InuYasha Fan Fiction / Gundam SEED Fan Fiction / S-CRY-ed Fan Fiction ❯ The Enigma Called Love ❯ Downward Spiral ( Chapter 9 )

The Enigma Called Love

Part 9 - Downward Spiral

 

By Robster80

 

 

 

The blackness faded as TK slowly opened his eyes. He recognized the ceiling anywhere: he was back in his room. Judging from the dim light in the room, it was probably night time outside. His sense of touch told him there was something cold and wet on his forehead.

 

How'd I get back here? Last thing I remember was-.

 

“Welcome back.”

 

TK's eyes moved to see Miriallia sitting over him. “Mir? What happened? When did we get back here?”

 

“We got back hours ago, after you helped send HOLY packing. As for how you did that, we were hoping you could tell us.”

 

“I did… what?”

 

“Don't you remember? You summoned a huge sword and, from what Dearka told me, you destroyed that giant gun with one swing.”

 

Slowly, TK sat up, the washcloth falling from his head. “All I remember was… was standing in front of Mimori when they guy…” Suddenly, his eyes went wide as the gunshot rang in his ears. The image of the girl who saved his life lying dead at his feet burned into his eyes and memories. “…He killed her… He killed that girl-.”

 

Miriallia could tell where this was going. Gently turning TK to face her with her hands, she looked him right in the eye. “TK, listen to me: that girl saved your life without a second thought. She was willing to protect you and Mimori. It isn't your fault-.”

 

“If anyone is to blame, it's HOLY for even putting a lunatic like that on their payroll.”

 

Koga stood in the doorway, arms crossed in the front. “What else do you remember, kid?”

 

“Koga, I don't think now is the time-.”

 

“No,” TK said to Miriallia. “It's okay. Frankly, I'm a bit confused, myself. I wanted to get that guy for what he did, make him realize he had no right to pass judgment like that. Suddenly, I hear this voice in my head, from one of my dreams of late. He said to me `Let me take care of him.' The next thing I knew… it was like watching a movie through the eyes of the main character, but he was in my body. And he was kicking serious butt. Before I knew it, he had taken down that bastard along with another HOLY officer. And then… then he looked at Cherise and… it was like he was scared of her. Then… I can't remember what came next. Everything's a blur.”

 

“You were unconscious for most of the day,” Koga explained, “and even Mimori wasn't sure what happened. Ryuhou tried to arrest Kazuma, Dearka,a nd you, but Mimori and the whole camp drove him and his team away.”

 

TK suddenly jerked his head up. “Cherise-!”

 

“Nobody got hurt,” Koga said reassuringly, “though she got word out to us that she and her whole team are stuck on city patrol until further notice. Looks like we won't be seeing her unless her whole team gets back in the Commander's good graces, and that'll be a good while.”

 

“What time is it? I want to talk to her-.”

 

“It's pretty late, kid. Odds are she's asleep by now. Better wait until tomorrow night.” Suddenly, there came a loud growl from TK's abdomen. Koga chuckled. “Besides, I think your stomach requires a bit more attention right now. I'll warm up some leftovers for you.”

 

After Koga left, Miriallia took the cloth that was now on TK's lap. “Word of warning; the guys want to see you use your alter in the morning. All I can say is that you really impressed them. They couldn't believe you could lift such a heavy sword.”

 

“They're not the only ones. Mir, you want to hear something strange? I've been having these dreams of late. I think… that's where I got that sword…”

 

 

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

 

 

No one was happy the next morning at breakfast, though Cherise was the only one who was more sad than angry. Today was the first day her team would begin their city patrol assignment, and none of them were pleased. Kari and Davis were especially angry; they didn't want to be split up.

 

None of the other HOLY officers dared approach the table the team was sitting at. They knew better than to get near Ryuhou when he was upset. Still some of them sympathized with Cherise since her teammates wouldn't let her sit alone anymore. It seemed they wanted her to suffer with them.

 

Cherise could barely get anything into her stomach. She had waited and waited most of the night in case TK would call her, but he didn't. It either meant that he was still unconscious, or that he didn't want to talk to her so late at night. I hope he's alright.

 

Suddenly, Davis slammed a fist onto the table. “I can't take it, it's driving me nuts! Just where did-?”

 

“Don't. Finish. That. Sentence.”

 

“But Ryuhou, Davis has a good point-.”

 

Ryuhou silenced Kari with a glare. “Unless you want to risk the Commander's wrath, both of you will obey his orders and never mention him again!” Despite his words, Ryuhou was also curious about TK and his power. Also, he was certain from Kazuma's actions the previous day that he knew TK as well. If possible, he could use this to his advantage.

 

“Your attention, everyone!”

