How is everyone? Good? Busy? I know I've been. My temp job just finished up, but now I have a spring semester looming in front of me. *Hunger Games whistle*

Um, I decided on another jump, so here's the second Saturday update. Livia has now been in Bunkyo for two weeks, and she's already getting sick of it.

Thank you to queenglitch, Momochan77, and Ms. Spirit for your reviews on my last chapter!

Disclaimer: I only own Livia.


GaijinPot Complex in Bunkyo-ku

Exact Location: Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan

Apartment Room 204

07:43


I'm done.

Don't be surprised when an extraction call comes to take me home, because I am this close to breaking my own legs before I have to deal with Kyoya Ootori for another day.

First things first, I haven't spoken more than a few words to my Charge since Monday. He's taken to becoming oddly deaf whenever I start to speak or when any mention of my name comes up. I have the security videos to prove it, too. And as much as I've appreciated the excuse to not interact with him, we've both been very lucky that no one has tried to kill him these past couple days. I haven't exactly been on top of my game. I know, I know, and I'm going to stop with that but it's not going to be easy. Whenever I'm watching the monitors and he's on screen, I can't watch for too long before my teeth start to ground together.

You probably thought after my last log that since we're being forced to work on that school project with the egg together I've had an easier time of keeping him close and safe, right?

Wrong.

It's the one thing we've actually talked about and agreed on this past week. The incubator and egg are currently settled in one corner of my living room because neither of us really wanted to explain to Kyoya's father why he had an egg in his room. But at the same time, he's never come over to the apartment. We've basically been documenting lies about how we're both taking care of the little guy. I write about the egg, and he writes what business we talked about when we were together. I don't think anyone's suspected anything, yet. I know that Tamaki still believes we see each other after school.

The only person I can see throwing a wrench into the plan would be Ania Kahae, and that's only if she takes to stalking and finds out Kyoya has never set foot into my apartment.

Yeah, that bitch is still kicking. After all that talk about not making a fuss about the partner assignments, she went up to the Dean himself and tried to insist that her family had a more important tie to Kyoya's than mine. And, okay, yes, my famous family is fake, but the Dean didn't know that. And Kahae doesn't either.

I've actually started receiving little notes on my desk that explain, in detail, what will happen to my family name should I not step back from Kyoya. They're pretty funny. I've got three of them taped to my wall right now, ready for whenever I need my spirits lifted. Maybe I'll have a nice mosaic by the time I leave?

Oh, and in case you were wondering, I've already looked into her family. Threat level? I'd say maybe a 2? At least 1.7. In other words, I'm not about to stake out their home anytime soon. From what I've seen, Mr. Kaehe has really mellowed out since his public embarrassment and now he's just trying to fix the dumpster fire that is his business's integrity. Ania just has feelings for Kyoya, and despite how they're definitely not reciprocated she sees me as some sort of threat.

It would be just as funny as the notes if the thought didn't make me sick to my stomach.

Bam-bam-bam-bam!


"Oh, please no."

"Livia-senpai!"

"No."

"Please come out and play, Liv-chan!"

Livia groaned to herself as she stood up from the end of her bed. Dressed in a pair of black pants and her favorite 'WWMAD?' t-shirt, she unhurriedly walked through the apartment, clipping her recorder to the base of her messy bun. In the back of her mind, she wondered exactly what the hosts would do if she never answered. Or if she wasn't home. Would they try to break in? Would they just wait around until she finally showed up? It was hard to tell.

Opening the door, she leaned against the frame with as much sass as possible and asked, "What do you want?"

Honey was the one who responded, bouncing forward to hug at her legs. "We wanted to spend the weekend with you again! We had so much fun last week!"

"Fun, huh?" Livia coldly regarded the rest of the group, but they didn't seem to care. In fact, the twins started pushing past her in an attempt to walk into her apartment, which she stopped by grabbing onto their collars.

"Exactly what do you think you're doing?"

"Checking your place out. It's a lot emptier than we expected."

"What's going on with your shirt, though?"

The redheads frowned as they read the English words, "What Would Morticia Addams Do?"

"It's from a movie series I liked. But the fact remains that I don't want you in my house. Now, or ever again. Please leave."

The small blond still around her lower half happily giggled. "Only if you'll come with us!"

