Hello everyone, I am back! I know I said I wouldn't update for another week, but I changed my mind. Until we finish arc 1, that is season 1, I'll update every week. After that, I'll write up all of MK and then start up again, so there will eventually be a brief hiatus here, at least that's the plan for now.

Anyways, thanks to hydrangea wine (Again, thank you so much for such a lovely review! I hope you continue to enjoy!) and ShadowWolf223 (Thanks again, I hope you enjoy this story just as much as my others!) for reviewing, all 3 followers, 3 favorites and 36 readers! Not too bad, in my opinion.

Oh, one last note before we get started: I wrote this story by using the English dub of the anime, so if the wording is a bit different from the subbed version, that's why. That's also why I am not using honorifics, originally because when I wrote this story I did not understand them at all and thus avoided them and now because I don't want to go back and rewrite everything, besides the dubbed anime was pretty close from where I'm sitting.

In any case, we're gonna meet a bunch of new characters this time around and a few hints for the plot I have in mind. Enjoy!

As Yashiro Isana ran through his school, borrowing food for his lunch as he went, he never saw her coming.

"Ah, Yashiro. Did you forget your lunch again?" A voice asked.

Turning, the white haired, amber eyed boy smiled as an elderly woman approached him. The woman's silvery white hair was incredibly long, it fell to her waist in waves and curls, and despite the fact that she was approaching 80 years old, she barely looked it.

"Oh, Mrs. Saisho. I didn't hear you approach. And please, call me Shiro." Shiro smiled at the woman.

"You didn't answer my question, Yashiro." Mrs. Saisho shook her head. "I may be chairman of the school, but that doesn't mean I don't care about my students' well-being. From what I've observed, it seems you can barely cook. How do you even survive on your own?"

"I'm fine, Mrs. Saisho, please, don't worry about me." Shiro shook his head. "And you don't need to call me 'Yashiro'. Just Shiro is fine."

"I'm sorry, Yashiro, but that's simply too…unbecoming of a school chairman." Mrs. Saisho smiled slightly. "If you need some help, all you need to do is ask. Remember that, alright?"

"Yes, ma'am! I promise I'll ask for some help next time." Shiro smiled before he turned. "If you'll excuse me then, I have to get back to my lunch."

With that, the boy left, leaving Mrs. Saisho behind, shaking her head at him.

"That stubborn boy…" She sighed when her PDA rang. Quietly, she picked it up and turned back towards her office. "Hello?...Yes, I'm aware of the situation…I'm keeping a good eye on him, don't you worry, you just keep an eye on him…"

In the corner of her eye, Mrs. Saisho watched as…something sped past, in the same direction as Shiro went. Her eyes briefly narrowed before she turned away and returned to her office.

"Yes, I am aware of the dangerous game we are playing, but it's our only option at this point…yes, please keep me posted. The clans should be making the connection to my school soon enough, I'll do what I can…I'll see you tonight."

Rae Akiyama hummed under her breath as she approached Scepter 4's HQ, twirling her simple brown staff in her right hand while the satchel slung across her shoulders hit her left hip with every step.

Her light brown hair, tinted with silvery blonde strands, was pulled up into a bun with just enough free to frame her face, her gray eyes sparkling in the light. She wore a pale yellow blouse under a black jacket that had the symbol of Timeless Palace on the right shoulder, black jeans and black knee high boots. Around her neck was a black choker with a black magnifying glass charm attached.

Just as she reached the gate that led to Scepter 4's HQ, a voice called out.

"Hold on, ma'am. I have to ask for some identification." The clansman on patrol requested as he approached her.

Quickly, Rae's eyes skimmed over him before she spoke up.

"You're a newly recruited clansman, correct?" She asked. Without waiting for an answer, she continued, "I need to speak to your King, second-in-command and third-in-command as soon as possible, thank you."

"Of course, as soon as I see your identification, ma'am." The clansman nodded.

"My apologies, but this is rather urgent, so I simply must be going." Rae smiled and moved to pass the clansman, only to find a hand blocking her path.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but I cannot allow you to pass that easily." He stated.

