SHI NO TENSHIN

 CH1

I could feel it….the amount of adrenaline being pumped into my blood stream. It was doubling by the second. I've never felt this rush of adrenaline ever in my life.

 I stopped abruptly, a tall ripped man stood infront of me, blocking my path.

The world has never felt so beautiful….is this how it feels to die? I've taken so many lives and I never once thought about the bliss that comes with it.

 I was too weak to fight…I could barely move my body, but I somehow managed to run. Is this really how I die? Punishment for my sins? Death doesn't really feel like a punishment…..these moments I experience right now feel so peaceful….or have I just gone insane? The guilt from all the lives I've taken have made me go insane? And now the moments leading to my death have made me a coward and I'm desperately clinging to some form of justification.

"Give up, Nagumo!" the tall man shouted "you have fought enough, I will give you a quick painless death."

He's right, it's pointless….I'm already on the verge of death…there is no doubt I will die here….but for some reason those words, those conceited words of his makes me so angry...to think he believes he can kill me…..i will show him why I was given the name "Shi no tenshi" hmm….in the end I'm still just human. 

 My vision swam, the edges blurring as the tall man lunged at me. I could barely make out his form as he swung a punch that seemed to come from nowhere. My body moved on its own, ducking under his arm, the movement so automatic it felt like muscle memory from a thousand fights before.

 He snarled, "There's no need for this fight, Nagumo. Give up, and I'll make it quick."

"Shut the fuck up and kill me, you fool," I rasped, my throat dry and hoarse.

 He came at me again, his leg sweeping up in a high kick. I tried to block, but my arms felt like lead. The kick connected with my abdomen, lifting me off the ground. Pain exploded through my core, and I landed hard on my back, the cold concrete jarring my spine. Blood filled my mouth, metallic and warm, as I gasped for air. I tried to get up, but my body gave up on me. The taste of my own blood. Never did I think it would once grace my mouth.

 He walked up to me. "The great Nagumo, trembling at my feet….you are pathetic." He stared at me with such conceited eyes, it made my blood boil. Never in my life did I ever think I'd be ever lay at the feet of a man. I really am tired of living, but for some reason I can't allow myself to die…fear? Do I really fear death? I really am just a big coward….i am truly weaker than those I have killed. Those who seek death shall live and those who seek life shall die. I laughed. 

"you laugh?" the man asked "what's so funny?" 

 "it's funny you think you can kill me with this loser shit."

 I saw his eyes flare up. His legs went up and began approaching my skull. Why is everything so slow? Death really is peaceful. As his kick came towards my head, I could hear the whistle of the air, feel the wind bouncing of his feet onto my face as I rolled away, the grit of the floor digging into my palms.

 That would have destroyed my skull if it hit. I felt so tired, as if my life force was dripping out of my body. Why am I still fighting? What attachment do I have to life? I can't die here…even if I want to…even if I deserve it…I'll be selfless…selfless?  An image of a woman flashed in my head….who's that? Am I losing my memories too? I need to end this quick. I started controlling my breathing, taking deep calculated breaths…letting it come from my stomach. The drops of rain washing away the blood from my body.

"you really intend to fight me in that condition?" the man asked "your pride will be the death of you." 

"I'm not gonna fight you." I replied. "I'm going to kill you."

I felt his countenance falter. I closed my eyes. Listened to the vibrations of the ground as he ran towards me. Towards his demise.

I sidestepped his punch, then feinted left, creating a small gap…. Then I closed the distance, my hand hovering just inches from his chest, I snapped my arm forward, my fist connecting with the man's sternum. My famous modification of the one-inch punch. Sending him flying a small distance from me. Fuck…I'm not able to use the one-inch punch to it's full power due to my condition. I have to end this fight quickly…. funny how I used to be the one toying with my victims. I will end this in the next move.

My vision tunneled, every muscle screaming as I panted. The tall man loomed closer, his boots scuffing the wet concrete.

"You're too weak to defeat me, Nagumo!" he roared, charging forward,

 I dodged his attack, hooking my ankle behind his knee. A gamble. His leg tangled with mine, and for a split second, we hung in balance. Equal odds. My body begged to collapse, but I'd started this. I had the edge—or I used to.

This is a very risky technique, as both of us have an equal chance to use It against each other since we each have a leg entwined with the other. But I was the one who thought about it and initiated it, so I have an advantage, but that advantage has been evened out by the state I'm in. the strongest and fastest wins this battle of attrition. Will I be fast enough?

 He faltered, surprise widening his eyes. Pathetic. To think I would've died to this weakling. Rage surged through the exhaustion, I leapt with my free foot twisting thr trapped one hard, his body spun in midair, dragged toward me. I will not die here.

My fingers made its way to his throat and I punched, feeling the skin give way under my knuckles, as my hand protruded from the back of his throat. Blood sprayed, hot and slick, coating my face.

