Sweltering heat beat against the concrete, cooking Kiera as she glumly made her way down the street. Considering how many white, puffy clouds covered the sky, they did nothing to protect her against the sun.

"Unbelievable," she muttered, kicking up stones. "Stupid heat. Stupid roads. Stupid Takemichi for living so god damn far."

Her whole reason for being out right now was to check up on Takemichi. He'd been released from the hospital three days ago. She hadn't been able to pull herself out of bed until today, with some light encouragement from Chifuyu, and particularly harsh motivation from her brother.

For example, Chifuyu was more, "Come on, we can do it, let's get up now. How about we go to the store, I'll buy you a red bull?" Where as Keisuke was all, "Get the fuck up you sad sack, or I dump what Chifuyu got you down the sink."

Both were effective, in very different ways.

As far as she knew, Mikey and Draken still weren't talking to each other. After their spat, and going their separate ways, they hadn't even seen the other. Toman suffered from this. They split into sides. The Mikey faction, the Draken faction, and a small number made the Kiera faction apparently. She didn't even know what her side was.

Switzerland?

Shaking her head, as if cleaning the thoughts from her mind, Kiera plastered a bubbly smile on her face. With a deep breath in she knocked on the door. No answer. Deciding to let herself in, she tried the door and it swung open without a hitch.

The house was decently nice, stairs winding their way upstairs and a decorated living room to the right. Deciding Takemichi was in his room, which was most likely upstairs, that was where she headed.

It didn't take long to find him. The muttering was pretty much a dead giveaway. His door was wide and beckoning, so she poked her head inside. "Heya Michi."

"AHHHH," he screamed, jumping ten feet in the air. "Jesus Kiera! Stop scaring me!"

"It wasn't on purpose!" She yelled back, giggles building in her chest. No— she had to hold it in — she couldn't laugh—

He just shook his head, sitting back down next to a rather large puzzle. Pieces were still scattered around, but the general picture looked like a motorbike. An excellent choice. She took a seat on the ground, tucking her legs to her chin.

"So," Takemichi said, putting his chin in his palm. "What's up?"

"I said we'd talk, remember? At the hospital? Before Pah...before the warehouse."

His eyes lit up, as if recalling some dormant memory that had long since slipped his mind. "Oh yeah! When you were following me!"

"Yeah! Exactly!"

"I know it's hypocritical of me to ask..considering I was following Draken and Mikey...but why...?" There was a nervous titter in his voice, as if unsure if asking was the right thing to do.

She sighed through her nose, picking up some puzzle pieces and making her own little collection of pieces that worked together. Then the chunk could be added to the big one. "You're weird, that's why."

"Uh..my bad..?"

"You say weird stuff; you act sketchy; but it all seems to be for the benefit of those around you." She fit two pieces of a black '4' together. "You fought Kiyomasa as if you knew what would happen if you lost. There were things you said you couldn't give up on again. You fought us at the warehouse, knowing what would happen if you couldn't convince us. Hinata says sometimes you act differently. One day you're like this, the other you're like that. "

The more she talked, the more nervous Takemichi became. She could see it in the way his eyebrows creased. In his lip, tugging down. In the beads of sweat that fell down his cheek. After living with Keisuke Baji, it was hard for Kiera to not pick up details about her surroundings. The time she'd spent recently, unable to get herself out of bed, she'd used to think. And the results of that thinking were the words spilling from her mouth.

"If you lost against Kiyomasa, your friend was going to stab him, wasn't he?"

"W-WHAT?" Takemichi yelped, hands clenching. "What..makes you say that?"

She took a minute to answer, finding the puzzle pieces to build part of a wheel. "I saw it. When I was there, I saw that pink haired boy pull out a knife. I saw Kiyomasa drop to the ground. And then it was like it never happened. Based on your reaction, you knew. So I know what I saw was the future. Now the real question is..you're from there, aren't you? The future?"

***

Takemichi was stunned; he couldn't breathe. It felt like every shred of evidence he'd left had been picked up on by the girl. Noticed, caught, examined. He sat there, staring into her dark eyes— their deep depths swallowing him whole.

