AN: Wow, so this is the fic that bumps up HdySL to rated M huh? And look at that word count XD!

Just a warning, this fic is very mature for sexual, violent and graphic depictions. Read on your own discretion.

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I is for Infiltration

I Can't Tell You I Love You

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"Well, if there are no further amendments, I adjourn this meeting. You are all dismissed." The Nakiri mistress gathered the briefing agenda, leading her way out of the conference room with Arato Hisako — her secretary — in tow. The rest of the board council made up of the ten elite officers and other following advisors stood to bow in recognition of their leader, including a one Isshiki Satoshi.

"Off the record," Erina paused prior to the turn of the doorway, "to remind all of you, the grand ball commemorating our fifth year of establishment is tomorrow night. I expect all of you to be there."

With her absence, the audible groan from the officers resounded as they prepped to finally exit their three-hour conference regarding security and Capital matters. Among those, Satoshi for one was glad such matters were over and discussed for he found meetings such as these boring, although he acknowledged their importance.

Placing his discarded coat back on the width of his broad shoulders, he met up with his juniors moving into the halls. "Marui-kun, Ibusaki-kun, are you bringing your wives to the ball?"

"Of course." Marui adjusted his glasses, looking back to verify that his wife was still in chats with the other ladies. "Yuki had her dress picked out a whole month prior. She kept making a big fuss about not wanting any fur, skin or animal prints," he complained.

"Well, she wouldn't want to be dressed up as the things she controls," the smoke manipulator quipped. "Ryoko seems excited to go with the girls. I don't understand why I have to go though."

Patting the two on the shoulder — much to their discontentment — Satoshi chuckled, "Aw, come on Ibusaki-kun, it might be fun to be all together! We're still young! Enjoy your youth!"

"Hah!" Marui scoffed, amused by his senior's enthusiasm, "So much for you to say Isshiki-senpai. You leave halfway through the ball! I saw it in my visions."

Satoshi's eyebrows rose at the accusation. "For what reasons?"

"Probably hiding from all the women asking you to dance," teased Shun.

"No way! I would never do that."

"I don't know, senpai. My visions are usually never wrong."


"Okay Nene, remember you need to be subtle in your actions, but fierce with your intentions. Men are simple, play hard to get and you'll get their attention," Rindou advised as she continued to powder the porcelain skin of Nene's nose.

"You're getting makeup everywhere," she pointed out. Sitting in front of the bright vanity mirror, Nene watched the redhead buzz around in the reflection; a stark contrast to the cool beauty staring back at her, calm and unimpressed considering her circumstances.

"Rindou-senpai, I look the same as before."

"Oh stop complaining unless you want Momo to do this instead," The eccentric woman dramatically took a step back to evaluate her masterpiece, making little L's with her fingers to frame Nene's face. "I was going for a natural look. You don't need a lot of makeup to look good," she defended. "Something does seem a bit off though… Hm…" Placing herself behind the seated woman, she lowered herself for a closer inspection. "Ah, that's it! Nene, you need to smile more. Guys think it's sexy when women smile!"

Nene couldn't help but roll her eyes at her senior, expressing her annoyance through an audible sigh. It bothered her how obvious Rindou was being. "Senpai, you don't need to try so hard to lighten the mood."

The redhead straightened, locking contact with her emotionless eyes before habitually smiling back. "Ah, I can't get anything past you, huh? But it's still valid advice, you know!" She took up the hairbrush and began combing her green tresses, admiring the softness and silkiness.

"You're worried," Nene remarked.

"Of course I'm worried! You're like my little sister."

"It's not wise to make attachments like that in our line of business."

"I know, I know. Geez…" Rindou pouted, debating the idea if she was actually the younger sister instead. "I just don't like that Azami is making you do this."

It had been five years since the rebellion successfully usurped the rule of Nakiri Azami over the Capital. Five years since their defeat. Five years since their loss.

But it wasn't a quiet five years.

Although the physical conflict of war seemed to be over, Master Azami still seemed to have gathered enough strengths to employ a different type of war: espionage. He didn't need the forces, he needed information and Kinokuni Nene was merely a tool to get it. They all were.

She knew that fact well, so when the mission to infiltrate the Capital's grand ball under the guise of a citizen had been assigned to her, she didn't in the least bat an eyelash at the orders. Azami had made the details very clear: gather information about the internal security plans of the palace from the second seated officer, Isshiki Satoshi. It was observed that he was the most receiving of women out of the bachelors on the board. She was not to draw any special attention, nor was she permitted to kill the target. In fact, quite the opposite. Nene was ordered to please him through any means necessary in order to coax the information out from him, even if it included sexual matters.

"If you didn't want me to do this, then why didn't you take it? You have more than enough sex appeal anyway."

"I can't. The Capital knows my face already from my mishap with the palace guards," Rindou sighed. "Besides, you don't need sex appeal. With your ability, you can make him feel whatever you want him to. I don't need to tell you what men what, just read their emotions for yourself."

Nene hummed in agreement, resting her eyes, allowing Rindou the freedom to push and pull her hair any way she liked to finish tucking the strands of loose hair into the low bun at the nape of her neck.

"Aren't you nervous, Nene?" Rindou started again, " You've never had a boyfriend—"

"It's not smart to have one," she interrupted, slowing opening her eyes to raise them towards the stylist.

"Tsukasa and I— It's different! We're both spies!" she defended. "But as I was saying, you haven't even kissed a guy! It's your first time and it's kind of scary, you know! I can't imagine with a stranger."

"People tend to become fearful when they're about to lose something important to them. I'm not emotionally invested, so I'll be fine."

"That's true. Most of my fear inducements are of people dying," Rindou recounted. "But this is different. Sometimes being emotionally invested makes it more comforting. More intense."

"Maybe," Nene smirked, "But the last thing I need is to find comfort in the arms of an enemy."


If there was anything she hated more than being in enemy territory, it was being in enemy territory defenseless.

The ankles where her blades would have been hidden are left bare for a pair of uncomfortable heels. The burgundy floor length dress did nothing but restrict her movements and concentrated breathing. The high collar lined her neck like the hands of an opponent choking her, while her slender arms and shoulders were left exposed to the chill of the foreign Capital.

No allies out of the hundreds of guests. No backup plan. No room for error.

She scanned the sea of guests, adorned in ornate ball gowns and tuxedos, ignoring the slight irritation from her contacts rubbing against her uninitiated eyes. She had only been inside for perhaps thirty or forty minutes, but her head was already reeling at the number of emotions flooding her senses — jubilant women, annoyed men, jealousy, attraction, anxiety, glee, love. Nene breathed, focusing on the quiet in herself, ignoring the feelings currently running rampant around her.

Her target: the Capitals second rank officer, Isshiki Satoshi — tall, medium-length brown hair, cyan blue eyes. According to sources, he is the most jovial out of the officer ranks, enough for women in the Capital to find his benevolence charming, despite his reputation as an excellent tactician. Not much has been noted on the public record of his battle experiences or of specific contributions to the war, but he has already been established as one of the Capital's — no, Nakiri Erina's most valued members.

And now, he was her source of information.

Despite the large attendance, he wasn't necessarily hard to find and to Nene's admittance, he was a handsome individual. Watching him from a distance, she swirled her glass of wine while he himself intoxicated the women around him with a bunch of half-hearted laughs and boyish head tilts. But even with the women around him, her instant gut-feeling found his calm aura — the smile that gently tugged at his lip with upturned eyes — suspicious. If she had to be honest, she couldn't pinpoint why. Maybe it was instinctual to be so distrusting, or perhaps the idea of a guileless officer pissed her off.

