My feet were getting tired from all this running. There were about, four or five guys in black suits coming after me. I couldn’t really see though because it was so dark. This whole night just turned into a mess. So many times they tried to call my name to get me to stop, but I wasn’t listening.

“LUNA!”

All I wanted was for them to just leave me alone because I had enough!!

As soon as I saw the alleyway ahead of me, I immediately swerved. When I took a better look at where I was, I started to familiarize myself with the surrounding because I would usually end up here if there was an escape emergency. I mean, it was dark, quiet and it was very abandoned by the locals here. I turned to another small alley. Shit. It was a dead end. Holy fuck they’re coming!! But luckily it was easy for me to jump over the fence, as I held onto the metal bar that was over the fence. I instantly went running full speed like I was holding on to nothing but the little hope I did have. They won’t follow me anymore.

I found myself at the bus stop, and fortunately for me – the bus came at the right time! I didn’t ask any questions or even greet the bus driver, I just gave him my money and headed straight for a seat away from the window just in case they were still out looking for me. No one was sitting at the back, so I sat there. It wasn’t long before the bus driver stopped at the Filbert bus station. From that moment, I knew it wasn’t safe for me to go back to my place so I booked a room in a cheap motel. Huh. Better than nothing come on!! It’s been a while since I came back to this area of Philadelphia. There were still a lot of people residing here. All that’s really changed is the new infrastructure for the boutiques, restaurants and malls that they were building.

“Jean Coffee” is the first place I spotted so I went there. I ordered a chocolate milkshake. The server looked polite and the service looked great. She gave me my milkshake right away. I seated myself by a random table and I took out my phone. Sheesh!!! 22 missed calls and 17 fucking messages? Well, no doubt who those belonged to. I ignored it.

I stared at my phone. They are probably trying to trace it right now so I deleted everything on it before getting up out of my seat and throwing it in the trash. I needed to go to a payphone. I digged in my pant pocket, and found a few pennies that I could use for the payphone. I finished the rest of my milkshake and headed outside. I inserted the coins I had into the slot and dialed the number. I heard a few rings but suddenly he answered. “LUNA?!!”

I almost chuckled lightly at his voice. It’s been three months since I last saw this guy. And I missed him. “Shh… Tygo tone down your voice.”

“Oh, sorry… what happened to you? We haven’t heard anything from you for the past three months. We’re SO incredibly worried!!” He quietened down his voice, but I could still hear the strong panic. “I’m sorry!! It’s a long story okay. But who’s with you right now? Are you still with Paulo? How’s AJ?”

“I’m alone right now and yes I’m still at the house staying in Paulo’s basement. AJ is good, but she’s really worried you know. Especially um..”

He didn’t have to say anything. I already knew who he was talking about. Our boss. Oh god Sir would kill me if he ever found out where I was. I felt Tygo’s pain but I don’t know – all of a sudden I had the urge to go to Philly even if my boss hates this place and that they were expecting my goodbye.

“Wait a minute, you’re in Philly aren’t you???”

I rolled my eyes. Knowing Tygo, he’s going to go crazy and hunt for me. I forgot for a split second that he was the best hacker I knew. That’s why he knew my location. But this is a payphone what the fuck? “Tygo don’t tell anyone okay? Please. And stop hacking my phone dammit.” I heard his sour laugh over the phone. “I’m just worried, I just want to make sure of your whereabouts so that I know where to find you.”

“Just don’t tell anyone that I called you,” I said in a serious voice. “Okay, okay. Anyway Luna, everything is getting worse in the underground society.” The sudden change of his tone scared me.

“That’s why I’m here big bro. To pay our debts.”

A long silence fell between Tygo and I, before I heard his raspy voice once again. 

"... There's more." He replied. 

"Tell me." 

No one has been telling me anything ever since I arrived to Philly. I had to cut all my communication with the people I know because I didn't want them to get involved and it's really annoying!! "Las Vegas is in a big mess because of the gang war. Detroit was suffering from dictatorship of a crime group. Los Angeles has no difference as well. Illegal stuff are happening everywhere now. Drugs, guns and killings. Well known families are being massacred one by one. And as what I heard even the Capacito's in New York are in the middle of a blood war with some of the clans. It's crazy." 

