Azu

[Leanne]

What happened, happened. Leanne felt guilty and her heart had a sunken feeling with Cain blaming himself for all that had happened to them as well as herself. Things happen yet the experiences make people stronger and they need to move on and take actions into their own hands yet this time not individually but more as a team with communications so misunderstandings would not occur. Leanne needed to learn to fully trust Cain even though she was adamant about protecting him and caring about him. SERE, her pregnancy, the School Captain title, the election for Student Council, the creation of Minerva, were all events that were out of their control. Yes, they did have their choices that could have affected it, yet they could not possibly turn back time after they realize the consequences and results of their actions.

Hence, it was the beginning of a new fresh start. The events of the past had made them different and in Leanne's case she had to learn how to be more truthful to her feelings and be able to trust as well as communicate.

Leanne's eyes widened as she saw a stray tear betray Cain and roll down his cheeks. Her long slender fingers caught the tear and she brushed it away softly before he spoke, words tumbling out of his mouth as he suggested something she had not expected, yet had deepy yearned for.

"I can't believe I-I was so blind... I'm sorry too, Leanne. Sorry for making decisions without thinking it through, without thinking how it would affect us... Please, give me a second chance. I'll treat you better. I'll treat us better. I won't ever leave you."

"You're..." Leanne paused as she slipped her arms back to her side as she sat facing Cain, "You're a big idiot. I'm the one that should be apologizing and asking for forgiveness, but you're the one asking me to give you a second chance. I don't deserve it. But, for a fresh start's sake, yes. Yes I will gives us a second chance and I'll definately won't leave you again."

[Cain]

"You're... You're a big idiot. I'm the one that should be apologizing and asking for forgiveness, but you're the one asking me to give you a second chance. I don't deserve it. But, for a fresh start's sake, yes. Yes I will gives us a second chance and I'll definately won't leave you again."

Cain looked up at her, a soft smile on his face, which had now become a mixture of different expressions. There were tears trailing down to his chin, his cheeks wrinkling slightly with that small smile and finally, regret and gratefulness in his eyes. As Leanne slipped her arms off him, Cain would then slip his arms around her, pulling her into his hold as he kissed the top of her head. He never thought he could be this happy again, ever since the day she left the penthouse. But hey, it seemed that, somehow, Carlos had put them back together again.

Speaking of Carlos, was there a possibility that Leanne had been transferred here with Carlos' request, whether it had been confidential or not? After all, out of every other school in America, it just so happened that Cain had been transferred here, and so did Leanne. Eh, whatever. Cain was just glad that he could hold her in his arms again, after everything that happened. His only regret, however, that he did not have his child to hold too...

"I love you, Leanne."

And again, he kissed the top of her head.

[Leanne]

Leanne found herself relaxed in his hold. It had been awhile since she was held and for reason now known, the embrace felt right. She was where she belonged and she wasn't going to leave it anytime soon. As much as Leanne wouldn't like to admit it, she missed Cain dearly and she couldn't deny her feelings towards him. They were clear now, and they could not be confused with those of gratitude or admiration nor was it simply infatuation. She found herself glowing pink from the kiss Cain planted on her forehead.

"I love you, Leanne."

And he kissed the top of her forehead again. Leanne felt herself melting against his form. She felt like a silly little schoolgirl, vulnerable, blushing, giddy, and nervous. Yep, she fell pretty hard, and more than just head of heels for Cain. They went through so many obstacles Leanne was almost pretty sure nothing could get in the way of their relationship after everything that had happened.

"I-I love you too, Cain." Leanne would reply softly, it would be the first time she ever announced any form of affection she had for him. She never told him that she liked him or loved him for that matter. It was the first time and for some odd reason, she wasn't embarassed about it, but she was rather relieved in having told him how she felt. Leanne was able to be honest with herself and subconsciously fulfill her emotional need.

[Cain]

"I-I love you too, Cain."

