Anastasia turned into Mikoto, wrapped her in her arms and held her close, leaning her head against her soft hair. Mikoto raised her chin, nuzzled just inside Anastasia's long blonde hair and sniffed. She felt warm, smelled of fire burning barely under control. "It's fine…" Mikoto whispered, wrapping her arms around Anastasia's small waist. "It's going to be all right…" She said.
But Mikoto could feel Anastasia's body trembling not in fear or because of the cold, something deep and dark buried underneath layers of civilization. A raw primitive emotion was churning in the thick black sediment. Her skin glowed, covered in a sheen of perspiration, small droplets traced uncertain paths from her hairline. Each breath she took was warmer than the last.
Mikoto, tasting the angry emotions swirling around, slowly nuzzled herself closer to Anastasia's neck, her lips wet with anticipation as her tongue took in the droplets of salty sweat. I need to do something. She's… I can feel it… Getting angry… Getting. Her mouth barely open, her fangs pulsed slowly lengthening. She knew where the bonding scar was, like a beacon shining in the dark of night on stormy seas, she could find it in her sleep now.
Anastasia put a little pressure against Mikoto's head as she leaned against her. "That won't work." She queen spoke. "But thank you for the thought." She said turning her head, kissing the side of Mikoto's head, exhaling a long drawn out breath, slipped away. Mikoto watched as Anastasia slipped from her grasp, her arms rising as if it had a mind of its own, fearing the inevitable as she got further away, their fingers separated leaving Mikoto's hand hanging, her heart ached at the emptiness, expecting Anastasia to turn around and take it back. But she slowly turned, leaned against the stainless steel sink with her arms spread out, grabbing the rounded edges, looking down at the floor.
She looked like an ominous bird of prey perched on a limb. Her face hidden underneath the clusters of long blonde hair. but through the stands of golden blond, the shadows painted her rage in black. Her bright blue eyes deepen in blush black, her soft mouth twisting, as the tips of her fang cut through her lower lip. the roiling aura seeped out of her, the stainless steel rounded edge of the sink, let out a deep straining surrendering groan from beneath Anastasia's hands. "Anna…"
Mikoto tried to speak, holding out her hand. (Let it go… Little Misaki said, she needs to… You know… Think.) as worried lines appeared, seeing Anastasia like this. Knowing she had to do something. she cleared her throat, a soft little nod, she began to take a step but Emelia placed her hand on Mikoto's arm, gently guided it to her side and interlace their fingers, drew her close and held her from behind.
Mikoto glanced at Emelia as she sat her chin on her shoulder, looking satiated but her eyes were sharp watching the Queen of the four kingdoms stewing in her anger. Mikoto worried, looked over at Sylvia. She hadn't moved from the spot, like a store mannequin, she sat waiting. She waited patiently. But Mikoto felt uneasiness at Anastasia's elite watched her mistress like a hawk.
She wanted to speak, to tell her that it would be all right. They'd take the little queen to the four kingdoms. She'd be with little Gwen. She clenched her jaw balled her free hand into a fist, thinned her eyes, "Anastasia…" She said slightly raising her voice. "talk to me." She said taking a deep breath. she'd cross her arms over her chest, but Emelia wouldn't let go. (it would look odd with just one arm…little misaka said. So much for dramatic posing. I guess. The little avatar seemed disappointed.)
Anastasia remained quiet. "ANASTASIA" she queen spoke more like yelled. No answer. "FINE" she growled, "humph…" she snapped her head towards the door, and walked over, dragging Emelia behind her. "where are you going…" Anastasia finally spoke in a deep gravelly voice. Her roiling emotions on the tip of her lips. "I'm going to see…." She said, stopping at the edge of the doorway, "jerk.!" She said underneath her breath. Anastasia growled.
"oooohhh…I'm so scared." Mikoto slowly peeked around the edge of the door. "I think maybe you need a time out or something." the words slipped near silently from her mouth. It was Sylvia who reacted to Mikoto's little emotional outburst, hearing her scolding Anastasia. A soft smile grew on her mouth, hearing the boldness in Mikotos' tone.
Emelia put her arm around Mikoto's waist, sat her head on her shoulder and pulled her tight. Mikoto didn't mind, but it was kinda more like an embrace. Something less protective more…. well…. Mikoto's cheeks blushed, but she centered herself, putting her hand on top of Emilia's arm wrapped around her waist and focused.
Remembering what had happened earlier she quickly scanned the room. A group of wolves was gathered at the far end. The desk he had been standing behind had a few items spread across the desk. She focused on them, her jaws clinched seeing the hood in a plastic bagging. "That must be….," she felt Emelia nodding, "the hood, Stephanie told us about." Next to it was a cell phone and a small revolver. In less time than it took for a heart to beat. She had surveyed the room. A quick affirmative nod, an imaginary pat on the back. she turned her attention to the sound of whimpering and splashing.
