Author's Note: I typed the whole chapter in my phone. I type everywhere XD. I don't know. This update's a slow progression.

Disclaimer: AX: Defenders of the Universe and characters belong to Mr. Dexter Roxas (and I'm just a potato fan who doesn't even have the courage to promote this piece).

Chapter II

Puzzle

It was hell on earth. No, scratch that. It was hell on the piece of earth they were in with an angry Keiko. Naoru's mind raced on the events that day that brought him his current state of mishap. He will not deny it is his fault. He only wanted to get away from the fairy's wrath, and hope his absence will make her anger subside.

For now.

Or he can clear up his mind and think of a possible turnaround and make up for his mistake. What can he do? Or say?
He summoned the remaining pinch of bravery that he could muster and tried to speak.

"K- Keiko...nnn..", he begins fully aware of her narrowing eyes on him. He released his clutch on Traxor's coat upon realizing the sounds of said male's complaint. "Let me explain.", he pleaded still partly concealing himself behind Hazel, Traxor and Reinjenna.

There was beat of silence after which, Keiko's demeanor marginally relaxed.

"Right.", Keiko replies not looking at him. She suddenly felt tired. She's even surprised that her 'teacher' guise is not yet wearing off despite the stress and strain of the long day. Her shoulders lightly slumped as she leaned on the edge of the only desk in the quarter. Reinjenna joins her putting a hand on her shoulder in an attempt to calm her.

Naoru took this as signal for him to start his recount of his side of story.

" I know how tough our days are. I can sense you struggling about it too. ", says Naoru. "The thrill of having found out that one in my class got the better of me. I know. " He then sighs feeling defeated. "I thought that maybe, another one is just nearby."

"And you assumed it was her?", Keiko shots, though more calmly than earlier. She knew the answer herself very well.

"I was confused about her aura. Hers is so extraordinarily concealed somehow that I thought it must be her skill."

"But then, we can't just put our suspicion to test. It's dangerous. Look at what happened. This world is very much different from the rest. "

At her words, Hazel, Reinjenna and Traxor looked at one another.

"I know...I know...and I am sorry. I really am. ", says Naoru.

Keiko sighs dramatically.

"Good thing that kid's injury wasn't that severe and that he happen to be there for Maiden.", she pauses contemplating her thoughts. "We can't afford to hurt anyone outside the group in the quest of finding them all but still inflicting injury upon anyone let alone using magic in a non-magical world is one thing we've always avoided in these past four weeks!"

The five of them fell silent. Has it already been that long since they stepped in to this another parallel world? The one which give them the most difficulty due to the many restrictions to consider—one most specifically, forbidding the use of magic?

"I wonder...". It was Reinjenna who spoke earning the attention of the other four.

"...if we can already reveal ourselves to Forg. It won't be too long until we do anyway."

"What do you mean?",Hazel inquired quickly recovering from her gapping. She knew her friend has good opinion on matters when she does.

"I know it's rather premature but then we don't have much time. As we already know, this world is way too different than the rest and finding our subjects is like searching a needle in a haystack. Not being able to use magic and skills is also taking up against our nature."

"So, do you think we can go otherwise?", Traxor asks excitement evident in his tone.

"Of course not.", Reinjenna replies quickly as she looks back at Keiko. "Well...a little bit actually", she amended eyeing the fairy for a hint of disapproval.

Naoru looked back and forth between the two listening as they speak. As much as he wants to make amends for his earlier indulgence in the prohibited use of magic, he vaguely thought that they may end up giving in. He is fully aware that time is ticking fast and that they are hardly making a progress with all the inhibitions they were considering. His mind drifted back to the blonde girl he had seen with Forg earlier. She seems...different in way that he couldn't put into words to describe. Still, he could be getting it wrong.

Should he do something? He probably needs a hand on this one.

"So I thought that taking him in early will give us additional hand in our search. His acquaintance to this world will be of help...", Reinjenna continues her suggestion as if speaking out loud Naoru's recent contemplation.

"Woahh...Amazing, Reinjenna!", Traxor exclaims flailing his arm comically. "Yeah, I would want a dude search buddy to work with! You girls are...—"

"Are what?",Hazel cuts in fist raised ready to pounce the blabbering companion who chuckled nervously at her threatening stance.

"Ah..well..."

"Remind me please that you are the grand Prince of Chantreux, will you?!"

Their little commotion was interrupted by a phone ring. Keiko takes out the device from her pocket.

"It's Hikaru.", she says seeing the ID. Four expectant eyes are instantly on her as she takes the call.

"Right...Uh-huh... Yeah, meet us in the room after. ...See you then, bye."

Keiko huffs as she pressed the 'End Call Button'. As a precaution, they keep their conversations over electronic devices at minimal. They would only give away small details, codes and hints with careful wording. So far, cell phones are handy but if given more freedom, they'd rather have mental conversations if that wouldn't disrupt the balance of the nature of the world they are in. Many times, she wondered how the dwellers in this world survive without magic but looking down at object in her hand; She realizes she lived a thousand years without the aid of these kinds of technology. Such a distance. Such a difference.

