JDMichelle2626 - So Saiki's brother is going to have a rather interesting reaction to Lotus. Not jealousy per se, but I can't go into further detail, as to avoid spoilers.

13thRebels - So Lotus won't be getting her own Yuuta, but she will have an interesting set of interactions with the boy. All will connect as more chapters come out.

This is Lotus

~This is the thoughts of others~

The Big City Trip - How Did A Day Trip Lead to a Rumble?!

"Whoa this place sure has a lot of shops," Lotus said

"And people too. Keep close Lotus, I don't want you getting lost now," Joshua said

"Right."

Joshua shivered a bit, "If I did lose you Ethan would have my head then present it to Violet like some kind of trophy."

"He's…not too far off with that statement."

Where could Lotus possibly be? And why was she with Joshua?

Well, Lotus was currently accompanying Joshua, so they could meet his editor of the manga that featured Lotus. The man worked a few cities over and with some convincing, Lotus was able to join Joshua.

"Man, Violet was a bit easier when it was time to go, but Ethan..."

Lotus thought back to how the man tried to pile her up with emergency gear for her short trip to the city.

Joshua also wanted Sir Henry to come along, but Lotus felt that the little ferret wasn't quite ready for a visit to a bustling city yet.

"I really appreciate you doing this Lotus," Joshua said

"It's no problem at all," Lotus said

The two came to a crosswalk pausing, waiting for the light to turn green, so they could cross the busy street. As they waited Lotus continued to take in her surroundings, she looked down the street briefing glancing over the buildings. Her head swiveled to the left her eyes scanning the area, but then she stopped, her head snapping back.

"Is that….?"

Lotus slipped away, Joshua not noticing the girl was leaving.

"Kitaro?" Lotus asked putting a hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Ah!"

Kitaro jumped startled, turning around.

"Oh Lotus," He let out a sigh putting a hand over his chest. "You scared me."

"My bad. Kitaro what are you doing here?" Lotus asked

Kitaro let out a chuckle rubbing the back of his head. "I'm out here visiting my father."

"Your father? But I thought…."

"Actually, I don't know what I thought. Kitaro said he lived with his siblings and mother. He's never mentioned his Dad, so I never really put much thought into it."

"Yeah, my parents divorced when I was little and my father moved here," Kitaro said

"Huh? But if they divorced when you were little what about your siblings?" Lotus questioned

"Oh, they have a different father. Technically they're my half-siblings," Kitaro explained

"Whoa, Kitaro's family has got a lot more going on than I thought. So what about his sibling's father? Would it be rude to ask?" Lotus fiddled with her ring a bit. "I could always just look in his mind, but that seems rude too. The heck with it I'm gonna ask, if I don't, the question will just eat away at me."

"Could I ask what happened to their father?" Lotus questioned as delicately as she could.

"Oh, well nothing happened to him. He's a foreigner from America. He and my mother met when she went to America for an internship. She said it was kind of a whirlwind romance, so they never married, but he visits every year. It's a weird relationship," Kitaro explained

"Huh, interesting," Lotus mumbled

"So Lotus what are you doing here?" Kitaro asked

"Oh, I'm-"

"Lotus there you are. I told you to stick close. If I lost you Ethan would have-? Who's your friend?" Joshua asked noticing Kitaro

"This is my friend from school, Kitaro. Kitaro this is Joshua he's a family friend," Lotus said

"Nice to meet you," Kitaro spoke giving a slight bow.

When he looked back up at Joshua an uncomfortable wave ran through the boy. Joshua stood unblinking, his eyes raking over Kitaro's form.

"~Why is he staring like that? I feel uncomfortable.~" Kitaro thought

"Hmmm…" Joshua put a hand on his chin thinking.

He approached Kitaro staring down the boy causing him to sweat nervously. Joshua continued to make thoughtful noises to himself as he walked around Kitaro further studying the boy. When he was done, Joshua took a step back then put his fingers up making a square, placing Kitaro right in the center.

"Yes, this is perfect. Kitaro will fit perfectly for an idea I've been wanting to add to the story." Joshua said

"What idea?" Lotus asked

"What story?" Kitaro questioned

"Alright you two stick with me."

