Pick Up Sticks - Chapter 3

Chapter 3 – Jr. & The Maan

The school bell rang. It was oddly louder then what Haku expected. He ran his hand over his throat as it pulsed painfully. I guess I’m sick but it doesn’t feel like any sore throat I’ve ever had. He told himself. He passed by the thick clump of trees at the side of the school building. His mind winced as he remembered waking up there.

***

Haku left the school building well after school was out. He was still in his basketball uniform, coming from practice. Hearing the sound of someone panting and struggling to walk from the dense brush off to the side of the school he headed that way. Moving through it he found a young man with middle length, straight white hair. He was covered in blood and wounds.

“Oh my god!” he ran over and pulled out his cell phone. “Hold on I’ll call the ambulance!” He knelt over the person to ascertain the damage. However as he did so the man’s once pained expression changed to sardonic amusement.

Suddenly Haku was being held and his left shoulder and neck pulsed with a numb paralyzing pain. He could feel something in his skin, a sucking… he’s… drinking my blood… and I can’t move… why can’t I move?! He panicked and tried to force himself to at least flinch. His fingers twitched and he felt his muscles give a try but it was like he was held there.

He began to feel sick and dizzy… then he felt himself black out moments later.

It was hazy as Haku opened his eyes. He felt blood all over his front and back. He could barely move his left arm. It came to him slowly that he was laying against the hard trunk of a tree and the light was dancing through their leaves. It was the light of dawn. I’ve been here all night?! He pulled himself up and looked around.

***

Shuddering a little, the six foot athletic eighteen year old hurried his way to the locker room. As he put his shoes away he felt someone watching him. Turning he saw one of the volleyball team’s girls. She blushed and immediately looked away. As she did so her pigtail fell over her shoulder and exposed her soft neck.

He immediately winced as his teeth ached and suddenly his jaw was jutted slightly open by a set of fangs on the top and bottom pushing. Blood fell down his lips, his eyes widened, and he put one hand over his mouth as he rushed for the bathroom.

“Eh?” Johan watched the event from his locker. He calmly closed his locker and walked past Haku’s, glancing at the ground. He saw droplets of blood. His casual if not lofty expression sharpened and a realization hit him. Carrie survived and he fed on someone to regain his strength. He rationalized, as he gave no outward show of his conclusion he headed into the boy’s bathroom.

Seeing Haku at one of the sinks washing out his mouth, Johan pulled out of his bag a three-inch vial of blood. “Hey. Handsome.” He called to him.

“Ugh?!” Haku inelegantly faltered as he noticed someone walk in. “Do I know you?” He asked with a strange feeling to his new fangs touching as he did so. It came with a strange lisp like sound that only caused him to blush from embarrassment.

“You need this.” Johan walked over and handed him the still cold vial. “It’s refrigerated, it’ll help with your teeth.”

Haku looked down at the shorter man and then down to the vial. “That’s… blood.” He said bluntly, far more casually then he felt at the moment that was for sure. His entire body crave it suddenly. “What’s… wrong with me?” He stepped back from Johan and looked at his dark purple-red eyes. He was torn between no thank you and god give it to me now.

“If you don’t you’ll attack someone.” Johan told him as he popped the top of the vial off and held it out to Haku. “And after you drink your fangs will go down.”

Shakily, Haku took the vial and sampled it. Amazingly it didn’t taste bitter but rather delightful. It was like thick syrup going into his mouth and down this throat. The blood made his body shudder. His fangs ached and he found himself licking the vial for more once it was all gone. Stopping himself he handed it back and bowed. “Thank you…?” He didn’t know the name of the boy before him, only that he was probably one of the talked about transfer students.

“Johan Mond Emeric.” The vampire gave a cocky smirk to the taller guy. “You are, Jr.?”

“Jr?” Haku blinked once in confusion. “My name is Moru, Haku.”

“Nice ta meet cha. Let’s talk again when school is over. I’ll bet you’re curious.” He said as he gave a lazy wave goodbye while turning to leave.

“Yeah… I am. Johan-san.” Haku said with a nod and looked down at his hands as though they’d have some cheat notes on the current situation. He looked up to the mirror to see his face. He was relieved to see the fangs had shrunk and his color had come back to its slightly rich tan. His sharp dark brown eyes closed as he gave a calming sigh to try and get himself together.


