Sakura: I am very sorry for late update. (bows) Unfortunately I got sick on my last week of my trip and am still sick, so please bear with me for late update. Anyways, I'll stop blabbing and let you read this chapter. For those who reviewed, thank you for your support and please continue to do so, without further ado, welcome to Part Eight of Sakura Kiss.
Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer applies.
Warning: Out of characterness.
Sakura Kiss: Part 08
The Regulars sat in those comfortable sofas, looking at the Agents across from them in awe. None of them had expected the cheerful volley-specialist or the innocent yet youngest Hyoutei Regulars or the hyper-active acrobat of Seigaku or two Rikkai Dai students to be a part of the strongest, most challenging yet deadly Agency. However, most importantly, none of the Regulars had expected them to be of Class Z possessing lethal powers within them.
"If you guys are Asuka's bodyguards, what is her role in CSA?" Atobe asked, looking at Touya and Hiromi for a brief second then, shift his gaze to the Elements and finally his glance lands upon Asuka. Their eyes locked for a couple of seconds, as if the two are in a trance, and the owner of the Agency lets out a sweet smile to him and looks away from his inquiring gaze.
"I'm sorry but that's classified information," Touya replied before the Elements had a chance, and continues, "It is for your own safety that you do not know," sending a sharp glance to his teammates. The six Elements gave him an unnoticeable nod in confirmation while Hiromi lets out an exasperated sigh from the background.
"I see…" was all Atobe replied, looking at Asuka to confirm what he said, but her blank expression startled him.
It seems that they are hiding something huge that they don't want the public to know…but just what is it…? And what does CSA do? From what I've seen, Class Z eliminates demons and such, but what about other classes? I know that they said the other classes' jobs are differentiated given their status but is that all they do? That's what I want to know.
"It's about that time," said Hiromi, breaking Atobe out of his thought while the Regulars look at the Elements wondering what they are talking about.
"So have any of you planned anything for today?" the Seigaku acrobatic asked as he glances at his teammates while stretching his tired muscles.
"Of course not," Niou replied with a smirk, "especially with all the things that happened recently," as his partner nod in response.
"I feel sorry for them," Asuka said with a smile, shaking her head, "Must you guys have to be like that?" as Touya and Hiromi glance at each other briefly.
"Yes," the two answered in union, nodding in sync as the owner of the Agency let out an exasperated sigh. There seem to be silence around the room, save for the snickering coming from other Agents but quickly silence when Touya and Hiromi glared at them.
"You guys are too cruel to them," she said with a sweat drop, sinking in her seat.
"My dear, we must be cruel to be kind," Ryoga said knowingly, making other Agents sigh at him, "What? It's true," as they shake their head at him.
"But that doesn't mean you have to get technical at us," Jirou pointed out, earning various nods from the rest of the Element members.
"Hai…hai…" he answered, giving in and continues, "Now, we'll be late," as he glances at the clock on the wall across from where they are sitting.
"And they don't teach themselves, if you know what I mean," Kirihara added with a smirk, standing up and puts his hands in his pocket then said, "Let's go," as he head towards the door.
"But of course," Eiji replied slyly, standing up from his seat, "Now if you will excuse us, Asuka-chan," as he bows to her European style. She giggles slightly at his antic but nods in response while the Agents left the room one by one, all but Touya who remains by the door.
"Asuka, your training will begin tomorrow," he announced with a smirk and continues, "In the meantime, why don't you show them our training method? Yuki should be in that class," with that, he left room.
"Well, since Touya suggested it, why don't we go there?" asked Asuka with a smile, "You'll get to know what CSA looks like and how they train their Agents," as she stands up and glances at the Regulars.
"Sure," Fuji answered with a smile, and looks at the others as if daring them to say otherwise. Reluctantly, they nod in response and stand up, following Asuka out the door.
"Welcome to Level S," stated Asuka as the elevator door opens and the group steps out of it and follows her down the corridor, "This is the training hall for potential Class X Agents and the trainer or as we called 'the Professor' is Ryoga," as Ryoma looks at her in surprise.
"What kind of training facilities do you use?" Oshitari asked pushing his glasses to the bridge of his nose while a smirk is displaying at the corner of his mouth.
"Our very own virtual reality technology," she answered as they stop in front of a large double door and explains, "The damage dealt here is not real but they can be if the professor wishes it to be. Remember what kinds of powers we possess," as she gives them a side glance.
"What do you mean?" Oishi asked in confused while glancing at her. The Regulars glance through the windows, staring at steel spikes shot through the walls, tight rope extended across the room and fires sprouted from the floor in awe. The battlefield looks realistic enough to scare them and what's more amazing is that the Agents were expected to train in those conditions.
