RPG Band Of Theives [PG-VL]

[Akieen Cloud]

Mayhony walked outside, hearing the gunshots she dimissed the talk with Senkai. Seeing what was going on she sighed.
"This settels it, we go tomarrow."
Syn soun on the spot and growped in frustration.
"Mayhony, your bleeding out the wazoo. And you still think you can pull this off?"
"Look, I'm making a low profile raid tonight to get us some points on the board. I'm tking Ty and Hyo."
Syn opened his mouth to argue.
"Syn, I can't have our feelings get in the way of things right now. We have bigger fish to fry. I need you here to watch the house...where is Hyo?"
Ty looked over and spoke in a cold tone.
"He went home to see his parents.
"Fine, Ty it'll be you nad me than. Don't fuck up."
Syn blinked at her language.
"Uh...Mayhony?"
"Look, we need points. That's all there is to it. Lets go Ty. Sage get it together, I can't have you tramatized by this raid. Be better by next week if not, your being left behind. Theives rule."
Mayhony turned and waked away, her stature was cold as if she had been betrayed.
"One more thing. When I get back, we're all sitting down and disscussing what we've been hidieng from each other. I'm sick of all these damn surprises. They could kill this for me, for us. I'm not gonna let that happen."
She stoped and waited for Ty.
"Lets go lover boy. I don't have time."
She dissappered intot eh shadows.

[Drizzt Do'urden]

Senkai stood there thinking about what to say next. He could draw his weapons, chances were she would kill him, this was after all her house....truthfully after the past few days he wasn't afraid to die. But, he looked at Mayhony, she was the only leader he'd ever worked for who cared actually cared about her band. Who got right in the mix with her band and would die with them. After a short time just staring he decided to let her in on his past.

"First of all, I lied earlier when I told everybody I was a member of the Hekuyotai. I didn't want to worry you or anybody else in the band by the truth..." He began, suddenly doubting his decision, but he'd gone this far might as well finish, "I was a member of 'Orions Belt' " He saw her eyes widen when he revealed this.

"Senkai, Orions Belt is the dirtiest network around right now. Something about having a combination of two different bands." Mayhony answerd, suddenly aware that she was dealing with a little more than she thought.
"Close, I was the second in command of the second group, 'Sojo Tai' or in the ancient tounge from which the band first started, Death bringer, We did all the major assassinations of the past decade, but I doubt that we'll be seeing them soon. Earlier tonight I took out the leader Oriko, so they're going to be out of commission for a few days until a new leader can emerge, and by then I'll be in the past." He paused for a minute, he knew if anybody found he revealed the long kept secrets of Orions Belt to an outsider, he would be killed sometime in his life for sure...but Senkai decided to keep on.

"There are two other bands in the network, Nicholas Gervine heads the third group. I know not the name of the band, but word is they're looking for a female thief who ran away not to long ago, The Belt does not handle deserters well. They tracked me for a year after I left, I finally lost them, until recentally. I don't have any information at all on the lead group, all I know is they are supposedly the best assassins in the world." He had revealed almost everything, and he had hoped it was enough for her.

"Well, thats nice to know" Mayhony started, even more serious then before, "Its always great to know the best band of assassins is after somebody in my band, but one more question, why did you leave?"

The suspicion in her voice almost dropped Senkai, the one question he feared she would ask she had...and she even suspected him of being a double agent.

"I.." He couldn't do it, he wouldn't do it, he had to do it, "I left because of...." Was he going to do it? [I]No other choice.[/I] "I left because I lost my edge, I was 17 and had been in the business for 5 years and this was the 6th band I'd been, I kept having to leave because the bands were too becoming to weak for me.. I was the best in Oriko's band and he promoted me to second in command. I had fallen for a young assassin from a rival band, and after we saw each other for awhile we made plans to split and be married. Well I was commissioned to kill the leader of her band, an easy target to say the least. Well after I finished the job I became surrounded, I made the mistake of revealing my plan to her, and she turned on me." He thought he was going to break down and cry right there. "Thats my story, from there I just packed up and left after escaping, it doesn't matter how but I made it out, and then I decided I couldn't trust anybody, and spent the next two years joining up in bands and leaving when the Belt located me."

"So the love of your life betrayed you...well we all have pasts we are not to proud of Senkai, but I'm trusting you to tell me if anything with the Belt happens." She finished, turning from his door she walked away. [I]I should have told her about Sage....but I'll let Sage tell her when shes ready[/I]

[...]

OOC:??? Change up? I think Drizzt Do?urden posted without knowing Duo posted? so? I?m going to go with Duo?s post up top? if Duo wants me to change, I will? just don?t know which of the posts is the right one? :wow:

Sage glared at Mayhony? she couldn?t understand what in the hell her problem was? she was about to say something to her when Ty spoke up.

?Mayhony, I?ll be right there. Just give me a second.? He said as he stared at Sage? he knew she was trying for the group? he knew she was trying to get it together. He squeezed her hand and she just looked down.

?You have to go? the job is what is important right now.? She said. She was too busy thinking about everything that had happened to them to be bothered with Mayhony anymore.

?Are you going to be okay?? he said as he looked at her.

?I guess I?ll have to be? Mayhony doesn?t leave me any choice?? she said with a tinge of bitterness to her voice.

Ty looked in back of him and noticed Mayhony talking to Syn. He turned his attention back to Sage and tried to smile. ?I?ll be back before you know it??

She nodded and fought the tears. ?I?ll be better by then.? She said forcing a smile.

He kissed her softly. She hugged him. She didn?t want him to leave? but she knew he was going to need to leave. She kept trying to tell herself the job at hand was what was important. But things had gotten complicated.

