Domon gave a sigh. "Yeah, I knew there was something familiar about
him when we met at home in Neo Japan. He seemed just like you, even at 5-
years-old."
"I should have never left him alone like I did." Schwarz said.
"Especially after what happened with his mother and all."
"Huh, his mother?" Domon had wondered about Hiroji's mother. She
hadn't been in the boy's life when he found him, and apparently hadn't for
a while since Hiroji couldn't remember her.
"You should know about her," Schwarz said in a low voice, apparently
not very happy about discussing his wife. "She was your sister-in-law
anyway." He sighed as Domon leaned forward to listen. "Her name was Hana
Nikko. Like me, she was an intern working under our father. She began her
jobs there not long after you left, actually."
"Wow, I see."
"Since we both shared an interest in the sciences and mecha, we
pretty much hit it off and, well, got married." The masked fighter paused
as though the next few words were to be especially painful. "When Hiroji
was born, it was so much like when Mom had you, Domon. And Hiroji probably
didn't know this either, but his full name is Hiroji Domon Kasshu."
Domon broke into a grin. "You named him after me?"
Schwarz shrugged. "What can I say? I missed my kid brother." Then the
visible features of his face seemed to stiffen. "But then, when Hiroji was
three, she died."
"Niisan, I'm so sorry." Domon put a hand on Schwarz's shoulder as the
older fighter trembled in an attempt to keep himself calm. Once he had
partly succeeded, Schwarz reached up and placed his own hand atop his
brother's. "So, in the short year I had before the Devil Gundam's
completion, it was up to me to raise Hiroji. Lucky for me, Mom and Dad were
more than willing to help."
"And then all this happened with the Devil Gundam.I get it." Domon
smiled up at him. "Hiroji will be thrilled to know you're still here,
Niisan. He never did forget you." His gaze fell upon the sleeping youth.
"But then again.none of us did."
The masked warrior put an arm around Domon and gave him a tight
squeeze. "Glad to know I have my family back."
"Dad! Dad!!!"
The brothers whirled to see Keiji pop his head into the tent, panting
from running. "What is it, Son?" Domon asked getting up with a start.
The boy pointed. "There's.there's."
"A bunch of robot things surrounding the camp!" Angie finished,
coming inside with the rest of the children.
Domon and Schwarz exchanged concerned glances and darted for the tent
flap. Peering out into the darkness, they gasped as the familiar glow of
red eyes lit up the night all around.
"No." Domon murmured between gritted teeth.
"It has begun," Schwarz growled.
