Trouble Maker

Genre: mystery, suspense, romance

Pairing: Kuroh x OC

Summary: Even in the world of the clans in Shizume City, Nobody couldn't hold this stray down. She's so bad, so bad, then she's so good, even for one who never wanted to go back to the blue city.

Chapter 2: Ice Cream

December 6, 12:00 am, Shizume City, Paradisu Ice Cream Shop

"Where did you go? Mikoto was ready to talk and everything, but then you suddenly ran off." The chain of words ran from Totsuka's lips, the white noise from it echoing in the small room.

Tatara was really tired, but he didn't wish to show it. After a few hours, he had taken to finding her again, and he had asked Anna Kushina to track her down. The girl with the bluish green hair that was cut short, the girl who had caught his camera and almost never gave it back. But thanks to Anna, he had happily located Ishida, alone again, this time, under a tree in Shizume City. She was still wearing her old clothes, and this time, her jacket had a few rips on it. There was dirt all over her, and she seemed to be quite weary although she was doing a great job of hiding it with her cold and outspoken self.

"I…" Ishida began.

"What? Can't you explain it clearly?" Tatara raised a brow at her with concern. "You really look like a trainwreck. Look in the mirror for a change. I really thought things would be smooth-going, until you said you had to leave. In fact, I was already going to settle the arrangements with Mikoto."

She grit her teeth.

"I… I had to leave," she stated again. Her eyes widened. "I was scared… I promise, please. Someone's after me after I left my parents… So I had to go!"

Tatara rubbed the back of his head. "Someone's after you? Why didn't you tell me so?" He laughed. Ishida-san seemed such a funny person at times, no doubt.

"Yes! It's my…" Ishida closed her eyes then opened them again. Her fists balled. "My…"

"Your what? Friend? Girlfriend?" Tatara pressed.

"My…ex-boyfriend," she burst out. She seemed really rattled by this man, whoever he was.

Tatara, for a few moments, did not know whether to act, to cry, to yell at her, shake her or just stare at her. Maybe it was expected a girl like Ishida would have a boyfriend chasing after her. She had a nice figure, with a tall frame but her curves were undefined because of the way she wore her clothes, and she had a nice face shape and good skin, very clear. And she was seventeen, too. Most Japanese had relationships her age, did they not? Almost out of pity for her, Tatara reached his arm out and rubbed her back.

"Tell me about your ex-boyfriend. Why would he follow you all the way here? Hey, if you love a person, you let them go and be happy for you? I should have guessed you've broken a few hearts in the country, huh?"

Ishida scowled and folded her arms across her chest. "We met two years ago in the seaside in Okinawa, I was in there for vacation, and we did click, you know. He liked me, and when I came back for school, he was the new student. Eventually, we became a couple but trust me, a week after my parents told me their decision to have a divorce, we broke up. He wanted to sleep with me, I said I wasn't ready yet and we fought. I also left because of him, and he still wants me back."

"How did you know he wants you back?"

"Last night, he sent me a text message. He said he was on his way here to bring me back. Against my will. I knew it."

"That's more the reason you have to stay with HOMRA."

"HOMRA?" She seemed cautious, a panther ready to attack.

Tatara nodded confidently. "HOMRA. That's the name of the bar last night. It's named after my group. Ishida-san, I really need to explain a lot to you."

"Then do it now."

"HOMRA is my group, and I'm willing for HOMRA to take you in for a while, if our King approves of you. You don't need to be a member; you're just going to be under our protection for a while so that you can study baking in peace in Shizume City, and also that your ex won't be able to touch you." Tatara scanned her face, fiery and clear-complexioned underneath the grime. "Anyway, if you have to be with HOMRA for awhile, and hide from your ex, you have to change a few things too." He smiled.

A new addition to HOMRA wouldn't hurt so much. Except that she wasn't really going to be an official member, more just a pet, a ward, in the language of the medieval peeps. Anna would finally get some girly time. Mikoto would enjoy her presence and Yata would meet his match. The bar would get more encores of Green Vesper drink. And they'd all try on her new baking stuff.

