Chapter Seven: Perception, part one

The Uzuki house was a peculiarity in a world where everything was automated by computers. Several rooms in the house were not even equipped to accept voice activated commands. Walls were paper thin, sliding doors opened manually, and there was no artificial environment to regulate. In the cooler seasons, a noticeable chill ran through the house and in the summers, the doors and windows were opened to alleviate the heat. It was a mystery why anyone would subject themselves to such a barbaric lifestyle.

The house was situated on top of a steep incline miles away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The hill sloped south at such a sharp angle that the house appeared to sit on the edge of a precipice. To the east was a spectacular view of the city and to the west, a winding road that lead down the hill through a heavily wooded forest. Why Jin chose this particular plot of land to settle on baffled Shion. It was so isolated from everything.

The land to the north flattened out into a plateau and it was from this plateau that one could see nothing but water for miles and miles. A shrine and two tombstones also rested here, sheltered by the shade of several cherry trees in full bloom. A sudden breeze swept through the trees and they shivered, sending a gentle rain of white petals to the earth.

It was well past noon and the sun's rays had shifted significantly before a man emerged from the shrine. His eyes were drawn immediately to the expanse of blue stretching out into the distance. The sea, deep and calm, reflected sentiments within the man. A trace of a smile dimpled his cheeks as he soaked up the view. The novelty of the moment never seemed to dull.

I stand here every day, but every day feels like it's the first time.

With slow, meditative strides, he left the doorway of the shrine and walked down the steps, carelessly plucking a blossom from a low hanging branch as he passed. The flower seemed to dissolve between his fingers upon contact. Its petals fluttered to the ground like tiny, white butterflies. Life was so frail, he thought, staring at the remains of the blossom in his hand. He lifted his palm and a breeze carried the stem skyward.

Though life ends here, life begins elsewhere.

He smiled faintly, comforted by the thought and turned down a dirt path towards the house. As he neared the gate to the yard, the sound of voices immediately put him on guard. He wasn't expecting visitors. In fact, he never got visitors. His hand instinctively went to his side and gripped the hilt of the sword he carried with him at all times.

Eyes narrowed on the door. The voices were coming from inside the house. His brow creased in confusion and then his jaw dropped when he recognized the voice belonging to the woman.

It can't be...

His sister's face appeared at the entrance.

Shion.

At first, he thought he was imagining things. She was supposed to back at Vector. Less than a month had passed since he saw her depart from the Foundation and he didn't expect to see her again for another year or two at the very least. Apparently, coming home to visit family wasn't very high on her list of priorities.

Hello, Jin, she called softly from the doorway.

he said, crossing the yard. It really is you.

He stood in front of her, hesitantly searching her face for answers. There was something different about her... a wounded look in her eyes that hadn't been there before. It left him momentarily stunned. He hadn't seen that look since she was a child.

It was then that he realized Shion hadn't returned because she wanted to. She came because she had to. He knew only one reason that would bring her out here and his heart grew heavy. It was not going to be a pleasant visit for either of them. He let out a sigh and reached out to greet her with an awkward hug.

You must be weary from your trip.

A little, she confessed, releasing him from the embrace.

Come inside. I'll make tea.

He slipped out of his shoes, leaving them by the door and walked past her. It was then that he saw Allen standing in the room. The shock of seeing another man in his home quickly vanished and a broad smile was plastered across his face.

Jin cried, walking over to shake his hand. Well, well, well, he said, pumping the other man's hand vigorously.

Allen looked over at Shion as if asking for help.

Well, well, well, what? asked Shion with one eyebrow raised.

Jin shook his head, grinning.

I never thought you'd invite any of your friends here, that's all, he replied, finally dropping Allen's hand.

That's because this place is so inhospitable, Shion answered tersely. Half the rooms in this house don't even have computer access. It's like you have something against technology. And I noticed that the Connection Gear I sent you for your birthday is sitting on the shelf, collecting dust.

What use do I have for such toys out here? Jin wondered flippantly, heading to the door on the other side of the room.

