Hello everyone and welcome to the next chapter! Only one more chapter for this arc left! Is anyone as excited as I am? Cause I've been wanting to share that chapter (among many others that remain unwritten) with you all!
In any case, thanks to all 12 followers, 9 favorites and 828 readers! That's all I have to say for now, so enjoy the chapter!
Half a century ago, Adolf K. Weissman had ascended to the sky on the Himmelreich, leaving behind his friend, Lieutenant Daikaku Kokujoji, and his little sister, Carina Weissman. He still remembered, vividly, his exact thoughts as he left the world behind.
From now on, I'll be on my own. Goodbye for now, Cari, Lieutenant.
Then, aloud, he had made a wish, one he wanted to come true despite the overwhelming sadness that encompassed him at the thought.
"Perhaps, someday, we'll meet again."
For half a century after that moment, Adolf had not descended the skies. He kept in contact with his family, even saw them on occasion, but he never left the safety of the skies. If he were to do that, he'd be reminded of his predicament, of his immortality and the all-encompassing sadness and pain that brought him, and he'd have to face the pain of forming bonds only to have them broken.
But now, here he stood, as Adolf K. Weissman and Yashiro Isana, descended from the sky, memories intact and new bonds formed.
But instead of pain…Shiro only felt happiness and a new sense of purpose. Time, which had stood still for him for so long, had finally started moving again, even if only a little.
And he was back at the beginning, once again, with people he loved and trusted by his side.
"The Silver King?" Kuroh repeated, wonder in his voice.
"That's you?" Neko asked.
"Yes, that's me. But at the same time, I'm still Yashiro Isana." Shiro smiled. "The truth of the matter is, nothing's really changed."
"That's Uncle Adi for you!" Kristopher grinned. "Daddy and him were great friends!"
"Cause the two of them have the exact same personality." Leoda shook her head.
"And I think quite a few things have changed for your friends here, Adi." A voice said, causing the five to turn only to see the rest of the Marked approaching them.
"Oh come on, Kazuma, that isn't true." Shiro shook his head at his brother-in-law.
"Really?" Kazuma raised an eyebrow skeptically. "You don't think you suddenly having quite a good sized family is a big change."
"It just means I told one less lie when Kuroh and I met!" Shiro grinned.
"One less lie?" Haru questioned, crossing his arms. Even Rae looked confused, and Shiro knew she could deduce almost anything thanks to her Sight.
"Your little sister!" Kuroh gasped in realization.
"That's right." Shiro nodded. "The story I told you, about the sick little sister, was true all along. You even met her, here at the school."
"Mrs. Saisho!" Neko gasped, eyes widening. "That means the nice Miracle Lady is your sister, Shiro?"
"Yes, she is, and she's also the reason all these people are here." Shiro confirmed as he gestured to his family.
"Now that all that straightening out is done, why don't you tell us what the hell happened to you so we can go beat up the Colorless King, Uncle?" Hilda suggested, a slasher smile growing on her face.
"Hilda!" Tsuki scolded her daughter, who simply shrugged, but lowered her still-sheathed sword.
"I think we'd all like an explanation for that too." Rae added in agreement.
"Grandmother's still gonna kill you when she gets a hold of you." Leoda stated.
"Don't I know it." Shiro sighed before he launched into his explanation.
"I see, so that's when you swapped bodies?" Kuroh asked when Shiro finished his story.
"Yes. Though it was more like him snatching my body then us swapping." Shiro nodded. "But in spite of all his power, he couldn't take over my heart and soul. That's the strength of being the Silver King."
"Curious…" Rae mumbled as her eyes flash gold.
"You may very well be right; the Silver King is eternal. His power can't be harmed or destroyed." Kuroh agreed before his eyes widened in realization. "That must be it! The Colorless King's ability: the power to affect other Kings."
"When my power of inviolability clashed with his power to affect other Kings, the result was mixed." Shiro nodded as he acted out said clash with his hands. "Sure, he took over my body, but he failed to capture my power."
"Which resulted in something he probably didn't anticipate." Rae picked up. "With no place else available, your soul escaped into the body the Colorless King abandoned, and along with that, your powers came as well."
