Minato woke up with a groan and he began to slowly sit up on his bed. "Huh? How did I..?" The memory of last night finally came in a rush as he tried to recollect his memory. "Oh… We fought that disgusting shadow."

"You're awake?" Hamuko cried next to him. Minato tilted his head to see her teary eyed. "You idiot! Do you have any idea how worried I was?" she scolded.

Minato was a bit confused though. He just couldn't believe that Hamuko was actually worried about him, of all people.

"We survived right?" Minato asked.

Hamuko nodded, "Correct! It's all because of you." She grinned at Minato, "You saved me multiple times… Thanks!"

Minato stammered, "Uh, no problem."

Hamuko fidgeted with her skirt… There was something she absolutely had to say. "But why did you beat up Junpei?" Her voice lost the cheerfulness it had. Minato cringed at that.

"Why?" Hamuko crossed her arms, glaring at Minato who felt his heart clench. Minato nervously played with his bangs.

"Well?" Hamuko spat, still waiting for an answer. Minato looked towards her and nearly cried… Hamuko was glaring furiously at Minato and unlike other people it actually made Minato feel something… He felt completely helpless… What if she left him alone just like everybody else? It wouldn't be something he could just ignore or recover from, unlike the people around him.

"I'm still waiting…" She grabbed his head roughly, turning his face towards her. She was about to yell at him but stopped. If she wasn't hallucinating right now, she thought Minato was a bit teary eyed. Hamuko's face softened as she stared into his silver eyes.

"He looks like a lost kid," Hamuko whispered to herself as she truly regretted shouting at him.

Minato fumbled with his words "I… just…"

"Yes?" Hamuko asked softly this time.

"I just couldn't stand you being hurt," Minato choked out, his tears threatening to flow. "I just couldn't control myself… especially when I saw you bleeding on the ground." Hamuko said nothing but she regretted what she said earlier, now that she had learned that he only did that because he was worried about her.

Minato looked towards the ground. "You probably hate me now right?" Even though he chuckled, Minato felt unimaginable pain in his heart. "You'll leave me… Like the rest did… Right?"

"Uh…" Hamuko stammered. She was truly at a loss for words. Minato sighed and got up from his bed

"It's okay... It isn't the first time this happened to me," He walked towards the door. "…I'll stay out of your way from now on." Hamuko grabbed his wrist and turned him around.

"No! WAIT!" Hamuko stopped him. Minato slowly turned to face her, his silver eyes still glistening with a hint of wetness.

"Were you just worried for me?" Hamuko asked softly and Minato nodded.

"I was… something just tore my head apart when you were on the ground…" Minato looked away "That's the only reason I even joined."

"Wha?" Hamuko was shocked, she knew Minato was cold but she never expected to such a side of him… Which was actually caring. Minato kept looking away until Hamuko hugged him. "It's my fault… I shouldn't have ran away… and because of all that, I got hurt..." She said softly.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you… Even though I was the cause of it," She smiled "I won't ever leave you Minato." She smiled sweetly leaving the 'kun' that she normally said.

Minato blushed at that. "T-Thanks."

Deep down, he was relieved.

...

"Arisato," Mitsuru stood up as Minato and Hamuko entered the command room. Everyone was there except Ikutsuki. Junpei had bandages around his face. He actually shivered while looking at Minato. He still hadn't fully recovered from the beating that Minato gave him, even though several Dia healing spells had been used on him. The weaker healing spells just weren't enough to get rid of injuries that intense.

"Have a seat," Akihiko asked and Minato sat down.

Pushing his bangs out from his eyes, Minato spoke, "So?"

"I would like to thank you first," Mitsuru spoke up. "You had a huge role to play in the operation." Minato was about to yell that she could stuff her thanks but Hamuko grasped his hand and gave it a squeeze, subtly telling him not to do that.

