What It Means to Be Human- Part 2
Chapter 14- Time for Preparation
The Espers were now very busy exploring the grounds of the temple complex with great enthusiasm. For the first time in a long while they could move around where they wanted, with no one testing them, no one controlling every single movement that they made. Kiyoko sat by the pond where Akira had fused with Drake and watched as large koi fish swam through the pristine waters. Masaru sat with the Colonel and Frost, listening to the conversations taking place between the two while Valerie conversed with Tetsuo via a mental link. Masaru was smart enough not to listen in on their telepathic conversation; he figured that it would be rude of him to do so. Takashi was a little blue bundle of energy, going wherever his heart told him to go, everything was so new and exciting to him. He watched while the others made some more repairs to the complex and he even helped to cook lunch, although he did get flour all over himself and Kei, but she just laughed it off and told him to go wash up. But he was bored now. He had seen just about everything in the complex but he still wanted to play some more. It was then he looked over at the cabin near the pond. Outside the cabin, Akira and Kaori were waiting for Valerie and Tetsuo to come out. It appeared that now that the Espers had arrived there the psychic energy that they were generating was doing a little extra healing on the two injured in the cabin. Frost had declared that he would let Tetsuo and Valerie leave the cabin later that afternoon. Takashi viewed Akira and Kaori playing a game with a wooden board and small pieces of wood with symbols and writing on them. He decided to go and see just what they were playing. Even with the obvious changes that had taken place, he was still in awe of Akira's presence, which the young man must have sensed...
Akira (smiling): "Good afternoon Takashi!"
Takashi: "Um...hello."
Kaori: "Is something wrong?"
Takashi: "N...no, I was just wondering...what are you playing?"
Kaori: "Oh this? I'm teaching Akira here how to play shogi. Would you like to watch us play Takashi?"
Takashi: "Yes please."
Akira: "I have to warn you though, so far, I'm a terrible player. I haven't won a game yet!"
Takashi seemed a little surprised that Akira of all people found it difficult to do anything, much less play a game of shogi. Again, Akira must have sensed what Takashi was thinking..."
Akira (chuckling): "You've got to learn this important lesson my friend...nobody, not even I can do everything."
Takashi: "I'm sorry..."
Kaori: "He's not mad Takashi. You don't have to apologize to anybody."
Takashi: "I'm sorry."
Akira: "Takashi, you're apologizing again."
Takashi: "I'm sorry. Oops, sorry about that. Uh, I mean..."
Akira groaned and fell backwards onto the grass in a style that Kaori had only seen in anime. Kaori just laughed while poor Takashi was left wondering just what was so funny. And inside the cabin, trouble was brewing in the form of a cranky white haired teen...
Colonel: "Oh kami, not this again..."
Tetsuo: "You can keep that garbage away from me!"
Frost: "It is only an herbal remedy for your wounds."
Tetsuo: "In case you haven't noticed, the hole in my gut has closed over! That st stings like hell and I don't trust anything that you'd try to give me so go away!"
Frost: "I'm only trying to help you..."
Tetsuo: "I said go away!"
A loud bang was heard in the cabin. Frost and Tetsuo's heads turned and saw Valerie's fist had connected to the floor. Her other hand was pressed against her head, which was still covered in bandages. You couldn't even see any of her hair. And she looked pissed.
Valerie: "You two are so impossible! You won't even let a girl sleep! Frost, just give him the remedy. And Tetsuo, shut the hell up and take your medicine. As for me, I'm going outside. I can't stand being cooped up in here with such noisy bickering men."
Tetsuo: "Jeez, do you have PMS or what?"
Outside the cabin, everyone heard a loud smacking sound and a surprised sounding yelp of pain. Kaori sighed, stating that that sort of thing would probably become routine around here. A few seconds later everyone's heads turned as the cabin's door flew open and out flew Tetsuo with a red handprint on his face. He seemed panicked as he flew off towards the safety of the dojo whilst an enraged Valerie ran out of the cabin shaking her fist.
