DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING!
Chapter 2:
The Siege of Amaterasu
Kira couldn't believe his eyes. Just yesterday the city was the calm and peaceful city that he used to live. A nice calm city with a bustling merchants coming in and out. Today, it suddenly changed. The whole city's life stopped for a moment as they witness scores upon scores of green armored warriors marched upon the city from every direction. All of them, armed to teeth, stopped just a few kilometers from the city. Every gate that leads out of the town was blocked. Amaterasu is practically isolated.
"Oi, what happened? What's with all these soldiers suddenly appearing all around?"
"Beats me…"
"Are they going to attack us?"
"Are you kidding me?"
When Kira walked out of his house, it was like that allover the town. Just then soldiers start entering the town. They were rounding up people together. "…what are they up to?"
Just then a soldier appeared on his back and tapped his shoulder.
"?"
"You! Gather at the center of the town like the rest!"
"…what happened?"
"You'll know soon enough. Now Move it!"
"…yes sir."
Thus, Kira also joined the rest of the townsfolk. A few moments later, it seems everyone in the city has gathered. Kira also met Sai, Tolle and the rest. Fortunately none of them are harmed.
"Kira! There you are. Are you okay?"
"I guess. They get you all huh?"
"Yeah… what happened actually? Why did they do this?"
"I got a feeling we'll know soon enough." The brunette boy pointed at a white masked man who just finished his discussion with the mayor.
The mayor, pale faced, joined the rest of the townsfolk. Then the man in the mask walked up. He took a bow before speak. His voice either magnified by the total silence of the listener or just loud, echoed throughout the field. "Greetings. My name is Raww le Klueze. Citizens of Amaterasu City. First, allow me to apologize for this mess. We have disturbed your peaceful daily life, with this show of 'excessive force'. As the leader of this army and the one who issue such command, I may not have the right to ask forgiveness nor to ask you all to be at ease. But please allow me to say it: I'm sorry for all this… and please. Be. At. Ease."
His tone was calm and elegant as it is aristocratic, yet so laidback, casual and civil. Most people were somewhat swayed by his friendly tone. Kira, however, frowned a little bit. Something doesn't feel right about this man.
"We're done pleasantries, now we get straight to the point. Our troops received an information that a fugitive of war were identified and said had taken residence, unfortunately, of all place, here. This fugitive, some of your elder might have known their name, and the notorious nick-names we've given him." On the last words, the tone was somewhat sad and disgusted. "His name: Mwu la Flagga, Eagle of Endiminion."
At this, the crowd broke into murmurs and whispers. Raww smiled understandingly and raised his hand. The murmurs downed somewhat. "I cannot found a way to describe the threat this man posed to our force other then to tell you, that we are willing to pay 60,000,000 ryo for this man's head, dead or alive."
"That much for one man?" Kira rolled his eyes.
"60 million? That's crazy!" Kuzzey gulped.
"Why?"
"Well… it's no secret that Zaft used money to moralize their troops. The average is around 2-3 million. The more danger that man posed, the bigger the bounty."
"60 million… I could use that to create a big ramen restaurant… no… a ramen franchise industry of my own."
"60 million and you still think about working!?" Tolle looked at Kira as if he's out of his mind. "Kira, you seriously need a girlfriend."
"Well, I won't spend my money just like that. I'll invest it. Then once I've worked it out and made profit, I'll invest some more, eventually I'll just sit back and watch money flow in, and live out my days longer than you." Kira speak solemnly.
"Now that's what I call a man of vision." Miriallia gave Kira two thumbs up.
Tolle gave a joking deathglare at Kira for impressing his girlfriend. Kira immediately replied. "How bout you Tolle? What would you do if you have 60 million? What present you'll buy to Mir?"
The boy thought for a moment. "Hmm… well, first thing for sure, maybe I'll buy her… well… whatever she wants."
"Whatever I want?" Mir turned to Tolle.
"Whatever you want." Tolle smiled.
Kira chuckled and left the two lovers. He turned back to Raww. 'Mwu la Flagga… could it be… that blonde guy?'
"…that's why, it is with great disdain, I must put this town under confinement for indeterminate amount of time."
The crowd moaned.
"What!?"
"You gotta be kidding me!"
"My business gonna be ruined!"
