(35k+ words) Hello, apologizing for typos ahead of time. Also, because this part to this series has already been completed I won't post chapter by chapter for this part. Each chapter is separated by "-" and there is explicit sexual content and graphic depictions of violence. Read at your own discretion. I will slowly expand my stories on this site unless I forget.

"Who's that?" Ryujin asked the bartender, her finger shaky as she pointed to the TV. She was more than tipsy, cognitive thinking thrown out the window. She appeared relaxed and poised though.

"Oh, you don't know? That's Hwang Yeji. Her father owns some big company and she's supposed to be the future CEO or something." He said while wiping down a shot glass. It was already clean, clear like water without any ripples. But it was late at night, or considerably early in the morning depending upon how you looked at it. Nobody was at that bar but Ryujin. So he just wiped, and wiped.

"You think I could talk to her?" Ryujin continued, downing another shot before he took it to clean, keeping a mental note of her tab. He chuckled a bit.

"Someone born into wealth, and going to be in charge of even more wealth? I doubt she ever talks with just anyone." He said, watching as the girl stepped up to a podium and started to speak about how much of an honor it will be to run the company in the future. He was about to change the channel since it was a rebroadcast from earlier in the day, but Ryujin stopped him. That's when he noticed how fixated Ryujin was on her.

"Do you... know her or something?" He said, an eyebrow perked while she made eye contact in what seemed like forever. She had this strange look. Almost like annoyance, no, rage... maybe obsession. He couldn't tell, but it was scary. Then again, nobody is ever in the right mind under the influence of alcohol.

"No... I don't know her." Ryujin set a fifty on the counter before putting on her leather jacket and heading out. It was chilly, a little windy too. She didn't call for a cab, realizing she spent cab money on drinks. The ATM was further away than her apartment. Her phone was dead. She sighed into the night air, watching clouds puff out of her mouth like a child. Her apartment wasn't that far away, but still a bit far to be walking alone. She was used to it though, being lonely. She stopped at a crosswalk, watching the lights indicate not to walk. There were no cars, but she stopped and stared at the lights anyway. Her mind empty and fixated at the same time. Ryujin ended up leaning against the pole, yawning before sitting down.

"This is comfy." Ryujin said to nobody in particular, her legs growing cold quickly on the concrete. Her head leaned back, eyes closing while she imagined the sun was beaming down on her. Just then a slightly panicked voice spoke, a hand tapped on her shoulder.

"Are you okay?" Ryujin's eyes opened slightly, tired and her fingertips pale. The wind blew her blonde hair into more of a mess while she sat there and looked up at the stranger. It was a girl, brunette with a slim figure. She was wearing a rather expensive looking suit and if Ryujin wasn't dreaming she could've sworn there was a black van not to far away.

"Pretty." The blonde spoke, almost falling over while she stood, even with the others assistance.

"You're drunk."

"Yep. Wasteful isn't it." She said, not caring that perhaps maybe she needed to say these things to a therapist.

"I'm not going to let you stay here alone, I can take you home?"

"The Hwang Yeji wants to drive me home? I don't believe it." Ryujin said, laughing hysterically for a second. Yeji's face flushed a little from the blonde's boldness, but she was persistent.

"You can't be out here alone." Yeji saw Ryujin's fingertips that were now a little blue. "You're coming with me."

"So you're kidnapping me now? Okay Hwang-"

"I'm not going to hurt you or anything. I just would feel a lot better knowing I didn't just drive by and leave someone in potential danger." She said while helping Ryujin into the rather large van. She noticed a few guards standing by it. I guess she shouldn't be suprised given who she was talking to...

When she awoke the next morning she had a terrible headache. She also noticed she was not at her apartment.

"What the fuck?" Ryujin sat upright on the couch. Her jacket was folded neatly on a nearby chair, and her shoes were by the door. She looked around, taking in how upscale the apartment was. It was like a penthouse, to the left were windows, well, a wall made up entirely off glass as if it were an office building. The view was spectacular. A few doors and small hallways with more doors were scattered around. She rubbed her head, last night's memories coming to mind. She smiled deviously to herself.

"So much for not talking to just anyone." She mummbled. A few seconds later she saw Yeji come through the front door. She had her hair up in a messy ponytail and she was already loosening her tie. She undid a few buttons on her prestine shirt. She had glasses on too.

"Why did I choose to do this again?" Yeji grumbled while kicking off her shoes and neatly placing them next to Ryujin's. That's when she froze for a second and looked over to the couch.

"Hi."

"Hey." Ryujin waved before standing, making her way over to Yeji. She saw the brunette gulp as she approached.

"Do you mind if I shower here?" Ryujin asked, her voice a little nervous. She had this strange mood though. Not confidence, but an eerie gleam of comfort.

"Yeah of course, stay as long as you want, just be out of here tonight." Yeji said. Ryujin nodded while watching the future CEO quickly grab what seemed like an iced coffee from the fridge and head to another room. The office probably considering she was holding a laptop and a bag of papers while walking over. The door closed and Ryuiin started to investigate the apartment. She'd eventually find the bathroom.

She learned a lot about Yeji during that time. Like what type of clothing she wore. What dirty things she kept locked away under her bed. What kind of coffee she preferred. What her family looked like, and her ex. When she heard a groan from the office, she finally started the shower and stripped quickly. She really didn't need to shower, she just wanted to map out Yeji's place as much as possible. After all, she had plans.

"Maybe I can try something different this time." Ryujin said to herself while water cascaded over her body. It felt so nice and warm, so tender on her skin. Especially compared to the cold night. She finished showering quickly. Leaving it running before taking her phone out of her jacket pocket, making sure to dry her hands first.

"Pick up damnit." Ryujin mummbled into the thin peice of metal. She was dripping, trying to hurry incase Yeji could tell that nobody was in the shower. That it was just running.

"Hello?"

"I'm not going to be back in Spain for a bit. I found another target." Ryujin was using her other hand to occasionally break the steady flow of water.

"Wealthier than you?"

"Yes. I don't know how long it's going to take." Ryujin turned off the shower.

"Goodluck."

Ryujin hung up. Putting her phone back in her alcohol smelling jacket and grabbing a towel. She dried herself best as she could before walking out, only with a towel. She knocked on the office door, hearing a few footsteps before Yeji's face appeared, flushed.

"Hey- woah." Yeji took a small step back, trying desperately not to look anywhere but Ryujin's face. Even though she knew the blonde had nothing under that towel.

"Do you happen to have extra clothing? Mine smell like a bar." Ryujin said with a small smile, watching Yeji blink to herself a few times. She then nodded and rapidly gestured for the blonde to follow.

"I'm Ryujin by the way. Shin Ryujin." The blonde spoke while Yeji pulled out a rather nice outfit from her closet.

"Nice to meet you." Yeji smiled, handing the fabric to her. Her eyes locking with the blondes just a little too long. Ryujin had to admit, Yeji was beautiful. Makes her whole plan a lot easier.

"Thank you." Ryujin said, watching the orange-haired walk out. Ryujin found herself staring at her until she was out of view.

She was quick to put on the outfit, simple jeans and a button up. She left the top few buttons undone. She was quick to grab her phone and her belongings. Her clothing she left behind besides her jacket. She knew it smelled atrocious but not like she'd be wearing it her way home.

"Leaving already?" Yeji said upon seeing the blonde slipping on her shoes. Ryujin froze, looking at Yeji who was now leaning against the counter.

"I don't want to bother your alone time. I'm sure you're very busy." Ryujin said, a small smile and chuckle. Her eyes locked with Yeji's.

"Ah, not really, I just finished up for the day. I could use some company from time to time. You seem nice." Yeji spoke, her voice slightly lower. Ryujin almost melted from how the orange-haired was looking at her.

"Are you flirting with me, Hwang?" Ryujin said with a small smirk and a perked eyebrow. Yeji chuckled, taking a few steps closer.

"What would you do if I said yes?" The future ceo was awfully close, Ryujin couldn't help shamelessly checking her out.

"I'd take you out to dinner first and see what happens." Ryujin challenged, their faces awfully close.

"Shall we make plans then?" Yeji said, making Ryujin's chest flutter.

"Mmm okay." Ryujin finished putting on her shoes, releasing a shaky breath when she noticed Yeji standing above her, just watching.

"I'll see you at seven-thirty." Ryujin stood, catching the orange-haired looking at her lips for a moment. Ryujin felt flattered, really. A beautiful person like Yeji could surely have anyone she wanted. Yet here she was, not directly, but directly, asking her out.

"See you then." Yeji waved while the apartment door closed. Ryujin now had a much bigger challenge ahead of her. Finding the way out of the building.

"Ryujin... Ryujin... Hey are you listening to me?" A rather pissed off Yuna said, snapping the blonde back to reality.

"Of course, princess." Ryujin replied, watching Yuna's face flushed red while she tried to be anything but embarrassed. Ryujin had a way of getting the younger to completely forget being irritated at her. Worked everytime, and all she had to do was add a name.

"Why aren't you using the usual method? Don't you think it'll take longer this way? We don't really have that much time before we have to get back to command." Yuna seemed concerned, persuasive almost. Heck, everyone knew Ryujin was the only one capable of pulling off these particular missions. Knowing their overall plan, when the one person capable says their trying something new it's a bit worrying. Scary almost.

"Relax, I called Lia and told her I'd take a bit. I'm sure she'll pass the message on. Besides, my target is young. I don't want her to just disappear forever so early on." Ryujin took a sip of her tangerine-mango smoothie. Humming from the delicious taste.

"So you're going to give her false hope for the rest of her life? I don't think that's much better, Ryujin." Yuna was really trying, she understood though.

"Better than the other option, besides she's not CEO yet, so we have to wait anyway." The blonde replied. Yuna stole Ryujin's drink for a moment, taking a swig.

"This has alcohol in it." Yuna's face scrunched. Not even caring that Ryujin took it back.

"No shit... but think of it this way, I'm giving her some excitement in what seems like her boring and stressful life. I hear falling in love feels heavenly." Ryujin raised her eyebrows, a small smile. Yuna sighed, understanding.

"Just don't break her heart. I know the outcome is the big picture. But if she is anything worth while, try to make it seem real for her until the end." For someone as young as Yuna, she could sure be wise. Perhaps that's why Ryujin chose her to be her tactical partner. That, and her performance with weapons of course.

"Anyways..." Ryujin yawned, setting her drink down and standing. "I have a date to get to so I will see you, well, I'm not sure when. I might get lucky." Ryujin finished with a smirk, laughing when Yuna gasped and playfully slapped her arm.

"I don't even want to think about you doing that, Shin." Yuna said with a pout. Ryujin chuckled.

"You sure? Cause sometimes you seem very interested in me-"

"I'm going to kill you one day if you don't shut up." Yuna knew the older was joking, but her egotistical side was something she just could never endear. They both laughed from the sudden serious tone.

"Bye, my princess." Ryujin said, closing her apartment door on the way out, amused when she heard a gasp and her name being called in a rather irritated tone.

"So, what do you do?" Yeji asked, her chin resting on her hands, looking deep into Ryujin's dark eyes. She could get lost in them, so cloudy, so mysterious.

"I'm an investor." Ryujin spoke, taking a sip of some overly expensive wine.

"That's not a job." Yeji teased.

"Sure it is, and I get paid for it." Ryujin wasn't being very honest, but she wasn't exactly lying either.

"Alright miss investor Ryujin, what are you investing it. Maybe give me some tips." Yeji said, smiling at the attractive blonde.

"Right now I'm investing in something very worth my time I must say." Ryujin was good at being secretive.

"Really?" Yeji spoke, teasing almost.

"Mhm, you." Ryujin watched the orange-haired blush a little, coughing awkwardly from the sudden compliment. Ryujin liked watching her get all flustered. She liked watching Yeji in general, she was just so alluring. And sexy, so damn sexy Ryujin thought she would take her right there in the restaurant if Yeji asked her too. Strange how much a stranger could make someone feel.

"How about you? I know you're going to be future CEO, but that's all." Ryujin asked, smiling when the waiter brought their platters. It looked delicious.

"Well, I'll be CEO in about two months, my father has a ceremony planned. So in the meantime I'm just preparing for all those duties. It's very taxing sometimes, I got lucky today. Didn't have much to do." Yeji spoke, delicately placing a napkin on her lap.

"I can only imagine, especially a company as big as your fathers. That's a lot of cash to manage, and where there's cash there's a boat load of responsibility." Ryujin replied, picking up a knife and cutting through the meat with ease. With precision as if she was a chef. Yeji watched in awe, her mind drifting to dark places wondering what other handy talents she might have.

"Yeah, it's worth is roughly four-hundred fifty billion dollars." Yeji said, not sure why she spoke about the average amount of money surrounding the company. That's not something you would just toss around to a stranger on a first date.

"Wow, rich much?" Ryujin said with a giggle, watching Yeji smile back. The rest of the dinner went smoothly, talking about themselves and flirting here and there. Ryujin was sure a charmer, and Yeji was also a charmer. They seemed very comfortable with eachother. Ryujin ended up paying, saying she owed her for taking her in last night. Yeji tried to tell her it was no big deal, but failed, Ryujin expressed her debt and thanks multiple times.

They ended up strolling around the city a bit, talking and taking in the scenery. It was getting rather late into the night, and was almost ten when Yeji reached her apartment door. Ryujin was with her, having accepted her offer to stay over.

"Thank you again, for everything, it was really late when you found me on the street." Ryujin said, stripping her coat and shoes with Yeji.

"You didn't have to pay for dinner though." Yeji spoke, turning to face Ryujin, close. "There's other ways to make it up to me." Her mouth right next to Ryujin's ear, sending shivers down the blondes spine.

"And how might I do that?" Ryujin said, a smirk on her face while her hands found the orange-haireds waist...

"Fuck, keep doing that." Yeji panted, her back arched and hands gripping Ryujin's hair tightly. The blonde was prodding her fingers against one particular spot deep in Yeji's cunt. Her tongue flicking her clit rapidly, occasionally sucking to give small recovery time before vigorously licking. Her breath hot on Yeji's folds and the occasional hum making the older twitch. Ryujin was using all her strength to keep her hips grounded, and she'd wear her muscles out all day if it meant being able to have a taste of Yeji.

Ryujin continued her moments, pounding into that same spot while she worked her mouth. Her eyes rolled back into her head for a moment, Yeji just tasted so good. Tangy at first and then a little sweet. Ryujin liked it maybe a little too much, but damn she was always a sucker for bitter. Yeji leaned up on her elbows momentarily, releasing Ryujin's -now- messy hair and locking eyes with her.

"Just a... little faster." Yeji spoke, it was clear through her moaning and the way her insides moved she was close. Ryujin obligated, and not too long after Yeji's cum was dripping on her chin. The orange-haireds hips stuttering on her fingers while her body quivered. Euphoria traveling through her veins, in that moment Yeji swore she saw stars, feeling light headed. It was all too much, how much of a high she got from her climax. Just when she thought she was starting to calm down, Ryujin just continued to move harder.

"That's right baby, you enjoyed that didn't you? Wanna come again for me?" The blondes voice was low, and Yeji found herself soaking the sheets while Ryujin used the short time in the beginning of her fall to bring her back up. Her body twitching again, another round of loud moans slipping from her pretty lips. A few long jolts shot through her once more. Her hands where digging into Ryujin's shoulders, feeling the strong frame while she clung.

"Get up here." Yeji panted, breathless while the blonde obeyed. Starting a slow and sloppy series of kisses, letting the orange-haired taste herself.

"You okay?" Ryujin asked softly when they parted, studying the olders face. Yeji's eyes were closed in delight and from exhaustion. It had been a while since Yeji did anything, and Ryujin was more than average in bed. She sure made the future ceo feel good, worked her body correctly.

"More than okay... thank you." Yeji said, still catching her breath.

"No need to thank me, I did this for you remember?" Ryujin spoke, planting a few kisses to her neck and cheeks. Yeji couldn't help but be a little pained from her response. Wondering if she was only having sex because she was asked, and not because she wanted to. Yeji dismissed her thoughts, thinking how dumb that sounded. She wouldn't consent if she didn't want to... right?

"Can I ride your face?" Ryujin whispered, locking her dilated eyes with Yeji's. Ryujin was more than turned on. How could she not be? Even Yeji's cat like eyes could portray so much, and right now her bedroom eyes made Ryujin's body react in ways she didn't know she could. The blonde's hands running all over Yeji's body didn't help her lust either. Yeji was so soft and felt so good under her fingertips. Heck, she even felt good around her fingertips.

"Please..."

"You don't have to leave so early do you?" Ryujin said, feeling the bed dip before the warmth next to her was gone. Even with her circumstances she felt sad that Yeji had to work. Well, sad she had to leave. She was a little grumpy because of it. After last night she wanted nothing more but to rest cuddled into the orange-haired and watch the sun slowly wake them up.

"Yes, I do. I'll be back later I promise. You can stay, or leave if you want. You probably have work too." Yeji said while buttoning up her shirt.

"Ah, yes.. work." Ryujin spoke, being reminded of the whole reason she was here in the first place. She almost felt sick upon remembrance, like someone had just told her that her pet died. She took Yeji to cloud-nine and back and felt gratifying while doing it. Felt natural, felt... heavenly. Especially when Yeji returned the favor, my god Ryujin would never forget that connection. That attraction that lulled her right into pleasures she didn't know she could feel.

Perhaps that's why people say never to do it on the first date. It's like a fucking trap.

"Investing not that fun huh?" Yeji spoke while doing her belt, sending a small smile to Ryujin who was perched on her hand, barley covered by the blankets. Just watching the older in awe. Wondering how someone could ever be so sunny even in the morning. Her head tilting to the side cutely. Yeji chuckled, face flushed.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Yeji was rather bashful as she spoke, making Ryujin send a whisker smile.

"Like what?"

"That... that way you were just looking."

"I don't know what you mean, Hwang." Ryujin was such a tease sometimes. Yeji was about to head to the bathroom but instead leaned over the bed and cupped Ryujin's face.

"Say, we should go out again sometime." Yeji then planted a small kiss to Ryujin's oh so soft lips. Walking away with a small chuckle and smirk at Ryujin's face. Watching the blondes fingers come up and touch her lip for a moment as if still registering what happened. Yeji found it rather amusing and adorable considering they kissed quite a bit last night.

"Hey, you're finally using your phone for once." Yuna's loud voice rang. Ryujin should've known the outburst would happen. After all, she ignored every message Yuna sent her way since she left for the date.

"Yeah, sorry princess I was a bit preoccupied." Ryujin held back her laughter while listening to Yuna audibly become embarrassed.

"Do you have to call me that?"

"Absolutely."

"I hate you, anyways, you called back for a reason so what do you want." Yuna sure switched moods rather quickly sometimes.

"Her company is worth four-hundred and fifty billion dollars." Ryujin breathed out while Yuna whistled on the other side of the line.

"That's a shit ton of money, Ryujin. Are you sure it's a good idea to jeopardize a company that big for this?" Yuna, oh the sweet and somewhat innocent Yuna.

"Says the one more devoted to this job than me."

"I'm just saying... a company that rich is probably important." Yuna was right, Ryujin wouldn't deny that. But, everyone is replaceable. So she thought.

"Plus, this will be enough to get us off the grid and out of the loop. AND still be rich." Ryujin spoke, almost feeling Yuna's sigh through the phone.

"I know, I know... I just wonder sometimes..." Yuna paused before changing topic and saying goodbye. Ryujin was quick to run to the subway, knowing that call lasted a bit longer than expected.

Ryujin didn't know how long she rode the subway for, sleeping and memorizing some memorable faces that entered. She just sat, daydreaming while thinking about Yeji. More specifically, how to get her ceremony plans, and how to gain her trust in just a little less than two months. A rather happy couple entered and Ryujin, being Ryujin, had the guts to talk to them.

"Excuse me?" Ryujin asked, seeing the pair stop smiling and look her way, a bit suprised someone was talking to them. Let alone Ryujin who was, though beautiful, seemed very deranged. For some reason it was mesmerizing, the combo just her appearance held. To be fair, that was one of her "remarkable traits" according to her superiors.

"How do you get someone to love you?" The blonde looked a bit empty inside, her eyes dark while her face conveyed no emotion. The couple seemed a bit spooked, but couldn't turn away. The girl apoke up, looking at Ryujin with empathy.

"Well, you don't really control it. If someone likes you, and I guess if they just feel good just by being near you then you've probably succeeded in finding the one." She sent a small smile, a bit sad by Ryujin's seemingly down appearance.

"What if they don't like who I am." Ryujin questioned. Perhaps expressing feelings weren't her thing. But, she could pretend to feel things like the most expensive artificial intelligence.

"I guess just become the person you think they deserve. But if someone doesn't like you, you can't really change that. Love isn't something critical, there aren't really rules." The couple got off a few minutes later, hearing Ryujin's small thanks. Ryujin stayed on, riding and analyzing basic psychology and emotion as if it was a science with a process. Her head hurt, but knowing she could be free from one of her deepest mistakes if she just finished this selected target was comforting. She had an escape, all she had to do was a bit of deception.

But could she?

Was it crazy to be so obsessed with someone just so you can crush them? Ryujin couldn't help but feel guilt for things she hadn't done yet, but inevitably will. Then again, Yeji was just a stranger. A stranger that would probably become a corporate asshole due to money. Devoid of societies morals and replaced with the more effective and selfish ethics.

