Chapter 3: The Comfort of "Home"*

Home is where the heart is as they say, but what if that home is where society's criminal youth of all shapes and size gather? Leading them was none other than Roman Torchwick. An upstart thief dreaming of creating a large criminal empire where his only job is to sit down and make sugar-coated monologues as his minions do the work for him.

So He has decided to gather all youthful outcasts orphaned by both Grimm and humans. Teaching them how to look out for themselves. 

It has been a week since Neo brought Haruki here, and he still has not woken up. Neo took care of hHaruki's bandages and nursed him until he recovers, much to Romans perplexion. "Now Neo, Darling I won't see the  boys value if he's bedridden now would I? why save him? he was dying anyways." Neo twirls her umbrella and raises a sign that says (I thought you needed the manpower for this new crime syndicate of yours.) 

Roman laughed as he observed the sleeping boy. "Hahahaha! Neo I wouldn't need a brat that's barely breathing. If he still does not wake up 3 days from now, he will be thrown out." He stared at the boy's face an clicked his tongue. As Roman walked away Neo looked at Haruki's sleeping face. Wondering why she got curious and helped this boy. Was it empathy? Was it because they were quite similar? It doesn't matter she thought. Maybe she's hoping for an actual friend who understands her. She hummed as she cleaned his wounds and replaced his bandages.

She was surprised on how quickly he was healing. She observed his scars, tracing them with her fingertips. It's different from one another. Claw Marks, Bite Marks, Bullet wounds. She thought that he's the type of guy to live short and recklessly.

She honestly thought he wouldn't even last a day with those life threatening gashes. Yet she's trying her hardest to save someone she barely even knows.

Unbeknownst to Haruki as he was stuck dreaming. His newly regained body not only brought back his youth but the memories he tried to bury deep down. One such memory was when he first met his adoptive father.

'Running was the earliest memory I have. I always ran away. A weak boy who only knew how to use his legs. 

I ran away from the people who were chasing me. They threw rocks at me, beat me up, even spit on me as I lay bleeding on the ground. Over a piece of bread that I found in the trash.

They pulled it away from my shaking hands laughing in Glee as their hands grew heavier each time.

 The place where I came from was a lawless wasteland. The quadrant's borders called Despair-0 as most of the people call it. Funny isn't it? Even the name sounds hopeless. I never gave a damn what this shithole's called as long as I get out of here.

It's the kind of place where everyone abandoned both hope and their morals. People would kill you if you looked at them the wrong way. They will eat you alive if you show just a single moment of weakness. Living here means constantly Living in fear... And I hated that. I remember crying that night for the hunger and pain kept me awake. I haven't eaten for days, and for God's sake I was a child... those monsters just took my only way of survival. I always hated myself for being weak.' He thought as he clenched his fists until they bled.

I don't know what came over me that day. Was it out of anger? Hatred? Hunger? Or pure survival instincts? It didn't matter, because at that moment was where I decided to take back what they owe me. That was when I decided to take a life, for my own sake. So I wouldn't be looked down upon. 

I went and picked up a broken glass wrapped it in cloth as I walked to the man's house who beat me up.' His thoughts stopped at that moment. He relied on humanity's baser instincts.

Haruki Stood behind him just meters away from his house clutching the bread he stole, gleefully. It angered him. he thought, 'what's so fucking funny!? you stole my fucking food!'. So he charged at him clutching his makeshift blade stabbing him at the lungs.

He quickly pulled out the knife. The man turns around in fury as he gasped for air. He tried to grab Haruki to lift him up but haruki was nimble so he dodged and climbed at the man's back and bit his ear off. 

The man screeched as he held his ear, while gasping for air as his lungs slowly collapse. haruki then stabs the man in the neck twice, on both sides severing his arteries.

He was surprised, it was quick. It was so fast he didn't even think that it was real. A monumental task done so easily.

Haruki slowly picks up his bread and the makeshift knife shakily.

As the man lay lifeless on the ground. Haruki looked at his reflection in the puddle of blood. He was grinning as his breathing grew ragged. He was surprised. It was as if he enjoyed it. Was this the feeling they felt when they beat me up? Is this what it feels like to be strong?