Raww raised both of his hand trying to calm the crowd. "I understand that some of you have a life to live. So do I. Before I am a leader of this army, I'm a citizen. I understand very well how you feel. I…we have no intention of dragging this confinement any longer then it already has. That is why; I request the cooperation of every citizen. Every assistance, no matter how small or insignificant will be greatly appreciated as they contribute to the search and thus end this unbeneficial situation."
The crowd was silent. But obviously, none of them are pleased with this development.
"Now, please return to your homes and work as you would've in any other day. My man will conduct their search. Please provide them with support and help, in any way you can."
Still groaning and murmuring, the crowd left.
"Work as you would've in any other day… that's gonna be a bit difficult. I think." Tolle frowned.
"Then again, what can we do?" Kuzzey slumped down.
"The Orb government will most definitely hear about this. They might gonna send an army to deal with them… right, Kira?" Sai whispered, nervously.
"I'd say…do what they say… for now." Kira spoke up.
"Eh?"
"We don't want any trouble do we? Don't you think it's better just follow what they say?"
"But what if-"
"I agree. Besides, IF they do attack this city they risk making Orb their enemy. Insignificant or not, Orb is a sleeping giant. Pray they're not so stupid they did not realize that. Pray we're not that lucky to have Zaft picking on Orb." Sai followed.
The gang silently agrees.
Kira sighed. "Oh well. I better get back to the bar."
"Okay. See you around."
And they left on their lives…
When Kira arrived at the bar, late again, as usual. Normally Kira would've expected there are some pissed off customer queue waiting at the front door. But he stood mistaken. When he arrived the place was quiet. He entered the room and there's no one in there. There weren't any leftovers or whatever either. The boss was sitting at the counter, as usual.
"Boss… sorry I'm late."
"Naaah. It's the announcement, right? Well, obviously some of the people would definitely go back home first. Anyway, let's prepare the dough. But no need to make so many. I don't think there will be as much customer as usual."
"Okay."
Kira walked into the kitchen. Halfway there though, he stopped. "…pore, yesterday, those friends of yours…"
"…what is it?"
"Are they related?"
"…"
"…master?"
"…They are old drinking buddies… no. I don't think they're involved or anything."
"…but the man before… he's the one who washed the dishes, his name was-"
"Coincidence. Surely that masked man talked of a different Mwu."
"…"
Pore sighed. "You know what? On second thought, maybe we'll close now. It's too early… but too many things had happened in such a short notice."
"…boss…"
"I don't think there will be any customer coming today anyway. Hell, they might be scared shitless in their home." Pore folded his newspaper. "Just go straight home okay? And remember,"
"Stay out of trouble."
"Attaboy."
Kira smiled. Then they finally began to clean up and close the bar. The two part ways and headed to their respective homes.
Pore casually stride the streets. Zaft Knights began scouring the town, building per building. He frowned as he the soldiers glared at him and the children that usually played on the streets were pulled in by their parents. After a few more of the sight of soldiers lining in and out, he finally reached his home.
When it's quiet and no one's watching, he opened the door and a shuriken almost done him through. The ramen bar owner caught it midair. "Zaft's here. Happy now?"
"…tch! How the hell did they know we're here?" Mwu relaxed himself.
"How should I know? They're here regardless."
"Could they have been following us?" Murrue frowned.
"We've made sure to cover the trails…"
"Raww Le Klueze led them."
"Klueze!? That guy is here? Damn it! So THAT'S why I feel uneasy." Mwu grunted.
"You better start thinking a way to get out of this city. We can't risk burning the whole city for your personal vendetta."
"That's gonna took some time. They've guarded every exit." Natarle peeked through the window. She closed the curtain immediately when a Zaft Knight passed by. "And their Emerald Knights are scouring the city."
"Would you prefer their Onyx Assassins instead?"
"…it'll be hard to get out of here that is for certain."
"Find a way." Pore sighed. "At any rate, hopefully if you leave, they'll also leave once they've found nothing."
The three Alliance Officers had to agree.
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"But Sir, I really must protest. We haven't even confirmed if the weapon is in this place yet."
"Regardless whether the weapon is here or not, my information tells me that they spotted Mwu La Flagga in this city."
"M… Mwu La Flagga!?" Athrun gulped.
Raww smiled kindly and nodded. "That is correct."
