Chapter 5
Kyo was walking around. It was early in the morning, around six o'clock. "Damn dreams. The cafeteria doesn't even start serving food for another hour." Kyo then noticed Kat standing against a tree. There was a lit cigarette in her mouth. "You know that's a filthy habit," warned Kyo.
"Are you going to try and convince me to stop?" questioned Kat.
"Nope, I was going to ask for one," said Kyo. Kat smirked and handed him a cigarette. Kyo put it in his mouth. "Do you have a light?" Kat used her fire powers to light the cigarette. "Thanks."
"I didn't know you smoked," stated Kat.
"I only smoke when I'm having a rough time, like whenever the Mibu attack." Kyo blew out a puff of smoke. "Mahiro tried to get me to stop and for the most part she succeeded. This is the first cigarette I've had in nearly a year. So, Leo told me that you're being transferred into this school."
"Yeah, most of the people seem nice. That Midori girl, she certainly is interesting. I've never seen anyone that happy that often." Kat let out a puff of smoke.
"Yeah," said Kyo with a smile. He let out another puff of smoke. "She seems to be in love with my friend Yuusuke, but he keeps saying that he has no idea who she is. And that Sanae girl, Mahiro told me that she defiantly has a crush on Leo, but Leo is just too dense to figure it out."
"What's Mahiro like?" asked Kat.
Kyo chuckled slightly. "It's almost impossible to describe Mahiro without sounding like some cliché romantic. To put it simply, she is the love of my life and I don't know what I would do without her."
Now Kat chuckled as she let out some smoke. "You're right, that is completely cliché." She exhaled one last time then put out her cigarette.
"I warned you."
"So what's the deal with you and the Mibu?"
Kyo let out one more puff of smoke before he put out his cigarette in the ground. "You know, for someone who keeps so many secrets you certainly have a lot of questions."
"That doesn't really answer my question," said Kat, slightly annoyed. "So I'll ask again; what is it between you and the Mibu?"
"Now that is my little secret. You want to find out, I'm sure someone will tell you." Kyo then walked away. 'Time for breakfast…'
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Soon, class began and Leo was at his seat, waiting patiently. If all went well then his sister would be arriving any minute now. The teacher came in and the students got to their seats quickly, shuffling back into their chairs as the teacher opened the roster.
"Class, we have another student joining us. She is an exchange student and will be included with all the other girls. Her name is Neko Katherine Hasuma." The teacher turned towards the door and called, "Hasuma-san, please, come in."
Kat walked into the room wearing the standard girls' uniform and with her bow ribbon in her hair. She said to the class, "Call me Kat, by the way, and if you know Leo, he's my brother."
The rest of the class turned to look curiously at Leo who waved in embarrassment.
"And if you want to know why our surnames are different, it's none of your business. I'll tell you when I want to tell you," Kat finished.
"Alright, Hasuma-san, your seat will be behind Mahiro." Kat nodded and took her seat and the lesson began. For once Kyo was actually paying attention. Mahiro on the other hand was asleep. The teacher noticed this. "Mahiro! Wake-up!" The teacher threw a tea kettle. Everyone thought that it was headed toward Mahiro, but it actually hit Kyo right in the head.
"Sensei! What the hell?!" yelled Kyo rubbing the growing bump on his head.
"Well, I can't hit a girl" replied the teacher.
"Figures, the one time I actually pay attention in class and I get hit in the head" said Kyo, slightly irritated.
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Hotaru was in the forest staring into the sky. "Kyo… are you strong. You left to become stronger, to find your own strength. So have you become stronger?"
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Lunch was almost over. Everyone was in class talking to each other. Futaba was at her desk, watching Yuusuke, who was talking to Kyo and Leo. Yuusuke walked over to her. "Hey, Kutsuki. Are you doing better?"
Futaba stood up, "I'm fine." She walked away, pushing Yuusuke aside.
Reika was antagonizing Midori about this. "Hey don't they seem to be getting along pretty well? Something must have happened that night. I can't think of any other reason for it…" said Reika.
"What do you mean?" questioned Midori.
"To be exact, maybe they're not strangers anymore."
Midori looked shocked by this. "No way!" She stormed over to Yuusuke. "Yuusuke-kun!"
"What is it?" asked Yuusuke, a little shocked.
"I have something to discuss with you!" Midori grabbed Yuusuke by his shirt collar and pulled him out of class.