?You have every right to be afraid, Sage?" he whispered softly in her ear. "Just remember that I won?t allow anything to happen to you. I?ll make sure you?re taken care of.?

She nodded as she let him go. He smiled at her and turned around to a waiting Mayhony. He glanced over at Senkai and Senkai just stared at him, as if Ty was making a big mistake in trusting Sage.

He looked at Senkai and frowned. ?Take care of her?? he said as he looked back at Mayhony. ?Let?s go.?

?About time.? She said.

?Knock off the attitude with me, Mayhony. I don?t need your flack. I?m here to help you gain those points.? he growled.

She stared at him and then Sage. ?Fine, let?s go.?

[Heero Darkangel]

Ty was silent....as they quickly moved through the bushes, his eyes darting around them

'Hurry up!,' snapped Mahony

But Ty had stopped as a twig near by broke before Mahony spoke, she turned around and was just about to say something else when he grabbed her and pulled her to the ground and silenced her by covering her mouth, she elbowed him in the rib cage trying to break free but he didn't flinch

'Shhh,' he whispered scanning the dark and then Mahony heard the voices, she stopped struggling and Ty let her go as he sank back into the shadows, Mahony looked around

'Stay low,' he whispered from the shadows, Mahony suddenly got down deeper as they listened to the voices

[I]'Our orders are to take out those who are going after the zeal crystal and Mahony and her band of thieves are one of them,'[/I] came the voices...it sounded as though there were three of them standing in a clearing not far from them

Mahony heard Ty shuffle closer to the voices...she tried to follow him but couldn't see him, she peared over a bush to find Ty standing behind one of them leaning against a tree..stealthly he walked up behind them and tapped one on the shoulder

'Really,' he smiled as they spun around and he shot each one of them in the head, the gun shot was muffled by the silencer, he then ducked down and scanned the area, Mahony then walked over to him as he waved her over,

'I suppose they're after Sage?' she questioned

'No they were after you..seems like theres another gang going around taking out those who are after the zeal crystal,' said Ty as he stood up and looked around one more time,

Mahony looked around her eyes narrowing to the dark

'Lets go,' she said as they took off, She watched Ty, he was focussed alot more than before and his mind was clearly on the job and nothing else

[...]

She looked over at Senkai and he just leaned against the wall. She sat on the chair in the kitchen and just stared at her hands.

Things like this had not affected her before. That was because she wasn?t afraid of losing her life back then. She didn?t have anything to live for? but now she had everything to live for. Taking risks wasn?t something she wanted now. And now, it looked as if it may prove harder to avoid taking risks.

She wasn?t like Mayhony. She wasn?t like any of them. She had become an assassin because she had nothing to live for. Ty had found her and helped her when she was a starving child.

She smiled when she remembered that night. She had just finished scrounging in the garbage when she had noticed him. She was around 7 years of age. He had been watching her. She remembered going up to him as a child and asking for money. But what she got was something she hadn?t expected.

At age 8, he was already a skilled shot. He shot her in the leg and she cried in pain. She thought he was going to kill her that night. But instead of losing her life, she had gained her only friend. He had brought her back to his gang and claimed that she had gotten in a fight and was injured. They helped her, and she eventually became a part of their gang.

Sage knelt down and touched her leg again. He had shot her the night before. She remembered his cold expression as he wrapped her leg. It was so much like the first day they met? as if all those years of knowing each other had been destroyed.

But she later had found that their friendship had only been forgotten? not lost.

She looked up at Senkai again and he was still staring at her.

?What is it?? she said quietly. The pain still visible in her eyes.

?I?m trying to figure you out.? He said.

She looked at him and stared. All of a sudden a crack was heard and she jumped.

?Sorry about that! This broom seems to have a mind of it?s own?? Syn called.

She stood up and paced the floor, she was on edge, and it was starting to take it?s toll on her.

?Calm down will you.? He said looking at her.

?I?m trying!!? she snapped. She stared at the window and her hand went to her gun. She watched outside? hoping to spot Ty coming back.

She needed to figure out what was going on with her. She knew that she was scared? how does he do it? How is he able to take his feelings, his emotions? his fears and make them secondary to what was really important??

She looked out and suddenly sensed someone out there. She knew it wasn?t Ty? she walked to the door, and glanced behind her. Senkai was nowhere in sight. She knew something was up then. She walked outside and waited. She looked to the side of her and suddenly a dark figure ran at her, She lifted her gun within a split second a shot several bullets toward her assailant. The man had a guard over his face and he wore completely black.

?Damn? what are you? Some sort of Ninja???? she said as she brought her guns closer to her. The man pulled out a pair of daggers and threw them at her. She moved out of the way, barely in time. She looked at him and he had out another pair and threw them at her again. She rolled out of the way and shot the man in the arm. But he didn?t flinch. She got on one knee and aimed, but her attacker had jumped behind her. She turned around and his blade grazed her back, slitting the shirt she wore. She looked up, and he was jumping all over the place. She wasn?t able to get proper aim. She moved when he attacked and realized that guns would do her no good in this fight. She put them back in her holster and waited for each attack as it came. The man didn?t seem to be losing a bit of energy in this fight. She grew impatient and started running up the tree. She climbed it, knowing her assailant would eventually follow her. As he jumped up behind her, she surprised him by kicking herself downwards, and brought the man to his knees. She pulled out her gun and aimed it at the man?s head. He knelt there, breathing heavily. But she knew he wasn?t giving up. She knew his type. They could have a hundred barrels staring them down, and they still wouldn?t give up hope. She pulled out her other gun and was about to shoot when the man jumped up and almost in lodged the dagger into her back, when she heard him cry out as he fell to the floor. She looked and saw Senkai over him with blood on his hands.

