Kame and Kokiruko are just sitting together not talking to each other. Both of them waiting for Mest to regain consciousness. Both of them are stressed because they don't know where they are, they don't know what to do, and they don't know how to get the baby to stop crying. Silently they take turns holding the baby, but it doesn't seem to change the outcome of its crying. At one point Kame just stares hard into the ground confused and just a feeling of anguish.
Kokiruko "I don't know you and you don't know me. It's clear to me that we have to take care of this child while he's in this condition. We have no idea how long he could be out, or if he's even still going to be alive."
Kame "He is not dead."
Kokiruko "It wouldn't matter how you feel if it was the truth. Like I said it's up to us to care for this child. We have no idea where we are or what could happen next. It's hard to even think about anything when I haven't ate. How am I supposed to give this child my best when I can't even support myself."
Kame "One of us has to go try and find fruit."
Kokiruko "What about the baby? I'm sure they can't eat fruit."
Kame "I am not sure what they eat. We were babies once, try and think of what we could have ate."
Kokiruko "It's milk."
Kame "Where would we find milk?"
Kokiruko "That's the hard part, I have no clue."
Kame "And yet the baby still cries."
Kokiruko "Hold on, I have an idea."
Kokiruko cradles the baby tight and then places them on top of Mest. As soon as he does the baby stops crying and nestles in with Mest. And it seems like, by pure instinct alone, Mest grabs the baby and cradles it close to him. The look on Kame and Kokiruko's face tells it all. As they are shocked and also glad that he is ok.
Kokiruko "We just have to go around and collect what we can."
Kame "What about them."
Kokiruko "They will be fine."
Kame "How do you know?!"
Kokiruko "I don't, but we will be at risk if we don't go out and find what we can."
Kame "Alright, but only for 30 minutes max."
Kokiruko "Ok, 30 minutes."
Both of them take one last look at Mest and then head off. Kame grabs a stick and runs with it creating a trail in order to get back. Kokiruko grabs a bunch of rocks and creates a trail the same way in order to find his way back. Kame doesn't take long to find soybeans. He doesn't know how much to grab so he just picks up the entire herb and continues looking. He finds more and does the same, picks up the entire herb. Some more time passes and then he finds berries. Again not knowing how much to grab so he marks this spot and then heads back. When he gets back he notices Kokiruko isn't there. He placed the herbs down and then just sits down waiting for him. What seemed like an hour , finally Kokiruko emerges from the trees with a bunch of fruit in a basket.
Kame "Where did you get the basket?"
Kokiruko "Some lady gave it to me."
Kame "What? Really?"
Kokiruko "No, I just found it. Guess I got pretty lucky over there."
Kame "That is crazy, a whole basket. All I found were these."
Kokiruko "Did you just bring a bunch of herbal leaves?!"
Kame "No, look."
Kokiruko "Soybeans!"
Kame "Yeah!"
Kokiruko "I found Figs, berries and coconuts. Do you know what this means?!"
Kame "Yeah!"
Kokiruko "We can use the soybeans and coconuts to make milk for the baby, while still having the figs and berries for us."
Kame "There are also more berries back where I went. Just couldn't carry any, but I know how to get back."
Kokiruko "Its crazy, went from burgers to berries."
Kame "Rags to riches."
Kokiruko "More like riches to rags, but you're getting there."
Kame "So how do we wake them up."
Kokiruko "I don't think we can, we might just have to wait for them to awaken on their own."
Kame "I see. So now what."
Kokiruko "I guess we can eat, but just make sure you save some for Mest, for whenever he wakes up."
Kame "What are you going to do."
Kokiruko "Just gonna go reflect and try some things. Don't worry."
Kame "Come on Mest, wake up."
With nothing else to do Kame just starts doing pushups.
Kame " 1…2…3…"
Kokiruko "I'm only doing this for you Mina. As of right now I still don't care for those two, but the baby is innocent. I already miss you so much."
Kokiruko stands next to a river and places his hand over it. After some time of concentrating he realizes that nothing is happening.
Kokiruko "Why isn't it working?!"
He gets angry with himself thinking that all of this was for nothing and that his sister died in vain.
Kokiruko "What you did to us! All the pain, all the suffering! Just for it to not work! I'm glad you died, and I'm glad I killed you!"
In the same instant his hands start emitting lightning and when he places it back over the water, it starts to boil before exploding. When it explodes he has a flashback. The flashback showing examples of pain he suffered, what his father did to him, how he tortured him with the machine trying to give him power. How Kokimina suffered with the baby, and how when Kokiruko came out of the machine he went straight for his dad and killed him. After the flashback, he realizes that he is on his knees and tears are dropping in front of him.
