A/N: Didn't take long for this one to pop out did it? I have this headcanon that while Yata really sucks at talking with girls, he would have a good relationship with Anna. A brother and sister thing. So this came about randomly. Beware angst! But there is fluff too~ Enjoy!

Things in the bar had been different.

The company was about the same. Homra was always here, there was always something going on but the atmosphere had changed. It was as loud as ever but somehow more muted. The bar was still just as brightly lit as before but at the same time it seemed far far too dim. It was a given that things would change. A given that things would feel different, but he hadn't realized just how badly things would change to them all until the worst had already happened.

They had lost Tatara.

The man had been a constant presence in their home, in their very lives, since they all joined Homra. Even when the monkey and himself had joined, Totsuka had been close to the side of his king. Yata had envied him the position once, until he realized just how close to their king the male really was. Really, there was no one more suited for the position than Totsuka. He had seen firsthand the power Tatara had over his king when they needed to keep him from destroying the place. Anna had even relayed to him what occurred the day she joined Homra. How Mikoto had let himself go all out to save her and Totsuka both from their assailant and Totsuka had calmed him with a simple touch to his shoulder.

Now, with Totsuka gone, even Yata could feel the power that their king kept within himself. He could feel how hard Mikoto was trying to keep it contained, even if he gave no true outward sign of the ordeal. They could all feel the aura bubbling in his gut like a volcano waiting to explode.

Kusanagi was a bit of a help, with good reason. He had known Mikoto longer than anyone. He would know simple tips and tricks to help Mikoto along even if he couldn't come close to filling the gaping hole their friend left behind. Yata just hoped it was enough. He hoped once the red king got the revenge he craved, that they all craved, that he would settle down, if only slightly.

He sighed and rolled over on the couch, tucking his hands behind his head as he stared at the ceiling. He had decided to crash here for the night after a long day. They were tracking down the gun that was used to kill Tatara and unfortunately that required a longer process than Yata liked. The only decent part was that he'd gotten to bash some dirt bags into the ground a few times.

Despite the long day and how tired his body clearly was, he couldn't get his mind to shut down. The memory of Tatara's death was too fresh, too painful in his mind. He'd hardy slept at all these past few days since they found him on the rooftop.

Mikoto had knocked him in the head once, telling him to sleep and Yata had truly done his best but it wasn't easy. The few hours of sleep he did manage to catch were filled with images of blood and a feeling of failure and hopelessness as their friend faded in his arms.

He could still feel the cold touch on his cheek. Tatara had tried to be reassuring to the last, even with his final words. Even death didn't change that guy. He had scrubbed and scrubbed at the blood he had left on his face until his skin turned raw but he could still feel it.

A shuffled reached his ears and he turned his head, jumping with a surprised yelp when he saw Anna standing by the couch. A plush lion dangled from her tight grip and he felt his heart twist at the memory of Tatara gifting her with it one day. "Anna? What's up?" He sat up, hair disheveled from his tossing and turning and being shoved under a beanie all day long.

The small girl clutched the lion to her chest tightly, looking unsure of what to say before he caught her muffled response. "Mikoto…is having a nightmare but…he locked the door."

Yata knew of the connection the clan's resident princess had with the king. Whatever torture his dreams were putting him through, she would be able to feel in a sense. Most of them acted oblivious to the thought of Mikoto having nightmares. They never wanted their king to feel like less of a person in front of them. Besides that, Tatara was always there to sooth him to a more peaceful sleep and there had never been a true cause for worry.

Now though, Tatara wasn't here and for him to have locked his door…he must have truly been worried about someone getting hurt. He didn't want Anna or Izumo wandering in during something like that and putting them at risk.

"Uh…" He didn't know how to respond for a moment before sighing and lying back down again, scooting over to make room. "Want to stay with me for a while?" He patted the newly empty space and she padded over to him, climbing up onto the couch and curling up against his side. Her eyes were tearful and she dabbed at them with the sleeve of her nightgown. She was worried about Mikoto. Still upset about Tatara. It was all too much for a ten year old girl to handle, even if she was special.

He grabbed the blanket he had been using, pulling it up over them and making sure Anna was tucked in tight before relaxing, settling a comforting arm around her. She nestled close and he stared down at her with a small frown. "Hey, Anna." The red eyed child turned her wet gaze up at him and he became flustered, unsure how to go about doing what he had seen Totsuka do multiple times. "It'll all work out in the end, ok? Right?" That's what Totsuka would do to make her feel better isn't it?

Anna stared at him intently before leaning close to Yata's face, making him lean back. "Yata should stay Yata." She said simply and he blinked before being unable to stop a laugh. Right. Who was he to act like Tatara? He wasn't good at it at all.

"We'll kick their asses." He said instead, pulling her close again. "We'll beat the bastards and leave no ash behind, just you wait." He felt Anna's smile against him even at the crude words and knew he had said the right thing. She nodded against him before relaxing in his hold and Yata found that he was beyond tired himself. He ran a hand over the girl's silver hair before relaxing, mind falling into a blissfully dreamless sleep.