You never know what you have until you lose it, and once you lose it, you can never get it back.

I had never thought much about it or experienced what it felt like, to lose everything. All these sayings about missing things when they disappear but you never gave it much thought when it was there. You never miss the sun until it snows. You never realize how much you love a person before they're not in your life anymore.

You can't understand this before you try it, before you lose it, before they leave you.

I realized this one night where I woke up to a smoke filled apartment and the heat from the flames licking my face. I was dumbstruck as I waited for my brain to realize what was happening. Everything was turning into smoke, my work, my possessions and my life. All of it turning into black, fat smoke. I remember standing there, watching it, until a couple of strong hands appeared on my arms. A pair of brown, surprisingly calm eyes found mine. I knew he was saying something but I couldn't focus on his words or his voice. I merely looked him in the eyes, not knowing what to feel or say. I heard him sigh, surely because I didn't answer, before his arms moved beneath me, picking me up bridal style and rushing out of my burning apartment.

The next thing I knew, I was sitting outside along with the other residents, watching what was left of our homes. Most of them were like me, sitting there quietly, with a blanket around their shoulders and simply watching, a few others were panicking, sobbing or walking around restless. One woman was crying loudly, screaming at the firemen who were trying to calm her.

I heard footsteps stopping in front of me and my glance went to look up instead of watching the hysterical woman. I recognized his eyes immediately.

''Miss, I just wanted to check if you're okay?'' His voice was kind and the concern in it was genuine. It honestly surprised me a bit.

''I…'' I had to swallow when I realized how dry my mouth was, ''… I don't know.'' I was surprised at how small my voice was. How it almost shaked when I spoke. ''I just watched my whole life turn into flames and smoke.''

''That's not true.'' He smiled sweetly, ''you're still here, aren't you? Don't forget that.''

I stared at him, not knowing what to say. He was right. What I had lost was material things, not myself. I wasn't dead.

''Thank you…'' I finally found the words I was looking for and managed to smile faintly, ''thank you for getting me out of there.''

''Don't sweat it. Just promise me that you won't let this swallow you up. Keep living.'' He smiled.

''I-''

''Lena!''

I stopped myself when I heard the use of my name and turned around, instantly having a pair of arms wrapped around me in a tight grip. ''Fallon…'' I breathed.

''Oh my god, I was so worried! Are you okay?'' She was out of breath, surely from running here, while her hands moved to frame my face and look me over.

''I'm okay…'' I smiled faintly again and felt myself calm down because of her presence.

''Are you sure? I was so worried…'' She sighed before pulling me in for a hug.

I relaxed against her as her warm embrace calmed me further along with her well known scent. I weakly nodded and closed my eyes.

''Good… good… come on, I'll take you to my place.'' Her voice had always been so comfortable and comforting whenever something was bad.

I looked over my shoulder after she had released me from her grip. The firefighter was gone and strangely, it almost made me sad.

''Lena?'' Fallon called my name, successfully drawing my attention back to her. ''Let's buy some of that ice cream you love. My treat.'' She smiled softly.

I snuck my arms around hers and leaned my head against her shoulder as we walked, leaving the scorched building behind us.

''Did they manage to save anything?'' She asked after she had wrapped the blanket around her and joined me on the couch, a bowl of Ben & Jerry's ice cream in each of our hands.

''No… either things burned up or the smoke ruined it.'' My voice had regained some of its strength, ''the only material possessions I have is my necklace and my laptop, and that's because I left it here.'' I sighed utterly defeated.

''So… your books are…?''

''Ash…'' I muttered darkly and started eating the ice cream with renewed passion.

''So, everything that was in your apartment is ruined?

''Yeah. I'm glad that firefighter got me out…'' I leaned back in the couch, ''he was quite cute now that I think about it…''

''Your apartment just burned down and all you can think about is a cute firefighter?'' She snickered beside me.

''Oh shut up… I promised that I wouldn't let this get to me…''

''Promised who?''

''The firefighter.''

''Really? He must be cute for you to make that kind of promise.'' She couldn't keep a soft laugh back this time and I couldn't resist not joining her.

''Come on… he has a point,'' I sighed, trying to sound serious, ''… he really was though…'' I smirked and looked back at her. Seconds passed before we ended up laughing again.