"Mwu La Flagga, the eagle of Endiminion… the very same natural whose skills said to rival you, Lord Klueze?" Yzak spoke up.
"Indeed."
"Such a man… in this town? This information, how credible is it?"
"I trust the source. And I've confirmed it myself." 'Yes… I sensed it… this feeling I haven't felt since…' Raww nodded. "Regardless, Athrun and the others will continue your mission. Search for the final weapon. But that is for tomorrow. You can ask my Knights to help you."
"Yes my lord."
The masked man sighed. 'This is a joint cooperation with soldiers… I'm not worried of going into siege phase so soon with my man from Versalius… but the soldiers from Gamoff had some serious problem with their behavior…' "…alas, the kingdom's debt grows."
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The next day…
The knights are beginning to scouring the city building per building. They check the houses, scanning everything from household to household. Not a single door left unopened. They also entered the warehouse, combed the rice field, scour the poultry, they practically ravaged any spot that can be used to hide people. This process, unfortunately, left plenty of collateral damage in its wake to the surroundings. The knights trampled the rice field, cutting through rice-sacks with their swords, and some, in fact, openly looted people's houses.
"Leave the sow! Their young will feed us through the winter!"
"Hey don't go there! You're trampling my field! Hey stop it!"
"That's our supply for the winter! It's just a few months away!"
Unfortunately, the knights didn't seem to care. People can only watch helplessly. Some who tried to resist were beaten up badly under the pretense of "aiding the fugitive by impeding the duties of the agents of justice." This 'search' continued all morning. People silently gritted their teeth as the knights take away their food and stuffs right in front of their eyes.
Later that afternoon…
"Knights my ass! They are no different than heavily armed bandits!" Kuzzey banged the table angrily.
"They got to my house this morning too. They took some stuff with them. Saying that it is an obligatory contribution to their honorary crusade for justice… or something." Tolle frowned.
"I got lucky." Mir sighed. "My family didn't have anything of value so they just took our food. But, they trampled the rice-field… mom would've gone hysteria if Father didn't stop her…"
"Luckily." Kira concluded. "You guys are still in one piece. My neighbour got beaten up because he tried to resist."
"They take something from you?"
"I lived alone in a small messy cubicle of an apartment with my bird. What could they find? Well… they took my savings and all…"
"In essence, you lot got busted." Pore entered the conversation. "In my case I don't need them to enter my restaurant without making me bankrupt! All those searching and breaking and entering, they took away my customers!"
Just then, the door opened again. It's Sai, and next to him a red haired girl came with him. She looked really pale out of fright.
"Sai! You okay."
"I'm fine. Those knights busted my house first, and then they go to Fllay's." The red haired girl, Fllay sniffed. "They haven't finished searching Fllay's home yet, but I took her away before they did. Those soldiers could've hurt her if I didn't." Fllay Allister, Sai's girlfriend and fiancée. Pretty, and a girl down to the core.
"But… but they ransacked everything! They're breaking stuffs and all-"
"Better they break your stuffs rather then break your neck." Pore replied.
Kira silently agree. He carried two bowls of steaming ramen and gave it to the couple. "Here. It'll calm you down."
"Thank you Kira." Sai helped Fllay to take a sit and before getting a seat himself. The boy had already begun eating but Fllay had yet to touch her meal. The poor girl was so scared, she lost her appetite.
"Eat up Fllay. Just relax and eat. Kira's right. It helps."
The said girl still a little bit uncertain.
"Don't worry." Kira smiled. "If you got food poisoning because of it boss will pay for the hospital fe-eeeeeeeeeeeee!" Pore's flying kick landed straight on Kira's face.
"Just eat it, Fllay-chan!" Pore smirked with a twitch at the back of his head. He twirled his leg on Kira's bloody head. "If it tastes good, that's because I made it; if it's crap, it will be Kira's fault."
'That's seems a little unfair…' Everyone sweat dropped.
Fllay nervously pluck a strand of noodle from the bowl. When she took a bite, she went silent, before hungrily wolfing down her meal. Kira and Pore smiled.
Just then, all the sudden, the bell sounded. Kira immediately stood up and welcomed the customer. "Irrasai ma-" Kira's word stopped midway as he was suddenly pushed out of the way. Everyone also stopped eating. The cheery atmosphere disappeared. Five knights barged in as they apparently had roughly kicked the door open. They looked around to Kira who's on the floor, Pore, and then the other boys and girls. Fllay let go of a small inaudible "Eep!".
