Chapter 11

As the storm raged, everyone was sound asleep inside Yumi's home, including Asahi, until he woke up suddenly and carefully sat up, looking around to see if there was a way to contact Octavio. If he delivered his enemies to him, King Octavio would be pleased.

Suddenly, a radio crackled to life and he looked to see it was Agent 4's radio. Curious, Asahi listened and was surprised to hear his fellow Octolings. A smile came to his face as he took a listen, waiting to hear about a rescue plan.

"I'll not tolerate any more failure!" King Octavio said. "Asahi foolishly let himself get caught by the Inklings. He is no longer an Octoling, but a traitor!"

The Octoling felt his world shatter around him. "Not even his sister could be convinced to come back and usually one kiss from me is all it takes!"

Asahi felt his blood run cold as he heard that. "She was telling the truth," he said in horror.

"We'll show those Inklings who is King!" Octavio yelled. "We will succeed! See that you all do not fail me as 8 and Asahi did! They are traitors!"

Other Octolings chanted those same words and Asahi felt numb, looking down at his hands as he sighed, looking over at 8, who was sound asleep while 4 wrapped a protective arm around her.

He glanced around to see the others all sound asleep and little Saki was snuggled with her mother, sound asleep. The Octoling looked at them before looking down at his chains, wondering if he should try to call out to Octavio.

Quietly, he worked on the cuffs and managed to break free of them, moving quietly so he was outside. Once he felt it was clear, he pressed the button on his communicator. "King Octavio, it's me, sir," he said, throwing caution to the wind.

"Oh, I'm glad you called me, Asahi," Octavio said. "I have to talk to you about your deeds leading you to be a traitor."

"I'm not a traitor, Your Majesty. I swear," he said.

"Then why are you not here with that Inkling's child?"

Asahi had no answer for that and Octavio growled. "Never step foot in my territory again, Asahi. You are banished."

The communication ended right there and the Octoling fell to his knees, a scream leaving him as he felt his head hurting. He cried out, awakening the others inside and they looked outside to find Asahi on his knees on the ground, breathing hard as if he had just finished running a marathon. "Asahi?" 8 asked, going up to him.

He turned to her, tears running down his face. "Tsukiko," he said.

She gasped as her memory came flooding back and she got tears in her eyes as she remembered her mother being wary of Octavio while her father had been a devout follower and Asahi had followed in his footsteps.

The young male Octoling got to his feet. "Sister," he said. "My sister."

8 hugged him, crying and he cried too. "I'm sorry," he whispered to her. "I'm so sorry."

She just cried, hugging him. Cuttlefish nodded before looking sorrowful. "I'm sorry you had to learn of Octavio's betrayal like that, Asahi," he said.

"I'm not," he said. "It was the wake-up I needed."

He turned to his sister. "Sis, I'm so sorry," he said. "I...I didn't mean what I said earlier."

"I know," she said softly. "I didn't mean what I said earlier too."

He looked at the others and sighed. "I'm sorry, everyone," he said. "Especially to you, Agent 3."

Saki, sensing the tension, went up to Asahi and reached up to him. He blinked and 8 smiled, picking up her niece. "I think she's forgiven you," she said as Saki reached for Asahi again.

He gently brushed a finger over her hand. "I don't deserve your forgiveness, kid," he said softly. He then turned to Cuttlefish. "Captain, I'm sorry to ask, but would you be willing to give me some supplies? I'll need them for my journey."

"Journey?" 4 asked.

Asahi nodded. "I'm banished from Octoling territory and I know I'm not welcome here," he said. "So...that's my only option."

"But that wouldn't be fair to 8," T.K. spoke up. "You and her were just reunited."

The young Octoling shook his head. "That doesn't matter, kid," he said. "Just because I'm 8's brother doesn't mean I should be given a clean slate."

"8 was given a clean slate when she joined us," Cuttlefish said. "Why can't the same be given to you?"

"Maybe think on it for a bit," Marina said. "Right now, it's storming. We're all going to catch a cold from this rain and no one is calm enough to make a life-changing decision right now."

"Marina's right," Matt said. "Let's get back inside, everyone. You too, Asahi."

They got back inside and as Yumi and Pearl got cups of hot tea for everyone, Saki went up to Asahi again, but this time, since he was sitting down, she plopped herself down on his lap, looking up at him.

He blinked. "Um, kiddo?" He asked. "What are you up to?"

The child looked up at him before suddenly smacking his nose with one hand. "Ow!" He said, blinking as he shook his head.

Saki giggled and he looked at her before lightly scoffing. "Whatever," he said as he leaned back down on the makeshift bed Yumi had made for him.

The toddler giggled again and climbed up on him, or at least attempted to. Asahi rolled his eyes. "Kid, you a monkey or something?" He asked.

"Monkey!" Saki giggled out before batting Asahi's nose again.

"Ow!" He said. "Kid, what is with you and hitting my nose?"

"She thinks it's a game and your reaction is making her laugh," Matt said, smirking.

"Well, she's your kid. Get her to stop," Asahi groused.

"Just don't react when she hits your nose again," Yumi said, also smirking.

T.K. was having a hard time holding back his giggles while 8 was smiling and 4 chuckled. "Maybe it's your initiation," the yellow Inkling said jokingly.

Saki went to hit Asahi's nose again when he caught her and lifted her up into the air above him. "Kid, would you quit that?" He asked before seeing she was giggling and held her arms out like an airplane. Sighing, he set her down and went she rushed at him, he caught her, lifting her up in the air again and Saki giggled happily. "Why is she so happy with just lifting her up like that?" He asked.

"She recognizes it as the airplane game," Marina said, smiling. "It's one of her favorite games."

"And it looks like she's chosen you to play with her," Pearl said.

Asahi sighed. "I tried to kidnap her not two days ago and she decides to make me babysit her," he said. "Oh, this can't get any worse."

Saki chose right then to belly flop right on Asahi's stomach and he groaned as the wind was knocked out of him. "Ow. It just got worse," he groaned out painfully.

Yumi came and picked up her daughter. "Alright, that's enough beating up on your uncle, sweetie," she said.

Cuttlefish chuckled. "You know, if you're going to join us, you need a number too, Asahi," he said. "How about...Agent 9?"

"Really?" Asahi asked.

"Makes sense," Matt said. "His sister is Agent 8."

Asahi looked at them and saw them looking at him. "I'm going to regret saying 'no', aren't I?" He asked.

"Yes, you will," his sister said with a grin.

He sighed. "Since you all insist," he said. "Fine, I'm in."

Looks like Asahi has joined the party. :)

Tsukiko means "moon" in Japanese. :)

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GoldGuardian2418