Disclaimer: I do not own Danball Senki, the concept and its characters, they all belong to their respective owners. All I own is my OC and nothing else. I also made up some LBXs and attack moves but I make no claim on it because the idea still belongs to their respective owners, just to let you guys know. Also, I made a sketch of what Rei would look like so please check my profile for the link.

Chapter VII: A Past Unfolded

"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Jessica asked me one more time when I had finally woken up from my power nap. I assured her I was fine, the toll of Overload finally gone when I woke up to drink some energy juice. Although my head was still ringing like hell, I didn't want to worry them any further as I put on my shoes and jumped up and down to show her I was as energetic as ever.

"Though you look and act fine, if ever something wrong comes up don't forget to let us know, alright." Jessica reminded me and I chuckled and nodded.

"Got it, mom."

"I'm serious, Rei! You're an important member of the team too so we all have to look after each other." Jessica pouted and I sighed. An important part of the team… I'm glad they thought of me that way. Learning to trust them on this whole wild trip to save the world was difficult but in the end I guess it was worth it. I always kept on thinking that all of this was for my family but who knew along the way that my family would grow? It wasn't just mom and dad… and him anymore. Ban, Ami, Kazuya, Yuuya, Jessica, Jin, Ran, Hiro and the whole of NICS became a home for me too. Even though I still harbor slight rivalry towards Reina sometimes, she too had become a part of this group that I've come to learn and love.

"Ah! Evening, Rei. Glad to see you looking better." Ban hollered from his seat along with Hiro and I waved a thanks, several snickers followed and I turned curiously to Ami and Ran who were giggling with Jessica from across my seat. Yuuya and Kazuya looked as if they were sweat dropping at the view whereas Reina and Jin where nowhere to be found. I looked curiously at the empty seats next to mine, trying to block out the giggles of my three friends and called out to Yuuya and Kazuya for Reina and Jin's whereabouts, the giggling only got louder which unnerved me since it clearly meant that they were talking about me. Although I know that no harm against me was involved, (seeing as I did trust them a lot lately), it still feels weird when you get that feeling of being talked about behind your back.

"Well Jin's busy training Reina-san on how to use LBXs, they're at the training room if you need them." Yuuya answered me.

"And the project?" I asked, wondering why she was wasting time by fighting LBX battles when she has a bigger issue to fix- like the NICS' shield. I mean, I didn't peg Reina as the type who procrastinated on her works, since she really was so hell-bent on finishing it. Unless-,

"She already finished it. Here, she told me to give this you." Kazuya finished my thought for me before I felt something on my hands. I stared in shock at Aegis glinting back at me from my hand and looked up back to Kazuya for an answer.

"I'm not really sure. One minute she was breezing through the computer like a mad scientist and the next thing we knew, she was already asking for Jin's help on how to man an LBX." Kazuya shrugged before that odd sour feeling settled in my stomach again. I knew it was jealousy towards Reina but this one's different. It's not the jealousy of being inferior to her but-

But what?

"What's with the sour look now, Rei? Curious as to what they could be doing in there?" Ran nudged me and I flinched when I saw her suddenly sitting next to me. Since when did she get here?

"Well… no, not really." I reply, my mind wondering as to why Ran would suddenly bring something like that up. It really does make me curious as to why Reina seems so intent on learning how to fight but it wasn't enough to make me want to go there though. I'm sure either of the two in the training room would answer our questions anyway if we asked them later.

"Are you sure? They could be doing something else other than playing LBXs for all we know." Even Ami joined in on the conversation and my eyes quickly darted to Jessica when I realized what they were plotting. Great, so now everyone seems to be in on this little play. It looks like Jessica wasn't planning on letting the mall incident go and it seems she even employed the help of the entire group except for Reina and Jin. It's true I find Jin Kaidou to be a good looking person and an amazing LBX player but Jessica has it all wrong. Those feelings aren't love… it's only admiration and nothing more. Even if Jin and I shared some moments where we talked about our pasts (well his past) and our weaknesses, it didn't mean anything more than just a group of friends getting to know each other. Where Jessica got the notion that I like Jin more than friend… well, I'll never really know.

