Usual Disclaimers Apply.  Konami own Suikoden 2 and all it's respective characters, places and names.  But they are really nice people who wouldn't dream of doing anything to the poor helpless fan fiction writer who is doing this for fun, not profit.  The very same fan fiction writer who apologizes profusely for not updating in, like, forever.

Other Disclaimers: Use of profanity.  It's not big, and it's not clever.  I apologize.

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Chapter 53

The Blood That Binds Them

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"You know, I appreciate a warm loving hug as much as the next person," Malcolm said softly to his mother, "But if you don't let me go soon, then Oxygen may soon become a serious issue."

With a slight shocked gasp, Mrs. Phillips did indeed release her eldest child and only son.  Indeed, Kara, her youngest child was her only daughter.  And like most siblings, they couldn't be more different if they tried.  Malcolm was always quiet, his perfectly groomed head always in a book or looking at scrolls.  While Kara was the wildest little rapscallion known to all of Lakewest, always getting in trouble and *always* looking for excuses to get out and play in the dirt, and generally acting like the tomboy she was.  Kara had a large group of friends and was always out and about. Malcolm hardly bothered with any of the other children in the village, and rarely left the confines of their house.  The only thing they agreed on wholeheartedly was that they were both quite happy to learn from their grandparents.  Though, obviously, they didn't see eye to eye on which grandparent was the better teacher.  Malcolm always favoured his grandmother's teachings, more formal and much more informative.  Kara, however, preferred the more 'hands on' approach her grandfather favoured, and every lesson always had to have some element of fun and games about it – much to Kara's delight.  It was the only family the two siblings knew, since Mrs. Phillips' parents had both passed away from the same illness years ago, when Kara had only been a small baby.  It hurt Samantha Phillips (nee Reinhardt) that her children never really knew her parents, but at least they enjoyed the best upbringing a child in Lakewest could hope for...even if they argued constantly and caused a lot of unnecessary commotion around the town doing so.

Neither child ever told her about the mysterious runes they inherited from their grandparents, nor did they tell them about the inherited weapons that now rested on their respective hips.  Samantha didn't seem to notice these, however.  She was too caught up in the surprise that her son had returned to Lakewest after his three-year absence.  Kara had only been gone a few months, determined to bring her brother home.  Just like always, Samantha thought with a smile, always having to get her own way...

"Oh...sorry.  I was just so happy to see you home," Samantha smiled, resisting the urge to hug Malcolm again, "And just in time for dinner too.  I know that can't be a coincidence."

Kara positively beamed, "Coming back home *AND* your cooking?  Now I know everything's right with the world!"

"What about your two friends outside...shouldn't they..." Samantha paused, her brow creased in thought, "Joseph?  That wasn't little Joseph Zonestar was it?  His parents have been distraught about his disappearance you know...did you know he'd just vanished from Greenhill Academy?  The Zonestar's were *really* reluctant at letting little Erika go there, but she persisted."

Samantha walked through to the kitchen area.  When her back had turned, Malcolm and Kara huddled together in a conspiring manner.

"Should we tell mother that it *is* Joseph out there?" Kara whispered quickly.

"We'll let Joseph decide," Malcolm whispered back, equally quickly, "I don't think he'd have any reason to hide the fact from mother."

"Bah, you're too sensible...as usual," Kara rolled her eyes after whispering her reply.

"Hey, remember," Malcolm whispered, grinning evilly, "You wanted me back here."

"I may live to regret that decision," Kara muttered, turning back to face Samantha as she walked back towards the siblings.

"So, do I have to make extra for your friends or not?"  She asked, smiling warmly.  Samantha hadn't stopped smiling since she saw Malcolm before.

"Oh yes," Kara said, regaining her composure at the mention of food, "They'd really appreciate it."

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"Do you think everything's going okay in there?" Warren asked, looking over at Joseph.  Joseph merely shrugged, turning his head away from the football star and towards the sea.  Warren could only sigh at Joseph's unresponsiveness.  Never known a kid so damn quiet before...it's very unnerving.  I can't take this silence much longer...I'll crack!

"Oh look," Joseph said quietly, and Warren did turn to the sea to look, must be pretty important if Joseph's willing to talk about it, "That looks like the fishing boat that their father works on..."

"You can't be serious," Warren said, obviously not quite believing Joseph totally, "How can you remember things like that, but nothing of your own past?"

