7 years ago

Draken was on his way back home from a trip from Kyoto when he first met her.

It was his day off, and he was on a bus on the way back to Shibuya since he is too lazy to use the train when the driver suddenly turned on the radio and Draken was hit with melancholy as he listened to the lyrics.

I remember the times we spent together

On those drives

We had a million questions

All about our lives

And when we got to New York

Everything felt right

I wish you were here with me

Tonight

His mind immediately thought of Emma. Today is her death anniversary. Instead of visiting her grave, Draken's tradition for years had been to go to places she mentioned during their childhood that she wanted to visit with him.

It's been years since they lost her, but Draken at times always think about the "what ifs." What if she had been alive? Will she still like him and what he is right now? What if he confessed to her before she died? Will they get more memories together? What if he was with her instead of Takemtichy when her murder happened? Would she have made it out alive then?

So many what ifs.

The bus stopped and he closed his eyes trying to sleep to rid himself of these thoughts when he felt the seat beside him dip. Peering over, he glanced at the person on his right and was greeted by the sight of a small lady with head downcast and hair down, covering her face. She's wearing a black kimono bearing five crests.

Huh, someone from a prestigious family maybe. He mused.

I remember the days we spent together

Were not enough

And it used to feel like dreamin'

Except we always woke up

Never thought not having you

Here now would hurt so much

The song in the bus still played when he heard silent hiccups from the girl beside him. Silently debating if he should speak with her or not, his hands moved to his pocket and to bring out a handkerchief and he offered it to her.

Slowly she averted her gaze from the bus floor to his outstretched hand and he was greeted by the tear-stained grey eyes of the person beside him.

"Wipe your tears Miss. And please muffle your sobs." He motions to the hankie he's offering. "You seem like you need it?"

She did not take his offer though and only looked at him, eyes filled with intrigue, staring hard at his head. Or rather the tattoo on his head.

Draken sighs.

"Look Miss, will you take it or not?"

"Is it a Hermes hankie?"

Now he's confused. "A what now?"

"Hermes."

"The fuck is that?"

"A brand. Oh my gosh, I'm sitting on a bus with basic people." She seems to tremble slightly then started crying again which annoyed him more.

"Look miss. Either you take this hankie or not, ok? I noticed you've been crying since stepped in so I offered it. Nothing else."

She looked offended glancing down at the handkerchief still on his outstretched hand as if it's made of dirt.

"Look, is that 100% silk? I have a sensitive skin."

Groaning in frustration, Draken pinched the bridge of his nose. He decided to retract his offer and shut up, but the girl already grabbed the hankie and delicately patted the tear stains on her cheeks.

"Thank you. Lizard tattooed guy. I guess." She shrugs halfheartedly.

"It's dragon. You bitch." She seemed shocked at his language.

"Dragons are overgrown lizards." She argued at him. "So that tattoo that you have there?" She motions at the side of his head. "Is an oversized lizard."

Now Draken is offended. People are too scared to even insult him before but this small woman beside him did not even hesitate to call out his tattoo.

"Take that fucking back."

"No."

"Fine!" Deciding to dismiss her, he answered. "You're very fucking rude." he turned his back on her and leaned his head on the window, closing his eyes to sleep till he reached Tokyo,

"Uh, Mr. Lizard tattoo guy??" the girl beside him taps him again.

God, can't she just mind her own business and let me fucking sleep?!

"What?" He glared at her.

"Whoa, What's with the look?"

"Just get on with it, will you? Look miss, I don't know about you, but I've had a long day. I just want to sleep till we arrive to Tokyo, ok?"

"Oh, ok." Glancing to his dragon tattoo again, she seemed to debate something before exhaling and looking at him in the eye. "Why'd you offer me your not-100% silk hankie?"

"Is that seriously your question?" She nods. "Because, I saw a girl crying beside me and it's the rational thing to do as a gentleman?

She blinks. "I thought chivalry is dead."

He shrugs "Well you thought it wrong." Sensing the skepticism on her tone he added "Besides, I just can't let you ruin that face by ugly crying in the bus Miss."

She blinks at him, trying to process his words.

"Did you just call me ugly?" She looked at him angrily and repeats his line. "You're very fucking rude."

