Chapter 11: Family
It's at least three days before Rin is well enough to attempt leaving her bed on her own, and another two days more before she felt like her old self again. She had complained non-stop about how embarrassing it was to have to have one of the members of HOMRA half-walk, half-carry her to the bathroom, and stubbornly refused Kusanagi's advice about remaining in bed for the rest of the week.
After a long hot shower, Rin tried her best to make herself look presentable for the rest of the clan. She was still embarrassed that they had seen her in her sweaty and sick state, and was happy to finally have the energy to make an effort with her appearance. As she pulled on a plain button down shirt and a pair of black leggings she hadn't worn yet, Rin glanced at the white t-shirt folded neatly at the edge of her dresser. Tatara had washed some of her clothes while she had been asleep, and she had been surprised to find Mikoto's shirt return to her room. There was no way she was going to return it on her own.
Tossing her long hair over shoulders, she made her way out of her room and down the stairs to the ground floor. Glancing around, Rin could see that the bar was rather crowded this evening, but not with any customers. Almost all of HOMRA's members were milling about the bar, laughing and chattering away as they traded stories. She could see most of the group gathered around Misaki and Tatara, the former who was trying to teach the latter how to do a particular trick on a skateboard. Mikoto and Kusanagi were at the bar, speaking in hushed voices, while Anna sat next to them with a glass of milk.
"Ah, Rin-chan. Nice to see you up and about."
Rin leaned over the railing and gave a small smile at the redhead below. "It's been a while since I've seen you two around here."
Kousuke shrugged, "School's been rough. We always have a lot of exams towards the end of November. Eric's been staying over at my parent's with me while I study."
A small pang of jealousy ripped through Rin for a second before fading. School, studying, they were all things she had accepted a long time ago that she did not have time for. Not when she had had Ayami to take care of. She was happy Kousuke was able to find that balance in his life. Really, she was.
Her eyes flicked to the blonde hunched by his shoulder, and their gazes met for a second. The corners of her lips quirked up, and despite saying nothing in greeting, she could see a flash of a smile when he ducked his head.
Rin had met Eric a week or so after she had first joined HOMRA, and she remembered how he had looked at her with the strangest expression. While they spoke rather little to each other - him often off with Fujishima, and Rin often off gathering information about Takashi and Niaka – there was a strange feeling of understanding between the two, as if Eric had found the closest thing to a kindred spirit to him in HOMRA. Despite both being taken off the streets and fed by the Red King, it was still easy for them to recognize the signs; the hollow dips around their collarbones, the dark circles that still persisted, their surly and distrustful attitudes, the haunted looks that passed occasionally across their eyes.
"Tachibana-san, you really shouldn't be up and walking around yet."
Izumo had spotted her, and she rolled her eyes at his admonishment.
"Honestly, Kusanagi-san, I'm fine. Besides, I can't stand the thought of sitting alone and eating soup in my room once more."
Misaki barked from where he was standing next to Tatara, "Oi, I don't want to have to carry you up two flights of stairs just because you suddenly decide to pass out-"
"The only thing that is draining me at the moment is your constant yapping, Yata-san" Rin snapped back.
Eric made a noise of amusement, and she could have sworn she heard something like "Chihuahua" under his breath.
Misaki made a 'tch' of annoyance, and turned back to where Tatara was trying to perform a trick on his board. Rin watched contentedly from her seat at the bottom of the stairs, placing her elbows on her knees and resting her head in her hand. As Tatara tried to copy Misaki's moves, the board skidded out from underneath him.
A few chuckles rose up from the group, and Misaki cried, "Ah, Mr. Totsuka, you suck! You did it all wrong. You need to go bam! Then flip."
Tatara simply looked puzzled by this explanation. "What? I can't understand what you're saying, Yata."
Misaki grinned. "Give me that." He slid the board under his feet and gracefully executed the trick, flipping the board beneath him before rolling to a stop in front of Tatara. The older man's mouth hung open in astonishment.
"Cut it out, you guys!" Kusanagi shouted from behind the bar, making the younger boys flinch. "Play with your skateboard outside!"
Misaki grinned sheepishly back under the bartender's glare, but ignored the older man's words and turned back to Tatara. "Okay, Mr. Totsuka, stomp on this end hard." He bent over on his knees while Tatara climbed onto the board, placing a hand to steady himself on Misaki's beanie and causing it to slip over Misaki's eyes. The sight made Rin break out into a fit of muffled giggles, as she continued to listen to Misaki give directions. "Stomp it hard!"
