Ewiituntmay: Hey, sorry I haven't updated this story for a while...um nothing to say really, but this probably will be the last chapter of this story, unless people wish to read a lemon for Fuji and Lien ;-) well, Enjoy! ^-^

Disclaimer: I only own plot and OCs, not Prince of Tennis or characters.

Recap: Well… … I was thinking that if you and/ or one of the others could…be bait for her. It would make it easier for me to fight her without killing her. You don't have to…obviously. But I'll leave it up to you-- I cut myself off as Kira lunged at Fuji once again. I was a little ways away from both, and slightly in the middle of the distance between Fuji and Kira. Therefore when she jumped straight at Fuji, and I jumped at her, I caught her in the side, throwing into the trees not too far in front of me.

~Chapter 7~

Suddenly I could sense her duplicating herself…something that one like Kira could only do if they were in or had just transformed back from 'beast form'…which is something else I need to explain.

Kira is a human…but she isn't. It's better to say that she is a human experiment. Which is why there were assassins sent after her. She was another…semi-failed, or rather successful but errant attempt at creating a better, stronger soldier that need less of everything when in battle, she doesn't need to drink or eat and she doesn't get tired. She is 'the perfect soldier', and many countries would kill to get their hands on her in order to create more like her. There was only one problem, she didn't obey orders, which is why she is errant.

A side effect, whether intended or not is unknown, though most choose to believe that it was intended, is the ability to change into a monstrous form, more often referred to as the 'beast form'. It isn't any specific type of animal or anything, it's more like a crossbreed of tons of different kinds of predatory animals…which is why some believe it was intentional. That beast form may also be the reason Kira and any other successful experiments like her are more often errant than not. Predatory animals aren't as good at obeying orders as are domesticated animals.

Kira is the only experiment known that can duplicate herself, maybe one of the very few others can do something that none of the others can do. Kira can duplicate, but she can only create one other 'clone' of herself. Which she was doing now.

Master! She is 'duplicating' herself. You will all have to be on your guard.

What do you mean?

It would have been extremely easy to beat her in her 'human' form, and it would have only been a little more difficult in her beast form, but if there are two of her in beast form, there will be a possibility that one of them will be able to get passed me and able to get to you or one of the others. I can't let that happen, but she…they will be a very big challenge. I've never even faced two beasts before, not even two different people like Kira that were in beast form.

What do we do then? I could feel his concern welling within him. It was starting to leak into me.

Don't worry so much, please. If you keep it up, it will distract me.

You know what I'm feeling too?

Yes. I have to, in order to know if you're in danger or not. But that 'power' is extremely limited so you don't need to worry about it.

Okay. I felt his concern lower slightly, and felt a bit of a different kind of concern.

"Let's see how well you do against two of me." Kira stood and so did a perfect replica of her. Only it wasn't just a replica that would shatter at the slightest touch, I knew it would be as deadly as the original.

If she has split herself, then doesn't the strength of the original divide, as well as stamina, and won't both feel pain if one is injured?

We shall see.

I moved forward, attacking her first instead of letting her attack. I pulled out a concealed katana. I angled it so that it wouldn't do permanent damage, just cause a deep flesh wound. Like Fuji expected, both Kiras cried out in pain, each grabbing at the wound, it ran from the upper left shoulder to the lower right of her waist.

I snorted disdainfully at her, "It figures, you'd have such an obvious weakness." both of them glared up at me from under their bangs. I wasn't really as worried now as I had been at first…until I heard another 'beast roar' to my left.

The Kiras smiled evilly, I turned that way quickly, my worry quintupled. I could have beaten her, now…but if there were even more than the two Kiras I would be hard pressed to get out myself…much less my master, although I would never do something as lowly as leave my master to his doom, I would rather die first than let such a thing happen. I had to protect my master at all costs.

"Lien?! What's going on?" I didn't look away from the direction of the roar, but I moved much closer to Fuji and the rest of the Seigaku Regulars.

