Without missing a beat, a younger child from the left end of the table chimed in.
“You could fight the bad guys!”
Mrs. Rydell quieted the boy, explaining to him that they would never ask a traveler to put himself in danger on their behalf. The term ‘Bad Guys’ intrigued Saito. The idea that these children saw someone specific as a bad guy made him believe for a moment that perhaps he was the good guy. Growing up he had always been taught that there were not good and bad people, but rather good and bad choices. He was raised to make good choices, choices that would benefit himself and his family. If these people were making a bad choice, Saito could certainly help correct the behavior.
“Bad guys?”
He asked, interrupting the older sister who had begun a soap box about not troubling others. The other children were quick to join in and explain the situation.
“Every week these men come and make us give them stuff. They take all our food and toys and uh…stuff”
The idea caused the hairs on the back of his neck to stand up. They took from innocent children? What monsters would do such a thing? Clearly these children didn’t have much, and more importantly they couldn’t defend themselves. In Saito’s mind this choice was a little worse than bad, it was border lining on evil. Crossing his arms and taking a deep breath, he took a good look at their sister, who was now looking slightly embarrassed by the whole conversation.
“Mrs. R…”
“Jen, its Jen and you can stop right there. This is our problem and I wouldn’t feel right letting you get involved.”
And that was that. Any attempt Kit made to further discussion on the topic would be shut down. Dinner ended and the children nodded off, finding themselves too tired from the day’s excitement to stay awake. Jen made her rounds, putting thin sheets over the younger children, and even holding a few as they fell asleep. She really reminded Kit of his oldest younger sister. She had been so loving to his other siblings, something Kit had trouble doing. He had always been so hard on the children of his family, probably because of his own alienation. As the hours went on Kit found himself unable to sleep, the idea that in a few days these children would be stolen from again was attacking his mind. It was time for him to make a choice of his own.
“Still up?”
Kit had found a seat a top the roof of what seemed to be the most stable building in the village. It had at one point been a marvelous church, and was now the location he had chosen for rest. Sprawled out on the shingle rooftop he had been enjoying the starry night when the familiar voice came from behind him. She had snuck up so quickly that Kit hadn’t even heard her approach. A rarity considering his perception. A welcomed surprise however, the silence of the night was bringing on darker thoughts of the days to come. Saito had set up a blanket over the shingles, and scooted to the left in order to make room for a second person.
“Yes Ma’am I am”
He responded politely. Jen let out a cute chuckle, laying down next to him. In her own hand revealed a bottle of wine. Kit wasn’t a drinker himself, only on special occasions had he ever touched the stuff, and never as a crutch. But as Jen explained she had been waiting for another friendly adult to share a drink with for several months. How could he say no? She took a drink of the wine, directly out of the bottle. She almost seemed to chug it, which appeared rather out of character for her tiny physique. She passed it to Kit and spoke as he drank slowly from the glass bottle.
“I thought you were heading out tonight. I hope you aren’t hanging around for us.”
“What makes you so humble?”
Kit replied, passing the beverage back to Jen who took a quick swig before replying stoically.
“We’ve trusted strangers before. You could say it’s how we are in this mess.”
The idea was sickening, that these kind and gentle people had been abused by those they had helped. The look on his face had obviously caught Jen’s attention, and as she passed the bottle back her hand lingered on his for a moment. At that moment the moonlight seemed to shine down on them, illuminating her face revealing the deep hazel eyes once again.
“There is something different about you. I…feel safe…”
From that moment the conversation took a lighter turn. The two stayed up for hours talking about Kit’s family and the antics they had gotten into. Jen must have mentioned every child by name and a story associated with them. The bottle seemed to be never ending as they passed it back and forth, the alcohol taking the intended effect. By the end of their conversation both were hardly able to stand let alone continue a serious conversation.
“I…am without words….So pleased I happened on this village.”
With a light laugh, and one from Jen in return she spoke again.
“Why am I the one with all the shitty luck?”
Kit was confused. Perhaps he was too inebriated to understand what she was saying, but it sounded like she wasn’t enjoying herself. Moving a little closer and wrapping his left arm around her shoulder he could feel her shudder at his touch. Yet as he retracted she began to move into him, her face pressed against his bicep. He could hear her whimper slightly as she finally let down her wall.