Despite Fallon's protests, I didn't waste any time trying to find a new apartment. With a hot chocolate, my laptop and a free newspaper, I had found a bench in the local park and had started my apartment hunting. The pen tapped against the wood as I looked through the newspaper, circling the few options I could find. It had already been a challenge to find the previous apartment but as much as I loved Fallon's company, I needed my own space. I dropped the pen while sighing, letting my hand rub my forehead in defeat. At that instent, it seemed like an impossible task.

''Excuse me.''

My glance flew, meeting a pair of kind eyes and an easygoing smile.

''You wouldn't happen to be Lena Wood, would you?''

I started to stare at him, letting his face run through my memory to see if I knew him from somewhere. He was handsome, a defined jaw with dark stubbles, his short hair was black and his eyes had surprisingly warm brown color. A scar ran down his right cheek and he looked somewhere in his thirties. The way he held and carried himself almost screamed power and success and his dominant presence quickly made me bring my guard up.

''Why do you ask?'' I kept my voice neutral and tried not to seem too defensive.

He flashed me a confident smirk. ''You are then. I'm Kagi Shen, owner of the apartment building which burned down last night.'' He reached out his hand as he spoke, ''I'm here to offer you something else.''

Hesitating, I slowly took his hand and shook it shortly before drawing it back. ''I didn't think the owner would bother with these kinds of things…''

''It was brought to my attention, that you only moved in a couple of days ago, so all of your material possessions were still in boxes. The other residents have saved some of their possessions and most of them have already been offered something new. I wanted to meet you in person.'' His smirk remained on his lips as he spoke. He was charming, seeming genuine in his concern but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

I narrowed my eyes a bit, ''Why? I fail to see what your presence here changes about the outcome.''

My words made him chuckle softly. ''Don't get me wrong, miss, I merely sought you out to help you personally. I can't imagine what losing everything feels like, but I want to help you nonetheless.'' He smiled kindly, ''can I please show you the place?''

My eyes fell down on the newspaper. The few circles eventually made me sigh and stand up. ''Alright, but I'm not signing anything today.''

''I'm not trying to make you do anything, miss. Please follow me then.'' He smiled and waited as I collected my things and put them in my bag. Or I would have. A loud shriek behind me startled me enough the look up, watching a woman with orange hair run up to me.

''Oh god! You're Lena Wood, right? I'm such a big fan of your books!'' She grabbed my hand while speaking quickly and flashing me one giant, flawless smile. ''Can I please have your autograph? Oh no no, I HAVE to take you to my friends!''

It took me a few seconds before I realized that she was already dragging me along with her. I heard Kagi yell something behind me while the woman continued talking.

''Hey, wait a second!'' I protested, trying to yank my hand back but the grip around my wrist tightened. ''Hey!'' I tried again but it was no use and I felt myself starting to panic.

''Please calm down, miss, I don't want to hurt you.'' The woman snickered. My eyes widened as her voice had turned darker and I started to put two and two together. By the time I was about to yell something again, she turned, pushing me into a building and closing the slide door behind us.

I froze, seeing three men staring at me as they had stopped their conversation. I couldn't move a muscle but felt a hand appear on my shoulder.

''I found her!'' The woman chimed before walking pass me and towards the men. I was horrified when she pulled of her hair.

''Nice job, Hiro.'' A man with brown hair jumped out of his chair, ''Now, Miss Wood, I'm sure you have some questions.'' He smiled friendly while moving closer to me.

''Some questions?! That woman-that MAN just dragged me here without telling me anything, how the hell would I not have questions?!'' I yelled, clenching my firsts, ''who are you and why did you bring me here?!''

''You're freaking annoying.'' The man with blonde hair growled from his seat. His glance remained on his laptop.

''Takuto-'' the brown haired man started but I interrupted him with.

''I'm leaving!'' I turned around in one quick movement and went to open the slide door but someone was quicker than me. I let out an annoyed groan and looked up, meeting a pair of surprised, brown eyes. I caught my breath and froze when I recognized them.

''You're-'' we both spoke but stopped as soon as we had started.

''Oh, Kenshi, you've met her?''

