Chapter 5

Why? Why did it have to be her? Why why why?

Haruka groaned inwardly when she realized it. This wasn't supposed to happen. But how could she just let a girl get raped? God. She should have just left the entire situation in the hands of the violinist. NOW she was following her. She was like a lost puppy. Quirking an eyebrow, the blonde snuck a glance over her shoulder. Sure, she was maintaining her distance, and sure she wasn't actually saying anything. But that look. It was enough to make the most hardened of men squirm.

Every time she took a step, the other would follow. It was like some crazy game. Always ten feet back, buy always within eye sight. Just as a reminder. The blonde scoffed a little, adjusting the bag that she cradled in her arms. She really needed to go home. But. If she took that girl all the way out there, she would never get back to her indoor swimming pool and queen sized bed. In fact, Haruka was quite certain that she would become quite lost and would just break down in the middle of the road in tears. Maybe it would be worth watching.

Turning into a side alley, the blonde hoped to lose her. Or at least scare her off. It was rather dim, and the pungent stench of rotting animal flesh mixed with garbage was rather invasive. It was quite the turn off, in her opinion. Perfect for losing strangers and irritating pests that wouldn't leave you alone. Generally said pests would go huddle around the corpses. She dared to let a snicker pass her lips at the thought. She looked back momentarily to see if her plan was working. The violinist inched a little closer, the gap beginning to dwindle. Her eyebrows knit with worry, those sapphire eyes struck with a hidden fear. So it was. Good.

Picking up the pace, the young woman looked down at the bag again. This was dangerous. She should be bringing it home. But this girl. She looked back again. Damnit. She was closer. Her plan was backfiring. Haruka let out a small sigh. What did she do to deserve this? She didn't have time to play babysitter all day. Something fell upon the ground, shattering the silence. Jumping a little, she looked to the source. A rat nosing its way through some debris. Something reached out and touched right between her shoulder blades. She stopped, her muscles tensing, her body whirling around to meet her assailant.

The violinist was only two inches from her self. Her hand was still outstretched, her fingers curled just in the slightest. Even if she hadn't screamed, she had been thoroughly startled, that much was evident. Though, Haruka did have to hand it to her. She did have a very good mask.

"My apologies," she said as she brought her hand back to her chest. She was shaking. Quite a day for the young woman. Haruka's scowl deepened. God damnit. Why did she have to be this way?

"Don't worry about it. Come on, then," she replied. Her voice was still gruff, but it was a little softer than before. Okay. So. Now she felt a little bad for the poor rich girl. The least she could do is get her out of the alley and onto a main street before she ditched her. She commenced in walking, once more, her sights set upon the busy street that was at the end of the way.

"Thank you." The voice cut through her. Haruka sighed. Why did she care so much now? She sure didn't seem so intent upon following and talking to her a few nights prior.

"How about you just go home." Really.

"If you want me to go home, then accept my thanks."

"I don't want your thanks."

"But it's crucial that you accept it!"

"Why? It's not going to make anything in this world different." The tension sparked. But she said nothing in reply. It really wasn't. It shouldn't matter if she accepted the girls thanks or not. She saved her. Big deal. She was only doing what any other reasonable person would have done had they been in the situation. Nothing was different. She saved a girl. Woo hoo. Tonight, she would go back to her shack and her mother would still be sick, her father would still be cold and they still wouldn't have a bed to sleep in. At least there would be food. And likewise, tonight the violinist would go home, bathe in her lake sized bath tub, eat a few bites of a feast, then go to sleep between silk sheets.

Maybe she was…no. Ha. Haruka wasn't jealous. Never. She didn't get jealous. In fact, jealous wasn't even in her vocabulary. But it sure would be nice. The bustle of the busy street tore her from her thoughts. The sounds of chattering people on a nice afternoon were accompanied nicely by the sweeping of a brook, the chiming of glasses and the smell of freshly baked bread. Her stomach grumbled.

"Have you eaten?" Oh. Hell. She had heard it. That or she just had impeccable timing.

"No," she lied, her shoulders rising just a little with an indifferent shrug. They broke through the alley and were standing upon the sidewalk. The sun raised high over head, the sky clear as a crystal. A large man walked by, his eyes falling down upon the young woman. Something flashed in his eyes. Haruka raised an eyebrow and grabbed Michiru's wrist.

"Allow me to buy you lunch, please," she begged. God, she was so persistent. Her skin crawled a little as she pulled the young woman closer to her. They weren't in the best part of town. The rich stayed on one end and the less fortunate, well. They had this end. The burrows. And it was not a place that the classes should ever mix. It was bad for business. And even worse for the well endowed. Why had she gone this way? Haruka furrowed a brow, confused at even her own idea. This was a dangerous place for this girl. She didn't want her to get hurt, only for her to leave her alone. At this rate, she may as well take out a sewing needle and stitch their bodies together. And it was all her own damn fault.

