Chapter 20

"You shouldn't." Paul gruffly replies to the bluenette's confession as he hopes his heart will calm down soon. Now is not the time for these emotions since too many lives are at stake. Besides, they just saw her ex, so Paul doesn't need her rebounded feelings. He's barely known her these past 2 months.

"I shouldn't trust you either, but I do." Dawn says while her heart continues to beat rapidly. Yes, these feelings are indeed true, but she shouldn't have said anything. At least not now that they're in a dangerous situation.

Paul frowns since she's right. This woman just does whatever she wants, despite anything he says. However, her feelings will only complicate things, so he tells her, "I don't like you." Although his chest aches from those words, Paul knows they need to be said. Dawn needs to stop liking him because emotions cloud judgment, and he doesn't need any more problems right now.

Dawn is slightly disappointed since she thought a lot of Paul's actions meant he felt the same way too, but she can't force anyone to like her just because she likes them. Smiling at him, she replies, "That's okay. I just want you to know."

Groaning, Paul's scowl deepens. "You're troublesome." Now he has to think about her feelings too? She better not try anything funny when they train later.

"You've never said my name to me." pouts the woman. Since Paul doesn't reply, Dawn continues, "You know my name." The only time she's ever heard him say her name was on the phone to her mother this past weekend.

"You talk too much." Gosh. Today has just been a very annoying day, and she is making it worse.

"Why won't you call me by my name?" insists the bluenette.

"Because you're troublesome."

"My name is Dawn!"

"Troublesome." Paul smirks at the fuming woman as they pull up to his house. Even though she likes him romantically, he's glad to see that they're able to still converse normally. This troublesome woman is way too much, but he's fine with that. It's how he likes her anyway...well, he likes her as a human being.

Hayden Mansion

"We killed Misty Waterflower." one of the fighters laughs in Ash's face.

Ash has since been removed from the chair and tied up by his arms to dangle from the ceiling. Of course, he put up a fight when his restraints were switched, which is why he has many broken ribs and possibly a broken ankle too. Smirking at the fighter, Ash replies, "No you didn't."

This irks the man who delivers another punch to Ash's side, causing him to cough more blood. Matthew is only keeping Ash alive long enough to torment him; however, Ash is fine with this. As long as his mother and Misty are safe, Ash is okay with death.

"She's dead, Ketchum. All because of you. But don't worry, we made sure to put her to good use before killing her."

The fighter's smug expression angers Ash, even though Ash knows he's lying. If Misty really was dead, Matthew would've brought her head or pictures. This fighter only has his words, which Ash obviously doesn't believe. Although, Ash is annoyed by how disrespectful this guy is speaking about Misty.

When Ash shrugs and doesn't respond, this annoys the fighter more. However, Matthew enters the room to stop the beating. "Leaf killed Jimmy, and now Lucas is missing." Matthew glares at the disinterested Ash. "This all started because of you, Ketchum."

"Then kill me." If Ash started it, then it should end with his death. Besides, Ash doesn't want anyone else to suffer because of him. Though, he is proud of Leaf to have survived two Hayden assassins, even if he doesn't approve of her killings.

"After you watch us kill everyone you care about." Matthew's words sound as if they're laced with poison, but Ash won't flinch.

The young man won't allow himself to show weakness. With Matthew's visit, Ash knows the Hayden head is panicking. Matthew is scared, and he hasn't caught anyone except for Ash. Despite Ash's plan having failed, he's satisfied that the Hayden Family is in turmoil right now with Leaf killing off the rest of the assassins. Maybe this opportunity of weakness will finally bring down Hayden Family for good?

Ash can only think of happy thoughts for this hopeful future, especially with a certain redhead best friend of his. With every hit and method of torture, Ash won't give up the people he cares about, and his hope in his best friend will keep him going. He will see her again. Besides, when no one is in the room, Ash has been slowly loosening the screws around his shackles. If an opportunity ever arises, he will be ready.