Lotus and Kitaro followed Joshua into a tall building. Since Joshua asked Kitaro to be a part of the Manga he invited the boy to the meeting with Joshua's editor/manager. As they entered the building Joshua immediately led them to the elevator where they proceed to go to the 16th floor. After taking a few turns down a winding hallway the group finally arrived at a double door office.

"Here we are," Joshua said

He knocked on the door and a loud "Come in" sounded from inside. Entering the room the trio was greeted by a tall man who was sitting behind a desk, fiddling with some papers before him. The office was decorated with several posters of some Manga covers and there's some merchandise strewn about the room.

The man himself had short brown hair and was wearing a blue button-down shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, along with a pair of tan dress pants. His hair was slightly tousled and his clothes a bit ruffled, the man's appearance was a bit disheveled but his posture and nature showed a calm level-headed individual.

"Joshua, perfect timing. Come in, come in."

The man spoke quickly but with an excited tone. He got up from his desk walking over to the group.

"Mahiru, nice to see you," Joshua said

The two men shook hands greeting one another.

"To you as well." Mahiru looked over Joshua's shoulder spotting Lotus.

"Is that the girl?" Mahiru asked

"Why, yes," Joshua stepped back presenting Lotus. "Here she is."

"My, my, I thought Joshua was just exaggerating but you're just as lovely in person as you are in his drawings," Mahiru smiled shaking Lotus's hands.

"I feel like that should've been worded differently."

"Thank you for having me," Lotus said

Mahiru let go of Lotus's hands then looked to Kitaro.

"And who is this?"

"That's Kitaro he's a friend of Lotus. I'm going to be adding him to the story later." Joshua explained

Mahiru let out a small chuckle, "You sure can find inspiration anywhere. Well, welcome to my office kids."

"Thank you for having me," Kitaro said

"Now then." Mahiru walked around his desk retaking his seat. "Let's talk business. I've got a ton of ideas I wanna go over."

"Man, that felt like forever."

"~That guy sure can talk.~"

Lotus and Kitaro were tired after the meeting. Mahiru was a nice man and one could easily tell he was passionate about his work, but he talked far too much.

"Sorry bout that guys. I should have warned you the man can be a bit chatty," Joshua said

"A bit?"

"~A bit?~"

Joshua reached into his back pocket pulling out his wallet. "Listen I gotta finish a few things up over here, but why don't you two go and grab something to eat. My treat."

"Really?" Lotus asked

"Yup, you two go and have a little fun," Joshua said

"Thank you so much, Joshua, you don't have to do that," Lotus said

"It's my pleasure," Joshua said

Kitaro and Lotus roamed the streets of the city at a loss trying to pick out a restaurant to dine at.

"There are so many places to eat. Where should we go?" Lotus questions

"Maybe we should ask someone? Who better to ask than the locals, right?" Kitaro said

"Good, idea. I'll go ask some people where the best places to eat are. Be back in a sec," Lotus said

Lotus was only gone for about a minute before Kitaro felt a hand on his shoulder.

"That was quick. Did you find-?!"

"Alright Kitaro, I got recommendations and directions."

But Kitaro was no longer standing in the spot Lotus had left him.

"Kitaro?"

She looked up and down the street and did not spot Kitaro at all. She called out for her friend but received no response. Lotus was about to cross her eyes to use clairvoyance to find him but stopped as a cry for help rang through her head.

"~Ahhh! Someone help! Let go of me!~"

Lotus's eyes widened. "Kitaro!"

"Hey now looks like we got us a squirmer." A deep voice chuckled

"Scrawny guys got some fight in him," Another voice mocked

"~Damn it! How'd I end up in this situation? It's because of my looks mixed with my short stature, I look like an easy target.~"

Kitaro had been dragged off by a group of delinquents sporting matching leather outfits and piercings. He was currently in a rather uncomfortable headlock by a guy with a mohawk.

A tall guy with dyed white hair stepped forward, walking with a swagger like attitude.

"Hey friend calm down we ain't gonna hurt you." The guy bent down so he was at eye level with Kitaro. "Names Yuto, nice to meet you. And these here are my boys. Say hi boys!"

A chorus of greetings rang out but Kitaro felt anything but welcomed.

"Now, that we know one another we're friends right." Yuto got closer to Kitaro so they were face to face. "Right?"

Kitaro cringed flinching at the guy's close proximity but also due to the guys' breath.

