** Please do keep in mind that this story is an original tale based off the popular K Project series – some facts and events may coincide with the manga/anime but my writing will stray from the main plot we are familiar with. Better to fit in with the story following my OC. **
I || Clan of Shadows
High above within the comfort of the bright blue sky sat the glimmering sun – warming the population far below on the surface of this living planet. The season of blossoming buds was upon them. Spring. People would rejoice in this fact seeing as how their latest winter had proven to be quite harsh. Already there were beings strolling happily along the city streets wearing nothing more than long jeans and a light jacket. The temperature had yet to reach the higher sixties. Laughter filled the air as well as the toxic noise of honking horns of those too impatient to wait in traffic.
Legs uncrossed from under the table as the final sip of coffee warmed the back of her throat. This had become a daily routine, you see. For nearly four full months. Taking a seat on the inner walls of this shop. Now that it has become bearable outside, location of her spying eyes had been altered to a seat on the outer terrace. No one would suspect anything out of the ordinary from her – more beings than just herself were regulars on a daily basis. Some were to bring their laptops to work outside the office. Others, like her, brought a source of literature. Her was only to be a mere distraction from the actual truth.
Across the way from this local café sat a bar in which she had heard so many rumors about. Not only from those living amongst the city, but from those that employee her as well. No other reason to be at this location if it were not for some sole benefit. Oh yes, Akane had her reasons for turning a blind eye to deeds that may seem cruel to others. This day and age, people had to do what they could to survive. In her case, there was really no choice in the matter.
With Homra in sight, now would be the time.
Make contact.
Sliding her chair away from the table, Akane left a generous tip on the table as she usually did when taking her leave from the café. Only right of a person to give thanks for another's service. With the soles of her boots casually taking pace along the sidewalk, her raven hair taking way with the breeze, she moved towards the crosswalk. Waiting with a group of pedestrians to cross. Fingers twiddling away in the depths of her coat pockets. Nearly growing impatient until the shade of red flickered to a bright white – her turn to cross.
The closer she came to the structure. The letters HOMRA becoming unmistakable and a reality of her situation sinking into new depths. All Akane could recall at this moment were his words. Orders that she was to follow no matter what the cost may be, and she would. She had to if she wanted to remain alive.
Your only assignment here is to gather intel. Watching from the café can only get you so far. This is a bar. Public domain. Act like a customer. Learn what you need to in a timely manner and then get out. Simple. Besides, you don't know these people. No need to care of worry about what outcome they might have. That's pointless.
Her inner demons would chant these words – reminding Akane that there was more at stake here than information getting into the wrong hands.
Face of her palm slowly wrapped around the handle of the door – pulling the entrance open with a light creeeeek. Right as she began to step in, a loud roaring voice came from within. A younger male seeming to be in his later teen years. Slate attitude, as it seemed. And an alarming foul mouth – arguing with another similar aged blonde who appeared as though cake might be a daily treat. One he would need to lay off of.
Observe every last detail.
Feet did not halt due to the rising temperature of the quarrel for Akane could tell that this was merely a daily occurrence seeing as how the rest of their mates seemed to handle the situation. Clouded slate eyes caught attention earlier than she had figured. A shade of hazel locking with her gaze while Akane continued to move towards the bar. Keeping up with her hidden image of just a regular citizen, lips pulled up into a friendly grin. The brown-haired boy, he blushed a bright red. Akane didn't focus her attention on him far too long, but it was clear – that one didn't have much, or any experience in dealing with woman. A fact that may be useful when the time comes.
He, however, was not her main target.
Behind the bar stood a taller blonde with tinted glasses blocking her sight from clearly making an assumption of his eye color. His hands were large – grasping a rag in one and a glass in another. Making sure the cup would hold no streaks from prior washings. Akane would move in. Taking a seat on one of the stools just as this blonde male began to address her presence. "What'll it be?" His cheery smile being the opposite of the previous boy.
This one will be easier to address.
"Vodka cranberry."
She said no more than that. Akane has come to learn that silence sometimes spoke louder than words. Combine that with the right expressions, and the world could be set into the palm of her hands.
It did not take longer than thirty seconds for her drink request to be made and set before her on a square napkin. Keeping her eyes on the barkeep, Akane reached her hand out. The glass chilled to the touch. Paled pink lips came to lightly touch the ringed top. Liquid effortlessly traveling down her throat. Keeping with her earlier thoughts, the barkeep smiled at her silence. Taking her hinted grin that the drink was to her linking – he'd be right.
"Haven't seen you around here before," he said. Making casual small talk as any many in his position would. Akane noticed that the chatter from behind had cooled down. Listening ears trying to catch in on the conversation. "Might it be safe to assume that you're new to this town?"
