InuYasha Fan Fiction / Gundam SEED Fan Fiction / S-CRY-ed Fan Fiction ❯ The Enigma Called Love ❯ Ties and Bonds ( Chapter 11 )

The Enigma Called Love

Part 11 - Ties and Bonds

 

By Robster80

 

 

Amidst the high flames and the stench of charred flesh, who men clashed swords violently.

 

One was a handsome man with flowing, long silver hair. His eyes were cold and full of hate and death. He wielded a very long katana with ease. A black angel's wing extended from the right side of his back.

 

The other man had spiky blonde hair that seemed to blend in with the surrounding fires. His eyes were blue, filled with determination and vengeance. His sword was very broad, so much that one would hardly believe he could even wield it properly, which he could and more.

 

“It's over,” the silver-haired man said to the other. “Your friends are all dead, and very soon, you and the rest of this planet will be as well.”

 

“Not before I send you to hell!”

 

“You are such a fool. Hell is already here; I AM hell itself.”

 

There was more banter between them, but the crossing of theirs swords drowned it out. The battle seemed to go on forever, until finally both men ran each other through. They collapsed to the ground, the other's sword still through them.

 

“Just perfect,” the blonde man said as he looked up to the sky. He could see numerous meteors raining down from the blackened sky, one of which was headed right for them. “It's a draw.”

 

The silver-haired man smiled evilly. “Yes. …Until the next time.”

 

The blonde looked back at his enemy. For a moment, he looked in shock as he realized what exactly his enemy had meant. Then, his eyes narrowed. “I will hunt you down, even if it takes all of eternity!”

 

“I look forward to it.”

 

That was when one of the meteors struck, destroying everything around its impact.

 

“NO!” Cherise screamed, sitting up. Her forehead was covered in cold sweat, and her pulse raced. Looking around, she saw she was in some sort of cavern. Before she could wonder how she had gotten there, her memory came back: the ground beneath her had opened up after Tachinaba clashed with TK, and she fell. Then she remembered she hadn't fallen alone.

 

“Cherise, is that you?”

 

Turning, Cherise saw Dearka moving towards her, a lit cigarette lighter in his one fist. “Dearka! You fell down here, too?”

 

“Yeah. Looks like the only ones who managed to not fall were your teammates. I think the last thing I saw was Davis's alter picking them up. By the way, what were you screaming about?”

 

“A nightmare. Two men were fighting with swords. One looked almost like-. TK! He must've fallen down here, too.”

 

“Don't worry, I'm sure he's alright. Maybe Kazuam found him or Ko-.” Dearka stopped himself from speaking Koga's name. The revelation that Koga was with HOLY had come back to him.

 

The memory came back to Cherise as well. “Dearka, I swear I never knew Koga was with HOLY. He must have joined before I did-.”

 

“We'll worry about it later, Cherise. In the meantime, let's see where this tunnel leads before my lighter goes out for good.”

 

“Don't worry,” said a voice Cherise recognized. “My light source doesn't run out of energy unless I lose consciousness or die.”

 

Dearka and Cherise looked to see Tachibana walking over to them, one of his Eternity Eight crystals floating by his head and emitting a bright light. Dearka summoned a gunblade in his free hand, but Cherise moved up and slapped Tachibana across the face. “This wouldn't have happened if it weren't for you,” she said.

 

“I deserve your contempt; however, it would seem we all are going to have to work together if we're to find a way out of this place.” He looked at Dearka. “The rest of your friends are up ahead, if you'd like to join them. And I should warn you against trying to start a fight. These caverns might collapse on us.”

 

Dearka put his lighter away, but kept his gunblade out. “I'll keep that in mind, but this stays out just in case.”

 

Together, the three made their way down the tunnel until they found Koga, Kazuma, and TK. Koga was on one side of the cavern, leaning against it; Kazuma and TK were by the opposite side. As Dearka expected, Kazuma was giving Koga a very nasty look.

