Author's note: Before reading on, I inserted a few lyrics of another song. It's called Do for Love by Lotus Juice, sung along with Yumi Kawamura. If you wanna know the tune, click on my profile for the link. Please note that the lyrics are not official here, as I wrote these by ear, so don't ask for the actual lyrics, cause I don't know it. If you wanna check out more of Lotus Juice's songs, click on the link in my profile to jump to his official site.
Do for Love is created by and belongs to Lotus Juice and Yumi Kawamura, composed by Shoji Meguro. The song comes from the album, Carpe Diem; credits to the youtube user, xcqThieves, for uploading the song on youtube.
She stared at him, as he spotted him on the couch. His eagle-shaped eyes were closed, and the sound of his light snoring was heard. Both of his ears were covered with his yellow headphones; she approached him and slowly sat beside him. As she did, she could faintly hear the music from his headphones.
He's sleeping while listening to his music again... How odd. Come to think of it, I wonder what kind of music he listens to. The girl thought to herself. Curiosity getting the better of her, she slowly got closer to the sleeping man; she moved her long silver hair behind her ear, and placed it closely to his headphones. Her eardrums perked at the faint sound as she began to hear the lyrics:
"I like the way you are, I love the way you do,
I like the way you are, I love the way you do,
I don't need no guarantees, cause I don't know I somehow I know the way you used to go."
As the song continued, she began to hear the singing in another language unknown to her. The singing continued until she began to hear English once more:
"Your voice is fluid
It's tone alone is relaxing you right a look when, but a few right cruel damn words changed the course and my life, kinda is energy source
I wanna see my dream with my eyes open, work in a studio, no more joking, eager to grab that token, so I can take you out,
living this like a notion,
my motion toward you is deeper than any sea, everything they usually see
your crevasses is color to the scenery, so vivid, truth exhibit to murder me
I'm thinking that's what's really important, don't wanna share any of all portion
we make it right girl, no distortion, when love is already in at a station.
I'd do it for love..."
As Alisa continued listening to Drake's song, she felt something landing on top of her hat. In the next moment, her red hat was pulled down to her eyes, blocking her vision.
"Ah! H-hey!"
"I'm awake you know."
She heard a low, familiar voice. "Ah.." Alisa lifted her hat off her eyes, and made eye contact with Drake. Her pale blue orbs stared at his scarlet ones.
He then pulled his vision away. Drake pulled out some sort of black device out of his pocket; it had the functions of a touchscreen. It was his mp3 player; Drake tapped on it, and pressed the 'pause' button. He took off his yellow headphones, letting them hang on his neck. "I see that you hold curiosity to my choice of music, Amiella."
The silver-haired Russian became baffled as she heard that. "Wha?! H-how did you know?"
"I've noticed that you seem to approach me every time I'm asleep."
"Uh..."
"Why is that Amiella?" As Drake asked that, he made eye contact with her.
Alisa couldn't help but stare at his scarlet-colored eyes. She became hypnotized, as he continued gazing into her pale blue eyes. A few moments of silence between the new-types passed. Alisa faintly moved her mouth, but couldn't produce any words. Her brain tried to form the words for her answer, and she bit on her lip. After what seemed like forever for her to answer, she began to speak.
"T-that's because..."
The smell of disinfectant tickled her nose. Her face scrunched as her consciousness began to surface. She slowly opened her eyes, her vision slowly turning from black to white. As her eyes gradually opened, her vision became more clear, and her vision was filled with a white surface.
Alisa grunted, and began to feel a sudden pain on her head. She lifted herself and sat up. Alisa instinctively held her head with her hand, as she was greeted with a migraine. She noticed her current attire was changed as she stared at her body. Instead, her body was now donned with a hospital gown. Alisa looked around the room, letting her gaze wander.
"I'm... in the sick bay?..." she mumbled to herself.
What happened? I remember that Kota and I were searching Drake's room, and then... As her mind wandered off, Alisa recalled the sudden attack. That's right! I was attacked by Lindow! As the thought crossed her head, Alisa started to think back on the attack. As she recalled it, her attacker's face began to shower Alisa's thoughts with doubt.
