Part 7

Mika stood in front of her mirror. It was 4 pm. She had over 3 hours to get ready but she figured she best get her head around it early. She couldn't remember the last time she had to get dressed up to go somewhere. Hell, she couldn't remember the last time she had a dinner date. Is that what this was? A date? She shook her head dismissing the speculation. If she got stuck in her head again she'd never leave the house much less pluck up the nerve to wear 'that' dress.

She heard a faint noise coming from her window. She went over to look out at the beach. Raizo was there in a vest and sweat pants, barefoot and sparring with himself. He was using a pair of Wakizashi short swords. He was flipping and spinning effortlessly through the air. Mika had never seen anything so graceful. Mika also spotted Mother sitting on the edge of the porch steps watching Raizo.

"Perv." She muttered towards the animal. "Right. Better get this show on the road." She told her reflection while stood back in front of the mirror. She took several deep breaths and headed for the shower.

Once bathed, shaved, lotioned and wrapped in a terry cloth robe, Mika tackled her hair. She spritzed and moisturised her raven curls before pulling them up into a high bun leaving the odd tendril loose to cascade about her face. That seemed easy enough but next was makeup. She'd searched through a few youtube tutorials before landing on one that was simple enough to follow, complimented her skin tone and was achievable with the small makeup assortment Mel had bought for her earlier. Mika applied a tinted moisturiser, light foundation and a mild bronzer for blush. She then spent a considerable amount of time tackling her eye makeup to end up with golden brown highlights with a smokey blue-black lid, defined lashes and carved brows.

"Christ, how do women do this every day?" Mika exhaled at her reflection nearing exhaustion. The light was changing due to the sun moving so she found she had to keep checking her make up by the window and by the dresser mirror. She sprayed antiperspirant under her arms three different times as the anxiety sweats threatened to kick in. After tending to her eyes Mika applied a dark plum lip liner and then a deep blood red satin lip colour.

She picked up the jewellery boxes from the dresser top and opened them to reveal a pair of black glass teardrop earrings surrounded by tiny black crystals with a pendant necklace to match along with an index finger ring and a delicate single bracelet to complete the set.

Mika took a sip from a glass of water on the bedside table before taking another steadying breath as she gazed down at the dress laid out on the bed and the shoe box beside it. She could hear Mel in her head over and over again. No underwear. She couldn't have really meant that could she? "I'm not Mel," Mika muttered to herself as she began to unconsciously pace up and down the room.

"Damnit!" She picked the garment up and held it up in the air. She remembered telling Mel, "I look like a hooker!"

"A very, very expensive one my dear. The type that fucks presidents and has wars started over her," Mel replied running her fingers across Mika's shoulders to adjust the straps. Mika shook the memory away.

"Arghh just do it! Eat the sword!" She psyched herself up and undid her robe. She had a strange feeling that even as she stood there nude, putting on that dress would somehow make her feel less dressed. How did that even work?

Mika stepped into the dress the way she'd figured out to do in the store. She adjusted the delicate crystal chain straps the way Mel showed her. She then opened the shoe box and pulled out a pair of satin midnight blue 5-inch pumps with a half inch hidden platform and three blue and white crystals dotted down the back of each heel. "I'm going to break my damn neck." She looked down at them and walked up and down to get a feel for her balance. She walked back to the mirror to finally really look at herself.

The dress was a heavy rich blue fabric the colour of deep blue sapphire. The material was beaded in subtle 1920s style and hung a mere 4inches past her butt. The dress plunged open almost down to her navel at the front and had nearly no back at all. The straps were there not so much to hold up the dress but to hang it from Mika's delicate shoulders by 3 ornate glass beaded strings that looped over each shoulder. She could literally hook her thumbs into each side like they were suspenders and step out of the damn thing. Why was she doing this? One strong gust of wind and that dress would be gods problem. She shook her head again. "This is insane!"

She turned in the mirror several times. Mel was right. There was nowhere to hide underwear.

"You only have a body like this once my honey," Mel said to her earlier, circling her and laying a kiss on one of her shoulders.

Mika nearly laughed at the memory. "How the hell did I get here?" She asked her reflection. She wanted a drink. A half a bottle of whiskey would do it, but she had to settle for water.

"Mika?" Raizo's voice came through the door. "Are you awake?"

