Guardian of Sound:
Code 08
"Minori-chan, I need two Chocolate cakes with purple icing and strawberries," Uesugi called from the front of the bakery. Minori hit the bell next to her; the bell signaling to Uesugi an "Ok" Minori reinforced the knot on the back of her apron and began to go to work. Minori loved working in the Bakery making different cakes, seeing the little children's faces light up in wonder as she brings out cake. Uesugi, even though skeptical at first seems to have taken a liking to her. Minori now had flour not only on her hands, but also on a bit on her glasses and some in her hair not that it could be seen due to her white hair. Minori inwardly sighed as she place the first cake in the oven and began to start on the next one.
As Minori placed the next cake in the oven she caught a glimpse of the white bandage wrapped her palm. She then recalled the events of what happened the day before. 'Yuuki...'
[Day Earlier—Shibuya house]
"Un:coded?" Sakura questioned, while Minori gave Shibuya a look that matched. "Shibuya-san are the Un:coded in the same league as the Re:codes?" Shibuya took a sip of his tea. "No. The Un:coded have been around for a while, but they haven't really been a threat to anyone, so EDEN hasn't really found a reason to interfere at least—until now."
Minori was confused, but waited until Shibuya had finished before she felt safe to voice her opinion. She pulled out her note pad and began writing. –Shibuya-san, Sakura-chan. Not to break your important conversation, but... who or what is EDEN and what are the Re:codes? And what does it have to do Sakura-chan and I? "So, Sakura-chan I seen you guys haven't told her yet." Minori looked at both Sakura and Shibuya in utter confusion. Sakura looked at Shibuya and sighed, "Minori-chan?" Minori heard Sakura call her name and focused all her attention on her. "Well, you see..."
Minori let all the information that Sakura had just relayed to her sink in. 'The 'Code:breakers' are essentially people with supernatural powers... Sakura and Shibuya are people called, "Rare-kinds" because of special chemicals in their blood. The 'Code:breakers belong to an Organization called, "EDEN" and they are assigned to judge anyone that this "EDEN" feels is fit to no longer be in this world, even if that means—Killing them... So Yuuki he's... the Re:codes were a group that hunt down the Code:breakers, but eventually were taken down and the remaining Re:codes just live normal lives.' Minori didn't know it, but she had clenched her fist too hard and ended up drawing blood; the blood ran down her fingers and continued to seep into the carpet. Minori without warning got up from the table, surprising both Shibuya and Sakura.
"Minori-chan what's—" Sakura stooped mid-sentence as she saw the blood continuously dripping down her palm, down her fingers and on the carpet staining it with blood. Sakura responded quickly, she got up grabbed Minori's other hand and led her to the bathroom. Sakura grabbed the first aid-kit and began to work on addressing her wound. The room lingered in silence, Sakura knew that what Minori had learned was a hand full of information, so she honestly didn't hold it against her that she wasn't responding right now, but... she couldn't help but feel that it was something more important than finding out that everyone had powers.
"Minori-chan... something Shibuya-san said is bugging you isn't it?" Sakura's gazed shifted to Minori, but Minori averted her gaze, silently letting Sakura know that she was right. "Now this is going to sting a bit," Sakura warned. Minori looked downward as she poured the disinfectant acid on her wound, she flinched as the liquid seeped into her wound causing it to sting a bit. "Minori-chan." Sakura wrapped the gauze around Minori's hand. "I feel bad about not telling you this stuff before, but... Ok, I'm done." Sakura finished bandaging Minori's hand and placed all items back in the first aid kit and placed it back in the bathroom cabinet. "Minori..." Minori quickly left the bathroom and headed into her room without as much as a glance at Sakura.