Realizing it's futile to even argue with the girl Draken just rolled his eyes and turned his attention to the old couple in front of them They look so in love it made him wanna gag.. Staring longingly to each other and probably whispering sweet nothings. Then old lady suddenly stood up and pointed a gun at the people inside the bus.

"This is a holdup! No unnecessary movements! And give us your valuables!"

They started taking the phones and wallets of each passenger. Even the driver's money. When they stopped in front his seat, Draken willingly gave the money from his wallet and phone.

"Tch." In any other time, on any other day, Draken would've argued with the couple, maybe save the people on the bus by bringing back his delinquent attitude. But he's not on the mood today nor was he willing to risk his life anymore.

The girl beside him though, seems to have other plans.

"Give me your bag!"

"I don't have one."

"Give it to me or I'll shoot your brains out?!" the old woman is clearly agitated by her uncooperativeness.

"O bachan I went in without bringing anything aside from my beautiful self!" the girl massaged her temples as if she's stressed out arguing with the old lady, not even a bit bothered with the situation.

"Well, your beautiful self won't be valuable anymore if I shoot you right here now!"

That seemed to scare her.

"10!"

"Sorry! Don't count down. I'm gonna panic! Here!" She removed the gold Kanzashi from her head. "These are the only valuables I have."

"Your bracelet."

"My dad gave it to me. Hell no."

"I know that one. I watched its auction. It's Cartier Panthere. With real diamonds. Give it to me!"

"Correction. It's 1952 Cartier Panthere bracelet. And still no!"

"Give it to me or I'll explode that face of yours?!"

The people inside the bus are all getting scared now. This little girl, seemed not though. She's too feisty arguing with the old lady even if faced with death and Draken finally decided to intervene to avoid the escalation of the situation.

Before he could act though, the woman slapped the old lady.

"NEVER EVER THREATEN MY FACE! YOU OLD HAG!" she said angrily. Shocked by her audacity, the old lady can only hold the side of her face which is already reddening from the impact of her slap.

Ouch. Draken mentally winced at that.

Immediately the old man went to their side and pointed his gun at her. Instead of getting scared she took the tip of it and placed it in her chest.

"You have a gun. Then shoot me! Come on old man, shoot me here! Not my face but my fucking heart." She told him threateningly. "Fucking do it!"

His eyes widened at the braveness and stupidity of the girl beside him. When Draken glanced at the old man, he seemed like he was really about to shoot her but Draken decided then and there that he doesn't want any more blood spilled in front of him so he kicked the old man who immediately fell down alongside the old lady, groaning in pain. He lost grip of the gun so Draken immediately took it and faced the small girl beside him.

"Are you crazy?! Do you want to die?!" He yelled angrily at her. "Cause that's how you die crazy bitch!"

"He isn't going to shoot me!"

"How sure are you?!" Oh god he's so mad.

The old lady grabbed the girl's right leg before she could answer. "Oh my fucking gosh. Not my legs!" she screeched. "Kick her please?" She pleaded at him.

He didn't know what went to him to do just that. "Sorry o bacchan but what you're doing isn't good!" he yelled. Turning his head to the driver who was still frozen on his seat he yelled again. "What are you waiting for? Drive the fucking bus now!"

"Hey! You're being fucking rude!"

"Says the girl who slapped an old lady and asked me to kick her?!"

"Well, she threatened my face. That's a valid reason!"

"Whatever!" He yelled at her then they were silent throughout the ride with him still holding the gun facing the two criminals in front of him. The bus stopped at a checkpoint area where there's police.

Immediately they were detained with the weapons taken. The girl was busy answering the police inquiry while he was lining up for his things that were taken on the claim area.

"What's your name sir?"

"Ryuguji Ken sir. Do you need an ID?"

"Yes. And who are you miss?" he looked at the person behind him. Turns out the mouthy girl is there too huh.

"L/N F/N." the soldier stared at her, seemingly aware of who she is, then glanced at her outfit.

"I see that's today, Ma'am. My condolences." She just nodded at him then their attention was shifted to the noise outside. There seems to be press people outside.

"Oh shit." She took her things hurriedly then grabbed Draken's harm.

