All Anime World

*Rina broke the hug and smile at him wiping the tears*

Rina:lets be friends...and maybe after this nightmare is over we can overcome this..who know you might end up with hina*she giggle*

*As Kimara had headed for the classroom, she saw Mike meet up with Selene. Selene reached up and touched Mike's Cheek.*

Selene: Ooo, that must have hurt, what happened?

Mike, laughs: Oh, it's nothing much, just Hideki and I were doing some training.

Selene, smiles: When you come to our dojo, I'll have to tell sensei that you play rough.

*Kimara watched them go into their classroom, then went in and sat down in hers. She looked down at Aki's empty seat. They had to do something. Daiki must have a message for Mike. Aki must have written to him. She knew how Aki felt, Aki had told her, but things were all going wrong. Why didn't Daiki give Mike a note from Aki?...... During break Kimara saw Selene sitting with Mike........ She didn't like that at all. She had to do something. Kimara went off to find Daiki.

((Gomen...I couldn't get online earlier!!!))

*Kimara had found Daiki but the fox boy excuse himself, told her to wait for him there because he was going to escort her home...like they planned earlier. Kimara tried to stop him but he left anyways, repeating for her to stay where she was. He headed over to Mike's classroom. The teacher hadn't dismissed them yet so Daiki leaned on the wall beside the door waiting. He fingered the neatly folded letter in his hand, he had to give this to Mike...for Aki.*

*When the class was finally dismissed, second year students went out of the room in pairs and groups, talking and laughing. Then Kunikida and Mike passed the door. Kunikida noticed Daiki and stopped.*

Kunikida: Yo, Daiki-kun. *Daiki nodded to Kunikida.* What brings you here?

*Daiki didn't answer but instead looked at Mike who was glaring at him in turn. The air around them was turning tense and thick, Kunikida could almost feel it- like weights being lowered on his shoulders. He coughed and Daiki blinked and looked at him, Mike did the same thing and the previously tense atmosphere became normal.*

Kunikida: What brings you here, Diaki-kun?

*Daiki ran a hand through his hair and sighed.*

Daiki: Actually I'm here to give something to Michael-sempai. *Kunikida could see Mike tense up again but asked Daiki what it was.* A letter. *The fox boy handed the letter to Mike who accepted it warily.* It's from Aki. *And with that Daiki turned around and stalked away, his tail swishing behind him. Kunikida looked at the fox boy before turning his attention to Mike. He looked at the letter suspiciously but hadn't throw it away.*

Kunikida: Well that's great! A letter from Aki-chan...I haven't heard from her since the day most of you were hospitalized. I wonder what happened? *Kunikida hadn't noticed Selene behind him and Mike.*

*Daiki stalked away, he'd been reluctant to give the note to Mike.... but he promised. At least he didn't have to walk home with Kunikida. Kimara was nice to him, and she was really cute. That shyness of hers was cute too....... Damn, what was he thinking, It wa Aki he wanted......... Kimara had cute ears.....*

Mike: Hey Kunikida, I'll catch up with you at the clubroom.... ok?

*Kunikida almost ran into Selene as he turned to go.*

Kunikida: Right, I'll wait there. Oh, sorry..... ah, Selene. Damn, wouldn't have minded running into her.... she's a babe.

Selene put a hand on Mikes arm: I hope the letter is what you've wanted to hear, Mike...... I'll see you tomorrow. *In some ways Selene wished the message was bad news....... but in her heart, she wished it was what Mike wanted to hear, she wanted her friend to be happy again.*

*Mike leaned against the wall, slowly opening the envelope, afraid of what it might contain. But he had to, at least then he would know.. Mike read the note, he slowly slid down the wall and sat on the floor. Mike's finger ran down the page as he read it again.*

"Mike-kun,
I haven't been able to talk to you for a long time...I supposed you've noticed that and well...I guess...I mean I'm sorry. Really, really, very sorry. I'm being a little conceit but I think I might have hurt you and I feel really bad about it. It's just that there were so many things that happened. Daiki arriving, Rina-chan's kidnapping, the involvement about the Tsuchimi...and I guess I really have to tell you.

I hope you don't get angry at me but I'm Yuki. I'm that person you chat with all the time...I'm the one who gives you advice about me. If it's any consolation I only found out later after you kept messaging about problems concerning me...and all that, it sort of clicked. I didn't know why I couldn't tell you and then I just kept pretending I didn't know. I'm sorry I was wrong for not telling. And I wasn't able to go online for the past days so I can't answer your new messages but I guess I know pretty much what happened in those days, right?

And thank you for the lovely bracelet. Daiki told me that you threw it away and Kimara found it, gave it to Daiki and he gave it to me. Why did you throw it away? No, wait. I think I might know the answer and this might confuse you all the more but thank you, I don't know if you intended it but it matches well with the necklace you gave me. I just wish I can wear them both when I go out unfortunately I can't go out, or go to school. I hope the clasp on the bracelet isn't easy to break though, the necklace clasp gave way just a few days after...then again maybe it was my fault, I guess I wasn't all easy going and it wore out. I had to find a store that did jewelry repairs and it took longer than I expected to fix.

