2. Meaning of Life

?? - Oh, you are awake? that's good.

Kiba was understandably annoyed. He wanted to clear his thoughts, his memories - those as Izaiya, and those that should for all-purpose be his since those as Izaiya are of someone else who is like him.

He also wanted to understand his situation a little bit before being shoved to face his rescuer, their purpose was currently unknown to him, as such,

Izaiya - Please leave me alone, miss, I don't want to talk to anyone right now.

?? - Oh, you're no fun.

Maid - Ojou-sama, you can talk to Mister after he has recovered. Please let the doctor check him first.

Hearing Maid that had accompanied the princess savior he was grateful.

?? - hmmph, I'm going, bye. *in small voice* call me when you're okay.

*runs away*

Maid - I'm sorry for Ojou-sama, she doesn't get much to talk with those of her age, so she was just excited, please excuse me I will call the doctor and please don't move much since Doctor said so.

As Maid goes away, Izaiya/Kiba fell into his thoughts once again, gradually falling into the comfort of bed once again his body not giving him much time awake.

As such the Doctor and others who accompanied him were met with a sleeping Izaiya.

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While Izaiya was sleeping he suddenly woke up as,

?? - Big Brother, wake up.

A little 4-5-year-old girl was waking up a similarly aged boy by shaking.

Izaiya - mmh, what is it Inoue, Let me sleep more.

Inoue - *shouting in ear* BROTHER IZAIYA, WAKE UP.

Izaiya - geez, what is it? you didn't have to shout in my ear

Inoue - Everyone is waiting. Tosca, Asta, Naruto, Gaara, Yuno, Harry, Erzza, Natsu........

Izaiya - Ok, ok, let's go and pray. After that, we will play. By the way, it's Erza.

Inoue - yay, I also want to eat your food. (neglecting correction)

As they walked to Main room they saw a chaotic scene with someone was shouting, some 2-3-year-old thought it's a good idea to explore their nose some thought same for others mouth while their elders were busy with important work involving making one or two legs of Head Priest's chair faulty, it was all over like that. Just then Head Priest came, immediately making everyone sit(2-3-year-old) or stand straight making a perfect picture of Model Children though with some inconsistencies like having a black eye or two.

HP - *sigh* lets' pray.

ALL - Yes, Father.

And then the daily morning prayer started after that Father left everyone to their own while sitting comfortably at chair about to read the Bible as he does daily when,

*crack*

And with widened eyes he comically fell along with the broken chair, causing some to laugh, some to snicker and some kinder one to help their Father while fearing for what was about to come. Life was easy going and full of happiness in Orphanage causing the Older Izaiya to smile watching his past's dream.

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Just then, he dreamed something familiar yet different,

?? - Wake Up, Big Brother, wake up.

Izaiya - What is it, Tosca, do you want to play hero and princess again?

Tosca - No,*sniff* you have to wake up, hurry up big brother*sniff*, they are going to *sniff* kill us.

Izaiya seeing her crying sat up and asked seriously,

Izaiya - Calm down, Tosca. What happened? Who are they? Where are others?

Tosca - We were in the main room when suddenly when *sniff* Yuno came and shouted that we must run away because *sniff**sniff* he and Asta heard that Father was talking to other guys who *sniff* said we are useless and have no use. Then when everyone panicked and.... and bad gas filled the room and the room closed. I was already away along with Ezza and Naluto but they had inhaled too much. Ahh, *suddenly* we must hurry you must not breathe it.

Izaiya - *deciding that it's not another one of Tosca's prank* Ok.

Then they ran and ran. Mid-way they met with others they had signs of being poisoned but with no choice, they could only choose to run. And running they did.

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Izaiya - *huff**huff* What was that?*glances around the room but sees no one* *something drops from his face* Huh? why am I ....... crying? Why? Maybe they are..... safe*his blue eyes lighting with hope*? No, everyone one had been poisoned, even I who wasn't there at that time barely survived. Maybe this person was originally meant to die, maybe there is no use in me being alive *more tears falling* this won't do? *falls back on the bed* what should I do? please God if I have ever prayed for you heartfully and you exist up there please answer me*ouch* what was that?

After a while of calming down,

Izaiya - *in low voice* there might be no meaning of me living but I will be a Doctor, a cool Hero, magicking, and everything they dreamed of. This is now my dream.

In the upcoming days, whole mansion saw their supposed injured guest doing what should be an impossible exercise by the normal mentality of boys his age along with practicing sword which he asked from the kind maid. He never talked to anyone more than necessary though and always kept to himself, avoiding his savior, eating food alone, answering in single or double phrases, it quickly became clear to residents that boy wasn't ready to meet up with properly, though a certain red hair did make a fuss, they coaxed her to not to talk much just as they did not talk, ignoring but not intruding either which made Izaiya only more grateful but guilty further.

And this routine only managed to last one week before,

As usual, Izaiya was practicing his sword by swinging it in various directions when a voice interrupted him,

?? - Oy, kid you should move your sword more downward when slashing from above.

Izaiya turned to the man that had been making him uncomfortable by always staring when he is practicing and thought over what he said before agreeing and bowing,

Izaiya - Thank you.

?? - *grins* You should accept me as your teacher since I can't bear to watch your crappy swordsmanship that's why I will teach you, how about it?

Izaiya without paying attention turned around and purposefully practiced the wrong way he was practicing before.

?? - Oy, kid are you trying to annoy me? You should count your lucky stars, *blushing* no boasting or anything but I'm probably the best swordsman in this realm, ahahah hahaha haha.

Izaiya listening to this trembled while thinking,

'You can point out mistakes, and I will acknowledge them because I'm in wrong, you can boast all you want and that I'll believe it to be even if it's not but..'

Izaiya - DON'T INSULT MY SWORD

While saying these words he rushed to the self-proclaimed best swordsman which resulted in,

(one minute later)

?? - told you, kid, it ain't that easy to defeat me. Though I have to say that you have a good reaction and speed for your age.

Izaiya - *huff* *huff* Please *huff* teach *huff* me.(breathing heavily)

?? - Call me master and I will.

Izaiya - Mas..ter.

Master - Nah, not in the mood to accept a lousy disciple.

Izaiya - *grits teeth* Please, Master.

Master - Now that's the spirit. Now let's get back to practice unless you wanted something to talk about.

Izaiya - *low voice to high* Don't insult my sWORD. It .... It's the only thing I have left after all those years.

Master - *pause* ....*sigh* don't think too much kid, if you want me to call your swordsmanship good then make me.

This caused Izaiya to look in confusion before he nods understandingly and picks up his wooden sword and stands up ready for the challenge to prove no matter what it takes,

Izaiya - 'In their Honor'

Master - 'This kid is good'

Following this was the addition of the new master in the routine of the boy who wanted to improve his swordsmanship all of that which was his lasting connection. He knew that they were gone even if the child in him cried for it the adult in him knew and that's why they both were honoring the sword that came from the failure children.