InuYasha Fan Fiction / Gundam SEED Fan Fiction / S-CRY-ed Fan Fiction ❯ The Enigma Called Love ❯ Choices ( Chapter 7 )

The Enigma Called Love

Part 7 - Choices

 

By Robster80

 

 

“I wonder what she's so happy about?” Urizane asked aloud. He said this while looking over at the far off table Cherise was sitting at by herself during lunch, humming and smiling to herself. For over three weeks now, she had been going off on two-day assignments without word to anyone, even her teammates, and nobody but Commander Zigmar knew what they were about. Also since then, she rarely interacted with her team outside of assignments.

 

Cougar, who was sitting next to Urizane and his watermelon horde, didn't look up from his book The Fast and the Dangerous. They were joined by Asuka Tahcibana as well as Ryuhou. “Don't ask me,” Cougar said, still reading. “I just drop her off wherever the commander tells me to and pick her up the next day at that exact spot, no questions asked.” It was the truth, to an extent; but Cougar knew with whom Cherise would stay with on her so-called assignments, and he wasn't telling anyone.

 

“Maybe she found herself a boyfriend,” Tachibana said with a playful smirk. He had just returned to HOLY after being unfairly discharged after losing a fight to Kazuma. It was Commander Zigmar who pushed for his reinstatement, but he had been warned that if he failed again, even the Commander wouldn't be able to help him. “I mean, it had to happen sooner or later-.”

 

“What's THAT supposed to mean, Tachibana?” Ryuhou replied coldly.

 

“Just the truth, Ryuhou. I mean, lately you're more concerned about hunting down that Kazuma guy and his gang, or worried about that girl from your past out in the Lost Ground. Also, you've been cold to her since she originally joined HOLY.”

 

“I have not-!”

”Wanna bet?” Tachibana, Urizane and Cougar said altogether.

 

Cherise, of course, was oblivious to what was going on over at Ryuhou's table. After all, she was deep in thought about her friends back at the old clinic. Tomorrow was the scheduled time for her to go see them, and she had already bought more groceries to take with her, plus a few odd things from TK's mother. She could hardly wait to show TK what he had been sent, thinking about how his reaction would be.

 

Despite the little “incidents” that first morning, things had gone smoothly ever since then, especially after she and TK warned the others to not try and hook them up together. The two of them had become close friends, better than back when Kari and TK had been together.

 

This relationship was a great help to Cherise as well, since Ryuhou was moody lately. He had been trying to convince Mimori to go back to the Mainland every chance he could: during transportation runs, out-of-the-way visits on missions, and even sending numerous notes. With each time she refused, Ryuhou would become colder than usual. Kari and Davis kept their distance during this, and Cherise would be left to take the brunt of Ryuhou's anger and frustration, though he would later come by her room, apologize and offer to take her out.

 

Cherise found herself thinking less and less of Ryuhou as of late. Though she still loved him, she turned down his offers because she felt that he was offering them for all the wrong reasons. She wanted him to ask her out as an actual date, not as an apology. Also, TK seemed to be on her mind a bit more than usual. In fact, she was currently thinking about making him croquets when she next visited, as he had requested. Thinking about him also made her start to hum the song he played for her when she visited him.

 

“Gloom patrol! There's too much happiness over here!”

 

Cherise's smile faded and she stopped humming at the all-too familiar voice. Her mouth formed a frown as Kari and Davis sat down to join her at the table. “So write me a fine,” she replied before taking a savage bite out of her sandwich. Of all the time to ruin my mood! Just relax, Cherise; today's the last day you'll have to put up with them before you go away. Don't blow it.

 

“Okay, fess up,” Davis said, getting to the point, “these so-called secret assignments are just an excuse, right? You're dating Commander Zigmar in reality, right?”

 

“Could you repeat that, please? My hearing isn't what it used to be.”