Cain's eyes widened, his heart melting at the very mention of those first four words. From what he remembered, that was first time ever that she actually said those things. Despite how much they showed each other how they really felt about each other, it was always Cain who was saying it. Leanne had always been the closed individual who never liked showing her true feelings, nor liked accepting it if it went beyond her comprehension, but now, she admitted it. She confessed it. And Cain was glad. Glad beyond compare.

He held her tight, as if telling her that he was never going to let her go again. And that he was never going to hurt her again. No matter what. He sighed, pulling away for a moment as he placed his hand on the scar that was on Leanne's face and still smiled, as if not bothered at all by the only flaw on her face, for to Cain, it was still as flawless as ever. He leaned forward, kissing her. He could not remember when was the last time he did that. Hell, he may not have done it before, except that night after the Blonde & Blues. As much as Cain tried, he could never get Leanne to surrender to the feelings between them.

Though, now, he had succeeded. Soon, he pulled away, looking into her eyes, their hair and eyes mixing colours, giving the impression of a sandy beach.

"... Live with me again."

[Leanne]

And then she felt his lips captures hers.

It was a moment of bliss, entrapment and enticement. The last time he kissed her was the morning after his first mission and before she had left him. However, this kiss was different from the last, as Leanne found herself responding to him and accepting him, rather than the chaste innocent kiss that made her scurry away last time. It was rather odd how quickly she could open her heart back up and change to adapt, then again it was Cain afterall, if it were any other Leanne would doubt she'd open up so quickly.

Soon enough as he pulled away, she found herself getting lost in his pool of amber hazel. Her blush apparent as she would need time to get used to all this affection business. Embarassment, nervousness, whatever it was that was making her blush was not going to remain longer as surprise and a sense of anxiety overwhelmed her.

"... Live with me again."

Her eyes widened at his remark. It was so sudden, so quick, and, Leanne really couldn't ask for more. Although it came as a surprise and she'd hate to leave Nicolas and his father after theu showed her their hospitality by taking her in, but Leanne wouldn't want anything else but to live with him again.

"Your wish is my command." Leanne said with a small smile her tone laced with a hint of playfulness referring back to her previous position as a maid in the household.

[Cain]

And Leanne returned the kiss with much more feelings than she never had returned. Feelings that poured straight into Cain's heart, causing the little organ to beat much faster that it usually did as an overwhelming sense of joy overcame him. His eyes closed instinctively, his cheeks tugging gently as he gave a soft smile. Of course, they would part lips soon enough, though Cain found himself regretting of doing as such. He enjoyed her touch. He loved her touch. He cherished her touch. And he wondered how he could have lasted so long without it.

And then, he offered her to stay with him once more. He wondered how Carlos would react to this, considering that the house was leashed to him. However, he doubted the employer would mind. He did, after all, play a part in their little reunion, whether intentional or not. Still... Carlos did pull Cain away to seperate him from Leanne, who was also part of his stress in New York. How would he react to this now?

"Your wish is my command."

Cain smiled as she accepted the offer, his heart, despite having being sunk into the deepest well Cain's mental imagination could ever make up of, Leanne's presence helped to pull it back out into the surface, and maybe more as it continued to beat against her chest. He held her tight, letting out a sigh once more.

"... I'm sorry I couldn't be there again. Otherwise, there'd be three of us."

He looked at her, smiling softly. And then, he pecked her lips once more, to silence whatever she had to say.

"... Shall we skip school today?"

[Leanne]

"... I'm sorry I couldn't be there again. Otherwise, there'd be three of us."

Leanne frowned. She didn't really know what to say to that but she wanted to open her mouth and protest due to her not agreeing with Cain being at fault, however she was silenced with an chaste kiss. Her eyes widened again and she flushed a deeper red. What's with all this affection!? Not that she was complaining but it was embarassing and she still wasn't used to it! Being in such close contact was someone you love should not be taken lightly!With the sudden kiss Leanne already lost what she was going to say to Cain, she was completely under Cain's charm.

"... Shall we skip school today?"

