Alex was broken and bruised, Inari had beaten him to a pulp and he had barely managed to land a single hit on her. It was a good hit though, her nose was bleeding.

"Ok, you hit me. You win. What do you want to know?"

"Who makes your pants and skirts? That tail is a major obstacle to your particular brand of fashion."

"It is, but it's not like there isn't a demand. My kind is rare, but not so rare that there's no money in making clothes for us." She whispered to herself, "Now if only they'd find a way to make a comfortable pair of panties."

He read her lips and deciphered what she hid under her breath, "Wait, you mean your going co…" She slugged him hard in the face before he could finish that sentence.

"Other people aren't supposed to know that! Now make a revelation bigger than that one or I beat that memory out of you! You're not immune to amnesia through head trauma!"

"Ok, I have a son." He responded instantly and without emotion.

"No you don't, Niven would have told us that." She readied her bokken.

"I never told him." He responded bluntly.

"Why not?"

"I didn't know if I could trust him. Even now, I still don't."

"And you expect me to believe that you trust me more than him?"

"I don't, I just figured I'd stop hiding it now that we're all in the same boat and you're about to beat me to within an inch of my life if I don't one-up the revelation that you go commando in a mini-skirt. I've made some enemies in my life. I wanted to make sure nothing happened to him. You'd only know if you knew exactly where to look. I got all the records of his existence I could deleted. I don't even claim him on my taxes. So he was pretty much safe so long as I kept my mouth shut."

"Not good enough." She put her bokken to his throat with a devilish grin on her face, "Tell me who she was."

"There was no 'she', I adopted him. If you'd like, I'll tell you the story."

"Alright," she sheathed her blades, "Tell me."

"Ok." He took a deep breath to gather his thoughts, "I wasn't always legit, in fact, most of my life I've been on the wrong side of the law. About 14 years ago a job went really far south. My friends, quote unquote, had abandoned me to save themselves and the pigs were hot on my tail. After being chased around for a few minutes I figured that I'd probably run out of gas before they did, and even then I just knew a helicopter was on its way. So I slammed the breaks and bailed out just as my car impacted the lead cruiser. He didn't see me bail because of that, none of the others did either. I rolled and slammed into an alley wall. I was somehow uninjured, so I ran as hard as I could until I hit a dead end. I climbed a ladder to the roof of one of the buildings and jumped from rooftop to rooftop. If they didn't know I bailed, they did by this point in time, but that stunt did enable me to lose them. Then I saw the helicopter coming in as a black speck on the horizon. I thought I was fucked till I saw an open dumpster to jump down into."

"How does this relate to your son?"

"I'm getting to that. Choppers can still see into alleyways, and I wasn't even a block away from my 'accident'. They'd check every dumpster, and find me cowering in the bottom of one of them. Regardless, I still had a bit of time before the chopper arrived. So I decided to do something stupid."

"Like what?"

"Knock on the nearest door and request to come in politely."

"What time was it when you did this."

"Sunset. So there were still a few other people on the street. I could have tried blending in with the crowd, but I was too full of adrenaline and fear to think of that."

"Never thought you'd be the type to lose it." She said.

"14 years is a long time Inari, I bet you were even more violent back in the day."

She smacked him on the head with her bokken. "Continue."

He rubbed the lump a second then did as he was told. "The first building I tried was a normal house. I knocked but there was no answer. Now I understood how dumb that move was, but I still wanted a roof over my head, the sound of that chopper overhead was like a bell tolling, heralding the imminent loss of what little freedom I still had. I saw a small, unassuming building about a block away. I wanted to run, but that might have given me away. So I walked as calmly as I could. As you can guess, it ended up being an orphanage."

"So that's how you met you son?" She asked.

"Yes, but it's a bit more complicated than that."

"No love at first sight right?"

"No, it was, but in a different way. If I may, I must assume the position of a first person narrator at this point. It's the only way I know how to tell this story."

"Alright, do your best."

He took a deep breath, and began:

I felt strange walking into this place. I saw a nun in a habit walking towards me. She asked me bluntly…

"Who are you?"

I have known the traditions of many religions since I was young, so I answered "One who seeks charity, and to give charity in return."

"Ah, what a wonderful line of crap. I bet you just robbed a bank!"

I didn't quite understand the last part thankfully. "I understand sister. Humans are such obstinate sinners. Still, I wish to think that I am not so far-gone as my brethren. I ask you, can I stay here for awhile and observe you and the children you so graciously shelter here?" I said as I bowed, trying to sound as humble as possible.

"Hmmm…," she seriously observed me for over a minute before telling me, "Ok, you seem earnest enough, we're a little short handed so I'll need you to help clean this place up."

"Alright."

She handed me a broom, dustpan, and mop and told me to get to it. Almost immediately after I started moping the floor a little brat about up to my knees came up to me.

"Yo, yakuza dude, you the one that robbed the bank just now?" That was one of the few times I was thankful that my emotions don't naturally surface.

"No, I'm not." I responded.

"Like hell you not, pigs are scouring the streets lookin' for a guy like you."

