Melancholy of Flowers

Chapter Twelve


The Battle Begins


“You’re leaving?” Hana asked sadly.

“I have to.... Natsumi is waiting for me,” Cye said.

“Don’t worry Hana. As soon as we get the plan into motion, Cye will be back with you,” Ryo said who was standing behind Hana.

“I just hope it works out,” Rowen said.

“It will work out! It has to!” Kento said through clenched teeth. “We’ll get whoever is behind this and make them pay with their life!”

“Chill out buddy. Save it for the battle will ya?” Rowen said.

“We have to get back to school too,” Ryo said. “What about you two? When do you have to go back?”

“I don’t have to go back for a while. Besides, you need help in this,” Sage said.

“And if Sage is staying then I am staying,” Kohaku said.

“The same goes for me Ryo,” Rowen added. “We can’t let you guys handle this on your own. We are a team and as a team we stick together no matter what gets in our way. That includes school too.”

“Thanks Rowen, Sage,” Cye said.

“We’ll see this plan through till the end,” Ryo reassured Hana.

Hana smiled at the five men that were around her. From the first time she met them, she felt a bond that she knew would never be broken by something as simple as evil. Even when she was taken over by darkness, they stood by her and made sure she was safe and sound. Especially Cye who showed her compassion that she craved so much. Now it was her turn to save him from whatever or whoever was controlling him. She owed him that much.

“Well I better be going. The plan starts at the school,” Cye said, getting into his car.

“Kento will follow Natsumi to wherever she goes,” Ryo said.

“I’ll be like a ninja that stalks the night,” Kento said.

“That’s a scary though,” Rowen laughed.

“Hey man!”

Cye laughed then turned to Hana. “I love you Hana. Please wait for me.”

“I will Cye,” she said, tears flowing down her cheeks.

Cye closed the car door and started the car up. Everyone backed away as Cye waved to all his friends and drove off into the distance. Hana was the last one remaining, starring into the direction that Cye left.

“Hana, we have to go,” Ryo called out.

* * * * *

Hana turned and found everyone in their cars. Ryo was holding the passenger door to his truck open for her. She walked slowly to the truck and got in. Butterflies were in her stomach as she thought about the plan everyone was talking about.

“I worked so hard these past few weeks to master my new powers. But the evil that is behind this will be much stronger than me. Can I really save Cye and beat whoever is in charge of this whole mess? And what about Natsumi? I don’t want to hurt her, but if it goes to the point where I have no choice.... AGH! I don’t want to kill any innocent people!” Hana shook her head with her eyes closed shut.

“Hana? You okay?” Ryo asked.

“Huh? Oh yes.... I’m fine. Just thinking is all,” Hana smiled at Ryo.

“You don’t have to be apart of this,” he said, looking at the road.

“It’s not that I don’t want to...... I’m afraid to,” Hana said, looking at her hands that were on her lap. “I know if I try hard enough, I can master anything that comes my way. But the fact of actually facing evil and with everything at stake.... I’m not so sure.”

“That’s the way of fighting. We don’t know what is going to happen when we step foot onto the battle field. Who will live and who will die is something we cannot determine ourselves until it happens.”

“I don’t want anyone to get hurt....”

“That’s something I cannot promise you Hana.”

“I know.”

“Be strong and think positively. Things will work out for us.”

“I hope you’re right.”

* * * * *

The drive back to Ryo’s apartment was a quiet one after the long discussion about battling. It was almost sunset when they finally reached the parking lot to the apartment complex. Hana yawned as she got out of the car and made her way up the stairs to Ryo’s apartment. Ryo opened the door and Hana plopped herself onto the sofa.

“You can take a shower if you want,” Ryo said.

“Too tired to,” Hana said into the cushion.

Ryo chuckled and sat by her feet. “Come on Hana. We haven’t eaten dinner yet. Aren’t you hungry?”

“A little....”

“What would you like?”

“Cheeseburger....”

