Most of your questions shall be answered in this chapter! But I'm deliberately leaving things out.. Hehe, how evil I am. Sorry this chapter is a bit shorter than the others. This chapter will send a twist in the story. :)
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Air Gear nor will I ever ;(
CONTAINS SWEARING AND SOME MILD THEMES.
Air Gear: All's Fair in Love and War
Chapter 3: The Ride towards Dark Secrets… And Their Destination.
Kairi groaned as she slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes widened as her throat felt dry and on fire -- her thirst was back!
"Guh..."
She tried to block out the scents of everyone and held her breath. She tried to not focus on everyone's heart beats that she could hear loudly and pounding in her head.
Agito felt a tug on his sleeve and turned to face Kairi.
"Ah. You're awake, Kai-chan--" He stopped suddenly when he saw Kairi's red eye glowing. "You need to go to the toilet?" he asked coolly.
Kairi nodded.
"I'll give it to you then and help put it on." Agito stood up and pulled Kairi along with him.
Kazu heard this and got a perverted thought in his head. "Wait, Agito!"
Agito just waved his hand back at him.
Kazu twitched. "What does he mean 'I'll help you put it on'?" he asked Ikki. "They aren't..."
Ikki stared out the window. "Exactly what he meant, he'll help Kai-chan put something on."
"But what?" Kazu asked -- a thong, bra, and other lingerie items came into mind.
Ikki punched Kazu with a serious look on his face. "Don't you ever think about Kai-chan like that," he growled, eye twitching.
Then he was silent, fishing in his thoughts.
"There's something about Kairi-chan you're not telling us..." Emily muttered quietly.
Ikki sighed. "Yeah."
A pause.
"I'm just wondering if I can tell you..."
Nakayama sat up straight.
Maybe then I can find out why Agito's so close to her!
"Tell us," she firmly stated.
"Nakayama..." Emily whispered.
"If she's going to be with us then there's no point of her hiding her secrets since we all know everyone else's."
Ikki paused. "Alright..." he said hesitantly. "But if Kai-chan asks, you pulled it out of me," he said seriously.
"Huh?" Kazu gave him a strange look.
"If she asks, tell her you forced me to tell you guys, you asked me," Ikki pleaded, looking back towards Kairi's direction.
"Okay."
"Ask me," Ikki pleaded again.
"Oh. Please tell us about Kairi-chan, Ikki," Emily asked.
Ikki gave a sigh of relief. "Now she won't kill me that badly," he muttered under his breath.
"You know my father, Uncle Minami?"
The others nodded.
"Well, along with the Gravity Children and the [BRAINCHARGER], he made another experiment, though it was never announced. It was called Heartless, a creature without a heart.
"It was really powerful, and fast, but the thing was..." Ikki looked up seriously. "It thirsts for blood and hearts of people.
"My father couldn't control it, and he couldn't bring himself to destroy something he made, so he had no choice; he had to put it into a new born's body. Guess who," Ikki muttered grimly.
"Kairi-chan..." Emily whispered then gasped when Ikki nodded.
"Haneba Kairi. She had an older brother called Kain, and he was awesome. He was another of my best friends but of course, we were really young at the time so we didn't know anything -- Heartless was created a less than a year Kai-chan was born and Kain's a year older. So they put it into Kairi, hoping she would be able to handle it."
"Could she?" Emily whispered.
Ikki was silent. "Yeah, for awhile.
"My father gave special drugs in her food to her everyday to keep it at bay and to prevent it's true nature showing. We really hated the thing -- but Kai-chan was different.
"When she could finally speak and understand us, she heard us call it an 'it' and a 'thing'." Ikki chuckled. "She's a good kid.
"She yelled at us, saying it was a 'she' and she's actually really nice; she's been talking to her in her mind. You can imagine our shocked faces."
Everyone nodded.
"Then my father decided that the Heartless could come out often and take control of Kai-chan's body if she behaves. Of course, we found out that when her eye is blue then its our normal Kai-chan, and red, the Heartless. The red eye is originally from the Heartless's body and so when it got put into Kai-chan, it modified her body."