Then it hit him. He killed a man for the first time in his short life. He ended someone else's. He ran and knelt on a nearby alley as he puked his guts out. He immediately ran towards the man's house peeking at their window to see if they witnessed what he had done. However,

"Mommy? where's daddy? I'm starving we haven't eaten for a week." The thin boy protested. His eyes caved in his cheeks hollow. The same goes for the mother. "Jamie, father's just looking for food right now, don't worry I heard he's bringing bread today." The mother softly caresses the young boys face looking at him filled with love and affection. "Yaaaay!!  I love bread! it's so fluffy and delicious..." the boy imagined eating the bread as he drools.

Witnessing this Haruki staggered a few steps.  Then he left the bread at the front door and knocked and ran as fast as he can. He arrived in the old abandoned building where he hangs around all the time. He laughed madly as tears streamed down his face. He felt guilt, Despair, and anger. Why are we the only ones killing each other? Why are the weak doomed to live this miserable life!?

 He realized that the man was smiling for a different reason it was for his child not for mocking haruki, yet angered at the same time for how unfair this world could be. The man can be cold-blooded towards other children and steal from them, but towards his child he was prepared to be seen as evil by others so that he could make his child survive another day.

He clutched his knees as he rocked back and forth. Sleeping was the least possible thing he could do after what he'd witnessed.

The next thing he remembered was rain. He returned the next day to the man's house only to see it emptied. Robbed of every possession they had. He found traces of blood and signs of struggle. Broken vases and multiple furnitures lay on the ground broken. The last line of defense of that house was that man and now that he's gone, the rest were treated as merchandise to be sold for more money. Or worse eaten alive.

He chuckled as he thought to himself. 'I always hated my self for being weak. because that day I killed three, instead of one.' 

He felt nothing else. He stood there basking in a moment that lacked reality. He gained nothing from his revenge. Only the burden he carried much worse. Suddenly someone put a hand on his shoulders. A Large and burly man covered in scars. He wore an eye patch on his right eye, it added to his intimidating aura.

"Come with me, I can take you away from this hell hole."

He stared at the tall man blankly. He then moved his eyes towards the man's outstretched hand. "Why?" He asked, and the man grinned, "Why? Because I can make you strong. Strong enough for you to not feel this kind of pain anymore." Haruki's entire being shook as he looked warily towards the man.

"I can see the guilt in your eyes kid. You want it to end don't you? I can help you with that. Join me and together we can be strong enough to end this kind of misery."

He took the man's hand without a moment's hesitation. Which led to a lifetime of regrets. But even if a gun was held in his head. He would still choose the same path. Because that path led him into meeting "her".

'I was pretty young, I didn't understand what he meant, but I still took his hand like my life depended on it. Maybe, just maybe he didn't know why he approached me, but he still did. Was it destiny? I didn't care I just wanted this to end.'

'It haunts me till this day, the pain I've caused and the guilt I bear. My sins grew heavier each day. She carried my sins with me, no matter how heavy she beared with it. Sadly in our desperate attempt to get away. To end all the madness, was the thing that took her away from me.

Remembering her last words breaks me a little more Everytime. "plea...se..for...*cough* get about revenge, just live for what you think is right...." those were her parting words as she lay there motionless in my arms... I then understood why that man can do what he did to me way back then. The comfort of "Home". 

Haruki sat up gasping, he was covered in sweat as he looked around he saw Neo looking at him worriedly. raising her sign it says (You're covered in sweat! had a nightmare?) Realization then dawned on him, ' It's a different world.' He shrugged his shoulders and forced a smile. "Something like that."

She furrowed her eyebrows and put her hand on her chin and said, (When I have nightmares. After waking up I'd like to think of the things Roman has done for me. So no matter how much pain I went through. I'll always know that some people are willing to help. And that counts as a big thing.) She said as she gave him a bright smile.

Sometimes lies are what keeps people afloat. Whether it's for them or someone else's, as long as that lie will make them feel better. They'll claw at it so desperately. Clinging to that last bits of sanity no matter how fake.