With the reputation HOMRA had among the city streets, she too would make an educated guess that they did not take it lightly when a new face walked through those doors. A majority of their clientele had to be those already taking shelter in this establishment, and if someone unseen before was to enter, then he would be on the right track with his earlier assumption.
Akane took another slow sip of her drink before setting the glass back down on the bar's surface. Her gaze remaining locked with his for only a moment longer. Then they began to glide around the back wall of the bar. Pretending to take a light interest in the alternative amounts of liquor placed on those shelves. "I am," she stated. Her voice coming across as calm. Friendly. "Fairly new, I suppose. Work caused me to move here a few weeks ago, and I'm still not fully used to the city yet."
"Ah, I see, and you just decided to stop in for a causal afternoon drink?" He wasn't being nosey in her business. Akane could tell this. He's just making casual conversation. Small talk.
She let off another grin. Pointer finger tracing the rim of her glass while eyes were back to meet his leer. "I don't live too far from here. Pass by each day when I travel to and from work. Caught my eye so I figured that I could spare a few minutes and stop in."
That rag in his hands continued to clean another glass. Grin reaching onto his lips as well. "Well, I'm glad you did."
"Don't be a stranger."
That had been the last thing Izumo had said to her before leaving that day. Nearly several weeks ago, and Akane had now earned the right to call herself a regular patron at the HOMRA bar. Her process started out at a slow pace. Entering the establishment once or twice a week. Not at the same time each of those days, but she casually started to befriend the barkeep. Educating herself on his name and the fact that he too owned the establishment. The foul-mouthed boy from that initial day had also began to ease up to her. Not fully, even at this point, but no longer would Akane be considered a stranger to Yata.
Few others took shelter under the same roof. Each of these individuals peeking her interest in different ways, but none more so than the King of the Red Clan himself – Mikoto Suoh.
He had not taken to her presence as easily as Izumo had. Akane had known that if she started to hang around the bar too much too quickly, suspicions would be stirred. This is why she had to start out slow, but now that her face had become familiar around the bar, there was no reason to raise alarm when she casually stopped in after work each day. Making herself seem like the lonely new comer in the big city – just looking for a place to belong.
Little did they know.
In time, as days passed, Suoh eased up on the cold stare usually directed in her way. As a King, Akane could not blame him for keeping a distance. She played the part well of an innocent bystander, and that's the way it would stay. Until orders were to change, that is.
Just don't grow attached.
However, this wouldn't be her first time in this rodeo. Akane knew just how to play her cards. Emotions had become something left behind in her past long, long ago. Never again would she allow herself to fall victim to the disaster caused by feeling.
Work had kept her a bit later this evening, so Akane hadn't arrived at the bar until the sun had already set. Still early enough in the evening to have a drink. Casual chitchat. As far as this clan knew, they were all becoming friends. Playing exactly into the lengthened plan that she had sent in motion about two months prior. Everything was going according to plan. She almost felt as though she had become something like a member of the family. An accepted idea, but not one that would remain true for a lengthened period of time. There was a job to get done.
Step one of her assignment had been accomplished. Now it would be onto the next portion of the plan and that might involve another set of acting skills she hadn't had a lot of practice with, but she'd try.
Akane was someone that had a high tolerance for alcohol. Never did like drinking much, but if she had to, she could. In this moment, she had downed a bit more than she had originally wanted to, but even so, her vision remained a full 20/20. This remained a fact, but to those sitting around on each side of her – they'd see something entirely different. Which is where these acting skills came into play. Coming across as a woman who has been served maybe one too many. Akane hadn't been the only one to fall into this trap, but again, hers was just an act.
Another hour in and the woman had found herself passed out on the sofa they had sitting near the door. Her eyes were closed off to the world, but her ears took in sound as if they were a sponge. Absorbing each footstep. Every clink of a glass. She needed to be fully aware of her surroundings even if she could not actually witness them.
A few of the patrons began setting their sights on home. Only a few were left in the bar. Wandering. Calculating their options. Izumo could be heard from across the way. Exchanging words with Suoh about a certain guest currently passed out. On the other end of the sofa, littler legs fit into the space. Anna. A younger aged girl that Akane had not expected to be in this surrounding. The girl was sweet, and she welcomed Akane with open arms. Quickly taking the older girl in as something of a sisterly figure. With all these men around, who could blame her?
"Don't have a clue. Said she lived around here but never specified exactly where. Even if we tried to wake her, don't think we'll be receiving much of a response. Wouldn't trust the current condition she's in."
Akane could practically hear Suoh shrug his shoulders to the blonde's words. Taking little to no interest in the outcome of her stay here this evening. At least one of these men seemed to have their head on straight. Convincing a King of an order might not be easy, but she gathered that these two had to be close friends for it to come down to this. Her plan actually beginning to fall into motion once again.