...No, that's not right...Lindow would never attack me...He would never kidnap me... Alisa shook her head, as her doubt only grew.
If I remember correctly, the attacker said that he was a hit-man...So then, could he be one of Ricardo's men?
As Alisa continued recalling her kidnapping, she then heard a door hissing. She turned her attention to the door, and spotted a familiar face. Her medium short, raven-colored hair caught Alisa's attention.
"Alisa, you're awake!" smiled Sakuya.
"Sakuya..."
The medical sniper approached Alisa, and sat beside her. "How are you feeling?"
"I just have a migraine; other than that, I feel fine." she answered. "How long was I asleep?"
"Only since last night. Alisa, do you remember about..."
As Sakuya trailed off, Alisa caught on to what she was about to say. "About my kidnapping? I only remember about a Lindow look-alike attacking me."
"Look-alike?" echoed Sakuya. "So then, you realized that the one who kidnapped you, isn't Lindow?"
"Yes; in fact I was just thinking about that. I know that Lindow wouldn't kidnap me. He's not like that."
Sakuya couldn't help but smile at Alisa's words.
"Speaking of which, where is Lindow?" asked Alisa.
"I don't know; right now, Soma and a few of the other God Eaters are trying to find him in the outer ghetto."
"The outer ghetto?" repeated Alisa.
"He came across Lindow's phone in the southern part of the outer ghetto. Also, there's one more thing you need to know about; the things that happened while you were unconscious."
"..."
Sakuya explained the events of what happened last night. The residential fires, how they found Alisa being held hostage, the fake Lindow terrorizing sector W52, including the death of the fake.
"I...see. So the terrorist not only caused the fires, but was also shot by another person..."
"I heard from Hibari that Kota and the 2nd unit are at the crime scene. Right now, they're trying to figure out who killed our terrorist."
As Alisa heard that, she stared at Sakuya. Noticing her pale blue orbs eyeing daggers at her, Sakuya spoke up.
"Something the matter, Alisa?"
"Sakuya...you haven't gotten to the crime scene, have you?"
Sakuya gave Alisa a surprised look, as she asked that. "No...how did you know?"
"..."
"I see that you hold curiosity to my choice of music, Amiella."
"Wha?! H-how did you know?"
"...I just did." she replied. "You're planning to go there, aren't you?"
Sakuya nodded.
"Then, let me come with you. Even though I wasn't present for a time, I may be of assistance to the investigation of our fake. Besides, I'm worried about Lindow." Alisa pulled the sheets away from her, and stood up.
"Alright then. Your clothes are on top of the metal cabinet behind that curtain." Sakuya pointed at the green curtain behind Alisa.
Alisa walked over to the green curtain and pulled it. She spotted her clothes on top of the metal cabinet. Alisa pulled back the curtain and began changing into her usual attire. She slipped on her usual red plaid skirt and mutina jacket.
As Sakuya waited for Alisa, she called out to her. "Hey Alisa,"
"Yes?"
"I heard from Kota about what you two found in Drake's room."
While conversing with Sakuya, Alisa began to put on her boots. As she finished, she then grabbed her red, plaid hat. "Oh, yes. I assume he showed you the Fenrir chip, and mentioned the pocket watches?"
"Yeah, he did. We're weren't able to open the chip because we were too busy with the civilians, and the damages... He even showed me the photo you two found in Drake's binder."
Ah, that's right, the photo. I can never forget the face of that girl. Alisa aimlessly stared at her hat as she heard that. "I suppose you noticed the appearance of the two people in the picture?"
"Well, only the girl. The girl in the photo looks almost exactly like you Alisa."
Alisa placed her hat on her head, and pulled back the curtain. "Kota told me that. That girl in the photo; could she be Clara Vincenzo, the one Federico mentioned?"
"That's what I first thought too, but that raises an inconsistency. And along with that, it just brings more questions."
"Inconsistency? What do you mean?"
"The time-stamp." answered Sakuya. "Alisa, I want to be sure about this; when you and Drake were at the grave, what did Drake say to Clara's grave?"
