Darker Days

"The rising sun can dispel the darkness of night, but it cannot banish

the blackness of malice, hatred, bigotry and selfishness

from the hearts of humanity." - David O McKay

Chapter 1

"Finally, caught you."

She won't meet his eyes, he can tell she's seething, under those shiny brown locks of hers.

"Gotta say, I underestimated you. I won't say its cos you're a woman because that's sexist but...those charms of yours seem to be a weapon," he said, daringly, his amused smirk making him look more dashing than she dared venture.

"You think I don't have a plan?"

She heard him laugh but as she looked up, her other plan was now dashed as well as her untainted record. He was waving a small, black innocent compact mirror around like it was her lifeline and that he could end it at any moment.

Now she was really pissed. Damn Yuzuri. She was caught too.

"You're a sneaky girl, Miss."

Go. To. Hell.

Her back was to the wall and he was walking closer now, slowly, with a smug look on his cute face. So not cute.

Rule 6: Always have an escape route. Make sure to open the window - that was her own addition to her the set of rules, she had been taught.

She finally looked to him fully, her forest green orbs glinting from the sunlight coming through from the open window and gave a small smile at him. Placed a hand to the top of her head, bunched a chunk of hair in her fist, yanking off her wig and it fell to the ground.

His eyes widened in surprise to find that her hair was actually apple red, wrapped in a tight bun.

"Luckily, I keep to my rules, Obi," she said softly before racing toward the window.

And the surprises that came from that girl's mouth kept coming. He would ask her about that later.

It only took him a second to react and chase toward her but as his hand missed grabbing her foot by less than an inch, he'd realised his mistake...again.

She had skills that rivaled his own, like how she had just nimbly jumped out the window, head first. And he'd expected her to be jumping to her death, which was half the reason he grabbed for her, but then she uses a belt to zip line down a wire to the opposite building. Where had she got the belt from? Of course, from his suit pants from earlier.

He watched her glide across the wire effortlessly and all he could think is how tight her skin tight leotard was.

Damn that woman.

"Shit," said a voice from behind him. "That body is fine, hey?"

"Suzu..." he began, turning his annoyed angry orbs to his 'colleague' a hand to the back of his neck.

"Don't sweat it man. We've got her accomplice, she'll come for her, trust me."

24 hours earlier...

"We are giving you this chip. Its a decoy chip which you'll have around your neck at all times, Zen," explained Izana in a taciturn manner.

They were brothers but this was business and it was their job.

"A lot of dangerous people are after the chip, including the notorius gang the Lions and also Raj Shenazard," explained Izana, he changed the photo on the projecter by with his clicker.

"You want them to try and take it," said Zen. "Its tomorrow night, isn't it?"

Izana nodded. "As you know our family's business is a great cover for us. I've hired some help too. Two particular men stood out above the rest...no offence Mitsuhide," said Izana with a cough as he could see one of Zen's men eye him from the back of the room. "But this is one of the most important pieces of intel which will ultimately bring down the biggest criminal organisation in the world."

Zen nodded in understanding but was half amused at Mitsuhide's dark expression.

"I'll leave the preparations to you, do our family proud Zen. No distractions."

"This is Nakaki and Suzu. The hired help," said Izana, introducing them to Zen.

Zen Wistaria eyed the two. They were both quite tall, the one named Nanaki stood half a head taller than himself, he looked like any other man except that he had a scar above his left eye and although he was smiling awkwardly now, there was a darkness about him, just under the surface. He was wearing a suit and a tie but could tell it wasn't that expensive which told him that this Nanaki guy didn't really like wearing suits, since he hadn't put much effort into his presentation. He had short black hair, yellow cat like eyes and stood with his arms over his chest. Zen knew just by looking at him that Nanaki meant business.

And the other guy, Suzu, seemed light hearted and had a grin on his face, holding out his hand for Zen to shake. He was blonde, had long hair, tied into a pony tail and when standing side by side with Nanaki, they were at the same height. Suzu was probably slightly less lean that Nanaki, but could see that he was probably just as skilled if he had to bet on it. He wore a suit too but it was a bit disheveled. Also someone who didn't care about appearances.

