Gungrave

All for you

Chapter 5- The Return

Hey there, hi there, ho there! How is everyone? Chapters 5…(This sounds familiar) but, wow. We have two new readers, thanks for reviewing guys! By the way, I made an error in Chapter 1; Big Daddy is still head of Millenion. Sorry for the stupid mistake beats self

Aki is now a bigger part of the story from here on out, ok? With that said, here we go with Chapter 5!

' ' Means thinking.

Later that night, Aki stopped back and had a drink with Zen at the counter. The muffled snores of the guys could be heard even with the door closed and a floor away. Zen sensed Aki had to say something, so she waited for her friend to spill her guts. With a sigh, Aki spoke.

"I haven't been home much lately…" Aki confessed. Over the past few years she and Tony had grown very close.

"Why? You two have a fight?" Zen asked, setting her beer down silently.

"No. I..don't have the heart to tell him that his little sister is a cold-blooded killer." Aki laid her head on the counter; eyes squinted shut.

"Go see him, Aki." Zen turned to watch her friends' reaction. "Now." Aki frowned deeply for a moment, staring into her can.

"…Alright. I will." She clapped Zen lightly on the shoulder and left into the night. The car rumbled to life and was soon gone. Zen smiled broadly, in a cat-like way, and finished her beer with a swig.

Aki's POV

The cobblestone pathway leading up to Aki's dimly house, sounded quietly beneath her tennis shoes. Her hands, slightly shaking, were bathed in the glow emitting from the cloudy window. She gave a hefty sigh, rapping her knuckles on the heavy oak door. Sudden movement and the door flew open, her back popping in a bear hug.

"Aki!" Tony yelled in delight, hugging her still. 'Just a little while longer, please. Don't make me lose Tony too…' She thought, holding to her brother as if he would disappear in an instant if she let go. "Dinner was an hour ago! Where've you been!"

"Sorry, Tony. I was held up." Aki lied. "Maria was late."

"If you say so, come on." His eyes danced and, dragging her inside, they ate dinner.

The next day at Millenion, there was an unscheduled meeting called by Big Daddy. There was a chilling announcement.

"It has come to our attention that Mad Dog, the vicious gangster from a few years back has returned. Alive and well." Big Daddy said slowly, glancing once at Aki, who went looking for trouble. It took all her will to keep from yelling 'What!'

"We need to be cautious, he is an unpredictable character and should not be taken lightly." He looked once more at Aki, who cocked her head in response.

"We don't need to worry them, Big Daddy." Bear added in his usual gruff tone. "He'll be dealt should trouble arise."

"On which side of town?" Aki asked, startling some of the men who hadn't realized her presence.

"The east side." Cid replied, and the meeting continued. 'That's where Zen, Maria, and the guys live…'

After work, Aki flew to the run down restaurant.

"Zen!" She yelled, bursting in the door. Harry's tarot cards flew out of his hands, scattering on the floor. Jolice, Kenny, and Nathan jumped slightly while Brandon merely raised his eyebrows at the sweat covered Aki. "Where is she?" She asked, reaching to pick up a fallen card.

"She went out to get supplies." Harry said slowly. "Aki, what's wrong?" But Aki hadn't heard a word, she had gone pale, staring at the card she had picked up. It was Death, wrapped in his midnight cloak, its eyes burning as if made of hot iron, a scythe standing tall in one hand, the other hand pointed a long bony finger at her accusingly. And in Deaths face, she saw Mad Dog.

Zen returned, arms full of groceries (paid for, of course) to find Aki staring into a mug intently and the guys gathered around her.

"Aki? Off work already?" She asked, handing the groceries off to Jolice who wore a worried expression for the quiet Aki. She merely looked back at her.

"Hey guys. Scat." All the men left in a rush, shutting the door with a thud. "I sense an 'uh-oh'." Aki explained Mad Dogs presence and Zen, too, went quiet. She had heard the stories.

"Mad Dog." She said quietly. "I've heard rumors that he was back, but I wasn't sure."

"Watch yourself, Zen." Their eyes leveled. "He's not one to take shit, even from women."

"I know. I better keep a good eye on the boys. Lest they do something stupid."

Chapter 5 is at it's close! Thanks for reading! Wait til I get chapter 6 out! So, how's Mad Dog gonna affect our friends? I've got a few surprises left in me! Curses Mad DogSee ya guys in Chapter 6- Loss.