Chapter 11: Struggle

(The two of them are staring each others, Kaaru doesn't know what was wrong with him)

KAARU: (Thought) What's wrong with him, is he trying to attack me... for what?

NATE: I have this strange thought in observing people, I'm not sure if you are among them. You are the person I was looking for to kill. But let's just have some fun and see first

(He runs towards him with his sword ready to slice him, Kaaru who doesn't know what was wrong with him dodged and was at his back. Nate turns back ready to cut him and he dodge and gave him a heavy blow on his stomach. Nate begins to salivate and started coughing.)

KAARU: (Observed his uniform and noticed that it was the same material and design from assassins that fought him the last time) You are one of them.

NATE: You mean my uniform (As he got up) I newly joined them and we have been going along smoothly, giving us new weapons.

(Kaaru was angry and remember what Shin and Yuuto said to him)

                     (Flashbacks)

YUUTO: They will be able to locate you and find the people you hang out with. Those guys are sensitive if you don't know.

SHIN: They can find you. But if even they try looking for you in this big city, they will have to call for backup.

               (End of flashbacks)

KAARU: (Thought) Damnit so it's true.

NATE: I'm here to end you and to protect my sister and my dad from you guys.

KAARU: (Thought) What! (As he was surprised)

NATE: You cause harm to humans and I'm going to finished you off.

KAARU: No. You are getting it wrong. I was just coming back from school.

NATE: Tck! Manipulators still go to school, your plan is to try and kill the students, right?

KAARU: (Angry as he thought) He's getting it wrong. I must try to do something. (He tries to produce a fire from his hands but it didn't work, so he thought) What!

NATE: (Thought) This guy is just angry not making a move. Ha! He must be a weakling. (Nate runs and jumped up, stretches his sword as he was ready to cut him) Now it's time to end it here. (A sudden movement came and was at his back) What is that?

KAARU: (angrily looks at him) I'm not just going to give up so easily!

(He runs and tries to attack him, however Nate dodged with a jump back and advances towards Kaaru and kicks him in the face with a spin during his jump. Kaaru couldn't take it anymore as he began more furious. He runs back to him and Nate was surprised)

NATE: (Thought) This guy is still trying to attack me. He doesn't even give up.

(Kaaru was still attacking Nate as a blast from his hand came out and made a way through his stomach and Nate slammed himself to the wall. He collapsed to the ground. Nate tries to get up)

NATE: I knew it I really have this strange feeling, you are a manipulator. You finally show me your mania. Come on! I want to see more than that.

KAARU: If you want to see more, okay. But I'll be the one to stop you first. (Looks at his hand and observe his mania) There's something wrong? (He couldn't know the reason as he clenches his fist)

(Nate tries to kick Kaaru, but he bent down and punched his stomach, causing Nate to back away a little. Kaaru runs and gave him another kick and his slams himself to the ground)

KAARU: (Thought) I guess he's not a manipulator. What a weak guy.

(Surprisedly a moving object came with speed approaching to Kaaru, it was sword. Kaaru turned a little as he was surprised and suddenly, someone pushes Kaaru and the sword landed on the person. Kaaru didn't know what just happened as he was confused. The person got up and touches her right shoulder while the blood was dripping. Yes, the person is a she and that was Hiro)

KAARU: Hiro (As he was surprised to see her and saw that she injured) Hiro (he said in a low tone as he was looking sad)

(The person who threw the sword came out and that was Tasha)

TASHA: You aren't my target.

HIRO: I don't care. You don't try... (She felt the pain) to mess my classmate.

TASHA: Oh really, well he should stop messing my brother.

(Kaaru was surprised after she said the last word "brother")

HIRO: You are an Aok?

(Note:- Aok is the name of the assassins while the blue tree is the name of the organization they worked for)

TASHA: Yes. Can't you see it's obvious. We worked for the blue tree. Do you love my uniform because this one really suit me unlike yours (She said as she was bragging and smiling)

HIRO: I'm fine with my own (Her dressing wasn't bad, she is seem wearing her school uniform. The uniform color is white top and blue trouser/skirt)

TASHA: (Looks at her wounded hand and pretended to be sad) Oh your hand... Looks like you can't fight with a damage hand. (Smiles as she crosses her hands)

HIRO: (a bright shined on her hand as she touches her wounded hand and drops the hand down and surprisedly it was healed) I can.

TASHA: (Surprised and she thought) It healed

KAARU: (Shock as he thought) What, does that mean she has healing factor. I wonder what type of mania does she have?

(Hiro and Tasha didn't say anything, they just stayed in their position as Tasha picks her sword on the ground and smiles devilishly. Then Hiro makes the move, she tries attacking Tasha. They both started to fight as Tasha swings her sword trying to cut off Hiro, she dodged every single moves of her sword. Kaaru watched them surprise and didn't expect to see the way Hiro was good)

KAARU: (Thought) Hiro is good. She may be nice but when it comes to seriousness...

(Nate got up and Kaaru could hear his step and he turned back)

KAARU: Oh hey there. Hope you enjoyed your sleep?

