"Ocarina"
by: Ellis McDohl
First entry: October 14, 2001
Last entry: October 25, 2001
Disclaimer: You know who they belong to! To Capcom!!
Author's note:
Hello. I'm awfully sorry for taking too long. I couldn't log on to the internet for a while!! ^^' Anyway, here it is. I'm doing my best... I hope this is enough... Our semester break's over!! Oh no! Uh, okay. If you'd like to flame me, go ahead just please go easy on me. Alright...
I hope you enjoy.
Ellis McDohl
***************************************************************
"Ocarina"
Chapter three: I Wish To Be Free...
The silence was starting to get unbearable. Only the ticking of the clock could be heard and a few footsteps echoed in the hall of the hospital where they now were. They waited patiently for the doctor's news. X looked up at the night sky from where he sat. The medic had taken Dr. Cain inside the operation room and they've been inside there for more than two hours.
X sighed, wearily, hoping this would end soon and Dr. Cain would be alright. He had been to a hospital before and pitied those patients who were hooked on machines to live. He could see them suffering in silence. They couldn't speak, they just lay there... Bed-ridden.
X hoped with all his heart that the same wouldn't happen to Dr. Cain. He bent his head down, once again, letting his arms dangle down his sides. It was raining outside but, not hard. And the wind was strong. It howled and made the trees dance along with it. The thick clouds had covered up the lovely crescent and the twinkling stars, making the night sky look slightly red...
This is not good... X thought, running his hand through his dark brown.
He lifted his head and saw Zero, his back against the wall opposite from where he sat, his hands tied in his chest. A window was open and it made the strong winds come in. A lock of Zero's blond hair slipped to his shoulders as he untied his fists and pushed his glasses back to his face.
Dr. Light and the others were not around at the present. Only two people were allowed to ride in the ambulance with the patient and the paramedic people. Dr. Light had instructed them both to come along.
But the old professor knew that they needn't be told.
The rain began to fade away and slowly, but surely, the clouds began to move away. Then the moon showed her face once again. X took that time to look up to see her and then closed his eyes tightly.
If the moon can grant wishes, He prayed. please let him be alright...
Although unwarned, X wasn't surprised when he felt a soft pat on his shoulder. He turned and saw his sister, Roll's, face, smiling down at him. There was worry that he could clearly see in her eyes, but she was only trying to smile because she knew this worry wouldn't improve the mood.
They had to be strong.
"Don't worry." She said, gently. "He'll be okay..."
X nodded, slightly and nodded. "Yeah..." He agreed. I hope...
Protoman, Rush and Dr. Light came to join them in the hall. Rush walked to X and sat by his feet, rubbing the side of his head against X's leg, whimpering. X patted his head while Roll sat right beside X.
Zero straightened up, brushing his hair off his face, gaining their attention. Zero placed a hand inside his pocket and produced a blue string which he used to tie his hair with. As soon as he tied it up, the surgeon came out from the operating room.
All those who sat, rose involuntarily as the tall, dark-haired surgeon walked toward them. Zero didn't want to turn to him because he could see that there was something in the surgeon's face that he didn't like. Zero closed his eyes, X clearly saw a trace of anger and regret.
And he knew why...
"How is he?" Roll asked, removing the silence about them.
The surgeon gave out a sigh. "I don't think there is any harm. The bullet didn't hit anywhere near his heart..." He replied. "He only needs a lot of rest..."
They all sighed in relief and listened as the surgeon told them what room he had been taken. Hearing this, they turned to go to the room but as Zero began to walk away, the surgeon caught his arm and made him turn to him. His long blond hair whirled behind him.
Zero raised his eyebrows.
"You are... Zero?" The surgeon asked, slowly.
"Yes." He replied.
The surgeon let his arms go, looking at him with grave eyes. Zero knew he had to listen to what this man had to say because he knew that this will be important. Something only for his ears, that's why he spoke now that the others have gone off.
The room was nice and cozy; brightly lit and cheerful. Dr. Cain lay, sleeping on the bed while the others stood around him, looking down at him eagerly. Rush wagged his tail while lolling his tongue out, knowing that everything seemed to be fine.
Roll held Dr. Cain's hand, patting it gently...
