This is the 17th chapter. I don't own the series of Maken-Ki.
Tenbi Academy
After the blow Haruko have given Demitra, she collapsed to her knee, panted heavily while Demitra slowly walk towards her with her left arm injured and her Jingu broke. Zane walked up in front of Haruko and his sister, staring at her with his neutral look on his face as he stood protectively in front of his friend and his sister.
"Zane." Haruko said exhaustedly as she looked up at the back of him. She used her Maken as a crutch, tried to stood up, albeit her knees bent a bit and her being was still wobbly.
"You already won your fight, there's no need to keep going." Zane assured her without turning his head, staring at Demitra.
"Zane...this...this is my fight." Haruko told him as she moved passed him and stopped.
"You still...want to fight?" Haruko asked with a glare. "Is following orders that important to you?"
"Why...Why didn't you hit me with your blade?" Demitra asked seriously.
'Wait, she didn't hit her?' Zane mentally questioned, realized why. 'I see, she's still holding back. Surprising no one up to this point.'
"Let it go, Zane." Azuki told her brother with a smile. "Haruko is strong in her own way and there's no change about her. Just like you are strong in your own way."
Zane couldn't but sigh, knowing that his sister was right about Haruko and he probably won't win against this argument.
"Because we're alike...Demitra." Haruko answered with soft eyes. "Those flowers were important to you...and you hesitated to destroy them right?"
Zane looked at Demitra, wondering if it was true.
"So, you think I'm as important as those flowers huh?" Demitra said with a sigh. 'You're too soft, Haruko.'
"Haru!" Takeru called out as they looked at him, running up the third-floor along with Inaho and Syria. "Are you alright!?"
"Takeru." Haruko said with a smile. "I'll be fine, don't worry about me."
That got Takeru chuckle a bit with a smile.
"I'll take your word for it, but I'll always worry about you." Takeru told her with a smile, making Haruko smile soften with her eyes shimmered with affection.
Zane smiled at this. He took out his hand, placed it onto Haruko's back and pushed her lightly into Takeru, bringing into his space, leaning against his chest. The blushed at the contact. Haruko's heart started to beat rapidly from the closeness of her crush, but then he suddenly wrapped his arms around Haruko, shocking her as she looked up at his smile.
"I'm glad that you are okay...Haruko." Takeru said with a smile, making Haruko's eyes widen before she smiled and nuzzled into his embrace. Both Inaho and Syria started crying as they saw how close and affectionate the two were.
"Do you really have to do that, Zane?" Azuki questions her brother, raising her eyebrow.
"It's probably the best." Zane told his sister with a smile. "In my opinion, I think both Takeru and Haruko deserves each other. Yeah, things can get out of hands when it comes to Takeru being a pervert and Haruko being too soft, but they accepted of who they are."
Azuki was shocked that her brother thinks that Takeru and Haruko deserves to be with each other. She couldn't help but smile, knowing that her brother was right.
Demitra stared at the display as she suddenly smile, but she quickly covered her mouth, not wanted the others to see. She was shocked at her sudden instinct, never thinking it would happen at this situation.
'I smiled even though I'm in a battlefield...I guess I'm still soft...' Demitra thought as she retracted her hand a bit. 'It seems we were fighting...for the same reason.'
Demitra saw images of her and her own team in the group of Maken-Ki. Demitra noticed Zane staring at her with a soft smile, knowing that she had smiled. Zane gave her nod which he won't tell anyone about that smile of hers. Demitra stared at him with a blush, before she gave a faint smile.
Demitra the remembered the time when she first met Akaya 7 years ago at the Church in Southern Europe.
Flashback, 7 years ago
At the Church, Demitra was watering the flowers when she turned to her right, seeing Akaya visits at the church.
"Hello, Demitra." Akaya greets with a smile.
"You're here to visit again, old man?" Demitra questioned with stoic expression, leaving Akaya sweat drop as he gave Demitra a helping hand.
"Old man...?" Akaya said, twitching his eyebrow. "I'm still in my 20's you know, so you should be calling me 'Mister.' And I'm sure I've told you before, but my name is Akaya Kodai."
"You keep coming everyday to see me." Demitra corrects him. "You should give up."
"Fuu~ I can't do that because I have a weakness for beautiful things. I can't help but love them." Akaya said with a smirk, waving his cowlick hair and tending the flower. "Just like how I love these beautiful flowers."
That got Demitra glaring at him.
"So you think I'm beautiful as those flowers?" Demitra questions.
