AN: This is probably going to be a slowly updated fic, but as long as you guys enjoy it, expect it to continue to update.

Tell Me

1

He was known around the underground as the Tiger and the name fit more than he cared to admit. It may have been his red hair or the golden eyes that those unfit enough to handle him in a fight often said burned like the sun, but it was his ferocity and single mindedness that made the title fit.

He liked to boast about his accomplishments to the juniors. How he could walk in on a cartel and the mere presence of the Tiger would silence anyone who had the right of mind, or that he had never lost a fight in his three years as captain. He just wouldn't tell them that his streak had ended the moment he met her.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry," she said after slugging him in the solar plexus, "You scared me."

He was doubled over in pain, struggling to catch his breath, but the gentle hand on his back that moved in slow soothing circles was more than worth the pain. "That's one right hook you've got there," he choked out between wheezes.

It was his mistake after all. He had saw her taking out the trash, and he was enough of a gentlemen, despite his reputation, to know that approaching a woman in an alleyway with a dumpster had its risks. It was just, she was so pretty with her red hair and matching tracksuit that talking to her was the only thing on his mind. All he had gotten out was a "hey," before her fist had introduced itself to his gut.

"My brother's a boxer," she said, half laughing, "I get it from him."

He tried to laugh, but the action merely made it hurt worse.

"Do you want me to get you anything? There's some ice packs inside the gym I could get for you."

He shook his head.

"Pain reliever?"

He grimaced one last time and forced himself to stand, coughing out a somewhat unconvincing, "I'm good." His vision was still a bit iffy, so when he looked down at her, the lights that burst in his eyes caused her to sparkle. First it was his mind that went, lost as he was in her eyes, then his ability to speak, his mouth going uncomfortably dry as his heart desperately wanted to sing her praises. He was a gangster, a thug (someone completely unsuitable for a girl like her), and if the juniors heard about this, his reputation would vanish faster than that guy who had the audacity to sneak up on him that night out near the harbor.

The concern in her eyes remained (as did the hand on his back) and he lost himself in the moment and stared far longer than he should have, for she suddenly withdrew her hand and looked away. A feeling he could only name as disappointment settled in him and he desperately sought her gaze again, consequences be damned. "Uh, thanks..." he started, his hand rubbing his neck awkwardly.

He was surprised by just how happy he was when her eyes looked at him once more. "I'm Gou," she said smiling, "But I'd prefer it if you called me Kou."

"Kou," he said, testing her name on his lips, and he was surprised by the sincere look of happiness that formed on her features.

"You got it," she said, positively beaming, and his heart fluttered.

In that moment he decided he would do anything for this girl.

He learned through the vine that she worked as a waitress at an old ramen shop in the shopping district, and it had become sort of a habit to wander over during down times. Of course, it also didn't hurt that the food tasted good. He'd stroll on in around three and take a seat at the small table near the entrance. He would make is seem nonchalant, waltzing in with his hands stuffed into his pockets and would slide into his seat like he'd done it a million times. He wanted it to seem as if he was here for the food and yet at the same time, he wanted her to know that he was here for her. To see her, to talk to her, even if it was only a simple exchange of greetings.

Nonchalant, he repeated in his head, but when he caught sight of her - and she him – he couldn't help but smile widely as she walked over to take his order. "Kou," he called.

"Fancy seeing you here, Mikoshiba." she teased, grinning. "what can I get you?"

"A bowl of ramen would be nice."

The grin tilted into a smile, "The usual then?"

He nodded, "Sounds good," he paused, tugging on the collar of his undershirt. "Everything been well lately?"

"As good as can be," she offered, placing a clean pair of chopsticks down on the table. "Though apparently while I was off last week, a couple of guys from downtown started causing the owner some trouble. Poor guy seems to be on his last leg."

His eyes narrowed, but when he noticed Gou's curious stare, he grinned widely. "I bet they'll stop soon."

She raised an eyebrow, "Yeah? What makes you so certain?"

He shrugged coolly, "Just a gut feeling."

"Well, if they stop by when I'm around, I'll be sure to teach them a lesson or two," she said, rolling up her sleeve almost threateningly, causing his lips to quirk upward in amusement. She giggled softly then, "Guess I should go put in your order now huh."

"Whatever you do is fine with me."

She smiled at him before leaving to attend to her work.

He had never eaten lunch so quickly, wolfing it down in six bites before offering his thanks and calling out to Gou that he'd be around when he was around. She had looked up from her work and waved, a smile on her lips.

He decided to set up a stakeout not far the ramen shop. He sat, legs apart and arms folded over his puffed out chest as his eyes scanned the the various streets and alley ways. It was around eight when three burly men stumbled from the dark and out onto the main street. He couldn't help the predatory grin that spread across his face as he stood, his heart pounding against his chest.

"Hey, hey," he called and all three of their intoxicated faces swerved to look at him.

"Whatcha want, punk?" growled the largest one, taking the cigarette from his lips to breathe out a swirl of smoke.

Seijuurou rolled his neck and received a satisfying crack as a result. They were obviously new around these parts. "Figured we could have a little talk."

"Ain't interested, come talk to us after we're done eating."

"Now, let's not get hasty," he said, cutting them off. "You see, I'm sweet on a girl in there and I'd rather you not ruin her workday. So how about you men find another place to sate your hunger."

"How 'bout we just help ourselves to her as well as some noodles," the man said, tossing his cigarette and crushing it underfoot. "Women and noodles go hand in hand, don't you think?"

His eyes narrowed, and in a fraction of a second, the sound of his knuckles colliding with the thug's nose filled his ears and the man tumbled backward. "Let's be gents about this, yeah?" Seijuurou nearly snarled as he closed the distance between them and pressed the heel of his boot into the man's skull.

The other two jumped then, lunging forward with knives held tightly within their grasps. What they didn't know was that to beat a Tiger, you needed a shotgun, something that tore and exploded. Knives like those only leave scratches. And so, with a well placed knee to the gut and a punch to the throat the other two fell in a heap on the ground.

He whistled low, dusting off his hands on his jacket, before digging through his pocket for his phone and quickly dialed up some friends. "Yeah, gonna need a clean up. Shopping district, isle seven. . . Don't worry, they're not dead. But make it quick or they might be."

When he saw her he next day, there was a certain look in her eyes that he couldn't quite place, but when she brought the order to his table all she said was, "It's on the house."

He looked up at her from where he sat, "What for?"

She smiled, "For being you." She paused, her eyes drifting to his bandaged hand before her gaze lifted to his eyes and his breath caught. "If you need anything else let me know."

When she turned away he reached out to gently grasp her hand. "Actually, I," he cleared his throat just to be safe, "I would really like it if you would join me for a date sometime, just the two of us, night on the town, what do you think?"

She laughed, soft and light, "Sounds like a plan."