Rin glanced over to see Kusanagi return to his conversation with Mikoto, continuing to keep a close eye on the boys a few feet away. She turned back to watch as Tatara struggled.
"Like this?"
"No, not sideways! Back and forth! Stomp hard on the back like this-"
"I got it, don't worry!"
"Ready…go!"
Within seconds, Tatara had slipped off the board with barely enough time to catch his footing.
Misaki couldn't contain his laughter. "Ah, you really suck at this, Totsuka-san!"
"Look who's talking, Yata! You suck at Sevens!" Tatara snapped back, frustrated he was unable to master Misaki's skateboard. Rin looked up in interest at Tatara's tone, having rarely heard him get angry in any situation.
Misaki looked taken aback for a moment. "Ah? What about you, Totsuka-san? That's what happens when a guy who likes old-dude hobbies like bonsai wants to learn how to skateboard!" He said, pointing a finger at HOMRA's third.
And just like that, Tatara's bad mood was gone. Smiling to himself, he replied, "I enjoy trying lots of different things. Which reminds me… I bought an old style movie camera!"
"Just take videos with your phone."
"It just isn't the same," Tatara said, his voice growing excited at the very thought of his newest hobby. "I've been shooting a lot of clips. I'll show them to you sometime!"
Sliding off her stool next to Mikoto, Anna pattered over to him until she stood right in front of Tatara. He glanced down as she grasped his jacket in her small hands, giving a gentle tug.
"Your song," She said softly. "Aren't you going to sing?"
At her words, Tatara practically melted. "Anna's such a good kid. Did you hear that? There's a young lady here whose heart's been captivated by one of my hobbies!" He said dramatically.
"You're making too big a deal out of it…" Misaki muttered, but Tatara ignored him.
Grabbing his guitar from where he kept it behind the bar, Tatara sat back and began to strum the first few chords. Rin smiled from her spot by the stairs, not wishing to draw any attention if she chanced moving closer. She closed her eyes as she listened to Tatara's song begin to start, impressed by how much he had improved over the past few weeks.
"At the crossroad where thousands of lives come and go every day, that's where we met; you and I. Those good old days when we fooled around and laughter together…"
Rin opened her eyes once more, and was shocked by the strangeness of the scene in front of her. The HOMRA boys, whom were usually so rowdy and untamed, were calm and peaceful as they let Tatara's song wash over them. Dewa even had his eyes closed, smiling softly to himself, and Rin could barely take her eyes off of Anna, whom was staring wide-eyed up at Tatara. Even Kusanagi paused his cleaning to enjoy the brief moment of peace in the bar, and Rin could see how Mikoto's eyes softened when they settled on his vassal.
Something inside Rin seemed to unclench a fraction, and she allowed herself to feel the warmth radiating from her new family in front her. She wished, just for a minute, that their lives could stay like this, and Rin carefully filed away every detail of this moment so that she would never forget it. Tatara's eyes opened, and for a few seconds locked on her. He smiled as he continued to sing, and Rin returned it with a soft one of her own.
As the last few chords of the song faded a way, the younger HOMRA boys let out a whooping cheer.
"Ah, Totsuka-san, that was awesome-"
"I didn't know you played so well-"
"Hey, Totsuka, you'll have to teach me when you have the time-"
Tatara smiled and laughed them off, placing his guitar back behind the bar. As the other members dispersed, easily distracted by Misaki's newest challenge to Rikio saying that he couldn't pull off a simple ollie, Rin walked up to Tatara.
"Totsuka-san," She said happily. "You did it! It sounded wonderful!"
The light haired man placed a hand behind his head, smiling. "Eh? You think so?"
Rin nodded enthusiastically. "I hadn't known you'd gotten so good! You must have practiced more than just in the afternoon."
Tatara opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted by Chitose throwing his arms around both of their shoulders. Pulling them close, he shouted, "To Totsuka-san! Drinks all around-"
"Not a chance in hell." Kusanagi thundered dangerously, silencing the cheer that rose up at the suggestion.
Chitose quelled under his gaze, but Shouhei was brave enough to pipe up from behind them. "I don't know, that does sounds fun."
Growing bolder from his clansman's response, Chitose said, "Yeah! It's been a while since we've all managed to get together and had time to go out. C'mon, Kusanagi-san? King?" He looked up hopefully at the two leaders while the rest of the clan drew closer. Rin cocked her head to the side to look up at Mikoto, who took a long drag from his cigarette as he stared up at the ceiling of the bar. After a moment, he shrugged, and Kusanagi sighed and relented.