"Just stay behind me okay?" I was hard pressed to keep the panic out of my voice, but they must have sensed that something was wrong anyway.

Lien? What is it? What's going on?

Nothing. It's nothing…

Don't lie to me! Ever. Now tell me what's going on

I sighed as the shudder ran through me, I couldn't disobey his orders, for that's what they were, orders, I would have been hard pressed to beat both Kiras…killing them or not. But if there are more, as that roar indicated, even if it was just one, I'm not sure I can protect you…even if I managed to kill or beat one, or by an extreme stroke of luck, two there would still be the last one or two and they would probably be able to get to you or one of the others….I can't let that happen, and if one of them even manages to graze any one of you…it would be the end of me…I don't think I'd be able to live with myself.

What are you talking about? Why are you acting like this? You've never acted this way before.

Fuji…you're my master now. You are my law…you are my only reason to live. I could not live without you…survive maybe, but I can't live without you. You are now my sole purpose in life. I have to protect you. At all costs. Nothing can stand in the way of that. That is the only thing that matters to a slave. And I am your slave. I belong to you. Everything I am is yours and yours alone. There is nothing I can't do if it's for you…but that isn't entirely true. I can't protect you…all of you, for I am still mortal-

Stop. Please just stop talking that way. I just want you to be my friend…my girlfriend. I want you to be like you were before I put the collar around your neck.

I…I will. But right now I can't be like that. Right now I have to be your slave. I have to be your protector.

Yeah, okay. But only when we're in this kind of danger.

Okay.

I could feel the slight fear coming off of Fuji, only something was telling me that it wasn't quite fear for the other beast or beasts that were coming our way. I had the feeling that his fear was of me…not really of what I was or anything. But what I was becoming, of the slave side of me that couldn't live without him.

It was fairly true, once a slave has had a master they rarely had another, and then it was considered disrespectful unless it was an order from their original master. One master. That was the reason it was shocking for any assassin to willingly become a slave. Or even for them to be forced to give up their freedom to a master that had defeated them. I could survive without Fuji, I could breathe and eat and sleep and all the other little things like that but I would be dejected, lonely, I would lose any reason to live. This was why an assassin never took such a decision so lightly. For an assassin, gaining a master was the end of their life, so to speak, and they would change and live only for the master. It wasn't altogether uncommon for a slave to commit suicide if their master was killed or died, especially if it was because the slave had been unable to protect their master. It was even expected for the most part. I knew that unless Fuji ordered me to live or go to another master, that I would either kill myself or let myself be killed by another.

I held my breath as another beast entered the clearing. It was all in slow motion then, I couldn't think anything, everything was pure instinct. All three beasts lunged at the same time, all in perfect sync. I grabbed the other end of my unsheathed katana and held it up as they collided with me. I was instantly pushed backward, I was barely able to withstand the force of the trio's attack.

I was already breathing hard, I could barely stand, the pressure had been a little more than I had been trained to withstand. I was watching them carefully, I could barely hear the words coming from the team behind me. They were jumbled and had no meaning, except the one's coming from my master, they embedded themselves in my brain.

Lien! Are you okay? … Lien, be careful! … Lien …

Lien! You can beat them… You have to beat them. That's an order! I don't care how, but you have to, no matter how long it takes!

Yes…master… I could feel my conscious self receding into my mind, only Fuji's orders would be present at all times once my conscious self fell too deeply into my subconscious.

Before I could fully recede though, a jolt of pain brought me back to my conscious state. It wasn't me that the pain was running through. It was Fuji. I turned to him quickly, ignoring the three beasts in front of me. He was holding his left arm, I was staring at the wound wide-eyed.

"Fuji?! Are you okay?" I was about to move closer to him when a pair of claws wrapped painfully around my torso, I didn't notice that pain though, I was still waiting for Fuji's reply, he nodded yes and I sighed relief, until my own pain overwhelmed me. I didn't scream or cry out though, I simply gritted my teeth.