"He will be here in a few while."

****A.X.****

Sliding his phone back in his pocket, Hikaru turns back to the infirmary. He was yet again greeted by the sight of Maiden standing near the bedside where Forg is seated. The school doctor is giving him first aid treatment for his rather large cut. There is a limit to the number of persons allowed to come in and Ren and Hikaru deemed it fitting that Maiden takes the spot hence, both males remained outside and only able watch through a window.

"My members told me that if it wasn't for the guy, this girl here would have gotten really hurt, if not, worse than he is now.", recounted Ren. "Lucky save there."

Hikaru just shrugged on his last comment. "Yeah...maybe.", he says not completely believing himself looking back at Maiden who seems to notice him gazing. He was sure her brows were knitted with worry but just as she glanced at her, she reverted back to her neutral nonchalant expression. Almost immediately, she averted her eyes to look back at Forg who took back her attention him. He watches them converse over something he couldn't make out of. But then, immediately, he questioned his own curiosity. It's almost as if he's prying on a private conversation. He shouldn't be concerned, should he?

An arm wormed itself to his right one and instantly, he was pulled away from his thoughts.

Colleen would always attempt to startle him whenever he is left alone in his state of reverie. "Nii-san", she says looking up at him. "It was them?", she asks quietly.

He picks up the question easily and responds just as quiet as possible. "It was him.", he answers flatly.

"Oh..."

Both of their attentions went back to the blonde girl who is approaching in their direction towards the door.

She bowed slightly when she stepped out to meet three people waiting outside. Maiden briefly paused at the newly arrived girl standing beside Hikaru but saved her curiousity for the matter at hand.

"I called my chauffeur, he'll be here any minute now.", Maiden announces as she glances at the three of them. "I'll take care of this from here."

"Are you sure?", Hikaru asks.

"It's fine, actually. He's got a personal doctor though. He can't get any comfortable if it weren't someone who looked after him since he's seven.", she supplies further feeling uncomfortable at sharing these bit of information.

"Wow...", Colleen exclaims in awe before she could hold it in.

Hikaru himself thought through what she said making sense of her and her friend's reserved demeanor. Even considering being new students, still, they both have some air of nonchalance and almost snob nature that's common to the sons and daughters of the rich.

He mentally shook his head at that.

He almost forgot he is with presence of Ren who now speaks with Maiden apologizing to her repeatedly. He didn't miss the look in Archery Club president's eyes as he talks to the girl.

He couldn't blame him, though.

He looks back inside the infirmary and saw Forg eyeing on Maiden. His eyes flickered to him and for a split second, he thought he'd seen him squinted his eyes and almost scowled at him.

Possessive. His mind said before he could stop it.

A few minutes later and few more attempts by the resident physician to convince Forg to be sent to the hospital, Maiden was approached by a group two men clad in black suits who they realized are her securities of sorts. Hikaru watched as they briefly talked. Then, the two of them requested the assistance of the nurses to wheel their patient to the car park near the gate where they bid goodbyes and strings of apologies courtesy of Ren.

The sun is almost low in the sky as Hikaru and Colleen watched the car disappear in view down the road. Ren also excused himself to attend to the remaining activities of his club.

"We should go now. They're still waiting", he says to Colleen.

*****A.X.******

"So how do we go about telling Forg about our mission and his involvement to it without scaring him off?"
Keiko asks to no one in particular but more like thinking aloud her musings.

"We could straight up talk to him in private. Right?", Traxor tosses in.

"Nah, that's just not right. He'll probably think it's out-of-the-blue that we suddenly are after him. Plus, we also have to come up with something that will make him believe us at once so that we no longer have to convince him.", Reinjenna says.

"Don't forget that after the incident today, he'll be probably not be around for a while.", Keiko reminds them.

Naoru stiffens at the innocent comment but made no retort. Guilty, as he was with his earlier blunder, his thoughts are still on the blonde girl.

There was a faint knock on the door signaling the Hikaru and Colleen's arrival.

Reinjenna stands up to get the door followed by Hazel.

A beaming Colleen waves in greeting "Hi everyone!".

"Hello Colleen.", Reinjenna greets back returning her smile. "...Hikaru.", she acknowledges with a nod.

"Sorry we're late.", Hikaru says as he walked into the room noting that everyone seems to have already started in discussion of matters regarding Forg.
Colleen who already sat with Keiko in the couch starts chatting about the incident.

"It's fine. Figures...you can provide more input on this one than any of us.", Reinjenna chuckles.

"Ahh...Figures you already laid out your ideas.", he replies smiling.
He then walks over to take a seat beside his sister missing the way bespectacled girl lightly gapped him with a light blush on her cheek.

Reinjenna quickly regains herself and joined in the small group as they fill in the newly-arrived of their earlier discussions.

After a few minutes of thinking and rethinking the events of the day, Hikaru has made up his mind.

"I agree on what you said, Reinjenna.", he says nodding at the girl. " I think I know a how we can tell Forg about it."

***end of Chapter 2***