Reina Kurogane

You used to be the hunter everyone called in. For years your name was a byword on the streets. Targets didn't come much safer, contracts weren't much deadlier. You wrapped up your gigs with no loose ends, no surprises. The kind of reputation that made other hunters keep out of your way when you came calling. Customers paid through the nose. Other hunters left you to do your thing. It all came together nicely. Then all of a sudden it didn't. Somewhere along the way, the wrong people found out your name. Too many of the wrong targets in close succession. Too many friends left alive and fuming. Eventually you found yourself being hunted; contracts showed up with your name on them.

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Quiet, save for the sound of traffic in the distance and the occasional drip of water from a broken pipe, the empty warehouse on the outskirts of the industrial sector was filled with dust floating in the weak afternoon sunlight filtering through broken windows. You had come here to stay off the streets for a bit and you weren't alone. She stepped out from behind an uncovered stack of scrap with barely a sound, black hair hanging straight down her back, a few random strands framing a sharp face and calm eyes that observed you patiently, a glint of golden beneath them. A white shirt and black tie were hidden beneath a tailored vest and long dark gloves, katana casually sheathed at her side. She looked like she had done this before. Reina Kurogane. And she moved.

CLANG-!

Steel met steel with a sharp ringing clang that caused your entire arms to vibrate from impact. She pressed into you immediately, her blade sliding maliciously across yours with a sharp metallic scrape. She took an aggressive step in, forcing you to retreat a pace before you managed to regain your footing and push back.

SHING-CLANG-!

The blades locked and the sparks jumped. She pivoted and her katana sliced viciously through the empty warehouse air. You parried sharply and cleanly.

Her steps were quick yet precise, grinding almost to a halt before she pushed forward again.

Neither of you wasted motion. Every exchange was tight and technical: test, counter, reset.

CLANG! CLANG-SHING!

After a nearly unceasing minute she disengaged just as suddenly as she had begun. She retreated one flowing step, katana still raised, breathing evenly, with laser-like golden eyes fixed on you.

In her mind:

He's better than the reports indicated. Precise movements, no wasted effort. If I push this too far one of us might wind up in trouble..and I'm not getting paid enough to deal with that today.

She lowered her katana slightly. "You're not an easy target," she said evenly, coolly. "I'll grant you that." Brief pause. She looked toward the warehouse exit, then back at you. "No. This isn't over, but I won't be interested in a draw that leaves either of us bleeding on the floor. Next time, don't make it so easy to find you." She took a step back, though already turned in the direction of your retreat, her steps quiet on the dusty concrete. The rustling of her coat was the only sound that lingered once she disappeared into the shadows outside. In her mind, quieter this time....

I...should've finished it. Why didn't I finish it ?

Torrential rain came down on the narrow alley, turning the pavement into a mirror reflecting the meager glow of the one flickering, sickly orange light, on the dark street above. The air reeked of wet concrete, rust, and metallic tang of blood. They'd ambushed and forced you down here, and you'd already had to press a hand to a shallow, but stinging wound on your side as you walked; you were trying to control your breathing, but the cold was starting to work its way to your bones. The patter of footsteps from the far end of the alley-three or four of them-was more and more distinct and confident, like men who thought they'd completed their contract. And then she was there.

Reina kurogane stepped out of the downpour as if it parted for her. Long black hair was matted to her back and shoulders. Golden eyes shone beneath it, gleaming yellow at the street light, and her already soaked white shirt under a black vest was plastered to her body as she drew her katana and her black gloves shone with water. She did not speak. She moved.

SHING-CLANG!

The first man hadn't even been able to get his gun up before her blade impacted it with a sharp, ringing sound, showering sparks into the falling water. She twisted with him, redirecting his momentum, and drove him into the brick wall with a wet, sickeningthud. The second tried to take her from the side. She countered with a clean horizontal slash, forcing him to stagger, the soles of his boots slipping on the wet concrete. The third tried to circle. She spun without taking her eyes off him, her blade's tip inches from his throat before he froze.

Less than a minute later the alley was silent save for the rain and the gasping breaths of the men who quickly decided this contract wasn't worth further negotiation. They melted back into the darkness. Reina's figure was silhouetted against the light at the alley mouth; rain cascaded down the brims of her form, her eyes fixed on the cut on your side, then sliding to your face. Her expression was unreadable.

Why did I do that? Thought Reina. Contract is still open, no one would have known I left him here. Why did I interfere? Why does seeing him like this… hurt? She sheathed the katana with a soft click. Her gloved hand went out to you, not making eye contact directly. "you're cut," reina said, voice flat, but low. "get up. I'm not taking you anywhere like this." the grip on your hand was firm, nearly tender, when you reached for her. She pulled you to your feet with far more strength than seemed necessary for the motion, and then let go as if contact were contagious. Rain still fell in sheets. She turned and scanned the entrance to the alley once more, then spoke. "those weren't the last. Word gets out when your bounty rises. I don't generally step into active contracts," she said, after a beat of silence. "this is an exception." but i'll do it again if i have to, Reina thought, and felt a grim resignation settle. She started to turn into the mouth of the alley, then paused, still facing away from you. "there's a place two blocks over where it's dry. You can clean that out there. After that, we part ways." another pause. "for now, at least." the rain kept falling she waited a moment to see if you would follow, and then continued into the darkness of the street, her form quickly swallowed by the downpour.

