And it's Moneytrees plugging back in, here's another chapter!

Chapter 10: The Clock Ticks Faster

"Got dammit Rock you got that bitch after us? Maybe you were too much trouble to bring along with us." Dutch said shaking his head after Rock delivered the news of the infamous Bloodhound being after him. Dutch was the only one other than Rock who was familiar with the Bloodhound of Florencia. Revy crosses her arms with a look of annoyance on her face. Benny held his head as he remembered the last time Rock's "friends" came to pay him a visit.

"I know Dutch and you know as well as I do that this is serious. I'll need to go away for a while or meet her-" Rock was cut off by Revy who wasn't having his idea at all.

"Hold on, whoever the bitch is we face her together!" Revy cut in, Dutch sighed and nodded his head.

"Although I don't really feel like risking my life, she's right Rock. We're not gonna let you face her alone." Dutch added to Revy's point, Rock shook his head.

"I don't think you guys understand and I appreciate your support but this isn't some top tier special operations squad. We're talking Rosarita Cisneros, one of the most feared assassins in the world. I don't know how they convinced her to track me down. I saved her life a couple years back." Rock said as he started to think, he shook the thought before resuming his speech. "Anyways I need to prepare myself, plus we won't be able to go through with the mission if she shows up during it." Rock said, Benny raised a brow.

"The only people that even know about the job is Chang and possibly Miss Balalaika. How could she know where we're at?" Benny asked, Rock looked toward him and nodded.

"She will know, and as a matter of fact I bet she gets to wherever I'm at in the next two or three days and that's a guarantee." Rock informed them, Revy scoffed.

"Bitch could've came today for all I care and I'd fill her with bullets and that's a guarantee." She said looking in Rock's eyes at the end. Rock remembered they're conversation last night and knew he was going against what he said. However he couldn't risk anybody else's life especially those he held dear. This was his problem that he had to deal with.

"Rock not to discredit you or anything but those guys we dealt with back there wasn't anything extraordinary." Dutch pointed out, Benny cringed slightly reinforcing Dutch's point. Rock simply grinned evilly, everyone in the room could've sworn the temperature dropped in the room.

"Oh trust me I've been holding back" He said eyeing Dutch, Revy crosses her arms growling under her breath. Rock then reminisced about the times when he became Lycan. The blood thirsty that knew no restraints. Recalling several missions where he left a bloody massacre. "It's like a switch that's hard to turn off... Once I get going it's like that's the only thing that matters." Rock then seemed to snap out of his trance. Regaining his focus he looked around before his eyes settled back on Dutch. "I still don't like killing but when I become that... Dog, I'm a whole different person. Emotionless and indifferent about anything that didn't mean bloodshed. That's why I have to do this alone. Roberta is the same way, she will come and I'll have to turn on my switch..."

"Sounds like some Boogie man type shit." Dutch said putting his newspaper down. "So you sure you think you can handle it alone?" Dutch asked, he was contemplating the whole ordeal and realized that Rock and the Bloodhound were in a league of their own. He didn't want to take a chance on all of them getting in on the frenzy if it meant losses. Revy looked Dutch's way and frowned.

"What the hell are you saying Dutch?! We all agreed we'd be there! Why the hell are you bitching out now?!" Revy shouted, Dutch used to her outbursts brushed it off.

"I just realized Revy, some of the reports and news headlines I saw when I was in the service about her." Dutch said adjusting his glasses. "She's the real got damn deal, I don't want Rock to face her on his own as much as you do." Dutch then turned his head in her direction, seeing her face contorted and filled with rage he reconsidered what he said. "Well maybe not as much as you but I can't risk my business. Rock can prove his worth by taking the bitch down." Ditch said sharing a smile with Rock who shook his head. Revy saw this and growled as she grabbed Rock's shirt and pulled him close.

"Remember what you said Rock, remember what the fuck you said!" She said loudly, Rock eyed her in a stern way.

