Many Pieces

[Ayumi]

it's about a girl named Tohru who is the last of her people and the mystery surrounding this girl (she's quite oridinary..*sighs*) and the creepy mysterious organization Kakera that is after her when she is rescued by the daring Momiji Harata. They set up a adventure that is worth alot to them both.

^^



Part 1: Shower

Many Pieces
Chapter 1: Dreaming

A girl with a red ribbon wrapped around her brown hair stumbled pass the dead guards littered on the ground, making her way outside into the vast darkness of the night. She heard yelling from the corner of the building behind her, as more guards showed up, aiming their guns and shooting. She froze feeling the deep impact of the bullets and the blood that gushed out. Surely she was going to die. She could barely hold herself up. What now? But something inside told her to stay alive. Why? She did, trying so damn hard.
"We told you we weren't kidding about killing you." A could voice vehemently spat coming froma ll directions such bitterness. The voice belonged to a female soldier now emerging to her side with a gun pointed and the trigger almost pulled. The girl didn't move. She couldn't anyway. The pain greately erupted in her joints and her muscules. It could end in just a mere second.
"Stop you fools!" A voice shouted in a tone that was very below cold. No hint of emotion was there. That couldn't be good either. She just listened patiently. "Don't you know what you're doing?"
"Yes I do..but who can you be?" The female soldier mocked glancing at the very short seven year old boy with medium length black hair. He was dressed in a black uniform. She narrowed her eyes. "I'm Wen Song and I've come from headquarters and the girl you're killing is neded by him for his plans." That still didn't make it any better. "I see.." She lowered her gun staring as Wen went over to the girl who had now endured the pain to fall to her knees. "I thought she couldn't move.." She remarked.
"Don't be a fool. She's the last of her kind and we need it." Wen said brushing off the female soldier liking the conflict rising. The girl made a slight noise but couldn't say anything. "Clean her up!" She felt as if she could never properly get away. What was fate pulling over her? Her life surely didn't mean to be treated as a prisoner. Surely she couldn't of been born to this. If it couldn't of been so dark as this she could see. Why wasn't the moon there? Why the darkness? If there was just one light. Just one.."Well? What the hell are you waiting for?!" He shrieked sending the guards into a frenzy who immediately began moving. Then she was liften up from the ground but before they taken her back, the moon finally luminated her surroundings and Wen. His face was twisted and ripped apart. He may not of been so horrible for the fact of his expression. She wondered how it came to be but then she shut her eyes feeling the warm wind brush up against her. At least. She finally went limp. The pain had gotten to her. She was still concious listening to the guards' footsteps as they became more spaced out. Were they bringing her somewhere?
She couldn't help it.
Her life was out of the danger but many more could be waiting, when this started. There wasn't any meaning to this. So how much could she resist? As much as she could withstand.
"Hey! Over here! Put her in here! You fools!!"
Voices circling around. Hotness, coldness..what was she to feel? PLOP! RIP! Her clothes were violently taken away and left naked upon the white table with her laying on her stomach. Her eyes couldn't open. Was she trying so hard to block out the pain? Hands. Thousands of hands. All going everywhich place on her body. While she ignored this sensation and every diferent kind of hardness or smoothness, the bullets was being carefully yanked from her back. She opened her eyes then shut them. Silence. Silence...then blankness....
~~~~~~~~
"W-Where am I? OH..my head hurts..." She was was laying at the bottom of a glass tank rubbing her forehead trying to calm the storm. She spoke those words because her consciousness didn't know the circumstances but her subconsciousness knew. It was furtile to think otherwise. Her eyes quickly re-adjusted to the dim setting and tried to view the tent but it's squalid conditions made it difficult to see any objects but people...She used the think walls to climb up. "So you're awake...That's good. How are you feeling?" She jerked her head towards the tent's opening and saw Wen walking in quite preppy like. She punched and banged the glass nearly screaming. Her consciousness got out of control and she fought "Let me out!! Lelln! Enel mea Terte tertae*!" She bellowed in her own language getting the every 100 bit percent attention of the astonished Wen. He smirked. He preceived that to be the last remnants of her people. How sad but alas plans were made for this little girl and must be carried out. She ceased sliding a bit but got to a position and held on. Wen twisted his head spying the female soldier there dressed in the fancy Kakera uniform slipping out a paper and pushing it to Wen. He hastily unfolded it and scanned his eyes over the fine letters and short sentences. The girl pressed her face to the glass struggling to read it though he happened to be at least a foot away. She used the dozens of mirrors which were stationed at angles to help her read the note the glass walls.

"Hmm..interesting..he knows a lot about her.."
"Sir? I've read it and am prepared to follow those direct instructions but of course the captain should know of this, correct?" Wen then made a gesture slamming the papers into her pocket then ordering her, Yaso as her name was to get this captain. She hurried out.
"So Tohru-"
"What is going on?" She gave him a wry look which he met by his creepy child like smile.
"You're in the Kakera area now under the Kakera organization."
"Kakera? Why do you want me to stay?! Why?! I'm of no importance here. Don't you understand that?" She was holding back any frenzy and panicking but it caused her in appearance to be very unstable. He didn't reassure her very much, it only fueled her fright. "I do mon Tohru..don't you know you are the last of the Atarashia? Ha. I joke not. You are. By your face-'it's impossible isn't it?' Well no, they were killed by the last remaining tribe of Aitsu.."
She had been standing straight up before the news but tracing the glass with her fingers she slipped down flat on her butt. How could they be gone? How..wait..did it mean..? She lightly patted her chest now feeling the full extend of this new found pain. She gazed on his face which as unreadable. Nothing. The same nothingness she felt. Gone? She hung her head slowly realizing indeed everything was gone. Everything. Now she was held here unsure of her life at this point. What did they want from her, besides being the last? His face wouldn't crack and she knew it. He wasn't going to tel her even if she'd ask. So all awhile she could just wait.
Yaso came back in the front leading a tall blonde haired man, whose bangs fell over his face and some stuck out in the back, wearing a black turtleneck underneath his while double breasted jacket, white business pants and black boots. She picked herself up from the bottom and raised up her head. They were all conversting and she didn't get a word of it.
