Hello, everyone! This is a new chapter! Chapter 24! I hope everyone will enjoy it and without further ado, let's start!
Normal POV
An hour later, Miwa and the others entered the room Kai and Aichi were in but it was empty with one window left open.
" Huh?! Where'd they go?!" Miwa exclaimed
" Did something happen inside here?" Misaki wondered
" Let's check the cameras here." Ren said
The two nodded as they ran to the front desk and checked the camera footage. It showed Kai approaching Aichi's bed and carrying him before jumping out of the window.
" Wha?! What's up with Kai?" Miwa wondered
" He did this right after we left. He shouldn't have gone far." Ren said
" It's been an hour! He could've gone anywhere he wanted with his powers!" Miwa exclaimed
" True... If only we could pick up his trace somehow..." Ren said
That was when Tsuna and Reborn passed by them.
" What's wrong?" Tsuna ask
" Actually..." Misaki started
The three then explained what had happened.
" Huh?! He just up and left with Aichi-san?!" Tsuna exclaimed
" Yeah..."
" Now that I think about it... Since our rings chose us, you think they can find their way to the Sky Ring?" Ren ask
" I didn't think about that! Let's try!" Miwa exclaimed
The three nodded as they concentrated. That was when the rings glowed and showed them a quick image of Kai and Aichi.
" Found them!" Miwa exclaimed
" But their general direction..." Misaki exclaimed
" Why are they going back to the Shimon island?!" Ren exclaimed
" What?!"
Meanwhile, Kai landed on the beach of the island as he looked around before continuing to walk. Aichi then slowly started to wake up as he looked up at Kai.
" Kai-kun...?" Aichi muttered
" ... Sleep, Aichi." Kai said
Aichi suddenly felt drowsy again as he yawned and nodded before going back to sleep.
" For some reason... I feel like there's something I need to find here." Kai thought
He looked around again after going deeper into the forest as he finally found a strange entrance that wasn't there before when they went by. Kai walked into it, as if he was drawn by something.
" My past memories... I've been messing them up with my current one... But... I just feel..." Kai thought
As he walked deeper into the strange cave, he was now looking at the crystals surrounding them before it finally reached a mansion at the end. He then walked inside and as if he was given directions, he soon arrived at a room and opened it. He then laid Aichi down on the bed inside before laying down beside him.
" Still tired... I'll wake up later and continue..." Kai thought
Kai then held Aichi's hand before slowly drifting off to sleep.
Meanwhile, Ninth was preparing a boat to go back to the island again as Tsuna had told the others what had happened and they all went to the harbour.
" Are you all sure that you want to go alone?" Enma ask
" Yeah. Besides, you guys all need rest and heal your injuries. We're among the not so injured ones so it's easier for us to go look for them. Don't worry. We'll be back soon." Ren assured
" Be careful." Reborn said
" Yeah."
The boat arrived as the three boarded it and it soon sailed off.
" I keep thinking back to our conversation in the hospital room... Kai was acting way too weird. He even said someone else's name..." Miwa said
" Reah... That doesn't sound like a name that exists nowadays." Misaki said
" I wonder where he even heard it from." Miwa said
" Let's hope nothing's actually going on and he's just hallucinating..." Ren said
" Yeah..."
In the mansion, Kai woke up after hearing a voice pestering him as he got up and rubbed his temples.
" What was that voice...?" Kai muttered
He looked over to his side to see Aichi still sleeping as he smiled. That was when his ring glowed and he saw Miwa and the others on the boat.
" They're coming to take you guys away from your home." A voice said
" Our home...?" Kai thought
" Yes. Protect your precious lover and your home from the invaders." The voice said
" But they're... our friends..." Kai thought
" No. Go on and defeat them. After that, you two can live peacefully." The voice said
" But..." Kai thought
That was when another glow stopped his thoughts as he took out the crystal he'd kept in his pocket.
" Aichi's past memories..." Kai muttered
Kai then placed it near Aichi as it floated and entered Aichi. Aichi groaned before turning to his side and continued sleeping.
