Chapter 8 - Honor your promise
"Tanaka Shiro, have you completed your task?"

"Yes master..." he produced the jade pendant.

"And I assume that she did not realize that you took it?"

He nodded. Hesitantly, he looked up. The leader of the guild held his hand out for the necklace, and Shiro dropped it into his palm.

"Very good Tanaka...you may take your leave now."

Eyes downcast, he turned and exited the room.

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"So Shiro, how did it go?"

"Not very good."

"You didn't pass?"

"I did but..."

Shiro sighed and looked at the assassin in the doorway.

"What are you supposed to do when you develop feelings for your victim?"

"Bro, are you serious?"

Shiro looked up at the assassin, who had a strange expression on his face.

"Niisan, is something wrong?"

The weird expression changed to a grin as Shiro's elder brother proceeded to ruffle his hair.

"Hey hey, cut it out!"

"My little bro has a girlfriend! I never though I'd live to see this!"

"Oh you wish, ya old geezer."

"Wacha say?"

"Haha...but seriously Kuro...what am I gonna do?"

Kuro stopped hassling the thief, his expression now serious. Shiro only called him by his name when there was something deeply troubling him.

"You weren't kidding, were you?"

Shiro shook his head.

"No...I, I really think that I feel something for her...She trusted me...even after I swiped her pendant she still believed in me...no one has ever trusted me that much...and I promised her I'd help her find it"

he looked to the floor. A look of sadness and regret clouded his violet eyes.

"But I already gave the necklace to the guild...what am I gonna do?"

Kuro didn't even need a second to think about it. Shiro had known what his brother would say even before the words had formed on his tongue.

"Steal it back."