"Huh…so it's come to that, eh?" Rae sighed before she grinned brightly, completely different from her previous smile. "Fine by me then."

Instantly, the woman jumped back and flicked her staff at the single clansman, causing a burst of wind to fly towards him, knocking him off balance.

"You ready, kid?" Rae grinned as she ran at him, barely allowing him time to draw his sword to block her staff.

Without hesitation, the brunette kicked the clansman in the gut, allowing her time to jump back and raise her hand in the air.

A gold aura surrounded Rae as a smoke pipe appeared in her hand, which she instantly threw to the ground, causing smoke to surround the two.

The clansman looked around, trying to find the woman in all the smoke to no avail. Suddenly, however, it cleared, only to reveal Rae a small distance away. Her gold aura was blazing as she raised her hand in the air, a giant magnifying glass appearing, to the clansman's shock.

The magnifying glass caught the light at just the right angle and would've burned the clansman when-

"Stand down!" A voice ordered.

Instantly, the smoke and magnifying glass vanished only to reveal the special ops forces of Scepter 4, Himori Akiyama standing at the head of them.

"Sir!" The clansman cried as he sheathed his sword.

"About time you got here, Himori. Don't you ever tell the newbies that your family likes to visit." Rae clicked her tongue as she crossed her arms.

"Mom, you know you can't just visit whenever you want." Himori sighed, shocking the clansman in the process. Kamo quickly walked over and led the clansman away to explain everything.

"This time I'm on business, don't worry." Rae smiled as she walked over to her son and kissed his forehead before her gentle smile became a mischievous one. "Besides, it's too much fun breaking in the newbies when they don't recognize me."

"You know, I always loved when Tatara was the one they met first." Himori sighed before he smiled. "What is it with you, Dad and Leoda loving to fight the new patrols?"

"It's a good workout." Rae smirked.

"Of course." Himori chuckled before he became serious. "You're here on Uncle's behalf, correct?"

"Yes. I have a request to deliver to the Blue King on his orders." Rae nodded, her face now a reflection of her son's own. If one were to compare the two of them at that moment, the resemblance between mother and son would've been undeniable.

"Alright. I'll bring you to the Captain's office, Lieutenant Awashima and Mr. Fushimi should be there with him." Himori nodded as he began to lead the way inside.

"Thank you, Himori." Rae smiled slightly.

They walked in silence for a while until Himori spoke up.

"How are Leoda and Kristopher handling it?" He asked softly.

"As well as can be expected." Rae sighed, looking down and clutching her staff in both hands tightly.

"I still can't believe it myself." Himori admitted. "It feels like it was only yesterday he was here, picking up Kristopher and meeting our family for dinner that same night."

"I know how you feel. I can still see him worrying over Leoda and Kristopher, asking your father for advice and trying to find some stability for them." Rae added. "He was an amazing man…"

Hearing the choke in his mother's voice, Himori wrapped his arm around her shoulders as he led her to Munakata's office.

"Come on, Mom. It'll be alright." Himori tried to reassure her.

"I hope you're right, Himori. I hope you're right." Rae tried to smile, she honestly did, but it came out much waterier than she wanted.

Neither Himori nor Rae herself acknowledged the tears she wiped away before Himori knocked on the office of the Blue King.

"Come in." Munakata called.

Without a word, the mother and son entered, the mother prepared for the possible backlash she could receive.

Shinji Akiyama found himself sighing as he watched Mikoto knock down a wall as he led his clan, Leoda and Kristopher to the entrance of the hotel where they had just finished an interrogation.

"They better be prepared for the backlash this causes." He mumbled to himself, brushing his dark green hair from his expressive brown eyes.

Unlike his wife and son, Shinji was dressed much more casually, with a gray shirt with the long sleeves rolled up a bit above his wrists, jeans and black tennis shoes. Around his left wrist, he had tied a dark green bandana that completed his simple appearance. His dark green hair was pulled into a low pony tail, the ends just brushing his shoulder blades.

As he continued to watch, Shinji was not surprised to find Scepter 4 entering to block off HOMRA's exit, both his son and wife accompanying them.

