Finally! Done! Enjoy this new chapter!

stressors

Jessica sat awkwardly in the operating table while a brilliant white light was obnoxiously shoved at her eyes. She winced at the intense glare, only recoiling back from sudden flashes of light, and she was almost ready to slap that flashlight out of the scientist checking on her.

The scientist checking her frowned and he adjusted his glasses. He turned around and spoke through an intercom, "You said her eyes were spilled with leftover chemicals from the Void Genome?"

"Yes." Daryl confirmed, "She was nearly shot by a sniper during the transfer of items."

"Well, you can rest easy for today. Whatever chemicals affected her body, they are merely changing the color of her eyes. They don't seem to be affecting her in any way. But, for safety precautions, let's keep her in contamination for tonight." The scientist said and he promptly left the room.

Tsugumi tugged onto Daryl's arm. "Daryl. What did he say?"

"He said Jessica is alright. But she needs to sleep in there for the night." Daryl replied and pressed on the intercom button. "Jessica. You okay in there?"

"I'm fine. This room could use a little decorating. I could go for a smoothie. And I want my glasses so I can see." Jessica flatly retorted back.

"Brat…" Daryl grumbled, but he was promptly pushed aside by a woman with chocolate brown hair in a blue suit.

The new woman grabbed he mike and frantically yelled, "Jessica! Honey! Are you okay?"

"Mom?" Jessica turned towards the voice, which was a speaker in the back of the room. "Mom? You're here!"

"Mom?" Tsugumi asked.

Daryl whispered, "That's Sakuya, Jessica's mom, who lives here in California."

Tsugumi glanced back at the woman. She was very pretty. She had wavy long brown hair that trailed down her back, a trait that Jessica inherited. She had brown eyes and pouty red lips. She was long and slender like she barely looked like a mother. Tsugumi slightly grew envious that this woman was so tall and graceful.

"Don't you worry, Honey, Daryl here will get you out of there!" Sakuya insisted and then shot a glare back at Daryl. "Am I right?"

"Don't you worry, she will be out soon." Daryl promptly said and he grabbed onto the woman's shoulder. "Let's talk in private, Sakuya."

Tsugumi silently watched the two leave with a blush rising onto her face. "Jessica! Where are those two going?"

The young one shrugged, "I don't know. Daryl wanted to talk to my mom for some reason."

Tsugumi huffed and she was quick to follow after the pair.

"You know, I think you are a little…" She looked up. Tsugumi left. "Jealous…she's gone."

Daryl led Sakuya into a private meeting hall just a few doors down from Jessica's containment room. He obviously had no idea that Tsugumi was trailing them closely. Sakuya sat down, prim and proper as usual, and she cleanly folded her legs over one another. She sat at one end of the table while Daryl sat on the other end. Tsugumi slightly cracked the door open and peered inside. She noticed that Daryl's demeanor changed. He was scowling more, hands were folded, and he did not seem to like Sakuya at all.

Sakuya began to talk. "So what do you want to talk to me about?"

"What are you doing here?"

"I came up to check up on my dear daughter. She needs her mother at a time like this." Sakuya simply replied.

"I remembered that you specifically told me to keep Jessica out of GHQ." Daryl pointed out. "Why do you seem okay with it now?"

"You see, when she decided to stay here, I knew she was going to follow the same steps as her father. I just wanted to try lessening that chance." Sakuya rolled her eyes back at Daryl. "And obviously, that didn't work. But I know that if you failed my first request, you'll be obligated to watch over her."

That's another thing he did not like about Sakuya. She was where Jessica got her brains and her wit. How did such a good-hearted man, such as Rowan, ever decide to marry a cruel woman like her?

"Daryl Yan…here's my question." Sakuya stood up and slammed her hands on the table. "What. Happened. To. My. Daughter?"

"She was doing some GHQ work and a sniper almost got her. Luckily he missed, but some chemicals were spilled onto her eyes." Daryl nonchalantly replied.

"Daryl!" Sakuya screeched so loud that Tsugumi fell back in shock. "How could you let this happen?"

"I assure you. Jessica is doing fine. Her eyes just changed a little."

"She is in danger!"

"Sakuya. With all my respect, I shouldn't be patronized at this point." Daryl shot back. "Just who left her ten year old daughter alone in Japan?"

"Daryl Yan. You know what our situation was. After Rowan died, no one wanted to be associated with anyone of the Apocalypse Virus. It was so hard to find a job after such a disaster; I had to come back here!" Sakuya retorted, "Besides, I knew you would be the perfect babysitter."

Daryl growled at her. "Damn you."

Sakuya smirked at his defeated response. "Anyways, how has my daughter been doing?"

"She's fine. She's currently in Tokyo University, studying Literature and English. And she's my Junior Intel Officer."

"Wow! Tokyo University! I can't say she has her father's brains." Sakuya remarked. "It seems she's grown up. I'm ashamed that I couldn't witness it myself. Rowan must be happy for Jessica in the heavens."

