"WHAT!?" Yuri shouted as she slammed her hands on the table, supporting her as she rose from her seat in the cafeteria. Her vexed eyes looked at Daisuke, and her breathing had become irregular.
"I'm going to America in five months." Daisuke replied, his once happy tone was filled with caution towards Yuki's attitude. Why was she exploding about this?
"You can't be serious!" she shouted once again.
"I kinda am." Daisuke replied. "I'm going there to see if there are any suspicious activities by Kagori."
"And you're going alone!?"
"Well…" he thought about not telling her yes, but being as dim as Daisuke was… "Yeah."
A textbook was thrown at the side of his head as she stormed off. Daisuke held his pained head as he picked himself from the floor. When he looked up, Yuki sat next to him.
"So, you're really going, huh?"
"Hakura told you?"
"No. I just heard for myself right now."
"You're mad at me, too?"
"Not really. I understand what you have to do. And Yuri's not really mad at you either. She just wishes you'd tell her things. She has it in her mixed up little head that if you don't tell her stuff right away, it means you don't trust her, or you hate her. I try to tell her that's not the case, but…"
That was the thing with Yuki. She completely understood how to handle news like this, without throwing textbooks at his head. His job was something he had to do for humanity, and she understood that. She was there for him, and she knew how to handle even the biggest surprises.
"So what's this about you going to America, huh?" Kori said as she sat in front of Daisuke.
"How did you hear about it so quickly?" Daisuke asked.
"The girl's have a quick gossip network."
"It's true." Yuki agreed.
"So, I heard that you told Yuki that you're going to America and she threw a book at you." Ryuku said as he sat at the table.
"How do you know all this?"
"I'm hacked into the girl's gossiping network. It's a pretty handy thing, if you want to hear some news fast."
"So," Raine asked as she started to sit down. "Where are you getting this ten thousand dollar thing from for your trip?"
"Let me guess: Network?" Daisuke asked her, and all she got was a shrug. "Wait a minute. I never told Yuki that I was getting a thousand dollars."
"Yeah, Josh and Hiru's in the circle as well."
"Why are there so many guys in the network if it's for girls."
"Because they know how to talk to girls without killing themselves."
"So, what kind of apartment are you staying in?" Deíji asked as she sat down.
Daisuke sighed. This was getting a little too much for him. He knew that girls gossiped, and that news traveled fast, but he didn't think it traveled this fast, this much. So much had been spilled out about him.
"Okay, everybody's here, right?" Daisuke asked.
"Everyone but Yuri." Raine pointed out, just as his friends had sat down.
"Well, you can tell her the things I'm about to tell you." Daisuke looked around, making sure he had everybody's attention before starting.
"I'm going to America for ten months, with ten thousand dollars that are donated by a large church in America. I'm going to speak there, and travel around the country, making speeches about Japan. I'm staying by myself, while I go to a school during their school year. My trips will be made around their breaks."
"Makes me want to be a Christian." Raine teased.
"Um…Daisuke?" a voice was behind him. He saw another female student, one that was in his History class. "Yuri wants you and Yuki at the track field."
"Um, okay." Daisuke said as he shrugged a shoulder. He looked over at Yuki, and the two had started to walk, leaving the group with the excuse. As they walked down the hall, Daisuke looked at Yuki. "What do you think she wants?"
"I have no clue. That girl could want the world, and we wouldn't know it."
"But I thought you said you guys were friends."
"I'm a friend, Daisuke, not a mind reader. Remember that. She probably just wants to whine and complain some more about her Demon Hunting skills."
"Doesn't sound too friendly, if you ask me." Daisuke said, referring to her attitude.
"Sometimes you have to be harsh in order to get the things you want, am I right?" she asked as she looked over at him.
"Why are you asking me this question?" Daisuke said with a bright smile. "I'm harmless."
"I want you to say that to Doichi and Kitsune."
Daisuke stopped in his tracks, and he stared at her. Yuki had stared back, not looking apologetic for what she had just said. She turned back around to head toward the field.
What was that about? What was the evil glare about. Something in her eyes were cold and hard. It was an unusual glare for Yuki, no matter how upset she was.
As they walked out to the track, nobody but Yuri was around. It was a large, deserted place. Daisuke looked around, looking and sensing for any other life, but there was none.
"Yuki!" Yuri shouted. "I want to challenge you to a dual! A dual for Daisuke!"