"What am I thinking?" Ryujin said to herself. How could she think such things about Yeji? The girl who in the dead, cold night, had all ability to drive by and leave her in the street but stopped to help her. A stranger, a drunk stranger who was rather rude. The girl who made her laugh and for just a day made her forget her duty. For the night, made her hormones rage with want and need in a way she hasn't in years. Ryujin wanted her.

"Fuck what am I doing." Ryujin knew people were staring at her, she was practically having a breakdown. But she held it in, supressed herself before getting off at a random stop. She had no idea where she was, but a bar caught her eye and that's all she needed. This time she made sure to have enough cash. It was a bit more upscale than the other one she went to. A bit more crowded too. Some guys looked her way when she entered, she ignored them. Though some were disgusting, looking at her like meat. Those were harder to ignore.

"I'll have anything. Anything at all. I need to think." Ryujin said, sitting at the corner seat of the bar. The bartender seemed nice on the outside, she had dark red hair and-

"Chaeryeong?" Ryujin blinked a few times.

"Ryujin? What are you doing here?" She said, eyes just as wide and shocked as Ryujin's.

"I could ask you the same question." Ryujin hadn't seen Chaeryeong for almost four years. They were broken up after their first assessment in Italy. That was a brutal move, they worked so well together, Yuna, Chaeryeong and her. Lia was also apart of their team as their techie. Now she's stuck in Spain because another team still together needed a replacement. Ryujin had been worried ever since that first assessment, praying they at least let Yuna stay as her tactician. She didn't know how she would handle being solo.

"I was stationed in this part of the city for a year now, nobody has said anything to me apart from deadlines." Chaeryeong said, voice quiter and a bit sad.

"That's not right, someone should be keeping in contact with you. Especially if you haven't gotten out yet." Ryujin said, taking the mysterious liquid from Chaeryeong, who whispered it was on the house.

"Do you think they're just going to..." Chaeryeong started, tone a bit nervous.

"No, no. Don't say that, they would be making a big mistake by doing that." Ryujin then downed her drink. Cringing at it's taste. She wasn't an alcoholic or anything, but she could hold her drinks well, and more recently visited bars due to boredom. Sometimes she wouldn't even drink, just play pool alone and watch everyone else. Observing.

"Yeah... but hey, it's good to see you. How have you been?" Chaeryeong said, awaiting Ryujin's response but was interuppted by another costumer that wasn't sober at all. He was rather rude asking for another round, which Chaeryeong gave anyway before returning to Ryujin.

"I'm not sure, up until a couple days ago I felt like I was in limbo. But now everything is just kind of hitting me. I think I'm happy one moment, and then I remember my situation." Ryujin said, declining more alcohol even though she barley had any. She'd rather discuss some things sober.

"Well, at least you feel happy sometimes. I'm just lonely, there's nobody here." Chaeryeong looked empty when she spoke those words. Ryujin giving her a sad but soft smile. Chaeryeong then called somebody else to work her shift, which they did considering she was there for so long and everyone working knew she deserved a break.

"Do you want to stay at my place tonight? Yuna is there, I think she'd be happy to see you too." Ryujin said while Chaeryeong clocked out and smiled. She agreed before pulling the blonde into a hug. Ryujin hugged back just as tightly. It had been too long since they saw eachother and it felt so nice knowing that they could rely on one another again. Cry on eachothers shoulders, play stupid movies together, and share the pain of their situation together. They ignored the whoops and hollers of some drunks, almost shedding tears. They left, walking to the back where Chaeryeong parked her car.

"I didn't know you could drive." Ryujin said, sitting down on the leather seat.

"Well, now you do. I figured it'd be useful, that and you looked so cool when you drove." They shared a laugh, talking while Ryujin directed her back to the apartment. It was rather upscale, and Chaeryeong was a bit shocked at how nice the interior was. Just then, a very tall Yuna peeked out from one of the bedrooms.

"Oh my god." And another reunion began.

They were playing a rather intense game of monopoly with real cash until Ryujin's phone went off. Everyone stared at it, ringing on the table. It was protocol not to give personal numbers unless essential. Ryujin coughed, reading the name and flushing brightly. Yuna and Chaeryeong watched her, staring intently.

"Hey." Ryujin's voice was soft, her eyes sparkling at first. Of course the other two noticed this. But there was something else behind those eyes too.

"Hey, I was wondering if I could come over to your place. Something happened today and you're the only person I think cares about me even a little bit." Ryujin's face dropped upon hearing the words, Yeji sounded so upset. Like she was on the verge of tears.

"I'm sorry, I probably sound pathetic-"

"No, no it's completely okay, you can come over I'll text you my address. It's really okay, don't worry." Ryujin said, ignoring the rather shocked looks the other two were giving her.

"Thank you. I'll be there soon." Yeji then hung up, Ryujin hearing a small sniffle on the other end.

"What the fuck was that." Yuna said, panicked.

"What do you mean? What did you want me to do? Say no, go cry to someone else? She's my target Yuna, mine." Ryujin said as if Yuna was the dumbest person in the world, Chaeryeong was just as suprised. But not suprised the two were bickering.

"Exactly, she's your target Ryujin! Plus we have our guns and shit everywhere." Yuna spoke, eyes wide with panic and rage. Chaeryeong suddenly became very scared too.

"Ryujin, no offense, I know you're the best. But why on earth would you let your target come to your home? That's a little crazy if you ask me." Chaeryeong said, watching Yuna start to hide certain things that were orginally out in the open.

"It's because of her new method." Yuna said, shoving a unloaded pistol under couch cushions. Ryujin was hiding classified phone numbers in the fridge.

"Elaborate? Because that still seems a bit radical-"

"She's going to make her fall in love, get her to make something that says if either one of them dies the company can be manged by the other person, and then kill her. In turn obtaining, what was it? A four-hundred and fifty billion dollar company." Yuna rushed out. Chaeryeong gasping while rushing to make everything look presentable.

"Holy shit. That's a lot of money, but brutal. Wow." Chaeryeong spoke, knowing that this target meant the blondes freedom from the loop.

"You make it sound so awful. It's better than what I've done to previous targets." Ryujin said. She wasn't wrong though, Yuna knew that first hand having been with her for years. It wasn't long before they managed to hide and clean up as much as possible. Chaeryeong and Yuna sat on the couch, watching Ryujin pace back and forth by the door, waiting. She was a ticking time bomb over there.

A rather delicate knock was heard, everyone staring at the handled barrier. Ryujin opened, seeing the normally bright and formal orange-haired looking like she hadn't slept in a week. Her eyes were puffy, mascara smeared where tears streamed and face red. The poor girl looked exhausted.

"Yeji-"

"Just kiss me." Yeji rushed, stepping in, barley closing the door behind her before pushing Ryujin against the wall and lip-locking. Still not acknowledging or even noticing the other two on the couches a few bits away.

"Yeji, hey-" Ryujin tried to sneak out a sentence between kisses, feeling the orange-haired shaking. Ryujin was soft, her arms coming up and embracing the older. Her hand running soothingly on her back. Yeji then broke, crying and burying her head in Ryujin's shoulder.

"I don't want to feel like this. It hurts so much." Yeji said, voice cracking while she soaked Ryujin's shirt.

"Hey, it's okay... it's okay. What happened?" Ryujin cooed, her heart aching from seeing how sad Yeji was. Just this morning she was gleaming with inspiration and seeming to shine after their nights acitvies. Now she was helplessly sobbing.

"My mother passed away, I know I didn't talk about her to you yet. But It's not because I didn't love her, It just never came up. Oh God, Ryujin, she's really gone." Yeji was having a breakdown while sadness pumped through her veins. Ryujin didn't think she'd live to see the day that thee Hwang Yeji was just so melancholy.

"It's okay, I'm here. She's still here." Ryujin said, her one hand reaching up and resting on Yeji's heart softly. After a few moments of just silence besides Ryujin whispering comforting words, Yuna coughed lighty to grab both of their attention.

"I don't mean to intrude, but you'd probably be more comfortable sitting." Yuna said, her voice delicate having just heard and witnessed the entire conversation. Yeji backed away from Ryujin a little bit.

"I-I didn't know you had company I'm sorry." Yeji wiped the rest of her tears, sniffling while she looked down at the floor. Embarrassed she just cried in front of two people she didn't know.

"It's okay, they're good people. That's Yuna, she's staying here for a bit, and that's my best friend Chaeryeong that I haven't seen in four years." Yeji sniffled, waving and sending a small smile. The blonde led her to the couch, sitting down next to her while the other two looked at her sympathetically.

"Do you want some water?" Chaeryeong said, her voice soft while they admired the orange-haired. Well, perhaps they admired her because she was their ticket out. Ryujin however, was mirroring Yeji's face. Sad, but concerned. Yeji declined the offer, not wanting anyone to pity her.

"I'm sorry for bothering you, really. I know we only met like a day ago and-"

"Yeji, it's okay. I don't mind, I'm flattered really that you trust me enough to open up to me." Ryujin spoke, Yuna and Chaeryeong becoming very suspicious of Ryujin's attitude towards a target.

Yeji ended up falling asleep half on the couch and half ontop of Ryujin. The blondes eyes lidded while she gently stroked through her soft orange hair. Yeji seemed seemed fragile in her arms. So vulnerable while she clutched Ryujin's shirt, head resting on Ryujin's chest. Yuna and Chaeryeong were in the kitchen resuming the monopoly game quietly. Ryujin eventually fell asleep too, the soft body ontop of her warm and comforting.

"I'm worried." Chaeryeong said to Yuna, who perked up at the statement.

"Me too, I feel like she's catching feelings." Yuna replied, watching Chaeryeong nod in understanding before glancing at the duo snuggled on the couch.

"I'm worried about her mental health. You know Ryujin, she isn't exactly the most sane." Chaeryeong continued to talk, observing.

"She looks so calm." Chaeryeong and Yuna both stared at the pro in front of them. Inspecting every detail, how Ryujin's arms wrapped around Yeji securely, how her body molded into Yeji's and vice versa. The only thing they could think was how lucky Ryujin was, but oh how terribly dark the future was.

The Cycle was brutal like that. All four of them were born into it, grew up training for elite operations for money. They were stuck in that loop, stuck because the filthy bastards up top had leverage. If they tried to leave they'd be killed by another Cycle team that'd receive money for doing so. Perhaps that'd be better, they don't know how much longer they could go murdering almost innocent people for cash that they don't even keep all of. They had leverage over Ryujin alright, her mom was still alive and unless she met her dues she'd be killed. The other three stayed for similar reasons, all sorts of blackmail held. They were told they could buy their way out, and Ryujin can buy all four of them out if she follows through with this one target. But when Ryujin wants something, she gets it. The question was, what did Ryujin want now?

"She'll be free though, Chaery. We'll all be free." Yuna tried to comfort herself by saying those words. But she could tell this one mission will become very hard for Ryujin. Hard for her as well, especially because it was Ryujin. One of the reasons she was the best wasn't only because of her well thought out plans, but because of her mind. She was cunning, deceiving, and a bit off.

"Damn you Ryujin. You should've stuck with the original plan." Chaeryeong said, knowing that at least then her feelings would be spared. Perhaps Yeji too. She wasn't angry, just sad knowing that the blonde finally found someone that can make her happy. Whether she knew it herself or not was a different story. They both froze their conversation when they saw Yeji shift. Ryujin, having to be a light sleeper, was awake quick while Yeji shuffled.

"Alright, come on." Ryujin said, sitting up with a half asleep Yeji, picking her up bridal style and to the bedroom. She walked out a few moments later to Yuna and Chaeryeong giving her unamused looks.

"What?"

"You really have no idea huh? Well, you're good at that Ryu. Give it about two weeks and I'm sure she'll be head over heels falling for you." Yuna said, Chaeryeong sighed.

"And don't catch feelings, Ryujin."

"I'm not. Don't worry, all we did was have sex." Ryujin said, watching Yuna flush while Chaeryeong continued to question.

"What did you think when you first saw her in person." Chaeryeong asked, voice skeptical.

"Well, I thought she was pretty, and kind. I wanted to know about her." Ryujin said recalling the cold night.

"Did you-"

"I also thought how was I ever going to get this girl. She seemed so perfect and humane. How extraordinary lucky could I be. To have someone like her love me, how powerful that must feel." Ryujin then stopped, realizing what she had said.

"You're so screwed." Yuna spoke, head in her hands. Chaeryeong seemed a bit spooked by the last bit... Ryujin could be scary sometimes.

"Well, I don't have a choice. She won't either." Ryujin seemed like she was about to cry, but peacefully strolled back into the bedroom. Her words staining in the other twos heads.

"Hey Yeji, I know you can't hear me. I just want to tell you I'm here now, I'll be here for you. I promise you'll be mine, I know you'd like that too." Ryujin then kissed her forehead and slipped under the covers behind her. Embracing the orange-haired and lulling to sleep, forgetting about her worries.

When she awoke everything felt surreal. The orange-haired looked like a goddess with how the sunlight beamed onto her. Illuminating her cat-like face and everything charming with it. Now, she may have had a bit of smeared makeup, but that made Ryujin like it all the more. She was up first, carefully strolling to the bathroom and return with face wipes. Her hands gently running over Yeji's face, cleansing her of the clotted beauty product. Her face was so soft, delicate and doll like. But the kind of doll that was so amazing it looked like art. Art that hypnotized anyone that looked at it. Ryujin just stared and stared, her hand stroking her cheek softly. She thought about how if anyone did anything to damage that pretty face she'd kill them. She'd do it slowly though, maybe cut off their fingers one by one and pluck their eyes out with scissors. Pour gasoline into their sockets and let them burn. Burn and burn until there was nothing left but the soul leaving a pile of ash and bone. Yeah, Ryujin could be violent.

When she opened her eyes. Oh, those deep cat eyes that ripped through her soul. Her thoughts stopped, just lost in her. Bringing her out of her dark thoughts for a moment. Like a drug making someone forget about their shitty life. Ryujin was happy to take Yeji like a drug, even if it left her head dismantled.

"Hey." Yeji spoke, her head turning slightly to kiss the inside of Ryujin's palm. A soft smile forming on her lips. Her morning voice husky and low.

"Sleep okay?" Ryujin asked, Yeji nodded before thanking her again for being comforting.

"Can you just stay here with me for a bit?" Yeji's voice softer now, Ryujin obligated, she couldn't say no to someone like Yeji. Well, maybe she could, but to Yeji.. no.

Ryujin's heart beat faster when Yeji cuddled into her. She knew she was doomed, they were practically like lovers. All Ryujin could think was

"How the hell am I supposed to get out of this? And how can I keep her mine?"

Common symptoms of a psychopath:

"socially irresponsible behavior

disregarding or violating the rights of others

inability to distinguish between right and wrong

difficulty with showing remorse or empathy

tendency to lie often

manipulating and hurting others

recurring problems with the law

general disregard towards safety and responsibility"

Could Ryujin identify with some of these? Maybe.

"Wake up." Just like that Ryujin's eyes were wide, a bit strained at first.

"We have to talk." Yuna's voice was quiter, pointing to Yeji sleeping again softly. Ryujin got up slowly, reading the time, a little past twelve now. Looks like they'll be having a half day.

"What's up?" Ryujin said, gently closing the door behind her. Chaeryeong was standing in the living room, shaking while she gripped tightly onto her phone.

"I've been terminated." Chaeryeong said, watching Ryujin's face go blank before she let out a laugh. Nobody else was laughing, just looking at her, horrified.

"You're joking right?" Ryujin wiped what could be assumed as tears from crying off the corners of her eyes. She stopped when she saw the message on Chaeryeong's phone.

"Fuck, no you aren't. I won't let them kill you. That's not fair." Ryujin said, Yuna holding back her tears on the side.

"Life isn't fair, Ryujin." Chaeryeong said, knowing that she'd be dead soon. She didn't want Ryujin to get caught up with her problem.

"But life should be fair for us. And it's going to be."

"That's not how it works-"

"That's exactly how it works. I'm going to tell Lia to add your name on my team list. If they don't listen then I will just have to kill any team that tries to harm you with my bare hands." Ryujin was fuming with rage then, reaching for her own phone and aggressively tapping. Yuna sniffling while Chaeryeong silently cried.

"And if they get to me?" Chaeryeong spoke, not wanting to put Ryujin in more danger than she already was.

"They won't." Ryujin spoke with a small smile, it wasn't a friendly smile. It was the kind of smile a villain would have plastered on their face when someone talked into a trap. The two didn't think much of it when Ryujin acted like that, she's always been that way. It was one of the reasons a lot of kids were scared of her when they were young and in training. If they weren't close to her, god knows what she would be thinking and planning inside that head. Often times if Ryujin's tactics didn't get to her opponent, fear did.

"Thanks for coming here with me." Ryujin said to Yeji as they sat on a blanket, staring out into the pond. It was a rather nice park, one that you could star gaze under when dark. Ryujin knew it was a bit out of the city, and Yeji probably never went there. So why not offer to take her?

"I should be the one thanking you. I don't see places like this often, I'm stuck moving from one corporate building to the next." Yeji said with a small laugh. Ryujin swallowed up every laugh, every facial expression, every word that came out of her mouth.

"You're inspiring, really." Ryujin said, gazing into those eyes only to get hooked. Yeji blushed, Ryujin's choice of wording was always unique to her. She spoke in flattering ways that normally the average person wouldn't say. Yeji found it charming, more than charming actually. One could say it captivated Yeji. Influenced and dominated her.

"I don't know why, but you're very attractive." Yeji said, her face scrunched while she thought. Hand brushing a strand of hair behind Ryujin's ear. The blonde scuffed with a chuckle.

"You know Hwang if you wanted to touch me all you had to do was ask." Ryujin said, seeing the older flush again. Ryujin honestly wouldn't care if Yeji asked or not, she'd let Yeji do anything to her and enjoy it.

"No, I mean yes, but no. Your personality I guess, it's different. But you're, I don't know just something about you Shin." Yeji said while her hand ran down Ryujin's forearm.

"Is that a compliment?"

"Yes, God yes. I like it." Yeji's voice dropping a bit while she said those last words. Ryujin was quick to kiss her. She just had to kiss her. How could she not? She felt something with Yeji, felt joy. It was like Yeji was pulling her out of a dark swirl of demons in her head by just being there. Grounding her. She smiled back into the kiss, breaking it to see the orange sun in front of her.

"I also want to thank you for being with me. Distracting me from.. well.." Yeji became sad rather quickly. Ryujin embracing her just as quick, saying she didn't owe her anything. Yeji held back her tears, she had to. She could not feel weak right before one of the biggest moments in her life. Yeji couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed by how fast she let Ryujin in her life, but she could only blame herself for that. Or could she? Not like Ryujin would somehow pry her way in or anything...

"Hey you two ladies, I'm sorry for asking but I'd rather not have my kids be watching two women kissing so if you can move somewhere else that'd be nice." A rather muscular man said, his voice thick with confidence. The blonde was discreet, starting a recording on her phone in her pocket. Ryujin looked behind him, seeing two kids and probably his wife a distance aways setting up a blanket as well.

"We were here first, tell your family to move. This is a public park." Ryujin was cold while she spoke, feeling Yeji's eyes widen with suprise and admiration next to her. Ryujin analyzed him, seeing spots where he'd be weaker if hit, or perhaps not be able to reach well due to muscle masses.

"Hey, I asked you nicely-"

"And I said no, we were here first. So deal with me loving my girlfriend or beat it." Yeji's eyes widened more for a completely different reason after that one.

"You're already a problem, I'd never teach my kids to act like you and they're probably watching and picking up things from you right now." He said, face getting a bit red from annoyance.

"Look, she's not wrong, we were here first and this is public space. It's your job to control your kids, not change the environment to suit them. If this was your house that'd be one thing, but it's not." Yeji spoke as if she was talking in a board meeting. Ryujin could tell she was still a little shaken.

"Did your parents raise you like this? Would you talk to your mom with that kind of attitude if she asked you to move?" He spoke like he was some kind of higher being. Ryujin cracked, watching Yeji's eyes water a little from his statement. The blonde stood, a little under his eye level now, eyes filled with rage.

"How dare you speak to her like that? Do you even know what she's going through?" Ryujin pushed him back by the shoulders, watching him stumble do to him being off guard. It looked like the rest of his family was also starting to panic in the back. Ryujin internally smiled to herself. What more perfect way to humiliate someone then right in front of their own spouse.

"No, I-"

"Exactly, you don't even know that you crossed a damn line that you could've avoided if you had an ounce of decency." Ryujin saw him growing angrier as she spoke, his wife calling for him in a panicked voice, he ignored. Yeji was on her feet now too, hand gently resting on Ryujin's shoulder and telling her it was okay. It wasn't okay to Ryujin though. Yeji's voice was the only thing keeping her from beating the shit out of him, and Ryujin obeyed, skuffing and going to sit back down with Yeji.

"I see the problem now, probably only had a mother to begin with." She heard, and once again she was back on her feet. Storming over to him and kicking him in the testicles before putting him in a headlock. They were almost rolling around in the grass, Yeji and his wife running over to the two of them while the kids started to cry.

