Chapter 1
"Nana, come on."
Nana refocused on Hachi's blue buzzcut hair and the scar running the length of his face. "Oh don't be so hasty, Hachi" She looked up at the old parasite facility that remained as one of the few reminders of the war. The gate that stood above them read "Kyunyu Park". They had renamed it Kyunyu Park some time ago in honor of the Klaxosaurs that had returned to Earth, and for Hiro and Zero Two.
"It's been a long time," her voice shook as she continued, "since we last saw them." Tears threatened to roll down her face.
Hachi looked back at her, and stated, "Six hundred eighteen, and we will wait a thousand more if need be to see them again." He extended his hand to her and said again, "Come on."
After removing the red hair from her face and wiping away her developing tears she took his hand and they continued into the park. They strolled along, side by side, observing and remembering all that had happened there.
The tree that sprouted after Zero Two's body dissapated came into view first as it sat upon the central hill in the park. Its petals rested upon the statues that sat at the base of the hill. Statues of the Nines and Squad thirteen. Behind the massive tree there was the old parasite containment facility that had been renovated into a museum.
The buzz of the city droned in the background, lights flickered from high rise buildings and cars scurried down the streets. The sun touched the tops of the buildings and graced their blue hue with an orange iridescence.
She looked at the city that had grown so much over the years. "Everything really has changed a lot, hasn't it?"
Hachi traced her gaze around the horizon. "I kind of miss the fields that used to be here, it was nice seeing the results of our hard labor." With a sigh he moved on towards the center of the park.
Soon the three groups statues came into focus, cast in shadow as the sun's rays hit The Great Sakura that stood upon the hill. The first group of statues contained squad thirteen, and as they passed Nana recalled the inscriptions on the bases almos from memory.
She led Squad 13 and the New Human Confederation to victory against VIRM and the strange new world
-Ichigo, 015
He explored the world, expanding our horizons, giving us curiosity for the future
-Goro, 056
She led innovation and research, advancing society and prolonging our lives
-Ikuno, 196
She kept us all together, keeping spirits high and giving us hope when we needed it the most
-Naomi, 703
He led our youth towards the dream of being adults, inspiring the future and ratifying the present
-Zorome, 666
She ingrained the new generations with knowledge for building a better future
-Miku, 390
He led our agriculture and sustained the new world
-Futoshi, 214
She looked toward the future and desired to leave her mark, never giving up until she did
-Kokoro, 556
He inspired the continuation of each generation, showing the children why they should fight for a better future, despite all that stands in our way
-Mitsuru, 326
The second group consisted of just one statue with two figures, Hiro and Zero Two. They gazed into each other's eyes, their faces so close their horns touched. Nana read the fading text that was shared between the two stone figures.
They showed us what it meant to love, when no one else could. They sacrificed themselves so that we could live for the future. Thanks to their efforts against VIRM we can live how they did, human
-Hiro, 016
-Zero Two/Iota, 002
The last group of statues consisted of the eight Nines, with one inscription on a podium set in front of them.
They sacrificed themselves for our victory over VIRM. While they only lived to fight, they fought so we could live
-Nine Alpha
-Nine Beta
-Nine Gamma
-Nine Delta
-Nine Epsilon
-Nine Zeta
-Nine Eta
-Nine Theta
Nana and Hachi continued past the statues and went up the hill.
"Do you ever think they are coming back?" Nana asked.
"Hm?" Hachi looked back with a confused face.
"Hiro and Zero Two."
"I don't know, why do you ask?"
Nana stopped walking and looked back at their statue. "Its just that sometimes I wonder why we are still here, waiting for something that may never come. Maybe that we should stop being immortal and live out the rest of our lives normally, and die having done what we wanted in this world like everyone around us."
"Well," Hachi directed his gaze towards the statue, "I don't think I will be done doing what I want in this world until I see them come back..." His eyes drifted upwards and looked at the red sky. "Maybe if I get bored of the world around us I would go into cryosleep, but I would never give up my immortality if those two haven't come back yet. As it is now the city moves so fast I find myself getting lost in the streets windowshopping..." His voice drifted off into the warm summer air and was replaced with a smile.
Nana took a short step forward. "I guess I can't just give up now after all this time... and cryosleep is always an option." They came up next to eachother and continued walking. Nana laid her head against Hachi's shoulder and took a deep breath. "I just wish they would come back already."
"Of course" Hachi replied. With footsteps in unison they walked up the hill, both eyes focused on the large sakura tree.
At the base of the tree stood a small girl. She wore the standard tan dress that all children wore, and had a bland, black elastic bracelet around her wrist. Her hair was the color of the blossoms above, a light pink. Her hair fell around her head as she looked into a puddle at her feet. The girl then started to shuffle her feet through the fallen blossoms of the tree, moving in circles. Soon her pace quickened to a run, and as Nana and Hachi came closer to the base of the tree she started to run towards a large root. Nana's instincts kicked in and she yelled, "Stop running! You'll fall!"
The girl responded with a laugh and yelled back "I'll be fine!" but soon she stumbled over the root and fell around the large trunk, out of view.
Nana let out a sharp "Oh!" and she quickened her pace, with Hachi not far behind. They neared the big root but the girl was still out of view behind the massive trunk of the tree. As they came close they heard a boy speaking. Nana stopped to listen to the boy and heard, "My name is Hiro."
Suddenly Nana felt an immense pain in her head and she fell to the ground, incapacatated. Hachi called out to her as he knelt by her side. "Nana! Are you alright?"
She didn't respond, her expression blank. Hachi looked around and set her against the trunk of the sakura tree. He heard the laughter of children drift in the background. He mumbled to himself, "I need to get her to the doctor..." His eyes drifted towards the museum as he thought. With a grunt he picked up Nana and started walking. "Come on..." Hachi said under his breath, "We're going to see Ikuno."