"Umm… fixing their LBXs?" I hypothesize and I could hear Jessica sigh as she walked to me and looked me in the eyes. I gulped at those sapphire eyes of her that burned with passion for who knows what, as she grabbed me by the arm and half-dragged me to the training room.

"Wait? Where are you taking me!?"

"Where Jin and Reina are of course! You might just be nervous so I'm going to give you a little push."

"A 'little push'!? You're dragging me there against my will!" I panicked and then paled when I saw the dark aura intensify around Jessica. Who knew she even had a side like this?

"Jessica, I think maybe we shou-,"

"Ban! Why are trying to get in the way? Don't tell me-,"

"No, Ami! You got it all wrong!" Ban defended himself making Ran and Ami gasp comically at the *ahem* so-called 'revelation'.

"Heh? I didn't know we had a third party in this love triangle. You should have said it sooner, Ban. Now this makes it a love square." Ran snickered at the scarlet face Ban was making right now.

"Love triangle!? How come I didn't know any of this Ban-san?" Hiro piped in which all the more made it awkward between me and Ban. Kazuya and Yuuya were nowhere to be found but I overheard Ran click her tongue and say that those two had actually escaped from this 'plan' the girl's thought up. I could only sigh at this mess and tried my best to get Jessica to let go of me and leave me alone.

"No way! After all the hard work we went through? Can you at least go see the guy?"

"And then what? I don't even need anything from him!"

"Of course you do, Rei. You're just shy that's all."

"Jessica! Honest to goodness, I don't need Jin right-,"

"Need me for what?" I stopped halfway through what I was going to say and I felt as if the entire world decided to freeze over. Jessica and I looked up from the entrance of the training room to see Jin and Reina looking at us curiously. I could feel my cheeks heat up from embarrassment as I managed to finally pry myself from Jessica's grip and tried to stand a bit more presentable this time.

"Nothing really, I was j-,"

"Rei was wondering if you could spar with her this time." Jessica cut me off which made me cast her the most sinister glare I could manage. It'd be nice, I admit, to have a one on one battle with Jin, seeing as it really had been a long time since I battled him. The first time didn't end so well since I nearly lost it then with Overload but this time was different. If he agreed then no doubt this time, I'd be able to show him what I can do.

"Sorry, but not right now… Triton is undergoing repairs from Reina-san so maybe some other time." Jin apologized. I felt a frown tug at my lips from disappointment but I did my best not to show it as sighed and mustered a small smile.

"It's alright. Maybe next time then. This time, I won't lose!" I said it with much more energy this time and I saw a smile tug on his lips as he nodded. He then excused himself as I watched his figure walk back to his seat along with Reina-san. Once again that feeling was tugging at me that it made me click my tongue as I turned to the training room to take Hel Verse for a little practice again. Even if Hel Verse had been with me for a quite a while, there still might be hidden potentials that I have yet to discover. As the current Artemis Champion and LBX player, I have to always make sure that I am one with my LBX so that I may hone it and prepare myself when situations like these happen. Even though Jin might not be able to help me train, he did promise a next time so I have to make sure I'm ready when that time comes.

"Rei!" I flinched from that all too familiar voice as I turned to see in surprise, Jessica jumping onto me and giving me the fiercest hug in my life. I could feel the oxygen get knocked out of me from the impact as Jessica continued to apologize over and over again. I could almost see black spots dancing in my vision before Ran and Ami managed to pry Jessica off of me and apologize as well.

"Sorry about the fuss, Rei. We really did want to help you but I guess it's not as easy as the comics make it out to be." Ami clapped her hands together in apology but I assured her it was alright since Jin didn't get the wrong idea. Last I needed was make that small growing friendship between us turn suddenly awkward because of a misunderstanding.

