Chapter 4
"Are we there yet?"
"No. You've been asking that for the last 15 minutes"
"Are we there yet?"
"Like I said, no.
"Are we-"
"For the last time, NO!"
Yuuno stifled a laugh. He was sure that Due was doing this on purpose to annoy the Enforcer-turned-Admiral. And from the looks of thing, she's succeeding: Chrono looked ready to strangle her.
8 days had passed since their last visit to Gruen. Because of the amount of possible risks and paperwork required, it had taken them this long to escort the Number 2 to meet her father.
She had been ecstatic at first when Yuuno told her that she's meeting her family. However, when she heard about the wait, she had sulked a bit. The guards had reported that she had been moodier than normal, switching between uncaring and irritated.
That morning, when both the Admiral and the Head Librarian walked into their room, her first comment was:
"Oh? Now I know why you don't seem interested, Yuuno. Didn't know you batted for the home team."
Chrono's eyes twitched at that, while Yuuno simply massages his temple. Comments like these were common during Yuuno's first few visits, so he sort of expected this. Thankfully, she calmed down when Chrono explained what they were here for. Unfortunately, it also means that she switched to her teasing mood, especially when Chrono brings out the handcuff.
"And here I though that ferret boy was the only pervert around here."
Bulging veins appeared on Chrono's face at that. Apparently, while Chrono like to tease people, his defense weren't up to par. Or, Yuuno mused, it might just be Due at work.
Afterward, they had traveled in silence. For a while, before Due start asking the same question over and over again.
"Look, I'll tell you when we arrives there. Now could you just SHUT UP?!" Chrono roared.
Looks like he reached his limits, Yuuno noted. He had to turn away, however, when Due start to pout.
"Awwwww… I just want to know when we get there."
"That trick won't work on me, so don't bother" Chrono replied, having regained his composure.
"Fine. Spoilsport" Due sulked for a bit, then smirked. When Yuuno saw that look, he wanted to run. He was too slow though.
"Ooooooh librarian…" Due singsonged as she skipped toward him.
"W-what is it, Due?" Yuuno swallowed.
"Could you help me out?" She smiled at him. An innocent, gentle smile that should not be on that face, and yet somehow she make it work.
"Y-I mean, it depends…" Yuuno replied. He hoped she didn't noticed his slip-up
"Could you ask the one with the stick up his butt over there when we will arrive?"
"Uh… I don't think that's a good idea, Due." Yuuno gulped at the glare that Chrono sent him.
"Pwease? Pretty pwease?" Dear Kaiser. He knew she can imitate any expression, but this is just ridiculous!
"Gah! Fine! Just-just stop looking at me like that." Hanging his head in defeat, Yuuno makes his way toward the Admiral.
Said man was smirking smugly. "Whipped."
"Yeah, yeah." Yuuno sighed. He had been doing that a lot lately, particularly when it comes to the blond assassin. "What's the ETA?"
"We just arrived."
Yuuno facepalmed. Of all the… "Are you serious?"
"Yes"
"Then why didn't you just tell her?" Mentally counting to ten, Yuuno asked Chrono
"It was more fun this way." The black haired mage shrugged nonchalantly.
Shooting Chrono a dark glare, Yuuno returns to where Due was standing.
"Sooooooo… are we there yet?"
"Yes, Due. We just arrived"
"Really?" Due blinked "That was fast"
"Yes"
"Prepares the teleport station." Chrono slipped back into what he like to call "Admiral Mode". "Set the coordinates to Gruen orbital holding facility. Set numbers of visitors to 3"
"Yes sir!"
"Haruki, you're in charge until I return."
"Yes sir!"
That done, Chrono walked out of the command room, followed by Yuuno and Due.
"Impressive" Due commented.
"Thank you." Chrono replied.
- Gruen, 1 minute later -
"Pop!" Due cried as she hug her father "I missed ya. How've you been doing?"
"I missed you too, child." Jail replied. "I've been well enough. How are you?"
"I'm fine, but I'm bored pop. There's nothing left to do"
Chrono and Yuuno stood to a one side, looking on as Jail and Due converse animatedly. Noticing the purple haired woman standing a bit back with a thin smile, Yuuno approaches her.