"Oh my god." Yeji spoke, not being able to really do anything while Ryujin slowly deprived his oxygen flow. She should've been scared, but she was happy Ryujin was teaching him a lesson. Perhaps violence wasn't the best option, but a strong part of Yeji thought he deserved it. Ryujin eventually let go, standing up and watching him grasping for air on all fours, coughing while one hand caressed his hurting privates. His wife was quick to accompany him, yelling at Ryujin who was calmly walking away and picking up their stuff.

"Fucking psycho." Ryujin heard him say, still out of breath. She noticed the kids up alone on the blanket, looking so clueless. Ryujin took a hundred out of her wallet, walking up the older-looking one of the two with a smile. Ignoring the yelling wife, she handed it to him.

"Here kid, compensation for kicking your dad's ass." She saw the kid smile when he realized how much money he'd been given, Yeji laughing at Ryujin's actions. They then walked away to where Ryujin parked her car. Well, Chaeryeongs car, she borrowed it. Sure, she could buy her own but what's the point when she could subway everywhere in the city.

"I can't believe you did that. You're lucky there weren't any cops patrolling." Yeji said once they were situated in their seats. Ryujin noticed Yeji didn't seem mad when she said those words.

"I wasn't going to sit there and let him say those things to you. Especially that." Ryujin grumbled, face pouting angrily.

"Thank you, baby." Yeji said, hand on Ryujin's cheek tilting her face towards her. She pecked her lips, feeling Ryujin's softness against her own was just so comforting and natural.

"So you're my girlfriend now?" Yeji said after parting, watching Ryujin flush.

"I guess I did say that huh?" Ryujin teased, giggling when Yeji playfully slapped her arm.

"Ryujinnn-" She whined, frowning in a way Ryujin found adorable.

"I'm just messing with you, I can be your girlfriend if you want." Ryujin spoke, almost missing Yeji's sneaky hands staring to undo her top. Ryujin didn't stop her, feeling Yeji's hands on her front playing with her.

"Yes?" Yeji ended up moving over the middle console and reclining Ryujin's seat. Smiling at the blonde who let out a small yelp. Completely forgetting about her ongoing video on her phone.

"Yes..."

If everytime Ryujin beat up a douche bag it meant Yeji eating her out in the car, she'd do it all day. Anywhere. Her tongue was just so good, sending fevers through her entire body.

"Did you like that?" Yeji's calm and whispery voice rang throughout her head. Ryujin was still trying to find air while their naked sweaty bodies wet the leather seat. Yeji started placing kisses up her body, eventually reaching her lips. Yeji couldn't keep her hands to herself, Ryujin was open in front of her, all for her.

"Yes, yes yes yes." Ryujin said, giving herself up while they attacked eachothers mouths. Tongues fighting for dominace that Ryujin let Yeji win this time.

"You think Chaeryeong will be mad at us for this?" Yeji questioned, not really caring but just curious.

"Probably, but she doesn't have to know." Ryujin laughed with Yeji, capturing her lips once more. Yeji for a moment, just a moment, thought she could spend her whole life with Ryujin. But, she quickly dismissed the thought, not wanting to move quickly and scare away the blonde.

"You know Ryu, I think I could get used to this." Yeji spoke while they slowly put their clothing back on, ruffled and disorganized.

"Yeah? Me too."

It had been a week since that encounter, and since Ryujin saw Yeji. Yuna and Chaeryeong were starting to get a bit concerned, as they'd come home and find Ryujin restless looking like a madman. Even catch her doing some internet stalking from time to time. This time, Ryujin was staring at the TV watching the orange-haired give a rather heartfelt speech about her mother. She was fidgeting with a butterfly knife, flipping it and performing tricks like it was child's play.

"Ryujin, I think maybe you should-"

Snap

She closed the knife rather loudly with a crack. Her face a bit red while she watched Yeji smile and shake the hand of some young pretty boy investor after a couple more of her announcements. Ryujin got a bit closer to the TV, as if she could get a better look that way. She was about to stand, probably figure out who he was, but Chaeryeong stopped her. Sitting her right back back and shoving a plate of food in her face.

"You need to keep nourished, not to mention this is for all of us, Ryu. It'll be better if you're thinking with a full stomach and fuel." Yuna said for Chaeryeong, who just gave her a look. Ryujin whined but ate anyway. She always liked Chaeryeong's cooking to begin with, so she'd eat it anyway.

"I should see her." Ryujin mummbled out through her food filled mouth.

"She's busy, Ryujin. I know you guys are a thing, but you can't seem too eager. It'd be more reason for someone to suspect you once this job is finished." Chaeryeong said, biting into an apple.

"Well, what am I supposed to do?" Ryujin was now chowing down on corn, eyes rolling back for a moment. She wondered why Chaeryeong didn't become a chef or something.

"I don't know if you forgot, but Lia also had something with you, no? Maybe talk to her, make time for her too." Yuna spoke while spinning in a chair, bored.

"Oh yeah..." Ryujin said, forgetting that she had a relationship with Lia before she was relocated.

"You did not just forget about your real girlfriend." Yuna stopped spinning, an amused look on her face. Chaeryeong was snorting in the corner, holding back laughter.

"N-No! I didn't forget. I'm not that stupid." Ryujin grumbled, feeling rather attacked.

"You totally did." Chaeryeong said through giggles, teasing the blonde who pursed her lips together and scrunched her eyebrows in that once grumpy way she does. Yuna was smiling like an idiot, enjoying watching Ryujin get all flustered. Payback for calling her princess so many times.

"You know, what do you think Lia would say if she found out you replaced her for your target-"

"I swear Yuna if you don't shut up." Ryujin said, knowing she'd do absolutely nothing to the younger, but still needing to bark without the bite anyway.

"I mean, I'm sure we can make a deal."

"No."

"I can call Lia right now-"

"FINE. Fine." Ryujin crossed her arms, awaiting to her the terms of whatever was coming, dreading it.

"Simple, I just want to know the last thing in your super secret and mysterious photo gallery on your phone." Yuna said with a smirk, knowing Ryujin must have some kind of dirt on there. After all, she never ever shows her photo gallery, must be something good. Ryujin's eyes widened, which only made Chaeryeong and Yuna more intrigued...

"You did not almost suffocate a guy to death in the open." Yuna said, laughing while they listened to the audio peacefully. Well, except Ryujin who was being restrained by Chaeryeong. They were a bit disappointed it was only audio though. Would've been funny to watch Ryujin absolutely devastate this guy.

"No, you don't understand you can't listen to the rest of that. I forgot to stop recording after the fight." Ryujin was panicking and breathing heavy. Yuna and Chaeryeong didn't think much of it, realizing it was almost a thirty minute video. Giggling from how much juicy secrets and overly cheesy things they might get to learn. It got rather quiet on the recording for a bit, Chaeryeong catching on first after what she thought were kisses originally but doubted it. Not in her car they wouldn't...

Oh, a yelp, that definitely was far from anything sexual. Once again it became rather quiet on the recording.

"Why can't I hear anything?" Poor Yuna, she turned up the volume quite a bit. Thinking she'd hear something. Yeah, she sure did, rather loudly too.

What she did not expect was Ryujin's muffled moan to be what blasted out of the speaker. She ended up dropping the phone, Ryujin finally breaking out of Chaeryeong's hold and picking it up swiftly.

"Bye I'll see you guys later." The blonde waved, almost laughing from Yuna's face while Chaeryeong put two and two together.

"SHIN RYUJIN IF I FIND ONE STAIN-" Was the last thing Ryujin heard before closing the door to the apartment and quickly going down the steps. Finally letting herself laugh.

Ryujin ended up walking the streets, thinking about something other than murder and destruction for once. This time, she thought about Yeji, and who that guy was she made the deal with. Was she jealous? Absolutely. She intended to find out who he was, and what better way to do that then to head to the most expensive part of the city and grab a drink from different places every block. Perhaps she should've thought this out more. After about four different drinks, four different blocks, she stopped. Deciding to instead impulse buy a car. The dealership was nice, and the salesmen definitely didn't expect for Ryujin to pay fully for everything right then and there. Shin Ryujin really was a suprise.

Ryujin drove out with a factory new C8 Corvette. Fully red with black leather seats. The first place she went was a nightclub, parking outside dressed in jean shorts, a white tee, and her leather jacket she wore everywhere. She got looks from everyone when she stepped out of that car, and damn she felt powerful. She liked that feeling, could become greedy for it fairly easily.

"What do we have here?" A rather attractive brunette spoke, voice laced with playfulness. She was rather sexy Ryujin thought.

"My car? It's a-"

"Silly, I was talking about you. I wouldn't mind your head between my legs." She was closer now, perfume flooding Ryujin's scent. The blonde smirked, pressing a finger over the others lips, pushing her face away slightly.

"I have a girlfriend." Ryujin spoke, voice cutting smoothly over the music from inside. The brunette gulped, enjoying the small but effective touch.

"I don't see her anywhere." She said, eyebrow perking at Ryujin. She seemed a bit nervous. Any normal person wouldn't see it, but Ryujin could read people like a book. She found it a rather useful but hurtful skill. People could be brutally honest to her without even trying. Ryujin ran her hand across her jawline, using her index finger to tilt her chin up. She gave her a wicked smile, liking the small flash of fear that was well masked in the others eyes.

"Really, what do you want?" Ryujin said, releasing the brunettes face, tone serious.

"For you to fuck me-"

"You want me to fuck you? Because I can fuck you up really good if you don't tell me what you're doing." Ryujin said rather seductively. It was creepy, and the brunette gave up. She tapped her ear, Ryujin noticed it to be an earpiece.

"I don't know how they expected me to actually get past you anyway. I'm Sana by the way." She said, sighing and releasing a big breath. A bit shaky due to the blondes gaze.

"If this about Chaeryeong don't think I won't hesitate to drive you away by force." Ryujin was a bit angry now, watching Sana's face become one of uncertainty.

"It was. My job was to talk to her with Yuna and clear things up. But, can't do that without grabbing your attention." Sana rolled her eyes.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ryujin was a bit curious about what people thought she was. She wasn't at base any time recently to figure out herself.

"Everyone knows you're a psychopath, Ryujin. It's why everyone admires and fears you so much. This job is perfect for someone like you and traumatizing for anyone that goes against you." Sana said, knowing that Ryujin deserved some kind of update regardless of the fact that just a few moments ago she was an obstacle.

"Is that what I am? Interesting..." Ryujin seemed to look nowhere particular. Thinking about how to hide that small detail from everyone.

"So, your target, Hwang Yeji right?"

"Don't touch her." Ryujin was suddenly close to Sana, eyes boring into her like a wolf that spotted it's dinner. Sana faked a gasp.

"Oh my, you know that's not allowed, Ryujin. To develop feelings for your target. Could interfere with the result." Sana teased, watching Ryujin's blood boil.

"To be honest Sana, I can do whatever I want to my targets. I never followed the rules, and look at me. I'm the best." Ryujin watched Sana gulp while she was suddenly backed against a wall. Her hands trembling.

"Sad isn't it? The best of all of you is a no good, rule-breaking psychopath." Sana never thought she'd be scared for her life but how Ryujin was looking at her definitely screamed there's a chance she'd never see dawn again.

"You're right. It is pathetic that you're the best. Unfortunately I still need to talk to Chaeryeong... and Yuna. I don't want to kill them Ryujin. Your team is your team." Sana was honest while she spoke. Ryujin groaned but agreed, sad she didn't even enter the club before driving Sana back to her apartment. When she entered Sana told her to wait outside. Ryujin knew it was protocol, and let her even though she was itching to throw the brunette down the stairs.

When Sana left not much later Ryujin practically ran into the apartment, eyes poised and ready to fight. Chaeryeong and Yuna just stared at her, a bit sad.

"What did she say?" Ryujin asked, a bit calmer knowing everything was alright... so she thought.

"You know we can't tell you that, and perhaps it's better we don't." Chaeryeong said before Yuna changed topics, commenting on her new car. Ryujin thanked her, but did not switch topics with her.

"Come on guys, it's me." Ryujin pushed, Chaeryeong and Yuna didn't budge.

"We all have our secrets, Ryu. You know that more than any of us."

"Why do I have to be the one to help them?" Ryujin groaned while reading through the letter. She was meant to temporarily assist a different team with an assassination. Specifically the assassin position.

"Probably because everyone knows that with your new strange method of dealing with Yeji you have free time." Yuna said, a little disappointed that she wasn't the one who gets to go. Sure, killing for only your benefit isn't moral, but it's all they grew up on, and Yuna was trained to use every weapon in existence with extreme precision. After all of that she still barley had a chance to put it to use.

"And?"

"And, that means people will want to use you when they can. People may be scared of you, but there's no denying you can get shit done and I'm sure many teams want someone capable like you." Chaeryeong said, feeling empathy for the blonde in front of her. It must be hard, being desired for all the wrong reasons.

"Alright, take care you guys. I'll probably go to Yeji's after this so I won't be back." Ryujin said, hearing Yuna tease her about how whipped she was before leaving.

"H-Hi Ryujin." A rather panicked blonde said. She was rather tall but looked a bit flustered and clumsy.

"May I come in?" Ryujin questioned, expecting more than one person on the team.

"Oh yea of course." The blonde was quick to make room, smiling awkwardly while Ryujin strolled into the rather well kept and neat garage. It could probably hold about four cars, and was pretty tall. Easily could've been a two story house. But it wasn't, it was a garage and Ryujin found herself admiring whoever had the idea of setting up ops in a garage. Smart.

"Glad you could make it." A familiar voice said.

"Oh no, not you. Don't tell me you're the leader?" Ryujin said, meeting eyes with Sana once again.

"Nope, I am." A new voice. Finally. Or was it new? Ryujin turned towards what used to be a rather large office. Probably changed to a bedroom. She was not expecting who she saw.

"Ah, I'm Shin Ryujin, nice to meet you-"

"I know who you are." He was a bit cold while speaking. "I'm-"

"I know who you are, Duan Xingxing." He smiled as she spoke. He was always ranked under Ryujin, forever holding second place no matter what. The other two watched them staring down, a competitive nature gleaming in their eyes.

"Anyways, I'm Rose, the technician here." The nervous blonde said. Ryujin just now picked up on her Australian accent.

"You know me, I'm the socialist and communications expert." Sana watched while Xinxing smirked at Ryujin, looking her up and down.

"You know Ryu, as twisted as you are, I wouldn't mind having a little fun this mission. After all, it's probably been a bit since you hooked up, no?" Ryujin felt repulsed. She knew he was just trying to get in her head, but it didn't make his statement sit any less uncomfortable in her mind.

"I had sex last week, I'll probably have sex tonight. I'll pass." Ryujin watched as Rose's face flushed and Sana chuckled at Xingxing's defeated face.

"We should get on with this mission." Sana said a moment later, hearing Xingxing clear his throat and agree.

"So, who am I supposed to kill?" Ryujin asked, watching while Sana and Rose also looked towards Xingxing, as they weren't told of the target either.

"I saw her on TV the other day, we can get a lot of money out of her by fear and disspose her. The names Hwang Yeji." He said, unknown to Sana and Ryujin's rather shocked faces. He was looking at his phone, pulling up an image.

"I'm sorry, repeat that one more time?" Sana said while Ryujin chuckled, looking at the floor. It was more of a disbelieving chuckle.

"This girl." He showed a rather clear shot. Yup, that was Yeji alright.

"No can do, find yourself another target." Ryujin said, watching Xingxing blink a few times.

"Pardon?" He was a little irritated.

"Hwang Yeji is my target." Ryujin watched his eyes widen, but then turn to slits.

"So what? She has money and I want some, so does my team. It's not like she's your object or some shit." He said, watching Sana and Rose seem to side with Ryujin.

"I don't think you understand, so let me tell you again." Ryujin walked up to him, watching him gulp but not budge.

"She's mine. If you lay a finger on her I will kill you." She whispered, backing away with a smile and a nod as if confirming something for a child.

"Well then, you're just going to have to kill me when I go through with my plans." He spoke, watching Ryujin walk out angrily. Sana and Rose looked at him dissaprovingly.

"What?"

"You do know you just made a death wish." Sana said, walking over to a couch and sitting down next to Rose who was sad Ryujin left.

"She won't do anything. She's all bark and no bite." He spoke, a bit unsure of himself. Rose was in deep thought which made Sana a bit curious to what she was thinking. Usually their techie was open about everything...

"Hey babe, I was wondering what you were doing tonight?" Ryujin spoke into her phone, smiling while the other talked.

"Well, I was actually about to text and ask if you'd be my plus one for a social gathering tonight?" Yeji had excitement in her voice, so much Ryujin could imagine her little bounce she does when she's happy. Ryujin also knew somewhat how Xingxing planned to kill her based on the new information. She was a bit sad it was so basic. If he wanted to take down Yeji he should at least make it honorable... for people to remember her.

"I'll be there." Ryujin spoke, ears a little hurt at the small squeal that came through. Not that she cared though, she just wanted Yeji to be happy. Happy, and safe. Her heartbeat increasing just thinking about how this night was going to go. How much she could beat Xingxing's ego out of him, how much blood would he have lost after she slowly deformed his face, how fun it'd be to muffle his cries for help because he doesn't deserve the pleasure of knowing there's a chance someone would hear... Yeji's voice brought her out from her violent internal episode.

"Thank you, Ryuddaeng. Bye bye." And just like that Ryujin was back in deep. Licking her lips while she thought of scenarios in her head. Playing back each one, one by one and changing her devious fake realities. She couldn't help but think of Yeji too though, which hindered her violence to a degree. She wondered if Yeji would let her be rough, maybe give up her control for a little. Bend the older over her knees and spank her naughty ass until she was begging for release. Her sticky cunt dripping down onto the-

"Woah that's a cool car." Ryujin spun quickly, scaring the other a bit.

"Rose? What are you doing?" Ryujin asked, watching the blonde fidget with her hands.

"I wanted to fill you in on how Xingxing plans tonight will go." Ryujin gave her a whisker smile, opening the passenger side as if offering a ride. She already knew somewhat of how it was to go based on Yeji's invite.. Rose got in, Ryujin walking and hoping in the driver's side.

"I'm listening..."

It was a lot to take in, but Ryujin had no trouble. It only took one lap around the block before she had everything down pat. Rosé was about to get out, but paused to ask a question.

"I know it's non of my business, but if Yeji is your target why are you so protective of her?" Rosé had a point, Ryujin had rather unusual displays of emotion towards her target.

"I trust you, so truthfully, I think I'm falling in love with her. Which I thought was impossible for someone like me." Ryujin looked down, her eyes shining with something rather unrecognizable. Rosé realized she was probably seeing a side of Ryujin that nobody gets to see, and for that she made a mental note to never tell anyone about what the blonde was confessing. Not even her superiors.

"On the other hand, I'm telling people it's how my new method works. Which isn't completely a lie." Ryujin sighed. "Say, you don't seem like the type of person to be in the Cycle. What happened?" Ryujin said, thinking it was fair she got to ask a rather deep question too.

"I was a target that lived. I was about to expose everything but they threatened some of my closest friends. I don't want them getting hurt because I was supposed to die and I didn't." Rosé seemed sad, lonely, like an abandoned puppy.

"Hey, don't say that. You're here now because you were meant to live. I know this is rich coming from me, but we shouldn't choose who lives and dies. We do for our own benefit and that's wrong. We may not have a choice, but that doesn't suddenly validate your death. Doesn't make the day they chose you to die something that was fate." Ryujin was now standing outside the car with her, eyes soft for the girl. Rosé was impressed that Ryujin was saying these things to her. She had the reputation of a brutal and efficient killer with no remorse for anyone she isn't close with. She almost cried too, not knowing how badly she needed someone to say that to her. She ended up hugging Ryujin tightly, feeling comforted as if it was one of her best friends when she hugged back.

"Let's keep in touch. I'll see you around." Ryujin said, a practically unrecognizable smile on her face. So small that Rosé barley noticed it herself. She couldn't help but feel that Yeji was lucky to have met her. Such a charming yet hypnotizing individual.

Meanwhile, Yeji was sitting in her rather spacious office in the company building, drinking. She was drinking, and drinking, and drinking. She knows she should be preparing for tonight, but she has no idea how else to shove her sorrows down. She missed her mother, even though she barley saw her, she was still her daughter. So she's been drinking, and since that night she drove to Ryujin's she's been drinking. It stung bad. It stung that she met Ryujin, and is practically using her as a distraction. It stung that she was born into a life of stress and politics. After it stung it just burned. The alcohol dripping down her throat and buzzing her head. She couldn't help but feel like Ryujin was exactly what she needed though, and exactly what she wanted.

Her father stormed in with his overly expensive suit, catching her taking another swig from the bottle.

"Where have you been?!" He was mad, and Yeji just looked at him, expression blank. She was good at that even without booze. Shoving her feelings down and displaying a cold bitter shell.

"Did you even care? That she died." She didn't answer his question. Instead, taking another swig, watching him lock the door so nobody would interfere and perhaps spread word that the future ceo was getting drunk on the job.

"Of course I care, but I need you here and working. And certainly not out with some chick you met a few weeks ago." He didn't care. He really didn't and Yeji, even though drunk, could see that.

"Is that why you haven't talked about funeral dates with me? You just wanted me to give that small shit speech for the public and move on?" Yeji had tears starting to fall down her face. No sound, no facial changes. Just tears and pain in her eyes like a drill was going through her soul. Leaving nothing but a void.