"That explains why your aura was so muted when I saw you the first time." Leoda realized as she stepped in front of Shiro. "I could tell you were Uncle Adi since there was the faintest trace of silver on you, but it was so much dimmer than I'd ever seen it before."
"That's correct. My amnesia was also the result of that transition." Shiro confirmed.
"I see! That explains why you didn't get hurt when you fell so very far from the sky!" Neko jumped in as she clung to Shiro's arm. She then pulled back his jacket and showed the rip in his shirt. "No scar!"
"That means…he murdered Tatara Totsuka specifically so he could put the blame on you." Kuroh pieced together.
"It was all part of his master plan." Shiro agreed.
"But he didn't count on Tatara being one of the Marked." Shinji spoke up, allowing the green bandana tied around his left wrist to slip down a little, revealing the Mark on his arm.
"What?" Kuroh and Neko asked in unison, surprised.
"Of course…" Shiro whispered. "Tatara's Sight…he could see…"
"The distinct aura of someone who wished to cause harm." Tatara's voice said and everyone turned to see his spirit, holding his son's hand. Tatara smiled sadly. "Hi everyone."
"You idiot…" Leoda whispered as she moved towards her husband's spirit and gently hit his chest with her fist.
"So…you knew the Colorless King wanted to kill you?" Neko questioned.
"I saw the aura that indicated that, yes." Tatara nodded. "He was clever at masking it, so I didn't notice until it was almost too late."
"It was lucky Tatara acted in time." Haru said, pushing his glasses up as his doctor persona came forth. "If he had been any slower in reacting, he would've died. I was able to save him, thankfully."
"Then why is he like this?" Shiro asked. "Unless…"
"A King's aura was implanted in the bullet shot at him." Kazuma confirmed. "Not even Daikaku could determine which King it was, so Suoh decided to go take out the Colorless King himself."
"The Colorless King…" Kuroh growled, anger on his features.
"I can tell you he's jumped from body to body many times before." Shiro added. "He's already discarded my original body and has moved on to another."
"We have to find Kukuri then!" Kuroh insisted.
"We've got to save her." Shiro agreed. "Can I count on you to help me?"
Though he expected it, it still made him feel warm when everyone nodded.
"So, Uncle, what plan do you have with the highest probability to work out?" Shinji asked with a smirk.
"Hmm…" Shiro hummed as he watched the probabilities appear as he thought of the best plan to use. "How about this…"
Kristopher was giggling like crazy as he floated beside his great-great-uncle. Whenever he'd seen Uncle Adi before, the man had always shown off his ability to float to Kristopher's delight.
The boy had asked him every time if he could do it to, but Uncle Adi had always said no, that it was too dangerous.
But now he was actually doing it and it was great! Or rather, he was being guided by his daddy while he floated along. Flying wasn't easy, Kristopher admitted, but it was so much fun!
"Careful, Kristopher, don't float away." Uncle Adi warned.
"I won't, Uncle!" Kristopher grinned. "Keep me safe, Daddy!"
"I will, bud, don't worry." Daddy laughed.
"Look! There's Ms. Seri!" Kristopher pointed. "Can we show her how we're flying, Uncle Adi?!"
"I think she's exactly who we're looking for." Uncle Adi smirked, "Follow me, mein junge." Kristopher nodded as he followed, with Daddy's help. "As I recall, you're one of the people in charge of Scepter 4, right?"
Ms. Seri looked up then and Kristopher grinned as he waved at her.
"Hi, Ms. Seri! I'm floating!" He giggled happily.
"Have you got a minute? I'd like to talk." Uncle Adi asked Ms. Seri, who looked surprised.
"Hold it right there!" Ms. Seri demanded, hand on her sword. "First you kill Tatara Totsuka, then you kidnap his son. Have you no shame?!"
"Bear with me, if you would." Uncle Adi smiled, cutting off Kristopher's protests that Daddy would be just fine and that Uncle Adi hadn't kidnapped him. "It's been a while. This could take me a bit to get used to again. Come on, Kristopher, don't stay up there, it isn't safe."
"Oh, fine." Kristopher huffed as he floated down with Daddy's guidance. He then turned his puppy dog eyes onto Ms. Seri. "Please don't be mean, Ms. Seri, you don't know the truth yet."
Neko seemed to agree as she hissed at Ms. Seri.