"Let's see how much pain you can withstand!" the Kiras and the new beast pushed me to my knees in front of my master, and without a warning raked their claws down my back. I still didn't cry out, I closed my eyes hard and focused on the pain, I accepted it into my body. I couldn't cry out, not in front of my master.

I could feel the fear, anger and hurt that was running through Fuji, and it hurt me much worse then the claws raking repeatedly down my back.

Don't cry Fuji…I don't want to see you cry…especially for me.

But they're killing you…You might not think this is true, but I can't live without you either. I…I love you Lien.

I jerked, my eyes flying wide open. I looked up at Fuji, I couldn't hold back the tears that had formed in my eyes at Fuji's confession, my clear green eyes met his blue ones and I couldn't look away. I couldn't feel the pain from either Fuji or the claws, I couldn't think of anything, the only thoughts that crossed my mind were of Fuji and how much I loved him…how much I'd always loved him.

Lien? Please say someth-

I love you too…Fuji

Call me by my first name…say it…please say it…

Shusuke…I love you.

I could see more tears running down his cheeks, they weren't angry tears, or sad tears…they were tears of love and acceptance. I could feel the same tears running down my own face. I closed my eyes, letting out the breath I'd been physically holding.

"Damnit QuickSilver! Cry out. Cry out in pain. You shouldn't be able to stand this much pain. It's inhuman. You can't withstand this pain…even for your master…"

I could feel the three trying harder to make me cry out. I didn't, I grit my teeth harder, my eyes opened as I sought my chance. I would beat them, I had to.

I sought the strength from deep inside myself, and the powers given to me when I had 'become' an 'assassin'. I could feel my collar starting to warm up. I could see the light starting to spill from it. I knew that the others could see it, I knew because my tormentors quickly let go of me and moved away, gasps and comments of disbelief coming from them. I couldn't feel my wounds though I knew they were still there, they would only heal if I was ordered to, or if I rested and got treatment like everyone else.

"That's impossible! You shouldn't be able to move much less perform that kind of…"

"Impossible! This can't be happening!"

"What's happening? Fuji…what's going on?"

"I don't know…Lien-"

I could hear only Fuji's voice. All others were drowned out. The warmth ran through me, it was getting hotter and hotter, and it was growing more and more angry, I stood and turned to the three beasts, Master…I'm not sure I'll be able to stop myself from killing the third one…and what I'm about to do will possibly kill them all…but I don't want to do that, you ordered me not to kill Kira…that goes for her 'duplicate' as well…does it not?

Lien…I don't want you to kill them…but will they ever stop if you let them live?

… … …no.

… I see. Then maybe…you…should… kill-

"LIEN?!" I turned to the newcomer, Yoichi…he was the one from earlier, my new ally/friend. I felt the relief that ran through me at the sight of him. He stormed up to the three beasts whose attention was still on me, and quickly and easily dispatched of them before they knew it was coming.

"Yoi…chi…" My collar had stopped glowing when the third beast was killed. I barely said his name, turned halfway to my right, then collapsed. Everything went dark and the last thing I'd said was Master…Shusuke…I'm sorry…

* * * * *

"Lien! Lien…what happened?" Yoichi, the assassin from earlier came up to Fuji, and the others. He quickly bent down to check Lien's heart rate… it was too slow, her heart was barely beating, "Damnit…she's losing too much blood. We have to get her to a hospital. Now!"

"But if she can do all this other stuff …can't she heal herself too…or can't you heal her?"

Yoichi looked up at Oishi who'd asked the question. He was about to snort in indignity when his eyes went to Liens collar and the silvery, transparent wisp of smoke-like material that signified that the boy kneeling right in front of him and the unconscious Lien, was Lien's master, at least to assassins that could see it.

"You are her master?" Fuji looked up from Lien's unconscious body, where he was also kneeling.

