~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Chronicle Twelve - all hail the Kamiyashiki ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Wait a minute... is that... the Bishamon...?" Yumi was stunned. There was simply no way that it could have been the Bishamon. And yet it looked just like it. The same colour and plates of armour, a similar Energy Katana (though this one seemed to be a little bit longer that the previous) and aside from a few differences in shape and height; that machine looked exactly like the old Bishamon M-2. But how could that have been possible if Yumi had been trapped inside that sphere of her own Qi for 6000 years? It just wasn't possible. No matter what the reasons, Yumi stood with Tomoko and stared up at the three Modified-Zagans that were hovering forty metres up above the city of Troas. They had called themselves the 'Blue Fire Gang' and had their guns aimed at the townsfolk. They had also declared that the village hand over all its food to them so that they could 'protect' Troas from Ashurian Subjugation. And now the only thing standing between them and the people was that Bishamon Meta Suit. When the Bishamon came down from the skies above, the three members of the Blue Fire Gang turned all their attention to it and aimed their guns for fire. The first pilot yelled, "Who the hell are you!?" And the pilot of Bishamon made no reply. Then the pilot of Modified Zagan #2 chuckle. "...Oh? The silent type, eh? It doesn't really matter. We'll still kill this guy! Are you with me, boys!? Lets show him what it means to meddle in the Blue Fire Gang's business!" The pilots of Modified Zagans #3 and #1 yelled in agreement and then all three suits charged at the Bishamon in union. This Bishamon itself did not move from that point. It waited where it was for the attacks that were sure to come from them. And all three Modified Zagans fired their beam rifles in rapid succession. The Bishamon ignited its thrusters and jetted up into the air even further. Moving with a far superior manoeuvrability to the old Meta Suits of Yumi's time. It bolted higher into the air and sailed above the gunshots from the three attackers. Once it reached a new height, the pilots of the Modified Zagans all blasted up their with their own thrusters. Yumi watched this and knew what the pilot was thinking He was probably trying to the fight away from the villagers below in the Troas streets. The first of the Modified Zagans rushed at the Bishamon to attack. But this was the point at which the Bishamon's pilot altered his strategy. The right metal hand of the Samurai mecha reached back and grabbed onto the hilt of the Energy Katana that was sheathed on its back. It gripped the blade and then withdrew it in one clean action. The 42-metre long sword glistened with sheen upon freedom. Then the Bishamon used its awesome power. With one searing stroke it sliced downwards and cut the attacking Zagan in half. With a stroke so swift that neither of the other Blue Fire Gang members had caught onto it on time. Modified Zagan #1's two halves exploded with each other in that instant. While Bishamon swung its body around and turned to Modified Zagan #3. The shoulder plates on its red Japanese-style armour opened up. And two turrets extended from that same point Those Shoulder Gatlings then began twirling with rapid fire. Hundreds of bullets were shot into the steel torso of Modified Zagan #3 at incredible speeds. And moments later that same force blew the suits into oblivion. Which just left one last thing to take care of. Modified Zagan #2. The pilot of the suit soon knew what position he was in. But like the fool that he was, he made no attempt to run. Rather he re-aimed with his laser cannon and fired continuously at the Bishamon. Now, using more of that enhanced Anthropos Era speed, the Bishamon cut past all that mess, darting from one side to the other of the line of fire. Once it was close enough it thrust its Energy Katana into the body of the last of the Modified Zagans. The moment that the Bishamon pulled its sword out, it flew backwards to avoid the following explosion. One so loud and forceful that the people of Troas had to cover their ears before erupting with cheer. All three suits had been destroyed. And the pilot didn't even seem to have been trying very hard. Tomoko crossed her arms and stared at the suit from below, with a kind of authoritative/proud look on her face. "Good job," She said coolly, "...Skye must have told you to come..." Yumi pointed at the suit but glared at Tomoko. "...Do you know who's piloting that suit?!" "Of course I do." "Then who is it?!" "Ask him yourself," Tomoko said, shrugging, "Here he comes." Just as Geist Fahlem and Lune exited the restaurant to see what the commotion was, the Bishamon started to land in the park that Yumi and Tomoko were standing in. The owners of the shopping stalls all clamoured around their merchandise