Author's Note: Hello! Hope everyone is doing well! Another chapter for everyone, so I hope you all enjoy!

If you didn't notice, the side story for 65 reviews is now up and it's called Fire and Faith. There are two other side stories, Bookworm and A Red String, and I think you should read those too!

I hope to get the next chapter out sooner than a month later, like these last ones. We're coming up on the two-year anniversary of Little Sparrow next month and I think it'd be fun to do something special. So if any of my readers has any ideas, let me know in a review or PM.

As always, leave a review with your thoughts. Please enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own Suzumi and my plot, but Voltage owns the men of the auctions, etc.

It's a game we can't escape
But we don't have to let them beat us
We can take control
In the flames we find our freedom

Ignite - Fireflight

Twenty-Five

During her time spent at the Tres Spades with the men of the auctions, Suzumi had had multiple encounters with each. She'd gotten especially close with Eisuke and Ota, who'd taken her under their wings like brothers. She was an only child in her old life, so she was foreign to the idea of what siblings were like. But if she had to guess, the protective and doting tendencies each had towards her fit the bill. However, one bidder she'd spent little time with alone was Mamoru Kishi.

It wasn't that she was afraid of him because he was a cop, nor that he was a man. It wasn't his smokestack tendencies or the fact that he was constantly sleeping up until the last couple of days. It was simply because he and Soryu didn't get along. It was natural to shy away from someone who made her loved one angry or irritated but from her experience, she could tell Kishi was a good guy. Other than the fact he enjoyed riling Soryu up, of course. But Soryu wasn't innocent in their interactions either.

Working with him in the VIP staircase was a new experience and Suzumi was pleasantly surprised that Mamoru was a diligent worker when he actually put effort into it. One staircase ahead of him, she was able to keep glancing down as he scoured the undersides of the stairs and the walls of the tunnel. His eyes were uncharacteristically sharp, his face taut with a searching concentration. Three sets up and she'd found nothing, but she wasn't exactly sure what she really was looking for. Did bombs look like they did in movies? In cartoons? A tangle of wires or just a big clock counting down? Dynamite sticks with red and green wires?

"Kid, you okay?"

Startled, Suzumi jumped, nearly teetering on the edge of the landing and only caught herself on Kishi's sleeve.

"Steady, there. Didn't mean t'startle ya." He grabbed her forearms to steady her and pulled her away from the edge. "You get distracted or something?"

Suzumi nodded. "A little. I got to thinking. I don't even really know what I'm looking for. What does a bomb look like?"

Mamoru shrugged. "Could look like anything. I dunno what this one looks like."

"What?!" Mouth agape, she couldn't help the twitch in her eye at his blasé words. "What do you mean?"

"Bombs, whether they're professional or homemade all look different depending on the materials made and who made them."

"But how are we going to find this one then? And the others in the city?"

Sighing, the detective patted his pockets for a moment, obviously looking for his smokes. Failing to produce anything, he let out a muttered curse and ran a hand through his hair. "There's gonna be somethin' in the building that doesn't look right. It might look stereotypical, it may not. But we'll know it when we see it. It will be outta place and if they wanna bring down the building, prolly larger than just what could fit in our hands. Let's keep going, I wanna head back to the penthouse soon."

Suzumi nodded and headed up the next set of stairs, running her hands along the railing and scanning each step. Just as she turned on the landing, she spotted something out of the corner of her eye and stopped. It looked like a forgotten item, something that would have fallen out of a pocket in the momentum of continuing up flights of stairs. That was her first thought as she turned her head away, but as the gears in her head halted, it was as if things clicked into place and she walked to stand over the black piece. Small, almost cube shaped, it looked as though it was homemade, the black looking to be electrical tape, but had several minuscule buttons on the face pointing to the ceiling. A tiny LED light blinked red every few seconds, reflecting off of the white wall near where it laid.

"Kishi?"

"Yeah?"

"Um, I think I found something."

It took him less than a moment to climb his way up to the landing where she stood stock still, eyes wide. When he followed her line of sight, he cursed and cautiously slid up next to the device. "Sonofabitch."

"Is that…"

There was a pause before he answered her, his voice harder than she'd ever heard it. "Yeah. This is a bomb. I got some good news an' some bad news. Whaddya wanna hear first?"

"Oh jeez."

