Chapter 7
A freezing wind across her back reminded her of the surroundings. Returning to the dying embers of the fire, she stirred and added wood, breathing life back into the blue cored flames. Soon she had a roaring fire in front of herself and a thick blanket wrapped around her body. Her neck ached and her whole side felt like fire ants were making their way through her skin. However, it was the waiting that killed her. After so many years living on her own, after finding Ikuro again, she had thought that she wouldn't be alone again. Locating her knife and gun she retreated into thought. Expiration date? Ikuro's dying? That's impossible. The Baoh would heal him. She continued to ponder the idea when Ikuro came stumbling through the junk yard.
"Ikuro!" she bounded across the area to hug him. He gently peeled her away from himself. She realized why. Although his wounds had healed, his shirt was still wet with blood. And now so was her's. Brushing that aside she gave him a quick once over. That parasite in him had healed all his wounds. Thank goodness. There would be no way for him to still be alive after such wounds if not for the Baoh. I guess there is some good in that monster. Ikuro was moving away from her, going towards the fire and looking around.
"Where is he? Where did he go?" he demanded. Sumire was surprised by the hatred in his tone. He whirled to her, stalking closer. "Where did he go?!"
She could stare as Ikuro looked wild eyed around. He's furious. Why? Kyo's gone. He can see that. Reaching out she touched his arm, drawing his attention from the surroundings.
"Kyo's gone. I don't know where he went. After he threw you into the forest, he knocked me out and disappeared. I came to not too long ago and restarted the fire. He's long gone Ikuro. There's no point on looking for him now." It was as if the Baoh had altered his personality. Instead of the wide eyed naivety, before her was a young man who looked ready to destroy everything in his path. "Ikuro?" her tone was low. He finally seemed to focus on her. Shoulders sagging, he sighed.
"Alright. What's the plan?" his tone carried defeat. Sumire went straight to work.
"They obviously know where we are. And you know what?" she passed him, storming over to the fire. "I'm sick of it. I'm sick of running. Of never letting my guard down. Of always leaving things behind. I won't let them chase me anymore. I refuse to be afraid of them anymore. And I can no longer merely think for myself," she turned to face Ikuro. "It is obvious that they are still experimenting with the Baoh parasite. I don't know about you, but the idea that they are taking more people from their families and forcing them to host it is inexcusable to me. I plan on stopping them. Once and for all. I'm not going to run. They easily keep pace. And hiding does little to help as well," her face darkened. "They will pay for everything that they have done."
Ikuro stood where she had left him for a moment. His expression made her think that he wasn't going to help her at all. He spoke, his tone subtly undermining her decision.
"You realize, as you said yesterday, or so, that they have the resources to track us. What do you have? A gun and a knife? They will destroy you easily."
"I don't care!" the girl yelled back, "Them continuing to play god with people's lives has gone too far. I can stop them!"
"You don't have anything to fight them with! Hell! You don't even know where they are!"
That stopped her. But only for a moment. "If I find one of them, then I can find the rest." It was obvious she wasn't going to back down. Ikuro ran his hands through his hair. Sumire could see on his face as he tried to find a way to talk her out of it. Finding none, he looked back up at her, hands clasped behind his neck.
"Then find them. You find their holes and we'll ferret them out. I doubt it'll help, but trying to get rid of them isn't a bad goal. And I want a rematch with that other Baoh. I want to know why he works for them."
A ghost of a smile crossed Sumire's face. Ikuro was going to help her. She expected that he would just let her be. Leave her to the stupid idea. Inclining her head in gratitude she muttered, "Thank you." She was about to straighten when Ikuro's hand rested on her head.
"I can hardly let you charge into danger, now can I?" there was a chuckle in his voice. She brushed it aside. It didn't matter. They first needed to figure out how to locate them. Which became Ikuro's next question. It forced Sumire to truly think about her plan. Would it even be possible for her to find them? Her talents were strong, but finding them would be difficult. Making them come to her however, would be a good idea. Ikuro had followed her the last time she was captured. He could do it again. Except this time she knew how to take care of herself.
She peeked up at Ikuro. No, she realized. I can't do that to Ikuro. Besides, if that is my brilliant plan, then how can I be expected to take care of myself? Her eyes glazed over as she tried to think of a way to get into Judas.
Unaware of her surroundings, she jumped when Ikuro clapped his hands in front of her face. Ikuro had bent down to her level, his face no longer marred by anger. Now concern was painted on.
