7:24 PM
Disclaimer:
Series referenced includes Elfen Lied, please support the official release.
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Yuka stood at the train station waiting for her cousin to arrive. Mizuko and her father had always come to stay with them during the summer, until that one year where everything changed. No one had ever told her what really happened, and she couldn't bring herself to find out what had agitated her parents so much. All she knew was that Mizuko had been sent to some sort of Institution after that, and they'd never played again.
She'd visited a few time but now she was finally back for good. Or would be once the train pulled in. And maybe things would be able to be like old times. She sat on one of the few benches that dotted the small railway station. It looked like it was going to be a long wait.
Just as she settled in a pair of hands covered her eyes. She didn't wait for the question. "Mizuko?"
"Can't you at least pretend to be surprised? I went to all the trouble to take the early train, and sneak up on you." Mizuko stood there looking annoyed, as Yuka turned around. She hadn't changed much. She still was wearing a tomboyish outfit with a lot of denim.
Yuka quickly navigated around the bench and hugged her. "It's nice to see you again." Mizuko didn't resist her, and hugged her gently in response.
"Are you intending on taking up residence?" Mizuko asked dryly. Yuka looked up at her, and then realized where her head was.
Quickly backing off she sputtered excuses.
Mizuko ignored her excuses instead simply asking. "The letter said your parents wanted me to take care of their Inn during the down season?" She could tell Mizuko was happy to see her even though she was trying to hide it.
"You just got back. We can talk about that later. Why don't we drop your bags off at the Inn and go to the beach?"
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"So here it is." Yuka said making a sweeping gesture of the Inn. Her family had owned it for generations, but only really opened it for the tourist seasons. It wasn't a home for anyone in her family, and no one saw a point to putting more wear on the linens and expendables then was necessary.
She really couldn't understand why they'd made this arrangement with Mizuko, to take care of the Inn in exchange for being able to stay there. It wasn't like there wasn't room at her parent's house. When she'd asked them about it they made it clear Mizuko would not be staying in their home, and weren't willing to go into details. They'd been opposed to her even meeting Mizuko when she returned, and currently thought she was studying at the Library.
"It's just like I remember it." Mizuko said quietly. She carefully slid open the front door and deposited most of her bags near the door before casually slipping off her shoes and walking inside. She stopped for a moment at the clock, before continuing in the direction of Yuka recognized as having the nearest restroom.
"Do you want to change together?" Yuka asked before her brain caught up with her.
Mizuko turned and looked at her for a long moment while Yuka felt very small. Finally she incredulously asked. "Are you intending on confessing your love to me?"
"Of course not." Yuka said dismissively.
Mizuko stared at her for a long moment, before turning and walking away saying. "I hope you don't think you're going to convince me to pretend to be your boyfriend again."
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Yuka kept glancing over at Mizuko as they walked towards the beach. Between the jeans and the denim jacket she really didn't have the slightest clue what kind of bathing suit Mizuko might be wearing. Was Mizuko even the type of girl who'd wear a bikini?
"So what happened to your last boyfriend?" Mizuko asked casually.
He dumped me after the third date. "We just weren't right for each other."
Mizuko looked at her incredulously for a long moment. "I'm not going to pretend to be your boyfriend again. I was stupid to let you rope me into that last time."
"But…"
Mizuko stopped and looked directly at her. "Do you remember what happened last time, when I decided to 'help you' to avoid looking bad in front of your 'friends' because your prom date dumped you? Do you?"
"I didn't think it was…" Mizuko cut her off.
"They figured it out in about five seconds, Yuka, and then spent the rest of the night toying with me. I had to deal with more insinuated comments in that hour then I did for the rest of my High School career." Getting into her face and poking her in the chest she declared. "Never again."
"Mizuko…" Yuka drew out her name pleadingly. What were the other girls going to think if they found out she didn't have a boyfriend?
"No. Sorry. I don't care if you got away with it when we were kids, Yuka. I'm not doing it." Mizuko rushed ahead.
Yuka considered running after her and then dismissed the idea. They were almost there and there was really no need to rush. She calmly walked down the stairs watching her step as she went, and upon reaching the beach looked over to see Mizuko embracing a naked redhead like she never wanted to let her go...
Yuka blinked a few times and pinched herself sure this was some kind of elaborate dream, or something. Why was there a naked redhead on the beach, and why was Mizuko embracing her?