?I thought you may have needed some help.? He said with a smile.

She looked at him, half shocked that he helped her, and half relieved she wasn?t dead.

?Thanks, but damn, what took you so long??

?I don?t know. Call it a test.? He said as he turned around and headed back toward the house.
`

[Drizzt Do'urden]

OOC: I changed my post a little, if theres anything I can do to avoid deleting it. Duo hit me with a PM, if not I'll just go ahead and delete it, I'm sorry about that I was in a hurry and after I submitted I just got off.

Senkai was at the sink washing his hands, he had decided not to jump right in right away because it was a good chance for her to realize she needed to concentrate more. If not for herself then for him, and also he hoped it might get to her reveal herself.

Senkai knew more about Sage than she knew, or probably wanted him too. [I]If they were not highly ranked they might not know about Orions Belt...hmm...well Sage maybe I know more about you than even you do[/I]

As Sage walked in he decided not to inform her, with all the stress on her already he did not want her to take on even more knowing that it wasn't just Nicholas after her, it was the whole belt more than likely.

"Hey you did good out there Sage, if you face another one like that, you have to shoot him either in the throat, or I know this sounds strange but in the feet." Senkai told her, feeling sort of embarassed at how idiotic that sounded.

"The feet? Right Senkai I'm gonna shoot him in the feet" She said the sarcasm radiating from her.
"Yes, I know the band from which that ninja came from, he was a Sojo Tai ninja. Master assassin with a bullet proof face mask, and his whole uniform is bullet proof except for a small amount of material on this throat, and his feet, His back is also vunerable but getting a shot on his back when he's after you is nothing short of impossible."

"Senkai, how do you know all of this?" Sage asked suspiciously

"That doesn't matter right now, what matters is take my advice, and take my apology. I've been hard on you as well as Ty. I just have a big problem with people letting love distort their good judgement. I'd tell you the story now, but we need to get together with Syn, and figure out someway to protect this house, and any plans for the raid Mayhony has lying around. If there is one Sojo, there is probably three or four more out in the bushes awaiting their friends return." Senkai said as the two went to the living room to find Syn sitting on the couch.

"We have a problem Syn..." Was all Senkai good get out before a crash was heard in his bedroom upstairs.

[...]

Sage looked up and stared at Senkai. She loaded her guns as she went upstairs. For some reason, it felt natural for her to go and check out whatever was going on? even if it was dangerous. She knew she was taking her first steps in trying to get back into her normal routine. With her back to the stair wall, she glanced over and saw three assassins. They were definitely Gervine?s men this time. She turned around and looked up as she shuddered. She looked down at her guns and closed her eyes. She needed to focus. Only then would she be able to overcome whatever fear she held deep inside her heart. She heard small footsteps about a yard away from where she stood. She turned around quickly and took all three out within seconds.

But there were 5 more? she hadn?t even heard them coming.

?Damn?? she said as she aimed and fired. But they were quicker this time. They moved out and scattered around the upstairs. Her heart raced? she didn?t want something to go wrong? she wished this wasn?t happening?

?Damn it all? I need to FOCUS!!? she said. Syn and Senkai had gone up as well and suddenly she head an assailant.

?GET DOWN SYN!!? she yelled. Syn ducked and a dagger embedded itself into the wall. He looked up and then at Sage.

?Oh CRAP!? was all he could manage to say.

?They?re everywhere.. I saw 5 of them after I took out the first three. Two are downstairs. The others are searching the complex up here.?

?Who are they??

?Definitely Gervine?s men. No question about it?? she said her eyes darkened as she looked at the dagger in the wall. She stared at it and pulled it out. She put it in her belt. She would keep it as a reminder. She wouldn?t allow them to take her life. She would mutilate them before they had the chance to mutilate her? she would not become the hunted

[Jim_Hawking]

"Senkai, you go back downstairs to make sure no one tries to ambush us. Sage, stay low and follow me."

Senkai nodded and crept downstairs, and Syn and Sage took cover behind a table.

"Looks like we're in for a bit of excitement now, aren't we?" Syn joked.

"Now really ISN'T the best time, Syn."

"Yeah, I know." Syn replied before raising from his hiding place and unloading a few rounds into a shadowy figures neck. Blood sprayed form the wounds, and the victim fell with a thud. "One more down, countless others to go. If only we could take this outside..." Syn saw a "window of opportunity." "I have an idea..."

"Oh gods no..."

Syn shattered the window with a couple more rounds and took both Sage and himself outside via a six foot drop.

"When this is over, I'm going to kill you."

"You always say that."

"Hey, everything alright?" Senkai called.

"Just peachy." Syn answered. "Sage, be a dear and hide behind that oak over there for a while." More of the ninja-like assassins emerged from the upper level of Mahony's hideout.

"Why should I? I want to kill them just as badly as they want to kill us!"

"Trust me."

Sage went behind the oak as the assailents encircled Syn.

"First off," Syn began. "that formation was a big mistake. Secondly, you all are a bunch of idiots for attacking us. Lastly, anyone care to dance?" Syn pulled back the hammers on both Desert Eagles. One of the attackers lunged for Syn. Syn dodged out of the way, jump-kicked off the back of the attacker, and fired a volley of shots into his back. The others came after Syn while he was still in the air, but Syn twisted his body to face towards them, kicked off the head of another attacker, reloaded, and landed fifteen feet away from the rest of the assassins. They began to rush towards Syn.

"Heh, let's rock...baby."

