Chapter 12 - Where The Pieces Meet (1/2)

Age 1990

Kitsune pushed the doors open finally entering the massive building as he let out a deep breath. He stepped inside and was instantly amazed by how full the room was. At least eighty people stood inside the room. All of them just hanging out. Some talked amongst themselves. Others stood by themselves. There were many kids all around his age. He didn't see any Nobles in the room, which wasn't a surprise. Most Noble didn't join the Enforcers and instead sat behind the comfortably of their walls.

Kitsune walked through the room looking around curiously. His ears twitched slightly when he noticed three people arguing with each other. Despite this only one seemed to actually be mad, while the other two both smiled slightly.

The first person was a young and short girl with shoulder-length black hair and dull red eyes. She had her hands on her h.i.p.s as she glared at a sixteen-year-old teen. The teen kept shrugging as his multi-colored eyes flashed with amus.e.m.e.nt. He brought a hand through his black and white raven hair as the girl continued to yell at him, and lightly punch him. And finally, there was the last guy who was also yelling at the teen. Unlike the other two, he was far older. At least in his early twenties meaning he couldn't be a recruit. His electric blue eyes flashed with amus.e.m.e.nt as well and his face looked as if it would break out into a smile at any second.

Kitsune's eyes widened in surprise when he saw the man as he recognized him.

”Take that back old man!” Ken announced glaring at the man. ”I'm not that short!”

”I mean he's only twenty... That's not exactly old...” Hero said raising an eyebrow. ”Or does he just look old to you, since you're so short-”

'Smack!'

”Oww!” Hero yelled out as he fell to his knees and rubbed his head.

”I didn't mean to insult you?” The man said sheepishly. ”I just commented on how I should get you a stool so you can see over the crowd later-”

”That's an insult!” Ken yelled out.

”Yeah... That is pretty insulting.” Hero said standing back up after being smacked to the ground by Ken. ”You should also get her some books to stand on-”

'Smack!'

”Why!” Hero shouted out as he cried slightly. ”You're so mean...” He whined out.

”I promise I wasn't trying to insult you, little girl-” The man stopped suddenly when he noticed Kitsune. ”Ahh, it seems we have an eavesdropper...” The man smiled slightly as he held his hand out. ”I'm-”

Kitsune grabbed the man's hand shaking it vigorously. ”You'reJacksonStormoneofthetwelveVice-CaptainsaswellastheheirtotheNoblefamilyofStormYou'realsothegrandsonofMasterStormtheleaderoftheEnforcersandyou'rethecreatoroftheflyingswordtechniqueandyouhavethetitleofthebluecrowandyourankednumberfiveinthemosthandsomeEnforcers!” Kitsune said letting out a heavy breath as he said that all in a single go. He began to breath heavily as he gasped out. ”Also you're supposed to be powerful!” He gasped out for a second. ”I'm your biggest fan! Oh boy... I am exhausted....”

The three of them all stared at the Noble teen as they all blinked trying to figuer out what he said.

Ken blinked not even able to remotely process what he just said. ”What did any of that mean?”

”Was any of that even translatable?” Hero questioned also not knowing what was said. ”I wanna talk like that?”

”Ahh, a fan huh!” The apparently named Jackson said as he shook the teen's hand. ”It's always nice to meet one of you!” He lied as he put on a fake smile. 'Damn it! I got to get another restraining order now...' He thought as he pretended to be happy to see the teen.

”Wait?” Kitsune said suddenly. He looked confused for a moment as he stared at the man. ”Why are you here? You're already an Enforcer? This room is for recruits only?”

”Oh!” Jackson shrugged slightly. ”Honestly I just came to see the new recruits.” He said simply. ”I wanted to see what kind of people would eventually be joining my squad if any at all would be joining. So far not impressed. The only one I for sure want on my squad is the dumass over there...”

”Ken's not a dumass?” Hero said slightly confused.

”I was talking about you...” Jackson said with a deadpan stare.

”Oh...”

”Hey!” Ken said angrily. ”I'll kick your ass and impress you then!”

”You're just like Katrina...” Jackson said shaking his head slightly.

”I promise you... When this test begins you'll quickly change your tune...” Ken said smirking slightly.

”Oh, are you strong?” Hero questioned curious now.

”I suppose you could say that...”

”Cool so am I!”

”I-” Ken opened her mouth then closed it again. ”Good for you Hero...” She said patting the boy on the shoulder.

”Mr. Storm! I have a question!” Kitsune asked suddenly as he turned back to his hero.

Jackson's eye twitched as he put on a fake smile facing the kid. ”Ye-” Jackson's eyes widened suddenly as he stared past Kitsune. ”B R B.” He said suddenly. And just like that, he was gone.

He didn't seem to walk away or move at all. He just disappeared leaving behind a stunned Ken and Kitsune.

”That was cool...” Hero said seemingly not affected by the speed. ”He's fast.”

”Wait you could see him move?” Kitsune asked.

”No.” Hero said shrugging. ”I can just tell. My Grandpa is faster after all. After years of watching the vanishing trick you can just pick up on it.”

”I could probably move faster...” Ken lied.

