Chapter 6: Nightcall

The rest of the week is calm with no more deaths. And with the weekend coming up, the ferry was going to be made available to the students of Garderobe Academy. Nagi, the student adviser to Class Diamond students, makes the announcement, encouraging the girls to go out to the city for the weekend. Since the academy's administration could not spy on Class Diamond students outside of Fuka, the girls are instructed not to kill each other if they chose to leave the island; however, if they chose to stay, they were susceptible to death. Winking at the girls following his brief announcement, Nagi leaves Sensei Wang's class as the girls made plans for the weekend.

As their classmates talk amongst each other, Natsuki and Shizuru remain in their seat. Following the night of Haruka's and Yukino's death, the roommates were back to having minimal interaction.

Once the bell rings, Shizuru gathers her things, raising a brow when their teal-haired classmate stands beside her.

"I was wonder-" the teal-haired girl starts before being cut off by the tall beauty.

Slinging her bag onto her shoulder, Shizuru struts out of the classroom, as piercing emerald eyes and determined grey eyes follow her out.

Shortly, Natsuki leaves as well.

"HEY-OH!" Mai exclaims, clinging to Natsuki's arm. "Wanna hang out this weekend!? I know all the hot-spots in the city!"

Grunting, Natsuki pulls her cell-phone and scrolls through her messages.

"Ooh!" Mai coos as Natsuki reads a new e-mail from Reito. "A job?"

Frowning, Natsuki locks her phone before Mai snags it from her.

Passcode memorized, Mai dials a number. "Here! Now, you have my number!" Mai beams as Natsuki scowls. "Call me or text me, so we could hang, k?" Grinning toothily, Mai hands Natsuki her phone back before skipping away.

Back at her dorm, Natsuki pulls out a pair of jeans, some t-shirts, a hoodie, and some weapons. After packing them in her backpack, Natsuki strips off her uniform and changes into a pair of short, denim shorts and white tank-top with a tiger imprinted on it. After lacing up her maroon, combat boots, Natsuki straps her backpack on. Stopping by the mirror, she pulls her hair up into a ponytail.

Entering the room, Shizuru eyes the raven-haired girl in casual-wear looking at her reflection. "I didn't peg you for vain," Shizuru comments, raising a brow and checking out her roommate.

Indifferent, Natsuki walks past the taller girl and towards her rapier. Still in its sheath, Natsuki slides the weapon between her large backpack and back. With ruby eyes lingering on her, Natsuki exits the dorm, leaving the tall beauty alone.

Boarding the ferry, Natsuki sits on the far edge.

"Mind if I sit down?" a blonde girl with bright green eyes asks Natsuki who shrugs. Sitting down, the blonde opens up a book and reads as they awaited for the fairy to take off at its scheduled time. Whining, the girl slams the book shut.

Startled, Natsuki looks at the girl.

"Sorry, it got stupid," the blonde apologizes, pushing a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. Tapping her fingers along the bench, the blonde smiles shyly at the dark-haired beauty.

Peeking at the book's cover, Natsuki grunts.

"It's science fiction," the blonde explains, as Natsuki frowns. "Not a fan?" the blonde notes, raising a brow at the pale beauty. "It's okay. I know nerdy-stuff is an acquired taste."

Scoffing, Natsuki looks back at the book-cover. "How is it?"

"Well, it's political," the blonde starts, shifting in her seat to face Natsuki, "Like most space-age explorations and distant future novels. But this one differs in that the protagonist is a smart, independent female. And she's not always likeable," the girl discloses, chuckling. "Which is hard to come by in this genre if you're familiar with it. Because . . . well . . . you know how it is . . . females are often portrayed as sex objects, small supporting characters, ignorant fools, egotistical jerks, or gullible morons, which is irritating to actual females," the blonde rants as Natsuki stares curiously at the blonde. "And then there are the female robots/sexbots," the girl mutters as Natsuki cracks a smile. "And UGH! DON'T get me started on the AI's and androids."

Smile dissipating, Natsuki crosses her arms across her chest and inadvertently flexes her biceps and triceps.

"I'm Erstin by the way."

Nodding, Natsuki looks away.

"I'm going for biochemical engineering. You?"

Shrugging, Natsuki leans back in her seat, tensing when her gaze lands on a tawny head that quickly disappears. Searching for the red-eyed beauty, Natsuki gives up when the blonde next to her keeps talking.

"Are you looking for a friend?"

Frowning, Natsuki shakes her head.

"I don't mind moving," the blonde encourages, smiling shyly.

"You're fine," Natsuki snaps, annoyed.