"I'm innocent! Innocent, I swear!" Kyo and Leo blinked in confusion.
"Now that was strange, even for me" said Leo.
"I better make sure they're okay" said Kyo. He sighed and walked out of the class.
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Kyo hid behind a tree, keeping an eye on Yuusuke and Midori, who were talking.
"So? What did you want to talk about?" asked Yuusuke.
"I… I… Yuusuke-kun… I trust you, but…" began Midori.
"Huh?" asked Yuusuke.
"Nothing happened between you and Futaba-chan right?"
"W- Wait a minute?"
"Because Futaba-chan has been acting weird ever since then…"
Yuusuke sighed and turned around to head back to class, "Nothing happened."
Midori was excited by this. "Really!? You mean it!? That's such a relief… Oh my, I thought you were having an affair and I jumped to conclusions. It's not that I doubted you, but I was worried and…"
"Stop it already!" yelled Yuusuke.
"Um, Yuusuke-kun?"
"What if something did happen between me and Kutsuki? Even if Kutsuki was acting weird, why would that concern you?"
Midori was becoming sad. "Because…"
Yuusuke turned and yelled at Midori. "Come to think of it, who are you!? Like I said before, I don't know you!" Midori turned and ran back to class, crying.
'Yuusuke you idiot. I better go check on Midori' thought Kyo. He ran to catch up with Midori.
"She's a strange one…" began Yuusuke.
"You're the strange one!" yelled a voice from the trees. Yuusuke began looking around for the voice.
"I feel so sorry for Midori-chan…" said a second voice.
"Making a girl cry! You're the worst" exclaimed a third voice.
"No, you should make them cry once in a while…" said the first voice. "Because they say; 'the more a woman cries, the better woman she will become'."
"Where the heck are you guys!?" yelled Yuusuke. Bacchi-Gu dropped down in front of him hanging from a rope. Ichiban-Boshi and Tenjin dropped down behind him, both hanging from ropes. "What are you three up to?"
Bacchi-Gu smiled mischievously.
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Class had begun, but Yuusuke and the Baka Trio had yet to return. "Can anyone tell me the answer to this problem? How about… Chitose?" Midori wasn't paying attention, too distracted about what Yuusuke had said. "Chitose?"
Reika grabbed Midori by the shoulder and began to shake her. "Midori? Midori! Hey, Midori!"
"Think you can ignore me Chitose!" The teacher once again threw his tea kettle.
'Good thing I don't sit anywhere near Mid--' Kyo's thoughts were interrupted when the tea kettle hit him in the head. "What the hell?! I don't even sit near Midori!" yelled Kyo, massaging his new bump.
"I still can't hit a girl. Where are Takazaki and the others?"
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The Baka Trio was checking out the girl's dormitory. "Are you really planning on sneaking in there?" asked Yuusuke.
"Of course! And we have a brilliant plan!"
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Yuusuke and the Baka Trio were sneaking toward the girl's dormitory in boxes. "This is your brilliant plan?" It was now nearing midnight and the girls were going to bed. "How did I get tricked into this…?"
(Flashback)
"I'm not going!" yelled Yuusuke as he tried to get away.
Bacchi-Gu and Ichiban-Boshi jumped in front of him, looking pathetic. "I'm so jealous, being able to be friends with the girls comes so easily to you, Yuusuke" said Ichiban-Boshi.
"He's one of those cold-hearted people that only think about themselves after all…" added Bacchi-Gu.
"If you're with us, even if we get caught, they'll forgive us…" said Ichiban-Boshi.
"Why should they!?" yelled Yuusuke.
"Please Yuusuke!" begged the Baka Trio. Yuusuke sighed in defeat.
(End Flashback)
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Kyo was walking through the forest, his sword attached to his hip. He stopped in the center of a clearing. "Why don't you come out?" asked Kyo. Only the howling wind answered him. "I know you're here, so why don't we just get this over with."
"Maouen!" a pitch black flame shot at Kyo from the forest. Kyo jumped out of the way and waited for the next strike.
"Hotaru… I had a feeling it was you. Why don't you come out here so we can finish this?" suggested Kyo. He drew his blade. "Well then, if you won't come out… Mizuchi!" Kyo shot a powerful blade of wind from his sword toward the origin of Hotaru's attack. Hotaru jumped from the forest as Kyo's attack sliced through several trees. He flipped in the air and slashed at Kyo, who easily blocked. "Took you long enough Hotaru…" The two fighters slashed at each other. "Why are you here Hotaru? Did Nobunaga send you?"
