Neither side holds back now. Usagi makes another rush at him. The blade draws out and misses her. She dives beneath, and his eyes widen from her speed. “Bunny…” There is a moment of hesitation in her. “I’m no damn bunny…” She sneers. Her legs are tied together in a drill-like arrangement. She kicks him in the gut, a shattering of bones crunching as he hits a tree, his body collapsing into a slump. Blood seeps from his mouth, and he is left immobilized, almost unable to breathe. Usagi stands staring at him, her stomach revealing its true damage. A river of blood behind her, she falls.

“Takei! Heal them quickly!” Kubo says with a concerned voice.

“Ishi! Can you bring them closer together so I can heal them both! I don’t think they’ll last much longer if you don’t!” She rushes in.

“Right!” Ishimoto uses his Remnant to bring Usagi over to Okazaki’s side, who is closer to Takei. He was only able to handle them, them not fighting back or being conscious, and he managed to keep her wound from bleeding more.

“Kubo… I believe they went awfully far. Perhaps we should have interfered sooner, don’t you think?” Angel looks on, worried.

“Perhaps you’re right. I didn’t expect them to go so far. It was like each one was willing to fight to the very brink of death.”

Takei is healing both her friends who lay on the battlefield, winded and bleeding, slowly ceasing their wounds. “However, this Usagi girl. There’s something particular about her,” he speaks in a hushed tone.

“Particular?” she questions.

“Yes. These kids are special. Their potential… it may lay even further than that of the vanquished heroes.”

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“I see. Then that’s a good thing. Having that comparison means they can save the world, yes?”

Kubo stares at the girl, who is gaining consciousness in the dirt. “They’re the best chance this world has got.”

“Guys, guys! What the heck? You took that too far, you dummies!” Keiko joins their sides as they wake up. Their wounds are healed, but their bodies are still recovering.

“Yeah, you ain’t lyin’. We took it to the extreme.” Okazaki coughs. “Not only that, but I think Takei’s healing has a bit of a winding period before it fully works. I can barely move still.”

“Yeah, same for me.” Usagi sits up. “I can still feel the blade in my stomach despite their being no trace of it.”

“I think we need to chillout a bit more next time, at least as we start, Usagi. Yes, we need to get stronger, but damn, if that wasn’t a near-death experience.”

Usagi stays silent. The rain rides down her hair and slips onto the dirt.

“Hey, Usagi, everything all right with ya?”

“Yes. I know you’re right. I went too far with it.” A welling beneath her eye, a single tear falls that nobody notices in the rain.

“It’s all right, I understand why you did what you did.” He smiles. “And hey, let me tell you, holy hell, was that a fight! I ain’t ever fought anyone as tough as you! It was like I was actually fighting to stay alive, and that adrenaline is kinda pumping! Yo, Ishimoto, wanna go ride dirt bikes with me after this!?”

“You know I’m not fond of that, so I must refuse.” He sighs. “But I’m indeed happy to see you’re both okay.”

Usagi grins, her body well enough to stand. “That was a hell of a fight, you’re right. I think we got in a sparring session that’s going to permanently improve us there. Now, if I can make a suggestion of my own. How about we all go to a diner? Get something to eat and get out of this rain?”

“Oh! Oh! It’s on me, you guys!” Keiko says as Kubo throws her a glare. She laughs nervously, making everyone chuckle.

“Eh, let little troublemaker have a break. I’ll pay this time. Least I can do for you kids after a hard day of work. Let’s go.”

They all agree, making their way to the diner. Usagi lags behind. I will get stronger, better. She thinks back to the night Mr. Music bested her without a problem. The helplessness, as if she were a small bunny on the edge of a heavy traffic highway, the headlights staring at her as a vehicle came closer, and closer, and closer. Useless little bunny. His voice is fresh in her mind. “I’m not a useless bunny…”