Hello and welcome to BioPattern Rose Chapter Ten! This is the first-to-last chapter, and I'm so sorry it took this long! I hope you all can forgive me!
Time blurred into an incomprehensible slur that came to an abrupt end when Botan's mind went through an overhaul re-boot and she found herself seated across a desk from Karasu in a small office wearing a crisp, clean, new lab coat. Blinking in confusion, she looked around, trying to discern where she was and how she had ended up here. After racking her brain and failing to come up with an answer, she turned her gaze to the man seated across the desk. Karasu sat in a black swivel chair, hunched over and scanning the papers scattered in front on him. To his right sat a mug of what Botan took to be coffee by the strong scent of it. Toguro's aide tapped his right index finger on the surface of the desk and sighed in agitation. He straightened up and leaned back in the chair, running long, ivory fingers through his ebon bangs. Another sigh puffed out of his lungs and he affixed the papers on his desk with a stern glare. Botan wondered what could be in them that made the feared and respected aide behave like a ticked off cat.
Finally sensing the eyes on him, Karasu glanced up and smiled.
"Hey there."
Before Botan's freshly coherent mind could formulate a response, a mug, containing black, bitter-smelling liquid was thrust at her.
"Here, drink this."
Confused, she took the ceramic mug from his hand and wrapped her fingers around the smooth surface and glanced out the window.
"It's the middle of the day."
"Actually, it's late afternoon, but what's your point?" he asked, returning his gaze once more to the papers on his desk.
Botan clenched her fingers around the mug. She hadn't realized how cold her fingers were until they had made contact with the warm surface, "What I'm saying is, isn't coffee more of an early morning type drink?"
"For me, no. Besides, after the hair-raising experience you went through, you're going to want that to help bring you up to speed." Karasu responded, twirling a pen.
Botan's gaze drifted down to the steaming mug in front of her. Reflected in the black liquid, two tired-looking eyes stared back at her. Hair-raising, huh? Well, that was certainly one way of describing it. If given the choice, Botan would have opted to use the word 'terrifying'. She raised the mug to her lips and took a sip, scowling when the scalding liquid burned the tip of her tongue. A wry smile wound its way onto her lips. More pain? She thought, Of course, compared to the stigmas that now cover my body, a burnt tongue is nothing. Then, a thought occurred to her. Setting the mug down on the desk, she looked at Karasu.
"Say, Karasu..." she ventured, playing with the fabric of her lab coat, "where did this coat come from? Is it yours? And what about my wounds, who took care of them?" Unfortunately, before Karasu could respond, more questions tumbled out of Botan's mouth- each one leading into the next, making a trail of inquiries. "Did anyone see us? What happened afterwards? What about Koenma, does he know? And Hiro, does he know what happened too? Subject 0119, what happened to-"
"Whoa there," Karasu said, holding up a hand, "slow down and take a breath before you pass out again. I'll try to answer as many of your-"
"I passed out?" Botan interrupted, voice rising a bit. She had passed out? As in eyes rolling back in the head, swooning and hitting the floor passing out? It certainly explained the gap in her memory. Didn't mean it frightened her any less. She didn't remember passing out. Hell, she barely remembered leaving Kurama's cage. The only things she clearly remembered were lying on the cold tile, staring at the pools of crimson as they grew beneath her and the terror that had begun to nibble away at her mind. If Karasu hadn't shown up... Botan shivered. She didn't want to finish that thought. The fact that she had passed out alone was enough to rattle her. That simple fact told her how traumatic her experience had been.
Meanwhile, Karasu gave the tech a flat look, then resumed speaking.
"At any rate," he continued, folding his hands in front of him on the desk, "to answer both your first and second questions, that coat you're wearing is a spare I found in a lab closet somewhere on this floor. I took care of your wounds; you'll be pleased to note that while some of the gashes were long, they were not deep and there will be no scarring. Thankfully, no one saw us-well, saw me carrying you that is- you passed out just as we got to the stairs. Koenma and Hiro have been notified and are on their way to discuss this matter with Toguro and myself."
At this, Botan nodded and folded her hands in her lap and pretended to find great interest in her thumbs. So they knew. They knew about her royal screw-up. Koenma would probably fire her on the spot for being so reckless. She had just proved herself to be the biggest liability in the entire lab.
From a world beyond her thoughts, a low voice made its presence known. Botan's head snapped up, azure ponytail bobbing as she did so.
"What? Sorry, I didn't catch that."
"I said it would be beneficial, highly so, if you were to be present during the discussion as well."
Botan blinked, "Why?"
