Author's Note: Sorry about the late update guys! Anyway, hope you enjoy! Don't forget to review, but remember, no flames please!
-Unfolding Time-
Shortly after Mikoto left, the teen fell asleep upon the couch. Izumo sighed to himself and headed back over to the counter, pulling a glass off the shelf immediately afterward. He lifted the glass to his lips once it was full . . . and hesitated. Noticing something from the corner of his brown eyes, he set the glass back down with a soft tap, causing the liquid inside to slop around. A frown tugged at his lips as he made his way over to the bar door. The blond yanked on the door and a redheaded skateboarder tumbled in, falling to the ground beside his favorite object.
"Yata-chan?" The blond questioned, and the teen hastily stood up, grabbing for the skateboard.
"I wasn't eavesdropping, I swear!" he exclaimed, a slight blush creeping its way up his cheeks. Izumo released a pent-up breath and simply headed back to where his drink stood. Yata warily trotted up to one of the stools, awaiting the moment when the bartender would scold him for invading privacy. Instead, the blond ignored him and took a drink from the glass.
"You're . . . not going to hit me on the head?" Izumo stared at the nineteen year old and shrugged.
"Did you want me to?"
"No!" Yata quickly responded, then blinked. "It's just so fucking weird seeing you calm like this." He fiddled with the wheels of his board and mumbled, "Scarier than when you are pissed."
Silence ensued for a moment, the clock on the wall ticking quietly as it counted the passing time. The blond glanced at it, his brown eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"What are you doing this late at night, Yata-chan? It's nearly three in the morning." The redhead let out a nervous laugh.
"Just patrolling, Kusanagi-san." His face twisted into a scowl. "Those fucking Blues have been sniffing around here a lot the past few days. Especially that damn monkey…" He scratched absentmindedly at a healing scar on his wrist. Izumo reached over and grabbed his arm, forcing Yata to let out a surprised yelp.
"When did you get this?" he demanded, worry creasing his eyebrows. The younger male jerked his arm back with a growl.
"A few days ago but it's nothing," he spat, rubbing the finger marks on his arm from where the man had gripped him. Izumo scowled, angry shining in his eyes.
"I have enough to deal with right now. I don't need you adding yourself to the list, Yata-chan," he said and picked up the shot glass, draining it in a single swig. Yata replied with something under his breath as he slid off the chair and headed to the door. His footsteps slowed as he noticed the figure asleep on the couch.
"Kusanagi-san," he began, unsure. "Who is that?" The said man came up behind him and placed a hand on the small shoulder, steering him towards the door.
"No one." He waved a hand at the teen's questioning look. "Go beat up Scepter-4 for me, 'kay?" Yata started to protest, his voice rising to a yell but the blond shoved him out the door and closed it, waiting until the angry yells and footsteps retreated out of earshot. Once they were gone, he raised a hand and rubbed it across his face, exhaustion finally taking its toll.
No one you need to worry about, Yata-chan. Please just leave this to me. Keep your innocent self out of this hell I've thrown myself into.
Through the cracks in his fingers, he stared at the unconscious figure. Her fiery red hair splayed out beneath her head and her hands and body were curled slightly, giving her the appearance of a child, though Izumo knew she was anything but.
"Don't you dare drag them into this," he hissed quietly to the teen. She remained oblivious to the threat, instead stirring lightly and mumbling something.
"Suoh . . . Mikoto."
Yes, Izumo thought, it's always about him. Why can't any of you just leave us alone? He's been through enough without you coming along!
A moment of anger passed over the blond and for a brief second he felt the blaze inside him stir. Izumo took a breath and calmed himself slowly, counting down from ten. Once control was regained, he walked over to the couch and stood over it, brown eyes locked on the female.
"I'll find out exactly who you are and why you're haunting us. I promise you that."
And as he finished speaking, Izumo raised his head to meet the gaze of the Red King who hovered on the balcony of the stairs, staring down like a lion that was watching its prey. The golden eyes were now glowing a bright red, a silent warning to all who opposed him.
I'll be the only one to follow Mikoto when he falls from his throne.