And another chapter done! Hopefully I'll be able to squeeze one more in before I leave for college. This chapter felt a bit awkward to me, but I hope you guys enjoy it nevertheless!

Hikiri: Yeah, I changed it. I thought it might be a bit more angsty this way. I'm glad you like my Souji!

Sarudoshi: Thanks!

Louve: Oh, trust me, I have a problem with those stories too. I'd never write a cliched high school story. Now that I look back on that scene, you're probably right. Haha thank you! I've always thought Okita and Saito would look so handsome in suits.

Ainhoa11: And Saito's a leader too! ;D

inspiredby-u.u-anime18: I'm really happy that you enjoy my story! The mafia's always interested me too. About your question, yes, Kyrie's personality is slightly different. I believe that the environment shapes one's personality, so since she has a lot more freedom in the AU, she's a lot stronger. Thank you!

Dannielle: Here's the next chapter!

Thanks for reading, please review!


Chapter 3

As Kyrie gripped his hand, she noticed a spark of satisfaction in Okita's green eyes. "Protect me?" She asked. "How do you plan on doing that?"

"Well, we'll start out with two bodyguards at all times. They'll follow you everywhere. Even into the restroom."

A blush crept up Kyrie's face and she scowled.

He snorted. "You actually believed me? Don't be ridiculous. They'll stay outside unless they're left with no choice." He shot her a warning look.

"Fine. Don't worry. I won't get into any trouble." She snapped back, her voice as cold as ice. "Where will we live? We can still live in this apartment, right?"

Okita wagged a finger at her. "It'll be too hard to protect you here so you and your parents will move into my mansion."

"Um, actually," A soft voice interrupted their conversation. Kyrie turned around to see her father walking up to them, rubbing his wrists, his face pale and worn. "The truth is, I was meaning to tell you this a while ago, but I never found the right chance too…" He trailed off.

"What is it dad?" Her voice softened.

The aging man pushed his spectacles up his nose and cleared his throat. "Actually, I'm being transferred to the United States."

Kyrie frowned, wondering if she had heard correctly.

"I was transferred to the Boston branch in Massachusetts. Your mother's coming with me."

"When?"

"Next week."

"But dad, I'm graduating high school in less than a month! You can't delay it?"

He shook his head. "Unfortunately not. I already asked for a delay. I was originally supposed to go in December, but this is as long as they can wait. The company isn't doing too well over there, and they're worried."

"Then what am I supposed to do?!" Kyrie cried. "I can't very well transfer schools right before graduation!"

"I know." Her father stood his ground. "I know. That's why I had been unable to tell you until now. I have to go to America, but I can't leave you here by yourself. Japan's just too dangerous. I was already apprehensive leaving you and your mother behind during my business trips. I can't concentrate if I'm constantly worried about your safety. But now" he glanced up at Okita. "Now, I feel like I can rest at ease if you're with Okita-kun, if I know that such a powerful man is protecting you."

"Protect me? Dad, he's part of the mafia!"

"And who better to protect you?" He gripped her upper arm, his hands still shaking from the incident. "So do you want to come with us, or do you want to stay and finish high school here?"

Kyrie's eyes shifted to meet Okita's. His lips twitched in a smirk. "I'll stay here." She replied cooly.

"Are you sure?"

She nodded. "Yes." She walked over to where her mother was cowering on the floor and wrapped her arms around her shoulder. "Don't worry, it's over now. I'm sorry I had to put you through that, mom."

She glanced up at her daughter, her eyes wide with panic. "Please come with us, Kyrie. You can't stay here, it's so dangerous. Think about what just happened…"

Kyrie smiled reassuringly. "That's why I've got Okita-san, right? Don't worry, I'll be fine. I'm tough. And you'll be perfectly safe on the other side of the world."

"It's not me I'm worried about, it's you and what the pro-"

"Mizuki!" Her dad cut her mother off before she could finish the sentence. He shook his head sharply and she promptly fell silent.

"And the what?" Kyrie frowned. "What is it you guys aren't telling me?"

"It's nothing." Her father pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, attempting to brush aside the question.

"That didn't sound like nothing."

"Your mother was just worried about your protection, that's all."

