Draw Again

Chapter 15

It was just another morning at Homra, or at least that's what I woke up thinking. I scratched at the back of my head as I entered the chaotic first floor. The guys were running everywhere while Kusanagi barked some cryptic orders at them. It was the weekend, so I had been looking forward to a relaxing morning, but that was no longer looking possible.

Sighing I moved towards the couch where Mikoto was smoking in hopes of joying him in the only part of the pub that didn't have panicking guys flailing about. But just as I was about to break through the male current someone grabbed my arm and yanked me away from the peaceful looking bubble around the Red King.

"Where do you think you're going?" Kusanagi questioned between clenched teeth.

Slowly and nervously I glanced over at the blonde as he glared down at me over the rims of his glasses.

"To sit down," I answered cautiously.

"Not today. Grab Anna and leave. Don't come back until I say so," he ordered.

Kusanagi shoved a wad of something into my pocket before pushing me towards the exit. I stumbled for a few steps before stopping next to the hall where Anna had appeared with both of our coats in hand. After taking mine we left the pub and the chaos behind without any questions as to why.

"So what do you want to do?" I asked the girl.

Anna shrugged as we walked.

Reaching into my pants pocket I found what Kusanagi had given me. It was a neatly folded bundle of large bills and a paper note with two words written on it.

"Have fun," I read out loud.

Pocketing everything I glanced down at Anna who was staring up at me with curious red eyes. Her hands were passing a large red marble back and forth, the one I caught her looking through on occasion at the bar. It appeared to be just an ordinary glass marble, but the way she treated it said differently.

"Guess Kusanagi's funding our girls day out," I smirked.

Anna just shrugged again.

"Where to start?" I asked more of myself than the silent girl beside me.

"Hungry," Anna said.

Immediately following her words my stomach growled in agreement, so we had a plan; food.

"Traditional or special?" I asked.

"Special," Anna replied.

With a growing smile I said, "Donuts and pastries it is."

A small grin turned up Anna's face as I took her free hand and lead her into the city. I knew the perfect place to get breakfast, it was a little expensive, but today was on Kusanagi's dime, so why not. A treat once in a while was a good thing.

When we reached the cafe I paused outside the building admiring the way it hadn't changed. Anna glanced up at me with bemused crimson eyes.

"Welcome to checkmate. I worked here for a summer, so I know the food is delicious," I said.

Stepping inside I watched Anna's expression turn to awe as she took in the black and white palace decor with deep red accents. It was like a fairytale chessboard which made it my favorite cafe.

There was a group of older women gathered at a corner booth sharing their retirement gossip and laughing. The building smelled warm and sweet, the scent of fresh cherry danishes heavy in the air. Just standing there made my hunger ravenous and my mouth drool, so I quickly stepped up to the counter waiting for a worker to take out order. Walking out of the back room with a tray of fresh donuts was none other then my old boss and the owner of Checkmate.