His Dark, Kind Soul

Author's Note: There are only a few chapters left to this story. I think you'll have several questions after reading this chapter and I will endeavor to have all of them answered by the time the story ends. Once again, a heartfelt thanks to all those who reviewed and to everyone who continues to support this fanfic.

Chapter 7: A Certain Level of Analytical Skill

Present day, Alice Academy Study Hall, Natsume Hyuuga at age thirteen

Several students in the study hall were busy writing projects, creating presentations or practicing for classroom productions. A steady din could be heard inside the room as students of different year levels walked about exchanging notes and ideas. However, mingled with the intellectual racket were the bleep, crash and blast of the handheld game console played by Youichi Hijiri who sat not far from Natsume and Ruka. While none of the other loud noises seemed to bother Natsume, the simulated sounds of that infernal video game grated on his nerves.

Bleep! Bleep! Bam! Ka-boom!

Natsume threw down his pen in disgust then he suddenly stood up. As usual, the whole table was distracted and everyone stopped what they were doing to watch his progress down the aisle. He cast a shadow upon Youichi who sat languidly upon one of the sofas still playing his game with delight.

"Why don't you take that to your room?" Natsume said in an ominous voice.

"I like it here," six-year-old Youichi returned, sparing his mentor only a five second glance. Thoroughly annoyed now, Natsume snatched the console from his hands and ended the game. "Hey! What's the big idea?"

"Why don't you pick up a book?" Natsume said in the same dire voice. "You keep playing this and your brain will turn to mush."

Youichi looked incredulous. "You're not very studious yourself."

"But I read."

"Manga doesn't count," Youichi snorted. "It's about as educational as my video game."

"I didn't know Natsume took cheek," Nonoko commented, back at their table.

"He doesn't," Anna responded grimly.

"I wouldn't be in such a hurry to fry my brain if I were you," Natsume retorted. "You've got a long way to go in this Academy."

"You're coasting through just fine."

"That's because I'm Natsume Hyuuga," he responded with finality. It was arrogant but no one could argue that.

"That game isn't as easy as you think," Youichi countered. He shot to his feet and stole back his game. He held it up smugly. "This takes a high level of analytical skill. It takes strategy and concentration." Natsume's eyes narrowed as he considered Youichi for a moment.

"Do you have the premier version of that?"

"In my room."

Natsume snatched the game a second time then used it to point at Youichi. Everybody was watching now. "If I beat you, will you pick up a book?"

Youichi's startled expression immediately gave way to a manic, eager light. "You're on!"

Just when they were about to discuss the parameters of the challenge, Koko and Kitsuneme entered the room and stole the attention with their fanfare. They dropped their things on the gang's table and beamed identical smiles.

"We just received intelligence," Koko announced proudly.

"Well, it's about time," Mochu muttered to Ruka, who snickered.

Koko made a face. "I mean we just received information that may be the cornerstone of our project."

"Wasn't Natsume your cornerstone?"

"Yeah well, he refuses to help us any further," Kitsuneme informed them just as the Black Cat walked back to the table. "So we need a cornerstone that would actually talk to us."

Natsume looked at them sardonically but the two weren't put off in the slightest. Koko pressed on, "After further research, we discovered a vital piece of information. This detail is so important that it could overturn the whole project and change our lives… forever."

"You're making that up," Mochu said. "There's no way you could uncover something that big."

"Oh ye of little faith," Kitsuneme looked smug. "According to Alice Urban Legends dot com, Kira Samushiro accomplished one final act of greatness in his senior year— so great in fact that it remains unparalleled to this very day."

"And you found this out just now?" Yuu asked skeptically.

"That's what's so brilliant about it!" Koko exclaimed. "We realized we hit a dead end with the whole history thing. There's no way we could go any further back… so we're moving forward instead. Thanks to this speculation in one forum, we've got a new lead."

"You have me at the edge of my seat," Sumire said impatiently. "Just spill already."