"Hmmm, he was praying his respects to Clara's death; most of it was spoken in Italian... Oh, now I remember! He said that it's been 18 years since Clara's passing. But, wait... that doesn't make any sense."
Sakuya nodded at her. "That's what's bothering me. The time-stamp in the photo is dated in 1999, which is over 70 years ago. If the girl in the photo really is Clara Vincenzo, then why would Drake say that's it's been 18 years since her passing? Federico said that she died to due to a heart attack. Was it due to her old age?"
"But then, why would Drake, who's 17 years old, know of a woman who passed away 18 years ago?"
"..."
"..."
A moment of silence filled the room.
"This is so confusing..." sighed Alisa.
"Yeah..." Sakuya agreed, dismayed by the increased amount of mystery in their investigation.
Alisa couldn't help but mouth the greatest question. "...Just what did Drake do before joining Fenrir?"
The silence became heavy as Alisa asked that. Exactly what did Drake do before he joined Fenrir? What exactly did he do to grab Ricardo's attention, and who is he? What's the relation between Drake and Clara? What's Ricardo's motives for threatening Drake? Too many questions arose, leaving the ladies puzzled by the increased mysteries.
Sakuya then broke the stiff silence."...There's still too little evidence. We won't be able to understand the whole situation unless we gather more clues."
"Then I guess all we can do is blindly pursue?" asked Alisa.
"I'm afraid so." replied Sakuya.
"..."
"While we're on the subject on evidence, how about I share my findings?"
Alisa's ears perked. "Oh, that's right, I almost forgot. You and Soma were searching the helipad right?"
"Yeah, we were. After escaping from Ricardo, Drake must have escaped to the helipad. And here's what Soma and I found: dried bloodstains that are a mix of Drake's and Ricardo's blood, and a missing helicopter."
Alisa began to deduct the clues that were found. "The bloodstains, I can understand. Drake and Ricardo must have fought each other again, but what about the helicopter?"
"From what we know, we believe that Drake may have taken the helicopter."
"Drake? That makes sense; Drake wanted to escape from Ricardo, but to go so far as to take a helicopter? Why do that?" pondered Alisa.
"...I think I may know why Drake would fly one of our helicopters."
"And what's that?" she asked.
"It may be because of the oracle cells devouring him."
Alisa silently gasped. "...That's right... the oracle cells are going out of control within him. If any of the civilians noticed that Drake's body is in the process of aragami infection..."
"It'd cause a massive panic within the outer ghetto." Sakuya answered grimly.
I'd hate to imagine the panic that would be stirred if that happened. What's more, almost all the people in the main floor were knocked out because of that chloroform grenade Drake threw. It'd just cause more chaos if the civilians found out about that ambush by Ricardo. Alisa thought darkly.
"But, if you think about it more clearly, this is actually a good thing..." grinned Sakuya.
Alisa became puzzled Sakuya's words. "A good thing? How so?"
"The Fenrir helicopters are made of anti-aragami materials in order to repel any aerial-type aragami away for transportation purposes. If we have the research unit locate an area where there is a least amount of aragami activity in one area..."
"We might be able to find Drake!" smiled Alisa, as she realized Sakuya's plan.
"Let's go talk to Doctor Sakaki, and inform him. Last time I saw him, he was in the director's office with Tsubaki and Gen."
Alisa nodded, and the two left the sick bay, as they headed to the Director's office.
Tsubaki, Gen, and Sakaki listened to Sakuya as she explained her lead to the search and rescue.
"Find the area with the least amount of aragami activity?" echoed Tsubaki. "I was given a report by one of our pilots about a missing helicopter...Alright, I'll have the research unit look into this. I'll inform you once they have the results."
Alisa gave a sigh of relief, and smiled. "Thank you, Tsubaki. If you'll excuse us, we need to get going."
A small smile crept on Gen's mouth as he watched Alisa.
"Hold it right there you two." intervened Tsubaki. "Before you take your leave, you should have a word with Licca. I believe she has something that will help you on your investigation. Head to the entrance; she should be there."
"Okay; thanks Tsubaki." said Sakuya.
