Disclaimer: The same as the previous chapters. Now, without further ado....
ShardclawK: Another chapter to this fic is finally here. Thanks to those who reviewed and enjoyed the guest character appearances. There are sure to be more on the way, I guarantee you that. And a big thank you to DarkFusion for more inserts, and information, as well as those helpful FMP and Noir links. I do hope I'll be able to portray those characters right, as I know they may be among your favourite characters.
Ran: And whenever you do a good job when you update, you always end up getting goodies and more girls to yourself because of him.
ShardclawK: I guess he was feeling nice to do that. I hope he keeps it up, Kagura and Sakaki from Azumanga Daioh are cute chicks, though I could use that chick in the glasses, Kozomi. And Seras from Hellsing is surely helping me get my work done, thanks to her wearing this...
As soon as I snapped my finger, Seras Victoria steps in, wearing a skin tight, see thru outfit, complete with mini skirt. Sakaki and Kagura walks in and huddle me wearing very tight P.E shirts and shorts. Once again, the Weiss boys look on in jealousy as Seras begins to lick the nape of my neck.
Seras: Oh, Kusanagi-sama, you look so tasty. Would you mind if I take a bite of your godly presence?
ShardclawK: No, Seras...no! No nibbling! No nibbling....ohhhh...
Kagura: Excuse us, boys...but Shardclaw needs us to be around him while he works, so we can 'help speed' things up.
Seras: Let's take him to the bedroom, girls!
Youji: Have fun, Shardclaw. Anyway, while the author is occupied, time for a brief recap. In the last chapter, Greg got to meet some of his old friends from the King Of Fighters, and learned a bit about Shade. After he returned to the Uruha mansion with Riku and company, Nagi and Tot revealed to Rio and Team Warrior about their pasts with Schwartz and what had happened before. Later that evening, Greg got the chance to train Nagi and Yuina, some of his attacks with the Lance is revealed as well as some outside allies that may seemed to be concerned about Greg's status.
Omi: Well, nothing much did happen in terms of action, though that dream sequence in the last chapter was rather radical. I hope this chapter will be better in terms of events and more appearances.
Ken: It will, as there are things ahead that will surprise a lot of you. Anyway, as Shardclaw got taken away by those lovelies around him, we hope you'll enjoy this offering to his famous fic.
Ran: We really have to do something about Shardclaw and his harem, but we can't to a damned thing, can't we?
Omi: Yeah, he's the boss around here. But we can all discuss that after the chapter is done. As for now, dear readers, enjoy as always.
ShardclawKusanagi presents:
Metal Gear: Soldier X
Chapter 16: Revolutions, Part 2
"Heh, Linn, you look so good in that bunny suit...I want to do you while you're wearing it!" a twisted Greg Kinezono spoke up from behind Linn, who was wearing a silky, blue green bunny outfit, large white ears and tail to boot.
"Oh...Greg! What are you doing...?" Linn Aramaki protested, as Greg's hands found their 'marks' and started to fool around. The beautiful Indian Japanese woman started to fluster in amazement. "What if someone catches us?"
"Heh, come on now, Linn. You how much an audience watching us gets me..." Greg continued, letting his hands go lower. Linn's hands couldn't resist as well, with her back against his chest, one of them found themselves around his belt of his jeans.
"Oh, Greg...you horny, monster..." Linn panted, as she turned to lock lips with him. After kissing for awhile, she broke off the kiss and smiled at him.
"Linn..." Greg held her face, as she started to kiss his neck, and proceeded to go lower to his pants. (Almost there...)
"I'm going to make you so happy, Greg." Linn winked at him, licking her purple lipstick glossed lips.
Greg then shuts his eyes, as whenever he is with Linn like this, he ends up being sent to heaven. Taking a deep breath, he anticipated Linn's getting closer giving him a wild time...
'BUZZ!'
That is until Greg's internal clock woke him up before anything can happen. He suddenly opened his eyes, staring at his nano-arm and covered in sweat. He slowly and groggily got up, still feeling the fatigue in his body.
"Dammit! Having a dream like that can only mean one thing...I must really miss Linn." Greg said to himself as he stood up. Stretching himself, he reached for his t-shirt and put it on, and the first thing he headed for was the door to the bathroom. After a shower and getting his senses proper, he then headed out the door. The first person he met in front of him was Umi.
"Hey, Umi...good morning." Greg yawned as he talked to her.
"Same to you, Greg. But hate to break it to ya, but it's really 2:30 in the afternoon." The rabbit cosplay referee told Greg, which made him stop yawning and look on in shock.
"Nani?!" Greg replied. "How come? Why did I sleep for so long?"
"Well, we would have woken you up earlier, but with all that snoring, and the Linn name calling..." Umi smiled at Greg. The psychic only twitched while staring at her, then he waved it off.
"I understand, I needed the extra rest anyway." Greg replied. "So, did anything happen while I was out cold to this time?"
"Nothing important, everyone's at their usual routine and are trying to make sense of what Nagi and Tot told your family yesterday." Umi replied.
"Gotta agree on that. But right now, that's small fry compared to my problems..." Greg simply replied.
"Oh, and another thing..." Umi said. "...Roy Campbell called earlier, as well as the rest of FOXHOUND. They wanted to know how are you going and what are going to do about Reese. They left like over five messages telling you to contact them as soon as possible."
Greg looked at Umi in silence. He then nodded his head. "Okay, Umi. I'll contact them myself and tell them what's happening. But I need you to do a favour for me."
"Sure thing, Greg. What would it be?"
"Get the maids ready to prepare both my breakfast and lunch and have it brought over to the garage. I have some repairs to my motorcycle that has to be seen about." Greg said. "And tell them not to forget a large, ice filled mug of lemonade. This heat's probably the reason why I fell asleep like that."
"Right. Should I tell Riku that you're up?"
"No need to. I'm sure he'll come to me sooner or later to introduce me to more people around this place I'm betting I haven't met yet." Greg replied. "See ya around, Umi. And thanks."
Umi simply waved to Greg as he went downstairs. Surprisingly, he noticed how the people of Warrior was occupied with their activities with the Uruha household. Yuina and Seraph were playing Metal Slug 3 on Greg's PS2, with Tot. Nothing of out of the ordinary, expect...
"Seraph...your hair!" Greg stopped his tracks to talk to the biodroid. "It's blonde like mom's!"
"Yes, and it is indeed a suitable colour. Do you like it?" Seraph smiled, passing her hand through it. Greg only rubbed his head.
"Yeah, I'm not mad that you changed your hair colour. It's not everyday a beautiful and tall woman with silvery hair can be seen walking among us." Greg said with a grin.
Somewhere in an alternate universe, at a small, comfortable home for the Morisato residence...
"AHHCCHHOOO!" A tall, and attractive slender woman with long, silver hair sneezed loudly, while drinking her saki, spilled over. She had a single marking of an upside down triangle between and over her eyes. She looked around, with a dazed look on her face.
"What the...Did someone just mentioned me? she thought to herself. She simply shrugged her shoulders and continued to drink the saki, without a care in the world.
