Disclamer: See previous chapters

Episode 5-

Later that night, Hayato was in the medical ward being treated. Yumi was crying for a long while and the others remained silent. Hayato was like their little brother, even Dead was somewhat fond of him. Only Ezekiel remained neutral, his face showing no emotion. Eventually, Natasha became irritated by Yumi's crying.

"Would you stop that already!" she snapped. Yumi gulped a bit and tried to hold them back, but she began to cry again. "I know that he's hurt, but crying won't help him." Her voice softened, "He'll be fine." This caused Yumi to hold back her tears and she nodded, "Thank you, Natasha." David then turned to Ezekiel who was still unfazed by the event, "Hey, Ezekiel. What happened out there?"

His face remained neutral, "Yumi already told you."

David's face became hard, "I want to hear it from you."

Ezekiel closed his eyes, "The Radham Tekkamen attacked the city and injured Hayato. Yumi fought them while I carried him into an alley for safety. I bandaged him as best as I could and looked out of the alley. By that time, the Radham were all destroyed so I carried him out."

David's gaze did not change, "Why did you go into an alley? Wasn't there anywhere else safer?"

"There was no time. If I had come out and the Radham were still there, we probably would have both been killed."

"And what if the alley collapsed? It would have killed you both."

"It would have. But it didn't."

At this, David grabbed him by the collar, "Didn't you even care what would have happened to him?!" he snarled.

Everyone was surprised by David's behavior, even Dead. What was stranger is that Ezekiel wasn't fazed in the least. He was still calm and his eyes were still shut. Ezekiel spoke calmly, "What would you have done David?"

David held on to him a bit longer, but he saw that he was right. He did what he had to do. Slowly, he let go of him, but he questioned, "Don't you care about anything?"

"I don't know."

An hour later, everyone went to their quarters, except for Yumi, who was still in the waiting room. Ezekiel came in and Yumi saw him enter.

"Why are you here? I didn't think you cared."

For a brief moment, a look of hurt appeared on his face. But it quickly vanished and the monotone voice came out, "You should sleep. It's late."

Yumi looked down to the ground, "I just feel so...helpless. Like it was my fault."

Ezekiel sat down in opposite to her, "You care about him a great deal, don't you?"

Yumi looked up at him, "Well yeah. He's my best friend."

Ezekiel looked at her, "I'm not sure if I should say this. I've only seen you two together once and I may be wrong, but I don't think so."

"About what? You can tell me", she inquired.

"He...cares very much about you, Yumi Francious."

She raised an eyebrow, "I know that already."

"No. Not as friends. Deeper. I believe that he may be in love with you."

Yumi's eyes widened a bit, "Hayato....in love...with me...? I...I...are you sure?"

Ezekiel kept his gaze, "I've seen the way he looks at you and how he's always around you. At best, it may be a simple crush, but the look in his eyes indicates otherwise."

Yumi looked at him weirdly, "How could you tell?"

Ezekiel stood up and looked out the window. "For a long time, I've learned how to read people. A gift of mine. By seeing how they act around others, I learn a great deal. I can usually tell about a small group in a few minutes."

Yumi giggled a bit and Ezekiel looked back at her, "What's so funny?"

"You. I never heard you talk so much in one phrase. It's a little surprising."

Ezekiel looked down, "You should get some rest. I'll watch over him."

Yumi looked at him, "Are you sure? Won't you need to sleep?"

"No. Rest."

Yumi nodded and yawned, "Well then, good night. And thank you." Yumi then left the room, leaving Ezekiel alone. Ezekiel stood where he was for awhile. Yumi, you are truly like my sister. If she was still alive, you two would have gotten along well.

Later that night, Ezekiel was still in the waiting room when the doors open and the Chief came in. Ezekiel saluted and Aki put him at ease.

"You should get some rest, Ezekiel."

"That's alright, Chief. I told Yumi that I'd stay up and watch him."

Aki's steely gaze kept on him and he returned it.

"Get some rest. That's an order."

