No one was awake, when Noriko got up in the morning. It wasn't like she slept much, the sex noises from Masaki's room had lasted a long time. After getting a cup of fresh brewed coffee, she sat at the table thinking about everything that had happened yesterday. If only she could be as free as Asuga. Jumping into things without a plan or not thinking many moves ahead, wasn't what Noriko was about. Yet Hiroto was slowly wearing down the wall around her heart and that was dangerous.

"Good morning," Masaki said as he came to get two mugs of coffee.

"Hi... um last night Hiroto said you guys got our delivery package back. Can I get it from you now?"

"Right! Forgot about that, your delicious food distracted us." He left and returned with just the package, not the coffee.

"Thanks."

After Masaki left, she changed into leather pants, got her helmet and motorcycle keys. Putting the package in a backpack, she left. The sisters' Harley started up and once its rumble told her the motorcycle was warmed up, Noriko headed towards the delivery location. Riding hurt her shoulder a bit, but was bearable. Relief of some stress occurred after the package was received by its intended party. For getting payment, she'd wait until Asuga was with her. Riding back to the Amamiya's apartment, she recognized the black V-rod that pulled along side her motorcycle. Hiroto signalled for her to pull over and she did as requested.

"Good morning." Noriko greeted, after flipping up her visor.

He was not pleased. "You shouldn't have left by yourself and riding with that shoulder isn't safe either."

"I'm sorry, but it was stressing me out not finishing the job."

"Your sister is mad as hell too."

She shrugged, "I can handle her." Noriko didn't want him to worry about her and so apologized. "Sorry you had to come find me."

His jaw clenched. "Let's go."

They rode back, parked and she went to go inside first. Asuga met her at the door, throwing a kick at her head, that Noriko blocked. Suddenly the two were fighting, angry at each other. There was no hair pulling or hurtful words, just punching and kicking. A well aimed knee into the solar plexus and Asuga's will to keep fighting died completely. The brothers had stayed out of it, until Noriko was going to follow up with a punch. Masaki blocked it with his open hand.

"Enough already." Masaki used his body to protect Asuga.

"I just finished the job, I came back to get you for us to receive payment together."

"Nori, that's not the point! You know it's dangerous to ride alone right now."

"Hiroto rode with me."

Masaki interjected, "he only was there for the ride back."

"I can take care of myself."

"Really?! So if I leave, you won't care?" Asuga straightened up, her voice cold.

"I didn't mean that. ASUGA wait!" Noriko was panicking, would her sister really abandon her?

Asuga scolded, "stop being so selfish!"

"Okay I'm sorry." This time the words sounded truly genuine.

Hiroto moved past them all and went back into the building. His annoyance over the whole situation was loud and clear, even though he had uttered no words. He ignored the three that followed him and took a call. It was the brothers' turn for a job. They'd be escorting a medical supply truck through SWORD territory. Initially he turned it down, but the money that was offered in negotiation, changed his mind.

"It's time to ride." He gave the details to his brother.

Masaki chose to invite the twins to join the job. "If there is trouble, stay behind us."

Asuga agreed and Noriko remained silent, letting her sister take the lead this time. She didn't like it that Hiroto was acting like she didn't exist.

"Let's ride over to pick up your payment first, then go to meet the supply truck, since it's on the way." Masaki suggested and received a nod from Asuga, since Noriko was the passenger.

Together the four of them rode off, the brothers side by side in front of the Sportster. There were no issues and the sisters received payment, splitting the cash evenly. Again they followed behind, as they went to meet the truck. With the Amamiya brothers riding in front of the truck and the twins behind, no troubles were expected. The sight of the brothers usually kept away trouble, as they were not only respected but feared. The truck made one stop in the Nameless City where rolling medical assistance happened to help those with aliments, in particular from fights, malnutrition and the toxic waste sickness. They were supplied with the basics, before the truck moved on. It's final stop would be in Little Asia and that's where the job would end.

It was the Mighty Warriors that had the balls to try and hijack the medical supply truck, even though it was escorted by the Amamiya Brothers. Asuga realized that there were mafia thugs amongst them. Everyone parked their motorcycles and then a rumble in the street began. The girls became involved too. The four of them fought with the truck at their backs. The Mighty Warriors were falling quickly, but Ice had yet to arrive. He came, just as Noriko lost her shit.

"Your father use to be one of us. But the looser betrayed his family and then became dead weight."

