Post by Sky on Apr 5, 2007 21:33:14 GMT -8
Something that people wouldn't know by the history, or period unless they were on 499. So I figured I'd share... enjoy.
How Sky and Reia met:
The small rundown apartment sat on the wrong side of the tracks. It only seemed hospitable due to the glimmering sun that reflected through the cracked windows, acting like a prism dividing the white light into the spectrum of which it consisted. This sight fell on the figure in the middle of the living area and went unrecognized. The elderly man simply sat there holding the bright red wooden cane, intently listening to the pattering of small feet on the flooring, if you could call it that, a thin layer of beige fibers carelessly tossed over the cold cement. A small girl of six years halted in front of the man dressed in colorful silken kimono, her only possession remaining from her previous life.
“Ichi-kun! You can’t wear that! You look like a beggar.”
The elder man chuckled heartily, the clothes that clung to his frame were ragged and faded, barely anything more than what a beggar would were. However Ichi possessed nothing more suitable. Slowly rising to his feet, the cane being used to balance and find his weary way, Ichi stepped cautiously forward, a gentle smile causing the skin to winkle like the skin of a dried grape.
“Well ready to go out and explore, Reia?”
“Yep!”
The two sauntered out the apartment through the heavy oaken and metal screen doors. The city loomed on the early morning horizon. It stood as a new beginning and a final resting place, one the two hoped would be a peace-filled time. The day would be consumed with site-seeing, exploring, and various other activities to begin their adjustment to the new surroundings. A path was set to take them all around ending a The Promenade.
“Yes sir…I’ll make sure of it…Very well… yes, you have no need to worry I shall take care of everything.”
The figure hung up the phone that sat top the desk. The office was musty and dark, hidden away in the deep recesses of the city. Veiled in the shadows, the figure traveled in a phantom-like motion from its seat toward the closet. The door slide aside revealing an outfit designed for one purpose, to be unseen, undetected, to be a ghost. An outfit consisting of spandex that concealed everything below the neck, simple straw sandals worn to keep the feet comfortable, a mid-thigh in length skirt, leather gloves, and a hooded robe overtop. All were black in color, the night was always a shadows best friend. When the sun set everything would be taken care of. In that same form of movement the figure exited the office, taking to the streets in preparation for the coming confrontation.
A low fog hung over the London countryside bringing a light mist with its descent. The morning sun was blockaded by the various mass, darkening the winter day. This day would harbor a great deal of change, a look back on the past, a glimpse of the future, and a return to past failures. Chirps echoed from within the chilled condensed curtain, giving the only sign of life to the estate. Everything else was quiet as the night that had just ended. The beginning of another mist-filled day in England…
“SKY!!!”
A shrill scream filled the chamber, piercing the eardrums of the sleeping being. The drastic change in surroundings caused him to fall out of his bed, face first onto the carpet floor. Sky groaned in frustration, his sleep disturbed by a pre-teen cousin who now giggled from the doorway pleased with the results of her intrusion. The fall had been less than pleasant and the scream had given him a headache. Slowly Sky rose to his feet, running his hand through his hair, a discontented scowl on his face.
“What is it, Rosa?”
“Breakfast…”
With her message delivered, Rosa slipped away to head back to get her meal. Sky shook his head slightly, a dreary day for departure, how… appropriate. A flurry of thoughts of second thoughts bombard him as he got dressed, slipping into grey sweatpants and a white t-shirt. He couldn’t help but way the two sides against each other and always notice it was better to stay than go. He had hundreds more opportunities in England than… there but Sky wanted something more challenging. Public High School 499 provided that challenge, not mentally or academically but in terms of survival. Sky could think of no place more difficult than perhaps some country in the midst of rebellion. Then again wasn’t 499 in the same state only on a smaller scale. Either way it would be far more pressing than this villa. Having freshly resolved himself, Sky made his way downstairs and into the kitchen. Two servants were cooking away, eggs, sausage, bacon, and blood pudding. Meanwhile Francis sat reading the paper, Marcus and Rosa munched away at the cereal before them and Mahli jumped to her feet, throwing her arms around Sky.
