Akiza turned the doorknob leading into her new apartment. Darkness had already begun to descend, so Akiza took her shoes off and switched her lights on. She took off her glasses rubbing the bridge of her nose. Her head felt like someone had bashed her skull in, she should know having lived in an abusive relationship most of her life.

As she walked into her living room she jumped into a fighting stance.

"Goodwin?! What the hell man?!"

"Not exactly my dear."

Akiza watched the image of said man flicker for a second as she circled around him.

"Hologram huh? What do you want Goodwin?"

"I've been informed that you've had a very eventful first day from someone other than you might I add. You didn't report to me this afternoon Akiza, you made me worry."

"My apologies Director, but I had to handle a situation."

"Tho Oh?"

"Yes."

"I believe you acted out of compassion and-"

"Saved her life."

"You covered her hospital bills and replaced the EpiPen-"

"Which I had an obligation to do."

"You didn't let me finish. You also covered Tho Oh's prescriptions."

"Look I know you pay me a salary even after you pay my living accommodations and the fact that I owe you everything-"

"Yes Akiza you're right I bought you. Are you trying to indebt yourself even more?"

"Of course not."

"You acted on impulse-"

"No I did not, Tho Oh is a brilliant student who represents us on an academic level that most do not. She is but an investment." Akiza crossed her arms defiantly.

"Here I thought you were starting to get your emotions involved." Goodwin stated.

"Obviously, you thought wrong Director." Akiza was tired and annoyed at this point she was struggling to keep her tongue.

"Director tomorrow my assessment will be announced alongside the exam you've approved. We will get rid of any instructor incapable of teaching the elite. May I also propose that we abolish dating?"

"What?"

"For the time being of course. It'll be motivation for both instructors and students to score at the highest percentile they can."

"I'm not sure."

"Once the students are able to score at a 90% percentile the rule will be lifted of course."

"Fine I'll consider it, but only if you consider taking on a partner. An assistant if you will. You may choose who, but it is non-negotiable."

"Of course." Akiza spat.

"Very well then. I do need those assessment papers for filing purposes of course."

"I'll have them in by Monday morning. In a completely unrelated topic, all instructors live in this building correct?"

"Hmm yes I believe so." Goodwin confirmed suspiciously.

"Alright goodnight Director Goodwin." Akiza said firmly.

"Goodnight." Goodwin nodded and flickered off.

Akiza sighed her headache getting worse and so much that the light was beginning to bother her. She decided to change out of her clothes into comfy pants, tank top, and a long cardigan. She made her way to lock her door, but a tentative knock surprised her.

Intrigued, Akiza opened her door to reveal a young teal-haired girl she believed to be Miss. Luna.

"Miss Luna?" Akiza squinted slightly unsure.

"Oh yes Akiza-"

"Dr. Izinski if you will."

"Oh um Dr. Izinski here I came by to drop off your folders from earlier…I didn't look I swear!" The girl stuttered embarrassed. The girl handed over the folders and looked at her expectantly.

"Is there something else you need Miss Luna?"

"Well um I-I also wanted to invite you to um dinner at Zora's…for a… um like a thank you for what you did…for Tho. If you can er I mean if you aren't too busy." The girl was nervously looking between her feet and her face.

Akiza wanted to send her away, but something was nagging at her. 'She reminds her of me as a child. Dammit.' She sighed. Her response surprised even her.

"Fine give me 10 minutes to change. Don't just stand there like a stray, come on in." Akiza walked away leaving the door open for the girl. Ruka stepped in and closed the door behind her as Akiza disappeared into her room.

Given the opportunity, Ruka began to look around the apartment. As she looked around she realized there wasn't much to see. The kitchen was small it had a large sink that served as a bar area as well. The room was impeccable.

Since there was a bar in the kitchen there was no dining room. Her living room was furnished, but there wasn't a single photograph. Instead there were three heavy textbooks on the shelves, all in different languages, she assumed they were all medical texts.