"Mizuko?" She asked uncertainly as she walked towards the pair still not quite sure if she should be believing her eyes. The redhead turned to look at her curiously her demeanor one of true innocence. Mizuko's head however remained turned away laying on the redhead's shoulder. Why was Mizuko ignoring her? Was this her lover? Did Mizuko even swing that way? It wasn't like she'd ever expressed any interest in her.
As she drew closer Mizuko released the redhead, turning away from her for a moment before peeling off her jacket and putting it carefully and gently around the redhead's shoulders.
"There, now just stay there for a second." Mizuko said while starting to take off her pants.
The redhead looked at her blankly and said "Nyu?" in a questioning fashion while tugging experimentally at the jacket.
"Well you can't exactly wander around naked can you?"
The redhead responded with a "Nyu" Yuka could swear was an affirmative. That the redhead apparently had all the vocabulary depth of a Pokemon had thrown her for enough of a loop that she'd completely blanked on what she was going to say, as Mizuko finished taking off her pants and handed them to the redhead. Who after a little gesturing on Mizuko's part put them on. Thus leaving Mizuko in a logoed t-shirt over her bathing suit, and the redhead at least having an illusion of decency as Mizuko began buttoning up the jacket.
Holding the redhead's hand Mizuko said, "Let's go home."
"What about the beach?" Yuka demanded as the pair began walking off.
"We can come back." Mizuko said not even turning towards her.
"But, Mizuko." Yuka whined.
"If one of my suits fits Hiko we can come back. If you want to stay here and wait for us feel free."
"Shouldn't we call the Police?"
Mizuko finally turned towards her, and looked her straight in the eye. "Why?" She demanded simply.
"I'm sure her family misses her, and she's clearly mentally disabled. I'm sure the Police are already out looking for her."
Mizuko was clearly displeased with her. "How about this? If you can show me a media outlet reporting that she's missing and her family is looking for her, you can take her back. Otherwise she gets to stay."
Yuka almost rolled her eyes. What was Mizuko thinking? There was no way that there wouldn't be a bulletin about this. Why was she even bothering with such foolish conditions?
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Mizuko looked at Kaede as Yuka wandered off. It had to have been fourteen years. She still had those "horns" she had always been so concerned about. Not that Yuka ever saw them thanks to the strategic use of some hair clips. She had always thought they were cute, but that didn't mean she wouldn't respect Kaede's wishes in mixed company.
Holding Kaede gently she quietly said. "Why are you running away from me?" Kaede had been there when she'd first encountered her on the beach. This meeting mirroring the first time they'd met until Kaede had recognized who she was, and then when she'd embraced her she'd faded away leaving Hiko standing there in her body.
She didn't understand why Kaede had done that. She'd been crying when she'd embraced her but it wasn't out of fear or hate. When she'd recognized who she was clear that she had wanted to be reunited with her again as much as she had, but hadn't dared to hope that it would actually occur.
She wasn't concerned about Yuka, even if her cousin had actually had the piece of mind to recognize that the news wouldn't be on for another hour, and the newspaper subscription wasn't active. Back then Kaede hadn't had a family, and if she did now maybe she'd see if she couldn't get them to adopt her too. It couldn't be worse then the apathy Yuka's parents showed her.
Leading Kaede back to her room she just sat down with her and mindlessly ran her fingers through her hair for a few minutes. The thought to pull out her swimsuits, or otherwise find something more appropriate for her to wear crossed her mind. After finding her friend after so long though, and with Hiko taking the helm and Yuka now focused on her witch hunt she just didn't feel the motivation versus spending some time together like this. It wasn't like they could really talk.
"Nyu!" Hiko whined uncomfortably pressing her legs together. Mizuko understood what that meant perfectly well, and wasted no time in expediting her access to the facilities.
"Nyyyuu." Hiko cooed in contentment as she emptied her bladder, thankfully into an appropriate receptacle rather then her pants. Mizuko wasn't sure whether she envied or pitied that Hiko could be so satisfied with such a simple thing.
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"There's nothing." Yuka said finally in disbelief, several hours after she'd started her search.
Mizuko looked at her for a long moment. They could have been on the beach having fun together over an hour ago. Someone however had insisted on watching the entire local news broadcast in order to be sure that they hadn't missed some mention of a missing redhead. It was now mid-afternoon, which meant if they did go it was going to be during the hottest part of the day. If it was just the heat it would be one thing, but as pale as Kaede was Mizuko doubted she'd tolerate this kind of sun well.
"So when are you supposed to be home?" She aked.
Yuka blinked, and glanced at the clock with a sinking expression. "I need to go. I'll see you tomorrow." She called while rushing out.