“Oh… I’m going to miss you, dearie. Do you have to go?”
“Oy. Let the boy make his own choices Mahli.”
“I know… I’m sure all your friends miss you anyway.”
“…yeah.”
Sky stood there a moment while Mahli went back to her seat. The whole incident shocked him momentarily but as that feeling subsided Sky headed to a free seat. Rosa and her little brother, Marcus, thought it was hilariously as only children could. Before Sky could give them a glance of disapproval a fist thudded against the top of his skull. He turned to see the being to which the fist belong to. There stood the eldest, Thomas, who was eighteen and in prime position to make the national Rugby team. Thomas, better known as Tommie, had a large, slightly sadistic, grin on his face.
“Oy! You wern’t bout to eat witout me… was you?”
“Hey Tommie.”
“If it ain’t the Rugby star come home for a free meal.”
“Francis!”
“Very funny.”
“I know… I’m a regular comedian.”
“So… A big family breakfast to say goodbye to our dear Sky.”
Tommie threw his arm around Sky, as he sat and shook him playfully. Soon the servants brought the food and everyone began to eat, intermittent with moments of conversation, laughing, and fond memories. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves save for Sky and Francis. Francis simply sat there reading the paper, chiming in occasionally and ingesting his meal at a leisurely pace. This had always amazed Sky. Francis could multitask so easily, looking as though he wasn’t interested in the least and yet make comments as relevant as a person who listened intently. Sky simply nodded where appropriate, unable to shake the thoughts his memory forced to surface. After everyone finished the dishes were taken away and Sky’s bags were packed into the back of a luxury car, the driver waiting behind the wheel to take Sky to his flight. Sky gave everyone a farewell hug and strode down the steps toward the car.
“Bye Sky!!!”
“Oy! Maybe I should come and keep you outta trouble!”
“Shush you. Bye Sky, dear… have fun, and make lots of friends, and keep up with your school work, and stay out of trouble!!!”
“Okay… bye.”
The family gave a final wave as the car pulled away with Sky now comfortably seated in the backseat, his gaze falling on the countryside as it passed in a blur. Deja vu struck him, he was once again leaving a promising future, a comfortable present, and a joy-filled past. Trading it in for an uncertainty on all accounts, but this was how he chose to live his life. Sky took in the scenery as the car traversed the countryside enroot to London Heathrow Airport…
The sun had set beyond the horizon and the night on loomed overhead. The only light remaining came from the dull streetlamps that along the middle of the outdoor mall’s walkway. People filed out seeing as most shops were closing for the night leaving no reason to stay. A security guard passed here or there but otherwise the only signs of life came for a bench near the central fountain. There sat Ichi with Reia beside him enjoying an ice-cream cone. A small flicker came from the streetlamps before the shut off, sending the area into darkness. The only remaining illumination came from the quarter moon that hung in the night sky. An ill intention descended upon them, Ichi slowly rose in response motioning for Reia to get behind him. A chill ran down the girl’s spine as the set of bright green eyes and sharp glistening white teeth moved forward, veiled in shadows. The figure raised a right hand equipped with three-blade claw. A voice seeped like venom across gap between them.
“The girl…”
Reia flinched, her fingers gripping tightly to the fabric of Ichi’s pants. Ichi simply smiled at the figure and turned toward Reia. The old man squatted so he could be face to face with the little girl, a gentle smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. She nodded in understanding as he gently patted the top of her head. Again standing, his body facing this shadow, Ichi took a firm grip on his walking cane. This signaled Reia’s escape, she took off a full speed toward the road in hopes of escaping. The cloaked figure made no motion toward the target, after all it wouldn’t be hard to catch a little girl…
The dim city lights that remained seemed to quiet the hustling bustling polis. A peaceful even soothing sight, hiding the seething under belly of corruption and crime. It was not a place people normally went for leisurely strolls but for Sky this was a chance to reacquaint himself with this purgatory. Sky walked around the city observing the nightlife, a hobo here and there, college students invading bars for an “Hour of Power” party, office workers calling their late night at the office done and allowing themselves time to relax at home perhaps with family, and others continuing to work. A few blocks from the Promenade, Sky halted his journey. The student thought it strange that the outdoor mall was completely dark, usually some light remained. He shrugged it off a removed a small packet of cigarettes from his pocket, only one remaining. Sky tucked the cigarette in the corner of his mouth as he discarded the empty carton. His other hand dug into his pocket soon removing his lighter. A flick of the wrist brought the flame to the end of cigarette, turning to an amber ash.