Syn began firing wildly into the remaining assassins, he then lept over them, landed behind them, and kept firing. One after another the assassins fell, all the time they kept lunging for Syn, but he would laugh and cartwheel to the side while keeping the shots going. After a few minutes the fight was over, and Syn only left one alive...barely.

"Ok Sage, you can come on out. I left one alive just for you."

Sage appraoched the nearly dead assassin and pulled of his mask.

"For the love of God, please don't kill me!" The man sobbed.

"Yeah, whatever." Sage grabbed the dagger from her belt and cut the man's ear off. "I think I might just enjoy this..."

[...]

?Syn! Over here? I think I?ve got something?? Sage stood up and decided the man was good as dead anyway. She walked away and left the man who was bleeding to death.

?What?s going on?? she said as she looked at Senkai. He showed her some corpses with an Orion?s Belt symbol on their arms. She looked up and Senkai stared at her.

?What are they here for???? she said as she looked at Syn.

?Most likely to stop Mayhony?s raid?? he said as he looked at Senkai. He still stared at Sage.

?Damn, so we have Assassins after me, and Oriko?s men after the rest of us. Just great.? She knelt down at the body to examine it and pulled out a recorder, similar to the one?s Gervine?s men held. She looked at it and read the messages left on the pad. She froze as she stared at the message.

Senkai knew she would have found out sooner or later? whether he would explain it or not to her, he wasn?t sure. She dropped it there and grabbed her guns and stormed out of the room.

?Damn, what was that about?? Syn said looking at Senkai.

?Read the file, Syn.?

Syn read the file. Senkai looked at him and Syn?s face went pale. ?She?s being tracked by Orion?s Belt???

?Looks to be that way, doesn?t it??

?But why??

?I?m sure Sage is wondering the same thing?? he walked out of the room.

Sage was inside her room cleaning up all of the shattered glass from the windows and glass wear. She tried to get the order out of her mind. She needed to stay focus?

[i]Focused on WHAT????[/i] she asked herself. She held a piece of glass in her hand and stared at it. She was tired of questioning herself. A part of her wanted to go back to the way things used to be, where she was in danger without so much as a second thought. She closed her eyes as she clutched the piece of glass, which pierced her skin. She didn?t feel the pain? she only felt the confusion that swelled within her.

She looked at her hand, and the blood trickled from her hand. She sat there looking at the blood. Her face became emotionless as she let the piece of glass fall. She was an assassin, through and through? her heart was as cold as an assassin? it [i][b]was[/b][/i] as cold? but she smiled. She finally realized what she had been forgetting all this time. Something Ty most likely had already figured out?

To be afraid of death, doesn?t make her weak. If anything, it gave her more strength... She became more determined? more focused? she wouldn?t allow anyone to kill her. Because now she wanted to live. She stood up and saw Senkai staring at her.

?You knew all this time? didn?t you?? she said looking at him.

He just continued staring. She looked down at her blood stained hand and smiled. Senkai thought she might have gone over the edge at that moment.

She looked up at him and her face softened. ?I think I?ve found my focus again, Senkai? I want to live? and I?m not going to allow anyone to take that chance from me.? She said. Her face looked tired, but she was full of determination. Senkai stared for a moment and then nodded his head and left.

She clutched the dagger. She was an assassin. Her first and foremost ambition was survival. And no one would stand in her way.

OOC: Be back from my trip in a week. ^_^

[Akieen Cloud]

Mayhony laughed as she jingled the few coins in her hand.
"Man as small as that museum raid was i sure raked up the points for us eh?"
She stoped short as she spotted Syn and Senaki.
"What he hell happened?"
"We were attacked.
"I see."
She walked over and looked a man, the one that Sage had left bleeding to death.
"In the name of god, impure souls of the living dead will be banished and I shall be their retrobution. Amen."
She took a dagger and slit his throat quicky, a sickenign gurgle was heard as he tried to scream through the blood that collected in his throat. She had made the gash so deep that the white of his spine sould be seen.
"Everyone in the house now. Go down to the basement. We have matters to disscuss. And I think that I may be the reason this is happening."
She smiled as se remember he name as a thief. The Angel of the Dead. Her smile widened as she threw the dagger into the temple of an escaping ninja, shattering his mask.
"I think NOW would be the word I'm searching for."
She watched as they al filed into the house and down to the basement. She watched Senkai extra closely, her trust in him was thinning quickly.

[Drizzt Do'urden]

As Senkai realized everyone was present he stepped up before Mayhony could begin. "Everyone, I know whats going on here." As he looked around, he realized nobody even remotly looked shocked. "Well I guess it wasn't that hard to figure out was it?" he finished chuckling a bit.

"I don't see whats so funny, you've known what was going on for sometime, but you decided to keep quiet and put all of us in danger" Mayhony snapped rising up.

Her forcefullness shocked Senkai and made him begin to doubt his decision. [I]No I have to, I have to tell them everything. [/I] "You are partially right, Okay heres the story" He cleared his throat as he prepared to spill everything.

"First off, Sage you were in a band under the leadership of Nicholas Gervine correct?" He asked as if he really needed to know. "Yes that is true, thats why his men are after me" She said, fully confused at what he was talking about. "Well Gervine's band was the third of three bands in the assassin network 'Orions Belt'..." He tried to continue but Sage cut him off. "I think I would have known if Gervine had any connections like that" "Not really, only three of us Sojo Tai knew of the exsistence of the belt. So I doubt anybody but Gervines second in command would have known of its participation in the belt....Now listen everybody, both Sage and I abandoned our bands right before the war on the 'Ceipher'. Now it hasn't been released yet, but the Ceipher were completly wiped out thanks to the belt." Senkai trailed off for a second, letting his mind wonder back to his past. [I]I hope you made it out okay...even after you betrayed me I still love you[/I]

"But the Ceiphers one of the most prominent groups in the world today" Syn cut in

"Well this was true up until a week ago, but the belt laid waste to them and eliminated any evidence tying them in. And now since everything has cooled down Oriko, who was the leader of the Sojo Tai, and Gervine want to eliminate any traitors that could have had any information. Namely Sage and myself." The whole group seemed to shift themselfs away from Sage and Senkai as if just being close to them was grounds to be caught up in their dilema.


