The Daughter of Villains

Chapter One

        I'm locked up in a dungeon. Technically, it's a small white room with no windows to see outside. Just one white door. Heck, everything is white; it's nauseating and making me lose my mind very quickly. I've never been known for being patient and sane. You can ask anyone who's heard of me, which is almost everyone in my world. Yes, I'm famous, though not in a good way. I'm known as the "daughter of villains" since my mother is a villain, my father most likely a villain as well. I'm not surprised my father left when I was born; my mother is a psychopathic, power-hungry monster who only cares about herself, not me or my brother, Minato, which is why she kidnapped us.
        This is a big jump, I know. First, I was talking about villains then about being kidnapped by my mother, which is pretty messed up. Let me explain. I live in a world where humans and enhanced individuals, which is what me and my brother are, coexist in peace. Well, the humans technically don't know we exist. An enhanced individual is basically a human whose abilities are increased. For example, I have retrocognition and precognition, meaning I can see the past and future. Also, I have enhanced speed and strength, like every other enhanced individual has, some are more enhanced than others though, which is why I'm stronger than many my age.
        Essentially, when we're born, a part of us is unlocked. Normal humans have their special ability locked away; it's never unlocked for them, unlike us. My mother—the power-hungry woman she is—came up with a way to unlock their ability for humans, making my and my people's lives much more difficult. We have to take in these now-enhanced-individuals and teach them our ways and erase any trace of them in the human world. It may sound easy, but it's not. But that's why we have special squads, who consist of the best of us, to do the dirty work. My best friend, Akio, is one of them. He graduated high school one year ago and was forced to join the squad, unlike me, who's still in high school, waiting to join him.
        Anyway...Akio. He is—was—my best friend. I'm still trying to grasp the concept that we're officially over and he hates me. Hard to do when he practically raised me, alongside my older brother. Although he's only four years older than me, the same age as my older brother, he's always acted like he's way older than me and likes to pretend he's a grandpa most of the time. Yeah...he's a jokester. Never takes anything seriously, which is sometimes annoying, but I don't blame him. He's had a hard life, like me and Minato. That's why he Bonded with me when I was thirteen. I had to convince him—more like beg him—to agree, after which he only agreed to because he felt bad for me and my situation with my mother.
        A Bond is what I like to say is a special link between you and a loved one that connects you, regardless of where you are. You can sense them halfway across the world and sense if they're in danger. Also, you can communicate with them silently, feel their emotions, and draw strength from them in battle when you need it. Bonded pairs unlock each others' abilities, allowing them to become stronger. Overall, it's amazing.
        But, Akio and I got into a big fight a year before I was kidnapped. I did some really bad things to him, and he cursed—forsaken—me. I won't say why because I don't want to relive the memory. All I can say is I may or may not have done something I wasn't supposed to to his girlfriend, and he may or may not have had a full-out brawl with me.
        Before I was kidnapped by Mother, I was going to go to a place called Ryu Academy, where high schoolers who are enhanced like me go. I was so excited, but now it'll probably never happen. I wish I could still go though and make some friends. I haven't made any friends at my old schools because they made fun of me for not being part of a well-known, villainous family.
        I stare at the infuriating door, pissed I'm feeling sorry for myself. I hate self-pity. It's pathetic. Akio taught me to never feel that for myself, or he'd kick my butt if I didn't do it myself. Self-pity is for the weak, the pathetic. And I am neither. I'm going to get out of this prison that I've been in for a month and kick my mother's butt instead of having this pity party for myself. Child abuse is most definitely not what I expected to be experiencing when she found me. I expected a nice, warm reunion when she came for me. Yeah right. No, I didn't. I knew right away that something was wrong and was prepared to fight her and her lankeys, but Minato stopped me for some odd reason—something he'd never do unless there was something seriously wrong.
        Getting back to Minato, where is he? He's supposed to be bringing me my lunch right about now, based on how loudly my stomach is growling. You'd think I'd get used to starving in this dump but no. My stomach still thinks it gets the privileges of luxury eating whenever it wants. Hate to break it to you, stomach, but life in prison doesn't work that way.
