Dark Ronin - The Woman with No Master

Chapter 1

10... 9... 8... 7

Bam!! What in the... A pounding noise resonated from the front of the tiny apartment. I pulled two kunai knives to my sides as I moved behind the closet door, waiting for them to come within arm's length. I tried to calm my heart with no luck; it quickened as the heavy footsteps crept closer. I pushed myself to keep a level head and focus on how I could get out of this situation in one piece or close to it. Ok breathe slowly, in and out. 1.2.3.

Creeeek! The floors seemed to sound louder with every passing second. It seemed like there were only three men- which I could easily take- but something was off. I felt a familiarity with the man who seemed to be the leader. Lunging forward from my crouched position, I managed to puncture one of the men in their abdomen, twisting the knife quickly and slicing his throat with my second kunai. Another lunged forward, quickly ducking below his reach, I landed a blow to his crotch making him stumble to the floor as I stabbed both knives into the sides of his neck.

Clang!! I barely managed to block the last man's sword, using my knives. Red trim sword...Wait, isn't that- "Fight, girl. Either you or me," the masked vigilante pushed his weight against me, nearly knocking me to the ground.

Bam! "Ah, shoo-" I  tumbled back, grabbing my leg where the bullet tore deeply into my flesh. Shaking myself out of the searing pain, we clashed a few more times in a swift dance. I caught a glimpse of a curled dragon with a ball in its hand as a slither of moonlight shone on it. Only two people I know have that mark.

Swish! Taking  advantage of my distraction, he sliced from my left shoulder from the front to the back. Whimpering, I whirled around to land a jab into the top of his back. Pushing backwards, he whirled around and locked arms with me before I could jump out of his reach.

Bam!! I felt metal collide with the right side of my head. Something pierced through my stomach and out my back. Falling to the floor, my vision started to blur and my mind was wheeling. I could feel a warm flood of liquid start to hug my body. My last image was of the man who I just fought being unmasked, showing the face of my brother lying lifeless before me. Aside from my father, I least expected my older brother would try to kill me.

Maybe it wasn't him. Minds do play tricks... right?

6... 5... 4

Waking up and gasping for breath, I was shaking and clenching my red kunai with a carved dragon going down the sharp silver part. Ryuu Takeshi, the only friend I ever had- gave it to me after that night. He was the only one who liked me, and the only one who understood me more than I did myself, much to my dislike. Yet,  I still didn't give him all my trust.

"Something wrong baby girl," a voice came through the door; looking up, I noticed him. He stood with his back against the door frame, arms folded causing his biceps to bulge. The windowlight made his sharp features seem nearly ethereal. Sighing, I shook my head then my eyes averted to the window only to see a woman propped on the large pane with a curious look on her face. She looked just like the woman that  stood close to my father in all those pictures Grandpa Yoshi had long tucked away.

"Mom," my statement sounded more like a question. Wait, that couldn't be. She died when I was three, I don't even remember how she looked other than the picture of her playing  with my brother when he was younger. If it weren't for Grandpa Yoshi, I probably would have thought that I didn't have a mom.

"Yes, it's me," she smiled, though this wasn't the warm, maternal kind of smile. As much as I wanted to savor the moment, something didn't feel right and I  couldn't let it go. Well duh something ain't right, she's dead stupid. Probably only bones left in her grave at this point; so the only question is what the heck is she doing outside of her box? "Ain't you dead?" I asked with a  frown.

"Of course I'm dead." she stated with a haunted giggle, ""It's your  fault."

"Huh, wa' you mean?" I was even more confused. Is this real? Why am I being accused by a dead woman I never met?

"You'll find out," her eyes grew red as  she whispered.

"I want to know now! Mom!" I yelled, starting to get agitated and frightened, as she increasingly disappeared into the now dark room. "Tell me what she meant. Bring her back!" I  screamed.

"Now, why should I?" Ryuu laughed, " She'd still be here if it weren't for you."

Then I noticed it, the look in his eye. That look I see in everyone that ever glanced my way. Hatred and fear so intense it seemed as though it was harbored there for years. Like a plague that spread through  generations and I was the only victim. I couldn't take it anymore, throwing everything within reach, I screamed as the snickering grew louder. The walls closed in on me as I was left with one lone figure. Dark blood pooled around me, choking me with its rotten smell. I felt scared and confused, more than I have ever been. Swing- cry- swing- scream- fall. This was a pattern that feels all too familiar; like it was the only thing I could ever do. And my mother stood in the middle of it all with piercing eyes that I shied away from.

3... 2... 1

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