"I'll take that as good news." He let out a sigh. "This is tiny. Couldn't do a lot of damage on its own. Not on the scale we were thinking at least."

Suzumi's eyes narrowed as she watched him try to analyze the small cube without touching it. "And the bad news?"

"Well, this probably means there's a lot more of them in the hotel."

"So…"

"So we need to take this, get it deactivated, and tell everyone what to look for specifically."

Frowning, she looked back and forth between the detective and the small bomb. "Are you calling someone in to come down and kill it?"

"Nah. I can do it. Can't really call anyone down to our illegal, black market auction hall, can I?"

Suzumi hummed in agreement.

"Take a quick picture or two of this thing. Go up to the box and call the others, send them all the photo, tell them what to look for and to not touch them til I get a good look at it. I need some quiet so I can concentrate." Mamoru watched as she got closer and took some photos at different angles. "There ya go, that should do it. Tell them not to call me, I don't want to get startled."

"Will it go off if you bump it?"

He shook his head. "Nah. Don't think so. It's set for a time, I think. That or remotely accessed. It would explain why none of us really paid it any attention the night that idiot tried coming up here." He ran a hand through his hair again. "Prolly fell out of his pocket when you flipped him on his ass. More than likely, he was supposed to plant it elsewhere and you proved to be too much of a lure."

"Let me know when you're done? Don't forget I'm up there and go try and take a nap, Kishi!" Suzumi half warned, half teased. She laughed outright at the offended look on his face.

"I do that and Oh will kill me. Don't worry yer pretty head. I'll come up when I kill this thing and we can head back to the penthouse. If it's what I think it is, maybe ten minutes. Go on, then."

Sitting up in the bidder's private box alone, Suzumi took a moment to collect herself. Breathing deeply, she tried to clear her mind before pulling out her phone and sending off texts to the guys filled with the three or four photos she took. The first person to call her was Soryu, which wasn't surprising.

"Are you okay? Where are you? Where was that? What are you doing? Are you okay?"

Suzumi couldn't fight the grin that lit her lips. "I'm fine. I'm in the private box in the auction hall. The bomb is in the stairwell where we caught Ren a few days ago. I'm waiting for Kishi to disable the bomb. And yes, I'm fine."

She could hear him audibly sigh in relief over the phone. "Are you okay?"

"Mm. I'm fine. I'm just meeting with everyone going over details. This is what you're looking for in the hotel?"

"Yeah. Kishi says that there's got to be more of them in the hotel because of their size. Alone, one wouldn't do much. I'm assuming there might be a dozen minimum. Enough to be able to level the building."

"Make sure Samejima and Inui get those photos, too. They can pass the info on to the men in the hotel searching."

Suzumi nodded, despite knowing Soryu couldn't see her. "Of course."

"Good. Be careful, stay safe. Soon as Kishi gives you the all clear, go back to the penthouse or our suite."

"Eisuke said he wants me and Haruka together. I'm assuming to keep an eye on both of us."

"That's actually not a bad idea. I need to go. I should finish my meeting. I'll see you soon."

After saying goodbye, Suzumi sighed as almost immediately, another call started to come through. This time, the caller was Eisuke. She was surprised he hadn't called while she'd been talking to Soryu, but shrugged and answered the call.

It took less than a minute of single line answers to Eisuke's even shorter questions before she found herself talking to Mr Volkonsky and then Baba. Questions she could barely give answers to regarding the bomb itself, she told them only that Kishi was working on disabling it and that he'd have answers for them when he finished. She told them to not call him while he worked to be safe and they agreed and said they would tell the others and only Eisuke seemed irritated at the demand. After about fifteen minutes, filled with phone calls and text messages to the men in her life she'd seemed to accumulate, Suzumi heard Kishi knock on the door to the box before entering.

"All set, kid. We should get back up so we can try and find the others."

Suzumi raised a brow. "You really did mean you'd disarm it quickly. I'm surprised."

"Why the surprise?" he asked, tone full of indignation. His hand automatically went for his breast pocket but came up empty.

"I just forget you actually do things. I guess because every time I've seen you since I've come here, you're asleep. Or smoking. Or drinking. You know, not actually working."

"Shaddup! I'm a real cop, trained and everything!"

Suzumi laughed and pocketed her phone. "I know. Just, what's it called? Perception."