"Miss Luna?" She turned around quickly embarrassed at being caught snooping.

"I believe we should get going." Akiza said adjusting her glasses.

Akiza wore dark jeans and a wine colored, long-sleeved shirt. Her hair was in a ponytail with her bangs framing her face. Her glasses gleamed as she watched Ruka carefully. Ruka nodded and lead the older woman to Zora's.

When they arrived; a quaint restaurant/bar just around the corner from them; Akiza felt out of place. The restaurant was lively with chatter even if only a few people occupied the space.

"Come on Akiza I'll introduce you!" Ruka grabbed her hand excitedly and lead her to rambunctious group. Akiza sighed her head pounding even more. They walked over to a corner booth, which as Akiza got closer, realized was filled with teachers from work.

As they saw Ruka they all waved her over and said hello, but as Akiza walked over everyone fell silent. Feeling uncomfortable in the sudden somber and tense atmosphere Akiza sighed shaking her head.

"I don't think this is a good idea." Akiza mumbled.

"Hey guys, this is Dr. Izinski she's new to this school." Ruka said excitedly unaware of the sudden change of atmosphere. Akiza pushed her glasses up making them gleam.

"It's a pleasure I presume." Akiza responded for them.

"Alright! The tall, blonde, beauty on the end is Sherry Leblanc, next to her with steel eyes is Bruno. Trudge and Mina there next to them are school security former sector security. The tall, dark haired, beauty is Misty an ex-model. Next to her is our resident hardened ex-con Kalin. I'm sure you already met Crow our bird brain history teacher and finally Rua my twin. Oh and the couple there is-"

"Mr. Atlas and Miss Nisaga we've met." Akiza interrupted.

"Y-yeah, but where's Yusei?" Ruka asked looking around.

Akiza's headache was getting worse and even though the lights were dim, they still bothered her. Akiza ignored the gaping looks she was getting from the teachers and turned her attention to Ruka.

"Look Miss Luna I appreciate what you're trying to do for me and for your invitation, but I did not expect to be met with such rudeness. I know where I'm not wanted and where my place is, so if you all will excuse me." Akiza bowed feeling light-headed as she straightened up.

Akiza turned on her heel and made her way out ignoring Ruka's protests. As she made her way to the door, it opened in front of her revealing a handsome man with cobalt blue eyes. As he held the door, Akiza sidestepped and brushed past him.

"Excuse me." She snipped annoyed. As she heard her own voice she almost winced at the tone she used, but her head was pounding and she was too exhausted to apologize.

She shivered as the cold night air hit her cheeks. She picked up the pace as her skin began to breakout in goosebumps. She got the sensation that someone was watching her. Suddenly, her head was spinning and she was having a hard time standing. She felt her body sway and she leaned on the nearest wall struggling to keep awake.

'What's going on?'

She felt weak as she felt her body slide down the side of the building. Her sight was darkening as she struggled to keep awake. She could make out the outline of her building so close…

Flashback…

"Akiza I'm sorry my rose, but you brought this upon yourself." Sayer touched her bruised cheek lightly.

"Y-you're right I'm so sorry."

"Of course I am my love." He kissed her forehead lightly as tears streamed down her face.

"Sayer my head hurts a lot I know you didn't mean to, but I-I think I might have a concussion…."

"Shh my lovely rose you know they won't understand if you show up like this to the hospital I might get into some trouble and we can't have that, can we?"

"B-but I can say I-I was in an accident. I need to get checked." Akiza protested.

Sayer laid his hand on her neck tightening ever slightly.

"Sayer you're hurting me…"

"Shh it's okay…"

Akiza began to gasp and struggle. She was soon asleep.

End of flashback…

"Hey Aki! Stay with me I can't lose you again." A male voiced woke her.

Her eyes felt heavy as she drifted in and out of consciousness. She felt her body shift and briefly caught a sight of a man's chest and cobalt blue. She groaned in response struggling to get out of the man's arms.