"It was Rio who assisted me with preparing this change." Seraph said.
"I see. Well, you look better with that colour anyway..." Greg said, then looking at the screen. "Geez....I hope you guys got the patience to beat that game. By the time you're done, you'll lose all the blood playing that game for about an hour and a half to beat."
"An hour and a half just to beat?!" Tot exclaimed. "How can people even play through this game good without making much of a mistake?"
"That's the question only your skills can answer." Greg said while smiling. "Have fun, girls. Any of you wants me, I'll be in the garage."
"Okay, sempai." Yuina said, getting back to her gaming.
Ten minutes later, Greg's hands were covered in oil, sweat and smudge, as he was still busy maintaining the status of his motorcycle. He reached for a somewhat, dirty glass for of his lemonade and drank half of the icy, cool lemonade. He was deep in thought with the songs that he liked which were playing in his Codec/MP3 player, while he did his mechanical work. The Codec was playing Wolverine's song from one of Greg's all time favourite games, Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter.
It was just then, he heard it rang. He let the Codec pick up the signal and realised it was a three way call. One connection was from Tokyo-3, while the other was from Washington, D.C. Greg simply sighed as he reached for his call button.
"Panth...Gregory Kinezono here. State your call." He said almost rudely.
"Greg!" Linn's face appeared on one of his screens, since he let it go on multi-view mode for now. He sensed a lot of people will want to talk to him. "I can't believe it...you're alright!"
"Don't let it get to your head. It's a miracle I'm still even breathing..." Greg said, then he began to smile. "Hi, Linn. Missed me?"
"You...you promised me that you would call me first thing after that fight with Mantis!" Linn cried from her screen.
"Hey, it couldn't be helped if I didn't. It was so bad in terms of how it ended up, that I nearly made it out alive, much less still able to carry Mantis out of that place before it caved down." Greg said.
"You never cease to amaze me, Greg." Roy Campbell's face appeared with alight smile. "Thank God that you're still alive to see us again."
"Roy, it's no big deal." Greg said.
"No big deal?!" Naomi Hunter's voice shouted through the Codec. "There were erratic readings of your immune system, as well as the function of your nanomachines, Greg!"
"Good to see you too, Naomi." Greg simply said.
"This is not funny, Greg." Naomi said, shaking her head form her screen. "Why didn't Rio contact me before she allowed the empathic barrier of your powers to be broken?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Greg simply said, changing the styles to Ryu's theme of the same game. "If I didn't had that boost of my powers, I wouldn't have even survived that fight with Shade, and surely especially when I confronted Mantis! It was her call, not mine's. She was doing the best thing possible to make sure we got Lilica back safely."
"And was your mission a success?" Maggie Thompson's face appeared from her screen.
"Oh, Boss Lady..." Greg simply grinned. "Well, someone with my kind of ability must see things through to the end, right? Anyway, why are you guys calling me? You basically got what really happened with me and Mantis from Riku while I was asleep for two weeks, and I'm not wasting any of my strength to go over it again."
"Same old Greg." Garland Durev's face appeared from his screen. "We were just concerned for you, that's all. Considering all the confusion that has been surrounding you since Reese put you through all that mess."
"Reese...because of him, he's making me hide out at Riku's family home, when I'm supposed to be out and about hunting him and the Patriots down." Greg said, wiping his brow of the sweat from it. "Whatever happened to the old wankster anyway?"
"Just before your fight with Shade, he took off from headquarters." Mei-Ling explained. "All of your records are no longer within the databases, I fear he must have either took them with him or he must have deleted them."
"In other words, he's probably in hiding right now." Michael Hansen spoke from his screen. "No one has any ideas on where he could be on the planet."
"That will make things harder for me to track him down..." Greg said, adjusting his brake pads some more.
"At least you're still alive, Greg. That's what important right now." James Masterson answered from his screen. "So, what are you going to do about this, Greg?"
"Are you coming back to FOXHOUND to sort this out?" Roy asked.
Greg simply smirked at his fellow comrades and simply replied. "Heh, no."
"What?" Naomi exclaimed. "Why not, Greg?"
"You guys don't know this, but it was because of Reese, and the Patriots...my life...they ruined it from the past and present." Greg said bitterly. "He's the one who brought misery to my life since the Patriots and Dr. Clark murdered my family to get what they want from me. And if that wasn't enough, Reese had to manipulate Mantis into doing what he wanted and he killed an innocent to get to me. He almost had my mother killed, and at the end, Mantis died. Don't any of you understand this...? It's because of me....my family, and now, Yuina's aunt and Mantis himself had to die, while I still live, their deaths on my conscience for the rest of my existence. It's up to me to make Reese suffer for making this happen. I'm sure he had to affect other people's lives just as how he messed up mine, but now...the Patriots are mad for what I've done to protect everyone I care about so far, they won't accept the fact that their so called 'weapon' has rebelled against their will, so they decided to make my life miserable."
"Greg..." Linn said in a low tone, as he began to simmer down. "...it's not your fault that these things are happening to you."
"Yeah, right. Tell that to the one who you tried to help when he returned the favour for doing the same for him, before those Patriots bastards blasted his brains from the inside." Greg said coldly. "I was there...when it happened. I can still feel his blood and skin, hitting against mine's at the point when it exploded....even up today, I can not get those screams of his agony...his pain from the depths of my mind. I may have survived the fight against him, but in reality I got spared to endure this punishment. So, the best way to live with that is to make sure Reese feels the same way I did because of him. And coming back to FOXHOUND to endanger all of you because of that is something I'm not willing to let happen."
"But, Greg...we're only trying to help." Garland said.
"If you want to help, then you should just let things be and let me do things my way." Greg replied. "It's bad enough that Riku and his partners insisted that they help me on this, but I'm not allowing anymore of my friends to get involved."
"You're going to get yourself killed if you only rely on yourself, Greg." Micheal told him.
"The only way I'm letting myself to die is AFTER I get Reese." Greg said.
"Greg! You don't know what you're saying!" James said.
"I know what I'm saying, dammit. And I could care less about what happens to me." Greg said. "I'm 'expendable' right? I'm only a living weapon that was artificially brought up to satisfy our enemies. Well, today the table's have turned. As my local Trini saying goes, 'I run the grease engine, things don't run me'."
"You're serious about this, are you, Greg?" Maggie asked.
"Dead serious."
"Don't let it get to your head. You think you alone can stop Reese and the Patriots?" Garland asked.
"I'm may be arrogant, but I'm certainly not stupid." Greg said. "I'm going to do this my way, one way or the other. I don't you guys to get involved anymore, this is now my problem."
"Greg, all we want is to help. Just let us." James said.
"You got your problems, deal with them." Greg replied in a cold tone. "I'll deal with mines."
"What happened to you, Greg? You were never like this..." Linn answered.
"You want to know what happened? I'll tell you...if people like Reese didn't exist, my life wouldn't be so miserable and Mantis didn't have to die a horrible death courtesy of him and the Patriots. And surely, Yuina's aunt would still be alive." Greg explained. "I...wasn't able to help and protect any of them...even with these powers..."