Zen accepted it.

"So, lets get to planning then."

The two men nodded.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

2 hours before the heist

"This will be our last job, Yuzu, you know that," said Shirayuki with a groan, at the closet and pulling up her evening dress.

Yuzuri sighed. "I know, Yuki but where's the fun in that? You can't tell me you can just give it all up, not after everything."

Yuzuri walked to the closet and pulled out a dress, her white lacy pull ups now fastened.

Shirayuki had pulled on the dress and was clipping the halter neck together at the back of her neck. Her red hair was already tied in a tight bun and she pulled on her wig, walked over to the long length mirror which hung on the door to the bathroom.

"This place is pretty cushy, huh," said Yuzuri, finally taking in the luxury they were surrounded with. It was just a standard room but so cushy and everything was of the highest class material from the carpet to the bed sheets. "Typical of the Wisteria Group."

Shirayuki sighed once her wig was in place, she eyed Yuzuri through the mirror and shook her head. "If you want to do jobs, then do them. I'm not stopping you."

The blonde pouted at her, walking toward the cupboard where her own dress was hanging. "You know I can't do it without you. We can't trust anyone, but ourselves. You know that...will you at least think about it?"

The red head - now fake brunette - walked to the bathroom to touch up her makeup. She grabbed the blush brush and began to put slight touches to what was there but had now faded.

"I'll think about it. You know the whole point is to get the money we need to-" she began but a knock on the door interrupted them.

She raced out, panic in her forest green orbs as she looked to Yuzuri who mirrored her own expression.

Shirayuki looked through the spy glass on the door and sighed.

"Its okay, its just Ryu."

She opened the door and ushered him to come in quickly.

"So, I see Yuzu still isn't ready," he said stoicly, walking straight into the room and sat on one of the double beds.

He was only 15 but he was a genius and the best at tech support a professional could ask for. He glanced at Shirayuki and couldn't help but blush. She was the most beautiful adult he had ever seen.

It wasn't a surprise because Shirayuki was dressed to impress. The evening dress she wore accentuated her body. It was black and the back was cut out with a halter neck finish at the top, the cleavage was quite low (for a reason, which is why she chose the dress), hanging loosely either side her breasts then tucked in tight in the middle and flowed prettily down to her feet with a split in the middle to show off her slender legs.

She was just putting black heels on so that the dress didn't hang on the ground.

"Yes kid, but just wait till you see the finish," winked Yuzuri.

Ryu rolled his eyes. "I've put your packages where we discussed. I trust we won't have an incident like in Tanbarun where Yuzu nearly cost us the job by being slow at changing?"

Suddenly a pillow was thrown at Ryu's face, which he caught just before impact with a smile on his lips. Yeah, well, it wasn't a bad gig to work with two incredibly beautiful adult women.

"As if and that wasn't why we were late. There was an incredibly cute Tanbarun guard-"

Ryu's face contorted and he held up his hand. "I don't need details thanks."

Shirayuki couldn't help but smile.

"Well then. We should join the party and we'll see you after, Ryu," said Shirayuki with a warm smile.

That was his cue to leave but before he opened the door he turned and pointed to their clutches that were lying on the bed.

"Don't lose the mirrors...again. They're expensive...Shirayuki," he said pointedly, looking at the fake brunette.

She smiled innocently. "Ah-I'm sorry?"

"I don't understand how you lose them. Just remember the plan. The one around Wisteria's neck is the fake but I'm guessing they want someone to try and take it. I believe that the real chip isn't even here but the whole point of this is confirming that, got it?"

The girls both nodded as he left. As the door clicked closed Yuzuri let out a breath and began to whine.

"Why does he always make me feel like he's in charge," she sighed, sitting on the bed pulling up her silver stilettos.

Shirayuki chuckled. "Because he is, Yuzu."

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

2 hours before the breach

Suzu sat in the swivel chair with his feet on the desk, in front of the security screens, watching as Obi looked at some papers on the desk.

"Really Obi, its a simple job. You're so serious, man," said Suzu, placing folded hands behind his head in a relaxed manner.

