Elfen Lied/ Highlander crossover
Part1 – Deliverance
CH1
In the hills overlooking Kamakura, Duncan and Midori walked up the path to the shrine honoring Samurai of old. Walking slowly beside a cliff wall with figures of ancient Samauri carved into the cliff face, Duncan studied the faces of the statues as well as where each statue was. It had been a long time since he'd been here last.
"Are you sure Hideo has a statue here?" Midori asked. She walked beside Duncan, grateful to the man who'd free her from her heartless husband. Many things she didn't understand about Duncan. How he
got Hideo's sword that was long thought to be lost with history, or what that lightning was after he had defeated her husband in what to her, was an epic sword fight. Both men were masters and Duncan had won the deadly duel by cleaving her husband's head clean from his body. How he had survived the lightning bolts that crashed down on him after, she had no idea. It was like the Gods themselves had anointed him for his victory.
"Positive," Duncan replied. He'd carved the statue himself, he just had trouble remembering where it was. He was sure it was along this cliff wall. He studied each statue. When he'd carve it, Hideo was the fifth one in line. "Ah!" he said with a smile as he recognized his carving. "Here he is."
Midori looked up in awe. This was her ancestor. The face was carved well, though a slight imperfection
put a divot in one eyebrow, Hideo looked out with a regal, imposing stare. "He looks magnificent,"
Midori said in a breath.
"He was," Duncan agreed. Seeing her cast him a questioning gaze, he quickly added, "My family also has a few bits of information on Koto Hideo." Looking at the statue, Duncan said reverently, "It is said there could never be a greater warrior, or more steadfast friend."
They stood in silence for a moment, Midori absorbing how honored her ancestor was, and Duncan remembering his teacher and friend.
"Don't ever go there, you will only get bullied and hurt," a young voice said from a distance.
That was the last thing Duncan expected to hear in this place. He looked over to see a short way off,a young, maybe six of seven year old girl talking to a puppy. Besides what she said getting his attention,he also noted she had pink hair and a pair of triangular, almost cat-ear protrusions on her head.
"You stay out here where they won't find you," the girl told the puppy. "I will come feed you."
Duncan looked off the way the girl was pointing, down by the road was a long building. An orphanage. Right, she looked odd and was being picked on by the other kids. He wondered if the girl's caretakers knew anything about what was happening.
"Duncan? What is it?" Midori asked.
"Probably nothing," he admitted. "Would you come and pretend to be my wife for a few minutes?"
"Why?" Midori asked, looking confused.
Duncan cast her a quick smile and said, "Just to stop in at that orphanage over there."
Duncan watched the girl go back along a winding path. Duncan led Midori along the more traveled main path back to the road.
Keeping a watch on the girl from a distance, Duncan noted she climbed a stockade type fence in the back yard to return to the orphanage. A young girl having to sneak away for a moment of peace. That didn't set well with him.
Walking in the front door, Duncan smiled at the receptionist and asked to see whoever was in charge.
"Are you interested in adopting?" the woman at the desk asked with a smile.
"We're considering it," Duncan said happily as she cast a smile at Midori.
"Let me get someone to show you around," the receptionist said. "Until she can assist you, here are the children we currently have," she added, an handed Duncan a thin book.
Duncan thanked her and sat down with Midori. He leafed through the book until he saw a page showing the pink haired girl. She didn't look happy in the photo, either.
Name - Kaede
Gender -Female
Age - unknown
Birthday - unknown
history - found child, parents unknown, no previous history available
"Seems they don't know much about her," Duncan mused.
Midori noted the picture and asked, "Duncan, why are you interested in this girl? She looks ... odd."
"Aye, and children can be cruel. I just got a feeling she's not being treated well."
"So you plan to adopt her?" Midori asked, casting him a look that said she thought he was crazy.
"I just want to check things out," he replied.
A woman came striding in and bowed as Duncan and Midori stood up to greet her.
"I am Mrs. Yumata, pleased to meet you."
Returning her bow, Duncan said, "I am Duncan McLeod, this is Midori. It is a pleasure, Mrs. Yumata. May we look around?"
"Of course. Follow me, please."
