Well, this one came out a lot sooner than I expected, but so is inspiration. Granted, I've also taken an odd interest in Minecraft here recently, I've also been writing a lot more. Here, this one comes out to be over twenty-five pages long. I notice my chapters have increased significantly in length. That isn't a bad thing, right? And thank you all for the reviews! I'm glad I made you all happy to have uploaded again!
Frankenstein wasn't too happy that I skipped school. I couldn't explain myself, either.
What was I to say? 'Oh, I just wasn't feeling up to the task of facing the man I like when he clearly doesn't like me back.' He'd probably just tell me to get over myself and move on. There are people out there dealing with far more problems than hurt feelings.
Moreover, Frankenstein was even less happy when I skipped twice. He didn't necessarily notice the first day, it was the second day, when M-21 spoke up, that caught his attention.
It was toward the end of the second day that he approached me, we fought, then he basically stormed off, threatening me that if I should skip again without a legitimate excuse, he would remove me from my position with M-21.
Needless to say, I was 'eager' to return to school the next day to keep my seat alongside M-21. I wouldn't lose what little time I had with him.
The day seemed to drag on, with few interruptions between the many periods of boredom.
When Frankenstein called M-21 and I into his office, we were both cautious.
Frankenstein placed two cards on his desk. M-21 and I stared for a moment.
"What's this?" M-21 spoke before I could.
"My apologies, I thought I'd told you already. I made you a bank both bank accounts under fake names so that they couldn't be traced by," Frankenstein looked at M-21, "your organization. That's where I've been depositing each of your money."
"So this contains… my salary?" M-21 questioned, staring hesitantly down at his card.
"Yes. I only realized I hadn't told you two about the accounts when I saw you both weren't using your money. These cards are yours and you're free to withdraw money from your accounts. Did you think I was forcing you into unpaid labor?" Frankenstein directed this question to M-21, as I practically forced my labor unto Frankenstein.
"No, that wasn't it…" M-21 fell silent and seemed to be thinking. I took this time to grab my card, thank Frankenstein, and leave. No doubt my behavior was strange, but I was far too… apathetic to care in this moment.
I roamed around the campus grounds until PE class started, then I stood around and watched them. It wasn't much longer before M-21 appeared several feet beside me, keeping a distance. I silently thanked him for it.
He didn't say anything, and only stared before himself. Whether he was watching the students or thinking of something, I wasn't certain.
"Maybe I was telling that kid the truth. Maybe my job truly is my purpose for being here…" For a moment, I thought M-21 was talking to me, confiding in me. "Hah, what am I thinking…?" M-21 trailed off with a smile. It was a smile I hadn't seen on his face before. It dazzled me. The gentle, almost… relieved expression he held transfixed me, leaving me frozen, staring openly. This was only broken at the sound of a voice on the other side of M-21.
"You look well." The faculty member from earlier in the week was approaching us. "I remember when I first saw you. You seemed to think that you didn't belong here. You were cold and distant, like none of it had anything to do with you." He paused and smiled, before continuing. "I didn't realize you could smile like that .You finally seem like a living human being."
M-21's eyes widened in shock. I almost couldn't tell if he was happy or angry to hear those words, but I decided myself that he must have been happy. He seemed to have been enjoying himself in his current living situation.
I waited some time before I spoke. "I'm going to head home. I'm not feeling well." My words weren't a complete lie, as I wasn't feeling in complete health, but I mostly wanted to leave M-21 to himself. I wanted to put more distance between us; to become less of a nuisance, and not show him my feelings. I didn't want to be a burden. Not to him.
I didn't wait for M-21 to respond, to say goodbye, or wish me well. I simply turned and walked away from him, heading straight home.
When I made it home, I didn't stop until I was shut in my room and in front of my bed. I crawled in, immediately turned my back on the door and curled into a loose ball.
I fell asleep within minutes, not allowing my mind to think about anything but sleep.
When I woke, it was due to shouting.
"Seira, what are you saying?!" The loud, rather annoying-at this moment-voice of Regis shouted.
I groaned and slid off my bed, groggily working my way to my door. When I opened it, Regis continued on what seemed to be a rant.
"Why would I feel any emotion for that guy?" Regis sighed heavily. Was he talking about M-21? Speaking of, where was M-21?
"That guy?" Frankenstein questioned.
"Yes! That guy who lives here with us!" Regis 'explained'. He was definitely talking about M-21. "Don't misunderstand. I am not sulking. It doesn't matter to me that he was deceiving us."
"Deceiving us? What do you mean?" Frankenstein's voice held curiosity with a hint of anxiousness.
"He was only staying with you because of his mission." Regis spoke, his arms crossed.
I stepped forward from my doorway, ready to defend M-21. He was on no mission. He was no longer with the organization; he was fleeing from it. Regis was lying.
"Mission?" Frankenstein's voice held disdain now. All anxiousness was gone.
"I overheard him talking to his people." Regis continued. This sent me forward rapidly. I approached Regis with heavy feet, my posture intent on knocking him off his feet. The lying bastard.
Even as I continued my advance, seemingly oblivious to my approach, the two continued talking. Only for a moment.
"So… he was in league with them?" Frankenstein's voice lowered.
"Yes. We caught him with them. During their conversation, he let on that he was here on some sort of mission." Regis spoke.
"Where did he go?" Frankenstein pried.
"I don't know. He left with them.
At this point, the only two that seemed to notice my approach was Raizel and Seira, who said nothing. I made my approach to Regis, and punched him square across his jaw. While he did nothing more than step back a foot and hold a look of utter shock, I felt a ton better.