        The door unlocks, and I cock my head. The presence doesn't feel like Minato, but maybe I'm just really hungry and imagining things. Probably am. My stomach has made me delusional more than once on many occasions. It's embarrassing to think your best friend is the boyfriend in your dream, isn't it? And then you try to kiss him, and he outright rejects you. Definitely the most mortifying moment in my life. I never want to remember that again.
        As a tall and muscular form squeezes through the door, I stand up and look up hopefully. I wrap my arms around him. "You're finally back, Minato! Where were you?! I'm starving, you jerk! Just because you don't have to stay in a cell doesn't mean you get the special privilege of refusing food to your poor little sister's stomach. Now...where is my food?" I glance up at him when I don't feel him hug me back, his body stiff, or see food in his hands.
        It takes me a couple of moments to realize he's not my brother. He's a very tall, handsome, muscular (from what I felt) man. Slowly, I disentangle myself from him. That gives me the opportunity to examine him further. He has familiar, wide-eyed orange-gold eyes and raven black short hair. His mouth is set in an "o" shape, and he blinks repeatedly, as if that will make me disappear or something. He rubs his eyes.
        He looks like...Akio. But, that's impossible. Akio would never come to rescue me after what I said and did. No way. The Akio I know holds a grudge longer than I could ever, especially when it's something as severe as what I did to him. Maybe my eyes are deceiving me. Yes, that's it. That's the only possibility.
        He stares at me as well, looking shell-shocked. His eyes rake over my body before returning to my face. Every moment he gawks at me makes me feel more uncomfortable. But, I don't say anything.
        The last time I said something to someone other than Minato who visited me, the man kicked me. I couldn't fight back because this room dampens my abilities, so I'm just like a human in here. I had to take his hits without a complaint and couldn't even be treated since I didn't have the courtesy as a prisoner. Mother told Minato I could only be treated if I was on my deathbed. Cruel, right? That's my mother for you.
       Unable to stand the uncomfortable silence any longer, I speak. I don't care if he beats the crap out of me. Screw him and mother. I refuse to act like a weakling any longer. "Who are you? You don't have the same uniform as the others. Why did you come in here?"
        He's wearing a full-black outfit, a comfortable, form-fitting black t-shirt, black skinny jeans, and stylish, leather, black motorcycle boots with buckled straps. The others who stand guard outside to ensure I don't try to escape again—I did once; long story—wear never-wrinkled, thick, gray long-sleeve shirts, beige cargo trousers that hold many of their weapons in their pockets, and heavy, laced, black military boots.
    "Homs?" he gasps. "You're really alive? So, Yukio was right." He mutters to himself.
Only one person calls me Homs: "Aki?" My eyes widen.
Suddenly, my legs feel wobbly and weak. Before I can fall, Akio catches me in his arms. I gaze up at his eyes. Although it makes no sense, I believe him. He has the same eyes. The same eyes that are staring deep into my soul right now.
        I feel tears come to my eyes. He looks exactly the same. Those usually smiling-lips that I memorized a long time ago are downturned in a frown. Those strong hands and arms feel exactly the same. With his bulging muscles from doing rigorous training early in the morning and late at night, freakishly tall height at 198 cm, and unusually good looks he gained years ago, he's easily one of the best looking guys I've ever seen. Truthfully, he is the best looking guy I've ever seen.
        I grit my teeth. Unbelievable! Gawking over him again, are you, Homura? Pathetic. You hate him, remember? He's a good-for-nothing bastard. Betrayed me. Left me when I needed his help. Left my brother. He deserves to die in the worst way possible.
         Reluctantly, I remember the familiar way his hands clasp around my waist and the familiar heat in his eyes. I have to admit—I used to fall a lot in practice. Every time he caught me, just like he did a moment ago. I used to have a tiny crush on him, but he never even noticed me. Now, it looks like he actually does. It must be the shock of not seeing me for so long, I tell myself.
