Chapter 12

Aftermath

Lucy glared at Akira, her feelings and instincts at war with each other, twisting her insides into knots as she held Kohta…his blood soaking the loose-fitting gray dress Jin had given her before leaving Mitsumine. "You're here to help? Right…and I'm Empress of the world."

Akira gazed into Lucy's eyes. He knelt on both knees outside the van and bowed his head. "Milady…you don't comprehend the truth of your statement. I know you were being sarcastic and don't believe I'm here to help. You don't believe anyone can be trusted, save for the young human you're cradling. That's far from the truth." A sigh escaped his lips. "Lucy, there's only one way for you to know the truth. Extend your vector, strike my mind, and learn the truth before your human friend bleeds to death. I can help, but only if you allow me to. I won't block your vector and will open my essence to you. I've no desire to create more sorrow for you. But be quick about it. Time is against us."

Lucy hesitated, seeing and sensing something familiar behind his eyes. A moan escaped Kohta's lips, drawing her attention to him as everyone watched.

"Please, let him do something, my Queen," Naomi begged. "He values all life, including the life of your human."

"Let him try, Lucy," Myra said. "If you don't trust him, do what you did to me to find out, just like he suggested." Everyone present agreed with Myra and Naomi.

A disarmingly pleasant smile crept slowly across Akira's lips. "I promise I won't hurt the lad. You have my word."

Lucy looked up with an uncertain look, sending out a single vector that penetrated into Akira's brain. After a few moments, his smile broadened. Retracting her vector, she whispered, "Okay, you've convinced me. Please help him…just don't let him die. He means everything to me. I just don't have the knowledge or skill to save him."

"It's okay, my Queen," Akira said as he moved into the van, kneeling in front of them. "You're still young and haven't fully come to terms with your abilities yet. We hope to help you with that, if you'll permit it." Vectors sprang from Akira's back, penetrating into Kohta's damaged body as he held his hand. "Hmmm…he was injured from a previous attack as well. This isn't good. But I think I can help him. Rachel, go assist Kagami. Duncan, Kaya, Naomi…watch the perimeter. The Collective is fluctuating again. We may have some unwanted guests approaching."

"Yes, master Akira," they said, rushing away.

Akira continued concentrating on repairing the damage to Kohta…his red eyes blazing like a furnace. "You did a good job cleaning the wound, milady. There's very little foreign matter in the wound," he complimented while working. Kohta suddenly moaned, stirring.

Lucy's eyes grew wide and a gasp escaped her lips. The blood flow from Kohta's wound ceased as it closed before her eyes. "How did you do that? I couldn't get it to close or stop the bleeding." she asked in amazement.

Kohta briefly opened his eyes and smiled before falling unconscious again.

Akira chuckled at Lucy's question. "Years of knowledge and experience allowed me to do that. Once upon a time long ago, I was one hell of a medic. It's actually a skill that lies dormant within you. I'll teach you about when the time is right, my Queen. But for now, I must see to this young lady before she gets any worse."

His vectors plunged into Aiko as he placed his hand on her forehead. "Hmmm…she's badly damaged, but she's not as bad as the young man. Let me clean the wound and do a few repairs on her so she doesn't bleed to death." A minute later after her wound closed, he said, "There we go…all clean and patched up. Now let's see to this other young lady here."

He gently touched her on the head while closely examining her with his vectors. Looking into her bruised face, he murmured, "Interesting…this little lady is in a deep coma from severe gunshot trauma to the chest from an earlier attack. But someone's treated her and she's stable for the moment, so it's okay to move her. Luckily, she didn't take any real damage in this attack. Okay now…let's get everyone out of this wreck. Doug, Shen…go watch the perimeter with the others. The fluctuations are getting stronger."

"Yes sir," Doug and Shen answered in unison, rushing away.

"Is there anything we can do?" Myra asked Akira, gesturing to Mayu and Nana.

"No," he said. "I can handle this." He noticed Myra's bloody right arm, adding, "Is the arm hurting you much?"

"Yea…some," Myra stated. "But it's not that bad. It can wait."

"Very well," Akira replied. "I'll help you with that arm as soon as we're safely away from this place. Now please give me some space." Myra, Nana, and Mayu backed away from Akira as he looked at Lucy. He stared deep into her eyes. "Lucy…I know you're wounded, too. Would you permit me to lift you and your friends with my vectors?"