Joseph answered with another shrug.  Warren was about to yell in frustration when a tall, powerful looking man left the boat.  Even from that distance he stood out from the crowd, easily enough to catch Warren and Joseph's attention.  He was tethering up the boat skilfully, double-checking to make sure it was secure.  Warren was pretty sure Amada had done the exact same thing when he brought them to Lakewest before.  This man clearly knew his stuff when it came to boats.

"That's him," Joseph said, almost in a trancelike voice, "Kara and Malcolm's father."

"Should we warn the guys that he's back?" Warren asked, not bothering to question Joseph a second time.  He might not know his own past, but he certainly knows Kara's to some extent. That's just the tiniest bit spooky.

"Warn?" Joseph intoned, "Strange choice of words."

"Well, I do seem to recall Malcolm mentioning something along the lines of 'putting a hole in the wall where his head used to be' before."

A silent pause filled the air, as both Warren and Joseph watched Mr. Phillips approach.

"On second thoughts," Joseph said, his voice trembling slightly, "We should *definitely* warn them…"

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Malcolm watched in awe as his mother was masterfully preparing dinner.  He had forgotten just how skilled she was at cooking, and was actually quite looking forward to a home cooked meal for once.  The rations at Genkaku Castle, while fortifying, didn't exactly leave one craving for more.  For a fleeting moment, he contemplated asking his mother to come back to Genkaku Castle as it's chef, but thought better of it.  No sense dragging his own mother into this war unnecessarily. 

Actually, is there any reason why I'm dragging *myself* into this war unnecessarily?

Malcolm dismissed that thought with another one.  It's what my grandmother would have done.  Fight the good fight for those you love most.  Thanks grandmother...thanks a lot.

The door slammed open, breaking Malcolm from his thoughts.  Kara was first to react, as Malcolm noticed a very flustered looking Warren and Joseph walking in.

"What's up?" Kara asked, "What's with the highly unfashionable flummoxed looks?"

"Your father's coming," Warren stated, "He just docked outside."

Kara lit up a little at this news, "Yay, daddy's home!  The whole family together again.  I'm so happy!"

Malcolm, however, had taken a serious downturn in attitude upon hearing this news, "Um...perhaps I should go before he gets here."

"What are you talking about?" Kara replied, slightly hurt that Malcolm didn't seem to share her big happy family ideas, "He'll be delighted to see you."

 "There's a big hole in the wall that says differently…" Malcolm responded, rather curtly, but perfectly serious.

Kara brightened a little as an idea came to her, "Well...all you have to do is..."

"Become father's drone?" Malcolm snapped, cutting Kara's reverie off, "No thank you, I believe I still have free will."

"What is your problem?" Kara cried, tears welling up in her eyes, "Why can't you just accept that you have to keep the family business running and get on with it!"

"Because, sister, I don't like being controlled by anybody!" Malcolm retorted, "I'd just end up miserable.  Father's no better than Luca Blight in his views...I'm not his puppet, Kara!  Will you get over it?  We're not going to be a happy family anymore, it's over!"

"What *ARE* you two yelling about now?" Samantha said, coming through to check on the commotion.  She immediately noticed that Malcolm was irate, Kara upset, and their friends completely stunned, "Not ten minutes back and already you're arguing?  Well, can't say things didn't go back to normal quick…"

"Mother, I'm not staying," Malcolm interrupted, "Father's coming home...like, now."

"Oh..." Samantha was obviously dismayed by this turn in events, "Aren't you even going to try and talk things out with him?"

Malcolm snorted, "Hmph, Father refuses to believe that any views other than his own are correct.  Why bother trying?"

"You are such a brat!" Kara yelled, "You're just leaving to go back to that stupid army!"

The temperature in the room seemed to take a slight downturn.  Everyone felt the chill in the air at Kara's outburst.  Then everybody realized the chill was from the door opening and the breeze getting in.  Mr. Phillips, Alexander, had returned home just in time to hear Kara's little rant.

"Kara, who on Earth are you yelling at?" He said, not mentioning the fact that she was back at all, "You only used to yell like that at your brother..."

Everybody heard the slight malice on the word 'brother.'  Malcolm spun around angrily to face his father for the first time in three years.

"Don't start," Malcolm said, trying to keep his words calm, "I'm not back for you or your little fishing corporation. It'd be best if that's how we left the subject."

"You *DARE* show your face here again after all you put me through?" Alexander yelled, shocking almost everybody in the house except for Malcolm, who had become quite used to being yelled at by his father, "The utter shame you brought upon the family name by refusing to join the business, then running away like a coward!"

"Obviously you missed my little comment about leaving that subject alone..." Malcolm muttered, realizing how small he really was compared to his father.  Alexander could probably give Viktor a good run for his money...Malcolm thought, realizing how much trouble he might just be in, I won't stand a chance if things get rough.

