Chapter Text
Osaka, Japan: Monday 1:27am, An alleyway
Three men sat huddled around a fire.
“Have you heard the rumors?” One of the men asked.
“The ones about an assassin being in town?” Another questioned.
“Yeah, I heard they’re responsible for what happened in Shinsekai last week.” The first replied.
“The massacre at the charity banquet?” The third chimed in. “There’s no way one person could have pulled that off.”
“You don’t think we’re in danger do you?” The second man asked with a waiver in his voice.
“No way, our organization is mere drug smugglers. There’s no way a professional assassin would bother with us.” The first said confidently.
The men fell into a tense silence. Thunder rolled in the distance, the promise of a storm lingering in the air.
“We should probably head out, the shipment is supposed to arrive at 1:45.” The third man said standing.
“Yeah, we don’t wanna be late or the boss will be on our ass…es.” The second man faltered at the end of the sentence. “Did you guys hear that?”
“Hear what? Come on man you’re being paranoid.” The first man said putting out the fire.”
“Yeah you’re probably rig-” The man’s sentence was cut off by a dagger thrusting itself into his chest. His body collapsed to the ground with a thud.
The other two men froze in shock and horror. Before either of them could react a second dagger came flying and struck it’s target in the third man’s chest. He choked and fell to the ground just like the other.
The remaining man’s eyes went wide with panic and he started to run. Tripping over his own feet he fell face first to the ground. He scrambled to pick himself up when the heavy tread of a boot came down on his back forcing him to the ground. The man cried out in pain twisting to try and get a look at his attacker.
“Please, let me go!” He pleaded desperately. “I promise I’ll go clean! I won’t tell anybody!”
A blade plunged into his back and he cried out. Blood came gurgling up his throat and he choked. Finally turning his head just enough to get a look at the person above him. The figure was fully clothed in black with a hood and mask obscuring their face. That was the last thing he saw before falling into the darkness.
The first drops of rain began to fall as Reiko pulled his blade from the lifeless form below him. He pulled down his hood and removed his mask, tilting his head upward he felt a few drops fall on his face. He let out a sigh before heading back towards the first two bodies. He knelt down at their lifeless bodies and retrieved his daggers. Sitting cross-legged on the ground he pulled a cloth from one of the pouches on his belt. With the help of the cloth and rainwater, cleaning the blood from the blades was fairly easy.
Stretching out his legs Reiko stood surveying his work. Why his employer cared about some insignificant drug smugglers was beyond him. But hey, who was he to care? As long as he got payed it didn’t really matter. These small jobs were starting to get boring though. At least the Shinsekai job had been somewhat thrilling…
It didn’t matter though, once this job is finished he can go back to focusing on his mission. Killing Silas might not fill that hole inside him, or change what happened, but goddamn it would feel good. Plus if he’s going overseas he might pop in and see her. A bittersweet feeling crept up his throat.
“I wonder how Miko’s doing…”
Jasper, Nevada: Sunday 9:45am, Autobot Base
“Come on Bulkhead!” Miko pleaded as her guardian returned to his bipedal form.
“No Miko, I’m not bailing you out of your detention tomorrow.” Bulkhead said watching the girl cross her arms with a pouting expression.
“Miko’s trying to get out of another detention?” Jack asked with a smirk leaning over the balcony of the designated “human area”.
“Shut your face Jack.” Miko snapped as she marched toward the stairs.
Jack chuckled at the girl’s frustration.
“You can’t keep having Bulkhead break you out of detention Miko.” Raf lectured looking up from his laptop. “You’re going to get in serious trouble with the school.”
“She’s already in serious trouble with the school Raf.” Jack says, going to sit next to the younger boy on the couch.
Miko scoffed at the boy’s interaction. “School’s dumb anyway.” She grumbled joining the boys on the couch.
“You’re an exchange student Miko, Isn’t school the reason you’re here?” Raf questioned, returning his focus to his laptop.
Miko froze for a split second before rolling her eyes. “Doesn’t make it any less dumb.”
Neither of the boys noticed her hesitation, instead Jack picked up a controller from the table.
“Feel like letting off some steam?” He offered waving the controller.
“Only if you feel like getting crushed!” Miko exclaimed competitively.
“Yeah, in your dreams Miko.” Jack smirks starting the game.
Jasper, Nevada: Sunday 10:00pm, Host Parents House
“See you in the morning Bulk.” Miko says hopping out of her guardian’s alt mode.
“Goodnight Miko.”
“G’night.”
Miko walked up the driveway to the front door.
“I’m back!” She called out stepping into the entryway.
“Hi Miko.” Grace greets her from the kitchen. “Did you eat yet? There’s some leftovers in the fridge.”
“I’m good.” Miko called back as she started up the stairs.
Once in the safety of her room Miko dramatically flopped down on her bed. Her phone vibrated in her pocket. With a sigh she pulled out the device to see a text from Bulkhead reminding her to not stay up too late. She rolled her eyes before shooting him a quick text telling him to stop being such a mother hen.
Tossing her phone to the side Miko spared a glance at her bedside table. Particularly at the framed picture that sat on it. A younger Miko looked back at her. The nine year old was laughing with glee as her big brother held her up on his shoulders. The teenager had a soft smile on his face as he gazed fondly at the little girl with pigtails on his shoulders.
A sad smile formed on Miko’s face as she reminisced on that day. Reiko had taken her to the park after school and they spent the afternoon enjoying the sun and for that brief moment in time forgetting what awaited them at home.