to stop it from being blown away. The exhaust of the Bishamon's large thrusters lessened when it came down to ground level. The loud sound of landing came thereafter when its feet touched upon the grass just twenty metres ahead of Yumi and Tomoko Fahlem and Lune came up behind them but said nothing. And just looked up at the red Meta Suit that was standing before them. The automatic doors leading into the opening of the cockpit soon unlocked and slowly parted for the brave occupier. That young man stepped out of the cockpit and jumped out to deftly land on the grasslands below him. A blonde-haired youngster with partly American and partly Germanic origins Dressed comfortably in a pair of stonewash jeans and a brown leather bomber jacket, with a white logo on the back that stated 'Madman'. The youth tossed his ponytail over his shoulder, turned his plum-coloured eyes to Tomoko and gave her a cocky thumbs up. "How's that, boss?" Tomoko uncrossed her arms. "You certainly took your time! But you got the job done in the end. This should free up enough money for us to keep moving towards North Horan, right?" Yumi was completely oblivious to the conversation that they were having. Her wide blue eyes remained locked on the pilot of the Bishamon. The one who just jumped down from it in all his glory. Terry Hennig. Yumi's expression went from one of sheer surprise to one of unbridled joy. Her eyes watered over instantly. And before she was even aware of it, Yumi was running to him. Still stumbled across the path between the two of them but she didn't care. All she cared about was this. Her best friend was alive. Yumi threw herself into a startled Terry's arms and sobbed instantly, overcome by emotion. "Oh God, Terry!" She yelled, "I thought you were dead! I really thought you were dead! Doctor Fahlem told me that everyone on the Leviathan had been killed and I thought... I thought... oh Terry, I'm so sorry..." Terry looked down upon Yumi with some slight confusion, but Tomoko was the one most curious about this turn of events. She strode up to the pair of them with an angry, questioning glare. Exchanging glances between the joyful Yumi and the slightly bewildered Terry Then she grabbed onto the older man's collar with a tight fist. "...You jerk!" She bellowed irately, "Are you sleeping with her?! What about Skye!?" Terry waved his hands in defence. "Of course not! I swear to God! She just came up and started hugging me! I don't know her from Adam!" "Huh...?" Yumi expressed, looking up tearfully from Terry's shoulder. The slightly older boy grabbed Yumi by the shoulders and slowly pushed her back from him. "...Look, um... I'm sorry, Miss. But I'm already in a relationship... and... I don't make a point of jumping into bed with every stranger that comes up and hugs me... even if she does know my name." Yumi blinked "...Terry... you don't... remember me?" "...Should I?" "But on the Leviathan you said... that you loved me..." Tomoko's eyes hardened. "You ARE sleeping with her, damnit!" The blonde youth's shoulders sagged with exasperation. Then he turned his attention back on Yumi once more. "...Listen, Miss I guess we must have known each other from some time before... but I have someone I'm with now. You seem to be a nice enough girl, but..." Yumi shook her head from one side to the other. "...You don't remember me, do you?" "...Not... really..." "But what about EDEN?" Yumi prodded, "You were fighting to protect it and its people, remember? And the Leviathan and the crew of Chrysalis? The way your parents died? Protocol? General Naam? Can't you recall any of it at all...?" Terry simply shrugged. "Sorry. Doesn't ring a bell." That was it. Yumi's hands lowered from Terry's shoulders in a slow, dejected way. Terry didn't even remember her. After all they had been through in their days as partners of the Chrysalis militia, he didn't recognize her at all. There were more important questions she should have been asking. Like just how was it that Terry was able to survive for 6000 years after the Divine Cataclysm. Or why he had no memory of her. Yumi's brief bit of happiness faded away as though it had never been there at all. While Tomoko looked at Yumi from the side of her eye. There was something going on here. And Tomoko seemed to be picking up on it. The short-haired teen ruffled her hair. "Alrighty then. I suppose we've got an issue here. And I'm not the type to leave something unfinished. Yumi? Are you here on your own?" "...No..." Tomoko pressed her hand onto her hip. "Okay. Then go get your friends and we'll clear this all up. It's time you met up with the Kamiyashiki." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ For the second time in 24 hours, a plane was descending from the sky to the northern runway of the St. Mary's Base of Western Horan. It was a plane that had flown all the way from South Shidou, or more specifically it had flown from the South Shidou Investigate Research Station. Inside its large hull was a very important cargo which was now being treated with a code red importance. That cargo happened to be the Oriax. Alongside the plane flew an accompanying custom-made Meta Suit. One that had been flying with the cargo ship to protect it until it reached St. Mary's base. That Meta Suit was known as Hanuman. Its armour was painted a dark black. With rigid proportions to its arms and chest to give it the impression of muscles. A huge mane of decorative horse hair extended from the skull of the Hanuman all the way to its back. In its hand was an elongated Meta Suit-size Naginata. On that was remotely linked to the Qi Generator of the mecha. That was the Hanuman. And the Hanuman was piloted by none other than Aratia de Toscana. Hanuman and the cargo ship descended for the runway when they neared the St. Mary's Base. They both landed safely, Hanuman coming down at a faster speed that the plane. This brought the incoming party to the middle of the northern runway Where a few people were waiting for them. Once the feet of Hanuman touched the ground, its stomach cockpit doors opened up for the pilot, Aratia, to exit. Which she did. The girl jumped from the opened cockpit and came down to the ground level gridiron. Two of the people waiting for Aratia and the cargo ship were Diana Katrianna and Doctor Mien. Behind them were four armed security guards. Security was always tight around these research facilities owed to the Ashurian Empire. Though the scientific aspect of this particular base was just one of its specialities, St. Mary's was no exception to the rule. Aratia ran a hand through her bangs and stared on at the two scientists waiting for her. "Here is it," The feisty Ashurian soldier said, "that old Meta Suit you people kept badgering me for. Indulge yourselves." Diana took a special note of this one, smiling. "Aratia de Toscana You are one of the three members of the Shinjinkai, the star pilots of Schutzenreich It's been a long time." Aratia scratched the side of her head while some of the worker began to unload the Oriax from the hull of the cargo ship. "...Have we met?" "...How soon they forget," Diana suggested, "I am Diana Katrianna. Leader of the scientific team known better to you as the Ministry of Metaphysical and Biotechnological Neo-Eugenic Research. The same team that was behind the creation of the Hanuman. As well as the muscle enhancers that have increased the physical strength of the Schutzenreich soldiers. That suit you were piloting is one of my earlier creations. I see you have made some modifications." Aratia scowled. "I know you. You're that chick from Aryahm who built those damn Stolas Marionettes." Doctor Mien frowned at Aratia's lack of respect, but Diana simply smiled with that calm, cool aura; unfazed. "I take it that you are not an aficionado of the unmanned Marionettes?" "It's a soldier's duty to fight," Aratia barked, "I don't need a computer system doing that job for me. I didn't get to where I am now by relying on some piss-ass super AI. I do my job damn well." The older woman opened her eyes. "And you would say that my creations interfere with your role as a soldier? I find that to be an interesting point of view. And also one that I cannot share. You see... you may have a point in saying that the Marionettes forsake the role of soldiers in battle. But I do not use that machinery. I only design and create it. Its overall use is determined by the will of its intended owners. Take that Hanuman for example. I may have created it. But I can't be blamed for the lives that it has taken during activation. Because I am not the one who either uses or owns it. That is you. And in the case of the Marionettes, that is Gustav K”hler, the leader of the Schutzenreich. The role of the weapon is determined by the hand and mind of the user. And since Commander K”hler is, by your unceremonious description, a soldier, and the will of the soldier is shared by all those who call themselves such... wouldn't that suggest that the problem you are expressing is internal? It is as many say One's greatest enemy is found most often within themselves In which case... what right do you have to blame the creator for the changes forced upon you by the weapon that person created? Isn't that... for lack of a better definition... running away from yourself?" Aratia stood silently with a mixed expression of anger and realization on her face. One that caused Diana's smile to widen. Especially when she put forth, "There are two sides to every coin, Miss Toscana. A person can judge or be judged by either of those sides. I am not so unbelievably arrogant that I could presume to tell you that the impending obsolete nature of your position is completely unconnected to me. But neither am I so self-critical that I could allow myself to be blamed for the way your superiors use my technology I am a scientist. It is my