''Okay, let's try that move now.'' He instructed and told me how I should stand while he took his position a few steps away from me.

I took a deep breath as I recalled the moves he had taught me during the last couple of hours and ignored the exhaustion in my muscles. I needed to learn this after all, so I had no time to be tired. It had been fun though, we spent the first hour playing around a bit and he showed me some of his judo moves. It was nice. It was my day off and I didn't have to think about the situation because I was too occupied to pay attention to what he was saying. He was a good teacher but he complained whenever I messed up and called me a bad student. I knew he was just teasing me and I appreciated it deeply.

''Put your weight on your left foot.'' He instructed as he stepped closer to me. ''Now, what do you do?''

''I wait for you to move.'' I hummed and looked up, meeting his focused eyes.

''Good.'' He took a step closer and was now close enough to grab me. ''And now?''

''I put one foot back so I can dodge easier in case you attack.'' I spoke and proceeded to do so.

''Yes, remember to use your height to your advantage, just like we practiced.''

I nodded and we continued to act out a few more moves. They were basically all evasive maneuvers since I wasn't physically strong enough to counterattack or anything. Despite it, I did feel a little more confident once I could remember the moves and he started to teach me a few where the attacker had a weapon.

''Looks like you're getting the hang of it.'' He smiled and crossed his arms over his chest.

''Yeah? I feel a bit… better.'' I smiled back. ''I would have liked to know some counterattacks but I doubt I could punch you on the shoulder and even make it tingle a bit.'' I sighed but the smile was still there.

''Well, you're not strong enough, so teaching you anything like that would be unnecessary.''

''I know… can't I just, I don't know, punch them in the throat?'' He started laughing and I frowned a bit at him. ''What?'' I grumbled and put my hands on my hips.

''It's just the mental image of your punching some tall, build guy in the throat is ridicules.'' He continued to laugh.

''Oh yeah? I bet I could punch you in the throat.'' I challenged him in stubbornness.

''Really?'' He grinned and looked at me with a tempted glance.

''Yes, really.'' I smirked at him.

''Fine th-'' I jumped him before he was done speaking. ''Woa!'' He exclaimed as he grabbed my wrist and stopped my fist heading for him. He let out a small grunt as he gave me a soft shove backwards and I barely managed to keep myself from falling. ''Nice try.'' He grinned at me and stood up straight.

''Thanks.'' I smiled and took a deep breath before standing up straight as well.

For a moment, we stood in silence and watched the other, waiting for one of us to move first. Kaiji decided to be the first to move. He moved forwards quickly and I only barely managed to dodge his hand which tried to grab one of mine. I knew he was playing around but I recognized the way he moved. It was the same as when we had practiced the evasive maneuvers and I did my best to keep up with his more aggressive approach. I lasted three or four moves before I fell down and sat on the mattress we were standing on and shot an exhausted glance at him.

''You're getting good.'' He grinned at me, huffing slightly while reaching his hand out to me.

I took it and let him pull me up from the floor.

''You're pretty quick.''

''I've been doing this for years, but thanks.'' He smiled and then took a few steps back. ''Wanna try coming at me again?''

I nodded and swallowed. I took a deep breath while trying to come up with some sort of a plan but all I could think of was a head on approach. So I went with it. I tried to remember how he had moved, quick but planned, and tried to do somewhat the same. Despite my tries, I could tell that he was letting me get close and let me stay there without simply disengaging me again. I let out a frustrated groan and landed an annoyed punch on his inner arm. It threw him off guard enough for me to throw my arm back and ball my hand into a fist, ready to strike him again, but he moved quickly then. Before I could really react to what was happening, his hand grabbed my wrist, locking my arm, while his foot moved in-between mine. He used it to trip me and he brought me down on the mattress with him on top of me and my right hand pressed against my left shoulder. I couldn't move and stared up at him wide-eyed.

His left hand was on the mattress next to my head, supporting his weight while he was hovering in over me. His right knee was in-between my legs and I could feel his breath hit my lips. My pulse drummed in my ears and I could feel warmth bubbling in my cheeks.

He was way too close to me and I couldn't avoid reacting to him.

All I could hear was our quick breathing and my drumming of my pulse while I stared at him, unsure of what to do next. I swallowed thickly when I noticed the faint color of red in his cheeks. With his grey eyes staring into mine, I wanted to tell him. I wanted to tell him everything, spill my deepest secret to him and pray that he just felt slightly the same.