"Greg, it's not your fault. Stop kicking yourself." Roy said.
"I know...I know...." Greg said, almost close to tears. "I'll try to keep my head up, though that's going to be hard...."
"So, are you really coming back to us, Greg?" Garland asked.
"I...I made up my mind. Even if I wanted to, I can't come back to FOXHOUND, not ever. Not after what Reese put me through." Greg said, with his head turned.
"But, Greg! There are people here that needs your support." Micheal said.
"I know...but even if I did come back, everyone will be against me. I'm branded as the one who killed Gendou Ikari, right?" Greg said.
"That's not true. Raiden was there when it happened." Linn spoke. "We can have him tell everyone who don't believe you understand your situation."
"Heh, nice try as always, Linn. But I don't think the rest of the world will appreciate his statement alone." Greg said.
"Greg, there are a lot of people here at NERV who will support you too, but you just have to come back to us." Naomi said.
"Sorry, everyone...but...I just can't!" Greg said. "This is something I alone have to sort out, just tell everyone at NERV for me not to worry. I'll be back soon, but not right away. The Patriots may be just waiting for me to show up so this mess can start all over again."
"Okay, Greg. We won't pressure you anymore." Garland said. "But remember, you have your duties here. Those terrorists can strike any time without a warning."
"Yeah, yeah...I know." Greg replied lazily. "Of course, it all depends on how much I have to go through to find a way to get my name clear..."
"If there's anything you need from us, don't be afraid to contact us." Micheal said.
"Actually, there's this one thing...Shade and his regenerative abilities." Greg stated. "I'm sure you must have attempted to kill him before, right, Micheal?"
"That is true, I came close several times to finishing him off, but he always ends up healing afterwards." Micheal said. "The only thing I'm sure of is the damage to his face which may have been a result to severe burns."
"You mean those scars on the right side of his face?"
"That's it." Micheal said. "I should also point out that he's nearly 500 years old, rumours have pointed out that he even served as a personal shinobi to Nobunaga Oda during that time."
"Yeah, Riku already told me about that." Greg replied.
"I've also heard that he had an attempt on his life once by Oda himself, but it failed." Micheal continued. "How or why he has lived for this long is beyond me, but I advise you to be more careful with him the next time you run into him."
"Right. At that time, I'll try flaying him first, then set him ablaze, afterwards, beat the living shit out of him till he's a pulp, impale his ass, cut off his head and finish the job by frying him bad enough that he won't have time to recover." Greg smirked.
"You're truly have gone psycho, Greg. But that's good, at least you're still alive to talk to us." James smiled.
"Hey, that reminds me...Micheal, I ran into Mai Shiranui yesterday." Greg said. Micheal looked on at Greg in surprise.
"Mai is around in Japan?" Michael asked.
"Yep. It seems there' a KOF tournament in Osaka, but because of the present circumstances, it seems that me and Linn won't take part this year." Greg said. "Anyway, she told me to tell you that she misses you and she is looking forward on seeing you again, though I advised her that she'll have to wait till things cool down over at your side first."
"I get you. Thanks for telling me ahead, Greg." Michael replied. "You'll be okay?"
"I got Riku and his partners helping me out in every way they can. My mom and Warrior is trying too, as well as the people at the Uruha mansion." Greg said. "I'll be fine."
"What about your nanomachines, Greg?" Naomi asked. "The sample you left before you left Tokyo-3 indicated all of the contaminated cells had disintegrated since your encounter with Mantis."
"I may be guessing here, but they must have been eliminated since my power was on full drive during my fight with Mantis. I have him to thank for that." Greg said. "So, as of now, except for the nano-healing capabilities in my body and a slight attitude change, I'm okay and normal."
"Well, at least I won't have to worry about you so much, but please, Greg. Do try to stay out of trouble." Naomi said.
"Can't be helped, it seems that I'm automatically a magnet for stirring up trouble." Greg replied. "Hey, can you tell Kari and Mana for me that I'm doing alright?"
"Sure thing, Greg. They were pretty much scared stiff considering what had happened." Garland spoke.
Greg looked at his watch a bit. "Listen, guys, it was fun. But I got some training to do with Yuina, a responsibility that Mantis left me. She's an okay kid, but I don't want to ruin her innocence too much. There's something about her that kind of...well, I don't want to get into it as yet. Let's just say I've found better encouragement thanks to her."
"That sounds like a good thing, Greg." Linn said. "I do hope you take good care of her...and yourself."
"Linn..." Greg muttered. "God, you have no idea how much I miss you."
"All the more reason to come back to us, but you've decided." Linn nodded her head. "Just don't scare me like that again."
"Sorry, it will never happen again, I promise." Greg said with a light grin. "Anyway, I got to disconnect, my motorcycle needs the be done repaired and I got to develop more adjustments to my High Function Lance."
"Greg, I do hope that just because you've gotten a power boost, means that you'll get to beat me." Garland said.
"Sounding scared, Garland?" Greg said. "Good. Stay that way till I get back, and if all else fails, I'm brining my cheerleaders to back me up. There's no way I can lose when we spar again."
"We'll see, Greg. We'll see." Garland smiled at Greg. "Good luck to you and Riku."
"Contact us often, even tough you may be booted out of FOXHOUND, you're still family." Maggie said.
"Yeah. That's the truth." Greg said. "Well, I'm logging off now. See you around, people."
"Greg?" Linn called out to Greg.
"What's up, Linn?"
"I love you. Be safe for me." Linn smiled at Greg.
"Heh, I love you too, Linn. Make sure to take good care of the Harrier till I get back." Greg said. "Sayonara, baby."
As Greg turned off the Codec, he raised his head to breath deeply. (Now the only thing to do is wonder what I'm going to do about getting to Reese and how to approach this situation?) he thought to himself. (I hope either Tes or Jean contacts me soon before I spring into action.)
Shaking his head, Greg preferred to think about the next time his name is mentioned. He reached for the glass of ice cold lemonade, when it stopped mid way and reached for Greg's back pocket. Greg instantly took out the hilt for the Ascension and let in materialize as soon it touched his right arm.
"I may be living at a place full of ninjas, but I can clearly sense your emotions, even from the shadows." Greg said, without turning his back. "Show yourselves."
From the shadows behind Greg, Riku Hanabishi stepped out wearing casual clothing. With him were two adult males, one of them had long, dark hair and was wearing a traditional ninja's outfit of a black and white vest and a head protector. The other male with him wore an unusual outfit, it was a black and white armour. He was carrying an unusual spear himself, though it was more oddly shaped compared to Greg's straight and fierce looking Lance. Greg simply sucked his teeth and rested the Ascension, and simply turned his back to Riku to continue maintaining his motorcycle.
"Jeez, Riku. How long have you been there, eavesdropping on me?" Greg asked.
"Only since the conversation started." Riku replied. "And I wasn't eavesdropping on you, I was pretty much looking for you, since you've slept most of the day."
"Well, I'm up. What is it that you want to talk to me about?" Greg turned to look at the older males. "Let me guess, it has to deal with these two, right? I don't think we've haven't met before."
