Hello, everyone! I'm back with a new chapter! Chapter 2! I hope everyone will enjoy this chapter! Without further ado, let's start!
Normal POV
Shion woke up after the long night of fighting Kai as he looked at the table to see a plate of pancakes and a note.
' Eat up! You'll need it for the G Quest. See you there! -Aichi'
Shion then looked over to the small box in front of him. There was also a note on it.
' I'm sure you'll get stronger. Keep this ring with you. Think of it as a lucky charm from me to cheer you up. Good luck! -Aichi'
" He's too kind..." Shion said
He opened the small box and took out the ring that was attached to a metallic chain as he looked at it. It was a simple silver ring with a blue crystal at the center. Inside the crystal was a crest.
" The Royal Paladin's crest...?" Shion muttered
He shook off his thoughts and ate his breakfast. After that, he washed the dishes and washed his face before grabbing the jacket Kai left while wearing the ring around his neck. He took notice of a key left behind as he read another note.
' Keep this. You're welcome to come back anytime. You need a home to stay in, right? -Aichi'
Shion smiled before leaving the house after locking the door. He wore the jacket and quickly arrived at the Dragon Empire Branch to meet up with Chrono and Tokoha. After that, the three of them stared to find the treasures that were scattered around town for the G Quest. After that, it ended up with Shion challenging Miwa to get his friends out of the Drop Zone. Kai and Aichi were watching them fight as well.
" He seems to be a lot better now." Aichi said
" Yeah. But he has get even stronger..." Kai said
" Look, Kai-kun. He won." Aichi said
" Whatever. Let's go." Kai said
" Yeah."
Both headed back to the stage after the fight as Team Try3 was the winner.
" Isn't that great?" Aichi ask
" Hmph."
They then gathered after the crowd dispersed.
" Aichi-san. Here." Shion said, holding his hand out with the key
" A key?" Chrono ask
" You can have this back. I thank you for this morning but I don't deserve this and I don't want to cause trouble to you and Kai-san." Shion said
" Keep that. If you'd like to come back for dinner tonight, you're welcome to. That's what Aichi said." Kai said
" Huh?"
" Well, I don't care much anyway. Do whatever you like. By the way, if you want a revenge match, come and find me at Star Gate." Kai said, walking off
" Star Gate?" Shion ask
" He and Ibuki are the opponents at Star Gate." Miwa replied
" Aichi, what are you doing? Let's go." Kai suddenly came back and said
" You walked off without him and still dare to say that you're taking good care of him." Naoki said
" It's not my fault!" Kai said
" Yeah, yeah. Not your fault. Right." Naoki said
" Why you!" Kai said
But their argument was cut short as Kai grabbed Aichi and they avoided something. It was short swords.
" Are you alright?!" Kai ask
Aichi nodded as Kai turned towards where the swords had came from. That was when he spotted more approaching Shion.
" Dodge it!" Kai shouted
Chrono turned and took notice as he pushed Shion's head down and both fell to the floor as the swords landed on the floor.
" That fast?!" Naoki exclaimed
" Please run as fast as you can!" Shingo said
" Follow us!" Kai shouted
" Yeah!"
They followed Kai and Aichi as the swords caught up with them.
" They're coming!" Chrono shouted
" Persephone!" Kai shouted
Persephone came flying down as he turned big. Kai grabbed Aichi's hand and they jumped onto him. Kai reached out his hand.
" Grab my hand!" Kai shouted
Chrono managed to grab his hand as he got on and helped Kai to get Shion and Tokoha up.
" Fly faster, Persephone!" Kai said
" Hoot!"
" They're closing in!" Tokoha exclaimed
" Almost there!" Kai said
He saw their house in view.
" Now!" Kai shouted
Aichi, who was at the back, nodded as he injected flames into a box as their speed increased from the flames coming out from the box. They arrived at the area around their house as a shield appeared and blocked the swords. Persephone landed as they got off. Kai went to catch Aichi when he was about to collapse.
" Are you alright? Sorry, I know you weren't supposed to because you're still too weak to summon flames." Kai said
Aichi shook his head while smiling weakly as Kai took out the Stardrop and Aichi returned into it.
" Let's head inside." Kai said
" Okay."
Kai opened the door and they entered the house. They sat down on the sofa as Kai gave them glasses of water to drink.
" Drink some water. I'm sure you guys are exhausted from running." Kai said
" Thank you..."
" Um, Kai-san..." Shion said
" I know what you're going to say. Hold on for a minute." Kai said
He headed over to the same drawer as he took out two more small boxes from inside before walking over to the three and giving it to Chrono and Tokoha.
