Don't Run Away

And here we are. Chapter ten. Hmm...not much to say before the official forward. Aside from the story returning to third person narrative point of view, I can't think of any other pressing issues. Uhm, Cookies? None, since no one found any more quotes and there have been...like four already – three, since one's already been discovered. Oh, and I DID tell you guys to not get used to the rapid update speed, so I don't wanna hear anything about this chapter 'taking too long'!

Kidding, kidding.

Foreword ago-go!

We're going to be introducing two characters in this chapter! One is another canon character, and the other is an OC!

Chapter 10 – Kiria Jean

X woke up on high alert; his eyes were open as he sat up and there was not a single ounce of sleepiness in his body. He sprang up and got a fresh Sniper Suit, grabbed his towel and headed towards his front door...

"Private X07." Tsubaki's voice was all the warning he would get before the door to his room slid open. "Oh, I see you're awake."

"How did you open my room door?" He asked the adviser, and source of his alertness.

"I know the codes to every door in the Den." Tsubaki eyed X's dirty Sniper Suit in the corner, then the suit over his shoulder. "Is it laundry day already?"

"I changed the code on my door." X narrowed his eyes at her. "There's a master code, isn't there?"

"Yes. And hacking into your room's database, even if it IS your room, is frowned upon." Tsubaki narrowed her eyes back at X.

"And prying into your pupil's room when he's half naked isn't?" X asked, aware that he had gone to sleep shirtless.

Tsubaki's lips formed a devious half-smirk. X felt a chill go down his spine. "Maybe if you were ten years older, Private." X wasn't sure if that was her idea of a joke, or if she was saying that just to spite him. "Be sure to be at the entrance at eleven hundred hours, Private. And please, don't fall asleep in the showers this time."

She turned away from X and walked through the doorway. "And the next time you want to embark on a personal journey," Tsubaki turned to face X as she stood in the hallway. "Don't lie to your comrades about your location. Did you think that their conflicting reports wouldn't come back to you, X?"

"I really didn't give a damn, Tsubaki." X shrugged, then quickly added "Ma'am."

She sighed and shook her head. "I'll be sure to let your Leader know about your actions, Private. Carry on." X watched her as she walked off. He also noticed her walk was even more...entrancing than Sakuya's.

'(Did every older woman here take modeling classes before the Aragami struck?)' He shook his head; '(I have enough on my plate to worry about already...)' X's mind drifted to the knife he had found yesterday. X turned on his communicator, and waited for it to boot up before he did anything else.

"June fourth, nine am..." He sighed. "I've been waking up later and later ever since I became a God Eater. Maybe this is just me still adjusting to this place?" X shrugged it off, and performed his morning rituals. By ten forty, he was just finishing his breakfast in the cafeteria.

"Yo, Rookie."

"Lindow..." X grumbled to himself.

Lindow approached X from behind, giving him a pat on the shoulder and sitting across from him. "How's it going?"

X picked up his glass of orange juice and gave Lindow a shrug. "I'm alive, aren't I?"

Lindow gave X a blank look before laughing. "Of course you are. And you have me to thank for that."

X put his cup down and raised an eyebrow, his eyes locked on Lindow from behind his dark lenses.

"Si-Tsubaki," Lindow corrected himself. "Wanted me to punish you because of your little stunt yesterday."

"I did my job," I replied curtly. "I don't see what's wrong with exploring more of the area for threats."

Lindow watched X intently. X did the same to Lindow. Anyone walking by could feel the tension...

"Well," Lindow began, taking the muffin from X's tray that he didn't eat. "Next time you decide to do recon on your own, just ask for your superior's permission first, alright?" Lindow bit into the muffin. "Or, at least, don't lie to them. Especially Tatsumi. He's a good guy, and a great God Eater."

"I didn't lie to Tatsumi." X watched as Lindow ate his muffin. "He came up with that idea all on his own." X glared at Lindow. "I was saving that muffin, you know."

"I know." Lindow popped the last bit of muffin in his mouth. "This is your punishment." Lindow cleared his throat. "Although, I'm the one suffering. These things are dry..."

Lindow reached for X's glass of orange juice, but X pulled it back.

"Just making sure you stay on your toes, Rookie." Lindow laughed, standing up. "'specially since I'm leaving the two new recruits in your charge."

"What?!" X shot out of his seat. Some of the other God Eaters looked over at the two.

"If you had been around yesterday, you would've heard all about it." Lindow gave X a smirk. "But, let's not press that issue." Lindow looked around, and waved a few of the onlookers off. They looked away, but both X and Lindow knew that they were still drawing attention. The two of them sat down, and Lindow continued.