"Lots of guys like me, what makes you think I'm the one."

"I just get the feeling, you look the type."

I ignored him and continued cleaning.

"Hey don't worry about it, I hate snitches, so I won't tell anyone."

"You're starting to annoy me kid."

"Oh don't be like that dude, I just want someone to talk to."

"Get one of the sisters, it's their job."

"Yeah I know. But they're no fun at all! I have to live with them you see. So I have to be careful what I say to them."

"You don't look the type to really give two shits about what anyone thinks kid." I immediately replied.

"Scott, you can call me Scott."

"Weird last name."

"It's not, don't got one."

"Impossible."

"Well ok I do kinda have one, but it has no meaning, got no family left, and I can't really remember em', so it's pointless."

"Bullcrap, unless they left you at the foot of this joint you'd have know them."

"Ok ok I did kinda fabricate some of the above. Tell ya what, you adopt my sorry ass and I'll tell ya everything."

His way of speaking was rather strange, he sounded more like a teenager than a four year old. I found it intriguing.

"So how long you been here."

"Ah, now that's part of the 'true' story that I'm holding back on until you get me out of here."

"Is it really that bad?"

"Kind of. I mean, 3 hots and a cot for free is nothing to sneeze at, but I would really like some parents."

"You'd only get one with me."

"Eh, better than nothing. Besides, I'm getting this funny feeling when I'm around you," He closed his eyes and smiled brightly, "I just don't like you."

"And yet you want to come home with me." I was confused, why wish to be with someone you don't like?

"Yeah, you're interesting! See, I've never met a person like you before. I like everyone at first, then I find out they're like Nomura or Aoi and I stop liking them…but you I hate right from the start! So in time, I bet I'll end up loving you!" He looked like he wanted to be patted on the head for his absurd argument.

"You talk too much."

"Says the man using an orphanage as a makeshift safe house! How much you make off with?"

"Nothing, I'm not involved in any crime, nor have I ever been. Go ask a cop if you don't believe me." Of course, I didn't want him to, but the kid had all the cards and I had to keep my bluff going if I hoped to avoid free three by three living quarters for the next 30 years.

"Yeah yeah. You're telling me how you lost the pigs when you adopt me."

"You seem pretty damn sure I'm going to adopt you, why?"

"Cuz you're a nice thug!"

"Here's a tip you little yankee, this is not the way to get adopted."

"Sure it is! Instead of acting, I'm being myself. I don't want a parent that hovers over me 24/7, and that kind of person wouldn't touch me with a thousand foot pole!" He said as he spread his arms.

"That doesn't negate my objection. I doubt anyone in the world would adopt you at this point."

"You will." He looked at me sweetly.

"Again with your unbacked presumptions! Are you trying to get me to adopt you so you'll shut the hell up!" I should have been angry, so I acted like it.

"That's plan B!"

"Grrrrrr…"

He was smart and devious, for a four year old anyway. I had to admit, I really was starting to like him for some reason. He was annoying as hell, but somehow the part of my mind responsible for making smart decisions was being shut down by his dichromatic blue-green eyes. They were weird, just like mine. He kept pestering me, asking me where I was from, what I knew, who I knew. It was all so annoying to me at the time, and even now he's still annoying, but the more he talked the more I lamented the fact he was all alone. He needed a parent, a friend. Or perhaps it was the absolute certainty he displayed in his assertion that I really was going to adopt him. They say if you believe in something hard enough your dream will become reality, and he certainly believed.

I came back to help at sunset for the next few days. I shouldn't have left my house for about a week, but I made the trips regardless. After the third day I started to relax. See, if they don't have a suspect by the third day, they'll probably never have one. I was in the clear, somehow, I'd pretty much gotten away with murder. Scott pestered me all the time, but never referenced adoption again until seventh day, when he suddenly asked…

"So, you decided to adopt me yet?" He made an effort to look as cute as possible, and he did.

"Quit nagging." I had.

"Oh come on! Half the kids are laughing at me, and the other half's worried you'll be in prison before the end of the month! Four days left to see how the other side lives, don't you wanna?"

"I said I didn't do it."

"Suuuuure ya didn't, gin man."

"What was that?"

He started to sing "He re-eeeeeks of gin! Giiin man! Giiiin man! Punched his wi-iiiife in the face. Giiin man! Giiin man! He robs the baaaaanks to-pay-for-his-booze. Giiin man! Giiin man!"

"Why you…"

"Hey, gin's a good drink, I don't blame ya."

"How the hell would you know!" I yelled.

"Part o' tha story mate," he said in a terrible aussie accent, "Take me home, and you'll know."

"I'll give you props on your first move, but you ruined the rest of your pitch. You've improved a bit, but you're still not going to get adopted until you properly learn to grab their hearts and wrench the hell out of them."

"No way, that's how Nomura's going about it, and I hate him! So I've decided to show him how it's done by doing it my way. The right way. I am always myself, I always ought to be myself. I have shown you who and what I truly am."

"I admire your philosophy Scott, but it still won't work." It was working, much as I hated to admit it.

"Yeah it will, one day, it will." It would today.

