...to escape...is to embrace...

You know desperation when it reaches you and touches your face,
Screaming to you, forcing you to fall,
but you already know, since you lived the life you live,
that the world moves faster than a breath,
as you escape, planning your heist for world domination.
- Amy T. aka Karinui

The Escapist

An escape artist has the gift of mentality. When is the right time to do something, it's the right time, and he or she will steal that chance. To escape whatever is suppressing them. But the elite escapists know, that to escape something, you must embrace it.

However, this may be the most dangerous methods of escaping. To embrace, is to accept. And once you accept, you may never let go.

A perfect heist by the escapist, to only counter back. Does it not...remind you of life?

---

Marui Bunta had a bit of a problem. Hunger. Exhaustion. He needed something to eat. Lunch was disrupted by work. Club duties over leisure time. Life sucked.

He crossed over to the cafeteria of Rikkai Dai Fuzoku, a school known not only for its tennis team, but a certain rumour about a small organisation within it related to espionage and hired-theft. The very same elite tennis team of Rikkai Dai middle high also happened to be part of this faction. All within it knew that their ulterior motive was to capture the world and control it secretly. An ambitious goal indeed, but one they will work slowly towards.

Looking at what food is to offer in the cafeteria, Marui could not but feel disappointed at what was available. Wait...one plate of quality yakisoba left!!! But before he could even react...

"May I have one plate of yakisoba, please?" a female student ordered, the cafeteria lady giving the last plate to her, while collecting the payment. Marui couldn't believe his bad luck. Well, he might be able to weasel it out of her. Girls always relinquished their food to Marui as soon as he asked them and charmed them.

"Hello, I haven't seen you around before." Marui tapped the girl on the shoulder lightly, encouraging her to turn around and look at him. Which she did, an eyebrow raised, confused by this young man's behaviour of interrupting her.

"I believe we have, Marui Bunta, I happen to be in your class." The girl drawled, not impressed. Marui silently and inwardly cursed himself. Stupid move. The girl continued. "And no, you cannot have my lunch."

"Argh, you're so mean...uh..." Marui honestly didn't know who she was. The girl rolled her eyes, sighing heavily at the stupidity who was looking at her in her face.

" . And I wouldn't be surprised if you don't remember that in a few minutes, unless I gave you something to eat." remarked sarcastically. Marui actually gave her a hopeful, mischievous look.

"Well, if you want me to remember, you can always give it to me!" He suggested cheerfully. frowned, and shoved the plate into his hands.

"Fine, take it. After meeting you, it's not like I can eat this and enjoy it anymore. I despise boys who charm girls just to get what they want or use them. I don't want to be your target, so don't bother talking to me, or remembering my name. I hope you're happy you got what you want." turned around and trudged away from Marui, shaking her head, wishing how the world should have less boys like him.

Marui raised an eyebrow. What the? Why is it, that while he got what he wanted, he just felt like crap? He wanted to just drop the plate, run after her, tell her he was sorry.

He'll remember that name. It was etched into his memory as soon as she told him it. He just didn't admit it when he could have.

---

"Marui Bunta, you'll be working with someone else, this time." Their tennis coach happened to also be their mediator. All orders to them are given by him, not the Higher Order. He continued. "She's quite a strong one when it comes to mentality, a bit of a feminist...you are assigned with , oh, she's in your class! So you you would have already met her..."

"?!" Marui couldn't believe his fate. He already made a bad impression on her, managed to feel depressed over it, and now he was working with her? What's next? Date her?

"Yes, . You two will be going to a small party, as a couple, since one ticket allows you to bring a date." His instructor continued. Oh great, he really was going to date her. He could just see 's angry face when she finds out.

"Has actually agreed to do this?" Marui questioned. She'll definitely refuse. Especially after what happened.

"Yes I have, in fact. She agreed to the mission."

"She WHAT?!"

"A job's a job, nothing more." Marui turned to the familiar voice. stepped into the briefing room, and took a seat next to him. "Once this is over, we're back to being ignorant of each other." she muttered to him quietly, as so their mediator wouldn't hear her.

"Whatever you wish." Better if they do ignore each other, Marui wouldn't have to feel so bad then. For the first time in his life, a guilty feeling has progressed so long.

---

"Marui." pulled a chair over to his desk in their classroom, and sat down. Their mission was not until next week, so meanwhile, they needed to perfect their plan. Light espionage, and if their suspicions are confirmed, theft. "Got some papers you need to look over." gave Marui the files, and leant on the table, her arms crossed over across the edge of the desk, her chin resting on them. Marui shot her quick glances as he read the files.