"He attacked you; it was your life that was in danger. If anyone needs to be the deciding factor in this discussion, it's you."
Biting her lip, Botan lowered her gaze back down to her lap. She didn't know if she could handle the gravity of the situation. Kurama had attacked her, and while those words were still enough to send sub-zero chills down her spine, processing the consequences of what he had done would be enough to make her heart skip quite a few beats. Maybe even bring it to a complete stop. She didn't want Kurama to die, but was there any other choice? Surely there was a reason for what he had done, there had to be. Eyes still downcast, the tech sucked in a shaky breath and summoned the strength and courage to speak.
"Karasu?" she asked, voice and hands trembling, "why did Kurama attack me? I-I...I did nothing to provoke him." Peach skin and white cloth blurred together as hot tears welled up in Botan's eyes. She fought hard to keep them down. Chewing the inside of her lip, Botan tried to quell the quickly growing lump in the back of her throat. She took a couple quick breaths and continued.
"We were just talking, so why would he-"
"Your stubbornness knows no bounds it seems."
Her gaze jerked up from her semi-blurry lap. Splaying his hands on either side of the desk, Karasu stood up and walked around the desk to where she sat across from him. His long fingers curled around the arms of her chair and turned her towards him. Red rimmed eyes of candy pink watched the violet-eyed aide as he knelt down in front of her, placing one of her hands between his own. The soft warmth from his skin spread into hers, giving her pale fingers a light brush of pink.
"Botan, what I'm going to tell you is no different than what I've tried to tell you so many times before: Subject 0119 is a demon, a dangerous creature that toys with humans in much the same way a cat toys with a mouse. He's a being devoid of rhyme and reason, attacking you simply because he grew tired of playing with you and he decided to rid himself of an old toy," Karasu squeezed her hand and looked her right in the eye, "that's all you were to him Botan. An interesting toy that eventually became boring to play with."
Like a well-aimed sword thrust, his words pierced her heart. Out from the wound, sorrow flowed, staining her heart dark with grief. Black despair ate away at the edges of her soul smothering the already dimming light of hope. Just a toy? That was all she had been to him? Just something amusing to pass the time with? Clenching her free hand, Botan did not fight when she felt the tears course down her face. The tiny crystal drops fled down the length of her face, where they proceeded to be absorbed by her lab coat, much like the blood she had spilled back in Kurama's cage. She sniffed. It just wasn't fair. Why her? Why him? Why now? She felt Karasu give her hand another squeeze. In that moment, she felt the weak, fraying strands of strength that were wound around her emotional core snap and dissolve, never to return. Without a thought or a care, she surged forward, falling out of the chair and into Karasu's lap. She wrapped her arms around the bewildered aide, buried her head in his shoulder and cried. She cried for Kurama, a creature that had been a dear friend, now lost to her through his own devices. She cried for Koenma and Hiro because she knew that neither of them had ever wanted it to come to this; and she also cried for herself; sitting on Karasu, crying on his shoulder, Botan felt as if everything she had worked towards in the lab had come crashing down around her.
Karasu patted her back, stroking her ponytail as he did so. They stayed like that for a while, Botan smothering her tears in Karasu's shoulder and Karasu resting his cheek on her head and murmuring to her in soft, low tones. When she felt the last of her sobs start to fade, she pushed herself back and slid off the aide's lap, wiping her eyes.
"Sorry about that," she said, sniffling.
Karasu shook his head, "Don't be. After everything that's happened, you needed that temporary break down."
Botan nodded. She had to admit, she did feel somewhat better, as if a physical weight had been lifted from her shoulders- but only from her shoulders. The heavy stone of despair was still affixed to her heart-hanging by a thick chain that refused to break, threatening, at any moment, to drag it down into the deepest pit of darkness, to torture her with the sorrow of what she knew would come. Grunting, Karasu pushed himself up off the floor and extended a hand in her direction.
"I know you don't want to, but trust me, everything will work out," he said. Delicate lips curved upwards into a small smile, as his tender gaze caressed her battered emotions, "besides, I'm right here by your side."
A rush of warmth filled her heart, and Botan returned his smile with a beaming, hopeful one of her own. She took his hand and allowed to him to pull her up from the floor. Karasu. He was so kind. As she wrapped her hand around his offered arm, she wondered why Hiro had been so hostile towards Karasu earlier. He was gentle, caring, and sincere. Botan looked into violet eyes that had been searching hers for some time. Upon making eye contact, she smiled and laid her head on his shoulder. Whatever Hiro's suspicions had been, they were unfounded. Karasu had saved her life, had given her comfort when she needed it most-this man truly knew what was best.
