"Now comes the forth."
Those were the only words in Chiro's head. And he couldn't have been more nervous. At first glance, you'd say his team was to.
But look a little closer, and you'll see it was for a totally different reason.
Their leader was the cause of their worries. They had always known Chiro had a life before them, but they never could've imagined he was the Skeleton Kings son. But that's not all. To also find out that there was an insane person living just under the surface, well...
you could say they were scared.
They tried to hide their fears by acting as normal as possible. They still talked with him, played with him, just plain hung out with him.
But as each moment passed, the reality sunk in more and more.
They didn't really know Chiro.
And it looked like he didn't know him either.
"I still don't understand how this's gonna work," Sprx complained, "The kid can't even walk let alone fight!"
"I promised him he'd be good as new and I intend to keep my promises," Gibson shot back.
"Will you guys stop arguing for one minute!"
"One, two, three-"
"Sprx I'm gonna kill you!" Nova screamed, and started running after said monkey.
Otto sighed, "What are we going to do?"
A hand was placed on his shoulder, "Do not fret my friend. Everything will work out, in the end."
"Antauri's right!" Jinmay smiled, "You're the Hyperforce! You can do anything!"
"That's a lie."
Everyone froze and turned to face Chiro who had just rolled through the door.
"No one, no matter who you are, can do anything. I learned that a long time ago."
"Oh, Chiro," Jinmay was almost in tears, "I forgot. I'm so sorry about your mom."
"His MOM? But I thought he hated that bag?" Sprx burst out, but was soon silenced by Nova's fists.
"You really are an idiot aren't you!"
Chiro frowned, "But, I wasn't-"
A short beep caught their attention and they turned on the main screen. (They were in the control room.)
"Hello~? Chiro you there?" Nikki grinned her sigunature grin, "I know you can see me. You wanna hang out for a while?"
Sprx pushed the intercom, "Sorry girlie but the kid has things to do."
Nikki didn't miss a beat, "Come on Chiro! Nana wants to say hi to her favorite friend!"
As if on cue, Nana jumped up into the cameras view, "Hi Chiro!" then fell from the shot.
Chiro couldn't help but grin. He pushed Sprx away from the consol and spoke to her, "Hey, if you don't mind pushing me around the whole time..."
Nikki grined mischievously, "Oh don't you worry. Nana's been dying to wheel you around. She's a pretty fast runner, that chair come with a seatbelt?"
Chiro grinned, "See you in a sec."
He turned to face his team.
"Oh come on. I didn't even have anything to do but rest. And I wont even be wheeling myself! This is the first time i've actually had a friend outside of the team. Please don't take that away from me."
Antauri sighed, "Very well. But only for a little while."
Sprx grinned, "I've never seen you so happy to just be with a 'friend.' Got any...alterior motives?"
"I think it's sweet," Nova smiled.
Jinmay sighed, and chiro looked at her, guiltly, "Hey, if you don't want me to..."
"No don't worry about it. Go get her."
He was stunned to say the least but then a huge smile grew on his face, "Thank you."
As he left, Otto looked to Jinmay curiously, "Are you ok?"
"Yeah. I just want Chiro to be happy, whether that means being with me, or someone else. I'm just glad he's acting somewhat normal again."
"But what really is normal?" Antauri asked. Nothing else was said.
"I'm actually suprised you could come," Nikki said happily, "I'm really glad."
"Me to! Me to!" Nana yelled, running up to him and jumping onto his lap, earning a startled yelp.
"Chiro! I'm so sorry! Didi Nana hurt you?" Nikki asked, running over and plucking Nana from his lap.
He laughed, "Don't worry, my lap is fine. It's my shoulder that's the problem. C'mere," he reached out and pulled Nana back onto his lap. She giggled happily.
Nikki grinned, "But I thought you wanted to push him Nana?"
"No! I like big brothers lap better!" she said snuggling into his shirt.
"Big brother huh? So does that mean I get to do this?" He tickled her and her laugh brought smiles to their faces.
Nikki shrugged, "Guess that means I have to push you now, huh?"
Chiro chuckled, "Yeah, now get to it!" He puffed out his cheeks making Nana giggle again.
"Yeah! Get to it! Get to it!" Nana clapped. Nikki sighed.
"What I do for you guys."
"Wow, so that's what happened," Nikki said in awe. Chiro had just finished explaining about the assassins and Nana had fallen asleep in his lap.
"Yeah, hey Nikki? Thanks for, you know," he blushed and looked down.
"No problem Chiro."
He smiled and patted Nana's head, brushing some hair from her face. "There's supposed to be another assassin today, but I have a weird feeling."
"Oh? How so?"
"I just feel like this one will be different. I'm not so worried about my condition because I don't think there'll be a fight."
"That's good to hear," Nikki sighed. At Chiro's look she added, "Oh come on. You know you couldn't even beat me in your condition."
"I couldn't beat you normally."
"No. No you couldn't."
"You don't have to sound so happy about it."
"Hey, want some grub? My treat."
"Yeah, thanks." As Nikki ran off he made a mental note to pay her back later. No use fighting her about it now. He'd lose.
Sighing, he let himself relax into his chair, 'This is the forth day. I wonder what this one will be. The first was a katana fighter and took Jinmay. The second was a gun specialist, give or take, and took BT. The third was my mom, go figure, and no one was taken. I guess that's because dad thought just seeing her would be damage enough.' He smiled sadly and closed his eyes, his hand rubbing circles on Nana's back. 'One more day. Tomorrow, I'll be able to walk again. I can't wait to get out of this chair.'
A tug on his sleeve made him open his eyes, and he looked down, maybe expecting to see a kid or animal of some kind.
"What in the-" He stared, openmouthed at the formless child tugging relentlessly on his arm. Chiro looked closer.
There was no way the kid was older then four or five. He looked like any other formless except for the obvious height difference and he was slightly chubbier.
"Why are you here? Are you the forth?" Chiro asked him quietly, calmly, being careful not to wake the child in his arms.
The child nodded but didn't release his grip, as though afraid he would vanish the second he did.
"Are you going to kill me?" The child shook his head, "No? Did you take anyone?" Another no. "Then why are you here?"
"I know," the child whispered, and Chiro leant closer, "I, I know you can't save everyone, but, please...can you save me?"
The breath caught in Chiro's throat, "What?"
The child opened his mouth to answer but suddenly froze, a look of pain flashing in his eyes. He gasped, hands flying up to his throat, but the second he let Chiro go,
he disappeared.
Chiro understood, and he was pissed. His father was telling him that he couldn't save everyone.
"Stupid old man. I already knew that."
"Already knew what?" Nikki asked suddenly, causing Chiro to jump, waking Nana.
"Oh, nothing. Um, this might sound strange, but was there someone with me just now?"
Nikki blinked, "Besides Nana? No I didn't see anyone."
He sighed, 'Figures.'
She shoved his burger under his nose and he jumped again, "You gonna waste my money? Or are you gon' eat?"
This one's sortta short. Hope you like it, ::)
