Chereads / Strength of Heart / Chapter 36 - Leaps!

Chapter 36 - Leaps!

Omoi: "You Know, Dor's pretty smart."

Kanju: "I know, it's crazy how adept these kids are already."

Shizuko: "Hmph! Maybe you're just weak!"

Kanju: "You know what!"

Shizuko: "What?! Is there something you want to say to me?!"

As he stands there with a flame just burning above his hand.

Kanju getting scared again, hiding behind Omoi. Omoi just starts laughing as Ziku, Jiro, and Cayde walk up.

Shizuko: "The hell do you want Jiro?!"

Jiro: "Mom asked us to go pick up some extra veggies from the mart."

Shizuko: "Hmph, I'm only going because I have to pick up something anyway."

Ziku: "I'll tag along."

Shizuko: "How about you tag your ass back home!"

Jiro: "It only makes sense they come, I invited them to dinner tonight."

Shizuko: "You did what?!"

All of them walking to the mart as Shizuko is in front of them with his eyes closed getting aggravated because they're behind him just talking.

Omoi: "Dor kind of reminds me of Isamu."

Kanju: "Honesty speaking, Dor's IQ might be just a little higher than Isamu's."

Omoi: "You think?"

Ziku: "I don't know, Isamu's pretty smart."

Omoi: "Yeah, only one way to find out who's smarter."

Ziku and Omoi look at each other and at the same time say: "Brain Games!"

Shizuko growing more and more agitated.

They arrive at the mart and start grabbing the veggies their mother needs. When they finish Shizuko goes to the back and comes back with a small box.

Ziku: "What's in the box?"

Shizuko: "None of your damn business."

Ziku flinches and they all just head back home. At one point Shizuko slows down just a little and Kanju passes him up.

Shizuko: "Get behind me you idiot!"

Kanju just freezes in his tracks and watches as Shizuko passes him and when the others go by him he slowly proceeds after. They get to their house and when Shizuko walks in he immediately slams the door after him which hits Kanju in the face.

Kanju: "It's always me."

Everyone just starts laughing as they all walk in. They walk in and immediately get overwhelmed by the amount of heat is being emitted inside their home.

Jiro: "You guys alright?"

Everyone sweating as they all just smile and put a thumbs up.

Marvelle: "You guys go wait in the room I'll call when the foods ready."

As they're walking to the rooms Ziku notices a shelf that has a bunch of mini stuffed animals on it.

Ziku: "Whose room is this? You guys have a younger sister?"

He looks over to see Jiro shaking his head as he gets confused. Shizuko gets in his face as Ziku gulps.

Shizuko: "What are you talking about? It's just me and Jiro."

Ziku: "Because I see a bunch of Benny Boos. They're for little girls right?"

Shizuko: "Those are all mine."

Ziku, Kanju, and Omoi just stare at Shizuko waiting for him to say he's kidding. Cayde tries his hardest not to laugh, but it accidentally comes out.

Shizuko: "The hell is so funny?!"

Cayde: "N-nothing, I was just-"

Shizuko: "Get the hell out of my house! You too Kanju!"

Kanju: "I didn't even say anything!"

Jiro: "Come on Zuko, they didn't know. Plus it's not like you talk about your hobbies anyway."

Shizuko: "You can leave too!"

Jiro: "B-but I live here."

Before Shizuko can say anything else, Ziku gets all excited looking out of a window.

Ziku: "Guys look!"

Omoi: "Is that-"

Cayde: "Snow!"

They all run outside and can't believe it. Everyone begins to shiver, but then when Shizuko and Jiro walk outside they seem to not feel it.

Omoi: "How are you guys not cold?"

Jiro: "Weather like this doesn't really affect us."

Omoi: "I guess that makes sense."

Shizuko: "Idiot!"

Before Omoi can say something back he gets smacked in the face by a snowball. He looks over at Cayde, who points at Ziku. Omoi stares at Ziku who's just standing there whistling. Omoi makes a snowball and tries to throw it at Ziku, but he's gone. He looks up and Ziku is above him and hits him with another snowball.

Omoi: "You're the last person I'd want to get into a snowball fight with."

Ziku: "Alright I'll keep it fair."

Omoi: "Cool!"

As he throws a snowball hitting Ziku in the face. Both of them just start grabbing a whole bunch and throwing them. They move around the entire yard and accidentally hit Cayde.

Ziku: "Caught in the crossfire."

Cayde just ends up grabbing a bunch and throwing them at Ziku. Both Omoi and Cayde just pelting him with snowballs. When he falls over he just sees Jiro, Kanju, and Shizuko just standing there watching.