role to discover. What people do with my discoveries and how they use them is not my concern." "Is that right?!" Aratia said, clutching her fist Diana merely chuckled. "Correct. Now as much I would love to continue this discussion I have much work to do upon the Oriax. While you are stationed at St. Mary's you are obligated to follow my orders. Thus you will remain on standby until further notice. Do you understand?" Aratia's growl could have been heard from miles away. She had serious problems with authority below Queen Ashura, the only woman that the blonde vixen pledged true fealty to; but she had no choice in this matter. Orders were orders Aratia exhaled a calming breath and replied, "...Whatever." With that; Diana bid Aratia a last smile and strode over to the cargo ship that the Oriax was being removed from by the hands of over twenty Chuggers. Aratia watched her walk off and glared at the older woman. "What a bitch," She muttered, "Man, I hate scientists." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "...So you're... bounty hunters...?" The battleship 'Kamiyashiki'. At a total length of over 160 metres and an overall width of little under 68 metres, weighing more than 340 tonnes made up of pure steel. It was definitely smaller and less well equipped with comparison to the Chrysalis battleship, Leviathan; but it certainly was worthy of the comparison. The Kamiyashiki was very large in its own way. Large enough to contain its own Meta Suit hanger which could house more than ten suits But considering the size of the Kamiyashiki, it was rather undermanned. There were not many people on board for something of this size. Geist Fahlem was quite taken by the ship in any case. And Lune had found herself to be very impressed But she had spent most of her life in a prison... so seeing this kind of thing was bound to be impressive to her. Yumi was less thrown by the ship and more concerned with the pilot of the Bishamon. The man who she had thought to be her best friend. Terry Hennig. But Yumi was not ignoring the questions that were popping up in her mind now. Ones that were more glaring than before. Like how Terry managed to survive the Divine Cataclysm and live on for another 6000 years without growing a day older in looks. And why he had no memory of the past. No memory of Yumi or the love he once felt for her. The group had gathered at the head of the Kamiyashiki. The bridge. Just the kind of bridge you would expect for such a ship. It was circular, built with a platform for the captain of the ship to command from. Standing on that bridge platform now was Tomoko, Terry, Yumi, Fahlem and Lune. While the surrounded computers were manned by three people that were as yet; unknown to the visitors. Though one of those people kept a glance on Terry every few minutes. Tomoko nodded. "Yup. Though I don't like to think of my crew as a bunch of bounty hunters. I prefer to think of us as... 'pirates'." "But that... really isn't the case... is it?" "Geez, man," Tomoko sighed, her shoulders sagging, "Can't you at least humour me? But... yeah... I guess the best way to classify us is as a band of bounty hunters. You see we take on jobs for people for a set price and then carry 'um out. Once we get paid... we move on. It's kind of a rootless existence, that's for damn sure, but that's the way we operate That's the way Tomoko Minaba works." Fahlem held a hand to his chin. "...Tomoko Minaba? As in the Jaankang Minaba Family? Are you... the daughter of Yoshinori Minaba?" Tomoko's expression hardened. "...You know about my Dad?" "A small amount," He replied, "...I'm sorry." "Don't be. That was a long time ago. I don't hold grudges. Life's too short for them. Anyways, that's enough about us. I didn't bring you three to this ship so you could hear me gas on about my own life. Introduce yourselves and explain to me... just what you're doing here." Fahlem smiled at Tomoko. It really wasn't her place to be questioning them like this. But she had a very powerful form of confidence that seemed a bit foreign to this day and age. And he knew, even from then, that that same confidence would do wonders around someone like Yumi. But for now, he only answered the question "...My name is Geist Fahlem. I am travelling with Yumi and Lune." Tomoko crossed her arms and looked over at Lune. "Well I already know who Yumi is so that must make you Lune. Right?" "Uh huh!" Said the chirpy girl. The young captain of the Kamiyashiki smiled confidently. "Okay then. Since you're on the ship now... I guess I can be straight up with you. My crew is made of about twelve people. The three helms people below us are from right to left; Neela, Suzuhara, and our chief engineer himself, Skye K”hler." Again Geist was astounded. "Wait a moment. Skye K”hler? Aren't you the grandson of Commander Gustav K”hler, the leader of Aryahm and the Schutzenreich?" The eighteen-year-old boy, the short-haired Skye K”hler, the