Darker than Black: A Heart is Not Black
Chapter Twelve: The Calm After a Kiss
Naoyasu stood outside Misaki's apartment to listen in on his daughter. He was pleased there were no signs of BK-201 in her home. He believed his daughter wasn't helping a contractor, but she was hiding something from him. It was obvious she was pretending to be sick, and it made him think that his daughter had someone with her. Probably some sleazy ex-boyfriend of hers he hated. The only way he could be certain was to spy on her.
Naoyasu heard a noise coming from Misaki's apartment, and then she had yelled out, "Li-kun?" He was right; there was a guy with his baby girl. He checked his memory, and didn't recognize the name. A sliding sound echoed through the door, which Naoyasu figured she had opened her balcony door. The man named Li said something, but it was too faint to hear.
His thoughts were interrupted as he heard someone exiting the elevator, making him look over his shoulder to see Kanami walking towards him.
"Kirihara-san?" she greeted. "Did you come over to take care of Misaki while she's sick? You're such a good father."
"Hai," Naoyasu smiled. "I was worried about her since she really hasn't missed a day of work in a while. But it would seem she has some company."
"Ah, did you meet Li-kun? She's so lucky to have him. He's so sweet, good looking, and a wonderful cook."
"Ah, yes. He's very nice," he agreed, trying to act as if he had met him. Something clicked in his head. "Li? Is he Chinese?"
"Ah, hai, but don't let that bother you, sir. You wouldn't know he's Chinese since his Japanese is flawless."
Naoyasu held his smile as he bottled up the anger that was building inside him. BK-201 was Chinese, and he would give his badge up if Li weren't BK-201. His stomach turned nauseous to know that his daughter was helping that contractor, and not to mention, it sounded like she may be dating him the way Kanami was talking. It's possible Misaki doesn't know who he is, and he merrily acted like a friend around her, which it angered him more that that monster would deceive her. Naoyasu wanted to storm into Misaki's apartment and kill the man, but he refrained himself from doing such a thing in the presence of Kanami and his daughter. No doubt, she would hate him for the rest of his life if he did.
"Sir. Are you all right?"
"Eh? Oh, Hai. I'm fine," assured Naoyasu, still masking his anger.
Misaki's doorbell rang, causing her to sigh in frustration. Standing from the side of the bed, she exited the room while closing the door to hide Li, walked over to her door, and looked through the peephole to see Kanami and her father. She cursed at their continued persistence to annoy her: her father the most since he was here five minutes ago. Couldn't they leave her be since this might be her only chance to be alone with Li.
She wondered if her father had put his ear to her door to listen in on her, and if he did, how much had he heard. Did Kanami say anything about Li? Misaki knew she was in a tight pinch. She opened the door and gestured them in. Her father was scanning the room again, obviously looking for Li.
"What is it you two? I'm really tired," said Misaki, faking a yawn.
"I just came by to show you what I bought today and thought you might like to get something to eat," chimed Kanami. She started scanning the room, probably wondering if Li was still here to cook them lunch. "Where'd Li-kun go?"
Misaki screamed in her head due to her friend's big mouth, as her right eyelid twitched.
"He's not here," Misaki lied. "And I'm very tired; I want to get some rest."
"Misaki," her father smiled. Misaki could tell it was fake. "You don't have to hide him. I know you're not a little girl anymore, and the way Kanami talks about him, he sounds like a nice guy compared to your ex-boyfriends. I would like to meet him."
Misaki didn't know what to do. There was a possibility that her father didn't know the name Li, but she doubted that. Her father knew Li was here thanks to Kanami, and she knew he wouldn't start anything with him. However, if he worked for the Syndicate, he would tell them that Li was alive and at her apartment. That meant Li was going to have to leave here, and he would be on the run again. Her heart ached at the thought, but she knew he would be fine as long as he had the stone.
She caved in, knowing she wouldn't win with her father. "He's sleeping still. I don't want to wake him. And, Father, you never liked any of my boyfriends. You always chased them away with your badge and gun. How do I know you won't do that with Li?" And other things? Misaki thought.
Misaki's bedroom door opened to show a fatigued Li exiting. He looked up and noticed her company. Misaki looked back at her father to see anger building inside his eyes.
"Li-kun, I'm sorry, did we wake you up with all the noise?" Misaki asked, turning to stare at Li.
"No, I couldn't sleep anyway," said Li tiredly. "You sure do get a lot of company."
"Not usually," Misaki mumbled to herself. "Oh, Li-kun, this is my father."
Li bowed as her father glared at him for a few seconds before returning the compliment. Misaki started to sweat, wondering what her father would do.
"It's nice to meet you, Kirihara-san," greeted Li, smiling. "Would you like to join us for lunch?"
"I would love to," Kanami interrupted and made herself at home.
Misaki could tell that her father was trying hard to hold back his anger, as he looked towards her and smiled, "I'm sorry, sweetie, I have to get back to work."
Her father walked over to the door, opened it, and closed it while trying not to slam it. Li started walking over to the kitchen, as Misaki stopped him by the balcony.
