Everyone watched in astonishment and fear as Kurai jumped on a tree and back to the rooftop with large, high jumps.
"You are a Kyo. And you said that you were this strong without prior training?" Kazuha said in disbelief.
"Yeah, I kick ass." He bragged. "Also, I unlocked my potential from the moment I was born so yeah, I am this strong before training." He says proudly.
"There are many people born in this world who have strong chi but this is the first time I have heard anyone having their potential on the moment of their birth." She said. "What was the trigger?"
Kurai pointed to his nose. "My smell. I have scent memories that I still remember from birth and now I can smell anything from miles away." He bragged.
"You seem to suffer from it then." Kazuha mused.
Cai Kang suddenly feels like a third wheel. "Not at all. He can control the range of his sense of smell."
Kazuha nodded then frowned upon noticing something strange. "You are a Kyo but you have no chi training, did you?"
Kurai shrugged. "I mean, I trained in it when I was a kid but I don't have certification on training it so I focus on my martial arts."
Cai Kang remembered his story. Kurai is quite unfortunate. Born in Qiyuan and ostracized for his power, It got the attention from a local, nameless grandmaster who took him to Shenmi. However, due to an accident, he was abandoned by the school he was introduced to and went straight to China to fix his problem. The old man later found and helped Kurai, giving him the earrings he currently wears and taught him martial arts. As much as he doesn't show it, he respects the old man's philosophy and that there are no bad students, but bad teachers. He has gotten basic training in both martial arts and chi use for two years. Kurai seems to be doing well and continuing to embrace it and mold it into his own fighting style.
"How about a fight?" Cai Kang said.
"I would love to but I can't Kame." Kurai said while flicking one of his earrings.
"Tomorrow then?" He inquired.
Kurai shook his head. "Nope, not tomorrow either."
Cai Kang understood what he meant. "Alright then. Whenever, you're ready." He said cautiously.
*
The rest of the day was quiet. Cai Kang wanted to say it and is basically sweating buckets over it. After what felt like forever, classes are finally over.
Cai Kang grabbed Kazuha's arm and dragged her away to talk in private.
"Hey, can you knock a person out with your voice?" He asked.
Kazuha was confused. "I can but that isn't something I can do easily. Why?" She asked.
"Because we are gonna tail Cloud Head until things settle down."
"I've noticed you being visibly nervous since you guys talked."
Cai Kang scratched his neck in discomfort. He is straightforward when it comes to his expression. "I really can't tell you. It's something that I was sworn to keep a secret."
Kazuha lift her hands up to rebuff him. "I'm just saying that you seem nervous. I didn't ask for his personal information. If he wants to keep a secret, then I won't ask about it. I've seen enough to not be as easily surprised or scared anymore." She said.
"Well, I thought you might use your persuasion jutsu on me just to pry for info." He said.
"If I want to, I would've done it already." She said. "Now, let's go tail your friend."
Both walked at a reasonable distance where he will not easily sense them. Kurai is buying some stuff for himself at various shops; food, clothes, and a bottle of shampoo. Kazuha had to remove her hearing aids in order to hear him from where they are. Cai Kang also did his best to hide his presence but he is not exactly the best in that area. Even though it has been a few weeks since he enrolled in school, he is still a bit shy around people. Being raised in a secluded environment and away from civilization for the majority of his teenage years was not healthy. Kurai doesn't know Kazuha's potential unless he finds out by literally sniffing her out.
Kazuha abruptly stops in place. "He stopped."
"What do you hear?" He inquired.
"A metal door and it closed loudly."
Kazuha started to run, and Cai Kang caught up with her. After running a bit, she then slowed down to put her finger to the ground. "There's metal underground. I think it's a bunker." She said.
"A bunker." He repeated slowly. "No doubt. He's gonna need it. I didn't think he would have a bunker."
"Okay, he's lives in a bunker?"
"I don't think the school will like the fact that he lives down there. But I don't think he does." He said.
"I am more curious as to how he got himself a bunker." She said.
"He has a rich family." He said.
She looked at Cai Kang with a flat look. "Gee, that literally has to be the only answer."
"The thing is, he is sensitive. He is claustrophobic so he's gonna lose his mind in there." Cai Kang said.
"Then why stay in a bunker?"
Cai Kang looked at the sky. It is already sundown. "We gotta go." He said and started running frantically with Kazuha at his heel.
The sun quickly went down and the bunker was now full of agonizing screams of pain and rage. Since it is a bunker in the middle of nowhere, no one on the surface can hear him but all the animals around the area fled.
*
It was sunrise and Kurai woke up, covered in his own blood and the walls covered in scratches. His clothes are also ripped to shreds.
"Fuck" he silently said. He is far too weak to even scream anymore. He went to the bath prepared for him. The medicinal waters slowly heal the wounds while he ate his packaged food after heating it up. His body is covered in new and old scars from the self-harm he has done to himself more than what others inflicted upon him.