"Trying to trick me again with another illusion?!" Ms. Seri demanded before she swung her sword.
"No!" Kristopher gasped, only for the sword to stop instead of hurting Uncle Adi, who simply smiled as his silver aura went from him to Ms. Seri.
Without a word, Uncle Adi gave the slightest push and Ms. Seri was floating. Kristopher's eyes widened in awe as Uncle Adi then gave him a tiny push up to join Ms. Seri before he and Neko joined them.
"Don't worry, you're really in no danger." Uncle Adi reassured. Kristopher had to admit, Ms. Seri did look scared. "All I did was tune into the spectrum of your biological wave, which is synced to the Blue clan, and synced it to my own, which is Silver. In other words, as my temporary clansman, I've given you the ability to access the Silver Sanctum's power to manipulate gravity."
"I still don't understand all that, but isn't it cool, Ms. Seri?" Kristopher grinned happily. "Daddy and Neko find it cool too!"
"That's right, Krissy!" Neko grinned at him before glaring at Ms. Seri again.
"Put me down!" Ms. Seri demanded.
"Aw, why?" Kristopher whined as Uncle Adi laughed.
"Take it easy." Uncle Adi smiled. "It's time to go."
"Yay!" Kristopher cheered as silver surrounded him and Daddy and whisked them away to meet with Gram.
"Are you sure about this, Totsuka?" Yatogami asked as the two approached the massive clash of clans.
"Of course. I'll do my part. Besides, I have some sway in both clans, I can help." Leoda insisted.
"Very well then." Yatogami agreed and the two silently walked into the courtyard.
As soon as they reached it, a Red clansman charged at them. With barely a sweat, Yatogami threw the clansman back and Leoda had a sunflower dagger pinning him down. That certainly drew the eyes of both clans to them.
"It's that guy!" Enomoto cried. "And Leoda! Why would she be with him?"
"The one from the stadium!" Hidaka added. "Let's find out!"
Together, Red and Blue clansmen charged at the two. Neither Leoda nor Yatogami reacted as they were surrounded. Instead, they stood back to back and activated their auras as one.
Colorless sent the front clansmen flying and Gold sent the back clansmen to the ground.
"What the hell!? Black Dog!" Yata yelled as he noticed the two. "Leo! What the hell are you doing with him!?"
"I need everyone to stop fighting and listen!" Leoda ordered. "I am speaking as both fourth-in-command of HOMRA and the sister of fourth-in-command of Scepter 4! Yatogami is speaking on behalf of the First King, the Silver King, Adolf K. Weissman!"
"We are speaking to both clans!" Yatogami proclaimed. "On orders of the First King, the Silver King, you are hereby commanded to cease fighting immediately!"
"Get out of here, why should we listen to you?" Yata scoffed. "My King is the Red King, Mikoto Suoh, and no one else! I don't give a shit about Silver and I won't listen to anyone besides Mr. Mikoto and Mr. Kusanagi, especially when Leo's working with you, Black Dog!"
The rest of HOMRA cheered in agreement. Leoda bit her lip. She knew this would happen when she supported her family over her chosen clan, but still…it hurt.
"That's right! Blue King Reisi Munakata is the only leader members of Scepter 4 will accept orders from! We obey no other King!" Himori added. "And Leoda, you have no authority to override our previous orders!"
Leoda bit her lip harder. She knew her brother was doing this because he was under orders to. Unlike her, he couldn't go against his orders because a King higher then his was at work. But that didn't mean his inability to show support to her didn't hurt.
"Yatogami…" She whispered, her voice unwillingly showing her hurt. And damn it all, it didn't help that she was pregnant too while this was going on!
"Let me ask you this:" Yatogami spoke, understanding her meaning without further explanation. "if you all are so determined to carry out this fight to the finish, do you really know the true intentions of both Kings? Why did the Red King, Mikoto Suoh, take over this island? And why isn't the Blue King, Reisi Munakata, taking command of the fight himself? Why are those two off trying to settle their fight right now and doing it without bothering to involve their loyal troops? Even though your Kings may have ordered you to fight, we urge you to lay down your weapons and wait for your Kings' next orders."
