Chapter 2: "If Wishes were… A Chance to Extend A Warm Hand"
[February 10, year 2xxx]
[I celebrate Yogi's birthday in chapter 6 and Gareki makes an official appearance in chapter 5!]
*~ Meanwhile~*
"Baa, he was talking to himself," the sheep informed Captain Hirato, who's dark eyebrows arched in almost amused unison. The sheep tattled about Nai standing in his room alone and talking to thin air like it was a person.
Nai meanwhile was in the infirmary aboard the Second Ship -which while not as nicely equipped as the Research Tower, did prove handy for minor scrapes. He sat on the bed or rather, was strapped to it by force by two more little sheep. Hirato sat in the doctor's chair, leaning on a cane made from his "magical" energy, almost smirking. He propped his chin in his hand, the top hat on his head. He looked more amused than concerned. "Nai...what is your take on all this?"
Nai swallowed nervously. His jitteriness made Hirato think of the quivering Niji form that Nai really was. He had to stifle a giggle. "W-Well...I mean… I was talking...but not to myself," he said with uncertainty.
Hirato arched his brows and then he let them furrow. As funny as this was, the poor boy looked ready to cry at the attention. If only Gareki-kun were here. He'd have had some more fun teasing the boy and getting a rise out of the aloof 15 year old. He really was protective of Nai. Although, recent events had led the stubbornly cold shouldered teen to admit that he trusted Nai's safety to the second ship. Of course, Karoku had a few choice words to say to Hirato for using Nai as bait and Gareki's apparent lack of disconnect to the true horrors of putting someone as precious as Nai in the jaws of death.
Hirato smirked to himself. He couldn't help but see something uncannily familial about those two. Though Karoku and Gareki tended to stay out of the way of the other, whenever they were together was entertaining to watch on the secret camera system Hirato had installed on the ship. That library scene had been especially amusing prior to Gareki's return to Kuronomei Academy for Governmental recruits(and sometimes misfits). Hirato was now Gareki's guardian and the tall broad shouldered man, pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose with a gloved hand, momentarily lost in his thoughts as he mused about how Gareki still didn't know that he and his partner Tsukitachi had been the ones to sink that slave ship all those years ago. It had been 7 years. Since the kid was tied up and bullied and half-starved- he clearly hadn't taken the medicine put into the food according to his account and Jiki's excellent snooping skills, Gareki had been more than fortunate in being spared the horrors of at least a fate like that.
Hirato couldn't help but wonder who Gareki's real parents were. He had mentioned that his real parents hadn't been the ones to sell him when he was 8 and it was implied that he had been foster cared by them or something. Jiki hadn't been able to track down any remaining family of Gareki. He literally was almost as well known as an invalid or illegal alien. Though the boy had strong roots in Karasuna due to his history there, Hirato knew that the Second Ship had slowly begun to become Gareki's new home. A sheep patted his knee. "Baah!"
The actually indignant bleat broke Hirato out of his reverie. "Oh? Yes?"
Nai swallowed again. "Baah, the boy says he saw a boy that is feminine, baah," the sheep repeated.
Hirato blinked. A boyish girl? He turned his head to the boy who was straddled to the bed, his arms tied to his sides, looking at him with big doleful red orbs. Karoku really would have his head if he saw how "tied" up he had Nai. Hirato almost wanted to invite Karoku into the conversation. He tilted his head, amused. Things had been a bit quiet since Gareki returned to the academy and there was no majorly recent Varuga activity since he'd taken out the bastard back when the attack on Kuronomei had occurred. Nai flustered. "I-I mean it could have been a boy- I'm not good at this…"
He propped his chin on the back of his knuckles of both hands, sitting backwards in his chair, as he gazed at Nai. Hirato believed in privacy of the rooms and bathrooms on board the ship so he didn't have "proof" of Nai's behavior other than what the sheep was currently telling him. "Oh, I see. Nai, can you tell me what happened?" He spoke not unkindly, wanting to at least give the silly trembling Niji a chance to talk. Had Nai's loneliness somehow whipped up an "imaginary friend?". He was childlike in appearance and and personality, naive and often times too easy to take advantage of, so Hirato wouldn't actually find it surprising if he made one. Though, for it to be a girl? This was proving to be amusing. If it was really another boy-still something to poke Gareki with whom he would have loved to see get jealous personally. Nai seemed to have a reverse harem of mostly men and then Tsukumo growing. How funny.