"Change a few things?" Ishida raised a brow. "Excuse me, I'm fine by the way I am!"

Tatara didn't flinch. "You're too fiery. Anyway, you look like a wreck. Your hair's so messy and unruly, even if it's short. You're full of dirt. I'd bet a million yen you slept on the streets literally."

She blushed darkly. "Yeah, I did."

"What did you eat?"

"I bought a Big Mac. Told you I can take care of myself."

"Ishida-san, there are rapists on every corner."

"Hn."

"Ishida."

She looked away.

"Saika, can you please look at me?"

Instead of submitting so easily, she stared him down. She had hot blood, like the HOMRA members. Her jaw hardened, and he swore he could feel some seriously strong Aura she held within her. For that moment, his view of her as a fly model girl shifted to a woman warrior. Her eyes were a defiant purple.

"DON'T CALL ME THAT, TOTSUKA-SAN, I'M TELLING YOU!"

She hit the table hard, and it caused a loud vibration across the wood. Suddenly, it seemed to make sense for Tatara to see she was no ordinary street-smart stray.

"Then what should I call you, Ishida-san? Saika-chan?" As he spoke, he felt nervous as hell. Her temper was ill and matched HOMRA's signature color.

In the blink of an eye, she grabbed his collar. Her face twisted. She emitted danger. Fear. Anger. Rage. A quick and ill temper made her a destructive force of fire, of some Aura she hid.

"NOT SAIKA-CHAN!"

"Then… what do you suggest, if not Saika?"

"Call me Sai. Not Saika. It makes me feel like some damned stupid feminine idiot." Her grip loosened. "I'm already a mess as it is. I dislike girly stuff, do you hear me?"

"Sai, Sai-san," Tatara said slowly, trying the new nickname on his tongue. The sound played together nicely. Sai sounded neutral enough. "Sai-san, I take it, then?"

She nodded.

"You eaten anything yet, Sai-san?"

"I bought myself a cup of ramen. Spicy flavor. I did sleep on the streets, but there was some scuffle. My clothes got ripped."

"Do you have any bag with you?"

"Yep, it's a small one. It has my wallet, cellphone, iPod, Swiss knife. A scarf, too, and that's what's left."

"What about lunch?"

"I ate already. I ate meat and ramen."

Tatara raised a brow at her. "You really love to eat, don't you? Aren't you worried that you'll get bad health? It's really about time we take you in, Sai-san."

Ishida sighed.

"Very well, then. I really don't want to be a burden. Please."

Tatara fingered a strand of her deep bluish green hair.

"Your hair's choppy," he began. "I don't know really what to do about your appearance, Sai-san. Especially since your ex is looking all over for you, you know. He knows you. What you look like. Maybe it's up to Mikoto after all."

"Mikoto-san?"

"He's our King." Tatara spoke fervently. "He is a good man with a big heart, Sai-san. I think you'd fit in with us. Mikoto-san will approve, I hope."

"Is Mikoto-san kind?"

"Yes. Very much, Sai-san."

"So he's the King."

"Yes."

"Is there anything you and your girlfriend would like to order?" a male voice broke out of nowhere.

Tatara smiled to himself.

"Ice cream. I'd like a banana split. How about you, Sai-san?" he asked her, who was looking at the menu with interest. Glutton.

"I'd like a large bowl of strawberry and vanilla ice cream and a large mug of chocolate milk," Ishida ordered firmly, her eyes shining with the thought of food, no doubt. He'd have to warn Mikoto, no doubt, about her temper and her gluttony. A hard mouth to feed, so demanding.

"Sure."

When the waiter left to carry out the orders, Tatara found himself scanning Ishida again, under the title Sai.

Dirty, gluttonous, ill-tempered girl, he thought fondly, with her flashing purple eyes and choppy short bob hime cut hair cut so short to her chin. Her long legs and ripped leggings and the metal rings on her fingers. She seemed like a fragile model sitting there quietly.

