Savior

Natsumi was surprised at the look of the mistress' (former) subordinates.

She asked, "You all look so sad. What happened?"

Kei stepped up for all of them and said, "We want to help them... our friends. But we don't even know how..."

Natsumi pressed her lips before saying, "If I may, I can tell you how to get to where they are."

"You can?" Sana asked, her eyes as wide as saucers.

Everyone looked at each other before settling their gazes on Natsumi. Natsumi explained, "I know how to set up a portal to where they are. Clearly, you can't go inside without knowing who the enemies are. So, I am willing to help you with your dilemma."

"How can we trust you? The mistress trusts you so much and we know you're not that weak to turn on the mistress." Shindou said.

Natsumi sighed and then told them, "Well, you should trust me because the mistress trusts me. Meaning, I know much of what she has been doing in her free time and most of her secrets. And I'm the only one who can help you."

Kirino nodded slowly. "That is true."

"So, you're gonna trust her? We don't know what she wants and what she could do!" Kariya exclaimed.

They all glanced at each other and murmurs broke out. Natsumi patiently waited for them to stop and reach a decision. Hopefully, they would hear her out because she is really telling the truth and wants to help them.

"I want to hear her out," a voice cut through all the whispers.

They turned around to see Tsurugi, Kurumada, Kurama and Nishiki all in a single line. It was Tsurugi who spoke and he explained, "I think it will be useful and, besides, we have Kishibe to identify if it is a lie or not."

Everyone looked at Kishibe who just nodded slowly.

Natsumi was relieved and then said, "I am not lying. I seriously want to help you and save the girls. I know where they are, they are inside the Jumonji Family's laboratory where they usually experiment. The laboratory is in a remote place and no one could spot it, except for the people who already had been there."

"Can you lead us there?" Kurama asked.

"Yes, with a portal." Natsumi replied.

Tsurugi nodded and then said, "And what about Amaterasu? Does she know about this?"

Natsumi paused and then replied, "No."

Kishibe felt something odd about her answer and asked again to be sure, "Does the mistress know anything about this?"

Natsumi shook her head. "No, she doesn't."

Was Kishibe just being anxious? When Natsumi first answered the question, she was kind of hesitant. When he asked the question again, she seemed so sure of her answer. It made Ksihibe wonder if she was really telling the truth. Natsumi's minds was clear and she did not at all think of any thoughts about anything.

Tsurugi narrowed his eyes and asked, "So, you're telling the truth, correct?"

"Yes."

Kishibe gave Tsurugi a thumbs up to tell him that Natsumi wasn't lying.

"Okay. Then we'll trust you. And I also personally want some answers from you." Tsurugi admitted.

"I am assuming these questions are about the mistress, right?"

"Well, most of them anyway."

Kurama breathed out a sigh as he carried the large backpack to Tsurugi's house.

"Whatya got there?" Kariya mused from behind.

"Something that's actually important." Kurama replied.

"Eh? So, where're you planning to put that?"

"Tsurugi's house."

"He has a house?" Kariya asked, genuinely surprised.

Kurama rolled his eyes and replied, "Duh. Where do ya think he sleeps? Under a bridge?"

"It's one of my choices, yes." Kariya admitted.

"Whatever. Anyway, aren't ya going to do your assignment?" Kurama asked.

Kariya shrugged. "No one ordered me to do something. Maybe it's because I shouldn't be trusted with those kind of things."

"Well, that is true."

"Oh, haha."

They fall into silence as they walked over to Tsurugi's house.

"Why do you want to save those girls, Kurama?" Kariya spoke up.

Kurama was surprised at the question but replied, anyway, "I don't know. It just seemed so horrible to kidnap girls for an experiment that could fail and kill those girls. Plus, Tsurugi is actually a very kind guy."

"Really? So, he's like the leader of your group...?"

"Yeah, sure. You can say that. Personally, I am envious of him but I know I shouldn't be so I tend to cast my emotions away." Kurama shrugged.

Kariya paused and then asked, "Do you, know your power already?"

Kurama blinked his eyes and then shook his head slowly. "No... why do you ask?"

"I want to show what you can do. Maybe you won't have to get jealous of Tsurugi now."

"What are you talking about?"

Kariya simply closed his eyes and chanted a spell.

A flash of light blinded Shuu's eyes as he walked inside Shindou's gym inside their mansion.