X smiled down at the old man, gently, while he sat on the chair beside him. Dr. Cain's face seemed to smoothen out and look peaceful as though he knew that they were there. Protoman walked toward the window and looked outside to see the trees swaying with the strong wind. He frowned.
"Looks like there's going to be a storm..." Roll remarked.
"Ah..." Protoman agreed.
Roll let go of Dr. Cain's hand and shivered. "Gives me the creeps..." she remarked afterward.
X raised his head to look at her. "Are you alright, Roll?" he asked.
She smiled. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine." She replied. "Huh? Where's Zero? I thought he was with us?"
Dr. Light smiled. "Don't worry about him." He said. "I'm sure he'll come soon."
Roll gave out a sigh. "What is it with him?"
X looked down at Dr. Cain's hand, sadly, while he patted it gently. "He blames himself..." He replied.
They all turned to him.
"What do you mean?" Roll asked. "Blame himself for what?"
X sighed. "For all that's happened..." He replied and looked up at the ceiling. "Zero's probably blaming himself for not being able to protect Dr. Cain..."
There was a pause. Then Dr. Cain began to moan and then, much to their relief, Dr. Cain opened his eyes and smiled, weakly at them.
"That hit me pretty hard, didn't it?" Dr. Cain said, jokingly.
"You had us worried!!!" X exclaimed, suddenly standing up, knocking the chair behind him.
Dr. Cain gave out a short laugh. "I'm a pretty good actor, don't you think so?" he asked, as he closed his eyes with a small smile on his face.
Protoman picked up the chair that was left on the floor. And X slowly sat down on, without even looking at it.
"Yeah..." He said, contently. "I guess you are..."
"I'm afraid I have to disobey Dr. Cain." The surgeon said.
"What do you mean?" Zero asked, solemnly. But deep inside he knew what was wrong.
"The bullet may have missed... but his health..." The surgeon said, gravely. Pausing to take a deep breath. "...I'm afraid his health is deteriorating..."
Zero's flinched. "What...?"
The lightning crossed the sky and cut it in half. For a split second, the dark hospital hall was lighted. A loud clap of thunder was heard soon after. The more raindrops fell and began beating against the window panes, hard as if they were trying to stop them.
Zero closed his eyes and suddenly grabbed the surgeon's collar.
"What do you mean by that?!! You said there was no danger!!" He shouted angrily at his face.
The surgeon remained calm, understanding the sudden rage that came him. He had known a great many people who did the same when they hear grave news about their love ones. He didn't think reploids were an exception to the rule either.
"That was what I was told to tell you..." The surgeon said.
Zero closed his eyes, trying to hold his anger in and slowly began to let go of the surgeon. Understanding that it was never the surgeon's fault. The surgeon seemed to understand and did not need an apology. Zero opened his eyes again and this time, his emerald eyes looked calmer but slightly graver than the usual.
"Is it that bad?" He asked.
"I'm afraid so..." The surgeon replied. "We are doing all we could and yet..." Zero saw the surgeon's hand turn to a fist. "...he mayn't live for long... especially in his condition..."
"I see..."
Zero turned to the window to look at the storm. The thick clouds were hiding, the blood-stained moon, behind it. There were no stars. Just the clouds that seemed a slight colored red. He thought how fitting this was. The rain and the darkness...
He had so many memories in the rain...
Will you protect him for me?
Zero stopped walking just as he was about to turn to a corner, when a sudden thought occurred to him. He didn't know why but when that voice spoke up in his mind, he was startled. He had left the surgeon to his duties and was going to Dr. Cain's room.
Why...? He asked himself.
Then he gave out a weary sigh. His mind slightly confused. He didn't understand why Dr. Cain had hidden the truth about his condition. Perhaps that's what's been bothering him. But then he thought Dr. Cain wasn't that kind. Zero thought that there was more to it than just the ailment.
The rain continued to fall but it was slowly starting to stop until only a few raindrops fell. The wind blowing some one the clouds away. A slight rustling sound could be heard. He raised his head with a frown on his face and stopped in surprise because he didn't expect to see the figure before. Not in this place anyway.
"You..."
At that moment, the clouds moved away from the moon, letting it's pale rays rest upon the gentle face of figure before him.
"Lady Fuyutsuki..." Zero said, under his breath.
Fuyutsuki's thin lips curved up to a small smile.
She's still wearing that black dress... He thought. What is she doing here?