" This is?" Tokoha ask
" Open it and see for yourself." Kai said
They opened it and saw the same rings inside. Chrono's ring had a purple crystal with a crest inside it while Tokoha's ring had a green crystal with another crest inside it.
" It's the same as mine!" Shion exclaimed, taking out his ring
" Why do you have it?" Chrono ask
" Aichi-san left it for me before the G Quest. He said that it was a lucky charm." Shion said
" Well, that's kind of incorrect. He said it to hide the ring's true identities." Kai said
" True identities?" Tokoha ask
" Those crystals on the rings are manifested from our original home and the crests inside were placed inside by your avatars on Cray. You're the Vanguards of these clans' leaders. I'm sure you know who they are." Kai said
" You mean..." Shion exclaimed
" Cray really exists?!" Tokoha exclaimed
" Ibuki gave you the Depend Cards, didn't he? Don't tell me no one told you anything." Kai said
" Of course not!" Chrono said
" Well... Whatever, just ask Kamui if you need to know. He's your senior after all." Kai said
The three looked at each other as Kai sighed and he stood up.
" I'm going to make dinner. Stay here for tonight. Call your family. It's dangerous out there." Kai said
" Yeah..."
Kai left the Stardrop on the table as he headed to the kitchen to make dinner. Chrono and the others just stared at the Stardrop after that.
" Is there a reason he's even living inside there?" Chrono ask, poking the Stardrop
" Hey, Chrono! Don't do that!" Tokoha exclaimed
Aichi suddenly came out while yawning as he looked over to Chrono and the others.
" H-Hello..." Chrono greeted
Aichi nodded as a greeting.
" I've been wanting to ask. Why can't you talk?" Shion ask
" Because he's not really living right now." They turned behind to see Kai
" He's not really living?" Chrono ask
" Then he's... A ghost?" Tokoha ask
" Sort of. He's going to take back his body soon. That's why I want everything to settle down soon, so that he'll stay safe once he comes back." Kai said
" Huh? It's turning red." Chrono said
" Red?" Kai ask
He went to look at the Stardrop as a screen came up. It was showing the lake as there was a light there.
" Don't tell me..." Kai exclaimed
" Kai-san?" Shion ask
Kai returned Aichi back to the Stardrop as he started to rush out of the house.
" You guys stay here and eat your dinner! I'll be back soon!" Kai said
Kai ran outside and locked the door as he went into a bush which led to a portal to go to the Garden. He jumped in and arrived at the lake as he dived into it. He swam inside it as he spotted the shrine. Inside a bubble was Aichi's body as he tied the Stardrop around his neck. The Stardrop glowed as the bubble disappeared. Kai carried Aichi's body out of the water as he laid him down.
" Aichi. Can you hear me?" Kai ask
Aichi shifted a little and opened his eyes. He saw Kai as he smiled.
" Kai... kun..."
" Aichi!"
Kai hugged him as Aichi returned the hug.
" Welcome back..." Kai muttered
" I'm sorry... My senses haven't come back yet... I can't hear what you're saying but... I can see your heart's color... I'm back..." Aichi said
" Can you walk?" Kai ask
Aichi thought about what he was saying as he nodded. He tried standing up but fell over as Kai caught him.
" I thought so. I'll carry you. Let's go back home." Kai said
He carried Aichi as they went through the portal back to their home. Kai opened the door as Chrono and the others came out of the living room.
" Kai-san?" Shion ask
" Wait... Is Aichi-san...?" Chrono ask
" Yeah. He's back." Kai replied
" That's great!" Tokoha exclaimed
" Oh, but both of you are wet. You guys better take a shower or you'll catch a cold." Chrono said
" Oh... Right."
Kai went to get Aichi's and his clothes before filling the tub with water. He sat Aichi down on a small chair as he started to remove his clothes. Aichi blushed red before pushing his hands away.
" Aichi?"
" I-I just got my body back and... I-I'm not... exactly ready for this..." Aichi muttered
" Aichi, we're just going to shower. It's not as if we're going to do those things in the bathroom right?" Kai ask
" I-I guess so... B-But I still think it's a bit embarrassing... W-What if you see the scars on me, o-or..." Aichi said
" Aichi, I've seen it many times over and over again. You know that I know it as well. Or you don't trust me now?" Kai ask
" T-That's not true! I-I trust Kai-kun a lot... It's just... It's been three years..." Aichi said
" All the more I should do this to make up for the time we've lost." Kai said
Kai removed Aichi's clothes as he removed his own clothes and he started to wash Aichi's hair.
" I haven't been able to smell this scent for a long time. I've showered you for so many times but after such a long time, I'm able to touch something so real." Kai said
" I'm sorry..." Aichi said
" Aichi?"
