Disclaimer: Outlaw Star is owned by Sunrise Inc. I own nothing.

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It's been like FOR-FUCKING-EVER! So, R&R, bitches! :)

Never Goin' Down

Chapter 17
My Reflections are Protections

By: Chou-san

-Suzuka's POV-

This is it.

This moment.

This dread.

This pang in my lower stomach as I stare down my greatest nemesis through vilified eyes. The air around me was acrid, the bittersweet tang touching my tongue as the sound of my heart beating feverishly within my pale chest like an 808 drum. I didn't even realize I was gritting my teeth so hard until a dull ache resonated throughout my lower jaw. Staring into the voids that were Hitoriga's eyes was more than enough to freeze Hell over for eons. And there, several feet from me he stood ominous just as I, ready to strike just as I, ready to kill or be killed... Just as I.

The walls were painted with the blood of innocence. As I hid upstairs, I could hear the echoes of torment, I could smell the copper of blood settling and I could see the mangled, mutilated corpse of what was once my sister, lying but a few feet from this very closet. Caked, dried blood covered her open mouth in a frozen scream for her life that I could not protect. Her soft brown eyes still open in utter fear, wet with tears that have long since dried and void of life as it was ripped from her, torn away like her innards, as they lay strewn about my room as if left to dry in the hot Sentinel sun.

My knuckles burned with delightful vehemence as I gripped the hilt of my bokuto still aimed with his Hitoriga's head in its sights. I was more than ready for this. This is what I trained for. Destroying Hitoriga was the very bane of my existence. Watching as he haphazardly swayed to and fro like a child waiting in line at the carnival caused my blood to boil. How he acted as if nothing in the world was wrong with this picture, him and I, less than 3 feet apart. I felt the beads of sweat gather along my brow, hanging on for dear life, as I resisted showing no fear.

Tightly covering my mouth with my quivering hands, I suddenly heard nothing. No more screams, no more anguish, no more suffering to be had. My entire body was trembling; shuddering so fiercely I was terrified my rattling bones would alert the interloper to my whereabouts. Tears made their exit, crawling down over my fingertips and along my wrists as my hands remained steadfast on keeping me quiet in the darkness, even if it were against my will.

I admit it I was terrified. And I'm sure he damn well knows it.

-Hilda's POV-

"Keep looking!"

My mind was racing; my palms were wet with fear and my lungs burned as Gene and I ran through every alley, back road and boulevard. Nothing. It was as if we were in some kind of other world, trapped forever in this mindless, sick game until the fucker who created this is beyond dead. This twisted reality was beginning to work itself into my mind, playing with my head. I began to see things, hear voices, sense things. But naught was there and Gene and I were completely, absolutely and totally alone.

"I-I'm not…finding…anyone, Hilda," Gene leaned down to rest his hands on his knees, taking a breather while I stood next to him, frustrated beyond all fucking reason. Gene and I have exhausted all our efforts to the breaking point. There was nowhere else to look.

And now that I think of it, this whole cityscape is strange and I couldn't quite place my finger on it. The sky was a yellowish, brown as if the sky were filled with sand. If that were a sun, it was not natural. There was no heat, no temperature what so ever. Just then, a sudden twinge of horror loomed as I caught a glimmer out of the corner of my eye.

"…Gene…" I said low as I placed my hand on his shoulder, squeezing as he was still holding his knees. I felt him move under my grip, my eye unblinking.

"Yea, what?" He was still slightly out of breath as I could hear in his voice the fatigue that fell upon him.

"We've got company…" I mumbled in disbelief as my hand slipped from his shoulder and fell against my side, numb with trepidation. I heard an audible gulp next to me, signifying that Gene, too, saw the mess we were in, his voice, shaking.

"Uh...LOTS…of company…" I suddenly felt his back pressed to mine in a defensive stance.

-Suzuka's POV-

"What exactly do you wish to gain from this fight, Hitoriga," I found myself asking, as he still made no moves to either attack or flee. That unnerving grin on his face was gazing at me as he leaned back, putting his left hand to his chin. He began to rub it as if he were trying to come up with a clever answer.

"Why, I don't know what you're talking abou—"

"Don't you lie to me! You are sadly mistaken if you think I am a fool, Hitoriga," I seethed, narrowing my eyebrows as I held my position. He then shrugged.