Minato awkwardly fumbled with his words, "Y-You're welcome." he said curtly. Mitsuru's brow rose up. She couldn't believe that Minato of all people was saying that but in the end she smiled. "However. What you did to Iori was…"

Her sentence was cut off by Minato. "Completely justified." he added in with a scowl.

"What? How?" Yukari shrieked and Minato had to control the urge to strangle her.

"Shut up," Minato spat. "Seriously, control your voice." He looked towards Junpei. "Tell me, what would you do if Junpei foolishly ignored your orders and ran towards the danger zone, not only putting himself but another team member in danger?"

"I…" Mitsuru tried to speak but Minato didn't let her and cut her off almost immediately.

"Don't you dare say you wouldn't have done something like that. I've heard about your executions at school," Minato glared and Mitsuru went quiet.

"You see, in armies when someone makes a mistake they get the hell beaten out of them so nothing of the sort ever happens again. That's what I did." He growled at Junpei. "This isn't a Quake 3 with a frag limit, this is survival against otherworldly creatures. Don't think for a second that being a team leader makes you any special. Heck I quit being it, you're the leader now. But listen carefully… if something ever happens to Hamuko again then I might just kill you." He turned to Mitsuru. "You agree or not? We nearly died because asshat had to run away while we were ambushed."

Mitsuru was actually considering his words. They were true. "Strict measures," Minato spoke. "Anyone who does something gets a beating. You punks aren't just fighting for yourself. You're fighting for this blasted city right? Then grow up." Minato spat. He felt no heartache arguing with Mitsuru unlike Hamuko.

"Arisato... Does bring up a good point," Akihiko spoke up. "Only five seconds were left until the collision and most of that time was wasted because Junpei ran ahead and the others got ambushed."

"She got injured," Minato pointed at Hamuko. "That's the biggest reason."

Junpei was quiet until now but it was only now that he spoke up. "I know… That was stupid of me. I got Hamu-tan hurt badly and if Minato didn't arrive…" He gulped. "She probably would have died."

"Case closed then," Minato got up and yawned. "I'm gonna go sleep now."

However, he was stopped by Mitsuru. "Arisato. The exams will be held tomorrow."

At that, Minato's face twisted into a scowl. "Damn it!" He cursed and stomped out of the room.

Hamuko actually giggled making Yukari turn to her. "Is there something going on between you?" Hamuko shook her head. "Nah, we're just good friends."

Yukari gave a 'hmph' and turned around. "Why am I stuck over this? I don't care about that jerk." She repeated. "But he looks so cute."

Minato sat at his desk, opening his mathematics book. "Goddamned book…" Minato cursed before sighing. "Take square root both side and then mult-" The door was slammed open. Minato groaned and turned towards the door to see Hamuko standing there, holding multiple books in her hands.

"Ahoy! Minato-kun," She greeted dropping the books on his bed.

"Wait! What the hell is that for?" Minato growled. Hamuko sheepishly rubbed the back of her head "Hehe, I couldn't get some questions right. Can you help me?" She asked sweetly and with that Minato had no choice but to oblige.

"O-Okay." He sighed with a resigned tone.

"Wow Minato-kun. You sure look sexy," Minato blushed madly as he realized that he was only wearing a sleeveless t-shirt and jeans.

"Darn it," Minato grabbed his jacket and threw it on. "Enough of that! Let's get to work." He slammed the book open and sighed. "You haven't even finished one of the questions."

Hamuko nervously giggled at that. "You'll help me right? Knight?"

Minato sighed again "You foolish little… Alright the magnetic flux…" Minato started.

"How you topped the class before amazes me," Minato muttered.

"Hello! The studies are getting harder and Physics is the only goddamn subject in which I need help."

Minato looked towards her. "We might have to pull an all-nighter since you don't know a word about this."

Hamuko nodded "Oh yeah. Maybe we can watch a movie during it."

"Shut up and listen woman," Minato spat, "Alternating current."

…

...