"But what if you get injured or worse in those fields then what will their parents say?" Oishi fretted as he paces around the area while Ryoga looks at them through the glass in amused. The Hyoutei and Rikkai Dai Regulars glance at the Mother of Seigaku before shifting their gaze back at the battlefield.
"We have first-class medically trained Agents," Asuka answered knowingly, looking at Oishi with a sigh. However, her reply did not ease his worry and he continues pacing around and thinking of the worse-case scenarios.
"If you are easily worried about that then you are not fit to be a part of this Agency," said a familiar voice, walking towards them. The Regulars turned around to the owner of the voice and realized it was Eiji, dressed in a black T-shirt and dark denim jeans along with black combat boots.
"Yo Eiji! What about your class?" Ryoga asked, stepping out of the room to talk while letting his class get used to the battlefield.
"I don't have one on Fridays, 'member?" he smirked as he pressed some keys on the keypad nearby. A couple of seconds later, the condition in the room becomes colder and cool air begins blowing at their direction.
"By the way Yuki…" Eiji started slyly, glancing at him to which made Ryoga sweat, "I saw that picture," then paled at his statement.
"W-what picture?" he asked, trying to confirm his suspicion. Asuka hid a smile behind her feign innocence and looked away from Ryoga's intense glare.
"The picture that's hung on the wall next to Recovery Room," Eiji continued with a smirk as he leans against the wall with his arms crossed, "I didn't know you can be a pretty girl," then began snickering at Ryoga's red expression.
"NANI!" Ryoga screamed, loosing his cool composure and dashed out of the area swiftly with his hand over his mouth. Eiji glances at Asuka with a grin, before laughing at his friend's situation but quickly silences himself when he notices a mischief glint in her eyes.
"What's with that look…?" he asked slowly, his earlier excitement dying and replaced by a feeling of dread.
"I have yours too, Eiji," Asuka replied with a grin, "I just have to find a place to hang it," making the acrobatic player froze in his spot before his face turned beet red.
"You wouldn't…" he muttered, turning pleading eyes to the owner of the Agency but she just smiled innocently.
"Try me," she answered sweetly with a smile, "Well anyways, we're going to visit Hiromi and Touya's class. Anyone coming along?" as she easily switch the topic, leaving Eiji to imagine what would happen to his reputation.
"Afterwards, we'll show you to your rooms at our hotel," Ryoga stated as he walks towards them, glaring half-heartedly at Asuka. However, a couple of seconds later, he lets out a sigh of defeat and dropped the subject. There was nothing but the usual picture: a picture of a white castle, instead of his picture. But how does Asuka have that picture of him dressed in a dress is way beyond him…after all, that was an undercover mission that he did a couple of years ago.
"So why did you joined the Agency?" Ryoma asked to the Agent sitting across from him. The Seigaku ace is seated in an expensively furnished room, awaiting for a response from the other party.
"You do know that I'm only your adopted brother, right?" Ryoga said seriously, his dark reddish-brown eyes piercing at Ryoma's amber ones and a nod confirms his question, "Remember how I said I'm going to find a big dream before running away?" and he received another nod, "I found out that I possess these powers…telekinesis, teleportation, and speed. And with these powers, I control the power to change the world for better or for worse…it's all in my control. The control that I love and hate at the same time, but learning to have control of my powers made me realize that this is something only I can do. Kouji-sama and Nadeshiko-sama asked me to join the Agency to train me to control my powers and I did. I found out later this Agency offers many opportunities to its Agents…from doctorate role to lawyers to engineers, and many more. Plus, CSA schoolings are much more difficult than any other schools in the world, and because of that, even our low class spies are no match for anyone. However, going back to what you asked, I joined this Agency because this is a perfect opportunity to utilize my powers and to find out about what I can do and cannot do,"
"But that still doesn't explain why you didn't tell me about it," Ryoma continued while glaring at him, "And what about that cruise ship incident?" as Ryoga chuckles at the latter question.
"Oh, that? That was just an undercover assignment to capture him," he answered with a smirk, "This Agency makes sure that we are completely ready before any of our missions are carried out. If one of us should mess up, another is ready to cover-up…remember, I was there and so was Eiji. We never send an Agent alone on missions and we plan about back-ups before the mission commence,"
"Then Eiji-senpai was in it also…" Ryoma mumbled quietly and continues, "Anything else I should know?" but the Agent only smirks at him in response.
"That's pretty much all I can tell you without risking your life," he replied standing up and continues, "I'll see you at the cafeteria. Later Chibi-suke," with that, he left the room leaving Ryoma alone to gather his thoughts.
"This is their hotel…? Amazing…" Oishi gaped in awe as he looks at the room he is sharing with Fuji, Kaidoh, and Tezuka. Everything in the room looked expensive, from velvet curtains to Jacuzzi in the marble tiled bathroom to queen-size bed for each person.
