The moonlight barely filtered through the curtains of Hannah's room, casting pale streaks of light across the floor. The stillness of the Kuzuryu manor at night should have been a source of peace, but in the wake of what had happened, her sleep was anything but restful. Her body still ached, every movement a reminder of the cuts and bruises that littered her skin. Bandages wrapped around her arms and legs, and the deep purple bruise along her ribs throbbed painfully. Her breath came in shallow, uneven waves as she slept, her mind still trapped in the chaos of the previous night's events, memories of being kidnapped and tortured haunted her dreams.

Suddenly, a sharp noise shattered the quiet. The window to her room exploded inward with a deafening crash, sending shards of glass flying across the room. Hannah's eyes shot open, her heart pounding violently in her chest, but she had no time to react. A dark figure, silhouetted by the broken window, lunged at her with terrifying speed.

Hannah barely had time to scream before the intruder was upon her. Her heart raced with pure terror, her body still weak and vulnerable from the torture she'd endured. The weight of the figure pinned her down against the mattress, the stench of blood and sweat filling her senses. She struggled, gasping for air, but the pain in her ribs shot through her like lightning, leaving her dizzy and breathless.

The figure's hand clamped down over her mouth, muffling any sounds she might have made. "Shh... don't struggle, it'll be over soon." a low voice hissed in her ear, filled with malice. She could feel the cold edge of a blade pressed against her throat, and every muscle in her body tensed with fear.

Tears welled in her eyes, panic rising inside her chest. Was this how it was going to end? After everything, after surviving last night's horror, was she about to be killed in her sleep?

Before she could even process the thought, there was a sudden shift in the room; a heavy, familiar presence barreling through the door. Fuyuhiko.

The door burst open, and the weight of multiple footsteps thundered into the room. Fuyuhiko, leading a group of Kuzuryu clan members, stormed in, his face a mask of cold fury. The intruder, who had barely managed to stumble to his feet, froze in place, his eyes wide with fear. He knew his chances of escape were slim, but panic pushed him to attempt retreat toward the broken window.

It was too late.

Fuyuhiko was faster, much faster. Without hesitation, he pulled out his gun, the barrel glinting under the moonlight as he aimed with deadly precision. His voice was a low growl, devoid of any mercy. "You're not getting out of this."

Before the man could respond, Fuyuhiko fired. The shots rang out in quick succession, each one hitting its mark. The intruder jerked violently with each bullet, his body writhing in pain as the force of the gunfire sent him stumbling backward. Blood splattered across the floor and walls, the metallic scent filling the room as the man collapsed, gasping for air. His eyes were wide, his life slipping away with every ragged breath.

Fuyuhiko kept his aim steady, his expression hard and unrelenting as he pulled the trigger again. Another shot, and the man laid still, lifeless on the floor, a pool of blood spreading beneath him.

The room fell silent, save for the fading echoes of the gunshots. The clan members surrounding Fuyuhiko exchanged glances, some murmuring under their breath, but no one dared to speak to their young leader directly. They could see the storm raging beneath his calm exterior, the barely controlled fury that had led him to end the man without hesitation.

Fuyuhiko took a deep breath, lowering the gun slowly. His hands, usually steady, trembled slightly as the adrenaline began to wear off. His eyes, still burning with anger, flicked toward the lifeless body before he turned away, as if the sight of it was already irrelevant. What mattered now was Hannah.

His gaze shifted to her, still sitting on the bed, her wide eyes filled with a mixture of shock and fear. The events of the last few days had been too much, first the attack, and now witnessing the ruthless way Fuyuhiko had handled the situation. Her body trembled, the overwhelming flood of emotions making it hard for her to even breathe properly.

Fuyuhiko's expression softened as he approached her, kneeling by her side, concern replacing the cold fury that had gripped him moments before. "Hannah," he said softly, his voice gentle despite the violence he'd just unleashed. "It's over now. He can't hurt you anymore."

Hannah blinked, her body still tense and rigid. She swallowed hard, struggling to find her voice. "I-I didn't... expect..." Her words trailed off, her eyes shifting to the body on the floor.

Fuyuhiko noticed her glance and quickly stood, signaling for one of his men to take care of the mess. "Clean this up." he ordered sharply. "And make sure no one else gets in here. We don't need more attention."

