A/N: I'm sorry! College and work got really busy recently and I also ended up with writer's block. So I'm sorry it has taken so long for me to get a new chapter out.

Disclaimer: I don't own Rockman, Capcom does. mutters Lucky bastards.

Chapter Two: Rouge Hunter

"It's all loaded up, Alex-san," Katana called as she entered the general store. A small bell over the door rung with her arrival and the arrival of those behind her.

A human well into his fifties smiled. His frame was huge and he was obviously still in good health despite his age though it did seem like he was slowing down a little. He reached up with one large hand and gently ruffled the girl's hair when she got close enough; much to her dismay and protest. "Thanks Kai-chan," he said with a small laugh at her scowl.

"I told you not to call me that."

"But Kai-chan is such a cute name," An orange haired woman behind the counter replied. She was a slightly plump about the same age as the man. Her graying hair was pulled back into a ponytail at the back of her neck. She was the owner of the store and the inn across the street.

"Miyu-san," The female reploid sighed. She'd basically given up on fighting with them about the nickname they had given her. She didn't like the –chan honorific. It was too… well girly. That, and it made her feel like a little kid instead of a teenager. She knew their teasing was playful but it was still annoying at times.

"Well then since she's done loading up I'd best be off," Alex said before heading past the four reploids and out the door. Moments later his truck could be heard starting up and driving off.

After the man was gone Miyu finally seemed to notice that someone had followed the girl into the store. She leaned against the counter as she peeked around Kai. "Oh, hello there," she said to the three Maverick Hunters. She waited as the three new comers introduced themselves. "What can I do for you?"

"Uh," X answered, a little caught off guard by the sudden question.

"I believe they need a couple of rooms," Kai answered for them. She titled her head to the side a little at the confused looks the three gave her. "Miyu-san owns the inn as well as this store," she explained. "Unless you weren't planning on staying a while?"

X shook his head. "No, we are," he said. He regained his composure and turned to the woman behind the counter. "And Katana-san is correct. We do need a couple of rooms to stay in if you have any available."

"Oh course we do," The human replied. "We don't get many visitors here so there's always plenty of room. Defiantly enough for each of you to have your own room. I even have a couple of recharge and repair capsules if you have need of them." Reploids could recharge and repair minor damage in the capsules. But usually, many choose to recover energy used during the day by sleeping. Their energy cores needed very little recharging and only needed to go into a capsule after a major drain or every few months just for a good recharge. X, Zero, and Axl had that maintenance recharge once a month at the hunter base recently so they shouldn't need another any time soon. Still, the capsules would be nice to have around in case something major happened.

"That's good to hear," Zero said. He didn't mind bunking with either one or both of his teammates but a room to himself was nice too.

X nodded while Axl fidgeted. His mind was bored already with the conversation so he'd starting glancing around. He seemed to go still when X shot him a look out of the corner of his eye.

Kai could barely hold back a smile in response to the silent exchange. Honestly, if she was in Axl's position she'd probably be fidgeting too. She watched as X paid for the rooms and got three keys from Miyu.

The human woman let out a small gasp just as she was putting the money away. Four curious gazes turned her way as she looked towards a door that leads to a back area. "Oh no I forgot again," Miyu said to herself.

"Forgot what," Axl asked.

Miyu turned her eyes back to the four. "I forget to give Alex-san the scrap metal again." She looked towards Kai. "That's the third time this month. Can you bring it to him?"

"Scrap metal?"

"Alex-san's a metal smith," the female reploid answered while looking at Zero since he was the one that voiced the question. "Miyu-san collects any scrap metal that comes her way and hands it over to him. It's nice because he recycles it instead of having to pay so much for new materials." She turned her gaze back to the woman before asking, "How many boxes did you get this time?"

"Four."

Kai sighed. She could carry two easily enough. It'd mean she'd have to make two trips. Alex's smithy was on the other end of town. It wasn't far but it would take a half an hour or so to get it all there by herself.

"We can help," Axl volunteered from out of the blue. His outburst got him looks from both Zero and X but the two nodded when Kai and Miyu looked at them. They would help.

"It would give Katana-san a chance to show us around," X said.

"Thank you very much."