"I'm glad it fits to your liking," Eiji said with a small smile while leaning against the doorway, and continues, "Dinner will begin in an hour so in the meantime, you can wash up. Towels and some extra clothes are in the cabinets. I'll see you at the cafeteria," as he turns around to leave.
"Eiji," Fuji began seriously, his eyes piercing through the acrobatic player's back, "Why did you join this Agency, knowing that it will be dangerous?" and he received a chuckle from him.
"I wanted to do something…something to make use of my powers I possess," Eiji began without turning around, "Yes, I knew that I have these powers for a long time. It was then that Kouji-sama and Nadeshiko-sama told me that I should join CSA and learn to control these powers. You know, joining CSA – no matter how low of the status you get – is anyone's dream. Each of the Class Z Agents joined because of their special powers and all were recruited by Kouji-sama and Nadeshiko-sama. Anyways, I joined because I knew it would a great opportunity for me and I was right. The first couple of years here were tough but success doesn't come without a price. But what was great in those years were that we learned new things…things that would help us later in our battles. I already said more than enough, I'll see you later at the cafeteria," with that, he walked away from the room.
"This meets Ore-sama's standard," Atobe said with a smirk as he looks around the room. Oshitari, Hiyoshi, Taki, and Shishido look around the room in awe while Jirou and Ootori are standing nearby the doorway casually. The room is very similar to that of Tezuka's but the only thing that is different is the colors of items placed in the room.
"It should," Jirou replied in deadpanned tone. His tone surprised his teammates, all but Ootori, as they turn around from their room inspection to face him.
"I guess that explains it," Oshitari mumbled with a knowing smirk while getting a "Huh?" from his doubles partner, and he clarified, "Why he always is so tired at school,"
"Oh…" Mukahi replied in understanding tone, and asked, "But what about Choutarou? He doesn't seem as tired as Jirou," as he earned a smirk from each of the Agents in the room.
"That's because I am also a part of CSA Intelligence Group," he answered with his arms crossed, "Each of Class Z's Agents are to patrol on assigned days, and it just so happen that Choutarou got the weekends…"
"Huh? How does you being on Intelligence Group have to do anything with patrolling?" Mukahi asked again, while Ootori covers a cough behind his hand.
"CSA is known for its high-tech technologies," Ootori began with a small smile on his expression, "And because of these technologies, we are able to patrol without going out there; however, when an attack should happen, we are needed out there. After all, we're the only ones with powers in this Agency and we are the only ones who can eliminate the demons. But the battle is coming to a close, so these days are more hectic than before… and it is necessary that Asuka-san learn to control her powers and utilize it to her advantage before the final battle. However, we don't plan on sending her to the battle…unless it is absolutely necessary,"
"I'm sure you're wondering why we joined…" Jirou stated, looking at his teammates with serious glance, and continues, "I wanted to control the powers I possess and make good use for it. To be not able to control these powers is scary," as Ootori lets a small yet sad smile at the last statement.
"And you're right, Jirou…being not able to control these powers is scary," Ootori started in remorse, "Especially if one of your powers include lightning. But I guess that guy asked for it…provoking me like that and all,"
"What are you talking about Choutarou?" Taki questioned while sitting down on a bed, looking at the two Agents nearby the doorway.
"It happened before I joined the Agency, I had learned of my powers but I couldn't control them," he started, glancing at everywhere but at his teammates, "Some…unnecessary incident happened because I lost control of it,"
"What kind of incident?" Mukahi asked, gulping slightly and quickly noticed that Ootori's eyes harden for a brief second. He did not say anything for a couple of seconds, and looks down on the expensive-looking carpeting instead.
"It… it's something I would rather not speak of for the time being," he finally said with a small sigh and looks up at his teammates, "Now, if you will excuse us…we'll see you at the cafeteria," with that, he closes the door behind him and left.
As the Rikkai Dai regulars witnessed the extravagant room ahead of them, one would've expected the teenagers would look shocked and awed by the view, but nothing. It seemed that Sanada, Yukimura, Renji, Yagyuu, and Jackal were quite used to the fancy and lavish room; whereas one particular member looked at it with wide eyed in amazement. However, a certain vice-captain made sure he did not do anything to embarrass the team.
"This is amazing…" Marui mumbled quietly, but inwardly he was gaping in awe, 'Akaya gets to live in a place like that? I'm so jealous' as he sent a look at their ace.
"Would you two care to explain yourselves?" Yagyuu asked in a polite manner as he pushes his glasses to the bridge of his nose while looking at the two standing by the doorway.