"I can't be seen by press people. Let's go!"

Dragging him to the other exit, they ran away from the press people who caught glimpse of her. The girl have short strides because of her legs so Draken, taking pity of her offered to carry her piggy back. Not hesitating a bit, she climbed his back and weaved their way to the streets till they ended up on a convenience store of this area.

Going inside because he feels hungry and thirsty the girl followed him inside, seemingly fascinated looking around.

"Whoaa."

"You look amazed, first time?"

"Not really." She shrugs. "Why are we here?"

"I'm hungry. It's not easy running around like that with a weight on your back."

"Hey! I'm not heavy."

"Yeah, you're not. You're too small." He teased.

She pouted at him. "I'm not small. Just… vertically challenged you know?" She swings her hand for emphasis. "And stop teasing me. I just turned 18. I read on the internet that I still have a chance to get taller if I eat the right food!"

He chuckled at her answer. "Sure. If you say so miss." Nodding at the direction to the food aisle he asks her. "Do you want anything? I'll buy you one. You seem hungry."

Seemingly shocked at the offer she bites her lips, debating if she should take his offer or not. Draken did not bother for her answer as he took some milk and dorayaki at the food aisle. The girl followed behind him, checking the variety of food before they stopped in front of fish shaped breads. "That's taiyaki." He told her.

Whipping her head on his direction she blinks. "I know. I heard of this from my assistant. I see him eating this atleast once a week you know. But I never tried one." Reaching out to the red bean flavored one she gave it to him. "I want this and a cup of coffee please." Then proceeded to give him the sweetest smile Draken had ever seen.

SO. FUCKING.BRIGHT.

Diverting his attention to the counters he went on to pay for their order as they sat outside.

"Thank you for this, Mr. LTG."

"LTG?"

"Lizard Tattooed guy." She teasingly told him.

He can feel his brows twitching. This girl is really testing his temper. "That's not my fucking name."

"I know. I heard you talk to the soldier at the drop off. Your name's Ryuguji Ken right?"

Nodding at that, he just stayed silent and ate his food.

"It's a mouthful. Don't you have a nickname?"

"Draken."

"Pft. Draken. Dragon? Ohmygod. Another Draco Malfoy wannabe." She started giggling. "Please don't tell me you also have monologues about your father hearing "this or that" thingy. HAHAHAHHAHA."

Not really getting the reference, he just shook his head at this girls antics. "Can't really have those monologues when I never met my parents in the first place no?"

That seemed to stop her from her giggling. "Oh." Biting her lip, she seemed ashamed at her actions.

"It's nothing." He dismissed her unspoken apology.

"I was actually pertaining to Draco Malfoy, from Harry Potter series." She smiled at him. "Anyway, you lost your family too huh?"

"Can't really lose something you never had doll."

She seemed more frustrated at his answer.

"You're not used to this kind of conversations are you?" he asked her.

"Sorry. I rarely talk to people." She exhales. "I feel guilty teasing you like that."

"Don't be. I don't really care either way. I'm old enough not to wallow on those type of things." Nodding at her outfit he asks her a question. "What's with the outfit?"

"Oh this?" She glanced at her kimono as if just remembering what she's wearing. "I had my family buried today."

"Family? Buried?"

She nods. "I honestly don't know what happened. One day I just woke up in this world then found out my whole family died in a plane crash. There was a faulty engine on the plane. No survivor at all but they recovered their body."

"Damn." He muttered. "Straight out of a TV show plots right?" he told her teasingly to lighten the mood.

"I know right?!" she giggled. "Can I borrow your phone? I'll have my people pick us up then drive you back to your home." He gave it to her and went back to eating his Dorayaki.

A few minutes later, Draken heard a helicopter near their area.

"That's our pick up. Let's go."

Damn. He internally muttered. She must be filthy fucking rich.

They dropped him off on a building near his area in Shibuya, but Pace went on with him on the drive back to his shop.

Stopping near their store, she grabbed his hand.

"Ryuguji Ken."

Startled by the sudden call of his full name he looked at her. "Yes?"

"Thank you for today. Please expect my thanks after few days."

"There's no need you know. I did what I have to do."

"And sorry for being a bitch."

"Pft. Okay."