"So?" Wen briskly said turning on his heel suddenly annoyed at the captain, and more or less hating his guys worse than Yaso.
"I don't give a damn if you don't agree with these orders but captain, it must be done, correct? We don't want to make him angry or anything.."Wen's bottom lip curled into a snae that the captain couldn't pretend didn't matter. Yaso on the other hand had the most enjoyable expression plastered on. Then it got ugly. Wen drew out his gun and aimed it at the captain. Yaso responded the same time Wen took his out but was too slow.
"Aren't your officers fast as me?" Wen sneered taking the pressure away and twirling the gun by the trigger handle. Yaso kept her's ready buy she backed down when the captain spoke.
"Don't Yaso. He's tryingd to piss you off. I know he wasn't serious." The captain had all the guts in the world to stand up to Wen's daunting threats. "You think I won't?"
The captain pressed his hand down on the tip of the gun and lowered it aiming his brown eyes into Wen's black ones. For a split second, those eyes of the captain caught Tohru's and winked. She blinked surprised but hid it. Maybe she was crazy. Why would he be doing that?
"Captain Momiji, this so called officer of Kakera is a little rude to us when he's in our area." Yaso snapped and the sharpness of that tone frighten-no startled Tohru. It wasn't left without a stain on Momiji. "Yaso, I'm aware of this matter. Plealse escort Mr. Wen away. I'll examine her..-Tohru is it?"
"Yes-"
Yaso moved to the right side of Wen. She grabbed his arm and he didn't resist but he managed to mumble something that was very clear and loud. "You're be in trouble."
"Whatever, take him away." Wen left and Momiji relaxed approaching the glass tank. She stood up right away shocked by his casual nature. From what she seen, he was completely at ease not very uptight as Yaso and Wen proved to be but he was part of Kakera no less. What was he going to do with her, alone?
"Tohru, are you alright?"
"Why? What's going on?!"
He put a finger to his lips, grinning. Her eyes dilated. Was he..on her side? Was he going to rescue her?! If so and if these things were correct, how was he going to save her? "You understand, don't you Tohru? If not I'll be glad to tell you maybe if it will help for you to trust me. Just ask away." Her voice chocked down and couldn't speak. But she regained it. She had to take the chance.
"Yes I believe that I know you..but why was Wen rude to you? I thought you were the captain of this place...?" He paused.
"I am but he doesn't care because he's from Kakera HQ and they think of themselves as big bosses(they are) and in charge(they are also) and step over their own employees. It is sad really..." He put a stupid grin back on his face exiting out his seriousness but it came back. He then went still picking up the sounds from outside.
"We don't have much time so could you please step back and oh..cover your ears, okay?" Tohru scooted back sliding to the bottom and covering her ears. But she still screamed when the bullet contacted the glass shattering it. It was all over. She gracefully balanced herself to her feet inspecting the scene before her. She had her breath taken away. Amazed. "How did you do-do t-t-that?!!!!"
"By this.." He showed her the innder part of his upper pocket that had a derringer and a hole big enough for its bullet. She beamed. "You're amazing, you know that right?" She exclaimed. He chuckled gloating in her admiration.
"Yeah, everyone says that.." He patted himself on his back as Tohru slowly and cautionsly stepped out of the glass tank dressed in her white whin strapped dress that opened at her thigh, brown boots and a light baby blue shirt underneath the dress. "So this means you aren't working with Wen?" He frowned.
"Yeah and no. Hey don't stress it. Besides your safety is more important than my life story." Tohru was about to cut in but saw it as the wrong time and day to discuss this matter. She walked rapidly to the door behind Momiji but waited for him.
"C'mon..let me be ahead of you..it seems that they've caught on-"
"How?"
"Wen Song. Well be careful and don't get shot at, okay?" She gulped as he went to be the leader. He said one last thing. "Be calm, okay? I've down this..oh.."
The shooting began instanteously when they were heading to the next tent that held a jeep. A means to escape. This meant he had been pulling it all alone. After a few tent passing, they both ducked while he pulled out his derringer.
"Stay down as much as you can, all right? Don't give them a reason to catch you again. Now hurry." He left her attacking other Kakera guards. He wasn't serious..really?!! She sighed. Okay then. How was she to get there without being..um..killed? She doubted that Momiji could really take on those many guards but again he couldn't be underestimated. There was too little information that she'd gather which couldn't really say much of her personality and the reasons.He WAS nuts! Just because she was the last of her kind..didn't..argh! The bullets were flying at a tremdous flash that she couldn't avoid but being down real low wouldn't help her. Then why did he believe that? But she realized he was offering a chance of freedom and she doubted his sincerety. She kept watching the bullets fly, making her remember about her own pain. Her wound. She scratched the top of her shoulder knowing she could never reach the pain. Forming a mathical equation-no she dropped it and blindly dashed in the hailstorm keeping very low as Momiji instructed and magically averted every bullet. He was correct as if..now..which tent? She then noticed the direction of the bullets, still ducking and taking the cue entered a tent.
Darkness!
She'd found it!
Just then Yaso came in making Tohru turn around startled. It sent chills in her body stinging her wound. She tighted up.
"Don't worry. Momiji sent me to assist you here." She calmed and her pain vanished. Her too?! How many more people were involved?
"On-this-?"
Yaso gave a nod before firing her uncovered gun snapping the metal cords of the tent. "Get in.." The cover collasped to the ground as Tohru jumped into the jeep by lifting herself by the driver's door."Wait..what about you?!" Yaso gave a mean grin. It did nothing to reassure Tohru but it had to go on. She silently accepted this. "Don't worry. You're here, okay?" She looked up again to see Yaso gone. She breathed a little then began to search everywhere for keys-none-nothing!! What now? She pounded the steering wheel accidently pressing a button starting the jeep's motions. She fully positioned herself in the driver's seat not fearing any stray bullets because most were ceasing. "Hey!-"
Momiji had come aboard in the passenger's side without any hint of what he had done. "Th-"
"Save the gratitude. We're not out of the woods. Hey, let me drive okay?" We'll get out here faster.." He checked back before they traded places. His left foot strucked the gas pedal and the jeep sped off but a hand was on the back and from the hand Yaso pulled herself on the back sitting near the edge dangling her feet down below the back seats with her body twisted firing back at a very pissed Wen.
