Not Till The End...Always [2]

[Leia Avenrose]

Disclaimer: I don?t own Gundam Wing?. Don?t go and sue for nothing!
Dedication: To the world; I love you. To everyone I hate; go straight to hell.




Not Till The End?Always
By: Lynzi Knight
Rating: R / NC-17
Part II: Blue Rose




?Touching your face,
I feel the heat of your heartbeat,
Echo in my head and I just scream,
What?d you do to me?? ? Queensr?che [Jet City Woman]


?We need to ask her a few questions.? Detective Vaughn Larson shifted from foot to foot. Hospitals always made him uncomfortable, that was why he never did much of his questioning in them, unless necessary. ?When can I see her?? He eyed the amount of security in front of the door down the hall. Wasn?t that a little too extensive for one woman? From what the records had explained, this woman was named Raylyne Chiung and she was a surviving witness to the incident. He watched as three men in dark outfits approached the guards. Something was swapped between them and then they knocked before entering the room, guards following closely.

What was going on over there?

The doctor followed his glance and cleared her throat lightly to get his attention back to where it was supposed to be. ?I?m sorry, but I?m not sure she?s in any condition to talk to anyone.? She crossed her arms under her breasts. ?She needs to rest, detective Larson. Perhaps if you came back sometime next week??

Vaughn sighed heavily, pulling his cap off and plowed a hand through the free, rich looking locks of gold. ?I?m sorry, doctor, but the questioning can?t wait till next week. The mastermind behind the bombing of the Royal Embassy Palace must be dealt with immediately. For all we know, doctor, this bastard could be bombing other important, traditional places, injuring many more people as we speak. Do you wish for us to catch him??

The doctor nodded, her violet hued eyes full of determination and silent anger. ?Of course I want him captured! What gave you the impression that I didn?t?? She looked offended by his weak assumption.

The doors a few feet down the hall slid open with a soft swish. Doctor Nicola Amelia Maine looked over the detectives? broad shoulder and spotted four young men approaching. She noted all their grim and sad expressions and sighed heavily. She smiled briefly at Larson and placed a hand on his shoulder, gesturing for him to wait a moment.

?Excuse me, detective Larson,? she murmured, brushing past him to walk up to the approaching men. ?It?s so good to see you four once again.?

Three of the four hung back as a man with violet hued eyes identical to her own walked up to her, his arms spread. Nicola stepped into his embrace and buried her face into his chest. God, how she had missed him. She felt his fingers stroke her back and she hugged him harder. She was so glad that he was safe and sound. Pulling back a tad, she lifted her eyes and searched his pale face. His eyes were red-rimmed and bloodshot from crying. She couldn?t blame him for crying either. His lips looked chapped and he looked like crap. That didn?t matter though. Nicola peered into his eyes that were slightly hidden beneath thick dark chocolate brown bangs; his long mane hung down his back in a large, thick braid. Loose strands hung out from the tucked groups of hair that formed the plait.

?I?m so sorry.? She saw his eyes fill with more tears and he turned his head slightly to the side. ?I know you were good friends with him, Duo. And for that, I?m sorry for your loss and?your pain.?

Duo Maxwell sniffled quietly and placed his hands on her slim shoulders. Staring down at his older sister, he bent forward and kissed her forehead tenderly. She closed her eyes against the sudden tears that came to claim her eyes. No. She had told herself that she wouldn?t cry in front of him, wouldn?t make it even harder for him. ?It?s all right. I mean, sure, we were friends and all, but?he?s gone now. There?s nothing I or anyone else can do to bring him back. And beside??he glanced at the door down the hall??I?d only bring him back for her.?

Nicola understood. She was hurting deep down inside for the woman down the hall. ?I understand, Duo. Her loss is probably more extreme then yours, is it not??

Duo shrugged and fingered loose hairs that hung down the sides of her delicate face. ?I guess you could say that, sis. She loved him more then any one of us ever did, but he was still a good friend, even though he didn?t?show it,? he added, muttering quietly.

Nicola chuckled softly and kept her hands on his forearms. ?Did you come here to see her?? She glanced at the other three men.

Duo nodded. ?Yeah. And I came here to see you. How are you holding out??