Mamoru sighed and, after running his hands through his hair, jerked his head to the doorway. "Let's get going."

Neither spoke until they got to the mirrored elevator room. The silence hadn't been uncomfortable or stilted, which surprised her. It made the decision she made all the more easier as she steeled herself to speak up.

"Kishi...Mamoru. I have a favor to ask you."

Mamoru's brows rose to hide under his bangs, unable to contain his surprise. Both at her using his first name to him for the first time as well as her asking something of him on her own. Trying to recollect himself, he muttered, "Today's the day for asking me favors, I guess." Louder, he responded, "What's that?"

"Teach me how to use a gun properly."

If he'd had his usual cigarette in his mouth, it would have tumbled from his lips and dropped to the carpet. His mouth and eyes open wide, Mamoru looked at Suzumi with complete surprise written across his face. When he looked down at the small woman, he saw the determined set of her jaw and her sharp gaze. Her eyes met his head on and she didn't look away when his eyes locked on.

"Yer crazy. You ain't got any business being on either end of a gun."

"But I was already at the barrel. Several times. Why shouldn't I have control?"

"Guns are illegal."

"Do you see who I live with?"

"No."

Suzumi sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration. "Listen. Hear me out. I'm just randomly asking."

The room stopped and Mamoru, only paying her half a mind, reached over and opened the door. She watched as he poked his head out, looking for anyone lingering, and beckoned her to follow. They walked through the empty I.V.C. ballroom and, halfway through, he glanced her way again.

"What's yer reasoning?"

She stopped and, crossing her arms, explained. "I don't want to be some American gunslinger. But I want to protect myself. And I want to protect Soryu. The best thing to do for someone who is surrounded by something like guns is to teach them the proper way to handle them, the safety, the care. I can also lessen my fear if I understand what I'm afraid of more."

"Kid, you wilted when I first really met you and Oh had his gun out, remember?"

"I also freaked out every time a guy came near me. I've come to be comfortable around people again, especially men, in the last eight months," she pointed out.

Mamoru rubbed his chin, thinking. "Why ain't you askin' yer man to teach you?"

"Soryu would never even consider it. Especially not right now. He knows I've become a stronger person in many aspects, but I think in some ways, he sees me as fragile still. I mean… It is possible to remember things and take a step back, but I'm not who I was in the spring. I'm not an Ice Dragon and I don't have to be to be able to protect myself and those I care about."

"So why me?" He sighed, looking away.

Suzumi smiled a little, sensing him caving. "You're a cop. You're trained in everything about guns that I need to know. And I know you'll teach me right."

"Why's that?"

"Because if you don't and Soryu finds out you were the one who taught me, he'd kill you."

"He might kill me anyways," he muttered, shaking his head. "Fine." He held up a hand, to stop her from speaking. "But you listen to me. I'll git you yer own gun when I go out to run errands in a bit. I gotta go grab some of the few clean cops and git them in on this. When I get the chance, we'll practice."

"When?"

"Who knows. Ichinomiya has me runnin' everywhere and it will be rare to have Oh let you out of his sight. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe tonight. Could be next week." He shook his head, a crooked grin growing on his lips. "Who woulda thought that mousy kid who came all those months ago would demand I teach her how to shoot? Ya looked like you were gonna piss yerself when we all showed up in Oh's suite and he pulled out that gun."

Suzumi snorted, flushing in embarrassment. Mamoru put a hand on her head, ruffling her hair before pulling back and walking once more to the exit of the ballroom. "Let's go, kid. I need a smoke real bad now."

"Where's that bomb you disabled?" she asked, looking at his empty hands. He hadn't left it in the stairway, had he?

"In my pocket. Don't wanna carry it around like it's a cup of coffee or anything. I'll leave ya behind if ya don't hurry."

"Coming, coming! I have another question for you, Mamoru."

He sighed, acting annoyed, but his face showed nothing of the sort. "What's that?"

"Why did you come to check in on me? You've barely been around me alone."

Mamoru sighed and seemed to think about how to answer her. "I… It was a favor owed. Oh's always worried about you, you know. He does realize yer stronger, but he can't help himself, I don't think. He wanted me to check in on you in case you did find something dangerous. It's funny," he added, trailing off. As they walked to the penthouse elevator, he gave her a side eye and glanced up and down her body. "I little thing like you's affected him so much. Guy's a real ice block. Didn't care for women, didn't put up with a lotta nonsense, didn't really have conversation skills outta business. But he's different now."

