Breaking Away (Ending)

I stood in the middle of a cage, getting ready to fight my sister to the death. I looked around in the crowd to try and see Tenma. I couldn’t find him. I wanted to run away, to not fight my sister who I thought was dead all these years. Most of all, I was scared, yeah an assassin being scared, pathetic, but I can’t help it, she’s my sister, and I have to kill her to survive.

She got into her fighting stance and eyed me carefully, watching my every move. I copied slowly, we circled around each other, waiting for the other to make the first move. She finally got agitated and threw the first punch. I swiftly dodged and flung my fist into her abdomen. She grunted and stumbled back, clutching her stomach in pain. I didn’t stop there. I punched her in the nose, hearing a slight crack, I continued with an uppercut to the jaw. I didn’t realize at the time, but I was crying-crying for my sister, for my parents, for Tenma, for all the kids ripped out of their homes and thrown into this life, I was crying for the freedom that was stolen from me.

When I threw a final punch to her chest, she fell with thump on the ground. I could see her breathing slightly. Her breathing kept getting slower and slower. I walked up to her and kneeled down next to her.

“Hanna, I’m sorry,” I said to her as she looked at me, her beautiful blue eyes that used to shine, now dulling.

“Yuki, I… want you to escape and…” she coughed and then continued “get out of this life.”

“I promise I will Hanna. I promise.” Those were the final words I said to my sister before every last bit of light left her eyes. I got up and wiped my eyes of the burning tears brimming in them. I sighed and walked over to the entrance of the cage, Not looking back I went to the door that Tenma said he would be at after the fight.

Tenma was waiting for me patiently at the door.

“Hey, how are you?” he asked me when I met him by the door.

“Well, as you can see, I’m alive, but my opponent… not as lucky, I guess,” I replied.

“Yeah, I saw the fight…”

“How, I didn’t see you in there.”

“Yuki, you know I trust you, but I never give my hiding spots away.”

“Yeah, Yeah, I know.” I sighed. “So, what are we going to do now, escape right now, or go get supplies and leave while Raikou is sleeping?” I inquired.

“We leave while Raikou is in bed and sound asleep, right now we need to report to him,” He replied.

“Right, let’s hurry and report and gather the things we’ll need,” I stated as we started walking back to the safe house. The start of the walk was silent until we heard a scream for help.

“Tenma, do you think I’d get in more trouble if I went to help the person who screamed?” I asked in a monotone voice.

“Yeah, I don’t think Raikou will go easy on us for being late,” he replied and continued to walk. Thats just the way it is here, the weak die and the strong survive, thats all there is to it. I thought as I caught up to Tenma.

“Tenma, can I ask you a question?”

“You just did,” He replied chuckling.

“No, seriously I want to ask you something,” I said.

“Ok, shoot.”

“What’s your real name?”

“Why do you want to know that?” He inquired.

“Well you know my name, so it’s only fair,” I replied.

“Okay, well it’s been awhile since I’ve been called it.”

“Tenma, what’s your real name?” I ushered him.

“My real name is… “ Suddenly he stopped talking and continued to walk past a building that I recognized as the main headquarters of the assassin group that kidnapped Tenma and I.

“You can tell me later, but when you say your real name, you have to tell me how you found out my real name,” I said and the conversation ended.

It took about five more minutes to get back to the safe house. Tenma went to Raikou’s office to report my success. I went to my room to shower and to get the blood off of me. When I finished cleaning up. I put on my regular clothing which consisted of black skinny jeans, a grey crop top with the moon phases on it, and a pair of black converse shoes. I only am able to afford these kind of clothes because I take extra jobs, not to mention the high paying contracts I get.

I walked out and sat on the couch in the living room. Tenma walked out a little after and sat next to me.

“I have a contract tonight, this contract… could possibly end my life,” he stated keeping his calm facade, but I could see that he was scared.

“Who’s the target,” I asked trying to keep the panic out of my voice.

“A businessman man named Yoshio Ootori, he owns his own military force and has great security… I might die,” he replied, failing to keep the fear out of his voice.

