Gantz: The beginning

Crossing the line.

Jiro ran with his team beside him, his body slightly heavier than usual.

Ryo dared to look behind and saw the small alien gaining ground quickly. "We've gotta move quicker than this!" They ducked into an alleyway at the first opportunity and hoped the alien didn't notice.

Yoko flattened herself to the wall when a blur of white whizzed past, but they couldn't hide forever; why did this small alien seem more resilient? She turned her head and watched Jiro place their unconscious teammate against the opposite wall and briefly wondered why Jiro wanted to help the teen; if the situation were reversed, Nishi would not grant any of them the same help, surely Jiro knew that. Yoko wondered if it was worth it because even she felt their chances were slimmer now.

"What now," Ryo muttered. "We can't just sit around, we don't have time! In fact-" Ryo looked at his transmitter, "we have less than ten minutes."

Jiro walked out of the alleyway into the lighter part of the street. "I guess we better get moving."

Ryo paled. "Hold on a second, we?"

Jiro smiled. "Of course, the hunted has now become the hunter."

Ryo looked at him in confusion. "What does that even mean?"

"It appears we're now chasing the alien."

"Uh, no!"

Yoko liked the sound of them chasing the alien better than the alien chasing them, and now she knew. "Is that why you helped Nishi?"

Jiro smiled as he looked at the boy and then back at Yoko. "I was just waiting for an opportunity to allow the alien to pass us, no point in fighting it just yet, and since we were running anyway, leaving the boy would have been pointless."

I knew it, she thought. Jiro didn't intentionally save Nishi, but she was happy he did, regardless of the reason.

"Well, isn't that the most bizarre reason ever, and I hate to break this ever more confusing moment here, but we do have somewhat of a crisis happening," said Ryo as he spared a glance at Nishi, who remained unconscious. "Time is crucial."

"Let's hurry then." Ryo nodded and then followed Jiro.

"But what about-" Yoko started before biting her bottom lip; it was hard for her because she was young, she found it more difficult to leave someone in a condition such as Nishi's; Yoko didn't have a problem when they were in danger of the alien slicing them open, but now that things were calm, she couldn't leave him.

"Stay with him," Jiro said, and Yoko looked up at him in surprise when she saw his warm smile. "I know it's hard, I don't blame you Shin, but please, for your sake, don't place yourself at risk; there might be a chance we'll fail, so don't lose whatever chance you have to end it."

Yoko frowned; Jiro was right, she would stay with Nishi, but if it came down to it - if Jiro and Ryo failed, she would save herself first. On the other hand, what do I really have to go back to? My best friend wants to kill me with some mercenary guy, my parents act like I don't exist since I moved out. I guess there's college, but what's the point when there's a chance I could die here. Yoko watched Jiro and Ryo disappear into the distance before ducking back into the alley and knelt opposite Nishi. She looked at his slightly pale face and thought about what she wanted to say if they made it, wondering what kind of relationship was growing between them; was it friendship, mutual understanding, or were they really crossing the line to attraction? Yoko didn't know; maybe they were just two lonely people looking for companionship in this crazy world. Yoko suddenly frowned with determination; whatever it was, she would accept it because he was all she had now.