A/N: A little announcement before we begin. Since we're actually coming to an end of Ice Chronicles, my other two stories will be on a little hiatus, just until Chronicles is completely finished. That means Heart of Shadows and Evolution will not be uploaded until the granddaddy is done. By granddaddy, I mean Ice Chronicles, daddy is Shadows, and son is Evolution. Okay that's enough rambling, enjoy.
Ice Chronicles
Chapter 68: Aftermath
I woke up to bright light hitting me in the face, but I refused to open my eyes. I didn't have the heart to do so, not after the failure I displayed. While the attack against Higa was a success, I was not happy with my results. Yes, the bastard is dead, but it wasn't by our hands. If they didn't show up when they did, I can sadly say we would all be dead. Kai is pretty much the only one who could've taken Higa out; he's on an entirely different league. I was not happy; and it just gets worse from there. I don't know how I'm here first of all; I just remember getting blown out the window with Akira and Yukari by an explosion and passing out as soon as I hit said window. I have no recollection of how I'm where I am now. Getting worse from there, Higa countered every plan I could think of, and even brought me inches to my death. Kai again, saved me from death; and I definitely have to thank Matsu for coming up with the plan. I knew it had to be her since everyone was so spaced apart. Higa had me beat at every corner.
The final thing that really got me the most was Karasuba's words. When we entered Higa's room, she was already there with the task complete. She was the one who killed Higa, and as she sat on his desk, cleaning her bloody sword, she said to me, "I expect bigger things from you Ren. I'm very disappointed in your attempts here really. How could you let someone like Higa beat you like this? Even if he had you outnumbered and had better equipment, you should've took those into consideration. If Kai wasn't here, you would be dead, your entire sekirei team would be dead, and I would be beyond exasperated with you. So, in return for helping you with this mess, I require some stronger resistance from you; and by that, I mean I want you and your entire time stronger. Don't disappoint me again, understand?"
Her words stung, but she was right. My performance was very poor. I was too careless and paid the price for it. She was right, if Kai or the squad weren't there, we would all be dead like I said. After that, everything except the being thrown out the window thing was a blur, but I was too afraid to see what's happening now.
"Are you just going to mope in bed all afternoon?" someone asked. "It's five in the afternoon."
I knew the voice, but I refused to look at them. I just hid my face under the sheets, feeling anger swell up inside. I heard the visitor sigh. "This is just like when you were little; you would always hid under your sheets whenever you got angry. So what's eating you this time?"
I gritted my teeth.
"Did you hear what happened?"
"Of course, my nephew and his team took on the Ashikabi of the East, fought through his building, and succeeded in killing him. However, you lost a few comrades," my uncle relayed the message to me. I gasped at hearing I lost some comrades. I didn't know that part.
"Who did we lose?" I asked. I heard a sigh and shifted around in the bed.
"Well, there was Yashima and Nanami from Jason, Mei-Mei from Ryan, and then from Sanada."
"Wait hold on," I interrupted him. "Even Sanada lost some?"
"Uh, yeah; remember that childish trio?" my uncle asked me. It was my turn to sigh, quite petulantly I will add.
"So in total, we've lost six comrades," I stated.
"That is correct," Uncle Clyde responded. "That's not too bad to be honest."
"Not too bad?" I repeated, a little rise in my voice.
"Well think about it Ren; you and your team just took on the second biggest corporation in Teito. Do you really think six is so bad as opposed to what could have been?" my uncle questioned. I thought about it for a minute; he did bring up a good point. We could've lost a lot more, and if Ryan's part of the plan worked, we gained one instead.
"I guess you have a fair point," I responded. "But I'm not coming out still."
My uncle sighed again.
"You can stay under there all you want; it won't change anything. All you're doing is hiding from the truth. But, I can't convince you. I'll come and check up on you later; try to rest in the meantime."
