section. So remember, I don't want to be a better writer, I just want to express my ideas, isn't that the true purpose of writing... or are you all to blind to struggle in advancing?