High above the willow trees, songbirds were singing, frolicking in and out of fluffy clouds. Their tunes were beautiful..yet abruptly cut off when a girl whined, "Mikeyyyyyyyy, this totally sucks." She was crouched low on her skateboard, grabbing the shirt of the tallest in their party — steadily being towed behind him.

Of the three of them, Draken — the one she clung to, rolling behind — looked back at her with a raised eyebrow. His blonde hair was pulled back into a long braid, swinging back and forth like a ticking clock. "You're the one that wanted to tag along, Ki."

"But I didn't know it was going to be this boring," Kiera-Meir grumbled, puffing her cheeks out. She'd joined her friends with the hope of having something to do. It had been so boring at home, not even her dear old brother to keep her company. Yet all they'd accomplished so far was raiding a food shop and beating up some bullies.

A dorayaki waved itself under her nose, bribing her with the heavenly scents. Looking up from her pout she saw Mikey had fallen back to walk beside her, offering her some of his food. His blond locks gently lifted in the wind, a ponytail holding back his bangs. It slipped into the braid he'd let her do before they'd left. The half up half down style fit him better than it ever could her.

Eyeing the food closely she took a bite, making a point to be slightly aggressive about it. Her mumbled thank you didn't go unnoticed by either blond. Swallowing, she asked, "we're here again why?"

"Fight clubs, from Toman members. Can't let them bring down Toman's rep now can we?" The side smile Mikey offered her sent chills up her spine.

Reaching a hand out for more food, Mikey pretended to give it to her before psyching her out, taking a giant mouthful for himself. "First off, shh. Don't talk about fight club. Secondly, I want more. Gimme," she demanded.

"Tsk tsk, KeyKey. Gimme gimme never gets—" The short blond started, stretching a grin and wagging a finger at her, booping her nose in the process.

"Don't you dare finish that sentence." The energy drink she held in her left hand (which was decorated in ink) began to crinkle as her grip tightened, a crooked grin crossing her lips.

"Pipe down you two," Draken hushed, nodding his head forward. As Kiera looked up, she saw a crowd of people lining stone benches. All eyes were watching the fight below. The two brawlers were poorly matched. One was blond with ruffled hair, face roughed up and too ragged to go without concern. The other was a tall boy she'd seen around Toman meetings, one who had a habit of getting on her nerves.

No one noticed them so Kiera released Draken's shirt, standing up on her skateboard. The beaten-up blond was yelling, though it looked painful through his split lip, tears streaming down his cheeks. " — so what! There's a reason I can't give up. Why I have to keep fighting. So listen up Kiyomasa of the Tokyo Manji Gang...if you wanna end this fight.. you're gonna have to kill me."

The grin on that boy's face after he said those words made something stir inside her chest. Something she hadn't felt in years. This boy was fighting, was still going, even though he was well outmatched. She saw an image of a weak king flicker in his shadow before flashing out of existence.

Now if only your hair was black... I might believe you a reincarnation of him...

"I think I like this kid," was all she mumbled to her friends, though they still heard her loud and clear.

It seemed Kiyomasa once again didn't agree with her because she heard him call out for his bat. Involuntarily, her fists clenched, a wave of anger spreading through her system. Everyone else seemed just as confused.

"A bat?

"Wasn't this a fistfight?"

Leaving her board, Kiera printed a faux smile on her face. As she skipped towards the duo the sound of her boots against concrete was oddly satisfying. Once the crowd noticed her, and the two trailing behind, they fell into hushed whispers of fear and admiration.

"You don't need a bat Kiyo~masa~!" She sang, her voice sing-songy with hidden rage. "You're killing him just fine with your face!"

Having now gained everyone's attention, all eyes were on her. She almost felt cool at that moment, the wind ruffling her pink, cotton candy hair. Her natural black shone on the sides. It was cut short, in a fluffed up mullet, but she liked it. All of her piercings, from the septum, the eyebrow, and millions lining her ears glittered in the sun, stark against the Toman uniform.

She'd be lying if she said she didn't feel fucking hot, crop-top exposing her chiselled abdomen.

"It's her! It's Toman's Rogue!"

"What's she doing here of all places?"

"Is- is that Mikey behind her!?"

"And Draken! The vice commander!"

Popping open her can of red bull, she watched with mild satisfaction as Kiyomasa looked startled. His mouth hung agape until he snapped it shut, narrowing his eyes. She never dropped her doll-like smile, taking a well-exaggerated sip of her drink.