Becoming bored with the scene in front of her, his sudden bow to the women and turn away from the table caught her attention. Now was her chance. It was game time.

Interpreting his path away from the center of the ballroom towards the outskirts of the party, she settled her glass on a passing waiters tray, swiftly navigating her way through the crowd on her clicking heels in order to place herself right within his path of interception.

"Remember, you need to be subtle in your actions but fierce with your intentions."

When she spotted him approaching, the green-haired woman staggered her path from his, avoiding eye contact but failing to dodge his shoulder from bumping into hers. The force made her lose balance on cue, causing her to almost fall forward. But just as she expected, he was quicker than what gravity would allow, fluidly placing his grip on Nene's arm to steady her as if the two had rehearsed the scenario prior.

"Ah— Sorry," Satoshi apologized, looking down to behold her entrancing orbs.

She took in his height, noticing how much broader his shoulders were and how bluer his eyes appeared up close. His hair wasn't as short as it was in the picture, but instead, the ends curled in messy tendrils. For a second after his touch left her arm, she wondered if his arms could embrace with the same warmth.

"Are you alright?"

His voice called her back to reality. As if to not waste any more precious seconds, she began her projections — her manipulations. Rindou was right, she didn't need to be scandalous, she needed an opportunity to simply influence his emotions and make him her puppet. In that instant, she searched his mind, finding the remnants of surprise and concerns as he looked upon her become replaced with a strong attraction. How fickle human emotions are. This is too easy.

Nene felt gratified at the current success of her plan, but even with his initial charm, she couldn't shake that suspicion nagging at her. Something about his mental presence — his emotions — bothered her; they felt too hollow, almost superficial.

He smiled at her furrowed brows, moving closer to her as she noticed his lingering pupils dilate. "I'm Isshiki Satoshi. What's your name, miss?"

"Haruka," Nene lied, "Hirose Haruka."

"Hirose Haruka," Satoshi repeated, "Would you like to dance?"

"I would love to," Nene played, offering a warm smile that hid the return of her delight at the triumph. He led her hand to the center floor of waltzing couples and held her waist gently, but securely. Nene wondered if the blush that adorned her face was visible, as she grew uncomfortable at the sudden closeness of another person's body to hers, but she wouldn't let such childish thoughts occupy her mind when she knew her body would be going much further that night.

As the two made their way through the floor, Nene kept her focus on his chest, avoiding his gaze at her. She could feel the attraction manifesting itself into strong desire as her grip on his mind continued to get tighter and tighter. At least she thought it was, feeling as if she was gripping onto nothing.

"Where are you from, Hirose-san?"

"The eastern part of the Capital."

"Oh, is that so?" Satoshi asked although she didn't like how it sounded more accusatory than curious.

"Yes," she nodded.

"Mm… I'm from the western sector myself. The east is beautiful from what I remember though," he paused to lift her chin and meet her gaze, "Just like you."

"Oh please," Nene smirked, confident that she had done more than enough to overtake his logical reasonings with desire. "I'm nothing compared to the Capital beauties."

"I would disagree," he whispered, running his thumb delicately over her glossed, bottom lip, "I've never seen such bright ruby eyes." Her chest constricted a bit under his darkened gaze, feeling her heart beat faster as his grip tightened with clear hunger.

"Why don't we go somewhere a bit more private, Hirose-san?"


The moment the door shut and locked behind them, she found her lips pressed against his tender ones. His hand found its way to her blushed cheeks, cupping it gently, capturing her face in his hold. Encircling his neck, her fingers curled delicately against his smooth nape. Ragged and heavy breathes ghosted each other's skin before he was quick to meet her again with an intense hunger that enraptured her soul. Fast and deep his rhythm was, but a good pace she learned quickly to mimic.

Leading her away from the door, her eyelashes fluttered open at the contact of the bed against the back of her legs. Satoshi's hands moved from her cheek, wandering through her silky locks, undoing her bun to let the full length cascade down her back. Carding his fingers, he pulled slightly, cradling her neck to tilt her head back and enter her mouth. Moving further down, Satoshi caressed her shoulder blades, searching for the zipper that held her captive.

Her mind was becoming dizzy and she became consumed by the very emotions she manipulated. Never had she experiences such foreign feelings of her own, but she welcomed it.

The audible purr of the zipper being pulled slowly down the length of her back brought her back to reality, along with the cool hands that roamed each contour freely. Nene inhaled sharply at the sensation, pulling away from his kiss; pushing him away slightly with a resting hand on his dress shirt, finally noticing that he lost his coat sometime throughout the process.

Satoshi's blue eyes opened hazily, reflecting the moonlight in the otherwise dark room. Panic began to return to Nene as the senses of his desire began to wane in his confusion. She couldn't possibly have her task become compromised here. She didn't want it to.

With the space between them, she set her shaky hands to work, undoing his buttons, arousing him further. She felt his free hand finally begin to push off the dress from her shoulders as he let her run her small hands over his muscled chest, earning herself a few shivers in the process. The fabric pooled at her feet along with the heels she managed to kick off. Leaning forward, the brunette gently settled her onto the cool sheets of the bed, hovering above her body.

To feel this bare — this naked in front of a man's wanting gaze elicited shivers from her petite frame. His fingers ran under the length of her bra straps as his knuckles brushed over her clavicle to the lace barrier covering her breasts. Gathering Nene in his arms, Satoshi pulled her up from the mattress slightly into a kiss, giving him access to the clasps that he easily unhooked. Peeling the lingerie from her skin, he kissed his way down from her lips, leaving wet kisses to her neck until settling between the valley of her exposed chest. Nene couldn't help the moan that escaped her lips, confident that he could feel her heart racing just as well as she could feel his.

Her eyes roamed the toned body of the officer, reddening at the sight while rousing her appetite. Pushing off the final articles of his clothing, he shifted his focus to hers. His fingers curled under her panties, pulling them swiftly with her raised hips.

"Ah! Mm," she shuddered under his uninhibited ministrations; calloused fingers stroking her slick folds. Finally, settling between her legs, she couldn't help but moan at the pleasure that surged through her body at their contact. Satoshi wrapped his grip around her wrists while he leaned forward to deepen a kiss. Pinning them above her head as he licked the skin behind her ears.

Her body was on fire as he teased her, feeling the mounting pressure in her hip and desire in her heart. But unlike hers that continued to build, she couldn't detect the same for him. It was too stagnant. If that didn't catch Nene's attention, perhaps his slight chuckle against her skin set off alarm bells instead.

"Wha— What's wrong?" She felt her body grow cold, stomach dropping when she felt him shift away from her neck.

"I know this would have happened sooner or later," Satoshi smirked at her, "but I didn't think Central would send a virgin to seduce me."

Drawing in a sharp breath at his confession, she instantly began to struggle against the weight of his body on hers, unable to overcome the strength pinning her down.

"How did you know?" she exclaimed, fear encompassing her body at her discovery.

"Oh come on, you are practically oozing hesitance. These feelings are totally new to you. It's not that hard to tell it's your first time with a guy."

"No, ugh! Let me go!" Nene continued to struggle, "How did you know I was with Central?"

"Oh," Satoshi replied nonchalantly, watching her waste her energy against him. "You know, you really should learn to be more discrete if you're going read through my emotions. I can feel you rummaging inside here." She tilted away from the close proximity of his face, trying her best to avoid his cunning gaze. "It's pretty rare to see a pathokinesis user like yourself. Who knew Central had such a person. Quite the dirty ability you have, Hirose-san. If that's your real name."