"This is my problem Revy, let me handle it." Rock said, Revy then pushed him away and sat back on the couch.

"Fine then handle it!" Revy said picking up a magazine, Dutch and Benny shared a knowing look.

"Well Rock where are you gonna go? If a shit storm is about to go down, you two are gonna need some space." Benny asked, Rock nodded thinking about where he should go.

"I don't know, I might hang back here. There's got be some space and opportunity somewhere around. Plus the so called police force here makes back home's look like the FBI." Rock spoke, Dutch took another sip of his coffee.

"That's true but they're not nonexistent, still keep an eye out. You'll have the city on your side to. Nobody wants outsiders disturbing the peace." Dutch spoke with a smirk at the end, Rock chuckled at his comment.

"Noted." Rock's expression then got serious, "Though they're not going to stop with Roberta they'll keep sending more. I'll have to go to the source, for now I'll see what I can get out of Roberta. Something's not right, I would say we ended off on good terms." All the others in the room now had peaked interests on Rock's relationship with Roberta.

"Well I don't mean to pry or get in your business but how exactly do you know Roberta?" Benny being the first to ask, Rock turned toward him.

"Roberta and I were on a week long mission in Somalia. We were on our own for the whole week living in the jungle. We were tasked with killing a Somalian terrorist leader. We were sleeping one night and she got bit by a black mamba. She was paralyzed almost instantly, however I got there in time and... sucked her the venom out." Everyone now looked at Rock suspiciously when he said the last sentence. Revy unconsciously gripping one of her cutlasses.

"Where did she get bit at Rock?" Benny asked, Rock felt blood rush to his cheeks. He feared looking back at Revy knowing she was glaring at him.

"I-it doesn't matter, I had saved h-her life and she was grateful." Rock tripped over his words, Revy growled catching his attention.

"Did she pay you back a sexual favor or something Rock? Where the hell did she get the bite?!" Revy asked, Rock then gulped before finding the courage to say it.

"It was her ass okay! I had to take off her pants!" Rock said blush apparent on his cheeks, Revy started to get up pulling her cutlass out.

"Why you lying son of-"

"Okay well that makes sense, now we need to start preparing for the job. Benny you ready?" Dutch said cutting off Revy while standing up. Benny nodded ready to get out before the bloodbath began. Revy was glaring at Rock as Benny went out the door followed behind him was Dutch. Who stopped at the door looking over his shoulder. "Please don't fuck the office up bad. You two are paying for it but I'd rather not go through the trouble."

"Come on Dutch you're leaving?" Rock asked wishing they would've stayed, Dutch smirked.

"We'll meet you two at the Yellow Flag tonight." Dutch said as he walked out and closed the door behind him. The next thing Rock knew was a cold barrel being shoved in his cheek as he was pushed back.

"What the hell are you thinking idiot!? Everything you said last night was a giant load of bullshit! Want to face the bitch alone so you can fuck her brains out huh?!" Revy ranted, Rock slowly grabbed her wrist and removed it from his cheek.

"It's nothing like that Revy I swear, and I didn't lie Revy I'll always have your back." Rock replied, Revy growled.

"I told you it was a two way street Rock, what did you not fucking get about that?!" Revy shouted, Rock waved his hands in front of him.

"Revy this is my problem, I don't want to risk any of you because of me. I'm not trying to kill Roberta..." Rock said visualizing Revy getting shot by Roberta. His eyes then darkened significantly as his eyelids lowered. He then locked eyes with Revy who kind of backed down a little. "But if she were to hurt you, I wouldn't hesitate. I still owe Lotus one last dance before I send her off as well." Rock said as his eyes lightened up a bit. Revy regaining her focus sheathed her cutlass.

"Wow dipshit, it's like you weren't even there last night. Or was I that amazing last night that you forgot everything?" Revy asked crossing her arms, Rock rubbed the back of his head sheepishly chuckling.