"I'm sure Mikoto-san won't refuse his service to a lady like yourself. He is a true man, and a chivalrous King. He'll protect you."

"I can fight well," was her brusque reply.

"You are not a member of HOMRA. I've never seen you fight, much less wield a weapon."

"Tsk."

Tatara pulled out an envelope from his bag and his camera. He laid it on the empty rectangle wood that separated them.

"I thought you'd want to see this."

He slid a photo from the envelope. On the photo was a young woman sitting on the desk inside an open magazine shop. Her hair, though short and choppy, blew with the wind. Her eyes were a passionate violet hue. Her dark turquoise hair shone, and there was the form of a charm that resembled silk, steel and sexy all together. The lighting was bright, and crystalline, that both blended in and contrasted the backdrop of the blue city around her. Various signs of the hallyu and harajuku were evident in her clothes: ripped leggings, the metal scarf, combat boots, headphones, and the denim shirt covered by the furred red jacket.

"That's me?" Ishida seemed surprise.

Tatara held up the photograph. "It came out good. Izumo-san thought you're pretty photogenic and striking-looking, although he complained at first he thought you were a boy."

A smile almost graced her lips. She seemed peaceful, for once.

"He thinks you could find work as a model."

Ishida raised a brow.

"Why should I? I like baking."

"You obviously love food," Tatara laughed. "No wonder you like baking so much. Any man would be happy to taste your pastries."

"No man has pleased me to do such. I've never even had my first kiss. I dislike men of my age."

"You're seventeen. Come on, Sai-san."

She looked away.

For a few minutes, it became a largely pregnant silence. The waiter arrived with their food; Tatara was glad that the bill wasn't included. He had a gut feeling that the bill would be very large. He'd spent enough time eating with Ishida to know she was the most gluttonous of eaters.

"Do you know that ice cream brings people together?" Ishida asked, breaking the silence, passionate and alive and burning.

"What makes you say so, Sai-san?"

"In relationships, most girls who get dumped by guys enjoy eating ice cream. Most dates are held by eating ice cream. And also, every date that involves ice cream is successful."

"Who taught you such a thing, Sai-san?" Tatara laughed.

"Myself," she said proudly. "When I was a kid. It's one of the few things that I believed when I was younger that I still believe in today."

She lifted her spoon, whipped a chunk of the creamy and cold delicacy and put it to her mouth. She ate it slowly, savoring every touch and taste, sensation. Her eyes animated well as she ate.

That moment, Tatara thought she seemed quite the jackpot. An odd girl who looked like she wasn't a compulsive liar, looked like a model in lights, and didn't have parents who divorced and a crazy ex who stalked her.

- / -

December 6, 3:00 pm

Watanabe-san smiled.

"That girl? Oh, you mean, Kanako and Fugaku's daughter?" She shook her head. The old woman had been close to the couple. "No, I haven't seen her, too, you know. It's such a pity. She could have had such a bright future. Studying in the city – dear me!"

Kuroh did not blink.

"Yes. She said she had to go, and she has never returned since then." He blushed, trying his best not to remember the parting kiss.

"Well, she always was a stubborn one. Poor girl got too used to her brothers. The same stubbornness is in her blood. Her parents were very devoted to Ichigen-sama, and it passed on to only her, out of her other siblings. When she was younger, I remember, she said she hated you because Ichigen-sama gave the lion's share of the sushi to you." Watanabe-san laughed heartily.

And I think she still does.

He had grown up with views of her growing up, too, from time-to-time. As a child, she was the ugly duckling and liked to eat and fight a lot. She had petty quarrels, and as a teenager, she had grown out that mane. But most of such memories were hazy. It had been a long time.

"Well, if you want to clear up things, go do your duty and find her. It will help. Why do you think she left?"

"Mayhap because of me."

From what he had heard, there were whispers it was because of her own opinion of him. Kuroh ground his teeth. She still had a poor opinion of him, no doubt. He had to convince her otherwise.

"Try to talk to her. She's a pretty girl; it won't hurt."

"I definitely will."

