Notes: Not much information of Yamazaki prior the final battle was given - perhaps there was something in the novels... but I am writing his character as what I imagined him to be like. Kind of like a moody guy, but deep down very caring and selfless. also, i translated all the japanese bad words so there are a lot of cursing in this one. sorry.
While Ayame chatted with the kind officers of the Ueno base, Yamazaki slipped out of the room and paced in the hallway. He felt uneasy today like something was going to happen. 'It's hot...' he thought, pulling off his scarf and then his coat. 'I'm sweating... what's wrong with me?'
"Yamazaki," A voice startled him. Turning around, he saw a tall man with dark hair and dark eyes. "It's been a while. What have you been up to?"
"Nothing much." he uttered, "What about you, Nomura? How is it in the league?"
"Heh, everything's great. In fact, I've just received a grant from the Kanzaki group- they're going to fund my research and provide facilities."
Yamazaki's eyes widened slightly. "Sou... desu ka..."
Nomura slapped him on the shoulder, "Don't be so surprised... it's not like I used you. I mean, your ideas were fine, but remote machine soldiers are much more realistic than 'spirit powered armor suits'."
"Demo..." he uttered, staring to the floor, "What's the use of a soldier that has no soul... how is it that much different from the demons we are fighting?"
The hand on his shoulder gripped tighter. "Yamazaki... do you know why you are a failure... why you were voted out of the league??" Nomura asked. He didn't reply, but stared at the floor. "It's because you're weak and depend too much on others. It's a dirty world and all of us have to fend for ourselves. I suggest you throw away your old way of thinking if you want to get anywhere in life."
"Aa, whatever you say." he sighed, crossing his arms, "After all, you are one of Teito's brightest scientists that will someday bring peace to the city..."
"And don't you forget it!" Nomura replied, slapping him on the back again. "Oh, since I'm in such a sharing mood, why don't you take these tickets off my hands? Besides, you have the time and I don't. Heheheh, enjoy!"
Yamazaki gazed at the tickets in his hands and watched Nomura walk off. Just then, Ayame popped up behind him. "Who was that?" He just shrugged. "Ne, there's three full bags. Could you take two of them?"
"Three bags of what...?"
The memory started blurring. It was getting hotter by the moment. Gasping for air, the darkness was winning. 'Dammit... I can't breathe... what's happening...?'
"Shinnosuke!" A hand came flying across his face. The young boy fell to the floor, bleeding. "Baka yarou..." the tall man before him uttered, "Failure is never tolerated... If you fail, surely someone will die because of it! Do you want someone die?!"
"Iie... Tou-san..." he uttered tearfully, "Please don't hit me anymore... I won't make another mistake... I promise!" But the shadow came closer and closer.
"IYAAAA!! YAMEROO!!!"
Yamazaki sat up, gasping and sweating. He was alone in his room, still with the fever. Looking towards the window, he could see smoke in the distance and hear blasts and the bells.
'Minna...' he thought, pulling himself up, 'I can't do nothing... if I fail... someone... someone will...' Closing his eyes, he thought about his comrades. 'Taisa, who believed in me... Shirei, who wanted to be my friend... soshite, Ayame-kun...'
He stumbled across the room and grabbed hold of his father's sword that was glowing with light. From there, he knew what he had to do.
* * * * * *
The demons were moving rapidly down the street like a tidal wave. "K-KAZUMA!" Yoneda gasped, as he stared at it head on with his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Got any ideas?!"
"We do what we always do. Defeat as much as you can... But leave the host demon to me." he uttered, readying his stance slowly.
"I'll look out for Ayame-kun." Yoneda uttered, turning to his side. Ayame was pale and shaking as she gripped onto the sheathed sword. He knew she was too scared to fight or even move. 'Shit! I knew it was too soon for her!' he thought, taking out his sword and going to shield her, "Kazuma!! Take care of yourself!!"
Kazuma nodded, then went to the brunt of the font attack. "HAAAAAAAAA!!!" he took out an entire row with a single swing. But there were still masses to go. Kazuma carved his way down the street, demons falling at his feet. Yoneda steered Ayame through the clearing Kazuma made and fought in his own style - which was more one on one. Suddenly the street shook and erupted with blasts. "W-What the hell...??!" Kazuma gasped, regaining his balance.
"DAMN!!" Yoneda growled, clutching his shoulder that was hit during the shaking, "Someone gave the military the okay to attack... with us in here!"
"N-Nani?!" Ayame cried, "How could they do such a thing! I thought there were here to assist us!!" Both Yoneda and Kazuma said nothing. "D-doushite...?!" she uttered, trembling as the sound of machine guns filled the air. "KYAAAAAA!!"
Yoneda grabbed her and the two of them rolled out of the open space. Kazuma blocked some of the front fire, and then leapt to safety. The demons got drilled with the raining bullets but within seconds their wounds healed right away. "Bastards... don't they know normal attacks don't work on them..." Yoneda hissed, holding onto Ayame, "They never learn..."