Reia fell backwards as she ran full speed into someone, the night hid the man’s features, and a feeling of fear came over her. All she could recognize was a gold chain with a cross attached, light blonde hair and an amber glow in front of the face that gave a menacing look. She began to crawl away as the figure lowered to a squat, a plume of smoke rising from the corner of the mouth. The figure tucked the cigarette in the corner of his mouth and lifted Reia to her feet. Once she was steady they began to systematically dusted her off, taking notice of the kind actions Reia began to drop her guard slightly. The voice was gentle, kind a voice that she felt she could trust.
“You know, first of all, you shouldn’t be out so late… your parents will be worried, and secondly you should watch where you are running… you’ll get into a lot less of these collisions. Ok… there you go almost as good as new… now hurry on home.”
The girl didn’t move an inch. She simply stared up at Sky as he stood up. Sky took another drag, wondering what this girl was doing here so late. Just as Sky was trying to figure out what to do, he didn’t want to leave her there alone, the girl grabbed his hand and began to pull back the way she came. Sky decided to play along, allowing himself to be pulled toward the Promenade. All the while he could tell the girl seemed frantic but she said nothing.
The figure’s eyes illuminated with an unnatural light, the night soon became like day, everything could be seem in full detail, the darkness no longer hiding anything. A blind man should pose no threat but this ordinary man, there was something about him and his cane that seemed…off. He watched the blind man’s head tilt slightly as though trying to hear any sign of movement. A small smile crept across his shadowed features, this would prove entertaining, more so than the little girl ever could. He lifted his arm, pointing toward Ichi in preparation for an attack.
The sound of a small plastic bag scraping across the ground, the water splashing in the fountain behind him, and the slow and shallow breaths of his enemy. Ichi focused in on the sounds around him, having made a living in the dark, he’d relied on his other senses to keep him safe. They would be all he’d need. In the back of his mind his only true concern was that Reia had made it to safety, nothing else mattered. His fingers adjusted around his cane, one of each side of a small golden band eleven inches below the top. Ichi kept his feet firmly planted, awaiting his opponents attack.
Slowly a could passed by the moon, covering it momentarily. The figure took toward Ichi, his weapon lower by his side, not caring about the sound he made in his dead sprint. His only concern to eliminate this obstacle and get this job over with. Ichi shifted his head again, honing in on the sound of the charging assassin. A step forward and the blind man drew the hidden sword from within his cane, slashing across the perceived chest of the assailant. Barely avoiding the attack by rocking his momentum back at the last second, the figure created the needed opening, thrusting the claw toward the exposed right side of Ichi’s chest. All the old man could do was put the sheath between the claw and himself, the claw piercing through the wooden case and into the elderly man’s lung. Summoning his last bit of strength, Ichi twisted the sheath to prevent its retraction and in doing so preventing the assassin’s retreat. A swift motion brought the sword back down across the assassin’s chest, almost carving the man in two. Ichi used the sheath to pull the claw out, knocking the dead man away. Ichi fell backward against the fountain, blood pouring from the wound, his life dripping away, but he had succeed in his goal. The cloud passed again dimly lighting the Promenade…
“Ichi!!!”
