Ai No Kokoro

Not so close anymore.

As we decided all to get stronger for the next challenges that awaits us, our training started after school everyday in the small woods close to Hajime's home. Karin, Jayden, Hiyori, Hajime and me have been taking this serious as we feel as we have gotten a bit more better at team work. Yet something felt unusual for us. Mari has gotten more distant with all of us. The time when we used to have lunch together, she just doesn't want to or avoid us to some point. At first when I tried to ask her she just smiles and tells me is nothing. I lie to myself saying that is all, but deep inside I know is something else.

Two weeks has passed by now. The towns has been getting creatures vandalizing the places and attacking inoccent people. They don't understand what happen around them, since they believe is just natural causes, but we know the truth. I haven't been able to find the woman who killed my family. Karin tells me not to worry since she might show up someday, but I feel like I'm more far from finding the truth than before. Today we all decided to stay in Hajime's apartment to think what will be our next move, yet Hajime complain about the girls staying in his house, but he didn't have a choice.

Hajime: I never get a saying in anything. *putting his head on the table that we are all sitting in*

Jayden: Dude, I would have dream of having girls in my place. *taking a sip of his tea* So now fair.

Hiyori: I could stay in your house.

Jayden: You would?! *a bit surprised and with hope in his look*

Hiyori: Of course. If you aren't there. *smiles*

Jayden: *lays his head on the table* No fair...

Karin: Now I guess is obvious why we are here, right?

Hiyori: To discuss our plans before we actually face difficult danger.

Karin: Exactly. We might even get in trouble for wondering so late outside.

Hiyori: Well creatures mostly attack late at night.

Hajime: The weak ones are the ones who come out late. *scratching the back of his head*
Jayden: We need some sleep for once. *yawns while stretching* I mostly sleep early.

Karin: Didn't you stay up late playing video games?

Chronos: No type of weird signals, Hajime? *looking into his monitor*

Hajime: No, it doesn't seem like anything is happening.

Karin: It really came in handy that monitor.

Jayden: It helps us detect creatures more faster.

Chronos: We should go more by our instincts.

Hajime: If we always go by that we might get loss even more or run in circles.

Chronos: Yeah... *looks to the side*

Chronos alks to the right window as the others keep talking to each other. Feeling as he's forgetting something really important. Then it came to him, he had promised Mari to meet him in the park earlier today. He turn to his friends to tell them he'll be right back then ran out of the house. Running to the park seeing Mari standing close to the fountain looking down.

Chronos: Mari! Sorry, I'm late! *finally runs to her side*

Mari: C...Chronos...

Chronos: I can walk you home if you like.

Mari: ...No... Chronos.

Chronos: What is it, Mari?

Mari: I... Can't see us being friends anymore...

Chronos: huh? Come on don't say stupid things and let's go.

Mari: *mumbles some words*

Chronos: What was that?

Mari: *suddenly grabs a knife that she had in her pocket to cut Chronos, but he quickly back away* ...I miss...

Chronos: Mari?! Why would you do that?! *looking at her confused*

Hana: Foolish child...

Chronos: That voice... Mari run!

Hana: *puts her hand on Mari's shoulder* Why would she do that?

Chronos: Mari...

Mari: *keeps looking down*

Hana: We should get going princess before it gets more crowded.

Chronos: *makes his scythe appear in his hands* You'll pay for what you did!! *slashes Hana but she holds it with her hand with a smirk* what the...

Hana: Such an idiot child. Thinking this weak power is enough to stop me. *a gust of wind pushes Chronos away making him fall down*

Mari: Chronos!! *was going to run to his side, but Hana holds her arm* Let me go!!

Hana: We don't have time to deal with a child. *a portal appears behind Hana* We shall leave now

Mari: Chronos!! *yelling his name as she gets drag into the portal*

Chronos: M...Mari... Don't go...

Losses his conscious after a while and the next morning wakes up on his bed.

Chronos: How did I got here? Mari? Mari?! *tries to get up* ugh dammit...

Takeshi: As careless as always.

Chronos: Sensei...

Takeshi: *smiles at him* Long time no see...