4: Secrets Part 1

SANJI

Almost an hour after Yoshi and Nabiko had given up calling for Sanji and left the tower, Sanji also headed down and went to his final class. He wanted to skip but, he'd not attended any classes for the day at all. Even I'm not that bad.

Healing class was in their usual homeroom class. The teachers were the ones who moved around to classrooms unless the subject was a lab class or similar. The door was still open. Sanji was not late but it was already filled with students from class 1B and 1A who had chosen the elective.

The students chattered amongst themselves, not paying attention to Sanji as he entered. His eyes scanned the class, looking to the back of the class where he preferred to sit. He viewed his seating prospects casually. Just one student had his head bent on the desk, possibly sleeping. "..." Good. Sanji had found his partner in crime. He walked down the aisles leisuredly and sat in the empty desk next to the boy.

He was wrong though, the boy wasn't sleeping. He raised his thick head of large raven curls to look at Sanji in surprise. There was a snack in the boys hands below the desk where he was sneak eating. He smiled sheepishly at Sanji as the shock wore off, big deep brown eyes innocent and abashed.

"H, hi," his thick eyelashes fluttered. Sanji stared at the boy. He looked familiar...

Sanji turned away and slipped off his bag, pulling out his books for class. The smaller boy to his side blinked for a second, then turned his head back down on his desk, his long thick curls tumbling like a waterfall onto the desk.

Healing class was taught by a traveling Geltun Migurigum, that is, a Geltun who didn't live on the compounds. He was a forgettable aged man, white beard all over his wrinkled face. He wore plain white dress robes with little adornment and had a boring unaffected teaching style. "Goood afternoon studentss."

The children heard the teacher before they saw him. Everyone quietened down as his droning but booming words sounded from just outside the class doorway. The old man sauntered into the class with a box in his arms without addressing them directly or waiting for the children to settle down.

They instantly silenced however. Although they considered the teacher of the mundane variety, they all were anticipating the lessons of one of two elective Migurigum class they had that term. They wanted to learn something exciting and for the first time, the old Geltun had something different to show.

The children stood as he entered but he didn't greet them further. "I know you students have all been awaiting... the practical part... of your healing courseee." His voice dragged. He put the box on the desk without looking up and uncovered a water bottle before he continued.

The students one by one started to sit as the teacher took his time to drink the water. "and soo, we are at that time when we begin," covering the bottle, "the practical aspects of Geltun healing abilities."

The students glanced at each other and smiled. Sanji knew this was a class he could easily sleep through but he was sitting upright for once. The boy next to him had stopped snacking, still clutching his it under the desk and beaming toward the front of the class.

The healing teacher took a bag of leaves, beans and some small knives from the box. Several noses scrunched in level disappointment. "...we'll begin with some small levels of healing on plants and legumes... by perforating them... cutting and damaging them.

Each of you is to come forward to get a bean. And a plant leaf. Each row will take a knife and we will pass it along... as we take turns."

Sanji was at the beginning of the back row so he took a knife and returned to his seat. His neighbor glanced at him excitedly and smiled. "I'm Makenshi," he said. A glance from the corner of Sanji's eye. "..." Smile.

Ignore. The other one fixed his eyes back ahead. Makenshi shrank inwardly, "oh..."

"Healing starts with visualising... the light, emanating from yourself. I shall demonstrate how to healllll... a cut on a leaf."

Over the course of the term, they had already gone through different healing light colours and their uses. They were told that they would primarily be dealing with the green healing light for growth and repair.

Old man teacher cut a long line down the midrib of the leaf he held in his hand. The students hushed and looked on. He placed the leaf on the centre of the desk and put his right hand over it. A few seconds passed and a warm green light appeared around the teachers wrinkly hand, pushing out toward the leaf and eventually overlapping it.

The light grew brighter and washed over the leaf in steady slow pulses. Right before their very eyes, they saw the line recede up the leaf's centre as though in rewind motion and mended itself completely. As the light dimmed, the whole leaf appeared more youthful and rejuvenated and completely unmarred. A few awes escaped the students lips with half the class at the back standing to look.

Sanji was not standing as he heard the teachers instructions. It was simple. He picked the knife up, unseen behind the backs of standing student bodies. He held down the leaf on the desk with his left hand and brought the knife to its apex. He slid the knife down swiftly.

