Authors note:

I apologize for the delay in releasing this chapter. As it was quite challenging however I believe I was able to form the next major plot coming up in the next chapter.

Enjoy.

-A.B

I woke up feeling confident in myself that Shuichi and I wouldn't have long together paired as partners. I was even more assured of myself when the longer I was at work I didn't receive a message from him.

" ewww Mia, what's up with that creepy smile, you look like a child predator" my work colleague and close friend Elizabeth came around the corner with a broom in her hand.

"Oh, it's nothing I was just thinking about how great a day it's been and it's almost over "I said through a smile, finishing the floral arrangement I was working on. I whipped a stray curl away from my face and placed my hands on my hips, satisfied with my work.

The arrangement was for a wedding bouquet, its base was hydrangeas that I dyed light blue, purple and a subtle peach. Baby breaths stuck out of its head with roses empathizing its beauty.

"wow Mia you always do such a good job on your arrangements, it's like your gifted or something." Elizabeth came to admire my work, she wasn't wrong about my skill with floral arrangements, for some odd reason I've always been good with them, and now as an adult I was able to match the flower and plants together, as if they were speaking to me.

"yes, thanks, I think our bride will like it!" I exclaimed

"I think she will too"

Ah crap

Shuichi stood in front of the door, his presence causing the women in the store as well as my friend blush and shuffle about. He smiled at me and walked further into the store.

How the hell did he know where I worked, did he stalk me yesterday oh my gosh he's a freaken stalker!

I kept thinking multiple scenarios on how he found out where I worked, he approached my work station and leaned forward, admiring my work.

"this is very beautiful." He stated

I could only glare at him over my arrangement, he didn't make much eye contact with me as he looked at all the flowers in the shop.

"hey Mia, who's the stud?" Elizabeth whispered in my ear, I rolled my eyes as I noticed she let down her hair and unbuttoned the top buttons on her blouse. She whipped her long blonde hair behind her batting her eyelashes at him.

"Elizabeth this is Shuichi Minamino, Shuichi this is Elizabeth Verns." I said glumly.

"hi nice to meet you "she held out her and he grabbed it

"nice to meet you as well" he gave her a smile which only caused her to blush more

"so, tell me how do you and Mia know each other?" Elizabeth walked closer to him smiling batting her blue eyes.

"we are friends at the local university." Shuichi stated

"we are more of acquaintances "I said, turning my head not wanting to be near him anymore.

"oh okay "Elizabeth said more enthusiastically, seeming to be relaxed that I had stated we weren't even on the friend level. Giving her the means to flirt her butt off.

I grumbled as I shifted my work toward the back table as Elizabeth and Suichi conversated. I called the bride and informed her the flowers were ready, as I turned I saw Elizabeth jokingly slap him on the shoulder, he rubbed the back of his head and smiled at her.

That's when an idea pooped into my head.

"hey guy's um so I can see you guys have hit it off pretty great!" I said through a smile.

"yes, Shuichi is really funny." Elizabeth joked still in her high flirt mode.

"uh huh , yeah , say Suichi I was hoping you could walk with Elizabeth to deliver this arrangement of flowers I just made to my client. "I stared at Elizabeth for her to take the hint

"oh yes yes, Suichi you should come with me." She got the hint and wrapped her arm around his. " sometimes I do get a little lost , you know…in the area.."

He stared at her before turning back to me

"well I would love to but we need to begin our project." He began to set his bag down before I reached over and stopped his hand.

He froze in my grasp as I gripped his hand "no you don't understand it's very important to deliver this arrangement before night falls, she is expecting it tonight for rehearsal dinner." His eyes met mine and he didn't seem fully convinced "I really need you… to do this for me" I saw a blush faintly tint his cheeks as we stared at each other his green eyes meeting my violet. He nodded once and I realized I was still holding his hand

"Oh, uh I'm sorry "I let it go and stepped back feeling the blood rise to my neck

"Great I'll go get my coat "Elizabeth hurriedly grabbed her coat and gathered the flowers in her hand, she wrapped her arm around his as they walked out the door and into the street.

I sank into my stool feeling odd

what was that just now?

I replayed it all in my head, the feel of his hand in mine, the look of his eyes how they looked different…as if they were debating …searching…. I shook my head out of these thoughts and went back to work. I was still hoping he wouldn't come back and I could go home and sleep.

