Mai ducked quickly as Natsuki swung a haymaker at her head, the momentum made her spin and Mai jabbed her in the back making her stumble forward. She grinned at the dark haired girl and raised her fists in her guard. Natsuki glared at her grin and fell back into her own guard though it was wider and therefore less efficient than Mai's. Mai would point that out to her after the fight but right now she was enjoying kicking ass like an action hero.
Natsuki probed Mai's guard with soft jabs from her left hand circling her. She switched her stance suddenly so that her right leg and fist were now in front. She sent a fast jab at Mai's arm connecting solidly. Mai recoiled at the pain and Natsuki swept her feet from under her. She took the chance to gloat silently with a shit eating grin. One thing she noticed about Mai was that while her defence was damn near impenetrable she didn't like being in pain and immediately dropped her guard when struck hard. That wasn't to say Natsuki was a big fan of pain herself but she could endure a lot more before she left a serious opening. She paused in the act of reaching down and helping Mai up when Nao hit the mat of the gym hard for the twelfth time in the last half hour.
Nao groaned as she was slammed on her back again. Her spine ached and her neck threatened series damage if she mistreated it again. Still, she hurried to her feet as the consequences of not getting up were worse. She dropped back into her guard which was different that Mai or Natsuki's. Where they kept both hands high she kept one down by her side and her right fist crossed outwards and diagonally across her body. She was copying Yukino rather than listening to her earlier lessons. This style of guard allowed for amazing counter reaction provided the person using it was fast and agile enough to pull it off successfully. Nao unfortunately wasn't yet. Yukino on the other hand was. For the last hour and a half she had alternated between full out attacking Nao to counter attacking. It was apparent she had no use for defensive styles.
Nao twirled as Yukino sent a powerful kick to her last position. She used the momentum from the twirl to drive the back of her fist into Yukino's ribs. She pulled the power of her punch at the last moment as Yukino was the only one not wearing padded clothes. Her act of kindness cost her dearly as Yukino snapped her left hand straight downwards capturing her striking hand while her right struck out to hit Nao in the face and then hitting her with her forearm on the return slammbing Nao back down on the mat. "If this was a real fight I would have landed you on me knee and broke your spine," Yukino glared down at her not aware that her spine was throbbing like she had in fact broke it. Nao rolled over onto her front stiffly but as she pushed upwards her arms shook then refused to bear her weight so she fell down again. Yukino glared at her in disgust before reigning in her temper. "Go sit down," she breathed harshly through clenched teeth frustrated that Nao didn't give her a better work out. Her sparing partner was usually Haruka so she couldn't expect a pup who had only recently started to learn hand to hand combat to give her a work out. She looked over at Erstin who hovered by Natsuki and Mai's mat watching their progress but dismissed her as her next partner due to the fact that she was absolute rubbish. While she knew the fundamentals of combat well enough for a Hound candidate she lack the killer instinct and drive to make her a fighter. The other three pups however display that instinct in spades surprising for wildies. "Natsuki! Mai! Over here!"
Natsuki and Mai shared a worried look before leaving their mat and coming over to Yukino. Yukino glared at them "you two are going to try and pin me to the mat. Working together to take down a target is harder than one might think as it relies greatly on your team working skills and knowledge of your partner. You two should have an idea of each others moves by now so you should be able to attempt this. Now begin!"
Fighting two people even if they were barely skilled was hard to do even though the movies made it seem easy. Yukino moved her right foot backwards and raised her left arm facing the two pups who automatically went into their defensive stances. Yukino probed them and circled them learning their movements and seeing the gaps in their stances which where numerous. Natsuki shifted her left foot slightly while Mai relaxed her shoulders minutely. They had split up and decided to take Yukino from two different sides. All their attempts to get behind the Master where stopped dead so side on attacks where the best they could do. As expected Natsuki sprung forward with her right foot using her left one as a strong base. She aimed for Yukino's middle planning to wind her but Yukino quickly stepped back and to the side and lent backwards as Mai punched at her. She grasped Mai's outstretched arm and stepped on Natsuki's bent knee and jumped one foot swinging out to kick Natsuki in the head and landing behind Mai twisting the arm behind her and shoving up roughly so Mai had to go up on her tip toes due to the pain. If it had been a real fight she would have grabbed Mai's hand threw her down into Natsuki's knee and pushed them both off balance instead of doing a fancy jump and restraint. She let Mai go and was please to see Natsuki had already gotten to her feet. For beginners they weren't bad. They had come a long way since their first training session, not enough that she would place money on anyone of them beating even a low ranking Hound but enough to handle any untrained humans.
Natsuki annoyed that the earlier teamwork hadn't produced immediate results decide to attack on her own. She launched a series of jabs and strikes at Yukino who dodged them until falling to one knee thrusting one of her attacking fists upwards to strike solidly at her side causing her to cry out. Yukino then came up from her crouch taking Natsuki's ankle out with a kick and dealing a palm strike to Natsuki's jaw that rattled her brains and she landed heavily sprawled on the mat dazed. Yukino did all that before she stood up. Mai honestly didn't want to attack Yukino now because the woman looked even more angry than she had at the start of the lesson if that was possible. She glanced at Natsuki who's eyes where unfocused staring unseeingly at the ceiling. She dropped her guard and stepped back.