"Well, with that tone, it sounds like you want to be left alone," the blonde observes, as Natsuki scoffs and cracks a smile. Opening her book, the blonde continues reading. After a few minutes, however, Erstin slams the book shut again.

"Another disappointment?" Natsuki asks, staring at the floor.

"Yeah . . . I would've written it differently."

"Well, it gets better," Natsuki discloses, as Erstin furrows her brows before beaming.

"You've read it!" Erstin exclaims, looking excitedly at the dark-haired girl.

Shrugging, Natsuki tries to ignore the girl next to her.

"So what's your major?"

Shrugging, Natsuki looks away again.

"Undecided?" the blonde guesses, as Natsuki sighs and nods. "Lucky," Erstin chides, rolling her eyes. "You get to explore your options. But fate wasn't as nice to me. My destiny was carved long ago."

Feeling the ferry move, both girls are shaken from their seat.

"Sorry," Erstin apologizes, taking her hand off of Natsuki's leg. "The ferry-"

"-It's okay," Natsuki states, pulling out her phone.

Looking out the water, the strange blonde laughs. "I can't swim," Erstin discloses watching the rippling tides. "But it's so pretty; it makes me want to jump right in!"

Scoffing, Natsuki stares curiously at the odd blonde.

Laughing, the blonde leans back into her seat. "I'm not suicidal, in case you were wondering."

Cracking a smile, Natsuki turns away from the blonde.

And for the rest of the ferry ride, both girls sit comfortably in silence. Erstin continues reading, while Natsuki tries to decipher Reito's latest puzzle. Yet every now and then, both girls would grunt in frustration and peek at each other and smile before carrying on with their task.

From afar, sitting on a rail, Shizuru observes her roommate and a blonde girl interact. Surprisingly, Natsuki seemed to like the girl, given that Natsuki actually conversed and smiled with another human being. Once the ferry docks, Shizuru stands behind the raven-haired girl and her blonde companion.

"I didn't realize you had friends in Garderobe," Shizuru remarks, as Natsuki turns to meet swirling red pools.

Staring at her roommate, Natsuki grips the straps of her backpack.

"I'm Erstin," the blonde introduces herself, breaking the awkward silence and smiling shyly at the tall beauty.

Looking the shorter blonde up and down, Shizuru lands her gaze back on the emerald-eyed beauty. "She's cute," Shizuru comments as the blonde blushes profusely, while Natsuki had her signature indifferent look on her face.

Line finally moving, Natsuki zig-zags out of the horde of students, leaving both blondes behind.

Rolling her eyes, Shizuru follows her roommate and maneuvers through the line, catching up to the raven-haired girl. "NATSUKI!"

Grunting, Natsuki turns back to face the taller girl. "What?"

"Who was that?"

"Why do you care?"

"Because you're my business," Shizuru answers as Natsuki scoffs. "Or have you forgotten? I'm going to win, Natsuki. It's what I do."

"In that case, you should pay more attention to people of interest when they introduce themselves," Natsuki counters, as Shizuru smirks.

"Your wit has no bounds, does it, Natsuki?"

Scoffing, Natsuki narrows her gaze on a teal-haired girl approaching them.

Raising a brow, Shizuru follows Natsuki's gaze and eyes Tomoe, who waves at her. Rolling her eyes, Shizuru turns back to face her roommate who disappeared.

Grinding her teeth, Shizuru spots the silhouette of her roommate fading away. Seeing her limo drive up, Shizuru runs a hand through her hair, awaiting it.

Pulled up, the driver runs out of the limo and towards the ruby-eyed beauty. "No luggage, Lady Fujino?" the driver asks, removing his hat and bowing to the beautiful, gorgeous girl with luminous red orbs.

Shaking her head, Shizuru struts to her limo as her driver sprints to hold the car door open for her. Getting in, Shizuru crosses her legs and arms, as she is driven to her loft.

Meanwhile, Natsuki strolls the familiar city. Walking through downtown, Natsuki tenses when a limousine slows down, stalking her. Sprinting past alleys and jumping through gates, Natsuki loses the limo and finds herself at a dealership. Treating herself, Natsuki purchases an all-black, matte finished Ducati Monster 1200 R.

Putting on the matching black helmet, Natsuki speeds off.

Entering a bar, Natsuki sits at the front, shortly joined by a spiky-haired boy. "Seven!" the boy greets, smiling boyishly, toothpick hanging on his mouth. "So how's school? Does it suck?" he jokes as Natsuki shrugs. "Seven," he starts, sighing. "Girl, you gotta give me something," the boy pressures, smiling encouragingly. "We grew up together."