Koko wore a toothy grin that Kitsuneme matched. It was obvious they were basking in the attention since even Youichi stuck around to hear their news.

"Apparently, the Master had a protégé."

"His illustrious self trained the boy touted to be the most dangerous kid in the dangerous ability class."

Ruka stiffened and snapped around. Natsume's expression remained carefully impassive but he was gripping his pencil unusually tight. Nobody spoke and the two took that reaction as awe.

Koko continued, "So we broke into— I mean, looked into— the student records one more time. There had been a new student in his Mixed Class the year he disappeared. Just one kid from the Elementary Division and Kira wrote this whole piece about him."

"This kid was amazing. The Wolf was really impressed. He said the boy was a class of his own." Kitsuneme held up a sheet of paper while his partner continued with glee.

"And the kid was nicknamed… Little Nimbus."

Natsume's pencil snapped in two. The act wasn't missed by anyone and they all turned to him in surprise.

"Did the Black Cat meet Little Nimbus?" Kitsuneme asked eagerly.

"No," he said crisply, "In fact, the Black Cat adamantly denies the existence of Little Nimbus."

"Ooh… was he competition?"

"No, he was a nuisance." Natsume gritted his teeth, inexplicable fury igniting in his eyes. "Let me see that document."

"Err… it's actually just a photo."

"And some notes. We couldn't take the whole folder with us."

"Wow, shocker," Hotaru commented dryly.

"Whatever," Natsume said curtly. "Files, now!"

They handed over the materials they gathered and Natsume studied it with grim fascination. Some of their friends stood up to gather around him and read over his shoulder. He was so absorbed with what he was reading that he didn't seem to mind that they were crowding and invading his personal space.

"We think this was written in Kira Samushiro's own hand…"

He pointed to a photo of a post-it stuck to what could only be the Wolf's student record. It had hastily scrawled words that looked like codenames. The rundown seemed to tell the story of Samushiro's train of thought. Natsume cringed when his eyes traveled down the list.

Little Torch

Little Whirlwind

Sundance Kid

Moody Kid

Dark Cloud

Storm Cloud

Then encircled in bright red ink at the bottom of the post-it was…

Little Nimbus

"Sundance, Whirlwind, Storm Cloud…" Mikan read out loud. "Hmm, maybe he controlled the weather."

"Could be," Koko said in agreement. He pulled out another photo. "Samushiro wrote here that the boy was… unpredictable and ever changing."

"Let me see that," Natsume growled, snatching the photo from Koko.

Youichi studied the document then shrugged. "Most dangerous kid in the Dangerous Ability class, huh? Can't say I've ever heard of him. What do you think Natsume?"

Natsume stared at the photos in his hand. His teeth clenched in repressed fury. He was unable to answer because he suddenly felt like he was in the middle of a fine joke that started five years ago. With murder in his eye, he had a single thought.

That blithering son of a—

Five years ago, Alice Academy, Natsume Hyuuga at age eight

"White Wolf to Little Nimbus, over."

There was static then a significant pause. When nobody responded, the voice came over the walkie-talkie again.

"Come in Little Nimbus, over…"

Someone coughed. Mahiro giggled.

"Little Nimbus, are you there? Over." More static, a longer pause. Then eventually, an exasperated voice came in, "Ironsmith, please verify the whereabouts of the egotistical dwarf, over."

Mahiro started to laugh and even Kurt grunted. Natsume scowled. Kunimitsu breathed out, "Ironsmith here. Confirmed visual of Little Nimbus, over."

There was static then, "Little Nimbus, answer your damn walkie-talkie, over."

When Natsume made no move, Kurt hit him on the nape. "Answer him."

Natsume glowered before finally raising the radio to his lips to grumble, "Little Nimbus, here, damn it." He paused. They all stared at him pointedly and he gritted his teeth. "Little Nimbus, here, damn it, over."

"Took you long enough," the Captain said from the other side. "How can you expect to lead this operation if you won't even respond to your teammate? Over."