"Got it," I replied. I heard the door close and silence fill the air. Softly, I let out a sigh and threw the sheets off me. I sat up, but a jolt of pain courses through my body, which I hugged tightly. The pain was very sudden and strong; it had to be from the explosions and falls I suffered. My eyes clamped shut as I fought back the pain.
"Are you okay?" someone asked. I opened one eye and looked up, seeing her bluish-gray eyes gaze upon me. I sighed once more and finally took notice of various bandages wrapped around my limbs. I've been mummified again, only less so this time. She sat beside me and placed her hand on my shoulder.
"I'm doing fine Akitsu," I said. "How are you and the rest doing?"
My ice sekirei rested her head on my shoulder and gripped my hand tightly.
"We're doing all right, just worried about our ashikabi. When we saw you fly out the window, my heart started to shatter. I really thought you were gone; and I was too shocked to do anything that when I finally reached the window, you were way out of my reach. Kazehana was too stunned to do anything as well; but thankfully, Uzume got to you in time. She and those twins were already close to the exit when you gave the order to evacuate," she explained. Akitsu gripped my hand tighter. "I was never so terrified in my life."
I brought her in for an embrace and kissed the top of her head.
"I'm sorry Aki," I apologized. She shook her head no.
"You don't need to; I'm just glad to see you're doing well."
"I should've thought smarter," I sighed. "If only I strategized more effectively, things may have turned out even better."
"You don't know that for sure," Aki told me. "For all we know, that was probably the best you could come up with."
"But I know I could've done better," I denied. "I was too careless, too reckless, and look where it got us."
"We won though," Aki pointed out.
"Barely," I replied and looked away. "You know if the squad didn't show up when they did, we would all be dead. If they didn't come to help, you, me, everyone on our team would be dead."
Aki didn't say anything and released my hand. She then moved away from me.
"So you're saying you're not happy to see us still alive and well?"
"I didn't mean it like that; it's just."
"You're too engrossed with the outcome that you don't even care about all of us who risked their life to bring the East down. You don't care one bit that those who are still alive. You're saying things would've been better if all of us really did die?"
"Aki that's not what I'm saying at all," I said, but she ignored my words and rushed out the room. I called out to her, but she didn't come back. I sighed in aggravation and fell back on the bed. Now I've made Akitsu mad, just great. I hopped out of bed and cautiously walked towards the door, feeling my body ache at every movement. I walked into the hallway and rested against the wall. I know Aki was already gone back home so I just walked the corridors alone.
Thoughts of last night continued to haunt my mind, especially Karasuba's words and Higa's comebacks. I balled up my fist and pounded the wall beside me as I breathed through my gritting teeth.
P.O.V Change Jason
It was either me or just the smell, but I was completely starving. I've eaten like five helpings of food and could still put some down. Ikki stared at me in shock as she watched me eat with lightning speed, like a character from an anime. I just couldn't help it though; I was so hungry and I didn't have Miya's delicious home cooked meal to satisfy me.
"Uh Jason? I think you've eaten enough," Ikki pointed out. There was a loud growl from my stomach saying otherwise.
"Or maybe I haven't eaten enough," I chuckled and dug into another helping. The food was delicious don't get me wrong, but it's not as good as Miya's. "I would share but you were fed by Miya."
"I wasn't going to ask anyway," she said. "But I do want to ask if you remember anything from last night."
I swallowed my food before responding.
"Whew, yeah, I remember everything."
"And? That's it?" Ikki inquired.
"Gif mef a sef,"I responded.
"Jason you know I hate when you do that," Ikki scolded me, but I laughed, which was my biggest mistake as I started choking and had to wash down the food with a drink. Ikki crossed her arms under her chest. "See? You almost choked."
I pounded my chest and panted hard, feeling my breathing slowly return to normal.
"Okay, I'm okay now."
Ikki just gave me a sigh and shook her head.
"You've been giving me that look the entire time now. Do you hate me that much now?"
"Who said I hated you?" She asked back.