Kokiruko "No! Why am I crying?! He deserved it! I regret nothing!"
Kokiruko just falls to the ground and appears defeated. So many emotions going through his head, him not understanding life. Questions overwhelming his mind, feelings and thoughts of death linger.
Kokiruko "I can't."
Kame "3,449…3,450,…3,451…"
Kokiruko "Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"
As he starts banging his head on a tree. The blood gushing from his head getting all over his clothes. He falls to the ground and just stares at the sky. His heart beating out of his chest almost and immediately a feeling of numbness all over his body.
Kokiruko "I don't want to do this! I don't want to…be this! I can't go on any longer! Fuck it! No more!"
Kokiruko grabs a big rock and smacks it into the back of his head, his eyes get all fuzzy and the back of his head just begins to gush more blood, he tries to do it again, but before he can Kame grabs his arm and stops him.
Kokiruko "W-why?"
His head falls, blood pours and body goes limp. All Kame can do is look away for a bit until picking him up and carrying back to where they were before. When Kame puts Kokiruko down he looks at all of them as they are all just laying there.
Kame "Please wake up soon."
Asuna "I got word that they have created Warriors Council."
Tora "Who is they?"
Asuna "That is what I want to figure out."
Tora "So how are we supposed to go about this?"
Asuna "The letter tells me that this council is to create and maintain peace amongst the villages and guilds. So the emperors and guild masters are to report to this council and see what they have to offer and their terms. It says to bring an advisor as this decision isn't a forced one and we do get a choice."
Tora "I see, it's finally happening. Wonder what's taken them this long."
Asuna "No clue, but the date is for next week. So me and you will be attending."
Tora "Take Hiroyuki."
Asuna "What?"
Tora "Both of us leaving isn't a good idea Asuna. I mean sure if me and you leave we would still have Sona, Hozu, and Izumi here, but I just don't think it's enough. As of now we only have two S class warriors in our village. With Mest gone our strength takes a huge decline."
Asuna " Yeah, you're right. I've never actually put into perspective just how dwindled our numbers and strength is. The shocking thing is that we haven't even been attacked that often."
Tora "Well if a village had an Asuna, I wouldn't attack either."
Asuna smiles at her as they both just look into each others eyes. Both of them slowly lean in, and right before they can kiss Hiroyuki walks in. In the same second, Tora grabs Asuna and flips him go the ground.
Hiroyuki "Was there a meeting?"
Tora "No, just a conversation. Nothing else."
Asuna "Yeah, nothing else."
Hiroyuki "Why do I always get the feeling that I ruin things between you two."
Asuna "Hiroyuki I'm taking you with me next week. We are attending the warrior council meeting."
Hiroyuki "Warrior council meeting?"
Asuna "Yes, we have to see what they are offering and agree to terms if need be."
Hiroyuki "What about my missions with the Core?"
Asuna "There will be none. Guess you can call this a vacation."
Hiroyuki "Great."
Asuna "Actually I have something to tell all of them members of the Core."
Tora "How are you going to gather them in such short notice."
Asuna snaps his fingers and In what seemed like a second, all of the core members appeared in front of him, all ready and all on go.
Asuna looks over at Tora and smiles.
Asuna "I must tell you something, as of right now we can't locate the whereabouts of Shidai and we are very concerned. If you know where he is now is your time to give us the information."
Everyone just looks around confused and all concerned about their fellow member.
Asuna "No one? I thought as much."
Kisijo "Is that what we were summoned for?"
Asuna "No, I summoned you here to tell you that I will be leaving with Hiroyuki in a week to a warrior council. What I need from you all is to decide which of you are to be promoted from the Core to our warrior class."
Tanji "Warrior class? Aren't we already warriors?"
Asuna "Yes, but with the promotion you will be assigned to your rank. D to S. D being the lowest and S being the highest. The job details means that you will no longer carry out missions, but either be assigned to a district or just be front lines whenever your village needs you."
Jey "Ah I get it."
Tanji "So why not just get the top 3 and promote them?"
Asuna "Because I want to make it fair. I want to give you all the choice. This choice is a hard one and I don't want to put anyone there that isn't ready or isn't willing."
Tanji "You're too soft."
Asuna "Maybe, but your well being and feelings matter to me. Whoever decides to go up, just know I need this to happen so I can fill your previous spot with new members in order to ensure stronger tactics for our village."
