Disclaimer - yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay for chocolate -

AN - hi . ... WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! smack CALM DOWN! ... ahem sorry Im a little hyper XD but anyway hope youve been enjoying this sequel so far! Its gettin really close to the end now so hold on time XD tis gonna be fun!

Cheer up, Chiro!

By the tippeh

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"Help me! CHIRO!" He couldn't move! Why couldn't he move! He turned to look at his hands. Both were tied down with black cords. He tried to kick his legs out, they were bound as well. He heard her scream again, louder. She was close. In the distance he could hear as well as feel the deep shockwaves from explosives. They were getting closer.

Suddenly, she was there standing next to him, but he could see more of the dark bindings around her. She was tied to something he couldn't see. "Miharu!"

She looked at him, fear etched across her face. She was crying, "Help me, Chiro!"

He struggled against his restraints, trying desperately to get free. "I-I can't move..." He blinked as he saw the darkness changing. They were in a building. There was a glass front, a grocery store. He turned to look at her again. She was still there, but tied to one of the pillars. Another explosion, this one much closer. Large cracks formed in the ceiling, exposing wire and metal. He heard her scream as the window broke and something hit the floor. He couldn't see it, but he knew what it was.

His gaze shot back to her as he frantically tried to get out of the bindings, but it was no use. The explosion sent him flying across the floor and time seemed to slow down. Debris was flying everywhere, flames licking at the walls as they shot out in ever direction.

He couldn't see her anymore. Chiro lay on his side, watching as the fire danced around, engulfing parts of the store as it went. Finally he caught site of the pillar he had seen her on, but she wasn't there. His gaze lowered, a cry escaping his mouth. She lay on the floor, eyes open, but she wasn't moving. Her empty, lifeless stare focused on him and he wanted to scream. This wasn't real! She was alive! This was a dream.

He heard a large cracking sound and looked up just in time to see the ceiling come crashing down on him.

"NOOO!" Chiro sat up in bed, his face drenched in sweat. He took in several deep breaths before placing his hands over his face. It was a dream, that's all. He kept telling himself that, but inside he knew something was wrong.

He waited a few moments, but noone came rushing in the check on him. Good. He got off the bed, grabbing his crutch. He limped over to the door and opened it, light flooding into his room. He was surprised to see himself in hyper form, the orange gloves now covering his hands. He quickly powered down, not wanting to attract any attention from the monkeys.

Chiro looked down the hall, but he didn't see anyone. It must have been late for everyone to be asleep. He quickly went to the computers in the main room and turned them on. He needed to find out where she was. She still had the communicator so all he had to do was find that. Easy enough. Within a minute he had the location.

Quietly, he made his way out the door and to the vehicle room, pulling off the cover to the motorcycle. He collapsed the crutch and tossed it in the side car before placing the helmet over his head. He'd have to walk the bike out. It turned out to be much more of a challenge then he thought, but as he made it outside he climbed up onto the bike and turned it on. His leg actually wasn't the problem. It sat on the pegs comfortably and he didn't need to move it. The problem was the cast on his arm. It was hard to hold the handle. Luckily, he didn't need that hand to power up the bike. The side car helped too.

He turned right, down another street. This was a very run down section of Shugazoom, one that no one really wanted to rebuild. Why was she down here? His pulse quickened as he realized she might really be in trouble. He gave the bike more gas, the engine revving as it sped up. He glanced down at the screen on the bike, following the small yellow blip. He was close.

Finally, he came up to a building, a group of strange people sitting outside on the steps. He parked the bike across the street, grabbing his crutch as he got off the bike. He threw his helmet into the sidecar and turned to the building. He stepped forward, noticing the attention he was getting from the group.

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Miharu turned over on the bed. Something outside had woken her, but the noise was gone now. She pulled the blanket up to her chin as a light chill ran through her. It was a chilly night, and having the window open cooled off her small apartment easily.

"Man, kid, what messed you up?" Even three stories up, she could understand every word the group downstairs said. There was a combined group of snickering. What were they talking about?

One of the girls spoke next, the way she said the words made her stomach twist. "You could get in a lot of trouble out here." like she cared, "why don't you go home to your mommy?"

Miharu's eyes went wide. It couldn't be! She quickly jumped out of bed and looked out the window down at the group that stood guard in front of the building. Her mind froze as she saw the boy, hobbling closer to them. Without a second thought she turned and grabbed a long metal pipe she kept in her room. She moved to the door, unlocking it before pulling it open and stepping out. She ran down the stairs, the pipe still in hand.

She hit the bottom floor and in one step made it to the front door, pulling it open, using the other door to hide the blunt weapon.

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He was confused why these people were acting like this. He'd never met such strange people, even on his journeys with the monkeys. They were all sitting on the steps, blocking his path. The woman had just spoken, and he cringed at her words.

He stopped at the base of the stairs, "Excuse me, I need to get by."

The group laughed, a brutish man chiming in, "You gotta pay the fee to get in, boy."

Chiro cocked his head in confusion, not sure what they meant. He was about to ask about it, when the door to the building opened quickly. They all turned to see Miharu, clad in her pajama bottoms and tank top. He smiled, so glad to see she was ok.

"Let him through..." Her gaze fell on the large man who had issued the need of a fee.

"You know the rules, girly. He ain't gettin' through till he pays." Chiro really didn't like the way the man was talking. He was pretty sure the fee didn't involve money. A cracking of knuckles caught his attention and another man stood, his hand in a fist. There was something shining on it, but he couldn't tell what it was in the darkness.

"Stop! I said let him through!" She had moved out of the doorway and Chiro could see something in her hand. A pipe?

The other man laughed again, "So you wanna play it that way, huh? Well then lets see... you beat Orick over there and we'll let him pass."