"Hey stop that."

"Let go." Akiza quickly realized she was being carried and out of panic wrapped her hands around the man's neck.

The man chuckled as she grabbed on to him tightly even after her demand.

"I get the impression you don't want me to do that."

"Set me down, you rude man." Akiza was still groggy.

"I don't think so."

"I said set me down. I can walk fine on my own." Akiza glared at the man's kind face.

"Ok how about I set you down and if you can take two steps on your own I'll leave you be?" The man said amused.

"Fine you have yourself a deal." Akiza nodded.

The man softly lowered her until she stood on her own. Akiza stood defiantly and straightened her shirt. She looked forward and proceeded to walk, but on her third step her gaze swirled. She felt her body sway and just before she hit the floor in it's all concrete glory, she found herself in the arrogant man's arms again.

"I believe you suffered a concussion Miss, so you're likely to have fainting spells."

Akiza didn't struggle as the darkness pulled her in once more.

Akiza's eyes snapped open. She was no longer in the street instead she was tucked in her bed. She straightened up and her head swam. She groaned as she searched for her glasses, but they were gone. She figured they were in the living room so she tried to stand up.

She faltered a bit, but managed to walk to her door. As she passed in front of her mirror she noticed she no longer worse jeans and a long sleeve, but her sleeping outfit she loved so much. She shivered in disgust as her thoughts took her to dark places.

Her attention turned to some commotion outside her room. Confused and startled she walked out to the living room and into the kitchen where two individuals argued. She could smell food, but her sight was making it difficult to make out the two people.

"Oh Akiza what are you doing up? You should be resting!" A female voice asked surprised.

"Carly? I presume Jack is with you." Akiza recognized the voice.

"Of course. Yusei did say she wouldn't stay." Jack grumbled.

"I don't know why you're here, but I need my glasses. Have…wait who changed my outfit?" Akiza's mind was scattered as she tried to grasp reality.

"I did. After Yusei rushed out of Zora's I was curious and followed him. I found him with you in his arms looking lost, so I showed him your apartment and I figured you had a key on you so I went through your pockets…and well he laid you in your bed and asked me to take care of you."

Akiza felt relieved.

"And you Mr. Atlas? Why are you here?"

"I came to apologize."

"For what exactly?" Akiza was surprised and confused.

"Yusei said you suffered a concussion and well it was my fault. I threw you onto the floor yesterday thinking you were hurting Tho…"

"Right… I forgot about that. Mr. Atlas I forgive you, but please I need to be alone right now." Akiza nodded.

Jack nodded in agreement and pulled Carly with him. "B-but Jack!"

They were gone and Akiza let out a sigh of relief. She walked over to the kitchen where a spread of breakfast items that was left out for her. Amused she grabbed a muffin and bit into it only to spit it out quickly.

She could hear Carly yell from her door.

"I wouldn't eat the muffins! Jack doesn't exactly know how to cook, or bake for that matter!"

"Carly!"

Akiza couldn't help but chuckle a little. She gave a small smile as she considered her cup of coffee. The rest of the weekend Akiza worked on her assessments and evaluations. She ignored the knocks that would come throughout the days. She only managed to do a couple of the assessments before the incident with Tho so she had leave out some teachers from her list.

Her list was composed of teachers she believed unfit to teach the elite. People she had seen who had no motive or desire to help the students. She believed they were living unfulfilled lives working a meaningless job, so she planned to give them freedom from Goodwin with the protest of low test grades.

As she looked over the classes and the grade average she became intrigued with a particular course.

"Hmm Dr. Fudo has one of the most rigorous courses, but all his student's scores are high. What a shame I wasn't able to observe his class." She said aloud to no one. She glanced outside her window and noticed it had darkened.

She felt exhausted and decided to call it a night.

