DISCLAIMER: Zombie Loan, all characters, places, names, etc. are copyright of Peach-Pit. They are by no means mine! So don't sue! This plot, however, is my own, spawn of my unbridled, albeit quite unimaginative, imagination. The name of the golem "Hope" is also my idea, my own interpretation. Any resemblance of any name to any person, living or otherwise, is purely coincidental.
AUTHOR'S NOTES aka RANDOM RAMBLING:
Fic started: October 29, 2007 (evening)
I keep getting these fic-ideas even though I'm working on others...oh well. This'll most probably be less than five chapters, making it my shortest multi-chaptered fic.
This sequence of events takes place as an alternate ending, at the last episode of the Zombie Loan anime. Let's just say I wished for an alternate ending, or rather am writing one...a happier one. Cheesy? Idealistic? I don't really mind. Don't get me wrong...I loved the Zombie Loan series, and understand that there are parts that are indeed dark and depressing. I don't know if I'm killing something of the series here (or not killing, to put it another way), but all the same...I'm doing it anyway, mostly to satisfy my self-righteous ego. Please forgive if the characters might seem somewhat OOC...
Oh yeah, please review, if possible. I mean constructive criticism and non-degrading, non-mortifying comments, that is. Well, if you just HATE the fic, then don't continue reading! It's that simple! You don't have to blab about 'how the story sucks' or something. Well, you can write flames, but you'd just be wasting your time and effort, you can be sure of that. So please. If you don't like this, then just go and write something you do like . Everyone has the potential to come up with a great story.
Oh well. That takes care of my A/N protocol. Enjoy!
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"Hope"
Zombie Loan
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CHAPTER 1
Plans
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She trembled in his arms...so fragile, as if she might break with the slightest pressure.
She was silent, but her eyes spoke volumes as they stared pleadingly into his. 'Don't leave me...please...don't let me go...'
'I'm afraid...what will happen to me?'
He seemed to understand, as if a link existed between them that needed no tangible medium. 'You're safe now; I will protect you...'
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"What are you planning to do, Shito?" Otsu asked.
Shito replied without hesitation. "I'll bring her home, take care of her...teach her how to talk..."
Otsu then glanced at Michiru, Yuuta and Chika. Michiru smiled and nodded 'I think that's a good idea', Yuuta shrugged 'I guess it'll be okay', and Chika...paid no attention to anything but his account card.
The doctor looked on at the touching scene, as did the others, and sighed...partly in relief that the incident was over, and partly because he did not know how to deal with this new situation. Though unsure of the how and why, Shito seemed to care very much about the form he was cradling then...and, perhaps it was just fancy, but somehow it also seemed that she was reciprocating the feeling...?
No...these things had to be thought out rationally. Was she even capable of feeling? It certainly looked that way, but...no matter how human she looked, she was still a golem...an unnatural existence. It was unsure if she even had a soul, or had feelings; besides, she would need to be given a special enzyme every now and then just to survive...unless...
While mulling over his own thoughts, he spotted Nogi at the corner of his vision. The scientist was gaping at the others, particularly at Shito and the female golem. He was reaching into his coat pocket...
...and Otsu was beside him in an instant. "Don't consider doing that just yet," he said loud enough for only Nogi to hear, "You might end up not living to regret it."
"Sh-she's a golem! We have to dispose of them all now!" The scientist hissed, eager to pull out his gun and start shooting, yet fearful at the same time of the other man's dominating presence.
"Put the weapon away," the 'medical student' uttered, and the other man followed. Otsu put on a thoughtful expression on his face. "An idea popped into my head just now. You said that the golem needed a chemical in order to keep on living, is that right?"
"Y-yes...a special amino acid, but, why...?"
He nodded. "And do you still have some of the serum that was used to destroy that monster Phalanx?"
"The formula is in my desk...still-"
"Good. I'll need at least the formulae of both as soon as possible."
Nogi blanched. "You do not mean to..."
He cut the other man off. "I am not sure of Yoshizumi's intentions, but if what he wanted was simply to create new life..." here he looked at Nogi straight in the eye, "then he was successful with her, at least."
"That's madness! It is nothing more than a..." Nogi paled even more.