As his men moved swiftly to follow his orders, Fuyuhiko returned his attention to Hannah, sitting beside her once more. "I'm sorry you had to see that," he muttered, guilt evident in his voice. "But I couldn't let him live. Not after what he tried to do to you."

Hannah nodded, though her mind was still reeling. She knew the kind of world Fuyuhiko was part of; the violence, the constant danger, but seeing it up close like this was a different story. And yet, despite everything, she felt a strange sense of relief knowing Fuyuhiko had protected her.

"I'm okay.. it's okay." she whispered, though she wasn't entirely sure if it was true. Her body ached, her mind raced, and the image of the man's lifeless body still haunted her thoughts.

Fuyuhiko reached out, gently wrapping his arms around her. Hannah immediately shifted into him, trying to hide herself away from it all, as much as possible.

Fuyuhiko held Hannah tightly against his chest, feeling the tremors run through her as she buried her face into him. His heart twisted painfully at the sight of her so scared, so fragile. He wasn't used to seeing her like this; usually so cheerful, confident, and full of life. The violence of his world had crashed down around her, and now he had dragged her into its dark heart.

He ran his fingers through her hair gently, trying to soothe her as best as he could. "I'm sorry, Hannah." he murmured, his voice low and soft, so unlike the sharp, ruthless tone he had used with the intruder just moments before. "I didn't want you to see that. I shouldn't have let it get this far."

Hannah didn't respond at first. She just stayed there, trembling against him, her hands clutching weakly at the fabric of his shirt. Fuyuhiko tightened his hold on her, wrapping his arms around her like a shield, as if he could block out the ugliness of the world outside by sheer will alone.

"I didn't mean to scare you.." he continued, his voice breaking slightly, betraying the guilt he was carrying. "But I had to protect you. I can't let anyone hurt you again."

Hannah slowly pulled her face away from his chest, just enough to look up at him. Her eyes were still wide with shock, but there was a flicker of something else; gratitude, maybe even understanding. She opened her mouth to say something, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, she just leaned back into him, her head resting against his shoulder as if seeking out more comfort.

Fuyuhiko sighed quietly, pressing his chin against the top of her head. His fingers traced soft patterns on her back, trying to calm the storm he could feel brewing inside her. "I know this life isn't what you're used to," he whispered, his tone more vulnerable than he ever let anyone hear. "I know you're scared. And I wish I could keep all this from you... but I won't let anyone get close enough to hurt you again. I swear it."

Hannah remained silent, but her body seemed to relax slightly against him, her breathing slowly evening out. The shock was still there, but Fuyuhiko's presence, his warmth, and his steady voice seemed to anchor her.

Minutes passed, and Fuyuhiko just held her, not saying a word, letting the silence offer whatever comfort it could. He knew words wouldn't fix this, not for her. The world he belonged to was dangerous, and he couldn't pretend otherwise. But as long as she was in it, he would protect her, no matter what.

After what felt like hours, Hannah whispered against his chest, her voice so quiet he almost missed it. "I'm just... not used to this." There was a slight tremor in her words, but she wasn't crying anymore.

"I know," Fuyuhiko replied softly, pressing a kiss into her hair. "You don't have to be. I'll handle it. Just... just let me take care of you."

Hannah nodded slightly, her body still pressed close to his. She didn't say anything more, but the way she clung to him, the way she let herself melt into his embrace, told him she trusted him, even after seeing the violence, after witnessing the brutal reality of the yakuza life.

Fuyuhiko felt a mix of emotions swirl inside him. Relief, guilt, protectiveness. He hated that she had been dragged into this mess, but if she was going to be in his life, he would shield her from everything he could. And if anyone tried to hurt her again, he wouldn't hesitate to do what was necessary to keep her safe.

He tightened his hold on Hannah as the door swung open, his father's presence immediately filling the room with a heavy, intimidating aura. Mr Kuzuryu's sharp eyes scanned the scene; the lifeless body on the floor, the bloodstains, the shattered window, and then his gaze landed on his son, still cradling Hannah protectively. His eyes narrowed, piecing together what had transpired in an instant.

"What the hell happened here?" Mr Kuzuryu demanded, his voice low but full of fury.