Ziku: "You guys gonna back me up or what?"

Jiro: "Haha, I got your back!"

Kanju: "Same here!"

Shizuko just continue to stand there not saying anything. Ziku grabs a snowball and throws it, it hits Shizuko in the chest and he looks at Ziku both making eye contact.

Ziku: "Guess that means you're an enemy!"

Shizuko smiles and then just starts throwing a bunch of snowballs at everyone. Then it gets to a point where everyone just starts throwing them wherever, they all fall, but the last one standing is Shizuko.

Shizuko: "Yes, I win!"

Then he falls. All of them are on the ground laughing and exhausted. As they're laying they form a circle and just all stare into the sky smiling.

Marvelle: "Foods ready boys!"

They all run inside and while everyone goes to the table, Marvelle looks at Shizuko who came in after them and he has his arms folded, but he's smiling.

Marvelle to herself: "I haven't seen him smile in a really long time. These boys, they're special."

All of them sit as they pray and thank Marvelle for the food.

Jiro: "Dad's not eating with us?"

Marvelle: "You know your father, always training."

Kanju: "What is he training for?"

Shizuko: "It's none of your damn business."

Marvelle to herself: "And he's back to normal."

Jiro: "Our dad always trains. Being the head of our clan it's his job to maintain order within the branch."

Omoi: "Why hasn't he fought? Like when we were attacked?"

Jiro: "This branch is already pretty far from anything else in the village. Our dad would be considered the second strongest behind Asuna. He's also wan-"

Marvelle: "That's enough Jiro!"

Jiro: "Oh, right. Sorry mom."

Marvelle: "Everyone just finish your food and go to bed."

Some time passes and Marvelle goes outside to Zukiro and grabs his arm leaning on his shoulder.

Marvelle: "What's wrong?"

Zukiro: "I can sense him. He's back on earth, not just him, but all of them."

Marvelle: "Back for you?"

Zukiro: "No, for our sons."

Marvelle: "You told Asuna everything right?!"

Zukiro: "Yes, that is why we are to remain hidden. If anyone was to discover our whereabouts it quite possibly could be the end of our entire clan."

Marvelle: "You say it so casually!"

Zukiro: "Because if there's one person I would ever put my trust in, it's Asuna."

Marvelle looks inside to see all of the boys sleeping as she smiles and starts to tear up.

Zukiro: "You ok?"

Marvelle: "Look."

Zukiro looks and sees how all of them look so peaceful sleeping and it's like they're brothers.

Marvelle: "Makes me happy to know that if anything happens to us, our boys have friends that will stand with them and finish what we can not."

Zukiro: "Yeah, though they may not know it. I'm very, very proud of the both of you."

Shinto: "I've waited years! No I've waited eons! You're telling me to wait some more?!"

Totsuki: "These humans, it's in their nature to kill each other. If we wait, there won't be as many. The strong will prevail, but at what cost? Eventually they all will fall!"

Shinto: "How can you be sure of this? It hasn't been the case yet!"

Totsuki: "Because we kept interfering! We give the humans a common enemy, if we wait their sins will consume them and eventually we can earth for ourselves!"

Shinto: "Hmph! What do you think Sinitro?"

Sinitro: "I agree with Totsuki. If anything, our battle is with the gods. If we leave them alive, none of this will matter!"

Shinto: "And how are we to handle them? We don't even compare to the Demi-Gods!"

Sinitro: "Don't worry, I have someone on earth that will help us out."

Shinto: "Who?"

Sinitro just smiles.

Mettanica: "You know what you have to do?"

Hirishoja: "Of course."

Mettanica: "Mayonaka betrayed us! I want his head! With the crystals attached to it!"

Hirishoja: "You have my word Mother."

Mayonaka gets up from his bed and starts to look around.

Matoi: "What is it?"

Mayonaka: "He's on earth!"

Matoi: "Who?"

Mayonaka: "We gotta keep moving! If he catches us we're dead!"

Zayn: "The hell are you guys making so much noise for?"

Mayonaka looks him dead in the eyes.

Mayonaka: "He's here!"

Zayn's eyes open wide and he immediately sweats.

Matoi: "Why am I the only one who doesn't know who "he" is?!"

Zayn: "For one thing, you're too young. You should be glad you don't know what type of monster this is."

Mayonaka: "Like I said, if he finds us, we're dead."

Mayonaka opens the door and they all notice the snow.

Mayonaka: "Couldn't have been better timing."