"Excuse our intrusion, Greg Kinezono, but we can assure you, we're not your enemies." the man with the spear spoke. He then saw Greg's Ascension started to dematerialize before his eyes into the hilt Greg was holding and he simply put it back into his pocket.
"Okay, if you're Riku's family, I'll believe that." Greg said, shrugging his shoulders. "So, Riku, who are these guys?"
"These are Kurei's most trusted and closest allies and friends." Riku showed Greg to Joker. "This is Joker, and the other is an assassin for the Uruha, Raiha."
"Nice to meet you, Greg Kinezono." Raiha showed a hand to greet Greg, but Greg stopped him.
"Wait a sec...appetite coming up!" Greg suddenly took up the bowl of ramen next to him that he hadn't eaten yet, and as soon he picked it up, he slurred all the contents down. Even with his greasy hands, he picked up a rice ball and started chewing down.
"Ewww. Greg, aren't you afraid of your own hygiene?" Riku asked.
"Normally, it's the other way around." Greg said, pouring another glass of lemonade. After drinking from it, he looked back at Joker and Raiha, studying them. "So, what is it that you want to discuss to me about?"
"We're speaking on Kurei's behalf about an alliance the Uruha group has with your foster family, Team Warrior." Raiha said. Greg only raised an eyebrow at this.
"Alliance? Wait a minute, you guys helping my family? Why is that?" Greg asked.
"It is known both you and Riku are faced with danger all the time in your missions from FOXHOUND, and Kurei thought it was best if things got out of hand, we shall lend you our assistance." Joker said.
"I'm sure you guys mean well, but I think it's a little too late for that." Greg replied.
"Um, Greg? There's something that you should know about this." Riku cut in. "Rio and Maki had already agreed on this term years ago. They had already formed this alliance in the case that if something happens that is beyond our control, they will be willing to help."
Greg only rolled his eyes. "Riku, sometimes I wonder how many other people in your life are you willing to let them throw themselves in the line of fire just for my sake."
"Hey, I was kind of upset when I heard about this, but we have no other choice but to go along with it." Riku answered. "They could have helped us with that ordeal with Mantis, but you just had to play hero and almost get yourself killed."
"Har-har...I'm very honoured, Riku." Greg responded with Class A sarcasm. "Get used to it."
"Greg, all we're doing is lending a hand." Raiha said. "If you let us assist you, it will be no trouble to you."
"It seems every time I turn around, someone wants to help me, but it is I who always ends up putting their lives in danger." Greg said, cleaning his fists. "No matter who they are...no one is safe from the problems I bring along with me."
Greg then stood up, picking up the tray of empty food. "I got some training to do right now, fellas. As much as I'm aware of the Uruha and Warrior allying themselves, you can do pretty much whatever suits you as long you stay out of my way."
Before he stepped outside the garage though, he stopped his tracks to think for awhile. He then turned to Riku, Raiha and Joker.
"Sorry about that, guys. My head's not cooperating with me today..." Greg said. "Like I said, whatever you feel to do that can help us at a time like this, feel free to do, but let me say this first...I sense there will be more enemies than Reese and the Patriots waiting at the sidelines. When you're someone like me, you tend to attract a lot of bad news around you."
"We understand, Greg. We're willing to help you on this matter." Raiha said.
"Just don't let it get too much to your head, revenge is never a good thing." Joker added.
"Heh...whatever. It's my life, I can do whatever the hell pleases me." Greg said. "Oh...I almost forgot...Riku, can you do me a favour and show me where Mantis is resting? Its' time I have a small talk with him."
"Uh, sure. Joker, Raiha and I will show you the way." Riku said.
"Why all of you?"
"You'll see for yourself, Greg." Joker replied simply.
"I got a weird feeling about this..." Greg said, then he took up a bottle of sake that with him as part of his meal. It was unopened and he decided to leave it for a special use.
"Okay, then. Lead the way." Greg said, holding the sake bottle next to him.
Some moments later, a distance away from the Uruha mansion at the located gravesite for other fallen Uruha members, Greg stood in front of a grave maker, where Mantis's kanji was written on the stone. With a simple sigh, Greg kneeled down in front of the grave.
"Hey, Mantis...it's me, Greg." he spoke as if this was hardly affecting him. "Yes, I'm still alive, thank God for that. Man, you were really heavy when I carried you out of that place before it caved us under."
Greg looked up into the sky, it was close to sunset, but it still looked like a clear, bright day.
"I hope you're resting well, despite all the crap we both have been through, because of Reese." Greg spoke. "Leave everything to me, I promise to take care of everything. Yuina included. Yeah, she's a good child, but I sense she has some difficulty trusting me."
After a few moments of silence, Greg spoke once more.
"You think so too, huh?" Greg said to himself. "Give her some more time to adjust? That's what I thought. But the last thing I want right now is to put her in more danger if I just sit around doing nothing."
More silence, as Greg sat down in front of the grave.
"Yeah...I should stop doubting myself. I'm strong enough to help her..." Greg said. "And I should be strong enough to help everyone else...but how long will I keep that up?"
Silence once more, as Greg stood up.
"Well, only time will tell just how long I can last in this fight. But then again, we both know the answer to that, right?" Greg smirked, as he opened the sake jar and started to pour the wine on the marker stone.
"Tips to a fellow psychic homey. Rest easy, Mantis." Greg lifted the bottle over and drank the remaining half from the bottle. "Leave the safety of this planet to me. I'll take care of everything from now on."
Greg rested the bottle to do a quick prayer, before he started to walk a distance away from the clearing and into the pathway leading into a forest, where Riku, Raiha and Joker were standing there.
"Okay, I'm done." Greg said simply. "Now, I get the feeling you guys want to know about what I'm going to do about this, right?"
"Certainly." Raiha asked.
"Well, for one thing, I'm going to make sure Reese is going to regret the day he ever messed with me." Greg said, cracking his knuckles.
"I whole heartedly agree that this Reese deserves whatever it is you decide to do to him once you catch him." Raiha said. "However, it would probably be a good idea to extract whatever information about the Patriots from him before you do that."
"And how do you guys think we'd get information from Reese?" Greg asked. "If you're going to suggest torture, while that bastard deserves it, it probably won't work, and I seriously doubt bribery would either."
"There are other ways to bribe people, Greg." Joker smiled slyly. "I know of certain concoctions that can make someone feel very good. The only trouble with them is that after you've used them a few times, you have to keep on using them. The pain of stopping is really quite unbearable. We could own Reese within the space of a week and have him do anything we want him to do."
"Oh, sure...torment the old wankster using drugs..." Greg smirked. "If all else fails, I can resort to transferring my powers and feed Reese the pain me, Mantis and Yuina went through because of him. I'm sure he'll be talking a lot if I did that."
Greg then looked serious, as he turned around to see Mantis's grave once more.
"Are you sure no one will be able to disturb Mantis' rest?" Greg asked. "I doubt a bunch of traps will keep people like the Patriots out of here."