        Shaking, he brings a hand to my face and brushes my bangs out of my face, seeing my creepy, glowing black left eye and half purple, half blue right eyes. I close my eyes, exhale deeply, and savor the familiar touch of another human. Of Akio. For a few moments, his hand doesn't move, as if he's remembering the feel of me as well. I can only wish. He moves his hand to wipe away the tears I can't stop from falling and caresses my cheek. Then, he clears his throat and retracts his hand. The moment disappears, like it was never there, causing me to open my eyes and brush my bangs back over my eyes, self-conscious again.
        Righting me on my feet, he lets go of me. With a blush apparent on his face, he avoids eye contact—something I'd expect myself to do, not him. I've always been the shy, introverted when it came to awkward situations, not him. He used to confront those situations with that obnoxious, bright grin on his face and return everything back to normal.
        "Homs...Homura. We should get going. I killed all of the guards here, but there are probably more coming."
       I clear my throat. Then, shake my head for good measure. Now is not the time to stare at my ex-crush. Get in your right mind, Homura! You survived a month in this cell, you can survive a few minutes with your ex-best friend and crush. "Right. Let's go." You can yell at him later. Fight him. Kill him even.
       On the way out, I ask, "Where are we going?"
       "To Ryu Academy," is all he says.
       Okay, maybe not a few minutes. Ryu Academy is at least an hour away from here by helicopter. Great. Just my luck. First I got kidnapped by my mother, starved by the same woman, and now I'm getting on board a helicopter with someone I used to love more than anyone else in the world. Which one is the hardest for me? Of course the last one.
       I don't bother to ask him anything else. He seems more than reluctant to speak to me. Maybe I interrupted his peaceful life. Maybe he doesn't want me. When the helicopter starts up, I place my arms on my knees, hands on my head.
       "Um..." A high-pitched, irritated voice comes through the headphones I put on my head. I blink in surprise, lifting my head. There's someone else on here other than me and Akio? "How long before we get back?"
        "An hour," Akio responds, short and curt. Quite unusual for him. Typically, he's dying to blab or make a joke; he can't stand awkward silence.
       The girl sighs. I turn in my seat to get a better look at her. The first thing I notice is her frightened yet beautiful, purple eyes. They narrow when they see me looking at her, and the fear dissipates in her eyes, replaced by anger.
       "You're her daughter, aren't you?" She snarls, her upper lip curling with disgust. Her soft features harden, hatred apparent on her face. The girl swipes her purple hair out of her eyes to glare at me again. "Answer me!"
      I just force a smile onto my face. My mother ruining everything for me. Yet again. Shocker. "Not by choice," I reply. "If I could've been born into another family, I would've been."
       "Your mother is a horrible being. I hate her."
       My smile turns genuine. "Something we agree on. Why'd she kidnap you?"
      "I don't know. I'd never seen her before a few days ago."
       "You've only been here for a few days?"
        She blinks. "Yeah, how long have you been here?"
        "...A month."
       Her eyes soften, the anger gone. I don't like people feeling sorry for me, but I'm emotional right now. It's not every day you find out your mother is a true monster. Tears blur my vision. I twist my head back up front so she doesn't see the silent tears streaming down my eyes. To stop myself from trembling, I pinch my arm, but it only makes it worse.
        "You're safe now," Akio's soft voice whispers into the headpiece. "She can't hurt you." Shock runs through me when he places his hand over mine and interlaces his fingers through mine. He's cold to me one minute then nice and caring the next.
       I close my eyes. "Please stop. I don't need you feeling sorry for me."
       He doesn't say anything else, letting go of my hand. Coldness settles in, but I ignore it. I can't rely on him for anything anymore. He isn't my best friend anymore. I can't trust him. Not now, not ever. And my dumb emotions better not run rampant around him ever again, or I'll personally shut myself off from them forever, like I should. Mother told me I should, but Minato told me to never do that or I'd be lost forever to the world and would only be a killing machine.