Nene stilled against him at his reveal, eyes wide. How did he know! I didn't feel any suspicion or cautiousness from him. What in the—

"Oh god, you're gifted…" she whispered.

"Bingo," Satoshi smiled, as if completely unaffected by her revelation. "To be specific, I'm a defense empath. I can read your emotions, but your psychic abilities are useless against me."

"But I read your emotions! I could control them!"

"You thought. What you felt were merely illusions I set. The moment you bumped into me, I knew exactly what you were doing. I just played along. You didn't even begin to scratch at my mental shield."

It dawned on her then that Rindou had in fact been completely wrong. Her strength had just become her biggest weakness — she was perhaps the worst person to have sent on this mission.

Refusing to accept her defeat, she continued to fight against his grip, causing Satoshi to frown a bit. "Why do you still insist on struggling?"

Nene's chest heaved against him, fists shaking at her idiocy and deception. "Why aren't you calling the guards! Why did you toy with me if you knew I was an enemy this entire time! You're supposed to kill me!"

"Aw, there's no need for that," he blinked at her.

"What?"

"None of the guards with danger sense were alerted of anything. I also didn't find any malice or anger in your emotions," he announced, "You're not here to kill me."

"I'M YOUR ENEMY, YOU IDIOT!" she yelled, utter frustration overcoming her.

What used to be glazed over and darkened, were clear and honest blue orbs that stared into hers. "Let's not be enemies. I think you're interesting. Why don't we be friends?" he proposed before lowering himself to capture her swollen lips.

"What are you doing!" she turned away from him.

"You still don't trust me, I see. You liked me better when you thought I was naive, huh? I'll strike you a deal, I'll drop my mental shield if you calm down."

"Why would you do that? I could easily manipulate you," she threatened.

"True," he nodded, "but you won't."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Because…" he started, shifting his face to meet hers, "I know a little part of you is curious, I can sense it. You want me."

She had been caught. In more ways than one.

Nene shook her head weakly, but her denial was pointless. Who was manipulating who? She couldn't tell anymore.

"What's your real name?"

"Ne— Nene…" she whispered.

He let the repetitive syllables roll off his tongue and she shivered at the sound. "Well Nene, I'll tell you something. You didn't need to control me in order to seduce me." He moved his lips against hers, noticing her clenched fists slowly began to unravel as she submitted to his presence. His very real presence.

True to his promise, his mind felt completely different from before. No longer was it shallow and muffled, but incredibly vast and deep.

Her breath hitched at the contact of his member against her body, suddenly aware of him adjusting his grip on her wrists.

"This will hurt a bit," he whispered, kissing her temple as he could detect her panic at his concern. He watched her as she squirmed under him, breathing heavy with shut eyes.

"Ah...Mm...Nghn!" Nene complained at the new, painful sensations.

"I'm sorry," he spoke, "Try to focus on the pleasure."

"It— It hurts…!" she choked, arching against him as her nails dug into her palm.

"Try to focus on our pleasure."

Deciding she had nothing better than to follow his advice, she desperately combed through his mind, trying to grasp at something he was feeling. But she found a lot more.

It was odd for her to find worry and concern in the mind of an enemy, but it hit her ten folds when it was in response to her own discomfort. She found his desire that burned deeper than anything she could incite within him. She felt so much more than the pain that slowly melted away into pleasure as he began to move within her.

Like magnets, their lips found each other's as she felt him in company of her emotions as well. Reopening her eyes, for the first time she didn't meet with the eyes of a stranger, but with Isshiki Satoshi.

Completely overwhelmed by the flurry of her emotions; his emotions; their emotions, she failed to recognize his hands caressing her hair until her free wrists unconsciously found their way around his face. He closed his eyes, relishing in her touch and her mental presence. Pleasure, desire, tenderness, hesitance, loneliness, sorrow, vulnerability. Never had she experience such honesty and rawness before. Never had she explored a mind so untouched; feelings so unacknowledged.

Her pants increased and her moans became more and more unrestrained as his movements became erratic.

"Ahh!— Nn, ah… Satoshi… Please—" Her nails left small scratches down the smooth skin of his back as what seemed like the insurmountable pressure building within her finally bursting. Nene felt her chest arching against his before her sight blurred to white. She trembled against him, feeling light despite the weight of him resting on her now. But it was all too much. All too much for her to bear.

The first thing she felt when her senses finally found their direction, was his hand against her face, wiping away the stray tears that streaked her flushed cheeks.


Her legs felt numb as she stretched them away from her chest. Leaning forward from the lacquered backboard of the bed, she watched him redress his trousers in the dark, taking her own time to secure the second clasp on her bra. Satoshi noticed the sensation of her eyes on his back a while ago but decided that now would have been a good time to approach her side, flipping the collar of his open dress shirt up in front of her.

"What?" she questioned the tall man waiting for her movements.

"You took it off," he reminded. "Why don't you help me put it back on," he smiled cheekily.

Shyly, she came up to the edge, setting her fingers to work nimbly securing the buttons along the cotton seam. Finishing near the base of his neck, her hands lingered over the last button remembering their events together.

"You came here for something," Satoshi broke the silence, taking her lack of acknowledgment as confirmation. "If it wasn't to kill me, you're here for information. About what?"

She looked down, completely forgetting about her mission, silently reprimanding herself for her weakness, although she wasn't sure if she necessarily regretted it. "The internal security plans of the palace," she whispered.

He couldn't help but laugh at the task, running a hand through his tousled hair. "I'm curious how you would have somehow weaved that topic into the pillow talk."

"I wouldn't have had to do much if the plans went accordingly," she muttered, "Emotions make humans do all sorts of illogical things." As if she didn't know.

"I can't tell you much, obviously," he sighed, moving away from her to find his tie. "But—"

Nene turned to him, eyes widening at his continuation. "—We have eight main gates, two in each direction that requires a passcode to open. The guards change every five hours. No gifted individuals are put in watch expect for danger sensors and if a threat is detected, we deal with it in levels with lockdown. Remember, I'm not the only gifted individual in the palace, there are a lot more offensive members with strengths you wouldn't want to imagine."

"Why would you tell me your security information?"

He gathered his coat, glancing to her, "You said it yourself. Emotions make us do stupid things," he grinned. "You're free to stay here till the morning, but by then the palace servants will be up working again."

"Are you going to call the guards?"

Ignoring her question, he continued, "I would advise you to leave through the southern gate, fewer people there. Don't worry, no one will question a young lady like you for leaving at this hour. They only care about people trying to get in, not out."

Nene remained silent, processing his suggestion as he moved towards the door. "Is this goodbye?" she asked solemnly.

"It is if you want it to be."


Nene melted under the hand that rested against her bare shoulders, nuzzling her face closer to his pulse. She felt comfort in the steady beating of his heart and warm body as they laid there together under the thin sheets.

Three months of secrets. Three months of running around. Of intense late nights and intimate early mornings. An agreement they both consented to. An agreement that was forbidden.

"Where did you get these from?" Satoshi ghosted his fingers over the black and blue patches on Nene's arm. She could feel the concern beginning to fill his mind at the sight.

"Training," Nene replied simply, "The sessions with our senpais were really tough. I could never match them in combat."

"Senpais?"

"Mm, well I'm pretty sure the Capital is aware of Rindou-senpai," she looked up to him as he searched for the familiar name.

"The fear inducer?"

"Yeah, her," Nene confirmed, "We have six main spies, she and I are two of them."