Karasu smirked as he felt Botan snuggle into his shoulder. He'd gotten her. Hook, line, and sinker.
The loud bang of a door flying open and slamming back into the wall caused Hiro to leap at least a good foot into the air. Before he could even whip around to discover the perpetrator behind the door's violent opening, the person in question strode up to him, yanked him around, and proceeded to yell into his face.
"What the hell?! First off, why is she with Karasu? I thought I was very clear when I told you to keep her away from him! Second, you'd better have some theory as to why Subject 0119 went berserk, because I'm drawing a frigging blank right now! And third...why are you in my office?!"
Hiro blinked, unsure of which question he should answer first. After a few moments' indecision-in which a bright wave of fiery amber fury tried to burn him to a tiny crisp- the bewildered aide opted for the third question in hopes that the sound, logical answer would calm his superior.
"You asked me to meet you here, sir."
Now it was Koenma's turn to blink. Sighing, he released his vice-like grip on Hiro's shoulder and turned away. The aide watched as the co-director's son strode over to his desk and flopped in his chair, burying his head in his hands. Hiro felt a stab of sympathy tear through his heart. Not only had one of their most well-liked techs been hurt, one of their most promising demons had done a complete 180 degree flip. Couple that with the sudden, shocking turn the Phoenix Project was taking, and it could be said that things were going from bad to worse. No, scratch that. Things had sailed past worse, and now they were all headed for the rough waters of a snafu*. Koenma lifted his head from his hands and looked at Hiro with empty eyes.
"Any idea as to what the hell we do now?"
Hiro fidgeted with the sleeve of his lab coat, "Well, I think the first course of action would be to attend the meeting-"
"Yes, I meant beyond that!" Koenma snapped. Hiro flinched.
Koenma sighed and looked at the floor, "Sorry. I didn't meant to lash out like that."
"No, it's alright. I don't expect you to be all that calm."
"Still," Koenma said, "I could have handled that better."
A shroud of silence fell upon the two, thin, but cold; for by not speaking they enabled their thoughts to run towards their unconfirmed fears of what would await them after the meeting with Karasu and Toguro. Hiro suppressed a shudder. He had no doubt in his mind that Toguro would use this situation to his full advantage. The panic that would ensue from the spread of such news would be all the bastard would need to push his plans along the production line and stick quite a few people on the chopping block while he was at it; and Hiro was positive that he and Koenma would be the first to go. His gaze ran over Koenma's form- slumped forward in his chair, hands dangling between spread knees, eyes dark and downcast, Hiro could only imagine the mental turmoil that he was going through. The Assistant Director groaned and ran a hand through his hair.
"Damn it all," he growled, "my father left this project in my hands. I told him that everything would be fine under my control, that I would take care of the lab in his absence, and this is what I have to show for it? One of our best techs is hurt, and one of our most fruitful demons is about to be put on the sacrificial altar to be offered up to the god that is Toguro's ambition. Not to mention the fact that I let Toguro move well ahead of me and gain back more than enough control in terms of the Phoenix Project," a sigh of exasperation slipped past his lips, "and of course, let's not forget that Karasu probably has Botan on his and Toguro's s side of the field," his hand slipped from his hair and tried to shield his shame from the world, "maybe we should just throw in the towel right now."
Hiro's eyes widened, "Don't be stupid!" he shouted.
Koenma gave his aide a quizzical look. "What do you mean 'don't be stupid'? Toguro clearly has the advantage in this fight. I don't see what we could possibly do to prevent him from-"
"That's because you aren't thinking of everything." Hiro interrupted. He walked over to Koenma and stood before the distraught young man. Crossing his arms, he affixed his boss and friend with a stern gaze. "Look, I'll admit that you're right in saying that Toguro has an advantage, in fact he has many: power, influence, he's convincing and conniving, but that's no reason to give up. Your father entrusted you with both the lab and the Phoenix Project not just because he knew things would be okay in your hands, but also because he knew that if things ever went awry that you would fix them; and that's what Enma's counting on you to do right now. He knows things went south, that's already been acknowledged. The next step," here Hiro jabbed a finger at Koenma, "is to pick yourself up, dust off, and put on some boxing gloves, because you're going to be fighting Toguro with everything you've got, and I'll be damned if you lose!"
Koenma stared at Hiro for a moment. Then, a smile crept onto his face, followed by a string of stifled giggles. Soon, Libra's assistant director was bent over in his chair, laughing. Hiro cocked his head to the side. What was so funny? After a couple minutes, Koenma calmed down, and sat in the chair, wiping tears from his eyes while the occasional giggle sprung up. Once he had everything back under control he looked up at Hiro, still smiling.