I parted my lips, ready to blurt out everything but I never got to speak a word because of the familiar tune of his phone ringing in the background. I held my breath as he blinked and realized that it was his phone.

''Sorry, I gotta-''

''Yeah.'' I mumbled while he let go of my arm and awkwardly got up.

I got up while he rushed to his bag and started to search for his phone. I took a deep breath and looked down while trying to calm down. What was I thinking? I sighed and looked back up, watching him as we he was talking on his phone.

His concerned expression worried me.

''What's wrong?'' I asked once he had finished the call.

''It was Subaru. He said the police might have caught the killer.''

''Might have?''

''They have a suspect in custody; they just don't have any evidence to keep him there. Subaru was asking for you to come down and take a look at him.''

''So, he wants me to identify him.'' I swallowed.

''Yes.''

I remembered the dark eyes watching me, the cruel smile on pale lips. Leather gloves, the faint bruises they had left and the sight of a blade glistering in the moonlight.

Then I remembered his voice.

''Lena?''

I shuddered and looked back at Kaiji, remembering where I was. His expression was worried.

''If you don't want to then-''

''No. If it's him, then I want him locked away. I'm just…'' I took a deep breath and watched as he nodded.

''Of course. Don't worry, I won't leave your side.'' He smiled his usual reassuring smile and I felt myself melt a bit.

''Thanks.'' I smiled faintly before exhaling. ''Let's get it over with then.''

He nodded and grabbed his bag.

The police station seemed unusually quiet compared to how busy I had thought it would be. A lot of the desks were empty but a few policemen were scattered through the office, most of them typing away on computers. They genuinely looked bored but a few of them seemed to be quite swallowed up by their work and didn't even notice us pass them. The office had a distinctive smell of coffee with a twist of gunpowder.

I was still looking around as I followed Kaiji and a police officer through the room and then down a hallway. They seemed to be acquainted but he wasn't the friend he had mentioned back in the beginning of this mess.

''It's in here. Now remember, he can't see you or hear you.'' The policeman spoke while looking at me. Once I nodded, he opened the door to a dark room.

It was small and dark, the air a bit thick, and Kaiji was the first to step inside. I followed him nervously and chewed on my lip while my eyes drifted to what I knew was a one-way mirror. We could see through it but on the other side it was just a reflection. The class was still dark and I couldn't see anything on the other side.

''We're starting the questioning in five minutes.'' The policeman spoke from the door before it was closed.

We stood alone in the darkness, only a faintly glowing lamp above us provided some light. It was fine though, I didn't need him to see how much of a nervous wreck I was.

''You alright?'' Kaiji hummed softly and looked at me, his eyebrows furrowed a bit in worry.

''Yes.'' I mumbled and then took a deep mouth full of air. I wasn't alright at all. My pulse was racing, leaving my heart to race against my ribcage and I could feel my head getting heavy. I was scared and nervous.

''Don't lie.'' He grumbled before sighing audibly. ''I know this isn't easy.''

I closed my eyes as I listened to him but I didn't know what to tell him. ''Sorry.'' I mumbled after a while.

''Here.'' His voice was surprisingly soft while his hand calmly found mine in the darkness. He gave my hand a reassuringly squeeze. ''It's alright, I'm here with you.''

I inhaled deeply while I felt my body beginning to shake and I gripped his hand tightly. We both stayed quiet as we waited the last minute or two before the light was turned on in the other room. It was then I saw him.

I stared at the man who was talking to two police officers. His hair was pitch black and a ruffled mess. His panicked eyes darted from officer to officer and he had dark circles beneath them. He looked like he hadn't slept in days. He looked young, scared, like he wasn't supposed to be here. When he started to speak, his voice was as panicked as his expression as he stuttered his way through short sentences.

Something was wrong.

One of the officers stood up and left the room, seconds later, the door opened and he stepped into the room we were in.

''Miss Wood?''

I nodded when he addressed me.

''Do you recognize him?''

''I-um…'' I looked back at the suspect. ''Maybe. I'm not sure.''

''I need a yes or no here.''

I felt Kaiji watch me as I looked back at the suspect. I wanted to give the officer an answer but I couldn't decide. It looked like him but then again, he didn't. I chewed on my lip while I studied him, hoping to remember something that would help. It was then the man inside moved his gaze for just a second. It was quick but he was suddenly looking straight at me, as if he knew I was standing behind the glass. His eyes were hard and cold while a wicked smirk tugged the corners of his mouth slightly before disappearing again. It all went by in a flash but it was long enough to startle me and I took a step back.