Monday morning Akiza stood at the front of the school gates covering for Mina. She stood head held high with a stern look on her face. She watched the students file in and glared at shady characters passing by.

"Hey Dr. Izinski!" Akiza turned to see the student she saved last week.

"Yes?"

"I just wanted to say thank you for what you did for me and my family."

"What? I only saved a student from this institute it is my job."

"No I don't mean that. I mean I do, but I'm also talking about how you paid off our outstanding balance with the hospital and filled my prescriptions."

"I did no such thing." Akiza looked straight ahead.

"You can fool everyone else here, but not me! My mom thinks Mr. Atlas was responsible, but there's no way with him being engaged he could afford to."

Akiza perked up and looked at the girl.

"What?"

"Hey Tho!"

"Oh I'm sorry I got to go! Thanks again I look forward to your class!" Tho ran off leaving Akiza wondering.

Before Akiza could register her conclusions, she turned her attention to the sound of an engine. She watched as a red runner pulled into the teacher's parking lot alongside three other runners.

"What do these people think this place is some kind of show?" Akiza mumbled annoyed.

"Not really Miss Izinski, the director allows runners here as a part of the deal he made with some of the teachers here." Mina spoke from behind her.

"Figures." Akiza huffed.

"Thanks for covering for me. I got it from here." Mina smiled.

"As long as this isn't a frequent occurrence I have no problem covering for you officer Mina. Good day." Akiza turned on her heel and left.

Mina stood shocked at Akiza's behavior and attitude.

"Hey Mina are you there?" Mina's radio sounded. She clicked the microphone function and spoke.

"Yeah I'm here."

"Mina I couldn't find anything in the database for Akiza Izinski. It's like she was born just a year ago."

"Really? Impossible."

"I know that Mina."

"Trudge I do believe we've found a lead on the Izayoi case."

"Mina not this again. Your obsession with that case lead us both to demotion to school security! That's much worse than beat down cop."

"Trudge you're either with me or you stay out of my way."

"Fine Mina I'm with you."

"Good."

Staffroom…

Akiza arrived into a lively room that quickly turned somber as she walked towards a coffee machine located in the far corner of the room. She smirked enjoying the silence.

"Hey Akiza!"

At least she had enjoyed those few precious silent seconds. She quickly turned to see Ruka and Carly.

"Dr. Izinski if you please ladies."

"Oh right sorry." Carly apologized.

"How are you holding up?" Ruka asked.

"I'm fine."

"Really?" Carly asked in disbelief.

"Yes I rather not dwell on past events."

"Oh sorry I-"

"Stop apologizing." Akiza glared at her making her glasses gleam.

"Wha-?"

"It's annoying just stop."

Carly's eyes widened shock registering in her face. Akiza turned on her heel ignoring the burning of the glares pointed in her back. Before exiting she stopped remembering something. The instructors present regarded her coldly.

"There's a mandatory meeting here in the staffroom during the first half of lunch. I do recommend you all grace the director and I your undivided attention. Be prompt and courteous and do spread the word."

Akiza walked out of the room and headed towards the director's office. His secretary, gave her an annoyed look as she got up to announce her presence. When she came back she rolled her eyes at her.

"You may enter."

Akiza disregarded her awful demeanor and made her way into Goodwin's office.

"Ahh good morning Dr. Izinski!"

"Maybe you should share some of that enthusiasm with your guard dog."

"Oh sorry about her she just has a lot on her plate right now."

"That's no excuse."

"Don't min her. That's beside the point, did you make the announcement?"

"Yes, of course."

"Did you ask nicely?"

"I informed them of the meeting and reminded them to be prompt."

"Hmm we have got to work on your delivery."

"I see no need to."

Goodwin shook his head amused.

"I reviewed your exam and I would like to encourage you to make some minor changes. I also reviewed your reports and quite frankly I was surprised."

"Oh?"

"You were very detailed orientated and per your initial observations, my instructors are average at best."

"Correct."

