Chapter 29: Look Up

KAARU: Who are you?

KIN: Hmm why do you want to know? (She said with a smile on her face)

KAARU: I haven't seen you before. (As he gets up) But by the uniform, you are from the blue tree.

KIN: So you even know the name? This is good. (She said while inclining her sword)

(And as for Kaaru, he balanced his stance and tries to control the fire as they started to surround them with his two hands and... the fight begins. Kaaru tried to punch but Kin dodged that, which made XO be shocked and then Kin slice him but Kaaru dodged that as a mark was shown on his face which made him looked at it in shocked)

(Kin sliced his tummy, making him to go on one kneels)

KIN: You must be Kaaru. Isn't it? Too bad, even though inside that mask you are wearing, I still know it's you.

KAARU: (Thought) Damn, what kind of blade is this? (He said while looking at his palm stained with blood)

KIN: Now let's see if you can still fight as I'll give you this. (As she was about to cut up his head but surprisedly, Kaaru dodged that without seeing her doing it) Did he just dodged that? (While having it as a thought)

KAARU: Nice try miss but you can't underestimate that. (Then he kicks her, making her to go back a little and as for Kaaru, he got up and gave her a blow on a tummy and then her jaw)

(Kin felt that pain but didn't give up while she was annoyed as she looked up, she didn't see him again. For Kaaru, he continues to look for the missing girl as the fire was getting worst. He goes from one room to the other and finally he found her under the table while she was hiding)

KAARU: Hey you okay?

(The girl looked at him confused because of the mask as she nodded her head indicating yes, I'm fine)

KAARU: Okay, let's get out of-

(All of a sudden, he got interrupted by a force of air which was blown on him, causing him to go back and slammed himself to a wall. The little girl was surprised to see that as she turned around to see Kin with her sword on her hand walking to meet her)

KIN: I will always find you.

KAARU: That's impossible. (He said while trying to get up)

KIN: Glad to know it is. There is no escape for you or otherwise... (Then smiles evilly) you and the girl will just have to die here together.

KAARU: (Clenches his teeth in anger and...) Get behind me (As the little girl went at his back. Then Kaaru breaths in and out while balancing his stance and stretches out his hand and said) I'm not going to die here not even her (while the little girl looked at her surprised)

KIN: Okay. But let's see who's right or wrong.

(Then Kin ran to him for an attack as she was about to give him a slice but Kaaru dodged that and was about to give her a punch. Kin grabbed Kaaru's hand and gave him a kick on his torso, causing him to go back with a fall. Surprisedly, Kin tries to stab Kaaru but he dodged that. He quickly got up and the two started to fight. He blasted her with his fire and she dodged that, running to slice him. Kaaru also dodged but surprisedly, Kin was far enough to give him a slice on the chest and then at his back with such an incredible speed. Kaaru coughs out blood and Kin gave him a kick, making him to hit himself on the wall)

(Kin sees that she didn't have enough time as the burning building will blow up in any minute. To Kaaru, he opened his eyes slowly and widened it in shock to see Kin holding the little girl's arm, placing him off the window)

KIN: Now let's see if you are truly a hero, XO.

KAARU: No... (He said crawling slowly to stop her)

KIN: A wounded hero can't save anyone.

KAARU: They... can... (He said still crawling to meet her)

KIN: Then prove it.

(After that, she fell the little girl off the window and Kaaru quickly use the little strength he had to run and save her. He jumps down and broke the glass of the window and stretches out his hand to save the girl but was able to move forward to her faster with the support of his flame on his feet and caught her and covered her using his body before the building exploded. Kaaru landed on the ground and open up his arms)

KAARU: You are safe now. (He said while making her to smile)

(The girl saw her mother and ran towards her with a hug. Kaaru stood up on his feet and sees them hugging passionately. He turned around at the burning building and saw Kin, who looked at him with annoyance and then left as she walks through the fire)

(At Ippei's clothing, Ippei was doing his duties in sewing clothes while Shin was seen seated in a chair playing chess and then drinking. Now to the rest that is, Eito, Yuuto and Hiro were inside their hideout)

HIRO: So you're saying someone is up to something very bad.

