Author's Note: Well, it came much later than I thought it would, but here is the new chapter for you! Once again, I apologize for taking so long. Without the internet, its nearly impossible for me to update. However, as I meantioned in my note, I have the internet again, this time on my own computer in my own home, so I'll have the internet for a long while. ^_^ Thanks for being so patient.
Also, most of you have noticed a certain review someone left me. Please ignore her small-minded comments, as she obviously wants to get a rise out of people. I've reported her to ff.net abuse, and I've thankfully gotten others to do the same. Hopefully, she won't be around for much longer. ^_^ Until then, pay her no mind and enjoy the story!
Thanks!
Aqua
Seekers
Chapter 6
Tohru finished the last bite of her food as she and her partners stepped through the door of Laboratory 2A2. They hadn't even finished breakfast yet when the summons had come, ordering them to appear at the lab immediately. She'd taken what she could with her, Yuki doing the same. She'd told Kyou that the tests would probably go through lunch, that he should grab what he could now unless he wanted to remain hungry until supper, but he'd refused.
She was determined to become friends with him. Kyou was so closed off he even walked in such a manner that his shoulders hunched toward his face, as though trying to keep himself hidden. It would take a lot to reach him, if it were even possible. She'd seen the emotions in his eyes last night, anger and coldness she could never understand. Along with it, however, had been suffering. If she could discover what that suffering was, perhaps she could help ease it. Then she may even be able to make friends.
There was so much mystery surrounding Kyou. The fact that he was the Thirteenth was enough to give pause. There had never been meantion of a thirteenth spirit, and the other twelve had been around each other since birth. Some might of been more secluded from the others, as Yuki was, but they at least knew each other. Kyou's introduction had come as a shock to them, and Tohru had noticed all of the looks they had gotten lately. Apparently, no one who hadn't had to know was told of Kyou's arrival. Word of mouth had passed the information along.
Standing with her spine straight, Tohru lifted her chin proudly as they stopped before Madako and Tamora. Both were scientists who studied compatibility between teammates, giving her a clear idea on what they were here for. Obviously, their reports from last night had caused a stir with the higher-ups. No one had expected such success so quickly, if at all.
Madako smiled and stepped forward to greet them. He was the younger of the two, and was much nicer. Tohru liked working with him, since he usually made the testing more interesting and less like work. Tamora, however, was a 'numbers' man. He wasn't cruel, but he cared more about the results than how they came about. For the two of them to be partnered in these tests would be interesting.
"It's good to see you kids. We're going to be starting with basic skills, then move on to more complex tests," Madako said.
"What exactly are we going to be doing?" Kyou questioned shortly.
He hadn't met them before, Tohru noted.
"Your reports were verified and found correct, rating a compatibility rate for this mission at 97 percent," Tamora stated. "You must know that such a compatibility rate is very high for a first mission."
"Of course, but Tohru and I receive that range of rating on all of our missions," Yuki replied.
"However, this mission didn't include just the two of you," Madako interjected. "It was Kyou's first mission. Which means he is either an impossibly remarkable Seeker, or you work together at a spectacular level."
Tohru smiled at the boys on each side of her. "I told you we would be an amazing team. You guys may still have your doubts, but the numbers speak for themselves. Imagine how well we'll do when you actually get along!"
Kyou snorted and Yuki gave her a pointed look, neither of them even glancing at the other. "Numbers aren't everything," she heard Kyou mutter.
"Actually, numbers are everything when you're a Seeker team," Tamora stated. "You may not know it, given your previous circumstances, but your rank is very important. The higher rating you have, the higher your team ranks. Along with rank comes certain privileges, a reward system if you like. You'll come to desire those high numbers."
"A person's worth shouldn't be decided by rank. As someone who technically doesn't have one, certainly you'd understand that?" Kyou shot back, his tone venomous.
Tamora raised an eyebrow. "I'm not a Seeker. Nor am I a smart-mouthed kid. I've had enough of this. We're starting the tests now. Madako, prepare the program. I want Tohru and Yuki first."
And so the tests began and Tohru went through the motions as she had endless times before. Before Yuki she had been part of another team and compatibility tests of some sort were done at least once every three months. First, a quiz on the others personal and behavioral data. Followed by basic non-verbal actions; passing things, moving around objects without running into each other, and other such things.
As the hours passed, the tests became more intense. Although Tohru couldn't be included in missions that needed transformation to be completed, she still took part in other areas and her testing wasn't any less intense. They were given brief moments to rest and get something to drink, but were quickly running through the preverbal hoops once again. Madako did his best to keep their energy up and encourage them, but it was difficult because Tamora would reprimand him for wasting time.
The machines came last, and Tohru was physically exhausted by then so she eagerly slipped into the cool seat. This was the part of the testing she hated most, the invasion of her mind, but she was grateful for the chance to rest her body. It was something she couldn't refuse to do anyway, so there was no sense in getting upset about it.