The conversation with Watanabe-san did a good job of occupying Kuroh's mind. His text messages were ignored. Deleted, no doubt. He had tried so hard to track her down. It was a double risk, to find two beings so much wanted. If the other people loyal to Ichigen-sama had traits, it would be that they compared him and that girl, growing up together and apart.

And what ached him were his dreams. He dreamed of a girl dancing, her hair long and wavy and dark dancing with him, sensual and dangerous, clad in expensive outfits. She crawled and pounced with the speed and cunning of a wolf, and the sleekness of a panther. She waved her hands as if to strike. But what really got to him was its haunting conclusion: he and she would enter a room. She'd pull out a lighter, light it up and drop it to the floor, spreading flames across the room.

She was dangerous, but elegant, a lady.

He shook his head. He had other things to do than worry about girls setting rooms on fire in his dreams.

- / -

December 6, 3:10 pm, HOMRA bar

"What's her name again?" Yata asked impatiently, as he took a bite of the red velvet cupcakes, watching the others eat the cupcakes happily.

"Sai," Ishida replied, mouth full, "Ishida Saika. Call me Sai."

Izumo shook his head and clicked his tongue, and Anna was still. Mikoto watched warily, holding the cupcake in his large hands with caution. Tatara had introduced her and explained the situation, and added that it was only for a time being, and she had to be under HOMRA's protection. He eyed her warily, trying to see through her words, and that lovely baking, the result being the tasty red velvet cupcakes.

"She's not a girl," Yata whined, watching Ishida wash dishes. "She's a monkey."

A vein throbbed in Ishida's face.

"What did you say?!"

Before anyone could say anything, Ishida had ignored the dishes, leaving the water from the faucet dripping. Her hands wet, she was a loose canon. Her fire was lit, and the fuse was burning; she tackled Yata on the ground. First came a cautious straight punch that seemed to be dangerous and rehearsed. More punches came, and her eyes blazed over as the fire of hell boiled over and over.

"I told you!" yelled Yata, trying to squirm. "SHE'S NOT A GIRL, SHE'S A MONKEY!"

The next second, there was a large echo of a bump across the wall. Yata was on the wall, Ishida pinning him angrily. Her fingers squeezed his neck, a vise.

"Well?" she growled. "What am I now? A monkey?"

Yata growled.

"Fuck you!" In his hand, he grasped his baseball bat.

"Fuck me? Fuck you!"

And they charged, he with his Aura-enhcanced baseball bat, and she with her skillful dexterity in delivering blows.

Before any harm could be further be inflicted on, a release of red Aura swooned, a storm of crimson flooding the room.

The silence was enough to hear the overflow of the water from the neglected faucet.

"Enough." Mikoto ordered.

The two youngsters looked at him.

"What is it, Mikoto-san?" both asked at once, then glared at each other.

Izumo sighed in almost-annoyance. "You two are almost two peas in a pod."

"You two, please cut it." The leader held up a hand then he took a swig from his hanging cigarette, blowing air into the room. No one else spoke.

"Yes," Yata murmured, looking away in shame. Instead of bowing so easily to his rule, Tatara could see Ishida was trying to adjust but failed epically. Her eyes were raised in defiance, and she sighed.

"Very well, sir."

Mikoto nodded, acknowledging their presence. His eyes studied Ishida dangerously, as if she were a bear, not a girl. As if he were trying to read and see through such Aura. He stood up, and left the room.

Izumo followed him.

After a few minutes' silence, Izumo poked in his head through the door. His eyes were heavy with orders.

"Mikoto-san wants to see you, too."

His words were directed at Tatara.

- / -

December 6, 3:30 pm, HOMRA bar

"I want to talk to you about her, you must understand." The Red King spoke slowly. A puff of smoke blew from his mouth.

"What is it about her? She's perfectly harmless, Mikoto-san. Her ex is after her and her parents just got divorced. She's all alone in here."

Izumo cocked his head.

"She's very pretty, if you ask me." He tapped the edge of his glasses. "Pretty but dirty. She needs a bath, too and she reeks but she bakes very nicely. It's a pity she has short hair and wears so dirty clothes."