Valerie: "How's that for PMS you god damned baka!"
Akira (gasping): "Valerie! You're all better! I'm so glad you're all right! When do you get to take your bandages come off?"
Valerie took a moment to calm herself down before telling Akira that she could take the bandages off tomorrow morning when Kaneda went back into the city.
Kaori: "But why is Kaneda going back to Neo-Tokyo tomorrow morning? Is something wrong?"
Valerie: "He's going back to the city along with the Colonel in order to get the gang."
Takashi: "The gang?"
Kaori: "The Capsules Gang was the gang that Kaneda led back in the city a year ago. Now that the innocents have been resurrected, he's going to go pick them up and bring them here so that they can live here."
Frost (stepping out of the cabin): "But they will find out about the Akira Project and they may also begin to develop powers of their own. Plus there's young Mr. Shima to consider."
Kaori: "You're afraid that having more of his old friends around will make Tetsuo uncomfortable?"
Frost: "No, I'm afraid that they will all have the same sort of reactions towards him as Yamagata did."
Takashi: "...what's a capsule?"
Colonel (stepping outside the cabin): "Drugs Takashi, capsules are drugs."
Takashi: "Oh, okay."
Valerie: "They may also start to develop powers of their very own. I tell you, it's like we've started some sort of club around here! But we should look on the positive side. At least we won't be the only ones with such abilities. We're not going to be alone anymore."
Kei then ran over to them and proudly announced that the dojo had now been fully repaired, all that needed to be fixed up now was the surrounding grounds, and they could all take care of that on the weekend when the other members of the Capsules got better acquainted with the complex. Akira commented that that was a smart plan and that for now they should prepare for the arrival of the newcomers.
Valerie: "Well I'm going to go and see if I can find some cleanup job for me to do."
Akira: "Okay then, I'll come with you!"
Valerie: "No thank you Spark, I'd like to do something myself."
Akira: "But you're still hurt, you really should have someone with you to..."
Valerie: "I SAID NO! I WANT TO BE ALONE FOR AWHILE PLEASE!"
Akira took a few steps back, his jaw hanging open in sheer shock. In all the time that he had known her, Valerie had never once raised her voice at him or got angry with him. The startled expression remained on his face as Valerie ran over to the farthest section of the complex. Akira felt horrible.
Kaori: "Do not feel so bad Akira, you did not do anything wrong and Valerie is not mad at you...she's mad at herself."
Akira: "But...but why would she be so mad at herself?"
Kaori: "She's the sort of person who believes that all life is precious. You know, the type that wouldn't hurt a fly. But despite the fact that it was the PMCM's doing, she almost killed everyone here. I'd say the experience has left her feeling pretty bad."
Takashi: "She probably now knows what it's like to be Tetsuo now."
Akira: "I...I had no idea...is there anything at all that we can do to help her?"
Kaori: "You're very sweet but it is probably best that we leave her alone for a little while. A lot has happened and she probably needs some time to think."
Akira lay down on the soft green grass and heaved a heavy sigh. A lot had happened to everyone, mainly due to him. He stared at the sky for a minute or two, mulling everything over in his mind.
Akira: "Maybe if I had not returned, everything would have been better."
Kaori: "Why do say such things?"
Akira: "I mean, Valerie could have stayed in the city that night and not gone near the stadium and..."
Kaori got up and grasped Akira by the shoulders, pulling him up so that they were face to face, the sudden action startling both Akira and the nearby Takashi.
Kaori: "If she hadn't gone near the stadium that night you would have died, people would still remember the Akira Project, me, Frost and Yama would still be dead and we would never have gotten the chance for a whole new life. We're better off because of you! Don't you understand that?! And another thing, if you had died that night, Valerie would still be mourning over Drake!"
Akira: "N...nani?! What do you mean she's stopped mourning over Drake?!"
