"Takao?" asked Tenshi " Who was he?"

Miyuki sighed and went over to a nearby bench to sit down.

"Well about five years ago there was "college student" who had come to teach the Jr. High School Kendo class since our last teach had passed away. Anyway that was during the time Kazuki was still interested in that sort of thing."

"Was Still? You mean he quit?" asked Tenshi

Miyuki held up her hand.

"Just listen ok?" she said. "So Takao was a hard teacher and not many people stayed after he took the position because he was too technical about everything that had to be done. He would always make his students go the extra mile, even the top students. He claimed they weren't fight as one with their sword. And even though there were some complaints from parents they keep him in the position anyway. The only student that didn't quit though was Kazuki; he endured the training and even went as far as to challenge Takao-san to make him due more." Miyuki smiled and shook her head. "When I asked him why he stayed when he didn't have to and that no would blame him for quit he told me "That old man wants to prove that one here has the guts to do what he wants, well I'm going to show that I'm not going to run away and that whatever he can dish out I can take it plus more!"

"So what happened?" asked Tenshi

"Well, Kazuki did what he said he was going to do and pushed himself even further and I guess, cause I really wasn't there, that Takao-san and Kazuki formed a friendship or brotherly rivalry more than anything , Kazuki would meet Takao-san challenge and Takao-san would make the next one more difficult. As time went on Takao and Kazuki began spending more and more time together; they were like two brothers."Said Miyuki look off into space. "Kazuki told me that Takao taught him that it's important that one's sword must be as sharp and as strong as ones heart. Because in battle if the heart fails the sword would do the same, he said that Takao told him that the blade and the heart should fight as one and when they do, they become a weapon more powerfully then anything.

"So what happened to Takao? And how is this related to Takao being a death god. And Kazuki not believing in death gods. "

"Ok, sorry for rambling, I just trying to remember it all. Ok here what happened that changed everything. It was the night before the tournament was to be held Takao and Kazuki were doing their training as usually when several men in black robes came into the gym. Kazuki said that he could see their faces but he did say that there was a man whose face was uncovered, he had red hair and the greenest greens Kazuki said he ever seen."

"Wha-what happened?" Asked Tenshi

"He never told me, said Miyuki " I've tried to ask him but he doesn't like to talk about it all I know is that I never saw Takao-san again , the other teachers said he traversed out but I don't believe them. Said Miyuki, she paused and looked over at the place Kazuki had been standing minutes ago. "I think they killed him………and because of that Kazuki hasn't been the same." She paused. " I don't remember much but I remember him say, "they can't, they don't exist! I hate them!"

Tenshi looked down at the ground then back up at Miyuki.

" So…..that's the really reason……he hates death gods……. And he refused to accepted that Takao was one…he refused to believe that Takao was one. " I…I didn't know"

"I know ….and that's why I'm saying don't think bad of him ….please."

Tenshi nodded, walked over to Miyuki and sat down.

"Maybe I rushed into it, I talk to him later about it and apologize to him."

Miyuki looked over at Tenshi and smile.

"Thank you Tenshi-chan"

*

After about ten minutes of running Kazuki slowed his pace down to a walk, why had he ran away ,what happened was a long time ago he should be over it by now. He put his hand to his head and closed his eyes. Images from his past began flooding his mind, that time in the gym the day before the tournament. Why…why did it happen ……why he'd have too…..

Flashback: This is just to give you more information on what happened, this does not mean Kazuki remember all this because as you will read he was not there for the whole scene but rather this flash back is here for you to get more of an insight of what happened. Keep in mind Kazuki only remembers the scenes he was in during this flash back.

"You're holding your sword to lightly" said Takao dodging Kazuki attack. Kazuki turned and rushed at his teacher again only for his attack to be dodged again.

"Now you're holding it to tightly, focus!, how do you expect to win if you cannot focus"

"I'm trying, but this heart and blade thing is hard, I'm not a master of it like you."

"I know and that why I'm pushing you harder….you without a doubt are one of the best pupils I've ever taught , when I challenged the class and no one would take up the challenge you did, you have heart u have spirit, and more importantly you have the skill to beat anyone even me but you're not sure of yourself and that's why you're not focused. If would learn to trust yourself….trust your heart you would become the greatest sword man-"

"But until I do I've have to train harder, right?" said Kazuki cockily

Takao smiled

"Yeah, well go take a shower and get cleaned up its way past the time we're supposed to leave."