She lied down on her bed and stared at the white cloth now covering her hand like it was some abstract piece of art. She wasn't mad at Sakura or Shibuya, she was happy that they told her, in a way it showed that they trusted her enough to tell her. That wasn't what was eating at her... 'Yuuki's... he's killed someone...' she thought. She felt like her image on how she viewed Yuuki had been tweaked, she felt that if she were to be around him things would awkward. Yet, the more she thought about it she knew it was quite silly to feel this was way, I mean she wasn't entirely innocent either, she had her own share of personal demons, hell everyone did. Maybe... in actuality, it had nothing to do with Yuuki—maybe, maybe it was... her?
Minori decided to sleep on it, maybe it was a just her over analyzing it. She tended to do that a lot, it was probably her was of making her feel safe, not that having everyone didn't make her feel safe. It was more of an internal thing.
[Present day—Blue Moon Bakery]
Minori took the first cake out of the oven and placed it down on the counter to cool. She walked over to the refrigerator and opening it grabbed the strawberries, milk, butter, and placed it on the counter, after closing it, she walked over to the cabinet and opened it up. She then grabbed the Vanilla extract, sugar, and opened a small brown box containing 4 types of food coloring, she grabbed the blue and red coloring as well as a small bowl. She placed all the ingredients in the bowl real quick and went back over to the oven to retrieve the other cake out of the oven and placed it down next to its counterpart and let it cool.
'Ok, now to make the icing and finally finish these cakes!' Minori rolled up her sleeves to show enthusiasm. Minori carefully covered both cakes with icing etching little designs as she did so. Now for the final, final part—the strawberries. Minori took some strawberries out of the container and cut them in half and with as much precision as she could muster.
Minori breath a sigh of relief, 'Yay, I'm done. I really need to thank Sakura-chan for those cooking lessons. They are really paying off.' Minori stepped back a bit to admire her work, a smile on her face.
"Wow, Minori-chan you did a really good job on these cakes... literally." A voice stated with a chuckle. Uesugi had walked into the kitchen unnoticed by Minori, causing her to turn around in shock, a small blush on her cheeks due to embarrassment. She sheepishly bowed and pulled out her note-pad. That reminded her, she needed to get a new one she was running low on pages.
-T-thank you, Hajime-kun. I just happy I was able to get a job.
Hajime cocked an eyebrow. "That reminds me, I never asked. So, Minori-chan why'd you decide to work in the first place?"
Minori began to fidget, swaying back and forth.
"Well?"
-Well, I wanted to repay my kindness. To someone every dear to me.
"Repay kindness, huh?"
Hajime smiled at Minori and patted her head. Minori gave Hajime a pout, she hated being treated like a kid. Hajime looked at her and chuckled, "You're pretty cute, you know that." a small blush evident on her cheeks. "Minori-chan can you help package these?" Minori nodded. Hajime went to the front of the shop to grab two cake boxes. When he returned he handed Minori one of the boxes and they both began to package both cakes.
"Good. Now all that's left is cleaning up." Hajime and Minori began to clean the kitchen. 40-mintues later, the kitchen was clean as a whistle. Hajime stifled a yawn. "Well, I guess it's time to lock up." Minori took her apron off and placed it on the coat hook hanging by the wall near the entrance to the kitchen. She grabbed her coat which was also hanging on one of the hooks as well. Hajime repeated the same process, the only difference was his coat was behind the counter in the front of the shop.
Hajime grabbed his coat and both he and Minori proceeded to make their leave. Hajime did a final once over and locked up the shop. It was around 6:30 p.m. the sun was finally setting over the horizon and the stars were poking their heads out. It about mid-November, so it was getting chilly. Not to mention shops and people were starting to put out Christmas ornaments.
Hajime looked at the ornaments and got him thinking. "Hey, Minori-chan?" Minori looked up at him. "W-well I was wondering, you being a girl and all. What would you get a girl as a Christmas present? I-I know it's a bit early to be think about this, but—" Hajime stopped when felt a soft tug on his jacket. "Huh?" he looked and saw Minori giving him a warm smile. He blushed a bit. "What is it?" Minori stopped and pulled out her note-pad and began writing.
-I think it's sweet. Who is she?