" If I didn't stop trusting everyone and make my Hizaika activate again... You could've been able to do this with something real..." Aichi said
" It's fine. You're back with us and that's all that matters now. I just wish it wasn't so soon. I don't want to put you in danger..." Kai said
" I'll be fine. Once I regain my powers, I'll be able to fight alongside everyone again." Aichi said
Kai smiled as he rinsed off the soap on their hairs and bodies before placing Aichi down in the water before going in himself.
" Aichi, tonight..." Kai was cut off
" No! We're around children!" Aichi said
" Yes..." Kai sighed in disappointment
" Huh? My body..." Aichi said
" What is it?" Kai ask
Kai checked on Aichi's body too as he saw what Aichi was seeing.
" Your scars are all gone..." Kai exclaimed
" Could it be... The lake healed me...?" Aichi ask
" Maybe. And what's with that towel around your waist?" Kai ask
" Y-You're a pervert..." Aichi replied
Kai stared at him as he removed the towel and Aichi closed his legs while covering them, his face in a deep shade of red.
" K-Kai-kun! Give it back!" Aichi exclaimed
" No." Kai said
" Kai-kun!" Aichi exclaimed
Their bathroom time ended after Kai's continuous teasings and with Aichi begging him to stop. They exited the bathroom as they saw Chrono and the others cardfighting.
" Oh, Aichi-san, Kai-san. You two are done showering already?" Chrono ask
" Yeah."
Aichi blinked as he looked at Chrono's cards.
" Gear Chronicle... huh..." Aichi muttered
" Is something wrong?" Chrono ask
" Oh, nothing." Aichi replied
Kai sat Aichi down on the sofa as he went to get his and Aichi's dinner. He gave Aichi's plate to him before both began to eat.
" Are you alright?" Tokoha ask
" Yeah." Aichi replied
" By the way, what were those things that attacked us anyway?" Chrono ask
" All you need to know is that it was an enemy attack." Kai replied
" Enemy?" Tokoha ask
" Yeah. Well, it's because they want you guys to not interfere with their plans. Don't worry. Once you guys are able to use those rings, they can protect you whenever you need help." Aichi said
" How will we be able to use them?" Shion ask
" Hm... I'm not really in the mood to teach." Kai replied
Sweat drop...
" As much as I would love to..." Aichi said
" You wouldn't be able to take his training." Kai finished his sentence
" Huh?"
" Trust me. You won't like it." Aichi said
" Oh..."
" Now then, let's all head to bed. Don't think about it too much." Aichi said
" Okay."
They all headed to bed as Kai could finally enjoy his first night with Aichi.
~ The next morning~
Chrono and the others heard some ruckus as they looked out of the window. They saw Aichi fighting Kai and it was really a one on one fight. Chrono opened the window as wind blew at them in a strong gust.
" Aichi-san! Kai-san!"
" Oh, sorry! Did we wake you up?!" Aichi shouted
" No, it's fine..." Chrono said
" You guys can go get ready first! We'll go take a quick shower before cooking your breakfast!" Aichi shouted
" Y-Yes!"
Chrono and the others went to get ready as Aichi and Kai came out of the shower after a few minutes as they saw breakfast already laid out on the table.
" Sorry if I made a little mess in your kitchen." Chrono said
" No, it's fine. And you cooked all this?" Aichi ask
" Yes. I want to be independent soon and not bother my aunt since she's always busy." Chrono said
" That's amazing, Chrono-kun!" Aichi exclaimed
" No, it's nothing..." Chrono said
They sat at the table as they started to eat while the three teammates were looking at each other.
" What's wrong?" Aichi ask
" No, nothing's wrong." Chrono replied
" You want to train?" Aichi ask
The three froze at his words.
" I knew it... There's nothing wrong with asking. It's just that the training is very tedious and you guys might not be able to handle it." Aichi said
" But if possible, please train us." Chrono said
" Well, that's..." Aichi said
" The G Quests." Kai said
" Huh?"
" Finish the G Quest first. You guys still have many branches to go before going to the Ultimate Stage." Kai said
" Then will you train us after that?" Tokoha ask
" If you guys are that insistent, then alright. Since you guys are already targeted, I see no point as to not train you guys." Aichi said
" Alright!"
" You guys can train with me for Vanguard, but don't ask Aichi to fight." Kai said
" Huh? Why?" Chrono ask
" Because you guys are not up to his level. Not yet at least." Kai said
" Hey, Kai-kun. I want to fight them too." Aichi said
" You're going to fight with no one else but me." Kai said
" Are you still jealous about what happened with Ibuki-san? That was a long time ago." Aichi said
" That's not it..." Kai said
" Then why can't I fight them?! Answer me!" Aichi said
" Well, that's..." Kai said
" Just admit that you're just thinking too much. There's nothing going on between us." Aichi said
" No, that's not it..." Kai said
" Then what is it?!" Aichi ask
" Uh..."
