I'M BACK! *Parades and Fire Works shoot off* I have returned from Basic Training in Great Lakes, Illinois and am now an official Sailor in the United States Navy. I am now at school for my job that involves working on computers onboard ships designed to go under the water for extended periods of time. HOOYAY!

Hospital: The Following Day

Masane sat next to the bed in the room, the occupant currently sleeping. Salcito had been asleep since the doctors had finished sewing him up and running different tests on him. Masane and Tazawa had driven him there, but Masane sent Tazawa back to the apartment to pick up Rihoko. Salcito looked disturbed by something, but Masane ignored it. She didn't have time to worry about him and Rihoko.

Masane was about to get up and get something to eat from down the hall when Salcito steered in his bed. She sat there, arms crossed and a scowl on her face, waiting for Salcito to notice her. He sat up and looked around the hospital room, getting his bearings set before speaking.

"I'm sorry about Rihoko," Salcito first said, confusing Masane.

"What do mean, Tazawa is on the way back with her right now," Masane told him.

"No, he isn't, that bitch has her, the same one who did this to me. She's a Cloneblade, and to get back her daughter, she stabbed me and took her in the chaos," Salcito told Masane, a look of shock growing on her face.

"How would you know that, you were injured and had to be taken to here?" Masane asked, trying to see if he was lying.

"Because, I would do the same thing if it was my daughter," Salcito answered, the worry on Masane's face turning to denial.

"No, that can't be right. Why would somebody do that?" Masane asked, hysteria on her face.

"People in this world, no matter what they have been told, will take what they believe is theirs, no matter the consequences. I was not able to predict that she would do that, which was sloppy of me. And you have paid the price for that, for which I am truly sorry," Salcito apologized, sincerity in his voice. "I promise, I will get her back, no matter what it takes."

Masane didn't say anything, just looking down at the floor. Salcito waited for her to say something, but he knew she would not. He didn't bother waiting and got out of the bed, stripping off the hospital gown and dawning his ruined clothing. He left the hospital, staff trying to stop him only to be shrugged off and ignored. He was on a mission, and nothing was going to stop him from completing it.

Masane was still in her stupor when Tazawa showed up. He found the bed empty and Masane crying, which he didnt want to disturb her but had to anyway.

"Masane, i'm sorry, but..." Tazawa started to say, but couldnt finish.

"I know, he told what happened," Masane said.

"How could he have known?"

"Because, he said that's what he would do," Masane answered, not saying everything, confusing Tazawa.

"What would he do?" Tazawa asked, hoping Masane was not hurt.

"Take his child from a situation he created in the confusion," Masane told him.

Tazawa just stood there, unable to say anything. He couldnt say anything that would help, as there was nothing to be said. Until his mind wondered to the most obvious thing available.

"So now what?" he asked.

"We go back and I call up Mr. Takayama. I'm going to get my daughter back," Masane said, standing up, a fire burning in her eyes.

Tazawa just nodded, following Masane out of the room. The trip back was quiet, Masane was deep in thought and Tazawa didn't want to disturb her. He didn't know what she was thinking, and he didn't want to find out from the level of concentration on her face. The drive was quick, and the scene they found inside was that of surprise.

Salcito had an array of weaponry and other objects that seemed military in purpose that were taking up five tables, fiddling with everything. What surprised everyone was that he was standing in his armor, helmet in front of him on the table.

"What are you doing?" Masane asked, surprised he actually had so much fire power.

"Preparing to get Rihoko back, and no, you are not coming," Salcito replied, picking up a rifle and disassembling and reassembling it in just under a minute.

"What do you mean I'm not coming with you?" Masane asked, the fire returning to her eyes.

"You know that going after the NWSF would be suicide for you, even with the Witchblade. I can wage war as a one-man army, but I would be unable to protect you," Salcito told her, placing the weapon and ammo on him. "And frankly, security is no longer an issue. I have a feeling that things are going to get worse before they get better."

"I can take care of myself, and if you can survive, why can't I?" Masane asked.

Salcito stopped playing with the weapons, looking up and glaring at Masane. She was taken back by it, but her resolve returned ten-fold.

"Can you survive the explosion and radiation from the detention of a thermonuclear bomb, or the hail of gun fire from aM2 Browning mounted machine gun, or deflect a blade that can cut through most armors used by tanks? I don't think so, so stay here and don't leave," Salcito ranted, picking up his helmet and placing it on his head. He quickly loaded the rest of the weapons and ammunition onto himself, walking towards the exit and turning back to the group. "Don't let her leave."

With that, he ran out the door, reaching the middle of the street and launching up with built in rocket boosters. Salcito flew through the air, quickly falling out of sight of the occupants of the cafe. Masane tried to run outside, but was grabbed by Tazawa. She struggled to get free, yelling different curses until she tired out, at which time she broke down and started to cry. The hold went from one of restraint to one of caring, one that the rest of the occupants joined in on.

"Don't worry, I'm sure he'll be back soon," Tazawa reassured. Masane just cried in the arms of those that actually care about her.