 

All eyes fell on Commander Zigmar, who entered the cafeteria. Everyone suddenly stood up and saluted him, which he returned. “I have just received word that we are to take better measures in regards to the outlaw Native Alters. We have been given authorization to begin a massive hunt for every last Native Alter out in the Lost Ground. All HOLY personnel are required for this order, so for those of you who were assigned to city patrol starting today, consider yourselves fortunate. The operation begins as soon as possible.”

 

Kari and Davis could hardly contain their excitement. They had just been saved from being split up on a boring assignment. Ryuhou was also pleased. You won't get away this time, Kazuma! You and your friends now belong to HOLY.

 

Now Cherise felt like her stomach was about to toss back up what little she had eaten. HOLY was about to start a massive alter hunt? This put her friends in greater danger than ever, and this now included TK after yesterday's incident. Somehow, she had to warn him, or at least she hoped that the Commander had already done so. Remembering that Kazuma's home was still a good ways from the city, she hoped that it would be a day or two before HOLY would reach them.

 

Though he was unable to see her, Zigmar knew that Cherise was concerned about this. He wanted to take her aside and tell her that he had already sent a warning to Kazuma's gang, but he unfortunately had yet to hear from Koga. Where is he? We have to start changing our plans before my replacement gets here…

 

 

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

 

 

Try as he may, TK still couldn't draw out his supposed alter-power. No matter how hard he concentrated, the huge sword he had summoned yesterday didn't reappear for him. Giving up, he faced Kazuma and the others, who were watching nearby. They were all outside of their home so TK wouldn't cause any damage summoning his alter. “It's no use; I can't seem to get it out.”

 

“Try harder,” Kazuma said impatiently, “Focus it into your hand.”

 

Dearka rolled his eyes. “Give him a break, Kazuma! He's been trying for at least half an hour. Maybe it wasn't him, but someone else.”

 

Koga kept silent as his two friends argued while TK sat down on the ground trying to think. He knew that TK's power wouldn't resurface just yet; his other self was hiding deep within. Koga pondered the idea of telling TK exactly what his power really was. He may not be ready for the truth, but I doubt we're going to have much time left before HE shows up.

 

“KAZUMA!!”

 

All eyes fell on Kimishima's new buggy as he came to a halt right in front of them. They immediately noticed he had someone in his passenger seat, and that person looked banged up pretty good that he was wearing bandages. Kazuma recognized him right away. “Hidaki, what the hell happened to you?”

 

“HOLY did this,” Kimishima explained. “They've begun a invading the Lost Ground and rounding up anybody getting in their way, especially alter-users. I was lucky enough to get Hidaki here out as best I could without being seen. And Kazuma, Ryuhou's heading the hunt.”

 

“That bastard,” Kazuma swore. “If he's looking for a showdown, then he just threw the first punch!”

 

“Hold it, Kazuma!” Koga put a hand to his friend's shoulder. “You're not just up against a small team of HOLY officers. This is ALL of HOLY, every last soldier they can spare. Am I right, Kimishima?” Things are getting worse faster than I thought. Looks like the Mainland put too much pressure on Zigmar for him to launch this kind of offensive.

 

“More than right, Koga. We're gonna have to gather up our own army of Alters if we're gonna beat this. This includes any that you've gone up against in the past, Kazuma.”

 

“I go no problem with that, Kimishima, `cuz I got bigger fish to fry. You and Koga go round up whoever you can, if they haven't been captured already. TK, you'd better learn how to conjure up that alter of yours and fast. After yesterday, I think you made the hit list right along side us. Mir, you'd better take Kanami and go stay with Mimori for a while.”

 

You hear that? TK thought to whoever he hoped would be listening inside of him. Whoever you are, we're going to have to fight soon. We'll need your help. But if you won't… then at least lend me your power.

 

 

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

 

 

“I take it you heard about the Great Alter Hunt?” Zigmar asked Koga, who had just arrived in his office.

 

“Kimishima told us after he barely rescued a friend of ours who led a local gang by the old subway station. But I got even worse news.”

 

“TK?”

 

“He can't summon his power. Not yet.”

 

“…Then you have to get him back to the city. I can pull some strings to provide plastic surgery on him so he'll be safe-.”

 

Koga shook his head. “He won't leave. He told me and the guys he already made his decision to fight, with or without that power sleeping inside of him. My guess is he wants to see Cherise again.”

 

“So just those three are going to take on all of HOLY?”

 

At this, Koga smiled. “Not quite. Kimishima and I are rounding up whoever didn't get caught yet. There's a meeting-.”

 

“Say no more! It's best if I didn't know what was going on, and while I trust Elian, he may be spying on me. And possibly on Cherise as well, with someone coaxing him.”

 

“Very well. If I may make a suggestion, I'd have Cherise resign from HOLY as soon as possible.”

 

“Unfortunately, she and her team are already out there rounding up anyone they find, and knowing Ryuhou, he won't come back until he gets Kazuma. Also, there is one more thing you should know.”