"Thats why I was so hard on Sage, I had to see if it was her or not, and once I saw Gervine and Oriko's men after her I knew this was big. Now we don't have anything to worry about unless the main band gets involved, I wish I could give ou some information on them. But even I was not allowed to know anything....Mayhony I apologize for bringing this onto you, but I think we should hit the Zeal Crystal hard and fast, that way Sage and myself can just disappear. I see it as the only way to get the Crystal, and ensure all of your safety. I do not doubt your abilities, I knew you all before you knew me from reports I stole from Oriko when I had left, I'm just afraid of what happens if we get rushed by a group from the head." Senkai finished. He looked to Mayhony and the rest, hoping they'd believe him, otherwise it could mean all of their deaths.

[Akieen Cloud]

"I think thats a load of shit."
Everyone looked at her shocked.
"If you think for a minute that I'm just gonna let you two go off and be hunted like animals your drop dead wrong Senkai. A band is a family. Yours have betrayed you in the past and I understand you being far from us, you as well sage but listen to me now, If you think that just because you've given me some good compition for this raid and the fact that they want me dead that I'm going to kick you out your wrong. We'll meet them head on and take them out. With you and Ty, we're good on stealth strengths, I've got the wits, Sage and Syn have the fire power. And if Hyo were here he would also have the stealth. This is a good team, a good band. If I didn't think so you would all be gone. Why do you think I work so hadr to get you all to work together? Because I know that if we do that we could easily rise to be the best in the city. My name as a theif, the name I leave after every raid is the Dead Angel, thats who we are, The Dead Angels. You all carry that name as a symbol of pride."
She cupped Senkai's cheek gently.
"You are a part of this family and nothing you and Sage will do can change that. This is your family now Senkai. They will annoy you, make you want to scream and kill them. But when everything is said and done, they will have your back. As will I."
She stepped back and leaned on Syn giving Senkai and Sage room to decide. Sage nodded.
"I'm sticking with you Mayhony. I feel welcome here amoung you all."
Mayhony nodded and looked up at Senkai.
"Well? Whatdya say? You in?"

[Jim_Hawking]

Senkai nodded.

"Good, now that that's taken care of...uh...any suggestions?" Syn asked.

"You're hopeless." Sage responded.

"Two-part question, where the hell did Hyo run off to again, and where's the booze?" Syn questioned.

"Hyo probably went back to see his family, and why the fuck do you want to know where the alcohol is?" Mahony answered.

"Party, naturally."

Everyone looked at Syn with a blank expression.

"Why not? We just survived an attack, we've really never been as together as we are now, and we need to kill this aura of doom and gloom. Whaddya say?"

"For some ungodly reason, that actually sounds like a good idea." Senkai said

"See? I'm much more than a pretty face and a big gun. C'mon Sage, I know you need to kick back and relax more than any of us."

"You may have a point. Well, about me needing to relax. Not about you having a pretty face."

"Hah! See? I knew I could get a rise outta you." Syn said with a wink.

"Hmm, I'm not so sure Sage. I think he has a pretty face." Mahony added.

"Only because you wanna see how big his 'gun' really is." Sage joked.

Everyone laughed at Sage last comment as Mahony blushed slightly. Syn felt the collective tension ease as the laughing continued.

"Hmm," Syn thought. "Maybe this really was a good idea." Syn reached into his pocket and grabbed a notebook and wrote, "Today, at 7:15 P.M. I had yet another brilliant idea. The first in about six months..."

[...]

Sage went to her room and just laid on her bed. She thought about what Mayhony had said about the band being a family? she smiled. It had been a long time since she heard those words. She had never been a part of a family before, and the thought of belonging to one made her laugh. Ty had been her only family all her life. And now she had an entire family to belong to.

Her mind was reviewing all of the training grounds Mayhony had showed to them. It had been a long time since she had her mind on nothing but her job. It was finally clear. She was able to focus on the job without fear or worrying. But in her heart, she knew her priorities had changed. She knew that if it would come down to it, her job would be the last on her list. Ty came first in her life? and she knew that that would endanger the mission. But a part of her also knew that holding that Zeal Crystal, knowing she lost Ty over it, would eventually kill her inside. Her mind circled back to what Mayhony said before she left with Ty the week before. About how the mission came first, and that she was expected to feel the same or she would need to stay back. And then finding out that the entire Orion?s Belt was after her was enough to put things to a stand still. She wondered what she should do. Was she endangering the mission? She closed her eyes. She wasn?t sure what to do.

Just then, a knock was heard at the door. She walked over and opened it. She saw Ty and smiled. ?Can I do something for you sir??

He smiled as he kissed her. She pulled him in and laughed. ?Get in here.? She said as she closed the door. ?What?s on your mind?? she said turning around as she grabbed a blanket and put it over her. She sat on the chair and he was still standing.

?I just wanted to see you. How are you feeling?? he said looking at her.

?A lot better actually. I can?t say I remember feeling so good.? She said not really looking at him. He stared at her and shook his head as he sat down in front of her on the corner of her bed.