"Heh? What is this? A restaurant?"
"It looks washed up."
The other two knights chuckled.
"Forget about it. We're here to search this place up."
The kids looked at Pore. The bar owner nodded, signaling the knights to do what they want. And they began searching the place haphazardly. In fact, rather then searching the place, it's more like they ransack the whole room.
"There's nothing here." A knight tossed a cup away.
"Where's the warehouse?"
Pore jerked his thumb at a door on his back.
"We'll have to check it out too boys. You! Stop sniffing that disgusting… worm-like thingamajig… thingy… what is that?"
"It smells good though." A knight was sniffing on Fllay's ramen.
"What the hell is this crap?"
"It's called ramen." Pore answered shortly. "It's noodle."
"Noodle? Ramen? You eat this goob?"
Pore nodded silently.
The knight thought for a moment. "Alright then. I'm hungry anyway. Let's eat first what do you say boys?"
The knights murmured an agreement.
Ignoring everyone's glare took a seat by themselves. "Oi, you, hairband guy! Are you blind or something? Now we're customers! Bring us food!"
Kira simply pick himself up and do his job as a waiter. "Welcome. What would you like this afternoon?"
"What do you got in store?"
"We only have ramen. And we got 5 choices: beef, pork, veggie, Seafood and Special."
"What? That's it?"
"That's it."
"Geezes. What's with this restaurant? The place sucks and we don't have much choice with the food!" Another knight whined.
"…" Kira remained silent.
"Oh well, just bring us the house's special."
"Double portion, I assume?" Kira offered. He had a feeling these knights would probably need bigger portion. They're soldiers after all.
The knight smirked. "You know your stuff."
"And bring some cold hard beer!" Another knight loudly roared.
Kira simply replied: "I'm sorry, we don't have beer."
At this, the knights looked at the boy.
"…excuse me?"
"…we only have tea. We don't serve beers… or any alcohol for that matter."
"Then go get some!"
"…"
"Hey are you deaf!? Get some beer!"
Kira still remained silent. He looked at Pore, asking directions. The owner sighed. "Please wait for five minutes. I'll see what I can do."
"Yeah that's right. You better do something!" The knight chuckled.
Pore walked out the counter as Kira entered the kitchen and start cooking.
Meanwhile the Knights decided to kill some time.
"Damn! Why do we have to go to this backwater village again?"
"Lord Klueze's orders."
"But… look at this place. The room stinks, the food's weird, and they don't even have beer or anything! And they-" the knight stopped upon sighting the girls.
The boys, who realized they were eying the girls, tensed.
"Hey, you two! Why don't you entertain us while we wait?"
"Come here! Sit we us! It'll be fun!"
The two girls hadn't moved from the spot.
"Huh? Hey what's wrong with these people? Are they all deaf!?"
"Come on, entertain us!" One of the knights moved towards the group. Sai and Tolle instinctively wrapped their arms on their girlfriends.
"What the… they're taken eh? Any chance you would change your mind and come with us instead?" The knight menacingly put his hand on his sword.
"No. Definitely not." Another knight chuckled.
"Maybe because I haven't say please?" the knight took a step forward and stretch out his hand… when another hand grabbed it.
"Eh?" He looked at the owner of the hand. It was Kira.
"…okyaku-san, please do not disturb the other customers and kindly return to your seat? The meal will be ready soon."
"Mind your own business!" The knight tossed Kira's hand away. But the said person simply stood between him and the gang.
"…"
"…get out of the way punk."
Silence replied.
"Heh." The knight suddenly decked him on the face.
"Kira!" The gang yelled in unison.
"Stupid brat."
Kira, despite being hit on the face only falter very slightly, but otherwise he's unmoved. He silently returned to his position. The knight looked at him.
"Eeh?" The knight punched him on the gut. Kira barely made an inaudible grunt. But he remained in his position. "Tough guy eh? How bout this!" The knight kneed Kira on his gut. Still the boy remained in the same position.
This finally caught the other knight's interest. The knight then called the rest. "Hey guys! Looks like this waiter is playing tough guy. Let's see how tough he is."