 

Davis looked up and nearly choked on his meal at the sight of Zigmar himself right behind him. Springing out of his seat, he gave a quick salute while Kari and Cherise rose from their seats to also salute. “F-Forgive me, sir! I didn't know you were so good at sneaking up on others, sir!”

 

“Yes, I kind of have that effect on some people, preferably those who spread vicious rumors about their fellow officers. You're not the kind to spread rumors, are you, Motomiya?”

 

“N-No, sir!”

 

“Good. Now finish your meal and get back to work, as well as you, Yagami! Adjani, stop by my office when you're finished; something's come up that requires your attention.”

 

“Understood, sir.”

 

“Carry on.”

 

Once he was far enough away, Kari and Davis turned to grill Cherise with more questions. However, she had finished her meal and already left the table. They watched as Ryuhou tried to talk to her, but she brushed him off to go meet with the commander.

 

“Something stinks about this,” Davis said to Kari, going back to his meal.

 

“I agree. Whatever Cherise is doing on these so-called assignments is making her so cheerful that my teeth hurt. I wonder if she's over Ryuhou and has found someone else?”

 

Little did either of them or anyone in the cafeteria realize that they were being watched and listened-in on per Zigmar's orders. Elian was watching them through his alter power and the HOLY EYE satellite orbiting the planet. What he saw and heard, he knew, confirmed the Commander's worst fears. Quickly, he sent an email to the Commander's desk.

 

 

************

 

 

“But sir-!”

 

Zigmar didn't look at Cherise as she tried to protest. She was angry and he knew she had every right to be. “I'm sorry, but I've decided to postpone your next `assignment.' The other officers are starting to get suspicious, even with our best efforts to avoid it. It's for you own safety as well as your friends.”

 

“Permission to speak freely, sir.”

 

“…Very well.”

 

“Sir, I need to go back! Ryuhou takes his anger out on me because he hasn't found Kazuma yet or that his childhood sweetheart won't return to the Mainland. It's not just about checking on the wellbeing of TK and Kanami; it's my escape from this place and those people who are my so-called teammates. I'm going, with or without your permission.”

 

Now Zigmar turned his chair to face Cherise. “I won't let you, Officer Adjani! Especially not now when the higher-ups are pushing for the redevelopment of the city. They've even hired out George Tatsunami to oversee the project.”

 

Cherise felt her jaw drop onto the floor. “Tatsunami?! But he injured over 30 innocent people last time he was given an assignment! He's a maniac-!”

 

Losing his temper, Zigmar jumped form his seat and slammed his hands onto his desk. “Dammit, Adjani, you think I didn't try telling those bastards the same thing?!” Gasping at the sight of Cherise recoiling from him, he hung his head in shame. “Forgive me, Cherise. And please believe me; I tried to persuade those on high that Tatsunami was deranged, but they said the people's fear of him made him perfect for the job.

 

“That is why I'm assigning Tachibana and your team to tag along and keep a watchful eye on Tatsunami, Cherise, starting tomorrow. I need you on this because you're the most level-headed in your group. Also, if you were seen fraternizing with the likes of Kazuma the Treasoner, you would be put under a lot of scrutiny, and I would never forgive myself for that.”

 

Cherise absorbed Zigmar's words carefully. Though she hated to agree to this, she knew that the safety of her friends came first. I'm sorry, TK. Looks like I won't make you those croquets anytime soon. “Commander, what about TK? And Kanami, too?”

 

“I've sent word to them about the unfortunate delay of your next visit, and to be mindful about the project's… `Recruiting program.' All you can do for them now is pray that they stay far away from your team and Tatsunami as possible.”

 

 

**************

 

 

“Everybody home?”

TK, who had just finished with the dishes, exited the kitchen to greet Koga. “I thought it was `anybody home,' Koga. What's up?”

 

“Something's come up, Kid. Where's the rest of the gang?”

 

“Kanami isn't back yet, but Kazuma just got back from buying more soap and Kimishima should be here with Miriallia and Dearka any minute. Why?”