one who had been exchanging glances with Terry; was that same person. Skye sighed gently from his sitting position on the chair and swivelled around on it until he was facing the platform that his leader was standing on. "Yes," He said dispassionately. Terry rested his palms behind his head. "...Skye doesn't talk much... but yeah, that's the deal. Now that you know where he is... and who he is... I expect you to keep it a secret." "I understand," Fahlem assured, "I will speak no more of the issue." Skye turned back around on his chair, facing the control panel of the ship. But not before throwing one longing glance in Terry's direction. Terry noticed it and gave him a warm smile; one that seemed to say 'it's okay'. A form of reassurance. Skye pulled a tiny smile from that... knowing that he was safe with Terry looking out for his best interests. Fahlem noted it. And he was beginning to understand a bit more about Gustav's nature... from taking such an observation. Tomoko piped up again. "Alright, enough about Skye. He hates attention I need to know what you people are planning on doing." "And what does that mean?" Geist wondered. "Oh don't play dumb with me, Doctor Fahlem. You look too smart for it. I studied the Properties of Qi as a subject in college no less than a year ago. I can sense when someone has high affinity with the stuff All three of you are practically swimming in it. So explain yourselves." "...What's this... Qi thing?" Lune asked, blinking. "...I suppose I should say something," Geist answered, "Lune, Qi is the life force of all living things The substance that fuels the engine of life. All are bound to it in some shape and form. You happen to possess a large amount of that energy." Lune still didn't understand, but... "...Okay..." "Hey, are you gonna answer me?" Tomoko prodded, "Come on, what's your deal? I know that you're more than just travellers. So spit it out." Fahlem pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Very well. I cannot tell you everything until I can be sure that you are all trustworthy. But for the most part you should know that we are on the run from the Ashurian Empire And soon they will be coming for us." "Runaways, eh?" Tomoko evaluated, "I got it. So what did you do?" Geist shook his head. "Like I told you. I cannot supply you with all the information until I am sure you can be trusted. And that depends now on the answer you give me." "To what?" Asked Terry. "There is a certain Meta Suit," The doctor started, "called the Oriax. That suit belongs to Yumi. And our main agenda right now is to get that suit back. As you have stated that you carry out missions... I must ask... will you help us to retrieve the Oriax?" Tomoko scratched her nose in thought. "Messing with the Ashurians, eh? That can be big business if you don't know who you're dealing with. D'you know the power they have at their hands?" "Of course I do," Fahlem said seriously, "and to a far greater degree than even you, Miss Minaba." "Alright, alright, keep your pants on. I'm just saying that the Ashurians don't kid around with this kind of shit Anyways, we'll take on any job offered to us. But we don't come cheap. Unless you've got 200,000 extra credits laying around this thing's over." Fahlem bobbed his head to her. "It's a deal. I can give you the money soon enough. But this mission will be dangerous. Can I trust that your people will be brave enough to handle it?" Terry grinned at the Ishtar. "Hey, don't underestimate us, doc. We can handle ourselves. My Bishamon M-4 is more than enough to see me through any kind of fight. Besides. If this Oriax thing is a new model then I'd love to check it out." Fahlem smiled at that. "Well... I wouldn't classify it as a 'new model' but its overall capabilities are quite staggering. But if that is your wish then I am sure you will be pleased when you lay your eyes upon it." "Okay then, so it's agreed," Tomoko clarified, "My crew will help you get this Oriax suit for a fee of 200,000 bucks. Now we need a few details about the mission itself. Exactly where is the Oriax and how do you want us to go about getting it back...?" ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Towards the upper rear level of the Kamiyashiki was a large recreational hall. It was full of the usual stuff you'd expect to find in such a place. Circular coffee tables, pool tables, wall posters and framed pictures, vending machines for carbonised beverages, candy bars, sandwiches and coffees, as well as three plush sofas formatted around a wide screen TV which picked up a great deal of channels via illegal radio wave receptors. It was the kind of place that you'd expect bounty hunters to rest and relax in. Since so few people were manning so large a ship, it was quite empty aside from one person. And that person was Yumi. She stood by the bullet proof glass that made up the hall's rear window. From there she could look out unto the