Bad Behaviour

I was rushing through the streets, the rain was pouring down and I was already soaked. It had not been my day at all, and I was more than eager to get back home to my apartment. The streets were practically empty, apart from a few people now and then. I still had some way to go, before I would be safe from the heavy drops. I had expected that my dad would at least have sent someone to pick me up, but of course not. He was dissatisfied with me, and he was making sure that I knew.

Suddenly a cat came rushing across the road, followed by a barking dog. The two animals ran pass me, right in front of my feet, so I stumbled and only just managed to keep my balance. I cursed angrily, as my suitcase fell from my grip and opened up, spilling all my clothes in a puddle of muddy water. As I bent down to pick it up, a young girl came rushing to help me. I closed the suitcase and stood back up, offering a quick: "Thanks."

"You're welcome, sir. I'm sorry to be a bother, but you wouldn't happen to have a few pennies? My brother and I haven't eaten for these last two days, and..." I had stopped listening at that point. It wasn't uncommon to find beggars, nor was it uncommon that it was children. My dad always told me to pass by and ignore them, and so I had done, but there was something different about this girl.

She was small of height, probably around 12 years old, with chocolate coloured skin, and black, afro curls cut about shoulder length. But it was her appearence all in all, that fascinated me the most. She didn't seem like any other homeless kid, more likely she seemed as if she had been raised by someone who wasn't in the need of money.

"What's your name, girl?" I asked her. Fear and doubt were highly visible in her eyes, like the eyes of a rabbit, when it's cornered by the wolf. She was clearly considering to run. I grabbed her arm before she had the chance, making her gasp in surprise. She didn't try to pull away, though.

"I won't hurt you, I just asked you a question. Now, tell me your name."

"Rue." She finally replied. "Rue Belequte." I blinked in surprise, completely taken aback by her obvious lie. I tightened my grip around her wrist, making her yelp in pain.

"Don't lie to me girl, I'm warning you. If you were truly a Belequte, why in the world would you be here, on the streets?" She was pulling her best, trying to get free from my tight grip, tears of pain visible in her eyes.

"I'm not lying! Please sir, you're hurting me." She was fighting desperately, and I finally realized why I was getting so worked up. But who cares, if I needed someone to take my anger out on, why not let it be her? I did loosen my grip though, and at last, I let go. The girl immediately backed away, clutching her wounded hand to her chest.

"Don't go around and tell lies like that. Do not believe telling such tales will make life easier on you." I snorted, before picking up my suitcase and continuing on my way.

"My name is Rue, and I am the daughter of Lyseria Belequte and Garri with no surname. They passed away in an accident 3 months ago, leaving me and my babybrother Nove on our own." She said stubbornly, as she followed me, while making sure to keep her distance. I stopped walking.

"The Belequte-family is a big and noble family. I doubt they would leave any of their own out in the streets. If you really have to make something up, then at least make it more realistic."

"I'm not lying!" She continued, but I ignored her and walked on. Soon she was gone, probably back to see if anyone else would believe her story. The rain had stopped, but I was drenched. I was more than angry with this girl, but even as I tried to get it off my mind, she kept sneaking into my thoughts.

When I arrived at my apartment, I locked myself in and threw the dirty suitcase on the floor in the hall. I took a bath and then went straight to bad, knowing that my father would be expecting to see me in the morning.

Our meeting was over before long. He was still going on about my future, how I needed to marry soon or I wouldn't become a part of the family business. Of course he was once again trying to make me take an interest in Clove. Clove Belequte, a real Belequte of course. Since my older brother had married Madge Undersee, and my younger sister was engaged to Peeta Mellark, we only needed someone to connect the Aguillon-family with the Belequtes.

Clove wasn't worst, judging by appearence. Two years younger than me, with dark hair and very pale skin. The thing that really scared me off was her love for knives. And hunting. And killing. Okay, I like hunting at some point as well, but her love for it comes closer to obsession than interest.

The talk about her had made me think of the young girl I'd met. And of course I had at last dared to ask if there was ever a Belequte by the name "Rue", to which the answer was obviously no. I didn't really know why I'd asked, and I surely didn't know why I was disappointed with the answer. But I decided to walk home, in hope that I would be able to meet her again, and confront her.

And meet her, I did. Not quite the way I'd imagined I would, but still I did. When I was walking down the same road as I'd taken last night, I heard the cries of a young kid, and a continuing pleading: "Please, don't do it!" I snuck my head around the corner to a dark alley, and there I saw her. Pinned up against the wall, by a sleazy looking teenage guy, around 15 years or so. Another guy was holding back a small boy, who probably was her brother. The scenario was far too easy to understand, but what happened to the homeless beggar-children did not concern anybody. Neither should it concern me. So why did it?

"Leave her alone." I said loudly, as I entered the alleyway. Both boys looked up at me. He loosened his grip just a little, to be able to look me in the eyes.

"Yeah? And just why should we do that?" He asked slowly. The little boy was still crying and trashing around, but the girl, Rue, had stopped her actions out of surprise.

"My name is Cato Aguillon. She belongs to me, and so does the boy. So if I were you, I'd let them go. Right away." I warned them, as I walked closer. The boy holding Rue against the wall was about to give some smart comeback, but his friend who had already let go of the boy, grabbed his arm.

