Daryl's PoV

Yui fell asleep almost instantly despite her stubborn attitude.

"..."

Silently and carefully, I lifted her up onto the bed. Her hands were still bind, but it'll definitely be better than sleeping on the floor.

Her long eyelashes can cast a shadow and her rosy lips were slightly part. Those lips that I keep on wanting to kiss....

She may look more peaceful and less fierce in her sleep, but it's far from vulnerable. It's like she's ready to wake up any second. That must be exhausting.

Is it because of... us? That she's so insecure?

Shaking it off, I left the room. I can easily pull all-nighters due to my works.

As I passed dad's office, I heard voices. I intended to just walk by until I heard:

"If you dislike him that much, why is Daryl still here, sir?"

That was definitely Darren. I came to a halt, straining my ears and listening to their conversation. I was trained professionally to eavesdrop. I can even read lips.

"I hate to say it, but he does make contributions, which is extremely annoying. It doesn't give me an excuse to get rid of him...." Father spoke. I didn't feel surprised in any way. I already know he hates me for absolutely no reason, but as a group leader, he should consider the members before himself. I do make a lot of our profits.

"Uncle, don't you believe that I can do much better if you make me in charge?" Darren says. And I know he's probably pushing his arm muscles now.

"Of course I do! You'll rule just as good as I am now!"

That hit me. Father at least knew how to make war plans, Darren doesn't even have two brain cells in that empty head of his, he's only going to lead us to doom.

"But as long as Daryl is here--" Darren started, and I knew what he is going to say. They can't explain to the public why his nephew took his place instead of his son.

"I know," father says, I can sense him smiling in arrogance, "we can just simply... get rid of him."

This time, my eyebrows furrowed. I knew he never liked me, but he wants me... dead?

"We've already got the Ice Dragons' heir in our hands, what could possibly go wrong now that we still need that piece?" he chuckled darkly. A shiver went through me as my reflexes quickly came to me.

"Uncle... you're saying that, we'll find a time to...?" Darren pushed further, just to clarify.

No.... No, he can't be.... No matter how much he hates me... he won't—

"...kill him."

Yui's PoV

When I woke up, it was still dark. I don't think I slept for long.

Shuffling around a bit, I realize that I'm in comfortable bed sheets even though my arms are bind.

"Well, even my own father wants me dead now."

I quickly froze and closed my eyes again when someone walked in through the door while muttering. That's... Daryl? What's he talking about?

"You're lucky you at least have a complete family, Yui." He murmured, probably thinking that I'm still asleep. He must've lifted me onto the bed. He left it for me after all.

I decided to keep on the act.

I heard his footsteps retreat to the windows, I'm guessing he's gazing out of them.

"Heh... everything that I've worked for up until now, was all a lie. I was never but a tool to him. I was naive to think I could prove myself by hard work." He continues, even though mumbling, I can still hear.

My eyelids lifted a little, only to get completely startled when he was leaning onto the bed with his arms, peering into my face, like he knew all along that I was just faking it.

"What kind of heir am I if I can't even tell if someone's really asleep or not?" he says mockingly at himself.

"But it doesn't matter what I do now. They're killing you, too." He says, with a serious gaze.

"...Too?" I ask.

"You, and... me." He says, in a strangely calm voice.

"Then... you should leave this place. You don't wanna die, do you?" I gather my thoughts and sit up from my position, shaking my head so the loose strands of hair got out of my face.

He looked down, the shadows hid his face.

"If you're thinking you've failed your mother..." I started to say, his head shot up at my sudden words, "wouldn't she be happier if you kept on living... even for her?"

I could barely look him in the eye, I'm not sure if I'm helping or just making matters worse.

"Nothing can guarantee that you'll avenge her if you do keep living; but if you die here, there's a hundred percent change that you never will!" I was feeling slightly angry at him for giving up so easily, even if it were for just a brief moment.

"Isn't she the most important person in your life? Then is she that easy to give up on?" I taunted further for god knows why.

"Of course not...." His voice was barely audible as I just slapped him to realization with my arms bind.

"But... the Ice Dragons are the ones who murdered her." His gaze turned sharp again as he states.

"And who did you hear that from?" I calmly raise an eyebrow at him.