      Wait...Minato! I grab Akio's hand frantically and squeeze. He stiffens, the helicopter swerving for a moment then steadying as he relaxes again. "What?" He says gruffly.
       "Minato. Did you find him?"
      Although his eyes are focused straight ahead, I notice the involuntary flinch. I almost lean across and shake him. He answers slowly. "He...wasn't there."
      "How could you not know where he is?! You bastard! You came too late!"
      "Hey! I came as fast as I could!"
      "Not true," the girl states like she knows the truth.
       "How do you know that?" Akio barks.
       "Walking lie detector." She gestures to herself and smiles forcefully. "You're a horrible liar. Your pulse spikes, and I can practically see the sweat dripping down your neck from here."
       "Damn it."
       "What were you doing?!" I snap angrily. "You could've saved him!" That's when I notice the ring on the ring finger of his left hand. He got married within a month of me leaving. I work my jaw. He really is a lying, good-for-nothing bastard. Screw him! The words are out of me before I can stop them. "Ah, I see." My voice is cold, deadly. "You were too busy marrying a poor woman who deserves better than an uncaring, cruel, evil bastard. Congratulations. I wish the best for you and the wife. You're worse than my mother."
       He seethes, his hand tightening around mine. I didn't remember our hands were still intertwined. His grip becomes painfully tight as he lands the helicopter in front of Ryu Academy. As soon as he does, I'm out of the helicopter, sprinting to...I don't know. Away from him. I barely pay attention to the girl unbuckling her seatbelt and running into the school.
      "Homura, wait!" Akio shouts after me. "Damn it, let me explain!"
      I continue springing my way into the school, past the kids my age, laughing and playing with each other. I don't give a heck who sees the tears openly running down my face anymore. Akio is a cold-hearted jerk who only cares for himself, like my biological mother. I hate them both with all I have in me.
        Footsteps thunder after me. I don't have to look back to know who it is. I can sense his presence, all-too-familiar. Surprised yelps sound from the students in the halls, but neither of us care. All I care about right now is getting away from him and anything that has to do with him, and all he cares about right now is...er, catching me, I guess.
        He's quickly gaining on me, a fast, strong, well-fed man chasing a slow, weak, starved girl with no energy in her system. Who would win? Him, of course. He tackles me to the floor in front of everyone, his face right in mine.
       "I said, let me explain." He says quietly, angrily.
        "I don't care for your dumb explanation!" I growl. "Get the hell off of me, you bastard!"
        "I don't think so. Not until you calm down. I thought I taught you to control your emotions better. You're acting like a hormonal teenager on her period. Calm down, will you?"
        My chest heaves, and I release shaky breaths. It doesn't work. Nothing will calm me down. Not until he explains why the hell he risked my brother's life to marry a...pathetic, despicable woman. "Explain. Right here, right not."
        He stands up and lifts me up with him. Nervous, he swallows, peruses the crowd surrounding us. "Can't we do this in private?"
        "I don't trust you. If you want to say something, you say it in public. I'm not going anywhere with you in private."
       "Goddamn it." He mutters under his breath. "Stubborn girl. Alright, fine. Daia left me after you hurt her, not surprisingly. I married another woman while you were gone. As soon as I found out where you were, I wanted to rescue you right away, but my wife forced me to marry her right away. I had to wait a few hours before I could finally go to rescue you. Happy now?"
       "That you left me to die? No." I shake my head, laughing.
        "What more do you want from me? I didn't do a goddamn thing to you, Agawa."
I flinch at his tone and his unfamiliar, cold use of my last name. He's never called me that. Ever. He glares at me. I glare back, pissed. "I didn't do anything to you. You're the one who started this"—I gesture between us—"rift between us."
       Startled and annoyed, he looks up from the loose thread he was pulling at on his black jeans. "What?"
       I cross my arms, clear my throat. "You caused the situation to escalate. It's not my fault..." I trail off.
      "You're the one who hurt my girlfriend." He laughs a cold laugh. "And for what? Because you were jealous?"
       "She was going to hurt you! What did you want me to do? Allow her to hurt you? You were my best friend! I loved you!"
