Sakura: I am leaving for my family trip in a couple of hours, but since I promised you readers that I will post Part 07 before I go, here it is. As always, thank you for your support and please continue to do so. The trivia from previous Part will be revealed in this section, so without further ado, welcome for Part 07.
Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer applies.
Warning: Out of characterness.
Sakura Kiss: Part 07
"I won't let you hurt him!" Asuka said with determined look on her visage, glaring at the demon before her. Kirihara grunts in pain as he slowly stands up and with one burst of energy, he swoops her away just before the demon's claw cuts her.
"Baka, don't get yourself killed," he chided, holding her around the waist while in momentum of midair and out of nowhere, a gust of blows by them. Asuka looks behind them and her mouth opens in surprise to see a pair of black wings sprouting from Kirihara's back.
"Akaya-kun…since when did you…" she murmured in awe while the said black angel smiles gently at her in response. She looks at his injuries and her soft-sapphire eyes widen in surprise to see them already healed.
"I have always been, and always will," Kirihara replied with a smirk before looking at the demon. His emerald eyes harden, displaying nothing but coldness and death-promising gaze. He slowly extends out his right hand, while his left hand is holding Asuka, as a black orb materializes above his hand and in matter of seconds, black crystallized shards shot towards the demon with calculated preciseness.
"For what you have done to my charge, die," he said icily, sending shivers to those around him and he closes his hand once again, canceling the attack. Just as he had said the last word, the demon disintegrates before it can even scream out in pain and Kirihara lands before the Regulars gracefully.
"Akaya…your wound…" said Asuka in awe, pointing to his injuries where blood was flowing out freely but it seems as if nothing had happened to him.
"You seem to process healing abilities, Asuka-chan," the black angel replied with a grin, ignoring stunned expressions from his teammates and rivals.
"Akaya…since when do you have wings?" Marui asked, his gum long forgotten on the cold ground and his mouth ajar, "And is it real…?" the data specialists are busy writing down the data to ask questions.
"Since forever," he answered casually, and continues to his teammates, "Oi, are you guys done yet?" looking at them with exasperated look. Ryoga lets out a sigh as he puts away his weapon and walks towards the two, shaking his head.
"Excuse us for not having same abilities as you, Akaya," said Ryoga with a playful scowl, his eyes rolling in exasperated way. Jirou, Ootori, Niou, and Eiji follow him in much leisure pace while putting away their weapons.
"Now, transform back. You're being a sore thumb," he continued, his hands in his pocket and half-heartedly glaring at the black angel. Kirihara lets out a sigh before closing his eyes in concentration and in split second, his wings disappear in a burst of light, only leaving scattered feathers on the ground as evidence.
"Minna, explain," said Atobe, breaking the silence around them. Asuka looks at him and closes her eyes before letting out a sigh.
"We are of CSA, also known as Central Starlight Agency," Asuka started seriously, reopening her eyes as her gaze locked with his and continues, "My parents were the leaders and Executive Officers of it, but now… I am their leader. We are of Class Z, also known as Executive Officers, and it is our job to keep the civilians safe from attacks,"
"But you could get killed," Oishi protested, but immediately stops when he notices the coldness in her eyes.
"In this job, fearing death is not an option," Eiji answered harshly, and continues, "We are of Elements are given this gift to change the world, and we must utilize it to its fullest,"
"Elements?" voiced Oishi in confused, looking at his doubles partner and continues, "What are you talking about Eiji?" but the said person just smirks at him in response.
"Yes, also known as Class Z or Executive Officers, but to our foes, we are known as 'The Elements'," explained Niou with a grin and continues, "Each of us holds different powers concerning the nature and the four basic elements: fire, water, wind, and earth. Plus these powers, each of are experts in hand-to-hand combat, and usage of weaponries,"
"Your powers---" started Fuji, his sapphire eyes opened and looking at the acrobatic player in surprised. The agents glance amongst each other, letting out a mystified grin among themselves before one of them answered him.
