Ohayo, minna-san! I'm back!
Okay, so before I begin this chapter, I just want to tell you that this entire chapter (or at least most of it) will be in flashback form of Natsumi's past.
Also, I'm running out of ideas with what to do after this part of the story so if you want, you could suggest on what you want me to do. That'll give you an excuse to review my story, right?
Thanks to all those who reviewed... you guys make me happier each day!
From last chapter:
Once he was out the room, Natsumi turned to the others and said, "I'm sure you all want to here about this now, huh?"
"It all started 8 years ago..."
"Okasan! Otosan! You're back!" yelled a cheerful nine-year old Natsumi.
The parents smiled happily as they watched their daughter run, with open arms, towards them.
When she reached them, her father scooped her up in his arms and hugged her as the mother smiled at them gently, happy and content with the life she led.
They were rich, with many servants to care for them but what she had was more precious than all the riches in the world.
Her daughter.
Little did they know about the event that was going to occur, that would change the lives of this happy and blessed family forever.
(2 months later)
There was a knock on the door as Natsumi's parents were tucking her into bed.
"Who could that be? It's already so late at night." wondered Natsumi's mother.
"I'll get it." said her husband, going out of the large room to answer the door.
Natsumi stirred at the sound and whispered sleepily, "Who's that?"
Her mother smiled and said, "Go back to sleep, Natsumi. Your father just went out to answer the door."
Natsumi nodded and said, with a smile on her face, "Good night, Okasan."
"Good night."
Natsumi yawned and rolled back into bed.
Natsumi's mother gently closed the door and went to check on her husband.
"What's taking him so long to answer the door" She wondered.
Just as she reached the door, she gave a shriek.
There was blood everywhere on the porch, coming from a body that lay on the steps.
The body of her husband.
Suddenly, somebody grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth so that she couldn't make a sound.
That person pierced a sword right through her heart.
Thieves came out of hiding, stealing everything they could lay their hands on. Murderers went around the house, scrounging for luxurious items and killing the numerous servants as they went.
All the while, one girl stood and watched it all, with shock and fear written all over her face.
Natsumi had been woken up by the sound of her mother's scream. She had run the long stairs as fast as she could, wondering what could have caused her mother to scream like that.
She had watched her mother be killed right in front of her eyes.
She didn't stand there but she ran to her room, gathering what little money she had into a bag. She shoved spare clothes and a small amount of food into the bag too.
That night, she ran away, away from the comfortable life she once knew.
(1 year later)
Natsumi closed her eyes as she remembered the events of that fateful day.
It was exactly one year after that day.
Trying to recall all the things she had done since running away, she closed her eyes.
She had been on the run for a year, never staying at one inn for too long, for fear that the thieves would try to come and kill her.
She had also learned how to pickpocket and gamble, her supply of money and food having run out a long time ago.
Truth be told, she had seen a different side of life after she had left. Now she knew how it felt to have no home, food or money.
Natsumi sighed. She wished that it had never happened. She wanted to go back to the life she had before but she couldn't, for no one can turn back the hands of time.
She stood up, picking her bag up as she did so.
Natsumi walked down the stairs of the inn, sadly wishing she could stay longer.
As she was paying her bill, the owner looked at her oddly.
"You're a pretty young lass to be traveling alone. How old are you?"
"10 years old, sir"
"Are you sure that you don't want to stay longer? You look pretty tired to me."
"I am sir, but I have somewhere else to be."
Wherever that place is, I sure as hell don't know where it is.
The owner nodded.
"Have a safe trip."
"Thank you."
(1 year later)
Natsumi followed this man to Mugenjou City, looking at him warily and strangely.
He had come across her being bullied by bandits. He had saved her, using a fighting style she had never seen before.
He had told her to come with him to Babylon City. They had been traveling for 3 days now.
That night, as the settled down for the night, he began to speak.
"Do you want to become strong, to learn how to fight and protect yourself?" he asked.
"Yes." She answered, wondering why he had asked that.
"In order to do this, are you willing to do anything to reach your goal?"
Another nod.
He paused then asked, "How old are you kid?"
"I'm 11, and my name's not 'kid', it's Natsumi."
He scratched his chin thoughtfully, and then asked, "How would you like me to teach you how to fight?"
Natsumi's eyes widened as she nodded. She would do absolutely anything to grow strong.
One day, I'm going to protect others, so that what happened to my parents won't happen to them.
"There is one condition." He stated, snapping her out of her reverie.
"Anything." She replied breathlessly.
He turned his black eyes toward her, making her inwardly shudder uncomfortably.
"You have to work for the Forbidden Section in Babylon City."
Natsumi agreed to this and bid him a good night, retiring to her bed sleepily.