 

Koga just sighed heavily, taking a drink form his bottle of water. “Well, it'll have to do. Stay here, I'll go fetch Kazuma.”

 

“Already here,” Kazuma said, who had just come down the stairs. “Now what's all the fuss?”

 

“I got bad news. Cherise ain't coming to visit for a while.”

 

TK was surprised the most. “What?! Why? And how'd you-?”

 

“She sent a message through that Cougar guy that she has to stay with HOLY for a while because her visiting us is attracting unwanted attention. Her teammates are poking around trying to find out what she's been doing lately.”

 

“Of course,” Kazuma said in anger. “They can get away with just about anything and she can't have two days off to herself a week. That's just peachy!”

 

“There's more, Kazuma.”

 

“I thought I heard the bell tolling,” TK said sarcastically.

 

“Cherise also warned us about some sort of recruiting drive HOLY's having. Their superiors are pushing forward with the expansion of the city, and some nutcase who got thirty-some people hurt was put in charge of it. He's rounding up `volunteers,' if you get my drift, and Cherise's team is going to be watching him in case of trouble.”

 

“They're just going to watch while this guy just takes people away at random to work like slaves?”

 

Koga took another swig from his water bottle. “She and the commander of HOLY don't like it, either, but his hands are tied. Having a team keeping an eye on things is all he can do. Still, the commander let is slip that he wouldn't be too surprised if there was some resistance.” Koga looked right at Kazuma. “Get what I'm saying, buddy?”

 

“Loud,” Kazuma cracked his knuckles loudly, “and clear.”

 

TK shook his head at this. “I don't like this suggestion at all, guys. It could be a trap.”

 

“Which is why tomorrow you, Miriallia and Kanami are going to go stay with Mimori while the rest of us give this HOLY jerk a free lesson in taking pain. Koga, when the others get back, we start making plans.”

 

Koga tapped the side of his head lightly with his now empty bottle. “Already got one in the works, Kazuma. Just need everyone's take on it once I think it all out.”

 

 

**************

 

 

When TK found himself back in the reoccurring dream at the over-looking cliff, he immediately noticed that the ruins no longer were covered in vines. It was as if time had run backwards to the moment after the city had become ruins. Several clouds of smoke emitted from several parts of the ruins.

 

“Okay, this is getting very strange,” TK said to himself as he noticed the large sword was also changed. There were no vines, and it seemed to look almost brand new: no rust at all.

 

“You gonna take it this time or not?”

 

Now THAT was a voice TK recognized. “Kazuma, am I glad it's… you?!” Turning, his relief vanished as he looked at a man in a ret hat and cloak. His right arm was made of a gold alloy and the hand on the end looked more like a claw.

 

“It's your sword,” the stranger with Kazuma's voice said, “so take it already. You're going to need it, and soon. He's coming back.”

 

Unsure what this stranger meant, TK kept alternating from looking at him and at the sword. “Look, this is a dream, but I still don't think I can lift that sword. You see how huge it is.”

 

“If I can lift it, so can you.”

 

TK looked back at the sword, and saw a man who looked like him, only older, garbed in black. The man's hair and eyes were the same color as his own.

 

“What do you say,” the man asked with his hand on the sword's hilt. “You and me, together?”

 

Figuring he had nothing to lose, TK walked over and together, he and his look-alike clasped their hands around the hilt.

 

“One.”

 

“Two.”

 

“THREE!”

 

They pulled hard, forcing the sword out of the ground and turning it so the blade was pointed to the sky. Suddenly, TK found he was holding up the sword by himself: his look-alike nowhere to be found. “I don't believe it! It's… it's light. I'm actually holding this thing without any strain.” He looked back to see the first man, the one in red.

 

The man's lips formed a smile that was dark, and yet friendly. “Welcome back… LET'S GO, LET'S GO! EVERYBODY UP!”