"Your gestures that's who; you keep looking at me like I'm a criminal or something," I pointed out.
"I look at you like this all the time," she stated.
"Exactly, because you hate me so much that you keep trying to hold back your anger to avoid snapping my neck," I explained, finishing another helping of food. Surprisingly, I was still hungry, but unfortunately, I didn't have any more food. "Aw man, I need more food."
"You've eaten enough Jason; you're going to explode if you keep eating," Ikki stated.
"I'm sorry, but I'm just so hungry. All that last night made me starving and I need food in my belly," I neatly stacked the dishes and requested more from the nurse, who was very kind to me. She pulled in a cart full of food and took the dirty ones; I thanked her humbly and dug in again. Once more, Ikki shook her head with a sigh.
"Seriously?"
"What? You know how much I love food," I reminded her.
"Trust me; I know full well," she responded.
"So tell me what's wrong," I requested, already done with a bowl of noodles.
"There is nothing wrong," she lied; I could tell she was lying.
"Yes there is; you just don't want to admit it, but I can see through your lies," I called her out on it. "Mmm, man these people can cook."
"I could ask you the same thing," Ikki responded. "I know there's something bothering you that you don't want to admit."
"No I'm fine," I guzzled down the soup the noodles bathed in.
"Really? Now who's being stubborn?" My fiancé questioned.
"Not me; I know what you're trying to do. Yes, Yashima and Nanami have been deactivated, but that doesn't mean I'm just going to sit and mope around all day, not when I have all this delicious food to consume and other people to make me feel better," I explained. "So you can play that little game all you want; I won't be fazed by it. Oh, and before you ask, yes, I am sad about them, but as I said, I'm not going to sit and mope around all day."
"But how can you just accept that nonchalantly?" Ikki questioned. I set the bowl I was eating from down and faced my fiancé. I poked her forehead with my chopsticks.
"Did you forget when you and Kaho met my mother? Did you also forget that I had a little sister who died when she was little? It's not the first time someone I cared about has died; I just know how to handle it a lot better than other people."
"It's really that easy for you huh?" Ikki inquired. I resumed eating again.
"I wouldn't really say easy; just keep your eyes open."
"Keep your eyes open?" Ikki repeated. I nodded and finished the plate of food.
"Something I heard before."
Just for laughs, I let out a loud belch and laughed afterwards; however, Ikki was not amused.
"Ugh, men," she scoffed.
"Women," I retorted and grabbed the last plate.
P.O.V Change Ryan
Man was I starving! I just had to get some food in my stomach. After doing what I had to do, I just waited with my sekirei for Ren to give the word. I felt bad about losing Mei-Mei, but I know what she wants, despite her being so quiet. Firstly, she would want me to eat until I'm full, meaning until I explode. One of the things I didn't appreciate when waiting was the never-ending scolding Kaie gave me; I swear that girl is just waiting to detonate. Sad thing is no one bothered to help me and just let her go on and on and on; it was terrible. I was beyond ecstatic once we arrived at the MBI protected hospital and handed off to the staffs' care. I got a good morning sleep, as the sun was about to rise when we made it out Higa's building, some delicious food now going into my belly, and tranquility.
Best part is, I got another addition to my group, Kochou; and while I still felt bad about what she went through and the lie I had to tell her, I believe I can still mend this. I just had to be careful about what I say. But enough of that, there's a lot of food that needs to be consumed and my stomach and I have never agreed more; it's time to chow down. If I were a character in Dragon Ball Z, Goku would be so proud of me at the way I was eating. The food was just so delicious that I couldn't get enough.
"Mmm, aw man this is great!" I said with my mouth full.
"Please don't eat with your mouth full," someone stated. I jumped in surprise and almost chocked on the delicacies I was enjoying. I pounded my chest and wolfed down my beverage. "And that is why you shouldn't talk with your mouth full."
I coughed vehemently.
