HiME... chapter 1: Freedom
If you are kept as an animal... In time do you not become?
The world I live in swirls with colorless smoke that hides my listless eyes. A life before this one I cannot remember so emotions become as colorless as this world. There is a void inside of me that grows with each passing day, though as time becomes increasingly lost so does my sense of its passing. Something inside of me feels as if I am already dead. If you have lost the ability to feel... What then becomes the reason for continued existence?
What I wouldn't give to feel the sun on my face once again, or to have the breeze caress my pallid skin. Those luxuries are a distant memory. Residual energy from the being that used to inhabit this body. Twisting through my weary form something cords and tenses the overworked muscles and causes them to twitch annoyingly. My jaw once again goes slack and the vision in my eyes blurs. I can feel the saliva build and then bubble from the side of my mouth but I cannot stop it as it escapes down the side of my chin.
Before me there is a tunnel surrounded on either side by a brilliant shade of pure white light. Oddly it radiates only cold and causes my body to shiver. As my knees buckle I feel the chains tighten around my bruised wrists, it's the only thing keeping me upright. There are eyes wandering over my undernourished body. It is well toned despite the ill treatment it's been forced to endure. I'm constantly surprised I have not yet been broken. My body will not yield. My mind may depart, but my body.. Will not yield.
I see you standing there, though I do not know your name. I cannot make out your face but memories that are not my own present you to me. As the last memory fades from my sight I close my eyes and am swept away in beautiful warmth that is crimson melting over me. It is like this each time my veins pump with the clear liquid they inject. That haunting red has become so very enticing. Now I relish the thought of the next needle.
Unknown Goddess, I pray, take me from this place and my soul will forever be yours.
From behind the protection of the looking glass they were safe. Otherwise the specimen had to be drugged, which unfortunately made it near impossible to gauge emotional change. No matter, that could all wait. They were on the verge of the ultimate breakthrough, it wasn't necessary for the specimen to be awake. Actually for her own comfort it was best she was drugged... Less the pain be too much for her to handle.
"Subjects heart rate has dropped just above warning level. She's asleep, proceed with phase six four nine. The new breed of Nano Technology should allow us to isolate the gene and ready it for extraction. Soon we will have harnessed an original HiME sample, do you know what this means Miyu?" citrine eyes narrowed the slightest bit while studying various readouts from multiple computer screens.
It had taken Dr. Midori Sugiura six long years to locate and finally detain the only known pure HiME left. The feat would have been impossible without the undying loyalty of her 'assistant' Miyu. The pink eyed android had proved invaluable once they'd located the HiME, which was stronger than either of them had anticipated. That battle had almost killed them both, however in the end Miyu won with a well placed electric shock to the cerebral cortex which rendered the HiME unresponsive. At least long enough to tranquilize and get her into a holding facility where she could cause no harm to herself or others.
"Indeed. A pure sample will allow us the unspoiled power of the star. Where our competitors have failed we shall succeed. The time for sampling with organically modified gene replication has passed. Taking power from the source should have been the goal long ago." A smirk crossed the thin pink lips of Miyu. She glared through the mirrored glass at the seemingly lifeless form dangling mid-room.
"But if you recall just getting our hands on a pure sample..." Those citrine eyes roamed freely over the barely clothed body hanging before them. "Was hell enough."
The Doctor pulled her lab coat tighter around her chilled body and stepped back from the specimen they'd been examining. "Besides..." She said with an over confident smile. "Not all technology created in the past was a waste." Her hand trailed down the face of the stoic Miyu standing beside her. The android shifted away from the touch causing a pout from Dr. Sugiura.
"I'm going inside now." Miyu stated flatly as she pressed a circular button on one of the computer panels. After a loud release of hydraulic pressure a previously hidden door pushed upward, granting access to the holding cell. She moved around the specimen in silence, her eyes ever vigilant for any sign of movement. Call her over cautious but she'd been in combat with this particular HiME and didn't care to be on the receiving end of her deadly skills again.
Once satisfied the HiME wasn't going to try anything Miyu stepped forward to examine her closer. While in this unconscious state she seemed rather harmless. The android pursed her lips slightly and tilted her head. Dare she say the HiME was even.. Cute? What a strange thought but she couldn't help but think it. What set her apart from any other girl on the street? Miyu huffed and began preparing things on a small rolling tray beside her.
"Maybe the fact she could kill with minimal effort? To think, all of that power in such a deceptive shell..." Miyu twitched her nose uncharacteristically.
