Welcome back, everyone, to the next Arc of Accidental Reverse!

Man, took a long time to write this. I have been so incredibly busy, you won't even believe it. Still, I managed to reach the amount of words I told myself I needed before uploading the first chapter, so hopefully, I can keep a more or less regular updating schedule now.

Now, please enjoy the first chapter of the third Arc!

~'0'~

Accidental Reverse Arc 3

~'0'~

''Don't let go, Tenma! I swear, I'll get you out!''

''Shinsuke... I don't think I can... hold on...''

The smaller boy's face contorts in grief. ''No, don't give up now!'' he calls, grabbing his friend's hand tighter and trying to pull him back to safety.

That's the scene Shindou walks into when he enters the clubroom two days after their match against Kidokawa Seishuu. The captain pauses, blinks, and then shakes his head, as if clearing his vision. When nothing changes, he moves towards his two teammates, placing his bag on the table when he passes it.

Shinsuke has just pulled Tenma on the bench when the game maker reaches them. ''What are you doing?''

The two first-years look up at him, neither having noticed him come in, and then Tenma's eyes widen and he points dramatically. ''Shindou-senpai, you're standing on the lava! You'll burn to death!''

Shindou blinks. ''I... what?'' he asks, raising his eyebrows in confusion. ''Lava?''

The smaller first-year nods. ''Quickly, get on the bench before you die, and we'll explain!''

However, no explanation is needed for something clicks in the captain's mind. ''Wait... you're playing the floor is lava?'' he asks, sitting down to humor his two younger friends. At their nods, he chuckles and shakes his head. ''Tenma, did you come up with this?''

The brunet nods cheerfully. ''Yup! Shinsuke and I were early-''

''You're always early!''

''-and we were bored!'' he says, completely ignoring his friend's interruption. ''Wanna join?''

Shinsuke's head whips around to face the brunet. ''Tenma!'' he hisses, throwing a hesitating look at their teammate. ''You can't just ask captain if he wants to play the floor is lava with us!''

The time traveler pouts. ''So can!'' he protests, shoving Shinsuke of the bench. Then he gasps dramatically. ''Oh no! I'm so sorry, grab my hand!''

He then proceeds to dramatically lay down and reach out a hand to his smaller friend. Said friend is lying on the ground, trying to grab Tenma's hand, ''I can't reach it! It's too far!'' he cries. ''IT BURNS!''

Tenma manages to grab Shinsuke and tries to pull him onto safe ground, but unfortunately, he's not strong enough. ''I can't!''

And then suddenly, someone is grabbing Shinsuke's free hand and pulls him onto the bench again. Both first-years blink at the sudden change and then stare at Shindou, who returns their looks with an amused smile. ''Well, I couldn't just leave him in the lava, could I?''

They then proceed to build bridges out of everything and nothing – pillows, bags, chairs, everything in reach. Whenever one of them falls into the 'lava', Shinsuke and Tenma cry and scream dramatically, and Shindou can barely restrain his laughter by the time Kirino comes in.

Much like the captain, the defender stares at the mess in the clubroom for a long, silent second and then merely says, ''What.''

''Kirino-senpai, you're on the lava!'' cries Tenma dramatically, leaning dangerously close to the end of his chair and falling off. ''OH GOD IT BURNS!''

''Tenma!'' Shinsuke jumps over to a pillow close to the brunet and reaches out. ''Here, take my hand!''

''No, save yourself Shinsuke!''

''I won't leave you!''

Kirino places his bag down and looks at his best friend, obviously having recognized the game. ''Shindou. What the hell. Why are you participating in this.''

The captain grins. ''A little fun never hurt anyone, right?'' then he proceeds to help Tenma onto a pillow, but falls onto the ground himself in the process and deadpans, ''Oh no, I'm burning.''

His pink-haired friend apparently decides he's resigning to his fate, hops onto a bench, and manhandles Shindou onto a pillow close by. At the two matching grins Shinsuke and Tenma shoot him, he sighs and smiles. ''Are we going to drag the whole team into this?''