"Alright fine, but you go out to another bar. I can't have y'all robbing me of all my liquor." The last of his sentence was drowned out by the whoops that rose up around him, and Rin could see him crack a smile at their enthusiasm.
Misaki called from the back, "Totsuka-san, Mikoto-san, you'll be coming out with us too tonight, right?"
"Hai, hai, Yata-san," Tatara waved his hands while Mikoto ducked his head in response, causing the commander's eyes to light up and his fist to punch the air. As the boys scurried around the bar searching for sneakers and jackets, Rin could hear Tatara murmur happily to himself. "It's been a while since we've all celebrated just being together."
Moda's bar was just as shabby and rundown as the last time Rin had passed it on the way to the Yakuza bust. The woman who had been working behind the bar that night was not there, instead replaced but a rather large man with an impressive goatee, but it was just as crowded as she remembered. Rin could hear the music from two blocks away, and there were a few stragglers lingering near the entrance.
Chitose practically sprinted in, dragging Dewa by his coat sleeve. Shouhei threw his arm around Rin and Bandou's necks as they followed Misaki and Rikio into the bar, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet in excitement.
As the ducked through the entrance, Mikoto and Tatara on their heels, Chitose called over, "Rin-chan, you ready to get your first taste of alcohol?"
Rin averted her gaze and said quietly, "S'not exactly my first time…"
But Chitose was no longer listening. Almost immediately upon entering the bar he had spotted a tall brunette with her friend, and was already stealing their attention. Bandou and Shouhei, however, glanced questioningly down at her as they claimed seats at the bar while Mikoto and Tatara grabbed some stools a few spaces down. Bandou ordered up a round of drinks, picking something fruity and colorful for Rin.
"Eh? But don't you still have three more weeks til your 20th birthday? You're not exactly legal yet." Not that Moda's cared. The bartenders and patrons were familiar enough with the tattooed clan members that they served without questioning.
Rin squirmed under their gazes. "Eh, well, I sort of-, well I often-… Let's just say it was a while back, but yeah, not my first time." She answered vaguely, not wishing to spoil the good mood with tales of her lying drunk in doorways and alleyways, drowning her grief with booze. "Anyway, besides Anna, that still means Yata is the baby of the group. Hopefully he can handle his liquor," She quipped teasingly, changing the subject while the drinks were passed around.
Misaki heard his name from where he and Rikio were standing farther down, and he barked back, "Fuck off, Tachibana." Rin grinned and raised her glass in response.
Truth be told, she was rather wary as she looked at the drink Bandou had ordered for her. It was a bright blue-ish green with a ring of sugar around the top, and looked positively toxic. Taking a tentative sip, Rin was surprised at how sweet and fruity it tasted, and was unable to detect the alcohol that laced it. She had grown accustomed to the burning sensation and the numbness that followed when she had previously drank, but this…this was absolutely delicious.
She sucked it down quickly, much to the surprise of those around her, and ordered up something a little stronger. While she appreciated the sweetness, it wasn't really her style.
Soon enough, the other HOMRA boys were crowded around the bar where Rin and the other two were sitting, laughing and hanging off each other as they stared down at the line of shots Chitose had ordered up for the clan. Clinking all of their glasses together, they downed their shots before slamming them carelessly back on the counter top and ordering another round.
Rin watched as the bartender poured, entranced by the clear liquid sliding into each glass until it spilled over the rim. Her face was starting to feel hot and her head a little fuzzy, and Rin couldn't help but think that Izumo was a much better bartender than this fool.
"Yeah, well why don't you head on back to HOMRA, then?" The bartender grumbled, but shoved the shot glass at her nonetheless. Rin looked up surprised and confused while the men around her practically fell over from laughing, and blushed furiously when she realized she must have said her thoughts out loud.
Rin felt a hand snake out and latch around her wrist, pulling her out of her chair. It took her a few more seconds than it should have to focus, but she soon recognized the mop of brown hair in front of her dragging her from the bar.
"Chitose…" She whined, wondering why he was dragging her from her comfy seat at the bar.
He flashed her a bright smile, then twirled her around a moment before pulling her back til she was flush against him. Looking up at him from where she rested against his chest, Rin gave him a questioning look.
"C'mon, Tachibana-san," he laughed. "Pretty girl like you can't spend her whole night at the bar. Dance with me!"
