[Kenkuroi Mithania]

Kenkuroi had more of his questions answered, though it did nothing to get them out of their current predicament.

Firstly, judging from everyone's reaction towards the entry of the man with the war hammer, he was not expected even by the mugging goons despite the ringleader's wry comment, making the man a newcomer indeed.

Second, the man was indeed on their side, a great relief to the young half elf who had earlier doubts over the man's comment and intentions. Granted, it wasn't his mother coming to his rescue now as he could picture (and still secretly hope for) her standing at the alleyway, with her two katanas at each side of her hips, sheathed, a grin on her scarred face, teeth clenching a smoking pipe and that murderous crazy glint in her eyes. But the man who was supposedly their saviour now, didn't look too shabby either with his large muscular frame wielding that huge intimidating war hammer with a confident poise and seemingly arrogant smile.

Third, the man was identified as Alex. So this was the 'Alex' that Tony had keep jabbing on and on in almost every of his taunts? Seriously how could he be Sakura's shadow, he was so huge it was more like Sakura being engulfed in his shadows!

But just as Kenkuroi could release a sigh of relief, Tony had once again resumed back the upper hand, by locking Sakura in a deadly embrace and thus reminding himself the situation that he too was in deep crap being surrounded by two bigger men with bigger blades.

"Feth!" the boy unconsiously swore as he stared in horror at the once again helpless Sakura. After all he had done to get her released from the goon's grasp, she had so carelessly got herself back into it again. Whatever were they going to do now? Retaliation seemed too risky with Sakura's life at stake.

Helplessly, he looked at the man called Alex as if asking for an answer. "What will it be?" he had echoed. Indeed what will it be? Ken thought.

"Improvise." And with that statement, Alex broke into a roar, attacking the advancing men with much zeal and vigor.

Kenkuroi could hardly believe his eyes and ears. That was it? Attack? Wasn't it dangerous for Sakura? Was that supposed to be a plan? Was there something he had missed?

Almost forgetting his own predicament, the half elf whirled around to face Sakura and Tony, half expecting to see the vile man cutting the female Esh'lahier's throat, half hoping that Sakura had managed to get herself free so he didn't have to witness such a horrible scene.