"You're supposed to apologize for being rude to me too."

He snorts at that. "And here I thought you suddenly lost that bitchy attitude." He shook his head. " That's not how apologies work princess."

"Queen."

"Huh?"

"I'm not a princess. I'm a queen."

"Well, you're still young. You've yet to reach that status." He told her, riding along at whatever she means by that.

She seemed to consider his answer for a moment before nodding.

"Call me Pace." She reached out her hand at him. He shook her hand. "Expect my thank you gift soon Drake."

"Drake?"

"Would you prefer if it's Drakey?"

"God. Anything but that."

"Drakey it is."

PRESENT=

Draken stared at Pace's unconscious body as he sat at the foot of her hospital bed. They are currently at the most secured floor of Osaka University Hospital. She was admitted here this afternoon when they were attacked unexpectedly on their way back to the hotel.

The day started out ok. They were on Osaka for the last day of bidding and announcement of granting of projects from the Japanese National Defense. They are against two Mega Companies – Unified Dynamics Systems and Nihon Homeland Solutions. The predictions by the media and a lot of people is that these two will be the final two on the bidding. They underestimated Nero as a competitor. And that's what Draken and Pace are aiming for.

Until they won the bid.

Upon announcement, everyone's focused turned into them. From the officials, media, and their competitors. But not one trace of emotion is seen on the faces of Nero executives. They won't lose their cool in front of these basic people. They knew that by just bidding they ruffled a lot of feathers already. But actually winning? It'll cause chaos in the current market.

And chaos literally ensued as a lot of raised voices were heard. Pace and Draken remained unmoving until they finally realized that they won't get any reactions from them and reorganized themselves.

After getting over the shock, papers were signed. Handshakes were made. And threats were heard.

Now, Draken is no stranger to threats. He's been exposed to it too much during his early life as a gang member in Toman. But unlike during his days as member of a gang where he can match fist with fist all they can do is grit their teeth as Pace bitched on the stupid people in front of her.

"Are you threatening me, Mr. Nakamura?"

The old man from Nihon Homeland Security seemed taken aback at her direct words. "Oh no no, just a mere warning from an old man."

"Well, Mr. Nakamura, you'll be pleased to know that I am not taking your mere warning lightly and actually have my security be prepared. As we all know, this is no delicate matter. We're talking about national security level stuff." She leans closer at him, not the least dettered by their height difference, staring intently at his eyes. "I'm taking your words as a threat. And should something happen to me after this meeting, I have the assurance that this conversation is recorded. You, you'd be sorry you even thought of hurting me." Then smirked at the reddening face of the old man.

Seemingly overwhelmed by emotions, he was about to slap her when Draken stopped him.

"Nakamuran-san." He glared down on the guy. "You seem to be forgetting there are press people around. And hurting a girl was never right." He harshly slapped his hands away and took alcohol to spay his hands further insulting the man. "I won't be surprised if the headlines tomorrow is a picture of your raised hands-on Pace. What a shame." Then they both turned back on him as they exited the hall.

"Fuck. I hate diplomacy." He muttered beside her.

"I know right?!" She sassily answers him. "HE ALMOST GOT MY FACE DRAKE. MY FUCKING FACE!" Suddenly stopping at the mirror in front of them she fixed her hair then started walking again. "Thank god you're with me. Tonight's our flight, right? We should go early. I miss seeing hottie."

Smirking at her unhidden excitement he teases her.

"No kissing till your 50 young lady."

"Drake, do you want me to give you a list of the lewd things I already did with him for a refresher?" she rolls her eyes. "Besides. You didn't tell me he was your fucking bestfriend. Mygod. I haven't confronted you to that matter either."

Draken stayed silent after that until they were on the parking lot. Inui and him decided that since this is a delicate business trip, they need extra security and deployed atleast 15 guards aside from him and Kazushi. They are riding in a total of 5 convoy cars with theirs in the middle. With Inupi's paranoia, all of these are heavily protected and bullet proofed.

"Inui, these is fucking over the top man." Draken told him.

"I know, but you can never bee too sure." Inui answered. "I only had the windows bullet proofed since we have less time. I'll upgrade once this is done."

And Draken hated the fact that he was right.

