Chapter 2

Mitsuru's POV

Holding Kokoro's hand, I moved us towards our room. This room was so peaceful to us, so quiet, away from speculation.

Looking at her, I could see that her head was indeed aching.

I winked, placing a kiss on her cheek.

"Our memories will always be safe." I whispered, moving my lips to hers for a brief moment.

She nodded.

"I hope so. I hope that they won't ever find out about this. If they do..."

My brows furrowed in concern.

"Don't worry. Zero Two hates them as much as we do. I don't think she'd lead us astray."

She shook her head.

"That's not what I'm worried about. They could kill us." She whimpered, laying down in the bed.

Watching her, she laid, moving deep into the covers.

I moved, laying down with her, feeling her warmth against me.

"I think we will be okay. We just have to believe in that."

Kokoro nodded, tears forming in her eyes.

She sobbed as I held her, smoothing her thick blonde hair. Her sobs slowly turned into mindless soft snores as she fell asleep.

Looking at her beauty, I fell asleep myself, picturing a future with us.

Although we were happy now, I found myself being attacked by the nines, being dragged from Kokoro, screaming.

I shot up, panting when I noticed Kokoro wasn't with me.

Panicking, I looked all over the room, finding a note on the desk.

The girls are helping me get ready for the day.

I will meet you at the altar.

Kokoro

Taking a deep breath, I found myself able to calm down.

"Thank god!"

A knocking at the door shook me.

Getting up, I opened it, to see Hiro, holding our ceremonial garb.

"What time is it?"

"Well, there's only 30 minutes left. You should be getting ready." Hiro said, walking in and locking the door behind him.

Hiro looked me in the eyes, concern on his face.

"Zero Two and I made these, rings for you and Kokoro. These are what life partners wear."

I nodded, taking the rings into my hand.

Looking closer, I noticed it was just metal taken from the scrap room, bent to make a circular shape. "Thanks Hiro."

Hiro gave a small smile.

"Are you ready? To marry her?"

I sat down on the edge of the bed, moving my face into my hands when I felt Hiro's hand gently resting on my shoulder.

"Mitsuru?"

Nodding, I gave out a small sigh. "I am, I am just worried is all. I mean... how do we know if papa's scientists won't be able to erase our memories? What if the serum fails? What if they kill us? I just..." I couldn't help the lone tear that ran down my cheek.

"I understand. Fear is reasonable. Though, believe in Zero Two. She knew of this serum and she truly believes it will save you both. I truly think that the last thing you two want to do is forget each other, right?"

Shaking my head, I finally lifted my head.

"Of course, that is the last thing I'd ever want. I want to remember everything. I... I couldn't imagine forgetting someone as beautiful as she is."

"Then just believe that this serum will work. It will. In the end, you and her will be happy. Even if you have to pretend in front of the elders, you and Kokoro are allowed happiness. Everyone should be allowed that."

Feeling a sudden change in mood, me having more confidence. Standing up, I took my garb from Hiro.

He stood up as well and nodded to me, leaving the room to give me privacy to change.

Kokoro's POV

I sat in the chair, waiting as Zero Two insisted on doing my hair.

I was shaky, nervous.

I wanted this, but was this really the right thing to do? What if they kill us just for this act alone?

It was almost as if Zero Two could sense my fears.

"Don't worry. My darling and I are sure you two will be okay. Don't get too scared. Enjoy today. You'll become like those beautiful princesses in fairytales!"

Nodding, I didn't want her to worry about me anymore.

That was one bad trait I had, was worrying that I would make people worry.

Shaking my head, I was alerted when I heard the door open.

Glancing, I could see Ichigo, smiling at me.

"Wow Kokoro-san, you look so pretty." She murmured. This was in her nature, she... for the most part wasn't usually a loud spoken person, except for in battle.

Blushing, I looked in her hands, seeing a pure white gown.

Tilting my head, I looked to my parasite ceremonial uniform, thinking I was going to just be wearing that.

She shook her head.

"When I think about it, isn't the bride supposed to be elegant? Try this on. Ikuno helped make it for you."

Nodding, I slid off my robe, pulling the dress over me, Zero Two helping to zip it up in the back.

Moving to the mirror, I couldn't help but smile, overwhelmed by the beauty I saw.

Even from childhood, we were trained to not think, to feel, to just simply focus on our human needs for sustenance and teamwork.

That was until Papa abandoned us.

So alone, so broken.

It had taken a while for everyone to understand how they felt, being able to take care of ourselves.

If it hadn't been for Mitsuru, I'd never known how it felt to feel. To feel... what do they call it, loved.