"Li, you have to get out of here," she said to him at a whisper so Kanami couldn't hear. Li looked at her confused. "My father, I think he works for the Syndicate. I'm afraid he might tell them you're here. Go before they come to kill you."
Li didn't answer or seem to care about her warning, which made Misaki a little uneasy. She then felt Li's hand caress her left cheek and smiled while staring into her brown eyes. Slowly closing the gap between them, he placed his other hand behind her neck and pressed his lips against hers surprising her. As they kissed, all of Misaki's worries escaped, as she savored every second of his luscious taste. She longed to taste his sweet lips since their first kiss, and she was happy he did have feelings for her. Wrapping her arms around his body, she pulled him in tight against her body, and didn't part from his lips for what seemed like hours.
xxx
Naoyasu sat in his car as anger pumped through his veins while he watched his daughter kiss BK-201. Reaching inside his glove compartment, he pulled out his gun and aimed it at BK-201's head. He put his finger on the trigger, twitching to pull it, but an image of shooting Misaki instead made him settle the gun on his passenger seat.
He wasn't going to tell the Syndicate BK-201 was at his daughter's house, because they would send a heartless contractor in to take care of him. Misaki might be hurt or killed in the process. This was something he would do on his own to protect his daughter. He didn't know how, but sometime tonight, he would make sure his daughter didn't get involved with the ruthless killer.
xxx
Misaki and Li were still interlocked in their kiss while Kanami sat on her couch watching them, as if she were enjoying a movie. Misaki didn't want to, but she pulled slightly away from Li.
"Please, Li…" began Misaki in a whisper.
Li ignored it and pulled her up against him to press his lips against hers. Misaki melted into his taste, but tried to push herself away again.
"Li, please," she pleaded, still whispering. Li kissed her jaw line, moved slowly towards her ear, and then back to her lips. "You…have to…get out of… here. They'll kill…you."
Li slowly pulled his lips away, looked into her eyes, and smiled.
"It'll be all right," he assured.
He leaned in for one last kiss, and then departed her side to walk into the kitchen to grab a pot out of a cabinet. However, as he bent over, he fell and passed out.
"Li-kun!" Misaki yelled out, running over to him.
Kanami's eyes widened from him passing out, and ran over to help.
"What happened?" she asked.
"He was in an accident to where he received a concussion," replied Misaki. "Please help me get him back to bed."
Misaki picked up Li under his arms, as Kanami lifted him up by his legs, and carried him into her room to lay him down. Kanami noticed blood dripping down his right shoulder. Misaki wanted to ask Kanami for help to get him out of here, but that might strike up too many questions, and that was the last thing she needed.
"I'll be right back. I need to go get some new bandages out of the bathroom," mentioned Misaki.
"No, I'll get them," Kanami offered. "You should stay here with him."
Kanami left the room while Misaki continued to watch Li. She wanted to take him to a hospital, but what Yin had said echoed through her mind. It was convenient for someone to enter the hospital room and kill him in his sleep. Li was safer here to regain his strength.
Walking over to her nightstand, she opened her drawer and pulled out a gun. She pulled out an arm strap, set the gun in it, and hid it under her shirt. If the Syndicate sent someone tonight to kill him, could she protect him?
Kanami returned with a first aid kit, as Misaki removed his shirt to reveal bandages soaked in blood. She removed them, allowing blood to seep from the small wounds on his upper chest and shoulder. She took the kit from Kanami and started treating his wounds.
"Oh, my. He really hurt himself badly," said Kanami concerned. She looked down and noticed blood on his leg too. "I'm surprised he was even able to do all that cooking for you earlier."
"Hai, I know," replied Misaki. "I'm afraid he did it all for me, though. I shouldn't have let him."
"I don't think you could have stopped him. He was probably really hungry and knew you were a terrible cook," Kanami chuckled, trying to cheer up Misaki.
Misaki looked over at her upset, but then smiled.
"What exactly happened?" Kanami inquired.
Misaki didn't answer her question at first, as she tried to think up a logical answer.
"Remember the incident two days ago at Shinjuku Station and the contractor who attacked a lot of people there?" reminded Misaki.
"Hai," nodded Kanami.
"Li was one of many who were injured by the contractor's attack."
She wasn't really lying to Kanami since he was there, and she didn't need to know Li was the one the contractor was after. This excuse could at least explain the injuries on his chest and leg.
"He was involved in the station attack?" Kanami screamed. "Misaki, he should be at the hospital, not here in your bed!"
"He can't go to the hospital!" Misaki accidentally blurted out. She reminded to kick herself in the bottom for opening her big mouth and thought of something fast so not to make her friend suspicious of things. "He's—he's not in the country legally."
"Na—nani? The whole immigrations thing was a lie?"
"Hai. I know I could lose my badge for this, but I don't care if I can be with him. Please, Kanami."
Misaki hated lying to Kanami, and knew her friend would be furious with her if she found out the truth, but she had no other alternative.
"Well, he's really lucky to be alive," commented Kanami moments later. "I heard a few people were killed, even BK-201."
"Hai, I know," replied Misaki.
"At least he's got you here to take care of him, and I'm a pretty good cook, so you go ahead and take care of Li-kun, and I will make us something to eat."