       "You were mine too until you hurt her. I was going to propose to her."
        I flinch, old feelings resurfacing. "Propose? You never told me that. I thought you always told me everything."
       "Yeah, well, I didn't. I knew you hated her."
       "Is that why you dated her? To hurt me?"
        This time, he flinches. It takes him a moment to answer. When he does, his answer is careful, measured. "I knew you loved me. As more than a friend or father-figure. I was trying to get you to get over me. You ended up dating Yukio, right? So it all turned out well."
        Okay, that hurt. Nothing good ever turned out between my and Akio's brother, Yukio's, relationship. Yukio was my boyfriend before I was kidnapped. We came to a deal. We'd date so he could become more popular with the girls and I could make Akio jealous. It didn't work, but it seems Akio knew about our arrangement and it was all for nothing. He didn't get jealous.
       "I never loved Yukio! He was just a fake boyfriend. I always loved you. Now I don't even think you ever loved me. Just bring me back to my prison cell. I can stay there and rot for a few years. Maybe you'll be laughing this time." I spit out.
       Murmurs spread throughout the onlookers, gossip that I'm sure I'll hear later, but I don't care. Neither does Akio, it seems. He watches me through narrowed eyes.
       "You think I like the idea of you in a prison?! Sure, maybe the first few months, but when you didn't return, I got worried." He whispers harshly so no one else can hear but me, "I did love you. I dated her to forget you. If you couldn't see that, you're more of an idiot than I thought you were."
       I gasp, look up at him, lips parted in surprise. "What?"
       "Never mind. Forget I said anything."
       "No! You loved me?"
       "...Yeah. But, I couldn't be with you. You were—and still are—years younger than me."
       "I can't believe you. That's the only reason?" I cross my arms and turn away. "I'm going back. I'll walk back if I have to."
      I stomp away, a smirk on my face as I realize I'm finally free. No prison, no Akio—
      A hand on my waist stops me from moving any farther. A moment later, that hand pulls me onto a muscular shoulder. My butt sticks in the air as I'm carried in an embarrassing position by Akio. I snarl threats at him as I stare at his back and try to pound him, but he holds my arms captive with one large hand, otherwise ignoring me.
      I blush when I finally notice the surrounding students laughing and giggling. They gape at us. I wonder what they see. Probably a lover's quarrel or something. But, it's anything but that. Back then, I would've wished for everyone to see us like that, but right now, I hate him. He betrayed me. He cursed me. He hurt me.
       A few students whisper to their friends behind their hands and giggle, pointing at me. Akio bites out mean remarks to them. I narrow my eyes at them and growl an inhuman growl. Abruptly, they stop and back away. Good. Be scared of me. Like before. Just because you don't know me now, doesn't mean you won't in the future. I'll make sure you know who I am.      I'm an Agawa. I'm part of a long line of renowned villains. Though I've been locked up, I vow to be a better villain than my mother is.
      Akio stops. I try to glance at him, but all I can see is his overly large back. Darn him. Bastard. Before I can voice my thoughts, he kicks open something. A door, I realize. It goes swinging and hits the wall. Then, it breaks.
      A gasp followed by a thud sound behind me. "Who the hell—" A pause. "Oh, it's you. Thanks for breaking down my door. Again."
       "Hello, Ryuu. It's been a while."
       "Yes, it has. I was just talking to your wife here. She was getting irritated about your disappearance. You left right after your wedding. Without telling anyone. Where'd you—Wait...What's that? Who's that," he corrects.
        "You left me to find a boy?!" A feminine voice squeaks. "I didn't know you went both ways."
        He snickers. "She's not a boy. Though she looks and acts like one. Also, I'm purely straight. Thank you though."
        I sigh. Another person mistaking me for a boy. Why? Just why? The only masculine thing about me is my hair...and my slim, muscular—now skinny because of my starvation in prison— body.
       Unable to take it any longer, I slap his butt. He makes a startled sound. I push off his shoulder and land with a gracefulness I didn't know I still have. Akio glares at me, but I smirk and do a little wave. Take that, Akio. Who's the boss now?