"~Geeze he smells like cigarettes and….cheese?~"

"Since we're friends now maybe you can help us out. That's what friends do right? Help one another out. How about you help us by giving us all your stuff?" Yuto said

"~This such a crappy shakedown!~"

Kitaro said nothing causing Yuto to frown.

"Didn't you hear me brat? I said giving me all your stuff," Yuto said

Kitaro closed his eyes tightly before shaking his head no.

"~This is the hard-earned money my mother worked for. She worked extra hard just so I could have some spending money when I came here. No matter how scary these guys are, I'm not giving them this money.~"

"Ehh!" Yuto raised a brow. "You ain't gonna help out your new buddies? What you think you're better than us or something?"

Yuto lifted his hand about to grab Kitaro-

"Your hand touches him and you lose it."

Yuto paused at the feminine yet stern voice. He looks over his shoulder to see a very angry Lotus. The young teen eyes were steeled with a glare, her arms crossed, and her posture strong and solid.

"Don't you dare lay a hand on Kitaro," Lotus warned

Yuto completely abandoned whatever he was going to do with Kitaro turning around to face Lotus.

"Well, well, well, looky what we got here boys. Hey babe what brings you to these parts?"

Lotus's eyes narrowed her glare getting sharper.

"L-Lotus…." Kitaro said

"So this little wimp here's your friend?"

The guy who was holding Kitaro tightened his grip around Kitaro's shoulder causing the boy to flinch.

"He's a bit busy right now. But hey if you wanna hang with us we wouldn't mind, right boys?"

The group of punk snickered, smirking as they all stared at Lotus.

"~What are we gonna do? Lotus, she's a fast runner maybe she can escape and get some help?~"

"I'm not going anywhere with you and neither is my friend. So I suggest you let go of him, now." Lotus said

"~She sounds pretty scary.~"

The Leader let out a chuckle, "You're one funny chick."

"~They're not scared though!~"

"Fine." Lotus lifted her hands cracking her knuckles. "You won't let him go. Then I'll make you."

"No one messes with my friends and gets away with it."

"Looks like she wasn't to play boys. Let's show the little lady a good time."

Lotus without any fear went to take a step forward but was stopped as a hand landed on her shoulder.

"~Who the heck is that guy?!~" Kitaro thought

Looking over her shoulder Lotus came face to face with her own face, or rather her reflection. The person standing behind her was a guy dressed like a delinquent wearing sunglasses.

"Why is he wearing those? The suns already gone down."

The guy had a white mask covering the lower half of his face. He wore a white jacket, but no shirt, along with white pants. His hair was blonde, with the front part being in a pompadour while the back was let loose and it was so long one wrong step meant the guy could easily step on the locks.

Behind the pompadour delinquent were several other guys all dressed in a similar fashion.

"What the hell is going on here!" Pompadour shouted

"Shit it's him…" The Leader whispered loud enough for Kitaro to hear.

"So he's scared of him huh?"

"Picking on some out of towners huh? A girl and some pretty boy at that too. You've stooped pretty low, Yuto."

Yuto clenched his teeth growling. "What the hell are you doing here? This ain't any of your business so beat it!"

"Actually, I think it is. You see this is my turf, so you better scram-"

Pompadour brought his fists up cracking his knuckles, the veins in his face were pulsating showing how angry he was.

"-before I beat the shit out of you."

He spoke with such calmness it made the threat even more deadly.

"This guy is hardcore. As they say the enemy of my enemy is my friend."

"You heard him! Let Kitaro go or you as is grass!" Lotus shouted

Several confused stares were set on Lotus. The poor pink-haired girl sweatdropped seeing the confusion waft about the boys.

"~Is that some kind of threat?~"

"~Is that chick an idiot?~"

"I guess that's a phrase that's not well known here."

"Alright, let me put this simply for you. Let Kitaro or your face is gonna have a nice little date with my foot." Lotus said

Now that was a threat that everyone could follow.

Yuto glared harder looking to Lotus. "You threatening me now too huh?"

"You bet your ass! And I was threatening you before too! No one messes with my friend like that and gets away with it." Lotus shouted

Pompadour glanced down at Lotus. "~Is this chick serious? She doesn't seem scared at all.~"

Pompadour looked back at Yuto. "You heard her, let scrawny go."

"~Scrawny?~" Kitaro frowned sweatdropping.

"Yeah no we ain't doing that," Yuto said

"Fine, then. I was looking for an excuse to beat your sorry ass anyway."