YUUTO: Yes.

HIRO: And he fakes up to be a teacher to look for Kaaru.

EITO: We aren't sure if he's really a teacher. That's not what he went there for as. But let me see if I can check his information.

HIRO: But the only reason I want to know is why is Kaaru wanted by every manipulators? Or is the teacher also a manipulator?

YUUTO: I can't say. But you know a non-manipulator can't work together with a manipulator. (This made Hiro stared at him for a while, expecting him to say something) What, why are you looking at me like that? Kaaru messed things up all the time. So tell me how come a secret organization we don't know about before, already knows him?

EITO: Okay I found it. (And this made Yuuto be in a serious look on his face as Hiro went to see about the teacher's information)

HIRO: Where is it?

EITO: His name is Yamada Seitaro. A computer analyst and formerly a physics teacher at— (This made Eito to be shocked on what he saw)

HIRO: Eito, what's wrong?

EITO: He's a physics teacher at... Takayoshi High.

YUUTO: What! Kaaru once told us that was his former school before moving to ours, Tomoyuki.

EITO: That's because he is his ex teacher.

HIRO: This is bad and he will be surprised to see him.

KAARU: See who? (Upon hearing that, they know that was the voice of Kaaru as they all turned around and see him surprised already inside)

HIRO: Kaaru you're here? (She said while nervous)

KAARU: Of course I... (Suddenly fell to the ground as he was seen fainted)

EITO: Kaaru!

YUUTO: Oh Shit, is he dead?!

HIRO: Why will you say such a thing like that?

EITO: (was seen checking to see if he was still breathing as he was) He's gonna be fine.

SHIN: What's going on here? (As he came in and sees Kaaru on the ground) What is wrong with him?

EITO: I don't know sir. All we know was that he came in here and fainted.

SHIN: He's badly injured. (As he saw his wounded skin and marks on his body) very badly. Well Hiro see if you can treat him.

HIRO: Yes sir. (She said as Yuuto carried him up and went to the room while Hiro follows him)

SHIN: He fought with an Aok. (And this made Eito to look at him)

EITO: You can tell that?

SHIN: The mark on his body looks like a slice of a sword. He must be an expert in sword fighting.

EITO: Well I guess so.

(Later...)

(Shin pours a glass of wine into his cup as he sits while Eito checking some stuffs on his laptop. Hiro and Yuuto comes out of the room, and this got Eito and Shin attention as they look at them to hear what they have to say)

HIRO: Kaaru is gonna be okay. He sustain bad injuries. I bet he got into a fight.

YUUTO: Yeah a rematch with Dyna.

HIRO: Seriously?

YUUTO: I'm just kidding, hehehe.

SHIN: So any idea on how to stop Kaaru's former school teacher? (This made everyone to look at Shin surprised to found out that he already knows) Too bad, I already know. You think you can hide this from Kaaru. Well I say you can't, Kaaru may still encounter him in school so there's no way you can hide it.

HIRO: We don't want him to feel bad.

SHIN: And you think he will? He will be angry and that's it. All he want is revenge just like he want to look for the killer that murdered his parents. So when he comes out, tell him the truth. (This made Eito, Yuuto and Hiro look at each other to know their agreement) I better go get some sleep. (He said while heading to the door and left after shutting it)

EITO: We should forget about the teacher.

HIRO: Eito what are you saying?

EITO: We should just see what he's going to do next.

YUUTO: Like how?

EITO: Instead of taking action on him, we can just spy on him. Hiro will follow him after class and I'll check on his laptop to find more about his plan.

YUUTO: What about me?

EITO: Yeah me and you.

YUUTO: Again? I thought you already checked it in the computer room.

EITO: There may be more hidden stuffs that we wouldn't know.

YUUTO: Yeah okay.

KAARU: (came in) What's going on?

EITO: Kaaru you are okay?

(Kaaru was seen with no T-shirt but bandage tried around his body, showing little of his abs)

KAARU: Yeah I am.

HIRO: Kaaru you need some rest. You injuries aren't fully recovered.

KAARU: I've taken enough rest. What were you all discussing about? (This made them remain silent) What's the matter? Can't you talk?

