BUM BUM BUM.. I give you Ch. 8 in all its glory.

Note!!! I had some help from 2 other betas on this. THANK YOU: Silver bluey san and Akuma Volk for all you help!

Disclaimer: I don't think I can run away anymore. The hime bunch have tired me out. I own nothing, including the names used in the making of this story.

Oh and I want to say, yes I know these characters are a little (if not a lot) OOC- sorry, that's the way my store is right now. Heck if everyone wrote the same character traits, wouldn't these stories get boring?

Also... I was going to give a double update, but it will be at least a day before I get a chance to post 9. How you enjoy this one.

And a note from my other beta...:

Beta's Notes: VERY sorry for the LONG absence. Absolutely NONE of it is because of Ume over here. So, if you want to smack someone for the disappearance, smack me! HANDS OFF Ume, or else! D:
But since I haven't been a very good beta (very, very, VERY sorry for that), I put an extremely large amount of effort into this particular chapter, as I've read over it four times already (YES, I counted!). LOL. So, hoping it's not a disappointment. If it is.. smack me, not Ume. The next chapter or two will probably be out sooner, since they'll be pretty much all ready to go when I finish betaing them, which will hopefully be soon.. Plus, Ume's got some other people helping out, which will make the updates speedier. :P
Okay, I'll stop ranting now.

Enjoy!

Ok... So where did I leave off... Oh yeah.


"I'm quite hesitant to oblige," began the brunette, "But seeing how you hold information I don't want getting out, I have no choice, do I?" Fear and loathing crept up into her voice, even though she tried to mask it.

Nao's brow twitch, but she grinned nonetheless. "Seems like you understand the situation here." She took her hand off the table and went to the chair, sitting down. Her green eyes traveled from Shizuru to the chair opposite of her. "Sit, there's more." Her voice softened lightly, but was still harsh enough to send shivers up the other woman's back.

Shizuru glared back at the suggestion, but complied. "Ara, this is starting to sound like extortion, Yuuki." She dropped the honorific, the words filled with hate. The hostility the two women held for each other hung thickly in the air.

The red head grunted, "Well, that's how I work." She propped her elbows onto the table, entwining her fingers together, setting them below her chin. Her eyes scanned over the brunette sitting across from her, hunting for any weakness or crack in her composure.

"Are we going to sit here all day, or are you going to tell me what you want?" She choked back her hiss, trying not to push any buttons that might cause a meltdown of her little paradise.

"Let's see," Her left arm now cupped her right elbow, hand tapping her chin. "You want to know what I know, right?" The brunette's eyebrow raised in confirmation. "Simply put; everything. Meaning from who you really are, to your student council days, even to your engagement."

"Then you know my relationship with Takeda is strictly platonic. I have no interest in him, or any other guy for that matter. So why do you care if I'm around him?" Her voice was stoic and serious. Her eyes were still glaring at the red head, trying desperately to figure her out.

Nao sighed, wishing it didn't have to come to this. "Look; it's not that I'm worried about him dating you, it's the fact that he shouldn't be."

'Shouldn't?' Shizuru thought, being cut off before she could ask.

"Listen, don't think or talk; just listen. I shouldn't even be telling you this, but it's for your own good. Stay away from him. He has enough trouble to deal with. Not to mention, with you in the mix, it only puts more people at risk."

"At risk..."

"I said, listen, Shizuru." Her voice was straining with the weight of seriousness and compassion, something that the redhead normally never showed. "I'm not done."

She sighed again before continuing. "I have tried to keep him from bringing any more people into this, but he never listens. He can be dense, but God help him; he's the sweetest guy out there. It makes you wonder how he turned out as well as he has." Her voice completely softened; no trace of harshness found. Her eyes seemed to be dreaming of the past, but she quickly caught herself in the act.

"You won't understand unless you know what happened," she said abruptly. Her voice hollowed out, reflecting on the past.

Nao began with Takeda's family. His mother had died not to long ago in some sort of accident – though she did not go into the details. It left him, his father, and his brother to fend for their own. His father was, and still is, abusive. He apparently worked for some sort of crime gang that patrolled the city. When Takeda ran away, his father started to hunt him down. He doesn't know what became of his brother, but he knows that he's okay. His father wouldn't hurt his only other son, of whom he hadn't disowned.

She went further into the means in which Takeda's father would go to bring him back. He had sent a few men to collect him, but he had gotten away. That was when Nao found him; well, more like he found her. When he came running by the alleyway she was being molested in, he couldn't help but to fight them off. In the end, he walked away with a deep cut under his left eye; leaving the scar that was still there. Right when the two were about to leave, the men who were originally sent to get him found them.