The other knights happily obliged and they start sending out punches and kicks, mercilessly turning Kira into a punching bag. Despite having five people beating the living daylight out of him, the brunette didn't seem to care nor did he return any punches and neither there's a change in his expression. Tolle, Sai and the rest could only watch in horror. One of the knights finally had it and grabbed a chair before smashed it to Kira's head. The chair was shattered and Kira himself was finally fazed. But still he seems refused to move, not even when blood trickling from his head. The knights became even more ferocious as they mercilessly vented out on the boy. They took up the shards from the shattered chair and start beating Kira with it. Eventually even the resilient boy finally gave up his legs and knelt down, holding the pain but still he refused to move from that same spot.
The knights, in their zeal to beat the crap out of Kira suddenly realized that they themselves were already out of breath. The brunette, much to his friends' horror, is now all bloody and bruised.
"Kira…" Sai gulped.
"Haa… haa… what is with this kid."
"Damn it. He made us all go tired… we waste so much strength just to get this kid out of the way…"
Kira's face is practically drenched in his own blood.
"You know what? We've been stupid to play with this boy's game. Let's just kill him and be done with it!" One of the knights suddenly pulled out his sword.
"!!" The group tensed. Tolle immediately yelled. "Wait! Stop!"
"Yeah. You're right. If they asked we'll just say he's getting in the way."
"Yeah, yeah."
"Well see you kid." The knight raised his sword, ready to strike Kira's head.
Suddenly, he felt a cold sharp sensation at the back of his neck.
"What… do you think you're doing?" Chilly furious voice echoed from their back.
The emerald knights froze in fear. The knights looked at the speaker and gasped. A furious Athrun Zala aimed a pitch black long claymore on the knight's neck. The said knight slowly turned around. "Z… Zala… This is…"
"Get out of my way."
The knights didn't have to be told twice. The raven haired boy looked at the bloodied body that is Kira, his childhood friend. Kira, though barely, managed to raise his head to look eye to eye with his friend. Unfortunately his strength failed him as his body falter down. Athrun immediately moved forward and caught him.
"Kira! Kira you're okay?"
"A… Athrun…"
The knights were shocked. The boy they just beaten to near death is actually Athrun Zala acquaintance!?
"Who." The first word sent shiver down everyone's spine. "Did. This?"
Tolle and Sai, realizing this one is on their side pointed at the knights.
Athrun looked at the gang and then to the knights. Just then Pore appeared on their back. The headband man looked over the knights shoulder and upon seeing the brutally bruised body of his waiter, the bar owner knocked the knights to the side. "Kira!"
The man hold Kira's hand and checked his pulse. "He's still alive. But we have to take him to the hospital. Those wounds are pretty bad."
"I know." Athrun nodded. "Then take him. I don't know this place much."
"Right. You lot! Help me with this!" Pore's call awakens the gang from their horrible trance. Tolle and Kuzzey immediately stood up and grab hold of Kira, who somehow still conscious. Mir, Fllay and Sai followed them out of the place.
"Before that… just one moment."
The group carrying Kira paused they turned to Athrun.
Athrun took a few steps, and then aimed his longsword at the knight's neck. "As in the custom in our kingdom, I will give you the count of three. Kneel."
The knights were about to kneel to Athrun when the latter continued. "Not to me. To Kira. Kneel, and beg his forgiveness."
"Wha…"
"To this boy? But…"
"One."
"Zala… be serious al-oh crap."
"We're from Fort Gamoff. Our commander will-"
"Two."
"He's just a pheasant why do you-"
"Three."
"Aw geeze. Alright-alright! We'll kneel. Okay? We'll kneel and we're sorry. Okay? We're sorry." The knights finally kneel before Kira. Though the boy in question doesn't seem to care. He merely gave a single nod and that's it. Without further ado, the group then took Kira away from the area leaving Athrun with the five unfortunate knights.
"You lot we'll come with me to the H.Q. No questions asked. You're all under arrest for attacking a civilian and damage to public property."
"Zala, don't you think you're exaggerating a little bit-" the man never did finish his sentence. Athrun's jet black sword went in his mouth and stopped there, preventing him from uttering another word. The man wiggled nervously sensing the sharp object in his mouth.
