Jesús: "Hey there. Another update. What's this, the third one I do without a fail? Man I feel a little accomplished...In any case, on with the Story..." [Disclaimer] "I don't own the RF series nor any Anime/Manga/Videogame referenced in this story. All credit for them goes to their respective owners."

Chapter 26

Raguna POV

Dad and I stood on the back yard in front of each other. We just stared at each other without saying a word...

"Are you sure you want to do this? You know that once we start there is no going back until we finish..." Dad asked for re-assurance

"Yeah..." I said and then he sighed and walked over to a chest next to the tool shed.

"In that case, here you go." he said and tossed a practice sword at me as well as some practice guards.

"I won't need these this time." I said and just tossed the guard aside.

"Are you sure?" dad asked

"Let's just get started." I said and held the practice sword in a basic sword stance.

"In that case..." he said and drew a second practice sword, this one was bigger and he just put it on a snap-on sheath he put on the back of his waist.

"We start once this rock hits the ground..." dad said and tossed a rock high up.

The rock hit max height and started coming down. As soon as the rock touched the ground dad disappeared and appeared right in front of me punching me on the gut and then kicking me away. I cringed down holding my stomach in pain.

"Get back up..." dad said in a cold voice that just didn't sound like him.

Most people avoided my dad when he was like this…but many years back while he was training me I was crying because I wasn't making any progress and felt useless so he snapped and entered this mode. From that day on this was how we talked seriously.

I made it back on my feet and as soon as I got back up dad started running at me. I waited for him and once he was close enough and he was about to hit me with his sword I dodged and jumped over him.

"Why do you feel so useless huh? You only ask to do this when you feel useless. Or so you say." dad asked and then did an uppercut slash trying to get me while I was airborne.

"I wasn't able to realize Cinnamon couldn't swim, even after I heard a hint. This is both a form of me punishing myself and a reminder that I need to get stronger so I can help those I care for." I said blocking the uppercut and back flipping out of the way.

"You can't know everything. There are things that you just won't be able to avoid." dad said and tried to hit me with a punch, which I blocked and right behind it he tried hitting me with his sword with an under slash.

"I'm aware of that. But I should at least know little things like her issue with swimming." I said and jumped out of the way from his under slash.

"And just because you didn't know one thing you think you're useless? You're pathetic." Dad said and then he jumped following me and spinning in mid-air trying to slash at me again.

"Well sorry for trying to be the best person I can be." I said and did my first attack.

Dad was vulnerable since he was just about to land. I leaned in and used a sweeper kick hitting his foot as soon as it touched the ground; this made him loose his balance. As he was falling I used an uppercut slash getting him on the side and pushing him away.

"Look kid. You won't ever be able to be the best out there. Even if you keep getting better, which you have been, you'll never reach your maximum potential. Once you get better there is always another step to climb on that latter. One obstacle can't stop you. If you let it end then its game over." Dad said and then he ran towards me and punched me in the gut again. Right after that he drew his practice sword and used a six heavy slash combo, which all hit and then the last hit was a stab and hit me on the chest making me fall on my back.

"Next time you might want to start by asking questions as soon as you notice something is slightly off…We're done…" Dad said and "sheathed" his sword

"Right." I said sore from the hits I received.

"You know most of those hits will bruise right?" dad said back on his normal self

"Is ok. A bruise won't kill me. Also, a bruise is momentarily, but any kind of scar in permanent." I said

"Well, you better hit the hay. You got school tomorrow. Dad said and then we both went into the house.

I was still worried for Cinnamon so I went to her room to check up on her one more time. I stood at her door and then slowly opened the door as I walked in. once I made it next to her I noticed that she was trembling and crying, but still asleep.

'Must be having some sort of nightmare due to her internal conflicts…' I said to myself and then I kneeled next to her and held her hand. She stopped trembling as roughly

"Don't worry Cinnamon. From today on I promise you that I'll learn more about you so something like this won't happen again…and I will help you." I said lowly trying not to wake her up.

I gave her a small kiss on her forehead and she calmed completely. I let go of her hand and walked out of the room…

-Thank you- I thought I heard and I just smiled as I closed the door.

The next morning the first thing I did after changing to my uniform was check on Cinnamon. Cinnamon was sitting on the bed and just waved at me without saying a word.

"Good morning. Feeling a little better?" I asked her as I took a seat next to her

Cinnamon just nodded in return. Then there was a small knock at the door.

"Cinnamon Are you awake?" Mom asked as she slid the door open. "Good morning son." She said when she saw me.

