AN: I felt I had to open this chapter with Mika listening to a song , Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown No Air. It really captured the mood and story of what was going on inside Mika and Raizo, and the story behind it. enjoy and review!
Chapter 2
Tell me how am I supposed to breathe with no air
If I should die before I wake, it'd cos you took my
Losing you is like living in a world with no air oh
I'm here alone, didn't wanna leave
My heart won't move, it's incomplete
If there was a way that I'd make you understands.
"My God, can't they play less whiny songs for a change on this channel?" Mika murmured to herself switching the TV off after coming from her room, changed and ready for work. She had woken up a bit late because she had stalled for minutes in bed thinking about her dream. She swiftly changed her wristwatch and saw she had no time left for breakfast. She would grab some at work. She examined her outfit, jeans and a light grey jersey over a dark grey top, it wasn't bad, the color reflected her mood today as well. Her wavy black hair now longer was pulled back in a ponytail. She was thinking of getting bangs for a change, the caramel highlights had worked so far. She snatched her laptop and folders before she went into another daydream.
In her car, whilst driving Mika liked to reflect a lot and get a little lost in her thoughts. That song she had switched off at home had bought her a little wave of emotion. It had been three months and she had been coping well with the trauma of what had happened.
She had healed well and steadily. The doctor had said she was lucky her heart was on the right side of her chest. She had a rare condition called dextrocardia, which usually affected 1 in 12 000 people. Mika had always thought of it as a curse, to be born different and to have to take extra care of her health. Now she was content, grateful and happy, her curse had indeed turned to her blessing.
It wasn't just the unimaginable terror of that blade slicing into her , it was also the terror of being afraid of shadows, in her home the lights were always on and when walking any sign of a shadow sent her into full fledged panic that made her paranoid. Bit by bit her therapist had helped overcome her fear till she had improved and learnt to relax. She hadn't forgotten about Raizo her savior and protector.
She had woken up in hospital, various tubes attached to her and the first word she had uttered was his name. Ryan had calmed her down and told her he had survived then she had gone back to sleep. She kept waiting for him to show up but he never came. It was when Ryan had told her he was not going to come; he had no idea where he had gone that Mika had understood. She had cried but Ryan said it was wise to give a person time to themselves; he needed to find himself especially in the wake of all that had taken place. Mika reminded herself they were nothing but just allies who had helped each other in the face of danger. It still hurt Mika that he had just left without even saying goodbye after all they had been through.
"Coretti, you're late, how are you this morning?" Maslow said coming to her desk at work.
"Uh oh" Mika said setting her things down and raising an eyebrow.
"What?" Maslow had a slight frown.
"That tone you used to greet me, its way too jovial and oily, what can I do for you Ryan?" Mika had a knowing smile.
"Well,uh, nothing, you okay?" Maslow was clearly deflecting.
"Yes, just woke up late, need some strong caff, I was day dreaming a lot" Mika shrugged.
"Perhaps I can make one dream come true" Maslow had a mysterious smile.
"Really, can you?" Mika was getting used to Ryan's sometimes flirtation
"I have, something for you, shall we?" Maslow gestured to his office.
"I knew you wanted a favor Ryan" Mika rolled her eyes following him.
Her heart must have stopped beating for a short while when she entered Maslow's office. She froze, stared at what was before her, stared for a moment. He had been standing looking outside Ryan's window his back at the door and had turned when they entered. Tall, striking, an expectant look on his face.
"Raizo!" Mika choked and before she could stop herself she half ran, half flew, half stumbled and threw herself at him blinded by the tears in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around his torso. Raizo wasn't prepared for the hug but he felt its full impact, slowly he put his arms around her and closed his eyes breathing in her familiar strawberry and magnolia scent. He exhaled feeling a rush of different emotions flood him. He hadn't expected that it would feel like this.
Maslow felt oddly out of his depth watching Mika and Raizo embrace. Even the way they looked into each other's eyes after they drew apart was creepy and made him a bit uncomfortable. He felt like he was intruding on something private and sacred.