"I'm trying VERY HARD right now, to remain objective. Careful. You're already this close. This DANGEROUSLY close to make me go personal. You have your ways of doing things and perhaps a reason to justify them. Well, then so do I. Now move it." Thus the raven haired boy shouldered his sword menacingly.
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Meanwhile, after running and earning looks from the bystanders, Kira's gang managed to get him to the hospital. A few hours after that, they were waiting in front of his room. The doctor came out. Kira's friends all stood up.
"Doctor how is he?"
"Is he alright?"
The doctor nodded. "Don't worry. He's fine… he's very much okay, In fact, he can leave the hospital tonight. But of course if you're worried I can make him spend the night here?"
Pore nodded. "I think that is for the best."
"Can we see him?"
"Of course. But mind your noise down. He's still wounded."
The group cheerfully entered the ward, inside Kira was bandaged here and there. One of his eyes was also bandaged. But he still managed to smile cheerfully. "Hai guys!"
"Kira you baka!"
"Hahaha…"
Pore took a glance at his waiter and smirked. Just then, the doctor patted his back.
"Are you this boy's caretaker?"
"…in a way… yes."
"Come with me for a second. They were his friends and they're still kids. You're the senior one here like me, so I figure I can tell you."
"Tell me about what?"
"This boy… when he came here, I could see he has a few broken bones and his skull took up a good knock. Based upon my experience people need one month to recover from something like that."
"A little secret doc, this kid… he's an advanced."
"I know. And so am I. My special ability allows me to check a human condition easily. While I do know an Advanced could recover injuries faster then anyone, this kid recovery rate went off the chart. You know anything of this?"
"Tell me about it. I'm assuming you also already noticed that this is not the first time something like this happened?"
"…the kid has… signs of past injuries. They're small and insignificant now… but…"
"Well, if the patient is okay… then all is okay, no?"
The doctor smiled. "Yes. You're right. All is okay."
"There's your answer." Pore smiled. Then he also joined Kira's gang. "How you doing kid?"
"Alive… but not really well."
"The doctor told me. You'll be okay by tomorrow. So don't forget go to work tomorrow. Kay?"
Kira gave the bar owner a thumb's up.
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Back at the army's temporary H.Q.
Athrun dragged the soldiers before Raww who was conversing with his officers.
"Athrun-kun. I suspect there's something of great importance that you barged in?"
"My apologize. I captured these five destroying public property and I caught them wet handed on the attempted murder of a civilian. You… err…specifically told me this morning… that if I find any case like it, I have to bring the culprit to you?"
The five knights winced.
Klueze smiled happily. "And so I have. In fact, you couldn't have come at a better time. I was just conversing with these good people from Fort Gamoff… who I assume, one of them, in charge of these men."
The men in front of Klueze gulped.
"Now… where was I… ah yes. As you all know gentlemen, I receive my orders directly from our lord the Crimson Emperor. While I do understand you had nothing but the best for the kingdom in mind, I must stress on the fact in which how do you intend to carry them out."
"All for the glory of the kingdom, lord Klueze."
The masked man nodded. "You know… his Majesty, the Emperor likes history. He enjoys watching HOW things unfold through history, not only the outcome of everything. And these five knights… what were your accusation again, Athrun-kun?"
"Damage to public property. Attempt to murder a civilian."
"Yes… I must stress this, generals. This brutal tactics of a manner does not bode well with his majesty's will."
"We do it for the majesty. Is it not enough for us to show him we've achieved victory after victory?"
"Have you heard nothing what I've said? The way you are now, you're working under my orders and the manner, in which you carry them, REFLECTS upon me!" At this, Klueze spat the word in disgust. The knights and their generals winced.
"I don't want to brag, of course." Klueze continued. "And I definitely will take responsibility over the destruction of the first four cities but we know better then the rest. The alliance is there, they heavily entrenched, and all our brethren have also been pushed away, to say the least. This is war. And we are… at war with the Naturals. We did what was necessary."
"…"
"But here, is ORB. The only country that remained neutral. The first four cities had taken a side. This city, have not. They can either be our friend, or our enemies. Need I remind you that within this city live our brethren as well? We will treat the civilian with respect and in accordance to the rules of war. There are our brethren here, and when the war's over in our victory we will establish commerce with them. Understood?"
The generals reluctantly nodded.
"Good. Now about this five…" The masked man looked at the deathly pale knights before him. Klueze sighed. "Athrun-kun… did the civilian die?"
