After I got out of the shower and put on some new clothes, I looked at the clock. 3.25 AM. I love that I only need three or four hours of sleep and then I can stay awake for a long time. It's nice to have some time for myself, but the drawback is that I can't make too much noise and most of the time I don't really know what to do with the time. I saw the paper that I got from Clarissa lying on my desk next to my computer … Wasn't I supposed to do something after my match? Oh yeah, I've got to send her an mail if I won my first match. I turned on my computer and opened my e-mail account. Now what to write…

Dear Clarissa

I've won my first match and I remembered our agreement. I'm not going to bore you with telling how the match went, instead I'll

Wait, let's check if it's possible.

"G, do you have the recordings of the match?" I asked her.

"It's added to the e-mail within 5 seconds, so go ahead continue to write." She said.

-add a recording of the match so you can see for yourself how I've done. Anyways, how are you doing? I hope we can talk sometime again

Haru

I sent the e-mail. That's one thing of my list of boredom. What else is there for me to do? My muscles are still a bit sore from the strain of using the Ignition Boost too much… maybe I'll go jogging for a bit as some kind of rehab. I put on my favorite sleeveless baggy black shirt and some jogging pants. When I quietly walked outside after sneaking through the dorms, a voice greeted me.

"Shouldn't you be in bed?" Orimura-sensei asked me.

"Since I only need three hours of sleep and I just got them, no I shouldn't. What about you sensei?" I asked her. She looked at me for a few seconds before she shrugged.

"As long as you don't fall asleep in class, I'll make an exception for you." She said casually.

"That's not like your strict personality at all sensei. What brought the change along?" I asked her.

"Tabane told me of your condition." She said serious at once. My eyes widened, but she didn't see it because I was with my back turned at her. She probably knew anyway.

"Don't worry, I won't say anything about it. But don't cause trouble for the other students while you're busy with your nightly activities." She said while walking back inside. I stood there for a few minutes before I started to jog so I could clear my head. But even then one question floated through my head.

Can I trust her?

(Clarissa POV)

"Hmm, his skills are a bit above average." A silver girl with an eye patch commented on Haru's match.

"he beat a representative candidate within five minutes, despite it being his first serious fight. I think he's a lot above average." Clarissa commented.

"But will he be useful to us?"

"He will. I'll make him an offer he can't refuse."

"Lieutenant, why are you stroking a white cat? And what's with the accent?"

"don't worry about the details. Now I only have to ask one more question and we can commence the operation."

(Normal POV)

I came back from my jog around 5.30. I got a new message from Clarissa.

Congrats for winning your match. You've improved a lot since I last fought you. For that thing I got for you I only need the name of your IS, so could you please send it through.

With regards

Lt. Clarissa Harfouch

That already answered the question of why she saluted me. Maybe I'll get a dog tag or something. I sent her the name of my armor before I took a second shower that morning and made some breakfast.

I went to class earlier than the others so that I could get a few moments of peace before the barrage of questions and squeals would come from my class mates… except for Houki, I gave my hopes up to let her show any other emotion besides anger, irritation and shame. Doesn't she know that her scowl will permanently stay like that if she keeps it up?

"Haru, can I talk to you for a minute?" Ichika asked me. Since when was he next to me?

"Yeah, what's up?" I asked him with a forced smile, the situation with Orimura-sensei was still on my mind. He didn't seem to notice though. But that look in his eyes already told me what he wanted to ask.

"Come after school to the arena." I told him before he even opened his mouth.

"Huh?"

"That look in your eyes means you want me to help you train with the IS, no?" Ichika nodded amazed.

"Then, after school Arena 1, okay? I'll see if I can get an IS for you to train in?" I asked him.

"Yeah. Thanks a lot Haru." He said with a smile. He left towards the classroom. Now, what kind of IS will he get from Nee-san. I'm pretty sure that by now G will already be searching for the answer. The only answer I needed was G's evil giggle. Superstes was right, the human's ability to adapt truly is an amazing thing. Now, all that's left is to get an IS for Ichika so he can get accustomed to piloting one. But how will I get one? And it was as if fate gave me an epiphany by letting Yamada-sensei enter the room. I quickly caught up with her.

"Yamada-sensei could you help me with something?"