"Well, to be quite honest, I was not expecting to see you here, my dear. In fact, I had not intended to fight you for quite some time," This caused me to squint my eyes, reading cautiously into his words as he spoke to me.

Could he be telling the truth? I watched as he simply stood still, arms remaining crossed, his weapon sheathed. If so, then it would make sense as to why this seemed unsuspected after all…

I could hear them, moving about, knocking things over inelegantly within the darkness of my now soundless abode. They were looking for me. I pressed my thin body tight into the corner of the closet. My hands, wet with tears, held my mouth shut as I tried hard not to let my breathing get out of control.

Then it stopped.

The sounds of emptiness rang clear. I sat for a few minutes more, unmoving. All I could hear were the droplets of my sister's blood dripping from the ceiling, pooling around her now decomposing corpse. I lost track of time the moment the unanticipated slaughter began but the warmth of my home mixed with settling blood and death created a smell that was something wicked. And before I could blink, the doors to the closet swung open in a flash and I felt someone walk over my grave.

"This is truly not an affair of my doing…" With that, he dropped his hands to his sides as a sign of forfeit, the tri-blade attached to his right hand glimmering. Slowly, I lowered my bokuto, keeping my eyes on him. Was he up to something? Sheathing my bokuto slowly, I had to ask:

"Then what are you doing here on Sentinel III?"

"I have a contract for Fred Luo," He simply stated. I blinked as I crossed my arms. It was my paranoia that got the best of me.

"And if you leave me to it, I will be on my—" This is where I had to stop him.

"I'm afraid I can't let you kill Fred, Hitoriga," Placing a hand on the hilt of my bokuto once again. This seemed to shock him, noted by the jerk of his head as he tilted it to the side.

"My, my, you are quite tense. Why are you so defensive? This is not like you, my dear," Hitoriga then placed his hands on his hips, shaking his head at me.

"I am not afraid to die today," I spoke unpretentiously, fingers drumming the hilt of my bokuto leisurely.

"Let go of me, you…you MONSTER!" I thrashed wildly as this man held onto me. He threw me against the wall, hard. The sheer force of it sent me through it and out into the courtyard. I slowly picked myself up onto my hands and knees, my short jet-black hair a curtain to my pain as I hung my head. That's when he spoke.

"You're family… I killed them. Do you know that, Suzuka?"

My eyes were as wide as saucers as I stood and turned, glaring at this man. He was tall, black hair, black eyes, dark skinned, I assumed, even though it was the dead of night. I balled my hands into fists and charged at him, growling like a Ctarl laughed so loud, the sky echoed in response. He ducked and dodged and blocked every punch and kick all with his left hand. He was stronger than anyone I have ever fought in my young life. I felt a stinging pain in my side suddenly, flying to the side and crashing into one of the courtyards samurai statues.

Looking down amongst the rubble, I grabbed a sword that fell with the statue and stood up much to the discomfort and objection my body seemed to make. I then made the move and struck at him with every ounce of strength within me, screaming at the top of my lungs. I heard him laugh arrogantly, using a blade that looked attached to his right hand to fend off my attacks so simply and then a sharp pain caused my head to jerk violently back as my thin body bounced and skidded across the cobblestones of the courtyard and now, into our fountain.

"As am I, Suzuka. But why waste a death when all I am here to do is kill Fred? Seems rather silly," I was in no mood for games. Fred is obviously an ally to Hilda and for anyone who threatens an ally of hers—I suddenly stopped myself. I stood in confusion. Did I really feel that strongly for Hilda that I would die for her friend? Frowning, I gripped my bokuto and once again, aimed it at Hitoriga unwaveringly.

Damn right.

-Hilda's POV-

We stood, back-to-back, facing hundreds, no, thousands of those fucking foot soldiers of the Tendo King. All of them, surrounding us, silver plated faces, observing us with their tiny blood-shot eyes, lengthy brutal claws and elongated, bony bodies. I had no weapons on me, none. I was NOT in the shape to fend off these swift fuckers.

"Oh man, what the fuck are we gonna do!" I could hear the panic in his voice as it wavered. This is definitely not the fucking end. I brought my fists up. Hell knows I can break a few necks so long as I stay away from those claws.

"Where did these fuckers come from? How did we not see them!"

They looked anxious, menacingly leaning forward and back, brandishing their claws, hissing. Something or someone was not letting them attack us right away. Who summoned them? Was the Old Man, that Little Girl and the Tall One with the meat cleaver here controlling these freaks?