"If you say so…" Still staring dubiously at her parents she reluctantly dropped the topic. She stood up and approached Okita, refusing to meet his eyes.

"Are you ready?" He asked. She nodded. "Then let's go. I'll send someone here later tonight to pick up your stuff." She threw one last look over her shoulder at her parents before he led her out of the apartment and escorted her to a black car. The driver climbed out and opened the door. "Get in." Okita gestured. Kyrie complied and slid onto the cool, leather seats. Okita followed her and after the driver had settled comfortably into his seat, he started the car and drove away from the apartment.

As they sped through the streets of Tokyo, Kyrie angled her body so that her back was towards the sandy-haired man beside her. She saw his reflection in the window tinted so heavily it was almost the same color as the car. His legs were crossed and his arms were folded over his chest. His green eyes bemused as he glanced at her out of the corner of his eyes. He raised an eyebrow. "Are you mad? Are you ignoring me?" He asked. She didn't respond, and he snorted. "I told you something like this would happen. It's a good thing I showed up before anything happened to you or your parents." He eyed her again. "You should have agreed when I offered the first time. You don't really have anyone to blame but yourself."

At his provocation, Kyrie whipped around and glared at him. "I'm absolutely furious!" She snarled. "But I'm pissed at myself, not at you!I know I should have accepted the first time! If I had, my parents wouldn't have had to go through all that shit! I don't know how I could have been so fucking stupid! You think I'm not regretting my actions?!"

Okita's eyebrows shot up to his hairline and he chuckled. "That's quite a mouth you've got there." She let out a soft growl which he ignored. "So," he quickly changed the subject. "Do you have any plans tomorrow night?"

Her eyes narrowed. "Do you use that pick up line with every girl you meet?" She countered.

He shook his head. "No, not all of them. There are other pick up lines too, like-"

"It's fine I don't care." She interrupted. "And no, I don't why?"

"Well, there's someone I'd like you to meet. He's pretty much like a brother to me, and you'll probably be seeing him around a lot, so I thought it'd be a good idea."

"Do whatever you want." She returned to staring out the window.

"Hey, Kyrie-chan…"

"Okita-san."

"You can call me Souji. Since we'll be living together from now on."

"Okita-san," She turned back to him, reining her temper in. "I don't know if you're trying to lighten the mood or whatever, but we should draw the line here. I mind my business, and you mind yours. Let's not stick our noses into each other's personal affairs, and keep a level of formality, shall we?"

His eyes grew cold and he leaned in closer. "I don't think that will be possible due to your…situation." He replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "Whatever I can or cannot do is not up to you to decide." Kyrie felt a chill run down her spine. She had almost forgotten who this man was and the power he wielded. But she would die before she let Okita see that his words had scared her so much and thus she struggled to keep her face blank.

The city landscape flew past as she recalled the incident. "It would have turned out really badly if he had arrived even a second later." She shook her head. "No, it wasn't a coincident. His timing was too impeccable. He knew something like this would happen. No wonder he looked so smug when I finally accepted his offer."

As the car pulled up to a wrought, iron gate, the driver rolled down his window and leaned out to mutter something into an intercom. The black, metal entranceway swung open heavily, and the car pulled past it. Kyrie jumped as a shrill ring pierced through the heavy silence in the car. Okita pulled out a cell phone from his pants pocket. He glanced at the number on the screen before answering it. "What do you want?" He paused, listening to what the other party had to say. "Take him to that place and wait for me. I have some business to take care of first, and then I'll go there immediately."

She eyed him surreptitiously. "Were you talking about the guy from earlier? What do you plan on doing to him?"

Okita shrugged. "Oh, nothing much, I just need to teach him a lesson."

"Are you going to kill him?" She asked him weakly.

"Probably not, unless he really pisses me off. I can still use him in the future." The car rolled to a stop and Okita stepped out.

"Souji, you're back. That was quick." A light-hearted voice greeted. A young man with spiky, brown hair approached Okita.

"Shinpachi, I thought you were meeting up with a friend." His eyebrows furrowed over his green eyes as he frowned in disgust. "And I thought I told you not to wear those things in my home. I've told you many times: Hawaiian shirts are extremely tacky. Wear them in your own house."

