Hello everyone :) First of all, I want to thank you all for the support I have received with my first chapter.
HalocraZze - Thank you very much for your review. It made me sooooo happy.
So this chapter is a rather loooong one, but I didn't want to split it up this time. I guess, I went to much into detail at some point. I hope you guys enjoy it :D
SPOILER WARNING! Some references to "Memory of Red" and "K-Side Red".
Chapter 2
Annoyed the girl looked up to the ringing PDA. Stroking a streak of hair out of her face, she evaluated for a moment about picking the call up or not. The meadow was so peaceful right now and she didn't want to be disturbed. Right there, feeling the cold grass against her back and looking up to the first blue sky of the year, she was able to shut the whole world out. It was completely silent except for the whistling of the wind and the singing birds in the blooming trees nearby. Spring was early this year. However the sound of the call disturbed the placid environment and ripped her out of her daydream. Deciding that the time for a break was over, the girl sat back up and finally picked up the call.
"Hello?" She already knew, who was calling her, due to the name appearing on the display of her PDA, but she was too lazy to greet the other person any further.
"Don't 'Hello' me in such a laid back manner! Your lecture starts in five minutes. Where the hell are you?"
Knowing exactly how her friend would react, the girl had held the PDA away from her ear, still hearing the raised voice very clear. To answer, she reluctantly put the device back to her ear, rolling her eyes.
"If it isn't Yuri-chan! You are always such a pleasure to talk to." She said in a much happier tone. Hearing the other person sigh on the other end brought a slight smile to her face. She loved making her friend annoyed even more, than to annoy people she disliked.
"Don't give me this kind of crap! Where are you now? The professor has already arrived; it's going to start any second now."
Taking a look around the park, the girls smile grew brighter.
"It's not good to curse, you know? Especially, when a professor is passing by. What is he supposed to think of me, if my best friend swears on the phone? As to where I am," She paused for a moment to make her friend wait even longer. "It doesn't matter, because I'm not going to make it in time anyway. It's just a lecture to help us understand the basics and it's optional, so I don't need it."
"Akari, you cannot start the term like this. Everyone needs the basic knowledge."
"Stop worrying already Yuri! I worked with Takahiro at the hospital and took special courses. I think I'm well prepared, if it comes to the knowledge of the human body. What are you doing there anyway? You are not even studying the same as me, so why are you there? Don't you have any courses to attend to?" the girl asked, while getting off the ground and leisurely walking over to a path lined by trees.
"Somebody has to make sure, that you show up to your classes. You just suddenly disappeared after lunch, without saying a word. It's the last appointment for you today and you don't bother to skip it. See, that's what tells me to continue to keep an eye on you. My lecture got cancelled, due to the professor being sick. But other than you, I am going to use the given time properly and study by myself."
"Then why don't you do that, instead of looking after me? And what makes you think, that I'm not studying right now?" Breathing in the fresh air, Akari balanced on top of the big branches of a giant oak, while tracing her fingers over the bark of its trunk.
"I know you for over fourteen years now. I think I know when you are up to no good."
Shrugging her shoulders as if to say 'true enough', Akari continued walking down the path.
"I just needed a break. That's not that bad, is it?"
"It's bad enough, when you are in medical college. Knowing you, I guess I would rather die instantly, than letting you take care of me. You are so irresponsible everyone is sentenced to death right away."
"Hey that's pretty rude Yuri! I'm not that irresponsible all the time. It depends on the situation."
"What kind of situation? Like every second a day, seven days a week?"
"You are soooooo annoying"
"Likewise. So, what about the lecture?"
Sighing, Akari tried to make up her mind. Yuri wouldn't stop bothering her. That was a matter of facts.
"Would it put your mind at rest, if I'd go there right now?"
"Arriving late is better, than not coming at all."
Okay fiiiiine." Akari shouted "But, you know, it's going to take me a loooong while until I get there."
"I'm not even going to ask, where you are anymore. Just hurry up!"
"Sure, sure. Are you going to wait the entire time until I'm arriving at the university? Didn't you have, like, a lot of studying to do?"
"I hate you sometimes."
"Likewise" the girl said, repeating the same phrase her friend directed at her from before.
"Like I would wait the entire time for you to get here, stupid!"
"I don't know. Maybe there is just nothing more of importance in your life." Laughing, Akari left the old path and turned left at a crossroad, now seeing the lake of Shizume-East-side right in front of her. The sun was reflecting off the motioned water, creating beautiful sparks of light, dancing around in the waves. The wind picked up, so that more waves would hit against the railing. Leaning against it, Akari lowered her head and looked at her own reflection in the water. Her black hair was flying because of the wind, except for her bangs, which clang to her face and almost covered her eyes. Like two gems the green eyes were staring at her right out of the water. A weird combination and not very common, but the girl liked it.
