*static*

'Suho, your target is 10 meters from your right and is advancing quickly towards the castle. He is armed with just a pocket knife so hurry and take your shot from the tree branch to avoid hand-to-hand combat'

A man with chestnut brown hair held his index and middle finger on his ear piece and replied to the feminine voice on the other line.

"Copy that."

Suho, so it was his name, did as he was instructed and climbed quietly up the tree. He made sure the leaves covered enough of his body so he wouldn't be spotted so easily. Even if it did look pitch black outside and all he was wearing was black clothing, he couldn't risk the possibility of being seen. He and Elle would be punished gravely if that were to happen... He crouched a little and looked through the glass on his sniper, he had the tall man wit elvish ears locked on. He cocked his DSR (a type of rifle) and aimed, fingers on the trigger.

"Steady...."

BANG

The man looked up and made sure his target was not moving, he put his fingers on the same earpiece again and sighed.

'Target deceased, let's hurry and go. I'll go report to his highness.'

*static*

"Hn."

The two finished their conversation and it wasn't long until footsteps and stomps of men were running toward the body of the fallen target. Suho looked at the said man, his face saddening by the second.

"Tsk."

He jumped down stealthly and ran quickly through the forest, avoiding tree branches and stepping on loose twigs. One could say it looked like he was flying through the dark green pasteurs, not breaking a sweat. He got out of the forest and looked around, his brows furrowing in the process. He quickly looked left and right, making sure there were no enemies in sight. When he confirmed that it was clear, he climbed up the rusty bars and jumped down, landing like a feline on his two feet. He turned around and saw the mansion's lights being on and the distat cries of men could be heard even from his distance. Suho bit his bottom lip sadly and turned his guilty gaze away from the sight.

"I will not ask you to forgive me, because what I have done is unforgivable."

And with those two words that left his lips, so left his presence. He fled out of the area in regret and remorse, the feeling of committing crime never made him feel any better of a person; even if killing was a way to pay back his debt.

~~~

Suho wiped his feet on the mat outside the apartment door and sighed as he shifted the key in the lock, turning it, then opening the door. He peered inside and noticed that it was empty and dark. He raised both his eyebrows in slight surprise when he noticed hair flowing over from the couch. He took off his shoes and closed the door behind him before he made his way towards the couch. He looked over the couch and smiled when he saw a girl, sleeping with a peaceful expression. The steady rise and fall of her chest matched the peaceful beauty on her fair features. Suho had crouched down beside the said girl and slowly leaned closer, his hand her bright red hair and his fingers brushed the side of her soft cheek carefully and gently. His hand treated her like a fragile treasure, afraid that she could possibly break and crumble at any given second. The moment his hand made contact with her skin, her eyes fluttered open. She quickly turned her head and looked at the man with a questioning look, he could only give her a weak laugh as he retreated his hand from her.

"So what did his highness say?"

The girl had already sat up and she rubbed her eye before replying in a quiet voice.

"The usual really, a small praise and questions regarding the fact if we were seen. And our next assignment will be given out soon, the queen of one of the neighboring kingdoms were giving his majesty a difficult time regarding trade so she may possibly be our next target."

'Damn this man seriously has anger issues, our people aren't going hungry. We actually have more than plenty to eat and last for years to come yet he's being greedy.'

Suho bit his bottom lip and stared on the floor, his expression had it all: anger, remorse, hatred. He snapped back into reality when the girl's smaller hand was on top of his. He looked up to her with sadness written in his eyes. The girl simply gave him a weak smile and she tightened her grip on his hand to reassure the troubled male. She wanted to speak, but what was she supposed to say? They were murderers the king's personal lackies, puppets, henchmen. They were used for his dirty work, to take care of  the under the table 'business' under his whim. Reassurence were all that could be provided to each other, reassurence that they won't be hurt but more importantly, they wouldn't be separated. Suho looked into the girl's eyes who had the same sadness written in them and the said girl sighed.

"We should get some sleep. His highness wants our presence to come to him by early morning."

"Hn, good night then Elle."

"Good night Suho."

~~~

"Queen Seo Joohyun of Armedite, 24 years old."