"And the other four?" Satoshi's eyebrows raised, "It's alright if you don't want to tell me."

Nene contemplated her options, but she was already aware that no boundaries existed between them anymore. It was almost scary how emotionally bonded the two were in the short amount of time since that fateful night. She trusted her life to him.

She owed her life to him.

"It's fine, I trust you," she sighed. "Tsukasa-senpai and Rindou-senpai are Central's elite. Of course, he is gifted as well; he has invisibility."

"Can't you just pinpoint his mental presence?"

"Yeah, but his signature trace isn't very strong. Eizan can't even see him sometimes."

"Whose is he?" Satoshi inquired further.

"He's usually my partner on missions. Central pairs defensive and offensive abilities together. I'm usually the attack while Eizan is my watch. He has enhanced vision, like sight in different wavelengths, seeing through walls and far distances. Stuff like that."

"And the other remaining two?"

"Saito-senpai and Momo-senpai. He's her defense since his gift is armor mimicry. Momo-senpai is a necromancer."

Nene didn't need to read him to feel the shock surge through him. "A necromancer?" his eyes widened.

"It's kind of weird fighting a dead body, to be honest. You wouldn't expect such a cute girl like her to have such a vile ability, but we all make do with what we have."

Satoshi hummed, petting the back of Nene's head. "Well then, I guess it's only fair if I tell you about us."

"You don't have to. I know the Capital is more guarded about their gifted individuals," Nene assured, looking up to his crystal cyan eyes.

"It's fine, I trust you," he sang, repeating her words back much to Nene's annoyance. "Well, Kuga and I are technically the 'senpais', but Soma-kun is the first rank officer above us. He was appointed by Nakiri herself."

"We know about him. Some pretty crazy fire manipulation he has."

"Kuga-kun is the best mental tracer in the Capital. He might be able to match your Tsukasa-senpai," he said smugly.

She laughed at his confidence, "I doubt it, Tsukasa-senpai is too strong."

"Well anyways, next is the trio: Hayama, Kurokiba and Nakiri Alice. If Kuga-kun is the best mental tracer, Hayama-kun is probably our best tracker; he has enhanced senses. Kurokiba-kun can manipulate water but he mainly serves under Alice's orders. She has relationship identification."

"Nakiri? Nakiri Erina has a sister?" Nene asked, surprised.

"A cousin. She's one of Erina's main supports. Her ability doesn't sound like much but she can detect all of the officer's loyalty to the Capital, like if our bonds are strengthening or weakening."

Nene nodded, understanding the depth of the power and its implications. "She can't see us together then?"

"That probably wouldn't be wise. She could see past our lies easily. Speaking of couples, Aldini-kun and Tadokoro-kun are married. He has life force manipulation while she can induce happiness, kind of like your ability but only for joy. It's quite nice to see such a jubilant couple in the Capital." She watched him smile at the recount, sensing the hint of envy at their relationship.

"He mainly works with Arato Hisako — Nakiri's secretary and the resident healer — due to his death awareness as well. Megumi is mainly used for negotiations. Next, is Ibusaki-kun and Sakaki-kun; they're married. He can manipulate and manifest smoke. She has retrocognition, like seeing people's past. Opposite of her, is Marui-kun who has precognition. He's married to Yoshino-kun who has animal manipulation. Hah, I didn't realize so many of my juniors are married!" Satoshi laughed.

"I didn't know the Capital had so many gifted people," Nene said in awe.

"We have more than you know," he assured.

"Well, what do you do then?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well…" Nene trailed off, trying to find her wording, "If Arato is a healer and Hayama is a tracker, what is your ability used for? Why are you one of Nakiri Erina's most valued officers? There must be something that makes you so strong."

"I may be a tactician but I don't use any logic. My mastery is over psychology, not strategy. Emotions are our strongest weapon, and it's up to me to evaluate how people will decide to use it. I'm also our main line for mental defense; I can extend my capabilities to protected others as well. Erina can't even break it."

"With her truth inducement?" Nene finished the thought, earning a nod from him. "Do you always have your mental shield up then?"

"No," he smiled towards her, "Not when I'm with you."

"Why? Why did you let it down?"

"Hmm… You felt it right? When you read my mind," Satoshi brought her body in closer. "Being an empath, everyone only cares about what you sense from others, but no one really bothers to connect with your own emotions. So much so, you begin to forget you have any. I thought you would understand; I didn't want to be numb anymore. It sounds a bit selfish, huh?"

Her breath paused as she remembered how untouched his emotions had felt; how long they have been ignored and shield. "No," she whispered against his skin, "not at all."


He kissed her neck gently, molding the supple touch of her breasts in his palms as she set the rhythm and pace on top of him. Nene's grip held his shoulders firmly, using Satoshi to support her body overcome with pleasure as they slowly rocked together.

No longer did she find herself apprehensive, instead blossoming within his presence. No longer was he distant and uncharted — he was understood.

Months have passed, but it felt like years; like they've known each other their entire lives. Twenty-four years for her made sense within seconds with him as their flames kindled, burning slowly under the silent cover of moonlight.

"You know I can sense it," Satoshi looked up to her flushed face, lost in the sensation of him. "I told you months ago that I love you. Why won't you tell me?"

"Huh?" she breathed, fluttering her lashes open to his, biting her lips. "If you can feel it, isn't that enough?"

"I want to hear it," he whispered while tucking a sage strand behind her ear. She paused her movements at his sincerity — his plea for those words. Three little words hanging on the back of her throat, waiting— yearning to be expressed. To be heard.

But she couldn't.

She couldn't admit it. Couldn't admit to the world that she had found something she didn't want to lose; that against her better judgment, she had gotten emotionally attached; that she was afraid.

"If I tell you I love you, one of us would have to die," she smiled playfully, though she knew her heart betrayed her mask.

He chuckled at her joke, swallowing lightly knowing deep down that it sadly wasn't one. "Hah, fine. But you're gonna get it," Satoshi teased before kissing her down to the bed sheets once more.


At the sound of hollow knocks on his office door, Satoshi called for the visitors to enter from his desk. His pen halted on the page at the turn of the handle, for his senses picked up something foreboding from the minds of his two guests: concern.

Satoshi swallowed at the entrance of a pale and panicked Marui, but in hopes that his junior was overreacting as always, he maintained his calm facade.

"Isshiki-senpai!" Marui called, obviously distraught. "I have someth—"

"What's going on? You know something we don't," Shun interrupted, halting Marui in his pacings to approach the brunette. Satoshi didn't enjoy the tense atmosphere the two invited with them, nor did he like the amount of confusion and wary that hung. Clasping his hands loosely together, he dared to meet the two in front of him with his smile.

"What are you talking about, Ibusaki-kun? And here I thought you wanted to visit your dear senpai," Satoshi attempted to laugh.

"Now isn't the time to be mysterious, Isshiki-senpai. I know you can read us, you know we're being serious here."

"I saw you… I saw—!" Marui heaved, looking as if he was going to faint. Satoshi raised from his desk, ushering the pale man to a chair.

"Okay, okay. Hold up. What did you see, Marui-kun?" He placed his hands on his shoulders, furrowing his brows.

Looking up to Shun, Marui asked for silent confirmation whether he should reveal the contents of his latest vision, receiving a nod from the smoke manipulator in return, standing arms-crossed behind Satoshi. "I saw you…" Marui gulped. "You were covered in blood. But you weren't the one bleeding. You— You were holding a dead woman… I don't think I've ever seen her before, but it was most definitely you. Most definitely."

Satoshi shifted his eyes, widening at the thought of bloodshed… but of who?

