ソング Yuki Kajiura - Scaena Felix ソング

"... Kaien-sama, what is this?"

Takashi confusingly cocks his head, eyes scanning the glass cup filled with strange cold, white cream like substance covered with tiny rainbow sprinkles and dark brown caramel with pieces of fruit. At first, he was tempted to poke it to examine it better, but he could feel the freezing temperature slither towards him, causing a shiver to run through under his skin. When he and Kaien came in and took their seats in this rather fancy and French influenced structured cafe, he saw a number of people with something similar to what Kaien got for him after they finish their meals. Some were a brown color, like chocolate, and others were a mixture of that color and the one that Takashi had, which was the color of french vanilla.

Out of curiosity, he wanted to try it. Kaien called it... ice cream? He never heard of such of thing. Why would people enjoy cream that was frozen? He would prefer something... not hard and cold.

Even though it was a sad thing that the young boy didn't know what this most common dessert was, Kaien couldn't help but hold back a giggle when he saw the cutest, most curious look on the boy's battered face. After taking a sip of his green tea, he sets it down and cocks his head with a smile that was missing a laugh.

"This is ice cream, Takashi. It's a frozen dessert made from dairy products, like the milk you drink to grow up big and strong." Kaien informs. However, they reach... mostly deaf ears. Takashi furrowed his brows, looking at the frozen treat from both sides of the bowl before he innocently glances back at the headmaster.

"Oh... but why did they freeze it? Isn't it much better to have milk when it's drinkable?" He asked with a glint in his eye that asked for more knowledge. Kaien sweatdrops as he tried to find the right words to explain. Though his patients wasn't wearing thin, he didn't know what else to say without the child taking everything so literal.

"Uh, well... Most people enjoy theirs frozen, and topped with other sweets. This is more so a delicacy than something healthy like normal dairy." he said. Takashi raises a brow curiously at him before he looked back down at the dessert.

"Just try it, Takashi. I'm sure you'll like it." A odd anxious feeling began to settle in the pit of his stomach, like he thought he would be in trouble if he took a bite of it. Though he was unnecessarily cautious, he didn't want to be rude to the generosity Kaien has shown him. A man he has never met before in his life was treating him like he was his very own. He comforted him when he panicked, took the time to buy him clothes and visit him when he has to run a academy, and even took him out for walk around town.

After all the headmaster has done, the least he could do was take a bite. No big feat.

Taking the metal spoon into his hand, Takashi carefully scoops a small amount into the concave utensil and gingerly balanced the contents as he brings it to his open mouth and bites down. It was a little too cold at first, but it eases up as the vanilla begins to melt. He was surprised. The word ice doesn't even compare to the smooth texture of it. A rich, creamy and sweet flavor dominated his taste buds, and it was obvious in his in awe expression that this was much, much better than he thought.

After another sip of his tea, Kaien notice that same look on the boy's face.

"What's the matter, Takashi? Do you not like it?" he asked. However, he knew what his answer was when Takashi grins widely and took another spoonful of the dessert after another. Kaien couldn't hold back a somewhat relieved smile, choking back a laugh as he watched Takashi taking more spoonfuls at a faster pace after each bite he took. He sweatdropped to this, and before he could stop him and tell him the consequence of eating frozen treats too fast, Takashi's eyes suddenly widened and then squinted as he exclaimed in pain, pressing his two fingers against his forehead hard to where a painful, freezing sensation had attacked his brain.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!" The pain lasted for no more than twenty seconds, all in that time, he was rubbing his temples gently and hoping the pain would go away. Thankfully, the pain did dissipated. After Takashi opened his eyes and took his hands away from his head, he furrowed his brows when he saw the headmaster covering his lips, holding back a chuckle. He could tell he was trying his hardest not to laugh from the occasional snort from his nose.

The boy blushes sheepishly. "W-Why are you laughing, Kaien-sama? Did... Did I do something weird?" Takashi turned his gaze away from him in embarrassment, but his blush brightens seeing some of the customers glance at him curiously after his little episode. He slouches in his seat, cheeks slightly puffed as Kaien composes himself.

"Forgive me, Takashi. I should have told you eating ice cream too fast can give you brain freeze." He casually smiles.

"Huh? Brain freeze? What's that?" When he thought about it literal, Takashi shuddered thinking of someone's brain literally turning into a block of ice from eating the frozen dairy. If that's what happens, then why eat these cold, yet delicious desserts...?