 

TK sat up in bed from Kazuma's shouting and hand-clapping. He looked at the doorway and found Koga rolling over so his back was to the direction of Kazuma's voice.

 

“GET UP, YOU GUYS! WE GOT A BIG DAY AHEAD OF US!”

 

“Somebody kill him, quietly,” Koga grumbled, trying to stay asleep. But Kazuma immediately came over to him and kicked him in the behind, forcing him to wake up.

 

“Get up, you lazy dog! We gotta get ready to go after HOLY and their `recruitment drive,' remember? You planned it!”

 

“And now I wish I hadn't,” Koga grumbled as he forced himself onto his feet. Last night, once the others had returned, Koga explained his plan: he would go out and gather up any Native Alters he could find and bring them to Mimori's medical camp, where TK, Miriallia and Kanami would be left at. From there, they would all go make a massive assault on HOLY and the redevelopment project site.

 

“Everybody downstairs for breakfast! No time for showers!”

 

“I think he too excited for this,” TK remarked while putting on fresh clothes. “He's been avoiding fights for far too long, and now he's all psyched up to throw hands.” After putting on his shirt, Tk noticed his right hand was now sporting a black glove, similar to the one his look-alike wore in his dream. Shutting his eyes tightly for a second or two, he opened them again. This time, the glove was gone.

 

“Kazuma better have a hot breakfast waiting downstairs. Hey, TK, you coming?”

 

“Uh, yeah. Sorry, Koga.”

 

Breakfast, to Koga's dismay, consisted of cold cereal and toast, which Kazuma almost shoved down everybody's throats. After that, he marched everyone out to Kimishima and Miriallia's vehicles and they drove off to Mimiori's camp, except for Koga who left on his own feet. After all, he had to round up extra help.

 

When the group arrived at the camp, however, it looked like an evacuation was going on: tents were taken down and numerous vehicles were being loaded with all the supplies and wounded. Mimori was in the thick of it all, giving orders and asking about certain items and patients.

 

“Mimori, what's going on?”

Turning at sound of Kazuma;s voice, she saw him and the gang making their way to her. “Kazuma, what are you all doing here? We're evacuating!”

 

“Yeah, we see that, but why?”

 

“It's the City Redevelopment Project. They've been taking people from their homes and the other medical camps without any remorse to do labor. We got word they're heading this way, so we're leaving as fast as we can.”

 

“They're coming here?!” Dearka almost shouted. “But there's no way Koga can get anybody else here in time for us to launch a counterstrike! And we got no way of warning him he'd be leading the other Natives into a trap!”

 

“Never mind that,” Kazuma yelled over the noises before he looked at Mimori. “We'll help you pack, but you gotta take TK, Kanami and Miriallia with you!”

 

“Deal-!”

”THEY'RE HERE!!!”

 

Mimori and the group suddenly heard loud engines heading their way. Turning they saw several HOLY transports rushing towards the camp, and they could see several HOLY officers, including Ryuhou's team, riding atop of them. Upon seeing this, Kazuma's desire to fight began to wane. “Mimori, take these three and hide them, quickly! The rest of us will hide also, but sneak away first chance we get! If they find us here, all hell will break loose.”

 

Mimori nodded, but had a more disturbing thought. If Ryuhou finds out you and are dating, he'll probably kill everyone here! “This way, hurry!”

 

TK, Kanami, and Miriallia followed Mimori closely while Kazuma and the rest took off in another direction. Within minutes, the HOLY transports came to a halt mere feet from the edge of the camp. Everyone watched as one HOLY officer pulled out a strange gun from within his cloak.

 

“Attention, attention,” he shouted firmly, “I am HOLY Officer George Tatsunami, and you all are hereby ordered to assist with the City Redevelopment Project!”

 

“Please comply with this statement,” Tachibana spoke up, standing next to Tatsunami. “If you do, we promise you will be treated well and no harm shall-.”

”Can it, poster boy,” Tatsunami sneered, pushing Tachibana back behind him. “They have no choice! Either they bow down to us, or they die!”

