Naricia tried not to think about the events from two weeks ago as she left the cemetery. She still felt restless, and she knew why.

Everything will come to a head soon…

Despite not knowing what she would do with herself, she ducked into an alley just off of an almost deserted street where she changed into her swan form, and ascended into the air, flying aimlessly until she found herself descending onto the lake where she had first met the Blue King when the sun was only just making its way to its rising for a new day.

She swam quietly, her mind far away, going down the paths of memories long past.

When Naricia raised her eyes sometime later, she found that the sun was already setting, and knew that she had to leave; the idea of being away from her home after dark often made a tidal wave of fear run through her, resulting in her trembling almost violently.

I have to go.


He watched her depart from the lake, and decided to follow her.

He left his place from behind the tree, and opened the passenger side of the Scepter 4 truck he had been riding in, and nodded at his clansman to start driving.

" Where are we going, Captain? " Ryuho Kamo asked as he started the engine.

In response, the Blue King nodded towards the swan that was heading in the opposite direction of the lake.

" Follow the swan. "


After the female assassin had been arrested and her intended prey turned opponent escaped with Anna Kushina, Munakata had ordered Lieutenant Awashima to get in touch with Izumo Kusanagi to see if he knew anything about the mysterious girl.

HOMRA'S second in command confirmed that he had seen the girl, but only because she had brought Anna back home; she left as soon as she had appeared.

Despite attempting to press for more details, Awashima found herself running into a wall since it was clear that HOMRA wasn't going to provide any additional information, mainly since it was an enemy clan questioning them, and because the one at the center of the whole investigation was someone who had risked her life twice to save their youngest member.

Maybe they really didn't know anything beyond the fact that their little princess's friend had saved her twice, and Anna was also refusing to say anything in order to try and protect her.

Realizing that they wouldn't get anywhere with mere questioning, the Blue King decided to investigate using other routes.

That being said, Munakata summoned Goki Zenjou to his office to speak with him, and ask him if there had been any previous Blue Clansmen under Jin Habari's reign with the ability to shapeshift into a swan.

Zenjou's response had stunned the Blue King, along with the clansmen present, and gave him another reason to seek the mysterious girl out.

He knew that he might be grasping at straws, but he'd decided to try and go back to the lake where he had first seen the girl as a swan in the hopes that she might be there.

Despite being in the form of a swan, she was able to stand out to him due to her unique aura, which strangely enough seemed to resemble that of the Blue Clan while maintaining its own identity.

" Yes, " Zenjou confirmed. " There was a Strain who could turn into a swan back then. "

The one-armed man took a sip of the tea offered to him, deep in thought. " Nadira was a woman with a very unusual beauty, " he mused. " She looked like she had stepped out of the pages of a fairy tale; one would think she was Swan Lake come to life. Her appearance and her ability to turn into a swan are the reasons she was given the name The Swan Queen. "

" Nadira? " Munakata inquired.

" Yes Sir, " Zenjou answered, setting the now empty teacup down. " Nadira Hoshinomiya. She had hair like moonlight with streaks of the summer sky; her hair often looked light blue when the lights were dim. Her eyes were like iolites, purple and dark blue mixed together, she was also pretty small, 5'1" to be exact. "

" How was she affiliated with Scepter 4? " Awashima asked, mixing a spoonful of red bean paste jam into her own tea.

Zenjou looked her . " She was initially a target of the Gold Clan, " he clarified. " They tried to get Scepter 4 to apprehend her, and hand her over to them since the old man was interested in her powers, but she was really stubborn and determined for someone her size. "

He gave a brief summary of Nadira Hoshinomiya's abilities, and how she met the former Blue King. " Jin Habari, however, inducted her into the Blue Clan. The Gold King as furious, but he couldn't do anything since he would be putting his Clan's reputation on the line, and start a clan war if he tried to take her from the Blue Clan by force. "

A wry smile appeared on his face. " She really gave Habari a hell of a time, but after almost a year, she finally agreed to marry him. They had a daughter named Naricia; she was a miniature of her mother. "

Stunned silence reigned for longer than a minute before the Blue King cleared his throat. " Which means that their daughter is now a teenager, " he mused. " How old was she when the Kagutsu Crater tragedy took place? "

" She was five years old, " Zenjou responded. " Genji Kagutsu kidnapped her to try and goad Jin Habari into killing him in what he considered to be their final battle, but as you know, his Sword of Damocles got to him first. We were able to rescue her from the Red King, but unfortunately, she witnessed when I executed her father to prevent another Damocles Down from taking place. "

Another long silence permeated the room as everyone thought back to that time where the world looked like it was going to end in a blast of violent crimson light.

