-Alive-

Mikoto sauntered down the stairs lazily, taking each step one at a time. He paused at the bottom to give Izumo a knowing smirk before joining him in front of the girl. The redhead drew his hands from his pockets and reached for her but this time Izumo didn't stop him. The King grasped her shoulder before shaking it lightly to wake her. The female did not respond and so Mikoto growled quietly and repeated the gesture, however, this time it was stronger. Her eyes flew open and instead of honey gold, they were a bright crimson, the same color as the man in front of her. She jumped up and flames lashed out from around her and Izumo reflexively leapt back. Mikoto grinned and struck back with his own red aura, causing the temperature in the room to increase dramatically. Izumo screamed out, feeling the heat drag him down like a blanket.

"Stop!" Both of the redheads turned to look at him and calmed down immediately. Mikoto silently chuckled, shoulders shaking in the action. The girl just narrowed her eyes and shifted closer to the younger male, an unreadable emotion in her gaze. Glancing at her, Izumo ran a hand through his hair, sighing.

"You two were going to burn this place down if you didn't stop," he said, nervously letting his eyes wander over the precious bar. Once satisfied that everything was as it should be, the bartender walked over to the King and firmly placed a hand on his shoulder.

"What the hell were you thinking, Mikoto?" he asked and his brown eyes flickered over to the other fire starter. "And why do you have red clansmen powers?"

"Suoh Mikoto," she replied and huffed. Izumo frowned and removed the hand gripping Mikoto's shoulder.

"Is that the only thing you can say?" Mikoto hid a snicker.

"Sounds like someone is obsessed." Head dropping like a wilted flower, the female avoided their gazes. Izumo reached out and patted her head in comfort but her frame only seemed to shrink even further. The blond looked at Mikoto from the corner of his eye and he shrugged in response.

"You try reaching out to her," Izumo mumbled, crossing his arms in irritation. "She seems to have taking a liking to you." Mikoto gave him an exasperated look, but did as he was told nonetheless. The teen scooted closer until her arm pressed against his, her eyes now gold and bright. The leader of Homura rolled his eyes.

"Figures," he muttered and the man next to him laughed. There was a quiet sigh as the girl closed her eyes and leaned her head on his arm.

"Red King," she hummed. Izumo smiled lightly.

"So you can say something else. Then answer this: who are you?" The teen ignored him until Mikoto shook her off and she pouted. There was a whine as she shrunk again, obviously disappointed.

"Suoh Mikoto!" She exclaimed, answering his question. Izumo shook his head.

"No," he said, "That's Suoh Mikoto." A finger pointed in the direction of said man then dropped. The male redhead raised a brow and the female grumbled to herself.

"I think I get it," the King thought aloud and Izumo gave him a flabbergasted look while the teen jumped in joy.

"You'll have to spell it for me then." The blond leaned back against the couch arm and Mikoto grinned at him, the teen latching onto his arm. He glanced down at her then back to Izumo.

"Isn't it obvious?" he asked and earned a glare from his friend.

"If it was, I would've gotten it by now," Izumo angrily reminded him and a chuckle answered him. Mikoto shrugged, then replied offhandedly,

"Don't you get it? She's Suoh Mikoto."

Author's Note: And a cliffhanger! Just what does Mikoto mean?! Find out in the next installment of Everything Burns!