Chapter 10
It was almost night, when two teams encountered on each other. The two teams were tried, but Asagi's team was more exhausted then the one of Shiranui.
"Hey, Aki, how are you?" Pavel looked at the boy who was standing with the help of Maki.
"Don't worry, I'm fine." Aki replied, but still it was seen that he had pain, which he tried to hide.
"Maki, bring him to the medical office." Asagi commanded to the girl.
"How was your mission, Asagi?" Shiranui came closer to the elder Igawa.
"Bad." she exhaled, "However, as I understood there was no seals this time."
"What do you mean?" Oleg didn't understand.
"As I was explained by Murasaki, it was some demon, who used gravity abilities." Asagi explained, "They were really looking like anomalies." then she looked at Shiranui, "What about you? I hope at least you have good news."
"Kinda." Sakura chuckled
"I think we found the nest of the one who attacked retired Taimanin." Shiranui nodded, "It's an abandoned building. However it's in another district." Shiranui stopped, but then continued, "We decided not to enter it, but to observe it."
"Fine, I'll send some Taimanin on that mission." Asagi replied, "And what about the kidnapper? Could you find it?"
"Yes." this time Sakura joined the talk, "It's some kind of a was guy."
"An insect humanoid." Oleg corrected her.
"Insect humanoid?" Asagi didn't understand.
"Our enemy was someone like that too." Murasaki joined the talk, "It had a tail and four hands."
"But how is it possible?" Asagi pondered, "There was no such demons in my life before. New species?"
"You know." Sakura said to her elder sister, "After facing so much things in these few months, I'm not surprised if there was some bug and other such kind of guys in the past." everyone and even Murasaki chuckled at her words.
"Here you're right." Oleg nodded, "It's absolutely new for me too."
"By the way, did you encounter 'The Third Law'?" Maria asked him.
"No, there was no one of them." Oleg replied fast, "As if they're not interested in that person."
"After all they headed to that anomaly no wonder they decided to switch missions." Rinko pondered.
The team decided to go and have something to drink. The young Taimanin formed their own group, while elder ones formed theirs. They came to the drink bar and started to take something what each of them liked.
"And if it's something from the past, what it can be?" Shiranui suddenly asked Sakura.
"Maybe something like demon knight?" Sakura shrugged with her shoulders, "Who knows?"
"I'm enough with Ingrid." Murasaki wasn't glad to hear Sakura's idea.
"That demon we fought is really strong." Shiranui said, "And the wasps he controls are really dangerous, we barely could get a living one."
"You did what?" Murasaki and Asagi were shocked to hear that.
"Yeah, we could capture one of his black wasps." Sakura chuckled, "It was really a difficult thing."
"I don't want even how you did that." Asagi looked at Sakura, "But still you could do much more than we did, thus I'm happy at least with that." Then she turned to Shiranui, "By the way, how were they?" she nodded at the young hunters who were talking to each other.
"They're good." Shiranui smiled, "Of course they still have a lot to work, but in the future they will be really great hunters."
"Glad to hear." Asagi was glad Shiranui was thinking so, she did a sip from her plastic glass and turned to Sakura, "By the way, did you meet 'Red Division'?"
"Yes." Shiranui nodded seeing Sakura and Oleg didn't know what to say, "As they say, they want to kill that demon and don't want him to be a part of that organization."
'Is that why there wasn't him.' Asagi pondered, "I see." Asagi nodded not giving the thought she was surprised.
The students shared their impressions of their missions too. Rinko, Pavel and Ren were calm with that, while Yukikaze and Ilya were trying to know who was better, Tatsurou tried to calm his hot headed girlfriend, while Rinko tried to do that to Ilya from time to time, but then they decided to check how Aki was, while the elder ones decided to go and discuss their missions more detailed.
"Don't worry too much, I think I can walk myself now." Aki tried to free his arm, but Maki didn't let him do that.
"Don't move too much, after the hit was strong." Maki didn't agree with him, "So it's the best what I can do for you."
"It's not the leg after all." Aki tried to convince Maki not to worry about him too much.
"You always have problems because of me." Maki suddenly mumbled, "And I don't do anything properly to help, always trying to follow others commands. My team work is really sucks."
"That's not true." Aki disagreed with Maki, "Your team work is good and you could make that creature have problems."
"I don't think so." Maki shook with her head smiling, "And when we fought that man with bones, if not Pavel I would be dead."
"Knowing what creatures are they, it's still a surprise we're alive." Aki tried to cheer up Maki, "I also didn't make a lot. If compare me with Rinko, Pavel or Ren, I'll be in the end, even Tatsurou will kick my butt."
"You underestimate yourself!" this time Maki protested, "Your tactician skills are really good and your ideas work a lot even with hat creature. If only I was fast and could see what to do myself I would give you these problems."
Aki suddenly stopped and looked at Maki, who was watching at him now too. He pressed his lips against hers.
"I won't let you think you're unneeded." Aki said seriously, "If I was fighting him alone, I would be dead or captured, but with you we could battered it at least somehow, that's why I'll always will work with you, neither with Pavel not with Ren or Rinko, but only with you."
"Thanks…" Maki blushed and turned away in order not to show her worrying, "Listen…" Maki suddenly added, 'What with that letter? We must give it to Asagi-sensei."
"Yes, we'll do that tomorrow." Aki nodded, "I don't want others to have extra questions." he seemed worried with that, but still tried to remain still.
Maki brought him, to the medical office and Aki was did several physicals, the nurse knew and told that Aki's hand was cracked, but there was nothing significant, she quickly did something manipulations and put a bandage in order to make the bones not disturbed. The nurse left the office and the boy and the girl left alone.
"I think you must be rewarded." Maki looked at him with happy eyes, as there was nothing serious with Aki.
"Rewarded?" Aki didn't understand, "With what do you want to reward me?"