"Tch. Can you not call me that here? It sounds simple but anything could happen," said Obi, casting his annoyed amber orbs toward his friend and colleage.

"How many years have we worked together?"

"Too long," sighed Obi.

"I was there with you when I kicked your ass at training-"

"Correction. I ended up kicking yours by the end of the fight, you know I don't like talking about it, it wasn't exactly...the best time for us," sighed Obi, turning back to the paperwork in front of him, trying to work out if there was some pattern or regularity in people coming and going in the hotel.

"Yeah I know but what I'm getting at is that we have a great track record, man, like that's why they pay so much for us. You're always so high strung!"

Obi rolled his eyes. He was never going to be able to concentrate with Suzu flapping his mouth so the easiest thing was to get the conversation over with.

"Your point?" he turned to Suzu with a raised eyebrow.

"When was the last time you got some tail, is what I'm saying."

"Well we can't always be unprofessional like you and bang some waitress on the job, like in Clarines..." said Obi with a smirk gracing his features.

"Dude, I told you, she practically raped me, that's how much I couldn't get away. I said I was sorry like a million times!" exclaimed Suzu. "What I'm trying to say is, you have to lighten up sometimes. If a chick is giving you the eye, don't dismiss it."

Obi shook his head. "So unprofessional."

Obi walked out to guard Zen Wisteria. He sat by the bar, ordered a drink and watched the room carefully. It was around 6pm now, two hours before the unveiling of some rare piece of art that was going to be a centerpiece of the hotel. If anything was going to happen, it was going to be a 8pm.

An hour had passed now and he noticed a blonde young woman speaking with Zen. He started to smirk in amusement.

Even the great Zen Wisteria can't withstand the whiles of a beautiful woman, he thought.

Suddenly there was a presence beside him at the bar. He looked at her and his eyes widened for a fraction of a second.

"Vodka, lime and soda, thanks," he soft voice said with a smile.

Obi was staring at her now. She side glanced him and pursed her lips. "I can see you judging me."

His lips formed a smile. "I didn't say anything, Miss."

For the next hour, they talked as if they knew each other and the girl sitting next to him was only getting more and more drunk as time went on. He couldn't help but notice how insanely beautiful she was. Her long brown hair cascaded down her creamy, slender shoulders and a lot of skin was exposed at her back. Her legs were crossed, giving him a big display of her sexy legs and man, she smelt so good too.

"Well- I gotta go bathroom," she said, half intoxicated if not more.

She stumbled off the chair, but his strong arms grabbed her elbow. She looked up at him and then he noticed just how green her eyes were. He glanced over to Zen who had now placed himself in the lounge area with a drink and the girl he had been talking to sat with him. They seemed to talking animately.

Ah hell.

"Miss, I'll help you to the bathroom."

She stumbled to the bathroom with Obi close behind. He watched her but she seemed to be okay but more, he liked watching her from behind. A lot.

Before she walked through door to the ladies room, she suddenly turned, looking up into his surprised auburn orbs. She was smiling, getting closer.

He had to draw the line. Yes, she was very attractive and he would be lying if he said he didn't want her, because he did. His pants told him he did.

But, he was a professional, he knew-

Her hands began gliding their way to his belt. He felt like she was loosening it but didn't bother to notice since her lips were on his mouth. He shut his eyes for a split second and then all of a sudden, they were in the ladies room and inside one of the cubicles. Hands were roaming everywhere, all over each others body exploring when all of a sudden he felt...light headed.

And then he found himself sitting on the closed toilet, looking up at her and then he knew his mistake.

She smiled down at him as she pulled off something from her lips and let it fall to the ground. She reached over and placed his head, gently, against the wall - almost fondly.

"Its been fun, Obi. I'm sorry," she said but the thing was, she genuinely looked sorry. A frown graced her features as she adjusted herself and took one last look at him before leaving the cubicle. "Sweet dreams."

The last thought before he blacked out was, how did she know his name? He swore that before she left, she'd kissed him one more time.

"Yuzuri, its your turn," said Shirayuki, walking down the hall with her compact mirror. "Ryu. We're on, I'm heading upstairs."