16.35 Arena 1

I sat relaxed on the ground of the arena next to a small table with a tea pot on it and a few cups. Now let's see, do I have everything?

The training grounds? Check.

The time? Until 7.00 PM. Should give him enough time to shower and getting dinner.

The Uchigane which we're going to use to train Ichika? Stands right there in a kneeling position.

The person who asked for my help? 35 minutes late.

…

…

…

"Where the hell is he?" I yelled in frustration. And right on cue, Ichika ran in the arena, with Houki-chan right behind his ass. Oh great, just what I needed. Ichika stopped before me, panting slightly from all the running. Houki was fine thanks to her kendo training. I waited for a minute so he could catch his breath.

"So, why're you late?" I asked Ichika.

"I wanted to come earlier, but Houki dragged me to the kendo club." He explained.

"Did you kick his ass?" I asked Houki. She nodded. Why are you so angry Houki-chan? I should be angry with you for keeping him from his training. Sensing my thoughts, she emitted a killing intent. I gave her the 'I swear I'm totally innocent' pose… which didn't help. Thank you G for putting the shields back online.

"Ichika get in the Uchigane and move around with it for the next 15 minutes." I told him. He climbed into it and tried to walk around with it. I sat down next to my tea table and let a screen come up with suggestions for new weapons. And by the looks of it, Houki-chan isn't going to leave soon. Sigh, this is going to be fun.

For those who aren't familiar with sarcasm, the previous sentence is an excellent example of it.

"If you're going to stay, sit down and have some tea Houki-chan." I said friendly. Wow, I didn't know I could talk like that. Houki sat down and took a cup. We remained silent for a few minutes while we saw Ichika moving around clumsily.

"Why are you helping him?" Houki asked me.

"He wants power like me, only he wants it to protect something or someone, I'm not sure about which one it is. I thought that I should help at least someone as chivalrous as him. " I said with a smile. Houki looked at me with a questioning look.

"what's your reason then?" she asked me.

"For now, it's survival. I haven't found a real purpose yet."

"How can you fight without a reason?"

"I fight to find that reason. That in itself is a goal worth striving for." Wow, I'm starting to sound as Superstes. It doesn't sound that bad actually. Houki looked back at Ichika who started to move rather fluently.

"Well, time to start his training." I said while getting up with a grin.

"Ichika!" he came right to my side.

"We'll start with your training. Go to the other end of the arena and I'll explain the rest through the com link." Ichika looked at me dumbfounded before he went, mumbling something under his breath. Houki just quietly drank her tea without commenting. That's a first.

"Alright I'm in position. Could you please explain why I had to move all the way here?" Ichika asked over the com link.

"Simple, Cecilia is a long ranged opponent whereas your personal IS will only have a sword." I told as G let a screen with data pop up next to Ichika and also one next to Houki. They looked at it amazed.

"How did you get that information?" Houki asked

"I have my connections. Anyway , keeping this fact in mind we'll use the Uchigane to let you get used to using tactics for closing in on a long range enemy." I explained.

"And what about those bits?" Ichika asked.

"I stole two of them, and I have an AI that can control them, which gives me the freedom to fire as well with my rifle, which Cecilia can't do yet. So, if you can land a hit me in the Uchigane by the day before the match, you'll have good chance of winning." Houki and Ichika looked at me.

"I didn't know you were a strategist of this level." Houki complimented me.

"Please, this is just normal logic. It wasn't that hard to come up with a training plan for him." I bragged. Houki didn't hit me for once. Are you feeling well?

I deployed my armor and sat back down. The BITs were already floating next to me and my rifle laid down in my lap.

"Now, let's get over the rules. You can try anything to land a strike on me, but if I hit you even once, we start all over, comprende?" I asked/ordered, whatever seems more likely to you.

"Are you not gonna stand up?" Ichika asked confused. I grabbed my rifle, aimed and shot him in the leg.

"Those new calibrations and visor are really good. Nice work." I said out loud.

"Thank you for your praise Haru-dono." I heard Superstes' voice. And Houki as well by the look of her face.

"Who was that?" Houki asked.

"Superstes, my weapon master and comrade."

"… another AI? I thought G would've been the only one." Houki mused. I saw Ichika still waiting for some reason.