"And the demons respond to heat." Ayame uttered, "I read... that the heat makes them more stronger and multiply... so if they continue to throw more bombs..."
"I know, I know... with us here too! DAMMIT!! Why does this happen every time?!" Yoneda cried, cursing ever more. He looked down at the trembling girl with concern. "Don't worry! Everything will be all right... somehow..."
* * * * * *
"YAMEROOO!!" Yamazaki yelled, his motorcycle skidding onto the scene. He got up and looked around at the military personnel readying the next attack. "Who's in charge?" he snapped, grabbing a cadet over by the collar. The young soldier pointed out the commander and Yamazaki threw him aside. He went right up to the commander and put a gun to his head. "STOP IT RIGHT NOW!"
All of the soldiers in the area took out their guns and pointed it at him. The commander finally looked him in the face. "Stop what?" he asked, taking the gun from Yamazaki's shaking hand and pointing it back at him, "Hmm??"
"It's empty." he replied, sweat running down his face.
"Let's see," the commander said, pulling the trigger. Nothing happened. Slowly he dropped the gun and laughed, "How cute! But, why are you going so much trouble, Boy?"
Yamazaki quickly saluted him. "You're firing into an area my squad has gone into... the Tai Kouma Butai. Please cease any further attacks."
"Please? Oh, you mean those two guys and the cute girl who went past our lines, even after we warned them? Heh, since I pity you - I'll give you ten minutes to go and look for your comrades. Anymore will be endangering to Teito."
"H-Hai!" Yamazaki said, breaking into a run and passing the barrier.
While he disappeared into the smoke, the commander turned to his troops. "Cease fire for now. Resume in five minutes."
"RYOKAI!"
* * * * * *
"The firing stopped..." Yoneda uttered, loosening his hold on Ayame. He got up and crawled towards the open. "There are still plenty of demons out here! I'll go find Kazuma and help him out. Ayame-kun, you stay here."
"H-Hai!" she uttered as he rushed down the street and vanished. For a while it was silent, with the exception of her beating heart. Ayame felt a sudden jolt and peered out to see what it was. "AA!?" A horde of demons was coming right at her. "KYAAAAAAA!!"
One of them leaped up and lunged at her, but was sliced in half midair. However, the venom got her in the arm that was bracing her head. "Ayame-kun!!" Yamazaki stood between her and the hungry demons. "Daijoubu?!" He took this moment to dispatch all of the demons with a half circle swing, emitting a wind that ripped through each of the beasts. He then knelt down to the traumatized girl. "Ayame-kun! Speak to me!!"
"Iyaa... dame... I can't do this..." she sobbed, shaking and staring at the wound on her arm. The venom had burned through her uniform and seeping into her skin. "Shousa... leave me here... go find Shirei and Shinguji-taisa..."
"Not without you." he said, putting his hand on her shoulder, "Ayame-kun, didn't you say you wanted to protect Teito? This is your chance. I'll help you if you let me."
"Shousa..."
He smiled slightly, "Stop crying now and remember your duty. Shinguji-taisa is counting on you."
"H-Hai!"
Yamazaki helped her off the ground and led her down the street. He informed her of the time limit they had and also that there must've been a communication error. Although, deep down, Yamazaki felt this wasn't so. Just as they got down a block, they saw Yoneda lying on the ground, having hurt his leg.
"Shirei!" Ayame cried, kneeling down to see his wound. A demon had gotten him in its final moments. The area was cleared, but Yoneda couldn't move. "We'll get you out of here. Where's Taisa?"
"He's gone that way." Yoneda weakly uttered, "Ano yarou is after the host..." Suddenly blasts shook the street once again. "Aa?! Not again! Those bastards!"
"They said 'ten minutes'..." Yamazaki grumbled, glaring over his shoulder. He saw a great oncoming blasting heading their way, "A cannon?!? Look out!!" Throwing himself over Yoneda and Ayame, he shielded them from the beam that passed over them and soared across the street, ultimately hitting something and exploding.
"IYAAAA! TAISA!!!" Ayame exclaimed, as the area turned white for a moment from the great blast. "Sonna... SONNA!!"
"Damn..." Yoneda uttered. He then noticed that Yamazaki was on his feet and turning towards the smoke. "Yamazaki...?" The boy just started running to the sight. Yoneda eased himself up and held onto the crying Ayame. "Kazuma..."
From the smoke, Yamazaki emerged with Kazuma on his back. The exhausted swordsman slowly smiled. "It's gone... we did it..."
"We did it! We did it!!" The soldiers behind the barrier celebrated as the commander lit a cigar. The bells finally stopped ringing in Teito, just as the sun was rising.
* * * * * *
"Who the hell was it??!" Yoneda snapped, slamming his fist onto the desk, "I want to know the bastard who made the order to blast the area with us this in it!!"
Hanakoji looked at his angry face. He and Kazuma were in his office after this morning's events. Hanakoji calmly replied, "I'm trying to find this out myself. It seems that not everyone in the military are in support of the Tai Kouma Butai and this has happened because of it. I am terribly sorry..."