''Lena?'' Kaiji hummed my name when I suddenly moved.

''I, um, I have to use the bathroom.'' I looked up at him and mumbled a bit quickly, desperate to get out of the room.

''It's down the hall and to the left.'' He sighed after nodding. ''Give her five minutes.'' He spoke, now addressing the officer.

I let out a soft exhale once the officer nodded faintly and I didn't hesitate to get out of the room. My pulse quickened once I got out of it and I half ran to the bathroom while hoping that it would be empty. Despite it, I didn't bother to check once I had pushed the heavy door open and stepped inside the ladies room. It was like a regular public bathroom with stalls but it looked nice and clean.

I hurried to the sink and let the water run for a few second before cupping my hands under it and splashing it in my face. I shivered because of the coldness and let out a sharp sigh.

''Get yourself together.'' I whispered to myself and closed my eyes. I could feel my body shake as the panic was settling in. That look and smirk. I took a deep inhale. It was so crooked and frightening that I couldn't keep myself from being scared.

One of the stall doors opened behind me and I cursed silently that I hadn't checked before letting myself freak out. Letting out a small sigh again, I felt my face redden out of embarrassment while I opened my eyes and looked in the mirror.

My eyes met a pair of familiar ones.

''Miss Wood.''

I froze in fear as I continued to stare at the man who was standing behind me.

''Nice seeing you again.'' He smiled while his dark eyes studied my frightened expression in the mirror.

I turned around quickly and felt my heart rise to my throat.

It was him.

''You're…'' I swallowed thickly.

''Oh, you do remember me. I'm surprised you haven't identified my brother then.'' He smiled.

''He's your brother…'' I breathed and briefly closed my eyes. It explained why he was familiar but something was different about him. Of course.

''Seems like our plan worked. Not that I doubted it, really. People like you are pretty easy to figure out.''

I stayed silent while he simply started at me with this wry smile of his. It wasn't until he took a step closer that I finally spoke.

''Stop!'' I blurted out while trying to back away but my back was already against the sink I had just used.

''You won't get away this time, miss Wood. And I'll probably get some revenge on that bodyguard of yours.'' He sneered the last part.

I remembered the gun shot then. If he held that contempt against Kaiji, it was probably because he hit him then. I took a deep breath while trying to guess where he might have been injured. He was standing normally, so it was probably on his upper body. My eyes flickered down his frame but there was nothing out of the ordinary. Just a shirt and a jacket. My little flicker of hope died out and it must have been obvious in my expression.

''Oh? Seems like you've accepted the circumstances.'' He smiled.

I remained silent again until he quickly moved and I yelped when his hands closed around my throat. I grabbed his hands in panic, somehow thinking that maybe I stop him but my strength was no match for his. I struggled with breathing while his eyes never left mine, even as I dragged my nails across his skin he didn't even flinch.

For some reason, I got angry. I got angry because the self-defense Kaiji had taught me was useless in the current situation. I couldn't explain why, but for some reason, I reacted by punching him on his right arm, the same place I had punched Kaiji back then. Much to my surprise, he hissed in pain and his hands withdrew from my throat. I fell down to my knees while I gasped and panted for air, tears pressing on, and he clutched his arm painfully.

''You little shit.'' He hissed and glared daggers at me.

I struggled to get up on my feet as I judged this to be my chance for escape. I got about halfway when my shoulder was grabbed and I was yanked around. I barely saw the fist headed towards my face before I moved quickly. When we both realized that I had just dodged his punch, he looked as surprised as I was.

''Very well.'' He smirked and his right hand went to his back and brought out a knife. The blade glistened in the pale light as he lashed out but I dropped down and moved behind him. He turned around with a furious expression and quickly walked towards me while I stepped backwards.

Soon enough, my back bumped against the wall and what little confidence I had gained was gone again. I felt the wetness of tears then as they fell down my cheeks while I listened to my own panicked breathing. My mind was blank but I desperately searched for something to do while he drew closer. It was hopeless though and the knife was quickly coming for me again. I made a foolish attempt at a dodge and I paid the price by feeling the tip slice my arm. I let out a scream and slumped down on the floor while my hand went to cover the long cut. It wasn't deep but the blood had already started to drip from it and my panic only got worse from the pain.