"W-Well...um...the voice was a bit scratchy-like a boy's...r-reminded me a little of Gareki," Nai said nervously, and Hirato was amused that he wasn't asking to be untied yet. This kid was really quite interesting. " ...b-but um...the… the girlish boy had...um...well… red hair… dark brown eyes...um… wore a dark green long jacket to dark jeaned legs, brown lace up boots, and had...er...his… left arm…"
Hirato tilted his head. "Yes?" He was curious now. The person Nai was describing was vivid. Though for him to not know the gender. Hirato had to stifle a laugh. This kid really was kept in the dark by Karoku. He had no idea what "gender" really was according to the way he couldn't even tell if he was a boy or not. Hirato already knew he was from Dr. Akari's check ups, but that didn't mean that Nai fully understood his own body-much less that of someone who he was apparently talking to in his room. Circus Airship 2 had state of the art technology. Hirato knew if someone had really been there, it would have been picked up on the sensors.
"Um...his left forearm was injured. He had torn the dark black shirt sleeve of his right arm wrapped around what looked to be a flesh wound as there were...traces...of...r-red...water….I mean blood…" Nai continued.
Hirato tilted his head. Imaginary friends didn't usually come with bodily injuries...did they? He furrowed his brow. Something started to feel off. Still, he smiled outwardly, whatever reservations he had, he wouldn't alarm Nai with them. Instead he smirked. "I see… and did you get a chance to see the...chest? You know...for injuries?" Really he was asking if Nai saw breasts but knowing the innocent Niji that would go right over his fluffy white head.
Nai nodded. "I did. I looked at the chest but there wasn't really anything there and the dark turtle-neck top really made it hard to see. If it was Big Sister Iva or Ms. Tsukumo at least I would know they were women because Dr. Akari told me women have big breasts." He sounded so matter-of-fact. Well, that was bluntly honest. Hirato almost wanted to waltz around Karoku and tease him that little Nai was growing up but he refrained. He'd have to tip his hat to Dr. Akari for corrupting the boy before he could. Just wait till sex education came into the picture. That would be the day. He honestly wanted a front row seat to Dr. Akari giving Nai a sex education lesson. He wondered how a disleveled virgin Gareki and no doubt overly-protective Karoku would look fighting over who would get to save Nai from that. Keeping a straight face was surprisingly difficult but somehow, Hirato managed.
Withholding a small chuckle that tickled the back of his throat, he remained cool like an undisturbed lake surface. Right now, he was more curious to hear about this "imaginary" girlish boy that Nai was describing. Nai had a knack for reaching out to people in dreams. After all, it was because of Karoku that Nai knew where to find him at the Smoky mansion. And he had even used the bracelet to pull Gareki through space before the thing detonated in Karoku's old room. Lucky little upstart. Though Hirato had his reservations about whether it was entirely the Niji or if Gareki perhaps did have some deeper connection to the boy that exceeded even Karoku's genetic contribution.
These thoughts rolled around. The issue here was that only Karoku of Kafka had reached out to Nai in dreams. Never in real life. But for someone other than the fake Karoku to have that ability? Hirato hid his frown behind a gloved sleeve. Could the false Karoku have a possible ally? Considering there were two Karokus, he honestly wouldn't be surprised if this false Karoku that worked with Kafka was experimenting on other people to perhaps replicate his abilities.
Or something.
Even Hirato had limits to his own knowledge. "I see, thank you Nai… what did you two discuss?" He inquired, getting the conversation moving for the sake of time. He glanced at the clock over his shoulder. Ah, Yogi would be getting back from shopping with Tsukumo soon. They had gone to town and honestly The 21 year old was hyper so Hirato had kicked him off the ship to be babysat by the 16 year old, Tsukumo. There was another reason for Yogi's increased activity in energy that quite honestly surpassed even Hirato's expectations of a grown man. But that was for another time. He listened to Nai.
