A/N Okay, everyone, today is Friday and here is the latest installment. Sorry the story is going so slow, but it will get exciting soon- PROMISE. ;) I just have a lot of information I want to put across to you guys. **I do not own Blood Plus, the characters of Blood Plus, or any songs mentioned.**
Kai stood in front of Omoro, reminiscing on old times.
The wedding had been beautiful. He and Carrie married on the beach with friends, family, and members of the Red Shield present. Even Hagi was there to witness the event.
Carrie's long blonde hair shimmered in the breeze as she spoke the words of their vows. Her green eyes shined with happy tears. The white gown fit her waist tightly and made her even more beautiful- Kai never could imagine that was possible. When they turned to friends and family, there were cheers of congratulations.
He recalled every detail of that day- especially every detail of that night. It was beautiful, magical even. He balled a fist containing a single sheet of paper from Hibiki's notebook.
The girls were beside themselves, they couldn't understand this either.
Kai remembered when he got them home from New York. They cried and cried- it seemed a non-stop affair. Saya was only awake for a few months, but he recalled her groans when she laid one twin down only to hear the other start wailing. He was grateful for Saya being there at least that long.
"Saya," he sighed, "would you look at me now." Tears fell from his face as he faced the orange, pink, and periwinkles of the setting sun. He scrubbed his face with his hands and asked no one in particular, "What am I going to do?"
It was in 2015, only a year after the wedding, that George was born. He was so proud and happy when he felt the tight squeeze of Carrie's hand as she bore down and delivered their first-born son into the world.
He was so tiny, Kai was afraid to hold him. "He may break," he warned as he backed away from Carrie.
She held out the small infant with the sweet smile of an angel on her face. "Oh, come on, Kai, you're his father. Don't be afraid." She continued, "Kai, really? You've had the twins since they were born."
"Nuh-uh!" Kai exclaimed- hands up in surrender. "I didn't get them until they were 3 months old. Julia explained this to you before."
Joel and Kai decided it was best that Carrie be kept in the dark about what Saya, Hagi, and the twins really were. She was told that the Red Shield was a security organization that fought the chiropterans and the other effects caused by Cinq Fleches. Julia explained that Diva, Hagi, and Saya were very highly trained warriors that could defeat the creatures, that's why Saya was gone. Diva was killed 3 months after giving birth to twin daughters and Kai volunteered to take care of the twins since Saya and Diva were his adopted sisters. The identity of the twins' father was not revealed to her.
She questioned Kai about Hagi once. He told her that Hagi was the liaison between Saya and Julia. The answer seemed to satisfy her curiosity, she never asked again.
"I just don't understand this," Kai murmured as the balmy sea breeze caused his red hair to move. He clutched the paper more firmly, causing it to crinkle.
The windows were open, allowing the breeze to cool off the inside of Omoro, summer always brought unbearable heat, but the people of Okinawa simply opted for oscillating fans instead of air conditioners. The salt in the air would just rust one quickly.
He could hear Hibiki trying to calm Kanade as she asked, "Why?" A few quiet reassuring sounds came next and then Kanade pressed the issue. "What could we have done? We went out of our way to make everything happy for her." A few harsh sobs followed before she added, "I don't get it?"
He could hear his younger son, Riku crying for his Mommy, but it was Hibiki who answered his cries. He couldn't hear what she said to the boy she thought of as her baby brother, but he could feel the emotion. It was harsh and raw, like someone had sliced his chest open and left his heart exposed to the elements. Tears spilled from his eyes as he gritted his teeth.
Riku was brought home in 2018. Hibiki and Kanade thought of him as their cute little baby doll. They wanted to do everything from changing diapers to making bottles. They were only 11 years old, but they seemed to adore babies and Riku even more.
George was so jealous of his little brother. He would squeeze the babies arm, causing him to cry. Kai would punish him, but Carrie would constantly come to his rescue. The boy was only jealous, but he seemed to grow out of it with time.
"Why the hell would she just leave us?" he asked as he felt the sudden gust of wind come from the opposing direction of the sea breeze. They had been around each other close to 15 years, mostly spent in one-sided conversations, but Kai recognized the arrival of the stoic chevalier.
Kai did not give a backward glance to the man behind him, he knew where he was standing. "Came back for a debriefing with Julia?" he asked, keeping his tone even.
"Yes," was all Hagi offered as he kept his expression unreadable, but Kai could sense his curiosity and concern.
He finally glanced over his shoulder, revealing his bloodshot eyes and the hollows underneath them. "Did you catch up with Jendra in New Orleans? Julia was excited to finally see an offspring from James."
He nodded and responded, "She will arrive here in a few days."
Kai turned back to the view of the ballpark across the street from Omoro. "You know," he mused out loud, "it was so simple when I was a kid. I just did my chores and hung out with friends… played some baseball. Dad did everything for us… now… I'm in his shoes, but I… I'm not sure why."
Kai's face became hard and cold as he growled bitterly, "Here!" He thrust the piece of paper behind him, intending for Hagi to take it. It felt like a noose around his neck, a blade to his throat. It was a sharp, painful ache- the sting of betrayal.
