Goro Takemura x Reader

Eleven

What was a life worth?

Some lives were thrown away without a single coin that had been paid. Others were worth far more than it could have been justifiable.

But your life?

Your life was worth letting bullets rain from the sky.

Everything was but a blur, a movie clip that played out before your eyes while the world spun and downed in pain.

There was blood, now you were able to taste it on your split and dried lips. But not only your own blood.

The air was heavy with this stench of raw metal after a rain shower. It was as if dozens of dead animals had been placed outside to dry under the moonlight.

It wasn't a cow that was slaughtered, you knew that, even in your half awake state of mind. But your brain failed to wrap around what actually happened right in front of you, the picture cut off by heavy eyelids.

People flooded the abandoned building. Armed people, covered in all black. No face was shown, not a single word was spoken.

The bullets said what had to he said instead.

Never dare to be this foolish again.

It wasn't a message for Dex or T-Bug. They were dead before they knew that this wasn't Militech. The meeting had fallen flat.

Instead, an entire unit of soldiers took over within a breath. On their arms was it written in all its glory and power, Arasaka. The white tree protected their backs.

Weak yet unable to fight down this wave of pride, you chuckled. So there truly was nothing that could hold back this corporation.

Nothing at all.

Not even Dexter DeShawn, partnered up with Militech, the one and only military arms provider in all of Night City. Or perhaps they had been smart enough to turn around as they noticed that Arasaka was on the way for you before anyone could connect the dots.

Shit would have hit the fan. Now, it was just a small gunfight between a few unknown phantoms and some street scum.

Not even the NCPD would bother and introduce an investigation.

A sharp pain pierced your chest as you couldn't hold back another chuckle no more. Your breath hitched, it felt like your rib cage opened up, bones coming out of your chest to stretch towards the moon.

A trail of blood slipped out from between your lips and ran down your cheek, all the way to the ground where it mixed with sand and dust.

Used air burned inside your lungs but you couldn't take another breath. The pain was unbearable. You would have rather died than breath one more time.

The sound of bullets and electricity filled the silent night. It wasn't a fight that was meant to last long.

Dex had been foolish yet careful enough to not bring any unwanted bystanders who, in worst case scenarios, would have been able to snitch on him.

Him and his netrunner T-Bug were dead before they knew what had happened.

But V and Jackie had taken their chances before it was necessary and were gone. They probably knew these ruins better than the soldiers so the possibility that they were long gone wasn't impossible.

The bullet rain stopped. Steps bounced off the empty walls instead. Voices started to yell commands.

But your ears were deaf. All that they picked up was the beating of your own heart. Like an echo. So far away and unreal.

Blurry lines emerged from the shadows.

Soldiers. One of them seemed to be especially important. He gestured around the area, probably yelled some words also.

The unit split and everyone started to roam the area. Either to find you or locate any more threats that could make a departure more complicated.

Everyone except for him. He trained motionless, his form dressed in black Arasaka armour bathed in silver moonlight.

Your gaze was glued to his back as he moved his head to throw a glance over his shoulder.

What eyes did he have?

You couldn't tell. It was dark and your eyesight seemed to leave you by the minute.

Breathing heavily, you tried to home, raise a hand or call out for his help. But your hands were still tied, weak, unable to break free.

He was so close. Safety was so close.

And yet, nothing seemed so far away like he did. This stranger of silver and the stars.

Somehow, as if he had heard you beg to be saved, his head moved just far enough to catch a glimpse of you behind the stacked boxes of ammo.

Did he see you?

Yes, he did. His torso turned so that he was able to have a better look. He leaned to the side and your motionless feet came into sight.

Not a good sign to him. Only struggling victims were still alive. And it was his top priority to bring you back in one piece. With a beating heart, all your limbs attached and air that filled your lungs.

With a low sound that vibrated in his throat, his eyes narrowed with doubt. Not a good day today. He hoped it wouldn't get worse.

Neither for him nor for you.

He took his first step into your direction.

Your lips twitched. A desperate sound got stuck in your mouth, your tongue too heavy to form words.

There was an automatic machine gun. It was right to your feet, kept hidden by some more boxes and old building material.

Its movement sensors didn't trigger yet so he was still too far away. Just one step too close and he'd be dead before he even knew what had killed him.

No, you wanted to scream. Stay away. Don't die in front of me. I want to be freed.

His eyes roamed the dark. They glowed red, symbolising that he scanned the area for hints. Every single one of his steps seemed to be placed with care, softly, so that he wouldn't stand too stiff in one place.

Again and again you tried to warn him but all that escaped your mouth was the sound of a fish on land and cut off breaths.

All of a sudden, barely a stones throw away from you, he stopped. His red eyes fell onto you.

"Arasaka-sama.", as he bowed to you with deep respect, silver strands shimmered in his tied up, black hair. "Forgive me. I am terribly late."