Reia screamed as she and Sky finally rounded the corner into the Promenade. She dashed toward Ichi without losing a step in her frantic pace while Sky simply walked toward the bodies. Ichi was on the edge when Reia threw her arms around him crying hysterically. He tried to quiet her but it was no use. Sky looked at the figure lying some few feet away and back to the dieing Ichi. Ichi spoke a few final words and passed on…
“Stranger… look after Reiaaaa…………”
Sky nodded while retrieving his cell phone from his pocket. The entirety of everything seemed to just bounce off him, none of it registering. Ichi’s demise, the two corpses, the fact that Reia had lost someone dear, and that Sky had watched them die. He felt nothing and felt ready for life here once again. Sky flipped open the cell phone and dialed 911 though there was no real emergency other then mopping up the mess.
“911. What is your emergency?”
“Yeah… I found two dead bodies at the Promenade…”
After the police arrived they began to take in the scene, gather evidence and testimony. A few officers were trying to calm Reia so they could get clear answers to their questions but little progress was made. Any questions that came Sky’s way were answered with a simple “I wasn’t here.” or something to that effect. This continued for almost four hours, Sky kept track of the time on his watch, 3:00am wouldn’t exactly allow him to be up in time for class. Reia was still wide awake but had finally settled down when the lead detective approached Sky. He was a burly man in his mid-forties who looked as though he hadn’t slept or shaved in a week. A small burnt out cigarette hung from the corner of his mouth.
“Well… looks like you can finally go home… From what we got the old man and the other guy killed each, plain and simple.”
“Perhaps a little too simple?”
“Maybe… but the higher-ups will buy it and so will the taxpayers so everyone is happy.”
“Except the girl…”
“Yeah, but she’ll forget about it when we got her into a foster home and she goes up for adoption.”
“I’ll take her.”
The detective glanced sidelong at Sky wondering about the boy’s motives perhaps. After all most teens from this area would have just walked by the scene, not even calling it in, never mind taking in an orphan. But at 3:00am, he couldn’t care less, it would mean less paperwork and hassle. Also allowing him to get to sleep finally, he let out a deep sigh, smoke filled the air as the bud dropped to the cement and the detective stomped it out.
“Okay, kid… any reason why just to quench my curiosity?”
“The old man told me to, so I guess I just want to honor his last wishes… man that sounds cheesy.”
“Ha! Yeah it do but it works for me… as long as your folks don’t mind… she’s all yours. See ya later, kid.”
The detective walked off leaving the scene to the clean up crew. Sky took a deep breath staring into the night sky, amazed at how eventful his first day back had been. If this was any indication of his luck in the coming year, it would be a very, very long year. He made his way over to where Reia was sitting, the limousine already waiting for him. He kneeled down before the girl, wiping away a tear and smiling in efforts to comfort her.
“Okay… Reia is it? It’s time to go. Don’t worry I’ll take care of you like Ichi asked me to. Okay? You must be tired so… how about it? Ready to get out of here.”
“B-but Ichi…*sniff sniff*…”
“I know… but he would want you to go on and make something of yourself, like a doctor or a lawyer or… a teacher. Right?
“*sniff* okay *sniff* … you’re right.”
She hoped off the bench and walked off with toward the limousine. Sky never thought a child would ever buy that speech but perhaps this wasn’t an ordinary child. After all the old man did give up his life for her, but then again maybe he was no ordinary man. The more Sky thought, the bigger his headache. He did want some sleep so he pushed the thoughts aside deciding the were better left for another time. The ride was short and soon the two were at the penthouse suite Sky resided in before. Everything had been replaced just as it was before. Sky lead Reia to a spare bedroom, where he had be keeping junk. She fell asleep on the couch immediately, tired more than either of them had realized. With that taken care of Sky called the maid and left a message for her to take Reia shopping in the morning when she awoke. The maid would be there in just three or so hours. Sky hung up the phone and dragged his feet into his room for some much needed rest…
How Sky and Reia met:
Sky - Blue
Reia - Red
Ichi - Brown
Assassin - Black
Rosa - Lime Green
Marcus - Orange
Mahli - Purple
Francis - Navy
Tommie - Green
Cop - Maroon
911 Operatore - Teal
Reia - Red
Ichi - Brown
Assassin - Black
Rosa - Lime Green
Marcus - Orange
Mahli - Purple
Francis - Navy
Tommie - Green
Cop - Maroon
911 Operatore - Teal
~~~{Morning, Downtown Slums}~~~
The small rundown apartment sat on the wrong side of the tracks. It only seemed hospitable due to the glimmering sun that reflected through the cracked windows, acting like a prism dividing the white light into the spectrum of which it consisted. This sight fell on the figure in the middle of the living area and went unrecognized. The elderly man simply sat there holding the bright red wooden cane, intently listening to the pattering of small feet on the flooring, if you could call it that, a thin layer of beige fibers carelessly tossed over the cold cement. A small girl of six years halted in front of the man dressed in colorful silken kimono, her only possession remaining from her previous life.
