Chapter 64: Worries

In Tasuku's apartment, the boy and the green dragon were eating together noodles. Jackknife had trouble eating it with his claws, which cannot hold the sticks well. He grumbled at his failures and eventually took his real form and gulped it in his mouth and swallowed it.

"I cannot let problem like that slowing me down," Jackknife commented.

Tasuku looked at his buddy and said nothing as he ate. He was a little worried for him thought, but didn't express it right now, What's going on with you Jack? Since the mission was completed, you didn't really act like usual. You seem... insecure.

Tasuku was right about it, but he didn't hear everything Demios told Jackknife. Jackknife said nothing as they returned home after their mission or anything about completing his homework, which he would do after eating.

"Okay. Let's begin this," Jackknife said.

Tasuku was about to ask what he meant, when he saw the dragon on the ground and doing push-ups in his mini-form. He heard the green dragon grunting as he forced his shorter arms to support his entire weight, which was heavy.

"Jack... What are you doing?" the boy asked.

"T-trainnnnning," Jackknife replied just as he forced more.

"Why are you doing this now?" the boy asked.

"Because..." Jackknife took a short break, because he knew he won't be able to maintain his focus, "Because today, Demios made me realise that I've failed you."

"What do you mean?" Tasuku asked. He then thought back what Demios said to Jackknife, "Is it the insult he said about becoming weaker? Because it's not true," Jackknife heard the boy climbing down his chair and sat in front of him, "You are a powerful dragon and I can always count on you."

Jackknife closed his eyes and sighed, "Tasuku. He's-"

"Demios isn't right!" Tasuku yelled before Jackknife said anything bad about himself.

"Tasuku. Even so, you could have die back there and if it happened, I would never forgive myself," Jackknife replied. Tasuku was about to say something else, but he cut him, "You should focus on your homework and let me train. I cannot afford to just sit and watch TV anymore. Remember what you said last year? You didn't want me to die because we are family. Well... It's the same for me. I don't want to lose you to anyone. I'll protect you, no matter what."

Tasuku put his hand on Jackknife snout, "Okay. But don't overdo it. There is no reason to be worried about Demios."

The boy the grabbed his books and started studying.

Jackknife continued training and said in his mind, There is so many reasons to be worried about Demios Tasuku. He has something in his mind about you.

Demios voice echoed in Jackknife mind: "You have failed to protect him today Jackknife. Also, family isn't something that resists everything."

If I'm not strong enough, Demios might try to get Tasuku. I'm sure he thinks he's worthy of him, but it won't happen! Jackknife said with determination.

The night came and the moon shined in the sky. Halberd was sitting on the roof of the Minako house and watched the stars. He looked at the full moon, but his face was written the word uneasy. It had been for a while, but felt that something was playing with his dragon instinct, whispering him that his life was in danger. Something was searching for him.

He had been more cautious for a while, looking around him and above him if something was searching for him. He didn't tell anything to Hanako.

I should let her get worried about me. I do not know why I'm feeling that way, but I think it might be my imagination. Halberd thought with some pain in him.

He took his deck and checked his spellcards. He showed Hanako how to use it, just in case something happen, but hoped it won't. He noticed one card and frowned, "I cannot let her have this in her hand ever. An Impact card is too dangerous," he took it out of the deck and put it in his armor.

"There you are," Hanako said as she joined him.

Halberd turned toward her and nodded with a small smile, "Yes. I am watching the stars. It is relaxing."

Hanako sat by his side. Since Halberd was in his SD form, he was smaller than Hanako and it was kinda funny to see a veteran warrior smaller than a girl, especially with his small red wings.

"Halberd. Is something wrong?" Hanako asked.

Halberd turned toward her and didn't say anything for a while.

Hanako lightly smiled and said, "You can tell us Halberd. We are your friend's right?"

The dragon said nothing for a while. He closed his eyes and eventually sighed, It's safer if I told the true. Even if it worries her. "You're right."

He said nothing else, looking as if he assembled his thought.

"So?" she asked.

Halberd looked at Hanako and eventually replied, "Something happened not long ago... It's my instinct in me. It's always telling me that I might be in danger."

She asked, "Is that why you asked me to learn how to use the spellcards?"

Halberd nodded and said, "I don't know why, but I feel someone is searching for me. Whoever it is, I think it's someone who wants to kill me."

Hanako was shocked and tried to reply. Nothing came out of her mouth.