"Boxing gloves, huh? I guess I need to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee and all that jazz? Well then, this is gonna be one hell of a prize fight." Koenma chuckled.
Hiro looked away, embarrassed, "That's...not exactly what I meant."
Koenma's smile softened. He rose from his chair and put a hand on Hiro's shoulder, "I know. And you're right. If I gave up now, I'd be turning my back not only on my father, but on everyone who believes in me and this lab," he balled his free hand into a fist, "and that includes Botan. If Toguro and Karasu think that I'm going to let her gravitate to their side without so much as lifting a finger, they've got another thing coming. The same goes for Subject 0119. I won't let him die on my watch, not when I can tell something's off. He's not the kind of demon who would just up and attack someone without reason, I'm sure of it."
Hiro nodded. Something was odd about that. Subject 0119 had been with Libra since he was young. He knew no other world than the sterile white walls of Libra, why would he turn into a savage beast all of the sudden? Way too out of character. The fox demon was quite intelligent. Hiro suspected if he had been entertaining any possibilities of escaping or getting revenge, it would be something far more subtle, if he were to entertain any at all-the chance of which was slim to none. The aide glanced at Koenma, who stood by his desk, rummaging through some papers.
"What are you doing?" Hiro asked.
Koenma didn't raise his eyes from the desk, "Looking for lab reports."
Hiro cocked his head. Then, it clicked.
On every single one of the lab reports was a behavioral chart. Protocol required that this chart be filled out both before, during, and after each experiment conducted. Attached to each report was an follow-up chart, recording any additional data during a "cool down" period. After conducting an experiment, the scientists at work on the Phoenix Project, gave the subjects a period of rest so that they could recuperate and be back to one hundred percent by the time the next one rolled around. Every single piece of data concerning the demons state of health, both physical and mental, was recorded. And it was just such a record that had been made of Subject 0119 prior to the attack on Botan. A day or so prior if I'm not mistaken, Hiro thought. Twenty-four hours. It might not make much of a difference, but it gave Hiro and Koenma a good leg to stand on. Might even save Subject 0119's life. At least, they could hope.
Koenma continued rifling through his desk drawer, shoving various papers aside and inspecting some more, looking for the telltale number. Finally, after a few more minutes of searching and muted curses, Koenma pulled three pieces of paper, joined together by a clip. As his eyes scanned further and further down the page, the young man's face began to glow. Licking a finger, he flipped up the first page, skimmed the second, and began going through the third. When he'd reached the bottom, he grinned and slapped the papers.
"This is what we're looking for, Hiro!" he exclaimed, a grin of triumph spreading across his face. Curious, and a bit excited, Hiro dashed over and took the papers from Koenma's hand. He flipped back the first two pages and dropped his eyes down to the bottom of the third of the page. There, written in Botan's neat, loopy pen, were the words;
Subject is not experiencing any adverse effects to the earlier conducted experiment. All mental faculties and physical attributes show no signs of abnormality. Resume testing as normal.
Hiro smiled and handed the papers back to Koenma, who folded them and tucked them away in an inside pocket. The two men looked at each other.
"We ready?" Hiro asked, a hint of deviousness pricking his voice.
Koenma grinned, "I'd say so."
Without another word, the two strode towards the door and out into the hall.
Koenma narrowed his eyes at the gold-lettered plaque over the door before turning the knob and stepping in. He walked into the office, Hiro trailing close behind. Toguro sat at his desk, chin resting on folded hands. He didn't rise to greet them. Hiro shut the door behind him and observed the two powerful figures before him. Koenma stood before the desk, hands in his pockets. Neither of them spoke. Hiro remained by the door. The air in the room weighed on his chest, heavy and cold like a glacier. A clock against the far wall ticked off the passing minute. Toguro straightened up and placed his folded hands on his desk.
"Well? Are you going to say anything?"
Koenma narrowed his eyes, "What should I say?" he spat, "should I say that you've been lying to us all along by keeping your true position secret? That you're a heartless man who thinks only of his own goals and to hell with everyone else? That you've been playing a deadly game of chess and used one of my techs as your pawn?"
Toguro smirked. "You've no proof."
"I do," Koenma said, "it's not much, but it's all the proof I need."
"Do you?" Toguro chuckled, "well, we'll see what she thinks."
