The Forbidden Fruit

A Bad Feeling

I could hear the sound of my own heart dropping to my stomach. My mouth went dry. My palms are sweaty. The world seems to have slowed down as I turn to look at the voice that greeted me.

"It's been a while kanji"

He gives a what I'll assume is a warm smile. "Have you been well?" His eyes travel all over my body from head to toe. Those eyes. His dark green irises felt as if they would bore a hole through my skin.

I once found those green irises to be the most beautiful thing in the world. Now I feel nothing but anger and displeasure from seeing them.

I look away from him shifting to a comfortable position clearly squirming because of his gaze causing him to give a small yet noticeable smirk.

"I've been well so far. 'probably would've been better if you weren't here'." I mutter the last part under my breathe hopping he didn't catch on to it.

"Ah is that so? How's your mother I haven't seen her in awhile too. She still a sweetheart?"

He continues the conversation as if i wasn't glaring at him. Oblivious to my recent comment. As if everything from before was just forgotten.

"As it was indeed great to see you again. I haven't forgotten, nor have I forgiven you for what you did. Make this one thing clear. We are on a team together, but we are not, AT ALL on good terms. Only speak to me when necessary. Understood?"

"Huh... alright I have no problem with that. Yes ma'am."

I can sense the trace of excitement in his voice. It makes me cringe, but I hide it not wanting to interact with him anymore. He's excited, For what? I have no clue, nor do I care. I just know this man is not and will never be my first option to have as a teammate. He doesn't know what that word means nor will he ever.

"Hey, hey, heyyyy look at this toshino."

I look away from myiro to see a set of twins heading in my direction. One with dark red short hair and the other with black mid length hair and bright yellow highlights. The twin with sliver eyes spoke first.

"So, you're going to be our heavenly mix this year huh."

Before I could say anything myiro steps up to respond.

Great.

"Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you...?"

"Toshino and this is my twin sister Toshiba."

The red hair twin with brown eyes turned and looked at me not acknowledging myiro who has a look of offense on his face.

Good serves him right. I hate seeing him look smug all the time

"Huh your really pretty what's your name girly"

"Kanji... and your Toshiba right? It's a pleasure to meet you."

I hold my hand expecting her to shake it, instead she watches me. Thinking. She's so close I thought we would've kissed if I turned my head slightly at all.

As she opened up her mouth to speak, the fifth and final member of our group showed up. This time it was the man from earlier who was staring at me. He had long black hair and was very tall. But what caught my eye the most about him were his irises. They were purple...it was enchanting. I couldn't help thinking about what it would feel like to be in his arms, or even what kind of tension we would have if we were to just stare at each other closely. I looked at his lips and he had a soft smile.

God, he looks so kissable. My thoughts ran to place they never had before while looking at him.

(I totally didn't base him off of Suguru....)

"Is this group 369?"

His voice deep and husky giving off a warm yet sensational feeling. I blush a little bit at his voice then look to my right and see Myiro looking at the captivating man and only gave him a small nod having the same look on his face as I did.

Pure admiration

"Ah I see that's good. Well then hello there it's nice to meet you I'm Zero."

"Yo what's up zero! Didn't realize you'd be in our group! Damn does that mean our team leader is you?"

"Toshiba your being too loud."

"They'll live I don't see anyone dying. Besides the entire place is loud it's not fair if I don't get to add to the chaos."

I watched as toshino sighed heavily then looked up at zero.

"Zero I thought you would've gotten paired up with Aiden, no?"

"I did to. Imagine my surprise when we weren't group together. Then again, they did say they'd spilt us up. But everyone knows everyone on their own sides this was useless if you ask me."

"Not really."

Everyone stops and looks at me for finally speaking up and making my presence known. Zero turned to the side and held his hand out.

"Oh? I'm sorry, how rude of me Kanji. Yes?"

"Yes, And Your Zero?

"Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you kanji."

Lord the way my name rolls off his tongue. HOLD ON WE ARE GETTING DISTRACTED GIRL! I mentally slap my self but smile at him making sure he can't tell what I'm thinking.

"Beautiful name for a beautiful girl"

"Thank you"

I say while slightly blushing not realizing that myiro caught my not so subtle blush.

"So kanji. Explain why you believe them doing mixed groups isn't useless"

"Oh well If you think about it, the way this is set up is to get us to work together as a team."

This time it was toshino speaking up.

"Clearly that's painfully obvious. But even then it's possible for all teams of five to move separately doing their own thing."

"That is true."

Zero chimed in to agree with toshino

"Then they would automatically lose."

I received confused looks from everyone. Now myiro looked at me speaking. The look of pure happiness at my what he determined a dumb response.

"Kanji do you know how dumb that sounds? How would they lose?"

Before answering i decided to toy with him a bit and gave a lil smirk

"Think about it. Why would they pair us up in five and mix it together? The challenges are specifically made for five people to complete. Each one adheres to our abilities."