"Two New-Types." Lindow checked his communicator. "And they should be at the entrance in five minutes."

X checked his watch. "That's why Tsubaki wanted me there by eleven." X stood up, and rushed his tray onto the conveyor belt towards the kitchen. He doubled back to Lindow, pausing at the table for a second. Lindow had stood up, but was still eyeing his communicator.

"Shall we go?" X asked, catching Lindow off guard.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, lead the way." Lindow stowed away his communicator.

Everyone was assembled at the entrance. From left to right, stood Soma -who was intentionally behind everyone else, standing around as though he was not interested in the whole event – then Kinaia, who was subduing her excitement to meet two more New-Types. Sakuya, who was just as excited as everyone else but focused her attention on Lindow, stood beside KInaia. The First Unit Leader was keeping conversation with Sakuya while aware of the person behind him trying to listen in. That person was Kota, who lacked subtlty much to his comrade's chagrin. Private XO7 finished off the line of the First Unit, staring directly ahead at the elevator.

Behind the First Unit were the other two Units that formed the Defense Squad and several other God Eaters, as well as Hibari, Gen, a veteran God Eater, and Licca.

"Man," Kota began, giving up on Lindow and Sakuya's conversation. "It looks like we really rolled out the welcome wagon today, huh X?"

"Yeah..." X spoke, not paying Kota any mind.

"Huh?" Kota noticed that X was in his own world. "You hear me, X?"

"Mhm..." X mumbled, placing a hand under his chin.

Kota smiled deviously. He nudged Lindow, and quickly whispered the situation to the Leader. The two shared a snicker as Sakuya rolled her eyes. What Kota did not know, however, was that X was listening in on a conversation between Licca and another God Eater.

"...I heard that the Director brought her over from the Russia Branch himself."

"So, Rookie, wanna go on a mission after this?" Lindow asked, his voice light.

"I don't see why not..." X's voice was distant as he tried to process what he had learned.

"Mind if I tag along?" Kota joined in, still smiling.

"'kay..." X closed his eyes – athough Kota and Lindow couldn't see it.

"Rookie," Lindow's voice was a bit more commanding. "Remember, I get your beer rations!"

"Sure." X nodded his head, deep in thought.

"And I get your energy bars!" Kota chimed in.

X remained silent. Something was coming to him as he speculated in his mind.

"I think you broke him." Lindow whispered to Kota ominously.

"Uh oh..." Kota gulped. "That can't be good..."

"Really?" Lindow and Kota parted; Kinaia made her way past the two God Eaters and patted X's shoulder. "You two are so immature!"

"Wha – but-" Kota stammered.

"That's no way to talk to your superior..." Lindow muttered. "Honestly, what's with these newbies not respecting the chain of command?"

"That chain of command," Sakuya spoke up, making Lindow jump. "Seems to be rather picky. Don't you think so, Lindow?" Sakuya addressed the 'convenient' moments Lindow used his authority.

"Oh, you have no idea..." Lindow spoke forbodingly.

"But...Kinaia..." Kota tried again. "It wasn't my ide-"

"Save it." She cut him off. "X, everything alright?"

X only nodded.

"You sure?" Kinaia stepped closer to X, the two turning their backs on everyone else. Although they could not see him, Kota stood watching with a hanging jaw.

"Listen, X, it's not healthy to bottle things in." Kinaia began.

"But it's healthier than airing things out." X remarked snidely. He was trying to think and there were too many voices buzzing around him.

Kinaia was taken aback. "Fine. Don't trust your comrades to help you in times of need."

X seemed unaltered. "I won't." He brushed Kinaia's hand off of his shoulder just as the Den Gate opened up. Tsubaki stepped out of the large service elevator first, and was closely followed by two females.

"Attention!" She ordered. Everyone quickly stopped their conversations and faced Tsubaki – except Soma, who hadn't been speaking to anyone. X checked his watch; it was nearly twelve pm. He looked at Tsubaki just like everyone else did; however he made a note that she was an hour late.

"I have two introductions to make." Tsubaki began. "These are two New-Type recruits. They'll be joinging your ranks today."

The first girl stepped forward. She was borderline pale and wore a plaid outfit consisting of the colors black and red. Her hat was red, resting atop her long white hair. She had blue eyes with a very righteous look in them. Her black top was open and small, just covering the essentials, and her skirt was black, much like her stockings. Holding her right hand up to her face, she introduced herself in a clear voice:

"Nice to meet you. My name is Alisa Ilinichina Amiella. As of twelve hundred hours today, I've been transferred here from the Russia Branch. I look forward to working with you."

