Whose Queen? [a K Project fanfic]

Helpful Connections.

                          Nakagawa Reo. 168cm, 28 years old, single

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"Hey." The motionless body gave a slight jolt but kept on sleeping.

"I said wake up." Queen's ears tickled as someone clicked his tongue dryly. She thought it was a dream.

A minute after, however, a hand tugged at the back of her shirt, forcing her to sit upright. Then she realised that was in fact not a dream.

"Morning, King-san." She meant it to be sarcastic and that's what Mikoto figured as well, choosing however not to comment.

"I's already noon and I want you to go do something for me. Don't even think you're free-loading here." Seeing it's no time for games, she nodded once and stared at him to continue.

"Pay a visit to the Blue King, will you? A private one." She stared for a bit longer, playing it over in her head before asking for clarification. "Meaning an ambush." He raised his eyebrows while waving his hand. "If I was planning an ambush, I'd send no man other than myself. I want you to negotiate my freedom."

She nodded once more slowly as memories of the time the Red King was imprisoned flooded in her mind. He had escaped and died before he could be captured again and now he was back. Plus every living soul knew it, just like the Blue King. Mikoto had additionally killed someone, even if that someone deserved it.

"Got it. Anything you want me to keep a secret in particular?"She had already started getting ready throwing a new back blouse on her body and a pair of shorts. Neither of them bothered about formalities or etiquette as they were discussing much more important stuff. The Red King also didn't bother giving her any privacy.

"Just don't mention your true relation to me." She was perplexed by this statement giving him a questioning tilt of her head. Her movement caused strands of her hair to move into her face but she didn't bother with them. "I don't want him knowing your new status as Red Queen." She didn't need to question that. She knew of his feelings on this topic but also she couldn't help the strange sensation that clawed at her. It was gone as soon as it came but was enough of a sting for her to notice and make her heart skip a beat involuntarily.

~Nine.~

"Understood. Then, I'm off."

"Take care." He grumbled as though he couldn't care less, although the didn't fail to notice the warm glance he sent her way.She thought it was a nice thing to have someone send her off even if it was for doing chores and dirty work.

"Will do." Putting on her shoes, she strided over to the door and was gone from his sight in a matter of seconds. Taking a drag from his cigarette, he forced back a smirk.

"What the hell did she get embarrassed for?"

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Trudging her feet along the busy streets of Shizume City, she pondered on how she woud be able to approach the Blue King. She knew it would be impractical and problematic if she just walked over to the HQ of the Blue Clan and the conditions would be greatly against her, no shit.

Then she could always follow him home or somewhere outside of business, but his place ought to be near his clan's territory, in a safe enough place. She was keen on avoiding any kind of conflict so fighting or threatening her way inside was no good either.

"Damn." She scratched her head, seeing she's slowly running out of options. She had to not engage in any kind of petty brawls, make Munakata listen to her, negotiate about Mikoto's freedom and succeeding in keeping several secrets for her own safety. All that and additionally provide enough evidence or ,better put, bribery to get the Red King off the hook temporarily.

Skipping to a stop, she frowned thoughtfully about visiting an old friend who could feed her some information on Munakata. Making an immediate turn, she broke into a sprint and headed towards a sure place.

Stepping into the underground pub, called Block09, she almost snickered at the awful cliche of the people of the underground world hanging out at underground dimly lit places. She knew better than to stare at the other costumers as she quietly and steadily approached a familiar face behind the counter.

A pair of azure eyes shot up to greet her and they seemed to make fun of the falter in her steps. The man straightened up, leaned back at the counter behind him and kept giving her teasing glances. Reaching the bar, Queen took a seat at the moody stool and extended a hand towards him with the pinky bent into her sweaty palm. He swiftly did the same hooking his pinky back and shaking her hand firmly.

"Rum please." Aware of her awkward attitude, Queen felt her ears getting hot but still knew this was no time for blushes either. She was here for business, nothing less, nothing more. "Right away, miss Rainbow." She flinched slightly at his nickname for her, however, she was able to relax considerably remembering the old times with this person.

"Not funny actually, Nakagawa." He slid a drink in her hands chucking at her words. "No honorifics. Well that I call confidence." She flinched once more ducking her head and staring embarrassed at her dark coloured drink.

"And you want my help too." This instead made her glance at him tired, too used to him to be surprised. "What made you think of that? That's absurd." Her voice was dry, figuring it's no use trying to hide anything from him. It almost sounded as sarcasm to his ears as much as it did to hers.

"Good girl. Now spill." He took his turn pouring himself a shot of gin and taking his seat behind the counter. "I need some info on a man I'm to approach. Can you help?"

Leaning back in his high stool, he eyed her silently before speaking up in a quite threatening tone of voice. "I can, but will I?" Queen sighed slowly to calm herself and then looked at him determined. "What will it cost?"

He snickered suddenly, surprising her, before looming towards her. "I don't want money from you. You know I see you as a little sister." She stayed silent knowing there's a 'but' to come soon. "However, I do need a favor. Big one. You think you're up to assist your big bro?"

Knitting her eyebrows, she contemplated on the deal. "I won't kill a man nor torture anyone. I'll do anything except that." Clapping his hands, causing another jolt to escape the woman's hunched frame, he gave her a toothy grin. "Nothing like that. I wouldn't ask such a thing from you, babe." "Sure, you wouldn't." He shot her a playful yet warning look and continued like he was never interrupted. "So, you take the oath, I give the info."

Queen knew Reo was a man who valued promises and words and also knew well enough to get his payment with other measures too. He had a black aura, which was something developed aside from the other clans. These were the people of the Colorless Clan. They got the translucent aura from the King and those strong and cruel enough learned to produce melanin in their own aura to dye it black. It obviously wasn't just the color but also, special skills as well which welled up from their ability to control every inch of the aura and excretions their skin produced.

His fingertip turned the color of rotten flesh as Queen extended her neck for him to mark the oath on. Placing his finger under her ear, he blasted aura momentarily in that spot before retreating his hand. "You got three days before it starts spreading. Come back at night for the data." Kissing her cheek softly by leaning on the counter, he flashed a smirk before shooing her away.

Queen, still dazed by the dangerous aura and the numbing sensation under her ear, rubbed the marked spot unconsciously as she walked back at the Homra headquarters.