Ziku: "Omoi are you coming over?"

Before Omoi can answer he sees Cayde next to Ziku.

Omoi: "I gotta go home, help my mom with something."

Ziku: "Oh, alright. Come on Cayde."

Omoi watches them both walk away and as they slowly become less and less visible due to the snow. He puts his head down and just walks home.

Mina: "Why don't you talk to me Omoi?!"

Omoi just walks past her going to his room.

Mina: "I'm sorry! Whatever I did, whatever you're angry about I'm sorry! I just want you to talk to me again Omoi! Please, just talk to me!"

Omoi just closes his door. Mina goes to his door and pus her head on it.

Mina: "Omoi please!"

Omoi inside his room just crying, trying to wipe all of the tears as he lays down and covers his ears. Mina falls to the ground, on her knees and just sits there with her head on the door. Both of them just crying. When Omoi is laying on his bed, he sees a shadow outside of his window in one of the trees. When he goes to look, it disappears and again Omoi falls within a state of melancholy. Omoi waits awhile, he opens his door to see his mother sleeping next to his door. He picks her up and lies her down on her bed. He grabs his sweater, his jacket, and then coat putting all of them on along with his snow boots. He grabs his mom's scarf placing it around his neck and just walks outside. Upon one step, he takes a deep breath and just continues walking. It's dark out and he's just walking, alone in the snow.

Omoi to himself: "Can't stay out too long, they need me tomorrow."

He takes a few more steps and comes to an abrupt halt because of a dark shadowy figure standing a few meters from him.

Omoi: "Who are you?!"

The figure turns around and takes a few steps towards him, but when Omoi gets into a stance the figure disappears.

Omoi: "Huh? Am I-"

Before he can finish the figure appears directly in front of him and just stares him in the eyes. Omoi's eyes grow huge upon reveal and before he can say anything the figure just vanishes again.

Omoi: "Wait!"

He chases after it trying to keep up with it. He follows it all the way to the forest for what seemed like forever. He stops in the middle of the forest just breathing hard from fatigue. He looks around, but can't find the figure anywhere. He falls to his knees still panting.

Omoi: "What...did I...come all this way for? My mind...playing tricks on me. He's gone! No matter what...nothing will change that!"

Kotomi: "Omoi!"

Omoi: "That voice."

He looks back and sees his father. He becomes stagnant, but his eyes just fill with tears.

Omoi: "Dad! You're here! Is it really you?!"

Kotomi doesn't say a word, Omoi tries to walk over to him, but he gets pushed back by a strong gust of wind. When he gets back up, he tries again, but keeps getting pushed back. He stays on his knees looking up with tears in his eyes.

Omoi: "Why don't you love us!"

Kotomi uses wind to throw Omoi in the air and uses a gust of wind to make him smack against a tree and cough up blood. Omoi struggles to get back up, struggles to also keep both eyes open. He just stares at Kotomi.

Kotomi: "When you get older, you'll realize that there are decisions one must make for self gratification."

Omoi: "What?! What does that mean?!"

Kotomi: "In time you will come to find the truth."

Omoi gets angry struggling to move, as his body just gives up and he falls. All he can do is stare at Kotomi, but even then his eyes start to give out as he's losing consciousness. The last thing he sees is his father disappear before he completely falls unconscious.

Omoi wakes up after what could have been hours. He looks up and sees that the sun if coming out. He struggles to get to his feet, but when he finally does he walks with a limp and lots of pain in his back. While walking back home, all he can think about is his father. Just wondering what he was talking about and why he isn't in his life anymore.

Mina: "Omoi! Omoi what happened?!"

Omoi just falls to the ground in lots of pain.

Mina: "Omoi please! Just tell me what happened and what's wrong!"

Omoi: "Kotomi is dead to me."

Mina's eyes widen as Omoi loses consciousness again. She takes him inside and puts him on his his bed. She grabs his hand, putting her head down. On her knees as she just cries next to him.

Kenya: "Where's Omoi? He's never late."

Kanju: "I don't know."

Shizuko: "I'm not gonna stand here and wait for him!"

Kanju: "I'll just train with all of you today. Later I'll see what happened to Omoi."

Kenya: "Let's get started!"

Kanju: "Luka."

Luka: "Don't worry, I seen everything I needed. Now it's just one more person I have to test."

Cayde: "Ziku, what are your main martial art styles?"

Ziku: "Well my main is Jiu-Jitsu."

Cayde: "Why?"