 

Seeing that he was alright, Cherise rushed over and hugged TK tightly. This surprised Tachibana, and startled Dearka.

 

“H-hey! Cherise, not in front of another HOLY officer-!”

 

“EX-HOLY officer,” Koga corrected Dearka. “Tachibana there was discharged after the incident at Mimori's medical camp. Besides, it would still be his word against Cherise's. Which would you believe?”

 

“Cherise,” Kazuma said, never taking his eyes off of Koga. “Did you know Koga was with HOLY?”

 

Koga rolled his eyes. “I already told you she didn't-.”

 

“I wasn't talking to YOU!” One could tell Kazuma was trying very hard not to summon his alter and beat the snot out of Koga then and there. “Did you know or not, Cherise?”

 

Cherise still held TK in her arms. “No. I never even knew him before the day I first met you guys.”

 

There was a long period of silence before Kazuma spoke again. “So we work together to get outta here. After that, though, all bets are off.”

 

Koga nodded before he looked to Tachibana. “You lead the way since you're providing the light. Cherise, you're in the back.”

 

“Oh sure, I get to look at all your butts.”

 

TK raised an eyebrow. “Would you rather we were looking at yours?”

 

This made Kazuma smile as he let out a chuckle. “Good one,” he commented.

 

The six started walking down the cavern. As they did this, Tachibana was told about Cherise's “assignment” to look in on TK and Kanami. He promised not to say anything, even though what Koga had said earlier was true: it was the word of a disgraced former HOLY member against an active one. Also, Dearka had Kazuma tell about his “last request” when the two of them faced off against Ryuhou, Davis, and Kari two days ago. Cheirse laughed out loud when Kazuma got to the part about him asking Kari up front about Davis's manliness, and TK poorly suppressed his amusement at the thought of Victory Dragon really being Davis's compensation.

 

Then, TK said to Tachibana, “Look, I'm sorry you got thrown out of HOLY just because of me-.”

 

“It doesn't matter, not anymore. Koga told me that even if I hadn't gone on the mission, I would have been discharged due to the budget cuts HOLY took after said mission took a nosedive. I guess my being with HOLY wasn't what fate has in store-.”

 

“Please don't mention fate,” TK begged, recalling the dream with Cait Sith and his fortune-telling dice. While he was growing attracted to Cherise, he kept telling himself not to fall in love; he wasn't about to ruin his friendship with Cherise.

 

Dearka looked at Koga. “One thing bothers me, Koga; when did you originally join HOLY?”

 

“I'd say roughly before Cherise first joined, which was a few years ago. But only a select few knew about me: Commander Zigmar, Ryuhou, and I think Cougar, but I'm not really sure.”

 

“So lemme guess,' Kazuma said, still in a distrusting tone, “you were sent as a spy into the Lost Ground?”

 

“I'm surprised you're still speaking to me.”

 

“Don't be. My curiosity simply bugs me to know more about you, traitor.”

 

“…Zigmar sent me in undercover, but not to gather information. It was kinda like what you were doing when I first met you: taking on Native Alters who used their powers to mistreat others. And then came the day you and I both took on that Biff guy and his Hammer alter. We were both after him for roughing up that gang of kids.”

 

“Yeah,” Kazuma commented, “that was Hidaki's gang. I remember it well. You kept getting in my way.”

 

“I think I remember that,” Cherise said, interrupting the conversation. “It was the first time Ryuhou and I encountered you, Kazuma. But when Ryuhou beat you, you suddenly disappeared, like a mirage.”

 

Koga smiled at the memory. “That was me; I got Kazuma out of there and took him back to Kanami. That was the start of our… partnership.” Koga wanted to say “friendship,” but that would have been rubbing salt on the wounds at this point. “I told Zigmar I was sticking by Kazuma because he wasn't like the other Native Alters I had encountered: he actually did some good. Shortly after that, the rest of the gang, including you, Cherise, came into the fold; but it was when TK showed up my orders changed.”