"What are you staring at?" Midori's irritated voice sounded over an intercom, effectively bringing Miyu out of her thoughts.
The Doctor gave her the 'What?' look to which she shook her head and took in a short breath. In her right hand she readied a large, rather intimidating needle while with her left she cleaned a small patch of skin along the HiME's neck.
"Commencing with phase six four nine; Injection of Nano Technology. Doctor Sugiura please boot the system to read mode, the needle will be injected in five, four, three..."
With the entry of a coded recognition sequence the system was started. On two of the four monitors' vital information about the specimen was being analyzed while the other two streamed several hundred lines of binary code across the screen with blinding speed.
"This is it..." Midori said while taking in a sharp breath. Tension rose in her chest, threatening to collapse her lungs. This was the very moment she had waited so long for. Everything she had worked so very hard for was about to come into fruition.
Miyu jabbed the thick needle into the neck of the bound HiME and pushed the plunger down, effectively dispensing a thick orange substance into her bloodstream. Midori watched from behind the glass, biting painfully into her lower lip. Her eyes continued to shift from the specimen to the monitors in front of her which were still spitting forth information. Her brows suddenly furrowed as one of the computers began to beep faintly.
"Miyu.." Midori called into a small speaker box which flooded her voice into the cell. "Her core temperature is rising dramatically. Can you see any outward change from in there?"
The android began searching the HiME over with her eyes but could tell no change. Her brows slowly furrowed as she noticed little red hives appearing on the specimen's chest and neck. "A rash is appearing on the subjects chest and neck region, there could be an allergic reaction to the Nano Technology."
Midori began typing away on her keyboard, citrine eyes narrowed in concentration. There was no way she was going to lose the opportunity of a life time over a simple allergic reaction. "Miyu, inject her with the counter measure; formula twenty-one twelve."
The 'counter measure' had been created as a last ditch resort should someone suffer a bad reaction to the introduction of the Nano machines into their system. It would neutralize over half of the machines and reduce the invasiveness by tenfold, hopefully ending the threat to the specimens life. Inside of the cell Miyu moved with quick precision readying the second needle which would inject the bluish liquid known only as formula twenty-one twelve.
Something is pounding against the inside of my chest. This realization has brought me from the depths of my unconscious dreams back to this hellish reality. Vaguely the remnants of the faceless angel watching over me nudge me toward the light. I want to open my eyes but they suddenly feel so very heavy..
'Fight back Natsuki.'
An inner voice speaks sweetly into my perked ears and a ghost of a smile crosses my cracked lips. There is no strength left within me so I am depending on you... Lend me your power.
"Injecting in three, two..." Miyu spoke before her eyes were even on the HiME so when she actually lifted her head she was stunned to see two brilliant emeralds staring back at her. "Midori..." She managed to whisper out before being slammed backward by a swift kick straight into her midsection.
Miyu's back slammed into the mirrored glass separating the lab from the holding cell causing Midori to jump back from pure shock. What the hell had just happened? She got her answer as soon as Miyu's limp body slid down the glass. Midori could clearly see the HiME was awake, and if her expression were any indication to her mood, she was pissed.
"Miyu! Get your ass up!" Midori called furiously into the intercom situated beside the monitors. It was futile because Miyu was still lying on the ground and showed no signs of getting up any time soon. Well the situation had just gone from victorious to sour in all of five minutes and now it seemed Midori would have to deal with the HiME alone. "Shit..." She growled between clenched teeth.
There was a click as Midori slid a fully loaded clip securely into the bottom of a newly produced nine millimeter pistol. She kept the piece hidden in a bottom drawer just for such occasions. Seemed now that once crazy sounding idea was going to prove wise. Beyond the shattered glass separating them, Midori watched the HiME but strangely she was making no moves to escape.
What Midori couldn't see were the HiME's lips moving, reciting in barely a whisper the release codes that would unlock her power. "Situation rating six point two, one remaining combatant armed with a low risk weapon. Power to stage four, requesting use of limited release..."
A subtle blue glow began to overtake the HiME's form, almost resembling some sort of ghost flame licking at her exposed flesh. Midori's eyes widened and she took a step back from the glass. Natsuki allowed her head to drop forward and her eyes to close as the power of the Star began to flow through her core. The heat was amazingly soothing to her battered body, healing her visible wounds upon coming into contact with them. The HiME seemed to be regenerating right before Midori's eyes and to see such an unabashed use of the Star's power caused her jaw to slacken. She'd never seen anything like it.