The second girl, the one on Tsubaki's left, then stepped forward. She wore a red outfit consisting of a close fit jacket that was, oddly enough, gray around the bust area. She wore shorts that, much like Alisa's tops, covered only the...essentials. As if to balance that, she wore knee high socks and finished the out fit with calf high boots. Any God Eater worth their salt would recognize the rookie attire immediately.

"My name is Kiria Jean," her voice was surprisingly mature. Her hair was cut short, frilled about her ears, and orange. Her brown eyes scanned the room quickly as she spoke. "As of twelve hundred hours today, I've been transferred here from the American Branch."

Kiria noticed a God Eater perk up when she mentioned the branch she came from; he had short white hair and wore a blue jacket. They maintained eye contact for a while.

"Hey, girls are more than welcome here anytime!" Kota chirped.

"I'm amazed that you've survived so long here with that frivolous attitude." Alisa countered with a flick of her hair.

"Huh?" Kota was at a loss.

While he remained silent, X couldn't help but see the similarities between Kota and Alisa. Of course, he wasn't going to say anything out loud...

"Alisa doesn't have much experience in actual combat, but her scores in the simulated battle were quite stellar." Tsubaki's voice regained control. She then looked directly at Kota. "You'd better train hard, or she'll soon surpass you."

"Y-yes, ma'am." Poor Kota. Defeated when he didn't even stand a chance...

"Kiria has been a New-Type God Eater for a year now. It would seem that the American Branch beat us in that particular race." Tsubaki now singled out X. "However, she hasn't seen many battles to date. As this branch's oldest New-Type God Eater at this branch, I expect you to show Kiria the ropes. Understood, Private X07?"

X gave Tsubaki a nod, and then gave Kiria a nod. Kiria returned the nod without hesitation.

"Alisa, Kiria," Tsubaki now looked towards the recruits. "I want you both to serve under Lindow's supervision. From this point forward, you two are extensions of the First Unit."

"Yes ma'am!" The two girls spoke in unison. Behind Kota and Kinaia, X held in a chuckle; no doubt Tsubaki had given them the same speech as himself and Kota...

"Lindow, I need to hand out some documents, so come with me. The rest of you can go back to your quarters. That's all."

Tsubaki and Lindow walked towards the elevator. Kota stepped up to Alisa and began asking her about Russia's temperature.

"Excuse me." X stepped to his side. Brendan walked past the first unit and beelined to Kiria. "Hi. I'm Brendan Bardell, member of the Second Unit." He shook Kiria's hand. "Welcome aboard."

"Thanks." Kiria replied shortly.

"It's good to see someone else from the American Branch." Brendan began.

"You transferred, too?" Kiria asked politely.

"Yeah. I joined the Far East Branch in 2067...after..." Brendan trailed off. "Well, seeing as how you're from there-"

"I know." Kiria cut in. "But, I'm from a different sector."

"Ah." Brendan sounded a little down. "Do you have any info...or?"

"No. Sorry." Kiria's voice was deadpan.

"Don't worry about it." Brendan gave an optimistic laugh. "Well, the Second Unit's got a job to do right now. Feel free to ask me anything about the Den. Good luck."

"You too." Kiria replied as Brendan walked away from her. Brendan walked past the First Unit, but stopped at X's side atop the stairs.

"You New-Types seem to have a lot in common already." Before X could respond, Brendan was downstairs. X looked at Brendan, and then over his shoulder at Kiria.

"What the hell was that about?" X looked over at Soma, curious as to why Soma was curious.

"That's what I want to know." X sighed; he had remembered that Lindow wanted him to look after the new recruits. And now, since Lindow was off with Tsubaki...

"X!" X looked over Soma's shoulder. Kinaia approached the two males, but spoke directly to X. "I've been meaning to tell you something since our first mission."

"Uh...okay?" X didn't like the tone of her voice.

"I've been a God Eater for going on six years. Don't think that I'll be shaken by some rookie who made Private in a month."

X, caught off guard, looked to Soma.

"Not my problem, private X07." Soma looked away, but did not move.

X looked back to Kinaia. "What are you-" X then remembered the conversation they had on their way back to the Den after their first mission together. "Oh. That."

It was Kinaia's turn to be caught off guard. "What do you mean 'oh that'?"

X remained silent; yet another thing on his already full plate...

Kinaia looked to Soma. "What's the big deal with you guys and being all...sulky?"

Soma looked Kinaia in the face. "How many times do I have to tell you; don't lump me together with these morons!" Soma then looked to X. He could see that one of X's eyebrows were raised. "I don't need to explain myself to you!"

