Red.

Red everywhere.

Gakushū saw red hair left and right.

He stuck close to Karma and Natsuki in fear of getting lost in the sea of red heads. "Is that Karma?" He heard someone say. "He's grown into such a handsome man!"

"He takes after his father's looks"

"But I hear he's a delinquent at his school. A troublesome student with a terrible, and I mean terrible attitude "

He felt anger arose in his chest, hearing someone badmouthing Karma.

"Look at cousin Karma! He's so gorgeous, do you think he's interested in anyone yet?"

"He's our cousin Melanie"

"Who cares? He's a distant cousin, so it's alright"

Gakushū scrunched his nose in disgust.

"Where's dad?" Karma asked, voice devoid of warmth. He didn't seem to really care where his father.

"Talking to your aunt" Natsuki replied.

"And his woman?"

Natsuki visibly flinched. Gakushū frowned at this, and reminded himself to ask Karma about it later.

"Well if it isn't Karma-kun!" A sickeningly sweet voice from behind them spoke. Karma visibly tensed, and held Gakushū's hand tighter. The strawberry blonde pulled Karma to hid side in a protective manner.

The three of them faced the owner of the voice.

It was a very beautiful, elegantly dressed woman. Her platinum blonde hair pulled to an elegant bun, and lips coated in blood red lip stick. "It's so wonderful to see you again Karma-chan!  And--" she took notice of the boy half shielding Karma from her. "Hello, friend of Karma-chan?"

Gakushū simply nodded.

"He's Asano Gakushū-kun" Natsuki introduced. "Karma's boyfriend"

There was the sound of drinks being spat out or choked

Karma and Gakushū looked at Natsuki with widened eyes and a comical shock expression.

"What?!" Came the shocked cries of several family members.

Natsuki stared at her son. "What is it? Am I wrong? Aren't you my son's boyfriend?"

"Yes!--I mean no!--No! Yes you are wrong because I am just his friend!" Gakushū excused, turning as red as Karma's hair.

Natsuki realized her mistake and blushed as well. "Oh! I'm sorry! I naturally assumed that you two are together-"

"It's fine, we'll be dating by the end of the year anyway" Karma said casually, scratching the back of his neck. Gakushū whipped his head to face Karma "Karma!"

"What?"

"Don't mislead them!"

"But I'm not"

"God damn it Karma!"

"I think he should leave" one of Karma's uncles said. "This is a family reunion, and you, boy, are not part of this family"

Feeling uncomfortable at the stares aimed at him, Gakushū reluctantly freed his hand from Karma's and walked to the door.

Karma looked like he wanted to follow him, but his father's side piece, Mikoto, held his arm. "Now now Karma-chan! Let your little friend go, he didn't belong here anyway"

Karma glared dangerously at her, his yellow eyes seemed to almost glow. But Mikoto either didn't notice or didn't care. "Stay here, with your family, it's not everyday the entire Akabane clan are under one roof"

"Last I checked you don't belong here either, you fucking gold digging whore"Karma hissed.

A gasp escaped Mikoto's lips.

"HOW DARE YOU!" she was about to slap the red head, but Natsuki caught her hand.

Karma used the two women's momentary distraction to sneak away and escape through the back door at the kitchen.