Nicola opened her mouth to respond, but her pager inside the right, breast front pocket of her white lab coat went off, ringing shrilly and loudly. She sent her brother a contrite look. ?I?m so sorry. The guards are expecting you, so is her brother. He?s already in there with her, so just go right in.? She sighed and hugged her baby brother hard, once more before pulling away. ?I?m sorry, Duo, Trowa, Wufei, Quatre. More injured people have just been brought in from the area of the incident.?

Duo stared after his sister and waved as she glanced back and smiled before jogging towards the front emergency lobby where the ambulances parked to unload the new patients. She looked so much like him. And their mother. Her hair was the same, long with thick brown bangs along her forehead. Her eyes were violet as well, only hers carried a softer intensity then his. It must have been what the wars and countless losing battles had done to him. Body wise, she had the female anatomy, while he had the male anatomy, but they were both built slim with delicate bone structure in their cheeks and jaw. She was like his long lost twin. She was his twin. Turning to face the other men, he sighed heavily and began to make his way towards them.

Quatre Raberba Winner watched him wearily, his own eyes red-rimmed and bloodshot from weeping. ?Well? What did Miss Nicola have to tell you today??

Duo shrugged and stared at the Arabian. This blonde haired, aqua-eyed man was like a delicate hatchling, a newborn to this world. He appeared so delicate, so helpless, and so small. Altogether he had a big heart. His eyes left the aqua orbs and he stared at the other two. Chang Wufei, the Chinese man with a nasty temper and personality about injustice. That man was completely made of impenetrable stone inside, and out. Trowa Barton, other wise known as Triton Bloom, was the silent one of the groups, always speaking short sentences or a word or two, but normally those words meant so much more, had much more meaning if one fully understood what he was really saying. There men were like brothers to him, brothers he had never known in his entire life.

Sad, but true.

?Let?s go see her. She?s probably expecting us.? Duo began to make his way towards the door, when a hand grabbed his elbow unexpectedly and spun him around.

Vaughn stared at the young man in front of him with clear ice blue eyes. ?Could I have a word or two with you? Do you have the time?? He flashed them his id and badge. They didn?t bother looking at it; they just stared at his weather worn, tanned face.

?What is it? More questions?? Duo took his arm back and crossed them both over his chest.

?I just want to help her. I just want to find the bastard who was behind this unpleasant mishap. Can you help me??

?How can we help you, detective?? Trowa asked, his green eyes dark and daunting. ?We?re not the authorities here. We weren?t even in that area when it had happened.?

?Yes, I know that, sir. I just wanted to ask you guys some questions since you?re going to be seeing?her highness, now.?

Duo tensed as soon as he heard ?her highness?. This didn?t look too good. ?What do you want?? His eyes narrowed hazardously. They turned to a deep purple, set ablaze with renewed fury.

?Better make it quick, detective. We haven?t got all day if you?re in such a hurry to find the brains behind the incident,? Wufei barked from behind them.

?What do you mean by ?her highness?? Do you honestly think that the princess from the Sanc Kingdom was involved? Was?injured?? Duo asked cautiously, hesitantly. How did they know these things? Miliardo had made sure that no one knew of Relena?s condition.

?You?re telling me that the princess of Sanc isn?t in that room completely topped off by security??

Wufei glared at him knowingly. Trowa remained impassive, while Quatre watched the detective with awareness. Duo just glared?like Heero would have done in a position like this. Shinigami shook his head and watched the detectives? eyes.

?Well, buddy, you heard wrong. The princess of the Sanc Kingdom is not in that room down the hall. That?s just a very good childhood of ours. If you must know her name, Larson, her name?s Raylyne Chiung. If you must know where she?s from, she?s from China.? He was getting angry now and it showed as he uncrossed his arms and clenched his hands at his sides into tight fists. ?If you must know, our good friend Raylyne may have a permanent spinal injury for the rest of her life!? He took a hostile step towards him.

?Duo!? Trowa?s voice was firm and authoritative. ?Calm down. Let?s forget about him for now. Raylyne is expecting us. Let?s not keep her waiting any longer. All right??

Duo shot a deadly glare at the detective and went tense. His violet eyes shot forth-dangerous daggers. ?Fine. Let?s not keep her waiting any longer. Let?s go now.? He turned on his heel, the braid flinging through the air and slapping up against his bottom.

?Wait!? the detective cried out.

Duo and the rest of the former pilots stopped and turned. ?What is it? Another question?? Death sneered at the man.