''Yes!'' chorus the two, beaming at the idea.

(When, twenty minutes later, Kidou enters the clubroom with his sister – expecting the team to be hanging around there like usual – he stills and stares.

The entire room is a mess and at closer inspection, the coach can almost recognize pathways in the things scattered over the floor. All nineteen teenagers, managers included, are either sitting, standing or lying on the furniture, with the exception of Kurumada, who is being pulled onto the table by Sangoku and Aoyama.

Teikoku's commander stares at the team and they stare at him and for a long, long moment, it's very quiet. That is, until Tsurugi dryly remarks, ''Coach, you're on the lava.''

Kidou is really starting to regret his decision to take over as Raimon's coach.)

~'0'~

The team is training for their next match, but Tenma can't completely focus. Instead he watches Amagi, who isn't even paying attention and instead pretty much sulking. The brunet is still wary, despite having stopped the third-year from skipping practice due to Kidou's new training menu.

He knows the older player is still sore about being taken off the regulars and he can't help but feel guilty about that. Since Raimon got so many new, talented members, the regulars changed – Sangoku might still be there, and Hamano, Shindou and Kirino as well, but a lot of new members like Shinsuke, Tsurugi, Kariya and Tenma himself have made it to the usual formation.

The time traveler can't completely remember what changed the first time 'round, so he has to be careful with what he does and says. He can vaguely remember that Hikaru had something to do with it, but he never actually got all the details.

After practice ends, the team gathers in the clubroom and Kidou steps up. ''Our next opponent has been decided. It's Genei Academy.''

Amagi's head shoots up. ''Genei Academy?''

Everyone stares at him, taken aback by his reaction. ''Amagi?'' asks Sangoku in confusion.

The other third-year seems to realize where he is and looks away. ''Uh... it's nothing,'' he mutters.

Haruna, meanwhile pulls up some files on the main computer, showing it on the large screen in the middle of the room. ''Genei Academy's team has superior technique. Their play style is comparative to a magician's. This is their captain, their ace striker Mahoro Tadashi.'' A photo of the redheaded player appears on screen. ''They say he has the strongest hissatsu technique ever. It's called Phantom Shot and holds a 100% record. Whenever he shoots it, it always lands in the goal. Mahoro-kun is also known as the stoic striker,'' continues the woman professionally as always. ''No matter when, even after he scores a goal, he never shows emotion.''

Well, this is bound to be interesting.

~'0'~

The day after, during practice, Amagi is still not focusing.

He lets Kariya pass him and shoot once again, and Tenma grimaces. He can see the rest of Raimon, having finally noticed Amagi's absence, but no one wants to say anything. They don't need to, however, for Kidou steps in. ''Amagi,'' he says, his voice echoing over the inside field. ''Leave the grounds.''

''Sorry, let me try again!'' pleads the defender, his expression one of despair, but Kidou isn't listening.

''Go home for today,'' he says instead, not wavering in his decision.

The silence is loud and awkward. ''Yes, sir,'' mutters Amagi finally, moving away from the field. No one protests.

Tenma bites his lip and frowns. He would've said something, but he knows that this is something Amagi has to work through on his own. His friendship with Mahoro was well known throughout all of the teams in the future, but their past was something of a mystery. Whatever happened between them was resolved after the Genei-Raimon match the first time 'round, and the brunet can only hope things will go the same way this time.

He puts that out of his mind and instead focuses on practice. Soon enough, they're done and Tenma grabs his bag. ''Kyousuke,'' he says, catching the striker's attention. ''I was planning to visit a friend in the hospital. If you want to visit your brother, maybe we can walk together?''

The forward nods and the brunet beams. Since he never followed Tsurugi to the hospital this time 'round (as far as the striker is aware, that is), he shouldn't have known about Yuuichi. However, after Tsurugi's breakdown, they've been more open to each other and the Seedling eventually told him about his brother and his reason for joining Fifth Sector.