"Alright, and you owe me ramen from last practice"

" Ah….yeah about that I…."

" I don't care you owe me, you're not getting out of this one!" said Kazuki walking into the locker room.

" Fine…..(damn kid , I'll be broke by the time this is all over-"

There was a cold chill in the air, Takao narrowed his eyes and turned around slowly, standing on the opposite side of the gym was four men but the one that had Takao attention was the one in the middle.

"You….."

"Long time no see….Takao"

"What do you want?"

"Oh don't play dumb with me , we been following your actives for quite some time now and some very important people know you have dealings with the exile."

" I..I don't know what you're talking about I'm here on a …"

On a patrol right? That's what your record said, but guess what your records also indicate that you've been taking certain items to the real world with you, like for example a sword…a sword from one of the noble families."

"Damn it, you're here for him aren't you…."

The red hair man smiled, and then snapped his fingers. Two men jumped from out of nowhere behind Takao and grabbed him.

"Damn, let me go!"

"It's all over Takao; now tell me where he is!"

"Never! You guys will be dead by the time I tell you anything cause their on their way. It won't be long no!"

"Oh you must be talking about the earth division……….I assure you I am well aware of your little pocket device, and know this by the time they get here you'll be dead!"

"What…what are you talking about?"

"I'm the one who made those device for the earth division I scrambled them (Devices) so that they (earth division) go to different locations all over this town." The man sighed "Besides what's it gonna matter to them anyway you're a criminal, but I'm sure they don't know that since you are here on a supposed patrol.

Takao eyes grew wide with shock at the news he was hearing, He hadn't counted on this, what the hell he should do now. Suddenly he heard a voice that made the sweat start beading down his forehead.

Takao?" said a voice

Takao eyes widened in fear as he realized whose voice it was He looked over to the locker room door to see Kazuki standing there looking in shock at what was happing. "Shit Taka thought, I forgot about the boy!"

"Kazuki Run!!

"But, who are these guys?"

"For once in your life just listen to me and run go get help!"

The red haired man looked over at Kazuki and smiled

"Oho? I didn't know anyone else was here, and who might you be?"

Kazuki held his wooded sword tightly and glared at the man. The man laughed and shook his finger at Kazuki.

" It's not polite, not to answer when being spoken to Human." said the man " After all we death gods do for you, you should at least give me a response."

"Death Gods?"Said Kazuki

"Damn it all Kazuki just run!"

"Oh no I don't think he be going anywhere, kill'em"

The other two men pulled out swords and rushed toward Kazuki who was frozen with fear.

"No! ……"

Kazuki closed his eyes, he could barley find enough strength to do that when he heard the sound of metal slicing through flesh. Then he felt something warm on his cheek. He opened his eyes to see blood running down his face. He looked up to see Takao standing over him with two swords sticking out of his chest. Kazuki watch as the sword slowly pulled out letting Takao body fall down.

"TAKAO!!"

" tch, whatever, he was a lose end that needed tying up anyway." the man Said "Come,we're leaving."

Kazuki watched as the men disappeared leaving him and Takao alone.

" Ba…baka ….I told you to get out of here…."

"I'm sorry…..Don't worry…..I'm go get, help you're going to be ok."

Takao smiled weakly …

"How bad is it?"

Kazuki looked down at the two wounds and bit his lip, they were bad and Takao was losing a lot of blood. Even if I did go and get help he thought he, may not make it…..

"Hey, it's okay." Said Takao weakly

"Takao don't talk…."

" Hey, …just shut up and listen to me…..i don't have much time…….." said Takao " Don't …stop ..Stop …being strong…….you.,..Have so much potential ……..learn to trust your heart…..trust it………"

"But What did those….those death gods want with you? What are they?"

"I haven't been completely honest with you ……and I wish I could explain it more ……but I am a death god and I had an important mission……..and I'm sorry….sorry I got you involved…

"No…..you're not a death god…..those death gods are mean, and horrible people you're not like them……….you can't be like them I don't….i won't believe it!. " Kazuki said through tears. "This is all my…my (sniff) fault if only I had listened to you …..none of this would have happened……Its' because I was afraid……

Takao put a finger up to his Kazuki lips and quieted him. Takao smiled and shook his head.

" Hey…..It's okay……i….be with…..always…….I'll…be..i..in….your….you……your…hear……….."

"Takao….Takao!!!!!"

End of flash back.