“A cheeseburger?”

Hana nodded with her face into the sofa cushion.

“Well, there’s a burger place by here that I can pick up some if you want.”

“Could you?” Hana raised her head and looked at Ryo.

“Sure. You going to stay here?”

“Yes.”

“Okay then.” Ryo got up and made his way to the door. “Take a shower while I’m gone.”

Hana nodded and watched as Ryo closed the door and locked it. She sighed and sat up and rested her head on the back of the sofa. It was good to be back at Ryo’s apartment.

“Well it seems you had fun with Torrent this weekend,” came a female voice.

“What?” Hana asked and looked around the room. “Who’s there?”

“I’m no where. I just find it amusing how you can still be so strong and yet so confused at the same time. It disgusts me really.”

“Who are you? And what do you want?”

“I just thought it was about time I let you know that the battle has begun and everyone you cared about will parish. There is no use in fighting because the outcome will only lead to death!”

“You’re the one who is behind everything!”

“Took you long enough. I sat here waiting for you to die in misery and pain and all I hear is that you bounce back up. I’m disappointed.”

Hana stood up from her seat and scanned the room. “I will fight and I will win!”

“There’s that determination I hate so much. In any case though, it’s your choice and your funeral. I can’t wait until we finally meet face to face.”

There was a low chuckle and the voice was gone. The room suddenly got colder and the atmosphere didn’t seem as comfortable as it was. Hana walked slowly to the bathroom and took off her clothes. She stood there naked for a moment then started the bath. Steam started for fill the tiny room which made Hana feel a little better. She got into the hot water and relaxed against the tub.

“The battle has begun and the enemy is aware of our movements. This isn’t good,” Hana sighed.

The peace was starting to get to Hana before Ryo knocked on the door. “Hana? You in there?”

“Yes Ryo,” Hana said.

“I bought dinner.”

“Okay.”

Hana got out of the tub and wrapped herself in a towel. When she opened the door, the cold air seemed to vanish and warmth filled the room instead. Ryo was already sitting at the table, eating his burger when Hana arrived.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Ryo said.

“I do?” Hana asked.

“You like kinda pale. Are you okay? Did something happen?”

“Well......”

“Hana if anything happened I must know about it.”

Hana looked down at her plate where her cheeseburger was. “Well.... after you left..... I heard a voice. A female voice and she sounded like she was around our age.”

“You heard a voice?”

“Yes. She said that she knew what we did over the weekend and she said that the battle has begun.”

“It was the enemy....”

Hana nodded and took a bite out of her burger. “She said that everyone that I ever cared about will parish.”

“Don’t listen to her.... she’s just saying that so you won’t fight. I think she’s afraid of you.”

“What?”

“Enemies can be like that you know.”

“I told her I would fight.”

“You sure that’s a good idea?”

“Yes! I’m not going to let her get to me,” Hana pouted.

“If you are certain, then I’m right there with you,” Ryo said.

“Thank you Ryo, but I plan on taking her down myself. I decided this when I was in the bath. She wants me and only me.”

“Are you nuts?”

“Maybe, but I have to do this Ryo. This is my fight.”

Ryo smiled slightly. “I’m afraid I can’t let you do that Hana.”

“What?”

“This enemy is strong and I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I understand that Ryo, but I need to do this.” Hana stood up. “Come on. We need to get to school.”

Ryo stood up and placed the dishes into the sink. The two of them headed for Ryo’s truck when suddenly they spotted Natsumi standing by the truck. Her eyes were dark and full of hatred.

“Natsumi... what are you doing here?” Ryo asked.

Natsumi didn’t say anything, just stood there, glaring at the two of them. Ryo was about to walk to her when Hana stepped in front of him.

“Okay Natsumi. Let’s end this right here and now. You want me, you got me,” Hana said.

“Very brave for such a weakling,” Natsumi grinned. “I knew you had guts.”

