Shadow Of Akihito (boy x boy) COMPLETED

Truth

I wake up and find myself in the infirmary. I feel something around my head and reach up to touch it. Underneath my fingers is a bandage and that's when I remember the events that lead up to this. My Form finally awakened. It took a while, but it finally happened. I hear footsteps and the head nurse comes up to me.

She realizes I'm awake. "So, how are you feeling?"

"A little sore. A little tired."

"That's normal after what you went through." She shakes her head violently. "I swear, I don't know what was going through his head when he left his students alone. He should've known better."

"But how could he have known?"

"If he wasn't such an idiot, he might've been able to sense it. Anytime you're outside this school, a teacher should ALWAYS be with you in case of that. Students shouldn't have to do his job."

"What do you mean outside the school?"

Her face calms. "Oh, well there are protective enchantments around the property. They were made by the Headmaster himself, so nothing can break through."

"Oh." I glance out the window at the rising sun. "What time is it? How long have I been out?"

"It's about 7 am, and you've been unconscious for a day."

"A day?! What about lessons! I need to get back to them!" I try to stand up, but -with more strength that I would've thought- the nurse pushes me back down.

"Uh-uh. You're not going anywhere. You need to rest. No training for a while."

"But I need to. Especially after awakening my Form."

"I don't think so. You're injured. Any training for at least a week could make your condition worse. I'm the nurse and this is my final say."

"But, please, I can't stay away from training for that long!" I look at her seriously. "You know, we're all at this academy for a reason. I'm no different."

Her eyes are sad. "Yes, I know. But I can't let you. It's for your own good." I sigh, flopping back onto the bed. "By the way, you're friend's been visiting whenever he can, asking about you."

I frown, confused. "'Friend?'"

"Yes. Suguru's been very worried about you."

"Wait, Suguru's been wondering about me?"

"He has." She cocks her head at my confusion. "You know, people think he's stuck up and doesn't care about anyone because of his Trigger. But that's not how he is. He's confident yes, but he does have his insecurities just like the rest of us." I can't imagine that.

"Miss Fuka?" a voice calls tentatively. We turn our heads to see Suguru walking over to us. He notices I'm awake and rushes over. "Akihito, you're awake finally."

"Uh, yeah," I respond uncertainly.

"Well, I have some things to attend to," Nurse Fuka says unconvincingly. She quickly departs.

"Are you feeling okay?" Suguru continues.

"Yeah, just a little sore. Nurse Fuka said...you'd been checking up on me."

"Yeah, I was worried."

"Why?"

He looks surprised. "Well, you were injured. You did what none of us could do and you saved those people. You're my friend, why wouldn't I be worried?"

"But I don't have any friends," I say.

He stares at me for a moment. "Yes, you do. You just don't know it." I'm even more confused. How can I have friends without knowing I do. That's not friendship. "You really don't give yourself any credit, do you? Even after awakening your Form?" He shakes his head. Then the bell rings, signalling the start of classes. "I'll be back after lessons." He stands up and leaves.

Not too much longer, Yoji enters the infirmary. He looks positively furious. "Akihito. I'm so very sorry about what happened. That never should've happened. I've already talked to Shunsuke about his absolute irresponsibility."

"It wasn't his fault, Yoji." I carefully sit up. "Really. Besides, I finally entered my Form. So, it's not all bad."

Yoji's expression saddens. "Is that all you care about? You could've died. Are you willing to risk your life just to awaken your Form?"

I stare him dead in the eyes and don't look away. "Yes. If I had never found my Trigger, I'd be completely useless. I'd never be able to fight them or save people from the same fate as my parents." I sigh, gathering my thoughts. "I have a question."

"Hm? Well, spit it out."

"Sensei mentioned something about how my past would give me a better understanding of why you believe in me. What did he mean?"

Yoji exhales. "He shouldn't have said anything. But, you do deserve to know. You're not a little kid anymore, no matter how much I wish you to be. So, I'll tell you about what happened that night." He stands up and gazes out the window. "I knew your parents before you were born. They were great friends of mine. When they got married, I was your father's best man. They were meant for each other and I was glad they'd finally figured that out. You see, your parents had trouble expressing their feelings just like you.

"Your mother was a Warrior, although your father was normal he accepted her as she was. He knew it was a part of her and he loved all of her. He understood when she had to suddenly leave in the middle of the night. He'd simply wait for her to return. When you came along, it was like a miracle. They loved you more than anything. Of course, they worried you'd inherit the Warrior side of her. They worried about what it would mean for you.

"I told them you would be better off here at my academy. That, while your essence was raw and untrained, it would be safer for you here where I could protect you. But they couldn't stand to give you up and I understood, so I didn't push the issue. But, that night I felt something was wrong. I knew your mother was on a job of a particularly powerful demon. I left as soon as I could for your house, where I felt an evil presence.

"However, your mother felt it too and beat me there. Your father was dead when she got there. She was already wounded from the job she was on and her essence was weak, but she still tried to fight. By the time I arrived, she was also dead. The demon was approaching you. I went to call out, but suddenly it stopped. You were covered in red flames. The demon's skin sizzled when it got too close to it. While it was distracted, I managed to destroy it. You passed out not long after and I just hoped you wouldn't remember any of that."

He faces me. "You see, I've never seen anyone who wasn't trained, fight off a demon. I've never seen such a strong essence from anyone. I also watched the video that Emiko took. I've never known any Warrior who could cut a demon's essence in half like that. Not without being seriously injured. That's why we teach you to dodge their attacks. I've never met anyone who could kill a demon with a normal weapon. You're so much more powerful than you think, Akihito."

"I have something to tell you." I look into his eyes. "Before I awakened my Form, I heard another voice in my head."