 Haruki's eyes opened wide surprised by her optimism. He then Pats her head while smiling. "Thank you for taking care of me while I'm wounded." Neo pouts and raises a sign (Don't act like an adult! you look like we're the same age!) Haruki then raises his hands and says "Sorry, force of habit. By the way I haven't introduced myself... I'm Kazama Haruki, 12" 

Neo then responds in kind whilst putting her free hand on her waist. (Neopolitan, 12, you have a wierd name! are you from the Eastern kingdom?) Haruki then made a fake backstory on how he was running from his pursuers so he stowed away on a boat toward Vale but got discovered by the crew men and thrown out towards the Forever fall forest.

A fake backstory was sometimes better than the truth. Because the truth was a harder pill to swallow. Perhaps he wouldn't need to tell the truth come the future. He thought that perhaps it's better that way.

A week has gone by, Roman was astounded towards the resilience of the boy. He thought he was weak but he's actually pretty nimble. A good thief knows what gold looks like, but the best thief knows how to use that gold to make more money. 

Roman thought it was worth training him. He approached Haruki with a bright smile. "Hey boy, You owe me your life, so considering that, you have to work for me. Don't worry you will be fed,clothed and paid for your services." Haruki was a bit reluctant at first but he accepted that he owes Neo his life. So he might as well repay her and help her become a better person unlike Roman and himself.

He showed him a candid smile, "When do I start?" Roman nodded his head towards his enthusiasm. "I like your gusto kid. No, Haruki is it? Welcome to the game." He said as he tipped his hat and walked away. Anticipating the money he could make.

Neo was pure, Even if her trust in humans was low. She was still desperate on finding people who would understand her. Someone that would actually care. Like Roman did, her silent voice was finally heard. Putting a stop to her endless misery. 

She was smiling the entire time as she observed the two bicker and joke around. She herself was surprised on how easily Haruki could get along with anyone. Although she put quite a distance to the other people in Roman's gang, She was still nevertheless impressed by Haruki's skill to draw people in.

Haruki has grown closer with Neo in the past week, They were almost inseperable. The two joked around and hung out after training.

Without Neo noticing it Haruki was altering her view of humans. She thought that they were despicable and hateful thus, she doesn't use her voice to talk to them. Little does she know Haruki was bringing her genuine smile back as they got closer.

Haruki and Neo we're sparring as they were being observed by Torchwick, "hmm, Neo has more raw talent, while Haruki has more experience. I sure wonder how many times he's fought people." Not knowing that Haruki was holding back the entire time.

He seriously considered giving Haruki a bigger slice of pie. However, in the end he chose to observe for now. A gem like him would shine once polished he thought to himself. He clapped his hands to end their training. Haruki wiped his sweat as he approached Roman. "Training's rougher than normal. Any reason you're in a rush?" He tried probing him, to know whether he'd tell him about the existence of cinder and co.

Roman narrowed his eyes, "Well my boy, Time is of the essence. If you do well enough, I might just tell you." He said leaving Haruki and Neo to their own devices. He shrugged and looked towards Neo, "So, you got any plans today?"

She shook her head as she undid her ponytail. Her heart beat was faster than normal. A feeling very foreign to her, it was as if she was anticipating something. She clutched her towel as she waited for him to continue his statement.

"We've been cooped in here for a week. From what I hear from the others beacon has much more to offer than this dojo. I wanna stretch my legs, mind if I take you along?" He asked as he put his towel on his shoulders. She raised her eyebrow, slightly amused. (Is that how you ask someone out?)

He gave a cocky grin and nodded, "See you at three?" She gave a hearty laugh and nodded her head at the end. Haruki went towards the shower to freshen up. He stood in front of a warehouse in the commercial district.

He looked like a stylish brat that came out of nowhere attracting the eyes of passerbys. He was staring at the bright blue sky that's slowly becoming orange. He wore a calm smile as he waited. Soon after Neo appeared in the crowd.

The weather was a bit chilly so she wore a Black parka, and underneath was a pure white dress with pink accents. Completing the look was Brown fur boots. Haruki was surprised, that a little brat could be that cute. She approached him whilst twirling her umbrella. He scratched the back of his head, 'Ah... clearly put effort in this. Well, better put my game face on.'

She stood in front of him nervously twirling her shoulder length ponytail, (Ready to go?) She asked him and He smiled towards her, "Huh? Where the hell is Neo? All I'm seeing is a cute girl?" He said as he looked around playfully wearing a teasing grin.