"Seems good to me." Marui answered. scoffed.

"Good? You didn't even look over it properly, I saw your darting eyes." smirked. Maybe she was having second thoughts about agreeing to this.

"It's not like I can..." Marui whispered, his face closer to her. "People are watching and listening, not everyone here is part of the organisation, remember?" Marui closed the files and his them under his books. "Look, we'll go over this somewhere else. Over lunch, dinner, somewhere we can be alone."

"I don't wanna be alone with you." answered. "God knows what you'll do."

"Just..." Marui sighed. "...trust me for once. You said it was just a job, right? I'm treating it like that too. Alone, we'll be, but strictly professional." He watched ponder over this.

"Fine, we'll have it your way."

"Pure genius." Marui grinned, trademark peace sign held horizontally by his eye. "Dinner at the Anti-Que House at six? I'll pick you up. I still owe you for lunch."

"Huh?" raised her head. "I can't believe you actually remembered that, considering what a selfish prick you are."

"Aren't I a genius?" Marui smirked. "I do remember, I just don't tell."

", Marui, stop whispering so close to each other like a married couple and , return to your seat. Class is to start." Their sensei had walked into the classroom without them realising it. A small smile crept on his face. Funny...someone of his calibre would always be able to detect a teacher or anyone entering. Same goes to . Heh. It seemed they both hard their guards down, for whatever reason unknown.

---

Marui, chewing his bubblegum, pushed the door bell by 's front entrance. She didn't give him her address, but like that stopped him looking up her files to find it. Footsteps became louder as they came closer to the door, which opened and revealed a plainly dressed in loose cargo pants and slightly fitted loose black t-shirt with frayed edges. Marui blew the bubblegum into a large sphere, before allowing it to pop.

"Heh, so casual." Marui laughed after he gathered the gum back into her mouth.

"There's no dress code at the Anti-Que, so I'm gonna dress comfortably." explained as she stepped out and closed the door behind her. "So, are we going now?"

Marui nodded. "Let's go!" They walked together to the Anti-Que, not a single word to each other. Seems like was speaking the truth when she said that she'd never talk to him. It was better this way. If he didn't talk to her, she would have to scowl at him with each possible chauvinistic thing he said.

"So, have you eaten at the Anti-Que before?" Marui asked, hoping to start conversation. He got bored. So much for not talking. Marui had to admit, he rather talk than just be ignorant of each other's presence, even though they were only less than a metre apart.

"Yes I have, I quite like it there." answered, a small smile. "Especially the pasta. And their hazelnut gelato." suddenly looked blissful. "Say...I'll probably have that today..."

"The pizza is quite nice there too." Marui added in. "And the tiramisu...dammit! Now I'm salivating."

"Dude...you're always salivating over food." responded, raising her eyebrow at him. Marui gave her a pitiful look, in which couldn't help but laugh. "You're such a dork."

Marui shook his head. "No way! I'm a tensai!" he grinned. "I did that so you can laugh."

"Yeah right." walked faster, leaving him behind. "If you're a dork, just admit it. And if you haven't realised already...it's six already, we should be at the Anti-Que - "

"Oh crap!!!" Marui smacked his forehead. "I made a booking!!!" He ran forward, taking 's hand and continued pushing forward.

"Booking?! I thought you were just gonna wing it!!!" called after him as she stumbled after him, but being a trained member of Rikkai Dai, it didn't take her long to regain her balance and run at Marui's pace.

"Yes, a booking!!! I didn't wanna screw up our meeting!!!" Marui cried out, still running.

had a rather confused look on her face. Marui planned this? There has to be some ulterior motive.

She'll see.

---

"Phew...they weren't mad at us..." Marui heaved, trying to regain his breath, but rather relieved that they reached their destination. shrugged after she recovered.

"Meh, at least we got here..." She sat down, Marui following suit. "Let's order first, and after we get food, we'll talk about the plan, since the waiters will just leave us alone then." suggested. Marui nodded in agreement.

"Pure genius. Waiter!!!" Marui called out. A waiter came scurrying to them, pad in hand.

"How may I serve you?" he asked politely. Marui smirked.

"Give me one large chicken and fetta cheese pizza with ham, and half a whole tiramisu cake please, not just a slice. And an apple soda." Marui turned away from the bewildered waiter, and glanced at the equally bewildered . "? What would you like?"

blinked thrice before regaining her senses again. "Err...I'll have a spaghetti bolognaise, one - " reconsidered her hazelnut gelato. If she ordered that, then the waiter would have to come back after she's finished the main course just to give her it. " - one slice of tiramisu, and one lemon-lime bitters, please. That would be all, thank you." The waiter nodded.