"Now's not the time, woman." She said it lowly, dangerously. Did she honestly even know where she was? Of course they could always go back down the alley, but that would just bring them right back to the start. Go backwards, or forwards. Well. Since she had the choice, and since she hated backtracking, forwards was the most logical option. "Just follow me. And for crissake. Don't speak."

Normally, she would have been thrilled to have a beautiful girl so close. Normally she would have swooped her off her feet and taken her away. Normally. But this girl was not normal. She made something spark inside of Haruka's chest. Made something swim at the back of her mind. Something that she couldn't quite explain. And that something was now directing her. Protect her.

Her eyes fell upon the small grocery store a little ways down the road. Generally, it was safe in there. She needed to buy some food anyways. What a wonderful field trip. With her arm now wrapped securely around the smaller woman's shoulders she began to walk. Thank God she knew how to do as she was told. Sometimes. Not all the time, but at least this one time.

What was that. Did she smell…good? Haruka's eyes widened a bit. No. She wasn't. She wasn't smelling her. Stop it. She turned her face away, sending a displeased glare at the people that couldn't stop staring. Apparently, it was such a spectacle. She felt her foot step down from the curb. Then something wrench her to the side.

"Well well well. Look what the cat dragged in." The voice made her blood run cold and her eyes darken. She turned to look, her teeth clenched tightly. No longer was the blue haired youth safe beneath her arm. No. For the second time in the span of probably ten minutes, she was being man handled. Something flared in Haruka's chest.

"From da looks of it, boss, it's Haruka. Comin' 'round to play agin, kitty kitty?"

"Ah, I tink there's a gues' 'mong da stray today, fellas."

A chorus of dark chuckles followed the statement. Her fists tightened, the bag being held a bit more protectively to her chest now. She had to keep calm. Level headed. Take a deep breath. She counted the crew before she replied.

"Leave her out of it, Jazz." The first who spoke shook his head, obviously amused. That was his name. Jazz. And he certainly was nasty. He wasn't fat or plump, no, he was just like any other poor worker. He had dirty black hair and cool grey eyes. Stood up to Haruka's shoulder, however. He had the small man complex. He looked rough, beaten. Like he had been through the ringer one too many times. And he was always looking for a fight. It just so happened that he enjoyed harassing her best. His crew was a motley one, ranging from the illiterate dumb ass to the wise cracking pinto bean. In total, there were about five of them. About. If you could count the man that was draped on the giants shoulder. He was missing a leg. So. He counted as half.

"Oh, but Ruka, babe. Somethin' else entirely is tellin' me to get inta her. How can I leave such a strong feelin' alone?" He made a suggestive motion towards the confused violinist. Knowing her type, Haruka expected her to try and sort this out with diplomacy. Yeah. Like that was going to pan over well.

"I beg your pardon!" She exclaimed, a look of disgust mixing with her features. She looked at the large man that held her tightly, her eyes narrowing a little. In this moment, Haruka felt bad for her. Hero. Once again. She would have to be the hero.

"Can you go anywhere without men trying to get into your pants? Honestly, work on your god damn floosie skills. Meaning, stop being one!" She looked back at Jazz, taking a cautious step forward.

"Well, if you weren't such a hard headed dolt, then we wouldn't be in this situation!" She fired back. Had she just called her a dolt? Haruka blinked. Okay. So. She had fire. How unexpected. Maybe she did have a personality.

"Ooh. The kitten is feisty." Jazz was not going to let his presence be ignored. He laid his hand upon Michiru's flat stomach, gently stroking the fabric beneath his hand. Before he could do anything substantial, however, he felt a fist thrown right into the back of his neck. Haruka was mad.

Jesus Christ. This girl couldn't go anywhere without men ogling her.

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Well, he certainly wasn't the type to really be overly excited about talking to anyone, it seemed. Maybe she should have left him alone. He was, after all, just trying to do what he had ordered him to. That fighter. He sure was a scrapper. There was always a fight waiting to be had when he was around. She wondered why. Well. That's probably why he was recruited in the first place. But this was ridiculous.

First at the café. And now here. What the hell. Maybe she should have left him in that alley. But. It was rather dark. And she really didn't want to go back anywhere near Mr. O'Neil. Now she regretted her decision.

A large hand was wrapped around her shoulders, hands coming around to hold her own behind her back. Man this sucked. The blue haired youth let out a small sigh inwardly. Wait. Had the short man just called that scrapper babe. And…Ruka? Where had that come from?