She kicked him in the knees trying to maintain a straight face. Her awkward smile however betrayed all her efforts. She kept fiddling her umbrella in her nervousness. Haruki couldn't help but chuckle slightly.

"Relax! I'm not going to take your umbrella from you." She looked down from shame clearly embarrassed. She hit him on the shoulders. As her pace increased towards the long array of shops in front of them. He tried to catch up but he bumped into a chubby man. He didn't flinch, but the fat man was sent a few steps back. The fat man clicked his tongue and walked away leaving a snide remark, "Damn alley kids! There's no place for you here!"

Neo heard the man and turned around with a frown. Haruki sensed her killing intent he immediately put his hand on hers, preventing her from pulling out the blade hidden inside the handle of her umbrella. "Hey, Hey, Let's calm down now shall we? Let's just focus on having fun today alright?"

She nodded her head but a frown was still present. He scratched his cheeks and patted her head. She looked at him all surprised, "We're not alley kids. We're professional thieves." He said as he raised the fat man's wallet between his finger tips. She opened her eyes wide and giggled. The stride in her steps returned as the two browsed around in random shops. Looking at weird baubles and gadgets.

[That is the most unethical thing I've seen you do all day.] Magus suddenly chimed in. Haruki shrugged his shoulders, 'Hey Man, All I did all week was sleep and train all fucking day. Where the fuck do you think I'll get the money? How do you think I'm going to impress a girl if I had no moolah? By the way! You're the one to talk! You literally need blood essence to function so don't even start with me.' He ranted in his mind as he wore a smile observing Neo look around laughing.

He nodded his head, 'This is what kids should be doing. Having fun, not suffering in misery.' His thoughts were interrupted by Neo's question. (Do you have any specific goal to find today?) She said, perhaps she was tired from walking aimlessly.

Haruki however shrugged his shoulders, "Nah, I'm not looking for anything in particular. Besides that's part of the fun! It's like an adventure." He said impressed by his words. (Well since I know this place like the back of my hand. I'll take you to my favorite candy shop!) She said as she puffed up her chest in confidence.

"Alright, you've peaked my interest Miss Neo. I shall be the judge whether that's good or not." He said as he taunted Neo. She clicked her tongue multiple times and waved her index finger right in front of him. (Believe me, I shall guide your ignorant taste buds towards enlightenment! Vale's cotton candy is the best in the world!) She said as she put her hands on her hips.

Haruki stopped dead in his tracks. He stayed rooted on the same spot, puzzling Neo. She looked at him and saw and expression of pure bewilderment. "What in the flying hell is cotton candy?" Now it was Neo's turn to be surprised. (Y-you don't know?) Haruki shook his head, not knowing that he has become a caveman in the eyes of Neo. She laughed candidly, holding her stomach as she crouched on the ground.

(It's a treat made with the embrace of an Angel! It's fluffy and sweet!) She said as her eyes sparkled and shined with gusto. He blinked quickly as he was dumbfounded by her enthusiasm. Her bright and cheery mood reminded him of someone.

He watched her back as the sky was bright orange. His eyes turned gentle as they walked the concrete road towards their destination. Neo looked behind her and saw Haruki in a daze. She raised her eyebrows and looked straight. She let it pass as they were near her favorite shop.

Haruki approached the man wearing a pink apron. It was a small stall on the side of the street. However the man greeted his customers enthusiastically, "Hey little buddy! Buying one for your girl over there?" He nodded his head, "And one for me too, I haven't had one of these yet." He said and the man laughed gleefully, "Then I'll surprise you! I shall give you two my best creation yet!" He said as he gathered blue aura on his hands surprising Haruki. Multiple arms sprouted from his back as he held a stick. While the other hands hovered over injecting it with a gentle blue aura. After a while he presented to him a brightly shining pair of cotton candies. Haruki blinked multiple times and thought to himself, 'Thats it? What?' Neo went near him and took her share.

They sat down on a nearby bench. The park was decently populated. Multiple couples sat down and kids were running around. The two basked in the gentle atmosphere. He bit down slowly and felt the sugar melt inside his mouth. It was pure Bliss, he leaned back and smiled.