"Of course, you agree that flowers are beautiful, don't you?" Akaya asks with a smile. However, Demitra shakes the wooden handle with anger.
"I hate them." Demitra exclaims. "Flowers don't serve any propose. They don't stop the hunger of the orphans that stay at the Church when they eat them. Unlike herbs, flowers can't cure illness. I'm only taking care of them because the sister told me to."
"But they can heal the heart." Akaya told her, but Demitra continues.
"The sister told me once, 'Those who appreciate the beauty of flowers will have a gentle heart.'" Demitra said with dark tone. "I hate them, so that means I have a rotten heart."
With that, she turned to Akaya, earned his attention.
"That organization that you keep telling me about, old man, I want to go there." Demitra stated.
"Are you sure?" Akaya questions skeptically.
"I'll only be a burden if I stay here and I don't want to be taken away by strange people who will do horrible things to me." Demitra told him. "Even though you're a little strange, you seem like an honest person, old man, besides, I'm a little strange too since I have this ability."
Demitra uses her Water Element to levitate the water from the wooden bucket, leaving the children around outside of the chapel scared.
"Demitra!" The nun called her name with a stern tone, getting their attention. "I'm sure I told you to clean the chapel after you were done tending to the flowers."
"Sorry, I'll do it right now." Demitra apologizes as she quickly head over to the chapel to clean up.
"I've always been strict...when it came to raising that girl." The nun explains, getting Akaya's attention. "So that she would grow up strong and be able to live a 'normal' life. But because of that 'Power' that God gave her, she put up a wall around her. To protect herself from others, and to shut away her own heart."
"I see." Akaya said with an understanding.
"You said you know of a place where there are others just like her. If you can promise me that she'll be able to call that place her home, then I will allow you to take her with you." The nun said with her usual tone as Akaya bows. "I've seen many people come and go in the long time I've been here, but you are different from all the others who were interested in Demitra. I strongly want to believe you, but if I find out that you cause her any unhappiness, I will never forgive you. Even if God grants you penance, even if I am a Servant of God, I swear you will regret it."
"That's fine with me." Akaya said with sigh, bowing to the nun. "If that happens, I'll accept any punishment you give me."
Demitra have begun to clean up the chapel like the nun told her, thinking about the Organization that she'll be part of to master her Power. When Akaya was about to leave the chapel, Demitra arrived with her suitcase, leaving the chapel.
"Don't you want to say at least say goodbye?" Akaya asks.
"I'm fine." Demitra answered his question.
"If you say so." Akaya said as they were about to leave.
"Demitra!" The nun called her, getting their attention. "What do you think you're doing trying to leave without saying goodbye?"
Demitra turned her attention to the nun and the children with shock. The boy approach towards Demitra as he give the flower to her.
"Demitra, here." The boy said with a smile. "This is a flower from the flower bed I took care of. I don't know whether or not you like flowers, but this was the prettiest I..."
"Thank you." Demitra thanked him with a smile. "It's really...beautiful."
The boy blushed while the children cried for Demitra as the nun spoke.
"I know you're leaving...but don't you ever forget this place...will always be...your home, understand?" The nun said with sad expression. "Take care of yourself."
With that, both the nun and the children wished her luck while Demitra said her goodbyes and left the Church. When both Akaya and Demitra left the Church, Akaya spoke when he noticed that flower around her hair.
"You know, I think that radiant smile that you just gave back there has the power to make anything seem much more pleasant." Akaya told her with compliments as Demitra smile.
"I'll make an effort to smile more often, Akaya." Demitra said in response.
Flashback Ends
'I'm fighting to protect the place that what I call 'home.'' Demitra mentally thought as Haruko called out her name, making her snap out of her thought. She blinked a few times as she looked at Zane still gently smiled at her.
'Zane...you feel the same...about here in Tenbi and your sister...right?' Demitra thought as she smiled at him with a small blush on her cheeks.
"I think she likes you, Zane." Azuki said with a smirk, nudging her brother with the elbow.
"Wait, what?" Zane said, snapped out of his stupor.
"I think Akaya would be proud of you, you lucky dog." Azuki teases him with amused grin.
"Shut up!?" Zane shouts with a blush.
That got Haruko, Inaho, Syria, Azuki, and Takeru laughing at his reaction while Demitra couldn't help but smile at this display.
"You may pass." Demitra simply said, getting the other's attention. "But let me give you one warning, showing mercy to your opponent might have worked for you now, but if you insist on showing mercy for the battle that lies ahead, I am certain there will be a time that it will work against you."