Classes didn’t go smoothly. As Haku tried to focus he found himself worrying over what had become of him. If it’s vampirism then… I should be more afraid. The sun should be hurting me. Shouldn’t I be extremely tired at least while it’s fourteen hundred hours in the afternoon?

As school let the students out he found himself wandering as though on auto towards the gym. “I didn’t tell him…” he said quietly to himself, “I do after school activities. I should run by the locker room.” He decided and turned himself towards there.

In the locker room he found Johan sitting on the bench between the lockers. “Yo, Jr.” Johan said with a wave of his hand and a playful smile up to him.

It was awkward for Haku to see someone waiting for him much less smiling up at him as though they hung out all the time. To him though, this was a welcomed aggravation. He wasn’t very close to anyone and seeing someone who’d actually taken time out to see him left a sort of warm feeling in him. “Um… ‘yo’.” He mimicked lamely. “Johan-san. I have a basket ball meet in five minutes can we talk while we walk to the gym?”

“Eh?! Sports huh?” Johan gave a little sigh and stood up. “Alright, but are you always late out of school?”

“Usually. I stay an hour after to practice.” Haku explained as they moved from the main building out towards the gym and boy’s locker room. “Is that going to be an issue?”

“Well since I’m going to have to raise you and I have things to do after school, it could be.” Johan said with a nod.

Haku paused as he opened the door for the smaller boy and let him walk in first. “Raise me? I’m an upper classmen… a class over you if not two. I don’t quite understand what you mean.”

“You’re a new vampire, right?” Johan smirked at him, crossing his arms over his chest as he did. “You need to know the ropes.”

Haku gave a slow nod. “Right.”

“First rope: We’re not supposed to go around and claim what we are to everyone in the world. First people the who don’t take you seriously will hurt your social image. Second, the people who do take you seriously will hamper your life with either false worship, physical assaults on your person or just stupid girls begging a vampire to drink their blood.” Johan explained the various issues with a finger raised up like he was making some point.

Haku had to concede to the point that it was a bad idea, “I didn’t plan to.” He assured his new teacher. He pulled off his shoes and then moved to his shirt and pants so he could get into his gym clothing. “I figured it would be inconvenient.”

“Right. Second off is the fact that right now you’re a ‘no body’ in our society. You’re not allied with my blood family nor are you allied with the local one. So if you do anything to get attention you’re more then likely to be offed.”

That left a lump in Haku’s throat. Giving a slight nod he accepted it, “Then you’ll teach me, right?”

“Yeah but like I said I can’t always wait an hour after school. But today it’s fine. I don’t meet Tsume until six as the library.” Johan gave a cat like grin, “So hurry up and get this done with.”


Johan watched along with some other students. The basketball practice was nothing for him to be riled up about but he paid attention to what the others said.

“Moru is better then usual today.” One of the girls said to her friend.

“Yeah I’ve never seen him this good… I mean he was good but this is totally a new level.” The friend agreed.

“He’s probably been practicing a lot. I heard he didn’t get a perfect on his last exam and his old man came unglued on him. Knowing Mr. No Friends he likely spent a ton of time at the local hoops.” Another one added in.

His old man rides him like a pony, huh? Not to unusual. But I’d put more money that he was studying. Johan thought to himself as he watched Haku proverbially beat the snot out of his teammates with skill.

***

Six came and the sun was already starting to set. Tsume sat on his bike in a pair of worn jeans and a faded band tee shirt. His hair was wild as usual, falling around his face without a care. He was waiting top of the stairs leading to the front of the library. Off to the side was the handicap path that he’d used to get up there on his bike.

His eyes were zoned out as he kept a look out for Johan. He’d gotten them both some cheap throwaway cell phones they could use for a duration of minutes. When he saw Johan walking up with some new guy he instantly felt his hackle rising.

“So who’s that?” Tsume asked in a level and unfriendly tone. His eyes narrowed as he took in the tall strong senior student.

“Jr. here is my new apprentice in vampirism. Looks like he had a run in with one and was compatible. He’ll be helping us find Atsu.” Johan said trying to sooth over the instant ‘suspicion rays’ coming form Tsume’s eyes.