Yuzuri was close with Zen now, wrapping her arms around him. He smiled and leaned forward, locking his lips with hers, his hands roaming down her hips. The kiss began to get intense and she started nuzzling on his ear, while unhooking the chip from his neck.

She pulled back and smiled. "Well, I guess I've really put us back. The presentation is about to start," she laughed, pulling some of her blonde locks behind her ears.

Zen smirked. "Time flies when you're having fun, I guess. I'll see you around Leila," he smiled as he stood, buttoning up his suit and walking out of the bar area and toward the main foyer.

Yuzuri sighed. "I'm done."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"And by the way, he's not that great of a kisser," she heard Yuzuri say through her earpiece, a little out of breath as if she was running or walking very fast. "The chip is in the second lift, West side, on the roof, so you'll have to grab it."

"Mine was," said Shirayuki playfully as she pulled up her leotard. "Yeah I'll get it."

Her dress long was long forgotten and she wasn't sorry to get it off. She hated wearing them because the whole point of wearing them was to entice men and it made her sick sometimes.

The laundry chute was open, so she pushed her discarded dress and shoes down there. A black bag was unzipped and opened on the floor below it, where she had pulled out her clothes for the heist (if you could it that). She was in the cleaners closet at the moment.

"Oh was he? Details!" she heard Yuzuri say, playfully, wanting to get gossip. "Its not like you, Yuki, to comment about the kissee, he must have been good. And to think he is just a security guard."

Shirayuki rolled her eyes as she pulled a utility belt out of the bag, clipping it onto her hips.

"I think he's more than that. He seemed...dangerous and although he was only hired today, I feel like we're similar. I don't know," rambled Shirayuki, but she knew why they were similar. "Anyway, I'm finished here. I'll see you at the safe."

"Uh, you better hurry. He's awake already, I thought you said you kissed him!" came Yuzuri's panicked voice.

Shirayuki's eyes widened. Fuck.

"I have to go then. I'm closing the mirror so we'll have to improvise from here," said Shirayuki quickly, throwing the black bag down the laundry chute and making a run down the hall.

The floor she was on was near the roof, it was where they had the hotel safe but according to their research, it was one of the only safes that the Wisteria Group kept a lot of important items because it was hard to crack and also in an unsuspecting place.

No one would ever think they would keep such an item in their safe here because it was just a hotel and a good professional could easily break in. But the criminals after the chip would probably think they kept the chip in a safety deposit box or something. It as a good plan, until they arrived.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Shirayuki pressed her ear against the safe door while her hand almost rubbed the surface like it was a cat, her eyes closed for a moment, taking in what she had ahead of her.

"Baby, baby, baby, don't worry, you'll be open in a minute," purred Shirayuki as she pulled out some equipment and started to crack the safe.

It was the best safe money could buy. Uncrackable the company believed.

Time wasn't on her side, but they hadn't had someone try to crack it that was forced to crack safes with threats to kill her closest friend or other such measures, so it was going to be a piece of cake.

"Shirayuki, that security guard is on his way up. I think Yuzuri is comprimised. The blonde security guard has her, Suzu I think. You have to make it fast," she heard Ryuu say.

I'm working on it, kid, she thought. Just a few seconds...

Suddenly a very resounding click was heard and she turned the wheel with a big smile on her face.

Two minutes and she was already out of there. The real chip wasn't in there, that was for sure. So the whole time, they were bluffing. Did that mean someone else had it?

She walked down the hall. Most likely the security would go up the stairs, so she would take the lift. Besides, she had to get the fake chip off the lift.

"It wasn't in there Ryuu," she said quietly, watching each direction to make sure she wasn't snuck up on.

She heard Ryuu breath deeply through the ear piece. One of the lifts dinged, she quickly stopped it, opened the roof door on top of the lift and jumped up. Shirayuki grabbed it from the electrical tape Yuzuri had stuck it down with, jumped back down and fitted the door back on the roof of the elevator. She had a close look at the chip.

Well, at least they had something, it was a really good fake. She threw the chain that the chip had been hanging on to the ground, started the lift again and walked out. Now she walked to another lift and waited.

