Disclaimer:I don't own Rival Schools/Project Justice negotiations are underway.

Evergreen

Chapter Three: Chance Meeting

Hyo sat on the rooftop as he watched the horizon.

"I thought that you would be up here," said Kyosuke as he climbed up. "Is something wrong?"

Hyo continued to stare off into the distance.

"There is a matter that needs to be discussed."

Kyosuke sat beside him.

"The Kirishima remain alive. How do you feel about that?"

Kyosuke scoffed at the question.

"Why should I concern myself with a problem that doesn't belong to me? I could care less if they live or die."

"I hope that doesn't' change."

Before the conversation could go any further, Hinata called for Kyosuke. The redhead waved and then climbed down to join her and the rest of the group. As they walked off, Hyo watched them.

"Father's spirit is within both of us," he said quietly. "I pray that your fight has a different outcome from mine."

As soon as everyone arrived on campus, they all split off. Once again, Kyosuke found himself alone. This time he didn't mind it as much.

He walked across campus, enjoying the scenery. As he continued on, a familiar tune floated over the noise. It sounded delicate and pretty. As he got closer to the sound he recognized that it was a violin. The music seemed to have a soothing effect on him as he approached it's origin.

Sitting on a bench alone, was a young woman with a violin. After a few moments, Kyosuke recognized her.

"Kirishima...Yurika..."

He grew defensive. Was this some kind of trap to lure him here? She couldn't be trusted. Rage and pain, consumed him in a flash. He would not be a pawn any longer. He would destroy her. He then stopped himself. Were these his thoughts? He hardened his resolve. Of course they were. He would get revenge for his brother. As he came to this, he approached her.

Yurika sat alone, playing her violin. It wasn't her favorite instrument but it was the one that she has become associated with. As an added plus, she could control her powers easier. The park would be a good place. It would echo. She could soothe her own misery while providing aid for everyone else.

"Three days," she thought. "I haven't seen you in three days...where are you Kurow?"

Earlier...

Yurika sat in the chair, peeling an apple. The hospital room was bright and spotless, something her brother had lamented when he had the energy to complain. She quietly hummed to herself as she completed her task.

"I didn't think you were suspicious."

She looked up to see Kurow staring at her with casual smirk on his face. She smiled back.

"I'll resort to almost anything to give me assurance that you'll be fine."

The younger man smiled as he turned to the ceiling.

"I don't deserve to have someone like you care about me."

"Nonsense," said Yurika. She walked up and handed him the half-peeled apple. "What kind of person would I be if I didn't care about you."

"Probably one with sense," he teased.

Yurika chucked and ran her hand through his hair. She leaned down and placed a kiss on his forehead.

"I'm going to go now, Kurow-kun. I'll be back tomorrow."

Her brother watched her leave and sighed. He had been in this hospital for months. It seemed like some kind of prison. The only visitor he received was Yurika. He almost wished that she had forgotten him after all that had happened. But if that were the case, then he would really be alone.

Kurow lay in the hospital bed as the nurse walked in. He raised his head and smirked as he looked her over.

"You're not my usual nurse," he said as he watched her. "You're much cuter."

The young woman giggled.

"I'm Koyomi, the new transfer."

"Is that so," he droned.

The nurse then walked over with a tray and placed it next to him. On it was a syringe and a vial of clear liquid.

"Kirishima..."

Kurow looked up to see several men walk into his room. They all stood there, sentient as a smaller man walked in. He walked up to the foot of the bed and leaned over, smirking at the young man in the bed.

"How are your injuries," he asked.

"I've been better," he struggled to sit up. "So I take it this isn't a friendly visit, Yusuke?"

The man stood up and folded his hands behind his back.

"I am going to restore the Imawano clan to it's former glory. Insurgency is not to be tolerated."

He looked over to the nurse to see her filling the syringe. He glared at Yusuke. The man chuckled.

"Dying in our sleep is a privilege that us ninja seldom have."

"You call yourself a ninja," Kurow laughed. "You're not even a man."

Yusuke gritted his teeth. "Laugh all you want. You will be silenced, Kirishima...But for that, I just might pay your pretty sister a visit."

He began to walk out with his posse.

"I'm sure she would love to see me..."