The name of the target left the Elle's small lips as she read the Queen's profile: is mainly seen in her garden and always has a bodyguard by her side, usually comes out of her castle to go to her garden at night. She squinted when she tried to look at the picture but what the king had provided was too blurry so the face could barely be made out. Suho was right beside her as the two walked down their kingdom, Lilieuth's, streets.

"Suho could you make out our next target's face?"

Suho took a quick glance at the picture and furrowed his brows.

"No, it's too blurry."

Elle sighed and put the profile back in her book and hid it in her pocket.

"She is so young, I can't believe his majesty would want to do this to someone so young like her."

"Who said he would be the one killing, it should be him killing instead of us don't you think."

"..."

Both people were lost in their own thoughts, how were they going to "take care" of her and when? Elle snapped back into reality when she bumped into someone and the other person fell down, dropping some snacks and drinks onto the ground. Elle's eyes widened as she crouched down and hurriedly held her hands out to the fallen girl.

"I'm terribly sorry, I was lost in my thoughts."

The other girl giggled awkwardly and took Elle's hands. Elle pulled her up and the girl dusted herself off before smiling at Elle, who returned the bright smile with one of her own.

"Don't be, it's my fault. I wasn't looking at where I was going."

Suho bent down and picked up an apple that was rolling towards him. He showed it to the other girl and grinned.

"Then allow us to help you pick these up, it's the least we can do when Elle bumped into you."

"Aish I said it wasn't her fault, fine."

The three picked up the fallen items that were dropped onto the ground, blowing and dusting off some dirt in the process. Fruits, potato chips, candy bars, carbonated soda and water...is this girl hosting some last minute meeting? The girl picked up the back into her arms again and bowed her head to Elle and Suho. They gave her small smiles and waves.

"Thank you, and if it isn't too much trouble, may I ask for your names?"

"I'm Isabelle but call me Elle for short."

"Suho."

"Well Suho, Isabelle, I'm Sunny. I have to meet up with my friends right now. It was nice meeting you two and I guess I'll see you guys around!"

Sunny smiled at the pair and turned around, almost stumbling again until Suho had caught her bag and Elle had caught her from falling. Sunny let out an awkward laugh and stuck her tongue out playfully.

"Heh heh...oops."

Suho sighed and Elle couldn't help but give her new acquaintence a worried expression. Suho had one hand on his hip as he looked at Sunny with a scrunched up face.

"Sunny if you're going to stumble every now and then, let us you to your friends. I will hold your groceries and Elle will brake your fall."

Sunny waved her hands franctically and shook her head.

"No it's too much trouble!"

Elle rolled her eyes and laughed at Sunny's cute reaction. She put a hand on Sunny's shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry, we're pretty free today. And it isn't too much of a bother."

Sunny pouted slightly then suddenly lit up like a Christmas tree. She took Elle's hand into her's and looked into the surprised girl's eyes, even Suho quirked a brow at the scene.

"Then you guys meet my friends? Seohyun is finally visiting after months of not seeing her. She is even bringing Yunho with her again!"

Elle and Suho blinked at the bright girl's proposal and Elle simply smiled and shook her head lightly.

"Oh no it would be rude of us, it's your time and we have no right to intrude-"

"No I insist!"

Elle gave Suho a worried look and he only shrugged.

'Go with the flow' he mouthed.

She sighed and smiled back at Sunny who had been staring at her with hopeful eyes.

"Yes."

