Seriyu stared carefully into the leafy foliage of the trees. He had a feeling that was where Sakura was hiding. 'Why did I ever let her talk me into this whole training thing?' he wondered to himself as he waited for her to make her move. Sakura watched him from behind. 'He thinks, I'm in the trees.' She said to herself as she quietly sneaked up behind him. She was almost able to reach out and touch him when she stepped on a twig. Seriyu turned around at the sound of the crack and brought his sword up to defend against her blow. Sakura struck out and recoiled when he blocked. Feinting to the right she stopped and swung at his left catching the imposter off guard. Seriyu landed with his back on the ground his shirt slightly ripped after she hit him with the flat of her sword. Seriyu scowled angrily when her face appeared in his view.
"You alright?" she asked holding out her hand to help him up. Seriyu angrily pushed her hand away as Sakura stared at him in surprise. Her features then contorted into one of slight anger. What was up with him? He wasn't performing up to his normal standards with the sword. He had made novice mistakes the entire session then had the audacity to act angrily when she easily beat him without breaking a sweat. Seriyu tossed his sword over to the side and went to sit under the shade of a nearby tree, breathing heavily. 'I guess now is as good a time as ever.' Sakura thought as she walked over to him.
"Ryo, are you alright?" she asked gently. Seriyu gave her an annoyed look.
"I told you yesterday and I told you today that I'm fine." He said attempting to control his temper. "Why must you keep asking?"
"Because you're acting weird!" Sakura protested sitting next to him, though not as close as she normally would have.
"No, I'm not!" Seriyu argued. Sakura sat silent for a moment staring blankly at the house. White Blaze and Kero were close by watching the pair.
"Geez!" Seriyu finally said interrupting the silence. "That tiger is so annoying! He glares as me every time he sees me." Seriyu said indicating White Blaze.
"See! This is what I'm talking about!" Sakura said looking at Seriyu.
"What?" he asked.
"You're behaving so differently. Why?" Sakura persisted.
"I'm not!" Seriyu yelled back defensively.
"Oh really!" Sakura said her temper flaring. "Then maybe you can explain some things to me." She said crossing her arms.
"Like what?" Seriyu asked.
"Like why White Blaze and Kero never go near you anymore, or why all of a sudden you're a morning person and neat as a pin. Your appetite has changed and since when do you not like soccer?" Sakura shouted at him. Seriyu turned his head away ignoring her questions.
"What is up with you? Everyone else had noticed it too! I'm really getting worried about you!" Sakura said putting her hand on his arm.
Seriyu glared at her. "Look! Will you just drop it! I'm not acting different. Everyone is just getting all upset over nothing and it's driving me crazy. So could you just do me a favor and get off my back!" He yelled harshly. Sakura stared at him her face a mixture of shock and sadness. She withdrew her hand and leaned her back against the tree avoiding his gaze.
"Look!" Seriyu began. "I'm sorry, I'm just frustrated. I didn't mean to yell at you." He said trying to get back in her good graces. Sakura looked at him from the corner of her eye and gave him a half smile. Seriyu smiled confident that he had here right where he wanted her. He leaned back against the tree. Sakura stared in shock when he did. She quickly scooted closer to him and reached down his shirt. Seriyu jerked his head up in surprise.
"What are you doing?!" he demanded as Sakura produced two back amulets from inside his shirt. She had seen the sun glinting off their cold hard surface.
"What are these?" she asked running her fingers over the design etched on the top. Seriyu panicked, but forced himself to speak calmly.
"I found them yesterday." He lied. Sakura stared intently at the amulets. 'I've seen these before.' She thought to herself. 'But where?' she didn't get time to think of it any more when Seriyu quickly took them from her hands and put them back around his neck. She was just about to ask him more about them when she heard a ring.
"What is that?" she asked looking around. Seriyu reached inside his pocket and produced a phone. Sakura stared at the ringing phone shocked.
"You have a phone?" she asked incredulous. "Since when?" she asked.
"Look, I need to take this, I'll talk to you later!" Seriyu said as he walked off quickly. Sakura stared at his retreating back as she frowned.
'Now I know that there is something defiantly wrong!' she thought to herself as she got up and walked back to the house to talk to the others. Seriyu waited until he knew he was out of hearing distance before answering the call.
'What!?" he hissed.
"Lord Seriyu, …he's escaped." Came the reply as Seriyu snarled and curled his fists in fury.