Slowly Natsuki inhaled and lifted her head, revealing those once emerald eyes to now be a brilliant, glowing cerulean. A faint grin spread across her lips as she flexed either arm, snapping the chains binding her wrists with ease. There was a slight thud when she landed on the floor but her upper body immediately thanked her for the release. How long had she been hanging there any way? She rolled her shoulders until she heard a rather satisfying crack and then focused her attention back on the Doctor who was still staring in awe.
"You should have left me where you found me..." Natsuki said in a rather sinister tone, cracking her knuckles while stepping toward the door that would lead her into the lab. As she lifted her right leg to step forward again it was grabbed from below. Furrowing her brows Natsuki peered down just in time to eat a massive right hook from the now fully awake Android Miyu. Before she could recover she was on the defense, blocking a flurry of blows from Miyu who was basically on top of her now.
With a grimace Natsuki sailed to the right, avoiding what would have been a nasty blow to her face. Miyu was quick, that was obvious and that alone had been the deciding factor in their fight before. Normally Natsuki relied on her undeniable brute strength and martial arts skills but Miyu was an entirely different opponent... She was a fucking Android. It made it rather hard to disable someone when they had no real response to pain.
Speaking of pain, a sharp one in her right side brought Natsuki back to reality. As she blinked her eyes she realized only then she was flying through the air. Instinctively she curled into the smallest ball she could manage before her body connected quite painfully with a concrete wall. Debris exploded around her, a cloud of dust and rock particles rising into the air and blanketing the area. When it settled Miyu was standing above a rather large piece of wall that had come down. She reached down and with ease flung the chunk of concrete aside, revealing underneath it the downed HiME.
"Troublesome creatures." Miyu murmured as she reached down to entangle her hand into the long blue locks peeking from above the rubble. Before she could her hand was slapped back and from the amass of concrete Natsuki kick flipped to her feet, then dropped low and took the Android's feet right from under her. On the way down Natsuki brought her foot down into Miyu's stomach, crunching her painfully into the rubble.
"Troublesome? You have no idea..." Natsuki growled and then advanced but her vision flashed white causing her equilibrium to immediately falter. "Shit.." She groaned and clutched her head which had suddenly begun throbbing. It was clear she wasn't going to last in this fight; it was getting out now or not at all. Quickly looking to her right Natsuki noted the wall that had come down was actually going to be her saving grace.
Through the remaining rubble she could see light. Without a moment more hesitation she bolted for the opening. Midori's eyes widened and immediately the barrel of the gun was brought up. A shot rang out but when the dust cleared there was only a bullet hole and a blood spatter where the HiME used to be.
"No!" Midori howled, forcing her way through the broken concrete and to the opening. Miyu was beside Midori in a second, a firm hand on the Doctor's shoulder.
"She won't make it far. It's clear you injured her and based upon her previous injuries... Even with the power of the Star she's in no condition to run from us. We'll have her again, leave that to me." Without waiting for a response or command from her master Miyu disappeared between the broken wall in pursuit.
Watching in disbelief Midori could only sigh. She had allowed herself to become comfortable with the fact they'd finally detained a HiME. Never should she have lowered her guard, even with Miyu at her side. Having a false sense of security is what always ruined the best laid plans.
Breathe.
Breathe.
Breathe.
Puffs of air surrounded her mouth as Natsuki ducked behind a nearby dumpster. Panting, she crumpled to the ground, clutching her side desperately. The glow of blue flame had begun dying down, now only resembling a faint aura surrounding her. "Shit.." Natsuki hissed, closing her eyes and rolling her head to the side. With a sharp intake of breath she pulled the hand away from her side and peered down. Blood was oozing from her at an alarming rate. For the first time since her initial capture a feeling of dread began creeping over her.
Emeralds scanned the immediate area. She had ended up outside of what looked to be a main facility but any real coordinates were unknown. To the right there was an unpaved road that led to a large gate. Anything beyond that couldn't be seen. To the left there was a tall security fence and then what seemed to be dense forest. That was going to be her best bet, to disappear into the forest and hopefully find a definite escape route.
Natsuki let out a breath and forced herself to stand. The first attempt was however in vain... Pain scorched through her entire body causing her to cry out. With a soft whimper she pushed upward again, this time willing her body to stand. She had to get over that fence or she was as good as dead. Well... She might already be dead but she'd be damned if she was going to die without at least making it further away from the capture site.