As his eyes landed on Rae, Shinji couldn't help but chuckle as he remembered the first words she ever said to him.

"Are you sure you're a part of Scepter 4?"

To be perfectly honest, Shinji agreed that Himori fit the image of Scepter 4 better than he did. But, of course, he'd never admit that to his stubborn, proud, bragging wife.

Still don't understand why I have to observe HOMRA while she gets Scepter 4. The man thought. He understood the need for observation, of HOMRA especially since not only were they Tatara's family but they were the current shelter of his wife and son, meaning they had a very good reason to go off the rails and antagonize Scepter 4, which in turn required observation of their own King.

But why would the Gold King send his own clansman to the Blue Clan while having the former Blue clansman sent to the Red Clan.

Eh, Kings are weird.

"No blood! No bone! No ash!"

At the battle cry of the Red Clan, Shinji watched as Mikoto jumped down, followed by the chorus of 'ready's that announced the Blue Clan's own plan.

When it became clear that the plan was to leave Anna and Kristopher with Leoda up above and the rest of the Red Clan had jumped down, Shinji jumped down and landed at his daughter's side.

"I knew you were there." Leoda stated.

"What, no 'hello' for your old man?" Shinji teased.

"Hi Grandpa!" Kristopher greeted eagerly.

"Hey, buddy." Shinji smiled as he scooped his grandson into his arms before he turned to smile at Anna, who timidly returned it. She'd always been shy, even though she'd been considered family for years now. He turned to his daughter then. "How you holding up?" Shinji whispered to Leoda.

"As well as you expected." Leoda answered, her eyes trained on Mikoto as he surrendered to Scepter 4.

Leoda wore a loose dark green sweater with bell sleeves that extended to her knees, billowing out freely. Underneath, she wore loose black pants and black ankle boots. Around her right wrist, she still wore the same brown leather bracelet that she had bought to match Tatara's when they were sixteen. Around her neck was the same angel wing necklace Tatara had given her to match his fang one when they were seventeen, just weeks before he confessed to her. Her dark green and silver streaked hair was pulled in a loose braid that rested on her right shoulder, sweet peas intertwined in the braid and holding it together.

Shinji frowned sadly as he saw the flowers.

"It's gonna be okay." He tried to reassure her.

"I don't want to think about it, Dad." Leoda whispered, her hands gripping the bar in front of her tightly. Her right arm was shaking terribly. "I know Uncle sent you to observe me, but please…don't talk about it."

"Right, sorry…" Shinji looked down. Rae was always better at this.

"Grandpa…will Mommy smile again someday?" Kristopher asked softly, drawing his grandfather's attention.

At two years old, Kristopher Totsuka was incredibly observant. His light brown touched with green hair hung in his light gray eyes as he stared at his grandfather.

He wore a navy blue long sleeved shirt, dark blue jeans and white tennis shoes. He also had his left ear pierced a short while ago, having wanted to follow his father's example.

Even as he stared at him now, Shinji could see Tatara in so much of the boy, and yet there was an equal amount of Leoda as well.

"Someday. I promise." Shinji whispered before he led Leoda and Anna down to the rest of HOMRA as they followed Kusanagi to his bar, confusion on all of their features as they wondered why their King had surrendered and why they now had a retired Blue clansman following them.

Shinji, of course, didn't provide any answers. His only real concern was his daughter and his grandchildren, nothing more and nothing less.

Mrs. Saisho watched the students coming and going to her school as she checked to make sure there were no electrical problems at the school's entrance.

When she watched Yashiro walk out the school's exit, she took out her PDA and dialed a speed dial.

"He's left the school. Keep an eye out."

Even when they were safely back at HOMRA, Leoda only spoke to Kristopher, Kusanagi, Anna and Shinji. Otherwise, she was talking on her PDA in private, preventing anyone from overhearing what she said.

"You okay, Leoda?" Kusanagi asked as he watched the woman who sat at his bar, her son in her lap.

"I'm okay, Izumo. Don't worry about me." Leoda sighed as she ran a hand through Kristopher's hair, highly aware of her father's eyes on her as he talked with Anna as well as Kusanagi's.

