Chapter 1: Night

The dark grey clouds slowly loomed over the city, covering the midnight sky and looking down upon earth under its breath. The pavement was still damp and slippery from the rain earlier in the day and the people were hurrying back home with umbrellas over their heads to avoid getting their bags and things wet.

Whether it was a school student heading home after school or a lonely shop owner watching the droplets of rain come running down their front doors, there was a girl who stood in the narrow, dark alleyway.

Her silky deep blue hair resembled the mysterious depths of the sea; her lone large blue eye gave a stunning and unique look that whenever you stare into it they'd stare back into your soul. Her blue hair divided into two sides, they were tied together loosely as they rested behind her shoulders. She was wearing a simple yet different winter uniform from a school far away from this city and a deep crimson scarf wrapped loosely around her neck.

The young teen stared at her iPhone text messaging, looking extremely lost and frustrated.

-Out of Battery-

Sighing for the millionth time, she reached into her pocket and grabbed her PDA out. There was no luck for that either – the entire device was broken with a black screen.

Earlier in the day, she accidentally left the PDA uncharged before she left her city and also accidentally drenched in water as she was running past by the lake.

Luck was definitely not on her side today. The two dead devices on her only meant only extra weight to carry.

The girl stood in the rain, feeling not only the raindrops thrown at her face and neck, but also the delicate and soft the water it actually was. She understands she would become very wet and damp after, but she was confused and lost, no idea where to head after. What else could a shy girl do?

Firstly though, a shelter would be nice. A warm shower perhaps, too.

Since she still had some money left by her friend, she headed for a nearby abandoned hotel until she was distracted by something.

It was something that she should've stayed away from, but still caught herself in trouble.

The young girl knew very well what this area of the city was known for – street gangs and violence. She should've known those delinquents would hang around near these alleyways, either bashing someone up or going to bash someone up. I mean both things are pretty much the same, but seriously though, what else do they do?

One thing was obviously different from these street gang though, they're HOMRA, also the red clansman of the Red King, Suoh Mikoto. Not that she really minded about HOMRA but she knew that she as a girl can't just do a 'hit-and-run' on the guys if they came up to you – they're a whole heck stronger than you think, especially when you realise they're much more specialised in violence and can instantly kill you with their supernatural powers if they wanted to.

But there's always Izumi Mei, she's not just an ordinary 16-year-old high schooler you'd find anywhere in Japan – at least somewhat abnormal.

Placing her icy hands in her heavy coat pockets, she walked on listening to the soundwaves around her through her earphones. Her earphones weren't ordinary ones either – they had no cord and that was the point. She doesn't need to listen to music or the daily news; instead, she listens to the atmosphere, the music of reality.

The words rang in her mind as she walked with her head hung, staring into the ground. There was not even the slightest shed of moonlight and the light poles weren't much of help, but as she walked closer and closer to the destination, the louder her footsteps echoed in the narrow alleyway.

Mei gradually stopped at the nearby light pole, then peers behind her. There were some covering above her, which was good for the time being because that way she can get dry sooner from the falling rain, but there was another noise in the melody.

Drip, drip, drip.

Splatter, clank, step, step, drop.

Each time the noises increased in her ears, there was no doubt; something was slowly approaching with her, something within their hands.

Knowing this, Mei purposely did not turn around to scream for help or get bashed for being too loud, but instead, she stood stationarily in the light to observe the situation.

Then, just as she could hear and feel an object cutting through the thin air, she immediately dodged the object as she jumped to her right, landing inches away from the pole. She slowly took stance for defence until she saw a few flickering light of red flames.

Mei immediately knew this was no normal opponent and that standard defence stances will not work, but nonetheless she still positioned herself to plan attack as the offender was still unknown – it was dangerous to attack without any knowledge of the opponent. Mei's facial expression wrote nothing but only an unreadable eye and the other hidden under her eye patch.

"Who are you?" Cancelling her earlier position, she pulled herself together and stood by the pole with her arms by her side, asking with a soft and monotonous but still threatening and strong voice. "Tell me immediately and you will be unharmed."

"Unharmed…?" The owner of the voice sounded confused, no, he was. Now that only made Mei more and more confused as to who he is. "That kinda voice… It can't be – a g-girl?"

Mei backed away as he came closer and closer towards the light, but Mei didn't even break a sweat of being worried or scared, instead, she backed away to see who it was under the dim light. Staring intently at the figure, as if trying to read his movements, she said in a clearer voice, "Let me ask again, who are you?"