"It won't be long, make yourselves comfortable." The waiter left to head towards the kitchen, arching her back to stretch it back. Marui blinked.

"You also ordered a tiramisu! Mou~...if I knew, I would have just ordered a whole cake and we could have just shared." Marui pouted.

"You mean I have one slice and you have the rest? No thanks, it seems rather messy." replied.

"Dang, well, I tried." Marui smirked. shook her head and sighed, crossing her arms.

"Same old, same old..." She muttered, disappointed. "Not that I expected much anyway."

"Argh, you cut me deep." Marui pretended to look as if he was in mental pain. "Definitely not like the other girls I've encountered so far."

"I hope not...I don't like how you said that." narrowed her eyes at him. She smirked. "Which is probably a good thing. Refreshing, am I not?"

Marui was very close to answering "Very", but stopped himself just in time. There was no way he was going to say that. "How about me? Do you find me refreshing?" Marui asked, attempting to avoid the question. smirked.

"Disappointingly refreshing. Been trying to avoid you, but fate brings me back like glue. Heh, better accept it and plan an escape later."

Marui blinked. That last part of her sentence...was true in his case also. Although, part of him didn't want to escape. And he really didn't know why. It's only been a few days since he's even realised her existence.

---

Marui smirked. Poor girl. She tried so hard to avoid wearing a pretty dress for the party. But Marui managed to line out the pros and cons of wearing a dress verses her usual three-quarter black coat and pants. His reasons: "If you go in looking like the tomboy you are, you'll gather attention. Just look like a plain dressed-up girl, and no one would even take notice of us. I'm just telling you this because of the job."

He even managed to get her wear flat heels, despite her protests that she can "hide more things" in her boots. Marui, in a smart white shirt, left not tucked, black tie loose, black suit, waited in 's lounge room for her. Getting impatient, and very hungry, Marui walked to her room, knocked on the door, and whined to her.

"-chan!!! Are you done yet?! I'm huuuuungrrrry!!" The added bonus of doing this job: the FOOD.

"Who gave you permission to called my -chan?! And no, I'm not done!! It's your own fault forcing me to dress up, so live with the consequences!!!" shouted to him from the other side of the door angrily. Marui sighed.

"Just remember our mission also has criteria which involves us not being late!!!" Anyway, if they were late, there would be no food left! Marui turned to walk back to the living room, when the door opened. He turned back to see the girl, in a dress, looking angrily at him.

"Idiot. This is so uncomfortable." fidgeted nervously on the spot. Marui studied her from head to toe. A long, loose, but slim black dress, straps crossing over around her neck. Flat heeled shoes. And...a handbag?! Was she wearing a little make up as well?! Marui noticed that left her hair alone, minus two silver clips which she attached crossed over, just behind and above her ear.

"NOW we'll fit in! You're pretty good with this disguising thing." Marui smirked. sighed.

"Just because males get it easier than girls..." stepped out of her room. "Let's go, you said we shouldn't be late." started to walk forward, had Marui not grab her wrist back. Both blinked in surprise at the reaction, for Marui did not mean to do it. He really needed to quickly get himself of this, before she misunderstands!

"We should go as a couple, since that was the requirements!!!" Marui explained. "So, shall we?" He offered his arm to , for her to hold onto. With a heavy sigh, reluctantly took the offer, slipping her arm, her hand gracefully resting on the inner curve of his elbow.

"Eh, why so gentle?!" Marui cried out in shock.

"What? I'm playing the part of a graceful gentle girlfriend, prick!" snapped. She was still in a bad mood. "Now lead, all men are meant to lead!!!"

---

"Pffft...and you told me to dress up to not stand out...while you eat like a pig here. Marui...people are staring at you like you're the world's biggest idiot."

"Mfrmfrmfrmfrm!!!" Marui was meant to say "But it's so nice! Have some!", but it came out as a muffle. rolled her eyes, and took his hand, pulling him out the chair.

"We have work to do!" She told Marui, as he struggled to shovel more food into his mouth and chew as he was dragged into a silent, exquisite hallway. "Right, we're meant to get to - "

Suddenly Marui pushed against the wall, holding on her hand, and stroking her cheek. looked as if she was about to snap, when Marui placed a finger on her lips, and bringing his lips to her ear, whispered, "Someone's watching. Pretend we're here just because we want time to ourselves."

