{(Chapter 14- Bad News)}
Seiku sighed. I have a long night ahead of me… He set himself down at his kitchen table, and pulled out one of the un-programmed, default microchips he'd been working with earlier. He set it down on the table, and began shuffling through his papers to find the blueprints of his first microchip.
He smiled when he saw Sayuri walk out of his kitchen with two steaming mugs of coffee in hand. She sat down next to Seiku and handed him his sugar-less one.
"Thank you." Seiku raised an eyebrow when he saw the nearly white coffee Sayuri had made for herself. "… You think you have enough cream?"
Sayuri looked confused for a minute, but then followed his gaze to her coffee cup. "Oh, that. I don't really like coffee. I have to have a lot of cream and sugar to tolerate it. I hope you don't mind me using so much."
Seiku numbly shook his head. "If you don't like coffee, why are you drinking it?"
Sayuri shrugged. "I need a lot of caffeine if I'm gonna pull an all-nighter."
Seiku nodded, then turned back to his papers. "So… before I can program this chip… it seems you owe me a story, Mrs. Kenohe."
Sayuri sighed. "Guess so."
So she told him exactly what she'd been doing since Takeshi was hospitalized, to the point where she was standing outside Seiku's door.
Seiku was silent for a moment, as he absorbed all the information. "Well… what we need to do is program a chip that's exactly the opposite of the one before, so it can undo what the first chip did, and restore Robin's memory."
"That shouldn't be too hard!"
"You're right, that part isn't… but first, we have to find what went wrong with the first chip. It was programmed to delete the person's morals…. So, unless we want to risk killing him, or shorting out his brain altogether, we need to find out what went wrong the first time, and fix that."
Sayuri nodded. "I think I understand…" She pointed at a set of blueprints across the table. "Those are the prototype's blueprints, right?"
"Yes… so that's where they were!"
"Okay." She reached across the table and took a few pages of the blueprints.
Thus, the search began.
Meanwhile…
Starfire lay awake in her little corner of the hallway, surprised to find that she couldn't get a wink of sleep. It wasn't because she was sleeping on the floor – 'cause she couldn't count how many times she'd done that before! And though it was a little chilly, the cold wasn't the problem either. Really, if anything could be blamed for her alertness, it would have to be her anxiety over Robin.
She glanced over at him, lying against the wall a few feet away. He was fast asleep. I think he is drooling…
Starfire smiled, and stood up from her makeshift bed. She walked over to Robin, and sat down beside his head. Yes, that's most certainly drool……… He looks… adorable, when he's sleeping. Some little voice in the back of Starfire's head was telling her she should go back and get some sleep, but she was ignoring it for the time being – too caught up in the chance to just… look at Robin.
Almost impulsively, she began to run her fingers through his short, silky hair. He is such a handsome earthling… I wish I knew what his face looks like… She had a sudden urge to peer under his mask, and see Robin's true face. But she pushed back the urge, telling herself that Robin may have a reason –other then the obvious- for keeping his face hidden… I should respect his privacy…
Starfire sighed. "I suppose it does not matter what you look like anyway, Robin… though you're certainly very handsome… But… I think I have fallen in love with what's on the inside of you, more then the outside…" She paused, realizing that she'd finally admitted to love. "Is that really what this is, then? Love?" She leaned back against the wall, still gazing at Robin.
"Every second you are with me, Robin… each one is an eternity I want to bottle up and treasure for the rest of my life. You make me feel… I do not know how to describe this… You can make me feel as though we two are the only ones in the world… Sometimes you make my heart pound so hard the sound rings in my ears… and other times it feels as though it has stopped all together." She stopped her lengthy confession, chuckling when she saw Robin had hardly stirred in his sleep.
"I guess I'm just talking to myself now…"
Starfire realized that even if Robin had been awake, he wouldn't have understood what she was talking about, at all. She loved him… and he didn't even remember her. Tears began to stream down Starfire's face. She put her hands up to her eyes in an effort to hide them, but it only served to start her sobbing.
