"Yin and Yang"

"I'm telling you officer! Everywhere that bitch is, there's trouble! She's cursed I'm telling you!" The men screamed while they were on stretchers, being towed away in the ambulance trucks. Haruna stared at the burning building; her most hated place was burning. The women had escaped in time, none hurt, and they were sure to never come back.

"Ma'am, are you hurt?" Haruna looked up to see a paramedic observing her for any obvious wounds. She shook her head. "Come with me. We need to check for any internal wounds-"

"I'm fine." He was worried when he saw her so interested in watching the building burn down. She looked amazed like a child would if he/she was watching fireworks.

The fire trucks began to extinguish the fire, "Ma'am. If you caused this fire, the police will have to take you into questioning. What you did is arson." Haruna didn't care. When the last bit of fire was put out, she felt like her past had burned away. She didn't have to fear it any longer. The other girls were set free; it was over for her. "Are you okay? You don't look too well..."

She felt so tired... Her vision began to blur. The voices became like echoes. It felt like she was in the ocean waters, not drowning, but it was peaceful. "Ma'am... open... eyes..."

Later

"Rise and shine!" Haruna awoke to the sudden blinding light; she first noticed the flowers beside her. "My name is Dr. Kagura. You were quite anemic the other day." Haruna watch the woman give a charming smile. "A fragile woman has got to take care of herself y'know. Well, have a rest. I'll be back soon."

Haruna wondered who had visited her. "Mom..." No, she probably hates her right now, that's what Haruna thought. Besides, her mother had not a single penny to even buy a single flower. She panicked briefly, wondering if they were alright. She prayed no vampire had gotten to them. "Perhaps it was..."

She refused to believe it was Aido who came to visit her. After yesterday, she knew he'd been overcome with hate. She didn't blame him. Plus, the flowers weren't lavender. "The fire..." She only recalled last night's events after seeing the burn mark on her hand. It was the only wound she sustained. Everything was a blur; she didn't know if she caused the fire.

Perhaps she snapped when the men touched her, or perhaps it was just an accident? Although she was rejoicing the other day, thinking about it now made her head hurt with guilt. "I see you're fine." She looked to see Zero leaning against the doorway. "Disappointed to see that I wasn't the person you wanted to see?"

She quickly denied it, although it was the truth. Why was she hoping that it was Aido? "Did you bring me these flowers?" He nodded. "Not to offend you, but why are you here? To collect the money I owe?"

He ignored her question, "I was out patrolling last night when I saw the fire. Your mother, she's in jail."

"What?" Haruna asked, wondering how her mother got into jail within less than a day. "And my sisters?"

"Your mother was caught stealing food from the store." Haruna wanted to cry at how her mother was caught so easily! Haruna was quite a professional when it came to being as sly as a fox. "And your siblings are outside waiting for you. You can check out anytime. Just thought I'd tell you this."

"Hunter-san... thank you. Can I ask why you're doing all of this?" He waved farewell before her sisters came in. How she would get out of this mess, she did not know.

Zero was quick to deny her possible assumptions, "Out of pity, nothing more." She knew she shouldn't have held her breath. He would never come to see her as something more than a nuisance.

Later

"Mom. I can't believe you tried to steal food..." Haruna shook her head in disbelief. Her mother only crossed her arms in stubbornness. "You have to try to survive at least. Do you know how Cara and Sakura feel right now?" Her mother didn't listen. She just looked away with annoyance. "You're mad at me for storming off last night without a word?"

Her mother finally spoke, "You actually went back to that place! What if something happened to you?" Haruna only then realized how stupid her actions were. "I would never have been able to forgive myself because I made you do that-"

"It's fine." Haruna wanted to end the conversation fast; she hated speaking about the 'what if' situations. "I'll find a job and once I do, I can pay the money to bail you out-"

"Haruna, worry about yourself and the girls. It's actually much nicer in here; they actually provide you shelter and food." Haruna could tell her mother was just trying to make the best of the situation to not worry others. "There's a barber shop down the street. You're good at cutting hair, neh? Find a job there; they can't refuse you."