"I don't know." Maki shrugged with her shoulders and got closer to her boyfriend, "Maybe with me?" she took he undamaged hand and put it onto her breast, "What do you think?"
"Well… I…" Aki was astonished, "Maybe…" suddenly they heard how the door was opened, and they saw a bunch of young hunters.
Everyone seemed surprised of the picture.
"Didn't we interrupt something?" Ilya asked them.
"You know when to start fun." Yukikaze also chucked.
"Guys!" Aki didn't like that they were not in time he quickly removed his hand from Maki and tried to explain that it seemed not like that, while Maki was keeping silence.
"How is your hand?" Rinko decided to change the theme of the talk.
"Nothing serious, tomorrow it'll be fine." Aki was glad Rinko helped him, "Just a mere crack."
"By the way, Maki how that one was showing himself?" Yukikaze pointed at the boy with a girlish uniform, "Rinko is saying he is more skillful than me."
"Well…" Maki pondered, "He was with her, we didn't see him in battle."
"Damn." Yukikaze mumbled.
"How about to have a fight?" Ilya looked at Yukikaze, "And we'll know what I better, your lightening or my light."
"Tomorrow!" the girl raised her voice, "On a big break!"
"I don't mind." Ilya chuckled.
After the nurse came, the students left the office and decided to go and have some rest, in order to prepare or tomorrow practices.
"Wow, didn't know you two will join us." Torch was surprised to see Etienne.
"If not the request of Celine I would continue to work at the laboratory." Etienne replied to the boy with a wig, he looked at the girl who had a scarf and then at the boy, who came with him.
"What request?" Torch didn't like that was something from the demons, 'At least it from Celine.' Torch still was glad it wasn't Walter's order.
"We must find the source of the voice that calls him." Etienne looked at him, "And do you hear anything right now?"
"Just something weak." the boy shook with his head.
"And it's strange that it's in Tokyo, but not in the Tokyo Kingdom." Etienne pondered, "Usually something demonic is there."
"I don't know where it is." the boy replied, "I just can't find out even what it is."
Torch looked at Etienne as if he was looking forward the man will shout like Walter at him.
"Try to focus." the man only replied calmly, "Even if it's needed, try to meditate."
The boy agreed and took needed position. Azumi and Torch looked at him with surprise, but still said nothing as they didn't want to disturb him. The boy seemed tensed, Torch wanted to stop, but the boy quickly opened his eyes and replied.
"There!" he pointed at some direction.
Azumi, Torch and Etienne looked at the needed place and the four of them headed by the needed route. From time to time they stopped as the boy tried to listen to the voice as he explained. Little by little they came to the part of the city where the shore was, and the boy stopped.
"It comes somewhere from there." the boy pointed at some island in the water which was connected with the land with a long bridge.
"Tokyo kingdom?" Azumi looked at the place.
"So it's there after all." Etienne watched at the city, which was in front of them.
"I wanted to ask, what voice do you hear?" Torch asked the boy, seeing their way was ended for now and they could have some time to rest.
"I don't know…" the boy sadly said, "I had two voices, and one of them is like calling me to some place, while the other one talked to me inside my head." he tried to explain.
"And how is calling you?" Azumi asked him.
"Just calling nothing more." the boy didn't know what to say.
'Maybe it's some kind of a demon.' Etienne pondered, 'Since something is inside of him that means it's calling not him, but the creature inside.' he looked at the boy, 'Interesting, what connection is between these two creatures.'
"What should we do now then?" the boy looked at the French, "We should inform Walter about…"
"We'll inform Celine." Etienne replied, "This mission was giving by her, thus everything must be solved from her."
"Then for now we're free?" Azumi asked him.
"Not for now." Etienne replied and took out some syringe, there were a little of blood, which he injected onto his arm.
"What a weird." Azumi whispered to Torch.
"He always likes to inject something into him." he smiled at her words.
"I've heard you." Etienne wasn't happy he was called weird, in some second Etienne trembled and exhaled as if he had something hard, "That's really refreshing. Celine!" Etienne suddenly exclaimed.
In no time there appeared the woman in the metal armor and the other one, who was wearing a cloak like Mystic, but without hood.
"Strange… calling way…" Celine looked at the French scientist, "What… happened?" Celine exhaled cold steam.
"It seems we found where that voice comes from." Etienne replied her and pointed at the island in front of him, "It's from Tokyo Kingdom."
"Tokyo Kingdom?" Stephanie asked the armored woman.
"Sure?" Celine looked at the boy.
"Yes." the boy answered, "But it's difficult to get where it is, it seems there are a lot of demons." he suggested then.
"Understood…" Celine nodded and came to the fringe of the building and watched at the pointed place, 'Again… there…" Celine exhaled cold steam, "Will be…my squad… will investigate… it…" Celine looked at Torch, "Sister… will help too…" she looked at Azumi then.
"But she is with Przemislav." Azumi replied to the armored woman.
"Will talk… too…" Celine replied.
"So, do you want to send us there?" Etienne looked at her, "I think you'll know my price." he turned back to the Tokyo Kingdom.
"Will get… blood…" Celine answered him coldly, "Not now… later…" Celine turned around and went to Stephanie, "For now free… I say… when to go…"
"But our mission is in looking for…" Azumi wanted to disagree with the woman.
"Will change it… Walter and Mystic… understand…" Celine tried to explain, "But still… when Tardis and Tiradex… need help… you help…"
"Understood." Torch nodded.
"Then I'll return back to the lab." Etienne told to the woman, "I hope you'll bring me there." Celine only nodded and then she Etienne and Stephanie disappeared, while the boy, Torch and Azumi continued to stay.
"Well let's go to the base then." Torch replied, "Better to rest before the mission there." he rubbed the back of his head, "And I didn't want to go there anymore."
"It seems we will visit it from time to time." Azumi chuckled, "However she is much better than that man."