"We're born with them," Ryoga supplied with a smirk and continues, "That reminds me, we still have to train Asuka-chan of her powers," as the said girl look at them in surprise that the conversation revolted back to her.
"What are her powers?" Jirou asked with an eyebrow raised, ignoring the presence of the Regulars for a brief moment. Atobe growled quietly, glaring at them for ignoring him for the umpteenth time that day.
"So far, healing," answered Kirihara with a grin and continues, "But I have a feeling that she is complete opposite of me," his hands behind his head while glancing at his teammates.
"We better train her from the basics, just in case," said Ryoga, earning a nod form each of the agents present and continues, "Plus, we better teach her of our powers too," ignoring the glares from the Regulars.
"But our training might be too harsh for her," Ootori pointed out concernedly, his earlier cold façade forgotten and removed, "For now, we should concentrate on helping her control her power," as the others nod in agreement.
"Don't ignore us!" yelled Kaidoh angrily, but the agents just raised an eyebrow at his outburst.
"And you haven't explained why you're with them!" Ryoma pointed out to his older brother, who just sighed at the two. The agents look amongst each other, trying to silently decide what to do now that the battle is fully over.
"We have no choice to fill them in on what had happened and explain them a bit about what we do," Ryoga sighed, running his hand through his hair and continues, "Let's go to the Agency and talk there," as he motions them to go.
"This is the Agency…?" asked Inui, looking up at the tall building then goes back to writing down the data in his notebook. The Regulars are standing front of large automatic doors after passing the security systems and waiting for one of the Agents to clear the next check point.
"Wait until you see the inside," Jirou smirked while sliding his identification card on a card reader placed on the wall, then enters his password swiftly. After a couple of seconds, the automatic doors open and he walks inside as it scans his body yet again. The Regulars look among each other, wondering how technical the Agency is and it is only at the entrance to the building.
"Are you coming or not?" Niou asked, looking back at them with a grin, "It gets better from this point, you'll see" then walk towards the next automatic double doors.
"So fancy," Ryoma muttered, glancing at the skylights between automatic doors #1 and #2 and various nature sceneries on the wall. The Regulars passed by the second automatic doors checkpoint and stared at the mini-bullet train before them in surprised.
'An indoor bullet train…?' many Regulars thought in dumbfounded, blinking at the silvery train before them and look at the Agents.
"We're at Class 0 and A floor," Eiji explained as he gets on the train and continues, "Be sure to strap in because it'll be faster than normal bullet trains," while sitting down in a seat then puts on the seat belt.
"So how long is this ride?" Atobe asked, getting on the train and stare at the fancy interior in awe. He sits down on the opposite side of Eiji and puts on the seat belt.
"About 32.6 seconds," Niou replied, all ready for the take off and continues, "Are the rest of you coming or just stand there?" as he raises an eyebrow with an amused smile on his face.
"Where are we going..?" Oshitari asked as he sits down next to Jirou and puts on the seat belt. The others silently followed the Hyoutei Regulars, half of them wondering if all of them are going to fit in the bullet train.
"To Asuka-chan's office," Ryoga replied as he sits in the driver's seat, igniting the engine and turns on the system, "Everyone strapped in?" After getting the confirmation, he thrusts the lever and drives towards the said office in full speed.
"WAAHHH!"
"SLOW DOWN!"
"Eh? You wanna go faster?" Ryoga grinned, ignoring their cries and upped the speed mercilessly.
"…And we're here," Asuka announced with swirled eyes and continues, "Welcome to my office," as she steps out of the train, shaking her head. The train had stopped in front of large double doors on eighteenth floor and nearby them is elevator doors, in which the bells ring and one of the doors opened.
"You guys could've taken the elevators," said a familiar voice smugly, walking towards them. The Agents and the Regulars turned around to look at the owner of the voice, realizing that it was Touya and Hiromi. Both of them dressed in their representative uniform; Touya with white T-shirt, black slacks, and black trench coat whilst Hiromi with white T-shirt, black slacks and white trench coat.
