Chapter 2

Taking his final bow, Rohan thanked the assembled crowd before him and stepped off the stage. Briskly walking into the backstage area, he hears the voice of Raphael, his manager, coming from a corner of the cramped room. "Hey Rohan! That was a great show, man!" He said as he swung his arm out, giving a pat on Rohans shoulder.

Raphael was someone Rohan classified as... good people. He was a lengthy, dark skinned man with longer brown hair pulled into a ponytail whenever he was in public. Many nights were spent between Raphael and Rohan drinking into the early hours of the morning. Back when his career hadn't taken off, when he was nothing more than another name. But through it all this man was relentlessly high spirited.

"Thank you, Raphael, but don't forget who got me here" he said as he smugly pointed a finger towards him. They stood in the hall for a few moments and conversed. "yeah, yeah… Hey if you need to head out, its all good, your ride should be waiting for you outback right… now!" He said as he looked down at his wristwatch, pleased at his own sense of timing.

The sinking feeling of anxiety sunk into Rohans stomach again. He remembered why he had asked for an early ride out. Bitter images of Roman and this mystery woman he brought flashed through his head. He frowned. The thought of these two entering his home to discuss this business of theirs disgusted him, especially considering the nature of this woman he's brought along. His mind did as it always does, consider the worst possible scenario and conclusion and immediately jump to it as being the most likely.

He would be arrested for murder, breaking and entering, vandalism, destruction of government property, conspiring with several known criminals, and possibly even terrorism, all on several accounts.

He jolted back to the environment around him as he realized he'd been standing there, alone behind the stage for a few minutes. Red faced, he briskly walked down the corridors towards his prep room. Taking note of the absence of any stage crew in the area.

He turned the corner to be greeted by Roman and his companion. He once again took note of her shapely figure and her changed expression. When he had seen her in the concert hall, she seemed impatient, calm, but flustered only ever so slightly. Now, in these dim halls, she had a look of control, power, and confidence. He hadn't heard her speak a single word but he already decided, he did not like this woman.

Passing them, he gestured to the door further down the hallway, "shall we?" Roman remained completely quiet, and instead his companion spoke. "of course" and she flashed him a smile. It made his blood run cold, it was not warm nor welcoming in any way. It was cold, and deliberate, like the look a predator gives its prey before ripping it to shreds. It's a look he himself had given a few times in the past.

"Explain to me again why I need a babysitter on this mission…"

"So you don't screw it up"

He turned to look at the masked faunus through his own smudged lenses. The cold night air bit at their skin, accentuated by the wind of the buildings rooftop, heightening the tension between the two assassins.

He hadn't been told his "partners" name, in case he turned out to be a traitor and somehow managed to escape. But what he did know was that he was a Bull faunus, a temperamental one at that. Neither were very fond of each other, but they shared a common goal.

Roman had sent him to assassinate a particularly nosey captain that had refused the White Fangs bribes in the past, and was not striking up investigations concerning Romans operation. Him on the other hand, had been sent to evaluate his performance in the field, and make sure he wasn't a traitor.

"How long do you plan on standing here, freezing our asses off?"

"As long as it takes for the frost to clamp your jaw shut"

He heard the faunus curse his name under his breath, bringing a pleased smile to his face. His outfit of choice was fit for the cold, a thick, dark coat that reached down to his knees, with several layers of armor and clothing underneath. The hood of his coat in combination with his full facial mask hid him from the cold admirably, while the faunus stood in nothing more than a white-half mask and a thin black uniform.

The magnifying lenses in his mask allowed him to survey the streets below at ease. Within fifteen minutes he had a rough map of the neighboring building plotted out. He quickly ran over the objectives in his head once again.

'Assassinate the target'

'steal the White Fang case files'

'leave no witnesses'

He stood from his crouched stance at the edge of the roof, turned, and began to walk past his companion towards the other edge.

"Finally"

Turning towards where we once sat, Rohan sprinted at full speed toward the buildings edge. Taking a long leap into the air, aiming straight for a window on the fourth story of the neighboring building.

He flung his arms out in front of him, slamming his eyes shut in preparation for the shower of broken glass. Rolling onto the floor, he flung his eyes open to see the empty room he had scouted from the roof.

Quickly he slid under the table in the middle of the small room, paying careful attention to the doors on either side of him. Two pairs of heavy footsteps entered the room, lightly armored boots of guardsmen as they hastily searched the room.

He frantically thought of ways to deal with the situation, closed his eyes and slowly exhaled. 'Calm down, Rohan, you've done this a hundred times.'

Exiting from under the table behind one of the guards, he placed his hands on either side of his head and twisted as hard as he could. Truth be told he'd only practiced this move in less dire circumstances, he had no assurance it would work. He closed his eyes, silently praying that this would work.

A crack and a pop later, the man lifelessly fell to the floor. Opening his eyes, Rohan turned his attention to the other guard. Remembering the countless hours training for this very moment. He quickly performed a heavily practiced kick, designed to rend the enemies leg useless. Rohan was surprised to hear a thick pop, and saw the man fall to the floor, his joint broken and useless.

Before the shocked guard had a chance to make any sound, a weighted fist knocked him into unconsciousness. Swiftly remembering the conditions he operated under, Rohan drew his blade, and walked over to the unconscious guard laying on the blue carpet.

Tensions only got worse as the night went on. They waked out to the limousine parked behind the theatre, Roman and his mysterious date let themselves into the vehicle. Rohan swung around to the drivers side and tapped on the window, he spoke as it rolled down. "what's the situation sir?" the voice of an older man inside the car spoke with a concerned tone.

Rohan looked through the window at Eddy, an older, graying man in formal attire, regardless of having not attended the concert. Eddy practically raised Rohan, he was his families butler, while they were still around, and Rohans closest personal friend.

"Roman's brought a date"

"Why's that so odd? I know plenty of women who love a roguish type."

"That's not what I meant, smartass. His 'date' is a business associate of some kind."

Eddy reached forward, patting the dashboard smugly;

"Oh, i'm sure we'll be just fine sir, truly."

Immediately Rohan felt immense reassurance. Eddy has the situation under control.

He then strode to the door of the matte black limousine and climbed into the car.