147 To Safety!

I growled darkly as I ran, tendrils of helplessness shooting through my systems as I narrowly dodged the lead pellet that had been about to puncture Terrick's head. Every fibre in my being wanted me to draw my daggers and go on a rampage, but I resisted.

I was no stranger to loosing someone close, and every thought of the loss I would face vastly overwhelmed the oppressive helplessness that I currently felt.

As I dashed through the trees, the sound of gunshots that rang behind me began to grow louder and more hurried. The gunners where no doubt becoming anxious forcing them to begin shooting haphazardly, as opposed to the modicum of care they gave to their aim until that point.

In a few more meters the tree cover would become too thick for them to continue their rapid fire, and at last I would gain some piece and more importantly safety for the two passed out in my arms.

Suddenly a growl curled through the air, my observation Haki blazing at such extremity that they began to give me a headache. With a swift turn I dodged whatever it was that had come hurtling towards me, a terrifying heat pervading the surface of my face as I felt my eyebrows singe.

It was a man in what looked to be an official formal red, a marine cape flapping away behind him as he landed deftly. It had been him that had attacked him. (if it wasn't obvious already) With a glance at him, it became apparent how.

The man stared at me apathetically, a line of red liquid seeming down his hand as he stood calmly at the ready. As soon as the man had arrived, the blaze of guns had stopped at least for that I was thankful.

"What is with you fuckers and attacking incapacitated victims?" I growled out as I glared at him. My patience running down a slippery slope as I gazed coldly at the Marine.

"You have obstructed the course of Justice civilian. Stand down." the man called out apathetically. His eyes regarded me carefully as he looked down at the body in my hand.

"Drop the bodies and come quietly." he finished. Before turning his back to me with an unhidden amount of authority.

I growled darkly as I gazed at the man. Judging by what my Haki told me, he was dangerous. Then again, I could hardly drop Sorren and Terrick and go silently. They needed treatment and I wasn't particularly keen on trusting a marine any further than I could throw one.

"You heard me Civilian. Drop the bodies." He said enunciating clearly as he noticed my clear hesitation. His hands began to bellow with smoke as glared me down, his eyes beginning to smoulder as he stared me down.

A soft gurgle began to develop within my throat as I clenched my muscles, a single [Shunpo] would throw him of guard.

As I barely twisted out of the way,"Lorean!" A roar echoed out as a blue blaze crested over the trees landing swiftly at in front of me, a blue wing chopping down savagely barely defending against the full power punch of the marine Vice Admiral.

Marco had appeared, twisting slightly as he stabbed at the man's open torso with his talons.

Instantly I twitched, retreating quickly I flashed out of the clearing. Marco would be my distraction I decided, as I raced forward, bursting at full speed.

As the world zoomed around me I could feel the trees draw closer, my anxiousness coupled with the claustrophobic woods around made the adrenaline that ran through my veins churn with enough vigour to turn milk to butter.

A splash sounded under my feet as I ran over a puddle.

A graze followed as a small line of blood drew onto my face. My Observation Haki warned me of course, but I moved to fast to care, a small cut would do nothing and wasn't worth avoiding.

As I ran into the dark woods, the roots began to sprout from out of the ground, the same path that I had tread in the morning of my arrival now seemed all the more dangerous.

The wind howled, the leaves crackled under foot and before I knew it, I came upon someone familiar.

It was Fawkes, and boy was I grateful that he was here.

My feet skidded to a close as I stopped before him, unloading my charge almost instantly before draping them onto my alert first mate's shoulders. No words were exchanged, just subtle glances.

And as I prepared to dash the way I had come, I noticed two other figures. A barely hobbling Thatch and a worried Angella. All I could do was give her a quick glance before I looked at Fawkes.

"Angella follow!

Fawkes get those three to town." I said before shooting back into the forest. Now though, Angella followed.

Within seconds I had returned to the forest's eerie embrace as loud thrums echoed off the mud covered forest floor.

Suddenly, a small pop sounded puncturing shrilly in the eerie silence of the forests. I had to hurry.

*******

Left.

Right.

Below!

Marco shrieked as he dodged through the air, ice boulders and magma fists raining down on his rocking form as he evaded through the air.

As soon as he had appeared, the boat on the Horizon had upended their engines, maintaining a steady thrum as they began preparations to leave. The lights dotting the side of the ship began to beam slowly as low shouts could be heard on deck.

All that remained on the Marine agenda was to silence anyone that had seen them, first the phoenix then the three that had fled from them.