"Is he okay?" She asked, anxiously. "I hope he is..."
Zero bent his head down to hide the truth that he knew was written all over his face.. "He'll be..." He replied.
But she shook her head. "I know it already, Zero..." She said gently. "Even if you didn't tell me..."
Zero raised his head, once again startled. She was smiling at him sadly and began to walk toward him. She was like the moon. So pale and true. He heard someone say that you can't hide anything from but the moon can hide something from you. He wondered if it was true.
"Here..." She said. And held out her hand.
Zero looked down at her hand and saw his ocarina.
"This is yours, right?" She said. "You left it in the balcony a few hours ago."
Zero took it gently from her hand. "Thank you..."
"You should play for him..." She said and began to turn and walk away. "Maybe that'll improve his mood if not his health." She waved her hand. "Bye for now..."
Zero looked down at the ocarina then at Fuyutsuki who turned to a corner. A sudden urge to follow and stop her took hold of him but as he strode to turn to the corner, she just disappeared, leaving him to stand in the hall.
The knob turned and laughter poured out from the swinging door. The occupants turned to the one who had opened. Then they smiled when they saw the blond that had walked in. But Dr. Cain's smile faded when he saw the expression on the his face.
Sad and slightly confused.
"Zero!" X called, smiling. "You've come! We've been worried about you..."
Zero raised his head and forced a small smile on his face but they didn't see it. He closed the door and walked to join them. X was studying Zero carefully, noticing that something was still wrong. He didn't speak about. He just let his friend settle on the couch near the bed.
Dr. Light was also studying Zero and noticed he seemed a little tired than the usual. This was not a very good sign. He thought something must be wrong but then it was not because he had physical problems. But something way deeper than that.
He knew Zero would not speak much. At least not to them. But then sometimes they had to talk to see so it wouldn't hurt.
"Zero, is something wrong?" Dr. Light asked, worriedly.
Zero raised his head and looked up at Dr. Light. He had taken off his glasses so he could only see him as a white blur. He looked down at his glasses and put them on again, pushing them back to his face to keep it from falling off.
"Someone should stay on guard here..." He said at last.
X stood up. "I'll be the one to stay here!" He volunteered.
Dr. Cain laughed. "Hey, hey! It's not like I need a body guard now..." He said half-jokingly. "I'll be fine."
"No, you're not fine!" Zero snapped, suddenly standing up, which surprised them.
Zero didn't always snapped like this. It was not like him at all. Protoman's eyes narrowed as he looked at the blond reploid, as if he knew that Zero knew something they didn't. Or perhaps it was all just his imagination. But he didn't think so.
He had learned not to take things as they are when Zero was involved.
There was a long silence. Outside, the wind howled, furiously. The clouds once again covered up the moon but the rain was gone. Just the howling wind and the swaying branches. Protoman turned to the window. How fitting the weather seems to be, for their now dark moods. It was not pleasant.
"I'm sorry..." Zero said finally, placing his hand on his forehead. He closed his eyes. But things like this...
Dr. Cain smiled and sighed while he turned to look out the window. "Very well. If I must then I must."
"Huh?"
"X, I want you to stay with Dr. Light." He began. "It wouldn't be a very good idea to leave Dr. Light. He might be the next target..."
X looked down at his feet and thought about it. He wanted to stay with Dr. Cain too but if Dr. Light would be in trouble, he had to protect him too. He raised his head.
"I understand." He agreed and turned to Zero. "Zero's going to stay here with you right?"
Zero nodded, slightly. Dr. Cain smiled.
"Alright! Me and Blues will protect Dr. Light!!" Then he turned to Zero. "You'll do your part here!"
Zero closed his eyes, smiling. "Ah..."
Dr. Cain laughed, cheerfully. "Well, if we have bodyguards like these three, I doubt anyone would be able to touch us."
"True." Dr. Light agreed, smiling and joined in the laughter.
But deep inside...
...they wondered...
Dr. Cain sat, reading his book, while comfortably leaning against the big pillow behind him. The room was dark, except for the bedside lamp that was turned on so he could read. Other than that there was no other light. Say, perhaps, the moon. Zero sat on the chair by the window, looking out.
Dr. Cain stopped for a moment to see him sitting there, watching the night sky. He smiled and looked back down at his book, flipping the page to continue. Zero gave out a heavy sigh that attracted the attention of the invalid. But even such he did not look at the blond, basking in the moonlight.
