Chapter Seven: Ice Princess

"Not helping," I murmur in response, scanning the club for our targets. And before I know it, I find one of them. A man - short enough to qualify for a hobbit - is inching his way around the club, a grey fedora tipped over his eyes, slinging an arm around the waist of a leggy blonde. The sharp and pungent smell of booze wafts over as he takes his place at the bar, sitting in the woman's lap.

I nudge Haru with my elbow, and nod my head in the midget's direction. "There's one of them. Looks like I'll have a hard time trying to get close with that chick in the way."

Haru shoves his hands in his pockets as that mischievous darkness appears in his eyes. "You can leave her to me. Just make sure you're set to talk to him."

I open my mouth to ask what he means, but by the time I do, he's already disappeared to stand at the blonde's side.

I watch as Haru puts on a smile that is equal parts charming and...attractive. The blonde glances in his direction with eyes as predatory as a vulture, and her nose looking to have had one too many rhinoplasty operations as she returns his smile.

Somehow, in record time, the man slides off her lap, and the vulture links her arm with Haru's. She follows him outside the club and I give Haru my silent thanks. As soon as I see my opening, I turn to Rin for any last words of wisdom.

"Remember what I told you. Sway your hips and look at him like he's the sexiest man in the world. It doesn't matter that he probably isn't."

"Ya got that right."

"Be subtle about it. Guys like who you're dealing with are sleazy and shallow. Honestly, as long as you have boobs, you'll be fine."

I pretend to check for them and press the back of my hand to my forehead. "Oh goodness, Rin. I got scared for a second. What if my boobs suddenly disappeared? How would I ever complete this mission?"

I can picture Rin face palming as she mutters, "You're not funny. Now get on with it. I'd like to be curled up in bed and watching the newest episode of Love Leaves Me Breathless."

I have to clap my hands over my mouth to stifle my laughter. "You watch that soap opera? I wouldn't have expected you to be the type."

"Don't knock it until you try it...besides, I watch it to make fun of it. Watch an episode with me one day, and we can poke fun at the crappy acting."

I find myself smiling at the invitation. "Sure...maybe tomorrow."

"There won't be a tomorrow if you don't hurry up. Go, I'll coach you along the way."

XxX

I approach the man just as I see Haru re-enter the club. I notice red lipstick all over his collar, and the distinct smell of strong perfume shrouding him. He gestures that he spots the head of KC and starts in her direction as I feel a burning sensation coil in the pit of my stomach. It's like a candle's flame; barely noticeable, small, but there. And I have no clue what it means

I shake my head to clear myself of that distraction and roll my shoulders back. After ensuring my dress left little to the imagination, I attempt to walk as Rin directed, shifting my weight to the front, and placing one foot in front of the other.

I stumble slightly, but manage to recover before shortie looks my way.

He's sexy...Mai, he's the sexiest man alive. He's so sexy you want to tear his clothes off him and-

Yeah. Not really working.

But I try anyway, worrying my bottom lip between my teeth, and attempting to give him a smoldering gaze.

He glimpses at me with mild interest as I finally stand directly in front of him. I fold my arms and Rin chimes in with another reminder, "Don't do that. You look hostile. Plus, it hides your boobs."

I take note, and let my arms fall to my sides. I've been racking my brain to try to think of what I could do to get him more interested. But man, seduction missions really sucked.

My thoughts must have shown on my face because Rin tells me to stop scowling.

"Well, aren't you a pretty little thang," the munchkin drawls, extending a hand, and I reluctantly take it. "The name is Steed. At least, that's what my ladies call me. Are you looking to be one of my ladies?" I have to swallow back the nausea that resulted from his words as I put his hand on my hip.

"Only if you're interested," I purr, shoving back the urge to punch him for moving his hand lower.

His grin becomes lecherous as he pulls me flush against him. I clench my fist to keep my temper at bay as his fingertips trail the outline of my spine and down to my backside. "Then come with me...if you get the approval of my boss, I get to keep you."

"That won't be needed," Haru declares, coming to my rescue with the unconscious leader of KC hanging over his shoulder. I groan, half relieved and miffed that I didn't get to kick this guy's can around the club.

I look up at Haru with puppy dog eyes and I stick my lip out in a pout. "Please? Can I? I never get to have any fun with the sleazebags."

