Author's Note: It may be some time until I can update the next chapter because my laptop decided that it can't find the driver to connect to the internet. I had to upload this chapter somewhere else. I'm hoping I can fix it soon. Anyways, enjoy! ^-^

Chapter 9

Acceptance

I couldn't believe how time flew by. It had now been a month and a half since I attempted to steal Mikoto's wallet. It was three weeks since he found out about my secret and just about that when Anna let us know that she knew the whole time. Not surprisingly it had made the three of us closer. Anna would cuddle with me more often, even in front of the others. Mikoto wouldn't look at me like he was trying to figure me out anymore. Instead, it was more like he was keeping a watchful eye on me. It was like he was afraid I would break or something. All in all, I was happy to have two people share my secret with. I was able to be truly myself behind those closed doors. Which we spent more of our time in. Sometimes, I would even wake up in Mikoto's bed even when I had fallen asleep on the couch. He would switch with me. I guess he wanted me to be more comfortable. But I didn't want him to give up his bed for me. And of course, the other boys were getting a little more suspicious but kept it to themselves. I guess they feared what it might mean. Or they didn't think much of it because Anna was in there with us more often than not. Anyways, I felt a deep connection to the two.

"Goodmorning!" I greeted more cheerfully than usual. I oddly felt really good today. I was greeted with a warm grin from none other than Tatara.

"Morning! I guess you slept well last night," he commented.

I shrugged, "Guess so. I didn't have a nightmare so it was really peaceful." I went and sat myself on the stool next to Mikoto, as usual.

"That's good to hear," Yata said from his spot. "Glad you are finally getting some good sleep." I had told them about my nightmares. Not what they were about but that I had some traumatic experiences and I couldn't sleep very well. They were oddly very understanding. I was glad they didn't try to get more information. I guess they were to busy with the fact that I had let them in with that information to push. It was a big deal for me to even let them in on the fact I had nightmares. I guess they felt closer to me because I trusted them with that.

I nodded, "Yeah. I feel great!" I honestly hadn't felt that great in a long time. I saw in the corner of my eye that Mikoto was smirking at me. I quirked a brow in his direction, "What? Got something to say, Royal Butt?" Yeah, I still insulted him. That hadn't changed at all. I heard laughter and I could see that he was holding in his own laughter. He was still a hard one to crack.

"I still don't believe that King let's you talk to him like that," Tatara said with amusement. All the boys would call him King or Mr. Mikoto in respect. I was the only one to call him names. But he really didn't seem to mind. In fact, he seemed to be amused by it.

"Because I'm the best," I puff out my chest. "Okay. Maybe I should tone it down. I have way too much energy." That reminded me that every day since the very first time Mikoto had sent me some of his energy, he had continued to do so everyday. I still didn't know whether or not he was even aware of it himself. But I could tell that him sharing that energy with me was helping him as well. I could tell that he was less in pain. I felt better knowing that it was helping him as well. However, did he know what he was doing? I doubted it. Because sometimes when he would send the energy through me, he would look slightly confused as if he didn't know what was going on. He was subconsciously supplementing me with what I had lacked for so long. Anyways, that's something for another time.

"I like it," Chitose commented. "Maybe now you have enough confidence to get yourself a girlfriend. Or at least a date." He was the womanizer of the group of boys, so it didn't surprise me when he said that. But I really had to contain my disgust. I wasn't interested in girls. But I couldn't say that. They would think… Not that I had a problem with them thinking that but the hours I spent alone with Mikoto and the fact I sometimes slept in his room… Well, you get the picture.

"Sure. As soon as Yata gets one," I teased one of my closest friends.

"Hey!" he whined, "Not cool, Hikaru." He had a pout on his face and slight pink cheeks at the mention of girls. Oh, what are we going to do with him? The other guys laughed at his expense.

"That would be the day," Chitose muttered.

"What was that?!" Yata shouted, getting angry.

I couldn't help but laugh, "Oops." I didn't mean to start something.

"Everyone calm down!" Kusanagi ordered them. "Do not destroy my bar!" His warning stopped the boys from starting a fight. There was silence in the room and I went back around to look at our 'mom'. Honestly, that's how I saw Kusanagi sometimes. Always, keeping the boys in check. It was rather funny.