HIRO: Okay. You know Yamada Seitaro?

KAARU: You mean my former teacher at Takayoshi.

HIRO: Yes. He's in search of you that's why he had to disguise himself as a teacher to come to Tomoyuki.

KAARU: Hmm I see. (Hearing that, Eito, Yuuto and Hiro were surprised that Kaaru didn't reacted to that) Where can I find him?

YUUTO/EITO/HIRO: Huh?!

KAARU: What maybe it's something he want to tell me. Beside I was his best student back then.

YUUTO: You're joking, right?

KAARU: Does it look like I am. But if it's something I don't like, I'll kill him. (He said while smiling evilly)

[At Nikomaru's house]

(He was seen punching a punching bag in his room and had a thought)

NIKOMARU: Keisuke was right. It's time for some fucking payback. I can't sit and watch what she did to me. (Punch hard) I can't stand that. (Punch again) I know the past is still the past but all these years I didn't do anything of what she has done. (Punch again while a drop of sweat was still falling from his forehead. He thinks on what Keisuke said to him)

                                                       (Flashback)

KEISUKE: Isn't not the time to let her know exactly how you feel about it or show her what you are truly made of

                                        (End of flashback)

NIKOMARU: (Punch again but this time was really hard as the punching bag that was hung on the ceiling broke and fell to the ground. He was panting and said one last thing) Junri, I'm coming for you.

(Back to Kaaru and his peers)

EITO: Can you tell us about Yamada?

KAARU: Why do you want to know? Beside I don't know much about him. Only knows that he had a wife, who eventually died.

YUUTO: And now do you believe that he is now working for the blue tree?

KAARU: What?! (While shocked and then had a pain by his left chest)

EITO: Hiro.

HIRO: On it. (Then she touched the left chest and heard Kaaru) How is it?

KAARU: As if it disappeared.

EITO: Hiro also has healing factor. So with the help of her powers that is plant manipulation, she is able to make different kind of medicines with the plants she developed or the quickest way, healing you in no time.

HIRO: I guess Eito explained that to you well.

KAARU: Wow not bad. (Then he kept quiet while looking down)

HIRO: What's wrong?

KAARU: Yamada can't just buzz off from his school just to look for me.

HIRO: Kaaru if he is looking for you, let him look for you. We'll back you up.

KAARU: (took his exit to the room where he rested before)

HIRO: Kaaru you aren't expected to move until your injuries are healed.

KAARU: Forget about that. (He said as he goes to the room where he rested)

HIRO: Let me treat all your injuries at once. (She said while following him)

YUUTO: Was Kaaru angry because I have never seen him like that.

EITO: Yeah me too. (He said while looking at Yuuto)

YUUTO: (saw him looking at him and said) What?

(To Kaaru and Hiro, she was healing Kaaru with help of her plant powers)

HIRO: Done, your wound is going to be heal in no time. (Kaaru, who didn't say anything, remained silent and Hiro found that suspicious to him) Is there something you want to talk about? (Kaaru still didn't answered) Kaaru.

KAARU: Hiro is nothing.

HIRO: You sure?

KAARU: Yes.

HIRO: If it's about Yamada, you would have say it just now.

KAARU: It's just that why is all this happening to me. I lost my parents, I lost my home—

HIRO: (Interrupted by saying) Kaaru, I know how you feel. I feel the same way too.

KAARU: But you have families?

HIRO: I lost my uncle, who died of a car accident.

KAARU: So sorry.

HIRO: Thanks. You didn't tell me who did this to you.

KAARU: Well it's nothing, forget.

HIRO: But it's really a bit serious. All these marks are so many.

KAARU: (Sigh) I got into a fight with on of the Aoks. When I saw her moves, it was pretty good and she fights different from the Aoks. She's tough.

HIRO: I haven't seen it hear a she from an Aok before.

KAARU: Me neither.

HIRO: (saw the marks on his body and tries to touch it)

KAARU: Don't.

HIRO: Sorry, she must be really fast when she did all of these.

KAARU: And I'll see if I can be faster next time and I wouldn't give up.