A/N:

I’m really sorry for the super-duper late chapter update! TTnTT

Oh! For the sake of consistency and…because I really can’t think of a name for it….the school the suju boys are attending is going to be called ‘The Academy.’ Lame, I knowww.. ^-^;;;

~*~*~

 Chapter 8. Trial and Error

Outside The Academy Grounds. Friday. 9:00PM

Henry followed Leeteuk and Donghae as they walked through the familiar path to the forest clearing. Donghae took the lead in the front with a hand held out in front of him which crackled with the familiar luminescent neon lightning – brightening the dark path.

Henry shivered as the night air breezed through the trees. The boy closed his jacket tighter in vain hopes to ward off the cold.

After the meeting, Leeteuk requested the quartet and their new partners to stay back out in the hall. He gestured Henry and Donghae to come in first. The president walked into the front of the room and smiled apologetically, “You two will be stuck with me on Friday. Please don’t take this wrongly. I can’t assign you to any missions until I’m certain you two are ready for it.”

Henry trudged through the leaves littered ground. He didn’t hold anything against Leeteuk; he knows where their president’s concern was coming from. Henry understood the dangers of sending him and Donghae out when they have the least control over their talents. But everyone’s out on their top secret missions, and I’m stuck here in school, Henry thought ruefully.

It didn’t take very long for the three to reach their destination. The field was different at night. In the day, everything was in plain sight – all corners and crevices were brightened by the sun. At night, everything was dim and ominous. The moon’s faint glow was none the better in offering a proper light source.

Henry made sure to keep close to one of the two boys – or both – for maximum protection against all things that can go bump in the night. He looked over to where Donghae was standing. The boy no longer was holding lightning out as a source of light, but bringing slim strings of electricity into the air. The electricity danced in the air before it shrunk smaller and smaller till it diminished in the dark.

“I do this a lot to practice my control,” said Donghae as a reply to Henry’s inquiring look. He lit a few more strings of lightning in the air.

Knowing that the boy was busy, Henry moved his attention to Leeteuk. Their new president – or leader – was placing the bags he carried into a small niche in the tree for safekeeping. Henry wondered why anyone would come here at this time at all, besides them of course.  After he was done, Leeteuk moved closer to where Donghae and Henry stood.

“So, boss, what are we going to do today?” Henry asked.

“We’re going to fight,” Leeteuk smirked. He brought two fists up and got into a more professional martial stance. “I’m not as good as Hankyung, though. It doesn’t matter, because you two will be doing the attacking.”

Henry and Donghae sent each other uneasy glances.

“Well, what are you waiting for?”

~*~*~

The Academy. Friday. 10:00PM

“You’re going to drive us there?” Kyuhyun asked skeptically as he trailed behind the upperclassman.

“Did you think we were going to walk all the way there,” said Siwon with a raised eyebrow. He was leading the first year through the winding stairs and hallways that lead to the school’s student parking lot. “Or are you questioning my driving skills?”  The upperclassman dug into his pocket and brought out a red miniature car figurine and threw it to the asphalt.

Kyuhyun was puzzled for a moment, and then a thought occurred to him: Siwon could animate any image into reality. He didn’t have time to contemplate it further when the flash of lights and a resounding beep invaded his senses. The telekinetic’s mouth opened wide in shock.

“My ability has its perks,” said Siwon smugly. He strutted to the now life-sized version, ruby red sports car, and smoothly placed himself in the drivers’ seat. He rolled down the windows and smiled at the still standing first year. “Are you going to get in?”

Kyuhyun nodded mutely.

~*~*~

“I’m sorry, but could you explain what exactly we’re supposed to be doing again?” The telekinetic remembered Leeteuk talking about the mission, but he couldn’t remember the specifics. Damn, that new video game release! Damn, you!

Kyuhyun picked up the package that Leeteuk handed to them from the car floor. He silently observed the faded brown package in his hands. The wrapping was course under his touch, and upon further inspection, Kyuhyun noted the package was fairly light. He gave the package a good shake, but no sound came from it.

