The Gensai family was a powerful one that extended its power to its only members; Michi and Sora Gensai, father and son. They were in control of many lives, including the lives of the wealthy and the poor. No one was out of their reach because they held information. Whether it be by blackmail, forceful threats of social isolation, or other means, they could control another's life.

Thus, when Sora would walk through the hallways of his estate, he would often receive peculiar looks. They were sizing him up. It wasn't certain he would be as his father was, and some wished to take advantage of that. However, he was not a coward, and he was certainly not a fool. If he needed to put someone in place, he would, but he would make a show of it first. Blood would be spilled for such insolence, but that was what made it fun for him. Otherwise, he would just be wasting his time.

So there he stood, over the man that was spitting up blood. Although it had drawn a large crowd, the fight hadn't lasted long. The ravenette that was victorious glared down at the man cowering at his feet, begging for forgiveness, but he wasn't going to reach that male's deaf ears. There was no mercy for betraying the ravenette or his father, everyone knew that. This man was no different, but he had no choice. He couldn't live in subjugation any longer, fearful of what would happen to his family.

"Please, I have a little girl, she - "

"Then I'll tell her that her father was a cowardly fool," Sora spat, crushing the man's skull with his boot, "How dare you put your filthy hands on me. In all of your lifetime, you wouldn't be able to dream of comparin' to me! You should consider yourself lucky that you picked a fight with me, not my father."

"Someone's in a bad mood," the (h/c) haired girl said, narrowing her eyes at the way the ravenette put himself above others, "Are you cranky this morning?"

Sora couldn't help but snap at the girl's insufferable attitude. He'd had enough to deal with without having her harp on him. Not being able to handle his rage, he ignored the man he'd defeated just temporarily. Instead, he focused his attention on the irksome female that had casually walked into his presence. He grabbed at her collar, but she didn't flinch, giving him a curious look as if she didn't believe he'd do anything.

"This has nothin' to do with you," the male growled, closing the proximity between the two in order to convey his point to her effectively.

"So you are cranky," the girl chuckled, putting her finger on his nose, "Boop. Feel better?"

The ravenette, quite taken aback, let go of her and covered where she'd touched him. There was a murmuring in the room, some of the members beginning to chuckle at the red blush appearing on his cheeks although it was only out of embarrassment. His mind began to spin at the rumors circulating from that one action the girl had taken. He didn't like it. He didn't like it at all. At that rate, his image was going to change, and he couldn't have that. After all, he'd worked so hard to keep everyone else terrified of his mere presence.

Thus, in an attempt to cover his shame, he grabbed onto the girl's wrist and dragged her out of the room, determined to get away from the rumors. As he did so, the (h/c) haired girl giggled, making him wonder what had gotten into her. That being said, it was a refreshing change of pace from the women he'd always been surrounded with. She didn't seem like a woman to him just yet. More like a little girl whose eyes are too innocent to grow up.

Reaching an empty room, he shoved her inside and closed the door behind himself, giving a scowl to her as he crossed his arms over his chest. She only tilted her head, putting her hands behind her back as she smiled. This confused him greatly, and threw him off, too. Not too long ago, she'd been a confident and feisty person, yet now, she was displaying what looked like kindness. It was unnerving, to say the least.

"What's up with you?" he asked, skeptically.

"Just in a good mood," she answered, beginning to observe the room, letting her eyes wander from object to object, "I was also a bit worried about you. It seemed like something Asuka said bothered you."

"It didn't bother me," the male scoffed, casting his gaze down to the side, "If you act all nice like that, someone's gonna end up takin' advantage of you. You'll never command respect that way. And don't touch me, 'specially all cute like that. They're gonna think I've gone soft. Like Kage."

The (h/c) haired girl looked at the ravenette strangely, wondering why he cared so much about his reputation. Sure, she seemed to understand the concept, but he seemed to be overdoing it. After all, after seeing him with Toma, she was sure he had the capacity to hold someone close to him. Yet, unlike Yamato, he didn't hold his members in high regard. Rather, he did the opposite.

While Yamato viewed himself as someone chosen to lead his members, and that they were admirable, it seemed that Sora viewed himself as someone powerful enough to rule over lives. He also deemed himself higher than those that he led. Something in him seemed to force him to be that way, but she couldn't quite figure it out yet. As she stared at him closely, his cheeks became a faint pink and he let out a chuckle.

"Oho?" he smirked, "Have you fallen for me?"

"Not as far as I know of," she shrugged, "Besides, you're not really my type."

"Hah? I'm everyone's type!" the male said, taken aback to a point where he was furrowing his eyebrows, "What's with you? You can't see my sex appeal?"