"What?" Daisuke asked. Where they fighting about this already? Sure, he guessed they would duke it out some day, but he imagined that day to be far later in the future than now. Yuki, though, had only sneered at the remark.
"Who are you kidding?" Yuki asked. "You're not strong enough."
"See!" Yuri said. "You're not even giving me a chance!"
"Fighting each other is pointless and useless."
"Yuki! Open your eyes! He's leaving for almost a year in five months. We need to do this so we can decide–"
"Who's going to spend the rest of his time here with him?" Yuki finished, making it sound a lot worse than it actually was. "It's a waste of time, energy, and strength, Yuri. Don't waste your breath, and don't make me waste mine."
Why was Yuki being so cold all of the sudden? It was like she was a whole other person. A person like… she was back when her and Daisuke fought. Back when she had wore the hood to hide her identity; back when she didn't care about a thing.
"I'll show you a waste of time!" Yuri cried as she got out a spirit sword. She charged and Yuki had drawn hers as Yuri had come closer.
In a flash of an eye, there was a clamoring of the two swords being met together. Yuri had past Yuki, and both of their spirit swords had left them. When Yuri skid to a stop, nobody moved. There was an eerie wind blowing. Suddenly, there was a cut on Yuki's high cheek. Nothing deep, just enough to draw blood. Yuri turned around, and grinned in victory. But when she was about to say something, her face had been rearranged with pain. Her stomach part of her shirt was torn, and blood spilt out. Yuri placed her hand over as she fell to her knees.
"I told you it was useless. Why don't you ever listen to me?" Yuki asked, plainly.
"Yuki, what's gotten into you?!" Daisuke shouted. "Why are you being so cold?"
"Because, she needs to know how to toughen up." She said coldly.
"And beating her down is the way?"
"She's weak right now, Daisuke."
"Dammit, Yuki!" Yuri shouted. "Why!? WHY!?"
"Why what?" Yuki shouted back as she turned around.
"Why am I always last!?" tears started to form in Yuri's eyes. Daisuke looked at her in awe. What was she talking about? "Why am I always last!?" she repeated. "I'm last to know everything! I'm last to know that Daisuke's going to America, I'm last to know he was a Demon Hunter, I'm last to know everything! I'm the weakest in the group, I have the lowest grades…" her voice was starting to tenderize. "I'm always last. Why am I always last…?" her tears began to spill out unto her cheeks.
There was a silence. Daisuke wasn't sure if Yuki was going to go easy on her now, or if she was just going to get tougher. If she got tougher, Daisuke would have to be on Yuri's side on this one. She was already injured. Yuki couldn't push her more than she was already going.
"The worst thing than getting last in winning first because there is no other place to gain." Yuki said quietly.
"And what's that suppose to mean?" Yuri asked, somewhat upset in her voice.
"It means that being last with friends is far better than being alone and being on top of the world."
And with that Yuki started to walk off, but stopped for a second. She turned her head over her shoulder, and looked at Yuri.
"You don't understand the power you hold, do you Yuri?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You have no idea what you are capable of. You're strength is far greater than I could ever be."
"How is that?"
"If you train hard enough, then someday, you can learn your true strength."
That tone. The way she had said everything. It didn't sound like Yuki at all, but somebody very familiar. Yuki had passed out and started to fall to the ground, but Daisuke caught her. When his momentum from sliding had stopped, Yuki's eyes fluttered open.
"Wha… what happened?" she asked.
"That's what I want to know." Daisuke said looking around. When he still hadn't sensed anything, he looked back at her. "What do you remember."
"I was just going to the lunch room, and I blacked out. Now I'm out here."
"Just as I thought." Daisuke said.
"What do you mean?" Yuri asked, standing up slowly, making sure not to hurt her stomach too much.
"Yuki was being controlled."
"No…" Yuki said. "I'm not that foolish."
"Or perhaps this person had known when you're guard would be down. Plus, they gave us a trusting tip."
"Than…" Yuri said.
"It could only one person." Yuki said.
"Hakura." Daisuke answered.
"Why?" Yuri asked.
"For some strange reason, I don't think she wants you to see her yet." Daisuke answered. "But it has to be for a reason. I mean, Hakura does everything for a reason. That's what she told me." He remembered the night that she and his father had sex.
"So, you mean…" Yuri started.
"She's out there somewhere, watching us…" Yuki said, standing out of Daisuke arms. "She knows our every move. Luckily, she's with us, and not against us."
