Best shot

Muki scowled as nurses helped escort her into her car. While her surgery had been a success, she refused to rest up more than needed at the hospital, seeking to leave the moment she could stand. 

"You're sure you don't want to stay here and rest?" Sana asked.

"No. I hate setting foot in here unless I have to. If rest is all I need, I can do it at my place."

That being said, Muki still needed to make one final stop before heading back home. 

Driving towards the west side of town, she decided to take one quick detour before her destination. Pulling up to a traditional Japanese house just at the edge of town, Muki gazed out into the wilderness.  Where the tall buildings of neighboring city, Shoko, should have been now stood a vast plain with a dirt path to a large mountain in the distance. Little did anyone know this very mountain was where the infamous Hougen resided. 

"Well that is jaw-dropping. Who'd think the west end would finally get a scenic view," she thought as she hobbled out of the car. 

"You look a bit tipsy. Perhaps you need a sword to lean on for support," a voice snarled. 

Turning her head slightly, Muki saw Bisento, leaning up against a street light with katana in hand. 

"You going to kill me with that?" Muki glared as she reached for her gun. 

"Such violent fantasies. We're family now thanks to my foolish sister marrying your mother." 

"Really? I've been avoiding the two as much as I can, so I never got the memo."

"What a luxury. Sister has been avoiding me, even shutting me off at times. Now, I have a question. This part of town was said to have warriors that fought off the goblins. Where are they?" 

"Wouldn't you like to know."

"Rude tone towards your savior and aunt by marriage."

Muki shrugged and rang the doorbell on the traditional house. "Lucky you, I saw you hanging around and decided to humor you. Now the surprise I've got coming for you will truly be a surprise," she thought. 

"Well?"

"It's best to hear the words from the man himself."

As if on cue, an effeminate young man with shoulder-length bleached hair clad in baggy clothing strutted out of the house along with two men in suits. "Hey, sweet pea," he cooed, his voice as effeminate as his looks.

"This is Yotsuba Yotsu, the local boss's son, sex offender, and BL muse for yaoi writers worldwide. He's the brave bastard that led the charge in reducing casualties out here."

"Yow-what?" Bisento asked.

"She means steamy pages of me smoochin' guys. I don't mind the publicity, but I like girls. I like girls, like Muki Mu," Yotsuba grinned as he waddled into Muki's personal space.

Muki readied her foot, but stopped as she noticed Yotsuba preparing himself for the presumed kick to the crotch. "Disgusting. You're nothing but revolting."

"How? See my face?"

"It's eternally youthful, but the average elf male is 10 times more effeminate, especially the ones from Evendale. So how did you stop all those goblins, cutie?" Bisento glared. 

The womanizer within took full throttled control over Yotsuba. "Oo, that side eye! I'll tell you, school elf. With my sexy guns. Here, here, and here, I guess," he stated as he showcased each of his noodely arms before pulling out his handgun.

The weapon naturally caught Bisento's eye. "What an intriguing shape. May... May I hold it?"

Yotsuba smiled and kissed the handle before handing it over to Bisento. "Hit me with your best shot, sexy."

"Mmm, sure," Bisento angrily smiled as she grabbed the gun.

Muki's eyes widened in horror as Bisento rapidly spun the gun around towards her and pulled the trigger.

Time began to slow for Muki and Bisento as the bullet flew towards Muki. Muki slowly began to lower her head down, however the bullet then made contact, splattering blood everywhere. Yet Muki was not the one hit. 

Standing right before her was Yotsuba, who had managed to launch himself into the bullet's path just in time to save her. "Heh, heh, makes ya wanna kiss me, huh?" he nervously smiled as he clutched his bleeding shoulder. 

"Get well flowers are the best you're getting from me. And you, what the hell was that for!?" Muki glared at Bisento. 

"My apologies, I didn't know how this operated and pulled the trigger-" 

"Put it on the ground and slide it over." 

Bisento smiled and happily appeared to do that. "There you go. Happy now?"

"I will be when you actually give me back the gun." 

"It's right there at your feet."

"No, it's still in your hand and pointed at me."

Bisento went pale, but quickly reassured herself that everything was fine. "She's just the paranoid type. There's no way she can truly see through my illusions," she thought. 

Unfortunately for Bisento, there was a camera right behind her that was unaffected by her illusionary magic, giving Muki a perfect true view of her. 

"Anyway, you're a little woozy looking, so get some rest. I have to go," Bisento stuttered as she began running off into the distance.

"And what was that commotion just now!?" a female voice boomed. 

Turning, everyone noticed a beautiful woman clad in a black kimono with red flower imprints and a pair of black zori stepping out of the house. Her head and eyebrows were completely shaved clean and painted white along with her face. This was Kurenai Yotsu, a leader of one of the town's most prominent yakuza gangs as well as Yotsuba's mother. She was also a lifelong friend of Machiko, and often helped keep the town orderly for her sake. 

"Mu? Yotsuba! Why are you forcing yourself on Mu!? Do you not have any decency!?"

"Mommy! I actually protected her-" 

Kurenai stormed over, thinking Yotsuba was just being his usual self, but quickly saw that he was being truthful. "And our underground doc was in the next town over. Better hope your ass doesn't get arrested as soon as that bullet is yanked out!" 

"Can't miss Fuukuro just bail me out?"

"No, you shit! You're not worth her destroying her career for. Now haul yourself to the hospital already." 

Yotsuba and his men quickly headed for a car and drove off, leaving Muki and Kurenai alone. 

"So what's with the shaved head?" Muki asked. 

"Pretty noticeable, yeah? Had it done after your mother told me of her marriage. That girl's the living incarnation of "girl power" I tell ya. Inspiration to women everywhere." 

"Not all women."

"Hey, I can see some smooth under that hood, you little tsundere. So what brings you by?"

"Just had to attend to some business, and thought I'd check up on you all on the way."

"That's nice. We didn't have too much trouble taking down the little green vermin, but to say we were dominant throughout would be a lie. Us appearing here suddenly put us at a disadvantage, but our firearms managed to help us turn the tide."

"I figured that'd be the case. Make sure to be on guard. The days here apparently last 72 hours, while the nights last only 12, and we're nearing the 72 hour mark."

"Are we now. I've lost track of time so easily." 

"Tell me about it. Well, good-bye."

"Just tell me who shot Yotsuba first." 

"An elf named Bisento. She wears a school uniform and has long white hair, but she wields powerful wind and illusion magic. Also be on the lookout for a giant kangaroo. He can chew someone to the bone in seconds like a piranha."

"Quite the information overload, but I thank you for all that." 

Muki nodded and waved as she got back in her car and drove off.