She was pulling out the mirror to see if she could contact Yuzuri when the doors to the lift opened.

"Well, hello Miss," drawled a voice in front of her. He was pissed, she could see it in his eyes.

Her green orbs widened. She dropped the mirror and made a run for it.

Obi picked up the mirror and pocketed it before chasing after her. Strangely enough, he only just kept up with her. She was damned fast.

Shirayuki found the stairs but heard footsteps. No, security would be coming up any second. She knew she was on the west side of the building but she needed to be on the East and she would if she could make it to the other end of this hall and find a room closest to where she needed to be, she knew she could make it.

Rule 3: Think on the run, its the only way to ensure you'll escape. And run fast.

He was beginning to catch up with her.

"Miss!" yelled the security guard.

"How are you even standing?!" she exclaimed as they both ran, him trying to catch her and her trying to get away.

She heard him laugh from behind her. "Talent. But you're talented too, Miss, aren't you?" he yelled from behind her.

She snarled. "Bite me!"

"I will when I catch you, Miss."

Shirayuki narrowed her eyes.

Almost there.

She didn't know if she could make it, to be honest, because she'd have to open the door on the first try.

Well there was only one way to find out.

She found the room she wanted and ran just a little faster, pulling out a key card that Ryuu had made.

Shirayuki ran for the door, slipped the card in, knowing that the footsteps behind her were closer. He was only a few metres away now.

Yes, green!

She opened the door, fast and just caught a glimpse of determined auburn orbs before the door was shut behind her.

Shirayuki yelped in surprise as he started banging on it.

"This won't keep me out for long you know," he said sighing.

Shirayuki sighed. No, it wouldn't. But just enough for her to escape.

Suddenly the door was knocked down. Whoops, maybe not.

He walked in slowly, adjusting his sleeves, his eyes fixated on her with a curious smile. Who just kicks down a door anyway? Who the hell is he, Bruce Lee?

"Finally, caught you."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Shirayuki rolled as she reached the other roof, leaping from the zip line. That was way too close.

How did he recover so fast from my kiss venom? she wondered absently as she raced over to some air vent.

She opened the slitted cover and pulled out another black bag which had rope.

Shirayuki landed without a hitch on the ground at the back of the building. She unhooked the rope and left it dangling as she ran straight to the van where Ryuu had the door open ready for her to get in.

"What the hell, what happened to Yuzuri?!" exclaimed Shirayuki, she looked to Ryuu and he shook his head.

"That Suzu guy took her. They looked up your room from her and found out you two were staying together. That other security guy, how did he recover so fast?" said Ryuu, flabbergasted.

The driver began to drive, as Ryuu had instructed. They couldn't stay in the area too long.

"I have to get her back."

Ryuu nodded. "I have a plan but it will mean we'll be back to square one. But what do you want more? Yuzuri or the chip?"

The red head put her palms to her face. "Yuzuri. We need Yuzuri back."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

It wasn't really a plan. In fact, she didn't know if they would let her go after this.

Shirayuki had no choice though, they had her and she needed her back. It wasn't a question. She walked up to a security camera and flashed the chip in her hands, without any of the guests noticing.

They were on her like flies at a buffet.

"You know, didn't think we'd meet again so soon."

He was padding her down now, his hands lingering too long on her buttocks. She glared at him. "If you want to feel me up, just say so."

Obi grinned. "Come now, we've had our fun, besides, you were the one that was touching before, I didn't initiate it."

His hands began to really grasp her breasts and then moved downward. "Jerk. That wasn't necessary!"

He laughed. "Wasn't it? I've known women to conceal things there, you know."

Shirayuki rolled her eyes. "You should see what I have in my vagina then," she said under her breath, causing his face to blush and then looked at her. Was that an invitation?

But her expression wasn't showing that she was.

"I need Yuzuri back, you can have your damned chip. Its not the real one anyway so like I give a damn."

Obi stopped his checks - he'd been finished five minutes ago anyway - and stood up to his full height, staring down at her with suspicion.

"You're well informed," said Obi, regarding her carefully. "Skilled. Where did you learn all that from?"