"I see." Emily nodded.
"But what does this have to do with Agito-kun?" Nakayama demanded.
Ikki smiled grimly. "It's depressing but... I guess I have no choice.
"We thought that Kai-chan would be okay so we were happy. Kain, Kai-chan and I would always go out to play. One day we went out to play and when we arrived back at the Haneba's household, it was on fire."
Emily and Kazu both gasped.
"W-who... did it?" Nakayama asked.
"It was WIND, and... Agito."
They all gasped.
"Apparently, Kai-chan's parents used to be in a rebel AT gang and would cause lots of trouble, but they are good people, they never had intentions of hurting people. They taught me all sorts of cool pranks.
"Kaito was in charge of WIND and had ordered Agito to destroy the whole household. He was chasing after us and Kain..."
Everyone went silent.
"I made a promise to him, that I would protect Kai-chan with my life before he died...
"Kai-chan broke from my grasp and went back to her brother. I chased after her -- boy, she is fast! -- and I found her standing in front of someone from WIND. I don't know who it was, but Agito said it was him."
"Did he try to kill her?" Nakayama asked, interested.
"No. He let her go, and so easily too... And you know how the little brat was like before he met us."
"Oh..."
"I don't know, but Agito said that he would visit Kai-chan so often when he was allowed too, but Kaito always came as well because he saw potential in her."
"What potential?" Kazu asked.
Ikki looked up. "She has the potential to be the Sky King."
"..."
"So when Kai-chan got adopted by her grandparents, they often visited her and teach her AT, though I never saw them. Agito said that they would always practice together under Kaito's harsh training, but Kai-chan's body is very weak so she couldn't go as long."
"Wait, didn't you say the Heartless was very powerful?" Kazu cut in.
"Yeah, but I said it never had a heart.
"It's a different case than Agito and Akito; there are two living things in Kai-chan's body but there's only one heart to share in the body. Akito and Agito are the same person originally from the same body and soul so they're okay, they don't need anything else to support them."
"Is that why Kairi-chan always faint?" Emily asked.
"Yeah, I guess.
"But as weeks passed, Kai-chan became more aggressive and started to thirst for blood. Because her grandparents had no clue of the Heartless inside of her, they thought she was mentally ill. My father was already dead so he couldn't explain anything to them. They transferred her to a mental hospital.
"There really wasn't anything wrong with Kai-chan," Ikki whimpered. "They were all just so narrow minded to realize that.
"But Agito, Kaito and I would still visit her often. Mentally ill kids who used to use ATs often tried to escape but WIND would always come and kill them off. That was when Agito would see Kai-chan.
"But we haven't been able to see her for so long because of the Gram Scale tournament and Sky Regalia business.
"Kai-chan's Heartless come out more frequent than Agito and Akito changing because there's nothing to keep it at bay. We talked about it and yesterday, Agito thought of a solution.
"Kai-chan said that the Heartless didn't really want to thirst for blood and hearts but it was her nature. She said that if there was something to show her when she can't come out, psychologically, she would understand and not come out."
"What's Agito's solution?" Emily asked, hope sparkling in her eyes.
Ikki looked at all of them carefully. "She wears an eye patch."
"No!"
They turned to Nakayama.
"That's Agito-kun's and Akito-kun's signature! She can't do that!" she cried in defence for her lover.
"There's no other way." Ikki glared at Nakayama darkly. "Unless you want your blood drained out of you and your heart eaten."
"... N-no..."
"So, right now Agito is putting on an eye patch for Kairi-san?" Kazu asked.
"Yeah."
"They sure are taking their time..."
"That's because..."
"Because?"
"Heartless thirsts for blood and it's in her nature to. Right now, it's drinking the little brat's blood so she won't kill everyone on the train, regardless how close we are to her."
Everyone was silent.
Nakayama stood up. "We must stop her!"
"You go there, and not only will you get killed by Kai-chan, but the little brat as well," Ikki said darkly. "I nearly got killed once. Still have a few scars."
Nakayama stopped and turned the other way. "I'm going to the toilets then."