“I could help you if you want,” I stated.

“No, I won’t have you risk your life for me,” he replied too quickly for my liking.

“If I don’t go, you could die and then we can’t escape like we planned,” I whispered quietly. “Please, let me come with you.”

“If you do come with, you have to stay in the shadows and run if anything happens.”

“If your life is in danger I’ll fight for you!” I exclaimed.

“No, you’ll run and I’ll meet you back here, at the safehouse.”

“Fine, when do we leave?” I asked.

“In a few hours, go get ready, and change your outfit,” he said as he got up and went to go get ready. I huffed and walked back to my room while muttering incoherently to myself. I redressed in my black leather that I usually use in my contracts.

I finished getting my clothes on, so I went to the place I stored my weapons and strapped daggers on myself, and put guns on my hips in their holsters. I still had time to hang around the place, so I climbed up onto the roof. It was slightly chilly, but I could handle it. I sat on the roof until I heard Tenma calling my name.

“Yuki, are you ready to go?” he asked when he saw me jump down.

“Yeah, lets hurry up with this job.” He nodded and started sprinting to our destination. I followed swiftly. When we reached our destination, I saw a huge mansion.

“Check around the perimeter; I’ll go on ahead,” Tenma finally told me.

“Right, be careful,” I said as I left quietly. As I was checking around the perimeter, I could see Tenma sneaking his way in. I knew he would get caught like this. I quietly sighed to myself and used our signal that meant I can see you get better cover. That particular signal was an owl call. He heard it and soon disappeared from my sight. I finished checking the perimeter and was heading back to the meeting place, when I heard a gunshot. My eyes widened at the sight before me. Tenma has been caught.

I wanted to run over there to save him, but I knew that was reckless when I can’t see the person who shot him. I might be able to get to him if I’m quite enough. I thought to myself. I decided to sneak around and find out if I can see the attacker. I kept my eyes open for the attacker, but found no one. I took a chance and decided it was safe enough for me to get Tenma and then slip back into the shadows.

I snuck out into the open and over to Tenma.

“Y-yuki… y-you n-need t-to g-go,” he stuttered out when I got close enough to hear him. I ignored him and dragged him into the shadows. I let out a sigh of relief when we were safe. I looked at him and saw the bullet wound in his stomach. I ripped a piece of his shirt off and put it on the wound. I pressed down to try and stop the bleeding. I felt his hand wipe away the stream of tears on my cheek.

“Tenma, please, I can’t lose you too,” I said letting out a quiet sob.

“Takashi.”

“W-what,”

“My name, it’s Takashi,” he said weakly. I let out another sob, then another and another; pretty soon I was full out crying.

“Takashi, that’s a nice name, it fits you,” I said between sobs. he only smiled, it was a small smile, but i could still see it.

“Yuki, you have to leave me here, you have to escape this life.”

“Takashi, d-don’t say stuff like that, I can’t leave you, you’re all I have left.”

“You have to, I’m not giving you an option, the guards, their tracking me right now, and if you don’t leave they’ll get you too!” he said, pleading me to leave.

“Takashi…”

“Go, now,” he said slightly pushing me away and giving me his big toothy smile.

“Over here, the blood leads this way!” I heard someone yell.

“Yuki, leave, now!” he pleaded pushing me more.

“Takashi, I’m sorry this happened… I- I love you,” his eyes widened and then he smiled.

“Then live, live for me, I love you too,” he said as I started to disappear in the shadows. I looked back one last time to see a man putting a gun to his head. He was looking at me and smiling. Then my world crumbled down when the man pulled the trigger. Takashi died that night, and I was alone in the world. I had made the same promise to two people that I cared for dearly. To escape the life that I was living, to escape from being an assassin, to live my life for the one I love, and that’s exactly what I did.

Breaking Away

I walked out of the dark alleyway that was stained with my victim’s blood. I had just killed another person; they were targeted by my client. I’m an Assassin. The people around town call me The Black Angel because I dress in all black; when I run it looks like I’m flying through the air.