"I came here on my own. I don't give a shit about what Nobunaga has planned for you; I just want to fight you…" Kyo smirked and charged at Hotaru.
Neither of them realized that Mahiro was watching them fight until… "Mahiro, stop hiding." Mahiro walked out from behind a tree.
"Who's this Kyo?" asked Hotaru.
"She's none of your concern; your fight is with me!" Kyo charged at Hotaru.
"Kyo, be careful…"
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Reika and Midori were in their room. Midori was still sad about what had happened earlier that day. Reika was fanning herself off. "It's so hot…" She looked at Midori. "You understand now, don't you? That your love is just one sided?!"
"That's not how it is…"
"You're the one always starting conversations with him, and you're the one that always goes to him first. He never comes to you! See? You were the only one that thought you were lovers, and Yuusuke-san never had the slightest feelings for you. He was probably extremely troubled by a girl following him around who's not even his girlfriend." Midori got teary-eyed by Reika's harsh words. She began to cry and pulled her blanket over her head.
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Futaba was sitting on her futon, thinking of Yuusuke. "Hey Futaba, what's on your mind?" asked Kat. Kat and Futaba had become fast friends.
Futaba began to blush, "It's nothing." Futaba's head perked up when she heard something. She grabbed the bat beside her. "Call your brother, we're about to have some uninvited guests."
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Kyo and Hotaru were slashing at each other. There were scorch marks all around them. "Looks like you've gotten stronger, Hotaru."
"I wish I could say the same to you Kyo. If anything you've gotten weaker. What happened to your strength?"
"You haven't even begun to see my strength yet… And after I kick your ass, do something for me. Go back to the Mibu Lands. Go back and tell them… I don't care if you're one of the Five Stars or one of the Four Elders… I'll cut down anyone who gets in my way!"
"What weakened you Kyo? Friends? Or a woman? Either would be a shame. Not that it matters now. I'll deliver your message. I wanted to talk to Shinrei, anyway. But that'll have to wait." Hotaru jumped back. "First, I take your head! Gather spirits of flame! To my right hand come-- lend your strength to the god of destruction! Ma'oh-en!" A pitch black flame shot at Kyo, powerful enough to turn Kyo into ash.
"Kyo!!!" screamed Mahiro.
"SUZAKU!!!" a large firebird exploded from Kyo's sword, destroying Hotaru's attack. When the smoke cleared. Kyo was weak but seemed fine. Hotaru was completely exhausted, and his left shoulder was dislocated.
"Oh, now that was quite the light show Kyo!" said a voice. Mahiro looked next to her to see a man dressed like a hippie.
"Who-- Who are you?" asked Mahiro.
"Who me? Well… Some call me Chinmei of the Five Stars. Enchanted" said Chinmei, bowing to Mahiro.
"Chinmei, what are you doing here?" asked Hotaru.
"Nobunaga-san sent me here. He wants you to come back."
"Well too bad, I'm fighting Kyo right now."
"It wasn't a suggestion…" Chinmei walked up to Hotaru and jabbed him in the forehead with only three fingers. Hotaru was knocked out cold. "Time to go back…" Chinmei picked up Hotaru and turned to Kyo. "I'll see you around, Kyo-san! So long, Miss Mahiro." Chinmei then disappeared.
'Damn, I need a smoke…' thought Kyo.
'Why didn't you let me fight? I would have killed that bastard Hotaru,' said Demon Eyes Kyo.
'That's exactly why; I don't want you to kill him.' Kyo then fell to his knees, exhausted. He began to breathe heavily.
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Sanae was looking out the window, staring at the beautiful sight before her. "Look, Wakaba-chan! It's a phoenix!"
"You're right, Sanae-chan. Now I think it's time to go to sleep," Wakaba went over to her futon and fell asleep. "Night, Sanae-chan."
"Night, Wakaba-chan" replied Sanae. She then fell asleep and began to dream of a certain blue-armored knight.
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The Baka Trio, and Yuusuke, crawled toward the dorms. However Futaba stood in their way ready to swing her bat. 'Now is my chance!' thought Ichiban-Boshi. He leapt out of his box. "Futaba-chan!" Futaba then swung the bat with all her might. Ichiban-Boshi was sent flying.
"Retreat!" exclaimed Bacchi-Gu. Tenjin, Bacchi-Gu and Yuusuke made a run for it. They jumped and hid behind some bushes, still in their boxes.