"Yeah…"

~Chapter 8~

"Then, you can…order her to heal herself…even in her unconscious state, she will hear your voice and it will be even clearer if it is commanding her to do something…"

Fuji looked at Yoichi, uncertain of whether this was true or not. He looked back down at Lien.

"If not we'll have to take her to the hospital…though it would probably be much better if you ordered her to heal herself. You see, even though we can do all this 'stuff' as it was put, healing is something that can only be done if a slave's master orders them to do so. Other than that we must seek treatment and rest as does everyone else, although we have a much faster healing rate than regular people. That is also the reason why we are taught to withstand so much pain."

"What are you guys?"

Yoichi looked over at the team behind Fuji. He sighed, and frowned, "You know this is a lot like explaining colors to a colorblind person…" he let out another sigh, "We are 'assassins'. Well…it'd be more accurate to say that we are…created to be assassins. We're…experiments I guess. People like me, we come from a lab, and a surrogate mother. We are planted inside a woman to be birthed, only to be taken and have experiments performed on us. To the various governments we're a form of…lab rats. They take us and raise us, train us and use us.

Killing is what Lien and I were taught to do…well at least me and other assassins. Lien…is a…special case. She wasn't a test-tube baby as most assassins are. She was taken in about twelve years ago…when she was…about four. She was just a little girl, but she had so much potential…you see, her parents were killed right in front of her, by another assassin. Therefore, she suppressed all of her memories. She had no idea who she really was, or what she was supposed to do. A supreme excuse for the people in charge to 'raise' her. They trained her to kill, to be unmerciful and to withstand pain. She was taught just like the rest of us, and given assassin 'powers', like us, but she was still different. She has never been like all of the other assassins. She is the best at what she does… because she doesn't know any better, she doesn't know what else to do… in fact the only times she's been let out of the compound was to protect Echizen Ryoma and his family in America and now.

She got a taste of the real world once, and she knew that what they were teaching her was wrong…I think she had been wanting to get away from The Organization for quite a long time now, even before being let out of the compound. She was never really a happy person…until now. In fact I'm quite surprised by her accomplishments. But everyone thought she had no idea what was going on, I think she may have regained her memory somewhere along the way, they mistook how smart she really is. She knew all along that this was all wrong, but as I've said, she doesn't know what else to do."

"How do you know all of this?" Fuji looked up at Yoichi, he didn't like Yoichi, or rather what Yoichi was telling him about Lien.

"Every assassin in existence knows of QuickSilver and her history, except her…or at least that's what they say. Although there are few exceptions to that, such as the much newer or much older assassins, that's why the only ones who would willingly stand up to her are those who blindly think they're stronger than her or ones that wants to see just how long they would possibly last against her…or ones who are through with their lives and have no other way out."

Yoichi looked down at Lien, a solemn look in his eyes. He sighed, moving a few strands of her hair out of her face. Fuji glared slightly, but quickly hid it, disliking the way Yoichi touched Lien so 'tenderly'.

"So…she is an 'assassin' like you…but she's different?"

Yoichi nodded, "Yes, but we can talk about that later, right now, you should probably order her to heal herself." Yoichi looked up at Fuji.

Fuji nodded, Lien? … Can you hear me? … If you can, respond.

Lien was quiet and didn't respond for a few seconds, but just as Fuji was about to give up she answered, Master? … what do you wish of me?

Lien?! I want you to heal yourself. Will you do that…for me?

Yes master. Lien's 'touch' faded from Fuji's mind and for a second he wasn't sure she was even trying or anything.

"Are you going to order her to heal herself or not?" Yoichi was still looking up at Fuji, now his expression was slightly irritated.

Fuji raised his eyebrow at Yoichi, "I already did."

This time Yoichi lifted his eyebrows, "You did? … don't tell me you guys have a telepathic bond? You know read each others' minds?"

Fuji nodded slowly, "Yeah…why is that unusual?"

