AD 2204, 6/6, 6th Hierarchical City of Yabiko – NOL Branch

As Hellsing disappears into shadow, Carl shivers and shakes. The aftereffects of Alucard's lightning will take some time to fade, but thankfully, that seems to be the extent of the damage. He's going to need to repair his scratched monocle, and his hair is still terribly frizzy. The first thing he'll need is a nice, warm, bubbly bath to soothe his aching body.

Ada rushes over to him once he's in sight, and Carl sighs in relief as she pulls him into an embrace. While he doesn't like having to burden her so often as of late, he always feels safest when in her arms.

"Thanks, Sis. I think I should take a bath. Let's go." The siblings ascend the stairs swiftly and make their way toward Mutsuki's 'residential' level. However, upon entering the main hall, they face a rather… loud obstacle.

"W-What?! Master Carl! What's happened to you?" Bang Shishigami zooms forward in a green-red blur, hovering worriedly just out of arm's reach of Carl.

Carl does his best to bite back an indignant huff of exhaustion. He doesn't much feel like socializing at the moment, but Bang has every right to worry, he supposes.

He takes a deep breath, and calmly meets Bang's eyes. "It's nothing, Mister Bang. Just some lingering pain. I'll be fine after a nice bath."

Bang blinks, and his concerned frown deepens. "Lingering pain? Mutsuki said that strange girl was interested in you… Wait. Did she do this?"

Bang's amber eyes spark with righteous fury, and he takes a battle stance. "Where is she, Master Carl? I cannot forgive such cruelty towards one of my precious disciples!"

Carl can't fight back the huff that parts his lips. "Master Bang, I think it's best if you let this lie. I… I started the fight, after all."

The words taste like dirt on his tongue, but they are true. If he hadn't let her get into his head so easily, he'd be in much better form right now. He also doesn't want Bang to get in over his head.

"What? Master Carl, why would you do such a thing? Surely you had a good reason." Bang's stance weakens, and his confusion is plain to see.

Carl sighs. "It's… complicated." He doesn't elaborate further.

Bang scrutinizes him for a moment, then frowns sadly. "Oh, Master Carl… I see. I'll get out of your way. We can speak later." Bang sadly enters the sitting room, and Ada watches him go, tilting her head.

"…" Carl chuckles at her rather mean-spirited jab at the ninja. It was quite funny if a bit morbid.

"Now, Sis. He means well." Carl smiles up at her cracked silver face.

"…" Ada is having none of his excuses for his 'master.'

Carl laughs, then groans as the movement jostles his still sore muscles. Ada hurries her pace, and they arrive in his room soon after. After taking to his feet, Carl places his hat and cloak onto the rack, and sets his monocle on the vanity, before running himself a soothing herbal bath.

He hums Bach's 'Domine Deus' as he bathes carefully, his thoughts reluctantly turning to the vampire's parting words. She said he should embrace the crushing guilt he feels about what he tried to do to Noel four years ago, at the height of his madness. But could he really do such a thing?

Alas, he comes to no easy answers to that question, and he groans as he runs soapy, dexterous fingers through his long blonde locks, occasionally having to pull out thorns. They prick his fingers, and the small drops of blood turn the soap on his fingers a rosy pink hue. Carl frowns, and reaches for one of the towels, calling out for Ada.

She finishes his hair, to avoid getting more blood in his water. While he basks in the heated water after the cleansing finishes, his thoughts turn to his earlier encounter with Bang. The man has always worn his heart on his sleeve, for better or for worse. Perhaps… Perhaps he can help Carl solve his aggravating conundrum.

Some minutes later…

Carl hums Mozart's 'Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja' as he towels himself dry, his now bandaged fingers carefully holding onto the cloth so as not to rustle the wrappings too much. Once done, he dons fresh clothes, brushing and tying his hair neatly into its usual tail. Next, he applies a salve to the glass of his monocle. Sadly, it will need time to set. He's practically blind in the meantime. He then removes his mask, to apply fresh adherent to the silver. It is while he is doing this that a knock comes upon the door. From the inside.

He whirls around, 'eye' bare to the world, to see the dim outline of Kohaku. His soul is alarmingly calm, and almost… hidden. Carl's never 'seen' such a thing before, and for a moment, it captivates him.