Slowly, Red and Blue clansmen lowered their weapons and Yatogami and Leoda relaxed…until Leoda caught movement and jumped back, out of the line of fire as Fushimi attacked Yatogami.
"Shut your mouth, you stray dog! You don't give orders here!" He snapped.
"Yatogami!" Leoda cried in warning, giving him time to avoid Yata's attack on his other side.
"I hate to admit it, but the monkey's right! There's no reason to trust anything you have to say! You've obviously brainwashed Leo if she's helping you too!" He shouted. "Bastard!"
"So be it. I never really expected to settle this battle with words alone." Yatogami agreed.
"Saruhiko, as much as I love you as my son, and Yata, as happy as I am that you and Saruhiko are on the same page for once instead of fighting, I can't stand down. I won't." Leoda stated, daggers appearing in her hands.
"Who wants to be first?" The two demanded in unison.
Carina was finally dry eyed in her office as they heard the news that Kuroh and Leoda were attacking in the courtyard. She was silent, however, as Kusanagi mused that the kid in the video, the Colorless King, must also be here. She didn't move either, when Anna opened the window.
She only moved out of the way as four figures flew through said window moments later.
"Coming through!
"Mwaa!"
"Aaaah!"
"Wheee!"
Carina only stared down as the boy known as Yashiro Isana leaned against her desk, Kristopher in his lap, while Neko and Awashima laid on the floor.
"That hurt." The boy said before he smiled at Kusanagi. "Hi. Hope you don't mind."
Safe to say, Kusanagi was shocked, as was Akagi.
"Hey, what the hell? What are you guys doing here?" Said clansman asked, horribly lost. "I don't understand what's happening."
Neko and Awashima pushed themselves up then, snarled at each other and then rose, Neko hissing and Awashima pointing her sword at the Strain.
"They're not the enemy." Anna suddenly stated, cutting off any attack Kusanagi and Akagi had planned. "These people are not the enemy." With those words, Anna swayed on her feet and fell back into unconsciousness, Kusanagi catching her.
"I will handle this. Stand down, Awashima, Akagi." Carina ordered. Hesitantly, Awashima obeyed and Akagi followed, after a nod from Kusanagi.
With that, Carina finally walked around her desk and knelt down to look the boy who was known as Yashiro Isana directly in the eye. She stared into his eyes for a silent moment as he sent her a goofy smile.
Without another word, Carina reached out and squeezed her older brother's ear and pulled.
"Ow! Ow! Come on, Cari, that really hurts!" Adolf whined.
"This is the only way Sis and I ever got you to listen, Adi. Next time, don't run away and take responsibility!" Carina scolded. "And never worry me like that again!"
"Okay, okay, I promise, let go!" Adolf cried and Carina did so, only to launch herself into her older brother's arms, smushing her great-nephew between them, not that he seemed to mind.
"I was so worried, you Dummkopf…" She whispered.
"Es tut mir leid, es tut mir so leid." Adolf apologized, running a hand through her hair.
"Good." Carina nodded as she pulled away and stood up, pulling her brother to his feet after her. "Because I'm not the only one you have to answer to."
Just then, two cell phones began to ring at the same time.
"What the hell?" Kusanagi asked as he stood up from situating Anna.
"Seriously, I don't get what's happening." Awashima agreed.
"Uh, I think I do." Adolf spoke up.
"I can confirm what you're thinking. He wastes no time." Carina shook her head.
"Yeah, sorry. I'm pretty sure it's for me. Would one of you mind answering that?" Adolf smiled as Kusanagi and Awashima stared at him, dumbfounded.
As Kusanagi, slowly and hesitantly, answered his phone, Kristopher ran over to his great-grandmother and great-great-uncle.
"Gram! Didja see me flying?! Uncle Adi let me fly!" He excitedly babbled.
"I saw. Did your daddy help you?" Carina smiled.
"I wouldn't have let him fly otherwise." Adolf nodded, his goofy smile still present. "You did amazing, Kris, really good."
"Danke, Uncle!" Kristopher grinned before he ran to Neko, who eagerly picked the boy up and began to talk to him as if they were already family.
"If you pull something like that again, I will kill you myself. And everyone will help me accomplish it. That clear?" Carina whispered to her brother under her breath.
"What happened to the little girl that looked up to me as her big brother?" Adolf whined, his version of an agreement.