She looked into Kohta's unconscious face, saying, "I suppose so. Just don't try anything funny. Like I said to Jin, you still have to gain my trust. Besides, my legs aren't feeling exactly right. I'm not sure I can walk."

"Of course, milady," Akira stated. "I completely understand. I'm going to pick you up now." She nodded as he stood. Her stomach lurched when his vectors gently curled around her and Kohta, lifting them in the air. The moment Akira's vectors touched her, she responded instinctively, creating a shield around her and Kohta with her vectors…pushing Akira's vectors back with her vectors so they couldn't touch her or Kohta. "You still don't trust me," he chided mildly as he latched on to her vectors to support her and Kohta. "But that's all right. I know you're acting out of instinct to protect yourself. It's only natural."

"I'm just making sure," Lucy said coolly. "You still have to earn my trust, despite what you've already done."

Akira flashed that disarming smile of his at her as she started sensing his vectors through hers. A puzzled look crossed her face. Unlike the vectors of every other diclonius she'd encountered…including Jin, Akira's vectors felt warm and alive, pulsing with energy and life. She watched with an uncertain look as she, Kohta, Yuka, and Aiko floated out of the van. Akira slowly backed them away from the wreck, holding them just off the ground. After everyone cleared of the van, he released three more vectors, effortlessly shoving the ruined vehicle aside to clear a path. The shriek of the van's metal against the pavement of the parking lot echoed into the night. He noticed the look on Lucy's face and turned her so she could look him in the face as he walked them to Kagami and Jin sitting halfway across the parking lot. "Something puzzles you about my vectors, doesn't it, my queen?"

Lucy hesitated, trying to comprehend this new feeling associated with Akira's vectors. He chuckled as they stopped next to Kagami and Jin. Jin was still unconscious in Kagami's arms. "I'm not what you expected, am I?" Akira asked as everyone gathered around.

"To be honest, no," Lucy replied, holding Kohta in her arms as they floated, suspended by Akira's vectors. Her face began to show the strain of holding her vectors out.

"Draco will be here in a couple minutes," Kagami stated, stroking Jin's hair.

"Good," Akira said as he focused his attention on Lucy again. "Our transport will be here momentarily, milady. Then we can quit this place before the authorities arrive." Noticing her weakening, he said softly, "You don't have to hold against me with your vectors, Lucy. You can trust me. Just relax and let me support you. I have no intention of harming you. If I did, I would've done it long ago."

Lucy suddenly slumped with a groan, retracting her vectors. "I just can't hold them out."

"Of course not, milady," Akira said. "You're still weak from your wounds. But don't cut yourself short. That was an amazing effort you made to keep my vectors off you and your friend. I'm impressed."

Lucy's eyes widened as she sensed Akira's vectors physically and much more acutely. They were warm, like a mother's embrace. A soft smile started creeping across her lips and the puzzlement of how she could feel safe suspended in his vectors grew. Gazing into Akira's eyes, she sensed something familiar behind those maroon pools. He held out his hand to Lucy, saying, "You see something familiar in me, don't you, Lucy? Take my hand and find out what it is."

Lucy found her will weakening and her hand slowly reaching out to Akira. However, just before touching his hand, she clenched her eyes shut and pulled her hand back. "No. I can't do it. Not yet. I'm just not sure."

Akira sighed, lowering his hand. "It's all right. I knew you weren't ready. But I still gave you the opportunity just to see if you were. When you're ready to find that answer, I'll be here. Now, is there something you want to ask me about my vectors?"

Lucy's mouth fell open. For a moment, she struggled to verbalize her desire. Finally, the words came. "What are you and why do your vectors feel so different from everyone else's vectors, including mine?"

A soft breeze arose, stirring Akira's long snow-white hair. "My dear Queen, it's good that you can sense the difference. As for what I am, this is not the place to tell you. I'll tell you that when we reach my sanctuary at Aso. But I will tell you this. Our vectors define who we are…good or bad. Most diclonius never reach the level I have achieved because they never live long enough to do so. Their fury consumes them long before they mature."

A look of extreme confusion crossed Lucy's face. "I don't understand."

A fatherly smile crossed Akira's face as a tour bus-sized RV pulled up in the parking lot. "You will when we reach Aso, Lucy. I promise."