"Sumire, is it necessary to think on it now? Is it possible that we just sleep tonight? Or what's left of it?" he asked. The east was starting to lighten from the deep blue of the night to a gray pink of the morning. Sumire's body suddenly turned weak. The earth beneath her feet rolled and her knees gave out. She tipped to the side before catching herself. Ikuro was at her side, hands out to help her. Waving him off with a laugh she said, "I suppose I'm more tired than I let on. Judas already knows we are here, but they obviously aren't going to attack us just yet. I see no reason why we can't keep sleeping."
"Sumire… Are you alright?"
"Psh!" she scoffed, "Nothing a little rest won't cure." Brushing off the frets of her male friend, she shored up herself and walked confidently to where her blanket lay. Ikuro stood where she had left him, looking rather helpless. Not that she turned to see it. Once she was properly lying on the blanket, her mind went dark.
Ikuro sat in the ever growing light, watching over Sumire. He was worried about her and she wouldn't let him help her. It was slightly disheartening. He wanted to care for his little friend. He hadn't been there to protect her the past seven years, and he felt like he needed to make it up to her. After all, there was that promise that he would.
There were some things that made Ikuro wish he had also returned to his blanket. As she rolled onto her back he saw the evidence of her attempting to protect him. Blossoming around her right eye and along her jaw line, more bruises revealed themselves. Her lip was split deep enough that blood had leaked onto her chin and dried there. There were light scratches and scraps, likely caused from when she initially tackled Kyo. Those were the only wounds he could see, but he could guess that her hands were also injured. Punching a body of a Baoh, even one not transformed, had to be painful.
But worst of all were the finger and palm shaped marks splotching her neck. His hand began to tremble again. How could he have done that to Sumire? She was the one he was supposed to protect and his Baoh almost killed her. Those years ago, his Baoh had distinguished her as a friend. Why would that change?
Tucking his head into folded arms, he already knew the answer. It was her intent. As a child she had bore no ill will. Not to anyone. Not even Judas. But seven, almost eight, years had passed. Years spent running and fighting. And losing…. he thought as Grandmother's and Grandfather's faces floated through his hazy memories. Even Notsuo. He brought his head up, cheek resting on his arm. It's not surprising that she has learned to protect herself. And the intent to kill her enemies is not all that odd either. Sumire, despite her injuries, slept peacefully, eyelids twitching in dreams. His brow creased and his hands fisted. I had control of the Baoh before I went into the water. I could bring about its power without having to transform. I will do so again. To protect Sumire. And I won't abandon her this time. He swore to himself.
Sumire was still caught in the oblivion of dreams when Ikuro returned to his blanket to sleep for however many hours he could get.
Reluctant to get up in the morning, Ikuro held the blankets above his head against the sun's light. It must be around noon with this light. Eventually Ikuro was driven out of his blanket by the heat and carbon dioxide, only to burrow back in. What is she doing?! Sumire's back had been to him, but all the same… What is she doing?!
Really it was obvious. Sumire was changing into cleaner clothes. The ones she bore were stiff with blood. And then something caught in Ikuro's mind's eye. The scars. Some still red and puckered while others were pale and smooth. They had mottled her back in ranging sizes and shapes. How did she…?
"Ikuro."
He froze under the blanket, worried what would happen if he moved.
"Come on Ikuro. We need to eat," the corner of his blanket lifted and Ikuro was once again staring at the face of Sumire. The purple and black face of Sumire. He sat up, regarding her more carefully. The bruises on her face were bigger than he remembered them being the night before. And her neck was now ringed by the marks from his hand, instead of it being distinct blotches. Ikuro wasn't sure if that made him feel better, or worse. With a thick layer of guilt fogging his mind he decided that it made him feel worse. Averting his eyes, he stood in a creaking motion, muscles sighing as he stretched. Rotating his neck, Ikuro found it full of pops and at each louder one he winced, sure he was going to break his own neck.
Sumire stepped around him, returning to her pack. After witnessing her back scars, he looked carefully at her arms. Sure enough, rising from her skin were pale lines and curves. How did I miss seeing any of them?
"Eat," Sumire didn't even look as she flipped a protein bar over her shoulder. Practically inhaling his food, Ikuro immediately regretted it as his stomach continued to voice its displeasure. Ikuro sensed another presence and brought his hand up in time to catch another bar.
"Eat slower," although her tone was scolding, it carried an unspoken laugh. He obliged, chewing slowly as Sumire continued whatever she was doing. She eventually stood, shouldering her pack adjusting it so it sat comfortably.
"I have an idea on how we can get into a Judas facility, but you aren't going to like it. At all."
Swallowing quickly, Ikuro voiced his protest. "Sumire, if you dare suggest that you get captured by Judas…."