Slllll!!!!

Someone stepped back and bounced into his desk. The blade ran right down through the back of Sanji's left hand, from the middle of his index and mid finger to his wrist. Blood sprouted brightly.

Sanji winced and pulled his hand onto his lap as the students began taking their seats again. Makenshi, still smiling sat and glanced at Sanji at his side to make idle chat. His already circular eyes boggled when he saw the blood dripping onto the floor. It was forming a small puddle on the ground beneath the desk.

"Furthermore... Any of you who are disappointed that we will not practising on anyyyy animals and the like. It is not easily possible."

Sanji didn't catch Makenshi's eyes on him. He clutched his throbbing left hand to staunch the blood as he became used to the sharp pain. He relaxed himself. He pictured a green light and soon a soft light was projecting from his right hand.

"Think of Geltun as evolved humansss. We do notttt have magical fairytale powers but... enhanced abilities."

Sanji's emerald light flashed brightly under the desk and pulsed quick, more swift than the teacher had demonstrated. Two, three, four times. Then he let it disappear. The bleeding... stopped.

"Only Migurigum can heal wounds on large creatures, humans and other such intricate feats. Migurigum and those with an supplemented ability in one area. Older students can specialise in their enhanced ability only upon reaching the final two years of school. Otherwise, such young Geltun as yourself would find it impossible."

Makenshi watched Sanji remove his right hand. His left was pale but completely, abnormally untouched. There was not the faintest line to be seen or scab formation. Makenshi gasped shortly. Sanji caught his eye. "Hi."

Sanji held onto his hand quietly. "I think i know you."

The rest of the day passed incident free. Titan didn't return to the dorm to bother Sanji and Sanji slept without dreams. During the week, he passed Yoshi and Nabiko a few times and was starting to remember their faces.

"Hi Sanji-friend," it was the voice of the silver haired girl. Her name was.... Yoshida. Sanji stopped in the hallway to allow himself to be greeted. The red haired boy Nabiko was not far behind. Sanji nodded.

"How are classes going so far? You have science next, right?"

They all had science next since they were in that same class. Sanji's lack of denial showed that it was true. Yoshi hitched her backpack higher onto her shoulder. "Yeah us too. Im just going back to get my coat for the lab, are you coming?"

"No." Sanji nodded at both of them. He turned and headed to the chemistry lab by himself.

It was the first time the students had chemistry in the lab. They had donned their lab coats and left their bags at the doorway. Sanji walked into the lab, book in hand. He looked for a seat and spotted a familiar face. Makenshi wasn't busy eating when Sanji stopped next to him but he jumped anyway. "H..hello."

"Hi...Makenshi."

Makenshi smiled shyly and looked around for a rescuer. Unfortunately, Mr. Hehow walked in just then and ordered everyone to sit. They took seat upon the lab stools, looking at the various equipment laid out before them.

"Today in class, we will be identifying and drawing the most commonly used lab apparatus." Mr. Hehow addressed the class, "and then we will be learning how to turn on and adjust a bunsen burner."

Sanji looked to the meek boy beside him opening his book. "May I borrow a pencil?" Sanji asked. He realized that half his stationary had been lost when Titan threw his bag at the window several days ago.

"Sure," Makenshi went into his brim filled pencil kit and procured a mechanical pencil to lend. He was pleased at the easy topic of assistance with the strange boy. Sanji took the pencil into his hand with a silent thank you. He'd never owned a mechanical pencil before, he played with the knob and examined the lead. Was it as sharp as a regular one? Sanji turned his hand over, and pulled up his lab sleeve. Silently, he grasped the mechanical thing and stabbed it into his wrist.

Makenshi startled and choked on his saliva. Sanji concentrated on the pain of his little experiment. The stab shocked him, but now he wanted to try to heal again. Makenshi stared at him in a mixture of horror and fright as Sanji pulled the borrowed pencil out of his skin, leaving a scary red hole. He rested the pencil down calmly, the sound of class going on around them. He held his right hand quietly over his left wrist. One, two three pulses of green light and then he lifted his hand.

The hole was gone and Sanji felt contentment. He put down his hand and paid attention to the instructions Mr Hehow was delivering. Makenshi was still horrified, he turned away suddenly aware that he was staring but he felt his heart hammering in his chest. What was that, what was that all about??? Should he tell someone.?