He was about to protest but knew well enough that he win, "Yes Chief."

He walked out to leave but Aki stopped him, "Hayato will be fine. I'll watch over him."

"Yes, Chief."

The doors closed and Aki turned as they shut, Hmm. That look he gave. Very secretive. That could be dangerous. Just like him.

The next day, Hayato awoke and everyone went in to see him, except for Dead and Ezekiel. Hayato was glad to have the attention from everyone, especially from Yumi, who had brought him a group of flowers. When everyone left, Yumi remained with him. Hayato looked sadly at her as he spoke, "Yumi, I'm sorry for making you worry."

Yumi cut him off, "Hayato, are you in love with me?"

The question caused Hayato to cough out loud, "In...love? Who told you that?"

Yumi almost told him, but decided against it, "It doesn't matter who. Is it true?"

Hayato turned his head to the window away from her and stuttered, "Umm....well...I.....yes. It's true."

Yumi looked down, "I see."

Silence passed between them before Yumi spoke again, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Hayato kept his head in the same direction, "It wasn't right for me to say anything. Besides, I didn't know how to tell you. And then, you are in love with D-Boy and everything, so I didn't want to ruin that."

Yumi looked up at him, "You didn't? That's...sweet of you."

Hayato turned to look at her, "Look. You can forget about it. I would understand. It wouldn't be a problem." He then smiled, "I'll still be your friend, Yumi."

Yumi smiled, "Thank you, Hayato."

With that, Yumi left and Hayato's smile faded and he sighed, "Oh, Yumi..."

_________________

On the beach, Ezekiel was standing on the sand when he was approached by Dead.

"I must say, I'm surprised. I never saw David get angry at anyone."

Ezekiel spoke softly, "He was just frustrated. Is there something you want, Dead?"

"Ah, right to the point, eh. Very well. Are you Tekkaman Zero?"

"What makes you say that?"

Dead stood beside him, "Well for starters, you said you're from Prague. That alone tells me that you are more than you appear." Dead then lifted his finger and latched in on Ezekiel's neck. He pulled it up to reveal a Tekka-set crystal. "This is reason two."

Ezekiel showed no evidence of surprise, "What makes you think I'm not just a primary body?"

Dead let go of the crystal, "Zero first showed up when we fought in space. How did he know that they would be there at that time?"

"I don't know. That doesn't prove anything."

Dead smirked, "He appeared just at the right time when I needed help. And also the way he attacked the Radham was exactly according to the Chief's plan to center them."

"Coincidence."

Dead's smirk remained, "Was it coincidence that Zero arrived when the Radham tekkamen attacked? And just when Tekkaman Hiver needed help no less. And with Hayato unconscious, it would have been simple for you to transform, destroy them, disappear, and return to Hayato."

Ezekiel still showed no signs of worry, "That's a reasonable theory, but there's a problem. If I had done that, my clothes would have been destroyed. Seeing me naked is not exactly something someone would miss. And I was fully clothed."

Dead narrowed his eyes, "You're right. However, Blade had learned how to transform in and out and still keep his clothes. And you weren't fully clothed. Your shirt was ripped up."

"I had to wrap Hayato's wound."

"Yes, but it doesn't take that much cloth to wrap around his head. I think that you've managed to do it in and out and keep some of your clothes, but not all. Your shirt showed evidence of energy displacement."

Ezekiel looked away and Dead's smile returned, "Well, am I right?"

"I'm not saying yes, but let's say for argument's sake that you're right. What are you going to do?"

"Nothing."

Finally, a slight twinge of confusion crossed his face, "Huh?"

"You saved my life as well as Hiver's so you're not a threat. However, I do believe that the others should know that there's another Tekkaman." He turned to leave, "You have more secrets, Ezekiel. But you can't hide this one for long. I won't talk, but you will have to eventually." He began to walk, "Just something to think about. Ciao."

Ezekiel was left alone once again and he thought to himself. He's right. I can't keep this secret forever. But I haven't even seen D-Boy yet. He's the only one that can help me.