All of a sudden, the loudest thing in the room seemed to be Gojyo's heartbeat thudding in his ears.

"The hell?!"

He yelped, yanking his hand away from her scrabbling nails. The red-head backed up hurridly, red eyes wide in uncomprehending horror. A flash of light and the pop of misplaced air signaled the insinctive summon of his weapon. He gripped the long steel poll, keeping the blade end between him and the crazed gypsy.