"Do you know what that could be about, senpai?" Shun asked, noting the slight sign of shock in Isshiki's face.

"Wha— What did she look like?" Isshiki breath quickened, feeling his palms begin to clam up. "Marui!" he shook the man, inpatient for the answer.

"I didn't really get to see either of your guy's faces and— and it all happened really quickly. But I think her hair was… green."

Nene. It was Nene.

Slowly, he removed his hands from Marui's shoulders as shock overwhelmed Satoshi, quickly reaching up to cover his mouth, feeling sick at the scene he was imagining in his head. He turned away from his juniors, obscuring his expression enough while using the desk to lean against.

"What happened?" he spoke, suppressing the waver in his voice. "How did she die?"

"Senpai, I really don't know."

"Was anyone else in the vision?" he pressed.

"No, only you two. But… there was a lot of blood." Marui closed his eyes, feeling the urge to throw up. "Do you think… you killed her?"

Me? Hurting her? No way, no way… Satoshi shook his head, unbelieving of the possibility.

"Does any woman come to mind?" Shun interrogated, detecting the distress in his best friend.

"No, I don't know anyone like her." he lied, "Does Nakiri know about this?"

"No, we don't intend on sharing this unless we need to." Shun continued to watch his senpai's movements, unbelieving, too acquainted with his mannerisms and behavior to fall for his lies. "But whatever you may know, I advise you to do something about it. Marui is never wrong."


She didn't need to read him to know something was up. The moment Nene's eyes met with his, she could see the storm raging within him; the distracted eyes; the dull smile. When he gathered her into his arms and kissed her, she observed neediness; desperation. Everything felt... wrong.

"What's wrong?" she pushed him away, "You're hiding something." Her hand reached up between them, holding his gaze to her stern, unyielding eyes.

"I'm fine." His hand shadowed over hers as he smiled weakly, "I'm probably just tired."

She searched his eyes, noting the lack of his usual light, replaced with a heaviness. But that wasn't it. "No, something's wrong." Her brows creased as her lips straightened, feeling his consciousness that suddenly felt so much more confined and trapped than usual.

"Nene—"

Instantly, she retracted her hand away from his grasp causing him to wince at the absence. "You're keeping me out!—" she shouted, betrayed.

"Nene, calm down—"

"I can't believe you're shielding against me! You promised me you wouldn't do that! What the hell is going on!"

"Please, I—" he started, reaching for her only for her to step away.

"Tell me!"

"It's nothing," Satoshi insisted, pleading for her to calm down.

"Stop lying! What's going on? Tell me the truth!" Nene demanded further. He flinched at the overwhelming sensation of anger flooding his senses from her, looking down to hide from the glare that said it all.

"Lets…Let's break this off," Satoshi muttered. He waited for a shout, a slap, an answer or reaction of some kind but got none from the quiet girl. "Let's stop seeing each other," he looked up, meeting her glassy eyes. All of her prior intensity seemed to have faded as she slowly began to process his words.

"Wha… what?" Nene croaked, tears pooling behind her glasses. "Why?"

He knew then that he didn't turn away to escape her anger but to hide from her hurt instead.

"Why, Satoshi?" she repeated, as her breath swallowed, pushing at his shoulders with increasing force. "Answer me! Stop ignoring the question! WHY?"

A firm grip encircled her wrists, catching her arm in midair before she could strike again. "Why?" he repeated her question, knowing she already knew the answer herself. "This is wrong Nene, we're enemies!"

"Enemies?" Nene grimaced, "You're the one that said that when it's just us, we aren't!" Nene retaliated, violently whipping her arm from his grasp.

"What we are doing is treason for both of us—"

"So you're running away? Being a coward," she ridiculed, "Well guess what, I don't care what this is! No one will find out—"

"Fine! Let's assume that no one finds out. Then what?" he shouted, clutching his temple at her emotions. "We're going to spend the rest of our lives sneaking around trying to see each other? Is that how you want to live? We were doomed from the start. It was stupid of me to have wanted something like this, and I'm sorry. I'm sorry I involved you in this. I'm sorry I can't make you happy."

"Stop apologizing! I don't want to hear it!" Nene exploded, "Stop assuming what I want, you idiot! I'm telling you I just want you!" her chest heaved, unable to prevent her tears.

He let out a helpless sigh, running a hand through his face to obscure the sight of her utterly broken expression. "Look, we had our fun. But I've realized my position and you need to as well. This is for the best."

Her body slackened at his final words. "Fun? Was that as this was to you?" her lip quivered because sincerely for once, she couldn't believe in what he felt anymore; she couldn't understand what he felt anymore.

"I'm sorry," he whispered again, although he wasn't sure if it was to her, or to his shattered heart.


The heavy thud of a body slammed against the stiff training mats belonged to none other than Kinokuni Nene, complementary of the redhead who she had just lost her sparring match with.

Nene winced at the pain shooting through her neck, groaning at the stupid error she made… again.

"You okay?" Rindou offered a hand to her junior.

"No, my body feels wonderful," Nene replied sarcastically, bypassing Rindou's hand to help herself up off the floor. She found a seat on one of the basement steps, wiping the perspiration from her forehead.

"No silly, I meant are you okay? You've been off for the past two months. Is something going on?"

"I'm fine," Nene assured, rubbing the kink out of her back. "I just suck at combat."

Accompanying Nene on the steps beside her, Rindou stretched her arms out with a feline purr. "Well whatever it is, get it together." She tossed the bottled water to her junior, grinning at the bored eyes that caught it. "I'm pretty sure we're going to be the highest level security threat in the palace, and if what you told us is true, we're going to be up against other gifteds. Everyone's been training like crazy."

"We need to be prepared. It's critical to obtain these documents."

"But why do I need to train too? This is Tsukasa's job. We're simply back up; it's so boring!" Rindou complained. "Hey, you think that officer guy will be there?"

"Maybe," Nene said halfheartedly, turning away at the sting that still plagued her raw heart.

"What was he like? You've never really talked about what happened on that mission."

"He…" she paused at the picture of him, swallowing at the ache. How was she supposed to sum up such a complex individual? How was she supposed to remember that night; those nights? What was she supposed to feel other than this turmoil?

"He…was an idiot."


"We can't go there! Six guards are approaching on us!" Eizan yelled to her over the lockdown alarms blaring through the palace halls.

"Then where the hell are we supposed to go!" Nene bickered, "You're the one that can see through freaking walls! Find us an exit." She surveyed her surroundings of the unconscious guards that she managed to knock out, taking deep breaths to calm her body and mind from Eizan's frustrations. They were stationed at their designated coordinates to rendezvous with Tsukasa-senpai and assist with his escape, while Rindou provided the distraction. However, one of the danger sense guards caught onto Momo-senpai's intent, alerting them of their presence. Plans have shifted into emergency sequences, and they needed to get out.

"Give me a moment, woman!" her partner retailated, irritated. Scanning the premise, Eizan deduced they were the closest to the southern gates. "They have a system of hidden passage where one…" his eyes glowed under his square specs, following the halls to their destination. "...leads to an external storage. If we can circumvent the guards, we can meet up with Saito."

"Let's go." She followed the man's lead on high alert, focusing her mind to become as clear as possible in search of incoming presences. She was aware that with each passing second; each step she took; each breath she breathed, more and more guards were being deployed, including the gifteds. Including him.

"Wait, three more are approaching from the right!"

Her mental awareness didn't allow them much of an alert, as she spotted a pink-haired woman shortly followed by two men, one being a very familiar face.

"Over there!" Hayama shouted.

