Disclaimer: Ishinomori's, not mine
Notes: Ninth in my one hundred Cyborg 009 fics. I really am still working on this, but going back to college and baby-sitting has turned free time into an abstract concept. There should be more in the upcoming winter break (hopefully).
"What took you so long?!" The cyborg code named 006 gave him an unsympathetic look. The wind blew harder than it had all day and whipped at his yellow scarf, providing an almost painful contrast with the gray sky. "I thought that acceleration chip of yours was supposed to make you accelerate."
"That's just the problem," Joe Shimamura (he knew his new name was 009, but he didn't think he'd ever get used to that) found himself explaining as he held one arm up defensively and held what his new teammate (another new part of his life he wasn't sure if he could get used to) had sent him to search the island for with the other. "I move so fast I'm lucky it I know what direction I'm going in, much less being aware enough to trace my steps back. I was on the other side of the island when it started hurting to accelerate, so I had to figure out my way back, while going the long way." Hoping to get back into 006's good graces, Joe handed over the end result of his unlucky errand. "I hope you don't take this the wrong way, 006, but what do you need with firewood? Can't you just make one of your own with a deep breath?"
"I could-- if I was a talentless hack." The heavier cyborg began putting the few pieces of driftwood Joe had scavenged into an elaborate arrangement. "The dish I'm planning requires a wood fire, or else it'll be ruined."
"... Dish? As in a meal?"
"Of course, what else would it be?" 006 kneeled over the wood and pursed his lips to create a small flame, then began fanning it steadily. Not taking his eyes off his work, he continued with more than a bit of pride in his voice, "I know it's hard to believe looking at me right now, but I was once the highest-paid chef in Beijing." He turned away from the fire long enough to give him a shrewd grin. "So if you think a little thing like being stuck on an island with Black Ghost hot on our heels is going to stop me from making the best meal any of you have had in your lives, you have another thing coming, young man."
Joe wasn't quite sure how to react to that. He was mostly confused how anyone who'd gone through what the ten of them had in the past few days could refer to it as 'a little thing'. But despite it all, he found himself beginning to develop an odd sort of respect for this cyborg who refused to let it make him give up his old life... and a deep gratitude for making him realize that it wasn't impossible after all.
"Is there anything else you need, 006?"
He waved a hand at Joe dismissively. "Go and tell the others we're eating soon. And make it snappy, burned out chip or not!"
It wasn't until Joe was halfway back to the cave that it occurred to him he had never asked 006 just what kind of dish he was making. But he decided not to worry and continued, fully confidant that his chef of a teammate knew what he was doing.