The side door of the RV opened, revealing a diclonius with green eyes and short crimson hair. "Akira!" he shouted. "We need to go now. The military's descending on this place as I speak, as are a number of rogues. This is not a safe place to be right now."

Akira whistled loudly, bringing Duncan, Kaya, Naomi, Doug, and Shen. Lucy clenched her ears at the whistle, grimacing. Once everyone gathered around, he barked, "Everyone in the RV."

"What about our friends who were killed?" Shen asked, briefly remembering when a rogue diclonius punched Tian's heart out during the attack.

"We don't have time," Akira stated as he saw Kagami and Doug enter the RV carrying Jin. "Isn't that right, Draco?"

The green-eyed diclonius nodded. "That's right. The police and military will be here in less than five minutes."

"I can't leave Tian," Shen balked. He suddenly floated, feeling a band of force immobilizing him. "Let me go!" The heavy thumping of rotor blades began echoing through the trees, stifling his protests. His eyes shot to the sky as chills raced down his spine. "I'm sorry…you're right, master Akira. I'm not thinking. Let's get out of here."

"Let him go, Draco," Akira ordered.

The green-eyed diclonius released Shen and patted him on the shoulder. "You're a good man, Shen. We'll do what we can to retrieve your friends." Draco glanced at Akira and he nodded. In a blink, Draco vanished into the battlefield as Shen stepped into the RV.

Lucy watched in confused amazement. "Where'd he go?" she asked Akira as she, Kohta, Yuka, and Aiko floated into the RV ahead of him. He came in behind them, taking them to the rear of the vehicle.

"Making sure everyone is accounted for," he replied after a pause, gently sitting her and Kohta on one of three beds in the back room of the RV where Myra, Mayu, and Nana were waiting. He likewise deposited Yuka and Aiko respectively on the other two beds. "Stay here while I go make sure everything is all right." Akira bowed slightly and darted toward the front of the RV, leaving them.

Lucy stared, not knowing what to think. Kohta lay in her arms, unconscious, but alive. Myra approached her, sitting on the edge of the bed. "May I check him, Lucy?"

With a nod from Lucy, Myra checked Kohta's pulse, finding it weak and erratic. She shook her head. "He's lost a lot of blood. We're going to have to give him a transfusion pretty quick or he's a goner." Lucy's face fell with the news. The RV rumbled and started moving as Mayu and Nana sat down next to Lucy.

"He's going to be all right, Lucy. You'll see," Mayu whispered, touching Lucy on the arm. "He won't die…he can't die." Tears burst from Mayu's eyes with sobs escaped her lips, refusing to be held back. Nana put her arms around Mayu, weeping with her.

Myra darted to Mayu and knelt down, embracing her. "No…he's not going to die, not as long as I have breath in me. He's not going to die."

Lucy watched in deep grief and with a bit of curiosity as Myra console Mayu and Nana. A eerie, warm sensation filled her wounded chest. It tugged at her heart, slowly eroding the icy hate still there. Tears welled up with her compassion and she found her hand reaching out to Mayu, gently touching her on the head. Mayu looked up at Lucy, seeing the kindest look she'd ever seen on Lucy's face. Lucy said not a word, only let her expression say what she couldn't verbalize.

"Thank you, Lucy," Mayu whimpered, going to Lucy and embracing her. "Please don't let Kohta die. He's the only real father I've ever had."

With that one comment, Lucy began to understand Mayu's love for Kohta. "You really see him as a father?"

Mayu nodded. "Yea…I love him as such, too. You're not jealous, are you?"

Despite her grief and confusion, a soft chuckle rose from Lucy. "How can I? He sees you as his little sister. How can I be jealous of that?" A pang of guilt shot through her heart before she even finished speaking.

"You won't let him die…will you, Lucy?" Mayu asked, holding her hand.

"No…I won't. I love him. He's why I'm still alive and not dead at the bottom of the ocean. But how do I help him?"

"You already have," Akira stated, walking in as the RV leaned into a turn. "What you did for him before I arrived made the difference. However, he's still in critical condition. Myra…what do you think?"

"He needs a transfusion immediately," she stated. "Unfortunately, there are only two people that I know of who have his blood type. Jin is one and Lucy is the other. But because of Jin's injuries, getting blood from him is impossible."

"Then that leaves Lucy," Akira stated, sitting down cross-legged on the floor.

"True…but I'm not sure she's healed enough to give blood," Myra admitted.

