Hi, guys! *waves guiltily towards readers* I honestly don't know how to apologize for such an abrupt departure from the story. I started something and I should at least have some decency to let those who have committed (you awesome readers) know if I'll complete the work or not. I'm giving no excuses here. I wanna say life happened, it did, but its not an excuse. I'm writing. Not for fanfiction but I've started writing in general and with my College Career ending soon, I've just been occupied. However, not an excuse. I am so so sorry to all the dedicated readers who left. It was never my intention to set this story up and get you all invested to not follow through.

I have to thank reader *JazzLee18* for bringing me back. When I received the email notification from here, I was shocked and surprised that anyone was still reading Sweet Tooth, considering it's been 2 years. But thank you so much. I actually felt like crying (from happiness). Your message wasn't rude. Lol. It was what I needed to hear, tbh. Life keeps happening but maybe completing this story and others I've thought of will help me cope with it better. Please, enjoy!

"Why'd you do that Shinya? You promised not to hurt people anymore." Banba whispered furiously. She was currently watching Shinya carry the unconscious girl to her home. "I don't know why I did that either. I was just walking along and felt this sudden urge to protect the girl. Hearing their bones crack was thrilling, I enjoyed every second of it."

Shinya loved getting into fights but hated protecting people. Life didn't guarantee protection no matter how loud and long you yell for help. The girls came to this realisation at a young age. Banba hated when people got hurt, to her it wasn't fair that the weak always got abused by the strong. "Shinya shouldn't abuse her strength like that, even if it did save someone's life. There are limits" Banba thought to herself.

Approaching the steps leading to the doorway of Sumeriko's home, Shinya paused and took the entire building in. " This a fine place she's got. I wonder how much money she's got in there." Shinya had the bad habit of stealing from time to time. Since Banba made her promise not to get into fights, she needed another outlet and stealing gave her a similar rush fighting did. Taking the last few steps, Shinya fixed Sumeriko in her arms and made an attempt to knock on the door. "Hello! Is anyone the-"

Simon was doing one last check around the house before going in search of his young mistress when one of the guards approached. "Sir, there's someone approaching and they appear to have Sumeriko with them."

"It's pretty late, the young mistress must have found someone in need of something. She must know not to bring just anyone back to this house. I'll have to refresh her on the issue." Simon stated. He didn't want the alarm he felt slip through. Simon knew how attentive the child was and knew that it wasn't a slip up but something terribly wrong. Heading towards the front doors Simon heard the rough voice of another female calling out. Opening the door Simon took in the unconscious Sumeriko in the arms of this white haired teen. "What's happened to her?" he asked coldly. Shinya looked at the man with a guarded gaze assessing the situation and finally deciding on trusting him, placed Sumeriko into his outstretched hands. "She was cornered by a bunch of drunk idiots and fainted when I went in to help her. So yeah, la-" "Y-you should stay with her a-and w-wait until she wakes up Shinya! Don't just d-drop her off and leave! W-what if she's not okay?" "She'll be okay Banba. This dude will take care of it. We can go now, just leave it." "No!" Shinya externally jumped, surprised at the determination and anger in Banba's voice. This is the first time she's ever experienced this side of Banba before. " We will stay and wait until she is up and okay Shinya." With the resolution in Banba's voice, Shinya looked at the questioning man and said "Is it okay if I stay until she's up? To you know, see if she's okay and stuff."

"Sure, Come on in Miss...?"

"Shinya"

"Miss Shinya, welcome."

"So she's about my height, give or take a couple of inches. Long flowing pink hair that brings out her amazing eyes." It was after classes and Haruki was spending time with her favorite senior citizen. As usual they would play chess and talk but conversation recently drifted towards school and Haruki couldn't stop herself from talking about the intriguing pink haired woman. "We only met today but- man! I can just feel it!" Chuckling at the redhead who couldn't seem to sit still, Susan asked "Feel what exactly, Haruki?" Haruki paused with a look of surprise, as if she forgot where she was and who she was talking to during her little description of Isuke.

