Kira

~

The next day came far quicker than I wanted it to. I wasn't ready to interact with anyone much less a classroom full of my classmates.

The destruction of the precinct Nightmare attacked us at was all over the news, constantly reminding me how badly I'd screwed up. If only I was stronger and I was able to immediately take him down.

I wasn't meant for this.

The morning jog was dropped since I had no energy and I didn't say hi to Troy at the gate.

I barely said a word to Momo, Jade, or anyone else for that matter.

Kuro showed up to keep me company during punishment hours but I told him to just head off with the others.

Despite how calm I'd been the previous night, I was a ball of nerves and mixed emotions.

I called off evening training and secluded myself in my room for the rest of the day, throwing my volleyball against the wall. Kat's room was right on the other side so I hoped it'd bug her enough to show face and yell at me.

I itched to scream at something but I'd rather it not be my teammates or friends.

"You're really asking for it now Kira." She seethed after kicking open my door. I waited for an insult so I'd shoot one back. It never came, instead, I got, "I'm in the middle of something important, whatever's bugging you, I won't be part of it so I'm going downstairs."

I stuck my tongue out as she left, only to be replaced by Ares who invited himself in and stopped the ball before it got back into my arm.

"How about we head down to the indoor gym and practice your spikes." He suggested.

"It's like 10 pm, it's probably closed."

"Which means it's about time you close as well." He said lightly bumping it on my head, "Either go to bed or tell me what's wrong, you're awfully quiet today."

I took the ball from him and started turning it this way and that in my hands. How do you tell you're stepdad that's like your best friend about how a powerful summoner nearly killed you the previous night?

There was no way right?

But I needed to say something.

Anything.

"I...I feel stuck. Like you know...like... let's say you don't want to do something, but you've got to even though you really don't want to. A...and everyone just kind of believes you can even though-"

"Is this still about the moving thing?" He asked gently, I could hear the hurt in his voice.

"No, no. It's not that. I'm cool with that now...I wouldn't mind if we had to return though." I said in hopes of lifting his mood, "I've made a bunch of friends so they'll keep me occupied for now."

"Glad to hear that but then, what's going on?"

"Not sure I want to tell you, but if you can still give me advice, that'll be nice." I pulled my knees up to my chest, "I don't know why they believe in me."

Ares sat down beside me, "This is about your friends right? They want you to do something that they're sure only you can do. Then my best bet is that you start believing in yourself too."

He wrapped an arm around me, "The Kira I know is always confident and ready to take on anything even if she's opposed to it, I don't know what happened yesterday to make you doubt yourself but let me be the one to tell you that I'm always cheering for you." He smiled, "So long as you guys aren't planning anything illegal which if you are, tell me right now."

I managed a smirk, "We aren't, Ares, trust me. It's just teenager stuff."

"In my time, teenager stuff meant drugs and alcohol."

"Cool."

"Please don't say that, it really wasn't," He ruffled my hair.

"'Cause they always had to pull you out of a jail cell." He'd told me many stories about his teenage life before. I could believe everything since he really had no reason to be lying about anything. Ares wore his heart on his sleeve at almost all times.

He nudged me gently, "I see you're feeling better."

"I guess."

"Good." He kissed my head, "No drugs, or illegal substances, please. Also, go to bed."

"Goodnight." I chirped as I tucked myself in.

He switched off the light, "Love you, kid."

"Same," I said softly as I let my head hit my pillow with a soft thud. He was right, I had him and Kat to live for, I couldn't bring them worry and despair just because I was getting cold feet again. I told myself I'd face everything that came my way, I'd listen to what Troy and Kuro said and to Lucifer's instructions.

I had other Demon abilities to awaken and I had to act fast.

The sooner this all came to an end, the better it would be for everyone.