Straining my ears through the hissing, I heard this reverberating roar from a distance. Looking at the ground, it shook with a tremble at the thunderous rumble, dirt and pebbles moving to the vibrations.

"Where the fuck did THAT come from!"

I couldn't answer Gene as I was curious myself. The foot soldiers stiffened, all their action ceased. The sound of galloping could soon be heard among the crowd of foot soldiers. They looked as startled as we were. So I knew that whatever this was, was not an ally to the Kei Pirates.

"HILDA!" My body twitched as my body stood to attention. Melfina! She was here? But where!

"Look out below!"

Both Gene and I looked up and made a made dash to move before something crushed us. A loud BOOM resonated throughout the area. Dust and rocks were kicked up in a vicious storm, as Gene and I had to cover our faces, coughing at the spectacle. Then all was silent. I waved my hand around to rid myself of the dust in my lungs, standing and dusting myself off. The dust settled and Gene and I both faced something beyond our wildest imaginations.

"Hi, Hilda!" I blinked, noting that Melfina was perched atop this enormous beast. Black stripes covered a body of solid white fur. A growl came from the beast as it lowered its head, Melfina hopping off and bounding up next to Gene and myself.

"Are you two ok?"

"US! What in the HELL is THAT!" I yelled, pointing rather frantically at this beast. Mel looked confused, turning and slowly pointing at the beast as it sat, cocking its head at us.

"That?" She said innocently. I ran my hands through my hair crossly.

"We're weaponless, surrounded by pirates and you come out of the blue riding on THAT!" Mel put her hands against my shoulders to calm me down. I was breathing hard, terrified and confused.

"That's Aisha in her true form!" Mel exclaimed, smiling broadly.

"Say WHAT!" Gene and I both said in unison. We looked at each other, then we looked at Mel, then we looked at Aisha. We were both smiling like doughnuts.

"No time to talk! Aren't you guys ready to go?" Mel smiled as she then turned to Aisha, waving her hand.

"Go get 'em, Aisha Clan Clan of the Ctarl Ctarl!"

And when she spoke those words, Aisha's head shot up in a defiant roar that filled the sky with thunder. The pirates cowered suddenly the small circle we were surrounded in slowly began to widen as the pirates knew that they were no match for an immortal Ctarl Ctarl!

Fuck, now I'M sounding a little like Aisha. Heh, go figure…

Aisha charged headstrong right into the thick of pirates, head-butting them against one another. She stood on her hind legs, bringing her massive paws down on several of them, swiping the crushed remains of the pirates and slamming them into the crowd of on coming attackers. More pirates clamored to attack, stabbing at her, attempting to try to pierce her thick hide.

She merely brushed them off, clamping her massive jaws around 4 pirates at once and crushing them effortlessly before the beady eyes of the other pirates. Dumping the now mutilated remains at the feet of hundreds more, the pirates soon began to retreat, backing at the sight of their crushed brethren. I was amazed. Aisha literally annihilated them without as much as breaking a single sweat.

"Whoa! That girl can kick ass!"

Gene was just as shocked as I. Mel clapped as Aisha turned to us and bowed her head before turning up to the sky and letting out a victorious roar. She can be a handful at times given the short time that I've known her. But I should stop teasing her for a while. I smiled to myself. She proved herself a worthy adversary this time around.

-Suzuka's POV-

"Well, I think playtime's over for you, my dear. I have other business to tend to," Hitoriga stated boldly, lifting his right hand where his blade rest in defense. I watched his moves carefully as the blade reflected my image as he held it up. Taking stance, I grew ready for his attack. Not again. Not ever.

I was hurt; in so much agony it was excruciating. But I would not let him win. He would pay. He would pay dearly. Pushing the rocks off that had fallen onto me from the fountain, I stood despite a few bumps and bruises. Holding my shoulder, I tasted blood at the corners of my mouth as I grit my teeth. I limped down the pile of rubble that once was my fountain towards this man, undaunted as I glowered up at him. His smile, maniacal and demented, was nothing but a big toothy grin, a Cheshire Cat grin.

"A typical obstinate teen, you are my dear Suzuka…" He held his blade up to mine as it shook in my grasp. I grit my teeth, seething.

"You…you don't…scare me! I am not afraid to die today!"