“Ichi-kun! You can’t wear that! You look like a beggar.”
The elder man chuckled heartily, the clothes that clung to his frame were ragged and faded, barely anything more than what a beggar would were. However Ichi possessed nothing more suitable. Slowly rising to his feet, the cane being used to balance and find his weary way, Ichi stepped cautiously forward, a gentle smile causing the skin to winkle like the skin of a dried grape.
“Well ready to go out and explore, Reia?”
“Yep!”
The two sauntered out the apartment through the heavy oaken and metal screen doors. The city loomed on the early morning horizon. It stood as a new beginning and a final resting place, one the two hoped would be a peace-filled time. The day would be consumed with site-seeing, exploring, and various other activities to begin their adjustment to the new surroundings. A path was set to take them all around ending a The Promenade.
~~~{Warehouse 51C, Pier 9}~~~
“Yes sir…I’ll make sure of it…Very well… yes, you have no need to worry I shall take care of everything.”
The figure hung up the phone that sat top the desk. The office was musty and dark, hidden away in the deep recesses of the city. Veiled in the shadows, the figure traveled in a phantom-like motion from its seat toward the closet. The door slide aside revealing an outfit designed for one purpose, to be unseen, undetected, to be a ghost. An outfit consisting of spandex that concealed everything below the neck, simple straw sandals worn to keep the feet comfortable, a mid-thigh in length skirt, leather gloves, and a hooded robe overtop. All were black in color, the night was always a shadows best friend. When the sun set everything would be taken care of. In that same form of movement the figure exited the office, taking to the streets in preparation for the coming confrontation.
~~~{Harrison Estate, countryside outside of London}~~~
A low fog hung over the London countryside bringing a light mist with its descent. The morning sun was blockaded by the various mass, darkening the winter day. This day would harbor a great deal of change, a look back on the past, a glimpse of the future, and a return to past failures. Chirps echoed from within the chilled condensed curtain, giving the only sign of life to the estate. Everything else was quiet as the night that had just ended. The beginning of another mist-filled day in England…
“SKY!!!”
A shrill scream filled the chamber, piercing the eardrums of the sleeping being. The drastic change in surroundings caused him to fall out of his bed, face first onto the carpet floor. Sky groaned in frustration, his sleep disturbed by a pre-teen cousin who now giggled from the doorway pleased with the results of her intrusion. The fall had been less than pleasant and the scream had given him a headache. Slowly Sky rose to his feet, running his hand through his hair, a discontented scowl on his face.
“What is it, Rosa?”
“Breakfast…”
With her message delivered, Rosa slipped away to head back to get her meal. Sky shook his head slightly, a dreary day for departure, how… appropriate. A flurry of thoughts of second thoughts bombard him as he got dressed, slipping into grey sweatpants and a white t-shirt. He couldn’t help but way the two sides against each other and always notice it was better to stay than go. He had hundreds more opportunities in England than… there but Sky wanted something more challenging. Public High School 499 provided that challenge, not mentally or academically but in terms of survival. Sky could think of no place more difficult than perhaps some country in the midst of rebellion. Then again wasn’t 499 in the same state only on a smaller scale. Either way it would be far more pressing than this villa. Having freshly resolved himself, Sky made his way downstairs and into the kitchen. Two servants were cooking away, eggs, sausage, bacon, and blood pudding. Meanwhile Francis sat reading the paper, Marcus and Rosa munched away at the cereal before them and Mahli jumped to her feet, throwing her arms around Sky.