        Turning around, I glance into the faces of two shocked people. The man has an aura of knowledge surrounding him, making me think he's older than Akio by quite a lot. He's young-looking with his black hair pulled back into a tight, short ponytail, and his wide, intelligent purple eyes gawking at me. The woman looks to be about the same age as Akio. She has white hair that comes up to her chin in a harsh, choppy line on either side of her head. Her stormy gray eyes hold a sort of contempt toward me as she stares at me, eyes narrowed.
      I smile at her. The feeling is mutual. I don't like you either, lady. At all. I prefer people who aren't weak wimps. The opposite of you. And I prefer people who aren't in love with Akio. If you love him, you're messed up and pathetic...like me.
       "Hello," I smile artificially. "It's so nice to meet you. Finally I can see people who don't stare at me with fear in their eyes. Don't worry though. I won't eat you, so you can still like me. Well, hate me, in your instance, lady." I incline my head to her. She blinks rapidly and turns away. Yup, I caught you. I'm not afraid to out you. "But, I am a little hungry. You should stay away from me in case I try to, you know," I whisper conspiratorially, "try to eat you."
Akio slaps me on the back of my head. I turn to look at him, tears about to spill. The heck, Akio?! I'm weak right now, jerkface. Always hurting me. Even now when we're not in training.
       "Stop trying to scare them, Agawa. It's embarrassing to watch your sad attempt. The only people you can scare with your glare are babies. No, not even them. Maybe your reflection."
       "Go to hell, Akio." I glower at him.
       "Aw, thanks. That's so sweet of you." he smirks.
        "I hate you."
        "You love me. Admit it."
        "Shut up. Before I wipe that cocky smirk off your face."
        "Go ahead. Try it. We'll see who wins. You, with your years without practice and starving at the moment, or me, with my muscles I know you noticed and speed unmatched by anyone."
        I sputter, pointing at him with a shaky finger. "What are you talking about?! I—I didn't notice your muscles! W—What muscles?"
        "I thought you noticed the first time when you drooled. You want to feel them again?" He flexes his biceps and steps closer.
        "You—I will kill you one day or set the Killers on you."
        The Killers are an association, made up of enhanced humans who stole power from us. They created a chemical that enhances themselves so they are at my people's level and have abilities. They did that to be able to fight against enhanced individuals. Since they're a very secretive group, all we know about them is that they work for themselves and are above the law, not known even to the pathetic human government. We came up with the name "Killers" for them; it's accurate so...The Killers are our natural—or not-so-natural—enemies, the only ones who are strong enough to take us down. I used to think they were pretty cool until I learned they stole our abilities and couldn't get their own. It's pathetic and weak if you ask me. Get your own things, Killers! Don't copy off us!
        Akio has never been afraid of the Killers. He's always faced them down without any ounce of fear in him. Annoying but reliable. I wish he was scared of something, instead of always being so strong.
        Akio mock shivers. "I'm so scared."
        I flip him off. He grins and winks at me. With every growing second, my frown deepens, his grin widens.
        A throat clears. Ryuu. The headmaster of Ryu Academy. Most likely a narcissist. No normal person names a school after themself. Correction: no self-respecting person. I'd do it myself though. Who cares? I love myself, and I'm not scared to hide it.
        "I apologize for Akio's horrible behavior. He normally never acts this way," he says, shooting a glare at Akio. Akio pretends he can't see him.
        "Oh, yes. I bring out the best in people, especially in Akio." To spite the lady, I stroke his arm and smirk. "My dear Aki."
        Akio looks at me with an amused expression. Ryuu's jaw drops. He seems more shocked than anyone else in the office. The lady shakes in anger and clenches her jaw so hard I hear a crack! Poor her. She'll need to go to a dentist.
        "A—Aki?" she stutters.
        "My pet name for him. He raised me. I plan to make his master my husband, right Aki?"
