Chapter Twenty-Six

Lone Noble

Kaede blinked. It was still early morning, yet she couldn't sleep. With a tired sigh she dropped from her bunk. She groggily peered at the lower bunk, smiling softly. Fuka and Fumika were still fast asleep, huddled together for companionship. Really cute. She stifled a yawn. Despite being unable to sleep, she was still tired. She shook her head to momentarily clear it, and went into the bathroom. A quick shower before venturing out for an early walk. That should help her wake up.

The sun was rising. A soft, almost pink glow suffused the air. Everything looked so much more precious, as if made from soft pearl. Library Island seemed like it should belong in another age. The great walls. The towers. A place of learning in which you could hold off a besieger for over a year. As if Luke cared. After all, he certainly wasn't planning on assaulting the island. That would be just stupid when he could easily walk in and get what he needed. Still, the sight before him was beautiful, in a strange, eerie way. He sighed and walked on, towards the massive doors. He suddenly paused. Luke, you idiot. Why the hell would the library be open at this time of day?! Cursing his own foolishness, he reached for his ever-present pocket watch before remembering that it was still broken. I really should get round to fixing that thing. I mean, why have a watch that doesn't work? He shook his head and resignation and began making his way back to the dorms. He hadn't slept. He hadn't had any kind of rest for two days now. Yet he felt no fatigue. He didn't feel top of his condition either. He just felt as if he could do anything, but only if he had to. It was a strange feeling. Well, I guess I should be glad for that. It gives me more time to spend. But I have about…2 hours before the library opens, and over 6 hours before I'm due at Mr Izashima's shop. Not exactly a lot to do.

As he continued walking, he pondered his next course of action. Seeing as my job as an assistant will most likely be over – and if gassing a class doesn't get me fired I have no idea what will – I'll have a lot of time to devote to studying the world tree. Perfect. With 6 hours worth of studying a day, I should make up for all the time I've lost running around like a headless chicken. As he continued his thoughts, the sun rose, and the soft pink glow vanished, replaced with the bright light of day. Despite the year drawing to a close, it was still relatively warm. And still Luke felt cold. The youth felt…saddened, as if the ending of a year was something to regret, something to…forget. His eyes went wide and he stopped, horrified at his own thought.

What is this?! I have no memory of anything before the previous two months and now I'm wishing to forget things I don't even know yet?! WHAT THE HELL?! He moaned in frustration, grabbing his head. He was thinking too much again. He knew. He could already feel a headache building up. He needed to lie down soon, or risk passing out. The youth stumbled slightly, before collapsing gratefully on a bench. He was breathing heavily, oxygenating his system. Despite being in peak physical condition, these headaches were a constant problem. The funny thing is, they only came on whenever he was thinking too hard about something. An interesting case, unrecorded in medical history. Of course, in the magical world it could be extremely common, but Luke hadn't checked yet. He had more important things to worry about after all. He slowed his breathing and stretched out, throwing his head back and gazing at the blue morning sky. Not a cloud to be seen. Surprising, considering the year was growing older. Then again, Japan wasn't exactly famous for its winters. In England, the sky would already be filled with clouds, ready to disperse their gifts upon the people below.

He sighed deeply and closed his eyes. He tried to visualize a snowflake, a perfect geometric shape crafted by nature, far beyond the ability of humans to reproduce. He sat still for a minute, trying in vain. Eventually he opened his eyes again and sadly continued watching the sky. He couldn't do it. No matter what he tried, he couldn't remember anything from his past life. From time to time he got feelings, shadows of emotions tied to certain places, events, anniversaries. But no images, no sounds. As far as his mind was concerned, he had been alive for two months now. No more, no less. The blonde boy continued watching the infinite sky above, trying to avoid thinking about his woes. There was so much on campus, and all he could think about was himself. A grave error of judgement. Yet, whenever he did get sucked into academy life, he tended to come out of the incident worse for wear. Though, they sure as heck were memorable in their own little ways he thought with a wry smile. And for all the bad experiences, Luke could think of something good that came about to balance them out. Let's see…trying to commit suicide – invited into the academy. Tricking twenty seven girls into thinking I was dead along with Miss Nagase and promptly being sent to the infirmary – getting to know Miss Nagase better. The cyber incident – Realising that I have a fighting spirit, if not the training. Well, I only have to impose upon this place a bit longer, and then I'll be gone. Home. Interesting how such a word can make one feel so many emotions. Joy, envy, fear. Such is the power of words. But then again, it is when they are sung that they truly become magical…

"Hello de gozaru," greeted Kaede.