He glances around at the drunk and almost drunk crowd, before looking back at me. With a sigh of defeat, he waves his hand as if giving me his blessing. "Go ahead. But the agency won't like it. He wouldn't be the one to instigate it."

I crack my knuckles, smirking at the midget. "That's why they're not gonna know a thing." Before the sicko can escape, I latch onto the collar of his suit, and yank him back. "Aw, why are you running away? I'm here to help you out...no, really. I know how short you are, and I want to help get you closer to the ground than you are now."

I shrug my shoulders, keeping my expression casual. "I'm honestly doing you a favor. You look like you want to be put in the ground."

Steed shakes his head frantically and peers up at Haru. "You're a reasonable man, aren't ya? Call off the bimbo and we can talk man to man."

Hold up. I know he didn't just call me a bimbo.

I yank my earrings off and toss them to the bar, slamming the midget into the counter. "Oh? Is that right? I thought about letting you off easy, but now there ain't no chance of that!"

"Mommy," Steed whimpers, right before my fist connects with his face. Haru just stands there, watching with a content expression that rivaled my own.

And that, ladies and gentlemen...is all she wrote.

XxX

I collapse on my bed after getting back from the mission. It was an unwritten tradition to stop by New Leaf after work, but it was past curfew, and I had to settle on placing an order for food from the Agency's Kitchen/Cafe. Even though New Leaf's food was mostly disgusting, it was home, and I missed it.

Rin steps out of the shower, in a black robe, and toweling her long tresses. She makes her way over and taps me on the ankle. "I want to ask you something."

I wearily force myself into a sitting position, and rest my head against the wall in preparation. "Okay...should I have the cops at the ready, because you never talk to me outside of missions, and this could be my last hour?"

She scoffs and plops down on the foot of my bed, tossing her damp towel into the nearby hamper. "Only if you have a death wish. I just want to know how you see Haru."

I bug my eyes out and try my hardest not to laugh. "With my eyes."

Rin reaches behind me and smacks me with one of my red throw pillows. "I'm being serious. You like Haru, or what?"

Her question throws me for a loop, and I can tell the surprise and mortification are bleeding through my features, as I feel my face heat up.

"Wh-Why are you asking? No, of course not. We're friends."

Rin shakes her head and begins braiding her hair to allow it to air dry. "That's not what I asked. There's such a thing as one-sided and unrequited affections." She rolls her eyes to the ceiling and heaves a sigh, as if I was interrogating her. "Look, I'm not going to murder you if you say that you like him. What Haru and I had is long over. And...I want him to be happy and forget about me."

My gaze drops to the crimson comforter. And something I never thought of pops up. "I heard partners couldn't be together."

"We're the reason they invented that rule, you know," she confesses, shrugging her shoulders with an unabashed expression. Wow, she really has no chill.

I have no response for that and silence stretches between us, because it was such an awkward conversation to have with her. I couldn't even really think of what might have earned her suspicions. Haru and I've never even hugged...although there was that night we shared a bed, it was completely platonic.

Rin rises up and flops down on her own bed, staring up at the ceiling. "I just know that Haru's very likable. And no one is immune to him. Eventually you'll fall for him too, and you'll fall hard." She rolls over onto her side - eerily like Haru did at the hotel - and rests her cheek on the palm of her hand. "If you do like him...you have my approval."

I give a startled laugh and mimic her position. "Rin, under no circumstances will I have feelings for him. He's good looking, I'll give him that...but he's strange and our personalities don't mesh."

For the first time tonight, Rin looks at me with genuine intrigue. "How so?"

"He's laid back and calm. Me? Well, I'm not. I'm the exact opposite."

"Opposites attract," she retorts.

"Ha. We're more like oil and water. We don't mix."

A knock sounds from the door, signaling that my food is here, and that our conversation is about to be cut short. And honestly, I'm relieved.

I swing my legs over the side of the bed and put on my bunny slippers, to pad over to the door.

Just as I'm about to turn the knob, Rin delivers one final blow. "So he's different from you...believe me, it won't matter soon enough. And from the 'reasons' you gave me, I can already tell that it won't be long."

XxX

The next morning is a Saturday and I roll over in bed, reveling in the fact that I can just lay here all day. No missions for at least two-three days, no obligations, and no homework. Unless you count Ayure as homework.

I lazily open one eye to see if Rin's still in the room to find her bed empty, and the comforter hanging off the bed, wrinkled. Well, that answers that question.