Duncan followed her, scanning around as she talked about the support they gave these children. Looking into each room they passed, he noticed Kaede moving to leave, wearing a blank look. A boy came up behind her and hooked her ankle with an umbrella, causing her to fall flat on her face. The boys in the room laughed with glee.
"HEY!" Duncan roared he stepped in and yelled at the boy. the Boy's face went from grinning in mischief to opened up in fright at seeing Duncan's imposing figure in the doorway. "What is wrong with you, Boy?" Duncan growled as the boy back up by his friends.
"I didn't mean it," the boy offered weakly.
"Ya did too!" Duncan barked at him. "How would ya like it if I started picking on you?"
"Excuse me!" Mrs. Yumata said, and squeezed by Duncan to scold the boys. "What have I told you!" she asked with a frown.
"She started it!" the boy cried. His friends nodded.
The teacher let out a sigh. "Kaede..."
"This girl was leaving, he tripped her with that umbrella," Duncan stated.
"It's always like this," Mrs. Yumata said sadly. "Kaede, when are you going to learn to leave the boys alone?"
Duncan looked at her in shock. He noted Kaede still lay where she'd fallen. "Come on, up," he said and helped her to her feet. Glaring at Mrs. Yumata, Duncan asked, "Why are you blaming this on her? SHE was leaving, he tripped HER up."
"It's just childish nonsense..." Mrs. Yumata said, dismissing it.
"Its abuse!" Duncan stated heavily. "That boy should get a nice warm ass and be sat in a corner. What are ya teachin these kids?"
"These things happen! Kaede, go to your room," Mrs. Yumata said.
Kaede wandered off, not saying a word.
"Boys, outside, now."
Duncan couldn't believe what he was seeing. "Kaede gets bullied, and those boys get off, while she is sent to her room?" Duncan asked in disbelief.
Quietly, Mrs. Yumata said, "That girl is a freak!"
Duncan understood, Kaede would never get an even break here. She was a punching bag for these boys and the teachers didn't care. "Then let me take her off your hands," he said evenly. "Write adoption papers and show me to her room."
"Duncan, you shouldn't be hasty," Mindori told him.
Duncan eyed her. "And you think what just happened here is fine?" he asked.
"I didn't see the whole thing," she admitted.
"I DID, and those boys need to be punished, NOT sent outside to play," Duncan stated.
Becoming nervous, Mrs. Yumata said, "I'm sure there was more to it. If you would like to adopt Kaede, that would be fine."
"I would." Duncan stated. "It's obvious she'll get no fair treatment here."
.
Kaede's door was shut. Duncan knocked on it. "Kaede, may I come in?" he asked.
Through the door, she called, "Why ask? no one else does."
"Because you deserve some respect. I'd like to talk to you and not through a door," Duncan said.
There was no reply. The door opened part way. Duncan peeked in to see her return to her desk. The chair she had was rickety. He also noticed the dresser had been written on. 'Freak', 'Horns' and 'devil child' script were scratched into the surface of the drawers. Kaede had return to sit at her desk, facing away from him.
"I don't mean to interrupt you, but this is important," Duncan offered.
Kaede stayed quiet.
The only other thing to sit on was the bunk bed The top bunk looked unused. He guessed that no others girls were willing to bunk with her. He sat at the head of the bed so he could see her face, and she could see him, if she chose to turn her head.
"Look, Kaede," he offered. "I can see what's happening here. You don't know me, so if you say no, I'll understand. I'd like to adopt you and give you a decent home. It's your choice," he said, watching her.
Kaede turned her head to him, gazing at him blankly. Her voice was just as flat. "Haven't you heard? I'm a freak. Why would you want to adopt a freak?"
Duncan shook his head. "You're not a freak, Kaede. Believe me, I've seen real freaks. You're not one."
"So, what does a freak look like then?" she asked.
Duncan shrugged and said, "It's not that simple. Sometimes real freaks look like everyone else. The only way you know, is by how they act. Say, by bullying people who don't fight back, or having the need to vandalize furniture. Freaks do bad things, Kaede. They don't hide puppies to keep them safe, or refuse to fight back against the one trying to get you to fight."
"What chance would I have against three boys?" Kaede asked.