As she departed Mizuko glanced in Kaede's direction. "You're not hiding because you were afraid of her were you?"
Hiko looked at her uncomprehendingly, and responded with an inquiring "Nyu?"
"Don't worry about it."
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Director Kurama stared at the body of Kisaragi one last time before beginning to zip up her body bag. Her family had claimed her remains, which meant that it was time for the Erasers to prepare her corpse so it would fit with the official story. Public knowledge of the Diclonus outbreak would cause hysteria, and the containment operations weren't something the public would abide if they had knowledge of it. So as far as the public was concerned they were something else entirely, and as far as the families were concerned their loved ones died from an accident involving an explosion.
After his wife had died, due to his being infected by Number 3, he'd been left alone and unsure of whether he should even try to pursue dating prospects given it was only likely to result in going through the cycle of pain he'd had to go through when his daughter was born. Kisaragi had been barely qualified to be a secretary, had always been messing things up so she tended to multiply his work load instead of reducing it. She however had one thing that had insured that he'd kept her by his side instead of sending her away within the first hour.
While she bumbled and stumbled through things she never let that get to her and prevent her from trying to improve and continue. For someone who had, had everything he'd valued either die in his arms or be torn from them and locked away, it had been an inspiration he had needed to keep going. If he was honest with himself he had begun to develop feelings for her, although he had only really recognized them as she'd skidded into Lucy's path. Far to late to do anything about them as the guards held him back.
He hadn't missed the bloody handprint on the back of his suit jacket. It was a clear reminder of her promise from that confrontation from four years ago. She was her way of subtly letting him know that she could have killed him, and that Kisaragi hadn't died because she'd stumbled into the way but because he'd made it clear she was someone important to him. In effect he'd killed her because he'd allowed his emotions to betray him.
The problem was how was he supposed to deal with the threat of Lucy now that she'd escaped. He didn't dare believe that the fall had been enough to kill her, or that her body had been dragged out to the ocean. She would have made it shore somehow.
They'd only been able to bring her in originally because of an unintentional fluke that caused her to surrender. That she would bond with someone they could use as leverage, again, was extremely unlikely. Her Diclonus instincts and lack of empathy would see to that.
He'd already made arrangements for their teams to inquire around likely landing sites, the local authorities to be on the look out, and the Special Assault Team to patrol the coast. He didn't expect the S.A.T. to be able to stop Lucy, but they would in dying confirm that she had survived and was at large.
He'd already talked with the Special Assault Team and arranged for a pair of recruits that weren't expected to make the cut to become proper Special Assault Team members to patrol the beach of Kamakura, which if Lucy had a choice she'd probably return to. The psychotic one in particular was useful for the simple fact he'd be more motivated to engage Lucy rather then possibly letting her go. He'd arranged for the S.A.T. teams to operate in pairs in order to further maximize this while allowing more maximum spread. If she'd managed to survive the fall and had landed on the coast they'd find her.
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Mizuko watched as Hiko played in the water of the covered hot springs which were the Inn's main attraction. She'd bought a few sets of swimsuits with the intent of wearing them in the sulfurous baths, so it wasn't really a problem if they ended up stinking of sulfur as a result. In some respects it was nice to see her having fun, but to have Kaede so close and yet so far away was beginning to tear at her.
Despite her attempts to get Kaede to comeback and talk to her, she remained absent leaving Hiko in charge of her body. For something she'd come up with on the fly it was proving to be an apt name for the energetic and mischievous girl that was now in control of Kaede's body. It wasn't that Hiko wasn't fun to be around as she took interests in various things, often in ways she never would have thought of. It was that she was so close but so far from someone she felt she could really trust.
Ultimately deciding that the rocks weren't going to turn her in she walked over to Hiko and hugged her, placed her head on her shoulder. "I want to talk to Kaede now. If you don't want to talk to me, please listen." She clutched Kaede's body to her tightly, hoping that she was getting through but not daring to look lest she saw her efforts were all for naught.
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Mizuko wasn't sure how long she'd talked about the Institution, about how she'd wanted to see her again, about her insecurities and how she didn't feel she could trust anyone because they wouldn't understand and were liable to send her back to the Institution. It had helped even if Kaede hadn't said anything in response. At least she'd had the opportunity to get it off her chest.
Starting to pull away and looking over she saw that it was Hiko who was currently in control, but that somehow she'd managed to understand on some level. She looked at her with eyes that seemed on the verge of crying.