A gentle yet melancholic expression showed on his face. He stared at the park in a daze stuck in reverie. Neo's words went from one ear and another. Much to her displeasure. He snapped back once she waved her hands in front his face. He looked towards her and the illusion of the person he was with suddenly shattered as he was anchored back into reality. His fists gripped tightly inside his pockets.

(Are you even here?) She asked. Something so simple yet so monumental. It echoed inside his mind, realizing his mistake. He looked towards Neo apologetically. However she just sighed, (I understand that we all have stories. I don't know yours and you don't know mine. But, that doesn't mean you can just ignore me!) She crossed her arms in annoyance.

(Do you really have to bring it with you? Weren't you the one who asked me to go with you? What's with that attitude!? You think I'm that easy!?) She stared at him straight in the eyes. Her differently colored eyes showed the same trace of anger. (We're you looking at me properly the whole time? Or was I just a replacement for someone else!?) She slapped him in the face and left with the words she used her own voice with, "Did you ever think what I would feel? No, you didn't. Fuck this, I'm leaving." She said as she stomped her way out of the place.

He was stunned, his fingers crossed as his head bowed looking down on the concrete ground. 'I fucked up bad. I never realized how Frank kids could get.' He chuckled softly. 'I keep treating them like characters on a show. Not like a proper person.'

'I was so busy thinking what it feels like to stroll around this town with her, I never looked at Neo properly. I never considered the fact that I was hurting her feelings. 'Cause I'm not where I want to be, and you're not the one I wish you were.' He sighed and leaned on the bench looking at the sky that was slowly getting darker. The people were leaving one by one except for a select few.

Slowly the street lights lit up one by one as he stared at the cold pavement. Suddenly a man approached him. It was slovenly man, his long black hair was tied up in a man bun. A messy short stubble beard. His attire made him look like a Mistral local. He looked like a samurai, well, more of a ronin. A vagabond of sorts.

"I saw the whole thing kid. Girl problems huh?" Haruki stared into the eyes of the man. His senses felt danger from the man. Although he didn't release any aura nor bloodlust, Haruki was a war veteran. With a look he could tell, this man was a monster of a different kind. He furrowed his brows thinking how he would flee.

[Be careful, He's not someone you can handle.] Ars Magus suddenly chimed. He furrowed his brows and asked, 'Do you know what he is?' However Magus's mechanical voice sounded a little shaky. [No, I couldn't scan him. Something is preventing me. Until I'm sure what he is don't make any risky movements.]

"Relax kid, Sometimes The Best way to ease heartache is to drink." He gave Haruki a warm smile. He however stood up and said, "I'm just a kid." He said, but the man just chuckled and narrowed his eyes. "You don't feel like one." If Haruki could sense him, He could too. He stopped in his tracks and stared at the man. A full grin was plastered on the vagabond. He picked up a small cloth wrapping an unknown item that clicked and clacked as they walked along the road lit up by the city lights.

Haruki then nodded and let the man lead the way. "You're too tense, sometimes the best way to get to know someone is to drink." He entered a small pub. He greeted the owner and sat at the edge of the small wooden restaurant. Haruki followed him inside, his vigilance was in high alert. One small move and he'll try to take the monster down with him.

"Two Bottles and one tall glass of cola for the boy!" He shouted towards the owner. Haruki raised his eyebrows towards the man, "Well I said you didn't feel like a kid. I didn't say you aren't one." He said playfully. Haruki just shrugged and slowly sipped his drink.

"Sometimes, it's best to give it time." The Vagabond said to him after a long round of silence. "What's your aim." Haruki said as he looked towards the man. "To drink." He said frankly. He frowned towards his answer.

"Time, it's such a funny word no? They say time heals all wounds. Do you think that's true? That no matter how grave the wound just as you survive. Give it time and it'll slowly heal." He said as he observed the young boy in front of him. Haruki scratched his head unsure of how he'll answer.

"Space, The distance you need to maintain to be out of the danger zone." He said as he chewed on the snacks on the table.

"Time and Space, Both of these factors are the things you need the most, if you want her to forgive you." He downed the small glass filled with his drink almost instantly. "I'll tell you what, If you beat me in a game of chess. I'll tell you how to get your girl back." Haruki turned serious, "And if I lose?"