?One more.?

?What is it, now??

?What of the man who was killed? What was his name again? Wasn?t he with this Raylyne Chiung during his final breaths? Rumor has it, boys, that he was probably in on this disaster.?

He had had enough! This was the last straw! Duo growled a warning under his breath and lunged for the detective. Trowa and Wufei lunged for Duo as soon as they saw him pounce on his prey, and caught his arms as he swung his fists. Pulling him back, Duo began to thrash against them, wanting to be loose to create havoc with this man. Why was he here in a time like this? Didn?t he have somewhere else to be? The Doughnut Shop perhaps? What an asshole! Trowa and Wufei grunted as he tried to charge at Vaughn again.

?Stop it, you fool!? Wufei shouted, tugging him back. ?Let?s just go.?

?Heero wouldn?t have wanted this,? Trowa murmured with forced tranquil into his ear, his fingers digging into his arm as a warning of not to push him.

Duo exhaled noisily and wrenched his arms out of their tight grasp. Breathing heavily like a savage beast on the loose, he turned away and headed for the room with a storm already in heavy brew overtop of his head. Trowa and Wufei stared after him; while Quatre watched Vaughn slowly back away, his complexion pale, his built form trembling slightly.

?You?d??Trowa looked at him and narrowed his eyes into thin slits??better watch your words with him, detective Larson. Death has many lethal qualities.? He turned away and walked down the hall, following the same path Duo had taken earlier through the door.

Quatre shot Larson an apologetic glance, while Wufei shot him a look that would melt ice and then followed after the other two men. Vaughn blow air through his lips and ran a hand over his face as he headed for the front main doors of the hospital for a smoke.

*

The light was harsh and extremely bright. Strange sounds echoed around his head as he tried to turn and look around at where he was. Where was he anyways? What were those weird sounds echoing all around? Was he dead? Hah! Death didn?t scare him one bit. Should it? Would it ever? He groaned loudly and closed his eyes against the light. The illumination was just too much for him. Something clattered to the ground loudly and his head throbbed in time to the quick ending beat as it reverberated throughout the room. A loud whirring to his right planted itself into his mind, that very sound making him grind his teeth. There were heavy footsteps tapping on the floor. The steps were light and quick as they approached rapidly. Loud voices, all chatting at once echoed in the room and he groaned again, only louder this time as to get their attention. The voices halted their discussion and the set of footsteps came to his ears in a rushing tempo.

Hands, cold and unwelcoming, touched him, probed, and prodded at him. Was he that interesting to these people? What was wrong with them? Were they sick bastards? His eyes fluttered open and all he could see against the white light above him was fuzzy outlines. Who were they? Had he been drugged? Was that why he was having trouble functioning properly in the world? He blinked absently against the light and against the fuzzy outline of something falling down onto his face. He cried out in fear of what it was and went to smack it aside, but his wrists had been strapped down to the metal cot underneath him. He tried to move his ankles, but they, too, were strapped down to the metal cot. The fingers that had reached for him caressed his cheek, outlining the cheekbone until they got to his eyes and then pulled back on the lid. His eyes stretched, or felt like it, and it hurt like hell. He screamed at them to leave him alone, to stop what they were doing. They didn?t listen.

Would they ever listen to his cries of anguish?

Anguish?

Was that what it was?

Hmm.

?Hush. It will be all right. I just want to see?Oh, my. Look there, Jacks!? His eye stretched even more and he cringed. ?See how the Prussian blue is rich and deep? Look at that too! Oh, yes. This will do wonderfully. What do you think he will have to say about this one? You think this one is?different from apart of the others?? The voice had a sinister tone to it, almost as if it were a?child touching him, performing on him, talking to him. A madman.

?S-stop.? His voice was like fingernails dragging along a blackboard. ?No more. Leave me alone!?

?You will sleep now. You will be called upon??the man signaled his coworker??when it is time. When your time is here, child, then you will be set free. Is that understood?? He took the syringe that had been passed over to him.

The helpless man strapped down to the cot shook his head and the leather strap laying against his neck bit down into the flesh painfully. ?No.? Tears formed at the corners of his eyes and began to fall down the sides of his face. ?Just stop it. She?I need to protect h??

?Of course you need to protect her, number twelve. We?ve seen what you could do. We just want to see you do?more. You can protect her some more when we?re finished here. All right?? The menacing man smoothed his thumb along his damp brow as if to soothe him and smiled crookedly.

