A/N: Even though this is late...I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! I probably gained quite a few pounds. How about you guys? Anyways, on with this story! Happy reading!
The pair arrived at a spotless beige-colored building that looked almost forty stories high. At the very top, polished gold letters formed '007.' It was a stupid name, but the company president had awkward tastes.
"God, I hate this building." Amu sighed.
"And you think I'm in love with it?" Nagihiko rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, but at least you get to go on vacation," the rosette argued, "I never do. President thinks I'm a workaholic!"
"Then just ask for a vacation."
"Like hell I will." She snorted, crossing her skinny arms together. "My pride won't allow it."
"Why listen to pride?" Nagihiko grinned.
"Oh shut up." She glared at him with her honey-golden eyes.
"Fine." He stepped ahead of Amu. "Just don't regret it."
She silently muttered incoherent words as she strode ahead of her friend. He could practically see the four-cornered vein pop out from her head. He chuckled quietly and shook his head from laughter. He had to admit, he loved Amu more than anything; but her pride was something he could simply do without.
"Identification code please."
The rosette blankly stared at the talking machine in front of her, her arms twitching in annoyance. "Hinamori Amu. Member 007."
"Identification code not recognized by system. Try again."
Just from standing beside her, he could tell the extent of her anger. He hurriedly leaned in and said in a clear, melodic voice, "Fujisaki Nagihiko. Member 005."
He silently watched as the pair of glass doors opened before them. Nagihiko could feel his head turn towards Amu, the ends of his mouth desperately trying to tug into a smug grin. "See how it's done?"
"See how it's done?" Amu mimicked, making small gestures that made him laugh.
"I'm just saying." Nagihiko threw his long arms back in defense, a clear smile now on his face. "No need to make fun."
"No need to make fun." She repeated, finally grinning.
"Alright, alright." He sighed. "Just go through the dang doors."
"Alright, alright!" she shouted, walking ahead. "Just go through the dang doors."
"Are you having fun now?" he called after her.
She turned around, trying not to fall while she desperately tried to maintain balance as she walked backwards. "Yes, yes I am."
They continued to walk until they reached the end of the hallway where a large silver elevator stood. Amu pounded the orange button beside the contraption and walked in when the doors automatically opened, Nagihiko following right behind her. She stood at the corner with her arms crossed as he clicked the button labeled 'Office.'
It was quiet as the elevator pulled out. Neither person said a thing, just simply waiting for the doors to open. Amu clicked her tongue and prepared herself to briskly walk out the door.
"Amu, Nagihiko." A deep voice called out when the silver metal doors opened. "Welcome."
The rosette strode in, flipping her hair behind her. "And why is it that your voice is so hoarse at this time of day?"
"Amu!" Nagihiko hissed, standing at the front of a huge maple desk that was located in the center of the gigantic room.
Amu shrugged and walked over to the area of couches and plopped down quietly, reaching for a few magazines from the marble coffee table across from her.
"It's okay Nagihiko." A man with a large built appeared from behind the purple curtains of a big window. "I'm used to it."
"Still..." Nagihiko tried to protest.
"He said it was okay Nagi." Amu flipped through several pages of her magazine. "Don't apologize to the damn man."
"I did say it was okay." The large man raked his chubby fingers through his small strands of brown hair. "But I would like an apology for your inexcusable behavior."
"Oh Kazuomi." Amu shook her head disapprovingly, finally looking at the man. "Saying its okay does not require an apology. At least, that's what it says in my book."
"Then you should go return that book."
"Why should I return a book that I wrote?" Amu retorted, slamming the fashion magazine shut.
"Because I'm your boss," Kazuomi growled. "Or did you forget that fact."
She stood up from the flower-printed couch. "Okay then Mr. Boss. How was your stupid day?"
"I'd hardly think you'd care."
"Wow, a correct answer from Kazuomi? You can just shoot me now!" she mocked in a cheery tone.
Nagihiko stood silently from his position, trying not to interrupt the duo's argument. He rarely had to sit through these talks, but when he did, he couldn't help but grow more and more surprised each time. Amu always complained to him endlessly about the president, but seeing her shout at him on a first-name basis, he could tell that she could handle the problem herself.
"Hinamori Amu!" Kazuomi cleared his throat. "If you don't shut up now, I swear that I'l-"
The rosette interrupted, "You'll what? You may be in a higher position than me, but I'm Member 007...You can't do anything to me."
"Amu..." Nagihiko quietly whispered, bringing his finger to his mouth.
"Nagi." Amu rolled her eyes, walking over to Kazuomi's desk. "Don't bother being respectful. This bastard isn't even the president. He has no authority to dismiss me or even you."