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She bit back a groan as the man stated the wages. Without a word, she moved forward and the group parted so she could step into the street. Chiro was staring at her, his mouth hanging open. She gave he a quick smile before turning to her opponent, pipe gripped firmly in her hands. The man was huge, easily two feet taller than she was. The brass knuckles glinted in the light from the street laps.

"Go get 'er!"

She quickly jumped out of the way as the burly man came barreling towards her. So what if they had scary weapons, she had skill. He turned for another attack, fist clenched. Miharu steadied herself, the pipe held down by her side.

He kicked off the pavement at a full charge. This time she stepped aside, ducking down as his fists flew over her head. He took another step forward, and yelled out as the metal pipe connected with the back of his knee, sending him to the ground.

Miharu let out a yelp as she felt his hand wrap around her ankle, ripping her off her feet. She landed hard on her hip, unable to stop the cry that escaped her mouth.

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The crutch clattered to the ground as he took a step forward. His mind was yelling at him to run as he saw Miharu hit the ground. He let his weight fall on his broken leg and cried out as hot pain began to fill up the side of his body, sending him to the ground.

"Chiro! Stay there!" He could here her yelling at him. He looked up in time to see her and the man get to their feet. He was attacking her again, swinging punches that she evaded. She jumped back as the man threw a high punch, nearly catching the side of her face. It was enough of an opening as she took the pipe and slammed it into the man's groin, instantly sending him to the ground. Then with one swift movement, she knocked him in the back of the head, his body falling limp on the ground.

He tried to stand as she walked over to him, but the pain sent him falling again. He felt gentle arms lift him off the ground and he looked up to see her looking over him, concern on her face. He flashed her a quick smile before turning to find his crutch. She got to it before he could, slipping it over her arm. He noticed she still held the pipe in her other hand.

She knelt down in front of him, and told him to hold on as she wrapped the arm with the pipe around his back so he could sit on it. He put his arms around her neck and she lifted him off the ground, turning to the building.

The group of thugs were off collecting the other man, which left the stairs free. Miharu quickly ascended the steps and moved through the door, closing it behind her.

His mind started to spin as they went up the stairs and to a room. He wasn't sure what floor they were on, but he was glad to be inside.

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She set him down on the bed and he let go of her neck. She placed the pipe and crutch over next to the door before turning her attention back to him.

"Are you okay?" She looked into his crystal blue eyes and immediately saw the pain in them. "Lay back and I'll get something to prop your leg on." Silently, he laid back on the bed, his head resting against the pillow.

Miharu moved around the tiny room and grabbed a small pile of clothes. Carefully, she folded them, making a small stack. She moved back over to the bed and gently lifted his injured leg, placing the garments beneath it.

"I shouldn't have come..." She looked up as she heard him speak. "None of this would have happened if I'd stayed in bed..."

"Chiro..." She paused, then moved over to sit on the edge of the bed, "yes, you shouldn't have come, but you're here and you safe. Everything's okay now."

"No. You got hurt because I came!" She could see he was fighting back tears.

"Chiro, those guys out there... do you know how many times I've had to fight them, just to get into my home? Trust me, it was going to happen again sooner or later." She smiled down at him, "and at least this time I have someone to talk to about it."

"But..."

"Nuh uh, no buts. I'm actually glad you came. Gave me a reason to hit Orick." She laughed as she saw the small smile creeping its way on to the boy's face. "So, you wanna tell me why you're here?"

Chiro was quiet a moment, then slowly sat up so he could look at her better. "I had a bad dream..."

She cocked an eyebrow, but let him continue.

"I've actually had a lot of nightmares... about you... I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

She smiled down at him, "You coulda called, ya know?" She ruffled his hair lightly, earning a small laugh.

"Sorry.." he gave her a weak smile.

"No big..." she paused, "do your monkeys know where you are?"

He let out a deep breath and shook his head.

"Oh wow, are you ever going to be in trouble." They both laughed, the adrenalin finally starting to die down.

Chiro yawned loudly. He was really tired.

"Why don't you go to sleep? You can head back in the morning."

"What about you?" He had finally been able to fully take in her room. It was tiny and empty, and as far as he could see there was only one bed.

"I'll take the floor, and before you say anything," she raised her hand up to his mouth as he opened it, "I've had to plenty of times, so its not a problem." She gave him a smile, and he let himself lay back down. She grabbed the blanket and draped it over him.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome, now get some sleep." She stood from the bed and sat down on the floor. She pushed herself up against the wall next to the head of the bed so he could still see her. He still didn't go to sleep, sensing that something might still be wrong.

"How's your hip?"

"Hm?" She looked at him, puzzled.

"Your hip, you fell on it?"

"Oh, yeah... it's a little sore, but nothing I won't get over."

"Sorry.."

"You've got to stop apologizing, it wasn't your fault."

He was about to protest when he suddenly heard something outside the door. He turned his gaze to look, but didn't see anything. Apparently, Miharu had heard it too as she stood up and stepped over to grab the metal pipe.

"Can they get into the building?" He asked in a hushed voice, referring to the group downstairs.

She shook her head, "The don't have the key."

They heard it again, this time louder. It sounded like scratching, like claws digging into wood. His blood froze as he realized what was about to happen. Instantly, he was in hyper mode. At that same moment the door flew off its hinges, crashing to the floor. They both looked up to see a mob of formless blocking the entrance.

Tbc...

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ooooo what an evil place to end D don't ya love it! Anyway thats chapter 5? Ya 5 hope yall enjoyed it! I have a feeling I've still got a couple more chapters to go x.x this one turned out longer that it was supposed to be, but I like fighting D anyway thanks for reading! Chapter 6 will be up soon!