"After them! Ikuzo! Ikuzo! Ikuzo!" Kat shouted as she jumped into the bushes. Leo was with Futaba and leaned against a tree where he had tied Ichiban-Boshi up against. The sounds of screams and hitting could be heard. "Take that you god damn perverts! You can't run from me!"
Futaba looked at Leo and then to where Kat was beating the crud out of the perverts. She asked, "Okay, are you really brother and sister?"
He shrugged, "Hai, we are. Of course, onee-chan is the more violent one of us. I'm a pacifist, really. I just fight when there is no other choice." Bacchi-Gu, Yuusuke and Tenjin were thrown over the bush, with black and blue bruises. Kat walked over and rubbed her hands together in satisfaction.
"Well now, look what we have here," Kat grinned down on them. They gulped in fear. "Now, what should we do with them?"
Leo looked at Yuusuke in concern and said, "We should let Yuusuke-san go. I do believe that he was forced into this."
Futaba glared at Yuusuke but her expression softened, "Well, he's not much of a perv compared to these three. Knowing them they must've peer-pressured him into doing it."
Kat sighed and then lifted Yuusuke up by the collar of his shirt and threw him over to Leo who helped him to stand. Leo offered, "I'll get him some first aid. Onee-chan, Futaba-san, please take care of the other three." Putting Yuusuke on his back, Leo carried the boy back to the boys' dormitories.
Kat cracked her knuckles as Futaba tap her bat against her other hand, grinning, "Oh, we intend to…"
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Kyo was back in his dorm room when Leo walked in with a bruised Yuusuke on his back. He asked, "What the hell happened to him?" Leo then explained and Kyo nodded.
"Those morons never learn," Kyo groaned as Leo laid Yuusuke on the bed and then opened up a first aid kit.
"My onee-chan and Futaba-san are taking care of them," Leo answered. Kyo blinked.
"Futaba? She let you call her by her first name?"
"Hai, she did," Leo wrapped the bandages around Yuusuke's arms. Midori then burst into the room.
"Yuusuke-kun!" cried Midori.
"Mi-- Midori-san?" questioned Yuusuke. "I'm sorry for earlier, Midori-san."
"It's okay…" said Midori. Her face softened as she leaned in to give Yuusuke a kiss.
"Midori-chan!" Reika burst in, interrupting the moment.
"Does no one knock anymore?" asked Kyo.
"It's time for bed! Let's go!" yelled Reika. She grabbed Midori by her collar and pulled her away.
"No wait! Reika-chan!" exclaimed Midori, trying to fight back. Reika pulled Midori out.
"So, Kyo, did you see that phoenix earlier?" asked Leo.
"Yeah, that was actually me," replied Kyo.
"Nani?!" exclaimed Leo. "How?" Kyo then explained what had happened. "It sounded like you knew that Hotaru guy."
"I do. He was my best friend a few years back…"
(Flashback)
Kyo was sitting in an alleyway with Hotaru and someone with pink hair. Empty beer bottles surrounded them. "So Kyo, where do you plan on going?" asked the person with pink hair.
"I don't have a clue Akari," replied Kyo, his words slightly slurred.
"But I'm going to miss you!" whined Akari. "Life's no fun with only Hotaru around!"
"What?" asked Hotaru.
"See! He's even more empty-headed when he's drunk!"
"How about this, when we next meet, if you can beat me in a 1-on-1 fight… I'll marry you."
"Deal!" exclaimed Akari. Hotaru smiled at this.
"Wait, what just happened?" asked Hotaru. "Where am I? And who are you people!?"
"Hotaru… shut-up," said Kyo.
(End Flashback)
"I had almost forgotten about that little promise I made to Akari," said Kyo with a laugh.
"Little?! You promised to marry that person!" yelled Yuusuke.
"That is a little big, Kyo-san" added Leo.
"Well, we were both drunk at the time so I doubt that Akari remembers" said Kyo with a laugh.
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Kat looked up at her handiwork with satisfaction. The Baka Trio were all tied up and hanging down the tree by their ankles with paper signs on them that read 'Hentai, do not untie.'
"Well, our work here is done, Futaba," Kat said with a yawn. "Let's go get some sleep."
"Goodnight, boys," Futaba teased as she followed after her roommate. The Baka Trio struggled and screamed but they were muffled by the gags in their mouths.