And she walked the opposite direction from Agito and Kairi.
She stormed her way there.
How dare she! Who does she think she is?! The little brat showing up from nowhere and--
"--taking Ikki-kun from us, she will pay!"
She stopped and saw Ringo, Kururu and Simca stare at her nervously as if they got caught.
"H-hi," Kururu said meekly.
"We weren't talking about Kairi-chan and-- OW!" Simca glared at Ringo who had kicked her.
"Do you hate Kairi-san?" Nakayama asked.
"... Yes."
"Are you planning something?"
"... Yes."
Nakayama took a deep breath.
The three girls looked nervous then surprised.
"Onegai! Let me join!" said the bowing Nakayama.
"... Uh."
The three girls looked at each other and grinned.
"O-kay!"
Nakayama walked back to where she was sitting before and grabbed her jacket. "I'm going to with the others," she informed quickly.
"Heh?! Really?" Emily grabbed her arm.
"Yeah." Nakayama ripped her arm away.
"Hm..." Ikki, Emily and Kazu thought why Nakayama would leave her dear Agito-kun for some girls...
Kazu and Ikki looked shocked.
"Are they..." Kazu started.
"... planning on having..." Ikki added.
They yelled together: "SEXUAL INTERCOURSES WITH EACH OTHER?!"
BAM!
Emily lowered her fist. "Ah!" she chirped as she saw Agito and Kairi return. "You're back! The eye patch looks good on you, Kairi-chan!"
Kairi blushed. "Thanks," she muttered. "Where's Nakayama-san?"
"Probably toilet," Agito muttered as he flopped onto the seat tiredly.
"Woah, you okay man? You look like you just had sex--"
BAM!
"Kazu-sama..." Emily lowered her fist.
He couldn't reply.
Agito closed his eyes and tried to get to sleep, everything looked pitch black.
"You want to swap with Akito?" he heard her say in the darkness.
"Whatever," he muttered, before he was unaware of anything that was happening around him.
"Agito is a lazy bum!" Akito chirped.
"He's just tired," Kairi defended.
"Still, he's a lazy bum! Giving you all that blood shouldn't have-- Ah... sorry Kai-chan..."
Ikki looked at Kazu, trying to hint something, who didn't get it. He kicked him.
"OW!! Yeah, don't worry about it. We asked Ikki to tell us," he said, trying to keep his cool -- That bastard Ikki!
"Oh. Does Nakayama-san know?" Kairi asked.
"Yeah," Ikki replied.
"Okay."
"Ahh... ~" Akito muttered. "I feel dizzy..."
"It's because I took all that blood from you," Kairi pointed out, feeling slightly awkward saying that in front of her new friends. "You should've told me when to stop."
"Don' wowi, I'll be alriiiight. ~" Akito swayed. "Ah! I'm seeing... lights... ~"
Plonk!
"He fainted..."
Kairi sighed and draped his jacket given to her on him. She yawned.
"You should go to sleep," Ikki commented.
"I'm sure you must be tired." Emily smiled.
"Hn..."
Ikki, Emily, and Kazu watched the two smaller ones sleep.
"But shouldn't Akito be drained anyway from all that blood being drained from his and Agito's body?" Emily asked.
"Yeah, but Agito's always the one who controls the body when Kai-chan drinks their blood. It's less stressful for Agito to rest when they swap," Ikki explained.
"Ahh..."
Silence.
"Look at them, look at them!" Emily squealed quietly. "They're so cute! Why can't we be like that, Kazu-sama?" She pouted.
"Uh... we can... if you want..." Kazu mumbled as a blush started to creep up his face.
"Okay!" Emily smiled and leaned on Kazu's shoulder. "So nice..."
Kazu sighed and faced Ikki. "'Night man."
Ikki was left alone as he stared at everyone. His face turned sad.
"I wish I had someone like that to hold..."
"Ikki?"
He looked up to meet violet-blue orbs staring at him.
"Ringo?" He blinked. "I thought you were with the others."
"Yeah, got boring." Ringo waved her hand. She looked at everyone sleeping. "They're really all cute, hey?" She smiled with a gently look on her face.