Hajime read the note. A tinge of red came to his cheeks. "W-well she... she's my childhood friend. Y-you see, we along with another one of my friends we grew up in an orphanage. She was always kind sticking up for us when bullies picked on us. And yes, surprisingly I was wimp when I was younger." Minori covered her mouth and her shoulders began shaking signaling she was chuckling. "Great, you're laughing I feel so confident.' Hajime said, shoulders slumped. Minori gave him a soft pat letting him know that she didn't mean any harm by it.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Still what should I do?" Minori faced Hajime and placed her hand on his heart. This confused him. "What? W-wait do you mean... follow my heart?" he questioned. Minori gave a firm nod. "Well, that's easier said than done." Minori sighed, 'Guys are dense sometime aren't they.' She took her hand on off Hajime's chest and began to write again.
-Hajime-kun, look. If your friend cares for you as much you care for her, it shouldn't matter to her what you get her.
"Oh, I guess you're right, but still..."
-Don't worry Hajime-kun, you'll—"
Suddenly without warning, something fast flew past them. "Was that a... street sign?" Hajime wondered. He turned around to see...
"Well, looks like little Sia has been slacking off... how's it goin' girly?" the man said, a smirk on his face. Minori felt her blood run cold. She grabbed on to Hajime's jacket in fear. Hajime felt her shaking, he knew this guy was bad news, but the question was... what did he want with Minori? Hajime knew that whatever it was, they probably shouldn't hang around any longer. He quickly grabbed Minori's hand much to her surprise and ran, pulling her along with him.
Riggs sighed, "It looks like we're going to play this game all over again aren't we girly. This time though I. Will. Win." Riggs chased after the two determined to catch them.
Hajime and Minori continued to run, dodging people as if their lives depended on it. Hajime knew that they needed to get somewhere safe, but where? Hajime only knew of only one place. Ironically it was the place that Minori was currently housed.
"Hey, girly. Why don't you just make it easy by giving up?" Riggs called. He was gaining on them. Riggs knew he needed to stop them, he saw a fire hydrant up ahead and got an Idea. Hajime looked behind him and saw the guy from before wasn't following them. "Hey, nice to meet ya!" a voice said. Hajime looked in front of him and saw the guy had somehow gotten in front of them. Hajime there was only one thing he could do.
'Damn, I think I'd have to use it, but honestly what choice do I have. I'm probably going to be a little rusty considering I haven't used it in a while.' Hajime took a deep breath. "Minori-chan whatever you do don't and I repeat don't let go of my jacket, ok?" he whispered. Minori eyed him suspiciously, but after spending some time with him, she could tell he was really nice and trust worthy. She nodded. "Ok, good." Hajime grabbed her hand again and ran. "Damn it kid, I really don't like playing these games, give up." Riggs ran after them, this time not hesitating to let loose a bit. He looked at his boots and smirked. Riggs sped fast down the street, just a blur to the naked eye. His speed, in truth, could rival Yuuki's if he wanted.
Hajime and Minori turned into alleyway. "Ok, are you ready Minori-chan?" she nodded. Whatever Hajime was going to do, it was better than ending up with the guy that was pursuing them. Riggs had finally caught up with them. "Found you!" he walked toward them, an evil smile plastered on his face. "Geez, girly, you really are a pain in the ass, aren't you." Riggs pick up a pebble lying on the ground and began tossing it back and forth. Hajime could tell that this guy had an evil intent to him, he stepped in front of Minori to protect her.
"What do you want with her?" Hajime demanded.
Riggs smirked, "What does it matter. If you just hand her over then what do you have to worry about, am I right?"
"No. Tell me what you want with her."
Riggs sighed, "Look, my boss needs her for something important. This little problem here, ran away from us a while ago, and now I've come to get her back. Is that good of an explanation for ya? Now if you wouldn't mind, please hand her over." He gave a small smile, trying to seem less menacing, but Hajime knew better.