Koenma frowned. A click from his right caught Hiro's attention, and he stepped back just in time to avoid being hit by the door. Up against the wood stood Karasu, holding it open for Botan, who stood in the doorway, looking timid. She raised her eyes from the floor once, but when she saw Koenma and Hiro standing there, she slapped her gaze back to the floor. She took small steps into Toguro's office, fiddling with her lab coat as she walked. Karasu strode in behind her, shutting the door as he did so, a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Hiro didn't miss the snide glance thrown his way. Koenma's aide bristled, but that was all.
Botan stopped before Toguro's desk, standing to the left of Koenma, eyes still downcast. Karasu stood off to her right, his gaze locked on Toguro no doubt waiting for orders. Bastard, Hiro thought, grinding his teeth. Koenma turned from his adversary and took Botan by the shoulders, shoving off Karasu's poison grip.
"Botan, thank goodness you're all right-"
"I wonder about that," Karasu murmured which earned him a growl from Hiro.
Koenma ignored the barb and continued, "Please, I need you to tell these men the truth, the truth about Subject 0119. You know him better than any of us."
"Yes Botan," Karasu purred, "tell us how Subject 0119 is a loathsome creature who attacked you out of nowhere for no reason whatsoever."
"Oh knock it off!" Hiro snarled, "The last thing anyone here needs is your two cents!"
Karasu shrugged, "I'm just stating the truth. Are you afraid of the truth Hiro?"
"You bastard! I'll give you something to-"
"Gentlemen," Toguro's voice cut through Hiro's angry would-be retort. Hiro glared down at Toguro, gnashing his teeth. His eyes spat rage. Meanwhile, Karasu just smirked, a quick flash of teeth declaring an unspoken challenge. Koenma regarded the two aides for a moment. Sure that his would not strike out at Toguro's, Koenma turned his attention back to his lab tech. Botan still fiddled with her lab coat. Her teeth worried her bottom lip, and she would glance up at Koenma every now and then, only to throw her gaze back to the carpet once she saw his eyes on her.
"Botan..." Koenma whispered.
Botan's breath hitched, "K-Koenma sir, I...I..."
"It doesn't matter what you trick her into saying," Toguro interrupted, "the truth still stands. She was attacked not only because of your naivete, but your negligence."
Whipping around, Koenma slammed his hands down on Toguro's desk, "Excuse me? My naivete? My negligence? In what way was I naive and negligent? care to explain yourself, Director of the Phoenix Project? Care to elaborate upon your words, oh true founder of Libra?" Koenma growled, letting each ice cold word hit Toguro straight in the face. The last four words of the assistant director's sentence made the man in question frown. He lowered his head and peered over his sunglasses at Koenma. Cold, gray eyes narrowed to snake-like slits.
"And, pray-tell how did you come by this information?"
Koenma smirked, "That's of no concern right now. The real reason we're here is to clear Subject 0119's name, not discuss power issues."
"You will give me an answer for this, Koenma," Toguro growled.
Koenma continued to smirk, "If there's anyone who's naive here, it's you for thinking that you wouldn't get tripped up in your own game, Toguro. You may have been playing it longer, but some of us are just better."
"So says the man who almost sacrificed his own lab tech to his favorite test subject."
"Okay, you know what? Fine!" Koenma snarled, "you want proof that 0119 isn't some deranged psychopathic manipulator? Here!" he slammed down the report, "here's your damned proof!"
Toguro picked up the paper and read it over. Koenma stuck his hands in his pockets. Finally! They had Toguro on the ropes! There was nothing he could say against the writing on the paper; he was caught and they both knew it. It would only be a matter of time before everything else unraveled as well. Feeling triumph swell in his chest, Koenma watched Toguro lay down the lab report and lace his fingers beneath his chin. He waited for the man's response of defeat.
"I'm sorry," Toguro said, "but what exactly is this supposed to prove?"
An icy beam of shock shot through Koenma's heart. Stunned, he blinked at Toguro.
"Wh-What..." Koenma stuttered.
Smirking, Toguro continued, "you know that data of this report was collected verbally, i.e. conveyed by the demon himself. He could have lied, in fact it stands to reason, that in light of recent events, he did lie," the living tower of muscle shrugged, "I'm sorry, but your lab report does about as much good as an umbrella in the middle of a hurricane."
The world dropped out from beneath Koenma's feet. That was it. This was the end. Subject 01119, Botan, his position, and even the lab itself whirled away from him. He'd lost. No matter how he looked at it, no matter which way he turned Toguro's comment, he couldn't find any flaw in it. It was sound logic. Why the hell had he not thought of that?! Wearing a snide smile, Toguro looked up at Enma's son.
"Do you have any other amusements to waste my time?"