"Brain freeze, Takashi, is what happens you consume cold drinks and foods. It's caused when it hits the roof of mouth."

Takashi cocks his head confusingly, trying his best to wrap his limited knowledge around this idea. "Really? Then why do people do that to themselves? 'Cause it's really painful." Takashi said, a pout nearly crossing his face.

Kaien smiles anyhow, understanding the boy's need for knowledge. "It's hard to explain, my boy. But people enjoy them, nonetheless."

Takashi tried to understand, but he still couldn't get why people would eat these cold foods and experience that pain. It was very painful like someone was stabbing his brain with ice cold needles, a thought that caused his stomach to churn.

Even though giving up on the issue, Takashi questioningly looked down at the empty bowl with liquid from the melted dessert being the only thing left, and then smiles warmly back at the headmaster. "Thank you very much, Kaien-sama. It... was very good." He bows his head respectfully. Takashi had to admit, it was the most delightful thing he had ever tasted.

Kaien curtly nods.

"I'm glad, Takashi..." Was all he said with his usual soft, gentle smile. But there was something about the tone of his voice that Takashi caught at the last second. He sounded almost... sad, and that he was hiding it behind his cheery smile. When he raised his head, he notice something about his eyes. They looked sad, too. Takashi, assuming the case, almost felt guilt from the matter. His day with the headmaster was filled with such laughter and joy, that he almost forgot he was a abandon child left to die. However, the lack of vision in his right eye and the bandages around his arms and neck brought him back to the truth.

The day was fun, but a feeling of longing was dwelling in the back of his mind for reasons unknown. He felt something inside nagging at him, making him feel restless and unsettled. No matter how much he tried to bury that feeling, it always found someway to slink back in.

Hearing the unexpected voice of a woman at his side, Takashi snaps away from his thoughts and turns to the waitress, who was speaking to Kaien.

"How was everything?" She asked with a polite smile.

"Everything was great. Thank you for your hard work."

The waitress turns to the black-haired boy, giving him a warm smile that melted Takashi's insides. He saw something in her eyes just like he did with Kaien seconds ago. A look of pity? Sadness? Takashi keeps a straight face, but he again felt guilt for being a object of pity.

"And how was everything, young man? I hope it was well." She said. Takashi sheepishly bows his head to her and stammers.

"Oh, yes! Everything was very nice. Thank you very much." He raises his head to see a almost surprised look on her face. This was another thing that confused him. He's been polite to everyone he spoke to on the streets, as well as the waitresses of the cafe. Was it so strange that a boy this young had manners? Thoughts and images of how to act would just come to him with no reason. He felt it was normal. Though, during his time in town, he did seen children his age that were loud, playful, rude, or all of the above.

Was I the weird one? He thought.

The waitress clasps her hands to the front of her waist and bows to the two gentleman.

"Thank you, young man. That's very kind."

The waitress, seeing Kaien reach in his coat pocket and assume he was going to pay, waves her hand to him to stop and says.

"Oh, don't worry about pay, sir. My manager told me to let you come and go free."

Simultaneously, Kaien and Takashi raised their brows at this. "Why is that?" Kaien asks.

"I asked him the same, but he didn't say. He only told me that you and your son could eat free." The woman glanced at Takashi upon the sentence. That same look of pity still in her eyes telling him the obvious reason for this. Kaien smiled and thanked the woman after he left a tip on the table. Takashi was dumbfounded at first, but he pieced the puzzle together when he thought back to the looks everyone would give him. He was pitied, no doubt about that. A boy, face covered in gashes and bruises, with a patch on his eye and white bandages around his neck definitely stood out in public.

Such sad eyes people would show him. Why he felt guilt because of this — he did not know. His face began to darken at the thought.

"Takashi...?"

Hearing Kaien's beckoning voice, Takashi jumped a little from his seat. Timidly, after seeing Kaien standing with his open hand out, he scoots out of his seat and bows to the waitress before he hurries to Kaien's side, grasping his hand and waving back at the waitress as he and the headmaster walked out the door.

She returning the same.

Kaien releases Takashi's hand and pulls back his sleeve, taking a look at the time on his watch to see if it was time to go back. He was nearly surprised to see that it was 5:30 in the afternoon. He didn't think he was out this late, but at the same time, he didn't mind. The boy needed time away from his tight knit room.

