Author's Disclaimer: This chapter contains mild language. Like, mild mild language. You'd feel insulted if they gave this to you at a Mexican food place.
Collaborator's Disclaimer: There's a certain bomb being dropped. Be warned.
But not too warned.
Bumblebee sped along the forest road, Yang's eyes forward. Kiku observed their surroundings closely, looking for anything that needed attention.
"Just taking it all in back there?"
"Hai. Don't want to be caught off guard." He squinted closely. "Hold up, what's that?"
Yang braked. "What?"
He pointed out. "Do you see that? Looks like a wreck of some sort. Was this known?"
She squinted. "It's uh… not exactly common here. We should check it out."
"Okay."
The motorcycle pulled up to the wreck, in a clearing.
Yang stepped off. "Hm… doesn't look too bad… nothing's wrecked… Judging from that open hatch, I'm betting anyone that was on board has already bailed."
Kiku followed. "I wonder what happened."
She looked at a logo on the side of the craft. "…'Merlot Industries…'?"
Kiku shrugged. "If any of us would recognize that, it'd have to be you."
Her eyes went wide with recognition. "Kiku, we have to leave." She quickly walked back to the motorcycle.
"What? What's wrong?" He looked to her, hesitating to follow.
She turned back to him. "Come on! We're leaving! Now!"
"Okay, but what's the matter?" He rushed to her, somewhat startled.
Yang turned to him, sharply. "Kiku, listen to me. That airship belongs to a man I am very familiar with. He's dangerous, he's ruthless, and most of all, he's completely obsessed with-"
A deafening noise came from behind them as the bulkhead was blown clean off, and out stumbled a large Beowolf, with glowing green spikes coming out of its back. As it roared, Kiku looked to Yang, and for the first time… she looked terrified.
"RUN!" she yelled, tearing for the trees.
Kiku felt almost paralyzed in fear, and turned to run.
The Beowolf leaped to him, grabbing his leg, and throwing him to the wreck. He hit it back-first.
"KIKU!" Yang yelled in fear and anger.
He winced, trying to help himself up as the creature ran to him, a crazed hunger in its eyes.
'Already?' he thought. 'It only took that much to knock me down? Pathetic.' He looked around, frantically. 'Come on, come on… what can I use… that.'
The Grimm leapt at him, claws extended and roaring. Kiku quickly dodged its attack, letting it slam into the ship, and grabbed a loose pipe from the wreckage.
The Grimm roared at him and lunged, slicing into his torso. He winced, but then growled and swung the pipe at the beast's head. The blow connected… which only seemed to make it angrier.
It slashed at his leg, completely severing his foot.
"AGH!" He stumbled down, trying to stand back up, now with a single foot. The Grimm snarled, swiping at him, but the attack missed, and it ended up with its claws stuck in the side of the wreck. Kiku took the advantage and struck at its neck.
The Beowolf roared in what sounded like pain, and slumped to the ground.
Yang rushed to Kiku, as he collapsed.
"Is… Is it dead?" he groaned. "Did I kill it?"
"Sure, I think, the neck's kind of a pressure point with these things, but…" She tried to help him up. "I'm more worried about you!"
Kiku looked at her, confused. "Why?"
She pointed to his leg. "Your foot! It's… We need to get you medical attention!"
He looked to it. "…Huh. It is off. What do you know."
Her expression expertly blended confusion and worry. "How is this not a big deal to you?!" she shouted.
"Well, I have had worse." He struggled to stand up.
"Worse than your goddamned foot being sliced-" Her eyes went wide. "It… It's back. Why is it back. How is it back." She grabbed his shoulders and shook him. "WHAT ARE YOU?!"
He looked down at his foot and wiggled his toes. "Ah, there it is. Well, I thought I told you already."
She took a step back. "At no point in telling me that you are a country did you think to mention you could grow back body parts like a fucking lizard."
"Ah… well, I'm immortal. I can't die. Or be harmed by something like that."
Yang took a deep breath. "That would have been good to know before I almost had a heart attack, but… thank you for telling me."
He smiled faintly. "Yes, I should have told you that much sooner."
"I suppose so." She looked at the wreckage again. "Well, no point hanging around here." She started to walk back to the motorcycle. "Let's head out before anything else tries and fails to kill you."
"Agreed." He picked up his shoe, and followed her.