He's going to say something... Dr. Cain thought.
True to his thoughts, his companion spoke.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Zero asked, quietly.
Dr. Cain closed his book, smiling to look at Zero, still looking out to moon.
"Tell you about what?"
Zero frowned and turned to him, shifting slightly. "About your ailment..." He said. "You never told us you were ill..."
Dr. Cain smiled at him, gently. "If I did, would it make a difference?" He asked, gently.
Zero stood up, suddenly. His chair fell to the floor with a thud.
"Of course! If we knew, we would've looked for-!"
"-That's enough, my boy." He interrupted. "I'm sorry... You're right. I should've told you about it. You all, have the right to know..."
"Why didn't you?" He asked, quietly.
Dr. Cain smiled. "I didn't want you to worry..."
"That's selfishness..." Zero said.
The invalid continued to smile. "You know a lot about it..."
Zero smiled, gently. "Yes..." He agreed. "...because I'm selfish too..."
The old man nodded. "Come, my boy." He said. "Why don't you play for me?"
Zero walked toward the bedside table to take the ocarina that had been lying on top of it, the whole time. He raised his to his lips and played while Dr. Cain listened. Unknown to the blond musician, his listener's soul was starting to know peace through the song...
I seek happiness...
I seek life...
And yet it is denied of me...
Release me from eternal bondage...
I wish to be free...
Outside, a black figure of a woman stood, looking up at the dimly lit room where the music was coming from. The figure's lips curved up to a small smile as the lyrics came to her mind. So familiar...
The wind blew making her long, black hair dance. Then she turned and disappeared in the dark while the music from the ocarina floated in the air...
Release me...
I wish to be free...
*******************************************************
Further notes:
Ah! Sorry about that! It's going slower than I expected it to be... I found my mechanical pencil now so I don't think I'll have problems... It's back to cramming... Ah, more of that cramming... Oh well. I hope this was good enough... I'm going to do my best to develop the story soon... Please wait a little longer...
I've noticed that it seems like I have this fondness for the title "lady"... I wonder why...?
Bye for now.
Ellis McDohl
by: Ellis McDohl
First entry: October 14, 2001
Last entry: October 25, 2001
Disclaimer: You know who they belong to! To Capcom!!
Author's note:
Hello. I'm awfully sorry for taking too long. I couldn't log on to the internet for a while!! ^^' Anyway, here it is. I'm doing my best... I hope this is enough... Our semester break's over!! Oh no! Uh, okay. If you'd like to flame me, go ahead just please go easy on me. Alright...
I hope you enjoy.
Ellis McDohl
***************************************************************
"Ocarina"
Chapter three: I Wish To Be Free...
The silence was starting to get unbearable. Only the ticking of the clock could be heard and a few footsteps echoed in the hall of the hospital where they now were. They waited patiently for the doctor's news. X looked up at the night sky from where he sat. The medic had taken Dr. Cain inside the operation room and they've been inside there for more than two hours.
X sighed, wearily, hoping this would end soon and Dr. Cain would be alright. He had been to a hospital before and pitied those patients who were hooked on machines to live. He could see them suffering in silence. They couldn't speak, they just lay there... Bed-ridden.
X hoped with all his heart that the same wouldn't happen to Dr. Cain. He bent his head down, once again, letting his arms dangle down his sides. It was raining outside but, not hard. And the wind was strong. It howled and made the trees dance along with it. The thick clouds had covered up the lovely crescent and the twinkling stars, making the night sky look slightly red...
This is not good... X thought, running his hand through his dark brown.
He lifted his head and saw Zero, his back against the wall opposite from where he sat, his hands tied in his chest. A window was open and it made the strong winds come in. A lock of Zero's blond hair slipped to his shoulders as he untied his fists and pushed his glasses back to his face.
Dr. Light and the others were not around at the present. Only two people were allowed to ride in the ambulance with the patient and the paramedic people. Dr. Light had instructed them both to come along.
But the old professor knew that they needn't be told.
The rain began to fade away and slowly, but surely, the clouds began to move away. Then the moon showed her face once again. X took that time to look up to see her and then closed his eyes tightly.
If the moon can grant wishes, He prayed. please let him be alright...