His widened eyes told me his father informed him that way, which was probably just another lie.

~~

Soryu's PoV

"Arian, listen. I want you--"

"Soryu, if you're telling me to stay out here and wait I will literally slap you awake until you let me go with you."

My eyes snapped to her in surprise. She has never been this fierce. Her eyes were practically burning as she stared up at the building in front of us.

"It's all good!" Mei Ling gave a light hit on my shoulder, "I'll be out here."

I felt a smile tug at my lips, "Fine, but stay close to me."

Just like that, the two of us proceed on sneaking inside the building.

"So... um... what's your plan?" a few minutes passed, and the usual panicky Arian was back.

"Break in, get Yui, and break out." I say matter-of-factly.

"Erm.... And... if we get caught?" She asks, and I feel her tight grip on my sleeve.

Silently, I reach for my jacket pocket. She put a hand on my arm, stopping me from doing so.

"I get your point, Soryu...."

Yui's PoV

"Why... are you saying all this to me...?" his eyes still closed in frustration, he leaned down against the bed, his head hung down.

As much as I want to deny it by saying 'I'm just saying what I thought', or some other excuse. I knew I won't be completely honest, and my voice will surely give it away.

He looked up at me after I haven't said anything for seconds. I held his gaze. My lips were slightly parted, but I can't manage to say anything.

After what seemed like minutes of silence, he finally broke eye contact. I can see the edges of his lips slightly curved.

"...just for that...." I heard him mumble under his breath.

"What?"

"I'll do something for you that I've never done for anyone else." His smile looked so genuine as he looked up at me again, my breath hitched in my throat.

"I'll face the consequences." He added in a whisper. Moving slightly closer, he started to untie my bind arms.

"Oh... is this what you're talking about...?" when my arms were free, instead of fighting back, I hardly moved.

"No... I meant as in, giving you something no one has ever received from me."

The look in his eyes were different than any before as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. Just as I was about to get a wrong idea, he stood up straight.

We both heard it at the same time.

"...was that... gun fire?"

Not wasting another moment, I got off of the bed. Daryl dashed for the door, on his way, snatching a gun of his own.

"Charge at him!" as soon as Daryl opened the door, I heard a yell.

I followed Daryl downstairs. He stood still on the staircases, I stood two steps behind him.

There I saw dad, shooting his gun, all the while protecting mom, who ducked down behind him, covering her ears.

Why the hell did mom come in with him?!

Daryl's PoV

"Charge at him!" as soon as I opened the door, I heard father's booming voice echo throughout the entire house. I immediately locate the sound source that was from the downstairs living room.

I glanced behind me, Yui just ran out.

When I got to the living room, the place was a mess.

Members of our group were being forced to take on Soryu Oh while father gave commands from far behind them. He's using them completely as a human-shield for himself.

A woman ducked behind Soryu as he was shooting at people's arms and legs, trying his best not to take any lives.

I stood still on the staircase, not that I'm shocked frozen on the spot, I was observing the situation.

My hand clutched onto the gun as I watched people trying to stop him but kept on failing since they aren't an equal match against him.

He's not shooting anyone to their death, but who knows. Even the best shooters can miss sometimes, and if he does, that'll be a life.

Who is that woman beside him? She's being a burden to him. He can't focus if he needs to protect someone.

Suddenly, a figure dashed past me down the stairs. My eyes widened when I realized Yui just ran to the woman's side, unarmed. She might get hit by a stray bullet!

Just as I quickly descended down the stairs to the last step, another gun fire was heard. The gun in Soryu's hands was knocked out to the other side of the room. His eyebrows knitted together and I can tell he just broke out a cold sweat.

"Not so fancy now, are you?" father's voice rung as he held up a pistol. Soryu had no choice but to put his hands up so he wouldn't shoot.

Yui also had her hands up, but her eyes were searching. All of a sudden, they met mine. I can tell she's wondering why I was hiding behind the wall, in father's blind spot.

My face was blank as her eyes widened. She probably guessed.

What I wanted to give her...

Was trust.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Welp I apologize for the delay I was just lazy xP and writers block of course

Thnx for reading & tell me what you think

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--Lily

Edited: June 16, 2016