"You may be right, but I don't care because I'm stubborn." Haruko said with a smile as she stick out her tongue.
"I won't show mercy." Zane said seriously. "Akaya maybe following orders from Kamigari, but he's going to regret...for betraying us."
"Y-You're not going to kill him, are you Zane?" Inaho questions with a frown and her fists to her mouth.
"If it comes down to it, then yes." Zane nods as he turned to Demitra. "I wish it doesn't have to be this way...but now, with Kamigari made there move and Himegami got captured. There's no other choice."
"I'm afraid not." Demitra shook her head. "And I suppose you've got orders?"
"Yeah, it's to eliminate Kamigari." Zane answered, causing everyone shocked with reaction as he walked away with a scowl.
'Akaya, I'm coming for you.' Zane thought.
Kamigari HQ
The time is shifted back a little, right before Haruko used her attack against Demitra.
Minori was having a meeting with the head of Kamigari which she was a bit annoyed as she knelt down in front of Ouken Yamato who was sitting at a higher level than her, gulping down his large red bowl of sake. After gulping his large bowl, he tossed it aside ad spoke with a laugh.
"It hasn't been that long since the last time I've seen you, but you've become even more beautiful, Minori." Ouken compliments with a smirk. "Tell me how Tagayashi's brat is doing! Did that bruise on his ass finally go away?"
"I'm too busy with work to gossip with you." Minori told him with a sigh. "So if you don't mind, I'd like to return to Tenbi."
"Minori Rokujou! Watch how you answer to Ouken! A brat like you is ten centuries too early to be speaking to him like that!" The woman named Miyabi Ootori exclaimed with anger when she snapped her pen with her hand as a vein popped from her forehead.
"It's okay! I don't mind at all!" Ouken said with dismissive wave as Miyabi dropped her anger expression. "Now then, you came here to tell me about those boys and girls who are attending Tenbi Academy right?"
"If you really want to know, student who completes their training graduate from school. Otherwise, they continue to train until they are able to. All other information is strictly prohibited to anyone not involved with the school." Minori explains.
"WHY YOU! HOW DARE YOU SPEAK WITH SUCH DISRESPECT!" Miyabi yelled with anger, but Ouken raised his hand.
"I'm very busy with preparing the final exams tomorrow, so if you'll excuse me." Minori stood up and turned to leave.
"One more thing." Ouken said, making Minori groaned with annoyance. "I've heard about that student of yours, Zane Shinatsu was it?"
Minori's eyes widened before they narrowed as her body tensed.
"What about him?" Minori asked.
"I've heard that he's one hell of a fighter due to him as a mercenary. From what I have learned was that he fought strong opponents, even you Minori." Ouken explains. "He's been attracting a lot of attention and good reason, yes? His physical prowess was impressive, his Elements was off the charts, and has his past experience during his travels. He would make a fine Kamigari Soldier."
'Dammit, if Zane was caught, I won't here the end of it and neither will Jin or Azuki!?' Minori mentally shouted with shock, surprised by Ouken's knowledge of Zane.
"So...When did he enroll?" Ouken questioned. Minori stayed silent, not wanting to answer.
"Minori! Ouken asked you a question! Now answer the question!" Miyabi shouted with anger at Minori's attitude.
"Few months ago. At the beginning of the semester." Minori answers.
"Ah, so where exactly did he came from?" Ouken asked.
"Bulgaria, that's where he was trained. Also, you better stay away from him it you know what's good for you." Minori told him with a glare.
"And what makes you think you have the gall to speak to him like that!?" Miyabi yelled.
"He has no interest in joining Kamagari." Minori answers as she turned and left.
"Is it really wise to let her leave, Ouken?" Miyabi asked.
"It told you it's fine." Ouken answered, drinking another bowl of sake. "I found a talented prospect who would make a fine Kamigari Soldier."
"You mean that Zane Shinatsu?" Miyabi asks.
"Yes, he fought against terrorist's despite his young age which it's quite an achievement." Ouken answers. "Also, Zane was the force to be recon with."
When Minori was heading to the exit, she had a lot in her mind.
'What is that old man thinking, calling me at such a busy time like this?' Minori mentally questions. 'If he knows about Zane and wanted him in Kamigari, then I don't think anyone in Tenbi will here the end of it.'
Suddenly, her phone was ringing, she decided to abandon her thought and answer her phone.
"Hello?"