Duncan eyed her and said, "The real question is, what chance would they have against you."
Kaede snorted at him.
"I don't know what it is," Duncan said slowly, "But you are special, Kaede. I can feel it. I'd like to get you out of here. Take you home so you can live and grow up like a girl should. Not like this. It makes me angry they treat you so badly."
"Special how? Because I have these horns?" she asked in a hard tone.
"I have no idea if your horns have anything to do with it," Duncan explained. "I can feel there is something inside you that is maybe even as strong as Kassandra."
"Who's Kassandra?"
"A very old and powerful witch. At least five hundred years old. Possibly older."
"Is she a freak?" Kaede asked, eyeing him.
Duncan frowned at her. Speaking sternly, he said, "Kassandra is a good friend. I've known her all my life and we've helped each other many times. And get the idea that if someone looks different they are a freak, out of your head. Actions are what makes people who they are, Kaede, not their appearance."
Kaede turned to him. "So you know a centuries old witch? Do you think I might be one?" she asked.
Softening his voice, Duncan said, "I told you, I don't know. The only thing I do know, is you deserve a normal home, and I would like to provide that for you."
Midori appeared. "Duncan, we need to speak," she said.
He got up to talk to her in the hall.
Kaede listened, but they were talking in a strange language she'd never heard before. All she could tell was that the woman sounded apologetic, and Duncan sounded upset. The woman walked away. Duncan came in and sat down, looking at the floor.
He flicked his eyes up at Kaede and said, "There's a problem. I'm not Japanese. According to the adoption laws, I have to go to the American Embassy and get clearance there, then take that paperwork as well as my original adoption request to the local city hall and have a Judge approve the adoption, then get you and all the paperwork to return with me, do we can fly back and get final approval in Seattle."
"So, you are not going to adopt me," Kaede concluded. Her voice sounded like this was what she expected to happen.
Duncan frowned at her. "I didn't say that. It's only going to be much harder than I thought, and you'll have to stay here another couple weeks. I was hoping to get you away from this place today."
"Really?" Kaede asked, perking up.
"That is, if you want. You still haven't told me if you'd like to be my daughter."
Kaede balled her fists, the light of hope shone in her eyes. "YES, please!" she cried.
.
Duncan tried, but to leave with Kaede today, he had to show proof of a permanent residence in Japan, which he didn't have. Midori wasn't sure what she was going to do, and did not offer her residence as proof. Duncan wasn't pleased that she wouldn't help. He did understand she had no stability at the moment, so he didn't express his displeasure.
Kaede hung near Duncan as they settled down in the front office. Holding her hand, Duncan said in a serious tone, "Kaede, the paperwork has been started. I'm really sorry I have to leave you here for now. The estimates I have gotten is two weeks. The moment I have the adoption papers in my hands, I will be back for you, and your puppy."
Kaede smiled and asked, "My puppy too?"
"He's yours right? You didn't plan on leaving him all alone here, did you?"
"No! I just didn't think... Thank you, Duncan."
Duncan nodded and patted her hand. "You just be ready to leave when I get back," he told her. "You can hold out for two more weeks?"
Kaede nodded. "I will!" she said firmly.
"Good girl, I'll see you in a couple weeks."
.
Duncan took Midori home and got the ball rolling with the adoption. Unfortunately, he hit roadblocks. Before the Embassy would clear him to start the adoption, they had to talk to the current guardians.
Duncan returned to the orphanage to push them to get those details taken care of. He made a point to spend some time with Kaede while he was there. After his second visit, the head teacher realized he wasn't about to give up, so she made the call to verify Kaede was in their care.
Getting to the city Hall in Yokohama, Duncan found he needed a different form for overseas adoptions. He got one, filled it out, and had a lawyer check it over and resubmit it to the court. The Judge took another three weeks to look at it and approve the adoption.
Duncan called his friend Anne Lindsey and asked her to get things together in the US for Kaede's adoption and application for American citizenship. It had taken two weeks longer than planed, but he had adopted Kaede.
He went back to the orphanage again to collect her. What he found was police behind one of those yellow tape barriers that surrounded the orphanage.
Walking up to an officer standing at the barrier, Duncan asked, "What happened here?"
"We are giving no comments," the man told him.