The three of them shared a silence.

"Whatever." They all spoke at the same time.

"I've got things to do." Soma dismissed himself.

"So do I." Kinaia walked towards the elevator.

"Hey, don't follow me!" Soma snarked.

"How can I be following you if I'm in front of you?" Kinaia shot back.

Soma, caught off guard, looked towards X.

"Not my problem, sergeant Soma." X looked away.

"Dammit." Soma muttered. "Bastards. Every last one of you." Soma walked towards the elevator. "You're taking the stairs." He ordered Kinaia.

"What?" Kinaia retorted. "Says who?"

"Says your superior." Soma now stood beside Kinaia.

"You can't do that!" Kinaia glared at him.

"Yes, I can." Soma spoke smugly. "Consider it a training exercise."

"You just want to hog the elevator to yourself!" Kinaia watched the elevator doors open.

"That isn't a crime..." Soma's voice trailed off. X watched as Soma and Kinaia bickered their way onto the elevator. He watched them continue until the doors closed.

"That was...odd." He decided to forget about that exchange for now. Besides, he was sure that he had heard Kota mention him-

"X! Hey X, over here!"

Of course Kota mentioned him... X walked over to Kota and the two new recruits.

"This is the guy I was telling you about!" Kota's voice was excited. "He and I were recruited around the same time – I'm his superior by a nanosecond – and we-"

"Didn't Adviser Tsubaki address him as Private X07?" Alisa cut in. Kota's grin dropped and he nodded. "Are you also a private?"

"W-well," Kota began, his parade thoroughly rained on. "Not exactly."

"Have you two gone for your medical checkups?" X stepped up, arguably for Kota's sake.

"No, sir." Both Alisa and Kiria replied at the same time, as well as standing at attention. X lifted an eyebrow. Kota's jaw dropped.

"Wait a minute!" He nearly yelled. "I try and get to know you two," he looked to Alisa. "And one of you acts like she already can't stand me," he then looked to Kiria. "And the other hardly speaks at all!" Kota pointed to X. "But all he does is ask you a simple question, and you treat him like he's in charge?!"

"It's the way he carries himself." Alisa flicked her hair back with her right hand. "He already looks much more professional than you do."

Kiria only nodded at Alisa's statement.

"What do you mean 'looks more professional'? Is it the hair?" Kota placed a hand on his hat.

"I meant the way he walks, and how he acts." Alisa explained with a sigh. "And...his attire is much more professional."

At that comment, all three God Eaters looked at Alisa.

"Like you're one to talk..." Kota mumbled, saying what was on everyone's mind.

"What did you say?!" Alisa, who was obviously ticked off, contained herself.

"Nothing, nothing!" Kota laughed. "Well, look at the time, looks like you two should get going to the Doc!" Kota turned around to X and patted him on the shoulder. "You can show them to the medical floor, right Private X?" Kota turned on his heel and walked away. X noticed him wipe a bit of sweat from his brow.

"Honestly..." Alisa huffed, watching Kota as he walked off.

"Lead the way." Kiria spoke to X. He nodded, and directed them to the elevator...

"What promising rookies." Lindow began jovially. "We've got to be the only branch with three of these rare New-Types."

I suppose so. But we'll be stepping up the search for new type matches from now on. HQ's new policy." Tsubaki remained objective. A moment passed, and her voice became somber. "The thing is, Alisa may be a match, but she's also somewhat mentally unstable. The doctor has her attending a medical health care program on a regular basis." She then looked Lindow in the face. "At any rate, I want you to stay alert around her."

"Whatever you say, big sis." Lindow smiled at her.

"Lindow. Don't ever call me big sis here again, got that?" Tsubaki's voice was lethal.

Lindow scratched his head dejectedly. "Anything wrong with the other one? Kiria, was it?"

"Nothing aside from the typical mental trauma from watching a comrade die in front of you."

"Oh," Lindow treated the situation nonchalantly. "Just the usual brand of crazy? I can handle that."

"Lindow..." Tsubaki spoke, scolding him. She then sighed in chagrin. "I guess you're right."

"I am?" Lindow feigned surprise.

"A person has to be crazy in order to undertake, and survive, this line of work." Tsubaki spoke as the elevator doors opened and she stepped out. "And Lindow?"

"Yeah?" He responded, his finger over the button for the Veteran's level.

"The Director has another task for you." Tsubaki looked her younger brother in the eyes.

"'Course he does." Lindow sighed, pressing the elevator button for the Storage level.

