All Anime World

* Kelly and Hideki arrived to what looked like a normal business building in the outskirts of the city and near the port. After showing the guards their identifications and going through a set of biometric security devices, they got off the car and walked into an elevator. *

Kelly: Now you're going to meet Dr. Freeman. He's the head of the project.

Hideki: I see...

* Kelly looked at him, not knowing what else to say. She felt uncomfortable and wished for the elevator to be faster, it was taking forever to reach the secret base 150 meters underground. Finally, the elevator doors opened, revealing only a long hallway. Kelly walked out and Hideki followed her. At the other end was Minako sitting behind a desk. *

Minako: Welcome back, commander. How are you doing, Hideki-kun?

Kelly: You'll have to change the way you call him, Minako. He's with us now.

Minako: That's excellent news! Oh, that's right, why don't you show him around while I call Dr. Freeman?

Kelly: Yeah, was going to ask you to call him anyway, thanks. Let's go, master chief Tsuchimi.

Hideki: Could I ask you a favor, Kelly-san?

* Kelly looked at him surprised. It was the first time she had heard him referring to her in such a formal manner. *

Kelly: What is it?

Hideki: Don't call me Tsuchimi, I've come to hate that name. The only name I need is Hideki.

Kelly: Oh? But can I still call you John?

* Hideki shrugged and looked away. *

Hideki: Can we get going?

* Kelly and Minako looked at each other, worried looks on their faces. *

*Suddenly Seiryu was embraced in a giant hug, the room spinning as he was pulled in and placed in a chair next to the bed. Confused by the entire ordeal Seiryu could only sit there with his eyes wide until head a girl's voice from the bed. He turned his head and found a young girl who seemed familiar. He wondered if he knew here but then he realized it was from his dream, she was the one who ran up to car before the dream ended.*

Seiryu: It's nice to meet you in real life Akiyama-chan you can call me Sei.

*Seiryu turned and look at the woman who grabbed him. Just a quick glance you could tell she was Rina's mother.*

Seiryu: I was only curious as to where the exit of the building is. If you need me for something then I will stay, however it can't be a long wait, I need to find a place to stay before it gets too dark.

*Aki sat grumpily on the sofa in the Ayashi living room, her arms folded over her chest. She had tried to reason with her father about her being grounded in the car but that didn't help, if anything it made the older kitsune angrier. Right now, her mother was making tea for the four of them. Her father had ordered Daiki to his own study to talk to him. Aki had a feeling she knew what the talk was going to be about.*

---
-In Kyo's Study-

Kyo: Do you know why I wanted to talk to you?

*Daiki nodded, definitely subdued, in the chair across the desk.*

Kyo, roaring: Speak up boy!

Daiki: Ye-yes sir.

Kyo: Good...now mind telling me why you did it?

Daiki: Yes sir...it's...ah...I--*Daiki gulped, he was usually eloquent and was considered a smooth talker. In fact he didn't stumble when Ai had presented the topic up but right now, in this room that was soundproofed-Kyo told him- and imposing Daiki felt like he was just a little kit about to be scolded for something he'd done.*

Kyo: Stop dawdling and tell me! *Kyo slammed his hands on the mahogany desk in front of him-feeling a weird sense of satisfaction when Daiki jumped a little-, leaning down a little though he still loomed over the sitting Daiki. His eyes were slits as he regarded the kitsune boy that mark his precious little daughter.*

Daiki: I li-love your daughter, sir!

*Kyo did a double take, he pushed away from his desk and regarded Daiki with a skeptic look. This was the same boy that teased and bullied Aki before.* Now he's saying that he loves her.

Kyo: Don't be ridiculous, boy and tell the truth...

*It was Daiki's turn to look menacing. Green eyes sharpened and his lips pressed into a tight line.*

Daiki: I was not lying, Kyo-san.

Kyo: You expect me to believe that when I can still clearly remember the times that Aki came home crying because someone...I'm referring to you *Kyo spat the word.* kept bullying her.

Daiki, running a hand through his hair: I know it's not believable if you knew our history but...I do. You know very well I couldn't be too accepting of her. The kitsunes at home...don't like her. And as the grandson of one of the Elders I had to distance myself away from Aki. But I couldn't just ignore her.

Kyo: So you bullied her?

