Chapter 26: Battle Repercussions

~Planet Cray, Open Field Somewhere off Royal Paladin Territory~

"Okay, this is the worst possible time for you two to have confessed with each other." Ren interrupted their 'moment' brusquely, "We are stranded on Cray, in the middle of nowhere, just beat off some bad guys and you two are going to start your relationship now?"

"Well, it just happened. So now we'll just keep it in check then!" Aichi reasoned, unsure of what he was saying.

"Keep it in check? Great! See? That's another problem right there! Not only do we you have to get us back home, keep us alive, now you'll have to keep your relationship in check too!" Ren shouted exasperatedly, accompanying this statement with unnecessary hand gestures.

"Hey, calm down Ren. Why are you getting all agitated?" Misaki asked, not seeing Ren's reason for being mad at the both of them.

"Yeah Ren, you're normally more collected than this." Aichi added, cocking an eyebrow.

After taking a few deep breaths, Ren spoke up, "Yeah, I'm sorry guys. I just... Well... I mean, we're stranded on Cray, just had to fight for our lives, I'm kinda feeling a little on edge now... Kinda unnerved too... I shouldn't lose my cool like I did just now. I'm really sorry."

"Hey, it's understandable Ren. Frankly speaking, I'm kinda unnerved too. I didn't even know I was able to run or jump like that. Nor did I know I knew how to fight with blades. We're all being put on edge right now so I understand how you feel." Aichi spoke calmly.

Misaki smiled at Aichi's maturity to reason with Ren instead of ignoring him or arguing back. He's grown so much since I first met him. Is that why I like him only now? Because he's grown up? Misaki thought in mild amusement as the trio set off for the Royal Beacon Once more.

~Planet Cray, Royal Beacon~

"Oomph!" Domhnall groaned as he recovered from the stomach jab.

"Aha! Gotcha didn't I?" Gallatin smirked as he dusted himself off.

"Aye. Good one lad." Domhnall chuckled as he patted Gallatin on the shoulder.

"Could you two NOT wreck my shop?" Akane hollered just as...

~Planet Cray, Outskirts of Royal Paladin territory~

"Hey, isn't that a guard post or checkpoint or something?" Ren asked as he spotted a little building ahead.

"Sure looks like it." Misaki echoed in relief, as her legs were getting sore from all the walking, and the near-death experience.

"Alright, let's go take a look then!" Aichi decided and jogged up ahead while the other two followed slowly behind.

"Hey, is this a checkpoint or something?" Aichi asked the person at the counter of the building.

"As you can very well see, yes, yes it is." The person at the counter scowled, looking up from a book.

"Well, er, how far is it to the Royal Beacon?" Aichi asked, unsure if this person would ask him to go look at a directory or pass another snide comment.

"See this road?" The person stood up and leaned over the counter to point at a stone path, "Just keep walking along it till you reach the main city square. There'll be signs there to guide you to your location."

"Em, thanks...?" Aichi scratched his head at the person's sudden friendliness as the person flashed him a smile and went to the book.

Misaki and Ren finally caught up, and Aichi told them what the person at the counter told him, without the snide comment.

"So we follow this path and get specific directions when we get there?" Misaki asked, a little confused.

"Yeah, I guess we'll get more help when we're closer to the main city." Aichi shrugged as the trio turned towards the path.

~Planet Cray, Royal Beacon~

BAM! Gallatin crashed into a shelf of display plaques just as Akane spoke up.

"What was that lass? I couldn't hear ya over the lad's loud crashing!" Domhnall guffawed as Gallatin rubbed his head sorely and stumbled out of the mess.

"GET OUT! THE BOTH OF YOU GET OUT NOW!" Akane shrieked at the top of her lungs till her face turned bright red and she started stumbling about due to a lack of oxygen.

Domhnall and Gallatin were so shocked they stalked out of the shop quietly. So quietly, that Jonathan had to blink and look around before he had realised they left.

"A-akane?" Jonathan breathed softly as he took one step towards her.

"Ah..." Akane grumbled before falling to the ground, unconscious.

Jonathan caught her neatly in his arms. What? The only thought going through Jonathan's mind as he tried to think of something else. Anything. Nothing came but 'What?'

~Earth, Aichi's house~

"What's taking Ren so long to get Aichi down?" Emi wondered out loud softly. I'd better go up and check. Emi thought and moved silently up the stairs.

"Aichi?" Emi whispered as she saw the open door of Aichi's room, "Ren? Misaki?"

Where are they? How did they leave the house? Through the window? Emi thought as she rushed to the window to search for signs of exit. But the window isn't even open!

Where are they? What's going on? Emi panicked as she found no signs of exits made by Aichi, Misaki or Ren.

~Planet Cray, Road to Royal Paladin Main Square (RP Main Square)~

"Hey, how much time do you think has passed on Earth?" Ren asked all of sudden, breaking the silence that Aichi and Misaki were walking comfortably in.

"How would we know?" Misaki replied, a little annoyed that Ren interrupted their golden silence.

"Well, what if we're gone for like hours? Or days? Or even weeks? Or months? Or even for years!" Ren stated, voice rising, urgency and anxiety increasing in his voice.

"Ren has a point Aichi." Misaki agreed solemnly as she thought of the possible years she might have missed.

"I don't think too long has passed. And even if a long time has passed... Well... It... I just know a long time hasn't passed yet." Aichi stuttered as he tried to convince himself that they were only away for a short time.

"But what if, just what if, we're gone for a long time?" Ren asked nervously, "I don't want to be a kid while everyone else is already grown up."

"Yeah Aichi, what if we're still kids while everyone else is all grown up?" Misaki added, after thinking deeply for a couple of minutes.

"No. I'm sure we won't be gone for that long. I just know it, alright guys? Trust me." Aichi said with a new resolve, not wanting to feel down about a problem which may not happen.

Ren and Misaki looked at each other unconvinced, before Ren hung his head low. Misaki turned to Aichi, looking for reassurance from him.

"Let's get to the Royal Beacon fast and hope that Jonathan can help us get back." Aichi suggested after some silence and Misaki and Ren nodded in agreement and the trio started along the path again.

~Earth, Aichi's room~

Beads of perspiration streamed down Emi's cheeks as she found no sign of Aichi. He's sick and unwell, Psyqualia's messing him up, where is he? Emi thought in panic.

Just as she turned around to leave the room, Kamui stood in the doorway, a gaze of puzzlement settled on her.

"Emi, where's Aichi? And what happened to Misaki and Ren?" Kamui asked as he took a step forward into the room.

"I… I don't… k-know…" Emi mumbled as tears of fear and worry streamed down her cheeks.

Kamui took hesitated steps towards Emi and placed one hand her shoulder. Emi wrapped her arms tightly around Kamui as she cried into his chest.

"Eh…" Kamui put his arms around her shoulder and Emi hugged him tighter.

A/N: Well, I really don't know how to continue after this so I'll continue in the next chapter… Or possibly the start of my Bonus KamuixEmi chapters? And sorry for the late up date once again. Been really busy with first term exams and project work. If you guys feel that this chapter isn't up to my normal standards, please let me know. I was writing this in like a troubled and unfocused state. Like throughout that few weeks I couldn't focus properly and I can't find ways to improve this now even though I'm more focused. So once again sorry for the late update and the not-so-good quality chapter. See you guys in the next (exciting) chapter! XD