Hibiki hums curiously as he feels the soft caresses just under his skin. So, this is what it's like for Clover to 'study' someone. How interesting. He smiles softly as the younger man snaps out of his reverie with a soft shake of the head to scowl at him, moving the silver mask back into place and holding it there with bandaged fingers. His hands look surprisingly soft.

"Captain. You startled me. Could you please knock next time?" Clover bristles like a huffy kitten, and Nirvana seems to be ready to defend her master. Perhaps she can sense Hibiki's affinities? Who knows. It's not important. Yet.

"My sincerest apologies, Mister Clover. We saw the sorry state you were in and feared the worst when you remained in your rooms for so long. Lord Kagura is eager for news of your meeting with Madam Alucard. I'll wait outside." Hibiki smiles softly, but it doesn't reach his dark eyes. Clearly, Clover is not as far along emotionally as Lord Kagura dared to hope. He exits the room as suddenly and silently as he'd entered.

Carl shudders, fear creeping into his heart. "That man… Is too calm."

Several minutes pass…

Kagura smiles wide as his door opens. She's as quick as ever. His smile dims as he sees the huffy visage of Clover. Well, at least he doesn't look like death warmed over anymore.

Kagura sets his paperwork to the side as Clover takes his seat, staring at him with a mask of neutrality. Kagura wonders if the kid will ever drop his act. He leans forward, purple eyes filling with equal parts curiosity and steel. "So, what's with the war wounds? I thought Rachel just wanted to talk."

Clover flushes slightly, glaring at him. Kagura hums. "Kid must've lost his temper. I knew it was too early to bring up Noel."

Clover sighs. "Things didn't go quite to plan." He doesn't speak further, and Kagura's eyes narrow.

"Got a little heated, huh?" Clover looks at him sharply. Kagura holds up a placating hand. "Hey, relax. Rachel can have that effect on people. Still…" Kagura stares at him with deadly seriousness. "A gentleman shouldn't take a swing at a lady, you know."

Clover huffs, wrinkling his nose. Kagura rolls his eyes. "Why's he gotta be such a brat whenever she comes up?"

Clover deigns to speak again. "She knew exactly what she was doing. That whole farce was to get a rise out of me. I can't say I'm happy to have fallen for it, but the blame doesn't lie solely with me."

Kagura huffs. "Yeah? Sounds to me like she brought up something tough and you got angry. Ya gotta work on that, man." He leans back in his seat, carefully watching Clover, who seems to flush even more with… shame? Well, that's new.

Clover looks for a moment as if he's gonna argue, then looks away and sighs, slumping slightly. Kagura smiles. This must mean he's regretting his decision. That's a good sign. Means he's learning something at least.

"I… I need to speak with Mister Bang. Is he still here?" Clover looks at him cautiously.

Kagura shrugs. "Should be around here somewhere. Do me a favor though, don't get him excited. I'm expecting company, and I don't need him spoiling the mood again." Kagura's serious look earns him another huff. Kids these days never appreciate how precious the mood is. Kagura will have to teach him about that sometime.

Clover rises from his seat and walks on still slightly trembling legs toward the door. "I can't make any promises there. I'll see you later, Colonel."

He exits the room theatrically, and Kagura watches him leave thoughtfully. With Rachel out of the way, and Platinum seen to, he's not sure who to call up next to meet Clover. The shadow at his window might have some ideas though.

He turns to smirk at her. "Hey there. Why don't you come in? I'm sure we can brainstorm something for our little friend."

Some Minutes Later…

Bang sighs as he watches the birds flutter just outside the window. Oh, Carl… That boy was carrying around such a heavy burden. What kind of master was he, if he could not even help lift a small part of that load off his shoulders?

"Master Bang? Do you have a moment?" Carl's voice is music to Bang's ears, and he turns eagerly to face him.

"Of course, Master Carl. What do you need?" Bang's bright smile seems to bring him some comfort. At least if the small hint of a smile he receives in kind is any indication.

"I need some… advice." Carl gingerly takes a seat by the fireplace, and Bang settles into the armchair opposite him. A companionable thrum fills the air between the two. It feels almost like it did four years ago when they'd first met on that fateful day in Kagutsuchi.