"Sometimes that happens but not last night no." Rock said remembering the events of last night. He then crossed his arms looking down at her. "Yeah and Revy we've really got to slow down, eventually I'll be shooting blanks." Revy stuck a finger in his chest.

"Stop trying to change the damn subject, Rock I'm telling you again so listen up!" Revy said taking a step toward him. "If I'm gonna let you help me carry my baggage then your damn sure going to let me help carry yours. That's how it's gonna be or I want out." Revy said, Rock was shocked at her words.

"Revy-"

"It is what it is Rock, I'm not a fucking princess that needs protecting and your no kid that needs saving. Now are we gonna be partners or what?" Revy asked looking him in his eyes, Rock juggled her words in his mind.

"But Revy-"

"What is it gonna be Rock? Stop beating around the fuckin bush." Revy cut him off in a cold tone. Rock couldn't imagine losing Revy, especially when he knew she was the only reason why he still stayed in this world.

"... Fuck, okay you win" Rock gave in, Revy narrowed her eyes at him not buying it. Rock groaned in irritation and went on. "We'll stick together Revy, but let me handle this alone just this once please?" Rock asked, a Revy snarled she didn't want that.

"Only on one got damn condition." Revy said, Rock looked at her with hopeful eyes. "You better bring your ass back to the company in one got damn piece!" Revy said, Rock winced when she said that.

"I don't think I'll come back in one piece, alive but not in one piece." Rock explained, Revy folded her arms with a huff.

"Well I guess I'm tagging along." Revy said, Rock then grabbed her arm.

"Okay okay alright, one piece." Rock said obliging her, he then gathered himself. "But in all seriousness, I'm going to have to find out who's behind all this. Because sending Roberta means they really need me back." He them eyes Revy who was waiting for him to explain further. "After this job, you up for a little trip?" Rock asked with a small grin, Revy cocked her head to the side.

"What are you planning?" Revy asked suspiciously, Rock then shrugged.

"Maybe an assassination, or a small conversation..." Rock started then he gave her a crazed look she saw rarely. "Or maybe destroying a whole military installation." Rock finished, causing Revy to smirk.

"Well now you're talking my language, just tell me when." Revy said, Rock nodded before looking back at the door. He then turned back to her his eyes softened.

"You be careful out there alright-" Revy then shoved him into the couch.

"Get the fuck out of here Rock, this isn't some soap opera. I've been doing this for a long time now they don't call me two hands for nothin." Revy scoffed, she then straddled Rock's lap which came to a surprise to him. "Now we've got some unfinished business." Rock started to panic looking back at the door.

"Revy we're in the office, what if Dutch or Benny comes back?!" Rock exclaimed, Revy then grabbed his chin and made him face her with a wicked smile on her face.

"Stop being a fuckin pussy, there's no telling how long we'll be gone and I want something to remember you by." Revy purred, Rock then thumbed begins him.

"Well Revy your apartment isn't but a few steps away!" Rock combated, Revy started kissing him on his neck.

"Our apartment, and I want to do it here. Don't you want to bad Rocky baby?" Revy said as she looked up to him and pressed her lips against his.

—-

"He's in Roanapur" Roberta's confident yet deadly voice sounded. She stood in her old Cuban uniform, her glasses off as she studied the scene. Currently on the docks where Lotus said the battle took place. General Iso gave Roberta a squad of his finest pathfinder team. Police caution tape still lingering here and there of the used to be crime scene. Roberta getting the information from the cops of all that transpired. One of the soldiers looked back to her.

"Roanapur? That place doesn't exist does it?" The captain of the squad shook his head at the soldiers ignorance.

"But of course ma'am, do you require our assistance?" The Captain asked, Roberta shook her head.

"If you wish to lose your life then I won't stop you. But frankly even then you'd only get in the way." Roberta spoke, the Captain gulped before nodding in acknowledgement.

"Right, I'll request a bird for you departure now." The Captain said before going off with him and his squad mates. Roberta just looked on to the ocean.

"I have your scent Lycan, you can't fool me." She whispered to herself, she then turned around and walked off.

