My only excuses are life and forgetfulness.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Hei wasn't used to hearing Yin say so much. By the time she finished explaining everything Amber had planned, she'd probably topped the amount of speech he had heard her use in his time knowing her. That didn't distract his attention from the point, though.

"Amber wants to...stop the humans from annihilating us?" he asked. "And she didn't mention how she was going to do that?"

"She said we will know when the time comes for it to happen," Yin replied quietly.

"I don't trust her," Hei stated.

"She knew you would say that," Yin answered.

"Yeah, well, that's all her own fault."

A pale hand was held out to him. A crumpled piece of paper was bound beneath the fingers. "For you," Yin said.

"Did Amber give you this?"

Yin nodded.

Wanting to burn the note more than read it, Hei took it from her. It was a struggle not to shred it as he opened it. Yet, when his eyes reached the words, his scowl faded for a second.

I'm sorry, it said.

Hei's grip then began to shake. Gritting his teeth, he tore the paper apart until it was little more than confetti. His head fell into his hands. For five minutes, the only thing Yin could hear was his uneven breathing. He never told her what the note said.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Two days passed. Two days in which Hei was barricaded in the hideout. Two days of suffering November's jokes. Two days in which he tried and failed to forgive Amber. It was only then, after his existence had been almost completely erased, that he was allowed out. Amber had a mission for him and November.

It was simple. They were to retrieve another contractor who had also been a target of the Syndicate. Another recruit for their side. They were warned against the use of their powers, so that the Syndicate couldn't track them as easily. Despite the simplicity, Hei dreaded going.

"Aren't we the downer today?" Aisu/November chided.

Hei ignored him.

"No response?" Aisu teased. "Fine."

"The shop is right up there," Hei stated abruptly. They quickened their pace. In no time at all, they were in, only to find that it was empty.

"It seems she's left," Aisu noted.

Hei scanned the area thoroughly. His eye caught a slight bump in the floor rug. Unhesitatingly, he pulled the carpet off the floor. Metal filled the space. "A shelter," Hei identified. "She knew she was being targeted."

"Smart girl," Aisu said. He was interrupted by the clanging of Hei's knife against the lock. He was trying to break it open. Aisu shook his head. "That's not going to work."

"Any better ideas?" Hei snapped.

Aisu pushed him aside and brought out a small tool. He bent over the door and, three minutes later, it swung open.

"So you're a lock picker now?" Hei asked.

"Oh, no, this was something I learned back in my robbery days," Aisu answered lightly. He paused, expecting a reaction from his partner, but received silence. Finally, he sighed, "It was a joke."

"I'm not amused," Hei responded flatly. "Keep going."

Aisu snuck down the ladder, Hei right behind him. A heavy object knocked them off before their toes even touched the bottom. Luckily, they were swift enough to land on their feet. They both looked to see what hit them and saw a metal weight in the shape of an apple. They moved just before being tackled by a woman.

"HR-119," Aisu called. "You go by the name Jin Harinawa, correct?"

The woman glared at him fiercely. In a split second, she tore a strand of hair from her head and threw it like a spear toward Aisu. The ice-controlling Contractor looked down in surprise at the needle in his arm. Painfully, he pulled it out, barely avoiding an onslaught of five more.

Her actions left her open for the second Contractor in the room. Hei found it all too easy to dodge her frantic attempts at defense and grab her from behind. He put his knife to her neck.

"You change things into metal," Aisu observed.

"Want more proof?" she snarled. She grabbed at Hei's knife-wielding hand. The glove transformed instantly. She tried to use this advantage to escape, but Hei wouldn't let her and she found herself being held so tightly that she could barely breathe.

"We're not here to hurt you," Aisu assured. "We're trying to protect you from the Syndicate."

"Like I believe that," she spat. "This is just another trap!"

"Then you leave us no choice," Aisu answered. He nodded to Hei. Jin struggled her hardest, but the second Hei's gloved hand pushed on her neck, she went limp. Aisu accepted the unconscious girl from Hei. "You go up first," he said. "I'll hand her to you."

Hei zipped through the trap door again. Aisu quickly passed Jin up. Once Hei had relieved him of her, Aisu started up as well.

