"You're not Alexander!" he cried, before a bat struck him in the ribs, throwing the man a few metres away. 

For any casual passerby, the place looked like a theme park, complete with stalls and rides still fully functional. For those who lived here however, it was one of those pristine looking places that lured in unsuspecting victims to the gangs and angry madmen that oft lived or squatted in the area, of which several were surrounding Juniper. More often than not, they warred over the land, seeking to expand their territories. Only mad men, the strong or the idiotic wandered into these places.

As the wielder of one of the God Hand however, everywhere was that sort of place for them.

Being as legendary as it was, once rumours got out Juniper lost one of the God Hands, wanted papers and bounties on her popped up like mushrooms after a gentle rain. It was said that one who possesses the God Hand can choose to become a Demon or a God after all. She was mobbed almost immediately after one of the thugs discovered who she was.

Breathing heavily, she spun and snapped off a high kick towards an advancing thug, sending him high into the air. Spinning on one foot, she kicked him into a group of other thugs, sending them bowling over backwards. The boss of this area certainly wasn't playing around; he had been sending goons of successively rising strength and skill. Where did he even get the gorillas? They were genuine gorillas too, not like the boxing 'tigers' that had very visible zips in the back.

Without warning, a heavy bat connected with her head, sending her reeling backwards. It was one of the larger men, who, even with her height of 187cm, towered over her. With another hollow thunk, he struck her again. Her legs gave out and she fell to her knees, gasping for breath. 

"SAY GOOD NIGHT!" He screamed, bringing down the bat with all his strength on her head.

His grin widened as the bat smashed solidly against her head, splintering into pieces, before disappearing immediately once her hand shot up and gripped his neck. Realizing too late that the scars on her arm was glowing brightly, he started to struggle in vain trying to escape her grip.

"Good night," Juniper said with a grin.

[center]***[/center]

She sat on one of the empty chairs in the themepark, eating an apple with a faraway look.

Her possessing both of the God Hands had made her complacent it would seem. Before, she could wipe the floors with those sort of low level thugs without even breaking a sweat. Of course, she had both her arms back then, and she was missing her left arm right now, but that wasn't really an excuse. Her training had been neglected because she became lazy, and now Juniper was paying the price for that.

Perhaps there was a silver lining in this situation, a lesson to be learned from her hardship now. Not that it will deter her from beating up the thief and asshole who burned down her shrine though.

Finishing up the apple, she threw the core at the unconscious bodies of the thugs from earlier. It had started to rain, and from the looks of it, it was going to rain cats and dogs soon. Not that she minded much, the bench she was sitting on was covered by a roof, and she wasn't in any hurry to regain her arm. 

"Juniper, current possessor of the God Hand, I assume?"

A small figure stood before her in the rain, as expressionless as the stone beneath their feet. She wore clothing far finer than any Juniper had seen in her life, with fashion she could only recognize as outlandish. The girl's expressions didn't change even when Juniper stood up to her full height, towering over the little girl. It didn't seem like the girl had any intention to fight. Demons could take on any form they wished however; a little girl wasn't a form they wouldn't exploit.

"Yes, I am." Juniper gave a small smile at the girl. "And who might you be?"

"I am Hudson Killinger Braun, member of th- ah AHH!!"

Curiousity overwhelmed Juniper, as she lifted the girl by the collar. It seemed the girl really didn't mean her any harm, considering her distressed wailings. Was that professional tone and expressionless face just an act?

"Stop right there, God Hand! I won't allow you to bully my companion!"

An authoritative voice called out to her, with a tone of complete confidence that Juniper would have associated with an experienced commander and leader. At least, if it didn't come from a shivering cardboard box just barely peeking out of a stall across the pathway. Sighing, Juniper put Hudson down, who immediately regained her composure.

"Ahem, as I was saying before, I am Hudson Killinger Braun, and that girl over there hiding behind the stall is Emillia Redsmith. We've come to offer you a position in a tournament, with the prize being any single wish you desire. You are searching for your other arm, correct? Since you were just wandering around aimlessly you sho- AAAH!"

Annoyed at that last sentence and what she was implying, Juniper picked Hudson up again and slung her over her shoulder effortlessly. While it was true she didn't have a clue where the other God Hand went, and had simply been following rumors, she didn't like someone making it seem like she was an idiot who just wandered everywhere for no reason. Juniper had to admit though, that the rumors were nebulous and often unreliable, and some odd tournament was just as good a lead as any. Perhaps the other wielder of the God Hand would show up and participate.

"Yes yes, I've heard enough. Now pray tell where this tournament is supposed to be."

"Leave that to me!" Emillia jumped out of the box, holding a lantern. Her voice was brimming with confidence but she looked ready to cry the instant Juniper even frown at her. Still carrying the wailing Hudson on her shoulders, Juniper followed Emillia, walking towards what seemed to be the center of the storm.

Oddly enough, they came out from the storm into a large paved courtyard in front of a large building. Was it some sort of magic? Of what sort she had no idea, but the place certainly wasn't anywhere near the themepark she had first entered.