The feeling of something wet prodding his arm woke him and he looked over to find one of Kaere's large hounds staring at him. "Arashi, go back to sleep." Gokudera closed his eyes again, wanting to go back to sleep. He knew where his mind would go if he stayed awake. The dog sat down beside the couch and tilted his head, whimpering. The boy grudgingly reached over to rub the dog's ears. "Go back to Arisu and let me sleep." Arashi obeyed, trotting off down the hall to the room that Kaere had set up for the dogs.

Gokudera looked at the digital clock. It's only four. He turned onto his back, staring up at the ceiling. I can't fall asleep. It's too cold. For an instant, the thought of leaving crossed his mind. It was even colder outside, but he knew that his apartment would be warmer than Kaere's. The thought made him frown and he released a frustrated groan. "What the hell? Why can't I just fall asleep again?" The things he wanted to not think about were starting to surface and it only further agitated him.

He was thinking about them again. Kaere and the other girl. Knowing that Kaere was sleeping just down the hallway gave him mixed emotions. He was glad because it meant knowing where she was and that she was safe. On the other hand, it brought forth something he had been fighting since meeting her. Gokudera wanted to protect her. It was just something that he felt he had to do. He was always at her side, always making sure that no one was harassing her and that she had everything she needed. Beneath this need to protect her were feelings of affection. He could never love her though; he was there to protect her. That was all he could allow himself to do. He could never risk hurting her and Reborn had warned him against falling in love with her. Reborn saw her potential and said that love would only distract her.

This was how he had fallen for the other girl. A stereotypical beauty with flowing crimson hair and sharp golden eyes. Gokudera's frown deepened when he realized that he had first fallen in love with her eyes. They were exactly like Kaere's. How did I not notice? It irked him that he could fall so completely in love with a girl and not realize that she was almost exactly like the very girl he was trying so hard not to love. Gokudera had asked the girl out, had dated her for a few weeks even, before he decided to tell Kaere that he had a girlfriend. Why was I surprised? It pisses me off! She had revealed the girl's resting body within one of the glass tubes, hidden away, and he had refused to speak to her after that.

Turning onto his side again, he tried to think about other things. Instead, he found his mind going to another thought. If I'm cold, I should just…His face turned red and he scowled. I can't do that! I'm supposed to protect her! Gokudera heard a door creak and sat up, leaning back against the arm of the couch. Just when he had managed to stop blushing, it returned tenfold. Kaere, just barely awake, was wandering into the kitchen for a glass of water. She was wearing a tank top and shorts, revealing most of her pale and scarred flesh. What is she doing? Did she forget that I'm here? He sat silent, waiting to see if she would notice him.

Kaere drank the water quickly, a little bit of it dripping from the corner of her mouth and spotting the front of her shirt. She blinked at him sleepily, her golden eyes struggling to focus. "Ah…you're still here, Gokudera?" The girl walked over and sprawled on top of him, seeming oblivious to the way he blushed. "You're so warm~"

He stayed completely still, waiting for her to snap into full consciousness and run back to her room. Unfortunately, she was now very much asleep. Damn it. I can't let her sleep like this; she'll get the wrong idea. Even though a part of him was enjoying the way she cuddled up to him, he knew that he had to get her back to her own bed.

Shift P.O.V

Kaere yawned as she pulled on a black long-sleeved shirt. Ugh. Why do I have to wake up so early on a Sunday? Reborn wouldn't tell me why in the message he left. He just said to be at the lab early because I'll have clients. She stretched briefly, letting her back pop, before struggling into a pair of black skinny jeans. When she stepped out into the living room, she found Gokudera still sleeping on the couch. Shoot. I'll have to tell him that I'm leaving. But…I really don't want to wake him up. I remember the last time.

She chose not to wake her friend and left her dogs with him. Of course, she left him a note on the fridge so he wouldn't panic. The girl grabbed a coffee on her way to the lab and once there she waited patiently for her first client. Hours passed before she heard someone behind her. The alarm had never gone off, the computer never alerted her to their presence. She was used to it from this client though; he was quite different.

"Kufufu~ Aren't you here early, little Kaere?"

The girl felt hands on her shoulders and closed her eyes. "Mukuro-san…what brings you here?"

"I need a new toy. Do you have any for sale?"

She turned her chair as he moved toward the tubes against the wall. "Y-you know I don't sell them…"

"But you rent them out sometimes."

"To certain people…but not you, Mukuro-san…" Kaere flinched when he turned to her, gripping the girl's jaw harshly. I still have scars from the last time you were around one of those bodies! Why would I ever trust you with another one?!

Mukuro's bi-colored gaze was locked on her golden one, knowing just how horribly uncomfortable it made her. He made her uncomfortable in general, but he just loved seeing the fear grow in her eyes. "Just make me one. You'll be better off if you do it the first time I ask, little Kaere."

I guess I could alter it. Give her a stronger skeleton than the others, tougher skin. A stronger will and more stable mind. She chewed on the inside of her cheek nervously and finally nodded. "I-if I do…it's for a limited time. Bring her back in one month."

"Perfect." Mukuro released her jaw and smirked. "You look like you didn't sleep well, Kaere. Did you have nightmares?"

She silently walked across the room to examine the bodies. "Is there one in particular…?"

"This one." He put his hand on the tube containing a girl with long black hair. "How long until I can have her?"

"I just…have to make a few adjustments. It should take about a week." Kaere shivered when she felt an arm go around the front of her waist. "A-about payment-"

"Kufufu~ You always act so nervous around me, Kaere. Are you jealous that I asked for one of those bodies?" His mouth was so close to her ear that she could feel his lips brush over her skin.

Kaere pulled away quickly, a deep frown on her face. "Mukuro-san…"

He smirked again, but made no move to pull her close again. "I'll have Ken and Chikusa bring the payment tomorrow."

She settled in her computer chair, knowing that he would let himself out. Her phone started to ring and she frowned when she saw that it was Gokudera. "What is it?" she answered.

"Where the hell are you?! I woke up and you were gone!"

"I'm at the lab. I have patients today." The girl leaned back in the chair, staring at the ceiling. Is he really that surprised? Where else would I usually be? She could hear the rustle of cloth and knew he was putting on his coat.

"Did you eat yet?"

"Nope."

"What the hell?! You need to eat something! You know how you get when-!" Gokudera stopped himself, growling in irritation.

"I'm…not as weak as I used to be," she quietly reminded him.

"I know that! I'm getting some food and then I'll be right there! Don't go anywhere! I don't want to spend my Sunday running around looking for you!"

Kaere hung up and shook her head. Stupid. Don't make yourself sick worrying about me. Didn't I say before that I'm not worth worrying over? Her eyes went to the tubes against the wall and she felt a chill run down her spine. The last body Mukuro encountered…went insane. I had to put her out of her misery. She kept scratching and biting herself. Kaere pushed up her sleeve, wincing as her eyes met the deep scars. They were a perfect impression of human teeth. Can I really trust him not to break the next body I give him?

The phone rang again and this time it was Reborn. "Noriyama speaking."

"Kaere. People are saying that they can't find your lab."

"Wh-what? Reborn-san, I haven't moved. I'm still-"

"Anyone that goes to the address either can't see the shed or they get turned around before they can reach it. Did you get a cloaking feature?" he continued.

"No! I didn't do anything, Reborn-san. Even if I wanted a cloaking feature, I would consult you first."

There was a brief silence. "None of your appointments can find you."

"None…? But Mukuro-san…"

"He wasn't one of your appointments, Kaere." Another pause. "I'll reschedule them, but you need to find out why this is happening. People could die, Kaere."

The sharp click of him hanging up made her wince. Why is this happening? I just don't understand. He said that they either can't find the shed or they get turned around before they can reach it. What would cause that? Kaere stood and frowned to herself. A quick examination of the bodies showed that they were all doing well; their heart rates and chemical levels were stable. That reminds me. Mukuro didn't tell me what to program into the girl's brain. What should I do then? The default? Did he want a timid or outgoing girl? Darn it. I need to just make notes of what each client wants.

She checked her email and replied to one from Tsuna before it hit her that if the patients couldn't find her, Gokudera might not be able to either. Pulling on her coat, she grimaced. What could be doing this though? It's really bothering me. It's almost…creepy. Kaere emerged from the lab into a snowy afternoon. She looked around, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Shrugging it off, she sat on the curb and decided to just wait for Gokudera. He better not have gotten cutlets, she thought as she waited. If he knows what's good for him, he got sushi or something good.

When he came running around the corner with a plastic bag and both dogs, Kaere felt a smile blooming on her face. His cheeks and nose were red from the cold, but he still managed to look somehow valiant. "I was in a hurry so I just got some cup ramen," he stated. "I also got some bread and bottles of tea. Don't complain; just eat."

The girl smiled and took the leashes from him. "Thanks…I really was getting hungry."

"You need to stop working and just eat! You'll get weak again if you don't and I'm not going to carry you around when you get that way!"