"But how can you be so cool about it, Rei? I'm sure you must be feeling upset how Reina-san seems to be spending an awfully lot of time with Jin." Ran piped in, which made me laugh at their accusation.

Really, they got the comics and my life all mixed up now.

"Upset? You got it all wrong guys. Where on earth did you even get that kind of idea?"

"I mean, Jessica did tell us the whole story about your battle with Ota Pink! She told us the bet was Jin's affection and Jessica told us that for that moment you seemed fired up about winning." Ami added in which made me suddenly burst out laughing which surprised all three of them. I wanted to get mad at Jessica for insinuating such a preposterous accusation but I just couldn't hold it in. It was just so absurd that I could only laugh at it. Jessica really does know how to make someone's day fun.

"So that's what all the fuss was about. You really got it all wrong! The reason wasn't because I was too fired up to win Jin's affection but to prove myself as an Artemis winner." I explained, trying to control the urge not to laugh again.

"What? But you are already an amazing player, Rei. Whether you win the Artemis or not so we didn't think you had to prove anything because you were already strong!" Jessica defended and I stopped laughing to stare at her in surprise at what she had just said. I didn't… have to prove anything? So the reason why they didn't consider my answer was because they thought that I didn't have to prove my worth as a champion because they knew how strong I was? So all this time, I didn't have to worry about my worth as a player because they trusted me all along…

"Is there something wrong, Rei? Why did you suddenly become quiet?" Ran asked me worriedly and I shook my head to assure her that nothing was wrong. A wide smile formed at my lips at the thought of having such great friends that all I could do was hug them tightly. Jin is right, they really are worth my trust.

"Uhhh… Rei? Are you really alright?" Ami asked me again and I nodded as I giggled at all this mayhem that in the end, proved to me something really great.

"Yup! You really all the great friends." I could only say and that was enough to get them to only look at each in defeat before joining in on my laughter.

LBXs aren't the only ones I should form a strong connection with. People like Jessica and the others come very rarely into our lives so when we get a chance to meet people like them, then we mustn't take them for granted…

"Itadakimasu!" All of us blessed the food before we quickly dug in to celebrate dinner. I quickly snatched the two pork left on the dish, earning me a playful glare from Kazuya and Hiro at having beaten them to it. Ban and Yuuya were busy discussing about the latest LBX trends and customization before Ami joined in while citing the advantages of having a Strider Frame LBX. Jessica and Ran were the only ones eating on the table, Ran digging in on the pasta whereas Jessica was busy talking to Secretary Kaios on the phone. Once again my eyes unknowingly strayed to look for Jin and Reina and found the two of them on their respective seats, Jin eating quietly while Reina was busy on the computer. I decided to approach the two so I could get to know more about Reina and excused myself as I took a seat next to Jin.

"So, Reina-san. Seeing as you are already a good LBX player, I wondered what type of LBX you are going to get when we come back to NICS. I'd really love to battle you again but this time with your own LBX." I asked and watched her encode a few more data into the computer before she looked up to me to answer.

"I decided to get a Knight-Framed one since it's an all balanced type of LBX. Seeing as I am still quite new to all of this, I'd prefer to use something that has a decent attack, speed and defense."

"Ohhh. I guess that's a good way to put it." I reply before I put away my now empty plate and took out Hel Verse, marveling at my old friend.

"I never really did get the chance to use a Knight Frame though. Hel Verse was the only LBX I have ever owned since it was a precious gift from him." I add and this time it was Jin's turn to join in on the conversation.

"Him? So Hel Verse belonged to someone before you?"

"Yeah… back then, dad wouldn't let me get my first LBX because I was still young so I ended up watching the other kids and felt jealous at how all of them got the chance to play one when I couldn't. I mean, dad could afford to buy me one but he's too much of a worry-wart to get me one because of the LBX's notorious streak before the introduction of the D-Cube. I guess you could say that was the day when I met him and Hel…"

-Past (3rd Person POV)-

It was one of these days that Fujiwa Rei just wanted to run away.