Wen had precise deadly accuracy nearly injuring Yaso but Momiji saved them all with his driving as Wen too, was some type of distant star. Tohru relaxed as they all exited the Kakera are. But she didn't ask why any longer to her rescue. Too much gladness.
"Where are we going?"
"Tenease, that's south of here and even the Kakera can't get us there."
"But does that mean I'm safe there?"
Yaso stood up then flopped into the backseats aligning herself with neither front seats. "You're not safe anywhere." That meant that her life would always be haunted by Kakera and she would have to be in constant movement. He glanced into the mirror and saw Tohru's face. "Don't worry. We'll protect you."
Yaso snorted as Tohru smiled again.
The jeep rolled through the barren wasteland of sand as she leaned her head on the seat. Since Momiji drived, she trusted him completely but it seemed like time was being suspended as nothing existed out here. Every while, his eyes strolled over to her face, probably more for curosity than anything less. What was he expecting of her?
"You're quiet for someone as you." Yaso said sharply.
"I have things on my mind if you must be so rude..."
Momiji interjected when he didn't like where the beginning of the conversation was going. "Please don't." Tohru wondered who he addressed but she immediately knew. "You always start something when it's not the right time Kiyotaka-"
"MOMIJI!" Yaso's angry reply cut off every other sound. Nothing escaped except for her cry. "Never call me that.." She warned then burst. "THATS NOT MY NAME!!"

[Ayumi]

"Well it is-"
"So?!!" She was appalled by his behavior not so much him. Momiji shut his mouth and refused to speak for a long time. After that, silence, tough silence. There existed a great hostitly between them and Tohru wondered why they even worked together. The entire time, a angry frown formed on his faace and it greatly increased when Yaso yelled out of nowhere to stop the jeep.The jeep stopped and she climbed out marching in the opposite direction of them. "Where's Yaso going?"
"To hell if she's lucky...We better keep going..."
Yaso again disappeared moving very quickly. But she couldn't help thinking if she would ever see Yaso again.
"Don't worry for Yaso. She can take care of herself..even..here.." He stated moving the front mirror so it showed Tohru's reflection. Her reflection was sad. "Why did..I meant to say..why didn't she like her real name?" Tohru asked folding her hands into her lap. He kept his eyes away from her and on the hidden roadway in front of him and nothing else.
"Because of her past with Kakera. I bet you're wondering how we survived together right?" She nodded as she took her head away from the seat nodding.
"Well it's a long story but the point is we both hate Kakera. So we joined forces to stop them. At the Kakera camp we only played or went uncover to get you out of their grasp." She nodded understanind.
The sun was already out in the upper part of the sky when she spotted a person in the desert drapped in a blue cloak that was ontop of her head and to the bottom of her feet. "It's someone!!" She shrieked happily as Momiji stopped the jeep and got out. Was it a Kakera already?
"Kakera?" She whispered but he heard her. "No. Kakera wouldn't dare come here." He answered passing the jeep and approaching the figure. Tohru's heart beat faster than normal as she sat on the edge of her seat. Was she scared for her life? Or him?
"Who are you?" He demanded of hte person in the cloak who kept her eyes on the ground. He didn't want to waste time incase Kakera was chasing behind them.
"I am the wind blowing in all directions of your heart and it means--" She pulled off the cloak. "I'm on business to get her.." He reached for his gun but she had her pistol already out. He yelled out 'Damn Kakera' b ut Tohru wasn't going back. Never. He was going to make sure of it. The woman wore pink tanktop and pink skirt that had slits on both sides to the thighs and white boots.
"She won't be hurt-"
"Damn straight!" He dodged her shots pulling his derringer out dropping his silver gun, and becoming the hunter. She too was gifted as he but at least four bullets entered into her arms. She dropped to her knees struggling. "Momiji Harata-don't you-?"
"Stop it Kiomi Murazeki! You're fighting on the wrong side, sis. You know?"
She smirked hopping to her feet knowing that she had lost. "True..true..but Momiji where will you go?"
"Teneas-" No hesistation but she knew better.
"Come back...okay?"
"Home?" He raised his eyebrows.
"Teneas isn't safe. Kakera will second guess you. Stay here, okay? I mean...."
"Why should I go?" He crossed his arms giving her a look that she translated. "Her-" Then BAM! Tohru screamed as Kiomi struck Momiji who slid backwards, headfirst.It was a cheap shot defintely and no one had seen it coming. Tohru didn't know if she should but realizing he had risking it, she at the moment, dashed from the jeep and somehow running straight into the charging Kiomi but instead of her getting hurt, a bright purple light light emitted from her chest stopping Kiomi who now stood bewildered. The light vanished and Tohru arrived when Momiji emerged on his knees. She stayed back.
"You..little..whore.."
"Little? Hopefully that helps you. You're coming back with me. If you refuse I'll kill you either way..Kakera won't be this thorough..they might be.."His hands were on the ground and he was huffing heavily.
"Kakera will get her anyways..so it would be best..."
"Best? Tohru?" He mumbled loudly.
"Let's go there.."
He sighed getting up and going back towards the jeep restarting it. Both Tohru and Kiomi hurried back in the jeep. He drove away.
~~~~~~~~
Tohru shivered in the lake's cool and refreshing water as she tried to wash up her body. She was too much distracted by the many waves erupting out. Maybe she could stay here but it would be a matter of time before Kakera found her again. She caught a glimpse of the wild life that scampered all over.
"Am I like that? Why must I hide like this? I feela s if I'm just a lowly animal but they all carry on as if I was that special..." She muttered shaking her head slightly now walking towards the shore which had her clothes laying upward on. Now after this break, she believed that no questions about herself had to be asked. Whatever new information she got, she would just piece it together. Since her life seemed transparent almost, she was going to keep on trusting Momiji and his friends. She didn't quite understand why she had to run rather than fight but they alone couldn't take down Kakera. She was so deep in thought that she didn't hear the footsteps approaching the boundary which separated the land and water.
"Tohru?" Momiji's voice peeked up unaware of her nakedness. She blinked a couple of times before realizing he was there looking right at her!