The two of them soon exit the clubroom after changing out of their uniforms, and leave the school behind them. Tenma chats happily and Kyousuke, while not saying much, still humors him enough to participate in the conversation every now and then.

Soon enough, they're walking through the hospital corridors and towards Yuuichi's room. The door is open and when they appear in the doorway, the elder Tsurugi greets them cheerfully. ''Ah, Kyousuke, welcome!'' he blinks in surprise when he notices the brunet. ''And Tenma-kun, I haven't seen you in a while!''

The Seedling stops in his tracks and his gaze moves from his brother to his friend and then back, seemingly at a loss for words. ''I- Tenma, you know my brother?'' he finally manages to find his voice and he turns to Yuuichi. ''You know this idiot?'' and it looks like he's not sure whether to feel afraid, betrayed, or exasperated.

Yuuichi smiles in amusement at the conflict visible on Tsurugi's face. ''Sure do,'' he answers, sharing a grin with Tenma. ''He's called me your 'guardian angel' before, I believe.''

Kyousuke pauses for a second and then turns to Raimon's time traveler with wide eyes. ''So that's what you meant! What the hell, Tenma!'' he hisses, shock disappearing and being replaced with annoyed anger. ''You- why- when did you even meet him?''

The time traveler tilts his head thoughtfully. ''Hm... around the Tengawara match, I think~?'' he chirps cheerfully, his innocent smile turning just the tiniest bit devious at Tsurugi's gaping stare.

''Wha- seven weeks ago?!''

''Yup!'' Yuuichi nods lightly (and Tenma makes a mental note to pay more attention to him in the future – he's surprisingly devious) and the two younger boys can almost swear there are flowers and sparkles around him. ''Tenma-kun was nice enough to keep an eye on me for you! Isn't that just great?''

His brother clearly doesn't agree with that, but as Yuuichi (devious, devious Yuuichi) directs the full power of his sparkle-sunlight-flower smile at the younger Tsurugi, Kyousuke can't do anything but agree. ''Y-yeah,'' he says and his expression is so sour Tenma would think he ate a lemon if he didn't know better, ''that's great. Just great.''

The last words are said with a glare at his teammate, but the brunet pretends not to notice and instead directs his own angel-glitter-innocent smile at Tsurugi, who blanches. ''I'm very glad to hear you agree with that, Kyou-chan!''

If possible, Tsurugi looks even more affronted and taken aback by that. ''Ky- Kyou-chan?'' he hisses and his shock is replaced by murderous fury.

Tenma is pretty sure that he would've been strangled to death if it weren't for Yuuichi's presence.

Now, however, the eldest Tsurugi saves him by clapping cheerfully, drawing their attention back to him, and smiling another sunshine smile that Kyousuke can't possibly hope to win against. ''I'm so glad to see you two get along so well!''

Raimon's ace bites back the venomous dead glares he is shooting his brown-haired teammate and instead nods again, a sharp downwards tilt of his chin that seems to physically pain him. ''Yeah. Really, really... well.''

The conversations turns to other topics, like Soar – where both Tenma and Kyousuke carefully don't mention the fact that a certain someone is part of it – and the Holy Road. The brunet starts, after a while, to notice the looks Yuuichi shoots him and hides a wince. He hasn't visited the eldest Tsurugi in a while and he knows that if it wasn't for Raimon's ace, Yuuichi would be attacking him with his worrying and questions again.

Tenma gratefully takes the excuse of 'visiting another friend' and excuses himself – after having spent about thirty minutes with the Tsurugi brothers, more than enough time to be considered 'polite'. 'Someone else I wanted to visit,'' he explains sheepishly and flees from the room (and Tsurugi's dead glares. Unsurprisingly, he's still pissed about finding out that Yuuichi and Tenma are partners in crime.)

He easily finds his way to Taiyou's room, the door standing open, and grins when he sees his friend sprawled out over his bed. ''Bored?'' he jokes and the orange immediately jumps up.

''Tenma?'' he asks and grins. ''I haven't seen you in forever! How are you?''