But Sanji was now sitting calmly and Mr. Hehow was showing them the instruments in front of them. "Which one is the conical flask?" The class identified the flasks on their lab counters and were then told the specific purpose of the flask. They drew and scribbled the notes in their books, including Sanji. Makenshi gulped and took a trembling hand to his notebook.

The class went on calmly for the following hour. Mr. Hehow walked between the rows of students, checking their illustrations. "No sketchy lines students. Straight neat lines for the diagrams. Good." Mr. Hehow returned to the head of the class. "We will now be turning on the bunsen burner carefully."

Makenshi glanced to his right to Sanji. The boy was paying rapt attention staring ahead. There was one bunsen burner and one box of matches between the two. The practical classes, were much more appealing for Sanji. The boy next to Sanji seemed a little fidgety, but Sanji felt positive about school for the first time. Maybe things were turning around.

"As you can see, there is a bunsen burner and matches for each pair of you," Mr. Hehow continued, "you will take turns and supervise your partner to minimise mistakes. Going forth we will be having group projects and exams with your lab partner." Mr. Hehow cleared his throat, "whomever you are sitting next to today will be your partner for the rest of the term." Sanji looked toward his partner on his left who looked pale for some reason and nodded in agreement. "You will be graded as one and they will be your complete responsibility. Please keep them in check." On another side of the class, Yoshi and Nabiko had been paired up. She glared at him and he shrugged nonchalantly. Makenshi whimpered quietly where he sat, watching aghast at Sanji reaching toward the bunsen burner as Mr. Hehow spoke on.

"Please ensure the air holes on the bunsen burner are closed before you turn the gas switch on." Sanji closed the air hole and turned on the gas. "Now light the bunsen burner with the match stick carefully," Sanji pulled out a match stick. Makenshi held his breath. Sanji lit the burner. A yellow flame appeared. Makenshi exhaled. Mr. Hehow started walking in between the students again, "to turn the flame blue, turn the air collar so that it is open."

Makenshi's eyes widened. Gently, Sanji opened the air hole and the flame changed blue. Makenshi exhaled again. Why am I panicking so much? I'll give myself a heart attack.

"Does anyone know what is the hottest part of the flame?"

"..."

"It is a few millimetres above the inner blue flame. This is the most dangerous part..."

A light flicked on in Sanji's mind. Oh was it? Makenshi cold sweated as the words left the teachers mouth. No no no no no. Why would you teach us that?

Sanji stared at the dark blue flame. I've never... Tried healing a burn before. I suppose I should...

The seconds stretched as Sanji lifted a finger toward the fire. It flickered and flickered and finally the appendage reached through the tip of the fire, moving forward.

The fire was hot, the first few seconds were usually bareable to most people. Sanji however wanted to burn enough to leave a wound to heal. His eyes widened as the heat started to penetrate and the fine hair started to sizzle. His entire palm was almost inside the blue flame-

"Sanji, Makenshi. Are you two getting through?"

Mr. Hehow stopped at the boys counter just before Sanji could burn his hand into oblivion. He rested his hands on the counter and slumped slightly. "... yeah..."

Makenshi looked at Mr. Hehow with such worry planted on his young expressive face. He wanted to say something but he could only plead silently with his eyes. Mr. Hehow glanced at him then looked back at Sanji frowning slightly. "Are you sure?" Mr. Hehow's hand flew up out of nowhere to rest on Sanji's on the counter.

"..." Sanji stared at the connection with an abated breath.

"Hm, your hand feels a bit hot Sanji. Are you sure you're feeling alright?."

It's so freaking obvious! Makenshi yelled in his mind. He shook his head swiftly and looked down, praying for class to end.

"..." Sanji felt the touch on his hand and had to control himself from pulling away. Why did he feel that way? Suddenly everything turned upside down, he didn't want to be in class anymore. He wanted to sleep and fade away. He wanted to get away from all these people. He wanted to scrub his hand and never be touched again. Instead, he only sat there mutely as Mr. Hehow examined his blank face with growing concern.

Time passed. Mr. Hehow proceeded back to the front of the class and finished up the rest of the lesson. "And next class, we would be doing titrations in pairs."