Grinding his teeth, Koenma lowered his gaze to the floor. Impossible! He couldn't have failed!
"Well?"
Koenma squeezed his eyes shut. Hiro bit his lip and looked over at Botan. The lab tech stood in between him and Koenma, staring at the latter. Within her eyes glowed the cold light of fear. Hiro could sympathize. They had no leg left to stand on now. It was only a matter of time before Subject 0119 was terminated and the second phase of the Phoenix Project put well under way. Not to mention the fact that Hiro and Koenma would find themselves most likely out of the lab. As for Botan...
Then it clicked.
Botan was the only one who really knew what happened inside 0119's cage. If Hiro could get her input then maybe, just maybe they could win. Summoning up all his courage, Hiro turned to the tech.
"Botan."
The girl jumped. Her candy-pink slid gaze over to Koenma's aide. Upon eye contact she flinched back, but stood her ground. Hiro put a hand on her shoulder.
"Botan, no one here is blaming you. You're not at fault for any of this, but..." he trailed off, looking at Koenma. The man in question still stared at the floor, slumped and defeated. Hiro raised his voice a little, trying to bring his superior out from the darkness of his despair, "we need to know, because you're the only one who truly knows anything, what happened? Tell us in your own words what transpired, leave no detail out. We need to know everything. We can't make a clear decision," he said pegging both Karasu and Toguro with a pointed glare, "until we hear the events from the source; because right now what Toguro's saying might be nothing more than speculation."
"I'm sorry," Karasu interrupted, shoving himself between Botan and Hiro, "but would you like t try that one again? 'Nothing more than speculation?' I pulled her out of Subject 0119's cage myself. I saw firsthand what kind of state he was in," he leaned closer narrowing his eyes, "and I can tell you beyond the shadow of a doubt, that had I not intervened when I did, Botan would not be standing here right now." Karasu growled in a voice every bit as cold as a Siberian winter.
Quirking an eyebrow, Hiro remarked, "Oh yes, and then there's your timely intervention. It might just be me, but that whole things seems a little too Deus Ex Machina to me, what about you?"
Karasu huffed, but offered no response. Koenma, who'd been listening to the argument between to two assistant, turned towards Botan. Botan glanced between Hiro and Karasu as if unsure who she should take orders from. Feeling the weight of Toguro's burdensome gaze upon him Koenma tapped Botan on th shoulder. She whipped around.
"Koenma, sir I-"
"I know this might be hard for you," Koenma told her, "but Hiro's right. We need to know everything."
Botan stared back at him with frightened eyes.
"It's alright. Hiro and I are right here. You don't have to worry. Just tell us as best you can. We'll help you."
"Ignore him!" Karasu snapped, "I was there with you, I saw what happened. You can trust me Botan, I haven't led you astray. Everything I've said so far has been true, has it not? Hiro and Koenma lied to you. I tried to protect you. Trust my words Botan, because without the actions of those two men who coddled you, you never would have been hurt."
Botan looked left, than right, back and forth between Koenma and Karasu. Unsure of who to believe, she closed her eyes. They were right, both of them were, but who was more right? Koenma? He had a point, they did need to know. And what was it Hiro said? Something about not being able to make a clear, informed decision without her input, well that was correct too. She needed to speak, to remember everything correctly, everything about the attack. The attack that had she just listened to Karasu never would have happened in the first place. If she'd taken his advice instead of being stubborn, none of this would have happened. He'd even saved her life for crying out loud!, was she really just going to betray his kindness like that? Sighing, Botan raised her head, but before she could speak, she heard Hiro's voice.
"Karasu may have a point, but what's more reliable, what can you put your trust into more? His words, or your own experiences? Karasu says what he says because he's never been around Subject 0119 so he just assumed he's like all of the other test subjects here. You know differently. You've seen with your own eyes how each individual test subject behaves, Subject 0119 especially. Let's say for argument's sake that Karasu may, on the off chance be right, you're an intuitive person. I know that and you know that. If your instincts haven't lied to you before, why would they now? Think. Think back through everything you experienced with Subject 0119 up to this point. Was there any time you ever doubted him?"
Every time she'd spent with him? Botan replayed it all: the conversations, the laughter, her crying in his arms, how he'd helped her get out of the lab the first night they'd met. He hadn't laughed, nor did he shove her out of his cage, rather he'd felt sorry for her and helped to find a way out for her that wouldn't scare her more. Even from the beginning he'd cared for her. In fact even during the attack, he'd been trying to hold himself back, demanding that she leave, that she get out and get to safety. No, Kurama had never had any ill intentions towards her.
