30 Aftermath

Ziku wakes up Aiko, to tell her what happened.

Aiko: ''How long was I asleep?!''

Ziku: ''Pretty much all day.''

Aiko starts looking around as she tries to find Airi. Ziku starts doing the same, but confused as to what Aiko is looking for.

Ziku: ''Hey is there something you're looking for?''

Aiko: ''Yeah, did you see where Airi went? I have to talk to her.''

Ziku: ''I was waiting to ask you when you woke up, umm who is.....''

Before he can finish, they both hear a knock at the door.

Ziku: ''Stay behind me!''

Aiko just stares at him while he walks over to open the door. He opens the door, but in the same instant he vanishes from in front of the door to behind Asuna.

Asuna: ''It's just me Ziku.''

Ziku: ''Oh, sorry sensei.''

Asuna: ''No, it's fine Ziku, you're doing your job.''

Aiko: ''Why did you come here?''

Asuna: ''Since the village was attacked I literally had to be everywhere at once. Even when I was too late, very fortunate Mest was here. We managed to push them back, but it still came with the cost of losing some of our main structures. Most important would have to be the hospital.''

Ziku: ''The hospital?! Omoi! Kisaiju! All those innocent people! Where are they?! Please tell me everyone's ok!"

Asuna: "Yes, everyone's fine. It's just they were taken to the Tower of glass in order to keep them protected and continue with their treatments."

Aiko: "What is the Tower of glass?"

Ziku: "Where is it!"

Asuna: "Come with me."

After walking for some time, they arrive at a building that stands nearly 1200 feet. Ziku looks up in disbelief, never seeing a building that tall.

Ziku: "Woah! It's huge!"

Aiko: "This has to be the tallest building in the world!"

Asuna: "Its actually far from it, this is just the tallest in our village. It ranks 5th all time in terms of height."

Ziku: "Only 5th? I want to see how much bigger the others compare."

Aiko: "How come it's called the Tower of glass?"

Asuna: "Well, other than the fact that it's made of glass. It's our most fragile building. It's the most heavily guarded, the most searched for, our oldest and most important."

Aiko: "How come?"

Asuna: "Inside the Tower of glass contains our villages crystal. The crystal that was given to us along with other villages in order to maintain balance in terms of power and diversity. Not only that, but the book of eden as well. Just those alone should give you an idea of just what type of place this is."

Aiko: " I don't get it, a place like this should not be shown to an outsider. Yet you're telling us about it. Who's to say we weren't followed?"

Asuna: "Me and Ziku both are sensory type. Even if they snuck under the radar of Ziku; I doubt they could sneak under mine."

Aiko: "Ok but what if we're not followed, but an outsider stumbles upon it?"

Asuna: "Like I said before, it's heavily guarded. Not only would they have to take out the elite Senshi we have, but they have to get pass the traps as well. Before they could even get close they would have to get inside the barrier that surrounds this area. Only those with our villages mark could get inside."

Ziku: "What are you so worried for anyway?"

Aiko: "It's just that, we already lost the hospital...."

Asuna: "So you're worried about them finding the heart of our village?"

Asuna takes two steps towards the Tower of glass. He places his hand upon it and just like that it disappears.

Ziku: "What the?! Where did it go?!"

Aiko completely in shock walks towards Asuna. She places her hand upon it feeling the Tower of glass.

Aiko: "I don't get it, how?"

Asuna: "This is how it has been kept hidden for so long. Even from you guys."

Aiko: "I see."

Asuna: "Well that's enough about the Tower. Let's go inside."

As they're inside both Ziku and Aiko are amazed by the architecture. They keep walking then stumble upon this room where Omoi and Kisaiju are. Along with Isamu, Kanju and Senpu.

Ziku: "Omoi! Is he?!"

Kanju: "He'll pull through. He's just resting, Kisaiju on the other hand; he may need a miracle."

Ziku: "What do you mean?"