"Here I'll agree." Torch smiled too, but because of his mask it was unseen.
The small crew then headed to somewhere to the west in order to get to their base.
The morning came really fast, Asagi and Sakura decided not to sleep, but to finish their work earlier today. Both of Igawa sister were walking by the streets of Gosha Village. Both of them were in their costumes for work at the academy. Sakura was yawing, while Asagi tried to suppress that feeling.
"Shall we make meeting today?" Sakura asked Asagi after moaning.
"I don't think we'll need it today." Asagi answered her, "We have already discussed everything."
"Will do paper work?" Sakura was watching at her elder sister.
"Yes, with these problems I started to delay some serious papers." Asagi wasn't glad that she removed her work to the second place, "I don't know when I slept well for the last time."
"The same with me." Sakura chuckled.
"You should play less your games." Asagi lectured her younger sister, "And when you'll finally start cleaning of your room?"
"I would do it if not these missions." Sakura quickly replied, "By the way, sis, how was that guy in the armor? Was he stronger than that Walter?"
"Don't change themes." Asagi lectured her sister again, "Yes." she sighed, "This one's powers are in ice and at the same time he is really strong in close combat."
"If he is really a third demon lord like Walter, it's really a problem for us." Sakura said, "At least one little thing which we could use in order to start understanding of that all mess."
"Here I'll agree with you." Asagi nodded, "And the problem is that even Russian heads don't know what we're fighting with."
"Sis, I know it's stupid and all, but maybe we'd find a way to contact with Black?" Sakura suddenly asked her, but the orange haired Taimanin saw only irritated expression on the face of her sister, "I know it's stupid, but that man as you said knew Black so maybe…"
"Do you want to join forces with the one who did uncountable number of evil to us?" Asagi raised her voice a little.
"Wait, I didn't mean to cooperate with him, just to make him speak about it." Sakura tried to explain her point of view.
"I hope you won't say anything like that anymore." Asagi increased her pace, while Sakura left behind.
"I won't." Sakura replied and followed Asagi.
Near the gates of the academy Asagi met some people from the squad, who were Pavel, Maria and Shiranui with her daughter and the Akiyama siblings. Asagi noticed a fair haired woman in the red shirt and a black skirt.
"Shizuru! Can you come to my office? I have a mission for you." Asagi called the woman with glasses.
"Sure." She merely replied.
"Maria, will Oleg come today?" Sakura asked the Russian woman.
"Yes, he'll come to the second lesson." Sakura heard a reply, "What is it?"
"No, it's nothing." Sakura smiled in her casual way, "By the way, how is Masami? I hope you didn't make her sad."
"Of course we don't!" Pavel didn't like such word towards him and his Russian teachers, who were also helping.
"Nice to hear." Sakura chuckled, "Well, I'll run, hope you'll come to my training today."
Pavel and the students headed to their classes, while the teachers headed to prepare or to take the lessons. When Pavel came to his classroom, he saw that his friends had been already there.
"How is your arm?" Pavel saw Aki was without the bandage, "Don't hurry to remove the bandage?"
"Like you with your ribs." Aki smiled, "Don't worry, it's much better, I think I'll just miss Igawa-sensei's training for today."
"That's wise." Ren replied him, and then looked at Pavel, "What about you? Will you have training with Masami today?"
"Sure." Pavel nodded, "She is almost done I think, thus I must do my best in order she could join the other Taimanin in missions." he smiled to Ren, who only sighed at this smile, but still she also was happy that the stubborn girl not long before now could became active like she used to be." then Pavel added, "Well, and… are you free after lessons?"
"What is it?" Ren raised her eyebrow.
"How about to have training too?" Pavel asked the girl she liked.
"I don't mind." Ren shrugged with her shoulders, "I didn't plan to go to the club today anyway."
The lessons started to first lesson was history, so some students decided to sleep as the teacher wasn't strict, Pavel tried to work as he didn't want to show Russians as lazy ones. Aki, Masami and Ren also answered some questions, while Maki, tried to remember needed dates and persons.
Asagi came to her office along with Shizuru, who was walking behind her. The blond lady was guessing what mission could she give her and in such urgent way. When the women were in needed place Asagi took her place at the table, but before that she prepared her some coffee, while Shizuru was sitting on the sofa.
"So, Asagi why so urgency?" Shizuru asked her, "Another work with 'The Third Law'?"
"No." Asagi took the mug of coffee, "I have another mission for you, it'll another one abroad."
"Abroad?" Shiranui seemed shocked, "Wait, do you want me to spy on our politicians, who go to Yugoslavia?"
"Yes." Asagi nodded, she was glad she shouldn't explain the details, "You're the best one in such kind of missions so I think it's good to send you there."
"Will I be alone?" Shizuru asked another good question.
"No, I'll send some hunters for you protection." Asagi answered fast, "I don't know what will be there, but you must do everything secretly not showing yourself."
"I understand." Shizuru nodded, "But what do you want to know?"
"Everything." Asagi did a sip form her mug, "I want to know what made them joining into one party, and why they're going there, their real purposes."
"Aren't you afraid we'll be proclaimed as enemies if we are uncovered?" Shiranui warned Asagi, "After all, that event is well protected."
"I know, that's why I ask you to do that." Asagi smiled.
"Can I choose the ones who will help me?" the Taimanin with blond hair asked the woman, Asagi only nodded.
"But you depart tomorrow, in the day time. So be fast with it." Asagi said seriously, "I hope you'll find out at least something what will help us put them in prison." Asagi did another sip of coffee, "After all we know nothing about Nakamura's death."
"Do you think it could be Yugoslavian or Russian spies?" Shizuru looked with interest at Asagi.
"I don't know." she frowned, "I don't think Russian elites would do that. As we're cooperating and it'll give them unneeded problems." she pondered then, "But we know nothing about Yugoslavia and for their small gathering."
