Chapter 4

Akito and Tsuyoshi walked down the street toward one of the town's many restaurants. As they turned the corner,they ran into Sana and Aya.

"Hey there guys." Sana said.

"Oh,hello Sana. Aya." Tsuyoshi said.

"What do you want now?" Akito asked.

"Well,since you two are new in town, Aya and I thought it would be a good idea to show you two around." Sana said in one breath.

"Really?" Tsuyoshi said.

"Yes. Um,are you guys hungry?" Aya asked.

"Actually," Akito began to say.

"We were on our way to that place right there." Tsuyoshi pointed at the building right in front of them. It was two stories high and painted a light brown color.

"Great." Sana said. "We can all go together." And she dragged Aya and the newcomers across the street into the restaurant.

The group sat down at a round table near the corner of the room. The inside wasn't all that fancy. Just what you would expect. Walls,floor,ceiling,kitchen.

Sana sat on the right side of Aya. Aya sat to the right of Tsuyoshi, while he sat next to Akito. Sana and Akito would be sitting next to each other,if the table wasn't too big. It left a gap between them big enough for another person or two.

Tsuyoshi had a steak while Aya ordered a salad. Akito and Sana ordered the same thing,with a few differences. Akito's didn't have gravy. They ate their meals in almost silence. Every now and then Sana would asked someone something.

Aya finished her meal and went to the restroom. A minute later, Tsuyoshi got up and went too,leaving Sana and Akito alone. After a few minutes of awkward silence,Sana asked Akito a question.

"So what do you think of then town so far,Akito?" She said with a nervous smile.

"You already asked that." Akito said.

"I know." Sana sighed. "But 'I don't hate it.' is not an answer."

"Sure it is." Akito replied.

"On what planet?" Sana said back.

"They've been gone a while." Akito said.

"Huh? Who?" Sana said,the change in subject throwing her off.

"Tsuyoshi and your friend,Aya. They've been gone for some time."

"You're right. Wonder what's keeping them." As Sana spoke,Akito got up and walked toward them restrooms. "Where are you going?" Sana got up and followed him.

The two of them turned the corner and found what neither of them expected. Aya and Tsuyoshi were standing against the wall,with faces pressed against each others in a serious lip-lock. Sana turned red like a sunburn.

Akito and Sana walked back to their table,the image of their friends still in both of their minds. Finally Sana said "I'd hoped they would get along,but not like that."

Akito didn't reply.

"I can't believe they got their so fast." Sana said. When Akito still didn't reply Sana asked him "Aren't you surprised in the slightest,Akito?"

"Not really." He finally spoke.

"Well,why not?" Sana pressed on.

Just as Akito would have probably answered,the doors opened and a group of three walked in. It was Naozumi and two of his officers. Naozumi smiled as he looked for a place to sit. His smile turn into confusion when he spotted Sana sitting at a table with some guy.

Anger began to rise in Naozumi's system. Jealousy made him march toward Sana's table. He calmed himself just as he approached. With a smile he spoke to Sana.

"Hey their,Sana."

Sana turned to see who said her name and smiled when she saw her friend Naozumi.

"Hey Naozumi." Sana waved.

Naozumi stood next to the table. He glared at Akito for a split second,too fast for Sana to see,but just fast enough for Akito to.

"I want you to meet Akito." Sana said. "Akito this is my friend Naozumi. He's the sheriff in town. Naozumi,this is Akito. He and his friend Tsuyoshi just got to town,and Aya and I are showing them out."

"'Showing them out'?" Naozumi asked.

"'Out','Around',same difference." Sana said. "You want to sit down?"

"Sure." Naozumi said. He took the chair right between Sana and Akito and sat facing her. "So what you been up to,besides picking up strays."

Akito's hand came slamming down onto the table,making everyone turn to look at him. "Bug." he said simply.

Naozumi turned back to Sana. "So how long have you known this Akito person?"

"Umm." Sana thought. "A few hours at the least. I haven't really been counting the seconds. You know?"

