Author's note:
Sorry if this the fighting scene is not satisfying and too short. Hope you enjoy~
"Here I thought to have some small talk with you." Azarel revealed himself from the darkness of alleyway with lazy smile. His two fans already in his hands, ready to attack in any moment.
"Two huge fans and tattoos all over the face… Azarel I presume?" Fuuhaku questioned.
"Correct. I'm Disscordo Family Mist Guardian, Azarel Mehitos and the one who defeated Hayato Gokudera." Azarel lazy smile turned to bloodthirsty and excitement.
Slowly and securely, both circled each other, weapons raised and not taking their eyes off of one another. Years of training had taught them both to wait until their opponent attacked them, but this was different. Someone had to make the first move.
The two pairs of ice blue eyes never faltered, daring the other one to attack first. Having waited long enough, Fuuhaku decided it was time to get this thing going.
Feinting to his right, Fuuhaku drew him out, making him counter-attack with a swipe of his fan, but Fuuhaku was one step ahead of him and swung his staff at his unprotected left side.
Azarel saw this in time to using his left fan and block the blow causing both their blades to bounce back. Hardly noticing the recoil vibrating his whole arm, Fuuhaku jumped high into the air to avoid a powerful swing from Azarel's fans near his legs. Using gravity, he pointed the tip of his dual blade towards the earth to attack from above. Easily dodging this strike, he turned his staff into dual blades and used the moment of his impact to aim a strike at his face.
Ducking, Fuuhaku attempted to sweep his leg at the same time, but he jumped back just in time, giving him the opportunity to stand up. They once again carefully circled each other, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
"Not bad, you're better than Vongola Decimo's storm Guardian." Azarel praised.
"I won't take your compliment, especially after what you've done to Hayato-san." Fuuhaku replied coldly.
It was Azarel's turn to start off the action this time around and he did so with a barrage of attacks in succession. Azarel was fast but Fuuhaku was faster, blocking each and every blow with ease. Using each strike as an opportunity to push Fuuhaku back, Azarel put all of his power into each swing. The strain of blocking the forceful blows was beginning to weaken his arms and he needed to change tactics and fast.
Seeing that he was losing ground, the black haired man used his power against him. As he brought his fan above his head in another powerful strike, Fuuhaku quickly side-stepped him and felt the air from his fan as it came down where he had just been.
His momentum made him stumble only a second, but it was enough for Fuuhaku to aim a well-placed round wall kick to his stomach. The force of the blow threw him back a few feet, but as he fell he quickly did a back roll and was on his feet again.
Fuuhaku stared Azarel down and brought his dual blade up in a ready stance. Once again Azarel charged at him, but he jumped into the air to avoid him. He had predicted he would do this and jumped into the air as well.
Fuuhaku had not prepared for this and Azarel was able to catch him off guard, aiming a powerful strike downwards. He was able to put his staff up to block it, but the force of the blow made him plummet to earth.
Fuuhaku managed to land on his feet but the speed at which he had fallen caused him to drop to one knee, in order to prevent both kneecaps from being blown out. Not wasting his advantage, Azarel used his decent to earth as an attack opportunity as Fuuhaku had done earlier.
Like he had, Fuuhaku dodged it and went on the offensive. In a burst of speed, he attacked hard and fast. A diagonal attack one way, blocked, a diagonal attack the other way, also blocked; a horizontal swing, upward strike, and a stab, all blocked. Needing more space he did a back flip, and while in the air, switched his blade to the staff and twisted. Managing one slash of Cloud flame, which Azarel deflected with his fan, he landed several feet away, his staff already back into dual blades.
Before he even had a chance to realize what had happened Azarel had aimed a spinning kick to his face. By quickly leaning back Fuuhaku was able to dodge it by mere centimeters, but it was swiftly followed by a back kick to the stomach. This one he hadn't been expecting either and he stumbled back but didn't fall. Seeing that he wasn't messing around he ran at him with his weapons pulled back. That was his second mistake. His first had been coming here in the first place.
It was so much easier to take out an opponent who was attacking. They were off balance and all of their force was going in one direction. If it was possible to avoid that force, it could be used against them with minimal effort. Unfortunately for Fuuhaku, Azarel had perfected this.