"Talking about being rude, huh?" the voice on the other end teasingly said. Even though Akari knew, that her friend had understood the joke, she somehow regretted, what she had just said.
"Hey Yu?" she said quietly, while looking up at the sky "Thank you for being there for me."
It was silent on the other end for quite some time, until Yuri replied with her usual phrase.
"That's what friends are for, after all. Well now, are you really going to quit swimming too? I understand all the other sports you cancelled this term, but you do swimming since preschool. You should get to see people outside of your courses. And, in fact, I am going to miss you there too."
"I just don't feel like it anymore. Also, I'm not even that good, so you don't need me. And you are a hundred times better than me, that's for sure, being so talented in all kinds of stuff. I just can't keep up, with you."
Actually Akari just didn't want to be with all those people, who just lived their normal day life, like nothing ever happened to them.
"You are just saying that to hide the truth, aren't you?" Yuri asked concerned. During the first few seconds Akari was speechless.
I should have expected that much from her. And in fact it was a stupid lie. She thought, while walking down the road, right next to the water.
"You know me too well." She said finally, admitting the correctness of her friend`s words.
"Hurry up now! Time is running." Yuri shouted, trying to erase the depressing atmosphere. Somehow the 'changing the subject strategy' always worked on Akari. Probably because she also wanted to light up the mood.
"But it's boring. Are you finally leaving now?"
"If your cousin would know about your attitude towards university, he would not be very delighted. I would not like to make him angry. He is somehow very nice, but really terrifying at the same time. I cannot quite explain it."
"He's not going to know. He has to work hard right now, that's why I didn't hear anything from him in a while. I don't know when I last showed up at his place. Half a year ago or so? I used to visit him and the other guys every day."
"Yeah you just casually walked in and out of the place. Same with the hospital. By the way are you going to visit Kyoku later on?"
"Actually I wanted to visit him right now, but I guess it is fine, if I come in later. It's not like he can go anywhere and run from me. I have to see; maybe we can take him out some time. It's so nice outside, they have to let him go for at least a few minutes. I'll try to convince them."
"That would be nice." The other girl said "But I think, they will tell you that it is to cold outside. It's still February after all."
"It's not that cold. And the sun is shining."
"You are probably running around in a shirt or something. I told you countless times that it's not summer yet. You are going to catch a cold."
Looking down at the thin jacket over her shirt, Akari frowned.
"Yes mother."
"Stop calling me that. I'm actually younger than you."
"Only, if you stop behaving like one."
Sudden noise interrupted their conversation. Picking up her gaze off the ground, Akari spotted a group of people, gathering a few meters in front of her. Judging by the tone of their conversation, it wasn't very peaceful. Annoyed she moved to the side and walked over to the nearby trees.
Why do I have to walk pass them, when they are having an argument? It's kind of awkward.
Taking a closer look at the group let Akari stop right a moment afterwards. Looking at the intimidating men armed with baseball bats she corrected the just thought of 'not peaceful conversation' to a 'violent confrontation'. Hiding behind the tree, she considered the situation. They certainly didn't look like a friendly baseball team. It was dangerous to go in their direction. What if they were drunk and would pick on her? Or they would start a fight and she would somehow get involved. Weird enough, there was no other human being around at the moment. The guys probably scared them away. Maybe she could take the shortcut through the woods?
As new noise arouse from the group, Akari curiously peeked at them from behind the tree. Some movement came into the group as one of the members charged forward, giving her a free look of the people cornered in the back. What she saw let her eyes widen. She had expected to see some other tall grown men, maybe not armed but at least being able to put up some kind of a fight against the group, but what she saw was totally different. She didn't expect them to corner a thin guy and a little girl.
They have to be drunk. Or maybe they are criminals and want their money? Why else would they corner those people?
Unable to move, Akari stood behind the tree and just stared at the scene. There was no way she could just leave those two, but on the other side she didn't want to get involved. What was she supposed to do against six armed men? She desperately looked around. If at least, there were more people around, but the park seemed deserted.
As the young men grabbed the girl and charged forward, she flinched and watched in terror, as he attempted to flee and was hit by a bat.
There has to be something I can do!
He pushed himself back up, but they had already caught up with him, pulling the girl away from him and holding him down. But suddenly everyone backed away from the guy. He was standing with his back to Akari, so she couldn't see what exactly was going on, but the sudden change in the atmosphere satisfied her somehow. As the guy turned around red lights were flying through the air, hitting some of his pursuers in the face.
"Shit!" Akari shouted out surprised.
"Akari? Hey are you still listening to me?" The raised voice of Yuri drew her attention towards the PDA in her hand. She had completely forgotten about her friend being on the phone. Looking at her shaking hands, she tried to calm her pondering heart.
No one will believe me, if I ever talk about this.