"You're lying!" I yelled, my voice not much louder than normal, but definitely emotional. "M-21 has no allies outside of us!" I spun around, voicing my distaste at Frankenstein for believing Regis. "You know M-21! You saw him betray the organization! You saw him work to protect his only other ally and fail! And you have the nerve to believe this lying brat?!" I pointed at Regis, who looked at me with shock and anger at calling him both a liar and a brat.
I turned to Raizel next. "You know M-21, too! You should know he wouldn't lie to us! He wouldn't lie to me… I would know if he was in alliance with the very organization who forced their experiments upon him! I would know!"
Before even considering waiting for a response, I spun around once again and ran as quickly as I could to the door to go find M-21.
"You let M-21 walk right into a trap, you stupid brat!" I shouted back, not bothering to shut the door behind me as I sped off into the night.
I searched blindly for what had to be hours. I found no luck and not a single trace of M-21. Oh, if only I could do what Frankenstein does.
What is that, 'sense' people or something? I can never… sense anything. I can only see things, small things that apparently no one else notices.
I was just about to give up and call a break when I could basically feel something hovering behind me. Just as I went to turn around, something made direct, forced contact with my left temple. My vision went black immediately. I fell forward, landing roughly on the ground before I felt consciousness slip away.
When I woke next, I groaned loudly. I sat up, rubbing at the ache in my head. While there was no definite source of pain, my entire head seemed to ache, and I could definitely tell why; as well as remember.
The crusted, dry blood on my left temple was all I needed to remember what had happened… however long ago now.
This realization that time had evaded me startled me into alertness. I jumped to my feet and looked around frantically. I was in a small, empty room, which had to be considered a big closet. It wasn't small enough to be an average closet, but too small to be any sort of livable room.
Before me was a door, made of what appeared to be a strong metal. Surely it would be no task for me. However, before I decided to all out kick the door down -seeing as a human could have been the one to have abducted me- I would test the doorknob.
To my surprising luck, the doorknob twisted. I pushed the door open slowly, and readily. I was ready to take on whatever was waiting for me on the other side.
I wasn't sure what I expected, perhaps a single man, two at most, but definitely not five different men. Most of all I didn't expect to see that purple-haired man from a few nights ago.
Apparently he didn't expect to see me, either, as he looked shocked to see me.
"M-miss? What are you doing here?" The purple-haired man stammered.
"I should be asking you that question. It was you guys that abducted me, thank-you-very-much. I sure as hell didn't come here willingly." I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at him, before eyeing the others around him. Each of these men stood to my right, so I turned to face them.
"Look, I really don't give a shit why you abducted me, but I have plans for the day, and would greatly appreciate if I could actually attend to them. So, if you don't mind…" I raised a hand halfheartedly at the men and started to my left, toward the door I saw when I walked out of the small room. Before I could take three complete steps, one of the men stepped before me.
This specific man was tall, definitely, and unbelievably hideous. His hair was somewhat long, black, wavy, and clearly in need of a wash. Or ten. I stepped back and glared up at him while he grinned down at me.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Sorry, allow me to rephrase my previous statement. I don't give a fuck if you mind or not, I'm leaving. I have no intentions of sitting around a room with a group of men. Some of which need to bathe once in a while." I curled my lip slightly and went to step around the man.
Again, I was interrupted. This time by a familiar voice.
"Mirai?" My head perked up immediately then flew to my left. There, on the ground, sat a beaten M-21. I made a move to run to M-21, but was thwarted when a sudden flash of movement caught me in the gut, I flew back several feet, barely managing to catch myself on my feet. I coughed several times before glaring furiously at the unbathed man.
"Mother fucker." I cursed, my voice spitting venom. I noticed, with hardly any concern, that I stood beside the purple-haired man now, who appeared to be distraught between helping me or remaining with his allies. I snickered at him and stepped toward the unbathed man. "I told you I was stronger than I looked, didn't I? If M-21 is here… then that means you all are no longer human. I have no need to restrain myself." I directed my words toward the purple-haired man even as I approached the assailant.
I sped at him, in what I hoped was an unexpected manner, and leapt up, aiming for a kick to his head.
It hit.
But he didn't even flinch. He didn't even blink. I landed on the man's back and jumped off, both throwing him forward slightly-due to the unexpectedness-and landing beside M-21.
"Hey. How you doin'?" I asked him. "'Been a while. How's the Union faring you?" I basically grinned down at him before kneeling. "I knew there was something wrong when Regis came home accusing you as a traitor." I whispered to him, allowing only him to hear. "I know you better than that. You wouldn't betray us. You sure as hell won't ever trust the Union again. I know that. Frankenstein doesn't seem to, however."
I quieted down when I noticed the approach of the purple-haired man.
His hand outstretched toward me, gaining my attention. I was ready to attack him, expecting him to do some sort of harm to me, but when I saw a bottle of water, I relaxed my frame.
"You should drink while you can." He nodded to us both. I realized M-21 already had a bottle of water himself. I took the bottle from the purple-haired man and drank a little, tasting with my tongue before swallowing. "Don't worry. I didn't put anything in the water. I know that most truth serums are ineffective against agents, even ordinary ones such as yourself. You were probably trained to leak false information in such situations. If you don't believe me, I can drink first." I scoffed at him.
"You don't need to go that far for someone like me." M-21 smirked lightly.
"I just don't like the fact that we're treating a fellow agent like this. That's all." The purple-haired man admitted. Oh, how humble. M-21, however, seemed openly shocked.
"What is she doing here, Krantz?" The purple-haired man turned and asked suddenly, facing the men behind him.
Whoever he addressed hesitated. "If you must know, Takeo, she was seen with M-21 on camera on multiple occasions. Right, Tao?" I glanced between the people as they were spoken to, in an attempt to learn their names. I examined this Krantz person, examining his stall stature, even taller than the unbathed man from before. He had a dark-gray hair color, styled back with two chunks hanging as bangs on either side of his eyes. He bore a scare over his nose and another on his right cheek. He was built, certainly, and looked overall stern. He appeared to be much older than the others in the room, around, perhaps, his mid-forties. He was old. Looking; old-looking.