Minato collapsed on his bed. Everything was spent after teaching Hamuko. "How the hell did she top the class before?" Minato asked himself. "Just a few hours left. I have to sleep."

…

...

Minato walked towards school alone, ready for the exams. "Hmph. I'll kick the ever loving crap out of these exams."

A voice called out to him "Minato-kun." Said bluenette cringed at the hell harpy voice. It was Yukari, and as always, her appearance was putting him in a bad mood. Even with the bravado he was displaying earlier.

"Are you ready for exams?" Yukari asked and Minato curtly nodded.

"Yeah." Without a word, he walked forward. Hamuko gave Minato a thumbs up before the examination began.

'Your ass is mine!' Minato yelled mentally as he eyed the question sheet.

...

...

…And Minato just couldn't stop writing.

...

"So sleepy," Minato yawned. Before he walked into the cafe Minato snuffed out a cigar on the ground, turning most of it into ash. Speaking of which, the café was packed. "Mongrels…" Minato muttered as he eyed the people with hate. He was sure some schoolgirls were ogling at him right now but he was too tired to care. Accursed exams.

Minato chose a seat and laid back on it, clipping on his headphones, he listened to music until somebody arrived.

"Hello!" A cheerful voice made Minato plug his headphones out. "What would you like to order?" That voice seemed really similar. Almost eerily so.

"A coff-" Minato instantly stopped as he realized who the waitress was.

"Hamuko?" Minato yelped as he stared at Hamuko smiling at him wearing a maid outfit "The hell are you doing here?"

Hamuko giggled. "Oh right! I work here sometimes."

Minato raised an eyebrow. "Why?" He could for sure, feel the eyes of perverts everywhere on Hamuko.

"What the fuck are you looking at?" Minato snarled at a teenage whose eyes were glued to Hamuko "Turn your head away or else I'll behead you." Minato glared and the lad shrunk back to his seat. Minato behaviour actually made Hamuko feel a bit special.

"So why do you work here? Doesn't your aunt send you money?" Minato asked and Hamuko nodded slowly.

"She does but... Actually I need a new weapon and I didn't want to trouble her so I started working here." She replied. Minato's eyes flashed concern and worry.

"Aren't you tired?" Minato asked softly. She did just pull off an all-nighter with him.

Hamuko laughed lightly. "I am but I have to manage it so what will you have?" Her voice was indeed tired. Minato stood up and grabbed her wrist. "Come on," He dragged her out of the cafe and into the police station. He couldn't stand people gawking at Hamuko.

"I don't want you to overwork yourself," Minato said as he entered the police station. "Pick anything you like." he announced.

"Really?" Hamuko asked and Minato smiled.

"Heck yeah. I'm the leader after all." He replied. Hamuko smiled back and then turned to the collection of weapons. Minato chuckled as she cooed over the naginatas.

"Cute." Minato muttered.

"That will be 80000 yen." The police officer informed and Minato took out his wallet, paying him the cash. Hamuko watched with a smile, someone spending 80000 on her really made her heart melt.

"I can't be angry with him," Hamuko whispered to herself. Hamuko bowed to Minato. "Thank you."

Minato shook his head. "No problem. Let's head back to the cafe."

Hamuko frowned this time "Why?"

"You're still in the…" Minato blushed. "Maid outfit."

Hamuko mouthed an 'oh' in realisation. They walked towards the cafe and Minato treated her to coffee and cakes. Watching Hamuko chow on the pastries made him happy. Minato smiled looking at Hamuko sipping the coffee with delight.

"Thank you so much Minato-kun," Hamuko hugged his arm and Minato blushed.

"No problem." The two kept walking. Minato was sure that the Dark Hour would hit any second now.

...

"Welp, that's just great," Minato sighed as the world shifted.

"Come on! We can get there if we hurry," Hamuko cheered but was stopped in her tracks by a cold voice that made her shiver. She clung onto Minato's arm.