"Please, my daughter was here, can you at least tell me if she's all right?" Duncan begged.
"Her name?"
"Kaede. I'm Duncan McLeod, I adopted her, I've got the paperwork right here," Duncan said, showing him.
"Please, wait here," the policeman said and walked over to a police minivan.
Duncan looked over the building as he waited. There was no one around except for the police. a few entered and left with cameras and baggies they had collected.
Another policeman with shoulder boards came over. "Mr. McLeod?" he asked.
"Yes? Can you tell me where Kaede is?"
"Missing," he said firmly. "If you see or hear anything of her, please let us know."
"Certainly," Duncan agreed. "What happened here?"
"We cannot comment about an ongoing investigation. I know you are concerned, Mr. McLeod. If we find anything, we will let you know."
"Thanks," Duncan said stiffly.
Wanting to know the events for himself, Duncan got in his car and drove a short ways down the road, then parked and doubled back on foot. Sneaking up to the back fence, he made sure no one was watching and hopped over the fence. Sneaking inside, he went to where Kaede's room was. Nothing looked different, all her clothes seemed to be there. Avoiding police, he watched a few leave one room. Once they were gone, he snuck down the hall and peered in.
It looked like a massacre had happened. The bodies were gone, but dried blood was everywhere, even splashes and spots on the ceiling. Seeing some kind of crime kit on the floor outside the room, he opened it to see a picture of what the scene looked like when the police first arrived. There were four bodies on the floor, all young children. Every one had been chopped up, sharp cuts that looked like someone had gone nuts on them with a sword. Be it missing heads or sliced in half, someone had butchered them. Hearing someone coming, he quietly slipped into another room, out a window and went back to his car.
.
At his hotel room, Duncan paced as he talked on the phone.
"It has to be another immortal, Joe," Duncan said firmly as the talked to his friend and watcher. "Four kids chopped up. Kaede, the girl I adopted, is missing. As for who did this, I have no clue, but I need to find them, and Kaede."
"Mac, you think they took Kaede to draw you out?" Joe asked.
"I considered it, but how would they know to go after her? I just got the adoption done a few days ago. I haven't sensed anyone around, Joe."
"I'll check with our Far East division, see if I can find anything else. Got a plan, Mac?"
Duncan picked up his katana and said, "I'm going hunting."
.
Duncan searched Yokohama down through Kamakura, finding nothing. He walked the streets, rode trains, ate in the busiest parts of town hoping to feel another immortal. He didn't pick up a thing. The papers reported more murders in homes, but no details. He kept track of the murders, and tried to find a path to get on front of this killer and confront them.
Two months later, a man called and asked to meet Duncan in a public place. Wary, Duncan agreed to meet at a cafe in a busy section of town. Duncan arrived early and sat at a table with his back to the wall while he waited.
A young man wearing a hoodie came over to sit at Duncan's table. "Duncan McLeod?" he asked.
Duncan eyed the man. "What do you got?"
"Are you..." the man asked, then paused and said, "Right. I suppose you can't verify who you are."
"Tell me something, or get up and leave," Duncan stated.
"It's not an immortal," the young man stated. "We don't know who it is, but they are human. The only thing the same is the method. Place, times, it seems random. A special arm of the government is
in charge. The head man's name is Kurama. He's dark, I mean there's nothing official on him. They've raided a few places, but if they have found anything, they are keeping a lid on it."
"You say this Kurama knows? or is he just following the trail?" Duncan asked.
"Don't know. Hey, police business isn't really ours, you know? Joe Dawson said you're hunting this guy too. Just don't kill him. Let the police have him."
"If possible," Duncan agreed. "Know where this Kurama is?"
"Northern suburbs, near the industrial warehouses. Can't say exactly. And before you ask, no I don't have a picture."
Duncan let out a huff. "Thanks. Whatever I find, I'll pass to Joe first. You people can decide what to do with it from there."
Duncan then got up and strode down the street. He turned and headed north.
.
Duncan was in his third day of searching the industrial district when he saw the same young man walking towards him. The man smiled and waved.
Duncan closed with him and asked with a false smile, "What are you doing here?"