She wore a loose tank top, black jean shorts, and fishnets. Bandages wrapped her arms, and her hair was the same bubbly pink. Her personality was inviting. When she smiled, he wanted to talk with her for hours. When she was around, he felt protected. That wasn't the Kiera he was seeing right now. He felt scared, sitting there, as if his every thought was being dissected. As if she was burning the truth out of him.

Did he tell her? All of it? How Hina died, how she was going to die? His hope to save Draken, and Toman, so they could live peacefully? The burden he was carrying?

He felt so, so alone. From the sounds of it, Kiera had a special ability too. She could help him. The words to the truth bubbled up in his throat. Opening his mouth, he was about to tell her — before what Naoto said echoed in his head.

"No rational person would believe what's going on here right now, how dumb are you?"

So he said something else. "What are you talking about? You sound crazy! How could I be from the future, that isn't even possible."

He watched as her face remained stoic, before she smiled the bubbly smile she'd walked into the room with. "Yeah, you're right! I got a little out of line there. I haven't even asked how you're healing up."

And that was that.

Part of him regretted not saying anything. The half of him that was begging for someone to notice what was happening, what was going to happen, to help. But for all he knew, Kiera hadn't seen the future. She could have seen Akkun with a knife and made an educated guess to get an answer out of him.

No matter how hard it was, he couldn't tell anyone he was from the future. He would save them.

***

As disappointed Kiera was in his answer, she didn't let it show on her face. As crazy as it sounded, she had really hoped her detective work had been right. Takemichi was right, it was far-fetched and impossible.

It was just as impossible as seeing the future, though, and she was certain that hadn't been delusions. Especially not after it happened again in the warehouse. Draken was in danger, and she was going to save him. She knew that. And she refused to let what happened with Pah happen to anyone else again.

They ended up finishing the puzzle together. Apparently he'd been working on it the entire time since being released from the hospital. Takemichi was nice company, he was unintentionally funny and a nice conversationalist. The only bother was how many times his gaze flickered to her throat, and the scar that lay there, as it was on full display.

"I can tell when you're looking, y'know. It's not nice to gaze at a lady there~"

A bright red blush overtook his entire face. "I- wait - no! That's not where I was looking, I promise!"

"Jeez, chill out man. I was kidding! If you wanna ask me about it, ask me about it. I'm not some delicate little flower that's gonna wilt any moment." Silently, they both agreed to not mention the way she'd recoiled at the meeting.

"Well ... what happened..?"

Kiera sighed, sinking to the floor in a dramatic showcase — an actor giving a terrible performance for the hell of it. "It was a cold, dreary night, nearly two earth rotations ago. I was a wee lass, tinkerin away, when a burglar broke in. He was just too handsome, you see. It was love at first sight. Apparently he didn't like my flirtin, because he slit thee throat and scampered off! And that's why I always say don't flirt with no thief unless they're hot enough to pay the price for."

Nodding her head, proud of her tale, Takemichi gawked at her. A confused and astounded expression lit his face, before nodding along with her. "What a tragic tale," he cried, taking a fake tissue to dab at his eyes. "Terrible, really."

They stared blank faced at each other for another moment, before both breaking off into giggles. "You're a whole lot more fun than like ninety five percent of Toman. Most of them looked at me like I'm a psychopath."

He deadpanned. "Really? I wonder why.."

"Me too! Have you ever thought about joining? Toman, I mean."

The question seemed to have honestly surprised him. Kiera was shocked at that. She thought with all his time hanging out around them, he'd been hoping for a way in. Obviously it had yet to occur to him.

He never got the chance to verbally answer before they were swarmed. "Takemichi!? Alone, with a girl in his room!?"

"With a Toman elite of all people!?"

It was Takemichi's four friends who'd entered. The two who'd spoken had shoulder length brown and black hair. Vaguely she remembered bumping into them when she'd met Hinata.

"You guys know I have a girlfriend," Takemichi said, sweatdropping. "This is Kiera. She's the sixth division captain. Kiera, this is Yamagishi, Makoto, Takuya, and..Akkun." He pointed to them as he listed their names.

"Yo," she said, giving them a wave. "I'm the sixth division of Toman."

It didn't take long for them to scatter. Yamagishi started swinging nunchucks, Makoto started scouring the room (heavily disappointed Takemichi had been released and he couldn't hit on the hot nurses). Takemichi removed himself from the floor to pull a chair while she remained on the ground.