They spent the next two weeks hopping around, finding new places to hide. Nao changed her name because she didn't want to involve her family. When they finally found somewhere safe enough, they settled down, keeping low for the past 2 years. Everything seemed to be going okay, and no one seemed to recognize them. Even though they weren't that close to begin with, they grew together and became a couple. Recently, he seemed restless. He claimed that he had a strange feeling that he was being followed, but Nao wasn't sure whether is was true or not. She actually thought that he might have been cheating.

After the first night he spoke with Shizuru, she did some research and found out that the only Shizuru in town was her old student body president. At first, she thought it was a hoax, until she met her. Immediately after they left the bar, she began to worry about the other cause of suspicion; someone following them.

"You mean you really think someone is after you two?" Shizuru was in shock, though her mask hid it well.

The redhead nodded. "That's why I don't want you hanging out with him anymore. It's bad enough that we have some woman staying with us who doesn't even know her own name. We can't involve any more people."

"I don't see why these people coming after Takeda seem so bad. Aren't they just trying to capture him?"

Nao shook her head. "No, they weren't just coming to get him." She paused, the next part being hard to say. "They came to kill him," she said blatantly, her eyes glistening over. The truth was still hard for her to accept. Her words hung in the air. Shizuru's eyes widened, a rare rush of fear spreading through her veins from the mere thought.

"They will kill anyone he associates with. He's already gone through the pain of losing someone close to him because of all this, and I don't think he could do that again." Nao's voice drifted away, her eyes becoming distant.

Both looked down, avoiding eye contact. Sadness rushed through both bodies, eyes showing the seriousness and grief of the situation. The atmosphere became thick, an eerie silence filling the room.

The first to break it was Shizuru. "Is there anything I can do to help? Money, a place to stay?" she asked, nearly desperately.

Nao shook her head, words sharp as ice, "Nothing; just stay away. It's for your own good." She stood up and made her way to the door.

Shizuru followed after a moment of processing the information, too shaken and stunned to speak. "I wish you luck," she managed to choke out.

The redhead nodded, turning around to face the door, away from Shizuru. "Thanks, but we don't need it. We're tough; we can make it. Just stay away. That's what's best for all of us."

"You have my word." She wanted to embrace the girl. On the outside, she looked and acted tough, but on the inside, she knew she was trembling in fear.

Nao opened the door and let herself out, taking one last look at the brunette, "Thank you. He cares about you and your friendship, so I know he doesn't want to see you hurt." She smiled the best she could, something very rare coming from this once juvenile delinquent. "You take care, 'kay?" She said softly, eyes showing concern. She then disappeared down the steps, into the the darkened streets.

Inside, Shizuru was having trouble taking in all that had just happened. She thought that she was going to be blackmailed, but it was just a mere warning.

Sinking to the floor, resting her back against the wall, she buried her face into her arms and knees.

--

Later that night, after a nice, long, relaxing bath Shizuru sat to read her mail, thinking maybe- just maybe- Nao's words from earlier would stop nagging her.

'Hey Sis,

Hope everything is going well. Here it's been utter craziness. Mom's been trying to keep papa from going over board with the wedding stuff, while finals have been taking it's toll on me. I wish you were here. You were always such a big help if I got stuck on something.

Chie came to school to pick up Aoi yesterday; I thought I would die laughing. When we saw her standing by her car, we noticed a large crowd of girls, who I presume to be her fan girls from when she went to school. Chie smiled her charming smile, while I noticed Aoi was boiling with jealousy. And here's the best part; you know how Aoi is calm and submissive? Well, picture this; Aoi screaming at the girls and chasing them away. Chie was shocked, to say the least. That was until it was her turn for the scolding. I never thought I would ever see Aoi threaten anyone with a paper fan. It was more priceless than Chie confessing; and there I was, with no camera.

Midori's back in town, and she keeps coming up with these 'brilliant' ideas of Karaoke parties, jungle adventures, deep sea diving, sky diving, and bungee jumping. I wish you were here to tame her. She has grown wilder in your absence. I also wish I knew where I could hide from her; she's like a blood hound. She can sniff me out anywhere I hide, no matter if I'm at home, school, or the library. Seriously, though... How did you put up with her all the way through high school and college? Yukino thinks she's just trying to occupy her mind on something other than her professor.

Speaking of Yukino, she and Haruka seem awkward around each other; it's weird. They barely make eye contact, and when they do, they blush and quickly turn away. I wonder what's up with those two; they're normally more social together.