"I was watching you. Hey, it's our job. My higher ups got word to Kurama that you're hunting for this guy too. Tonight they are going to search the warehouse yard two blocks down. Wait for the perp to settle in for the night, then do a covert sweep. They are sure their target is hiding there. My boss also says be careful, this guy is viscous."
"So am I," Duncan replied.
Knowing the place and time, Duncan went to the location early. The yard full of crates was surrounded by a chain link fence. Duncan walked the perimeter, looking for an easy way in or bent fencing, indicating someone had climbed it. He found a section where crates were piled on the outside and stacked up on the inside. Why didn't someone just draw a big sign saying 'Enrty point'? Climbing over into the yard, Duncan kept a close lookout for anyone around. He also searched for a good place to keep watch from. Finding a few crates just dropped randomly, he went over to form them into a wall he could watch the area from without being seen.
He placed two crates on the wall of crates facing the fence entry when a small voice behind him asked, "Duncan?"
Turning, Duncan saw Kaede standing there in dirty clothes with a knit had on. "Kaede?" he asked.
She nodded and walked up to him. Duncan squatted down and said, "Kaede, we've got to get out of here. Men are coming, and we don't want to be here."
"You were right, Duncan," Kaede said firmly.
Duncan paused and asked, "About what, hon?"
"Those boys at the orphanage? They found my puppy and beat him to death. They made me watch."
Duncan cast her a pained face. "Kaede, I'm so sorry," he offered.
"I didn't know it until then, but what they did made my arms come out. I made them pay for being mean and killing my puppy. I killed them."
Duncan noticed she wasn't crying when she spoke. She was stating cold fact. "That's one hell of a way to find out what you can do. I can't fault you either," he said. "Right now, men are coming, so we need to be going," he stressed.
"Kaede, who's that?" another girl asked as she walked out from behind some crates.
Kaede said, "This is Duncan, he wants to be my father."
"AM your father," Duncan corrected. As Kaede turned, he added, "The adoption went through, I just couldn't find you to tell you. So, what do you say we get out of here and go home?"
Kaede smiled briefly. She then looked down and said, "I'm not a good person. I've killed people, and I'm dangerous. If you want to forget about me, it may be best," she said meekly.
He got it. Kaede was the one the police were after. He had an idea that they would not be very merciful to her either. Kaede was special, and when the authorities found out how special, they would never leave her alone. "Look at me," Duncan said in a hard tone. She did. "You are Kaede McLeod! Us McLeods do not abandon family, ya hear? We stick by each other, be it good or bad. We'll talk about this later, but right now, we're BOTH leaving. Got it?"
Kaede nodded briskly. "Got it."
.
Watching to be sure they weren't seen, they left the yard. Duncan took back alleys and side streets to his car. He also noticed that Kaede's friend stayed with them.
"What's your story?" he asked the girl.
"I have no home. All I have is my friend, Kaede," she said meekly.
Opening the back door, he motioned and said, "Get in, keep your heads down."
Duncan returned to the hotel, thankful parking was on the back side, away from the street. His suite was only one bedroom, but did have a living area with a couch, and an extra set of linen.
"Make yourselves at home, girls," Duncan told them as they entered. "Have you eaten yet?"
"Yesterday Kaede stole some bread, she just lifted it up to her while the lady as the store had her back turned," the girl beamed.
Duncan offered her a smile. "Dinnertime then. I'll be back shortly. Don't leave or answer the phone. Other than that, the place is yours."
.
Duncan got takeout. Not knowing what they liked, he went to a Chinese restaurant and got every healthy thing on the menu. Returning with four large bags of food, he went in to find Kaede sitting on the couch naked, her friend sitting in front of her, naked as well, while Kaede scrubbed a towel through her hair. He quickly diverted his eyes. "What are ya doin, Lass!" he cried.
"FOOD!" they cried, ignoring his uneasiness. They ran up, each taking one of the large bags. They ran back to the coffee table in front of the couch, sat down and pulled cartons and smaller bags out. Their eyes shown with glee as they dug in.
Duncan put the other bags on the small counter and went to find the complimentary robe and a large towel. He got the robe on Kaeda, and wrapped a towel around her friend. "Young ladies do not run around naked," he told them firmly.