Misaki blinked at Kanami baffled. "Kanami, you don't have to…" she began.
"It's all right. I want to help out too."
Misaki looked at her friend surprised. There was no way she would take no for an answer, but Misaki hoped she would at least leave before nightfall. She didn't want to see her mixed up in this mess to where she ended up being killed.
"Arigatou," Misaki smiled.
Kanami returned the gesture and left the room to cook something while Misaki finished bandaging Li's chest. After she was finished, she rounded the bed, sat next to him to rest his head on her lap, and ran her fingers through his hair.
"Please get better, Li. I don't want to lose you," Misaki muttered.
Kanami came back into the room with some food to see Misaki had falling asleep next to Li on her bed. She smiled at them, pleased that Misaki had finally given into her feelings towards him. Glancing at Li's shoulder, she knew that those marks had come from NS-719, so she knew Misaki wasn't lying about that, but there was something wrong about him. She wished her friend would trust her and tell her what was going on. Misaki's father seemed to be on edge, and it felt to her that he was lying about meeting Li.
All things aside, Kanami knew her friend needed her, and she decided to crash on the couch for the rest of the day. She hoped her friend had a good selection of movies to watch.
xxx
Hei woke up to find himself surrounded by nothing but a white fog.
"Brother!" his sister's voice called out to him.
He looked behind him to see his sister smiling. Approaching him as if she was floating on a cloud, she raised her right hand up. As Bai reached him, she placed her hand above his heart, and then let it seep into him, along with the rest of her body. He turned around to see if she had passed through him, but there was no sign of her.
Suddenly, Amber appeared before him. She seemed fine, but her body language showed uneasiness for a contractor.
"Amber?" Hei questioned. "What's going on? Where's my sister?"
The white light grew brighter, causing him to close his eyes. He felt someone wrap his or her arms around him, believing it had been Amber, and then he found himself falling. Wrapping his arms around the person holding him, he braced for the sudden stop.
However, it never came.
Instead, his body seemed to be hovering, but then he felt something soft underneath him. He reopened his eyes to see he was lying on the ground. It seemed to Hei he had been dreaming the whole event.
Hei stood while slowly looking around, not knowing where he was. The trees were leafless, and the air was a cloud of smoke. There wasn't any sign of Havac or other contractors. He started to run in the direction of the Gate.
"Bai, Bai! Where are you? BAI!" Hei screamed out hysterically. "BAI!"
Even though he knew he was lost, Hei ran through the woods for hours, but couldn't find Bai, Havoc, Amber, or even Heaven's Gate. He kept running on while screaming out for his sister, and becoming fatigued to the point of almost passing out.
Suddenly something hit him from behind hard, knocking him down onto the ground. Painfully looking over his shoulder, he saw a man highlighted in blue, with crimson red eyes, walking towards him. The contractor, blending in with the trees due to his green spandex outfit, swung an air-like whip at Hei, wrapped it around to pin his waist and arms together, and flung him hard onto a tree to knock the breath out of him. Tying his whip around Hei and the tree, the contractor slowly walked up to him.
Hei glared at him devilishly, as he fought with his restraints. The contractor took his hand and wrapped it around Hei's neck.
"I would have just choked you with my whip, but I couldn't let you have access to your wire. Beside, I'm going to have more fun killing the Black Reaper with my bare hands. Die, Black Reaper."
The contractor tightened his grip around Hei's neck like a vice grip. Cringing from the sudden pain, Hei struggled to breathe and continued to wrestle against the air-like whip, as he tried to move his right arm towards his blade.
"It will do you no good, Black Reaper!" shouted the contractor. "You'll be dead before you can remove your knife! Just give into the abyss that will overwhelm you in a matter of seconds!"
Hei growl-hissed while he grinded his teeth, thinking he was going to die at the hands of a monster. Fatigued, his vision became hazy, making him close his eyes and search for strength to fight against his demise. Feeling his hand grip the handle of his blade, he summoned the energy he needed to cut the contractor's throat. Suddenly the sound of electricity crackled before him. The contractor screamed from extraordinary pain and released his hold on Hei.
Hei opened his eyes to watch the contractor fall, dying as he said, "What…How…?"
He hit the ground with his eyes still wide open.
"Bai!" shouted Hei excitedly.
He looked around for her, hoping to see those beautiful eyes before she passed out, but there was no sign of her. Hei then heard people yelling through the woods. Seconds later, five men in black with machine guns surrounded him.
Hei grabbed his wire and blades as one of the men yelled out, "Die Reaper."
While throwing his blade at the man's stomach, he threw his wire onto a tree and swung away, as the other men opened fire where he stood. Hiding behind the tree while the men fired at it, Hei hooked his wire to his other blade and threw it down toward another man, stabbing him in the head. The remaining men surrounded the tree and fired, as the Black Reaper swung over to the next tree, and threw his blade into another one's head.
