Chapter 3; Blackout

I was walking through the forest near the road, just going for a walk on a stunning, peaceful morning when I heard a conversation that was quite funny. I looked out from behind a tree and watched as Kanami and Kazuma were walking down the dirt track.

"You'd better work really hard today."

"I know."

"We don't have much food left, okay?"

"I know."

"You understand what I'm saying right?"

"I know!"

I laughed as Kazuma looked away and spotted me as I stepped out of the trees, waving to the two friends as they walked towards the farm to once again try and get Kazuma into a decent line of work. I waved back as Kanami smiled at me joyfully; I clapped my hands with a big cheesy grin on my face.

"Hey Akira, how's it-"

"Awww! You're just so freakin' adorable!" I crooned as I ran past a grinning, which was now fading, Kazuma and gave Kanami a big hug. Kanami hugged me back happily, before I let her go and decided that I'd escort them to the farm, just so that Kazuma didn't try and run off again. I walked beside Kazuma and we didn't actually speak until we reached the farm, where a chorus of cows going 'moo' was ringing in our ears. As we walked towards the old farmhouse the lady who owned it opened the door and came to greet us.

"Oh, hello, Kanami thanks for everything as always!" She laughed, looking at Kanami fondly.

"Oh, you're welcome…" Kanami paused, looking up at Kazuma who was rubbing the back of his head nervously, "…um, ah, well I thought I'd bring him with me today..."

"Good afternoon." Kazuma laughed.

"It's been ten days now." The lady scolded.

"Really, that long?" Kazuma was suddenly grabbed by a strong hand by the back of the head and pulled forwards towards the lady, who was pulling back her fist.

"You might start acting your age instead of wandering around the streets you might even think about doing some serious work!" She yelled, punching Kazuma in the stomach hard, making him cough up a little bit of breakfast. "What a silly little wimp. If you're going to go round trying to be cool can't you at least suck it up and pretend all the way?"

I had to cover my mouth to stifle a laugh as Kazuma looked up at her.

"You feel better, you old hag…" Kazuma's voice trailed off as he looked behind the lady to see quite a large group of tough looking workers standing behind her and he stood up straight, his hands by his sides beside Kanami. I really was trying my hardest to stop myself from laughing as he said the next part.

"Yes Ma'am, we'll get right at it and work as hard as always!"

"Alright then, I guess you don't need me anymore then, I've gotta run but I'll see you later, okay Kazuma, Kanami?" I stepped back a couple steps as Kazuma turned around to me, looking desperate.

"No, I mean, come on Akira! You don't have to go yet, do you?" Kazuma put a hand to the side of his mouth and whispered, "Come on, please stay, these guys are gonna kill me!"

"I don't think so Kazuma, you got yourself into this one, and I think you're quite capable of getting out of it, which means you have to work." I laughed, turning on my heel to walk away as my hair blew out off my shoulders.

I walked back down the dirt track until I was out of range of the farm I jumped back up the bank towards the forest, picking up the bag I'd dropped when I'd gone out to meet Kazuma and Kanami. I looked around and then started running through the trees towards the other side of the village. The wind whipped at me as I ran through the trees, but I didn't stumble once, jumping over fallen branches and puddles as I moved quickly.

I emerged right on the edge of the village, at an old looking house that was made of white brick that was faded and also had moss and dirt on it. Large windows and a huge balcony out the back of the small house gave a view looking out over the village. I strode towards the house and up the front steps, pushing open the door and taking my boots off. The house didn't have much, but the things it did have were nice, but I'd been forced to sell most of the more expensive things just to get by.

I walked into my small kitchen which was only a couple of benches built into the wall, an old sink and a cupboard, and set down the bag on the bench. I looked around my kitchen and then turned around to the place that doubled as a lounge room and a dining room, although I only had a low table in the middle and a torn up couch and a chair to put in it.

I sighed as I opened the bag, pulling out its contents, which included a tuck of money that I'd just earned and a small pot of incense, a box of matches and a plastic bag that had the food I'd just bought in it. I didn't pull out the last of the things I'd brought just yet, because I never knew, somebody might be watching me. I looked around the kitchen in case anybody was watching and then quickly slipped into one of the kitchen cabinets, pulling up the base of the inside with my nail and putting the money with the rest of my savings. I'd been saving for quite a while now, only using it when I most needed it, like it I was starving and I couldn't do anything for work.

