Chapter 2: The Smiling Mask

I don't own them Crap

It has been 3 days since Seta Soujiro moved in to our school, at first I disliked him for competing with me in History class but since then we've been friendly yet his mystery is still alive. He isn't that talkative and as much as friends are concerned I think I am the only one who goes near him, it's his fault anyway he doesn't seem to be a sociable person. All I see is his smile, a smile which doesn't show anything, just a plain smile..

"Hey, Soujiro! Where have you been yesterday I have been looking for you during lunch break but it seems like you just disappear all of a sudden," Misao shouted as he poked Soujiro at the back.

Soujiro, who was surprised by her just turned around. "Oh hi! Misao didn't know you you were there…," smiled, and faced the sky again.

"Grrr, hey you didn't answer my question, you smiling fuzzball…" In just a second Soujiro's head was in circles as Misao shook the poor fellow. Still smiling, Soujiro just answered briefly. "I was just here, I was just staring at the sky..,"

"Oh…well, so you like the scenery here…," She said as they stood behind the rails. Misao was also captivated by the scenery, it was quite some time since the last time she went up here. The birds were dancing in the bluish floor as white cotton decorated the entire view. Soujiro's eyes slightly glanced at her female companion and quickly moved his eyes away. "Well, Seta, you sure are one weird fellow…,"

"I'll take that as a complement..," Soujiro smiled again.

"Oooh, that smile…you know it kinda makes me uncomfortable, don't you get even mad or angry?" Soujiro only replied with a smile. "Ah, ha-ha, well I give up anyway History class is coming, you better be prepared,"

"Sure….smile,".

"(Soujiro…don't get too close to people…you'll only hurt yourself and also them..it is better this way, especially Makimachi-san).,".. Soujiro whispered this to himself and bowed his head slowly.

Remember, we are the strong ones, we are the ones who will survive, those who are weak shall perish…you are my right hand man…remember that Soujiro..

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The sound of the bell rang and classes were over.

Miraculously, they were dismissed earlier than usual and this made the students very happy. This also made the opportunity for Soujiro to act and complete his scout around the area.

"The building which he will hold the meeting is that one….the floor is 14th and the room is…from this view 3 to the right," He said as he held a pair of binoculars in his arms and observed the surroundings on the roof top of the high school building.

"100-120 meters…I must need a long range rifle for this, I'll also check if anyone can see me from here and….the perfect spot is here," He pointed out a position on the roof top where he could neither be seen nor spotted from below and was facing the building where his target will be. "All is set…Shishio-san," He smiled as his eyes stared the horizon.

Suddenly he felt a push on the back, and because he had fast reflexes, he looked back and was about to draw his hidden kunai but didn't continue when he saw it was only, Misao.

"Makimachi-san! It's only you! I thought…," "You thought whom??" She asked as she noticed his strange movements as the smile for a short while was gone but now it's back.

"No-one…you just scared me, weren't you supposed to go home right away?" In a flash, he slipped his hand away from the dagger and placed his hand in his pocket.

"Well I just wanted to check upon my rival, and what's he doing after school, and so I may know the secret you have!" Misao said with an evil smile.

Soujiro was stunned at what he heard. "Se-secret wha-what do you mean he-he," He chuckled nervously. "(What secret is she talking about? Hope it's not what I think it is…),"

"The secret….of your smile..and…" She looked at Soujiro seriously and whispered the rest of her words. "….your connection to my life..,"

"You musn't waste your time with me Misao, you must enjoy your life…," Soujiro calmed down as he was relieved that his mission wasn't discovered.

"How about you? How come you are not enjoying?"

Soujiro looked down for a moment but faced her again and gave her the answer. "No, You're wrong…I'm enjoying".

A brief silence penetrated between them as a white dove flew away from the railings.

She didn't know why but she was quite dumbfounded by his answer, maybe not only by his answer but also by the expression that his face created as he answered. For the smile on his face wasn't just the regular smile that she has seen for the past 3 days but another; the real Soujiro

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How about you? How come you are not enjoying?

"How about me? Am I enjoying what I am doing? Am I?" Soujiro talked to himself while he walked the path towards the house which he has called home after that incident that took his whole childhood.

"Mom…Dad…..,"

"MOM!! DAD!!! NO!!!!!!!," A shadow of events flashed back through Soujiro's mind.

He was only six years old, when his parents were slaughtered in front of his eyes. He can still remember the smell of gun powder and blood that stained his innocence. He was also supposed to be dead when a man suddenly killed all of the men that entered their house.

"Pity…you are only a child and didn't have the strength to kill all of those men, stand up child!" The man said to him. He stood up and cried.

"Stop Crying! Only weak ones cry, if you want to avenge your mother and father then learn not to cry…," And he did, somehow Soujiro stopped crying and after that he never cried again.

"Come with me, I'll teach you how to become strong and after that I'll help you hunt for these men who killed your parents. For if you won't become strong then you shall only perish. Remember in this world, kid, the strong shall survive and the weak shall perish,"

"..Were my parents weak?"

"No…they were brave, but I admit that they were weak...and so you, their son must become strong," The man said as he revealed his face from the shadows. His whole body was wrapped in bandages. "Why are you smiling boy?"

"I don't know but somehow I am happy,"

"Hmm do as you wish, come on now let's go…,"

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CoA' notes: Laziness caught up to me again..damn. Tell me what you think ok, Thank you. I really know it's not much but please read and review.