"Huh-Oh! You know, that feeling. Like when you're on the swings and you get to the highest point and then you drop and your tummy gets all tight and stuff. Or when you fly in an airplane for the first time. During take off, everything gets all light and fuzzy and you feel like you can't breathe all that well but then it gets better and you realise the air is different, cool, and your insides cool down. Like realising you've woken after sleeping for a long time." Haruki rambled on with a smile that looked rather painful to Susan, but she smiled and encouraged her to continue. Of all the times the eccentric teen came to visit her, Susan has never seen her this alive.

Deciding to end the game for them, Susan slyly knocked over Haruki's King and called them game. "Hey! You cheated!" Haruki yelled trying to sound angry. She knew that she could never get upset with the only person who helped her cope with being away from her family. Susan laughed and started packing the board and pieces back up. Checking her watch, Haruki noticed that it was almost time to head out for work. She also needed to start that project with Isuke but the girl was harder to keep track of than a golden snitch.

"Alright, sweetheart. It seems our time is up. Same time next week?" Susan asked as she and Haruki walked to the entrance of the center. Hugging her, Haruki agreed and jogged off towards the bus stop. She had work in half an hour at the campus tea spot. It wasn't the best paying job but it paid her enough to have fun with friends every other weekend and still save for her family. Although she was away for school, the ever dedicated teen still wanted to support her family and so she decided to take a job, alongside a few odd jobs around campus in order to send her family something monthly to make sure they aren't struggling too much without her. Like everything else she did, Haruki enjoyed her job at the tea spot. It was a chill and social environment. The customers were friendly, so was the staff.

Bobbing her head to the latest song out, the red headed young lady strolled into her place of work looking forward to a fun shift. What was in store for her however, would blow her mind. Waving hello to some of the frequent patrons, Haruki heading towards the staff room to get ready. It wasn't too crowded at the moment, so she didn't have to rush. "I heard you got partnered with that nasty Isuke bitch" came the high pitched voice of Hitsugi Kirigaya. Haruki jumped not realising the girl was in the staff room with her. She sure knew how to move silently. It unsettled many people around her.

"Really, Kiri? She seems kind of nice to me" was the response. There was a snort as Haruki turned around, now changed and ready to head out front. Kirigaya was already waiting by the doorway. Their shifts usually started the same time so Kirigaya usually made sure to clock in with Haruki. She often forgot directions easily and Haruki never minded helping.

"Are you alright, Sagae?" the shorter girl asked, feigning concern for her eclectic friend. Looking confused "What are you-"

"Oh, I was just making sure you didn't lose any screws when they dropped you on the head as a baby." Kirigaya giggled and skipped off to the cash register ready to take the first order. Haruki shook her heading realising what the girl just did and went to her cash register as well. It was time to get this money!

*a few hours later*

"Hi! Can I please get a medium iced green tea with lemon and a strawberry cupcake please?"

"Sure. That'll be six dollars." Smiling and taking the money from the patron, Haruki completed the transaction and went to get the drink ready. She had failed to see the most recent obsession walk through the doors and join Kirigaya's queue. It had been four hours since her shift started and Haruki was getting a little tired. She hadn't started her project yet and she really couldn't think of a way to track down her partner. She's managed to ask many of her classmates while they waited for their teas during work but all responded with the same answer. The girl had to conclude that her partner was not a resident to the campus. Just her luck! Haruki chuckled to herself while handing the patron their tea and cupcake. 'You get a hot partner but she doesn't even live on campus. The gods will have to be on my side to ru-'

"Yo! Sagae!" A frantic whisper knocked the now pocky eating girl out of her head. Kirigaya was currently making someone a passion fruit black tea. Yuck. Haruki hated the bitter drink. She never understood why some patrons even ordered it without sugar. Those people had to be mad.