"Hey, Yukin! How are ya?" Moku asked cheerfully as Yukin watched a battalion train for combat. Yuki didn't say anything, as if he didn't even hear Moku. "Aw, c'mon Yukin! If we're going to work together, don't you think you could at least talk to me?" Once again, Yukin didn't say anything.
Yukin was a strange guy. He almost never spoke, unless it was to Kagori. Moku didn't understand how somebody could be so quiet that long. Moku was usually only quiet when he needed to be, no more than that. Like when Kagori was talking, for instance. Moku almost never talked when Kagori was. But that didn't mean he never talked to Kagori. When Kagori wasn't explaining, or plotting, Moku wouldn't shut up.
"I don't understand why we're baby-sitting for Kagori if he hasn't even left yet." Yukin said as he watched the battalion. "They a bunch of weak fools.:
"Kagori wants us to be responsible before he leaves. He wants to see if we can take care of things. Besides, he's already busy trying to get ready to leave. He's taking off in three days. There's a lot of last minute stuff he has to do."
"I still fail to see why you're in charge of me. I don't like to be ordered by younger, weaker people."
"So, does that mean you've mastered all the things in your book already?"
"Of course not. That book is the most complicated tool I have ever used in my entire life. Of course I've learned some things from it, but to master it is completely impossible."
"No it's not. I mean, I have already."
"What?" Yukin's ears perked, and he finally looked at Moku.
"Yeah. It wasn't easy, but I got to master the book. Without Kagori's help, too."
"You're lying." Yukin said in disbelief. It was the easiest thing to believe that Moku was lying than the fact that he was even stronger than Yukin.
"Nope." Moku said with a smile. "Got it all down pat. I think some of the things it teaches is going to be really useful."
"You mean to tell me that you've completely learned everything in that book without fault?"
"Mostly. I still miss my target once in a while, but that's all. Nothing's perfect, but I got it down to the closest thing to it."
"I don't believe this." Yukin said.
"What the kid says is true." A voice said behind them. Moku turned around and smile.
"Hey, Iro. What's up?"
"A demon?" Yukin asked. "Why does Kagori have a demon in his group?"
"Not only am I a demon, but I'm Kagori's first alliance. If you'd like, you can say that I started up this whole revolution thingy with Kagori. Me and him have taken on so much together."
"What are you talking about, Iro. All you ever do is sleep on the touch."
"Shut up!" Iro said as he started to tackle Moku to the ground playfully.
I don't get it… Yukin thought. Kagori has nine other warriors, decently strong, but he relies on this demon and this child? Why is everything so… weird around here. This shrimp doesn't look like he'd be able to do much.
"Yukin." Kagori stood behind him, and the playful fight between Iro and Moku had ceased. "Come with me." Kagori said as he started to walk away.
Yukin had followed him. Something seemed off in Kagori's voice. Yukin hadn't known him long, but he had known him long enough to see if something was wrong or off balance. Yukin eyed Kagori in a odd way until Kagori and he got to a place where they could talk in privacy.
"You don't understand me, do you?"
"I fail to get what you're talking–"
"You don't get me, do you?" Kagori repeated. "You don't understand my plans, or my ideas. You don't understand why Moku and Iro are in front of you. They are only a child and a demon, right?"
"Not to disrespect you or your ideas, but I think I'd be a more suitable choice to control things while your gone."
"Why?"
"Because, as strong as Moku may be, I have an idea of what our powers can do. And that demon's power is weak, and almost useless. I shouldn't I be in charge. Is it because you don't trust me?"
"No.' Kagori said. "Th reason for your fault in being in charge is because of your power."
"What?"
"You're strong, Yukin. Far stronger than Moku and Iro. Far stronger than anybody here. That's why you aren't leading."
"That makes no sense!" Yukin roared. "Why shouldn't I be in control if I'm the strongest?!"
"You're powerful. You're fighting skills are nothing compared to all else here. But that power could become power-hungry. With nobody to stop you, there could be tyranny. This is a lesson of being humble and listening to those who aren't even worthy of being your commander. But fear not, because I've made sure that Iro and Moku wouldn't over use you. I've told them the moment I come back, you're allowed to destroy them if you feel the need for revenge."
"So, this all for humbling?"
"Yes. A hard lesson in the life of a human."
Yukin sighed in frustration.
"What's this going to do? Humbling, I mean."