—

"What's this I hear about this obsession you have with Lycan?" A Colonel asked to General Iso in his meeting room. The Colonel stood at the end of his long table with General Iso sitting on the other end. With his fingers joined and him leaning back in his chair.

"Colonel West, tell me what do you know about project Cohort?" General Iso asked, Colonel was about to speak but General Iso stopped him before he could. "Top secret not the unclassified project." General Iso explained, Colonel West then proceeded to take a seat.

"Project Cohort was supposed to be an attempt to create the strongest assassin as cheap as possible." Colonel West spoke before leaning forward a little. "A project in which I wasn't for, those kids you chose. You knew what they're upbringing was like you and the rest of the board condemned them to die." Voicing his distaste for the project. General Iso then shouted after Colonel West's words.

"WHAT are you saying Colonel? The ten we chose were given the chance of a lifetime. Only four passed the trials and will go down as one of the best highly strained assassins America has ever known." Iso said regaining his cool after he shouted. Colonel West remembered his place at Iso's outburst but couldn't keep the anger out of his tone.

"A chance of a lifetime? You must look into comedy General because that is a joke! Only four made it through the trials and then you put them on several missions that most of you or anybody on that forsaken board wouldn't dream of executing!" Colonel West clenched his fists as Iso's expression turned sour. "Those were 20 year olds, adding to they're already shit lives by having made them into detached killing machines. Three of them died at young ages, by some Russian Mafia. And to this day I feel like you set that up for them to depose of them."

"You better watch your tongue Colonel, I'd hate to have to send a flag and a commissioned officer to your wife's door." Iso threatened with determined eyes, Colonel stiffened slightly but kept his composure as he cut his eyes at his General.

"Your idle threats are falling on deaf ears..." Colonel West snarled, General Iso grinned as he leaned forward in his chair.

"Oh I'm sure" General Iso spoke "Anyway, Lycan is essential for your future success in the military." Colonel West gave him a sideways look.

"What are you planning?" Colonel West asked suspiciously, General Iso smiles.

"Think about the possibilities with Lycan in our command. He was the only one to have survive the Russians-" Colonel West stopped him, what Iso had just said confirming his suspicions.

"So you did send the Russians after them, why would you do that?" Colonel West asked, General Iso gave him an intimidating frown.

"At that time it wasn't my call but I was for it I won't deny it." General Iso snapped at him, Colonel West grunted though he didn't speak. "Yes, being the only survivor the board knew he was the one. His trials and tribulations were all passed with flying colors. Lycan's savagery and focus is unmatched. The board wanted to just have him in our arsenal of weapons if any altercations came about." General Iso then slammed his fist on the table. "A waste of talent and power, with Lycan we can take over this world!"

"Have you gone mad?! One mere man won't be able to take over the world that's damned foolishness!" Colonel West shouted, General Iso then stood.

"We're not talking about a mere man, were talking about the human form of bloodlust. The secret behind Lycan is adrenaline." Iso stated, which caused a questionable look to appear on the Colonel's face.

"Adrenaline? You've got to be kidding, that's it?" West asked not believing the General's words.

"No you don't understand, Lycan can use his at will and high amounts of it too." Iso explained, West waved him off.

"It has to be more to it than just that." West debunked the idea, he'd seen the reports on Lycan's missions. A little adrenaline rush couldn't be the reason behind the stunts he had pulled.

"Of course it is, if you'd just let me finish." Iso said in a even tone making West even more uneasy. "Lycan's brain was already accustomed to survival. When he went through the adrenaline course he excelled farther than the other three. He accomplished all the techniques that were taught which is outstanding. Just like all the other courses, his mind is ripe with not just enemy but human tactics period. He can perceive what a person's next move will be. He knows what they are thinking, but even then it wouldn't matter." General Iso informed him, West paused and waited for him to continue.