"Yeah." Naozumi turned to Akito. "So what's your story,Akito?"

Akito stared at Naozumi,not saying a word.

"You seem to travel a lot. Where you from?" Naozumi asked.

Akito continued to stare,not going to answer.

"Yeah Akito!" Sana exclaimed,a big smile on her face. "I want to know where you're from."

After a brief silence,Akito let out a sigh. "Montana." he put simply.

"Wow. Montana." Sana said amazed. "I never would have guessed."

"Interesting." Naozumi said. "Is your friend Tsuyoshi from Montana as well?"

"Duh." Akito said.

"Hmm." Naozumi said. "Well,Sana. I hate to be rude,but I have to be going."

"Do you really?" Sana asked. "Can't you stay a while longer? Get to know Akito more?"

"No. I must go. I'll see you later,Sana." He looked Akito. "Good bye,Akito."

As Naozumi stood up, Akito's drink fell over and spilled all over him. Akito jerked back and stood,his chair falling over backwards.

Naozumi smirked and tried to fight a smile. "You should be more careful,Akito."

"Akito." Sana said. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Akito said. He turned to Naozumi, and said. "You owe me a new drink."

"Me?" Naozumi said. "Why?"

"You spilled it." Akito pointed to the newly wet table.

"Are you blaming me for your clumsiness?" Naozumi almost yelled.

"You owe me one. Get me a new drink." Akito nearly growled.

"Or what?" Naozumi asked.

Akito leaned into Naozumi's ear and whispered, "She doesn't like you."

Everything started in a flash. Naozumi grabbed Akito's shoulders and shoved him into a neighboring table. Akito balanced himself as the table fell over. Naozumi threw a punch that landed on Akito's gut.

Sana yelled for Naozumi to stop. As Naozumi turned to leave Akito on the floor, Akito kicked him in the knee. Naozumi fell to the one knee and Akito punched his forehead. Naozumi fell to his back and stumbled to get back up.

Akito stood up and turned around,only to be met by one of Naozumi's officers' fist. Akito jumped back just as the fist swung. Akito swung back and hit the guys temple. He stumbled back and Akito was hit by the other officer.

Naozumi finally stood up and grabbed Akito's shoulder. With all his strength,he slammed his fist into Akito's jaw. Akito fell to the ground again. As Naozumi laughed with victory, a chair collided with his back.

Tsuyoshi ran to Akito's side and helped him up. Officer A's fist hit Tsuyoshi in the stomach as Akito hit Officer B straight in the chin. As Tsuyoshi stood back up straight,he barley dodged a foot aimed at his face. Gathering his strength,Tsuyoshi brought his knee straight up into Officer A's crouch. He fell. He didn't get back up.

Akito hand chopped Officer B's throat and he went down. Akito turned to Naozumi and ran at him. Naozumi dodged to the left when Akito's fist swung for his face. Akito swung again,Naozumi dodged left again. Swing,dodge,swing,dodge in a show of equality.

Then Akito's foot slipped on his spilled drink from earlier. Naozumi took this chance and swung his fist at Akito's jaw. Just then,Sana got between the two.

"STOOOOOP!"

Naozumi's fist stopped in midair, mere inches from Sana. Akito watched as Naozumi regained his composure.

"What do you think you're doing!" Sana asked Naozumi. "You should know better than this,Naozumi."

Naozumi was silent. "You two should apologize." Sana said.

Akito stood up straight again. "I won't." he said from behind Sana.

Naozumi glared at Akito,then looked back at Sana. "I'm sorry,Sana. I should leave." Naozumi gathered up his disgraceful excuses for officers and left.

"Naozumi." Sana said.

"Let's go,Tsuyoshi." Sana turned to see Akito helping Tsuyoshi up.

"Akito." Sana said.

As they walked to the door, Akito turned back to Sana.

"Thanks for today. It's been fun."

The two of them left,leaving Sana and Aya standing together.