I shouted up at the man, ready for another strike from him. I watched as his toothy grin soon faded. He leaned down to meet my stern gaze as my body began to succumb to the pain, trembling ever so. He took my chin firmly in his grip, the moonlight giving me a glimpse into the face of madness. He stared into my brown eyes for a moment before he spoke.

"…Hitoriga…" And with that, the man stood and left, leaving me disoriented, beaten and alone.

So…alone…

"We both work as killers, you and I, mind you. We understand each other," He slowly said, now circling me as I did the opposite.

"Who are you kidding? You're just a pawn for the pirates. And I'm a fool for no one, Hitoriga," I scoffed, cocking my bokuto as he laughed haughtily.

"We seem to have a difference of opinion, my dear. Pa gua sun fa! Pa gua sun fa! Pa gua sun fa! Pa gua sun fa! Pa gua sun faaaaaaahhh!"

As he dashed forward towards me with his blade held high, I did the same. I was not about to lose! Our blades had not met as we passed each other faster than the speed of light, the action causing my garbs to flutter violently against the wind.

Turning around to face him, I suddenly collapsed, my bokuto holding me up on my knees. He knocked the wind out of me somehow! Looking up slowly, I saw the dirty brown mask he uses to hide himself from the world on the ground. It must've fallen in the mad dash. Standing up sluggishly, my eyes traveled up Hitoriga's attire. I was met with a reflection as I narrowed my eyes at the likeness staring back at me.

"Disgusting," I grumbled. Hitoriga grew obsessed with me over the years and he physically altered himself to look just like me. He used to say that once he killed me, he would skin my face and wear it as a mask. Such a sick fucking bastard.

"This fight should prove to be amusing Suzuka," He stated, holding up his blade again. I scoffed at his remark.

"Let us find out." I smirked as he did the same.

"Heh heh heh, at the very least, my dear, we'll discover whom this beautiful face really belongs to!"

"Well, at least we agree on that much," I mentioned as we once again began circling one another cautiously.

"You're an extraordinary woman, Suzuka. I really do love you, in spite of what you might think. That's why I took this face. And you went to all this trouble to see me," His smile made me cringe. It was if I was watching myself lose my own sanity. It was a bizarre occurrence.

"My individuality is what's important to me. Everything in my world is an extension of that standard. But you wouldn't understand that, would you," I grinned as his agitation was apparent. He huffed.

"No, I don't. But you don't understand my feelings now, DO YOU! SUN HARA BU!"

Before I could react, a strong funnel of energy blew past me and took me with it. The surge of energy felt like a blow to the kidney. I was overcome, bouncing and skidding across the ground. I could barely move. I heard him laugh.

"Heh heh heh. Now isn't that too bad. I wanted to take you alive but I guess I don't know my own strength!" Oh, but it was he who was fooled as I stood slowly.

"It was I who let you hit me. I wanted to experience the pain that you inflicted on all those that you hurt. You've had your chance, and now it's my turn," I said, meeting his shocked gaze.

"Oh really! SUN HARA BU!"

Not this time.

I used a Flying Swallow Variant #1 to cut through his Sun Hara Bu like a hot knife through butter. Moving swiftly, I concentrated all my energy, all my strength and all my focus into this attack. It was slow motion, the moment my attack met Hitoriga's form.

And in a flash of light, I stood with my back to him, sheathing my bokuto as he fell from grace.

"Uh…Suzuka…I…I have never…seen that technique," He garbled.

"It's called Crimson," I stated, closing my eyes.

"You…you never used it…back then. Did…you?"

"No, I didn't. I invented it afterwards just for you," I said, turning just slightly to watch him.

"I…see… Ugh," He then collapsed to his death.

And a sudden calm washed over my entire being as I closed my eyes, tilting my head and turning my head upwards towards the night sky as the wind wafted through my being.

My family, I have avenged you…

-Hilda's POV-

After the battle with the foot soldiers, Aisha transformed back into her human form and of course, bragged about how immensely awesome she was. And I couldn't blame her. She kicked ass today and I'm most certain that she'll most definitely be an asset in the long run.

We had been walking back to where Suzuka was but stopped suddenly. All of us saw Su standing with her back to us, basking in the now shining moonlight in the warm night. We saw the silhouette of a body on the ground. She did it. Su killed him.

Heh, I could hardly believe it. But I wasn't surprised.
She is an Ultra Class A Assassin after all.

End Chapter 17…