Rin's face heated up, and this time she was sure it wasn't due to the alcohol. "I, uh, don't dance. Ever."
Chitose ignored her protests, spinning her around so her back was pressed against his chest. Rin was fairly certain her face looked like a tomato, and she hid her embarrassed face from the men staring openly at them.
"Chitose," She stuttered. "These men are staring at us…"
"Ah, simply jealous, Tachibana-san," He smirked.
Chitose continued to dance with the ever-so reluctant Rin until she finally began to loosen up and laugh. He smiled as she began to forget her nervousness, spinning her around so that her hair flowed out like a curtain around them. Whenever a stranger gathered up enough courage to approach the two of them to talk to her, Chitose would simply spin her in the opposite direction, giving him enough time to growl something vicious at the stranger before composing himself in time for Rin to twirl back into his arms.
Rin moved through the bar completely oblivious to the attention she was receiving. One brave soul decided to approach her after she scooted up onto a stool next to Mikoto, even going so far as to buy her next drink. She thanked him profusely, blind to his actual intentions, which was why she was surprised when he disappeared just as quickly as he arrived. Rin hadn't noticed the way Mikoto's arm had come to rest on the back of her chair, or how two of HOMRA's members had appeared like ghosts behind her to glare at the unwelcome stranger. Turning back to her drink, Rin didn't notice how her family had circled their wagons tighter around her.
After her last drink, Rin waved the bartender off. She knew her limit, and wasn't willing to push it any further. Instead, she leaned back on her chair to try to stop the room from slanting and glanced around the bar at the rest of her comrades. They were all at various stages of drunkenness, which made her chuckle under her breath.
Misaki looked absolutely wasted. He clung to Rikio like a lifeline to keep him standing, and the larger boy had an arm under his armpit to keep him upright. Chitose was, once again, the center of attention with a group of girls. He had dragged Dewa along with him, and the dark haired man seemed to be enjoying chatting with the lovely blonde next to him. Even Shouhei had a girl clinging to his arm, although Rin couldn't tell from where she sat where his mouth ended and hers began. She spotted Kousuke and Eric in a dark corner with two women, both of whom were practically leeching onto the boys in front of them. Kousuke looked as if he were trying to encourage his friend to flirt back, but the blonde appeared to be positively bored out of his mind.
She glanced to her right where Mikoto and Tatara sat, both with drinks in front of them but still looking perfectly composed. She dazedly watched the smoke rise from Mikoto's cigarette, spellbound at how it curled and faded into the air.
Realizing she looked and felt like a complete drunk, and also not wishing to make a fool of herself in front of her King, she scrambled off her seat and headed towards the entrance to get some air and clear her head.
Unsurprisingly, she felt someone following her through the crowd of people and then out the door, catching her by the back of her shirt when she stumbled. What she hadn't expected was for it to be the one person she was trying to get away from, and to see him lean against the neon sign opposite her, lighting up another cigarette. Seeing Rin's eyes lock on the cigarette in his hand, Mikoto sighed and offered her one of his own.
She looked surprised for a moment, but graciously accepted it. Flicking her nail so a spark ignited the tip, she took a deep drag and inhaled the welcoming taste.
"I swore I would quit," She muttered, her words slurring only slightly.
Mikoto said nothing, but Rin could see the corner of his lips tilt upwards, and he blew out a breath as if amused at the very thought.
They stood together silently, listening to the sounds of the others inside. Rin peeked through the doorway to catch sight of Misaki passed out on the bar. Rikio looked as if he was going to try to pick him up, but after stumbling into barstool, Tatara shooed him away and tossed the sleeping teenager over his own back instead.
"Looks about time to head back," Rin coughed, accidentally choking on the smoke. She tossed her butt to the ground, squishing it out with the heel of her boot as Tatara pushed through the door with an unconscious Misaki on his back.
Rin looped her arm through Bandou's, one of the few in the group not bringing back another female, and said, "Didn't I say he wouldn't be able to handle his liquor?"
Bandou just placed a gentle arm around her waist to keep her steady and laughed.
By the time they all stumbled through the doors of HOMRA, they were all exhausted. Izumo, still awake and checking over his inventory, – Rin swore he never left that damn bar – tried to shush them as best as he could, but Chitose and his girls made enough noise on their way up to his room that Anna appeared bleary-eyed at the first floor railing, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She glanced curiously at the threesome's retreating backs before peering down at the floor below.
