"So you're Ronin...can't say I'm too impressed..." Ronin was surrounded by five vampires, who seemed to materialize suddenly from the shadows.
"By the way, you're too late, we're all filled up...and ready to take you out. See we already had to deal with a vampire with a soul, and I sure as hell ain't gonna put up with some 'wannabe' carrying a stick..."
Ronin clutched the stick at his hip as he scanned his enemies. The one who talks too much was within striking distance. He was clearly the leader. Three were at Ronin's back and the last one stood just a few feet behind the top dog. Ronin knew he had mere seconds. These weren't typical lower class vampires. They had muscle. Whoever set this trap wasn't a featherweight. But contemplating the who, had to take a back seat to what was rapidly heading his way. A right cross.
"Rip his throat out!" is grunted out as a general order as Ronin dodges their leader's attack. His counter was swift. In a flash, Ronin's stick emerged a hidden samurai blade. One deft move saw their leaders skull barely touching the ground before his body blew apart into ashes. The small victory caused a brief hesitation in the rest of them. Ronin took advantage. Before they knew it, their numbers were three. But just as they had now regrouped, so was Ronin plotting his next move. He knew he had to play this carefully. He needed one of them alive. At least long enough to get some information. Ronin wanted to thank the mastermind, who used murder to lure him out, personally.
BANG!BANG!BANG!
Three shots rang out from behind Ronin. Shocked, he could only look on as his three possible leads vanished in a cloud of ashes.
"Well look at that...I finally find you and it looks like I saved your life, now we're even..." A voice said from the darkness.
"You didn't save me, you sent me speeding toward a dead end...who the hell are you?!" Ronin asked as he turned toward the voice, still brandishing his samurai blade.
"Name's Drake, and if I didn't save you, I guess I still owe you one. But I think the real question here is...who are you? I'm peeping the same vibe, but the face...it's you, but it ain't. Care to explain how that works?" Drake asked.
"You set this whole thing up, didn't you?" Ronin raised his blade toward Drake's voice. His patience was wearing thin.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa...I had nothing to do with this. Clearly, I caught you on a bad night. I mean, what're you so upset about anyway, they were vamps and now they're not. Case closed." Drake answered.
"They were here on orders to take me out, and thanks to your dirty harry bullshit, I'm out a lead," Ronin said as he sheathed his sword and walked toward Drake eventually passing him in the dark.
"I get you...alright, I can help. I know people in low places. I can find the guy you're looking for. And you know I'm on the level cause if I was with these losers, I wouldn't've swooped in and screwed things up." Drake explained as he began to follow Ronin.
"...maybe, but I'm not convinced..." Ronin responded.
"Okay, but if that's true, how come you can turn your back to me? Aren't you worried I'll shoot you in the back?" Drake asked.
"...that won't kill me..." Ronin.
-To be continued-
