Chapter 10

Yes it took a while -.-" told you my ass is lazy

NOTE: more memories (Manga chapter 72)

EDIT: it seems my zzzz way of separating the various phases doesn't work anymore so I had to change them. Sry for those that are getting spam mails but I'm still trying to figure out what works now.

OK this is fucked up really -.-" I'll use center for what I write and normal for the story. This is actually even more bothersome then the zzzz I used.

Waking up isn't the same anymore… even Akito is ignoring me to a certain degree, I bet the shark is making him… such a troublesome situation. This is probably the first time I feel like I can't agree with them no matter what. Today Kaito is doing some stuff for the higher ups, I bet he'll come back all pissed off. I'm alone with the gold eye freak that is right behind me with his murderous intent… sigh so annoying. I take the keys of the bike and move towards the door. Today I take her to eat the best ice cream I've ever ate, hope she enjoys it.

"I'm off, cya damn shark" I say that but I already got used to him not answering. The ride to her home is short so I just wait outside and send her a message that I'm waiting.

"Hello Akira kun, sorry for making you wait"

"Don't worry about it, girls should take their time" She blushed and lowers her head. "You look amazing today" I grab her by the chin and pull her head up before kissing her on the cheek. I take my helmet and hand it to her.

"Today we'll be eating the best ice-cream there is. The shop has every flavor imaginable, right outside there is a harbor and near it the sea museum. We can visit it if you want." I say starting the motor.

"That would be great but I hope it won't interfere with your job" She seats behind me and slips her arms around my waist. The shop is close enough and soon the harbor is in sight. She tells me about her day, what she ate, what she saw at the TV and how she had a small argument with the neighbor. All normal things that someone would do and yet they seem so far away in my life.

" Akira… won't Agito be here today as well? I… really want Agito to be my friend , too."

I can't help but laugh at the though. "HAHA, that won't happen! He's stubborn. If he sees us now, he might just kill me."

"We're here" I stop the bike near the shop.

"WAAA it's huge. Do they really sell only ice-cream here?" I look at her happy face and smile. The shop isn't exactly that big but I guess she isn't used to this kind of stuff.

"Let's go in. You can choose whatever you want. It's my treat."I put my hand around her shoulders and lead her through the door.

"Hello how may I help you?" greets us a middle aged woman.

"I want this one…" and she points to the caramel "…no wait this one…" and points to strawberry "… but that one looks good too… or that one… that one too… no wait, I'll take… I can't decide" She looks at me with confused eyes while the woman can't hold back a small laugh.

"Then we'll take 2 of everything she pointed at"

The woman makes a small bow and starts gathering all the different flavours.

"No, wait. That's too much it will cost a lot. I can't let you do that."

"I told you to get whatever you wanted so why should you choose?"

"But…"

"Take it as a present."

"For what occasion?"

"Hmm… how about… just because?" I smile while her eyes fill with tears and cuddles up in my chest. "Now Now. We're here to have fun. Show me that beautiful smile of yours" She looks up at me and shows me the biggest smile her small face can withstand.

"Here you are sir, please come again" says the woman handing me 2 huge cups.

"Thank you" I pay and walk towards the door to open it for Ren. She walks slowly holding the big cup with both hands closely to her chest and her head bowed.

"Everything alright?" I ask worried.

"… ehm… Akira… I … you're so nice… "

"Don't think about useless stuff" I interrupt her "I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't want to." I open the door " Come the museum awaits us" She regains her usual smile and we exit the shop.

The day passes quickly as we tour the museum pointing and laughing constantly.

When I take her home she smiles shyly and kisses me on the cheek. "Good night"

We got called to stop some pimp AT group that usually gathers girls with the prospect of …" riding the wind"… basically drugs and fast AT's… they steal the girl's lives and beat them into submission… what can I say … I wanna break their fucking necks.

Not before long the alley we found them in becomes tainted in blood only barely recognizing the Shark's meal. Looking at Agito I realize how scary it really is to have him as an enemy. His eye is yearning for blood lust, his lips twitching in an inhuman grin, his body relaxed yet ready to resume at an instants notice. He turn to look at me licking a drop of blood running down his hand … the perfect killing machine

"Teach me how to do that!" I turn towards the voice at the entrance of the alley where a girl , roughly around 15 years old, in a wheelchair looks angrily at us. She's wearing baggy dirty clothes obviously much bigger then her and a black hat hiding her hair. At a closer look I notice her legs were probably cut off at the knee.

"Fuck off brat" comes the prompt and heartless answer from Agito.

"NO! These guys… even though they made me this way… at least they gave me something to eat. Every day I had to bow my head and beg to not be beaten half to death but at least I had a roof over my head. Without them I can't do anything… but someone else will come… this is my life… Because of how I am… I can't do much… no one would need me… so PLEASE teach me how to be strong, how to be like you. Please teach me how to fly like you just did".

"Are you a fucking retard? Is your mind crippled too? Because you're like that you can't do shit? Then just go die in a corner. You're a waste of space!"

Her eyes fill with tears. She lowers her head and bites her lower lip trying to keep the overflowing feeling of crying back.

"A cripple like you is better off dead anyway. Wings? Don't be ridiculous you can't even fucking stand on your own feet."