"Who would respond to your idiotic codenames, you dork?" Natsume yelled into the receiver. Then in afterthought added, "Over."

"We'll discuss that later," Kira said briskly. "I spotted two detonators in the room. One of them is a decoy. You know what to do. You need to get here in two minutes. We'll commence on Little Nimbus' signal. Over."

"Roger that," Natsume replied and they proceeded to wait.

When the second hand reached twelve on their synchronized watches, they started to move. Working quickly and silently, they managed to disable six or seven cameras on their way. They made it halfway across the room before they had to duck behind a couple of crates when they met their first opponent. As the acting lead, Natsume considered his options while the rest waited.

"Okay, I'll… shoot a couple of fireballs to distract him," Natsume muttered. "The rest of you can break out and meet the Wolf at the bomb site. Agreed?"

"Shoot a couple of fireballs?" Mahiro repeated with disdain.

"Do you have a better idea?"

"Well you could say, 'Get ready for my Sunstar Blast!'"

"Huh?"

"Give your move a cooler name!" Mahiro urged in serious whisper. "Don't just call them fireballs! Say, Sunlight Fall or something."

"That's stupid."

"She's got a point," Kunimitsu agreed and Natsume scowled at him. "Dude, come on. You're an eight-year-old with a unique ability. You're practically a superhero."

"Do we really have to discuss this now?" Natsume snapped.

"Oh I know!" Mahiro said playfully. "You could call it, Dance of the Fireflies!"

"Or Blaze of Glory," Kunimitsu quipped.

"Or Rain of Destruction," the typically taciturn Giant put in. At his suggestion, Mahiro and Kunimitsu cracked up.

"Okay fine!" Natsume said through clenched teeth. "I'll use my… Rain of Fire—"

"You can't say it that way," Mahiro chided. "That's such a dull sort of voice. You have to mean it. I'll use my Rain of Fire!"

"Wouldn't that warn the enemy?"

"Yeah, which also means you'll have to move faster."

"But why do I have to announce my attack in the first place?"

"Because it's cooler that way."

"We need to hurry," Kurt cut in. "Our time is almost up. Come on, little captain."

"Fine," Natsume said though he still felt stupid. "Get ready for a Rain of Fire!"

"He's so cute," Mahiro giggled and Natsume backed up but didn't get away in time. She pounced and gathered him in a tight hug.

"We don't have time for this! The Wolf's going to—"

At the end of the room there was an explosion and they all automatically ducked. Orange goo splattered the walls and with it came an odd red smoke. When the room finally stopped shaking, they came to their feet. Warning bells sounded overhead then the lights came on. The image of the warehouse vanished to reveal their training room sloshed with the gunk they had failed to stabilize. The red smoke began to dissipate and they saw a person emerge through the haze.

The White Wolf stood before them covered from head to toe in the same bright orange slime. He wiped a hand over his face to reveal a frightening glare. Mahiro raised a hand to her lips to hide her smile. "Oops."

"I have one question," Kira growled. He shook off some of the goop on his arms before shouting, "What the hell happened to my team?!"

"We got distracted," Kunimitsu said mildly.

"Distracted?" Kira repeated. "If this was a real mission, Narumi would be dead and I'd have mutated into a gigantic, slime-shooting praying mantis."

"Cool."

"No, Sheridan, not cool."

"Well, we were talking about something interesting," she said matter-of-factly. "We were trying to name Little Nimbus' attack moves."

"Such a stupid excuse—" Natsume began, but instead of going off like he expected him to, the Captain started nodding in agreement.

"That's not a bad idea," Kira remarked then he swept his hand in the air to form a curtain of frost. "I call that the Frozen Mantle." Everybody laughed at the look of disgust that came upon Natsume. "Unimpressed?"

"And thoroughly disgusted… Captain."

"Come here and I'll give you a hug," the Wolf said opening his slimy arms to the boy. Natsume scampered away and ducked behind Kurt. "Come on don't be shy…"

"Get a bath!"