Kanju: "Well, Omoi put him in pretty bad shape. Needing nearly 3 months of full recovery, but when the hospital erupted Omoi tried saving him but the rubble collapsed on top of both of them. The blast didn't him them directly, but Kisaiju's body was found within the remains. At this point we don't know if he will make it."

Ziku: "There's nothing we can do?!"

Senpu: "Ziku! We've done everything!"

Aiko just closes her eyes tearing up as she places her hand Kisaiju.

Asuna: "We should leave the room and let the medical unit continue."

As everyone is leaving the room, Aiko keeps her hand on Kisaiju.

Aiko to herself: "I wish there was something I could do for you. Doesn't matter to me the type of person you are; we're apart of the same village. We're allies."

As she's saying this her hand starts to glow from her fingertips to her shoulder. A white glow that covers Kisaiju's whole body like aura. Then all of a sudden the medical unit start freaking out as to what they are seeing.

Medic: "His heart has started to beat with a normal rhythm!"

Everyone looks over to see Kisaiju . Aiko opens her eyes to see all of Kisaiju's wounds gone and all of his chu restored.

Medic: "All his wounds are gone! He is in perfect health and could awaken any minute!"

Kisaiju opens his eyes slowly and looks around confused.

Kanju: "But how?!"

Ziku: "You said it took a miracle. This is the miracle!"

Asuna to himself: "I'm not one to believe in miracles, but how did this happen? It looked almost impossible for him to recover; yet here he is in perfect health like nothing happened."

Meanwhile Kame sits outside with his stuff packed just looking into the distance.

Mest: "Everything alright?"

Kame: "Oh, yeah."

Mest: "You've been out here for awhile. You don't want to come inside and get some sleep?"

Kame: "Why me?"

Mest: "Huh?"

Kame: "Why did you choose me?"

Mest: "Oh I see. Well to be honest it's cause you're a lot like me."

Kame: "Really? We are alike?"

Mest: "More than you know. Not only that, but I see great potential in you. I've watched you, you fight with a chip on your shoulder. Always having something to prove; always wanting to do the best for you clans name."

Kame: "I fight to become stronger. All I want to do is become strong and protect Jaken."

Mest: "I want to help you accomplish that."

Kame: "By taking me away from Jaken!"

Mest: "Kame, I just want to make you stronger."

Mest stands up and takes two steps.

Mest: "Look, I know how much you care about Jaken. It's fine if you want to stay for her sake. There is so much I have to teach you, so much about your clan I have to tell you. This is your final choice. You could either stay here with Jaken or come with me, no one is forcing you. I will be at the entrance gate in the morning, I'll give till 9 to think about it. After that I'm off."

Mest walks away as Kame just looks down, then up. He grabs his bags and walks after Mest without saying anything. Mest looks back then smiles. As the both of them leave the village.

The next morning when Jaken wakes up, she checks Kame's room and doesn't see him. She smiles then goes outside. Looking into the sky.

Jaken: "So you actually decided to go. I'm proud of you Kame. If he's anything like your father, the training is going to be intense. Please come back to me Kame."

Asuna: "You have no idea how this happened?"

Medic: "No sir. One minute his injuries are looking fatal and his death is almost certain; to the next and it looks like he was never even hurt!"

Asuna: "None of you seen anything? You guys sure it wasn't a herb or something?"

Medic: "Sir, we assure you that we gave him no meds, before all we could do is treat his injuries and give him painkillers. When it became evident he might not make it we stopped."

Asuna: "You gave up on him?!"

Medic: "When there's nothing we can do, there's nothing we can do!"

Asuna: "Hmph, I guess all that matters is that he's fine. I just have to figure out what exactly helped us the other day."

Medic: "Could it be the Gods we're just on our side, and it wasn't his time?"

Asuna: "Hmph!"

Asuna leaves and heads back to the destroyed parts of the city. Along the way he finds Hiroyuki wandering.

Asuna: "Hiroyuki!"

Hiroyuki: "Yeah?"