"That is correct." Tao, a strange-looking man with a bowl-cut spoke. His hair was black, with a strange white streak on the right side. He wore a black shirt that showed one of his shoulders. His eyes were a light turquoise color and his overall style seemed much more… lax than the others around him. He appeared to be in his mid-twenties. I noticed, too, that his fingernails were painted black. How… strange. "Shark obtained her from the streets."
"That's right." I heard the grin in the unbathed man's voice, realizing immediately that this man must have been 'Shark'. I grimaced over at him.
"Oh, don't sound so proud of yourself, you sick bastard." I snickered sarcastically. "Really, you need to consider bathing." I could see, barely, the man, Tao, holding back a smile even as I stared defiantly at Shark.
"Mirai, enough." M-21 said sternly. His voice was thick. I turned my attention back to him and immediately went soft. Seeing him slightly beaten, though healed, bothered me.
I sighed and sat down beside him completely. "You have blood on your face." I stated blatantly.
"So do you." M-21 raised an eyebrow. I believe he may have smiled if we had been back home.
"Drink." Takeo said once again. "If you don't drink now, you probably won't have the chance to drink at all."
"Thanks." M-21 and I muttered. M-21 continued. "I don't know why you guys are doing this. If the Union finds out, they won't ignore it."
Takeo stared down at us. "We're just… following orders." His eyes closed, as though he actually regretted what he was doing. Does he?
M-21 raised the bottle to his lips and drank. I followed suit, making eye-contact with Krantz, who struck me as the leader of the group. I glared at him, daring him silently to try anything.
After a while, a few of the members went about their business, a few even leaving, Tao one of those that left. Shark followed after Tao a few minutes later. A fat guy, who's name I learned from M-21 as Hammer, also left.
According to Hammer, it was to search for more food. Considering his weight, I believed him.
Soon enough everyone returned, much to my dismay. While I was 'to remain untouched for the time being,' no one cared what happened to M-21, besides maybe Takeo, and me, of course.
"M-21, have you made a decision?" Shark questioned immediately upon returning with the others. Krantz, Shark, and Hammer all hung around us, forming a circle of sorts, while Tao sat back on a table behind them, and Takeo stood off a distance, leaning casually against a wall.
"I will cooperate." M-21 muttered.
"Such a shame, I was looking forward to persuading you." Shark grinned, staring down at M-21 as though he was nothing more than a punching bag.
"Disgusting, unbathed, freak." I snorted. He glared down at me. I could tell he simply wanted to pound at my body, beat it, smash it, kill me. But he knew he couldn't. I grinned and knew he knew I wasn't going to stop with my remarks.
"…On two conditions." M-21 continued suddenly.
"Conditions?" This sparked Krantz's interest, who noticeably perked.
"I also have something I want to know. I want you to find it for me." M-21 didn't make eye-contact with anyone, but kept his gaze forward as he spoke.
Shark started laughing, as though M-21 was suddenly the funniest guy in the world. "You insolent bastard..." Much to my own surprise, Shark suddenly lifted his leg and kicked M-21 in his shoulder, sending him back into the wall, which put a nice, little indent in it.
"Kah!" M-21 called out.
"You dare to ask for conditions? You useless lab rat! Why the hell would we listen to you, idiot?!" Shark continued to kick at M-21, which was doing nothing but pissing me off.
"M-21!" I called out, moving closer to him when Shark stopped his assault and leaned down. I moved partially in front of M-21 in an attempt to protect him. What other use could I possibly be of?
"Huh? Tell me!" Shark continued.
"…Because I can tell you… what you want to know." M-21's voice was somehow sturdy, regardless of his beating. His lip was bloodied, and his face looked dirty, with spots of dried blood here and there, as well as forming and already healing bruises.
Shark jumped up and drew his fist back, ready to hit M-21 again. I was prepared to move and take the hit myself. "You bastard, you think you can keep-!"
"Stop it, Shark." Krantz cut Shark off, causing Shark to stop mid-swing. "It was foolish of you to tell us that. We weren't certain you had the information we wanted. But now that we've confirmed you know something, we'll have to pry it out of you."
M-21 simply smirked. "Ah. Of course. I know the Union has its ways. And they don't care what those drugs do to a person, as long as it makes them talk."
I looked to M-21, almost to tell him to just talk. Don't take the drugs and hurt yourself, only to spill whatever information they wanted in the end. Don't hurt yourself over something possibly trivial. Shark spoke before I could.
"Hah, you fool. You knew that and you still told us? You must have been recycled as a low-ranking agent for being so stupid." Shark grinned.
"I'll just die." My head spun to M-21 upon hearing this.
"No!" M-21 ignored me.
"I have nothing to lose in this situation. You'll kill me anyway." M-21 leaned his head back against the wall behind him. He stared forward, his expression telling me everything. He was prepared to give up. To end it all. "Why don't we find out what's faster—your drug, or my suicide."
"Don't you dare!" I yelled at M-21, who lightly glared at me. I stared defiantly at him, angry that he would even say such things. "You're not killing yourself, you prick. Not unless you intend to take me down, too."
M-21 looked tired. Too tired to fight me on this, and instead sighed and returned his head back on the wall.
"What I want isn't even classified information. It will be a minor inconvenience, at most. But I'm the only person who can give you the information you require. It's not such a bad deal, is it?" M-21 explained. Though I was still beyond pissed that he was talking the way he was, I was curious on what information he wanted.
"Fine. Then talk." Krantz smirked.
"What? You're going to give him what he wants?" Shark questioned.