The vagabond grinned, "Hm, let's see. Is that watch important to you?" He asked waiting for the boy's reaction. No emotion surfaced on his eyes. He smiled wryly and lied without breaking character, "Someone important gave it to me." The man nodded along Haruki's words. "I see it can't be helped, how about you work under me for a few years? I'll pay you a lot."

"You're asking quite a lot, if you just want to solve a small argument." The vagabond just laughed, "What's wrong with that? A man is naught without desire. I can quickly solve the thing you desire. It's a balanced deal trust me." He showed Haruki a manic smile. His intentions were clear as day as Haruki grinned back. "Alright I'll play along." He shook the man's outstretched hand. The man closed his eyes and nodded.

He laid out the board as they both arranged the pieces. "I'll move first. I'll send my pawn forward. Sometimes the best way to solve things is to first step forward." The vagabond said as he drank a mouthful.

Haruki was serious as he made his moves. Thinking carefully in every step. They both played until the board was only filled by their key pieces. "Ah yes, Finally the time has come for us to get serious." The man said as he moved his rook forwards. Haruki was at a huge disadvantage, the man still had his essentials while Haruki only had one bishop, a knight, his king and queen.

His brows furrowed as he used the bishop to kill the man's rook. "Ah the bishop. The most important piece after the king and queen. They say it is the next in line for the throne. Yet you send them away to be eaten." He said as he moved his knight to kill Haruki's bishop.

"We're you too blind to see it? Or was it an intentional sacrifice so you could protect your queen?" He asked Haruki as he moved back his queen. After a few moves the man has completely grasped Haruki's habits. He moved his last remaining bishop to kill Haruki's last knight.

"In your desperate attempt to protect your queen. You've lost the last knight that was willing to stand for you. A big mistake, take this more seriously kid." He said as he munched on the freshly cooked barbecue on their table. Haruki was panicking internally. This was perhaps the man's goal.

He desperately moved until both his king and queen were cornered like rats. The man grinned, "Surrounded by enemies from all sides. What will you do? The main goal of this game is for the king to survive. Yet you use him so recklessly to protect the queen? I guess people's personality shows when they play this game. It's easy to read them once their habits show. Once you do you can grasp their weakness." He said as he moved his piece. Haruki once more used his king to try and eat the man's last remaining knight.

"The King fought bravely against fate and destiny. He bore his fangs towards the universe itself not noticing the looming scythe of the reaper." He said as he moved his queen to kill Haruki's queen. "Alas, what he feared to happen, came to pass. In anger he would slaughter the masses until he gets towards the main perpetrator." The man said as he took Haruki's queen away from the board. Much to his annoyance, he clenched his hand underneath the table.

"Checkmate." He said simply as he aimed his pieces towards Haruki. Yet he still kept being stubborn and kept eating those who stand on his way. The man let this all happen until only the two Kings were left on the board. He laughed crazily, "The standstill of the century! He would proceed to slaughter his enemy. In his fury he didn't notice that he was the only man in the board." He said as he moved his king to be eaten by Haruki.

Haruki sighed and looked towards the man, "You let me win didn't you?" The man smiled, "Did you? Do you really think that? It doesn't matter really. You've let me witness who you truly are." He said but Haruki just raised his eyebrows, "What do you mean by that?" The man shook his head. "Well time for your prize. Go straight outside and turn left." He said as he paid the bill.

Haruki was a little skeptical but he still went and did it, as long as he could get away from the man. The man just smiled at the boy's departing back. "Until we meet again, We shall play on an even bigger playing field. And even much more is at stake." He said as he disappeared from the spot. Leaving a trail of black dust on where he stood.

He appeared on a gothic palace on top of a mountain. He stood in front of a man wearing a pure white toga. He scratched his cheeks as he raised his eyebrow at the man's showy attitude.

"Well what did you find?" The man asked with a smile underneath his mask. The Vagabond smiled triumphantly, "Well, at first I thought it was just some random anomaly. However it is bigger than we anticipated. The Ars Magus itself is here..." The man said surprising the man clad in white. He narrowed his golden eyes. "Interesting, I wonder what role he would be playing in this little game." He said as he leaned on his gilded throne.