 

Koga looked right at TK. “I could tell you had that power sleeping within you, and I also know about your dreams of late. It wasn't coincidence that brought all of us together; we were drawn to each other by a higher power-.”

 

“Sorry to interrupt,” Tachibana said, pointing ahead. “But I think I see a wall up ahead.” He checked his watch, which also doubled as a mini-computer. “According to the old maps, the old underground mall should be on the other side of this. Though exactly how we're going to get through without any tools-.”

 

“One side, bud,” Dearka said, moving past Tachibana. He took aim at the wall with his Gunblade. “I'll blast it open.”

 

But TK put a hand to Dearka's arm. “Hold it! What if the blast triggers a cave-in and we don't make it into the mall in time? It's too risky.”

 

“He's right,” Kazuma said, moving up to feel the wall with his hand. “It's best if we try knocking a hole in it. Though, I think my Shell Bullet might also bring down the tunnel on us.”

”So would my kick,” Koga added. He then looked at TK. “Try calling your sword. That might punch a hole in that wall.”

 

Nodding, TK moved forward and stretched out his right arm. However, nothing happened when he tried summoning his alter. “Not again,” he grumbled. “Why do I have an alter if I can't summon it unless I'm in a fight?”

 

“Maybe it needs time to re-energize after you use it,” Cherise suggested. “Remember, Zetsuei caught you by surprise after Ryuhou unrestrained it.”

 

“I think there's more to it than that,” Koga said. “Remember what Cait Sith said about excess mind baggage, TK.”

 

This earned Koga a look of utter shock from TK. “How'd you know about that cat and what he told me in my dream?”

 

“What are you two talking about,” Tachibana asked, puzzled.

 

“I'll explain when the time's right. In the meantime, I just remembered that dancing strengthens the legs.” Having said this, Koga reared back his right left, summoning his alter. A strange red boot with clawed toes appeared on his leg right before he delivered a kick to the wall with a loud “HI-YAAH!” The kick created a hole big enough for everyone to pas through, but did not cause a cave-in.

 

Tachibana had been right: on the other side of the wall was an abandoned underground mall plaza. Judging from the dust, the group figured no one had been down here since the Great Upheaval over two decades ago.

 

“Guess this means we can strike finding anything edible in here,” Cherise said as her stomach began to growl. “Any food we find is most likely to be spoiled. Oh wait!” She pulled out several ration packets from her uniform pockets. “Almost forgot I had these three.”

Tachibana also revealed some rations on his person. ”I got two left myself from the jeep I stole.”

 

Dearka sat down on some rubble after Cherise handed him one of the rations. “Then let's take a break and eat. Afterwards, we should try finding a way out of here. Though I'm guessing the exits are probably blocked off by rubble.”

 

Cherise gave a ration to Kazuma while Tachibana gave one of his to Koga. Cherise then tossed the last one to TK. “They're not really tasty, but it's better than nothing.”

 

TK looked at Cherise. “What about you?”

 

“Don't worry, I'm not hungry. You eat it.”

 

But TK bent the packet until it broke in two, and he put one half into her hand. He was about say something when Kazuma grunted, making a sour face. “This stuff's worse than Koga's cooking,” he said.

 

“What did you expect? I took lessons from the cook who made these.”

 

“…Cougar never told you about Cherise not coming to visit,” Kazuma suddenly asked Koga, “or about the Redevelopment Project. Am I right?”

 

Koga gave a solemn nod. “Zigmar told me to tell you guys, so Cherise wouldn't be worried. However, he didn't tell me about the part about expecting some resistance to the Project. That was my call-.”

 

“So you wanted us to try and fight back,” TK asked.

 

“You forget, kid; we both know Kazuma. He would have picked a fight regardless. However, none of us counted on Tatsunami showing up at the medical camp the next day. That was my error.”

 

“Actually, it was Ryuhou's fault,” Tachibana spoke up. “He wanted to go there himself, but Tatsunami decided to tag along. Ryuhou mentioned there was someone at the camp he wanted to see.”