"You know that's not true-"

"She's your wife goddammit! She's my mom. Why are you so heartless?" Yeji was standing now, lips twitching while she nearly knocked everything off her desk. Her father seemed slightly empathetic, but did not show any sign of mourning.

"We all need a distraction Yeji. Mine is work.."

"Shut up." Yeji was looking at the floor.

"And I understand that you wanted her as a distraction like my work.."

"Shut. Up." Yeji was still a bit quiet, yet angry. She met Ryujin before more despair was put on her. Ryujin meant more than a distraction even if perhaps she used her like one recently.

"But I will not approve of you missing work, and then interrogating me and my decisions while you sit here and drink to rid your pain-"

"SHUT UP... just shut up and leave me alone. I'll do it myself before it's too late." Yeji said, her eyes showing defeat. Her dad nodded, approving her state. Her state that confirmed he had won this one, and left her weaker. He was so in the wrong, but he didn't care. One could say he had Machiavellian views, and his end goal was to get richer.

Yeji sobbed in her chair, she felt utterly useless and alone. She wanted something to make her feel like she mattered. She texted her assistant, asking to clear her schedule for tomorrow. Whether her dad was there or not, she was going to pay her respects. She waited long enough, and a part of her felt like she was proving him, and everything about him, wrong by doing so. Even if she was alone at her grave she'd have a funeral right there, just like that. Alone.

Eventually she pulled herself out of her weeping, preparing for another night of fake smiling with investors and quick-witted social conversation. She was used to it, avoiding and shoving her internal conflicts down until she didn't feel them...

"You look so good tonight." Yeji said, arm interlinked with Ryujin's while they walked throughout the main room. The blonde could tell she had been drinking even with the strong scent of mouthwash. She didn't mention it though... The prestine white floor was scrubbed to shine so much they could almost see their reflection. Everything around them looked expensive, and was arranged as if at an art gallery. It was the definition of contemporary.

"Have you seen yourself? You're literally a walking goddess, Yej." Ryujin watched the older flush once again. They were both in different black dresses, formal but designed to give that rather etiquette-like sex appeal. Ryujin and Yeji were pulling it off more than enough to make anyone swoon. And swoon from a distance they did.

"I'm sure you want to go do business-y stuff, so I'll go grab some drinks." Ryujin spoke, watching Yeji's whole demeanor change as she approached a table of rich strangers. Ryujin wondered how even with everything going on that woman was able to keep herself composed. She supposed the alcohol helped, and herself as well. Ryujin was watching for a very particular face which she did find eventually. She made sure to keep herself hidden from Xingxing while she danced and talked to random people with Yeji. She could feel her chest tighten every time the orange-haired smiled, and her stomach flutter whenever Yeji touched her skin lightly. Was it fair to like Yeji? Especially knowing the future ceo probably wasn't looking for anything past temporary company? Ryujin wasn't sure, but she could deal.

Yeji was a bit off, but only because she could tell Ryujin was paranoid and seeming to avoid someone. Then again, Yeji knew she was an investor and probably knew a few people. Or, that's what Ryujin told her. Yeji had her hands on the girls sides and waist quite a bit tonight, and was sure she felt what seemed like a gun holster on her thigh. Yeji should be concerned, but honestly Ryujin seemed like she was watching out for someone. The orange-haired could only marvle if Ryujin had intentions of protecting her.

"We should go somewhere private." Yeji whispered. She wanted answers from Ryujin, but also wouldn't mind fucking her roughly while at it. For that, privacy was nice. She ended up dragging Ryujin down a few hallways and into an office, it had a glass window but it was dark and she knows nobody is really supposed to leave the guest area. She kissed Ryujin hard, ignoring the slight moan of pain coming out of the others mouth. Yeji assumed that the alcohol was making her want Ryujin, want her and treat her a bit rougher. She had the blonde against the wall, lifting her legs and wrapping them around her waist. Yeji may be thin, and very skinny, but she was also fit. Ryujin's eyes rolled back as Yeji wasted no time slipping her hand easily in her panties and working her.

"You have a gun, baby?" Yeji whispered, seeing the weapon holster right where she thought, on the upper thigh. It was rather hot. Ryujin whimpered as she inserted a finger, head leaning forward on Yeji's shoulder. A bit turned on by the fact anyone could walk by and see Yeji mercilessly taking her. On the other hand, she was counting on a certain someone to do just that.

"I want to- oh my god- protect you from someone." Ryujin was honest. She thought Yeji deserved to know some things.

"You're not an investor, are you?" Yeji put in another finger, curling and thrusting just how the younger liked. Thumb brushing her clit each time. Her voice was oddly seductive. Ryujin knew she shouldn't spill to her, but she did anyway. Yeji could do that to her, make her forget many things about herself and give away everything that's left to her.

"No, no I'm not- please don't stop." Ryujin was trying to keep her moans quieter while Yeji continued to pound her against the wall. She was sure her underwear was drenched and Yeji's hand was sticky at this point.

"What are you then?" Yeji said, smirking while the blonde arched her back and her hips thrust down onto her fingers hard. Yeji knew she was close.

"I c-can't tell you." Ryujin was a mess, and even though she could be tortured all day for answers and confess nothing, she was going to fail for Yeji.

"You want to come?" Yeji started to slow her pace, making Ryujin whimper and grab her hand, as if begging for her not to stop.

"Spill." Yeji said, speeding up again. Smirking at the blonde being an absolute wreck. Just then, Ryujin spotted an awfully familar figure rounding the corner.

"I'm an assassin." She breathed out, holding back her orgasm while she watched Xingxing grow angry upon seeing that Yeji was not alone. The blonde wasn't lying when she said she was an assassin. She just left out the whole being apart of a giant corrupt organization where their targets were mostly innocent people... Ryujin smiled deviously to their company, not caring he could see Yeji's fingers deep in her cunt under her panties. In fact, she made show of it. Ushering Yeji's head further into her neck where the orange-haired continued to open-mouth kiss and suck as if she didn't care about Ryujin's reply. That pushed him over the edge, he started to pull out a gun, intending to shoot. Ryujin was quicker though, stomping her legs down and rolling Yeji to the side while two shots fired through the glass at them. Ryujin was quick to fire back, hearing Yeji shriek.

One. Two. Three, and the sound of a body hitting the ground outside the office. If Yeji had any doubts about her answer, she sure didn't now. Yeji was shaking and clinging onto Ryujin, head in the blondes chest. Scared. Ryujin said it was okay, and her eyes widened in terror upon seeing the lifeless body outside the shattered window. She then looked at Ryujin, who had seemed to got her arm grazed by a bullet.

"You're bleeding." Yeji said, watching Ryujin look at her slightly bloody arm. She shrugged, saying guards would be here soon and probably police. In truth, Ryujin was pissed she let that scum get even a scratch on her. She should've done better.

"I'm sorry Yej. He was going to kill you. I had to." Ryujin embraced her, feeling her still shaking. The sound of police sirens and footsteps came next. Ryujin quickly adjusting her rather exposed lower regions while Yeji looked at the blonde.

"H-how did you know?" Yeji asked, knowing time for answers would be limited soon.

"His team asked for my help to assassinate you. I declined, but he didn't seem to want to give up even though I threatened him." Ryujin saw Yeji's eyes widen. She was thanking whoever created alcohol. Considering that's the only thing keeping her emotions in check. She should be angry at Ryujin for lying to her, but she couldn't. The girl just saved her life. Her girlfriend...

"I'll talk to you later." Ryujin said while police made their way into the office. Ushering the two out of the dark space and eventually to the station. They were questioned, but security cameras confirmed everything they said. When they were released it was roughly two in the morning.

"How's your arm." Was the first thing they said to one another. They were at Ryujin's, both glad the silence was over. It was dark in the apartment, meaning the other two were probably asleep. Ryujin grabbed a beer from the fridge.

"It's just a whiff, it'll heal in a few weeks." Ryujin sat next to Yeji on the couch. Watching the orange-haired take deep breaths, still trying to register what was happening. Her girlfriend was an assassin. She was paid money to kill people. Everything was so sudden into her boring life and Yeji just couldn't comprehend, but she was. Part of her liked the excitement very much, the other half was worried about how she was supposed to deal when two months go by and she's the ceo of an extremely large company.

"You're an assassin..." Yeji was staring at nothing, deep in thought while Ryujin took a swig.

"Yeah. I didn't want to tell you because, well I'm not supposed to." Ryujin said, handing the bottle to Yeji who gladly accepted. They both were silent again, taking turns sipping and staring at anything in front of them.

"I don't know if I should thank you, or be scared of you." Yeji spoke, finally looking at the blonde who was calm. Calm and dazed. Yeji shouldn't be surprised, she was used to this kind of stuff.

"You don't have to choose. But know as long as you want me I'll be be there for you. I do like you, Yeji. I like you a lot, and I was hoping you'd still like me too." Ryujin was a bit shaky while she spoke, afraid of rejection she knew would probably come. Yeji chuckled, leaning back and taking the last bit from the bottle.

"I said I could get used to this, I'm not so sure of that anymore." Yeji paused, looking at Ryujin. The sweet deadly Ryujin that killed to save her, that lied to spare her feelings, and made her less alone when her mother passed away. In a way, she understands more now, she watched Ryujin take a six foot guy down and almost choke him to death. She also seems to have money coming from nowhere. Hell, she isn't denying that she likes this Ryujin though too.

"But I'm more than willing to try." Yeji finished, watching the other smile before wincing when she brushed her arm. Yeji giggled, a little tipsy and met the other half way. Drunken breaths on one another. Perhaps she should be concerned that Ryujin killing someone wasn't as mentally scaring as it normally is, but that same body was going to kill her. If it weren't for Ryujin she'd be dead.

"I feel so much for you and you're a stranger." Yeji said, breaking a rather intense kiss.

"Are you against that?" Ryujin remarked, smiling when Yeji smiled. Their foreheads against one another.

"Not at all."

Do you ever find yourself so infatuated with something you cannot look away? You can't understand how something so common could be so rare?

That was Yeji when she awoke to the sight of Ryujin. She seemed just like everyone else, just a girl living a normal life. It's easy to convince people of it, Yeji would know. But at the same time she's just so incredibly different. The blonde was an assassin, an assassin that Yeji could easily tell was desensitized to some things. Which, Yeji, being the analytical person she is, could use to assume some other things about her that had a high percentage of being true.

For example, she most likely started at a young age to be this emotionally damaged. Taught at a young age such feeling was normal, so in turn, it is her normal. Which could mean she was apart of something that may not be legal. Or, she was already damaged in the head, had some kind of trauma or was just downright psychologically disturbed. So many things ran through the orange-haireds head and all she had to do was look at the blonde to think of it all. What kind of common person can make you do that? Make your head swirl as if a tornado was throwing scraps of ideas at you. Still, Yeji found it alluring. She wondered if one day she'd ever solve Ryujin. Figure out everything about her. She wanted to.

She wanted to learn everything even if it scared her. And she wanted to kiss her at the same time. It was all very confusing, but such confusion made it all the better. Maybe she was a bit messed up to. Nobody wanted a challenge that took no deep thought or twists. She'd come to learn Ryujin sure was a twist, eventually...

"You don't have to stare her down so intensely, Hwang." Chaeryeong's voice was like a jump-scare. The orange-haired flinched and probably awoke the blonde by doing so. The other giggled.

"What happened last night? If you don't mind me asking, I saw you two on the news but I doubt it's accurate. You know how news is." Chaeryeong continued, looking at the bandage over part of Ryujin's arm. Yeji leaned up off of the blonde who was still soundly sleeping. Poor girl must be tired, Yeji thought.

"She saved my life at a party. She shot someone who was going to kill me." Yeji spoke, replying the event in her head. It was going so well, all until Ryujin completely stopped her near orgasm and shoved her to the side.

"That's. Wow. I didn't know Ryujin could-"

"She also told me she's an assassin. That his assassin team wanted her help murdering me." Yeji ruffled her hair, seeing Chaeryeong grow visibly nervous.

"She's an assassin? I had no idea oh my god-" Chaeryeong was trying, really.

"If he had a team, I'm sure Ryujin does too. I'm not stupid you know. I'm sure you and Yuna are both apart of her team, no?" Yeji smirked when she saw Chaeryeong nod in shame.

"You're taking all this surprisingly well." Chaeryeong picked up the empty beer bottle to dispose it.

"I guess I'm damaged too. But when you grow up learning how to ignore emotions for the sake of business, things like this don't really scar like they should. In a way, I suppose that's good." Yeji said, knowing she couldn't afford to get therapy, as it'd interfere with her work.

"Did Ryujin tell you anything else?" Chaeryeong needed to make sure their cover wasn't blown. Someone as rich and powerful as Yeji could easily bring them down perhaps.

"No, why? Is there anything else I need to know?" Yeji said with a yawn, preparing to go use the bathroom and shower.

"No, I just wanted to know." Chaeryeong spoke with a smile, glad that Ryujin didn't completely lose it.

"Heyyy is Ryujin up? I want pancakes- oh. Hi Yeji." Yuna's eyes widened a bit, Yeji almost laughed at how ruffled her hair was. She looked like a child who just rolled down a hill.

"Hi, mind if I shower?" Yeji asked, thanking the black-haired who pointed out the bathroom. She was to be at her mother's grave soon, and wanted to be clean at the least.

Yuna ended up walking over and lightly poking Ryujin's bandaged arm.

"OW." Ryujin was up quickly, and ended up punching Yuna lightly in the stomach, her vision a bit foggy but she was quick to focus, seeing Yuna hunched over a little.

"Why did you do that?" Yuna said, pouting when Ryujin chuckled.

"Why did you poke my injury?" Ryujin pouted back, playfully overreacting her pain. Chaeryeong sighed, happy the two were bickering again. It made her less afraid of what was to come if Ryujin failed.

"Did Yeji leave?" Ryujin said, standing and combing her fingers through her hair.

"She's in the shower, I think she has some place to be later." Yuna spoke, noticing how Yeji didn't waste much time to get in the bathroom.

"Perfect." Ryujin yawned, watching Yuna's eyes go wide while the blonde started to make her way to the bathroom.

"H-Hey what are you doing?" Yuna said, a bit flustered by Ryujin's rather bold display of relationship status.

"Thank you princess." Is all Yuna got as a reply before she disappeared down the hall. Chaeryeong was laughing at her.

"What's so funny?" Yuna crossed her arms, that only made Chaeryeong laugh more.

"You get so worked up whenever she calls you that." The red-head was hunched over now.

"Hey, that's not funny!" Yuna scoffed while Chaeryeong continued to laugh.

Not much later Yeji left to go alone to the grave while Ryujin stayed to give her privacy, and also to have a much needed conversation with the other two.

"What were you thinking!? Telling her you're an assassin? You do know if she ever finds a reason to run a in-depth background check you could be exposed, and then we'd have to move countries again. But this time, without a potential four-hundred fifty billion dollars to pull us out of the loop." Chaeryeong said, watching Yuna's eyes widen.

"Ryujin, this is getting a little out of hand. You said that this was your method. But honestly, I think you need to be reminded what it is we do as long as we're in the Cycle." Yuna added on, watching Ryujin supress rage and hurt. It was a bit scary how much Ryujin could portray without doing anything.

"We kill people and take their money, I know." Ryujin said, looking at the floor. Chaeryeong stood up, tilting her head upward to meet eyes.

"I know this is hard, but we need this, all of us. Because of that I think you need to fall out of whatever feelings you have for Yeji." Chaeryeong said, backing away and looking at her phone as if waiting for something.

"Pardon?" Ryujin's eyes widened, she knew Chaeryeong had a point but it looked like she had a way to make her point happen. She didn't want to stop liking Yeji. She couldn't.. she wouldn't let herself-

knock knock

All three heads spun towards the door, Yuna went to go open it, smiling wide when she saw their long separated technician on the other side.

"Lia! You got here just in time." Chaeryeong said with a hug. Ryujin was happy, very happy, and hugged her as well. But also seemed to be in deep thought. Her heart thudded for a moment. She almost forgot how much she liked the others embrace. It wasn't like Yeji's though... was it wrong to like Yeji's more? Lia was her actual girlfriend, but so was Yeji to her at least.

"Haha, don't be a stranger, Ryujin." The brunette said, wrapping her arms around the blondes neck and leaning in. Chaeryeong and Yuna smiled like idiots watching the pair reuniting. Ryujin did seem a bit caught off guard though. Coughing awkwardly when they parted.

"Uh, you know about how I'm dealing with my-"

"Target? Yeah everyone has a general idea but of course I know. I don't mind, I understand as long as you understand that a method is all it is." Lia spoke, arms still around the blondes neck.

"Yeah. Yeah of course." Ryujin put on a whisker smile and Lia was too in deep to even know it was a mask. The blonde could lie so well, but she wasn't used to having to lie to someone she cared about. Emotionally anyway.

"I passed her on the way here, she's really pretty." Lia spoke, finally releasing her grip on Ryujin and moving to the couch where she put down various bags of tech stuff. Mostly laptops and hard-drives, but there was some important modified gadgets too.

"Yeah, Ryujin fucked her a lot apparently." Yuna spoke, an evil smile on her face when Ryujin gave her a death stare.

"Oh?"

"It was going to happen eventually, and she's really horny so." Ryujin shrugged, internally scolding herself for that pitiful excuse.

"Speaking of which, it's been quite a long time yeah?" Lia said, strolling over to the blonde a smirk on her face. Ryujin was panicking internally. Sure, she wanted to, but she didn't want to. It's like she would because she had to, not because she really wanted it. The blonde felt guilty, cheating on Yeji. But really she should feel guilty for cheating on Lia. Chaeryeong dragged Yuna to their own room, closing the door while Lia advanced the blonde.

"Lia, I-" She was cut off with another kiss. It deepened quickly, the brunette having been deprived of Ryujin's touch. To be fair, anyone blessed with her hands, her body, would always beg her for more. She was just so skilled in the bedroom and Lia thought she was hers. In a way, she wasn't wrong. But Ryujin thought Yeji was hers.

Yeji was at her mother's grave, the priest had already come and gone and she was standing there with an umbrella, dressed in black. Her hair was bright though, it was like a movie scene, how much she shined in contrast to everything around her.

"Hi mom." She spoke, still teary-eyed.

"I know we didn't talk a lot, but I thought I'd tell you I think I found someone you'd like." She continued. "She's smart, charming, different. But actually different." Yeji chuckled to herself, knowing she was talking to a stone.

"She works a dangerous field, but I think you'd enjoy talking to her. I enjoy talking to her. I really like her, mom. She's the only good thing that's happened to me since dad started training me." Yeji sniffled, feeling her feet start to get a little wet from the rain.

"I miss you. I miss you a lot, but I'll go on for you. I know that's what you'd want me to do." Yeji crouched down, pressing her head to the stone, a few more tears falling before she walked away to her car. She felt empty, she felt the pain of loss in her chest but pushed through. She had to see the bright side of things or else she'd be stuck in her sorrows. Her guards ended up driving her to the apartment building, she had her schedule cleared and intended to rest her mind.

She also had to think about Ryujin. I mean, she didn't have to but she did. She had one hell of a night and everything was just so sudden. She could never live a normal life, not with her family name. But, she had a general idea of what that craziness was going to be like. Now with Ryujin, her mysterious assassin girlfriend that she really should break ties with because of just that, she has not a clue. To be optimistic though, Ryujin could protect her better than her guards probably. Maybe she could offer her a job so she didn't have to kill for money. However, there was the chance she worked for the government, and if that was the case Ryujin was very important. Important, and talented. Efficient. They wouldn't just let her go.

"Stop thinking so much, Yeji. Relax peacefully for once." The orange-haired said to herself upon entering her bedroom. Slipping off her outwear and collapsing onto the sheets. Not even caring to organize her belongings she brought back. She felt so tired these past few weeks, it felt so nice to get to close the blinds and just sleep...

"Again." Ryujin's aggressive voice rang, watching the trainer in front of her slowly becoming the trainee. Ryujin was relentless, punching and punching, not bothering to stop much in between reps. He eventually brought up his gloved hands, almost like a surrender. Ryujin nodded in understanding, making her way over to a punching bag. She imagined her superiors faces while she punched. Each hit more intense than the last, she was groaning while she did so. Wishing that she could walk in and shoot them all dead. Murder them like the pigs they were. She'd feel nothing, and she'd enjoy it, so so much. Their warm blood splattering everywhere and on one another. The shrieks harmonizing terribly in her ears like mythical sirens luring her into desires.

"You know, Shin, you're going to hurt yourself if you keep going like this." She heard her exhausted trainer say, her hands moving faster and faster. She could feel her knuckles burning under the gloves but she didn't care. She needed to give into her violence for once, otherwise she'd break. Life sucked like that, pulls you deep and deeper into yourself and struggles. Throw more problems your way, and it's not a matter of how long you can stay standing, because you don't stand. You get knocked over again and again. The key is deciding to keep finding the will to stand only to be knocked down again. That was Ryujin now, standing up and punching her way through even though she'll heal and end up punching her knuckles to damage again.

"You think I'm a pussy? I'm not just going to give up until he's dead." Ryujin spoke, still imagining a face for every punch. Ryujin was getting worse and worse each day.