Do you see what I have to put up with? Shion asked Allen, who wisely remained silent. He's so ignorant when it comes to these things.

Ignorance is bliss, came Jin's amused reply. Life is so much less complicated without all that stuff, he explained with a shrug. I'll be back with the tea. In the meantime, make yourselves comfortable.

Shion huffed and sat down on the floor.

she demanded. There isn't any furniture.

Jin's chuckles followed him down the hall.

Allen shifted on the spot, looking curiously around the room. Shion was right. Besides a low, square table and some cushions, there wasn't any furniture. If he didn't know any better, he would have guessed that her brother was poor.

He looked down at Shion and wondered if he should remain standing or join her on the floor. She had warned him about her brother's peculiarities, including his love of strange customs and rituals, but he didn't quite expect this. He looked down at his socks and rubbed one foot over the other nervously, still debating his seating problem.

I'm really sorry, Shion said quietly, without turning her head. I know this isn't what you're used to.

Suddenly, Allen realized that she was embarrassed of her home and he was contributing to her embarrassment. He felt like an idiot. Wanting to show her that he didn't care, Allen moved to a cushion and sat down, crossing his legs in front of him like it was the most natural thing in the world. Shion glanced at him, then burst out laughing.

he asked.

Nothing. You just look funny sitting on the floor, she giggled.

You're sitting on the floor, too, he reminded her.

Yes, but this is probably the first time you've visited someone's home and had to sit on the floor.

Allen thought about it and shrugged. She did have a point. A smile lifted the corners of his mouth as he listened to her giggle. He couldn't remember the last time he heard her laugh, but she quickly sobered and his smile faded.

I'm glad you're here, Allen, she said staring at the floor in front of her.

He turned to look at her profile, amazed for the hundredth time that she had asked him to accompany her. It took a few weeks to rearrange their schedules and book some time off and during that period, Allen kept waiting for her to change her mind. He expected her, at least, to have second thoughts about leaving KOS-MOS behind, but she seemed strangely confident that KOS-MOS would be all right.

The drastic change in outlook made him suspicious. Shion was always worrying about KOS-MOS. The fact that she wasn't worrying now meant that she wasn't herself. Allen wondered where that left him once things returned to normal. He agonized over the question the entire trip and couldn't quite relax even now when she had spoken.

You're not sorry you came, are you? she asked when he didn't reply.

He shook his head. Of course not, Chief.

We're not at work, Allen. You don't have to call me Chief.

Shion watched Allen's brows knit together in concentration, but he didn't appear eager to share his thoughts. She sighed and looked down at her lap. What did she expect? She hadn't been forthcoming with her own thoughts lately. The last few weeks had been strange, not only for her but everyone around her as well. Everyone noticed that something was wrong even though she tried to hide behind her smile. It disturbed them so much that when she asked for more time off, they gladly gave it to her, concluding that it did no one any good if she were to suffer from burn out.

Shion wished it was as easy as work related stress. Her dreams were becoming more vivid each night and the gory details would remain with her, haunting her throughout the day. What unnerved Shion the most was that KOS-MOS seemed to be watching her. Perhaps it was paranoia, or maybe KOS-MOS was learning to show concern, but the android's eyes seemed less vacant than usual. Shion could see a glimmer of something in the depths of those red orbs. Something sharp and intelligent. It was as if the android's perception had shifted, or more accurately, it had refocused. Shion couldn't explain why, but she felt close to KOS-MOS even now, though they were separated by so much space.

Jin returned shortly with a tray, although to Shion, it felt like he had been gone for hours. When he saw them sitting on the floor, he seemed extremely delighted.

The rest of the house isn't quite so sparse, of course. This is where I like to sit and meditate, he explained, setting the tray down on the table in front of them.

You like to sit and meditate in every room, said Shion, rolling her eyes.

Jin sat down and poured tea silently. A loose smile hung from his lips. He handed the cups to Allen and then Shion and took one for himself and for a while, the three of them sipped their steaming drinks without speaking.