"I actually expected a little more of a fight from her," Aisu commented. "Wouldn't you…say…?"

There was only the unconscious body there.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Fresh air flooded his lungs. The temporary freedom was a relief. Hiding behind a dumpster, he stripped off his coat, mask, and gloves---one of which was slowly transforming back from being made of metal. They were stashed quickly. He needed to clear his head. Amber was busy crowding it and he needed her out. If not, the stress was going to make his head explode. That would be no good in future situations. He would return as soon as he calmed down. Yin was still back there, after all.

The coolness felt great on his bare arms. He was glad he'd forgone the long sleeves today. The night greeted him like an old friend, cloaking him from the rest of the world and bringing about a quiet peace. Hei gratefully sank into it.

Boots thudded softly on pavement for half an hour. His headache was fading. Even better, no one had recognized him yet or pointed out his attire. That relief was soon shot down.

"Li?"

Hei spun around at the voice. Misaki stood behind him, looking confused. Her head was tilted to the side. She adjusted her glasses, as if she wasn't sure what she was seeing.

"Is that you?" she asked.

"Uh…yeah," he replied, trying to act like the sweetly innocent person she believed him to be. "Misaki?"

"I haven't seen you in a while," she said. "Is something wrong?"

"No, of course not," he answered immediately, waving his hands. "What would make you think that?"

"You look sad," she stated. "Honestly, I thought someone you knew had died. You're wearing so much black."

"It's for my new job," he lied smoothly.

"Late work?" she asked.

"Kind of," he answered, rubbing his neck bashfully.

"Hey, I was just on my way to get something to eat. Do you want to come with me?"

"No, sorry," Hei responded. "Isn't it kind of too late to eat, anyway?"

"I skipped dinner," she informed. "Are you sure?"

Hei glanced down the street. He considered. Then, it hit him that the Syndicate was tracking him down. Public places were trouble and Misaki would be right in the line of fire. So, politely, he said, "I'm sure, but thanks for the offer."

Hei smiled at her, but Misaki could clearly see that there was still something heavy on his mind. For a minute, she let herself dwell in his deep blue eyes. There was something in them. Hiding, just beneath the surface…

Something painful. Something human.

Misaki jolted mentally as her thoughts from a few days ago came back to her. Hei began to look at her weirdly.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I…"

Feet pounding on pavement shattered the conversation. Hei took a step in front of Misaki. His sudden defensiveness startled her. She glanced over his shoulder, wondering what had invoked such behavior. She soon got her answer in the form of a man in a light blue T-shirt and jeans. A white hat was fixed over familiar blonde hair and the old sunglasses she remembered were back again.

November glanced fleetingly between Hei and Misaki. What was he doing?! If the Syndicate caught them together, Hei's life wouldn't be the only one in danger.

"Jack!" Misaki called, walking out from behind Hei. She used his old code name due to Li's presence.

November removed his sunglasses and locked eyes with Hei. The Black Reaper stared back at him. Misaki was lost in the middle.

"Misaki, I think you should go," November suggested, never glancing away.

"What's going on?" she demanded. "Do you two know each other? Jack, Li, someone answer me."

After another intense moment, Hei lowered his eyes and stepped to the side. He began to trudge past November. Misaki latched onto his arm.

"Li?" Her voice was so pleading, it pained him.

"Misaki, get away from him," November ordered.

Hei's fists tightened. This was just laying all the strain back on him.

"Why?" she questioned. "What's wrong?"

"He is emotionally unstable," November supplied. "The man you call Li is very dangerous right now."

Hei's muscles started to tremble beneath Misaki's hand. He struggled to say, "November is right, Misaki. Go home and pretend this never happened."

"But…"

"Please," November repeated, tugging her arm to get her to release the dark-haired man. Her hand fell away. Brown eyes widened as she noticed the way a faint blue light flickered around Hei. November pulled her closer. In her ear, ever so softly, he whispered, "Misaki, he's a Contractor."

"BK-201," she realized, barely audible. However, it was loud enough to reach Hei's ears. He turned to look at her one more time, a red light flashing briefly in his eyes. Then, he ran, unable to stand being there anymore.

"Li!" Misaki called as he retreated. "Li!"

-x-x-x-x-x-x-