BRRRRINNGGG.

11:45. It was lunch time. The students gathered up their books and stationary to rush to the cafeteria for lunch break. Makenshi hurried out first before anyone else could pass. "Sanji, I would like to see you for a minute please." The students filed out the two doors amid growing chatter. Mr. Hehow neatly tucked his books together at the front desk, face pallid and as smooth as his carefully groomed silver luscious crown. Sanji waited at the lab counter.

SICO

"When is the boat to Onawa town arriving?"

The light of day still burned but a light drizzle had been falling all day. There was talk of a Migurigum being hired by the town's mayor in order to take care of a gang syndicate in the town of Onawa. Slim, androgynous, silent, with overextended long black hair; it was portrait of the netherworldly beings. It must be Sire Axishi.

"The boat left about fifteen minutes ago," the inquired street merchant told Sico, "I think the next one will be a few hours."

"Damn you!" Sico scowled and pivoted away from the man. He marched toward the sea port in a matter of minutes and huffed at the waters edge. He would wait. He would wait all day if he had to. Migurigum tended to live throughout the night and be stationary during the day. Sico intended to catch Axishi before he left the town. He plopped down onto the wooden planks.

There werent many people at the docks due to the drizzle. Many were off from Sico's side under their tented stalls with one old fisherman sitting close by. "You know," the feeble fisherman addressed Sico politely, "the next boat wont be here anytime soon..." Sico made eye contact with him, "don't you want to get out of the rain lad?"

"..." Sico stared at the old man who was trying to be neighbourly. "SHUT UP YOU VAGRANT!"

The old fisher jumped back, "I... I only just-"

"Shut up before I slice you in half!" The old fisher caught a look at the giant sword on the boy's back and decided that he'd caught enough fish for the day. He got up quickly and went away. Sico brought his hand away from the hilt of his sword and looked back over the ocean, brows burrowed deep. Peace finally.

Hours passed by. The pitter patter of the rain started to pick up, raining down on Sico. No one was around now, he saw them all pack up and go. He heard the ocean change its tune and felt the cold grow on his arms. He huddled into a tight embrace. A sneeze tickled at Sico's nose and he fought against it but it won eventually. He sneezed out loud.

Sico rubbed at his eye. "Hm?" The pitter patter above his head halted suddenly, a shadow formed behind him. He spun around swiftly when he realized the person had snuck upon him without a sound. His hand reached for his sword but the person didn't flinch. Sico could only see shadows, looking up at the person above, shielding him.

The person was slight, as slight as could be, a traditionally garbed refined looking young lady holding an umbrella in her hand and Sico's inquisitive gaze in her still deep eyes. She was still and simple, but beautiful in a plain way. Sico paused, uncertain of his course of action as the girl did not respond or acknowledge his awkward surprise. "It is raining young sir."

"I... I know," he halted. A cold wind blew his already damp clothing and he shuddered involuntarily. The girl with placid eyes looked at him calmly. She slowly bent to kneel before Sico, unworried about dampening her formal kimono on the pier. She reached a hand inside her kimono. Sico's lips parted as he waited.

The girl took a handkerchief out of her dress and held it toward Sico's face. "You'll be sick, young Sico."

"I never get sick." Sico frowned as the girl patted his cheek dry, her hair blowing across him. She stopped with the kerchief in hand. He took it from her silently and relaxed himself from springing up. He could smell her perfume... it reminded him of his mother. "Wait... how do you know my name?"

The girl stood up, sheltering them both. "The boat is here."

They looked across the water to see a medium sized vessel speeding toward them. Sico got to his feet and stood next to the girl, pretending not to notice the proximity of their shoulders. When the boat reached the dock, the captain immediately approached the two travelers for the traveling fare. "Four gold for you if you want to bring that big sword with you," he said to Sico. Sico began to fork out the fare but his companion stopped him.

"Will you charge me as well, for bringing my umbrella on?"

"N, no," he scowled deeply, "but."

"Then you will not charge young master." With a gentle downward glance, the girl took a few gold pieces from her pouch and handed it toward the man.

The man glanced at the shoreline where rain pattered travelers were rushing out of their hiding places to get to the boat. He looked to the inclement sky and scowled. He snatched the fare from the girl and stepped aside. "Just get on the boat quickly."

