Leo didn’t need to look at his father to know he was smiling proudly. But as they all seemed distracted, the sound of rustling leaves echoed somewhere close by. Akira and his remaining replicates looked to the trees for any signs of movement. That’s when they noticed something soar exponentially to the air from the branches. It didn’t take long to suspect it was the young Kagemusha attempting to get away. But the replicates teleported in time, latching onto the unfortunate Kazu.

“Gotcha!” One replicate announced.

“You’d think so, wouldn’t you Dad?” Smugly questioned the Kagemusha.

His words puzzled all three Akira’s, including the real one at the ground. They were descending fast from the sky, but something still didn’t feel right. Kazu wasn’t doing anything to break free from their hold, much less appear worried. Instead, a faint blue energy began surrounding the Kagemusha as they grew closer. Akira’s eyes widened when he realized what his son was up to and shouted…

“Look out!”

Leo and Celine looked to him with wonder as to what could be wrong. But Fredrick grabbed hold of them, then they and Akira quickly teleported away. When Kazu was seconds from hitting the ground, the energy around him grew more solid. And right before landing, an explosion occurred, creating a mushroom cloud of smoke. The horses still at the field became skittish and started running in random directions. The others were hiding in the forest, taking cover behind a boulder during the blast.

“W-What was that!?” Celine questioned in panic.

“An exploding replicate,” informed Fredrick. “The Kagemusha use them in deceiving multiple enemies at once.”

“I should’ve known better,” Akira muttered and stated, “I taught him that technique a month ago.”

The former Kagemusha hung his head over his own negligence. Leo and Celine teleported back to the field when they heard the startled cries of their horses. The smoke from the blast was still in the area, making it difficult for them to see anything. That is, until Ariel came running by at full speed, almost knocking Celine off her feet. But Leo was quick to teleport a top his horse’s back and pulled at the reigns.

“It’s okay Ariel,” Leo calmly assured. “I’m right here with you.”

 He kept on saying more soothing words until his stallion was at ease. Afterwards, the sorcerer caught sight of Celine calming her own horse through the smoke. The last one galloping around was Kazu’s, but alas, nothing was being done about it. Until finally, the young Kagemusha teleported out of hiding did so himself. Leo rode up to him when the smoke cleared, looking at his cousin with obvious rage.

“What the hell, Kazu!?” Boomed the sorcerer. “You could’ve gotten us all killed!”

“I’m sorry,” he apologized. “But you know how painful my father’s hugs can be.”

While that was true, Leo just shook his head and turned to the explosion site. A large crater was within the field with evidence of ash and soot inside. The three climbed off their horses just when Fredrick and Akira teleported to the scene as well. Kazu kept a distance from his father, knowing he’ll try to surprise him with a hug. They all stared quietly at the hole until Celine blurted out at Kazu…

“I can’t believe you were stupid enough to cause an explosion.”

“I was defending myself against my dad’s replicates!” emphasized the Kagemusha. “And at least I made it without a hug.”

“Yes, well, I would not be so sure on that,” Fredrick doubted.

Kazu turned to Leo’s father, who stood next to him with a crooked brow. He looked over to Akira that was standing just at the far side of his cousin. But what really took him by surprise were two strong arms pulling him up from behind. Kazu felt his body being squeezed mercilessly as he turned back to find who it may had been.

“Ack! U-Uncle Fredrick!!” Shouted the Kagemusha. “W-What the hell are you doing!?”

“Hey now!” He said sternly. “Haven’t your mother and I taught you not to use that sort of language?”

Hearing his father talk like that to Kazu really confused Leo. But as he saw Fredrick snap his fingers, a puff of smoke presented itself from his feet. It floated up past the sorcerer’s head showing that he wasn’t at all who he appeared to be.

“D-Dad!?” Stuttered Kazu in bewilderment.

“Told you I’d get a hug from you,” Akira smugly stated.

The former Kagemusha laughed hysterically as he kept hugging his son. Kazu felt his bones being crushed under the man’s powerful embrace. Leo, however, turned his attention to the other Akira that was just standing beside him. But soon after, he snapped his fingers as well, revealing to be Fredrick in disguise.

“How did you…?”

“Transformation technique,” he answered before his son finished asking, “Your uncle Akira suggested we do it before teleporting back here.”

It’s always astonished Leo how deceptive his father and uncle were. Whether the two were apart, they acted like respectable fathers toward their sons. But when together, both men had the behavior only obnoxious older brothers could possess. Especially considering that Akira wasn’t letting up with the brutal hug he had on Kazu. But the sorcerer had to admit, it was pretty funny watching his cousin struggle out a hug. Celine took immense pleasure at the scene, while Leo recalled a matter left unresolved.

“Anyways, Dad,” he uttered, “Care to tell us why you both are here.”

“Oh right,” Fredrick remembered. “Your mother wants you to come home after you’ve finished training.”

“Do you know why?”

His father merely shrugged without giving his son a response. Leo had hoped to put in more work in his teleportation before leaving the training grounds. But he figured he may as well head home, seeing that no actual training was going on. Sighing, the sorcerer walked up to his horse, and hoisted himself up with ease.

“I’ll head back and see what it is,” Leo stated.

“Alright Cub,” replied his father. “I’ll see you when I get home.”

With nothing more to say, Leo kicked at Ariel’s side, and rode off from the group. Fredrick kept eyes on his son till it seemed he was far enough from view. Then, he turned back to the other three that remained in the field with him. Akira still had his monstrous arms around Kazu, who was still failing to break himself free. Celine caught sight of Fredrick watching them and rushed over with spring in her step.

“What do you think, Mr. Cayden?” Eagerly asked the witch. “Can you make Leo’s birthday wish come true?”

“I might need a talk with your father about it first,” he sighed. 

End of Chapter Two