Beyond the Mind (Part 2)
Back at the mansion that night, the injured Shinkengers received herbal treatment from the Kuroko while Takeru gravely briefed Jii about the incident. Jii could see a kind of mixed emotion, a blend of anger, sorrow, loss and loneliness in the Lord's eyes, but decided not to bring it up.
Although injured, the others demanded a discussion after a heavy-hearted dinner, which they did not eat properly. Takeru however, dismissed the idea, saying that there was nothing constructive for them to talk about at that moment. They all retired for the night.
"So he only became open because Nee-san was around? Not because he was comfortable with us? Never mind about that, he's not even interested in saving Nee-san now! That bastard..." growled Chiaki in a private room with just Kotoha around.
"Well, Tono-sama was the one who saved Ryuu-san... And Chiaki, couldn't you see his eyes then? He's disturbed too. He's our lord, he feels responsible..." she tried to explain, but Chiaki just stormed back to his room.
When all had fallen asleep, Takeru woke up, donned his dark blue training Gi and walked over to Mako's room behind Kotoha's. Standing at the door. he knelt down, just like Ryuunosuke did when he bowed to the lord. He verbally promised that he would bring her back home. Then, walking carefully so as to not wake Kotoha, he headed to the training field and sat crossed legged to meditate, all his Mojikara focused on a single point.
He imagined Mako and shut his eyes. Her words,
"I WILL NOT LET YOU DO THAT!" rang in his ears.
"Will not let us do what? What are you stopping us from doing? Mako, let me into your mind." he asked.
He could then see what Mako was thinking when she attacked them. What he saw nearly stopped his heart. His resolve to save her multiplied a thousandfold. He then returned to his room, planning about his next battle.
The next day, the whole team turned on him, including Genta, forcefully demanding a discussion. Takeru nodded, and revealed that he was going to discuss it anyway.
"I've managed to deduce that Mako is under a spell, similar to the previous incident with Ryuunosuke," he announced, and continued, "However this is more complicated. The Shiba Clan's cleansing Fire Mojikara alone is not enough. We need something else too. Speaking of which, the Shiba Mojikara is required in great proportions to undo this spell, for which I will not be able to join you in battle for some time. I will make the necessary arrangements," he explained.
Summoning Jii, he whispered something into his ear and Jii hurried away with a Kuroko into an inner room. He emerged with a box, which Takeru opened. Inside were the Kabuto, Tora, Kajiki, Ushi and Kyoryuu Discs, along with the InRouMaru. He passed the Kabuto and Kajiki Discs to Chiaki and Ryuunosuke respectively, and gave Kotoha the Tora Disc. Genta received the Ushi Disc. Takeru also entrusted the Kyoryuu Disc and InRouMaru to Ryuunosuke and Chiaki before packing some things and heading out on his horse.
He rode all the way to the mountain where Hiro and his family lived, for that was where his adoptive mother Kaoru had settled under the care of Tanba. Her mansion was much higher up the mountain that the village in which Hiro lived, but Takeru raced there. Tanba bowed, and Takeru nodded before asking for his mother. Kaoru could see the expression on her son's face and was quick to learn of the mishap. She then told him the solution, but Takeru already knew. What he needed was the aid of his mother and Hiro.
The boy was called for, and the first thing the three did was to head to a grassy area outside Kaoru's home. Takeru opened his bag, and placed an empty Disc on the stone. He then took out Mako's pillow, which he had brought. Hiro placed his hand on it and absorbed the Heaven Mojikara, which he transferred to a single cell of the disc before taking his leave. While Kaoru held her son to give him ore power, he drew small versions of the Fire Kanji which were absorbed into alternate cells on the white Disc with a single pink cell with Mako's Mojikara, and turned the white cells red.
By then, the other Shinkengers had learnt of his whereabouts and arrived at Kaoru's home, just in time to see Takeru collapse from fatigue. Chiaki and Genta caught him and placed him on the bed, but he refused to rest and tried to contact someone else with his ShodouPhone. When everyone had left the room, the line finally got through.
Meanwhile, the Gedoushuu were discussing. But the young lord was faster. He had already seen through their plan due to his love for Mako. Takeru was already pushing his long, exhausting plan into the next stage...