Meanwhile, over at the doors to the Enforcer buildings, Cloud was about to open the doors when they were suddenly pulled opened for him. ”Thank you...” He said slightly confused as he stumbled his way inside confused as to who would open the doors for him. Most people weren't so kind to a blind person after all...

”No problem,” Jackson said shrugging slightly as he helped the blind kid in. ”So you're blind huh? That instantly makes you more interesting than everyone else in here.” He said smirking slightly.

”Oh really? Thanks...” Cloud said shrugging. ”I'll be honest. I was surprised when I got a letter.” He said honestly. ”Although I will say. I am glad to be here. I lived my life mostly in the street fighting thugs. It'll be nice to try and become a real hero who can do some good. My life back home was starting to get boring anyways...”

”You remind me of a girl I met earlier today. She also wanted to become a hero... Of course, your reasons are a bit more nobler...” Jackson said shrugging slightly. ”Also. You haven't screamed at me yet so you're more calm then she was.”

”Mr. Storm!” The two of then turned finding Kitsune marching over and dragging Ken with him. Hero followed along not really knowing what else to do. The short girl looked very unhappy as she crossed her arms.

”How the hell is he able to just drag me over...” She muttered out.

”Cause you're small-” Hero leaned back avoiding the strike. ”Ha! I dodged it sucker-”

'Smack!'

”Mr. Storm!” Kitsune yelled out again waving to his new favorite person.

”Oh God damn it...” Jackson muttered out.

”Friends of yours?” Cloud questioned. His ears twitched as he listened in on them. ”Three? A tall guy and a short girl-”

”I will kick your ass blind man!” Ken announced glaring at the blind kid now. Cloud looked past her as he simply shrugged. ”Oh what! Don't believe me?”

”Mr. Storm! You didn't answer my question. You ran away to fast!” Kitsune said breathing heavily as he still tried to fight with the girl he dragged. Ken had her feet slammed into the ground making them skid across the floor as she was dragged. Despite that though Kitsune kept walking.

”Do you any help with carrying her?” Hero asked.

”Yeah... What's your question...” Jackson asked letting out a sigh and accepting defeat.

Meanwhile, outside of the city of Oleander at the train station, Irene slowly stepped off. She let out a brief sigh as she stepped down into the soft snow below.

”I can't believe I'm actually doing this...” She said letting out a quiet gulp. She looked different from how she had looked a few weeks ago. Her once long and flowing blond hair had been cut away leaving her with a shorter hairstyle. Her hair barely fell past her ears now. Her hair was also far messier now making it curl slightly. She wore a simple hat over her hair in an attempt to cover up some of her face as well as her hair style. She wore a fur coat that hid her feminine body as well. She know or at least as close as she could get resembled her twin brother North.

'I don't want to leave our home, Irene... If you really think the Enforcers need our help so badly then why don't you go on my behalf?'

Those had been the words that had set Irene on the path she was on now. As far back as she could remember she had dreamt of becoming a Hero. Perhaps this was the chance she needed. This could be the start of allowing her to save the people she cared about. Fighting the Bestia Macht from the safety of the village was getting her nowhere. If she wanted to really end the problems of the Bestia Macht she would need to attack it from the source.

Irene stepped forward at a fairly slow pace as she headed to the front gates of Oleander city. She pulled her cap down as the talkative gate guardian rambled on.

”-I've seen plenty of scary threats!” Ace was saying as he slowly pulled on the rope that would lift the gate up. ”But I'm telling ya, man! This girl was terrifying. And then there was this other guy with this one boy? I thought he was gonna kill me... They were scary but that girl...” He shivered slightly as he shook his head. ”Her eyes were so dull and boring. She also insisted she was a devil. Taking one look at her was all I needed to see that, that girl has seen some scary things and has used them to mold herself. Then there was that one sort of kind boy but he was with that scary guy I told you about!”

”Y-You don't say...” Irene said trying to deepen her voice slightly while not making it to obvious.

”Yeah!” Ace said nodding. ”The strange part was that he seemed really nice. Well nice in his own way. And that one girl? She seemed nice in a twisted way... Oh! Here we go, sir.” Ace announced as the gate was fully pulled up. ”Enjoy your stay in Oleander. If you need any help with anything feel free to ask me. I love helping people!” He stated.

”Yeah... I'll do that... Umm... Chase?” Irene quickly walked off before the man could realize she had already forgotten his name. She let out a sigh as she finally entered the city. ”Geez... One conversation and my whole body is shaking... Thankfully he didn't seem to notice... I guess my disguise worked?” She smiled for a brief second as she marched in forward heading towards the tallest building.

The walk was done completely in silence. Eventually, she found her way over to the tallest building finding a giant of a man standing in front of the golden gates to her destiny.

Hesitantly she handed the letter over to the man. He hummed as he took it from her. ”You North?” He questioned as he read the letter. He held a small sheet of paper that had the names of practically everyone on them.

”Umm! Yes, sir?” Irene said nodding. ”That's me! North! Twin brother to equally talented sister Irene!”

”Yeah, I don't care...” The man said shaking his head.

”Umm, sir? If you don't mind me asking? How do you know who everyone is just from their letters? My bro- My name isn't on the letter?”