The Saviours

Your comments really kept me going… *^^*

*******

 Part 2

5 days later. May 16, Mie.

"Are we there yet?"

Toshiya asked Yoshiki, who was driving a silver BMW that smoothly ran across the highway.

"Toshiya, be patient. You’ve been asking that question every 5 minutes…"

Kaoru said to him, as to a whining child, barely looking up from the thick ancient-looking book that he had been reading from the beginning of the journey.

The title of the book was Spells for Beginners, which was given by Yoshiki. Kaoru had been reading it ever since.

"You don’t even play with me anymore, Kaoru. You’re bored of me…"

Toshiya pouted; His voice expressed hurt.

Kaoru sighed and looked into Toshiya’s eyes, which began to redden and form a misty liquid at a dangerously fast rate.

‘Uh-oh…’

Kaoru quickly closed his book and gently put his hand on Toshiya’s shoulder, which he roughly shook off.

"Toshiya… you know it’s not true. I’m only reading this book to be ready for the fight for everyone. For you. Of course I’d rather play with you. You’re so cute and nice and sweet and… Go on, read my mind. It’ll be easier."

At that, Toshiya smiled shyly, brushing off his tears. (Ahhh… kawaii! >.< Please ignore me, everyone…;;)

"But at least you can play with me sometimes, ne…?"

Toshiya purred.

Kaoru melted.

"Sure…///"

Yoshiki looked at them from the front mirror and smiled.

The two men were whispering and giggling like little children.

Who would have imagined Kaoru like that only 5 days ago?

"(Kaoru, do you have any idea where we are going?)"

"(No. Yoshiki-san didn’t tell me when I asked him this morning. He just said, ‘Soon you’ll see, Kaoru-kun.’ Can’t you read his mind, though?)"

"(No… it’s strange, but I really can’t read his mind at all. I tried, but I couldn’t see anything. It was all blurred and then I got a bad headache, so I gave up.)"

"(Weird… He’s so mysterious, ne...)"

"Un…"

Toshiya agreed.

Since Kaoru joined The Saviours, the three of them had been staying together in Yoshiki’s place in Tokyo.

During the days they stayed together, sometimes Yoshiki would just disappear without telling them. Kaoru and Toshiya soon got used to it, and mentioned no more about it.

Yoshiki’s mansion was a huge place with a beautiful garden and a swimming pool. (Is there a house like this in Tokyo? I’m not so convinced… ^^;)

He was so very rich, but Yoshiki never showed it off. He was modest, yet he had innate confidence and elegance that caused Toshiya and Kaoru to respect him all the more.

He was very kind, but at the same time rather aloof, out of this world.

Maybe he dealt with this kind of stuff for too long.

"(But I’m guessing that maybe we’re gonna find another member of the Saviours.)"

Toshiya whispered.

"We’re here, guys."

Yoshiki finally said, pulling up the car.

"Yeah!"

Toshiya jumped off from the car, breathing in the fresh air.

"This way please, Toshiya-kun. We’re gonna be late if we don’t hurry."

"Late for what?"

Toshiya’s question remained unanswered as Yoshiki took his arm and walked off briskly. Kaoru followed, with the much treasured book in his hand.

About 2 minutes of walking and running, they stopped in front of an old building, which really didn’t look outstanding.

"Look."

Yoshiki pointed at a notice at the gate, smiling at the rather doubtful two men.

<Mie Amateur Kendo Final. Ando Daisuke vs Suzuki Takashi>

"Eh…?!"

Toshiya and Kaoru said at the same time. Kendo?

"What’s wrong?"

Yoshiki looked at them, bewildered.

"Urm… nothing. I mean, I didn’t know you liked kendo that much, Yoshiki-san. Coming all the way here from Tokyo for an amateur match, you must be a real fanatic, ne…"

Toshiya said, trying to hide his disappointment. He was looking forward to something more important than this.

"Come. You’ll enjoy it, I’m sure."

‘Yeah, right.’ Toshiya thought. He was never the one to get much excited about sports matches.

Trying hard to look interested, Toshiya quietly followed Yoshiki and Kaoru inside. Kaoru actually quite liked kendo, although he didn’t know much about it.

There were lots of spectators inside. The heat and the vibes of excitement filled the hall. It was amazing how an amateur match had this much impact.

Many people were standing, but as Yoshiki had three reservation tickets, they sat down on the front seats.

Two players entered the court from either side. The audience cheered, greeting them passionately, almost violently.

Even Kaoru and Toshiya joined it.

One player had oily black hair and a pair of very sharp, cold eyes. He shot a glance of annoyance at the roaring audience.

"He looks rather mean, doesn’t he? He was thinking ‘Can’t they just shut up?’ now."

Toshiya whispered, looking at the player with distaste.

"That’s Suzuki Takashi. The champion of the last two seasons. I want you two to pay attention to the other one, actually…"

Yoshiki pointed his finger at the player with long flaming red-hair on the other side of the court.

"Definitely cuter… er, of course not as much as you, Kaoru-kun."

Toshiya quickly added the last part with a smile, noticing the other man’s not-so-subtle jealousy.

" Ando Daisuke is this season’s rookie. Although this is his first attempt at the amateur championship, but he’s doing it exceptionally well. He already has lots of maniac fans."

"So I can see…"

Kaoru pointed at the placards at the back of the audience, which flashed Ando’s name.

Some female fans were actually crying just looking at him. (Quite a familiar sight, huh? ^^;)

Moments later, the two players put on their men (face masks), and exchanged rei (bow).

"Look at Ando’s movements carefully."

Yoshiki whispered.

"Hajime!"

With the announcement from the chief referee, the match began.

Time seemed to have been suspended.

The loud roar of the audience soon died out.

The two players’ movements were swift and light; they seemed to be moving on the air.

Suzuki was excellent; it was hardly surprising that he had already won the championship a few times before.

His eyes were intensely fixed on Ando’s like a hungry wild animal’s, and he did his best to attack Ando.

But the truly amazing was Ando, who moved so effortlessly it looked as if he was dancing. He looked almost peaceful.

He was in his own world of concentration and he didn’t seem to be fighting at all.

He didn’t even flinch when Suzuki’s shinai (the bamboo sword) nearly hit his forehead.

He just seemed to be enjoying every moment.

"I can’t read his mind… It’s totally empty. That guy’s concentration is really good!"

Toshiya gasped. He found himself actually enjoying the game.

Kaoru was also absorbed in the game, with his eyes fixed on Ando.

"Yuko datotsu!"

After a few intense minutes, Ando struck Suzuki’s head and scored a point.

The audience roared again.

The girls cried.

Toshiya gave Kaoru a high-five.

Soon, Suzuki made it even by hitting Ando’s right forearm.

It was getting really exciting.

"There’s only one minute left. The one who scores first will win."

Yoshiki said, looking down at his watch.

Toshiya and Kaoru leaned forward. Both were supporting Ando Daisuke, although Suzuki Takashi was also a very good player.

Now, both players were sweating and panting hard.

"Oh… Suzuki is not playing it fair. He just did a hansoku (foul)."

Yoshiki said. Suzuki was grabbing Ando’s shinai for a split second. The judges didn’t seem to notice.

Ando seemed to be requesting to the judges, but they refused to accept it as a foul.

Ando seemed to be angry, but he had to return to the match.

Ando’s fans yelled and screamed, demanding that the judges give Suzuki a penalty.

Suzuki smirked and mouthed something foul to Ando that other people couldn’t hear.

"That’s so rude! He just said, ‘Do you really think you can win this match, sucker?’"

Toshiya informed them, frowning.

"That’s also a hansoku. But again the judges didn’t seem to notice. Or, they chose not to notice."

Yoshiki said quietly.

"Do you mean Suzuki bribed them?"

Kaoru seemed to be disgusted at the thought.

"Very possibly. Now, only 45 seconds are left."

Yoshiki announced.

Ando glared at Suzuki, who didn’t take off the smirk of his face.

"Oh no, I think Daisuke is losing his concentration now. I can feel his rage."

Toshiya said in a worried voice.

The match carried on with the two players more eager to win than ever.

Ando’s attitude changed completely; now he didn’t look peaceful at all.

He looked more furious. He wanted to win so badly.

It was when Suzuki did a jogai (stepping out of bounds) – another foul – without being given a penalty Ando lost his temper.

He shouted angrily, complaining to the judges about their unfairness. He even went on to doubt their ability to be a judge.

"Oh no…"

Yoshiki muttered with despair, covering his face.

"Why? He’s quite right, isn’t he?"

Kaoru defended the red-haired player.

"They don’t care if he’s right or not. If he shows disrespect to the judges, it’s like giving up the match. They give two points to the other player, and he loses."

"But that’s unfair…!"

Toshiya cried.

"I know. But that’s the rule."

Yoshiki said grimly.

Soon enough the chief judge announced Ando Daisuke’s foul, and Suzuki Takashi won the match.

They then exchanged rei – Ando, somewhat reluctantly - and quit the court.

Kaoru was clenching his fists while Toshiya irritably bit his nail off, staring hard at the judges.

"Now, let’s go talk to Ando Daisuke."

As the chaos in the audience continued, Yoshiki told the two men who were both looking rather upset.

"Huh?"

"Do you know him?"

They turned to Yoshiki, confused.

"Duh…! He’s the next member of The Saviours!"

Smiling, Yoshiki motioned to them to follow him.

"Wow, cool! I like him already."

Toshiya exclaimed, excited.

"I’m just glad that it’s not Suzuki we are having."

Kaoru sounded relieved.

*******

When they found Ando Daisuke, he was sitting alone on a couch, looking more miserable and distressed than ever.

"Ohhh… please don’t get so depressed, Daisuke-san."

Toshiya said from behind, unable to control Daisuke’s high emotions in his own mind.

"Who are you?"

Daisuke jumped in shock and stared at Toshiya defensively.

Toshiya blushed. Clearly, he hadn’t realised what he was doing.

"Oh… I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just… didn’t want you to be sad. That’s all…"

Toshiya stammered. Unfortunately, Daisuke seemed to be in a really bad mood.

"What do you know about my feelings, doll-face? You don’t fucking understand what I’m going through!"

"…… I do, actually."

Toshiya feebly murmured to himself.

"Whoa, whoa… what’s wrong with you, red-head? Can’t you see Toshiya was only trying to help you?"

Kaoru interrupted.

He couldn’t bear looking at Toshiya so discouraged and hurt. He was only trying to help anyway!

"It’s none of your business, skeleton!"

Daisuke shouted.

"What did you just call me, you… moron?"

Kaoru was getting angry.

"I’m not so sure, geek!"

But Daisuke was angry, too.

"Kaoru is not a geek!"

Toshiya gave a piercing cry.

Daisuke and Kaoru looked dumbfounded for a moment, then they scowled at each other. Bright sparks were shooting up from their eyes.

There was a great tension between the two.

"Oh no…"

Yoshiki sighed.

"Okay, that’s enough. Stop it. Both of you."

Yoshiki said in a commanding tone, causing both men to stop at once and look at him instead.

"What? You’re with them, too?"

Daisuke asked Yoshiki, pointing his finger at Toshiya and Kaoru.

Yoshiki nodded and Daisuke sneered. Yoshiki ignored him.

"Now Ando Daisuke-kun, stop taking your anger out on wrong people and just calm down for a minute."

"Who are you to say that?"

Daisuke asked rather rudely. He didn’t seem to like some stranger ordering him about.

"I’m Yoshiki."

"……"

Hearing Yoshiki’s name, Daisuke’s expression suddenly changed. He stared at Yoshiki blankly.

"You’re not… you can’t be…! I mean, you’re not that Hayashi Yoshiki… Are you?"

"I am."

Yoshiki said softly.

Daisuke immediately kneeled down on his knees and bowed his head.

"I am so sorry, Hayashi-sama. Please forgive me."

"What’s going on?"

Kaoru said. Toshiya also looked confused, but he soon read Daisuke’s mind and found out.

"Oh…!"

Toshiya gasped.

"Hey, tell me! I’m the only one who doesn’t know what’s happening here."

Kaoru complained aloud, but nobody seemed to care. (Aww… poor Kaoru-kun!)

"Please stand up, Daisuke-kun. And just call me Yoshiki now. I’ve quit kendo a long time ago."

"But you’re still a legend, Hayashi-sama! I mean, Yoshiki-san… I can’t believe I didn’t recognise you at first sight. You’re like… my hero!"

Daisuke exclaimed excitedly.

Yoshiki smiled at the young player.

"Please call me Die, Yoshiki-san. I’m more used to that name."

"Okay, Die-kun… By the way, we saw your match."

"Oh… you did?"

Die said with not much enthusiasm. He sounded quite embarrassed.

"So… what did you think?"

He asked Yoshiki nervously.

"You have the talent and ability, Die-kun. But you must completely empty your mind and control your temper all the time.

I know Suzuki Takashi was playing it unfair, and he probably bribed the judges, too. But that’s not what’s important.

What’s important is how you play it. No true kendo players will talk to judges like you did today. Learn patience and manners first.

Two of the many aims of kendo are to hold in esteem human courtesy and honour, and to associate with others with sincerity. You failed in both in this match."

Die hung his head in shame.

"But then, Suzuki failed in everything. So you’re doing quite well."

Yoshiki gave him an encouraging smile.

Die soon cheered up. And Toshiya, who has been looking even more anxious than Die, also lightened up.

Die, for the first time, eyed Toshiya curiously.

Toshiya moved awkwardly in discomfort.

Die spoke.

"I don’t mean to be rude, but really… who are you? Do you know me?"

"No…"

"Then, how come are you reacting so strongly to my feelings?"

"Er…"

"He can read your mind."

Kaoru said it for Toshiya. Toshiya quietly thanked him.

Die’s gaze was soon directed at the purple-haired one.

"What do you mean? I don’t think I heard you right."

"I mean what I said. Toshiya can read your mind, my mind, anyone’s mind… well, except Yoshiki-san’s."

Die looked at Yoshiki for explanation. Surely they were fooling him. But Yoshiki will tell him the truth.

"They’re quite right."

Yoshiki said, amused.

"Okay, Die-kun. Let me explain to you why we are here today."

"Please go on, Yoshiki-san."

"We are here to ask you if you want to join The Saviours – the circle of five fighters - who will save the world from the evil forces. You’ll be the warrior.

You’ll have to use your physical powers as well as the mental. Toshiya is the mind reader, and Kaoru the magician. Two more people will be joining you soon."

Die looked absolutely blank. Even Kaoru, who doesn’t read minds, could totally identify with him.

‘This will take some time…’

Kaoru thought with a faint smile.

He remembered how ridiculous it seemed to him at first.

He wouldn’t have joined it had Toshiya not been there.

"So, do you want to join them?"

Yoshiki asked.

"You are going to be our master, right?"

Die said.

"Well… I’ll be helping you all along."

"Okay, then. I’m in!"

Die merrily declared. Kaoru looked at him, puzzled.

"Um, Die-kun… don’t you feel any suspicions or doubts at all?

I mean… the evil forces, magic, saving the world? Come on! You don’t believe that, do you?"

"Hey, Kaoru. You’re not making it any easier for us, are you?"

Toshiya laughed.

"I believe everything Yoshiki-san says. And besides, having him as the master is an absolute honour!"

Die said in an awe-struck tone.

"Yoshiki-san, really… What else are you?"

Kaoru asked, not actually expecting to hear the answer.

*******

Wonder what kind of job he has…? *^^*