Seems like everything is okay on this front, too. Tenma had been worried that Taiyou might still feel guilty about the events from before the Raimon-Kaiou match but the longer they talk, the more the brunet realizes that luckily, those worries are unfounded.

~'0'~

Raimon is training for their match against Genei – Amagi has joined their training again, more fired up than ever before – when their practice is interrupted by a pale-faced Haruna. ''Nii-san,'' she says and Kidou turns towards her, his eyes narrowing behind his goggles in concern. ''There are officials of Fifth Sector here.''

''What?'' the coach's voice is alarmed and the team draws closer, their practice forgotten in the wake of this development. ''What do they want?''

Haruna hesitates and glances to the side, her lips pulled into a grimace. ''Nii-san, they-'' she hesitates, ''they're here for Tenma-kun.''

Well, damn. Seems like Ishido kept his three weeks promise.

Kidou's eyes move to Tenma, and he addresses the young brunet. ''Matsukaze,'' he says sharply, ''what exactly happened with the Holy Emperor?''

The time traveler grimaces. He would've liked to keep most of his meeting under wraps, but it seems he has no choice but to reveal a little more. ''They tried to find out more about my Soul,'' he says after a few seconds of silence, aware of the heavy, concerned stares of his teammates. ''But to do so, they needed permission from my parents, which they didn't give... however, the Holy Emperor said he'd find a way around that and I could expect a new 'summon' within a month.''

''Tenma, why didn't you tell us?'' demands Shindou, placing a hand on the younger player's shoulder.

The time traveler gives him, and the rest of the team, a weak smile. ''I didn't want you to worry...'' he mutters.

Someone gives him a gentle slap against his head and the brunet turns around to find Tsurugi standing behind him. The orange eyes are narrowed in a disapproving glare and the message behind it – you only worry us more like this, you idiot – is clear.

''Sorry...''

Haruna turns to her brother again. ''Nii-san, they won't wait for long until they'll come here themselves,'' she tells him, chewing on her lower lip worriedly. ''What should we do?''

Kidou stays silent for a long moment, his eyebrows creased in a frown. Then he seems to make a decision and turns to the team. ''Matsukaze, I want you to contact Kino about this. Tell her to inform your parents as soon as she can. Where are the agents?'' he directs the last question to his sister.

The woman nods in the direction she just came from. ''They're waiting in front of the school.''

''Alright,'' commands the coach, ''we'll all go.''

As the team starts making their way to the entrance of the school, Tenma reaches for his phone and dials the familiar number of his sister-figure. When she picks up, he doesn't even allow her to greet him. ''Aki-nee, Fifth Sector is here.''

''What?!'' she exclaims, but then forces herself to calm down. ''They're there for you?''

''Yes,'' confirms Tenma. ''That's what Otonashi-san said.''

He's impressed by how well Aki manages to keep her composure. ''Do they know about your involvement with Soar?'' she asks, lowering her voice at the last word.

The brunet bites the inside of his cheek. He'd thought about that possibility too. ''I'm not sure, but I don't think so,'' he says, making sure to lower his voice as well. His team might know about Soar, but Kidou doesn't and he'd rather not have it reported to the Resistance. ''They would've been far more hostile and silent about this if they did.''

From the look he gets, he can deduce that his teammates are aware what he's talking about. ''That's good,'' says Aki slowly, trying to push her worry to the back of her mind for now. ''I'll contact your parents. Should I also pack a bag for you? We can't be sure how long you'll be gone.''

''Please do. I'm sure I'll be back in time for the match Sunday,'' the brunet says after a moment of thought. ''If they don't let me go before that, it'll be considered sabotage, and with their current lack of popularity, they can't have that,'' he says the last part softly. Kidou might not be able to hear it, but he can see his teammates' tense postures around him and knows they're listening in.

''Alright, I will.'' With that, the important points are out of the way, and Aki lets out a long breath. ''Tenma, please, be careful. Please.''

