The Warmth Of Red ||DISCONTINUED||

Chapter Twenty Five

May 23th - The Next Morning

The next morning Karasu walked down stairs in her pajamas rubbing her eyes.

"Morning.." She yawned covering her mouth with her hand. Mayumi looked over at the brunette with smirk.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I'm just curious about your relationship with Mikoto Suoh."

"What about it? It's not that intresting." She said taking a seat at the bar.

"Uh huh, then tell me what was all that last night? You were tied up as your boyfriend carried you over his shoulder."

"He isn't my boyfriend!"

"Quite down, girls. Anna, Mikoto and Tatara are still sleeping." Yuki said coming out the kitchen scolding the two of them.

"Tell her. She started it." Karasu pouted.

"Besides, Tatara should be getting up soon. I won't be surprised if the lion woke up because he smelt food." Yuki smiled watching as she watched the two sisters messing around with each other. Yuki went back into the kitchen just as Tatara came downstairs with Anna.

"Good morning everyone."

"Morning you two, come sit down, I'm almost finished cooking breakfast." Yuki said before returning to the kitchen.

"Did you lady's sleep well?"

"It would've been better if it was my own bed in my own home." Karasu grumbled with a pout. Mayumi rolled her eyes but nodded.

"Yes, we did. But there was something off..."

"Off? Like what?"

"I don't know how to explain it... But it felt like I was burning up in the middle of the night." Anna, Tatara and Karasu looked at one another. Karasu and Tatara had a worried expresstion on their face.

"What? Did I say something wrong?"

"N-no! It's just that... I have to check on Mikoto right now. Tatara."

"I know." Karasu rushed back upstairs standing in front of the lion's den.

"Mikoto... Are you awake?" Karasu lightly knocked on the door, nothing was heard on the other side. She let out a sigh, placing her hand on the knob turning it opening the door, once she did she felt the burning heat coming from Mikoto.

"Mikoto." The amber eyed man laid in his bed with a pained expresstion. She rushed over to his side, her entire body glowed a soft green in color, placing her hands on his chest and noticed how fast it had been beating before it calmed down when her hands touched him.

"Mikoto, are you okay? Wake up." She looked at his face that no longer showed pain. Amber colored eyes opened, showing how tired he was.

"Thank Kami, I was worried you might not wake up." Karasu smiled relieved that he was okay. Mikoto didn't say anything and just started at her.

"What's wrong?" Sitting up in bed he grabbed Karasu by her wrists before she could move away.

"You had a nightmare. I'm guessing it was about me and it wasn't plesent." Mikoto clicked his tongue releasing her.

"Your Sword of Damocles is in bad shape, Mikoto. All that energy that you keep holding back will pour out and there will be a repeat of the Kagutsu Crater.." Mikoto grunted laying back down on his bed looking away from her.

"I don't know what your talking about." Karasu sighed.

"Don't do this to me. You know this and yet you act like you don't care. That's why I'm here, Mikoto." He looked over at her confused.

"You didn't even notice, did you? The Slate told me to help you, to make sure we don't have a repeat of what happened with Kagutsu. Why do you think Mizuchi choose me before going after Anna? He knew something about me was going to work and it did. He thought the next Strain would be a success.. You should know what happens next." She turned around, her back facing him looking down at her hands. Mikoto looked away closing his eyes.

"Oh no you don't! Get up lion! My mom made breakfast for everyone, so get your lazy butt out of bed!" She grabbed a pillow hitting him with it.

"Go away."

"No!"

"Yes."

"Not on your life lion! The only way you can get rid of me is if you come downstaires to eat." With a groan he sat up much to Karasu's satisfaction.

"Come on, Mikoto. From what Yumi tells me mom makes a lot of food." She smiled at the sleepy man pulling him out the room downstairs.

"I got the lion up."

"Good morning King. Ms. Yuki made a lot of food." Tatara smiled as he watched Mikoto sit at the bar next to Anna.

"Glad you are up, Mikoto. Tatara told me you eat quite a lot." Mikoto glance  at said boy who smiled nervously while standing behind Karasu.

"And here I thought you were man enough not to hind behind me, Tatara."

"Now, now, Karasu. You love me either way." Tatara smiled patting her head which earned an ear pull from her.

"I should teach you not to treat me like a pet, Totsuka."

"Not a pet, pets are a lot smaller then you are— ow! I'm sorry! What I'm trying to say is that I think of you as a baby sister." Karasu's eyes widen, her cheeks turning red.

"Red." Anna pointed out. Karasu looked away from everybody crossing her arms.

"I- I don't know what you're talking about. Your being an idiot, Tatara." He grinned.

"Nope. What I said was true—Gah!" Karasu had thrown a pillow at his face making him stumble backwards.

"D-don't say stupid things! Idiot!" Yuki smiled seeing the smile that appeared on Mikoto's lips as he watched Karasu and Tatara mess around like normal siblings.

"She's in good hands, Yuki." Mayumi spoke with a smile.

"Yes, she is... She doesn't need us, she already has a family."

"Ah, but that's where you are wrong. Every girl needs her mother at one point in life. Enjoy the time you have with her while you're here with her."

"I understand, Yumi. Don't worry."