"You don't have to be worried about that, Greg." Joker replied. "We've made certain modifications to keep the Patriots out of places like this."
"Like what?" Greg asked.
"Have you wondered why the Patriots haven't bothered us any while we were at the mansion?" Raiha asked. "It's because the mansion is protected with almost the same stuff that protects this gravesite."
"More traps?" Greg assumed.
"Alot more than that, Greg." Riku said. "We've surrounded the place with both an illusion created by genjutsu and a barrier created out of kekkai no jutsu. The illusion basically makes intruders get lost and eventually either wander back to the entrance they came in from or a trap. The barrier just plain keeps them out."
"Speaking of which, what kind of traps did we avoid on the way here?" Greg asked.
"Let's see..." Joker said as he tried to remember. "Oh yeah, a few pits with sharpened stakes at the bottom, some conveniently placed dens full of poisonous snakes, a couple of bushes with very sharp and very poisonous thorns, and some nets that have a lot of poisoned hooks on them." He then turned to Raiha. "Did I leave anything out?"
"Aside from the automated gun turrets hidden in some of the trees, along with a couple of trip wires and infrared sensors that would automatically detonate some explosives, I think you got them all." Raiha answered.
Greg would have stared at Riku and his relatives with a blanched look on his face, but this was nothing new to him. Since his fight with Mantis, he pretty much cared less for what surprises him nowadays.
"Heh, what a bunch of sickos." Greg simply smirked. "Well, that's what I call a security system. At least I can rest easier knowing Mantis will be safe and rested peacefully."
"We were doing our part, on behalf of your and Rio's requests." Joker said.
Greg only nodded his head. "I see. Well, let's head back then. It's time for me to get my exercise on. But tell me something...you guys trained Riku as well, huh? So how strong are you guys?"
"I'm sorry to admit it, but we're not as strong as you, Greg." Raiha replied. "After all, you managed to face an Angel and lived, which is something it would take the whole Uruha to do."
"I agree. Though you'd probably put up a better fight then I would, Raiha." Joker added. "After all, your madogu's one of the strongest the Hokage clan ever made."
"You've got that right." Riku agreed. "Uncle Raiha's Raijin madogu is powerful enough to make Fortune's rail guns look like cap guns."
"I see..." Greg replied, his hands in his pockets. "Well, I kinda got lucky to even live after the Angel tried to blast me to kingdom come, so I really wasn't expecting much of the encounter. I was just following my instincts at the time. But what about Kurei? I got a feeling that my match with him really didn't show all of his talents."
"I'm afraid, Kurei's a lot tougher opponent than you think, Greg." Joker said. "One time, during the Urabutosatsujin tournament, he took on and defeated five expert fighters at once in a matter of seconds. The cleanup after the fight was pretty easy; all that had to be done was sweep up the ashes of the enemies."
With a simple grin, Greg really didn't take on that comment. "Oh, really? I'd better try my best not to make him mad when I have that rematch with him anytime soon. Of course, I've been making use with these VR rooms around here for a while and I think I can pretty much come close to end my days as Garland Durev's punching bag when I have my rematch with him if I ever get back to Tokyo-3."
"And what makes you so sure of that, Greg?" Raiha asked with a light grin.
"Haven't any of you heard of the law of history?" Greg said, raising a clenched fist. "It's called, 'I don't lose so easy.'"
Riku, Raiha and Joker started to laugh at this, as Greg started to laugh along with them. Their walk back to the mansion was turning out to be an enjoyable one as Joker and Raiha took the time to learn more about Greg.
A while later after returning to the mansion, Greg had his fill of dinner before he stepped out to go into some VR training. With the Lance in hand, he was about to enter, when he heard a familiar shout from inside. Greg stopped walking and looked from the screen that showed the room. To his shock, he saw Nanvel Candlestick in her Warrior suit, holding unto an oversized, mechanical gauntlet of a pink and back colour. She was on one of the various weapons mode for Raiden, which seemed to be Handgun mode.
"Aunt Nanvel?!" Greg muttered in shock.
"Take that! Tractor shot!" Nanvel's voice rang out as her gauntlet fired an energy shot at one of her distant targets. The target dissipated with the '50' point score display.
"What on Earth is that?" Greg said to himself. Just then, Rio and Lilica stepped up from behind him to watch. "Hey, mom, Lil...you guys getting this?"
"Uh-huh. Nanvel is surely looking good there." Rio Kinezono nodded her head.
"Triple Burst Shot!" Nanvel aimed her gauntlet and fired three consecutive shots at three targets, all of them dissipating at the same moment they are hit. Nanvel suddenly turned around and suddenly to Greg's amazement, she rose off the ground she stood on and aimed her gauntlet while rising upwards, as the target circling and rising around her were hit.
"Rise of the Machine!" Nanvel cried out, spinning her rising body in an uppercut form.
"What the...? Since when Nanvel can do that...?" Greg asked in a bit of a surprise.
"Well, Greg, since you've been in the coma, she pretty much took her time to analyze the data from your fights with Nan-bot, Shade and Mantis and she put them all together to create her new invention." Lilica said.
"Nani?" Greg asked. "Nanvel wants to fight?"
"I wouldn't call it that, the gauntlet is pretty much doing all the work for her." Rio said.
"Why would she even try something like that? She doesn't have the right combat experience to set on par like the rest of us." Greg said.
"She knows that, that's why the gauntlet is making up for all of that." Rio said. "Greg...she created that thing because she felt in a way, guilty for what has happened to you."
"I'm not blaming Nanvel or anyone else from my family for what happened." Greg said, with his arms folded.
"We know that, but..." Lilica looked at Nanvel training on with a smile on her face. "Not only she wants to make up for all that's happened, but to at least be strong enough to try and help you too."
(Great...if this carries on, that means I'm gonna have an extra person to protect.) Greg rubbed his temple while thinking.
"And guess what, Greg?" Lilica's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"What is it, Lilica?" Greg asked her.
"I've developed a new attack that will surely surprise you." She smiled, and pressed the intercom to talk to Nanvel. "Hey, Nanvel. I'm coming inside with Greg to show him something."
"Okay, Lilica. You can come on in anytime." Nanvel, who seemed to be deep in training her attacks, simply called back. As Greg and Lilica entered, Greg was still amazed to seeing Nanvel like this.
"Aunt Nanvel...why are you even doing this?" Greg asked.
"Hey, Greg." Nanvel stopped once she saw Greg and continued on with her attack. "Isn't it obvious? I'm doing what it takes to be capable of protecting you if something like what happened before starts up again."
"I know that. But..."
"Greg, don't worry a bit about me." Nanvel smiled at her surrogate nephew. "This automated, energy gauntlet can protect me 100% from any types of damage inflicted on this sweet, young body, while it's really good at dishing out some major pain if I wanted to."
"How long were you working on that thing?"
"Just shortly you gone into that coma weeks ago. I took the time and made it perfectly." Nanvel looked at her creation with sullen eyes. "I don't want to come close to ever losing you, Greg. You don't have to bear all of that anguish inside of you by yourself."