Kaori: "A little while ago she told me that when you fused with Drake's life force and became what you are now, she said that she could feel Drake's presence everywhere she went, like he was watching over her, telling her to enjoy life again. You've changed her for the better, despite recent events, and it's all thanks to you...I now know that she loves you very much."
Kaori released Akira from her grip, letting him sit there in front of her for a moment in order to allow everything that she had said to sink in.
Takashi: "Um...are you all right Akira? You're really quiet."
Akira: "...that's the answer."
Kaori and Takashi: "Nani?"
Akira: "That's the answer to the question that I have been asking myself ever since she saved me from the stadium. I've been asking myself what makes a person a person. Is it power, strength, knowledge or something else? I know the answer now."
Takashi: "...what's the answer?"
Akira stood up and smiled; now looking quite happy. He looked down at the two figures awaiting his response."
Akira: "Courage, instinct, friendship, trust, unity and love. These are some of the most powerful qualities anyone can have. Our actions and emotions are what drive us and shape us. That is what it means to be human."
Akira suddenly took of on a run, heading for the dojo with a huge mischievous grin on his face. Kaori shot up from her grassy seat and shouted...
Kaori: "What are you up to?!"
Akira (calling back): "Sore wa himitsu desu! Tell everyone to stay out of the dojo until I call for everyone to enter, I now have a surprise planned. Thank you both very much!"
As Akira ran into the dojo, making sure to duck his head this time, Valerie came walking around the corner holding a wicker basket full of herbs and special leaves used for making tea. She spotted Akira just as he ran inside, slamming the doors shut and locking them with his telekinesis. Valerie called over to Kaori and Takashi with a worried look on her face.
Valerie: "I hope that he's not mad or upset at me for yelling at him. I really didn't mean to do that..."
Kaori: "Oh don't worry, he's as happy as a clam actually."
Valerie: "Then why did he lock the door?"
Kaori and Takashi looked at each other and then shouted to Valerie...
Kaori and Takashi: "SORE WA HIMITSU DESU!!"
Chapter 14- Time for Preparation
The Espers were now very busy exploring the grounds of the temple complex with great enthusiasm. For the first time in a long while they could move around where they wanted, with no one testing them, no one controlling every single movement that they made. Kiyoko sat by the pond where Akira had fused with Drake and watched as large koi fish swam through the pristine waters. Masaru sat with the Colonel and Frost, listening to the conversations taking place between the two while Valerie conversed with Tetsuo via a mental link. Masaru was smart enough not to listen in on their telepathic conversation; he figured that it would be rude of him to do so. Takashi was a little blue bundle of energy, going wherever his heart told him to go, everything was so new and exciting to him. He watched while the others made some more repairs to the complex and he even helped to cook lunch, although he did get flour all over himself and Kei, but she just laughed it off and told him to go wash up. But he was bored now. He had seen just about everything in the complex but he still wanted to play some more. It was then he looked over at the cabin near the pond. Outside the cabin, Akira and Kaori were waiting for Valerie and Tetsuo to come out. It appeared that now that the Espers had arrived there the psychic energy that they were generating was doing a little extra healing on the two injured in the cabin. Frost had declared that he would let Tetsuo and Valerie leave the cabin later that afternoon. Takashi viewed Akira and Kaori playing a game with a wooden board and small pieces of wood with symbols and writing on them. He decided to go and see just what they were playing. Even with the obvious changes that had taken place, he was still in awe of Akira's presence, which the young man must have sensed...
Akira (smiling): "Good afternoon Takashi!"
Takashi: "Um...hello."
Kaori: "Is something wrong?"
Takashi: "N...no, I was just wondering...what are you playing?"
Kaori: "Oh this? I'm teaching Akira here how to play shogi. Would you like to watch us play Takashi?"
Takashi: "Yes please."
Akira: "I have to warn you though, so far, I'm a terrible player. I haven't won a game yet!"
