Chapter 29: Enter the Kurenai Faction, An Unlikely Meeting in an Unknown Land

It was a bright morning day. The day for Kageru to pursue his training. He was on his way towards the train station, when he passed by Maira's place along the way. Kageru stood for a short moment, looking over it in deep thought, hoping that Maira was well. "( Maira. So she's out training too huh?... Urgh.." Kageru began to think about the day of the encounter with the Castelle siblings. Frustration in his heart grew as he thought of the faces and voices of both Aria and Albus.)

Kageru continued his walk, eventually arriving at the station a couple of minutes later. He would spend another few moments waiting for his train.

" ATTENTION! TRANSPORT NUMBER D-49 WILL BE ARRIVING IN 5 MINUTES... ALL AWAITING PASSENGERS PLEASE PREPARE FOR DEPARTURE...REPEAT. TRANSPORT NUMBER D-49 WILL BE ARRIVING IN 5 MINUTES... ALL AWAITING PASSENGERS PLEASE PREPARE FOR DEPARTURE... THANK YOU FOR USING DORIADO RAILWAYS... WE HOPE TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE SAFEST AND FASTEST TRANSPORTATION IN TERMINA...

Up until then, the only thing that Kageru could think of was that very day. " (Maira. I swear. I'll make Albus pay for what he did to you. When I'm done, He'll wish he never showed his face here. Until then, I gotta get stronger. For you and Akane. I promise I'll get stronger.)" With his train finally arriving, Kageru stepped on, eager to begin his journey. His next destination; The Kurenai Faction.

" (Everyone... Hope you'll all be okay while I'm gone.)" Out in the distance, surprised to find Gai and Tetsu waving towards him from the railings.

" Take care Kageru!"

" Hey Hinodama! When you come back, you better show me that you've actually been training. Better not slack off okay!?"

Kageru opened the window on his side and waved back at the two. Taking Tetsu's advice to heart he replied " Heh slack off!? I'm gonna make you eat those words when I get back! Once I'm back, you can be sure that I'll be ready! So you better prepare too!"

With their farewells over with, the train took its leave, and Kageru looked over ahead with excitement, curious to see what challenges and surprises would await him next. It was a long and exhausting trip.

*5 HOURS LATER*

Kageru arrived at his destination. Looking around and stretching, he was relieved to finally get there after hours of waiting. " *whew* Finally!. Hmmm. Man I'm so beat. I'd prefer to get a room right now. (Still, Blaine told me to meet him right away too. *whew* bummer. Oh well. better get going then...after I get lunch!...Hmmm?)"

Kageru looked to find a young girl with bright green hair, where a small tail was pinned to the side. The girl was around the age of a middle school student. She wore a bright yellow shirt and a white skirt, while carrying a small handbag with her. She seemed lost, as she can be seen looking out towards every direction, desperately asking questions, to which none were truly helpful. Kageru felt a strange feeling towards her. He suddenly turned his focus to a small group pushing her around.

"What do you think you're doing bugging people here for?" one the bullies asked.

The girl nervously replied and bowed respectfully towards them. "Uh I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry, I-I'm just lost and I'm looking for my brother and-"

"Really? And what's a girl from the Miyabi Faction doing over here?"

"(Miyabi Faction?)" Kageru wondered as he overheard the whispered. "( So she's not from around here. This is bad... With the way things are going right now, things don't usually go well for outsiders like her.)"

The group of boys began to mutter among themselves, upon recognizing the young girl's face.

"Hey! Isn't she that girl that-"

" Yep, I recognize her alright. Her deck seemed pretty good too."

" Hmm alright then, how bout this, maybe you can give us your cards, and we'll consider forgetting this ever happened."

The girl began to cower as the group approached her. "P-please, just stay away, I don't mean any harm."

" Don't worry, we're just going to- Urggaaaaahhh!"

Kageru suddenly appeared from nearby, hitting the boy's face with full force.

"Uh!? What the!?"