Kaede only nodded, being completely involved with her chicken and rice. Her friend devouring the strips of ribs only reaching for a juice box to wash it down. Apparently they hadn't eaten much on the run.
Duncan's phone rang. He answered it.
"McLeod."
"This is Chief Researcher Kurama. I understand you were assisting us this evening?"
"The problem is solved," Duncan stated.
There was a pause. "Mr. McLeod, how did you accomplish such a feat?"
"All you need to know is the threat is gone," Duncan stated. "I was never there, we never spoke, and there is no longer a threat. Understood?"
"Should I expect to find a body?"
"I highly doubt you will, but if you do ... well, I was never there."
"I see. Thank you for your assistance."
Kurama hung up.
Duncan closed up his phone. Originally, he'd planned on taking Kaede shopping for some clothes. That was out of the question now. He called the airport and talked to the private pilot center. His twin engine Cessna was checked, fueled and ready to go. He explained that he'd gotten a call, and had to return to Seattle ASAP.
The woman assured him his plane was waiting, and asked if he would like them to plan his route. Duncan agreed, and authorized the extra expense. He gave a departure time of five AM.
A loud, long burp sounded and the girls giggled.
"Do magic!" Kaede's friend cried.
Kaede held her arms out and waved her hands. Beef chunks lifted up out of a bowl and rose up over their heads to form a circle and spin. Duncan watched. After Kaede lowered the food back into the bowl, he said, "Kaede, ya may be more like Kassandra than I thought. That was very good."
"Can I meet her?" Kaede asked, beaming him a smile.
"I don't know when she'll be around, but as soon as I hear from her, I'm going to ask her to teach you. That is if you'd like."
"Yes, please!" Kaede said eagerly. To her friend, she said, "Kassandra is a five hundred year old witch Duncan knows. I bet she can teach me all kinds of things!"
The other girl's eyes opened wide as she stared at Duncan. "WOW! She's five hundred years old? For real?"
"I know she's been around at least that long," Duncan said as he sat on the couch. "Before that, I can't say for sure."
"Why is that?" Kaede asked.
"I told you I've known Kassandra all my life. Before that, I can't say," Duncan told her. Seeing they were done eating, he said. "We have to get up very early in the morning. We're flying to America at sun up,we have to leave here long before that so I have to get some sleep. You girls take the bed in there. I take it you washed your clothes?"
Kaede nodded. "They are hung up to dry any place we could find to hang them."
"Good job," Duncan told her.
"What about all this extra food?" Kaede asked. It was more food than she'd seen in a long time.
"Eat it if you want. That's why I got it." Duncan said and laid down on the couch. The girls went into the bathroom.
Duncan pondered what to do with Kaede's friend. He didn't know anything about her, and there was zero chance of legal adoption by tomorrow morning. He didn't have the heart to make her stay here with no one to watch out for her. He also saw they were pretty good friends. He liked to do as much as possible legally to stay under the radar, but at times like this, he'd have to bend the rules just a bit. Not a big problem, he'd never had a truly legal passport.
.
Kurama and his men searched the warehouses and the area closely. A few leftover food packages, a place that had been used as a bathroom. Basically, nothing. If McLeod had been here, he had done an unbelievably good job of cleaning up. The operation went on long past midnight trying to find any sign of a fight or a body.
In the morning, Kurama began to put his final report together. He included the trail of evidence he'd collected along the way. looking at the original orphanage records, he stared at a picture of the pink haired horned girl. Given how dangerous diclonius were with their lightning fast vectors, he wondered how McLeod had killed her. Scanning the orphanage papers, he noticed an entry. 'pending adoption'. Raising an eyebrow, he checked the orphanage records, curious who was going to adopt that little killing machine.
Duncan McLeod.
Kurama stared at it. McLeod never said he killed anyone, he'd said the threat was 'gone'. Kurama had assumed he meant the diclonius was dead. Gone could also mean the threat was moved out of the area. Grabbing the phone, he tried calling McLeod. No answer. He then called the Hotel, McLeod had checked out early in the morning. McLeod was gone, and with him, the Diclonius.
Kurama raised the alert and got a search started for McLeod. His search was short, McLeod had taken off in a private plane hours ago and left the country.
