Some minor changes were made, and also thought I should mention that I have no claim on Hei a.k.a. BK201 a.k.a. The Black Reaper, Youko, Hazuki, or any of the Darker Than Black characters.

To hesitate on a kill was illogical, and yet she did. She had pursued him with a vengeance for Youko's death. Youko—her one bright light—her day. And now she had him—BK201—vulnerable and at her fingertips. She had never hesitated before. She felt compelled to lick her lips, to taste the remnant of him left from her remuneration, but she subdued the urge.

It had confused her, the sensation that had stolen through her as she kissed him. She should have been repulsed, as she was when her remuneration forced her to kiss Shizume or any other male. BK201 was a man after all.

Yet, he didn't taste of cigarettes, stale beer, or unwashed masculinity. His taste made her think of clear winter nights, a lover's embrace, and silvery moonlight. Her sudden confusion made her cut their connection. She lashed out, striking her captive across the face. "My remuneration," she told him, feeling the need to justify herself to him, and to Youko, before drawing her blade.

But then she hesitated. Her eyes met his midnight blue ones, and she was once more reminded of night and the kiss. She stopped the downward plunge of her blade. Then he spoke, his voice like black velvet. He spoke of Youko, and that should have been enough. It should have broken the spell that held her, allowing her to fulfill her vow. But she had always thought night more beautiful than the day.

When her boss called out to her, telling her of BK201's innocence concerning Youko, she tried to tell herself that the relief she felt was at finally knowing the truth. Not for BK201.

She allowed none of her relief, none of her confusion, to show on her face as she wrapped her fingers in the lapels of BK201's coat once more to haul him to his feet. Logically, she should have left him there, or killed him anyway to prevent his further interference. Instead, she forced him against the wall and frisked him.

Without a doubt, he was a man. No soft curves like Youko. He was tempered steel, yet she caught her fingers lingering, prolonging their exploration. Hazuki felt eyes on her and glanced up to meet his as they slanted across his shoulder. He knew, and was amused. She slammed against him, suddenly angry that he could upset her control, her logic. He gasped, and the sound sent a thrill through her as she bound his hands behind his back, leaving the cable binding his upper arms in place.

She sensed her superior's impatience, finally aware once more that they were not alone. "You are coming with me," she said in her captive's ear, the tenor of her voice far more neutral than her thoughts.

As Hazuki led BK201 down the corridor, with her superior behind them, she felt the weight of his gaze once more. Was he studying her?

No. He was trying to unobtrusively free his hands, and was watching her for a reaction. She smiled. Not with her mouth, but her eyes, as she met his stare. His hands stilled. Though his face showed nothing, she sensed his uncertainty and reveled in it. "Don't bother," she told him. "They aren't coming off unless cut. They suit you."

She won a reaction there. He looked startled for a moment before he regained control.

"It was Shizume who killed Youko," she heard her superior say from behind, oblivious to the tension between Hazuki and BK201.

"Shizume?" she said the name like a curse. It was Shizume who killed Youko. Him she could kill. He was one of the typical males she knew—uncouth, vulgar, loud, with a scent usually stained by cigarettes—not sleek and lean, quiet and graceful as a shadow, with even a voice reminiscent of night. She allowed the description of Youko's death to fuel her anger.

A pounding began beside them. She felt BK201's eyes on her once more, gauging her response, but she was careful to offer none. Her gut told her the traitor was among this group attempting to batter a way into the corridor. Without glancing at her superior, she instructed them to move on. "I will take care of the traitor," she said. As the two men walked past, Hazuki refused to allow her eyes to follow her captive, but neither did she wish to let him go without a word. "BK201." He paused and glanced back at her. She felt the weight of it, before she told him that he was free for now. Not in those words, but he understood. He glided down the corridors as if his coat were wings, her superior behind him.

She allowed a true smile to touch her lips. To think, after all this time, she found a man that didn't repulse her senses, and they might both die before nightfall. No. She refused that thought. They would live. He would be free to finish his business for now. But then he would be forced to submit once more. Some things were just meant to be bound, even the night.