Kasu-san? Kasu-san?" Step. Step. Step. "Kasu-san? Kasumi-san?! Where are you?!" Step, step, step, step... * "Beirefu, tsuru no muchi!" "Togechiiku, sutemi takkuru." Two vines were released from the beirefu, and they lashed furiously at the togechiiku as it flew forwards with an arch. Togechiiku bashed its head onto the leaf monster, but was charged back in the air with a backfire as the vines started to burn on its fiery body. "Beirefu, quick, happa katta!" shouted Nanako. It immediately brought back its burnt vines and started to throw its head forwards in a circular motion, shooting out numerous leaves on each turn. Yet the fairy-like monster stayed still, letting each leaf burn and disintegrate. Why was this battle going so quickly? Nanako bit her lip in worry. "Come on, Nanako," said Taichi, "you can do this! You can beat Kasumi! You really can!" Nanako shook her head. "You have to!" said Seiyou and more of the leaves started to turn to ashes. "For all we know our very lives depend on it!" Nanako made a small growl under her breath, and shot her head up. "Beirefu, giga dorein!" "Bei-re!" it replied. It lowered its head and closed its eyes, and it started looking for its energy target. "Sora wo tobu," said Kasumi. Togechiiku flew up to the ceiling, and started to prepare for an aerial attack. Beirefu finally aimed straight forward at the main energy source, and a small ball of energy started to surround its target. It surrounded Kasumi. "Ah... wha-?" Kasumi stuttered and she took a step back and her site was suddenly tinted with green as the ball of energy started to become brighter. Kasumi squirmed around in pain, shutting her eyes closed as she felt a sharp pain all around her body, and she started to feel weak. * "Where could she be?" Hiroshi turned his head around a little. He opened one door that led to her office, but she wasn't there. Hiroshi backed away a little, and he suddenly heard a scream. "Nn? Kasumi-san!" he shot his head up and started running towards the battle arena. -- Togechiiku dived down at the fully recharged Beirefu, knocking it down on the small raised tiles. Kasumi fell on her knees, clenching her sides and shoulders in pain. The platforms suddenly started to lower down and the railings disappeared. The water was drained into the cracks in the tiles as the green light slowly blinked away from her. "We have you now, Kasumi!" shouted Seiyou, and she ran towards her with Nanako and Taichi running after. She reached behind her and took out her gun. Hiroshi burst in through the doors at the side, and she lowered it. "Kasumi-san!" he shouted, his deep brown eyes dilating. Two tears streamed down Kasumi's face and she began to fall over on her side. Hiroshi rushed over to her, and caught her in his arms. He held her close to his chest, and she hugged back tightly. Hiroshi quietly shushed Kasumi in comfort. "Hiro...Hiro-kun," she mumbled. "Out of the way!" shouted Seiyou and she aimed her arrow once again. Hiroshi turned his head around, gently setting down Kasumi. He stood up, facing the police. His eyes started to water and he spread his arms out wide. "Try and kill both of us, but you'll never get passed me." Seiyou lowered her gun again. 'I can't do that... it's against our regulations. If we didn't record any crimes by him, I can't do anything about it.' Seiyou looked down at him and moistened her lips a little. 'He probably has killed before... maybe he was the one who sent the minions out. But we still haven't sighted him, nor has anybody mentioned working for a man.' "Seiyou-sama? Are you sure we should...?" started Nanako, but trailed off when Seiyou ignored her. 'But isn't he... isn't he the first person Kasumi had kidnapped?"' "Seiyou-sama?" repeated Nanako. "You," said Seiyou to Hiroshi. "Who are you? Aren’t you that kidnapped man? The one who's started missing since the first time Kasumi was sighted robbing the bank?" Hiroshi shook his head. "I was the one robbing the bank. If anybody could even be called kidnapped, it's Kasumi." "Then you're part of Kasumi's organization either way, and you've caused a felony!" Seiyou raised her gun once again, and aimed at Hiroshi. She pulled the trigger, and the bullet was shot forward. Hiroshi already tilted his head back and it hit the wall, creating a small crack around it. "Leon," he said and threw a monster ball out. A pikachu jumped out. "Kaminari." Hiroshi quickly picked up Kasumi, who had already fallen asleep from her lack of energy. He ran out the room, leaving his pikachu to attack. Hiroshi quickly set Kasumi down by the door and left her Togechiiku to care for her during his absence. Hiroshi rushed back inside the main room, finding Nanako and Taichi burnt out and fainted on the floor. He returned Leon to his monster ball and set it away in his pocket. Seiyou was left standing with her Karakara in front of her with its bone club raised over its head, draining in what was left of the bolt. It had absorbed every bit of electricity in front and around Seiyou to protect her. She returned it into a black monster ball. Hiroshi narrowed his eyes and pulled two daggers from his jacket. He threw them at Seiyou, and she ducked, letting them fly into the wall opposing the bullet. "Stop trying to show off," she spat at him. "You can't blame a guy for trying," he retorted. He took out his own pistol and shot at her. They bounced off her stomach, but she winced a little and pivoted back. "Bullet-proof vest," she said and sneered. "I still have some tricks for you," he said as he leaped behind her and swung his leg under her, making her fall to the floor on her side. "What kind of trick was that?" "One that worked." Seiyou slid her leg across the floor, knocking him over and she stood up, reversing sides. "Well, here's my little magic trick..." Nanako and Taichi started to struggle a little and their eyes slowly cracked open. Their vision was blurred and doubled at first, but it cleared and they could see Seiyou posed to the side, her gun directed at Hiroshi. "No!" cried out Taichi and he forced to get up. "He doesn't deserve that!" yelled Nanako, and she propped herself up on her elbow. Seiyou brought back finger, just a little and Hiroshi kept still, his face still serious. His breathing was hard, and he glanced down at the floor for a second, then to Nanako and Taichi, who took one step forward before he returned his glare back to Seiyou. She pulled back the trigger and the bullet was shot at Hiroshi. There was a split second of nothing but the sound of quick footsteps and the spatter of blood against the smooth tiled floor. They heard a small moan escape and Nanako rushed over. "Taichi!" she screamed, her voice cracking in horror. Seiyou dropped her bow and gawked. What had she done? She killed her own employee? "I..I..." she stuttered. "I didn't mean...." Tears flowed steadily from Nanako's eyes, and she lifted Taichi in her arms. "He saved Hiroshi just in time. But... but nobody deserved to die," said Nanako shakily. "Not even Kasumi... and he saw that." Wet, salty tears dropped onto Taichi's uniform, slowly soaking into the material. She let her head down, crying louder with her back hunched over. She held him closer, hugging him tightly. And for a second, the world seemed to stop turning.