“Oh… I’m going to miss you, dearie. Do you have to go?”
“Oy. Let the boy make his own choices Mahli.”
“I know… I’m sure all your friends miss you anyway.”
“…yeah.”
Sky stood there a moment while Mahli went back to her seat. The whole incident shocked him momentarily but as that feeling subsided Sky headed to a free seat. Rosa and her little brother, Marcus, thought it was hilariously as only children could. Before Sky could give them a glance of disapproval a fist thudded against the top of his skull. He turned to see the being to which the fist belong to. There stood the eldest, Thomas, who was eighteen and in prime position to make the national Rugby team. Thomas, better known as Tommie, had a large, slightly sadistic, grin on his face.
“Oy! You wern’t bout to eat witout me… was you?”
“Hey Tommie.”
“If it ain’t the Rugby star come home for a free meal.”
“Francis!”
“Very funny.”
“I know… I’m a regular comedian.”
“So… A big family breakfast to say goodbye to our dear Sky.”
Tommie threw his arm around Sky, as he sat and shook him playfully. Soon the servants brought the food and everyone began to eat, intermittent with moments of conversation, laughing, and fond memories. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves save for Sky and Francis. Francis simply sat there reading the paper, chiming in occasionally and ingesting his meal at a leisurely pace. This had always amazed Sky. Francis could multitask so easily, looking as though he wasn’t interested in the least and yet make comments as relevant as a person who listened intently. Sky simply nodded where appropriate, unable to shake the thoughts his memory forced to surface. After everyone finished the dishes were taken away and Sky’s bags were packed into the back of a luxury car, the driver waiting behind the wheel to take Sky to his flight. Sky gave everyone a farewell hug and strode down the steps toward the car.
“Bye Sky!!!”
“Oy! Maybe I should come and keep you outta trouble!”
“Shush you. Bye Sky, dear… have fun, and make lots of friends, and keep up with your school work, and stay out of trouble!!!”
“Okay… bye.”
The family gave a final wave as the car pulled away with Sky now comfortably seated in the backseat, his gaze falling on the countryside as it passed in a blur. Deja vu struck him, he was once again leaving a promising future, a comfortable present, and a joy-filled past. Trading it in for an uncertainty on all accounts, but this was how he chose to live his life. Sky took in the scenery as the car traversed the countryside enroot to London Heathrow Airport…
~~~{Later that night, the Promenade}~~~
The sun had set beyond the horizon and the night on loomed overhead. The only light remaining came from the dull streetlamps that along the middle of the outdoor mall’s walkway. People filed out seeing as most shops were closing for the night leaving no reason to stay. A security guard passed here or there but otherwise the only signs of life came for a bench near the central fountain. There sat Ichi with Reia beside him enjoying an ice-cream cone. A small flicker came from the streetlamps before the shut off, sending the area into darkness. The only remaining illumination came from the quarter moon that hung in the night sky. An ill intention descended upon them, Ichi slowly rose in response motioning for Reia to get behind him. A chill ran down the girl’s spine as the set of bright green eyes and sharp glistening white teeth moved forward, veiled in shadows. The figure raised a right hand equipped with three-blade claw. A voice seeped like venom across gap between them.