We… we must get you back. I cannot keep going like this…
Starfire's eyes widened as she felt a strong, warm pair of arms wrap around her, and a soothing voice whisper something into her ear.
A few minutes earlier
Robin was dreaming. No, not one of those storybook type dreams. And not the "I'm-flying-on-the-clouds" type dreams either. His dream was a dark and endless void, with twisted realities, and filled with confusion.
Roooooobin…?
Hello?
Robin…?
Who are you?
Robin? Where've you gone?
The dream-voice was feminine. The girl's voice sounded lonely and afraid. Robin couldn't quite place whom it belonged to.
I'm right here…Robin… why have you left me?
I haven't gone anywhere! I'm HERE!
You… you have left me all alone.
W-What?
Why won't you come back to me?
I don't know… I-I want to.
Then do! I… I am very sad without you.
I'm sorry… I don't know how to get to you…The dream-girl's voice died away in despair.
Wait!! Come back!
Nothing. Complete silence.
Robin's eyes snapped open, efficiently waking him up from his dream. Hearing that girl's desperate voice calling his name… and then just fade away… it had filled him with such a deep feeling of loneliness… he didn't think he could take the agony of it any longer.
Once his heart stopped pounding, and his breathing slowed again, he took the time to notice something. There was someone sitting next to him. Crying.
He sat up, and turned around to face whomever it was.
It was the alien girl he'd been traveling with earlier. Robin couldn't quite shake the feeling that this girl was the one from his dreams. Before his mind could process his actions, Robin flung his arms around her in a comforting embrace.
"Shh… it'll be all right," he whispered, not quite sure what he was saying. "Please don't cry, Star."
Starfire's eyes widened. "R-Robin… you called me 'Star'."
Robin nodded. "That is your name, right? Starfire? I… kind of had a strong feeling that it was."
Starfire nodded too. "Yes… that's it."
Robin smiled and hugged her tighter. "I'm so glad I'm finally remembering something…"
"I am too. This, if nothing else, proves there is hope."
Robin nodded. "I'm wondering… Were we very deeply in love?"
Starfire was more then a little surprised by the sudden question. She took a while to answer. "… Yes, I suppose we were both very deeply in love. At least I think that you loved me… and I know that I love you." She sighed. "But we never told each other… It was kind of kept a deep secret."
Robin frowned. "I wonder why we would keep a secret like that…"
Starfire looked up at the ceiling, suddenly very aware of how good she felt to be held in Robin's arms. "I do not know. I should have told you."
Robin said nothing for a very long time. At first Starfire was afraid he had fallen asleep again. Then, "I want to remember, so badly…"
"Mr. Arai and Sayuri are working on something that will help restore your memory…"
"But what if I still can't remember? What will I do then?"
Starfire pulled back to look at him. She gave him a sad smile. "Then I'll have to save you myself. Chip or not."
Robin felt immensely comforted by those words. Something about them made him feel a whole lot safer. "It's good to know you'll be here for me."
Starfire nodded. "I'll always be here for you." She leaned over and kissed his cheek, before standing up and walking back over to her own blanket and pillow. As she lay back down, she whispered back across the hall, "Good night, Robin."
"Sweet dreams, Star."
Back with Sayuri and Seiku…The kitchen table had been dead silent for hours now. The only sounds that broke this earth shattering silence were whispered murmurings, every minute or so, and the occasionally sip of coffee.
It was now 3 in the morning.
Seiku and Sayuri were both now pretty accustomed to the complete silence around them. That's why they both nearly fell out of their chairs when they heard a tired, groggy voice call out to them from the hallway's entrance.
"Seiku? You're still awake?" The woman was wearing a frilly, white night gown, and her gray, white streaked hair was wrapped up high in pink curlers. "And… Mrs. Kenohe! What are you doing here?"