The clamps came across her legs and arms and she heard them secure into place, making it impossible for her to move. Then came the headclamp and she felt the pieces of the machine that she had never seen secure upon her head. Something slipped across her cheeks and forehead, and then she fell unconscious.
To be continued
Also, most of you have noticed a certain review someone left me. Please ignore her small-minded comments, as she obviously wants to get a rise out of people. I've reported her to ff.net abuse, and I've thankfully gotten others to do the same. Hopefully, she won't be around for much longer. ^_^ Until then, pay her no mind and enjoy the story!
Thanks!
Aqua
Seekers
Chapter 6
Tohru finished the last bite of her food as she and her partners stepped through the door of Laboratory 2A2. They hadn't even finished breakfast yet when the summons had come, ordering them to appear at the lab immediately. She'd taken what she could with her, Yuki doing the same. She'd told Kyou that the tests would probably go through lunch, that he should grab what he could now unless he wanted to remain hungry until supper, but he'd refused.
She was determined to become friends with him. Kyou was so closed off he even walked in such a manner that his shoulders hunched toward his face, as though trying to keep himself hidden. It would take a lot to reach him, if it were even possible. She'd seen the emotions in his eyes last night, anger and coldness she could never understand. Along with it, however, had been suffering. If she could discover what that suffering was, perhaps she could help ease it. Then she may even be able to make friends.
There was so much mystery surrounding Kyou. The fact that he was the Thirteenth was enough to give pause. There had never been meantion of a thirteenth spirit, and the other twelve had been around each other since birth. Some might of been more secluded from the others, as Yuki was, but they at least knew each other. Kyou's introduction had come as a shock to them, and Tohru had noticed all of the looks they had gotten lately. Apparently, no one who hadn't had to know was told of Kyou's arrival. Word of mouth had passed the information along.
Standing with her spine straight, Tohru lifted her chin proudly as they stopped before Madako and Tamora. Both were scientists who studied compatibility between teammates, giving her a clear idea on what they were here for. Obviously, their reports from last night had caused a stir with the higher-ups. No one had expected such success so quickly, if at all.
Madako smiled and stepped forward to greet them. He was the younger of the two, and was much nicer. Tohru liked working with him, since he usually made the testing more interesting and less like work. Tamora, however, was a 'numbers' man. He wasn't cruel, but he cared more about the results than how they came about. For the two of them to be partnered in these tests would be interesting.
"It's good to see you kids. We're going to be starting with basic skills, then move on to more complex tests," Madako said.
"What exactly are we going to be doing?" Kyou questioned shortly.
He hadn't met them before, Tohru noted.
"Your reports were verified and found correct, rating a compatibility rate for this mission at 97 percent," Tamora stated. "You must know that such a compatibility rate is very high for a first mission."
"Of course, but Tohru and I receive that range of rating on all of our missions," Yuki replied.
"However, this mission didn't include just the two of you," Madako interjected. "It was Kyou's first mission. Which means he is either an impossibly remarkable Seeker, or you work together at a spectacular level."
Tohru smiled at the boys on each side of her. "I told you we would be an amazing team. You guys may still have your doubts, but the numbers speak for themselves. Imagine how well we'll do when you actually get along!"
Kyou snorted and Yuki gave her a pointed look, neither of them even glancing at the other. "Numbers aren't everything," she heard Kyou mutter.
"Actually, numbers are everything when you're a Seeker team," Tamora stated. "You may not know it, given your previous circumstances, but your rank is very important. The higher rating you have, the higher your team ranks. Along with rank comes certain privileges, a reward system if you like. You'll come to desire those high numbers."
"A person's worth shouldn't be decided by rank. As someone who technically doesn't have one, certainly you'd understand that?" Kyou shot back, his tone venomous.
Tamora raised an eyebrow. "I'm not a Seeker. Nor am I a smart-mouthed kid. I've had enough of this. We're starting the tests now. Madako, prepare the program. I want Tohru and Yuki first."
And so the tests began and Tohru went through the motions as she had endless times before. Before Yuki she had been part of another team and compatibility tests of some sort were done at least once every three months. First, a quiz on the others personal and behavioral data. Followed by basic non-verbal actions; passing things, moving around objects without running into each other, and other such things.
As the hours passed, the tests became more intense. Although Tohru couldn't be included in missions that needed transformation to be completed, she still took part in other areas and her testing wasn't any less intense. They were given brief moments to rest and get something to drink, but were quickly running through the preverbal hoops once again. Madako did his best to keep their energy up and encourage them, but it was difficult because Tamora would reprimand him for wasting time.
The machines came last, and Tohru was physically exhausted by then so she eagerly slipped into the cool seat. This was the part of the testing she hated most, the invasion of her mind, but she was grateful for the chance to rest her body. It was something she couldn't refuse to do anyway, so there was no sense in getting upset about it.
The clamps came across her legs and arms and she heard them secure into place, making it impossible for her to move. Then came the headclamp and she felt the pieces of the machine that she had never seen secure upon her head. Something slipped across her cheeks and forehead, and then she fell unconscious.
To be continued