"G, use the BITs to get him moving." I said annoyed. I gave a questioning look to Houki, who nodded. I covered my ears as she took a deep breath.

"ICHIKA, THE TRAINING HAS ALREADY STARTED SO WHY ARE YOU STANDING AROUND?" Houki yelled angry. She sat down again and sighed.

"Shall I shoot to kill?" I asked Houki.

"Show no mercy."

19.00

The training was brutal… only for Ichika though. Me and Houki just talked and drank tea while we saw Ichika getting shot. A lot. But in the end, he got the hang of it and got in a range of 50 feet. Right now, he's lying panting on his back.

"Good job. If you keep improving like that, we'll be able to advance smoothly." He looked hopeful at me. "Is what I'd like to say, but your reaction speed sucks. I thought you did kendo?" I asked him.

"I quit a few years ago." Crap, I felt Houki's killing intent rise. Everybody take cover, she's gonna blow!

"Ichika, from tomorrow on, we'll have kendo practice every day to make sure your skills will be top notch again." Houki said menacingly.

"How about I'll get him from 4 till 5.30 and you then until 7?" I asked her. Ichika looked at me, pleading me to save him. I'm sorry but it's for your own good… and my entertainment. I saw Houki hesitating, so I moved in for the kill.

"You could spend more time with him like that." I said softly so that Ichika didn't hear it. Houki looked in the distance with a small smile. I jumped back in shock. SHE CAN SMILE? Newsflash, it just froze in hell at the same temperature of the North Pole! Ichika looked at us in sheer confusion.

"Haru, are you alright?" he asked me.

"Houki can actually smile." I blurted out. And there came the familiar killing intent I got used to. Good to have you back Houki-chan. Not for my body or shield, but I at least know now that you're still sane. Oh crap… her killing intent became really demonic. Even Ichika started to feel uneasy.

"You get a ten second head start." She threatened me. Why do you keep reading my mind if you know you'll just get pissed off?

"Five seconds left." That moment, Houki made me do something I never expected to ever do. I ran like hell. I tried to shake her off by taking a few shortcuts I found during my nightly jogs, but she had no problem tracing me. What to do? When in doubt, listen to your instincts.

"Go hide in the dorms, You're bound to lose her there."

Thanks for the advice Superstes, I'll try that. I ran towards the dorms. The girls who saw me passing made way for me and Houki. This is going to become a nice rumor, especially in our gossip loving class. I sprinted across the floors trying to find a place to hide. My room? Too obvious. Ichika's room? She sleeps there as well, you idiot. The bathroom? And being labeled as a pervert? No tha-whoa! I got yanked in a room by someone and she put a hand over my mouth. I wanted to scream, but I recognized the scent from last night. For some reason it calmed me down and I let my body relax, even when I heard Houki stomping around with the intent of finding me and then ripping me to shreds. When she was gone, we both sighed relieved.

"Thanks a lot Cecilia."

"No problem, but what did you do to make her that angry?"

"I honestly have no idea." She looked at me in doubt, but I just shrugged. We stood there for a few minutes, her arms still around my waist.

"She's already gone, so don't you have to hold me anymore if you don't want to." I said with a smile. She stammered an apology with a red face. It was a cute sight, to be honest. I decided to tease her.

"Well I'm going back to my room. You can always visit if you want to." I said with a wink. Her face turned a bit more red. I opened my arms with a pouty face.

"Can I get a hug before I go?" I asked her with puppy dog eyes. Is that steam coming out of her ears? That can't be healthy, especially with the shade of red that's on her face now. She gave me a hug and buried her face in my shoulder.

"Aw, don't hide your blushing face, it's cute." I teased her.

"Shut up. It's your fault I look like this, so take responsibility." She said angrily. I just wrapped my arms around her with a small smile. We stood there for a few peaceful minutes, until a friggin bokken came right through the door!

"I think Houki knows where I am." I said softly with a sheepish smile. Cecilia looked shocked at the bokken through her door. I can understand it, I was surprised to the first time I saw Houki destroying wood with that wooden sword, you really need a lot of strength for that.

"Which room is this?" I asked Cecilia.

"303" she answered in a daze. Mine is 503. I'll have to use that.