Angling his body to the side, he's not only avoided his punch but he tripped him up with his leg. Instead of falling, Fuuhaku managed to do a front roll and spin around, just in time to welcome Azarel's elbow into his unprotected face quickly followed by a punch that staggered him. This gave him the time and space to fire a second spinning kick to his head. This time it landed hard on his temple, bringing him to his knees. A thin trail of blood oozed from a cut on the side of his face as he glanced up at him who ready to deal a finishing blow.
However, Fuuhaku opened his box weapon, summoning Cloud Centipede that whirled around Fuuhaku, protecting him from the blow, diverting Azarel's Mist Flames into the atmosphere. Azarel jumped backwards as Fuuhaku stood again.
"I have to thank Lal-san for letting me borrowing Zamza." Fuuhaku thought as he put back Zamza into his box. "But to think that I must using box weapon…I still need to train more."
Azarel ran at him like a train with his fans at his sides ready for an upward swing. When he got close enough he did just that and while he was able to block it from hitting his body, the force of it launched him into the air. Like a cat he managed to land on his feet once again, but he was hardly ready for his next onslaught.
Azarel multiplied himself using his illusions, surrounding Fuuhaku. "Now, what will you do?" Azarel asked mockingly. Fuuhaku looked around the illusions of Azarel, he ignited his flame from his ring and stared at it. "Just what are you doing now, Fuuhaku Hibari? Giving up already?"
Deciding that this battle had to turn in his favor, Fuuhaku dodged one of Azarel's more powerful strikes and watch as his fans hit the concrete of the Quad along with the illusions ones.
The leader of Foundation stomped down hard on the side of his fan, causing it to flatten to the ground and Azarel's fingers to be pinched between the metal and the concrete. All of his fingers were trapped making it impossible to let go of the handle. Fuuhaku knew even if he could, he would not relinquish it until he had no other choice.
The man took advantage of his crouched down state and instead of slicing him open with his dual blade, he punched him square in the face. His fingers were ripped away from the handle by the force of it and he fell backwards unarmed.
Fuuhaku pointed his dual blade at his heart "…how about you stop playing around?" Fuuhaku said. "Or you want to use this illusion so you could attack me from behind or run away like a coward…?" Fuuhaku narrowed his eyes and turned around his left side.
From the side, Azarel revealed himself like he did several moments ago, applause for Fuuhaku's strong perception. "How perceptive of you, I do not intend to play around or attack you from behind. I only want to know just how strong you are." Azarel's smile returned to lazy and playful innocent one. "The boss had ordered me to eliminate you as fast as possible, since you're quite troublesome for able to stole information about us, catching the traitor from your side that had gave us many useful information about your Family and destroyed our North branch HQ. But if I did it, it won't be fun. I think it would be more fun to kill all of you at once along with the candidates."
"Fun? Taking people's life, which part of it is fun?" Fuuhaku glared at the illusionist with disgusted.
"Is it not? Then what do you feel when you kill someone?" Azarel asked, raising his brow.
"...no… Killing people just for fun are wrong." Fuuhaku answered.
"Is that so? What a shame…you're strong but your way of thinking is just as same as those of Vongola Primo and Decimo Family…pathetic." Azarel mocked.
"We don't want to hear that from you."
A small familiar voice interrupted them. A silhouette of man carrying a gun wearing fedora appeared along with the sound of his footsteps that came near.
"You and your Family are just a bunch of people who cause nothing but suffering of others just to fulfill your own selfish desire…all of you really sickens me."
With a swift movement, Azarel evade a gunshot that directed to his head. As another gunshots being released, Azarel shield himself with his fans and reflected it to the direction where the gunshot came from. The figure jumped and revealed itself, much to shock of both them.
"Reborn?" Fuuhaku uttered in surprise.
"Ciaossu, Fuuhaku. I see that you're in trouble." Reborn sat on Fuuhaku's shoulder.
"No I'm not in trouble but thanks anyway…"
Fuuhaku and Reborn focused back at the illusionist, weapons and battle stances ready once again. Seeing the two ready to fight again, he sighed and put a lazy face without smile as his thought also bothered by the silhouette of Reborn that he had just saw. He ignited his flame from his ring. His body slowly blurred and he disappeared from Reborn and Fuuhaku's sight.