"Don't…surprise me like that. I nearly died!" I yelled at the visitor; however, I had no idea it was Kochou, who was dressed in her usual attire.
"You okay?" She asked.
"Well I almost died a few seconds ago, but I'll be fine," I responded.
"Yeah you're fine," Kochou said. "So how's the leg?"
My broken leg was wrapped up, elevated to provide comfort, and allowed to heal properly. It wasn't hurting that bad, but it did ache from time to time.
"It's doing fine, much better actually; it still hurts a bit though," I told her. Kochou entered the room further and took the chair beside me.
"Well that's good at least; I was worried you'd be pushing yourself."
"Now when have I ever pushed myself?" I asked, but she gave me that 'really?' look and I realized my question. "Don't answer that."
"I thought so," she sighed. "I can name plenty of times."
I held up a finger as if to prove a point. "Now in my defense, I was merely trying to go beyond my limitations."
"And how many times did that 'trying to go beyond my limitations' put you in my care for treatment?"
I tried to retort but nothing came to mind; I was defeated.
"Also in my defense, some of it was just an excuse to see you," I responded. Kochou fixed her glasses and hid a faint blush tainting her cheeks.
"You can sweet talk all you want," she said softly.
"You say that, but you're blushing," I pointed out with a chuckle. She turned her head; it wasn't new for us. I would always compliment Kochou and she'd get embarrassed. Kakizaki never complimented her, at all; I don't see how either. Kochou was just a stunning woman, very mature looking, sexy, how could Kakizaki not compliment her? The man was definitely crazy, but a little horizontal slash took good care of him.
"Even now your sweet talks still fluster me; if only he complimented me like you did," Kochou's face saddened as she spoke; I could tell she was thinking hard about Kakizaki, his death leaving a strong impact on her.
"You okay?" I asked, probably a stupid question to ask. She let out a heavy sigh and nodded her head.
"I'm fine; just still processing things. Hard to believe they took out Higa and Kakizaki," she said.
"Sorry Kochou; if only I was faster, I probably could've saved them," I told her. She didn't respond at first and showed me a frown. Kochou crossed her arms under her very impressive chest, pushing them up a bit. I looked back at in confusion, my teeth chewing the delicious food I'm still consuming. "What?"
"Don't what me," she stated sternly. "Did you really think I wouldn't notice?"
I blinked a couple of times, honestly unsure of what she's getting at.
"Do you remember when you came to see me about anything Higa might have wanted you to do? You used your Jinki to force me to give you some info and tried to wipe my memory."
I gasped and choked on my food again. After saving myself, I stared at Kochou in shock; how did she know about that. I was positive I wiped her memory.
"How…how do you remember that?" I questioned. Kochou crossed her legs and pulled out a tablet, which she used to play back a recording of the day we're discussing.
"Next time, delete the camera feed to hide your tracks," she stated. She stared at me angrily. "The Ashikabi of the North didn't kill Kakizaki; you did, didn't you?"
I looked away and avoided her icy glare; she caught me red handed.
"Why?"
I didn't respond.
"Why did you kill Kakizaki? I can understand why you rebelled against Higa, but why did you have to kill my ashikabi?"
Again, I didn't respond and let her questions fill my ears.
"I'm not leaving until you confess. I want the truth and I want it now!"
I gritted my teeth and kept looking away, but she had me either way. There was no use hiding it. I looked down at my lap and let out a heavy sigh.
"You want the truth? Then I'll tell you. Have you ever heard of the saying 'love makes a person do crazy things?'"
"Ryan," she said more softly. "You can't be serious right? That can't be your reason for doing all this, is it?"
I turned my head towards her and showed her the fire in my eyes; she knows that look means I would never fib at that point. She eased her shoulders and recomposed herself.
"Ryan; I."
"Yes I know; I'm a fool, letting my feelings guide me, but I'll tell you right now; I have no regrets. Though I am sorry for lying to you, but I don't regret killing Kakizaki; it was bound to happen anyway. I just accelerated the process."