"Of course. A master should always be ready to help his disciple in any way necessary. Tell me, what sort of advice do you need, Master Carl?" Bang's smile truly is infectious, as Carl feels his own begin to grow. Just looking into those eager eyes fills him with a nostalgic warmth he hasn't felt since he was a child.

"It's about embracing emotion." Carl looks at Bang carefully, still smiling.

"Embracing emotion, you say? Why Master Carl, I never thought you would ask." Bang smiles as brightly as he can. "To embrace one's emotions, all one needs do is accept themselves for who they are. The tricky part is reconciling that with who you're trying to be. Master Tenjo told me that when I was but a young boy."

Carl looks thoughtful. "But what if the emotion you're supposed to embrace isn't positive?"

Bang looks at him seriously. "Then you must be careful, Master Carl. It's natural to feel angry, but you must exercise control when you let yourself feel it completely, otherwise, you may do something you'll regret."

Carl looks at him with an intensity Bang hasn't seen in a long time. "And what if the emotion is regret? What then?"

Bang hums thoughtfully. This must truly be serious. Is it about that incident from the Embryo? If so, Bang must be careful. He can't set Carl back after he's come so far from self-isolation. "I find it best to embrace that in the company of a friend. It's too easy to find yourself wallowing helplessly in it otherwise. Master Carl, could you tell me what's wrong?"

Carl looks conflicted for a few moments, then sighs. "I… I don't know if I can, Master Bang."

Bang reaches out and squeezes Carl's knee comfortingly. "Take your time, Master Carl. It doesn't have to be today. That you thought to ask me is progress all its own." He smiles softly.

Carl looks stunned. He'd forgotten just how… comforting Bang could be. Almost like… He turns the thought away with some difficulty. He's too old to long for that sort of thing now. He must handle this maturely.

"Thank you, Master Bang. I—!" A warm hug interrupts Carl's exit from the conversation.

Bang tightens his arms, looking at the ground sadly, but with a grateful smile. "Master Carl. You aren't alone anymore. I know it can be hard to let go of things, but the past is past. The only way to truly embrace regret is to forgive. I know you need time…" Bang pulls away to smile at him. "But I want you to know, that I am here, and I'm proud to see how far you've come. If you ever have need of me, please call. I'll be here to help you. Whenever you need me."

Carl feels shocked as warmth reaches his flesh, heating it as he stares at Bang in shock and somewhat… awe. This kindness, the comforting touch. Has it truly been so long, for him to miss them this much? He smiles gratefully, feeling a tear slip past his eye. Bang truly is something. "I… Thank you, Master Bang. I think I should get going, but you've done so much for me."

Carl, for the first time, returns Bang's embrace, holding him a little clumsily, and perhaps a bit tightly, but the ninja cannot feel anything but victory in his breast at such open affection. He too begins to cry. "M-Master Carl, I—"

Carl squeezes him softly. "Thank you. Can we just… Stay like this for a moment?" He looks up hopefully, to see a smile brighter than the sun itself.

"Of course, Master Carl. We'll stay like this as long as you like." Bang hugs him once more, and the two stand, basking in each other's warmth for several moments, before Carl reluctantly parts with his mentor.

"I should get going. I can hardly see right now. Thank you again, Master Bang, for everything." Carl turns and slowly exits the room, a genuine smile splitting his petal pink lips.

Bang watches him go with pride shining in his eyes and soul. Perhaps… Perhaps things will turn out right after all.

"That was… How did you do that?" Or perhaps not. Bang turns to see Amane staring at him with wonder. Those icy eyes, filled with such warmth. He's in trouble for sure.

Meanwhile…

Carl keeps his blurry vision centered on the wall as he walks, that smile still on his face. He feels so… warm. So free. Is this what he turned away from, all those years ago? How could he have been so foolish?

His musings are cut tragically short by a familiar voice, though it lacks the warmth he knows it for. "Hey, 'Little Carl.' I think it's time we had a chat."

He turns to face another face from his past, and his heart lurches with regret at the coolness he sees in her hazel eyes. "Miss Makoto…"

Makoto smiles, it holds none of its usual warmth. She gestures to an open door. "Shall we?"

Author's Note

I think this is my first proper cliffhanger in a while. Please leave any and all thoughts you have in a review. I hope the story is going well, thank you for your time. :)