“We’re supposed to protect that package with our life,” Siwon said seriously, before flashing Kyuhyun a smile.  “There is a group that’s going to steal that package tonight. We need to protect it from being stolen.”

“If all we need to do is protect it, then why are we bringing it to the place where the group is planning to steal it,” asked Kyuhyun with a shake of his head. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

Kyuhyun caught a glimpse of Siwon’s sly smile. He returned his gaze back to the package in his hands. “You know something I don’t, don’t you?”

“You’re very clever,” Siwon laughed

~*~*~

Somewhere in town. Friday. 10:50PM

Kibum kept his eyes closed and his arms crossed. He was counting down the seconds and minutes in his head to clear his mind. The uneven motion of the bus and the passing lights and sceneries through the windows were giving him a slight headache.

“There’s the unwanted problem, too,” Kibum muttered under his breath.

“Did you say something, Kibum?” Sungmin asked as he cocked his head to the side to emphasis his question. He was seating right in front of the technopath after his failed attempts of getting Kibum to sit next to him.

“Nothing, I didn’t say anything at all.”

Sungmin pursed his lips as he continued to observe the technopath.  He let out a long sigh before he unceremoniously got up from his seat and moved to the seat next to Kibum – much to the irritation of the other boy.  “Why am I getting the feeling that you hate me?”

Kibum didn’t stir at all.

“We’re going to be working partners from now on. We should learn how to work together.” When Kibum didn’t reply, Sungmin continued boldly, “I know that we’re supposed to separate private affairs from work, but I have feeling this has to do with your friend.”

“Henry? Well, he has been gaining a few pounds lately. I should tell him to stop with the snacks.”

“Your other friend.”

“Oh, you mean Ryeowook? He’s the one making all those snacks for Henry. I should tell him to st—.”

“Kyuhyun.”

“What about Kyuhyun.”

“You hate me because of Kyuhyun, right?” Sungmin smirked when he saw the slight frown appearing on the underclassman’s face. “Surely, it isn’t your overprotective brotherly feelings, unless, you like him, too.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

“That doesn’t justify your hatred towards me, though. Maybe it’s because Kyuhyun likes me back? Ah, I know: you’re jealous.”  

Kibum was gritting his teeth; he was using all self-control he had to stop himself from pouncing on the upperclassman no matter how much his irritation was growing. “We must keep our private affairs to ourselves. We’re on a mission remember,” he said through clenched teeth. In a swift movement, he got up and sat himself towards the back of the bus.

~*~*~

Forest Clearing. Friday. 11:00PM

“Okay, okay, that’s enough for tonight,” said Leeteuk. He gathered himself from his position on the ground, and snapped his fingers in the direction of a stray streak of lightning flying wildly in the air.

“Already?” Henry pouted as he relaxed his arms and legs from his fighting stance he was holding. He was undaunted by the lightning flying his way. He didn’t even blink as the lightning disappeared into thin air with a small plop. “I was just getting a hang on it, too.”

“Leeteuk, why did you stop that,” Donghae cried out with a grin as he ran towards Henry and Leeteuk. “I was so close to nailing Henry on the forehead.”

“Oh, really,” Henry asked mischievously. The 1^st Year made a quick motion with his pointer finger forming an invisible triangle, and pointed it in Donghae’s direction. The electrokinetic stumbled, losing his footing for a moment, and landed face first to the ground.

“Why, you’ve got some bad luck there,” Henry snickered.

“You! I’ll get you back for this,” said Donghae with a playful smile. Making use of his position, he rested both of his palms flat on the grainy soil. A small strip of electricity sparked from his finger tips and escaped into the soil. The azure called streaks s around the grass, coiling, and slithering like snakes toward Henry.

“Enough playing,” Leeteuk ordered, though the smile he had plastered on betrayed his serious tone. The snaking electricity soon diminished with a snap of his finger. “I know you both are excited with the progress today, but let’s not exceed your limits today.”  

“We’ve made plenty of progress today.”