It was ten minutes till closing and the sun had already set. I had just finished my last floral arrangement, as I turned to place the flower on the shelf behind me the door rang

"I'm sorry we are about to close but I can get your order and work on it tomorrow" I said this with my back still turned, no one responded. I waited for a period of time before I fully turned around. There by the front door stood a man dressed in black and blue. His jeans pant legs were each one color traveling all the way to his shirt and shoes even his hair was dyed both colors. He did look strange and I debated whether I should kick him out or take his order.

"how may I help you sir?"

The man stepped toward me without saying anything, he looked around the shop briefly before showing his gruesome teeth. They were yellow and stained, sharp as if they could rip through flesh, I gasped and stepped back .

" who would have thought I would find you here" He slurred slinking closer to my counter . " do you know how long I've been searching for you ?"

"Uh you got the wrong person" I walked backwards toward the back door slowly moving my hand for the door knob.

"Oh, no it's you, I can smell the demon energy pouring off you like a broken fire hydrant."

Again, with this demon thing

"Uhh, like I said you got the wrong girl" I stumbled back into the door and went through it , slamming it behind me I booked it down the small steps and into the back alley. I could hear him charge after me his scream sounding like a banshee .

I ran further down the alley, turning a corner. I slipped on wet pavement and hit the ground scrapping my knee .

"Shit"

I scrambled up but tripped again when something slimy and strong wrapped around my ankles.

" what the hell!" I screamed as I was hung upside down more than ten feet in the air.

He laughed wickedly as he held me up in the air as I panted and tried to wrestle out of this muscled slimy monsters grip. He walked underneath me smirking " you know how long I have been waiting! Do you know how long I have waited for this moment!" He screeched at me , I sniffle as I tried to hold back tears .

" what do you want!" I screamed at him the blood rushing to my head .

He sneered at me before smiling again " ah yes I forgot they said you would be like this. What with a loss of your sense." He cackled as he lowered me closer to his face . " they told me you would be this way …. they told me so many things about the greatness of your past ….but all I see is a weak little human …a weak harlot of a human female who others have said are mighty and will cause the world to crumble ! But I don't see it." He grumbled the end before whispering into my ear " I came to take you back to your home ..but how can I return back there with this weak little thing." The creature was lost in thought , I felt the muscle tighten around me, suffocating , I began to lose oxygen.

"Let me go!" I yelled into his face he growled , slicing me across my face , I felt warm blood slide down my cheek and near my eyebrow.

"What's this?!" He gasped suddenly I couldn't see what was happening as the blood was rushing to my head . A slash of skin sounded with the creature screaming and I tumbled to ground . I was disoriented shuffling toward the opposite corner of the alley on my hands and knees. All I could hear was his screaming and the sound of a whip. " you bastard ! I'll kill you" suddenly he stopped speaking and the alley was silent .

I attempted to control my breathing , and hearing footsteps approach me I only began to hyperventilate more.

" stay back!" I yelled Grasping the ground I grabbed a rusty crow bar in front of me.

" are you alright?" The voice was soft but held the authority of a man. I knew it was shuichi . He bent down toward me lowering the crow bar . I saw his outline and slowly my vision came back . Wiping the blood away from my face I stared into peaceful green eyes .

And that's when I cried.

" why is this happening to me? I want to be left alone." I cried harder and I felt him pull me to his chest letting me cry into his shoulder . Behind him I saw the thing that attacked me his body sliced and diced into bits scattered on the ground . Organs spilled every which way.

" oh my god" I gasped and pushed shuichi away , turning I threw up , crying in between.

"Amelia I now know is not the best time but I need you to come with me . We have to get to safety ." He slipped a hand through mine and pulled me up to my feet as I nodded. As we walked quickly to his safety spot I began to feel dizzy and stumble .

"Amelia what is wrong" he turned and caught me before I fell to the ground

" I don't ..fell good..I don't.." I said through short breath , I felt as if I was burning up . "Shuichi I.."

I could even finish my sentence as I tried to catch my breath .

"Dammit ." He whispered , I saw him look around before picking me up bridal style in his arms. " what ever you do don't let go" I nodded and he began to sprint , coming to a wall I gasped as he charged it and jumped at the last minute catapulting us into the air. He jumped from roof to roof at astounding speed and sprinted down ally's as quick as a fox. I gazed up at him , slowly falling asleep , the last thing I see was his perfect face against the night sky.