Although unwarned, X wasn't surprised when he felt a soft pat on his shoulder. He turned and saw his sister, Roll's, face, smiling down at him. There was worry that he could clearly see in her eyes, but she was only trying to smile because she knew this worry wouldn't improve the mood.
They had to be strong.
"Don't worry." She said, gently. "He'll be okay..."
X nodded, slightly and nodded. "Yeah..." He agreed. I hope...
Protoman, Rush and Dr. Light came to join them in the hall. Rush walked to X and sat by his feet, rubbing the side of his head against X's leg, whimpering. X patted his head while Roll sat right beside X.
Zero straightened up, brushing his hair off his face, gaining their attention. Zero placed a hand inside his pocket and produced a blue string which he used to tie his hair with. As soon as he tied it up, the surgeon came out from the operating room.
All those who sat, rose involuntarily as the tall, dark-haired surgeon walked toward them. Zero didn't want to turn to him because he could see that there was something in the surgeon's face that he didn't like. Zero closed his eyes, X clearly saw a trace of anger and regret.
And he knew why...
"How is he?" Roll asked, removing the silence about them.
The surgeon gave out a sigh. "I don't think there is any harm. The bullet didn't hit anywhere near his heart..." He replied. "He only needs a lot of rest..."
They all sighed in relief and listened as the surgeon told them what room he had been taken. Hearing this, they turned to go to the room but as Zero began to walk away, the surgeon caught his arm and made him turn to him. His long blond hair whirled behind him.
Zero raised his eyebrows.
"You are... Zero?" The surgeon asked, slowly.
"Yes." He replied.
The surgeon let his arms go, looking at him with grave eyes. Zero knew he had to listen to what this man had to say because he knew that this will be important. Something only for his ears, that's why he spoke now that the others have gone off.
The room was nice and cozy; brightly lit and cheerful. Dr. Cain lay, sleeping on the bed while the others stood around him, looking down at him eagerly. Rush wagged his tail while lolling his tongue out, knowing that everything seemed to be fine.
Roll held Dr. Cain's hand, patting it gently...
X smiled down at the old man, gently, while he sat on the chair beside him. Dr. Cain's face seemed to smoothen out and look peaceful as though he knew that they were there. Protoman walked toward the window and looked outside to see the trees swaying with the strong wind. He frowned.
"Looks like there's going to be a storm..." Roll remarked.
"Ah..." Protoman agreed.
Roll let go of Dr. Cain's hand and shivered. "Gives me the creeps..." she remarked afterward.
X raised his head to look at her. "Are you alright, Roll?" he asked.
She smiled. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine." She replied. "Huh? Where's Zero? I thought he was with us?"
Dr. Light smiled. "Don't worry about him." He said. "I'm sure he'll come soon."
Roll gave out a sigh. "What is it with him?"
X looked down at Dr. Cain's hand, sadly, while he patted it gently. "He blames himself..." He replied.
They all turned to him.
"What do you mean?" Roll asked. "Blame himself for what?"
X sighed. "For all that's happened..." He replied and looked up at the ceiling. "Zero's probably blaming himself for not being able to protect Dr. Cain..."
There was a pause. Then Dr. Cain began to moan and then, much to their relief, Dr. Cain opened his eyes and smiled, weakly at them.
"That hit me pretty hard, didn't it?" Dr. Cain said, jokingly.
"You had us worried!!!" X exclaimed, suddenly standing up, knocking the chair behind him.
Dr. Cain gave out a short laugh. "I'm a pretty good actor, don't you think so?" he asked, as he closed his eyes with a small smile on his face.
Protoman picked up the chair that was left on the floor. And X slowly sat down on, without even looking at it.
"Yeah..." He said, contently. "I guess you are..."
"I'm afraid I have to disobey Dr. Cain." The surgeon said.
"What do you mean?" Zero asked, solemnly. But deep inside he knew what was wrong.
"The bullet may have missed... but his health..." The surgeon said, gravely. Pausing to take a deep breath. "...I'm afraid his health is deteriorating..."
Zero's flinched. "What...?"
The lightning crossed the sky and cut it in half. For a split second, the dark hospital hall was lighted. A loud clap of thunder was heard soon after. The more raindrops fell and began beating against the window panes, hard as if they were trying to stop them.
Zero closed his eyes and suddenly grabbed the surgeon's collar.