Takashi seemed a little surprised that Akira of all people found it difficult to do anything, much less play a game of shogi. Again, Akira must have sensed what Takashi was thinking..."
Akira (chuckling): "You've got to learn this important lesson my friend...nobody, not even I can do everything."
Takashi: "I'm sorry..."
Kaori: "He's not mad Takashi. You don't have to apologize to anybody."
Takashi: "I'm sorry."
Akira: "Takashi, you're apologizing again."
Takashi: "I'm sorry. Oops, sorry about that. Uh, I mean..."
Akira groaned and fell backwards onto the grass in a style that Kaori had only seen in anime. Kaori just laughed while poor Takashi was left wondering just what was so funny. And inside the cabin, trouble was brewing in the form of a cranky white haired teen...
Colonel: "Oh kami, not this again..."
Tetsuo: "You can keep that garbage away from me!"
Frost: "It is only an herbal remedy for your wounds."
Tetsuo: "In case you haven't noticed, the hole in my gut has closed over! That st stings like hell and I don't trust anything that you'd try to give me so go away!"
Frost: "I'm only trying to help you..."
Tetsuo: "I said go away!"
A loud bang was heard in the cabin. Frost and Tetsuo's heads turned and saw Valerie's fist had connected to the floor. Her other hand was pressed against her head, which was still covered in bandages. You couldn't even see any of her hair. And she looked pissed.
Valerie: "You two are so impossible! You won't even let a girl sleep! Frost, just give him the remedy. And Tetsuo, shut the hell up and take your medicine. As for me, I'm going outside. I can't stand being cooped up in here with such noisy bickering men."
Tetsuo: "Jeez, do you have PMS or what?"
Outside the cabin, everyone heard a loud smacking sound and a surprised sounding yelp of pain. Kaori sighed, stating that that sort of thing would probably become routine around here. A few seconds later everyone's heads turned as the cabin's door flew open and out flew Tetsuo with a red handprint on his face. He seemed panicked as he flew off towards the safety of the dojo whilst an enraged Valerie ran out of the cabin shaking her fist.
Valerie: "How's that for PMS you god damned baka!"
Akira (gasping): "Valerie! You're all better! I'm so glad you're all right! When do you get to take your bandages come off?"
Valerie took a moment to calm herself down before telling Akira that she could take the bandages off tomorrow morning when Kaneda went back into the city.
Kaori: "But why is Kaneda going back to Neo-Tokyo tomorrow morning? Is something wrong?"
Valerie: "He's going back to the city along with the Colonel in order to get the gang."
Takashi: "The gang?"
Kaori: "The Capsules Gang was the gang that Kaneda led back in the city a year ago. Now that the innocents have been resurrected, he's going to go pick them up and bring them here so that they can live here."
Frost (stepping out of the cabin): "But they will find out about the Akira Project and they may also begin to develop powers of their own. Plus there's young Mr. Shima to consider."
Kaori: "You're afraid that having more of his old friends around will make Tetsuo uncomfortable?"
Frost: "No, I'm afraid that they will all have the same sort of reactions towards him as Yamagata did."
Takashi: "...what's a capsule?"
Colonel (stepping outside the cabin): "Drugs Takashi, capsules are drugs."
Takashi: "Oh, okay."
Valerie: "They may also start to develop powers of their very own. I tell you, it's like we've started some sort of club around here! But we should look on the positive side. At least we won't be the only ones with such abilities. We're not going to be alone anymore."
Kei then ran over to them and proudly announced that the dojo had now been fully repaired, all that needed to be fixed up now was the surrounding grounds, and they could all take care of that on the weekend when the other members of the Capsules got better acquainted with the complex. Akira commented that that was a smart plan and that for now they should prepare for the arrival of the newcomers.
Valerie: "Well I'm going to go and see if I can find some cleanup job for me to do."
Akira: "Okay then, I'll come with you!"
Valerie: "No thank you Spark, I'd like to do something myself."
Akira: "But you're still hurt, you really should have someone with you to..."
