Lesson Learned

You've learned so much

Shit!

. Her gaze shifted to Kataoka who was already getting back onto her feet and then Okano who was manoeuvring through the shadows of the trees, getting closer.

Just keep him distracted.

Mitsuko ducked out of the way, remembering her sparring with Karma as the man moved in a similar unrelenting fashion. Only this man was a lot taller and muscular, and that knife definitely wasn't plastic.

She shifted to the side and parried his hand and jumped back before he could swipe at her again, allowing Kataoka to dive in after to block his attack with a kick.

Okano approached from behind with the tazer and electrocuted him in the back, triggering a scream as his body spasmed.

Mitsuko grinned and tazered him in the chest before he had the chance to recover, letting the shock run through him before letting him pass out on the grass in a useless heap.

Kataoka smiled sweetly, tying the guy up. "Nice work, ladies."

Okano high-fived Mitsuko. "Let's get the rest tied up and move on."

"What about the guys in the hole?" Mitsuko gestured over her shoulder.

Kataoka shrugged, dusting off her hands as she straightened up. "The mud's wet since it rained yesterday, so they won't be getting out anytime soon." She shrugged. "It took Okajima at least three hours after I pushed him in."

Mitsuko looked confused. "Wait, what?"

"Come on, we need to catch up with the others!" Okano was already tying up the rest and ready to go. "That freak with the scar won't be far off."

***

They were so close!

Mitsuko followed the rest of the others further up the mountain when they re-grouped.

"Everyone here?" she asked when she caught up with Rio.

Rio nodded, adjusting the bag on her waist. "Yep." She grimaced when the bag jostled. "Shit, I hope this thing is still okay!"

"Let me see." Mitsuko quickly peeked inside the bag and smiled when the smell hit her nostrils. "It's all good." She kissed her cheek. "Don't worry."

Rio grinned, holding her hand. "Good. Keeping that thing safe is more stressful than beating up the punk head wannabes." Her smile wavered when she looked up at the dome which was closer and glowing brighter. "...You ready for this?"

"No." Mitsuko squeezed her hand tight. "You?"

Rio gave a broken laugh. "Hell no." Her grip was tight. "But we gotta see this through."

Mitsuko's chest hurt a little, taking in a deep breath as she nodded. "Right."

"Hey lovebirds!" Terasaka yelled up ahead. "You can make out later when we aren't on a time limit!!"

"Yeah, hurry up!" Muramatsu called from his perch on a rock.

"Buzz off!" Mitsuko waved her fist at him.

"They have a point!" Kimura raced passed them. "Hurry up!"

Rio rolled her eyes. "Come on."

The two of them continued following the others further up the mountain.

Maehara, Kataoka, Okano, and Isogai took out two more guys as they all charged forward, leaving the knocked out bodies tied up behind them like bread crumbs in the woods.