Only a day there and the boy was already trying to escape, the headmaster jokes in his thoughts.

Kaien reaches his hand back out, expecting Takashi to retake it. However, noticing his hand is still bare, Kaien looks down at the young lad, who he saw was distracted by something evident in his expression. "Takashi, is something-?" Kaien already caught in his sights what it was before he could finish, and his expression darken. Walking past them, an adult man and woman were laugh and carrying on with their conversation. Nothing out of the ordinary, but in both of their grasp between them, a young boy - around Takashi's age - wore a giant grin on his face.

A boy of black hair, just as him. The only exception was his light brown eyes and his normal complexion; unlike Takashi's pale, sickly skin color.

Kaien watched as Takashi's eye followed the happy family when they walked by the two, his heart swelled with pity when he saw Takashi sadly lower his head to the ground. The boy's eye narrows. He couldn't resist the thoughts of putting himself in the spot of that little boy, the thought of loving parent tore at the walls of his heart. Something began to stir, but it wasn't jealously. He wasn't sure what, but he felt like something was missing, maybe a life like that. It hasn't been long since his time with a new mind had started, but there was this strange feeling that aroused in him like it was there before, but now it was working hard trying to break out.

It came up whenever he was around anyone, and literally, anyone who was with a love one and was so happy. Perhaps... it was jealously, he didn't know. He was like a newborn; everything was new to him for the first time, even emotions, and didn't know how to react normally. He pictured himself, and words of self-loathe surrounded his imaginary image.

Self hate hanging over him like a dark cloud, Takashi subconsciously clenches his hand around his other, ignoring the slight pain he was causing to his fingers. Confusion began to cloud his mind, confusion over this damn feeling that was attached to him like a leech. Quiet whimpers somehow escaped under his breath, and he only prayed Kaien was paying no attention.

Suddenly, Takashi gasps, having notice Kaien was in front of him, kneeling down to his height and a hand patting lovingly on his head, comforting him as if the hand was shooing away his depression cloud.

"It's all right, Takashi. There's no need to cry..." Said Kaien, his hazel orbs expressing sympathy.

"Huh? B-But I'm not crying, Kaien-sa-"

ソング Yuki Kajiura - Inevitabilis ソング

His sentence is cut off, upon realizing that something wet and warm was streaming down his cheek. He slowly brings his hand to said cheek, and feels a long stream of a tear at his finger tips. Another unnoticeable teardrop fell, resting on his middle finger nail before he shamefully pulled his hand away and dropped it lifelessly to his side.

Guilt mixed with shame, Takashi couldn't bring himself to stare back into Kaien's strong gaze. He hides his broken look behind his long bangs, his one good eye focusing more towards something else to his right, anything besides having Kaien pity him more than he already was.

"... I'm- I'm sorry." Takashi mutters under his breath. Even though meaning those words, he hoped Kaien didn't hear. But he did.

Kaien chuckles softly. "Why are you apologizing, Takashi? You haven't done anything wrong-"

"But I have." Takashi regretfully interrupts. Kaien's brows furrowed, confused by this sudden change in him.

"I... I'm so s-sorry." Takashi's small form trembled gently. He brings a clenched hand to his face, lightly pressing it against his tear-filled eye in hopes he would stop them from falling. "I-I don't mean to be like this. I'm... I'm very happy, I am. But I... I don't deserve you to be so kind to me. I-I don't want to burden you or annoy you because of me. I-"

Takashi suddenly gasps, feeling Kaien wraps his hands around his torso and lift him up in the air with him, holding the boy's small stature against his chest like a parent soothing their crying child. Kaien pats the back of the boy's head and supports him up as he nonchalantly continues his way down the street.

"Shh... That's enough of that. You're still in a fragile state, my boy. You mustn't think such thoughts." Kaien felt helpless, with no other words he could think of to calm the young lad. Gently, as the words hit home, Takashi wraps his arms around Kaien's neck and lays his cheek against his shoulder. He flinched as his cheek made contact with the man's shoulder when a sudden jolt of pain shot through him, but he stays his place and let the pain subside.

Silent tear falling from his face, Takashi nuzzles his head on the crook of the headmaster's neck. His tired, and pained body began to relax itself as he was being carried back.

"I'm... I'm sorry." Takashi heaved out from his exhausted voice.