I inhale and exhale, breathing in the smell of the air conditioner - I've always loved the smell - and letting my eye fall shut again. Knowing the way my internal clock worked on weekends, it was probably well past one in the afternoon by now.

I pull the covers up to my neck, intent on falling back to sleep, when someone decides to shatter my peace by rapping on the door. I try to ignore it, hoping they'd take the hint and leave, but they knock again. And after two more times, I lean over the side of my bed to retrieve my slipper and fling it at the door, hitting its target with a loud bang.

I can't help but smirk in satisfaction as I lie back down.

That oughta do it. Now they'll-

"I see you're awake," Haru comments dryly, popping his head in the doorway.

With every ounce of energy I can muster, I glare at him in hopes of him vaporizing under my gaze...to no avail.

"Haru," I start, forcing a fake smile. "If someone's not dead, dying, or injured in some way...I'll see to it that you are."

He simply shuts the door behind him and takes a seat beside me, stretching his legs out in front of him - leather boots and all - on my blanket. "Now I know you're not a morning person either."

I shove him slightly before attempting to smooth out my mussed up hair. "No. I'm just not a fan of cruel and unusual punishment, which is what bothering me on a Saturday afternoon is."

He focuses his grey eyes on me as he rummages through his pockets. "I have good reason for it. I have an extra ticket to a concert and no one else to go with."

I clasp my hands together as an attempt to hide my excitement and feign nonchalance at this news. "Oh? And why is that?"

He rubs the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed. "I ordered the tickets ahead of time for Rin and I...but, we're not going together for obvious reasons."

For some reason, his words bring the weight of disappointment to my shoulders, and I feel myself slump against the wall. "I see...well, depending on who it is, I'll gladly take it off your hands."

He sets one of the tickets down in my lap and I hold it up to my eyes to examine it more closely. It's white with gold and black lettering. It's also short notice for an invitation seeing how the concert was at 7 tonight, but I quickly forgave him because it was FTIsland. Only the best Korean Pop-Rock group in existence.

I hug the ticket to myself, scared that he might change his mind, and give a nod of consent. "If we're going out, what'll we do about Ayure?"

He brings his arms over his head in a stretch before letting one drop to bed, right next to my hip. "He can go to the concert. We should start him off young by exposing him to great music."

"He's a doll, Haru."

He presses a hand to his heart and looks at me with mock disappointment. "Mai! You should be glad he's in my room and didn't catch that. Its damaging to his self-esteem."

"You're damaging to his self-esteem."

He gifts me with a genuinely warm smile and I bask in his attention. Sometimes it made me sad to think about how detached and impersonal Haru seemed. I wondered what made him so...emotionless and blank. Some people weren't outwardly expressive. But it felt like something caused it...and it bothered me.

"Seriously though, we shouldn't have Shigure and Ayame watch Ayure. They nearly broke him last time by burping him," I muse with a shake my head, still amazed at how inept they were with a simulator. "Rin's probably on a mission, so she's out. Who does that leave then?"

"Yuki?" Haru inquires, scratching at his chin.

"I think he's busy today. What about Kyo? Kagura?"

"If Ayure cried long enough, Kyo would probably end up chucking him out the window. And Kagura's too crazy to be trusted with him."

I sink down into my bed and duck under the covers once more.

This concert idea was quickly becoming impossible. I was also finding this parenting assignment to be a hassle, and I was placed in the class by mistake as it was. They just couldn't let me switch out because it was "unfair" to everyone else. 'And if they switched me out, they'd have to do the same for everyone.' It was times like this that I wish I could put Ryu's convincing methods to good use.

But in truth, I would never. Not even to get out of a parenting class.

Haru seems to sense my feelings of defeat because he flicks me in the forehead - something I usually did to cheer him up - and his smile deepens out of reassurance. "I'm sure Ayame and Shigure can handle it for one more night. Next time we go out, we'll hopefully have someone else available. Is that enough to appease you, Queen Mai?"

Yes, Haru really was an enigma...he was a weird one, but that wasn't such a bad thing. I could see why Rin said he was so likable, but he still wasn't my type. Although if I'm honest, I didn't have enough experience to have a type. But, that didn't mean I wouldn't still mess with him.

This time I shove him off my bed and blow a raspberry in his direction. He looks up at me with a small frown and I smirk in return. "Fine by me. And since we're not in the nosebleeds for the concert, I'm okay with letting them babysit one more time."