The two left the Director's office, and as the door hissed and closed, the room was now left with Tsubaki, Gen and Sakaki.
"That's strange." said Sakaki.
"What is?" asked Tsubaki.
"I thought you meant that by talking to Licca for info, it would help the investigation on Drake and Lindow."
So did I. Thought Gen.
"Wasn't Licca the last person who talked to Lindow before he disappeared? Why say that it would help the investigation only for Drake and not for both?"
"There have been reports of a few bullet holes in the hangar doors. Kusunoki was the first person to enter the scene, before she requested for a full investigation. In other words, she'll provide more info for the investigation on Galios."
Sakaki stared at Tsubaki. As he did, a sudden thought clicked in the doctor's brain, as if a light bulb went off. "In other words, you're giving those two encouragement, so that they'll be able to continue their search on your little brother."
"..." Annoyed as she heard that, Tsubaki gave a glare to Sakaki as he continued grinning at her. The longer she stared at that masked smile, it fueled the annoyance within her.
"Ah, that sounds like you." commented Gen.
"Though I do wonder why Tsubaki would keep that part a secret..."
"Isn't obvious, Sakaki? Tsubaki is entrusting the search for Lindow to the kids."
"Ah, now that makes sense!"
"..."
As Tsubaki continued listening to their conversation, she approached the two that were standing next to each other. With her right hand, she lightly smacked Gen's head with her clipboard, and with her left, she gave a light punch on Sakaki's forehead.
"Ow." The two said in unison.
MEANWHILE, IN THE ELEVATOR...
Sakuya and Alisa stood in the elevator, as they waited for their destination.
"Hm..."
Alisa noticed Sakuya was in deep thought. "What's wrong, Sakuya?"
"Huh? Oh, I was just thinking about Tsubaki."
"Tsubaki? What about her?"
"Ever since the accident last night and the whole matter with Lindow, I haven't seen Tsubaki lose her composure."
Ah, that's right, Lindow and Tsubaki are siblings. "It'd be rare to see someone like Tsubaki lose her composure."
"Haha, nobody but me and Lindow have seen her lose that cool-headed act of hers. I can't remember the last time she did." chuckled Sakuya.
"Come to think of it, I've seen you, Lindow and Tsubaki occasionally hang out together. Even before you and Lindow got married. Were you three close?" asked Alisa.
"Huh? Oh yeah, we never told anyone else but Drake."
"About what?"
"Me, Lindow and Tsubaki; we've known each other since we were kids. We were always together since childhood, even when we were chosen as matches for God Eaters as we grew up, we still stuck out together. Tsubaki was the first to join, a few years later, Lindow was recruited as well. I was the last one to join our trio, switching from a missionary attendant, to a God Eater."
"Childhood friends, huh?...Somehow, I can imagine you three playing together."
"When the search is over, maybe I can tell you a few stories from our childhood. Try not to tell Tsubaki though, okay? Knowing her, she'd give me a fierce discipline for sharing private stories." Sakuya smiled and placed her finger in front of her lips.
"I'll keep that in mind." Alisa smiled, and lightly chuckled.
End of chapter 12: Bonds Between God Eaters
Author's note: I'm going end the chapter here, because the fic is getting darker and more serious as we go. The reason I've ended the chapter here, is because I want to keep you readers to continue reading this story, by adding a bit of a happy atmosphere. If I kept it serious most of the time, you readers out there would have a hard time continuing onward. So, at times, I will update chapters that are relaxing and hopeful, to counter the doom and gloom, but I will still add a few dark moments.
It's these little things that matter, right?
One more thing; for those who don't know, Lindow, Sakuya and Tsubaki knowing each other since childhood is actually true. Yes, these three have known each since childhood. When I was replaying Gods Eater Burst, and by replay, I MEAN RESTART THE GAME, I talked to Lindow, and during the beginning, he mentioned that he, Tsubaki and Sakuya, have known each other since childhood, so I thought I'd use this for the chapter here.
Phew! Long author's note. Sorry, I try to keep these notes short, so you don't read me blabbing on. As always, leave a review and tell me your thoughts.