Haku gave a little bow of greeting, “Moru, Haku.” He introduced himself.

“Naruika, Tsume.” The delinquent gave his name but he didn’t bow. He didn’t give a damn who he was and had one thing on his mind: Finding Atsu. “Here’s your phone. My number is written on the back of it and I have yours already. Let’s get the big guy’s number and going. We have a whole lotta ground to cover.”

Wow did he become Mr. Take Charge or what? Johan smirked a little as he took down Haku’s phone number and gave their temporary numbers to him. “Jr. will be with me for this outing so if you can’t get a hold of me for some reason call him.” Johan told Tsume as the heavy drinker started off.

Tsume paused, “I’d rather we cover more ground splitting up.” He explained.

“I can feel ya, but Jr. doesn’t know what he is yet and he might get a hunger craving that will make him act like an idiot. For the first month it’s best he has a coach. It can’t be help. We’ll work double time, ok?” Johan tried to give Tsume some sort of comfort.

“I’ll do my best, Naruika-san.” Haku promised as Johan handed him a photo of Atsumaru from his wallet to look the kid over. “We’ll have better luck likely in the day though.”

Tsume took off on the bike after a hearing Haku’s statement. Yeah well if you two could ditch class then we can look before the sun goes down. He thought bitterly as he road down the handicap path from the front of the library to the street below.

Johan and Haku watched him go and then shrugged. “The area he saw Atsu on a bus is where we’re headed. He’s following the bus’s route and asking the commuters.” The shorter vampire put his phone in his pocket and headed down the stairs. “So… I gotta question for you Jr.”

Haku followed him, both heading to his bike waiting for them down at the bike rack where people were supposed to leave them. He turned his head to look at him.

“The person who attacked you, your ‘sire’, was it someone with white hair?” Johan’s tone was expecting but ominous all the same.

Haku gave a short nod as his expression became somber.

“I thought so.” Johan sighed a little.

“Do you know who he is?” Haku asked as he pulled his bike from the rack and prepared it for them to use. He wanted to know who had ‘made him’ into what he was. He wasn’t sure if he’d hate him or maybe just be afraid forever. One thing he did know, he didn’t plan on thanking him for it, yet he couldn’t say he wasn’t pleased.

As Johan took his place behind Haku on the bike he gave a nod. “His name is Carrie Noapte Clare. He’s part of the Celestine Choir, a different blood family from mine.”

The two took off on the bike towards the bus stop at the edge of town. “Is he powerful? He looked hurt when I went to help him.” A slight rage burned in Haku as he remembered the way his kindness was treated.

“He is sort of powerful. He’s got a useful ability. However he’s not the end all of power houses.” Johan shrugged. “I’d better explain some of this a little more, huh?”

Haku nodded. “Can we start with these ‘blood families’?”

“Sure.” Johan leaned in closer, “A blood family is sort of like a ‘category’ of what founder a vampire comes from. We all have founders. Sort of like how some religions believe in a first man and a first woman. Our founders organized and shaped our way of life and how we influence the human world. They also give us our abilities. Each founder had four abilities of superhuman standards. Every vampire inherits one of those abilities and it is represented in their blood name. My blood family is The Blood of the Moon. My founder is the Lady of the Moon. She was the founder of the organized crime in the European area. You could think of her as the mother of the mafia.”

“How do you know which one Carrie is from?” Haku pulled the bike onto the main road, pausing at a light.

“His blood name.” Johan explained. “Wanna do those next?”

Haku gave a little nod and then moved them forwards as the light went green.

“Vampires have to live within human society. We have family names, which is our last name on a birth document and then we have blood names. They are a ‘last name’ or heritage to us vampires and are our middle names on the birth record. These blood names tell what founder they came from and thus what blood family.” Johan watched the sidewalk as they rode by.

“Can I have an example?”

“Um… well my full name is Johan Mond Emeric. My first name is my personal name, Johan. My middle name is my blood name and to the educated it tells them I have the power of Trance. Given mond is also German for Moon it signifies I’m of The Blood of the Moon, her people.”

Haku made himself a few mental notes as they turned down a smaller street. “I’m taking a short cut.” He explained. His passenger gave a little nod. “So by his middle name you know what power he had and what founder he’s from… what is his power?”