"Wait," Sico stepped forward forcefully, "I have lots of money, I can pay."

The girl proceeded onto the boat, seemingly ignoring Sico. Sico started to get heated. He stomped after the girls departing back as she made it onto the interior of the boat and grabbed her forearm forcefully, stopping her with a strong tug.

"I said," his teeth grinding in hate, "how, do you know, my name." If she was a liar and betrayer, he had to know now, and finish her off, he thought. The girl didn't even pull away. She was allowing the abuse for some reason.

"Master Sico," she whispered gently, "you should not speak of your riches so openly. As for your name," was there any hint of nostalgia in her eyes? Sico did not loosen the grip on the girls arm as yet. "The unfortunate news of your family's tragedy is not unknown. The Renji family was well known for siding with the Migurigum, and the ending tales followed."

Sico held onto her arm tightly, looking her square in the eye. It made sense, he did believe her. Maybe he should... Apologize..? The toughened 12 year old released the girls arm. "Hmph," he grunted and looked away. "Fine then." If she had been bruised at all, the girl did not show it. She quietly turned back around and made her way to the right side of the boat, Sico following silently behind her.

The traveling villagers all managed to get onto the boat and under the tent as the rain picked up. Sico was sitting next to the girl, already forgetting their disagreement and snuggling close. He was glad she didn't push him away, he didn't want her to move. "What's your name?" He asked her, once he reasoned that she wasn't giving him the cold shoulder.

"My name is Ayaka."

"Ayaka..." he tested it on his tongue. Soon they were sailing across the canal to the town on the other side. The tent kept most of the rain at bay but the weather also poured in horizontally. Ayaka had her umbrella opened on her right side blocking the water whilst Sico shivered and snuggled close to her on the left.

Not long after, he fell asleep on her shoulder and didn't stir until they arrived at town Onawa, nestled at the foot of the mountains. He opened his eyes and found himself lying on the bench of the boat by himself. People were standing and getting off around him. He had to get up to avoid being trampled as everyone pressed close. He looked around for Ayaka as the crowd moved him along. She had already gone. She'd left him, but she was only a stranger after all.

He was slightly disappointed, although he never expected to wait around for anyone or vice versa. He didnt expect he'd see her again. Nevertheless, he had a goal to accomplish and the sun was already sinking beneath the sea.

Onawa was a middle class town but due to the weather, water was high on the paved concrete streets that flowed down from the mountain, and mud gathered to the north of the town. Sico walked, looking around for open businesses but most places had closed up early. He found himself wading through ankle deep puddles. Should he turn in for the day? He was not used to being ill or this sort of weather as his journey took him north. He was a rich boy who bought his ways and comforts.

Thunder grumbled silently, lightning yet to join. It was the quiet before the storm; the weather and possible presence of a Migurigum adding to the tense. Grey buildings down stoney cobbled streets with hastily added crosses on the doors, tall bendy and eery street lamps, but the only welcoming light came from quiet bars which forbade youth entry. Sico went in anyway.

Not as rowdy as other towns he'd been to, as expected the bar was near vacant. Everyone was wary of the upcoming storm. Everyone except Sico. The barman was watching the television and the bouncer was sitting to the bar stool furthest away, drinking a large beer quietly. Only two other patrons wearing hoods and silver headbands were present when Sico marched in, oblivious to the puddles he made.

His shoes made squelching sounds and his jaw chattered as he passed the tables heading straight for the counter. The two huddled customers eyed him fixedly. Both were similarly dressed: gloves with metal backs, black garb and trousers tucked into fitted leather hide boots. Their heads were turned away but their ears were tuned into whatever was said.

"I want information on the Migurigum." Sico opened the conversation with his regular blunt air. "I want to know if it's still here and where it's residing. How much do you want." The man turned to face Sico with a slow thoughtful stare. He was not mid age yet, with a rope-like scar on his neck and his arms tiredly folding before the boy.

"What makes you think we have a Migurigum here?"

"Ha," something like a scoff came out of Sico's mouth. He started counting down on his fingers, "the eerie aura everywhere, all the stores are closed up, and those random crucifixes on the doors." He slammed down his hand on the counter, "I've been down this road before and I know a Migurigum town when I see it."