I felt a tear sliding down my cheek.

"What's the matter?!" Ichigo wondered, her tone worried.

Shaking my head, I pulled her into a hug.

"Nothing at all. Just nerves I guess."

Ichigo didn't look so sure, but didn't push further, allowing me to look in the mirror one last time before taking my hand in hers.

When we arrived downstairs, everyone was outside, awaiting for me to meet Mitsuru at what they called the altar.

Zero Two winked at me before heading out in front of me.

Taking a deep breath, I walked out, smiling when I saw Mitsuru in his ceremonial wear.

He looked so handsome, the fabric hugging his body tightly.

I found myself blushing as I remembered the night before, the passion we had felt, and it immediately cheered me up, making me very proud. Looking out, I saw Hiro hand Mitsuru another vial secretively as he quickly put it as far back as he could to drink it.

Zero Two turned to me, giving me another.

"Just in case."

Smiling, I nodded, blushing as I realized how much for really cared for us all.

Before walking out, I did the same as Hiro, just in case so they couldn't find traces on the tongue.

Quickly discarding of the vial in a gutter, I walked out, smiling at Mitsuru.

He smirked, but also his face held all the nerves I felt inside.

Moving slow but also with haste, I moved closer, finally standing next to someone I considered my true love.

The moments raced by quickly, placing the rings on one another's fingers, so ready to kiss one another to make this union true, if not to Papa, definitely to us.

When the unbelievable happened.

I screamed as we were ambushed, all of us being separated.

I holding onto Mitsuru's hand as hard as I could, we were forcefully ripped away from one another.

I wanted to fight as much as I could, but with four guardsmen holding me against my will, never letting go, what could I do.

I screamed my loves name over and over as he called mine.

Watching frantically, I watched in horror as they struck Mitsuru, knocking him out cold.

"Mitsuru! Mitsuru!"

I cried harder.

"Mitsuru!"

As this all rushed before me, before I too blacked out, nothing there anymore.

In my dreams, I could see colors, almost like ocean waves. Each wave that hit the shore was a different color. What could this possibly mean.

Then, almost as if thing had happened, I could only picture our wedding ceremony.

What would have conspired afterwards.

Retiring to our usual room where I'm sure our passion would have been just as intimate.

That first night had been so romantic. The way Mitsuru held me as I cried, the way he crushed his lips to mine, letting me feel his love within me. Mentally smiling, I could remember the feelings from intimacy. The sensations that I felt within me as he and I connected. Not only were we partners in war, so were we in life.

I could hear the voices around me as I was physically unconscious.

The children. Under Dr. Franxx were left to be alone, no supervision. Full blame can't be on them.

How can it not? They knew the rules set forth by Papa!

They should be exterminated, not released back.

This is Papa's will. Only because he listens to that old man. Experimentation has only corrupted his judgement.

Hush. It is soon time to release them.

In my body, I could feel myself becoming light again, I could move again.

Slowly, the scientists helped us sit up.

Looking at them, we of course couldn't see their faces, but I knew to hold my expression as stone as theirs.

My vision was blurry as they adjusted to the bright lights.

Looking across from me, I looked at Mitsuru, smiling on the inside, the serum that Zero Two had found worked!

Finally as the vision came back to me, I found Mitsuru staring right back at me.

I could tell from the look in his eyes that he was still with me.

I had to say something, trick them that we didn't remember each other at all.

"Who... Who are you?" I asked.

Almost immediately, Mitsuru's expression saddened. I glanced up, to notice that the scientists were not looking at us, working on something else.

Winking at him quickly, he gave a small smirk, understanding what I was doing.

"Who are you?"

"I'm squad 13."

"What? No... I'm squad 13. You much be new." Mitsuru stated, cocking his head to the side.

The scientists came over, assisting us off of the examination tables.

"Please children, follow the guards out. Your squad members are awaiting your return."

Nodding, we walked, spaced apart to appear lost.

If we showed the slightest hint of us knowing one another, we both knew how it would end. No matter how much I wanted to hug him, to kiss him, to love him.

Looking forwards, the doors opened where our friends were.

"KOKORO!"

"MITSURU!"

Hiro was the one to walk to us first.

"Guys, I'm so sorry. It was my fault for even suggesting the wedding."

I bit my lip, I didn't want to lie, but until we were alone with them, we had no choice.

"What wedding?"

"What is a wedding?" Mitsuru asked, following my lead.

"But you guys exchanged rings..."

I could see the horror on their faces.

"I don't know her. Who is she? A new squad mate?" Mitsuru asked, I could tell he didn't like the lie either, but what were we to do?

To Be Continued...