"Ryujin... What are you talking about? There's nobody here." Her trainers voice was filled with concern. Ryujin stopped, blinking a few times to see she wasn't, in fact beating her superiors face, but a punching bag. Her hands shook while she took off the gloves. Noticing bloody bandages on her hands. She swore to herself. Leaning against the bag for a moment and letting her sweat drip while she undid the bandage.

"I think you should see someone, Ryujin. This isn't the first time you've said rather unsettling things." Her trainer said, helping to clean her fresh wounds.

"I'm fine." Ryujin said, unaware of the rage and fire in her eyes. She seemed crazy for exercise, but both Ryujin and the trainer knew exercise was not why she was crazy.

"Whatever you say, Shin. But don't expect me to back you up if you do something wrong." Ryujin heard before she left, sighing and walking to her car. She sat, closing her eyes and putting on music. She was glad Lia didn't follow her to the gym, she'd prefer to be alone right now. Less emotional capacity to fake when she's alone.

"What to do, what to do..." She whispered to herself, running a hand through her blonde hair. She took out her phone, looking up some of the most wanted people in her area. She supposed a bit of killing to ease herself wouldn't be a problem. Especially if it was the murder of rapists, frauds, abusers... the list goes on. Was she a bit crazy or perhaps mentally off for thinking such things? Maybe, considering murder is taking away another life. She told herself they deserve it... so she made a call to Lia and said to prepare her gear.

"You're really doing this? Don't you think the number of people we already killed is enough?" Chaeryeong spoke, watching Lia help Ryujin zip up her fully black suit. She had various straps and belts overtop. Yuna was next to her, putting on the same stuff. They all noticed how busted her knuckles were, whatever Ryujin was feeling, it was a little past irritated.

"Chaeryeong you know me, I have a thirst for things I shouldn't. Besides, I have Yuna here as back up so if anything goes wrong she'll help." Ryujin said, watching Yuna smile to her like a puppy. She really was such a child sometimes.

"I'm not worried about you being able to kill people, I'm worried about how many you will kill." Chaeryeong finished, watching the pair put on identical masks and caps. It'd be night soon, and Ryujin would be killing. Lia was tapped into their coms, going to help figure out potential locstions for roaming and wanted criminals.

"This brings a whole new meaning to dead by daylight." Lia said over the com while Yuna and Ryujin started a slow walk away from the apartment. Making sure Lia fuzzed up any surveillance if they walked a less stealthy route. They both wore jackets and backpacks overtop, so it didn't look too suspicious, but they still looked like agents out of a marvel movie.

The blonde didn't count this night. Her hands and part of her clothing stained red. Her knives dripping blood, and the smile under her mask was so wide she thought her cheeks might burst. Yuna was on the rooftops, watching from a distance, a bit worried for Ryujin's mental health.

"This guy, in this apartment. He has a huge bounty, what for." Ryujin spoke, while twirling a dagger in her hand. Lia replied on the coms, gulping as she did so having watched everything through Yuna's camera. She almost forgot what it was like working with Ryujin. How it left a feeling in your stomach that you couldn't describe. Ryujin murdered people, and she did it so charmingly and with the most happy expressions you'd think she was enjoying an icecream. You'd also think she was doing nothing wrong because of how she sometimes justified each killing.

"Catfished a minor, raped then murdered him. He's also quite a bit in debt due to tax evasion." Lia said, having done a bit of hacking to acquire such information. Nothing she couldn't handle though. Ryujin laughed, breaking the window loudly and stepping in.

"What should I start with, baby? His dick or his fingers?" Ryujin said rather seductively, watching as a once sleeping man startled awake. He was too late, Ryujin was already on him, breaking just enough bones so he couldn't go anywhere. Lia didn't answer her, letting Ryujin do as she wanted. She may be the technician, but she was not one to willingly choose Ryujin's torture methods. He screamed in pain, crying for help. Ryujin shushed him, knowing someone probably heard.

"Scream more and you won't have a tongue." Her eyes bore into his soul, he felt as if the devil himself had conjured the person in front of him. Ryujin ended up getting a few stabs out of him, the first one straight to his crotch. She laughed while he screamed, but a few aggressive knocks came on his door. He cried for help, which made the knocking louder, it sounded like whoever was out there was going to try and kick down the door.

"I told you not to scream." Ryujin said, hearing the door get kicked down. She was speedy, grabbing his mouth and cutting his tongue out. Which only left more pain and straining vocals. Yuna knew people would swarm her soon and climbed into to drag the blonde out.

"Let go of me! I'm not done." Ryujin kicked, but Yuna knew what she was doing, and retrieved Ryujin out of the apartment without being seen. A second later three people entered to see the bleeding out man on the bed.

Ryujin was running now, anger filling her core which only fueled her actions.

"Ryujin we need to go back. That's enough." Yuna said, knowing Lia and Chaeryeong that were watching at the apartment from her cam were probably having a meltdown. Ryujij rounded a corner to be met with the worst image she possibly could. Yeji was at a fancy restaurant, looking professional across from that young pretty boy from on the TV. Yeji was attempting to show him some kind of thing on an iPad, but he seemed to be looking elsewhere at her.

"Ryujin. Don't... Ryujin!" Yuna ran after the blonde, watching her drop down between a few buildings and pull out her gun, aiming. She didn't know what came over her, but had it not been for Yuna grabbing her as she shot he would've been dead in front of Yeji instead of just his leg getting hit. The restaurant started to become hysterical while they watched two black figures rolling and resisting one another in the alley. Ryujin didn't want to hurt Yuna, but she just stopped her from killing him.

"Let me go!" Ryujin was screaming, not even noticing police cars until she saw Yeji's wide eyes looking at her and Yuna. Ryujin knew Yeji didn't know it was her, not yet at least. The guilt that washed over the blonde was more than enough. She just keeps causing Yeji more trauma, and now she felt like shooting herself. The blue and red lights got close and that's when Ryujin started to run away with Yuna...

"You're crazy. I thought I made it clear that anywhere there's a shit ton of people is a bad idea." Lia said to the two of them when they walked in the door, bloody and sweaty. Ryujin grumbled, stripping herself down to her underwear right in the doorway with Yuna who did the same. They didn't care, they're all comfortable with eachother. They also didn't want to track blood further than they had to.

"I'm sorry." Ryujin said, watching everyone stare at her, wide eyed. Sorry was not something you heard Ryujin say in that tone. The blonde seemed more than regretful of her actions. They all watched in awe while she went to the master bathroom, closing the door and locking it.

"Did she just apologize and mean it?" Yuna said, slowly making her way to the other bathroom. Chaeryeong and Lia looked at eachother for a moment a nodded silently.

"I feel like Yeji being there had something to do with that apologetic attitude." Yuna said, recalling the orange-hair she saw across from the guy Ryujin shot. She then disappeared into the other bathroom.

"How well does Ryujin know Yeji exactly? She seems to have quite the effect on her." Lia questioned, a little bit jealous of everything she's been hearing. Lia was a sweetheart, really, but even she had her sour moods.

"For just the short time since they met, Ryujin knows a lot actually. When I first saw them together I honestly thought they were going to be married the next day or something." Chaeryeong replied, watching Lia frown.

"It's okay Lia, you know Ryujin. She's a bit unstable sometimes but I'm sure she'll come around. Figure out she only likes Yeji for her money and looks." Chaeryeong was trying to encourage the sad brunette in front of her, but deep down she knew Ryujin was going to crush both Lia and Yeji's hearts. Damn that psychotic blonde, she thought.

Ryujin got out of the shower not too long later, throwing on a bathrobe while her hair dried out. She was clean, not a drop of blood on her body. Her knuckles still looked bad, but she didn't care. She liked the pain spike from time to time, it made her stay awake. A rather harsh knock on the door came though. Ryujin ended up running out to the main room to open it, expecting anyone except who she saw.

"Come with me." Yeji said, she was alone, not even caring Ryujin was only in a robe and the three in the space behind her were staring. She saw a new face among the three too, but then again, she didn't care.

"I'm not dressed-"

"I don't care, we need to talk." Yeji yanked Ryujin out, closing the door behind her and ushering the blonde down the steps.

"Yeji, what's this about?" Ryujin was nervous while she was pushed into the backseat of Yeji's personal car. The older climbed in after her, sitting next to her in the back. Why she chose the back but that thought didn't last long.

"Why did you try to kill one of my possible business partners?" She said, noticing Ryujin's eyes go wide in shock and guilt. Bingo. "Hmm?"

"I.. well- I got mad Yej. Really mad, and I just saw he wasnt even paying attention to what you were saying. He was just looking at you like meat, only I'm allowed to do that Yeji. I hate it when people do that to you-"

"That doesn't mean you kill him Ryujin!" Yeji whispered shouted. Hands running over her face for a moment. She felt like she was babying the blonde. "What were you doing out anyway?" Yeji continued watching Ryujin shuffle in her seat. Why did everything the blonde do come across as overly attractive...

"I was looking for the most wanted criminals in this area. I didn't get to kill a rapist because I almost got caught, and that made me so so mad." Ryujin said, rage filling her eyes while her fists tightened, Yeji could see this. Her hand came up, cupping Ryujin's cheek to turn her head and lock eyes.

"Hey, look at me. Come back to me, Ryuddaeng." Yeji said, watching that murderous look disapate from her eyes. It being replaced by a fondess and what seemed like appreciation more conveying than any words. She kissed the blonde's forehead.

"You can't just go kill people Ryujin. I know what they did was wrong, and you might be used to it, but it's not your job to decide who dies." Yeji said. Not knowing that's exactly what Ryujin was supposed to do for her job. Bit ironic huh?

"I won't do it again, I swear." Ryujin said in what Yeji could only describe as a begging voice. Like the blonde was pleading to her. Yeji liked that, knowing she had an assassin on her metaphorical knees for her. She felt like she had control over something in her life, even though it's a literal person, it still felt nice.

"What am I going to do with you?" Yeji said more to herself than Ryujin. The blonde was just so messed up in her head, and Yeji was getting a taste of it. She had multiple red flags already but why couldn't she just end whatever they had?

"Fucking hell, Ryujin. You're crazy." Yeji said, half laughing. Noticing the blonde not even flinch from the language, it's like she already knew that.

"You're crazy for still dating me." Ryujin replied, noticing the older look at her, knowing what she said was just as true.

"I'm not going to break up with you. But if you pull another one of these stunts I won't hesitate." Yeji said, stern.

"Okay."

"Okay?" Yeji was surprised that's all she had to say.

"Mhm. Now what?" Ryujin spoke, twiddling her thumbs before feeling her hair to see if it was dry. Yeji just stared at her. Damn you, you psychotic blonde. Yeji thought, mentally scolding herself for dropping to the gutter so quickly.

"Take off your robe."

Ryujin didn't return to the apartment until a few days later. She seemed like she was glowing more than any tropical drink could. She was dressed nicely too, in what the other three asummed were Yeji's clothes.

"Why didn't you come back?" Chaeryeong spoke, the stress leaving her mind knowing she wasn't in jail somewhere.

"Yeji and I went to a few places out of the city." Ryujin spoke, recalling the hotel jumping and rather happy memories. She truly forgot her whole reason for existing in the city when she was with Yeji. She didn't want to ever give that up. She treasured her time with Yeji.

"You could have at least told us, we were all worried about you, thought she turned you in for pulling that stunt." Lia spoke, watching Ryujin start to smile.

"You don't have to worry about that, I've got her deep." Ryujin's smile and tone was creepy, it always was when she talked about her dark success. "She knew I went on a killing spree, and the most she did was threaten to break up with me." Ryujin added on, cracking her knuckles and taking a few tangerines from the fridge.

"Well, now what? Do we strike now?" Chaeryeong said, trying to recall all the details.

"No..." Everyone stared at Ryujin when she said that, her voice stern and commanding. She coughed awkwardly.

"No, she's not ceo yet. Still have about a month to go." Ryujin then dug back into her tangerines.

"I'm impressed, only one month and you have thee Hwang Yeji head over heels for you." Lia said, watching Ryujin devour the fruit.

"Mmm. Well, I guess I just have that aura." Ryujin's mouth was full, but the three knew what she said. The blonde let the bitter-sweet juice coat her tongue sufficiently. She didn't want to think about the day when she had Yeji, and would have everything that was hers. Ryujin wasn't used to feeling for others, she often disregarded others feelings and her own. Remorse wasn't something she felt since she could remember.

It was hard.

Hard being human.

The next week went on as usual, the duo meeting up often during lunch and at night when Yeji was free. Talking about everything and anything to hinder the harsh realities they both had. Occasionally Yeji would talk about her father's rather mentally abusive self. That only made Ryujin hate her life more. Knowing that Yeji didn't need to die, she shouldn't die. Her suffering needs refuge. The blonde would prevent her from which she so deeply required.

Yeji was just as hateful of herself as Ryujin was to herself. She had too much to worry about, and couldn't grasp her feelings effectively. She was stuck, stuck attached to the one person that made her feel eurphoria in her emotions. That one person being a rather well-off but crazy killer. A paid killer to be specific. She couldn't bring herself to dislike the charmer, and she couldn't bring herself to be scared of her either. It was all love and death. Love and death.

They all ended up gathering at Ryujin's apartment, sat in a circle and decided to play truth or dare. Using an empty beer bottle as a spinner as to who would have to choose t or d. Yeji was sat next to Ryujin, Lia across from the two, looking jealous. Only Chaeryeong seemed to pick up on that. Yuna was paying more attention to Yeji, looking at her like she was the orange-haireds younger sister. Sana and Rosé were there too. It was practically a small party.

"Alright Yeji, truth or dare." Sana said, watching the business woman ponder her options for the nth time before choosing dare. Sana smiled deviously. "Seven minutes in heaven with anyone of your choice." The blonde said, watching Ryujin flush when she didn't even take more than a second to grasp her hand and drag her to the nearest bedroom. Which so happened to be Ryujin's anyway. Everyone assumed Yeji wanted to fuck, and for that Chaeryeong discreetly patted Lia's back out of empathy.

"Is that even how that works?" Yuna said, still wondering why she was playing this game.

"They're technically supposed to go in a dark enclosed space, but eh. I don't want to inerupt that." Rosé said for Sana, who nodded in agreement while starting a seven minute timer.

"Not going to lie, I just want to talk." Yeji said, collapsing on the bed with a breath. She seemed tired. Ryujin joined laying next to her, letting the older roll and cuddle into her.

"That's fine with me." The blonde said, the two staring at the ceiling in silence for a bit.

"What if someone catches you? For shooting Tyler's leg." Yeji said, referring to that night when Ryujin dropped from seemingly nowhere and shot her acquaintance.

"It's been a few weeks. I'm not worried about it." Ryujin said, closing her eyes for a moment.

"We should go away together." Ryujin spoke out of the blue, Yeji moving so she was looking at the blonde.

"What do you mean, like run away?" Yeji had confusion on her face.

"Yeah, just you and me, some place that won't do us harm. No worries, no fears." Ryujin leaned in, kissing the orange-haired for a moment. Giving into the strange pull she had.

"I'd love to, but I can't." Yeji said, a bit disappointed. Being able to run away with Ryujin sounded so good right now. They could do whatever they wanted, explore whatever they wanted. With no worry of being criticized like pigs. Yuna burst through the doors a few seconds later, panic on her face.

"A-Squad is on their way up." She said, eyes wide while Ryujin stood quickly, grabbing a gun. She saw the other four grabbing hidden weapons from around the house.

"Why? What did I do?" Ryujin was frozen in place, Yeji alarmed, clinging to the blondes shirt. Ryujin knew very well what A-Squad does. They capture and bring people back to base for trials. Trials due to teams breaking protocol which typically consitied of harsh torture and near death experiences. Ryujin saw too many of those trials when she was young, and if she had to name one thing she was terrified of, it'd be A-Squad. Their appearance meant trouble.

"Take Yeji and leave." Ryujin clung onto Yuna, dropping to her knees and begging the younger, who seemed heartbroken by Ryujin's actions.

"Ryujin-"

"Please. She doesn't deserve to be caught up in this." The blonde stood, handing her own signature dagger to Yuna. Yeji was confused still, scared by the sound of rather harsh banging getting louder. She tried to ask what was going on, but all she got was what she could only describe as a goodbye kiss from Ryujin before Yuna forced her out the window. They both landed on the fire escape with ease, Yuna carrying the orange-haired on her back.

"Ryujin. What do we do? They're either here to inform us, or take us in." Chaeryeong spoke while they all awaited for the door to be kicked down. Ryujin didn't answer at first, thinking about her death.

"Ryujin-"

"A plan?..." She cocked her glock back, "Don't die."

Yeji was demanding answers from Yuna who was holding back tears. She was driving Ryujin's car down the highway particularly fast. Yeji in the passenger seat looking like she was about to crack any moment now.

"I will jump out of this car if you don't tell me what the hell A-Sqaud is, and why everyone was pulling out weapons." Yeji seemed uncertain with her threat to suicide, but Yuna answered anyway.

"A-Sqaud is a team of elite killers trained to capture members of our organization and bring them back to our base for trial." Yuna let a tear fall. She could only pray Ryujin would be okay.

"The trials are more punishment than speech. People die regularly on trial." Yuna pulled over for a moment, watching police cars zoom by the other direction. Which made her think someone called the cops on shooting back at the apartment.

"Why? Why would Ryujin go on trial? She didn't do anything but kill criminals that did more wrong and were going to do more wrong-"

"Yeji, we aren't apart of the government. Our organization is ran by one of the largest drug rings in Europe. We are blackmailed into killing for money. Nobody cares about who we kill unless they're important to us." She sniffled. "The night Ryujin saved you she killed the second most profitable assassin." Yuna spilled out quickly, tears falling freely now. She watched Yeji seem to space out, staring at nothing while she digested what the black-haired said.

Yeji was about to vomit, cry, and scream at the same time. Ryujin was a murderer. She didn't care about who she killed as long as she got money. Now, she is blackmailed, and probably doesn't have a choice, which Yeji used to tell herself it's okay. It wasn't, Yeji couldn't feel okay and she wouldn't. Everything got dropped on her like a bomb and her mind was being torn apart day by day. She started to put pieces together, some of the blondes actions making more sense.

"I didn't think they bring her in because she's the most profitable. She's the best." Yuna then put her head into the steering wheel, crying while Yeji pondered.

"Why are you telling me this? I could've been happy." Yeji said, a little angry. But also in slight denial. She felt kind of bad for Ryujin and her team, she wonders how crucial the blackmail is, and how horrible of a childhood they had.

"Because, she'd want you to know. Regardless of everything we are told to do, she does like you Yeji. She's never liked anyone how she likes you. She might love you." Yuna wiped her tears while Yeji's face stayed cold.

"We need to go to my corporate building, I can run a background check on your organization. I can put them under, I can free you guys and Ryujin-"

"Yeji. There's no hope for us, the only way out without consequence is to buy our way out." Yuna said, watching Yeji slump, defeated. A few silent tears falling from her face.

"Now you know." Yuna spoke once more. Yeji was in deep thought, how could she be so foolish to fall for Ryujin? How could she, the upcoming ceo, fall deep for an assassin part of a drug ring. It was terribly inconvenient. But, even with all of that, she still wanted Ryujin. Wanted to see her whisker smile, wanted to hear her laugh, smell her subtle perfume, feel her beautiful body as if she was hers...

"Where are they taking her?" Yeji said.

"Unless she escaped, she'll be in Spain. There's nothing we can do, nothing I can do but keep in touch with someone inside." Yuna then made a few more turns and stopped at Yeji's apartment complex.

"Deny everything Yeji, for her sake, and for yours." Yuna said before letting the orange-haired out. She stood there in the damp street, feeling like her heart was in a compress...

One more kick and the door was down, Ryujin didn't hesitate to fire a few shots, some of the fully red suited assassins dropped dead, but only so much were held off before it became a fist fight. Ryujin pulling out a knife and tackling one, Sana holding another off while more piled in. Lia was in a separate room trying to cover up anything kept on their tech. Rosé in front of that door to make sure nobody got in. Chaeryeong and Ryujin ended up surrounded, back to back when Sana got knocked out and cuffed to a nearby support pole. They were helplessly outnumbered.

"We are here to take you back to Spain. You have rather important work, and cannot risk you losing too much time. So we'll hurt you more here so you have less time there." Who seemed like the leader spoke, a gun in his hand while six other assassins entered, also dressed in red. Two of them had duffle bags with unknown contents in it.

"I killed Xingxing because he was going to kill my target, and probably me." Ryujin spoke, hands already bloody from the many people she already killed.

"I'm sure there were other ways to handle the situation, but, you have anger issues. Don't you Ryujin?" He said, pulling off his mask. He was one of her superiors, an executor to be exact. Ryujin cannot count how many people he's killed.

"So accept your punishment, come in and serve again, and we'll leave your target alone." He spoke, Chaeryeong, Ryujin, and Rosé all had their attention on him. Enough for the surrounding guards that had them circled to fire darts at them. They all dropped to the ground, unable to move much at all. Ryujin groaning and yelling through her teeth while they surrounded. They handcuffed the others, including Lia who they retrieved, to the same pole as Sana. Ryujin was ushered on her stomach, guards standing with one boot on her open arms to keep her down.

