Chapter 3 Hunted

It's been 4 days since that incident. Mike and Leeway are barely halfway to where they're supposed to be, but thankfully, they made it to the first village. They haven't seen signs of intelligent life since they left their dojo. They haven't eaten anything, so they look for food as soon as they can.

Mike: "I'm so hungry." *stomach growls*

Leeway: "Yeah, same. Can't wait to see Janet again; she's the best cook." *While he drools thinking about her cooking*

Mike: "Yeah, when we see her again, Leeway, I think we should talk."

Mike wants to talk about Janet and her fate with Leeway, but Leeway cuts him off.

Leeway: "Hold that thought, Mike, look, a village, and I smell food."

Mike and Leeway run to the village and find where the food smell was coming from.

Mike: "Oh my gosh, that smells so good."

Leeway: "Seems it's coming from that house over there. Let's go knock on their door and politely ask for some."

Mike: "Okay, bet."

Knock, knock* (Leeway knocks on the door)

A young girl opens the door and greets the two strangers at her door.

Little girl: "Hello, may I help you?"

Leeway: "Yes, actually, is your parents home? Me and my friend here smell something delicious coming from your house."

Little girl: "You must be talking about the Niku my mommy is making; hold on."

The little girl closes the door, leaving them two alone.

Mike: "*Ughhh* What's taking her so long? I'm shrinking out here; I'm so hungry."

Leeway: "Come on, Mike, she's just a little girl, and besides, we were trained to go days without food."

Mike: "So? Doesn't mean I like it."

As soon as Mike finishes that sentence, the door swings back open, and they're greeted not by a little girl, but by a grown man.

Man: "Hey, my name's Duke. My daughter told me you guys were hungry."

Leeway: "Yes, sir, we don't mean to bother you; we just want something to take with us on our journey."

Duke: "Yeah, you guys can come eat with us; there's enough to go around."

Leeway: "Really? Taking some to go ain't no problem, sir."

Duke: "Nonsense, it's getting late anyways; y'all can wash up and eat here. But can you leave your shoes and sword at the door when you walk in?"

Mike: "Yeah, no problem." *Barges in*

Leeway: "Sorry about him." *While he steps in*

Duke: "No problem; the restroom's over there, and I'll have my wife bring you both a change of clothes."

Leeway: "Okay, thanks, sir."

Mike has already washed up, so now it's Leeway's turn. He makes his way into the restroom to wash up and get ready to eat. Leeway is also having a little doubt about this house, giving him an off-putting vibe.

Leeway gets out of the shower and heads over to the table, where he sees Mike and the rest of the family: the girl from before, the dad, mom, and son, the same age as the girl, it seems, sitting. Leeway makes his way to the empty chair he assumes is his.

Duke: "Okay, everyone's here; time to dig in."

Mike: "Great!" *Says with starving excitement*

Mother: "So, obviously, y'all aren't from around here. Where y'all young boys from? If you don't mind me asking."

Boy: "Yeah, and what's with the weird sword you have, mister?"

Girl: "And why were y'all so bruised? Did y'all get into a fight with each other?"

Leeway: "Uh..."

Duke: "Let the poor guys eat and stay out of their business. I'm pretty sure they have their reasons for everything."

Leeway: "Thanks, sir."

Duke: "Please call me Duke."

Leeway: "Thanks, Duke." *He says while digging into his bowl of Niku*

Mike: "Can I get seconds?"

Mom: "Of course."

It was a fun little night of recovery for the two of them. Mike ate as much as he could, and they talked with the family, but it got late, so everyone started heading off to bed.

Mike: *Drowsing off in his chair at the table*

Leeway: "Well, where can we sleep, Duke?"

Duke: "There's a guest room down the hall; both y'all can share, or one of y'all can take the couch."

Duke heads off to bed while Leeway carries his unconscious friend to the guest bed. It's been an hour, and Leeway is awoken in the middle of the night by some strange noise: Mike's ungodly snoring. Leeway can't sleep with that noise, so he heads to the living room to try to sleep on the couch.

Leeway: "Man, he sounds like a pig." *As he gets comfortable on the couch*

Leeway lays there for like 30 minutes and can't seem to fall asleep, so he looks at the door with his shoes and notices his weapon is gone.