Sayuri sighed, amused. "Mr. Arai has you calling me that, too? It's still Iotanke, Mrs. Arai. We aren't married yet."
"Back in my day, engagement was just as good as marriage."
Sayuri chuckled. "So I've heard."
Seiku smiled kindly at his wife. "Azuka… what are you doing up? You should be getting some sleep."
Azuka shook her head. "Thanks, but I'm not dying – just a little hung over."
Sayuri gasped. "Mrs. Arai… you were drinking? I mean… there's nothing wrong with that…. it's just that I wouldn't have expected it of you."
Seiku laughed. "Oh, no. Azuka wasn't really drinking."
Azuka nodded. "Some of the punch they served at my office was spiked with alcohol. It's a dangerous thing for someone to do, but I'm just glad it wasn't anything worse."
Sayuri nodded. "I'm glad nothing like that ever happened to me. I'd be scared to drink punch again."
Azuka swayed a little on her feet, and put a hand to her head. "Know what? I think I'm gonna take a rest on the couch."
Seiku nodded. "That's a good idea. Why don't you turn on the news? I'd love to talk with you, but I'm just kind of busy…"
Azuka nodded, sitting down on the couch, and flipping on the Arai's old TV. "That's all right, honey. I understand."
Sayuri and Seiku went back to searching through the blueprints for flaws.
The TV took a few minutes to start up. When it did, the image crackled and the sound blared, but Azuka seemed to enjoy watching it, nonetheless.
There were two news anchors on. Apparently their names were Jake and Brenda. Brenda had Barbie blonde hair, and a huge cheesy smile. Jake had stiff brown hair, gelled back in an Elvis-like look. Both had on so much make-up, they looked like they were made of plastic. Currently, Brenda was talking.
"… and they've still yet to get that poor kid down. Hopefully, the garbage truck's emergency brakes will hold up long enough to get that kid off it, and safely down the mountainside."
"Right. More on that later. In other news, a teenager by the name of Evan Pepple has reported to be another molestation victim of Michael Jackson. Pepple says that Jackson had invited him into his house for some candy, then proceeded to--…."
"This just in! There's been a bomb threat to the New York City Northside Hospital. A bomb squad is searching throughout the premises, but they have yet to find anything. The threat-maker will only identify himself as "Slade." Well, whoever Slade is, he sure is good at hiding explosives!"
Jake nodded. "You've got that right, Brenda."
Sayuri's head snapped towards the TV. "D-Did she just say…….?"
Seiku nodded, shocked. "Wasn't Mr. Kenohe in that hospital?"
"Yes…" Sayuri stood up, her chair screeching back behind her. "I've got to go!"
"Wait! What about Robin's memory? Are you forgetting your promise to that girl?"
Sayuri froze, and then shook her head. "No… I'm not forgetting my promise. But what should I do, then?"
Seiku thought it over. "Do this; Go to the hospital and protect your fiancé. Bring a few of the titans with you, because this Slade character may be there, and wanting a fight. But leave Robin and Starfire here, incase I crack the code to this chip. I'll need Starfire here to trigger his memories back, and I'll need Robin too, for the obvious reasons."
Sayuri slowly nodded. "Great idea!! Oh, thank you so much for everything, Mr. Arai! I'll make it up to you sometime soon, I promise!"
Seiku nodded. "Yes, yes, now get going."
Azuka nodded too, and glanced over at Raven and Beast Boy, curled up together on the other end of the couch. "I can wake up these two for you."
Sayuri smiled. "Thanks!" She ran into the Arai's dining room, to get up Cyborg.
She found him, curled up on the shag rug under the table. Sayuri crawled down next to him, and gently shook the half-robot. "Cyborg… Wake up, please… I'm gonna need your help…"
Cyborg rolled over, murmuring in his sleep. "… oh, yeah, girl… you know… you want me…"
Sayuri held in her laughter with difficulty. She shook Cyborg quite a bit harder. "Come on, you rock! Get up!"