"More than you'd every think, Yukin. This is also a test of strength, trust and obedience. Don't blow it."
"Stupid Daisuke. Stupid Yuki. Thinking they're so much better and stronger than me. I'll show them someday. I'll be better than any of them." Yuri seethed as she walked down the halls slowly, relying on walls to support her, her stomach still in pain. She wasn't going to be the weakest anymore. She was going to be strong, not be in last. No stupid piece of advice was going to control her. She could surpass any of the two. She wasn't going to sit back and feel sorry for herself.
As she walked, she slipped in a puddle, and fell to her knees, away from the wall. She twisted her ankle, and shouted, in both pain and frustration. Tears had started to form in her eyes as she tried to pick herself back up. When she couldn't even do that, she punched the ground, leaving an indent of her fist, screaming: "DAMMIT!"
Her breath was heavy and filled with hatred. She wasn't sure if it was pointed at her own weakness, or the fact that she wasn't as good as Daisuke or Yuki, but she was angry. She almost broke down and cried at that spot, but that was the old Yuri. She wasn't going to throw in the towel now.
"You've got some spirit, there." Yuri heard a voice, and she looked dup, she saw Lily, holding out her hand to help Yuri up.
"I can get up by myself." Yuri said as she looked away.
"Suit yourself." Lily took back her hand, but didn't look away from Yuri. Yuri tried to stand, but kept failing.
"You know," Lily said. "It's okay to accept help once in a while. You shouldn't always try to rely on yourself."
"Shut up!" Yuri demanded. "What the hell do you know, anyway?"
"I know that your friends are giving you the respect that you deserve." Lily said wryly as she leaned up against a wall. "And you're angry about that."
Yuri didn't look at her, trying not to show that she was right.
"You know, there's nothing wrong with being not as strong as your friends. It's just the fact that you hate yourself that wrong with it."
"What do you suggest that I do?" Yuri asked in anger. "Fight against them until I get maimed everyday?"
"Sounds like a plan to me." Lily said with a smile. Yuri's anger had diminished, but wasn't completely gone.
"Why are you helping me? You're part of Kagori's group, aren't you?"
"Let me tell you something." Lily said. "Just because Kagori gave us these books doesn't mean we serve him. He gave them us, and even said that we could kill him if we think we can take him."
"What's the point in all of that?"
"I have no idea, but Kagori's a mastermind like that. He's probably doing something to affect us all as we speak."
"That's not a very comforting thought."
"No, I guess not. But that's how Kagori is. He just does what he wants to do, or what he thinks if right."
"And killing off innocent people isn't bad?"
"That's your problem. You don't even try to get to know him. Sure, he's hurt people, but so as Daisuke, hasn't he?"
"He was doing it out defense. He wouldn't intentionally hurt somebody."
"And how did you get that wound?"
"It was from Yuki. I tried attacking her, and–"
"Sounds like some crazy love triangle if you ask me." Lily said with another grin.
"It's not as crazy as it sounds."
"Well, the two of them are getting better than you every second, don't you think maybe their getting closer as well?"
"Well, I–"
"Don't you ever think that maybe the triangle is starting to take shape as just a relationship between two people?"
"Do you really think so?" Yuri asked, not wanting to believe that the two were hitting it off already. No, they wouldn't have done anything without her knowing about it. But deep down inside, she couldn't help but know that Lily was right. The two were getting alon great nowadays, and they were both meant for each other. Yuki was there first in his life, and she was first in the Demon Hunting world.
"Sad to say, but it looks like the only way things are going down."
Yuri sat there in silence. She didn't want to believe if, but reality had kept attacking her mind. It was happening. She was really losing. Not just Daisuke, but she was losing everything. She was losing control of her very life. Yuki took place in even that. Why couldn't Yuri do anything right? Why was she so stupid, weak, and so… last?
"Hey. You okay?" Lily asked.
"Yeah, I, uh… just need to rest."
"Hey, if you'd like, I know of some medicine that can help your stomach heal up quickly. If you meet up with me and my friends for lunch, I can give you some, sure that's be great."
"Alright. Just meet at our table."
"Where do you guys sit?"
"Well, you should be able to find us. I'll have everything ready for you by the time you get there."
"Alright." Yuri said as she nodded her head. Lily started to walk off, but Yuri called her name. "Do you think that we can keep this away from Yuki and Daisuke?"