Nai definitely felt a bit confused. He didn't like feeling like he was doing something wrong. He wasn't doing anything wrong, right? Mr. Hirato didn't seem to be too concerned with what he was saying so Nai tried to relax. He wondered if being strapped down was normal in Hirato's interrogation sessions. He would have to ask Karoku. After all, he was supposed to have tea with him around now. He already felt bad for inconveniencing Hirato. But since the sheep didn't give him any chance to keep this to himself he felt it was wrong to try to keep things from the Captain of the second ship of Karneval. "...He wanted to know where we were, and he said his name was Red. Other than that… I didn't get a chance to talk any more," Nai confessed. "But I didn't sense anything wierd. In fact, if anything… He felt very lonely...and sad…" Nai's voice trailed off. He looked away.
Hirato furrowed his brows together contemplatively. Ah, that's right. Nai was an empath. His funny violet ear tipped hairs to the sides of his white haired head, could pick up on emotions. That could actually prove entertaining depending on the context.
"Alright, thank you," Hirato nodded to the sheep. "Release the boy. I have confirmed there is nothing abnormal. I will let Dr. Akari have a full report."
"Baah, as you command, Captain," The little sheep unbound Nai. Nai slid off the bed. He walked past Hirato after Hirato gave him the okay with a head nod. As his hand reached for the door handle, Hirato watched him keenly from behind.
"And Nai?" He called after him.
" Y-yes? Sir?" Nai turned around to look at him with those big eyes. Hirato's own violet eyes with blue hues gazed back calm and unintimidating.
"If you have another chat with Mr. Red, I just want you to know...it's alright," Hirato walked over, pushing in the chair and making his cane disappear. He put a hand on Nai's shoulder. Nai looked at him with some confusion.
He wasn't sure what Hirato was getting at. "Yes...sir?" He agreed although the clearly puzzled expression did little to help anything. Nai knew his honest reactions were what made Gareki so worried sometimes about him. He knew that and yet he couldn't help but be honest. He couldn't pull a poker face like Gareki. The one time he'd tried, he'd been trying to push Gareki away because the false Karoku had tried to isolate him from Gareki and Gareki's kindness. He looked at his feet, feeling self-conscious of the eyes that gazed upon his pale face.
"That's a good boy," Hirato opened the door for Nai. "Run along and play now, won't you?"
Nai's face lit up childishly. His mood turned from awkward back to happy because he knew what play meant. It meant he got to go see Karoku! "Alright! Bye!" he dashed out. Hirato watched the boy take off and a small smiled played on his lips. The innocence of youth...or rather that little Niji. He wondered if Nai knew that he was the glue that held this rag-tag team of misfits together. If it hadn't been for Nai, they wouldn't have found Karoku or even gotten closer to cracking Kafka's goals. Not to mention, Nai ran into Gareki who had been a victim 7 years ago of the government's plan to sink the ship full of children Varuga. Hirato wondered if there were some gods or a God that was throwing some "Fate" his way on a silver platter. Hirato smirked, tipping the top hat over his eyes, his bangs shadowing the brief sad spark that shot inside of his dark eyed orbs. Nai really did miss Gareki and though he hid it behind his smile, Yogi had said that sometimes Nai would cry by himself, not wanting to bother Karoku or him or Tsukumo with his feelings of separation anxiety. Hirato sighed. He really was like the only adult parent on board. And him as a parent period was terrifying-for him the most. Of course, Tsukumo… He blinked.
The image of her in the bathing suit when they were in the cave and him taking the caterpillar out of her hair popped into his mind. Her wide eyed purple eyed gaze was tinted with her cherry red face and he covered a hand to his mouth, one arm wrap wrapped around himself, his elbow resting on his forearm as he leaned against the wall. A small giggle burst forth. Tsukumo never ceased to amuse him.
