Disclaimer: I don't own Cyborg Soldier 009. It is owned by Shotaro Ishinomori (or whatever his real name is), TV Tokyo, and some very rich people.
Warning: Minor spoilers for later episodes.
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RISING SUN: Chapter VIII
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"So why are we ALL going to New York again?" Jet huffed, crossing his arms in frustration. "This is completely unnecessary."
"What? Don't want us to meet your girlfriend?" GB teased, snickering. "Or are you afraid that once she sees this beautiful face, she'll fall madly in love with me, leaving the poor, younger man for a wiser, more mature—"
"GAH! Die!" The American had leapt from his seat and now held GB's shrinking throat in his hands.
"002," Albert sighed, shaking his head. "You are always making fun of others and yet, you can't take a little joke yourself."
"As if you can," Jet hissed, glaring at the Russian while keeping his hold on the now-blue GB.
"002, please release 007 at once, lest you have us kicked off the plane," Françoise ordered calmly, leaning against her seat with her eyes closed. "Or maybe I should just kick you off the plane now myself. And I do realize we are in midair."
Jet muttered and immediately released the British man, who began to gasp for air. "Thanks," the older man wheezed out, "003."
"002 is technically older than you anyways," Françoise muttered offhandedly.
"Perhaps in how long he's been on earth," GB replied. "But his mind's maturity still has not reached my level yet."
"I don't believe minds can…'de-age,' 007," Jet retorted with a smirk.
This earned him a disdainful look from GB. "I don't believe you deserve a response, foolish child."
"You just gave me one."
"Hah! That's what you think."
"Do they never stop?" Albert muttered to himself, rubbing his temples.
Bina giggled from her seat beside him. "I find them quite amusing to watch."
Her seatmate scoffed. "We'll see if you can say that in a month."
Bina simply laughed softly, clasping his hand in her own and leaning contentedly on his shoulder.
~
"Where did you say the lab was again?" Dr. Gilmore asked Helen.
"Well, I'm not really sure," Helen replied, glancing around in confusion. "I only remember seeing the reconstruction of that statue."
"The Statue of Liberty," Jet muttered, looking across the bay at the reconstruction site. "How can you not know what she's called?"
"Leave her alone," Joe scolded the cyborg. "It's not as if she had the chance to learn these things in her previous life, or in this one."
Jet rolled his eyes. "Tch. Whatever."
"Well, I suppose we could get some rooms around here," the doctor replied. "We'll also stay for awhile and see if nothing else pops up into your mind, Helen. How does that sound?" Everyone nodded their consent and began their search of a suitable hotel.
"I propose we go visit 002's girlfriend, too!" GB suggested, nudging the American in the ribs. "Probably hiding out in his apartment and that's why he doesn't want us over there."
"I've already said this a million times—she is NOT my girlfriend and my apartment is too SMALL to fit so many—"
"I'd like to see that New Year's Eve countdown they have here," Chang interrupted. "I've heard its quite fun."
"Me too!" GB exclaimed excitedly, forgetting about his teasing of Jet for the moment. "Do you really kiss the person closest to you at midnight?"
"Unfortunately for whomever has the bad luck of standing next to you at midnight, yes," Jet answered.
"I once again deem the likes of you unworthy of a retort from me," GB huffed, crossing his arms and walking away.
"Let's just find a place to rest," Françoise spoke, surprising the team. Her silence since her retort to Jet and GB on the plane had frightened them a little, but they all figured it was just PMS. "I need quiet and relaxation."
Pyunma nodded his agreement. "Yes. I've been having a slight headache since we left."
"Probably due to all the bickering between 002 and 007," Albert explained.
"And I have also deemed you unworthy of any replies from me," GB sniffed, looking at Albert scornfully.
"It's okay," Bina consoled the Russian, smiling up at him. "I still deem you worthy of anything from me." As everyone "oohed" and "ahed" at the couple, Bina giggled at Albert's red face.
"Thanks," Albert muttered. Bina smiled warmly and kissed him lightly on the cheek, earning more teasing from the group.
"I'm glad my sister's happy," Helen sincerely commented. "She definitely deserves it." However, she frowned slightly at how close Bina was to Albert—perhaps a little too happy with him, she thought to herself.
Seeing her frown, Joe placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Hey, don't worry, I'm sure you'll find someone too. Besides, you'll be more than happy with us around."
Glancing at the hand on her shoulder, Helen smiled softly. "Thank you, Joe."
Joe slid his hand off her shoulder and into his pocket, but beamed at her. "No need to thank me. As long as I get to see you smile."
Françoise stopped peaking up at them from beneath her bangs, returning her gaze to the ground. Even though she was so far behind them, she could still hear their conversation—how Helen had called him Joe and his returned comment. Blinking, she realized her eyes were moist, and hastily wiped them away.
"Is something the matter, 003?" Dr. Gilmore questioned in concern by her side.
"Iie," she replied. "Just something in my eye."
The short, old man glanced at her dubiously, but shook his head. "If you say so. And I know I'm an old man and can't relate to women, but if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here."
Françoise smiled down at him gratefully. "Thank you, Dr. Gilmore. Besides, you're probably better to talk to than the others—even for my womanly issues."
The two chuckled, causing Joe and Helen to look back at them. "What's so funny?" Joe asked, smiling at his girlfriend.
"Nothing that concerns you," Françoise replied, a little colder than she had wanted.
Looking a little hurt, Joe turned back around. "Oh, sorry."
The French opened her mouth, her hand reaching up a little, but seeing Helen placing a comforting hand on his arm, she narrowed her eyes and stopped her actions.
"003…?"
But she just shook her head and smiled at her companion. "Don't worry about it."