All she could do was sit and watch. She was pretty useless. Unless someone wanted her to paint a picture of the fight. Then maybe she could have served a purpose. She felt a little bad, actually. How dramatic. And how stupid. Maybe she should stop going out and just stay inside so that way none of this would happen. All she wanted to do was give the young man a nice thank you and be on her way. But he wouldn't have any of it! Why? Was she really that ugly? She hadn't thought she was, but maybe…

Before she could finish that thought, something rubbed her stomach. Bile rose to her stomach, a dull luster misting over her eyes. The sensation crawled under her skin, spreading quickly through every sensory nerve that she possessed. Her muscles began to tense, but she wasn't struggling. That only made it worse. She held her breath, her heart hammering madly in her chest. She hoped that he would save her. She really did. Perhaps it was a selfish wish. But she didn't want this to happen.

Something slammed between her breasts, her eyes flicking down the face that was being pushed there. Outraged, she saw the hand, the bruised knuckles. Funny. They looked like a musicians hand. Long fingers. Wait. Focus. She looked up to that handsome face. He was holding that mans face against her. What the HELL was he thinking?! Perhaps he wasn't thinking at all! Maybe he was just trying to use them to get to her! Oh, she should have known!

With her anger in the forefront of her mind, the young violinist threw reason and rationality out the window. She wanted this face away from her. She could feel his hot breath beading against her skin. It was warm. Putrid. Disgusting. She would have sworn it was a reflex. That kick. The one that found his groin. The one that found his stomach. She could feel him grunt and cry out in protest at the sensation. All against her. Something crawled creepily down her spine. She didn't like it. Get it away.

That's when she started to struggle, her eyes closed, her arms flailing madly. She had never fought herself. No. Never in a million years would she have been allowed down in that place. But she had seen it done before. A million times, in fact. How hard could it be? The hands that were restraining her own were having a hard time. They were slipping. Tossing herself back and forth against the force, she didn't even hear the struggle going on around her.

She didn't hear the sickening cracks. She didn't hear the cries of pain. She didn't smell the crimson. She didn't see the beaten forms. All she could think of was how to survive. She didn't even hear the tear. Or the shatter. Or the sound of him crying out in frustration. What was no good? She caught that. Her eyes fluttered open for only a second, those sapphire orbs falling upon the young man that had been her savior already once before. He was rushing at her. Something glinted in his hands.

No! She didn't want to die this way! She only wanted to thank him!

She closed her eyes tightly, fear replacing the anger that she had felt earlier. Something twisting in her gut when she heard something sink into flesh. Well. Death sure didn't hurt. Huh. Funny how that works out. The sweaty palms that had held her still for no more than three minutes were loosed. A thud indicated a body hitting the ground. She was afraid to open her eyes. Something cool beaded down her neck, her insides telling her to get out of this place. But. Hell! Now he had saved her twice.

She slowly opened her eyes. They were all around. Sprawled out unconscious and groaning.

He's going to have to do much better than that…

"Shit." The curse was violent and bitter. She looked at him, confused. But then saw it. Embedded in his right hand, arm, as well as his side were shards of glass and…needles? WAS THAT A NEEDLE?! Blood poured from the open wounds. They weren't really deep, well. Most of them weren't. Her eyes widened significantly as she moved to his side, looking at the shards.

"Can we please go see a doctor?" She was hesitant in asking him. He seemed to not really like company. All the more reason to stick around, really. She shouldn't be.

"No." Was his blunt reply. Something was masked in his voice. Her eyebrow raised for a split second.

"Come with me." Michiru grasped the young man's good hand and began to pull, her feet quickly taking her back down the path that they had previously travelled. The rat was still there. Stupid thing. But this time, she wasn't frightened by it. This time, she was okay.

"Where are you taking me, woman?"

"Sh." She could just imagine him wrinkling his nose. A soft smile fluttered to her lips. Maybe she really was doing this just to antagonize him. But if he wasn't going to go to a doctor, then she would surprise him, herself. They passed Gaffigan's. Mr. O'Neil was no where to be seen. Good. She hoped she wouldn't see him again. Her pace quickened a little when she caught sight of the door.

"Oh no! You are not taking me in there!" the young blonde cried out. He struggled a little. But she noticed this: he wasn't trying very hard.

"What is it, Ruka, can't bear to hurt a poor, innocent girl like me?" She teased lightly. She felt his muscles stiffen.

"Don't call me that." His voice was low. Bashful. Embarrassed almost. She quirked an eyebrow. Stifling a small chuckle, she pulled him into the door, the smell of sterile equipment and medication infiltrating her senses. Mm. The smell of clean.

"Haruka? Why are you back so soon?" The receptionist gave the young blonde a small once over, her eyes popping out of her head momentarily. "Really! What have you done to yourself now?" She stood, running through a door and making her way towards the two. It was as if the violinist didn't exist.

"I couldn't bear to stay away from you, Nan. But I didn't want to just come back." Something shot through Michiru as she heard the exchange. Wow. Now he's friendly. When a complete strange nurse is involved, it's all candles and romantic words. But with her it's all cold, callous quips. She crossed her arms in front of her chest, her features darkening just a little. She tapped her foot impatiently.