It startled her, "Uh, yes I'm awake."

"Just wanted to let you know that we should probably be leaving in about an hour, it's a 30min drive to the restaurant."

Mika glanced at the clock. It was now approaching 6 pm. "Sure, I'll be ready." She forced a big calm smile to sell her calmness but she was certain Raizo would be able to hear her heart pounding through that door.

Raizo left her door, grateful that her hearing wasn't as good as his. He went to his room and showered. He'd put himself through a particularly rigorous workout on the beach. He kept wondering if this was a good idea. Was it a date? Would Mika think it was a date? He'd never been on a date before. He stood in his room with a towel around his waist longing for the days when all he had to worry about was killing people and stopping them from killing him. Life was simpler then.

He combed his hair and applied just enough product to give it light sheen as the jet black strands framed his face and brushed his shoulders.

Raizo pulled on his boxer briefs and a black dress shirt. He didn't wear a tie. He felt too restricted with something fastened around his neck. He also left his top 3 buttons undone. He'd seen that in a movie once but for the life of him, couldn't remember what that movie was. He pulled on black dress pants that had been tailored for him by the best tailor in Berlin. He finished up with custom black dress shoes that had never seen the light of day until now.

He looked at himself in the mirror and barely recognised the person looking back at him. No blood, no weapons, no enemies, that he knew of. It was as if he had no armour. Tonight he would feel more exposed than ever before, but it would be worth it to treat Mika to a night out that she would hopefully remember for a long time to come. He put on a light cologne for the first time. His Ozunu training was screaming in protest, his instincts telling him the scent would leave him compromised and vulnerable but Raizo told himself the Ozuno was dead and he needed to get on with his life. Raizo took his shoes off and depressed a small section on the back of each heel which revealed a small hollow cavity the length of each sole. He reached under his bed and pulled out two short flat knives and inserted them into the sole of each shoe. He'd had Jacob make the adjustments for him a year ago. "Old habits die hard." He said to his reflection as he fastened the cuffs on his dress shirt. He instantly felt less naked. Raizo wasn't sure if there was ever going to be a time in the near future where he would walk around unarmed in public. He only hoped that Mika wouldn't end like him.

He picked up his suit jacket and slung it over the back of the living room couch. It was approaching 6.45pm. He sat on the couch then got up and opted to for a stool by the kitchen breakfast bar instead. Mother was on the porch giving herself a quick bath. "What do you think? Will she like it?"

The cat looked up at him, head tilted to the side then got up and walked away.

"Good talk. I feel much more confident now." He poured himself a glass of water and glanced at his watch. Should he call on her again? Before he could come to a decision, either way, he heard the gentle clack of heels on the hardwood floor.

It took every ounce of courage Mika had to turn that bedroom door handle to come out of the room. Every step she took she breathed in deep breaths to calm her racing heart. She told herself that if she could just remain graceful and elegant she might just make it through the night without something popping, flopping or flying out. This was a new kind of terror.

Raizo was perched on the arm of the couch now trying to look nonchalant, aloof and relaxed but as soon as Mika turned that corner and entered the living room it was as if the air had vanished from his lungs. He was transfixed. He'd never seen her look anything like that before. He wasn't sure he'd seen any woman look like that before.

Mika's hands were balled into tiny fists of anxiousness as Raizo sat there staring at her in silence. She started to feel this was a mistake. "This is too much, isn't it? Mel picked it out. I can change into…"

"NO!" Raizo shot to his feet almost startling Mika. "I mean, no. Forgive me. You look…" Raizo searched for the words but came up with none in English that would suffice so he spoke in his native tongue.

Mika had no idea what he said. "Is that good?" She asked with a timid smile.

Raizo just nodded at her, drinking in the image of her starting from her feet, up those ever so long legs, up to her torso and then to her face, her vulnerability making her look even more beautiful. Something stirred inside him. Something that made him want to skip dinner.

This was new. Mika had never before noticed Raizo looking at her the way he looked at her now. It was almost predatory. In fact, the only other time she'd seen that look on his face he was chained to a wall while he hurried her to free him so he could spring into action against his Ozunu brothers.

"We should go," Raizo said not taking his eyes off her. He almost felt nauseous.

"Oh, I don't have a coat. I've just realised."