"She's still here, she just knows when to give tough love too." Carina smiled, leaning into her brother's side as Adolf wrapped an arm around his sister's shoulder.
It was weird, considering Adolf was so much shorter now, but…it was nice, to have this touch again.
Just then, Kusanagi held out the phone to Adolf and the office door burst open. Standing in the doorway were Hilda and Tsuki, serving as a guard as Kazuma walked in.
"Perfect timing! I assume Rae, Shinji and Haru are in position as well?" Adolf grinned as he waved.
"Yes, they're prepared at the station for the students." Kazuma nodded.
"Mr. Kusanagi and Ms. Awashima, the three of us would like to talk to you about the school and your clans." Tsuki smiled sweetly, though the edge of it was sharp, the threat under her words very real.
And people wondered where Hilda got her personality from.
"That's not up for negotiation, just so you know." Hilda added, unsheathing her sword the slightest bit in support of her mother.
Kazuma simply stared at the Red and Blue clansmen, his face completely serene. His status as the Usagi general alone made him intimidating.
Carina had to admit, Adolf chose a good group to come and make sure the clans cooperated to keep the students safe.
Behind them stood Himori and Hilda gestured for Akagi to join them as well, probably planning to have the two of them carry out the orders that were to be given to Kusanagi and Awashima.
Very awkwardly, and of course incredibly intimidated, Kusanagi and Awashima made their way over to the two Gold clansmen and the clan-less woman to talk while Adolf and Carina sat on her desk, Adolf raising the phone to his ear.
In the corner of her eye, Carina could see Neko sitting with Anna and Kristopher on her lap, as if they had been family for years. It was nice…seeing her biological great-nephew, adopted great-niece and future adopted great-niece like that.
"Sorry for all the trouble, I'm afraid it couldn't be helped." Adolf smiled helplessly.
"Liar." Carina muttered, digging her elbow in her brother's side.
"Hmph. If you really feel that way, how about fulfilling some of your responsibilities as a King?" Daikaku suggested on the other end of the line.
"Come on, that's mean. You could give me a little credit. After all, isn't that why I'm here?" Adolf pouted.
"You're there because half of what's happening is your own doing." Daikaku countered easily, with the expertise of someone who's dealt with Adolf, as a friend and as family, for years.
"Not to mention that it's your own fault the Colorless King took your body in the first place." Carina rolled her eyes. "Honestly, if it had been the Green King, you would've been twice as screwed, being all by yourself up there."
"You may be old and gray, but you're still the same old lieutenant and sister." Adolf sighed. "You two just can't stop lecturing me, can you?"
Carina simply laid her head on her older brother's shoulder, just as she did as a child when he picked her up. She could hear Daikaku laughing over the phone.
"So, my friend, how do you intend to settle this?" He asked.
Adolf didn't answer, but Carina knew his face had fallen from the way he leaned his head against hers. When she was a child, he often did that when he was thinking about how she was going to die so young and there was nothing he could do to save her. Now…it told her another story and she grabbed her brother's free hand and squeezed it. He squeezed back just as tightly, never letting go.
"I see. Well, that's typical of you. Just when I thought you had returned after being gone for half a century." Daikaku said, reading Adolf correctly in the way only the two of them truly could, though Kazuma had grown to be a close second and Carina suspected that, if things went how Tsuki had foreseen them, so long ago, Kuroh would be added to that small list as well.
"I wish we could've seen each other, one last time." Adolf admitted. "As brothers, instead of Kings."
"If that's how you really feel, then stop this. Not that you're going to listen to me." Daikaku sighed.
"Stigma of being an older sibling, Lieutenant. You know me too well. But thanks for the offer." Adolf smiled.
"You would know." Carina muttered, her face not leaving her brother's neck nor releasing his hand.
"Unfortunately, just like the last time, this is so long." Adolf said, his voice soft as he slipped into his native tongue. "Val es gut, mein Freund."
"Viel Glück, Weissman." Daikaku answered simply.
Adolf was smiling, she knew it, as he leaned his head against hers and squeezed her hand.
"Wir lieben dich, bruder." She whispered.
"So wie du, schwester." He whispered back.