"Huh?" The girl who was covering her eyes quickly looked up, shocked to find him to her rescue

"*spit* Who do you think you are!? What's the big idea!?"

The group turned their attention to Kageru, who had suddenly joined the fray. Kageru gazed furiously at the boys as he continusly pounded his fists. " Doesn't matter. All I need to know is, that you punks are pickin on a little girl years younger than you morons, and what's more, there's three of you too. Talk about pathetic."

The boys laughed outloud, confident that their numbers could easily overwhelm him. They began to tease him for his actions. "Heh. Looks like she's got a boyfriend!"

They too began to ound ther fists, readying to brawl with the lone duelist. "All right then. So you want a beating don't ya!?"

"Bring it on then bandages!"

Kageru grinned, rushing at them. " Hehehe!"

After a few minutes of brawling, and getting kicked out of the station by the guards, the two were finally alone, with the delinquent group departing with bruises all over. Although Kageru however didn't escape getting hurt either.

" Hold still." The girl softly said, as she patched him up.

" Ow Ow Ow... Man. That stings... Whew. First thing I get into right when I got here. Good thing Mom's not here to see me like this."

" Sorry..." The girl weakly apologized, feeling as if she was the one to blame for Kageru's injuries.

"Huh? Oh, hey no sweating over it okay? Either way, someone was gonna get bruised up. And I don't think you're used this stuff. Don't worry about it. More importantly, are you alright?"

"Uhuh... Thank you..."

" Hey no problem at all. I remember being in that similar situation too a long way back. And somebody got me out about the same way."

The girl quietly sat down, holding her handbag on her lap, as she looked for more band-aids. She barely said a word.

" So what was that about? You seemed kinda lost. You separated from your parents or something? You know, should've just told that guard,instead of coming over here."

" Well...I was going to board the train with my brother... then we suddenly got our tickets accidently mixed up and separated. I've been hoping to maybe find him around, but it looks like he arrived safely in Doriado City... I hope."

" So you were supposed to go there huh? I just came from there too. Well... I would get you a ticket back, but since we're outta the station for today, I can't really help you. Whew I'm sorry."

" No...No it's fine." The girl looked down at the street, completely saddened.

" Tell ya what, I'm meeting with someone right now. I'm sure he could help us get a room and help you contact your brother maybe. In the mean time why don't you come with me for a while? I don't think anyone one else is willing to help you out."

" You'd... You'd do that?...Are you sure mister?"

" Why not?" Kageru replied with a gleeful smile.

" O-okay then... thank you..." She stood with an expression of uncertainty seeing as she was being offered help from a stranger in a place where she had never step foot upon. However, her mind was slightly at ease, when she looked at Kageru's sincere and energetic smile.

" No problem... *gurgle* gurgle* Man... I'm hungry." Kageru thought upon hearing his upset stomach.

"*gurgle* *gurgle* O-oooh...oops.." The girl blushed nervously,hearing her stomach growling as well.

" Looks like you are too. Let's get going then!"

" R-right..."

He then reached out his hand in greeting towards the young girl. " I'm Kageru by the way. Kageru Shin Hinodama. But just call me Kageru. You?"

The girl slowly but surely returned the favor. Kageru could still recognize a hint of shyness in her tone. " Midori... My name's Midori Ayashi."

" Midori huh? That's a nice name."

The two walked around Quilin City, a city that was well represented urbanization. Rows of buildings and cars filled the streets. Many people walked by the the numerous amounts of stores and plazas that surrounded the area. Several manufacturing industries could be seen from miles and miles away. However, there were also a bountiful row of trees and bushes lined up all over. Small forests can be seen scattered around in the more fertile areas of the south. On the north however, everyone can spot the volley of volcanoes running around nearby by the outskirts. It seemed as if this was the source of the faction's energy.

Kageru stood by using a messenger terminal, a machine used to communicate on screen with other people and send messages from a far larger distance, especially those who own a personal one. Midori stood quietly nearby a bench, trying to send texts to her brother, telling him that he'll be fine.