"What do you mean?" Kochou asked.
"Come on Kochou; you know Higa was going to get what's coming to him eventually. He basically challenged Ren ever since the guy first entered the Sekirei Plan," I began. "Higa's been targeting Ren for the longest, trying to take him out, but Ren always defeated the challenges, and so, his only tactic was to kidnap the girl and count on Ren coming to save her. His assumption was right and he had everything planned out to eliminate Ren and his team, but he still failed. He did drive us back a large margin, but he still didn't succeed. Along with him, Kakizaki fell and now the Ashikabi of the East is no more."
"That still doesn't make up for what you did; you should've just let me perish along with Kakizaki. At least then I won't have this lingering pain in my chest," Kochou stated.
"Kochou; I know you're angry, but trust me, it was for your own good," I told her.
"And how is killing my ashikabi good for me?" She interrogated.
"Say things caused Higa to retreat; he would've left you behind without so much as batting an eyelash. Kakizaki would've done the same; both would've left you behind to suffer," I stated.
"That's a lie!" Kochou yelled.
"Is it Kochou?" I inquired. "Think about it; you watched the feedback. You remembered what we talked about; Higa would get rid of anyone who isn't useful to him. Why would he come back for anyone when he can just save himself and start over? Face it Kochou; he would've left you behind to die. Kakizaki would do the same."
She looked down at the ground and gripped her pants.
"I'm sorry Kochou."
"And just what did you expect to happen?" She asked back. "Did you expect I would just go to you for comfort and fall in love with you? Do you take me as that kind of woman?"
"In order, I expected you to just talk to me about things bothering you, eventually yes, and no, I don't. I'm just saying that you deserved to live."
There was a brief silence that fell upon us.
"Well, I appreciate your kindness; I really didn't want to die, but I was prepared for it."
She got up and walked towards me; it was then my face was placed in between her soft chest. My face was on fire, as Kochou rubbed the top of my head.
"Don't think I've forgiven you though; I'm just giving my thanks."
She then kissed my cheek and sat back in the chair, her face as bright as a cherry. My face had to be in the same state as hers and my hunger was no longer a problem.
P.O.V Change Ren
I walked around the hospital to clear my mind, but it didn't work. I was still haunted by my failures. I received no word from Kai or Akira so I have no idea how they're fairing. I know Akira had a broken arm, but since he's not an ashikabi, it's highly impossible for him to be resting here. Kai, from what Yahan told me, was perfectly okay. Most likely, he's just exhausted and snoozing at home with his sekirei. Uncle Clyde said he didn't lose any teammates, which is a great thing, because there's no telling how much damage he'd cause if he did.
I walked back to my room, hoping things might turn out better for me, but I doubt it. Akitsu was still on my mind too and how she ran from me. She didn't even give me a chance to explain myself; I know she's hurt, but I didn't expect to find her sitting on my bed when I re-entered the room. She noticed me come in for her eyes shifted towards me. She turned her head but looked away immediately.
"Hey, you okay Aki?" I asked softly. She nodded her head while still looking away. I proceeded slowly to my ice sekirei and took the spot next to her. "Did you head home for a bit?"
She shook her head no this time. "I was still here."
"I see," I pulled her on my lap and wrapped my arms around her waist, then resting my head on her shoulder. "I was afraid you would be angry with me."
"I was for a little bit, but I know you didn't mean any of that," she responded softly.
"That's right; of course I'm glad you and the others are alive and well. I'm ecstatic to still have you all and grateful for fighting so hard. But those that we lost in the battle is what I don't like."
"Ren, not every plan will be perfect; there will be flaws and sometimes things don't go right. It's not your fault though; that's how things go, you can't beat yourself over it."
She twisted in my lap and faced me with adoring eyes.
"And I hate seeing you do that."
She gave me a tender kiss on the lips. Afterwards, she placed a hand on my cheek.