"What are you doing?!" Yukino demanded the burning rage and frustration still not having dissipated.
"Handlers wouldn't ask the impossible from their Hounds," Mai said finding it extremely unfair that Yukino was using them to work out some private frustration. They might treat her like an animal but she wasn't and refused to be this woman's punching bag "and pinning you to the mat is impossible for a pup of my limited training."
Yukino looked ready to continue striking Mai. She clenched her fists and her face was an angry red and Mai swore for a moment that the Master was going to kill her for her insubordination. The tension was thick as both sides refused to back down. Yukino didn't quite deflate but turned away and savagely grabbed a towel from a bench and marched out of the gym slamming the door behind her. Mai sagged in relief feeling almost dizzy that because Yukino didn't actually murder her. She helped Natsuki up and they ambled over to the bench beside Nao and Mai gratefully took the water bottle that her thoroughly trounced girlfriend offered. Natsuki was given another by Erstin.
"The next time Yukino decides to take her period pains out on us I'm calling in sick," Nao said exhaustion and irritation clear in her tone.
Erstin's eyes widened at the disrespect and while she felt horrified she couldn't help see the funny side of the comment. Natsuki on the other hand had no issues about her feelings "the next time Haruka pisses her off I'm going to be the one running for my kennel."
"That's not fair," Mai said and she was glared at her two friends. She after all wasn't the one that got her ass kicked "well, it isn't," Mai shifted uncomfortably under the hostile stares "Haruka didn't do anything before Yukino went crazy at her."
Nao nodded conceding the point because all Haruka had done was walk into the training room. She wasn't even late as she had been the one to come get them. Yukino had gotten there much earlier, very early, if the sweat on her body was to be believed. As soon as Yukino stopped hitting the bag and explained that they were to spar she told Haruka to go back to her kennel. They had all been understandably shocked by the cold tone Yukino spoke to Haruka with as they had never seen her so much as squint at the blonde. Haruka was just as surprised as the rest of them and had hovered stunned. Yukino then turned and in a quite voice viciously told her 'I can't stand to look at you right now. Go. To. Your. Kennel.' Haruka's blinked before turning and rigidly exciting the gym. It was just after that that Nao became Yukino's punching bag.
"I-I'm supposed to bring you back to the showers then back to your kennels," Eristin said standing up but seeing no one followed her she fidgeted feeling awkward and silly.
"Awww," Natsuki groaned covering her face with her arms. The thought of moving that much…noooo.
Nao buried her face in Mai's neck in protest, shutting out the blonde.
"Just give us a minute and we'll go," Mai smiled sympathetically at Erstin feeling sorry for the shy girl. She would never make a good Hound.
XxXx
Midori entered Haruka's kennel but the blonde didn't seem to be here which was good because she had no idea what to do when she did find the Hound. Honestly President Smith didn't believe in psychology but he still expected her to pull off a miracle. She had been up most of the night thinking about ways to get Haruka ready for the breeding programme but it was a slow process as she had to wrestle her own Jiminy Cricket and that damn fellow was stronger than he looked. She ran her fingers through her hair and glance around Haruka's kennel. You could tell a lot about a person from the room they slept in though the kennel didn't tell her anything other than Haruka was talented as a Hound, as this was as close to luxurious that they got.
Haruka though wasn't a person, Midori frowned, and flopped frown on the mattress content to wait until the blonde came back. It saved her doing the paper work that had been glaring at her for the past week. Sitting there doing nothing gave her time to think and that was something else she had been avoiding doing. Youko was so goddamn stubborn, why couldn't she just do what she wanted and have the other woman readily agree? She had to fall her the most stubborn, annoying and emotional woman in the world. She should have married her professor like her mother wanted. She would have at least got an A in her Philosophy class.
So what if Youko was smart and everything she ever wanted. She just wished she could tell her-ow! Midori sat up rubbing her head. She had flopped down on the bed petulantly but had hit something hard. She lifted the pillow annoyed and was taken aback when she found a well pawed book. The cover was brown but paper back and the front was title less. She open the book and saw the large pictures and small writing that you read with children who were only learning.
Once upon a time, Midori read looking at the picture of a fairy tale castle, A King and Queen had a child. They had waited a long time for the child so when he was born there was great rejoicing in the kingdom. But the child was born a beast and even though he looked human he was an animal.
Midori frowned the book suddenly becoming as ominous as the dark picture on the other page. The castle was now framed by a black sky with lighting flashing behind it. She turned the page to a picture of a weeping couple with crowns.
The King and Queen was distraught to discover this truth about their son but they loved the child too much to kill it like the law demanded. They instead raised him as a prince. The next picture was of a country road and what Midori supposed was the prince fully grown. When the prince reached manhood he went out to find a princess. He stopped off at a country house for the night and immediately fell in love with the daughter of the owner. Her name was Beauty and she was the fairest maiden in all the land. The prince wooed her and Beauty came to love him much to the disgust of Gaston who was her suitor before the prince. He was a baker that could provide a wonderful life for Beauty but the prince was richer and Beauty loved the prince.