"If you want it to be, it will be confidential."
"Where's Yuri? She's going to miss out on Momo's cupcakes." Josh said as he took one from a tray Momo brought to school.
"I don't know." Daisuke said as he looked around. He hadn't seen her since the incident outside at the track field. That whole event had left questions in Daisuke's head. Why hadn't Hakura just come out as herself? Why did she use Yuki's body to manipulate to get a message across? Since when could Hakura take over bodies? So many questions, not enough answers.
Yuki was feeling a little light headed, but that was it. She had the same questions as Daisuke, and that scared her. She thought she knew Hakura enough to know why she had planned on doing something, but nothing came. She had no idea what Hakura could even be thinking at the moment.
Daisuke looked for Yuki some more, but she hadn't been found. He had finally had enough, and stood up, and went searching by foot. The crowded cafeteria had been filled with shouting, laughter, and other noises to get in the way of his searching for Yuri. He didn't know why her absence had gotten him so worked up, but it had. Just her not being there had made something inside snap.
When he finally found her, he was surprised. She was sitting, laughing and eating with Hakito, Po, and Lily.
"Yuri?" he asked.
"Oh, hey!" she said happily. She stood up and hugged him. "I think you know Po, Hakito and Lily."
"Um… hi." He waved to them, and then looked at Yuri. "Can I talk to you…privately?" he asked. She nodded, and told them she'd be right back. As they started to walk away from the table, he looked at her. "What are you doing?" he asked.
"What?" she asked back. "I'm just hanging out with some new people. Is that bad?"
"Do you know who they work for?"
"Well, duh! I wouldn't go off and be friends with people without getting to them a little. I know they work for Kagori, but they're really nice people. You just have to try and get to know them."
"Yuri, I know it may look like it, but they're really not that nice of people."
"Oh, c'mon. You're the one who said that we should try and befriend them, aren't you?"
"I know, but they won't listen to me. They think that I'm pure evil. I'm getting good readings off of them."
"Aw, c'mon Daisuke, don't be so stingy. They're really nice people, you just have to get used to them. If you sat down at talk to one of them–"
"Yuri, you're not listening! They don't want to listen to me. They aren't going to listen to a word I say. I tried being nice, but Hakito had almost drawn a sword on me. He would have if I had left sooner. You just have to trust me on this."
"You know, it's funny." She said, feigning entertainment. "They said that you'd say this. That they were evil. They said that you talked to them, but threatened them."
"Me!? Threatening them!? He threatened me!"
"Hakito? Are you crazy? That kid hardly talks let alone to strangers."
"Yuri, you've only talked to them for this lunch period. What makes you think you actually know them?"
"Because, they involve me, and are the same level as me with everything. I'm not last in this group. We're all tied for first. We're all winners at this table. It's not about being first over here."
"And you think that's all it's about at our group. That we purposely try and compete in everything we do? You think that we just sit there, thinking of, oh, so many ways to humiliate each other in things? Is that what you see in us?"
"It's clear, if you can explain it so well."
"Yuri! You're blinded by weakness. What's going on in hat head of yours!"
"So, you're calling me weak!?"
"No! Of course not. I'm just saying that your anger and thoughts saying that you're weak is causing you to misjudge everything! I'm saying get your head back on your shoulders."
"Oh, so I'm confused because I found other people in my area of life?"
"They're trying to trick you!"
"Why do you see it as people trying to manipulate somebody, just because they've had contact with Kagori. They don't even agree with Kagori or his rules. They're using the book to destroy him."
"How do you know what they're saying is true?"
"How do I know what your saying is true?"
"Did you forget the last almost year!?" he shouted. "We've been through thick and thin together, Yuri! Didn't we agree that nothing would separate us or the group at the beginning of the year?"
"Well, I guess you guys have changed."
"Us!? You're the one who's changed so rapidly!"
"You know what, Daisuke? I don't need this. If you'd like to talk to me in a civilized manner, you talk to me by leaving me messages on my cell phone, because as of now, I'm no longer talking to you, or Yuki." And with a sudden swiftness of turning around, she had headed back to her friend's table.
Daisuke stood there, stunned. What just happened. Did they just Yuri? Daisuke was hoping that she was just overacting and would come back in a matter of days, seeing how silly she was acting. But at the same time, he knew that she wouldn't come out that quickly. It might actually take the death of all three to get her back before they draw her into the side and ideas of Kagori.