Disclaimer: The characters of this fic are owned by Hiro Fujiwara. I do not own any of Maid Sama's characters.

..Sacrifices..

Chapter 8

*..*..*..*..*

Misaki, entered the kitchen after taking orders from two men who are in their thirties. They were not Maid Latte's usual costumers. Maid Latte's usual customers are families or young people who enjoyed the Maids' activities.

Usually, Misaki wouldn't think much of existence of unusual costumers, but something about those two men scared her. They were wearing casual cloth. Nothing was suspicious about their look, but Misaki couldn't help feeling uneasy while taking their orders.

"Did you reach our marriage part yet?" Usui said in a half joking manner. He was temporarily working as the chef in Maid Latte.

"Eh?" Misaki blushed at the mention of 'marriage' although she didn't know what he was talking about.

She didn't want to replay any of his teasing words. Her new policy on fighting against Usui's teasing is: 'ignoring'.

"You seemed lost in thought, so I am assuming that you were thinking about me and how our future will proceed from now on" Usui simply explained.

Misaki took the dishes, turned around, and left the kitchen in an attempt to follow her policy, only to have bigger embarrassment facing her; lights were turned off, and a big image of her and Usui's waltz video was displayed by a projector.

Looking at how close to Usui she is in the video, she instantly blushed.

Misaki did agree to display the video. After all, Misaki owed the manager a lot. But now that she is looking at herself with Usui on the big screen, Misaki was thinking of turning off the projector at all costs.

Misaki stepped closer to the projector, and then she froze; the camera was zoning in on Usui's face, forcing her to be captivated by his charm. She observed his gentle gaze as he was looking at her eyes. She observed how delicately he was holding her close to him. She observed how he moved agility, with all the elegantly the word can mean.

Misaki's heart thumped fast as her mind returned to the moment of their dancing,

*flashback*

Usui clasped Misaki's right hand by his left one and held it at shoulder high. He used his right hand to cup her shoulder's blade.

"Place your left hand on my shoulder and stand straight" Usui instructed, and Misaki stood as straight as a board.

"Too stiff, loosen your knees"

"Now follow my lead" Usui said as he stepped forward by his left foot, and she took a step back, and then he brought his right foot together with his left foot. She did the same by bringing her feet together.

"Good" Usui praised, making a deep blush creep towards her cheeks.

'One, two, three, three… one, two, three, three…' Usui repeated the numbers while taking steps and allowing Misaki to follow his lead.

After few minutes, they were able to do spins. Misaki forgot about her embarrassment; she was truly enjoying it. She felt as if she is flying, but she wasn't afraid to fall; firm arms held her protectively.

It was amazing how quick she could learn although she wasn't good at dancing. Usui moved swiftly in order to prevent all her mistakes

"Just as expected, you are amazing" Usui whispered.

*End o flashback*

The words Usui whispered didn't lose the effect of making Misaki feel as if she was melting just by remembering them. She didn't know it, but different shades of red and many bashful smiles appeared on her face.

"Shall we dance?" A husky voice said.

Misaki looked at her surroundings. The projector was turned off and the lights were turned on. She didn't notice that due to the memory she lost herself in.

Misaki looked at the hand that was extended to her. She looked at the owner of the hand, deducting he is the one who asked her to dance. She felt uneasy; he is one of the two men she felt suspicious about.

She bowed politely, saying:"I'm sorry, I must take care of the customers"

"Everyone is dancing, that includes the other maids" the man stated. A classical music was played and everyone was dancing. There was not any customer sitting by the tables in order to be served.

Unable to find an excuse for rejecting the man's request, Misaki gave him her hand nervously. She tried to dispel the strange feeling she felt.

A half centimeter afar from touching the man's hand, she was pulled away from him. Her back became glued to someone's chest.

"She's reserved" Misaki heard Usui say possessively as he wrapped his arms around her waist and placed his chin on her shoulder. The man shrugged, and left.

"What were you thinking? Accepting to dance with someone else?" Usui whispered close to Misaki ears.

"I... I'm going to dump the garbage out" Misaki uttered, wriggling out of Usui's grasp. She felt faint when she heard him whisper that close to her.

Usui followed her, took most of the garbage bags, and passed through the rear door with her in order to dump the garbage.

"Seriously, what is wrong?"

Misaki asked as soon as she dumped the bags. Usui always stalked her and followed her every where, but lately he wasn't allowing any space to exist between them at all, not for a second. There's something suspicious about him.