Shirayuki turned away from him. "I don't know what you're talking about-"

"Don't give me that shit, you cracked that safe in under five minutes and you didn't even break a sweat. I haven't seen skills like that since-"

Suddenly the door behind them opened. They had shoved her into what appeared to be some sort of interrogation room. She'd noticed straight away that things were not what they appeared in this hotel, they had to be working for the government.

The man that walked in had short silver hair and behind him a taller, muscly man and a woman with blonde hair, tied tightly into a bun. They looked to be people who didn't mess around so they were definitely government.

They closed the door behind them. Obi shoved Shirayuki into a chair, in front of a desk, and Zen sat opposite.

Mitsuhide and Kiki both leaned against the wall, opposite sides, and watched intently.

Zen's eyes watched her for a moment. "I'm guessing you know who I am, well-"

"I don't really care, I want my partner back. Here's the chip, take it. I don't care," she said, interrupting, throwing the chip on the table and letting it slide toward him.

She didn't have time for pleasantries, she needed to know Yuzuri was safe. "Where is she? What have you done to her?"

Zen's gaze looked to Obi, who stood behind Shirayuki and nodded.

"She's in our cells. She will be brought to trial and she will go to prison. That's how it is," said Zen with finality, his eyes boring into her soul.

Shirayuki began to panic. No, no, no. This can't be happening...

Her eyes fell to the table, deep in her thoughts and then they began to manifest and were coming out of her mouth before she could stop herself, but she was so damned scared. She was shaking.

Obi frowned, looking at her. What was her problem? Didn't she expect this?

"You don't know what you've done," she said, shaking, her voice low and almost breaking. "You can't send her there. You have your damned chip just take it and let me take her back!"

Zen pursed his lips. "She's a criminal, as well as you. Did you think it would end any other way? You are after the chip because you're on it, weren't you?"

A laugh escaped her trembling lips and then her forest green orbs met Zen's face.

"I'm not on the chip but the person we have to escape is. If you put her in prison, he'll come for her. We stick together, we always have. I can't let you do this and so if you don't give her back to me, I will have to get her myself," she snarled angrily, her green orb like green fire.

And well, they should have cuffed her.

Suddenly the room went dark. Obi grabbed for her but only received air. The door was open and shut before they could blink and then suddenly the lights flickered back on.

Shirayuki was nowhere to be seen.

She closed her eyes for a moment, remembering the layout. There was only one place Yuzuri could be.

"Don't forget, I can only give you small diversions, you'll have to be faster than you've ever been," she remembered Ryuu saying.

It didn't take her long to find it, thank god for Ryuu. There were two men ahead of her, pulling out batons ready to take her down.

She closed her fists, she could do this. She just needed to get behind that door and then she was into the cell where Yuzuri was, she was sure of it.

They proceeded toward her, but she was fast. She couldn't attack them in anyway, no, that was against her code.

But she was the very best in evading attacks. She ran forward, determined.

She focused, watched their slow movements. He brought down the baton, she twirled and ducked, he hit the other man accidentally. They recovered quickly. One man lunged with the baton headed toward her. She could practically hear the surge of electricity flowing through it as she jumped, flipping over his head upside down and using her hand to right herself as it planted flat on the ground with her legs gracefully straight up in the air and then her feet her back on the ground in a crouching position.

Shirayuki had always been agile since dancing was her hobby but when they had honed her abilities by force, who wouldn't come out on top?

Her back was to the door now and the two men looked at her, confused, surprised and she used that. She opened the metal door quickly, using a card she had swiped from one of men as they'd attacked her and closed the door behind her.

Her green orbs focused on the back of her hand as she'd written down scribbled notes on how to change access to the door, courtesy of Ryuu. That was the first thing she took care of.

She was facing a cell now (one Wisteria Group took great measures to hide from the public) and her eyes widened in horror. Shirayuki was lost in her thoughts and not even the banging and yelled behind her on the door brought her out of her reverie.

"Yuzu..." she gasped, running to the jail doors.

She pulled out some tools from her belt, which she had swiped back after the 'power failure' earlier, and began to lock pick the door. A resounding click was heard and she yanked open the door quickly.