"That's exactly what I'm suggesting. And no, you aren't going to change my mind. Hold on!" she held up her hand to keep him from interrupting her. "This will only happen once. While with the organization you can break me out. And while you do that I can hack into Judas and find the rest of their bases. By hop scotching from base to base I can hack into each place to make sure that we keep up with them and the bases don't move. There may be even more victims that Judas has. We can free them and then destroy the base. Simple as that. One time capture, leading to long chain of destruction."
Ikuro's face was carved in a frown. It was obvious that he would initially reject her ideas. And that would be expected. But she would get her way. He would come around.
"No."
"What?" her jaw dropped. He said he was going to support her. Now he wasn't because her choice in strategies? Granted, it wasn't great, but it was the only one that she could think of. At least, the only on that could conceivably work. It was a small chance, but still a chance.
"Sumire, I trust you. And I don't doubt your abilities. But this plan is not something that I will help with. Think of something else, or we keep running."
"Wha-Bu- Hang on a second!" she sputtered. "You said that you would help me. And now, you are retracting that offer of assistance? Why?"
"Because that foolish plan-" Ikuro started.
"Foolish?" Sumire exclaimed. Her eyebrow crooked up and she balanced her weight on one foot, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Yes, foolish. Getting yourself kidnapped will only result in more injury to you, and it could very well return me to the water. And who knows? I might not return in your lifetime,"
That made her soften up and her eyes lost a bit of that hard light.
"And I'd rather not leave you to the mercy of those monsters for the rest of your life."
"I still get visions. I can defend myself," she argued back, returning to a defensive mode. Ikuro kept talking.
"But one day they will get the best of you. They already managed to block the murderous intent from both you and the Baoh. What if they learn to counteract your physic abilities? Then what will you do? Again, you have already pointed out that Judas is more equipped than you."
"That's why we need to go after them!"
"No!" Ikuro yelled back. He voice reverted to normal when Sumire shrank back, silenced but not beaten. "Sumire, you can't be just planning short term. You've got to draw out your plan properly or you aren't going to be able to keep away from Judas. They will catch you."
"Ikuro, planning for the future only prepares you to be disappointed. Besides, how can I plan for the future when there is an enormous organization literally using all it available resources to find me? I only get premonitions, feelings about things about to happen. Occasionally I get a vision, but other than the, there is nothing. I'm as blind as any other person in the world.
"I'm not saying planning details; you just need to know where you are going and how you need to get there."
"Is this your roundabout way to tell me that I shouldn't be going after Judas?" her tone reflected that of a snarling wolf, challenged to a fight. Ikuro held his hands up in peace.
"Not at all. But I am saying that you need to think though your plan and options better. If you continue insisting that you get captured to take the down, than I refuse to partake. And I refuse to let you go after them."
"And you are going to stop me?"
"Yes, I will. I won't let you put yourself such danger."
"Ikuro, I've been flirting with that same danger the past eight years!"
"And now it's different! I am here to help you so you don't have to live with that danger overhead!"
The two were at a standstill, glaring at each other as if they could change the other's mind with a heated look. Several minutes passed before Ikuro talked again.
"Sumire, you either need to think of a new plan or I will make sure that you can't implement your current one."
Sumire's eyes glazed over in thought. Ikuro crossed his arms over his chest, waiting for her to return to reality. Her foot scratched aimlessly at the ground. After minutes of waiting, a flicker of her eyelid occurred and she tilted her head up to him.
"Kyo. Track Kyo and we are bound to come across a Judas agent, outpost or base."
"Kyo?" Ikuro was incredulous. Did she really think that he could find that monster? Did she honestly think that it would be that easy to follow him? It wasn't like Kyo was a lost dog. He was human. Twisted, and with a parasite planted into his brain, but still human. Not to mention, he had a huge lead on them. Sumire was nodding vigorously. Ikuro remained unconvinced. "And how, if I can ask, are we going to find him?" Sumire turned and pointed into the distance, a northwestern direction.
"He went that way," came her simple statement before striding off. He caught her arm again to stop her.
"And how do you know that?" he asked. Something wasn't lining up right. The girl shrugged.
"I just do," withdrawing her arm from his grip and kept walking. Always leaving people behind, isn't she? Ikuro hadn't given her much choice in the matter. But he wasn't about the let her out of his sight again. He wasn't sure what would happen to her if that happened. He didn't want to think about what would happen if she left his sight. Trotting to catch up with her, Ikuro walked slightly behind her, eyes fixed to their surroundings. Sumire, on the other hand, had her eyes on the ground, carefully deciphering, well, whatever she could. The male believed that she knew what she was doing and followed quietly behind.
That was, until an hour later.
"Well if you're so smart, why don't you find him!" Sumire shouted.
"And how do you purpose I do that? You're the one who said you knew where he went! You're the one that has been leading us in circles!" Ikuro yelled back
"You never said anything!"
