-by Nijuukyuu (Wednesday, September 14th, 2005)
.x:X:x.
"17... I want you to leave this place at once... you don't even know what they want with you..." The serious tone and expression painted on the face of his former friend before him, only made him begin to wonder why she would still care... and he hoped that not all of her had died just yet.
17 just turned away, staring out at the cold rain still falling heavily outside the cave entrance; as her steady eyes watched him walk to the edge of the mouth of the cave, and; giving 29 one last sorrowful gaze, he took off into the air... leaving her to believe he was going to leave forever...
No, those weren't his intentions - he only wished not to irritate her further, but he was going to stick around and try to remain unnoticed by Gero, Myu and his clone - and whomever else might appear...
Upon those thoughts, 17 began to ponder the possibility of more cyborgs having been built within the last ten years... but... why... how... how could he have let this happen?
A cold feeling had already formed inside his chest... sharp, and heavy; and he knew that all this was his fault... was he no different from the ones who had done this to his once child-friend?
How could he let himself destroy all that?
His mind had been clouded with anger... it wasn't for pleasure... which meant... what if he lost it again...?
"No... I swear I won't..." He told himself as he landed down into the midst of the forest; as his feet touched the soft, wet ground; 17 straightened up and began to glance around himself... it was incredibly dark and damp - it was raining so hard, that he could hardly hear a thing other then that; and thus, it made the atmosphere heavy with misty fog in the forest, and it was also very humid now down there where 17 stood as he debated his next move of what he should do...
.x:X:x.
29; once known as the small child, Shariyu, remained in the cave entrance; as a hundred different emotions ran through her being as her back rested against the cold, stone wall...
17...
The man whom had befriended her the first time her father had dragged her up to the snow valleys... the only one who had enough time to spend with her... she was now sure he had probably pitied her - who wouldn't pity a poor, naive child, who only wanted someone to play and talk with...?
Naive...
That was too true... back then...
She closed her eyes, sighing deeply; as memories once supressed surfaced as if she were reliving everything once more...
.x:X:x.
.x:Eleven Years Before:x.
The soft sunlight shone through the window, as the young, four year old was sitting up, still feeling somewhat sleepy as she rubbed her eyelids; and she looked up as her young father sat on the edge of the bed next to her, giving her a gentle embrace.
"Good morning; are you ready to get up? We're going to leave in two hours." As she nodded, he lifted her up, and put her down on her feet; and she hugged him around the legs, making him laugh.
"Come on, Shariyu." He took her small hand, and led her into the next room after dressing her.
Once they were outside, they got into her father's car and he began to drive off. The scenery seemed to be flying by as her eager eyes tried to take in everything; and she let out a cry of glee as they began to drive along a snowy forest, which was white with evergreens peeking out on the heavily snowcovered branches.
It took a few more hours to became settled in the new surroundings; as it was quite cold, Atemu; her adopted father, did not wish for her to become sick, so he told her to take a nap while he got everything done...
It was late afternoon when the girl awoken again, and she was slightly disoriented of the cabin room; thus becoming further confused and frightened - she was crying out for her father as she pulled open the front door, which he had left unlocked as he was only outside on the large porch discussing the hunting seasons with a few other men.
"Wha-? What's the matter?" He exclaimed as she ran into his arms, then he gently stroked her forehead, as he lifted her up onto his lap. "It's alright, Sha - don't you remember that we're staying here for the timebeing?"
After a few minutes, he had her calmed down; and her little face was hiding in his neck as she noticed the two strange men sitting across the table.
"Look, Papa has to talk with these men, okay? I'll get you dressed up so you can play in the snow, but do not wander off - stay in my eyes' view."
He aplogized to the men once he came back out to sit down, and Sha had run off to play around the porch; as he watched her, Atemu noticed another man coming their way, carrying wood in his arm.
"Hey!" One of the hunters called over to the newcomer, who just glanced up; then stood there, steadily studying the new face, which was Atemu's; making him a little uneasy as those icy blue eyes seemed to stare deeper and deeper into his very soul.
"Who-?" Atemu questioned in a whisper to his companions.
"Aw, that's jis 17 - he's a young feller, and quite talent'd at hun'ing, an' strong too, ye know." The man gave a hearty laugh; as Atemu murmured to himself that he never heard of any such hunters; then the man called 17 to come up to them to greet Atemu.