"Principal! This is Uruchi Miniya from Maken-Ki!" Uruchi called with a shout. "We've just confirmed that there's a large barrier surrounding the school! We suspect that Haruko's group and Venus are inside! Right now I'm leaving the dorm with Miss Nijou and Kengo! We're heading towards the school-wait isn't that!? KYAAAAA!"
"Uruchi!? What's wrong!?" Minori exclaimed with worry as she hangs up the phone. "Dammit!"
'I was tricked! They called me here to get away from school!" Minori thought as she ran out of the building with her shoes and dress coat off when she ran up to Furan and Yuuka who were standing next to the car they came with, with Tomika sleeping in the driver seat.
"Principal? What's wrong? You look pale." Furan asked with concern as Minori ran up to the driver seat window.
"Wake Up, Tomika! Where's the GPS!" Minori exclaimed urgently, waking Tomika up.
"Where are you going?" Tomika asked while handing the GPS to Minori, yawning.
"Back to the school!" Minori answered, taking the GPS.
"But we're nearly 40km away right now." Yuuka told her with concern.
"I'll get there in 10 minutes if I run!" Minori stated.
"10 minutes!?" Furan exclaimed with shock.
"You girls hurry up and follow after me in the car!" Minori exclaimed as she then sprinted with the wind building up, leaving Furan and Yuuka in the dust and their skirts rise up while they try quickly grabbing their skirts.
Tenbi Academy, Rooftop
Meanwhile, both Minvera and Akaya began to prepare their battle while waiting for the helicopter to arrive so Venus bring Himegami to Kamigari HQ.
"It seems that the Maken-Ki group have finally made their way here." Akaya said with a smirk, holding the rose.
"Yup." Minerva nods with a smile.
"I still haven't seen enough to see what his true value is. I'm counting on you, Minerva." Akaya told her, leaving Minerva excited.
"Okay!" Minerva exclaimed. "Just leave it to me!"
"I'm sure you can handle all of them, right?" Akaya questions, leaving Himegami shocked.
"Of course!" Minerva answered, raising her hand while making a peace sign. "It's just like that old Japanese saying: 'Playful breasts are the best!'"
"You mean 'Easy as pie' don't you? You did that on purpose." Himegami said with dull expression on her face, leaving Akaya shrugged while Minerva stick her out.
Tenbi Academy
Present Day
When Aki, Kengo, and Uruchi made to Tenbi Academy, Chacha began to explain this situation about what has happened. They were shocked that Venus have betrayed Maken-Ki by capturing Himegami and following orders from Kamgari. Aki was extremely upset that Akaya got his hidden agenda while Uruchi and Kengo were upset that Venus have betray them, just for following orders. Aki began working to break the barrier that was formed in Tenbi Academy.
"Seventh skill, seal sphere...Open!" Aki exclaimed as she tried to break through the barrier for them to get in, but she was blown back a bit with smoke coming from her hands.
"Miss Nijou!" Uruchi exclaimed with concern as she grabbed Aki and gently place her on the ground. "Are you okay?"
"A barrier that not even Miss Nijou can break through...and that explosion just now...what the hell is going on there!?" Kengo exclaimed.
"This barrier...it was carefully made using a powerful Maken. It reacts to anything that has Element and won't let it inside." Aki explains. "So either you must be strong enough to break the barrier, or you have to bring your Element to nearly nothing in order to pass through..."
That got Kengo had a thinking look on his face, wondering if he can get through the barrier as he was about to leave.
"Sorry! I'm gonna burst if I don't go right now. I'll be right back." Kengo said as he left, leaving both Uruchi and Chacha sweat drop of his excuse.
"I swear you have the worse timing of those things!" Uruchi complained as the girls watch him leave and turn the corner.
'Bringing one's Element to nearly nothing...Every living being possesses Element, no matter how small...' Kenho mentally thought as he taking the eraser out of his pocket, threw the eraser far from the barrier. 'Then out about this!'
Tenbi Academy, Rooftop
"That was huge, you who picked a fight with Maken-Ki." Himegami said with a smirk. "Now do you see what happen if you mess with them?"
"I'm not worried." Akaya shrugged with a smug look on his face.
"Oh? But now I know what your real objective is." Himegami said, figured it out. "You have an eccentric way of doing it, but your ultimate goal is Ta-"
"Minerva!?"Akaya called her, snapping his fingers as Minerva draws out the rag for gagging Himegami.
"Yes." Minerva nods as she draws closer to Himegami.
"Wha-What the heck?" Himegami said with shock expression on her face.