Takumi and Akira have been acting even more weird around each other. Every time Takumi falls over in pain, Akira panics and tries to mouth feed him his medicine.

Also, Reito sends his best wishes from America. He says that there are many more hot guys to 'play with' (which sounds so wrong) there. He's so weird. How is he always able to creep me out, even in a letter? I don't think I'll ever figure him out.

I haven't seen Kazu in a while and it's killing me. I know we both have finals, but I wish I could just hold him every waking moment. I know I told you that I wasn't going to let my emotions get the best of me, but Shizuru, I can't help it.

I don't know what to do anymore. I love you so much and I don't want to see you in pain, but I love him too. I wish father would just believe you, and all this arranged marriage stuff can be swept under the rug. I need to go, though; studying awaits.

Love always,

Your emotionally wreaked Sister. :'('

Tears blurred out some of the letter from her sister. This time, the blistered marks were obvious as Shizuru let it fall to the table. Nevertheless, her thoughts still ran laps around the conversation from earlier.

"What..." Her words faded as she looked down, continuing in her head, 'is there to do? I can't go out. Not when I feel like this.'

Sadness and guilt fell over the brunette. She had no idea why she felt it; heck she had her own problems to deal with. Not to mention, this was a guy – a testosterone-filled thing – and someone she just met. How can someone she knew so little about cause her to feel so much? Was it the fact that she felt pity on their situation because she was going through something that was just as emotional?

"No, that can't be." she murmured into the cool air of her apartment, eyes void of emotion.

She shook her head, jarring away all thoughts.

'I need a drink, but I don't feel like going out.' She sighed. 'Well, maybe I can just try to get some sleep tonight,' she thought while getting up to head to her bedroom.

--

Puddles of sheets consumed the elegant body of the brunette as she tossed and turned in her dream; reliving all that happened in the past 2 days, hearing the voices from her past. The shadow outside grinned, moving closer to the window; taking in her pain as its own personal amusement. Its hand stretched forward, gripping the window in an attempt to open it. A pale hand slipped under the window seal, slowly moving it up. When it was halfway up, sirens echoed throughout the neighborhood, scaring the shadow into disappearing into the darkness once again.

--

"Hey, Miss Perfect; Takeda's talking to you." Said the redhead.

"Little Miss perfect can fight." He grinned like a cat, knife in hand.

--

The cool air blew coming through the window rustling her bangs.

--

"...I would remember those tormented red eyes anywhere..."

-

"...Soir." Hissed the man in glasses.

-

"Tonight we have an engagement party. I have found the perfect merging partner." He smiled happily. "No need to worry, I have taken care of everything."

-

"Did you hear him? He talked about my arranged marriage as some business project." Her eyes darkened with hate as she glared out into the hall.

Akane was pushed back a little from the force of her sister. "Sissy, please."

Her legs kicked out from under the blanket, pants riding up, brows twitching because of the dream.

"Your mother tells me that you are not happy with this arranged marriage. Is it true?"

-

"This is the alternative." Answered her father.

-

"Call me if you ever need me." Hummed the younger sister's voice.

--

Light from the rising sun gazed in through the open window.

--

"Stay away from him."

-

"We can't involve any more people."

--

With the sun showering the room in shades of orange, yellow, and red, the dream full of her memories finally faded. Her restless slumber ended, and a dreamless sleep took its place. Outside, the sounds of cars driving by, birds singing, and light chatter was heard. The curtains swayed in the wind, window still open. Her clock read it was noon, but her sleep lingered on.

Sleep brought the brunette under its control, keeping her in a peaceful and dreamless hibernation. The world around her continued, but in her breezy room, nothing seemed to matter. The past week of nightmares and work had taken its toll on the poor woman, for night would fall before she would awake.

--

The cell phone vibrated urgently, the sound turned off completely, for the twelfth time in the past three minutes. The caller ID blinked 'Akane.' On the other end of the phone, the younger sister kept tapping her foot, worriedly repeating 'Pick up' in her restless mind. She gave up on the cell phone and called the home phone.

The home phone rang through the hollow apartment, jerking Shizuru out of her somewhat peaceful rest. Her eyes scanned the room, noticing the window was half opened. She kicked the sheets away, letting it flutter back onto the bed. The exhausted young woman staggered away from her warm sanctuary, making her way to the kitchen to pick up the still-ringing phone.

"Hello," She sounded annoyed as she spoke through the device, turning around to head over to the open window at the same time.

"Shizuru thank god!" Exclaimed Akane, almost out of breath from worry.

"Akane, what's wrong?" She sleepily replied, closing and locking the window.