Swallowing a gathering lump in her throat, Botan shook her head, "No...he didn't..." she began, but her voice was too choked. She took a deep breath, then continued, "No, he didn't attack me out of malice. The whole time, even before he started acting strange, he'd told me to leave. He knew something was wrong and he didn't want me to get hurt. Even when he was scared and hurting, he thought of me, of helping me like he always has," Botan sniffed and lifted her head, looking right at Hiro, "Kurama, Subject 0119 is not evil, nor is he manipulative. Something was wrong with him, something even he couldn't figure out. He wanted me to leave before it got any worse. I..."she clenched the collar of her lab coat in a shaking fist, "I was just to foolish to listen."
"Alright, but how do you explain-"
"Something was wrong with him? What do you mean?" Koenma asked, interrupting Karasu.
Botan shrugged, "I don't know. I don't even think he knew. One minute everything's fine, the next Kurama's clutching his arm and doubled over in pain. Speaking of which, he had this strange bruise on his arm. He said he didn't know where it came from. I don't think it was from a prior experiment."
Glancing over at Toguro and Karasu, Koenma fought the urge to smirk when he noticed how pale the aide had become. "What did it look like?" he asked, enjoying the palpable tension.
"Well," the bluenette tapped her chin with a finger, "it was kind of round, normal purple-green color, with this odd red tint in the center, which was raised a bit. I think. Is that important?"
"Yes," Koenma said with a nod, "oh yes it is."
"Oh please, that could have been the result from a recent experiment." scoffed Karasu, rolling his eyes.
"And how do you know how the experiments on Subject 0119 are conducted? Neither you or Toguro are allowed to run any tests on him. Enma specifically left 0119 to Koenma, and that order can never be changed." Hiro shot back.
Narrowing his eyes, Karasu spat "I'm just placing forth an assumption."
"Oh?" Hiro said, "well I'm just stating a fact."
"That's enough." Toguro growled, "you two bicker back and forth all you like, but we still have a decision to make. Botan, since you now seem to be the figure of authority here, what with you being not only present from beginning to end of the incident, but the one who was attacked, the decision rests with you. How should Subject 0119 be dealt with?"
Feeling the weight of everyone's gaze upon her, she looked at Toguro head on. Koenma and Hiro seemed focused on the unexplained bruise on Kurama's arm. Did this man have something to do with it? He very well could have. And Karasu? Although some small part of her still balked at the idea of her turning against him after he'd saved her life, now that Hiro had mentioned it, she had to admit that his timing in coming to save her seemed a little too convenient. Couple that with the fact that he'd been leaving the corridor right as she'd been on her way there, his actions were starting to raise some flags. Besides, Hiro was right, her instincts had never lied to her before. Kurama was innocent. That she knew.
"Don't terminate him. Subject 0119's behavior was abnormal for as of yet unidentified reasons. As far as I know, he's never done anything to compromise his situation here at Libra, so why would he start now? I say we look into what happened, but above everything else, we shouldn't kill him."
Removing his sunglasses, Toguro polished them on his lab coat, "Is that what you truly believe?"
Botan nodded.
"Well then," he slipped his shades back on, "in that case we've no choice. Subject 0119 will not be terminated. You may go," he directed the last three words at Botan, Koenma, and Hiro. Koenma frowned. Botan and Hiro exchanged smiles and walked out of Toguro's office while Karasu seethed. Koenma stayed behind. Toguro raised an eyebrow.
"Something else you wanted to say?"
Koenma regarded the man for a moment. Toguro had something to do with this. He and Karasu both; and given the statement of Botan's remark, he had a pretty good idea of how the attack had come about.
"Just one thing."
"Oh?"
"You seem awfully anxious to get rid of Subject 0119," he turned his gaze on Karasu as well, "both of you. And while I'm not sure exactly how you had your hands in this, I'm certain you were involved in the attack on Botan. After all," Koenma folded his arms over his chest, "you don't seem like a stranger to orchestrated mishaps Toguro."
Toguro cocked his head, "It seems to me you're hinting at some outrageous things Koenma," he peered over his sunglasses once more, as if initiating a challenge, "things which you know nothing about."
"You're right." Koenma said, turning and walking out of Toguro's office. However, once in the doorframe, he stopped. "One more thing," he said, still facing the hall.
"Something else?" was the annoyed reply.
"My father's on the mend. The way I see it, you don't have much time left," he looked over his shoulder, flashing a toothy grin, "you'd better decide what you're going to do, and if I were you, it would be along the lines of leaving Libra."