"Anna-chan," Rin scolded gently as she made her way to the couch. "You should go back to sleep. It's too late for you to be up."
Yawning, the little girl ignored her comment and pattered down the stairs in her nightdress, climbing onto the couch to sit beside to her. Resting her head against Rin's arm, she asked softly, "Mikoto?"
"Hmm?" Rin hummed distractedly; sleep tugging at her eyelids. "Ah, he's just finishing up outside."
The other members of HOMRA were slowly making their way up the stairs. Rikio was doing his best to help Tatara haul Misaki up the stairs, but in the end was just getting in the way. Kousuke and Eric headed up to Eric's room, which had seemed so empty since the two of them had been gone for a while. Rin could hear Eric grumbling as he shoved a blanket and a pillow at Kousuke from one of the closets for him to sleep on. The various members called back garbled goodnights as they headed to their rooms, some with their new "friends" still clinging to their arms.
Rin placed her head in her hands, blinking and breathing deeply until the room stopped spinning. Izumo came out from behind the bar and placed a glass of water in front of her.
"Drink."
Rin obediently grabbed the glass, gulping down the cool liquid. Izumo leaned against the side of the couch, watching her carefully.
"Kusanagi-san," Rin said quietly. "How long have you known Mikoto-san?"
He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Longer that it seems." When Rin glanced up at him questioningly, he chuckled. "Ah, if I were to tell you, it would mean I'd have to admit I'm getting old."
She frowned and mumbled, "Kusanagi-san isn't old…" Which made him smile.
"I'll go get you an aspirin, Tachibana-san," He said kindly, patting her gently on the head as he walked past. "Anna, you should be in bed." His voice was stern as he eyed the little girl, who snuggled further into Rin's shoulder to wait for Mikoto.
Rin nodded her thanks before leaning her head back and closing her eyes. She could feel Anna's small hands playing with the tips of the strands of her hair before she drifted off to sleep.
When Izumo returned, he paused for a moment at the scene in front of him. Rin had fallen asleep, as he had expected, on the couch, and had slid down the back of the sofa until she was lying completely horizontal with her head near Anna's lap. The little girl looked just as tired as she played with Rin's long hair, attempting to braid it how Rin had her own done before. She glanced up at the sound of the bar's front doors closing and locking.
"Anna, you should be sleeping."
She slipped off the couch, careful not to wake Rin, and pattered past Mikoto to the stairs. He watched her climb them the entire way before heading towards the couch where Rin was curled. With his hands in his pockets, he stared down at her sleeping form for a moment before carefully seating himself in Anna's vacant seat. He lightly picked up the strands of hair that the little girl had attempted to weave together, and paused for a moment as he stared at it before gently untangling it without waking her. His clouded eyes scanned her once more as if looking for something. Not finding it, Mikoto quietly shrugged out of his jacket and placed it over her shoulders. It was large enough that it covered most of her body, and Izumo could see Rin curl deeper into its warmth from where he stood.
When his King lit another cigarette and leaned his head back, Izumo came out from the shadows of the back room. Mikoto's eye cracked open, nodding at his friend in recognition, before closing them once more without a word.
Izumo headed to the stairs, knowing his bar and their newest member were safe under the watchful gaze of their King.
Author's Note (sorry it's super long): Alright, I know everyone is either Team Misaki or Team Mikoto, but I won't tell you which way this story will swing until later in the story so everyone just bear with me if the chapter isn't for character you want. I have it allllllll planned out (for the most part). Second, I hope you all are starting to feel how HOMRA is finally starting to bond with Rin, and really trying to show they care about her and watch out for her. My guy friends tend to get just as overprotective over me when we got to the bar, just as the HOMRA boys do for Rin.
Anyway, BIG THANK YOU to all of the reviews. I love hearing my phone 'ping' letting me know of a review! It's finals week here at Uni, and yet here I am writing this chapter because you guys motivate me! Thanks so much for the love and support! I made sure this one was extra long to make up for my last one, and also because I might not be able to update again for at least a week or so until exams are half done. Although… I'm not completely satisfied with this chapter, so I may be updating it later this week.
Also, in your reviews (or simply message me) I was wondering if I could get all of your opinions on something. I'm debating pushing this up to an M-rating because I have a little smutty scene written, but I'm not sure if I should post it up later or not. This is for a later chapter in the story, but I want to get an idea of what my readers are comfortable with in advance. So I'm taking a poll: Do you wish to have a sex scene or not? I will not be offended either way (just state your answer kindly).