Hei jumped from the tree, ran over to the dead body, and removed his blade from the man's skull. One of the remaining men opened fired at him, but Hei took cover behind a tree, as the bullets impaled the bark. The man continued firing, destroying the trees and tearing up the ground, until his gun ran out of bullets. Using the opportunity to charge at him, the Black Reaper held out one of his blades, screaming his sister's name in rage. Electricity ran through the blade while he whipped it to cut the man's throat. Hei looked at his hand flabbergasted, as he wondered what had happened. Pushing it aside, he took cover behind another tree as someone else fired at him. Suddenly the gun jammed. Hei charged at the new attacker while gripping his blade firmly, causing electricity to flow through it again, and sliced the man's chest.
Breathing out heavily, he sluggishly started walking through the deserted woods and began wondering if he was going to wake up from the nightmare. First, there was the explosion, then his sister disappearing before his eyes, and now it seemed he had her power.
"Bai!" Hei called out. "Bai, where are you?"
He heard another platoon of men yelling, and then saw khaki camouflage scrounging through the murky terrain. Hei readied his blade for another fight.
"Hei, is that you!" a man's voice yelled. "Men, don't fire, he's one of ours."
A man built similar to Hei, with the same haircut dyed red, walked up to him. Hei recognized his friend he had trained with and lowered his weapon.
"Daisuke?" Hei asked flabbergasted. "What happened, why are you here? Where's Bai?"
"Well, we were hoping you could tell us," replied Daisuke. "Two days ago there was an explosion here and quite a few contractors and humans were killed. Heaven's Gate has disappeared and no one can seem to get anywhere near where it use to be. Many organizations have sent their soldiers out to look for anyone still alive. So far you're the only one we found."
"Two days ago?" questioned Hei. "But it just happened this morning."
"Are you feeling all right?" Daisuke asked, eyeing him concerned with his brown eyes. "Did you hit your head during the blast?"
"I'm fine. You said no one else but me?"
"Hai."
Cursing, Hei continued running through the forest looking for his sister and screaming out her name. Daisuke ran up behind him and took a hold of his arm.
"Hei, calm down," he said.
"I got to find my sister to make sure she's alive."
"We know she's alive, Hei. We just got a call saying her star was active not to far from this area a little while ago. That's why we came here, so calm down, we'll find her."
Hei looked at Daisuke stunned, and then at his hands while wondering what had happened. He had searched everywhere in this area, and he had been the only one around besides the platoon that had attacked him. In addition, he had somehow sent electricity through his blade when he killed two of them. Did he set off Bai's star? Did he somehow gain his sister's power? No, it couldn't be true.
He then realized he hadn't passed out yet. Sitting under a tree, he tried to summon electricity in his hands again, but nothing happened and figured his mind was playing tricks on him.
A jeep arrived a little later, as Daisuke greeted the men inside. They exited the vehicle and followed him over to Hei.
"Hei, these men are going to take you back to base while we continue to search for survivors," informed Daisuke.
"No, I want to stay here and help find Bai," objected Hei.
"Hei, your body's in no condition, you need to rest and eat. Go back to base."
Daisuke gestured the men to take Hei.
"NO, I NEED TO FIND BAI!" screamed Hei, electricity flowing throughout his body, causing the men who were holding him to jolt back from the shock.
Everyone looked at Hei flabbergasted, as Hei fell to his knees and sat motionless. After a minute, he looked at the men lying knocked out on the ground, and then raised his hands up to stare at them.
"Why… why…Bai?" he questioned, shaking his head in disbelief.
"BAI!" he shouted, looking up at the sky.
xxx
Misaki woke to realize she had slept most of the day, as the sun began to set. She stood and yawned from exhaustion while heading for the toilet, but stopped as she noticed Kanami had falling asleep on her couch watching a movie. Keeping the lights off in order to let her friend sleep, she entered her closet, and pulled out a couple of blankets to place them over Kanami. She thought about waking her incase the Syndicate attacked Li tonight, but she didn't know how to persuade her friend to leave.
Her stomach growled a little, making her fix something to eat. Halfway through her lunch, she heard noises coming from her bedroom and went to check on Li. Noticing him tossing and turning in the bed, she could tell he was having another nightmare and went over to try to wake him up.
"Li, wake up Li."
"No…Bai…" he screamed in his sleep.
She flinched at him having another dream about his sister.
"Hei, please wake up," she said, shaking him. "Hei."
He jolted up and shouted, "No…BAI!"
Li was breathing heavily and sweating from head to toe. He gazed around the room, and then stared at Misaki.
"You were having another nightmare," informed Misaki.
"Ah, I'm sorry. Did I wake you?" he asked, as he slowed his breathing.
"No, I was already up. Is Bai your sister?"
Li looked at her stunned.
"You keep calling out for that name in your sleep."
"Ah, hai."
"Is that her code name? I mean, I don't know much Chinese, but it's just like the Japanese name. Bai means white, right? It matches well with Hei, which the Chinese reading is black in Japanese."
Hei looked at her baffled. "You've studied Chinese?"
"Eh, well, I kind of got interested after our time at Alice's party," Misaki blushed.
"Really? Eh, hai. That was her code name."
"I'm surprised you would call your sister by that."
"I had a hard time calling her by her real name when she became a contractor," Li frowned while averting his eyes, but then smiled, "She always called me brother, though."