XxX

It isn't until 6:50 when we reach the ticket booth; we pass by a scalper and two desperate chicks attempting to weasel a couple of fake tickets off of him along the way. We're eight minutes shy of sunset, and the sky declares this with its myriad of pink and orange, blending together like watercolors, running under the impending arrival of the moon.

This time, I actually made an effort to look nice; a black t-shirt, with FTIsland etched into the material, paired with a dark purple skirt, black boots - that were just below my thighs - over matching knee-highs. I opted for darker eye makeup, pink chapstick, and letting my hair down for the first time (outside of washing it) in months.

A group of fangirls rushes past us and I subconsciously step behind Haru, just as they dart inside the amphitheater. The wind the movement creates causes my skirt to fan upward, revealing a not-so-inconspicuous pair of lacy underwear. I quickly smooth my skirt out and chance a look at Haru, hoping beyond hope that he hadn't seen a thing.

Thankfully, he was occupied with handing over our tickets, and missed the entire thing.

A few minutes later, we're lead to the private VIP section, and a burly security guard with tinted shades and a badge dangling from his neck, lifts the velvet red rope, and allows us inside. Haru and I take a seat in the red velvet chairs, and I ask, "How did you score these seats, anyway?"

He throws his arm around the back of my seat and the one to his right, smiling at me. "I thought you'd know that Sohmas have connections, by now. You've never used the Sohma name to get a good deal or get out of a detention?"

I shake my head, curiosity buzzing in the back of my head at the potential stories behind his words. "Nope. I'm a good girl."

I could almost kick myself the moment I realize how that sounded. And Haru doesn't make it any better by responding with, "I'll believe it when I see it." And his words make my stomach flip again as the heat of his words and the look in his eyes cause different scenarios to flash in my mind.

Instead of possibly saying something stupid, I ask him if he'll get me a Dr Pepper before the concert starts. Much to my relief, he suspects nothing, and gets up to comply with my request, stepping over a few outstretched legs to exit the aisle.

As soon as he's away, I sink down into the seat, ducking my head in shame.

What's happened to me? Its like, ever since Rin and I had the conversation- no. Ever since that night in the hotel, I've felt...different around Haru. Weird, around him. The way my stomach went crazy when he smiled or said something even remotely flirtatious. Or how my stomach burned with jealousy when I saw the evidence of a mission well done, by the lipstick on his collar. And how much I was starting to hate that it wasn't mine.

I need to compose myself before he gets back. I cannot date him. Its against Agency Policy and I shouldn't have feelings for him. I'm...not really sure why, but I shouldn't!

To snap out of it, I smack myself across the cheek as hard as possible, and hiss at the stinging pain. And, oh joy, Haru chooses that exact moment to get back, and he shoots a questioning gaze my way as he reclaims his seat.

"I knew you were excited about the concert, but not that excited," He teases, setting the purple cup into the black ring beside me. "Are you okay?"

I look away, a useless attempt to hide the redness in my cheeks, and I mumble an 'I'm fine' just as mic feedback screeches across the amphitheater.

"Thank you all for coming out to the show. If you're excited, let me hear you!" The entire area thunders with shouting and feet stomping, its rhythm building up an indescribable energy. I allow the tide of the crowd to pull me away from my thoughts and I join in with shouts of my own.

"Alright, alright. Nice to see you all are hyped for the show. We're gonna start off the set with 'Pray.' Is that okay with you?" We all give mixed sounds of agreement with this decision and an electric guitar introduces the piece that got me into FTIsland.

Haru and I compete to see who can shout the lyrics the loudest, and the crowd seems to follow. It isn't long before the entire place is jamming along to the electrifying guitars and the intense bass the drumming provided. At some point during the song, Haru's arms circle my waist, and I can feel him bob his head in time to the music.

I didn't know why he did it, but in this moment...I didn't care.

I loved it.

As he sings this time, I feel the vibrations of his voice, right at the base of my neck. Its an addicting and tantalizing hum that makes me wish the song went on for at least five minutes instead of four. I just wanted to feel the music in his voice for a little bit longer. But, the song eventually wrapped up, and he released me.

For the rest of the night, Haru doesn't touch me again. We just dance and sway along to the music, both of us pretending that nothing happened and nothing changed. But it did.

We weren't the same.

XxX

Taking my seat in the usual booth, I inhale the earthy smells of coffee drifting from the kitchen. Coffee sounded amazing right now. Truthfully, it always hit the spot, night or day.