"Yes, this would be an interesting piece for my data," Yanagi nodded, immediately standing next to his teammate. Kirihara crosses his arms and did not say anything to his senpai-tachi while looking at them defiantly.
"Che, I'm not telling them anything," Kirihara mumbled as he leans against the doorframe while his teammate, Niou, has another thing in his mind.
"Only you would say that, Akaya," Niou grinned, standing across from the said Agent and continues, "I love telling stories" while the Shinigami lets out a sigh but did not say anything.
"So which version are you going to tell them, Haru-kun?" Kirihara asked with a sigh, running his hand through his hair and continues, "I'll only tell them if I feel like it," as he crosses his arms. The Rikkai Dai Regulars looked surprised while standing in front of the two Agents as Niou grinned at their expressions.
Niou rubbed his hands together in glee and looked at Kirihara, "How about my friend dying thing?" but he received a bored look in response.
"That's reason #279, and it was pretty lame," he answered while walking towards an empty leather seat and sits down.
"Then how about…" Niou started in thoughtful tone, rubbing his jaw and continues, "How about the one because I was bullied as a child or the one similar to it?" while Kirihara sighed, leaning against his seat.
"No one would believe that," his bored replied responded.
"Oh? Then how about…" the trickster continued, but he was interrupted by one of the Rikkai Dai Regulars.
"Are you planning on telling us or not?" Yagyuu gently interrupted while Marui sweat dropped at their earlier conversation.
"Well, you see senpai-tachi," Kirihara started with a smirk, his legs crossed elegantly and continues, "Haru-kun has around 500 reasons as to why he joined, and I've heard all of them, but only one of it is the real reason why he joined,"
"Tell us the real reason," Sanada said firmly, his intense gaze boring into the two Agents but none of them flinched at the glare like they usually did.
"If I did then, that would ruin the fun, now wouldn't it?" Niou smirked, taking a seat next to Kirihara and continues, "But the question is, do you really deserve to know?" as Shinigami raises an eyebrow at the question but did not say anything in response.
"Niou…" came Sanada's warning tone, which is followed by his glare. The fire-wielding Agent lets out a sigh and crossed his legs then twirls around once in his seat before boring his serious glance towards his tennis teammates.
"It all started six years ago when Nadeshiko prophesized of a danger," he began in serious tone, "A danger where all would be in danger if the enemy was not defeated. She had also prophesized of their end, and the beginning of Asuka's ownership of the Agency. However, what scared me the most is that… if we did not defeat the enemy, everything will end for mankind. The reason why I joined to this Agency is that, I did not want this prophesy to true when I can do something to prevent it,"
"I'm not even sure if your explanation is the truth," Yagyuu commented with a small frown, and continues, "What about you Akaya? What's your reason for joining this Agency?" as the said person turns around from his seat.
"There's only one reason why I joined, to control my Shinigami side," Kirihara replied calmly and continues, "Now, if we are done talking Niou, we need to get ready for dinner," as he stands up from his seat.
"Right," Niou nodded as he stands up and continues, "Dinner will be served in an hour, so get ready and we'll meet at the cafeteria,"
"And where is this cafeteria?" Marui asked, blowing his bubblegum as he looks at the two nonchalantly. The rest of the Rikkai Dai team nods in agreement at his question but did not ask any further questions.
"If you take the elevator, it'll take you right there," Kirihara replied with a smirk, "See you later," with that, he and Niou walks out of the room.
"Wait, Niou, Akaya," Yukimura called out, halting the two Agents in their track and he continues, "What about the demons? Are they really demons?" as the Agents did not turn around to face them.
"Actually buchou, they're not really demons," Kirihara started slowly, but still did not turn around, "They're really humans, who chose not to be purified,"
"So you guys kill them," Jackal murmured in baffled tone and a nod from the two Agents confirmed his statement. Silence blanketed over the room and neither of the party said anything for the next couple of minutes.
"We have to, for the sake everyone's safety," Niou added softly, and he continues, "If we let them continue to roam about then, you can say good bye to everything you know and love. We're doing this because we have to, not because we want to, however, we knew of this when we joined the Agency,"
"And yet, you chose to join anyways," Marui stated spitefully, glaring at the two, "Knowing that you have to kill another human being. Doesn't that bother you at all?"
"When that human being is possessed by our enemy, no; when that human being is not possessed by our enemy, then yes," Kirihara answered with a sigh, "I may be the Shinigami, but I'm not completely heartless… I can be sometimes, but I don't have the heart to kill a real person,"
"Please do remember that what we do in this Agency," started Niou, finally turning around to look at his teammates "is for your future," and then he and Kirihara walk out of the room.
So what do you think of their explanations? Good? Bad? It had taken me some time to think of them but it's finally revealed. Next chapter will be out soon, so until then, sayonara and please review.