"That's not the only thing that concerns me," Akira stated.

"What are you saying?" Lucy asked bluntly. "If I have enough blood to save Kohta's life, I'll do it."

"It's not the problem if you have it," Akira declared. "It's the fact that you're the Queen. I'm not sure what would happen if we give your human friend a large portion of your blood. It may change him in ways we can't comprehend."

"What do you mean?" Myra asked.

Akira looked up at them with deadly conviction. "A human has never received the blood of a diclonius before. Several things could possibly occur. The best of all outcomes would be he receives the blood and nothing bad happens to him. He survives to see another day. However, there are a couple of outcomes I hesitate to speak of. The worst of all outcomes would be his body rejects the blood because it's diclonius and not pure human…killing him in a most hideous and painful manner." Looks of horror rose on the faces of everyone present. "Another possible outcome would be that his body accepts the blood, but it alters his genetic structure, possibly mutating him into a diclonius. I believe that's the theory behind Kakuzawa's little pet project to restore his diclonius blood. It would explain why he's so insistent on an intact capture of you, Lucy."

"How do you know such things?" Lucy blurted out.

"I've been keeping an eye on that lunatic for quite some time," Akira hissed, letting his displeasure of Kakuzawa ooze out. "I've seen and sensed what he's doing and have been watching for an opportunity to stop his madness."

"You're not answering the question!" Lucy snapped. "How do you know?"

"Lucy…I could tell you, but you wouldn't believe what I say."

"Try me!"

"Very well, my Queen. Jin informed you about the Collective, right?" She nodded. "I know about Kakuzawa's program from two sources. One is a brilliant hacker who broke his security, finding his Lazarus project. His name is Saito Murata and he works in the upper echelon of the ARGUS intelligence apparatus. The second is from the Collective itself. You see, milady…I'm the supreme commander of the diclonius Special Forces the Collective set up to protect you. I have a direct channel to the positive side of the Collective. It's directed me for many years, helping me to locate and train those diclonius who're destined to be your guard. Jin is one of them, though I fear he's beginning to succumb to the Fury. This is why you noticed the difference in my vectors. It's because of my connection to the positive side of the Collective. It's full of light and life and shares that power with those who ally with it. My vectors mirror that power. To put it in terms of a hierarchy, it works like this. You, my Queen, are on top…the only one with direct access to the Collective. The one you choose as your king is second in command. As the general of the diclonius special opts, I answer only to you, my Queen."

Lucy stared with her mouth hanging open. After a few moments, she said, "You're right, I don't believe it. Now I know where Jin came up with that ridiculous story about the Collective. Let me ask you this. If this Collective really exists, then why haven't I seen or felt it?"

"Because you were young and lost in darkness," Akira stated. "A diclonius only becomes aware of the Collective after he or she matures. Think of it as a sort of puberty. You're right on the cusp of seeing the Collective for the first time, Lucy. You may have already seen it and not realized it. Did you ever wonder how you escaped that watery grave when the soldiers ambushed you on the bridge?" He looked her square in the eye with a raised eyebrow.

"The thought did occur to me when I found myself on the beach," she answered softly. "I knew I was dead, and then somehow, miraculously, I was alive. I still don't know how that happened."

"Believe it or not, the Collective itself rescued you," he declared. "You found yourself in a warm darkness…a void where nothing tormented you, not even your fury. You wanted to stay forever because you felt great peace and contentment there. But it wasn't meant to be. Your thoughts turned to this young man here and the sorrow you felt for what you did to him. The longer you floated there, remembering, the more you wished for those last moments with him. The Collective felt your wish and pushed you ashore, giving you that second chance."

Lucy felt a violent chill race down her spine as her face betrayed her astonishment. "Who are you? How did you know about that warm place in the dark?"

His ancient face wrinkled as he smiled. "I know because the positive side of the Collective showed me. You see, I cannot enter the Collective like you can. But I can touch it and gain strength and knowledge from it. Do you have any idea of how old I am?"

"I would guess about seventy," Myra suggested.

Akira cackled. "Not even close…I'm a hundred and eighteen. The power of the Collective has kept me alive all this time so I could have the opportunity to show you the true nature of our species."

Spontaneous gasps erupted from those present. "Then how old is your daughter?" Mayu asked, suddenly finding her voice.

"Kagami's fifty, and she's as different from us as we are from you."

