Vlad paced the length of the small room, and looked at his young charge again.  She looked to be no more than sixteen, with black shoulder length hair, and the olive skin akin to her Japanese heritage.  Her physique was so much different than Vlad’s pale elven skin, and six foot six height.  She sat crouched in the corner, paranoid and alert.  She was scared, but still held the sword that he had given her as though she was born to it.  Vlad looked at the door, and realized he was a bit paranoid himself, however with every Shadow Runner in the city after her, they both had every reason to be paranoid.

            “Don’t worry, I will protect you with my life,” Vlad said trying to sooth the girls nerves.  Of course he meant it.  Once he took a job, he intended to finish it, or die trying.  The notion of turning her in for the 10,000 new yen that was being offered did tempt him, but he finally decided that his honor is not worth any amount.  Besides the, Vlad stopped mid stride and mid thought.  Suddenly he realized he was not getting paid for this job.  He began to run the beginning of the night in his head.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

            The music at Dante’s Inferno was heavy techno, and loud enough to burst audio implants.  Vlad danced next to one of his fellow runners, and someone he hoped one day would actually be able to be called a friend.  (EnterNameLater) was about a foot shorter than Vlad, and for a normal human quite beautiful.  Her long red hair flowed freely, unlike Vlad’s black hair which was in a braid that fell below his knees.  Both of them were in some of their finest tres-sheik clothing in order to fit in with the Inferno’s crowd.  Vlad was a little uncomfortable without any of his weapons, even his retractable finger razors were being kept in by metallic bracelets the club had placed on him.

them.  The young woman did not appear to be a patron and seemed to be running for her life.