"MOMIJI!! YOU R-PERVERT!!!" She screamed scooping a hard rock that came into her hand and threw it and it hit the upper part of his head and he fall on his back. She wasn't impressed with his stupidity. "You big faker! You know it didn't hurt you! Big baby..I swear.." She stomped her foot angrily running out of the water grabbing the clothes and putting those garments on one by one. She now wore a plain baby blue kimono and setta shoes while pulling her hair in a ponytail and keeping it in place with her red ribbon. She saw that he too was gone.
"I wonder where he left to?"
She began marching uphill ignoring the passing scenary till she paused farther into the woods. She tried walking again but couldn't when she felt something as light as a bird feather dop into her hair. "What's this?" She asked outloud picking it out. Her hands moved it around while her fingers touched the inside part of teh flower. The color and the smooth surface made Tohru glance up to the sky-above. There almost extending out were the trees that held pink shimmering flowers instead of true leaves and the pinkness varied with one flower to another. Such lovelyness in a world she hadn't seen in awhile. "Cherry blossoms only bloom in the spring, don't you know? Haven't you seen them before?"
"No. I don't remember anything except for being in the Kakera camp. I wonder why. Well I can't keep thinking about it because it won't come back that way.." She stroked the front bangs of her hair before resting her hand on her forehead with her fingers caught up in the bangs.
"Sure it has to, right?"
"I don't know. I honestly can't give an answer but tell me why are you hiding?" Her memory wasn't going to come back but this loss didn't affect her in anyway. It was just there. No answer.
"Momiji? Why haven't you answer my question? Momiji aren't you there?" Stillness. She grew frustrated stomping her foot only hearing the tiny animals run away which did nothing to improve the situation of her mood. It was no better to act upset when there was nothing to be upset for. She sighed glazing now at the blossoms. More fell into her hair and she relcunatly shook them out continuing on forgetting about Momiji. Then something grabbed her back clutching her chest. A warning signal popped up.
"MOMIJI?!!!!!"
He ignored embracing her closer. Then she whirrled around on her heel taking over the weakest point of the hug and sqiper her hand and slapped him. "Damn it!" He cussed as her eyes peeked open and finally could step away without him hanging on her. She kept her anger subsided and stormed off.
"Tohru?!"
"I don't wanna hear it!"
She managed to be on the correct path leading to Kiomi's log cabin. Then as he panting died down, she wondered how long would it be till Kakera came. She stopped leaning sideways hearing only her heart and nature. Why did Kiomi live here? Why this? No, that wasn't the question she intended to ask inside her mind and out. But she was asking, wasn't she? What did she mean? What was her question? She sighed realizing perhaaps that she did want to know all the answers to these questions and she had been kidding herself.
"That face..I've seen it..He was a jerk, wasn't he?"
"Oh Kiomi...no, not really." She said in a low tonw hanging her head a bit and Kiomi let out a short chuckle before tapping Tohru's wrist and kicking the light tan door open and flickering the light switch on. The living room was bare except for a couch and the chabudai-the low table in the very center. "What are you laughing for? Kiomi?"
Kiomi also ignored but not purposely. She had gone inside already and hadn't heard Tohru. She then scratched her elbow now seeing the similiarties between her attitudes. Brother and sister truly. "Oh Tohru, c'mon in! You want some green tea?" Kiomi called from the kitchen located behind the stairs leading up to the rooms. It broke Tohru's concentration so she headed in slipping off her setta and strolling in carefully with her arms behind her back innocently-she had the look of innocence all over that slender face of her's and all that went with the innocence. She went in, only not to be outside any longer. No building offered her the security she had to have. "Hey, come have a seat will you?"
Kiomi was already at the chabudai with a tea pot and two cups set up filled. Tohru sat down on her knees again very innocently laying her hands upon her lap.
"Thank you." She said quietly taking the cup and sipping it. Kiomi noticed. "You like my big brother don't you?"
"Oh. What?"
Kiomi smirked. "You like him, right? I'd figure. He's very handsome but.."
"But what?" The cup came down.
"You're wondering if he could always protect you, right? He did a pretty good job about it. From now, you're his responsibility. Don't forget it and don't do anything stupid-no I don't have to tell you. You face tells me all."
Tohru blinked unsure now wiggling her fingers very uncomfortably. She couldn't speak. The words had left her. "It's strange, isn't it?"
That brought her back. "What is?" Kiomi slurped her tea from her cup before slamming it back down creating more of a empty space in the room. "That you're the last-oh don't worry I'm not with Kakera at all. I hate them in face but there's nothing we can do about it. You know, you're very cheerful for someone that has been told the truth about her people. If it was me, I would be sad.."
"I am sad to learn all this had happeneded but I can't-I have no room for this sadness. None at all. I can't when I'm destined to be on the run-oh Kiomi do you have any clue to why I am important to Kakera?" That was right. No sadness. She couldn't feel it. the impact was left but no hard feelings were casted on. Despite all the holes in everything. Her memory. Her knowledge. Her own fears. How could one truly feel when theings were in constant motion for her? Each situation passed quickly and each emotions were pushed aside for her. She never gave though to her status. Seeing how, she would be protected, there shouldn't be fear.
"No clues. They tell nothing that's a great importance to underlings. Why? Are you doubting?"
"No I'm not. But to tell the truth, I don't know how I feel right about now. I'm grateful to escape but other than that..."
She trailed off unable to finish, unable to sort out her feelings. Surprisely, she was very at ease not moving much, only struggling inside, where nothing could be seen. It happened to everyone but her circumstance was entirely different. On one hand, she was the last of her people and wanted by Kakera for some odd reason and the other hands that guarateed a life wanted, showing a bit of doubt in herself. Which to choose? She sat in utter silence thinking deeply and reflecting on all the events. What were their significants?
"If I stay here, won't I-"
"We'll protect you or are you worried for another reason?"
Tohru nodded. "I don't wish-I kno I can't be protected always by you guys and I know Kakera will-"
"HEY!!" Kiomi retorted now a little impatient by Tohru's lack of faith but it had to be excused. This obviously was brand new and of course doubt had to exist there in a fragmented mind of hers, but so much? "Don't talk like that. Kakera won't ever get you! If I can't protect you-Momiji always will, okay? We'll die in such way..." That had startled Tohru who had jerked her head out with eyes wide. Why protect her? Why her?
