A/N: I don't have a beta so there might be a few mistakes in this chapter. If there are any glaring errors, please let me know!

Chapter 7: Heart of Gold

October 19, 2009

Daikaku Kokujōji (Gold King) POV

Location: Imperial Palace

"Sir, we have Ms. Hana Kugawa waiting in the lobby for you." One of the Usagis (Gold Clansmen) reported to me.

Papers were scattered around the mahogany desk I was sitting at.

"Let her in." I order with an unreadable expression. There is still time to decide if she is an enemy or someone who can benefit the country.

I watch carefully as an Usagi opens the door for a young lady with light pink hair. Although she is by no means tall, possibly around 5 feet 4 inches, her posture and demeanor makes it seem as if she is taller than she looks. Quite young, this girl. Most likely somewhere between eighteen years old and twenty.

She bows and proceeds to walk into the room. How funny. It appears as if she has a black and white spotted ferret lazing around her shoulders. She's wearing a peacoat over a simple floral A line dress.

"My name is Hana. This is my friend Pepper. You had asked for a meeting to discuss the text message I sent you." Her eyes darted around the room.

"Ah yes. Everyone, you are dismissed." The lingering Usagis and the one who had opened the door for Hana exited the room. "Feel free to speak."

Hana remained silent.

"Not everyone has left the room. But if you are comfortable with them hearing about the person who had sent me, I don't mind them staying. It is Oji-san's decision." Hana's eyes bored holes in the ceiling.

"HAHHAHA." A deep bellowing laughter erupted from me. This is the most amused I have been in a long time. "It takes some skill, young one, to notice them. So tell me, how did you find out?" I leaned forward on my desk, ignoring the fact that she referred to me as her grandpa.

However, Hana's crystal blue eyes stared confidently into my brown ones. "I can sense their auras with my own. Using this power from Dresden that I, one way or the other, inherited by accident." She smiled fondly at the ground, sensing the Slate's power beneath them. The Dresden Slate is kept underneath the Imperial Palace, which is the Gold Clan's home base. Similar to how the HOMRA bar is the home base of the Red Clan.

However, the location is a well-kept secret from civilians, and even most clan members. Only the Kings and their highest-ranking officers know where the Dresden Slate is located.

"..." I thought for a moment, then came to a decision that I should dismiss the five Gold Clansmen who were hiding in the ceiling. I snapped my fingers twice in quick succession. This indicated to the clansmen to also exit the room (or, well, ceiling in their case).

I know where this conversation is going and it is one that only a limited number of people should know about. "You speak of Dresden as if he is a real person."

"Is he not?" An eyebrow of hers arched. "He introduced himself to me as Dresden Rex and told me his physical body is here, in the Kanto Region of Japan. This sort of thing would be hard to believe, but you know him too, don't you."

"...I was not the one who discovered the Slate. But I was one of the few people who knew of its existence. Back then, we didn't know that it held its own consciousness until the Silver King and I met him for the first time. To this day, we thought we were the only Kings who had ever met him in person." That fateful meeting took place when the German city they were in was bombed and the Slate chose its first humans to grant a sanctum to.

"Something bad is going to happen in a few years. The reason I met Dresden Rex was because I was sent here from my world. It's different from this one. It is one that exists without the power of Kings or auras. Even after World War II, Japan is a global influence, but not to the extent that it is in this world." Hana sat down and explained as I joined her in the sitting area.

My body has become old, but my power is still going strong. Even if Hana tried anything dangerous, I would be able to stop her. And if she's met Dresden, she must not be a bad person. I wonder if my granddaughter would have been like Hana if I ever settled down and got married. There were many who came after my power and wealth when I established the Gold Clan in Japan, but none who compared to Klaudia Weismann. Her death is what sparked this all, Adolf retreating to the skies and me focusing my efforts on rebuilding Japan.

In Hana's world, I find it interesting that Japan would still build itself back up even after the defeat it had suffered. I had spent my entire life in the shadows, building Japan back up using the powers that Dresden (and who is often referred to as The Slate), had bestowed upon me. We each have a role in this world, every person who is granted the title of King.

But from what I can tell, this girl isn't linked to the title of King. She's one that can reach and interact with all of the auras.

"How interesting. A friend of Dresden's is a friend of mine. So what are you going to do next?"

Over the next hour and a half, Hana told me about her world and her overall plan to prevent the chain of events that will set off a tragic catastrophe.