I landed steady. His corpse thudded inches away, rain washing the red from my hands. another death to my name, huh. Life really is pointless.

 I stood there, panting, the world around me a blur, wondering if this was the end. Exhaustion playing it's toll on me.

I stumbled away, the woman's face flickering in my mind. Who was she?

 "Nagumo!!!" a voice came.

The voice froze me mid-step. Familiar, yet distant—like a whisper from a dream. I turned, head throbbing, and met the gaze of a pale, white-haired woman. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Her. The one from the fight.

"Who are you?" My voice rasped, dust coating my throat.

For the first time I became aware of my surroundings. The air was thick with dust, the sound of dripping water echoing in the empty space.

She stared, lips trembling. "I… I'm someone you used to know."

 "That doesn't answer my question!" I snapped. " I a- well I was your girlfriend." She replied.

My chest tightened. "Girlfriend? Then why don't I—"

 "You have to die." Her words cut through me, cold and sharp.

 "you want to kill me too? My girlfriend?" I asked.

"you don't understand." She whispered. Stepping closer.

"then make me FUCKING UNDERSTAND!!!!" my shout echoed, raw and jagged.

Tears spilled down her cheeks. 

"They're after my family. After me. Everyone tied to you—because you won't give up. Because you won't die." Memories crashed in: her laugh, soft and warm; the way she'd tuck her hair behind her ear. Pain split my skull, and my knees buckled. "So you'd kill me to save them?"

"Nagumo, please…" Her voice broke. "I could protect you," I said, quieter now, my throat cracking.

She shook her head, gesturing at my blood-streaked body. "You can't even protect yourself." I held her gaze. "Do you love me?"

"Yes," she sobbed. "With everything I am." "Then why won't you die for me?" My voice dropped to a whisper. "I'd die for you."

"If you'd die for me," she countered, "why won't you let me kill you so we can live?"

"I see"

Silence stretched between us. Memories flooded my mind: the first time we met, her smile lighting up the room, the way she said my name.

I looked up at the sky. Life…death, the vicious cycle. Dying for someone you love isn't a bad way to go I guess. Life is never complete without death; my life was incomplete and meaningless…no matter how many lives I took…they didn't add nor take away anything from me…. hmm maybe my humanity, but is being human truly something to be proud of? At the toughest times, they show their true nature, regardless of race, status. Or gender. Truly deceitful pretentious beings. But in the end, I'm still just human. 

A metallic click snapped me back. She held a gun, hands shaking. 

"you can't shoot, can yo-"

BOOM!!

Pain seared through my arm.

I staggered. Staring at her weakly. "what the fuck are you doing!? Shoot a vital!"

she froze, the gun trembling in her grip.

Slow applause broke the stillness. Three figures emerged from the shadows. The shortest, a wiry man with a jagged scar across his lip, grinned

"beautiful…absolute cinema!" he said laughing. "A lover forced to kill the person she loves and another, forced to die for the person he loves…beautiful."

"Kurasaki," I growled, blood dripping from my mouth.

He sauntered closer. "The great Nagumo, brought low. How pathetic."

"I knew I was right to trust that bitch would miss your vitals." "Kurasaki!" I lunged, but my legs gave out, dropping me to my knees. 

"seize her!!" kurasaki commanded.

My eyes widened. "No!!!! don't u dare kurasaki!!! You already have me!!!! Kurasaki…kill me and leave her out of this!" 

"now watch what we do with people like you." He said smiling. They grabbed her, tearing at her clothes. She screamed, and rage ignited every nerve in my body.

"Kurasaki! Stop this—please!"

"no no no no." he said mockingly. "They won't rape her, I'm not a monster" "Kurasaki, please I beg you, let her go." 

 He waved a hand, mockingly casual. "Fine. Let her go." The men stepped back. She stumbled, wide-eyed.

"Five seconds," Kurasaki said, eyes glinting.

"I'll shoot once. Survive, and you're free." "No—Hinata, run!" My voice cracked as I strained to move.

"Five… four… three… two… one—"

BOOM!

Her body crumpled, blood pooling beneath her.

"Hinata!" Tears blurred my vision as I screamed her name, hands shaking uselessly. Rage burned through every vein, a fire I couldn't quench.

I forced myself up, legs trembling, and swung at him with all I had left. Kurasaki ducked effortlessly, and I crashed to the ground, gravel biting into my palms.

"How does it feel to be helpless now?" he sneered, looming over me. "how does it feel to be the victim this time?"

My head throbbed, a dull roar drowning out the world. Darkness crept in at the edges, his voice fading to a mocking echo. I clawed at the dirt, lungs heaving.

Not yet. "You don't die until I say so!" he shouted, his shadow swallowing me.

The gun gleamed in his hand, barrel steady as he leveled it at my skull. He grinned, teeth bared. "Shi no tenshi ga shinu."

I stared one last time at hinata's lifeless body. Then back at kurasaki's gun. BOOM!