Raizo smiled. "That's Mel. Ever the extrovert. Here you can wear my jacket." He picked up his suit jacket from the couch and Mika turned her back to him so he could slip it over her shoulders. Raizo was momentarily transfixed on the expanse of the beautiful mocha skin of her back that was exposed to him. He then eased the jacket over Mika's shoulders. "How is this thing staying up?" He whispered smoothing down the arms of the jacket for no real reason other than an excuse to touch her.

"A wish and a prayer," Mika responded smiling. "Is this really ok, I don't usually…"

"It's perfect." Raizo interrupted her offering his elbow for Mika to take which she did gratefully as she was still mastering teetering around on those heels and the gravel driveway might prove a lesson too far.

Raizo opened the passenger door for Mika to get in which she did as gracefully as she could. She was even more glad for the coverage of the jacket at that point. Raizo got in and started up the engine. He had to force his eyes to stay on the road.

"You wear a suite well. You look very handsome tonight," Mika said after a few moments. "I meant to say that earlier."

Raizo smiled almost bashfully. "Thank you. I don't often need to wear a suit."

"On account of all the ninja-ing?" Mika smiled at him.

Raizo chuckled back, "Yes Mika, on account of all the Ninja-ing. It's a very different kind of suit."

From then on the journey was pretty easy. Light chatter with the radio on. They seemed to be driving to a very different part of the village. Eventually, they ended up pulling into the private carpark of the very grand Cambridgeshire Hotel. It looked like a scaled down version of The Ritz but only in stature, not grandeur. The building was washed in golden lighting on all sides with a red carpet adorning all entrances. Raizo opted not to have the car valet parked. He didn't like the thought of a stranger having access to it. He was starting to feel the same about Mika.

Raizo went over to the passenger side to open the door for Mika. His breath nearly stopped again when she swung each perfectly long leg out of the car almost exposing her rump. Raizo offered her his hand to assist her getting out of the vehicle with her dignity intact. He then offered her his arm again to walk into the venue. They were seated by a young woman who couldn't take her eyes off the pair of them. They made a very striking couple. Raizo could care less as they were given a seat beside the ornate dance floor. A ridiculously opulent chandelier overhead bathed the room in a fairy tale type of light casting the room in dappled enchantment.

They ordered two large glasses of wine as they waited for their starter.

"They're staring at us again Raizo," Mika said self-consciously.

"They have a good reason, Mika. You are a vision." He held his glass up. "To being normal for one night."

Mika smiled, "nothing about this is normal." She raised her glass also and took a long sip.

"So Mel and Jacob?"

Raizo set his glass down smiling. "Yes?"

"What in the David Lynch?!"

Raizo chuckled. He didn't fully understand the reference but he guessed it was something to do with his friends' quirkiness.

"They are a little different."

"A little? Where did you meet them? And what is it that Mel calls you?"

"Skoenlapper. Mel took to calling me that about a year after we met. I believe it's Afrikaans for butterfly. A comment on the way I come and go at random. I met them about 8 years ago. They used to work with another organisation that supplied arms and backup if needed, depending on the size of the mission. I liked them. They seemed different from the rest. They were always going to end up starting their own organisation. They're respected and impartial. That goes a long way in the underworld."

"Did Mel really shoot Jacob?"

"Oh, she told you how they met. Yes, she shot him. Twice. He has a metal pin in his leg and a scar on his chest to prove it."

"She really tried to kill him? How are they together, I just don't understand?"

"They're from a different world, Mika. It was her job. If she wanted him dead, he'd be dead. She had to make it look as real as possible. Jacob knows that and he respects her for it. She is the best at what she does."

Their starters arrived consisting of a caramelised onion and goat cheese tart and side salad.

"Do you and Mel have a history?" Mika took a sip from her wine. She needed to know.

Raizo shook his head. "No."

Something inside Mika released. A tension she wasn't aware she was holding on to.

"But the way she is around you. Around me. I couldn't tell if that was flirting or presenting."

Raizo laughed this time. His smile lighting up his face. "Mel and Jacob have an understanding. They don't prescribe to traditional relationship boundaries."

"So Mel sleeps around and Jacob doesn't mind?"