"What?" Shinpachi glanced down at his outfit. "I like them. They're comfortable. And my friend canceled, so I'm hanging out at your place." His eyebrows shot up as he noticed Kyrie standing behind Okita. "Souji, who's this? A girl you picked up? She doesn't look like your normal type. You usually go for the more voluptuous girls."

Kyrie frowned at the comment, feeling self-conscious. But her insecurity quickly disappeared as she recognized the man. "Oh," she blinked in surprise. "Aren't you the gym teacher at my high school?"

Shinpachi studied her for a moment before his eyes widened in recognition. "Hey, I think you're right. Aren't you Tsukino Kyrie from class 3-C?"

"Yeah." She nodded. "Does the mafia even extend to public schools?"

"We dabble in several areas." Okita responded. "We even have people stationed in the government. It makes collecting information a lot easier."

"Do people know? Does the Prime Minister know?"

He snorted and rolled his green eyes. "Of course he does. But it's not like he can do anything about it. The mafia is something everyone knows about, but no one talks about. The Prime Minister's a coward. We of the underground hold an unofficial truce with him. He ignores us and we ignore him." His phone rang again. "I'll be there soon." He snapped into the receiver before pocketing it.

"Urgent business?" Shinpachi questioned.

"Not really." He jerked his head towards the front door. "Come on, I have to show you to your room." Shinpachi pushed open the large oak door to reveal a luxurious lobby. A grand chandelier hung from the high ceiling, and the floor was graced with black and white marble tiles. Okita's footsteps echoed off the walls as he veered to the right to a large staircase. Kyrie's shoes sunk into the thick, maroon carpet on the second landing as she followed Okita down the hallway. He stopped in front of a closed door. "This is your room." He explained, rapping his knuckles against the frame. "The bathroom is right next door. There's a phone on the nightstand next to your bed. If you need anything urgently, speed dial zero for the servants' quarters. My study is down the hall in the opposite direction. And your things will be delivered tonight."

"Where's your room?" She asked.

Okita smirked at the question. "Why do you want to know? Are you planning on a rendezvous during the night?"

She flushed a deep shade of red. "N-no!" She stammered.

Shinpachi whistled. "How lucky. I think I'll stay here more often. I can't let Souji hog such a cute girl."

"You're still here?" Okita sneered maliciously. "Sorry pal, but you're not up to my standards. Do you think any girl in their right mind would choose you over me?"

"Ouch." Shinpachi winced as if he had been pierced by a sword. "That hurts." He sighed deeply and shook his head. "You and Saito both. It's impossible picking up girls if I'm with you two. They always seem to flock around you guys, even though Saito has no interest whatsoever in the opposite sex." He winked grandly at Kyrie. "They always get the good ones."


Jaws dropped as Kyrie stepped into the classroom early next morning. Whispers buzzed from seat to seat and, eyebrow twitching, she dropped into her seat next to the window. The two men in black took up positions in the back of the room. It would be impossible to try and stop the furtive glances her classmates kept stealing at her bodyguards. She saw several people trying to approach her, but luck was on her side as the bell rang. The arrival of the homeroom teacher did little to stop the murmuring. She called for everyone to settle down, but to little avail. It wasn't until she slapped her roster angrily against the podium that the gossiping died away. "Now then," she spit out in annoyance, "as you can see, we have a couple of new additions to our classroom. I want you to ignore them. Anyone who I catch looking back there will be assigned extra homework." She cast a disgruntled look towards Kyrie whose eyes widened innocently.

The morning passed by at an exhaustingly slow speed, but for the first time, Kyrie was dreading the arrival of lunch. As soon as the bell rang for the break, she sprinted for the cafeteria, avoiding the inevitable onslaught of questions. She spared a glance over her shoulder to see her two bodyguards following her, dodging surprised students. She suppressed a snort of laughter. "They're quite diligent." She thought to herself.

After collecting her bread, she headed back to the classroom. The moment she opened the door, she felt two hands clamp down on her shoulders. Her friends shoved her into a nearby chair. "Explain." They ordered simultaneously.

"It's a long story…" Kyrie answered vaguely, trying to wriggle out of the situation.

"And we've got time." Momoka's arm crossed stubbornly.