 

“HOW DARE YOU!”

 

All eyes fell on Mimori, who stood alone as people around her distanced themselves so she could be heard. Noticing Ryuhou looked ready to keel over and die from the sight of her, she added, “You're HOLY, you're supposed to be helping these poor people, not oppressing them!”

 

Seeing her, and Ryuhou's reactions out of the corner of his eye, Tatsunami twirled his gun in his hand. “Well, well… Mimori Kiryu, the daughter of one of HOLY's most prominent backers. So the rumors were true that you came here… after your father disowned you!”

 

Mimori silently cursed. She had hoped to use her father as leverage to get these oppressors to leave quietly. Now, however, the truth was out.

 

“You know what that means to me, little girl?” Tatsunami suddenly pulled out a real gun. “That I get to make an example out of you! Let me show you all what fate lies for those who don't cooperate with HOLY!”

 

From his hiding place, TK suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. Somehow, he knew Kazuma was watching this and was about to come out and start a fight. If that happened, things would surely escalate out of control and the casualties would start piling up. He had to do something. Before anyone could stop him, he had rushed out and stood in front of Mimori, arms spread wide. “LEAVE HER ALONE!”

 

Kanami tired to call out, but Miriallia was quick to put her hands on the girl's mouth. Kazuma stood frozen in shock while Kimishima and Dearka wanted to scream out for TK to get back, the color draining from their faces. Cherise felt her heart stop, cold sweat now pouring down her face, though luckily unnoticed. TK never saw these things, nor was he concerned; his concentration was at the lunatic aiming the gun at Him and Mimori.

 

“WELL, LOOK WHO CAME BACK FROM THE DEAD!”

 

TK didn't look at the source of the voice. He knew whom it belonged to, and chose to ignore Kari. “If you're going to punish someone for opposing you, let it be me! I'm practically useless when it comes to labor.”

 

TK, I'm gonna kill you myself for this if we somehow make it outta here alive! Kazuma thought savagely. Cherise was having similar thoughts, though she thought more along the lines of making it a slow and painful death for TK.

 

Tatsunami cracked a smile. “Touching, kid. I'm almost moved. However… in the end, you're ALL EXPENDABLE!”

”LOOK OUT!”

The second gun in Tatsunami's hand went off, Tachibana and Ryuhou both shouted “NO,” and there were several screams, including from Cherise though she was able not to call out TK by name.

 

As the gunshot's echo faded, everyone was looking at the body of one of the female orderlies lying at TK's feet. Her eyes were open in alarm, having jumped out at the last second in front of TK to take the shot for him. TK's eyes were fixated upon her and the bloody bullet hole in her skull, from which her blood poured out to form a puddle on the ground. The only sound heard at that moment was Tatsunami's cold laughter.

 

“OOPS! Looks like I missed! Oh well, at least I made my point. Anybody else wanna die early, or would you rather die later?”

 

All of this brought back the vision of the red-haired girl in TK's dream dying from a stab by a katana. A strange yet familiar rage consumed him, causing his being to shake violently as his right hand clenched hard into a fist. He hated this murderous HOLY man.

 

“So, you enjoy pushing people around, do you?”

 

Tatsunami stopped laughing as he and everyone else watched in bewilderment as TK began to glow. Most of them recognized this glow: that of an Alter-user powering up. The shirt sleeve of TK's right arm evaporated right up to the shoulder joint, a black glove suddenly appeared on his right hand, and a huge broadsword, the one form his dream, was tightly clenched in his fist. His hair began sticking out in all directions, and his face became leaner and his eyes a colder shade of blue.

 

At that exact moment, from where they were respectfully, Martin Zigmar and Koga felt TK's sudden transformation. Both had only one thing to say: “He's awake.”

 

Right before he leapt forward with great speed, he spoke in a voice that was not his own, but that of someone else. “Then try pushing ME!!!”

 

 

 

To be continued…