Krantz glared at Shark. "Shark, since when have I allowed you to question my decisions?" Shark avoided Krantz's stare. "M-21, what do you want to know?"
Avoiding anyone's gaze, M-21 spoke. "I want data about myself and the others who were modified with me, back when we were first enhanced."
"It's a shame, but we don't have that information. The deal is off." I could tell right away that Krantz was lying. He wouldn't make eye-contact, and appeared guilty. Over-acting can kill many things.
"I'm guessing that guy over there is Tao." M-21 spoke. "Wouldn't it be easy for him? Getting hold of experimental records kept somewhere in the Union database?"
Tao leaned forward, curious, then grinned. "Very clever…" He complimented.
"What is your second condition?" Krantz demanded.
M-21 glanced at me. "She is to remain untouched. If any harm comes to her, our deal is off."
Krantz seemed to have to think about this. What was there to think about? Jeez.
"Fine. Understood. So now that we've reached an agreement, why don't you tell us your information?" Krantz inquired finally.
"Before that…" M-21 paused. "I'm hungry. Why don't you get me something to eat?" I turned to M-21 curiously. Behind Shark, Takeo and Tao both laughed lightly.
"You… you dare?!" Shark grit his teeth.
"I told you I would cooperate. There's no reason for you to treat me badly." M-21 spoke casually.
"This bastard…" Shark trailed off.
"Hammer, give him something to eat." Krantz demanded.
"I don't want what you guys are eating. I want something else." M-21 said, looking even more tired than before.
"Something else?" Hammer questioned.
"Ramen." I actually laughed at this. At a time like this?
The room was silent for a moment.
"What? What's that?" Hammer asked, confused, which was completely surprising. The fat guy didn't know what ramen was? That was rather priceless.
"You can buy it at a nearby shop." M-21 spoke simply.
We ate, much to the annoyance of Shark. I enjoyed watching his annoyance.
At some point in time, after an uncertain amount of time, Krantz decided to move M-21 and I to someplace else.
I couldn't help but notice the absence of Takeo, however, and wondered where he'd gone.
When we arrived at the new building, Takeo still had not returned, and Tao moved himself to another room, while Shark, Krantz, and Hammer remained in the room with M-21 and me.
Shark proceeded to beat on M-21 for making a rather simple statement.
"Your brain must be fried. Care to say that again?" Shark kneeled down before M-21, questioning him.
"I said, first you hand over the reports I want." M-21 used what little energy he had to glare at Shark, who returned his annoyance with a kick to the face. Repeatedly Shark proceeded to kick M-21.
"For fuck's sake, Krantz, stop this lunatic! Do you want M-21 to die before you can get your precious information!?" I shouted at Krantz, balling hand hands into fists.
"You must be blind to the situation! I'm telling you to wake up already!" Shark shouted as he continued to beat M-21.
I sat beside M-21, pressing my hands to my face in anger. I could do nothing to help M-21 besides take the impacts for myself, but that would aid in his death faster, as the deal would thus be cut off. I could tackle Shark, but would I do anything but annoy him further? I could kick him. In his nasty sack. I certainly could. And I was just about to get up to do just that, when I was interrupted-twice in a row.
First was by M-21. "In any case… I can't tell you what I know first. You probably didn't have the information I need and you think I would simply hand mine over?" M-21 panted out, looking like complete hell.
My second interruption was much unexpected, as he'd remained out of the conflict until now. Hammer leapt forward and landed a kick of his own at M-21, sending him flying back against the wall behind him with a slam, followed by cracks of the wall cracking.
"Shark. Hammer."
I leapt up, enraged that it took Krantz so long to speak. I worked my way to Hammer, finding my rage having twisted its way to him.
"Krantz, don't stop us. You're going to let him be like that?" Shark said.
"I'm also thinking this has gone on long enough." Hammer spoke.
"That's not it. He needs to be alive." Krantz explained.
"Is that so… don't worry. We'll be 'careful'." Shark leered. Having made my way directly before Hammer, and preparing to deal a nice kick to his junk, I stopped at M-21's defeated voice.
"There's no need. Just kill me." I turned to M-21. He looked just as defeated as he sounded. While this upset me, this seemed to enrage the three others in the room. "I would be much easier for you to just simply kill me."
I stood speechless. So easily he was willing to give up. He was willing to throw away the life he was making.
"Alright, M-21. We will accept your condition." Krantz spoke finally.
"Krantz! What the hell are you saying?! Why do we have to listen to a guy like that?!" Shark questioned loudly. Obnoxiously so.
"Because we don't need to waste anymore time." Krantz answered.
"Even so, for a piece of trash like him…!" Shark started.
"Shark!" My body stumbled back at the force behind Krantz's words. I stumbled away from Hammer and the group, thankfully. "I'm getting tired of your whining." Shark backed down at long last.
"Ah… smart choice. The man you're investigating—Dr. Crombel. He's deceiving the Union. Despite what you may think, you won't easily find any dirt on him. Without the information I hold, your investigation will lead you nowhere. If you still think otherwise, go ahead and kill me."
Much to my audible relief, the three believed him. Thankfully, Shark and Hammer left after some time and went out to where, I couldn't care less.
I walked slowly over to M-21, not wanting to startle him while he had his eyes closed. Even slower, I sat down beside him, facing the opposite direction of him. I leaned against his shoulder and allowed my hair to block my expression from him, should he decide to open his eyes.
"You're an ass." I muttered.
He didn't respond immediately. "I know."
I moved myself onto my side and carefully positioned my head on his lap, facing his chest. I brought my hands up by his thigh and my chest to keep them warm in this cold room. My body curled up and moved as close to him as I would allow it without creating too much of an awkward situation.