Outskirts of Veilstone City

The brunette groggily wakes up where she feels her entire body aching. Being an assassin, she's used to mornings like these; however, the pain is excruciating. Opening her eyes, Leaf gazes around the small room. It's boarded up on all sides, but one side has a glimmer of moonlight peeking through the top of the boards.

Leaf continues looking around in the dimly lit room where she spots a body leaning on the wall beside her. Looking up, she sees the spiky auburn hair of her current traveling partner who's supposed to have killed her by now or left her to die.

Inwardly groaning, Leaf remembers the events before she blacked out, which makes her slowly reach her hand to her rib cage. She notices the large jacket on her that's covering the top half of her body where she also realizes she's shirtless. Besides her bra, there's nothing on top of her, causing the brunette to blush immensely.

Did Gary strip her and see her like this? Well, obviously it is him since he's the only one she's with. Leaf shuts her eyes in embarrassment as she feels the bandaged wound below her chest. Gosh, if he hates her so much, why won't he just let her die already? Yes, Leaf has a connection that may help them escape Hayden Family for good, but is that really enough for Gary to not kill her? She killed his sister! Leaf deserves to die by this man.

Opening her eyes again, Leaf notes that this large brown jacket is Gary's since he's been wearing it since they met. Where are her clothes though? She glances back up at the man sitting up against the wall beside her, and she can't help but blush. He looks a lot cuter when he isn't angry or flirting. Rather, he looks very peaceful as he sleeps; however, he shouldn't be too peaceful because they may need to flee at any moment.

Leaf now realizes that she has no idea where they are, but the amount of abandoned buildings Gary knows about amazes her. Isn't he supposed to be a Kanto native? How does he know so many places out here? Unless he's been planning for something like this for a while now? Well, Leaf has her own secrets she won't reveal, so she won't dwell on his unnecessary ones.

Sighing makes Leaf cough as her wound throbs in pain, which alerts the man beside her. He quickly pulls out his gun defensively before realizing that the room is empty, causing him to look at the smirking brunette beside him. Seeing as how it must have been Leaf who coughed, Gary puts his gun back and glares at her.

"You know you shouldn't take advantage of a passed out lady right?" winks the brunette through her pain.

"What lady?" snickers Gary as he stretches his arms above his head.

Rolling her eyes, Leaf retorts, "I am half naked."

"Like I'd want to see my sister's killer naked?" scoffs the man.

Hearing this makes Leaf's guilt hit her again, causing her to take a deep breath. This makes her painfully cough again, but unlike the first time, she can't stop coughing. As Leaf quickly turns to her side to cough out blood, Gary's jacket slips off of her.

The man avoids looking at her while a blush tints his face. He had to cut off her tank top because the dried blood had made it stick to her skin and wound. After cleaning the area below her chest, Gary threw his jacket on top of her to keep her warm and hide the woman in only a bra. While Gary Oak typically would love admiring a woman's half naked body, this is his sister's killer. He needs Leaf to escape the Hayden Family, so he has to make sure she lives; however, Gary has been starting to question if that's the only reason he's been keeping her alive.

Once Leaf stops coughing, she lays back down where Gary throws the jacket back on top of her. Despite wanting to say some flirty remark, Leaf is in too much pain to do anything but wince. Every time they run into the Hayden Family, she endures more injuries, but they're really starting to add up now. Even though she's a top assassin, Leaf isn't so sure how much longer she can survive like this.

With a groan, Leaf mutters, "Just let me die next time."

"Then tell me your connection." That's the only reason Gary is keeping her alive.

Letting out a painful breath, Leaf doesn't hesitate to tell him, "Drew Hayden."

Gary furrows his brows because he should've thought of Drew too. After training with the outcasted Hayden for two weeks, Gary has learned how Drew isn't fond of his family. However, Gary wasn't sure how far Drew would go against the family that treats him as if he's nonexistent. Sighing, Gary realizes Leaf must really want to die if she's just willingly telling him her secrest. He might as well get answers about Daisy.