Leaning against the glass of the elevator, the detective crossed his arms as he spoke. The two of them could feel the elevator climb as it rose past the lower levels and made its way to the 51st floor.

"The guy acts like a man now, not just a walking ice robot or whatever. It's a bit refreshing."

"You just want to tease him, don't you?" Suzumi chuckled. "I know you guys probably make jokes at him about me. Ota and Baba tease me in texts all the time."

Mamoru snorted. "I don't talk with him a lot like we're buddies. But it's come up once or twice when we're all there as a group. It ain't anything bad. Just guy talk," he added, seeing her frown. "But getting back to what I was trying to say… I think you lucked out when you wound up in Oh's hands. Didn't know he had it in 'im, but he's a good man to his woman. Didn't think a mob boss could have that kind of affection for someone. He practically dotes on you, I don't think, after this is all done, that there's anything he'd deny you if you asked. Lord help yer kids…"

"K-kids?!" Suzumi sputtered. Her entire face turned red and hid it in her hands. "S-shut up! We're not… Shut up!"

Kishi laughed hard at her reaction, bent over himself, hands slapping his knees. After a minute, with tears at the corner of his eyes, he quieted his howling laughter and tried to straighten himself from the less than dignified position he'd gotten himself into. Wiping away the moisture, he smirked at the still flushed Suzumi. "Sorry, kid. Couldn't help myself. Thinking of him corralling kids and then your reaction… Man. We're here, let's git to the lounge."

The elevator dinged at that moment and, after a heartbeat, the doors slid open, allowing both Mamoru and Suzumi to exit and make their way down the plush hallway to the bidder's lounge. Still red faced, but with her hands at her sides, she followed the detective and allowed him to enter the lounge first, following behind him silently. When they both walked in, only Eisuke was present in the room, hanging up from a call on his cell phone. When he glanced their way, ever so slightly he did a double take at her red face and narrowed his eyes.

"What happened?"

Suzumi refused to answer, pouring herself a glass of water from the sideboard and sitting as far away from Mamoru as she could, which happened to be in Eisuke's usual seat. The man raised his brow at the theft of his seat and glanced over to the detective, who was pacing in front of the windows as he lit a cigarette.

"Mamoru."

The man let out a puff of smoke, his shoulders sagging in relief as the nicotine started to course his system. He glanced at Eisuke before taking another drag off his lit cigarette. "I embarrassed the kid. She's just mad at me."

Eisuke shook his head, frowning. "Quit messing around. Let me see that damn bomb."

Striding to the coffee table while puffing on his cigarette, Kishi pulled out the square device and half tossed it on the glass. Taking a moment to glare at the seemingly careless way the detective deposited the deactivated the bomb, Eisuke hummed and poked it once or twice before picking it up. He examined it with narrowed eyes before looking to Suzumi.

"Where was this?"

"On the staircase leading to the private auction box. The middle landing where I had that run in with Ren Souma. It was against the wall, easily hidden in the shadows."

"Hmm, but you were with him the whole time on the landing?"

Suzumi nodded. "Yeah. I'm thinking he'd been planning on planting it elsewhere but it fell out of his pocket when I used that self defense and sent him sprawling. It explains the obvious, yet shadowed place where I spotted it."

"And why none of us had noticed it when we all left that night. None of us have been there since." Eisuke nodded, eyes slightly far off in thought. "Soryu called me. He told me they've found at least a dozen in the hotel already. Several in the auction hall and ballroom. Two in the lobby and four in the parking garage."

"They got guys disarming 'em or are they just guarding the things?" Mamoru asked, stubbing out his smoke.

Eisuke crossed his arms and looked to Kishi. "They have a couple men who are competent at defusing them. But we need more. Now."

Taking the hint, Mamoru packed his cigarettes in his jacket pocket and, after rolling his shoulders, headed for the door. "Kid, I'll keep my promise. Let me deal with this first, m'kay?" He looked over his shoulder to Suzumi, who nodded solemnly.

When the door shut behind him, Eisuke's eyes met hers. "Promise?"

She met his gaze head on, unblinking. "I want to know how to use a gun. I asked Kishi to teach me."