"I'm sorry." M-21 spoke softly and placed a hand on my head. He stroked my hair gently and slowly. I pushed into his grasp.
"Please don't kill yourself. Please don't get yourself killed." I murmured so only he could hear. "Please. I don't want to lose all I have left." My voice cracked, but I was sure he heard me. I closed my eyes and focused on M-21. I focused on his existence, on his scent, on his entire being. I focused on the fact that he was alive and here. Alive, here, and allowing me to be this close to him. This in itself was a miracle for me. A wonderful miracle. I gripped onto his shirt and eventually lulled myself to sleep.
Sleep didn't last long, as Shark and Hammer soon returned, Shark making a loud fuss as usual, startling me awake.
Bang! "Fuck!" My body flew upright and away from M-21.I moved immediately away from him, unwilling to draw attention to my specific affections toward M-21 and have that used against either of us.
I realized those intentions were swindled immediately. Takeo and Tao were both in the room, each minding their own business. That, however, meant they had already seen my affections toward M-21. Tao didn't seem to care, and though Takeo didn't either, Takeo was facing our general direction. When I moved from M-21, he stood, carrying along with my intentions. He grabbed a char from before Tao and moved it several feet away before sitting in it.
I, on the other hand, moved into a comfortable position on the ground where M-21 just sat, laying on my side. I closed my eyes and listened to what Shark had to complain about.
"To have been beaten up by that little brat!" Shark seemed to be gripping onto something tight enough to crack it, though I had no interests in opening my eyes to see what.
"What happened?" Krantz asked.
"We were defeated." Hammer responded, sounding to be opening a bag of something. The fat bastard.
"Defeated? Seriously?" Tao asked, a hint of a smile sounding in his voice.
"We were beaten good." Hammer, surprisingly, admitted. I had to give him kudos for admitting defeat. It seems Shark can't admit defeat. Or won't. There's a difference.
"Hammer! Who said anyone lost! We haven't even taken D yet!" D? What's that? While I debated on what D could be, the two continued their loud conversation.
"That may be true, but both of us were helpless against him." Hammer said.
"If you hadn't made us retreat, we could've killed that brat!" Shark continued to shout.
"Hammer. Report what happened." Krantz ordered.
Hammer obliged. "We clashed again with the Noblesse we ran into before. We couldn't even make a stand against that brat before we were defeated."
Shark interrupted. "That's not what happened!" Krantz and Hammer ignored him.
"If we'd taken the D, we wouldn't have suffered defeat, but we couldn't win in our current condition and so called for a retreat." Hammer further explained.
"This Noblesse kid was that strong? But the guys from the past were nothing." Tao asked, curiosity hanging clearly around him.
"We were mistaken about the Noblesse. He was far superior to the guys from before. Maybe those guys only had the augmented power of modified humans. I don't think those guys were Noblesse." Hammer suggested.
"I remember the contents of a transmission that the Union sent us during our first mission. It said to avoid all conflict whenever possible with the Noblesse." Tao recalled.
"Hn. The situation wasn't as such the Union had to stress that. Even in our current condition, it wasn't as though we couldn't deal with that kid's speed and power. The problem was that one ability." Shark complained, attempting to justify his insignificance.
"Ability?" Tao questioned.
"That's right. When I met his gaze, my body froze up involuntarily. As though he commanded my body to stop… By the time I gathered enough strength to resist, it was too late to dodge his attack. I just barely avoided any fatal blows." Shark explained, seeming to recall the battle with… whoever. Though, if I had to take a guess, I would say he was talking about Regis. I wouldn't expect him to fight with an enhanced human, but then again, he might. He seems to hate them enough.
"Like Shark is saying, it looks like the Noblessse's unique ability is to attack the mind, using mind control. If felt like he commanded us to stop our actions. This power only limits our movements for an instant before we're able to resist it, and it isn't strong enough to completely control us, but if it's used appropriately during battle, it's a very dangerous ability." Hammer spoke. This was definitely starting to sound like Regis. Regis did have mind control. He used it on M-21, who was able to overcome it himself.
"For you to say it like that… Wow! That's awesome. Using such an ability…" Tao praised Regis.
"Hn. Nothing awesome about it. If we weren't under the restrictions, it's nothing. That kind of ability wouldn't work if we could take the D." Shark further complained.
M-21 released a soft chuckle.
"Eh? Are you laughing right now?" Shark's face contorted, further unflattering his already unflattering face.
M-21 grinned. "Ah, sorry. But the conclusion is that you and Hammer were both defeated by that kid, isn't it?" Before I could even react, Shark suddenly launched at M-21, forcing him back out of his chair and against the far wall behind him by his neck. M-21, no doubt, expected such a reaction; or at least a reaction.
"Now that I think about it, you two know each other. What's your relationship with that kid? Does he have anything to do with the mission that Dr. Crombel gave you?" Shark demanded, still holding M-21 by the throat. M-21 glowered down at Shark.
"Like I said, if you want to get the information from me, you guys have to get me what I want first." M-21 reminded Shark.
"You bastard!" Shark shouted, gripping tighter at M-21's neck.
Through Shark's grip, M-21 looked down at Shark with a distinct look of disdain. "Nowhere better to vent after getting beat by a little kid?" Shark's eyes widened with rage. Having fought the urge to run to M-21's side for long enough, I jumped up, knowing full well Shark wouldn't take M-21's words lightly. I observed closely, realizing soon enough that he definitely did not take M-21's words without a response.
Shark released M-21's neck, and using the same hand, punched M-21 in the guy with enough force to send him tumbling to the ground. M-21 fell to his side, using his upper arm to keep him somewhat upright.