Hana's POV

I sighed. What a meeting. He reminds me of my grandpa a bit. When angered, is straight to the point, but when not, likes to play tricks and games.

We both knew that Dresden Rex was there, but kept silent about it. It seemed to be a test in my opinion. We could sense him take an almost physical form as his power is a lot stronger when we are closer to the Slate.

But Dresdon just observed us as we played shogi in the sitting area.

I want to talk to him again, but since we were both pretending that he wasn't there, I guess I still have a lot of time left to talk to him.

Since the war, the Silver king has looked down from the clouds upon the earth. He has seen people born, fight, and die. He's also ignored the workings of those on the ground, preferring instead of keep his head in the clouds and live out immortality alone.

But Oji-san has worked hard, protected the Slate, taken up the reigns of a true King, and fashioned the world of this universe into a better place. He did that to prove that there are many possibilities available and so much potential in the world.

And yet.

His message didn't get across to the Silver King, the brother of Klaudia Weismann. If she had lived, I wonder if Klaudia and Daikaku would have gotten married. I ship it. They would've been a cute couple. But that was back during WWII, what 1945 right?

I sighed and looked up again to the sky.

Oh Silver King. What are we going to do with you?

Timeskip: 10PM

I had spent the last few hours roaming around and enjoying Shizume city. When I walked back into HOMRA's bar, I only found Tatatara, Mikoto, Misaki, Rikio, Izumo, and Anna in the bar. There were a few actual customers, but the rest of the gang was missing because it's a Monday evening and the bar was open.

Having an actual gang hanging around during business hours would be terrible for business.

"Welcome back Hana!" Tatatara called as he spotted me walk into the door.

"Hannnnnnnnaaaaaa." I gulped as I slowly turned around to face a creepily smiling Izumo.

"Hi Kusanagi-san." I whispered in my best 'I'm so sorry for using your kitchen, don't kill me voice.' I almost forgot that I had used Izumo's kitchen, but I cleaned up after myself! I even saved leftovers in the fridge AND labeled it for him.

Izumo glomped me. "Come work for me! The bar was SPARKLIN' when I came back this afternoon. And yer food is so good! Where did ya learn to cook?"

One of his arms was hanging off my shoulder. I felt so relieved knowing that I wasn't in trouble like I thought. "Sure, I'd love to! My grandparents taught me how to cook. I need to start working anyways to repay you guys for giving me a place to sleep."

Izumo's face turned serious. "Ya don't need to thank us for that, you're welcome any time. Plus, you saved Anna-chan and givin' you a bed is the least we could do." He went back to the bar to tend to his customers, giving me a wink to show that he's back to normal.

Anna finally noticed me and came running towards me. "You're back."

I gathered her in a hug. I've been gone for not even a half day and I missed her so much. Pepper transferred to Anna's shoulders during this hug. "I missed you." I murmured into her white hair.

"Missed you too." Anna responded, her voice muffled as she spoke into my shoulder.

"Alright! Let's go to the couch, I need to start helping Kusanagi-san with the bar." I picked Anna up bridal-style as she squealed in surprise.

I walked over and plopped her down on the couch, next to Mikoto.

"I could've walked." She pouted.

I messed up her hair with a hand. "It's not fun that way though. When you're tired, head up to bed." I left Pepper with Anna.

Izumo called over some orders and I responded, "Hai hai, I can get those done."

I moved to the kitchen and began cooking the ordered small dishes. It's a bar, not a restaurant so there aren't any heavy menu items.

About half an hour later, Tatara joined me in the kitchen.

"Can I help?" His soft voice broke through my concentration as I was mixing the ingredients for chicken karaage (Japanese fried chicken).

"I'm actually working on chicken karaage right now, could you please pass me the flour?"

"Sure." Not a moment later, there was a large crashing noise.

Startled, I looked up from the mixture I was working on to find Tatara on the floor with flour spilled in a half circle around him. He had fallen backwards while holding the flour jar, so he was now on his butt with his arms supporting the upper half of his body.

He lay in a dazed heap for a few seconds.

I rush over to help him up and dust him off. My eyes lingered on his for a moment too long. God damn he has beautiful eyes. Many have guarded eyes, ones that don't show emotions. However, his eyes are kind and honest. I could stare into them all day if possible. That's too embarrassing though.

I coughed into my hand and turned my attention to the various utensils and ingredients on the floor.

"Quick, we need to clean this up." I crouched down to gather the spilled flour and also to hide the blush on my face.