"Hub, it's not worth it. You do know the Aguillon-family practically run this town, right? Let's go." The boy was smart. And when they ran off, Cato was for the first time in a long period, happy that his last name was Aguillon. He probably would've been able to fight them off anyways, but it wouldn't be too easy. Rue who was trying to pull up her shirt that had been ripped pretty badly, obviously fighting not to cry, when Nove ran to her and hugged her legs.

"Thank you." Rue said, sounding more suspicious than grateful. I waved it off.

"Now, I think you owe me an explanation. You know who I am now, and you also know that our family is wellknown with the Belequte family. There is no "Rue" Belequte in their register." I told her. She looked at me, partly surprised and partly sad.

"No, why would there be? My mom ran off with a nameless guy, and dishonored her family. Nove and I are born outside marriage, so we had our mother's last name. But that doesn't mean they approve of us, or else they'd taken us in." She explained. I was a little shocked. It did make sense to a certain point, but I wasn't sure wheter to believe it or not. "Anyways, we thank you for your help, but we'll be going now." She took her brother's hand and was about to pass by me, as I stepped in front of her.

"No, you're not." I said, making her furrow her brows. She had to look up to look me in the eyes.

"And why not?" She asked, pulling the boy behind her, so she was shielding him.

"First, you answer this question, and don't dare lying to me. It will do you no good, since I will check up on it and make sure it's the truth. Is it true, your story? Are you a daughter born from a Belequte-mother?" I asked her seriously, making sure there wasn't any room for her to get pass me and run. She stiffened at my question.

"How many times must I tell you the same things? Yes, I was telling the truth. I am the daughter of Lyseria Belequte, and the granddaughter of Lord Noveen and Lady Paylor. Do you believe me or what?" I raised a brow. She seemed so fragile, but her will was so strong.

"If I believe in you, does not matter. I will check up on it. If you are in truth the granddaughter of Noveen and Paylor, I will take you as my wife." I said, getting ready to leave. I was stopped, when she grabbed onto my sleeve.

"Wait a second! You will take me as your wife? Don't I have any rights to decide for myself, it that is what I desire?" She asked me, her brother still clinging onto her. "And why would you do that, at all?" I sighed, turning back so I was facing her.

"My dad wants me to marry a Belequte, and they only have one granddaughter. A girl, who's sanity I am seriously doubting. If you truly are a Belequte, if only by name and blood, you should still be able to do. And so you see, I need a wife to gain my father's accept. You need someone to care for you and your brother. It's the perfect deal." I explained. She thought for a while, before nodding slightly.

"If you will offer Nove a bed to sleep in, and a meal or two every day, I'll agree to your idea." She said, and I nodded, accepting. Before I turned to walk again, I looked her in the eyes. Hazel-brown they were, she was the complete opposite of her cousin who's eyes were grey-ish blue color.

"Now, stay out of trouble. I won't be able to save you each time, and no one would want a filthy wife. I'll check up on your story, and plan it all out. Then I'll pick the two of you up." I said. She bow her head.

"Thank you for your kindness, sir." She uttered. I raised a brow. She was well-mannered, she was beautiful, and she was likely to be a Belequte... But she was so young. I waved her off, and started on my trip home. It was not unusual to marry young, but if she truly was a 12-year old girl, being with an 18-year old guy was still not what she would've desired. But I couldn't care less right now, I wanted her more than I wanted her crazy cousin. She was also prettier, smaller and cuter, which meant at least something. I know it wasn't what my father meant when he ordered me to marry a Belequte-girl, but he did not say she had to be living with the rest of the family.

I twisted and turned the whole night through, wondering if what I'd done was wrong, and when I finally fell asleep I dreamt. Her skin looked so delicate, a beautiful contrast to the white gown that she was wearing. My father was yelling behind us, but with the little brother on my arm and her hand in mine, we just ran. Until suddenly, out of no where, Clove was standing in front of us, flicking a deathly knife in her hands. She looked up and her eyes met mine. I sat up immediately, for a moment stunned by the bright light.

Is it necassary to explain how shocked I was to find Clove in front of my bed, with a knife in her hand?

Okay, I lied to you guys D: I'm so sorry, please scold me! .
I'm promised I'd only do one-shots while waiting for inspiration to update "Eyes Wide Shut."
But I've wanted to do a Cato/Rue story for a long time now, and this idea seemed perfect!
It doesn't mean I won't complete EWS though, I'm halfway through next chapter :3

This story is heavily inspired by the manga "Faster than a kiss." (sooo cute manga!fufufufu)

I'm imagining it to be set around year 1800-andsomething, because I love the things at that time :3

I'm not sure how long this will be, it depends on popularity and if I have inspiration for it :)
But for now, expect around 5 chapters or so, then we'll see if there'll be more ^-^
I hope you liked it :3

Oh, and I accidentally wrote it in 1st person-narrator, which I'm not sure I'm too fond of :3
I may change it for the next chapter, but please tell me what you think :)

All in all, please review! :] Reviews are my food, and I'll starve without them D: Don't let me starve, please! ^^