As the days went by, she learned more about her mysterious companion.
His name was Ryuki and he worked as an assassin the Forbidden Section.
He explained that the people there helped those in the Lower Level of Mugenjou City, improving their lives and more.
He said that an assassin's job was to kill those who did not obey the rules and regulations of the city.
At first Natsumi thought that killing others was bad but he explained that those who did not obey the rules endangered the lives of the innocent ones and should therefore be stopped and punished.
Ryuki also taught her to fight. The fighting style was called Heavenly Wind. Using this, you would be able to control the wind in such a way that it could cut the opponent or create and deadly vacuum. She had already mastered a few moves but they still had room for further improvement.
For the first time since the death of her parents, she felt content and happy.
I'll become strong, you'll see. Just watch me, Okasan and Otosan.
(2 years later)
Natsumi watched the setting sun. It was her most favorite sight and she came to watch it everyday.
Tomorrow, she would officially begin her job as an assassin. She wasn't so sure of herself since she was, at 13, the youngest assassin there ever was but Ryuki promised to watch over her.
He's like my big brother. He protects me and he was the one who taught me to protect myself.
When she had arrived at Babylon City, she had been scared because of all the strange people and passageways. After a while, she befriended these people and memorized all the passageways by heart.
However, what she was proudest of was that she had finally mastered the technique of 'Heavenly Wind'.
Please watch over me, Okasan and Otosan. I want to make you proud.
(2 years later)
She had been called for her next assignment. The only difference was that the boss of the Forbidden City would brief her.
I wonder what he's like.
For the past 2 years, she had killed many delinquents and offenders. She had even earned a name for herself, the 'Moon Goddess of Babylon City'.
And it was true. Her blue-black hair made it seem that way.
"Come in." a deep voice said.
Natsumi took a deep breath and entered the dimly lit room.
"What is it that you want me to do?"
"Kill the Four Kings of the VOLTS organization."
"Where can I find them?" You never asked why, you just followed orders. That's the way it was around there.
"The Thunder Emperor has left them and they have disbanded. I am quite sure you will find them outside Mugenjou."
Natsumi bowed slightly and left the room. Already, a plan was forming in her head...
(that night)
"Ryuki-kun, I want to talk to you about something"
"What is it Natsumi-chan?"
Ryuki smiled at this. Over the years, Natsumi had become the baby sister he never had.
"I don't want to kill anymore. It just feels... wrong."
He was startled at this. This was the first time she had ever brought this up.
"I don't want to hurt anyone. I thought that I was supposed to protect people but the only thing I've done is murder. Also, how can we improve people's lives by KILLING. It's wrong, I know it is. I need a break. I want to get out and start a new life."
"You mean stop working for the Forbidden Section?" Ryuki asked, surprised. He could hardly believe it. This was her home.
Natsumi nodded silently.
Ryuki sighed. He didn't want to let her go, but if that was what she wanted, he would help her achieve her goal no matter what.
"What do you have in mind?" he asked.
"The boss wants me to kill the former Four Kings of Volts. He said that they were outside Mugenjou. That means that I have to go out." She explained carefully.
"And?"
"Well, what if I go out and never come back?"
"He'll find out, you know. Sometimes, I think he sees everything."
"That's where you come in."
"Huh?"
"I need you to volunteer to look for me after I've disappeared. When they ask you where I am, tell me that I was murdered and I wasn't able to finish my assignment, understood?"
"Understood. Just be safe okay?"
Natsumi nodded and hugged Ryuki.
"I'm gonna miss you." She whispered softly. "Thank you for everything."
"I'll miss you too. I'll see if I can visit you if I have the time." He replied hoarsely, trying to hold back tears that were threatening to escape. They had been so close and now...
"How will you find me?" she asked curiously.
"That's for me to know and you to find out, kid." He grinned.
"Well, bye then. Take good care of yourself." said Natsumi.
"You too kid, you too." replied Ryuki.
(back to the present)
"And that's what happened." finished Natsumi.
Everyone was silent, until Ginji said,
"We don't want you to leave."
Everyone else nodded in agreement.
Natsumi sighed. "I don't want to either but I have to. I don't want you to get hurt because of me."
The door swung open as Ryuki called out, "Time to go, Natsumi."
She nodded.
Turning to her close friends, she said, "Well, I guess this is goodbye. Take care of yourselves, okay?"
In unison, everybody replied, "We'll miss you. Take care of yourself too."
Natsumi laughed at this and grinned.
Before she was completely out of their sight, Ginji said,
"We'll be back for you, Natsumi. I promise."
Yayy! I'm done!
That took me soooooooooooo long to finish. I'm also sorry if there are so many lines!
Thanks for all the reviews... see you next time!!