Midori with growing tribulation turned the next page to a wedding scene of Beauty and the prince. Beauty and the prince wed and were very happy until one night the prince's beastly nature came out and he hurt Beauty. The picture this time was of a crying prince in a medieval hospital where Beauty lay pale and still. The prince was distraught at hurting his love and vowed to never go near her again. Beauty loved the prince regardless and didn't blame him for being a beast. She stopped him from leaving telling him that she would only follow and live a lifetime in pain were he to leave. The next picture was the couple embracing. They lived happily with each other until the prince hurt Beauty once again. Beauty still begged him to stay and the prince selfishly did. Then came the time where the prince beast hurt Beauty and she never recovered dieing soon after still proclaiming her love for the beast. The beast became to strong for the prince and was unleashed on the kingdom. Now there was a picture of the castle over looking a town with a dark shadow hanging above it. He terrorised the kingdom killing and maiming his people until he was finally stopped by Gaston who was still grieving over Beauty. Gaston then became the King and the kingdom lived happily ever after.
The book was roughly snatched out of her hands by a furious Haruka "what are you doing?!" Her voice was filled with thunder and Midori had never seen her so emotional. It was Haruka's lack of honorific that scared her. If the Hound wanted she could rip her apart easily. She stood up her hands submissively in front of her. She tried an easy grin then quickly dropped it as it seemed to infuriate the blonde more. "Take it easy Haruka I just came by to get you as you're going to be starting sessions with me soon."
Haruka pulled the book to her chest protectively "I'm allowed to have it. Senior Master Smith gave it to me," she said quickly and Midori even quicker realised that there was genuine fear in her voice.
"Its ok," Midori smiled sitting down gesturing for Haruka to sit beside her. Haruka did so wearily placing the book on the furthest side from Midori hiding it from her view self consciously. "I was wondering where you got it, when did President Smith give it to you. It looks old."
"He gave it to me when I was a pup," Haruka's eyes slid to the side and faraway "he read it to me himself, it's a reminder." He made her keep it tucked underneath her basket when she lived in the manor and when she was moved to her kennel she had a hard time keeping it hidden from Yukino who used to visit her everyday. The guards never entered her cell and were far to afraid of her to rifle through her stuff. Obviously Midori was to stupid to be the same.
"Of what?" Midori probed gently.
"Of beasts," Haruka said stoically staring at Midori nonplussed "I was told not to leave my kennel so I won't be making our session." Her voice was firm and despite wanting to know more about the horrible book Midori realised that she would get nothing more out of the blonde. She nodded and smiled as she rose and left.
XxXx
Haruka stared at the book in her lap. She hated it. She turned her head away.
"Look at me Haruka," Mr Smiths voice was firm as he guided her head back towards him. "Do you understand the moral of this tale?"
She shook her curls. She had only been ten when she had gotten her first fairy tale told to her.
"Beasts-mutants hurt people," his black eyes glittered at her sadly as she stood before the man that had been so kind to her "they don't mean to and they can't help it but they do. Beauty should have left the prince and married Gaston who was a good human. But she loved the beast and selfishly he didn't push her away and hurt the one he loved," she still didn't understand "…just like you…"
She reeled and tears formed in her eyes. She never meant to hurt her mother. She didn't mean to. She swallowed hard and Mr Smith guided her with a hand under her chin to look at him again in the eyes. She didn't resist but couldn't bring herself to look at him as he held up a card. It was pink with a red heart on it "I know Yukino told you all about Valentines Day and you made her a special promise but Haruka that promise can only be made between humans," he crumpled the card kindly and she gasped. She had spent so long on the Valentine "you're going to be her Hound one day and that should be enough for you. Don't you want her to be happy?" She nodded because she did want Yukino to be happy but didn't know why she couldn't be happy with her.
"Haruka, you are the beast," he told her gently and her tiny body began to shake "and Yuki is the Beauty, you can't care for her like that or you will hurt her and you don't want to do that do you?"
She shook her head again. Her tiny hands coming up to dig in her eyes to keep away the tears.
"You can still stay with her and protect her but you can't keep your promise," he put his arms around her and she trembled harder "and why can't you keep it?"
"B…because I'm a beast," she sobbed quietly.
"Yes you are honey," he pulled her into his arms pressing the fairy tale into her hands so she would always remember.
Haruka grinded her teeth and squeezed her eyes shut. She hadn't fully understood what Master Smith had meant at the time. She had always known that she was an animal. Master Smith had brought her home to Yukino after six months in SEARRs. She had a red ribbon around her neck and orders to never leave Yukino's side. She had been happy at the manner until she had to go back to SEARRs to train to be a Hound but at least that time she had got to go home with Yukino and train with her. Now she didn't even have her.
She returned the book to underneath her pillow. She now knew the truth of the book. Humans didn't belong with animals. She had steadily distanced herself from Yukino least she hurt her with her with her own beast but she was afraid she hadn't succeeded as Yukino didn't want to be anywhere near her. She rubbed her chest over her heart trying to relieve the throbbing. She stiffened and pushed herself to the ground heaving herself up and down furiously hoping exercise would drive the pain away.