A young and short looking boy stood in the dim light with a heavy looking silver bat resting at his right shoulder. Underneath the dim light, it was given that his chestnut hair was rather messy and was just reaching past the nape of his neck, pointing in various directions. A visibly black beanie was wrapped around his hair and head; he had a set of earphones resting comfortably around his neck; also wearing a white and long v-neck shirt. Looking closer, he had a wristwatch on his wrist. His eyes seemed furious and threatening at first, but he gave a funny looking expression towards Mei. This perhaps could mean he wasn't 'young'-young, but he was short so Mei still decided to back off.

Did she look out of the ordinary except for perhaps, the black eye patch sealed over her left eye?

"Who am I? Well who the hell are YOU?! – I mean, uh…" The boy started shouting harshly and abusively, but as if remembering something, he then dropped the intimidating speech abruptly and began searching for words as he dropped the bat in his hands beside him, covering his mouth. "I am uh…Yata… Misaki…Um er, s-sorry for startling you, I uh, didn't mean to…"

Mei dropped her thoughts of being bashed up and paused for a moment to think. It would seem as though he has a soft spot for girls…? Still having millions of questions in her chest, she lifted her head up and pasted a forced smile, but enough to hide the awkwardness of the atmosphere. "I see, Yata-san. 'Misaki' is a very nice name. I am Izumi Mei, my parents called me Mei but in English it sounds a lot like 'May', *gogatsu and 'hesitant'. Now that we have ourselves introduced, may I please ask why you are out here in the dark alone?"

A 'nice' name? Misaki thought, slightly irritated but flustered at the same time. When someone is a stranger, moreover a girl says your name is nice and you actually hate it more than anything, it's annoying but embarrassing at the same time. That feeling just gives you the shivers. "Aah… Izumi…-san, yes? Uh, I um…"

Can't say I was trying to bash her up 'cause I thought she was gonna trash the bar in middle of the night when the others were sleeping like logs… Misaki mentally facepalmed himself as he thought of an excuse to answer Mei's question.

"…Just taking a midnight stroll around the city I guess. I can ask the same to you Izumi-san, why are you out in the night all alone? And you're all wet from the rain! It's dangerous, you know that right?"

Mei stopped for a moment, frowning, and then turned around, putting her back in Misaki's face. She sighed, "I am currently lost and I cannot contact my friends because both of my contacting devices have died on me. I was going to find a hotel or just somewhere to stay. I'm hungry too, you see."

Mei glanced at the young boy's profile and a wave of nostalgia kicked into her, although she swears it was the first time she had ever met this guy called Yata Misaki.

She somewhat felt the feeling of betrayal, the feeling of the loss of a friend, a general wave of aggression. Ignoring all the sudden nausea, she continued, "Now, I shall take my leave. I will have to return soon since my parents and my younger brother is still waiting for me at home. I will see you around… If I can that is."

"Wait, I mean uh I um er… sorry…" When Mei finished her final farewell words, she was taken aback by the young boy's hand as he gripped her wrist unconsciously tightly, but soon had let go of Mei's wrist when he realised he was not to touch a maiden's hand so rashly. "..I mean…Living in a hotel room, just yourself? You don't even have your PDA, it'll be dangerous if they find out you don't have an identity… At least that's what I heard. You can stay over at our place… If you want for the night. You don't have to, but at least it would be safer…"

Right, living under the same roof with the guy who tried to kill me is definitely a whole heck safer. Mei thought silently as she half turned around to look at his determined face. Mei merely sighed as quietly as she could, and smiled to Misaki. "I suppose you're right, Yata-san, but who is this 'our' you're talking about? Do you live with other people?"

The last question seemed to hit the bullseyes – Misaki beamed with excitement and general enthusiasm. Misaki went blabbering on about how he was from the HOMRA group and 'Mikoto-san' was the hero that saved him from isolation. Mei could only stand there, listening to his historical words, taking everything into account – even the soft touch of rain falling from the leaves' embrace.

Well, looks like I infiltrated HOMRA easier than expected, Mei thought. Maybe I can find more reliable information…

The dull sky cleared as Misaki continued the words of pride with HOMRA. The glimmering stars and city lights were just as pretty as she had thought it would be like. The soft breeze, the swaying trees, every single part of it.

Staring into the scenery, she found herself deeply lost once again, but only this time she was drowning in a sea of despair and anger… What was this feeling washing through her so thoroughly? It was the emotions of a certain group of people, screaming and sobbing, hungry for revenge.

"Um… Izumi-san?" Misaki finally summarised his words and immediately asked Mei thoughtfully as he saw her pale white face, "Are you alright?"

"Aah… Yes, thank-you for your concern," Mei stuttered as she placed a hand over her forehead, wiping some of the sweat off her face. "HOMRA definitely sounds like a nice group of people to be with, you must be very familiar with them if you can say so many benefits about your gang, especially Mikoto-san."

"Yeah…" Seeing as though Mei was in a rather weak and unstable condition, he thought he'd stop talking in the night, well, he wanted to do that but he couldn't find the correct timing to stop.