Unable to hide his surprise, Eisuke's brows shot up on his face, his mouth open in shock. "And you think that's a good idea?"

"I think it's an idea. I need to be able to do something."

"I think you've done plenty."

Suzumi shook her head. "It's not enough. You have bombs in your hotel because of me. Things get serious and it get's sticky, I won't be a damsel in distress. I've had just about enough of that over the last week." Narrowing her eyes, she broke contact with Eisuke and eyed her hands. "This might be a disaster, but I think asking a cop like Kishi is a good idea. He's trained and if I can't do it, I know he'll keep his mouth shut."

"That's very practical of you. And a little devious, seeing as you're not asking your boyfriend," Eisuke said, sitting on the edge of the couch, smirking at her.

"You and I both know Soryu would never let me get near a gun if he could help it. That'd be like trying to get milk from a rock."

He nodded in agreement. "You understand him pretty well. This is funny."

"What is?"

"Everything in the last eight months. It's been entertaining, to say the least."

Suzumi sighed. "I can't tell if I should be offended or not."

Eisuke just smirked before changing the subject. "Stay here. Haruka's shift ends soon and I want the two of you in Soryu's suite until this evening."

Suzumi was confused. Both she and Haruka were assets in the situation considering the familiarity with the hotel and the devices being searched for. "Wouldn't you rather we helped? She knows the hotel so well and…"

"No."

"You...you're planning something, aren't you?"

"What makes you think that?" Eisuke's face was blank, a cool mask as his eyes bored into her.

Suzumi smirked. "You think you're an enigma, Eisuke. I've got you figured out. I'll play fair for now. Mostly because I'm exhausted. But I don't want to miss out on any info in any meetings later."

"That's for Soryu and you to decide. Haruka will not attend. She shouldn't have even gone to work considering her arm."

"I told you it's fine. Doctor Kujo patched me up and other than the bandage, everything's normal."

Both Suzumi and Eisuke looked to the doorway to see Haruka coming in, still in the Tres Spades hotel maid uniform. Eisuke stood, meeting her halfway, taking her arm in his hands to examine.

"Eisuke, stop. I'm fine. Kenzaki made sure my duties were light today like I know you told him to. I'm more upset I can't change at my own place."

"You have clothes here. Go upstairs and change." Crossing his arms, the hotel owner left no room for argument in his voice. Haruka and he glared at one another for a moment before the maid sighed and walked towards the staircase leading to the 52nd floor. She gave a wink to Suzumi, giving her a quiet greeting for Eisuke's sake before climbing the spiral stairs.

Suzumi could barely keep her grin off her face as she watched Eisuke watch his girlfriend. He seemed unaware of anyone else's presence but hers as his brown eyes locked in on her movements. His attention didn't leave Haruka until the door to his rooms shut and she was able to count to six before he looked her way after that.

"What?"

She shook her head. "What do you mean?"

"You're grinning."

"I am. Anyway. I actually want to go wait in the suite. Send Haruka over whenever. I may go nap or something."

Eager to get out of the penthouse, Suzumi could feel the aura around Eisuke change and she knew if she hadn't been in the room, the interaction between he and Haruka would have happened very differently. Ignoring the hard stare Eisuke was giving her, she quickly stood and scurried to the door, pulling out her keycard to the suite before slamming the door behind her and crossing the hall to where she now called home.

Letting out a sigh, Suzumi leaned against the door for a moment, relishing in the silence. Other than quickly changing her clothes that morning, she hadn't been back in the suite for a day and it felt odd to spend so much time away from her space. Deciding to take a page out of Haruka's book, she decided to head to the bathroom and take what felt like a much needed hot shower.

/*\

Some time later and Haruka had yet to arrive, Suzumi knew her hunch was correct. She was with Eisuke and she was sure her ability to see how obvious the man had been worked in everyone's favor. Around dinnertime, she received a text from Kishi, which surprised her. She'd never gotten any correspondence from him, so seeing his name on screen was a shock, and not an unwelcome one.

I got what you asked for. The meeting is supposed to happen in two hours downstairs in the ballroom. Oh is due back right before that. Meet me in the lobby in fifteen and I'll take you to a practice range.