        He raises a brow at me. Entertaining me, he agrees with a smirk. "Sure, whatever you say, Homs. You can continue trying, though it'll never work. I'm not interested in kids. And I'm already married."
        I force a smile to my face. I'm not interested in old men. Not anymore. So stop insulting me. You're lucky we have an audience, or I'd have punched you right here and now. The look on his face shows he understands what I'm thinking but doesn't particularly care.
        So what if you have a wife I don't know about? I don't care. I haven't cared for a while, ever since you broke my heart. Right?
        I clear my throat. "Well, I have to get going. I have business in the human world."
       "Stop lying."
       "Fine. I have business with my current boyfriend." I look at the others and add, "I haven't broken the news to him yet since I've been in prison for a while. I haven't told him the true desires of my heart. But, I'm sure Aki will tell him. After all, they're brothers."
        "Yukio has a girlfriend. The moment you left, he happily grabbed the first girl he saw."
Screw you, Akio. Freaking annoying. Sticking your stupidly handsome face where it doesn't belong, as always. I smile so wide, I can barely see. "Oh well. That's okay. I'll just go find a way to rescue my brother then."
         "Nato's gone, Homura. He's been captured. By the Killers."
                                       * * *
        My heart drops to my stomach. "No, no, no. Minato is too strong. No way has he been caught!" I protest, yell, pounding his chest like a little girl again. My facade is gone. "He was with me when I was kidnapped! I just saw him before you came! Why didn't you tell me earlier?!"
       He ignores my question, replying with one of his own: "You saw him?"
        "Yes. Mother made him work for her, so he took care of me while I was in that cell."
        Akio curses under his breath. "That's how they found him. Damn you, Mei!"
        "What did my mother do other than kidnap me?"
         "She gave him up. His location. To the Killers."
         I gasp. "No! Not even she could be so cruel. You're lying! Stop lying to me!" I slap him in the face and flinch when he doesn't block it or even react. I didn't mean to slap him. It was an accident.
        Rubbing his jaw, he looks at me with cold, emotionless eyes. I stare at him, wide-eyed. "...I'm not scared to be slapped by someone reluctant, but I thought I taught you better than to give in to your emotions."
        "Akio—"
        "I think I've had enough of you. I've been sick of you since before you were kidnapped."
Instead of slapping him, I punch him. Right before I hit my target, he catches my fist in his hand. There's a loud boom!, and the air around us whooshes!
         The lady holds onto her hat that is starting to fall away and struggles to stay in her spot. Ryuu grabs hold of his desk to keep from falling.
        That's how powerful my punch was. And how powerful Akio is. To be able to block my punch is a great feat. Even while injured, I'm still stronger than most of the enhanced individuals around our age.
        His face is still cold and withdrawn. I breathe heavily as I realize my mistake. I should've—"You should've hit me harder and faster. Maybe you would've been lucky enough to hit me." Akio says exactly what I was thinking.
       My hand shakes in fear or pain. I don't know. I try to retract it from him, but his grip is strong, firm. "Let go!" I push him away with my other hand.
       He grabs my other hand and pulls. I go flying to his chest. My face hits him at full speed. It's painful. Very painful.
       Slowly, he lifts me up by my arms. I gasp as I stare into his eyes through my long bangs, which are filled with no remorse. He—He's going to kill me!
       Just then, the air around him changes. His aura is completely different. When he gapes at me, his eyes are full of shock. He releases me as quickly as he can as if I'm a vial full of disease.
Ryuu rushes up to me and puts a protective arm in front of me.
       "Leave the girl alone." he says in a dangerously calm voice when Akio steps toward me.
       "But—" Akio protests.
       "You almost killed her. Do you seriously think she wants to talk to you or see you or let you touch her? I don't think so."
      His eyes turn dark again. Still, Akio steps forward.
       Ryuu steps back and covers me. Quickly, he shouts, "Nobara! Code red!"
       The only remaining door to the office flies open and breaks. It falls next to the already broken door. A tall, beautiful, dark haired woman with warm caramel eyes bursts into the room. She scans the room, and when she catches sight of Akio, her eyes darken to an almost black color.