The man on the cot shuddered violently under the touch and tried to recoil as if burned. The needle went into his arm and the chemicals were then projected into his bloodstream. What was he going to do if he was so defenseless? What was this he was feeling? With his head lolling from side to side on the metal table, his eyes found a face so clear, he almost recognized who it was that stared at him with a sad expression on their face and the look of regret in their cerulean eyes. Who was that? His eyes fluttered for a moment or two, trying to decide whether to remain open or closed, and he watched as they rose from where they sat by his side a few feet away. The two men had left the room. It was now empty, except for him and his unknown acquaintance. His lips opened slowly as if going to say something to the person, but they lifted a hand and placed it on his cheek as they knelt beside the metal cot.

?I?m so sorry. It was my entire fault. I hadn?t been quick enough. I had let you down, when you had just tried to do good with me.? The voice was soft, sad. ?Can you find in your heart to ever forgive me? Will you remember me? Ever??

He tried to nod.

?Here.? The person reached behind them and brought out a beautiful flower into view. Taking it, they placed the blue rose on his bare chest. ?It?s from my garden, my special garden. I?ll be waiting there for you. Will you come? Or will you fail me like you always do??

He tried to protest.

?No. No, it?s all right. You have no need to object against the words I now speak to you. Sleep. Now, you will sleep. You need your strength. You will see me again, I promise. Just hold your end of the bargain this time??

The person faded away and he caught the fragrance of fresh roses in the air. Looking at where they had just knelt beside him, he could still see the long strands of wheat glowing golden in the bright light overhead. Was that just the drugs? Was he dreaming? Had it been here? If only?

?Relena?kill?die,? he whispered, falling into a deep sleep as the drugs took effect.

*

The beeping was steady and constant. Not once had there been a falter within the stable tempo. He was glad of that as he looked upon the recuperating woman lying in the bed beside him. Staring at her now was like staring at their mother on her deathbed. Nineteen years ago, it was in a room identical to this one now with the freshly painted white walls, the vases full of flowers sitting around the room like she had been in her private garden. His baby sister, the only family left, the only family he had lay beside him struggling to stay alive. The doctor had commented that if her heart failed at least another time, it would for surely be over and they would loose her forever. Already her heart had given out on her twice. A third time would kill her. He had sat by her bedside, night after night; day after day just praying to the angels he had left behind so long, long ago when he was just a little boy having lost his mother. The memories killed him inside, but he knew he had to be strong for her and for the others.

The others counted on him for the news on her condition.

He wasn?t about to loose it now.

Not now.

Not ever.

The room smelt like roses. Turning his head around slowly, he watched his baby sister with tired royal blue eyes. She looked like crap, like a mummy having just been discovered. Her entire head was wrapped in white bandages, as was her arms and her legs. Underneath the bed jacket, bandages were wrapped around her ribs securely. Some strands of wheat colored hair lay on the pillow beneath her head. They stuck out from the cracks of the bandages. Her tresses weren?t shining now. The dressings on her head were wrapped around the top of her cranium like a turban, while three or four extra pieces went down the sides of her delicate, pale face and disappeared beneath her chin. Her lips, with their usual pouty look, were chapped and nearly blue. Her heart wasn?t pumping enough blood to the other parts of her body. That?s why there were two bags of blood hanging by her bedside, the IV going into her arm just at the elbow. The doctor had explained to him the extent of her injuries and from what she had said, they hadn?t sounded like small cuts through the first layer of skin.

It had been much, much worse then that.

?Mr. Peacecraft, I presume?? The doctor had extended her hand and he shook it halfheartedly.

?Yes. How is she? Tell me, will she live?? He had held his wives? hands tightly in his own, nearly squeezing the life from her dainty hands.

The doctor had nodded, her expression critical. ?Yes. She?ll live, but she might have a permanent injury that could probably have a big impact on her and her life when she hears about it. You as well, I take it.? She had paused, giving him to ask a question. He had just stared at her from behind limp platinum blonde bangs. She had then decided to continue. ?Mr. and Mrs. Peacecraft, Ms. Darlian has?suffered?a?great amount. The loss of blood was extreme. When the paramedics had found her, she was already silently fighting an undeclared war with death. She had lost so much blood, the paramedics had to give her a drug to sleep so they could perform what was necessary within the ambulance. She?s very lucky to have made the long trip here.