His heart seemed to rise a little then settle like normal. He closed his eyes. She was amusing. He was oblivious to the fact that he perhaps liked her merely because he felt responsible for taking her away from the toxic family she had been with at 7 years of age. The family had no objections and so he had trained her to fight for Circus alongside him specifically. Tsukitachi would tease him about her liking him and though he normally brushed it off playfully, he knew he had to be careful. Tsukumo was easily flustered around him and he knew it was because she looked up to him and hated looking weak or "girly" in front of him.
A sheep bleated by him and without warning, it kicked him in the shin. He yelped. "What the-!?"
The sheep held up Hirato's phone. "Baah, Dr. Akari said to kick you, Baah."
Hirato's eyebrow twitched. He'd have to have a talk to that bubble-gum haired workaholic. He grabbed the phone. "Alright. I understand. Hello, Dr. Akari~" he smiled, and his cheerful tone was aggravating the pink haired man on the other side back at The Research Tower.
"Is it true, did Nai see someone named Red?" Dr. Akari asked irritatedly.
"Ah yes, but whether it was a figment of his lonely imagination or real is yet to be determined," Hirato blinked, sighing at the blunt way the doctor liked to get right down to things.
"Your ship is protected from outside threats and it's not like Nai was asleep," Dr. Akari pointed out. " Have Yogi keep an eye on him. If Yogi can see the boy too, then we'll have the proof we need."
Hirato nodded. "Aye, aye captain Doctor," he said teasingly. He could see the anger doki heating up his phone comically. Hirato smirked and as he walked down the hall in the opposite direction he began to ask Dr. Akari how he was going to spend his vacation time.
"You're a major jackass who deserves to have his balls hacked off and fed to the Varuga while you dangle from your toes and enjoy being a eunuch you top hatted homo weirdo."Dr. Akari said before he hung up abruptly.
Nai entered the familiar room. He was out of breath. He'd rushed to get here because he knew he was late and Karoku would get worried. "K-Karoku! Sorry for the wait!" his excited tone fell upon the blue haired man's ears. He turned his head, blinking at Nai from his spot near the window in his room. He'd been moved to his own room as he'd recovered and after regaining his memories of Nai he had been for the most part attached to the hip to Nai. However, he couldn't convince Nai to do one thing. And that was to leave Gareki's room and live with him from then on. He sighed.
"It's alright," he said, closing the book he was currently reading. He didn't know why it frustrated him. He couldn't place a finger on it. But Nai constantly talked about Gareki. Gareki this. Gareki that. I wonder what Gareki is eating for lunch today. Kuroku gecked and he ran his hands through his hair rapidly, bending his nose to his knees. Jeez...when did Nai start liking Gareki more?
Karoku was 18, he had to be mature. He smiled at Nai who had walked over and climbed onto the edge of the bed Karoku was in, swinging his legs off the side. "Karoku, Karoku," Nai said happily, and Karoku had to smile at least a little. It was good to see the Niji in good spirits. Ever since Gareki had returned a couple weeks ago to the academy, Nai had been a bit down. Karoku felt some comfort in knowing that at least his own presence seemed to be helping cheer up Nai at least. After all, they were friends. It had been him who had saved the dying Niji by giving him some of his cellular data. Although he didn't know how a clone had been made of him or of much of his past, Nai was the solid anchor keeping Karoku from losing his mind. Nai blinked as he felt a hand run through his pale hair. He smiled at Karoku. He loved it when Karoku pet him. But he couldn't help but sense an infinite sadness coming from Karoku today. He furrowed his brow. He's thinking about something incredibly sad…
"So...what were you up to today?" Karoku asked, trying to get the uncomfortable silence dissipated at least a little. His blue eyes met the red orange ones and Nai looked a little nervous. Karoku didn't know why. He had asked a normal question.