"You don't have to apologize." Kazuma said, trying to hold onto his friend who looked like he might break something, "We got the job done and that's what counts." After bowing at each other, Kazuma insisted taking leave. Dragging Yoneda out into the hallway, he reminded him of his injury. "Take it easy if you want it to heal properly."
"We are saving Teito and this is the thanks we get!" Yoneda grumbled, limping down the hall, "Kazuma, how can you stand for it?!"
"It's out of my control... among other things." he uttered, "You just have to live with it."
* * * * * * *
Back at the house, Ayame woke to the sound of humming. Turning her head, she saw Yamazaki kneeling at her side. "I made a vaccine for the venom from the remains of the demon. Your wound is healing."
"A-Arigatou..." she uttered, feeling her arm that was bandaged and no longer burning, "Minna...?"
"They will be back soon. They're not hurt too bad." he replied, his hold loosening from her hand, "Just rest some more. Another doctor will come by later and look at your wounds more closely."
"Ano, could you hand me my jacket?" she asked. Yamazaki nodded and brought over the soiled military uniform. She reached into the pocket and took out the note and the tickets, which were still in tact. "About that talk..."
"Aa, the battle is over for now. Ayame-kun, if you could give me your answer, that would be much appreciated."
"Actually..." she stammered, clutching at the blanket. His hand was still holding onto hers. His blue eyes reflected her face and she couldn't move. 'What am I to say... the truth of course! But, what is the truth...?' An entire minute passed before Ayame could speak. "It was a misunderstanding... I... I don't have any feelings for you, Yamazaki-shousa. Gomen nasai."
Yamazaki froze for a moment. He then lowered his head, chuckling. "You don't have to apologize... I'm actually relieved. What that old man said couldn't be true, because I was sure you had better sense. You aren't a fickle girl, are you?"
"I...Iie..." she replied, still confused by his reaction, "Demo, I thought that you..."
"Aa, yokkata!" he sighed not listening to her. He got up and turned for the door, "I'm going to make some snacks for when those guys come back. I'll check on you later."
"Hah?" Ayame watched as he left without another word. Leaning her head back down on the pillow, she gazed up at the ceiling, 'So that's how it is, Yamazaki-shousa...'
* * * * * *
When Ayame had been able to get out of bed, it was the next day. Her birthday had passed and was forgotten. Although she did receive a card from Kaede in the mail, she also had the tickets for the play. Stopping outside Kazuma's room, she lifted her hand to knock, but the door opened on its own. "KYA!"
"Ayame-kun, doushita?" Kazuma asked, being on his way out, "Is there something you want to talk about?" She nodded and stumbled in the room. He smiled and leaned against his desk, "What is it??"
"Ano..." she stammered, looking from him to the floor. Her eye then caught the framed pictures of his daughter on the desk. There was a new one of her glomped onto a kawaii-looking boy, who had a bandage on his face. "Sore wa..."
"Ayame-kun?" Kazuma asked again, putting his hand over hers, "You can tell me."
"No... It's nothing." She then bowed her head. "Sorry to bother you. I'll be going now..."
"The play is tonight, isn't it?" he said, crossing his arms, "Have lots of fun."
"H-Hai!" With a bow, she turned for the door. "Shitsureishimasu."
Outside, it was sunny but cold. Ayame bundled up in her coat and started to walk down the street when a sound caught her off guard. Turning her head, she saw Yoneda waiting for her, leaning against a street post. "Yaa, Ayame-kun."
"Shirei..." she uttered, her face sad as she gripped at the tickets, "I couldn't do it. Deep down, I know it's not meant to be. It's a hopeless situation because I know he doesn't love me back the way I..."
Yoneda hushed her and pulled her into a hug. "Don't worry. You're a great girl. You can pick any guy you want to go to out with. Just try not to pick guys who are married and are madly in love with their adorable daughters."
She chuckled a little into his shoulder. "To think my greatest rival is a six year old girl... Oh, Shirei, what am I going to do?"
"You're going to get over it and move on." he replied, putting his hand on her head. "I've never been married, demo I have you as my adorable daughter. I know any family of mine can overcome anything."
"Yoneda-shirei..."
He offered his arm. "Saa, shall we go to the play?? That is if you don't mind an old guy like me as your date."
"I'd love to." she replied, taking his arm. The two of them then walked down the street towards the theater.
* * * * * *
Inside the house, Kazuma was walking around upstairs. He happened to peer into Yamazaki's room and saw him asleep at his desk. Going to check on him, he saw the blueprints under his arm. Smiling slightly, he put a blanket on his shoulders and started to back away.
"Don't work too hard, Yamazaki."
Just as he was about to leave, he heard Yamazaki murmur in his sleep, "I won't fail you, Tousan..." Kazuma, a little surprised, stared at him for a moment. He then left the room and shut the door.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Next Episode: "A very long day"
Kaede-san, long ago I promised you and our parents that I will protect Teito. To tell you the truth, I have not kept this promise well these past weeks. Demo... I will start anew. People are counting on me, people I've come to care about. From this moment on, I won't be scared.