?About her injuries, now. Relena has had some minor internal bleeding, but we?ve managed to fix that up. With the extreme loss of blood, we?ve been giving her blood through an IV, and her body hasn?t rejected it since. That was two days ago, however. About her spinal injury?We replaced three missing vertebrae in the lower section of her back. We had no problems with that operation; it went smoothly. Do you happen to have any questions??

He had just stared down at the ground while she explained his little sisters? condition and progress. What was he supposed to say? He had just nodded absently, his eyes appearing vacant and lost. ?Thank you, doctor. I?m glad to have heard about what had happened. One question, however. With her back all fixed up and everything, after it heals properly, what will happen then? I mean?will she have some sort of?symptom or problem with her back when she ages??

The doctor had looked unsure as if she hadn?t thought about that. And she called herself a doctor. After a moment of silence, she had just shaken her head, a small, weak smile on her naturally baby pink lips. ?I assure you, she?ll be able to live a normal life as anyone else. But there is one slight setback. Every three months, for the next two to three years, she?ll have to come back for a check up in case the replacement disks have slipped out of place. Understood??

He had nodded slowly. ?One other question, doctor. When will she be allowed to leave the hospital and also, what do you recommend I do with her afterwards??

?What are you suggesting?? The doctor had blinked stupidly. ?Bring her home, obviously. Help her recover.?

His wife had shaken her head. ?He doesn?t mean physically, doctor, he means?mentally, psychologically.?

?Oh! My apologies.? She had looked him in the eye. ?Don?t pressure her into doing anything she doesn?t want to do. If it reminds her of the incident, she could very well end up locking herself up from the world inside her mind. We don?t want that. Let her have her space and just give her time. That is what I really recommend, Mr. Peacecraft. Give her time to heal up. Again, don?t reopen her wounds...?

Miliardo Peacecraft continued to stare at her bruised body unconsciously. What was he going to do now? It was obvious that he was to do as the good doctor had mentioned. ?Oh, Relena. Little Relena. I?m sorry I wasn?t there to?protect you in the brotherly fashion. I guess the one day that I wasn?t watching over you in the shadows, was that one day where you come face to face with death. I?m so sorry. It?s my entire fault. I hadn?t been there for you!?

There was a soft knock at the door.

He knew who it was.

Reaching over, his fingers skimmed over the red button on top of the nightstand beside the bed and the door unlocked. Five figures stepped briskly into the room and quietly closed the door behind them. Miliardo remained as he was, sitting hunched over slightly with his back to the figures. They were so quiet. Why? There was the sound of something snapping against metal and then little beeps within something hollow. Miliardo froze as he heard more strange sounds behind him. He glanced at Relena?s pale face and set his jaw, his eyes narrowing. A man, tall and long-limbed, with dark glasses perched on top of his straight, long, crooked nose watched the woman laying in the bed all covered in bandages. He nodded to himself. Yes. This had to be the right room. It was the only room on the entire fifteen floors that had been topped off with extra, extra false security. He chuckled deeply in the back of his throat and then snapped his fingers sharply. Two men, the security guards standing in front of the door earlier, stepped forward beside him instantly; their guns held in front of them with a firm grip on the handle, their fingers fitted in the trigger hold.

?Nanji?? the man to his left asked in their language.

The leader shook his head. ?Matte.?

Miliardo turned his head slightly and glanced out at them from the corner of his eye. He first noticed their rifles, then their dark glasses and black outfits. These men weren?t his expected visitors! Who were these men? Why were they carrying rifles? He flew up from his seat and spun around to face them, horror, hostility, and confusion etched on his face.

?What is the meaning of this?? He stared at the tall man in between the two taller, built men with rifles.

The man in the middle stared at the prince from behind his dark glasses. A smirk lifted his lips and he lifted a hand. One finger after the other started to curl in. ?Jū? Kyu? Hachi? Shichi? Roku? Go? Shi? San? Ni? Ichi.? His smirk widened. ?Nandemonai.?

?Ima?? the man to his right asked with an impatient tone.

Miliardo growled and clenched his hands into tight fists. ?What the hell is wrong with you?? he shouted, hoping to get the security guards? attention. Where were they? ?Put your weapons away!?