Ikki blushed as he watched her. "Y-yeah..."
What's with me?
"Kairi looks good with the eye patch. Really nice of Agito," Ringo commented.
"You know about it?" Ikki asked, surprised.
"Yeah, Nakayama told us. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." She smiled.
"... Yeah, that's good."
Silence.
Ikki coughed. "So, Ringo--"
"Ringo! ~ What are you doing, flirting with Ikki-kun?" Simca interrupted with a pout on her face. "Hi Ikki-kun! ~ Come on, Ringo!" And she pushed Ringo away, back to their compartment.
Ikki sighed and slapped himself for what he was about to say to Ringo. He looked back at everyone else. "I should get some sleep as well." He rested on Kairi's head which was on Akito's head. "Huh. 'Night, minna..."
---
"OI CROW!! GET YOUR FUCKING HEAD OFF KAI-CHAN!!"
(Could've left it at there but no, too short.)
"Urgh..." Ikki groaned as a loud voice woke him from his slumber.
"YOU'RE FUCKING DROOLING ALL OVER HER!! FUCK!! KAI-CHAN, KNOCK HIS HEAD OFF!!" the loud voice came again.
"B-but... I can't do that..." a sweeter voice whimpered sounding very close.
"K-Kai-chan...?" Ikki muttered. "One more minute, please..."
"LIKE FUCKING HELL!!"
"Ikki-kun~" a sexy voice came. He felt something rub against him—BOOBIES?!
"Wake up, Ikki-kun! ~" the voice came again.
"Kai-chan?" he murmured. "Since when did you grow such big boobies? Thought you were flat-chested..."
Silence.
"ITAIII!!!" Ikki cried from his position, nose bleeding and broken.
Kairi retracted her fist. "That was for insulting me and Simca-san," she growled.
Simca squealed and hugged Kairi. "She's so strong and fast! I didn't see you hit him! I was about to hit Ikki-kun, of course, but you beat me to it!"
"Hn." Kairi stood up. "Let's get out before the police come – it would be too troublesome."
---
"Good thing that it was the last station," Kazu sighed. "Or we would've missed it."
"Because of Ikki." Kairi glared at Ikki from her seat by the window.
"Aw, love you too Kai-chan!" Ikki patted her head from his seat by the opposite window.
"Get your fucking hands away from us, Crow!" Agito growled who was seated in the middle.
Ikki's face turned into one of disgust. "I'm not gay!"
"Or so you say," Kairi muttered. "Words are just words, but actions are another story."
"Oh yeah?!" Ikki roared. "I'll make a bet with you! By the end of this journey, I'll prove to you that I'm. Not. Gay!"
"What are you going to bet on?" Kazu asked from behind them. "Something good."
Ikki's eyes twinkled. "The loser must… STRIP IN FRONT OF EVERYONE MEANING US, KISS SANO YASUYOSHI (they made this without his permission, of course), GO UP TO KAITO AND TELL HIM HE'S SEXY AND THEY WANT TO HAVE HOT SEX WITH HIM, AND HANG THEIR UNDERWEAR IN FRONT OF THE OPPOSEXES' BATHROOM!!"
"Whatever," Kairi muttered. She held out her hand. "It's a deal."
Ikki grinned maniacally and thrusted his hand forward. "I'm going to win."
"In your dreams involving sleeping with Sano Yasuyoshi."
They shook hands.
Then Ikki realized what Kairi had said.
The taxi driver swore to never drive a bunch of teenagers ever again.
TBC...
Most of your questions answered? Yes? No? Good, because there are much more answers to come.
Ooh! The bet between Kairi and Ikki! Wonder who will win. I know, might or might not dissapoint you though.
Nakayama (I always forget her name!) has joined the Three Girls and their mission. Now it's the Four Girls... but they are still the Three Girls because Nakayama's intentions are a little different than theirs and she has plans of her own- Woops! You didn't hear that...
Stay turned for the next chapter which hopefully will come out soon because I'm currently obsessed with this story ;P
xKairix