Ziku: "Well, I'm more of a defensive oriented fighter. In lots of situations, I find myself smaller than my opponents. So with my speed it suits my style."

Cayde: "I see, what else?"

Ziku: "Taekwondo and Kenjutsu. Also that other thing that I don't know how to pronounce."

Cayde: "Haha! And your mom taught you all of this?"

Ziku: "Yeah, she did."

Cayde: "All my mom taught me was Wing Chun."

Ziku: "Really! Wing Chun is so cool!"

Cayde: "You think so?"

Ziku: "Wing Chun is one I've always wanted to learn!"

Cayde: "I could teach you the basics."

Ziku: "Seems we found a way to both get some good training in!"

Kame: "It is snowing."

Mest: "No better time to work on rhythm breathing."

Kame: "Rhythm breathing?

Mest: "Breathing is very essential, the proper breathing allows for sharper and stronger attacks. Controlled breathing allows for you to unleash your full strength while maintaining stamina. Both very important in controlling the outcome of battle."

Kame: "I see, but I would rather complete meditation."

Mest: "You sure?"

Kame: "I understand that I am having trouble with it. That does not mean I want to give up and move on to something else. I will complete this!"

Mest: "Hmph, spoken like a true Chikara."

Kame: "The snow is nothing! I do not care if this takes days, weeks, months, or even years! We will not stop until I master this!"

Mest smiles as both him and Kame begin to meditate. Again Kame starts to fidget around and can't stop still long enough to fully emerge his mind and body for meditation.

Mest: "Remember, clear your head. Think nothing but happy and peaceful thoughts."

Kame: "It is hard. Training like this is not me. Usually when I train, my mind is blank and all I focus on is the training alone. Meditating like this, it just causes my mind to wander a lot more and everything just comes flowing in. I am sorry, I am really trying my best."

Mest: "Here, let's try this."

Mest sits Kame down and sits right in front of him.

Mest: "Close your eyes and lock your hands together as if you're about to meditate."

Kame does it and start to fidget again.

Mest: "Now, try and get your chi to flow throughout your entire body."

Kame struggles at first, but eventually gets his chi to flow throughout his entire body. Mest closes his eyes and does the same.

Mest In Kame's mind: "Place out your dominant hand."

Kame: "H-how can I hear you in my head?!"

Mest: "Just do it."

Kame places his hand out as both his and Mest's lock together. In the same instant they are both standing feet from each other surrounded by nothing but grass.

Kame: "W-what is this?!"

Mest: "Image training. With this we are inside our mind and can undergo intense training. We can shape this space as we see fit, it's ours to create. With this we could also simulate battles against opponents, seeing how they would play out. With this technique I was allowed to undergo numerous fights with countless enemies in order to increase my strength and Chi."

Kame: "How did you learn this technique?"

Mest: "I created it at will. My main form of training was meditation since I travel alone. Image training pushes you harder."

Kame: "I see, and so long as we are here I could go all out?"

Mest: "Yes, you will be disconnected from the outside world and time increases in this space."

Kame: "Time increases?"

Mest: "Yes, 10 minutes of training in this head space would be equivalent to 5 hours in real time."

Kame: "How is that even possible?"

Mest: "Time is an illusion, our concept on the flow of time is naive. It's flow In our head space doesn't correspond with physical reality. On the outside time is universal and absolute, within, time is malleable and relative."

Kame just stares at Mest with an angry look and smoke coming out of his ears.

Mest: "Yeah, it was a stretch thinking you would understand all of that."

Kame: "You lost me at: "Time is an illusion." Just got difficult."

Mest: "But that's when- never mind. You ready to begin?"

Kame: "Always ready!"

They start training as Kame finally gets to show his true power not having to worry about anyone or anything. His power alone still doesn't seem to compare to Mest's in the slightest. While they're fighting inside the head space, their bodies on the outside are being covered in snow. Mest kicks Kame making him fly back, while he's getting up he looks up at Mest to see that he made clones.

Kame: "H-how?!"

Mest: "I created this remember?"

All of his clones attack Kame and barrage him with a bunch of combos having him fall to one knee again. He slowly lifts up his head to stare at the clones. He stands to his feet and gets into his stance gesturing the clones to come at him. Again they all attack, but this time Kame dodges their attacks and counters every single one. The clones fade away and in the midst of it all stands the real Mest. He smiles and gestures for Kame to attack, Kame indulges attacking him blindly. Mest just dodges everything and continue smiling. Kame ends up attacking Mest for awhile just keeps going nonstop.