"I'm irritated you were willing to let a man hold you and dance with you"

Misaki didn't know why but she felt guilty for accepting that dance. However, she didn't let what she wanted to say escape from her.

"My shadow. You are glued to me like my shadow"

Usui held some of her hair wisps, twined them round his finger, and then he asked: "Is it so wrong to be your shadow?"

Misaki's heart lost control of its beating pace due to the lack of space between her and Usui. She remembered her policy, and decided to stay silent.

Usui stepped closer to her. Nervously, Misaki pushed him away. All her defenses and determination to stay silent shattered.

"You pervert outer space alien!" Misaki shouted on the top of her voice. Until when is he going to avoid telling the truth by teasing her?

She turned around and puffed angrily. Usui walked round her in order to face her. he looked at her eyes and said: " I love you… and I care about you, don't try to push me away"

Misaki's heart skipped a beat, and then her anger grew bigger.

Both of Misaki's hands were closed tightly, forming fists on the sides of her body. She lowered her head as she muttered:

"Do you think… you are the only one… who 'cares'?!"

Misaki's voice was low Usui wasn't sure if he heard her correctly.

"What are you saying?" he asked, a frown found its way towards his face.

"Do you think I am fine, knowing that something is bothering you and out of my reach? Do you think I am at ease when you are troubled by yourself?

Did it cross your mind that 'you' are worrying me to the extent I can't think of anything straight?"

Misaki's volume was turning up with each sentence, giving Usui mental slaps.

"Who do you think you are to act like the hero? A hero that would hide his troubles because he thinks he is saving the world…

You are not saving me from sharing your burden, you are only causing me pain you idiot!"

Misaki's voice croacked and that was the last blow for the bewildered Usui.

Usui extended his hand in order to lift Misaki's chin up. He wanted to see her face. Just as he thought, she was on the verge of tears.

Usui held her close to him, wrapping his arms protectively around her. Misaki futilely attempted to break free from his grasp.

"I'm sorry" Usui whispered, stopping her tries. Her tears wetted his shirt. It seemed she was enduring it for a long time and she finally blew up.

"I'll tell you everything, so stop crying" Usui said, he felt her warm tears penetrate his chest. He didn't want to cause her pain. He only wanted to protect her.

Misaki wrapped her arms around his waist tightly, seeking comfort.

After Misaki had calmed a bit, Usui released his grasp on her. She looked at him expectantly, waiting for answers.

"Here you are! The dance finished and there are many costumers waiting for service" The manager said, and then she paused when she noticed the awkward atmosphere in the place.

"Did I interrupt something?"

Usui gave the manager one of his flashy smiles and said:"No, we'll return in a minute"

The manager returned inside Maid Latte, she was completely in her fan girl mood.

"I promise I'll tell you everything after the end of the work, okay?" Usui said after giving his attention to Misaki.

Misaki nodded in agreement and walked ahead of him, sort of relieved.

"Why did you stop?" Usui asked, seeing that Misaki stopped walking.

"The way you smiled at the manager, don't smile like that at anyone else again"

Saying that, Misaki ran into Maid Latter, out of Usui's sight before he could make any comment. She was jealous, and she didn't want him to voice that to her.

*..*..*..*..*

Swinging slightly on one of the swings by a bus stop, Misaki said:" thank you, the hairpin is cute"

"It's only cute because it's placed on your hair"

Misaki blushed slightly. Usui always gave her little cute items, saying he wants his touch to be every where around her. Misaki didn't mind as long as the items weren't expensive. It's sweet of him.

Misaki looked at the stars, readying to talk about what had occupied her mind. She sighed, and then asked:" so? What's happening?"

"Misaki…" Usui began to talk after halting the swing he was sitting on.

"I received mails, envelopes which contained pictures of you. I think someone is stalking you." Usui said bluntly without beating about the bush.

"But why would some one stalk me and send the envelopes to you instead of me?" Misaki asked after a moment of silence. She was a bit perplexed by the news.

"I'm still trying to discover that"

Misaki became silent; she began to feel a bit scared, but she was beginning to understand all what's happening.

Usui is acting like her shadow in order to protect her. He must have been worried about her. He went as far as coming to live at her house in order to watch over her all the time. He must be caring about her more than she had imagined.

Touched by his care, Misaki opened her mouth to talk. She wanted reassure him or thank him or whatever she could say to express how grateful she is. She also wanted him not to over worry.