" Follow my steps and it'll bring you to somewhere special." The voice said
Kai then contemplated before listening to it as he took the directions the voice told him to go to as he was in front of another door. He then slowly pushed the door open and saw two rings lying on a pedestal. He walked over to it and took them. He then inspected them as he looked at the rainbow crystals imbedded onto them.
" Aichi will love these..." Kai muttered
" That's right. These rings are the proof of your love for each other. Wear them and live together forever." The voice said
" Our home... live together forever..." Kai muttered
" Have a family too. He can give that to you, right? Wed him here and be with each other. You two are destined to be together." The voice continued
" Family... Destined to be together... Aichi and I..." Kai muttered
Kai then clenched his head when another voice tried to interject.
" Toshiki Kai! Don't fall for it! If you stay here, you and Aichi Sendou will be in grave danger!" The second voice exclaimed
" Pontifex...?" Kai thought
" Listen to me! Ophelia's Curse will trigger if either one of you two become unfaithful but there's another way to trigger it! If you and Aichi Sendou regain all of your past memories, the curse will take both of your lives! The crystals surrounding this cave and mansion are those memories! Hurry and get away before they try to go back to you two!" The second voice exclaimed
" ... If it means that Aichi and I can be together forever, does our death matter?" Kai thought
" Hey! Come to your senses!" The second voice exclaimed
Kai ignored the second voice as he held onto the rings and headed back to their room.
At the same time, Miwa and the others landed on the island as they started making their way into it.
" I didn't think we'd be back here so soon..." Miwa said
" Let's hurry." Misaki said
Their rings glowed again as it showed them a direction and they nodded. They started walking in the direction shown as they walked into the forest. That was when they found the same entrance Kai and Aichi went into.
" What's with these words...?" Miwa wondered
Ren snapped a quick picture before the three proceeded inside. Miwa went over to one of the crystals inside as he picked it up.
" This... It's the same crystal Aichi was holding onto!" Miwa exclaimed
" There's so many of them..." Misaki exclaimed
" But I'm having a really bad feeling about this... Let's hurry." Miwa said as he placed the crystal down
Ren then noticed something about the crystals imbedded in the walls as he walked over to one of them.
" Kai?!"
" Huh?"
They walked over to Ren as they looked at the crystal and saw an image of Kai walking around in an unusual outfit.
" You mean he's inside?!" Miwa exclaimed
" No, that doesn't seem to be it. Is this... a past memory?" Misaki ask
" What's going on?" Miwa wondered
Ren walked over to another one and saw an image of Aichi and...
" Primo?!" Ren exclaimed
" No way! ... Then all these crystals contains memories?" Miwa ask
" But it doesn't make sense... To think Aichi and Kai were involved in the Vongola in the past too." Misaki said
" Hey... Daemon called pontifex by a name, didn't he? Was it 'Sonia'?" Ren ask
" But it was alias created by the past Aichi, was what the pontifex said." Miwa added
" ... Why did Kai come here?" Ren wondered
" Let's not think too much. We have to hurry!" Misaki said
The other two nodded as they soon arrived at the mansion.
" It's big!" Miwa exclaimed
" They must be inside." Misaki said
That was when two growls stopped them in their tracks. Two box animals stood before them and were taking an attacking stance.
" Box animals!" Misaki exclaimed
" Look! Sky and Cloud flames!" Miwa exclaimed
" Then they must belong to Aichi-kun and Kai." Ren said
" I wouldn't want to hurt them. They're not our enemies after all." Miwa said
That was when the tiger spotted their rings as it sniffed them and transformed into a smaller form.
" Huh?"
The bear followed suit and ran towards them as they sniffed their rings again.
" I see. Our rings must have some sort of essence or aura to let them know that we're allies." Misaki said as she looked at her ring
" Then that's good! Hey, show us where Aichi and Kai are!" Miwa said
The two box animals nodded as they entered the mansion while the two animals tried to sniff out their masters' scents. Once they arrived at a door, Miwa started to slowly push the door open before quickly shutting it.
" What's wrong?" Misaki ask
" S-Stay there, Misaki-chan! I-I'll head inside first and tell you when it's safe!" Miwa exclaimed
" I'll help you." Ren said
" Y-Yeah..."