It was the nth time she asked her dad to buy her an LBX since everyone had one and it was the talk of the town but her dad still refused. Even after the D-Cube proved to be a successful creation that turned LBXs into nothing but children's toys, her father still couldn't allow their only daughter to play with such a dangerous toy.

"It's unfair! How come my friends Sayu and Yuri get one when I can't? We're of the same age aren't we?" Rei threw a tantrum, knowing full well that her dad was just using her age as an excuse. That was the last straw though because the next thing she knew, her dad had slammed his hands on the table and glared at his daughter.

"Enough! When I saw no, it's a no!" He bellowed and that was enough to make Rei's patience snap as tears cascaded down her eyes.

"I hate you!" She cried and dashed out of the room. Though it pained to see her daughter like this, Rei's mother knew well enough that her husband was just concerned for their daughter's safety. If Rei was a bit more patient then maybe she'd understand but for now all Rei's mother could do was console her husband who looked totally out of it from the sudden declaration of hate from his daughter.

"There are times I wonder if we're raising her right…"

"It takes a while for children to understand but I don't think we made a mistake. I'm sure Rei will come home soon and make up with you." She tried to reassure him and watched him sigh as he collapsed back to his seat.

"I do hope your right…"

"Ha! Beat you." Rei heard the kids laugh as she watched them play with their LBXs in the park. She knew what she said to her dad was wrong but she just couldn't help it. How could something that made people smile and laugh so earnestly be dangerous?

"Are you okay? Why are you alone by the swing?" A voice called out and Rei snapped her head up to see a boy about her age looking at her. His appearance made him stand out from the kids because never before had Rei seen such fiery hair and deep hazel eyes.

"Just watching…" Rei merely replied her mind racing as to why he would suddenly talk to her out of the blue. Did she really stand out that much from the crowd?

"Well, you can't hone your skills if you don't join in." The boy wondered which made Rei sadder at the insinuation.

"I can't." She answered which made the boy frown, making her twitch her brow in irritation.

"It's okay to say you can't fight. How's about I teach you? Where's your LBX by the way?" He asked which made Rei get up from the swing and scowl at him.

"I can't play, okay! Because I don't have an LBX. You don't have to rub it in my face." She cried, tears streaming down her cheeks. Rei was never really a people person so she rarely had anyone to call her own friend. She watched on the TV how LBXs could forge friendships and such and just when a person approached her asking to be her friend, she couldn't even befriend him and instead yelled at him because she was jealous. She knew by then the boy would've been scared at her outburst and run away but surprisingly he didn't.

Surprisingly, the boy had stayed.

"W-what!? I'm so sorry! I didn't know… s-so don't cry! I don't know w-what to do…" The boy continued to apologize which made Rei stop crying and feel sorry for the boy. She could clearly see that her tears were affecting him and even though he tried to act strong, she could see how distraught he was at what he had done.

"You're odd…" Rei sniffled which made the boy's eyes widen in surprise. That's right, the boy was really odd.

"Wh-what makes you say that? I'm not odd!"

"Yeah you are! People… they usually don't care about what happens to some random person… so for you to feel sorry for me, that's odd." She pointed out and the boy paused for a bit, taking in what she had said and frowned.

"I guess mom and dad raised me that way. But I don't think it's a bad thing. What's bad is when people don't care… people should always care that is why I'm sorry if I offended you…" The boy bowed making Rei turn red in embarrassment. Never before had someone bowed to her in apology so earnestly so it really did take her by surprise when he did.

"You didn't offend me… I just, I just got jealous… sorry if I took it out on you." Rei bowed and this time it was his turn to look embarrassed.

"N-no offense taken! I should be the one apologizing for not realizing it sooner."

"But we just met so clearly you didn't know."

