Title: The Bruises On My Heart: The Return
By: Cerulean Shadow
Summary: The sequel to "The Bruises On My Heart"! Numbuh Five and Numbuh One decide to return to the island. Only to find out more...

Numbuh Five's rage grew stronger. Because of the Delightful Children, Alia was dead. The wolf puppy died just to save them. Just like her father did before.

"... I'll kill you!" Numbuh Five exclaimed to the DC as she pulled out her weapon.

Numbuh Five fired at them dozens of times. She didn't care about the machine. The DC were actually dodging from her blasts! Numbuh One tried to pull her back, but she fought him. The DC killed Alia. At least, their machine did. Takei couldn't take any more killings as much as Alia did. Theron was Takei's flesh and blood, so why does Takei have to fight as well? Takei was scared as much as Numbuh Three was. Numbuh Three thought that Numbuh Five was going to die destroying that machine.

But Takei couldn't mostly believe it. Alia was so brave enough to save her best friends from dying. Boy, he wished he could be like her; brave, strong, and smart. But Takei barely even knew Numbuh One and Numbuh Five. His father attacked Alia's mother and father, and he felt guilty. He wanted to do something to make it up to her, but it was too late. But, then he noticed. Alia was good friends with Numbuh One and Numbuh Five. She tried to save them. Maybe he could do the same... To also prove that he was brave. He could do this. Alia did, so he can. Takei ran over to Numbuh Two, Numbuh Three, and Numbuh Four, and untied the knots. They were soon free. They released the tape from their mouths, and went to help Numbuh Five and Numbuh One. They got their weapons and began to fire at the machine.

"Numbuh Five, you need to calm down!" Numbuh One exclaimed as he grabbed her shoulders.

Then he realized that her shoulder was still bleeding. He tore a long piece of his sweater and wrapped it around her bleeding shoulder. It hurt a little to Numbuh Five, but it sort of stopped the bleeding.

"... Th- Thanks, Numbuh One..." she said weakly.
"... It's okay, Numbuh Five. Just calm down." Numbuh One said as he relaxed her shoulders.

Numbuh Five calmed down for a short time. She took a couple of deep breaths, and lowered her weapon.

"It's all right, Numbuh Five. You just rest your shoulder. It looks pretty bad." Numbuh One said.

He took her to the side of the room as the rest of the operatives fought the machine. He laid her down on the ground and let her rest.

"You'll be okay. You just save your energy." Numbuh One said.

He gave her a kiss, and went to join the rest on destroying that machine.

"Who untied you?" Numbuh One asked Numbuh Two.
"That cub did." he said.
"Takei?" Numbuh One said as he looked at the cub.

The cub was helping Numbuh Three fight the machine. He was quite amazed. How can a cub help someone they've just met? Numbuh One didn't care, he just went back to shooting the machine. Behind, Numbuh Five slowly walked over to Alia's dead body. She picked her up and laid her down to the side of the room.

"You deserved better. Just like your mom and dad did. I'm sorry Alia. But I will avenge your death." Numbuh Five said.

She hoped that Alia heard her, because she meant it. She didn't know what made Alia sacrifice her life for them. Then she heard a growl. She looked up, and saw Takei fighting with the rest of the operatives. Then she smiled. Numbuh Five and Numbuh One killed Theron before, which made every animal happy. Including Takei. Takei couldn't take his father, nor his uncle anymore. If he was to survive, the killings had to stop. Takei wanted to help them. Not just because Alia did, but for bravery.

"You fools just wont give up." the Delightful Children said.
"No they wont..." a voice said from behind.

Everyone stopped fighting and faced the voice. They looked behind the DC to see... Father. At the only doorway of the lab.

"So... you pathetic Kids Next Door survived? How interesting. But I'm afraid you wont be staying alive that easy." Father said as he drew up flames from his body. He fired the flames directly at Numbuh Three.

"Look out!" Numbuh Four exclaimed as he pushed her out of the way.

The blast of flames hit the ground, creating a dark circle. Takei stood his ground. He didn't move. He never knew about Father. But he didn't care how powerful he was. Father saw the mountain lion cub.

"Well, a mountain lion cub? What a nice target." Father said.

He heated up a strong flame and fired it at little Takei. Takei dodged it. Numbuh Five was quite impressed. That was a fast move! Then he ran up to Father, and attacked him. He felt a tiny burn on his side, but didn't care. He scrunched up his arm a couple of times.

"I'll hold him off! You guys try to escape!" Takei yelled.

Numbuh One, Numbuh Five, Numbuh Two, Numbuh Three, and Numbuh Four understood what he meant. Numbuh Five picked up Alia and joined the rest into getting out of the mansion. But the machine appeared in front of them, blocking their way. All together, they all fired their weapon at the machine. This time, the machine was getting weaker and weaker. Especially from the last fight. The machine couldn't take it anymore. It weakened down in pain.

They all ran out of the mansion and into the ship. Numbuh Five set Alia right beside her on the soft floor.

"We need to get out of here as soon as possible." Numbuh One said.
"We can't! We've gotta wait for Takei." Numbuh Five said.

Inside, Takei was getting weak as well. Father knocked him to the side of the chemicals. The chemicals that were used for experimenting. He had bruises and flame marks all over his body. He couldn't move. Then, Father walked up to him, flames lighting up with anger.

"You little animal. You think you can defeat me? I've got more power than you. You're just a little helpless cub." Father said.

"Maybe so. But that doesn't stop me from defeating you." Takei said.

That meant one thing... He had a plan.

Father lit up his flames as high as he could. He was ready to fire... and Takei was also ready. As Father fired, Takei dodged as fast as he could. Then, Father's flames hit the chemicals... and exploded. The whole mansion blew up into tiny bits of wood. The KND saw it with their own eyes. Both Numbuh One and Numbuh Five hoped Takei had survived. They didn't want another animal killed. Not a sudden movement came from the remaining debris. They stared at it for about five minutes, but nothing happened. Numbuh Five sadly looked down at the floor. Numbuh One put her hand on her shoulder.

"Guys! Look!" Numbuh Three exclaimed.

Numbuh Five looked up at the mansion. There was Takei, walking out of the remaining ruins of the mansion. They were all happy that he was finally alive. Numbuh Three walked out of the ship and took Takei in her arms.

"You're okay!" Numbuh Five exclaimed as she came out of the ship as well.
"Yeah... but only a little." Takei said as he coughed.
"We better get him to the ship." Numbuh Five said to Numbuh Three.

Numbuh Three carried Takei into the ship and treated him with medicine and a few bandages. Numbuh Five also got a few bandages on her shoulder. It had a few cuts and burns, but it was going to be fine. Soon, Takei was feeling fine, once again.

"You were brave, Takei." Numbuh One said.
"Thanks. But Alia was the one that was brave." Takei said.
"Yeah. But what are we gonna do with her?" Numbuh Four asked.
"I think I know just what to do." Numbuh Five said as she held Alia in her arms.

"Numbuh Two, set course for the island." Numbuh Five said.

TO BE CONTINUED...