My name is Yami. That means darkness. My past is dark, and I don’t think my future is that bright either. My parents… they were murdered in front of me. I was taken and tortured. The people who took me, trained me to be the perfect assassin. I was the most skilled because my father had taught me some stuff in self defence, but that’s the past now.

I continued to walk out of the alleyway that’s when I heard shouting. Shoot I left to late! I thought.

“Quick! Over here! He’s getting away!” One of the men yelled. One more thing: no one knows my identity, so that also means they don’t know my gender. I’m actually a girl. I scoffed.

“Hey, stop!” Another man yelled. I was really hoping that I wouldn’t have to kill more people than needed today I thought sighing. I quickly got into the shadows and hid.

“Hey, where'd he go?” I listened carefully and heard the sounds of three men walking my way.

“They weren’t kidding when they said that you would only see him for a second,” one of the men said laughing.

“That’s not good!” one man shouted.

“Why not?” another one asked.

“If you see him and he disappears, next thing you know, you're dead!” I chuckled darkly at the thought. They must have heard it because now they were shaking. I hid in the shadows as I approached them from behind. I swiftly killed one of the men while the other two were busy arguing about me and where I was. I took out my daggers and took out the two men at the same time.

I quickly ran out of the alley and jumped up on some crates. I easily climbed up on the roofs and started running on them quickly and quietly. Moments have passed and I jumped off the roofs and onto the empty cobblestone streets. I made my way to the safehouse that I was assigned to by my kidnappers.

“Hey Tenma, I’m back!” I called out to the person who was assigned here with me.

“Yami, how’d the job go?” Tenma asked.

“It got my hands dirty a little more than I wanted to,” I said sighing.

“What happened?”

“You know, the usual, killed the target, got chased by three men, killed the men without them seeing me,”

“You could’ve just ran away, you blend with the shadows. I don’t see why you didn’t let them be.”

“They called me a guy and that irritated me,” I retorted. Tenma looked at me and then burst out laughing.

“Well, they wouldn’t call you a guy if you didn’t cut your hair as short as you did,” he said laughing.

“Well sorry, I didn’t think that cutting my hair short so it didn’t get in my way during a contract was against the rules!” I was irritated. Tenma and I met when I was eight, and he was ten. We became best friends during the cruel torture we got put through. He would comfort me and tell me it will all be okay. We became full fledged assassins at the age of twelve. I’ve been an assassin for two years, which put me at the age of fourteen at the moment. Tenma is sixteen.

“Don’t worry, it’s not,” he said in a smart alecky way that made me want to punch him.

“Anyway, I should probably report my job to Raikou.” Tenma visibly flinched when I said his name. He knew I would be getting punishment for killing people who weren't meant to be killed.

“Be careful and don’t say anything that would get you killed,” he said worryingly.

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep my smart replies locked away in my mind,” I said as I walked out of the room and into the hallway. Okay, I’m going to be respectful and try not to get myself killed I thought as I knocked on Raikou’s door. I heard a “Come in” from the other side of the door. I took a deep breath and walked in.

“I’ve come to report my contract as a success,” I told him.

“Did you kill anyone extra?” he asked in a menacing tone.

“Y-yes three men, they saw me and I had no choice,” I stuttered a bit because he scares me.

“Oh really? You do know what is going to happen next, don’t you?”

“Yes Raikou, I-I understand,” I said shaking a little.

“Good, now I’m fairly busy right now so get Tenma to do it,” he said as I walked out. You see, if you kill more than the target you have to be put into a fighting ring with someone that has done the same. Other words a fight to the death.

“Tenma, Raikou’s too busy to arrange the fight so he told me to get you to do it,” I said sighing.

“Yami, I’ll try to get you an easy fight, okay.”

“No, do it right, I’ll be able to handle myself and besides it was my fault.” He sighed and walked over to the phone.

“Go get ready, I’ll schedule one for tonight.”

