Haru was breathing hard but he moved through the back streets all the way to Nanyo. Haru stopped at the gate to catch his breath from his limp running.
"Haru forgot how hard it is to run when in pain." Haru grunted in pain.
Haru heard a loud grunt followed by talking. Haru took a peak over the gate and saw Koukin was surrounded by his school mates. Koukin had blood coming from his head and a glare in his eyes that says "try to fuck with me." Haru also saw that the others were shocked and reluctant to make the next move on him.
"What happened?" Haru asked.
It wasn't long till one of them lunged forward and aimed at Koukin's head. But he was a step ahead. He sidesteps the attack and kicks him square in the head, sending him flying to the ground. Another with knuckle brash hit Koukin in the side but that didn't seem to make him flinch. Koukin grabbed his arm, twisted it in an unnatural way and flopped him to the ground. One by one, they all try to knock him out but Koukin stood his ground and K.O. all their asses to the ground.
After five minutes, the fight was over and Koukin won. He was battered and bruised all over and was having a hard time standing up but he will make it. Haru opened the gate and rushed over to Koukin. He looked to see Haru was moving to where he was and gasped out at Haru, he had cuts and bruises like him and was limping a bit with blood soaked clothing.
"Haru-san, what the hell happened to you?!"
"Haru had a… little run in with some people but that's not important."
"Not important?! Look at you man, your clothes are blood soaked and you have all those injuries on you, we have to get you to the hospital now."
"There's no time, Haru needs to find Hakufu. She's in danger!" This got Koukin's attention.
"What do you mean?"
"A girl named Ryomou is going to fight Hakufu. Ryomou is very strong; she beat up Gakushuu like he was nothing. She wants to hurt her, Haru needs to find Hakufu and warn her now!"
"So that's why they attack me, Enjutsu-sama must have called this so I will be out of the way so Ryomou-san can fight her. But what does he have against her?"
"Haru says we figure that out AFTER Hakufu is safe." He suggested.
"Right, let's see, Hakufu said she left something in her gym locker. We should start there, hope she's still at her locker."
With Koukin leading, the two made their way to where they hoped to find Hakufu, but Haru's limp slowed them down a bit.
"Look you aren't in any condition to help anyone, just rest somewhere safe and I'll find her." Koukin said with concern.
"Haru's… fine. Haru can handle this." He said with a slight pant.
"Ok, if you're sure. We're not far now, we just need to take these stairs, it's the fastest way to the gym from here."
Haru nodded and followed Koukin up the stairs. They made it to the third floor when they saw Saji casually leaning on the railing blocking their way.
"Saji-san? What are you doing?" Koukin asked.
"Oh nothing really, just making sure no one interrupts an Imperial Order, that's all." Saji said with a sly grin.
"An Imperial Order!"
"What's an Imperial Order?" Haru asked.
"It's basically a hit on the Sonsaku girl and I was asked to make sure to eliminate any that dares to stop this." Saji answered his question.
"… Saji is part of this?" Haru asked.
"Correct Haru-kun, for you see, my leader Enjutsu-sama has issued that your friend must die."
"But what does Enjutsu-sama have against her?" Koukin asked with anger.
"Oh he is interested if she really is the Sho Haou or not and there is only one way to do it."
"To let Ryomou-san fight Hakufu, there must be another way to know this."
"I'm afraid not, now why don't we all just enjoy the sunset together and let the girls have their fun huh? I rather not get into any unnecessary fights."
Haru was getting frustrated at Saji's laid back attitude on Hakufu's well-being. He acts as though she is nothing but a toy that has lived its usefulness rather than a living person. Haru felt a hand on his shoulder and looked to see it was belongs to Koukin.
"Haru-san, listen to me very carefully. It's quite clear that Saji-san won't let us through, at least both of us. So I need you to go to Hakufu without me. I'll distract him here while you warn her." Koukin whispered.
"But Haru can't leave Koukin here." Haru tried to protest.
"There's no other way, look I'll be fine Haru-san. What's really important is that you make it to her in time. I'll give you a signal to go to her. Just go to the top floor and go down the hallway to the third door on the right and you should make it to the gym."
Haru didn't like this idea but he agreed and nodded. Koukin took a deep breath and walked up to Saji.
"If you won't let us through then I have to fight you to make our way."
"Now let's be reasonable here. Will fighting really solve your problem? And besides, do you really want to go against me?" Saji asked.
"If it's the only way to save Hakufu then yes, and furthermore we're Fighters Saji-san; it's all that we know how to do."
"True, then I guess I have no choice." Saji stood up and walked over to Koukin.
Koukin jumped back and got into a fighting stance. Neither moved as they waited for the other to throw the first punch. Koukin was nervous, even though Saji was just standing in a relaxed position; he knows that he was one of the Big Four for a reason and he never saw how he fights so this will be a tough one for him. Koukin made the first strike as he aimed at Saji's head but he quickly ducked and delivered his own punch to Koukin's gut. He grunted but still kept his stance. Koukin tried to land a hit on Saji but he either moved away or blocked it.
"Dammit this isn't getting me anywhere. I'm not even getting a fucking hit on him and that fight from before has drained me pretty good as well. If I don't do something… wait, maybe if I try that it'll work." Koukin thought.
When Saji went for an attack, Koukin sidestepped his punch, used his momentum to flip him on the ground and restrained him by taking both his arms behind his back. Saji was having trouble getting out of the hold he was in. Koukin gave Haru a look which Haru guess that was the signal. As quietly as possible, Haru sneaked away from the fight and went to find Hakufu.