?What?? she said looking confused.

?Nothing, I just thought we were past this that?s all.? He said folding his arms across his chest. ?What?s really going on?? he said.

She looked at him and realized what she was doing. She was falling back into her old routine? completely. That was the last thing she ever wanted. She didn?t want to push him away anymore. ?I?m confused Ty? I?m trying to get better? I?m trying to stop worrying? but in order for me to stop worrying, I have to become the person I was? the person that shut you out. I don?t want to shut you out anymore? but I can?t focus on my job and worry about my own life at the same time.?

He just looked at her and then looked down. ?Would you rather that we never happened?? he said quietly.

She looked at him and smiled. ?No? that?s why I decided to tell Mayhony to go without me, Ty. You mean more to me than any Zeal Crystal, and well? if I have to decide which comes first in my life, then you would win in a heartbeat. I can?t do what she asks me to. I can?t honestly say that I am for the job 100 percent. What do I do? Do I leave, or do I stay even though I know I can?t give my attention fully to the job? I?m going to be worrying about you the entire time.?

?Ever thought that she may feel the same??

She looked at him puzzled. ?What do you mean??

?It?s no mystery she?s in love with Syn; do you think she?s really going to choose a shiny rock over him??

Sage smiled. ?I can?t see her doing that if what they have is as real as what we have.? She said as she looked at him. ?But that doesn?t make things okay? I still wonder if I can do this job the way I was suppose to??

?You remember what she said? about family? We all work together and look out for one another. I don?t see how any of us wouldn?t help the other if they were in trouble.?

?But I don?t want to choose, Ty? I won?t?? she said looking down. ?I love you? I don?t want to choose between you or the band.?

[Akieen Cloud]

Mayhony looked around and smiled, everyone was looseing up some. SHe had seen Sage leave and Ty follow. She'd give them some time, she now climbed the stairs...Their time was over. She knocked on Sage's door and smiled as Ty opened it.
"Mayhony?"
"I need to speak with Sage. ALONE."
Ty frowned and stepped out, Mayhony stepped in, shut and locked the door.
"So thought about what I said?"
"Yes and I'm as confused as ever."
"Good."
"What?"
Mayhony fiddled with a small trinket on Sage's desk.
"I said good. Do you know what coems first?"
"I-I want you to go without me on the mission.
"No can do."
"But you said-"
"What I had to say to get you out of that mood of 'The sky is falling and I'm gonna die' get it?"
"No."
"Instead fo it being nothing but the mission and trying to keep away from others, it's TY. Isn't it?"
"How-"
"Look Sage, I know more than you think. I'm not blind or stupid. I know how you feel. Your mind is clear and you know what's important. I couldn't have you thinking of nothing but that damned crystal enough not to look after the well being of the others, and the ones you love."
Mayhony winked and opened the door.
"Welcome to the family Sage, why don't you come down and have a few drinks, see if we can get Ty and Syn tipsy?"
Sage smiled.
"I'll be down in a minute Mayhony."
"Alright, don't take to long."
Mayhony left and walked bak down to the living room.

[...]

Ty leaned against the wall as Mayhony passed. He stared at her and she stopped. ?Ty, you need to believe me when I say I want Sage a part of this group as much as I want everyone else as well. I would never make her choose between you or the Crystal.?

He stared and a small smile formed on his face. ?I knew that already, but I think it would probably sink in more if she heard it from you.?

Mayhony smiled. ?Well good. Because I already did.? She walked downstairs and Ty went into the room. Sage was up and equipping her guns. She looked at Ty and smiled.

?These aren?t my guns, but their grips are starting to grow on me.? She said fixing herself in the mirror.

?I take it everything is fine now?? he said leaning against the door frame with his arms folded.

?Yeah? I really think it is.? She said looking at him. A look of relief covered her face and she finally seemed alright. He knew she was still struggling with the fear she had buried deep inside herself, but she was slowly gaining control over that now. She walked over to him and kissed him lightly. ?Thank you? for being here for me.? She said.

?Where else would I be?? he said stroking her cheek. She smiled and took his hand.

?Downstairs. I know conversing isn?t one of your strong suits, but I?m sure you can manage a little small talk.?

?You know I hate large groups?? he said following her as she pulled him along.

?I know, but it looks like you belong to one.? And she turned to look at him. ?And I think for once this one can be trusted. You don?t need to open up entirely, Ty. Keep the option open though. They aren?t like your last band. I think you realize that too.?

?That doesn?t change the fact that I hate large groups, Sage.?

She laughed. ?Then don?t talk. Just be there with me.? She said smiling as they came downstairs.

[Jim_Hawking]

Syn belched as he finished another beer. "Good stuff, been a while since I've had a decent drink. Remind me to thank whoever came up with this idea..."

Mahony walked behind him, "You do realize this was [i]your[/i] idea, right?"

"Whaddya mean? My ideas is never this gooood." Syn's speech began to slur.

"The hell? You're drunk already?"

"Oh no," Syn began with normal speech. "Not in the least bit. Thought I'd have a bit of fun with ya. Although, a little birdy told me that you and Sage are going to try to get me and Ty wasted. Shame on you two, planning on taking advantage of a couple of poor, innocent drunks."

Mahony chuckled. "Oh darn, you caught me." She said sarcastically.

Syn looked across the room at Sage and Ty. "You know, I never would have pictured the two of them hooking up. Then again, it's always the ones you never expect that have the deepest and longest relationships."

"Syn, you do realize you nearly made an intelligent comment right?"

"Yeah, what can ya do?"

"I could keep your lips occupied for one..."

