### **Chapter 17: A Heavy Burden**
The battlefield was eerily silent after the devastating clash between Sensei Ryu and the Flame Reaper's clone. The air still shimmered with residual spirit energy, the ground charred and cracked from the intense heat of the battle. Kai stood frozen, his mind still racing from the sight of Ryu's immense power. He glanced toward the fallen form of Kenji, who lay motionless on the ground, his body still.
Sensei Ryu sheathed his katana with a swift motion, the glow of his spirit energy dissipating as he approached Kai and Nohara. His usually calm eyes now held a trace of concern as they shifted toward Kenji's still body.
"Kai," Ryu said, his voice firm but carrying a hint of softness. "Kenji needs medical attention immediately. He's pushed his spirit energy far beyond his limits. Take him to the hospital."
Kai blinked, snapping out of his daze. He looked down at Kenji, his heart sinking. "Sensei, is he... is he going to be okay?" Kai asked, his voice trembling.
Ryu's gaze remained steady as he placed a hand on Kai's shoulder. "Kenji's strong. He's survived worse, but he needs rest. His spirit energy is drained completely, and his body won't heal on its own without proper care."
Kai nodded, though his stomach twisted with worry. He knew Kenji had given everything he had in that battle, and now it was his responsibility to make sure his friend made it through this.
"But what about you, Sensei?" Nohara asked, her voice filled with concern. "You've used a lot of spirit energy too. Shouldn't you—?"
Ryu shook his head, his expression remaining calm. "I'll be fine, Nohara. My focus now is ensuring you all remain safe." He turned back to Kai. "Can you handle this, Kai?"
Kai clenched his fists, summoning every ounce of strength he had left. "I can do it," he said, his voice filled with determination. "I'll get him to the hospital."
Ryu gave him a small nod of approval. "Good. I'll stay here and make sure nothing else poses a threat. The Flame Reaper's clone was strong, but there could be more out there. You need to move quickly."
Nohara knelt beside Kenji, brushing a strand of his hair out of his face as she looked at Kai with worried eyes. "Be careful with him, Kai," she said softly. "He's strong, but... he looks so fragile right now."
Kai knelt beside Kenji and gently lifted his friend into his arms. Kenji's body felt lighter than he expected, and as he looked down at his unconscious face, he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. Kenji had fought so bravely, and now it was up to him to make sure he recovered.
"Hang in there, Kenji," Kai whispered, his voice barely audible. "I've got you."
With a final nod to Sensei Ryu, Kai turned and began to make his way off the battlefield, Kenji cradled carefully in his arms. Nohara walked beside him, her face set in a mask of quiet determination, though her eyes betrayed her worry.
As they made their way toward the academy's medical facility, Kai couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled in his chest. He knew that Kenji was strong, stronger than almost anyone he knew. But seeing him like this—motionless, barely breathing—it made everything feel so fragile.
The silence between them stretched on for what felt like an eternity, broken only by the faint sound of their footsteps on the cracked earth.
"Kai," Nohara said quietly, breaking the silence, "you're doing the right thing. Kenji's going to be okay. He's a fighter, and he has you watching over him now."
Kai didn't respond right away. He kept his eyes forward, his grip on Kenji tightening slightly. "I know," he finally said, his voice strained. "But I should have been stronger. If I'd been able to help more, maybe Kenji wouldn't have had to push himself so hard."
Nohara shook her head, her voice firm but kind. "This isn't your fault, Kai. We all did our part in the fight. Kenji knew the risks, and he chose to give it his all because he believed in us. In you."
Kai swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her words settle over him. He knew she was right, but that didn't make it any easier. He had to be stronger—for Kenji, for Nohara, for Sensei Ryu. They were all counting on him.
As they approached the academy's medical facility, the large building looming ahead of them, a sense of urgency gripped Kai's heart. He quickened his pace, pushing the doors open with his shoulder and rushing inside.
A few of the academy's medical staff rushed toward them as soon as they entered, their eyes widening in concern as they saw Kenji's condition.
"Get him to the healing chambers, quickly!" one of the healers barked, motioning for the others to help.
Kai gently laid Kenji down on a stretcher, watching as the staff immediately began working to stabilize him. The sight of their frantic movements only heightened his anxiety, but he forced himself to stay calm.
"He's going to be okay, right?" Kai asked, his voice tinged with desperation.
One of the healers, a kind-looking woman with gentle eyes, placed a reassuring hand on Kai's shoulder. "We'll do everything we can. He's strong, and with some rest, he should recover."
Kai nodded slowly, though the worry in his chest refused to dissipate. He stepped back, allowing the healers to do their work as they wheeled Kenji into one of the chambers designed to replenish spirit energy and heal injuries.
Nohara stood beside Kai, her hand resting lightly on his arm. "You did it, Kai. You brought him here. Now it's up to them."
Kai nodded again, though he couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness that lingered in his heart. All he could do now was wait—and hope that Kenji would wake up soon, his spirit energy restored and his strength renewed.
As they sat in the waiting area, the minutes ticked by slowly, the silence between them heavy with unspoken fears and hopes. Kai glanced toward the healing chambers, his mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. The battles they had faced so far had been intense, but something told him that the worst was still to come.
"I'll be stronger," Kai whispered to himself, his fists clenched in his lap. "For Kenji, for everyone... I'll get stronger."
Nohara looked over at him, her eyes soft with understanding. "We'll get through this, Kai. Together."
Kai met her gaze and nodded, a sense of resolve settling over him. He wasn't alone in this fight. And no matter how difficult the road ahead would be, he knew that with his friends by his side, they could face whatever challenges came their way.
But for now, all he could do was wait for Kenji to wake up.