"We give you space and you just keep getting cockier! I'll fix that shitty attitude of yours once and for all!" Shark claimed, throwing off the long jacket covering his upper torso. Lifting his leg, Shark started to hound at M-21's side. At this, I started forward. "You thought we'd let you go on like that, just for a few pieces of information?! I'll kill you and renew our investigation!" Still, he continued to kick at M-21.
"Shark." Krantz murmured, his voice barely audible. This enraged me. He should be trying harder to keep M-21 alive!
"Don't stop me!" Shark shouted between kicks. "Just don't kill him, right?!"
"Dammit, Krantz! You useless son-of-a-bitch! I don't give two fucks that M-21 may have wounded your precious pride! Keep your hostage alive!" I shouted, resuming my approach to M-21. Krantz simply followed my gaze, not caring to stop Shark.
Through my shouting, I heard M-21 laugh lightly.
"You're still laughing?!" Shark flinched, enraged further.
"I'll omit once piece of info." M-21 announced. This stopped Shark in his tracks.
"What're you blabbering about?" Shark demanded.
"I can't just ignore it when you've laid a hand on me. I'll leave out a piece of the information you guys want." M-21 threatened, smirking.
"What?!" Shark exclaimed.
"Well, I could also lie about one of the things I'll tell you." Didn't he know this tactic would eventually wear out? He couldn't keep relying on the idea that that desperately wanted this information. I heard Tao muttering behind me that he was rather impressed with M-21's 'guts'.
"You think, with that attitude of yours, that we'll just hand over what you want?" Shark questioned.
"Think whatever you want." M-21 paused just as I reached a few feet from him, more-or-less behind Shark. "The fact that you will never get a piece of the information you guys need… is all thanks to you, Shark." Before Shark could even react, I launched myself between M-21 and Shark, ready to take the blow I was certain was to follow.
"Running your mouth again?! Just die!" Shark shouted, bringing his fist back just as I leapt forward. Krantz interrupted just in time, even as I stared at Shark directly, daring him to bring his fist down.
"Shark. From now on I will not tolerate you laying a hand on M-21." Shark immediately halted in his movements.
"Krantz!" Shark flinched when he looked back at Krantz, but quieted down. He lowered his fist in defeat.
M-21 stood behind me, briefly placing a hand on my middle, upper-back before continuing forward. I blushed at his touch and lowered my head. Was that the first time he directly touched me?
He continued forward until he reached the chair he previously sat in. He placed it properly on the ground and sat in it, leaning forward on the back of the seat. He remained silent for a moment. "I'm hungry. Get me some ramen. Hey, Shark. You make it."
"What did you say?!" Shark yelled.
"You should know how that works, since you watched last time. If you don't know, instructions are on the back. Make sure to do the cooking. Do a good job and I'll forget this little episode." M-21 smirked and glared at Shark.
Shark did nothing other than grind his teeth and submit. What choice did he have? I, of course, made sure to humiliate him further. He very nearly got around to beating 'some sense' into me, but M-21 ever-so-kindly reminded him of the conditions of the contract.
Much like before, Shark and Hammer left, heading god-knows-where.
I remained where I sat, and M-21 where he sat. Krantz eventually left the room, probably not going far, giving Tao and Takeo strict orders to watch us. Oh, I was sure they would.
After a while, M-21 spoke. To me. "Mirai, come over here." I did as M-21 asked, slowly climbing to my feet before padding lightly beside him, then allowing myself to just collapse back to the ground, sitting on my legs. "You alright down there?"
I shook my head, making the headache I felt forming feel worse. I leaned my head against M-21 and moaned lightly. "I don't feel well." I admitted.
This seemed to grab the attention of Takeo, who's eyes opened to stare at M-21 and me.
"What's wrong?" M-21 asked after a moment.
"Simply put, I have a headache and I feel weak. Weaker than normal." I whispered, hoping only he could hear. Surprising me to the point that my body actually flinched, M-21 placed a hand on my shoulder farthest from him and pulled me closer to him.
He leaned toward me slightly and whispered lightly. "Stay near me. I feel better having you nearby." I was surprised at how quickly I could feel the blush spread through my entire face at M-21's words. My head flew straight down, hiding the redness from everyone. The movement caused a moment of pain in my right temple, but disappeared just as quickly as it came. I nodded lightly, silently accepting M-21's request. We remained beside each other for a long time before Krantz came inside, ordering us, all of us, including Takeo and Tao, to follow him.
Tao seemed annoyed to have been taken away from his laptop. "Man… why are those two making us come here? So troublesome. There's still a lot of work to do. Krantz, did Shark and Hammer tell you what this is about?"
Krantz didn't bother to respond, as he walked before Tao, Takeo, and me. M-21 was kept at Krantz's side to ensure he didn't attempt anything. I, however, trailed behind the group, finding it odd that no one bothered to keep an eye on me. Every now and then Takeo would look back to ensure I was following.
"Che. How irritating." Tao sighed.
Before long, we stopped in front of a door. Krantz opened it and I strained to look over everyone's shoulders to see what was inside.
"Yo, comrades, you're here?" Shark's voice held a grin. "Welcome!" He laughed, swinging his arms out wide beside him. We all stopped dead in our tracks, shocked. Before Shark, laying on the cold ground, were Regis, Shinwoo, Yuna, Ikhan, and Suyi. I started forward, moving around the four before me. They were too shocked to move, but I was more determined to keep them safe.
Though I wasn't very fond of the kid, seeing Regis beaten and cuffed was not a pleasant sight. I hated these people more than I did Regis. Shark glowered down at me, thinking himself victorious even as I stood amongst the unconscious bunch. I glared furiously at Shark.
"How dare you bring my friends into this." My voice grew darker than I recognized. I could feel my skin bristling, wanting nothing more than to tear this man to shreds. Of course, I knew I wasn't strong enough for such a task, but anger can… blur the mind.