Really it was a blessing because the less time Yukino spent with her the less chance she had to hurt her. They had a few close calls over the years as Haruka had suddenly mutated with out warning. Haruka pushed herself harder, up and down, up and down. She had no idea what to do with all these feelings that bubbled inside her and made her want to do things outside her training. Sometimes she didn't even know what it was her body wanted to do only that she had to do something other than exercise to put out the fire that licked its way through her body.
Her training never handled feelings and Yukino wasn't even here to tell her what to do.
XxXx
Shizuru pushed the food cart along the corridor. The guards had been a little reluctant to let her into the Mutt ward as they had been very restless lately but she argued that they would be even more irritable if they were starved. She almost jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder but stopped in time to save her pride as Reito's voice filled the stifling quiet of the cells.
"Hello Virginia," Reito grinned knowing he had startled her. She flipped her hair in reply and moved on with the feeding. Reito walked beside her in companionable silence and Shizuru noticed a change in him. He was back to the coldness of their first encounters and held himself differently but she couldn't be sure what the difference was. Reito was just as good as she was when it came to hiding how he felt. "Did you know," he said airily as they had walked someway down the corridor "that Senator Kuga has a brother in law that works as a spy here?"
She glanced at him sideways but didn't stop her feeding "and you let him spy?"
"Oh yes, better the devil you know and all that. If we replace him they'll just send someone we don't know," Reito continued again "anyway he was a guard in the breeding block before his promotion and like most guards Sergey took advantage of his position," Reito moved in front of the trolley stopping her from walking and making them face each other. He leaned against one of the cell doors "the results of his 'affair' are in here," with a flick he slid open the grate but she didn't take her eyes off him sensing there was more to this "look." His tone was firm and cold. He was serious.
She looked and gasped in shock. Her hand came up to cover her gaping mouth but she couldn't force herself to move beyond her own astonishment. Curled up in the corner of the room was a little girl, she was filthy and far to thin. Her dark hair clung to her face in greasy lumps and dotted all over the pale flesh were cuts and bruises on the skeletal body. But that didn't shock Shizuru she knew they didn't take care of the mutants that where on this wing. The girl looked up when she saw the light cut into her dark cell and a younger version of Natsuki looked back at her. She squinted at the minimal light and irrational anger squeezed past narrowed eyes as the girl glared at her with more resentment and pain than Shizuru had ever seen contained in one small being.
"Her name is Nina by the way," Reito called over his shoulder as he walked away from the stunned Shizuru.
XxXx
Natsuki had been lying on her mattress enjoying doing absolutely nothing. She had done so most of the afternoon as after the training session earlier. Her muscles were only slightly sore not the raging fire that coursed through her in the gym. Her door opened and burst her relaxing bubble. Yukino stood there and Natsuki struggle to her feet still stiff. Yukino frowned at her lumbering movements before jerking her heading indicating that she should get out of the cell. Just as Mai and Nao joined them Shizuru was being escorted back to their kennel. Natsuki frowned and mentally asked her what was wrong. She looked shaken up. Instead of the mental answer she expected Shizuru just shook her head and went into the cell. Natsuki was only slightly worried as Shizuru's thoughts where just confused not angry or upset. She pushed the matter to the back of her mind resolved to find out more when she came back.
Yukino took them to the prep room where Erstin had been waiting for them. She turned and they all notice the lack of Haruka but no one mentioned it. "We have another mission its not hard. We must retrieve this man from his work and wipe any and all dealings with SEARRs from his memory," she passed them a photo of a dark haired Japanese man with a big nose. They memorised it thoroughly. "Erstin will be going with us as she is trained in retrieving and deleting memories and information. Natsuki you will help her while Mai and Nao you are in charge of retrieving the target. I will feed you information through your headsets. The plan is simple and it's a low risk operation. Get dressed." Yukino's voice was clipped and not open for questions so they all just nodded and went to get changed.
They used a black non descriptive car to blend in. The car had fake license plates and tinted windows. It couldn't be traced back to SEARRs who still had to protect its company face. Yukino was driving and Erstine sat up front with her and the other three in the back. The drive was tense and silent. The city then loomed before them dark and foreboding with millions of lights trying to cheer up the dark of the modern building and not quite succeeding. Every few minutes Nao notice Yukino glancing at Erstin who subtly shook her head. She wondered about the silent communication that was going on but didn't have time to ponder it to long as the car pulled into a dark underground garage.
Yukino turned in her seat to look at them "its 21.45 the target should be getting ready to go home. He will exit the elevator at 22.00 and head for his car. Nao I want you to locate the camera's and blind them without being seen yourself. Mai you will knock the target out with assistance from Nao if needed. Natsuki Erstin you know what you have to do be back in the car by 22.30. Easy." Yukino nodded and gave them the go signal. They exited the car pulling on their masks. The stuck to the shadows while Nao scanned for cameras.
Spotting a camera Nao shot her web from long rang and it clogged up the view screen she did this a few more times at the most obvious cameras before scanning for hidden ones.
"What does the car look like?" Mai asked through the headset.
