Kenji

It was another week before something happened. Ryaku and I were checking the city together, because it had been horribly quiet, and we were together because Ryaku convinced me that reinforcement was more important than ground cover in this little operation, because he was certain that something was going to happen.

Nothing happened that day.

It was 1 AM when I walked back outside, looking into the streetlights for an answer. Dodging any policemen, because I didn't want any curfew problems, I worked my way to the outskirt. It was about 2:30 when I reached there.

The sound of sirens became clearer and louder. I quickly ducked behind the nearest dumpster and readied the not-so-sharp dagger I had been carrying around all this time. So far, I had only used it once, and that was to sever a piece of rope, right before carrying it away quickly and quietly. I had felt the need to nab it, because I had thought we would need it.

Even if we won't need it, at least I know I've still got the skills that probably will be necessary for our success.

Knives were made for stabbing - and concealment.

I heard the footsteps get louder. I lunged when I saw the threat, but he quickly sidestepped, and I landed right on my face. I rolled over right side up - and saw an AK-47 pointed straight at my face.

I decided to turn to some banter. "Hey, man. Don't you know it's dangerous to hold a loaded gun up to a kid's head?"

He only tightened his grip on the gun, as if he was waiting for verification of a target. I slowly slid under him while he looked away, and kicked him in the shin, forcing him to let go of the gun, but not before it fired a shot. I picked up the gun and dented the barrel a few times - I had no enthusiasm with using a gun - and threw it aside. I took a couple stabs at the hitman, but he managed to pull another gun, and a bullet grazed me on the arm. He put the gun up to me in point-blank.

I braced for death, but then he was knocked down by some outside force.

It was a lightning bolt. And it came from Ryaku.

He ran over to me, and checked my wounds. "You ok?"

"Uh, yeah. Just a couple flesh wounds. No embedded bullets."

"That's good. Let's take you back to our base."

"I can still walk," I snapped, as he half-carried me, as if I had a terrible limp.

"Better safe than sorry."

I groaned as we team walked back to our base.

Ryaku

It was about 1:15 when I walked outside. I was feeling restless that night, because I was a bit rattled from the lack of an open attack.

I settled myself on top the dumpster right next to the door, watching the night, and listening to any sounds I could pick up. It felt a little relaxing.

I climbed up a fire escape, right above the building next to me, to get a view on something.

Then I saw something more unnerving than silence.

Murder.

Being the little vigilante I am, I decided to get closer to the scene to investigate.

Oh, no - Kenji's gonna get shot! I had to do something, so I quickly acted and raised my palm, but then a pair of larger men held me down. "You're coming with us," the one on my right boomed.

"And if I don't?" I questioned, trying to look as menacing as they thought they were.

"Then we'll slit your throat right here, right now."

"So I don't have a choice then?"

"Nope."

I waited a few minutes, as I was brought back about ten meters, then I quickly headbutted one guard, knocking him over, then zapping the other. I leapt off the building, shooting a bolt at the shady guy, effectively knocking him over. I then rushed to Kenji, checked for any wounds, and walked him back to our base.

Promptly upon returning, at about 4 AM, I opened up a medkit and began treating where a bullet grazed his arm.

I opened up a bottle of antibacterial wash, then dabbed a bit onto a cloth. "This is going to sting," I warned.

"I know," he returned.

I put the cloth on his wound. I saw him try to hold in a face, as a tiny bit of moisture escaped from his eye.

After about five minutes, I applied some gauze. "Try to take it easy," I informed.

"I'll try to," he mumbled, with a yawn. "I think we should rest a little, now. We've been up real late, you know?"

"Yeah."

We turned in for a few hours.

Chapter 3, ladies and gentlemen. I know it's a bit rushed. I'm not sure what to do for the next few chapters...

Oh, right. I'll be taking character submissions. You can put it in the reviews, or drop me a PM. But don't expect the character to be added immediately. I might figure out a way to introduce him/her within a couple chapters, so don't fret.

~ZTK