A/N: Just an FYI, the song is from Guilty Crown, 'Euterpe' by Supercell. You're welcome! :)

Fire Starters

Chapter Eight

Hara grabbed a pair of dark jeans, black boots, and a red tank top with a black jacket. Arming herself with a piece of lead pipe, she made her way to the front of the clinic. Making her way up the many flights of stairs, she became thankful that she kept herself in shape after Key was born. When she finally reached the ground floor, she was immediately met with yelling and the clang of metal on metal.

She stepped into the long hall and saw Blues and Reds in battle. Feeling excitement rise in her blood, an unknown red came forward on a skateboard with a bat and moved to attack her. Hara laughed joyfully and moved to the side before letting her aura flare. The boy stopped in shock as the rest of the group turned to stare. Hara immediately recognized Izumo as he stepped forward with his mouth agape.

"Miss me boys?" Some of the clansmen cheered and called out her name making her smile and laugh more. "Now, who's in charge of you Blues?" The Scepter4 officers looked unsure before a man in a blue uniform stepped to the front of the pack. Hara eyed him then grinned a wicked grin. The man blanched and fell back a step as she prowled forward.

"Why are you here? You went missing four years ago! The Red King never found you!" Hara laughed and ignited her hand.

"I was forcibly taken by a gold named Katuro Takeshi, a researcher here in this facility. This was the opportune moment for me to escape. Now it's time for you to suffer for what you've done to my clan. And for what you've done to that child. I am presuming you had a hand in helping the golds here who have been torturing the poor girl." The man moved back further as his clan followed suit. "Payback's a bitch."

The fire on Hara's hand flared and spread as the reds moved to stand behind her. She threw her arm out in a long arch and spread her flames over the blues in front of her. Their screams filled the air as every one slowly burned to ashes.

"Izumo," she called to the second in command. He stepped forward with a small smile and watery eyes. "Anna is on the lowest level, Mikoto and Tatara are almost there. Help me guide the clan, I know a safe way without much fighting. We'll need to save our energy for the coming battle." As the clan began to raise their voices in protest, Hara turned slowly. "Quiet!" They immediately fell silent at her command as she continued.

"Mizuchi is dangerous and so is his research. He will most likely use his research against us, also the man who took me, Katuro is a Strain with an ability classified as 'spacial manipulation'. Meaning he can create invisible barriers and forces that can be hard for a Red to overcome, especially a clansman. Be wary and careful and stay in pairs at the least. Now, follow me to meet up with our king."

The reds cheered as Hara turned and moved back the way she had come. They encountered few blues along the way though Hara easily knocked them away like flies to a swatter. Izumo was at her side the whole way and would turn around occasionally calling to the slow ones at the back to keep up. Hara could feel her son was close to Mikoto's location and that he was unhurt, along with him being close to the girl, Anna.

As they turned a corner, a sudden blockade of Blues stood before them making Hara growl in frustration. Rolling her eyes she moved forward and smiled sweetly throwing the Blues off guard. Talking in a friendly way, she said

"Mind moving, we're in a bit of a hurry to meet up with our king." A blue woman moved forward with her saber out ad stood defiantly before Hara.

"Who are you? You do not belong here. Take your clan and leave." Hara's smile became threatening as she raised her hands.

"My name is Michitaru Hara, the Red Queen of Homura." The woman paled and stepped back. "I know, I know. I'm supposed to be missing or dead or whatever, but guess what? I'm here~" Hara grin wickedly and lit her hands in her aura. "So, are we gonna play or are you gonna move?" The woman visibly shook, but raised her saber nonetheless. "I applaud you on your bravery, but your going to regret it. You see, your clan harmed my dear boys and that just doesn't fly. Now, feel the wrath of the Red Queen. No blood. No bone. No ash."

The clan chanted their slogan behind her as she moved forward slowly like a lioness stalking her prey. It was a strange concept, considering their king was compared to a lion himself, it was almost comical. She suddenly rushed forward in a flurry of red and pink as she fought against the blues. The reds saw she was only toying with them as she showed to pay very little attention her movements. Practiced and smooth, Hara danced around her enemies alone slowly taking them down one by one. When the last one fell, Hara stood tall and took a deep breath.

"You know, I should kill you but I won't. I pity your sad little lives. Being without your king has left you unsure of yourselves and lonely. But don't worry, anew king will rise for you soon. The Slate is choosy, but it has already found you a worthy one I'm sure. Just wait patiently for him." The Blue woman raised her head to look at her with wide eyes as the reds moved away.

As they moved down the hall closer to Mikoto, Hara could sense that Mikoto and Key had made contact. She smiled lightly to herself as she noticed some of her clansmen whispering behind her, two she didn't recognize.

"Skater boy, glasses, come here." Yata and Saruhiko looked up startled before obediently moving up to her side. "What are your names?" Hara looked at them through her peripherals as they looked at her in wonder. Saruhiko spoke up first.

"I'm Fushimi Saruhiko, Ma'am." Hara laughed.

"Don't call me ma'am please. It makes me feel old. And you skater?" Yata visibly blushed and looked away.

"Yata Misaki, Yatagarasu." Hara nodded. "Uh, why do you call yourself the 'Red Queen'? Who are you?" Hara smiled sweetly at him making him blush further along with the boy known as Saruhiko.

"I'm Mikoto's lover of course. I have been for years. I'm known as the Red Queen for many reasons, that's one of them." Yata paled at her words and stopped.

"But I thought Honami-ma'am was Mikoto-san's woman." Hara's eyes widened before she burst into laughter.

"Honami-sensei?" Hara had to stop and lean against the wall as laughter rolled through her and brought tears to her eyes. After a moment she calmed down as Izumo threw out an exasperated sigh. "Sorry, I just-" She giggled and held her side. "It's so funny. Honami-sensei is such an airhead. Not to mention she was the one who always threw Mikoto in detention when we were in school." Izumo's lips twitched at the memory when another explosion was heard.

"Hara-chan, uh-"

"Don't worry, Mikoto has always been one to make his own doorways." Izumo smiled at her and shrugged. "Tatara with him?" Izumo nodded.

"Yeah, he's there to keep him calm in your stead." Hara beamed at him.

"Good idea, only he's reached Mizuchi and Anna and Katuro now and I can feel it flaring. Who knows what he's seeing right now. We should hurry though. Ah, Misaki-san, don't worry about your confusion. I've been gone for four years so it's no big thing to think someone else made it into his pants, 'Kay?" Yata stuck his chest out and glared.

"Don't call me by my first name!" Hara blinked at him before laughing lightly.

"Sorry, Yata-san then?" Yata nodded and Hara smiled at him. "Now that we have that settled, it's time to move. And quick." Hara turned on her heel and peeled down the hall with her clan at her heels.

A/N: Wow, what's gonna happen next? Stay tuned to find out! Hope you enjoyed, sorry for it being so short again. Review/Follow/Favorite!