“I try so hard to protect them. But I…I just can’t…And now I’ve met another traveler who is just going to leave…”
It was true. Kit was fully intending to uproot tomorrow and go about his journey. What could he do? Promise to stay and help this woman he had only met a few hours ago. Yet he was compelled to. As her body began to warm his Kit felt something he had never felt for another woman. His heart beat harder in his chest and prompted his hand to grip her shoulder.
“I will stay as long as I am needed”
It was a sobering moment, but Kit meant it. He had to confront these men. Jen was such a strong woman, her children were starving before her and all she could do was persevere. She stood taller than any woman he had ever met and would likely ever meet again. She turned to look at him, her face contorted in a confusing mixture of true sadness, and touched appreciation. Her lip quivered as she prepared to ask him, really? He would really stay for her? But before the words could be released, Kit met her lips with his. She leaned in to embrace the kiss as their chests met. Kit worried for a moment she would judge him for his heart racing and beating against his chest, yet hers was doing the same. Her arm wrapped around his to further the embrace.
The heat of the moment had caused them both to forget, if only for a moment, about the tragic situation around them. Perhaps it was the alcohol, or maybe the tension, but something made this moment perfect. Reaching downward, Jen pulled slowly on the belt that had wrapped his shirt tightly around his body. As she pulled the cotton fell to the ground, floating gently from the rooftop down towards the ground. Her hand touching his bare skin brought an electricity to him. He kissed her again, and then again. The two were caught in a passionate embrace. Soon she too was without a shirt. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen was in his arms.
That night beneath the moon and the stars Saito and Jen made love. Spontaneous, and likely driven by their choice of drink, it just felt right.
The sun rose too quickly. The alcohol had brought on the worst headache Kit had ever felt, and the sound of children calling out for Jen woke them just as the sun had peeked over the horizon. Jen was already scrambling, her arm tightly clamping her chest in an attempt to retain some form of modesty. She was saying something along the lines of where is my shirt, or what the hell did we do last night. But Kit was in no position to answer her. His own shirt was caught in a briar patch up the street. Luckily both had the sense to keep their pants on and after a few quick panicked moments Jen was able to find her shirt.
“Why the rush”
He said lifting himself onto one arm, the other furiously rubbing his burning eyes.
“Nothing but you have to go…You shouldn’t have stayed.”
It became clear what was happening as the children began yelling. They’re here, they’re here. They…they….Kit suddenly gained clarity of last night. He remembered the night of passion yes, but also the bad guys. His adrenaline forced him to sit up. If they were here then he had no reason not to stand against them. He was in the area, and Jen needed the help.
“Let me handle th…”
“No!”
She snarled, her head whipping to match his. She was no longer so smitten with him, and now appeared angry at the idea that he would stay to help. Confusion met her gaze as an almost hurt Kit tried to reply. Almost stuttering he heard her stinging reply instantly.
“I can handle this. You need to leave, NOW!”
Saito wanted to argue, but suddenly the idea of choices entered his head again. This really was her problem. Not that Saito hadn’t wanted to help, but if she was adamantly against it who was he to impose. He had after all only intended to get a drink of water and move on. If it was time for him to leave he wouldn’t over stay his welcome.
“Thank you…for the hospitality”
He said solemnly, folding the small crumpled blanket into his backpack and slinging it over his bare shoulder. Jen wouldn’t even say goodbye. By the time Kit had finished preparing his bag she was already gone and up the street. From a distance Kit could see the children watching as Jen approached a group of at least four men. Kit’s heart raced as he watched in agonizing temptation. He wanted so badly to serve those men with the justice they so greatly deserved. He had promised not to get involved and he would do just that.
Jumping down from the building, Kit slowly made his way to the briar patch where his shirt was entangled.
“Jen, it’s been too long”
She looked at the man on the far left. His long brown hair and revolting beard brought a shiver to her very soul. She stood in absolute silence, the three men rummaging through what little belongings had been gathered at the center of town.
“Oh Jen, I don’t think that’s enough this week”
His condescending voice was dehumanizing. It rang through her mind like nails to a chalk board. The screech of his voice and the stench of his crew was revolting, but what seemed even worse was what she knew came next.
“I think you owe us a little more.”
