This is a revised and rewritten version of the story, HOMRA's New Stray ; renamed to Home Sweet HOMRA. I will eventually delete the old version of the story and will only continue with this one. If you have any compliment or critique, please drop it in the reviews so that I may improve in my writing.

Disclaimer: K is owned by GoRa and GoHands, I only take credit for my OC, Shishio Harumi.

CHAPTER 4

"Yata-san, can't you go a lil' easy on me?"

"J-J-Just because you're a girl, I-I ain't gonna s-show you mercy. T-Take that!"

"Kyaaa!"

"ANNND STRIKE THREE! You're out Harumi."

"Mou…" I pouted as I hand over the bat to the next batter and trudged my way to the dugout. "It's fine Harumi-chan, at least you gave your best," Totsuka greeted from behind his video camera as I plopped down on the bench beside him. "The losing team is to treat the winners, remember? It's not like you're playing anyway," I muttered, wondering how in the world he managed to sweet-talk me into agreeing to play despite my protests.

Well, it's not like I mind actually. To be honest with myself, I was happy for a change of scene. Every day was just about the same so far. Helping out around the bar, listening to the guys' bickering, taking out the trash, playing guinea pig for Totsuka's new recipe tryouts. Yeah, that last part was no fun though. Last week's curry that he insisted was 'delicious' had made me sick for days. Heaven knows what he put in it.

"Chitose, what's wrong?" Totsuka asked, focusing the camera on the said male. "Are you tired?"

I broke off from my train of thoughts as I peered at Chitose blocking the camera lens with his hand. Now that he mentioned it, Chitose does look a little weary. Too much drink yesterday? Or was it that he was with yet another woman last night? Listening to stories about him from the other clansmen painted him as a womanizer in my mind. "Stop it now," he groaned as Totsuka chucked and pulled away the camera. "You can do it when I'm more good looking.

"Did something happen?" the older male asked in concern.

"Ah… well…" Chitose hesitated and scratched his chin, "Popular guys have a lot to handle…you see..."

Ah yes, definitely a womanizer. I shifted my focus when I noticed Mikoto getting up from the bench. He walked over to the home plate and picked up the bat, a bored look plastered on his face.

"Yata-chan, Mikoto is next! Focus!" Kusanagi shouted to the short pitcher who immediately perked up.

"A-Ahh!" Yata shouted back in response as the redhead tested out a few swings. "Too bad, but even for the king…" He shifted back and hurled the ball with all his strength at Mikoto, "My straight is…!"

A loud 'CLINK' was heard as the ball flew over the pitcher's head and over the field. Mikoto merely jogged to the next base as Yata stood crestfallen on the pitcher's mound, his proud pitch defeated easily by Mikoto.

"… Yabe na," Kusanagi sighed and watched the ball disappeared into the blue sky and possibly beyond. "Mikoto isn't even using his great handicap. This won't even be a game."

"… I guess we need to worry about losing if Mikoto-san is in our team." I stared up at the sky where the ball disappeared into. To even needing a handicap in baseball to keep the game fair… just how powerful is a king?

"Haha, that's the red king for you," Totsuka laughed.

Anna, who was sitting on Totsuka's lap, stared off distantly into her red marble. "…That person was so sad…" she whispered softly, catching Chitose's attention.

"Hm?"

Anna continued to peer through her marble as her turned her head towards the questioning man, "Don't die, okay?"

"Eh?" A quizzical look came over Chitose's face and started to question her sudden statement. But before he could, Dewa dragged him out of the dugout and onto the field, "Chitose! Your turn!"

"Wait- Anna?" Chitose turned his head back towards the silver hair child, "Wh- What was that?"

Dewa sighed as he thrust the bat at his procrastinating friend, "Hurry up and hit already."

The young man stepped up onto the plate and steadied himself as Yata reeled back and threw the ball at him. The bat ricocheted with the ball and made a 'clang' as it flew past Yata's head.

"Pfft… Where are you aiming at- AH!"

The boys stared tensely as the ball flew towards an unsuspecting passerby. A lady. "Watch out!" they cried in unison, hoping that the woman would react quickly to their warning. Much to our surprise, she caught the ball that was speeding at her with her bare hands and she didn't even flinch.

"Wait… did she just did that? " I gaped in disbelief with the just as surprised Totsuka beside me.

The woman smiled nonchalantly at the slack jawed batter as she crushed the offending object, "I found you," She quicken her pace as she made her way towards him much to his distress, "Chi~to~se-kun~"

"How lively." Totsuka laughed care freely as he continued to capture the entire scene with his video camera. I made a grab at Totsuka's shirt when the lady swiped her hand towards the dugout, "Baka… duck down!" The roof of the dugout was sliced apart despite her simple gesture. I choked at the dust flying around us, spotting Chitose's fleeing figure at the corner of my eyes.

XOXO

I peered around as the dust slowly settled down. "T-Totsuka-san?" I called out, my voice hoarse as my throat was still irritated by the dust. Great, where did he gone off to?

A hand appeared before me and I was pulled up against a warm and muscular body, "You okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"

I felt a blush creeping up my face as I breathe in his musky scent. Mikoto! "Um- Ahh!" I nodded several times, not trusting my voice at the moment. He released me, his hand lingering a second longer on my shoulder. I swear my face is beetroot red now. I veered my head around so he couldn't see my embarrassed face.

"What did those idiot wound up into this time?" Kusanagi sighed as he punched into his phone, walking towards us. He handed the phone over to Mikoto and waved at the rest of the gang, "Oi! Game's over! Clean up and return to base!"