"What is her name?"
"Xing," he said still smiling.
"That's a beautiful name," she commented, causing Li to look over at her.
"She was beautiful."
"That's why you said Li is dead to me, because you are a contractor." Li's eyes widened in shock at her comment, and then looked down morosely. "Don't forget you were the one who told me you're human, and I will call you Li until you decide to tell me your real name."
Li looked at Misaki flabbergasted, as if he knew she was right, but he couldn't see himself returning to that life. Suddenly, Li's stomach growled loudly, causing Misaki to burst out in laughter.
"Hungry?" Misaki asked, smirking.
"Hai," replied Li embarrassed.
"I'll be right back."
"No, Misaki, I can…"
"It's all right. Kanami made some food for us. I'll just heat it up in the microwave. Please rest; I don't want you collapsing on me again."
Li smiled in agreement.
Misaki exited the room to grab some food out of the fridge, heated it up, and then went back into the room to see Li had fallen asleep. She smiled at him and went to go put the food back into the fridge.
xxx
Naoyasu sat in his car outside Misaki's apartment with his gun in his hand. He was dressed in black clothes to blend in with the night and hoped Misaki and BK-201 were asleep so he could sneak into her apartment and kill him. There might not be a better chance then now since BK-201 was so well trained. Naoyasu reached into a briefcase sitting on the passenger seat, pulled out a silencer, and screwed it into his gun's barrel. After grabbing a black ski mask to throw it on his head, he closed the briefcase, put the gun in a holster under his arm, and exited his car while the streets were deserted.
He took the stairs up to Misaki's apartment. Naoyasu pulled out Misaki's spare key he had received from her, covered his face with his mask, and unlocked the door. Entering, he saw someone lying on her couch wrapped in blankets and figured it was Misaki, pleased to see she wasn't sleeping with BK-201. BK-201 had come out of her bedroom earlier, and figured he was sleeping in there now. It infuriated him to think that a monster like him would be on her bed, under her blankets and taking in her scent. Naoyasu would kill him ten times over for that alone.
He carefully tiptoed past Misaki, stepped before the bedroom, and opened the door to see BK-201 sound asleep on her bed. Anger built up inside him as he pulled out his gun and aimed it at him.
"Please forgive me, Misaki," he mumbled to himself, as he began to pull on the trigger.
Suddenly someone pressed a gun to his back and clicked off the safety.
"Don't move," demanded his daughter. "Drop your gun, put your hands up, and turn around slowly."
Naoyasu did as his daughter asked, as Misaki slowly backed away while keeping her gun on him. Naoyasu unexpectedly kicked at her gun and knocked it out of her hands. He picked up his gun, as Misaki slid for hers, and pointed it at her father while he aimed his at BK-201.
"Drop your weapon," Misaki demanded.
Ignoring her, Naoyasu glared devilishly at the man who had stolen her heart.
"I said drop your weapon!" yelled Misaki, waking BK-201. He sat up and glared down Naoyasu's barrel. "If you don't I will shoot."
Kanami awoke from the commotion, scurried over to Misaki's bedroom door, and stared on shocked at the standoff.
"What's going on?" she inquired, wiping the tiredness from her eyes.
His anger building up, Naoyasu tighten his grip on the trigger, causing Misaki to fire and knock the gun out of his hand.
"Kick the gun away from you, and put your hands on your head," demanded Misaki.
Naoyasu didn't plan on Misaki being awake at this hour. He didn't want her to know it was he, but he couldn't think of any way out of this mess. His daughter was too skilled for him. Doing what she asked, Misaki walked up behind him, held the gun to his back and pulled his mask off. BK-201 looked at him dumbfounded.
"You're under arrest for breaking and entering," began Misaki, as she turned him around. "You have the right… Father?"
Misaki and Kanami stared at him shocked.
The room became silent as they waited for the other to speak and explain or ask what was going on.
"Wha—what…?" Kanami muttered, trying to make sense of things.
"Why?" Misaki asked.
Naoyasu looked at his daughter somberly, and answered, "I did it for you, Misaki. I did it to protect you."
"What?" Misaki asked, as Kanami looked at them confused.
"He's a murderer, Misaki. I couldn't let you get mixed up with him. He might kill you."
"A murderer?" Kanami questioned.
"Father, he wouldn't do that," said Misaki hurtfully to him.
"He's a contractor, Misaki," her father yelled. Kanami's eyes widened disbelievingly. "He doesn't have any feelings for you. He's been lying to you."
"No, he hasn't. His feelings are true." She paused for a second and looked over at Hei to smile at him. "And I…I…I love him."
Kanami smiled at her friend, as Hei looked at her dumbfounded. Naoyasu's blood boiled to the point where he would have a heart attack from his daughter's answer, and turned around to grab her gun while she was distracted. Misaki freaked as he pushed her aside and aimed the gun at BK201's head.
"Father, no!"
"Die, BK-201!" he yelled, firing the gun.
Unfortunately, BK-201 moved his head out of the bullet's path, grabbed the barrel with his left hand and sent an electric shock through his body. Naoyasu lost consciousness and fell on his stomach.
