GAROU : MARK OF THE WOLVES GAIDEN

 

 

Chapter 2

 

 

For around 2 hours, Hotaru spent her time struggling to break free with no avails. She also occasionally made several muffled moans, but at this rate, nobody could hear her. Tears were about to slid from her eyes slowly, when suddenly the door opened. Hotaru hoped it was actually her brother, but she was wrong... It was actually Rock. He approached her.

 

 

Hotaru : Mmmmmpph ?

Rock : .... Don't be scared.

 

 

Saying that, Rock only went as far as removing her gag.

 

 

Hotaru : Pffttoo ! Huh ? Why are you here ?

Rock : Well, I wish I could get you out of this. But... damn, I just can't !

Hotaru : Rock... you don't have to worry about me.

Rock : But what if Kain decided to do something horrible on you !? After all I am the one who brought you here.

Hotaru : It's all right ! It's my problem ! You did your best to find your mother, and I appreciate that.

Rock : ... Well, at least let me protect you from any horrible things Kain is plotting.

Hotaru : You really mean it ?

Rock : .... Uh, yeah.

Hotaru : That's so kind of you, Rock.

Rock : Ugh...

 

 

After he heard that, Rock began to sweat and blush like crazy. After all, he is shy around women, and Hotaru was no exception. But, suddenly, Kain's voice echoed.

 

 

Kain : Rock ! Could you please bring that girl here !?

Rock : Oh crap... Hotaru, do you mind if you act a little ?

Hotaru : Huh ?

Rock : Well, Kain wants your presence. So, in order not to attract his suspicion, would you act like you despise me, in front of him ?

Hotaru : Sure ! I'll do my best to help you !

Rock : Good. For starters, I'll have to gag you again.

 

 

Rock then picked up the cloth again and circled it around Hotaru's mouth, gagging her again.

 

 

Rock : Well... can you speak now ?

Hotaru : Mmmmmpprrh.

Rock : That's good. Was that comfortable ?

Hotaru : *nods*

Rock : That's better. Remember the acting. Okay, let's go.

 

 

Rock then carried Hotaru on his arms in front of him and headed in front of Kain's chamber. Before they entered the door, Rock smirked and Hotaru nodded. Then, she began to make some muffled voices and struggled lightly, so Rock didn't drop her. She also made her face looked kinda mad. Then, Rock entered the chamber, and found Kain alongside two fat businessman.

 

 

Kain : Very good, Rock. Now tie that girl on that chair over there.

 

 

Rock had to agree and moved to the corner of the room. There was a chair and several more ropes. He made Hotaru sit there and used those ropes to tie her body and legs to the chair. She still made the muffled voices as Rock left.

 

 

Rock : There. What now ?

Kain : Okay, Rock. Let me introduce you these two brothers : Karn and Kahn.

 

 

Karn and Kahn looked very identical each other. In fact they are twins ! The only difference is that Karn was wearing white clothes and Kahn was wearing black.

 

 

Rock : So, you know where my mother is... tell me about it !

Karn : Not so fast, young man.

Rock : What !?

Kahn : We have agreed with Kain that we will decide it... in a poker game !

Rock : Dammit, I don't have time to play around like this !

Kain : ... So, if he won, you'll tell him where his mother is ?

Kahn : Of course.

Kain : Great. Let's begin immediately.

Rock : Are you really sure about this !?

Kain : *whisper* Don't worry, Rock. If I win as well... I'm still going to ask where your mother is. After all, she IS my sister.

Rock : (Kain is plotting something else. I'll have to win at all cost !)

 

 

And so, the four men started the game in a round table. After several minutes of thinking... finally, one by one, all of them started to reveal their cards.

 

 

Karn : Hmmm... Straight Flush ! Pretty good result.

Kahn : Dammit ! I only have full house !!

Karn : Well, Kain ?

Kain : Hahaha... too bad, you guys... It's Royal Flush for me !

 

 

Kain revealed his hand... it's a Heart Royal Flush !

 

 

Kain : Victory is mine !!

Rock : Kain, don't get cocky.

Kain : Huh ?

 

 

And it's Rock's turn... and it's a Spade Royal Flush !

 

 

Kain : Rock ! Now, that's my nephew !

Rock : There, I won. Now where's my mother ?

Karn : Wait. You forgot the rules in a poker... Follow me.

 

 

Karn got up and the rest followed him... to Hotaru. All of them except Rock and Kain stared her in a disgusting look.

 

 

Hotaru : Mmmmph ?

Karn : Well, you won, so... You have the privilege... to strip her !

Rock : !!!!!

Hotaru : MMMMMMMMPPPPPHHHH !!!!

 

 

Hotaru started to struggle like crazy, but it was no avail. The ropes bound her very tight, she couldn't move her body, or break free. Rock was shaking very angrily.

 

 

Kahn : Come on, what are you waiting for !?

Rock : ....

Kain : Rock, if you do that, they WILL tell you about your mother.

Rock : ....

Hotaru : MMMMMMMMMMPPPPHHHH !!!!!

Rock : .... Kain, gimme that knife.