"Kind of. Mel and Jacob like to bring new people to their bed but the new person is always vetted by both of them. Jacob prefers Mel to bring women into their circle. Mel is more flexible. Although Jacob doesn't mind watching Mel with other men, depending on the man, he just won't join in."

Mika's head was spinning. "I can't even get my head around it. So Jacob would be happy to watch you sleep with his girlfriend?"

"Wife." Raizo corrected enjoying the expressions dancing all over Mika's face. At one point she was just shaking her head and making sounds but not words. "Jacob says Mel calls me her white whale. I hope to remain that way. I'm big enough to fend off her advances. I'm pretty used to it now. To me, it's just Mel. I've never met a couple more trusting of each other or more in love than they are."

Mika was finishing up the starter and a waiter came out of nowhere to top up both their wine and water glasses. "Is that what you aspire to? A relationship like that?"

Raizo contemplated the question a moment. "No. It works for them, but I don't think I would be able to share the woman I love with someone else."

The main courses arrived. Raizo ordered the duck while Mika went for a smoked salmon salad.

During the main course, conversation mellowed a bit. Some of the guests were taking to the ballroom floor as gentle music wafted out from the speakers accompanied by a live musician at a grand piano to the side of the floor.

After a long stretch of silence, Raizo was the first one to break it. "What is it, Mika?"

"What do you mean?"

"I can hear the cogs turning."

She smiled. "I was just thinking that this is one of the most bizarre nights of my life. I'm sat here with the man that I nearly died with a year ago. I've not wanted to numb myself since you came back, I've not wanted to drink myself into oblivion or medicate myself just to get from one hour to the next. I'm not looking over my shoulder as much and I'm sitting here in this ridiculously expensive restaurant wearing a dress made of nothing bad intentions and have all my scars on show. I was in so much pain that I never thought I would feel hopeful again. I never thought I'd feel anything again." She didn't mean to say that much, it just came spilling out of her but it felt good to share it. She could feel heat behind her eyes but they weren't tears of heartache. She was happy.

Raizo said nothing as he put down his cutlery and stood up offering Mika his hand. "Dance with me?"

Mika looked up at him in surprise. "I'm not sure I know how."

Raizo tilted his head at her and remained silent, his hand still extended and not taking no for an answer. Mika took her napkin off her lap and put it on the table while taking Raizo's hand as he led her to the middle of the dance floor. He one of her hands in his and let his other hand slide across Mika's back to pull her close and as soon as he did she felt like she was supposed to be there, in his arms, safe. She splayed a hand against his back, feeling the cords of muscle through his dress shirt. As they swayed to the gentle music everyone else seemed to fade away.

"Cologne Raizo? That's new."

He smiled down at her. "Do you like it?"

Mika leaned up to nuzzle her nose into the crook of Raizo's neck, her hand brushing his hair away from his shoulder for access. Her nose gently brushed the soft skin. "I do."

Raizo spun her gently and pulled her back, turning their direction. He pulled her hand against his chest so it nestled between them. Mika rested her head against Raizo's shoulder.

"Your heart is calm," Raizo whispered into her hair as his hand traced subtle shapes against Mika's bare back. "Usually it is throwing pots and pans around."

Mika smiled at the reference and let out a small chuckle. "I feel calm with you."

He turned them again as he felt Mika gently pulling away to look up at him. The music was reaching a crescendo "Raizo…"

Before she could finish his mouth was on hers. This wasn't like the peck she'd given him back at her apartment. This was deep and passionate and drew the air from her chest. Mika's eyes closed. They'd stopped dancing. Raizo didn't know what came over him, he just knew that if he didn't kiss her then and there while she looked like a goddess, he might never do it. And she was kissing him back!

When they eventually came up for air the music was dying down. Both Mika's hands were splayed on Raizo's chest while Raizo had a near painful grip of her hips pulling her hard and flush against his body. They rested their foreheads against each other jointly catching their breaths. Mika looked up at him in shock, her chest still heaving. Raizo couldn't read her thoughts this time. Had he made a huge mistake? Had he mistimed everything? For one of the first times in his life, he was finding it difficult to keep a lid on his growing panic. He needed to know what she was thinking.

"Mi…"

Mika put her fingertips against Raizo's lips to halt him talking and fixed him with a commanding stare as she whispered with forceful intent. "You need to get the check."

tbc