The desperation in her voice is enough to make the brunet's grip on his phone tighten. ''I will,'' he says softly, his voice tight. ''Take care, Aki-nee.''

''Take care, Tenma.''

They end the call and the brunet lowers his phone, his grip on it so tight the skin of his hand is turning white. Damn Fifth Sector. Damn it all.

A hand on his shoulder pulls him out of his thoughts, and he meets Tsurugi's concerned eyes. ''Kyousuke,'' he mutters softly and offers his friend a tentative smile.

The striker grimaces, but squeezes Tenma's shoulder nonetheless. ''It'll be fine,'' he says, his voice as tense as his posture.

The brunet attempts a smile. ''Of course it will be!'' he chirps, but the looks his friends give him show that they don't believe his act.

Further conversation is impossible, for they have arrived at the entrance of the school. Like Haruna said, a dark grey car with tinted windows and the Fifth Sector logo on the side is waiting, two men in grey uniforms waiting next to it. When the Raimon team comes into view, their gazes immediately focus on the time traveler. ''Matsukaze Tenma,'' says one of them, taking a step forward. ''We have orders to take you into our custody.''

Kidou, to his credit, walks forward before anyone can say anything else and steps in between the agents and his team. ''What is the meaning of this?'' he asks, his voice deadly sharp.

''You have nothing to do with this, Coach Kidou,'' says the same man, eyes narrowing. ''Please move out of the way.''

The Teikoku Commander ignores his last words. ''I am coach of this team and therefore responsible for the wellbeing of every single player here. Since Matsukaze Tenma's legal guardian is not here to speak in his defense, that role falls to me.''

Legalities, gotta love 'em.

The agents seem to realize that Kidou's words are true. ''We understand your obligation,'' says the one who has stayed silent until this point, ''but orders are orders. If you ignore them, you will be fired.''

Kidou isn't fazed. ''You have no such authority.''

''Our master does.''

This is the moment Tenma decides to interfere. ''Coach, I'll go.''

Kidou's eyes zero in on him, and the brunet almost falters at the dead glare the man is shooting him. ''Silence, Matsukaze,'' he orders sharply. ''I am responsible for you and I intend to act accordingly.''

Tenma pauses, not sure how to act around this new side of his coach. He's never seen Kidou so fierce before, but at the same time, he knows he can't back down. ''Please, coach,'' he says tightly, shooting a look at the rest of the team. Shindou's worried, disapproving eyes are screaming at him to stop and let Kidou take care of this. ''If you resist, you will be fired and that can't happen. The team needs you.''

He knows it's a low blow, but it's true. Raimon needs Kidou to train and protect them against Fifth Sector. The time traveler won't allow that protection to disappear because of him.

Kidou seems to be debating the brunet's words, and the grimace on his lips tells Tenma he's not happy with what he finds. ''You are part of the team, Matsukaze.''

The brunet stills at that.

Touché.

Still, he can't exactly give in now. ''If I don't go now, they'll come again. One way or another, I'm going to be summoned, and I don't want to test the patience of their 'master'. Please, coach.''

The agents take this chance to interfere again. ''We have orders from one of the Council members to take Matsukaze Tenma into custody. You cannot ignore direct orders from your own superiors,'' states one of them, looking at Kidou coldly. ''We will not hesitate to remove you from your position should you get in our way any longer and not even you can influence the decision for Raimon's new coach, should that happen.''

Raimon's coach seems to realize that there's nothing he can do and with gritted teeth he backs off. The team seems to share his frustration, but one look from Kidou makes them back down.

Tenma, however, is frowning. 'One of the Council members? That means it's not the Holy Emperor himself who summoned me,' he thinks with a growing sense of dread. Ishido Shuuji – or rather, Gouenji Shuuya – won't seriously hurt him. One of Fifth Sector's other superiors, however, won't hesitate to do so.

A hand of his shoulder pulls him back to the present and he looks up into the worried eyes of Shindou. While the brunet was lost in thought, his team surrounded him and blocked the agents' view of him. ''Tenma,'' says the captain softly, taking advantage of the short moment of privacy they have been granted, ''whatever you do, be careful.''

