[Mushball Universe, Dark!Shinkengers plot]

[interpolate]

After my up-close-and-personal encounter with Messiah's lieutenant, I found myself waking up in a world of pain, back at base, and sure of exactly one thing: I have to save him.

I let Takosawa mother-hen at me for three days, which is three whole days more than I want to put up with that kind of behavior, and is about six months less than Takosawa bargained for. It'll be a while before the octopus in question forgives me for undermining his authority by going directly to the commander and requesting to be placed back on active duty as soon as possible, which, considering there's only four of us equipped to do this job, is basically guaranteed as soon as I'm capable of standing.

Of course, I'm still not combat ready, what with this limp, and the semi-frequent headaches, and the still healing bruises. But I'm well enough to return to deep cover at the High School, which is precisely what I want anyway.

Comments

[surprisingwolf]

"No, my fault." I give him an abashed smile.

This whole thing is making me preoccupied. How am I going to spot the man if I don't pay attention to where I'm going? Mio promised to meet me at school. I think she's a bit worried.

[red_pleather]

"Are you a friend of Gentarou's?" I ask cautiously, because if it was him, I need to keep an eye on him, offer what help I can. But I realise too late how stupid a question that is.

*cracks up laughing*

[surprisingwolf]

"Is there someone here that isn't?" I answer, one corner of my mouth quirking up a little. But I owe a debt to Gentarou and to Kaoru-san for getting me to the hospital after I was tortured.

"But yes, Gentaro is a friend of mine," I tell him.

:PPP

[red_pleather]

"Stupid question," I say wryly. He has a nice grin. Lightens his face.

I know I'm blunt, but you don't find things out if you don't ask. I attempt to put some actual sympathy on my face, because I do genuinely feel it, it's just hard to remember to *show* these things sometimes. "What happened to you?"

[surprisingwolf]

"Huh?" I ask, wondering if it's so obvious that something is wrong with me. "Oh. Is it that obvious? I was nearly electrocuted a few days ago." Maybe Gentaro introduced us and I don't remember. "I just got out of the hospital."

Never mind that I'm not sure what the figure hit me with, pain-wise, or drug-wise.

[red_pleather]

"Observation's a hobby of mine," I say awkwardly. Nick'd say I'm hopeless at it in terms of emotional crap, but yeah, in terms of physicality? The way someone moves, especially when hiding hurt? I'm good at that. (And I don't believe in false modesty.)

"You... hell with it. You got electrocuted by that latest monster attack, right?"

It's not as if monster attacks per se are something secret. I'm just not sure if he was tortured by Shiba Takeru, ShinkenRed, and if so, whether he'd remember seeing me in suit.

[surprisingwolf]

"I... yes, if it happened three days ago." I don't know how many people the figure in red attacked, but it was apparently more that I thought. Or more-well-known than I thought. "And it wasn't a Zodiart."

[red_pleather]

I nod. "Guy in red, right? He was tough."

I know we're technically undercover, but I've been learning rapidly that this school is a special case. I think Gentarou, of all people, has figured us out. I think a couple of the teachers are Zodiarts, but on the other hand, at least one is a sentai member. Then there's Gentarou himself. Fourze. And Meteor, whoever that may be.

This isn't a standard assignment, is what I'm saying.

[surprisingwolf]

"Were you rescued too?" I blurt out. I think Gentaro said at some point that he'd saved more than one person. Maybe he got this guy out of there before he was hurt or drugged, unlike me. "Fourze rescued me, but not before there was some damage."

[red_pleather]

I cough. Maybe I shouldn't give away too much. "I was there," I say sort of diplomatically. "I'm sorry you got... damaged."

[surprisingwolf]

I shiver and absentmindedly play with the jade-colored bracelet on my wrist. I can defend myself next time, I know.

"I'm glad someone got you out of there before he could do the same to you." I sigh. "The doctors still aren't sure what he drugged me with."

[red_pleather]

I sigh. "I... helped others out of there. I was lucky. But thank you. I wish I'd been able to get to you."

[surprisingwolf]

Oh. He was a rescuer I didn't see. It makes sense how he knows me. "It's not your fault." It was the figure's, I've been reminded more than once. "I came to his attention earlier, and...." I begin shivering, despite the fact it's getting rather warm in here.

[OOC: He's unconciously raising the temperature around himself, but you need not be affected.]

(got it :) )

[red_pleather]

"And it's stupid to make you keep talking about it," I say with understanding. "Sorry. Are you all right to get to class?"

[surprisingwolf]

"Now isn't, with classes starting." I'll talk to either Gentaro or Kaoru-san when I have a chance. Rubbing my bracelet, I step shakily away and wonder if coming back so soon was a good idea.

"I have a friend that will be helping me through the day." I smile at him while I scan for Mio.

It occurs to me that I haven't thanked him or introduced myself. Bowing slightly, I tell him, "I'm Fudou Leo. Thank you for helping in the rescues."

[red_pleather]

"Sakurada Hiromu," I say promptly. We have code family names. I probably should've used mine. "All right. Good luck."

No self control I have.

[surprisingwolf]

I nod and turn to go to classes.

Unfortunately, I'm still not doing too well as I smack into a wall. Maybe I should find a bench until Mio can find me.

self control is for the weak :D

[red_pleather]

I yelp when he bashes into a wall, but a girl appears out of nowhere, scolding him worriedly. "Leo-kun! Sit down before you fall down! What are you even doing back here today?"

[surprisingwolf]

I jump and stagger as Kaoru-san appears, glaring at me, anger in her tone. "Going to school?" I ask weakly.

There aren't any benches, so I balance against the wall and wonder if this was a good idea.

[closingcreditsaremine]

I nod at Hiromu-kun, who awkwardly says goodbye and runs to catch Gentarou.

"You don't look like you should be here," I say worriedly to Leo-kun, with a steadying hand on his shoulder.

[surprisingwolf]

"I was cleared." By whom, I'm not sure, but my parents sent me back here anyway. Mom made my lunch and gave me an encouraging smile.

I'm wondering if this was a good idea as Kaoru-san steadies me. I thought I'd be all right too. Especially since the figure tried to electrocute me, not beat me up

[closingcreditsaremine]

"Yes, but..."

I sigh, resolving to train harder. "I worry about you, Leo-kun."

[surprisingwolf]

I give her a smile that's probably as shaky as I feel. Maybe I shouldn't be here. I wish Sigma was, but he had a big argument with our parents yesterday and disappeared this morning.

"I wanted to come back, before I was too afraid."

[closingcreditsaremine]

"...oh."

That makes far too much sense. I fit myself against his side, partly to give comfort, partly seeking it. He feels too shaky but at least he feels real. Solid.

[surprisingwolf]

It's very odd to have Kaoru-san leaning into me. I think she did when I was going to hospital, but I can't help stiffening a little. It's not her fault, though.

Why am I having so much trouble with people touching me? He, that man, never did touch me, at least while I was conscious. Maybe he did something while I was out besides putting a sensor on me.

Do I want to know what he knows about me now?

"I'll be able to defend myself a little better, though," I say softly to Kaoru-san, pulling my sleeve up a little to display the green bracelet. It's clunky and ugly, but I don't mind that if it saves me.