“Hum… He’s Noapte… that’s telekinesis basically. It loosely means ‘night’ so his founder is Lord of the Night making him a member of the Celestine Chior.” Johan said in a thoughtful tone. “See how it works?”

Haku gave nod.

***

The inner city was full of people still despite the time of night. It was roughly about eight thirty now and shops were preparing to close. The people were going to and from clubs, restaurants and stores. Tsume stopped people as he walked, his bike being held with one hand and the other holding a small image of Atsu.

“…And he’s about two inches taller then me, obviously half white.” Tsume described him to a couple that were looking over the image.

They shook their heads. “Sorry we haven’t seen him. Good luck looking.” They said and walked away.

Tsume moved on to the next person and another group after that.

It’s the same no matter who I ask. No one’s seen him. Maybe I did make it up. He thought dismally. He looked into a small gallery and at first was going to go past it but then he remembered that Atsu like fine arts. He leaned his bike against the shop and went in.

“Hey, um… sir.” He nearly forced that out that pleasantry from his mouth in a pathetically humble and embarrassed way as he approached one of the wealthily dressed occupants. He was very under dressed for the store and the inhabitants were staring at him like he was in some unsightly costume rather then casual low class clothing.

“I’m sorry young man but I have to ask you to leave.” A man in a suit, all spruced up to look like some French art critic walked over. “You see we have dress codes in here…”

“I’m not here for you stupid art.” Tsume spat out as he held out the image. “He loved art, I don’t suppose he’s been in here. He went missing and…” He felt his chest tighten. “I just have to ask if you’ve seen him before!”

The man was taken back. He looked about to burst with anger until a woman walked by him. She had long gorgeous blue-white hair. It fell down her form in silky full waves. Her large and dark green eyes looked playful and gentle as she walked before the gallery owner.

She was in a long shimmering sea green dress with an expressive shoulder throw on her shoulders lined with soft white fur. Gold and silver jewelry fell around her neck in thick glistening chains. She had large expensive rings on her fingers and equally pricey bracelets. Long dangling earrings of gold and diamonds fell over her shoulders as she moved. “Oh my I remember that handsome young man!”

Tsume felt his stomach flop. “When… Where!?” He demanded as he kept his arm up until she was done looking, for fear she’d suddenly forget.

She put one long painted nail to her chin and looked to the side, “Well I think it was the other day. We were driving by the old red light district to get to the ball in the gaslight area. He was walking into a an apartment building across from the…” She blushed, “Well it looked like a brothel.”

“R-really?!” Tsume beamed and put the photo into his pocket. “Thanks!” he said as he ran outside to get his bike.

“No problem, young man.” She waved and gave a little smile. Behind her a tall strong dark haired man wearing thick glasses and a very professional suit watched. She turned to him and gave a giggle. “So that was Atsumaru Maan Emeric’s little human toy. He was like a dog… what horrible taste from such a distinguished young man.” She said with a mocking look on her face.

“In deed.” The man nodded, “My nephew has terrible taste.”

***

Over at the edge of town Johan and Haku were asking people who came and went on the bus system. So far two girls remember seeing Atsu a day ago but before they could talk to him he got off of the bus in the bad side of town.

“What do you think that girl meant by he looked depressed?” Haku asked Johan as the two sat on the bus bench thoughtfully.

“Well if he’s hiding from his lover,” Johan started but Haku’s somewhat surprised face caught his attention. He gave a small smile. “Tsume and Atsu were lovers. That’s why I’m taking care of Tsume so much.”

“You’re taking care of him?” Haku took on a ponderous look. “Is that normal for vampires? To take care of the humans that their family members liked?”

Giving a heavy sigh as though it was bothersome topic, Johan shook his head, “Not really. I just…” he winced a little.

“He’s a part of Atsu now, right?” Haku patched together the thought process going on in Johan.

The smaller boy gave a nod. “Besides I always took care of Atsu’s pets. He was usually busy.”

Tilting his head a little Haku was about to ask something but a man walked up before them. He looked up and then recognizing the man as Kyle Summit, he stood and bowed. “Summit-sensei.”

