"Kuro." I said facing her.

She fixed her eyes on me for a moment before looking down.

It was just the two of us sitting in the tent, with nothing but a folding table and a hanging white dizzying light between us.

"I am sorry." I said, not knowing how to start.

Silence.

This would have just been a regular chat, if Kuro's hands weren't chained to the back of her chair and the tent wasn't tapped in. But after what Kuro had attempted, precautionary measures were only understandable, and I somewhat feel guilty too, because I was the one who led her to be captured in the first place too. So at this point, I really don't see any point in lying, and if honesty fails, then I really don't have much to say:

"I know you probably don't trust me at this point, which is understandable, but we need your help."

Kuro didn't respond, and the only sound came from the shifting of her chains.

"I know you don't trust the military, and you probably don't trust me, but we have one goal in common."
She looked up, her expression unreadable.

"We both want to defeat Soulsteel."

"How?" she said with a perplexed voice.

"Together of course. You know where he is hiding right?"

Kuro knitted her brows, but her posture remained as still as a statue, she stared at me and I stared back, waiting what she has to say. To be honest I could stare at her cute face all day, and it took all the seriousness inside me not to blush. And maybe perhaps what felt like several minutes or several eternities, Kuro finally spoke:

"Indeed, but what does it matter if I know? We are only going there to die."

"We have the manpower, he have the numbers. If we miss this opportunity Soulsteel will be, gonna be, long gone!"

"Give me one reason why I should trust someone who destroyed my home base?"

I pressed my lips and thought for a moment then spoke:

"You don't, because I am your enemy. Now, do you trust what I just said then?"

Kuro took a long look at me, then with a sigh she spoke:

"Very well, I will cooperate but promise me one thing."

"What is it?"

"Take me with you."

"That can be arranged." I said, trying to sound firm.

"And more thing."

"Yes?"

"I will be the one to put the last bullet in him."

I leaned back and crossed my arms for a moment then said with a grin:

"That's if you can beat me to it then."

***

Kuro revealed Soulsteel's hiding spot, 'the most likely place he would cower,' and was granted permission to come as a guide, though she was banned from using her MS. So here I was then, stuck outside the tent and waiting for her to be dressed and prepared. A moment later she stepped out.

"Dang." I blurted out.

Now out of her patient gown, she wore an all black tank top and mini jacket to short jeans and combat boots. And on her back hung a single sleek black military sniper rifle.

"It's rude to stare you know," she said.

"Sorry." I turned away and saw Isa coming.

"Fresh meat." Isa said with contempt, I gulped.

"And you," Isa pointed her chin at Kuro. "If you betray us, you will be the first to become dead meat." Isa glared at her, and surprisingly Kuro returned the glare. The sheer pressure generated from the stare down was so strong, I felt like a crumpled soda can despite standing several meters away, luckily a voice called out and I was released from the pressure:

"Sir, your MS and the equipment is ready now. We are ready to move sir!" Rumble saluted, then his solid expression crumbled as he realized he stepped in the middle of a bad time.

"Good, assemble at main gate in 15." Isa said then turned and left, once she was out of ear shot Rumble spoke:

"Damn, how do you put up with her all the time man?" Rumble turned to me, then noticed Kuro standing behind. Then in a blink of an eye, Rumble hooked me under his arm, and dragged me several steps away from Kuro then whispered:

"Is that the rebel girl they brought in yesterday? Damn, she cute!"

"Yeah, yeah. Alright just be quiet now." I said breaking free of his arm lock.
"What are you talking about? If you're not making a move, then just sit back and watch, and learn." Rumble patted me on the shoulder and walked up to Kuro.

"Yo, you can call me Rumble!" he pointed a thumb at himself, "I'm Kard's boss, and I own that little bastard!"
Kuro just stared, completely unfazed. And I was just standing there watching like:

Naw mate, just naw...

"So what do you like babe? Biceps? Six pack?" Rumble flexed, and shinning his perfect white teeth.

This was now getting somewhat painful to watch, and Kuro seemed even less impressed now. Realizing how south the mood has gone, Rumble cleared his throat and resumed his regular posture again:

"So...what do you do for hobby?"

"Killing people."

I was speechless on that one as well.
"Uhh...what is your favorite food?"

Rumble asked with sweat dripping from his cheek.

She paused for a second then said:

"Tea."

That was pretty normal.

"So do you have any...other hobbies?"
Kuro used her hand to support her chin for a moment before replying:

"Practicing Judo, I like the crisp sound of bones breaking." Kuro said it calmly with a straight face.

"Damn! She's scary Kard! Why do you always hang around scary women?"

Rumble cried, as he cowered and took shelter behind my back. I guess I really can't blame him for his cowardice, cause she can pretty scary even when she is not trying to be, which brought up an interesting question, who would win in a 1v1? Kuro or Isa?

But regardless, on a mission to settle the score with our common foe and in a battle that may just be my last, the only thing to do before then is; let me use the washroom.

Q: Do you know any tough women irl?