Akkun and Takuya stayed, with many questions, so Takemichi answered them until he had one of his own. "Have any of you guys.. heard anything about Mikey and Draken?"

Everyone in the room came to sit at the table for the topic. "Things have gotten really bad," Akkun started. Kiera watched Takemichi gulp. "So bad, their friendship is finished. It's only a matter of time before Toman splits up."

Horror flashed across Takemichi's face before he clenched his teeth, looking to the ground. That's when the table — including her — fell into a fit of giggles. "Michi, you dumbass. They're baiting you."

"It's true their fighting, but that happens all the time apparently," Takuya said, giving a small smile.

Geez, he's so nice! I just wanna put him in my pocket.

"Draken and Mikey wouldn't let anything come between them," Yamagishi grinned, and that was then the door slammed open — a monstrous Draken leaning down to fit inside.

"Who the hell are you twerps name dropping now?" Everyone panicked, astonished the vice prez of Toman would show up. Draken grinned at the reaction. "It's hot and smelly in here, I guess that's what happens with a buncha guys in one room. Oh wait, hey Kiera. You're so short I almost didn't see ya."

Kiera fake laughed, a wide smile on her face. "HA HA, you're so funny. Gimme that watermelon."

It didn't take long for them to cut into it and dig in. In all honesty, Kiera ate most of it — at least three quarters. She hadn't realized how hungry she'd been until her first bite, wolfing it down while everyone but Draken started at her in shock. He must have guessed it would happen because he dished out plates so everyone could get some before it was gone.

When they started talking about Pah she tuned them out. She'd already heard what happened from her brother, she didn't care to hear again. She was just glad he'd been sentenced to one year, not ten.

Takemichi asked about Mikey and immediately she knew what was coming. She'd already mourned his seventy two hours of hard work when the motorbike was smashed back into tiny pieces.

"Oh, sorry."

At Takemichi's wails Draken said, "I apologized damnit," standing to his feet. Takemichi sniffled back his cries. "Me and Mikey and through now. For good. Toman's finished."

"What? No, this can't be..."

"Sorry for bothering you. See you soon, Kiera." And then Draken left for the door.

Takemichi chased after him, calling for him to wait like two lovers going through a breakup. The rest of the group remained at the table, standing. Kiera was the only one still seated.

"I can't believe...Toman is splitting in two.." Yamagishi said.

"Don't be fooled," Kiera spoke up, leaning back on her hands. All four of them turned to face her. "Their not breaking off Toman, their being stupid little shits. They'll either get over themselves or I'll make them."

"How can you be so confident?" Akkun asked, uncertainty etched in the lines of his face.

It was a good question. The answer was simple. When you've been friends with people for so long, you tend to know them. Their wants, needs, hobbies; hell, even their rice purity scores.

She grew up with them, and yeah they fought, but it was the slightest thing that could make them forget. They cared too much for the other to allow themselves to be separated. No one who would abandon their friend over a fight would still carry around those kid flags — just in case they went to a restaurant that didn't have any.

Was she supposed to ignore the tri-coloured flag collection peeking out of Drakens pocket?

"I'm confident in this the same way you all can be confident the next time a fly dies Takemichi will cry."

Like magic they all understood what Kiera was saying.

In the following silence, they heard Mikey's voice float through the open balcony. All five of them scrambled to get there, looking down on the three from above. Draken and Mikey were pissed.

Weeeeeell, fuck. Shits gonna get real.

The two began to argue like children over who had Takemichi as a friend. Then the insults started. Akkun leaned over to her and said, "five hundred yen something breaks."

Kiera cackled, crookedly grinning. "I'll take that action, six hundred yen three things break."

"You've got yourself a deal."

They watched in apprehension, Takemichi trying to get the Toman leaders to settle their differences. When he started to scold them, all five on the balcony cringed.

"Is he actually trying to stop them?" Akkun.

"Does he have a death wish!?" Yamagishi.

"He just got out of the hospital!" Takuya.

"Rest in peace Takemichi, you will be mourned." Kiera.

He put himself in between Mikey and Draken, holding out his arms as if trying to separate feral dogs from fighting. (Never actually try to stop a dog fight this way.) "I don't know what happened to start this between you, but this is stupid! Both of you need to just chill out now."