"As I remember it right." Shizuru said, "After the war, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Bulgaria formed an alliance with Serbia in the middle. But the problem is that how it could win being pressed on both frontlines since Croatia also was taking part in it, and why didn't they take it."
"That's what you must find out." Asagi replied and then heard how the bell rang, "Give me the report on persons you want to take with you at big break." she added then, "And don't forget tomorrow you'll depart."
"Don't worry, I like business trips." Shizuru chuckled and then left the office letting Asagi to work with papers.
Kurenai and Ayame were walking by the streets of the Gosha Village.
"It's good to have such calm and peaceful days from time to time." Ayame stretched her spine.
Ayame was wearing a warm sweater with pants, while Ayame was wearing a coat, which was similar to her uniform.
"Yeah…" Ayame replied being pondered about something, "It's good…"
"What is it?" Ayame was worried for her best friend, "You're in such mood for some time, is something bothering you?"
"How to say that." Kurenai tried to find the word to describe her dilemma, "I'm thinking about that vampire who helped us several times to fight that Walter."
"And who save you." Ayame added, on which Kurenai only nodded, "Do you want to join him?"
"I don't know." Kurenai sighed, "Yukikaze is here now and even Shiranui too, so I don't think there will be urgent missions in rescuing. So maybe with him, I could take down that Walter and then Black?"
"But you told he was incredibly strong that neither with Asagi and nor with that man from 'Red Division' you could fight him." Ayame wasn't sure it was a good idea to do that.
"I know, but we need a good strategy against him." Kurenai answered, "If only there was a way to surprise him and quickly to kill him."
"And where will you meet each other?" Ayame asked her again.
"In his shelter in Tokyo Kingdom." Kurenai replied, "He left some kind of a seal and told to activate it, so he will come."
"Do you want to escape like Yukikaze and Tatsurou?" Ayame asked her with wondering expression.
"For now our attention is focused on those scums, and Black is forgotten, and I can't forget what he did to my mother and granddad." Kurenai squeezed her fists, "And if Ezekiel helps me to kill that vampire scum I'll use that opportunity."
"If you go, I'll go with you." Ayame said firmly to Kurenai, "Be sure, my riffle gun will help you too."
"Thanks." Ayame smiled, "Now we must think of a plan, which will help us to escape Gosha and join Ezekiel."
"We must a mission there, and then we'll be able to join him." Ayame explained, "But don't you think we must leave some message to Asagi? I mean in order not to make her worried about us." Ayame didn't want to give troubles to Kurenai, and tried to find a way to soften their escape.
"But it must be done, when we're out of the village." Kurenai answered, "Or we won't be able to leave it."
There were not so many people outside as it was morning and the students were on their lessons along with the teachers. They decided to think everything carefully and only then to ask Asagi to give them some so called mission.
The day continued and the time came to the big break, when the students could go to their clubs, to eat or to have a nap. Pavel headed to have training with Masami, while his friends decided to go with them in order to see it. Pavel and Masami weren't against of it and the bunch headed to the gym where they could have it.
"Going for practice?" they heard a merry voice behind them, they all turned around and saw Sakura, who was in her working attire.
"Yeah." Maki nodded, "We also want to see how they are training."
"But still we also took part in it." Aki added to her words.
"What a diligent students you're." Sakura chuckled and watched at Masami, who was watching at Sakura.
"Is there something on my face, sensei?" Masami asked her.
"No, just glad to see, you're starting to change in good side." Sakura put her hand onto Masami's shoulder, "You've became even more active than before."
"Well…" Masami didn't know how to answer for that, "If not Pavel's efforts it would be so." she blushed slightly.
"No, it's your perseverance too." Pavel also praised the girl, "You agreed for that after all." Pavel put his hand onto her shoulder too.
"By the way, can I see how it's going too?" Sakura asked the Russian boy, "I was interested how it was going on."
"Why not." Pavel didn't mind at all.
'Good thing sensei also agreed for that.' Ren was glad Sakura was with them this time.
"We'll change our clothes and then come to the gym." Pavel said to the group, and both Masami and the boy ran ahead.
"I'll also change clothes." Sakura suddenly smiled, "Where are you going?"
"To the small gym." Maki answered, "But…"
Sakura then turned and went somewhere.
"Hey, Ren." Maki came closer to the tanned girl, "Why won't we also join the practice?" Ren only sighed, but replied nothing, as it was stupid thing to try to calm down her friend.
In some minutes the company came to the small gym the only one who didn't change clothes was Aki as he wanted to give his arm a day off.
"Guys?" Pavel and Masami were astonished seeing the audience in battle uniform.
"What? Not only can train Masami." Maki chuckled, "We are also her friends."
"And the teacher also must observe it." Sakura chuckled too, "Do you mind?"
"No." Pavel smiled, "It's everything to Masami." the boy looked at the girl with a spear.
"I agree." Masami nodded, 'I thought it will be only with Pavel. However it's not bad to practice in the company.' Masami gave up fast and started to chat to everyone, as all of them started to ask big number of questions.
"Well!" Pavel coughed at his fist, trying to calm Maki down, "I think the order is next, I'll warm up Masami, Maki will be the second, Ren is third and sensei is the last one."
"Maybe I'll be the first one?" Sakura asked Pavel, "If I warm up you'll be able to fight her a little more seriously."
"Well, what do you think?" Pavel looked at Masami not knowing how to do.
"I think it doesn't matter." Masami replied, "After all it's a difficult work to fight against sensei, thus we can in that way."
"Then let's do so." Pavel nodded and went to the bench with everyone leaving Masami against Sakura.
"Don't worry." Ren told Pavel, "She won't hurt Masami."
"I don't worry about that." Pavel replied her, "Just don't know about the way how they will have combat."