"Oh?" The statement takes a few moments to register in Syn's brain. "Ohhhh..."

[...]

?You know, I knew for a fact you wouldn?t be the type to get wasted.? She laughed as she looked at his cup of black coffee. Ty never drank alcohol.

?Is that a bad thing??

She smiled, ?I wouldn?t want an idiot on my hands, Ty.?

?I?m not an idiot, Sage.?

?Well that goes without saying.? She said as he went back to drinking his coffee.

Sage noticed how uncomfortable Ty was. She smiled a little. She didn?t want to make him uncomfortable. ?We?re going for a walk; I hope you guys won?t mind.?

?No problem, just watch your backs. You don?t know how many more assassins are watching this place.? Mayhony said. The last thing she wanted was for something more to happen to her band.

Sage smiled as she got up. ?Thanks for the concern, it really is appreciated.? Ty got up and washed his coffee cup out. She smiled a little, she would give anything to see him leave a mess. Anywhere?

She walked out first as he followed, closing the door lightly.

He leaned against the fence post outside and looked down. ?I?m sorry?? he said quietly.

She went up behind him and placed her hand on his shoulder. ?You don?t have anything to be sorry about, Ty...?

?I don?t think it?s fair though? for you. I know you enjoy talking with everyone? I just don?t find it enjoyable.?

?Believe it or not Ty, I?m not fully comfortable with it all either. I feel just as out of place as you do. I?m not use to talking with people and, well, without feeling like I have to constantly watch my back. When I was infiltrating Gervine?s band, I was constantly watching my back? in your band, I only felt safe around you? but now, it?s as if I really belong here, and it still is hard for me to get use to.?

?Do you trust them?? he said looking down.

She smiled as she turned him around. ?With my life.?

He looked at her and felt confused. ?Are you sure you can count on them??

She looked down. ?I?m the biggest threat to this band, Ty. And yet, Mayhony still wants me around. That says a lot right there, don?t you think??

?Well what about Senkai? He seems to know a lot about the belt that?s after you. Too much if you ask me.?

?I think so. He apologized you know. For the way he?s acted with you and me. I guess he was just trying to see if he could trust us. Kind of the way we?re treating them, don?t you think?

He looked up and sighed. ?I guess we have no choice then. We have to trust them. They don?t give us any reason to distrust them, do they??

She laughed. ?I guess not. But that?s not a bad thing you know.?

?I know? I guess I?m just trying to find excuses.?

She laughed again as she slid her arms under his jacket and wrapped them around his waist. ?I?m not expecting anything from you, Ty. I don?t want you to change. I love you just the way you are. Even if you aren?t very conversational. Because that?s who I fell in love with. Don?t ever change.?

[Heero Darkangel]

OOC: WOE I MISSED ALOT!!..LOL...excuse the lateness...had a few things to take care of.......

IC:

Ty walked around in the dark as if it were daylight...and Sage smiled..she couldn't help but smile at him...she could see the young boy she met along time ago burning in his eyes..he was like a child let loose in a area full of toys....

After a while they went back inside to find everyone laughing and talking

'Hey TY!...SAGE!!!,' smiled Syn whos face was red

Ty just looked at them, Sage smiled

'Hey you go have fun....I'll be in the kitchen,' smiled Ty softly as he walked away

He walked over to the counter and made him a hot coffee and then sat down at the table, He could hear them all laughing and talking and he could hear Sages laugh which made him smile as he drank somemore.

It brought back alot of memories from his old group he was in...he remembered when they all use to drink after they cleared a mission...although...there wasn't much to smile about on those times...only because you could guarantee that there was a fight....

He sat there for a while before Syn stumbled in through the door with two bottles in his hand and he sat down

'Here...at least have one!,' smiled Syn, Ty frowned slightly and then got up washed out his cup and put it away..he then sat back down at the table

'Just one,' spoke Ty seriously as he took the bottle,

'COOL!....' smiled Syn as they drank hoping that Ty would get drunk on the first one and ask for another...but he didn't...he made himself another coffee, 'OH spoil sport!,'

Ty didn't turn around when Syn said that..Ty just smiled slightly and then sat back down at the table

[...]

Sage sat next to Mayhony and smiled. ?So how does the plan go? Is he wasted?? she said jokingly.

?Can?t tell. The way Syn acts, you?d think he?s wasted every minute of the day.? She said. Sage laughed.

?What about you?? Mayhony said taking a sip of her drink.

Sage laughed again as she sat back. ?I could have told you that it wouldn?t have worked out on my end. Ty isn?t one for alcohol. He?s the straight black cup of coffee guy.?

?No fun.? Mayhony said as she smiled again.

?How are you feeling?? Sage asked.

Mayhony put her drink down. ?A lot better, and now that we gained a few points on the grid, things are starting to look up.?

?What about the raid??

?Very soon? just have some final things to work out, and then we should be set.?

?I wanted to apologize to you, Mayhony?? Sage started. ?I don?t think it was fair of me not to be honest and up front with you when I first got here.?

?No? I can?t say it was. But I guess you had your reasons.? She said.

?I didn?t mean to put you or the mission at harm.?

?Me? I got that dagger in my back from some poor bastard at home. Nothing to do with you. But the way things are working out with the Orion Belt, I wouldn?t be surprised if all of this is somehow linked together. But don?t go blaming yourself anymore, Sage. It does no good to point fingers. The fact it, you?re an asset to this team, and I?d be a fool to think you wouldn?t be good for this band. And like I?ve told you before, I?m no fool.?

?No need to tell me a second time, your actions speak loud and clear in my book.? She said as she smiled. They got up and walked into the kitchen.