Everyone still giving me confused looks, except for zero. He looked at me wide eyed being the only one who understood what I meant.

"Ah meaning unless the demons have an Angel by their side..."

He trailed off letting me finish which made me blush a little bit.

Only a little.

"They won't be able to pass through certain challenges and vice versa."

The entire group then oh'd in unison at the sudden realization.

"Does it still sound like a dumb response Myiro?"

I taunt him a little bit which causes his cheeks to flush from embarrassment as he turns to face away from the group.

"Hmph."

I jumped slightly at the sudden chuckle that comes from behind me. I turnt around to find that Zero was a whole lot closer then he was earlier with a smirk of amusement playing on his lips. His big beautifully sculpted lips- GIRL GET A GRIP.

"Take a picture it'll last longer~"

He whispered into my ear now having my undivided attention.

When the f**k did, he get this close to me?!

"Oh, I'm sorry I-I didn't mean to stare."

The low and pleasant sound of him chuckling made my heart flutter.

"It's alright. Something I'm used to by now. It was strange at first but then again I am unexplainably good looking."

He shots a toothy smile my way making my cheeks turn redder than they already were.

"Hey Zero if you tease her anymore, she might explode."

I know that voice that's the boy from the graduation ceremony... what was his name again it started with an A...

"I couldn't help it she's too cute not to mess with"

"Doesn't mean torture the thing."

"Let me have my fun we barely get to have any back home little brother"!

"Oh, please hush zero you have more than enough fun."

Damn it! his name.... what was it?

"Listen Aiden you don't have to tell the whole world jeez"!

Aiden that's right his name is Aiden.

Aiden turned and looked at me. He had a sharp look almost like a glare.

"Hi nice to meet you I'm-"

He brushed my hand to the side and glared at me hard.

"I know exactly who you are."

I was taken aback by his sudden rudeness. It made me angry and more, so it irked me to the core how myrio was smirking happily at the embarrassing moment for me.

I looked at him and nodded.

"I See. Well then if you could please go back to your group. We have things to discuss."

He looked at me like I had lost my mind.

"Who exactly do you think you are to tell me what to do Princesa?"

Before I could answer Zero stepped forward towards his brother with a small glare.

"She's the group's leader Aid. what she says goes. Don't make her repeat herself."

It went silent and everyone's breathe hitched. The two brothers glared at each other almost as if there was an argument between the two without words. The tension was becoming worse by the second which caused others to look our way as well. Not wanting chaos to ensue I decided to step in and break it up.

"Alright you two stop. Aiden, right? Leave. Now. Your brothers right I won't say it again nor will I be nice about it. And zero? We get it you're an alpha but do not ever use it on your little brother. Now break this up before I make you both regret opening your mouths."

Everyone looked at me shocked. Aiden looked between me and his brother before walking away quietly. Then Zero leaned down towards me.

"Well... If I didn't know better, I'd say you kind of sounded like a queen."

I looked at zero. Everyone else had moved over to the places we were meant to be in.

"What gives you that impression?"

"The way you commanded us is only something a natural born king or queen can do. I mean my brother and I are both natural born kings so from time to time we butt heads."

"I see. While I am very flattered, I don't think I am. Besides there are no kings left for me to marry to even become a queen."

He stopped and lightly grabbed my wrist. I looked at him with confused eyes, then he pulled me closer. His body heat washed over me, and I shudder. His touch was something else, it was so right. I looked at him blushing heavily. God this man was even finer up close. He smelt amazing to. Sandalwood? Tabacco? No maybe musk? Whatever it was had me enticed beyond compare.

"I wouldn't mind having you by my side as my queen. You're as beautiful as a Goddess and your intelligence and gutsiness is admirable."

I looked at him in awe and the blush that only had crept on my face spread throughout my entire body.

"Zero... y-you don't mean that. I mean you barely know me."

He looked at me something in his eyes made me not want to look away. Lust? hunger? I don't know but it held my attention.

"Then let me get to know you better. Kanji~"

Me breathe hitched and my lips parted in shock my brows furrowed and my eyes held confusion in them.

"Don't look at me like that love~ you're making this very hard to control."

My eyes went wide, and I looked away then slowly I nodded my head.

"And your mate? What if you meet them?"

He looked at me surprised and then smiled I tilted my head in confusion again and he chuckled causing me to shiver.

"I don't think I'll met them not after I've already met you."

Before I could get a word in Mira spoke on stage again.

"ALRIGHT YOU INGRATES! ON YOUR MARK. GET SET. GO!"

Everyone took off. our group was gone as well. I was left alone with Zero who looked at me amused. Then he grabbed my hand and took off into the maze.

What the hell did he mean earlier? Why am I so important that he'd forsake his lifelong mate? Something doesn't feel right at all.

I have a really bad feeling about today.