Tora "That being said, who is making the leap?"
No one raises a hand or even moves. It's like their nervous.
Tora "You don't have to be nervous, or even scared. Your job is basically what I do. I train, I protect, and I fight on front lines."
Again, no one moves a muscle.
Asuna "How about this I'm going to count to three. And when I get to three, I want those who want to make the leap to stay where you are and those who don't to take a step back. Got it?"
All of them nod this time.
Asuna "1…2…3…!"
When Asuna finishes counting, he sees the three that were willing to move up. Those three being Kisijo, Maki, and Uhana. When Asuna sees them stay he smiles and congratulates them for being bold. But on the inside he's kind of disappointed. He wanted Tanji and Jey to go for sure because they would have been S class right off the bat. Even so, he doesn't force them and instead is happy with the decision of those who wanted to move up.
Asuna "Ah, Kisijo, Maki, and Uhana. Thank you. All of you will have your assignments and posts ready by the time I come back. Well unless Tora wants to assign?"
Tora "I'll do it! I have a perfect job for all of them, you three can come with me."
Tora walks out with them, but before she completely leaves she looks back at Asuna one last time and smiles at him, then winks.
Asuna "Well, as for the rest of you. You can all go back to what you were doing prior. I want you to know that even though you didn't decide to step up, I am content with your decisions."
Hiroyuki can tell that all of them are disappointed in themselves, but he knows that it was a hard decision because they don't know how to live outside of being in the Core. He knows that they want to do more, but don't know if they can and if they will survive not being in the Core.
Asuna "You all may go."
One by one the members leave.
Hiroyuki "What do you think Tora has for them?"
Asuna "You can trust her."
Hiroyuki just nods, then looks at the clock.
Hiroyuki "I'll be going."
Asuna waves him off and then sits down. When Hiroyuki gets outside he notices that the sun is going down and he going to be pretty late to the party. It doesn't make him rush though, he just walks and ponders.
Aiko "Almost everyone is here."
Ziku "Who isn't yet?"
Aiko "Umm Mikoto, and Hiroyuki."
Ziku "Wait, but Mireko is here?"
Aiko "Yeah, but she just got here."
Ziku "Oh, wonder if Mikoto will actually show up."
Kireina "is Kame not coming?"
Ziku "He's still not back."
Kireina "Hiroyuki?"
Ziku "He's here, just don't know if he is actually coming."
Kireina "Well Aiko, your house is pretty much full."
Aiko "I know, never had this many people inside before."
Ziku walks over.
Ziku "Hey Isamu, how's your training?"
Isamu "I feel like I've gotten stronger. Even if it's just a bit."
Kotai "Have you gotten any stronger?"
Ziku "Maybe, I feel the same kind of."
Kanju "Please stop!"
Senpu "Why? I'm so close to touching her boobs."
Kanju "I don't understand why you're like this."
Poku How have you been?"
Yumi "I've been fine, just been reading a lot. I do more reading than training."
Poku" Ooh the book is that good huh?"
Yumi "It's great, it has everything you would want to know! It tells me everything!"
Poku "Everything like what?"
Yumi "Well, for starters…"
Senpu "What are you two ladies talking about? Is it me?"
Poku "You wish."
Senpu "Yeah I do."
Limbo "I'm normally not one for parties."
Bezune "Yeah, me either, but here I am."
Bokutso "So why are you guys here?"
Bezune "I mean we can ask you the same."
Bokutso "True, but I asked first."
Bezune "I guess that's fair. Well I just wanted a break from training."
Bokutso "Do you not see what we've been up against?"
Bezune "I mean we all do."
Bokutso "And you're ok with being weak?"
Bezune "Before you say that, just look at who is here. Everyone is here, including Ziku. To top it off, you are here also, so who are you to talk down on me like I'm making the bad decisions? Of course I see what's going on, of course I know what's at stake, but like I said I needed a break. I've been stressed, my body has been stressed. No amount of training will make us prepared for what's to come. Its either you're strong enough or you're not."
Bokutso "Tch! I was dragged here! And don't make excuses about stress! When the day comes we will see who is prepared and who isn't!"
Bokutso leaves the party and is seen just leaving the area.
Kotai "I gotta go guys, Ziku, I'll be waiting for that rematch!"
Ziku "No, don't leave yet."
Haruna "It's no use, it was bound to happen. I'm surprised most people even showed up. Obviously without Jiro Shizuko wasn't going to show up. Kisaiju likes no one and Kame is still gone."