"It's alright." She said comfortingly even though she didn't feel it, it didn't feel right to drag Hiko down for her sake. "You're here now, so everything is going to be okay."
Her attempts at consoling only served to emphasize to her how unproductive her attempts to console herself with Kaede's presence actually were. Even if Hiko understood on some level, all it succeeded in doing was making her sad. And thus she could only reduce her pain by inflicting it upon someone else.
She needed to be along for a while.
Pulling herself out of the hot spring she walked backed to the Inn and quickly changed.
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Mizuko felt a little better. Screaming in defiance against a raging storm from the beach probably wasn't the smartest thing she'd ever done, but did feel a little better. Her throat was beginning to wear out and it was time to head back.
"Freeze!" Mizuko looked in the direction of the voice to seek a pair of dark figures walking towards her out of the darkness, apparently following the coast.
She wasn't able to make out any distinguishing features on either as they drew nearer, even when lightning bolts temporarily turned the night into day thanks to their dark suits, body armor, and face obscuring helmets. That they were carrying what appeared to be submachineguns meant that either she'd just happened to come across the most persistent air soft players in Japan, or she was in serious trouble.
Mizuko held an arm up as the wind shifted, and the heavy pelting rain began trying to pound into her face.
"She doesn't look like the girl in the photo."
"It's dark and raining how can you tell the difference between red and black hair under these conditions? And that hat could be hiding her horns."
Mizuko didn't like where the tone of this conversation was going and began evaluating her options.
"Well we can take her in a person of interest."
"Why? Let's deal with her now. Save the taxpayers some money by not having to process her through the courts."
"We don't even know if she's the girl we're looking for."
Mizuko quietly made for the beach and sank below the water as they began to argue. The cold water enveloped her quickly instantly soaking her clothes adding to the weight slowing her down. She considered for a moment trying to swim for the far end of the beach, but given how cold she already was she doubted she'd be able to make it.
Breaking the surface just enough to get a view of the beach she wait for a lighting bolt, and saw that the two dark figures had apparently stopped arguing in favor of searching for her. They however apparently presumed that she'd ran away from them along the beach, and thus she was behind them.
Grabbing a rock she quietly pulled herself out of the surf and onto the beach. Part of her told her that she should just evade them and leave. That part of her was however quickly squashed by an alliance between the part of her that had, had enough of people pushing her around and the part of her that had put two and two together and wasn't about to let them take who they sought from her.
The nearest one went down without ever realizing she was there. The rock smashing into the back of his head and knocking him out. The problem was, as she quickly grabbed equipment off his prone body, was that the sound of rock meeting helmet hadn't gone unnoticed and his partner.
Lying near the body as she was she doubted her could see her, but wasn't about to count on that. She picked up the gun and pointed it in the direction of where she thought he was while evaluating her options. A bolt of lightning illuminated the beach, and she was able to quickly adjust the weapon so that it was aimed directly at his face. For fraction of a second she considered pulling the trigger before recognizing she couldn't live with herself if she killed him, and then the darkness returned removing the option.
She quietly stalked towards the beach's exit. When she was about halfway there she heard a weird twanging sound that seemed to be coming towards her, and abandoned her efforts at stealth for speed only for something to slam into her knocking her to the ground as someone laughed derisively above her.
"I have NVGs you stupid bitch. Did you think I couldn't see you?" The voice called out from the darkness. The voice she recognized as the one who'd been arguing they should kill her, and as another bolt of lightning struck she could see that he had his gun pointed directly at her head.
As the darkness returned she stared defiantly at where she thought his face was. "And what? You're going to kill me like _this_? Brag to all your friends about how you could only beat a girl because you had a gun and NVGs?" She wasn't sure what NVGs were, what she didn't need to. If he was going to shoot there was nothing she could do to stop him, but if she could trick him into doing something stupid she might get an opening.
He grabbed her, dragging her up to view his smirking face. She slipped open theTaser she'd recovered off his friend, put it under his arm, and before he could react in any kind of coherent manner pulled the trigger causing him to let her go crying out in pain before spasming. His gun luckily falling to the ground without going off.
"You bitch! You think…" Whatever else he was going to say was lost as she zapped him again, and kicked the gun away before kicking him in the side of the head which appeared to put him down.
She almost collapsed as the adrenalin left her system leaving her twitchy. She was exhausted, and cold enough it was getting hard to think. She stumbled in the direction of where she thought the beach exit was. Her foot found the concrete of the bottom of the stairs, but her footing was messed up and she tripped. Someone warm caught her.
She looked up into a pair of red eyes and passed out.