"Superstes, is THAT ready for usage?" I asked him.

"They' re ready for deployment and testing." He responded. Cecilia looked at me in surprise.

"You have an AI?" she asked me.

"I even have two of them." I responded like it was the most normal thing in the world. I walked to her balcony the next one hung around two feet above me.

"How long are the blades?" I asked.

"Each one is 10 inches long. But I have to remind you that 4 inches of it are on your armor because it acts as a hilt, which leaves an usable length of 6 inches. " Superstes started to explain.

"what's the name of the blades?"

"We called them Phantom Blades."

"Phantom Blades?"

"We wanted to call the Hidden Blades first, but that sounded more like something for an assassin than a thief."

"Very well, time test the against the walls."

"The walls Haru-dono?"

"You'll see."

I stood on the edge of the balcony and deployed the Phantom blades. They were made of the same blood red material as the blade of Longinus, so it'll probably have the same effect on armor. As Superstes said, I have six inches of the blade that I could use, six and a half if I made a fist. The blades itself were curved slightly, so I could use it to both slash and stab. It was like the slightly wider, curved and longer version of Ezio's Hidden Blades. I stabbed one right through the walls. Alright, a decent grip, I'll be able to let my weight hang on it. Cecilia looked at me while I climbed the wall with my new blades. Thank god that all the students are eating right now. I stopped at my balcony and crawled over the railing. I lied there for a few seconds before got up and tried to open the door of my balcony. Tried being the key word as I forgot to dematerialize my blades. After I did that and entered my room, I saw someone waiting for me.

"Is there something I can help you with Orimura-sensei?" I asked with faked kindness

"Don't be friendly, I know you're suspicious of me." She said sternly. Wow she's good. Are she and Ichika actually brother and sister? I mean their personality is completely different and Ichika is as dense as a rock.

"I know there's something you want to ask me, so go ahead." She said annoyed.

"How much do you know?" I asked her.

"I know the whole story. From what your father did five and a half years ago until now. Tabane told me everything." She said with her eyes closed.

"So you also know about the light bulb in my body?"

"Yes."

"And will you stay silent about it?"

"I will. Believe it or not, I know how it feels to have family betray you." She got up and left. She stopped by the door.

"On more thing." She threw a small box to me.

"This just came in for you. And thanks for trying to teach my stupid brother how to fight." She said with what looked like a tiny smile… nah that can't be.

"No problem." Orimura-sensei left and I was alone in my room. I looked at the note that came with the package.

Garisaka Haru,

The following object is proof of our interest in your talents regarding the IS. Should you ever decide to join us, then this will be your immediate position. If not, then you can keep it as a trophy for your victory. We will come to the Academy next week and give you further details. Until then

Lt. Clarissa Harfouch.

I curiously opened the box. But I didn't expect what was in it. In it was a brand new M-5 Phalanx hand gun. Or as it is called on the internet, your personal hole maker. Shoot on a guy's leg, and it'll be completely blown off! The only problem is the high recoil and the slow fire rate, but I'm sure I can do something about that with Superstes.

"This is not for the IS, but for yourself Haru-dono." Superstes informed me.

"But you can still do something about the high recoil right?" I asked him.

" If I have blue prints of the weapon and the right material, then it should be possible."

"I'm already looking for the blue prints, so we got that covered." G said happily. Really, she enjoys hacking way too much. Whatever, as long as she doesn't cause any problems. I took the next thing out of the box and instantly smiled. It was a dog tag with a name and title I could get used to.

Sergeant Garisaka Haru

Code Name: Latronis.

Me: i wanted to upload this a few days sooner, but when i was writing it someone invited me to come along to a concert of 30 seconds to mars ( awesome band!) And the teachers decided to swamp us with homework. but here it is, a brand new chapter.

Haru: You're going to put me in the military?

Me: yeah.

Haru: Why?

Me: for a decent plot that i already got in my mind.

Haru: i don't like your creepy smile.

Me: get over it. any people, PLEASE REVIEW! i know that there're more people reading this story than the 5 persons who commented. if you don't then i'll be sulking in my emo-corner and i won't be able to write further. So if you want this story to continue, REVIEW. you'll get cookies if you do :D