"But that would ruin the fun, wouldn't it?" Niou grinned, giving them a half-salute. Touya and Hiromi let out an exasperated sigh before motioning them to enter the office.
"I'm guessing they know?" Hiromi asked with an eyebrow raised, gesturing towards the Regulars and the Agents nod in response, "It's their choice if they want to know and risk themselves," with that, he and Touya enter the office without a second glance towards the Regulars.
"Well, that's expected of them," Eiji sighed, motioning his teammates and rivals to follow him. The Regulars look amongst themselves, believe following Eiji into the room. The room itself was elaborate and had expensive looking furniture; ranging from leather sofa to cherry-oak desks, rich mahogany coffee table and high windows. In the corners of the room are various indoor plants and seated in one of the leather sofa is a large white teddy bear, clothed in red vest with a black bow.
"Welcome to my office," said Asuka, slightly smiling at the awed Regulars and continues, "Please have a seat anywhere you like," motioning towards the sofas. The Agents sit down in their usual seats, Touya and Hiromi in one sofa, Jirou, Kirihara and Ootori in another, Niou, Eiji and Ryoga the other.
"Let's begin," Ryoga said seriously, looking up at them and continues, "I'll begin with me," as he earns various nods of approval in response, "Like I have said earlier to you guys, I joined CSA when I was seven, shortly after I ran away from the Echizen," as he closes his eyes in reminiscence.
"Shortly after I made it Class Z four years ago, I started traveling around the world and taking care of businesses," he continued, reopening his eyes, "Of course, Touya and Hiromi came with me for assistance. They were with the Agency before I was, so I don't really know how long they've been with CSA. However, these guys," as he gestures towards Niou, Eiji, Kirihara, Ootori and Jirou, "joined six years ago," The Regulars stare at the Agents in shocked and surprised, looking at them while trying to digest the information.
"We cannot exactly tell you what we do in the Agency or tell you specific details of our background, but we can tell you what kinds of powers we possess," Hiromi continued as if unaware of their expressions, "We'll start with Jirou. Class, Specialty, Weaponry,"
"Hai," the said person nodded in response and stated, "Class Z Officer specializing in Water, and Ice Element. My weaponry is steel garrote and occasionally katana,"
"Class Z Officer specializing in Wind and Lightning Element," started Ootori calmly with a smirk, "My weaponry is katana and poison darts,"
"Class Z Officer specializing in Fire and Earth Element," Niou said, glancing at the Regulars present, and continues, "My weaponry is guns and tomahawk,"
"Same class, specializing in Botany and Speed Element" said Eiji, reopening his closed eyes and resumes, "My weaponry is reversed-blade katana and chakram,"
"That leaves me," Ryoga began with a smirk, "Class Z Officer, specializing in Telekinesis, Teleportation and Speed. My weapons include saber, katana, and guns,"
"Class Z Officer, specializing in Light Element…weaponries includes, katana, darts and saber," said Hiromi casually, then turns to Touya and gives him a small nod.
"Class Z Officer, specializing in Darkness Element…weaponries includes tomahawk, katana, and guns," Touya stated nonchalantly.
"Same class, but also known as Shinigami – Angel of Death," Kirihara began, leaning back against the plush seating and continues, "You can guess what I can do by my title. My weapon…double-edge, double-sided scythe,"
"The perfect Elements combination…" Inui muttered in awe while jotting down the data in his notebook, "If my calculation is correct, their earlier displays of abilities aren't half of their true powers…"
The Agents' abilities have been revealed...how will the Regulars react to that and will Ryoma accept Ryoga's (who is also known as Yuki in the Agency) explanation? Stay tune to find out! Ideas are welcome so I really appreciate your reviews, minna-san. And please bear with me as I will be gone for a month (bows) Until then, sayanora...
P.S: No trivia this time... Gomen.