The barman was silent but did not seem perturbed. He shrugged an unbothered shrug but beneath it all, he was observing the newcomer very keenly to gauge him. "A means to an end, one evil scourge to rid the other."

"You don't trust creatures like that," Sico hissed dangerously.

"Is that so..." another overtly disinterested but restrained response. "Either way, we don't want talks of those things here. Why don't you sit down and we'll call your parents to come get you when the rain settles down-"

"Those Migurigum killed my parents and I'm going to kill them one by one," Sico said. "I've already gotten rid of one." There was a new ripple of tension in the air. It remained for a few moments more whilst the grey skies darkened outside.

"I see."

The two dark customers drank and finished their ale drinks and seated the glasses. They stilled again.

"Is that the sword you used to kill the Migurigum with?" the barman inquired with a new attitude about him.

"It is."

The man's eyed flickered quickly toward the two patrons almost undetected by Sico. "And have you gone to see the mayor yet?"

"It's too late," Sico replied. "And I don't know where he's located."

"The mayor's office is at the very bottom of the mountains." Picking up a random bottle behind him, the barman turned his back on Sico and started wiping it off. "It's best you leave now." He nodded toward the bouncer that was all but forgotten in his corner. Sico glanced at the man and then back at his informant.

"Hey I'm not done yet! I can pay- I have alot of gold."

"Not everyone is interested in money," the words were dark and low and three pairs of eyes were focused on Sico.

Forcefully, Sico felt himself being grabbed from behind by the silent bouncer in a kind of chicken-wing hold. Sico growled aloud but he knew he was too weak to resist right then. "I will come back and destroy your entire building," he snarled as the man dragged him backward, arms locked by the elbows. The bar man did not flinch or turn at the words and Sico glowered. Straight back across the floor and pass the tables to the exit they reversed... Sico lashed out and managed to kick a bar stool over. It banged to the ground loudly and Sico smirked right before being thrown out into a puddle outside.

"Urgh," the hard stone actually hurt him as he landed with a splash onto his back. The bouncer looked down on him before turning and shutting the bar doors closed behind him. The bright light from indoors instantly disappeared and the night was wholesomely dark.

Sico sat up as his stomach grumbled. He was hungry and weak. There was nothing more uncomfortable than having your undergarments soaked through and through in the rain with nothing to do about it. He put an arm above his head as the rain fell and clutched his stomach with the other. At the very least, he had to get out of the rain.

Sico already knew no one would offer abodes to a ruffian looking boy with a weapon on his back, especially with rumors of a Migurigum in town. He got to his feet and bowed his head against the downpour. Silently, he trudged under the awning of the concrete building that offered very little shelter and started away from the bar.

He slipped into a nearby alley where stairways above hid his head from the heavens. His body was rattling by now and he wished he was home. All the grounds were wet but he slid down anyway and huddled beneath his arms. He was sleepy and wet, and his meagre fat did nothing to ward off the coldness.

He cradled his head beneath his arms as the world slept around him. As uncomfortable as he was, he thought he might fall asleep right there. His eyes started to close on their own in the alleyway where he sat. But even under the beating of the rain, approaching footfalls increased in volume eventually breaking him from his napping spell and Sico looked up. Rain poured off the form of two stealthy looking men, standing at the entrance of the alley.

"You have something that we want." Their headbands shone, showing that they were with some kind of criminal syndicate. The men from the bar.

Sico got to his feet, peering at the men and judged his situation. He didn't respond. He couldn't fight them. Not both, not in a narrow alley where they had carefully rounded on him. Not when he felt hungry and tired.

Sico didn't have the strength to battle. He tssked and his toes traced a direction, pivoting behind him silently. The men started stepping toward Sico and he spun around, his feet taking him down the backstreet. He ran taking random corners to lose his pursuers, unable to find a way out of the twists himself after a while. He felt the water slosh around his legs as he ran, he bounced into several trash cans in the darkness. He could hear that he was losing them though, gaining some distance. Soon, he couldn't even hear their pursuit.

Then he stopped running. Moonlight suddenly peered over the high walls of the alley to show a solid brick wall ahead of him. He'd trapped himself. Maybe he should turn back and head another route in case they actually caught up... But it was too late. He spun around to see the men reappear before him. They knew their home town better than he did.