"I've been trying to get in touch with you for the past thirty minutes, why haven't you been picking up?" She was nearly screeching as she ran her free hand through her messy brown locks in distress.

"I was sleeping. I think my body really needed rest." She stretched and yawned, rubbing her bloodshot eyes.

"Never mind that; we have bigger problems."she said, uncommonly brushing her sister's needs off. Her voice was strained in fear.

"Yeah?" Though she tried not to show any signs of fear, her voice was still slightly hesitant.

"It's Wataru; he's missing." came the blunt reply, thickened with anxiety.

"How is that a bad thing?" Her brow rose in confusion, questions popping up in her mind.

"Shizuru, Tate showed up at our door a little while ago completely covered in bruises and blood, with a few broken bones. He said that he was escaping his family and needed a place to hide."

"Akane, you're not making any sense. Why does it matter what happens to that man? You remember what he tried to, don't you?" Her voice was stern and unyielding.

"That's beside the point. He was saying..." Static coming from the phone began cutting off her words. "...feeling bad about what he did..." It didn't make sense, especially with the increasing static. "... brother beat him."

"Like I said, you're not making any sense, and your phone is cutting out." She was walking back into the kitchen to make some tea, but was forced to stop because it was hard to hear what her sister was saying.

The static from the phone cut off a few words once again. ".... He said ... brother beat him for threatening to tell the truth..." More static was heard. "... stalking you..." Even more. "... He's been following you... Shizuru, whatever.... don't leave your apartment... coming to get you..." The line went dead.

Shizuru looked at her phone and then remembered the window being open, understanding finally kicking in.

"Oh, no." Eyes wide, her whole body trembled as she leaned on the wall, terror rushing through her veins.

Suddenly, her ears perked up at the loud banging coming from the opposite side of the door. The air in her chest caught in her lungs, making her unable to breathe.

The heavy banging rang through the apartment, fear washing over the trembling brunette in the hallway. Her heart was pounding in her chest, the sound of her heartbeat filling her ears as she thought of all the possible outcomes.

'That can't be Akane. There's no way. But what if...' Another loud knock, more urgent than the last, was heard. '...What if it's him? Oh, God... No, no, no!' Her memories flashed back to the time he broke into the student council room. The only question was, would she be able to keep him away this time? Was she strong enough to keep him away?

'Call the police!' she urgently thought to herself, looking down at the phone in her hands. 'Damn it! I can't, he has them whipped. Not to mention, I'm already engaged to him.'

The beating sound began, different this time. It was cut off by muffled groans, followed by the clinking of metal against metal. Fear overtook Shizuru. She dropped the phone and ran to the closest weapon: the kitchen knife. She pulled it out and twirled around just as she heard the doorknob turning. Her grip tightening as every second that passed felt like a year. She finally took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

'Here he comes," she whispered softly to herself, heart pounding harder than ever.

The door whipped open as she prepared to attack.

TBC...


So.... please read and review.

Omake time: not one of my best

Ume: *holding chibi Natsuki plushie, typing on computer, teary eyed*

Mai: Hey, why so sad?

Mikoto: Yeah, Ume *pokes sad girl*

Ume: I was able to post this chapter right after I wrote it because of technical difficulties and now I think the readers are mad at me.

*Sounds of chatter and scream are heard out her bed room window*

Mai: Huh? *walks to window*

Outside

Nao: BACK!! Back you crazy Shiznat fans! Back I say! *threatens with Julia*

Crowd: *chanting* We want Shiznat! We want Shiznat! We want Shiznat!

Nao: *takes defensive stance* Over my dead body!

Crazy Fan *cough cough Akira Sasaki*: That can be arranged!

Inside

Mai: O.O Ume, the Shiznats are here for you!

Ume: What! I haven't even..

*Door slams open, in storms Haruka, mouse, and crying woman*

Haruka: I brought the troops, General Mai! *salutes*

Shizuru: *still holding chibi Kiyohime* Where's my Natsuki?? *balls*

Mai: Great now to... Hey were did Ume go?

*everyone looks to where Ume was to see a spinning chair, with plushie Natsuki on floor*

Yukino: Look, there's a note

*reads note out loud* To crazy, must side with Shiznats, figments of my imagination- bite me! And to Shizuru- Sorry, please have this Natsuki plushie!

Haruka: What now General?

Shizuru: *tackles Mikoto for Natsuki plushie* MINE!

Mai: We find her, and I know where to start

Mikoto: Ramen? *drools*

Mai: NO! Nao *looks out window, scowls* Damn, she got away too!