?DAMN IT!!!? Syn yelled. ?I KNOW I brought two bottles in here. Who DRANK MY OTHER ONE?????

Ty rolled his eyes and smiled. ?You?re an imbecile.? He said.

Mayhony smiled, ?Yes, but he?s my imbecile.? She said as she brought him another bottle. ?Here, you left it on the shelf.? She said with a smile.

?Damn, I thought I brought it in here with Ty and me.? He said as he opened it up and drank the bottle down. Sage laughed and got herself a cup of coffee as well.

[Synister]

[I]Xero Stands Up And Stumbles Over To Mayhony[/I]
"Hey everybody.."
[COLOR=Orange]"Damn Xero you're majorly wasted."[/COLOR]
"..No am not wasted.. I swear to drunk im not god.."
[COLOR=Orange]"How many fingers am I holding up."[/COLOR]
"... dah.. 14..."
[COLOR=Orange]"Yup you sure are drunk."[/COLOR]
"NO...I..Am....."
[I]Xero Falls On The Table Passed Out[/I]
____________________________________________________________________
Sorry could'nt think of anything else

[...]

Sage leaned her head on Ty?s shoulder. She was tired. She laughed at Xero as he came into the room. She looked up at Ty and he smiled down at her. She felt perfect when she was with him. But she waited for the day it would all end. She knew it would come someday. Good things never lasted long for her. Never?

Senkai walked in and fixed himself a cup of coffee. ?Where have you been?? Mayhony asked.

?Thinking?? he said as he got his cup. He sat down next to Syn. Syn looked up, and appeared to be completely drunk like Xero who was now passed out on the floor.

?Don?t steal my other bottle, Hear?? he said as he looked at Ty accusingly. ?It looks as if we have a drunkard who can?t seem to keep the alcohol down around here.? He said, slurring through all this words.

Mayhony back handed his head. ?Keep it down Syn, you?re making me look bad.? She said.

He put his other arm on the table as he began mumbling to himself.

Senkai shook his head. ?Don?t worry, we know you?re not the reason he?s an absolute drunk.?

Mayhony looked at Sage and smiled. ?Maybe I am. Here Syn, have another.? She said as she grabbed him a bottle and set it down to the other one he was drinking from.

?Mayhony, I think I?m drinking too much. I?m seeing double of the same bottle.? He said looking at the one she just set down.

?Nonsense, you?re fine.? She said laughing at him.

[Akieen Cloud]

Mayhony looked around the room and smiled, her entire band was sleeping peacefully, wether drunk or sober. She placed a blanket over Ty and Sage as they slumbered and another over Syn. Senkai and Xero had one already. She went outside and sat on the porch, looking up at the sky she smiled.
"Two more days till full moon and than that will be the time. When the moon is full, the Dead Angels fly amoung the liveing."
She caught the dart as it headed for her face and smiled.
"Your getting to loud Luke."
An elderly man slipped from the shadows and walked over to her. His black hair greying and his mustace already grey. His eyes were midnight blue and hard with age and wisdome.
"So, I see you have a band ready for the raid on the full moon."
"They seem to have what it takes."
"Are you sure? Grandaughter?"
"Don't call me that old man."
"Hmph. Fine. Mayhony, you know all I mean is well by you."
"I know Luke but sometimes things are better taken care of by ones-self."
"You've grown wise."
"I've grown streetsmart."
"Well, let me know when you leave. I'll go wiht you. Those youn un's in there are just full of hot air."
Mayhony smiled as Sage's pistol met the back of his skull.
"Hot air old man? I think more along the lines of attention. The others are awake as well. I will let you know before we move. Now go and take care of what I asked you to."
"Of corse."
He dissappered intp the shadows. Mayhony smiled and closed her eyes.
"Go back to sleep Sage. No need for alarm. That was my grandfather."

[Kayin Cloud]

Hyo knocked on the door barely holding himself up. He had delivered the money Syn had given him but on the way back was near killed by another band of thieves, contrived of mostly ninja, "Somebody answer..." Hyo said weakly. As the door was opened he collapsed to the floor.

OOC: Sorry so short...just had to make a quick return

[...]

?Damn it!!? Sage said loudly. Mayhony came over and helped him to the couch.

?What happened?? Mayhony asked as she helped steady Hyo.

?I was attacked? by some other band, they appeared to be in the Ninja garb?? he said out of breath. He winced at the pain he felt in his shoulder. Sage looked over at Ty who was standing at the front door.

?Stay here and look after him.? He said quickly before he ran out of the house.

?Damn him?? Sage said under her breath. She didn?t want him going out there alone.

?Help me bring him to his room. Don?t worry Hyo, we?re leaving two days from now. Think you?ll be okay by then?? Mayhony asked helping him up.

He looked at the damage to his shoulder. ?Yeah, I?m sure I?ll be fine.?

?How many were there?? Sage asked thinking about Ty.

?There were four on me; I was able to kill three of them, but one is still out there.? He said walking to his room.

Sage looked behind her, she wanted to go out there, but she knew Hyo needed help too. She just wished she wouldn?t regret it.

Mayhony looked at her and knew she was worried about Ty.

?I?ll be fine Mayhony, I?ll just need some time to recover.?

?You got a couple days?? she said looking concerned.

?That will be enough.? He said as he closed his eyes and leaned back and rested.

Sage looked at Mayhony to see if there wasn?t anything else she needed her to do. Mayhony smiled as she looked at Sage.

?Get going, I?m sure Ty?s fine.? She said as she got up.

Sage nodded and got up quickly. She went outside and saw no one in sight. Her heart was racing as she ran toward the clearing and heard footsteps behind her.