"You really won't fight him fair and square to the death?" She giggled. Her expression snapped from cheerful to murderous in a split second, eyes like daggers. "Scared you'll lose?"

A hand fell on her shoulder, a silent presence at her side to tower over the crowd. It quickly moved to ruffle the top of her head. Draken had always been like this, mature and collected, no matter where he was. It was always such a reassurance with him there whatever the situation.

"Kiera, Kiyomasa, you're scaring the crowd. Tone the aggression down will ya? Dumbasses.." Draken's words made everyone settle, including the bitching Kiyomasa.

How dare you take this bean pole more seriously than me, her mind snarked, huffing out an angry breath.

She found herself looking back at the blond boy she knew nothing of. The one who had been fighting Kiyomasa. Seeing him beaten down like that irked her in such a way she felt furious. Made her want to protect him, fight for him, without a clue why. Large blue eyes lifted to meet her onyx ones, staring at him until he began to panic and break away from her gaze. But he ended up staring at her throat instead.

Yep, I know, not the prettiest part of me.

Whispers spread about Draken's dragon tattoo, lacing the side of his skull, and him being their second in command. But when she heard the same kids clueless to who Mikey was she couldn't help but suppress a laugh.

Draken wasn't the only one with ink. Kiera's left hand had a tattoo of a skeletal hand, wrist bone and all. It was the kind of design kids would draw on themself when bored in class, except a little more...permanent.

"Keeeeennyyyyy, KeyKeyyyy, I'm all out of dorayaki," their fearless leader pouted, smiling at the same time. How he managed that was beyond her understanding. Toman members lined the benches, dropping into low bows— save for Kiyomasa— with choruses of greeting to the boss. Mikey paid them no mind.

"Huh-?" Draken said, furrowing his eyebrows and turning to look back at him. "I told you to knock it off with that name — at least out in public."

Kiera snickered, head slightly shaking under his palm. "What's wrong with Kenny, Kenny~?"

"Not you too." The anguish, although playful, in his voice helped lift the wrath she was feeling.

"But my food," Mikey whined.

"Not my problem." Waving a hand she began to turn back to the crowd who watched them with unquestioning gazes. "At least you had more than that lonely bite I did."

Tapping his chin Mikey's face was questioning before the lightbulb popped, reaching out a hand. "Oh yeah! Give it back."

"That's not how it works!"

Sticking his tongue out at her, the playfulness melted away as soon as he stood straighter (she presumed to try and look taller). He walked ahead of Draken and her, coat flowing with an aura of well-earned respect.

"Good day master, welcome!"

Draken removed his hand from her head as they fell into step behind him; she took the liberty of hooking their arms together, feigning hurt. "Deciding to act like Toman's leader whenever it suits him and then everyone just leaves us in the dust, all forgotten. How cruel."

"I can't say the same for you but I don't think anyone's forgetting about me," Draken responded, offering her a small side smile.

Grumbling to herself she continued to follow behind Mikey, walking through the parted crowds. In all honesty, she didn't know what Mikey's plan was. Or thoughts at all for that matter. She doubted Draken did either. It was best just to wing it anyway.

What better than spur of the moment decisions?

Someone from the faceless crowd stepped out, lifting from their bow to try and speak with Mikey as he passed by. "Hello sir I'm—"

"Literally no one cares," Kiera snarked, dragging her feet in disdain as her nose crinkled in disgust. "If ya ain't interesting Mikey ain't gonna bother with ya."

Draken sighed beside her, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Really, you all should know this by now. At least be smart enough not to do this shit with Toman's repertoire." Having walked ahead, their arms untangled, the taller teen sending a kick straight into Kiyomasa's gut. "You should always be this low bowing to the commander, Kiyomasa. Who the hell died and crowned you king?"

Taking another sip of her heart-stopping liquid, she couldn't bring herself to feel bad for him. Keeled over in pain Kiyomasa tried to regain his breath, arms wrapping around to clutch his stomach. It was a kick from the infamous Ken Ryuguji however and recovering wasn't gonna be that easy.

In the stands, reflecting light caught her eye, blinding her for a moment. Scouring the crowd she found the assaulter to be a switchblade, poised to attack, held in the grip of a boy with obnoxious pink hair.

He was eyeing the blonde covered in bruises intensely. It was easy to see the exact moment his body relaxed as he flicked the blade closed, pocketing it. No one else seemed to have even clued in. Were they blind, or just that distracted? What was so special about Mikey and Draken, they saw them every meeting!

