Echoes of Emotions (Volume 1)

"Oh, my? Playing the hero, are we? Well, I applaud your determination," Victor sneered, his monstrous voice dripping with mockery. "But let me warn you, it's all..."

"Futile!" 

He stepped forward menacingly, his massive frame casting an oppressive shadow. "Why don't you just give it up and run to your mother's arm? If you do, I might just forgive you. But first," he added with a crooked grin, "I need to repay the favour with a few kicks and punches. Oh, and don't worry, I probably won't kill you. Or so I would like to think. Hahahaha!"

Kaito stood unfazed, his attention locked solely on Victor. He ignored the torrent of insults and was oblivious to Natasha's desperate pleas. He stood ready for war, no matter what the outcome. 

With a weary sigh, Kaito finally broke his silence. "You really love the sound of your own voice, don't you? Why don't you just -"

In an instant, he lunged forward, his movements, fluid and fleine like a panther. Rotating the ball of his foot, he transferred power from his hips, unleashing a devastating powerful roundhouse kick. His right foot slammed into Victor's left jaw with ferocity, the impact echoed like Zeus' thunderstrike. 

The enormous figure staggered, unable to withstand the intensity, then toppled onto its back, stunned and disoriented.

"Ha... Ha... How?!" Victor gasped, clutching his face.

Kaito's yes continued to burn with fury. "Didn't I tell you? Shut the f*ck up!"

Victor writhed on the ground, his disbelief turning to rage. "No... No! This can't be! How is this possible? I'm supposed to be strong! How... Just how?!"

"I refuse to accept this!" He bellowed.

Victor, unwilling to accept the reality before him, snatched the syringe from the floor. His grip tightened as he pointed it toward Kaito with murderous intent. With great difficulty, Victor lumbered onto his feet, his hulking body swaying before charging forward like a berserk elephant.

"Die!!!"

"Kaito, no! Get away! Noooooooooo!" Natasha screamed, her voice quavering with fear.

"..."

Evading the lunge, Kaito deftly seized Victor's massive arm and pivoted with precision. Turning his back against Victor's chest, he bent his torso and planted his foot firmly on the ground. Using the momentum and his strength, he hoisted the towering figure over, slamming him into the floor with a resounding thud. The impact reverberated, leaving visible cracks on the floor. 

Kaito straightened up, brushing his hands with a satisfied grin. "Phew, I'm glad my mother taught me a trick or two." 

A flicker of unease crossed his face as he mumbled, "Although... She was very scary sometimes. Eek!" 

Memories of his mother filled his mind. Despite her tender affection, she remained a native of the Land of Edo, where children were forced to learn martial arts as part of their curriculum. She was unrelenting when it came to teaching martial arts, her face would change to a devilish grin. Both Kaito and his father would often flee from her mock charges, yelling 'Demon!'. Kaito would spend his weekends in rigorous training sessions, as his mother yearned a desire for her son to be able to defend himself if danger ever persisted.

Still, as Kaito looked back, he couldn't help but smile. It had been all worth it in the end.

"..."

"Kaitooo!" Natasha's voice snapped him out of his reverie. She ran and threw herself into his chest. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Her hands fluttered, as she examined him for any signs of injury and discomforts, her concern was as unwavering as a mother cow tending its calf. 

"Ow, ow. Damn, that was heavier than I thought."

"Hey, I am not heavy!" Natasha pouted.

Kaito panically replied, "No, no, I mean that guy over there."

"Hehe, I'm only teasing you," Natasha replied, her smile easing the tension.

With a deep sigh, she added, "I'm so glad you're okay. Don't scare me like that ever again, okay?"

"Alright alright, I promise."

"Good!"

"But I'm still not satisfied," she continued. "I'm calling a private doctor for you right now."

"No, it's fine Natasha, really. I'll be good as new in a couple of days," Kaito protested.

"Absolutely not!" Natasha's tone brooked no argument. "I am not taking any chances. If I leave you and something happens, then, how could I ever forgive myself?"

"Aww, come on now, don't be like that. You're only overreacting now. I'm fine, I swear. Look-" He flexed his arms. "See? Good as new."

"Not listening," she said, already pulling out her phone. "Be a good boy and wait there quietly. I'll have an aero ambulance her in no time. Besides, the rooftop should be fine for landing as well." 

"Yes, ma'am..." Kaito mumbled, his head slouched in submission. 

"But what about him?" Kaito pointed at Victor's unconscious form. "What should we do about that guy?" 

"You didn't kill him, right?" Natasha teased, covering her mouth with a finger in feigned shock.

"I swear I didn't! I'm innocent! He should wake up... Eventually," Kaito exclaimed.

"Well, not that it matters much to me anyway," Natasha said darkly, her tone shifting. "Would've been better if he had died, tch." Her eyes clouded with disdain.

"Eek!" Kaito recoiled.

"Don't worry Kaito," Natasha said with a sweet but sinister smile. "We can always make his body disappear. No one will ever know... Except for us, of course. Tehe~"

"You're scaring me, Natasha!" Kaito exclaimed, inching away.

"..."

"By the way, Natasha...?"

"Hmm?" 

"Well, uhm..."

"What's wrong? Is something the matter, Kaito?"

"You see... I don't really know how to put this.."

Natasha tilted her head, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

"Fine, I'll say it straight." Kaito's gaze turned serious. "How are you feeling right now, Natasha?" 

Her brows furrowed in slight confusion. "What do you mean, Kaito? I'm fine. What's wrong?"

"Natasha..." Kaito leaned in slightly, his tone soft but firm. "You don't have to hide it away from me. I may have taken a few hits, but it's you who suffered the most today."

Natasha froze, her expression faltering.

"..."

With a heavy sigh, she gave a faint smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I really can't hide anything from you, can I?" 

Grasping the fabric of Kaito's shirt tightly, she lowered her head "Can I stay like this for a while?" 

Kaito remained silent, conveying his support.

 "..."

Her body trembled as the dam of her emotions finally broke.

"I was scared!" She cried, her voice cracking with raw vulnerability. "I was so scared Kaito, I really was!"

"I felt hopeless!"

"I wanted to give up!"

"I just wanted it all to end!"

"I-" Her words chocked in her throat, as she buried her face into his chest.

Unable to bear her anguish, Kaito tightly pulled her closer into his warm embrace. Enveloped by the warmth, Natasha clung to him, her cries echoed through the rooftop. It was as if every ounce of fear, despair, and exhaustion she had bottled up was now pouring out in a flood of tears.

"..."

Minutes passed before her sobs began to subside, Natasha finally tilted her head up towards Kaito, her cheeks streaked with tears. A single droplet lingered, and Kaito gently brushed it away with his thumb, his touch tender and reassuring. 

Their eyes met, his filled with quiet strength, hers shimmering with a fragile gratitude. For a moment, the world around them faded, all that remained was the solace they found in each other.

"!"

The spell was broken by the sound of a throat clearing near the door.

Both Kaito and Natasha turned, startled, to see a figure standing in the doorway, arm crossed, with an amused smirk playing on their lips.