 

“What's that?”

 

“…I've already been replaced as Commander of HOLY. Your new commander should be here within the week, maybe sooner depending on the hunt.”

 

“What's this new guy like?”

“He's young, brutal, and does not tolerate failure. And, despite his age… he has silver hair.”

 

This sent a chill down Koga's spine. “Silver…? Then he's-.”

 

“Don't! Do not say his name! Just get back to your friends, and whatever you do, do not let TK be taken.”

 

 

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

 

 

Dvais collapsed into a chair in his team's transport, a smile on his face. Night had fallen, but they were still out in the Lost Ground. “Twenty-four Natives brought down and captured, not counting their accomplices. Not a bad day's work, huh, boss?”

 

“For you, maybe, Davis; but I know Ryuhou won't be satisfied until he gets Kazuma.”

 

“Cherise is only half-right,” Ryuhou said, sitting at a computer terminal. “I want that outlaw and his posses, including TK Takaishi!”

 

This made Kari smile evilly. “You know I'm for it.”

 

“Hold it! Time out!” Cherise approached Ryuhou. “We got orders from the commander-.”

 

Ryuhou whirled around in his chair. “The Commander isn't here, Cherise - I am! And I say no more pussy-footing around! Elian just sent word that Kazuma has gathered himself a small army and has set a trap for us along the coast at Section Zebra 14, where the high cliffs are. However, we'll see who traps who.”

 

Cherise didn't like the way Ryuhou had said that. “So what's the plan?”

 

Just then, the side door opened and several women were pushed inside by several Dars. Cherise recognized them right away: Mimori, Kanami, and Miriallia. “Ryuhou, what's going on?”

 

“After what happened with Tatsunami, I decided to make amends to Miss Kiryu and her staff by providing protection and transportation.”

 

“Try kidnapping,” Miriallia said to correct Ryuhou. This earned her a slap from Kari, who told her “Speak when you're spoken to, honey.”

 

Suddenly, it came to Cherise in a flash. “Ryuhou, you're not going to do what I think you're going to do!”

 

“And what's that? Have those criminals mistakenly attack a transport vehicle full of medics? If such a thing were to happen, perhaps then everyone will truly see the Treasoner for what he really is: a heartless thug!”

 

Kanami tried to rush at Ryuhou, but Mimori held her back. “You're wrong! Kaze-kun's a kind, caring person! He'd never hurt someone unless they attacked him first, like you did!”

 

Ryuhou raised an eyebrow. “`Kaze-kun?' Do you know him, then, little one?”

 

“N-no,” Mimori said quickly, “she doesn't! For god's sake, Ryuhou; she's only a child!”

 

“True, but she may be an accomplice to Kazuma the Treasoner. I may have to take her back to headquarters later for questioning. Davis, Kari, lock them up in the holding cell! They'll join the rest of their friends in the decoy in the morning, with the exception of Miss Kiryu. I want her to remain here with us.”

 

“How could you,” Mimori shouted, looking at both Ryuhou and Cherise as she and the others were taken away. “How could you do this?!”

 

Cherise was not going to allow this to continue. “Captain, this is going too far! Headquarters will hear of this!” Suddenly, Ryuhou was on his feet, moving quickly to grab Cherise by the arms.

 

“Only I may contact headquarters, Officer Adjani! And you're going to follow my orders and keep your mouth shut! Is that clear?”

 

“Ryuhou-!”

“Is. That. Clear?!”

 

Paralyzed with fear, Cherise looked at Ryuhou in shock. This was no longer the man who had rescued her before; this was a man driven by obsession to capture a fugitive who had eluded him many times over. “Y-yes, sir.”

 

Slowly, Ryuhou let go of her. “Once this mission is over, Cherise, you and I are going to take a vacation together. We'll celebrate the final defeat of Kazuma and his gang.” His tone meant it as an order, not a request.

 

“…I need some air.” Cherise quickly rushed outside, taking in deep breaths as if she had been suffocating inside the vehicle. She couldn't shake the look in Ryuhou's eyes: cold, unforgiving, merciless. There was no way TK would do something like that to her. When she looked into his eyes, she saw warmth and sincerity.

 

Wait! I don't have time to think about TK right now! I have to warn Kazuma and the others about our counter trap! But how?! I don't know where Cougar is, and they don't have any communicators at all.

 

I know a way, Cherise.

 

Cherise looked around. Seeing no one there, she then recalled the time in the transport's bathroom. “…Aerith?”

 

Go back inside and get some sleep, Aerith's voice echoed in her mind. Let me take care of the rest, but what you have to do is concentrate on reaching out to TK as you sleep.

 

Elsewhere, Kazuma and the other Native Alters slept quietly, unaware of what awaited them in the morning.

 

 

To be continued…