"Come on, Livia!" Tamaki grabbed the twins from her and pulled them away. "You're already dressed this time, and we've got such a fun day planned out! Haruhi decided on it!"

Despite the fact that every nerve in her body was telling Livia that she would regret it, she couldn't help but rationalize why she should go out. First of all, if they were going to go out somewhere without cameras again, it would definitely be a good idea for her to be around Kyoya. And since they currently despised each other, the only way that would happen would be if they hung out with the host club at the same time.

"Let me check on the egg. You know, for the partner project I have?" Leveling one unimpressed look at said partner who had yet to even look in her direction, she slipped back into her apartment and shut the door.

Fifteen minutes later the group of eight was ambling down the sidewalk that led into town. Haruhi was leading the way and Livia had elected to walk beside her.

"So, why are we going downtown today?"

"The boys tried to convince Kyoya to let us go back to the water park again, but he refused," Haruhi explained. "To be honest, I was glad. I'm not a big fan of that place. And I figured that if we were taking you along, you'd like something a little less extravagant."

"Thanks." Livia managed a small smile before looking straight forward again, watching as the shops started coming into view.

What am I doing? She asked herself. I'm supposed to be keeping them at an arm's length, but it seems like whenever I push at them, it makes them cling tighter. By the time they reached the first shops, Livia's head was still muddled. None of the others noticed her internal crisis, busy pointing out the different shops and asking what they were.

"Haru-chan, what's that place?"

"That's the electronics store."

"Oh, does that place sell ice cream?"

"Yeah. That's why there's an ice cream model in front."

"What's that?"

"A dumpster."

On and on it went. Haruhi insisted that they all get some tea first before exploring. Livia didn't speak, her eyes roving around the street and sidewalks. No suspicious looking characters just yet. Unless you counted the man trying to sneak away from the alcohol shop with a look so guilty the brunette almost wanted to give him a hug.

They kept walking.

Finally, Haruhi led them into a tiny little shop. They all ordered a cup of tea each before venturing outdoors to drink at one of the tables. Livia sipped at her jasmine tea, humming softly around the warm drink in her mouth. Around her, everyone else was talking excitedly about the different shops they had passed that they wanted to see again, or asking Haruhi if she had any ideas for the first stop.

Everyone except for the boy on her right.

Kyoya was just as silent as she was, drinking his tea like there wasn't a frosty silence between him and the girl he was sitting next to. Livia wasn't blind to the suggestive looks they were getting from his friends, either. It had definitely not been a coincidence that the other six rushed the table until there were only two seats left for her and Kyoya to sit beside each other.

The silence continued for a good, long while until almost everyone was finished with their hot drinks. Finally, Haruhi sighed and set her cup down.

"Livia-senpai? Kyoya-senpai?"

The two looked up at the girl, whose expression was somewhere between embarrassed and apologetic.

"There's another reason I agreed to this outing. I wanted to apologize." Everyone at the table stared at her in shock as she continued, "I had no right to assume or tease you about knowing each other, especially when it made the two of you uncomfortable. Even though I'm aware it's not really my fault, I still feel kind of responsible for how you two are refusing to talk or work together now."

Okay, it was official, Livia liked Haruhi more than anyone else in the Ouran HighSchool Host Club. Maybe even the entire Ouran Academy. Then she impressed Livia just a little bit more by turning to the other five boys sitting around them and glaring at them.

"Oh, right!" Tamaki rubbed at the back of his head. "We're sorry, too."

"We are?" Hikaru was elbowed harshly by his brother before straightening up. "I mean, yeah, we are."

"It wasn't fair of us to assume."

"We're sorry, Liv-chan and Kyo-chan! Please be friends again?"

Livia's green eyes looked over at the boy on her right. He met her gaze and she knew what he was thinking. They weren't going to be friends. But they could fake it a little for the club.

Pfft. And he thinks they're not really his friends.

"Okay... maybe we were being a little harsh."

"Agreed." Kyoya gave her a smile so fake and plastic it belonged on a Ken doll. "Truce?"

She fake laughed and held out a hand for him to shake. "Truce."

The grip was too loose to be genuine, but it seemed to convince the others. They smiled and quickly went back to their conversation. Since everyone was about done, Tamaki stood up.

"Alright, men and ladies, our first stop will be the-"

"RRRRROWF!"