The murdering Diclonius was headed out away from Japan, removing the danger here. They also dare not let the existence of diclonius be known. That meant he could not warn the United States that one was on her way. Diclonius could not be allowed to spread, yet he saw no way to stop it.
Kurama called the Director.
.
Being a private plane, All Duncan was required to do to leave Japan was show his passport and the thick folder of adoption papers. Luckily customs didn't look at the papers closely after seeing the first few. Duncan just had to log in the kid's names. He had no paperwork for Kaede's friend, who he finally found out was named Uzuki. He'd correct that when he got to Seattle.
The flight to Anchorage was long. Due to neither Kaede or Uzuki willing to leave all the food in the hotel room, they had plenty to snack on between their long naps. The first part of the flight, they sat with their faces pasted to the windows watching the clouds and ocean go by below them and took turns beside Duncan in the cockpit. By the time they were well past the outer islands, they grew bored, snacked, and slept.
Both were asleep when Duncan touched down in Anchorage. They woke up with the 'bump' of wheels hitting pavement. By the time Duncan taxied over to the gas pumps, they were wide awake and watching out the windows again. Duncan went up to pass through customs, a customs inspector came down to the plane. Again, the adoption papers were only looked at to verify Duncan had them, and the girl's names were recorded for immigration.
Once filled up and now officially in the US, Duncan flew to Seattle. Before landing, he called Richie for a ride. Setting down in Seattle, Duncan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He'd found Kaede and gotten her away. Even if the Japanese were looking for her, they would have one tough time extraditing and proving how a seven year old was a serial killer.
.
Kaede got off the plane, noting it was warmer here than it had been at their last stop. That had been really cold! She held a bag of food in one hand, Uzuki's hand in the other as they followed Duncan across the tarmac. Kaede had learned to pay attention. That was how she'd been surviving lately. Uzuki was a fine lookout when she broke into places. The girl was homeless also and needed a friend. It was only right they should be homeless and alone together. Now, they would have a home together.
Another thing Kaede noted was Duncan telling her about this witch. Kassandra was at least five hundred years old, He'd lived his whole life knowing her. Did that mean he was five hundred years old?
Duncan showing up was something Kaede had not expected. She didn't even know how he found her, but she was very happy he did. He came and he was giving her a second chance. All humans didn't deserved to be killed like that voice was telling her. This girl she called friend didn't deserve death. Neither did Duncan. If anything, she would protect them.
Thinking back, Kaede had made Kouta cry by killing his father and sister on that train. Right after she'd run away from the orphanage, Kouta had found her and although she was sure all humans hated her, Kouta had been nice to her. He'd played with her and taken her to a zoo where they had a lot of fun. They hummed his music box tune atop some stairs overlooking the ocean. It wasn't until the festival, that Kaede had become angry at Kouta for lying to her, and she had killed his sister and father in front of him.
Some day, she wanted to apologize to Kouta for that. She was beginning to see that she really hurt her friend Kouta. She did not want to hurt Uzuki or Duncan.
Hearing Duncan talking in a strange language to a younger man as they passed through a fence, Kaede looked up.
Duncan motioned to the man and said, "Kaede, Uzuki, this is Richie, he is like a son to me."
"You will be my big brother?" Kaede asked.
Richie looked at Duncan. Duncan explained, Richie replied, then smiled at Kaede and nodded. Kaede understood none of it.
"Richie said he'd be happy to," Duncan told her.
"Can't he speak normal?" Kaede asked.
Duncan chuckled. "Here we speak English. You are used to speaking Japanese. You'll have to learn the English language. Don't worry, I'll find you a good teacher."
.
Duncan got the girls home to the Do-jo. Taking them up on the elevator, he showed them the loft. "Here we are," he announced. "Until I can get bedrooms for you made, you two will be sleeping back there on that bed. Before that, I have to get you both some clothes. Glancing at the bag of Chinese food Kaede was still holding, he added, "And some hot food."
All Kaede could do was stare at all the things here. Even the wall was not just a plain, flat wall. It bore a curve towards the top that ended under a high shelf near the ceiling. There were polished wooden cabinets, racks of electronic devices, a long comfy looking couch, nice polished wood tables. She also noted the whole place was wide open, even the kitchen area had no walls. She had never seen anything like this before.