 

“Mimori,” Cherise, Koga, and TK said in unison. Then Cherise explained to Kazuma, who was puzzled. “Mimori and Ryuhou knew each other since they were kids, but they grew apart. Up until now, he tried to convince her he loved her, but she chose to remain loyal to you and not tell Ryuhou that you're her boyfriend.”

 

“Mimori made me promise not to tell you,” TK added. “She was afraid you'd go after him.”

 

“You're right, I would have. So I take it now, by the way he assaulted her earlier, he knows we're dating?”

 

“Mimori let it slip after Ryuhou… made her lose her temper.”

 

“I know he struck her, Cherise. There was a bloodstain on her chin when she kissed me. Sorry, I know you care for him, but the next time, I'm going to-.”

 

“I don't know if I care about him anymore,” Cherise stated. “Maybe I just had a crush on him, or maybe he's not the same person I knew and loved.”

 

Kazuma suddenly felt guilty, hanging his head. He felt sorry for Cherise that her love had become someone else. “I guess I'm to blame for his change-.”

 

“Ryuhou's choices were his own, and no one else's,” Koga said suddenly. “Ever since he saw his mother killed by an unknown alter-user years ago, he's shut everyone out and never let anyone close to him. That's why he and Mimori grew apart, and that's why he is who he is now. Though he believes he can love, he's been distancing himself far too long to even know what love is. Maybe if he had staunch friends, like TK has, to help him through things, he may have turned out differently. Whether you all pity him or not, that's up to you. I'm just saying that what he is today was his decision alone.”

 

Suddenly, some bits of rubble dropped down from the ceiling high above, and there was a loud creaking noise. Tachibana was the first to react. “Move out of the center, the roofs gonna collapse!”

 

Cherise grabbed TK and rushed him away while everyone else but Kazuma ran out of the center of the plaza. As Tachibana had warned, the ceiling broke apart into one huge chunk and came hurtling down towards the ground.

 

“SHOCKING FIRST BULLET!!”

 

There was an explosion as Kazuma's Shell Bullet struck the portion of the ceiling, causing it to explode. Everyone else shielded themselves from the debris behind pillars or piles of rubble. When the dust had settled, Kazuma stood alone in the center, arm raised, as daylight shown down from above. The collapsed ceiling had shown the way out of the mall, and revealed that it was sunset.

 

“Why didn't you run,” Tachibana asked. “You might have been killed.”

 

“I chose not to, just like TK chose to run forward back at the cliffs. It's like Koga there explained, we're defined by the choices we make. Now, let's get the hell out of here. I don't like the smell of this place.”

 

The sun was still setting when the group climbed out to find themselves in the ruins of a monastery or shrine. There was an awkward silence for a while until Dearka decided to break the silence. “Well,” he said, “what happens now?”

 

Tachibana let out a sigh. “Well, I guess I won't be going back to the city. Maybe I can find work out here and scrape enough money together to afford a ring for my girl.”

 

“Maybe you could stick with these guys,” Koga said before looking at Kazuma. “I think they just got an opening.”

 

Everyone was shocked as Kazuma suddenly punched Koga in the face, knocking him down. “You're lucky that's all I do,” he spat before turning away. “Don't bother coming back home. And next time, we finish what we started the day we met.”

 

Koga sat there for a moment before finally getting back up. “Believe me when I say this, Kazuma: you and the others, you're the best friends I could ever hope to have. Nothing will ever change that. Could you guys at least say goodbye to the girls for me?”

 

“We make no guarantees,” Dearka answered for Kazuma.

 

Koga gave a weak smile to himself. “I'm gonna miss you guys. …Cherise, you and I are going back to HOLY and report to the Commander. He'll want to hear about Ryuhou's tactics involving today's mission.”

 

“I'm going with you!”

 

“No, TK. It's not safe for you there, especially since you haven't mastered your power yet. Besides, we're expecting a change in command soon, and not for the better. In fact, I'd say some will probably leave HOLY when the new boss shows up.”