Daiki: It's a stupid thing, I know...but at that time that was all I could think of. *Daiki looked at Kyo who was processing what he told him.*Good thing he doesn't know the time I almost killed Aki... *Daiki felt the same sick feeling when he remembered that time. He hadn't meant it, didn't even realize he was doing it until he heard her voice tinge with pain and fear.*

*Kyo sat down on his chair sighing.*

Kyo: I suppose...you're not all bad. You weren't one of those bastard who tried to kill her when she was still weak.

*Daiki winced, talk about coincidences.*

Daiki: I'll say what I said to Ai-san when she confronted me about this matter. *Kyo kept silent but raised a brow, indicating his question.* I love Aki...and I will not just take of that claiming mark. *Kyo's scowled at this.* Unless she tells me to. I just think there's something up...and that Aki might be in danger.

Kyo: Like this one?

Daiki: No... nothing concerning our friends...*Daiki paused at that. He considered them friends too. When did that happen?* I was sent here. By the Elders to retrieve Aki.

Kyo: What...those bastards...SOBs...well, they're not f***ing getting her!

Daiki: Kyo-san...calm down. I have no intention of following that order. They need her as a pawn, a sacrifice and I don't want that. That's why I had to put a mark on her. If they tried to do something to Aki then at least I'll know.

Kyo: Then you felt it too? *The confused look prompted Kyo to continue.* Earlier...Ai called me and told me Aki was in danger and that she was hurt. Not only that, her energy was depleting considerably.

Daiki, nodding: Yes...I felt it too. And she was weakening because she did an Elemental Earth spell.

Kyo: What?! But she doesn't...

Daiki: She's a very talented girl...being able to do an Earth spell without supervision or training. It only weakened her because she didn't know exactly what to do.

Kyo: Damn...just like her mother then. Well...I'll let you off this time, boy. But you better make sure Aki will be safe.

Daiki: Yes sir...

Kyo: One more thing...I plan to transfer Aki to another school. If you want, you'll be transferring with her...to watch over her.

Daiki: Tr-transfer?

Kyo: You don't want to?

Daiki: I do...I mean I'll follow Aki anywhere but...but did you take this up with Aki? I mean, she might not want to.

Kyo: Whether she wants to or not...I'll transfer her to another school. Those friends...they spell trouble for Aki, especially the Tsuchimi.

Daiki: But Hideki didn't...

Kyo: I know, that Tsuchimi friend didn't do anything to harm Aki but you think the family won't attack? You killed one of them, injured another and practically blasted a base of theirs. Revenge is their delicacy. And I'll be damned if I put my daughter in the line of fire. She's not going to like it but it's for her sake. She's too protective of things- or in this case persons close to her and she'll to anything to make sure that they're safe.

*Kyo stood up and gestured for Daiki to leave the study. Kyo walked out first, leaving the younger kitsune staring...and thinking.*

Daiki, whispering to himself: Kyo-san you might think it's for her sake but I don't think she'll ever see it that way.

Rina: Ok..sei..then*she look out to the window*beautiful day...isn;t it?

*Kisane shook her head*

Kisane : well sei how about you stay at our place...isn't that okay rina?

*Rina look at her mother strangley*

Rina :what are you guys up to now..

*Kisane twicth,Rina spoke in a way of anger to her,she sigh in relief as her husband and shin the principal came in*

Ryu:calm down rina..Seiryu doesnt have a place yet..so shin here thought that we cangive him a place to stay...

*Rina sigh,don't order people...im still worried she look at sei*

Rina :Sorry,my parents tend not to ask...but if you want you can leave at our place...i'll be discharge this afternoon

* Hideki looked at the middle aged, bespectacled man with a gentle look on his face. *

Gordon: I'm Dr. Gordon Freeman. Nice to meet you, John-- erm, Hideki.

Hideki: It's okay, you can call me however you prefer.

* Gordon smiled and turned around. *

Gordon: I'm afraid I can't stay much longer, there are many matters that need my attention... like covering up the disaster at Amazon Pharma Labs. It seems a north-american intelligence satellite caught the explosion and part of the battle... we'll need to change the footage to something more... civil.

* Gordon bowed to them and left. Kelly looked at Hideki, who was half-way into getting into his armor. *

Kelly: Hurry up and get changed, we don't have much time, considering you still have to attend school and all.

Hideki: What!? But I thought--

Kelly: You're not gonna run away from your problems, are you?