Noriko's rage switch was triggered and she left her post and attacked the man who had insulted her father. She didn't care that her shoulder throbbed or that the man had a knife, because she was out for blood and a lot of it. Using the thug's extended knife arm to make him drop the weapon, she picked up the knife and launched it into his left thigh. The man yelled in pain and dropped. He passed out when she kicked the knife deeper into his flesh. Asuga couldn't stop her sister's attack on the downed man and called for Hiroto's help. They changed places. She went to stand back to back with Masaki, while Hiroto had to physically restrain Noriko.

"Stop!" He commanded.

"Nobody insults my family and lives!" Noriko snarled.

"I understand, but you shouldn't kill the man or you're as bad as them." Those words got through to her.

What neither knew, was that the man had been acting, he wasn't unconscious. He got his gun and took aim at Hiroto. Noriko noticed at the last second and threw her body in front of him. The bullet tore into her right arm. Angered, Hiroto kicked the gun out of the man's hand and punched his face into a bloody mess. Only Masaki could stop him. Since the hijack had failed, the thugs and gang members retreated. The guys driving the truck, were able to assess Noriko's wound and got her bandaged. Hiroto called the doc and agreed to meet at their place. He got on his motorcycle and told Masaki to put Noriko across his lap. She held on with her arms encircling his neck. His motorcycle shot forward, leaving Masaki and Asuga to finish escorting the truck.

The reason Hiroto wanted her in front of him, was because he knew she might pass out either from the blood loss or pain. She slumped against him a little, but remained conscious. He was just wearing sunglasses and not his helmet. She leaned close to his ear and said, "you keep having to rescue me, I'm sorry."

There was no reply until they stopped outside of his place. He turned off the motorcycle and gave her a look she couldn't identify. "You just saved my life and that trumps everything."

It was obvious she didn't believe him. He helped her into the apartment and a chair, as they awaited the doctor's arrival. She put pressure on her wound, to try and stop the bleeding.

"You confused me Noriko. You are the strongest and most fierce woman I know, but at the same time you're so weak."

"I'm unbalanced because Asuga is my other half."

"No this isn't a twin thing," Hiroto disagreed. "You don't believe in yourself."

She started to argue, but conceded. "You're right."

"I understand you."

Just then the doctor arrived. "You again?" It was a rhetorical question. "Hold her still, so I can dig out the bullet."

This time Noriko couldn't stop from crying out, even though she bit her lip so hard it bled. Hiroto kissed her, blood and all. It was the perfect distraction so that the doctor could finish. He was paid and then left without another word.

Hiroto admitted a simple truth. "I never thought I'd trust anyone as much as my brothers. Now with it just Masaki and I, he has my back. But then you not only gain my respect, but loyalty too."

"How can you trust me, when I can't trust myself?"

"In some ways you're just like me. Go to my bed and rest, I'm going to check if they finished the job."

Noriko did as she was told and fell into a restless sleep. Nightmares began and they were about the people she loved all dying and leaving her alone. She yelled out his name and he came to wake her from hell.

"Hey, I'm here, you're safe."

She sat up and stared at him, not believing he was truly alive, until he hugged her.

"It was just a nightmare, everything is okay. Masaki and Asuga are almost home."

Her breathing returned to normal. "I should get up and make dinner, as promised."

"They're bringing food, so don't worry about it."

Masaki walked in and yelled, "we're back!"

"Shut the hell up," was Hiroto's greeting.

Asuga ignored them both and called out for her sister, "Nori!?"

"I'm here and just fine. Keep the noise down, I've got a headache."

Masaki came and kissed her cheek. He gave her a long hug, to the point that Hiroto got jealous and was about to punch him. "Thank you for saving my brother."

She was embarrassed and quickly put space between them when he let go. "I hear you have food. I'm starving."

"I got your favourites," Asuga smiled.

"Yakisoba?!"

"Of course. There's also vegetable and seafood tempura, duck kare raisu, miso soup and lastly tofu gyudon."

"I bought some green tea too," Masaki added.

Noriko grinned, "you two are spoiling me. I should get shot at more often."

Asuga scowled. "Don't you dare!"

"She's obviously joking," Hiroto placated.

Noriko turned and faced him, "for you, I would... and for Asuga."

Masaki took offence, "what about me?"

"I'd take your bullet and she would too," Asuga reassured patting his ass affectionately.

Together the four of them sat down to feast. Even though it wasn't a home cooked meal this time, to the girls, it still felt like a real family dinner.