"I'm leaving, finish up for me would you?" I handed him the mop.

"Sure…hehehe…Hey Nomuuuuraaaaa…" As I walked away I heard a scream and the sound of little feet beating against the hardwood floor.

I went to mother superior and asked if I could adopt Scott.

"You mean…you're going to adopt that annoying little monster?" She asked.

"Aren't nuns supposed to be nice?" I asked in return, it was such a terrible thing to say about my son after all.

"I'm not glad you're taking him off our hands. No, I'm actually happy. So happy I can't…" Tears began to streak down her ancient face, "I can't describe it. I thought he'd be stuck here till' he was 18 because of his obstinance!" She hugged me, "Thank you, thank you so much!"

I filled out the paperwork and was told to come back in a week once they finished the background check. I kept coming in to help anyway, the sisters even offered to pay me something for my efforts, but I refused. I pay my debts, and they unwittingly sheltered me from the cops, this was the least I could do. Scott kept pestering me, only this time he was certain that I had already adopted him. Little bastard was pretty damn perceptive even at that young age. I kept saying I didn't of course, I wanted to surprise him as much as I could. Then the day came, a few tufts with the law showed, but nothing major or recent, so the sisters decided I was a fit parent and wanted me to tell him.

"So you taking me home yet?"

"I am. Right now in fact. Go get your things." Scott actually looked shocked.

"Wha?…"

"You heard me, get your things and get in the car Scott Cipher. I hope you like that moniker, because that is your name from this day forward. You're going to have to sleep on the couch until I can find a bigger place for cheap though."

He asked the nearby nuns "You're shitin' me. No way you actually adopted me. Right? Tell me ladies, is this guy serious?"

"Yes," said mother superior, "He checks out and has filled out the relevant paperwork. As of this moment, he is officially your adoptive father. Congratulations Scott, we're all so very happy for you."

He looked at the ground, tears began to fall from his eyes, "Hehehe, you know, I was acting the entire time…"

"What?" I was honestly shocked. If he really was acting, he was a damn good at it.

"About how you were going to, or already had…adopted me. I never thought you would *sniff* so I just put on a tough face and tried to have a little fun with you. But, deep down, I always hoped…" Tears were streaming down his beaming face, "I always hoped that you really actually would! I prayed to almighty God that I was right the entire time!" he ran at me and tackle hugged me as hard as he could. "Thank youuu! ! I never thought…I never thought I would ever…" I hugged him in return.

"It's ok." A single tear escaped my eyes. It was one of the few times that my emotions actually surfaced of their own accord, "let it out, holding things in is bad for your health you know."

"Ahaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahaaaaaaaaa!" He cried his little heart out. The sisters soon joined in. It was like we were all trying to create a river of happiness.

It felt good, really good, to know that I was the source of this immense joy. This wasn't the first time I had seen people cry. I have made other people cry in fear, in pain, in hate, in despair, but to see and feel these tears of joy, to see the smiles on all their faces…it made me hate myself.

To think, that I had derived pleasure from the pain and suffering of others. That I got off on the fact I was ruining people's lives. Now I wanted to kill myself for ever delighting in those dark feelings. That sick sense of schadenfreude could never compare to what I felt that day. This is what I sought for so long. This, above all else, was what was missing from my life the entire time.

All I had ever known was crime, how to commit it, how to profit from it, and how to get away with it. The only emotion I had ever known was hatred, how to nurture it, how to use it to escape the loneliness and pain I felt every day.

Now I had a new purpose. I could, I would find another way. Even if I had to remain in the darkness until the last hours of my life to support him... I swore at that moment that I would forevermore try to live in the world of light, of peace, of love.

For his sake, I would live in the world which I had scorned and hated for so long. If that path would allow me to see more smiling faces, faces that smiled not because I killed their adversaries or brought them bags of money… but because I was there for them, holding them in my arms, talking to them, helping them, doing whatever I could for them…I started to cry as hard as they were…and now I'm doing the same. Look at me! I'm crying again!

Hehehe *sniff*, this hardly ever happens you know…The few times I've done this, they are my most cherished memories. I wish I were like you and everyone else here, wearing their hearts on their shoulders…If only, I could be like all of you…*sniff*" He held his face in his hands, his tears dripping upon the dirt.

Inari hugged him, "Don't say that! You are like us."

"No I'm not! *sniff* I feel, but my feelings are so distant to me, even in the depths of rapturous love and eternal hate I still have to choose what I show. I don't want to…I want…I want to show how I feel unconsciously and uncontrollably like everyone else!"

"You will one day. Please, stop crying. If you cry, you'll make me cry too."

"Inariiiiiii!" He screamed as he buried his head in her chest let loose a flood of tears.

"It's ok, I'm here for you, we're all here for you." She closed her eyes as she pressed his head into herself like a gentle mother, "We'll always be here for you."

His tears stopped a few moments later.

"Thank you." He said, his emotionless tone asserting itself once more.

"Don't mention it. Now, let's continue. Try forming a gravity well under my feet as I charge at you. Every time you fail you get another lump."

"I understand master."