She took a deep breath. Her mind set to the task at hand. Waving at the children, they began to retreat into their homes. Soon they were the only five in the street, the men with a crooked smile plastered on their face, and Jen alone…
“She owes you nothing”
His voice echoed down the streets as Kit stood, his shirt and backpack still at the briar patch. He couldn’t leave her behind to deal with these thugs. He wouldn’t. His muscles ached for a good match, and these three pathetic losers would have to do. His chest rose anxiously as the anger in his body followed. Looking at them they were even more disgusting than he had fear.
“Kit…No..”
She remarked, quiet enough so the children wouldn’t hear, but loud enough so her attackers could.
“Yeah kit noooo”
Mocked the man on the right, stepping towards him, his hips swaying side to side as though he were a woman. He was clearly acting as though he were Jen, at least from his convoluted view. His body swayed jovially back and forth as he spoke. Kit would only stare at him, watching him draw closer and closer.
“Oh kit nooo, nooo please. What is he your lover too Jenny, yeah you sure know how to pick em. Oh I’m so scared. Mr. Blond hair blue eyes is really going to give me a run for my”
CRACK
With all of his stored might, Saito slammed his right fist into the mans cheek. The crack had resonated throughout the village and caused many of the children to look out to see what exactly was going on. The man stumbled backwards. His face covered by two trembling arms. The other three men had all quickly drawn weapons. Slowly the injured thief lowered his arms to reveal a steady fountain of blood pouring out of his bottom lip. His chin was at a ninety degree angle from where it had been, and his jaw was clearly broken. Looking down at his now blood soaked shirt, it only took a moment for the jokester to pass out, falling backwards and hitting the dirt with a hard thud.
Pulling his fist back and cracking his knuckles, followed by his neck with both hands, Saito spoke.
“Take your friend and never return here. That is your last warning”
Well it hadn’t really been a warning. Saito had never physically harmed someone as badly as he just had. Even in his most violent spars with his siblings no real injuries had been sustained. It really showed just how strong he had become. His right arm twitched for another good punch and he almost hoped they would turn him down. His half wish would be granted as the two on the left would step forward, each holding a rather large Scimitar. The one on the end, whom had been speaking with jen prior to the altercation, was now wielding a particularly nasty looking pistol.
The two sword wielders were first, each running forward and slashing from a different direction. Kit knew how to disarm an opponent, but he had to choose a single target first. Planting one foot cleanly on the ground he would pivot to the left, towards one of the thugs, as the sword came done he spun on his first leg, using his other to strike upward. Before his sword could make contact with any part of Kit’s body, the warrior’s leg would make contact with the thug’s throat. Flying several feet backwards onto the porch of a nearby building the other swordsmen made his way to the back side of Kit, lunging his sword directly towards the bare backed fighter. Twirling to the left and throwing out a hard left jab the man was staggered. The punch landed squarely on the shoulder causing the man to let go of the sword with one hand. Being a particularly heavy blade this meant a clear few seconds for Kit to attack without fear of being struck by it.
This is where Kit’s physical talents really showed. His back leg leaned back and quickly pushed forward propelling Saito towards the thug. His free leg would bend at the knee. Both arms lunged out, grabbing the man by his shoulder and effectively pulling him down, while his knee continued to rise. The hard knee came in firm contact with the thugs’ skull and that was that. Spinning backwards the man had no choice but to collapse a few feet away.
Success.
Taking a few deep breaths Saito almost forgot there was a third person. He had become too overwhelmed with combat and the fact that his training had paid off so well. Turning to face the final opponent he would find he was too late. The gun fired, with none of his friends in the way to accidently shoot, the only person in sight was Kit who took the bullet outright. The weapon knocked Saito off of his feet. A few gasps were heard from the house as in seemingly slow motion Kit fell backwards onto the hard earth below. Blood shot from the wound into the sky, spreading several feet in front of him. His face contorted to a strange mixture of pain and regret. His father had always warned him that with guns it was important to protect one’s self. He had failed to do so.
The loudest reaction, other than the blaringly obvious gunshot, was the sound of Jen screaming.
“Not Again!”