~
"My Lord, they've arrived."
Two figures were in a darkened room, the only light coming from the blank screen to the side. The standing figure stood up from her bow and glanced at the man sitting behind the large desk, his hands clasped in front of his face.
"Good. How much do they know?"
"Sister has only told them that we are near the statue's reconstruction site."
"Very good. And how are the cyborgs progressing?
"009 and 003 are drifting apart—Sister has attracted 009's attention."
"Excellent. We can soon initiate the plans."
"Yes, My Lord."
"Now return to your training."
"My Lord." The figure bowed deeply before leaving the room.
The figure in the large chair swiveled himself towards the giant screen. Leaning back and taking the remote in his arms, he clicked to reveal an image of the two bickering cyborgs while three others watched, and Bina clinging onto one of their arms.
~
"This place looks good," Pyunma said as the stopped in front of the grand hotel.
"It's a little expensive, don't you think?" Helen commented as she looked up at the sign—Paradise.
"You're in luck," Dr. Gilmore replied, causing the group to turn and look him. "An old acquaintance of mine actually owns this place. Never thought that it would be so successful. Then again, she was quite the charmer."
"Really now, Dr. Gilmore," GB began, raising an eyebrow.
Dr. Gilmore blinked, then turned a bright scarlet and quickly shook his hands defensively. "Th-that's not what I m-meant!"
"Didn't know you had it in you, Dr. Gilmore," Jet teased.
"I think it's rather cute," Helen followed, giggling at the doctor.
"N-no! Stop! You don't understand!" the short man tried to explain as the others laughed at him.
~
The image was now on Dr. Gilmore, the female and baby cyborgs. Glaring, the figure scoffed at their relaxed attitudes. But as the image focused on the doctor, he smirked.
"Soon, old friend, soon." The man opened his mouth and lifted his head back, the room engulfed in dark and hollow laughter.
~
"Evil is obvious only in retrospect." –Gloria Steinem****************(^o^)****************
Yes, I know—THREE months. It actually only took me one month to come up with this chapter, but I kept procrastinating completing it because creating the details was taking too much brain energy. (As you can see, Senioritis as settled in, right on schedule.) Anyhow, I started to write it out a month ago, but my laptop decided that it was the perfect time to reveal its old age and die on me. Then I got a new laptop last week—and can you believe that its wireless card doesn't work? As much as Sony entertainments are wonderful products—their laptops are pieces of feces! Stupid Sony. I also somehow bought the exact same laptop as my friend—except hers actually works. I am seriously the most unluckiest person ever! But if you feel your unluckier, please do share your experiences and so I won't feel so alone. After all, sharing is caring. =)
Okay, I've officially forgotten 005's name. Wait, the big Native American guy is 005, right? I know its G. Junior, but what does the G stand for? See how bad this is? I can't even remember his name! Although, I do know his birthday is on Christmas, but that's not much help. And I think Toonami, or Cartoon Network, or whatever, is actually airing the rest of the series on Saturday nights at 10:30, right? If so, does anyone know how far they've gone? Like, episode number, name, or a description? Thanks! I keep forgetting to watch it—and I don't really feel like watching the dubbed version anyways.
Now, thanks for everyone and anyone for bearing with me. My sister's been constantly insulting me for not writing—but that's probably because I make fun of her for never finishing her stories either. Hehe. And I'm again sorry for any grammatical or spelling or any type of errors—I'm so lazy it's unbelievable. Furthermore, I am once again too lazy to reply to everyone, but here are some responses to some of the comments I just HAD to respond to. But thanks again for everyone who did and still is reading and/or reviewing Rising Sun. Although, don't expect any updates too soon. My Senioritis is settling into all aspects of my life (you should see me at work—horrible).
Wicked Enough: Okay, you might hate me for saying this, but I don't particularly like Rurouni Kenshin. Well, as an anime, I love it, but as a series, it gets a little dull at times, but then it starts to pick up again. Then again, most long animes are like that—I'd watch certain segments of it and skip others. So I'm usually lost—probably why I also forget plots of fanfictions. Hehe. Anyhow, another reason for my dislike of Rurouni Kenshin is my dislike for Kaoru. I think I don't like her because I watched the OVA/OAV (I still don't know how to spell that) first, the one about Kenshin's life 10 years ago, with his wife Tomoe (I fell in love with this coupling, especially from the manga—she's so pretty in there). However, I am quite for Kenshin/Kaoru pairing simply because that's how it ends, and they do look cute together—and I think they're good for each other, even if Tomoe is better for Kenshin. And I think Enishi/Kaoru is also kind of cute too. And if any die-hard Kenshin/Kaoru fans are reading this, they might kill me anyways.
Wolf Princess: Shut up.
GoldAngel2: I've been trying, really! That marathon didn't really help…I fell asleep halfway through. Haha. But the next day, I started watching my Japanese DVDs, but I fell asleep a little ways through that too. But now that it's spring break, I'll try to watch the series again and perhaps rekindle my interest.
Wolfwood11: I really have to go back and find out their eye color—unless you know a site that actually gives us some information. And thanks a bunch! I did get your response in kind. But as I said before, *blushes* I fell asleep. Heh heh…
Lucifer's Kitty: I think you must have skipped over the Special, because it explains about Bina, and Helen.
I'm sorry I'm not personally responding to anyone else, but please don't stop reviewing because of that. Your reviews spark new ideas and encourage my more diligent side to actually sit down and write. And if I'm making you mad because of the way Joe is acting with Helen (especially with this chapter—much more Joe/Helen interaction than Joe/Françoise), good, because that's what I'm aiming for. =D Lots of love! *hugs and kisses*