With the remaining strength in her body she leapt upward and grabbed hold of the top of the fence. Suppressing a howl of pain she tried her best to ignore the barbed wire eating into the palms of her hands. One swift jerk upward and she managed to hoist her body over the fence, landing with a thud on the other side. Not wanting to waste a second she darted into the thick brush and bolted as quickly as her already burning legs could carry her.
The remaining rays of sunlight were quickly fading. It had been hours since her initial escape but no end to the forest seemed in sight. With her energy zapped Natsuki rested against a thick tree trunk and attempted to catch her breath. One hand remained tightly pressed against her side but it wasn't helping hold any of the blood in. She had visibly paled more so over the course of her escape, it was evident her body was nowhere near one hundred percent. Then again being SHOT tended to make one not feel quite so nice...
Natsuki slowly slid down the side of the tree and into the leaves below. Her head was spinning and she felt nauseous, she was also sweating profusely but her skin was freezing to the touch. So this was what it felt like to die? Fear suddenly clenched her heart and sped up its beating. Without another thought of dying she pushed herself from the ground and took off in the direction she'd previously been heading in.
'Where the hell am I?'
Obviously lost and growing weaker with each passing moment, Natsuki peered ahead of her into the ever stretching darkness. Had she been going in circles? She couldn't even tell any longer in which direction she was traveling.
"You have got to get it together, Kuga! Now..." She breathed out slowly, allowing her eyes to close briefly. As she sucked cool air into her lungs those eyes popped open, faintly glowing a haunting cerulean. "Immediate areas scan commencing..." For a brief moment Natsuki stared into the darkness as if gifted with the sight to see right through it. Unfortunately there was nothing...
Her brow twitched in concentration, and teeth ground audibly. It was never this difficult to call upon her power, now it seemed to be working against her. Her muscles visibly tensed, but only for a brief moment before the blue flame faded from her eyes and she stumbled backwards. Clutching her stomach, Natsuki suddenly crumbled to the ground with a howl of pain.
"What the fuck!" She screamed through clenched teeth, pain spreading from her core and flooding her entire body. It felt as if she were on fire, the flesh literally melting from bone. With eyes wide toward the sky her body began to tremble slightly. Heat was replaced by a searing cold that was just as bad if not worse. With teeth chattering she laid there, shaking from uncontrolled muscle spasms wracking her body.
Finally the tremor stopped and she turned on her side trying to catch the breath that had been completely taken from her. The only thing she was able to do was vomit into the grass. After which she curled into the fetal position and wrapped her arms around her stomach, whimpering softly. What had they done to her in that lab?
She whispered to herself quietly, "You have to get up..." with her face still buried in the grass. It would be foolish to think she could lie here and not be re-captured. Surely that Android was on her trail and would probably be on top of her pretty soon. Weakly she managed to push herself off of the ground. Her legs were wobbly but she could manage... Hopefully. Still clutching her stomach she forced through the thicket.
Pink, robotic eyes scanned the immediate area to access the threat level. The last scan had put their HiME somewhere in this vicinity however now it seemed she was long gone. Miyu stepped out into a small clearing, eyes searching the ground and then narrowing.
"Hm,.." She purred to no one in particular while dropping to one knee and examining something. Her cell phone was produced a moment later. "Doctor.. I've found her trail. It seems her body is trying to reject the Nano Technology..."
On the other end of the line a very annoyed Midori was firing off several questions but Miyu only focused on one in particular. "I found where she vomited."
Gagging could be heard on the opposite end of the phone. Miyu merely stared stoically at the uninteresting blades of grass tickling her knee until Midori was finished.
"She's not far from my current location; I can still feel the residual energy from the star. She must have been trying to use her powers. That could have been what caused the expulsion from her stomach." Miyu stood and cracked her neck from one side to the other. "You leave that to me, hunting is my specialty, remember?" It would seem the briefest glint of a smile pulled the corners of the Androids mouth as she hung up her phone.
This was going to be fun...
-----AN-----
Okay so.. I have been so freaking busy with my band that I haven't had time to do anything. I apologize soooo very much for the absolute LACK of updates to my other story(ies). That aside... I have had this little idea buzzing in my head and I needed to get it out. Please don't expect the updates to be regular but I will do my very best. Uh.. Side note... The other story I was working on NEWA,... I AM working on the next chapter but it's coming to me very very slowly lol. Forgive me! -_- I hope you at least enjoy this one, cause it will make up for everything with lots of impromptu smex between characters you just wouldn't normally think of..... ;)
Muah!