"What is it Kiri?" She said with a raised brow. Haruki was curious considering Kirigaya hadn't needed her help much all shift. The drink prep instructors were posted directly in front of the girl at the drink station as well.

"Your Ice Queen is here! Seriously, how can you miss her. Her pink hair can be spotted miles away."

Haruki turned around and locked eyes with the girl of discussion painting a wide smile on her face. Haruki's own line was currently empty and since the place was moving slow, she saw no reason to take some of Kiri's patrons but this one, she can take anytime. Leaning over the counter a little bit Haruki called out to her partner.

"Hey, Isuke! Come over here and order instead of waiting. I'm all yours." Grinning, the now ecstatic young woman bounced on the balls of her feet as she watch the pink haired beauty contemplate switching lines. Really now, who would wait in line if there's already one open? Haruki thought. She briefly hoped the girl wouldn't just ignore her after such an embarrassing address but stopped when she saw Isuke walk over.

Now that she was closer, Haruki could see how tired the girl looked. She didn't seem to have the same fire in her eyes when she glared at Haruki, like the first few times they met. Her frown was also more pronounced. Haruki wondered what was on the girl's mind. She was worried.

"A Black tea. Make it hot with no sugar. Large." Placing her black mastercard onto the counter. Isuke was done with talking to the girl. She just wanted to grab her tea and leave. She wanted a good bath and her bed. The day had been complete shit and she had no more energy to deal with it. Sumeriko would see her again another day, that child made her worry way beyond whatever is considered healthy.

Haruki was a little irritated that the girl didn't even say hello or anything. Shrugging it off, she completed the transaction and prepared her drink . Handing Isuke back her card and her drink, Haruki decided to strike a conversation again before the pink haired girl disappeared. Grabbing her wrist, Haruki rushed to speak before Isuke was able to pull away "Look. Wait a second. Can I have your number? Or email?" The girl looked confused for a second and then smiled. Haruki sighed. 'She was going to corporate' she thought. Wrong.

"Do you really think Isuke would give someone like you her number? Isuke is amused." Looking at your name badge she continued "Listen Haruki, let go of my hand now or you won't like to see what happens when Isuke gets upset with someone." Fighting the blush that was warming up her face from embarrassment, Haruki acted. One moment she was behind the register, the next moment, the ever moving woman was standing directly in front of the pink haired vixen. She had hopped over the counter in a flash. Haruki wasn't going to allow this girl to make her a fool in public. That wasn't how she wanted their relationship to work. No, Haruki was the one who did the embarrassing. Public Humiliation was a kink for a reason. Tightening her hold on Isuke's wrist when she felt the girl try to tug it out, Haruki stepped closer to her.

"Hey! Take that outside or to the back, Sagae! People working over here" shouted Kiri. The shorter cashier didn't really care but with many of the patrons staring, she'd prefer there not be any commotion that drew in a crowd. The lines now only contained one to two patrons every half hour as time passed. Less people meant less work. Listening, Haruki dragged the still speechless Isuke to the staff room.

"Let Isuke go now you idiot." Forgetting her very hot tea was still in her hand, Isuke yanked with all her strength out of the worker's hand, just to spill the tea all over her chest. "Fuck!" she gasped. The liquid seeped straight into her clothes, possibly leaving stains. It was going to be a bitch getting them cleaned later. Haruki chuckled as she apologized. It wasn't her intention to accidentally burn the girl. Leaving to get the first aid kit, Haruki returned and told Isuke to sit so that she can help her with the burned skin.

"What are you doing?"

"Um, taking your jacket off?" Haruki was confused as Isuke swatted her hands away from her.

"You have to remove your jacket, so that i can get a better look at that burn. There's cream here. We wouldn't want to damage that perfect skin of yours right?" Lowering her voice, Haruki leaned closer to Isuke grinning. She had only wanted to get her number to discuss their project but this seemed a lot more fun than just asking.