"Shame, you were flawless on the outside. You had flawless tactics too. I'd say about five whips should render you temporarily disabled." He said, pulling out a long leather whip that was used for torture out of a duffle bag. Her shirt was ripped open, exposing her back. Sana awoke, her head pounding. The four were crying, watching while Ryujin was helpless to fight back. One guard then darted Sana with the same contents so she was more or less useless.

"You'll feel it all don't worry. You know, we all had high hopes for Xingxing, hopes that one day he'd surpass your psychotic ass." He said, running a gloved hand down her back, undoing her bra so she was fully bare now. Her chin was uncomfortably resting on the ground, her wrists starting to sting from how much pressure was being put on them.

"Fuck you." Ryujin muffled out if her weak lips. He just chuckled at her helplessness.

The first whip hurt. Tore through her flesh easily and left a long stripe of exposed muscle and blood. She held back her cries, eyes closing hard. She wanted to resist but she couldn't. Helpless due to the dart, she supposed it was a new gadget. The second one was close to perpendicular of the first, digging even further. The crack through the air was enough to make her shudder, but the slapping sound of the leather cutting through her back was worse. She yelped. Head tilting back slightly as that's all she could do. Her hands fists while tears fell. She remembers being hit by belts when she was younger, but that was nothing compared to the agony which the textured leather inflicted on her. The next two were even harder off his hand, blood starting to drip down her sides onto the ground. Her skin peeling from her back like someone scooping icecream. She wanted nothing more than to slaughter everyone there. A part of her could, had she not been physically hindered by the dart. She would stand, her back falling off her body, blood down her legs and stab every last red guard. She'd keep the whip, use it to hang the leader from the ceiling fan. She wanted them dead, she wanted them dead and burned. So much so that their bones wouldn't exist, they'd be a pile of ash. Filthy ash she'd throw away because they didn't merit the holy ritual of burial.

"I want to kill you so bad, Ryujin. You're lucky the boss wants you alive." He let the whip fall more than five times. He wanted her back destroyed enough so he could see the spine in some parts. Just hitting and hitting until Ryujin could no longer scream, the pain being too much. Her pride, her willpower, gone. He then left, his guards cleaning up and some opening first aid. It was time to kidnap them essentially, and that's what they did. Police sirens were heard in the distance from the van in which they were tossed in. They started to mend Ryujin's wounds in the back on a makeshift stretcher, her eyes opening once more. She blinked a few times while her back felt like literal hell. She could almost feel the whip crashing onto her again, like daggers being stabbed across all her most sensitive nerves and turning, spinning inside. Making slop of her insides. That was more than enough for her to give in again, her body about to go in shock while her eyes closed to the sound of the four calling out to her. Blood seemed to find it's way anywhere on her body. She looked like she was about to die..

The hospital was comforting. At first anyway.. Ryujin opened her eyes to the sound of rapid beeping and the feeling of her back aching. It seemed like no matter how she moved her skin was splitting open. Nurses rushed in, ushering her to stay down. Lia and Chaeryeong came in not much longer, Sana and Rosés location were unknown. She then recognized exactly what hospital they were at. They were at a base in Spain, in their medical building. She shuddered, knowing what was to come. This was the same base where she was put through multiple diagnostics tests she could only describe as more rings of hell. Combat practices where you'd be forced to kill one another, disarming bombs that were actually armed to explode, perform survival tactics in life or death situations, typically with gas. The years Ryujin spent in this butcher house was awful. Then there was the trials, that only a very high ranking few really ever passed. It was simple on their end, the ones watching, either survive or die. But for the ones inside it was destroying any part of yourself that'd be human. Ryujin had no problems psychologically with that, but she still dreaded every ounce of the building in which she was captive in.

"You've been asleep for three days." Chaeryeong spoke, her hand grasping Ryujin's. Happy she was awake. Lia was on the other side, kissing that hand. Blessing whatever god. Even though they were back at the most evil of places, they were together. Even Yuna, who followed the vans after dropping Yeji off, was here.

"Yuna should be here soon, she told Yeji everything except your mission. She said Yeji seemed hurt, but still wanted to help." Lia spoke, that made Ryujin chuckle, but it wasn't lasting, as the small chest movement made pain jolt through her back.

"Even after all of that, she stills wants me. And you all call me crazy." They looked at Ryujin hopelessly, the blonde really was twisted. Now she has a pretty twisted scar to go with it. Her whole back needed healing. Yuna walked in, she had a tablet with the paper from their city in her hand.

"Ryujin, you're all over the paper. But thank god you're okay." Yuna said, hugging the girl as much as she could given her condition. She showed the three the paper, pictures of Ryujin's mutilated back and tragic headlines filling up the first page. Of course they haven't caught the culprit, they wouldn't. Even though it was probably A-Squad that sent those photos in the first place, I mean, how else would they get those photos... Truthfully, the blonde had been in the paper before, for that night she killed Xingxing, and a few other rather stunning and not necessarily illegal things... Ryujin leaned back, swallowing to moisten her dry mouth and closing her eyes. She wondered if Yeji read the paper. Read about her possible death and dissapearance. The blonde hurt, knowing she couldn't do anything to reassure the future ceo.

"You know they're going to make you go through a test again." Yuna spoke, hand brushing a few strands of blonde hair behind her ear. Ryujin smiled.

"I think I can manage a bit of rookies." Ryujin said, knowing exactly how everything worked. Each level of testing included some form of survival game. If you were killed, or injured, that's exactly what you were, and you'd fail. Ryujin doesn't remember how many faces she's bashed, how many people she's shot to be a winner. Then again, the blonde didn't feel much. It was instinct, she was born into it which was uncommon back then. She also wanted out, and by waiting for everyone else to die wasn't going to work for her.

"They're going to target your weak spot too." Chaeryeong spoke, watching Ryujin flinch as she adjusted her sitting position.

"I'll manage. I have to." Ryujin spoke, watching as guards came in and ushered the three out, all of them resisting before she was alone with a rather formal suited woman. Ryujin recognized her instantly. She was the testing instructor and designer. Somehow, she was still somewhat young and sexy. Ryujin remembers the rather non PG jokes she's make about her. But, don't misunderstand, Ryujin hates her with a passion so strong she felt as though she could beat up anyone that came at her now.

"I didn't think I'd see you back here Ms. Shin." She said, walking over to the bed and placing her hands on the blondes shirt. Ryujin's own hands came up and gripped her forearms. Hard.

"It's protocol to be tattooed if you are going to go through the test nowadays. That way we know who is with us, we can also make some connections that way." She said, thinking that Ryujin's hands would loosen, they didn't. She'd be lying if she wasn't a bit scared of the blonde. After all, she did put the girl through years of unethical practices.

"I don't think so, you all marked me enough." Ryujin spoke, nodding towards the tablet with the photos of her back on it.

"Alright Ryujin, I'll make this simple..." She leaned in whispering in the killers ear, happy to take advantage of her weaker state.

"Wheter you like it or not, you're leaving with a tattoo on your body. You can make this easy, and I can put it somewhere easier to hide, or I can smear it on your forehead." She finished, feeling the blonde release her roughly.

"Touch me, and I will kill you." Ryujin said, watching the older sigh and walk over to the side, injecting some kind of sedative into a container where she assumed the pain killer liquid was. It was slowly going to drip into her IV lines.

"I thought you'd say something like that." She turned her back for a second and Ryujin yanked out her IV before standing, feeling her back splitting open. She ran over and grabbed her vest before turning her around, holding the instructor down on the floor, her hands tight around her neck. She could feel each muscle in her neck trying to tense, trying to breathe.

"I really think you should just die." Ryujin gritted out, watching the life leaving the others eyes. Ryujin started to smile, knowing that she wasn't tactical much at all. The instructor may have created most of the death games, but she herself was all brain and no body. Ryujin then was hit over the head with a baton, getting knocked out once again. Disappointment.

"Would you like me to supervise while you tattoo ma'am?" The guard said, laying a knocked out Ryujin on the bed once more. She hunched over, gasping for air. She then looked at the blonde. Ryujin was her most brutal creation. She didn't want that blondes rath anymore than she already had.

"You know what? She doesn't need a tattoo." She said, packing her things, afraid of the consequence. The guard seemed shocked, but didn't question his superior. He wondered how much of a threat Ryujin truly was, whether it was a good idea to bring her back for now. Especially if she had that strong of an effect on a superior...

"Ms. Hwang, your father is waiting in your office. He wants to go over some of the ceremony plans with you." Her desk manager said as she walked in the building. Yeji didn't look nearly as bad as she did before, her makeup was done and her suit was clean and straight. Not a noticeable crinkle anywhere. She nodded in understanding at the manager before walking to the elevator. She took a deep breath. She would not be surprised if he brought up Ryujin being in the paper. She hoped he didn't though, Ryujin was all she could think about recently. She often cried herself to sleep wondering if she was still alive. Yuna was gone too, everyone connected to her was seemingly gone. So Yeji worked herself to distract from the pain and trauma that plagued her mind.

"This is a rather cozy office, I never really took the time to look at it all the other times." He spoke, spinning around in Yeji's desk chair. The orange-haired was more than annoyed for that. Who does he think he is, sitting in her chair.

"Ceremony plans?" Yeji said sternly. She didn't want to have more small talk than needed.

"Ah come on Yej, I am passing down my company to you, and you chit-chat with everyone except for me." He spoke, a little hurt by his daughters cold demeanor. But, really, he wasn't that hurt.

"I have reasons." The orange-haired then put her papers down on her desk, making her desk space how she wanted it. Her father just stood up then, knowing Yeji wouldn't want him in her chair. She took her spot, opening her laptop and throwing on her glasses.

"Perhaps you've been too caught up with Ms. Shin. You know, she must've done some bad things to make someone want to destroy her back like that. Very brutal I must say." In a way, he wasn't wrong, and Yeji knew that, but she was soft for the blonde. She also knew that they don't do things in their will fully.

"It was revenge for her saving my life. From people that wanted me dead I suppose." Yeji said casually, trying not to lose her cool in front of her father. She put it simply for him. He hummed.

"I want to meet her."

"Pardon?" Yeji looked up.

"I want to meet her. She's rather famous in this part of the city now, and if she is as observant as the paper has said in the past she might be of use to me. Or you." He spoke before finally taking out ceremony plans and sitting in a chair across her desk.

"I don't know where she is-"

"I don't mean right now, but I'm sure I'm right about that. And I'm sure it'd be no problem for her to come in, you could always bribe her. That is, if she's not dead." He said, opening and closing a rather expensive lighter.

"I'm not going to bribe her to come see you if she doesn't want to." Yeji was stern, pulling up a map of the building while he smiled to her. Yeji's heart rate was definitely faster than normal, she was about to burst if he kept talking about Ryujin.

"Come on Yeji, just think about it. She could be of use to us. Why are you so defensive?" He then pulled out a file... Ryujin's face was on the front.

"What is that?" Yeji was intrigued suddenly. Perhaps it had some information on her location.

"I ran a background check on her. Ryujin is in a rather tough spot don't you think?" He then placed it on the desk. "I didn't really need to go over ceremony plans, but this, this file... boy it's a good read." He chuckled starting to walk out.

"Don't you hurt her, or I swear I will-"

"You will what? There's nothing you can do Yeji, but no worries, I just want to discuss some things with her and that," He pointed to the file on her desk. "Can be buried." He then closed the door. He wanted to profit from Ryujin, didn't really want to help her. Yeji ran a hand through her hair and started to read through. The first few pages were normal, but then it cut deep.

Shin Ryujin is an elite assassin owned by an organization called the Cycle. Born into the lifestyle without choice to due threats to parental figures. Ordered to be taken in for questioning if applicable. We have no evidence on her. The Cycle's information (if true) follows: Shin Ryujin - Current leader of squad 27. Status: ranked no1 most profitable. Class: Any. Earnings: 28.3B. Left until bought out: 130B. Physical status: exceptional. Mental capacity: unlimited - diagnosis indicates she may be a psychopath. Current Target: Hwang Yeji. Ability to follow through with current target: highly unlikely. Current Location: taken in for diagnostic testing and trials as punishment...

Yeji closed the file. She had read enough. She was Ryujin's target, and although it specified she probably won't follow through, it made her sick. Was Ryujin faking everything with her? Was anything real? Or was she only in it for the money? The blonde was also taken in for punishment, indicating Yuna was probably right. She stored the file in her personal bag to take home with her. She decided to shove her feelings down in the empty pit of her stomach until she was done with work. She couldn't deal with this right now. It seemed like everything was against her. Love, her father, work... everything.

Sleep didn't come easy because of it, she even brought out two teddy bears deep in her closet to help her relax. Perhaps people would think she's childish, but she didn't care. They soothed her to a degree. Unfortunately, she had many, many more sleeplesss nights.

Two weeks passed, and she still had no sign of Ryujin. Her whereabouts, if alive, unkown. She was already on the verge of becoming ceo, and had been running people to try and look for her privately. Yeji wondered everyday if she'd ever find her. Ever find her charming psychotic lover. In a way, she needed the separation. Had to focus on her work, and less on her romance life.

But Yeji wanted her. Yeji missed her. Dark and messed up as that is, Yeji wanted only her company in her bed at night; and only her company to make her smile and laugh so freely the world felt like nothing. Yeji took a long shower that night, letting the water redden her skin while she thought about the other. Her heart sinking when she thought of her whisker smile and soft voice that'd whisper sweetly in her ear. Her tears mixed with the water. She didn't care.

"You should try dating other people, you're so depressed, you have to move on." Were words Yeji pondered on. The same that so many people told her countless times. She didn't want other people, she wanted Ryujin...

"Are you happy now?" Ryujin coughed out with blood, her breathing heavy and vision slightly blurry. She was limping and wobbly like she had spun around twenty times, trying to stabilize herself. Her shirt was torn, her rather fresh but stitched slashes on her back showing. The blonde groaned when there was no response from the overhead speaker. Meaning there was still someone left. She wiped the blood from her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Come on! Where are you? Fucking coward." Ryujin spat, scanning the rather intricate arena. More blood dripping from her mouth and really anywhere. She was like a zombie, out of a horror movie, just not so diseased. She was so close to being done, having gone through five tests in the span of two weeks. Today was her trial, all she had to do, was be the last one standing.

Yuna, Lia, Chaeryeong and anyone else free on the base kept very close eye on the blonde this trial. She was way more skilled than anyone else in there, and some people even said the rookies that went in were sent to their deaths. They weren't wrong, Ryujin doesn't remember how many necks she's snapped, or how many jugulars she's stabbed. Everyone was absolutely terrified of her.

"Here, I'll make a deal with you. Come out, and I won't use anything but my bare hands to fight you." Ryujin said, laughing. Her smiled dropped when she saw a rather young girl that looked like herself when she was young step out from behind a rock.

"Ah shit." Ryujin said to herself. Everything was quiet, very quiet. Everyone was watching Ryujin at this point. The little girl looked so terrified, so afraid. She didn't belong, and Ryujin knew that was apart of the trial, in fact, the boss in a sense. The blonde wished she could shove a razor blade down the throat of whoever came up with the idea.

They stayed like that for a while. Ryujin standing, looking down at the girl just as still as her a few meters away. She had a knife, it was small and clean. Meaning she didn't even scratch a soul in the arena. Ryujin couldn't help but look at the youngers eyes, how they resembled Yeji's a little bit. The blonde dropped to her knees, tears mixing with blood.

She didn't even notice the little girl walking towards her until her arms were around her neck. They weren't malicious arms, not at all. They were small, and soft, embracing the killer, pulling the bloody body into hers weakly. Something about an innocent child taking in someone like Ryujin was more impacting than anything most of the trainees ever saw. Ryujin only cried harder, hugging back, her knees dusty from the ground she still knelt on. She doesn't know how long it was until she regained composure, standing and taking ahold of the girl's small hand.

"We're done, I'm going back to the city." Ryujin stared up at a camera, her eyes showed no sign of negotiation, and frankly, nobody was going to after the display she put on. Yuna, Lia, and Chaeryeong were the first to greet the two at the exit gate of the arena.

"You're free again." Lia said, her hand on the sliding gates, she looked at the blonde so lovingly. She wasn't free, but as free as one in her position could be. Ryujin looked down at the little girl, and gave her a whisker smile, crouching down to her level to talk while waiting for the gates to be fully open.

"Would you like to stay with me?" Ryujin asked, her eyes soft, she knew the girl had nowhere to go. If she did, if she had her parents still, she wouldn't be here. The blonde melted at the small toothy smile and rapid nod she was given. Just as they were about to take their first step out of the arena, hand in hand, a gunshot filled Ryujin's ears.

The precious life next to her fell dead, Ryujin crouching down and catching the limp body. Blood dripping from a hole in the little's forehead. Everyone was still, except Ryujin who was shaking uncontrollably and clenching her teeth. Her eyes watery but nothing falling. She seemed more discouraged then than she ever had. Yuna didn't try to count how many times she heard the word bastard come from the blonde's mouth while guards escorted them to their holding cells.

Except, Ryujin wasn't brought to her holding cell.

"Ms. Shin, how would you like a rank up?" Someone by the name of Nayeon said. Her voice clean and unaffected by the scene that occurred mere moments ago. Ryujin knew the only reason they were giving her such opportunity is because they were afraid of how much longer they could control and use her. Killijg her wouldn't be beneficial, but keeping her in a position where she would pounce anyone without a thought also wasn't good.

"Fuck you." Ryujin was cuffed, and forced on her knees, but that didn't prevent her from speaking her mind.

"I should slap you for that, but frankly you're too bloody and disgusting." Nayeon put on a glove, letting the latex snap on her wrist. She smirked.

"You don't have to worry about deadlines, or making us money. Everyone else under you would provide that all. You could live and go wherever you wanted as long as you attended the very small number of mandatory missions." She then uncuffed Ryujin, watching the killer rub her wrists.

"You wouldn't have to target Hwang Yeji anymore." She said, turning her back and smiling. She knew that'd get the blonde to crack.

"What about my team?" Ryujin was standing now, pushing guards off her enough for them to leave her alone. She'd do anything to love Yeji freely Wait... love?

"You're special Ryujin, different if you will. This opportunity is for you only. You can still see your team if you'd like, just know they work for you, and every other high ranking official here. You'd no longer be their leader." Nayeon turned, holding her open hand out with a pin in her palm. The same pin that indicated high rankings...

"Go on, take it. You know you want to."

Ryujin did as she was told for once in her life. When she walked out of the office she wasn't bloody anymore, and she wore a fully black suit with a red tie. Guards escorted her out, but not roughly, more in a protective way. Yuna, Chaeryeong, and Lia watched as the blonde walked past their cells. Asking for them to be flown back to the city were they were previously located with her. Of course, they obligated.

The plane reunion was nice. Chatting freely after Ryujin told them the situation. She took off her jacket then, a black button up underneath. She undid a few of those buttons too, and loosened her tie. It felt like a weight was off her chest, just by leaving that place she felt so much better.

"You really are free Shin." Yuna said, dazed. She didn't think about what she was going to do now that their team leader wasn't going to be with them. Didn't have to be. She also thought about who their new leader would be. After all, they had a mission. One they kept from Ryujin and are required to do so...

"This isn't freedom, Yuna. When I can live on my own terms and off of myself instead of the organization, without threat, I will be free." Ryujin leaned back in the chair, eyes closing. She thought back to the arena, the little girl. She had to make her life worth it for her. For her, and Yeji, Lia, Yuna, Chaeryeong, and everyone she's ever killed.

"Well, you don't have to worry about Yeji anymore, or any target for that matter." Lia said, suddenly close to the blonde, her finger tickling up her forearm.

"You would like that." Ryujin spoke, her eyes meeting Lia's. Chaeryeong was looking out the window, trying to distract herself. She was no longer under Ryujin's team name, she could very well be terminated again. Except this time nobody would save her.

Lia ended up kissing Ryujin without a care, she didn't want to lose her. Deep down she knew Ryujin had eyes for someone else. For a certain orange-haired business woman. Ryujin understood that too, and kissed back. But that's all it felt like to Lia, like a kiss of empathy. Not one of passion or mutual affection. She parted, knowing that. Ryujin looked at her in confusion.

"I think we'd be better friends, Ryujin." Lia said, her hands still cupping Ryujin's face, her head leaned down. Chaeryeong and Yuna were suddenly paying attention.

"What do you mean?"

"I know how you look at her. It's okay Ryujin, really." Lia said, removing her hands. A part of her knew Ryujin didn't really love her, like her enough for a strong future. They'd were a great pair, an obvious pair. But, the show wasn't as deep as the feelings. They both wanted something, and they both got something. But now the killer found a new someone, and Lia would do the same. She was happy for Ryujin...

"Hey, isn't that the one girl from the paper everyone thought died?... Oh my god, it is... isn't that Shin Ryujin?... I heard she's trouble..." Ryujin heard as she got out of her still clean red car. She had her suit back on, and was walking up rather large stone steps up into Yeji's soon to be owned corporate building. She was carrying a suitcase, that had a gun and a few other things inside. Ryujin heard a few cameras click before she pushed the glass doors in and took in the sheer size of the building. Marble floors, contemporary set ups, at least three elevators on each side, and a grand desk in front of a water wall in the center. Behind that was seating.

"Ryujin? I mean, Ms. Shin? I didn't know you be stopping by today." The person at the desk said as the blonde approached, a rather charming smile on her face.

