Chapter 22: Ashinaka

The sound of their footsteps echoed off the walls of the empty atrium of Ashinaka High School. Misaki, Rikio, and Rin scanned the spacious building, searching every nook and cranny for a sign of something suspicious. The Ashinaka campus was incredibly large, and Rin knew they would receive no mercy from HOMRA if it were found out that they had overlooked something.

"So we use this to get in? Tch, what a pain in the ass," Misaki grumbled, tossing the PDA in the air and catching it in his open palm. "Let's go."

Rikio grunted in agreement, flipping open his own PDA to let them pass through the metal detectors of the high school. A holographic image of a random schoolboy appeared on the screen, and Rin glanced back over her shoulder to see that same boy disappearing through the school's exit behind them with his two friends hot on his heels.

"Was that really necessary, Yata-san?" Rin sighed as she swiped her own stolen PDA and passed through the security gate. She actually felt bad that her companions had terrified the poor boys. They were only school children, after all.

"Did you have a better idea, Tachibana-san?" His voice was cold and clipped, and his eyes flashed in annoyance.

The two of them still hadn't spoken much since their argument a week before, making life at HOMRA rather uneasy for the rest of the clan. Rin was almost a ghost around the bar, returning late in the evening due to her shifts at Seventh Heaven, although none of the members knew of her late night activities. She had changed her shift for patrolling for the colorless king to the daytime so that she was working with Chitose and Dewa. While the two boys certainly didn't mind her company, tensions only increased between the young blonde female and the redheaded vanguard. Rin was determined not to speak to him since he had been such an ass, and Misaki seemed just as stubborn to pretend that she didn't exist. While Rin was one hundred percent convinced she was not in the wrong, it was clear HOMRA's commander was not planning on apologizing either.

It stung a little, his callousness towards her, but Rin's own stubbornness kept her from caving.

Ashinaka High School was enormous and filled with the newest technology. Rin glanced above her to see a rotating hologram of the school's crest and video cameras stationed at almost every entrance and exit. Most of the buildings seemed to be made entirely in glass, making her feel as if she was at a university rather than a high school.

She had to admit it was beautiful.

"Let's start with the classrooms and work our way back down," Rin declared, staring up at the large skyscraper in front of her that held most of the lecture halls and student offices. She could see students milling about behind the glass, many with bento boxes in their hands, and figured they had caught them just as lunch was beginning.

Misaki frowned and jerked his head in the direction of the clock tower. "No, let's head this way and start over here."

"Why would we head that way?" Rin gave him a look that he was clearly being ridiculous. "We'd have better luck starting where there are a large number of students-"

Acting as if he hadn't heard her, Misaki turned and started off in the direction of the old clock tower on the far end of the campus. Rikio, looking uncomfortable, adjusted his sunglasses and shrugged once before following the redhead.

Rin stared after the skateboarder, dumbfounded for a moment, before rolling her eyes and shoving her hands in her pockets to follow. As she walked, she glanced at the assortment of students strolling around the grounds with their lunches, many of them searching for a spot to eat. Eyes followed her companions' progress along the path, clearly debating if it was worth risking reporting the trespassing teens. Rin knew that the three of them stood out, and it wasn't simply because of their lack of uniforms. There was a certain aura that all members of HOMRA possessed– deadly, promising violence and destruction– and it seemed to emit from their very beings like a heat wave

However, Rin also noticed that some of the gazes were not completely filled with fear. Many of the boys had that same lustful look that the customers at Seventh Heaven had, and realized with surprise that their gazes were lingering on her. Suddenly, it was as if a light bulb flicked on in her head.

After a quick sidelong glance at Rikio and Misaki's backs, Rin darted off the path towards a group of four boys spread out on a patch of grass nearby. With each footstep Rin felt herself sinking into her Aiko persona from the club – her hips swaying a touch more, her frame becoming a bit more relaxed, and running a hand through her hair so it spilled in waves over her shoulders. A devilish feeling rose in the pit of her stomach as she watched their eyes slowly trail down her body, and she had to work to keep her lips from twitching into a smirk. This was a whole new form of power she had control over and, combined with the dangerous aura that was characteristic of the red clan, drew these pour souls to her like a moth to a flame.

"Um, excuse me, I was wondering if you guys would be able to help me?" Rin called, her voice slightly higher and more feminine than she normally spoke.

Instantly, the boys scrambled to sit up straight; one even going so far as to straighten his necktie.

"Yeah!" They all chorused at once.

Rin giggled girlishly as their faces flushed, and one of the boys coughed out in a deeper voice, "I mean, yeah, sure. What's up?"

Stopping just short of the first boy's sneakers, Rin shoved one hand in her back pocket and used the other to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm looking for someone who's supposed to be a student here, and I was wondering if you could tell me where he is? It's really important I find him."

Three of the boys looked as if they were trying to scramble to their feet, but Rin just simply waved them down.

"Oh no, please, don't feel like you need to get up." Instead, she dropped down beside them onto her knees, and Rin could see in her peripherals the face of the boy next to her turn an even deeper shade of red. Whipping out her cell, she loaded the picture she had of the colorless king and leaned over until her shoulders brushed up against the boy beside her. "See, here he is. Do you happen to recognize him at all?"