Miwa then whispered something into Ren's ears as he hummed.
" Kai'll get angry." Ren said
" He just doesn't seem like himself! Let's hurry or he might do something he'll regret!" Miwa exclaimed
The two hurriedly opened and shut the door as Misaki stayed outside with the box animals while hearing noises inside the room.
" Stay still, Kai! This is for your sake! And put on some clothes first!" Miwa shouted
" Let me go! Aichi and I belong here!" Kai was heard
" Is that some sort of delusion? That sounded pretty cheesy by the way." Ren said
" You wouldn't know!" Kai shouted
That was when a few blasts and smoke came out of the door as the noises soon stopped.
" ... We're okay! You can come in!" Miwa shouted
Misaki opened the door as she saw the mess in the room, Miwa helping the unconscious Kai off the floor and Ren carrying Aichi, who he'd wrapped in a blanket
" I don't think I should ask..." Misaki said
" Yeah... Let's hurry." Miwa said
They took Aichi and Kai back to the boat as it sailed away from the island. In the boat, Kai's eyes snapped open as he shot up.
" ... What was I doing...?" Kai ask
" You don't remember?" Miwa ask
" ... Aichi! Where's Aichi?! What about his wound?!" Kai ask
" Relax. He's over here." Misaki replied
Kai turned towards Misaki's voice as he saw Aichi sleeping on the bed and tried to rush over to him but fell to his knees.
" Kai!"
" I feel really tired for some reason... and there's this splitting headache..." Kai muttered
" Just lie down and rest." Ren said
Miwa and Ren helped Kai over back to his bed as Komo jumped onto the bed and licked his cheek.
" What is it, Komo? When did you come out of your ring?" Kai ask
" So that's his name..." Miwa muttered
Axil jumped up beside Aichi as it slept beside him.
" Even Axil... When did you two even came out?" Kai ask
" Well, if you don't remember it, then that's fine." Ren said
" Huh? What do you mean?" Kai ask
" Nothing." Miwa replied
" Oh, what about Daemon?" Kai ask
" He was defeated. Sawada and the others are getting treated in the hospital right now." Ren replied
" Then why are we in a boat?" Kai ask
" We just left the island. We're on the way to the hospital now. So just relax and sleep." Miwa said
Kai looked over to him in suspicion before brushing it off and falling back asleep. Once they were wheeled back to the hospital, Aichi soon woke up after being checked on as he got up.
" The hospital...?" Aichi muttered
" Yo, Aichi! Feeling better?" Miwa ask
" Miwa-san... I remember being carried by Kai-kun into a cave and then after that... I fell asleep again." Aichi said
" I see... You didn't happen to wake up again other than now, did you?" Miwa ask
" ... I don't think I did." Aichi replied
" I see..."
Kai groaned as he also got up. He then rubbed his eyes as he sighed.
" How long have I been asleep?" Kai ask
" Just about an hour or so." Miwa replied
" I see..."
" Kai-kun." Aichi called
Kai looked over to him before smiling.
" You seem better." Kai said
" Yes."
" We'll leave you two lovebirds alone. Don't do anything silly now." Miwa teased
The three left the room, leaving Aichi and Kai blushing as Kai shook it off and walked over to Aichi.
" How's your wound?" Kai ask
" It feels a lot better. Luckily, my organs weren't hit. Yours too. Looks like your wound is better too." Aichi said
" Thanks to you." Kai said
" It's over. That fight is finally over." Aichi said
" Yeah."
" I don't really remember anything much after I fainted in the maze. I just felt warmth flooding around my body afterwards." Aichi said
" It's probably because of my new powers. But not now... I'll show it to you when you're healthier." Kai said
" Huh?! That's unfair!" Aichi pouted
" Oh, by the way..." Kai said as he dug his pockets and found the new rings he had taken, " Pontifex communicated with me in my sleep and asked me to put these on for you and me. I don't know how I got it though."
" They look beautiful." Aichi said
" Yeah."
Kai took Aichi's hand and wore it on his ring finger as he blushed while Kai did the same.
" Now we're matching." Kai said as he showed his
" Yeah!"
There was a knock on the door after that as Miwa entered again.