"It's a blue Toyota but that doesn't matter as he will be coming out of the elevator," Yukino's voice came through their headsets. "Just get to the elevator and stalk him to his car and pounce."
Mai nodded then remembering Yukino couldn't see her blushingly gave the affirmative. She went to the elevator and hide at its side trusting Nao to take care of the camera's. Natsuki having nothing better to do went with her. They waited in patient silence until the elevator opened and they tensed but it was a woman. They relaxed and went back to waiting. At 22.00 the man did arrive like clockwork. Mai silently followed him as he walked a short distance to his car. She used the cars as cover and the man didn't even look behind him once. As he went to open the door she quickly grabbed him in a sleeper hold and hung on as he started to struggle. It was over quickly and the man lay still. Erstin and Natsuki joined her both their eyes glazing over as they entered the man's mind. Mai cast a glance around for Nao worried when she didn't see her immediately.
Nao stumbled out of the darkness cursing as she was tangled up in her own web. Mai felt a grin tug at her lips and Nao somehow sensing she was being laughed at looked up and glared. Mai smiled and wiggled her eyebrows and Nao rolled her eyes finally breaking free of the web.
"Done," Erstin said standing up. Natsuki followed more slowly reeling slightly. Mai moved to support her dizzy friend "help me get him into his car," Erstin said and Mai lent Natsuki against the bonnet and they heaved the unconscious man into his back sleep and took his shoes off "I planted the idea that he was too tired to drive so he took a nap." Erstin nodded and Mai was slightly impressed at the normally shy girls assertiveness.
They were back in the car by 22.35 and Yukino if she was annoyed at the delay didn't show it. Ersitn was busy writing down everything that the man had known and what information he leaked already.
Have they thought about escape? Yukino asked mentally for the hundredth time.
No Master they are distracted by other matters, Erstin answered absently jotting another note down.
What could distract them? Yukino was slightly suspicious surly at least one of them would have thought about trying to make a run for it in the city.
They're wondering about…Erstin caught the thought before it finished and got her into trouble.
About?
Erstin sensing the command in the tone reluctantly obeyed, about your reason to be upset at Haruka-Hound-sama.
The silence only fuelled Erstins terror and she stopped writing and looked at Yukino who sat ramrod straight and faced forwards. Erstin didn't dare peak into Yukino's head encase she was found out and truthfully she didn't want to know what the other woman was planning for her.
The tension in the car was picked up by the other passengers who remained in an uncomfortable silence until they arrived at the compound. Nao who was anxious to get a reward hesitantly stepped forward n the middle of changing back into her SEARRs uniform. "Er Master Yukino…do we get perks for that mission?" Nao flinched as Yukino's cold gaze landed on her and she sworn that the other woman would hit her.
Yukino's lips thinned but she kept tight control of herself. Exploding in anger would only upset the wildies training so she had to remain cool. "You don't get perks for such easy missions," she saw them all deflate and continued not distracted enough by her personal problems to let it interfere with her work "but I will allow it this once. What is it you want?"
"Well, I would like to go see Mikoto," Nao said relieved she didn't get her head bitten off.
Yukino's gaze turned towards Mai "I want to go see how Akane and Kazu are."
"I want blankets," Natsuki said feeling rather selfish but they had worked out before hand what to ask for. The other two would visit their friend while she would split the blankets with them. She and Shizuru already slept in one bed so sharing a blanket wouldn't be a great hardship.
Yukino nodded and turned her head slightly towards Erstin who looked startle to be included. She quickly answered "I would like a visitors clearance card for B11" Yukino nodded and then quickly left.
She headed in a brisk walk down the corridor and people and Dogs knew to keep out of her way. She was in no mood to make nice with irritating beings. She paused as she walked by a supply room and grabbed two blankets absently. She was lost in her thoughts until a frightening sight jarred her out of them. A man that obviously worked in the stocking department of SEARRs was walking by in his hand was a black Hound collar. She roughly grabbed the front of the startled mans suit and slammed him up against the wall. "That's Prince's collar. What are you doing with it?!"
The man stared frightened at the angry woman before him. He had of course heard all about Yukino Smith SEARRs top handler not to mention the bosses daughter and what he heard wasn't good. He quickly stuttered out his answer "h-he was sent down to the Pound two days ago to be put to sleep!"
"Why?!" Yukino demanded her tone was still harsh but inside she reeled with shock. Prince was the longest serving Hound in SEARRs history. You couldn't get a more loyal Hound than him. He had taken Haruka under his wing when she first came to SEARRs as a scared child. Haruka had told her all about the closest thing to a father she had had and Yukino made sure when she became a handler that he had one of the best kennels because despite being dedicated and unwavering Prince wasn't a very strong Hound. He was brave and cared a great deal for his handler willing to die for them like all Hounds should but his power was generating intense heat in a single target which was useful but came with to many flaws and liabilities.
"Old age!" the man squeaked out panicked.
"Old age?!" Prince was in his early forties at least "give me that collar!" she snatched it away from the mans clammy hands cradling it like a treasure before thrusting the man away from her. She couldn't believe Prince was dead. She had to tell Haruka.
