Kaykuyo’s eyes narrowed as she gave the man a strange look. She stepped up past Jiro, though her partner wasn’t willing to let her go, she did. “Why do you need my help?” She asked quietly as she looked over his tired face. He shakily reached up towards her, but she hastily stepped back. He seemed confused, but then he continued to speak. “I need…protection..”

“Go look somewhere else.” Jiro said sternly. “We’re assassins, not security.”

“But, P-Please!” The man pleaded once more as he grabbed the front of Jiro’s shirt forcefully. Jiro didn’t do anything, he let himself be shaken once before listening more to the man. “Its…not for me, its for my Daughter…Please, I need you.”

“Why us?” Kaykuyo chipped in as she flipped back a strand of her silvery hair. The man turned towards the speaking woman and he let Jiro go. “You..You’re the best of the best. And if one of the best is after my daughter, I want the best to protect her.”

“You make no sense, Old Man.”

“But, Please!” He fell on his knees before Kaykuyo. “I’ll pay you and your partners a heavy sum.”

Kaykuyo’s posture seemed to improve; her back straightened and she stood like the proud assassin she was. A sly grin crossed her face. “How much?”

“Five hundred…Gold.”

Jiro gave the man a look that was very indescribable. After a moment of silence filled the air, Jiro spoke. “What is your daughter like?”

The man began to describe his daughter. “She’s wonderful, an angel.”

Kaykuyo coughed and looked at the old man. “I hope you don’t mean literally.” The old man, who was still wearing the cloak, gave Kaykuyo an odd look. “Vampires. We’re apposed to anything Holy.” She said with slight sarcasm. The man chuckled.

“You’re funny.”

“Was I kidding?” The man silence his chuckling and he gulped quietly, looking at the silver haired woman. She half turned from him and looked to Jiro. “Go fetch Kiya; I think this may be fun.”

“I-I don’t know how to thank you…Thank you, So much…” His shoulders started to shake. “I just want her to be safe.”

“Yeah, Yeah, Suck it up, Old Man.” Kaykuyo leaned against her elbow, which was against the bar as she watched Jiro’s feet disappear up the stairs.

“So, This is just simple babysitting, right?” Kaykuyo asked after a moment of almost silence filled the air; how quiet could it get in a tavern? The man looked at Kaykuyo a long moment, and he nodded. “Yes, I want you and your team to follow her everywhere, despite anything she says.”

“As you wish, but I can’t guarantee she’ll like most of our tactics.” She said with a sly grin and a playful gleam in her eyes. The man gulped.

“Don’t worry.” She said with a calmer voice than she usually spoke with. “No one will harm your daughter if I can help it.” Of course, she was only saying these things because he was going to pay them; what a change money has in some people, especially assassins.
The mans’ hands wrung nervously as foot steps could be heard going down the wooden stairs. Kaykuyo turned to see Kiya followed closely by Jiro, and they approached the man. Of course, Kiya’s friendly nature took hold. “Hiya there, Sir!”

“Why, Hello.” The man seemed to smile; yes, this team was perfect for his little Sora; Friendly, and they knew what they were doing. “Will you be starting today?”

“I suppose,” Kaykuyo titled her head to look up at Jiro. “Are we doing anything today?”

“I don’t believe so, Kaykuyo. We could start today.” He gave his head a little nod towards the man, and he winked at Kaykuyo.

Kiya seemed excited; she defiantly liked Kaykuyo and Jiro, no, She loved them to death, but she’d finally get to met and play with someone more like…well, her!

Kaykuyo chuckled to herself at Kiya’s new-found energy and she took a step away from the bar. “Lead us to your home, Old Man.” Kiya giggled; Old man. He re-situated his cloak over his head. He nodded to the Trio of Assassins before he turned and began to walk away. They all followed him, though they didn’t look as worried as he did.