There were hands suddenly reaching under her form. Picking up Akane's unconscious body – held as if she were a princess. Something she noticed right away. This person, they reeked of cigarette smoke. This, of course, was nothing new considering that HOMRA constantly held that scent, but their touch also had a certain heat to it. One that could not be easily explained with words, but she took a quick comfort to it. Keeping those eyes of hers closed. Head resting against the man's chest.
Ears picked up on the sound of a door opening. Knob turning, and quickly the sound of boots making their way up a wooden staircase. Another set of steps following closely behind.
Next thing she knew, her head met the cushioned surface of a pillow and her body laid to rest on a rather large mattress. There was no attempt to cover her up or comfort her, but Akane would accept this gesture at the very least.
"Anna's been put in her room. Sound asleep."
"Good," huffed Suoh. The chain hanging off his hip clinked at the motion of him standing tall. Strolling away from his nest. Akane didn't hear the sound of a door shut, so she knew that she was not yet left alone.
What do I know so far?
She's above the bar. If she had to assume, it's a one bedroom apartment taken over by the King himself. The closed off portion would belong to the little one, Anna, while another bed sat out in the open living space. That's where Suoh slept, and where Akane currently rested.
"Call me if you need anything."
There was a sound of the door closing behind Izumo's exit. In the distance, she could pick up the sound of those footsteps heading down the stairs back to the bar's first level. A long sigh then took sound into the hair. Lights dimming around the space. The sound of a tired body hitting the surface of the sofa not too far off. Having always been a quiet man since they day they initially met, Akane couldn't help but wonder what might be going through his mind at this current point in time, but that wasn't something to concern herself with right now.
Accomplished.
Part two of her orders had been to find out exactly where it was that the Red King called home – now she's found it.
Eyes slowly fluttered open, taking in the surroundings as her vision adjusted to the darkness. As she suspected earlier, her image of the apartment remained true. The bedroom off to the side belonged to Anna, and the only other closed off door had to be the restroom. Other than that, the floor was an open plan. Kitchen with a built-in island over to the side. The door leading downstairs. His bed backed up against a corner wall and a television with a sofa and table. Suoh currently took space up against that cushioned surface with a small light on the side table still lit for his own vision purposes. His head laid back. Eyes closed off to the world.
While she had the chance, Akane used her phone to get a message off to those that employee her simply detailing her accomplishment and location.
In the next few minutes, she drifted off into an alternate dreamland. One of comfort and no chaos.
What seemed to be like centuries later had actually only been mere hours. The sound of glass shattering against the floor is what woke her. The next – a child's scream.
Her eyes widened just in time to see a fired King racing across the space. Bursting through Anna's bedroom door like that of a powerful typhoon. Before she knew what was going on, Akane too felt her feet moving as fast as lighting. Coming up behind Suoh to find that something had broken through the glass of Anna's bedroom window. A figure standing on all fours much like that of a dog. Perhaps more so like a wolf. It was large with a spine-tingling snarl. Reddened eyes being the only feature of the creature that they could make out. Other than that, the beast was a complete shadow, and Akane knew it all too well.
The creature had its teeth sunk into Anna's arm. Crimson streaks rushed down the child's pasty skin. The shock of the event caused her to pass out. Lucky for her.
Eyes narrowed at the beast – appearing calm. Collected and in total control, but on the inside…
This wasn't the plan! Suoh was the target! Not a child… I wouldn't have agreed to this if….
Circling around her hand formed a substance much like that darkness of the shadow beast. Taking shape similar to that of a katana. "Let her go," she said – voice louder than that of the beast's roar. In response, it simply snarled. Clenching its jaw deeper into Anna's arm. "She wasn't supposed to have anything to do with this! Let her go!" Rage built inside her. Wonder…
This wasn't… damnit! Was I lied to from the very beginning?!
Knowing who she got her orders from, that wasn't too difficult to believe. Akane had to pay attention. Figure out what her next move was, but seems as though Suoh already figured that out. As a member of the Fire Clan, Anna would not be burned by the flames. With Suoh's attack on the shadow beast, the bedroom erupted into a blazing sight, but the beast – unharmed.
A shadow can't be harmed by fire…
That's why this had been the perfect plan, or so she thought.
Akane moved. Swiftly – like the strike of lighting. Aiming the tip of her blade towards her mark.
This plan has gone to hell, but as she had been inches away, the shadow, along with Anna, disappeared just as the sun began to appear over the horizon. Next thing she knew, her back had been slammed up against the wall. Woman or not, Suoh wasn't going to hold back when it came to his younger allay. His fists clenched her shirt tight into his grasp. Eyes blazing – hot like the sun.
"Start talking."