"Hinamori Amu..." Kazuomi fixated his eyes on her.
"Don't just my name like that."
Kazuomi could feel his brain deflating as he continued to stare into her honey-colored eyes. They flickered with a sense of strength and hope, and he absolutely hated that flicker. "Do you want to repeat that event again?"
She closed her open mouth, averting her eyes from his gaze. "...You can't do that to me. Only he gets to decide."
"He's gone at the moment." Kazuomi sat down on the large, black swivel chair. "Therefore, I make the decisions."
"He wouldn't let you do that," Amu argued. "Because I have control over my own life."
Kazuomi chuckled bitterly and smiled viciously at the girl. "I would hardly think so."
Nagihiko continued to watch the pair bicker back and forth. He could practically see the sweat dripping down Kazuomi's brow. That event was something horrendous that he hoped never to see again...it was frightening. And the fact that Kazuomi sat right here, mentioning it without a single care, proved how heartless he was.
"Look." Amu banged her hands on the desk. "What did you call me for? To put me back in that room?"
"Boss sent in a few jobs that were given. They're for you." The elderly man slid a few paper folders across his desk and she caught them swiftly.
"Rapist, thief, murderer, thief, murderer, rapist..." She read the names aloud from each and every folder. "Anything new for a change?"
Kazuomi heaved out a sigh and walked over to a small brown file cabinet half his size across the room. He quickly pulled it open and began to rummage through the cluttered files, quietly muttering a few words.
"No, no, no, no...Hell no." He continued to pull out random files, tossing the unneeded ones on the floor.
"Amu-chan." Nagihiko leaned in and tapped her shoulder. "Can you let me see those folders?"
She quietly handed him the small stack of folders and turned to face the man at the cabinet, her eyes emotionless. "Well?"
The brown-haired man held up a tan folder and briskly walked over to her, shoving the folder in her face. "Here, a cabaret woman who swindles working men until they're deep in debt."
"Wouldn't she be classified as a thief?" The rosette asked in disbelief.
"Do you want the job or not?" He sighed once more.
"Fine, I'll take it." She shrugged. "But I get help from Member 003 and 005 to do it."
"Me?" Nagihiko asked, snapping to attention.
"I just need a few girls..." She grinned cunningly.
"Oh dear." He could feel a sweat drop behind his head.
She gathered the papers of the folders and gave Kazuomi a reluctant nod, "I'll come back when I finish this job then."
"I trust that will be soon."
She scoffed. "Not likely."
Amu grabbed Nagihiko's hand and walked back in to the already open elevator. Suddenly, she remembered why she had bothered to come to this hellhole in the first place. "I forgot, about Kitamura Kei..."
"I don't need to know," Kazuomi snapped. "I saw the news."
The rosette rolled her eyes and harshly stared at the elevator doors, trying to force them to close with the sheer power of her eyes. When they finally did, she let her eyes travel around the space, she could feel the cells of her skin jump.
"Member 007." A young lady with brown hair respectfully bowed in an empty corner.
"Fuuka." The rosette acknowledged.
"Are you leaving already?"
"Yes." Nagihiko answered, smiling. "Please take us down."
It was all Fuuka could do not to swoon at the handsome purple-headed boy. "Y-yes!"
"Amu! Just give me an answer!" Nagihiko threw his hands up. "Why should I dress up like a girl?"
She swiftly turned around and neared her face to his. "Because you're prettier than me. And a better actress."
"But this is dangerous," He argued. "We're dealing with a swindler."
"Swindlers, murderers, rapists." Amu shrugged. "What kind of person haven't I dealt with before?"
"But I rarely murder swindlers," the purple-headed boy muttered. "They trick me into doing things."
"Look, Nagi." She stopped, staring into his amber eyes. "You don't have to do this. I only said that because I didn't want you to do another job."
"I appreciate the thought but..." He trailed off.
"I love you a lot..." Amu smiled. "Therefore, you killing people sickens me. I'll do the job, besides I already have a decent plan forming in my head."
"Amu..." He looked at her doubtfully.
"Anyway, Nagi." Amu waved good-bye. "I've got to go. Good night."
Before he could say anything, the rosette immediately turned around and dashed to the other side of the street. He stood on the cracked pavement and stared at her shadowing figure. The thought of Amu killing was too much stress for him to bear. He let a small stream of wind out of his mouth as his purple bangs flew upwards. He'd have to help her do the job after all.
"Hop, step, jump." She sang quietly. "Drew, Draw, Drawn."