Kyrie's light-brown eyes roamed around the room. Everyone had gone silent and was staring at her, waiting for her explanation. "Well…" She stalled, but gave up. "I sort of had a run in with the mafia the other day. They're my bodyguards."

Rei arched an eyebrow. "A lot of people have had run ins with the mafia, and none of them have bodyguards. Don't tell me you're actually the daughter of someone really important."

"What if you were actually the daughter of a mafia leader?" Momoka nodded excitedly.

"Guys!" Kyrie scowled. "That's not even funny."

"Yeah," Rei laughed. "There's no way that could be true. So what about your parents?"

"They're leaving for America tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? So soon?"

"They were supposed to leave next week, but due to certain circumstances, they decided to go earlier."

"And you're not going with them?"

"Well, it's not like I can just transfer into a new school when I'm about to graduate."

"That's true."

Momoka sat down next to Kyrie. "Well, let's hurry up and eat before the break is over."

"What, that's it?"

"What?" She looked confused as she opened her bento.

"No more questions?"

"Well, I'm sure you have your own stuff going on. And even amongst friends, you have your own secrets, right?" Momoka smiled kindly. "No one likes having their private life dissected and out in the open."

Finally, the last bell rang. Kyrie brushed off questions as she collected her belongings and headed towards the front gate where a black car sat idle, waiting for her. Worn out, she slumped down low in the black, leather seat. "Hopefully tomorrow won't be this exhausting." She thought to herself as the car sped away from the school.

Her stomach growling in hunger, she pushed open the heavy, front door of Okita's manor. "You're finally home." His voice surprised her. She glanced up to see him in a white collared shirt. He had shed the tie and the black jacket and was leaning over the railing on the second landing with a thick book in his hand. "I just got a call from him. He's on his way."

"Who? What?" Her eyebrows drew together in confusion.

"Don't you remember our little date tonight? I told you I was going to introduce you to my friend."

"Oh, yeah." She remembered him mentioning something about that yesterday in the car.

"Now you remember." He snapped the book shut smartly. "Go change into something comfortable and meet me in the dining room. He'll be here in a few minutes."

Kyrie did as he asked, and as soon as she was dressed in a simple, light-blue blouse and jeans, she joined him at the dining table, occupying the seat directly across from Okita at the end of the table nearest the door. Her foot accidentally bumped into his as she sat down. She muttered a quick apology which he waved away.

"Sir, your guest has arrived." A butler materialized behind Okita.

"Bring him in."

The butler sank into a low bow and disappeared silently, only to reappear moments later. He ushered a tall man into the dimly lit room. Even in the sparse lighting, Kyrie could tell that he was the most handsome man she had ever met. He had an otherworldly beauty about him.

"Over here Hajime-kun." Okita pointed to the chair at the head of the table.

"Souji." He murmured as he sat down. "Isn't she the girl from the hospital?" He cast a sideways glance at Kyrie. At a closer proximity, she could make out his features more clearly. His skin was as white as alabaster, and his eyes a deep shade of cerulean. The ends of his wavy, dark-purple hair brushed lightly against his jaw line and his long fringe cast a shadow over the right half of his face. If there was anyone who could be considered perfection, it would be him.

"Yeah, I picked her up. Isn't she cute?"

"Stop talking about me like I'm a stray dog." She grumbled, tearing her eyes away from the man named Hajime.

"Saito Hajime." The guest introduced himself to her, his voice slightly clipped.

"Oh," she blinked, slightly abashed at her earlier words. She hoped she had not offended him. Her diatribe had been directed at Okita. "Tsukino Kyrie." She noticed his eyes widening slightly.

"Kyrie?" Saito repeated, as if he recognized the name. He shot Okita an elusive look that was returned with an indifferent shrug. Saito recomposed his face into a blank mask once again, regaining his composure. "It's a pleasure to meet you." He dipped his head in a polite nod.

"Likewise." In her nervousness, her hand slipped, and her spoon tumbled to the ground. "Oh, sorry." She muttered, ducking down to hide her embarrassment and to retrieve the silverware. But another hand, a larger one, beat hers to it.

"Here." Saito held out the spoon for her to take.