Asuna: "Why are you out here? More importantly out here alone?"

Hiroyuki: "I'm just training. I've been thinking about this curse me and Shizuko have. I know we can't get close to each other, but I want to end it and stop running away."

Asuna: "So you are out here training and trying to find away to break this curse?"

Hiroyuki: "Yeah, but it seems easier said than done. Like she said, it won't break until one of us is dead. If anything maybe Kanju can break the curse or someone that's great with seals and knows how to reverse it."

Asuna: "There is so much to deal with it all at once."

Hiroyuki: "Being an emperor must be hard at times like these."

Asuna: "Hmm I think I found a solution, at least for now. I'm calling a summit!"

The summit is called and lot of people showed up in order to see what Asuna has to say. Since the emperor's estate has been destroyed they are forced to have the summit within the Tower of glass.

Asuna: "I'm going to need everyone to listen. As of now, Ziku and Aiko are targets, so they need secret protection at all times. I have arranged certain Core members to keep watch over them. Now for the construction part I need every available body to help with the rebuilding process. There's no telling how long it will take, but we will get it done! Hozu, Shidai, and Mai I need you three to take care of the kids that are learning and preparing to take the trial in a few years. Aizu, Tatsuma, and Izumi I need you three to be on the borders of the village. You are our first line of defense you three have my highest regard. Now Hiroyuki, I've decided to let you go on a mission to our neighboring country. Your mission is espionage for the most part as we received word of very special people having unique abilities. Find out what you can. This also makes it easier to keep tabs on you and Shizuko giving us time to figure out what can be done about the curse. That is all, everyone go!"

Hiroyuki: "No one even asked questions, you truly have the respect of of the village. Being it's heart and soul."

Asuna: "Haha, I've always done all I can for this village. Never asked for anything but respect."

Hiroyuki: "I don't think there's anyone more suited for this than you."

Asuna: "Someday I feel you may be capable of being emperor. Although you might try to do everything to steer from it."

Hiroyuki: "My father told me the same before he died, it's not that I don't want to do it, I just feel like I won't have the same respect you do."

Asuna: "Hiroyuki, you're one of the smartest in your generation. You definitely have the best instincts amongst your peers. Your drive and initiate are what I noted the most about you. You definitely have what it takes to lead this village someday."

Hiroyuki: "Thank you for that. If such a thing presents itself, I will consider it."

Hiroyuki heads out to get ready and go on his mission. He tells his mom and then leaves for his mission. Then the rebuilding process begins with nearly a thousand people out helping. Meanwhile Ziku is with his mom as their talking.

Ziku: "I'm going with my friends and we're going to train."

Natsumi: "Ok Ziku, be careful!"

Ziku shows up to the training grounds and he sees Omoi and Jiro. Before he walks towards them he senses Kisaiju.

Ziku: "What are you doing here?"

Omoi: "I invited him to come train with us."

Kisaiju: "Yeah, calm down Nakamura."

Omoi: "What did we tell you..."

Ziku: "It's fine."

Jiro: "Well, you guys ready?"

Kanju: "Am I late?"

Kisaiju: "Who invited you?"

Ziku: "I did. Instead of combat, I want him to teach me a technique."

Kisaiju: "Hmph!"

Kanju and Ziku step over to the other side of the grounds and begin training. For Omoi, Jiro and Kisaiju they all get into their stance and begin combat training.

Kanju: "First you will need to be in control of your chi entirely."

Ziku: "In control of the flow and how much I put out?"

Kanju: "Yes! Exactly! Once you do this, you will find it easier to direct it."

Ziku gets on his knees and closes his eyes. He breathes in and out slowly trying to grasp his chi. Then his body starts to glow as his aura surrounds is body. When it fully surrounds his body he opens his eyes and stands up.

Kanju: "Great! The next part is the hardest since you're not a magic user. Now remember, it's difficult, not impossible. You ready?"

Ziku: "Yeah."

