A/N: First of all, I would like to make a comment about Rowen's actions throughout this story. I am trying to show how someone would react in an unusual, high-stress situation. Rowen's been in all sorts of trouble before, but nothing quite like this, so it's new to him too. I just hope it all seems believable and he does not get out of character.

Zorra: Thanks for the review, and sorry for the cliffhangers, but they just keep manifesting themselves.

Fragile Dragon: Thanks for the praise and the review. I hope you find this chapter as good as its predecessors.

darkangel507: I'm characterizing Rowen in my own way I suppose. Because in the "Ronin Warriors" his character is not very explored, save the scenes with Kayura where he says he'll gladly lay down his life for those of others, I'm trying to justify Rowen's thoughts and behaviors. Anyway, I'm glad you're liking the story, and thank you for the review.

Meira Evenstar: Thanks for the review.

Mischa Kitsune: Thanks very much for the review. I'm glad to see that everyone is finding this story refreshingly original.

Firestorm: Thanks for the review.

Samantha B.: Thank you for reviewing.

Disclaimer: I do not own Ronin Warriors.

Warning: This chapter is rated 'M' - just in case.

Hostage

Chapter 5

12:40 p.m.

The silence was deafening.

The pretty teller was standing off to the side, Gunman pressing the barrel of a gun against her skull. The gun and his hand were both covered in her sleek black hair.

The tension was thick as everyone waited for the bank manager to arrive. The teller – her name card read 'Kimi,' had done exactly as she was asked. A great deal of fear had overcome her words as she told the bank manager to come alone, or else the gunman would kill her. Whether the bank manager thought more of her safety, or of his, remained to be seen.

Every time tires were heard on the street outside of the bank, everyone looked up. Kimi seemed on the verge of a complete breakdown, her entire body twitching. Her dark eyes darted to the door and then to the gun, as if she was seeing her death playing before her. All it would take to set off the trigger was the appearance of the police. How ironic, that the people everyone is supposed to look toward in time of need could be the last nail in her coffin.

The hostages inside were waiting expectantly for the bank manager, hoping that once the criminals had what they wanted, that they would let everyone go.

Rowen however, was still suspicious, and was worrying over whether the bank manager would come at all. And, if he did, would he bring the police with him? Sure the life of one of his employees was threatened, but did he even know her? Did he care? Or was he more concerned about the money and security of his bank? Rowen was inclined to believe the latter. Besides, he was sure it was bank protocol to call the police when the bank has been overtaken by criminals.

Rowen hated situations like these. He had read about them in the news of course, and every time, he always wondered about the little worth that was placed on human life. Really, why are material things always more important than a person, than someone who lives and breathes?

Rowen started when his acute hearing picked up a far-off sound no one else heard: the sound of sirens. Rowen's breath caught in his chest, and he looked up at Kimi just as the sound amplified. The sirens became closer and closer, and still Rowen stayed cemented to his spot on the floor. In his mind he ran through scenarios of what he should do. Nearly all of the plans in his mind led to someone's death. There was no avoiding it at this point, was there? So what the Hell was he supposed to do? If he tried to save Kimi, he could wind up getting himself or one of the other hostages killed. If Gunman would kill her, he would not hesitate to take out as many people as it would take for Rowen to back down. What should he do? His mind spun and it irritated him, he had to make a decision and he had to make it fast. So why were his legs suddenly frozen? 'Dammit Rowen, you're a warrior! Pull yourself together!'

The police cars pulled in front of the bank, and Rowen finally regained control of himself. He leapt to his feet, deciding to protect Kimi as well as he could, but it was too late. At the same moment, Gunman released the teller. Gunman pulled the trigger with a resounding bang. The bullet flew cleanly through the side of Kimi's skull, landing across the room covered in blood. Blood spurted out of her head, spraying the white marble interior of the bank. She stayed standing for an instant, as her eyes rolled back in her head. Then she fell lifelessly to the floor, her body splayed in an awkward position.

Gunman stepped back, not the tiniest bit of remorse evident on his visage. It merely seemed that he had performed a necessary business transaction. He put the gun down and walked away from the bloody mess.

Rowen rushed to Kimi's side as everyone else screamed. Dead, empty eyes stared back up at him, and he felt an intense guilt form inside of him. He could have stopped it… or couldn't he? What would have happened if he moved an instant earlier? Would the gunman have killed them both? Would anything have changed? Rowen would never know the answers to those questions. However, there was one thing he understood plainly, those questions would haunt him until the day he died. And that day did not seem so far off now.