Aichi glared at him before standing up.
" I'm going outside to take a breather." Aichi said
He walked out of the living room as Kai chased after him.
" He's upset..." The three thought
" Don't follow me!" They heard Aichi say
" But it's dangerous outside!" They heard Kai say
" Then tell me the reason! If you can't, then just leave me alone!" Aichi said
" Come on, Aichi! I'm sorry, alright?!" Kai said
" Let me go!" Aichi said
" Please forgive me!" Kai said
" Rethink about what you did before apologizing! I'm leaving!" Aichi said
They heard the door closing as they walked over to peek. Kai was kneeling at the front door while rethinking as they sweat dropped.
" Let's go back to eating..." Shion said
" Yeah..."
Kai suddenly got up and ran out of the house as they decided to follow him. Locking the door behind them, they followed behind Kai as they saw him running into an alley. They peeked into the alley as they were shocked to see a look-a-like of Kai, restraining Aichi with weird black mist. Kai was standing opposite them.
" Let Aichi go, Reversed Kai!" Kai shouted
" Three years ago, Aichi died all of a sudden which put all our plans into a halt... And now, three years later, I'm here to take him back again." Reversed Kai said
" I won't let you take Aichi!" Kai said
" But I already am." Reversed Kai said
" Why you!"
Kai got out his sword box weapon as Reversed Kai controlled the black mist and pulled Aichi in front of him. Kai froze.
" Now, what will you do?" Reversed Kai ask
The black mist squeezed Aichi as he screamed.
" No!" Kai exclaimed
" Don't bother about me...! Hurry up and attack...!" Aichi shouted
" But..."
" Hurry up!" Aichi shouted
" If you're not going to attack, then I'll take my leave now." Reversed Kai said
Kai finally fired his attack as it managed to avoid hitting Aichi and Reversed Kai was hit.
" He had actually dared to shoot?!" Reversed Kai thought
" I'll be back!" Reversed Kai said
He disappeared as Kai went to check on Aichi.
" Aichi! Are you okay?!'" Kai ask
Aichi said nothing but hugged Kai as he patted his back to comfort him.
" It's alright. I'm here." Kai said
" We better leave them alone for now." Shion whispered
Chrono and Tokoha nodded as they headed back to the house.
" But I didn't really expect that there's another Kai-san." Chrono said
" Reversed Kai was his name, right? I wonder what it means by 'Reversed'." Shion said
" A completely different Kai-san whose personality is flipped?" Tokoha ask
" No. He has that aura indicating that he's also aloof. I'm guessing it's just because they're on different sides, that's all." Shion said
" I see..."
They headed into the house as they washed the dishes and fought each other while waiting for Kai and Aichi to return.
" They're late... It's already noon." Tokoha said
" I wonder if they're okay." Shion said
They heard the door opening as they went to the front door to see Kai and Aichi taking off their shoes.
" Welcome back." The three greeted
" We're back." The two greeted
" Go up and rest. I'll get you some water and make lunch for everyone." Kai said
" Yeah..."
Aichi walked over to the staircase but all of a sudden, he started to collapse as Kai ran over to catch him.
" Aichi?! Are you alright?!" Kai ask
" Yes... I'm just tired..." Aichi replied
" I'll bring him up to our room and come down later to cook us some lunch. In the meantime, just train for your next G Quest." Kai said
" Yes..."
Kai carried Aichi up to their room as he placed him down on their bed.
" Are you really okay? You sure you don't want me to ask Ibuki to let you stop?" Kai ask
" No... In order to find Ryuzu Myoujin, they need my power... Please, Kai-kun... Let me do this..." Aichi said
" But this is your first time using your powers after three years and your powers are still recovering. Right now, with your current strength, you're only at quarter power." Kai said
" And I just need that quarter power to handle all this... I know I'm worrying you but it's needed for Plan G... It's for the sake of Vanguard's future too..." Aichi said
" Aichi..."
" Don't worry... I'll be fine... You and everyone are with me too..." Aichi said, holding Ka's hand
" Alright. If you need my help, then tell me too." Kai said
Aichi nodded.
" Then, I'll be going down to take care of lunch. Will you be alright alone?" Kai ask
" Yeah... I'll take a quick nap..." Aichi said
" Sure."
Kai made sure that Aichi fell asleep as he double checked on Aichi before closing the curtains and going down to cook their lunch. But not long after that, the case of pacifiers that was left on the bedside table began to glow as Aichi began to look uncomfortable and started to toss and turn while panting.
" Help... Kai-kun..." Aichi muttered
And that's the end of this chapter! I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and I'll see everyone in the next chapter!