"Morning Mom." I replied

"Here you go Cinnamon. You're dad stopped by on his way to work. He dropped off a couple things for you. Your uniform and you're school bag. And also a few other things." Mom said as she handed a small traveling bag to her.

"Well. I'll be in the living room waiting for you." I said and walked out of the room and started walking downstairs.

After a few minutes Cinnamon stepped into the living room and I smiled greeting her.

"Do you want some cereal or something to eat?" I asked and she lightly nodded yes.

The two of us walked into the kitchen and then I pulled out a box of cereal and placed it on the table. I also got a cookie jar and placed it next to it.

"So, what do you want?" I asked and she pointed at the cereal. "Then Cereal it is." I said and got a couple plated and served some cereal for the both of us.

After finishing our food the two of us got up and walked out the house. Soon enough Mist came out of her house and greeted the two of us.

"Morning Ragu, Cin." Mist said and Cinnamon and I both just waved back at her.

"Did you spend the night over?" Mist asked and Cinnamon just nodded yes. "What's the matter? Are you two playing a game?" Mist asked because I still hadn't said a word either.

I quickly sent Mist a text telling what had happened and the current situation. Right away she widened her eyes and looked at the two of us.

'Seriously?' she mouthed to me and I just nodded in return

Mist tried to console Cinnamon by giving her a small hug but Cinnamon right away understood what had happened and she looked hurt.

"Cinnamon? Are you ok?" Mist asked

"Mist…" I said and right away she got the message.

"I'll go on ahead. You two take your time." Mist said and went on ahead.

"Sorry about that…I thought that if she knew she wouldn't bother you…" I said to Cinnamon and she cowered close to me and held on to my shirt.

"Is ok. I'm right here." I said and put my arm around her.

Cinnamon started silently crying and I lead her to a nearby bench and we sat down for her to calm down.

"You know Cinnamon. I'd like to know a bit more about you…more about what you like…about what you dislike…and well, also about your fears…" I started "How about this. If you tell me your fears I'll tell you mine, that way we can both help each other." I said and Cinnamon nodded yes slightly.

"You don't have to force yourself to do so right now…we can take our time…" I said and she stopped crying.

"Are you ready?" I asked and she raised her face and smiled at me. "Well then let's go." I said and the two of us started walking to the school again.

When we made it to the school everyone went quiet as soon as Cinnamon and I entered our classroom.

'Man Mist…I hope you telling everyone doesn't make everything more difficult.' I said to myself realizing this silent just meant that everyone was made aware of Cinnamon's incident.

Soon enough someone started talking.

"There she is…I can't believe she can't swim." It was a girl's voice

"I know. Maybe not such a Genius after all." Another girl said

Cinnamon started making a hurt expression. I reached over and held her hand.

"I don't know why he only looks at her. I mean look at her. She's a mess. She doesn't have half a point of charm. Her eyes seem like she's just about to fall asleep, her hair is a mess, I mean look at those things she calls pigtails, too long, and her bangs cover just about half of her face. Not to mention that some of her hair is always right down the middle of her face." Another voice was heard, again female.

This time I was angry. I would have said something, but I didn't know who had said it. Just directing an accusation at nobody would just be considered rude by all those who were being considerate and stayed quiet. Cinnamon burst out of the classroom crying.

I chased right behind her and stopped at the door. I didn't care anymore.

"Whoever that was. Great going. More than the things you mentioned are the reason she's so charming. Also the fact you mentioned those specific amazing points must mean that you wish you were like her. I'm sorry if I sound rude, but you're a real bother. Feeding on the weakness of others and trying to make yourself look better in comparison. Great going indeed. Just be aware, reasons like this are why I like people like her more that a sleazebag like you." I finished and stormed towards Cinnamon.

In no time I caught up to Cinnamon and we were both in the school's rooftop. Cinnamon was on her knees crying by the fence. I walked over to her and hugged her.

"Is ok now…" I said and she buried her face on my chest as she cried harder and harder.

"You're not alone. I'll be right here right next to you…" I said as I held her tighter as if someone was trying to pull us apart.

Jesús: "Well that's it for now. Who was the jerk who said those things about Cinnamon? How about you all try to make a guess. Everyone who gets it right can make a shout-out next chapter, as long as it's appropriate to the rating. So if you want to make a Shout-out leave your answer as a review or send me a PM and I'll let the ones who get it right know, the deadline for this will be in one week from when this chapter goes up. I'll let the people that got it know soon after, and I'll upload the chapter on the following week. Well, now is time for me to leave. So I'll get working on the next chapter and see you all next time. See Ya!"