"We talk about him a lot." Daryl said, even though his eyes were cast down, as if he did not dare to look at his former comrade's wife.

"I imagine you and Jessica would. You were his partner after all." Sakuya giggled. "I remember little Jessica calling you 'big brother' all the time back when we lived in Japan. Whenever she came back from our town's school, she would check her mail to see if Rowan called and talk about wanting to meet you."

Tsugumi remembered Rowan talking to Jessica via video. He mentioned Daryl as a big brother a lot as he was talking. She guessed that little Jessica believed every word like any naïve child.

"Do you think that may have been her motivation to stay her in Japan?" Daryl asked.

"Maybe… She also wanted to finish her education here. She must have grown attached to Japan when the family moved here because of my husband's job." Sakuya suddenly turned sullen. "But she probably wants some closure for her father and that's why she sought you. I wish I could have done the same, but with such an epidemic happening back then, Rowan warned me of the consequences. I had to stay strong to support Jessica. That's why I moved back to California for work and help her as a mother should."

Daryl merely scoffed and looked away. Tsugumi also felt a bit of envy in her heart. Jessica was a lucky girl! She had a mother who loved her unconditionally while she had no one. Funeral Parlor was Tsugumi's family and Haruka was the person she called 'Mama'. And Daryl…his father hated him and who knows where his mother was?

"By the way Daryl, have you started seeking out your own mother? I know for a fact that she's in North America."

"No!" Daryl snapped. "I don't know what that woman was thinking when she sent me here alone."

Sakuya frowned. "Just because she separated from you voluntarily doesn't mean that she does not love you."

"She knew for a fact that my dad hated me." Daryl bitterly replied.

"But shouldn't you still see her to reconnect as mother and son? I'm sure she misses you dearly." Sakuya urged. "You've been living alone all this time. Wouldn't you like to have a mother by your side again?"

Daryl bit his lips, and silently, he averted his gaze from her. "No. I don't need my mother."

Sakuya sighed. "Alright then, that's your choice. But if you change your mind, you know where to find me." She suddenly stood up and slid a small package to him. "By the way, can you please give this to Jessica for me? I have to go back to work now."

"Sure." Daryl took the package and watched her walk away. When she was out of sight, he merely glared at the area she once occupied. He never liked Sakuya. He despised her. She reminded him too much of a family he never had and the mother who abandoned him.

Tsugumi scrambled off around a corner just as Sakuya came out. She can't be caught eavesdropping! What would Daryl say? Tsugumi quickly ran down a hallway and rounded the next corner. But as she was running, she felt something ram into her front.

"Well…I hoped you had fun eavesdropping on us?" Sakuya smirked and separated herself from Tsugumi.

"I-I'm sorry!" Tsugumi stammered.

"It's okay! It's okay!" Sakuya laughed. "And I won't tell Daryl about it so don't you worry. So…would you happen to be the 'runt'?"

"Runt?"

"Well, I assumed that nickname alluded to you since you're the shortest here."

"Stupid Sprout!" Tsugumi growled under her breath.

Sakuya smirked. "So you must be the mysterious 'runt' Daryl was complaining about?"

"He complained about me?"

"Well…eight years ago…he said the reason he lost in that battle was because of you. Your voice was the one he heard and recognized. He was kind of bitter." Sakuya slowly reminisced and then smiled. "But he seemed so lost talking about you. He said he did a lot of crazy things because of you. How sweet!"

Tsugumi remembered that battle. At that time, he really wanted to kill her and she really wanted to kill him. But it was strange that they ended up that way. Before, he really wanted to save her from an Endlave threatening her and she really felt worried about him. Through all these ordeals, they never saw each other face to face. They've only recognized each other by voice.

"But…" Sakuya drew her attention back. "I'm glad he has someone by his side. Maybe you could do something about the loneliness he always feels? You two seem so close to each other."

-GC-

Jessica was finally released the next day. She stretched out her aching body in the glaring sun and sighed in relief. It was a painful night to be surrounded by bright lights. She had so much trouble sleeping, it wasn't even funny! Luckily, Shu, Ayase, and Yahiro stayed with her to keep company. Her mother also came by and said her farewells. Jessica really wanted to escape that prison so she could hug her mother for the first time in years! But…that thought merely remained a dream…

Jessica sighed again before gazing back at Daryl. "How long are you going to stand there?"

"I have something to give you." Daryl chucked the package at her.

Jessica took off the brown paper wrappings and she cut in her breaths. "Daddy…"

"What is it?" Daryl came over and noticed a small tear come from her eyes.

"Mom gave me his hat." She held up a green cap. "My mom really did keep this for a long time…huh? What's this?" Jessica pulled out a silver metal whistle with a note that said: Use it when Daryl is mean to you.