In the mind of the boy who was three months short of turning twelve, he couldn't help but think that the sky might become permanently red since the world seemed to have been painted that very same color. In the months that followed, he'd wondered if life would ever go back to normal since people were still in shock.

" Nadira and Naricia had to leave mere hours after we arrived back at HQ, " Zenjou continued. " It appeared that Habari already expected the outcome, and the funeral had to be held almost immediately so that they could leave once it was over. It's a good thing they left when they did since the Gold King sent his minions to take them into custody two hours after the funeral; I don't want to think what their lives would have been like if he'd gotten his hands on them. They didn't have the chance to mourn properly because of the Gold King's greed. "


With those words in mind, Munakata gazed into the night sky, noting how the stars were shining brightly.

As he continued to gaze upward, the Blue King realized that he could see the swan against the backdrop of the night sky. She was actually glowing, the light around her soothing to watch.

It wasn't long before they stopped on the outskirts of a wooded area. The full moon shone brightly in the clear night sky, lighting the dirt path that had been used many times, and causing the surface of the lake beyond the trees to shimmer like dancing diamonds.

Munakata opened the passenger side door of the vehicle, advising Kamo to remain where he was, before stepping out, and making his way along the path. It was almost pitch black when he entered the tree line, save for the slivers of moonlight peeking through the branches and leaves, and he wondered how the young girl had managed to make her way through here at night, or if she had ever done so. He walked until he found himself on the edge of the tree line that bordered a lake. On the opposite side of the lake, there stood a two-storey house with stone lined, concrete stairs on the front porch leading to the semi long, cobblestone bridge in front of him, with an adjoining set of winding steps that led to the bank of the lake.

The house wasn't a mansion, or a castle like the ones in fairy tales, but there was an aura of precious memories around the place that made time stand still.

His observation was interrupted by a flash of white just above him to his right. When Munakata raised his eyes, he saw the graceful form of the white swan he sought heading in the direction of the house that had been her home for more than ten years, and slowly descend onto the steps that led to the lake.

Munakata felt his breath catch, and he watched in wonder as the swan was then surrounded by a dome of dancing blue starlight that seemed to expand before parting before finally disappearing. Quietly, she rose to her feet, her long hair alternating between light blue and white in the moonlight.

The young girl who had befriended Anna Kushina was indeed a sight to behold, for she looked like a princess from a fairy tale.

He stepped away from the tree line, heading in the direction of the bridge, his eyes on the girl. His boots barely made a sound on the cobblestones, but it wasn't like he was trying to hide them. She lifted the hem of her dress as she ascended two of the steps before she stopped, and sat down, untying her sandals. After removing them, she carried them by the straps in one hand before continuing on her way up the stairs, still unaware of his approach as she seemed to be in deep thought.

It was when he had reached the halfway point of the bridge, and she had already started ascending the steps to her front porch that he inadvertently made his presence known. The side of his foot struck a loose pebble, causing it to skitter across the cobblestones and cement before plopping into the water, both sounds absurdly loud in the silence.

She stopped on the third bottom step, her upper body concealed in shadows, and he stopped a few feet away from where she stood. Slowly, the girl turned to face him, and gave a start when she saw him.

" You're..! "


She had been preoccupied since parting ways with Anna two weeks ago, and not even the time spent on the lake was able to take her mind off things. Her mind was on the Blue King, and she wondered how long it would be before he found her.

What would he do to her once he found her?

The sound of a pebble skidding across stone before falling into the water broke the silence, and she stopped in her tracks before turning to see what had caused it. It shouldn't have been a surprise to see the man who had occupied her thoughts from the first day that she had seen him standing a few feet away from the bottom of the stairs, but the sight of him made her start.

" You're…! "

The Blue King had been watching her intently from where he stood, his amethyst eyes seeming to look into her soul; now that she had realized his presence, he took a step forward.

" Good evening, Habari-kun, "

She was rooted to the spot, her heart racing like the wind as it soared across the heavens to discover unfound paradises across the world…

" How did you know who I am? "

She kept her voice neutral, praying that he wouldn't hear how nervous she was.

Naricia remained silent after that, watching him from her place in the shadows, her mind whirling with too many questions. " Why… " she didn't know where to begin. " Why are you here..? How did you find me? "

The Blue King never took his eyes off her as he stopped at the foot of the stairs. " I wish to speak with you, " he answered. " Also, Goki Zenjo provided details regarding your history with Scepter 4 during your late father's reign. "

" I see. "

Can I trust this man? she wondered. She didn't understand why he was always in her thoughts since their first meeting, or why she wanted to trust him despite only knowing that he was the new Blue King.