They grinned when they saw him trapped and stopped where they were. "Now what was the point of that, boy?"

"..." Sico grimaced and instantly pulled his sword over his head, holding it in front of him. There was no way out of it. "So you want my gold???" He growled, gritting his teeth.

It wasn't that he couldn't fight two men with his impressive sword; but they were prepared for a watery duel and they didn't seem to be amateurish rogues who would underestimate an opponent. They had cornered him into a field where he couldn't swing his weapon around, and their readied apparel was prepared for the water and for fighting. They were used to this; assailing and thieving... weren't they...

However, Sico put one foot forward instead of stepping back. He wasn't one to back down, he was one to fake it till he made it. Since he had no other choice, and no one else would ever be there to defend him ever again. He would keep pressing forward.

His feet was waterlogged in his shoes and he hid the fact that he could barely hold his sword affront him as his shoulders dropped low. The moonlight divided the alley between the foes, shadows to Sico's back. He tried not to ham himself too much into the corner. He inched forward but didn't want to cross the periphery of light between them.

The men also held their ground firmly assessing him. Both remained completely in the dark daring the other to make a first move and cross the visible line. Sidling, side by side their toes inched back and forth behind the silver moon's line, only shiny headbands glowing in the shadows. Sico firmly held his ground.

And then- a foot crossed the light and Sico raised his sword-

Just then, a figure flipped across the moonlight and across the wide light berth upon the encroaching bandit. "!! UGH!" A gurgle of blood as one bandit was struck down. All Sico saw was a long braided ponytail swing down the figures back as they flipped over the scene and descended into the opposite side of darkness.

Who was that!? Sico straightened his stance. The person flipped about the second bandit and all Sico could make out were the sounds of clothing rippling in the dark.

Then the bandit fell backward into the light before Sico. He rolled away to the side instantly as Sico took the opportunity to slam his sword onto the ground. Sico looked up. The new imposter had skipped backward into the light as well as bandit one had recovered and swiped at them.

Their back was still to him but Sico recognized the dark cloaks and unnaturally long hair immediately...

"Migurigum..." Sico glowered at the same time the bandit to the side wall got to his feet and crouched with his knives in a fighting stance. He was glancing left and right between the imposter and Sico, keeping his eyes on his opponents now that they were evenly matched.

But he didn't have to worry. "Axishi!!!" Sico ignored the bandit and raced off toward the turned Migurigum back. He swiped down at the intruder. His sword struck solid ground as the person flipped into the air without even turning around and did a triple flip forward over the first bandit's head- back into the opposite side of the alley shadows. Bandit one turned around and clashed with the Migurigum's rapier sword and they pared off into the shadows again.

The bandit behind Sico launched at him and he was lucky enough to step out of the shorter reach of the knife and pick up his sword in one pull. He swung sideways and the man jumped away. The sword stuck into the wall, rooting Sico.

He came at Sico again. The Migurigum flipped out of the darkness and landed on Sico's sword and engaged Sico's attacker from that height. The first bandit emerged alongside Sico next, throwing senbon forward their way.

The Migurigum used his rapier in their opposite hand to deflect the projectiles, fighting with a knife on the other side. They flipped again off Sico's sword but the bandit caught him by his long braid and dragged him towards them.

Before Sico could get a proper look he found himself fighting the man next to him next. It was difficult with a large sword. Sico breathed hard. The bandit was overwhelming him.

"AHH!" The strangled yell drew Sico's attention back to the other fight. From the shadows, a body fell forward into the light. It was the bandit. Dead.

Sico watched for the victor step forward, over his prey. The boots emerged first. But-

"Argh!" His own foe planted a senbon into his shoulder. Sico swung around wildly with a fist. No use.

"Pay attention." A hand plummeted into his face and he fell down, blinded for a while. Nlood sprout from his nose and he clutched his face, dragging back as far as he could on his butt until he hit the alley wall.

He glanced to the ground at his side, searching for a weapon to defend himself. He was losing blood from his shoulder. He grabbed one of the fallen senbon and held it before him, breathing hard. The bandit blurred in and out of his vision.

Closer the bandit walked, and closer. And the blood from Sico's shoulder continued to bleed... he unwillingly gave into the impending darkness. His eyes slipped close and he collapsed onto his side.