Target Acquired - VOLUME 1

CHAPTER 12 - "Pool Time, Part Two"

"Megumi, come on," Shinobu says, tugging me forward. My eyes are still set on the two strangers several feet away from us. "Let's go."

The cloaked man gestures to the boy and waves at us. Shinobu firmly grabs my hand and leads me quickly away from the two of them. I haven't seen him this on-edge for a while. It's unsettling compared to his usual behavior.

"Why are we walking so fast?" I ask him, drawing back my hand but keeping up his pace.

"Those guys back there give me the creeps," he explains, still walking away from where they were. I don't really see what he's saying. I mean, yeah, they're a bit weird-looking, but that doesn't mean anything, right?

The two of us make it back to the building, not stopping until we reach our classmates. I guess we must have take a few wrong turns.

"Look who finally decided to join us!" Nakamura calls out from behind me. I feel a pat on my back as she looks me up and down. "God, you look like hell."

"Aw, thanks," I snap back, not in the mood. "Shinobu decided that we should," I pause and look over at him. He's still nervous. I guess I shouldn't worry anyone else about those two guys. "What did you say again?"

"Uh, get back into shape," he continues, avoiding eye contact.

"Really? You two... getting back into shape? For who?" Nakamura questions, eyeing us both suspiciously. Shit, she doesn't believe us. I can't let her know that Asano and I are actually dating. Then she'll be relentless - sure, she already figures it, but actually knowing? On the other hand, Shinobu's terrified right now. I should take one for the team...

"Probably Ren, you know, the poet guy?" someone answers from beside Shinobu. The person steps out to reveal Karma. He strides towards Nakamura and shrugs. "Personally, I wouldn't float that way but to each their own."

Nakamura gasps and grins and Shinobu. "Are you serious?" she squeals, her hands covering her mouth.

"Yeah?" Shinobu says, blinking a few times. Poor guy.

"Aw! You're now my favorite gay guy in this class!" she exclaims, lowering her hands.

"Who used to be?" Karma asks, confused. I'm wondering that too.

"You, duh," she sighs. She turns and walks away quickly before Karma can process what she's said.

"Hey!" Karma yells but stops when he realizes she's long gone. He looks over at us both. We stand awkwardly next to each other, glancing occasionally at him. "You two owe me."

Shinobu and I look at each other desperately. Of all people to have a debt to, did it have to be Karma? That's twice now! I'll probably have to save his life or something crazy like that to make it up to him. Great.

Karma walks away, but we both stand in silence. After a few minutes, I go to clear my throat but get cut off when a strange voice calls out in the distance, "So this is the creature that's caused so much damage to the world. Interesting."

The voice sounds so familiar, but I just barely can't place it. Shinobu's eyes grow wide, and he covers his ears, wincing in pain. I turn over to him and wrap and arm around him, trying to get an answer out.

"What's wrong?" I ask. I'm scared. He's never been like this before. What did he hear? Karasuma brushes past me, holding his hand out defensively. I watch as he walks up to... the pair from earlier? Oh, god!

"What are you doing here?" Karasuma asks the man in the cloak. He's the one who was talking. The boy next to glares at Korosensei, who's cowering behind Bitch-sensei.