~*~*~

Abandoned Building. Friday. 11:30PM

“This is the location?” Kyuhyun asked skeptically. He and Siwon were standing in front of a tall, rusted and peeling, age-worn gate. It was the only entrance to the building they were going to camp in, because on both sides of the gate, stood an even taller concrete wall. Looking past the gate, many yards away was a run-down building. There weren’t many windows but most, if not all, were shattered. The walls looked as if it were drooping. Kyuhyun gulped. This was not a place he would want to spend all night in.

“Are you scared?” Siwon asked impishly. The upperclassmen walked up to the gate and inspected it before he pushed it open. The metal contraption let out a loud and scratchy screech as it opened.  Siwon let out a satisfied smile. “This is good.”

Kyuhyun had no idea what was so good about the gate. Judging by the deteriorated looks of the gate, it wouldn’t serve much as a protection or blockade for the group of people who will be infiltrating the place. “What’s so good about it?”

“It’s good because we have our very own alarm system now,” Siwon said smugly. “There’s no other way to get into the building except through here. The sound the gate made is loud enough to alert us all the way in the building. But just to be sure…” Siwon pulled out a book from the duffel bag he was holding. Kyuhyun was able to make out the a few words of the title.

“The Age of Spies?” Kyuhyun mumbled. He watched as Siwon sifted through the pages of the book. The upperclassman only stopped at the pages that held pictures on them. Using his talent, Siwon brought a few objects from the book into reality.

 “Damn, I really like your talent,” Kyuhyun said in amazement.   

~*~*~

Downtown. Friday. 11:30PM

Ryeowook mentally surveyed the area below from his position perched on top of a tree branch. There was nobody in sight, and there wasn’t anything out of the ordinary from his last observation thirty minutes ago. He had a clear aerial view of the building, and at the same time, the tree’s foliage hid him from view. The healer sighed and leaned backwards on the tree’s rough bark.

“Alright, you and Heechul will be taking the assignment located downtown,” said Leeteuk as he flipped through some papers. “Our informant discovered a small group planning to steal from Lee’s Jewelry Co. and we need you to put a stop to it. It’s a fairly easy mission – your bandits are amateurs, but still you can’t slack off. This is a real mission not a game. Here, these papers contain everything you need to know.”

Leeteuk neatly arranged the papers he was holding back into one pile. He looked at the two for confirmation before offering the papers he stapled to the two. Ryeowook nodded his head once and brought a hand up to take the files. Heechul muttered a yes, although disinterestedly.

Ryeowook glanced down at his watch. Heechul should be arriving soon. He and the upperclassman had agreed to meet up beforehand at this spot. The healer’s ears picked up the soft sound of crunching leaves down below.

“Kid, where are you,” asked Heechul in a whispered yell.  

“Showtime,” Ryeowook whispered to no one. He brought his hood up over his head before he jumped down to the ground.

~*~*~

Abandoned Building. Friday. 12:00AM.

“This is the place,” Sungmin announced.

After taking the bus to the closest stop (which wasn’t that close at all), the two had to trek up the pathway to their destination. It was a very quiet hike; Kibum didn’t speak at all, not even when he was being addressed by Sungmin. After all, his mother did teach him that if he wasn’t going to say anything nice, don’t say anything.

Kibum examined the area. There wasn’t much to see except a towering wall that wasn’t exempt in falling prey to graffiti. He walked alongside the wall, Sungmin following behind him, and found a rusted gate that leads to their real destination.

“Get in, get the box, and get out,” mumbled Kibum as recalled the mission Leeteuk assigned him and Sungmin to. They were supposed to stealthily enter the building, collect the important files implanted in a box, and get out all under a two hour time limit. But what’s the time limit counting down to, thought Kibum.

“Let’s get this show one the road,” said Sungmin as he glanced down at his watch. “It’s three minutes till midnight. Our time limit starts now.”

“It’s locked,” Kibum said after inspecting the gate. He noted a thick chain fit tightly in-between the tiny gaps of gate’s bars. Adding to their bad luck, the padlock was located on the other side of the gate. The technopath brought out a small black tube from his pocket and threw it in Sungmin’s direction. “You get to the other side of the gate, and pick the lock with that. One key for all locks. It’s a device that will mold itself into the proper shaped key for that lock.”