"Sorry, buddy. But no dice." Riggs didn't like that. "God damn it kid!" Riggs threw the pebble he had in his hand with precision and force, hitting Minori in the eye. She shuttered and quickly covered her eye. "Minori-chan, are you alright?" Hajime asked worried. Minori didn't answer and he knew he had to get her out of here now. Hajime picked her up. "Minori-chan, hold on tight." In response, Minori gripped on tightly to his jacket.
"Now, kid. What do you plan to do? You've got nowhere to run?"
Hajime smirked, "Sorry to disappoint, but I'll see you later."
"W-wait you—!" Riggs came speeding toward them, but he was too late. He was met with a... trashcan? Somehow this boy had substituted himself and the girl with the trashcan. How was that even possible? "Damn it! Why? Why is it that every time I get close someone always has to stop me? Damn it!" Riggs banged his hand against the brick wall. Riggs reached inside his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. He pulled one of the cigarettes and placed it in his mouth and lit it. He inhaled a puff of smoke and exhaled lazily. "Shit. Looks like it's back to the drawing board." Riggs walked out of the alleyway and back into the people filled streets blending into the crowd with ease.
Hajime and Minori had arrived at their destination in no time flat. How Minori wasn't sure, but if she had to guess, it was that Hajime had powers of some kind like Shibuya-san had told her about the day earlier. "Well, here we are, Shibuya house. Don't worry Minori-chan, Sakura-chan and her other friends live here. You should be able rest here for a while." Hajime walked up to Shibuya house and rang the doorbell.
"Coming." a lazy voice called. The door opened to reveal a boy with blond curly hair and heterochromatic eyes, one blue, the other gold. "W-what do you—" Toki started to say, but stopped when he saw Uesugi carrying Minori in his arms. He could see something was wrong she was covering her eye and saw a line of blood dripping down her face.
"What the hell happened?" Toki asked. "I'll explain it, but you've got to help Minori-chan first," Uesugi stated. Toki nodded. "Sakura-chan!" Toki called. Toki let Uesugi inside and closed the door behind him.
Sakura careful worked on Minori eyebrow, while Uesugi told everyone what happened as they sat around the living room table. Yuuki sat next to Minori and had a sad look about him. Minori hated seeing him like this, so she grabbed his hand letting him know that she was fine, he felt a little better, but it still hurt him knowing that Minori was hurt and he was there to protect her. He was grateful that Uesugi was around and able to keep real harm from coming to her.
"Ok, finished," Sakura stated. Minori had a small white strip covering her eyebrow. "Minori-chan, you're most like to have a scar. The cut was surprisingly deep for a knick on the eyebrow." Minori nodded. "So, you both were headed back from the bakery, when you saw what look like a sign post fly past you?" Rei asked. "Yeah," Hajime confirmed. "He said he'd known Minori-chan before and that she'd run away and that his boss needed her for something important. I tried to ask him what, but he refused to tell me."
As Yuuki heard Uesugi relay all the information about what had happened to he and Minori that night, he looked over at Minori and noticed that she had a look of fear in eyes. Actually it wasn't just in her eyes, she was literally trembling out of fear. Yuuki hated seeing her like this, she always had a warm glow to her and now it blinded by fear and darkness. Yuuki rested his head on her shoulder. It was his way of letting her know that everything was going to be ok, he would never let anything happen to her, ever. She seemed to have taken comfort in that fact because her trembling lessened, but she was still scared that she was going to get taken back to a place she deemed her own personal hell.
In truth, Yuuki knew the man that had attack Minori, he had first encountered him the day he had received the orders from EDEN to go and retrieve her. Yuuki without a doubt in his mind trusted his friends from the bottom of his heart, but this was something he had to do alone, he refused to let someone hurt someone a kind as Minori and get away with it.
CODE 08: END
A/N: Enjoy:) Hope to have another chapter for you soon. Ja'ne;3 Oh, I almost forgot because I didn't mention it in the last chapter when I introduced him. Uesugi Hajime is not mine. He's actually a character that's in the Manga just in case anyone thought I owned him. I only own Minori, Riggs, Sia, and any other characters I put into this story.