Yoichi was wide-eyed now, "Well…yeah kinda…" Yoichi's expression calmed as he looked down at the now rapidly healing Lien, "Though I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, it is Lien we're talking about after all. She is an exception to almost every single assassin rule…or 'limitation' as they're called." He shrugged slightly, a small sigh escaping from his mouth.

"So it's a little unusual for people like you and Lien to be telepathic? Has she always been telepathic?" The regulars were instantly worried, having not heard Lien's explanation to Fuji earlier.

Yoichi chuckled at their expressions of worry, "No, no. A telepathic bond is formed when an unusually strong assassin becomes a slave. It is only between a master and slave, so you don't have to look so worried."

They visibly relaxed at this, though they were still looking at Lien as though she'd jump up and attack them any minute. There were still very confused about everything that was going on, including Fuji, though he, Tezuka, Ryoma, and Inui were able to hide their different feelings on the entire matter.

"Maybe you guys should go home and rest. You look like you could use it." Yoichi stood, looking around at the team members, watching as they began to leave. He looked at Fuji for a second, "What are you going to do about Lien?"

Fuji raised his eyebrow, "What do you mean?" He had already guessed at what Yoichi was going to say, but Yoichi didn't seem to think Fuji knew, so he figured he'd play dumb for a second.

"What are you going to do about her? Are you going to leave her here? Are you going to take her to her house? What are you going to do?" Yoichi looked down at Lien, it was fairly obvious that he had some kind of feelings for her.

"I was going to take her to my house." Fuji felt a small flash of malicious joy at the pained, yet surprised look that Yoichi tried so hard to hide.

"Ah, I see. Do you need help getting her there?"

Lien? Can you wake up? Or is it too early, do you need to rest?

Lien was quiet for a few seconds, but Fuji waited patiently, knowing she would answer without fail, Master? … I can if you need me to.

Its just that I can't carry you all the way to our houses, so I was wondering if you were too hurt or tired to at least walk some of the way there.

… … …As you wish, master.

Fuji felt a shiver run through him, he felt that when Lien was unconscious she wasn't the usual Lien, she wasn't just Fuji's girlfriend or the new girl from America, or even the really good tennis player. When unconscious she was QuickSilver, the assassin turned slave, her entire being was focused on what Fuji wanted and what Fuji needed, she was the slave not the girlfriend.

"No…I don't think I'll need help getting her home." Fuji glanced down at Lien, she was still struggling to wake up, but it didn't quite show yet.

"Are you sure-" Yoichi was cut off as Lien shifted slightly, "Lien?! Are you okay?"

Lien sat up, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the light. She didn't reply as she stood up, knowing that Fuji didn't really like Yoichi…for whatever reasons. She could feel the slight pleasure that ran through Fuji at the fact that she didn't acknowledge Yoichi right away.

"I'm fine…just a little tired." She tilted her head at Fuji, "Should we get going? I can stay awake for as long as you need me to…but…" she trailed off as soon as Fuji nodded. He turned and went to the bench a little ways away. Lien turned to Yoichi, "Will you take care of them?" she gestured at the three beasts that were slowly reverting back to human form, and the duplicate of Kira that was slowly disappearing.

"Yes, of course…I'll take care of them, then after that I'll probably just be at your house." He shrugged slightly, he mostly told her so she'd know his whereabouts in case she needed him.

"Okay. I'll see you later." she turned and started toward Fuji who was just starting off in the direction of their houses.

"Lien…" she paused, looking back at him, "I still want you to be my master… even without the collar, I will treat you as so…I just wanted you to know that."

* * * * *

My eyes widened slightly, I hadn't wanted him to be my slave, and yet something about the way he was saying it, or something led me to believe and feel that I should take him up on his offer, or at least treat him as my slave.

"Okay…but I'm not always going to treat you as such…though I will sometimes, if that is what you want." he nodded almost vigorously.

"Then please would you order me to do something?"