As he heard the sound of the first bullet to hit the window, Pace screaming covering her ears, Draken felt his resolve harden. He immediately snatched Pace from behind and cover her body with his, protecting her.

Draken has never been more thankful to Inupi his entire life until now for intuitiveness. Had he not have these windows bulletproof, the girl beside him might've been dead. But how long will it take until their attacker realize the windows are bulletproofed and aim lower?

"DRIVE FUCKING FASTER AND DON'T STOP FOR ANYONE! GET US TO THE FUCKING HOTEL!" he shouted to their driver.

As more bullets attempt to shatter the glass, Pace started sobbing and shaking beside him.

Crack he heard the glass crack and she cried out. Draken's grip tightened around her. "Pace, Pace look at me. I need to know that you're okay."

She did not answer him as she still covered her ears crouched down, sobbing. The cars screeched as they turned on the corners sharply. Her head hit something hard but Draken didn't notice it.

"Im not okay Drakey." She sobbed. "My head hurts."

Another round of persistent bullets aimed at the window were heard. Seems like the shooters know they were close to shattering it.

"What's wrong with your head Pace?" Draken worriedly asked touching her head. That's when he noticed the wetness and blood dripping down.

At the sight of her blood, Pace immediately fainted. Draken felt her body go slack in his arms.

A lot of flashbacks started pouring on his mind but he whisked those away as he focused onto now. He tried calling her name repeatedly but she won't wake up. God, what if instead of fainting she's already dead?

He can vaguely hear Kazushi shouting commands as he looked out to see that they were exiting the free way. Although their car is still speeding down the road, he couldn't hear the gunshots anymore.

Thank fucking God for Inupi. Had he not prepared, things would've turned out differently.

He felt the car screeching and stopped as the door flew open. He was welcomed with the sight of hospital staffs waiting at their car door demanding him to release her to be put inside. But Draken never let go of Pace's body not trusting anyone outside. Instead, he stepped down and looked around him for the first time. He saw the other cars lined up from their convoy and the damage they took. Checking the one they used, he saw that theirs took the most damage with so many bullet holes. Whoever did this knew seem to know where they were situated and targeted it specifically. His face became hard after this.

Then someone tried to take Pace from his grasp.

"Don't fucking touch her!"

Kazushi immediately went to his side after that.

"Boss, we need to let them take the Queen and checked first please. She's bleeding out."

Seemingly breaking him out of his stupor, he looked down to Kazushi back to the shaking hospital staff. Nodding, they went in and had her checked. Turns out it's just a concussion but she still needs to rest because of the strong impact of the hit. She was yet to wake up since her arrival here and it worried him but the doctor assured them.

A ringing of the phone suddenly shook him out of his daze.

Inui.

"Hello?"

"Draken.. How's she?"

"Still asleep. The doctor said it's a mild concussion. Nothing else. But she is yet to wake up since this morning."

"Have you eaten yet since you arrived?"

"I don't have the fucking time Inupi. I don't even think I fucking can."

"You will. Imagine her screeching at your ears if she looks at your gangly ugly face when she wakes up?

He chuckled at that. "Oh, that'll be funny."

They turned silent after that.

"Im glad she's okay." Inui softly said on the line.

"Fuck. I don't know what I would've done had she not." He exhaled. "Is this what Mikey felt when Emma died?" he said dejectedly.

"I don't fucking know Draken. But I already lost my sister before. I don't think I can lose another one." Exhaling softly, he added. "Take care of her for me while I'm not there, ok? And please look after yourself. Don't worry about informing Mikey, I'll explain everything to him."

"I think it would be better if he's here when she wakes up. Please try to convince him."

"I'll try."

Just as he ended the call, he suddenly saw a movement on Pace's bed.

"Pace? Pace baby?" he touched her forehead. "Are you awake now?"

She slowly opened her eyes, checking her sorroundings before settling down her gaze on him.

"Where am i?"

"You're currently at Osaka University Hospital darling."

"Osaka University Hospital? Why am I here?"

"We were attacked this morning."

"Huh? Why will anyone attack me? Did something happen?" She asked him. "Who are you anyway?"

Draken felt his heart stop at the question.

What the hell????