Yaaaawn. I stretched my arms, rolling onto my back on the soft plush bed. This felt really good, almost like I could go back to sleep. But, no. That wasn't in the plan for the day. It was time to get up. Nap time over, get your lazy ass out of bed. Need to start the day. Up and at'em…

Blah blah blah. Internal alarm clocks suck! But are very handy.

I sighed and rolled to the edge of the bed, ready to climb off. Only to find myself sitting in the middle of a king sized bed.

Huh? My mind searched for an explanation. Oh, yeah. I was at Kukuroo Mountain last night and met the Zoldycks. And, apparently, they let me spend the night. Or at least, I had enough time to take a nap. Gotta go home now. Things to do, things to do.

I rolled the other way, too far. I half fell off the bed and smashed my head against the stone tile flooring. Damn! That hurts like a son of a gun! I slipped my legs off the bed and sat up rubbing my head. Not the best way to wake up, dang rich people and their stupid rooms. I yawned again before standing up and scratching at my head.

Shoes, shoes… Oh my lovely shoes~ Where are you~? You annoying little pranksters. I grumbled on and off as I searched all over the floor. And I found them… on the other side of the bed. I sat crossed legged on the floor to pull them on.

"What are you doing?" A male voice from the other side of the dark room spoke out and scared me. I flipped onto my knees and peeked over the bed. Much to my shock I saw it to be the oldest Zoldyck boy.

"Um… leaving?"

I watched with a blank face as Haruka slowly stood up from the opposite side of the bed, plopping down on the covers with her back turned to me. She was pulling on one of her boots, muttering something under her breath.

This girl was weird. She was acting like I was no threat to her. No one ever turned their back on a Zoldyck. It was slightly irritating that I wasn't considered a threat. But I kept my emotions in check.

"Why do you want to leave?" She paused to tilt her head sideways without turning to look at me. She was silent. Then I heard her humming something softly. A tune I was unfamiliar with. Haruka pulled her shoe on completely and stood up, spinning to face me with a smile on her face.

"Because I have to do stuff." She replied, like it was the obvious answer. She placed her hands on her hips and struck a pose before doubling over in laughter. I merely stood there stoned faced, pondering if she had recently hit her head and retained brain damage. "It's a joke gloomy. Lighten up and smile."

Illumi didn't smile. Heck, I almost didn't think he knew what a smile was. But considering he had that adorable little brother… yeah, he probably just chose not to. Oh well. I shrugged my shoulders. It could be he wasn't a morning person.

Then again, would this count as being a morning person or still a night owl? It had to only be just after four AM. Meh, I had to leave no matter what you wanted to call it. But Illumi was standing in the doorway, still dressed all in black. Though I'm pretty sure he was now wearing a sweater that only looked black.

"Can you like, move so I can leave?"

"Not until you answer my question."

"What question?" Had he asked something while I was focusing on my thoughts? Whoops~ Didn't mean to tune him out, but his voice was (really) kinda boring to listen to. Does he even hear himself? Maybe… he probably talks himself to sleep every night.

"Why are you leaving?" His question snapped me out of my thoughts. Okay, he's not that easy to tune out after all.

"Told ya, got stuff to do. Can you move now, pwetty pwease?" I batted my eyes at him and stepped around the bed. My only other escape route was through the window, but I was afraid of how high I would have to jump down and much preferred just walking out of here. Having a broken leg or two was not on my To Do List today, or ever.

He didn't step aside, or respond. So I sighed. The window was five feet behind me and three feet to my left. The breeze that was constantly flowing through the room told me it was opened. At least I wouldn't have to jump through glass. I hated having to stich up wounds… they hurt!

Taking one final scan of Illumi's face it didn't seem like he was going to let me go with that (lame) explanation. I spun on my heel and dashed to the window, grabbing the ledge and flipping myself over and out in less than thirty seconds. Hey! New record!