Body springing up from the couch, Suzumi quickly changed from her casual clothes to jeans and a t-shirt and, after stuffing her feet into a pair of sneakers, nearly ran to the elevators. Heart hammering in her chest, she tried to contain the cocktail of emotion swirling inside her as she was taken down to the lobby of the luxury hotel. It took several extra moments as the elevator stopped several times for bystanders and guests to travel to various floors, from guest room levels to the shopping and dining floors. Each time the box stopped, she could feel the anticipation and slight irritation she had inside of her grow.

Ten minutes after she left the suite, Suzumi was standing near the grand staircase, one eye watching the people around her and the other keeping tabs on the staircase itself. She didn't know where Mamoru was coming from and the possibility of being ambushed or kidnapped again was still likely at this point. On her left, she could see the hotel manager, Kenzaki, greeting guests but still keeping an eye on her curiously. It was rare to see her on her own in the lobby, after all. And she was sure Eisuke had informed the older man of the happenings in the last few days between Haruka and herself and expected him and others on staff to be extra vigilant.

"Pay attention, kid."

Startled, Suzumi jumped a little and whipped around to see the detective on the last step of the staircase. "Kishi. You scared me!"

He grunted, "Good. Pay attention. Don't know what you were daydreamin' about but when you're alone right now, you gotta look sharp." Stepping down, he stood next to her and patted his pocket to ensure he had his smokes. "Let's get goin'. We only got an hour or so and the place is near the bay."

/*\

Both Kishi and Suzumi were in agreement on one major point when they got to the private shooting range. That she needed to know as much as possible about the gun he'd managed to get for her before she even attempted to take aim at a target. Given the situation, it was best that she knew how to conceal, aim, and what to expect when firing the small pistol. Surprised, yet somehow not, Suzumi noted that the older man was a good teacher. He was taking the situation seriously and made sure she understood what he was talking about with each technical term and when he pointed to various parts of the weapon.

"One thing you gotta remember when it comes time to use the thing, in order for it to do what it's supposed to, you gotta want to hit the target. That means you want to shoot someone. That you want to hurt or kill that person. You okay with that?"

Suzumi thought for a moment, holding the pistol in her hands as she faced the paper target. Next to her, Kishi had his arms crossed against his chest as he watched her with sharp eyes. The images of her time in the small room fueled her negative thoughts, those that gladly embraced the gun in hand. Her more ethical side wanted to set the gun down and back away slowly as if it was about to explode, but she held firm in her place.

"I'm okay with things ending how they should," she said firmly. "If I have to shoot Taichi Souma because he's going to kill Soryu or even you, I'll do it. Whether or not it's a kill shot, I don't know. I don't think I really have it in me for that. But if I can stop him before he extorts from others and destroys families, before he ruins the hotel and hurts any of my friends, I'll do what I have to." She turned to face Mamoru. "Give me the bullets."

With an appraising gaze, he handed her six and stepped back, allowing her to put her new knowledge to use. She could feel his eyes on her back as she loaded them one at a time, cocked the hammer, and aimed.

The sound of the bullets leaving the chamber and traveling across the room rang in her ears.

/*\

"You fine not being back before Oh?"

Suzumi looked up at Kishi as they walked down the hall to the suites and lounge. His eyes were already looking droopy, as if he was exhausted from their ninety minute outing. His hands were already pulling out the customary pack of cigarettes in anticipation for when they got back to the penthouse lounge.

"It's fine. I'm not a child. And we still have time before the meeting anyway."

He shrugged. "Whatever, kid." He ignored her glare and continued. "Just keep that thing somewhere safe until you think you need it. You'll get a good idea of the tonight at the meeting, I think."

"Well, I definitely don't want to have to carry it around for fun," she muttered. She stopped at the door to the suite she shared with Soryu. "I'm going to put this away. I'll meet you guys in the lounge, okay?"

"Do what you want, kid." Kishi chuckled.

Before Suzumi could insert her key into the door's lock, the door swung open and she found herself staring at Soryu's navy shirt and loosened tie. Craning her neck up, she could see his stern face and narrowed eyes watching every move she made as she automatically took a step back.

"Shit," Mamoru muttered. He pulled out a cigarette and placed it between his lips. "I'm outta here. Good luck, kid."

"Soryu," Suzumi said hesitantly. "Are you okay?"

Face unchanging, he took a step back of his own, indicating she come into the suite. When she cleared the entryway, he shut the door behind her quietly and stood staring at her, arms crossed. "Where did you go?"