Mest to himself: "I'm impressed, his stamina is great! Just how long can he keep this up?"

Kame still trying to land one hit on Mest, nothing but combos and barrages of attacks. Nothing is working, but he doesn't stop. His attacks become less impactful and more sluggish. His final attack he tries to headbutt Mest, but gets blocked and Mest palms his chest making him winded and struggle for air. At the same time he awakens outside the head space and just starts hyperventilating trying to catch his breath.

Kame: "Wait, I do not get it. What happened?"

Mest: "Get hit hard enough you will awaken outside the head space."

Kame: "Oh, so I lost?"

Mest: "That's why we're training. To make you stronger."

Kame: "Yeah I know."

Mest: "Always remember that no matter what, you can always be better than previous self. Be better than you were years ago, be better than you were months ago, be better than you were a week ago, and be better than you were yesterday."

Kame closes his eyes and smirks. He puts his fist out and Mest gets shocked, but happy at the same time. As he also puts his fist out and they fist bump.

Jiro: "Why are we out here? There's supposed to be a crazy snowstorm coming!"

Shizuko: "Just Shutup and wait for dad!"

Zukiro: "Alright boys, let's see how strong you two got!"

Shizuko: "We're fighting you?!"

Zukiro: "Haha no, you two are far from being ready for me."

Shizuko: "Tch! I can take you!"

Zukiro: "What was that? Gotta speak up Shizuko."

Shizuko: "Then who's our opponent?!"

Zukiro smiles and then moves out of the way revealing his niece.

Shizuko: "Who the hell is she?!"

Jiro: "Yeah, I've never seen her before."

Zukiro: "This is your cousin Aurora."

Jiro: "Cousin?! How come we have never met her?!"

Zukiro: "The same reason you have never met my brother, we'd rather keep to ourselves because of circumstances. If life was different then maybe, but since it's not we are forced to do things a certain way."

Jiro: "But what does that mean?"

Zukiro: "Don't worry about it! She's here now! She's here to make you stronger!"

Shizuko: "Make us stronger? Hmph, you really are an idiot father."

Zukiro: "Let's see."

Aurora: "Your temper and arrogance are what keep you from reaching greater heights in your power."

Shizuko: "Tch! Where did you read that?! A fortune cookie?!"

Both Jiro and Shizuko get into their stance.

Shizuko: "No! I don't need you!"

Jiro: "But!"

Shizuko just looks at him angered. Jiro freezes up and just lets him go alone. Aurora gets into her stance and gestures for him to make the first move. Shizuko creates a huge wave of fire, but it gets stopped by her flame wave. Shizuko just staring in disbelief.

Shizuko: "Blue flames?!"

Aurora: "You know you're outclassed, ask your brother for help."

Shizuko: "Don't you dare!"

He tries to attack her close up with his flame fist, but again is easily nullified by her blue flames. As he keeps trying to land a hit with his flame fist, she keeps nullifying all of his attacks just angering him even more. He gets close again trying to land a regular hit, but nothing lands. Shizuko backs away and just starts unleashing a bunch of flame waves and fireballs. The whole area just engulfed in flames and it all just goes away as quickly as it came. Aurora just standing there without a scratch.

Aurora: "Is that it?"

Shizuko just stands there In distraught, but also fear.

Aurora: "Guess that means it's my turn."

She jumps up, with a trail of blue flames emitting, as she kicks a wave towards Shizuko. Shizuko still with that tiny bit of fear is unable to move as he just watches the flame come towards him. His eyes widen as Jiro lands in front of him and completely nullifies the blue flames.

Shizuko: "Jiro?!"

Zukiro: "Jiro?!"

Aurora: "Jiro has surpassed his brother!"

Jiro looks at his flames to see that they have turned blue.

Jiro: "It's you and me now!"

Aurora: "Whenever you're ready."

Jiro speed blitz towards her and they start fighting hand to hand with their blue flame fist. Jiro and Aurora seem evenly matched as Shizuko could do nothing but watch wondering how and when. Th fight goes on with them shifting from hand to hand combat to unleashing bunches of flame waves. Shizuko falls to his knees filled with rage and jealousy. Aurora beats Jiro still being the better hand to hand fighter. She helps Jiro up and starts smiling.

Aurora: "You did it!"

Zukiro: "That's my boy, way to go Jiro!"

Jiro: "All that training finally paid off, thanks father!"

Zukiro: "You truly are a gifted child, you reached blue flames even faster than I did!"