Sungmin nodded and placed the tube in his mouth holding it in place with his teeth. The upperclassman’s body then shrunk smaller and smaller morphing himself into a brown-colored hawk. The hawk, with the tube inside his beak, flew into the sky and over the gate.

“Note to self: Burn that key later,” Kibum muttered with distaste.  

~*~*~

Downtown. Friday. 12:00AM

“When Leeteuk said amateurs, I didn’t think he meant a bunch of kids!” Heechul whispered to Ryeowook. The two were monitoring the jewelry store from a building’s rooftop across it.  The two didn’t wait long before a group of six arrived in front of the store, and both were surprised to see teenagers that look no older than the age of  fifteen. “No offense,” Heechul said as an afterthought to Ryeowook.

“None taken,” replied Ryeowook. He was watching the group intently. The thieves were still struggling to unlock the store’s door. “When should we get them?”

“Let’s see if they could open the lock first,” said Heechul. “They’re still young. Their whole future will go down the drain if they do break in. I just can’t believe they’d waste their lives like this.”

Ryeowook was startled by the gentleness and solemnity in Heechul’s tone. The healer couldn’t help but smile. His indifference act is really just all a façade.

“What are you grinning like an idiot for, brat?” Heechul scowled. He dug into his messenger bag and brought out two black cloths out from it. He took one and handed it out to Ryeowook which the other boy accepted with curiosity. “It’s to cover the lower part of your face. When doing these kinds of missions, you need to keep your identity a secret.” Heechul demonstrated by tying the black cloth over his nose and mouth.

The sound of metal hitting the ground caught Ryeowook’s and Heechul’s attention. The thick padlock that was wrapped around the doors like coils lay in a tangle on the sidewalk. The thieves’ whoops of success echoed off the buildings as they infiltrated the store.

“Damn, those fools,” Heechul whispered harshly. The upperclassman took a deep breath and stood up firmly. “Are  you ready for this, brat?”

“Yes,” Ryeowook replied with determination.

~*~*~

Abandoned Building. Friday. 12:00AM

“Did you hear that?” Kyuhyun asked Siwon, shining his flashlight across the hall. The two were exploring the halls of the building to find a secure place to implant the package. “They’re here so soon.”

“Yeah, looks like our guests are here. Here, we’ll need a way to keep contact with each other.” Siwon said as he took out a pair of earpieces. He handed one to Kyuhyun before inserting one in his ear. The upperclassman then brought out a pair of night vision goggles. “The darkness will act as our cover. “

The loud creak of the gates resounded in the dark for a second time. Siwon immediately took the package from his backpack and handed it to Kyuhyun. “Closing the gates, how nice of them. I guess we’ll go with plan two since we couldn’t find a safe place for that package.”

“Yes, sir!” Kyuhyun chuckled, sending a salute in Siwon’s way. He took the items graciously, and with a quick hand movement the package hovered in the air. “I’ll keep the package close and safe!”

“Very good, soldier!” Siwon said, humoring Kyuhyun’s antics. “Let’s move out, and remember to keep safe!”

~*~*~

Abandoned Building. Friday. 12:30AM.

“That key you’ve got there really comes in handy. Do you think you can make me one?”

“…”

“Back to keeping quiet, huh?”

“…”

“You weren’t so quiet when you were barking orders earlier!”

“Could you be quiet? We’re already thirty minutes down, and we still haven’t got any leads.”

Kibum grinned when Sungmin kept quiet. The corridors of the building were narrow and long, all the rooms they have checked were all empty. There were no signs of the package, and as time was limited, Kibum hoped they would find something soon. The sooner the better.

The dim sounds of footsteps caused the two to halt. Kibum and Sungmin strained their ears to catch the direction of the sound.

“Looks like we’re not alone,” whispered Sungmin, seriousness edged in his voice. “If you listen closely, there are two sets of footsteps.”  

“One is coming from behind us and the other is moving in front of us,” replied Kibum. “I think we should split up. One of them is bound to know where the package is.”

“You’re right. I’ll take the route behind us, you go ahead and go forward,” said Sungmin. “Kibum, be careful.”