Daryl's face went blank. "A rape whistle… She gave you a rape whistle…"

"Who knows? It might be useful." Jessica snickered and blew on it hard.

"Ugh!" Daryl clapped his hands over his ears. "Stop that noise! It's annoying!"

"Hahaha! You deserve it for all the times you bullied me in school!" Jessica stuck out her tongue.

"Don't forget I was the one who watched over you all those years." Daryl pointed out, took the green hat, and shoved it on top of her head.

"Ow…" Jessica rubbed her head but kept the hat on. "By the way, how do I look with my father's hat?"

"You look like a dude." Daryl remarked and that earned him a punch on the side.

"Stupid Daryl!" Jessica remarked and walked away.

Actually, he thought the hat looked fine on her. But Jessica had chestnut hair, wavy and messy in the front, and she wore glasses. Now, with that hat, she was the spitting image of her father. He didn't want to be reminded of the man who saved him. He felt nothing but guilt and regret. Maybe that was the reason he stuck by Jessica for so long. She was her father and he owed a debt. As long as Jessica was a happy person, he no longer felt this weight of guilt that rested in soul for the past eight years. And he would be forgiven in the end so that he could move on.

"Daryl!" Jessica snapped her fingers in front of him. "We have some GHQ work to do. Let's get it done."

"By the way, about GHQ, your mother told me to keep you out of doing dangerous stuff." Daryl said. "She's getting a little worried about you."

"I don't really do anything besides sitting in front of a large computer." Jessica pouted. "Mom gets so overprotective sometimes. If I managed to live in Japan alone since eleven years old, then I can handle simple stuff like this."

"Anyways, where's the rest of the group? They need to be at this meeting as well?"

"Everyone's waiting for their leader."

"Let's go." Daryl began to walk back.

But then, a large explosion suddenly appeared in the farther end of the building. Jessica screamed a little and fell flat on her butt. Daryl managed to hold his ground while he stared off at the distance. Just what was that explosion? Did an experiment go wrong?

"Major General Yan!" Shu suddenly ran out even without his stick. "Are you alright? We witnessed an explosion."

"So did we. Help Jessica up and report back to base immediately!" Daryl yelled back and ran in.

"Here we go." Shu walked over to Jessica and grabbed her back to his feet.

Did his senses heighten or something? Jessica wondered this as she ran back with him. How did Shu manage to find them and navigate through this all on his own? Maybe, because he was blind, his other senses were even better. Jessica wondered if the same thing would befall her. They soon reached the main meeting room where Yahiro, Tsugumi, and Ayase also appeared to be very shaken.

"Is this an attack?" Ayase asked.

"Yahiro?" Daryl commanded.

Yahiro tapped away on his laptop. "I don't see any mishaps in the laboratories here. And I'm getting reports about strange men in black rushing the building as well as black Endlaves."

"It's them! The Pallbearers!" Ayase shouted. "Tsugumi! Let's go!"

"Got it!" Tsugumi quickly ran after her friend as they exited the room.

Yahiro put his hand on Shu's shoulder. "Suit up Shu."

"Got it Yahiro! You better suit up as well." Shu replied. "We'll be facing our strongest enemies yet. And you never went through this either."

"I'll be fine. We made it through the Fourth Apocalypse and back." Yahiro slapped his old friend and they both headed off.

Jessica glanced at her partner and nodded in agreement. They needed to spring to action and direct everyone. Jessica threw over the standard GHQ uniform and fixed on a set of headphones. She quickly pressed a bunch of keys, letting each do their work to start up her main computer. She did a few scans. She saw that the meteorite was in a certain room and she commanded a few enforcements to go there right away.

Soon, Daryl's voice went through to her. "Jessica. Connect to everyone right away."

"Yes Major General Yan." Jessica linked up to Tsugumi and Ayase and Yahiro and Shu, all were already hooked up.

"Listen up! Ayase goes with me and we take down the main force! Shu and Yahiro fall back and guard the Apocalypse meteorite. Tsugumi, hack into US databases and make sure they will not do anything shady behind our backs. And find out what Pallbearer wants! Jessica, stay connected. You're our main line of communication." Daryl instructed.

"Roger that." Jessica said and pulled up maps for all to see. "Shu and Yahiro! Report to your stations!"

"We're there." Yahiro reported back.

"Aya-nee is coming up!" Tsugumi said as she started up her interface. "And I got a little surprise as well!"

"Daryl?" Jessica asked just as Daryl showed up on her screen.

He was already in his suit and his helmet was on. He started up his Steiner 2.0 and steered it next to Ayase's Endlave.

"I bet I can knock off more than you." Daryl smirked at her.

"In your dreams!" Ayase shouted back.

And they both sprung forth towards the enemies ahead.

Yes finally! I got this done! It may not have been as great as my previous chapter. And I changed a few of the plot points. And it's pretty short. But it's still a good transition chapter.

Review!