"He ran away." Both lowered their guards and put away their weapons.
"Maybe it's better this way. If one of Disscordo Guardians got defeated who knows that the Disscordo Family might launch an all out assassination towards the candidates."
"If their boss ordered to attacking me like this, then most likely they have begun to make their move both in Japan and Italy." Fuuhaku stretched his neck. "We have to report this to External Advisor immediately."
Rooftop, Building, Namimori Town
Azarel looked down at Fuuhaku and Reborn who begun to leave the dark alleyway and then he stared at the bright full moon. "The Arcobaleno really surprised me. But…what surprised me the most…is you." Azarel glanced beside him from his shoulder.
Someone stood behind him. From the figure, he was a man. He wore black suit with white pinstripes and a white undershirt with a black tie.
"Both our Family and Vongola have been looking for you for two years." Azarel fully faced the man. "We all knew that you will show up yourself if we keeps attacking and attacking the Candidates. After all, you're a type of person who would never just left those who are precious to you alone."
The man clenched his fists with his stance clearly showing that he's ready to attack.
"Oh please. There's no need for that. Just for you to know, I won't reveal this yet since it won't be fun. Maybe the boss will punish me but I don't really care about that. There's a part of me that is masochist." Azarel jumped to the ceiling.
"See you again~" He waved his hand before let himself fall. When the man looked down from the ceiling, Azarel was nowhere to be seen.
The man opened his locket that he wore around his neck. There's a small photo of Hide with his parents, Saki, and a young man with brown hair wearing black jacket with orange shirt underneath and black jeans. His gaze focused on the brunet who's smiling on the photo.
The Next Day, Rooftop, Namimori-Middle School
Everyone gathered at the rooftop as Fuuhaku told them to. Fuuhaku told them his fight with Azarel yesterday night and the possibility they would be attacked soon too.
"So the enemies have started to make their move?" Kouhei asked.
"Yeah. That's why all of you must be careful from now on. They might even send more Guardians to kill you." Fuuhaku warned them.
"Huh! They can send as many assassins as they want, I'll blow them up!" Haji palmed his fist.
"…you can't even defeat one Guardian and got tired easily when fighting their henchmen, I wonder just how slow your brain could be." Ryou said and shook his head pityingly for the red haired boy. As usual, this turned on the red haired boy's anger switch and he begun to shout at the blue haired young man.
"Then what are we suppose to do at this situation?" Takashi asked.
Fuuhaku reached his bag and handed them some Gems. Each Gem had different colors for exception of four Gems. They were colorful like a rainbow. They were like representing the colors of Dying Will Flames.
"These are Dying Will Gems." Fuuhaku showed his two Dying Will Gems, purple colored and yellow colored that he wore around his neck like a necklace. He gave the remaining Gems to others.
"Dying Will Gem are gems that contain a small, limited amount of Dying Will Flames from the maker. The Gem will glow different colors depending on the Dying Will Flames that the stone was made of. The person who receives the gem will only be able to use it with a strong will power. When the user has a Dying Will Flame that is compatible with the Gem, they are able to bring out more of the stone's power at one time. The power of the gem decreases with use which is indicated by the fading of the gem color."
Fuuhaku demonstrated this by using the yellow Gem. He opened the box that he carried with him and revealing an injured bird. From the Gem, the Sun Flame ignited and he healed the injured bird inside the box and let it fly away. "It's not as strong as rings but these gems allowed us to use the Dying Will Flames that we don't possess. It's like our temporary Flames."
Everyone stared at their Gems with amazement for exception of Ryou, Shinogu, and Arisa who knew about it. But to make it fair, Arisa joined to use amazement face.
"How do we make it?" Haji asked.
"Sorry but I couldn't tell you about it yet. You still need practice to make it…except for three of them." Fuuhaku glanced at Ryou, Shinogu and Arisa who showed them the Gems they were made. "All right, that's all for today and we have to go back to class now." Fuuhaku dismissed the meeting.
"Now that we were finished, where's Hide?" Ryou asked. This question made everyone realized for the first time after several subjects had passed that Hide was not present in any part of school. "Oh, sorry I forgot to tell you that big brother isn't feeling well today so he skipped school." Saki palmed her head, embarrass for her forgetfulness.