His head remained low, his posture was slouched, and his grip on the cloak was tight, his visible knuckles white. Kaykuyo sighed and shook her head. I better not be working for a bunch of Idiots…

Kiya and Jiro weren’t as Observant as Kaykuyo was, but they followed closely. They began to get to the outsides of the city, and it was late afternoon; it was a fairly big city, and you didn’t get very far by walking. Kiya whispered to Kaykuyo. “To have gotten to the tavern that early he must have left in the middle of the night.”

Kaykuyo responded to the girl in the same, quiet whisper. “Most likely.” She nodded once and brushed back her silver hair as Kiya’s step inherited more of a bounce; by the man’s relaxing posture, they could tell they were close. They approached a very, decently sized house. Kaykuyo heard a quiet ‘wow’ escape Kiya’s lips, and Jiro just looked on in wonder.

Woo-hood. Another house. Kaykuyo thought. She defiantly wasn’t as excitable as her partners. Once they approached the double doors, the man pushed them open. It revealed a large entry way with a grand staircase and a chandelier hanging from the high ceiling. Kiya’s loud, excited giggle echoed through the marble-covered room.

“Father? Are you home?” A very quiet, voice said from up the stairs. A girl appeared, wearing a long dress commonly worn by the richer girls of the town; obviously, they were rich.

“Yes, Sora. Come on down and meet your Security.” He removed the cloak and he hung it up on a nearby coat rack. The young girl used her thin, pale hand to grip the soft blue cloth of her dress to lift it up as she tried to hurry down the stairs. Her other hand remained lightly on the railing. She had light, chestnut hair pulled up on top of her head in a neat pile, and her eyes were wide and blue. She stopped before the three assassins, her skirt still ruffling from the previous movement she had made. She looked at them with Twinkling eyes before she relinquished her hold on her skirt and she bowed respectfully. “it’s a pleasure to meet you..” She said softly as she straightened. She was about as tall as Kiya, if not a bit shorter; this girl was…younger, thought Kaykuyo as she gave the girl a nod.

“Nice to meet you as well. I’m Kaykuyo, and here on my left is Jiro, and to my Right, Kiya.” Jiro politely nodded his head and Kiya stepped forward and offered out her hand to the girl. Sora looked at her hand with curiosity before she hesitantly placed her hand in Kiya’s, giving it a gentle grip as Kiya vigorously shook her arm. Kaykuyo couldn’t help but have a smile tug at her lips. “Kiya, don’t rip her arm off.”

Kiya gave Kaykuyo a sheepish smile through her black bangs and she pulled her hand back from Sora’s. “I’m sorry.” She said as she lowered her head slightly in an apologetic manner.

“its quite alright. Come on, let me show you around!” She reached out and grabbed Kiya’s hand; obviously this girl was looking for companionship as was Kiya. Kiya didn’t seem to mind the girl’s hold on her, she followed willingly.

Jiro was the next to follow, and with a sigh, Kaykuyo followed as well.

The tour seemed to last forever in Kaykuyo’s eyes. The girl was giddy; but at least Kiya was tolerable. They were now standing in front of the girls room and she tugged Kiya’s arm again. “Its starting to get late.” She looked to the other two assassins. “Dinner is being cooked as we speak, then after dinner we should get sleep for tomorrow.”

“What do you mean by that?” Kaykuyo asked.

“Didn’t my father tell you? We’re going to leave tomorrow.”

“Whoa, hold ‘er!” Kaykuyo’s voice rose slightly. “ He never mentioned anything about leaving!” Just then, she heard a heavy footstep behind her; it was Sora’s father.

“Well, About that…” Kaykuyo rounded on him and took a threatening step towards him. “I wont let me and my team be jacked around like that. You tell me what exactly is going on or else I’ll kill you.”

“No, Don’t hurt my Daddy!” Kiya tugged on Sora’s arm just as the girl had previously done to her and told her that everything would be fine. “Sh, just be quiet.”

“We’ll be leaving tomorrow for another town; this town is too dangerous. If you and your team accompany us, I’ll double your pay.”

Kaykuyo grinned. “Now we’re talking.”

Jiro watched the two make the deal, then he looked back to the girl. There was something about this he didn’t like…