"Hm? Why are you apologizing, my boy?" Kaien smiles tenderly.

"I... Because I don't want to be... burdening you-"

"But you're not." Kaien interrupts. "You're too hard on yourself, Takashi. In no way are you burdening me; Everything is by my choice. Understand?"

Takashi heard the sincerity in his voice, but there was still doubt in the back of his mind. Nonetheless, he yawns before he give a curt nod to ensure Kaien knew he understood.

"Why would think you were burdening me, Takashi? That's quite a big thing for a boy your age to worry about." Kaien asks, readjusting his parental grip around the child.

The headmaster could tell by the short silence that he was hesitating.

"Because..." Takashi hesitates once more, and then speaks back up in a voice that told Kaien he was on the verge of tears. "Because... You're not my real papa. Real papas are the ones who should spend time with their kids. But I'm not yours. It's not fair... that I'm wasting your time-"

"Takashi..." Takashi nearly shuddered hearing his name in a almost angered, annoyed tone. But then, Kaien's next words were in a more soft, warm voice; his usual voice that soothed the child's nerves. "Takashi, what did I say before? Everything is by my choice. I chose to come and be with you. I may not be your papa, but it doesn't matter if we're related by blood. And it shouldn't to you either..."

Takashi's eye widened slight, pondering a bit on Kaien's words that seemed to make sense to him. He did realize that he wasn't the only one. There are many children out in the world who either never experience the love of a parent, or have grown up with foster families. Takashi was one of the lucky ones. But there was still one thing...

"Kaien-sama?"

"Yes?

"...Why don't I have a mama or a papa?""

Takashi suddenly felt Kaien's muscles tense up, his feet stopped abruptly in their tracks and Takashi immediately knew he asked a sensitive question, but he didn't hesitate to press on. "Why... Why do the other kids I've seen today have a mama and papa and I don't? Did I... do something wrong? Did I do something so bad that I don't deserve any...?"

Though Takashi couldn't see the headmaster's face past his shoulder, Kaien's expression darkens and his eyes narrowed to the concrete street. He parted his lips, but he shut them right up as he evaluated to what he could say to put the child's mind at ease. Sadly, however, nothing he thought of came to him. How could he explain to him of what happen? What could he tell him that won't cause his already fragile mind to break? He never felt so helpless when it came to this.

Takashi, noticing Kaien's lack for words, leans back and studied the look on Kaien's face, his own expression mimicking the man's sadden look when he realized the cause of such a face.

"Kaien... sama?"

The man jumped suddenly back to reality. His face soften and a gentle smile grace his lips the moment he turned and saw Takashi's worried stare.

"I'm sorry, Takashi. I was just thinking..."

The boy cocks his head curiously, his worry evident in his eye. Takashi's overactive imagination took its course, he assumed the worse cause of the somber mood that has shadowed over them. Softly, Takashi brought his hand to Kaien's head and pats gently through his hair. Kaien chuckles from the action, his facial features soften again as he raised a brow at the boy, who had a tiny smile on his face.

"What are you doing, Takashi?" he laughs again.

"When ever I felt sad, you always pat my head and it makes me feel better. I want to try it too, so you're not sad. I don't like it when Kaien-sama is sad... Kaien-sama shouldn't be sad..."

The smile on Kaien saddens, but also warmly from the boy's affection. Even though he was in a bad state, he reacted according to what his heart told him to, and his actions spoke much of his personality. The child still retained much of his young innocence, that much was clear from what he has seen. It was very good, but it was also a sad thing as well. With no memories, he passed aside a life of the unknown and looked into the present time. But with it, was he choosing to forget a time that may have been important? Or was it for his own good?

For now, only time will tell; time heals all wounds, or so they say, will be put to the test.

"Thank you, Takashi..." Kaien takes the caring hand and removes it, returning the hand back to its owner. "That means a lot. It really does."

Takashi, his confused face showing more understanding, nods and then rests his chin back on the adult's shoulder. When Kaien started walking again, Takashi listened closely to each step the headmaster took, he felt comfortable and sleepy as the sound of his feet resembled that of a ticking clock. Even if alone in the dark, the tick of a clock was his friend. Takashi nuzzles his head into the man's coat and yawned softly as he tightens lightly around his neck, wishing this feeling would last.

That it wouldn't end.