"I'm going to call you back." She said to the phone and then hung up.
Shocked Akari stood there and watched the flames dance. Where did they come from and how were those fireballs able to fly? Concerning the situation, it seemed like the one controlling them was the attacked guy, who was now standing freely in the middle of the fire play. He was not that helpless against them after all. He was really burning them and Akari shivered, as she heard the screams. However his flames faded somehow and one of the attackers shoved the little girl in the red dress behind him. She flew much higher than Akari had expected and over the railing. At the same time as the man was running up to the girl to catch her, Akari rushed forward. She didn't pay attention to the group or her surroundings anymore; she just focused on the small body falling. Of course she was too late to catch her, taking many steps out of the wood, but she wanted to make sure that the girl was alright. The dress could become quite heavy being soaked up with water, so that even an experienced life guard would have trouble moving. If the girl wasn't doing any special training, she could eventually drown.
And here I talked about quitting the swim club. Akari thought, as she, under rising tension, watched the small circles on the water's surface.
Come on! Come on!
But nobody broke through the water. However movements could be seen under its surface. The girl was fighting to bring herself up again. For a short moment Akari wanted to wait and see, if she could manage herself, but then her duty of a life guard kicked in.
What a pain. The water must be freezing.
Watching the water closely she took of her jacket, shoes and socks. She had put the phone in her jacket, so no electronic device would be on her. Right next to Akari was a letter leading into the water, so at least she wouldn't need to be in there for too long. As her bare feet touched the cold stone her whole body shook. Not giving herself enough time to let any doubt cross her mind Akari jumped.
The water was cold. So freezing cold. As Anna tried to go up to the surface and break through the water, unpleasant memories flooded her mind. She tried moving her arms upwards, but her dress was too heavy. The floating cloth hindered, sticking to her like clue and somehow she felt very clumsy and slow. Her lungs felt like they were shrinking and she could feel her hearts beating through her entire body. Much too fast she sank down, staring at the light spot of the outside world above her.
"Kushina-kun. The pain will sharpen your abilities. If you connect with the Slate you will be even able to become the next blue king."
The girl closed her eyes and tried putting her hands on her ears, however the long sleeves of the dress got in her way. She didn't want to hear the feared voice right now. Mizuchi was gone and thankfully she has never seen him again after that day. That amazing, wonderful, tragic, sad day. The day Anna had lost her last relative, but gained a whole new family. Why wouldn't she think about them? She visited with them the beach and played in the water, even though she feared going in too far. But this was different. This was the feeling of drowning, the exact feeling Anna associated with the experiments at the Medical Center. Back there in the simulations Anna had drowned or was burned many times, but in the end it was just a simulation, so she never died for real. Unlike now. Her cold stiff body weakened with every second and Anna couldn't hold her breath any longer. Opening her eyes again, she saw the single trace of light slowly disappearing, being painfully far away. It was a whole different world down here. So silent and dark, but somehow peaceful. Sad the girl looked at the floating cloth. Because of the fading light, the beautiful red had disappeared and her dress became one with her ordinary monotone world. She didn't want the red to disappear. The color Mikoto wore every second of the day, the color she loved so much. And the only color she was able to see.
Mikoto she called out in her mind, as if to say 'Goodbye'.
Sudden eruption moved the water, as something jumped in. She could see a body coming into the trace of light, until it hit the water and erased even that last spark, which lighted the world around Anna. That something was approaching her.
A human. The girl thought, as she recognized the swimming motions of the something. The next moment the air above the water was burned by a strong red flame, seen by Anna through the water's surface.
Beautiful red. She thought, stretching her arm out to the wonderful color and was grabbed by a light but firm grip. A girl appeared beside her, now taking an arm around her torso and pulling Anna up. Raising her head Anna happily saw how the red light came closer to her, until she broke through the water's surface and took her needed breath.
Totsuka saw the girl jump. Quickly taking his eyes off the scene, he looked up to his attackers, only to have a blow delivered to his jaw. The strike thrust him to the ground and let him see stars. He tried to get back up, but his body was too weak and his arms were shaking too much. Somebody kicked him in the stomach and bile was forced up his throat. When he looked up, he saw four of the thugs standing around him, while the other two were still lying on the ground weeping quietly.
Good. As long as they only paid attention to him the girl could take Anna and try to escape, without them noticing. It was the least Totsuka could do.
As one of the men kicked him in the stomach a second time, Totsuka broke down again. Another person right in front of him kneeled down, grabbed him by his collar and threw him against the next tree. Hitting the back of his head hard, Totsuka's vision became blurred and he almost faded. The person came up to him again, gripped the young man by his hair and pulled him up. The sharp pain helped Totsuka focus and the picture became clear again. In front of him was the man, who threw Anna into the lake, without caring about her whereabouts. Totsuka could smell the bad breath of the man and a shiver went down his spine, as he watched the burned face smile cruelly, turning into an evil grimace. The young man swallowed hard, as he was shaken by his collar.
