A hidden survival

Chapter 39

"Akane! My own staff!" Hana cheered. Akane smiled warmly, and patted her head. "Great job, let's go up for lunch." Akane bring Hana up the floor.

"A report came in today. Another witch has been caught, the city is one step closer to a witch-free zone..." The television broadcasted. Akane's smiled faded upon seeing the news.

A pat in her head snapped her out of her thoughts. She turned and saw Mika, the pat was an encouragement, and it worked. She changed the topic, "how's training?" He allowed her to do so as he replied, "Great." Akane smiled in acknowledgement.

Yuu came forward and informed, "there's movement." Akane and Mika eyed each other, fear crept her as she clenched her fist tightly, her whole body became cold. She was held by Mika and Yuu, as the boys gave her a light smile, telling her to be brave.

"Let's go!" She responded.

Shinoa squad was already inside the base. "They're here." Mitsuba announced. Shinoa turned and lay out a map on the table. Everyone gathered around. Shinoa pointed on the map. "It's here. Their next target. And here, it's the big extermination of all the witches they've caught these two years." A sudden urge to throw up hit Akane, her whole face gone pale. 'Exterminate', a word that reminds her of the burnt down village, young girls, mothers and all other witches laying motionlessly on the ground. Her teacher who sacrifice herself for her.

Mika held her hand tight. "We'll save them." Yuu commented. Mika then voices out, "but... Don't you think they'll use this opportunity to catch the rest of the witches?" Shinoa nodded, "I agree." Yuu countered, "We can't just leave them to be killed!" Mika nodded, "We have to come out with a plan." Shinoa smirked in victory, "already have one." She moved to the board, "we'll go undercover. Here is their 'doctors', or so they called it, in truth, they're just scientists experimenting on the witches. We will go undercover as the trainees who'll be coming to see the extermination."

"How will we get in?" Akane questioned Shinoa smiled. "Not all of us, only the three if you." She pointed to the Hyakuyas. "We will knock out the actual trainees, Kimizuki and Mitsuba will looked out for them, making sure they cannot report their situations. Yoichi, will assist the three of you in saving the witches from afar. I will standby in the crowd, making sure no witch hunters can attack you."

"Thank you. Really." Shinoa turned away, "you can thank me once all of you are safe." She walked away, "It's in two days, prepare what is needed." With that she exited the base.

In Akane's room

"I need the both of you to take care of Sakura and Yuri and of each other." Akane requested. Seiki and Hana nodded. Hana then said, "be careful, okay?" Akane smiled, "I have always been."

"Two years... Everything starts now, isn't it?" Akane looked at the sky.