"... I wish you were my papa, Kaien-sama." Was what the child mutters tiredly before his exhaustion claimed him.

Kaien looks out of the corner of his spectacles, and sees a small, tranquil smile across his worn, asleep face. Feeling humble, the headmaster rests his hand on the back of Takashi head, lightly ruffling his hair as a smile graced his lips. He didn't know what he was doing, in all honesty. Until now, he felt like he was making everything up as he goes, but now, he was beginning to feel like he was doing something right.

ソング Vampire Knight OST - Lingering Suspense ソング

His small relief is interrupted, when a sudden dark aura swept across him and the feeling of eyes on his back caused the hair on the back of his neck to stand. The streets were spacious and vacant, not a soul was in sight. But his instincts never betrayed him when they sent out warning signs. Someone was watching him, he could practically smell the evil and violent presence that felt so close. Kaien's expression hardened, not even daring to stop and search for this unknown presences and confront them.

He can't, not till the child is safe

... But where else is truly safe anymore?

His pace quickens, his grip around the boy firmly tightens protectively as if he let go, he would be pulled out of his grasps. He was strangely thankful the boy had passed out. The situation would have been much worse and harder to explain to him. Thankful, the further he went, the more the aura dissipated. However, his speedy pace didn't slow up one bit.

A pair of eyes, redder than even blood, penetrated from the blackness of the alleyway and watched the man's fleeing form. A smirk hungrily comes across his face as Kaien was further away from his position. Once he couldn't see his retreating form, he nonchalantly steps out from the shadows with his hands in his pocket. A soft chuckle escaped under his breath, him imagining the screams of pleading the child would be crying out when he carries out his sick intentions turned it into a maniacal laugh.

Almost instantly, his face hardened and he slouches down, his blonde hair concealing his one eye and let the other out for all to see.

"I'll finally have you at last. You won't get away this time..."

By the time Kaien had reached the hospital, the sun was nearly gone from the sky and barely provided any light for him to see. Luckily, as he approached the front doors, he notices the auburn nurse, pacing back and forth as she fiddled with her thumbs. Her anxious state relieved itself when she turns and saw the male carrying the boy in his arms.

She sighs with relief, nearly rushing up to him to what seem like she was frantic, what with her crazed feature and her agitated fiddling of her thumbs.

"There you are, Cross-san! Do you realize how long you've been gone!?"

Kaien presses his index finger to his lips and makes a hush noise, motioning for her to not be so loud to awaken the young lad. She, noticing the peaceful expression upon the child's sleeping face, quickly covers her mouth with her two hands, eyes wider than plates sheepishly.

"Oh, please forgive me." she says quietly. "But really, you've been gone for a very long time."

"Hm? Is there something wrong?" Asked Kaien as he curiously cocks his head.

Even as the auburn shook her head as she sheepishly smiled, he saw that her hands and legs were fidgety with anxiety and bullet-like sweat was pouring down her face.

"Oh, no. Nothing at all. You just returned later than I hoped. I was... just a bit worried."

Kaien's brow rose slightly. "Why is that? If you're worried about Takashi's safety, I assure you, he's safe with me."

The woman shook her head again, albeit a bit more calmly. "That's not it at all. I... I was a little worried about you two staying out too late. After all..." Her face suddenly darken, the gentleness of hers melted away and worry and sadness had taken its place. Kaien blinked, noticing her furrow brows like she was deep in thought. "The city is very dangerous at night. The last thing I would want is to see you two become hurt..." Then in a snap, her usual gentle and happy face came as she looks away from the ground and back at the man. "But... you're here in one piece, so I guess I should stop worrying. After all, I know he's safe with you. I notice Takashi putting much trust in you,"

Though she didn't say anything, the red-head notice something that she could see behind Kaien's slightly narrowed eyes.

"Plus, I wanted to give him a reason to smile, and from the look on his face now, I can see you made it happen. He... really does have a adorable smile." She finishes, clasping hands behind her back. She takes a few steps forward till she was a few inches away and in close arm reach. Gently, the auburn brushes some strands of Takashi's hair, making some of the gashes on his face visible. Almost motherly like, she lovingly strokes his cheek, careful not to press to hard because of the large bruise.

As her eyes sadly narrow, Kaien — out of nowhere — ask a question that he was curious about the moment he met her.

"Ma'am, you wouldn't happen to have children of your own, would you?"

