Battle of The Bands Arc

[Bean Bandit]

Miyuki smiled tiredly at Leets.

"No. His...Um, what's the word? Oh! His Aunt and Uncle live here. They're a friend of my family, too." She explained, using the crutch to limp slowly up the walk.

[Shukuen]

Leets followed the two, frowning slightly as he suddenly had the nagging feeling he forgot something. "So, uhm, about this music festival. Who are we meeting, exactly?"

[Anonymous]

"We're meeting a friend of mine. I originally went to London to help him find some clues as to where a man by the name of Khrima is located. Seems he knew about me, though." Olguin added in a whisper.

His fists clenched tightly as he remembered how easily he was duped into believing that Meck and Kemitt were just obsessed incompetents.

Just as he was about to continue, the door slowly opened, revealing a weary looking individual. The man didn't look anymore than thirty by most guesstimates, but deep lines of anxiety of depression seemingly added years to the man's expression.

The man looked at the assembled group in confusion for a few moments before his eyes locked onto Olguin's. An uncomfortable silence descended on the ground as the older gentleman gazed deep into Olguin's eyes, searching for something only he knew.

"Hello, my tragic boy." The elderly man softly started in Japanese.

"Hello...Uncle Tofu." Olguin timidly replied, looking for all the world like fragile china.

Tofu's serious expression slowly changed into a tired smile of acceptance, and he stood aside, allowing the trio entrance.

"Please, all of you come in. The night is not for people such as yourselves." Turning towards Olguin, he suddenly gasped as he saw the little girl that was firmly gripping Olguin's left hand.

"And so much to talk about." He sadly murmured.

[Bean Bandit]

Miyuki felt as though she wanted to crawl into a hole. She stared at the ground, her cheeks flaming.

"Hello, Sensei...it's been awhile," she stammered.

Only the cast on her leg kept her from fleeing in humilation.

[Anonymous]

"Come on in, please." Tofu's gentle urgings left nothing more for Olguin to do. Slowly leading the two children into the building, he took a moment to look at the surroundings.

Over by the far right corner there was an impressive collection of bookcases, stacked full of books with titles that made Olguin's head spin.

Over by the far left corner of the room was a staircase, leading up to the Ono family's true home.

Currently where they were standing in a plush reception/waiting area, a door straight ahead of them leading to where the patients would be tended to.

"Yes, and what exactly happened to you, little one?" Tofu asked.

[Bean Bandit]

Miyuki didn't meet Tofu's gaze.

"Ano...a lot has happened...I'm not sure where to start..." she admitted.

[Anonymous]

"How about you tell me how you managed to break your leg?" Tofu gently insisted.

[Bean Bandit]

Miyuki smiled uneasily, still not meeting Tofu's eyes.

"It was a demon...I got too careless." she mumbled.

[Anonymous]

"And did that demon turn you into a little girl too?" The doctor continued.

Off to the side, Leets and Olguin were examining an anatomy poster, trying not to bother the two.

"Sorry about all this." Olguin started in english, "But he has a soft spot for her."

[Bean Bandit]

Miyuki flushed. "No...I ran into a magic deck of cards."

She sighed, peeking up at him through her bangs. "I couldn't stop myself...And I ended up like this."

She smiled a little. "At least Olchan was there...I don't know what would have happened to me if he wasn't..."

[Shukuen]

"It's all right," said Leets, feigning disinterest. Though, inwardly, he felt a bit of envy that she'd have so many people caring for her. Sighing, Leets looked up at the poster, pondering.

"...back there in London. Were you really considering to leave me behind?" Leets asked suddenly, not showing any emotion.

[Anonymous]

Olguin felt a brief pang of panic at the boy's words, now ignoring the quiet conversation between his uncle and Miyuki.

"I won't lie to you, I was, even if it was for a single moment." He calmly looked at the poster.

"Do you know what 'chi' is?" He suddenly asked.

****

A matronly woman in her mid thirties awoke from her troubled slumber, and began to frantically look around, her long chocolate hair swishing from side to side.

Where was Tofu?

Brown doe-like eyes finally clearing, she noticed the sounds of conversation coming from the clinic.

Getting to her feet, she hurriedly put on a thick cotton robe and started downstairs.

Her heavy steps unfortunately woke another up.

"Olguin..." The young girl whispered in an hushed voice, her brown eyes flickering with some deep emotion.

He was back.

[Shukuen]

Sadness seemed to cloud his eyes for a fleeting moment, barely noticeable by anyone. "Chi? I think I heard some of the tourist say something about it," he said. "Even though I couldn't understand a word they said."

[Anonymous]

Olguin uncomfortably sighed, but steeled himself. He had to make the boy understand, or he wouldn't trust him anymore.

"Chi is the power inherent in all beings. It changes depending on the being, but its all basically the same. I, and the other high ranking martial artists, know how to harness it."

A dully glowing sphere of icy blue light briefly flickered around his right fist, drawing in Leets' attention. Chilling winds swirled around his hand, covering his exposed skin with a thin layer of ice.

"If you want to know what made me consider abandoning you, even if it was for a brief moment, touch the sphere. Touch the ultimate manifestation of the Soul of Ice."

[Shukuen]

Leets studied the glowing sphere, eyes slightly wide in shock. His hand reached out warily, feeling the cold draft emanating from the sphere. As his hand was about to touch the sphere's surface though, he suddenly drew his hand away.

"I think I'll take your word for it," he said, casting a cautious glance at the sphere.