Series: Deadly Daughter||Title: Cast a Reflection
Characters: Asuka, Selena, Ruri||Ship: Asuka x Selena/Selena x Asuka
Chapters: 7-10||Words: 500||Total: 3,500
Genre: Angst, Friendship||Rated: PG
Prompt: Arc-V Angst Week Day #4, Separation
Notes: This takes place in the same universe as my earlier fic Good-bye. For those who haven't read that, then the Professor chose to use Selena to find the other bracelet girls, and Asuka is her partner/girlfriend (much as Yuuri and Dennis work together in canon, only deeper).
Summary: To find one's target means going deep undeercover, concealing one's allegiance, and witnessing horrors undreamed of first hand. Asuka never suspected to find a friend with the face of her beloved, let alone have to choose between the truth of her life and truths she's just begun to learn.
Shun stared at her. Asuka would've thought he had some idea of where she'd come from, if he didn't give off the extremely strong sensation that he didn't trust anyone who wasn't Ruri or Yuuto. She didn't blame him for that, no matter how much it made her nervous.
But she worked carefully to keep her secret and to distribute what she'd brought with her. This particular load involved personal needs – those didn't vanish just because of an invasion and a war – as well as spare clothes and other odds and ends. Food remained a huge necessity and she'd brought along what could be spared from other camps.
The supplies would run out eventually, at least the ones available to scavenge from Heartland itself. She hadn't heard about other cities during her travels. She knew they existed; she'd seen tattered maps and books, but communications were difficult, if not actually impossible.
She really looks so much like Selena. Asuka knew every line of Selena's face and to see it on Ruri's, but with different hair and eyes and expression, that would require some getting used to. Her voice sounded different as well. But there wasn't any doubt that Ruri was the one she was looking for.
Another difference Asuka noticed was their attitude in general. Selena cared for nothing that wasn't making the Professor happy. From what little Asuka heard from Ruri about the war and those who fought and the one who started it, Ruri would gladly have strangled him if the opportunity arose.
Ruri didn't strike her as normally a violent person, even if she defended herself quite well when necessary, but after what happened to her city, anyone could be enraged enough.
How can I talk to her? Asuka wanted to so very much. Being around her continually brought her thoughts back to Selena and her self-chosen mission to uncover what the Professor's plans really were. She thought Ruri – and Shun and Yuuto – would be willing to help unset them, but the thought of what they would do if they found out she was from Fusion chilled her.
She'd already seen what Shun would do to Fusion soldiers. Of all the people in this branch of the resistance refugees, he went out on his own the most to crush any soldiers that he came across. He didn't just try to defeat them – though he did that very well. Not long after Asuka arrived there, he started showing up from his forays outward with Fusion soldiers sealed into cards.
How he got the tech Asuka didn't know. She wanted to ask, but the rumors she managed to hear were already too confusing to think about where to start.
The key to talking to Ruri came almost a week after her arrival here. At least she hoped it was the key, since she and Ruri were to go out and hunt up any fresh supplies and see if their leftovers could be sent to anyone else who needed them.
To Be Continued
Notes: It was right around here I had the most lovely idea for something I can do (and will do). The story of Asuka and the XYZ Resistance has only just begun!