"You smoke?" Marama asked offering a cigarette to Atsuko, she crinkled her nose disgusted and shook her head, she'd always hated smoking since being lectured endlessly of all the health issues at school. Marama grinned lighting the cigarette and inhaling deeply.

"You could maybe do with it, you look more stressed than anyone I've ever seen, and we've still got a long way to go."

"Better get started then." Atsuko muttered, getting back into the passenger seat of the car. There had been so much to take in over the last few days; back in Japan people had tried to warn her about what went on in Rook Islands, the slave and drugs trade which were rife throughout the whole islands, she even knew that Vaas was the head honcho of this island, and his boss was a man named Hoyt, not that she knew much about him. However nothing she had learnt could've prepared her for all the bloodshed and insanity that plagued the island.

"Maybe we should call Kauri?" Atsuko muttered thoughtfully, "See if there's been any sign of the pirates? Or at the very least see if Maaka got to safety."

"You do it." Marama replied deep in thought, casually throwing the phone to Atsuko from where on the path she still stood. "I'll get driving again."
The number was easily found on Marama's phone, along with Vaas' to Atsuko's surprise. Why the hell would she have that, after the fierce hatred she had showed towards him? Atsuko quickly memorised it herself and hid her suspicions as she pressed on Kauri's name. After a few rings the phone clicked.

"Kia ora Marama." He greeted cheerfully

" 'Fraid not." Atsuko chirped back.

"Ahh new girl, how's it going?"

"Two people are dead as well as one big ass scary bird. How's things on your end?"

"A little less action unfortunately." He chuckled. "There have been no sign of any pirates anywhere near the perimeter, but we have some snipers on the roof just in case and everyone's on high alert, with anyone who can't fight safely locked indoors."

"And Maako?"

"He was driven to a nearby village, left with a friend, don't worry he'll be safe there. Now that we have a bit of time, can you tell me what's made you so sure that there will be an attack?"

Atsuko sighed internally, she had a feeling she would be repeating this story to many people, and would get a fairly angry reaction from everyone she told.

"Long story, but I made a deal with Vaas and now I've backed out and I feel like he's going to get revenge on both me and your people for it." Marama snorted in derision.

"That's what you call a 'deal'?" She commented

"Right so this is all your fault?" Kauri asked

"Yes."

"And so why are we not kicking you out on your ass and letting you survive by yourself, instead of risking our lives to save you?"

"I don't think it occurred to anyone."

"Ohh it definitely occurred to me." Marama muttered bitterly, giving Atsuko an annoyed side glance.

Eliciting another laugh from Kauri over the phone.

"I promise I will sort this, even if it means facing off against Vaas one-on-one." Atsuko promised seriously.

"That will come later. For now you have a mission to face. Get to Dennis." Kauri hung up the phone.

"You're a good person, despite all of this. I'm sure of it." Marama smiled as they drove along at the same dangerous speed they'd been hurtling along at before. Marama handling the thin trees that acted as tricky obstacles with ease. Until suddenly the car started whining and spluttering as it slowly grinded to a halt.

"Taukiri!" Marama yelled, slapping her hand hard against the wheel out of frustration.

"What's happened?"

"God knows! These cars are ridiculously unreliable." She growled angrily, storming out of the car "We're nowhere near, and we have no idea how much time we have."

"You hermanas need a lift?" They both whipped around at the same time to see Vaas leaning against the bonnet of a car. Atsuko glanced over at Marama, curious to see how her already angry demeanour would develop into pure hatred, but instead she was smiling warmly, as if she'd just met up with an old friend 'what the hell's going on?' Atsuko thought to herself, paranoia and worry swirling round in her mind like paint washing down a drain.

"Vaas, what are you doing here?" Atsuko asked bitterly, he started to saunter over towards them, chuckling smugly.

"Hermana, you thought it was that fucking easy? You thought you could just bail out whenever the fuck you wanted like a little bitch?! You told me you were going to be useful to me, and all you've done so far is piss me off." As he finished talking he was inches away from Atsuko; so close she could feel his breath against her face, it smelt like alcohol, and no matter how inappropriate the situation, that made her giggle.

He gripped her hard by the neck with one hand, her throat felt like it could be crushed by the force of his hand closing in tightly, her head filled with an overwhelming sense of dizziness as its oxygen flow was restricted. Atsuko raised her elbow high, planning to bring it down on his forearm in the hope it may dislodge it and release her from this tight grip.

"Get your hand off her or lose it!" She heard growled from beside her before she could try and stop him herself, Marama had a machete, glinting brightly in the sunlight, gripped tightly in her hands and pointed straight at Vaas' chest. He did as instructed and dropped Atsuko who desperately gasped for air, but still he wouldn't release her from his intense gaze, watching her entertained as she suffered because of him.

"Leave us Hermana, I want to talk to Atsuko alone." He instructed Marama, his eyes still boring deep into Atsuko's.

"Yeah right, like I'm going…."

"Do it, Marama. I'll be okay, remember what I told Kauri." Atsuko felt a friendly arm on her hand as she heard footsteps receding away from them.

"What do you hope to achieve, by keep following me like this, do you want to get revenge or to kidnap me back or what?"

"Ohh Hermana don't you think it'd be too easy if I told you now?" He uttered sinisterly, lightly placing his hand on her hair.

"Stop touching me. It's creepy." Atsuko whined quickly backing away defensively.

"Whatever Amiga, oh and by the way, you don't need to worry about finding Dennis, it's not Amanaki village I'm after, it's Maako." With that he walked away and back into the truck.