“Tch, I don’t need your petty concerns,” smirked Kibum.

~*~*~

Downtown. Friday. 1:00AM.

“You should have chosen to repent when we gave you the chance,” Heechul scolded as he finished the tying the knot on the ropes holding the thieves together.

“Who are you,” one of the thieves asked as he struggled to break the bindings.

“SJ, ever heard of us?” He smiled when the thieves’ eyes widened at the name. “You really didn’t stand a chance did you?”

And the façade is back, mused Ryeowook. He was gathering all the jewelry stolen from their cases into one pile. The pile was glittering in all its gold, silver, and bronze glory. Ryeowook was satisfied with the smooth sailing of his first mission. The thieves didn’t put much of a fight when he and Heechul entered the store nor did they take the option he offered them to leave the store without the jewelry. There were a few protests, but nothing Heechul’s talent couldn’t fix.

“I gathered it all,” Ryeowook said as he motioned Heechul to come over.

“Man, look at all that jewelry,” Heechul eyed the ornaments enviously before whipping out his cell phone. “I guess our job here is done. Time to call the authorities.”

Ryeowook nodded and diverted his attention back to the group of teenagers. It’s really such a pity they didn’t choose to leave when they had the chance. The healer recalled the conversation he had with Heechul. Ryeowook had asked the reason why Heechul didn’t make them leave the store with the use of his talent. Heechul replied that the thieves were entitled to make their choices and forcing them to leave wouldn’t make them learn.  

He surveyed the five solemn expressions of the teenagers. Wait, five…weren’t there six? , how could we miss this! “Heech—“ Ryeowook tried to yell, but the eerie sound of a loud crack and the sound of a body hitting the floor drowned out his voice. “Heechul-ssi?”

Ryeowook spun around in haste to face the strange noise, his heart thumping wildly in his chest when he received no reply. The healer paled immediately from the sight before him. There was the sixth thief standing with his back-faced to the healer. The thief had a rusted crowbar clutched in his left hand, but there was something odd. Rolling down the crowbar was a crimson colored liquid. Blood. Ryeowook’s eyes immediately darted to his partner lying on the floor motionless, a pool of blood forming around the crown of Heechul’s head.

“I can’t go to jail. I can’t go to jail.” The sixth thief repeated hysterically as he dropped the crowbar. The shrieks of terror from his partners in crime didn’t affect him at all. “I can’t go to jail. I can’t go to jail.”

Ryeowook shut his eyes closed as his breathing hitched -- the rapid beating of his heart increased in pace. Blood, a lot of blood. Injured. Bleeding. Dead. Killed. Murder. Murder. Then something snapped. Ryeowook ran with great fury tackling the thief down into a heap. “You. Killed. Him.” Each word was emphasized with a punch to the thief’s face. “You. Killed. Him.” He was punching with such force that the layer of skin covering his knuckles bled raw. Ryeowook grabbed for the crowbar and raised up, ready to strike. He ignored the yells of pleas from the other thieves.

“Brat?” A hoarse whisper called out, snapping Ryeowook out of his daze.

“Heechul-ssi?” Ryeowook asked tumbling off the sixth thief who was slowly losing conscious. Once at Heechul’s side, the healer noticed that the upperclassman was still breathing although faint. He hastily brought both his palms out and placed them on top of Heechul’s bloody head wound. The familiar healing glow emitted out of his hands encasing the head wound entirely.  

~*~*~

“Are you sure you’re alright?” 

“How many times am I going to say this, kid? I’m alright. You healed my wound perfectly,” Heechul replied a bit testily. He ran a hand through his hair which was tangled and coated with dried blood.  “What I need is to take a nice long shower.”

The two were back on their lookout on top of the roof watching the scene unfolding before them. The flashing blue and red lights down below shined brightly in the dark. The teenage thieves were quietly being led into the backseat of the police cars.

The two stayed on the rooftop till the last of the police cars drove away into the still night.