I ran the short distance to the window in time to see Haruka land from the roughly ten foot drop, she cursed loud enough to be heard clearly. As I stood looking down with a look between disbelief and mild entertainment on my face, she looked up and gave me the sign for peace before running off. She reminded me of Kil somehow, being a little too easy going. But was sharp when she needed to be.

My curiosity was peaked. Would it hurt to follow the girl and see what "stuff" she needed to do so early in the morning? This may be my only chance. I looked over my shoulder into the room. No one else seemed to be stirring in the house. I was the only one close enough to have heard her fall out of bed. They would not notice our disappearance until much later. And if I didn't leave now there would be a chance I could lose the girl among the trees.

I jumped out the window and followed Haruka's path.

My ears perked up as I felt the same presence from before trailing behind my steps. So you're following me now, eh Illumi? This could be fun. Could I lose a Zoldyck on his own property? I could rub it in his face for years if I did! Years? Would I still be seeing him in the years to come? Would I still have the option of spending my nights on Kukuroo Mountain with Mike?

The thought was distracting enough for a split second that I didn't concentrate on my footing and my ankle buckled from underneath me. I was on the slope, running too fast, and my loss of balance was enough to make my feet slip and I went crashing down the mountain… face first into a tree trunk.

"-ther F!" I screamed as I pushed myself away from it. My forehead was throbbing and I gingerly felt my nose. Was it broken? I didn't think so, didn't feel like it was broken. Bleeding? I licked the moisture that coated my lips and tasted the familiar coppery taste of blood. Yup, bleeding. Which meant any second now….

"ARRRROOOO!" Right on cue. Mike smelled blood and would be on the hunt. Especially since it was my blood he scented. I picked myself up doubly quick and took to the trees. It would be somewhat slower going compared to the ground but safer if Mike was on my tail. He could run far and fast, stood twenty feet tall, and could probably eat a person in one bite. But the mutt couldn't seem to jump. At least not without launching himself over a cliff.

I wondered if the Zoldycks knew that about their beloved guard? Maybe not. I doubt a lot of people would know that little tidbit.

Focus. You don't need to add falling out of a tree to your list of experiences today. I've already experienced what jumping out of a tree feels like, thank you very much. No need to repeat the experience twice.

"ARRRRRRROOOOOOO!" That sounded closer. Like, right on my tail close. I stopped my movements and pressed myself flat against the branch I was on. I looked behind me and sure enough Mike appeared in my line of sight running full throttle, tongue out and tail swishing. I held still, not breathing, as he ran by underneath my perch. He didn't seem to have noticed he was no longer following my trail. He wouldn't be fooled for long though. The dumb dog had more brain than most humans I knew.

I jumped to my feet and took off in a new direction, still feeling as Illumi followed me. He wouldn't be as easy to shake off. A grin spread across my features.

Fun, fun, fun…

…fuck, Fuck, FUCK!

I had jumped to a branch that I thought could support my weight but had been partially cracked. A little fact I didn't notice until I was already jumping towards it. Hello falling feeling! I was plummeting back first towards the ground, the branch was currently my falling buddy.

THUMP

My back slammed against another branch, breaking it and continuing my plummet. I kept hitting branch after branch as gravity made me her bitch.

My arm was suddenly snagged and my fall was halted, with a near dislocating of my shoulder in the process. I cursed vilely as the pain shot throughout my body. A laugh from above me whipped my head up and I saw Zoldyck boy grabbing my arm while crouching on a branch. My cheeks flamed red as I finally saw a small smile on his face. Why, oh why did he have to see that little scene?

XXX

A/N: *evil smile* So how many of you have I left hanging?

Haruka: *facepalm*

A/N: Sorry, I know, bad pun but couldn't help it. You readers are all awesome! I have so many followers and a couple reviews already! *scream* If this keeps up I might even get up to chapter 5 or something in one day.

Haruka: Breath Ria, breath!

A/N: But I'm happy! And this story is fun to write. I can't wait to see where this story is going. And Illumi is TALKING! He still hasn't talked to me but STILL!

Haruka: Go write the next chapter before you kill over. *Ria leaves room* AND LAY OFF THE SUGAR!