"So, Masami, try to attack me with everything you have, I won't use powers." Sakura exposed her blades and prepared for the attack.
Masami didn't wait long and did a wide jump to Sakura with her spear in readiness making Sakura to dodge the attack. Next attack of Masami consisted in making of back heel, however Sakura avoided it too.
"Not bad." Sakura praised Masami, and did a simple attack which was blocked.
Masami understood Sakura was succumbing, but still said nothing against it, but only continued to fight her. Masami tried to do a lot of trick in order to get Sakura, however all of them were predicted.
"Wow, I don't think I would be able to dodge these ones." Aki was surprised of Masami's way of battle.
"After all, she was our star." Maki looked at the girl with proud, "Sorry Ren." she looked at Ren then.
"I think Ren's style is better." Pavel suddenly replied.
"In what way?" Aki asked him.
"Well, the brute force and chaotic attacks from such girl like her will be really unexpected." Pavel pondered, "And working with her is really a pleasure."
"Thanks…" Ren said being blushed, she wasn't ready for Pavel's protection, however she was happy for that.
After some time Sakura decided to stop the practice and let Pavel o have a fight with Masami.
"Well, I'll start like usually." Pavel told her.
"Got it." Masami nodded.
Pavel rushed to Masami and hit the hilt of her spear. Masami jumped back and then rushed at Pavel again. This time Pavel protected himself from the strike, Pavel tried to think how to surprise Masami, however the girl was good in tactics.
"It seems you'll be able to fight in missions soon." Pavel smiled as he clashed his sword with the spear of the girl.
"Talent won't be lost." Masami also smiled, "Thanks to you, of course."
Masami's style was entirely different from Ren's if the tanned girl was brute and chaotic, Masami was still chaotic, but combining smoothness and unexpectedness.
"Wow, if Masami is able to fight again, I think she'll be able to fight even some of the teachers." Maki was surprised how Masami quickly changed.
"The girl who was scared to hold a weapon is now returning." Aki was surprised too, "She'll be able to fight with you sensei." Aki looked at Sakura.
"Yeah." Sakura nodded, "I think you're right." Sakura was watching carefully at the battle.
Little by little Pavel decided to stop and let Maki too join the practice.
"Pavel can I talk to you about something?" Sakura suddenly asked him.
"Of course." Pavel came to Sakura, "What is it?"
"Not here." Sakura got up, "I need something to discuss with you alone."
Pavel looked at Ren, who only nodded, "Don't worry, I'll look after them."
"Thanks." Pavel was glad Ren took the role of observer.
Sakura and Pavel left the gym and stopped at the corridor. Sakura looked around and saw no one in the corridor.
"What is it, sensei?" Pavel asked the younger Igawa, being wondered why she called him out of away from his friends.
"Do you know Edwin Black?" Sakura suddenly asked him.
"Well, heard about him." Pavel nodded, "He is after killing Ren's parents as I know. But what's with him?" she bowed his head.
"So you know even that." Sakura 's voice became a little upset, "Then I think there's no need to talk to you about it." she sighed.
"Wait." Pavel tried to give the woman an opportunity to speak out, "If you want to say something, I'll listen out. Of course I'm not as smart as Oleg Semenovich or Maria Sergeievna, but still maybe even I can say something clever."
"Fine." Sakura agreed, "I have a thought to talk to him, about the guys we have encountered. That Walter, stone giant, and the iron woman named Celine." Sakura said, Pavel replied nothing, so Sakura continued, "I don't know what Oleg will think about that, so I decided to talk to you about that. We need someone, who will explain us at least even a small part of all that mess."
"Is Black the only one who can give us such information?" Pavel looked at Sakura with a strange expression.
"Of course he isn't, maybe someone like Incubus King, or Astaroth could help, but these too are really secret and it's impossible to find them." Sakura explained, "I don't want to talk to him too, as he also did a lot evil towards me and sis and the others whom we love and loved, but the problem we're facing is much greater than that."
"Well…" Pavel pondered, "Here you're right." the boy frowned, "Honestly, I don't want to do that. However you're right. Black is one who can know the real power of them."
"I offered that idea to sis, but…" Sakura didn't seem happy at all.
"I think we can talk to Oleg Semenovich, but I don't know his reaction." Pavel wanted to encourage the teacher, "However he want shout or something like that, at least he will listen to it out."
"But what about you? Would join to my coalition?" Sakura asked him watching straight at him, "Even if Oleg would reject."
"I…" Pavel didn't know what to answer, 'He killed Ren's parents, but from the other side, it could help to us in fighting them and could protect Ren.' Sakura was watching at him seriously without her casual smile and was calmly waiting for his answer, "I will join to it, no matter what." Pavel replied her, "If know something what will help us to protect our friends I'll do that."
"Sweet." Sakura chuckled hearing that, "Now, we must try to convince Oleg and Maria to that."
"Won't Taimanin to cooperate?" Sakura heard the boy's question.
"No, all of us hate Black for what he did." Sakura answered, "That's why I'm counting on you." she turned around then and slowly walked straight the corridor, "Oh, and choose properly."
"What do you mean?" Pavel didn't understand the question.
"Masami or Ren." Sakura smiled in her casual way.
"Sensei!" Pavel shouted, but the teacher only laughed.
Then Pavel returned back to his friends being blushed. Maki who was sitting now, while Ren was fighting Masami, asked him why did she call him out. Pavel replied something vague about the training still thinking about her words of asking Black about the question that was interested not only him, but almost all of their squad.
Sakura headed straight to Oleg after the talk with Pavel. She was inspired and wanted to know his point of view. She even didn't change her clothes as if she wanted to deal with it fast. She reached his room fast and was glad he was working over his papers which he prepared for lessons.
"Sakura?" Oleg was surprised to see her so unexpectedly, "What is it?"