"But still!" He huffed and Rei giggled making the boy blush.

"My name's… Fujiwa Rei by the way. Sorry for crying and… thank you for the concern."

"Himura Aki… And like I said, you don't have to apologize because it's my fault for not noticing! At least let me make it up to you… hmmm… I know! How's about I give you my LBX then!" He said excitedly as he rummaged for something in his backpack.

"N-no! I appreciate it but even if you gave it to me, my dad would just take it." Rei tried to stop him before he pulled out a black Strider-Framed LBX. A black spear was positioned on the right hand of the toy and its violet wings and tail shimmered when the light shined on it. Being an avid fan of LBXs, Rei knew every name and design of each LBX released on the market but this LBX the boy had presented to her… she couldn't identify who manufactured it or what the design of the LBX's frame was even called. She assumed that it may have been a customized LBX seeing as she could detect a mix of Cygnus and Suzaku in them but that spear and the frame of the head… that was what made her think otherwise, it was like the LBX was somehow a mix of Strider and Knight-Framed ones that she thought it could be hybrid but it was impossible… there was just no way-

Right?

"Her name's Hel. Daughter of Loki and Goddess of the Underworld. Received her as a gift from a competition sponsored by Omega Dain." Aki boasted as he showed off Hel's speedy moves and precise attacks. Rei's eyes glimmered in awe and excitement and applauded when Aki ordered Hel to summersault and land gracefully on the ground, spear at the ready.

"But to give something this precious to me? We only just met and yet-," Rei fumbled to say but Aki shoved Hel gently into her hands along with the violet CCM.

"I saw the way you looked at the kids playing so I know that Hel's in good hands. Your eyes held a passion for LBXs that can rival even the most veteran of players. Besides, it's not like I can keep her forever…" Aki trailed off and that's when Rei noticed that somewhat melancholic and faraway look flash in his eyes before he switched into his happy-go-lucky attitude and gave her a smile.

"I really don't know what to say, Himura-kun. She's a gem alright and I know how to use an LBX from watching the kids but I can't play it at home since dad doesn't want something dangerous like this in the house…" Rei sighed dejectedly. It really is a blessing in disguise that she was given such an amazing LBX but if her dad saw her holding one then no doubt he'd take it away from her…

"I know! How about we meet here in the park and practice with you for the Underground Viscidus next month? I can keep Hel with me for now and then we'd meet here and we can play?"

"But I hear that the Underground Viscidus is a shady place, Himura-kun. I doubt kids like us would be able to get in, I hear that security is very tight too since it is an underground tournament that not even the police know about."

"Well, I have a friend joining the tournament but because of business matters, his family had to move away. He and his brother gave me their ticket to join it in their place but it requires two members since the theme for this month is tag team battle. Seeing as I am one member short, how's about we both join it together." Aki pulled out the ticket from his bag and showed it to Rei.

"B-but how is this going to help my dad accept that LBXs aren't dangerous? Both my parents are police officers so I can't possibly tell them about the competition." Rei asked worriedly which caused Aki to huff.

"Stop being so negative about it, Rei. Did you know that if you win Underground Viscidus, chances are that you can gain an access to become a participant in Artemis! If we win this then we both get to go in Artemis and since it is a prestigious tournament, I'm sure your dad can't say no since there is no backing out once you're chosen. When he sees you give it your all then for sure he's going to have to accept that LBXs aren't dangerous!" Aki elaborated his plot and Rei's eyes widened at the enthusiasm of her new friend. He really did plan this so seriously that it made Rei turn pink at his passion to help her. After all, they both just met and yet here they were planning out a victory as if they'd been friends for so long. It's like he has this charisma and optimism that she couldn't seem to shake off and it was somehow rubbing off on her because the next thing she knew, she was already agreeing to his plan like it was the smartest thing to do. She didn't care anymore if she was going to be grounded for life, she had Aki to lean on and she knew he was never the type to abandon a friend. That was what his aura was telling her and if there was one thing Rei's parents taught her, it was that she should always trust her gut instinct.