- - - - -

Ten minuets later the four were making their way across town on foot. Each one of them carried a box full of scrap metal though the three Hunters had insisted on taking the heavier ones. Katana had protested at first but eventually gave up. It was obvious they were going to be stubborn about it and she really didn't feel like arguing over something so stupid. Instead, she used the lighter load to free up her arm every couple of minuets to point out specific buildings of interest.

The town of Korrin had a small population and was very rural. The major businesses were the inn and the general store. Most of the town consisted of houses and a small forest temple. There were a few small businesses like a vehicle repair shop, clothing stores, and restaurants. All of those businesses were located in the center of town except for maybe one or two. Alex's metal shop was on the outskirts of the town. The town was spread out but walking across town only took about 10-15 minuets for a reploid like Katana.

"So who pulled the prank of dyeing your hair," Kai asked X as they continued along the road.

X stumbled and nearly dropped the box he was carrying. He blushed slightly after he recovered. How did she know about that?

"I can see your roots," the girl explained with a small laugh.

"Oh," X said. He cast a small glare at Axl as the other reploid whistled innocently. The blue bomber's glare snapped to Zero when he thought he heard him snicker.

It didn't take a genius to figure out who had done it. Though it didn't surprise her all that much. Axl looked like the misjevious type.

"It's not permanent," the teenage reploid cried in his defense. "You need to lighten up X."

Said reploid just scowled at Axl even more. Kai held back a small smirk as she watched the exchange. The relationship the three had was very interesting. She was content to just walk in silence while watching the three interact.

"X, give the kid a break," Zero sighed. "You chewed him out enough for it already back at HQ."

X muttered something under his breath but released Axl from his glare. He turned his attention back ahead of them and where they were going.

About five minuets later the small group reached their destination. A medium sized one-story stone building loomed before them. Smoke curled out of a large chimney. A sign hung over the front of the building where the actual shop was. Around the side was a large set of doors that opened into the working space. Metal working tools hung all over the walls and lay scattered about on works tables and near anvils. A large fire burned in a special pit for heating metals. It looked exactly like a smithy from long ago when people were forced to make metal crafts by hand. A couple of unfinished pieces lay on some of the work tables. Most of the pieces were types of armor for reploids though there were a couple of decorative pieces and weapons.

"This is it," the female reploid announced while leading them towards the open side doors. "Alex-san," she called as they entered, "Special delivery."

"Huh," The smith uttered before looking up from his work. He blinked in surprise upon seeing the group of four so soon. He then noticed the boxes they carried and immediately guessed why they were there. "Oh. Thank you," he said before motioning where they could put the boxes of scrap metal down.

After setting down his burden Axl immediately moved around to look at everything. Both X and Zero also looked intrigued by what they saw. Not many people bothered with hand crafting metal with today's technology.

"Wow," the teenage Hunter breathed. "Did you really make all these things?"

"Most of them," Alex answered. He glanced towards an unfinished sword Zero was looking closely at. The no-datchi blade was very finely crafted. The blade shone silver against the black etched design of an ornate dragon. The guard was a gold four pointed star. Blue leather wrapped tightly around the handle with two strands hanging down near the bottom about six inches while there was another gold colored diamond shape at the end. He smirked as Zero leaned a little closer to look at the image etched near where the base of the blade met the guard. It was a silver star over a gold sun within a black circle. "Actually," Alex spoke up, catching the three hunters' attention. "Kai-chan made that one," he finished while nodding towards the blade Zero was looking at.

"You did," Axl asked while immediately looking at the girl. Her cheeks took on a small hint of red and she shrugged it off like it was no big deal. "It looks really cool."

"Thanks," Kai said softly, not really sure how to reply. No one outside of the few people in the village had complemented her much on anything. She was used to their teasing compliments and easily brushed them off. She couldn't do that with the honest sincerity and admiration in Axl's voice. Her eyes went wide when Zero reached out to touch the edge of the blade. "Be careful," she cried while reaching out to stop him.

The red hunter jerked slightly in surprise from Kai's sudden shout. He winced and pulled his hand back when his hand got sliced open. All three hunters blinked and stared at a small amount of blood began to seep from the cut.

Kai grabbed a small bit of cloth nearby and ripped off a strip before taking hold of Zero's hand. She bandaged the cut on his palm while he was still confused.

"How," X asked while looking over at Alex. Normal metal weapons weren't strong enough to penetrate the synthetic skin of reploids.