“Okay, don’t do anything to get yourself put into that death cage.” I left the living room and walked down the hallway to my room. I walked to the bathroom connecting to my room. I took a shower and ended up with only an hour to get ready for the fight. I quickly pulled on my black leather pants and a black shirt. I slipped on a black hoodie and walked out. I got to the door and put on my black combat boots.

“Tenma, let’s go.”

“Alright, I set you up with The White Demon, from what I was told, she’s good.”

“I can handle her, I’ve seen her work; she’s not that impressive.” It was silent the rest of the way. I was about to walk through the doors when Tenma stopped me.

“Yuki, when you're done, I want you to escape.” I was surprised. He knows my real name. Yuki, was the name given to me by my parents, but when I was captured and tortured they gave me a new name: Yami, meaning darkness.

“Tenma, you can’t call me Yuki, that’s not my name anymore.”

“Don’t, just… let me call you Yuki okay? This might be the last time I see you,” he said sadly.

“Don’t be stupid, I’ll beat her and I’ll see you when I’m done, and besides, even if I don’t win I’ll be out of this cruel world.”

“The world may be cruel, but it’s also very beautiful, just survive and meet me here so we can escape… together.”

“Tenma… okay, we’ll escape together!”

“Go, your fight’s about to start.” I left him to go to the death cage. When I walked in, I saw something I never wanted to see in this cage. I didn’t think that this particular person was still alive.

“Hanna…” I whispered.

“Yuki…” She showed me a deathly sweet smile. “Too bad this a death match… I would’ve loved to catch up with my older sister.”  

Toxic (Ending)

It had been nearly one month since I had been able to start researching for the cure. The only thing keeping me here is Tyler’s condition. I still think back to when I found out. I can’t help but wish it was me who had it.

“Hey, Jade?” I looked over to see my partner in researching.

“Yeah, whats up?” I asked.

“Well, I noticed you keep spacing out, and…” he trailed off.

“And… what?” I was confused.

“Well, you should go home for the day, I can finish up here.”

“No, I can stay; I need to stay,” he looked confused to why I wanted to continue researching. It’s because I never told anyone why I decided to research here. They don’t know about Tyler and how bad it has gotten over the past month.

“Well, at least go take a break, as your superior I can’t have you getting hurt because of your spacing out,” he said firmly like he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

“Fine, but I’m not going home, I can’t, I have to research as much as I can.” I said stubbornly.

“Ok, but just relax a little,” his expression softened and he gave me a smile.

I smiled back because it would be rude to not to. I walked back to the break room passing many beakers and scientific stuff. I opened the door and plopped on the squishy couch in the middle of the room. I sank down and tried to relax. I can’t stay relaxed for too long. I told myself that over and over, but I didn’t get up. I heard the door to the room open, but I guess I fell asleep because that was the last thing I heard.

I don’t know how long I was sleeping, but when I woke up I could feel something covering me up. I looked down to see a lab coat. I moved it off and looked at the name tag. It read Nathan Samuels. I could feel the heat start to rise in my cheeks. Nathan was the name of my partner. Why? I thought.

Just then the lounge door opened. I looked over to see him.

“Hey, Jade.” he greeted me with a smile.

“Hi,” I replied. “How long was I asleep?”

“I think about two or three hours.” he said thinking about it.

“Oh, I better get going! I’m late!” I said panicking.

I quickly got up causing me to get really dizzy. I Ignored it and went to the area where we put our stuff. Nathan followed close behind me looking confused. I took off my lab coat and shoved it in the locker that I put my stuff in.

“Jade, what’s wrong?” he asked.

“It’s nothing, I’m just really late for something really important,” I said, in an even bigger rush than I was before.

“What is so important, if you don’t slow down you’re going to get hurt.”

“I can’t slow down, I’ve never been late before.”

“What’s going on?” he sounded really concerned about me, but I can’t tell anyone about Tyler yet.

“It’s nothing you need to worry about,” I said shoving the last few things in my bag.

