Within the Shadows
As we moved along the rooftops, sticking to the shadows where it was darker, I could feel my body loosen up and my movements became less restricted. The "Rigidity" phase of the Kokkaku transformation had ended, and, actually, I found myself feeling quite flexible, as well as fast. I could feel my own strength as I moved and, soon enough, I was able to easily keep up with Finch, while Yamari ran after them a couple feet behind. I'd stop and wait up for here every now and again, Finch getting annoyed and saying we should just leave her behind since she was human. But, each time, I'd refuse and I'd wait up for her.
"Alright, look." Finch said at one point, "if she is to come with us, then you gotta carry her. She is gonna slow us down and the W Chassis or the Ops will catch up to us."
"The W Chassis?" I asked.
"The bad Kokkaku. I'll explain later. But either way, you need to carry her or she isn't coming." Finch said.
"Fine. I'll carry her." I agreed, turning to face Yamari. My extra set of hands reached out to her, palms face up. "Come on." I said.
She looked at my skeleton claws, and, a moment later, placed her fragile, delicate hand in my grotesque, demonic palm and allowed me to pull up onto my back, where I'd carry her. My arms wrapped about her waist to hold her in place as I hunched forward on all fours. It felt strange to move like that, but at the same time, it almost felt natural, as if I'd always had my body like that.
"Alright. Let's get moving then." Finch said, his eyes moving across the buildings around them. I figured he was looking for anyone following them.
As we moved across the rooftops, I found it surprisingly easy to hold Yamari upon my back as I ran, keeping up with Finch.
"I'm surprised you are able to keep up with me!" Finch said, "though, I guess I shouldn't be. Wolf type Kokkaku are extremely rare, and they are considered the apex of the Canine class."
"Apex?" I asked.
"Yeah, like the top dog. Although, I'm kinda confused as to where your extra set of hands comes from. Can't say I've ever seen that before. And I have seen some fucked up shit man."
An extra set of hands unique to me… I couldn't help but wonder just why that was something only I had. What did it mean? I thought of Yamari… *Maybe..* I thought, *These hands.. are meant to protect her.*
****
"We got a Kokkaku here, it's been sedated." Dennis spoke into his helmet, communicating with HQ. "I don't think it is the kid though. This Kokkaku seems to be experienced, and it was chasing another Kokkaku, but he got away."
^Thats fine. We got one of them, that is enough of a victory for us. Pull out and bring it back to HQ, we can throw it in a containment center and run tests on it.^
"Understood." Dennis responded. *This only the fourth Kokkaku the KCD has ever managed to capture. How the hell do they all manage to stay hidden so well…?* Dennis wondered.
(The KCD stands for Kokkaku Containment Devision, but the majority of Kokkaku just call them "the Ops")
"Pack him up, we are taking this one back and pulling out." Dennis ordered his men.
"What about the other Kokkaku we saw? And that kid from the house?" One the men asked.
"Forget them, one Kokkaku is victory enough. We will take this one back for further investigation, and maybe he can give us information as to where the others hide away." Dennis said.
"Yes sir." They all answered as they began to tie down the sleeping Kokkaku. They placed strange glowing objects about the Kokkaku's body, and when they were all set a flash of light came from them all as a net of glowing energy wrapped about the creature, locking down its movements.
A bit later, and KCD van pulled up beside the building they were on and they began maneuvering the Kokkaku off the roof and into the van, shutting the doors as it was contained, Dennis and two other soldiers sitting in the back of the van with it as the other soldier hopped in the front with the driver.
With a squeal, the van pulled out and began driving down the street towards the more wealthy part of Myrd; the Nodis Embassy.
****
Finch suddenly stopped atop one of the rooftops, looking around. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a dim, pale light on us that made the Kokkaku's bones glow.
"I think we are in the clear, now." Finch said.
We were in the outskirts of central city. The conditions were better in this area than they were where I lived, but they still weren't the best. Off in the distance, I could see the radiating glow of the city lights from the Nodis Embassy, the most wealthy section of Myrd.
"Alright, follow me." Finch said, dropping down from the rooftop before heading to one of the manholes leading to the sewers. He lifted up the grate, and then motioned for me and Yamari to go inside.
"You guys live… in the sewers..?" Yamari asked, a disgusted expression crossing her face.
"It's not that bad, trust me. We live in a set of sector of the sewers, it isn't even used anymore and we've added on to it, it's actually pretty comfy, we just need to get to it through the main section of the sewers." Finch stated.
"That's still gross." Yamari said as I pulled her off my back and gently set her on the ground, standing upright once more.
"You can leave if you want." Finch shrugged.
"Ugh, no, I'm going. But it's still gross." She said.
"I'll go first then." I said. "When I'm down there, I'll carry you on my back so you don't have to walk in it."
"Wow, what a gentleman." Finch said, "whatever you are doing, hurry up."