The mood darkened as the silence wore on. No one seemed in a hurry to address the matter at hand. When conversation could no longer be avoided, Jin set down his cup and broke the tension by telling Shion about the first time they set foot on Second Miltia.

It was an ordinary day like today. Mild. Clear skies. Slight breeze. I remember thinking... an ordinary day never felt so wonderful. We stepped off the transport vessel and walked right past everyone... just kept walking until we left the crowd behind. We went down to the beach and chased the waves all afternoon, getting sand in our clothes and not caring... even though it was all we had with us. You said you wanted to see everything... you wanted to see our new home, every bit of it. So, we hiked up the hill and stood on the plateau. I knew then that this was where our house would be.

Jin noticed Shion's forehead crinkling and laughed softly.

You've forgotten, haven't you?

she answered. I just haven't thought about it in a long time. I... always wondered why you decided to build our house here. I thought it was because you wanted to get as far away from everything as possible.

Jin's eyes were calm like the sea. If Shion's comment hit a sore spot, he didn't show it. The thoughts that lurked in the depths of those solemn eyes would not be revealed so easily. Time and tragedy had changed his impetuous nature and each day he practiced a valuable lesson to appreciate everything around him while there was still a chance.

Stop and smell the roses. Don't grow up too fast, Jin.

He should have listened to his father's advice. Things might have been different. His father might still be alive. But he understood too late and now he had nothing but time on his hands... time to think about life's little ironies.

he began, no longer the lighthearted man who laughed so easily. I did want to get as far away from everything as possible... at one point in my life... this was very true.

He paused to gather his thoughts.

There are moments that I'm not too proud of. I let people down. I let myself down. Walking away from everyone the way I did and going off to school... I didn't realize... how much I was needed. And because I abandoned her...

Jin fell silent as his eyes met Shion's from across the table. He looked at her, silently communicating his words as if it would lessen the pain if he didn't have to say them out loud. His mouth pressed into a thin line, and then he let out a long sigh.

I'm getting ahead of myself, aren't I? I should be asking you why you're here.

You know why I'm here, she said, frowning.

You remembered something...

She nodded and her frown deepened.

Bits and pieces of my childhood, but nothing makes sense. Why can't I remember clearly? Why did I forget in the first place?

The pleading note in her voice annoyed her and her brother's steady gaze only added to her aggravation. When did he become so level headed? she wondered. He seemed to have the patience of a monk. The only time he got upset was when he mentioned her. She knew he was talking about their mother. He rarely mentioned her, but when he did, it always upset him.

Jin crossed his arms in front of him and bowed his head in thought.

There's a reason you can't remember, Shion, he said gently. Something traumatic happened to you. The amnesia... it was the shock... I was told, it was probably for the best that you didn't remember...

He pursed his lips and nodded.

I can tell from the look on your face that you do remember now... the day the Gnosis attacked... the hospital... our parents--

Your parents, she interrupted. Her chin lifted in defiance, daring him to deny the truth.

Jin's eyes were hard. The expression on his face seemed set in stone.

I see, he said after a pause. You remember that, too.

She nodded.

Despite how it came to be, Shion, he said quietly. We are family.

His voice was like steel, leaving no doubt in her mind that he meant what he said. Shion was surprised by the sense of relief his words brought.

she asked. Why didn't you tell me... all these years... you could have said something.

I couldn't, he said, shaking his head for emphasis. You'd lost too much... I couldn't take another thing away from you. And... I was afraid that revealing something, no matter how little... might trigger your memories of that day. The shock of what happened almost killed you before. I didn't know what it would do to you a second time.

Jin fell silent as he relived a memory. The look in his eyes was fierce. He took a deep breath and visibly tensed.

Now that you remember the worst of it, there's no harm in telling you the rest. But, perhaps, I should start at the very beginning. I should tell you how we came to Miltia City. I should tell you about mother.


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A/N:
again, I have no idea what kind of person Jin is, what his past is, who he knows... I'm making it all up...
next chapter: part two, told by Jin.