Hagi reached up slowly and took the note from Kai. When he read through the contents, he suddenly understood and all his questions were answered.
Dear Kai,
I just can't do this anymore. I want my freedom- from you and from the kids. I'm young and I want to experience more than a dingy restaurant and beat up old van. I had enough trouble helping you with the twins when they are… well, they're not yours.
I am young and I want to experience being young. I hope you understand. I truly am sorry.
Tell our sons that I love them, but I just can't be the person they need me to be right now. Maybe someday, I will.
And tell the twins I'm sorry I won't be there for their sixteenth birthdays.
Carrie
"Unbelievable," Kai commented. He took a breath and through gritted teeth he growled, "Un-freakin'-believable!" He looked at the stoic chevalier and noted the same expressionless look he always wears. "The kids need us- both of us, and she's out?"
Hagi handed the crumpled letter back to Kai with the same unreadable expression, but Kai could see it in the man's eyes, he was just as bewildered as Kai. The chevalier turned his gaze upward to the bedroom windows and asked, "How are they taking the news?"
Kai knew Hagi was referring to the kids. He sighed and answered, "George locked himself in his room- I'll talk to him when he's calmed down. Riku is confused- he wants to know when Mommy's coming home. Hibiki is comforting him now- she's staying tough for everyone else. Kanade somehow thinks it's her fault."
Hagi nodded and turned on his heels before he took the knob in his hand. "I will speak with the twins." Hagi looked over his shoulder and regarded Kai, "What do you plan to do?"
Kai snorted, "Do I have a choice?"
At Hagi's cool look, he continued, "Hagi, even if I am devastated, I have to be a father- these kids need me to be their father regardless of what has happened or will happen. I know you won't understand- you're not a father yourself." His eyes turned toward the direction of his family tomb. "Well, maybe you do understand on some level…" Kai trailed off as he ran his hands through his hair.
Hagi watched as the spiky-haired man passed by him and muttered, "Damn, I gotta talk to the boys now if I ever have any hope of opening Omoro on time."
"You could close for tonight," Hagi suggested.
Kai scratched the back of his neck and stilled. His eyes seemed to stare into nothing as his brow furrowed. It was obvious he was giving the idea a great deal of thought. He gave a huge sigh, "No, I have 4 kids to raise on my own now… probably have to hire a bartender so I can cook- now that she's gone…" He clasped Hagi's shoulder, "Besides, running Omoro will be a welcome distraction from the hell I'm going through."
He looked Hagi in the eyes, his hand still on the stiff shoulder. "Thanks," Kai muttered, "for listening to me."
Hagi gave a quick nod and the two men entered Omoro. Hagi watched as Kai came to the twins' room first. Riku was in Hibiki's lap as she and Kanade were sharing a three-way hug with the 6-year old boy. Tears were falling from all their eyes, even Hibiki's. The three kids looked up at Kai as he came into the room and sat on the bed.
Kai had told the girls the truth about who they were and how they came to be on their 13th birthdays. Deep down, he felt Saya should be the one to tell them, but to wait until they were 30 just didn't make sense to him. Hibiki seemed to easily accept the idea, but Kanade took more than a year to come to grips with it.
Hagi moved out of the doorway and greeted a teary-eyed George as he came to the doorway. Both boys had inherited the red hair that was uniquely Kai, but the younger son had the same face as Kai's younger brother. When the girls asked what their real father was like, Kai would respond, "Your brother acts exactly like he used to act- he even has the same face."
Little Riku's red hair was wavy, unlike Kai and George's. Kanade was curling one of the short strands around her finger as a way to comfort the boy as she let her pain-filled tears spill down her cheeks. She spoke so softly when her mouth opened, nearly sobbing, "We thought of her as our mother." She heaved a shaky breath, "We even called her 'Mom'."
George sat on the other side of Kai and leaned into his father's embrace as Kanade continued to speak. Tears pooled in her eyes as she looked up at Kai, "Why, Dad?" She sobbed and asked in a heart-breakingly soft voice, "What did we do wrong?"
Kai pulled them all closer to him and commanded in a soft voice, "None of this is your fault. I don't want any of you blaming yourselves… and I don't want you to blame Mom either." He continued softly, "A lot of bad stuff happens, guys. Sometimes it can really hurt you and when it does, you do some really stupid things out of anger." He took a breath to collect his thoughts.
Hibiki beckoned her 'Uncle Hagi' over with a gesture. He obediently pulled a chair near the bed and sat down. To his surprise, Kanade curled up in his lap. The teenage girl had the same small frame as her mother and aunt, reminding the chevalier of his sleeping queen. Hagi cradled the grieving girl, allowing her to sob into his chest. He could sense Hibiki and Kanade both telling his telepathically that they were glad he was here. The stoic man's face stayed the same as he gave a slight nod.