"And what was that Kara was on about?" Alexander's voice, incredibly, had gotten louder, "An Army?  You wouldn't have the guts to join any army."

"You'd be amazed what I can do for something I believe in..." Malcolm replied, unbelievably calmly, "And a peaceful state is worth fighting for."

There was a moment's silence.  Both Samantha and Kara were huddled together, looking very frightened at what might be happening right before their eyes.  Warren was absolutely stunned, having never seen Malcolm get so worked up about anything before.  Joseph was just wishing he were anywhere else but here.  Alexander, if possible, looked even more irate. His eyes narrowed to sharp slits, "Are you saying you're a part of that ragtag Orange Army?"  Alexander's voice was tainted with hatred.  Both Joseph and Warren wisely took a step *away* from Alexander, thinking things were about to get very bad inside the Phillips' residence.

And then, to everybody's surprise, even his own, Malcolm smiled, "Would it upset you if I had?"

Malcolm's smart-Alec comment hit home, and Alexander turned red with fury.  He almost looked berserk.  But Malcolm's smile didn't falter; as if he knew that his words would set off Alexander like this.

And in a real blink and miss it moment, Malcolm was sent crashing to the floor due to being punched in the jaw by his own father.  Samantha screamed as Alexander lifted up Malcolm roughly by the collar of his shirt, and hurled him at the wall.  Unfortunately for Malcolm, he just happened to be thrown into the window.  The force of the throw sent Malcolm crashing right through the window to the outside, surprising quite a few residents who weren't quite used to seeing people flying through windows and crashing hard into the ground.  Malcolm fought to get back up, as Alexander stormed out of his house to continue his assault.

Kara watched in fear, and began to chase after her father.  Warren and Joseph moved to follow her.

"No," She said, stopping them both, "Stay here with my mother...don't let her see any of this.  Please."

Both looked disappointed, but neither dared go against the distraught Kara's order. Kara quickly left the house, just in time to see her father kicking Malcolm who was still trying to get back up. 

This is a mismatch...Kara thought, scared out of her mind, He's going to kill Malcolm...what should I do?  Can I just stand here and watch my brother get killed?  Do I want to help him at all?  Kara closed her eyes, but still heard the sickening crunch as her father kicked Malcolm again, the force rolled Malcolm into a nearby house.

"Stop it!" Kara yelled, "That's enough father, he's learned his lesson!"

Alexander lifted Malcolm up roughly again, and slammed him right into the wall of the house.  Malcolm's head bounced off the wall in a very nasty looking way.  Malcolm was going limp, it would only be a matter of time now...however long Alexander wanted this to last was how long Malcolm had left.

"Stay out of this Kara!" Alexander yelled back at his daughter, "I'll decide when this little fucker has had enough!"

Kara looked away as Alexander slammed Malcolm back into the wall again.  Malcolm was making no noises whatsoever, and Kara feared it might already be over.  Alexander threw Malcolm down to the ground again, and Malcolm let out a small cry of pain.  Still alive, but for how much longer?

"You can't bully me into doing what you want…" Malcolm said, trying to fight the pain that threatened to take over his voice, "It might have worked when I was younger, but not anymore.  I'm not the son you wanted me to be, and I'm not changing myself for you.  I'd rather die than do what you want now."

Kara almost screamed after hearing that, only managing to stop herself by biting her lip.  Alexander sneered as he picked Malcolm up by the throat, with one hand.  Alexander lifted Malcolm clean off the ground, and Malcolm's legs barely moved as they left the ground.

"It can be arranged," Alexander said, incredibly irate, "With you gone, I don't have to worry about my family name being stained anymore."

Alexander drew his fist back, and prepared the final blow...

"NO!"

Alexander stopped as he felt somebody grabbing his arm from behind. He turned his head to see Kara pulling at his arm with all of her strength.  Alexander looked absolutely bewildered at this turn of events, "You dare defy me too, daughter?  What for?  This worthless piece of crap you call a brother?"

"He might not be who you want him to be," Kara yelled, her emotions getting the better of her, "But that doesn't give you the right to kill him because of it!  He's still my brother, and I'm not going to sit idly by while you destroy him!"

Alexander shook his head, "So be it..."

And with one motion, he flung Kara to the ground.  Kara span uncontrollably as she fell, landing on the ground before with a sickening thud.  Malcolm felt the grip around his throat lessen slightly, but he couldn't count on that situation remaining the same for long.