Rolling her eyes, Natsuki faces the tanned-skinned boy she knew as Two. "So have you killed anyone lately?" Natsuki finally asks the boy who perks up.

Laughing, Two nods. "Business has been good. Reito has been giving me and Tate more missions now that you and Nao are gone."

"What about Five?" Natsuki asks, referring to the pixie-cut blonde female who had a habit of butting into everyone's business.

"Sara is Sara," Two answers, chewing his toothpick. "Always taking missions abroad. She's in Toulouse right now with Irina."

"That sounds awful," Natsuki comments as Two bursts out laughing. Calling the barkeeper over, Natsuki orders them two beers.

"Yeah! Well, I guess you can say that life has pretty much been amazing for Tate and me with Nao and Irina out of the picture, ya know."

"Lucky you . . ." Natsuki mutters, since she was stuck with one of the tumors that plagued their clan.

Four was annoying at best, but Three, Irina, was the worst. Sharing a striking resemblance to Mai, Three was a 24-year-old girl named Irina Woods who had head-bitch-in-charge-syndrome. She often got on the clan's nerves but was respected, due to her impeccable record and assassin abilities. And no one admired Three more than was Five; so Sara and Irina often took missions together.

"So Seven," Two starts, leaning closer. "I know Four gets to you, but she's still just a kid," the spiky-haired boy reminds Natsuki who scoffs. "You know it's true. She's younger than us. And she's the only one to have truly been raised in a house full of assassins."

Gripping her drink, Natsuki rolls her eyes. Two was right: Four belonged to the clan since she was baby, unlike the other orphans.

"Still, I hope you're not stuck bunking with the little tyke," Two remarks, taking a sip from his beer. "I may feel for the kid, but she's annoying as fuck."

"She is," Natsuki agrees, furrowing her brows. "But I'm not bunking with Four. I am bunking . . . with a girl."

Catching on to Natsuki's change in mood, Two sips from his beer. "A girl, huh? Any girl in particular?"

"Fujino."

"Which one?" Two asks, removing the toothpick from his mouth.

"The one they call the Queen of Hearts."

Tensing, Two places the toothpick back in his mouth, chewing hardly on it. "You need to be careful around her."

"Why?"

"Listen to someone other than yourself for once, Seven, and be careful. That girl doesn't fuck around."

"So you've heard of her?"

"Of course, I have. She's highly skilled. She's merciless and cold. She's the reigning queen not only in her clan but in other clans as well. And I've heard she's a vision of perfection and grace. That she has this alluring beauty, which is really an omen . . . . she'll suck you in and spit you out."

"If she's so dangerous, why didn't Reito brief me?" Natsuki asks, wondering why all her classmates knew something about each other, except her.

"You know how he is," Two answers, shrugging. "He wanted you out of the loop. Because if you were briefed, you wouldn't be as aware. Your defenses would have gone down, and you would've relied on preconceived notions."

"So this is about the explosion . . ."

"No, it isn't. Reito got a list of assassins in consideration for Class Diamond. There were thousands of applicants. It was impossible to know who made the cut. Yet you and Nao were good enough. It's quite a feat," the spiky-haired boy praises, smiling at the raven-haired girl. "But then again, you are: Lucky Number Seven," Two jokes as Natsuki rolls her eyes.

"So how's Six?" Natsuki asks, changing the topic and referring to the bronzed-haired boy named Tate.

"He's in Kento," Two answers, smiling. "He's buying another villa."

"And you didn't go?" Natsuki asks, wondering why Two didn't accompany his longtime lover.

Shaking his head, Two smiles curiously at the emerald-eyed girl.

"What?"

"This is nice," Two states, as Natsuki rolls her eyes. "Oh come on, Seven! We've never really hung out like this!"

Gripping her beer, Natsuki taps her fingers along the glass.

"So enough about me. What about you, girl?" Two asks, swirling his beer. "How's the game this time around?"

"Full throttle Darwinism: Survival of the fittest."

"A slaughterfest?"

"Right up until the last one stands."

Furrowing his dark brows, the handsome boy scoffs. "You seriously have to kill everyone? "

"Just Class Diamond students."

"Well, isn't that bleak!?" Two marvels, clinking their beers. "Here's to ya!"

Chugging their beers, both clan members order another round.

"Wait a minute!" Two starts, dawning on him. "That means either you or Nao-"

"-I know," Natsuki interjects, aware that only one of them would survive.

"Have you killed anyone yet?"

"One," Natsuki answers, recalling the incident with Haruka.