Valerie: "I SAID NO! I WANT TO BE ALONE FOR AWHILE PLEASE!"
Akira took a few steps back, his jaw hanging open in sheer shock. In all the time that he had known her, Valerie had never once raised her voice at him or got angry with him. The startled expression remained on his face as Valerie ran over to the farthest section of the complex. Akira felt horrible.
Kaori: "Do not feel so bad Akira, you did not do anything wrong and Valerie is not mad at you...she's mad at herself."
Akira: "But...but why would she be so mad at herself?"
Kaori: "She's the sort of person who believes that all life is precious. You know, the type that wouldn't hurt a fly. But despite the fact that it was the PMCM's doing, she almost killed everyone here. I'd say the experience has left her feeling pretty bad."
Takashi: "She probably now knows what it's like to be Tetsuo now."
Akira: "I...I had no idea...is there anything at all that we can do to help her?"
Kaori: "You're very sweet but it is probably best that we leave her alone for a little while. A lot has happened and she probably needs some time to think."
Akira lay down on the soft green grass and heaved a heavy sigh. A lot had happened to everyone, mainly due to him. He stared at the sky for a minute or two, mulling everything over in his mind.
Akira: "Maybe if I had not returned, everything would have been better."
Kaori: "Why do say such things?"
Akira: "I mean, Valerie could have stayed in the city that night and not gone near the stadium and..."
Kaori got up and grasped Akira by the shoulders, pulling him up so that they were face to face, the sudden action startling both Akira and the nearby Takashi.
Kaori: "If she hadn't gone near the stadium that night you would have died, people would still remember the Akira Project, me, Frost and Yama would still be dead and we would never have gotten the chance for a whole new life. We're better off because of you! Don't you understand that?! And another thing, if you had died that night, Valerie would still be mourning over Drake!"
Akira: "N...nani?! What do you mean she's stopped mourning over Drake?!"
Kaori: "A little while ago she told me that when you fused with Drake's life force and became what you are now, she said that she could feel Drake's presence everywhere she went, like he was watching over her, telling her to enjoy life again. You've changed her for the better, despite recent events, and it's all thanks to you...I now know that she loves you very much."
Kaori released Akira from her grip, letting him sit there in front of her for a moment in order to allow everything that she had said to sink in.
Takashi: "Um...are you all right Akira? You're really quiet."
Akira: "...that's the answer."
Kaori and Takashi: "Nani?"
Akira: "That's the answer to the question that I have been asking myself ever since she saved me from the stadium. I've been asking myself what makes a person a person. Is it power, strength, knowledge or something else? I know the answer now."
Takashi: "...what's the answer?"
Akira stood up and smiled; now looking quite happy. He looked down at the two figures awaiting his response."
Akira: "Courage, instinct, friendship, trust, unity and love. These are some of the most powerful qualities anyone can have. Our actions and emotions are what drive us and shape us. That is what it means to be human."
Akira suddenly took of on a run, heading for the dojo with a huge mischievous grin on his face. Kaori shot up from her grassy seat and shouted...
Kaori: "What are you up to?!"
Akira (calling back): "Sore wa himitsu desu! Tell everyone to stay out of the dojo until I call for everyone to enter, I now have a surprise planned. Thank you both very much!"
As Akira ran into the dojo, making sure to duck his head this time, Valerie came walking around the corner holding a wicker basket full of herbs and special leaves used for making tea. She spotted Akira just as he ran inside, slamming the doors shut and locking them with his telekinesis. Valerie called over to Kaori and Takashi with a worried look on her face.
Valerie: "I hope that he's not mad or upset at me for yelling at him. I really didn't mean to do that..."
Kaori: "Oh don't worry, he's as happy as a clam actually."
Valerie: "Then why did he lock the door?"
Kaori and Takashi looked at each other and then shouted to Valerie...
Kaori and Takashi: "SORE WA HIMITSU DESU!!"