"Hmm?" Snapping her out of a sudden trance, the auburn furrowed her brows a little at the headmaster. "That's... a very random question."

"I mean no offense. I've only notice of your protectiveness and motherly behavior to him. Most of the other staff speak well of you, of course. I'd be shook if you weren't a parent yourself."

Even if she didn't show it, she felt humbled by this fact. However, there was more to it than just someone's parental instincts to a beaten child. But her soft face darkens, and she tried hard to hide it as she turned her head away and dug into her pocket, pulling out a brown leather wallet. Due to the discoloring of the leather, Kaien knew the woman had it for a long time.

"Here..." The woman flips out the wallet, holding open as she handed it to Kaien. The headmaster observed the inside of her billfold, seeing a driver's license with the name, "Hana Tachibana" and a number of other cards that she had received over the years. He highly doubted that she gave this to him to show him her things, but then he caught a picture in the see-through pocket. The picture was of the red-head woman, along with her, a tall man that she only went to his chest with brown hair and brown eyes. Standing in front of them, a little boy with hair and eyes of his mother, smiling gleefully into the camera as he was holding onto both of his parents' hands.

Based on the woman's sundress and both of the husband and child's summer attire, it was taken during the warm season.

Kaien smiles as he coos. "Is this your family?"

The woman smiles along with him, a soft chuckle escaped as she nodded. "Yes, it is."

"Your son is a strapping young man. He looks just like his mother."

Hana laughs before Kaien continues. "How old is he?"

Suddenly, the smile on her face slowly was beginning to fall, till it had become a smile written with sadness. "...He would've been 16 this year."

Kaien eyes widened slightly in shock, realizing what she meant by those words. As Hana slowly takes back the wallet, she holds out the opening to her and she looks upon the photo with much pain in her hazel orbs.

ソング Motoi Sakuraba - Tears of Compassion ソング

"My husband and son were murdered 10 years. I was a intern at this hospital at the time, and they were brought in to be treated for vicious wounds... very similar to Takashi's." Hana brings the opening to her chest, feeling her heart ache as the memories of that long, dreadful night tormented her mind. "I was told that they were attacked by a gang of 5 or so during one of my son's evening walks. That boy, he always love going out at night and stargazing... When I learned they were brought in, they wouldn't let me treat them or even see them. They said I wasn't fit to handle this situation because I was overtly emotional. Of course I was... My husband and son weren't even recognizable anymore; their bodies and their faces were mangled, like a group of rabid dogs had attacked them and ripped them apart. They... didn't survive the night."

Kaien's heart swelled with sympathy for the woman, especially when he could see how hard she was trying to keep her composure. Occasionally, her hands would clench tightly around the rims of the wallet, her own usually calm voice was filled with much angst. Even as she held her smile, a single tear runs down her cheek.

"I was tempted to quit my internship after the funeral, but... that isn't what my husband would want, nor my son. This boy... is so much like my little boy, it's almost scary." she chuckled sarcastically to herself. "When I first saw him when you brought him in, I remembered that night. I thought it was happening all over again. I just-"

Hana gasps, feeling a comforting hand placed upon her shoulder. Staring back into Kaien's understanding and empathetic face, she silently exclaims as she wipes away stray tears and tried to go back to her composed facade.

"I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to bring up my life story. I'm sure I bored you."

Kaien shook his head. "Not at all, Miss Tachibana. I'm... only sorry that you went through such a horrible experience."

"... Thank you. But it's all right. I've reflected over what happened and put it in perspective. I miss them terribly, yes. But this job... allows me to help other families, so they would never go through what I have." Her gaze falls melancholic upon Takashi once more. "Even if damage was done, the wounds can be healed. Takashi is no different..."

Silence fell before them for a few, then Kaien breaks it after he firmly tightens his grip on her shoulder.

"You're a very strong woman, Miss Tachibana. You have my respect, and I'm sure your family is very proud of you."

Hana paused for a moment, reflecting upon the man's words before she nods. "I... hope you're right."

Suddenly, Takashi moaned lightly and moved around a bit in Kaien's one arm grasps, gently rubbing his eye as he yawn lightly. "Huh? Where... am I?"

"Ah, Takashi. You're awake." Said Kaien. "How do you feeling?"

Takashi, eyes still groggily half-lidded, looks all around his surroundings before he forced himself to wake up. "I... I'm fine. My head kinda hurts though."