 

“But-!”

 

“I said no! Listen to me, TK; you're not ready yet for what's coming. You need to start training, we all do. Not even the three of you could defeat Zetsuei's true form; that should tell you something. Take care of yourself, kid. Cherise, let's go.”

 

Before she joined Koga, Cherise gave TK a quick kiss on his cheek. “I'll try to see you again soon,” she said, “Call me.”

 

TK nodded. “I will. Be careful, Cherise.”

 

Cherise allowed Koga to take her into his arms and then they disappeared, Koga's alter moving them at a speed rivaling Cougar's. Kazuma had his back to them, never watching them go. Inside, he was torn between Koga's betrayal, and the memories they had shared for so long. Once more, a lone tear ran down his cheek, but Dearka noticed it.

 

“Look at it this way,” Dearka said, trying to cheer his friend up, “at least we got another inside man in HOLY.”

 

“…He was right, though. The three of us couldn't beat Ryuhou today. TK, whatever problems you got, you'd better sort them out and fast. If what Koga says is true, we're gonna be in for a war against HOLY.”

 

 

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

 

 

Night had fallen when Koga and Cherise finished their report to Commander Zigmar. They stood in his office, Koga once more wearing a HOLY uniform. Despite his interference earlier, he was still an officer of HOLY; Zigmar had revealed that Koga was acting as a double-agent, and that Ryuhou had blown his cover unknowingly. Koga and Cherise had been told this, and also that Ryuhou didn't take it so well.

 

“So Zetsuei's true form was even too much for Kazuma, Dearka and TK,” Zigmar said. “I had hoped that would never be possible, but it seems I was wrong. It was fortunate then that Tachibana showed up when he did and interfered. Otherwise, those three would have been captured, or even killed if Ryuhou wished it.”

 

“Any word on your replacement, sir?”

 

“Always to the quick, eh, Koga? …Today's blunder during the Hunt has pushed Kyoji Mujo's arrival to tomorrow afternoon. I've already cleared out my desk for his arrival. This also brings us to what I have to say next: Cherise, per Koga' suggestion, I want you to resign from HOLY, effective immediately.”

 

Cheirse looked at Koga and back at Zigmar in shock. “What?! But why? I can still be useful to you, sir. I was ready to prevent Ryuhou from finishing off TK and the others before Koga showed up-.”

 

“It's become too dangerous, Cherise,” Koga answered for Zigmar. “Mainly because now that he knows Mimori won't love him, he'll try for you next. If you believe he won't hurt you, remember that you said yourself that he struck Mimori when she spoke of his mother. Besides, I think Kazuma and the others will need your healing powers more than HOLY does.”

 

“Mujo is another reason we want you to leave,” Zigmar added. “He's been looking into your file, and has been in contact with your teammates for some time.”

 

She didn't know why, but Cherise suddenly recalled the dream about the two swordsmen at that moment. “He's looking for information about TK, isn't he? It's like what you told him earlier, isn't it Koga?”

 

“TK's power awakening and dreams, you being in contact with the ghost of a woman named Aerith, and this change of command are by no means coincidences, Cherise,” Koga explained. “You're meeting him wasn't, either. Something is about to happen that will determine the fate of not just the Lost Ground, but the world itself; and Tk is at the core of it all. He's going to need you, Cherise. Neither of you want to admit it, I know… but you two are in love. His denying it is why he can't control his power, and you're abiding by his decision isn't helping it, either.”

 

“That's enough, Koga. I think this is a bit much for her to take in. Go get some rest, Cherise, you'll need it.”

 

As she left the office, Cherise tried to make sense of everything she had heard in there. Making her way back to her room, and after changing into a nightgown and climbing into bed, she wondered if what Koga had said was true; that she and TK were denying their love for each other. As she finally succumbed to her sleepiness, her thoughts turned once more to TK.

 

And her heart raced at the memory of the kiss she gave him earlier.

 

 

 

To be continued…