Natsuki Kuga sped down the mountain road on her motorcycle; the very same road that her and her mother escaped down on that fateful night. The memories flooded back to her.
She never noticed the spike strip.
Her tires ruptured, sending the bike out of control. Natsuki leapt off the machine before it crashed into the side of the mountain. She rolled across the road and slammed into the guard rail. Her bike burst into flames.
Natsuki shakily got to her feet and whipped off her helmet. "Damn it." She cursed. Her body was sore, but she didn't think she took any serious injury. She limped back to where she had come from, wondering what blew her tires. When she saw the strip, she became alert. She scanned her surroundings but saw nothing other than her blazing bike.
She turned when she heard the footsteps. Standing several feet away from her was a large man in a suit. Light from the flames flickered across his face. Natsuki recognised him.
Those with any sort of involvement in the underworld knew of the A+ sniper and hitman for hire. The man said to make the impossible, possible.
Golgo 13.
Natsuki heard rumours that the man was in the area. She never imagined that she'd be his target. Did the First District decide to get rid of her? Had she dug too deep? No, those people wouldn't get rid of a HiME. Natsuki figured the only people who would have the kind of money to hire Golgo would be the Searrs Foundation. Pay back for their botched take over.
Natsuki knew Golgo 13 was a master of fire arms. He wasn't going to snipe her. If he was, she'd be dead already. He undoubtedly had information on her, so he must be aware of her powers. Did he want to challenge her to a duel with pistols?
There was no where for Natsuki to take cover. She was in the middle of the road, so trying to dive off the cliff wasn't an option. He'd take her out before she reached it. Summoning Duran was out of the question. The metal wolf wouldn't appear fast enough.
It would all came down to who could draw faster. Golgo 13's draw speed was legendary. Natsuki was doubtful she could match it, but she wouldn't give up. It was do or die.
Both of them stood with their arms at their side. They held each others eyes for moments on end. When a small rock fell from the ledge and clattered onto the road, Natsuki summoned her element.
She was too slow.
Natsuki felt the hot, searing pain as the bullet entered her chest. She coughed up the blood that filled her mouth and her legs collapsed out from under her. She could feel her life draining out of her and spilling onto the asphalt. She turned her head and took one last look at the sea that had claimed her mother.
And then there were two.