"We are not done with you yet. One of you is drowning already, so how about we let the other disappear as well and –"
Anyway he didn't get to finish his sentence, because a fiery red punch hit his temple. The guy let go of Totsuka, who fell to the ground and surprised widened his eyes. In front of him stood a short boy, who was wearing a white shirt and shorts. A black beanie was wrapped around his head, hiding his curly, short chestnut hair. However that was not the main item, which identified him. With a rattle the skate board landed next to the boy, inviting the raid captain of Homra to use it in his fight.
"Yatagarasu!" One of the attackers shouted out angry, but Totsuka could hear a slight trace of shakiness in his voice. Who would have reacted different, if Yata Misaki was standing in front of him, being famous for his talent to not just even start fights, but also to win them? Yata smiled at the reaction. He liked it to be feared by his enemies. Slightly shifting a look back at Totsuka, Yata stepped provocatively with one foot on his board.
"Those bastards!" he snarled "Attacking you when I'm not around. Are you alright Totsuka-san?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine. Please get rid of those guys, so we can go and help Anna."
While they had been talking, one of the three remaining thugs had approached Yata but was quickly knocked out, as the boy kicked the ground and flew up in the air with his board, using his red power. The flames spread all around the board, without damaging it, leaving a fiery tail as it flew through the air. Yata extended his power to his sides and red flames spread over a wide range around him, through the air and even out to the lake, coloring the water crimson. The men standing at his sides were thrown to the ground and didn't move anymore.
Yata being satisfied with the outcome of the situation turned around and gave Totsuka a confused look. It took him a second to understand the just given Information. His eyes widened in shock, as he glanced around nervously.
"R-Right. What happened to Anna?" he finally asked Totsuka panic struck. His violent and arrogant behavior faded right the moment he started worrying about his fellow clanswoman.
Totsuka slowly stood up, ignoring the pain and shakiness of his body and walked over to the railing, where the girl had left her clothing, followed by Yata.
Thank goodness. He thought as he spotted the two. Somehow he should be glad, that Anna fell into the water. That way their attackers had left her alone. But still, it was his fault they had ended up in such a dangerous situation. Totsuka's grip on the railing tightened, as the guilt struck his hearts. While the girl took Anna to the ladder and helped her climb up, he extended a hand to take the little girl. Even though she was soaking wet, he took her in his arms and put her to the ground. Standing back up, he extended his hand to the savior of Anna and helped her get out too. The girl looked around frightened and relaxed a bit, as she saw the thugs lying on the ground.
"You beat them?" She asked quietly, picking up her left clothes. Both of the girls were trembling strongly. Anna was paler than usual – if that was even possible – and her lips and fingertips started turning blue. The other girl wasn't different and visibly concentration for standing still and calming down.
"T-T-Totsuka-san w-what's going on?" Yata asked shyly, looking at the girl with wide eyes. Totsuka, who had kneeled down to check on Anna, stood back up and faced the girl.
"Thank you. " He said, giving the shivering person a worried look. "I don't know, what would have happened to Anna, if you didn't come to her rescue.
"I-" The girl started, but was interrupted by the sudden noise of engines. A van, driving at a high speed, came into their view, drifted around the corner and stopped in front of them. Startled the girl took a step back and tripped, landing on the ground right next to Anna. Now both of them were sitting site by site trembling simultaneously. The girl took her jacket and pressed her shaking hands into it, while Homra's princess just stared to the ground, her long hair and dress sticking to her body. Totsuka kneeled down next to her and took Anna in his arms to warm her a little. He didn't care, if he got wet as well, the guilt was still tearing on his heart.
"I'm sorry Anna." He apologized quietly and the girl rested her head on his shoulder and gripped with her small hands his jacket.
"I'm fine." She whispered faltering, then looking up she added: "It's okay." and Totsuka knew that she understood and forgave him. However a small piece of guilt stayed in his heart.
The door to the van was flung open and the boys of Homra jumped out, carrying steel pipes and baseball bats as well. At the sight of them, Anna's savior gave Totsuka a worried glance, but he gave her a wry smile in return.
"Oi! What are you guys doing here, all of the sudden?" Yata shouted outraged. "And anyway, you are way too late. I took care of the rest of those guys already."
Kamamoto looked in the direction of the thugs and lazily walked over to interrogate them. Shohei and Bandou peered at the girl confused and gave Totsuka a concerned look.
"Are you alright, Totsuka-san? You look like hell."
"I'm fine." The young man answered, not minding the bruises on his body and face, or the banging in his head. At least no bones were broken.
"More importantly we have to take Anna and this beautiful lady next to me back to the bar; otherwise they will freeze to death."