Mikoto leaned back against his chair. The cigarette dangled from his fingers loosely. He was a King in that chair, a lord who commanded his kingdom and subjects closely. A man with a large heart that he had to distribute wisely enough.

"What I think is that"-he took a swig of cigarette-"not everything she's told you, Tatara is all true. She isn't harmless – look at the way she tackled Yata." He rose from his seat with great dignity. "Such moves can be done by someone trained. Haven't you noticed that?"

Tatara and Izumo exchanged glances.

"Yes, but what about the part about her being chased by some manic ex-boyfriend?"

"She is being chased, but I believe not by her boyfriend. It has to be someone else," Izumo added.

"Then what do we do?"

Mikoto took another smoke on his cigarette. He blew smoke from his nose and mouth.

"I think we ought to keep her for now; she might be useful, and she seems tired." Mikoto looked at Izumo with certainty.

"You can fix her if you please. She's running from someone."

- / -

December 6, 4:50 pm, HOMRA bar

"What the fuck is this?" Ishida complained, as she held a long pair of wavy and long hair extensions curiously the exact color of her deep blue green hair. Around her, there were minidresses across her. Two pairs of designer shoes were strewn across the floor, and her bed was undone already. She was all clean now, her wet hair sticking to her forehead, her skin two shades lighter and her eyes clear. She wore what must have been one of Yata's old shirts; it was ratty and white, and had the words "RIGHT NOW, I DON'T GIVE A F*CK" on it, a pair of men's skinny jeans that was a size larger than hers and sandals.

Izumo and Anna and Tatara had decided to clean her up. Izumo had sent the expensive stuff to her, in hopes of improving her beauty and also, indirectly, changing her appearance so that her stalker wouldn't recognize her that easily.

"Be glad you have clothes; I had to buy them last-minute and all that was left were men's clothes. We can't have you running in those"-Izumo's nose twitched-"rags all the time."

Ishida scowled and dropped the hair extensions with irritation. "They're my clothes! My mother bought them from Korea!"

Yata snorted.

"They were rags, Sai."

"THEY'RE NOT RAGS, DAMMIT!"

"Just stop it," Izumo told her. "Put on the hair extensions and the silver dress and the silver pumps. I just want to see if it fits you."

Almost obediently, Ishida stood up, carried the pumps and hair extensions and the dress in her arms and went to the restroom built inside her room.

A minute later, she emerged, pouting.

For that moment, she seemed to really look good, almost handsome. Her eyes sparkled, and the dress showed off her curves in the right places. It had a square-shaped low neckline an inch above her chest, showing a hint of some cleavage, and its end reached several inches above the knees. The sleeves were so short, covering her shoulders, and showed off her long white arms, and her slender legs. Her hair was a dangerous beauty of its own, wavy and floating about her, a deep blue green halo. Sexy.

Izumo smirked, and even Yata's jaw dropped. Shouhei and the others nodded their approval. Tatara smiled to himself.

"She's beautiful," Anna said softly.

"Nah, she needs liptstick," Izumo chuckled.

Click.

"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU STARING AT?" Ishida howled. "I look like a fucking hoe!" Her fists balled in anger.

"You," Izumo put in brusquely. "You, my dear, look very beautiful. That, I think, will be enough to turn off your pursuer. You don't look like yourself, in fact."

But what really Sai thought was that her new look wouldn't really turn off her pursuer; it'd turn him on.

- / -

The hours sped by quickly, but the dreams haunted Kuroh. Slowly, her vision came out more clearly, though such sights were ambiguous. A flick of white legs. A flash of purple eyes.

Even dreams in their own rights were troublemakers, in his own belief.

Notes: I've changed her name. -_- I really enjoyed writing Saika's interactions with Tatara, it was fun. Thank you for the reviews and encouragements, I really am so grateful. 3 I hope you adore Saika, and think her very well-balanced, with her bad temper, gluttonous ways and her small redeeming qualities.