"They're officers, we need to go! Is there any faster way there?" Nene yelled while panting between her breaths to keep pace, convincing Eizan that they couldn't take on a two vs three, not with the Capital officers.

"There is," he scanned quicky, "But we need to break the code on one of the locks. If I can see the frequency outputs, I might be able to decode their chip's digital signature."

"Halt! Surrender peacefully," the woman she concluded to be the healer from Satoshi's description called.

Arato Hisako, healing capabilities. Hayama Akira, enhanced senses and tracking skills; there was no way to deter him from their trail. Isshiki Satoshi, defensive empath… all defensive abilities she noted.

"Then do it. We can't outrun them any longer," Nene reasoned.

"That's too risky—"

"Just do it!" she snapped as the two made their way to the locked door.

"That's suicide, you can't manipulate three minds!"

"I have a plan, hurry up!" Nene turned to approach the corner of the dead end hall, allowing enough distance between her and Eizan to give him a sufficient head start. Damn, Tsukasa-senpai. You better have those files.

She first caught sight of the officer she assumed was "Hayama". In pursuit of them, their three enemies managed to have separated a reasonable distance, Hayama taking the lead with his tracking ability. Noticing he was alone, Nene confronted him first in combat, knowing full well that he had no offensive ability other than hand to hand; an equal playing field. But even so, she struggled to keep up with his movements, doing nothing more than blocking his attacks in order to stall. However, by the time he managed to gain the upper hand and sweep her leg, she had already managed to grasp his mind.

Pausing mid-attack, Hayama found himself overwhelmed with the sensations of sorrow, grief, and pain. Grasping at his chest, the tracker was completely paralyzed by the uncontrollable turmoil within him. Demonstrating the true power of her manipulation, he knelt to the floor in front of her as he became overcome with sobs and heavy breathing. But Nene had a new issue to deal with. Her projections wouldn't last long — he was here.

"Hayama!" She saw Hisako running. Thinking fast, she seized hold of the gifted officer, securing a hold to render him immobile. Whipping the dagger from her ankle sheaths, she placed it comfortably against his pulsing throat.

"If you want him to live, don't come any closer." The two approaching officers paused at her threat, as she showed every intention of carrying through with it. Nene couldn't sense either of the three's mental presences and noting the subsidence of Hayama's emotional breakdown she already knew Satoshi's shield was up.

"Stop," Satoshi swallowed, slowly approaching.

"Don't… come any closer," Nene hissed, pulling the knife closer against his throat, revealing a small trickle of blood that ran down her fingers.

"Hayama!" Hisako shouted, watching Nene hold him hostage. As she locked eyes with Satoshi, betrayal shadowed his face. She knew in that moment that she didn't need to read his emotion to know he was absolutely livid to know that she was using his information to hurt his comrades. To an ignorant mind, the plan to confront the three gifted was suicide; a genius didn't need to know the odds weren't in her favor. But she happened to be enlightened with the knowledge that none of the three had attack capabilities.

Nene was sure he was fully aware of her malice and anger, not only towards the capital but him as well. No longer was he welcomed in her mind, for every emotion he read stuck knives in him.

Before she managed to become too lost in reading his movements, the small sense of triumph coming from behind her brought her back to reality. Isshiki must have sensed it as well, for his eyes widened in response, darting past her to Eizan completing the code.

Finding her opportunity, Nene shifted the knife from Hayama's neck, instead slicing a shallow cut across his back making him cry out in pain. Releasing him from his hold, all Nene could do was run towards the exit, looking over to see Arato distracted with healing the gushing wound and Satoshi kneeling beside her to assist.

Too caught up with the moment of escape, both spies failed to scan the premise for any incoming enemies, fully missing the presence of a certain Nakiri Alice who happened to witness the entire thing.


"Are you sure that's what you saw, Alice?" Erina stressed, unbelieving of the news her cousin bore.

"I'm sure. Definitely," she sighed. "I only see that kind of bonding between immediate family or lovers, and last I remember Isshiki-senpai isn't very close with his family."

The mistress combed her hands through her hair, standing from her desk to meet with Alice and Hisako in the front. "Well, alright. Maybe they've dated in the past… before the war," Erina rationalized.

Alice tilted her head in thought, contemplating the likelihood of the blonde's words. "That could be true," she nodded, "but that doesn't negate the fact that their bond was very strong. If he has some sort of ties to Central, that could be a security issue."

Pacing back in forth along the hardwood floors of her office, the two stared from their seats at Erina mumbling to herself. "Hisako," she suddenly turned to the pink-haired woman, "what did you manage to gather?"

At the call, Hisako raised from her seat to report, "Hayama said the spy has some sort of mental manipulation ability. When he was fighting her, his emotions suddenly shifted," she recounted. "I also thought it was weird that she decided to take him hostage the second we arrived, especially when she was obviously at a disadvantage in numbers. It's like she knew her mental capabilities were useless and that none of us had the ability to attack her."

"Well, if Isshiki really was close with her in the past, it makes sense for her to know his abilities."

"Of course Erina-sama, but Hayama's and mine as well?"

"Am I the only one that finds it weird that she didn't kill the guy? Like don't get me wrong, I'm glad Hayama's alive, but maybe she has more sentiment with the Capital than we know," Alice raised her eyebrow to the two.

Erina sighed, taking her seat on the lounge couch in defeat. "I know what you're thinking Alice, but I don't want to doubt Isshiki especially since you never mentioned any waverance in his loyalty. He was a key member in our rebellion and one of the few that actually supported us."

"His loyalty to you doesn't need to weaken in order for his love for someone else to strengthen."

"Alright fine, I'll look into it," she raised from the couch to return to business back at her desk. "We need those documents back anyways. Hisako, inform Hayama and Kuga-san to start tracing the spie's trails if they can. We're going to send the officers to infiltrate and retrieve them."

"Even Isshiki?"

"I'll place him with the main group, we need him especially if the fear inducer shows up. My father also won't hesitate to use his human subordination ability on us. We need a mental shield," Erina argued. "In the process though, I want Yukihira, Hayama, and Kurokiba to find and catch the girl. He should be well acquainted with her scent so it shouldn't be difficult to track her once you're in the facility. I want her alive."

Alice complained at the thought of an infiltration. "Why don't you just question him yourself? If there aren't any issues then he should have no problems with telling you the truth."

"If what you are implying is true, I want to hear her side first."


Nene knew she should have killed that damned tracker when she had the chance.

She could feel them hot on her trail; a distant mental presence of three in the shadows. Nene would claim she knew the Central compound like the back of her hand; every exit, door and hallway, but she sure wasn't prepared to test that assertion blind as the Capital officers had somehow found a way to disconnect the power to the lower levels from the main circuit, exposing the entire place to nothingness.

Hiding wasn't possible — not with the tracker on her, nor could Nene ever hope to meet the fire and water manipulators on offense. Gripping at the blood running from the burn encompassing her entire upper left arm, she desperately searched for some familiar mental presence — someone to even the odds. But alas, she had no choice but to run. And run. And run.

"Damn it!" she breathed, feeling the cool metal of the lock down doors with the codes only Tsukasa and Rindou-senpai happened to know. But that was the least of her concerns at the moment.

She didn't even need to turn around to feel it had already been too late.

"Payback," the tracker called from the darkness.


The white rags they managed to dress her in did absolutely nothing for the chill hanging within the basement prison. Leaning against the cement walls, she ran her hand up and down her right arm in order to generate some sort of friction. Only her right one though, for the burn on her left has just begun to crust over with dried blood. She pulled at the metal bands and chains around her wrists and ankles, but they didn't budge in the slightest. She didn't expect anything less though; they wouldn't make ability nullifiers easy to break.