"I really do hope this works, Himura-kun…"

"Of course it will! I won't let you regret it, Rei. I'll stay by your side until we accomplish it together." Aki grinned in assurance and that smile alone was enough to encourage Rei…

-End-

I finished my story and noticed that everyone had actually joined in on our conversation. It was meant to be some bonding time with Reina and Jin but unexpectedly, I had also drawn in everyone to listen and for some odd reason… I felt light inside. Jin is right, sharing your experiences and thoughts to others really is better than keeping it locked away inside. But… there is a reason why I couldn't tell them before about this. After all, it was because I had met Aki why I became like this.

So afraid to trust others again.

"He sounds like a really cool kid. He also must be a veteran since Omega Dain's sponsored tournaments aren't exactly very easy." Kazuya whistled and I giggled and nodded.

"You don't know how many times I lost to him. I doubt that my victories were nothing compared to his."

"You underestimate yourself too much, Rei. I think you're an amazing player and your title as an Artemis Champion is proof of that." Ami assured me and blushed at the small praise.

"What happened next? Did you win?" Yuuya asked me and I froze when the question left his lips. I expected a question like that from them and I knew there was no reason for me to hide it now. I learned to trust on others again thanks to them so as repayment it was the least I could do.

"No… we were disqualified." I said it slowly and I felt the mood shift when I saw the shocked look on their faces.

"Disqualified!? But how come? You and Aki must've practiced like crazy so why?" Hiro questioned in surprise making me clench Hel Verse tightly.

"We didn't make it past the qualifications…"

"Qualifications? But wasn't the rule that time two members per team what happened." Ban questioned but my look alone was enough to tell everyone what happened.

"A week before the tournament, a man knocked on our door…"

-Past (3rd Person POV)-

Rei was busy packing her things for the school trip when she heard a knock at their door. Sounds of footsteps followed and Rei peeped from the staircase to see her dad talking with a man dressed in a gray suit. The stranger handed her father a box and his eyes widened before he called to Rei to come downstairs.

"Rei this here is Inspector Namikawa of the Investigations Bureau. Inspector, this is my daughter, Rei." Her father introduced and the man named Namikawa bowed in greeting.

"Oh, Kousuke! What brings you here?" Rei's mom asked in surprise when she came out from the kitchen. Namikawa bowed in greeting to his fellow investigator but his face looked grim which was something that Rei's mother rarely saw from the usually jolly friend of hers.

"Chisaka, Sano… let's have this conersation in the living room. Rei will have to come along too since this concerns her as well." Namikawa merely stated as he ushered them to the living room. Rei wondered, as she took her seat next to her mom, as to why they were all gathered by the man. If it had been between her parents and Namikawa alone then there was no reason why she would be in here. For Namikawa to have asked for her presence as well meant it had something to do with her… Rei thought hard as what could have caused this visitation and her eyes widened when she remembered the conversation she and Aki had when they first met.

Could it be that he plans to question her about Underground Viscidus?

She gulped at the idea, seeing as it was the sole thing she knew was really something worth the trouble for an Inspector to get involved. Seeing as it is an unlicensed competition with shady ties to Artemis, Rei wouldn't be surprised why the police would get involved. Artemis was a known competition hosted by a very powerful company, so for a famous company to have connections to a shady underground battle arena really would get the police involved. That was the only conclusion Rei could have thought of before she was snapped back to reality when a box was presented to her on the table.

"This was found alongside his belongings. It had your daughter's name and your address on it so we assumed she lent it to the victim." Namikawa explained as he opened the box and there Rei saw in surprise was Hel, its reddish eyes glaring back at her.

"An LBX? This must be some mistake, Kousuke. Not once had I let her touch an LBX so that's not-," Her father was about to say and then stopped in midsentence when he saw his daughter clutching the LBX tightly in her arms, her body shaking as tears cascaded down her face.