Haruna held her mother's hand, "I will mom..."

Later

"Yes! We'll hire you! You have the prettiest hands and you are very charismatic; we'll hire you!" Haruna shook hands with the shop owner who seemed so much more than just welcoming. Pretty hands? Her hands were scarred and dry. Charismatic? She built a wall around her. Just what did the employer see? She did not know.

"I- I'm grateful! I promise, I won't fail you!" She couldn't stop smiling. For once, it seemed like everything was turning around for the better. She stepped out of the shop, "I did it!" She shouted to the heavens above. Although it was not enough to find a home and food yet; it was a start.

The employer sneaked to the back of the shop, smiling eagerly, "How was that sir? Good?" He nervously held his hat against his chest while lowering his head for the man of higher status. "She fell for it and-"

"Good. Give her a raise by next week. If I see her cutting any male customer's hair, I will have your shop destroyed, understood? And raise a voice at her and I will make sure you find nothing but trouble." The gentleman smirked at the sight of his face going pale.

"I- I don't like making business with shady men who I don't know... May I ask what your name is?"

"Shady? That's quite rude. You'll be seeing me around; don't think I'm off your back just yet." He paused for a second, as though he were rethinking over his decisions. "The name is Aido, Hanabusa Aido." He held such a charming smile that the old man instantly trusted him.

Later

"You've been so kind to me uncle," Haruna radiated with warmth, unable to stop thanking her new boss. At the same time, she was busy snipping away at a customer's hair. Each time a strand fell off, her boss squealed in his palms with fright, scared because it seemed like Haruna was just messily cutting away with recklessness.

He laughed nervously, "Wh- why don't you focus on cutting the nice lady's hair?" He hoped she was a nice lady, because if her hairdo came out unsatisfying... Who knew how he would dodge her giant fists.

Haruna raised her brow, as though realizing that she had been cutting someone's hair. "Oh, right! Tada, we're done!" Combing her hair and styling it, the end results were...

"Phenomenal!" The lady gasped, astounded by the luscious curls and volume that Haruna created. "I look so much younger," she turned every angle while admiring herself. "You have got yourself one fine worker," she praised Haruna's boss, leaving with satisfaction.

Haruna nodded to herself, always eager to make another person happy. "H-how did you do that? You don't even have a license to cut hair!"

"Eh? We need one to cut hair? Then how come you hired me?" Haruna asked, terrified that she might have caused trouble for her 'uncle' had something gone wrong.

"Forget that! Talent is all you need to rule this world!" Haruna frowned; she wasn't interested in ruling anything. "Honestly, I had doubts about your skills as a hair stylist, but you are quite capable."

Haruna kicked her heel on the floor, turning red from having so much compliments. "Shucks... You'll make me cry if you keep showering me with kind words," she grinned from ear to ear.

"Ah, how about a raise?"

"Eh? So soon?" Haruna was astonished at how easy it was. "Uncle... I'd appreciate that very much, but don't you think it's unfair to the other workers? I certainly don't want you playing favors here; I couldn't live with myself."

He felt like he was on the edge as he knew that Aido was probably watching them at the moment. If he didn't offer the raise, his shop would be... "I will make sure you find nothing but trouble." He pulled at his hair, "Why does his voice have to be inside my head now!" Haruna watched in puzzlement as Uncle was flailing his arms around with eyes of bewilderment. "Please... do accept my generosity!"

Haruna could see the desperation in his eyes. "Well... since you make it seem like a matter of life or death, alright then," she smiled, happy to see her Uncle light up with joy and what seemed like relief. "I'll get back to work now... And try to relax a little. No one's coming to get you," she assured, but somehow it only made him tense more.

He quickly ran into the back room where he usually counted money- "How'd it go?"

He jumped at the voice, half his life force gone in that instant. "A-Aido-sama," he held his hat against him nervously. "I did as you told!"