"That performance was disappointing and more than slightly disturbing," a voice intoned and they all sobered at once. Davies walked up to them with a clipboard in hand. Narumi stood next to him with a towel around his shoulders. He tossed another to Kira while Davies continued, "I do hope you're not as unfocused on a real mission. If you are, I certainly wonder how you manage to survive."

"Sorry," Mahiro muttered.

"But you're not sorry," Davies contradicted. It was no use arguing with a psychic of his caliber. "You had no intention of taking this test seriously. You take great amusement in always coming in dead last during these activities."

"No need to reprove us," Kira said with irritation. "After all, this is no more than a game. It doesn't really count."

"Nevertheless, I can't believe the best team in the Dangerous Ability class failed their practical," Narumi smiled. "Young Natsume might follow your example."

"Is that so bad?" Kurt asked roughly.

"He is one of us," Mahiro added.

Davies and Narumi exchanged a glance. It had always been their group's criticism. They had a closed-off attitude, almost as though they wanted to remain distinct from the rest of the class. Davies made marks on his clipboard then handed the grading sheet to Narumi.

"You'll know your scores at the end of the month," he said while Narumi handed him three envelopes. "I have here your new assignments. Let's see you practice your skill where it counts. Samushiro, if you wish to discuss the missions, we'll talk in my office."

The envelopes were passed around and Davies walked to the doors of the training room. Kira eyes swiftly ran down the page then he immediately balked.

"Davies, these assignments—"

"In my office," Davies called back. Kira muttered something under his breath then immediately took off after his handler.

"I'm grouped with Mahiro this time," Kunimitsu said, as though he was thinking out loud. "Natsume, you're with Kurt and Kira's working alone."

"That's make this the fifth mission where they've broken us up," Kurt commented. "Do you think that means anything?"

Kunimitsu glanced at Narumi who seemed busy making additional comments on the grade sheet. He sensed someone looking and so he glanced up and waved. Kunimitsu nodded but something inside him quailed.

"Of course it does."

Maybe it would've been better if they had just come together. Unfortunately, the missions weren't assigned that way and that was why there would be consequences for what they did.

The mission was to raid the plant of an illegal weapons manufacturer who was selling his goods to terrorists. That's what Griffin's team was told. The Wolf performed whatever it was that was needed to make it across the province so that he could join them in time for the raid. Half an hour into the operation, everything seemed to go wrong and the place became a madhouse.

Before they could even infiltrate the plant, the team was attacked and they were forced to scatter all over the premises. The Wolf, Griffin and Natsume only had contact left with two other members. Judging the way things were going, it appeared as though they were being herded somewhere. The enemy had been ready for them but more than that, it seemed they knew them well. The attacks had been too directed, too well-planned and too personal.

"This isn't right," Wolf spoke softly.

Griffin nodded in agreement, "Someone's out to get us."

Natsume pressed a hand to his ear in time to pick up from the small receiver tucked there that Sheridan and Ironsmith were finished with their own mission at a different district.

"What's going on there?" Ironsmith asked in concern.

Wolf answered, "I don't know but there's something irregular in this operation. They were ready for us and I don't think they're done."

"Do you want us to join you?"

"No," he said at once. "In fact, cut the frequency. They're listening to us—"

The line went dead. Then there was firing. The Wolf shoved Natsume into the next room just as a barrage of bullets flew past them. Their other members were inside the same room. At the sight of each other, a look of horror passed around the Dangerous Ability students as the realization that they had been outmaneuvered sank in.

"Heads up!" AC suddenly cried and they all jumped out of the way of the silver shards that came at them from above. One of them was pierced at the side and she staggered.

Then the ground shook violently, sending most of them to their knees. That's when Natsume finally saw the enemy. They were standing on the ledge, at the doors, on top of the crates. There seemed dozens of them, wearing masks and trinkets, odd clothes and even armor. They stood silent and still. They had the advantage of being on a higher post, looking down in a condescending way.