“I’m leaving ok, bye.” I walked out of the room and made my way to the front of the building. Once I got out of the building I started to run towards the hospital. I’m so sorry. I kept saying that over and over in my head. After about ten minutes of running I had to start walking. I was still rushing though. After about another 20 minutes of walking I made it to the hospital. I rushed in through the doors. The nurse automatically knew what I was here for. I came here everyday when I found out his condition.

“Right this way, please,” the nurse said. I followed the nurse hoping that Tyler wasn’t mad at me. I walked into his room. He has been in that same bed for a long time. He looked up and gave me his signature smile.

“Jade!” he exclaimed.

“Hey, Tyler, how are you feeling?” I asked.

“I feel fine, but the doctors don’t seem to think so,” he said sounding a little sad.

“Oh, I hope they can come to think that you are fine.”

“Yeah me too,” he said sighing.

“Oh, sorry for being late today, I got caught up in the lab,” I said sheepishly.

“Really? I didn’t notice you were late, it’s ok if you’re late sometimes,” he said smiling again. His smile could light up a room. I smiled at him. I looked over at the clock in his room. there was only five more minutes till visiting time was over.

“Hey, Tyler?”

“Yeah?”

“Well…” I trailed off afraid to say what I wanted to say.

“Jade?” he said, “Jade, are you ok?”

“Huh, oh, uh, yeah, I’m ok,” I replied as I heard the door to the room open.

“Visiting times are over, come on you can come back tomorrow,” a nurse said.

“Oh, ok, well I will see you tomorrow Tyler,” I smiled and waved as I left the room. I walked home. In the past month I was able to afford my own apartment. I’m saving most of my money to buy Tyler things he can’t get from where he is at. I pass stores that I want to take Tyler to when he gets better. I sighed as I walked down the street. What am I going to do If I don’t tell him. I can’t think about the possible outcome if I don’t hurry and finish my research. I stopped walking.

“Maybe, I should go to the lab and do more research, but that be against the rules. I could get fired for this,” I said aloud.

“What could you get fired for?” I jumped. I turned to face the speaker.

“Nathan?” I asked puzzled.

“Yeah, so what could get you fired. I don’t want another partner to do something reckless and end up losing their job,” he said with a warning tone in his voice.

“Well…, I just… I wanted to go back to the lab… and do more research,” I said looking at the ground.

“Why?”

“Well…, I can’t really tell you why I want to find a cure so bad, but it is something so important that I would do anything and everything to make it happen.”

“Yeah, but…” he trailed off. I wanted to ask what was wrong, but I decided against it.

“Listen, I won’t do if it you really think it’s a bad idea to do research right now, ok.”

“It’s not that, it’s just…” he trailed off. I looked at him and could see the slightest tint of pink on his cheeks. Was he blushing?

“Nathan?” I asked. “Hey, Nathan, what’s wrong?” I called out but he didn’t answer.

“Jade…” he mumbled. “I just… don’t want… you to get in trouble… thats all,” he seemed conflicted, he was obviously holding something back.

“I know that,” I said.

“Just, don’t do anything stupid,” he said in a warning tone.

“I won’t, I’m going home, ok.”

“Ok…, see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, ok.” I started walking again. I wanted to go to the lab, but at the same time I wanted to listen to someone for once in my life other than Tyler. I was feeling conflicted all the way home.

I reached the door to my apartment. I entered a small room. I walked over to the kitchen. My stomach began to tighten. Thats right I didn’t have time to eat anything today. I got in the fridge and took out some of the leftovers from yesterdays dinner. I sighed as I put them in the microwave. I paced around the room waiting for the microwave to ding. When it did I hurried to get the food.

“Same old routine everyday,” I sighed. I ate and went to take a shower. I hurried to get out and slip on my pajamas. I collapsed on my bed and let out a heavy sigh. Soon after I fell in a deep sleep unaware what was happening at the hospital.

I woke up like always, got ready and started to head to the lab. Once I arrived I came face to face with Nathan.

“Good morning Jade!” He said cheerfully.