"You're so jumpy. Did you screw up already?" Aido looked at his nails while paying little interest in the man. Uncle's teeth chattered; he was a nervous wreck. "She's cute, isn't she?" Uncle quickly agreed. He felt like if he didn't, Aido would kill him at the spot. "Something so innocent... Who knew she was capable of destroying me in seconds," Aido grinded his teeth with irritation.

Uncle didn't want to ask what Haruna had done to Aido, yet his curiosity provoked him to, "Aido-sama... I'm quite confused. Are your intentions to help her, or to hurt her? I mean, you haven't done anything to harm her, but with your words just now... It seems like you are out to get her- Hiii!" He shrieked, collapsing to the floor as Aido hammered his hand onto the desk, splitting it in two. "What are you?"

"Of course, I'm out to get her. Next time, fire her."

"What?" Uncle managed to only stagger up to his knees, crawling towards Aido while caressing his priceless shoes. "B-but she's my best employee! Besides, she's such a nice girl. How can I-"

"Are you disobeying my orders? I want to give her happiness, and right when she least expects it - boom. Gone."

Next Day

At first, Haruna laughed. "Fired? That's a funny joke," she played along, only to be faced with a stoic look from Uncle. "Am I... really?" He nodded, unable to speak any more. "But- but you said that I was... And I've been working hard... And-"

"Here is your paycheck. Thank you for all you've done for me." The door closed. Just like that, she was back at the beginning. It just didn't make sense - what happened to all the praise she had gotten? Didn't she... She groaned at the migrain she was getting. She worked two weeks there - she shouldn't be far from being able to bail out her mother.

She peeked inside the envelope. "This... is barely enough." Even with the raise and the hours she worked... It was impossible.

She sulked, walking to the nearby park where she left her sisters at. Of course, Haruna hated the thought of leaving her sisters there to fend for themselves. Any second, they could've been snatched by a predator or a vampire. Every time she saw them safe and sound, she'd sigh a breath of relief. And this time, she did once more. "Hey guys," she greeted them, making sure to hide the fact that she was just laid off.

"Look Haruna! We made a sand castle!" Haruna looked at a failed attempt of one. Of course, she was obliged to compliment them on it. "No, we're not hungry," they said in unison after Haruna asked if they were starving. She found it strange, since they didn't have dinner last night nor breakfast that morning. "We've been meaning to tell you, but a man gave us food a while ago. He's very kind-"

"You accepted food from a stranger?" Haruna became hysterical. Only negative thoughts rushed into her head. "He could've kidnapped you! What does he look like?"

"But he didn't Haruna! Besides, he was hiding his face." They groaned, "Every time you go to work, he comes to feed us. Today, he gave us toys to play with too. Oh, and we saved some food for you too Haruna; we know you're hungry." Haruna looked with suspicion at the pork bun, eyeing it carefully. "Well, eat it! We've had our share an hour ago. If we're not dead yet, then you'll be fine too!" Said Sakura. Cara just nodded while focusing on stacking more sand on their castle.

"Well, you never told me about this man until now?"

"He told us not to tell you. However, today he gave us permission to."

Haruna couldn't ignore the growling in her stomach. She sat beside them, "Fine. I'll eat this, but once I'm done, this man is never to be brought up again," she stubbornly mumbled, nibbling on the bun, eventually biting into it like an animal. "Oops. Excuse my unlady-like manners," she brushed the crumbs away from her lips. "Come on guys, we need to find shelter before the sun sets," she quickly gathered their belongings and their new toys. "Too bad he couldn't provide us a home," she jokingly said.

"Oh, but he did!" Cara held out a key, "He says that you can go to that one fancy hotel - the one called 7th Heaven."

Haruna couldn't believe how naive the guy was. Did he really think that she would fall for the trap? "It's obvious he has a group of men waiting for us over there! They just want to do something perverted," she snatched the keys. "We'll go to the church; they'll have room for us this time if we go early."

Later

"We were too late," Haruna knelt in front of the church in despair. "Sorry girls, but we're going to have to stay out in another cold night-"

"Come on Cara, let's go to the hotel." Her two sisters ditched her, caring little about Haruna's lecture. She wondered when the two had become so independent. She chased after them, belittling them and telling them to come back, however it was no use.