Maybe today was the day I should reveal myself as a girl. I had felt like that I shouldn't deceive them anymore in the past week now. I had even gone as far as escaped Mikoto's protection to go shopping on my own for more feminine clothing which I had hid in the back of the closet in the guest room. That was two days ago and I remember Mikoto scolding me about leaving without one of the others. Honestly, he was overprotective sometimes but it's how he showed he cared. When I told him why I left on my own he went dead silent for a few minutes and then a tiny smirk reached his lips. He had let it go that time but told me to not go off on my own again. I promised that I wouldn't. If you are wondering where I got the money from, I didn't steal it. Kusanagi would give me some money if I helped out around the bar. Which I would help carry things and clean.

"I have to go upstairs for a few minutes," I said, deciding that it was the day to finally show them that I wasn't a boy. It was now or never. I didn't want to talk myself out of it and I felt really great. So, whatever their reaction, I could take it.

"Did you need a hand?" Tatara asked me.

I shook my head, "No thanks. I'll be right back."

"I'll come," Anna said as she got up and took my hand before I went up the stairs. I was okay with another girl coming up with me to get changed.

I brought the bag with my new clothes into the washroom where I could look at myself in the mirror. I first peeled off Yata's old clothes and unwrapped my bandages. Anna watched from the counter she was sitting on. I put on black, lacy panties and matching bra. Then I put on black, ripped in the front skinny jeans, a red tank top and black leather jacket with red plaid lining and hoodie attached to it. I then put a studded belt around so that it was on a diagonal. It was more an accessory than a necessity.

"Should I put my hair up or keep it down?" I asked Anna as I played with my hair after thoroughly brushing it.

"How about top half up?" she suggested. I liked that idea. I sent her a smile of gratitude for her help and started to put the top half of my hair up in a ponytail. I let my bangs hang in front, framing my face.

"What do you think?" I grinned.

"You look so pretty, Hikaru," she said with a tiny smile of her own.

I blushed awkwardly, "Thanks." I helped her down from the counter. We put the other stuff away and then she went downstairs before me. I was getting so nervous. What were they going to say? I swallowed my nervousness and made my way down the steps one at a time. Once I reach the bottom and I was in plain view of everyone I saw many confused looks and one approving one. I smiled and let my real voice out, "Hi."

"T-there's a g-girl," Yata stuttered out, red in the face. I had told hold in a girly giggle from his reaction.

"Where's Hikaru? Is this his girlfriend?" Rikio questioned.

Yata couldn't even look at me and I decided that I should have some fun with him. I walked up to him and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. His cheeks reddened even more.

"Aw, is Yata shy? So cute~," I teased.

"H-how do y-you know-"

I cut him off, "Know your name?" I looked at him with a fake hurt look. "Can't you recognize me? I'm a little hurt, Yata."

His eyes widened in realization, "Hikaru?"

I grinned and noogied him, "I sure am!"

"Hey! Would you stop that!" He complained, starting to act normally again.

I stopped and let him go, "Well, I had to make you stop blushing and stuttering all over the place. We have been friends for awhile now, you know? No need to be so shy."

His blush returned but he was able to talk to me somewhat normally, "Yeah but you look so much like a girl." He scratched the back of his head.

"You idiot," Chitose said, an arm wrapping around my shoulders, "Hikaru is a girl. That's what she's been hiding from us this whole time."

"Well, this is unexpected. Did you know about this, Mikoto?" Kusanagi asked his friend, turning his head to the redhead.

"Yeah," he replied letting out a puff of smoke from his lips. He was leaning his back on the corner, watching the show.

"Wait. You knew that Hikaru was a girl this whole time, King?" Tatara questioned, a little taken back that their King would hide something like that from the rest. Mikoto only shrugged his shoulders.

"Anyways," Chitose called back the attention on him. He sent me a flirty smile, "How about we go on a date, Hikaru?" It took a few seconds for the words to register. I elbowed him in the gut, causing him to let go and hold his stomach.

"Just because I turn out to be a girl doesn't mean you can go around flirting with me!" I lectured him with a playful glare.

He let out a chuckle, "I was kidding. You are cute when you are flustered." I narrowed my eyes at him but my cheeks heated up nonetheless.

