Chapter 13

Everything slowed down. Well, you knew it didn't really, it was just that you went into hyperdrive mode to absorb all the details around you.

All your senses were of utmost importance. It didn't help with Makoto shouting in the background, and it was only when you heard the first click of an unloaded gun did you pedal backwards at an alarming rate, knocking into Yamazaki and throwing him off balance. More clicks were then heard, and you bit your lips to prevent a grin breaking out. Concentrate.

The jarring movements, along with a couple of your own antics, had loosened the rope enough for you to get out of the chair. You quickly melted into the shadows and positioned yourself behind the first three men in black, who were checking their magazines rather confusedly. Did they not expect to have empty guns? Yamazaki was probably the only one who had been entrusted with a loaded gun, and also the responsibility not to shoot you dead.

A swift jab to the neck, and the first guy crumpled like paper. You caught the second guy in the side with a strong kick just as he was about to turn around, and he was disposed of with another jab to his spine. You swept the third one off his feet, crouching low to avoid being seen, and shoved him into the wall where he lay unmoving.

Quickly side-stepping behind the TV, you slowed your breathing to calm yourself and organize your next moves. Rin was rubbing his arm where the chair had landed on him, and Yamazaki was carefully picking himself off the floor. Neither seemed to have sustained any major injuries. They must've had quick reflexes to be able to recover so quickly, and you couldn't help a flash of admiration. Perhaps you could ask them for tips.

Sticking close to the shadows, you located the rest of the unarmed men and made short work of them. Makoto had shut up by now, and when you stepped back into the camera's field of view, he let out an audible sigh of relief.

"A Nightshade, huh?" Yamazaki groaned, helping Rin up. They looked much more threatening than they had been five minutes before. You took hold of the pendant that had poked out of your shirt and pressed it to your lips, giving the boys a sly glance.

"A what?" Rin asked, staring warily at the purple stone as you dropped it back against your neck. "Isn't that a type of flower?"

"Yeah, and an organization of female assassins," you provided, pride swelling up within you. "We train any girl who's willing to join us." It wasn't like it was a secret… it was just that no one really knew.

"I thought you were a myth," Rin had fully recovered now and had his usual smirk on again. "Do you really go around protecting the vulnerable?"

You sighed. "There's more to being an assassin than just killing." In a flash, Yamazaki had stepped up beside you in an attempt to engage in close combat. You sidestepped him elegantly and aimed for his spine with an outstretched arm, but he twisted away at the last second.

"No wonder you had your sources," you heard Makoto muse. "I wonder what else you've been keeping from me."

You spun around hurriedly, facing the screen, which depicted Makoto with a thoughtful look on his face. "I'll tell you when I get back," you promised, letting a slight edge of panic creep into your voice. Was he angry with you? You never kept secrets from each other, but since the topic never came up… you couldn't just tell your boyfriend that you were a top-class assassin, he would have a heart attack.

You hopped sideways as Rin charged into the fray. "Decided to join our little dance?" you smiled, and leapt back into action, dodging a series of blows from both boys. Why hasn't Yamazaki used his gun yet? Either he was afraid to injure his partner, or he was having difficulties with the gun. Then you spotted it lying on the ground, near the wall. It must've been sent flying when you knocked into Yamazaki.

He must've seen you see it, because Yamazaki's next execution of steps not only cut off your route to the gun, but also carried him closer. You jumped and kicked Rin in the face, using his body as a launchpad and tackled Yamazaki, looping an arm around his neck and bringing him down with the help of gravity. The landing would've bruised you, but you had Yamazaki as your cushioning.

Your focus on the gun was what caused your downfall. Evidently, you forgot that these men were capable of punishing even without loaded firearms. Just as you were wrestling the gun from Yamazaki's grip, you felt a presence rear up from behind you, smashing you against the ground. Your head knocked against the ground with a loud crack, but it didn't grant you the relief of unconsciousness. The sudden crash had you reeling with shock and for a moment you lay frozen.

"Oooh, that sounded bad," Rin tutted, yanking you up roughly so Yamazaki can get away from your limp body. The door burst open and more men came pouring in, probably attracted to all the noise the scuffle was making. You noticed they had guns raised, and were aiming them directly at you.

"Too late, boys," Yamazaki laughed. One man came up to them, but instead of a gun, he had a first-aid kit. How nice, they did treat their wounded. It was almost like a battlefield.

Laughter started to bubble up in your chest, but it quickly dissipated and was replaced with nausea. More men started to crowd around you, but you couldn't really do much with Rin basically sitting on you, observing. Someone remembered to turn off the TV and the silence was ringing through your ears.

"She's not a threat anymore," Rin remarked, giving your side a slight kick. Was it just you, or did his voice seem to hold more… respect? "At least, not now." Well, there was definitely a hint of spite in there.

As the men slowly filed out of the room, the medic came over to examine you. How nice, they treat their prisoners, too. The medic was smiling as he looked over your injuries, and it was then that you realized it was actually a girl. "What I don't get is how one woman managed to injure eight men?" she asked as she disinfected a few lightly scratched areas.

Yamazaki let out a sigh. "She's a trained assassin."

The medic rolled her eyes. "So are you guys! Sometimes I do wonder." She bent over to take a closer look at your head, which had been bleeding but had clotted now. As she bent over, you caught a glimpse of a metal chain around her neck. Following the line, you traced it down to her cleavage. Under normal circumstances, it would've been slightly awkward staring at another woman's breasts, but with the medic practically shoving it in your face you had no choice but to wonder what it was resting in the gap.

A purple pendant.

You weren't alone.

The medic finished bandaging your head and packed her stuff. "That was fucking weird," you said out loud, having found your voice again. She laughed and waved, before exiting the room.