"What do you mean by that?!! You said there was no danger!!" He shouted angrily at his face.
The surgeon remained calm, understanding the sudden rage that came him. He had known a great many people who did the same when they hear grave news about their love ones. He didn't think reploids were an exception to the rule either.
"That was what I was told to tell you..." The surgeon said.
Zero closed his eyes, trying to hold his anger in and slowly began to let go of the surgeon. Understanding that it was never the surgeon's fault. The surgeon seemed to understand and did not need an apology. Zero opened his eyes again and this time, his emerald eyes looked calmer but slightly graver than the usual.
"Is it that bad?" He asked.
"I'm afraid so..." The surgeon replied. "We are doing all we could and yet..." Zero saw the surgeon's hand turn to a fist. "...he mayn't live for long... especially in his condition..."
"I see..."
Zero turned to the window to look at the storm. The thick clouds were hiding, the blood-stained moon, behind it. There were no stars. Just the clouds that seemed a slight colored red. He thought how fitting this was. The rain and the darkness...
He had so many memories in the rain...
Will you protect him for me?
Zero stopped walking just as he was about to turn to a corner, when a sudden thought occurred to him. He didn't know why but when that voice spoke up in his mind, he was startled. He had left the surgeon to his duties and was going to Dr. Cain's room.
Why...? He asked himself.
Then he gave out a weary sigh. His mind slightly confused. He didn't understand why Dr. Cain had hidden the truth about his condition. Perhaps that's what's been bothering him. But then he thought Dr. Cain wasn't that kind. Zero thought that there was more to it than just the ailment.
The rain continued to fall but it was slowly starting to stop until only a few raindrops fell. The wind blowing some one the clouds away. A slight rustling sound could be heard. He raised his head with a frown on his face and stopped in surprise because he didn't expect to see the figure before. Not in this place anyway.
"You..."
At that moment, the clouds moved away from the moon, letting it's pale rays rest upon the gentle face of figure before him.
"Lady Fuyutsuki..." Zero said, under his breath.
Fuyutsuki's thin lips curved up to a small smile.
She's still wearing that black dress... He thought. What is she doing here?
"Is he okay?" She asked, anxiously. "I hope he is..."
Zero bent his head down to hide the truth that he knew was written all over his face.. "He'll be..." He replied.
But she shook her head. "I know it already, Zero..." She said gently. "Even if you didn't tell me..."
Zero raised his head, once again startled. She was smiling at him sadly and began to walk toward him. She was like the moon. So pale and true. He heard someone say that you can't hide anything from but the moon can hide something from you. He wondered if it was true.
"Here..." She said. And held out her hand.
Zero looked down at her hand and saw his ocarina.
"This is yours, right?" She said. "You left it in the balcony a few hours ago."
Zero took it gently from her hand. "Thank you..."
"You should play for him..." She said and began to turn and walk away. "Maybe that'll improve his mood if not his health." She waved her hand. "Bye for now..."
Zero looked down at the ocarina then at Fuyutsuki who turned to a corner. A sudden urge to follow and stop her took hold of him but as he strode to turn to the corner, she just disappeared, leaving him to stand in the hall.
The knob turned and laughter poured out from the swinging door. The occupants turned to the one who had opened. Then they smiled when they saw the blond that had walked in. But Dr. Cain's smile faded when he saw the expression on the his face.
Sad and slightly confused.
"Zero!" X called, smiling. "You've come! We've been worried about you..."
Zero raised his head and forced a small smile on his face but they didn't see it. He closed the door and walked to join them. X was studying Zero carefully, noticing that something was still wrong. He didn't speak about. He just let his friend settle on the couch near the bed.
Dr. Light was also studying Zero and noticed he seemed a little tired than the usual. This was not a very good sign. He thought something must be wrong but then it was not because he had physical problems. But something way deeper than that.
He knew Zero would not speak much. At least not to them. But then sometimes they had to talk to see so it wouldn't hurt.
"Zero, is something wrong?" Dr. Light asked, worriedly.
Zero raised his head and looked up at Dr. Light. He had taken off his glasses so he could only see him as a white blur. He looked down at his glasses and put them on again, pushing them back to his face to keep it from falling off.
"Someone should stay on guard here..." He said at last.
X stood up. "I'll be the one to stay here!" He volunteered.