"Why'd you kill Daisy?"

Due to her pain and guilt, Leaf replies.

Flashback

Leaf mentally curses herself as she hears a gasp. Even if the woman didn't gasp, Leaf knew she was here. Turning from the body of the Galactic man she just killed, Leaf faces the terrified auburn haired woman. Walking towards this unlucky witness, Leaf sees her slowly backing up.

"I'm sorry." whispers the assassin as her heart aches. Leaf hates innocents, but it's her job.

Although, when the woman's eyes meet Leaf's, Leaf notices this woman isn't as scared anymore. It's like she knows this is her fate, so she's allowing Leaf to finish the job. Taking a deep breath, Leaf whispers, "I'll make it quick."

Nodding, the woman replies, "I understand."

That look in her eyes. The acceptance and the sympathy. Leaf really doesn't deserve to kill her. Why isn't this woman begging for her life? Why isn't she trying to convince Leaf that she won't tell anyone? Why is she just accepting death? Leaf shuts her eyes tightly as she takes in a deep painful breath. Why?

"Please make it quick already." hearing her trembling voice makes Leaf realize this woman is scared. She's just trying to be strong for her last moments, so Leaf should kill her now.

Opening her eyes to look at the woman again, Leaf repeats, "I'm so sorry." Without the woman realizing, Leaf quickly and painlessly slices her throat. The assassin sticks around to make sure the woman dies peacefully. Leaf also checks out this woman's identification because she wants to know who could affect her this much.

Usually, Leaf kills tough gangsters, but none of them have ever been as fearless as this innocent woman. Although Leaf has killed plenty of innocents before, they have pleaded for their lives. This woman didn't though. It's like she wanted to accept an early death, and Leaf really didn't want to do it to her.

Pulling out the wallet from the purse, Leaf reads the name of the woman on the ID: Daisy Oak.

Flashback Over

"I didn't want to." Leaf gasps out.

"You didn't have to!"

"It was either kill or be killed."

"So you were being selfish!"

"I'm always selfish." Leaf reflects on her lonely childhood that got her involved in crimes to support herself. Being in and out of foster care did nothing for the orphan who learned how to take care of herself through others' misfortune. One has to be selfish to survive in this cruel world, but right now, Leaf is ready to leave it. Is this how Daisy felt when faced with death? Is this why she was so fearless against Leaf? "Just let me die."

Clenching his fists, Gary glares at the woman's head. Of course he's always known that Daisy had to die as an unlucky witness to an assassination, but a part of him was hoping to hear more. Is that it? Daisy was just at the wrong place at the wrong time? He's not satisfied with just that. "Why do you carry daisies?"

All of this talking is really painful for the assassin, so she turns over to cough out more blood. The angry man pays no attention to her suffering because she deserves this. "For her. She's the one I feel the most guilt for."

"Stop acting like you have feelings now."

Ignoring his cold tone, Leaf manages to gasp out, "Just let me die." After coughing up more blood while Gary contemplates killing her right now, Leaf mutters, "Find Drew through Paul."

Despite being upset, the man can't help but be slightly concerned about this assassin. She's just spilling out all of her secrets. Is she really ready to die? After all of the killin she has done, she really doesn't deserve to die like this. She needs to live with this guilt forever. Gary is surprised when he grabs her and she doesn't fight back. Of course it's because she just wants all the pain to end now, but he lays her back down before covering her up with his jacket again.

"No. You need to live in guilt. That's the best punishment for you." Daisy would be ashamed at Gary for letting someone die, even if this person killed her.

Leaf finds the strength to look up into his troubled viridian eyes. Besides Ash, no one has ever made her feel like a human, and even then, Ash never talked to her about her killings like this. Gary not only stopped her from committing another assassination, but he's been saving her from herself. Even if he wants her to live in guilt, he still wants her to live. If she could, she would chuckle to herself at the irony of this situation. She killed his last relative, but he wants her alive. Life really is unfair.

"I can't fight." the assassin tells him.