Kai smiled at the thought of what they looked like right now- one broken and very strange family, but they would be happy. He promised his sister that he would make a comfortable life for all of them. This may be a setback, but he would find a way to bring them all happiness. His father made a wonderful home for the three of them on his own, Kai knew he could do the same thing for his family.
He cleared his throat and began to speak, "You guys remember when I told you that I used to play baseball when I was a kid?" The kids all nodded and looked at their father optimistically. "I used to love everyday- waking up with the sun to run out to the park. I would play with the all the kids that came there. My dad had to practically drag me home every day for dinner."
His face fell as he recalled aloud, "One day I was riding my bike home from school. I was going too fast, in a hurry to get to the park. A kid jumped out in front of me and I had to swerve to miss him. I fell from my bike and my body hit the ground… hard. It messed up my shoulder and I couldn't play ball anymore."
"The next few years were bad. I was so angry- angry at myself, angry at the kid, angry with everyone. I would get into fights and skip school. Man, I was always in trouble. It took losing your grandfather, my brother, and almost losing my sister for me to understand that life is too short to be angry and bitter. We have to enjoy the moments we have and do the right thing- no matter how hard it may be."
He took a breath and then added, "I don't want you guys to be angry or bitter. I want you to be happy. Have some faith in your old man that everything will work out. Nankurunaisa." He gave a wide grin and the children grinned along with him. He even noticed the chevalier give a small smile as he held Kanade in his arms.
On the other side of the world, far to the north, a man spoke in with a heavy accent as he toured the newly built facility to the middle aged doctor by his side. "I trust you have tracked down a few of the chevalier's offspring, Dr. Smith."
The doctor kept pace with the man with silver streaked hair and thin framed glasses, the CEO of the new company. "Yes, we have discovered the location of three in the United States. The Red Shield is keeping any information tightly under wraps. They have the advantage, Hagi is able to sense them where we can't."
The tall man regarded the doctor coolly and asked, "This poses a problem, no?"
"For what you plan to do, it does not. We only need a few and with the samples of the queen's blood, we can make several mice. All that is needed is to capture at least 12 of them so our samples will have varied results. We will then test the endurance and fighting skills of each to determine which offspring will be the most effective," Dr. Smith responded.
"Let me know when the laboratory is ready to begin phase two of our project," he requested. He smiled as he reached into his pocket. "It is sad that Dr. Collins did not live to see this. He wanted so badly to have it finished before his death, but I was in prison."
Dr. Smith nodded and flipped his clipboard open. "If you will excuse me Mr. Argiano, I must go to Sector G to make certain they have the cells to my specifications."
As the doctor left, Van Argiano stood at the banister and looked down into the tank below. Soon they would be manufacturing chiropterans again. Afterward, they would have a princess to impregnate. They would manufacture thousands of chiropterans- a perfect army to loan out to the highest bidding country.
After that phase is completed, Dr. Smith would find a way to impregnate the strongest offspring in order to continue the studies his predecessor was so keen on- how a chiropteran works. Dr. Collins had taught the young man well and now he would get to test the doctor's knowledge in a real facility.
He took a deep breath and thought of his own agenda.
After the collapse of the Met, the police found him and he was arrested. Because Amshel had named him as CEO of Cinq Fleches America, he was the one that held the brunt of the blame for Delta project and the fallout thereof.
The Red Shield didn't lift a finger to help him- in fact, Joel made certain that even more charges were levied against him. He didn't even understand what was going on with the sudden transformation at the Met, Amshel never kept him in the loop on anything.
He was completely bewildered by it all until a man came to visit him in prison. He recognized him immediately- the turncoat scientist, Dr. Collins.
Dr. Collins explained everything that had happened in great detail. Finally, Argiano understood what was going on and why. He had just been a pawn, a front man this whole time. He was upset, but more than that, he wanted revenge. He wanted the Red Shield to pay for taking his good name and dragging it through the mud.
He could still see the smirk on Dr. Collins' face as he asked, "Do you want revenge in them?"
"Yes," he responded from behind the plate glass.
"I have a plan. I may not live to see it come to fruition, but I know you will" Dr. Collins informed.
"As you can see, I will be here a while. You may want to get someone else," Argiano responded as he stretched his arms up. He looked terrible in orange.
"No," Dr. Collins responded immediately, "you have a head for business; I have a head for medicine. I have an assistant- he will continue on in my place, should I die before it comes to pass."
Argiano nodded as the aging man looked around carefully before he pushed a flash drive through a small hole in the plexiglass. Van looked around and palmed the small object, knowing what he needed to do.
When visiting hours ended, Van crept into the prison library and inserted the flash drive. Plans to a facility as well as a list of names to be considered as staff popped up on the screen. He even had a place to build it- a small village in Iceland, not far from where the Schiff were housed.
Van quickly removed the flash drive and took it back to his cell. In his palm, he held the key that unlocked all his dreams: money, power, and revenge.
Van pulled out the flash drive and ran his fingers over the contours of the small object. He looked around and thought, "All of this, was once nothing more than plans on a flash drive." How soon would it be before they captured their first princess?