NATE: I didn't cos you made it my worst nightmare.

(He runs to attack and the two both display their fighting stunts. Nate kicked him and Kaaru dodged and blast out fire from his hand and Nate jumps back trying to miss the touch from the heat. Kaaru looked at his hand and smiled as he can now control it with ease)

KAARU: This is exactly we Shin-sensei told me about.

                             (There was flashbacks)

(During training with Shin, Kaaru falls to the ground as shin gave him a blow on his belly)

SHIN: Kaaru, how many times will I have to tell you, you need to be smart when fighting your enemy. Don't falter yourself. Because it makes you lose your confidence in overcoming them.

KAARU: I'm sorry Shin-sensei.

SHIN: If you do that also you will lose your mania, all you have to do is to breathe in and out and then you make the attack. Imagine fighting your enemy and he sees that you are scared, will you think he will have pity for you and let you go free?

KAARU: No (Said as he was reflected on Shin's words)

SHIN: Then that's it, enemies show no mercy to innocent people. No matter how you are a pure innocent person. That wouldn't stop them from attacking. You build self-confidence to activate your mania. Forget your emotions this time and focus on the one that will keep you close with your mania. Think about your victory in the nearest future. Summon your courage. Breathe away your fears.

                                (End of the flashbacks)

(Kaaru breathe in and out as his eyes were closed. He could feel some spark on his right hand. Nate was surprised and sees that he is on serious mode, he tries to hold himself to see what next he's going to do as he grip his sword firmly. Kaaru on the other hand looked at Nate and runs with full range to meet him. Nate tries slice him but all Kaaru does was dodging and he kicks his belly and he reacted to the pain as he flew back slamming himself on the wall. Nate didn't give up as he got up and hold his sword. He remembered what his father said to him)

                                                 (Flashbacks)

FATHER: What are you fighting for?... I saw the display of your strength and speed which was different from what I had always seen during practice, your fear vanished.

                                                     (End of flashback)

NATE: (Thought) And I'm going to make it different.

(He runs towards Kaaru and the two fought with speed. Kaaru noticed that  his speed was faster than his own, Kaaru could feel a cut at his left arm, that was from Nate's sword. Kaaru couldn't catch up his speed)

KAARU: (Thought) Grr... He's so fast. Is he a manipulator? (Nate kicked Kaaru and flew backward and slammed himself on a wall, and started to thought) This is his hidden mania.

[Back to Hiro and Tasha]

(Tasha kicked Hiro and she was able to dodge that, Tasha tries cutting her but she does the same. She dodged every slice from her sword. Hiro somersaulted from the back and stood up as she position herself and pants continuously)

TASHA: You trying to defend yourself? A true hero dies in a battlefield.

HIRO: (Thought) I could see she has no hidden mania. Her skills are strong and fast. She fights like a warrior.

TASHA: (Confused and didn't know what she was thinking) Uh, are you tired of defending yourself?

HIRO: No (Raises her hand above to her chest as she was positioning herself) I'm just getting started.

(Tasha raises her sword up and shouted without fear as she was ready to slice her up. Hiro balanced herself and breathe in and out, she raises both her hands up and the ground started to shake as  a long stem with thorns arose. Tasha stopped and looked up with shocked)

TASHA: (Thought) What...?!

HIRO: (Smiled) Go (As she said in a low tone)

(The long stem advances with speed, Tasha dodged jumping up and down and cutting them. She jumped and landed on the stem and runs forward to meet Hiro. Hiro controlled another stem to come and hits Tasha as she landed on the floor. The thorn from the stem came out rapidly and Tasha was able to dodge all of them)

HIRO: How do you like my mania? You have prove how strong you are and it's my turn. Now come over here now with everything you got.

(Tasha who she was angry, ran towards Hiro, who remained standing waiting for her. Suddenly a flash of lightning came down and interrupted the scene, causing everywhere to be filled with dust)

KAARU: What was that? (As he was shocked and couldn't see anything)

???: That was impressive you two displayed.

(Kaaru heard the voice and looked to see the person. The dust cleared and revealed the person, it was Yami. He was walking slowly and his right hand begin to spark)

YAMI: Hope I came at the right time (Hiro was shocked as she knows him) Long time no see, Hiro.

HIRO: What are you doing here?

YAMI: What is it like I'm doing (Uses his lightning and shocked her. She screams and falls down while her long stems disappeared and she was covered with smoke)

KAARU: Hiro! (He shouted her name)

YAMI: And you? (He turned to him as Kaaru was afraid and Yami's right hand begin to spark, he moved with speed and passed him. Kaaru was speechless as he froze. Surprisedly, blood splash on his side belly and he kneels down touching it and he shouted in pain. Yami holds Kaaru's head and looked at him) I can feel your pain (He throws him away and Kaaru slammed himself to a wall. He opened his eyes and saw Yami right in front of him, he sparks his hand again getting ready to shock him) Let's finished this once and for all

To be continued...