I raised my eyebrow, "Just take care of them," I indicated the now two beasts, "then head home and rest. That's an order." I seen the slight exhilaration cross his face, but it quickly disappeared, as he nodded and turned to go about cleaning up the mess he'd made with the beasts.

I turned and hurried to catch up with Fuji. Shaking my head at the way Yoichi had reacted. Fuji seemed a little…irritated. I didn't ask what was wrong though.

"So, can you just be my girlfriend now?" I slanted a side-glance, in a not totally but still slightly disrespectful way.

"I suppose." the tone made Fuji look at me wide-eyed. A small smile spread across my face. I was glad when it was mirrored on Fuji after he realized why I'd said it that way.

"Lien…I love you." my eyes widened at the sudden statement, then I smiled, it was so much better to hear the words come out of his mouth, though when he'd said it in his mind I could feel how much he'd loved me and knew it was true. I could feel a warmth spread through me, both from myself and Fuji, making it even more overwhelming.

"I love you too Shuji." I seen his slight surprised look at the nickname, and the slight confusion he felt at it, Shusuke and Fuji, Shu- -uji, Shuji.

Ah I see. I felt another wave of warmth flow through him. I smiled as Fuji wrapped his arm around my waist, "so…will you come stay at my house tonight?" I looked over at him wide eyed at his implication, I felt a wave of unrestrained lust run through him. I raised an eyebrow, asking without words and thoughts, if he was sure he wanted me to spend the night.

When he didn't answer I asked him outright, Are you asking what I think you're asking? And are you sure about that?

Yes…I want…to sleep with you…without the sleeping…at least not until afterwards. But only if you want to. I don't want to force myself on you…even if I can. I could feel the mental smirk he gave at the end of that statement.

I shrugged, I suppose if you're sure about it…I'm not really able to say no am I? How could I possibly say no to you?

I felt his slight confusion, at what I'd said mostly, then as if realizing what I meant by that his smile became genuine. I smiled back and we continued on to his house.

* * * * *

The next morning, at the boys' practice, everyone was surprised to see that both Fuji and I seemed a little more relaxed and happy than usual.

"What's up with you two?" Fuji just shrugged noncommittally at Momo and was rewarded with a frown that had no effect on him. Momo turned to me, I shook my head and smiled. It would be just between Fuji and I unless, or until, he wanted the others to know.

I found the team's surprise and suspicion to be quite amusing and not just because of Fuji's amusement. I was truly happy as I hadn't been in years…or ever really, not since before my parents anyway. I had a master, who wanted me to be a friend first and slave second…this made me quite happy, but I knew that The Organization would send others after me, and I would need to be careful, especially for Fuji's sake, and our friends'.

Of course, they had to appear now, before school and the morning tennis practice. Typical assassins, had to show up at such an early hour, and after such a relaxing time last night too!

"Shuji…" the others, who hadn't quite started practice yet, looked over at me and Fuji, somewhat surprised by the nickname. He turned to look at me.

What is it?

There are…others around…I think two, but I can't be sure, there may be more. What do you want me to do?I saw a quick succession of memories from last night, most of things I'd done to Fuji. I showed no expression, but I knew he could feel my slight amusement, and admonishment.

I don't know. I don't think we should let the others know though, especially after yesterday and all.

I agree…should I go take care of them before they get too close then?

I could tell he was considering this, and I knew he'd pick whatever was best, he was a tensai after all and not just any tensai, he was my tensai! I smiled at the thought and it deepened when I heard Fuji chuckle, mentally.

Go ahead, go take care of them, just be careful…and Lien…

I turned to him without a word.

I love you.

I love you too, Shuji.

I smiled as I turned away, I quickly ran into the trees surrounding the courts. I could sense the other assassins roaming around getting closer to the courts.

A/N: Alright, final chapter finished...there is the lemon scene from after the fight...if you're interested. Anyway, review or message, I'd love to know what you thought of the story. See ya.