2. Crimson Fox (part 1)

"Morning, mom.", the girl's red hair was tied in a ponytail and she was perfectly dressed on her school uniform. "What time did you arrive yesterday?".

Her mother was drinking a cup of coffee, her face hidden behind the newspaper. "I thought I was the one concerned about you arriving late.", she put the newspaper down, facing her daughter with wide green eyes. The beautiful Scottish woman drank more coffee, staring at Rina's wounds. "Is everything okay at school?".

The girl nodded."I was thinking... We should go to Scotland, it'd be good to visit grandpa." She took a small bite of an apple, chewing it slowly waiting for her mother's reply.

"Sure.", she didn't seem to like the idea, but managed to fake a smile. "I should probably go to work, now.", she put the empty cup on the sink and left the kitchen. Rina continued eating her apple until she heard the sound of the door closing. She stood up and picked up the cup, smelling it to make sure it wasn't alcohol.

xxxxxxx

"Where's that stupid girl?", groaned the tall black-haired boy. He wore the Raijin Academy uniform and had a large cut on his lower lip.

"She's not stupid at all...", the other student was impatiently drumming his fingernails on a wall. "Control yourself, Katashi."

Katashi looked at his leader, who was strangely thin and wore a gray bandanna that hid his light brown hair. He was one of the calmest people in Ikebukuro, and that was exactly what made him dangerous: he had complete control over his emotions, and over his own strength as well. He was sitting on a container, observing his injured fellows.

The girl entered the large, red shed where the gang usually gathered. The members were comparing their wounds and didn't even notice her arrival. She spotted Katashi and Kenta standing next to Akito, whom she usually called "boss".

Kenta quickly stood up and hold Katashi's arms before he tried to move in her direction. Akito tapped his forehead, as if considering whether he should let his two strongest members fight or not. The girl stopped a few meters from the three of them and placed her book bag on the floor.

"I see things got really bad yesterday.", she turned her head to the small group of injured men loudly comparing their wounds on the other side of the shed.

Akito's eyebrows went up. "I heard you beat up part of them.", he narrowed his eyes, waiting for her explanation.

"They were about to do something really stupid.", she gave Katashi a side-glance, "But I couldn't take all of them on my own."

"We were going to defeat Heiwajima Shizuo!", he grumbled, Kenta's hands were strongly holding his arms.

"Really?", she frowned, "Am I the only one who wasn't convinced by that Orihara guy?". She stared at the boss, waiting for him to say something. He only crossed his arms, allowing her to proceed. "The guy comes here saying we'll be feared after defeating Heiwajima Shizuo, and don't you even wonder why he won't do it himself?".

Katashi rolled his eyes in boredom, Kanta had let his arms go and was now sitting on the floor. "You annoy me." He massaged the back of his neck, stepping heavily in her direction. His uniform T-shirt was half opened, showing his defined muscles. "I should get rid of you."

She sighed, folding her arm across her chest. "So you haven't learned anything since I kicked you butt yesterday?" Rina raised her right eyebrow, teasing the tall boy.

"We have a code here, Fox.", Akito's voice hardened as he spoke. His eyes studied her with a predator's unwavering attention. "You hurt my people, and I'll let it go. But next time you try to be 'miss smart' and disobey my orders, you'll-"

"I KNOW! ... I know the consequences." she made a wry mouth and kept her eyes down, avoiding Katashi's stare.

Akito gestured for them to leave the place, and the students headed to the Raijin Academy.

xxxxxx

"So, when are we going to have our second round?" it was Katashi's turn to tease her. His eyes scanned her face for a sign of irritation, but without success.

Walking slowly, Rina wasn't hearing a word he said. Her eyes stared at some point in the distance, while she pondered what Akito had said.

Don't try to be miss smart.

"I can't promise anything, boss.", she said to herself.

Note: Hello! Sorry it took me too long to write another chapter.

I decided to keep it short, because this one is just to show a little more about Rina before moving on the story.

But the 3rd chapter is already written and will be uploaded soon!

Reviews are welcome!