"Go? I was with Kishi." Suzumi fiddled with the watch on her wrist nervously. She hadn't seen the look currently on Soryu's face since she'd first came to the Tres Spades and it made her heart race.

"I know. You didn't answer your phone. I looked at the security tapes and talked to Kenzaki.

Pulling out her phone, she could see she had several missed calls and unanswered texts from Soryu and she felt guilt drop in the pit of her stomach immediately. "Oh my god! I didn't even notice! I'm so sorry, Soryu!"

Soryu's frown deepened a little. "Why were you with that slacker? You've basically been with him all day."

"He said he had a favor to fulfill, then I asked him for one, too. That's all. Traffic was bad so we just ended up getting back later than I wanted." Suzumi shrugged and made to head to her room, ignoring the funny feeling she had in the back of her mind.

Surprised that he didn't follow her, she quickly stashed the pistol and holster that the detective auction manager had given her under the bed. Right as she stood and brushed the dust from her knees, the door behind her opened and she could immediately feel Soryu's presence.

"Sor-!"

His name caught in her throat, shoved back from her lips, she was silenced with the demanding crash of his lips on hers. Her immediate response was to open her mouth to protest, but she found her squeak of surprise morphed more into a moan as his tongue invaded her mouth. Hands grasping for something to hold onto, Suzumi buried her fingers in Soryu's shirt and pressed against him instinctively. The rough and urgent manner of his mouth kept her busy, her lips and tongue almost desperate to keep up with his and not be left behind. Before she could realize what was happening, she could feel the softness of her comforter and bed behind her legs and the force of Soryu pushing her backward.

"Soryu?!" Ripping her lips from their heated kiss, Suzumi called out his name in both confusion and desire. He didn't let his lips leave her skin, trailing down her jaw to her neck where he nipped a path to the juncture of her neck and shoulder and laved his tongue along her racing pulse. His hands squeezed her hips as he pulled her close enough to meld her into him.

"Soryu, what's gotten into you?" Suzumi gasped as his teeth nipped her again. "Slow down."

As if the fire that had lit inside him suddenly blew out with a gust of wind, Soryu's manic frenzy halted. "Suzumi," he breathed against her skin. His hands didn't leave her hips, but his lips did slow their pace, leaving a much lighter trail back up towards her mouth. Featherlight, he brushed his lips against hers before resting his forehead on hers.

"What's wrong? What's gotten into you?" Suzumi looked into Soryu's grey eyes, trying to discern why he would all but attack her in a frenzy. She could see the guilt resonate from his eyes before he closed them and sighed.

"Forgive me. I panicked." He moved a hand from her waist to her hair as he buried his fingers in her curls. "I saw you with that slacker and got very possessive."

Suzumi pulled back, a bewildered look on her face. "Possessive? But I'm not interested in him."

Soryu chuckled and smirked. "I know that. Still, you were with him all day and you seemed to be getting along so well…"

"Well, I'd like to get along with everyone. If we're together, we'll all be around each other in the future. I don't think conflict is the answer."

"True," he hummed. "But I had the sudden urge to mark you as mine. I was a little forward, so I'm sorry." He pulled away and, after glancing at her neck, smiled wider. "Get ready. We need to head down in a minute."

Suzumi raised a brow and, after thinking a moment, broke contact from Soryu and walked over to the mirror on the dresser. "Soryu! Seriously!?" Whipping around, she glared at the mob boss and slapped a hand on her neck, covering the developing love bites he'd left behind in his haze.

"What am I supposed to do about this? It's still summer, I can't wear a turtleneck!"

Soryu laughed, running a hand through his hair nervously. "I really am sorry, Suzumi."

Suzumi pouted, turning back to the mirror. "Get out of here. I've got to fix this somehow! You jerk!" She tried slapping him away when he pulled her into his arms, but her fight ended after just a second as she melted into his arms and let him hug her.

"Hmm, yes. I am a jerk for that. I should have saved that for down the road."

"Just go!" Suzumi couldn't hold back her exasperated chuckle and she gently shoved him towards the door. "Give me two minutes to cover this or I'll never hear the end of it from Ota."

A/N: Thank you for reading! As a reminder, the next gift story will be the 80th review! The 80th reviewer gets a story dedicated to them, written just how they want it!

Until next time, loyal readers!

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