Well, I guess after everything that happened...I'm a little sad not being able to see you. I miss you very much. I just can't see you right now. Not that I wouldn't want to but I'm under house arrest. I'm not sick like I told Daiki to tell everyone. My father won't let me out of the house because of what happened when we saved Rina-chan. And I know he's just worried but if Rina-chan realizes I'm being kept because of her she'll be guilty of something she isn't supposed to be. How is everyone? I miss them too. How's Hideki-sempai by the way? And Rina-chan?"

*Mike almost laughed, he'd been very wrong. And no wonder Yuki had been a prophetess, she had inside information. But Aki didn't belong to someone else, she didn't throw away his heart, she still held it close.*

*Mike quickly found a piece of paper and wrote to Aki.*

"Dear Aki-kun,
I don't have much time now. Everyone is doing well. Hideki and Rina seem to be unsettled yet, but they'll work it out. We have to be careful because of possible retaliation, but precautions are being taken........ Aki, I was very wrong. I thought, well, Yuki, my prophetess, knows all about what I thought. I would love to come and break you out of your prison, but we shouldn't go against your fathers wishes. I would talk to him if it would help. I will just have to take the advice Yuki gave me last night, I will impatiently wait for your return, dear one, then we can take up where we left off...... the night of the dance.
Love, Mike."

*Mike ran out and caught Daiki, Mike didn't have an envelope to put the note in....... Oh well, he'd just have Daiki deliver it, if he would...... Daiki agreed to deliver the note, though the hostility in the air between the two was almost palpable. Kimara smiled when she saw the note..... She walked closer to Daiki, things were looking up.*

*Selene got into her dad's car outside the school gate.*

Selene's Father (Kaoru): How was your day, princess, did Mike ask you out yet?

Selene sighs: It's not like that dad. Mike is just a good friend....... Aki is the one he want's to go out with. As long as she's around I won't be more than a friend.

Kaoru: I thought she hadn't been around, that she was going with another boy.

Selene: Aki's been at home sick. And, Daiki may be following her around, but she isn't going out with him. You can see it in the way she looks at him, the way she acts around him. Daiki's not the one in her heart. She sent Mike a note today, I hope it makes him smile again.

*Selene looked out the window, she wondered what Aki had said to Mike.*

Kaoru: Damn, I was hoping I wouldn't have to deal with the girl. I really don't want to have to eliminate a school girl.


*A little ways away, Dark eyes watched Kimara and Daiki through the sight of a small powerful crossbow. Just then several other students got in the line of sight and joined the two. He put up the crossbow.... damn, there would be other chances.*

*Kimara felt absolutely happy, Aki and Mike would get back together. She peeked at Daiki's profile and stopped the frown. She felt both sad and happy for Daiki. She knew Daiki must feel heart broken but now she had at least a chance. Aki didn't like Daiki the way she liked him. And maybe...just maybe if she tried he would like her, even love her.*

Kimara: Ne, Daiki-kun...are you sure I can't visit Aki?

Daiki, nodding: Yea, you can't. Sorry, her father placed a spell on the house preventing any escape plans Aki might have. I'm sure Kyo-san had it down to the very last bit since Aki is very clever when it comes to escaping places. The only way you can get in is through the front door and it has a detector to see who passes through it.

*Kimara sighed, Daiki patted her head, she looked at him and he smiled gently at her.*

Daiki: Don't worry, you'll get to see Aki soon.

Kimara: But...is Aki-chan really going to transfer schools?

Daiki: I'm not sure.

Kimara: Are you? *Daiki looked at Kimara but didn't answer. He felt more and more reluctant to leave the school each day. He wasn't saying he wouldn't go to another school, if Aki was transferred he would follow too. It was just he felt less eager. He wondered if it was because of the dog-demon he was with.*

Daiki: I guess so...I can't just leave Aki alone.

Kimara: Ah, I see. *Daiki wanted to say something else but Kimara whirled around to face him.*Oh! This is my house...thank you for escorting me home.

Daiki: No problem.

Kimara: Tell Aki-chan I miss her.

Daiki, walking away: Will do!

-------

*In the Ayashi residence, Ai was bandaging her daughter's hands, they were filled with little cuts and a couple of burns from all of Aki's attempted-but failed- escapes.*

Ai, bandaging Aki's left hand: You know, sweetheart you can't escape from the house. Your father made sure of that, every place he thinks you can get out from he placed a barrier. He even placed one in the guest bathroom window and you know how small that window is, I don't think you can even fit your head in it!