XxXx
Natsuki walked into the kennel with a blanket tucked victoriously under her arm a harried SEARRs pencil pusher had shoved it into her arms before scurrying away, her guess was that Yukino's bad mood got worse by the time she bumped into the unfortunate man. Shizuru was sitting on the mattress looking vaguely amused by her smugness. She unfurled the blanket with a snap and like an artist showing of his latest painting she held the plain white cloth up for admiration.
"Oh, we have covers!" Shizuru intoned with false awe. She was willing to indulge Natsuki who was looking so pleased with herself.
"Yes, we do," Natsuki said bringing it over and throwing it over Shizuru before quickly snuggling in herself.
Shizuru instead of waiting for Natsuki to materialise beside her dove under the covers giggling. Natsuki paused shocked to see Shizuru acting so childish but quickly caught onto the playful mood and tackled the blond under the sheets. They rolled together getting tangled in the blankets and laughing loudly until Natsuki breathless and exorbitant pinned Shizuru to the mattress. Her hair was wild and in sever disarray and she couldn't stop smiling. She felt normal and carefree for the first time in a long time.
Shizuru smiled up at Natsuki who seemed bursting with happiness. She then became aware of their intimate positioning and held very still. Natsuki seemed oblivious to her change in mood and she took a moment to look at how beautiful she was. Natsuki had changed from the flinching hunched girl in the garden she had met in a party a million years ago. She was more confident and carefree here than Shizuru had seen her anywhere else and it made her radiant. She reached up to caress her dark smooth hair that seemed to be impossible soft especially since Natsuki had no access to hair care product. It ran through her fingers like velvet and she couldn't help thinking kiss me.
Before she had time to panic or pretend it was a tease Natsuki was leaning downwards and Shizuru's breath caught in her throat. She had been waiting for this since she had known the girl. She had watched her change and become so strong over such a short period of time she couldn't not grow to love and admire her.
Natsuki kissed her forehead and said "you're my best friend Shizuru. I-you're really important to me," the heartfelt statement obviously had been rehearsed and must have taken the shy girl a lot of courage to confess but to Shizuru it felt like she had been kicked in the teeth. Her smile faltered before fading completely and she rolled away from the girl to collect herself.
"You know you're my most important person Natsuki," she smiled brightly turning back to Natsuki who still blushed brightly at such a weak complement. Shizuru hugged her secretly taking in the smell of her hair "I'm glad you care for me."
"I do," Natsuki muttered standing up and pulling the blankets off herself. She looked anywhere but at Shizuru obviously reaching her limit for emotional talks. "I'm tired from the mission so I'm just going to go sleep" and with that she lay down and pretended to sleep. Shizuru drank in her profile before sighing regretfully and settling down beside her. For an empath Natsuki sure was dumb.
XxXx
Yukino snapped the phone shut as she stalked down the corridor to Haruka's kennel. She pushed aside the curtain and Haruka looked up startled at the rudeness. As top Hound the guards held a certain level of respect/fear for her so they always knocked and waited until she pulled the curtain away herself. Yukino threw the collar into Haruka's lap. Haruka frowned and lifted the worn black leather. It was soft and wrinkled in places from years of use. She searched for the name and number and when she recognised the signs she looked up at Yukino slightly puzzled. "Has Prince been made a Pet?"
"No," Yukino said coldly waiting for Haruka to come to her own conclusions. Haruka stared at her almost nonchalantly patiently waiting to be told. The fact that she didn't try to guess what had happened to the man that had practically raised her sicken Yukino. Haruka kept starring passively at her. "He was sent to the pound" she said at east eyes combing over every inch of Haruka waiting hoping praying for some kind of reaction.
"Did he-was he injured?" Haruka asked finally her voice cracking the barrior of silence in the room.
"No," Yukino said firmly her jaw tightening. Damn it Haruka react!
"Did he allow his handler to be hurt?" Haruka tried again to understand a decision that seemed unreal to her. Prince was a good Hound. The organisation took care of good Hounds.
"No," she said her voice becoming more firm and tightly wound like every muscle in her body. She saw Haruka open her mouth for another excuses and struck out her arm sweeping in a violent arch before her startling Haruka into silence. Her voice lashed violently trying to rip the veil from Haruka's eyes and force her to react "he was old and infertile and of no more use!" Spittle flew from her mouth and she didn't care as she gritted her teeth an breathed heavily. She looked wilder than the pups she owned "he was killed and his handler given a new younger Hound. He was loyal right until the end. He didn't even fight as they stuck a needle in his arm! He apologised! He,apologised, for being so useless!" She had watched the security video before she came. She was so furious at her father, at herself ,but mostly at Haruka who sat there looking slightly stunned at her uncharacteristic anger but not the heartbroken grief of someone who lost someone else close to them. She didn't even seem sad. He had apologised. Apologised after 40 years of loyalty. He apologised.