Turning her head so that she was only a few inches away from the tip of his nose, Rin shyly glanced up at him from beneath her eyelashes. She could see the freckles smattering across his cheeks and nose, and he looked almost cross-eyed as he stared, flustered, down at her.

"Eh, erm, I uh-"

"Let me see," One of the other boys piped up, scooting close so that he was on the other side of Rin.

Flashing him a bright smile, Rin leaned toward the other boy, giving the first a few seconds to recover himself. She had to admit she was enjoying their attention and eagerness to help. Hell, if she were able to keep of this charade all day they'd be out of there in no time.

The second boy stared at the picture of her screen, frowning. "Looks like our uniform, but I can't say I recognize him. Is he your, uh, boyfriend or something?"

"Boyfriend?" Rin laughed. "No, not at all. He's just a-"

Without warning, Rin felt a warm arm wrap around her waist and jerk her upwards into the air.

"What the hell?" She screeched. Twisting around in the firm grip, she caught sight of chestnut hair covered with a black beanie. "Goddamnit, Yata-san, put me down."

As Rin squirmed in his hold, the pressure around her waist increased. Vaguely, Rin was aware that the four boys had risen to their feet. Their hands balled were balled into fists, and two of them looked as if they were about to go after her.

Pausing only long enough to look over his shoulder, Misaki growled in a low tone, "We won't be needing any of your help."

Rin used that moment to wrestle herself out from his grip, sweating and snarling as she raked her fingers through her tangled hair. Infuriating her further, Misaki turned and continued down the path as if nothing happened.

"What the fuck was that about?" Rin barked, catching up with them and glaring daggers at the redhead.

Misaki gave her a sidelong glance. "You're not here to flirt, Tachibana-san."

"Flirting?" She said in disbelief. "At least I was getting some answers instead of wandering through this place with no rhyme or reason! You haven't even asked one student that we've seen here!"

Skidding to a stop, Misaki spun around to face her. "I figured I'd wait 'til we saw someone who looked his age, but you want me to go ask any random kid? Fine!"

Pushing past her, he stormed off in the direction of a group of guys sitting near a bench.

"They all are his age, you fucking idiot! It's a high school, not a daycare." Rin called at his back, her shoulders shaking from the effort not to hit him. Damn, that brat could piss her off.

Faintly, she could hear Misaki harshly interrogating the boys, shouting at them as they half-ran from the agitated redhead, and suddenly she felt weary. Turning to Rikio, Rin rolled her eyes and muttered, "I can't deal with his shit today. I'll catch up with you guys later."

The larger man nodded, his sunglasses flashing in the sunlight, and Rin turned to head toward the large glass skyscraper she had seen when they had first arrived. She interviewed many students along the way, each claiming they had no idea who the white-haired teen on her cell phone screen was. At first, Rin figured she was just meeting students who were not in the same class – it was a large school, after all – but as the day wore on, a strange feeling began to sprout in the pit of her stomach.

Only once did she happen to catch sight of her two clansmen again. Rin had been speaking with a group of girls when she noticed the redheaded skateboarder and the large blonde heading in the direction of one of the patio areas. Not wishing to speak with Misaki at that moment, Rin politely excused herself and headed in the opposite once more.

It wasn't until she was halfway across the terrace that she realized there was an extra set of footsteps accompanying her own. Expecting another student, Rin looked up and was surprised to see that she recognized the female in front of her. Black thigh-high boots, dark blue uniform, and a lethal sabre attached to her hip, Seri Awashima looked just as surprised to see her as Rin was to the SCEPTER 4 agent amongst the patio chairs and potted plants.

Recovering first, Rin rocked back on her heels while the corner of her mouth quirked up in amusement. "Lietenant Awashima Seri. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Rin had to admit she had never seen a person's gaze turn to ice so quickly, and the woman responded coldly, "Tachibana Rin of the Red King's militant faction."

"We prefer to think of ourselves as clansmen."

"That would be too mild a term for you delinquents."

This brought a humorless smile to Rin's lips, and her eyes flashed dangerously. "How is our king anyway?"

"The Third King, Mikoto Suoh, is under constant surveillance in a fortified cell. Other than his bad attitude, he is tolerable."

"How long do you think you guys can keep him contained anyway?" Rin asked in an offhand voice, trying to stifle her laughter at the Lieutenant's affronted face.

Raising her chin slightly, Seri replied satisfactorily, "Your king is buried under layers of the topmost security locks and bars in recent technology along with the entirety of SCEPTER 4's agents. He is under the highest security and will remain that way until his Weismann level is reduced."

"What's important is that you believe that," Rin said coolly, but her eyes were alight with amusement. She enjoyed taunting the Blue King's right hand woman.

The older woman stared at her flatly. "Tachibana Rin, while your presence here is unacceptable, due to strict orders and our location I am unable to personally engage or remove you."

Rin picked at her nail bed, knowing her casual indifference was irritating the Lieutenant. "What a shame. I would have enjoyed it."

