Intrare Lupus

The church had fallen out of favour and could no longer support itself financially. The doors have been closed for months but it hasn't stopped teenagers from breaking in. The once pristine walls are smeared with graffiti. The church is now a place that people avoid at all costs. However, Zakuro is not a typical person and she does not conform to general standards.

She stands a few feet from the front door. Her head is tilted upwards to see the whole building. Her long coat flutters with the cold wind. In her right hand is a single red rose. Blood slips from between her fingers as the thorns tear through her flesh. She doesn't seem to notice that she's in pain.

The small droplets of blood that slip between her fingers are soon joined in their descent by a single crystalline tear. Her eyes are misty and clouded by distant reminiscence. She carries with her an aura of profound sorrow. Her heart is weighed down by weight and regrets. Despite what the world thinks time has not been kind to her.

She slowly starts to approach the church. The confidence has vanished from her stride and she seems tentative and reserved. Her usual cold exterior has melted away and grievance is beginning to show in her expression. She places her hand on the cold wooden doors. Her forehead rests against the wood and her eyes drift closed. Her grip on the red rose starts to slacken.

She takes a shaky breath. Behind her closed eyes images spark in her bleak mind. They flash through her mind in a constant state of flux. Of all the images that she sees one is constantly returning to her – a face. The face belongs to a young teenager with bright blue violet eyes. The young teenager is always smiling or laughing in Zakuro's memories. She was always so full of life…

The church grounds shake violently. The ground bursts upwards in various earthen masses. The church walls tremble and buckle from the underground pressure. The impact spreads further and further and cries cloak the night in terror and desperation. The tainted chaos erupts further and more viciously as it delivers darkness to the people.

In the midst of the pandemonium Zakuro is unmoving. She stands before the church doors with tears streaming down her face. Her hand is still tightly clutching onto the rose as though her life depends on it. The memories surging through her are piercing and unwelcomed. She daren't send them away.

The earthen sections begin to calm and find themselves a resting place as they once more become hallowed grounds. The world begins to settle but screams still pierce the air and coat it with their anguish and torment. The skyline has turned crimson and ominous smoke stretches into the darkest depths of the night. The shadowy smoke drifts over to the church.

Zakuro turns on her heel and snatches up a small collection of items lain on a piece of cloth. She starts walking away but is suddenly hyper-aware of the rose in her hand. She walks back to the church doors and, giving the rose a quick kiss, places it on the ground.

People down in the streets flee from the encroaching flames of the burning buildings. Whereas most people are fearful and wanting time to return to what it was there are some that defy them. Those people race around the corner of a burnt building. In their hands are swords and guns as they pursue innocent civilians for their twisted idea of fun. They are oblivious to the one who doesn't run. They don't notice the burning black eyes glaring down at them from atop the ruins of a skyscraper.

From the height that this observer is at you would expect them to see nothing but the crimson reflection of the flames. However, this person sees the pursuers and knows what they plan to do. His black eyes glare down at them hatefully. His eyes are the only part of him visible; his dark attire conceals the rest. He draws a katana from its sheath and watches it catch on the light. The brilliant glow is blinding and refracts all over the city.

He steps further back from the ledge without moving the sword. The signal can't afford to end but he isn't so foolish that he doesn't know he's being watched. His left hand reaches into his back pocket and slyly removes a blade. He angles it so the light has no chance of reaching it. His pursuer doesn't seem to have noticed the act.

He waits a moment longer to ensure that the light from the sword was noticed.

"Have you decided to surrender yet?" a voice enquires. "You should have made your decision long ago."

"You should be careful," he warns. "The need for secrecy is gone - your lackies seem to have taken advantage of that already – and I would be a fool to think any differently of you. Remember what you've gotten yourself into before you act. You aren't as grand as you think. A whole new world has opened to you now."

The smirk is evident in the person's response. "Perhaps you should look deeper into your sources. You don't seem to have a good entry way for newcomers,"

He throws the blade but the person has already vanished. He growls and shoves the sword back into its sheath. He then runs to his parked motorbike and races it off of the rooftop. For a moment it falls but he lands it on the next building with ease and then races it down the stairs.

Author's Note: This is a short story that will span a few chapters. It is based on Day By Day by the K-pop band T-ara. The title is Latin and means 'Enter the Wolf'. I hope you all enjoy it. Thank you for reading. I apologise if you haven't enjoyed what you read.

I do not own Tokyo Mew Mew.