"I see. Well, how about we talk about those changes hmm?"

"Right the minor changes."

"Amuse me doctor make it more comprehensive and less taxing."

"I see no need to change it, but I suppose." Akiza looked over said paper and began scribbling away. After a couple of minutes, she gave the revised exam back.

"Akiza what is this?!"

"What?"

"You reworded some of these questions and added ten new ones! I don't believe you understood what I was conveying."

"I resent that, I dumbed it down significantly, and added a larger probability of success by adding on questions. If they miss more questions, there won't be such a significant impact on their final score."

"I suppose you're right." Goodwin threw up his hands exasperated.

"I don't understand I was under the impression you wanted the most elite instructors to teach only the elite. This test is meant to weed out all the mediocre teachers that have no passion for this."

"Doctor are you trying to tell me you feel-"

"No of course not. I left behind any so-called emotions the day that man entered my life. Any real emotions at least."

"You're memories?"

"I rather not discuss my personal life here, but yes something along those lines."

"Very well then if that is all…"

"No there's one more thing Goodwin. Let me remind you that we have a deal."

"And I don't need to remind you that until then I own you."

Akiza held back a sneer.

"I know what the terms of our deal are. Understand that I know what I'm doing."

"Fine I understand just get me those scores."

"You try to hid behind your so-called passion, but you're just pretentious and selfish."

"Doctor where's this outburst coming from?" Goodwin synchronized her.

Akiza felt dazed. "I-I'm unsure I apologize."

"Akiza-"

"I must go Director and again I apologize." Akiza bowed as she excused herself.

She walked out in a slight daze. She shook her head in attempt to clear her thoughts.

"You know miss you're a hypocrite."

Akiza's head snapped to Goodwin's secretary.

"Excuse me?"

"I heard you talk about me with disdain, but do you know who I am?"

"Of course I do, Atsuko."

This caused the woman to look at her genuinely surprised.

"Don't feel any special Atsuko I made it my business to know every single employee of this institution. I know of your husband as well; Goodwin's lackey."

"Excuse me-"

"No you excuse me I must go deal with important matters. Good day Atsuko." Akiza left making her way to the staffroom purposefully.

When she arrived, she noticed she was alone, so she began setting up for the meeting. Unfortunately, she was so immersed in her thoughts she didn't realize she wasn't alone until a man was right behind her.

She dropped an exam and she reached out to grab it, leaning over a desk she almost had it when she felt a presence behind her. A large hand grabbed a hold of the paper she was reaching for and she instinctively stepped back bumping into the man.

He grabbed her waist steadying her and keeping them from falling over. He held her steady placing his hands on her small waist making her skin burn and sting. Akiza squirmed in his grip.

"L-let me go!" She commanded hiding her embarrassment.

"Whoa I just saved us from having an unfortunate incident."

He finally let go of her and she straightened her clothing and her adjusted her glasses. As their eyes met Akiza's breath hitched for a split second.

"Do I know you? Wait.. are you the man who took me home that night?" Akiza questioned.

"The name's Fudo, Yusei Fudo. Come on don't tell me you forgot me already? Aki-" His gaze softened as he closed the distance between them.

Akiza in a panic moved behind a desk putting distance between them.

"It's Akiza I mean Dr. Izinski, Mr. Fudo." Akiza felt uneasy as her gaze landed on the man's facility marker.

"Aki come on-"

"Izinski! Akiza! Izinski! I'm getting real tired and sick of everyone calling me that! I'm not Aki! I've never even laid eyes on any of you before! I'm sorry I look like this this Aki… but I'm not her! I don't know any of you!" Akiza snapped.

Yusei watched her as she cowered behind the desk. After a few seconds of watching her, he finally spoke up.

"I don't believe that."

"Stubborn man! Believe what you want! Just leave me alone!" Akiza moved away from the desk and into the hallway, ignoring the piercing blue eyes trained on her.

-MMXX

I hope you all enjoyed!