The metal smith sighed. "I've been experimenting with mixing the metal from reploid armors into the steel and other metals used to create weapons. It took me nearly ten years but I finally got the recipe right with Kai-chan's help," he explained. "It's not effective as an energy weapon or beam saber but that sword is able to pierce reploid armor."

Zero turned his gaze from his hand to Kai. She tied off the makeshift bandage and let go of his hand before looking up. She met his gaze for a moment before looking away. "Energy weapons can be really heavy and dangerous for humans to use," she added, "Even some civilian reploids find it hard to operate those weapons."

"Not to mention the fact that mavericks let their guard down when they see that sword," Alex pointed out. "They think it's harmless. The last one didn't even know what hit him."

"Last one," X asked while casting a glance towards the female reploid when she stiffened slightly.

Kai looked down towards the floor for a moment before squaring her shoulders and looking directly at the three maverick hunters. "Last time I was here a maverick attacked the village. I stopped him," she said. There was no defiance or challenge in her voice, only the tone of someone stating a fact. Technically as a civilian reploid, she shouldn't have any battle protocols. A civilian reploid attacking and fighting was a sign that they had gone maverick. However, it was not always a definite sigh and it depended on the reploid's programming.

"Kai-chan not only made that sword but she also uses it to protect herself when she travels."

"But you're a civilian reploid," Zero stated. X frowned. Axl just looked extremely curious.

The female reploid nodded. "Yes I am. However, I am a martial artist and have learned to fight that way."

"Where did you come from Katana-san," X asked.

Kai gaze took on a very faint hint of sadness in response to his question. After a moment of silence she opened her mouth to answer only to be stopped when a wolf's howl sounded outside.

"What the-," Alex yelped when an explosion went off nearby that caused the earth to shake.

Instantly the three maverick hunters summoned their armors and raced out into the street.

"Alex-san get away from here," Katana ordered while running after the three. She grabbed the handle of the no-datchi as she passed it and continued out into the street. She skidded to a stop and stared wide-eyed at the massive maverick emerging from the dust and smoke kicked up by the blast.

- - - - -

"HAULT MAVERICK!"

The large reploid paused slightly and looked towards the one whom had shouted at him. One of his massive arms was missing and there was a small hole in his chest sparked every few seconds. His frame marked him as a renegade logging reploid. His armor was beaten, cut, and scorched along with the rest of him. The massive ax that replaced his hand was chipped. He also had a shoulder mounted cannon that was an obvious addition. Enraged, glowing red eyes turned and narrowed in on the four reploids standing in the street. "Maverick Hunters," it spat with malice. Suddenly it stiffened as it's gaze locked onto dark blue eyes with silver flecks. It's anger sky rocketed and it's cannon began to charge as it locked into place. "YOU!"

Kai took a step back when the maverick roared after focusing on her.

Zero glanced behind him, finally noticing that the female reploid had followed the three of them. "Katana get out of here!" This Maverick seemed to be stronger than your normal lackey. There was no way she'd be able to him on. She'd only be in the way.

The girl hesitated slightly before turning and beginning to run.

The maverick roared again and charged forward. "YOU WON'T GET AWAY!"

"He's fast," Axl yelped as he dove out of the way before he got plowed over. He immediately turned and fired his pistols at the maverick's leg.

X and Zero moved in to strike but were forced back when the enemy fired his cannon.

"Katana look out," X shouted in warning to the fleeing reploid.

Kai glanced out her shoulder and cried out before diving to the ground. The cannon shot slammed into the first floor of a nearby house. The structure collapsed on top of the girl before she could scramble to her feet and get away.

"KATANA-SAN!"

A grey blur leapt from the trees nearby and latched onto the maverick. It roared and immediately stumbled back while trying to dislodge the creature. He roared in pain as the beast's claws sliced deep into it's cannon, disabling the weapon, before leaping free.

The maverick's roars had brought the attention of the three hunters back to the fight. They would have to wait to see if the female reploid was alright.

"Is that-"

"-a wolf," X asked when the grey creature landed in front of the three hunters.

Sure enough, a larger than normal artic wolf let out a deep growl as it crouched low to the ground. It's fur was light grey with some darker grey and white spots. One such spot was a dark grey crescent moon on it's forehead. A couple of it's claws were the silver of metal, hinting that this animal was not completely natural. Once it was clear it had the maverick's attention the wolf took off into the woods. The maverick let out an enraged shout before barreling after it; making the three hunters give chase.