"You're looking pretty pale. You gotta remember to take care of yourself. Don't wanna give your old man a heart attack." Kusanagi chuckled.

"Grandpa's a member of Scepter 4! His heart won't be attacked because of mommy!" Kristopher protested.

"That's right, buddy, you tell Izzie how it is." Leoda chuckled as she encouraged her son.

"That's…not what I meant, Kris." Kusanagi chuckled as he ran a hand through his hair sheepishly.

"Then what did you mean?" Kristopher asked as he tilted his head to the side.

Just then, every Red clansmen's PDA went off.

Instantly, Leoda was on her feet and handing her son to her father.

"Honey, I need you to stay with Grandpa and Anna for now, okay? Mommy will be back with everyone else soon." Leoda said as she kissed her son's forehead.

"Does this have to do with Daddy?" Kristopher asked curiously.

"Yeah…yeah, it does, baby. But it's gonna be okay, okay?" Leoda smiled.

"Okay, Mommy!" Kristopher grinned.

Turning to the side, Leoda's eyes widened as she found a morning glory on the floor. Delicately, she picked the flower up and smiled at it before she passed it to Kristopher.

"Hold onto this for me, okay?" She whispered.

"Okay! I'll keep our 'bond of love' safe!" Kristopher nodded proudly.

"Good boy." Leoda kissed his forehead again before he turned to show Anna the flower while his mother mouthed a thank you to his grandfather. Shinji nodded and gestured for her to go.

"Who found him?" Leoda asked as soon as she joined Kusanagi outside and they began to make their way to the location they received.

"Akagi. We have a location." Kusanagi answered before his face showed concern. "Don't do anything too strenuous, okay? Just stay behind me and check out the suspect with your eyes."

"I know, I'll be fine." Leoda assured before she looked down, the sweet peas in her hair catching the light as she did so. "I just want answers…I want to know why…"

"We all do." Kusanagi squeezed her shoulder as they continued on their way.

The two of them ended up in an alley, waiting for the four people they were expecting.

"Sorry, coming through!" An unknown voice cried.

Kusanagi and Leoda were silent as their suspect ran towards them, Yata, Rikio and Akagi on his tail.

"You're up." Leoda stated as she stayed near the wall, trying to get a good look at the suspect.

Kusanagi was silent as he took his cigarette out, released the smoke he inhaled and flicked said cigarette into the air. Then he activated his aura, causing the sparks his cigarette gave off to form a curving fire that shot into the sky before it rained down towards the boy, who froze…

When another boy jumped down in front of him, blocking the suspect from Leoda's view.

This boy had long black hair in a pony tail and was dressed professionally, a katana at his side.

The black haired boy raised his hand and quickly, and with ease, deflected Kusanagi's fire.

He then turned and extended the same hand, his aura extending from it in the same shape as it grabbed Yata's head and dragged him to the boy's back, where he was then knocked in the gut with the boy's elbow, knocking the wind out of Yata as his skateboard flew to the side.

The boy then grabbed the suspect, extended his hand once again and distorted space around them once again before the two flew away, the suspect crying out as they did so.

"Did you get a good look?" Kusanagi questioned, looking at Leoda from the corner of his eye.

"Of the boy, not the suspect." Leoda answered, running a hand through the bangs framing her face. "Colorless. I can't say the same of our suspect. But that means the boy can only be-"

"Shit! Who was that guy?!" Yata cried angrily as he stood up, looking at Kusanagi and Leoda, who stared in the direction of the two they just lost.

"Kuroh Yatogami, the Black Dog." Kusanagi answered. "Apparently, this is going to be more difficult than I thought. Oh well. No way around it, we'll have to go with plan B."

Instantly, Leoda's PDA was out, and she hit a speed dial.

"Dad, no matter what, do not let Kristopher or Anna view any television, computer or PDA. I'll tell you where to bring them once we pick a rendezvous." Leoda stated as soon as Shinji picked up.

"Alright, be safe. Did you get a look at the suspect?" Shinji questioned.

"No, Kuroh Yatogami got in the way before I could. I'll have to meet the suspect in person for confirmation." Leoda explained.