And Tohru being here makes it all the better.

I wave the brunette over and she beams as she approaches my table, retrieving the pencil from behind her ear, and starting a new page in her notepad. "We seem to keep missing each other. I haven't seen you in a long time," the girl bubbles, excitement shining in her eyes.

I reciprocate her smile. "Yeah, I've missed you. And don't worry about my order, I'll just pour a cup of coffee for myself," I slide out of the booth and start for the kitchen, with Tohru trailing after me. "How have things been with you?"

She giggles and pulls up a chair, while I hop up on the counter to start a fresh pot. "Great! I might be getting a promotion soon. But, I don't know if I'll do that well."

I shake a packet of sugar and cross my legs at the ankles. "I guarantee you'll do fine. Not only do you have little competition, but you're a sweet girl, and Mr Hashirama says you're his favorite employee."

"That she is," the man himself cuts in, tossing a just-used set of plates into the sink. He ties his hair back into a ponytail, at the nape of his neck, and claps Tohru and I on the shoulder. "And you, my dear Mai, are my favorite daughter."

I laugh, remembering our inside joke. "I'm your only daughter Mr. Hashirama. Well, I wish I was."

He bobs his head and pops the white cabinet open - right next to my head - and retrieves a coffee filter for me from the high shelf. Everytime that I stopped by, upset or exhausted, he would help me get my double dosage of caffeine. Since I was short, he had to help me reach things on the top shelf, things like the coffee filter.

I'd asked why he didn't just put them somewhere I could reach, but he just laughed it off, and I knew it was a Hashirama thing. It was just his way to mess with people. I was no exception.

After I unfold a bag of coffee grounds, he folds his arms, and leans against the counter beside me. I can already tell by his posture and the raise of his eyebrow that he can tell I'm upset. But instead of humoring him, I just continue making coffee, and ignoring the concerned looks he keeps giving me.

After a few minutes and another cup later, he takes the hint and leaves Tohru and I to ourselves.

Tohru flicks the facet and turns the knobs so that the water temperature shifts to hot, and slips her hands into bright purple gloves, preparing to wash the new dishes. "I've been washing dishes for the past two weeks." She chirps, squirting dawn into the side of the sink filled with hot water. "Not that I'm complaining! I'm just filling in for Foxy right now. Normally, she would be the waitress on Sundays."

I roll my eyes and guzzle down the scalding coffee, ignoring the burn. "Knowing her, she's probably late because she's working a pole somewhere."

Tohru's eyes widen exponentially and she nearly drops a plate in surprise. "Eh?! Really? Wow, she must have a lot of confidence to do something like that."

I can't help but smile warmly at the girl, mulling over her outlook. Huh. So that's what sunny people thought of it. I was once like Tohru, though. Bright and hopeful. But, that girl died inside me a long time ago...and I haven't seen her since.

"Tohru...? Have you ever had a crush on someone, and wished you didn't?"

She pauses in scrubbing a ceramic blue plate, sparing a thoughtful glance over her shoulder. "I've never regretted liking anybody," she explains, pink twinging her cheeks. "But I do like someone. He's older than me, but I don't feel my feelings for him are a mistake."

The honesty in her tone startles me, and I almost slip off the counter. I was curious about who her mystery man was, but didn't want to pry. Plus, I really needed advice.

"There's this guy that I work with. He's sweet and he makes me laugh, we have the same taste in music...in a lot of things, actually." I bite my thumbnail, suddenly reluctant to continue. "But I've never been with someone, and he has. Then there's the fact that one of my friends- er, acquaintances, used to date him. She said it was fine, but can someone really be okay with you dating their ex?"

She blows a strand of chocolate hair out of her face, and swipes the back of her forehead with a gloved hand, thinking my question over. I was desperate for an answer, but her innocent eyes told me that she probably didn't have the answer I needed.

A few moments later, she starts pulling off her gloves, and setting them neatly on the granite nearby. After washing her hands and drying them, she swivels towards me with her full attention.

Her lips lift into a small smile and she claps her hands together. "You sound like you really like him. I haven't dealt with this sort of thing before, but I always tell people to go with what makes them happy. As long as it doesn't hurt someone or themselves, then I tell them to go for it."

"You make it sound so easy," I murmur, shaking my head. "How are you so...hopeful about things? How do you know it'll work out?"