The nurse laughed, a blush daring to streak her cheeks. Whore. She refused to look at them. That happy couple. Made her want to throw up. Fine. He could have it his way. What did it matter to her? He was just another lacky. She was sure that he would be a dog soon enough. No. She shouldn't ever wish that upon someone. Michiru brought a hand to her forehead, a chill racing down her spine. Her sapphire eyes locked with his emerald ones. What was with him. There was something off. Something she just couldn't place. It was driving her nuts.

"No really, what happened?" The nurse insisted. Slowly, she was tugging the young scrapper towards the double doors which read "AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY" in large, bold, red words.

"Mrs. Fancypants can't keep herself out of trouble long enough for a cat to breathe," he replied, jabbing his thumb back towards her. Suddenly, she felt alienated. Alone. As if she had caused this entire thing. Which, in truth, she technically had, but so what? It wasn't like she had meant for it to happen. He was acting like she had. She looked away, her arms crossed neatly in front of her chest.

She could feel the nurses eyes upon her. She was judging her. And it was not a pleasant feeling. Maybe this had been a bad idea. Michiru swallowed a little as she fidgeted. She looked at the chairs that were placed so conveniently in the small waiting room. Should she stay until he came out? Probably. Probably should bring him back to his home, just for her own peace of mind. The streets were dangerous. Who knows what goes on out there. Certainly not the type of thing that any normal person would want to get mixed up in.

Then again. Who would want to get mixed up in the Slaughts? They weren't normal people. Not by far. They were the severely misguided. The desperate. The ones that have no other way out. Her eyes fell upon the back of the young man just before he disappeared through the door. People like him. The ones who don't live in privilege. Suddenly, she felt sick. This wasn't right. None of it was.

A macabre atmosphere began to fall around her as she waited. There was silence. The tick of the clock. The tock of its hand. Tick tock. Funny how time passes by. So slowly, yet so quick at the same time. And that clock will continue its song even after all have died and moved on. How odd. Ironic. It was just a means to an end. That's what he had tried to tell her once. That it was an honest living. That if they didn't do it, who else would?

Born into privilege? More like born into captivity.

Even now, in a room completely void of any other life, she sat straight, her hands folded neatly. In the depths of thought, she maintained that perfect, cool smile. Sometimes she was afraid that her mask was flaking. But it was made of steel. No one saw through it. Her eyes dulled a little. The minutes seemed like hours. How many years was this going to take? She could feel her life slipping away. Slowly. Surely.

The door burst open, startling her for a split second. She looked at him. He looked at her. She couldn't speak. Was this who he was? He smiled down at the nurse, a brilliant, wolfish smile. Enchanting, really. She shouldn't want to get to know a fighter. That was a bad mix. Something that she shouldn't ever even think about. But somewhere, in the back of her mind, she really wanted to know him. Maybe they could be friends. Maybe if he stopped hating her guts. That would also make her life a little bit easier. Really. What was his problem?

His gaze locked with hers.

"You're still here?" He asked. His voice was suddenly frosty again. She kept her smile in place.

"It's because of me that you have been harmed, after all." That wasn't it. She was worried about him. She didn't want him to be hurt. It was, really, her fault.

"Well, I don't need you or your sympathy." She was tired of playing the game.

"Fine. But don't come crying to me when they feed you to the dogs." Irritation bubbled up inside of her as she stood and began to walk away. She didn't take the time to gauge the apparent confusion upon his face.

What was she talking about? What did it matter, really. What a jerk. That scrapper. She hadn't done a single thing to him and he was acting as if she had punched him right in the face and then called his mom a lily livered hooker. For one, she was far too classy to use such a term, and two, she really didn't want to sink to his violent Neanderthal level of beating the hell out of someone you don't know. She was far above that.

She wasn't above him. She was not better than him. Not personality wise. But on a level of morals, she was. How much money will a person fight for, really. It's all about money. And money? It meant nothing to her.

And everything to him.

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AN: Okay. Here it is. I don't like this one. I really really don't. I'm so freakin' tired. I haven't been getting much SLEEP lately for some unknown reason. Oh yeah…and I broke up with my girlfriend…yeah. It's been a rough couple of days. But since I told you all that I would update sometime in the week, and since someone was implying that I should give my reviewers what they want, here it is. My head is sort of everywhere, so this chapter was just…bleh. I sort of wanted to develop the two, but at the same time, I really just want to get my plot moving. I do have ideas. Good ones. And I hope everyone sticks around long enough for me to uncover them. No one really asked any questions, so I'm not going to reply to anything.

If you do have any questions, please feel free to drop me a review. Or do it anyways. I like reviews. And thanks to all of those who have reviewed and taken the time to read the story. Heart you guys.

Till next chapter.

PS: Sorry if it sucked. x_x