My left hand tightened around the wound and I looked down, forcing myself to see how bad it was. It was a ridicules thought, the chances of survival seemed pretty slim by now so worrying about the wound was unnecessary. Despite it, I still looked but my eyes quickly fell longer down and stopped at the watch I was wearing.

It was then I remembered what that watch was and quickly pressed every single button. I couldn't remember which one was what so I quickly just pressed all of them, hoping it would work.

''Now, any last words?'' He hummed as he looked down on me.

I felt my body shake out of fear and looked up at him, trying to think of a way to stall time by just a bit.

''Was it you who killed that man?''

''Why should I bother telling you anything? You won't be around much longer yourself.'' He frowned.

''Because, I can't think of anything else.'' I lied and took a shaky breath when he didn't look too convinced. I bit my lip in frustration and moved my hand back up to the wound. It stung as I touched it but I didn't move my hand.

''Too bad. You've already wasted enough of my time.'' His free hand grabbed my arm and pulled me up on my feet.

I cringed because of the pain but I quickly forgot about it when he leaned closer to me. I could smell his breath as he pressed the knife's blade against my throat. I stood still in fear and closed my eyes out of the same reason but they only stayed close for a few seconds. Both our glances flew to the door when it was kicked open and while I watched Kaiji run inside, gun already pointed at us, the man infront of me moved. I was yanked forwards while the man moved behind me. The blade was still pressed against my throat as my wide eyes met Kaiji's.

''Lena!'' Kaiji shouted my name from the door and his grip on the gun tightened.

''Your bloody timing is starting to piss me off.'' The man sneered and pressed me further up against him. ''Change of plans.'' He muttered.

''Let her go.''

''Not a chance boy. You listen to me now or I'll slice her throat.'' His breath hit my ear. ''Lower the gun.''

''Kaiji…'' I mumbled in fear and raised my head, hoping to distance myself from the knife but nothing helped. My other hand was still clutching my injured arm.

''You're hurt.''

''It's just a cut.'' I huffed.

''Stay still, you're going to be okay.'' He spoke calmly while he obeyed and lowered the gun.

''Good boy. Now, we're going back into the front room where the cops will release my brother. Then we will walk out of here and you'll stay put.''

''And you'll leave her alone?''

''If the cops leave us alone then I have no quarrel with this young lady. But if they don't, we won't stop until she's dead.'' He tightened the grip around my arm and I let out a groan.

''Why should I trust you?'' Kaiji narrowed his eyes.

''Because you don't have a choice if you want your girlfriend to live. Now, what's it going to be?''

Our eyes met again.

''Don't do it…'' I mumbled.

''What?''

''Don't do it! They've killed people and they're criminals, you can't let them walk away.''

He went silent while his expression turned sad and the sight of it made my heart break in two.

''Sorry, Lena. I can't let you die either.''

I closed my eyes.

''I'll take that as a yes then.'' I could hear the smirk in the man's voice.

After a few minutes, I was standing in the front room of the police station with several of the officers staring at me. The knife was still biting my throat and the man was behind me as well. Kaiji was watching me like a hawk while having a troubled expression which fit the situation quite well.

''Your bodyguard over there is eyeing us quite obviously.'' He whispered after leaning closer to me.

''Of course, he's my bodyguard.'' I breathed and stayed still. I knew the blade would pierce my skin if I moved the slightest.

''Really? So there's nothing going on between you two?'' I closed my eyes in frustration when his breath hit my ear as he whispered again. ''He's looking at me as if he wants to kill me.''

''You're standing with a knife against my throat, of course he's not going to look at you kindly.'' I huffed while I felt my face heat up and I opened my eyes again.

The man was right though. The way Kaiji was currently looking at him was even making me a bit scared at that point. Even so, his glance softened once our eyes met and I watched as he let out a soft breath. He looked pained and I opened my mouth to say something that could perhaps calm him but I had no idea what to tell him. In the end, I wasn't even able to say something as everyone's attention moved the two officers and the man they escorted into the room.

The tension in the room intensified drastically and it was as if everything held their breath.

''Kagami is here now, so let her go.'' Kaiji stood up straight and his expression turned serious again.

''I'm not doing anything before he's over here.''

''And I'm not releasing him before you've handed her over.''

''So what are you suggesting?''

''On three?''

It made the man behind me chuckle softly. ''Good, let's be childish then.''