"You're stronger than that, smarter than, and better than that; I know it pains you to lose valuable teammates, but they gave it their all and fought to make sure your plan succeeded. You may think you don't make a good leader, but they thought otherwise. They fought because you gave them courage and led them against great odds. They would give anything to fight for you; but it's you who needs to understand."
"You have a lot you need to understand," someone else stated. Aki and I separated and faced the door, where we saw Akira and some other girl standing beside each other. Akira's arm was in a cast while the girl, who had long, messy crimson hair flowing down to her waist and red eyes. She wore a dark blue top with red rhinestones glimmering in a heart-shaped pattered over her chest, her rather large, almost Tsukiumi sized chest, a brown skirt that fell just above her kneecap, and a pair of regular navy tennis shoes.
"Minato? What are you doing here?" I questioned.
"A good friend gave me…wait, did you just call me Minato?" He asked back. I nodded.
"Yeah, Sahashi Minato," I clarified. He stared at me with wide eyes and a shocked expression. "What? You think I didn't notice? Good alias though."
"But…but how?" Minato asked.
"Well you kind resemble Takami, your mother, just a little bit. Also, she told me a story about her son and a little falling out they had. Add that with how determined you were to rescue Yukari and your obvious resemble to Minaka, I was convinced; you are Sahashi Minato, Yukari's older brother, and Takami and Minaka's son," I explained. "And who is she by the way?"
I pointed to the girl beside him, but both stared at me in shock with their mouths dropped. Aki and I looked at one another and then at the couple.
"Uhh, I can't believe how right you are," Minato said. "I mean, you weren't given any clues and yet, you just identified me."
"I'm good like that," I shrugged my shoulders, which upon Aki rested her head. "So who's that beside you?"
Minato snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head.
"Oh! This is Jun," he started blushing and scratched the back of his head. "She's uh, my fiancée."
"Hello," she greeted with a warm and gentle smile; it reminded me of how Uzume smiles, so warm and carefree. "I'm Jun Ichinose. Thanks for looking out for my wonderful Minato; he can be a handful at times, but I care about him a lot. You have no idea how worried I was about him."
"Yeah no problem; he was a great help," I responded. "My name is Ren Zonin; this is Akitsu."
She nodded to the couple.
"Kai told me you all were in this hospital. Mom allowed me to visit, after I finished explaining how Jun and I became betrothed; she was just too shocked. Also, Yukari is here too so I was visiting her, but she's sleeping right now."
"I see; well we're doing okay after everything that happened," I informed him. "How's your arm?"
"It's healing quite nicely, but since it's my dominate arm, I can't hardly do the things I normally do," he said. Jun then grabbed Minato's good arm and held it affectionately, pushing her breasts against it, and making Minato blush red.
"So that entitles me to take care of him until it's healed."
Minato chuckled sheepishly.
"It's good to see you doing alright; you have no idea how terrified I was when we were thrown out the window."
"I don't even remember what happened after going out the window," it was still a blur for me.
"Well, Uzume got out in time and used her veils as cushions; she had to use like fifty layers of the thing," Akira explained.
"Ah, now that makes a lot of sense," I let out a yawn. "Man, I'm still exhausted from that."
After a little bit more talking, Minato and Jun bid their farewells. Aki was about to leave as well but I kept her with me to use as a sleeping partner. It felt good holding her as we slept; it helped relief the stress heavily pressed on my back, but it didn't relief my doubts.
A/N: That ends another chapter for everyone to see. I hope you all like it, though it's just a little slow for the main thing to start. Without spoiling anything, just know that I am going to have oh so much fun with this. Well, please tell me what you think of the chapter in a pm or review please. This has been MalevolentDarkness16 and I will see you all in the next chapter. Thanks for reading and take care.
Oh! And one more thing; if you actually could understand the last chapter, you would've read that Akira was actually Minato Sahashi the entire time, just played a different character.