       As Akio gets closer to Ryuu, the woman—Nobara?—moves forward and pushes Akio back. Now, she stands in front of me and Ryuu. I frown and start to step forward and tell her I can defend myself when she turns to look back at me.
       "Stay put. He's not in his right mind." Her voice is surprisingly low for a female. It's hypnotic.
       "You think I don't know that? I can handle myself just fine." I pause for a moment. "Do you have any food?"
       "Um...No?" She raises a curious and confused brow at me.
       "Darn it! Does anyone have food?" I yell.
       Ryuu points at his desk. "I have an energy bar on my desk. I don't know if that'll help, but—"
       "Thanks!" I interrupt, sprinting over to his desk a few feet away.
       Nobara calls after me, but I ignore her. I can't have other people getting injured just to protect me. I have to face Akio myself. After all, I made Akio this way myself. I have to be the one to take the blame. With that in mind, I quickly stuff the energy bar down my throat and swallow. As if I just ate a whole meal, my body suddenly feels energized. I can feel the energy and power flowing through my muscles once again. Just like the olden days before I got kidnapped.
       "Hey! Idiot! Jerkface!" I yell. Akio doesn't notice me in his trance. He continues fighting Nobara, beating her down. "I swear...If you don't notice me, I will freaking kick your—"
       He's in front of me in an instant. "Don't you dare say that word," he growls.
       I smirk. I knew it. Even in his trance and being controlled, Akio hates me cursing. Though I'm not really cursing. I guess his consciousness is stronger than the thing controlling him thought.
      "What word?" I ask innocently.
      "Don't play with me. You know what I mean." he growls.
       "I really don't. Enlighten me," I grin.
       "You—"
       "Yes?"
        "Why do I even like you?"
        "Who knows? Probably because you raised me." I say with a "duh" connotation.
       He growls deeply, quietly. I frown up at him, pushing him away from me. "You're popping my personal space bubble. By the way, I've never asked you this—I've never had the time—but who are you? And why are you controlling Akio?"
       "I am him."
       I narrow my eyes at him. "No, you really aren't. I know him, and he'd never act like this to me. No, you really aren't. You're the mad, crazy version of him, not the one I know. Bring Akio back."
       He doesn't respond. I walk up to him to touch his shoulder gently, but he swats my hand away and growls. All pretenses from before are gone.
        I have to leap back in order to dodge his powerful punch. Nobara tries to get up to help me, but I call Ryuu over to take her. "This is my battle, no one else's." I say, without looking back. "If anyone gets in my way or tries to stop the fight, I'll personally kill you."
        They all rush out of the office, the lady included. She didn't speak a word the whole time when she saw the angry Akio come out. I guess she only likes guys who are nice and caring. Good for her.
       While the angry Akio is evaluating me, I run out the door toward the courtyard. I hear him shout and run after me. Truthfully, I feel more than hear him coming after me. The floor pounds with every step he takes. People open their doors and begin to step out but freeze and slam their doors shut when they see him. Yup, I know. He looks very scary right now. Probably like a monster. I turn around to look, and his look of fury is evident and shiver-worthy.
       Because of his long legs, he gains on me. I run faster than I've ever run in my life. When I finally make it out to the courtyard, an open space, I whirl around to trip him. He does just that. I giggle as he falls flat on his face. I have to admit: tripping someone is fun! Especially when they're trying their best to kill you.
Slowly, he stands up, a murderous look on his face. I wink at him. Try it, my expression says. Go ahead. I'll beat you to pulp.
       Suddenly, he groans and doubles down in pain. I take a startled step toward him but pause when I remember he's my enemy. He's not Akio. I shouldn't try to help him. As soon as I see his slicked back hair and familiar smirk, I stumble back. It can't be. Impossible.
What I feared would happen has happened. All because I made one mistake. Let me tell you the story of a few months ago when Akio and I were still best friends. Before I told him of my feelings. Before I hurt him. Before I hurt his girlfriend.