"Wait, hold on! Why me? I'm alright. I'm just going to hurry home." The girl shouted surprised and scared. She stared at the just arrived group with anxiety. The bats and steel pipes would probably not calm her down and the lack of females obviously didn't help in this situation either. Totsuka put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile.
"How could we let Anna's savior walk home soaking wet? You are ice cold. You could die of exposure, if you don't get to somewhere warm any time soon. I know they look threatening, but I promise no one will do anything to you."
That didn't even sound very assuring in Totsuka's head. Really now, getting into a van with a bunch of strangers, without knowing where they were heading to, the girl must be crazy, if taking his offer.
"Totsuka-san." Bandou, who understood the situation at hand, spoke up. "We will stay here to clean up, I guess. Chitose will give you three a ride back to the bar." He exchanged a look with Shohei, who nodded in agreement.
"O-Oi Kamamoto. Wh-What are you d-doing over there?" Yata shouted, while walking over to the chubby man, who interrogated their attackers. The raid captain felt the eyes of the girl on his back, which made him nervous. He did not want to stay near her any longer.
"Looks like Yata is going to help us." Shohei concluded "He's as shy as usual, when girls are around. Let's go San-chan"
"Don't call me that. I'm your senpai." The other one scolded him. Both Shohei and Bandou waved Totsuka goodbye and followed the other two.
"Sooo…do you still want to stay here and walk home by yourself? You've got to decide quickly, otherwise we will leave without you or Anna will get sick."
The girl looked like she wanted to decline, but another shiver caught her body and told her otherwise. Feeling so cold, her brain didn't function right. She wasn't even sure, if she could make it home.
"I'll take the offer." She said between gritted teeth, giving Totsuka an unsure look.
"Good. I know you were reasonable. It's fine, it's fine. It will all work out somehow."
Hearing those words, the girl nodded absently. She and Anna both became quieter. Totsuka carried the little girl to the van, being followed by the other. The heating in the car was already turned on, but it seemed like the girls weren't even noticing it.
"Chitose, we're ready." Totsuka called out to the driver, as he closed the door of the van. Both of the girls looked miserable, so he tried to distract them.
"So what's your name?"
The girl seemed like she didn't want to have a chat, but nevertheless she still answered.
"Boshiya Akari"
"Nice to meet you Boshiya-san. I'm Totsuka Tatara. This beauty right here is Kushina Anna and the guy over there is Chitose Yo." He pointed to the driver, who just waved back and greeted them with a 'Hi'. "We will take you and Anna to a friend of mine, who will look after you guys. He owns a bar, so it is all public and there's nothing for you to worry about."
While Totsuka took out his PDA and dialed Kusanagis number, Anna put a hand on Akari's lap.
"Don't be scared." She said with a monotone, but somehow confident voice. The little girl still stared in the air, so Akari was visibly bewildered of this sudden change of behavior. Looking at those two, Totsuka smiled slightly, until Chitose started the car and Kusanagi picked up.
"Ah Totsuka! Are you guys alright? I sent the boys to you, when I got your call."
"Hai, hai. Fortunately Yata showed up and took care of the rest. We are heading back to the bar right now. We're going to need warm clothing for Anna and another girl and a free shower. Do you think you can procure that until we arrive? And make sure, that Mikoto is being prepared."
The bartender didn't answer right away. He was probably thinking about the just said.
"Anna's clothing is not the problem, but what about the other girl? We still have some stuff of Honami left here. Would that do?"
Totsuka turned around and let his eyes wander to Akari.
"That should do, I guess."
"Fine. Tell me what happened, when you get here."
"Okay I-" He paused, as his eyes caught a destroyed metal gates at the end of the park. The gates had once been a beautiful structure, fitting right in with the nature and peace of the park. Now they were flung to the side, the beautiful ornamentations that adorned them, unrecognizable, as they were forcefully bend in a way, they were not supposed to.
Oh. Not good.
"Totsuka what is it?" Kusanagi asked impatiently.
"Nothing, nothing at all. Don't worry." He assured the bartender. "See you in a bit." And he hung up.
"Eh Chitose?" Totsuka asked, while he moved forward to face the driver. "How did you get the van to the park? This is a pedestrian zone."
"We were in a hurry. The van wouldn't fit through the gates, so we crushed them. They are just some metal gates and the van wasn't badly damaged, so it will be fine."
"R-Right" Totsuka said unsure. There were golden decorations on them and they looked very expensive. Kusanagi was going to kill them.
With shaking hands Akari took the mug of tea the bartender gave to her. They had lent her clothes, that were a little too big on her, but she didn't care, as long as they were warm and dry. She was covered with a blanket and a towel was wrapped around her shoulders. The girl called Anna was currently taking a shower and Akari waited for her turn.