* Hideki looked down, knowing she was right. He was trying to run away. *

Hideki: I understand... I won't run away.

*Seiryu quietly observed the small confrontation between mother and daughter while the principal and ryu entered.*

Seiryu: I don't want to impose but if you are truly offering, and not out of pity, then I won't have a problem accepting.
*he glances at Ryu*
And besides, I think that if any conversations are to be had, it would be safer in a house than a public facility.

*Mike walked back to his apartment and looked around at his few belongings. In less than two weeks of completely new experiences, he had gone from the happiest he had ever been to the worst he had ever felt. Mike pulled out his Air Force duffle bag, and started putting his things in it. Mike wanted to get away, his mission was over, Kaine couldn't have survived that explosion. And Hideki, Mike wasn't worried about him, besides, Kelly can handle him.*

*Mike stopped when he came to his digital camera, he sat down and looked through the pictures. They were his friends, something he never really had before, not comrades.... friends. There was a knock at his door. Mike dropped the camera and got up.*

Mike: Who the heck could that be? Hang on a second.

*Mike opened the door to a pretty face with concerned dark eyes.*

Mike: Selene!...... Ah, hi......... Am, shouldn't you be in school?

Selene: In school , they said you and some others were in an accident, that you were in the hospital.......... I called but they said you were gone. I came to see if..... I'm just happy you're alright.......... the others, are they alright? Was anyone hurt badly?

*Mike smiled, Selene was really a nice person, being concerned about others like that.*

Mike: No, not to badly, Hideki and I got off the easiest, *He didn't tell her that was just because they healed faster.* Aki was bruised up some, Rina might have been the worst off, but I guess mostly just minor injuries.

Selene: Rina? I thought she had been abducted?

Mike sighed: Oh crap! Ah, that accident, well, we found where Rina was, and it was...... kind of rough getting her out.

Selene: You rescued her? Why didn't you call the police, they should have handled it.

Mike: We, ah, thought we would have a better chance ourselves....... we did have some..... well, professional help.

*Selene looked at Mike's duffel bag, her dad said he came from a military family.... maybe he had some connections.*

Selene:Um, were you going somewhere? I guess after something like that you probably need a break.

Mike: I was going to leave, but....... I don't know....... Maybe I should just go back to school.......... i just don't know.

((Raine never said so I'm just gonna assume today's a school day and everyone just woke up way early))

* Hideki deflected a blow and tried to kick, but Kelly had already jumped out of his reach. *

Kelly: You are doing way better than last time! It's amazing how fast you have adapted to the armor.

Hideki: No... I'm still too slow...

Kelly: Now, now, you have to take it easy. You can't run without having learned to walk and all that. Let's stop for now, you should be leaving soon.

Hideki: *sigh* Ok...

* Kelly guided Hideki to the room where he was going to get changed out of the armor then went to another room to take hers off. Hideki worried her. All this was good for his concentration but he would eventually collapse. She knew because she had gone through that once. That time she had Samuel to help her overcome it, but would Hideki have someone to support him? *

*Selene walked away from Mikes apartment, glad she had visited her friend. Maybe she had helped a little. She knew the rescue wasn't the reason Mike was leaving. Something was hurting the big guy, and Selene didn't like to see him hurting. It must be the girl Aki, Mike had mentioned her being along, and now he was sadder than he had been in the coffee shop yesterday morning.*

*Kimara sat in classes, looking at the open crumpled box. The bracelet was beautiful, and it matched the necklace Mike gave Aki. Smiling, Kimara tried the bracelet on her wrist. The box was from a rather exclusive jewelers, how could he just throw it away?...... Kimara put the bracelet back. After the announcement about the "accident" she had seen Selene leave the school. Kimara knew she had to take the bracelet to Aki.

* Kelly left Hideki in the school gate and drove away. Hideki looked at the school building in front of him, thinking if he should go in or not. About the same time, Kunikida was running towards the school gate, late as usual, when he saw Hideki standing in front of the school gate. He walked up to him putting his hand on his shoulder. *

Kunikida: Hey, man, how's it going?

* Hideki turned towards him, looking tired and depressed. Quickly enough, though, Hideki changed his expression. *

Hideki: Same as always.

* Hideki pushed Kunikida towards the school playfully and the two of them headed towards the classroom, talking about videogames and music. *