"What, how can that be?" Kamami asked, looking at Li standing over Naoyasu. "BK-201 died. His star, it's gone. How?"
Misaki ignored her friend's confusion and ran over to embrace Li.
"Are you all right?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her.
Misaki looked down at her father, as a tear ran down her cheek.
"Hai. You need to get out of here. I'm sure they'll send someone else to kill you."
"Are you sure you'll be all right?"
"I'll be fine. I'm just surprised they would send my father to kill you."
"I don't think your father told them I was here." Misaki looked at him confused. "He came here by himself because he didn't want to see you get hurt. If he would have told them, they would have sent a contractor here instead."
Misaki wanted to believe what he said, but she still showed fear in her eyes.
"Okay, what's going on?" demanded Kanami. "Two days ago BK-201's star died? Li's been hurt by NS-719, and now Kirihara-san came over here to kill Li, who is suppose to be BK-201! Kirihara-san must be mistaken him for someone else, right?"
Misaki glanced up to stare into Li's midnight blue eyes.
"You're right, Kanami. BK-201 died," she smiled, before leaning forward and kissing him. They didn't part from each other, as the corrupt world around them vanished.
Smiling at the couple, Kanami sighed, knowing she wouldn't get any answers from them now and walked over to the balcony. She looked up at the stars confused. BK-201's star used to shine brighter than any of the other stars, but now it was gone. Who exactly was Li? He used electricity just like BK-201, but contractors did have the same abilities. In addition, Li seemed too emotional to be a contractor. Her friend had a lot of explaining to do.
Naoyasu slowly woke up to see BK-201 was sitting on Misaki's bed and holding her in his arms while she sat between his legs. He glared at him devilishly. How dare a thing like him put his hands all over her body?
"Get away from my daughter, you murderer," he shouted, as he stood.
"Why, Father?" Misaki asked with dismal eyes.
"Because, he's a contractor…"
"Not that, Father. Why do you work for the Syndicate?"
Kanami entered the room and looked at them confused, as Misaki's eyes burned with fury at her father. He didn't answer her question.
"I have the right to know," she stated angrily, standing up from the bed.
Naoyasu could see the anger that had built inside her from the lies and deceit she had to endure.
"All right," he caved in. "I joined years ago, when you were in high school. I was a detective like you at the time, but I didn't know about contractors. I was meeting your mother for dinner while you went over to Kanami's to eat. There was a man who ran by me being chased by other police officers concerning a robbery. I went for my gun while demanding for him to stop, but he kept on running. I took a shot at the man, which caused him to highlight in blue, and then made the bullet ricochet off him to fire back at me. I didn't see her, but your mother had come up behind me, as I ducked out of the bullets path, and it struck her instead.
"I held her in my arms, blaming myself for being so careless, but she had said it wasn't, it was hers. She died moments later. I had never cried so much in my lifetime than I had that day.
"The next day I was approached by a man in a gray suit who had said, 'Join our organization, or lose your memories of your wife and daughter.' I don't have to tell you what I chose."
Misaki looked at her father shocked, as a tear fell from her eye.
"Why haven't you tried to leave?" Kanami asked.
"I didn't want to leave," he replied. "They had the necessities of getting rid of the ones who murdered my wife. Besides, once you're in you can never leave. Ask your boyfriend, Misaki. He was sent to kill many of those who betrayed them. That's why you can't see him, he's a killer."
"You don't know him. He's not like that anymore," replied Misaki.
"I… I don't know him?" questioned her father, his eyelids rising in disbelief. "Who do you think gave him the orders to kill?"
Misaki looked at her father shocked. She thought he was some pawn in the Syndicate, but he was much higher than that. Just how big was this organization?
"Well, I guess that makes you no better than a contractor, Father," stated Misaki.
Her father looked at her stunned by her comment, but then reality hit him as he realized what he had been doing. He was killing people without even pulling the trigger, which was worse than a contractor who followed orders.
"Father, I know you, you're not a killer," continued Misaki. "Please, help us. You have to know some of the top agents. We can go after them and arrest them."
Naoyasu shook his head.
"There's no way, they're too big," he informed. "They don't just have people working here in Japan. They're in England, Germany, the United States, and many other big counties. They not only have people working in the police, but government offices and the Military. I don't even know where the headquarters is, if they even have one."
Misaki was wrong; he was a pawn. She sighed in frustration and wondered how they could take down an organization like that? Hei went over to comfort Misaki.
"Li, Hourai was right," began Misaki. "There's no way you can hide from them. They'll…"
Hei placed his fingertip on her lips.
"I don't want to worry about it," he said.
Hei leaned forward to kiss her. Misaki melted into his taste and wrapped her arms around him.
Naoyasu stared at his daughter stunned. How easily Hei's touch calmed her and put her at peace. Her worries seemed to whither away, and the only thing that existed for her was Hei. The last time he had seen her like that was with her mother. Naoyasu frowned at the thought of a contractor having the potential to do such a thing, but he found himself smiling at her happiness.
"You really do love him," her father commented.
