Disclaimer: I don't own Rival Schools/Project Justice Space For Sale.
Evergreen
01. Return
Shizuru Ichimonji made breakfast with a heavy heart. Today, her son would be looking at schools. He would be even closer to his own independence. She was already beginning to miss him. On top of this, Kyosuke had become a mental wreck. She remembered how happy he was about college. She wasn't sure if he could be happy about anything now. Hyo...he was gone. But they would all leave some day. That was what happened when children grew up...
"Breakfast," sang Shizuru. Kyosuke walked in and poured himself a glass of orange juice. The woman looked at him, surprised.
"Oh...Kyosuke, you're up early," she said quietly.
For the better part of the summer, Kyosuke had sunk into a deep depression. The incidents at Justice Gakuen had broken him, especially the death of his brother. He didn't even move from his bed for two weeks. At three, he merely became isolated in his room. Slowly, he recovered and struggled back to the person he was once was. Now, for the first time in four months, Kyosuke was up before noon.
"I would like to go to the campus spotlight seminar today," said the redhead.
"Are you sure that you are up to it," Shizuru was growing even more concerned. "You can take as much time as you need to recover."
"I can't just grieve," he looked down at the floor. "He would have wanted me to continue the path I had set out for myself..."
Shizuru watched him sadly. She sighed and tried to search for words to comfort him. Just then, Batsu stumbled down the stairs and barged into the kitchen.
"I heard breakfast," he snapped. He then flew over to the table and began to pile food onto his plate, occasionally stopping to drench it in syrup.
"Batsu," said his mother. "Would it be alright if Kyosuke went to the spotlight day with with you?"
Batsu stopped eating and swallowed hard. He turned and looked at Kyosuke with shock.
"You're going out," he asked.
"I am equally surprised," said Kyosuke.
Batsu glared at him. "What, does it surprise you that I am going to college?"
"Sometimes, it surprises me that you know how to read," said the redhead.
"I don't have to know how to read to kick your ass, Kagami," he snapped.
"As if you could," Kyosuke smirked as he crossed his arms. Shizuru sighed and shook her head. Perhaps Kyosuke was feeling better.
"If you're gonna be an ass, then I'll just go without you," said Batsu.
"Who's going with you," asked Kyosuke.
"Ayane," he said nonchalantly.
"It surprises me even more that she made it in," he retorted.
Suddenly, the girl reached up and pinched his ear.
"For your information, college is for everyone, you prick!"
Kyosuke pulled away from her, rubbing his ear. Ayane was a bold young woman with round, gold eyes and straight black hair that she kept tied back in a thick braid that trailed down to her waist. She was short but muscular with tanned skin. She put her hands on her hips and grinned.
"So you wanna go with us, huh," she asked. She leaned in close and winked. "You know it'll cost you!"
"I am not paying you," said Kyosuke. "It's bad enough that you stay here rent free!"
It was true. One rainy day in the spring, Ayane showed up on their doorstep with nothing but a book bag and a traditional scroll that stated her as a legitimate descendant of the Hanaiyo clan. The Hanaiyo ninjas were another group of ninjas who served under the Imawano clan until they were marked for destruction. There were rumors that there were survivors but they had yet to appear. So far Ayane was the only one and she didn't seem to have a place to go otherwise. Raizo had said that the gods sent Ayane to him as a way of atonement for the Imawano family. As far as Kyosuke was concerned, Ayane nothing more than a house cat. A house cat who really had a way of getting on his nerves.
"We're meeting Hina-chan there too," said Batsu. "You know she'll be happy to see you—"
"For the first time, ever," teased Ayane.
Kyosuke pulled down his right eyelid and stuck out his tongue. Ayane did the same. A car horn blared outside.
"Bye, Auntie," sang the girl as she ran outside. Batsu followed, planting a quick kiss on his mother's cheek. Kyosuke was about to leave when Raizo placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You alright," asked Raizo.
"Fine," said Kyosuke.
Raizo sighed.
"You are more than welcome to open up to us."
"I appreciate that," said the redhead. "But there is nothing to open up to you about."
With that, he ran out the door.
Raizo watched them drive off.
"I don't think he's completely okay," he stated.
"Are any of us really," said Shizuru.
Raizo embraced her from behind. Shizuru leaned into him and held one of his arms.
"We'll get through this..." she sighed. "...together. Even if some of us are already gone."
So much blood...Kurow had lost so much blood by the time they had gotten to him. Yurika had ran to his side, ignoring her own injuries. Kyosuke tried to swallow the lump of nothing in his throat. He then turned to the flaming building.
"We have to go in," he stated. "...I know he is there...
Flames licked up the walls, consuming all in their path. Hyo sat in the center of the lobby, slumped over and motionless. His clothes had been ripped apart and his hair was disheveled. The three grew tense. Kyosuke carefully approached Hyo.