"We can do this the easy way or the hard way," one of the masked persons spoke. "Come with us now or we duel."

Kouji, Grey Soldier by code, snorted. "Duel!"

That summed up the negotiations and chaos immediately followed. It was impossible to say who fired first. A swarm of bees came out at the same instance when a portal opened and blades once again shot out towards them. Then from all directions, fighters sprang up engaging each of them in combat. Griffin knocked two of them down with a punch and a forceful kick but they simply got up again and came at him with renewed energy. AC fought off his opponents then immediately drew out lightning and struck down those within vicinity. One of their enemies fell to the ground and to Natsume's shock the head rolled off and he found himself staring at the lifeless eyes of a mannequin.

"They're not real!" the Soldier shouted as he decapitated another dummy. In response Wolf released his Alice and rime settled in the air to reveal fine strings crisscrossing across the room.

"Puppets," AC identified just as the number of opponents tripled.

They backed up until their group was in a tight circle and the dummies surrounded them. Without word, Natsume raised his arm, palm out and fired. The blaze struck down several dolls then traveled to the crates, setting the room on fire. The others cursed at what he had done. The Wolf spotted one of the masked assailants on the ledge come to his feet when he saw Natsume attack. He was holding a small computer. Next to him was another person, the clear puppeteer.

Though on fire, the mannequins got up again and lunged at their team in flames. The blaze caught on everything in storage and the smoke made it harder to see. Everyone was busy with their own struggle and Natsume could do no more than fire at those who came at him and run. He was near the stairs when he saw Sheridan and Ironsmith had suddenly appeared, called upon by either Griffin or the Captain. Sheridan was trying to get their teammates out while Ironsmith had taken a post on the ledge, holding the blades at bay then firing some of them at the dolls who headed for his direction. The room was falling apart and at the crucial moment when the enemy seemed to be on the verge of winning, Ironsmith raised his head and scanned the chaotic room with a frantic look.

The Wolf cursed as he fought his way through, trying his best to squelch the fire as he ran. "Fall back! Ironsmith, you don't—"

Natsume didn't know what happened next. In a split second, the Wolf was on the other side of the room helping his friend on the ledge. The dolls that seemed so numerous before had suddenly fallen and never got back up. Then Ironsmith also fell as though he had taken a hit on the head when everyone wasn't looking.

Seeing him drop, the Wolf released a powerful storm that forced everyone to hit the ground as the wind threatened to cart them off. While they were down, he shaped an icicle and stabbed the Puppeteer at the shoulder. She cried out horribly and all her dummies fell lifeless. Her companion, the one with the small computer, was gone. Though wounded, the puppeteer jumped over the ledge and mysteriously vanished in midair.

Fire continued to rage inside the room in wild abandon. The Wolf took the icicle in his hand and pierced the ground. Frost swiftly traveled from the ice to the entrance, momentarily clearing a path for them through the blaze.

"Run! Everyone get out, now!" the Captain yelled. He hefted Ironsmith on his shoulders just as Sheridan appeared next to them, traveling space in small distances in her exhaustion. She took their unconscious member and vanished while the rest of the team headed for the doors.

Natsume saw some of their enemies getting back up and he released another blaze to hit the roof. It immediately caved and Griffin threw himself forward to knock Natsume out of the way of the falling debris. Wolf swore violently then grabbed his arm in a vicious grip, half dragging, half carrying him out of the factory while the Giant ran next to them.

A helicopter was hovering at the dock. Natsume recognized an unconscious AC inside while Sheridan fretted over the pallid Ironsmith. The chopper took off as soon as they grabbed the rope ladder and carried them away just as the whole plant erupted into deafening explosions.

"You shouldn't have fired at the roof," the Wolf hissed as the helicopter bore them over the sea. They climbed a few steps up, closer to the chopper.

"They were after us," Natsume said angrily. He gripped the rung in a tight fist. "What else could I have done?"

"Run for the exit."

"I was trying to help."