After getting out of his bath, he viewed himself in the mirror checking if he has any injuries he has missed before taking a shower then getting dressed in the clothes that he bought and prepared. He hates the bunker. It is old and way too small for his liking but it is the only way to keep him in during this phase.
He then heard knocking from the exit. He went up to open it and saw a familiar face. Their face is dark and covered due to the sun's direction towards him.
"Oh, it's you." He unenthusiastically said then opens the lid completely.
The person didn't say anything.
"Like what you see? Sorry, but I'm not for sale." He teased and smiled mischievously as he showed his topless torso.
"You came back." The person said.
Kurai smiled coldly. "I had to come back. You're not my boss or my therapist."
"Why did you return?" The person asked.
"Because I was bored, you idiot." Kurai said it like it is common sense. "When you are as strong as me, you need to meet some old friends. Don't you think?"
"Go back."
Kurai's smile turned into a frown. "Listen, I came back because I want to. You got that? Ask me a dumb question like that again, I'll shove my fist down your throat and pull out your spine."
The person flinched at the threat. "Aren't you worried that I'll ask that person?"
Kurai looked at the view. It is quite beautiful and refreshing to watch this early in the morning. "Don't care. Besides, I only agreed to work with you aholes on the condition that you leave me the fuck alone. I followed your damn rules. I don't need you nor do you need me anymore."
The person felt like sighing. "You will hear from me soon." Then they disappeared, leaving Kurai to go back to his bunker in a huff.
Then he heard knocking again. Irritated, he opened the bunker. "Now, what did I say about-" Kurai stopped upon noticing his visitor.
Cai Kang brought up a large package. "I brought breakfast. Thought you would like some. Beats eating packaged, microwaveable, convenience store meals." He said.
Kurai blinked almost in disbelief on the size of it. "Is it all for me?" He asked.
Cai Kang nods in response.
"How the hell did you find this place anyway?" Kurai said.
"Simple, I used chi to find you." Cai Kang let out a dim ball of light on his hand to show him.
Kurai stepped out of the bunker, closing it behind him and sat on the grass. He untied the fabric revealing a giant bento box set. After preparing a blanket to sit on the grass, he started to chow down. Cai Kang can see his expression. Kurai is still the same. A foodie with an even more larger appetite than him especially for homecooked meals.
"Where the hell did you and the old man live? You guys did better in the school?"
"That's not quite it. That's the reason I am here. I am here to meet my fiancee."
Kurai isn't surprised and continued eating. "Uh-huh. I know that already."
"It isn't Kazuha though."
Kurai almost choked on his food. Cai Kang sighed as he gave him some tea to gulp it down. It seems his eating habits haven't changed either.
"Why?! She's hot, smart, and so far, strong. She's perfect for you!" He exclaimed.
"Hot? I can see that your taste also hasn't changed as well." Cai Kang said flatly.
Kurai shrugged as he ate. Kurai says his feelings out loud. He is not interested in people but whenever he is interested in a person, he calls them by a nickname which is a compliment than an insult. Kurai also has a very specific preference. Strong people.
"Why? She's rumored to be your future wife."
"Emphasis on rumored." Cai Kang retorts.
"So it's just a rumor?" Kurai said.
"Spread by those twin sibings of her in a way to earn more fame. It has helped Kazuha to some extent which is why we haven't disclaimed it entirely but she's been spending time on making sure everyone forgot about it. She is also a successor to her clan so she's off limits."
"Then who are you gonna be with?"
Cai Kang shrugged. "According to Kazuha's dad, who happens to be friends with the old man, that will be decided once the girls find candidates first. Then I will meet all them and they will choose who is most compatible with me."
Kurai scoffed. "I don't know about these bullshit customs in the Inverse but it is so old fashioned." He said as he quickly finished his meal then stopped to ask. "Wait? Is your host rich?" He asked.
"You know nothing about families in Japan despite being in Shenmi before. They are called the Hinagi clan and they are all powerful. Don't even think about messing with anymore here."
Kurai shrugged again. Cai Kang looked at him worriedly upon seeing his injuries. "How bad this time?"
"Bad since we last met. Simply tying me up and locking me in a shed doesn't work anymore. Instead, they got me a bunker and I've used it since."
"Did you come here to get your bunker back?" Cai Kang asked.
"Nope. I need something fun to do. I will stay here until graduation. I've already been expelled anyway. I doubt any school wants to take me in if it wasn't for the bribes."
"You can come visit the Shiratori home when you finish your next rampage. You are always hungry every time this happens." He said.
"Later." He says. "If you excuse me, I want to sleep. Bye." Kurai opened the lid to the bunker and closed it shut. Since it is the weekend, he will not going to school.