Misaki slowly pulled away from him, and responded, "Hai, I do, Father."
Her father sighed while cursing at what he was about to do.
"The Syndicate thinks you're dead because of the stone you're carrying," he mentioned, looking at Hei. "Your team was my own project. No one higher up than me knows your identity. Still, many out there know your face. If you want to survive, you should leave the city."
"Father?"
His eyes narrowed at him. "If you hurt my daughter, I will kill you."
"So does this mean you'll leave the Syndicate?" Misaki asked.
"No, Misaki," he replied. "I told you, once you're in, there's no leaving."
"But…?" began Misaki, but her father stood to leave her apartment.
Misaki went to go after him, but Li grabbed her by the arm, and held her back.
"But…" mumbled Misaki.
"He's right, Misaki," informed Li. "I've been on the run from their attacks since I destroyed their machine. If it wasn't for yours and Yin's help, I would be dead."
"But if they find out he knew about you, then they'll still kill him."
"He'll be all right," comforted Li.
"All right, Misaki. What's going on?" demanded Kanami. Suddenly Li's stomach let out a loud growl, which caused Kanami to look around the room startled. "What was that?"
"Ah," began Li, as he scratched the back of his head embarrassed. "I guess I'm a little hungry."
"That was your stomach?"
"Hai," he replied, as his cheeks turned beet red.
"Well then, I guess you guys can tell me everything while we sit down and eat the food I cooked for you earlier."
Misaki and Li smiled as they sat to eat.
Kanami stared flabbergasted at how much food Li could stuff into his stomach. She thought she had made enough food to last four days, but he ate it in less than a half an hour. While Misaki began to fill in Kanami about the Syndicate, Li continued stuffing his face with noodles. She told her BK-201 and her father worked for them, and spilled the beans that Li was BK-201, causing Kanami to choke on her noodles and pound on her chest to swallow it.
"But how is that possible?" she inquired, and then wiped her mouth. "His star died?"
"We were entrusted with a stone that can prevent Dolls from finding whomever holds it," replied Misaki. "It can also hide his or her star."
"Is there really such a thing?" she asked stunned. "I've never heard of it." Dropping his chopsticks, Li reached into his pocket to pull out a bag, removed a stone to set on the table and then returned to devouring his umpteenth bowl. Kanami looked at him flabbergasted. "Is he really BK-201?"
"Hai," replied Misaki.
"I guess he's not that scary without his mask, is he?"
"Hai."
Kanami watched as Li continued to slurp a few strands of noodles into his mouth.
"Is that his obeisance?"
Tipping over his bowl, he dumped his food onto his lap after Kanami's comment, causing Misaki and Kanami to burst out into laughter. Li stared at them bewildered with noodles hanging out of his mouth. He sucked them up, wiped his mouth, and began to laugh with the women.
xxx
Kanami dragged Misaki out shopping while Hei stayed behind to get some rest. Misaki didn't want to leave Hei alone in fear he might do something irrational. He had told her he would be fine, but if she were concerned, he mentioned Yin could watch him until she returned. His statement seemed to have upset her. Hei wished he could spend some quality time with her, but it was too dangerous for a dead person like him to be waltzing around in public. Besides that, he didn't have the energy. He also would have liked the chance to pick out a new jacket since his other one had been shredded into nothing.
Hei tried to close his eyes and sleep, but he kept on tossing and turning, and before he knew it, three hours had passed. He decided to depart the bed and took a bath.
Twenty minutes into it, he decided to step from it, grabbed a towel, and dried off his battered and bruised muscular body. Suddenly the doorbell rang. Hei, believing it was Yin, dressed and walked slowly over to the door to open it. He stood frozen stiff at the person standing before him.
"Li-kun?" Saitou screeched. Hei cursed in his head for being a moron and not checking the peephole first. "What are you doing here? Where's the Chief?"
Maybe staying at Misaki's was a bad idea since too many people knew he was here now.
Hei couldn't come up with an answer to Saitou's first question and simply answered, "She's out shopping with Kanami."
"What are you doing here?" Saitou repeated.
He searched his mind for an answer, but nothing came up, which made him figure he was losing his touch. He thought about electrocuting him so he wouldn't have to answer, but that would have been a terrible mistake. However, if he did come up with a reasonable answer, Saitou would still invite himself in, and Hei wouldn't get his rest: even though he wasn't getting any.
Saitou noticed his wet hair, and knew he had used Misaki's shower.
"April was right. You and the Chief are seeing each other," he stated ruefully.
Remembering that Saitou liked Misaki, he thought for a second and answered, "No, I'm in the process of moving. My apartment's not ready yet, and Misaki was kind enough to repay the favor of letting her stay at my place."
"Really?" Saitou said relieved.
"Hai," he replied, looking as if he was going to pass out.
"Are you all right, Li-kun? You seem a little pale."
The elevator door opened to reveal Misaki and Kanami walking out with tons of bags in their hands. Misaki stared at Saitou stunned, and then glared displeasingly at Hei while she approached them.
"Saitou, what brings you by?" she asked.
"I just came over to check on you, Chief," responded Saitou. "How are you feeling?"