"But that's not what you were told to do," the Wolf said tersely. "And anyway, who told you to fight like that? Using your Alice each time you attack; blindly going at the enemy as if there's no tomorrow. What if you had weakened back there?"

"Who cares? I'd have saved all of you."

The Captain slapped his nape. "You're not allowed to make that sacrifice, shrimp. As you are, there's no way you can protect others."

Natsume attached his gaze to the dark waters below. The wind bit his flesh, making him even colder after the violence he had just lived through. What the Captain said didn't sit well with him, especially when he knew Ironsmith and all the rest would've been ready to die for the same thing.

"So you want me to just stand aside and watch everyone get hurt?" he burst out.

The Wolf's demeanor grew calm, his shoulders relaxing as the helicopter carried them further away from the fight. He raised his hand again but this time laid it on Natsume's head.

"Brat," he spoke softly, "I only said, as you are. I'm going to train you some more so that you will be in a position to protect others without exhausting yourself; so that you can do it without risking your life."

"All right, already," he said, shaking off the Wolf's hand.

The Wolf exhaled. "You need to start thinking of your Alice as a last resort. You have to play it smart Nimbus." He turned back to the burning factory, which was only a pinpoint of light across the sea now. "You have to learn because your opponents are studying you."

Present day, Alice Academy Study Hall, Natsume Hyuuga at age thirteen

"So if we find this kid he could tell us what really happened to Kira Samushiro," Kitsuneme said excitedly. He and Koko were discussing their next course of action. A while ago Natsume had left the study hall with Youichi, muttering something about a challenge and emphasizing quite heavily that he wanted nothing to do with their discovery.

"But how would we find him?" Koko wondered. "Where would we begin?"

"He could be anywhere," Kitsuneme agreed. "Do you think he's still in the Academy?"

"Of course… unless he lost his Alice…"

"Or died in a mission…"

Hotaru slammed her book shut and stared at the two of them with her eyebrows heavily drawn. "Are you two serious?"

"We always are," Koko said, sounding offended.

"Then what's all this talk about having to find the kid?" Hotaru demanded. They stared at her in question and so she ploughed on, "Look, you know that Natsume met Kira Samushiro, right?"

"Yes."

"And before we knew about this Kira, we thought Natsume was the best student in the Dangerous Ability Class."

"Uh-huh, go on."

"And now you're saying that Kira trained the most dangerous kid in that class."

"Yes."

"…And you still don't know where I'm going with this?"

They stared at her for a minute then understanding dawned. They both started nodding. "Why didn't we think of it before? Hotaru, you're absolutely right!"

"Of course, I am."

"Natsume probably met him too!" Kitsuneme cried and it took Hotaru all of her willpower not to slap a hand against her forehead. "That's why he was so evasive when we brought him up!"

Koko frowned. "But how will we get him to share about Little Nimbus? He won't talk to us about this report anymore."

"That is a problem…"

Hotaru exhaled. So much for trying to help. She started scribbling in her notebook while Koko and Kitsuneme thought of ways to coax Natsume into sharing.

Must be tough to be them.

Five years ago, Alice Academy Restricted Building, Natsume Hyuuga at age eight

"Where the hell did you get these?"

There was a clatter as Davies threw down the items he was holding with an angry pitch. Kira's gaze flitted to the tiny receivers scattered across the desk. They were small enough to tuck in the ear, hardly detectable in size and color. They weighed no more than an ounce. There were five of them on the table, all accounted for, and so there was no point bluffing.

"I made them."

"You made them?" Davies repeated in disbelief. "What the hell have we been teaching you?"

"You didn't teach me. I learned it from some friends from the Technical Class," he answered smugly. "They're geniuses, wouldn't you say? None of the faculty ever noticed we've been carrying those for weeks."

"Tell me how it works."

Kira heaved a breath. "Everything we used was specially manufactured inside the Academy— the lightest, most resilient materials in current existence. Some classmates worked out the electronics then we set up a trunked radio system to connect using different frequencies. The idea is for each of us to use the strongest frequency in any place but at the same time have our conversations encrypted every half hour."

