The sound of fists hitting faces and bodies, coupled with the sound of bodies hitting the ground seemed to go on forever. Aiko's only relief was that Baji was doing most of the hitting, but he was also taking enough hits for her to be concerned.
Aiko hadn't needed to explain much more than their location when she got through to Chifuyu. Perhaps it was the sound of her voice or the fact that she had called to notify him that alerted him that there was trouble. Or then again, he could simply have heard the shouting in the background. Whatever it was, Chifuyu was prepped and ready to go as soon as she had mentioned where they were, which was the first thing she'd said as per Baji's instructions.
What do I do? she wondered, feeling beyond helpless as she watched Baji fight off attacker after attacker with his usual wild smile spread across his face. Why didn't I focus on getting stronger? Or paid more attention at the dojo rather than just concentrating on seeing Baji? What if he gets hurt?
Aiko's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a baseball bat hitting the ground next to her. She'd been so engulfed in her thoughts she hadn't noticed that two boys had been armed with bats, one of which was now rolling towards her after the wielder had been sent flying in the other direction by Baji.
Two of the boys approached her then, as if noticing her for the first time, the evilness of their thoughts apparent in their eyes, as well as their twisted smiles.
"Should we grab his girl?" one of them shouted back to a boy, who must have been their leader.
"Why not?" he answered.
Aiko bent, picked up the bat without thinking and held it up in front of her.
"Don't even think about it," Baji shouted, turning to charge at the boys. The other bat holder took that as an opportunity to get closer and hit Baji in his back twice, causing him to stumble before turning back to take him on.
"Looks like we've got a feisty one here," one of the boys joked to the other as they approached Aiko.
"Feisty ones taste better," he joked back.
"Don't come near me," she said, swinging the bat as hard as she could, which slowed them slightly but had no impact on changing their intentions.
Aiko swung again, cuffing one in the arm, and then again, higher that time, aiming for his head, but that one he simply stopped, grabbing the bat and pulling it from her grasp.
Pain seared through her head as the bat came into contact with her, once and then again, and she fell to her knees only to be grabbed by the other boy who barraged a dozen or so hits to her face.
"The bat," a boy from the group shouted.
The boy who had been hitting her and still held her by her collar dropped her before turning to the boy who held the bat. "What about her?"
"Just give her this," he said, pulling something from his chest pocket. "She'll keep till after."
Aiko used all of her strength and pushed against the ground beneath her, but even as she tried it was useless, she couldn't move. Her vision, blurred by the swelling and pain noticed her attacker's big face close to her again as he grabbed her cheeks and squeezed until he pushed something bitter and metallic tasting into her mouth. She gagged hoping to spit it out, but he held her mouth then until she had no choice but to swallow.
"What was that?" she said, her voice coming out breathlessly, but he didn't answer, he simply laughed and went back down to the fight.
Using her last effort, Aiko rolled to her side to call out to Baji. She needed to warn him that they were coming back, but the drowsiness that was taking over her was debilitating. She couldn't open her mouth, and soon after couldn't think clear enough to even know what she should say. She simply lay and watched as the boys fought, the balance between Baji and them changing constantly.
Next, the most amazing thing happened, at least in Aiko's mind, as the roar of dragons breathing bright, white fire brought Chifuyu and the others to the fight. Aiko watched from her sleepy state as the boys danced to the sound of fists hitting against drums. The other gang must have become bored of the party as they soon ran, mounting their own dragons and flying away with a roar of defeat.
Aiko allowed her body to drop flat onto her back. The party's over and I didn't even get to dance, she thought as she listened to the boys cheering.
All except one. Baji.
His voice was frantic as he called Aiko's name before lifting her onto his lap.
"Aiko? Are you okay?" he asked, brushing her hair away from her face.
Aiko couldn't find the strength to respond. She simply watched, through half-closed eyes, as the most beautiful boy she had ever seen looked down at her.
His face was bruised, and his eyes were glistening as he forced her eyes to open wider, and peered deeply into them before letting off a number of curses.
Baji lifted her from the ground and mounted his bike with Chifuyu helping to secure her in front of him before he wrapped his arm tightly around her and whispered into her ear, "Hold on tightly, okay?"
She wished she could have but the best she could do was turn her head into his arm and enjoy the embrace.
I'm going on a dragon ride, she mused, as the roars chorused around her and with that, her heavy eyes closed.
The next hour was the most confusing hour she had ever experienced with a strange, yet beautiful ensemble of chaotic and magical sounds, most of which featured Baji who held her for the longest time.
Her sight was out of focus, only allowing lights and shadows to enter, but the smoky, blueberry scent that surrounded her was just as much of a signature of his as his deep voice that was at her ear whispering words of comfort.
He reminded her over and over that he was there, and asked her to wake up or open her eyes as he gently stroked her head.
Aiko stared blankly at his shadow. Why are you so sad? she wanted to ask. Didn't we just ride on a dragon? But somehow she couldn't find the strength to form the words.
After some time Baji lay her down and a new shadow took over. It didn't hold her as Baji had, it pulled at her eyes for a while and asked questions about where they were and how she felt, but again she couldn't answer.