"That's very kind, I'm doing much better. Would you like to stay for lunch?"
"No, I don't want to bother you. You seem to have a lot of company over anyway."
"Ah, don't worry. We have plenty of food," Kanami said. "At least, I hope we bought enough food."
"With Li-kun, who knows?" Saitou indicated, pointing back at Hei with his thumb.
Kanami and Misaki started laughing, as Saitou joined in. Hei stared at them lost for words but then smiled. Saitou took some of the bags from Misaki, entered the apartment with the women following, and set them on the kitchen counter. Hei tried to take the other bags from Misaki, but she wouldn't let him.
"You need to be resting," she whispered. "And why did you get up to answer the door anyways?"
"I thought he was Yin."
"That's what peepholes are for." She sighed. "Besides, I gave Yin a key. She must have come in when you decided to take a bath. I just saw her peek her head out of the bedroom."
Misaki gestured Hei to sit at the table, as she and Kanami pulled out piles of take out, and placed them on the table. Misaki walked into her bedroom, and exited it moments later with Yin. Hei figured she had asked her to join them. They sat around the table and began to eat.
Saitou left after they had finished eaten. Hei went to go rest on the couch, as Misaki and Kanami pulled out the shopping bags. Yin sat in silence at the table.
"Guess what we bought," Kanami chimed, with a little too much excitement while reaching into the bags to pull out a white graphic v-neck t-shirt, and a pair of dark blue low-cut bootlegged jeans.
Hei stared at the clothes puzzled, and then looked back up at Misaki and Kanami.
"Thank you," he smiled.
"I hope you like them," replied Misaki.
"Hai."
"I also picked this out for you." Misaki reached into another bag to pull out a medium length black leather jacket. Hei looked at her dumbfounded. "Do you like it?"
"Ah, hai," replied Hei. "But how did you know?"
"Yin had told me that NS-719 had completely shredded your green jacket."
"Thank god," mumbled Kanami, as Hei looked over at Yin.
"She also said that the Syndicate had sent someone over to your last apartment, completely tore the place up, and ruined your clothes. We also bought a few more outfits for you too."
Hei stood from the couch.
"I don't know what to say," he said. He walked over to Misaki and kissed her. "Thank you."
"Ah, you don't have to thank us," replied Kanami. "Go ahead and try them on."
"I'm sorry, but I'm a little ti…"
"Ah, then let me help you," blurted out Kanami, as Misaki grabbed her friend to push her out of the room, and closed the door behind her.
Misaki walked back over to Hei and held him in her arms, as she rested her head against his chest.
"I missed you," she said, ignoring her friend who seemed a little upset.
Hei sat on the couch again, as Misaki settled next to him. He wrapped his arm around her while Misaki laid her head on his chest.
Earlier Hei had a hard time sleeping, but as he sat next to Misaki, he fell asleep with no problem.
The rest of the week Misaki decided to return to work. Li wouldn't heal if everybody kept checking on her. Yin stayed with him to keep him company, and keep him out of trouble. When she came home from a tiring day, she was pleased to see Li still at her place. On days where she came home after nightfall, he would be fast asleep in her bed. Misaki would crawl under her covers, and cuddle up beside him while forgetting about her troubles.
Li's health slowly improved through the weeks. Kanami came by occasionally to check up on him, but Misaki believed her friend was hoping he was well enough to cook, or sneak-a-peek at them kissing.
At the beginning of the following week, Misaki came home late one day to smell something delicious and noticed her dinner was waiting for her on the table. She smiled at the generous thought, but then wondered where Li was. Noticing him sitting on the couch asleep, Misaki walked over to the couch and leaned over to give him a quick peck on the lips, but Li woke up to throw her onto his lap and kiss her.
"You're looking good," she commented, gazing into his eyes.
"Hai," he smiled while removing her glasses. "Thank you for everything."
Misaki's heart ached at his words.
"I guess this means you'll be leaving soon," she moaned, as a tear fell from her eye.
Li kept his eyes on her and wiped away her tear.
"I can't stay here," he whispered.
"I don't want you to leave."
"I don't want to either, but if I stay here, the Syndicate is bound to find and kill me. And if they find out about you, they will kill you too. I couldn't live with myself if you died."
Misaki embraced him as tears poured down her cheeks and onto his shoulder.
"Please stay with me a little longer."
Li caressed her cheeks and leaned forward to kiss her. She savored every bit of his sweet lips.
Standing up from the couch, he held Misaki in his arms and carried her to bed. He laid her down and lay over her body with his hands pressed against the bed to support his weight. Smiling, he gazed into her beautiful eyes before kissing her again. Misaki's blood began to run warmer, as she ran her hands along his bare chest, and wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him close to her. Their kissing intensified. Li slowly unbuttoned her shirt, kissing down the middle of her chest, as he exposed her skin.
As Li continued to kiss her, all of Misaki's worries escaped her. All she thought about was Li's touch against her body, as they continued to make love.
To be continued…
xxx
A/N: This chapter is for Mirokus wife, Chimera-ally and everyone that wanted to see more kissing since chapter 6. Hope everyone enjoyed. Thanks for reading.