“What a night. I almost got killed, but we came out victorious!” Heechul exclaimed humorously, trying to break the awkward silence. “I only wish I got to sock the guy who dirtied my nice hair! But you got him pretty good, so I shouldn’t be complaining.”

Ryeowook was clenching his bruised and bloodied fists tightly. “Heechul-ssi, it’s not funny. You almost died.”

The silence stretched on for a long moment. Neither of the two spoke, both lost in their own minds. It was Heechul who broke the silence.

“That’s how it’s going to be kid,” Heechul sighed as he placed his hands on the healer’s shoulders, looking straight into Ryeowook’s eyes. “These missions are going to be no walk in the park. That’s why we wanted to make sure you four were ready and up for the task.”

Heechul removed his hands and walked to the edge of the rooftop to observe the exterior of the Jewelry shop. “What happened down there could happen again in another mission. But you know what, kid? You did a damn good job for your first mission.” Heechul smiled at Ryeowook and ruffled the boy’s hair. “Thank you for saving my life.”

“Heechul-ssi…”

“Ah, don’t call me that, you’ll make me feel old. Call me hyung from now on,” Heechul said to his new dongsaeng. “Let’s go back now. You’ll need to get those hands of yours bandaged, too.”

~*~*~

Abandoned Building. Friday. 1:45AM.

Kibum stealthily followed the faint sounds of footsteps through the long corridors. As he walked down the hall, the footsteps got louder and louder signifying the close proximity he was near the unknown person. His hand subconsciously reached for his belt containing his offensive gadgets. “Standby: Propelling Missiles,” he whispered into the darkness.

He made a sharp right turn in the corner and noticed an outline of a person in the darkness. The unknown person must have noticed technopath, because as soon as Kibum stepped forward, the person broke out into a swift run. Kibum, not one to give up, ran after the unknown person.

“Activate: Propelling Missiles,” commanded Kibum. The five metallic spheres detached themselves off from the technopaths’ belt and whistled forward after the unknown person.

Kibum heard the sound of crunching metal, and before he knew it one of his Missiles came sailing back towards him. The technopath quickly ducked out of its trajectory as the metallic sphere landed on the floor with a clunk. Curious, he picked up the Missile. The Missile was no longer a sphere; it had many tiny dents pushing into the center. “Who could do this…?”

As Kibum rounded into the room, an unseen force roughly sent him stumbling back into the hall. What was that? The other person can’t have talent. . .

“Whoever you are, stop following me,” said the unknown person, his voice carrying out into the hall with ease in the quietness of the night.

This voice…Kibum straightened himself from the ground before asking into the room. “Kyuhyun?”

Kibum could hear the shuffling of footsteps as Kyuhyun emerged out of the room and into the hall. “Kibum? What are you doing here?”

“I heard this building was a five-star hotel, guess I was wrong,” Kibum replied sarcastically. He dropped his sarcasm when Kyuhyun sent him a pointed look. “I’m on a mission to retrieve a package from this building. How about you? What are you doing here?”

Kyuhyun’s eyes widened in shock as he listened to Kibum’s explanation. “I guess we’re in a predicament aren’t we?” Kyuhyun said slowly, “I’m here on a mission to protect a package from being stolen.”

“What’s going on here --,” Kibum was interrupted by beeping noises echoing in the halls, loud enough for the whole building to hear.  He and Kyuhyun immediately covered their ears with their hands to block out the noise.

“Time’s up!”

~*~*~

A/N:

I want to apologize again for posting a really late chapter!! >o<;

Not much Henry in this chapter, but he’ll have his moments to shine in future chapters~! Especially since he learned something new, hehehehehe. Ryeowook’s first mission wasn’t anything like Kibum’s or Kyuhyun’s, but that’s one of the dangers of being a vigilante.  (TT_ TT)  Kibum and Kyuhyun were assigned to be opposing teams for their mission? What’s going on? Hehe, all will be explained next chapter.

This chapter wasn’t that much exciting since I skipped all the action that was meant to go down...sorry! Aftermath and outcomes of the little ‘missions’ will be in the next chapter~ 

Thank you for reading~! I hope you enjoyed this chapter~! :D 

Love,

Spring Samurai