Leeway: "Where's my Sikei at? The mom or Duke must've put it up. I don't wanna wake them; I'll just look for it myself."

As Leeway walks through the halls of this unfamiliar home looking for what's his; to no success, he chooses to check the son's room, remembering he asked about it earlier.

Leeway: "I hope he didn't take it; it's not a toy."

Leeway: "Ah, this must be it." *Opens the door*

Leeway expected to see the boy asleep in bed, but instead was met with an empty room.

Leeway: "He must've gone to the bathroom. How would I have missed him, though?"

Leeway looks around the boy's dark room and couldn't find anything, so he was about to give up.

Leeway: "Nothing's in here. I must've just misplaced it. I'll ask Duke in the morning."

Drip* a splash behind Leeway.

Leeway: "What was that?" *Turns around*

Leeway: "Is that blood dripping from that trapdoor? How did I not notice that at first? I hope he didn't hurt himself playing with it."

Leeway swings open the trap ceiling door and is shocked at what he sees.

CRASH* Weapons fall onto the floor.

Leeway: "Are these weapons?" *Looks for his Sikei* "It's not in this pile either. Why are there weapons hidden in this little boy's room?"

(Something familiar catches Leeway's eye.)

Leeway: "No way, that sai has the same symbol as the people that attacked us at the dojo. I need to get Mike."

Leeway turns around and is met with the last person he thought to see: the little girl.

Girl: "I told him to find a better hiding spot." *Shakes head*

Leeway: "Hey, little girl, I got lost looking for the bathroom." *He says anxiously*

Girl: "Yeah, whatever." *Throws ninja star*

Leeway reflects it with the sai in his hand.

Leeway: "So you work for him? The man that attacked me and my friends."

Girl: "Yes, my whole family does. All his bases were told to look for you two; the two that got away." *She says mockingly*

Leeway: "Yeah, your weird family isn't stopping us."

Girl: "Brother, stop playing with that thing and get over here."

Boy: "Fine, whatever."

Leeway turns around and sees the little boy emerge out of the shadow of the room with Leeway's Sikei.

Leeway: "You were there the whole time?"

Boy: "You can't even present sense yet? Oh yeah, you can't beat us, let alone our Master."

Leeway: "You wanna see about that?"

Leeway runs straight toward them both, throwing a combo they dodge with ease. Leeway throws the sai at the girl, causing her to jump back, and goes in for the confrontation with the boy. The boy and Leeway engage in intense combat, punching each other over and over.

Leeway jumps back and, with a smoke bomb he had on him from the dojo, throws it down, blinding everyone in the room. While they both cough and cover their eyes, Leeway goes for his Sikei, successfully taking it from the boy and leaving the room.

Leeway: *Running* "I've got to get to mine; these kids are crazy."

Boy: "You cheated."

Girl: "Yeah, a smoke ball is for cowards."

Leeway: "Anything's fair in a fight, kids. You'll learn when you get older."

Leeway knows these two won't let him get to Mike, so he turns around to finish them.

Leeway: *Pulls Sikei from sleeve* "Let's hurry this up, you brats."

Kids: "Finally!"

They both attack at the same time. Leeway dodges low as they go up and pulls the girl by her hair straight into the floorboards, while then blocking a throwing knife swung at him from the boy with his Sikei. Leeway takes the throwing knife, backflips, and throws it into the boy's shirt, nailing him into the wall and restraining him there.

Leeway walks over to him, knocking him out with the butt of his sword. The girl tries to get back up as he does the same to her, heading to the room Mike was supposed to be in.

Leeway makes his way back to Mike.

Leeway: "Mike, you won't believe this. Mike? Mike, wake up." *Checks pulse*

Duke: "He's been doused with sleeping powder."

Leeway turns around, Sikei pointed at Duke.

Leeway: "You're in on this, aren't you?"

Duke: "Yes, but I have no intention of fighting you. I got what I need; I'll let you go."

Leeway: "Yeah, whatever, weirdo." *Picks up Mike*

Leeway carries Mike straight out the front door as Duke allows them to leave. Duke and his wife watch them walk away.

Mom: "I still don't get why you wanted us to let them go."

Duke: "I did what Master Rai wanted, and it's true; he is him. That boy Leeway is the last Peril Monk. We couldn't have stopped him even if we wanted to, but trust me, he'll meet his match, him and his little friend."