He felt as if Mei was just the right person to talk to, but she was merely a stranger, passing by in the night, finding a shelter to stay for the night, but there was definitely unique about her existence, but Misaki couldn't seem to find what. He shrugged, "We'll head to the place now, which isn't very far actually."

"I see," Somewhat relieved, Mei softened her facial expression as the strange nausea passed by. It didn't quite feel like nausea, but the soundwaves in her ears were ringing rapidly and abruptly in her ears. Something was bound to happen. "So where's this place we're heading to…?"

"HOMRA bar. It's near the corner." Misaki pointed towards the corner and said with an obvious concerned tone. "M-Maybe you've caught a cold or something… I mean, you have rain water all over you. You wouldn't be feeling great if you don't dry yourself soon." After saying so, Misaki pulled off his red jacket that was tied around his waist and offered it to Mei. "I'll lead the way, just take it easy. Is this the first time you've came to the Shizume City?"

Accepting Misaki's kindness, Mei reached out for the jacket and slowly wrapped herself with the jacket. She murmured softly, "It's warm…"

"Hm? Did you say something Izumi-san?"

"Oh um, nothing." Mei covered as she played the tip of her hair, walked besides Misaki. "This is my first time coming to Shizume City. It is pretty, indeed."

Misaki didn't have a reply, more like he couldn't have – he was too stale to say anything. This was probably the closest distance he had ever been with a girl; his mind went blank for a very short moment. He swore he could feel his face burning and turning into a tomato.

Maybe he attacked me because he thought I was suspicious? Mei thought as she pulled over her red scarf to cover her chin and mouth. Given from all the proud talk and how close I was to the bar, it makes a whole heap of sense. Not his fault I guess, it is my fault for being lost in the city.

Since the rain had stopped falling from the sky, it was safe to walk to the bar for the time being. There were still lingering noises of the raindrops dripping off the poles, the leaves and the umbrellas. There weren't any harsh wind in the area, which was nice to just feel the soft and refreshing breeze brush through you.

Mei looked around as they arrived in front of the bar. The bar itself looked very polished and well looked after, in fact, calling it the 'HOMRA bar' isn't just a nickname, it literally is called 'HOMRA'.

It would make sense if this is the headquarters for the HOMRA group. Mei observed. It seems to also have 2 levels on top of the ground level. So is that where they live?

A man wearing a pair of purple glasses wore a long sleeved shirt with a collar that was upturned stood in the interior part of the bar. Under the collar was a red scarf fashioned similarly to a neck tie.

When he realised there were people entering the bar, he continued wiping the wine glass in his hands with a seemingly clean towel. "Sorry, we're closed for the day – Oh, it's just Misaki? Where have you been? I thought you just went out to watch a baseball game or something?"

Misaki placed the baseball bat and the umbrella on the side and sitting on one of the high chairs and sighed, "Only if that goddamn rain wouldn't come setting down, damning the whole game then I probably would've been happier. Glad to have an umbrella with me though. Thanks for the advice Kusanagi-san."

"Welcome," Kusanagi placed the wine glass one of the shelves and glanced at the door where Mei stood awkwardly, fiddling with her side hair. Smirking, he whispered into Misaki's ear with a mischievous tone, "So who's that? Your girlfriend? Way to go Misaki~ Finally gotten out of the 'forever alone' path!"

"Wha- no huh whaaaaaaa…Kusanagi-san!" After hearing such embarrassing words, Misaki wanted to explain the situation but found himself stumbling over words and blushing like a maniac.

Before Misaki could make his explanation properly to Kusanagi, Mei bowed with her black backpack on her back, then started, "Hello and I apologise for the late notice. I am Izumi Mei, currently 16. I am actually lost in this city and I had to find a shelter to stay for the night. Um, Yata-san suggested me to stay here for the night. Is that fine with you? If it is not ideal, it is no problem for me to leave and find somewhere else to stay."

Kusanagi seemed to think about this as he observed Mei carefully. Somewhat frustrated, he ran his hand through his short blond hair as if thinking whether or not he should take in another stray.

Mei actually felt a little nervous to his answer, although the reason was practically unknown. Secretly, she crossed her fingers and wished she could stay even just for the night. After all, looking for a hotel without a PDA was definitely going to cause her some trouble.

Before Kusanagi could reply, a voice interrupted, "Yeah why not!"

There stood yet another man with long light brown hair with an upturned collared long sleeve shirt. Inspecting closer, he has an earring on his left ear and wore two bracelets on his left wrist. Holding onto a camera he smiled from ear to ear, and said happily, "We'll make sure you get out of the city safely, but first, we've got to make sure you don't catch a cold!"