"Okay…" His voice, his friendly voice interrupted. "Here we go…" He said to the sounding of gently splashing water. Mikoto quickly furrowed her brow listening to what was going on in the room. A whimper… A scared reply…
Mikoto felt a pang in her chest, she quickly looked over her shoulder seeing Anastasia slowly raised her head, her eyes were dark blue ominous. Like a beast emerging from the darkness, her aura caused the temperature in the room to drop. Mikoto took a quick breath and exhaled "its fine…." She said to Anastasia "it's just a bath…" waiting for her reply. Nothing. Mikoto rolled her eyes and looked back into the room.
Ronan, his back to the door, was kneeling by the tub. the brightly colored tattoo of five wolves, four black wolves and a bright white wolf, wrapped in the slender body of a dragon. its head, piercing green eyes and sharp teeth, hanging over them like a protective mother. a long large hideous scar ran along his waist line. as if he'd been cut in half. Stephanie next to him blocking her view. But she could see a little of the young queen clinging to his shoulder looking scared, between the both she could see little legs tucked tight afraid of the water. She was chirping, pulling herself up. Stephanie dipped her hand into the water, "see it's warm…" She said trying to coax the little queen as she lifted her hand up and stroked the cheek. "It's okay…" Ronan whispered again and again.
"We just need to clean you up." She chirped again. "It's a warm bath" Her other hand reaching for his shoulder, trying to pull herself up. Creases filled Mikoto's forehead, thinning her eyes, moving her head left to right, up and down, even kneeling , putting her head to the floor to get a better view of the action. She growled, "why don't they move…. already" she said, "I can't see anything…"
(a long sigh, annoying smacking of lips and even a groan. Little misaka rolled her eyes dramatically before speaking. Why don't you just walk over there. She said the obvious. We're a queen. We can do anything we want. So just go over there push him, not her out of the way. She gave a hard nod. Remember him not her…she'll kick our ass. She crossed her arms over her chest. She's old so yea…she would, she said bringing her hand to her chin. It'd be tough, but you know the experience might do us good. But well…. not now…I mean the little one…. her eyes turned wet and glistened.)
A rush of heat burned across Mikoto chest. She bit her lip, squeezing her eyes tight, Crap…she put her hand to her chest. (sorry! Little misaka wiped her eyes…sorry I just…taking a deep breath, holding it and slowly exhaled…) Mikoto quickly opened her eyes as the pain faded, nearly falling into the room, hearing a small commotion.
Stephanie dipping her hands into the water, cupped them, held them just below her feet. A small quick splash. Ronan and Stephanie laughed, "there we go…" And she could tell he was lowering her into the water. Chirped… Chirp… (She's happy…) followed by the quick splashing of feet hitting the water. The little queen moved her legs quickly as if she were running in place. Stephanie encouraged the little queen, reaching to the side of the tub and picked up and opened a small bottle of shampoo. "Let's wash that dirty hair." She said, looking at Ronan with a smile. "She's not letting go of you." She said with a laugh.
"That's a good girl." He said, with a nice pat on the head, slowly stood up. A worried chirp. Mikoto could see the little queen looking up at him, "I'm going over there to see the meanies and the get cleanup. So…" He gave a quick smiled, "that's it… Drink it up…" He said, "nice bribe." Ronan said, looking over a Stephanie. she had reached down, picked up a dark red colored ampoule. Mikoto looking confused as she opened it, took a drink, swished it around. The little queens' eyes and mouth opened as she looked up, let go of Ronan, and took Stephanie's kiss. " Stephanie..." he said in a somber voice, looking at the two of them.
Senassa, the name he'd given her was licking the blood from Stephanie's mouth, " be sure and check her...when you..." Stephanie, holding her smile but her eyes dimmed as she put her hands over the ears of the little girl. she nodded, " i will..." she said regretfully.
" check what?" Mikoto's head jerked, " what does she have to check" she said underneath her breath. she felt the room grow colder. Anastasia must have been listening. she knows. doesn't she. Mikoto chewed on the inside of her mouth, " what does she need to check?" (nothing! little misaka quickly spoke. Nothing at all... she growled.) Another flash of pain shot across Mikoto's chest, "dammit" she gripped her chest. her eyes quickly flashed as He turned and walked towards the door.
"Crap." Mikoto gasped, quickly disappeared from the edge of the door. "He's coming." Mikoto said in queens speak, turning around, rushed over to where she had been standing. Quickly furrowed her brow, "what are you…" she cocked her head, with a what the hell are you doing expression.