I work at a village nearby, although it's bigger than this one and much bigger than the small one on the west side. I go there and I busk, I sing in other words, and I also make jewellery and artwork at home and sell them to a friend of mine, one of the local marketers. Not only do I sing, but I dance.

Then there's the odd occasion that in that village they hold sports for money, and I always go for the races and then fighting, because I know I can earn myself some money. I do whatever I can to get by, and I always pull through.

I closed my hiding place for my savings and opened the bag on the counter again. I pulled out the box of glass beads I'd just brought to be able to make more jewellery and then took out a box of small silver chain that Hoshi, my trusty marketer friend, had scored for me. I stashed them with the stuff I use in the only drawer that's still in the counter, all the others were full of rot and had to be pulled out. Then I grabbed the food, which included vegetables like carrot, leek and miso, and then some packaged meat I put in a square reed basket that was lined with cool white stones to keep the meat. Then I put the rice I'd got in there as well and closed it up.

That would keep me for a while, but I didn't actually have that much, the price has gone up for everything and I couldn't get as much of the basics as I usually can. I sighed and grabbed the incense and the matches and marched off to the second bedroom, which was as small as the first bedroom, smaller even, but I still had a couple of things in there. Nobody lived there anymore, but I didn't use it as storage, not at all.

I bit my lip as I stopped outside the door, taking a deep breath and then opening the door. The smell hit me like a sucker punch in the face and I bit my lip harder, forcing myself through the familiar scent. I looked around at the few belongings that were still in the room, an old teddy bear, an old bed frame, still with his little clothes lying there, waiting to be put away, and a large piece of stone the size of my fist that was pressed in with a handprint hanging over a small shrine.

I kneeled in front of it and pulled the old incense out of the pots and put new ones in there and lighting them as I sat there, praying for him. I sat there for I don't' know how long, just praying and thinking with my head down until the incense blew out

"Happy Birthday." I whispered, a tear rolling down my cheek as I sat up as it hit the hard, wooden floor. I stood up and turned tail, fleeing the room and closing the door, leaning against it as I slid down to the floor, wiping the sweat off my forehead from remembering.

"Jeez, I'm so weak…"

_-_S-CRY-ED_-_

I was panting hard as sweat streamed down my face under a dark sky filling with twinkling lights. I'd just spend the past I don't know how long outside in the forest, training myself so hard I think I was about to drop dead. I growled in anger and turned around sharply with a yell, propelling my leg through the air and slamming it into a thick tree truck, slashing through it cleanly and sending the top crashing to the ground, sending yet another wave of crashes echoing through the forest.

It was a good thing this wasn't the Alter Forest or connected to it, otherwise I'd probably be dead for all of the trees I've cut down by now.

I leaned against a tree I hadn't cut down as I looked down at my clothes, a pair of black shorts and a breezy black t-shirt. I lifted my head and looked at the night sky, breathing out a shaky breath as my mouth found a smirk and I fell backwards onto my back on the soft grass.

I huffed and puffed, trying to get my breath back as I could barely lift my arms anymore. I had pushed myself to the limit this time with training, I really had. Usually I was tired but this time, I'd most definitely had gone a bit far with this one. I managed to struggle myself to my knees and then pushed myself shakily to my feet.

I took a step forwards and stumbled, clasping the closest tree next to me as my hair fell over my eyes. I stumbled and limped my way towards the house, and after what felt like an age I saw the familiar sight of the white brick house.

I somehow found my way up the back steps and onto the balcony, and then into the kitchen, pouring cold water into my mouth and resting my head against the counter. I felt completely drained, but I knew that if I was pushed this far in a fight I could still go on, I knew I could.

I panted and downed another heap of water and then stood back up straight, determined to stand.

I'll never forget… I thought, my hands clenching into fists as I remembered that horrible time.

…I'll never ever forget my reason!

_-_S-CRY-ED_-_

I woke up to find myself lying on my bed, my long hair streaming over the sheets. Sitting up, I looked around my room to see that it was early morning and I was feeling pain in my limbs but otherwise I was just feeling the usual, a bit groggy but refreshed.

I stretched my arms up above my head and yawned loudly, pushing myself reluctantly off the soft sheets. I stood up shakily and yawned again as I walked through the door of my bedroom and into the empty, quiet kitchen. Turning on the taps I put my hands under the cool, running water and splashed my face, instantly dispelling my grogginess so I could stand up straight and stretch my shoulders up towards my ears. It felt so good to stretch, even if I did really want to go back to sleep.