Her feet stepped to the slow beat coming out of her mouth as she strode alongside the empty sidewalk. Even though it was only eight o'clock, the path she walked upon was completely vacant. But she didn't mind; in fact, she liked it even better this way.
"I am Hinamori Amu." She skipped a little during her walk. "Bang, bang."
She jumped up in sudden surprise as she heard a deep voice chuckle. Just the mere sound of the laugh raised her heart beat, it was so alike...but it just couldn't be.
"Who the hell is there?" She called out.
"I don't know..." The voice quietly said. "Who is it?"
Her breathing hitched as the rosette followed the sound of the nostalgic voice and found herself in an empty alleyway, a broad figure huddled up to one side between two metal trashcans.
"Why the hell are you alone? In an alleyway?" Amu raised a pink eyebrow. "Don't tell me you just raped somebody."
The figure lifted up its head, revealing a young-looking boy. "Raped? What kind of person do you think I am?"
She bent down and took a longer look at the boy. Indeed he was the boy she had met in Central Town just a few hours ago. But further than that, he reminded her of someone; because of those sapphire eyes and midnight blue hair.
Amu looked away as she spotted his eyes, staring at her directly. Her heart beat faster within every millisecond and she began to panic as she realized the fright that this meeting can cause.
"What are you looking at?" She snapped.
"I believe I'm looking at a beautiful girl..." His voice lingered in the air.
God. She shivered. That velvety deep voice sent cold shivers down her spine. Calm down. She thought again, for now, she would have to play dumb and hope that she was wrong about this person. "Flirting n-now?"
"It's not flirting, I'm merely stating a fact." He shrugged.
"Well, the fact that a hobo on the side of a street said 'hello' scares me quite a bit." She brushed his bangs out of his face, squinting her golden eyes to take a better look at his features. "You are a hobo right?"
He chuckled again, "I'm afraid not. More like a rebellious teen."
Teen? She could feel her own heart sigh in relief. I'm safe.
"I'm guessing...seventeen?" She reached into her skirt pocket.
"Wow, exactly right." His sapphire eyes confusedly followed her movements.
She produced a pure white handkerchief from her pocket with a golden lining at the edges. The rosette softly dabbed the cloth at a visible wound on his lip.
"I think I saw you earlier," she whispered. "You were in a bloodbath."
"That?" He laughed. "They picked a fight with me."
"You didn't have to oblige," she muttered.
"It is kind of fun though."
"Don't hurt yourself."
He grabbed her skinny arm and gazed at her, a serious look on his face. "We've only just met. What do you think gives you the right to tell me what to do?"
She pulled her arm away and continued to dab at his wounds. "Fine. I'm Himamori Ami, what's your name?"
"Tsukiyomi Ikuto."
...Tsukiyomi. Her eyes widened as she scratched the back of her round head. Amu desperately tried to calm herself down, taking small breaths and trying to relax her pulse. Play dumb Amu. Play dumb!
She gave him a small smile. "Now do you think that we're strangers?"
"You're a crafty one."
"No." Amu stuck out her tongue. "You're just gullible."
They both remained quiet for awhile as she finished up her small emergency first-aid. As she hid the handkerchief back in her plaid skirt, she fixed her eyes on his large pair of hands.
"Are you from around town?" Amu asked.
"Nope." He averted his eyes. "I'm from Hokkaido. Just transferred in today."
"Hokkaido from Tokyo. That's a long journey." The rosette commented, her pulse finally slowing down. "What about school?"
"I'm transferring to a private high school tomorrow. I decided to settle in with my family today though."
"F-family? As in your parents and siblings?"
He gave her a strange look, tightly clutching his elbow. "Obviously. I'm not at that age where my parents would allow me to live by myself. But that's enough about me. What about you?"
"I'm..." She desperately tried to think of something to avoid further questions. "I'm a part-time worker at WcDonald's. I dropped out of school a year ago because of pregnancy issues."
"So you have a boyfriend?" His eyes hinted at dejection.
"Yeah." She calmly nodded.
"Then, I guess I'd be slapped for doing something like this." He grinned.
Before she could react, he pulled her down and gently pressed his lips to hers. She could feel herself turning red they parted. He smirked as she jumped up and shouted. "What the hell?"
He laughed and crawled out from the alley, dashing away. "Thanks for the help, but I was never really hurt."
She looked after his dashing figure, furiously jumping in her spot. "Y-You pervert!"
A/N: The ending. I was going for a more mysterious ending, but it seemed as if I just ruined it and made it cliché. Anyway, the whole idea of what I was going for is completely different from what I wrote, and I don't know a good way to fix it. So please review and tell me if you felt that I rushed too much or put too much dialogue. That would be extremely appreciated. Thanks! Review!