Chiori "Where's Omoi?"
Ziku "I… I don't know."
Chiori "What?! Are you not his best friend?"
Ziku "It's hard to say."
Chiori "Oh my, what happened?!"
Ziku "Nothing bad, it's just…"
A knock at the door.
Shiro "I'll get it."
Shiro opens the door and everyone sets their eyes on Hiroyuki.
Haruna "Now there's also someone I didn't expect to be here."
Hiroyuki "Hey everyone."
They all say hi back, but before he can say anything else he and Ava make eye contact and Ava starts to blush.
Ava "Hiroyuki."
Hiroyuki "Ava."
Haruna "Did anyone else feel the tension when Hiroyuki walked in?"
Mireko "Shhh Haruna, don't say that."
Haruna "So just me?"
Kanju "Any board games?"
Ziku "Yeah, Aiko has a bunch."
All of them gather around each other and start playing the board games. Time passes as they are all having fun with each other. Everyone smiling, laughing, and having a great time. Pictures being taken and even pranks being pulled. Of course some of them are missing Jiro and wish he was there. Kame also in a lot of their thoughts, as well as Shizuko and Omoi. Not one person seems to care for Kisaiju. Mikoto being the only girl that didn't show up. The party continues, but then out of nowhere Ziku's heart sinks.
Ziku thinks to himself.
Ziku "This time I actually sense something, and it's familiar."
It starts to rain and thunder outside. Ziku uses it as cover to go and check what's out there. When he gets outside his hair gets instantly wet and it begins to cover his face. He has to grab it and keep it against his forehead to even see. When out of nowhere he sees Dante.
Ziku "Why are you here?!"
Dante "What? No invite?"
Ziku just stares at him and clinches his fist.
Dante "Hey, I just came to talk."
Ziku "How did you even get into our village?!"
Dante "Infiltration is easy with abilities like mine."
Ziku "Whatever you came here for, it stops here!"
Ziku reaches for his sword, but like always it's not there.
Dante "I already told you I just came here to talk."
Ziku Why??Why to me?!"
Dante "Because you know what this world does to people. As young as you are, you understand the fate of this world if they are allowed to gather the crystals."
Ziku "The crystals?!"
Dante "You see them as vital as they are right?"
Ziku "Should I not?"
Dante "It's only up to you, we have free will."
Ziku "What is the real reason you are here."
Dante "I don't remember what it was called, but I just know there is a book that was created to trick someone into destroying the world. That book is in this village!"
Ziku "Why are you telling me all this, I thought you were…"
Dante "What I am doesn't matter. Just trust me when I tell you that the book is here. You have to find it and give it to me."
Ziku "How do I know if I can trust you? Why are you even telling me this? Why not tell Asuna?"
Dante just stares intensely.
Dante "Ziku I'm supposed to kill you. I don't want to, so don't make me have to."
Ziku "What does that mean? Are you threatening me?!
Dante "I just…"
Ziku just freezes. His whole body tensing up as he becomes nervous.
Dante "Calm down, I'm not after you. To them I am, but the truth is I'm using this as a diversion so I can find this book."
Ziku "What book?!"
Dante "I do not know the name, I just know whoever has it is being manipulated."
Ziku "I'll help you look for this book, but only if you give our crystal back."
Dante "You realize what you're asking me to do?!"
Ziku "I can help you."
Dante "What?!"
Ziku "If this book is as important as you say then that means we need to find it fast. The crystals are also important. We have our crystal back and control over the book then it seems our troubles lessen."
Dante "You know you can't tell anyone about this right?"
Ziku "I know."
Dante "Hmph, well then, I'll meet you at the entrance later. We move at midnight."
Ziku nods his head.
Dante withers away slowly turning into smoke and leaving. After he leaves the rain gets heavier and Ziku just stands there's contemplating. When Ziku walks back inside everyone is confused as to where he went. He just up and disappeared all of a sudden. While he's inside Yumi is outside holding her book shaking.
Yumi "This book?! Is it this book that can destroy the earth?!"
Dark voice "Stop!"
Yumi's body freezes as she hears the voice begin to talk to her.
Dark voice "You are becoming too aware!"
Yumi "Aware of what?!"
As she struggles.
Dark voice "My plans!"
When the voice finishes, Yumi gets knocked unconscious, but her body still upright.
Haruna "Yumi? Yumi? Are you ok? What the hell are you doing out here?"
Haruna shakes Yumi vigorously until she awakens.
Haruna "Yumi answer me!"
Yumi "Huh?"
