Chapter 3

Rin had never been interested in wearing makeup before, but as soon as she entered the bar she dashed into Kusanagi's room to dab some concealer on her face. Her bruises hid fairly well, although tomorrow morning would be another story. She anticipated they would turn an angry purple color by then.

With a sigh, Rin unzipped her bag, digging around for the rubbing alcohol she kept in her bag. She sat down on the edge of Kusanagi's bed, and poured a thin stream of it across the cut on her arm. It stung and began to fizz inside her wound, and she let out hiss of pain.

The glass had, surprisingly, cut it cleanly. There were no flaps of skin hanging loosely that she needed to take care of. Once more, she searched her bag for some antiseptic cream, something she was running low on once more, and applied it gently to the gash. Rin made a sound of frustration as blood continued to leak out, mixing with the cream and tingeing her arm slightly pink, and she searched her bag until she found a roll of bandages.

Rin stared down at her arm, and ran a hand through her hair in frustration. She had been so close today.

She had been tracking the Niaka gang ever since she had seen him that day under the bridge. She could recall the taste of whiskey on her tongue, and the stench from the garbage that had littered the underpass where she had slept. She could hear his voice, light with laughter, in her ears, and could feel the tip of his boot biting into her ribs.

That had been the day Rin decided to put an end to this. While there was no more she could do for Ayami, she was at least able to rid the world of this street urchin who took lives with such ease.

She stared down at the white bandages in her hand, and her eyes softened. Rin could still feel small, soft fingers wrapping these very bandages gently around her knuckles, and tying them in a delicate knot. She could almost hear a high-pitched voice giggling, "Oneesan, must you always try to fix things yourself?" White blonde hair and blue eyes flashed across her eyelids for second, and her laughter seemed to echo in Rin's ears.

Her hands clenched into fists, and Rin closed her eyes, gritting her teeth. Now was not the time to think about her.

After months of keeping tabs on them, she had been able to track them to a decrepit abandoned warehouse near the harbor a few weeks ago. Now that she was a part of HOMRA, she was hoping she would be able to get closer than last time.

There had been some old machinery between the warehouse and another building, and she had climbed on top of these in order to wedge herself through a window on the second floor. The glass pane had shattered long ago, but she was able to carefully clamber through without much problem, taking care to hide her bag as best she could on top of the machines.

She had tumbled onto a metal landing that looked down onto the warehouse. At this time of day it had been close to empty, but she knew he was there. She could see his dark hair under the baseball cap, and had had to dig her nails into her palms to keep her from launching herself at him then and there.

Constantly, she had to remind herself for patience. Patience, because she would only get one chance at this. Patience, because she wanted to have the time to make sure he was absolutely dead; that she could watch the life leave his eyes by her bare hands.

But Rin had not stayed low enough, and as she crawled hurriedly back through the window before their security could get their hands on her, she had sliced through her arm. There had been no time to treat it. As fast as she could, Rin had slid off the machines and took off running in the opposite direction.

The door to Kusanagi's room was ajar, and Rin could hear voices growing louder in the hallway, jolting her back to the task at hand. Hastily, she began wrapping the bandage around the gash, growling in annoyance as the blood already began to seep through the cloth.

"We can clean out the room on the 2nd floor that was Fushimi's. Nobody's touched it really since..." Rin recognized Kusanagi's voice trailing off, along with the deep rumble of agreement that had to come from Mikoto.

"Shit," She muttered, and tucked arm behind her back just as Kusanagi opened the door.

He looked somewhat surprised to see her sitting on his bed, but smiled amiably. "Ah, Tachibana-san, we were just going to fix up a room for you on the second floor."

She raised her free hand behind her head, making sure to keep her injured arm tucked out of sight, "Mm? Arigatou gozaimasu! That's very hospitable of you. " She smiled. As she opened her eyes, she noticed a pair of red mary-janes peeking out from behind Kusanagi, and raised her eyes to meet a pair of ruby ones.

At once, Rin felt a sharp pang in her chest, but she squashed it down and smiled, "Nice to meet you. I'm Tachibana Rin. You're Anna, right?"

She had acted rudely this morning to the young girl, though it had been out of surprise rather than dislike, and was determined to properly introduce herself. However, she was also keenly aware of the bandage that was slowly loosening around her arm.

Anna's voice was different from Ayami's, but just as soft. "Hai, hajimemashite."

A tall figure moved behind her, and Anna glanced up into the face of Mikoto Suoh. His voice, always low and controlled, slid over her skin as soft as velvet and caused gooseflesh to rise. "Anna, grab your things."

Her face broke out into a small smile, and she ducked out underneath his arms toward the bedroom down the hall.

Kusanagi turned towards the door as well. "You can just move your stuff to the next floor whenever you get the chance."

"Hai," Rin nodded, turning her back to the door as they exited. She waited a moment longer before letting out the breath she had been holding, and then brought her arm in front of her once more. It was already soaked in two places, and looked as if a two year old had applied it. Carefully, she began unwrapping it, irritated that she had to start over again.

Heavy footsteps behind her caused her to freeze what she was doing. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, and she was too terrified to look up to see who was behind her. Large hands passed over hers and began the process unwrapping her cut. His fingers, calloused and rough, were gentle as he applied a new bandage. She already knew by the scent of tobacco and the powerful aura he exuded whom it was who was standing inches away from her.

And still she could not raise her head.

His voice seemed to rumble in his chest. "Who did this?"

Rin spoke to the floor tonelessly, "I fell when I was out for a walk."

She watched his hands tie a single knot, then dropped to his sides. He paused for a second longer before turning and walking towards the door.

Her heart was racing, and Rin spun around to face him. "U-uh, thank you," she stuttered.

Mikoto paused, and Rin was particularly aware of how his presence seemed to fill the room. He turned to meet her gaze, then his eyes shifted and lingered a second longer on the right side of her face.

He took a long drag of his cigarette, and turned back toward the door.

Author's Note: Thank you to those who continue to read and follow this story. I'm sorry it's so short, but I got distracted by homework and then seemed to lose my inspiration! Not to worry, I'll be back with another chapter soon enough. Please review!