7.0 The Dreamer

Her eyes snapped open, a sharp gasp caught in her throat. Her chest rose and fell in rapid succession, lungs struggling to pace the rush of air flooding them. Blood pulsed through her veins with a fire that left her skin tingling. Her heartbeat pounded in near-perfect sync with her frantic breath. Where was she?

Her gaze flickered around the dimly lit room as she propped herself up slightly, the weight of an unfamiliar setting pressing down on her. Ise stood some distance from the foot of the bed—stark naked. And from the cool air licking at her exposed skin, so was she.

Her thighs clenched involuntarily, a slow, traitorous heat pooling between them. She barely noticed her fingers gripping the sheets, her body already betraying its wants. His presence was intoxicating. Her gaze dropped lower, drinking in the sight of him—his broad shoulders, the firm lines of his toned chest, and lower still... his erection, standing tall and unapologetic.

Her breath hitched. A familiar, velvety voice broke through the thick silence.

"Don't worry. I'll be gentle."

Ise moved toward her, slow, deliberate, his confidence dripping from every step.

Mirai's thighs, once held tightly together, softened, parting as if her body had already made the decision for her. The heat between her legs intensified, throbbing, aching for relief. Her breathing steadied, but her pulse refused to slow.

He stopped inches from her face, hovering—watching. The hunger in his eyes matched her own, but something about his calm, unreadable expression made her stomach twist. Why wasn't he inside her yet?

Her lips parted, the silent plea forming in the space between them. She needed him. Now.

Frustration clawed at her chest as she surged forward, capturing his lips with hers. He kissed her back, his mouth devouring her as the weight of his body pressed against her, pinning her down in the best way possible. The tip of his arousal brushed against her slick entrance, teasing her.

She moaned softly, arching into him, but just as she thought he would push into her—he pulled back.

A wicked grin curled his lips, his eyes dark with something unreadable. He was toying with her.

A desperate whimper escaped her before she could stop it. Her legs wrapped around his hips, forcing him closer. She continued grinding against him, desperately trying to bring the moment to life.

Mirai had kissed him again, deeper this time—tongues tangling—just as he thrust into her fully.

A sharp cry tore from her lips. She was filled. Stretched. Consumed.

The slow burn of pleasure demanded more, her body instinctively shifting, needing the friction, the rhythm, the—

Then, she saw it.

That sinister grin.

Her body went rigid. Something was wrong.

She blinked, suddenly feeling weightless. The world tilted, spiraled—and then she was awake.

Mirai jolted upright, her heart slamming against her ribs as the lingering sensation of warmth and wetness clung to her skin. Her breath came in shaky gasps. The cool air of the tent was a stark contrast to the feverish dream she had just been pulled from.

She was back. It was just a dream.

She sat there for a moment, her body aching in ways reality couldn't satisfy. A sheen of sweat clung to her bare skin, and the dampness between her legs was undeniable.

"Fuck."

The word slipped from her lips, raw and frustrated as she swung her legs over the side of the cot. She was wearing nothing but her underwear, her breasts bare and exposed to the cold air. With a deep breath, she reached for the shirt beside her, tugging it over her head before stepping toward the tent's entrance.

Outside, the camp remained subtly active—jeeps and armored vans coming and going, watchtowers stationed at all four corners. They were at Operations Base, far from her father.

Her eyes flickered to the digital clock above the tent's entrance just before she stepped out. 4:50 AM.

Her mind reeled. Of all the things she should be worried about, why was she dreaming about that boy?

There was more—there was her father.

A cold shiver ran through her, but it wasn't from the freezing air. She clenched her fists. She was not just Mirai. She was the Heir. The future leader of the Clan. A weapon sharpened by duty and expectation.

And Ise?

He was nothing. A distraction. A harmless boy who had no place in her thoughts.

"Ma'am!"

A sharp voice cut through her inner turmoil. She turned, finding a soldier standing at attention, saluting.

She acknowledged him with a nod, expecting a routine report, but the soldier hesitated. He stepped closer, a tablet clutched in his hands.

"The target's location has been confirmed. Your team will be dispatched at zero-six-hundred."

Mirai took the tablet, her gaze locking onto the image on the screen.

A woman.

"And where is she?" she asked, her voice calm, but her eyes sharp.

The soldier visibly tensed, his Adam's apple bobbing. "I-I'm sorry, ma'am. Further details will be provided during your mission briefing."

She studied him, noting the nervous sweat beading on his brow.

"Guys, you're scaring—" she glanced at his name tag, "Genin Kazuyuki."

"He's a Genin?" Beta's rigid tone came from behind.

"That explains the fright," Delta added dryly.

"Don't be afraid, little one," Gamma teased, smirking. Kazuyuki swallowed hard but nodded in response.

"You're dismissed, Genin."

He saluted, albeit shakily, before scurrying off into the distance.

Delta exhaled, unimpressed. "The mission from last night?"

Mirai turned to face her team. Her real team. "Get dressed."

All three straightened, saluting in perfect unison. "Roger that."

Within minutes, they were cleaned up, suited, and gathered in the mission briefing room. Their assigned oversight officer entered, scanning their deliberately ragged sitting positions.

He cleared his throat, attempting to gather their attention, but Beta lazily toyed with a knife in his hands, Gamma barely suppressed a yawn, and Delta rested his head on the desk.

"Pay attention," Alpha murmured, hardly loud enough.

They straightened instantly.

"Thank you," said Scout Kaito Yamamoto, Wolf's Bane Strike Team's oversight officer.

"Not to ruin your morning, but we're Strike Team Spider Lily," Beta pointed out with amusement. "Your team is the other way."

Kaito tilted his head. "I'll be working with you on this one."

Delta leaned forward, a dark glint in his eyes. "Then hurry up with the briefing. I've got a target to kill."

Mission Parameters:

Location: Saitama, Japan

Target: Elizabeth Thornton (American)

Objective: Scout and observe. Eliminate if necessary.

By 0600, they were airborne, a military chopper flying them out of the base and dropping them in a dense forest outside of the city. The wind howled as they rappelled down, their gear secured to their backs.

From there, it was a short trek to the highway, where they hijacked a civilian vehicle with effortless ease, disappearing into the flow of morning traffic.

Within the hour, they arrived at Tokyo Station, Chiyoda City, where they blended effortlessly with the crowd. A simple purchase of four train tickets later—

They were bound for Urawa, Saitama.

The hunt had begun.