Phone vibrating, Two grunts. "Sorry, Seven," he says, standing up. "Duty calls."

Nodding, Natsuki shrugs as Two raises a brow before he chuckles. "What?"

"So I'm taking down a mobster. Feeling up for some unprecedented fun?" Two asks, grinning as Natsuki smirks.

Paying their tab, the pair exits the bar.

Arriving at the mansion, Two and Seven leave their bikes outside the gate.

Opening his backpack, Two takes out his laptop. Fingers gliding through the keyboard, Two freezes the security cameras. "And we're invisible," he gloats, closing the laptop lid and putting it back inside his backpack.

Jumping the gate, the pair of assassins pulls out their respective weapons: Natsuki grips her rapier, while Two unbuttons his tailored, Armani blazer and pulls out two throwing knives.

Separating, Natsuki takes the left side, while Two takes the right side.

Spotting a pair of two security guards chatting over weekend plans, Natsuki hides in the shadows. Counting to three, she darts towards them, rapier slashing their necks in one sweep.

Falling to the ground, the men gurgle blood, digging their hands into their open wound. Jerking malevolently on the floor, the men freeze, muscles relaxing and bodies growing limp. Staring into space, the men die.

Dragging the bodies, Natsuki hides the corpses behind some shrubs, tensing when she hears shuffling. Laying low, Natsuki grips her rapier tightly as the footsteps grow nearer.

"Xiao? Du?" a man calls out, looking around the area. Pulling out a caliber, the man in an all-black suit clocks his gun, scoping the area. Spotting a foot peeking out of a shrub, the man raises a brow. "Du, you son of a bitch! Are you drinking on the job again?" the man asks, slowly and carefully nearing the area. Using the tip of his foot, the man pokes the leg on the ground, getting no response. Adjusting his earpiece, the man clears his throat. "Boss-"

Slashing his calf, Natsuki lunges at the man and knocks him to the ground, straddling him. Rapier gripped firmly, Natsuki attempts to ram it at the man who punches her, causing her to drop her sword.

Quickly, the man grips the startled girl's throat and begins choking her, sitting up and garnering more strength.

Face-to-face with the man, Natsuki, still on the man's lap, headbutts him, causing him to release her throat. Elbowing his face, Natsuki grips the man's tie and begins pulling at it, hands trembling.

Falling back and losing consciousness, the man jerks on the floor as Natsuki quickly grabs her rapier and rams it down the man's throat, tip of the sword crashing with the earth.

Standing up, Natsuki massages her neck before pulling out her sword and being sprinkled with dark blood. Flipping her ponytail, Natsuki ventures forward, meeting Two at the mansion's front doors.

"Woah!" Two marvels, smirking at the blood-speckled girl. "Have fun?"

Scoffing, Natsuki kicks the door open.

Expertly, Two lunges his knives at two men's throats. Quickly, he pulls another pair of knives, lunging them at the mobsters, as Natsuki slashes throats, working their way to the boss's lair. Out of knives, Two pulls out a pair of silencers, killing more enemies until they reach the final, unexplored room.

Kicking the door open, the pair is greeted by a chubby man with greasy hair. "Sit," the round man commands, signaling to two empty chairs. Guarded by eight bodyguards, the plump man pulls out a cigar as one of his lackeys incinerates it. "Sit," he repeats, puffing out a cloud of smoke.

Looking at each other, Two and Seven shrug, nearing the chairs. Not surprisingly, they sense the bodyguards in the back slowly pulling out their guns. Timing it just right, both assassins dodge the bullets that are fired. Quickly, Natsuki takes out two men as Two takes out two more.

Out of bullets, Two tosses his guns and brings up his fists; he was, after all, a fan of hand-to-hand combat, like his old boxing partner, Natsuki.

Fighting two samurai's, Natsuki is quick on her feet dodging and blocking the swordsmen's attacks. Echoing Shizuru's trick, Natsuki strikes her blade repeatedly at the men rapidly before tossing her rapier to her other hand and successfully stabbing one of them. Pulling the blade out, Natsuki dodges the other's strike. Kneeling, Natsuki swings her foot along the floor and trips the man. Quickly, Natsuki stomps on the man's wrist, causing him to let go of his sword.

Groaning and gripping his battered wrist, the man closes his eyes at the beautiful, emerald-eyed girl who drills her rapier in and out of his heart. Done with him, Natsuki goes back to the injured samurai and slashes his neck open, blood squirting out.

"How poetic," Two remarks, as Natsuki twirls her weapon. "What about this fella?" Two chides, smirking at the scared and frightened chubby mobster who has his hands out in surrender.