Shrugging, Gary rubs her back since she's laying on her side as blood drips out of her mouth. "I've let you protect me for too long."

Smirking, Leaf instantly feels better. Whether it's the warm hand rubbing her back or knowing that someone wants her alive and is willing to protect her, she has no idea. However, Leaf feels like she has the energy to take down Matthew again. "Say that again, Oak."

Gary finds himself relieved to hear her playful tone again. Although he knows he should hate her, he doesn't feel the intense resentment anymore. Maybe it's the whole 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' thing" Thus, he'll have to wait and see how he feels once Matthew and the Hayden Family are finally taken down. With a smirk of his own, Gary replies, "I was raised to protect a lady in need."

Leaf can't help but roll her eyes as she stifles her painful giggles. "What lady?"

He gives her a warm painful smile as viridian meets green in the dimly lit room. Deciding to not retort for fear of harming Leaf more, Gary opts for, "I'll be on guard tonight. Just get some rest."

With a grateful weak nod, Leaf closes her eyes as she places her full trust in this man who once tried to kill her. It's funny how the world can be so unfair, but she doesn't mind this unfairness. She'll rely on Gary Oak and do her best to support him. Besides, she had promised herself to protect him when she found out Daisy Oak has a brother.

Hayden Mansion

After Junior once again has to leave for an important call, Dawn is alone in the well done office. Junior is waiting on plumbing to be finished in the bathroom they created in the office, but in the meantime, some furniture has been moved into the office. Dawn is amazed at how quickly Hayden Family can get construction done since it's only been a month when Dawn first started working with Junior.

Seeing as how Junior is gone, and he did tell Dawn to 'make herself at home,' the woman decides to use this opportunity to explore the mansion. She also saw Paul earlier when walking into the mansion, so she doesn't feel too scared. Like the last time Dawn was in the mansion, she finds herself lost.

Groaning because she also has no idea where Paul is, Dawn continues walking to what she assumes is the way back to the office. Even though she told May and Drew that she'd be their free soldier, Dawn is a little scared. Moreover, she probably shouldn't go about this too quickly, else it'll bring suspicion onto her.

However, when Dawn walks past a closed door, she hears a deep voice shout, "How were you able to catch Ketchum but not some lowly ex-cop?"

Those names are the same ones May had told her about. Who is this person talking about them though? Dawn has never heard his voice before, and he definitely doesn't sound like Junior. "Find them or you'll be joining Ketchum!"

Panicking because she hears footsteps on the other side of the door, Dawn quickly rushes down the hall. She tries not to run as to avoid making too much noise, but eventually, she runs into someone who catches her. She knows this isn't Paul because this person is smaller, so Dawn quickly pulls away from them.

With a sly grin on his face, Junior asks, "Why do you look so scared, Dawn?"

The bluenette worried looks around to see Junior has two bodyguards; however, due to her scramble, she is now near the office. It seems like she must've ran into Junior while he was on his way back too. "Oh, uh. I just got lost and couldn't find my way back." Dawn tries to convince him even though it is the truth.

Skeptical of her answer, Junior just continues smiling while walking back to the office with her. Dawn is glad that he isn't questioning her any further, but she is concerned by his quietness, especially when his guards stay outside rather than inside the office like earlier. When Junior closes the door and locks it, Dawn gets even more nervous.

Taking a deep breath, she prepares herself for whatever may occur. The bluenette really hopes that her one week of training with Paul is enough, but Junior just talks to her about the office as if this is a normal appointment. Eventually, Dawn mentally curses herself for thinking the worst about this man who's only focused on the job at hand.

After some time, Junior and Dawn are looking over plans on the desk when Junior inches closer to her. Too focused on her work, Dawn doesn't notice until the man is touching her back. Besides the handshakes, Junior and her never have any contact. She shies away from him and gives him a weak smile while trying to ignore what just happened.

However, Junior just sighs as he tells her, "I know you're involved with May, Drew, and Paul."

