Chapter 7 - Visitor

A man ran through the forest, his clothes visibly tattered and torn.

He was running away from someone, but had been running for so long that he had forgotten who. Clutched tightly in his arms was a map. A map with directions that could take him to the home of someone whose protection he could seek.

So he ran to that home as fast he could.

The Sound of metal chains rang out in the distance behind him, encouraging his legs to push him forward faster than they had ever before.

ZANTETSU ART: Accursed Chain of the Honored Son!

CLANG!

A giant metal combat chain snaked around his right leg, lacerating his skin. He fell to the ground. He clutched his now bleeding leg, in an attempt to stop the bleeding.

"Don't bother. It's just a flesh wound. It will clot in a matter of minutes" Said a mysterious figure, walking out of the shadows casted by trees.

"It's you... Ran Zen"

Ran Zen ,a tall blonde young man, aged 19, wore a light blue kimono and carried a combat chain that rested on his right arm.

"Yes, it's me!" Said Ran, smiling a devilish smile

"Let go of me you bastard!"

"I am afraid I cannot do that"

"What do you want from Me!"

"Don't play dumb. You know exactly why we were sent to retrieve you"

"Damn You! Accursed Zen Dog!"

Ran tugged on the chain, causing the metal to cut deeper into the man's skin, drawing more blood in the process.

AAAAH!

"I suggested you refrain from those sort of remarks" Said Ran, visibly struggling to hold in his fury

"D-damn you accursed spawn of the Zen"

"You lousy bastard..." Said Ran angrily, a large, bulging vein appearing on his temple

Ran angrily pulled on the chain, causing it to dig so deep into the man's skin that the bone that layed undernath became exposed. More blood began to pour out from the wound.

"AAAAAAAAH!!" Cried the man as he clawed at the chain until his fingernails broke

"You're such a vile creature. But, I wouldn't expect anything less from a monkey that cannot even use Zantetsu"

"P-PLEASE, M-MERCY"

"Why would I have mercy for a monkey that can only ever dream of utilising the gift of Zantetsu"

Ran laughed maniacally as the man screamed in anguish.

"Ran. Stop that" Said a female voice from somewhere in the trees

"Oh. It's YOU, Makka"

"Makka" emerged from the trees, bathing herself in the sunshine that peeked through the trees foliage. She wore a White Wife-beater t-shirt, olive Green cargo pants and black combat boots.

"When are you gonna learn to control your temper, Ran"

"The same day you learn to dress as a proper woman, bimbo"

"Let him go already, we were ordered to bring him back alive"

"The keyword being 'Alive'. They never said we can't bring him back maimed" Said Ran, a smile forming on his face

"Ran..."

"It shouldn't be too much of a problem, if he's still alive" Said Ran, his smile turning into a Grin

"Ran, stop that"

"Stop what, Makka?" Said Ran, his grin turning into a scowl

"You've got that gross look on your face again"

"Oh. Do I !?" Said Ran Angrily, now face to face with Makka

"Get out of my Face, Ran!"

"And if i don't? What are you gonna do? You gonna hit m-

Makka punched Ran in the jaw, causing him to fall to the ground

"Grandfather isn't here to save you again"

"Tchh! For a monkey with no grace, you sure do hit like a girl"

Makka stomped on Ran's stomach, causing him to wince from the pain. "I'm not a damned monkey, Ran" Said Makka, clutching her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white. "You're right. You're more like a gorilla" Said Ran, grinning devilishly at Makka. "You little shit" Said Makka, as she began an onslaught of kicks and punches aimed at Ran. Ran's chain snaked up Makka's leg, dragging her to the ground.

Both Makka and Ran were now on the ground.

They hadn't seemed to notice that the man they were after had escaped their vision.

...

The man hobbled his way through the forest, his Mangled right leg hanging awkwardly of his body. It was no longer fully attached to his body and now just clung to him, various bloody muscles and shattered bones preventing it from outright falling to the ground.

He couldn't believe his luck, two assasins of the Zen clan- his previous employers- had been sent out to kill him. He knew exactly why the Zen clan wanted his death, what he knew could potentially bring upon them an enormous scandal. What he didn't knew was why the Zen girl had let him go, he saw her see him rum away hit she purposefully pretended not to notice him. Could it be that not all the people of the Zen clan were heartless monsters. "Maybe" the man thought, distracting himself from the sheer pain.

The man proceeded through the forest, bloodied, bruised and battered. Atleast he still had his map with him.

...

"Mikey... what are you doing?" A new voice questioned him

"I-Its not what it looks like!" Said Mikey, trying to explain the predicament he found himself in

"N-no need, I'll be going now" Said the voice, unwilling to involve themselves in what whatever was happening

"W-wait!"

"Bye Mikey" Said the voice, motiong to close the Infirmary door

"I can ex-

The Door shut close.

-plain"

"That was awkward" Said Mikey, shortly sighing thereafter

End of Chapter 7.