"I'll take care of your brother first," Alexander snarled, "Then I'll punish you.  Luca Blight does have the right idea, weeding out the weak!  It's so simple...I should've have done this years ago."

"You monster…" Kara whispered, trying herself to regain her footing.  And failing.

Alexander's focus returned to Malcolm, and he lifted his son off the ground again, squeezing harder than before.  He was beyond berserk now, and things looked pretty grim for both Malcolm and Kara...

But all of a sudden, Alexander yelped in pain and dropped Malcolm to the ground.  Both Malcolm and Kara soon saw what the object of their father's pain was...

A football...

Warren stood triumphant at the door of the Phillips' house, grinning, "Sorry, but you have more than those two to worry about."

Alexander yelled with fury, and began to charge at Warren.  But Warren's distraction was good enough.  Malcolm regained his bearings and lifted his right hand into the air.  The mysterious rune began to glow, and the water in the sea responded to its command.  Alexander could only watch in horror as a jet of water crashed into him, sending him flying into the distance.  Warren quickly ran over to Malcolm and helped him up, beginning to drag him out of Lakewest.  Out of the corner of his eye, Malcolm saw Joseph help Kara up.

"No arguments," Joseph said to Kara, "We're leaving."

If Kara was going to object, she certainly didn't seem upset about leaving with him.  Joseph grabbed her by the hand and ran after Warren and Malcolm.

"But what about mother?" Kara asked, almost breathlessly from the unexpected sprint.

"Don't worry," Joseph replied, "Warren and I made sure she'd be safe.  Now it's you I'm getting to safety, whether you like it or not."

"Don't either of you think about coming back to Lakewest!" Came the loud angry voice of Alexander, "I'll kill you on sight!  All of you!  You'll regret making a fool out of me!"

They didn't stop running until they were far away from Lakewest.  Kara fought back the tears, I can't ever go back home...oh God, what have I done?

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They stopped at a clearing by the river to rest.  Warren laid down Malcolm, who seemed incapable of standing by himself at the moment.  Kara sat beside Malcolm, her tear stained eyes now very evident.  Joseph and Warren remained quiet, neither knowing what could be said in such a situation.  Although it was clear what they were both thinking; How are we going to get back to Genkaku Castle if we can't go back to Lakewest?

Things hadn't seemed so grim for such a long time.

Malcolm managed to look over at his sister, "Why did you help me?" He asked, weakly.

Kara managed a smile, "Because, even if you're the biggest jerk on the planet, you're still my brother and I still love you.  Besides, if father's agreeing with Luca Blight's policies, then I want nothing to do with him.  I'd sooner…"

"Join the Orange Army?" Malcolm interrupted, managing a smile of his own.

Kara rolled her eyes playfully, "Fine.  You win; I'll go back with you.  Gotta keep an eye on my big brother after all.  Blood's thicker than water, remember."

"I may live to regret this," Malcolm replied, "But at least I still have some remains of family.  Guess I do need that after all.  God, we're both bleeding..."

Malcolm pointed to Kara's forehead, and Kara instinctively reached up to it.  Indeed, there was a faint trickle of blood there, "Must've happened when I fell," She muttered, looking at the blood on her fingertips.

Malcolm, meanwhile, had a cut lip from where Alexander had punched him before.  Malcolm touched the wound, feeling the blood on his fingers.  Kara touched Malcolm's blood stained fingers with her own blood stained ones, in what could only be described as a weird ritual on her part.

"Blood ties us together," Kara said softly, "We're stuck together, at least for now.  Our blood binds us."

"We'll be stronger together," Malcolm replied, "Even if we don't expect to be."

"Sheesh, will you two make up your minds?" Warren yelled, shaking his head, "First you hate each other, and now you're best buddies?"

"It was to be expected," Joseph said, cryptically. 

Warren sighed and shook his head again at Joseph's reply, as Malcolm and Kara both laughed.  Sure, they might not be welcome back home anymore, but they have something even better now.  The power that only a brother and sister can have, and it's exactly what Shu had hoped would happen.  For as long as they were on the same page, there was practically nothing that could defeat them.  Malcolm drifted off to sleep, hoping to wake up ready to meet up with the others at Two-River in the morning...they weren't getting back to Lakewest without them, especially with the situation that had just arose...

One day...Malcolm thought, as sleep took him over, my father and I will finally end this.  And it won't be a pretty end for either of us.

It can't be helped...fate has written it so.

"How can he sleep?" Kara muttered, looking at Malcolm, "I know I won't get any sleep for a while after today..."

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