''I will be,'' says the younger midfielder and he means it. If it really isn't Gouenji behind this, but someone else, then that means that this could be potentially dangerous. ''I promise, I won't do anything reckless.'' He makes a split second decision and lowers his voice. ''If I'm not back by the time the match against Genei starts, claim sabotage. Call Minamisawa-san the second you can and tell him Raimon has to work with Soar.''

They all stare at the brunet in disbelief. ''Minamisawa?'' asks Kurama. ''What could he ever do?''

Shindou's eyes widen in realization. ''Minamisawa-san... you mean he's part of-?''

Tenma nods. ''Only call him if I'm not back by then. Tell him to track and contact me. And whatever you do, make sure no one, especially not coach Kidou or anyone else from either the Resitance or Fifth Sector, finds out that you're in contact with Soar.''

The captain narrows his eyes and nods in understanding. ''We will. But... do you really think it'll be necessary?'' the last question is asked hesitantly, as if he's afraid of the answer. His uneasiness is mirrored by the rest of the team.

The time traveler grimaces. ''Let's hope not.'' He shoots his team a last smile and moves towards the two agents. Reluctantly his friends step aside to let him pass, and he's all too aware of their worried gazes on his back as he's lead to the car.

One of the agents opens the back door for him and he steps in, catching a last glimpse of his team before the door is shut. Seconds later, both agents enter as well and they quickly leave Raimon Jr. High behind.

They're not even out of the street yet when Tenma plays his next card. ''I want to make a stop at my house,'' he says clearly. The only indication that he's been heard is the agent who's not busy driving turning to him. ''My guardian wishes to see me and give me supplies so I can last for a few days. If you don't allow me this, she will contact the police.''

The threat is silent but heard, and the two men don't react except for changing their course. They arrive at Kogarashi Manor within a few minutes and Tenma quickly exists the car, running towards the already opening door. Aki must've kept an eye out.

His sister-figure runs out of the house and meets him halfway through the garden. She catches him in a hug and holds him tight. ''I told my team to contact Minamisawa-san if I'm not back by the start of the match,'' whispers Tenma, his mouth hidden by her hair. ''Turn on the tracker. You can give me updates through the communicator, but I can't promise that I can respond. Make sure no one finds out.''

Aki's nod is almost non-existent, but he can feel the slight lowering of her chin. She pulls away, her usual smile replaced by a worried look. ''Be careful,'' she tells him softly. ''Your parents know. Everything will be alright, I promise.'' She then hands him a bag he hadn't noticed before.

Tenma doesn't check the contents, trusting her to know what to pack, and instead gives her an encouraging smile. ''I have to go now. Take care.''

Aki smiles weakly and squeezes his shoulder. ''No, you take care.''

''I will.'' With that he turns around and walks back to the car, bag clutched tightly in his hand. He closes the car door and they're off again.

~'0'~

By the time they reach Fifth Sector's headquarters, Tenma has more or less managed to compose himself. Unlike his previous visit, he has no idea what to expect this time, so he feels that his dread is justified.

That dread only increases when he steps out of the car once they've arrived. Immediately his arm is roughly grabbed by one of the agents and he almost yelps. Instead he just grits his teeth, allowing the man to pull him along. The hallways they take are all the same, dark metal and cold white lights, with doors and other corridors the only breaks in the monotone place.

Instead of going to the Holy Emperor's throne room, like last time, he's lead higher into the building. He knows enough about Fifth Sector's headquarters from his time in the future to realize that this is where the personal offices of the higher ups are, so whoever has summoned him is, as expected, important.

Eventually, the two agents stop in front of a door and knock. Tenma's eyes widen at the sight of the name written on it, almost flinching back. Senguuji Daigo is written in elegant, golden letters.

'This is bad. This is really, really bad.'

''Come in,'' calls someone and the brunet recognizes Senguuji's voice. Unsurprisingly, the man himself is revealed when one of the agents opens the door, the other roughly pushing him inside. The two agents join them and stand guard by the door.