They all walk forward going towards the house. When they pass by Shizuko they all see him just staring off into the distance. Zukiro passes by closing his eyes and nodding. Shizuko's eyes widen as he thinks he feels the disappointment his father has for him. Jiro looking back worrying about him. He tries to go to him, but his father stops him.

Zukiro: "Sometimes words could hurt more than actions. Leave him be for now."

Jiro: "But!"

Zukiro: "You will only make things worse."

They all walk away and head home. Shizuko falls back on his hands and knees and just starts punching the snow on the ground. The snow starts to pick up and come down faster and stronger as the snowstorm slams the north part of the village where Shizuko's clan are. The snow continues to fall with various intensities, it just completely covers Shizuko. His anger burns the snow off his body as he lets out a painful scream creating a blaze around himself stopping the snowstorm indefinitely.

Shizuko: "I will get stronger! With my strength alone!"

Cayde: "So what do we do now?"

Ziku: "I'm not sure, they postponed our training until the snow let's up. Could be months because can train again."

Cayde: "This sucks!"

Ziku: "Hey, have you heard anything from Omoi in the past week?"

Cayde: "None of us have."

Ziku: "I gotta check on him."

Ziku opens the door and feels the harsh winds of the blizzard.

Ziku: "Me and Cayde are going to check on Omoi."

Natsumi: "I don't know if that's a goo-"

Ziku: "Cool see ya later mom!"

As both him and Cayde just dash outside. As they're walking towards Omoi's place, it is very easy to get thrown off because it is hard to see. Also difficult to sense other's chi or even use his nose. Ziku calls Cayde over and tells him to stay close. He goes to a tree and it looks like he's searching for something on it. He does this for almost every tree, while the conditions seem to anger Cayde.

Cayde: "Are we even close?!"

Ziku: "Yeah, just a few more."

Cayde: "A few more what?! It's like we've been going in circles!"

Ziku: "We haven't, the-"

Cayde: "What is it?"

Ziku: "Did you hear that?"

Cayde: "No what was it?"

Before Ziku can say anything else a pack of huge wolves walk past them a little and stop. Both of their eyes get big and Cayde gets a little too scared. He starts shaking and breathing heavy. With a swift movement Ziku places his hand over Caydes mouth. The wolves start sniffing around, as they all begin to howl and run in the same direction. Both of them just try to relax, but then Ziku hears a fainted scream. Without hesitation he runs towards it leaving a lightning trail. When he gets to where the screams were coming from and he sees Aiko backed against a tree with the wolves surrounding her. She stops screaming, but she's terrified and almost crying. She closes her eyes and one of the wolves attacks her, but Ziku jumps in front of her and kicks the wolf into a tree. The wolf gets up whimpering and with a limp as it tries to run away with all the other wolves following.

Ziku: "Guess that was the alpha."

Aiko: "Z-Ziku?!"

Ziku: "Why are you out here alone?"

Aiko: "I was looking for Yumi, she wanted to meet me somewhere. I just ended up getting lost because of all the snow."

Ziku: "Wow, it's been awhile since I talked to Yumi."

Aiko: "Yeah, I've been helping her with a few things this past week, but she just went off ahead telling me where to meet her and now we're here."

Ziku: "Well, you can come with us if you want."

Aiko: "Us?"

Ziku: "Cayde!"

Cayde: "Yeah that wasn't cool."

Ziku: "Oh you found us."

Cayde: "You left a trail, I just followed it."

Ziku: "I left a trail? Cool!"

Cayde: "No, you left me!"

Ziku: "Sorry, I just heard that she was in danger and my body just moved."

Cayde: "Only reason I'm not as mad is because Omoi's house is up ahead."

Ziku: "Hey! You're right! So Aiko, you coming?"

Aiko: "Sure."

Ziku: "That's a nice scarf, can I see it?"

Aiko: "Sure, here."

Ziku ties it around his head and face like a ninja, makes hand signs and gestures for them to follow him. Both Aiko and Cayde smile because of how goofy he looked. They get to Omoi's house and notice how dark it is. No lights or nothing. Ziku looks at Aiko who's hands at close together as she's shivering a little. Ziku gets close to her and takes off the scarf and wraps it around her. She just stares at him blushing as she gets this weird feeling.

Ziku: "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were that cold."

Aiko: "I-it's fine, I'm warm now."

Cayde starts knocking on the door and no one answers.

Cayde: "Maybe they aren't home."

Ziku stares at the house taking a deep breath before turning around and walking away. As they're walking away Omoi looks out the window and just watches them. They get far enough out of sight and when Omoi lays down on his bed he sheds a tear.