Kaiji nodded at the officer who was standing next to Kagami and the officer lowered their arm from his shoulder. At the same time, the knife against my throat was lowered as well and I was pushed forwards. I felt my legs shake as I almost ran straight to Kaiji but the agreement was that both me and Kagami were supposed to walk. That was the deal. My heart was racing against my ribcage as I walked across the room and with each step I took; I wanted to cry more and more. Despite it, I managed to keep it at a minimum and simply felt my lip quiver and blinked the tears away.

Once I was halfway, I let out a shaky breath and closed my eyes for a split second.

''He's got my gun!''

I turned around when someone yelled and faced Kagami. The sight of him pointing at me with a gun made me freeze completely and everything stopped around me. I didn't hear Kaiji yell but I heard the sudden sound of a gunshot. During the following seconds, I waited for the pain to settle in while a voice in my head told me that this was it, this would be how I died. But I never registered any pain and instead I watched as Kagami buckled with a grimace and fell down, the gun dropping from his hand. I heard Kaiji shouting my name and I finally got myself to turn around and meet his eyes.

He was standing with his gun aimed in my direction and was breathing quickly. I opened my mouth to say his name but once I did, my voice was toned out by another gunshot. My body jumped by the sudden sound but what I saw next was a much bigger fright.

Kaiji fell.

''No… no…'' I breathed and then started running while a third gunshot made my ears ring but I didn't look around for it. ''Kaiji!'' I screamed his name as loud as I could and dropped down beside him on the floor while chaos erupted around me. I forgot about the two men behind me and the pain in my arm and all my focus went to Kaiji.

''Call for an ambulance!''

''Check them!''

The shouting continued behind me while I found myself on my knees beside him, pressing my hands against his chest and watched as his white shirt turned crimson.

''No, no! Don't do this to me, Kaiji!'' I shouted in fear and anger. Tears blurred my vision but I didn't care. All I could do was watching and feeling the blood seep out between my fingers and staining my clothes.

''Don't you dare die! Don't you dare die because of me!'' I shouted again and pressed harder down on his chest while sobbing loudly. ''You can't die, Kaiji! We're not done yet!'' Our life together flashed before my eyes while the warm blood smeared my hands. His blood. Oh god, it was his blood.

''Kaiji!'' I shouted when I realized he wasn't responding.

Why was there so much blood?

''Please.'' I was reduced to sobbing loudly now. ''Please don't die on me. I love you too much for you to die!'' I sobbed.

''How's he doing?''

''Shot in the chest. He's bleeding profusely. They need to ready blood transplant as soon as we get there.''

I registered the two men beside me now and a third who was addressing me but I refused to listen to him. It wasn't until then that I heard the sirens outside.

''Miss, you're gonna have to move so we can get him to the hospital.'' The third man put a hand on my shoulder as he spoke, trying to sound calm.

''I'm not leaving him!'' I yelled back, even surprising myself with how angry I sounded.

''Get her away on three, then put pressure on the wound again.''

The hand on my shoulder turned into a grip and it started to pull me away.

''No! Stop it!'' I cried out but I wasn't strong enough to fight the pulling.

''Calm down miss.'' The man groaned as he held me back.

I sobbed his name and watched as they started working on him and preparing to take him to the hospital.

''Wood! What the hell happened?!''

I turned my head reluctantly when someone called my name and saw Subaru standing beside me, breathing quickly.

''I-I-I don't know… guns… and Kaiji, we have to help him!'' I shouted panicked and went to pass him but he grabbed me before I could.

''They're taking him to the hospital. I'll drive and you can explain what-hey, you're bleeding!'' His eyes had moved from my face down to my bloodstained arm. He looked at me again with a serious but worried expression. ''I'll take you to the hospital first and then we'll have someone look at you first. Kaiji will kill me if something happens to you.''

The mention of his name made me sob loudly.

''Okay, okay! Calm down! He's going to be okay. There's no way he's-''

''He was shot in the chest, Subaru! In his chest! That's… If they can't-''

''They can and they will. Come on, give him some credit. If he finds out that you didn't believe in him, he's never going to forget that.'' He sighed and found a small smile to show me.

I swallowed thickly while nodding. ''I'm just… I'm so scared…. I don't know what I'll do if-''

''I told you, stop thinking like that and let's go. We need to get your arm checked and treated.'' His voice was hard and I could easily tell that he wouldn't accept a no from me.

I stiffened my quivering lip and let out a soft breath before looking up at him.

''Okay.'' I finally mumbled.