"HAI!" they shouted back obediently.

"Yo," Mikoto said into the phone when the line connected, "Want me to save you?"

"N-No… I'll get out of this myself…" I heard Chitose's panicky voice on the other end. I frowned inwardly, that idiot must have done something to that woman and pissed her off.

Mikoto held the phone at Kusanagi, "Luckily Mikoto's in a good mood today. Chitose… that woman is an infamous assassin and a strain. She's been nicknamed 'Yukibiri Maria'."

A distressed "H-Ha!?" come through the phone.

"Clients who break their promises will definitely be killed, they say. Seems like she's really feared of," Kusanagi paused for a moment before he continue on, "However, she won't kill a good citizen, so… what have you done? Well, I'm just imagining it, though."

They exchanged several lines and Kusanagi promptly ended the call. "Chitose sure is a brave man," he exclaimed, "To have messed with that strain, that is."

Shouhei, who was unscathed by the incident perked up at that, "By strain, you mean…?"

"So you don't know, huh, Shouhei?" the older male asked and laid back into a nearby bench. "…They're not like us who get powers from the king. People with free abilities do appear sometimes too, ya know." He smiled lightly and tilted his head towards me, "Right, Harumi-chan?"

I tensed at that sudden regard and Mikoto must have noticed for he gave a pointed look at his friend.

"Eh…," Shouhei took a moment to digest the information, "But even so, there's no reason that just because of her ability that even her face is noted for, right? Kusanagi-san, where did you get that information?"

The older male laughed, "That's a trade secret~" He started and stood up, "Anyway, we should head back and pray for them."

XOXO

I hummed a little tune as we made our return to the bar. The others listened silently and smiled, enjoying my melody. As we were about to make a corner, a dark tinted-window limousine drove past us and I stopped dead on my tracks. The number plate… one that I was well accustomed with. "Harumi-chan?" Kusanagi asked when he noticed me faltering.

I gazed fixedly at the general direction the car had driven off to, "I… I have something to do. I'll see you guys back at the bar later." And I ran off, dismissing Kusanagi who was calling after me.

XOXO

I placed a hand against the wall to steady myself as I tried to catch my breath. I had chased after the limo for 3-blocks before it stopped in front of a hotel. It was rather rundown and the purple neon sign blinking dimly in the broad daylight was missing several letters. It was the type of hotel where people would normally avoid if possible and where 'shady businesses' usually take place in.

I quickly backtracked into the alley I emerged from; hiding in the shadows, when I saw the driver stepped out of the vehicle. He made his way around to open the door of the backseat of the limo just as another man exited the building. He was tall and had a broad shoulder and was wearing a black overcoat that well suited his just as black expression. I could vaguely see the perpetual frown and wrinkles carved into his face from where I stood. One would say the man was around his 50s. As he was about to duck into the vehicle, he looked up and our eyes met for a brief moment. His frown deepens and resumes entering the vehicle. Five seconds later, the driver was back behind the wheels and they drove off. I let out a shaky breathe that I was unconsciously holding onto. He saw me. He definitely saw me… and he didn't care.

A sudden loud noise broke off my trance and I jerked my head towards the general area from where it came from. It sounded nearby. I rushed down the streets scanning the alleyways as I go. "Totsuka-san!" I panted when I spotted him, winded from my sudden sprint. He was kneeling on the ground, clutching his neck and in a coughing fit. And walking away from him was that scary lady from the baseball game. He gave me a weak smile, "Ara, Harumi-chan~" I rushed to his side, "Are you okay? No wait, you're not. You're bleeding!"

"…Harumi," he began.

"Stop moving around," I scolded him and pressed my handkerchief against his wound, hoping to stanch the bleeding.

"Are you okay?" the male continued, "You seemed… a bit queer."

I deadpanned and shifted my gaze onto the ground, "You're in no position to be worried about others now…" I gave him a doleful smile, "Let's just go back."

XOXO

"It's a sad story huh?" Shouhei murmured after Totsuka recounted the whole story to the others.

"By the way Totsuka," Kusanagi set down the glass he was polishing, "You heard it directly from Yukibiri Maria herself, did you?" He eyed the plaster that I finished putting onto the younger man's neck.

"If you talk to her calmly, she's actually quite a friendly person," Totsuka grinned.

I couldn't help but face-palmed, "Says the guy who was this close to being killed."

"Ha…" Kusanagi sighed in defeat, "Well, that's your specialty."

"Did you tell Chitose about it?" Fujishima questioned the carefree man.

"There's no meaning if he can't figure it out himself. Right?"

"It'll be good enough if she doesn't kill him though," Kusanagi chuckled hopelessly. The door opened and the two men walked in, drained of energy.

"Ah, still alive!" Totsuka exclaimed.

"Mattaku," I breathe.

Chitose merely chuckled weakly as Kamamoto grabbed him and congratulated on his survival. The guys proceed to back-slap and mess with the pair that just escaped death.

"People leave you because you possess power… huh…" Shouhei murmured as he watched the merry band, "It's totally opposite from us!"

"Hm?" Totsuka and I questioned the teen in sync.

"We have the same kind of power as that strain and yet, our powers have become a way for us to bond, hasn't it?"

Totsuka smiled as he glanced over at Mikoto, who yawned boringly, "I guess you're right…"

I swirled my seat towards the window and stared out into the slowly darkening sky. I thought absent-mindedly. These people aren't related by blood yet their bonds run thicker than blood. Can I be jealous towards a bunch of mismatched rowdy teenagers?