Dr. Cain laughed. "Hey, hey! It's not like I need a body guard now..." He said half-jokingly. "I'll be fine."
"No, you're not fine!" Zero snapped, suddenly standing up, which surprised them.
Zero didn't always snapped like this. It was not like him at all. Protoman's eyes narrowed as he looked at the blond reploid, as if he knew that Zero knew something they didn't. Or perhaps it was all just his imagination. But he didn't think so.
He had learned not to take things as they are when Zero was involved.
There was a long silence. Outside, the wind howled, furiously. The clouds once again covered up the moon but the rain was gone. Just the howling wind and the swaying branches. Protoman turned to the window. How fitting the weather seems to be, for their now dark moods. It was not pleasant.
"I'm sorry..." Zero said finally, placing his hand on his forehead. He closed his eyes. But things like this...
Dr. Cain smiled and sighed while he turned to look out the window. "Very well. If I must then I must."
"Huh?"
"X, I want you to stay with Dr. Light." He began. "It wouldn't be a very good idea to leave Dr. Light. He might be the next target..."
X looked down at his feet and thought about it. He wanted to stay with Dr. Cain too but if Dr. Light would be in trouble, he had to protect him too. He raised his head.
"I understand." He agreed and turned to Zero. "Zero's going to stay here with you right?"
Zero nodded, slightly. Dr. Cain smiled.
"Alright! Me and Blues will protect Dr. Light!!" Then he turned to Zero. "You'll do your part here!"
Zero closed his eyes, smiling. "Ah..."
Dr. Cain laughed, cheerfully. "Well, if we have bodyguards like these three, I doubt anyone would be able to touch us."
"True." Dr. Light agreed, smiling and joined in the laughter.
But deep inside...
...they wondered...
Dr. Cain sat, reading his book, while comfortably leaning against the big pillow behind him. The room was dark, except for the bedside lamp that was turned on so he could read. Other than that there was no other light. Say, perhaps, the moon. Zero sat on the chair by the window, looking out.
Dr. Cain stopped for a moment to see him sitting there, watching the night sky. He smiled and looked back down at his book, flipping the page to continue. Zero gave out a heavy sigh that attracted the attention of the invalid. But even such he did not look at the blond, basking in the moonlight.
He's going to say something... Dr. Cain thought.
True to his thoughts, his companion spoke.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Zero asked, quietly.
Dr. Cain closed his book, smiling to look at Zero, still looking out to moon.
"Tell you about what?"
Zero frowned and turned to him, shifting slightly. "About your ailment..." He said. "You never told us you were ill..."
Dr. Cain smiled at him, gently. "If I did, would it make a difference?" He asked, gently.
Zero stood up, suddenly. His chair fell to the floor with a thud.
"Of course! If we knew, we would've looked for-!"
"-That's enough, my boy." He interrupted. "I'm sorry... You're right. I should've told you about it. You all, have the right to know..."
"Why didn't you?" He asked, quietly.
Dr. Cain smiled. "I didn't want you to worry..."
"That's selfishness..." Zero said.
The invalid continued to smile. "You know a lot about it..."
Zero smiled, gently. "Yes..." He agreed. "...because I'm selfish too..."
The old man nodded. "Come, my boy." He said. "Why don't you play for me?"
Zero walked toward the bedside table to take the ocarina that had been lying on top of it, the whole time. He raised his to his lips and played while Dr. Cain listened. Unknown to the blond musician, his listener's soul was starting to know peace through the song...
I seek happiness...
I seek life...
And yet it is denied of me...
Release me from eternal bondage...
I wish to be free...
Outside, a black figure of a woman stood, looking up at the dimly lit room where the music was coming from. The figure's lips curved up to a small smile as the lyrics came to her mind. So familiar...
The wind blew making her long, black hair dance. Then she turned and disappeared in the dark while the music from the ocarina floated in the air...
Release me...
I wish to be free...
*******************************************************
Further notes:
Ah! Sorry about that! It's going slower than I expected it to be... I found my mechanical pencil now so I don't think I'll have problems... It's back to cramming... Ah, more of that cramming... Oh well. I hope this was good enough... I'm going to do my best to develop the story soon... Please wait a little longer...
I've noticed that it seems like I have this fondness for the title "lady"... I wonder why...?
Bye for now.
Ellis McDohl