That's when the chaos began. Baji's voice was most prominent, shouting about a battle or a war. Others joined in with the chorus and then the beautiful sound of stars twinkling in the dark sky drowned the shouts.
"I'm sorry, Aiko," was the last sound she heard before complete silence enveloped her.
* * *
Pain was the first thing Aiko noticed when she awoke. A pain that shot through her head and face. She opened her eyes slowly and looked around at the white walls.
Am I at the dojo? she thought, wondering if she had just lost a fight. That would account for the pain, but she couldn't remember being at the dojo.
Slowly the events of the evening played back in her mind with everything making some amount of sense right up until the dragons appeared. What the hell happened tonight? she wondered.
She pushed herself up to sit, expelling a deep groan as she rose.
"Aiko," Daichi said, turning and helping her to straighten herself.
"What are you doing here?"
"Baji called me."
Right, she thought. Baji was in a fight and then he somehow took me on a dragon and flew away. Man, that doesn't make sense. "Where is he?"
Daichi got up and went out to get him.
"You're up," Emma said, who, Aiko only noticed then, had been sleeping on the mat next to her.
Aiko nodded.
"How are you feeling?"
I have absolutely no idea, she thought and shrugged, painfully.
"Aiko, listen," Emma said, with a sense of urgency in her voice. "Baji is really upset about what happened. He can be a bit erratic when he's mad. Don't ..." she stopped at the sound of the door opening.
His footsteps were quick until he reached Aiko and kneeled in front of her.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
Aiko shrugged, "What about you?" she asked, and slowly reached up and brushed a finger along his bruised cheek. Baji pulled his head away.
"Just talk to me for a minute," he said, his voice somehow flatter than usual. "Do you remember what happened?"
Aiko nodded.
"Did those boys give you something?"
Aiko swallowed as the memory of the bitter metallic taste replayed. She nodded.
Baji looked up at a boy in a mask who was standing nearby and then came to kneel in front of her too.
"Is everything clear to you right now? Like what we're saying and doing?" the boy in the mask asked.
Aiko nodded and then let out a small laugh. "Although things were pretty weird not long ago."
"Hallucinations?"
"Maybe."
Baji's frown deepened causing Aiko to quickly drop the smile she wore.
The boy in the mask pulled her eyelids open, his long, thick eyelashes distracting her for a moment as he stared into her eyes. "How about pain? Can you feel pain?" he finally said after pulling his hand away from her eye.
"Yeah. Like in my whole head," she said, another small laugh breaking free.
Baji stood, turned and kicked a small bean chair that was nearby, sending it flying across the room.
"I'm fine," Aiko said, realising Baji was probably a bit more than upset. "It's just a headache, right? I'll go home and rest and I'll be fine."
"You probably shouldn't go home just yet," the boy said. "It seems to have worn off, but, if it was your first time, it might be better if someone keeps an eye on you for the night." He looked back up at Baji, who gave a short nod and then he rose and walked away.
Aiko turned to Emma, "where will I stay?"
"Daichi made some plans and got your dad to accept, so you can stay here tonight," Emma said and pulled a small mirror from her bag. "As well as the drugs, you might want to let this settle a little too."
Aiko took the mirror and stared into it, for a moment not recognising who was looking back. Her eyes were swollen and red as were her left cheek and the left side of her mouth. There was also a large lump on her forehead. The pain shot through relentlessly then, now that she could picture exactly what was hurting her.
Everyone silently watched and waited for a reaction. Even Baji, who stared at her with an expression halfway between anger and pain.
"Hey, this is fine," she said. "It barely even hurts now." That statement was right on cue for a large surge of pain that pulsated through her entire head. She closed her eyes momentarily, hoping to disguise the discomfort. "It'll get better in no time. You'll see."
Baji stared back silently before letting out a deep breath and pushing his hands nonchalantly into his pockets.
"Aiko," he said with an even voice. "We've had fun, right?"
"Of course," she answered automatically.
"I don't want to see you anymore," he continued.
"What?" she said with a small, nervous laugh.
"You heard me. You completely got in the way tonight. I can't fight with distractions around, and that's kinda all you've been. A distraction."
"What?" she said again, pushing herself up to stand. He's right, she told herself as the room swayed slightly on her getting her balance. Maybe he was too worried about me to be able to fight properly, but that's not a reason to break up, is it? "Look, I know you feel bad, but ..."
"You should feel bad," Baji said, with a raised voice. "Look at my face. I can deal with idiots like them, but I had to worry about you."
Aiko froze, her knees quivering beneath her. He's just saying that. He doesn't mean it, she told herself before continuing. "I can get stronger, so you won't have to worry about me." Aiko took two steps before losing her balance and stumbling forward.
Baji grabbed hold of her and pulled her in close to him. "I'm sorry, Aiko," he said into her ear. "It's over, okay?"
"Baji, don't." Her voice came out lightly, but he was already pushing her away, his eyes cast down on the floor.
Chifuyu, who took over Baji's grip on Aiko after being called, led her back to the mat where Emma still sat.
"Chifuyu, you know he's wrong. Why don't you say something?" she pleaded.
Chifuyu didn't respond except to shake his head slightly.
"Chifuyu," Baji called after he had helped Aiko back to a sitting position.
"I'm sorry, Aiko-chan," he whispered before following Baji back outside.