"I need to talk to you about something." Sakura said firmly, "I'll understand if you reject, but at least listen to me." Oleg didn't understand what was happening, but she had serous expression on her face, and Oleg decided to give her an opportunity to speak.
Sakura took a deep breath and started.
"It's about these strong guys, sis was talking about." Sakura said, "Walter, Celine and that boy who turned into a big stone giant." Sakura stopped and tried to think how to continue, 'Where is my confidence?' she didn't like she was worrying, "Well we know nothing about them, so why not to ask someone who knows?"
"What do you mean?" Oleg removed the papers and was watching at her.
"I mean to ask Edwin Black or Incubus King about them." Sakura replied, "As sis told, they knew each other so why not to ask the ones who were their subordinates or something like that?" Oleg didn't replied, so she decided to continue, "You know we need answers." she came to his table and hit it with her hands, "And fighting what you don't know is really a mess."
Oleg looked at her, "Did you offer some else such idea?" he asked seriously.
"I tried to discuss it with Asagi, but she told me not even to think about it." Sakura answered him fairly, "And…" she stumbled.
"And?" Oleg repeated the word.
"And to Pavel." she confessed.
"What did he answer?" Oleg wanted to know what chose his student.
"He agreed to help me." Sakura was honest.
"Do you understand that you can have a lot of problems? Not only you, but all of us?" Oleg asked her reasonable questions.
"Well, you did the same with Yukikaze and Tatsurou." Sakura tried to smile, but the smile was false as she started to doubt she could confess him.
"It was another story." Oleg replied, "They went with allies and I was sure they are able to save Shiranui. But the problem here is that we don't know what game Black plays and on which side he is. Here are a lot of nuances." Oleg concluded.
"I see." Sakura replied, "I didn't think about that. Sorry for bothering you." she was going to leave, but Oleg grabbed her hand.
"I didn't reject you." Oleg said her firmly, "I just told you that you must think everything clearly if want to talk to him, you must bring him to the territory where he won't do anything bad neither to us nor to someone else." Sakura turned around, "I also thought about it." Oleg continued, "After all ,we need to know at least about what we're facing."
"Really?" Sakura couldn't belive to her ears, "Are you with us?"
"Well, you were on my side when I told about mental abilities to the rest." Oleg slightly smiled, "That means I also must be by your side. But are you sure that you want to talk to Black?"
"He is the only one whom we fought more." Sakura responded, "The rest of noble freaks hide really well." she explained then.
"I see." Oleg pondered, "The plan idea isn't bad at all. If Asagi's words about him and that Walter were right, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Therefore we can ask him some questions."
"See?" Sakura said being rejoiced, "I know it wasn't a bad idea."
"As I understand that Black is in charge of turning that boy you were talking about into meat ball?" Oleg asked her his eyes were serious.
"Yes." Sakura mumbled, "That's why Asagi will never work with him, because he is in charge of killing Kosuke's brother too, if not Oboro who works with him." Oleg put his hands onto Sakura's shoulders.
"Don't need to tell further." Oleg answered her, "If you would say me to cooperate with Etienne or Archon I would feel the same." he hugged her, "I'll always be by your side, and if you think it's good for all, I'll do that."
"Thanks." Sakura hugged him too, "If you wouldn't agree I don't know what I would do."
"But there of us isn't enough." Oleg looked at her, "I'll try to talk to Maria, and Shiranui."
"With Shiranui it'll be difficult." Sakura replied, "She was tortured by Incubus King, however we can try to do that, since it's Black." she pondered then.
"We must go both to her." Oleg said, "Where one have problems two will have success."
"Who said that?" Sakura was interested in these words.
"I don't know." Oleg said, "I'm a teacher of biology not history, "We must think everything clearly in order to make everything right. And to try to take as much people as we only can for that venture. But whom to take…?" Oleg pondered out loud.
"I'll tell you the names later." Sakura ran out of his hands, "For now, just think what to say to them all." Sakura opened the door, "Thanks for being by side." she waved him with her hand and left.
'Well, she is really an incredible one.' Oleg couldn't do anything but smile and returned again to the papers, 'Edwin Black now? It'll be much more difficult than to send Yukikaze and Tatsurou to 'Red Division'. Will Shiranui agree? It'll be a really helpful to us. If she really does.'
When the friends stopped the training they were planning to eat. However Maki and Aki decided to separate from them.
"Don't worry." Ren said to Aki, "Go to your club and tell them you won't come today."
"Thanks." Aki answered the tanned girl, "Let's go Maki."
"Yeah." Aki's girlfriend nodded and they both went to the place where they came from, "Maybe you should say that Igawa-sensei called us?" Maki asked him when they were in a good distance from them.
"No, it would be a little suspicious." Aki replied, "Better to do so, and there won't be extra questions."
"If you say so." Maki replied, "Do you think she will agree to meet him?"
"I don't know." Aki sighed, "But we must give it to her, and it's up to her to decide meet him or not." then the boy pondered, "I have doubt about meeting him, but still I don't know what is right."
"Me too." Maki mumbled, "I'm not sure it's a good thing to cooperate with demons, especially like him."
"But we do that with mercenaries." Aki smiled to Maki.
"They are good mercenaries." the girl quickly replied, "Since they helped us to save you, they became good for me."
"So simply?" Aki laughed, "I thought you had doubts about them longer."
"I'm just a simple girl." Maki chuckled, "It's your work to think everything."
"You also must think from time to time." Aki lectured her, but still he had a smile as he was glad Maki was Maki.
They reached the office of the principle and Aki knocked at it indecisively.
"Yes come in!" Aki heard a firm voice behind the door, "What is it Ito?"
"Sensei." Aki opened the door and Maki was also seen behind him, Aki wanted to say something, hut saw Shizuru in the office, "Well it's something I'd like to discuss personally."
"My." Shizuru looked at him, "What a secret boy, are you going to confess to sensei?"