Sunny jumped and started to pull on Elle's hands. She dragged Elle through the busy street quickly with a shocked Suho trailing behind them, the snacks and beverages fumbling around inside the bag as he squeezed through the bussling people.

~~~

Elle and Suho found themselves in the middle of some hills with logs placed in a circle. Obviously this place had been used before and often as well. Elle admired the healthy green grass, decorated with wild flowers while Suho breathed heavily, setting the snacks and beverages down before sitting on a log. His hands were on his knees and his uneven breathing caught Elle's attention. She laughed at Suho's weary state where he only gave her the 'what-the-hell' look.

"How *huff* *huff* how come *huff* YOU aren-*huff* aren't tired!"

Elle shrugged and sat next to the exhausted man while Sunny was talking to a group of girls, accompanied by two guys. Suho was way to exhausted to even notice their presence while Elle was busy laughing at Suho. The two turned their heads when they heard Sunny call out to them. They looked and waved at the girl who waved back.

"See? They're friendly people, sheesh you guys should open up every once in a while."

"Fine, but I want to get to know them first."

"No erted questions Yuri!"

"And why point that at ME?"

"Because you're you."

Some of people laughed and slowly they all made their way to Suho and Elle who have calmed down from their excitement. Elle looked up and smiled at one of men, he took her hand into his and placed his lips softly on the back of her hand. He looked into her eyes and smiled charmingly, making Suho almost puke in his mouth.

"I am Max, may I know your name Miss..."

"Isabelle, but friends call me Elle."

"Well it is a pleasure to meet you Elle, and you?"

Suho fake smiled at the man and tried not to make his gritting teeth noticeable.

"Suho."

Max smiled and bowed his head, he took a seat besides one of the girls and one by one each of them introduced themselves. Elle took account of their names and faces: Taeyeon, Yoona, Tiffany, Jessica, Yuri, Hyoyeon. All was left was one girl and a man beside her. His face was handsome and his eyes were so alluring...

"I am Seohyun, and this is Yunho."

Yunho bowed his head but the expression on his face did not change at all; he seemed bland and boring, maybe scary even. Elle and Suho smiled and eventually by the time the introductions were finished, Sunny had given everyone their share of snacks and drinks.

"So Elle, tell me about yourself."

Elle blinked a few times before she put her index finger on her lip.

"Let's see, I like to read and I excell at hand-to-hand combat. Life is dangerous so I found the need to learn to protect myself."

Taeyeon raised her brow at Elle.

"Is that it?"

"Is there something more you want to know about me?"

"Well, where are you from? Maybe a little more about you and Suho?"

Suho in his breath as he looked at Elle, pain flicked thorugh her eye quickly but she brushed the feeling aside as she answered the snoopy girl's question.

"I honestly don't know, my father was meaning to kill me when I was 3 because he couldn't find the money to support our family. But instead of that, he couldn't find the courage to so instead I was abandoned. I had to fend for myself and that included stealing to survive. Eventually I met Suho and we were like a little team you know?"

Everyone's gaze sadened at Elle short but painful story and Taeyeon bit her lower lip as she looked down in shame.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up any bad memories."

"No no it's fine! The past is in the past and you didn't know, so please don't be."

Yunho was quietly examining Suho and Elle's actions and he broke the awkward silence within the group.

"Were you an orphan like Elle, Suho?"

Seohyun had slapped Yunho's shoulder for asking such a thoughtless and heartless question, Suho looked at the said man and nodded.

"I was abandoned in the streets but a merchant had found me. He raised me as his own for 4 years before he died. After that, I was an orphan but I ran away from the orphanage since it was cruddy. And that was when I ran into Elle. She seemed so worn out and beaten that I couldn't abandon her and ever since, we have stuck with each other. After a few years, we were taken in by a man and we have been with him since."

Yuri, Yoona, Sunny, and Tiffany were sobbing, not caring it fluid was coming out of their nose. Even Taeyeon shed a tear or two whlie the rest were feeling just as sad.

"That is so sad!"

Elle shook her hands franctically and uttered multiple sorry-s at everyone.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to make this into a sob story session!"

Seohyun had put a hand on Elle's shoulder and Elle quickly turned her head to look at Seohyun. Seohyun gave Elle a gentle smile and she couldn't help but be awed by Seohyun's beauty and kindness. She hadn't shared 2 sentences with her but Elle could feel right in her soul that Seohyun was a beautiful person, inside and out.

"You have lived a hard life Elle, both you and Suho are strong admirable people. Keep fighting."

Suho had choked on air as he looked down in shame.

'We're not even close to admirable, we are assassins that are being used. We could be compared to filthy dogs instead.'

A/N

I hope the first chapter was to your liking^^ If there are any questions feel free to ask! There are no bad questions and I will try to answer them to the best I can :) Thank you and have a wonderful day, feedback will be appreciated <3

-exopearlz

  P.S This is what Suho looks like-ish and his current hair color in case some of you are confused c: