Rewind the Past (Futureshipping)

Chapter 9

Acronix looked at him, eyes widened, but nodded. The spike haired boy stood up and exited the room, leaving him alone.
He came back with a large bowl, a cleaned bandage and a white, soft towel, to clean the cut. He placed the stuffs on the table and examined Acronix's chest. "Can you take off the kimono, please?" He asked. Acronix tried, but it was painful to move his broken arm. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. "Here.- Kai offered, moving behind him. -Let me help you."

Once the kimono was leant on the table, Kai undid the old bandage and crumpled it up, throwing it apart. He examined the wound, scratching his chin. "I...I'm not very good at this...- The Master of Fire blushed, while apologising. -But I'll do my best." He dipped the towel in the cold water and cleaned the cut, by dabbing gently. The Time Master moaned in pain and bit his tongue. Kai swallowed. He didn't like the man at all, but he didn't want to hurt him either. He maintain his eyes low, concentrated on what he was doing. He had to fold the towel a couple time; the wound was open again and the blood was dripping on the floor and streaming down Acronix's chest. "Wow...looks pretty bad.- Kai commented, with a shiver. -D...Does it hurt?" He asked.
What kind of question was that?! Of curse it was hurting! It was a damn, still bleeding cut! C'mon Kai, why did you have to ask? He rose his eyes back on the Time Master, but...he wasn't angry. He was smiling at him, a shy, small smile. "Sorry, I know it's a stupid question..."

Acronix chuckled and shook his head. "It's okay, Kai. It hurt just a bit. But...I think I'm lucky, at least I'm not dead." Kai tilted his head and kept dabbing on the wound, until the blood slowed down. He then took the bandage and stood up. Acronix rose his arms, to help him wrap it around his chest. "Here we go." Kai said, proud of his work, once he had fixed the extremity of the bandage. "Thanks, Kai." The black haired man muttered, smiling at him and lowering his arms. The Master of Fire gently winded the kimono on Acronix's shoulders and sat back in front of him, without a word.

In that exact moment, Wu returned back, holding a blue teapot and a cup. Under his arm, he was holding a brown box. "Well done, Kai." He smiled gently and placed the teapot, the cup and the box on the table. He sat next to his old friend and observed Kai's work. He nodded, proudly and looked back at the box. Acronix observed how the silver steam rose from the teapot to the ceiling. Master Wu removed the cover from the brown box. An intense scent of...something, stabbed Kai and Acronix's nose. It was a really strong smell. "Do you recognize this leaves, Acronix?" The old man asked, sliding the box in front of their guest. With his nose covered, Acronix observed the leaves; there were red, purple and pale pink leaves. He swallowed and nodded. "I...I do yes." Wu grabbed a small handful of leaves and let them fall in the hot water of the teapot. The steam color changed, in a red/pink one and, surprisingly, the smell changed too.

It was sweeter and they all felt more relaxed. Wu poured the tea in the cup and passed it to Acronix. "I'm afraid it will work.- He said. -But it may take a few time, since the bad wounds you got." The Master of Time nodded and caressed the cup with his thumb, before drinking it slowly. The water burned his tongue and lips, but the tea power immediately healed the burns. "But we don't have the time, Master Wu!- Kai jumped up. -If Krux attacks, we need all the help we need!" He slammed a hard punch on the table, 'causing a shiver to ran down Acronix's back. Why did he have to act like that? It reminded him of Krux's exagerated reactions. Thinking of him made his heart ache and he bit his tongue to avoid the other two to notice it. But he couldn't avoid the tears to fill up his eyes. Why did he have to be...weak? Emotional! They always ruined everything and he really hated it! Well...sometimes. There were moments when he was thankful to have emotioins; like, for examples, for the rare times when Krux hugged him. But after that...
He stood up, when he felt that a tear was escaped his eye. Kai tried to follow him, but a gaze of Wu stopped his intentions. Kai couldn't do anything, but listen as the Time Master exited the Monastery, closing the door, maybe too hard.

Acronix walked around the courtyard, nervous as a caged tiger. He could feel his heart pounding against his chest, almost overbalancing him. He was angry at himself, but at same time sad, because the thought of Krux was back, to bother him and hurting him. "Get out of my head!" He shouted, grabbing his head with his hands. He was glad to be alone, he couldn't hold them back anymore. Before he knew, he dropped on his knees and covered his face. The warm tears streamed down his cheeks and between his fingers. He was feeling cold, on the inside, even if the warm sun was hitting on his back. He wanted to disappear, he didn't want to feel anything!
No pain; physical nor psychological. Nothing.
He sat down, his back against the golden dragon, built in the middle of the courtyard. His legs bent to his chest were shaking. He felt a hand stroking his hair gently and he rose his head, keeping his hands right under his chin. He swallowed and sighed. Cyrus had his head titled to the side and a small, worried smile on his face. "What's wrong, Nixie?" The inventor asked, sliding his hand down, on Acronix's cheek. The youngest got on his knees and wrapped his arms around Borg's torso and leant his head on his legs. Cyrus kept stroking and playing with his "baby" hair. He moved a lock of hair from the Time Twin's face, rolling it around his index. Acronix had his eyes closed, slightly wet for the tears.

"Will you tell me what happened, please?" The inventor asked, in a low tone of voice. But the youngest man shook his head and Cyrus couldn't help, but sighed.
"You're armour is almost finished, you know?- He said, capturing his attention and noticing a gold shine in his eyes. -I have to fix and adjust a few more things. But it almost done. I've added something more, I hope you like it."

A small smile appeared on Acronix's face. "R...really?" He said, in disbelief. It was too good to be real. "Of course! Jay is a really good helper and we worked well." He smiled. "Do you want to see it?" The youngest almost jumped up.
"Yes, of course! I'd love to see it!" He was as happy as a kid, when he receives the first puppy.
Borg smiled and observed how excited he was.

He took his hands, leading the way in a small room, where Jay was working on the Time Master's armour. The sweat war rolling down his face, but he didn't even bothered to take of his gi; working and creating were the things he loved to do the most, except of being a ninja, of course.

His kimono was a bit dirty and the sleeves burned on a few spots. Acronix tilted to the side, trying to see the new armour, but the Master of LightininLightning was right between him and the armour.

Borg noticed how curious the youngest was and it was a kinda funny situation.
"Jay. -The boy jumped. He didn't hear them coming. -I think we can show him how the work is coming, what do you think?" Jay wiped the sweat from his forehead and turned around. When his eyes met Acronix's, he had to fight the  impulses of scream and run away. Or attack him, he wasn't sure on what to do.
He was feeling weird, almost scared by the presence of the Time Master, but seeing how relaxed Borg was, he moved from the work table, allowing Acronix to get nearer.

"Wow..." Was everything the youngest Twin was able to mutter.
Borg and Jay had create a titanium glove and forearm cover. A couple small belts to tie it around the arm.
A large plate, of the same material, to cover the right side of the ribcage.
There were a metal net to cover the liver and organs on that side. To prevent more damage on the shoulder, Jay and Cyrus had built a shoulder strap. The plate and the shoulder strap were reinforced with a layer of metallic alloy, which included titanium, plumb and diamond.

Acronix frowned and caressed the plate and slid his fingers on the metal net. The armour covered his body on the side and the back as well.

"We still have to finish it, but...what do you think?" Acronix was amazed, while looking at the armour. He hardly looked away from it, turning his head to Jay and Borg. "It...it's amazing. I...I don't know what to say." Jay sighed. He wasn't scared or else. But he could never imagine that a man, as evil as Acronix, could be able to show a smile. A really sweet smile. It made Jay smiled back.
"We have to wait, until you're healed. We'll finish the armour. It will be ready, for when your brother comes!"

The Time Master nodded and swallowed. He didn't want to face him. Not his twin, not Krux. He looked down and swallowed. "Thank you."