It felt odd, not being able to feel the presence of another; to be unable to read other's emotions. It became a relief in some sense, not being forced — burdened — to feel another's feelings. But all that absence did was amplify the presence of her own emotions that needed to be dealt with.

Her head turned at the sudden footsteps, following the sounds in the dim light as she prepared for another round from the guards.

"Why are you being so stubborn?" she heard a low voice call. His voice. "Use the blanket."

"I don't need your pity," she shot with venom. Nene heard him sigh, almost imagining him crossing his arms at her reply. "Why are you here? At least stop hiding you coward!"

"I can't," Satoshi admitted. "If I get any closer, I'll be able to read you."

"Hah, you had no problems doing that earlier," she scoffed.

"I can't become distracted by you. Your emotions will mess with mine."

"Then why are you here?"

"Look, they'll start to question you soon—"

"What? Are you here to make sure I don't talk?" she sneered, reacting enough for the chain's rattle to echo.

"No! I wouldn't do that," he defended from her accusation. "I'm sure they are still unaware of… our relations. But in the event that they do, cooperate with them. You can get a lighter sentence, exile if you're lucky."

Her eyes dropped at his sincerity. Blinking in the silence, Nene had grown unsure of where the contempt in her voice had disappeared to, leaving a barren, fearful girl.

"What about you?"

"Worry about yourself. I'll be fine; I won't let them hurt you." She remained quiet, taking in his words of assurance, imaging his smile that ached at her heart.

The next time she awoke, it was at the jingling of keys from the gate of her prison cell door. She shifted up weakly off the stone floor, trying her best to focus her blurred vision on the armed guard moving aside to reveal the familiar pink-haired woman whose name Nene was too fatigued to remember.

She heard the woman exchange thanks with the guard, followed by her steps into the dark, cold cell before kneeling beside her.

"Don't be alarmed, I'm here to heal your arm."

Nene eyed her in confusion, moving to hide her injury from the healer's view. "Why would you do that?"

"Isshiki-senpai asked me to," she sighed, taking hold of Nene's arm to inspect the damage. "Damn Yukihira, your ability is scary…" she whispered. A faint, glowing light emanated from the healer's hand as it hovered over the burn. Soon Nene felt a cooling sensation against her raw skin as her eyes followed the woman's work in closing the large wound, section by section.

"What kind of person is he to you," Nene voiced in a sudden urge, looking into Hisako's concentrated eyes.

Hisako paused, taking in the question of the prisoner not needing to know who she was referring to. "He is a very important person to the Capital. But even more so, he is a respected officer and trusted friend not only to Erina-sama but for all of us. He is a bit… odd, but he doesn't hesitate to protect those that he cares about."

A droplet fell onto the back of Nene's hand before she could even realize the tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I'm warning you," Hisako continued, "don't ruin the life of someone like that."


The last place Nene had expected to be interrogated in would have been in a room as regal as this. Nor did she expect to be in the presence of the Nakiri leader herself.

"Well Kinokuni-san, quite the profile you have. A unique ability as well. 'Attack Empathy,'" Erina quoted the papers, "I've never encountered a pathokinesis user."

"I haven't met a truth inducer either, so I guess we're both in awe here," Nene replied.

Erina smiled at the green-haired woman's remark. "Let's just cut to the chase shall we?"

"I won't talk about Central."

"I knew you wouldn't. The loyalty you all possess to my father is scary… but commendable. I'm not interested in my father's whereabouts either, I'm prepared to deal with him when the time comes. However, I'm more curious about something else you know."

Nene eyed the blonde, suspicious of what she was hinting at. She pulled at bit at the cuffs, wanting nothing more than to read the emotions around her.

"During your invasion, how did you know that those three officers wouldn't— no, couldn't attack you? Why didn't you try to manipulate them?"

Nene withheld her tongue, knowing whatever excuse that would come out would be detected as a lie.

"If you don't answer, shall I answer it with your truth?"

"You don't know anything about me," Nene glared at her amethyst eyes.

"I know enough," Erina sat back on her chair, folding her hands to rest neatly on the table. "What is your relations to Isshiki Satoshi? There is no point denying this, I'm already are aware of the bonds between you two."

"I'm sure they are still unaware of… our relations. But in the event that they do, cooperate with them."

"Why don't you interrogate him about it?"

"I want to know your perspective," she leaned forward. "It's your turn empath. Tell me about your emotions."

In an instant, Nene could feel the force of Erina's power on her mind, an incredible energy pushing at the very fibers of her morality; pulling out the truths from her very being. "I— I—," Nene struggled against her power. Her hands flew up to her temples, digging her fingertips into her skin while her eyes clamped shut and her teeth clenched at Erina's grip ripping the control right out from under her.

"I— I love— him…" Nene breathed hard in wake of Erina's release on her mind.

"How did you two meet?"

Nene swallowed, taking a while to find it within herself to respond. "At the grand ball."

"Did he leak information to you about Capital matters consciously during any of your interactions?"

"...Yes."

Erina squeezed her eyes together, rubbing her hands over her face at the confession she wished was a lie. She watched the Nakiri heiress look towards the door past Nene's head, cautious of the guards outside. "Did you…" she paused, taking a deep breath. "manipulate his feelings during the time you two were together. Did you make him feel love for you?"

Nene's eyes narrowed in confusion at the question. "He's a mental shield. You know I can't do that!"

"Answer the question, Kinokuni-san. Did you or did you not?"

"I did not! I couldn't have!"

"Stop lying."

In disbelief at the accusation, Nene pulled at the chain binding her to the chair. "I'm not lying! You know this is the truth!"

"Listen Kinokuni-san," Erina whispered, signaling for Nene to calm down, "the crime you would be convicted of is espionage against the Capital. According to our laws, the most we can do to you is to incarcerate you for life. However, what you confessed to…" Erina paused, "is treason for one of my most trusted and valuable officers— punishable by death."

"Death?" she repeated in shock.

"Yes. The thought of it makes me sick to do that to a man who has done so much for the Capital," Erina's gaze wandered to the photo on her desk of all them gathered together after the rebel's victory, softening at the memory of their younger days. "We sincerely owe him our lives," her eyes hardened again.

"What are you saying?"

"Kinokuni-san, sometimes the truth isn't always for the best. If your relationship is as strong as I believe it is, he would die for you and probably has every intention to if the time comes. He isn't aware that I know of your relationship, which is for reasons I called for you first. What I would ask you Kinokuni-san is... would you die for him as well?"

She stared at the her, waiting for some sort of force to tear the answer from her lips, but realized it was a question the mistress left up to her to decide for herself.

"So…" Nene started hesitantly, "You want me to lie?"

"If you claim that you somehow got past his mental shield and manipulated him into falling in love with you, he would no longer be charged with the crime but instead be viewed upon as a victim by the law."

"What would happen to me?"

"You…" Erina paused, frowning at the news, "for having the ability to manipulate a senior officer, you'll be labeled as a high-level security threat to the Capital, beyond that of espionage. You'll be executed."

At the her words, Nene released the breath she didn't realize she was holding with the reality of the situation dawning on her. Erina rose from her seat, readying the guards to enter the room. "It's either you or him. I'll let you decide."


Although his arm slid slowly down the railing of the stone steps leading to the basement prison, it felt like descending into a dark, cold hell. He knew he shouldn't have been there, that all it would do is spell trouble for him. But he couldn't help himself.