"Good morning, Hakuryuu." Shuu grinned.

Hakuryuu grunted at him and asked, "So, you already been from Tsurugi's huh?"

"Yep, and you guys are just practicing?" Shuu asked.

"Well, we need to at least be strong if we want to last against the battle. If Natsumi's right and they are as strong as they are..." Hakuryuu did not finish his sentence and continued kicking a punching bag.

Shuu nodded and walked deeper into the room to strengthen himself. Almost everyone of them were here, it was crazy to see all of them putting effort into saving those girls. Those girls who actually put life into them, making most of Shuu's friends care something other than themselves.

"I know, I also have never seen them so fired up in all of my life." Fei mused to Shuu, effectively reading his thoughts.

Shuu chuckled, "How did you know I was thinking that?"

"You have that look in your eye. It gave it off." Fei said and then asked, "What do you think is happening back at the house?"

Shuu frowned and said softly, "I don't know. I never knew the mistress that much..."

Fei smiled sadly. Changing the subject, Fei said, "How about we do a little match? I haven't seen you fight with your elements since."

"And I haven't seen you with your clones, I missed it." Shuu laughed.

"Well, let's go!"

Yuu sighed at the two as they battled. Kei laughed beside her and asked, "Don't you like fighting?"

"It is pretty tiring. But I can't say I don't like it. Besides, shouldn't you be asking that to yourself?" Yuu offhandedly said.

Kei frowned and admitted, "I... don't like fighting..."

Sana put a hand on Kei's shoulder and said, "You shouldn't be afraid to fight Kei. I know you promised yourself, but this is for those girls, our little apprentices. But if you really can't fight, we're here for you."

Yuu said, "I don't recall saying I agree with all this."

"Yuu-chan! Kei's our friend! You should be helping her!" Sana exclaimed.

Kei smiled and said, "It's fine, Sana. Besides, I know Yuzuki has a soft spot for us."

Sana widened her eyes and asked, "Really?"

"Don't believe everything Kei says. Anyway, shouldn't you be practicing with the other boys?" Yuu said.

"Oh, yeah, come on, Yuu-chan!" Sana said as she dragged Yuu someplace else.

They left Kei alone. It doesn't matter to Kei, though, she loves staying somewhere she know she can't be disturbed. Maybe Sana was right, Kei needed to fight so she could save those girls. It is for the greater good after all, right?

Kei found herself much more braver than before and followed Yuu and Sana.

Tsurugi groaned for the third time today.

"What's wrong?" Nishiki asked as he rolled a dice.

"Everything. I can't connect my thoughts... it's fucking killing me." Tsurugi said.

"What do you mean? Like everything's a jumbled mess in your brain or you can't think properly?" Kurumada asked as he watched Nishiki move his piece on the board.

"Both, I guess." Tsurugi wrinkled his nose.

"Is something bothering you?" Nishiki asked.

"Nothing. But if I should concentrate..." Tsurugi stopped his sentence and looked at his blueprint carefully.

Kurumada shook his head and rolled the dice. "Tsurugi, if you want to concentrate, you have to not think about that thing that's bothering you."

"Yeah, and what better way to do that than to tell us?" Nishiki said.

Tsurugi took a deep breath and then faced his friends. "Alright. But you better stop playing Snakes and Ladders for a while."

Kurumada gave him a grin and sat properly to face Tsurugi. Nishiki fixed his posture as well and asked, "So, what's been bothering you?"

"Okay, you must think I'm an idiot. But I'm afraid that this might fail, that they could be dead because of me." Tsurugi sighed.

"What do you mean?" Kurumada asked.

"You're getting pressured." Nishiki pointed out.

Tsurugi sighed, "I don't know. Maybe... I just... I don't like the idea that if we lose, those girls might die or something..."

Kurumada said, "Don't think about those kinds of stuff. Think about winning with all you've got and all that jazz. Don't worry, because those girls are going to be fine and we will win."

Tsurugi clenched his fists and shouted, "And what if we lose?!"

Nishiki glared at Kurumada before saying, "Tsurugi, just stay calm and think about-"

"I can't! I can't stay calm knowing that... gah!" Tsurugi shouted and then stormed out of the room.

"Tsurugi!" Nishiki called.

Kurumada sighed and said, "I think we should leave him be. There are some battles where a man needs to fight alone."

