A Lovely Shade of Red ~ Mikoto Suoh

Chapter 9

Mikoto's POV

                 I sat there at the bar with a cigarette in my mouth. I couldn't help but think about Fang's situation. I shook my head. How could one girl cause me so many problems?  She's back for revenge, apparently has my clans mark, and to top it all off Izumo and her have had contact with each other for the past few years. I don't understand how I didn't know. I sighed putting my cigarette out in the ashtray. I got up from the stool and plopped down on the couch. I decided to close my eyes for a few.

                        * An hour later*

                I was laying on the couch just waking up from my nap. I tend to nap a lot. Nothing really interesting happens around here. Hearing the door open caused me to turn and find Izumo walking in.

        "I was just thinking about you and Fang," I said laying my head back down.

        "Oh really?' Izumo questioned, "I didn't think you would be thinking about the two of us."

                I felt a small smirk crawl across my face. "So do you have any news?"

        "As a matter of fact I do," he chimed walking behind the bar, pulling out two shot glasses.

        "Well what is it?" I questioned.

                As I got up from the couch, and took a seat on the bar stool,  Izumo was pulling out the liquor. Right as he was about to pour it, I pulled the glasses away. He gave me a questionable look.

        "I need answers before drinks," I replied.

        "Trust me you'll want the drink before the news," he stated.

                What he said didn't make me change how I was looking at him. He sighed setting the liquor bottle down.

        "Fang's going down a very dangerous path trying to find answers," he said in a serious tone, "if she's lucky to find answers, it will be too late. She'll already be into deep." Izumo's cold, straight, stare told me that he was serious. While he showed little emotions while delivering the facts, I can tell he was worried.

        "Well Tilly and Fang ran off to Gidgets house. Fang was in there for sometime. When she did come out, she seemed very upset. Next thing I know Fang ran to the Blue's headquarters. I can only assume she talked to Reisi. She was in there for about 20 minutes. When she came out I confronted her."

        "You confronted her," I replied sighing, "you know you weren't suppose to do that."

        "I did what I felt was right. I felt that if I didn't she would have done anything to go after them. I know I didn't change her mind, but hopefully I slowed down her thinking and bought us some time. Well what do you think about all of this?"

                I sat there for awhile without replying. Why must this girl be so difficult?

        "I wouldn't worry too much about her," I said running a hand through my hair, "I have this under control."

        "So then what's the rest of your plan?" Izumo asked.

        "I have others watching her as well" I replied, "on top of that I have plans on locating the gang way before Fang does."

        "That really doesn't tell me anything," he sighed.

                I could tell just from Izumo's tone that he was getting irritated with me. Can't say I blame him.

        "Don't worry about it," I said.

                There was a hint of shock on Izumo's face when I said that.

        "Really? You usually don't keep these sort of things from me," he replied, "well I guess if you think you can handle it then I leave it in your hands."

                I watched Izumo turn towards the door and start to head out. Before he left the room though he turned back to me.

        "Oh, and one more thing," He said looking up. "Fang says I shouldn't be the one to fight your battles anymore. She must think it's not fair,"

        "Well, do you want to stop?" I questioned.

        "You know me" Izumo said smiling, "of course I won't, not unless you tell me to."