"Um...well...I talked to a strange girlish boy in the room I share with Gareki," Nai said, knowing it wouldn't be polite to pry Karoku about what was bothering him since it seemed more painful than normal...almost Gareki level sad. And Nai already felt bad enough that he couldn't do more for Gareki to make him happy. Pushing these budding thoughts of negativity from himself, he replied, "And then the sheep and Mr. Hirato had me tied down to an infirmary bed while he asked me questions about the boy I talked to," he said brightly.
If he had a tail, Karoku knew it would be wagging. But Karoku doom faced. "Hirato did what," he asked pleasantly.
"Oh he was asking me questions-" Nai said brightly, not noticing the silent killing aura emanating off the blue haired boy but his "ears" twitched and Nai hopped off the bed, sensing the killing aura more clearly now. It scared him. "Eek!"
"Oh...I'm sorry," Karoku reigned in his temper. Even though Nai could sense emotions, it didn't always mean he knew what their source was. He tried to smile. He had to be careful. He was grateful to Nai who had put up with his abuse when he was trying to push Nai away before his memories returned for the most part of Nai. Other memories were coming back as well but Nai… Nai had laid down his life to protect him. Karoku was especially protective of the boy who had learned what it meant to "sacrifice".
He never wanted Nai to throw his life into harm's way that way ever again and it pissed him the hell off that Circus was gallivanting around glorifying such things to something as pure and precious as his baby brother-like figure Nai-chan. "I was just thinking about how I need to have a nice chat with Mr. Hirato later about his interrogation methods," he explained, holding out his hand to the boy. "Please, don't be afraid." He sounded apologetic and Nai relaxed. Karoku was guilty. Nai nodded and smiling he took Karoku's hand, once more settling on the edge of the bed and leaning toward Karoku as Karoku let go of his hand and spoke again. "So… what's this about a boy?"
Nai looked at his feet, a bit guilty. "I… I don't know. Mr. Hirato… told me that it wasn't anything to worry about."
Karoku tilted his head. "...Did you...make him up?" He asked this gently, not wanting to accuse the boy; to upset him or make him flustered. However, Nai did neither.
Nai blinked. "Huh?"
His blatant blank-faced honestly made Karoku instantly think that Nai was possibly incapable of "imagination". It wasn't a bad thing-it proved he was still an animal in some aspects. However, Karoku grew increasingly concerned. If someone else had the ability to reach out to Nai, while Nai was awake, and without resorting to dreams but actually managed to be on the ship itself without any detection-how dangerous would that be for Nai? Biting his lower lip, he took one of Nai's hands and he gave it a gentle squeeze.
Nai was looking at his feet, uncertain of what to make of Karoku's silence, but he relaxed as soon as he looked up at those kind sky-bue orbs. Yes, this was the real Karoku. Not that cold clone. That's what Gareki had called him in their last conversation a few days ago. Nai had a lot he didn't understand about this world outside of his rainbow forest. But he had at least found Gareki and it was Gareki who had helped him meet Circus and it was Gareki who protected him time and time again. Those piercing blue eyes looked familiar. Nai blinked. He rubbed his eyes.
A light trick?
Why had he thought of Gareki?
Karoku pat Nai's head. "Karoku, it's okay," he smiled at Karoku, sensing the silence was him worrying about his safety. He could tell when Gareki was worried because both he and Karoku seemed to hunch their shoulders when intensely engaged in their thoughts. Nai had also noted that Karoku had a similar knack for falling asleep in the position that he liked to read. It was funny little things that made Nai want to study "humans" more.
"I know," Karoku said a bit meekly. He didn't want Nai to worry about his worrying.
Nai knew he was a Niji but he'd spent so much time around humans that he almost wanted to be one. " The boy wasn't harming me at all. If anything, he was just wondering where we were. He even apologized for startling me. He looked mostly sleepy and flustered to be honest…" Nai explained, hoping to alleviate some of the stress on Karoku. Karoku's body language seemed to relax a bit.
"I see," Karoku said. Nai brightened up, not liking the weird tension that steamed from mentioning the mysterious Red.
"M-Mr. Hirato thought maybe I made him up," Nai offered, "D-Do you think I did?"
