All for you

Chapter 4- Sibling Bonds

Yeah, you know by now that I didn't make Gungrave. Okay, part 4! Already? Wow, can't believe we've come this far, and so much more to go! I can't wait! Just cuz I wanna I'm gonna make this a long chapter too. Okay, okay, you know the drill. Here's part 4!

Another three years later (Zen age 16)

It was quiet this time of night in the ghetto. Most were asleep, even the gangs that hung around were tucked away in the shadows, like forgotten toys. She couldn't sleep. A feeling of unrest grew in her gut this night, so she decided to walk on it. Her feet guided her all around the ghetto.

She stopped abruptly on a dimly lit street corner when she heard fast footsteps approaching her. Turning quickly she was hugged tightly around the waist by none other than, Aki.

"Aki? What's-?" She began as she felt her shirt grow wet from hot tears.

"He's dead. Max is dead…" Her muffled cry came from Zen's shirt. "I came home and one of his bosses, Cid, was waiting for me. He was killed on duty. I just ran.." Since Aki's parents had died in a car crash, Max was all she had. Tony had never paid her much attention, Zen knew. She guided her friend back to their wannabe house and had her sleep in a booth. She slept in an instant.

Zen didn't see much of Aki anymore. It wasn't that they had grown apart, just that Aki had taken her brothers place as an assassin of Millenion. Zen, however, had other things to worry about. A tall, blonde haired, blue eyed –

"Stupid little bi-oops.." Zen mumbled suddenly in the middle of the meeting. Bunji hid a smile behind his hand as Zen woke from her nap. Many of the suits were staring at her with distaste. "What?"

After the meeting, Bunji caught up to her. "That was brilliant, Zen. Fall asleep in a meeting, real smooth." He teased.

Zen rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. What did Harry have to say about that?" She grinned to herself.

"Nothin' much." They walked in an easy silence, shoulder to shoulder. Bunji had just gotten a job at Millenion two months ago, Brandon was his mentor. Aki had the hots for him but, after sleeping with over half the population of Millenion, she swore off men for a while.

That day Bunji had walked in, shocking the shit out of her. But, to her credit, she hadn't gone after him. She actually saved him from the flocks of women constantly after him. A woman named Jane, had always been Aki's rival, she had slept with every man at Millenion!

"Hey, we should all go out for lunch." Zen suggested.

"…Alright, sure."

After Aki and Zen had fought desperately for the last egg roll, only to have Brandon steal it, Bunji followed Aki outside.

"Aki, I know it's only been a few weeks but.." Bunji's voice shook slightly as Aki waited patiently. "But, would you go out with me?"

"Sure, any time." Aki smiled sweetly at Bunji who looked relieved as hell. Zen gave Aki an evil grin, happy for her friend. She recalled how many times they had to tell Bunji to stop staring at Aki's ass..And vice versa..Zen shook her head.

"Let's get back to work now, okay?" Zen suggested, getting into Aki's passenger seat. "See you guys back at Millenion." They sped off down the street in Aki's red convertible. Aki was wearing a huge smile. "I thought you swore off men, Aki." Zen teased.

"So I did. But, how could I turn him down?" Aki squealed suddenly and giggled. "He finally asked me out, Zen!"

"Heh. You're such a girl!" They laughed together, walking into the Millenion building and heading for the Bear Walken's office. "Hey Bear, got any jobs for us to do?"

Nodding, Bear handed them a small folder of sweeps to do for the day. And with that, they headed out for the nearest location.

It was an easy sweep day and both women decided to heads home for some rest. At least Zen was; Aki had her first date with Bunji. Wishing her luck, Zen headed to her apartment and shut the door quietly. What am I thinking…? She questioned herself silently.

"Brandon, that's what." She snapped to the empty room. Taking off her jacket and throwing it over a chair. Without bothering to change into pajamas, she sprawled out on her bed and slowly curled into a tight ball. Dreams took her again, those bittersweet reminiscences.

Maria. A true damsel in distress. Whenever Brandon spoke her name he made it sound as though she were heaven sent. He had stopped a few men from raping her a couple nights past, and since then, Zen had seen a lot more of her. Personality wise, she was a very nice and classy kind of girl, with more power over men than she could possibly know. The power to take away all the men close to Zen's heart, the one's she took care of. Zen hated her.

"Maria?" Brandon asked, returning from a gang fight. Zen had kept Maria talking until he returned. Just because she hated her, didn't mean she couldn't be polite.

"What I miss, Maria?" A loud voice walked in behind Maria. "Hey, guys! Long time no see. I'm a bodyguard!" Aki stood wearing her traditional baggy, black jeans, lower-than-it-should-be tank top and her ancient leather jacket tied around her waist. (It was Max's) Her jade necklace reflected lights on its faceted surface and her shades sat on top of her braided hair.

Maria smiled. "Um…Hi, Aki. This is my boyfriend-"

"Brandon Heat, I know. How's it going, bro?"

"…Alright." He said quietly. There was a small silence.

"Quit standin' around! Go out and do something!" Zen startled everyone by shoving them out the door. Aki gave her an 'I see straight through you' look, but said nothing. She spent the rest of the day with the gang until Maria returned, and she brought her home.