This was unknown to Haruki as he walked out of the pub he instantly saw Neo leaning on a nearby railing staring at the dark pond. The cold winter night accompanied her as she lamented her outburst earlier. He was surprised on how accurate the man's directions were. He thought he was joking. But when he looked back the man was nowhere to be found.

He straightened his appearance and gathered his courage to go and apologize. He walked slowly as multiple thoughts raced inside his mind. Thinking on what he wants to say, on how he would apologize. Neo looked at the approaching person. She squinted her eyes towards the obscured figure and finally saw Haruki. She looked back at the pond. She was also unsure how to respond.

He approached her as softly said, "I'm sorry. I was being an ass the whole time. Being a sad sack of shit isn't an excuse to be an asshole towards others I get that.

I didn't think anything through, just recklessly doing things as I please without considering your feelings." He said as he scratched the back of his head. All he got was silence, Neo was still looking at the pond. She slowly looked towards his directions. She meekly nodded her head. "So friends?" She sighed and took his outstretched hand.

Suddenly her stomach grumbled. Her ears turned red from embarrassment. (Because of you I haven't eaten a single thing! You really want to make it up to me? Feed me.) She put her hands on her hips as she fronted her demands.

After walking a while they found an open family restaurant that serves Mistral cuisine. They both sat down and ordered a bunch of stuff. Neo was perplexed on what half of the menu was. So she ordered what the fanciest sounding one was. She was planning on Bleeding Haruki dry for his transgressions.

When the food was served she was greeted with a bowl of red soup and white floating tofu populated her bowl. Her immaculate smile cracked under pressure as she looked at him for help. He looked away for her pleas for help.

A minute later he was served an even bigger bowl of what Neo was having. She stared at him as if he was a monster. She ate a spoonful and immediately regretted her actions. She looked at Haruki with eyes full of blame. She was hungry so she put up with the spicy feeling. Haruki however savored the flavor in his mouth. He even gave a snide remark, "The sauce is a little lacking compared to what I'm used to."

Neo clicked her tongue, (Cheh, acting cocky are you? Then why don't you cook the food then?) She told him while drinking ice cold water. He Chuckled towards her open hostility, "Sure I'll cook for you sometime." Neo immediately backed down and meekly drank water. (I was just kidding! Please make it sweet.) She said pleadingly.

Haruki nodded as he ate a mouthful. He thought to himself. 'Yeah, They're completely different. Am I even allowed to take a step forward? after all I've done?' He shook his head and drank water. He stared at Neo wiping her forehead covered in sweat as she gobbled the food like a hamster. 'I'd like for things stay the way they are for now.' He thought silently as he passed her a cold glass of milk.

The two went outside after a full meal. Neo was holding her stomach the whole time. Glaring at Haruki, (This will be the last time I let you take me here!) Haruki laughed, "Fine, it'll be your turn to introduce me Vale cuisine." She smiled smugly, (Be prepared boy, for you have challenged my vast knowledge.)

"Thanks for waiting for me." He said out of nowhere. She looked at him and shook her head, (If I don't, who's gonna carry you home?) He laughed and nodded his head. The two joked around as Neo led the way back towards their hideout.

Unknown to the two what awaited them back there. Roman has prepared his contacts. He was planning on letting Haruki in on his plans. it was finally time to meet Cinder and co.

Like a chess game it was finally their turn to make their move. One move at a time, their plan would soon unravel. To take Remnant by storm.

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Authors notes:

Sorry this was delayed, A murder of crows made a nest on our electric pole. It took 2 days for the linemen to repair it because of the curfew and the quarantine and all. It was a pretty cool experience, I saw a bunch of crow eggs. But an inconvenience nonetheless. Shits pretty cool tho.

Anyways this chapter's pretty long cause it's three chapters in one. To expand the content and what not.

In the original I never expanded how Neo and Haruki really got along. How they developed their feelings, camraderie, and chemistry. I wanted to expand her character as well cause she's a little too one note in the original. Because her arc was planned to appear a little later. So she felt a little one dimensional. So I decided to show her own struggles,strength and mindset. To make her a lot more human.

I haven't mastered the art of subtext but this chapters just filled with them. I just wanted to try it out. Anyways hope you guys enjoyed the rewrite. Adieu kiddos~~