"Shizuru." Asagi looked at the blond haired teacher with serious expression.
"Yeah, bad joke." she agreed it was a bad joke.
"Can't it wait?" Asagi asked him, but saw his serious eyes, even Maki seemed serious, "Fine." Asagi nodded, "I agree with these ones." Asagi told to Shizuru, "Take them if you think they're suitable for you."
"I'll go then." Shizuru answered to Asagi, who only nodded and then left the office.
"What is it?" Asagi asked Aki.
"Sensei." Aki started, "It's about the mission we had at night, we didn't say you about that as I didn't know how to do that." he bout his school bag onto the chair and took out some paper, "Here."
"A letter?" Asagi looked at the paper and then at the boy.
"When we fought that demon with four arms, the problem is that we were helped." Aki continued to explain attracting Asagi's attention, "Incubus King helped us."
"What?!" Asagi exclaimed, she even hit the table with her hand because of unexpectedness.
"It's true sensei." Maki joined to the conversation, "When Aki's arm was damaged and was unable to fight he came and helped us."
"That demon and he told about some disciples and generals." Aki added, "Like that the four handed one was a general and the Incubus King is some kind of disciple." Asagi replied nothing, but only opened the letter, "He told he'll wait you in some café in Tokyo every day at two o'clock."
"Oh, that demon we fought also said he is a disciple of Celine." Maki added too, "As I remember it was something like that."
"Disciple of Celine?" Asagi reasked Maki, who only nodded unconfidently, "The demon I fought." Asagi pondered, "Fine, you two can be free. Thank you for telling me that." Asagi nodded and freed the students, who didn't know did they do a right thing telling Shizuru that.
Asagi quickly looked at the message and read it.
'Asagi, if you want to know who are the ones you're fighting with, Walter, Celine, Tyngak. The role of the seals and what you started to fight. Come to café 'Aaliya'. I'll be waiting you there every day at to o'clock.'
"If it's Incubus King…" Asagi mumbled, squeezing the paper, "It must be some kind of a trap. No doubt he planned something. But why in Tokyo? But not in Tokyo Kingdom or Yomihara? Is he planning to meet me on neutral territory? Is it some kind of a trap? And why is he against his demonic friends?" Asagi was pondering, "This bastard, what game is he playing?" she put the paper onto the desk, "Maybe it's good to discuss it with Shiranui? But knowing how she suffered because of him, she'll never agree to talk to him, and I also don't like to spend my time next to that scum." Asagi took her phone, but then put it back into her bag, "I'll go to her myself." the elder Igawa got up, and took the paper heading to the door.
She left her office and quickly headed to Shiranui. The bell rang and the students supposed to be on the lessons, so she could have the talk with her without extra ears. Asagi quickly reached Shiranui's working place and opened the door.
"Asagi?" Shiranui was slightly surprised to see the principle of the academy, "What is it? I hope there happened nothing."
"There was something." Asagi sat onto the chair next to the desk, "Here." she put the paper onto her desk.
"From whom is it?" Shiranui became serious.
"From Incubus King." Asagi replied, and saw Shiranui tensed she squeezed the paper likewise anger came to her, "Maki and Aki encountered him during our mission tonight. According to their words he helped them and told to bring that message to me." Shiranui replied nothing, "What do you think about it? I don't belive to him, and think it's some trap."
"Definitely." Shiranui could only said, "He thinks we can come together, and he can take both of us."
"But the problem is that he invited me to Tokyo's café. That's really strange for a trap." Asagi continued, "And the theme is really tempting."
"When I was his slave, I fought that Celine." Shiranui replied, "I don't think they're allies or something like that, if you want to know. But this scum…" Shiranui's eye expressed anger, but still she could hold it, "For me it's the same if you would cooperate with Black or Oboro."
"I understand that." Asagi nodded, "Sakura offered me to that today with Black."
"I guess I know the answer." Shiranui looked at Asagi.
"Yes." she sighed, "So what? How we should do?"
"I don't know you must think yourself." Shiranui answered her also sighing, "He invited you, but not me so it's up to you to think about it." she stretched the invitation.
"I thought to make a trap to capture him." Asagi replied, "Maybe we'll be able to kill him too."
"I'd like to chop his head off." Shiranui answered fast.
"Well fr now we won't do anything." Asagi replied, "It's better to send someone there, who could check there he is or not. And to find out will he make a trap or not."
"Fine." Shiranui said, "If he did a trap, we'll be ready at least. And won't let him do what he did previous time to me."
"Deal." Asagi nodded and left the office leaving Shiranui alone, "Kuroi, one day, I'll avenge for everything you making me to suffer."
Pavel finished his studding day and there was only now training with his class at Sakura's observing. He had some free time and decided to go to Maria in order to know what steps in Masami's treatment he should do. The boy was glad when he found the teacher in her class picking the papers.
"Maria Sergeievna, I'm about Masami's treatment you want to discuss something with me." the boy said to the woman, "But because of these businesses we hadn't much time."
"Yes." Maria nodded, "As I checked last time she is almost ready." Pavel nodded, "I think she is ready for the almost but on treatment." Maria stumbled.
"Yes? What is it?" Pavel seemed eager to know what it was.
"Well…" Maria exhaled, "It's in trying to influence her emotions."
"What do you mean?" Pavel didn't understand.
"You must try to call her emotions in fighting with you." Maria replied him her face was more serious than usually and Pavel was surprised to that, "You must try to influence bad emotions like sorrow, pain, anger or something like that."
"What?" Pavel seemed still didn't understand what the woman wanted from him.
"For example you need to push on loosing of her friends." Maria told what she was trying to avoid.
"I'll never do that!" Pavel protested, "What a friend would say something like that?"
"The one who wants to remove the mental block." Maria answered, "If you don't have such practice you will never help her."