The time traveler inspects the room. One wall is made of glass, looking out over Tokyo. The floor is made of dark blue metal, but the walls are white. A large, wooden desk is standing in the middle of the room with a comfortable chair behind it. Some potted plans give the room a lighter outlook and paintings on the walls make it feel cozy.

Senguuji himself is standing by the window, watching Tenma. The brunet bites on his tongue to keep himself from saying something he'll regret and instead watches the man warily. This is the mastermind behind Fifth Sector, the one pulling the strings – Gouenji may be the Holy Emperor, but the real power lies with this man.

And, what's more, is that Senguuji doesn't have the same limits as Ishido Shuuji does. He won't hesitate to do whatever he feels he needs to as long as he gets what he wants. One measly child won't matter to him.

Tenma should've anticipated this. He should've known, he should've realized that his messing would lead to problems, he should've, he should've, he should have-

-but he didn't.

And now he's paying the price.

Finally, Senguuji speaks. ''Matsukaze-kun. It's a pleasure to see you again.'' A smile, welcoming but hiding daggers underneath.

Don't be scared. Don't be scared, don't be scared.

He fights the urge to fiddle with something, anything, and ignores the sudden need to swallow. Senguuji is watching him closely and even if he wants to return the favor, the light through the window contrasts sharply with the man's silhouette. The brunet can barely keep his eyes focused on his form and blinks against the sharp sting in his eyes.

Somehow Tenma manages to find his voice to answer. ''Likewise, sir.'' A wince at the agitated note echoing through.

Another smile, sharper, this time. ''I'm sure you're wondering about this place.'' He gestures to the room they're in.

The brunet forces his lips upwards, ''Not really,'' he says, ''your name on the door gave it away.''

Tenma can't help it. He swallows and forces his gaze down, the light too intense to look at any longer. He hears Senguuji laugh, warm and hearty (cruel, cold at his victory coldcoldcold-) and then footsteps. ''I suppose it did,'' agrees the man and the teen flicks his gaze upward now that he won't be blinded anymore.

As relaxed as the other times the brunet's seen him – will he shed that act when the time comes?

''But enough of the jokes, I think we need to get down to business,'' says Senguuji pleasantly as he sits down behind his desk. ''You see, you have caused me... unnecessary trouble, and I find myself a little... aggravated.''

Tenma's heart hammers and his fingers twitch at the blatant threat. He takes another look at the room, hyper aware of the guards blocking the door and the only other entrance – the window – being unavailable unless he wants to jump fifteen stores down.

He stays silent. Anything he says now will only make it worse.

Senguuji doesn't look disturbed. ''The Holy Emperor wishes to be careful with this. Legalities and all. But I believe that by doing it this way, he's showing weakness – weakness Fifth Sector can't afford. We have to be quick and swift in our attacks and hide our tracks, as we have always done.'' He tilts his head, pleased smile still on his face.

His grey eyes glint in the light of the setting sun and something about this all is very wrong.

Tenma almost, almost flinches back but he catches himself in time. Possibilities race through his mind, one after another and he's sharply aware of the air entering and leaving his lungs.

That awareness is torn to shreds a second later.

''You're not hiding anymore,'' he whispers inadvertently and then winces as he realizes that he walked right into that.

Senguuji's pleased smile grows to something more, and together with the sharpness in his eyes the only word that comes to Tenma's mind is mad.

''Indeed I'm not,'' agrees Senguuji, his composed voice suddenly holding untamable amusement and interest. ''The question here is, how would you know that?''

Tenma only has a second to realize he's made a grave mistake, and then footsteps sound behind him, a flash of white, searing pain in his head and he's fallingfallingfalling-

Everything goes black.

~'0'~

Did I end the first chapter of the third Arc in a major cliffhanger?

Why yes, yes I did.

Anyway, updating schedule should be the same as it was for Arc 2: once every one to two weeks, so I'll see you guys again soon!

- Yara Meijer