For some reason, the youth wasn't shocked by her sudden arrival. He simply sat up, turning his gaze to her. "Good Morning, Miss Nagase," he replied politely.

"Still so formal? We've known each other for about a month now, and you still act as if we're perfect strangers, de gozaru" she said, smiling softly. "Why?"

Luke as silent for a moment, wording his answer carefully. "I suppose because we still are strangers. After all, one hardly makes friends in a month. And I know little about you, though I'm not surprised. You ninjas are famously secretive."

"Are we now?" queried Kaede, sitting down next to him, still smiling. "And how do you know that?"

"Popular fiction," he answered, staring straight ahead. "Common sense as well. It sort of stands to reason, considering what your tasks tend to be." His voice quivered slightly when referencing the tasks a ninja was required to undertake.

The girl next to him noticed his sudden discomfort. "Something wrong?"

"No," he replied flatly, standing up. His eyes had suddenly become shadowed. "I'll see you," he added, and began to walk away.

"Luke."

He stopped. This is not going to go well. He turned and looked at Miss Nagase. She stood up and walked over to him, a concerned look on her face.

"If something's wrong, you should tell others. It eases the burden you have to carry de gozaru," she said, studying his face. He kept his expression neutral.

"And I would also be burdening others with my problems. My code of conduct forbids it."

"Still, sharing sometimes helps," she continued, smiling slightly now. "Why not come with me to the mountains sometime, relax a bit de gozaru."

His control slipped. The youth's eyes went wide. "What?!"

She laughed openly at the look on his face. "Oh come on, the fresh air would do you good! And the hot springs up there are really relaxing…"

Luke gulped as she looked at him with deliberate meaning. Damn it girl, don't tease me like this! It took him a moment to find his voice, his previous worries gone in the face of such openness, and the mental image of Miss Nagase in a hot spring. "That's…ah, a tempting offer, but I'm afraid I must decline."

The ninja tilted her head to the side, impressed by his self-restraint. Her trademark smile never left though. "Oh? And why is that?"

Luke grinned slightly, happy with the way the situation was going. After all, an angry Kaede Nagase didn't warrant thinking about. "Well, I'm not fully comfortable with the idea of hiking up some mountainside without proper preparations-"

"Me and the twins go all the time de gozaru."

"- or supervision-"

"We're both mature enough for that aren't we?" she countered again, her smile growing wider as she saw him redden further.

"Why are you so determined to make me come anyway?!" Luke managed to ask, trying to retain some control over himself. Why the hell is it so hot all of a sudden?!

"Well, we could get to know each other better, you've been here for almost a month now and we all know barely anything about you. The only four people in the entire dorm have spoken to you properly are me and the cheerleaders. You don't even attempt to get to know anyone else better. You avoid contact with the people surrounding you as much as possible de gozaru. Why?"

The blonde teen just looked at her for a while, trying to work out her thoughts. Eventually he sighed. Closing his eyes, Luke answered softly. "There's no point, that's why. I cannot afford to spend time with you, all my energy is bent towards regaining my memory. As soon as I succeed in that, I will return to England, to my past life. My time here will become nothing more than a dream. I have an obligation to my family, wherever they are. I must return to them. It is hard enough, without reasons for me to stay here," he finished, his voice dwindling into nothing.

The pair stood silently, facing each other.

Kaede's slit-like eyes met his. "You sacrifice much de gozaru," she said eventually, her smile tainted with sadness. She turned around and walked away.

Luke simply stood there, eyes downcast. "Someone has to," he whispered.