Do I want to trust him because he is blue, just like my parents and me? she wondered. I don't even know his name…

He had been observing her the entire time she was deep in thought. " You have nothing to fear from me, " he assured her gently.

" I don't even know your name, " Naricia pointed out quietly. " I only know that you're the new Blue King. "

He chuckled softly, realizing that her words were true. " Forgive me, my dear, " he apologized, adjusting his glasses. " My name is Reisi Munakata. "

She regarded him silently from her where she stood, thankful for the shadows that concealed her face since she was trying not to smile despite the warmth – so similar to what she had felt when she had first seen him at the lake - that had suddenly blossomed in her chest, and seemed to spread to her cheeks.

If her cheeks had turned warm mere moments ago, they were now flaming hot.

" My dear "?


Munakata couldn't help but notice how quiet the girl was, and how little she said when she did speak.

He felt a sharp pang in his chest as he remembered Zenjou's words about how shy she had been as a child, and how she and her mother had been forced to flee for their lives on the very same day her father had died.

" Will you come into the light so that I may speak with you face to face? " he coaxed gently. " It would be easier to converse that way. "

Once again, Naricia Habari was silent, observing him in turn from the shadows that hid her face from view. Without breaking the silence, she placed her sandals on the steps behind her, and slowly descended the stairs, lifting her the hem of her dress so that she wouldn't step on it.

Munakata felt his breath catch as she stepped out of the shadows, her lovely face illuminated by the moonlight. Her unique eyes gazed up at him, curious and cautious as she stopped at the bottom of the stairs.

She was beautiful when he had seen her in battle with the bloodthirsty assassin who had tried to kill her and Anna Kushina, but up close, in a quiet moment like this, she was breathtaking.

Zenjou had not been exaggerating when he pointed out that her mother was a woman of unusual beauty, he thought. This young lady looks like she stepped out of the pages of a fairy tale.

The swan girl regarded him quietly for a moment. " What did you wish to speak to me about? " she asked.

The Blue King decided to tell her the facts straight, without cutting any corners. " I have reason to believe that Koshi Mizuchi may be searching for you in order to take his revenge for the numerous times that you managed to evade him in addition to thwarting his plans for her prior to my ascension as the Blue King. " He paused, suddenly wishing that he didn't have to tell her the rest…


Naricia felt that the Blue King was holding back. Concern overriding her caution, she took a step closer to him, almost reaching out to touch his hand, but stopping herself before she could do so.

Backlit by the moonlight, his face was wreathed in shadows, however, since her eyes had adjusted to the dark, she could see the grim expression on his face, and knew things were much worse…

" What is it? " she asked, fear beginning to grip her.

The Blue King breathed a deep sigh. There was no help for it. " Koshi Mizuchi is close to finding you, " he answered. " From what I have seen of you, I am aware that you are the sort of girl who will stand and fight, however… "

He adjusted his glasses once again, the moonlight reflecting off the silver frame. " You may not win this battle, " he concluded grimly. " In the worst-case scenario, death would be preferable to what he intends to do to you once he is able to lay hid hands on you. "

Naricia felt her heart drop to her toes, a heavy lump forming in her throat.

That monster was going to invade the one place she had been safe in after she had been forced to abandon the home she had known for the first few years of her life…

She had to look away so he wouldn't see the fear that she hadn't felt since her parents' deaths came back, causing her to tremble. " So that means… " she swallowed, trying to blink away her tears. " I am no longer safe in my own home… "

" That is the main reason I am here, " Munakata explained. " I offer you Scepter 4's protection. Take only what you deem necessary, " he advised. " And make sure to lock up. I will wait for you. "

Naricia didn't have to be a genius to know the meaning behind his instructions: his offer of protection meant that she would join the new Blue Clan, becoming his clansman.

" But why? " she asked. " There's no reason for you to protect me, or make me a part of your clan; if anything… "

Her voice trailed off.