Transitions to Hiroyuki finally arriving to the neighboring country. As soon as he sets foot in the country he is immediately greeted by two people.

Hiroyuki: "May I help you?"

Kokimina: "We should be asking you that. Why are you here?"

Hiroyuki: "I'm just here touring."

Kokimina: "Touring?!"

Hiroyuki: "Yeah, I've heard about amazing food here."

Kokimina: "You traveled as far as you did, for food?"

Hiroyuki: "What can I say, I love food."

Kokimina: "Hmm, well in that case, I have someone that can show you around and take you to our finest inns."

Hiroyuki: "You do?"

Kokimina takes him further in the village and they meet up with Ava. As soon as Hiroyuki sees Ava he just stares and starts to feel so flustered. She makes eye contact with him and starts to smile.

Kokimina: "Well this is Ava, if anyone can show you around it's her. She's so kind and will be the most willing to helping find the best food spots here."

Hiroyuki: "I'm Hiroyuki."

Ava: "I'm Ava Yukino, you ready to go?"

Hiroyuki: "You sure about this? I mean you don't have to my by escort."

Ava: "Haha it's fine. I don't mind it, the food here is amazing!"

Hiroyuki: "If you insist."

Ava: "Let's go!"

Ava grabbing his hand pulling him and they start walking.

Kokimina: "Kokiruko, you have to follow them and watch that boy. I don't know where he came from or what he truly wants, but we can't allow him any access to our home."

Kokiruko: "Ok, if it keeps me away from father."

Kokiruko follows Hiroyuki and Ava watching them closely.

Ava: "Have you ever tried fried squid?"

Hiroyuki: "I don't think so."

Ava: "Here try it!"

She shoves a spoon of fried squid in his face, upon seeing it Hiroyuki gags.

Ava: "Ooh, maybe that's not such a good idea."

She starts laughing.

Hiroyuki: "Thats funny to you?"

Ava: "Little bit, now I can really tell you're not from around here. Our people eat this stuff daily."

Hiroyuki: "I'm more of a soup kind of guy."

Ava: "Well that's boring. Luckily for you I know a good soup place!"

They begin walking again, with Kokiruko trailing slowly behind, peering around corners.

Ava: "Do you have a certain soup you're craving right now?"

Hiroyuki: "If I had to choose I would say Lentil soup is my favorite."

Ava: "Ew why? Lentil soup is so boring and sad."

Hiroyuki: "It me and my mom's favorite."

Ava: "Yeah no. Try this instead!"

Hiroyuki: "What is it?"

Ava: "Pho!"

Hiroyuki: "I've never had it."

Ava: "I can tell, if your favorite is Yuck soup!"

Hiroyuki: "I said Lentil."

Ava: "I know what you said."

Hiroyuki: "You remind me of someone back at home."

Ava: "I do? That can't possibly be true! I'm one of a kind!"

Hiroyuki: "Heh, that humor."

Ava: "Ooh, are you smiling?"

Hiroyuki: "Umm, no, I just think the soup is really good."

Ava just starts laughing. Her laugh makes Hiroyuki smile. As every time he sees her laugh he just gets this feeling of contentment that he hasn't felt in so long.

Hiroyuki to himself: "She's so different. When I see her, I just can't help but get this weird feeling in my stomach. I don't get it, not one person has ever been able to amuse me, but here she is not even trying and making me feel at ease."

Ava just ends up staring at Hiroyuki smiling.

Hiroyuki: "What?"

Ava: "There's just something about you. You're different, I like that."

Hiroyuki starts to sweat, he rushes his food eating it quickly almost choking while pounding his chest. Ava just starts laughing again as the both of them are having a good time. Kokiruko in the back watching. The day goes by and it's night. Ava offers Hiroyuki to stay at her place, but he declines saying that he will just find an inn to stay in for the night. Without hesitation she hugs him and says bye. She walks away smiling. Hiroyuki watches as she walks away then turns slightly to his left.

Hiroyuki: "How long do you plan on following me?"

