Chapter 3- You Got Served!

January 4th, Tuesday

Alan Barnes was having an okay day. He got up to do his morning routine, ate a good breakfast that his darling wife prepared, kissed her and Emma goodbye, then drove off to the Firm.

He has just recently finished another divorce settlement and as majority of the time the wife wanted to bleed her husband dry. It was uncommon that both were mutual and amicable about who got what.

With no other cases right this moment, Alan did whatever paperwork he had lying around to pass the time. By the end, he was ready to head home, relax with a hot meal, shower and get some sleep for the next work day.

Alan was not expecting arriving home to a shook Emma and angry Zoe.

''Alan… '' Zoe breathed out after a severe pause. ''Apparently, Emma has been bullying Taylor.''

Alan glanced owlishly at his daughter who couldn't look his way. ''E-Emma? Is this… true? Are you bullying Danny's girl?''

Emma stayed completely silent making Alan's brows furrow in anger. ''Emma Barnes, you will answer me right this second!''

''Sh-She's weak!'' Emma cried. ''She deserves it for not fighting back. She's not a survivor like I am! So, I threw her away like the useless waste she is!''

''… What?'' Alan questioned her incredulously. ''Survivor? Emma… where did you get this way of thinking from? We taught you better than this!''

''I think it's that new friend of hers' Alan. The Sophia girl.''

Something clicked within his head once Zoe brought Sophia up. The incident.

He gritted his teeth and banged his hand on the counter top making both them jump. ''I'm such a damn idiot! I thought you were okay after that! I should've made you take that therapy like we originally planned!''

''I-I am okay! I'm better than ever!'' Emma exclaimed back. ''I'm strong now! Sophia- ''

''You think betraying your friends is being strong!?'' He cut her off harshly. ''Do you really think stabbing Taylor in the back, the girl you grew up with, the girl you called your own sister, is being fucking strong!? That is weakness if I've ever seen it Emma!''

Emma flinched back.

Alan turned away inhaling and exhaling deeply before Zoe spoke up after a moment of tense silence.

''I had to pick her up from school Alan, the police have her phone for evidence and even the school is being looked into. They said that they'll call when they're ready to ask her some questions.''

Alan could only sigh once more, rubbing the stress from his forehead. ''God.''

''So much for an okay day.''

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

''What did you find out Armsmaster?'' Director Piggot calmly ordered her leader of the Protectorate.

''With the help of my lie detector I have determined that Sophia is indeed guilty. She even let slip that one of the girls whom she committed this harassment with, one Emma Barnes, knows her identity.''

''And her handler?''

''Agent Hugh confessed to having a role in the Winslow Faculty looking the other way when Hess and those involved with her did anything negative along with its principal. She wanted to and I quote, ''Have a cushy job.''

Emily tapped one finger on her desk. ''We've been far too lenient given her past. No telling what else she's gotten up to. … I want a full and thorough investigation. No stones left unturned Armsmaster.''

He nodded and replied curtly. ''Yes, Director.''

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Danny felt like complete and utter shit. It took a couple of well-meaning strangers to notice that his daughter was being bullied by her ex best friend of all people, then proceeded to help her right away.

He noticed how withdrawn she'd become but worked it up to… Annette's death. God knows how detached and miserable he became.

That was a sorry excuse though. He's her damn father! He ignored his little girl to go wallow in his own misery forgetting that he wasn't the only one suffering.

Hell, Taylor even blamed herself for her mother's death!

He was so weak when he needed to be strong for her. If not for himself, then for her. What if he had lost her too? He'd have no one to blame but himself.

Today had been when the police gone up to the school, starting their investigation. He called off from work, of course to stay home with Taylor and talk some more as they did when Mrs. Shirogane came over the other day.

Of course, he's heard about the Shirogane; buying up lower end property then fixing it up with their construction company called ''Sheer Walls''. They were slowly but surely building the city back up since the shipping by boat industry crashed and within a city that sat on a bay... The name kind of sounded like an inside joke though.

He couldn't thank her, her daughter Naoto, and that boy; Jericho, enough. They even invited him and Taylor over for dinner tonight.

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

''Wh-Whoa!'' Taylor exclaimed wide eyed looking around the expansive and shiny dojo.

''A real-life dojo! I never thought I 'd actually walk in a real dojo one day.'' She whispered.

Danny, the Shirogane, Jericho and his mother stood behind watching with smiles.

She let out a gasp, spotting the bamboo blades set up in their racks. ''Bokken!''

''You know of Kendo, Taylor?'' Naoto asked.

Taylor flinched nervously as if just realizing others are in the room with her. ''Oh uh… n-not really? Just from… anime.'' She said the last word quietly though Jericho clearly heard her as his eyes practically shined.

''You watch anime too!?'' He excitedly exclaimed.

She hesitantly nodded. ''Mostly the older ones before… Leviathan.''

Jericho nodded in agreement. ''Yeah, such a shame they've lost quality and passion after that tragedy.''

''You guys' practice Kendo?''

''We do.'' Naoto answered. ''My father has been teaching us since we were five. Are you interested in learning Kendo, Taylor?''

''I-I wouldn't be any good at it.''

''Nonsense!'' Teichi said boisterously, coming over. ''One does not know what they are good or bad at until one tries. Even if you aren't so talented, if you've passion for your art, you will see it through and never give up!''

''But you rarely have the time to instruct us anymore, Sensei.'' Jericho commented.

Teichi nodded. ''That is true Jericho but do you forget that Naoto and yourself being 4th Dan's are applicable to teach?''

''That's… four Dan's away from the last Dan.'' Taylor muttered in awe.

Jericho grew a huge smile. ''Taylor, please say yes! I always wanted a disciple!''

Naoto chopped him in the back of the head. ''Calm down. There is still the matter of her father giving permission although I wouldn't be against having a disciple myself.''

Danny scratched the back of his head nervously as all eyes suddenly turned to him. Two of them pleading.

''If it's really what you want Taylor, I think it would be good if you learned to defend yourself even with a sword.''

''We're also black belts in Karate, Mr. Hebert.'' Jericho added.

''That's good. How much do I- ''

''Ah!'' Teichi suddenly said cutting him off.

''Um?'' Danny asked confusedly.

Naomi sighed and slapped her husband on the back of his head. ''What my husband means Danny, is that no price is needed.''

''Just as my wife said Danny! My students need experience in teaching others if they are to ever become true Kendo masters. Isn't it convenient that Taylor came along needing instruction?''

''Well then, thank you. All of you. For not just this or inviting us into your lovely home, but for also stepping in for Taylor and helping us out. I owe you guys big time and I won't take no for an answer. Think of it as convenience?''

Teichi laughed uproariously slapping Danny on the shoulder. ''I like you, Danny!