" Tsuna and the others wanna see you guys. They won't interrupt anything between you two, will they?" Miwa ask
" O-Oh, it's okay!" Aichi said
Tsuna and the others then entered as they started talking to each other. Time soon passed as they were now back in school and starting a new year while Aichi had gone into his first year in Miyaji High. It was a normal day in school, Aichi had finished packing his bag after school had ended as he took out his deck and smiled.
" Well, time to go to Capital!" Aichi thought
Behind him, his classmate, Naoki Ishida, saw his grin as he frowned a little.
" What the heck's he smilin' for? ... It kinda ticks me off..." Naoki thought as he accidentally stuck his leg out, causing Aichi to trip and his cards to fall out of his hands
Aichi winced while getting up as he turned behind.
" Oh, Naoki-kun..." Aichi muttered
There were murmurs in the class about Naoki after that as he turned to glare at them before turning back to Aichi after he'd spoken up.
" Sorry, Naoki-kun. I bumped into your foot..." Aichi said as he picked his cards up
" There's no need to blame yourself, Naoki-kun." Aichi thought as he remembered the future Naoki's words, " It was never your fault."
" Well, I'll be going now." Aichi continued as he walked out of the classroom
When he arrived at the gates, he smiled and ran over to Kai.
" Kai-kun! Did you wait for a long time?" Aichi ask
" No, I just arrived. How's school today?" Kai ask
" It was normal as always." Aichi replied
" I see. I told everyone that we won't be going to Capital today." Kai said
" Huh? Why?" Aichi ask
" Weren't you thinking about making a club? Let's go home and make the posters together." Kai said
" We can do it at Capital too..." Aichi said
" I want some alone time and keep you to myself for today." Kai said
Aichi blushed as Kai laughed lightly and held his hand to lead the way. Once they were back home, Kai instructed Aichi to take a shower while he prepared dinner. After a few minutes, Aichi came out of the shower as Kai went ahead and took his own shower before they started eating.
" So, any ideas for the poster?" Kai ask
" Hm... I was thinking of drawing Blaster Blade and Dragonic Overlord." Aichi replied
" Why them?" Kai ask
" It's because of them that I'm able to enjoy myself with Vanguard now. And... Overlord is your avatar too after all." Aichi said
Kai smiled as they continued eating and washed the dishes before starting with the poster.
" Is this okay, Kai-kun?" Aichi ask
" That's a good drawing." Kai said
" We should be able to finish this by tonight. Sorry to have you help me too." Aichi said
" It's fine." Kai said
The two continued drawing afterwards. Once they were done, both washed their hands and went to bed for the night.
The next morning, Aichi went to school earlier than usual to get the approval to hang his poster before going back to his class.
" I finally put it up! I wonder who'll join... But one flyer might not be enough... I'll try putting another one up elsewere." Aichi thought as he got up
But he soon bumped into someone as he fell onto the floor. He looked up to see Naoki again.
" Oh, Naoki-kun..." Aichi muttered as he picked up his fliers, " S-Sorry! I bumped into you again."
He stood up and noticed Naoki staring at his fliers as he took one out and held it out to him.
" Oh! Maybe you'd like... Vanguard is a card game... Naoki-kun, would you be interested in..." Aichi said but Naoki walked to his desk
Aichi continued to walk up to him.
" Sorry, that was sudden... B-But if you'd take just a moment to consider it... I'd really appreciate it. See you!" Aichi waved
He then left the classroom as he walked down the hallway. That was when he found his first flyer torn and trashed on the floor as he froze a little before squatting down to pick the pieces up. He then taped the flyer back together and pinned it back up on the board again before heading off to pin more fliers.
Classes soon started as Aichi sat back down on his seat while the teacher entered the classroom with a new student.
" We have a new student joining our class. This is Kourin Tatsunagi." The teacher introduced
" I'm Kourin Tatsunagi. It's nice to meet you all." Kourin said as she bowed
Aichi once again froze as he held in gasp after remembering Kourin as an ULTRA RARE member that was at the Asia Circuit.
And that's the end of this chapter! Thank you for reading! I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and I'll see everyone in the next chapter!