The following five seconds were a blur. As one, everyone at the table jumped out of their seats, their eyes quickly locating the massive dog running towards them from down the street. Livia realized from its body language and loud barks and growls that it was not a friendly pooch. A few other people in the market screamed and backtracked, but the dog paid them no mind.

It's eyes were set on the host club.

"SCATTER!" Livia screamed before grabbing Kyoya's arm and taking off. The others went in different directions. Haruhi, Tamaki, and the twins all ran back into the tea shop right before the owner locked the door. Honey and Mori bolted across the street, helping an older couple indoors on their way. The dog paid them no mind, and almost too late Livia realized exactly who it was going for.

Kyoya stopped moving when they were a block away. Livia almost shouted at him that they needed to keep moving when she saw why. He was staring wide eyed at the animal as it lunged at the table they had been sitting at only a few moments ago, ripping up the cushion Kyoya had been sitting on. The two watched as the dog ripped the cushion in half before it stopped, straightening up and staring directly at Kyoya, its nose wiggling.

He jumped when Livia grabbed him again.

"Kyoya! Move!"

They ran again, the dog giving chase.

Livia's mind raced. What do I do? What do I do? It's a hit, I know it. A trained attack dog with Kyoya's scent! Options, options, I could shoot it but then my cover is blown. Most shops are already locked up, and we'd lose valuable time trying to barter our way in. Not enough time to climb up something.

Just then, like a miracle, a limousine suddenly screeched into view with a certain hood ornament that couldn't be mistaken.

"Choshi!"

Kyoya's driver spun the car around so the back door was facing the running teenagers. Livia refused to look behind her and kept a hard grip on Kyoya's arm so he wouldn't do it either. And yet, she could hear the dog's barking growing louder. Surging forward, she grabbed the door handle and pulled it open, jumping in and pulling the boy behind her. Kyoya managed to have enough sense to turn and shut the door. The dog slammed into the side of the car not three seconds later.

Sprawled out on the floor of the limo, Kyoya looked towards the front and shouted, "Choshi, drive! We need to get it away from the shops!"

Livia spared Kyoya a look of surprise before the car lurched forward, taking off down the street with the dog in pursuit. She rolled with the motion and ended up on her knees, quickly crawling up onto the seat and staring out the back window. The dog was still following, but it was falling further and further behind. Not good.

"Choshi! Slow down a little or we'll lose it!"

"Miss? Are you sure?"

"Do as she says, Choshi!" Kyoya had his phone out and was dialing the number for the police. "If the dog loses interest he might go back for someone else! Slow down!" He pulled the device up to his ear and started talking to whoever was on the other end, oblivious to how Livia was once against staring at him in surprise.

"Miss? Is this a good speed?"

Livia looked back out the window. "Yes! Keep us at this speed for a while!"

That's how it went for the next ten minutes. Though, if you asked the people in the limo, it might as well have been hours before the police finally showed up. Livia and Choshi attempted to keep the dog on their tail while Kyoya kept giving the police directions to where they were. He hid it well, but Livia could tell that the boy was a little shaken up. It didn't surprise her. Being cool and collected didn't save you from being scared.

When the police showed up, Choshi stopped the car. Immediately, the dog jumped on the back trunk of the limo, barking and clawing at the window. Livia was pulled off the seat, finding herself in Kyoya's arms as he moved them towards the front of the cabin. She thought that was extremely backwards given the situation, but didn't say anything. If anything, she was a little touched that he was worried about her.

Thankfully, the animal was captured before it could break the glass. The teens watched and waited as the dog was packed away into a metal cage inside one of the vehicles before they hesitantly climbed outside. The authorities offered to check them over for wounds or shock, but they waved them off. They watched in silence as the car with the dog inside of it drove off, both of them swearing they could still faintly hear angry barking.

"What was that about?"

Livia took a deep breath and let out a sigh. "I'm... I don't know. Maybe... an escaped fighting dog? Who knows."

Kyoya frowned, looking at the girl. "Livia... I know this might sound crazy but, I could almost swear..." He looked in the direction the car had driven in. "Did it seem like the dog was going after me?"

"It caught your scent at the table. Maybe that was why?"

"Why me?"

"Maybe it just didn't like your face."