There was a snicker from behind the door, making Sora's face turn red as he turned around to practically rip the door open. This only revealed Asuka who gave a whistle and turned away as if she hadn't been listening to their conversation. The ravenette let out a growl and grabbed her by her collar only for her to drop out of his hold and kick his legs out from beneath him. She then gave a little "teehee" and winked, skipping away.

It appeared that he wouldn't let her get far, sprinting after her to get vengeance. However, (Y/n) doubted he was any match for her. Despite appearances, she was a truly formidable opponent when it came down to it. As the (h/c) haired girl stepped out of the room to watch the male run after his annoying friend, she noticed Enmei was standing there as well with a shy look on his face. He pressed his fingers together and looked away, his hair hiding his expression.

"Are you attracted to Master Sora?" he asked suddenly, "I-I wouldn't blame you if you were...I just wanted to know."

"I don't think so," the girl stated, "I mean, he can be weirdly cute sometimes, but at the same time, he's still an overconfident, egotistical jerk. So I don't think so."

"I see," Enmei said, visibly letting out a breath he'd been holding in, "In that case, would you like to go on a walk with me? I'm not actually authorized to take you outside the estate, but I can show you the roof if you'd like. I'm pretty fond of the spot, but it's a secret, okay? Don't tell anyone. I'll meet you by your room in half an hour!"

The grey-haired boy ran away in the direction that Sora and Asuka had run off in, making the (h/c) haired girl chuckle. She didn't mind meeting up with Enmei. After all, he had a good heart and he was actually fun to be around. So, without having anything else to do, she headed back to her room, noticing the guard's annoyed expressions. She still wasn't particularly welcome there, but it wasn't any concern of hers.

As she waited out the thirty minutes, she occupied herself with closing her eyes for a short nap. While she wasn't sure why Enmei didn't want to head to the roof at that moment, she didn't question it long, enjoying the small nap she was able to enjoy. The guards seemed to poke fun of her dozing off in the middle of the day, but it wasn't like they were actually saying hurtful things.

As she was just getting to the interesting part of her dream, there was a timid knock at her door, and she lifted her head to see Enmei standing in the doorway. He had a semi-formal outfit on and held something behind his back. As the girl looked at him further, it seemed that he was nervous, fiddling with whatever was behind his back, his eyes darting from one place to another. The guards only gave an over-exaggerated eye roll at the male's appearance.

"Master Sora instructed me to bring her to his bedroom," the boy said, making the guards give a nod.

Confused by his statement, the (h/c) haired girl looked at him for an explanation, but he only gave her a sly wink, telling her it was only to get her out of there without suspicion. The girl happily followed the shy male out of the room, down the hall, and up the elevator. Along the way, they were given irritated looks by some of the men, but they didn't try to pull anything. Instead, they glared at them as they passed.

As they arrived on the roof, the girl was shocked to discover there wasn't much. There was no protective fence, not was there anything of interest, but the view she was able to see was simply breathtaking. In the distance, she saw hills of green and the rest of the city. The estate they were standing on consisted of multiple levels, allowing the view to be that much more spectacular.

"I like to come up here when I'm overwhelmed," Enmei said quietly, sitting down with his legs over the edge of the building, kicking his legs back and forth as he gazed off into the distance, "It's...peaceful."

"I can see that," (Y/n) replied, taking a seat next to the male, "It must be even more beautiful at night. All the stars out...I bet Akari would love it."

"I've heard that name before," the grey-haired boy said quietly, "He's one of Kage's rich friends, right? The weird kid who's always wandering around all distracted-like with that camera of his?"

"That's him," the girl chuckled, "Yamato always had to look out for him. If he didn't, he probably would have walked out into traffic to get a picture of something. I think the same could be said for Haru. I'm just prattling now, aren't I?"

Enmei gave a soft smile, putting his hand on the girl's, his cheeks a faint pink. He seemed to be embarrassed in the situation, but he didn't withdraw. He kept his hand there as he looked back at the distant hills far past the borders of the city. Though he stared at the scenery, his focus was far from it. It felt nice to rely on someone in such a manner, especially after the pain he'd had to endure. And to be able to give back felt like he belonged somewhere, besides with Asuka.

"I don't mind really," the boy finally said, "Feel free to talk about whatever you'd like. I'd be happy to listen. I don't expect anything in return, so do what you will with me."

"You can't say something like that," the girl said quietly, frowning just slightly as she took her hand away, "I'll think you're in love with me."

The boy was quiet for a moment, looking away as he narrowed his eyes, his eyebrows turning up in guilt. He brought his knees to his chest, tucking his head in between them as he pondered his next words. The girl next to him tensed upon his silence, fearing that she would once again incur the fear of another obsessed male. After being confronted with the violence that ensued, she couldn't face it again.