Now I still missed the lecture. Yuri is going to kill me.
Hoping that her friend would never find out about that incident, she let her eyes wander around the room. They had really taken her to a bar and even a stylish one. It had this slight English/Irish side to it, with the expensive looking counter and the bottles of alcohol stocked up behind it.
It looks nice. I should ask him about the name of the bar, so I can revisit, when I'm old enough.
She hesitated as she came to understand. She was not supposed to be here. Being eighteen, she was still under age and wasn't allowed to visit a bar. All her thoughts had been directed to a warm blanket and a shower, so she totally forgot about that. Getting out of the van, she hadn't even had time to take a closer look at the outside of the bar or the name.
I have no idea, where I am.
"Do you mind?" the bartender asked, while taking out a cigarette and pointing at it. Akari didn't answer and just shook her head in response. It was his place after all and he could do whatever he liked. He took out a lighter and flicked it. As Akari saw the flame emerging, she trembled a bit, as memories of Totsuka's fight returned to her mind. The bartender saw her frightened stare and just smiled at her wryly.
"I guess you have seen things, you were not supposed to see." He said in a friendly way, but to her it sounded like a mafia boss, who was saying Goodbye to his subordinate, before letting him drown.
"Kusanagi-san it's not like you to frighten a girl." Totsuka, who was sitting next to her on the other end of the couch, said. Kusanagi, who had taken the seat on the couch right opposite of them, raised an eyebrow and then serenely waved Totsuka off.
"I didn't mean it like that. But Boshiya-san seems like she has seen something incredible." He looked at Totsuka, somewhat expectant, before getting up and entering another room. He returned with a few ice packs, which had obviously been in the freezer.
"I put up a bit of a fight, at least." Totsuka answered, taking one of the packs and putting it to the left side of his face, where a blow had struck him. "I'm sorry if I scared you." He added and turned in Akari's direction.
"I wasn't really scared. Just surprised." The girl mumbled, unsure if any of them would actually hear what she said. "I've never seen someone controlling flames before."
"Good thing you didn't see Yata then. Ahhh-" He shouted and his face twitched in agony as Kusanagi pressed a finger on his back.
"Stupid. Don't hide your injuries, otherwise they won't get better. Show me." The bartender demanded, still holding some packs in his hands.
"Kusanagi-san. There is a girl right here."
"I think she will understand."
Akari's eyes widened as Totsuka took his shirt off and beaten skin was seen under it. Red and blue bruises covered his body and at some parts the skin was swollen. There was even an internal bleeding possible. It had to hurt like hell.
"Geez. How are you even able to smile, when you're injured like that? Kusanagi wondered a little startled, while giving Totsuka the rest of the packs and getting out a first aid kid. While Kusanagi treated him, Totsuka gave Akari a smile.
"You've got questions." Akari didn't expect, that anyone would be willing to tell her, what was going on, but it seemed like these guys were much more courteous than she first thought.
"Why were those guys attacking you?" She asked quietly, pressing her hands against the warm mug, before taking a first sip of the tea.
"One would think you had better questions to ask." Totsuka answered, while giving her a knowing look.
"I'd like to understand the easy stuff first, before it gets complicated."
"That's interesting. You are not shouting out the obvious. It's reasonable." Kusanagi said from behind Totsuka. "The truth is I don't know anything about those guys. Unless Totsuka has got some clues from the encounter, we still don't know why they were attacking Anna and him."
"They looked ordinary to me. But they wanted some revenge on us, even though they didn't say why. Maybe some fight of the boys? But their actions seemed very extreme for it. Maybe we will get more information, when the others return." Totsuka was more talking to Kusanagi than to Akari and she didn't understand, who was meant with 'us', but she didn't want to ask on personal matters.
"Boshiya-san, what were you doing there?" Both of the men were looking at her curious.
"I-I was just passing by, as I saw the incident. I'm a qualified life guard, so it was my duty to save Anna. And also-" Akari paused, as she remembered how she froze behind the tree. How she wanted to stop the fight but didn't know how. "I wanted to do something before. But how could I have fought against those guys? I didn't want to ignore you two and just leave you be."
"From now on, you should be more careful." Kusanagi answered, as he was finished with Totsuka's treatment. "They are teaming up and hunting our members. Maybe that group is done for, but maybe they still have some allies. They could start targeting you, if they noticed your involvement. Please make sure to watch out during the next days. Hopefully we will be done with them by then."
Akari swallowed the wrong way and coughed loudly, as she turned a few shades paler. She had no intention of getting involved in underground fights. Because that was what it sounded like. Who would have thought, that performing her duty would cause her so much trouble?
No, no, no, no! Why didn't I just go to the lecture? Then I would never have met them. Why is this happening to me?