"Fifty?" Mayu questioned with a gasp. "She doesn't look a day over thirty. How is that possible?"

"What do you mean, 'different from us'?" Nana asked.

"Kagami is a hybrid…a genetic fusion of the diclonius and humans."

"You're talking about a half-breed like that bastard, Kakuzawa," Lucy hissed in disgust.

"No…she isn't a half-breed like Kakuzawa. Half-breeds like Kakuzawa have their diclonius genetics watered down through generations of inbreeding with humans, leaving them with no vectors and reduced horns. No, Kagami's a true hybrid diclonius. She isn't diclonius and she isn't human. She has the best and worst of both worlds."

"Does she have vectors?" Lucy asked.

"Yes," Akira stated. "…and more. She has a gift for deep telepathy that isn't connected to her vectors. She can commune with both species, mind to mind, without the use of her vectors. That's how she was able to overcome Jin's Fury after the battle. Unfortunately, like all diclonius, she has a piece of the Fury tainting her. But her humanity has allowed her to tame it and remain civilized. If you doubt my words, I'll have her come back here so you can see for yourself."

"People, we've gotten off the subject here," Myra informed everyone, noticing Kohta's complexion growing paler by the minute. "Kohta needs blood immediately. What're we going to do about it? Lucy is the only person present who has the same type."

"You're right, doctor," Akira agreed. "The young man needs our help. We can continue this discussion about Kagami later. All I was doing was pointing out the potential risk of Lucy sharing her blood with the young man. Does everyone understand that there's a real chance it might alter or even kill him?"

"What would you say the odds are for such a problem to occur?" Myra asked.

"I do not know," Akira replied. "Like I said, this is something that has never occurred in the history of the diclonius. But we must make a decision quickly because he'll die before we reach Aso if we don't."

"Enough talk," Lucy snapped. "It's my blood. It's my decision. I came back because of Kohta. Even if there's the tiniest chance that my blood can save his life, I'm willing to do it. He's all I have left."

"Lucy's right," Nana stated, noticing the green-eyed Draco standing at the doorway with Naomi, Rachel, and Kaya. "If there's any chance to save him, then do it. It's better than watching him die in front of us."

Draco coughed and Akira looked up. "What is it, Draco?"

"We heard raised voices back here and was wondering if everything was okay."

"We're deciding how best to help the young man," Akira replied.

"Are any of you AB negative blood type?" Myra asked.

They shook their heads. "Afraid not, doctor. And to my knowledge, there's no one at home who is either." Draco informed. "What's this about?"

"Kohta needs a blood transfusion badly," Mayu blurted out. "If he doesn't get it real quick, he may…" She looked down with tears streaming and sobs rising uncontrollably…unable to finish her sentence.

"I see," Draco said, folding his arms while leaning against the door jam. "Is there anyone here who's a match?"

"I am," Lucy whispered as it suddenly hit her that what she did in the next few minutes would mean the difference between life and death for Kohta.

"Oh," Draco murmured, seeing the pained look on Lucy's face. "I didn't hear much, but I heard enough. I think the little lady there is right. If you have the power to save him, do it."

"But what if my blood kills him?" Lucy asked. "I'd never forgive myself it that happened."

"You're the Queen of the diclonius world, milady," Draco declared. "Whether you know it or not, your will decides the fate of both our species and humanity. Seems to me this is a great chance for you to make such a choice, even if it is for just one person. You must have faith in yourself and your friend. He's stronger than you realize and I'm happy that you've chosen him. He's a good human and deserves a chance to live. Who knows, maybe what you do here in the next few minutes will show us a new path and bridge the gap between us. I say save him. Give him your blood and don't worry about it destroying him. If you give it in love, then your blood will save him."

"Very well said," Akira crowed. "You're the Queen, Lucy, and every part of you must obey your will, even your blood. Will your blood to save him, and it will do so."

Lucy stared, eyes wide and mouth hanging open in astonishment. "Do I really have that much power?" she whispered upon finding the words. She gazed down into Kohta's face, noticing that he was beginning to come to.

"Yes, you do," Akira stated. "But when you do, you must control your Fury for the Fury will destroy him if you let it burn. It seeks to destroy anything that is human."

"He's coming to," Mayu cried, seeing Kohta's arm twitch.

"I have no choice," Lucy said softly. "I must save him. Myra, get your needles."