"Is it the Prime Sydicates?" I asked. This is the only thing that popped up in my mind when I started to slowly make an understanding of what Tygo was saying. "There's a high chance it is." Tygo muttered. I clenched my fists. I knew who was behind this. Sir Itachi is the mastermind. And that makes my blood boil. Now I will not stop my plan until I get to him and kill him myself and everything stops once and for all. "Oh Luna. One more thing!! De Guzman is one of the families that was massacred and Rick De Guzman was the only survivor." I feel like my ears suddenly deafened when he starts saying that to me. Rick was one of the very few people, who could actually get on my nerves and all he'd have to do is stare at me with those... mysterious eyes. Despite the recurring chaos that lingers around me, I still consider him as a friend because we did have an unforgettable past together. Tygo's call ended and I didn't even get to say goodbye! Jerk. I didn't have any evergy right now. I didn't want to go back to the motel I booked in to so I decided to just take a walk around the plaza. I need to figure out a way to get back to Chicago. But shit!! I lost three months ago to my biological father, so I need to stay here in Philly after a while before the boss tells me that all the paperwork is done. What should I do? 

"You ran away again."

My feet froze in their place. A man was standing right across from me. He came here three days ago. Well honestly, he's the only guy I knew that would go back to Philly, also because we go to the same school; Crimson University, where I see him a lot. 

"How did you find me Gavin?" When I asked this, I painted a frown on my face. This is only because I had no plans of going back home, and I felt bad because he'd want me to go back so I could be safe. He smiled back at me surprisingly, only to be interrupted by a phone call. I already knew who he was speaking to. Then for a split second, he turned to look me in the eyes and said in response to my question "mhm. you know me." His answer was simple. Gavin put the phone to his ears again. "Kumicho I found her.... Yes... Yes... I'll bring her home later... Yes." 

I rolled my eyes, turned around and started walking in a different direction but of course, I still hear Gavin's footsteps trailing behind me. "So where are we going Luna san?" He knows how much I hate that term but he keeps calling me that way just to annoy me. But I pretended to ignore him and continued on walking. I was shocked when all of a sudden his arm wrapped around me. He was so close to me that I caught him off guard and I had to back away. But not that far - he wasn't letting go of my hand. He was just staring at me, and his eyes were lazy but maybe he's just sleepy. I was staring back at him too. I feel like he's avoiding the subject at hand. "Is it because I'm a Genji now??" 

I didn't know how long we were staring at eachother but my eyes immediately went big when he started to speak again.

"We have to go somewhere." He said. 

I got scared at what he said to me. His eyes locked with mine and my feet was glued to the ground. I didn't realize his car was right beside us in the parking lot, and he walked over to his car and opened the passenger side for me to come in. "Where are we going?" I raised my eyebrows in curiosity. "Just get in." He said with a smile before gently pushing me into the seat. I didn't talk back. When we started driving, I just stayed mute. It wasn't long before we stopped at another car park. I didn't wait for him to say anything, I just got out of the car. Plus it smelled like anchovies in there what the hell!!! 

I looked at the long footpath on the side, then I started to notice the bamboo gate that was in front of me accompanied by plants. There were also a few people here that looked like.. tourists? I wonder where the fuck Gavin took me. I jumped when he suddenly took my hand. My eyes were darting from left to right, feeling shy all of a sudden. He just smiled and started walking me to the main gate. "We call this place Masumichi Senza. Beautiful isn't it?" I just nodded, while looking around me. In the three months that I've been staying here in Philly, I went to all sorts of tourist spots but this is the first time I've seen this one!! We both kept on walking, and he fell silent. I still remember his face when he discovered that I was Luna Genji. I even saw a glint of hatred in his eyes but it disappeared fast. Maybe it's because he was the last one to find out the truth. He was a big help though. He accompanied me during my travel and first week here. I had enough time to adjust but to this day, I'm having trouble bonding with my blood relations. "Are you still having a hard time staying here?" I heard him ask. My response was weak because I had said it in a very low voice and it cracked. "Yeah. And I want to go back to Chicago." 

"We're in a very dangerous time right now in Chicago. I'm sorry but you have to understand why your parents are trying to protect you so bad."

"But what about the people I left? Without saying goodbye!!!!" I made a sharp move and took my hand out of Gavin's when I realized I was still holding it. "I'm just worried for the family and friends I made there." 

"They're fine Lu-" 

"Don't tell a lie Gavin." I felt restricted at what he was going to say. I just KNOW he is trying to hide things from me. I cut him off. "I know what happened about Rick's family and the other students in Crimson University." 

Gavin went quiet again and he kept his eyes on me. "We can't risk your safety. You literally JUST came back from rehab and you - Luna Genji is back. How do you think your mom would feel if you just ran away again?" 

"I don't care about-" 

Gavin went red. "Luna don't be such a brat! You're too selfish, just thinking about yourself. When are you going to forgive your damn mother. She killed someone close to you because that person killed her friend. Didn't you think about how the situation would make her feel??? The anger you feel for your mom does not even come close to comparing the built up rage your mother has because her bestfriend, the mother of Takeo is gone. It's hard to deal with the loss of a mother. You even had the opportunity to be given another mother, why don't you start loving your own?" 

