As they sat down to eat lunch later that afternoon, Yamato couldn't shake what he had seen just a few hours earlier. Kato had been terrible when he first started training; almost hopeless. But over the last few days, his improvement has been drastic.
Yamato: (to himself) He's gotten so strong so fast… and compared to that, I'm…
"Yamato?"
Cookie's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
Cookie: You okay? You haven't been your usual self today.
Yamato: I'm fine. Really.
Cookie tilted her head, studying him.
Cookie: Are you missing your big brother?
Yamato: Huh? Why would I miss that loudmouth?
Kenji smirked.
Kenji: You're a loudmouth too, you know.
That earned a small huff from Yamato, but no comeback. The group fell into a quiet silence as they ate. After a moment, Yamato glanced around the table and realized that Kato wasn't there.
Yamato: Hey, where's Kato?
Mira: He said he wanted to be alone for a while and he went back to the top of the mountain.
Yamato: Oh… I see.
*******
Meanwhile, Kato sat down on the floor as he gazed up at the sky, reflecting on everything that had happened since he became a shadow. He thought of his mother and Takimo as he heaved a big sigh.
Kato: I just hope they'll be okay. Especially mom...
But then, those words came back to him like a jump scare.
"SHE'S GOING TO DIE."
Kato's face fell as those words came to his mind as he hoped deep down that those words would not end up becoming reality. Just then, Yamato came and sat beside him.
Yamato: Yoo. Is something wrong?
Kato: Oh, it's you Yamato.
Yamato: Yeah, of course it's me. So what's eating you up? (pauses) You still have doubts about everything?
Kato: No… that's not it. I was just thinking… Just a few weeks ago, my life used to be normal but I'm the span of three weeks, everything's changed. But what worries me more is my mother.
Yamato sat beside Kato as he poured out himself.
Kato: I've been told she's going to eventually die because of the shadow energy in her body and that's the one thing I haven't been able to accept. I just keep wondering how life would've been if this hadn't happened.
Yamato listened to everything Kato said and began to feel guilt and he clenched his fists.
Yamato: (to himself) He's going through his own problems and here I am, getting jealous and envious of him. That's not being fair to him now, is it? I'm such an idiot.
Yamato sighed and the responded to Kato.
Yamato: Yeah… life really doesn't care about timing, does it? One day everything's normal, and the next it's all upside down.
He looked up at the sky.
Yamato: About your mom… I don't think you're wrong for feeling like this. Anyone would be scared and anyone would wish things stayed the same. I don't know how this all ends. None of us do. But you're not facing it alone anymore. Whatever happens… we'll deal with it together.
Kato looked at Yamato and smiled.
He began to feel a flicker of calm, the weight of his thoughts eased slightly by Yamato's presence. He was about to reply when a sudden whoosh of air sliced past his cheek.
Before he could fully register, a shadowy figure appeared from the treeline, moving with unnatural speed.
It was Kenny.
Kenny: I finally have you, Kato Hamura!
Kato froze. His heart hammered in his chest, every instinct screamed as he wondered why Kenny was there. He didn't have time to react…
But Yamato did.
Yamato: Kato, MOVE!
In a flash, Yamato shoved Kato out of the way just as Kenny's strike connected with the air where Kato had been. The force was brutal, catching both of them off guard. Yamato staggered backward under the blow, and Kato instinctively grabbed his friend's arm, trying to steady him.
Kenny's momentum was unstoppable. With a sickening crash, the two of them were sent tumbling over the uneven ground, rolling into the forest surrounding the training field. Branches snapped and leaves sprayed into the air as they slammed into the earth.
Kato gasped for breath, heart thundering. Pain shot through his ribs, and the ground seemed impossibly far from safe. His hands shook as he looked at Yamato, who was groaning, struggling to push himself upright.
Kato: Yamato! Are you—?!
Yamato coughed, winded but alert. His gaze snapped to Kenny, eyes blazing with raw protectiveness.
Yamato: Get behind me, Kato!
Fear and adrenaline twisted inside Kato. His pulse pounded in his ears. The world felt suddenly too loud and chaotic. Suddenly he began to feel fear and vulnerability; the same feelings he felt when he met Kenny the first time.
Kenny approached, his eyes wild and calculating which made Kato shake.
Kenny: Oh man! I almost gave up waiting for a chance to get you. But who would've thought that the last day would be the day that actually bore fruit.
Yamato: Who are you? How did you get here?
Kenny: The name's Kenny. And I'm here for Kato Hamura. We have unfinished business and there's someone who needs him. You weren't a part of the package deal, so if you back out now, I'll let you live.
However, Yamato didn't budge.
Yamato: I'm not letting you take him!
Kenny: Oh? You're that eager to die? Then I guess I'll grant you your request.
As he walked slowly towards them, Yamato turned to Kato.
Yamato: Kato, I need you to run and get the others.. I'll hold him off.
Kato shook in fear.
Kato: I… I can't just leave you here… I've been in a fight with him before. There's no way you can beat him!
But even as he spoke, Kenny lunged again. Yamato reacted instantly, throwing himself in front of Kato, ready to absorb the strike no matter the cost.
The forest seemed to close in around them, the training field a distant memory. Kato felt the sharp sting of dirt and leaves scraping against him, the shock of the fall, the panic in his chest… and the undeniable, raw instinct that he couldn't lose Yamato here.
Yamato: GO!!!! I'LL HOLD HIM OFF!!!
This time, Kato listened and immediately began running away from the fight. The moment Yamato saw that Kato had run off, he smiled.
Kenny senses the shadow gathering in Yamato's hands and backs away for a bit. Yamato's demeanor changed as he channeled his shadow energy into his hands.
Yamato: [BLACK: SHADOW LIGHTNING]
The Shadow energy in his hands suddenly transformed into giant balls of dark lightning bolts. Kenny smiled once he saw this.
Kenny: Oh? You have some fire in you, yeah? Let's see how long you last with me.