"Who the hell are you guys?" Dangerous fights, weird powers and the talking of members. Akari had a slight presentiment of where she had ended up, but that wasn't possible. She couldn't have that much bad luck in just one day. But as Totsuka turned around to put his shirt back on, the girl spotted a red sign on his left shoulder blade and she froze. Yes, it was possible.
"We are Homra." Kusanagi answered, after exchanging a look with Totsuka. "Also called the red clan. But don't be frightened, we are not as bad, as the rumors say."
So it really was the red clan, which was located in the bar Homra and she really ended up there. People in Shizume knew about the clans and the newspapers mostly reported how they destroyed parts of the city in pointless fights. But there was an urban legend to it, that those being clansmen had special powers. However Akari knew more than most people about those legends. And she knew, that they were real and that kings existed, who had been chosen by the slate. Some kings were reasonable like Munakata Reisi, who was the leader of Scepter 4, or Kokujoji Daikaku the golden king. However some had trouble controlling their immense powers, like the last red king Genji Kagutsu, who caused the Kagutsu crater. She didn't know much about Suoh Mikoto, but Homra was known for being a violent bunch, so he probably wasn't really keeping an eye on his clansmen. Akari had always thought of him as irresponsible.
Speaking of the devil, the sudden noise of footsteps drew her attention towards the stair case. A man in a white shirt came downstairs. His hair was short and ruffled, sticking up from his head like a mane of a lion. It had the color of fire and almost the same color of Totsukas flames. His sleepy eyes wandered around the room and let everyone go silent. He had an aura around him, which made him almighty and majestic, although he wasn't doing anything. The whole room became a few degrees warmer and Akari felt like a wave of heat struck her. It was gone right the next moment, so maybe it was just her imagination. But still she couldn't stop to stare at him, even though she knew it was awkward.
"King! You woke up." Totsuka's voice was enthusiastic. It ripped Akari out of her stare. Startled she looked to the ground. Hopefully they hadn't watched her the whole time. But she couldn't believe that the red king was right in front of her.
He let his gaze wander around the room and stopped at Totsuka and Kusanagi.
"What happened to you?" He asked his clansman bored, while he was still standing in the middle of the room. There was no comment about the strange girl sitting on their couch, nor any other statement to the whole situation.
"Ah just the usual stuff, I guess." Totsuka said light-hearted. Suoh sighed once and then casually walked over to them, taking the seat right between Totsuka and Akari. The girl didn't take her gaze of the ground and was petrified, as the man sat down next to her. He was the red king, the most violent-tempered of them all and she was sitting in his head quarters next to him. Without taking her gaze off the ground, she put the mug on the table and her hands in her lap. Maybe if she stayed silent he wouldn't notice that she was sitting next to him?
Suoh turned around to Totsuka, grabbed his head with one hand and started squeezing. The younger yelped and waved his hands up to stop the redhead, but Suoh's grip was too strong. Kusanagi jumped back in surprise, but then crossed his arms and only watched the two. The next words the king spoke slowly but very clear.
"Don't. Lie. To. Me."
"Fine. Fine King. Ow that hurts. That hurts!"
Being satisfied with the answer Suoh released him and leaned back. Akari, who had watched the incident with shock, returned to facing the ground. Shaking his head Kusanagi looked at the two and frowned.
"Totsuka and Anna got attacked by a gang today. We don't know who they are and why they did it. The boys are taking care of the rest right now."
The King looked at his clansmen and only went 'hmpf'.
Is that all he's got to say right now? Akari wondered.
"Oi Kamamoto! Why did we have to leave right away? They didn't tell us everything." She could hear the voice of the shy boy outside. Seemed like he wasn't that shy all the time. The bartender sighed and rolled his eyes. The awkward silence from just a moment ago was changed to a loud tumult, as five people entered the bar. Akari watched them in surprise, as the short one grabbed the collar of the fat one and shouted at him. It kind of scared her, how he lashed out that easily. So this was the violence of the red clan?
"Yata-san the police were coming and we don't want to get into trouble."
"But still-" Yata paused and let go of the other. "There was still so much they could have told us!"
"Wait. Why are the police involved? Totsuka said there was nobody around at the time you guys arrived." Kusanagi asked wary. Akari could here, how he prepared himself to scold the others.
"There really was no one around." Totsuka replied for them with an irresponsible smile. "But they probably came because of the destroyed park gates." He was saying that in a casual way, one would think he was talking about the weather.
"Wait…what gates?" The bartender froze, as he came to realization. "You didn't destroy the gates of the East Park did you? Please tell me you guys didn't!"
The metal gate of Shizume East Park was a piece of art given to the city by an old famous Japanese artist. Akari couldn't remember the name, but it was one of the attractions for art loving tourists. And it was expensive. Like very expensive.
"Ah well. We drove the van right through it. It's not as pretty anymore as it used to be." Totsuka said, still in a laid back voice. How could he be so relaxed, when his king was sitting next to him and Kusanagi was about to lash out?
