Stendhal perched on the rooftop, looking down at the quaint cafe. He watched as the lights began to turn off and faintly heard the soft bells ring as the front door was opened. A young woman stepped out and locked the door, seemingly unaware of her shadow as he followed her easily among the rooftops.

He watched as she lightly bounced, earbuds perched in her ears and playing music without a doubt. She twirled around one lamppost and giggled happily, a wide smile pulling at her lips. She continued on, her short hair bouncing as she skipped over cracks in the sidewalk.

Such a silly woman, he silently mused, dancing as she walked home. Too bad she was only mouthing the words, her singing voice was truly lovely. At least, he thought so.

He narrowed his eyes as she neared a broken lamp, the glass crunching under her shoes. He walked to the edge and stared down at several men lurking in the shadows of the alley. He drew his katana, his eyes narrowing as they tried to get her attention.

She didn't notice them until the big one grabbed her, one hand clamping a cloth over her mouth and nose as she struggled. She flailed, dragging her nails along his arm and kicking wildly at his shins. He cursed loudly when she managed a solid kick and wrapped his other hand around her throat, glaring as his friends laugh.

Stendhal lept down, fury boiling his blood. The first two fell before even noticing him and the third shot a gun, missing widely before his life was ended. The remaining one continued to hold her, taking several steps back while he visibly trembled.

Stendhal stepped towards him, his hidden eyes drifting to her. She was starting to turn blue and her eyes had a hazy shine to them. She'd stopped fighting and was hanging limply, trying to keep her head up.

"Back the fuck up or I let her die!"

The vigiilante tilted his head slightly. "You would kill an innocent woman?"

The man took another step back. "I'd do a lot fucking more if you hadn -"

A flick of the wrist and a knife was embedded in his throat. Stendhal darted forward, catching her in his arms. She weakly gasped for air, slumping into him. Bruising was already appearing around her neck, angry red fingerprints against her pale skin.

"You should stop locking up alone."

Alice mumbled incoherently, trying to focus on him as he began carrying her through the dark alleyways. Her eyelids slipped close and he jostled her gently when they did, earning himself a soft whine. She gripped a strap on his chest loosely, her fingers hooked in the leather.

He held her close and slipped inside her apartment building, tugging her key out of her pocket to unlock the door. He shut it with his foot, walking to her bedroom. She swung her head around limply, looking around at her apartment.

She slowly slurred out, "Sorry for.. mess."

He shrugged, setting her on the bed. "As you've said yourself, it makes it feel lived in."

She nodded slightly and slumped back, watching as he undressed her only to redress her in a tank top and some shorts. "Chizo?"

He tugged her shorts in place, easily lifting her hips with one arm. "Yes?"

"Why do you keep saving me?"

He glanced up at her eyes, seeing them staring into him. "Because you are mine. And I protect what is mine."

She nodded slowly and closed her eyes when he tugged the twisted blanket over her, laying it out flat. "Stay?"

He shook his his head, kneeling down to gently brush his gloved thumb over her cheek. "I have work to do. I'll return before you awake."

She loosely gripped his hand, her eyelids drooping against her will. "Thank you."

He stared as she placed a kiss on his palm and slowly pulled his hand away, curling his fingers as if to preserve the kiss there. He stood and turned, turning off the light. He stood in the darkness, waiting for her breathing to even out and grow heavy before leaving out the window.

He had work to do, despite the urge. The urge to stay and to hold her. To lock her up somewhere safe, away from the dangers of the world. Instead, he would make the world safe for her.