Her unspoken words were clear to the Blue King: his offer of protection wasn't something she expected, considering Scepter 4's duty to monitor Strains and apprehend them if push came to shove; a Strain like her would most likely qualify for the latter. Given Scepter 4's previous association with the Gold Clan, it would be no surprise if they decided to hand her over…

" I have no intention of handing you to the Gold Clan if that is what you are afraid of, " Munakata clarified. " I may speak with the Gold King when it is deemed necessary, however, I do not trust him to not attempt to exploit your power. You were a part of Scepter 4 from the moment that you were conceived, and although you were forced to flee for your life following your father's death, it still doesn't change that you belong with the Blue Clan. You belong with Scepter 4. Gen Shiotsu may have been an incompetent leader who allowed Scepter 4 to become nothing but a puppet show, however, let me assure you that things are different now; I do not intend for my clan to become servants to anyone, not even the Gold King himself. "

So, she thought. This isn't about protecting me at all, but a matter of pride; a competition to show the Gold King that you got me first so that you can use my power…

She didn't know why the thought saddened her, and made her feel more lonely, but she felt like a giant hole had been punched in her chest.

" If you're pretending to be concerned for me, and offer me protection because you want to compete with the Gold Clan on who gets to me first and use me, " she answered coldly. " You had better leave. " She turned so that her back was to him, feeling her heart break. Naricia swallowed the giant lump that had formed in her throat, trying to keep her voice steady. " I wouldn't allow Koshi Mizuchi and the rest of the Gold Clan to use me for their schemes, and I'm not going to let you use me either, even if I was born into the Blue Clan. "

What was I thinking when I let him get this close?! she thought to herself as she moved towards the stairs, wanting nothing more than to just go inside her house, lock the doors, and bury her face in her pillow and cry until she had no more tears left. I should have stayed away!

She had just begun to climb the stairs when she felt his hand on her wrist. Naricia stopped, afraid to look at him.

" Let go. "

She could feel his warmth, he was so close..

" Habari-kun, " his voice was low, but there was a steel like quality in its undertones, and she knew that he was serious.

Naricia tried to pull her wrist away, but he only tightened his grip, forcing her to turn and look up at him.

She is quite stubborn, Munakata thought as he held her wrist gently so that he wouldn't frighten or hurt her, but firmly enough so that she couldn't pull away. " I know you have no reason to trust me, " he acknowledged. " However, this is not a matter of pride or competition on my end, even if the Gold Clan may view it as such, given how eager the Gold King is to take you into his custody; your life and safety are in peril, and there is only so much that you are able to face. If Koshi Mizuchi succeeds in trapping you in his clutches, it is all over; he will have won, and all your efforts to stay free will have been for nothing. I am aware that you are quite a stubborn young lady, and not the sort of person who relies on others, let alone trust them, but Habari-kun… "

He wanted her to agree to join Scepter 4 out of her own free will, to decide on her own; he did not want her to feel trapped, or to look at him with fear and silent resentment.

His gaze was so intense that Naricia had to look away lest her very soul revealed itself and the secrets of her heart to him.

Will I be safe with him? she wondered.

She knew that she needed to decide, but she had to be careful; her decision could be the one that could either save her, or throw her from the frying pan into the fire.

And what of this man? she thought as she raised her eyes to look up at him once more. What will he gain from taking such a huge risk? I would be another clansman under him, most likely so he can also observe me while I am also under his protection. He's also putting his life on the line if it is true that he wants to protect me...

Her deep sigh broke the silence. Munakata hadn't let go of her wrist the entire time, and she hadn't tried to pull away. Her gaze changed from untrusting to scared and unsure; she peered up at him, as if searching for an answer.

" Can you give me some time to think about your offer? " she asked softly. " I… I can't decide right now. "

He was silent for a long moment, as if pondering her request. " Alright, then, " he finally answered. " I will give you time to think, but please don't take too long; the present feels like the calm before the storm. Please come and see me if anything arises or if you have decided. "

She nodded, and he slowly let go of her wrist, as if reluctant to release her.

" I'll be waiting, " Munakata told her.

Silently, Naricia nodded, and turned to leave, once again glad for the darkness that hid the burning on her cheeks.

Lifting the hem of her dress, she ascended the stairs, she stopped only long enough to pick up her sandals, and look back at him.

He hadn't moved, only continued to watch her as she ascended the stairs in a flurry of white until she reached the porch and stopped long enough to unlock the door. She glanced back at him once more, their gazes holding before she went inside.

She slid to the floor, and leaned her back against the door panel as she thought of the man who had offered her his protection.

The place where he'd held her seemed to burn, and she could still feel his touch, the sensation making her heart race even faster than before, and she was sure that her face was either a hot, bright pink or burning red in the shadows.

Did that really just happen…?

Taking a deep breath, she exhaled slowly and placed her clasped hands over her heart, feeling the rapid rhythm against her palms.

Reisi Munakata's offer of protection wasn't as simple as it might have sounded; she couldn't hide behind him and the rest of Scepter 4, it wouldn't be fair.

Nothing comes without something needing to be given in return, but what would he ask of her?