"Geez...what is it today? 'Empathy-pity-and-give-Greg-a-hand-day?" Greg said, folding his arms. "Really, Nanvel...I know you want to pitch in after all that's happened, but..."
"Greg, I'll be alright. You have my word on that." she said, holding his hand. "Besides, I may be needing your help at times too, you know. I can't always depend on my science to keep me safe and protect those I care about."
"Alright, alright...you win. Just try not to get into anything too dangerous for you." Greg smiled, as he kissed Nanvel's cheek. Then he turned to Lilica. "Okay, Lil, what is it that you got to show me?"
"This!" Lilica ran towards a target that Nanvel didn't hit and performed her Warrior mode, Warrior: Swing! at it. The attack made the target flicker, as Lilica flipped backwards into the air when the background change colour. She performed an air dive kick at the target and landing behind it. After she raised an arm, she glares at the target once more before dive kicking it again, this time causing it to combust.
Greg started to clap his hands. "Incredible, Lilica! I've seen that you've been training as well."
"Got that right, big brother." she panted, raising a thumbs up. "I call that, 'Lilica's Revenge."
"Heh, I can guess why exactly you named it that." Greg said. He then raised up his Ascension. "Hey, I got an idea...."
"Oh, no! Greg, don't make us have to spar with you!" both Nanvel and Lilica said in unison, huddling together. Greg only sweat dropped anime style.
"Let me finish, will ya?" Greg sighed. "Since Nanvel needs work on her aiming, I'll help her. I did score the highest scores from Raiden's VR missions while I was part of FOXHOUND, so the tutoring will be helpful. What do you say, Nanvel?"
"That will be great, Greg." Nanvel smiled at Greg.
"I'm also sticking around to see what are you doing with your Ascension so far, Greg." Rio said. "Show me your skills."
"One thing at a time, mom." Greg smirked at Rio. "Okay, Nanvel...start telling me how you work that thing?"
The next day, Greg made sure to wake up early this time to complete repairs on his motorcycle. After about only an hour in the garage, the engine purred better than before like a gentle kitten, and it's powerful roar seemed to shake the windows around the garage.
"'Take good care of your motorcycle, and it will take good care of you'." Greg said, cleaning his hands. (A.N: That is a similar comment Megumi Morisato made in an Oh My Goddess manga, graphic novel Number 15. The title of the story is named, 'Two hearts beat as one.' Lovely race scenes! )
After making sure his hands were cleaned enough, he went to the kitchen, where he met Kurei, Neon, Riku and Nagi.
"Good morning, Greg." Nagi told Greg, as he sat near the counter. "I take it that your motorcycle's doing better?"
"Heh, that machine is like a third girlfriend that needs to be taken care of." Greg simply said, drinking his coffee, served by one of the maids. "While Linn can take of herself, the Harrier is another matter by itself."
"Greg, can I ask you something about your buddies from KOF?" Riku asked, sitting next to Greg. "I didn't want to say anything to interrupt your conversation earlier since it obviously was important, but how good a ninja is Mai?" Riku asked.
"How did you know she was a ninja?" Greg asked.
"Like the saying goes, 'It takes one to know one'." Riku replied. "Also, do you know which ninja clan she's from?"
"For your first question, Riku...Mai is extremely good in her natural hand to hand and attack skills with a folding fan, she has a technique of sorts that allows her to ignite on impact."
"Ignite?" Nagi asked. "You mean she has powers like you and Riku?"
"I think it's more of a technique her clan has learned since ancient times. Yes, it's more magical than natural or scientific." Greg said. "And I think if I remember right, is that her clan may have rumoured to be either from the Hatori clans or just the Shiranauis."
"I see..." Riku said, nodding his head. "I take it that she and the other ninjas in KOF would make popular statuses if their abilities made them quite formidable."
"You must be talking about Lin and Eiji Kisaragi?" Greg asked, thinking of their names. "Yeah, I've done some fighting with and against Lin some time before. Very cool guy once you get to know him. Eiji...well, let's not go on that matter."
"What about Eiji?" Nagi asked, sounding interested. "Tell us what happened, Greg."
"Okay, since you asked. The last time I ran into him, he tried to kill me, since I was an ally of Iori Yagami." Greg explained. "It happened more than once, but that feud's ended."
"But wasn't Eiji was on the same team with Iori?" Riku asked.
"Yeah, but at the end of the '95 tourney, Iori tried to kill him and the other partner that was part of their team, Billy Kane." Greg said, folding his arm. "And the most funny part is, that Billy was a former henchman for Geese at the time."
"Is Billy still alive?" Kurei asked.
"He's working alongside with Yamazaki and Gato when last I heard of them. So I can say how sure I am about if he's part of Geese's underworld organization...he's mostly concerned about his sister, Lilly and a life of crime can really get to a man who's a brother to someone pure and sweet to Lilly." Greg was about to continue, just when Seraph and Yuina entered the room.
"Greg, there's something that Yuina wishes to discuss with you on." Seraph said.
"Sounds private, isn't it, Seraph?" Greg asked, as he looked at Yuina. She only nodded her head.
Greg only raised an eyebrow as he stood up and walked towards her. "Okay, Yuina, Seraph, we can step outside for awhile."
"Alright." Yuina replied as she followed Greg outside. As soon as he stepped outside, he turned and started to talk.
"Now, Yuina...what is it that you wish to tell me?"
"Umm...I was wondering..." Yuina's eyes drifted from Greg's face. "When you said that we'll go back to my home, did you mean it?"
"Of course. You can't just ignore your old home and family like that." Greg rested his hands on her shoulders. "You're sure you're ready to go back and face what's left? There could be some painful memories."
"I...I don't mind, sempai. I'm ready to face any horrid memory, as long you are there to help me cope with it." she said. "Please, sempai...I'll show you where I'll live and all you have to do is just watch over me."
With a simple sigh, Greg nodded and kissed Yuina's forehead. "It's a deal, Yuina. How soon do you want to go?"
"As soon as possible." she simply replied. "It's quite far from where we live, it's in Tokyo-2."
"Okay, then. I'll get the bike ready. You sit in the back, and I'll get a side car for Seraph." Greg said, turning around to get back inside.
(I'd better carry my Ascension with me this time...just in case I run into Shade or Schwartz again.) Greg thought to himself. (But of course, I can't afford to fight any one as of this moment, or else Yuina might start to worry about me like she always does.)
After Greg stepped back inside, he grabbed his Kyo '03 jacket. He then turned to the people in the room.
"Everyone, I'm stepping out with Yuina and Seraph for a while." Greg said, putting on the jacket. "This won't take long."
"Want me to come along with you?" Riku asked.
"Thanks, but no thanks, Riku." Greg waved him off. "The last thing I need right now is more people babysitting me. And if anything happens again, I can pretty much protect myself, Yuina and Seraph while I'm at it."
Riku put up his arms. "Okay, Greg. I'm only watching your back like I'm suppose to be doing."
"There's no need to. Someone gets me on my bad side, I can pretty much be unforgivable when start to rain punishment on that poor cretin." Greg said. "And don't even think of following me either. I can sense your emotions like a bloodhound."