"Why aren't you joining them?" Yuuno ask Uno with a puzzled expression.
"… I'd rather not disturb them."
"Why not? They are your family too, right?"
Before Uno can reply, Due had tackled her and is now nuzzling her bosoms.
"UNO! How are you?"
"I'm fine." Gently, Uno patted her sister on the head "And you?"
"Boring, but at least ferret boy make great company. He's a pervert though"
"DUE!" Yuuno cried in embarrassment "I kept telling you, it was an accident!"
"I don't believe you." Due replied "You said you wanted to meet me, pop?"
"Ah yes" Jail spoke up "Do you remember the bunker on Unregistered Plane 616?"
Due tilts her head to one side, scrunching her eyes as she tried to recall the place.
"Oh!" Fist meet open palm "You mean that huge storage? Yeah, I remember that"
"Do you, by chance, remember the passcode for the lower area?" Jail asked.
"Yeah, but it's kinda fuzzy though. It's been so long since I went there."
"Just take it slow Due" Yuuno gave her an encouraging pat on the shoulder "It will come back to you, so don't worry."
- POV change -
Jail Scaglietti is an observant man. And when it come to his daughters, even more so
And as such, he noticed right away how Due stiffens slightly at the blond librarian touch. How she seems to brighten at his words, and the tell tale sign of a blush, no matter how small it is.
'Hoh…' the once mad man chuckled mentally 'Seems like little Due got a crush…'
The idea that one his daughters is finally finding someone to love fills him with joy and dread at the same time. His innocent, cute little Due having a crush? Part of him want to jump up and screams in joy. The other part want to take the target aside for a little … chat. (Yuuno shivered as a cold chill began running a marathon up and down his spine)
Then he turn to his oldest daughter, Uno. Because of the fact that most of the Numbers were designed for combat, their interest lies in skills, tactics, strategies and weaponry. Not Uno. She was the only model oriented toward non-combat role, and as such she is different then her sisters. Not just in term of abilities, but in term of interest as well. Hers lies in data, information, records and anything related to it. She was fascinated with ancient history, a trait inherited from him seeing as she's his clone. But because no one shares the same interest as her, apart from the doctor himself, she has always been alone, keeping quiet and generally staying out of the light.
But now, things has changed. She had finally got a chance to express herself, a chance to put forth her ideas and opinions, a chance to discuss her interest with someone. A fire had sparked in her eyes ever since that first meeting with Yuuno Scrya.
Jail smirked. 'Yuuno Scrya… An interesting man indeed.'
Jail had heard of him. A genius in his own right, the blond had managed to become the Head Librarian before he was even 15, and is also one of the most accomplished archeologist to date.
Suddenly, Jail felt an immense headache. Gritting his teeths, he turns away to hide his discomfort.
"Damn it…" the doctor cursed under his breath
It was getting worse. Oh how he hated it. This Unlimited Desire program installed inside of him by his creators, the TSAB High Council. He hated with all his soul. It had done naught but forcing him to commit some of the vilest act possible. Before, he tend to keep it at bay by redirecting it so that it would help him get revenge on his creators. It was a great methods at first.
Until it started to take control of him, making plans that would include sacrificing his daughters. More than once Uno had to snaps him out of it, and he was never more thankful for her assistance during those times.
Unfortunately, the one time he needed her the most, Uno had been captured by that investigator, Verossa Accours. As such, UD finally overrided his control, leading him to allow Quattro to blow up the Cradle.
With his daughters still inside.
The very thought of him hurting them was what snapped him out of his revenge filled mind, and what kept him here. He figured that this is penance for what he had done. No matter what they say, he sees himself as a failure.
4 of his daughters had followed him here. Quattro is still his daughter, but even so, he still haven't really forgive her for her actions. They are an amoral group, but they have standards. Blowing up one's own family is NOT on that list.
Shaking his head to clear away the pain, he watched as the blond librarian and his oldest daughter continues their work, with his second daughter annoying the Admiral.
For his daughters's sake, he would continue to deny the Unlimited Desire's existence. He would do it for as long as he can, even if it means dying. For that, is what a father should do.