''I got her out of a burning apartment building.'' He smiled and closed the door behind him. ''Did Hiro find her so quickly?''

''She was in the park nearby, just like Takuto had predicted.'' Hiro appeared wearing his own clothes again but the chipper attitude was apparently part of his personality.

I finally managed to get my eyes of Kenshi and turned, looking the men over. ''Would you mind telling me what's going on?'' I asked while putting my hands on my hips.

''Easy,'' Kenshi spoke out behind me, ''it all has something to do with you…'' he leaned closer and I followed his hands with my eyes, ''and this.'' His hand pulled the gold chain around my neck and revealed the necklace. The green stone was obvious against my cream colored blouse. I blushed, having his hands that close to me made my heart race.

''I don't understand…'' I looked up, ''what's going on?''

''Why don't you sit down and we'll explain everything.'' The man with brown hair reentered the conversation and gestured for me to sit with the other two.

Curiosity killed the cat.

I sat down with a sigh.

''So… let me get this straight. You're the group of thieves, the Black Foxes, which have been on the news and you need me and my necklace to find some groundbreaking invention my granddad made?'' I asked while leaning back in the chair and looked at everyone who was staring at me.

Atsumu leaned in over the table, ''yes, that's pretty much it.''

We sat there quietly until I started laughing.

''This might be the best joke I've heard so far. Thanks, this has been…. Interesting but I've actually got some things to do. Excuse me.'' I laughed softly and stood up, grabbing my bag.

''Miss, we're quite serious.'' A man, introduced as Riki, stared at me while crossing his arms, ''sit back down.''

''This is ridicules.'' I smiled at him, fighting the urge to laugh again. ''Listen, I'm really not in the mood for this. My apartment just burned down and I lost everything, so find someone else to pull this joke on.'' I shook my head at Riki and despite the protests behind me, and one calling me annoying, I didn't hesitate to leave.

I took a deep breath of fresh air, still smiling, and shook my head again as I walked. I didn't get very far before someone stepped out in front of me, blocking my way, and I looked up, recognizing him. ''Kagi? What are you-''

''I'm afraid I lost you earlier, miss, what a surprise to find you here then.'' He cut me off with a smile. ''Oh,'' his glance fell down and his hand appeared in front of me, ''what a pretty necklace.''

I swapped his hand away with mine, taking a step back before placing the necklace behind my shirt again, effectively hiding it.

He chuckled softly, the kindness in his eyes turning into interest. ''Look at that, the little miss has claws.'' He took a step closer, ''I really like that in a woman.'' He licked his lips while leaning closer. He looked like a predator watching his prey and I instinctively backed away.

My back bumped into someone and an arm quickly appeared around my shoulders. ''Is he bothering you, Lena?''

I shuddered when I heard my name and looked up. I felt my mouth go dry as I saw Kenshi smiling at me.

''What makes you think I was, kid?'' Kagi chuckled again, rolling his shoulders.

''Well, she was backing away from you, sir.'' Kenshi replied while pulling my closer to him. His breath hit my ear and I nearly shuddered.

''Is there anything you want, kid? I need to speak to miss Wood.'' The smile Kagi sent Kenshi was definitively intimidating.

''Same, actually, so please excuse us.'' Kenshi smiled back before he turned me around with him and started walking. He carefully pushed me along with him. ''Please, don't struggle,'' He whispered when I moved the slightest, ''we really need your help. It's important.'' I felt myself calm down as he spoke and eventually, I let out a sigh and let him lead me back to the building I came out from.

I looked at it this time, noticing the name and how it looked like a restaurant or a bar. If it was true, it certainly didn't look like a group of thieves' headquarter.

Kenshi stopped before we entered, following my gaze. ''I know what you're thinking, 'how can this be our headquarters?''

''I would have thought it would be something more…''

''Serious?''

''Yeah…''

''Well, that's the genius part of it. If everyone else thinks the same as you, how will they ever suspect this place?'' He smiled and moved closer to the door, ready to open it. ''Now, do I have to carry you in here or will you be nice and walk on your own?'' His smile was teasing and I felt my cheeks flush.

''Just get in…'' I grumbled and listened to him laugh before he opened the door.

As I walked inside, I couldn't help but wonder what was I getting myself into?