KAEDE

The aftermath of the battle left the warehouse in ruins. Smoke curled from the twisted remnants of what had once been a thriving facility, the smell of gunpowder and blood heavy in the air. Bodies lay scattered in unnatural positions, still and lifeless, while the distant wail of sirens reminded them that their time here was limited.

Ash stood near the entrance, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings, alert and calculating, as always. Kaito, however, was already checking on his daughter. Kaede stood tall amidst the destruction, her clothes slightly rumpled but otherwise unfazed. She dusted herself off, her movements methodical and steady, as if she had been through this all before. There was no fear in her eyes—just an eerie calm, a quiet strength that didn't require words to convey.

Kaito placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice low and concerned. "You alright?"

Kaede nodded without hesitation. "I've been through worse."

Ash's gaze flickered briefly toward her before he turned his attention back to the horizon. His mind was already working overtime, piecing together the fragments of the operation. Why had they taken Kaede? What were they really after? The answers weren't coming easily, but Ash's mind was sharp, dissecting the situation from every angle.

Kaede, still standing, turned to face Ash. Her arms crossed, she studied him with a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "So, you're the infamous Ash Shirogiri."

Ash's lips barely parted, the barest flicker of acknowledgment crossing his face. He glanced at her for a split second before looking away, the briefest look of discomfort flashing in his eyes. Small talk? Not his thing. "I guess."

She raised an eyebrow, her smirk teasing at the corners of her lips. "Not much of a talker, huh?"

Kaito chuckled softly, a deep rumbling sound that briefly cut through the tension in the air. "He's always like that."

Kaede's expression shifted into a playful smirk, clearly enjoying herself. "Great. A brooding strategist. Just what we needed."

Ash let out a long, exasperated sigh, rubbing his temple in a futile attempt to quell the growing headache. Why was she so loud? He was beginning to wonder if she was doing it on purpose.

CLASH OF PERSONALITIES

The three of them moved outside, stepping into the chilly night air. The engines of their vehicles rumbled in the distance, waiting to whisk them away from the carnage they had just left behind. Kaede fell into step beside Ash, matching his pace effortlessly, her presence as much a force of nature as Kaito's.

"You don't like conversations, do you?" Kaede asked, her voice carrying a teasing note. Her eyes glinted with mischief, clearly enjoying the dynamic unfolding between them.

Ash kept his gaze straight ahead, not breaking stride. "I prefer thinking over talking."

Kaede grinned, clearly unfazed by his lack of enthusiasm. "Thinking's overrated. You ever try just saying what's on your mind?"

Ash gave her a sideways glance, not in the mood for banter, but he couldn't help himself. "If I said what was on my mind right now, you'd never shut up."

She gasped dramatically, clutching her chest as if he had wounded her. "Oh no. A man of mystery. How will I ever get through to you?"

Ash sighed again, rubbing his temple. This was going to be a long night. His silence was his refuge, but Kaede seemed to find it an endless source of amusement.

Kaito smirked at the playful exchange between them but said nothing. It was clear he was used to the bickering, even if he wasn't exactly thrilled by it.

Kaede nudged Ash playfully, her shoulder brushing against his. "Don't worry, Shirogiri. You'll warm up to me. Everyone does."

Ash kept his eyes forward, his stoic expression unwavering. He wasn't convinced. "Doubtful," he muttered, though he wasn't entirely sure he meant it. The woman was relentless.

But as their eyes briefly met, Kaede's grin widened, her confidence only growing in response to his aloofness. She wasn't just Kaito's daughter—she was trouble, the kind that couldn't be ignored, no matter how hard Ash tried.

For the first time in a long while, Ash found himself at a loss. How do you counter someone who doesn't seem to care whether you're resistant or not? How do you fight a battle you hadn't expected to engage in?

The answer was simple: you don't. You just try to survive it.

As they reached the vehicles, Kaede's voice once again cut through the silence, this time with a more serious tone. "You know, we never actually got around to talking about why I was taken in the first place. You've got your theories, right?" Her eyes were searching, probing, even as her usual playful demeanor shifted just slightly.

Ash stopped for a moment, considering her question. He glanced at Kaito, who was already giving the orders to move out, his mind elsewhere. Then he turned back to Kaede, his tone quiet but firm. "There's more going on here than just a simple kidnapping. Someone wants you for more than just leverage." He paused, his gaze sharpening. "But I don't think they've realized yet just how far we'll go to make them regret it."

Kaede met his gaze, a flicker of something dangerous passing behind her eyes. "I'm not some damsel in distress, Shirogiri. If they want me, they'll get me on my terms. I don't need saving."

Ash stared at her for a moment, intrigued despite himself. There was more to this woman than her playful exterior—much more.

Kaito's voice rang out from a distance, calling them to hurry up. But as they climbed into the vehicles and the engines roared to life, Kaede's words lingered in Ash's mind.

She wasn't just Kaito's daughter. She was a force of her own, and Ash would have to learn to either keep up or get out of the way.

And for once, he wasn't sure which he'd choose.