"Momiji..." His face popped up in her mind and at every angel she saw a bit more. Of what? Of what?! She didn't know...
"Yeah him."
So much she didn't know of him..so much..
"You know things weren't always ruled by Kakera. There were times long ago when this all didn't exist but those were stories my great-grandfather told me. Nothing more, right? Well they came in my grandmother's time with them promising to make our lives better and by the time I grew up.." Kiomi hastely poured herself another cup, spilling some of the steamy liquid onto the table but she drank her cup never noticing the incident. This silence had a lasting effect on Tohru and her thoughts afterwards. She had never thought about it like this. Here her mind was broken and empty of any memories of any time before but they knew it was their current memories. Nostalgia made all the difference.
"I do. You want to know more about them, don't you? Well this is the information that's out from everyone's mind. There in the time of my grandmother was a war that lasted sixty years starting from her birth. The reasons were due to resources. Well to get to my point to this story, Kakera came in quite skillfully manipulating all three sides and gaining this planet as their own control. They filled us up with their promises but..."
"they did do some things that are still intact today like the resources issue. They took nothing but as to the people who run Kakera-there's a mystery. No one knows their names or what they look like. All are a mystery that somehow fun to imagine. I do so but I hope that this limited information I have, has helped you. Keep being strong, okay? You'll need whatever strength you have. You may be the last but.."
"But what?"
"Don't let that get you down." Kiomi whispered putting both her elbows on the table and rested her chin upon her laced together fingers. So Tohru was going to be protected but what reason alone could make them do this besides hatred of Kakera? Still no clues..she didn't expect it to be this way but since hearing this about Kakera..."Oh Tohru, you're so beautiful..so sad that you're the last.."
"Huh?"

It surprised her. No one had ever-ever-she stood up very wobbley almost faltering with her left hand across her chest. Her eyes were dilated to the fullest and blank.
"Kiomi?"

[Ayumi]

"Oh Tohru.." She turned tail and retreated outside without her sandels not going very far only several feet away. What was wrong with her? Was this becoming too much for her? This in fact overwhelmed her senses. "She's right, isn't she? She is...I'm the last..." Her voice cracked slightly and tears fell but they didn't stay on her cheeks any longer when Momiji popped up.
"You shouldn't cry. It makes me feel bad like I'm a kidnapper and one shouldn't feel that way after rescuing you.." She observed him standing there in the long, slender black trenchcoat, white long sleeved turtle neck with his white business pants and same boots. "You aren't-?" She made the terrible effort to advance her arm to his way but it obstinate ignored her remaining in it's place by her side. He was going to protect her. That was all she cared for. Protect her without really knowing her and this somehow felt so strange to her. Their reasons were in the dark as Kakera's. They kept their own personal level closed. Away. She tried again. No luck. Nothing. Both Kiomi and Momiji were committed to her and whatever caused they were after. "Tohru, hey we aren't here..to stand around. We have to go now..we can't...are.."
"We're leaving? So soon? I thought.."
"We've got to be ahead of Kakera or else we're doomed and I can't keep you safe that way. There is enough risks involved with this job and I'm not prepared to bring you into more. I can't protect you then, understand? Not saying that you weren't worht the trouble and danger but to add more..well.." He shook his head smirking still. Yeah. They had to go. He was her protector.
"Then I won't say thank you? That's odd. Extremely. But I can deal with it. I think. Thank you isn't nessarcy here.." He came up to her and patted her shoulder. He slightly darted his eyes to the side catching her's surprised. "You got it." That's what it meant. No thank yous but always protecting...
"You look shooken up. Loosen up okay? There's a lot to be known even by us but you can't let it get to you. I've never let it and I expect that it shouldn't happen to you." His words were so clear-cut and somehow unraveled her nerves bringing her to relaxation. But no thank yous? It was strange. Very werid to consider. She offered him nothing but trouble and still him and Kiomi have decided anyway to do this job. But was she really special to not only Kakera but them also? SHe didn't care. They were here and they were the closest to anything that she ever had at the moment. She smiled as he passed right by her stopping again. Yes. That only mattered.. Them protecting her..It was almost too good to be true, but she was going to accept this and hopefully they could help her.
"No thank yous. None."
"Right."
This moment was shining within her own eyes and becoming very sweet like, almost romantic in a way. But she wasn't thinking that way. "No thanks yous. Ever." She smiled saying those words with a whole lot of confidence. She was sure to follow his advice faithfully.
"Well..I guess I found you. Just my luck too."
A voice so unrecognizable so much that Tohru whispered for Momiji who had already was around and reaching for the derringer in his pocket. Did Kakera find them already? How?!! A woman stepped into the clearing clothed in a plain pink sleeveless shirt which had a v-neck that went to her chest but underneath was a black biniki top visible from all angles. Her skirt was also pink but it barely made it to her knees before stopping. Then her tan boots were shown in greater detail as she pressed lightly forward. "Ah and she's enticing...it probably means she's just so delicate and refined. Well I'm here to shatter that glass."
"Tohru, run back inside, get Kiomi and --"
"To spoil your plans hun. She's coming with us. This time she won't escape and your little gun won't save you.." The woman smirked reforming the very structure of ehr lips into more omnious things that could be read and which told them horrible things. She blew a piece of her brown hair out of her eyes before charging at Momiji weaponless. Tohru saw the moment, shielded her head, ducked and headed straight for the cabin but the woman was gaining fast until..
BANG!!
Tohru's eyes were now smaller and a sense- a continuing sense of dread invaded her blood stream like venom causing poisons to spring forth making all things unyielding. All bodily fuctions were ceasing. Despite being firmly planted, she met the resistance. Before the dust cleared she decided her best bet would be the jeep and she knew were it was.
"Damn you Kakera. Damn you.." Momiji's eyes got narrower, more squinty matching his facial expression as well as his emotion. The woman had missed teh bullet by a long shot and was still advancing. He then threw the derringer out and took out his odachi. He too scurried to her slashing the blade when he was close enough.
BAM!
The woman had also unsheathed her katana and was holding the scabbard against his blade in one hand and the other the katana. He forced all of his strength upon the scabbard and in several minutes, the scabbard was starting to crack even though it was very tiny, he exposed, and expoited it. He decided to amuse the woman's interests as they were so evidently slipping away. And also to give the right amount of time to Tohru..how much though?
"So Kakera, huh? You like them, don't you?" He pressed equally with all his weight combinded.
"There's nothing to like about them.They are the law of this land, got that? And when you're in trouble with the law, the bandits can never escape..."
"Yes we can. We're the outlaws fighting the system-"
"BAKA!! Do you honestly believe that you can keep protecting this girl? You're bound to slip and when you make such a mistake. We snatch her but no matter, you can't bring us down." White flaming anger roasted inside her intestifying as he waited to hear the wounderous sounds of the break. He changed his mood for a minute while he calmly answered her challenge.
"That won't happen. I'd die before I let you guys take her again. I'm not trying to bring down a force I know I can't win against but I'm at least helping the cause, for others like myself to do so." He shook his head. No way could they really bring down Kakera in that manner he probably understood from her. But his job-he wouldn't fail at it and let Tohru down. He wouldn't. Then suddenly he let go and she heard the loudest noise her ears picked up. The scabbard exploded in the million of dozen pieces that shot everywhere stunning her. How could he do that? Why hadn't she seen this? Admist the pieces, the chunks, Momiji performed a upward slice that she saw barely out of the corner of her eye and that was very rapid meeting in clsoe contact. Her mouth popped open as the blade sunk it's teeth in her skin, chewing at everything inside.
Moments. They flashed as anguish of pain devoured her whole body. She screamed releashing her katana by accident and collasping to her hands and feet when the blade was removed. Blood. Red. Redness. That's all she could taste, smell, touch and see. Her heart pounded trying to resupply her entire body with the blood being gushed out soaking into the soil and seeping downward. Parts of her were already dying. "I'm getting her and you won't stop me!!!!" For all her injuries, she bolted up but faltered limping leaving her trail of blood behind.
"You'll die that way.."
"I'm dying now, aren't I?!! I'll die retrieving that girl or at least giving Naruhito the chance t-to-"
"Whoa! There's more of you guys?!" His eyes went big as she tried over and over to keep walking. This meant trouble...if she wasn't lying then...did Tohru make it to Kiomi or did she go elsewhere? He shook his head desperately and panic like trying to recall Tohru's direction. He got distracted in his worries and thoughts that he didn't anticipate the woman's move-the blow to shoulder thus taking and breaking the joint severing his arm from shoulder. Blood sprinkled like a water fountain all over his clothes and skin. Then her cold hand on his remaining shoulder blade. "Yes, there's more..he's fighting that woman and it looks like I'm through with you. One more hit..ha..ha.."
One more hit where? No amount of blood was going to stop him fighting and it certaintly wouldn't endanger Tohru anymore.
He then used his blood soaken odachi and clashed it against her blade when he gracefully twirled around.
"You won't get that chance.."
"Oh? Goodbye!" She squealed trying to do the same techinque as him but he granted her no advantage by pulling away and striking her again. She screamed as more blood flew out draining her strength quicker. He backed off himself barely struggling for his thoughts were only on Tohru. He was going to keep on fighting them even if he couldn't win but apparently he had gotten to her. Shattered everything in her leaving pain and blood in those empty veins.
"I don't know who you are but.."
"Anutsko-"
"Whatever..you won't-"
She had gotten up flinging her katana right at his head and he counterattacked it by the hilt of the odachi. BING!! "take her? I will. I will."
"Why?!"
"Should I really-?"
"YOU BETTER!!" He roared kicking her in the shins and causing her to fall once again. Anutsko giggled swipping the blade at his feet not speaking anymore but he began to force her. She obviously knew a lot more. "Mahaparinirvana."
He scrutized Anutsko who now laid on her belly wildly slashing lightly her blade on his feet which ripped part of the pants but couldn't get his skin. She cursed. Yes he'd heard of only one person truly gaining it but even that was so old that it couldn't possibly be true.
"That Buddhist shit? I know what you're saying and I'm thinking of that legend-"
"Oh.It's very true! One did try to get there by using another but of course those sins earned her death. And somehow you can't figure how your precious Tohru is in this..hahaha. That's pathetic. Well enough of small talk about the old legends!!!" She sprung up doing a underhand slice but he caught it also suing his scabbard but only a short time before pulling out a spare derringer and firing straight into her. Mahaparinirvana, his ass. They weren't going there.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Her tears become the rain, showering them both, briefly. She landed back on her stomach, eyes empty and face lightly blue. He staggered only to be defeated sitting down. Everything in him was erratic so he sought to make things balanced again. Mahaparinirvana. Where did Tohru fit in that equation? Tohru..He couldn't rush it.. He'd heard those legends, the ones that were suppose to be truth. Tohru. He suddenly rose up and hurried on to find her but then his eyes and head jerked to the rustling of the bushes realizing it could be Anutsko's partner.
"HEY!!" He fired the derringer making a very unclear shot that ended up showing Naruhito to him. "Tohru.."
"DIE YOU KAKERA SCRUM!!" He kept firing but vainly so as he suddenly found his movements restricted by tiny, slender, strands of silver thread wrapped around both wrists. He struggled against them and each time, a new cut appeared and blood oozed out staining the thread. But no pain, no suffering was going to stop him. Kakera couldn't of gotten Tohru, could they?
He refused to allow it be this way. Was Kiomi caught in something like this herself? Was she already dead?
"Let your mind be sullied by such sad thoughts. Now I'm afraid tha i'm off to find that Tohru girl." Momiji's eyes lit up. He hadn't got Tohru yet? It was a miracle so maybe not all was lost...if only..but how..? He tried to find the origin of the thread but got caught more horribly adding more injury to him. Naruhito then vanished deeper into the forest searching for Tohru who happened not to be so far in the forest by the same lake she bathed in but she was accomplishing a different purpose.
BANG!
Her mind stretched back as she sat upon her knees banging her fists into the ground. Her mind had thought of terrible, horrific things that they had all died...Tears streamed down as she tried to understand this. Why couldn't she of just been burn without this? Their lives. They both meant it so but death...? They gave their lives for her and she collectly accepted that but knowing-no! She wouldn't let this change anything and wouldn't let it get to her but she couldn't easily be like Momiji. Still..She kept pounding and crying. Their lives, their memory those passing moments were the one she regretted. Blood. She picked up a sharp edged rock and continously poked it through the skin of her palm unleashing the blood which leaked off mixing in with her tears. Them..her life..What was to become of her now? If they were dead then she no longer wanted to stay here alone in this world with Kakera. She was going to kill herself so she wasn't brought back alive. So Kakera couldn't have her. The wound on her hand got wider and so did her eyes but those tears were draining whatever sense she possessed most. Her reasoning and judgement.
"Tohru...little Tohru.."
She froze petrified realizing it too belonged to the people that were going to bring her back. But a male's voice? He was right behind her...No, not Momiji but those people..he was one of them! Her heart raced as he too kneeled behind placing his hands down her chest squeezing one of her breast.
"Hmm? Too precious to be lost m dear.." Then his face came into view and he kissed her cheek and that hand which had been touching her obsencely pulled her chin his way and he kissed her right on the lips. She freaked and jabbed him in the stomach hurrying to her feet and sprinting away. Tears still blinded her eyes and its siht that hindered her from keeping ahead of this guy. Naruhito easily kept up and even went in front of her to mess with her. "Oh Tohru, the last? So sad. Who's to take care of your needs? Well Kakera can!!!"
"I DON'T CARE IF YOU OR ANYONE ELSE CAN!!! I'M NOT GOING WITH YOU!! NOR KAKERA!!!!" She bellowed realizing how defenseless she really was to him who probably had a weapon. Before she could do much more, silver transparent string suddenly appeared using the branches of the tree to string her up in mid-air wrapped in the thread struggling, tossing and obtaining scratches in parts of her arms and legs. The scratches were long and drew a significant amount of blood to teh preciseness and edgyness of the thread. The string squeezed her waist blocking out the air. Weren't they suppose to get her, not kill her?
"TOHRU!! TOHRU!!!"
Fresh tears engulfed the crusty and dry ones off her face as she put together the voice to the face now believing he was indeed alive. But what condition? She worried about that. All of that.
Naruhito swirled about only to be shocked seeing the bloody experasrated, and exhausted Momiji who despite the wounds still held the gun. The derringer.
"I told you before. Kakera won't have her.."
He fired Naruhito in the chest where the blood sprang out becoming it's own ocean then he fell face forward into it, eyes open. Color draining transforming into blue. He was dead. Tohru knew it as soon as the strings imploded on themselves and she collided with the ground now sobbing and breathing normally. Momiji grabbed her from the waist trying to make her stand but it failed and he went down also. Why was she..so sad for?
"Momiji..I d-didn't f-follow y-your advice-"
"Hey! You mean that one?"
"Yes. I totally l-lost it...I let this g-get to m-me-I-I-"
Her talking abilities were deterorating as she was overcomed by those fresh tears but she continued on trying the very hardest level. Pity. No, more than pity, something else. "Hey, don't worry about that advice. Don't. It's hard even for me to follow, don't be ashamed. Please it we do die, don't mourn us." He stretched out his ripped hands to her arms and pushed her to this chest where she cried on. That advice was meant to make it solace her pain if he or Kiomi did die by she wouldn't follow it. This moment told him that.
"H-How c-can I-"

[Ayumi]

"I t-tried t-o k-k-ill myself s-so K-Kakera couldn't get me. Is that bad? I think that i let this get over me and control me but if you were d-dead and Kiomi...who's t-to p-rotect me? Who's to be my f-friends? I-I t-t-think I was being stupid-"
"No you weren't. Not in that way. You weren't stupid....no one is. You weren't stupid to decide such a action but I implore you that even is we do die then, keep on living." She wailed harder flapping up her red palm. He tenderly stroked the skin around pondering about it. She didn't want to be alone in a world that she couldn't remember but with them, she had some faith, some hope in the both of them to take her by the arms and drag her some place. She would rather die as Tohru then live as the last of her people. She couldn't die. Yes these brought out the pain but also the solace of someone close. "I-It h-h-h-h-"
"Hurts? It hasn't stopped bleeding out I bet it will and you'll be okay. We'll all be all right together. It's all right." She hadn't been able to get any stronger from him-his advice but she...She moaned on clinging to him and he didn't do much except wipe those tears away when she happened to glance at him. She must of been so confused on all these matters and even so when Kakera came but he himself had no faint idea why even Tohru was wanted so badly by Kakera to send assassins after her. Kidnappers to her really and assassins to him and Kiomi. Well not it seemed not even the remotest place on Lithia was secure for Kakera could always nose them out from a crowd.
"Damn this.."
"What-?"
BANG!!
Tohru opened her mouth and let out a bloody murder scream that ripped right through her as the blood sprinkled to every outlet in her body that wasn't covered. Momiji fell flat back and she too laid ontop of him shrieking, bellowing, panicking, hitting, punching, kicking and wearing her voice out at his chest.
Fear-it collected inside her bones and opened her upwide breaking some small bones, cracking a lot more.
Deperation shook her as she frantically tried to bring him back up. He couldn't of died. Not in this way..not in this horrible way. No..
More tears over swarm her cheeks blurring her eyes. Water. Paranoid. Lonely. Death!
She brought up her head with bits of dried blood in her hair staring at a pale-white faced Anutsko handling a gun-Momiji's derringer. Slowly she placed it together. He was dead because of her-no!He wasn't dead! Not like Naruhito! Not like him..The pain and frustration hit her leaving her breathless as her attention turned to Momiji and her constant bringing down of her fist onto his chest.
Before he had came, she thought he was dead and now he acutally could be. Then a wild thought passed her. No not her death but recalling his words, she decided that perhaps that she may be alone and had to defend herself. But how? With what strength?! She had to fight! She had to..but everything..her new tears quickly replaced the old ones the pounding widen the wound in her palm thus almost taking over the entire inner part of her hand. She didn't care. She didn't. She wanted it to go away. This nightmare. And she wanted the missing part of her mind to strap back together. She never asked to be the last but..she couldn't concentrate, her brain had turned into a quivering mess. it had shut off. Entirely maybe.
"Get up now.."
NO! she couldn't. No strength. Nothing. No, she again disregarded his advice. Why?! No..her life.. the one given to her since no before birth. NO!! All taken away like his..NO! He wasn't dead!! She screamed half-balling up and half-limping flat on him. No strength. She had checked. Nothing. Her tears ran down his body and spilled running off back into the lake. Momiji..Kiomi..them both..
"GET UP!!"
Anutsko hastely yanked Tohru to her feet but again slipped as a bang was heard. Was that moment too simple? Was it?
"Tohru..c'mon..c'mon.."
Kiomi too tried to get Tohru to come but the girl's resolve burned and wouldn't be silenced. "Well then.."
Now with these events unfolded and done with Tohru could almost relax but inside she couldn't. Too much pain. Too much sorrow.
She took his hand and held it. He wasn't dead..no not dead..no not that..He could never be. "Momiji, I"ll try to not let these things get to me. Not at all. I promise..I primise.I'll be as strong as you so you won't ever get this hurt agian. I'll try.."
She then fainted still holding on feeling his heart beat right through their hands.
~~~~~~~~~

"Tohru? Wake up..?"
Warmth. A calming voice. Her eyes took a moment to reopen and adjust to the darkness of the room. She knew exactly what was happening and she knew before. But she couldn't remember afterwards, only his warmth. She realized that she was laying in a bed made comforty for her. But..what about everyone else? Then suddenly a tiny light shown. A single candle.
"Momiji.." Her words were fluttered and very short.
"OH! She said something! She's actually conscious! Congrats! She isn't dead-"
"OH!!!"
Kiomi. She saw the dark silhoutees over and around her talking and she sometimes omprehend.
"you know she only suffered a few minor scratches not from me but by Naruhito-san, too bad he got himself killed.." Anutsko. No mistaking it. But why was this woman here..alive? Why had Kiomi allowed this person to be here? Didn't she know? Tohru hoped that the whole siutation was truly over and this some interesting scenerio wasn't extending out but cautiously listening to Kiomi's manner of speech, tone and pitch. Tohru assumed some kind of truth had been made. She had remembered the eery dripping of Anutsko's blood everywhere, staining all and Naruhito's...They talked on about stuffs she could barely grasp with her headache. She mover her hand and touched her forehead. She had a fever.
Did she get it from all the excitement and ...her hand!! She immediately took a look at her left palm to find it clear and bandaged tightly. She could feel it, touching the palm slowly brushing her fingertips of her other hand onto it.
"I don't understand it."
"Say something Momiji? I didn't hear it brother.." Kiomi chimed in knowing the disapproved expression on his face when he saw her casually convering with Anutsko."You heard me." He grumbled huffing and retreating to the darkest part of the room shifting and crying slightly out in pain when he happened to unfortunely be stubborn and more his arms, the both of them. Which happened to be both in casts.
"Oh I'll pretend that I don't hear you-"
"Kiomi, why didn't you let that bitch die? Look what trouble she's done not only to me(though i hurt like hell) but Tohru. Don't forget that she tried to swipe Tohru from us. Of is your mind retarted?" He grew hotter on this subject but Anutsko calmly defended Kiomi's actions.
"Well the bitch is standing right over here. And to be fair, it was. I was only doing my job and any injuries you-"
"HEY!! Get the fuck away now! Your job is over. We're still alive and you haven't got Tohru nor will you ever." He laughed real hard at a frowning Anutsko who now was crossing her arms and leaning against one of the walls close to Kiomi's standing position.
"Au contraire, mon amie..I'm still alive so therefore I still can get Tohru-"
"YOU WON'T!!!!" He barked stepping out looing all too menacingly at the collect Anutsko who was alreadly in her pocket searching for any type of weapon against him. Kiomi sweatdropped and rushed in to save everything. "Momiji..your voice..remember Tohru?"
His hazel eyes leapt into Anutsko's then went off to the side looking down. "Yeah gomen for that sis but I swear if that damn bitch makes a move at Tohru. I'm going to slice her in half." He growled infuriated but Anutsko took it coolly relaxing and changing the look on her face.
"Shut up Momiji! You're stupid! Besides she won't do a damn thing towards Tohru now. She's quit-well she's never been with Kakera totally. Wen just hired her-"
"Did she tell you all that Kiomi? I bet she's making it up. She's a bitch and she knows it-" Anutsko heard this and rolled her eyes quite bored by his obvious lack of self-control. "SHUT-UP MOMIJI!! EVEN IF SHE DOES MAKE A MOVE AT TOHRU, YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING! You're fucked up!!!" Kiomi shouted at teh very height of her lungs which echoed in the room. Momiji then to prove her dead wrong tried to attempt movement but failed horrible cursing at the refreshment of the pain. She gave him I-told-you so look which he immediately gave back a blank face. She stopped afterwards turning to Anutsko and saying a few words before exiting.
"So you-"
"I don't. I could care less about Kakera and their plans for this girl but since I wasn't paid because of a certain someone...I won't be too made. And besides their is nothing left for us to do then face them head on, right? Hopefully when i'm with you.."
"WHOA! back up. Who said you were coming along? I don't recall Kiomi or me saying so and what makes me wanna allow you to do so bitch? You don't give a shit about her and this duty of ours. And you tried to kill me.."
He shook his head now unsure what to feel. She did knowa little something about Kakera's plan with Tohru but who's to trust her? Kiomi easily did so...how foolishi of his sister to conviently switch sides like that but again..would she betray them to Kakera? Where were her loyalites at?
"Oh mon amie, forget that. It's all in the past! We both tried to kill each other.." She sniffed darting her eyes over to the bandages areas of her shoulder, chest, legs, fingers and both hands and arms but the area of the gunshot wound from Kiomi was lightly touched in the back region. She cursed under her breath and smiled at Momiji who wore that gaze.
"And caused some serious scars to form. So therefore..and i say therefore because I believe that we've bonded dear amie, mon amie. And when I journey with you I can get that money plus interest. You still can't take on Kakera-"
"I know. I'm not going to but if I just let that bullshit that happened between us magically vanish and allow you to journey with us..will you tell me more of what Wen said about Tohru's fate?" She grinned almost playing around with him and quietly departing but before. "Why not? Why not mon amie?" He sighed following behind shutting the door.
Tohru blinked confused but she wasn't going to get any better by staying up so she closed her eyes and fell asleep.