"Your mission. Your kill," Natsuki reasons, shrugging.

Smiling handsomely, Two stalks over to the man and jabs him. After, he grips the man by his teeth and drags him to the center of the room. Tossing the chubby man to the floor, Two knees the man's face.

On the ground, in fetal position, the mobster winces.

Grinning, Two stomps, hardly and repeatedly, at the side of the man's face as blood splatters out. Designer boot drenched in blood, Two stops when a large pool of blood begins sprinkling too much blood on his expensive, Armani suit. Adjusting his cuffs and buttoning his blazer, Two raises a brow at the emerald-eyed girl who pulls out a gun.

Beretta at hand, Natsuki shoots each of the men at random places.

"Um, Seven?"

"To throw off cops," Natsuki explains as Two chuckles.

"Stay still my beating heart. Tate may hold my love for all eternity. But you, Seven, are my soulmate," Two flirts, smiling handsomely.

Bursting out laughing, Natsuki pulls out her lighter. "You're so full of shit."

Descending the stairs, Two leaves trails of alcohol.

Reaching the front door, Natsuki lights up a bottle of Vodka and tosses it, causing a small explosion which erupts a fire.

"So girlie, what are you gonna do now?" Two asks as they exit the mansion.

"I don't know. Go home."

"Oh, I get it," Two starts, chuckling.

"What?"

"Yohko."

"Oh shut up!"

"To each his own."

"Keyword: own."

"Oh," Two mutters, catching up to Natsuki. "Well," Two starts again, when they reach their bikes. "Tate and I have a penthouse downtown. You're welcome to use it whenever you want. We're hardly there, since Tate pretty much hates the city life."

"And you?" Natsuki questions, analyzing the always-fashionable boy who liked the expensive, flashy lifestyle.

"You'll know what I mean when the impossible happens, and you fall in love."

Scrunching up her face, Natsuki straps her backpack on and sneaks her rapier behind her backpack.

"It's hard for us you know," Takeda begins, helping Natsuki into her helmet. "Making friends," he explains, strapping the helmet on. "Not many people are okay with the whole 'I kill people for a living' thing'."

Scoffing, Natsuki chuckles.

"So how about it, Seven. Friends?" Two asks, smiling boyishly.

Cracking a smile, Natsuki rolls her eyes.

"Ima take that as a yes!"

"Whatever."

"Well, here ya go, amiga!" Takeda beams, reaching into his wallet and pulling out a key. "Don't be stranger, okay love?" he parts, mounting his bike, winking before speeding off.

Roaring her bike to life, Natsuki speeds off back to the downtown area. On her way, she runs into the limo from earlier. Once again being followed, Natsuki increases her bike's speed and expertly zig-zags through traffic, until arriving at Two's and Six's apartment. After the valet services take her motorcycle, Natsuki enters the high-class building, flinching when a girl, whose face is half-hidden by a mask, waves at her.

"Hey!" the blonde greets, removing the mask.

Recognizing the girl from the ferry, Natsuki realizes it is Erstin.

"What?" the blonde asks when Natsuki lowers her gaze. "Oh," Erstin starts, blushing. "Debuton," she explains, smiling shyly. "Great Gatsby theme," she adds as Natsuki raises a brow at the classic, feathered dress.

"Neat."

Narrowing her gaze, Erstin catches on to Natsuki's sarcasm. "It wasn't my debuton! It was my little sister's!"

Fighting a smile, Natsuki nods.

"You're mean," Erstin scolds, playfully slapping the dark-haired girl's shoulder.

"So I've heard," Natsuki parts, walking away.

"Wait!"

Brow raised, Natsuki stares at the girl who runs past her.

"You live here?" Erstin asks, wonder clear in her luminous, green orbs.

"No," Natsuki answers, as Erstin frowns. "But my friend does," Natsuki elaborates, as Erstin's face reverts back to wonder. "I'm just crashing here."

"Friend, huh?" Erstin insinuates, smirking. "Neat," she teases, as Natsuki scoffs. "Still, I hope I see you around," the blonde parts, putting her mask back on and prancing away.

Entering the penthouse, Natsuki showers and then steps out into the balcony. Sitting at the edge, she looks down and spots the limo from earlier. Tensing, her gaze locks onto a tawny head stepping out of the limousine. Recognizing the familiar strutting patterns, Natsuki watches the tawny head enter the building adjacent to hers. Sighing, she leaves the balcony and plops down on the comfortable and silky king-sized bed, staring at the ceiling until she falls into a deep slumber.