Eventually, the three reached the luxurious hotel which stood tall. "Well, you guys can't get in without the keys!" Haruna stuck it in her pocket. There was something real fishy about this charitable man. No one is ever nice without a payment. Sakura and Cara gave her a long hard stare. "What'll you do if this is a trap?"

"We've got legs. We'll run." Haruna wanted to laugh at how easy their world was. If only things were that simplistic, their situation wouldn't have forced them to be in front of that hotel.

Before Haruna could realize, the two had already ran into the hotel. "Ah, stop!" She chased after them, "Hey! Open the elevator!" She pressed the buttons, panicking as it rose up to the highest level in the hotel. "They are so dead!"

When the elevator had come back down, she eventually reached the two at the top. "What do you guys think you are doing! Do you want to get yourselves killed so badly?" She asked, seeing them laugh hysterically on the floor at how blue Haruna was from losing her breath. "We are going this instant-"

"I'm surprised to see you actually took my invitation." The door opened. The man's presence had a powerful sense, instantly causing Haruna's sisters to become quiet. "Isn't this a great reunion Haruna?"

Haruna clenched her fists, angry to see the man in front of her. "What do you want, Aido Hanabusa?" Sakura and Cara hid behind Haruna's legs, terrified of him. Of course, he was the one who tore down their house and belongings. "You think it's funny to fool my sisters into thinking you were some kind gentleman?"

Aido only stared with cockyness. "Fool them into believing that I'm a gentleman? I am one. I gave them food and watched over them while you were working. If it weren't for me, they'd be in worst conditions." Haruna wanted to hurl herself at him and swing punches in his face. How did things become so complicated? "If anything, I deserve thanks."

Long stares were exchanged before she gave a grudgeful, "Thanks."

"You don't want to stay in this room?"

If Haruna had little willpower, Aido would've found himself bleeding on the floor at that moment. "Sakura, Cara. Can you guys go down to the lobby; I need to talk with Aido alone."

They complied, scurrying off. "Such cute ones-"

Though not bleeding, he did manage to get slapped. "Didn't I say I'd make money the right way this time? I'm not your 'whore' anymore."

Aido flinched at the word; he could only recall the sad look she had when he called her that back when he tore down her house. "I didn't say you had to pay with your body. Of course, this is my room. Silly girl. Did you think you were going to get it for free?" She turned red with embarrassment. "You'll work as my own personal housekeeper. But just because I like things to seem a bit kinkier, I'll say 'maid' instead," he winked.

She crossed her arms, rolling her eyes with disgust. "I rented the next room so it's completely yours, so long as you work as my maid. It's not a bad deal; I'll even pay you so you can bail out your mother."

Haruna wondered how he knew about her mother's situation. She concluded that he was a stalker. "I'd rather eat dirt-"

"And let your siblings freeze outside where the vampires lurk? Fine with me."

Haruna bit her lip, hating how tied her hands were. "What are your intentions? Is this revenge?"

Aido stooped down to her level, "You're so cute when you're confused. Am I doing this out of regret because I destroyed your life? Or am I doing this because you broke my heart? That's for me to know. However, you better answer my proposal soon, otherwise I might change my mind."

"Your wife and your father... What'll they do when they find out about this?"

"Father is away and she's visiting her parents. Were I you, I'd stop worrying about them and start worrying about my circumstances instead. What do you choose? Pride or security?"

The way he was smiling like some crook didn't make him trustworthy at all. There had to be some catch to this 'job.' Her brown eyes looked at his blue ones for quite a while. She hoped that by doing so, she would cause him to reveal something about this scheme he had going on or just to find out what he was thinking. It didn't work. He was as cold as ice.

"Fine. I accept. However," she made sure to set some rules, "if you dare lay a hand on me, I will make sure-"

"Deal. You start working tomorrow. Have a good night sleep~" He closed the door.

When he was out of sight, she slumped to the ground in defeat. No matter how much she tried to avoid him, he always had a way to force himself into her life.