"Ni-san..."
Hyo twitched. He flopped over and grabbed his sword, using it to help him stand. As he rose, he grabbed Kurow's sword.
"What's wrong with him," Hinata breathed.
Hyo began to laugh manically as a blue aura radiated from him. He stood before them, his eyes carrying a sinister crimson glow, against his blue-tinged skin.
"Ni-san! What has happened to you!"
A sinister grin spread across Hyo's face.
"Your pathetic brother is no longer here to coddle you," he hissed. His voice was distorted, fused with another's. "I shall succeed where he has failed starting with the end of you..." He grinned. "Kneel before me and beg. I shall give you a quick death!"
Kyosuke shuddered with rage. He clenched his fists.
"I will show you who is weak," he screamed. He then charged toward Demon Hyo.
"Kyosuke, no," screamed the other two. "Kyosuke!"
"Kyosuke!"
Kyosuke snapped to attention. Everyone in the car was staring at him with concern. He gave a small smile.
"I'm fine," he assured them.
"You were zoning out," said Iincyo. "We weren't sure."
"Everyone has a right to daydream," he said as he folded his arms.
"Who's to say that they were dreams," said Batsu. Kyosuke stared at him. What Batsu had said was almost philisophical. Batsu shrugged. "I'm just sayin' that we like it better when you're with us."
Hinata's sister was a student at Kohaku Ku University, the place were they were having the spotlight day. It seemed so reminicient of their own schools that most of the students had picked it over the more pretigious Tokyo University.
"Were here," sang Asaka as she pulled up.
The three groaned as they piled out of the car. Asaka chuckled as she got out.
"Onee-chan, why did you make us all sit in the back seat," Hinata whined.
"Because your all freshman," she goaded. "Freshman always sit in the back."
"We're not freshman yet," snapped Hinata.
"But I still have tenure," she sang and she played with Hinata's hair. She then began to walk off. "I dropped you off at the meeting point so just stay there and wait."
"We're not little kids," Hinata huffed.
"Yes you are, you just forget sometimes," she laughed as she walked off.
"What a jerk," said Batsu.
"Yeah, we should shave her head," said Ayane.
"Nah, said Hinata. "She'll start a trend. My sister has that way with people."
"It must be nice to be that popular in college," said Iincyo. She and Ran had joined up with the three after they had been dropped off
"Depends on what you're popular for," added Ran.
Most of the others chuckled. Kyosuke remained quiet, allowing his mind to wander. During the tour, Kyosuke trailed behind. The guides and the rest of the students were merely background noise as he looked around, taking in the scenery. It had been such a long time since he had been outside. Everything was so bright and lively, compared to bland misery of his bedroom. Finally, Kyosuke broke away.
Ayane was the first to notice Kyosuke leaving. She gently nudged Batsu. When she got his attention she getured over in the direction the redhead had walked in. Batsu sighed as he watched him.
"Just..." he paused. "...Just let him be alone for a while..."
Ayane nodded and the two continued on with the others.
Kyosuke sat at the fountain in the middle of campus. He sighed and closed his eyes as he leaned back, taking in sunlight.
"Ni-san!"
Kyosuke snapped his eyes open as a ball bounced towards him. He caught it.
"Hey mister," said a little boy.
He looked up to see two small boys standing in front of him. He realized it was their ball and gave it back to them. He then watched them run off to play.
"Ni-san, look! Look," said the younger of the two. The boy tried to do a diving kick on the ball but fell and scraped his knee. His brother laughed at him.
"Baka," he scoffed. He then walked over to his brother and pet his head. "Come on now, no more tears..."
"No more tears," Hyo patted Kyosuke's head. The little boy sat on the ground, crying. They had been playing by the river and Kyosuke suddenly lost his balance and fell.
"I can't do anything right," he sniffed.
"Not true...you do a good job at being my brother."
Kyosuke brightened.
"Really? Do you mean that?"
"Yeah," he offered his hand to help him up. "Let's go."
Kyosuke's vision grew blurry as hot tears stung his eyes. Alone. He was all alone.
"What...have I done..." he breathed. He buried his face into his hands as the tears began to fall.
"...Hyo..."
"I am going out to the store," Shizuru called as she made her way to the door. "Do you want anything?"
"You have the list don't you," said Raizo as he sipped his coffee.
"You never put what you want on the list," she huffed. "So don't whine when I don't pick up the stuff you like to eat!"
Raizo merely grunted as she opened the door. She then froze. Before her stood a young blond woman, clad in a kimono. Her hand was raised as if she were just about to knock. She put her hand down and looked away, embarrased.
"Can I help you," asked Shizuru.