Karoku blinked. "It's hard to say but…"
Nai shook his head. "I-I think that… maybe...maybe… I did…?"
Karoku tilted his head. "Can you describe the boy to me?" He asked curiously. Nai nodded vigorously. He was so eager to please Karoku. It was kind of cute. Karoku still hadn't forgiven himself for raising a hand against this sweet child. He described the boy and as the image popped into Karoku's mind, something did strike out.
"Come again, the boy boy was injured?" Karoku pressed.
"Ah...yeah…" Nai nodded.
Karoku's gut was telling him this was not Nai's imagination. But how? Was this Kafka? The anxiety churned in his belly. Things had been peaceful since Gareki had gone back a few weeks ago. It was February and Gareki had to start over from scratch in a new course. He wouldn't be returning for at least a year-until after he had completed his research course. It appeared that though Gareki was a bookworm who was interested in the sciences and technology; he had an interest in being a combat physician and in turn he had taken it upon himself to do the medical course. He'd graduate from that course next January if all went as according to plan. Additional training would be ensured since the academy was just to earn the "right" to practice in the field of choice. No doubt he'd have to get additional schooling but all that technical stuff Karoku didn't know very well. He knew he had originated from Kafka along with his parents. However.. He couldn't remember much. His memories of Nai were the clearest thing he had right now. They were his anchor and his shield. "Hey Nai...let's get the tea now," Karoku said brightly, tossing off the covers. Nai blinked at him.
"Ah, okay!" He looked excited. He liked it when Karoku was active. Because Karoku spent a lot of time reading or thinking or staring out into space and being otherwise very anti-social; it made Nai feel sometimes that his presence was a bother. Him and Gareki really had a similar "stay away" vibe to them. He wondered if that's why they got into that fight in the library so easily. Nai couldn't help but giggle at the funny memory.
"Nai! You idiot!" Gareki angrily smacked one of the collapsed books onto Nai's poor head as the Niji flailed.
Karoku flinched. "Hey! Don't hurt him!" Picking up a book he smacked it into the back of Gareki's head in retaliation.
"Dude! What the hell!" Gareki yelped, rubbing his head and glaring at the blue haired boy who stood protectively over Nai and glared Gareki down without fear. Gareki looked irritated and ready to punch back. Nai really hoped they wouldn't brawl.
"What? You did it to him!" Karoku retorted. "Doesn't feel nice when it's done to you does it?" A sheep popped into the room.
"No fighting, baah," the sheep said in a warning tone.
That had been around the point they got to watch the big fight in Kuranomei Academy. Nai was smiling to himself and Karoku wondered if tea really was the highlight of Nai's day. "Let's go," Karoku said opening the door. Nai beamed at him. "What's got you all sunshine and roses?" Karoku couldn't help but ask, quirking a brow.
"Mmm. I was thinking about you and Gareki," the Niji twitched happily. Karoku stared at him like he a grew an extra head. He looked at the kid in bewilderment.
"What about us?" he asked stupidly, furrowing his brow. He wasn't upset just surprised.
Nai sensed the confusion and he laughed. "Nothing! I just- the way you two act sometimes… I think you two could be really good friends! You're so much alike!" His innocent remark did little to help Karoku's already ill attitude towards Gareki.
Great...wait. How the hell am I anything like that guy?! His jaw dropped. "Nai... "
"Yes, Karoku?" Nai wagged.
"Please...stop talking about Gareki." Karoku looked away, his bangs shadowing over his eyes. Nai tilted his head, puzzled. "Go on ahead, I have to grab a book," Karoku continued, pretending to go over to his bookshelf and rummage. Nai nodded without question and he skipped out of the room happily to go prepare some tea in the ship's kitchen. As soon as Nai was gone, Karoku leaned against the bookshelf, and he grit his teeth, hugging himself, his head leaning against the side of the bookshelf. An embarrassed flush creeped into his otherwise passively pale features. Why the hell does it feel like Nai is the only one who can make me feel like an idiot? I'm nothing like Gareki. The hell.