"Don't worry, we'll figure it out. Be safe." Shinji reassured.

"I will, you too. Keep Kristopher and Anna safe too." Leoda added.

"I will. Love you."

"Love you too."

Himori frowned as his call suddenly cut off as he turned to look at his PDA's screen.

What he saw caused his breath to catch in his throat.

A video was playing, showing a young man standing on a roof, humming.

It seemed innocent enough, until the voice of the cameraman spoke.

"Hey, how you doing? It's…a nice night out, isn't it?" The man greeted the stranger he was filming, who began to lean strangely.

Himori knew how this man worked, he knew what he was going to say next.

"I came up to film the city lights since it's so clear. It's beautiful." The man continued.

The boy on the screen, however, finally stopped humming and leaning only to start laughing maniacally.

"I'm Tatara Totsuka, what's your name?" The man asked, his voice sounding cautious suddenly, only for the camera to suddenly jerk around, as if the cameraman was running away.

A second later, a gunshot rang out and the camera fell, showing a brunette man falling to the ground before the camera tilted on its side, revealing the face of the boy who had been filmed.

"I, my friend, am the Seventh King, the Colorless King! I've been out here waiting for someone. Nice night, you say? Yes, it is. A very nice night." As the boy spoke, he pointed the gun he held at the camera and shot at it, causing the video to end.

Instantly, Himori ran to the special ops offices, frantic. He had never been so worried, so panicked.

Tatara recorded his final moments, he didn't leave us with nothing, he tried to escape…

Himori's mind was racing as possibilities raced through his mind, a desire to find the man this video portrayed, the Colorless King, and get answers.

He needed those answers more than anything else.

As he reached the special ops office, he burst through the door, trying to calm down.

"Did you see it?" He gasped as he panted.

"Yes, and we're trying to shut it down, Akiyama." Fushimi sighed.

"Are you alright, Akiyama?" Awashima questioned, concerned. Himori could see similar expressions on his fellow clansmen's faces as well, they had never seen him like this before.

"I'll…I'll be fine…" He stated, straightening.

"Hey, don't worry, we'll find Totsuka's killer! This video should help a lot!" Domyoji tried to reassure his fellow clansman.

"This video is Tatara's final message, outside of his last moments with his clansmen and his message to my daughter." Rae stated as she entered the office. "I want to find this boy, Lieutenant. I want justice for my family."

"Of course, Mrs. Akiyama." Awashima nodded.

"Just Rae is fine." Rae waved it off as the other Blue clansmen got to work.

Benzai approached Himori and squeezed his shoulder before he returned to work, his silence somehow comforting Himori.

Rae approached her son and squeezed his hand.

"It'll be alright, we're not alone in this." She whispered. "Now, get back to work and we'll find him."

"Right." Himori nodded, finally relaxing before he kissed his mother on the cheek and made his way to his desk. Out of the corner of his eye, he couldn't help but notice the tension in Fushimi's shoulders as he worked.

And as Kuroh Yatogami confronted Yashiro Isana miles away, the hunt for the man portrayed in Tatara Totsuka's video began.

And there we are!

Note: the focus I've put on the sweet peas in Leoda's hair is due to the fact that they are a funeral flower in Japan. Basically, she's freely announcing to the world that she is in mourning.

Now, as for Rae's abilities. Based off the anime, where only the Gold King is shown briefly using the gold aura, I've taken the gold aura as one that gives the user the ability to manipulate the wind (Usagi in MK attacking Yukari as an example) and create projections (Daikaku attacking Munakata in season 1 as an example). I know the gold aura also enhances the abilities of the clansman, so for this story, I'm saying the highest members of the gold clan can create projections to help them in battle based on a certain theme, which there is a reason for, and manipulate the wind. Lower clansmen, such as the doctor that kidnapped Anna in Side Red, cannot do that.

And as for all the little odd things I've sprinkled throughout here? Those are your hints to the lore I've added. Let's see if any of you can catch something ;) Don't worry, the basis of the lore I've added will be explained in a couple chapters, I just want to see if any of you can guess beforehand.

Alright, I think that's all for now. Leave a review to let me know what you think. Bye!