The woman frowned and ran off. Shizuru blinked. This was getting strange. She then turned to shut the door. Just then, someone stopped the door and pushed it open. This time it was even more of a surprise.
Michiko and Hyo stared up at the mansion. Hyo gave a sigh of relief and smiled. The train ride was even somewhat pleasant. After a few moments, Hyo started to walk up to the door. Michiko remained behind.
"Hyo, wait," she cried.
"What is it," he turned back to her.
"Are you sure...is this what you want," she asked.
"Yes," said Hyo. "Is this what you want, Michiko?"
"I don't know..." She ran up and grabbed his arm. "You must hide. People aren't ready to face those who come back from the dead!"
With that, she swung him into the bushed. Michiko then found herself standing at the door. She raised her hand to knock but right before she could, the door swung open. She stood facing another woman who looked just as baffled. At first she didn't recognize her. Just then, her mind went black as she heard Mugen's voice.
Kill her...
Michiko stared at her in horror.
An outsider who dares to corrupt the clan...kill her...
Michiko put her hand down and looked away, ashamed. She then turned and ran off. Hyo grabbed her.
"Michiko, where are you going," he asked.
"I have to go," she said as she struggled.
"You go then," he said as he let her go. "I'm not going to hide from my life."
Hyo then stormed off. Michiko stared at him. The young man then pushed the door open to face his aunt.
Hyo stood at the door. Shizuru stared at him in shock.
"Auntie..." he breathed.
Shizuru stepped back. Tears rimmed her eyes.
"I'm alive," he said as he stepped in.
Shizuru backed into Raizo, who put his hands on her shoulders. She looked up at the man.
"It is really him," she asked in a tiny voice.
Raizo nodded. Shizuru turned and stared at Hyo, who smiled at her. She tore away from her husband and wrapped her arms around Hyo as she burst into tears. Raizo watched them with benevolence. He then became aware of the woman in the door way.
"...Michiko..." he said quietly.
"Master," she said as she bowed. Raizo grew stern as he narrowed his eyes. With a short grunt, he turned and walked off.
"Michiko, I must speak with you in private."
"Yes sir," she said quietly. Hyo and Shizuru looked at each other and then turned to watch the two descend into the study.
"Are you still under the control of my brother," Raizo asked as he shut and locked the door.
"No, master," she stood there.
"Sit," Raizo ordered. Michiko obeyed. "Why have you returned?"
"Because I didn't wish to be alone," she said quietly. "Master, I would like your permission to stay here..."
Raizo studied her.
"You really haven't changed much...I find that comforting and frightening," said the man. "Perhaps it is safe now."
The man turned and walked across the room. Raizo stood at the bar of his study, making a drink. Michiko sat in one of the chairs, her hands folded in her lap. She watched him, intensely.
"How long has it been," he sighed. "A decade..."
"Twelve years," said the woman. Raizo turned and gave a weak smile.
"So it has..." He walked over and sat beside her. "I thought you had died with Mugen."
"I did, somewhat," said Michiko. "When he died, I had no way to interact with the normal world. So I decided to stay at the complex and wait out my days...but suddenly,I felt his aura. I decided to investigate. By the time I got there, all that remained was a corpse..."
"So you did the technique for Hyo..." said the man. "I didn't think you would."
"I was unable to administer it to the High Master so it was only fair."
Raizo nodded.
"Well, I suppose you can stay. I know that you are more than capable teaching and I'll use what connections I have to get you on at Seiyuun Jyuugakuen."
Michiko gave a small bow.
"Thank you, Master."
"You don't have to call me that anymore...those days are over."
"Then what do I call you."
He swirled his drink.
"Raizo-san will do just fine."
"I understand Ma—Raizo-san."
Kyosuke opened his eyes and grew terrified. He was unsure of where he was. Everything seemed foreign. As his senses returned to him, he realized that he was still at the park.
"I blacked out..." he muttered.
He stood up and stretched.
"Kyosuke!"
He turned to see the rest of the group walking towards him. He smiled and waved at them.
"Aren't you in a good mood," laughed Hinata.
"It's just a good day, that's all," said the young man.
"Well, were glad that you're feeling better," said Batsu.
"Sorry I wandered off," said Kyosuke.
"Please, the tour was useless," said Ran. "Be glad you missed it."
They all laughed about the tour and continued to joke around. The ride back didn't even seem all that bad.
"That tour sucked," said Ayane.
"Yeah, I am soo gonna be lost," said Batsu.
"I think everyone will be lost," said Kyosuke. They both walked in to see no one around.
"Did they go out," asked Batsu.
Shizuru flew out into the hallway.
"Auntie, you okay," asked Ayane.
Shizuru laughed wildly. "I've never been better, come!"
The three followed her into the the kitchen with concern. They all froze. Standing before them was Hyo. Kyosuke grew cold.
"Ni-san..."