Suddenly, a familiar churning in my stomach stopped my day dreams of sleep and made me concentrate on getting some food into me. I grabbed the handle of the cupboard and pulled it open, seeing that the vegetables were looking a little bit on the down side but I pulled out the miso and meat, plus a container of powdered milk I had in there, along with a couple of other things like rice.

I quickly made a heap of onigiri that I could also give some to Kazuma as well and then shoved one down before concentrating on miso soup and a cooking up some strips of meat on one of the burners with the pot and pan I'd bought a month ago.

So I went into my half destroyed couch, which I'd salvaged from a second hand sale, and ate. I realised that I was ravenous and I ate quicker than normal, not bothering with formalities in my own home. I stretched my neck and quickly ran towards the bathroom for a shower after realising that I absolutely reeked.

When I came out of the even more refreshing shower I got changed, brushed my hair and then grabbed the onigiri and ran out the front door. I stopped running after I was into the forest and started walking, it wouldn't do any good if villagers saw me running through the woods and started thinking HOLD was after me or something.

I reached the road and saw two people zooming towards me on a motorcycle, one yelling at the one driving from behind in annoyance. I laughed and waved to Kazuma and Kimishima as they saw me and slowed down, Kimishima stopping the vehicle next to me as Kazuma jumped straight off and grabbed me by the shoulders.

"Akira! Are you okay? I mean, you were gone for such a long time I thought-" he paused his shouting in such an alarming tone as he saw me look at him, puzzled, "- I mean, you are okay right, where were you, we haven't seen you for eight days." Kazuma's tone was quieter, but more concerned as he looked me over, seeing that I wasn't hurt besides my couple of bruises on my lower arms and my hands that he could see. He noticed those and his eyes widened and then narrowed.

"What happened?" he growled. I looked at him in shock, and then looked down at the yellowing bruises on my arms. I stopped short, realising that something was definitely wrong with the picture of yellowing bruises.

I'd only got those bruises yesterday, hadn't I?

"I-I don't know…" I had to think fast, I remembered the harsh training session I'd had yesterday but if I told Kazuma about it he'd freak! I tried to look confused as I spoke next, "…I mean, I was walking in the forest last night because I thought I'd heard something outside and I tripped…and I went through a bush and landed on a bed of rocks and I must have passed out…" I paused, looking up at Kazuma, "…then I woke up just around a couple of hours ago and I was still lying on the forest floor, and then I went home and now I'm here. What do you mean it's been eight days?" I asked him in alarm as he lifted his head, surprised.

"Wow, you must have been lying there for quite some time, 'cause it's been eight days, must have been a really bad fall." Kimishima put in, looking at us from his seat on the motorcycle. Kazuma looked concerned and then went to the back bags of the motor cycle, pulling out a helmet like the ones he and Kimishima were wearing.

"Put it on, we're going to go towards the city, there's another HOLY platoon on the way there, and we're going to intercept it." Kazuma stopped, looking back at me with the same concerned look, "That is, if you feel up to going, I mean, I don't want to rush out because you've been out for a long time, obviously."

I bit the inside of my cheek. I hated lying to Kazuma about this, but I had to, it was either that or to get even more tangled up in this bloody scheme of his to take HOLD down. I looked up at his face and then smiled, taking the helmet from his hands.

I watched as Kazuma smiled and got onto the bike behind Kimishima, who shuffled forwards with an exasperated sigh as I slid on behind Kazuma, pulling the helmet over my long hair.

"You know, this bike was only built for two. You guys are gonna regret this." Kimishima warned as he revved up the engine and then sped off on the back wheel. I cried out and wrapped my arms tightly around Kazuma's waist, holding on as the bike roared forwards.

"Heh, hey don't mind me, hold on as much as you like." Kazuma turned his head back to me with a smile. I grit my teeth and hit him in the back with a fist before nearly getting thrown off and wrapping my arms around him tighter. Kazuma laughed as the motorcycle sped on towards the outskirts of the village.

"So, you must have had a pretty bad fall, Akira, are you absolutely sure you're okay?" Kazuma asked me through the roar of the engine. I was a little bit over Kazuma being this concerned about me, although it was touching to hear.

"Yeah, whatever, now what's this about going to take down another HOLY platoon?" I retorted, firing back a question at him.

