Chapter 5: Step-In Mother

Thirteen-year-old Yumoto ran to Atsushi, "Senpai! Senpai!"

"Yes, Yumoto?"

"Where is my real mother?"

Atsushi gasped, "I-I…I don't know."

"Yes you do! I remember her! She had long orange hair like an-chan's! Where is she?!"

"Little One…I don't know. I promise, I've basically been your step-in mother since you were born…"

"Then where is she?"

"Yumoto, your parents were killed by Hireashi…that's what Gora-san told me…"

"But…but papa is here!"

"I know…that's why I wonder if your mother was a mortal."

"N-no! A mortal can't give birth to a god, Io-senpai told me!"

Atsushi looked at him, "Yumoto, I don't know where she is…" he looked away, "I've never minded being your step-in mother though."

The thirteen-year-old looked at Atsushi with tears in his eyes and Atsushi looked at him again, "Yumoto, please…I…I wish I could help you."

"I-It's okay, Atsushi-senpai…"

Atsushi brought him into a hug and sobs shook through the young god.

"Yumoto…it's okay…" he whispered, "It'll be okay…"

Atsushi was holding the 1-year-old heir and smiled softly at him when Yukiteru walked in.

"Epinard…" Yukiteru frowned, "My wife…she's gone now…and I've seen how well you take care of Yumoto."

"Yes, Yukiteru-sama, what are you trying to say?" Atsushi asked and Yukiteru smiled, "I'm asking if you would like being his…step-in parent."

Atsushi smiled, "Of course I will…"

Yukiteru nodded, "Thank you…"

Yumoto sighed as he laid in his bed and his eyes widened as he saw a person standing at the edge of his bed. "AN-CHA-!" He cried but a hand clamped down onto his mouth. Yumoto's muffled screams filled the room as he tried to kick his attacker.

The young god's eyes widened as another person walked over and held a syringe up and he screamed louder and began to struggle more.

He tried to break free and he yelped as he felt the needle go into his arm.

The person dropped him and Yumoto moaned in pain as he tried to crawl away. "A-an-chan…!" He whimpered and his eyes slid shut as his world became dark…

Yumoto woke up tied to a chair and gasped as he looked around, "W-where…where am I?!"

"Welcome future God of Love…" A man's voice spoke and Yumoto gasped, "Wh-who are you!?"

"I am Lord Takumi, I know your father."

Yumoto looked at him, "Why did you take me?!"

Takumi grabbed Yumoto's chin "Your father has angered me…"

Yumoto frowned, "So?! You kidnapped me and put this weird thing in me!"

Takumi smirked, "I just want your powers."

"Powers?" The thirteen-year-old asked and Takumi smiled, "Oh wait, you don't remember what happened to you, do you?"

Yumoto shook his head and Takumi added, "No matter…"

Yumoto looked at him, "Wait…did…did you take my mama?"

"Your mother?"

"Yes! Where is she?!"

"I didn't take your mother."

Yumoto growled and gasped out as Takumi grabbed his arm. "Your mother and father's love annoyed me though. I loved your mother and she married Yukiteru instead!"

"My papa and mama loved each other! If someone loves another then let them do what they want!"

Takumi growled at him, "What is your name…? I went to your party when you were born but I became annoyed when your mother showed you off…"

"My name is Yumoto!"

"Yumoto, huh? Well, what would you learn that I have your mother?" Takumi asked and Yumoto gasped, "D-do you!?"

"I might…but I'll only let you see her if you do me one favor…"

"W-what is it?"

"You give me what I want."

"I can't! Argent told me to never let anyone have my powers!"

"Then I'll take them from you."

"What…?" Yumoto asked and Takumi sighed, "Then I'll have to force you, now won't I…?"

Yumoto looked at him and tears sprang into his eyes as Takumi grabbed something.

"P-please…don't hurt me!" He screamed and Takumi smirked as Yumoto began to panic. The thirteen-year-old looked around and Takumi spoke, "Your brother will hate to know that you lost her again too…"

Takumi walked over to Yumoto and held up a dagger, "Once I get your powers, your father will have no heir…"

Yumoto gasped and he began to cry. Takumi gasped as a red aura surrounded the young god and a figure appeared out of it. Yumoto's eyes rolled to the back of his head and his head fell limply forward.

"Leave him alone…you cannot have his powers!"

"Who are you!?"

"I am him, and he is me. I am Scarlet, his true form! Where is his mother?!"

"She is trapped, and will forever be trapped."

"Give her back…give her back now!" Scarlet screamed "Give her back to Yukiteru-sama!"

"Never, Scarlet…now give me your powers!"

"No. Besides, the Battle Lovers and Caerula Adamas are here…"

Takumi growled and Scarlet's figure disappeared as Takumi held his hand out towards Yumoto.

Yumoto gasped out as his eyes slightly opened…he felt weak... "K-K-Kurou Hara-Sensei…I-I need him…" he whispered and he coughed slightly.

He felt himself getting heavy and Takumi untied him. "Yumoto…give up."

"I-I…" he whispered, "I-I need CERULEAN!"

As soon as he yelled that he fell out of the chair as his guardians appeared along with the Caerula Adamas.

"Little One!" Argent gasped and ran to Yumoto, who was now unconscious again. Cerulean looked at Takumi, "Lord Takumi…why did you kidnap the heir?"

Takumi laughed, "Cerulean, I just wanted to know who this…child…was."

Argent grabbed Yumoto and Epinard stopped him, "I'll take him…"

Argent nodded and Takumi watched as the Battle Lovers left without yelling at him or anything.

A smirk formed on Takumi's face and he heard, "Father?"

"Yes Katashi?"

"Who was that boy…?"

"Yumoto…the future God of Love. But pay no attention to him, Katashi…he will be important later…"

"Oh…Yuudai, come on…let's go back to my room." Katashi spoke and Yuudai smiled, "Of course!"

Takumi looked up…Yukiteru would be furious with him…too bad he had a trick up his sleeve…