She winces almost imperceptibly at the desperation and despair in my tone, and her eyebrows furrow pityingly. And it annoys me and touches me at the same time. Because it was rare for people to feel sorry for me, but it irritated me when they did.

She reaches for both of my hands, taking them in her own, and flashing her bright smile up at me. "I don't know if it will work. But...you have to try. And, you seem like the type to have a lot of fight and a lot of strength. I know you won't give up if he's someone you really want." Her thumb circles my hand, like I'd think a Mother would. "If your friend says that she's okay with it, trust her, and try it. I wish you success."

XxX

I wake up in the middle of the night to the sound of some kind of racket, and it sounds weirdly like a baby crying. But that couldn't be, I don't have a baby...I should just ignore it and go back to sleep. Heck, maybe I was dreaming...

"Either you shut that doll up, or I will," Rin growls, exhaustion seeping through her otherwise angry voice.

And for awhile I try to do just that. But nothing I try works. Diaper change, feeding, burping- I've done them all and not a single thing had any affect.

The moment the clock blares 2:21 am in bright green letters, I decide I've had enough and throw on a robe, stumbling around the room in blinding darkness. I toss the doll over my shoulder and rush down the hallway towards Haru's dorm to find out just how he did it. Honestly, I was tired, and failing the assignment was looking better and better by the minute.

The boy's dormitory is much different than the girls. I was actually sad to see the lack of color along the walls. The decorations were pretty sparse and it looked more like a prison than a housing unit.

No wonder Haru was usually hanging around mine.

I shift the doll to my other shoulder and knock on the door, not caring about how loud it must have been in the dead of night. Ayure was already wailing his head off, so it didn't make much difference anyway.

Its seconds before Haru yanks the door open, his hair disheveled, and his eyes sleepy and dark. When he notices the situation, he ushers me inside, shutting the door behind him to keep the noise in.

I glance over at the made up bed, then at Haru for an explanation.

"Its Yuki's. He's doing some interrogation training," He mumbles, searching for something in his nightstand. "That's the type of training that people don't do during daylight hours."

I feel a pang of sadness for Yuki and take a seat on Haru's bed, watching as he pulls out a black pair of headphones and his ipod. "Okay, I know I'm half asleep right now...but I really have no clue what you're doing."

Without offering any words, he sits the baby up against the wall - right on the nightstand - and gently places the headphones over the doll's ears. After scrolling through his music collection, he selects a classic rock piece, and sets the ipod down beside Ayure.

Haru falls back on the bed, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "Don't ask me why, but having him listen to music helps."

I lay down beside him and crane my head so that I can look at him directly. "And you discovered this...how?"

He shrugs. "Remember how I joked about exposing him to good music? I actually tried it to see if it would get a response. And, it did."

I snort and poke him in the arm. "You're odd, Haru."

He smirks, his eyes shining with amusement. "What? No Moo Man? You must really be tired."

The familiar flip returns to my stomach, stronger this time, and my finger - as if it has a mind of its own - trails down his arm, lightly brushing across his hand. "Maybe that's it...it's almost 2:30 after all."

He nods, putting one hand behind his head, and letting his eyes drift closed.

I smile, delighting in how comfortable and at ease he looks. And with me, no less. But maybe I shouldn't get my hopes up. He was probably just tired and happy to be laying down.

Yeah, I was just getting ahead of myself. That's all.

As my finger continues its playful teasing, I get another look at his rings and the letters inscribed in them. And in my sleepy haze, I decide to just ask what they say, instead of carefully broaching the subject.

He cracks one eye open and fixates his gaze on them. "Iterum Amo. It means love again, in Latin."

I swallow thickly to steel myself, and try to convince myself that he didn't hear my heartbeat. But it was beating so erratically I was sure he could. When did this happen? My feelings for him just...showed up. Didn't they?

Or, did I just notice them?

"What does it say on your wrist," he poses the question, his voice sleepy and deeper.

I tear my gaze away from him long enough to glance at the inside of my wrist. And the words etched into my skin jar me out of my own tired state. Each letter that spelled out my past, always there, and permanent. Property Of Ryu branded me and was a sharp reminder that I was no good, and no good for Haru.

I didn't deserve him.

I may have been that scared little girl, but I was a bad one too.

I roll up to a sitting position and get to my feet. He shifts behind me, most likely wondering why I was leaving so abruptly, but I'm unable to give him that answer...unable to look him in the eyes any longer.