Isuke was confused. Not with the girl but herself. She should be furious by now but she can't. Maybe the tea spilling took the last of her energy and so she isn't responding with a slap to this face just inches from her own. Her chest burned and the ointment would really help until she can get home, but Isuke didn't want this Haruki girl touching her. "Give Isuke the ointment. Isuke will put it on herself." Frowning, Haruki ignored her and decided to put some cream on her fingers. Leaning even closer, their noses touching, Haruki inhaled slowly and loudly. Her pink haired vixen smelled amazing. A mixture of perfume, smoke, and the air after a rainstorm. Haruki licked her licks, barely missing Isuke's own. She grinned when the girl flinched at her touch. The cream was cool to the touch but Isuke's skin was still hot and beautifully red. "Now where's the fun in that Isuke-sama" the redhead husked. Haruki grinned as she watched the girl's incredibly amber colored eyes glaze over. They were almost golden. 'Amazing.' Haruki thought. She never saw the girl so up close to realise such a unique eye color.

Isuke couldn't think. She wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. There was something cold running along her collarbone and just above her breasts. It felt really good, but that smell. "Oh my god! Isuke needs to know what that smell is!" she thought. It smelt like chocolate and strawberries. It filled all of Isuke's sense. The pink haired girl closed her eyes and inhaled the scent she never wanted to forget.

RING RING RING\

The sudden sound of her cell phone seemed to bring both women back to the world around them. Isuke opened her eyes and jumped back out of shock at how close she was to Haruki. The redhead on the other hand was still grinning. She was thinking about sneaking a kiss from the other the entire time she rubbed the ceam onto her burn. She'd noticed when Isuke had closed her eyes and leaned into her touch. Haruki knew Isuke liked her touch. She was expecting it. The color red really did fit her and her soft skin was just asking to be played with. Haruki was looking forward to getting that opportunity soon.

"I'm all done with the burn. You can put your jacket back on if you want." Watching the pink haired girl move to put her jacket on after sending out a text to whoever's call she didn't answer, Haruki decided to get it over with. It was closing time soon. They couldn't stay back here all night.

"Remember our project for class? I wanted your number or email so that we could discuss meet up times and stuff like that."

"Isuke doesn't-"

"Give her number out, yeah, yeah, yeah. Look, I won't ask you again. Isuke will exchange numbers with me. Or would you like me to take it from you?" Stepping towards her, Haruki smirked. She meant the girl no harm but her stubbornness was getting old real fast.

"I-I-I..." Haruki was now pressing the Pink haired girl up against the wall. Gripping her waist and pulling her forwards, Haruki leaned down to whisper into her ears "I know you enjoy our little game of cat and mouse, but I'm still on the clock. I can't play with Isuke right now. So, just give me your number and I'll be sure to play with you another time. Maybe I can even let you play a game of mine as well." Haruki pulled the girl into her even more when she felt her jump and the tongue that traced the shell of her ear. Grinning, Haruki nipped at Isuke's earlobe after hearing the girl hiss.

"Fine. Isuke will give you her number only cause Isuke is tired and would like to go home now."

Later that night, once she got home. Isuke decided to go straight to sleep. As much as she wanted a good bath, her body felt uncharacteristically drained. The pink haired girl drifted off to thoughts of a red haired girl and the feeling of her fingers on her chest.

Okay so, I don't really like this chapter. But that's only because I lost track of what was originally planned for it. But that's alright. The other chapters should be fine. Can you guys please just let me know if this chapter worked or not... I never really had a plot for this specific story but more so a plot for the sumeriko/shinya ship. I'm also gonna be dabbling in some harry potter ff since I've started reading the books for the first time ever (yeah.. Im late. lol) and I've been reading a lot of good bellamione stories. If I do actually publish those, I'll probably revisit the Akuma no Riddle manga and actually write that sumeriko/Shinya story i have stored away on my computer. I promise to update soon as well.