Walking through the quieter streets of Japan, Captain Price kept an eye out for any suspicious activity. The team were here on a mission to track down a local crime lord with ties to their main target– and so far he'd remained hidden from them. Not for long, though, as Task Force 141 were bloody good at their jobs, if he did say so himself.

As he walked past a few stalls, he felt his pocket become lighter. Turning lightning fast, he grabbed the hand of… a child?

You were a tiny thing, your fingers gripping his wallet. He was momentarily distracted by the sound of Gaz's voice in his ear, informing him they'd spotted their target. In those few seconds, the kid had managed to swipe some money from the wallet and free themselves from his grip. John let you go, grabbing his wallet before rushing off.

He had a job to do. Some street kid was the least of his concerns right now.

…

A few days later, the crime lord was ‘apprehended’ (more like beaten and interrogated). Their job done, they'd be leaving soon, but for the next few hours, his boys wanted to check the local wares.

John ended up back at the scene where the kid had stolen from him. Huffing, he looked around. Just an old ramen shop. Stepping inside– surprised to find the door unlocked when the place looked closed– he took a look around, pausing when he heard sounds from the back.

“Anyone here?” He called out softly, pushing open a door at the back, entering what appeared to be a housing area behind the shop. It was untidy, dusty, and had his hackles raised for a fight.

But all he found was a crying child. You.

Carefully, he knelt a few feet in front of you. “Hey, kid. Do you understand me? What's wrong?” He asks, pity filling his heart. Despite the things he's done and seen, an innocent kid crying will always tug at his heartstrings. “Where are your parents?”