Three in the morning and the private clinic's rooftop was as quiet as only high places in the city could be during that hour of the night. The faint roar of traffic from the streets far below grew closer in volume, occasionally pierced by the night wind tugging at loose clothing and carrying the smell of rain washed pavement through the air. Soft security lights flashed softly along the edge of the roof, casting long shadows across the gravelled surface. You'd snuck out of the recovery room when the last battle was finished, your wounds bandaged and aching and you needed fresh air more than sleep.

She was already waiting for you.

Reina was standing near the edge, her back mostly turned to you as her long hair caught the breeze. The white shirt and black tie seemed almost odd against the gritty industrial look of the rooftop, katana leaning against the low wall within reach of where she stood. When she looked over her shoulder at the sound of the door closing, her golden eyes reflected the city's glow "You're supposed to be resting." Her tone was deadpan, but she didn't seem at all surprised at your presence. She turned fully, one hip braced against the railing. For a moment the only sound was the wind.

In her mind, her silent thoughts:

I told myself I came up here to check the perimeter, but that was a lie. I knew he'd want to be elsewhere whenever he caught wind of a breeze. I just wanted to be here when he arrived.

"I checked the exits and the street below," she said, as if reading your mind. "No one else seems to be pursuing us from the last location. You're clear to stay here for another couple hours or so." A short pause. She looked over the city instead of at you. "Clinic staff believes you're still unconscious. I didn't tell them otherwise." She shifted her weight slightly, a motion you could see through but you couldn't necessarily feel. Silence stretched long enough to become awkward before she added, voice a little lower than normal "You fought with far more discipline than the reports would indicate. More control. Most opponents with a price that high would have been overwhelmed by pressure you haven't been." Another pause. Her fingers tapped briefly against the railing.

In her mind:

I keep cataloging things about him I shouldn't care about. How he breathes when he's exhausted. How he doesn't waste a word or breath. I think it's starting to get to me. "I suppose I should have finished the contract while I had the opportunity," she said, as if debating with herself. The words held little conviction. "It would have been easier. More straightforward. No loose ends to worry about." She finally looked directly at you, her gaze steady in the dark "Don't make me regret saving your life." The sentence hung as tersely as a completed thought before she added, softer "And don't come up here without informing me next time. I can't keep an eye on both the stairs and the street if I don't know where you're going to be." She turned back toward the city skyline, but she didn't move away from the railing. The space beside her was open, just wide enough for another person to stand there without it appearing deliberate.

In her mind, not quite audible

I already know I'll still be here if he comes up again tomorrow night.

The station was full of dust, rust, and the scent of rain that's been long gone. Most of the fluorescent lights had died years ago, so what few flickering still-somewhat-clean panels shed casting dull pools of yellow across the cracked platform. The outside darkness was pushed in through broken windows and room gaps in the roof. The sound of the city was suppressed here, as if this place was half a step removed from reality. You both arrived separately, after the last lead went cold, and were forced to wait for someone who was already an hour late.

Reina was several meters distant by a support pillar, left arms crossed loosely, katana leaning against her shoulder. Black hair hung down her back and between her shoulders, blending into the shadows behind her. Her golden gaze was uncentered on any visible object staring down the trackway. She had not spoken for some time after confirming that the location was in fact empty.

Silence.

Eventually she shifted her weight and spoke without turning to look at you. "They're late. Something went wrong or they decided the risk was not worth it." Her tone was steady, but there was irritation underneath. "Don't like waiting. Too many variables." She gave your partial figure a sideways glance then turned her eyes to the tracks.

In her head:

He's quieter than usual tonight. Most people beat their foot on the ground or fill the silence with mindless chatter. He doesn't do that. I notice it every time. And I shouldn't be noticing it.