"But… There must another way!" Pavel couldn't belive he supposed to do something like that to the girl who suffered the loosing of all best friends.
"It's necessary." Maria told him seriously, "I also don't want to do that, but there are no alternatives, as you must do that."
"I would see if you would pass through that!" Pavel continued to speak with raised voice, Maria replied nothing, but only lowed her head, "Wait, don't tell me you did it." Pavel was shocked.
"And Oleg too." Maria answered him, "It wasn't pleasant, but still there were not alternatives even for us. If we wouldn't do that we wouldn't be the ones who we're now." this time Pavel kept silence, "I understand it's difficult to bear it, but she must do that if she wants to be treated."
"I don't want to make her anything bad." Pavel replied silently.
"Sometimes we must do it in order to make something better." Maria explained, she got up and came to the boy, she put her hand onto his head and added, "You're a good boy, Pavel. And I appreciate it, but this time you must be cruel to make her move further." Maria looked at him, "She will bear it." Maria tried to smile, but it wasn't a warm smile, "I'll be close to you in order to do everything fine, and not let both of you to hurt each other."
"I'll do my best." Pavel said being disappointed, "I hope she will understand it."
"She definitely will understand it." Maria patted his hear, "I have no doubt in it."
"I'll think how to do that." Pavel answered her and then walked to the doorway, "I told we would help her, then we'll do it." he left then her classroom and headed to the practice which supposed to start soon.
The oy changed his clothes and headed to the training which was outside this time. The boy was pondering about how to do such thing.
'Should I talk to her about that?' Pavel pondered, 'She must suppress these emotions, but if I tell her, everything will be pointless.' the boy was suppressed and didn't know what to do, from one side he wanted to help Masami to return back to normal, but from the other side he didn't want to do such cruel thing, 'What am I supposed to do?'
The boy came to the training ground and joined his friends.
"Well, boys and girls today will be just a simple practice." Sakura started, "Since Aki is out for today someone will be in pare with me. Who wants to practice with a teacher?" Sakura saw a lot of hands, but there was no Pavel hand, "I see, then let me choose the one." Sakura chuckled, "Pavel!"
"Huh?!" Pavel didn't get what Sakura wanted from him.
"You'll have practice with me since Aki is off for today." Sakura looked at him.
"Oh, yes." Pavel nodded, "If you say so."
"Are you fine?" Sakura looked at him, "You seems somewhere else."
"No, everything is fine." the boy shook with his head, "Don't worry, about it."
"I see." Sakura looked at him with carefulness.
Sakura exposed her daggers, while Pavel prepared his sword. The students went aside. The weather was cool and someone decided to move with hands in order to warm up.
Sakura was the first one, who attacked so Pavel could do nothing, but only protected himself. Sakura jumped aside and attacked him again. Pavel dodged the lunge and tried to attack back. However Sakura parried his sword with another dagger.
'Pavel seems strange.' Ren was watching at him, 'He does mistakes in the fight.'
Pavel tried to attack Sakura, but his attacks were bad planned so Sakura could predict them without problems.
"Pavel, are you really fine?" Sakura asked him when she clashed her daggers with his sword, "You do so many mistakes."
"Sorry." Pavel understood he was messing obviously.
"Enough." Sakura said, "Go and rest. I don't want to hurt you, when you're too thoughtful."
"I'm sorry, sensei." the boy bowed and headed to the class.
"Well, the next ones are Maki and Kaede." Sakura announced the battle.
"Sensei!" Ren suddenly raised her hand, "I'll come back in a minute."
"Okay, but don't be late." Sakura wanted to add something else, but saw how Ren grabbed Pavel's hand dragged him somewhere.
"Now, tell me what happened." Ren said when they were on a good distance from their class, "And don't lie there's nothing, I see there happened something serious."
'Can I tell it to Ren?' Pavel looked at her, and then turned away.
"I'm listening to you." Ren almost ordered him to speak up.
"It's about Masami." Pavel told Ren, "And her next trial."
"What's with that?" Ren bowed her head in questioning.
"I must be guilty toward it." Pavel answered.
"What do you mean guilty?" Ren didn't understand him "Can you explain properly."
"I must try to push on her problems." Pavel answered, "Her pain nuances. Something about losing her partners and that she is weak." Pavel raised his voice a little, but then lowed it back.
"Why must you be like that?" Ren continued questioning.
"Because Maria Sergeievna told me to do that. That will help her in last treatment." Pavel answered her fairly again, "She told that only I can do that, I think it's because of bound which formed between us."
'Bound…' Ren flinched of that word, "And you don't want to be so."
"No." the boy sighed.
Ren pressed her back against the wall of the academy, "You know what?" she suddenly said, "I know Maria Sergeievna for a little, but I understood she isn't from those persons, who would lie."
"I know that too." Pavel sadly smiled, "And that's what I don't like."
"You're really a kind person." Ren smiled, "Do you really want to help her?"
"Sure!" Pavel looked at Ren, "After all I promised her I'll do that."
"On her place, I would forgive you after knowing the reason why you did that." Ren continued with a smile, "You're always did your best for her and not only for her, but also for us and me…" she emphasized the last word, "That's why she will understand it."
"Are you sure?" Pavel looked at Ren.
"Listen." Ren looked at him seriously, "Do what you must, if it the part of the treatment do so. She will understand that and forgive you. I have no doubt in it." she smiled then.
"I…" Pavel stumbled, but then smiled too, "I'll try not to fail." the boy looked at the gray sky, "I have no other option, but to succeed in it."
"That's the spirit." Ren hit his arm, "If you want I'll be near to fix that therapy."
"Thank you." Pavel told her, "I will be glad I you do so."
"Let's return, I think it'll be turn soon." Ren jumped and with several jumps she reached the class again.
'She always knows how to cheer someone up.' Pavel did the same following her, 'I won't fail Masami. I'll do it no matter what.'