Haruna "What is going on with you?!"
Yumi "You know just reading."
Haruna "But it's raining? And you're outside."
Yumi "Oh, it appears so.
Haruna "Is everything ok?"
Yumi "Everything is fine."
Yumi just continues to stand there with a big smile as her body and clothes are getting wet.
Haruna "Here, come inside."
Mireko "What were you doing outside?"
Haruna "I stepped out to get some fresh air, Yumi was just out there in the rain."
Mireko "Yumi you're going to be sick."
Yumi "It's fine, I'll be alright."
Haruna "It's not about that Yumi! Why were you out there alone in the rain?! It's bigger than just getting sick!"
Yumi "Sorry, didn't know you cared as much as you do."
Haruna "I know we barely see each other, but everyone here is important to me. Even those that aren't."
Mireko "Same here. To be honest I had the most fun here in an hour with you all than I have in ten years with Mikoto."
Yumi "Really?"
Mireko "Yes, me and my sister may be twins but we aren't close. We love together and yet we don't even talk to each other."
Haruna" What does Mikoto do?"
Mireko "Train. She trains all day everyday."
Haruna "She must be so strong."
Mireko "As of now Mikoto is way stronger than I am. The gap is actually embarrassing, I'm not even strong enough to be a warm up to her for training."
Haruna "You sure this party was a good idea?"
Mireko "For me yes, I don't like fighting anyway. Besides I was happy hearing about this party. It's not everyday we get to do this. It's a nice change of pace."
Haruna "You're right about that, to think that in some way all of us are training. At this point it's muscle memory to get at least an hour of training in. It's hard going a day and feeling like you don't have to, but when you get this feeling that at any point in time anyone can attack or just anything can happen it's hard because of the fear of not being strong enough."
Mireko "Yeah, I hate that feeling."
Haruna sees that Mireko is down because of her feelings of inferiority.
Haruna "While we can, let's enjoy the party."
Mireko "Yeah."
Both of them finish their conversation and join the party as it resumed when they came back in. Everyone still having a great time, everyone smiling, enjoying the games, and still joking around.
Ziku smiles at everyone, but deep in his head he's constantly trying to make sense of so much.
Ziku "Omoi, I promise I'll come see you when I come back. For now I'm taking matters into my own hands. I'll tell you all about when I return."
The party is over and the house seems empty. Only ones inside are Ziku, Ava, Aiko, and Yumi.
Ziku "Yumi, are you ok?"
Yumi "Yeah I'm fine why?"
Ziku "Just making sure, I can walk you home if you want."
Yumi "Thank you."
Ziku and Yumi head out, while Aiko and Ava look at the time. It's late. It's already midnight.
Aiko "Did you enjoy the party?"
Ava "I did, it was nice meeting everyone."
Aiko "That's good. Oh and I'm so sorry about Senpu!"
Ava "Ugh don't remind me! What is wrong with him?!"
Aiko "No one knows, Kanju usually can deal with him."
Ava "Yeah, I saw him trying his best. Kanju seems nice."
Aiko "He is, everyone is nice. Oh well umm don't worry about Kireina, she just has a strong personality."
Ava "Yeah, I noticed. Other than that everyone is pretty nice."
Aiko "That's good, I'm sure they all think of you the same. According to Ziku, you're family now."
Ava looks at Aiko when she says that and just freezes as her heart skips a beat. She starts to tear up as she tries to wild them fast so Aiko wouldn't notice, but it was too late.
Aiko "Aw I'm sorry, are you ok?"
Ava "No you're fine, it's just I'm happy to be apart of your family! Thank you Aiko!"
Ava hugs Aiko super tight as both of them are smiling and also crying.
Yumi "Thank you Ziku, I appreciate you."
Ziku "Hey can you do me a favor?"
Yumi "What is it? Do you want a kiss?"
Yumi leans in slowly, but is stopped quickly.
Ziku "Can you check on Omoi for me?"
Yumi "Omoi? Yeah sure."
Ziku "Thank you."
Yumi "Wait, why can't you? Is it because you're leaving?"
Ziku "How did you know I was leaving?"
Yumi "I was outside when you were talking with that man."
Ziku gets shocked.
Ziku "So you saw me?! Listen you can't tell anyone I'm leaving with him. I don't want anyone to worry, especially my mom."
Yumi "Don't worry I won't, and I will check on Omoi for you."
Ziku Thanks Yumi!"
Ziku walks out of his house with his sword finally in his gage strapped to his back.
Dante "Ready to go?"
Ziku nods.