Myra nodded, rising as the RV's center of gravity shifted slightly. Looking to Akira, she asked, "Do you have what we need to do this?"

Akira smiled, saying, "Go with Draco. He'll get you set up. He'll also help you with that arm."

Draco smirked, beckoning Myra with his hand. "This way, doctor. I believe we have everything you'll need." With that, Myra followed Draco.

Kohta moaned, his eyelids flickering. Everyone grew quiet as Lucy gently shook him. "Kohta…Kohta."

His eyes slowly opened, followed by a long hoarse sigh, and a cough that brought up blood. He cried in pain, his chest on fire. Blood oozed from his mouth. Akira rose and handed a handkerchief to Lucy while sitting on the edge of the bed. She wiped the blood from Kohta's mouth, whispering, "Are you all right?"

"I don't know," he whispered hoarsely. "Am I alive?"

Lucy gently embraced him. "You are, Kohta. But you're badly hurt. This man saved you and us." She pointed to Akira.

Kohta managed to focus on the elderly diclonius. A puzzled looked crossed his pained face. "Who are you?"

"I'm Akira Nariko…Jin's teacher."

The name meant nothing to Kohta. His pain kept him in a fog. "What happened?" Kohta wheezed.

"Don't talk, son," Akira murmured. "You're gravely injured and need a transfusion. Can you understand what I'm saying?"

Kohta nodded. "I can hardly breathe and the pain's horrendous."

"Just breathe with me," Lucy whispered in his ear, holding him firmly against her chest. "Just follow my breaths."

"May I, milady?" Akira asked.

"What?"

"I can ease his pain with a little prod from my vectors."

"I don't know," Lucy returned, still very suspicious.

"Please…you know I won't hurt him."

"Okay…but if anything happens to him…"

Akira smiled in a fatherly manner. "Nothing will happen, Lucy. I promise." He loosed a vector that gently penetrated into the folds of Kohta's brain. Kohta's eyes grew wide as he felt the vector moving inside his head. Suddenly, his face relaxed and the pained look he wore vanished. His whole body followed suit as a relieved sigh escaped his lips. "There we go…he's virtually pain free," Akira stated, retracting his vector.

"How'd…you…do that?" Kohta whispered.

"I merely disconnected the pain receptors in your brain, son. In your present condition, you desperately needed it. But I'll have to reconnect them when you heal up. Pain is the way the body tells the mind something is wrong. But there's something you should know."

"What?"

"You need a transfusion to replace the blood you lost. The only person here who has your blood type is Lucy," Akira informed him in a soft tone.

Kohta glanced up at Lucy as she nodded. "He's right, Kohta. I have to give you some of my blood to save you. If I don't, you're going to die and I can't let that happen. But there's an element of risk involved here that you should know about."

"What risk?" Kohta asked softly.

"My blood could cause you to become like me or it could even kill you," Lucy murmured in his ear.

"She speaks the truth," Akira said as Myra returned with the transfusion apparatus and her arm bandaged. "There's a real chance that it could permanently alter your genetic structure or even kill you. But there's just as real a chance that it could save your life. I'm happy you were able to wake up long enough to know what we're fixing to do. Lucy has offered her blood to save your life. Will you take that chance and accept her blood, knowing what might happen?"

"You mean I might become a diclonius by taking your blood?" Kohta asked, trying to make sure he understood exactly what they were saying.

"Yes, Kohta…you might," Lucy said in his ear. "This type of thing has apparently never been done before. No one really knows how it will affect you. But I can't let you die when I have the means to save you. You must trust me. I won't let you die."

Kohta's fatigued mind reeled at the possibility of becoming like Lucy. "You'd do that for me?"

"It's already decided. As long as I have life in me and the ability to save you, I will. Maybe by saving your life, I can finally redeem myself for killing your family all those years ago."

Kohta squeezed Lucy's hand as she held him. "You don't need to redeem yourself, Lucy. I forgave you, remember." He paused, gathering what little wind he had to speak again. "But I don't want to die now that I have you back. If it means I become like you, so be it. At least then, I'd be able to protect you and our family….You'll help me if…I become…like you…won't you?"

"Absolutely," Lucy whispered, tears dripping down her cheeks. "You saved me. Now I can return the favor. Myra, get that thing over here and let's get started."