The American man gave them both a bow in greeting with a smile on his face. “Well what brings you two to the edge of town? Do you live around here?” He looked to Johan primarily.

Johan’s eyes narrowed a little. I remember Tsume telling me he met Summit here too. “We’re here looking for Atsu.” He told him boldly. “I don’t suppose you saw him the day you talked to Tsume about the second murder at the school?”

“There was another one?” Haku was surprised; there hadn’t been any announcement about that! He was on verge of asking ‘who and how’ but he kept quite. It seemed like his new vampire master didn’t really like the English teacher at the moment. Something tense was forming between them and he didn’t feel welcomed.

Kyle’s friendly expression changed to a level of concern and disapproval. “We all know your half-brother is dead. For that I am very sorry for your loss but you can’t find him --.”

“We’ve already gotten some head way. People saw him the other day on the bus, the same day you talked to Tsume. Tell me, Mr. Summit…” He glared at him, speaking in English now, “You wouldn’t happen to know where Atsu is hiding, would you?”

Kyle took in a deep breath and then headed away, “I can’t help you.” He told him. Johan jumped onto his feet and moved to attack Kyle but Haku got in the way, cloth lining him by the waste.

“Haku!?” Johan snapped angrily.

“We’re in public.” Haku told him calmly. “We know how to find him. Don’t make a scene here if you don’t have to.” He turned to watch Kyle walk away. “I agree with you, though, he knows something.” He looked down Johan who was pushing off of his arm. “What second murder?”

Johan stood on his own power once more and straightened his top, “I killed an enemy vampire the day after my brother was found.” He looked up to see Haku looking shocked and flabbergasted. “We have our own war. I won’t go to jail for it, it’s not like the humans should know. I hid it and by now it should be dust… but how did he know?” He frowned as he pondered out loud.

The tense silence was killed as Johan’s cell phone rang. He pulled it out, “Tsume, did you find anything?”

Tsume was on his bike riding through town, “Yeah! He’s staying at a shit apartment building in the red light district, opposite side to a whorehouse.”

“WHAT?” Johan looked to Haku, “He’s gotta lead… but it’s not very like Atsu.”

“I’m thinking being dead isn’t very like Atsu either…” Haku tried to make a joke but his straight-faced and level tone made him sound serious if not condescending.

Johan glared at him balefully. “No shit.” He snapped then put his attention back on the phone. “Meet us at the bus stop before going there we should go together.”

“I’m almost there! Just back me up!” Tsume said and then hung up the phone. He stuffed it into his pocket as he rounded a corner. He slowed his pace as he came to the narrow dirty street full of the ‘undesirables’ of the city.

Large men with tattoos all over them in ratty leather outfits gave sadistic grins over to the ‘young fresh meat’ that had just entered. Over sexed women wearing nearly nothing, hanging on men glanced his way and then mockingly giggled at him.

Tsume gave them all a glare as his eyes moved across the scene. The whorehouse was easy to find since most of the women hanging on men were outside of what looked to be a strip club. The apartment building was to the right, and a window was open up a few stories. Sitting on the windowsill was Atsu!

“Atsu!?” Tsume’s heart skipped a beat. His eyes widened and his hands felt clammy and numb as his emotions ranged from anger to lust and relief. His eyes counted up the stories. As he did he heard a cocky but smooth young man’s voice ask:

“You Tsume?”

Turning around Carrie stood behind him, His head tilted a little with a slightly foreboding smirk on his face. “Atsu’s talked a lot about you.”

Backing up a little, Tsume felt an instant fear from the guy even if he wasn’t that much taller or broader. He was just naturally creepy. “Who wants to know?” He asked in a gruff and defensive tone as his eyes narrowed on the bad-vibed guy.

“Heh, I’ll go on the assumption you are. Eighth story, room eight-o-six.” He said with a shrug and then headed in to the building himself.

Tsume ditched his bike, letting the thing fall on its side and splash into a deep large puddle as he ran through the door. He passed Carrie in the stairwell and jumped two homeless people making out on the stairs as he ran up them. Atsu! I finally found you! Atsu I’m so sorry for not believing you! I just wanna be with you. I don’t care about vampires or humans or school or mafia! We can hide in the church with your brother!