“The girl…”
Reia flinched, her fingers gripping tightly to the fabric of Ichi’s pants. Ichi simply smiled at the figure and turned toward Reia. The old man squatted so he could be face to face with the little girl, a gentle smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. She nodded in understanding as he gently patted the top of her head. Again standing, his body facing this shadow, Ichi took a firm grip on his walking cane. This signaled Reia’s escape, she took off a full speed toward the road in hopes of escaping. The cloaked figure made no motion toward the target, after all it wouldn’t be hard to catch a little girl…
~~~{Elsewhere}~~~
The dim city lights that remained seemed to quiet the hustling bustling polis. A peaceful even soothing sight, hiding the seething under belly of corruption and crime. It was not a place people normally went for leisurely strolls but for Sky this was a chance to reacquaint himself with this purgatory. Sky walked around the city observing the nightlife, a hobo here and there, college students invading bars for an “Hour of Power” party, office workers calling their late night at the office done and allowing themselves time to relax at home perhaps with family, and others continuing to work. A few blocks from the Promenade, Sky halted his journey. The student thought it strange that the outdoor mall was completely dark, usually some light remained. He shrugged it off a removed a small packet of cigarettes from his pocket, only one remaining. Sky tucked the cigarette in the corner of his mouth as he discarded the empty carton. His other hand dug into his pocket soon removing his lighter. A flick of the wrist brought the flame to the end of cigarette, turning to an amber ash.
Reia fell backwards as she ran full speed into someone, the night hid the man’s features, and a feeling of fear came over her. All she could recognize was a gold chain with a cross attached, light blonde hair and an amber glow in front of the face that gave a menacing look. She began to crawl away as the figure lowered to a squat, a plume of smoke rising from the corner of the mouth. The figure tucked the cigarette in the corner of his mouth and lifted Reia to her feet. Once she was steady they began to systematically dusted her off, taking notice of the kind actions Reia began to drop her guard slightly. The voice was gentle, kind a voice that she felt she could trust.
“You know, first of all, you shouldn’t be out so late… your parents will be worried, and secondly you should watch where you are running… you’ll get into a lot less of these collisions. Ok… there you go almost as good as new… now hurry on home.”
The girl didn’t move an inch. She simply stared up at Sky as he stood up. Sky took another drag, wondering what this girl was doing here so late. Just as Sky was trying to figure out what to do, he didn’t want to leave her there alone, the girl grabbed his hand and began to pull back the way she came. Sky decided to play along, allowing himself to be pulled toward the Promenade. All the while he could tell the girl seemed frantic but she said nothing.
~~~{The Promenade}~~~
The figure’s eyes illuminated with an unnatural light, the night soon became like day, everything could be seem in full detail, the darkness no longer hiding anything. A blind man should pose no threat but this ordinary man, there was something about him and his cane that seemed…off. He watched the blind man’s head tilt slightly as though trying to hear any sign of movement. A small smile crept across his shadowed features, this would prove entertaining, more so than the little girl ever could. He lifted his arm, pointing toward Ichi in preparation for an attack.
The sound of a small plastic bag scraping across the ground, the water splashing in the fountain behind him, and the slow and shallow breaths of his enemy. Ichi focused in on the sounds around him, having made a living in the dark, he’d relied on his other senses to keep him safe. They would be all he’d need. In the back of his mind his only true concern was that Reia had made it to safety, nothing else mattered. His fingers adjusted around his cane, one of each side of a small golden band eleven inches below the top. Ichi kept his feet firmly planted, awaiting his opponents attack.
Slowly a could passed by the moon, covering it momentarily. The figure took toward Ichi, his weapon lower by his side, not caring about the sound he made in his dead sprint. His only concern to eliminate this obstacle and get this job over with. Ichi shifted his head again, honing in on the sound of the charging assassin. A step forward and the blind man drew the hidden sword from within his cane, slashing across the perceived chest of the assailant. Barely avoiding the attack by rocking his momentum back at the last second, the figure created the needed opening, thrusting the claw toward the exposed right side of Ichi’s chest. All the old man could do was put the sheath between the claw and himself, the claw piercing through the wooden case and into the elderly man’s lung. Summoning his last bit of strength, Ichi twisted the sheath to prevent its retraction and in doing so preventing the assassin’s retreat. A swift motion brought the sword back down across the assassin’s chest, almost carving the man in two. Ichi used the sheath to pull the claw out, knocking the dead man away. Ichi fell backward against the fountain, blood pouring from the wound, his life dripping away, but he had succeed in his goal. The cloud passed again dimly lighting the Promenade…
“Ichi!!!”