"You're in no position to make threats, underling. This moment of victory you're experiencing will be short-lived." the director snarled.
"We'll see." And with that, Koenma strode off, shutting the door behind him.
For the longest time, neither of the remaining men spoke. Toguro stared at his desk while Karasu glared at the closed door. After four minutes of silence, Karasu spoke.
"Now what? Why did you let them win?"
"Did I have a choice? By getting through to Botan, Hiro had sealed his and Koenma's victory. While my statement with the lab report may have been sound logic, Hiro's comments were hard to argue against as well. Besides, it's just a minor setback.
Minor setback?" Karasu echoed, whirling on his superior, "this is a major setback!"
"It wouldn't have had to be if someone had been far more subtle." Toguro said, voice dropping to sub-zero temperatures. Karasu found himself taking an involuntary step back. Toguro was right. Injecting 0119 with a mixture of adrenaline and a will-suppressing drug hadn't been the most low-hey of plans but it had gotten the job done...or so he'd thought.
"Relax," Toguro told him. "if anything, this works in our favor."
Frowning, Karasu asked, "How so?"
Leaning back, Toguro responded, "I'm sure by now the rest of the lab is well aware of the state 0119 is in. You made sure to inform the security team of his...'outburst', correct?"
Karasu nodded.
"Good. That action alone will have spread the news throughout Libra. I'm sure that everyone else will be quite on edge. 'If 0119 has gone berserk' they're saying, 'then what about the rest of the demons?' There's no way they can be trusted. We'll have to terminate the rest of them for our own safety.' You see Karasu, now that the rest of the lab has become frightened of the demons once again, there won't be much of a problem moving onto the second phase of the Phoenix Project. The ultimatum will be either to allow themselves to be tested for compatibility to the Genesis Pods, or to continue working with dangerous and unpredictable specimens. Their choice will be obvious."
"And what of Enma?"
Toguro shrugged, "I'm not too concerned,. Even if he does make a full recovery, it's going to be too little, too late. Oh, and Karasu, I have a feeling you've picked out one of my first test subjects?"
"Yes," Karasu nodded once more, "unfortunately you saw what happened."
"Don't let that discourage you. Above all things a scientist is determined. This time I'm giving you the green light. Obtain her for testing by any means necessary. Let nothing stand in your way."
"Of course not sir."
A cold floor, darkness, and an incessant pounding inside his skull. That last sensation succeeded in bringing him around. Blinking, Kurama pushed himself up from the floor, wincing. Every movement made his head hurt worse. After getting himself situated into a sitting position, Kurama looked around. Why was it so dark? It had never been this dark before. Kurama put a hand to his mouth to stifle a yawn. The moment the still air in the room hit the roof of his mouth his heart skipped a beat.
The scent of blood.
While not fresh, just the smell alone was enough to bring the memory crashing down upon him. He'd attacked Botan. He'd woken up , discovered an odd contusion on his arm, been stricken by pain, and attacked Botan. The last thing he remembered was hearing an unfamiliar voice before he'd been struck on the head. After that everything had gone black. Someone had gotten her out of his cage before he'd done any significant damage...but what happened afterwards? Kurama glanced towards the doors leading out to the balcony and gasped. They had been sealed over with some kind of metal. Kurama glanced back to the font of his cage. That meant the entrance was locked up tight too. He must have been hit pretty hard, not to mention drugged while unconscious for the activity not to have awoken him.
Not wanting to believe that what he was experiencing was real, Kurama walked up to the door of his cage and jiggled the knob. Nothing. not even so much as a slight twist. Ignoring the banging inside his head, he walked over and pounded on the metal stretched across the balcony doors. Heavy, solid, and sturdy, he wouldn't be breaking through that any time soon.
I'm...I'm really sealed up in here. I'm just like the rest of them now, not trusted, only feared; viewed only as an unpredictable monster. Dropping to his knees, Kurama put a hand to his face, trying to fight his growing despair.
Botan... Living within these cold halls for almost all my life, knowing nothing but harsh experiments day in and day out, I only saw myself as a test subject...until I met you. I finally had something to look forward to. I'm sorry. I wish we could have stayed friends
I originally intended for ten to be the last chapter, but then I remembered how important sleep is to a successful college career. Oh, two new things! 1) I hav account (spaces in case the website freaked out and deleted it), if you wouldn't mind, go ahead look me up if you want. You can find me under TheRavensApprentice. 2) I Thanks to a kind individual's suggestion on FFnet's sister site, I have a story published to Amazon's Kindle site. If you're interested you can find it under "Consequences" by Devon Smith. I'd be pleased to receive any feedback. .