Leanne cocked an eye brow in question.

"Wait, isn't it your first day? And you're telling me to skip with you?" Leanne said incredulously, "but, y'know if you're up for it, then I am too."

Well Leanne didn't want to be a horrible student and miss school, but she obviously wanted to skip and spend more time with Cain. She also didn't want to be some kind of party pooper!

"What do you have in mind?"

[Cain]

"Wait, isn't it your first day? And you're telling me to skip with you? but, y'know if you're up for it, then I am too. What do you have in mind?"

Cain grinned at her, keeping his arms around her and holding her close to his body. He did not mind doing as such, knowing that she enjoyed it too. Besides, she looked so adorable blushing. It was a completely new her. When he first met her, she seemed like the cold kind of girl who never really liked to socialise. It seemed that whatever wall or ice that had entrapped her heart, Cain was able to destroy it. And he was glad to have done as such.

"Yeah, it's my first day in school, but it's also my first day with my second life with you."

Cain smiled, his eyes still wet with tears but his heart had been relieved of the burdens that had accumulated for the past few months now. True, he was still despaired at the loss of his to-be child and the fact that he had been fighting for no reason, that he had been making Leanne's job harder when she had actually been doing it all for him, but knowing that she was back with him now was enough to make up for it all, or at least, close enough to it.

"I don't know... Where do you wanna go? I've only been here for two days, after all."

He continued to smile.

[Leanne]

"I don't know... Where do you wanna go? I've only been here for two days, after all."

Leanne tapped her chin, they'll probably pass as adults, it wasn't as if people cared if students skipped or not. At least, Leanne was never caught or sent back to school, though she had heard that schools too close to malls do have random teachers on patrol. Anyways, that was enough rambling for the narrator! What Leanne was thinking was to bring Cain to the nearby carnival that was set-up. Although she wasn't too sure if it would be open at such an hour, but even so they'll think of something to do if that happens.

"C'mon, follow me." Leanne said taking Cain by the hand and leading him out of the music room and out of the school grounds.

Luckily, the school bell hadn't rung yet so no teacher was going tell them to stop or anything. Man, it felt like some kind of secret mission. Yeah, you can tell that Leanne's not much of a skipper.

"I'm thinking of going to the nearby carnival...if its open." Leanne noted as she walked slowly down the stairs that led up to the school's main doors. They were going against the flow, but it didn't seem to bother her as she weaved through the crowd of people.

[Cain]

"C'mon, follow me."
"Wha-"

Cain's reply was cut short as she grabbed his hand and started to pull him out of the music room, the junior having no choice - Alright, not really - but to follow her, his eyes watching out for anyone that might catch them in their escape. Cain had to wonder what kind of school this was. Was it as weak-willed as 552 was, where students could go in and out of the school as they wished without getting scolded for it, or was in an authoritarian regime and would stop CAin and Leanne from leaving the school? Well, there was only oen way to find out.

The school bell kept silent, the hallways still filled with people that only served to help blend them in, even if they were going to the opposite direction. The would not stand out as much, after all, right?

"I'm thinking of going to the nearby carnival...if its open."
"A carnival?"

Cain repeated, though he did not really desire a confirmation. He was just voicing his surprise. And they continued their escape, Cain's eyes ever so sharp and watchful as he looked out for anyone that might be staring at them way too long to be just a glance. Soon enough, though, their worries were nothing but the worries that they were and they were able to reach the school gates.

"So, where is this carnival at?"

[Leanne]

Well the carnival wasn't exactly some kind of amusement park, it only had a few booths and rides but it still served as some form of amusement. Either way, it wasn't too far and it was set up near the neighbourhood mall. It was within walking distance, and Leanne was pretty sure she would see some people from their school if she would recognize them and if it wasn't so early in the morning.

"So, where is this carnival at?"

"Just a few blocks down." Leanne noted as she looked up at Cain. Wait, looked up? "You grew taller."