"Who?" Dawn hopes he can't tell she's lying, but her and Paul have trained for if this conversation ever came up.

"They searched you up multiple times weeks ago. I was curious as to why they were being so secretive, but now I just see a beautiful vulnerable woman."

The suggestive look in his eyes makes Dawn cringe. Paul had warned her of Junior's manipulative ways towards getting women into his bed. "Junior, can we just keep this professional?"

"I can protect you and your mother." Junior smirks while closing in one Dawn once more.

"Sir, I suggest you find a new interior designer. I quit." She then gets up to walk away, but Junior quickly grabs her wrist. Of course Dawn has been prepared for this, so she effortlessly frees herself from Junior while making him cry out in pain. The moment she opens the door, though, his bodyguards are quickly on her. Unlike with Junior, Dawn can't fend off these two experienced men.

"Hold her on the desk!" Junior yells angrily as Dawn tries to fight her way free.

"Help!" Dawn screams. She hopes someone is out there who will help her, but Junior just laughs.

"They all work for me. No one's gonna help you!" He tries to pin her to the desk with the help of his bodyguards.

Seeing as how struggling is getting her nowhere, Dawn reluctantly gives up. Smirking, Junior has the bodyguards lay her on the desk, but the moment she is released and has some space, Dawn hits Junior on her way out of the room with the bodyguards quickly on her tail. She hears Junior shouting more orders as he too joins in on the chase, and soon, Dawn runs into a hard surface as she rounds a corner.

Mentally cursing her fate, she gets ready to fight whoever this is when Junior exclaims, "Hold her, Shinji!"

Paul? Dawn opens her eyes to see the purple haired man she is very relieved is here. Since she hasn't seen him since arriving a few hours ago, Dawn was worried he may have left or been ordered to run an errand. As Junior and the bodyguards run over to them, Dawn hides behind Paul who glares at the three men.

"This is not why you invited her here, is it?"

Junior glares at him. "Mind your own business, you dog!"

"Just because you hit your wife doesn't mean you can hit other women." Paul coolly tells the angry man who now hits him. Paul clenches his fists as Dawn gasps. He needs to keep calm, like every time the Haydens mistreat him.

"Get her!" Junior orders the hesitant guards who know they're no match for Paul. Though, when Junior yells at them again, they approach the fighter who effortlessly knocks them out quickly before continuing to glare at Junior. When he sees Junior is visibly shaken in fear, Paul smirks before turning around and grabbing Dawn's wrist as he walks her out.

"You will both regret this!" Junior angrily exclaims at them when they're further away.

Once in Paul's car and he speeds off, Paul's cool demeanor changes into anger as he shouts, "What the fuck are you thinking?"

Dawn flinches from his furious tone. She's never heard that before, and he's never raised his voice like that to her. She feels like she's in trouble, but what did she do? None of this is her fault. All she wanted to do was help Paul, but she didn't know Junior would try to take advantage of her like that. Maybe Paul is right. She's too trusting of others who are obviously evil. Feeling tears threaten to fall, Dawn quickly looks out her window.

Paul clenches his steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turn white, but he's too upset to care. If he hadn't decided to walk past the office at that moment, she might've been in a worse situation. He should've never allowed her to be a part of this dangerous mission because now she's heavily involved with no way out! Now Junior will be hunting her down, and Paul can't let anything happen to her. Why is this so troublesome? How can she bother his life so much and he finds himself okay with it? Why is he this worried about someone other than himself?

After a couple more minutes of silently driving, Paul lets out a deep breath he had been holding for some time now. When Dawn hadn't argued back with his outburst, he realized she must be upset. The normally talkative woman is only quiet when something is on her mind, so he catches a quick glance at her once they're at a red light. Seeing her slightly trembling hands makes him sigh as he reaches over to envelope it in his larger one. This causes Dawn's glossy eyes to look into his annoyed grey ones.

"I said I'd protect you."

She nods as a few tears escape her eyes. "I know, Paul."

Things are getting serious!