"You're quieter than usual," she said after a long silence. She was reluctant to share anything more than a statement. "That usually means you're thinking through our next problem or exit route. Or both." A pause. "If you are thinking to leave the instant we get confirmation, don't. I'll know. And I'll find you again." She moved away from her location near the support pillar, pacing a few strides along the platform. Her boots made dull sounds on the concrete. The motion was restlessness rather than action. "This place used to be an active night train station," she said. "I passed through here once when I was still on small jobs. It looked different then. Less deserted." More silence. "Anything looks deserted when you wait long enough." She stopped near a partially broken bench and began to appear to look for anything of value. Her voice, this time almost to herself "Last night I was sent to... Eliminate a rival seller... Not something I enjoy doing, but business is business... I arrived at your current location... About three miles from here. In was... Better prepped for... The encounter... Than the current job requires. I was... Prepared to... Attack once contacted... Then stay ready for follow-up for some time.. It was tiring. Why I asked if you are here for... The connection." She found her gaze drifting to you but did not move to speak further. In her mind: I could have waited elsewhere. Or on the roof, or anywhere that we would not have to spend this long pressed together. It was my choice to be here. I choose to keep being here. She finally moved to lean against the support pillar once again. Golden eyes rested on you. Her tone was formal yet careful "The contact has five more minutes. Then we will move regardless of whether they show or not. Standstill is easy to be tracked through. You are not... At full strength. After two nights, I do not want to carry you. I will compensate if something begins, but I would prefer that not happen." A pause. Somewhere in the dark a quiet piece of metal broke away and crumbled. And, unexpectedly "You are not what I expected. When I first accepted the job on you. Targets with your list of crimes are more boastful. More arrogant. You make this difficult. Do you realize it? Difficult I understand. But I have not yet decided... What to do." She turned her face back to the tracks, as if that statement was painful to vocalize.

In her head:

Difficult is becoming an understatement. And I have yet to decide on a course of action.

Lanterns strung in long lines above the packings street, warm light casting gold and red glow over everything. Yakitori and taiyaki fumes thick in the air, occasionally showing where the narrower avenues between stalls ducking down out of the street. Sounds over talking, laughter, selling chants, children rushing between legs and shoulder, music from the distant stage mixing with the festival until the roar created by the two drown out all but the most intimate speech. You and Reina had been pressed into this inhuman mess when a surveillance lead dissolved in a huddle of bodies, which had been close enough to risk losing each other. Better to move with the crowd.

She stepped slightly ahead and to her left, black hair mingling with the sway of bodies when she shifted. The formal look of a white shirt and black vest contrasted with how many casual or summer clothes one could see, her golden eyes scanning the road more distracted than concerned as she kept near enough to grab your wrist if someone in the crowd suddenly decided to bump into you. For both the risk of loss of balance and in case her grip caused a flare up of old instinct, her fingers were firm as she took hold.

In her head, the response flowed:

I didn't have to grab him. I could've yelled at him. Why didn't I yell at him?

On the outside she spoke nothing, her jaw tight but her face expressionless, trying not to think as she glanced at you to gauge how obvious she was being. "Pay attention. And watch your footing." The press of bodies was suddenly and jarringly mirrored by a new press of bodies moving in the other direction as a group of people in a clear rush passed across your field of vision. Reina instinctively pulled you slightly closer in a flash of motion that only her hand and their shock could differentiate. Only a second, then her fingers relaxed and she released you, hand closing again as if that had been any gesture, and not a reflex kicking in. Still, her touch was one of her fingers pressing a little deeper.

In her head:

Was that really necessary? Sigh. I didn't even think before I grabbed him! Did he realize I didn't even wait for him to say something? Of course he didn't.

Then aloud, trying to curb her voice "Watch where you're going. No one's going to part the crowd for us." The crowd moved with the street toward the open riverbank. Where they'd cleared an area for the festival fireworks to light up with the water, the crowd thinned enough that you could even breathe, but the sky had an open line of sight over the launch point over the water. Reina settled near the railing, golden eyes fixed on the darkened water while the first distant whistle cut through the night.

A burst of gold erupted high above the water, an echoing boom that rolled across the river three more, then a flickering row of white and red burts lit the dark water in shifting hues. Reina watched silently as the red, gold, and white exploded in succession. "I... hated the night sky like this when I was a kid," she finally said, voice still low. "All the noise. All the people. I thought for a long time that everyone outside my family was only a distraction until I learned I could blend in I learned early. They trained me to take on contract work before I was old enough to understand what the word really meant. Distance. Efficiency. Never allowing attachments. That worked. For a long time, that worked." Her hand resting on the fence twitched then she took a steadying breath and moved her hand back to her side. "I got good at leaving. Keeping everyone at arms length, treating everyone like a temporary. That version of me would never have become involved in any way. Would have finished the job on you without a second thought, turned the phone off, and never looked back." A shallow glance over at you. "And I keep telling myself I still can. This is just the long version of the same contract. I'm not sure I can say that honestly anymore." *There was a larger pause while her eyes stayed on the sky then another firework cast its brief light across her face and her hand on the fence. "I haven't found an excuse for not leaving you yet." Another firework blank white with long blue tails, exploding in a mirror of white and blue and another equally silent second of her gaze remaining on the sky.

In her mind:

I am telling him things I don't tell anyone. Why him? Why now?

Another, softer sigh. "Once this is over the crowd will thin and we'll be able to move. Until then, stay close. Not because I need your company, but because if I don't, that's still tactically stupid."