Before I could consider which action I wanted to take against Shark, Krantz spoke.
"What is this? These children…" Krantz questioned, unsure as to what exactly these children represented. I, myself, was uncertain as to why the others, excluding Regis, were here. They were most likely caught up in the wrong situation.
"I told you before, right? This kid is a Noblesse. He was with the other children." Shark kicked at Regis's shoulder, angering me further. I kicked at Shark's foot as he drew it back and turned to Krantz. He didn't see the action. This infuriated me further.
"He's young." Krantz commented halfheartedly.
"Isn't he? He's more impressive than he looks." Shark finally admitted. "But you know what's really interesting? Those three over there are the kids that Takeo and Tao contacted." Shark flicked a finger over his shoulder at the kids behind him. Which three kids was he talking about? "Isn't it a fascinating coincidence?" Shark grinned wide.
I glanced up at Tao and Takeo to find them just as enraged as I was to find Shark having brought the children here. M-21 was just as surprised as I was to hear those two had contact with the kids.
"What does that have to do with the children being here?" Takeo worked to hide his displeasure with Shark. His voice was tense.
"I told you. They were with the Noblesse. I needed them to catch this brat." Shark spoke, gesturing to Regis. "Things turned out well. I can dispose of all of them without having to go through the trouble of hunting them down separately…"
Takeo's expression changed to a glare more furious than my own. "Hunting them down separately? What are you talking about?"
"It means I was going to eliminate those kids anyway. Since they made unnecessary contact with you." Shark explained, finding enjoyment in Takeo's anger.
"You were going to eliminate those children just because I made contact with them?" Takeo demanded.
"You're asking because you really don't know? I've always done this." Shark grinned, his eyes taunting.
"You've always done this? You didn't…" Takeo trailed off, confused and disbelieving. I understood quite immediately, I thought. Beside Takeo, Tao lowered his head.
"If you're confused, I'll explain. Takeo, every person that you've ever met is no longer of this world anymore." Takeo's eyes widened in anger. "Just for a bit of fun? To save their lives? Whatever the reason, I've eliminated all of those you've contacted during a mission. Innocent people have died because of you. Did you know?" Shark paused. "Still, thanks to you, at least I haven't been bored!" Shark laughed, finding joy in his sick doings.
Takeo stared at Shark in blatant disbelief. Takeo shouted out, starting forward at Shark. Krantz lifted an arm to stop him.
"Takeo. Stop!" Krantz shouted, to which Takeo listened with a light glare.
"Krantz, you're stopping me again?! I have to still put up with that bastard doing as he pleases?! Takeo and Krantz both glared at each other.
"Takeo, aren't you misunderstanding something? Everything was done with Krantz's approval." Shark reminded Takeo.
Takeo stopped struggling to get at Shark. "What?" Takeo looked over at Krantz.
"Like Shark has said, he has acted on my orders." Krantz glowered down at Takeo, silently demanding obedience.
"What are you saying?! Why did you…?!" Takeo trailed off, unable to form a complete sentence in his rage.
"Did you forget that keeping the organizations' secrets is of the utmost priority?" Krantz growled.
"But… I… I've never done or said anything that would be problematic for the organization. No, those people didn't even know I was from the Union." Takeo defended.
"None of that matters. Coming into contact and conversing with you is in and of itself reason enough to eliminate them." Takeo grit his teeth at Krantz's words.
"Takeo, you're not the only one who wants to make friends but can't, so don't feel so bad." Shark laughed, enraging Takeo, and even me. If I'd had something to throw at that very moment, I'd have thrown the heaviest thing I could find at the back of Shark's head.
…Repeatedly.
"Takeo. I will not tolerate anymore such foolish actions." Krantz declared, using that obnoxious authoritative tone.
"Yeah, you should listen to him. What will happen to your sister if you fool around? Something bad might happen…" Shark grinned, placing a hand on his hip.
Takeo flinched noticeably and stalked out of the room, cursing.
"What an irritating bastard…" Shark complained, practically prancing over to Tao. To suck up to him. "Tao, it couldn't be helped. I wanted to leave out the kid with the glasses, but he was with the Noblesse, so…" He trailed off. "You understand, right?" Tao eyed Ikhan, working to keep a straight face. I wondered what Takeo and Tao's connections were with the kids. He remained silent.
"Shark, why did you bring the children here instead of eliminating them?" Krantz asked.
Deciding I didn't care to follow this conversation with my immediate attention anymore, I kneeled down beside Regis, gently searching his body for any particularly bad wounds.
While he had several scrapes and bruises, which were already healing, he didn't seem to have endured any particular injuries. The most annoying thing was his restraints. When I attempted to pull at them, they did little more than seem to sap at what little energy I had.
"Ah, I still have some use of them." Shark's footsteps drew near to me, causing me to look up. He was standing at the head of Regis. "M-21. What's your relationship with this kid?" Shark nudged at Regis's head with his foot again. I can't necessarily say gently, as Shark is far from gentle, but he didn't do it with force. I swiped at his foot, managing a hit this time. He definitely reacted, by retracting his foot to his other.
"You keep making me repeat myself. Didn't you ask me that before?" M-21 huffed with a smile. "I already told you to get me the appropriate information if you want something from me."
"Ah, M-21, now is not the time to be stubborn. Think about-" Shark cut me off.
"Ah, you did say that." The tone that filled Shark's voice bothered me. He sounded to be planning something that would surely piss me off. And make M-21 regret his words. "Then I can ask them personally what your relationship is…" As if he expected the children to wake, they started to stir. "Eh? The kids are starting to wake!" Shark feigned confusion.
Shinwoo and Ikhan sat up first, followed by Yuna and Suyi. Regis remained unconscious.