Haruka looked down and studied the collar of the only father figure she had known. Prince had taken her in and soothed her worries when she first joined SEARRs. He had taught her the golden rules that must always be followed and gave her the dream of becoming number one Hound an honour he had worked for all his life and never achieved. When she was named number one he had proudly congratulated her even though he must have been disappointed. Her fingers clenched around the soft leather for a moment before relaxing. She looked up at Yukino steadily "its okay then," she nodded "he served his handler and that made him happy so its okay." She tried to comfort Yukino with her words as she was obviously upset.
Yukino felt as if someone had impaled her. Her entire chest should be bared laid open like an explosion but all that came out was a pained grunt of disbelief. Her father words echoed in her ear and she tried her best to ignore them. They don't actually feel, they only mimic human emotions. "Don't you understand?!" She screamed. Implored. Begged. "He gave everything to this damn place and they killed him! They murdered Prince, Haruka! They took him from his kennel! They ran tests and experimented on him until he was useless!" Haruka still looked unmoved and Yukino sank to her knees tears streaming slowly down her face as her heart broke because Haruka's wasn't "they raped and tortured him before eventually ending it!"He apologised.
Haruka reached out to Yukino "I understand Master. He wouldn't have wanted to live if he wasn't useful to the organisation in some way." She touched Yukino's red face trying to stop the painful expression that made her own chest tighten painfully.
Yukino swiped the hand away violently. Still seeing Haruka's blank face, by this time to blind to see the subtle concern that etched its way across the blonde, she reared up like a charging elephant grabbing Haruka's shoulder and trailing her out of the kennel. She would make her react her feverish mind decided rashly. She dragged her down corridor after corridor looking for the nearest security station. Haruka stumbled and tripped trying to keep up. She was much stronger than Yukino but she wouldn't pull free and right the painful position Yukino had forced her into as she might hurt her handler.
Yukino found the door she was looking for and savagely threw it open "get out!" She barked at the startled security guard who seeing her thunderous face hastened to obey despite not knowing who the hell she was. She swung Haruka in front of her and onto the recently vacant seat. She lunged to the computer and input the commands. The system was on a neat work and she had the highest clearance so it was easy to bring up Prince's last moments. She didn't need to command Haruka to watch as the now deceased Hounds agony filly 24 small TV screens.
Prince's body was a jumble of bruises that melted together turning his cream skin dark. The bruises were frequently cut across with jagged red scars that had only recently been put there. Some still oozed and wept while others weren't even sown up. His biggest scar was a Y incision that took up his entire torso. He was naked and chained to a table the manacles biting deeply into unresisting flesh. Prince had a healing power that rivalled hers. Most wounds disappeared almost as soon as they were inflected. She had never seen him with a scar or bruise. How much had he endured before his power became insufficient to heal to the damage? Haruka watched unblinkingly as a doctor in while covered from head to toe didn't even bother to pull down his mask as he talked to the proud Hound.
"You failed to impregnate any of the bitches Prince. The test result have come back. You're infertile," Prince's eyes closed in defeat "we have nothing more to learn from you. It will take weeks for your power to heal the internal damage inside you so we've decided to end it here. The recourses it would take to speed up your recovery has been measure and found to be to much for such a weak Hound." The doctor explained business like readily a needle of clear fluid.
"I understand," Prince said sadly but the doctor wasn't asking for his understanding he was simple speaking aloud for the recording taking place. "I'm sorry that I couldn't be of more use,2 he said his voice full of sincere regret. The doctor patted his arm but it wasn't to comfort though Prince seemed to take it as that as he looked up at the doctor doe eyed. The doctor was simply trying to find a vein. He eventually did and Haruka watched as he emptied the poison into Prince's arm. Prince convulsed violently breaking one arm against the restraints as he screamed one last time before laying still.
"Compound 4590 successful in disposing Hounds. Almost immediate results. Seems to cause sever pain before death," the doctor reported turning away before the tape looped and began to play from the start.
Yukino watched hungrily for Haruka's break down but it never came. Haruka turned stiffly the death of her mentor still playing in the background. "He got what he wanted. He was of use."
Yukino staggered back shocked and in inexpressible agony. She had wanted Haruka to react so badly that she had did something she wasn't proud off but still nothing. Haruka's eyes didn't even appear glassy. She turned away and stumbled from the room. Her father was right. Haruka was a monster.
XxXx
Erstin was a well known face on the mutt ward and as such the guards didn't bother checking her. They just opened the security doors and handed her a key. She nodded in thanks and they looked right through her as usual.
She clutched the key to her and hurried to the door. It had been ages since her last visit. She hadn't earned a reward in weeks. The last visit was brief as she had to do a check up for Master Youko and she spent nearly no time with her. She turned the key having to use both hand to move the heavy lock. She then used her entire body to open the door wide enough for her to slip inside.
"Hey Nina," she said softly as the door swung shut behind her and the room snapped back into darkness like it had been before the rude light cut across it. There was a shifting noise as the shadows moved. Erstin reached out with her mind and felt the jumbled hostile madness that was Nina in the dark. She started to unbutton her shirt and pants. When she was finally naked the darkness around her got thicker and the mess of thoughts became calmer. A hand appeared from the shadows and caressed her naked side. She nearly giggled at the feather light touch but didn't have time as she was pulled further into the cage against an equally naked front.