"Okay, well I got a message that another HOLY group was terrorising another group of people and so I've decided to take Kazuma to the place so he can kick some HOLD ass and get money for it. Besides, he's already done it once this past week, and-"

"Wait a second," I interrupted Kimishima as he spoke, not thinking I heard him right, "did you say he's already taken down another one this week already?" I looked past Kazuma to Kimishima who still didn't turn around as we drove into and then out of the tunnel to enter the village in what felt like a second.

"Well, yeah! Oh, wait, you were out of it then, it happened on the day you and Kanami escorted me to the farm. Kimishima busted me out even though I didn't want to, I wanted to stay and do my work like a normal, old hag whose gonna pound you if you don't do it, abiding citizen, but then he threw this job back in my face. This HOLY member with a mean Alter had taken an entire village captive to get them to work at a camp and so Kimishima took me to the village where we met the one person who hadn't been taken which just so happened to be an Alter User.

"Ayase had the power to change things into water without making a sound, which was really cool except for when she accidently hit Kimishima's bike. Okay, so she took us to the camp and we decided to wait till dawn, Ayase would disable the security after her and I knock out the guards, then I'd create a distraction while Kimishima and her got the prisoners out. Oh, and this included Ayase's kid brother who was actually really sick.

"Okay, so after that what happened is I was in the middle of creating the distraction but then right as we were getting the prisoners out the Alter User and the HOLD guards appeared and tried to stop us. As you know me, I wouldn't let that happen but when the Alter User took Ayase hostage that kind of changed things, but I still wanted to fight. Oh, by the way, his Alter was like a giant handgun, and I mean huge!

"He called it Big Magnum, so I guess it kind of fit the name, but still this guy was a total crack pot, I mean crazy looks, crazy attitude the works. Anyway, so he decided to fire another bullet but my Shell Bullet was already shot from being scraped by another bullet he'd shot towards Ayase that I'd stopped." Kazuma stopped his explanation as he heard me snort.

"Oh, yeah, being the devilishly handsome and heroic hero you are you just had to help the distressed damsel who was about to get shot." I yelled sarcastically, tapping his rib with a finger. Kazuma laughed and nodded.

"Thanks for the compliment, but yes, along those lines. Besides, I wasn't going to let HOLY just go around being jerks to everybody, especially not innocent townspeople." Kazuma paused, remembering, "Okay, where was I? Alright, so in the end I blew up his Alter and everybody got away without a scratch, except for the Alter User and of course the farm they were working on."

I laughed into Kazuma's jacket as he finished on a lighter note and the two boys soon joined me in my laughter. I gripped the brunette boy in front of me and then suddenly jerked upright as I thought of something. I had to reveal myself, but it was a good plan, I had to admit. Everything just seemed to click into place in my mind.

"Hey, Kazuma," I paused so he could respond with a look back, "you know how you told me about that guy, Ryuhou?" Kazuma looked more interested now that I was mentioning Ryuhou, so I guess this was my chance, "Well, I think I have a plan of how to help you take him down. It's to do with me infiltrating HO-"

"What? No way am I going to put you in that kind of danger! Okay, you are not going to infiltrate HOLD, seriously, are you whacked up or something? Did you hit your head too hard when you tripped?" Kazuma yelled, causing Kimishima to stop the bike in alarm and nearly throw Kazuma and me over him from not being ready.

"Hey! I'm not as delicate as I look, I can handle a little bit of infiltration, especially into HO-"

"How can you be so stupid? You can't take the risk!" Kazuma yelled at me, sliding off the bike and glaring at me. I stepped off the bike myself and pulled off the helmet, shoving it into Kazuma's hands as I glared right back at him.

"If you don't think I can do it, then fine, I guess I can put it into action on my own!" I flipped my hair white over my shoulders and shoved past him. Kazuma lashed out and grabbed my forearm, holding me there in place.

"Don't do this Akira, please." He begged in a gruff voice. I pulled my arm out of his grip, turning away from him and walking away, waving my hand towards him as I left the two boys behind. My heels clacked on the ground as I heard Kazuma yelling after me, and then I turned off the road as I shook my head in anger.

He really doesn't believe I can do it. But I'll prove him wrong, if he'd only listened me might have actually found out that I wasn't going to become a HOLD member. I thought as I walked towards the city, kicking up dirt in disgust.

I'm going to become a HOLY member.

_-_S-CRY-ED_-_

AN: ooh…epicness…please R&R&R!