One of the clan members stepped forward, bowing respectfully before speaking. "Sir, an intruder broke in, aiming to harm the Togami heir. Fuyuhiko... neutralized the threat before they could succeed."

Mr Kuzuryu's eyes flickered over to the corpse again, his jaw tightening. His gaze then shifted back to Hannah, who was still trembling slightly in Fuyuhiko's arms, her face hidden against his chest.

"I see." Mr Kuzuryu said, his voice tense but calm, though there was an underlying edge of barely contained rage. He took a step closer, staring down at Fuyuhiko, who met his father's gaze with a hardened, defiant look.

"How did they get past our security?" Mr Kuzuryu asked coldly, his eyes now moving to his men.

"We're investigating that now, sir." one of the men responded quickly. "It seems like they were well-prepared, but we're tracking down their entry point."

Mr Kuzuryu huffed, his expression a mix of frustration and anger. "Well, figure it out. I don't want anyone else slipping through our defenses. Especially not when the Togami girl is under our protection."

Fuyuhiko's jaw clenched at his father's words, but he didn't speak. He kept his attention on Hannah, still running his hand gently through her hair, trying to calm her.

Mr Kuzuryu took a long breath before turning his sharp gaze back to his son. "And you, Fuyuhiko..."

Fuyuhiko tensed slightly, bracing for whatever reprimand was coming next.

"You handled the situation. Good," his father said, surprising him. "But you're still responsible for her safety. This cannot happen again. Understood?"

Fuyuhiko nodded once, his grip on Hannah not loosening for a second. "It won't." he said firmly.

Mr Kuzuryu gave him a final, hard look before his gaze softened slightly as it flickered toward Hannah. "Get her cleaned up. Make sure she's safe, and find out who was behind this. We don't let things like this slide." His voice carried a menacing undertone.

Fuyuhiko grunted, his frustration still evident as he glanced at the shattered window. "We need better damn windows." he muttered angrily, his voice low but sharp.

Mr Kuzuryu, already halfway out of the room, paused at the doorway and turned back slightly. To Fuyuhiko's surprise, his father let out a quiet chuckle, the sound almost foreign in the tense atmosphere. "You always were quick to the point." Mr Kuzuryu remarked, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "We'll take care of the windows, don't worry."

Fuyuhiko narrowed his eyes slightly but didn't respond. He was still on edge, his anger simmering beneath the surface as he looked down at Hannah, who was still nestled against his chest, her breathing starting to slow as she calmed.

Mr Kuzuryu crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe, watching the two of them for a moment. His gaze softened, just barely, but there was still a sharpness in his eyes, the look of a man who had lived his life surrounded by violence and control.

"She's under your protection now, Fuyuhiko." his father continued, his voice firm but lacking the usual harshness. "Make sure you treat that responsibility with the weight it deserves. You may not like this lifestyle, but it's who we are. And now, she's a part of it, whether you like it or not."

Fuyuhiko clenched his jaw but nodded, his grip on Hannah tightening protectively. "I know," he said, his voice low but determined.

Mr Kuzuryu's smirk faded, and his expression turned serious again. "Good. Then make sure no one ever gets that close to her again. You hear me?"

Fuyuhiko met his father's gaze with equal intensity. "Yeah. I hear you."

Without another word, Mr Kuzuryu turned and walked out of the room, leaving Fuyuhiko and Hannah in the heavy silence that followed.

Fuyuhiko sighed, running a hand through his hair. His father's words echoed in his mind, and the weight of the situation felt heavier than ever. He looked down at Hannah, her face still hidden against his chest, and felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility wash over him. Protecting her wasn't just a duty, it was personal now.

He gently shifted her so she could lie more comfortably against him. "I swear," he whispered softly, more to himself than anyone else, "No one's going to hurt you again. I'll make sure of it."

Hannah didn't respond, but her grip on his shirt tightened slightly, as if she found some comfort in his words.

As he continued to hold her, the tension in the room slowly faded. The clan members had cleared the scene, and the blood had been wiped away, leaving nothing but a quiet stillness in its place.

But Fuyuhiko knew that this moment of peace was temporary. The danger was never far behind. Still, as long as Hannah was in his arms, for this brief moment, he allowed himself to believe that everything would be okay.