The SCEPTER 4 agent looked as if she wanted to throw her hands in the air in frustration, but she kept herself in check. In a clipped tone she asked, "Shall I expect more of you around here, or did Kusanagi-san send you out here on your own?"

Rin opened her mouth to reply, but the sound of raised voices and metal clanging on pavement caught their attention. Immediately, Seri went on the alert and made a motion with her hand, and it was only then Rin noticed two other SCEPTER 4 agents standing on guard a few yards away. A certain voice in particular caught her attention, and Rin instantly recognized it as Misaki's. Seri must have recognized the other because her mouth suddenly tightened into a thin line and she grimaced, "Fushimi."

All three agents started off in the direction of the confrontation. Turning to Rin, she asked, "Aren't you going to try to control your clansmen?"

Shrugging, Rin turned and began to stroll in the opposite direction. "Yata-san's made it clear he doesn't want my help anymore. Besides," She paused, turning her head just enough to see the Awashima's blonde hair in her peripherals. "I'm sure you're more than capable. S'been a pleasure, Lieutenant."

It was a strange feeling, turning her back on her clansman, but she was determined to stick to her decision. He had made it abundantly clear after their run-in with the Black Dog that he did not want her 'interfering' in any of his business.

Whatever.

Rin forced her feet to keep walking until the sound of their raised voices faded away. She moved through the buildings with ease, realizing that most of the students must have returned to their classrooms. In fact, it was another fifteen minutes before Rin spotted a single student.

The girl was small – petite, Rin could say – with shoulder-length brown hair that had small white clips with rings attached to her front strands. She looked so delicate and sweet in her school uniform, that suddenly Rin felt disheveled and sweaty. Nonetheless, she approached the girl with a bright smile.

"Excuse me! Could I ask you question quick?"

The brunette paused and, upon seeing Rin, smiled in return. "Of course! What is it you need?"

"I was wondering if you recognized this boy? He looks like he goes here, but most of the students say they don't know him."

The girl glanced at Rin's screen for a second before turning to face her. "Oh, him. No I don't, unfortunately. I actually ran into your friend outside and told him the same thing."

Rin gave her a confused glance as she stowed her cell phone away. "My friend?"

The brunette nodded, the clips in her hair bobbing excitedly. "Yes, that adorably shy boy with the skateboard! I even offered to help him to the nurse to clean that wound on his arm-"

"Wound?" Rin tried not to look alarmed. Even if Misaki was hurt she was certain it was nothing – he'd suffered much worse that a cut on his arm before – but, nonetheless, she wondered how on earth he could have possibly gotten into trouble here at a regular high school?

"Yes, he really should get that stitched up. It could get infected-"

"I'll get him taken care of right away. Thank you for your time," Rin interrupted, breezing past her as she hurried out towards the main courtyard.

One half of Rin's brain argued with her that she shouldn't do this. She was caving. He had been the one to say she was getting in the way. Why should she rush to his side for his injury when he didn't even bother helping her out with her ankle? Selfish, bull-headed brat that he was… On some level she knew he probably had deserved whatever injured had been inflicted on him.

And then the second half of her brain thought of the boy who had sat by her bedside while she had been recovering from her fever. She imagined the young redhead who had stayed up all night when she had disappeared to the underpass after Totsuka's death, and who had worried endlessly until she had returned safely.

And, at that realization, the second half of her brain won out and told the first half to shut up and get over it. After all, she had more than enough people to direct her anger at and who were probably twice as deserving of it anyway.

Author's Note: Sassy Rin is not taking anybody's shit, today. Anyway, I am so happy to hear such positive reviews from my readers! I'm glad you all enjoyed getting to know Rin and Ayami a little more, and also that you all seemed to like Emiko very much. I can't wait for her to open up more with HOMRA. Now, all she needed to do was bury the hatchet with Misaki. The two of them are so stubborn, I swear, they're like children sometimes. I know some of you wanted me to write about Shiro and were hoping for an interaction between him and Rin here, but it just didn't seem to fit well when I wrote. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter with some of the other characters, even if it was a bit shorter than usual, and I will update again as soon as I can! As I had previously said, finals still are going on and I will be attending a wedding shortly thereafter, but I will do my very best to update as soon as possible! Thank you to all who review, follow, and favorite! Feel free to follow my project k tumblr: projectkanime

Charisasori: Thank you so much for reviewing, m'dear! I'm really glad you liked it. I, too, am glad that she is starting to take a few steps forward in her life. I feel like Rin constantly was thinking she was moving on, but didn't realize that she still continued to hold herself back. Now that she's aware of it, I'm looking forward to her opening up a little more!

JenyTheCoolAsian: *high five for MikoRin* I cannot wait until Mikoto comes back. Very very soon! And I'm also happy to hear you liked the chapter. Sometimes it just takes a little nudge from a stranger to get you to realize something you'd been blind too. I think Emiko was that person for Rin, so I'm really looking forward to developing her more. Thank you so much for the review!

Sarah404: Hiiiiii, lovely! So I figured I'd answer your PM here because your PM-ing ability has been disabled for some reason. Anyway, I did and they were pretty good! You know, I think I actually stumbled upon them at Warped Tour one year!