Uzuki asked, "Duncan, why does your bedroom have no walls? Neither does the kitchen."
Duncan shrugged. "I've lived by myself much of the time lately. Never thought much about it. Guess I'll have to now."
"Do we get a room?" Uzuki asked.
Duncan took on a thoughtful look and said, "I can see two rooms, one for each of you, actually. See how high the ceiling is? I bet we can put bedrooms up there over mine."
"My own bedroom?" Uzuki asked hopefully.
Duncan nodded. "But it is going to take time, and maybe some help," he said in a musing tone.
"I'll help!" Kaede said quickly.
"Me too!" Uzuki agreed. "I don't know what I can do, but I'll try."
"Wonderful. Already true McLeods, helping out family." Duncan said with a smile. "First ya need some lunch, then we'll go get some clothes, and a curtain to separate the bedroom, then we can plan on where and how to start your rooms."
As the day wore on, the guiltier Kaede was feeling. Duncan had come to get her just like he'd promised back in her room at the orphanage. Even after she had killed, the worst being Kouta's father and sister. She was a killer but Duncan told her it didn't matter. They were family now, and you don't abandon family.
After dinner, Uzuki took her turn in the bathroom to get cleaned up. Kaede sat on the couch staring at nothing. Noting her far-away look, Duncan sat down and asked, "Heavy thoughts?"
Kaede looked at him and said, "I've killed people."
"I know. Sometimes you have to," Duncan replied.
"A voice in my head told me to kill. It said I was made to kill humans. If I don't kill them, they will kill me," Kaede said, watching him for a reaction.
Duncan looked at her thoughtfully. "And what is this voice saying now?" he asked.
"Nothing. It has been quiet for a while."
Duncan nodded. "You heard it at the orphanage?" he asked.
"After that," Kaede said meekly. "It was the worst at a festival when I first heard it. A boy I liked. I saw him with another girl." Kaede said to the couch cushions. "Kouta was my only friend. It told me to kill everyone, so I wouldn't feel sad he was with another girl. I did. After the festival, I went to the train and killed his sister and his father. Even though this voice told me to kill him ... I didn't want to." Tears welling in Kaede's eyes. "He ... he yelled at me, he cried, he begged me to stop it." Kaede stopped speaking to sob. "He cried so hard ... I ran away from him. I was hiding from everyone until you found me."
Duncan waited until Kaede calmed down, then said, "This voice was controlling you."
Kaede nodded. "I killed people who didn't deserve it. I am evil, aren't I?" she asked.
Duncan shook his head. "No, Kaede, you're not. I've killed innocents too. I've been controlled by something evil and did terrible things. I know what you went through. Kaede, trust me when I say that you are not evil. I don't know what this thing is that had a hold on you. I do know what it made you do, is not your fault."
"You hear voices too?" Kaede asked.
"Not any more, but yes, for a while I've had things try to control me. It can make you ... confused, make you think you're loosing your mind," Duncan agreed. "I'm sorry you're having trouble like this. The best I can tell you is that you are, and always will be Kaede McLeod, and I will do whatever I can to support you."
"You got rid of the one in you? How?" Kaede asked.
Duncan cast her a weak smile. "With the help of a good friend. I had to fight myself, literally. Good half against the evil. Thankfully, I won."
Kaede frowned in thought for a moment, then asked, "Was this fight ... in your mind?"
"In an underground spring, but I suppose most of the fight was a mental one," he agreed.
"You don't think I'm a bad person then?" Kaede asked.
Duncan offer her a reassuring smile. "I think you were teased and bullied so bad that this voice you hear was able to convince you to do things that were bad. That does not mean you are bad, it only means you've been used by this thing," he stated.
Kaede looked at Duncan. "I will fight it! I have a father who will help me now!" she stated.
The determination in her eyes told Duncan she was serious. To help her, he said, "Then tell that thing, this." Speaking firmly he said, "I am Kaede McLeod of the clan McLeod, and I'll not be controlled by the likes of you."
Kaede smiled. They were only words, but in her mind they carried the power of her mental arms.