Kokiruko: "You knew this whole time?"

Hiroyuki: "It's not hard to tell if someone is following you. I want to know why!"

Kokiruko: "An outsider can not be left unattended."

Hiroyuki: "Hmph, guess that makes sense. The same would happen in my village. Well since you're here, do you know of a good place to stay for the night?"

Kokiruko points to the left, when Hiroyuki looks he sees that he was standing in front of an inn.

Hiroyuki: "Huh, didn't even notice. Thank you."

Kokiruko heads home. Before going inside he takes a deep breath and then walks inside. To his surprise he sees his father sleeping on the couch. He sneaks past him, trying his best not to wake him up. He walks past Kokimina's room, taking a glance and seeing her on the floor through the crack of her door. He barges in and goes to her.

Kokiruko: "Mina! Mina! Are you ok?! What's wrong?!"

He turns her over only to see her face bleeding and a bunch of marks all over her wrist.

Kokiruko: "Mina! What happened?!"

Kokimina trying her best to speak: "It... It was dad. He found out I was pregnant."

Kokiruko gets angry and tries to get up, but she just pulls him back down.

Kokimina: "No! It's ok Koki, I'm fine."

A tear falls down his face as he embraces her tighter both just sitting there.

Transitions to Kame and Mest. Mest looks up as he has this bad feeling. He thinks about Kokimina and if she's alright.

Kame: "I do not mean to rush you, but when do we get to the training?"

Mest: "We're almost there."

Kame just looks forward and continues to walk. After a few minutes they arrive.

Mest: "Here it is!"

Kame: "It is stunning!"

The scenery being a body of water surrounded by mountains as the both of them stand on the highest point just staring ahead.

Mest: "This place is not only good for training, but it also serves as the perfect place to clear your head. The serene aspect of this place just makes training that much more beautiful."

Kame goes to the edge of the mountain and looks down. He looks across to see a waterfall. He looks back towards Mest and starts to smile.

Kame: "I am ready!"

Transitions back to the village to Mikoto and Mireko.

Both of them training, pushing each other to get stronger.

Mireko: "Why don't we train with anyone else?"

Mikoto: "No one can push me to get stronger. You don't get stronger fighting people weaker than you. Strength comes from adversity! I need the proper challenge, no one can give that to me."

Mireko: "Then why do you train with me if you are far stronger?"

Mikoto: "I'm making you stronger!"

Mireko: "Can we just, go help the village?"

Mikoto: "Help the village with what?"

Mireko: "You know what happened, you know where we are needed. We would be of great use."

Mikoto: "You want to help the same village that killed our father?"

Mireko: "Its not the village's fault! Father was wrong!"

Mikoto: "Shutup! How dare you say that! All he wanted to do was revive mother and they killed him for it!"

Mireko: "Because of how he went about it! He tried the impossible, you and I both know it! It's not fair to blame the village for father's foolishness."

Mikoto: "Get out of my face!"

Mireko look into the eyes of Mikoto as she just stares at her. Instead of saying anything else Mireko just leaves to go help the village with the rebuilding process.

Mikoto just watches her as she leaves and then puts her head down staring at the ground.

When Mireko gets to the construction area she sees everyone going back and forth fixing the framing for the hospital. She then starts helping by picking up certain pieces to fix the frame with her telekinesis making the process go faster. All the workers look at her and smile since now the framing will go by a lot quicker. It gets to the point where Mireko is moving anything and everything she can in order to help. They get to the structures and she finds that since she's tired she can barely lift them. She tries her best barely lifting it, but then all of sudden it goes up with ease. She looks back to see Mikoto helping. She smiles at her as they both finish the structure. Mireko walks over to her.

Mireko: "Thank you!"

Mikoto: "After this we're going to the training grounds for a bit."

Mireko: "Ok! Sounds good!"

Kanju: "Do you know the full extent of you chi?"

Ziku: "No, yesterday it took me awhile to even gather half. I went home asked my mom and she told me that my father's chi level was unheard of. She said she took one look at me and already knew my chi level exceeds even his."