"I thought you knew what you were doing!"
"Well," her voice reined back into a silky mock, "Maybe you should've paid more attention. We've passed that rock three times already!" she thrust a finger towards the little boulder, her voice rising in volume in the last sentence.
"What do expect me to do about that?"
"I don't know! You're a Baoh, he's a Baoh, sniff him out!"
"So now I'm a dog?"
"Of course not. Dogs have more use than you!" the two were nose and nose, yelling unnecessarily and sparks flying from their glares. Ikuro was deeply offended and hurt. Sumire was belittling his existence, something he never imagined her doing. And the ease in which she had said it was astonishing. Perhaps she really did feel that he was useless. It was obvious that she could move faster on her own by all the extra wandering that she did. Maybe Ikuro was slowing her down. But he still wouldn't leave her alone. Slowing her down or not, he was going to make sure she either abandoned this endeavor or got through it alive. Personally he hoped for the former. That one was a safer route for the both of them.
He still glared down at her, but his will to keep arguing with her was fading. He didn't see the point to it. She was going to get her way. And he promised her. A worm of doubt wiggled at the back of his mind. How far was he willing to go to help her on her plot of revenge? Grinding his teeth in frustration, he straightened, his body relaxing as he let go of the anger. Shock flickered in Sumire's eyes as she rocked back too. Soon suspicion over took and he arms folded over her chest.
"Fine," he relented, "I'll see what I can do. No guaranteeing anything, mind you," his tone was stern. It hardly fazed her. The girl's face lit up and she hugged him quickly.
"Thank you!" She stepped back, hands clasped behind her back, watching expectantly. Casting her a skeptical look, Ikuro closed his eyes.
He didn't know what to listen, smell or sense for. The fact that she thought he'd be able to do anything surprised him. But they were both Baohs. It made sense. In one twisted way. Shuffling to his side floated through his mind before quieting. He stood there for what he thought was too long before letting out a defeated sigh.
"I'm sorry, Sumire, I don't… Sumire?" He turned in a circle. His traveling partner was nowhere in sight. She left! She up and left me! A lump in the distance drew his attention and he ran for it. It wasn't Sumire, just the traveling pack. Dropping to his knees Ikuro dug through it, looking for some sort of clue as to where she was going. Nothing. And everything was in there. Sumire hadn't taken any food or clothes. In a little plastic bag at the bottom of the pack was the money. She's going off her first plan! Ikuro mentally kicked himself. Of course she would. This second one was horrible. But it was safer than that first one. And she's still going through with it! I can't believe this!
Actually he could. Sumire would be smart enough to trick into one plan in order to implement a different and admittedly better, plan. It was more dangerous, but it had the best likely to succeed rate. But how could she do that to me? He shoved the back pack away in frustration, more angry at himself that he hadn't realized that she would do something like this. About to stand he noticed something in the dirt. Scratched into the soil was an arrow pointed towards him, in a southerly direction. So she's going to be kind enough to actually give me a direction as to where she is going. He was going to go after her. Taking the money from the pack he stuffed his pockets. Out of everything, this was something they would definitely need. Standing, he turned, making sure that the arrow was directly at his back before setting off at an easy jog.
He had been running for a little over a half an hour when something began to materialize on the horizon. It can't be. His stomach dropped. Sprinting the last hundred yards he came to a halt in the center of the junk yard they had spent the night in. Dropping to his knees Ikuro sat hunched over. She had tricked him, ditched him, and now was leading him on wild goose chases. Does she even want my help, he wondered. Because she has a weird way of getting it. His brow furrowed. No, she wouldn't do this without a reason. She's going through with her original plan. That mean she needs my help. But not right away. He started crawling on his hands and knees. Just ditching me like that, that wouldn't give her enough of a head start. I could've caught up with her. I could've caught up and stopped her. So she needed to distract me, but also lead me to a place for a new direction. Studying the ground carefully, Ikuro made his way in increasing circles to find whatever clue she'd left him. Ignoring the sharp rocks to his palms and knees, he kept up his search. There! In the dirt was another arrow, sketched in the direction of where Sumire had been sleeping the night before. I hope that you're not lying to me again, Sumire, carefully etching the direction into his mind in relation to the sun. Forcing his trembling and exhausted muscles Ikuro broke into a jog. He needed to find her as soon as possible. Perhaps he could still stop her from getting captured by Judas.
*Of course, I extend the usual greetings/apologies/rantings to whomever read this.
~I'm back to annoy.
*Been finished for a while, just never uploaded it. So here it is.
~Good job.
*Read and Review. And of course, I own nothing of Baoh. It was written and illustrated by Hirohiko Araki.
Soul~Skip