However, all the words Misaki wanted to say faded when she heard Usui say:

"That stalker seems professional, but only me is allowed to stalk you. I'm not going to let anyone stalk you better than me. You are mine" Usui said, earning a dazed, embarrassed look from Misaki.

"I think he sent the mails to me in order to declare he is challenging me. I'll not let him beat me. I'll win you" Usui talked resolutely.

Misaki got off the swing, stood besides Usui, and gave him an emotionless smile.

By a swift movement, Misaki grasped the chain of Usui's swing and sent it into a spin, using her full force. Usui spun around him self in lightning speed.

"I'm not some sort of a contest prize!" she rebuked indignantly, and then walked ahead of him. Usui followed her as soon as the swing stopped spinning. He was dearly hoping that the world would stop pretending to be a 'merry goes round goes'.

While the world was still spinning, Usui saw two men standing in front of Misaki. They blocked her way. They were the same men who were in Maid Latte before.

Usui hastened towards Misaki and stood in front of her in a protective way. He ignored the revolving world and said:" I told you she is reserved!"

Instead of replaying, the man aimed a blow at Usui. Usui couldn't dodge it due to the dizziness he felt. He couldn't exactly see where the fist was going.

However, as if the punch did magic, Usui could see well. Everything around him began to stop moving.

Another punch was aimed at him. Usui bent down, did a half revolve, and gave the man a high kick. He kicked him just in time before the man's fist could reach Misaki; Misaki was standing right behind Usui.

Misaki looked at the man that Usui sent to the asphalt ground. She admired the foot that was printed on his cheek.

The other man was about to strike Usui with a stick, but Usui successfully avoided the strike and elbowed the man in the back, sending him to the ground.

In a blink of an eye, and while Usui was defending himself against the stick, the foot-marked man dashed towards Misaki with a cold blade. Usui could recognize it as a knife.

Usui hastened towards Misaki in order to stop the man, but he was too late; the man was already lying on the ground besides his accomplice; Misaki was fixing him on the ground.

Misaki had retreated to keep safe distance from the knife. She grabbed the arm that held the knife. In a swift movement she jammed his arm behind his back, kneed his knees from behind, forcing him into a sitting position, and then she pinned him to the ground and snatched the knife out of his grasp.

Usui smiled at Misaki, satisfied. Misaki's Aikido skills are one of the many things he loves about her.

"Run!"

Although Usui told Misaki to run, he didn't budge; he felt something hard pressed against his back.

Misaki looked at Usui, and then at the strange man who stood behind him. She wondered: 'Why isn't Usui moving?'

"Into the car, or else I'll shoot" The man said. Eerie atmosphere filled the place.

Misaki, fully realizing what was happening, looked at the car that stopped besides her.

"I said Run!" Usui shouted, but to Misaki, complying with Usui's wishes isn't an option.

Usui gritted his teeth, fuming with rage. He had a chance of resisting and not being shot, but seeing their state, resisting will put Misaki in the danger of being shot instead of him. He couldn't take such a risk.

A flash back of Usui being on the verge of death returned to Misaki's mind, scaring every part of her. She began to walk obediently. She didn't care what would happen to her as long as Usui is fine. She was scared, but she ignored her fear.

"Misaki, please run!" Usui begged as he saw Misaki making her way towards the car. Each step she took was making Usui a step closer to insanity. He couldn't afford losing her.

Usui felt burning heat strike the back of his neck, making him fall unconsciously on the ground. The man threw the stun gun to his accomplice, and his accomplice used it to knock Misaki senseless.

o-0-0-O-ooo-O-0-0-o

A/N: Waaah! My criminal mind has returned! I'm not sure if I love it -_-

If I'm making any mistakes, kindly private message me or review. I'll be thankful for your help in pointing out my mistakes.

I thank my dear little brother for helping me in this chapter. He allowed me to practice the Aikido move in this chapter on him in order to understand how it is done and how to describe it. (No worries, he's not hurt)

Thank you so much for the reviews. They never fail to make my day :DDD

Abby:

I suppose relaxation has reached its end.

Galaxyoung:

Here's your serve of terror and suspense, and Misaki is in danger again :3

A secret:

:D to be honest, I still don't know what would happen to Misaki. I'll have to figure that soon

Sweettweet07:

I'm glad you enjoyed it

PrincessSkylar:

I'm glad you love it and I hope the update wasn't late :D