land that the Kamiyashiki was flying over. The green fields and plains of Horan. They were heading north west, to a place in Horan called the St Mary's Base. Somehow Fahlem knew that the Oriax was being taken there by the Ashurian Empire. Although that was something that Yumi could not focus on. When she looked out through the window she was not seeing the grasslands of Horan; she was just thinking about all that had happened to get her to this point. Seeing Terry... or whoever he was... had done nothing but remind Yumi of how alone she felt. Yumi had been alone ever since her father was killed by Protocol agents. Though she was in a coma for five years after that, when she awoke she was on her own. It was only when Yumi joined Chrysalis that she started to feel... like she had found a place to belong to. With Sophia and Terry and everyone else... Yumi didn't feel alone But now... Yumi felt more lonely than ever before. Not only had her friends all died, but the world around her was warped beyond belief. She had no home, no friends, no family, no money, no job, no security, and no hopes or ideas as to what to do now. The only thing keeping her going was the thought of Geist Fahlem better explaining things when they got to Geshem with the Oriax. But once she learned her truths... what would Yumi do then? It wasn't like she could re-write history and go back to the Leviathan. This was her life from now on. This empty life of loneliness and sadness was hers and hers alone. The automatic door on the other side of the recreation room opened. And the captain of the ship and its crew, Tomoko, stepped through it. She pulled a smile when she saw the girl, but that smile lessened when she also saw Yumi's shoulders tremble. She was about to cry. "...Hey," Tomoko called out, "Are you okay?" Yumi held back her tears. "...I'm... fine..." "...You know... when people say 'I'm fine' as a reply to 'are you okay' it usually means 'I'm NOT fine'. So... you wanna talk about it?" "No." "...Oh. Okay then." Tomoko shrugged her shoulders and walked up to the same window that Yumi was now facing. She stopped when she and Yumi were side to side. They stood their like that for no less than seven minutes Until Yumi actually turned her head and looked at her. Tomoko did the same seconds afterwards. "...What?" "...Are you... just..." "...Am I just going to stand here?" She filled in, "It is my ship, after all." The Japanese girl cast her eyes downwards. "...I'm sorry." "Geez, do you do that often?" "Do what?" "Apologize for things that you don't need to apologize for?" "...I..." Yumi was lost for words, "...well..." Tomoko closed her eyes with a smile. "...I used to know someone just like you, you know..." "...W-who...?" Yumi wondered "My Father." "...Your Father...?" "...He..." Tomoko crossed her arms before continuing, "...was a politician. In Jaankang The post of Prime Minister was abandoned years ago but that was the best word to describe him. Jaankang has a history of conflict with its neighbour, the nation of Shengong. After the last war between the two, about eighty years ago, relations have been frayed. And the 'wonderful' world of politics in Jaankang were pretty much screwed from then on. I mean don't get me wrong. It makes sense to me that my Dad wouldn't have had an easy time of it, but..." Yumi watched the seriousness in Tomoko's face. "...What...?" "...I didn't think people would go THAT far against him. Say, do you know what Aryahm is?" Yumi shook her head for a no. So Tomoko explained it. "Aryahm is a gigantic city-sized nation created by the Ashurian Empire for the purpose of gaining a foothold on the world. It was created quite a few years ago but it's purpose has never changed And when they started getting involved in the affairs of the surface world... the bigwigs in Aryahm tried to expand their influence to the East. Shengong was the first to sell out of course. They knew that the Ashurian Empire was a force to be reckoned with. The Xu-Canaan War pretty much clarified that little detail for everyone. So when the Ashurian power-base in Shengong tried to expand their power into Jaankang... my Dad tried to stop them. He appealed to the people that they had to resist the Ashurians through non violent means. Most of them agreed with him of course. They didn't like the Ashurian Empire anymore than the next nation did. But at the end of the day... the people don't make the rules. They follow them So that Gustav K”hler bastard told parliament that if they didn't accept Ashurian influence politically then they'd use force. Even I knew that Jaankang could not risk a war with the Ashurians. But before my Dad even had the chance to tell them that... he was killed." Yumi looked on. "...Murdered?" "Yup," Tomoko said calmly, "a sole woman blew his brains out with a single bullet. Right in front of me and my Mom. Of course she did a runner and I hear she's hooked up with some member