"Thanks." She flushed. "Why must I be so clumsy?!" She silently scolded herself. As she took the utensil from him, her finger brushed against his, and in that instant, she felt a surge of electricity pass between their skins. She avoided Saito's unnerving gaze and straightened up, her cheeks still a dark shade of red. A maid left her post near the door and traded out her sullied spoon for a new one. Kyrie cleared her throat again and she caught Okita observing her with a raised eyebrow. "What?"

"No, nothing." He responded in an icy tone.

A concealed door in the back of the room opened, and the chef entered, wheeling a silver serving cart. Wordlessly, he placed their dinner in front of them. Kyrie eyed the grilled salmon. It was certainly more extravagant than she would eat on a normal basis. Taking a bite, she savored the taste. It wasn't dry and overcooked. It was perfect. Minutes passed as Kyrie ate her dinner wordlessly. Saito and Okita's soft murmurings added to the clinging of silverware. She had long since given up on listening in on their conversation. She held little interest in the matters they spoke about. Suddenly, the door flew open with a loud bang, causing Kyrie to jump violently.

"Shinpachi, I thought I told you not to bother me unless it was something important." Okita's green eyes flashed dangerously.

"We just caught a spy hiding among us." Shinpachi ignored Okita's veiled threat. Saito's blue eyes flickered over to Okita, frowning slightly, as if gauging his reaction.

"A spy?" Okita half-rose out of his chair.

"We caught him the act of slipping information to the Hayashi faction."

"Bring him in." He ordered tersely.

Shinpachi glanced behind him and beckoned with a hand. A young man with hands bound behind his back was dragged into the room. His left eye was swollen shut, and a bruise was blooming at the corner of his mouth. The two guards forced him onto the ground.

Okita walked over to the spy and lightly toed the bruise, making him wince with pain. "So you're the spy, huh? I was wondering how Hayashi faction was managing to block our every move. You didn't think you could get away with it did you? Shinpachi, bring me my sword."

"Souji." Saito pushed his chair back to stand next to his friend. "Why don't you do this somewhere else, or at a later time?"

"I'll deal with traitors however I see fit."

Saito's face darkened and he turned to Kyrie. "You should leave."

"No. Stay."

"Souji."

"I want her to see." His visage hardened and his eyes narrowed. Shinpachi returned carrying a katana which he handed to Okita. The sandy-haired man unsheathed it with a smirk on his face. He admired the immaculate, steel blade for a moment before using the sharp edge to cut away the ropes binding the spy's wrists. "Hand." One of the guards forced an arm out in front of the man.

The realization of what Okita was about to do hit Kyrie like a truck speeding down a highway. With a lurch, she vaulted herself out of her chair to wedge herself between Okita and the man on the ground. "Don't do it." She whispered, her voice trembling.

"Kyrie-chan, get out of the way," said Okita in a falsely sweet voice.

"Don't do it." She repeated.

"Hajime-kun." He turned to his best friend.

Rather unwillingly, Saito grasped Kyrie's arm and pulled her against him. "Don't get involved." He breathed into her ear. She went limp against his chest, holding onto him for support as she watched Okita draw near the spy.

On the ground, the man struggled futilely when he realized his human shield was gone. "Stop moving." Okita commanded. "I wouldn't trust myself with my aim." But his resistance didn't cease. "I warned you." Okita's smirk widened, and with elegant swing and a flash of silver, red blood sprayed the ground. A few drops stained Kyrie's shirt. Okita wiped away the crimson blood that had landed on his cheek and chuckled. "You didn't listen when I told you to stay still, and now look what happened. Instead of losing a hand, you lost an arm. Don't fret about it too much though; I'm not done with you yet."

With a gasp, Kyrie wrenched herself out of Saito's grip and stumbled towards the door, using the wall as support. She paused momentarily to steady her trembling legs, and when she looked up, Okita was in front of her. "Move." She managed to force out.

He slapped a hand against the wall next to her head and she flinched at the sound. "Observe well and learn Kyrie-chan." His fingers grazed her cheekbone in a seemingly tender fashion. "I despise traitors and punish them severely." He leaned in closer as she tried to back away from him. "And you'll do well to remember this one final thing: the hands of everyone in mafia are stained with blood, whether they want it to be or not."