Cyborg groaned, and his eyes slowly opening. "Eh…? What'd'ya want? It can't be mornin' yet…"
"I know. I'm sorry. Please get up. I need your help with Slade."
Cyborg sighed, rolling out from under the table, and getting back onto his feet. "Alright, alright… I'm comin'."
Sayuri crawled out from under the table, and the two of them walked back into the living room. They came in to find Azuka leaning over Beast Boy and Raven. She was shaking Beast Boy, who was just flopping around like a lifeless doll would. A trail of drool hung from his mouth.
"Ah, man… You're trying to wake up BB? He sleeps like a log!"
Sayuri chuckled. "Then what would you suggest?"
Cyborg shrugged. "Wake up Raven first."
Azuka glanced at Raven. "I didn't want to wake her myself… she looks a little moody… and strangely familiar."
Seiku smiled. "Don't think on it too hard, darling. You're still not feeling well, you know."
Sayuri nodded, and walked over to the couch. She gently shook Raven by the shoulders. She awoke instantly. "What is it?"
Sayuri took a step back. "Whoa… you're a light sleeper, eh?"
"Yes. Why'd you wake me up? It's gotta be 4 in the morning."
Sayuri nodded, impressed. "I need you three to help me with Slade. Can you wake up Beast Boy for me?"
Raven nodded and turned back to look at Beast Boy. She shook his shoulders vigorously, but had the same results as Asuka.
"BEEEEEEAAAASSSSTTT BOOOOOOYYY!!!!" she yelled directly into his ear.
Still, all to no avail.
Raven sighed. "Well…"
She leaned over Beast Boy and gave him a soft kiss. She (A/N- reluctantly?) pulled back when she felt Beast Boy slid his tongue into her mouth. "Alright. He's awake."
Beast Boy groggily sat up, yawning widely. "Eh… what's up, guys?"
Sayuri smiled. "Okay! Now that everyone's up, let's go."
Beast Boy (anime-like) sweatdropped. "Huh? Go where?"
(A/N- Soooo… was the fluff scene any good? I'm not terribly good at writing fluff… or humor… or action… or—Well, I'd better stop depressing myself. Even if I don't think I write well, you guys still *enjoy* my stories (to some degree, at least), so everything's cool.
Hn… so, what'd you think about this chapter? Good? Bad? What? PLEASE REVIEW AND LET ME KNOW!!
Oh-yeah… Review responses…
Chi-chi-chan: I figured "hey, my story has way too many cliché's already, so what's one more gonna hurt?" Hope you enjoyed it.
Fooble Bloop: I answered you in an e-mail, but for everyone else's benefit – support services are those bonus features they make you pay for, like getting a picture in your bio, or being able to see your fic's hit numbers. They have the support services listed when you click on the "log in" link (obviously, when you're already logged in).
Prisonero: It's a funny idea. I'll consider it. But I don't think so, at the moment. So far, the Yu Yu Hakusho inserts have been mainly for inside-joke humor with YYH fans and myself. It's not really a crossover fic as of yet. But I guess I could do that… It'd be kinda fun.
Toast: ^__^ I have a lot of info about me in my bio, hon. It also lists the animes and things I've seen and liked, so maybe you should read that. But, to save you the time, yes – I've seen Spirited Away, and (though the ending was super sad) I loved it to pieces. Haku is the hottest river spirit I have ever seen!! Er… even though he's the only one I've ever seen… Haku is still wicked awesome! Chihiro's a lucky duck. ^_^
Loselen Snowstar: Thanks for the advice. I'm trying it out on this chapter. Let me know if my homonym usage is any better.
Well, that's all for now folks. Now I'll end this little Author Note with my trademark (desperate?) plea for reviews.
Review PLEEEEEEEEAAAAAASE!!!!)