Erstin
The thought was slow and even like a child saying a difficult word. Nina. She though back playfully as she was turned and arms hugged her while a small body pressed against her back. She giggled as hands travelled over her to make sure she was real. Fingers pressed against her neck checking for a pulse and she felt Nina sigh in relief before relaxing against her.
You smelled like blood.
It's my clothes Erstin reassured the Mutt who was cradling her. You never come near me when I have them on.
They don't smell like Erstin. They smell like them, Nina growled. The cloths smelled just like her captors. Her sense of smell wasn't good enough to detect the girl underneath the industrial cleaner.
Has anyone came by? Erstin asked stroking Nina's leg absently to calm the Mutt.
He looked in but didn't open the door, Nina informed her and she frowned. He, meant Sergay, Nina's father. She didn't like him. He had put Nina here and never tried to rescue her. Every so often he came around to stare at her but never anything more.
She felt Nina caress her head. She stroked her heavy handedly still getting used to physical contact with other people. Erstin will you let me see the park again? Nina asked shyly hiding her face in the other girls neck. Erstin laughed softly her embarrassment causing Nina to nip her softly. Ok, ok, Erstin yielded turning laying Nina down before stroking her temples softly. You have to relax and stop thinking so fast. Nina had no training in blocking telepaths but the way she had grown up in total seclusion seemed to have give her a natural shield. Her thoughts whirled in a jumbled mess swiping any telepaths up into the whirlwind if they weren't careful. Nina eventually calmed under Erstins soft stroking and she slipped inside her mind.
She built the scene of a park in Nina's mind. This was how she knew of the outside world. She had never actually felt grass under her feet or seen a tree anywhere other than here. She didn't mind though Erstin made it real enough for her. Out of everything she had shown Nina the park was her favourite. This time she added a lake and drew Nina into the picture. Nina as always stared in fascination at her body tracing the lines of her face in the reflection of the pool. She had never seen herself in a mirror and up until Erstin started to visit had no clue what she looked like. Erstin then put herself in the landscape and Nina like always studied her. They wore cloths here and had pic nics and acted their ages.
Erstin guided Nina towards a water lily and Nina reached out to touch it with wonder. She sniffed it but no scent came to her. That meant Erstin didn't know how it smelled. I only saw a plastic one on Youko's desk yesterday but I thought you might like to see it. Erstin smiled a little embarrassed she couldn't let Nina experience the smell but she was limited in what she could show and let the other girl experience as she was a Dog in training to be a Hound. When she was a Hound she would be able to show Nina much more.
Its pretty isn't it? She said touching a leaf with Nina.
Yes,Nina said looking straight at Erstin who rolled her eyes.
I meant the flower, she thought exasperated.
That too, Nina concededbut we are as well, she informed the blonde who was suddenly glad Nina had no concept of vanity or shame for that matter.
XxXx
Haruka held herself stiffly her arms across her body keeping herself together as she watched Prince dying for the umpteenth time. Her whole body had been trembling since Yukino left and now that she was alone and didn't have to be strong for her she could barely keep herself together.
Prince swatted her on the head. "Neh little pup, golden rule number one; Never make your handler unhappy and never become a burden for the organisation."
She heard him apologise again and a sob burst from her unwilling mouth. She moved a hand to cover the betrayer. The lack of pressure around her body made her trembling get worse. Her fingers dug deep into her cheek trying to stop the other sobs that were trying to burst through her throat.
Prince helped her to her feet as the other Hounds ran past her none taking the time to help the youngest of them in the training. She would either keep up or be sent to the pound. Prince didn't think like that. He picked her up and pulled her along "golden rule number eight pup! Never give up and keep your handler safe!"
The sobs wouldn't stop battering against her faint shield so she bit her lip hard while tears gathered in her eyes.
"Golden rule number three; Pride is for handlers not Hounds," Prince spoke softly to her kneeling down beside her helping her lift her lithium chains that burned her young skin. He gathered her smaller body into his arms and she hide behind his strength allowing herself to be weak just this once. It had been so long since anyone hugged her.
"Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" she screamed her emotions refusing to be repressed any longer making her arms flyaway from her body tearing great gouges in the machine in front of her as her grief exploded from her body like a bomb. She punched a TV screen before savagely ripping the rest from the walls in a hale of sparks and shocks. She couldn't watch it one more time.
She didn't know what to do with the feelings coursing through her. She had no training for this. She viciously attacked the room trying to punch and kick her grief away. She couldn't understand why they killed Prince. He was a good loyal Hound. He had did everything his handler asked. She didn't understand. A wall crumpled and dust showered down on her and she sank to her knees exhausted tears streaming down her face. He had taken care of her. He was a good Hound. Why did they put him down?
Her brain tried to tell her that it was fine. Prince was happy. He wouldn't have wanted to burden the organisation. It was a golden rule. They should have kept him she thought they should have done something other than take him away but she couldn't think of what a person does when they are not a Hound. She sobbed and sobbed having no idea what to do to stop herself from hurting. She was in pain but wasn't injured. She didn't understand.
"Number one Hound. You'll be such a help to the organisation," Prince placed his hand on her shoulder smiling happily "I'm so proud of you Haruka…"