Kareha frowned. "…Could it be…it was because of me…? He is so stressed out for the past few days that he became sick?"
"Kareha-neesan, are you…and Brother still haven't made up?" Saki finally asked. Ever since her Brother came back from the anniversary of Kusaka Café's flower shop, he had been avoiding Kareha on purpose. Whenever their gaze met, they always looked away and forcing themselves to converse with anyone near them. And Hide always changed the subject or made up excuses whenever she brought it up to question. Not to mention, her brother's fits occurred more often, such as banging his head on the wall while calling himself an idiot, shouting to the sky of how cruel his days were, and it even reached a whole new level to the point of asking Reborn to shoot him. Saki has lost the count of Hide sitting in the corner while lamenting his so-called bad luck for every past few days.
"Geez, just how bad your fight is, Kusaka? We can't ignore it if it's to the point of Hide getting sick. Come on, tell us." Kouhei demanded as well. Kareha turned to Haji, asking for support, but Haji shook his head, telling her to handle it herself.
"Just let them be." Ryou said. "This is something that they need to handle themselves. Also," Ryou turned his attention to Saki. "Rather than worrying about your brother, you should worry about your own position as a candidate. You should have realized that it's things started to move away from your favor." He smirked at Saki's horrified expression, waving at her as he left the rooftop.
"What the hell does that mean?" Haji looked towards where Ryou has gone irritatingly. Seeing Saki's expression, Haji patted her head in comfort. "I don't know what happened, but don't take his words too much." Saki nodded, welcoming the comfort that she felt on her head. She mustn't think about her flaws, focused on what she can do and improve it. Because if she focused too much on her flaws, she'll lose a grip on what she can do.
Kouhei, seeing the troubled look on his cousin and friend's face, made up a plan to ease whatever was troubling their minds. And his plan will started today, after school. He knew one place where people can let out their feelings without others knowing. Tapping his cousin and friend on thier shoulder, he gave them a thumb up and bright smile.
"Don't worry, Saki, Kareha! I know perfect place where you can set your mind at ease and solve your problem once and for all!"
After School, Namimori Church, Namimori Town
"…This is the place where you said we can solve our problems?" Saki said in monotone and skeptical look, looking at the big cross above the building in front of her. Kareha also shared the same look while Kouhei crossed his arms and nodded proudly, confidence filling him.
"According to the saint that I met during my training camp, if you open your heart to the God through the nun, you'll find your right path eventually. All you need to do is believing." Kouhei preached. The two girls smiled weakly. As much as they appreciated him to be so concerned for them and his good intention, this is something that cannot be solved only through preach. And how did a saint ended up at a training camp to begin with?
"…If I'm right, when we were having a holiday in Italy seven years ago, you often went to Florence Church in the town since our first visit. Why?" Saki asked.
"Oh, that church? Well…I heard that that church used to be a church where the First Generation Sun Guardian, Knuckle, dedicated himself as catholic priest. That time, I was just curious and just went in to look, but then become interested. Besides, I feel calm whenever I came here." He explained.
"That cathedral? Really?" Now they became interested. "But…you really don't have any other reason to visit that church?" Saki asked again.
Kouhei nodded. "Yeah. Do you remember the Sister who allowed us stay at the church for the night and even helped us finding the way back to the villa when we got separated from Uncle Tsunayoshi after the festival that night?"
XoXoXoXoX
Seven Years Ago, Florence Church, Florence, Italy
"Excuse me! Is there anyone in there?" Young Kouhei knocked the door hurriedly, holding Saki's hand in comfort as the girl sniffed from crying out loud a while ago. The black haired boy promised that he would punish himself once they got home. He was so excited with the festival that he ran into the crowds with his cousin and went here and there, not realizing that he got himself separated from his parents and uncles. As the result, they got lost and his cousin cried hard out of fear and tired. He should have listened to his parents more!
When the door opened, revealing a woman dressed in white robe with a silver cross hanging around her neck, Kouhei let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank God!" Kouhei said. "We need a little help," he tiredly nodded with a tilt of his head to his cousin, who was slumped on his back. "Is she alright?" The Sister fretted at the sight in alarm, jumping forward to check the girl.
"Yes, she's just tired. We're lost and don't know our way back. Can you please help us?" Kouhei pleaded.