Clutching at the wheels she starts moving faster and faster towards Agito. The wheelchair jams in the arm of one of the Shark's victims and the small driver is sent flying in the blood. I move closer and grab her arm but she jerks away and drags herself to Agito grabbing his leg.

"I'll show you even a cripple like me can fly."

With his other foot Agito kicks her arm away, builds some speed and jumps from balcony to balcony till he reaches the roofs and flies away.

"I'm sorry he can be rather cruel when he puts his mind to it." I move towards her and notice she's mumbling something " I put my hand on her back and try to calm her. I really doubt my words are reaching her right now.

"I'll leave you this number, if you need anything please don't hesitate to call" I look around and take the wallets off the twitching bodies "They won't be needing this so use it as you see fit" I gather all the money and put it near her. I can't do anything more for her and even though it pains me to leave her like that unless she's willing to accept my help I'm powerless. I stand up and gather some speed before fallowing Agito's path.

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA this is so beautiful"

"I'm glad you like it, this is Kajigahama beach. I always liked it here… this is actually a part that not many know of."

"There's such a pleasant breeze Akira… thank you, this is such a change from the big city."

"Yes that is the illusion but right over that corner is NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher… where we went the other day"

"Really but this looks like a completely different place" I look at her and smile… it's good to see she's having fun.

"Come" I take her hand and start running. Her laugh is gentle and her hand is worm. This is… hmm… I can't say I've ever felt more like myself then in these moments… It's like it was a lie to think I should live by myself.

She suddenly stops, letting go of my hand.

"The sand… really hurts… I… can't run very fast… 'If you try, anybody can fly'… it's just a lie. There are birds who try to fly but still die"

No… this is not what I wanted… I wanted her to be happy not to cry.

"Because I hate being left on the ground, I'll even pretend to fly."

I'm sorry, I should have known… I should have understood how painful this is for you..

"I… I am…"

Without realizing it my body moves near her and holds her tight. I don't say a word… how can I find something suitable?... are there even such words?... What?... WHAT am I supposed to do… I want her to be happy.

"… What about some more of that ice-cream? You seemed to like it… maybe after we can go see a movie"

She wipes her tears off and nods. I take her in my arms and move towards the place we left the bike.

"A… Akira kun" Noticing I have no intention of putting her down she rests her head on my chest and hold tightly of my shirt.

"Hey if you two can stop with the lovers squabble go take care of some fuckers a couple of streets south from here. They seem to be causing some problems. Fucking sick of all these shit jobs"

Well lately we have been getting some crap missions, not that I mind… less time I spend on missions more time I spend with Ren. Agito is continuing to give me the cold shoulder and poor little Akito is right in the middle of this situation.

I enjoy spending time with Ren. She is a sweet girl that makes me rethink my life up until now. I've always been alone… Well I have Agito… which makes me feel lonely most of the time, but with her I feel a freedom that I have never felt before… the freedom to find the real me and not the perfect mould of the beast Kaito has been beating into me or the tough guy that Agito allows by his side. I can see clearer that what I want is not to be alone.

We take our AT's and in a couple of jumps reach the indicated street just to find that the guys were taken care of. Over them, with the back towards us, is a tall girl with some weird AT's. Her long black hair moves around the slender back emphasizing her natural beauty. When she hears us she turns around showing us a beautiful smile.

"You're late slow-pokes" she says giggling.

Looking closer at her I notice it's the girl from some days ago. I look closely to her legs and notice they look completely normal apart for the AT's that look like they are a continuation of her body… but I've never heard of artificial limbs that would allow such a wide list of movement, in order for an inexperienced girl to beat all these high ranked AT raiders.

"Don't be so surprised, I told you I would fly. I'm Chou by the way."

"Ah… I'm Akira and the grumpy guy over there is Agito" I point at the Shark that was kicking a body clearly unsatisfied that he didn't take part in the fight. "Sorry but could you tell me where you bought those?" I look curious at the strange AT.

"These 'lil things? I got them as a gift. I have to go now but… well… if you don't mind I can call you later, I still have your number from last time we met… and… we could go out and have a drink. Promise I'll tell you everything I know" She says blushing and turning away.

"You think you can just buy fucking wings? Don't be ridiculous. You either get born with them or you don't. A cripple will always remain a cripple."Looking at Agito I notice this is one of the few times he actually talks as if he cares.

"Back them those harsh words… because of them I found the strength to pull through… these wings, bought or born with, are making me fly. This time you WON'T shred my wings as you shred my hopes back then. No matter how sharp those fangs of yours may be, I'll fly so high that they will never reach me, King of the Bloody Road." She says without turning then jumps so high that I immediately lose sight of her.

"Icarus wings" Are Agito's last words before heading back.

Did anyone wonder why Ren has a Japanese school uniform when she's an illegal immigrant?

Kajigahama beach is in the city of Kure (Hiroshima prefecture) and is a tourist attraction. Goggle it the pics are amazing… not talking about all the resorts Q_Q. They have mountains, sea, great food, festivals, parks, museums… a lot of stuff

Chou = Butterfly (Japanese)

By the way did u know… and if I'm wrong do point me to the source

Akira = intelligent (Japanese)

Agito = I move (lattin)

Akito = a person that is satisfied (Japanese)

Lindo = is a family name and also an adjective in the Spanish and Portuguese languages, meaning pretty/ attractive