“Oh, good morning.” I gave him a small smile. The day pretty much went by like any other. It was lunch break when I got a phone call. I was chatting with Nathan about further researching when my phone went off. I answered it and I could feel the tears in my eyes. One by one they came out. Nathan instantly got worried.

“Hey, Jade?” he questioned. “What’s wrong?” you couldn’t answer. I could feel my whole life crumbling. “Jade?” He didn’t know anything. I didn’t know how to start my explanation to him. I got up and walked out of the building. I started sprinting to my destination. I could feel my legs start to burn, but I wouldn’t slow down until I got there. I ran through the hospital doors. The nurse looked up and all you could see in her eyes was sympathy. With that look you knew it was true.

Tyler was gone. I knew that I should have told him, but I never did. I knew he didn’t have much time left, but I never told him. I instantly broke down in the middle of the hospital lobby. The nurses were trying to comfort me, but it didn’t work, not in the slightest. I wanted to see Tyler, to see his smile, to hear his laugh, but now he’s gone. I refused to believe it.

“Tyler, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, please come back!” I cried, saying it over and over wanting it all to be a dream. I heard the door to the hospital open. I didn’t care who it was, I just wanted Tyler back. The door closed and I felt arms come around me. I looked up at the person with my red puffy eyes, tears still coming out. It was Nathan.

“Jade, what are you doing here, what’s wrong?” He asked me softly. I continued to cry.

“My brother,” I cried even harder afraid to actually say it out loud, if I say it, I know that it will become apart of reality.

“It’s ok, what happened?” he asked rubbing my back gently. I stayed silent other than the sounds of my muffled crying. He let me cry on him. Somehow I ended up in his car.

“Do you want to talk about it?” He asked concerned as he drove down the road. I sighed and looked out the window

“Where are we going?” I questioned.

“I don’t know we’re just driving,” he answered.

“I was at the hospital for my brother… he had cancer,” I said sadly. He looked shocked for a split second but his gaze went soft again.

“Is that why you decided to research for a cure?”

“Yeah…, but then I wanted to find one for everyone out there.”

“Your brother, what is his name?”

“His name was Tyler…” I trailed off.

“Was?”

“Yeah, I was at the hospital because he just died,” I could feel the tears stinging my eyes. I didn’t want to talk about it, but It felt good for someone to comfort me. I was so deep in thought that I didn’t notice the car stop, until an arm wrapped around me.

“I’m sorry for your loss, but you should continue your research.”

“Why, I lost my brother, he was my only motivation.” I broke into tears again.

“I know It hurts Jade, but you can’t give up; think about all the lives you could save if you keep searching for the cure. You’re close to finding a cure, I just know it!” I couldn’t answer, I just gave him a nod before hugging him back.

The funeral came around and I was broken again, not being able to concentrate I often find myself almost dropping the chemicals at the lab, of course Nathan was there to help. I eventually fell head over heals for him. The pain of losing Tyler motivated me more. I was in so much pain, but Nathan made it somewhat bearable. I missed him.

Years went by and I ended up finding a cure… I often think about Tyler, but I know he’s in a better place. I wouldn’t call my feelings happy. Tylers gone and I will be too, very soon in fact. I’m dying… I don’t have regrets. I’m just sad to leave people behind…, but the good thing is that I will be able to see Tyler again. I miss him.

“Nathan?”

“Yeah Jade?”

“How long do you think I have left?”

“The doctor said you will be gone in a few hours…” He looked sad.

“Smile ok.” I gave him the sweetest smile I could. Nathan and I had gotten married, but I had a lab accident, thats how I got here.

“I can’t smile knowing that I will lose you.” He sighed and looked at the ground as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. I looked up at the white ceiling.

“I think the doctor was wrong…, I think I’ll be gone in less than an hour…” I could hear his breathing almost stop.

“I don’t want to believe that… I just want you to stay a little longer…” I only said that because I could my body starting to get really weak.

“I’m sorry…, but I’m tired now…”

“No, don’t go to sleep, please, stay with me, Jade.” I could hear the desperation in his voice.

“I love you…” That was the last thing I said before drifting off into darkness.