#tori and aren friendship so real to me

[tdlosk-confessions]

yk what i think about SO MUCH??? in the last episode of reawakened when those two guys pushed that bookshelf onto saiki, nendou got behind him and stopped the bookshelf from hitting saiki, and then the guys are like “did it go well??” “no, that idiot nendou protected him!” and then aren & tori are standing there ready to whoop those guys’ asses all “did what go well?” REAL ASF. like you don’t see them interact more than like 5 times (not counting tori playing saiki in volcano ep) but they’d actually make such an entertaining duo if we got to see more of them. like i’m just saying them coming together to beat up the assholes who tried to hurt their friend is SO real of them and i think they should be closer friends,,,, i love them sm actually

[Confession 535]

[jkgnggj]

YESS CHEEK KISSES WORK JUST FINE in fact Tori probs gets so flustered even with just that esp from the guys or like from aren or shun he'd just explode like haha no I only want the girls and aren's like are you fucking discriminating rn? And Tori squeaks like NO SIR PLEASE KISS ME and aren's like yeah that's what I fucking thought 😤 now pucker up buttercup! And he gives him a big fat smooch on the cheek, a real wet one. And then shun also gives him a light peck bc yeah peer pressure bc aren's glare is scary pfft. And then Chiyo gives him a peck too mwuah bc they're besties it probs becomes more natural and a habit for them down the line just girlies kissing girlies. Besties being besties. Miko is like "in your dreams" and Tori has to settle for that, his rated R dreams where she's doing more than just kissing him ;)) and she's so disgusted she barfs on the spot. See, you should've kissed him Miko! And yeah saiki hugs him and everyone's like awww and coos and takes a pic and he's simmering like ugh this is so embarrassinggg!

Also YES impulsive thoughts saiki and the only one who notices is Tori he knows exactly what saikis thinking and he's like no! Bad kitty! No aporting ur friends! He flicks him on the nose like a cat or something, sprays water on him lol. AND AWWH SAISAI FRIENDSHIP <3 Tori would be so FUCKING JEALOUS ! first the kiss thing and now this!! Even if he has a protection squad it's not like the harem he always dreams of :( sure they give him cheek kisses but he wants MORE lip kisses, kisses on the lips. He's so fucking jealous SAIKO THE GUY EVERYONE HATED GETS SAIKIS APPROVAL BUT HE GETS SHIT FROM KUSUO WHEN HE WAS HIS FIRST FRIEND TO KNOW ABT HIS SECRET UGH

oomf is slowly converting me to torisai.. like. yeah... youre right... they are total losers.... total losers in love.....yeah..

[pocket-size-gay]

Asteri Tale Chapter 24 Pig

And the immediate follow-up to Chapter 23.

   The next two classes passed by at a stagnant pace. The air was heavy with tension thick enough to be cut by a knife. At the break, Kaz observed Ed more intently. "He took that harder than I meant it..." He sighed to himself. "I don't regret what I said, though" Ed was very obviously avoiding eye contact with Kaz. Kaz leaned his elbows on the desk and rested his head on his hands. "Maybe I pushed him too hard, he never wanted to be my friend in the first place." He looked down at his empty notebook page as a dull ache emerged in his chest. "He's finally fed up with me so he intends to break it off here, huh?" He swallowed hard to keep his sorrow from overflowing. Once lunch came they left class as usual. Kaz tried to catch up to Ed as they funneled out the door.    "Oi, Sevan!" he called out. Ed's body jolted but he didn't turn around, instead weaving himself into the crowd. Kaz sighed. Someone of Ed's size was easy to lose sight of in a crowd, he was fairly short. Disappointed, Kaz walked to the dining hall alone. He went over to the table at the far end that Ed usually sat at, but it was empty. "I shouldn't be surprised honestly." As he wallowed in his self-pity, he failed to realize someone other than Ed had sat across from him at the table. Kaz ate his lunch while keeping his face down. His unexpected guest let out a husky laugh. Kaz looked up to see a pair of brilliant teal eyes gazing down at him. "What do you want Murasa?" he groaned.    "Heard you and Sevan got into a fight." Alex spoke in a mischievous tone.    "What of it?" Kaz rolled his eyes. "I really don't want to hear it from you."    "He's not the kind of person to snap like that, it must have been big." Alex shrugged, his expression softened. "You should try to apologize."    "I did...he won't even let me speak." Kaz sighed deeply.    "Oh, that is troubling then..." Alex rubbed his lips in thought. "Maybe he just needs time to cool off."    "You really think that's all there is too it?" Kaz leaned on his hands, propped against the table. "Isn't this the same as Kanamura and Akseli?"    "Ha, you noticed too?" Alex laughed in a self-depreciating manner.    "Do you regret it?" Kaz asked sheepishly.    "No...I don't." Alex declared firmly. "I didn't start anything that wasn't already in the works."    "Haa, so that's how it is?" Kaz chuckled to himself. "So then, why? Why do you care what happens to us?"    "That guy never gives others more attention than necessary, except you." Alex affirmed with a sincere expression. Kaz averted his eyes bashfully.    "That's not really-" Kaz protested meekly.    "For him to go this far to shun you, you must have said something truly hurtful." Alex shurgged. "I guess I get it..." his face darkened.    "Hm? If it isn't Akseli then who could you have wronged that you would give damn about?" Kaz looked up mildly curious.    "I-I do have other friend-...okay, one other friend." Alex sneered bitterly.    "You got in a fight?"    "Well no...unlike you I didn't say anything, but if he knew I was deceiving him...he'd surely hate me." Alex frowned as he confessed his true intentions for trying to repair Ed and Kaz's friendship.    "Ah! Well I don't personally think I was wrong in what I said...he wouldn't listen to my reasoning before he stormed off." Kaz pushed aside the empty dish and rested his chin on his hands. "To be honest, I didn't present it in the best way...so he took it as an attack on his character. You know how prideful he is." he exhaled deeply then made eye contact with Alex. "I will say this though." Kaz paused to ensure Alex was paying attention. "If that guy can't handle the truth, if he isn't willing to look passed one small thing...is he really worth your friendship?" Alex's eyes opened wide in shock.    "I-it's not small..." he uttered dismissively.    "So? You never give a damn about what anyone thinks of you, yet here you are on the verge of tears over something that hasn't happened yet." Kaz grinned a little. "Who ever it is must be really important to you!"    "I-I am not going to cry!" Alex gasped and turned his face down.    "You don't want to lose him, that much even I can tell." Kaz ignored Alex's protests and patted him on the head. "Have some faith in yourself."    "That's easy for you to say...everyone likes you." Alex grumbled.    "Yet here I am, sulking over ONE guy." Kaz mocked himself.    "You two have been friends for what...eight years now?" Alex looked up.    "How's that any different from Kanamura and Akseli?" Kaz shook his head.    "There's more going on there than it appears...in your case, once you clear up things, everything should be fine." Alex shrugged. "So there IS more to it!" Kaz smirked.    "You're surprisingly nice, Captain Murasa." he emphasized the last part and giggled.    "I am not! It would cause me trouble if you or Sevan dropped over this petty misunderstanding!" Alex scoffed. "I already get enough flack about Rabbit and Tiger, I don't need you two causing me problems!"    "R-Rabbit and Tiger?" Kaz inquired. "They are?"    "Ack...crap." Alex muttered to himself. "Upperclassmen, they're in university." he stated in distaste. "Renegades, they flat out refuse to follow any orders we're given."    "Wow...I had no idea there were people like that." Kaz sighed in disbelief. "So that's it."    "Heh...yeah." Alex's eyes wandered as his mind drifted briefly. "You better patch things up for both of us." he pushed back and stood up.    "Yeah yeah, I'll try." Kaz waved dismissively at Alex. "And good luck!" he gave an exaggerated wink. Alex scoffed and walked off. "You're a strong one Murasa..." Kaz hummed to himself as he headed back to class.    In the room, Ed fidgeted in his seat. Kaz watched him pensively. "How can I get you to understand my intentions?” he rolled his shoulders, trying to relieve the stress in his neck as he thought of how to properly convey his feelings. "Argh, I've never been good at expressing myself...I never really needed to before now." The class ended quickly. "One more to go before we enact 'his' plans." Kaz sighed and shoved his hands into his pockets. An unfamiliar emotion bubbled up inside of him. "What exactly does 'he' want with Sharpe?" Unease. Kaz looked to Ed while they changed in the locker room. He wasn't frail like Arlin but he was by no means the strongest. Kaz averted his gaze once he realized he was staring a little too intently at Ed's shirtless body. Sal spotted Kaz's flustered expression and gave a small chuckle. Ed lingered in front of his open locker while Kaz rushed out first. "What is it that I'm actually worried about?" Kaz hung his head when Ed absentmindedly drifted out of the locker room. Kaz shook his head to clear the foreign emotions out of his head. Alex and Arlin walked out next. "Right, I have more urgent matters to focus my attention on..." Kaz hurried over to them.    "Oh, Yuli?" Arlin perked up in bewilderment.    "He's coming along with us today it seems." Alex gave an apprehensive grin to Kaz.    "Oh! really, what are you?" Arlin bounced around enthusiastically. Kaz rolled his eyes. Alex laughed under his breath.    "Pig..." Kaz sighed. "Why did it have to be me with that one?"    "Cool!" Arlin's eyes lit up as he squirmed around.    "Sure?" Kaz frowned, feelings slightly embarrassed at the implications of the label.    "How many others are there?" Arlin turned to Alex expectantly. "FRIENDS!"    "Well, there's twelve in all..." Alex's face flushed light pink. "You've seen Yuen and Arata...so thats leaves uh... " Alex froze when Ceres's face flashed in his mind. "T-Tiger...Rabbit, Sheep, Bird, Dog, Rat and Ox." Arlin's eyes widened in awe as Alex listed off the rest involved. Kaz turned his face down at the last name called. Alex jumped a bit when he noticed Kaz's expression.    "You know who they all are?" Arlin chimed in again.    "Ha, ha...yeah...I am in charge of the one's here after all." Alex straightened his posture triumphantly. From a fair distance away the Kouki twins, Sal, Aren and Kelly watched the boys talk.    "Yuli...that bastard." Sal grumbled.    "There are others we haven't met..." Kelly stated blankly.    "Great, just what we needed!" Jem grimaced.    "As if Murasa and Akseli weren't a handful on their own." Mini whined. Aren rubbed the bruised part of his abdomen.    "As far as we known, there's five of them and fourteen of us, statistically we are superior." Kelly assessed aloud.    "Murasa and a CLONE were able to take out Noriko, Atsuko, both Tori and Sai as well as these two..." Aren sighed and pointed to Jem and Mini. Sal turned his attention to Aren.    "No...the Arata's actually held their ground against Murasa." Jem rebuttaled.    "The sister got hurt protecting Noriko." Mini shrugged. "They both held off his attacks pretty well." she continued, motioning to Alex with disgust.    "So the kid's magic is the real threat?" Sal inqured curiously.    "Don't count him out just because they can hold him off, none of us have been able to even touch him." Jem rolled her eyes.    "Shit still hurts like hell though..." Mini groaned. Jem shuddered at the memory of getting hit by it.    "But from what I understand, Murasa himself only became violent because you two insulted him." Skai walked up behind the girls with a bitter remark. Mini slumped over.    "The last time he even tried to leave..." Tori revealed timidly. Aren swallowed hard. They turned to see the rest of the group gathered around.    "Alex's problem is with me!" Syrus groaned loudly. "Don't provoke him and he'll leave you alone."    "But he's trying to do things to Kid!" Jem protested.    "We can protected Sharpe and avoid confrontation!" Syrus snapped.    "The only ones who have openly defied Murasa are Akseli and Zeka." Sai stated plainly.    "Z-Zeka?" Tori asked in awe. "That's why she was so pissy yesterday?"    "Mm, yeah..." Sai shrugged.    "What?" Skai snapped. "Why haven't we heard about this?"    "It wasn't a big deal, I took care of it." Sai shrugged. "She won't be able to shoot her bow."    "So it wasn't my imagination..." Sal uttered.    "Y-you noticed?" Aren looked at him with a puzzled expression.    "Noticed What?" Ed, having over heard Aren's loud response and walked over to the large group.    "Ah!" Aren jumped away slightly panicked. "Oh its you..."    "Worried one of your 'friends' caught you socializing with these nerds?" Ed jerked his chin up at the rest.    "Ah! Sevan, did you and Yuli make up?" Mira smiled earnestly at Ed. His eyes shot open and his body grew rigid. Everyone but Sai looked to her dubiously.    "W-wh-what?" Ed's voice trembled. He turned his head down and grit his teeth together. "The hell are you talking about?!"    "Oh..well he's ri-" Mira pointed behind Ed as Kaz cautiously approached.    "As if, I have no need for a person like him!" Ed shouted. "Hell, I'm GLAD I won't have to look at his smug ass face anymore!" Kaz stopped.    "Behind you..." Mira finished. Ed whipped around to see Kaz staring back at him. Everyone watched as the boys looked at each other in a strained silence.    "K-Ka-" Ed started to mumble.    "S-sorry..." Kaz lowered his head, turned away and walked to the locker rooms in defeat.    "Well then..." Anya glances over the rather large group gathered. Kid push his way through to Ed.    "You can't mean that!" he grabbed Ed's shoulders forcefully. "You two have been friends for as long as I can remember!" Ed smacked away Kid's hands.    "S-st-stay out of it!" he glowered at Kid, hiding his regret. Ed took a few steps back then ran into the locker room. Gym came to an end on a sour note. Kaz kept his face down as he quickly changed and collected his things. He fished a chain from his pocket and wore it around his neck, tucking it into his shirt. Ed shoved his head into his locker and cried while the rest of the class cleared out. Alex and Arlin waited along the far wall. Kaz somberly approached them without looking up.    "That...that's harsh." Alex tried to console him contritely. "Sorry it didn't work out..."    "No...I had a feeling that was how he felt all along." Kaz spat out the words self-mockingly.    "We ready to go?" Akira came up behind them.    "Yeah..." Arlin gave a sidelong glance back as Skai and Kid came out of the locker room together.    "I could go for a good thrashing right about now." Kaz sighed. Alex exhaled loudly but kept to himself. "I'm in no position to talk, really..." They left the gym and enacted the plan. They split up into teams. Some of them acted to bluff, to catch the Guardians' attention and separate their forces into more manageable groups. That team consisted of Arlin, Akira and Kaz. Zeka faked participation but had an out if she was caught while injured, her ability. Alex was to hide and await when they fell for the feint, he'd go coerce Kid into going with him to meet the 'Master' directly at the appointed location. For some the bait took. Syrus and Skai tailed Arlin. Jem Mini and Anya went after Akira. Aren and Sal followed Kaz. Mira and Kelly were to stay behind with Kid and escort him home. Tori and Sai followed Zeka home.    "My, this feels weird." Kid laughed timidly.    "What does, Sharpe san?" Mira gave a coy smile.    "N-normally I go home with Skai...being escorted by cute girls." his face flushed red. "My parents will get the wrong idea for sure!"    "How adorable, you spend so much time with Atsuko and the twins, how are we any different?" Kelly laughed at his flustered reactions.    "Th-they're different..." Kid turned away, his face burned brighter. Alex kept a fair distance as he tailed them. "Damn it! I should have known something was up with Dunley..." he scoffed at himself in shame. "I let my guard down around her too..."    "Ha...ha...man, I feel bad for Yuli san." Kid nervously changed the conversation topic.    "Why? It's his fault for neglecting his friend." Kelly said dismissively.    "I-I don't think that's it..." Mira scratched her chin in thought.    "We must clear up this misunderstanding then!" Kid pumped his fist in the air and charged ahead.    "W-WAIT!" Kelly called out to him in a panic.    "Crap..." Mira narrowed her eyes in disbelief.    "PFFT! And here I thought this would be a bust with you two in the way!" Alex howled laughter as he chased after Kid. Kelly and his eyes met as he passed by. "Why?"    The girls followed behind but Alex was much faster than they expected and caught up to Kid before they even got close. Alex lied to Kid and lead him away from where Kaz had gone, before the girls had a chance to interrupt. Kelly and Mira split up. Mira left to warn Aren and Sal while Kelly went after Kid and Alex. The boys carried on idle banter as Alex deceived him. Kelly followed them into a run-down part of the town she didn't recognize.    Mira ran as fast as she could until she made it onto the battlefield where Aren and Sal squared off against Kaz.    "Cut the crap Yuli!" Sal roared and drew his bow. He wore a dark sleeveless coat, black boots and archery gloves. On his pants 'Sagittarius'. "You're not getting Sharpe!" Kaz sighed halfheartedly and pulled down the baseball bat he had propped up on his shoulders. He also wore dark clothing with catchers armor. Around his neck dangled a round medallion-like charm with a character engraved on it.    "Tamsin!" Mira cried out as she ran over. Sal and Aren looked at Mira in terror. "H-he took him!"    "W-who?!" Aren growled. Kaz laughed.    "Murasa! H-he tried to run off on his own...w-we couldn't...stop..ha!" Mira fell to her knees. Aren brandished his ax and tried to leave. Kaz stepped in his path and pointed his bat toward Aren.    "Yeeeah, that's not going to happen, Saveli san." he derided unenthusiastically.    "Get out of my way!" Aren yelled and readied his swing.    Alex and Kid sat in an out of the way cafe on the edge of the downtown area.    "Ah...why are you treating me?..." Kid bowed his head apologetically while Alex brought over pastries and drinks. "I-its not necessary..."    "I wanted to talk, Sharpe kun." Alex said in a sickly sweet tone.    "Oh...everyone keeps saying you're a bad person." Kid observed Alex skeptically. "B-but you're always so nice to me....I don't get it." Alex averted his gaze.    "O-oh...m-my position on the disciplinary committee tends to earn me a lot of enemies, its nothing personal!" Alex crossed his arms and watched Kid tentatively eat.    "Man, what's up with everyone misunderstanding each other lately..." Kid rocked side to side. "Wow, this is good!" his eyes lit up as he took a bit of the bun Alex had bought him. "I really hope sempai doesn't come here and see this..." Alex's eyes wandered out the window at the street. "If everyone could see how nice you are, I'm sure we could all be friends, like Kanamura san!" Kid cheered.    "Syrus, huh?" Alex huffed. Kid looked up at him,    "You use his given name too?!" Kid bounced in his chair. "You must be friends right?"    "Ah...no...we never really got along." Alex muttered under his breath. His eyes traveled across the room. They stopped when he spotted Kelly conveniently drinking tea on the other end. "You!"    "Oooooh! Why?" Kid pouted. "He's a bit abrasive at first but he's not bad!"    "Heh...if only that were the case the past eleven years..." Alex said to himself.    "ELEVEN YEARS!" Kid gasped. Alex straightened his posture.    "Shit, that came out..." he buried his face in his hands, his face tinted pink. Kid burst out laughing. Alex groaned and leaned over on the table in embarrassment.    "Heh, you're funny Murasa!" Kid squirmed around excitedly. The front door chimed as another customer walked in.    "N-n-no I'm no-" Alex stammered on. Kid started laughing again.    "Murasa?" Ed gaped. "What the hell are you doing?"    "SEVAN!" Alex and Kid shouted in unison as they turned to him.    "You look like an idiot, what is with that face?" Ed jeered. Alex lowered his head bashfully.    "PERFECT!" Kid leapt up.    "Eh?" Alex peeked up at him.    "Let's go, Sevan san!" Kid dashed over to him, grabbed him by the arm and ran out of the cafe, leaving Alex momentarily dumbfounded.    "W-wh-what...WAIT!" Alex shot up and ran after them. "If he gets away it will all have been for nothing!" Alex chased after the invigorated Kid as he dragged Ed along. Kelly followed not far behind.    "WHA- What the hell is your problem Sharpe?!" Ed whined. "Where are you taking me?"    "To clear up the misunderstanding!" Kid declared triumphantly.    "HAA?" Ed stumbled along behind Kid, bewildered by his straightforwardness. "What are you even saying?" Ed growled. "Do you even know where you are going? SHARPE SAN!"    "No clue!" Kid cheered and turned down a side street. Alex, remembering where Kaz was stationed, cut down an alleyway and scaled the walls to intercept them from above. "Ugh, I should let this happen but 'he's' going to be so pissed!" he sighed and cut across the roofs of the buildings.    Aren huffed as he pulled his ax back. Kaz batted away all his strikes. Sal growled. They were two against one so the odds SHOULD have been in their favor, but Kaz was much more skilled than either bargained for. Mira cowered behind Sal as he filled the air with arrows. Kaz dodged them all. Sal was growing exhausted.    "What's the matter Tamsin? Can't handle little ol' me?" Kaz teased, barely breaking a sweat.    "This is bad..." Mira whimpered. Sal drew another arrow in his bow.    "Heh...s-sorry to disappoint..." he sighed. Kaz charged at him, bat in hand. It was riddled with nicks from catching Aren's ax.    "~~~--!" a distant voice shouted, gradually growing louder.    "~~~~." a slightly different voice answered.    "Who would be coming out this way?" Aren groaned. Sal blocked as Kaz swung his bat. The arrow he'd drawn released from his hand towards a nearby intersection.    "You are insane! Let me go!" the pair of voices stepped into the path of the arrow. Kaz whipped around at the sound of Ed's voice.    "SHARPE!" Aren, Sal and Mira all gasped. A flash of black and silver zipped down from a roof, cutting the arrow in half before it could strike Kid. Alex lost his footing and fell flat on his face, his pronged blade dropped from his hand.    "Murasa!?" everyone cried out.    "I'M SO SORRY!" Kid let go of Ed's arm and ran over to Alex laying on the ground. Sal and Aren's transformations immediately faded and looked to each other. Everyone burst out laughing.    "What the hell was that?" Aren howled.    "Sh-shut up! My foot got caught on the gutter..." Alex grumbled in humiliation as he hopped up to his feet. "What do you think you're doing?! You could have killed him!" he hissed and gestured to Kid.    "Eh?" Kid looked around in a panic. "What do you mean?" Alex kicked a piece of the broken arrow forward. Kid stared at it perplexed.    "I-it...it was an accident." Sal lowered his head.    "Is that so?" Kaz jeered cynically. Ed looked up to Kaz then quickly turned away.    "Ah! Yuli san!" Kid cheered. Kaz turned his attention to Kid.    "What the hell could you want with him? Let's go Sharpe san." Aren snarled at Kaz. Him and Sal approached Kid then they started to walk off.    "I can't let you do that!" Kaz said in a devious tone and ran over to the three. He pulled his bat back, ready to swing.    "Yuli wai-!" Alex dashed forward but was cut off.    "NO! SAL!" Mira screamed and rushed over. In an instant, she was bathed in a auburn light. Kaz skidded to a stop as the light obscured his vision. The light twirled around her coming to a bow around her collar. She wore a copper colored dress. Over her shoulders was a tan scarf draped on her white poofy sleeves. Between the slit on the front side of her dress revealed a white underskirt with the symbol 'Virgo' on it. She swung the long staff in her hands at Kaz's face. "Don't hurt him!" CLUNK    The heart shaped top of the staff impacted him in the face, knocking him off balance.    "Ack!" Kaz stumbled back, blood leaked from his nose. Ed growled, his body tensed up and a dense mystic energy filled the air.    "H-Hiroko?" Sal turned around quickly.    "Huh...her too?" Alex hummed to himself. Kelly turned the corner, out of breath from running and grabbed Kid before he could see Mira's transformation.    "I will be taking him if you don't mind!" Kelly smirked to Alex and lead Kid away.    "H-hey, wait!" Alex tried to go after them but Aren chucked his ax at the wall, blocking his path. Alex glowered at him and invoked his transformation.    "Time to get my revenge!" Aren giggled with delight.    "Haa...what does a loser like you think you could do against us?" Kaz mocked in a suave voice.    "Not so fast, Yuli!" Sal quickly drew and arrow in his bow and aimed it at Kaz.    "Tamsin wai-" Alex dove forward trying to shield Kaz from the oncoming strike.    "I WILL FUCKING KILL YOU!" Ed screamed and transformed in an amber burst. His uniform faded, replaced by a beige trimmed white outfit. He deflected the arrow with the bow-staff in his hands, knocked Sal's bow out of his hands then tackled him to the ground.    "E-ED!" Kaz watched dumbfounded as Ed relentlessly punched at Sal. He shielded his face with his arms but his abdomen still took a beating. Ed's red eyes burned with unbridled rage. Mira lunged at them. Alex jumped in and held off her staff. "ED S-STOP!" Kaz commanded unsteadily as he undid his transformation. "S-Sharpe's gone, there's no reason for us to fight!" his voice quivered in a mix of fear and sadness.    "Sevan! Enough!" Alex pivoted on his heels and grabbed Ed by the collar of his top. "We failed, again..." he hissed in a grim tone. "Give up..." Alex pulled Ed off the bloodied Sal with ease. Aren inspected them warily.    "Wh-what the hell was that for?" Kaz stared at Ed tentatively. Ed growled and swatted away Alex's hand.    "Never mind that...the fight is over let's just go." Alex sighed.    "You really think I'll let you get away, Murasa?" Aren roared and pointed the head of his ax at Alex. Kaz stepped in front of Ed. He growled but didn't speak up.    "You, who couldn't even handle me, plan to take on the three of us by yourself? HA!" Alex scoffed. "Don't make me lau-AH?" he froze in place with a horrified expression. "Those footsteps..."    "...uh...what?" Kaz looked to Alex dubiously. Ed turned his face down.    "Why is he here?" Alex turned to look down a side street. A large figure was approaching from the distance.    "Th-that c-can't be...can it?" Sal clutched his gut as blood dribbled down his chin.    "Quit playing around, you really think we're gonna buy that crap?" Aren groaned.    "Rgh...Sav...eli d-don't!" Sal reached out and grabbed Aren's shoulder. Aren turned back to face Sal. He squeezed his eyes shut. Sal was in worse condition than he had realized. Sal propped himself against the wall and was struggling to breathe. Aren put away his ax.    "Fine..let's go." He sighed in defeat. "Next time, Mura-eh?" he looked up. Alex had already taken off running. Kaz laughed sardonically as Aren carried Sal off. Mira followed behind frantic. Ed huffed and revoked his transformation. Kaz sighed and turned around.    "I can't believe you did that..." he whispered. Ed averted his eyes.    "I am not a burden." he growled.    "I never said that you were...are we really doing this again, here?"    "You didn't want to talk?" Ed pouted.    "I-I did but this isn't the best place for us to be seen together." Kaz lowered his head. "If i remember correctly, 'T-Bone' should be in this area today."    "Haa? You ashamed of me?" Ed snapped bitterly.    "N-no...I'd never- AGH! Let's just go!" Kaz groaned and grabbed Ed's hand. His face heated up as he lead Ed to the subway station. As they passed by a side alley, something caught their eye. A large quadruped silently observed them as they passed. Its fur was light and on its head and body were black stripes. Kaz's eyes shot open. "That explains so much."    "Wh-what is something like that doing in Jap-" Ed asked fearful of the large beast.    "Don't mind that...hmm if we run we can catch the next train." Kaz pulled out his phone to check the time, still holding Ed's hand.    "How can you be so calm? There's a tig-AH!" Ed questioned frantically, cut off as Kaz gripped Ed's hand tighter and jerked him away. The beast receded back into the alley and out of sight. They ran through the street into the subway station and on the train before the doors closed. "What the hell is your problem Kaz?" Ed snarled.    "No, what's your problem?" Kaz snapped back. "You ignore me all day, you act like I don't even exist then suddenly you try to beat Tamsin to death!" he threw Ed's hand at him. "I didn't tell you to stay out of it because I think you're weak or a burden, I was trying to protect you, DUMBASS!" Ed stared back in shock. "Argh! I can't believe you! You know how your power affects your health..."    "Ah...you...really?" Ed looked down at the hand Kaz had held. Tears filled his eyes as he blushed.    "I'm just glad you didn't use it...I don't know what I'd do if you got sick." Kaz sighed and scratched his head.    "I...I'm sorry..." Ed whimpered in shame. He pulled his hands over his flushed face.    "Please...be careful from now on, okay?" Kaz slapped Ed lightly on the back. He forced a smile but his eyes showed his true feelings. "I don't ever want to lose you, Edward."    "Fine...I'm not a helpless child though!" Ed frowned. Kaz chocked back a laugh. Ed turned his head down to his feet. "Is it really that weird not having me around?" he fumbled with his hands and shoved them into his pockets.    "Huh?" Kaz snapped out of his stupor and looked to Ed.    "You were all chummy with Murasa at lunch, I thought you couldn't stand him..." Ed fidgeted.    "Oh, ha...no its not like that..." Kaz's voice trailed off.    "Oh, then what is it like?" Ed pursed his lips together.    "If we didn't make up it'd affect the 'mission' and he's already under scrutiny for 'them' as it is." Kaz said in a low volume.    "Really?" Ed pouted dubiously.    "Heh, almost sounds like you're jealous!" Kaz teased playfully with a wide grin. Ed groaned. "Ha, sorry...its not like we're strangers either." Kaz's voice wavered a bit.    "Hmm, I never heard about this...explains a lot..." Ed sulked. "How long are we talking here?"    "Well we've been friends for eight years, you and I so..." Kaz paused and thought back to when he first met Alex. "That was back when I first started as a yakuza..." -Kaz's parents were some small no name blue collar workers in Russia. They decided to try their luck in Japan to make a better life for their only son, Kaz, twelve years before. In order to help his parents make ends meet, Kaz tried to find a job but came up with nothing due to his young age. He had caught the attention of some low ranking yakuza that frequented the run down neighborhood he lived in. At first they were hesitant to let a kid join but he persisted for months, until they caved. He had just been assigned his partner when it happened. A small handicapped boy surrounded by a mass of downed fellow yakuza members. His serpentine teal eyes gave a feral impression and his hair was dirtied with blood and grime.- "What a terrible first impression to make." Kaz sighed to himself, reminiscing about the past.    "So...what, you won't tell me?" Ed barked impatiently.    "I..uh, a little over ten years ago. Why is it that big of a deal?" Kaz stared at Ed, stunned by his obvious displeasure over something he, himself thought was trivial.    "Before we even met..." Ed glowered at Kaz, vexed by the idea that there was so much he possibly didn't know about his precious friend.    "Y-you...you weren't even here at that point! Why is this a problem?"    "Why did I not know about all this?!" Ed snapped. "I thought we were friends!"    "UH! Its not that important! Its not like I'm friends with that guy we just happened to meet..." Kaz paused at the subway announcement calling for their stop. They stood in silence as they waited for the train to come to a stop and the doors to open. "There's no way I could tell you about that...you'd definitely hate me if I did." Kaz grabbed Ed's hand again as they walked off. "You're too good for a thug like me..." The pair walked silently to Ed's family estate, hand in hand.