"I really really don't want to do this, but it is an order." Minvera said with a blush and a perverted smile.
"That look on your face isn't convincing..." Himegami said with a blush and annoyed expression.
With that, Minvera put that rag on Himegami's mouth while Zane and the other members of Maken-Ki had finally made their way to the roof to confront Akaya.
"Oh? You're finally here." Akaya said with a smirk.
"Hey, Himegami! I'm glad you look alright!" Azuki exclaimed with a grin and wave. However, Himegami's voice was muffed from having a rag tied in her mouth which she was trying to tell them 'Do I look alright to you!?'
"We've come to save you!" Takeru exclaimed when he noticed those floating platforms that formed a stairs. "Whoa, those stairs are floating in the air!"
"I told you, this is the Finnian twins work." Zane told him. "Plus, they can make a floating platforms."
"Welcome Maken-Ki members." Akaya greeted them with a bow. "To think you would make it this far, I'm very impressed. However, the helicopter that will transport to Kodama Himegami will arrive in 10 minutes."
"Good." Zane said with anger, surprising everyone as he starts to walking onto the stairs. "That gives me enough time to kill you before that happens."
When Zane was about to get to Akaya, Minerva walks in front of him.
"Ah ah ah, Zane. You don't want to take a step closer." Minerva said with a smile as she wagged her finger, but changed into frightened expression when she noticed that aura of a lion that surrounds Zane with anger.
"I'm not in a mood for your games, Minerva. Either get out of my way or die." Zane warned her with killing intent. Suddenly, a rock pass flew passed him and was headed straight to Akaya, but he just batted away.
"What was that suppose to be?" Akaya questioned, not amused as Azuki flew right at him.
"That means, a surprise attack, dumb-"
When Azuki was about to kick him across of Akaya's face, her leg up to her knee completely vanished.
"Ass...What!?"
"What the!? Her leg disappeared!" Takeru shouted with shock.
"My...MY LEG!?" Azuki yelled with shock and fear as she look at the stub where her leg used to be. However, Zane impaled Minerva with his Maken towards her chest where her heart was, leaving her coughed with blood.
"You shouldn't let your guard down during the battlefield, Minerva." Zane told her with killing intent aura as he tossed Minerva down to the rooftop, leaving her now deceased body spilled with blood while Azuki's leg was back and the others were purely shocked to see Zane have killed Minerva.
"Zane, I thought we were comrades." Akaya exclaimed with shock.
"Until you decided to betray us." Zane added with anger as he turned to his sister. "Are you alright?"
Azuki nods with shock as she spoke. "Why did you-?"
"Because I was ordered to terminate Kamigari." Zane interrupts. "Also, I figured that Venus and Kamigari would try to recruit me since they know that I have strong power."
Akaya and the others were shocked that Zane knew Kamigari would try to recruit him as he looked at Akaya.
"You and I have a score to settle, Akaya!" Zane exclaimed with anger.
"W-What!? I was suppose to face Takeru!?" Akaya exclaimed.
"Well too bad, he already had his fight and I don't." Zane told him as he turned to the twins. "Alilou, Lilou, set the stage."
The twins nodded as the new platform formed beneath Zane and Akaya, like the arena. Azuki walk towards her brother.
"So you knew that Kamigari would recruit you and never told me." Azuki said.
"Yeah." Zane nodded. "Jin already told me what Kamigari's objective which that didn't surprise me."
"What!?" Akaya exclaimed. "You meant to tell me that Jin told you the entire time. Damn that Jin, always get ahead of himself!"
"Too bad for you, Jin always take one step ahead of anyone, especially you Akaya." Zane told him. "This fight is between you and me, no one else. If I win, you release Himegami and tell me what Kamigari's true objective."
Akaya was shocked since Zane wanted to fight him as he smirked, but he's scared on the inside.
"Fine by me, but if I win, Himegami will be in Kamigari." Akaya made a wager as they readied their fighting stance.
Azuki began the ceremony before the fight.
"Alright, if you two are ready. Let the Duel Ceremony begin!" Azuki announced.
"Here are twin river flowing rivers whose paths will never cross. To follow your path, to prove yourself, you must first expose your soul to the blazing sun!" Azuki said.
"The children of the sun's path, is carved into the Heavens!" Zane and Akaya said in the unison.
With that, the fight begins.
That's it for the 17th chapter. I'm really sorry about the delay which life was very busy. Also, sorry for keeping you guys in the suspense and I know it's killing you, be patient. All in good time.