"Well, perhaps 'eccentric' is a bit of an understatement for Doctor Sakaki..." Alisa spoke as the three New-Types waited for the elevator.

"And he kept comparing our numbers to yours." Kiria spoke up, looking at X.

"I am the veteran New-Type." X spoke, his gaze on the elevator floor indicator.

"Still," Alisa also looked at X. "To think someone could score higher than I did in the battle simulations..."

"I'm a seasoned fighter." X replied. Instantly, he regretted speaking up.

"Oh?" Alisa asked.

X only nodded in response.

"Same here." Both X and Alisa looked to Kiria. "That must be why I also got higher scores than Alisa."

Alisa pouted, looking at Kiria. "Only by a few points..." Alisa muttered.

Kiria smiled at Alisa, causing the Russian's pout to melt. The two shared a giggle as the elevator doors opened with a whoosh.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

All three God Eaters looked at their communicators. X looked up first.

"It looks like the three of us will be going on a mission to the Forgotten Carrier." X gestured to the girls to board the elevator. "I'll meet you both in Storage. I have to grab a few things before we head out."

"Yes sir." The new recruits responded just as the elevator doors closed. X hauled off, flying down the stairs and not stopping until he reached his floor of the rookie section. He flung the stairway doors open and made a beeline for his room. He stopped, and glanced at Kota's door. He knocked on it, then opened his door. He disabled the lock, so that his door would remain open.

No sooner had he stepped into his room, Kota stepped out of his.

"Hell – oh!" Kota jumped back when X stepped out of his room with a handful of energy bars. "For the last time, X, stop doing that!"

Kota then shot his hands up, and caught the energy bar X had thrown to him. "What's this for?"

"You're coming with me on a mission." X spoke with a mouth full of energy bar. "We're leaving now."

"Gotcha!" Kota disappeared into his room for a moment. Even halfway down the hall, he could hear characters from Bugarally speaking. A second later, and Kota's room was silent. By the time X was at the elevator, Kota was two steps behind him.

"Where are we headed?" Kota asked, waiting for the elevator.

"Forgotten Carrier." X ripped open another energy bar.

"What's our target?" Kota tore open the bar X had given him.

"A Borg Camlann." X was nearly finished his.

"The scorpion thing?" Kota sighed. "I hate those things..."

X remained silent.

"Hey, what happened to those two recruits?" Kota asked as he chewed.

"They're coming with us." X spoke, patting his chest.

"You should really take your time to eat those, X." Kota said with a concerned look on his face. His expression than shifted to one of shock. "We're going on a mission with those two babes?!"

Kota pumped his arms and crouched. He sprang up with a loud cheer. "Alright!"

The elevator doors opened, revealing Alisa and Kirira. Kota, with his arms in the air and an energy bar in his mouth, stared vacantly at the girls. X sighed; he nudged Kota forward and walked onto the elevator himself.

"Oh, uh..." Kota laughed nervously. He stepped onto the elevator, moving his shoulder as though he were stretching. "Just warming up before our mission."

"Our mission?" Kirira looked to X as the elevator doors closed.

"He's coming with us." X declared. "He knows more about gunner techniques than I do. And you two can learn from him." Kota puffed out his chest. "As well as his mistakes."

Kota coughed, causing Kiria and Alisa to chuckle to themselves.

"Man, those energy bars are dry..." Kota cleared his throat as a ruse.

"Wait," X realized. "Why aren't you two already at Storage?"

"The elevator stopped a few floors up, on the Veteran's level. Someone with a hood and really gloomy attitude called the elevator." Alisa explained.

"Soma." Both X and Kota spoke in unison, standing side by side.

"He said he'd take the next one." Kiria went on. "He was with a girl with long blue hair and a pony tail."

"Kinaia?" Both X and Kota questioned, looking at one another.

"Green eyes?" Kota asked, turning on his heel to face Kiria. Kirira nodded. "About this tall?" Kiria nodded again. "Really attra-" Kota felt an elbow dig into his side. "Ow! X, what was that -" Kota noticed X's brow was wrinkled.

"You talk too much." X spat as they descended in the elevator.

Kota then caught on. "Oh! Man, I owe you one!"

"I'll hold you to that, Kota." X spoke, now looking forward. Behind them, Alisa and Kiria looked at one another with confused expressions.

"Boys?" Kiria offered with a shrug. Alisa smiled at her and nodded.

And I think I'll end the chapter here! One of the shorter chapters, I know, but I didn't want to overload the introductory chapter with the upcoming battle. Not really much to say in the ending notes, either...

Well, trying out the other phrase,

X.K. OUT!