"(Y/n), I am in love with you," Enmei said suddenly, his voice confident and stern, "I know it was only for a bit, but you've shown me great love and care. I'm not used to that. I want to protect you from Kage. I won't let him have you. S-So stay with me, okay?"

At those words, the girl froze, recalling all of the violence and murder that had happened because of her. She had lost much due to words like those, and she didn't wish to get back on the train of obsession and possession. So she ran. She ran down the stairs, down the hall, and into Asuka's room. Though her and Sora were in the middle of a childish battle, the (h/c) haired girl leapt into Asuka's arms and began to cry.

"H-Hey, what's up with you?" the orange-haired girl exclaimed, shocked at the state the younger female was in, "Who hurt you?"

When the girl didn't reply, Asuka looked to Sora who merely froze at the situation. It had been quite some time since Asuka had cried, maturing fast into a respectable woman who could hold her own and pull her own weight. He wasn't used to the sight of a girl crying, and he was entirely sure he wasn't fond of it. The orange-haired girl mouthed for him to leave the room as she began to pet the younger female's head to comfort her. As Sora backed away, giving one last troubled look at the two, he closed the door and gave them their privacy.

Asuka moved them to the bed where (Y/n) could be more comfortable. All the while the younger female cried into her arms, the older girl comfortingly drew circles on her arms or ran her fingers through her hair. These motherly or older sister-like actions soothed the (h/c) haired girl, and she was able to feel safe with her. Due to the immense support and care she received from Asuka, (Y/n) was able to calm herself down faster than she would have if she were with anyone else.

"There, there, duckling," Asuka smiled calmly, wiping away the girl's tears, "Give me a little quack."

As (Y/n) gave a confused look, tears still coming out of her eyes, the orange-haired girl gave another beam, put on for the younger girl's sake. She then made a "quack" and stuck her tongue out, making the (h/c) haired girl fight back a smile. Seeing that her little example was enough to, at the very least, show the girl to smile, she did it again, letting out a louder and prouder "quack". (Y/n), feeling grateful for the older female's help began to open her mouth to say it, but became far too embarrassed to go through with it.

"That's it! Quack!" Asuka said, cheering her on, and as (Y/n) soon made the same noise, the older female patted her head in congratulations, "Good job! Now just relax, okay? Take a deep breath, and whenever you need some cheering up, just give me a little 'quack' and I'll know what you need."

"Quack," the (h/c) haired girl said, feeling her face heat up from saying it.

"I'm here, 'kay?" Asuka said, her smile bright and cheerful, enough to lift another person's spirits, "I'll give you all the joy you need. If you want, in a bit, we could play games, or order pizza, or, if I talk to Sora, I'm sure we could go somewhere special like the beach. Oh, boy would he love that. Anyway, there's no need to worry. You're safe."

The two remained in such a way for quite some time, Asuka endeavoring her best to put a smile on the girl's face while calming her down. She let the younger girl rest on her, allowing her to move at her own pace, not trying to push the issue to satisfy her own concern and curiosity. As (Y/n) significantly calmed her breathing, her tears stopping, she clutched onto the older female's oversized shirt, comforted by the feeling it allowed her. But she could sense Asuka's worry for her, and not wanting her to force herself to smile for her sake, the girl began to speak.

"Enmei told me he was in love with me," the (h/c) haired girl said softly, "I'm scared he'll turn out like Yamato. I'm scared he'll hurt someone."

"I see," Asuka said quietly, "I wouldn't worry your pretty little head about it. He's always been a bit dependent on others. He was the same way when I first met him. It's just that he gets confused between his feelings and he doesn't know the difference between genuine kindness and love. Besides, Enmei wouldn't hurt a fly. And if he does, I'll be there for you."

"Promise?" the younger girl said, feeling her tears come back.

"Why, of course, little duckling," Asuka giggled, "Now, what should we do to cheer you up? I say we get ourselves all cuddled up inside and watch our favorite shows until our eyes bleed while we stuff our faces with the best junk food around."

"That sounds lovely."

On the other side of the door stood a very impatient and mostly nervous male, tapping his foot as he tilted his head from one side to the other. He didn't believe Asuka would be able to calm the girl down, especially due to her worked-up state, but he had to hand it to her, she was very impressive. He let out a sigh of relief, but his antsy state didn't cease. Instead, he began to work off his nerves by pacing around his bedroom, trying to make up his mind on what to do.

Maybe he wasn't able to calm her down like Asuka was, or offer her a fun time eating food and watching movies, but he could do one thing for her. He could offer her safety. It was the least he could do for his childhood friend's little duckling.