"Maa maa, it'll be fine. This'll work out. We'll just clean it up, nice and simple. There's no need to rush." Tatara's slow movements expressed his carefree personality.

"Nice. And. Simple. Huh." Tatara and I froze as if lightning had struck us at the sound of Izumo's voice coming from the doorway.

We comically turned around and gulped at the sight of the anime tick mark clearly visible on Izumo's forehead.

Crap, we're in for it.

Silence filled the kitchen as Tatara and I held our breath to await our punishment.

Then, Izumo sighed and passed us a rag.

What.

DID WE JUST AVOID IMMINENT AND PERMANENT DEATH? :o

THIS MUST BE THE POWER OF TATARA.

Izumo left the kitchen after he was done checking up on us, but I was still in shock. Tatara really does keep HOMRA together.

Now that I've met him, I can't imagine a world without Tatara. He's the backbone of this family, the one who loves everyone and cares for everyone.

HE'S THE MOM.

It's something me and my college friends used to call each other when the other was acting like a mom. The mom would be the designated person who would take care of everyone either at a party, when we're cramming for finals, or just hanging out. They're the ones who make sure everyone is eating, taking breaks, not going insane, and staying safe.

Rei…. Dad…. James... I hope they're all okay.

"What are those sad eyes for? See, we're not in trouble." Tatara had already started wiping the spilled flour with the rag.

Tears started to form in my eyes as the reality of the situation hit me. My brothers, friends, dad, they're all gone. Actually, I'm the one who they think died. I'm all alone now aren't I? A feeling of sadness bubbled from deep within my chest. What if I messed up? What if I fail the kindest person I've ever met?

"I'm all alone. What if I can't do this? I can't handle this." I whispered more to myself than anyone around me.

Tatara placed down the rag and gathered me up in his arms. We were both still on the kitchen floor because I had crouched down to help Tatara. "It's okay, let it all out."

My face scrunched in despair as I buried my head into his chest and started crying my eyes out. I don't want to fail him. I don't want to fail HOMRA. I don't want to fail myself.

I never asked for any of this but it happened. Now I have the weight of this world on my shoulders. Even with a little bit of foreknowledge, what if I'm messing up the plot and something even worse happens because I'm here.

As my thoughts took a downwards spiral and my mind was going into overdrive because of the rush of emotions, it felt like the entire world was coming down on me. I got tunnel vision and couldn't see, it sounded like water was rushing in my ears, and even my breathing was too shallow or was it? My body couldn't process the things around me and I couldn't tell if I was breathing or not. Even if I was, it felt like I was suffocating.

Suddenly, I could feel slight tremors from the warm body hugging me.

Tatara was humming. It was a soft, melodic tune.

I began to take breaths in rhythm with the tune and I could feel myself starting to calm down from my panic attack.

As my tears began to dry, I could also feel that he had been rubbing my back this entire time in comforting circles.

"Hana, it'll be okay. I'm here, you're safe. Breathe, just breathe."

How could a person's voice make me feel so safe and sound?

I'm sure he had no clue what set off my panic attack, but it seemed like he knew what to do to make me feel better.

I guess I shouldn't leave him in the dark. When my breathing calmed down, I confided in him. "I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry."

"What are you sorry for?"

"I can't do this. I thought I could, but what if I can't? What if my powers fail to save someone, what if I can't protect you guys. There's this really scary thing that's going to happen a few years from now, and what if there is nothing I can do about it? I'm useless. I shouldn't be here."

As I still had my head buried in his chest, he placed his chin on top of my pink hair. "Are you going out of your way to harm someone?"

I shook my head 'no.'

"Then it's okay. Your powers exist to help others. We'll always have your back, so don't be scared. It'll be fine, things'll work out. We know you're a really strong person, Hana. But even the strongest person needs to take off their armor from time to time, and I'm here for you. To listen, to cry, to share your worries with."

I felt like crying all over again, because that was exactly what I needed to hear. I needed to know that I'm not alone in this world and Tatara just confirmed it.

We sat there for the next few minutes, with my hand firmly grasped in his.

A/N: This chapter was a little hard to write. I dunno why though, but if it's weirder than normal it's cuz I hit a writer's block half way through this chapter. Also I'm not the best at romance, and dw romance will not be the main topic of this fanfic, but there might be some sprinkled around here and there.

S/O to I Dream Therefore I Am & lette4127 for the favorite/follow!