"You're really a girl?" Rikio asked me. I nodded my head at him.

"Sorry, I kept this from you all. It was just hard to break the habit of hiding out as a boy," I explained to them.

"It's okay. You are still Hikaru after all," Tatara smiled at me. "Even Though you turned out to be a girl."

"I knew you were hiding something but…" Eric trailed off. Was that a blush I saw on his cheeks?

I giggled, "That's okay. I still feel guilty that I deceived you all into thinking I was a boy this whole time. I hope you can all forgive me." I looked at Yata who was still blushing. His eyes caught mine and he let out a huff and crossed his arms. For a second, I thought he was angry at me.

"We forgive you. I'm sure you had a good reason to pretend to be a boy," he said, to my surprise. My face lit up and I flung myself to hug him. 'W-what are y-you d-d-doing!?"

"Haha. Relax, Yata. I am only hugging you," I was to happy to hold in my happiness. Yata had accepted me. Why wouldn't I be happy?

"Hey, if Yata gets a hug can I have one too?" Tatara asked with his warm smile. I laughed and let go of the still blushing Yata and went to hug Tatara who had also accepted me.

"Me next," Rikio said. I shook my head in amusement and went to hug him as well. Soon all the boys came to give me a hug. The only ones left were Eric, Kusanagi and Mikoto. Anna had hugged me in the middle as well, feeling left out.

Eric approached me after I had given a hug to Kosuke. He scratched the back of his head, "I guess I was wrong about you." He wasn't looking at me. He stuck out his hand out, "No hard feelings?"

"Hm. I don't know," I said. This cause him to look me in the eye with a sad look. I smiled, "Can we try to be friends?"

He smiled back, "Sure. I guess we can." I nodded and the gave him an unexpected hug which he hesitantly patted my back in return. I let him go to see that Kusanagi was near me.

"Guess it's my turn," he smiled at me and opened up his arms at me. I knew he was a womanizer too.

"No funny business." He sweatdropped as I gave him a hug and he returned it.

After a few seconds we parted and then there was Mikoto left. No one had expected him to get up from his stool and come towards me. At least, that's what I felt when everyone went silent. He was now in front of me and he patted my head.

I glared up at him, "When will you stop treating me like a child!?" He just smirked down at me and the next thing I knew my face was squished in a hard, muscular chest. I blinked in surprise. Was Mikoto hugging me? And in front of everyone? Just as soon as the hug started it ended.

"Welcome to HOMRA," he said, his amber eyes piercing into mine. I heard a chorus of cheers from the boys but I was still confused as to what had happened.

"What?" I asked, dumbfounded.

"The Red Aura accepted you," Anna informed me.

On hearing that I hit Mikoto's shoulder playfully, "I didn't say I'd join, you butt!"

He looked smug and amused, "You are one of us."

"You were always one of us from the very first time you walked into the bar," Tatara added.

"Whether you like it or not. You are one of us," Yata chipped in. He still was pink but he was able to look at me and speak properly now.

"We are family," Tatara finished.

I felt happy tears come to my eyes, "You idiots." Mikoto must have known that giving me his Aura wouldn't have killed me. Otherwise, I'm sure he wouldn't have risked it. I wondered how he knew though. Anna probably told him it was fine. The girl knew things. But why did he have to be so sneaky about it? Why now? Was it because I let my true self out completely? Whatever the reason, I felt something warm on the left side of my rib. "Huh?" I left my shirt to reveal to insignia that properly showed my loyalty to the Red Clan. I traced the symbol with my fingers. "You sneaky little…" I looked up at the King, putting my shirt back down, "Next time ask."

He shrugged, "It was about time that you properly became one of us."

I rolled my eyes, "I didn't have to get the Red Aura or the insignia to show that I'm loyal to you. You already had my loyalty, without question. Not as a King, but as someone I cherish."

That seemed to catch him off guard for a second before he closed his eyes and smirked, putting his hands in his pockets, "You are one strange woman."

"I'll take that as a compliment," I grinned.

"I say we party!" Tatara called cheerfully.

"Yeah!" The boys cheered once again. I couldn't believe that they had accepted me so easily. It brought warmth to my heart. I was one very lucky woman to have them in my life.