Hana brushes asides some stray strings of Takashi's charcoal hair, smiling as Takashi notice her and he smiled back. "So, how was today? Did you have fun?"

Takashi nods lightly. "Uh-huh. Kaien-sama took me around to see this really pretty lady play on a guitar. He also took me to a place where pretty ladies give you food. I got ice cream, and I also got a freeze brain."

Hana raised a brow at first till she realized his twisted words. She smiles and laughs as she smooths his hair. "Brain freeze. I think you meant brain freeze, Takashi."

Takashi sheepishly blushes. "Oh, oops..."

"Can you stand, Takashi?" Kaien asks after a laugh, his grip loosening a bit as he assumed a yes, which was correct as Takashi glances at Kaien and nods. Kaien lightly grasps him sides and gently plants him on his feet. Takashi was wobbly at first, his legs have yet to wake up, but Kaien kneels sightly and places his hands firmly on his shoulders and holds him in place till the boy could find his balance. With in a few seconds, Takashi turned to Kaien nods, telling him he was okay to stand on his own.

As Kaien lets go, Takashi is met with a open hand to him from the auburn nurse, who was smiling gently to him. "It's getting very late, Takashi. Let's go, okay?" Strangely, with his hand clasped to his chest, Takashi was reluctant to take the nurses hand. He glances back at the headmaster to see his face, who show tenderness as usual as he nodded him, motioning him to go on. But... he didn't want to.

Takashi wraps his arms around the man's upper thigh, since his height was so small and could only reach so far, and tightens his grip around him very clingy, like this was the last time he would ever see him again. A feeling of dread began to settle in the pit of his stomach as he held as tight as his little strength could let him.

"Thank you, Kaien-sama." He slowly looks up into his face and beams to him. "I had a lot of fun today. Can we do it again soon? Pleaseee?" he pleading with big, expressive eyes. Kaien, chuckling humorously, kneels slightly and pats the child's head.

"I had fun too, Takashi. I would like to do it again."

"Pinky promise?"

Raising a timid little picky out, Kaien smiles as he locks his own with the child, the two reflexively feeling their hearts once filled with worry soften and a small light of hope peeked through.

"Oh! Before I go..." Kaien suddenly was acting secretive, pulling the little boy closer to him as rested down on one knee. "Here, take this." Kaien whispers, digging into his coat pocket and pulls out what looks to be a pocket knife. Takashi, after gingerly taking it from his offering hand, looks back at the man with a sightly wide eye, confused and frighten by what was given to him.

"Keep this with you, but don't tell Nurse-san or anyone else you have it. Keep it a secret..."

Takashi glances down at the black painted base of the contraption before he looked back with a brave look with a curt nod. After which, he stuffs the knife into his pocket, turning around on his heel and walks to the nurse, latching onto the woman's hand. The two waved to each other till Takashi was no longer in his view, and simultaneously, his expression that once had his usual warm demeanor fades and then hardens as he turned and walked out of the hospital gates

The streets of the city were vacant, save for a few strays of people hurrying to be home. But one stranger in particular, Kaien was approaching with cautious steps and eyes shifting left and right to spy for any dangers. He soon stood by the side of a man leaning about against the brick wall of the building with his arms and legs crossed in front of him. Dressed in dark jeans and a black hoodie that concealed his face, one would think that Kaien was approaching a random thug. This was no such case as his once harden face softened by the presence of the man.

"Ah, there you are. I suppose you've been waiting?" Kaien said to the man.

Pure mystery hanging all around this stranger, the man turns his head a little at the headmaster. Strands of tousled black hair fell to the side from his hood as he gave a small nod to reply to his question.

Kaien wanly smirks."I see. I'm glad you've come at the right time. I need your help..." Kaien's voice portraying a hint of pleading. Silent still, the man nods again and flips off his hood, giving the headmaster his visible and pale face. His sharp gaze a darker green, unlike little boy's light jade eyes.

"Sure..." Was all he said before he motioned for him to speak.

— Author's Note —

I'm really sorry for not updating for a month. But I wanted it to be perfect, which it probably isn't, but that's just my perfectionist ways getting the best of me. Now with this I'm splitting this chapter into two parts, and hopefully, the next part won't take too long to bring to you. Thanks so much for reading^_^ Please review; leave me your thoughts