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Japanese

English

Zan's Thoughts

Chapter 3

Tohru's Part-Time Protector

Part A

Discovery

The protector walked down the hall carrying a bowl of soup. He opened Tohru's cell door with a clank and Tohru snapped awake. Her eyes noticed the shadowy figure holding a bowl of soup, and she relaxed visibly. He placed the soup on the ground and she began to eat it as he watched. As Tohru began to slurp up noodles, she asked, "Who are you?"

The man seemed to hesitate. Then he said, "My name is Zan."

Tohru frowned, "If you're the Zan I'm thinking of they why are you doing this for me?"

Zan began his Tale:

Part B:

Zan's Past

(Language Code is switched Thoughts Remain the Same)

Zan: Age 2

In a small orphanage in a large city, it was nap time for all the little kids. In their beds or in their cribs they slept peacefully. The door creaked open, revealing a man in a black mask and jumpsuit. Only one child woke up to the man's entrance, a baby with red hair and black eyes. The child got up and walked over to the man and smiled, "My name is Zan. Who are you?"

"My name is 122," the man said.

"That's an odd name," Zan said, wrinkling his nose, then came back to a smile, "But, oh well!"

The man already liked this kid. Then a light bulb flashed in his head. "How would you like to get out o this place?"

Zan smiled, he had always wanted to get out of the orphanage he had always been an outsider, due to his odd name, hair, and eyes. "Yes!"

"Well, go get your stuff," 122 said.

"This is all I have. And I have this ring," He pointed at a gold ring on his finger that said simply ZH.

122 looked a little shocked, but quickly recovered so he would not worry the kid and said, "Let's go."

"Yes, sir!"

15 Minutes Later

"Master Syphos. I have a new recruit for you," 122 said bowing, as Zan stood next to him.

"He is very young. May be he could be my successor, when he gets older," Syphos drawled.

Whispers filled the room, of how strange it was for Syphos to give anyone praise, let alone say that he could be a successor of HIM.

"What is your full name?" Syphos asked, hushing the whispers immediately.

"I don't know my last name. The only name I have is Zan, sir," Zan said, "This ring has my first initial though."

"Let me see it. Just for a second," Syphos said, Zan passed the ring to him. "ZH, huh?"

"Yes, sir," Zan said.

"Very good. Here you go," he said passing the ring back. "I'll give you a last name. Since you are to be my heir, I will give you a proper last name. I got it! Hellbringer, fore you will bring hell to your enemies."

At first I was happy to be Syphos' Pet. I got everything I wanted. But when I screwed up at anything, I would be punished much more harshly than anyone else at my level or age. I had no friends. No one liked me because it seemed I had everything. I lived this way until I was seven, when I finally got to go to a real school.

(Language Switch Back)

Zan: Age 7

"Class, we have a new student today, tell us your name sweetie," the second grade teacher said, Zan standing next to her. In the back, a girl with black hair and green eyes sat in the back of the room, separated from all the other kids. She began to cough. As the coughing fit ended, and she wiped blood from her mouth, one could tell that everyone was sickened by her illness, even the teacher, except for Zan.

"Zan-kun, you go sit next to Mika-chan," the teacher said, Zan nodded once and sat next to her. The teacher then began to teach how to write Kanji.

Two Hours Later

"Time for Recess! Everyone get outside!" the teacher said. All of the children ran outside.

"Hey, New Kid!" a few boys in Zan's new class said.

Zan turned and asked, "Me?"

"Yes, you! Who do you think we're talkin' to? The other new kid?!" Boy 1 said.

"No, I didn't think so," Zan said.

"You're weird," Boy 2 said.

"Oh," Zan said.

"What kind of name is Zan anyways?! How lame!" Zan ran away from the jeering boys, to behind tree, leaving the boys laughing.

Zan crouched down, crying. He heard a sigh, and a book snap shut. As who ever was sitting on the other side of the tree waited for him to stop.

After about five minutes, the tears stopped, and whoever was on the other side of tree, sat down next to him. It was the girl who had sat next to him in class earlier.

"Those idiots always pick on me too. I'm rarely in school because of my illness, so I have no friends. My name is Mika Honda," Mika said.

"My name is Zan Hellbringer. Pleased to meet you."

"Same here," they shook hands.

Mika Honda was my first real friend. As soon as Syphos found out that I was going to school with a Honda, he pulled me out. I never thought Mika and I would ever have to fight.

The next time I ever had to deal with the Hondas was when I was much older. It was 16 years later. Many of her family members died because of us. I don't think she will ever forgive me, with good reason.

I am so sorry. I think I once loved you. I might still.

But at least I did something for your brother...

Zan: Age 23, briefly after the battle

Zan was being punished for not killing Mika, the number two agent in the agency. His punishment: to clean the prison cells.

So Zan as he was cleaning a hallway heard a voice, "Hey! You!" Zan turned, seeing Katsuya.

"You're that Zan guy, right? The one that is the heir to become the head of Syphos' forces? What are you doing down here, if you're going to be head honcho someday?" Katsuya asked.

"It doesn't matter if you know. It was because I refused to kill your sister, Mika, after she went unconscious. Actually, I stopped anyone from doing it."

Katsuya looked relieved, "Thank God! She's not dead!"

"Everyone but Natsuya lived," Zan said.

Katsuya laughed, "That's great!" He sobered quickly, "I wonder what will happen to me."

"I don't know, you are the number one agent in the Agency, they probably won't let you go alive," Zan said gravely.

Katsuya sighed and looked at the impression on Zan's face, "Don't worry about me. Just do me one favor if I…you know."

Zan nodded as he listened to Katsuya's request. He would do it.

2 Weeks Later

Zan carried an ailing Katsuya towards Katsuya's home. He placed Katsuya on his doorstep. He put a piece of paper on top of Katsuya reading "I'm sorry." Zan rang the doorbell, walked a few steps away and turned on his heel, vanishing into the pre-dawn air. His punishment would not be good once he got home.

Katsuya's requests: "If I am about to...you know...die...leave me on my doorstep, and let me be with my family one last time. Try to protect Mika as well. She'll need it.

I think I failed that last one there, Katsuya. Sorry about that. I wish I could've fulfilled it. So let me protect your daughter instead, I can actually help her.

Goodbye old friend.

I love you Mika. I need you to live. Even if I die in your place.

End of Chapter 3

Author's Note: Too angsty, I wish I didn't have to write that. The bonus chapter is the next one though, you can vote if you want! After that it's back to the actual story line! The mysterious red head and all that good stuff! Please Review! Also, Happy Holidays! Happy New Year!

Kira: I'm never getting back in the story am I?

Sana: I haven't appeared since chapter 10 of Book 1! Neither has Siri!

44: Listen, I promise that you'll appear! You all will.

Shino/Hiromo (They're the Panda and the Fox): Even us?

44: Yes! Remember to review! See ya next time!