Kurow grew stern. Once they had filed out, he looked up at the so-called nurse.

"Hey, Koyomi."

"Yes," said the woman.

"You're a Kirishima like me, why are you reduced to doing such dirty work?"

"The only work left for us is the dirty kind," she said sadly.

Kurow grew quiet. She then leaned over to plunge the needle into him. Kurow suddenly pulled her over, wrenching the syringe out of her hand. He held it to her throat.

"I make my own messes," said Kurow. "I suggest you do the same."

He shoved her away and threw the needle aside. He then ran to a window and threw himself through it. Yusuke and his posse ran to see what happened. Koyomi stood there, bewildered.

"He was playing us," the man muttered. He then turned to them.

"Find him and kill him..."

Yurika walked out to the center stage and looked out into the empty theater. Tonight there was to be a recital and she had come to practice. Lately, she had been slacking between visits to her brother in the hospital. He didn't seem to be improving, but perhaps it was a ruse to gain pity and attention. After all the damage he caused he needed to do all he could. She forced thoughts of him out of her mind and prepared to play.

"Kirishima Yurika?"

She looked up and turned to see two police officers. They approached her.

"We are sorry for bothering you, but we have some questions for you about your brother," said one of them.

"Is something wrong," she grew concerned. "Is he alright?"

"We were hoping you would tell us."

Yurika frowned in confusion. The cops looked at each other and turned to her.

"Earlier today, there was an altercation in his hospital room. It was investigated and your brother disappeared. We were hoping you would know something about it."

"No, my brother hasn't contacted me," she said quietly. "I haven't seen him in three days."

They both studied her. One of the officers sighed and gave her his card.

"If he contacts you, be sure to let us know."

Yurika nodded as they left. She grew concerned. What happened to make her brother leave? Was he alright...or did he have another plan?

Kyosuke sat beside Yurika. She seemed oblivious to him as she played. Kyosuke remained there, brooding.

Yurika abruptly stopped playing and looked over at him

"Kagami-san," she said quietly. "I didn't know that you had returned."

Kyosuke nodded as he remained stern.

"I see my brother spared you, but I guess you can't lick your wounds forever."

Yurika looked down, hurt. Kyosuke turned to her, making no effort to conceal his fury.

"You will pay for what you have done."

"I know."

Kyosuke was taken aback by this.

"I am just as much to blame as my brother. It is only right for you to exact justice upon me."

She presented a dagger to him.

"It is your right to have your revenge."

Kyosuke narrowed his eyes and then snatched the blade from her. Yurika sat there quietly as Kyosuke stood in front of her. She bowed and closed her eyes. The redhead could feel all the rage inside of him as he raised the dagger over his head.

Good...my son...show me your strength...

Kyosuke froze. He just heard his father's voice. Though it was a memory, a chill ran down his spine. He began to shake. He then threw it down.

"I can't," he said quietly. "I can't kill you."

Yurika remained bowed. "Why?"

"It wouldn't be fair," he said as he lowered his dagger. "You deserve to live as much as anyone else."

He grew silent for a few moments. He then turned and walked off. Yurika remained quiet until he was out of sight.

"Thank you," she said quietly. She began to cry. She put her face into her hands and sobbed. "Thank you..."

Tired, Yurika walked home from practice in a daze. She then detected footsteps. She froze. Shocked, she recognized them.

"Kurow--"

Her brother put a hand over her mouth and dragged her into the woods. Once, he was sure that they were hidden, he released her. She turned to him.

"Kurow, what are you doing out of the hospital! Police are looking for you!"

"I hate to say it but their interests aren't pure," said the young man. "I don't have much time. You're in danger. There are people who want to hurt me and they are willing to use you do that."

Yurika looked away sadly.

"Then I guess we should leave--"

"No!" Kurow interrupted. "You've suffered enough because of this. Just live, Yuri-chan!"

Yurika stared at him with a worried expression. Kurow shrugged.

"Don't look at me like that. I'm coming back."

"Be safe then."

"Yuri-chan, since when have I been safe," he laughed. Yurika hugged him and then walked off. Kurow smiled and then winced. He doubled over in pain as he put his hand over his abdomen. He could feel the blood as it seeped out of the open wound. He gritted his teeth and turned to continue off.