"Do not worry too much about it Hanako, I am not sure if it is the case. My instincts aren't always right. I've been wronged a few times. One thing is sure Hanako, I won't let anyone hurt you," Halberd sat and lightly smiled at her, "The other thing I'm certain is that I won't let anyone kill me."

Hanako recovered and said, "I'm happy you tell me what's going on. Maybe we should talk with my big brother or the buddy police. They will help you."

Halberd replied, "I am not sure. It's just my instinct. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe we should return inside."

Hanako nodded. They went back in the house.

Tenbu was drinking a cup of tea in Gao's chamber, since he had been banned from the parents chamber as he tried to hit on Suzumi when Takashi was there. He looked toward the moon. Once he finished, he sighed loudly, closing his eyes and looking down before he heard, "Is something wrong?"

Tenbu turned toward Gao. He didn't reply immediately and returned his gaze to the window. He saw Hanako and Halberd returning inside the house.

Gao took off his vest and opened his homework book and asked again, "Tenbu. Are you worry about Drum?"

Tenbu nodded negatively. He then replied, with a serious voice that showed how old he was, "I'm not worried about him. He's young and vigorous. He has a great future ahead of him, I can tell it," Gao started writing his homework while Tenbu continued thinking back, "But I am worried about something."

"What is it?" Gao asked.

Tenbu sighed again. He flew toward Gao and replied, "The future and the past Gao. The future and the past," the dragon said nothing else and looked at the homework Gao was doing. He eventually said, "I've... done something in the past Gao. That something will come back one day... And I'll have to face the consequence of my actions."

"What did you do?"

The green dragon played with his pink moustache and replied, "I don't want to talk about it, but when the time comes and I'll have no choice. I'll tell you... If it happens."

Gao nodded, not really satisfied by his answer, but it must had been something difficult for the old dragon to say.

Tenbu thought, He is coming back. Eventually, he will be back for revenge... Gao and Drum must be ready to face him and... They must defeat him the right way. I... I wonder what Yamigedo is thinking right now. Thought I'm guessing what his thoughts are about.

Tenbu decided to change his train of thought, "What about you? Are you worried about the competition coming soon?"

Gao lightly smiled, "I'm not worried at all. I'm not here to be the champion of the ABC cup," but his voice was lightly shaking.

Tenbu chuckled, "What are you nervous about Gao? It's obvious there is something wrong with you."

Gao replied, "Well... I know I've said that I'm sure that Drum will be here in time, but what if he doesn't. I won't be disappointed because I am not sure if he'll be here in time, but if he isn't... I'll look like a fool in front of so many people."

Tenbu chuckled once again and replied, "I told you. Drum will be here in time. Let's just not hope it will be at the last second. Because he will shake you before you feel some relief."

"Thanks Tenbu. You know... When you are ready, you can tell us what worried you. Maybe he or she will forgive you," the boy said to the dragon surprised.

"W- what do you mean by someone?"

"You said that something will come back, so I guess it's someone," Gao replied with a small smile.

The green dragon sighed, "You are smart. Yes. It is someone and... I hope he might forgive me one day."

Tenbu flew outside of the room, so he won't say anything that might give the identity of that someone.

Gao said, "Maybe he dragged too many girls and some of them are searching for him," he chuckled at it. He sighed and thought about his buddy, "I wonder how the training is going for Drum right now?"

Drum walked in front of a large door blocking him the way. "Behind that door, there is a new spell card that will allow me to transform into a dragon of Magic World. From what I've found, I need to give the right answer to a very difficult question to be rewarded."

He saw a text on the door and read it, "For my descendant. To become a great warrior and a ruler, you must possess the wisdom to choose the right answer to give a brighter future. Enlighten your mind to awake your ancestral power," he raised his claw and yelled, "I'm ready!"

A voice resonated in the room, "If there is one thousand dragons and two apples. All dragons want to eat a part of the apples-"

Drum put his claw on his forehead, Math question? I'm not good in math.

The voice continued, "but two female dragons knew that their love one really love apples and wants to collect both fruit for him. Also, those two female dragons are yandere."

What's Yandere? Dragons aren't selfish like that, Drum thought.

"How many dragons will still be alive to eat those apples?"

Drum eyes went really small as he said, "Hum," he then yelled, "What kind of math question is thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?"

Good luck Drum.

AC: This is the end of chapter 64.

Next chapter: Success. Kiri's Mind Is Open.