The boy frowned, but didn't respond. Livia sighed again and placed a hand on his upper arm. "I'm sorry. Jokes are probably not really appropriate at this time." He didn't respond, so she continued, "How about you call the host club and tell them we're all right? I'm sure they're worried."

Kyoya nodded, his eyes still trailing after the retreating car.

Livia watched as he went back towards the limo, putting his phone against his ear. She frowned, and started looking around. In an effort to keep the dog and the limo away from busy streets, they had gone around the same block of downtown for quite some time. As of this moment, she was standing about two blocks over from the street they had started walking on. The same direction the dog had come from.

It was unlikely she'd find anything exactly where she'd ended up, but decided she should look anyways.

Slowly walking after Kyoya, Livia surveyed the buildings they were walking past. Most were restaurants that wouldn't open until later in the afternoon, so the street was pretty empty. Every few buildings or so an alleyway big enough for a car drive through would open up.

Something glittered out of the corner of her eye.

"Livia? We should head back to the others. I think we're going to call this a day."

"Hold on a minute."

Frowning, she jogged down the alley to her right until she was standing by a steel door and crouched down. There was a small chip of glass lying on the ground. Invisible to the untrained eye, but to Livia, it was like a lighthouse beacon. Not really believing her luck at actually finding not only the place the dog had been set loose but also finding evidence immediately, the girl carefully picked up the shard using her shirt sleeve. It was colored glass, curved slightly in an artful design. It was quite possible that the dog had pulled away from his handler too soon, causing the person to drop whatever they were holding and break the glass bottle. This particular piece had fallen against the corner of the ground and the wall, which was probably why it was left behind.

A bad idea struck and she cautiously sniffed the shard.

Cologne.

The same kind Kyoya used.

Oh, fuck. If the assassin knew what kind of cologne Kyoya used, they were close. Or had people who were close. That wasn't a good sign. Ever.

"Livia? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah. Coming, Kyoya."


Okay, okay, trying to wrap this up into a little box.

So... assassins either know Kyoya on a personal level, know someone who does, or they're tricking someone who does, or they're a business partner, or they've been watching Kyoya long enough to know what kind of cologne he buys. Either way, that's close.

On top of that, they chose a way of attack today that really only gave me two choices. Reveal the fact that I carry a gun or depend on luck to keep my Charge safe. It's starting to look more and more likely that they know I'm protecting Kyoya. Meaning, I'll have to keep an eye on my own back on top of everything else. Meaning my job, and life, just got twice as hard.

I'm even watching the Ootori household as I'm talking. More likely than not, this was a second Test to judge my skills. If that's the case, then I gave them plenty of information to work with. I ran with Kyoya and made sure he kept moving. I wasn't very panicky when a highly aggressive dog was chasing after me. And I found that shard of glass in the alley way. While it was a bit of a clue, it was also a bit too easy. Someone could've gone there when we stopped the car chase, planted the glass shard, and watched to see if I'd find it.

Fuck, I probably walked into that one.

Either way, I'm not taking any chances. Even if they aren't watching me and this wasn't a test, I'm still keeping a close eye on Kyoya to see if they'll try a second attack while I'm not around. If they do know about me, then fine. It wouldn't be the first time someone figured out what I am.

Another reason I'm watching Kyoya now is to make sure he doesn't start asking his father questions about the dog that had clearly targeted him. I'm actually somewhat grateful that it chewed up his chair cushion first. That gave me a good excuse for the scent thing.

But as a little side note, Kyoya surprised me today. Yeah, I know. That doesn't happen often, but it did today.

The dog was chasing him. He was terrified, I could tell. And yet, when he told Choshi to drive away, he said he wanted to lead the dog away from the shops in case it went after someone else. In that one moment, he was selfless. And again, when he grabbed me from the seat. He's smart, and he knows I'm smart, too. He knew I would've climbed off the seat myself and gotten as far away from the crazy animal as I could, but he made sure of it.

I...

Never mind. I need to go talk to someone tomorrow.

End log.


Okay, starting to pick up a little. Next chapter will likely be short, but I think you'll enjoy it. I'm bringing in another character, one you might recognize, but might not be expecting.

If you liked, let me know with a favorite, follow, or review! I haven't been getting a lot of reviews recently. I miss it.

See you next chapter!