*Aki sulked on the couch as Ai continued her motherly ministrations. She wanted to get out and see everyone else, talk to them, laugh with them and just be with them. But her stubborn father hadn't relented at all. He didn't even come home yesterday. It was already twice they had missed a family dinner in that week.*

Aki: It's not fair...just not fair! *Ai looked at her gently before sighing and examined the bandages on her daughter's left hand. When Ai hadn't commented Aki went into a tirade on how everything her father was doing was unfair. Finally Ai cut in.*

Ai: Aki! I know you're upset but don't you be disrespectful of your father! He has been nothing but a good father to you, he was always spoiling you and giving you whatever you wanted. Right now, he's just scared alright...that's why he's doing this to you, he's scared.

Aki: Scared? *Aki found it hard to fathom that her father was scared. Worried, yes. Scared, no.* Of what?

*Ai sighed, she shouldn't have brought anything up. She looked at Aki, she looked curious and concerned. And really Aki had a right to know, right?*

Ai: Well, he's scared that you'll end up like his mother.

Aki: Obaa-san? Wasn't she dead before I was born?

Ai: Exactly. Chiko-san was still alive when I found out that I've conceived you. She left the village to get herbs from a friend in another village. After a day or two,she still hadn't come back so we were worried. Your father was given permission to look for her but just before he could leave Chiko-san was half-limping, half-dragging her body into the village. Her clothes were torn and she was bruised and bleeding. She only lived long enough to tell who did it to her and a couple of horrible tortures they did to her.

Aki, gasping: Oh my...Kami-sama...who? Who did that to obaa-san?

Ai: She whispered one name that most demons abhor...Tsuchimi.

Aki: No! *Aki's free hand flew to cover her mouth. * But...but...but that doesn't mean that. *Aki shook her head, she won't ever believe that Hideki could do something like that. Maybe he was different from his family. She knew he was. He chose Rina didn't he?*

Ai, taking the hand away from Aki's face and bandaging it: I know you're friends with a Tsuchimi and I don't really know him so I can't give any opinion. But from what I heard he isn't much like his family. He doesn't hate other races...I hear he likes an elf girl. But it still remains that he's a Tsuchimi and you killed a Tsuchimi, you and your friends. And they'll likely not let go without some form of revenge so your father's scared that you might end up like Chiko-san. That's why he's this unreasonable and strict. He's scared to lose you.

*Aki sighed and sank into the couch as she thought about what her mother said. Right now her father didn't seem so unreasonable. He was scared-still a little hard to take- and worried for her. He loved her, she was sure and he just wanted her safe. She just wished she could go out even for a while to see the others, even if her father would go with her she didn't care.*

Ai: There. *Ai examined her work and smiled.* I hope you don't try to escape again, you're running out of skin and I'm running out of ointment and bandages.

Aki: Hai...

*Then the doorbell rang, both Ayashi women knew it would be none other than Daiki. Here for his daily visit. Ai knew that Daiki had been delivering messages for Aki, fortunately Kyo didn't so Ai just kept quiet about it, pretending she didn't know at all. Ai went to open the door.*

Daiki: Good afternoon, Ai-san.

Ai: Good afternoon, Daiki-kun. Come in, Aiki's in the living room. *Ai ushered Daiki into the living room where Aki greeted him, Ai left saying she was going top bring tea.*

*Mike checked on line that night, sure enough, Yuki was waiting for him. Mike knew Aki couldn't use her computer, he had a good idea who this Yuki was. Mike met Yuki in the chat room and had a bit of fun. Kimara didn't know he'd gotten a message from Aki, and online, Yuki was really trying to get Mike to wait till he heard from the girl he liked. Mike had asked a few things ans made a few comments, Kimara's answers kind of gave away that it was her playing Yuki. Mike signed off,........ thanks for your advice yesterday, it was as good as the real Yuki's, See you in school tomorrow. *

*Mike slept very well that night.*

* Hideki stayed with Rina until her clothes were dry enough then escorted her to her home. On the way back to Level Zero, a car parked next to him and the window rolled down. Mio Suzuki, the sergeant major that helped them in the attack to Linda's lab, was in the driver's seat. *

Mio: Master chief, sir, Dr. Freeman needs you back in the base now.

Hideki: What for?

Mio: Your first mission, sir.

*Rina look at hideki puzzled*

Rina:Dr freeman??First mission senpai?

*Hideki hold Rina's hands,Rina shut her eyes as images of her kidnapping keep popping in her mind she slip her hand out and smile at hideki*

Rina:I-Il see you at school tommorow...then..

* Hideki was going to chase after Rina, but Mio jumped out of the car, calling him. *

Mio: Master chief, we have to go now!

* Hideki looked at Mio then back at Rina, who was going inside her family's restaurant. *

Hideki: ... ok.

* Hideki and Mio got in the car and she drove away towards Level Zero. *

Hideki: What kind of mission is it?

Mio: I don't know the details, but I heard it's just a recon mission.

* Hideki didn't say anything else the rest of the way. He only looked outside the window, thinking of Rina. *