"I-It must be a lie, Inspector. Please tell me that Aki made you pull a trick like this…He always loves to scare me after all…" Rei choked back the sob but she knew the answer to her question. She just didn't want to believe it. All those talks about proving her father wrong and winning the Artemis…

Was that all a lie?

"Rei?" Her mother called out to her but Rei was dazed and shocked to hear her. Only when her mother pulled her into a tight hug did Rei let her feelings show as she cried on her mother's shoulder. Her father watched in worry at the state his daughter was in before he turned to back to Namikawa with a grim look on his face.

"Sano, do you remember the case of the terrorist attack ten years ago?" Namikawa asked and Sano's eyes widened when his old partner brought up that accursed case.

"The Fall of Japan… that was the highlight of the news back then. The terrorist group that evaded the police's detection for fifty years! It was thanks to them that Tokio City was nearly on the brink of announcing a code red since there were rumors going about that it was in fact a group of soldiers who were planning a rebellion against the prime minister. But the case has already been closed since they defeated the terrorist group so why bring it up again? Wait, don't tell me-," Sano's eyes widened at the realization making Namikawa push the picture of three people forward.

"The defeat of that group was thanks to Matsuoka Shinji, a terrorist soldier who, for the sake of his family, surrendered to the police in exchange for witness protection. We agreed and gave him and his family a new name. By now he is called Himura Rui, his wife Himura Shizuku and his only son Himura Aki. Everything should have been over but yesterday at exactly 10:45 in the evening, their house was bombed by an unknown group of arsons. The fire burned for three hours before helped arrived, by then the corpses were too charred to be recognizable but we assumed that the ashes we found belonged to the family since we detected DNA. All we killed in the fire. We'd like to believe that the case was made by a bunch of youngsters but the explosive were too intricate to be made by mere teenagers…"

"That was when you assumed that maybe there were still some survivors of the terrorist group out to get vengeance?"

"Yes and we have reason to believe that they are now in the police force. The data on the family was strictly on a need not to know basis so for someone to have easily accessed that file, they would have to be part of the higher echelons of the HQ. Meaning that you and your family too could be a suspect for their murder. Though I doubt you'd do something like that but as per policy we have to comply… I'm just… apologizing… seeing as your daughter did have a close bond with Rui's son Aki." Namikawa trailed off, his sympathetic gaze on Rei who was still in shock and crying on her mother's shoulder.

Rei barely had any friends to call her own so when she gained them, she treasured them with her life. She may have known Aki for only a few weeks but the bond they had was deep and each moment they had, Rei cherished it. He was the first one to call out to her after all. The only one who was willing to help her no matter what. Rei looked up to him so much because not only was he strong but he had that smile that could make you stop crying and that optimism that made you think of a better tomorrow. But now he's gone and he left her alone in this world, those happy-go-lucky smiles and cheery optimism are long gone and in them Aki had left a hollow void in her heart. Rei had never felt so betrayed and upset her whole life. She knew he didn't mean it but he promised…. He made a promise to stay with her till the end and yet… and yet…

'He promised no matter what he'd stay by my side until we finished it… we were supposed to win it together… so why?' Rei thought to herself. She wouldn't be hurting like this if she wasn't so attached to him. She hated the feeling because it was too empty and lonely. She rubbed the tears from her eyes but they wouldn't stop trailing down her face. She wanted it to stop but she couldn't and she knew that this memory would forever be etched into her mind.

It was then she decided that if she wanted this to never happen again, then she would have to stop trusting in other people's promises…

Once again, sorry for the late update! I tried to make it up to you guys by making it longer so here it is- Chapter VII! Rei's past as to her trust issues is finally revealed... Next chapter will be about the battle in Egypt so stay tuned for the next chapter :)

Once again your reviews and favorites are appreciated so please never forget to review and fave it!