"Ugh, my head…" Ikhan rubbed at the back of his head. Beside him, Shinwoo moaned as he leaned forward. M-21 turned from the children, unwilling to be seen and recognized. I, however, had no reason to hide. I was kidnapped, too. Well, so was M-21, but what could he say that wouldn't get the children hurt in his defense?
Shark couldn't contain his disgusting 'excitement'. "Iya, students! You're all awake?" His voice held an odd ring to it. Shinwoo seemed to think his situation through as he glanced around the room. After a few seconds, he seemed to come to his conclusion. Whatever it was, although most likely accurate, he seemed tense as he examined each of the kidnappers. "What a nice country! Boys and girls here must eat well and live well, to have faces with such luster. Especially the girls…" I jumped up at this and bound between Shark and the girls.
"You will not touch them. You understand?" I threatened with a growl. "I'll ensure that one personally. I'll take care of you personally if you so much as lay a hand on these girls."
"M-Mirai?" Yuna murmured from behind me.
I was about to respond when Shinwoo shouted from behind Shark, jumping up. "That bastard!" Shark turned to glare at Shinwoo for a moment.
"Who are you, Ajussi?" Yuna asked, Suyi looking especially nervous behind her. Yuna didn't seem as scared. I wondered it if was instincts from her previous kidnappings. "Why did you bring us here?"
"You've a pretty face and you know your way with words!" Shark smirked, eyeing Yuna in a manner that displeased me. Shark's attention was changed to Ikhan.
"Regis!" Ikhan shouted. "He's injured, too! Regis, wake up!" Shinwoo slid a hand beneath Regis's head and raised it slightly. Gently, Ikhan shook Regis. Shinwoo turned his attention to Regis and Ikhan, believing me trustworthy enough to protect Yuna and Suyi. "Wh-what is this?" Ikhan made a gesture at Regis's bound wrists.
Behind me, the girls started to tear up. Gently, I kneeled before them. "Don't cry. You'll only excite him. Don't. Cry." I ushered gently, but strictly. "Be brave for those three. They'll need it."
"How noisy… He's unconscious, not dead, so shut up." Shark growled, his teeth grit. Of course, by this time, the only one of the four not crying, was Shinwoo. He was notably aggravated, however. Ikhan looked up, only to jump up.
"Oh! Hyung?" Ikhan's voice was quiet. "Hyung, it's you, right?"
Putting two-and-two together, I realized Ikhan was addressing Tao. Tao hesitated before lifting his head and offering a solemn smile. "Ah… I didn't think we'd meet again so soon."
Shark suddenly burst out laughing, rudely interrupting the moment. "Did you hear that?! The kid's calling Tao 'hyung'!" This seemed to humor both Hammer and Krantz, too. I was thoroughly disgusted with this bunch.
"Tao? Is that Hung's name?" Ikhan asked.
"Yeah." This seemed to make Tao more nervous. Why?
"Hyung, what in the world is happening? Why are we here?" Ikhan further questioned, hoping for answers he would likely never receive.
"Ikhan, you know that person?" Yuna asked from behind me.
"Y-yeah. He's a Hyung I met once…"
"What's a person you know doing here? They're the ones who brought us here, right?" Suyi spoke up.
"Yeah, I brought you. Quite a few of you… I've gone through quite a bit of trouble." Shark seemed to be looking for sympathy. Did he expect to get it from those he kidnapped?
"Why the hell did you bring us here?" Shinwoo asked, a protective look gracing his features.
"Ah, Shinwoo, you should watch what you say in front of the unbathed man…" I stated perhaps a little too late.
Before I could react to Shark's movements, Shinwoo's head was beneath Shark's foot.
"Shinwoo!" Ikhan and I both shouted, starting forward to aid him.
"Impudent little kid… why should I tell you that? Am I supposed to answer if you ask? Huh?" Shark pressed his heel down against Shinwoo's head, causing him to wince.
Yuna and Suyi both shouted in protest.
I, however, kneeled back down beside Regis and grabbed his shoulders. I shook him. "God damnit, Regis! If you're planning on waking up, now is the time to do it! I'm not strong enough to protect these kids!" I shouted at him.
He barely made a movement before suddenly sitting upright. I released my grip on his shoulders and moved back.
"It's loud…" Regis stated. I noticed the startled expressions of most of those in the room. "I can't even sleep properly because it's so loud."
"Regis!" Ikhan yelled, relieved to see him up.
"You're up earlier than I expected. Maybe because you're Noblesse, your recuperative power seems impressive." Shark complimented Regis.
"Hn. This isn't worth making a fuss over. More importantly… I suggest you move that foot. Do you really want to harass powerless children like that?" Regis threatened.
"Ahh… Just teaching him some manners, since he was acting so brazenly. This is fortunate." Shark removed his foot from Shinwoo and turned away from him. Ikhan made haste with aiding Shinwoo. I stood on the other side of Shinwoo, hovering protectively over the human children. "Since you've woken, let me ask you a few questions." Shinwoo groaned from the pain. Ikhan responded with worry. "M-21."
I looked over to M-21 to see what his reaction was. He'd remained silent through this ordeal thus far. He stiffened before reluctantly turning to face us. He kept his expression as emotionless as he could at the moment, and succeeded fairly well.
"Ajussi?!" Ikhan yelled in surprise. Each of the children expressed their own form of surprise. This also drew the attention of Shark and Krantz, who weren't aware of their familiarity.
"What the… These kids also know M-21?" Shark grinned. M-21 remained silent, finding the situation to be tense.
Oh, this was sure to be a fun time. What will we all do now?
Well... I'm exhausted. It's nearly two in the morning for me and I DO have class tomorrow. Time for bed and more writing tomorrow! I hope you all enjoyed this long chapter. I look forward to any comments!