***

“Can’t you peddle any faster?!” Johan asked as he and Haku raced along the streets. “And are you sure you know where you’re going?”

Haku was focused intently on just propelling the bike as fast as possible. Sweat fell down his face and neck as he pushed himself to the limit. “I know that part of town, but not well. It should be obvious though, there aren’t that many apartments near brothels.”

“I hope so…” Johan’s eyes lowered. “I gotta bad feeling about this.”

“Like what?” Haku wove them around people on the sidewalk. The pedestrians shouted angrily after them as they did so.

“…Like this is a trap. Atsu isn’t the only one with Maan! If my uncle defected he could have taken some of his loyalists with him! If someone with Maan shows up…” Johan didn’t even want to think about it. He was taking care of Tsume, damn it! He was going to take care of him for Atsu!

***

Trying to catch his breath outside of the room labeled 806 on a dingy brown plate with the numbers painted in peeling black, Tsume prepared himself to knock. However he found himself opening the door as fast as possible. His heart was in his throat and his eyes were opened wide like a child’s with tears in them.

As the door flew open he saw across the room at the window was Atsu. The vampire turned slowly to look at him with a curious expression that softened. “Tsu-chan.” He stood up off the windowsill and opened his arms.

“Atsu-chan…” Tsume breathed before he bolted forwards and right into Atsu’s arms. He couldn’t hold back his sobs as he felt Atsu against him. His eyes squeezed tight as he buried his face into Atsu’s shoulder, “I mi-missed you!!” the traumatized boy choked out as his body shook. “Sorry! I’m sorry!!”

“It’s alright, Tsume… I just wish you hadn’t gotten involved.” Atsu told him as he leaned his face down and grinned cruelly. He opened his mouth and his fangs slowly extended. “Don’t worry… I’ll take care of you now.”

Carrie smirked as he walked in, leaving the door open since he intended to leave in a moment. “Awe, a touching reunion.” He muttered as he headed towards the side of the room for a large black duffle bag. “Let’s hurry this up, ‘Atsu’.” He told his companion.

“’Atsu’?” Tsume’s eyes opened curiously. Suddenly he felt fangs enter the tender area between his neck and shoulder. He gave a cry out and tried to push the man off him. The vampire had more strength then he did and so his efforts only made the fangs pull along his wound, widening it. In agony his mind began to race as his body panicked. All he could clearly come up with is: This isn’t my Atsu!

The opened doorway was suddenly filled with a Johan and a Haku. Johan didn’t waste a moment as he rushed over to ‘Atsu’ and with a firm jump kick to the body the imposter was thrown over, his fangs tore out of Tsume who joined his attacker on the floor. Johan grabbed up Tsume and threw him over to Haku who was standing at ready and glaring hatefully at Carrie.

“You…” Haku seethed his hatred at the white haired vampire.

“Don’t stay and fight! Just go!” Johan demanded as he nearly tackled into Haku to push him out the door.

Carrie gave a small chuckle as he looked to his partner. “Drop the act, we’ve gotta catch them.” That said he jumped out the window. As he came towards the ground he caught himself with telekinesis and landed gently, just in time to gesture his hand out towards the bike that was still in the puddle and throw it into the departing trio.

The bike hit against Johan the hardest but the combat trained young man had thrown his hands up to block it. How are we gonna get out of here now? He wondered, knowing that his luck against Carrie in their last fight wasn’t likely to show up again.

The humans in the area watched with stupefied expressions as Carrie threw the bike and then with another gesture, punched a huge hole in the side of a building. The building began to topple over after losing so much of its support.

“Holy shit!” Johan blanched as he nearly threw Haku and Tsume before him, the pile of bricks crashed down on his lower back and legs. Haku and Tsume fell forwards onto another narrow empty street filled with junk.

“Emeric!” Haku got to one knee and noticed his new teacher and friend was half buried and bleeding. He ran over to dig him out.

Carrie jumped up onto the bricks and looked down at them with a smirk.

Looking up at him, Haku knew he couldn’t fight the guy. He was a one-day-old vampire and he got the rather correct impression this guy was out of his league.

“Stop digging me out and get Tsume outta here.” Johan’s eyes opened to look at Haku.