"Encrypting would've caused your communications to be scrambled in transmission."

"Not on the channels we're using."

"Good god…"

"That's right." Kira's smile was triumphant. "We were riding on military channels."

"Which Technical students helped?"

Kira bristled. "Wouldn't you want to know…"

Davies knew it would be futile to try to persuade him to reveal his accomplices so instead he simply picked up one of the receivers then after examining it for some time he glanced at his protégé with a cool look. "Why did you do this?"

"Because you're not telling me what's going on. You never explained the planted bomb on my mission with Static. Then on, I've never been allowed to work with Griffin and the others when you've been providing me that leeway for years." Kira leaned forward and spoke coolly. "I'm not a rookie. I know something's up. If it's classified information, I respect that but if my team is in any danger, I'm not standing idly by."

"Your team," Davies echoed. "You honestly believe that's how we operate— in teams with captains or as groups with a cause. You're mistaken. All we have here are handlers and pawns. There is no collective, no fixed order in all this."

"I didn't believe you the first time you told me that and look what I have now. I have people to protect; ones I can rely would also protect me." He picked up a transmitter. "People I make this for."

"And with your imaginary order you would undo everything we've done," Davies said in a clipped tone. "We're not very happy with you. After we've endeavored to spread our losses you turned over the system and brought all of you in one place. That was risky."

"Why would you need to spread your losses?" Kira demanded. Silence settled in the room. Davies appeared pensive and for all the trust he gave his teacher, Kira knew the man before him now was acting as the Academy's agent. He slammed his fist on the table. "Damn it Davies, tell me who's moving against us!"

"Alices."

Kira sucked in his breath as his worst fears were confirmed. The undetectable bomb… the counterattacks as though they knew exactly how we operated… the remarkable forces used in that room… Of course, it made sense. It had to be their kind.

"We're fighting our own?"

"Hardly," Davies laughed mirthlessly. "I'm surprised you'd even put it that way after you and your best friend were nearly killed tonight. They are the opposing side Kira."

"Why are they after us?"

Davies looked calculating, scrutinizing and Kira felt that familiar obtrusive sensation in his head as his handler used his Alice on him. "The same reason that you may have one day." Seeming satisfied with the less than murderous thoughts in Kira's head, Davies ceased probing. "Simply put, they feel wronged and are seeking retribution."

"Simply put, they're after revenge," Kira corrected dryly.

"Yes."

"And that's why you're trying to moderate your loss," Kira realized. "We're assets to you and you're running scared because you know exactly what you're up against. They actually have a chance at succeeding, don't they? If you lose the Dangerous Ability class all at once, your business is done for."

"It's good that you're sharp," Davies said sarcastically. "You see then why I insist that you and that boy be separated. Together, you're much too expensive."

"You selfish bastards."

"Call us what you will," Davies said nonchalantly. He linked his hands together. "I speak plainly to you. You should also realize that you haven't had a smooth mission since you teamed up with that child. Makes me think he's bad luck."

"Careful. You're talking about the boy who would replace me."

Davies looked sardonic. "It surprises me that you've come to accept that. By the by, what do you intend to do when you're done here?"

"I don't know but I'm sure I'll think of something. I intend to make the most of what little life I have left. I am certain of one thing, whatever I end up doing, I won't be staying here. I'm finished with the lot of you."

"But if I have a job for you—"

"I decline," he said at once. "When I graduate, I'm turning my back on everything that went on here. But while I'm still here, I will fight your battles. So answer me this, how many have gone before me? How many students have left your service with good reason to seek revenge?"

Davies looked grim, "Too many for us to be complacent." Kira shook his head in disgust at how the Academy handled things. Then he stood up. Before he reached the door, Davies forestalled him. "Will nothing stop you from leaving the Academy?"

"Yes."

"Not even a cure?"