of Parliament. Which is a bit of a kick in the crotch when you consider the fact that it was Parliament that levied the assassination of my Dad They were afraid that he wouldn't cave into the pressure and would attempt to resist the Ashurians by force, the wankers. So they ordered someone to kill him. I can't remember her face all that well... but... whatever. Like I told your friend, Geist... I've gone past all that." "...I'm so sorry, Tomoko." Said Yumi. The taller girl grinned. "Hey, didn't I tell you to stop apologizing? You didn't know my Dad. You and he might be a lot alike but that doesn't mean you have to feel sorry about the things that happened to him." "...I wasn't thinking of him..." Yumi admitted, "...I was thinking of you." Tomoko's smile widened. "...Really?" "...Yes. I know... how lonely... it is... to... have no parents..." That wasn't really the direction that Tomoko was heading to with her own thoughts, but... it was nice that Yumi thought like that. Tomoko really couldn't stand it when people apologized for situations that didn't actually involve them. "...You lost your parents too?" "My adoptive father was killed... just as yours was I don't really have any biological... parents. Since then I've been alone. Then when I joined the crew of the Leviathan all that changed... it was different. I was starting to become happy. Why... did this have to happen...? Why did I have to be bought to this place? Why didn't I die along with them...?" Tomoko frowned at that. "...You can't wish for death." "Why not?!" Yumi barked suddenly, the tears dripping from her eyes, "I spent my whole life regretting the fact that I'm alive! And the one time when I can truly say that I was happy... was taken away from me! What's the point of living when that happens?! What's the point in that?!" "You just keep going." "Why should I? There's a knife over there, right?! Why don't I just slash my wrists and be done with it!?" Tomoko's eyes narrowed. "I said stop talking like that." "I can't help it! I should have been there! I should have been there to protect them from Rain! And where was I?! I was off fulfilling some stupid promise to the man who raped me! The man who murdered the Saffron Family and turned Rain into the Deathcatcher! If I had stayed with them I could have protected them! I could have stopped Rain from doing what he did! That means all those people who died... all those who suffered... it's all my fault...! It's all my fault! And yet I'm still alive!" "...Stop it, Yumi..." Tomoko whispered The white-haired teen clutched her hands into fists and her body shook visibly, all the while her tears dripped down her cheeks. "...I don't deserve to call them my friends. What kind of friend am I if I put my own issues ahead of theirs? And what better proof do I need to show I should be dead...?" "...Stop it." "I'm a coward," Yumi remarked scathingly, "and I'm worthless..." Tomoko closed her eyes in frustration. "I said stop it!" "I don't deserve life... not when I couldn't save the lives of those who meant the most to me And now they're all dead because of me! Because of what I did! What I am! I hate myself!" But by that time Tomoko had heard enough. The dark-haired woman faced Yumi and grabbed her by the shoulders, without any sort of constraint or confusion. "You're gonna stop this right now! I'm not gonna hear anymore, you get me? I don't give a damn about what happened in your past! The past is the past! Bitching about it to kingdom come isn't gonna bring back the people you lost and it isn't gonna change what happened! But that doesn't mean you can give up! D'you think that those people you knew would wanna see you like this?! I've never met any of them and I know that the answer's no! They'd want you to keep living for them! And I know that because I know that my would Dad have wanted the same for me! So you can't give up! Doing so really would make you worthless...!" Yumi and Tomoko stared into each other. The valiant Tomoko's powerful auburn orbs locking with those of Yumi's tearful sky blue. And Yumi knew what Tomoko was saying to be true. But losing the crew hurt her so much. "...I miss them... so much, Tomoko..." Yumi whispered softly, between her muffled sobs, "...and I'll never see them again..." "...Hey... come here, okay?" Tomoko opened her arms for Yumi and the hacker collapsed into them. Expressing the full scope of her sadness. She cried and poured her heart out, her held rested on Tomoko's shoulder. The older woman held Yumi close and just stroked her snow white hair with her free hand. She knew how much it hurt to lose people in life. And from the looks of Yumi... she had experienced much pain in that respect. But she had to keep on living for the people she'd lost. And though Tomoko didn't quite realize it at that point... ...it was going to be a personal quest of hers to keep Yumi that way.
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