"Raizo, how-…what-why?" she spluttered feeling all sorts of emotions and questions clouding her.
"Easy, Mika, relax" Maslow detected a note of hysteria creeping in her voice.
She turned to Maslow a frown on her face
"You! Don't you start with me, you knew where he was all along?" she demanded
"Mika, its okay, breathe, I'm here" Raizo said holding her shoulders his dark eyes piercing hers.
She shook his hands off her,
"And you, don't even say a word, just because I'm happy to see you doesn't mean I'm not angry at you or have forgiven you" she poked his chest with his finger. Raizo and Maslow exchanged a look which seemed to make her more upset.
"So am I going to get my answers, or you two will keep on giving each other bromance looks?"
"She's angry" Raizo chuckled darkly.
"I've never seen this side of her" Maslow joined in.
"I did" Raizo said fondly thinking of how she had budged in and tried shooting Ozunu and the look on her face when she had shouted.
"You know, you two can continue with your epic bromance and talk about me as if I'm not there" Mika fumed looking from one to the other. Then she exited the office, slamming the door on them.
Maslow didn't miss the way Raizo's jaw hardened and the look on his face, for a man who rarely displayed his emotions, that was saying a lot. Raizo sighed and exited the office too without a word.
Mika found herself in the Europol archive room, breathless and tears threatening to spill out once again. She was a kaleidoscope of emotions, each one strong as the other. The joy she felt at seeing Raizo was beyond ordinary. She felt elated, like she was riding a wave. At the same time she felt angry, that he had just left her like that, no explanation and now he had waltzed in her life again. She felt wary too, how long he was going to stay, would he leave again, vanish into the shadow like they all did. She noticed she had been staring at the same bookshelf for minutes. She tip toed for a book just to distract herself, a long hand reached for the book behind her shadowing her. She gave a start and turned to collide head on into Raizo.
"You, can't you stop that creeping ninja thing you do!" she exclaimed with irritation.
"You are still angry with me" he said matter of factly setting the book on the lower shelf, then rested his arms on either side her. Mika felt a bit dizzy, he was too close to her and he was looking down at her comprehensively. She tried to escape under his arm but he didn't move.
"Raizo, there are people, the way you're standing around me isn't exactly professional" Mika noticed a few people passing by glance them curiously, she tried to push him but it was like pushing a statue.
"You could start by forgiving me" he said unrelenting.
"I could strangle you" she seethed,
"You can always beat me later Mika" he smirked
"I want a freaking chain blade too!"
"I have plenty of those too" he smiled a teasing tone creeping into his voice.
His eyes held hers, Mika took a deep breath and looked away, she didn't know if he did it on purpose. The way his dark eyes smoldered hers was a bit scary, edgy, yet irresistible.
"You're forgiven—for now!" she emphasized. He smirked and then he finally removed his hands.
"I'll be seeing you Mika" he said retreating then he left.
"Cocky ninja "she muttered.
"Is he your man, Mika?" Inge, the girl who had shared Mika's workstation asked her with a giggle. She had run seen them in the archives.
"What? No, he's not-he—uh, we once worked together on that infamous ninja case" Mika stuttered.
"Wow, he's so yummy, I never knew there were such hybrids of Asian men" Inge peered at Raizo who was talking with Maslow outside his office.
"He uh-, he hardly notices women though" Mika watched Raizo talk to Maslow, there was an air of confidence around him, he had a drawing in aura that was laid back as well as commanding.
"Hmm, he surely notices you" Inge giggled. Raizo gazed at Mika for a brief moment, arms folded.
"He's a tease" Mika blushed tugging her ponytail self consciously.
"Every woman is talking about him, he's hot news in the stats department" Inge had a conspiratory tone.
"Uh, Inge, have you had breakfast yet?" Mika changed the subject.
"Nein, not yet"
"I was thinking of going for breakfast, care to join me? Mika stood up taking her handbag.
"Jar, sure, I'd love to" Inge gave her a smile.