It was just a peaceful stroll down the block now after they got out of the school grounds and Leanne felt as if this was like their...first date or something of that sort. And that kind of thinking made Leanne blush a little as she'd turn away to look at the passing cars.

"So, now you know what happened with me...where did you go off to after 552, Cain?"

Truth be told, Leanne was worried sick and felt at loss without being able to see him at school. She almost felt like some kind of mother who had their teenage kid run away from home and then never return. Worried, yet knowing they are capable of taking care of themselves to a certain extent.

[Cain]

"Just a few blocks down. You grew taller."

Cain glanced towards her, unsure whether to take that as a compliment or an insult. He was always considered short for his age, a physical trait that Cain considered both a gift and a curse. After all, being shorter meant that Cain would be lighter and faster. It also meant that he would have an easier time dodging most attacks. However, he was personal about it and he hated being mocked for being short. Looking at Leanne now, he realised it too. He never noticed it before. Leanne used to be at his eye-level, but now she stood somewhere at his chin. He had grown. He smiled.

"Haha, yeah. I guess so."
"So, now you know what happened with me...where did you go off to after 552, Cain?"

Cain looked at her for a moment, before letting out a sigh, his smile fading away, though just a bit. He looked down at the ground for a moment, organising his thoughts as he reminisced on his time after 552. After completing this process, he looked up to make sure that he would not bump into someone, before finally answering the question.

"Well, one time, right after your riot, I was attack by a large group of students. And as a last resort, I found himself clawing open some of their torsos. Carlos then realised that I had a Qi of sorts and dragged me out of New York, with other reasons like the stress of school, the Headmaster's plans and of course, my job. He brought me to Point Hope, where I studied for a few weeks, before being sent here when my Qi suddenly just died off. So, here I am."

Cain turned to her, a soft smile on his face.

[Leanne]

So he had a qi too? Clawed open torsos? It was definitely a surprise for Leanne to learn of a qi so frightening. She never though they could do something like that. Heck, Leanne didn't even know how to get a qi or unlock her own. Perhaps there was some kind of psychological or mental obstacle she must overcome in order to get her qi going. And, not only that but clawing opening someone's torso? Leanne would shiver at the thought. She didn't think she could ever do that kind of damage to anyone or bring herself to hurt someone to that extent. She felt a little pain for Cain having to experience that since, it must've been difficult to swallow and accept.

"T-that's...rough." Leanne would note. "It seems everyone lost their qi after Point Hope. I actually met Li here, and he lost his qi too."

Leanne smiled before she wrapped her arms around Cain's giving it tight squeeze.

"I'm glad you're here."

She really did miss him, and she didn't know what she'd do if she had went on worrying like she had the few months after Cain disappeared.


It wasn't long till they reached the carnival grounds and it would seem that it was lightly populated by people of all ages. It didn't seem like a school day nor the morning had a strong effect on their customers. After all a lot of the people roaming seemed to be highschoolers that skipped as well!

[Cain]

"T-that's...rough. It seems everyone lost their qi after Point Hope. I actually met Li here, and he lost his qi too."

It had not been rough, though. In fact, it had all been quite an experience, a relief, so to say, from the hardships he had experienced in New York. However, throughout his whole months outside of New York, there had always been one memory that he could not let go of. The same memory that walked alongside him then. He turned to her, giving a smile, before the last of her words registered into his head. Li? Li Nakamura was here too?

"Wait, Li's here too?"

Before she answered, though, she suddenly embraced him, a gesture which Cain replied with a wide smile as he too enveloped Leanne in his arms. He felt happy once more, more happy than he ever felt ever since his fight with Jay. Whatever had occurred in the past few months could not compare with the few weeks Cain had spent with Leanne.

They reached the carnival soon, and Cain took in the surroundings with his senses. Apparently, the school day did not hinder the attendance of the carnival whatsoever, as he noticed a lot of teenagers their age present too. Wow. He smiled, before turning to her and giving her a peck on the cheek.

"So, where do you want to go from here?"