"Mai," he calls, just as my hand touches the knob.

But I don't respond. I don't look back. I just leave him sitting there, puzzled and alone with Ayure. But if it was any consolation, I was in a worse state than he was.

XxX

Mai Sohma and Hatsuharu Sohma (Agent 014 and Agent 005)

Intelligence Partner: Ayame Sohma

Mission Details: There are suspicions that the skating competition held in Powderful Arena are fixed, and certain competitors are getting ahead through the aforementioned. A request has been made by the Ice Skating League for Sohma Agency to investigate further.

Target: TBD (Whomever is behind the potential tampering).

XxX

Turns out, Ayame is actually an expert on ice skating. For some reason, he spent winters binge watching ice skating competitions, and practically lived for the winter Olympics. He was just as familiar with the ice skating terms as I was, which is why he was called to help out with Intel.

Yup, I knew how to ice skate. I've been skating for the past five years. Ryu had used to date this chick, Solvania. She was Russian, blonde, graceful, and had a body tempting enough to have an affair with two other guys while she was seeing Ryu. Long story short, I learned to perfect a triple lutz, and Solvania along with the two men have mysteriously disappeared.

Sadly, what that really meant was a triple homicide charge, on top of his long list of crimes committed. Yeah, that's who I belonged to. That's who's name was engraved into my wrist.

That's who ruined me for good.

Haru and I don't speak the entire ride to the arena. Today is the first day of Ice Skating training, and we were supposed to be focused on investigating. I wasn't sure about him, but I couldn't stop thinking about where I'd left things the night before.

Charging out of his room like my hair was on fire might not have been the best thing to do.

As soon as we arrive, Haru and I start towards the ice rink. He was not only my partner on the mission, but my ice skating partner. And to be convincing skaters, we had a lot of work to do.

"Ow," Haru groans, clutching the boot of his partially bloody skate.

I come to a stop right in front of him, ice spraying up from my skates. "I told you, you have to break them in first. Its gonna take some time."

"Time we don't have," he grits out, shakily standing again. "What's wrong? You've been acting-"

"Weird," I cut him off, gliding over so that I'm staring directly up at him. "Bizarre. Psycho?"

"I was going to say distant." He glances around the nearly empty arena, before his gaze returns to me, his voice dropping to a soft whisper. "Did I do something?"

I shake my head, too nervous to give him a verbal answer.

"Then what? Why are you upset?"

Instead of responding, I kick off, and start into my routine again. Anything...anything to not have this conversation and talk about Ryu and my stupid feelings. "Try to keep up," I shout over the sound of the blades of my skates, scratching across the ice.

I can feel him getting closer, slowly, and I try to get away from him. Not wanting to be close anymore. Needing space, and time to not think. A moment to not talk. I skate hard, the pain and pressure in my feet barely noticeable as I see him in my peripherals. He's edging closer and closer. I can't talk...I can't...

Time slows to a crawl, right before it happens.

My legs give out, I overstep, and my ankle moves in a way that it shouldn't. I can feel the searing pain, the burning from the ball of my foot to my ankle, twisting and contorting and snapping to give way to the impact.

My back slams against the cool ground as I crumble, and I grit my teeth as the pain starts. I hear someone yell my name...I hear it, just barely over my own cries...and then, I realize.

I just broke my ankle.

You guys have probably noticed, but I typically start and finish missions on separate chapters. You will see the conclusion of the Ice Skating Mission next chapter and the start of a new one. It will be called "Got Rhythm" hint, hint.

Next mission should have at least four agents on a mission together. I just need to decide who the four will be (two will be Haru and Mai, of course).

I hope you all enjoyed the implied HaruxMai moment. ^_^

I don't know if you all noticed, but...Haru seems to be showing an interest in Mai ;)

But alas, there is a rule against partners dating.

So what will become of them?

You'll just have to wait and see :P I'm trying to make sure its not too fast or too slow.

The High Queen Of Angst: Now I really wished I'd been able to come up with some XD I suppose 90 years have passed :) Wow. What does that make me? 200+ years old by now. I was already 102 :D Oh, I believe it. You can live forever :P

Koneko the Fangirl: Have I mentioned that I really like you Pen Name (And that's not just flattery, lol) But thank you for taking the time out to review. I've never heard someone say it was fun, but I'm glad you see it that way :P

See you all next chapter! Baiiii :3