“What do you want?” Hana asked, not taking her eyes off Natsumi’s face.

“I know all about your little trip over the weekend,” Natsumi began. “When Cye came home I was waiting for him. I knew he would tell some sort of foolish lie to get out of trouble. He thought he could fool me, but I’m not someone who can be fooled very easily.”

There was a sharp pain that struck Hana’s heart. “Where’s Cye? What did you do to him?”

“He’s not in any trouble.... yet.”

“Tell me where he is!” Hana yelled.

“Let’s not get so hasty now. He’s fine for now and will stay that way unless you don’t cooperate with me.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Nothing at the moment, but stay away from Cye when you see him. I also don’t want your little buddies watching me or anything.”

Hana clenched her teeth and made a fist. “Okay.”

“Good.”

Natsumi turned and walked away, leaving Hana shaking her in shoes.

“You okay Hana?” Ryo asked. He was watching Natsumi walk out of site.

“I won’t give up on him....” Hana said and punched the truck, leaving a small dent on the backdoor.

“Hey! Don’t wreck my truck,” Ryo said.

“Sorry.”

“Your angry is making your powers surface again,” Ryo said while examining the dent in his truck. “I doubt you would have been able to do that without any power.”

“I’ll pay for it,” Hana said angrily and got into the passenger side of the truck.

Ryo got into the drivers side and started up the truck. “You don’t have to.”

“Let me.”

“Okay.”

Ryo pulled out of the driveway and headed toward the school.


* * * * *


“There they are,” Kento said.

Ryo emerged from the truck and waved at Kento. Hana however just walked passed Kento and off to her first class.

“What’s up with Hana?” Kento asked. “I sensed something from her.”

“Her powers are becoming stronger I’m afraid. Natsumi was at my apartment and said some things to Hana that made her very upset. That triggered her power core.” Ryo explained.

“What did Natsumi say?”

“She told us to stay away from Cye and if we don’t listen to her demands, then she’ll hurt him.”

“She knew?”

“Apparently so.”

“That’s just great.”

“I just hope Hana can control herself and not make a scene.”

“I hope so too man.”

The day went by slowly as each class progressed one after the other. Hana didn’t talk to anyone all day and looked sick. Her face was pale and her body was trembling involuntarily. At lunch, they three of them met under the tree.

“You okay Hana?” Ryo asked.

“I’m fine,” she whispered.

“You look awfully pale,” Kento said.

“I said I’m fine, drop it.”

The three of them ate in silence.

“Why look who it is,” came a voice.

All three looked up and saw Natsumi and Cye standing over them.

“Natsumi... why?” Ryo asked.

“Just came to say hi, right Cye?” Natsumi said cheerfully.

Cye just nodded and turned his back to the group.

“What is your problem?” Hana whispered.

“I’m sorry? Didn’t quite hear you,” Natsumi said.

Hana stood up, both her hands were fists by her side. “You told us not to go near him. What is the matter with you? Are you that twisted in the head that you enjoy watching others suffer? Is that what pleases you the most? I can’t believe how cold hearted you are. You make me sick,” Hana growled.

The ground started to tremble under their feet. Ryo sprang to his own two feet and held Hana in his arms.

“You are to calm down Hana,” Ryo whispered into her ear. “You can’t make a scene.”

“You should listen to Wildfire,” Natsumi teased.

“I’ll kill you with my own to hands!” Hana yelled, struggling to get free from Ryo’s grasp.

“My what a temper you have there. You should get that checked out,” Natsumi laughed and walked away.

Kento was at Hana’s side, waiting to assist Ryo if anything did happen. The ground stopped shaking and Hana fell to the ground panting.

“That was too close,” Kento said.

“I know what she’s trying to do though,” Ryo said. “She’s trying to break Hana.”

“Well I knew that.”

“This isn’t over.... I’ll get her,” Hana panted.

“Calm down Hana,” Ryo said.

“I won’t let her win,” Hana said through clenched teeth.