Deigning not to think much of it, she turned back to look at what Mikey was up to when a sharp pain split her skull. The pure abruptness of it caused her to stumble, trying to catch her balance; placing her head in her uninked hand.

It felt as if the world suffered a glitch. Everything breaking down within her mind, moving far too fast to be comprehendible. In the midst of the chaos she saw a series of images back to back like an old school movie telling a story.

Ignoring the growing pounding she noted the boy with pink hair, much darker than her own, and Kiyomasa's limp body on the ground. Unmoving. Droplets of crimson dripped from the blade, rippling the growing puddle of red spreading from his body.

As suddenly as it started her brain snapped back into focus. Slowly removing her hand from her head the first person she sought out was that pink-haired teen — still standing among the stands. Nothing had changed and no one had noticed her glitch in the system.

Just what the fucking hell was that?

Seeing that kid standing over Kiyomasa's body..felt so real. Both of them hadn't moved though. Was she daydreaming? Hallucinating? Down right crazy?

Brushing it off she looked at Mikey and Draken. The red bull she still held was slightly crushed in her grasp. She didn't notice. Mikey crouched over the beaten-up blond, hand curled around his head, bringing their faces inches apart.

Sliding up beside Draken, Kiera-Meir let loose a low whistle. Trying to remain quiet and failing horribly she whisper-yelled, "Kinda fruity not gonna lie." She was ignored.

"So, Takemitchy. You really in middle school?" Ahh, so that's what his name was. Somehow it fit. "Starting today, we're friends." Suppressing a snort so she didn't taste and sound like her favourite beverage, Mikey picked himself up from Takemitchy, walking past Draken and her to Kiyomasa. His voice grew low, intimidation seeping from every syllable; it was hard to remember this was the same boy that orderd kids meals for decorative flags. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

One second they were facing off. Next, Kiyomasa's head whipped up — guaranteeing whiplash — and Mikey's foot replaced it. He folded on himself, crumbling low enough Mikey could grab a fistful of his hair. Mikey's kicks were a feat to be reckoned with.

Murmurs spread through the crowd, glancing at each other, then back to their commander. Giving her drink to Draken he took it without question. Taking a sip his face soured at the flavour, high-key insulting her taste.

Yes, she took it personally.

Mikey backed off the tall ravonette when he saw her approach, leaving plenty of room for her own kick that sent Kiyomasa's head into the pavement. One collective gasp from the crowd. It was like a reward, being underestimated for her sex and showing them up. By no means was she the best out there, but she wasn't going to stop striving for that very level.

Mimicking Mikey's position with Takemitchy earlier, she offered a crooked smile. Malice laced its edges, fist rearing back to make contact with Kiyomasa's face over and over again.

One punch. Bruises bloomed.

Two punches. Split lip.

Three punches. Broken nose.

When she was done with the assault Kiyomasa was unconscious, sprawled starfish on the ground. Unmoving. Mikey hummed a satisfied grin, looking away from her blood dotted face to Draken. "Okey dokey then~! C'mon Kenny, KeyKey, let's go." He walked over Kiyomasa, purposefully stepping on his skull. "Taking bets at this fight club is lame anyway."

"Yeah Kenny~! Time to go!" Kiera chimed, giggling at Draken's expression and looking over the crowd. "I don't expect you guys to just leave him here like this. Somebody better get over here and help him up before I decide to make a twin from the crowd."

"Stop bringing Toman's rep down, now scram," Draken growled to enhance her point, handing her drink back with a pat on the head.

Mikey glanced over his shoulder from his place in front of them. "See you, Takemitchy."

The poor boy hadn't moved from his place on the ground, watching them go with an unreadable expression of emotions. "Bye bye Takemitchy!" Kiera called at him, waving her hand aggressively. "Get those bruises looked at!"

All Takemichi could comprehend was that this girl he knew nothing of beat up Kiyomasa like it was nothing. Proceeded to worry about the aforementioned safety's as well as his own. Was clearly close to the head of Toman, a member. And she was indefinitely snarky.

He didn't even know her name.

.

.

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❦

"ℍ𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕔𝕣𝕠𝕨𝕤?
𝕎𝕙𝕪 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕀 𝕠𝕟𝕝𝕪 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣... 𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕠𝕟𝕖?"

A/N: Feedback welcomed ^_^ Too long? Too short? Good length? Good start?