" (MMmmm... Hardly any signal. I probably should've asked mother to switch my planning before coming here. Sigh.)"

" Yep. that's right. I just came in about a few hours ago. So we're starting today right? Sigh...Do we really need to? I'm beat after that trip. Sigh...alright alright... But can you at least do me a favor. You see I have a little girl with me, and she's separated from her older brother. So if it's alright with you, could help with paying for her expenses too? I'm keepin an eye on her, though I know I can't bring her with me while I'm training, and I really don't want her being left out and bored and worried. I know... but well... I got into a little... accident at the station so I can't really go there for the time being.. and well she got involved too... So you can? Thanks Master Laevatannia! You're the best! Okay then I'll see you in about an hour. *hangs up* Alright Midori, we got a hotel room booked and the guy I just talked to should have your trip to Doriado City all covered. Though you will have to wait for about a week, since he's pretty busy."

" Oh... Okay. Thank you. A week huh?" Midori thought deeply, worrying about her brother. " I hope Isamu is alright..."

" Isamu...That you're brother's name?"

"Y-yes..."

" Sounds like a nice guy. What's he like? You can talk to me about it while we walk to the hotel."

" Well... He takes good care of me while my parents are busy with their work. They're usually away. It can't be helped, so most of the time, he takes care of me, plays with me, and ensures I'm safe from other people. He's a bit... overprotective... but but he's a really kind-hearted person. And..., he's a a very strong duelist too. He would always give me pointers and always encouraged me to get better and try my hardest, while enjoying the game... To me, he's the closest thing I can relate to home."

" Wow. He sounds great. Hehehe a strong-duelist huh? Now I really wanna meet him! Is he really that strong?"

" Uh-huh. he's won plenty of small tourneys and he just passed the Aspiring Hope Qualifiers a few days ago."

" !? So he's a competitor for the DT Grand Championships too?"

" Uhuh." Midori smiled as she proudly stated.

Kageru's face began to pucker red with excitement. "Alright! He sounds strong alright. But I hope he's strong enough to take on the next best duelist of Termina! ME! Once I clear the Red Nova tournament. I'll be one step closer!"

Midori's eyes widened upon hearing Kageru's last statement. " Now I remember you... Aren't you the hot-headed guy who passed the Red Nova Qualifiers?"

" Yep!... But really, hot-headed guy? That was kinda harsh."

" Ehehehehee...Ehmmhmm Sorry..." Midori giggled.

"Well... looks like we're here... It's a pretty nice place too! Wow! Alrighty. Let's check in. I gotta leave soon"

The pair went into their room, admiring the beautiful scenery, large beds, and clean atmosphere. Kageru spent only a few moments to take it in, until he checked the time. " Alright then. Looks like I gotta go. You'll be alright here? I'm sorry, but I'm gonna be busy training for a couple of days..."

Midori simply sat down on one of the beds and nodded. " Y-yes I'll manage. Thank you again." She solemnly looked by the window.

Kageru, feeling sorry for leaving her alone like this then said. " Hey Midori, tell you what, once I'm done, let's do something fun okay? And once we get back, I'll introduce you and your brother to my group if that's alright with him. Sound good?"

Midori's eyes slightly brightened like bright emeralds. " Mmmm... Okay. Sounds great."

Kageru quickly took out his phone and threw towards Midori's side. " Here... Use this... I really only use that for emergencies. That one has the number on my Duel Disk too, so if you ever need me, don't hesitate to give me a ring. In the meantime, feel free to call your brother... Well... See ya later.."

Midori called out "W-wait!...Ummm..." she blushed nervously, and twiddled her fingers, unsure of what to say or how to repay him.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you... Thank you very much..."

"No problem... Hey Midori... Let's have a duel when I'm done too okay?...Well laters.." with that, Kageru took his leave.

Midori looked over with widened eyes. She slightly smiled over and bowed in respect, feeling relieved to have bumped into him. " Thank you. Kageru-kun."