Her interrogation was that day he knew. But judging by the lack of his arrest, it seemed as though only Central matters were discussed.

As he quietly approached the cell, he could hear her steady breathing against the shadows. Turning into the corner where she was held isolated, instantly a wave hit him. The closer he got, the more it consumed his mind — no, his heart. He gazed at her sleeping figure, curled up and shivering against the cold, unrestrained by her consciousness to where her emotions ran rampant in her nightmares. Her sorrow. Her abandonment. Her loneliness.

Satoshi couldn't tell if the pain within him was hers or his. Gripping the bars of the cell, he steadied his uneasiness as he could do nothing to help the tears falling from his eyes or from the woman that he loves.


"Nakiri-kun, hear me ou—"

"Isshiki, that's enough,"

"She can be valuable," Satoshi stressed, standing from his seat in front of the council to gain their attention for his plea, "there aren't many attack empaths out there and she has knowledge about Central. If you release her—"

"Isshiki-chin," Satoshi turned his attention to Kuga beside him, "we all know what happened between you two,"

"What?" Isshiki questioned further, becoming more suspicious at the sense of sympathy he was reading from Erina.

"If she had the ability to manipulate even you, what would keep her from doing the same to us?" Kuga relayed nonchalantly while filing his nails, not understanding the magnitude of his words.

Shocked at his words, Isshiki turned slowly back to the mistress, feeling her pity with wide eyes. "What is he talking about, Nakiri-kun?"

She swallowed, wincing at his further inquiry. "She confessed to manipulating your emotions in order to gather intel for Central. I know you may not have been aware that she was influencing you…" Erina paused, "but she will be taken care of."

"Taken care of?" Isshiki whispered back to himself, eyes wide, fully understanding the lies that were leaving his friend's mouth. Realization rolled over him. She had lied, and Erina let her. She had taken the blame.

"She…" he managed to utter, "She… lied…"

"No, Isshiki. She told the truth."

Anger filled his expression, "YOU KNOW THAT'S NOT TR—"

"Agh," Takumi groaned, clutching at his temples.

"What's wrong Takumi-kun?" Megumi turned to her husband, concern filling her features.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," Takumi waved off the audience around him, "it's just a strong death sense."

"A death sense?" His stomach dropped as he looked towards Nakiri for confirmation, but only got her closed eyes.

Instantly, he was out of the conference room, running as if his life had depended on it.


She squinted as the bright light reflected off the white-walls; the white wood of the chair and table she was seated at; the white of her prison gown; the white of the small porcelain cup in front of her holding the clear liquid she was to drink.

She couldn't help but laugh a bit at the situation. What a fitting end for a spy… Although I would have preferred a cyanide pill, to be honest.

Turning her attention back to the cup, she picked up the porcelain with two hands, not trusting her shaky grip. Inside, a face reflected. For a moment, Nene wondered what the small girl looking back at her was feeling; if she was scared to die; if she regretted her decisions; if she didn't have love in her heart.

Instead, she smiled. Because Nene already knew those answers.

Tilting the smooth rim to her lips, the clear liquid ran sweet against her tongue and sharp against her throat as she drank every last drop.


He didn't care that he didn't have authorization. Nor did he care about his bruised knuckles he received from punching the guard's face. Satoshi slammed open the execution room and expected the blinding white, but instead, was greeted with crimson.

"Nene!" Satoshi gasped at the sight of her on the floor, clothes dyed in the blood that she was coughing up. Kneeling, he picked her up from the floor, cradling her fragile frame in his arms, feeling the convulsions of her body rejecting the poison.

"Satoshi…?" Nene murmured, her ruby eyes slowly beginning to cloud over as his face became more and more blurred.

The smell of metal filling his senses sickened him almost as much as his discovery of something more red and deep than her eyes. "Shhh… Sh… You're going to be fine. You're fine… You're fine," he chanted to himself as he held her face in his hand, using his thumb to desperately wipe away the blood from her mouth.

Despite his lies, she felt comforted by the voice and warmth she missed so dearly. Feeling a wetness on her cheeks, she wondered if it was hers or his, or perhaps both. She couldn't tell anymore.

"How odd…" she panted, "to die in the arms of an enemy…"

"Stop," Satoshi cried, his voice quivering. "You're not dying… Nene… No, why? Why! Why did you lie?... Oh god, please, Nene… I told you… I… I…" he broke down as her breathing became more and more shallow. This isn't happening. Please no, tell me this isn't happening. Tell me this is an illusion or a dream. Please.

His eyes snapped back open, feeling the stickiness of the blood on her delicate fingers against his face. He held her hand to his cheek. God, it was so cold, but he held it for dear life, watching her offer him a small smile with blank eyes. At her touch, he felt her presence. But instead of the pain or anger that he expected, he felt her feelings gently caress his heart instead. Gratitude. Peacefulness. Devotion.

"Satoshi… I love you. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier…" she trailed off, exhaling her last breath as her arm slackened.

"...Nene?" he called quietly. Eyes widening as he desperately searched for the presence of her mind that he couldn't feel anymore. Shifting her as her body laid limp in his arms and her head lulled with closed eyes, he called her name louder with no response. "No, no, Nene… Wake up! Please! I'm sorry. I'm sorry," he sobbed against her forehead. "Please, I'm sorry… Please— I love you too… come back… Please… I'm begging you!" Satoshi wailed, clutching her body closer to him as the most pained scream resounded throughout the Capital.


"Isshiki-senpai?" Megumi opened the door cautiously, carrying in the garment bag carefully as to not rustle the plastic covering too much.

"Come in," he called absentmindedly from his desk, not even looking at the bluenette as she entered, but instead found the block paragraphs of his paperwork much more interesting.

"I'll leave this over here, okay, senpai?" Megumi placed the bag on the back of the chair, as worry laced her feature.

"Tadokoro-kun," Isshiki called, catching her off guard, "I can feel you in my mind. I know Nakiri-kun sent you to use your happiness inducement."

"No!" she defended, "I mean, I volunteered to come here. We've all been worried about you for weeks. Perhaps I can help you with your grief—"

"Tadokoro-kun, please…" he begged weakly, "I just want to be alone."

"If you need anything, we are all here for you." Before leaving, Megumi turned from the doorway, "Senpai, I'm very sorry for your loss."

His pen stopped — frozen, hovering above the page in his shaking grip. Finally looking up to Megumi, he smiled sadly, letting the tiredness and droop in his eyes show.

"I know…" he choked, "I know…"


AN: Okay, okay, I know… I'll be going to sit in the corner by myself now. T_T

First of all, I would really like to thank polar-stars, yourmoontothenightsky and everyone who helped me with ability suggestions for characters. Your guy's support really helped me continue to write through this, so THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I know this will be a very 50/50 fic, especially considering the ending and the heavy angst involved. It's also my first time writing like a real sex scene… so please bear with me… I also know there tends to be a very fine line between what people consider love and an unhealthy relationship… but I've always wanted to write two things: spies and empathic people. So, I decided to combine the two and you know what, I'm proud of my work!

I'm sorry it became so long. I acknowledge it probably would have been better as a multi-chapter fic instead of a one-shot, but I had already started. Sorry, if the skips between seem kind of confusing, and I know I didn't really explain the setting or the whole power/ability set up very clearly. I couldn't fit everything I initially planned to so I might elaborate more on my tumblr if anyone is curious about the others or about the story in general.

I hope you all enjoyed this really long fic. I greatly appreciate criticism and reviews. Now, I'll probably get back to BoL now XD.