(Damn. So much for trying to help Greg with that.) Nagi thought.
(I heard that, Nagi.) Greg said as he closed the door behind him.
"This is it." Yuina said, while holding unto Greg's back from behind. Greg stopped his motorcycle and parked it in front of a decent two story home. After he got off, Yuina handed him her helmet while Seraph got off her sidecar. Before Yuina started to walk off into the yard, Greg can sense a dread feeling around the area.
"Yuina..." Greg called out to her, as she suddenly stopped and turned to look at him.
"What is it, sempai?"
"Don't run off on your own." Greg said, stepping closer to her. "Come on, we're going inside together."
Yuina nodded her head and took Greg's nano hand into her small right one. With a deep breath, she and Greg went up to the front door, which was bound in 'Do Not Cross' tape.
(Have the police come to this place already?) Greg thought to himself, as he let Seraph and Yuina enter without breaking it. A while after he stepped in, he glanced around a bit, seeing Yuina's family pictures. Greg took one of them and saw a woman with a strong willed look on her face, she had short black hair with square framed glasses on.
"Is...this your mother, Yuina?" Greg asked.
"No...that...was my aunt." she said from a distance, her back turned against his sight. Greg looked at Yuina, and noticed she was crying. "She...she died...right over...there."
Greg walked over to where Yuina pointed and his face became etched with horror at the sight. If Greg Kinezono was the kind of man to lose his food to sights of death like the habits of his girlfriend, he would be doing it at that moment. But for some reason, he hated himself even more that he couldn't do that. All he can do is keep the expression to himself.
Almost the majority of the wall in the living room was nearly caved into one huge crater, dried blood was smeared all over and inside it. The fresh scent of blood was still fresh, even after all this time since Yuina had been captured. Greg can see a trail of dried blood all over the carpet, which only led to another crater, smaller than the larger one. Greg swore he can see tiny pieces of a human skull lying about from where he stood.
"When Mantis attacked...my aunt tried to fight him off..." Yuina said, her tears flowing more frequent. "He threw her to that wall first...I thought she would have died instantly. But...Mantis...he took her and....he slammed her against this wall... then...he..."
"That's enough, Yuina!" Greg took the young girl out of the room and into his arms. "You...don't have to tell me more if it hurts you so much...."
"But...sempai..." she sniffed, while crying.
"Hush, Yuina. You've gone though enough..." Greg spoke, tears coming out of his own eyes himself. "I...for some, sick reason...I can sense what she went through...and what you went through...that is enough! If it pains you so, just...don't look. You hear me, Yuina? Don't ever look back!"
Yuina's only reply was a tighter grip around his body, as she cried her heart unto Greg. Greg only passed a hand onto her head.
"I'm sorry, Yuina..." Greg said. "So sorry, that I wasn't there to help you when you and your aunt needed it. But I promise you...I'll make it up to both of you. I promise!"
After ten minutes of sharing their pain and regrets together, Yuina was okay to move about a bit, though Greg had to be careful not to be forceful on her fragile state of emotions. In another half hour, she has prepared her necessary clothing that wasn't confiscated by the law and packed them into a large suitcase. She made sure she packed her school books, and favourite toys, as well as her precious family pictures.
Just before she left the house, she turned back bit and glanced back at it one more time.
(Auntie...please, trust Greg.) she thought with a light smile. (He's all I have to trust in this world, so please...leave him a blessing.)
"Are you ready, Yuina?" Greg asked, while sitting on his motorcycle.
"Anytime, sempai." Yuina ran towards him, hopping on the seat. "Hey, before we go back to the mansion...let's get some ice-cream!"
"Well, someone's quite chipper than before..." Greg smirked. "Okay, then...ice-cream it is! My threat."
"Yaaay!" Yuina huddled against Greg as he started his motorcycle.
(At least she's smiling again...I guess it's all worth it.) Greg thought to himself as he sped off with Yuina and Seraph in tow.
A while later, Greg has on his third pistachio ice cream cone, while Yuina and Seraph were still eating their snow cones in front of a local ice cream parlour.
After Greg had gobbled down his ice cream cone, he licked his lips. He was still in the mood for just one more ice cream cone, and he was certainly enjoying Yuina's and Seraph's company.
"Yuina...can you do me a favour and get one more cone for me?" Greg said, as he adjusted his green tinted sunglasses. "Just this one time?"
"Sure, anything for you, sempai." Yuina smiled happily as she took the money Greg offered her and ran off back inside the parlour.
"On the outside, she's trying to cope with the pain, but inside, she's braking apart slowly." Greg said to Seraph. "Kind of like me, isn't it? Trying to deny a cold truth of what really happened and sealing it inside you, as it starts to slowly dissect your very being, piece by piece."
"And...do you think if Yuina's state of mind continues like this?" Seraph asked, while eating her cone.
"Well, it's up to me to see to it that doesn't happen." Greg said, lifting off his sunglasses. Just as he got up, he saw an American male in his late fifties, with grey hair and brown eyes. He had a beard and had stocky appearance, his average clothing of a business man made Greg hard to describe who he really was. It was when he got closer, Greg noticed him.
"What the hell?" Greg stuttered, as the man approached him with a grin. "General Drake?!"
The American male simply walked closer to Greg and smiled at the young psychic. "It's been a long time, Gregory. How have you been?"
(Do you know this man, Greg?) Seraph asked telepathically.
(General Drake, as is known in FOXHOUND while I was still part of it. I never knew much of him, except he's a lot more tolerable to be with compared to Reese.) Greg replied telepathically. (Still, he's quite a questionable character, I have my suspicions about him causing some kind of trouble, until Reese took the spotlight.)
(Be very careful, Greg.) Seraph said, stepping back. (If you want me to, I'll stay inside with Yuina and wait until he is gone.)
(You do just that.) Greg replied, seeing Seraph leave the area he was with Drake. Then, Greg turned to speak to him. "Drake, what the hell are you doing all the way here in Japan? Let me guess...Campbell demoted you to field duty or something?"
Drake let out a small laugh. "Now, now...I'm just here on business, that's all. And mostly to see you, Gregory."
"Why would a man like yourself come all over here to the most dangerous place on Earth right now, when you're supposed to stay at headquarters, doing paperwork?" Greg asked.
"As I said before, just to see you. Is there any harm in that?"
"A lot." Greg replied, gritting his teeth. "The last group of men dressed in business suits that came to me, looking for my 'assistance' tried to hurt my apprentice when I refused them, and then tried to kill me. A bad call on their part."
"I can guarantee you that I'm not one of them and I have other good reasons to be here with you right now." Drake replied. "Why not switch to nanocommunictaions and continue this talk?"
Greg only replied with a hesitating nod, and went to Codec mode.
"State your reasons." was Greg's reply from his Codec screen.
"I'm quite aware of the predicament that Reese has put you in." Drake said.
"So, what about it?" Greg said. "You think you can help me get back at him and the Patriots for all the pain and misery they caused?"
"Yes. That is a promise, if you let me." Drake spoke, nodding his head.