Kanju: "So it must take you longer than I thought to take full control of all your chi huh?"

Ziku: "I guess so, but it's only the second day. Like you said, it's not going to be easy I wouldn't want it any other way."

Ziku sits down meditating to take full control of his chi. As his aura is pouring from his body Kanju notices lightning and electricity also being emitted. He just stares at Ziku amazed. After some time it starts to get hot and heavy. Kanju barely able to keep his eyes open. He's starts getting pushed back by the strength of Ziku's aura. He glances at him to see his face twitching and heavy breaths being took. Before he could say anything to Ziku he sees the lightning around his body change colors. At first it's yellow, then fades to orange. His aura starts to flicker and then the lightning turns red. Kanju is speechless just observing and trying to figure out what Ziku is doing. Then out of no where Ziku let's out a short, but impactful scream ending abruptly. When he screams Kanju barely notices a flash of purple to his lightning. But since he only had one eye open he dismisses it. Kanju goes over to Ziku who's on his hands and knees and hyperventilating.

Kanju nervous: "Ziku..... you alright? What was that?"

Ziku smiles and begins to laugh while still hyperventilating.

Kanju: "What are you laughing at?"

Ziku: "I'm relieved....I did it....."

Kanju: "You already gained full control of your chi?"

Ziku: "No....I finally surpassed yellow and orange lightning...."

Kanju: "Your own milestone huh?"

Ziku: "Yeah..... means I'm getting stronger..... and that's very important to me since I want to keep everyone safe."

Kanju: "Hmph, man..... you're one special person."

Ziku: "Sorry, give me a minute... that took a toll on my body. As of right now... I can barely move."

Kanju: "We could call it day, you could just go home and rest."

Ziku: "No..... I want to try again... one more time today."

Kanju: "I don't know if I should let you push yourself like this."

Mikoto: "Let him."

Kanju: "Why are you here?"

Mikoto: "What does it look like, I'm here to train. Or must I say it in a manner in which you understand?"

Kisaiju: "Then why don't you just come train, stop talking and join the fight."

Mikoto: "You I never liked, I'd be happy to humiliate you."

Mireko: "Mikoto I don't think...."

Kisaiju: "Tch... One bra size away from being a guy and she thinks she's tough."

Mikoto just stares at him, closes her eyes then takes off her gloves. Before she could make a move Omoi gets in front of her.

Omoi: "I don't think it's a good idea for you to fight him."

Mikoto: "Why is that? Don't tell me it's because I'm a girl."

Omoi: "It's not that, I just feel like there's a difference in power and skill here."

Mikoto: "You're right, I'll show you that difference!"

Kanju: "Omoi... let her fight."

Mireko goes over to Kanju and Ziku.

Mireko: "Are you ok Ziku?"

Ziku: "Yeah..... just need some time to recover."

Mireko: "So that sudden surge of chi was you?"

Kanju: "You were able to sense that?"

Mireko: "We both can, she wanted to hurry up and see what or who it was."

Kanju: "Why did she want to hurry?"

Mireko: "Who knows, it's just how she is."

Omoi: "Well rules are that it is just hand to hand as of right now."

Mikoto: "Can you Shutup so we could just hurry this up."

Kisaiju: "Their always in a rush to be put in their place."

Mikoto: "Big mouth. Must be compensating for something."

Kisaiju: "Just start the match so I could hurry and show her why women belong in the kitchen and not in battle!"

Ziku looks up....

Omoi: "You two could have been started the fight."

Kisaiju rushes towards her and throws a punch. She dodges leg sweeps him and throws another kick as he's falling. He catches her leg, but she knees him in the face. She backs away and he gets to his feet looking around. He sees the face of everyone in the room and immediately gets angry. He stands to his feet, looks across at Mikoto and then gets into his stance. A drop of sweat runs down Kisaiju's face as all he can do now is wait for Mikoto to attack.