Slightly surprised as to where he came from or was he even there, Mei nodded silently. She sighed with relieve as she walked inches further away from the doorway. "Thank-you very much," She bowed once again, extremely grateful for their kindness, "Once again, I must apologise for the late notice."

"Don't sweat about it," the man smiled, "By the way, I'm Totsuka Tatara. Call me whatever you want for the time being!"

Mei stared at the carefree man now known as Totsuka Tatara as she followed his lead. "I see, Totsuka-san. Thank-you for your kindness."

"You're welcome," Totsuka smiled as he climbed the stairs with the old fashioned camera in his hands, "Stay as long as you want, there is no need to rush – Oh but if you do need to leave the city I'll make sure not to drag you down!"

"Um… Yeah…" Mei replied stiffly as she was standing in front of the door she asked, "Is this where I'll be staying for the night?"

Totsuka glanced at Mei's wet figure and said, "Yup, it might be a little dusty at parts but I'll do that whilst you have a shower. Better not catch a cold! Colds are nasty at times like these. The bathroom is the room right to yours. Take as long as you need."

"Ah, thank-you very much," Mei replied as she slightly blushed as she had just realised how wet and heavy she felt. "I will be going then."

Kusanagi stared at Totsuka and Mei's figures heading for the stairs and sighed as quietly as he could. He reached for his jean pocket and pulled out a cigarette pack, popped one into his mouth and lit it up, emitting a line of grey smoke, filling the room with the smell of cigarettes. "Just make sure you don't trash the place."

"Yes," Mei replied as she peered back, disappearing from the ground level.

"Guess we've got another accompany with us, growing onto the habit that Totsuka has haven't you," Kusanagi said as he stared at the smoke in the air.

"I just did what I thought was right, that was all," Misaki said with a forceful tone as he averted Kusanagi's sight, blushing with a tint of red. "I mean, she's just a girl, and she just said she was 16, now that is what I call dangerous."

Kusanagi simply stared at Misaki, and squished the cigarette butt. "I suppose you're right. You've grown a lot, Misaki."

Walking to the bathroom felt so long but it was like walking into heaven. Aah… Finally! A warm hot shower! Mei thought thankfully as she twisted the door knob and set inside. The bathroom was just any ordinary bathroom you'd find. The white tiles, the clear mirrors, Mei just missed all of it dearly.

Before Mei could strip off and jump into paradise, she hurried to the door and locked the door. There's like full grown guys everywhere… Better lock the door just in case. If anything I would hate this to turn into some cheesy cliché story in animes.

After she made sure it was all locked, she softened her expression and rolled her shoulder blades as she placed her backpack on the ground. She searched through her black backpack for a new set of clothes and placed on top of the bag where a piece of cloth laid underneath the clothes, preventing it from getting wet. She then started taking off Misaki's red jacket when she realise she had forgotten to return it. Ah… Gotta give it back to him after this.

After stripping her clothes off, she walked in front of the mirror and stared back at the mirrored image of her face. Everything about her body wet and her hairstyle was complete ruined. Pulling the two red elastic bands off her two loose piggy tails, she ran her hands through her hair and let it flowed as it set down behind her ears. She then looked into her lone blue eye, shakily inhaled and exhaled.

The left side of her eye was sealed and patched with a thick, black and waterproof eye patch. As she reached for the eye patch, she slowly removed it and placed it besides her. Underneath the plain black eye patch was yet another eye patch, but with a strange pattern engraved on it. Reaching for the back of her head, she found the knot and fiddled with it. After a few seconds it successfully untangled the strings and then she pulled it down. The eye remained shut as the pupil slowly revealed itself through the slit.

The violet eye was a lonesome clock, marching its way out of reality.

-TBC

Things ya need to know! -Actually it's an A/N

First off, Izumi Mei is my OC, a character that is currently in part of an original series called War Chaos or TheCHAOSProject. This project is a collab with my 2 other friends and their characters will also be featured later on in this series.

I find it very funny how my characters resemble so much of other games/anime that I like e.g Corpse Party, [K], but I watched all these after I made the characters.

Secondly, this is my first time writing a fanfic and it is heavily based off our series so you'll easily get confused, but I want to make sure it still follows the main [K] anime cannon storyline; I mean I love the cannon storyline as much as you guys love it! :D Also, there isn't going to be any OC x original characters because I generally dislike stories like these, but there will be moments between May and the clansmen/kings, but let's not get sidetracked. :P

Thirdly, the original characters might be OOC, but I will try my best not to! Truthfully speaking, I dislike it when characters are out of their personalities… It… just doesn't seem right, but I guess that's just me. If they seem OOC please correct me.

Lastly, I want to say [K], aka K-Project, does not belong to me, but GoRa does! As mentioned, Izumi Mei is merely an OC by me.

Thank-you for reading! Helps out a lot! :D

*gogatsu means May in Japanese.