Suddenly it became clear, Saito was not the first to try and help. The world around him began to grow fuzzy as he commanded his hand to rise, and yet it did not. It was as if the commands he was sending simply weren’t reaching their destination. Again he tried, and yet he couldn’t feel his own body. He had the energy to turn his head, enough to see the swordsmen from the porch approach Jen. His body too broken to help, he watched as the small girl jumped into the air and planted a firm kick into the man’s face. Jen had been holding out on him. Her abilities in combat were far greater than she had let on. Though she had warned him against harming the children, now he saw why. She stopped suddenly as the other swordsmen got up, his eye bleeding pretty badly from the knee incident. Rather than easily wiping the floor with him she stopped, staring just above Kit.
Why did she stop, he wanted to scream, fight them, fight them all. But he couldn’t form the words with his lips, the breath was coming out in unintelligible garbles. Then the shadow casting overhead made everything clear, and a click behind his ear explained the sudden change in attitude.
“Ron, please, don’t do it. I’ll do whatever you like just don’t hurt him.”
The man from behind kit let out a laugh, and although his words sounded as though they were being said from above water (Kit was beginning to drown out the sound entirely) he could still make out the words.
“Oh what, you sleep with this one to? For Christ sakes Jenny try not to sleep with every man who comes along. They’re going to start calling you a whore.”
The word was bitter to his ears, but it was still impossible to respond. The shadow seemed to get darker implying that the man had leaned closer to kit, who wanted more than anything to reach back and strangle the bastard. His arms were too weak, his body completely shut down after taking the bullet to the chest. The voice from behind him came in clearer than ever as the menace Ron spoke.
“You didn’t think she was a virgin did you? How do you think she paid off the children’s debts?”
It was involuntary, his muscles activated with no actual effort on the nervous system. The sudden realization that these men had been violating…no that was too kind…had been raping Jen in some form of cruel extortion was…
Evil.
These were not people making bad choices, these were bad people. His elbow flew backwards striking Ron in the nose. Stumbling back, and subsequently dropping his handgun, Ron let out a slew of obscenities. By the times his eyes stopped watering, and his nose grew numb enough to see straight, Kit was standing, his lumbering body shaking from the numbed pain. His hair flew in the breeze his own energy was creating. His right hand rose up, his fingers twitching, his eyes nearly white with rage. Saito had never even considered that such evil even existed. His bare chest was wet with scarlet blood, his pants too had been coated in the metallic sheen. Yet unfazed he reached in with two fingers, and retrieved the bullet from within his ribs.
“R…ryou…you…monsters….gr…ra….”
The grunts formed as his bloody fingers retrieved the small metal bullet from the cavity of his chest, and dropped it to the ground with a small clang. Ron was stunned, and his face showed it. Given the amount of blood still trickling from his nose it was surprising that he too hadn’t passed out, but Ron was different, he was clearly the leader.
Kit wouldn’t wait for a reply. His body took a hulking step forward, steam rising from his hot skin. Leaning forward as his muscles began to recognize orders from a new source, his Ki as opposed to his brain, he suddenly found himself even faster than before. Still hunched forward his body seamlessly ran forward. Ron was quick, he would not be so quick to fall. Saito began throwing strike after strike, only to have it dodged by the nervous Ron whom had misplaced his weapon of choice. Patting himself down while physically rolling out of the destructive path of Saito he eventually found it futile. A punch was too fast to dodge, and so with both hands Ron attempted to grapple it. The shockwave created by the punch itself was enough to cause his heels to dig into the dirt behind them and be thrust back, leaving a trail in the cracked earth. Kit was unaware of Ron’s current strategy, and soon it was too late. A final punch dodged, and Ron was gone, he had maneuvered himself around a stray child who, in an attempt to help, had run out to get the fallen pistol. A poor choice indeed as she was quickly caught in a tight hold, the pistol now held tightly against her temple.
“Another step and I blow her Fucking head off, YOU GET THAT.”
He was desperate, Jen had taken out the two other men, using the confusion to tie them against a nearby post. The third was still unconscious from the devastating punch to the jaw, and all that was left was a nearly glowing Saito, and a hostage situation. Yet it didn’t face him, another foot step forward would prove that.
“I’ll do it, stay the fuck away from me! I’ll kill her”
“No…No you won’t”
The words came from a deep growl. It suddenly occurred to Ron exactly what Saito meant. He wouldn’t harm the girl because as soon as she was dead Saito would murder him anyway. The hostage situation lost all merit because the situation was lose lose for him anyway. The only thing left to do was kill Saito. In a desperate attempt to save his own ass the man rose his pistol up to meet Saito and fired, not once, not twice, but with the entire clip. Each bullet flew at the shimmering fighter only to bounce off of his tough abdomen. His power level had officially exceeded that of a normal human, and in this transformed state he was too much for the mortal weapon to handle. Walking forward as the bullets fell like pebbles to the wayside Ron released the child stumbling back. Pulling the trigger until only clicks were left, and Saito’s own face met with the barrel of the gun.