The Sister, seeing the clock and realized it's already late, allowed the two to come in and told them to wait in a room prepared by other Sisters while she talk to the priest. Minutes later, the Sister went to the room where Kouhei and Saki are. She turned to Kouhei, who she presumed was waiting for her, with a gentle smile. "Rest, we'll take you back tomorrow. I already called your parents, they said they'll pick you up tomorrow morning."
"Is it really okay?" Kouhei asked, hesitant. She smiled at Kouhei's modesty. What a nice little boy. "You don't want to force your sister walk longer than she already has, don't you?" kouhei paused and thought about it for a while. Seeing Saki and back to the Sister, he nodded in agreement. The Sister patted his head, wordlessly telling him to sleep.
Within seconds, he joined his cousin and curled up on the bed, hugging her protectively. The Sister chuckled quietly as she tucked them in and left them deep into a dreamless slumber.
XoXoXoXoX
"You mean Sister…Gabriella?" Saki tilted her head in question, unsure she remembered the name right. "The kind Sister who always brought us fresh fruits and vegetables whenever she came visit?" Kareha also remembered her.
"Yeah! Sister Gabriella! Before you awake and we went back home, Sister Gabriella told me stories and tales, it was so fun that I asked her to tell me more! And also…weird things happened to me ever since I met her…" Kouhei scratched his head and a tint of pink appeared on his cheeks. "Whenever I'm in front of her, my heart started to throb quite hard, my chest got tight, and my face got hot, and I always stutter when I talked to her. I never found out what kind of disease that was…and it's still a mystery to this day…"
Saki and Kareha smiled straightly before turning their bodies behind and face palmed. "That means you'd fallen for her, Kouhei-niisan… Whoever thought that you will be the first one to experience falling in love before us, at young age no less…!"
"Anyway, enough about me, let's go inside!" Kouhei took each of their arms and dragged them into the church. Once they were inside they are welcomed by a Sister who seemed to have expecting them to come.
"Welcome, it's been a while, Kouhei-kun." The Sister said. "It's ultimately been a while, Sister Yui! These are my cousin and friend that I've told you." Kouhei pushed Saki and Kareha to the Sister. Both girls bowed as they introduced themselves, which Yui returned the same.
"So, what kind of problem that you have? Don't worry, just let it out and I won't tell anybody." Yui assured them. Kareha and Saki fidgeted. It's not that they don't trust her, it's just that their problems are too private to talked about with anyone. And just as Ryou said, this is something that only they can settle. Saki was the first to speak. "Err…no, actually it's not that of a big deal it's-"
"Hmm? Wait, you're…" Yui walked closer to Saki. She gently cupped her face in her palm and looked directly into her orange eyes. Saki, on the other hand, blinked at the sudden gesture of the Sister who somehow looked fascinated by her orange eyes. Before she could ask, she already spoke first and answer he question.
"Your eyes are similar with that boy." She said, finally letting go of the blonde.
"That boy…?" Saki raised her brown.
"Yes, the boy who helped me escape from my terrible fate and eventually led me to the path of Sisterhood in this church." She held her hands in prayer as she reminisced with dreamy expression. "That Optimistic, kind, soft-natured and caring boy. He exhibited a great deal of maturity, clever thinking, perceptiveness and strong attachment to his family, friends, and loved ones. An endearing young man with gentle heart, he's incredibly brave, honorable and compassionate person, which earned many respect from others. He's the type of person who easily forgets his worries and problems, mostly appearing encouraging and supporting others. Always tries to make the best out of a bad situation, a trait that never fails to amaze even his closest friends. While he was the owner of a calm personality and the comprehensive disposition to accept anyone, he also had a strong sense of justice and was known for actively pursuing what he thought was right. He must be the emissary that the God has sent to save me."
The three teens ignored the last part of what the Sister said and instead, thinking of the description that the Sister has described regarding the boy. He has same eyes as Saki and near perfect personality… Nostalgia filled their eyes. Only one person that they knew fit with the description. But they have to make sure first…
"Sister Yui, do you know the name of this boy you are talking about?" Kareha asked. Yui was snapped from her own world and returned to the three teens that looked so eager to know.
"His name, if I'm not mistaken…Mitsusada Sawada."