“…” Haku paused, he was torn between trying to save his new friend and doing what he knew was the more appropriate action.

Tsume pulled himself to his feet and looked up at Carrie. “You tricked me…” he hissed hatefully, master of the obvious. Tears were falling down his face and blood was soaking all through his shirt. He felt himself shaking, dizzy and cold at the same time he was hot in the face and his body was sweating.

A young man with light red hair cut short around his face climbed up next to Carrie. He had dark brown eyes and was wearing a nice pair of slacks and a button up shirt that was now ruined with Tsume’s blood on it. He tenderly held his side where Johan had kicked him. “He broke one of my ribs with that kick.” The stranger whined.

“Heal it.” Carrie ordered gruffly.

“I said go.” Johan growled as he tried to pull himself out of the wreckage.

Haku painfully made his choice, nodded and moved to the logical thing, however before he knew it he was flying through the air and smacking painfully back first into the side of a building! Feeling his consciousness wavering he tried to hold onto his senses as he hit the ground.

“They gave these kids too much credit. Johan’s little more then a body fighting punk kid and that Tsume is a freakin’ human.” Carrie glanced over to Haku, “And you’re a mistake.” He gave him a smirk; “I’ll be sure to fix that in a moment. Work first you know.”

Arrogant… bastard. Haku thought as he pulled himself to his feet. He rushed for Carrie as the cruel killer put his hand forward and grabbed Tsume’s neck with his TK. The collision that Haku gave him threw off his concentration and Tsume fell to his knees gasping for air.

“You can’t touch him…” Haku pinned Carrie to the wall with the best of his abilities. Carrie gave a smirk and then over powered the sportsman, freeing his hands and with a gesture he tossed Haku several feet down the street, skidding along.

“Carrie, you’re just playing with your food again.” The illusionist sighed as he walked down the ruble to where Johan was desperately trying to break free. He tiled his head as he looked down at the young man, smirking. With a swift motion he kicked Johan’s head so hard that it split the skin on the left side and caused hideous bruising. He slammed one foot down on Johan’s arm and turned around him to sit on his back and stomp down his other arm with his other foot.

Casually the man pulled out two long carpenter nails and held one in each hand. Johan’s eyes went wide as he realized his hands were pinned! He turned his head to see his enemy holding the nails. Shit! My stigmata points!!

Suddenly the sound of paper moving rumbled down the alley and a strangely soft glowing transparent lion lunged onto the illusionist. There was a sickening sound of crunching and screaming.

Carrie turned around to see the ethereal lion eating his partner. He’ll live… so long as-!? Just as the thought went through his mind small thin paper darts went through the hands and feet of the illusionist. “What the hell?!” He blanched and turned his attention towards where the paper darts had come from.

Walking up the street, stepping past a half conscious Haku, was a tall figure wrapped in a white man’s kimono, patterned with sakura blossoms. He was pale with long white hair falling down along his body and narrowed emotionless purple eyes looked out through a white plain featureless mask. His hands were folded into the sleeves of the outfit and when he took them out they had slips of paper between his fingers.

“We have laws here, Celestine Choir, and further more you are an enemy of our new ally, Atsumaru Maan Emeric. I have orders to destroy you.” The strange new man watched Carrie for his reaction.

“…Fucking Shin Ryu…” Carrie spat and then took a few steps back. “So he ran with his tail between his legs to the broken family. Figures.” He threw his hands out to destroy the buildings around the paper-using oddball. The strange robed man grabbed Haku and jumped out of the way of the collapsing walls.

Suddenly a sword came through Carrie’s side! He gave a cry of shock and pain. Behind him was a young man with short wheat blonde hair falling straight around his face, his bangs parted to the side to cover one eye and a flowing long ponytail behind him. He was in a school uniform and held a rapier in his hand. “He wasn’t sent alone.” The young man told him as he tore the sword out of Carrie.

Deciding it wasn’t a place to be, Carrie flew himself up into the sky. He glared down at them for a moment and then moved over the building’s rooftops to escape into the night. “Jamie, go after him.” The older man in the kimono ordered. “I’m taking these allies back for treatment.”

The blonde, Jamie, gave a dutiful nod and then jumped up along the half collapsed building to get to the roof and gave chase.