His hand was on the door but that made him halt and turn back. Davies said it casually but it was obvious he was expecting a certain reaction from him. He probably got it because Kira stood there, wary yet curious.

"Say that again."

His handler smiled. "If I tell you that we've found a way to heal you, will you still turn your back on the Alice Academy?" Kira didn't answer. "Sit down Samushiro, I have a proposition only a fool in your position would refuse."

The team was playing games in the shared Recreation Room of the dormitories when Kira found them. While the rest of the team played billiards, Natsume was sprawled contentedly on a corner couch absorbed in his manga.

Predictable, Kira thought as he walked over and forced Natsume to sit up and make room for him. He grumbled as he did so.

"Hey kid, what are you doing?"

"Are you blind?"

"You really should work on your small talk," Kira told him wearily. "Listen, I have a job for you." Natsume glanced up from his book, mildly interested. Kira pulled out a slip of paper from his jacket pocket. "I need you to go to the library and find out how many students we've had possessed these Alices in the last fifteen years."

Natsume took the paper and read it with a raised brow.

Puppet Alice

Metal Blade Alice

Paper Alice

Maze Alice

Earth Alice … the list went on and on…

"What's in it for me?"

"I'll teach you how to diffuse all of them."

"Deal."

Then he went back to his book. That business aside, Kira decided to tackle the next issue at hand. "Why do you always have your nose buried in a book? You need a little more recreation in your life. Let me see that—"

"Hey!"

Kira looked at the comic book he just snatched. "Black Thief of Verona?"

"He's cool."

"Is he an eight-year-old pyrokinetic?"

"No."

"Then he's not cooler than you," Kira said briskly. He hefted him up by the arm. "Come on, we're playing some ping-pong."

"But I don't want to play ping-pong!" Natsume protested as he was hauled across the room to an empty table. Kira tossed a paddle at him. Seeing what they were about to do, Kunimitsu and the rest of the team abandoned their pool game to watch.

"Come on, I'll teach you the basics," Kira said cheerfully. "This game needs hand-eye coordination. You need to be alert and in the zone." The Wolf began to demonstrate. "This is how you hold your paddle. It's called a pen hold. No, don't growl at me. We're about to discuss the rules—"

Tak!

Students around them laughed when they saw the eight-year-old boy hit Kira Samushiro on the forehead with the ball.

"Was that my point or yours?"

Kira's eyes narrowed. "No point. That was a cheap shot. I wasn't ready."

Tak!

"How about that one? In the zone yet?"

"Funny," Kira said dryly while there was more mirth in the room. "Fine then. Looks like you don't need the rules. Do you just want to play for real?"

"Depends," cheeky little Natsume said. "Are you ready to lose?"

And lose Kira did. The game lasted no more than an hour. A crowd had formed around the table and they watched the exchange with considerable amusement. At the end of the game, they cheered Natsume and Kira was too pleased with the sight to mind the loss. That was until the little brat had enough conceit to remark.

"Next time, just let me read my book."

Present day, Youichi Hijiri's bedroom, Natsume Hyuuga at age thirteen

"You must have played this before!"

"Nope."

"Then you're cheating!"

"It's not like I have to. You're not much of a challenge," Natsume taunted. His fingers moved swiftly over the controller as he tailed Youichi's jet like a trained pilot. The kid gave a strangled cry.

Bleep! Bleep! Bleep! Crash! Ka-boom!

"No way!" Youichi cried in despair as he watched his last aircraft be ruthlessly shot down by Natsume's fighter plane. "There's no way you just did that!"

GAME OVER

"It takes a high level of analytical skill. It takes strategy and concentration— or so I'm told," Natsume mocked as the screen flashed his total as the top score. Then he tossed his console onto the couch and stood up. Then he picked up Youichi's handheld game on his way out of the room.

"Where'd you learn to do that?" Youichi persisted, utterly floored by his stunning defeat.

Natsume glanced over his shoulder and smirked. "Pick up a book, kid."