"I don't think you have an idea for what I have gone through, so why should I listen to you anymore?" Greg was about to leave the area to get to Yuina, but Drake's next words stopped him.
"Because...I knew your father very well, Greg." Drake said. "And knowing what he did make what happened to be accomplish today, his death certainly was unforgivable and Dr. Clark's betrayal certainly was the be all, end all."
"You...knew my father?" Greg asked.
"He was an honourable and dedicated person. A very good friend with so much ambition in his work and at such a young age too..." Drake said. "I know how deeply connected you were with him and your other family members, especially your younger sister, Candice."
(How the hell did he get the names of my family members' so easily?) Greg thought to himself. (Does he think he can try to fool me by knowing how I feel? It will take a LOT more than that, old man.)
"Just where are you getting at?" Greg asked, turning back in front of Drake to face him.
"I know Reese has been hated for as long as the new FOXHOUND has been reformed. And especially, by everyone of it's new members...but, I've always have my expectations of you, Greg." Drake said. "I mean...who else on Earth is strong enough to fend off Angels, and fight off against other powerful psychics like Mantis to live another day? Your abilities can be of great use in the right set of hands..."
"In case you haven't realised this yet, but that's how the Patriots wanted me to be in the first place." Greg replied, his hand in his pockets. "I'm just a freelance nigga who's out for some payback right now, feel me?"
"And where, I may ask, will you start?" Drake asked. "Do you know who to even start with? Or better yet, how?"
(Son of a...) Greg thought to himself. "...no. I have not much of a clue where to begin."
"There's your problem. You lack information and aid." Drake said, his smile getting bigger. "I can help you with both, while no other source you may be seeking help from would only give you minimal intel."
"I got enough aid than you ever think...General." Greg said. "As for information, I'll leave it up to my hunting skills to do the work."
"You intend to seek Reese and his likely accomplices using the hard way?"
"I'll get more exercise and experience that way. "Greg replied.
"All I want is to see about your welfare, Gregory..." Drake said. "There are over a large number of Patriots spies on the lookout for you and are possibly after your comrades at FOXHOUND as well. All I'm doing is directing you to who they are and stop them before they become potentially dangerous."
"...I'll consider it." Greg said simply. (Though, I highly doubt I actually do dirty work just for Yuina's sake.)
"I see. I won't pressure you then." Drake fixed his tie, before he logged off from Codec and turned around. "Well, I'll be taking my leave now. If you're interested, I can leave this with you."
He threw a cell phone at Greg, which he caught in time. "What's this for?" Greg asked.
"That phone is your only contact with me. I have made extra precautions to see that the Patriots won't tap any of our conversations from now on." Drake said.
"Fine, then. But let's get one thing straight.." Greg warned Drake, opening his nano fist to let a white flame cover it. "Try anything that could endanger my friends and families lives, and I'll change my mind about you. Changing plans during mid-mission is totally uncalled for, and I have my own methods of pursuing and dealing with my enemies. So, if I get as much as a hint of a trap you're plotting for me, start begging for your life."
Drake only smiled at Greg. "We'll see about that, Greg."
As Drake walked off, Yuina and Seraph came out of the parlour and to Greg.
"What was that man talking to you about, sempai?" Yuina asked.
"Che. You have not a thing to worry about, just an old friend from FOXHOUND." Greg replied. "Come on, let's get back to the mansion. We got a long drive."
"Okay, Greg." Seraph agreed, but before she sat on the sidecar, Greg called to her and Yuina.
"Hey, can you two do me a favour?' Greg asked. "If Riku and the others asked where we have been and who it was I just met, don't mention it."
"Why, sempai?" Yuina asked.
"Not to sound harsh, but Riku and his buddies are the type that wants to know everything what happens to their loved ones or close friends." Greg said. "I'm doing what I think it's best and follow the saying, the less you know, the safer you are."
"I think you have a point, but be careful that it will catch on later." Seraph said.
"Yeah, that's something I have to be aware of from now on." Greg said, revving up the motorcycle. "Okay, Yuina and Seraph....hang on!"
As Yuina and Seraph were both taken by surprise and excitement by Greg's motorcycle skills, Drake stood in on area, smiling to himself.
(Caught him, hook, line and sinker.) he thought to himself as he walked off.
ShardclawK: And that concludes this chapter. I've decided to tone down on the action bits a little and focus more on the story developments and the characters in this fic. But I can assure you that when the action starts up again, it will be crazy for all readers alike. It will be just for this arc of the story anyway. Also, I couldn't help but not put the little Oh My Goddess references there, just a little touch to add to the humor.
Ran: I don't mind a chapter with little action as long as it's good. I enjoyed the scenes with Nanvel's attacks though.
Omi: And scene with Greg hugging Yuina to comfort her...man, Shardclaw! You're talented beyond your years.
ShardclawK: Well, what can I say? There are people who adore me and others who worship me. It's fans like that who encourage me to do better in my fiction. And DarkFusion is one of those. He's been so kind to me sending me goodies and girls, I seem to be unstoppable. And I must thank GreyWolf4 for that bit with Drake while I'm at it. If there's anyone who hasn't got the movelist for Greg's Ascesension attacks, as well as Nanvel's own as yet, let me know now in the review or mail.
Youji: I can imagine what girls he got lined up for your next COE update...but I shudder to think what he might send for this chapter.
ShardclawK: That's the least of my worries right now, because before I just finished this chapter, my recently new IM buddy, Tempest, promised me that he's sending three of Hakufu's female friends over to me with some bonuses.
From the stage door, three very hot chicks in torn and revealing school clothing appear and start to huddle around, pressing their massive bosoms against me. They were Ryumou Shimei in her hot maid's outfit, the ever so cute and vibrant Ukitsu, and a sultry Kannwu Unnchu.
Ukistu: He's mine, I tell you! I get to have him first.
Kannwu: No, he's mine for the taking.
ShardclawK: Girls, girls...there's enough of Shardclaw-sama to go for everyone of you, so let's not fight. Can't we all get along together?
Ryumou: Oh, yeah? Well, I know what we can do to share him. Tempest delivered a Jacuzzi tub in the master bedroom, filled with enough K-Y jelly to supply for a very, long time. We can all try out our 'hidden attacks in there.
Ukistu: Also included are the standard reloads for the stunner rifle, whipped cream, butter, and other...toys.
By this time, I was drooling uncontrollably with all the thoughts that creped into my mind that I want to try with these trio of chicks, while the Weiss boys stare in shock.
ShardclawK: Well, you know the scene, guys...the orgy beckons me. It's the only way that I get better ideas for my fics.
Ran: This is not over by a long shot, Shardclaw!
ShardclawK: Too late! (Gets mugged by the trio of chicks and is carried off to the bedroom.)
Youji: Ran, we should really consider taking up fanfiction if we want to land chicks like Shardclaw...
Omi: In the next chapter, more characters show up, as a particular Geese Howard returns, Greg and Warrior meets Weiss once more, and then...more surprise plots and appearances. Stick around for another wicked chapter to this side story, it's going to be a blast.
Collis aka ShardclawKusanagi.