?Iie,? one of the men in the back answered.

?Speak fucking English!?

?Ima?? the man on the right repeated.

The leader lifted a hand, halting any further discussion. Placing his full attention in Miliardo, he nodded once. ?You will co-operate with us, won?t you, Mr. Peacecraft? I would if I knew I had such precious, personal materials on the line.?

?What are you talking about? I apparently don?t know what?s on the line, but I have a good feeling about its importance,? Miliardo replied hesitantly. His eyes shifted from one masked impassive face to another.

?Ima!?

?Mamonaku!?

What is this all about? Miliardo wondered, narrowing his eyes at the leader.

The leader held out a hand, palm facing towards him. ?Kuru? Osoku.? He turned his head slightly and glanced at the man to his right, the impatient man. With a simple nod, the man took a step towards Miliardo. The gun was pointed straight at him, as the man behind it smiled with malice dripping between his white teeth.

The leader held his hand up. ?Matte.?

The man froze and continued to glare at Miliardo who stared at the front end of the rifle. A silencer topped it off. No one would ever know. No one would ever hear. Shit. His eyes fluttered from the gun to the leader?s weather worn face. What was he going to say now? Why didn?t he just get it over with already? Why was he stalling like this?

?What is it? Can?t seem to go through with it or something? Cat got a hold of your tongue and now you can?t bark your orders in your language?? he mocked sarcastically.

?Kusottare,? the leader spat at him. ?Just shut the hell up for a minute! Mr. Peacecraft, you have failed.?

?What?? Miliardo stammered in shock. ?In what did I fail to do??

?You failed to deliver?the?cockroach.? He sneered and chuckled bitterly. ?Sayōnara. Ima.? He nodded to the man who stood in front of him.

?Tsui ni. Arigato gozaimas?.? He pulled the trigger in lightning speed.

Miliardo didn?t have enough time to dodge the oncoming bullet. As he yielded to the overwhelming darkness, he felt an intense pain bloom in his chest.

*

He stared at the motionless corpse. Now how was he going to get rid of that? Out the window seemed like a good idea. No, too many witnesses wandering around. Davis Matsude stared down at the growing pool of crimson and gave a non-chalant shrug. Hsu, Ten, Keno, and Osu were making their way towards the bed, by passing the chairs and vases of flowers. Her face was pale, too pale. Davis shook his head in sadness and watched as Hsu and Ten picked the battered princess up and wrapped her in the sheets. Unhooking the packets of blood, they rested them overtop of the sheets and began to make their way for the door, when they were tugged back.

?Nande kuso?? Ten cursed, his eyes following the thin tube sticking out from the sheets. It was the IV. He cursed again and yanked the packet off the hook, laying it down on top of the packets of blood.

They continued their journey to the door. Davis whistled through his teeth and Osu and Keno turned to look at him.

?Nani?? Osu walked up to him.

Davis pointed down at the body on the ground. ?Sore.?

?Oh. I?ll take care of it,? Keno murmured softly as he walked up to the corpse and picked it up from under the arms. Dragging it over to the bed, he dumped the flaccid body onto the bed and then fixed the limbs that stuck out over the side of the cot. ?Ten, go into the closet and get some extra blankets.?

Davis watched Miliardo?s pale face, his eyes shifting down to the big spot of crimson on the front of his shirt. Ten handed Keno the requested blankets and Keno smiled a small smile of success as he began to cover the body efficiently with nimble movements. Keno stepped back a few moments later and stared at his latest masterpiece with admiration. That would do just fine. Sure, no one was going to buy it, but it would trick whoever walked into the room for a few minutes. Davis chuckled and clapped briefly, making his way for the door.

?Kashikoi, Keno-sama!? He opened the door quietly and easily, the two men with the young woman in their arms right behind him, Keno not far. ?Ima. Down the hall, through the elevator, and then out through the back doors in the basement. Is that understood?? His eyes drifted over to the group of men down the hall, farther up by the Emergency doors. Two young men were holding back some young man who was acting like some savage beast in heat. They had to do this quickly or else?

Everyone nodded.

The Embassy is going to be so surprised and so happy that we were finally, after all these years, able to capture the princess of Sanc, Davis thought, signaling forth the two men with the young woman. The rest of his men crowded around the young woman, blocking her off from all wandering eyes.

?Yoi. Head out!?


To Be Continued?