"Okay." answered, entering a sense of professionalism. With her free arm, she wrapped it around Marui's waist under his jacket, and with the one Marui already held, she entwined her fingers with his. Marui felt his heart race with adrenaline. This was not right! He was not meant to feel this! It was all for a job, hated his guts anyway. He told himself that he would not have anything to do with her after this.

On second thoughts...he only told himself that, because didn't want anything to do with him. If she didn't think that way, he would pretty much want her to part of his life somehow. Now is not the time think about this!!!

"Gone." cut through Marui's thoughts, quickly letting go of him. "Now we can go."

"Yeah." Marui grinned, trying to stop any emotion from leaking out and giving him away.

---

"We'll be able to take Rikkai Dai down." Tezuka Kunimitsu, Captain of Seigaku boy's tennis club, told Atobe Keigo, Captain of Hyotei's boy's tennis club, whose father happened to be the host and organiser of the party.

"Of course, have you managed to get the information, Tezuka?"

"Partially. We have managed to collect all the blackmail required for the refs to fix the matches against Rikkai Dai. It's all in this disk." Tezuka took a CD out of his inner jacket pocket, and handed it to Atobe.

"Excellent. That'll tell Rikkai Dai to be awed at our prowess, no matter the situation." Atobe headed over his safe, opening the biological lock with an eye scan, and then placing the disk in. "Let us go back to the party, our parents would be wondering where we went." And once Atobe and Tezuka cleared the room, the security camera has hacked, leaving a view which made it look as no one was in the room, while in reality, two Rikkai Dai students dropped from the ventilation hole from the ceiling.

"Well, it's confirmed. Let's steal stuff." smirked. Marui rubbed his hands with glee.

"Okay, lets wire this baby to the biological scan and hack it." Marui told , and she lifted her dress up revealing wires and pouches strapped all over her thighs, as well as a palm computer. Removing them from the holds on the belts strapped to her legs, handed them to Marui. Marui opened the panel to the scan, hooked up the computer to it, and began careful decoding, as not to trigger the security system. After what thought to be a nervously long period of time (she was afraid that someone would enter the room and find them), a click was heard, and Marui managed to hack into the system.

"Pure genius..." He muttered to himself, before turning to . "Aren't I a genius?" Marui did the horizontal peace sign he was so famous for. sighed and opened the door to the safe, eyes quickly searching for the CD, and finding it, she quickly placed it in a pouch strapped to her thigh.

"You always say that, it's lost all meaning." remarked, securing the equipment back onto her. "We should tell HQ that Tezuka of Seigaku may still have this information, and that this is only a copy." Marui nodded.

"At least we managed to get a copy. Now let's get back to the party through the vent, and leave as if nothing has happened." They climbed back into the vent, making sure that Marui went up first, as so he wouldn't be able to look up her dress if she went first. As soon as they got out of the vent and mingled with the party-goers again.

---

"Phew, that was nerve racking..." remarked as she pulled the clips from her hair, and placed them on the counter. They were in Rikkai Dai Fuzoku, in the hidden rooms, , taking the disk out of its pocket, placing the disk in the computer, to check it roughly and make backups before the meeting. With concentrating hard onto the screen, Marui sat back, watching her.

"Achoo!" sneezed, rubbing her bare arms. Dammit, she started to wish she brought a jacket or a shawl or something. Sniffling, she continued to work, when she felt a gentle weight upon her shoulders, the texture of satin against her skin, and she realised it was the inside layer of Marui's jacket. Looking at the black jacket draping over her, she turned around and smiled.

"Thanks." And she turned back to work. Marui, still behind her, looked from the screen, and then to her. Realising that he was staring at her, he quickly darted his eyes back to the computer screen. No, it was impossible. She hated his guts. Better drop it.

Marui found himself impulsively hugging from behind, his arms wrapped around her shoulders, eyes closed. froze, confused and uncomfortable, her eyes shifting side to side, wondering what made Marui do this.

"Marui...what the hell are you doing...?" asked slowly and cautiously. Marui's eyes shot opened. What was he doing?! Embracing her. And he couldn't let go.

"Argh!!! I can't take it anymore!!!" Marui cringed. "Why do you keep hating me?!" He asked her. raised her eyebrow.

"I don't hate you...you just hate your male chauvinistic ways. And that you think the world revolves around you, and you flirt with girls just so they give you what you want...argh, I just hate that from you!" strangled an imaginary Marui in front of her. Marui felt as if she slashed him deep inside.