"Yuki," said the voice, broken with dried tears on her cheeks like she'd been crying for hours. "I-I can't see."

The red head pulled off the blind fold instantly.

The cuffs had been off ages ago, Yuzuri was good at that.

Shirayuki's slender arms clutched at Yuzuri's body tightly, for dear life, because she knew what they had done to her. It may have seemed protocol to them but to Shirayuki, she knew it would make Yuzuri remember things that should be locked away forever.

Her blue orbs met Shirayuki's green ones and they shared a look that neither would forget.

"I-I'm so sorry, Yuzu-"

"The chip...I-"

"It doesn't matter. We stick together, remember? Always...no matter what. Damn the chip we can start again," said Shirayuki, her forehead meeting Yuzuri's.

Yuzuri gave a sad smile and shook her head. "That was our chance, Yuki. He'll come for us now. He always does. If Raj-"

Shirayuki put a finger to her lips and pointed to the corner of the bland room, outside of the cage. The camera followed their every move.

"Last time, he used me to get to you Yuki. What if they're under his influence?"

Shirayuki pursed her lips, remembering everything that had happened. "It doesn't matter."

The door burst open and cool blue eyes regarded them closely. The two women stiffened. Yuzuri clenched Shirayuki's hands tightly.

She was afraid, she was shivering. Their eyes closed tightly. No more punishment, please...please!

"This has turned into quite the situation, luckily for you, its to our advantage," said a cold voice, standing in front of the men who held Shirayuki before as well as over a dozen security guards.

Izana Wisteria had always been a man who took advantage where he could. He had watched the whole debacle from the get go but he left it in his brother's hands.

From the deceptive woman who was lathering Zen up to the woman who even deceived the best of the best - or so he was told.

He observed closely and re-watched footage from the security cameras. His blue orbs came closer and closer to the screen, watching her down drinks and drinks...of water.

That Nanaki wasn't even paying attention, his eyes were elsewhere.

He sighed, went to the employee files to find the barman's credentials.

Shuka Nezali

His was file was pretty standard and to him it spelt FAKE.

And then she had cracked that safe like it was a walk in the park.

The hours passed and then she brought back the fake chip of her own accord.

She wasn't even there half an hour and someone had hacked into the building. She had a team of professionals.

And usually he would find joy in arresting these cretins so they would be locked up in prison, never to see daylight again. But, this girl and her peasant friends would probably be more useful under his payroll. Desperate times call for desperate measures and time was running out.

As far as the guests in the hotel knew, nothing was amiss. That also meant that anyone who came to try and get the chip (excluding the red head) wouldn't know that it had been taken already.

It was time to step in now.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"You are joking," gasped Yuzuri, now free standing against the wall in Izana Wisteria's office.

She turned to look at Shirayuki who had her eyes narrowed at Obi, who seemed to be smirking through Izana's whole explanatory ordeal.

"What's in it for you, exactly?" piped up Shirayuki, finally looking away from the very annoying Obi.

"Well. Don't you think with your skill set, you could be setting you sights higher?" said Izana.

He was damned serious.

Yuzuri sighed. "I'm in-"

Shirayuki's eyes widened as her head snapped toward her friend. "Don't just say 'i'm in' you idiot. This is why we always get in these situations because you open your mouth and shit comes out!"

Yuzuri laughed, nodding. She knew she did that but she would never change. "I know but lets face it, I am saving time because eventually you'll give in and make a deal. I'm saving the dramatic back and forth crap."

The red head sighed. She had a point.

Its not like they had a choice. It was prison and therefore other darker things or this. At least if they were under Izana's employ, Raj couldn't get to them.

"I watched the footage of you with the guards before," interjected Zen, a thoughtful look upon his face. "Why didn't you just attack them, you had ample opportunity."

Shirayuki visibly stiffened at his words, Obi noticed it too. In fact, his eyes had been on her the entire time.

"Violence begets violence," she said quietly, auburn orbs studying her silently.

Yuzuri suddenly grabbed Shirayuki's hand and squeezed, their eyes meeting with an unknown sadness that only certain people could appreciate.

We know violence too well, we don't want to share what was given to us with anyone else.