"No. But he took quite a beating."
"Guards, take them to the detention room. I will let them off with just warning. Next time I caught you perform such heinous act again, I will kill you myself. Understood? Good. Dismissed."
The knights and their generals left the room. Athrun was about to do the same when Klueze called him. "Athrun-kun, one moment."
"Yes."
"I can see you were dissatisfied that the knights got off lightly."
"Erm… well… if that's your decision, what can I say?"
"The civilian… was he your friend or perhaps, family member?"
"Closest thing I could ever get to a brother… I suppose."
"Ah. A good friend. That explains. A civilian you say?"
"Yes. He works in a small restaurant which provides local food."
"How very interesting."
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The next day…
Kira just walked out of the hospital. The doctor had declared him clear and 100. 'Now… let's go… it's too troublesome to go back to my home… might as well just go straight to the bar.'
And so he did. By the time he got there, Pore was unlocking the door.
"Boss! I'm back!"
"Ah Kira! Good timing. How're you doing?"
"I'm fine."
"Good. Good, good. Now come on. Let's open the shop… though I doubt many will come."
"Okay."
And the two start the needed preparation to get the shop opened. Unfortunately, just like yesterday, there's no customer from morning. The only customers of the day arrived at the afternoon. And that would be Kira's friend.
"Kira! You're okay!"
"Told you he'll be fine. Kira's is a tough nut to crack!"
They ordered their meal. Kuzzey again attempted to bail out of payment by saying it's to celebrate Kira's well being. Of course, being the greedy shopkeeper that he is, refuse it outright.
As they were having their meal, the second unexpected guest came.
"Paul!"
Pore turned towards the speaker. It was Mwu. "Paul! Listen! We got-!"Mwu didn't have time to finish, 'Paul' immediately grabbed his collar and dragged him to the kitchen, much to everyone's bewilderment.
In the kitchen…
Pore hit Mwu in the face, hard before he tossed an apron at his face. "Wear it. Clean the plates!"
"Look this is not the time-!" Mwu's word was cut again. Pore's feet was already at his lips.
"My boy nearly got himself beaten to death yesterday. He's okay now, but you know I'm not the kind of guy who just going to say: oh if he's okay then it's fine. Now wear the damn apron… or I'm not gonna listen."
"…okay." Mwu obediently wear the apron and start cleaning the plates. "…okay… first, I need to tell you something… about Shiki."
"The Katana?"
"Aye… it has chosen someone."
"What?"
"You know how these Katanas works right? They say the Katana choose the wielder or the other way around. In Shiki's case, the first one happened… he had made contact with someone else… and it chose."
"Wasn't it you?"
"…he did this to my arm when I tried to pull it out this morning." Mwu showed Pore his right palm: it was singed.
"…"
"You notice anyone? Because as far as I remember, until yesterday, the katana is still in your possession."
"…I don't think it's me either… I don't use swords. Remember?"
"Yes. I do. Do you know someone who can?"
"…no. No one."
Mwu nodded. But somewhere at the back of his mind, his hunch telling him something's not right.
Outside…
The door rings and Kira immediately welcome the customer. Again, he stopped midway.
A man wearing a silver mask entered the place. He was followed by about a dozen Emerald green knights. Everyone dropped in dead silence. The man looked around the small place. "Which one is it, Athrun-kun?"
Kira jaw dropped as his childhood friend appeared. "This one sir."
Klueze tuned to Kira. The masked man observed the waiter for a few moments. "…you seem to be okay." The man looked closer at Kira's face. He raise his hand. "May I?"
The man signaled him to raise his hand. Kira did so. The man looked at his hand. "Hmm? I see no injury here… Athrun are you sure they beat him half to death?"
"I saw it with my own eyes. The civilians behind him are the witnesses."
"Indeed?" Klueze looked at Kira again. "…you are… an Advanced, right?"
"…yes."
"Ah. That explains." Klueze concluded. Athrun's smiled happily. Seeing his friend's expression, Kira smiled a little. Though obviously, the rest of his friend does not share the sentiment. "…well, I came here to offer you my personal apology."
"Don't worry. I'm fine now."
"Thank goodness. May I?"