"So…" Kusanagi trailed off, catching the siblings' attention. Turning, Carina noticed that Himori, Akagi, Kazuma, Hilda and Tsuki had left, presumably to begin the evacuation of her students.
The students knew Kazuma, her husband had come to the island before, so she wasn't worried about them or having to make an announcement.
"Silver King, Your Majesty-" Awashima started to say.
"Just call me 'Yashiro Isana'." Adolf corrected.
"You do realize I'm never calling you anything other than 'Adi', correct?" Carina whispered to her brother, just to be sure.
"Yeah, I know." He chuckled at her. Despite his distaste for his first name (for fair reasons), it was clear that he liked hearing his childhood nickname on his family's lips.
"Well then, Yashiro…" Awashima cleared her throat and continued. "As you and the Marked proposed to us, there is an escape plan to evacuate the students from the school. At the moment, both clans are under control and they're escorting the students out, with the aid of the Marked. Everything's going smoothly."
"However, we do have one concern: if the Colorless King possesses a student, he could escape our net." Kusanagi brought up.
"Don't worry, he's only targeting Kings. That's the primary reason he lured the Red and Blue Kings here." Adolf shook his head.
"On top of that, my family has every inch of this island and how each student should act memorized. If anyone were to start acting strange under the possession of the Colorless King, then they would know. But that is no fear with his current targets." Carina stated.
"But that's not the only danger, that's why we have to get all the students evacuated." Adolf added. "If the Swords were to fall, there'd be massive destruction."
The room was silent after that declaration, until Kristopher softly spoke up.
"Anna? What's wrong?"
They all turned to see Kristopher gently holding Anna's arm as she shivered.
"He's here." She stated.
A second later, the Colorless King's voice began to ring in everyone's minds.
"Hahahahaha!" He laughed. "None of you are getting out of here alive! You can run, but you can't hide! You all are mine and I have big plans for you!"
He continued on, but the voice was so distorted that the meaning began to be lost on Carina. She wasn't sure if her aura would be able to stand up to the Colorless King's, despite all her strength as the Miracle. If she could, she'd release her aura instantly and protect her students.
All she wanted was for them to be safe…them and her family.
"Adi, what do we do?" She whispered, feeling helpless, not paying attention to anything but her brother, the horrible distorted voice blocking Awashima, Kusanagi and Neko's own.
"Don't worry, Cari." Adolf whispered back before he released her hand and made his way over to Neko.
"Gram, I'm scared! The voice won't stop!" Kristopher cried as he ran into Carina's arms.
"Shh, baby, it's alright, Gram's got you. The Colorless King won't hurt you, Uncle Adi's gonna stop him." Carina whispered, running a hand through Kristopher's brown hair. The boy was so young…so young and involved so deeply with the clans already. Carina knew Leoda hadn't done this willingly, she loved her son and unborn child too much to put them in danger. But in this situation, with the Colorless King attacking their family, she had no other choice. She had to fight and had to protect her children and the only way to do that was to make sure a clansman was near herself and Kristopher at all times.
Even now, Carina knew there were more than enough people here that would put Kristopher's safety over their own. He would not come to harm, nor would any student in her school. She knew that in her heart of hearts.
And when Adolf's Silver aura washed over her, empowered by who she knew was his first ever, official clansman, she closed her eyes and felt at peace.
She heard him speak and memories came back to her.
"It's very important that you all get off this island now. And trust me when I say that I won't let anyone hurt you."
She was laying in her hospital bed, only four years old, and yet this felt as if it were her room.
Sis was talking to the doctor, getting all the information on what they planned to do next. She knew they were trying to shield her from it, she could tell and she tried to smile for them, but it was so hard.
She had never known a single day without being sick and she didn't know how to hide that knowledge from those around her.
Adi sat at her bedside, holding her hand tightly.
"Adi…" She whispered before she fell into a coughing fit, her small body closing in on itself as if that would save her from this illness that threatened her with every breath she took.
"I promise, I won't let you die. I won't let anyone or anything ever hurt you." Adi swore, unusually serious. This was when he had learned the truth of her situation, she remembered. After all, he'd only been fifteen when she was born.
She wanted to believe his words, wanted to so badly, but they brought her little hope, even as his smile warmed her heart when it came.