17 stood there for a few moments, quite irriated at this request; but with a heavy sigh at the beckoning both men near Atemu were making; he made his way up the stairs and to them.
"This 'ere is Atem'-" - at the mistake of his name, Atemu quietly murmured his real name to correct him, but was unheard - "-an' him an' his lil' girl are ginna stay in da area fer a while."
"Oh." 17 raised his eyebrow to pretend he was interested, but inside he was drowning in boredom of standing around when he had things to do. "Well, it's a pleasure meeting you, Atem."
"Oh..." Atemu flushed; now completely nervous and embarrassed by the name mistake - him, and his poor daughter always had this problem as nobody knew how to pronounced either of their names without guidence. "It-it's A-tey-moo."
"A-tey-moo; Atemu - whatever, gotcha." 17 turned away with a jerk of his head, which sent his raven hair to fly slightly as he walked quickly down the stairs, only to stop dead in his tracks as he nearly ran over the little girl whom was staring shyly up at him.
As he stared at her - and was becoming a little annoyed at all the surprises that were being thrown his way at the moment - she, meanwhile, smiled up at him; offering her hand, as she cutely murmured: "'Ello."
"Yea, hi." 17 gave her his finger and let her shake it for a minute, before he began to take off again, with a; "Bye."
"Ah, hey, 17 - was that your name? - could you watch my daughter for a while? Me and the guys have to check out the forest for a hour or so; if you can, it's greatly appreciated. Thanks!" Atemu called, but left 17 with no time to answer as he and the two other men quickly went towards the forest and disappeared behind the tall trees.
17's mouth was hanging open, but he quickly snapped back to reality as he noticed the girl walking off; but before she could get any further, he ran in front of her after setting the pile of wood down in the snow.
"Hey kid, did you or did ya not just hear your daddy tell ya to stay here?" 17 asked, irriated; that he was being left to babysit for some new guy's brat.
"...Yessh..." She murmured quietly, staring at the snow which was overshadowed by 17, whom was far taller then her father, who happened to be on the short side at 5'5", while 17 was 5'11".
17 didn't know what to say, he didn't want to yell at the poor kid who was just left behind with a stranger whom her father just met - why were some people just so irrisponsible? His sister was very protective of his niece, Marron when she was little! But this man... argh...
"Okay... Look, what's your name, kid?" 17 bent down to her eyelevel after an awkward silence, and she shyly observed him, then gave a small smile.
"Sha-ree-you." She murmured in reply, then 17 asked if she wanted anything, and after she had responded that she wished to play; they began building a snowman among other things...
.x:X:x.
.x:Present Time:x.
The sound of footsteps approaching 29, caused her to open her eyes with a start; as she came face-to-face with Hellfighter 17, who was glaring coldly at her; making her sigh in distress.
"Hello, Fighter - you're back... what-a-surprise." She mumbled annoyed, causing him to roll his eyes; then he smiled as he lifted her chin, with his cold hand.
"29... why are you out here? I thought you would be inside working, or something... but, no... you were out here... waiting for me, maybe?" He smirked as it was her turn to roll her eyes, with a toss of her head; now she was staring hard out into the rain, which was beginning to quiet alittle now.
Hellfighter walked to the labrotary door gate; punching in the password as the doorway opened for him... he turned back, looking at 29 sideways; as she stared at him, he smiled; only making her become irritated again.
"Come now - the doctors might need us." Hellfighter ordered, and so, 29 obeyed unwillingly; knowing it to be useless to disagree as Hellfighter was much stronger then her, and that was a fact she knew too well.
.x:X:x.
The stars shone brightly in the night sky, as Android 17 fled through the forest and out into a field; which was deserted, and hardly had any tall grass left; he noticed, judging by the black burned ground and halves of the tall grass that did make it; as he landed in the center of a crater imprinted in the Earth's surface.
"A fight?" 17 mused to himself, the details around him seemed too obvious... but, if Gero and Myu were still around; and the others - that was very bad news... unless they had been hiding?
Strange...
Maybe... maybe, he would go back soon and ask Sha... erm, 29?
He corrected himself, then shook his head in distress... no, maybe the better judgement was to go and seek the answers on his own...
.x:To Be Continued:x.