A smile crossed Akira's face as Myra moved in. "I need you to lie down next to him, Lucy," Myra ordered. Mayu and Nana backed away, hope shining on their faces. Akira and Myra helped situate Lucy and Kohta. Before starting, she asked Akira, "Could you examine Lucy and tell me whether she has healed enough to do this?"

"Of course," Akira replied. "With your permission, milady…" Lucy nodded, starting to see Akira as a potential ally. He sent several of his vectors into her, checking her vitals. She felt a warm, tingling feeling as his vectors swept through her body. Yet, she guarded herself, spinning her vectors internally to make sure he didn't harm her. Seconds later, he retracted his vectors and she relaxed. "You still don't trust me, Lucy. I saw your vectors ready to attack while I probed you. I can see this is a big issue for you. But it doesn't surprise me. What did surprise me, Lucy, is that you're almost completely healed from your wounds and you have more than enough blood to save this young man. Your blossoming power is enhancing your healing abilities. Myra…you may proceed."

"Wouldn't you do the same if you were in my place?" Lucy demanded as Myra cleaned Lucy's left wrist with an alcohol pad.

Akira smiled pleasantly. "Of course I would, milady."

"Stop calling me that!" Lucy hissed, becoming irritated with the name. "My name is Lucy."

"As you wish, Lucy," he answered with a bow.

"Now this is going to pinch just a little as I insert the needle, Lucy," Myra said calmly, lining up the needle with the vein in her wrist. "Keep your hand relaxed while I insert the needle." Lucy gritted her teeth as she felt the pressure and pain from the needle, and then sighed once it was in. She turned her head to Kohta, seeing an ashened look coming over him. Myra secured the needle in Lucy's wrist before repeating the same operation on Kohta's right wrist. Once the needles were inserted, Myra opened the value on Lucy's IV, purging the air from the connecting tube before connecting it to Kohta and opening the valve on his end of the apparatus. After watching it closely for several moments to make sure the blood was flowing smoothly into Kohta, she said, "That's it. Now we wait."

"When do you know Kohta's received enough blood?" Nana asked.

"When his pulse and blood pressure stabilize," Myra stated. "Also, his color will improve and strength will return."

"How long will it take?" Lucy asked.

"He lost a lot of blood, so I don't know. Maybe twenty minutes to a half hour at the most. Then we'll stop and see how he is. We don't want to drain you of every drop. That'd be defeating our purpose here."

"I don't care if it takes all of it," Lucy snapped. "Do whatever it takes."

"Trust me, Lucy. This is going to work and both of you will live to see another day," Myra said with a smile.

"I'll stay to help monitor the lad," Akira offered.

"Thanks for the help. Now let me see to Aiko," Myra stated, patting Lucy gently on her right arm. "I'll be right here. Akira, could you assist me?" Akira nodded and walked over to Aiko as Myra examined her.

"If you're hungry, we have some food in a refrigerator toward the front of the RV," Akira offered to Mayu and Nana. "Please, help yourself."

The thought of food caused Mayu's belly to grumble loudly. "Maybe just a little something," she mumbled. "I haven't had anything to eat since early this morning. How about you, Nana…hungry?"

"No," Nana replied. "But I am a little thirsty."

Naomi smiled broadly, saying, "Follow me…I think we can find something for you." She gestured toward the front of the RV. Mayu and Nana hesitated.

"It's all right," Akira called out, noticing their hesitation. "Everyone in this RV is your friend. They won't hurt you."

"It's all right," Lucy said. "But stay together."

"Right," Nana and Mayu chimed in unison, following Naomi to the front of the bus.

Lucy became sleepy as her blood flowed through the apparatus into Kohta. She glanced over at him, seeing him asleep with a peaceful look and a complexion that wasn't quite as ashened color. She slid her hand to his, grasping it. "I'm here for you, Kohta," she whispered, unable to stem the tide of sleep overwhelming her. A warm darkness swallowed her mind as she fell into a deep slumber.

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A/N: I hope everyone liked the last chapter and this one. These two chapters are a kind of a unit. I also hope you liked the twist about Kohta getting Lucy's blood. That should prove interesting, given what Akira had to say about it. What will Lucy's blood really do to Kohta? Will it save him? Will it mutate him into a diclonius or will he become a hybrid like Kagami? Lots of new twists here with loads of potential to go both directions here. Keep reading to find out what happens. As always, reviews are welcome. When reviewing, be honest, but kind.

Beowulf Caverias