"Hello there," A cold and calculating voice called out getting Minato on edge and on guard. A pale shirtless young man with long pale hair walked out from the shadows, his eyes shining an eerie yellow.

"Those disgusting tattoos…" Minato muttered. The stranger walked towards Minato and grinned at Hamuko who shivered and tightened the hold around Minato. "I'm… scared." She said with a faint and quivering voice.

"What the hell are you looking at?" Minato spat, catching his attention. "The fuck do you want?" The stranger kept grinning but his eyes were cold.

"Ah, nice to meet you," He tried a handshake but Minato smacked it away.

"Get to the point," he snarled.

"Ah, the anger…" The stranger sighed. "I'm Takaya." Hamuko was still trembling and Minato made a note to protect her at all costs.

"I'm Minato. So now that we know each other, get out of my face." He growled.

Takaya grinned again "That anger," He cooed. "…Is rather marvellous," He looked at Minato. "Say my friend. Aren't you devoid of hope for this pathetic little world?" Takaya asked.

"Minato… Don't listen to him," Hamuko mumbled. Minato couldn't deny that a bit, he did hate the world since he lost almost everyone.

"Just as I suspected. You hate the very core of the world," Takaya continued while Minato remained silent. "This cold world has taken much from us, correct?" At that, Minato nodded slowly.

"Then I feel your pain," Takaya spoke. "Together we shall make it pay."

"Minato… no," Hamuko whispered. What would happen if Minato turned on SEES? Minato was thinking, wracking his head over it, and Takaya enjoyed it.

"That's right. Everything that was taken will be repaid. We shall avenge them," Takaya continued to goad Minato's thoughts.

"Don't listen to him," Hamuko cried. Minato looked at her and he saw she was resisting the urge to cry. Minato's heart clenched

"…I have something to live for now." Minato muttered to himself and Takaya stopped in front of them.

"So? Would you like to join us?" Minato was about to shake his hand but instead he curled his hand into a fist, smashing it against his face. Takaya backed away with a broken nose, glaring at Minato.

"Get the fuck out of here," Minato spat. "The world may have taken a lot from me… But I have something to do," he announced "As long as Hamuko's here I will not give up hope." Minato glared

"Now you fucking hippie, get lost before I pound you." Takaya spat out the blood that was gathering in his mouth on the ground, baring his gritted teeth at the two.

"You shall die then soon." With that, he took off in a run, leaving the two alone.

The two were silent. Hamuko could finally understand why he attacked Junpei. "He cares for me that much?" She asked herself as a warmth blossomed inside her.

"You okay?" Minato asked softly as Hamuko shook the fear away and smiled.

"Yes," She softly kissed him on the cheek. "Shall we go?"

Minato nodded with a smile at that. "Sure."

The two walked towards the dorm.

"What you said there. Did you really mean it?" Hamuko asked. Minato stopped. He couldn't deny he felt something very different for her.

"I meant it. I care about you," Minato replied at once and Hamuko blushed.

"Me too." She smiled at him.

"Want a reward kiss for the badassery there?" She asked with a cheeky grin before Minato tripped and fell onto the ground at the question. Hamuko burst into laughter. "Minato-kun, you can be a dumbass at times!" She giggled and Minato couldn't help but chuckle back.

"Did I make the right choice? Should I join them?" He asked himself as he gazed at Hamuko "How long will it be… Before she goes away then?" Minato muttered to himself. "Should I have joined? I am destined to lose everything after all."

Hoshi: Whew, finished. No more late night editing, since I think I might've missed some stuff... Also this chapter might've come out yesterday but I was out and I had caught a cold before that. Unfortunately. Frankly, I still have one now but it's not as bad. :)
Anyways, please review and tell us what you thought! Soooo, I'm out.

Night : Minato might be a huge douche and possibly the biggest jerk Minato of all but he's still a human. Hope this showed some of his other side which is currently being dominated by Death. Anyway review as always. Next chapter will have something huge! :D