The Black Dragon

Self Reflection

As Asia walks through the gates leading to Kouh Acamdy she looks around at the other students arriving at school with a worried look on her face. As she quickly turns her head from left to right she finally sees a familiar that may be able to help her with her problem. That person is Felix Wakatsuki, a transfer student to Kouh Acamdy, a childhood friend to Zato, and a newfound friend of Asia.

"Felix!" Asia shouts just loud enough to get the boy's attention but not loud enough for the shout to come off as weird for those around her. Hearing his name Felix turns his head to face Asia and smiles upon sensing Asia approach him.

"Well, good morning little bishop." Felix chuckles as he throws his bag over his shoulder and ruffles Asia's hair. "What's up?" Felix asks as the ex-nun removes his hand from her head.

"Have you heard from or seen Zato? I woke up this morning and he wasn't home and I haven't seen him all morning and he'snot answering his cellphone." Asia explains in a panic as Felix rubs the back of his neck.

"Can't say I have," Felix says as Asia looks down at the ground more worried now. However, a hand lands on her shoulder, and looking up she sees Felix smiling at her. "I wouldn't worry though, Zato is a big boy. He can handle himself. So there's no need for you to worry." Felix tells Asia as he begins to walk toward the school. "Now come on little lady, or we're gonna be late," Felix says complete calm and Asia follows but she's still worried.

The day goes on and while many don't notice the absence of Zato a select few do. Those few being the devils of the school and also Aika. When lunch rolls around Felix finds himself on the roof of the school talking on the phone with Asia close behind him. "You don't know where he is either?" Felix asks as the person on the other end of the link answers. "Alright, sorry for calling out the blue like this, see ya." With that Felix hangs up and pockets his phone. He then turns around to face Asia. "Ok, so neither Hinata nor Zato's sister knows where he is," Felix says as he sees Asia's face grow even more worried. "Still like I said before Zato is one of the strongest people I know. I'm 100% sure he's completely fine. So don't get to worked up over it." Felix explains as he walks past Asia. 

However despite how much Felix told her not to worry Asia couldn't help it. How could she not worry when someone so close to her just vanishes without a trace. The ex-nun isn't the only one worried about Zato's disappearance. Within the ORC room, Rias Gremory sits at her desk looking down at the club papers before her, but her mind is elsewhere. To say this week had been a rollercoaster for her would be an understatement. First, she learns that pieces of Excalibur are close if not already within her territory, one of the strongest fallen angels Kokabial is responsible for those pieces being in her territory and he himself may already be in it as well, Kiba hasn't been seen since last night, and now Zato has vanished.

Raising from her desk she looks toward her queen. "Akeno please take care of these papers, I'll fill them out later," Rias tells her queen as she begins to walk toward the door. However, before she can leave Akeno asks her a question.

"Where are you off to Rias, it's not like you to leave work half done." Akeno states as Rias opens the door to the club room and looks back at her friend before answering the question.

"Akeno, I have to be honest with you. The way we are now we'll be slaughtered if Kokabiel decides to attack. Kiba hasn't been seen since last night and now the strongest being in Kouh is gone. There's no chance of victory for us." Rias says as she makes a fist. "That's why as your king I need to become stronger. I'll protect you all with my own strength." Rias tells her queen who's surprised at her king's sudden claim. She always knew Rias thought of the members of her peerage as members of her family and she wanted to protect them but before when she said it, it was in a loving, caring, and reassuring tone. Now she says it with newfound determination Akeno has never seen before. With those words, Rias bids Akeno adieu and leaves the club room to go train.

"You're not the only one growing stronger Rias. After hearing of Zato's disappearance Koneko also began to train, since she knows that Zato is the strongest among all of us. I'll have to start working hard too or I'll be left in the dust." Akeno smile then turns to a frown as she looks out the window. "I hope Kiba is doing alright, please hurry up and come back to us," Akeno sadly says as she holds near her heart.

Halfway across Kouh Kiba leans against a building gripping his chest and breathing heavily. "The hell, that punch was lighter than a feather," Kiba says through gritted teeth. The spot Kiba is grabbing is one of the many spots where Zato had struck him. Even though there was little to no pain when Zato had landed these strikes yesterday, now they're feeling as if Zato had landed a killer blow with each strike. "Killed me seventy-three times, bullshit," Kiba says with a smirk as he tries to take a step forward but nearly falls flat on his face due to the pain he feels making it difficult to walk. As he falls to his knees he hears that simple sentence Zato had said to him.

"You're no knight." Those words echo through Kiba's head and bounce off his skull only to be spoken again but even louder. Kiba grips his head and begins to slam his fist against the wall of the building.

"Shut up! Shut up! SHUT UP!" Kiba screams as his fist creates a small crater on the wall. Struggling to stand back up Kiba asks himself something that's been on his mind. "Is it really my body that's in pain?" Kiba asks as suddenly that sentence Zato told him eaches through his head again. "I-is it my honor-my honor as a knight?" Kiba asks himself as he looks up into the sky.