Guyss! I am really sorry if I'm really late and this chapter is shorter than I intended.

Chapter 3: Silver Wolf

Mai's POV

Tate and I had been together for almost 2 years now. We have been together since our freshman years. We had a rocky start. We wanted to rip each other's throat the first time we met. Not to mention his "bestfriend" clinging to him like koala. Shortly afterwards I met Mikoto, when I gave her CPR after our ship rescued her. I earned a koala myself after that. Our love story is like a fairytale, him saving me from yakuza that my late parents have debt and demands our life as a payment. I couldn't say no to him anymore after that. I don't know if it's true love or all sorts of shits like that. All I know is Yuuchi have been a constant in my life since we met. A rock of foundation. And just like a foundation to a building, I couldn't just let go of him without my life falling apart, and for me, a girl who always worries about her future because my parents died and I was left to take care of my terminally ill brother, since I started to talk, a constant sounds heavenly. So I thought we would be together forever because of that, even if I wasn't so sure if I was happy. So when Hazuki said, no implied that my future isn't with Yuuichi, to say that I was shocked, was an understatement. I'm flabbergasted.

Suddenly Mikoto knock Yuuchi from hugging me, and cling to me herself. Hazuki squinted her eyes for a second then a flash of recognition. "Aunt Mikoto!" she squealed. Mikoto untangled herself from me and kneeled in front of the child and looked at her confusingly. "Who is this Mai? Why is she look familiar?". The child suddenly leapt at Mikoto and hugged her in the neck "Aunt Mikoto!", then Hazuki cast me a knowing look that is very much like Shizuru's. Like reminding me something I should have known from the start. The answer to my question earlier.

Yuuichi is not part of my future, but Mikoto is.

Natsuki's POV

We are now walking home from our enjoyable "shopping trip". I am quite surprised Shizuru complained significantly less than normal. I guess it is because of this child now sleeping at Shizuru's arms. I'm quite jealous Hazuki seemed to like to be Shizuru more than to be with me, like she loved her more than me, though I highly doubt that's the case.

"Hey Shiz?"

"Hmmm?"

"Do you think those annoying police, will really stop pestering us about Hazuki?" I said annoyingly. I am really pissed that the police officers are almost ignored me in our whole conversation about Hazuki.

"Of course, we will make sure we get Hazuki's custody" and then she giggled.

"What's funny?"

"You!, I know that you're pissed on the conversation earlier, you must have seen your face the whole time! But you must understand them"

"What! Why are you saying that! I have done nothing for them to hate me!

"AH, AH, Are you sure of that? Natsuki? Or shall I call you Silver Wolf?"

Silver Wolf her tartarian name.

Tartarus, or the underworld, black market, etc., is the criminal world. For the ordinary citizens it is just where criminals gather and communicate together and sell stuffs illegally. But Tartarus is more than that. It has no definite place because it is scattered all over the world. It is true that this is where criminals gather, all because getting comrades and allies in Tartarus definitely adds assurance in in your survival. Tartarus also composed of the hitmen, assassins, etc. of large companies and incorporations of the world. These corporations is what keeps Tartarus living. Just like how businesses gives life to the world. This is one of the greatest gauge of power in Tartarus, the more powerful the company that is backing you up, the more untouchable and supreme you are. And if you think that these powerful criminals are the robbers, swindlers, rapists and gangs you can see in the streets, you are very wrong. These criminals are just the slaves and footmen of the powerful ones. The powerful criminals are the politicians, businessmen, managers, soldiers, heirs, etc. Those who have power and normal life on the upper world. That's one of the uses of Tartarian names or aliases, only the most powerful tartarian have them. It means that you are only nationally or even internationally known in Tartarus. Youre alias makes you formidable, ones that makes you powerful enough that you alias alone can make grown men piss on their pants. The only ones who will dare get in your way are the one who have more formidable tartarian reputation than you are. Or the one with colossal companies whose covering their asses.

Other tartarians rely on allies and companies or even number of killings for reputation and safety, not Natsuki. The truth is, Natsuki doesn't give a shit about those when she first step in the Tartarus world. She doesn't even use being sole heiress of the international Kuga Information and Research company, as a leverage, nobody knows that the "Silver Wolf" is even a part of KIR. She only cares care about avenging her father, Kuga Natsume. Who is killed by the First District Incorporation, one of the few companies greater than KIR. That she did all she can to avenge her father, she gets information and evidences to destroy FD on the upper world, she had planned use it in court, and trial because destroying FD tartarians is impossible without killing hundreds,no, thousands. She also wanted to know why they killed him.

She interrogates, kidnapped, hostage etc. and even killed sometimes just to get enough evidences, Alone. That's how her reputation grow, no one can hide information from the Silver Wolf. And because information is power, she also gained power. She even destroyed several slave companies of FD that tried to stop her. Her immeasurable skills in information gathering, guns, and hand-to-hand combat is what had kept her alive this long. Alone. Her being alones just add not diminish her Tartarian reputation.

She was called Silver Wolf because of three things

1. She always rides a bicycle, and is a drag racer (one of her guilty pleasures)

2. Her silver helmet and guns

3. Lastly, and more importantly, because of her silver wolf-like AI robot/weapon,

Duran, whom made her avenging alone possible.

Duran is one of the secret technologies her father made. It is not manufactured/reproduced, her father believed the world is not yet ready for these technology.

Knowing the true person behind the alias is one of the most difficult things you can accomplish in Tartarus. Because, all the person with it very carefully protect their true identities because it may cause harm to their loved ones, Natsuki included, Natsuki especially. That's one of the reasons she works alone, so the risk of her identity is almost 0%. That's why Natsuki is slightly shocked that Shizuru knows hers. But not too shocked, Shizuru is the heiress of the Fujino conglomerate after all.

She highly doubt that those police knew she is the "Silver Wolf". Shizuru was just reminding her she more than Natsuki thinks, and also her mischiefs and delinquency are the cause of lack of respect from the police force.

I schooled my expression and asked Shizuru in an eerily calm voice. "So, you knew my Tartarian name, Shiz, I see that highly unfair that I don't know yours, tell me Shiz, does Morningstar ring bells?"Shizuru flinched and looked at me shocked, and then sighed and become impossibly rigid and I could clearly see know her stress and deteriorating health, the bags on her eyes, thinner body, paler complexion, she is already reminded of the year that we drifted apart. "How did you knew that Natsuki?" Shizuru asked matching my calm. I was ready to retort when Shizuru stopped and Hazuki stirred. "Hmmm, Mom, Dad where are we." That's where I realize we are already in front of my house. Shizuru and I had agreed that Hazuki should stay here because I almost live alone since my Mom is rarely home, so we can avoid explaining to either of our family, until we already confirmed our relation to the child. "In my house Hazuki" I smiled at her, "Come on let's go inside and tuck you to bed" she readily obliged took my hand and Shizuru bid her goodbye. Then Hazuki alarmingly, "Papa, you're not going with us?" "Sorry Hazuki I need to go home but don't worry I will see you again tommorrow" "Papa! No! Please come with us Pleaase!" "But Hazuki" "No Papa Pleasse!" Tears are already brimming at Hazuki's eyes."Ok,Ok but you need to tell me why you can't seem to let go of me, not just now, but the whole day" Hazuki bit her lip and hesitated they I said. "Yes, Hazuki I can sense that something is bothering you since you met Shizuru this morning, please tell us so we can help you"

She looked at me then her eyes full of sorrow, and suddenly I don't want to hear what she is going to say, I should have realized it sooner.

" Mama in our time, a month before I went here, Papa died"

And my world started to crumble.