"Or should I say very nearly successful. I think I can figure out a way to create a compound that could serve to keep her alive with one inoculation, or at least a series that will work better with each progressive infusion."
"What?! Why...?"
"Maybe I've seen one too many autopsies for my liking, and would like to prevent another one if I can. Personally, I believe that this 'golem' is much too 'alive' to be disposed of right now; she is capable of harboring thoughts and emotions, of making decisions. Besides, she shouldn't be punished for faults that are not hers. Do not worry...I will take full responsibility for this, and you can think of it as getting rid of evidence on your part."
Tension faded from Nogi's face a little.
Otsu continued. "Just this one; just her. I am not planning to create new life from corpses or conduct twisted experiments like Yoshizumi – and you, I should add – did."
The other man appeared even more at ease. "F-fine...you will have your data tomorrow...all that I have not burned yet...but I will have no further part in this, you hear me?"
"Thank you." Otsu said simply as he watched Nogi finally leave. He then thought to himself as he approached Shito, 'Although...there is the matter of something other than the body...'
'What the heck am I doing...?'
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"Shito..."
The young man looked up at Otsu. Though weary from his recent ordeals, his eyes, usually stoic and cold, were full of firmness and genuine warmth.
'He's...changed somehow...' The older man thought pensively. "It's about...her."
Shito nodded, and left the girl in the care of Yuuta and Michiru. Chika had sauntered towards them, and also noticed the difference in his partner, though did not voice his observation just yet.
Otsu proceeded to explain the details pertaining to the girl-golem. Both Shito and Chika listened intently, the former being more attentive.
Chika sighed, looking annoyed. "What a burden..."
"What did you say?" Shito glowered threateningly.
The silver-haired boy suddenly grinned and waved his arms in front of him. "I'm kidding! I'm kidding! Actually, I think keeping her with us will be a good idea. She does you a lot of good, buddy. Now's the first time ever I've seen you so happy." He added in a more serious tone, "And I also think that she deserves to live even after all that's happened...isn't that right?"
"I agree," Otsu stated, "I am going to work on a formula that will help in making her body more...human, so to speak; more permanent. I will just have to wait for Nogi's papers..."
Shito was at a loss for words. "You guys..."
"Now don't go all sentimental on us, you wimp," Chika warned playfully, clapping his friend on the back. "Of course we'll help you out! We're pals, right?"
"Although," Otsu continued, "there is the matter of the golem possibly not having a soul...or at least an entirely human soul, like even we zombies have. There is no doubt that she is alive, but what kind of 'life' is still a complicated matter..."
"Oh...and I wonder how Ferryman will take this too..." Chika remarked.
Shito stood in contemplation for a moment then said, "There is a way."
"Hmm...?"
"I will give her a soul of her own."
While Chika reeled in astonishment, Otsu did not seem very surprised. "I thought so...it is possible then, huh? Something from the Xu Fu mafia, perhaps?"
"Yes. It will take some time for preparations, but I'll be able to manage it."
"And about Ferryman and the higher-ups..." Otsu asked, noting Chika's earlier comment, "Since I talked to Nogi about it, I am willing to take the responsibility..."
Shito interrupted. "No! I provide the soul; I will be the one liable for..."
"Idiots!" Chika butt in loudly, causing the other two men to look at him in slight annoyance. "We're all in cahoots here, okay? I suppose we can just let him add it to our tab, but I'm not sure if that's even possible. In any case, we're all co-conspirators in this little scheme, and I don't really mind as long as Shit-shito here's happy enough to help me get my hands on even more money. That clear?"
Shito raised an eyebrow flatly. "You talk too much, dumbass."
"What's that?!" The two got into another dust-cloud fight.
Otsu only shook his head and smiled wryly. 'Oh boy...this'll get us into trouble, so why am I not worried?' Already he was contemplating on how much would be added to all their dues by the time Bekko would be through with them.
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A/N: Ah well...I sincerely hope I did the characters justice. Otsu seems the most OOC here, as he plays a central role. Anyway, I'm still figuring out details as I go along...
This has to be the fastest I've completed a chapter (excluding 1- or 2-page prologues). LOL