For the first time in his life Kit had access to a power he had never felt before. The ki that surged through his body congealed in his right fist as he spoke his final thoughts.
“You will never choose wrong again”
With that his right arm jabbed upwards sending a forceful strike into Ron’s lower chest and causing him to fly vertically over twenty feet in the air, before coming back down with a hard crash. The sudden look of shock on his face let Kit know it was truly over. Stepping on, and smashing the gun beneath his feet released the last amount of this hidden power, and with that his body fell out of the entranced state. His shimmering ceased, and again his mind felt…
Feint.
Kit awoke several hours later. Sitting up suddenly, as he remembered what he was doing, he realized the fight was truly over. A pain in his chest sent electricity seizing his body and causing him to lay back down. He had been bandaged all the way around his upper chest, and after looking at his surroundings he found that he was not alone. All four of the other men were alive, and laying on make shift beds around him. It was as though they were in a poorly developed hospital. A crutch had been left at his bedside, a preemptive measure to ensure he could securely walk.
Hobbling out of the room, his chest in too much pain to freely walk about, Saito found Jen in the next room discussing something with the local police. Until now they couldn’t have cared less about the small destroyed town, but because there top criminals had been taken out there was a certain interest in the place. After being kissed gently on the cheek by Jen he joined the conversation.
Although he was far too tired to understand most of it, he understood that these four men put together were worth…well a considerable amount of money. Together they totaled over ten thousand Zeni. The reward money was the last thing on Kit’s mind and as the officers left, their criminals in hand, he felt compelled to speak.
“Jen…It’s over. You can use this money to rebuild your home…relocate to someplace nicer…take care of the children”
She insisted it was his but it was no good. He wouldn’t budge, he had no need for such grandeur.
“Besides, I will be with you every step of the way”
He assured, his hand resting on her leg. They were still seated at the table, Kit was in too much pain to move anyway. Jen however was not. She stood and walked to the other end of the table, her head fixated on the money before them.
“No Kit…You…you have to leave”
He was hurt, and confused, but only for a moment as she continued.
“Your families pride means more to you than anything. You have done us a service that no amount of zeni could ever repay…I can’t possibly let you stay here when I know that you…you are meant to do much grander things”
His heart hurt…of course it was possible that was thanks to the lead that had been in his chest only hours ago, but he knew it was more than that. The way she spoke…He knew she was right. He loved her, and even the kids that lived here. But this was just a pit stop on something much grander than even he knew.
The goodbye was the hardest part. Each child had a tearful goodbye, except a few of the boys who were just awe struck at how tough he was. Jen wouldn’t say a word without first giving him a kiss. The children of course made their sounds of disgust, but Kit was too wrapped up in the moment. He wondered if he would ever see this woman again…No…he would.
Several miles out of town he again found himself in need of water. His body had recovered after only a few days of resting in the village, and with that healing came a need for hydration. Reaching into his backpack and sifting through his belongings he would find his canteen…and something more.
The quantity of Zeni was more than he could count. Although she had kept a good sum of it, she had forced his hand and snuck a wad in his backpack while he wasn’t looking. He let out a sigh of both annoyance and joy. She really loved him. He wasn’t just some fling. Perhaps it was the money, but more likely it was the note that came attached.
As Kit walked into the sunset, his backpack leaning casually over one shoulder, he found comfort in her words that rang clearly in his head as though she had physically spoke them to him.
Kit,
We all decided it wouldn’t be right if you didn’t receive at least a bit of the reward money. What you have done for us is more than I will ever be able to repay. Men like you are too few in this harsh world, and I pray that you find what solace you are looking for. The mountain range you mentioned sounds nice. If you ever come back home be sure to look for us around the base of the mountain, ours will be the largest house.
I will have a nice bottle of wine awaiting your heroic return.
With much love,
Jen
And bobby, and sarah, and lucus, and lily, and frank, and rori, and…
Well the list of kids had always been too long for him to remember anyway.