"You know, ..." Marui started quietly. "I've been trying to avoid you just like you wanted to avoid me, cos you don't want me around. Just like you, I've been trying to escape your presence. But tonight, that moment in the hallway, I realised that I don't wanna run anymore." Marui tightened his embrace. "I don't care if you keep refusing me, or you keep pushing me away, I will make you mine, !!"

"There we go again!!!" clenched her fists. "You're always talking as if everything must be yours!!! I WILL NOT BE YOURS..." resumed typing, ignoring Marui drapping off her. "Stupid boy, I can't believe I've been watching you afar for all these years." muttered without realising. Marui's ears pricked up. He loosened his hold, and straightened up just a bit.

"...say again...?" Marui felt an excited grin creep on his face. froze once more. She...didn't...did she...?

"I didn't say anything." darted her eyes away as she typed as fast as she could.

"No...you said it!!!" Marui cried out eagerly. But he knew she wouldn't admit it. "...I changed my mind, I don't want to just make you mine anymore. Most importantly, I want you to accept me, and let me be yours."

"What the?!" instinctively frowned and spun around on the swivel chair, just to look Marui in the eye to tell him off. Unfortunately, Marui still was in close proximity to her, arms still around her, and so when she spun around, it brought them nose to nose. A little to close for comfort. And Marui leant in and kissed her suddenly.

It was like time stopped for both of them.

Until pushed Marui violently away from her, throwing him into the side of the bench behind him. He winced in pain, his back with the sharp pain settling into a dull one, dull but strong. His head hit the side as well, but not as strong as his back was hit. He leant back, breathing hard. He shouldn't have done that. It justmade things worse.

"WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!" shouted. She stood up heavily from her seat, glaring at Marui, never been more furious in her life. This had to be the worst day in her life.

"Sorry, I'm really sorry." Marui murmured quietly, the pain in his back throbbing so hard, but nothing hurt more than the feeling inside of him. He made her angry, and she'll hate him even more...

He felt small hands take his head, and ice pack placed behind it. And then the free hand went to his back, feeling for any dangerous injuries. glanced at him.

"You'll be fine, if we move to the infirmary, and lay you down on a gurney, I'll administed some anti-bruising ointment on you and there won't be any issues tomorrow and..." swallowed. "I'm sorry. I'm just so...pissed off today, I'm not usually so violent, or mean, or...wait a sec, why the heck am I trying to make myself sound better to you?!" sighed and supported Marui up, about to take him to the infirmary. Well, after she shut down the computer and put the disk into the mission files.

"You know...we'll both feel better if we both just admit we like each other." Marui grinned mischievously as the girl managed to support him all the way to the infirmary.

"As if. You'll get all smug, and then you'll get all chauvinist on me..."

"Wait..." Marui smirked. "You mean...you do admit you like me?"

"Not in your face, I won't." leered back. She helped Marui onto a gurney. "I'll be back."

"Wait." Marui stopped . "Just tell me first, will you date me?"

"No." A straight forward answer, no pauses in between.

"If you won't go out with me, I won't let you put ointment on me!"

"Good, less work for me." turned as if she was about to leave the infirmary altogether.

"!!!" Marui called out pitifully and desperately.

"Won't work on me." told him stoically, crossing her arms. Suddenly, arms wrapped around her from behind, around her waist. Not again.

"-chaaaan..." Marui purred. "I'm in pain, but I'll be in greater pain if you don't go out with me~"

"You're getting annoying." sighed. "Alright, trial week. If it works out, I'll stay with you, happy?"

"YES!!!" Marui turned the girl around just to hug her properly. "Alright!" He gave her his happiest smile. "Let's go home." pushed him away, her face shocked.

"Wait...your back..."

"Oh...I can do that myself at home." Marui answered. "I have a week to impress you, and during that time, I'm going to spoil you, show you there's more to Marui Bunta then just a genius." shrugged, while straigtening Marui's tie.

"Well...that's what you say...but I don't think I'll get spoilt if you happen to be incapacitated because you were suffering back injuries, now, would you?" grinned.

"Hmph...fine, I've learnt what happens if I go against you..." Marui pressed his forehead against 's. "...but...I'll be owing you dinner."

"Deal." answered. "As long as you don't eat it all and leave me with nothing."

"I won't." Marui smiled, "I already have you with me."

fin.
_ k a r i n u i
14.March.2006 [I waited to code at midnight, HOHOHOHOHO]
Happy White Day~