Nishiki frowned, "Why do you sound so wise?"

"Because I am." Kurumada winked.

"Ugh." Nishiki sighed and stood up. He said, "Still, we should find him. If he gets hurt or anything..."

"All right."

Tsurugi looked at the sunset at the top of the hospital. He was torn apart, scared to make action because he felt that he might lose. And if he loses, then what will happen to those girls? Killed? Murdered? Tortured?

He was putting everyone's life in danger, he thought. This was unlike him, he managed to battle against the mistress, but why should he stop now? Was it because he knew there was a consequence if he lost? Or was it because if he lost, someone might die? Or maybe even because he knew that there was a large chance that he will lose...

"I am sure that Tsurugi Kyousuke is not a coward. What is bugging your mind, Tsurugi?" a soft voice asked.

Tsurugi sharply turned around and brought out a small knife he's been carrying. He asked, "What the fuck do you think you're doing here?"

It was the mistress who was wearing casual clothes. Her honey blonde hair which reached her waist still looked as shiny as ever. She still had a fair complexion but her cheeks were rosier than the last time Tsurugi saw her. Again, her eyes were pure white and she looked blind.

"Enjoying the view."

"Can you still see?" Tsurugi blurted out.

Amaterasu chuckled, "Well, yes, actually. In contrary to what everyone thinks when they see me. This is why I prefer if I have a hood, but I wanted to see clearly."

"Did... did you know I was here?"

"Yes. You seemed distressed though... do you want to talk about it?"

Tsurugi asked, "Okay. Who the hell are you? The mistress isn't like this. She's cold and emotionless and definitely does not have a gentle voice."

"You think I have a gentle voice?" Amaterasu asked.

"Well, uhm... anyone will agree with me." Tsurugi grumbled, with a soft pink on his cheeks.

"Besides, you can call me Amaterasu. Now, may I sit with you?" Amaterasu asked.

Tsurugi said, "You won't kill me?"

"Nope. I don't think I will have a heart to do that." Amaterasu admitted.

They both sat down beside each other near the edge and enjoyed the sunset.

"So, why do you have a different personality than the mistress?" Tsurugi asked.

"I am calm. This happens when I let go of everything and simply focus on being calm. So, should I ever get enraged, I get back to my cold and emotionless self." Amaterasu explained.

"You're calm." Tsurugi stated dully.

"Yes. But you are not. What is troubling you, Tsurugi?"

"It's- uh... nothing..." Tsurugi huffed, refusing to tell Amaterasu a thing about their plan.

"Well, if you are not telling me, I can only tell you one thing: do not be afraid." Amaterasu said.

Tsurugi rolled his eyes, "That's not really helping, you know."

Amaterasu hit Tsurugi at the back of his head as she explained, "I know you must be pressured by now, but do not be. If you want to save your friends then you must do everything you can. If you give up, then your other friends will be enraged by your actions. And do not shoulder the world, this is the reason why you have friends to count on."

"How do you know this-?!" Tsurugi was cut off because Amaterasu put a hand over his mouth.

"It does not matter why I know this. You must not give in to fear, because it will just hold you back."

Tsurugi removed her hand from his mouth and replied, "Thanks. I guess, I need to do all that I can to help those girls. Losing is not an option."

"Oh, you should embrace losing because it will help you learn. But if you really want to help your friends, accept all possibilities."

Tsurugi stood up and turned around. He was needed and he needed his friends. Amaterasu was right, he shouldn't feel like everything is on him because his friends will help him. And should he ever lose... well, he wasn't planning on losing.

"Why are you helping me?" Tsurugi asked.

"You do not have to know, Tsurugi. Now, go, your friends are looking for you."

"I-"

As if on cue, he can hear the calls of Kurumada and Nishiki. "Tsurugi! Where are you?!"

Tsurugi walked to the door and turned around the last second... only to find Amaterasu was long gone.

"Thank you, Amaterasu." Tsurugi said genuinely.

"There you are! We were worried!" Kurumada exclaimed.

"Sorry guys, but I think we have some girls to save." Tsurugi said.

And with a stronger resolution, he told his friends a plan.

HEY GUYS!

I know, it's late, but I hope you enjoyed this chapter. The next one is where they will save the girls (hopefully it's successful).

Anyway, please review and share your thoughts about this chapter!