Reia screamed as she and Sky finally rounded the corner into the Promenade. She dashed toward Ichi without losing a step in her frantic pace while Sky simply walked toward the bodies. Ichi was on the edge when Reia threw her arms around him crying hysterically. He tried to quiet her but it was no use. Sky looked at the figure lying some few feet away and back to the dieing Ichi. Ichi spoke a few final words and passed on…
“Stranger… look after Reiaaaa…………”
Sky nodded while retrieving his cell phone from his pocket. The entirety of everything seemed to just bounce off him, none of it registering. Ichi’s demise, the two corpses, the fact that Reia had lost someone dear, and that Sky had watched them die. He felt nothing and felt ready for life here once again. Sky flipped open the cell phone and dialed 911 though there was no real emergency other then mopping up the mess.
“911. What is your emergency?”
“Yeah… I found two dead bodies at the Promenade…”
~~~{Half an hour later, the Promenade}~~~
After the police arrived they began to take in the scene, gather evidence and testimony. A few officers were trying to calm Reia so they could get clear answers to their questions but little progress was made. Any questions that came Sky’s way were answered with a simple “I wasn’t here.” or something to that effect. This continued for almost four hours, Sky kept track of the time on his watch, 3:00am wouldn’t exactly allow him to be up in time for class. Reia was still wide awake but had finally settled down when the lead detective approached Sky. He was a burly man in his mid-forties who looked as though he hadn’t slept or shaved in a week. A small burnt out cigarette hung from the corner of his mouth.
“Well… looks like you can finally go home… From what we got the old man and the other guy killed each, plain and simple.”
“Perhaps a little too simple?”
“Maybe… but the higher-ups will buy it and so will the taxpayers so everyone is happy.”
“Except the girl…”
“Yeah, but she’ll forget about it when we got her into a foster home and she goes up for adoption.”
“I’ll take her.”
The detective glanced sidelong at Sky wondering about the boy’s motives perhaps. After all most teens from this area would have just walked by the scene, not even calling it in, never mind taking in an orphan. But at 3:00am, he couldn’t care less, it would mean less paperwork and hassle. Also allowing him to get to sleep finally, he let out a deep sigh, smoke filled the air as the bud dropped to the cement and the detective stomped it out.
“Okay, kid… any reason why just to quench my curiosity?”
“The old man told me to, so I guess I just want to honor his last wishes… man that sounds cheesy.”
“Ha! Yeah it do but it works for me… as long as your folks don’t mind… she’s all yours. See ya later, kid.”
The detective walked off leaving the scene to the clean up crew. Sky took a deep breath staring into the night sky, amazed at how eventful his first day back had been. If this was any indication of his luck in the coming year, it would be a very, very long year. He made his way over to where Reia was sitting, the limousine already waiting for him. He kneeled down before the girl, wiping away a tear and smiling in efforts to comfort her.
“Okay… Reia is it? It’s time to go. Don’t worry I’ll take care of you like Ichi asked me to. Okay? You must be tired so… how about it? Ready to get out of here.”
“B-but Ichi…*sniff sniff*…”
“I know… but he would want you to go on and make something of yourself, like a doctor or a lawyer or… a teacher. Right?
“*sniff* okay *sniff* … you’re right.”
She hoped off the bench and walked off with toward the limousine. Sky never thought a child would ever buy that speech but perhaps this wasn’t an ordinary child. After all the old man did give up his life for her, but then again maybe he was no ordinary man. The more Sky thought, the bigger his headache. He did want some sleep so he pushed the thoughts aside deciding the were better left for another time. The ride was short and soon the two were at the penthouse suite Sky resided in before. Everything had been replaced just as it was before. Sky lead Reia to a spare bedroom, where he had be keeping junk. She fell asleep on the couch immediately, tired more than either of them had realized. With that taken care of Sky called the maid and left a message for her to take Reia shopping in the morning when she awoke. The maid would be there in just three or so hours. Sky hung up the phone and dragged his feet into his room for some much needed rest…