Draken smiled maniacally, grabbing the boy by his shirt and putting their faces inches apart. "And just who the hell do you think you are!?"

While this was happening, Mikey grabbed Takemichi's bike, throwing it at Draken. He dodged, letting it smash to pieces against the wall. Next to go was the baseball bat, then the skateboard... and then they lost count.

Kiera gave a low whistle. The absolute mass destruction happening below them was impressive. "I think we both lost that one Akkun."

"I—... yeah I'll have to agree.."

Not wanting to be content in their pointless battle any longer, Kiera turned for the door and made her way outside. She took the stairs two at a time. The others weren't far behind.

As soon as she stepped foot outside, Kiera had been prepared to intervene. Yet after seeing the pure fire enveloping Takemichi, and the glowing depths of ire in his eyes... she hesitated. Because as of now the blond was freakin scary.

"You two assholes," Takemichi started, a vein pulsing on his forehead. "Quit acting like a couple of dumb punks. Cut the shit, just look what you've done to all my precious memories! You selfish jerks destroyed everything I've ever loved from MY ENTIRE CHILDHOOD!"

"Huh?"

"What are you talking about?"

At Mikey and Drakens pure confusion, Takemichi started throwing punches at the short blonde. The shrimp easily dodged, letting the boy throw himself into a pile of trash.

Letting loose a low whistle, Kiera sauntered over, hands in her back pockets. She had a cocky smile on her face, as if saying you suck without the use of any words. "Wowwww, you guys really are stupid."

"HAH?!"

"Takemichi is my friend." Pointing a finger behind her, she gestured at the boys from Mizo Middle School. "And they're my friends. And you guys are my friends. So you can fucking suck my non-existant dick because I have everyone and you guys don't even have each other. How pathetic is that?"

The two were too astounded over her words, mouths agape like a fish out of water, to respond. Takemichi began to yell after getting himself out of the trash.

"Neither one of you gives a rat's ass about me do you!"

"Woah calm down," Draken tried to console, but the boy wasn't having it.

However....there was a slight..problem in Takemichi's hair.

"You're telling me to calm down!? You guys just went crazy and broke all my stuff!

Grimacing, Kiera didn't dare get close to the boy. She was having a hard enough time trying not to gag. Akkun, who hadn't noticed, ran over to restrain him from attacking Draken.

The tallests apology went unheard as Take screamed, "You don't even know I exist, do you?! You just don't care. And that's why you fight." Collapsing to the ground in tears, Akkun let him go. "You just don't realize. How much trouble the two of you cause for everyone else around you when you fight! Don't you realize everyone who looks up to you and follows you fights too!? This isn't just your problem! So if you're going to split Toman apart.. that's too much for me to take! That's not fair to Kiera!"

At the sound of her name, the girl hitched, not expecting to be dragged in like this. Or called out.

"How's that fair to her! Can't you see how she suffers? How she doesn't blame you guys, but instead herself, because you won't make up! I don't want any of this to happen...and I can't watch it either... you guys are just.. too cool for this..." He was full on crying now, and Kiera was shocked at everything he's said.

However..

"Takemichi..." Mikey started. "You should know...through this all, you've had a dog turd in your hair."

And so the boy freaked out, and with cackles Mikey and Draken began to run away. "The shits coming after us, we better run!"

"Yeah and it reeks!"

Even though everyone else was preoccupied with Take's hair, a warm smile fell over Kiera's lips. A part of her wanted to sob, because just like that, they were friends again. She hadn't had doubts, but the sooner they were better, the sooner everything was.

"You're not gonna leave too, are you Kiera?!"

She paused, before she giggled and ran in the direction of Mikey and Draken. "Sorry Michi! I gotta split, you stink dude!"

Before she'd completely rounded the corner she shouted back to him, "I'll pay for all your damaged things! Meet up with us later!"

And then she turned heel and booked it for her presidents. 

.

.

.

❦

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

A/N:

! Incorrect Quotes !

Mikey: never have i ever been grounded by my parents.

Draken: never have i ever had dinner with my parents.

Mitsuya, exasperated: every time. every time they make orphan jokes and win.

Kiera: *laughing her ass off* i always go for the "never have i ever had a parent proud of me"

Takemichi, horrified: ...