"Just a friend. I'm here to protect you. I know all of you. It's quite simple, you're my precious friends, every one of you."
When Daikaku had come to Dresden, the Weissman siblings and he came to an agreement. They would teach each other German and Japanese in turn, until all four were fluent in both languages.
She had loved it, in all honesty, because Japanese was a beautiful language, despite how strange it was to switch from German. Daikaku also told her about the culture and Sis promised that one day, she'd be able to see such a beautiful country for herself.
Adi, too, had been fascinated by the culture of Japan. She suspected it also had to do with the fact that he stood out so much in Germany (if it weren't for his mind, she suspected he wouldn't be here…even a kid like her knew of the dangers the war presented her family).
She still remembered, to this day, his first words he ever spoke in Japanese to her, quite proud of himself for mastering the sentence:
'You're my precious friends, every one of you. I will protect you, always.'
"I'm going to show you all the way out now. Please trust me and follow my lead."
"Come on, Cari, follow my lead!" Adi had cheerfully proclaimed as he spun her around in her hospital room.
It was one of the days where she felt more normal, less sick, then usual. Adi had decided it was the perfect day to teach her to dance and she was stumbling along, trying to follow his lead.
"Adi, you're not a good dancer, why are you trying this?" Sis had exasperatedly shaken her head at her brother's antics.
"No way to get better if you don't practice! Come on, Sis, join in!" Adi had laughed. It had been a joyous sound, one she always loved. "You can trust me!"
"Yeah, sure." Sis had sighed exaggeratedly, but she had still joined in and even dragged Daikaku in when he came to visit.
They always trusted each other, always.
"I found you. Don't involve innocent bystanders. Let's you and I put an end to this."
Carina opened her eyes and watched as Neko collapsed in Adolf's arms. Looking down, she saw Kristopher had relaxed in her arms and was smiling at her.
"Come on." She whispered, standing up and leading the young boy to Neko's side as Adolf placed her in the chair Anna was sitting in. "Take care of Neko for us, okay, Kristopher?"
"But what about you two? And Mommy and Kuroh?" Kristopher asked, worried.
"We'll meet up with you soon, promise." Adolf smiled. "But I really need you to watch over Neko for me. She's like…"
"How I am to Mommy?" Kristopher finished the sentence.
"Yeah, exactly." Adolf smiled softly, reaching out to ruffle the boy's hair.
"Alright then, but be safe. And keep Mommy safe too." Kristopher stated.
"Of course. We will all be safe, I promise." Carina smiled. Suddenly, she knew how her sister had felt all those years ago as Carina had lived in the hospital. She didn't want this little boy to know the reality of what was coming, of what Adolf had planned and what Tsuki had foretold.
But at the same time, she knew it was likely that Kristopher himself already suspected what they weren't saying. So, without a word, she kissed his forehead, just as Sis and Adi had always done when she was growing up.
"Thank you both so much. Watch over them, if you would." Adolf requested the two clansmen behind them.
"Of course we will." Kusanagi agreed.
With that, Adolf and Carina made their way to the still open window, Adolf with his umbrella in one hand and his little sister's hand in the other.
"And Munakata and Suoh…please…" Awashima spoke up.
"I wish I could reassure you." Adolf said, not turning to face them. Carina bit her lip, unseen by all save her brother. "But I can't promise anything. I'll do the best I can."
"All will turn out as it should." Carina added, her voice soft but full of hope.
With that said, the two siblings jumped onto the windowsill and Adolf held his umbrella above them.
"To all of you, viel Glück." Adolf smiled, before the two of them jumped and flew away, just like that.
They needed to meet up with Kuroh and Leoda, after all. They still had three Kings to deal with.
Together…
For now.
And there we are! Have I mentioned I love family fics? Cause I love family fics, reading and writing them.
In any case, time for translations!
Mein Junge: my boy
Dummkopf: idiot
Es tut mir so leid, es tut mir so leid: I'm sorry, I'm so sorry
Val es gut, mein Freund: I wish you well, my friend
viel Glück, Weissman: Good luck, Weissman
Wir lieben dich, Bruder: We love you, brother
So wie du, schwester: Just as you, sister
And I think that's all...next chapter is the final chapter for this arc and I hope you're all ready for it. I've got a lot planned considering that episode...see you next week!