That's when an all-out brawl broke out. Fists were thrown along with bodies. Weapons such as baseball bats and chains were brought into the mix too. It was a good old fashion biker gang rumble.

Lotus dogged several bodies that were thrown her way as she made her way over to Kitaro.

"~Well I'm not going to be some kind of damsel!~

With anger in his eyes, Kitaro opened his mouth and bit down, chomping on his captor's arm.

"Ah! Little bastard!"

Kitaro was immediately pushed to the ground as the thug waved his arm around.

Lotus ran over to the short male helping him up.

"Smart move Kitaro! You got him good!" Lotus praised

"Thank you. I'm gonna be honest. I was so terrified I thought I was going to vomit," Kitaro said

"Well good job keeping it in," Lotus said

"We should get out of here," Kitaro said

"Good idea." Lotus agreed

"Hey! Where do you think you're going! I'm not done with either of you!" Yuto shouted

He reached out going to grab Lotus but instead his hand was intercepted by Kitaro as the smaller boy jumped in the way.

"Leave her alone!"

"Kitaro!" Lotus gasped

Yuto sneered holding Kitaro up by the scruff of his shirt. "You some kind of hero, huh? I can't stand guys like you. Let's see how much of a pretty boy you are-" He raised his fist high above. "-when I mess up your face."

Kitaro shouted covering his head as the fist was brought down. His eyes were squeezed tightly shut awaiting the pain to come, but after no blow came Kitaro opened his eyes.

The area had gone quiet, the sounds of fighting quickly dying down.

Kitaro gasped seeing what caused the brawl to be put on pause.

Lotus was tightly grasping onto Yuto's wrist preventing the punk from slugging Kitaro.

"You bitch!"

"~What the hell! How is she so strong?!~"

"Normally I wouldn't be able to stop a guy of this size fist without at least using my entire body weight mixed with gravity. But this is different, with the use of my psychic powers I can stop this guy in his track with just the use of one hand. I didn't want to do it but this guy forced my hand."

"She's holding him back!"

"That chick is crazy strong!"

"I said-" Lotus's body started to move her leg lifting, "-not to touch Kitaro!"

*BAM*

Lotus performed a perfect sidekick getting Yuto square in the jaw. A loud crunch resonated as Lotus's heel dug into Yuto's nose. Kitaro was dropped and landed draped over one of Lotus's arms.

"Holy crap!" Kitaro and Pompadour shouted.

The leader fell back collapsing on the ground.

"Yuto!"

"She got him!"

"I think he's out cold!"

The opposing gang members started to freak out seeing as their leader was taken out by just one kick.

Lotus turned to the other gang members a dark aura spreading from behind her leaking into the surrounding area.

"I suggest you all take your leader and go, or else."

"Yes Ma'am!"

The terrified bikers gather up their defeated leader and hightailed it out of there. When they were out of the area Lotus's dropped her glare and put Kitaro back on his feet.

She let out a sigh running the back of her hand against her forehead, wiping off some sweat.

"That was close. I was starting to get a bit worried there."

"~Your the one who was worried?!~"

"~This chick is a monster.~" Pompadour thought

Lotus approached the Pompadour haired leader of the second gang.

"Thank you so much for helping us."

"Che, it was nothing."

"~I've never had a girl thank me before, especially one this hot!~"

"Is there something I can do to repay you?" Lotus asked

"It was nothing, those punks had it coming anyway," He said

"Well I'm still grateful," Lotus said

"Me too," Kitaro added

"Kitaro we better head back now. I think we should call it a night," Lotus aid

"Yeah, I agree," Kitaro said

Lotus and Kitaro left the area giving their farewells to the guys who had helped him out.

"~Who was that chick? Underneath all that crazy hotness was some crazy strength. I...kinda wanna see her again….~"

"Oh, my poor little Lotus! Are you okay? You're not hurt, are you?! Those dirty degenerates didn't touch you did they?" Violet cried hugging Lotus close to her.

"I knew I should've gone with you! How dare some no-good hoodlums even think about touching you!" Ethan shouted

"How the heck did you two even find out about that?"

"Ethan, let's hop on the next train and go track down those punks! We will make them pay!" Violet said

"Violet, my Queen, you have the most wonderful ideas!" Ethan said

"Both of you please stop it!"