"You see, with that adrenaline pumping through his veins he can take much more punishment that the average person. Hell he was even shot in the abdomen during the torture and he hadn't even winced. Not only that but his reflexes are superb only person to beat hand to hand was Venom. However the only reason why was because we drugged Lycan without him knowing. The so called "kid" you claim he is a superhuman. Once he flips that switch he can't be stopped, he can sense a sniper fifty kilometers from his position in any given scenario. I could go down the list of his attributes and abilities. I need that kind of weapon." Iso spoke revealing the key to Lycan, West shook his head.

"And exactly what do you plan to do with him if he comes back into our possession?" West asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Simple really, we'd start slow, picking off leaders of nations and killing high ranked leaders like generals, commanding officers. Send our forces in and make them give in which would be child's play at that point." General Iso explained, Colonel West shook his head in disbelief.

"You can't be serious the Board would never approve such a plan." General Iso gave a sinister smile which made Colonel West's hairs stand tall.

"I AM the board, and with Lycan the figure heads will be dealt with." Iso spoke, West gripped his pistol on the side of his belt.

"What makes you think Lycan will take orders from you." West asked as he hoped Iso chose his next words wisely. Seeing his intentions Iso pressed button under his side of the table.

"Well Colonel, I guess this conversation is over, I tried to get you to see things my way but it seems your mind is made up." Iso spoke, before West could pull out his pistol the door busted open. Colonel West shocked as he saw his own men with guns pointed at him. He looked back at General Iso.

"You can't be serious, you're breaking various protocols and codes! You're supposed to embody the army values! This is madness and betrayal!" Colonel West was then hoisted up by one of his soldiers. Iso then shook his head in faked disappointment.

"I had hoped you would see things my way but I guess I'll personally see to it your wife gets that flag and a salute." General Iso spoke, Colonel West's eyes widened in fear, looking back at his soldiers.

"Wait, wait a minute I have kids!" Colonel West then turned back to General Iso with pleading eyes. "Look I'll keep quiet about it I swear I'll even help as much as I can!" General Iso grinned as he made his way over to West who was still being restrained.

"Oh you will huh? How do I know you're not lying to me?" Iso asked with a grin, West gulped as he felt his throat go dry.

"My loyalty lies with you General, just let me live please." West asked looking him in the eyes, Iso looked him over for a moment before signaling to the soldiers. They let him go and West fixes his uniform fortunate he could keep his life. "Thank you sir, you won't regret this I promise." West said thankful, he then heard a shot ring out. He looked down and saw a hole in his ribs. He looked back up to see Iso with a beretta in his hands.

"You're right I won't regret this" Iso said as he pointed the gun to West's forehead. "Did you really think I'd let you live Colonel? Don't fret I'll be sure to kiss your kids goodnight." Another shot and West was wasted collapsing to the ground. Iso looked down at his corpse and frowned. "Clean this up before the blood seeps into the carpet."

"So" Benny said over the radio channel, Dutch was checking the torpedo launchers before hearing Benny in his earpiece. He stood up and and put two fingers to his ear.

"So?" Dutch asked questioningly, Benny being in the pilot room working on the mainframe interface sighed.

"Rock and Revy huh?" Benny said making Dutch snicker to himself, he then regained his cool before replying.

"You think so? What makes you say that?" Dutch asked innocently which made Benny groan.

"Stop rubbing it in Dutch, you already know!" Benny said hearing Dutch's laughs. "But until I hear it come from Revy's mouth they're together you're not getting anything from me!"

"So you're saying double or nothing?" Dutch baited him waiting for his answer. Benny thought over his chances then figured it would be a good idea. Two hands would never admit or say it out loud to them.

"Deal!" Benny said, Dutch shook his head this had to be the easiest money he'd ever make.

Moneytrees here, hope that little bit gave you some type of sense on Lycan's abilities and background. Where do you want the story to go? I've got a plan but loved to hear from you guys and gals. Feel free to either review or PM me! But as always appreciate the reviews, views, favs and follows. You peeps are amazing have a nice day or night!