Kira blinked. "Uh… yeah sure. Urmm… you take a seat anywhere you like… I'm afraid you have to make do… we don't actually have any… special room for special guest or something…"
"Ahaha… don't worry about it."
Athrun grinned. Kira sighed. Normally, he would be freaked out if the boss of the show appeared all the sudden. But with his friend in there, he felt he could take on anything that this masked man can dish out.
"May I see the menu?"
"Errhh… we don't need menu. We only have five dishes. You can pick from Beef, Pork, Seafood, Veggie or Special."
"Special then."
"Single, double, custom?"
"?" Klueze confused. Athrun immediately explained. "It means do you want the portion to be single or double… or do you want any customization on it…"
"I see… single."
"Okay. Please wait."
Kira went through to the kitchen and found Pore and the unfortunate customer. "An order for a single Amate Special."
"Amate Special, single. Comin' right up."
Mwu looked at beyond the door. "Oi… kid… who ordered the ramen just now?"
"A guy with a mask who run this whole thing."
The last bit of color vanished from the man's Caucasian skin.
"A guy with white mask?"
"Yeah… I think his name is… kruz or something…"
That was the final straw. Mwu truly panicked. "Paul… I. have. To. Get. Out. Of. here. You got back door or anything?"
"Over there. Go and get yourself killed."
"Nice to know you." Mwu grunted as he removed his apron off.
"…that guy… I knew it… he really are related isn't he?"
"Aye. A troublemaker."
"…"
A short while later, Kira returned with Klueze order… only to find that the said customer is nowhere to be seen. "Errh… Athrun? Where's the masked guy?"
"Lord Klueze said he had other errands to attend, but he also said he'll be back soon."
"Ah…"
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Mwu dashed with all his might. 'Damn… of all places… how exactly did he managed to follow us all the way here?' The Captain's dash however was halted when a set of daggers almost hit his face.
"We meet again, Mwu."
"K… Klueze…"
The masked man appeared right in front of him.
"How long has it been? 2, 3 years?" Mwu smiled nervously.
"Years? Wasn't it weeks?"
"Weeks?"
"Yes. We've seen each other in the previous town, didn't we? And that… that Katana in your hands… that was the last isn't it?"
Mwu tightened his grip. "You're not getting this one."
"…Mwu. How many more towns you want to burn?"
"Address that question to yourself. You're the one who has been raiding cities after cities!"
"Mwu… Mwu. I wouldn't do that… if you guys didn't keep the weapons there."
"No different. If I give you this weapon, you guys will still use it to burn more cities. I will not allow you to do that."
"This is war."
Mwu sighed. The next second, he threw a kunai. Raww immediately blocked it.
"DORYAAAAAAAA!" Mwu charged forward with a kunai, attempting to slash his opponent. Raww pulled out a sword and blocked the attack.
"Seeing you didn't pull that sword to attack me… as I suspected, you couldn't use it, can you?"
"Keep looking!" Mwu pushed away as he jumped backwards. 'Katon, Goukyaku no jutsu!' A large mass of flame blasted from Mwu's mouth.
"Pyro Negatio!" The flames vanished upon contact. Before Raww or Mwu could react, three Kunai embedded on the walls. A small spherical thing tied on their holes.
Mwu immediately realized what it was. 'Flash bang bombs!' Mwu covered his eyes just in time as the next second, the balls exploded, resulting in a blinding light. Unprepared, Raww's senses were dulled.
Mwu took the chance and immediately ran out of sight.
Raww regained his senses later. He looked around, Mwu was nowhere in sight. "You won't be able to go anywhere, nemesis. Your nest is surrounded by fire… although… it seems you were helped by a little bird." The masked man looked at the Kunai, and the direction from where the Kunai came. He saw no one. "Hm." The masked man chuckled.
Somewhere behind the walls, a small figure wearing a mask sighed a relief when Raww left.
Raww retraced his steps and returned to the bar, where he saw Athrun was having a chat with Kira.
"Ah, Raww-dono. You're back. Just give me a second, I'll warm the noodle for you again."
"No need. Athrun, can we talk?"
"Yes?"
"I've seen him."
"Seen who?"
"Him."
"No."
"He singed my clothes…just now." Raww showed Athrun his sleeve. True to his word, it was singed.
Athrun paled. 'And a few days ago everything started so good…'
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I'll see what I can do to made this story.