"I keep hearing my name a lot even though I don't know half of the people saying it." She said with a chuckle, resting her arms on the counter. A good number of people were staring at her. In suprise mostly, but some with desire, and others with curiosity.

"Ms. Hwang is available right now." She said, face flushed from the attractive blonde in front of her.

"She's not the one I want to see." Ryujin said, causing the receptionist to stutter.

"S-She's not?"

"No, I'm just teasing you. Thank you Shuhua." Ryujin spoke, having read her name tag. That only made her blush more. Ryujin then stepped into the first elevator, heart beating rapidly. She didn't know if Yeji was going to slap her, or maybe kill her, or maybe kiss her. She hoped for the last one. She walked out of the elevator on the thirty-fifth floor. It was rather open, not many doors. She walked through the one labeled Hwang Yeji and took a deep breath.

Drowning. Ryujin felt like she was drowning.

"Hi Yeddeong." Ryujin said, standing in the doorway. Her eyes never left Yeji's. Not even while she stood from her desk and slowly walked over. One of Yeji's hands reaching softly up to her cheek, only then did Ryujin break eye contact. Her brown eyes closing as she leaned into her palm, her own coming up and resting overtop.

"You're not here to kill me are you?" Yeji said, her voice soft, but broken. Ryujin knew that she knew after those words. The blonde gave her a sympathetic smile.

"You aren't my target anymore. I don't need a target ever again." Ryujin said. She wasn't lying, but she still needed money if she wanted out.

"What happened to you?" Yeji finally pulled her in for a hug, closing the door as she did so. She could feel Ryujin wince slightly when her hands grazed her back. She stepped away, watching the blonde take off her jacket and shirt, turning around to reveal her stitched up yet absolutely devastated back. Yeji covered her mouth, out of shock the photos were real, and out of sadness that Ryujin had to go through with that kind of pain.

"They tested me, and then they ranked me up. I think they're afraid of me." Ryujin said, turning to face Yeji, but not putting her shirt back on. She just leaned against the wall, looking rather badass in pants, her lacy black bra, and a loose red tie. Yeji walked close to her, eyes watering while she embraced Ryujin softly this time. Careful to avoid her back.

"You shouldn't have missed me." Ryujin whispered, knowing just her existence in anyone's life that didn't share the same lifestyle as her was exhausting.

"But I did." Yeji whispered back, her hands now wrapped the blondes neck, her head nuzzling into Ryujin's shoulder. She smelt different, her normal scent masked by cheap soap and shampoo. She knew it was because Ryujin was away, and she wanted nothing more than to ground her and makeup for all that lost time.

"Do you... do you want to stay at my place tonight?" Yeji asked, nervous that the assassin would decline. She doesn't think she could take rejection from Ryujin of all people right now.

"I'd love to."

Perhaps laughing hysterically while intoxicated wasn't exactly what either had in mind. But, it was better than sulking and talking about the pain they both experienced.

"You know," Yeji burped. "You don't look bad with all that scarring." She finished, undoing Ryujin's shirt without any resistance from the younger.

"No?" Ryujin's hands naturally went to Yeji's waist, pulling the orange-haired to sit on her lap.

"I think it's sexy. Sexy you went through all that and still are standing." Yeji was now sloppily placing kisses to her neck. A hand trailing down her chest. "Nobody can kill my little Ryu." Yeji finished, Ryujin chuckling at Yeji's drunk words. She too was just as drunk though.

"You're sexy." Ryujin breathed, head buzzing while she leaned back, letting Yeji have more of her. "You'd never do anything to hurt me, would you Yeji?" Ryujin spoke, words slurred while the orange-haired paused and locked eyes.

"Never..."

It's a shame she meant that. She would've been better had she never met Ryujin...

Finally, Ryujin got to stare at Yeji's sleeping features under the rising sun. High above the average person, closer to the sky in which so many people wished they could fly. Ryujin took her time, her hand grazing her face, the skin on her shoulder, anything. The blonde felt as if Yeji was her sin. So greatly desired when really she shouldn't be what Ryujin wants. The killer soothed herself though, in time Yeji would be hers. The orange-haired wasn't her target, but Ryujin never once left an incomplete mission.

Yeji will be hers...

"Good morning." Yeji said with a yawn, her brown eyes blinking to adjust to the light. Ryujin didn't reply, just smiled. "I should be getting to work." Yeji then said, making Ryujin whine and pull the other into her.

"Why go to work when you have me?" The blonde said, rather cocky. Yeji just shook her head, her hand gently running over the others back, careful not to hurt her.

"Are you okay, Ryujin?" Her voice was laced with concern. Genuine interest slipping off her tongue in which Ryujin claimed for a moment. She didn't know how much she wanted to hear those words more often.

"I'm fine." Ryujin spoke, watching Yeji give her an empathic grin. She was about to get up, but Ryujin was sneaky enough to pull her hips back onto the bed. Her lips ghosting over the others ear. "Don't you want a quickie baby?" Ryujin whispered, feeling Yeji lean back into her, head tilting back while Ryujin ran her hands down her front.

"We shouldn't..." Yeji's breathy voice did not match her words. Ryujin feeling just how soaked she was, fingertips brushing her nerves. "Fuck, be quick."

"Of course, kitten." Ryujin whimpered with her. Damn, she was at the bottom of her fall and digging down. Her head was so messed up.

Ryujin found herself worrying about her ex team more than she should've. Sure, she has the authority to ask and look up their missions, but that's annoying and burdensome. She trusts them. She just needs to trust herself that they're doing okay for themselves.

"Hey Yuna, I didn't think you'd be here this early." Ryujin spoke, setting her apartment keys down on the counter, seeing the black-haired sigh.

"Chaeryeong and Lia will be here soon too. We have to talk, a lot." The younger was not at all chipper with her tone. Ryujin gulped, this could not be good.

Perhaps I am a dishonest narrator for leaving out such important contents. But the discussion of meet is profoundly classified to all. Well, except for me or course and those to which it concerns.

"Are we clear, Ryujin?" Chaeryeong said, watching the blonde give a sinister grin. It's as if they were a team yet again. Ryujin smiling at the thought of dollar bills in her pockets. But, they weren't. She wasn't.

"Crystal."

Yeji invited Ryujin to another upper-class party. It was for the celebration of a partnered company's 14th anniversary. Ryujin ended up talking with a lot of people actually. Small talk not being problem at all. In fact, her dialect only attracted more people to talk with her. Yeji was with her most of the time, a little jealous that Ryujin, someone who she thought had no experience in business communication and socialization, was so good at conversation. Not to mention, most of the invitees were people from prestigious schools. Coming up with quick, witty, and presentable responses is much more challenging than talking with a stranger on the street.

Yeji was very well in that department as well, if not, better than Ryujin. In fact, she was. She was just too humble to ever take compliments referring to that, or to view herself with such skill. Nevertheless, Ryujin being a semi-popular and mysterious person plastered on the papers and the news made her very attractive to the participants. Yeji was proud to have the blonde next to her, almost claiming her from the other wealth holders. Yeah, Yeji was well aware that many other people would probably find a way to get Ryujin in bed with them. But, Yeji had her. Yeji had her good and the orange-haired knew that. The thought alone made her infinitely more confident as she stood there sipping a margarita from one of the best bartenders in the city. Ryujin was quick to join her, the pair watching people flaunt their achievements to one another.

"You think any of them would still want me if they knew?" Ryujin said quietly, downing the rest of her drink. Yeji standing next to her, almost completely ignoring the question while she watched the blondes neck contort.

"I still want you." Yeji replied, her eyes locking with Ryujin's for a moment. She chuckled, looking at the ground before back at Yeji. She had a toothpick in her hand that she skilfully moved between her fingers as if doing a coin trick.

"But you aren't them, Yeddeong." The blonde knew Yeji wouldn't want anything to do with her if she knew when they first met. Then again, Ryujin had a plan, and it was going well. Yeji still being with her was more than enough proof. The blonde was very analytical in a way, calculating every move and act with precision for, essentially, her own benefit.

"I'm rich, I'm in their profession. We're almost the same." Yeji's voice was low, and a little slurred. Ryujin was counting the drinks she had.

"No, baby. You aren't even close to them. You're mine, and I would never let someone like them be mine." Ryujin always had that kind of voice that would make your skin tingle with anticipation and make serotonin rush your veins. But the way in which she lulled the simple words to Yeji made the orange-haireds mentality collapse as if a bomb went off at the bottom of a building. Her knees a little weaker while she stood in her heels. Ryujin seemed to know this, and wrapped her arm around the olders waist for support. That didn't at all help her, only causing her to loose balance and fall into Ryujin while her knees gave out.

"I'm so sorry." Yeji spoke, leaning off of the killer and adjusting her dress, thankful her drink spilled on the ground and not on anyone else.

"Don't worry about it. It's not problem." Ryujin gave her a small smile, her hand staying as a support on Yeji's waist. "Say, I think I know that girl." Ryujin suddenly spoke, pointing to a familar figure in the crowd. Only when she stepped a few paces closer, Yeji behind her, unmoving, did Ryujin remember. The other locking eyes with the blonde as well.

"Ryujin?"

"Rosé?"

"Who?" Poor Yeji, she had no idea. The tall girl walked closer, a smile on her flushed faced while Ryujin smiled back. Yeji couldn't help but feel a little intimidated. Rosé was tall, pretty, and definitely had money too. Her hair color was blonde but a little lighter than Ryujin's. The orange-haired didn't show any of that feeling on her face though.

"She was apart of Xingxing's team. She actually told me what he was planning to do." Ryujin said, a proud smile as if talking about an achieving daughter. Yeji shook the blondes hand, feeling no sort of distaste in the shake.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Yeji spoke, her brown eyes seeming to sparkle with appreciation. The three ended up talking about anything but business, and enjoyed their discussion much more than most of the people they talked with. Eventually they all went their separate ways, Rosé hugging the two before they all left to their cars.

"I'm driving." Ryujin spoke, watching Yeji falter into the passenger seat. She had just a tad too much alcohol in her blood to be driving right now. Ryujin was alright.

"Unzip?" Yeji asked, her hands moving her hair aside from the zipper that lined the dress down her back. Ryujin's was behind her, man-sitting on the bed with her button up undone and her suit pants unbuttoned. She smirked, putting down an empty beer bottle and taking her place behind Yeji. Her all to familar hands running over the orange-haireds exposed skin as she undid the zipper.

"Better?" Ryujin said, now closer to Yeji, hands smoothly helping to lower the dress off her shoulders and down past her hips. Yeji stepped out of the pooling fabric, turning slowly to face the amused killer that was shamelessly looking her over. She leaned in, her lips only gently brushing Ryujin's, but she pulled back, a smug smirk on her face.

"You're such a tease, Hwang." Ryujin said, taking matters into her own hands and rather abruptly maneuvering Yeji on the bed. A groan coming out of the orange-haireds mouth while Ryujin spread her legs, running her hands up her milky thighs. "Should I punish you?" Ryujin was against her, voice husky in her ear while the scent of alcohol stained breath enveloped Yeji for a moment.

"I don't know, should you?" Yeji was such a damn tease. Ryujin didn't know what was keeping herself from ripping off her panties and devouring her. Oh that's right, she wanted to give Yeji a taste of her medicine.

Ryujin denied Yeji of her high more than enough. Yeji frequently thought about getting down on her knees and begging for Ryujin to let her come. But she was patient, and it paid off...

The pair couldn't help but feel that they were in an okay place the morning after. Their lives more recently consisting of constant comfortable income and congenial sex that was quite exhilarating. They were in a sweet spot and neither one of them wanted to leave. Especially Yeji, who was starting to become less stressed of upcoming events involving the company.

Though when Yeji heard the sound of the door to her apartment closing and a small goodbye from her lover she felt the dampness of exhaustion over her skin.

"Sixty-thirty? Fuck." Yeji said, knowing she didn't have much time to get prepared. Not that anyone would question her appearance if she showed up a little less made up, but it was still professional to look presentable. Publicity is important, but what kind of publicity is even more crucial. The last thing Yeji wanted was lazy future ceo headlines filling up the paper.

Today was also important. She was starting the process of choosing a new successor ceo, someone that she'd trust or find great as ceo if anything were to happen when she becomes ceo. So when the orange-haired walked through the building and to the rather large board meeting room she made sure she was fashionable.

"Shall we began?" Yeji spoke, seeing her father enter the elevator through the glass. She felt relieved she was doing this without his hawk like eyes on her back.

"Yes , we'll call up the first applicant."

It was very boring and time consuming. Interviewing people for hours on end, about the same stuff. Yeji took it seriously of course, and made a few notes for people she took a liking to. But, that doesn't change how incredibly tedious it was. She was starting to lose hope that anyone was the different she was looking for until a black-haired girl in a pantsuit came in.

"Hello, nice to meet you...?" Yeji knew her name, she had read her file before she came in.

"Joanne, Joanne Hostler." Her hand was soft yet firm while accepting the shake. Yeji couldn't help but find her familiar, but she couldn't place her finger on who she looked like. Joanne had a formal blue dress, jet black hair with bangs, and wore glasses atop her dark eyes. Yeji stared at the other for a moment, trying to figure out why her smile was so comforting. "Is everything alright?" Joanne asked, her head turning to the side a bit while she hesitantly sat in the chair across and set her folder on the table.

"Yes, I'm fine thank you." Yeji replied, taking a deep breath before beginning the same interview process once more. Her managers seemed to like Joanne just as much as she did. She had quite the impressive resume and work experience, as well as rather pleasant social skills. Yeji added her to the list of the few people she would look further into. When Joanne stood to leave, being the last applicant, Yeji closely watched the way she walked. She was so familiar and yet Yeji decided to just let it go.

Everything else she did that day was going by slow. So slow and yet somehow so fast. She got in touch with Tyler, asking about his leg. He seemed rather prideful that she called, but for the sake of business Yeji didn't scold him. She ended up setting up a meeting to finish discussing what they didn't at the restaurant. Her father burst through her office doors not long after that discussion.

"Well?" He said, arms out with a demanding expression.

"Well what?" Yeji spoke, opening a drawer and trying to find a certain file regarding annual spending. Yeji knew why he was there, but avoided it. She wanted to make him a little pissy.

"I gave you time, I'd like to talk to Ryujin." He said, taking a seat across from Yeji. Clicking a pen in his hand. Yeji sighed.

"Fine, but I have to be there too." Yeji watched him groan, but agree anyway. "Nine at my apartment?" Yeji said, watching him nod. She was impressed with how smoothly that went. No yelling, no feeling like shit, no drunk emotional decisions. She didn't know how long it's been since that's happened, but she wasn't complaining.

Tension. That's the thickness that filled the air as the three sat at the table in Yeji's prestine kitchen.

"Hello Ryujin." He said, watching the blonde give a sinister smile. "I've heard a lot about you." He finished.

"I've heard a lot about you." Ryujin twiddled her thumbs, she the noticed how tense Yeji was. "Come here kitten." Ryujin said softly, not caring that Yeji's father was right there. The orange-haired flushed but scooted her chair closer anyway. Closing her eyes for a moment when Ryujin's one arm wrapped around her shoulders.

"I want you to work for me." He said, glaring at the pair for a moment. He didn't like how much Ryujin seemed to impact his daughter. Especially since he knew what she did for a living.

"Why's that?" Ryujin looked at him. Eye contact being powerful. She didn't break it, didn't show weakness. She just stared, watching him clear his throat and break it himself.

"I have a very interesting file belonging to you that would be rather bad if leaked. All I need is for you to get rid if a few crucial competitors." He took out Ryujin's file that Yeji thought she had hidden.

"Absolutely not." Yeji butted, her nose flaring and her eyes seemed to spin with rage. Ryujin told her it's fine before looking through the file, almost gagging from how smug Yeji's father appeared to be.

"Shame. None of this is accurate anymore. Not to mention, you have no proof." Ryujin said, seeing him sit up, a bit panicked.

"My daughter can confirm everything that's on there." He said, looking at Yeji with desperation.

"I could. But I'm not letting you hire my girlfriend to kill people." Yeji said, taking the file and standing, walking towards the door as if gesturing for him to leave. Ryujin sat, smiling at him.

"I'd listen to your daughter." Ryujin said, watching him leave, face red. Yeji's poised shoulders dropped from relief. She walked to the fridge, looking at Ryujin.

"Want a drink?"

"Always."

They had a lot to think about. Well, Ryujin did at least. She had so much to plan. So, so much.

Ryujin found herself inside Yeji's workplace often.

Often, meaning frequently; many times.

Yeah, she was in Yeji's corporate building often. So often she sometimes forgot who she was supposed to be and almost slipped up multiple times.

"Hey Joanne, the board chose you to be the successor ceo. Yeji wants to see you in her office." Shuhua spoke as she clocked in for the day. She was only an intern at the time. Yeji had successfully gone through the ceremony and currently was the owner of Hwang Corporations. Her fathers whereabouts unknown.

"Oh? That's splendid, I'll have to tell Yuna." Ryujin spoke, adjusting her raven-hair.

"Yuna? You know Yuna? I heard she has ties with Yeji's girlfriend, Ryujin." Shuhua replied, confused.

"Did I say Yuna? My bad, I meant to say Youha, and is she really Yeji's girlfriend?" Ryujin laughed awkwardly. Happy Shuhua smiled back.

"I was about to say, I heard Ryujin's trouble, and I don't know. It's just a rumor." Shuhua giggled too. As if joking. Ryujin's face immediately dropped when the elevator doors closed.

"That was close." Ryujin spoke on her com.

"You have to stop doing that, if people find out the truth this whole new plan is going to shit." Yuna replied over coms. Irritated. She was already a bit mad at Ryujin for becoming attached to Yeji. This new plan seemed promising but she doesn't think she'd let the blonde live if she failed this too. Not that she'd say that to her face, of course. Especially since she technically wasn't apart of Ryujin's team.

"I know, I know."

"Do you? You understand that you'll be looking directly at Yeji to fill out the paperwork for a while and if she figures out your little disguise..."

"I know Yuna. Relax. I got this." The elevator door then rang. A dull sound she heard too many times in all sorts of different countries. Normally it was accompanied by screams and gunshots, and the smell of smoke.

"Hello, I heard you wanted to see me?" Ryujin asked, knocking on the inside of Yeji's open office door. She was greeted formally and congratulated. It didn't take long before she was filing out paper work. She quickly scanned each document to make it appear as if she cared about the contents. When really she was trying to seem like she wasn't dying on the inside, afraid of be recognized.

"I know I've told you this before, but you really are very familar to me. I just can't figure out why." Yeji said, casuing Ryujin to look up, putting on the best questionable look that didn't look like her own questionable look.

"Yeah, I don't know, a lot of people tell me that actually, no worries." Ryujin said, resuming her signing before handing a rather thick stack to Yeji.

"I know you have been through a lot of training and have a lot of experience here and other places, but maybe we can get lunch sometime? I think it'd be good to be friends." Yeji's orange hair was so bright then, her eyes shining, her expression hopeful.

"Sure, just not today, I have some work to do." Ryujin replied. Standing with a bow before starting her walk towards the door.

"Have a nice day, Joanne."

"Likewise, Ms. Hwang." Ryujin said, a small wave to her hand before she left. She released a large breath, hearing Yuna squeal on her com from the success.

"Now all you have to do is confess to your crimes." Yuna said, a bit more happy about that action than perhaps she should.

"Yeah, that's all I have to do." Ryujin breathed, pulling out her phone to see a few texts from Yeji.

Hey baby, everything went well with my successor CEO. I know you probably don't really care, but I thought I'd tell you because it's just so exciting... dinner tonight? It's been a little bit since we had time alone.

Ryujin smiled as she read the text, but she also felt herself shatter inside from the next few days events. She did come to a rather heavy conclusion not long ago, that being she loved Yeji. Every twisted and mentally abnormal part of her loved Yeji. That realization was the cause of her own internal fracture. She wanted to run away, buy an island and live there in tropical paradise with Yeji. One day get on her knee with a ring, one that wasn't filled with the most lamboyant diamonds, but one that really told them.

That's great news! ... I'll be at your place at 8.

Ryujin was quick to walk out of the building, her face red and body starting to sweat while she walked to the subway. She used a bathroom beforehand, taking off her wig and changing back into jeans and her leather jacket. She threw off her fake glasses as well. Using her foot to stomp them, breaking the glass in the tile. She felt some relief by doing so. The ride was her longest one yet...

"Alright, you want me to just record myself confessing everything?" Ryujin asked as she walked through the door to her apartment, Lia and Chaeryeong looking suprised by her entrance. Yuna was not though, having been on coms.

"Yeah sure, we can send it in tonight." Yuna replied, Lia running to grab a camera. Chaeryeong noticed how tense the blonde was. She knew a few things about Ryujin that the killer didn't talk about. Rosé was a big help with getting some of that information.

"I have to go to Yeji's at eight." Ryujin said, Lia hauling her over to a chair and getting the camera angles right.

"That's perfect. Don't worry, we'll always save your ass." Yuna winked playfully. Ryujin didn't catch on until she ran how tonight would go through her head. She felt like she was going to puke. A little flashing red button shown on the camera, Chaeryeong told her to take her time, saying they can edit footage.