Hotaru : (Rock !! No !! What are you thinking !?) MMMMMPPPHH !!!

Kain : Excellent...

 

 

Kain started to have a disgusting stare like the twins, as he prepared the knife from his cloth. However, he didn't realize that as he put his arms to pick up the knife, Rock's fist started to glow. When he realized it, it was too late.

 

 

Kain : Rock ? What are you-

Rock : Lying bastard !! TAKE THIS !!!

 

 

Rock delivered a Shine Knuckle straight to Kain's face. It knocked him quite deep to the wall. Hotaru was shocked, but the twins were even more.

 

 

Kahn : Hey, are you out of your mind !?

Karn : Don't you want to know about your mother...

Rock : Don't give me that bull !

 

 

Rock then grabbed both Karn and Kahn with his hands on their faces. He emitted a powerful aura coming from his Howard bloodline. Hotaru was struck with fear, trembling upon Rock's power. Rock slowly lifted the twins up while holding their faces. His power kept rising and rising, and finally....

 

 

Rock : RAGING STORM !!!

 

 

While still holding the twins, Rock unleashed his Raging Storm, wounding them greatly while burying their face to the floor. At the same time, Kain got up and witnessed what happened. He was... shocked.

 

 

Kain : Rock... what are you doing ?!

Rock : Kain... I trusted you... Ever since that time I thought you would lead me to mother... But then what did you do !? You treated me like your lapdog, using my mother as a tool so I would do all your bidding ! I've been quite patient with you, but now... you forced me to abuse Hotaru's innocence, with my mother as another empty promise !!

Kain : You do want to find your mother, don't you ?

Rock : But I would not step that low for that information !! I am a human as well !! And as a human... I have my patience limit and now it has reached its peak...

Kain : Then, what will you do ?

Rock : I'm through with you. I quit as your 'servant' !!

Kain : One thing to tell, Rock... once I found an apprentice... I won't let them go that easily.

Rock : Well then I just gotta beat the crap out of you again.

Kain : Can you really do it ? I am more powerful than before now...

Rock : But, now I have a help... REPPU KEN !!

 

 

Rock sent a Reppu Ken to Hotaru and missed for about an inch on purpose. However, this also cut all ropes that bound her and after removing her gag, she was free.

 

 

Hotaru : Now you will pay for dragging me into this, Kain !!

Kain : Humph. One small fry will not make a difference.

Rock : Bring it on... UNCLE !!

 

 

Helped with Hotaru, Rock fought Kain. It was a tense fight, even though they combined their power. Finally, Kain got a little cocky and sent his Himmlische Seele (the multi hit orb) to them. However, they both stepped aside and Rock grabbed him, throwing him with Geese's trademark throw, Shinkuu Nage. It was not continued by him, but before Kain landed, he was struck with Hotaru's massive Ten-Shou Ran-Ki. When he tried to get up and attack Hotaru, Rock shoved him off, turning Kain's face to him. Then, Kain has to prepare for the worst... Rock launched his Neo Deadly Rave to him on full force and knocked him down. After that, Kain ran out of power and could not fight anymore. He just stood weakly, holding his arms wounded.

 

 

Rock : Well. I won. Hotaru, we're outta here.

Hotaru : Okay !

Kain : Wait...

Rock : What do you want ? I've got nothing to say.

Kain : You... really don't want to find your mother ?

Rock : I do want to find her...

Kain : Then why...

Rock : I will find her myself, without your help, that is all. I'd rather search for her myself, rather than being forced to do crimes for sake of my mother !!

Kain : ...

Rock : Farewell, Kain. From this day on, I quit being your servant or whatever.

 

 

With that, Rock and Hotaru left Kain's mansion. They headed to Hotaru's small rented house. After the tournament, Hotaru won a little money, because of her performance. With that, she rented a house in the town to become her temporary home, until she finds her brother.

 

 

Rock : Okay... You're home. I'll... see you later.

Hotaru : Rock... where are you going now ?

Rock : Find my mother, what else ?

Hotaru : I mean, you prefer to stay at the streets ?

Rock : I dunno. Maybe I will return to Terry. And... uh...

Hotaru : Umm... what is it ?

Rock : I did save you from Kain, but there's one promise I couldn't fulfill...

Hotaru : What promise ?

Rock : Your brother... I'm sorry, but I couldn't find him...

Hotaru : Rock... I never thought that... you still care about that thing.

Rock : But...

 

 

Rock didn't have a chance to finish his sentence, as suddenly Hotaru moved her face to him and kissed his cheek. Rock was blushing madly, and ended up speechless, because he's still shy around women.

 

 

Hotaru : It's okay, Rock ! You saved me, and you did your best for my brother. I like you !

Rock : ....

Hotaru : Well, if you have time, you can come and visit me here ! I'll be waiting !

Rock : ....

Hotaru : Well, I gotta go. See you again ! Thank you !!

 

 

Hotaru entered her house and waved good bye to Rock. He replied with a small 'good bye', and also waved his hand. Then, he left the house, into the crowd of Second South... for his new quest to find his mother without Kain... No man can say if he's going to succeed or no...

 

 

The End