I went quiet. I couldn't say anything. 

I was ashamed.

I mean... I can understand why he said it. Gavin is an orphan, and every time I saw him he always resented going back to the orphanage. "Sorry... I just got carried away." I heard him say. "I wanna go home." I replied. My mood was killed and it reflected the dullness of the night sky. He zoned out but after a few minutes he took my hand in his again, then started walking back to the parking lot. The ride was silent. There was nothing I really wanted to say, plus we were both tired. It wasn't long before we arrived at the mansion of the Genjis. It's a traditional Italian mansion. There were alot of better homes in the area but there was something about this place that stood out. Maybe it was the carving on the door. I always adored that. When Gavin and I hopped out of his car, we were approached by a number of men in black suits. Fuck sake how many more black suits I got to see today!! One of them said "thank goodness you came back!" I didn't pay it any attention and walked straight into the mansion. I heard Gavin thanking them before catching up to me. 

I was at the entrance, and I took off my shoes while another man in a black suit joined me. But he wasn't just another man. It was Yazuya, the right hand of the leader of Minamoto. He was getting old, but everyone knew he was stronger than any of the men in black suits earlier before and could defeat them in an instant, especially if he was to fight a Genji. "Your father wishes to see you." He said to me and bowed. I nodded, and walked further into the mansion in my bare feet. The tiles were so cold oh gosh. I saw Gavin talking to somebody and I didn't want to interrupt so I just continued walking.

I reached the waiting area and all of a sudden the voices I could hear inside just... stopped. They knew I was here. "Come in." This voice, I knew so well. The leader of Minamoto. 

There were a couple of people in here, some I knew some I didn't. But there was one person who stood out the most to me. It was Kaitlyn Genji. God her face just brings back so much memories. She looked at me for a brief second and I could see sadness in her eyes but it disappeared. There is nothing she can do to make me forget the time she killed my mentor, and almost killed me too. 

"Sit down." Henry suddenly said, who was seated at the front. On his right, the previous leader of Minamoto who was named George Genji. He was smiling at me kind of creepily and told me to sit down because he had some news for me? 

I immediately sat down. I was getting impatient. Why are they all smiling at me like that?!?!?! 

My eyes turned to a man sitting on my left. "How are you Luna?" He asked wearing his stupid smile. "Fine if I'm not here." I replied sarcastically. I was trying to hold in my laughter so bad. They all just looked so serious!!! "Ah, you haven't changed a bit Luna. Didn't you miss me?" I so badly wanted to punch him in the face, but I held it in because I was the cause for why we were all here gathered tonight. I felt bad, I guess. "Yes, yes. Stop teasing Luna. Anyway how was your trip?" George said, while smiling and showing his pearly whites. 

"Boring..." I quickly said. Nothing more, nothing less. Out of all the man I knew in this mansion, George was the one person I could never understand. I hear so much from people that people are scared of him because of the respect they have for this man. Huh. But whatever anyone says, no one can convince me otherwise that he has the ugliest attitude I've ever seen in my whole entire life. I earned another smile from him. 

See? I really don't understand him. Anyways... Lets see what I'm really here for...

"I still don't like how you ran away from your guards." Henry said, in a stern voice. I couldn't help but my roll my eyes at him. "How many times do I need to tell you that I don't like people following like I'm a dog!!! I can protect myself. I can kill someone in an instant." I tried so hard to not raise my voice so much when I said this. I suddenly heard Kaitlyn Genji laugh, but it didn't reach her eyes. 

Did I miss something? Why is everyone laughing? 

"Stubborn and prideful as always." The man on the left, named James said that. "You really are a Genji" said Henry. George added "She really is indeed." 

Now I'm starting to hate this family. I didn't want to speak for the rest of the night. "Well my dearest Luna, I have some great news for you." I had raised my eyebrows at what James had said. He better make sure it's good news or I'm going to flip out on him for lying to me once again!! "We decided to send you back to Chicago." Henry went back to his serious tone. I was surprised at what he said. They're... sending me back? I'll get to see all my friends again! "We will send you back but there will be conditions." Henry's forehead when he started thinking carefully about what he was going to say. "You are going to stay with your brothers" was his last response. Honestly, I was fine with that because I missed them so much. Pfft. Henry was saying this as if he'll have multiple men watching me on a daily basis while I'm back to Chicago. 

"And a Minamoto member will be with your every time that your brothers are not around. If they reported to me that you ran away from them, you will be sent back here immediately." Henry added. 

My eyes widened. 

... Sh!! I'll be damned!!