"Hi, my name is Shin Ryujin. I'm apart of Europe's biggest drug ring called Cycle and hold a high position in it. I have killed countless innocent people for money, and even some at random. I know this is out of nowhere, and I know you need dirt to bring me in. I'm telling you that this is the truth, and the answers to your questions. Frankly, I'm bored with life, and curious how many of you I will pick off before you put me in cuffs..."

It was a long session of Ryujin talking to the camera. The other three staring at her in shock. She remembered everything. Every single target, everything single operation. It was scary how much Ryujin was digging in her mind for such a confession...

"... I have relations with Hwang Yeji. Yeah, thee Hwang Yeji. She's known for a while who I am, what I do, and she'd never tell you. Some things that I left out only she can tell you. Maybe she's where you should start to find me huh?"

Ryujin spent spent four hours in front of the camera.

Four hours.

Sitting, doing nothing but gazing at the lens while she was deep in thought worlds away. Revealing the blood by her hands. The monstrosities that she caused. She kept her old team identities a secret. That, was something the three appreciated. They did not enjoy the awful pit in their stomachs when she brought up things they'd rather forget though. Operations they hated being apart of, terrible, terrible unmoral practices. Scaring images that the blonde went through as if nothing.

"I'm done." Ryujin then stood, without a word, and walked to her bedroom. Nobody talked to her for a while, nobody dared to. She was too calm, and when Ryujij was calm, after that. It was best to give her space. Leave her thoughts to herself, most of which were dark indecisive thoughts. Choosing between violence, or insanity.

"Wanna drink with us?" Chaeryeong said, peeking through the cracked door of Ryujin's dark room.

"Can't, tonight is important. We should all be one-hundred percent." Ryujin replied, standing and following Chaeryeong out to the living room.

They talked, chatted about what they were going to do once they were free from the Cycle. Everything seemed too good to be true, too good to be possible. People like them didn't get paradise. Yet, it seemed just at the edge of their fingers right now. Perhaps that illusion is what they needed to keep going. Most people have an addiction to drugs, alcohol, porn... they're addicted to the dullusions in which they can be happy. Though, can they ever really be happy even if it's all over? Or when?

Ryujin maybe, if she can mask her little mental difference. That, and if she has Yeji... the blonde really didn't want to think about anything without her. Maybe some wouldn't consider it love, more of obsession. More a hunger for someone young and pretty with the ability to give wealth if manipulated correctly. Which, is exactly what Ryujin did, is doing. She had Yeji in her palm, but what made it love was that Ryujin didn't want to crush her in it. She wanted to see Yeji be happy, wanted to watch her smile naturally without a care and live to be old and wise. Ryujin felt happy next to her, felt like apart of herself that was locked away was brought out by her. She loved Yeji. But she did, in fact, also want to possess her. Had an urge to protect her with lengths more than a normal person would.

Those lengths would be tested tonight, for sure.

Yuna, Yuna could be happy, if she found a group of friends like her team. People she can joke with and share her life to without worry. Of course, that'd be impossible, nobody wouldn't turn in an murderer. So maybe, maybe Yuna wouldn't be happy...

Chaeryeong was in the same boat as Yuna. Loneliness was a killer, and would be a killer for her...

Lia would be just as down, if not more down than everyone else. She already lost Ryujin in a way she didn't want to, and would suffer for a while. Having freedom, lonesome freedom with that suffering wouldn't be pleasant.

Another few people Ryujin would free;

Sana, who would somehow find a way to live near Ryujin. Probably with Rosé, who could find light, she just could. Even Ryujin knew that she would...

"Please, when the police start to arrive com me." Ryujin said, putting on a heavier belt on her jeans and throwing on her leather jacket.

"Yes, and please, keep your pants on. I don't care about Yeji's, but please keep yours on." Yuna spoke, the three smiling from the actual laugh that left the blonde's mouth.

"Whatever you say, princess." Ryujin was then behind the door. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath for a moment before speaking into her com quickly. "Let's do this." And Lia sent the video in...

"You know, if you were going to dress up all fancy you should've told me so I could too." Ryujin said while Yeji strolled over in a teasing manner, her makeup absolutely perfect along with the red dress she was wearing. She pecked Ryujin's lips once, smiling after and leading her to the table.

"Wa-la. I made all this myself." Yeji said, lifing up silver platter coverings to reveal a very appetizing and steaming meal. Ryujin said her thanks, expressing how delicious it looked to which Yeji flushed. She knew her time was short, and was quick to eat. Yeji chuckling from how eagerly she gobbled up.

"I was hungry, okay?" Ryujin said, earning another laugh from the orange-haired. Yeji finished not much later, Ryujin was right behind her as she put dishes in the sink to worry about later.

"Is everything alright Ryu?" Yeji said, the blonde backhugging her with a worried expression on her face. Yeji, having known her for a bit, knew when she was off thinking about something. It was like the night she shot Xingxing.

"I just miss you is all." Ryujin whispered, voice soft while she walked over to the couch. They sat there for a while, Ryujin curling up into Yeji. Her leather jacket was off a while ago, her shirt not thick enough to mask how warm Yeji was. Ryujin liked that, Yeji's warmth. It was always ao comforting, and right now she needed that. Their cuddling turned to kissing, and their kissing turned to a makeout session. Yeji's heels were discarded somewhere random, Ryujin's shirt pried off her head while Yeji threw off her dress. The orange-haired could still tell something was up though, she just didn't know what, and that scared her a little.

"Bedroom?" Yeji said, her eyes just as lustful as Ryujin's. The blonde nodded, picking her up and walking swiftly to her room. Yeji's hands ran down Ryujin's back, softly running over each healed scar. The killer shivered, everything Yeji did had a deeper impact to it and how carefully she handled her wounds was one of those impacting things.

"Yeji..." Ryujin said, not taking off her pants or undoing her belt, instead kissing up Yeji's barley clothed self. Taking the time to tease her by not taking off her undergarments, while also feeling her softness on her lips. She wasn't rough, or quick. Just careful, and purposeful. Yeji seemed to like this side of Ryujin too, soft whines and urging hands more so than usual. She didn't beg for the blonde to just get to it, didn't want to. She was content with how, dare I say, loving Ryujin was being towards her. It was different.

"Hi." Yeji said, a bit breathless when Ryujin's face was right in front of hers, about to connect their lips once more.

"Hello." Ryujin replied with a chuckle just before her hand fell over her panties, cupping her sex, feeling the wetness through the garment. Yeji's legs seemed to part more, her head tilting back a little. Ryujin used that as a que to kiss her neck, her jaw, just below her ear. Ryujin felt her heart thumping more and more, knowing that she probably didn't have time to fully please her ceo. She herself was almost as lightheaded as Yeji from the thought.

"You have five minutes. The video got leaked, and it's everywhere now. I tapped into the station though, they're heading for Yeji's." Lia's voice came through on her com. Ryujin started shaking, her hands unable to move so precisely. Yeji's own hand stopped her, sitting up and looking into the blondes eyes with concern.

Ryujin felt like dying. This awful pit of guilt was vining in her mind and she couldn't supress it. It was effecting her physically. She brought her hand up, watching the limb shaking as if she had gotten out of a haunted house. Yeji was watching her too, half naked, and interlaced her fingers with Ryujin's.

"I don't know what's wrong Ryu, but I'm here." Yeji spoke, pulling the blonde into her tightly. Her free arm wrapping around the younger and running soothingly on her back. She could feel Ryujin's body quivering, and she felt so sad for her. Ryujin closed her eyes, successfully holding back tears while she let Yeji's arms ease her. I mean, not like she couldn't let Yeji ease her, the olders embrace always had a calming effect on her.

"Three minutes, please don't stand near the window." Lia's reminder came in. Not like it helped much considering the whole wall was a series of big windows. When the lights were off it was always ao pretty, the city lights would glow brightly, but not enough to be unpleasant. It was such a nice view.

"Please forgive me Yeji." Ryujin's voice cracked a little, her words shaky. Yeji released her from her hug to look her in the eyes, a hand running down her cheek.

"Baby, you didn't do anything wrong." Yeji said, the killer almost flinching from her kindness. Yeji was too damn pure sometimes Ryujin wondered why the universe thought it'd be so great to put them together. It was like a sick joke on her. Giving her someone so perfect and just beautiful inside and out. It was torture, how much she could hurt the other and always be forgiven. It made Ryujin feel so shitty. The blonde thought she deserved to feel shitty though.

She didn't want any of this.

"I'm so sorry." Ryujin apologized again, her head leaning down and burying just under Yeji's neck. Her hands grasping onto the orange-haireds shoulders. She looked so defeated, and inside she was too.

"One minute. Don't get shot Ryu. Yuna will come from the fifth window from the left." Lia said. That only sparkled a new panic in the blonde.

"Hey, wait where are you going?" Yeji asked as Ryujin hopped off the bed. She came back with her leather jacket, wrapping it around Yeji's shoulders. A single tear felt down her face and Yeji was now crumbling with her. Ryujin adjusted her belt, not caring to throw on a shirt. She had her bra on, and certainly didn't have enough time.

Time.

God, why couldn't she have more of it. She wanted to stay, wanted to so badly. Yeji was right there. Waiting for something, some form of okay. But Ryujin couldn't give that okay to her.

"10 seconds." A loud thump and the sound of footsteps came from Yeji's apartment door. It was accompanied by yelling men, Yeji looked concerned as it grew closer to the bedroom door.

"Ryujin-"

"Please don't hurt me." Ryujin said, not even paying attention to one of the windows breaking next to her. She saw Yeji's face. That's all she needed to see while Yuna connected a number of ropes to her belt quickly. Yeji's eyes crinkled together in pain, discomfort by everything that was happening. She was so confused and worried. Swat kicked in the bedroom door, getting a look at Ryujin and Yeji. Yuna not so much due to her black outfit.

They told her not to move, and Ryujin would have listened but there was a sharp tugging on her belt and she was whisked away out the window. Cold air greeting her with a punch along with rope burn on her hands while she attempted to slow down her decend. She could only remember one thing.

How hurt Yeji's face was when she was falling out of the window. How much the orange-haired seemed broken. Broken because of her. She did that to Yeji and she couldn't help but freely cry while Yuna told her to keep moving. They did, probably faster than they should've. When they reached the bottom there were empty swat cars. Chaeryeong's car wasn't empty though. They entered quickly, leaving the ropes on the side of the building and just focused on getting out of the city. Ryujin had place in the woods not too far away. That's where they headed while the dark sky cast overhead.

Yuna and Lia sat in the back, Chaeryeong in the front looking at a shirtless Ryujin with concern. Yuna was taking off her gear not really caring at the moment. Lia noticed Ryujin's appearance too though, and gave her hoodie. Ryujin thanked her, slipping the material over her head and tighting the strings so the hood covered almost all of her face. She then leaned against the seat belt, staring out the window before closing her eyes. She wasn't shaking anymore, in fact she felt numb.

"You better not be having second thoughts after this. We risked getting in trouble from our squad leader to help you." Yuna spoke up, panting as she finally got the suit off. Ryujin didn't reply, instead she just hid her rage and clenched her fist. Chaeryeong noticed the tension rising.

"Cut her slack Yuna, Yeji means a lot to her. I'm sure it was hard for her to do this." Chaeryeong said, trying to stop anything that might start. She also wanted to stress that she was more on Ryujin's side. The girl couldn't help falling the the ceo, it's not her fault.

"Oh, shut up. You always take her side. We could've all been free right now had we not listened to her and did things normally. But nooo, miss special Ryujin here can't be nomral. Now look at us, resorting to ridiculous time consuming methods." Yuna was pissed. Perhaps she was releasing a bit of built up anger, casuing her to think way more drastically about the current fact.

"You shut up, Ryujin had to go through so much for us, and is the only reason we are still even here today. We'd be dead without her."

"You mean you'd be dead. I wasn't the one terminated."

"Can you shut the fuck up? Arguing isn't going to change anything." Lia spoke up, interuppting a very hot headed Yuna and Chaeryeong. Ryujin was still in the same position. Unmoving apart from her fist that was starting to loosen up.

"I should've shot her myself." Yuna said, referring to Yeji. That got Ryujin's attention.

"You know Yuna, why didn't you huh? You could've been free if you just shot her right? So why didn't you?" Ryujin said, her eyes boring into Yuna's, her voice louder than usual and hostility very prominent. The younger gulped upon meeting her eyes. She was so tough and mighty until she actually registered that Ryujin was still, in fact, a psychopathic killer. She somehow forgot that.

"Well, because then you'd have to..." Yuna started, realizing where her words were headed.

"Because what? Sorry can't hear you princess."

"You'd have to... take the funds and share it with us..." Yuna's head was now down, starting at her feet in shame for being such a fool. Ryujin was the successor CEO. All the profit would go to her and only those she chose to share it with. Ryujin chuckled.

"You should start to realize you need me more than what you seem to think, Yuna. I could give you nothing." Ryujin then turned back and faced the window.

The rest of the ride through the forest was quiet...

"Hwang Yeji you're under arrest for conspiring with Shin Ryujin and misprision regarding her actions." One of the swat spoke as others walked over to the broken window. They didn't try to climb down, it wouldn't be safe. Yeji didn't say anything, just clutched onto the leather jacket harder. A female officer came in with a blanket a bit later before she was harshly escorted out of the building. Cameras flashed in her face while people screamed at her to talk about the killer and the video. Yeji had no idea what they were talking about until she caught a glimpse of the news through a shop window TV. Ryujin's face on a video was shown with subtitles next to the reporter. She was confessing everything.

Yeji felt her stomach drop. Her eyes widened and she fell on her knees before hurling just a few steps outside from the police car. A few officers managed to keep her covered up, as she wasn't wearing anything under the blanket but Ryujin's leather jacket and her underwear. She felt so sick to her stomach. Why would Ryujin do something like that and not tell her? Did everything they go through mean nothing?

"Keep moving." She was told, and so she did. Entering the back of the car feeling dizzy. Like everything wasn't real, that it was all just a bad dream. Her heart was shattering once more and she couldn't do anything about it. She wanted to talk to Ryujin. Wanted to figure out what was going on. But she couldn't not yet.

The interrogation room was the most unsettling. She had to watch the four hour video of Ryujin detailing her life, and then be questioned. She couldn't believe how calm she appeared in the video. Then again, she knew Ryujin was a little odd. The blonde just needed someone to rely on, to feel toward, to let herself relax for once. That's how Yeji viewed it.

"Oh, Ryuddaeng." Yeji mummbled sadly at the screen, empathy very noticeable. She almost forgot people were in there with her.

"Where can we find her?" One of the detectives said, placing down a file containing a list of legally dead people that used to have no murderer name attached to them.

"I don't know." Yeji said, looking at the detectives eyes. Yeji was good at lying, good at keeping composure when needed. As a ceo, she had to be. She wasn't going to rat out Ryujin. Even after those four hours of crimes, Yeji wouldn't hurt her Ryujin. No matter how much a part of her wanted to, she needed to know why Ryujin did what she did before jumping to conclusions. Otherwise, she could jeopardize something that isn't actually bad.

Poor Yeji, so innocent.

"Look, wheter you're going to tell us anything or not you'll be behind bars for a while. You can make this so much easier for everyone and bring justice for all those that she killed if you tell us." One said. Yeji just smiled.

"She didn't have a choice."

"She was blackmailed we know. I'd rather die than kill countless people for the rest of my life!"

"Is that the humane thing to do?" Yeji was getting on their nerves. She enjoyed it perhaps. Maybe she wasn't as level-headed as she thought.

"Yes. Yes it would be... we're done here." They both walked out then, a different officer escorting her out and making her change into orange before putting her in a holding cell.

"Shame, you had a nice life ahead of you. Now your whole company is going to your successor not even a year into your ownership." One said before walking away, leaving her in the dim light and plain walls.

A day passed. Yeji was staring at the walls, dreaming of a better future than what she assumed she would have. She could care less about her company, she just wanted answers. She was later brought back to the interrogation room to file out the paper work with Joanne.

With Joanne.

Yeji put the pieces together finally. After so long. She seemed to choke on air when the raven-haired walked in. Nothing shown on her face. Yeji stared at her, with her worn down and tired face.

"I'm sorry these are the meeting circumstances, ." Ryujin said, sitting down across from the handcuffed Yeji.

"Likewise." Yeji said, chuckling to herself and looking into Ryujin's eyes. She caught the faintest smile on her face, nobody would see it but her. It was the kind of smile that said everything would be okay. Yeji believed it. Though at the same time, she wanted to lean over the table and punch Ryujin until her teeth fell out. She just stole her company and put her behind bars to get her out of the Cycle.

"I won't hurt you, you won't hurt me. There's no need for cuffs." Ryujin said, and the guards, with a sigh, agreed before undoing Yeji's handcuffs.

"You sure?" Yeji said, watching 'Joanne' sign more papers. Everything felt oddly familiar.

"You aren't going to hurt me are you?" Ryujin said, the guards a little uneasy by their word choice. Yeji looked at Ryujin again. There was something behind those eyes. She has a plan.

"Never."

When Ryujin left, Yeji felt alone again. But, she felt hopeful. Hope that maybe Ryujin wasn't terrible and a waste of her life. Was she a fool for trusting the blonde? Yes. Was it worth it in the end? Maybe...

"I already transferred the funds to my accounts, and got them cashed out. All we have to do is get Yeji and leave." Ryujin said, two days having passed since her interaction with the ex ceo. They were already almost to the prison, the truck they were using was rather sturdy. Behind it was a trailer with Ryujin's Corvette, all the money in that trunk. Sana and Rosé were also in the truck.

"Look, I know this isn't the best time, but if anything goes wrong I just want to let you know it was a pleasure knowing you." Chaeryeong said, increasing the speed as they approached. She released the trailer outside one of the walls before smashing into the side of the building. Yuna and Ryujin got out, geared up while the other three watched the car and started prepared for the getaway. They also hijacked the cameras and security systems.

"Freeze!-"

Unfortunately, that's all most of the guards got to say before they were tranquilized. Ryujin and Yuna ended up in front of the same cell, alarms going off and inmates going wild upon knowing their freedom. Though, the cell they were standing in front of held a very terrified Yeji curled into a ball in the corner.

"Hey Yeddeong, we gotta go." Ryujin said, busting the lock and grabbing her by the hand. Yuna was covering her back as they escaped through the same hole in the wall. Yeji felt herself tearing up, seeing Ryujin in front of her, saving her. She wasn't abandoning her. She was here. Yuna ran back to the truck while Yeji and Ryujin ran to the Corvette.

"Meet you guys at Europe, time to get out of this mess." Ryujin said in her com as they drove away, not looking back at the building now engulfed in flames while criminals ran free. Her soon to be one as well. Yeji was breathing hard, processing everything that happened so quickly.

Ryujin just broke her out of prison.

Ryujin just broke her out of prison.

What was she supposed to do now? She didn't know, and didn't think about that much longer. She looked over at the blonde who seemed nervous if anything. She was, Ryujin was. The blonde was terrified Yeji wanted nothing to do with her.

"I don't have your jacket anymore." Yeji said, watching Ryujin release a breath she seemed to be holding.

"That's okay... are you okay?" Ryujin said, her voice wavey while she switched gears, going faster.

"I can't go back to the city, you stole my company, I'm a criminal now..." Yeji said, stopping for a moment. Ryujin was next to her, looking just as defeated. "But, I guess I'm okay. We can go to that island you always talked about now huh?" Yeji said with a chuckle. Ryujin letting tears fall happily while she chuckled as well.

"You're crazy, you know that Hwang?" Ryujin said teasingly. A bit overwhelmed by everything but so damn happy Yeji didn't hate her. To be fair, she did plan for a good reaction. She was able to get the orange-haired to fall in love within the first month. She had her. It felt nice to know an angel loved you.

"Says you." Yeji replied, watching highway signs go by. Even though her life tumbled out of her control, she felt nothing short of space, and delight next to the killer.

They rode for a while, eventually meeting up at a private Jett owned by the organization.

It's been five years since then and Ryujin was sitting alongside a sandy shore throwing all too round stones into the water. The breeze was warm, and the sky was so so blue while the trees rustled. She was wearing a silky robe and had a small tray of fruit flavored drinks next to her. As well as a film camera. She sometimes couldn't believe she lived near the shore. Then again, she chose such a nice location for just that reason. Malta, was her current place of living. The others lived there too not too far away from her own place she could probably go out sailing and surfing with them whenever.

"Hey baby, you might get burned." Yeji said, approaching Ryujin from behind and crouching down, her arms wrapping around her collarbone naturally. A kiss being placed on her head.

"I'm fine with that, as long as you help me put on aloe later." Ryujin replied, turning her head to peck the brunettes lips. Yeah, they've been there long enough that they changed their hair colors. Perhaps it was also a way to leave their old lives behind.. Ryujin now sported medium length black hair.

"The last time I tried to help you, I didn't help you. I ended up fucking you." Yeji said with a low voice. Ryujin noticed she was only wearing her bikini. So beautiful.

"Once again, I'm fine with that." Ryujin replied, voice just as seductive before they shared a laugh. Yeji got up, walking into the water a bit. She was laughing while kicking the water back at Ryujin a bit. The wind blew her hair so perfectly the scene was almost too good to be real. Ryujin smiled, picking up her camera and snapping photos at a, now, posing Yeji. She smiled back at her through the lens.

Ryujin never felt more sane in her whole life.