The bartender clenched his hands into fists, as he tried to swallow down his rage. He picked up Totsuka by his collar, but letting the guys injuries return to his mind, he let go of him. Then he grabbed Kamamoto and Yata and smashed their heads together.
"You guys are the worst! How do you expect us to pay for it, huh? If the police turn up here I can shut down my bar for good! What if they start a trial because of it?" Akari never had thought this man could lash out like that. True Homra was famous for damaging the city, but those were mostly parts which were easily repaired or replaced. Kusanagi let go of the poor boys and they fell to the ground, rubbing their heads. While he glared at the other people in the bar, Yata started complaining.
"Oi Kusanagi-san I wasn't even in the van? Why are you punishing me?"
"Yata-san shut up." The chubby one warned him, as Kusanagi glared down on them. While the others started to explain, why they had to crush the gate the bartender gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. If Akari hadn't been frightened of those guys, she would have actually found the whole situation funny.
So he is the one controlling the clansmen, while Suoh can concentrate on his power?
As if Suoh had noticed that she had thought about him, he shifted his eyes to his left, down to her.
"Who are you?" He asked in the same bored way, he did just a moment before.
Akari tensed and her eyes widened, as she slid down in her seat and looked up to him. So he did notice her finally. She felt like a mouse in front of a lion, which could devour her any second, without anyone even noticing. She was scared to death and only wanted to run away. The girl had to force her body to move and to get out of his gaze. No one despite the king in the bar noticed how she got up. They were all too concentrated on the ruckus in the middle of the room, to see the girl on the side stand up and bowing down in front of their king.
"I'm sorry for the intrusion. Thank you for your kindness." She said with a trembling voice, then turned around and left the bar, the fuss and the terrifying people behind her.
"So let me get this straight." Kusanagi summed up the information received from the boys. "They really wanted to avenge the guy you met yesterday?"
"Those people are the worst." Yata shouted outraged. "Looking for the weakest link. I was the one, who fought with him, so why didn't they come to me?"
"None of them received a specific order, that's what we got out of them, before the police arrived. It was their own choice to attack and who to target." Kamamoto said "Totsuka and Anna were probably just accidentally passing by."
"Let's hope they've learned their lesson. I don't want Homra to get involved with any criminals right now. I cannot deal with more of your destruction." The bartender answered, rubbing his temple.
"Where is the girl?" a high voice asked from the end of the stair case. Everyone in the bar turned around, as Anna looked down on them frowning. They turned to the other direction right a second after, looking at the spot on the couch, between the door and Suoh. It was empty now, only a towel and a blanket left on the seat.
"Ahh- where did she go?" The bartender asked confused. To be honest he had totally forgotten about the girl. An awkward silence fell, as they all wondered, if they had seen her.
"Did she go to the toilette?" Yata asked reluctantly, cheeks turning red.
"She was not moving the entire time I had seen her. I don't think she got up and walked around." Totsuka answered to his question. Again they all grew quiet, looking questioningly at each other. Finally Kusanagi broke the silence.
"Eh Mikoto? Have you seen Boshiya-san?"
The king glanced at him sleepily. Knowing Souh, Kusanagi wondered, if the guy had noticed her at all, even though she had been sitting right next to him. Suoh didn't care what they were doing most of the time, so it was possible that he hadn't paid attention.
"The brat? She left ten minutes ago."
Raising an eyebrow in disbelieve, the bartender stared at his friend. While no one was answering, Anna walked over to the couch, where the girl had been sitting and sat down next to the king.
"She just left?" Kusanagi questioned further. Suoh seemed like he wasn't listening anymore, when he just gave a 'Hm' as an answer.
"Did she say anything King?"
Suoh sighed deeply once. This was getting annoying.
"I wasn't really listening." He mumbled "But I think she said 'Sorry' and 'Thank you'."
"Did we frighten her?" Yata asked unsure, looking at them, as if hoping for someone to tell him different.
"Yata probably did!" Bandou said laughing, but the shouting of Yata was louder.
"Oi, this is not funny Bandou."
"I don't think she stayed in here long enough to warm up. What a bummer. I actually took her here, so she wouldn't catch a cold." Totsuka said regretfully. Taking a look around the room, he added surprised. "She had to be really scared! She even left all of her stuff." At the other end of the room were neatly folded the still wet clothes the girl had left. They had wanted to hang it up to dry, before they got interrupted. Even the dry jacket was lying next to them.
"Mikoto? Did you say anything to her before she left?" Kusanagi asked him, already expecting, what had happened.
"A asked her, who she was." He answered casually. Again silence fell, as everyone pictured the situation, they had missed out on.
"Ah okay, I see. Seems like Yata can never be as frightening as King."