A so long journey (vol 2)

by Kylie1886

In this 2nd part, Ruri and 17 will both go to explore the sea, looking for the monsters that the young woman wants to study. It is also at this moment that both will learn to know each other better. Their stories, their respective pasts, the demons that haunt them... I will explore more their budding love but also the traumas of 17 as for all that he lived. Cover by @yumi8228

21. The way

Year: 772

4 years after the Cell Game

The way

For her part, Ruri had taken the shortcuts that the rangers had taught her to reach the giant eagles' nest as quickly as possible. With the help of her binoculars, she discreetly observed the poachers who, as she expected, were also there.

"Idiots ..." she thought as she saw the 3 men bustling around the bodies of two adults they had obviously anaesthetized to take their eggs safely.

The young woman glanced above her to make sure she was at the perfect angle to be visible to the cameras. Once she was sure, she decided to move forward a little, as quietly as possible, to wait for 17 to arrive.

But just when she thought she was well hidden, she felt the cold touch of a metal object on her neck.

- Get up, a voice behind her told.

Recognizing the distinctive sound of a gun being cocked, she stood up without resistance. So there was a fourth poacher hiding in the area. She knew that 17 would only have a few minutes to be here and that he would most certainly see everything that was going on. So she had no reason to panic, she just needed to buy some time to give him time to arrive.

- We were right, you do steal eggs, she said to the stranger with a hint of defiance in her voice.

- We? Is the other guy with black hair with you? The one my guys told me about who's been meddling in my business?

"So you're the boss? Perfect. It's my lucky day, I guess" thought Ruri, before answering him.

- The one who gave you a good beating last time? Yes, that's my boyfriend.

- I would avoid joking if I were you doll, said the man with coldness. Where is he?

- No idea.

- Well, you know what? You're gonna call him and get him down here. Your man made us lost a lot of money, so I'd like to give him a little beating in return.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Ruri could not hold back a burst of laughter that seemed to deeply irritate the poacher.

- What are you laughing at, you little bitch?

- It's useless to insult me, Ruri insisted while trying not to lose her composure.

- I asked you a question. What did you think was so funny?

- Do you want to know? Then I'll tell you. The idea of using me as a hostage and then hoping to beat the shit out of my "man" as you call him is without a doubt the worst idea a human being has ever had in the history of our species.

- And can I ask why?

- Because it will only take him 5 seconds to knock out all of you and your friends.

- Oh yeah?

- Didn't your friends tell you about his strength? How quickly he disarmed them? Think about it. Do you really think you're a match for him?

The man paused for a moment and thought about the description his accomplices had given him of the astonishing ease with which this ranger he didn't know had neutralized them all. He wasn't sure he really wanted to confront him. Another idea came to him.

- Turn around, he ordered Ruri who complied without a word.

Then, smiling, the poacher pointed his weapon just on the young woman's forehead.

- Call him and tell him to come here. I have a nice surprise for him when he arrives.

- What are you talking about?

- I wonder what kind of face he'll make when he finds his girlfriend in the condition he'll find you in. I don't like loudmouths like you, so trust me I'll make you stop meddling in my business.

- I really don't recommend that you...

The sound of the gun's butt hitting Ruri's forehead resounded sharply in the forest, causing a dozen small birds to fly away instantly.

Under the violence of the shock, the young woman fell to the ground. She quickly looked up, however, and saw the poacher standing over her, raising his arm, obviously intent on hitting her again.

The rest happened in such a short time that she didn't really have time to understand.

In fact, she saw only a flash of light.

An imperceptible movement, as if something invisible was moving around her.

The poacher had disappeared.

Ruri turned around.

Distraught.

Because she had understood.

A few feet behind her, 17 had appeared and was holding the poacher, his right hand clasped around his neck.

He drew back his arm, gaining as much momentum as possible, before throwing the man to the ground with such violence that a shockwave shook the forest and forced Ruri to take a few steps back.

17 was crouching, one of his knees pressed into the chest of the poacher whose throat he was crushing with his hand.

- You rotten ... he murmured with his mouth barely ajar.

The man struggled, fighting with all his might in a desperate fight to keep breathing. But his attempts were futile. The pressure on his throat muscles was such that he could feel his blood flow close to stopping.

Above him, he could see nothing but the bluish glow of 17's eyes.

Cold eyes.

Inexpressive.

And terrifying.

- How does it feel? Are you scared? That's fine. Take a good look at me, because I'm the last thing you're going to see before your miserable life comes to an end.

The poacher's vision became blurred.

His heart was racing.

A violent pain invaded his whole body.

He was going to die.

It was now only a matter of seconds.

- 17 STOP!

Ruri then emerged from the bush in which she had taken refuge and rushed towards them. She threw herself on the ground and put both her hands on 17's, trying to make him release his hold.

- I told you to stop! You're going to kill him! she shouted.

- Don't worry, it won't last much longer.

- Are you listening to me? 17 ? Stop, you don't have to kill him!

- He hurt you. He was going to hurt you again.

- I have nothing, nothing at all. Barely a scratch, so that's enough.

- No.

17 was acting almost like an automaton. He didn't seem to be angry like after their encounter with the Krakens.

On the contrary, he was incredibly calm.

At that moment, for the first time, Ruri had the impression that she could see the dark side of 17, the one he was hiding deep inside. This identity of a machine, a robot that had been programmed to kill.

Fear invades her. Fear, and pain too. Ruri's eyes filled with tears as her fingers went numb with fatigue and she couldn't move 17's fingers one millimeter.

Tears of helplessness.

"It's not you...you're not like that..."

Suddenly, this thought struck her with force.

No.

She wasn't going to let him do something stupid like that.

Then she jumped over 17's arm, placing herself between him and the dying poacher.

- NOW THAT'S ENOUGH! she shouted. I'm not hurt, everything is fine. You don't have to kill him so you stop!

- You don't understand! replied 17, visibly surprised by her gesture.

- I don't understand what?

- These men are not like you, they are like them! Like the farmer with the giant snake! Like Gero! They have no regard for the lives of others. The animals' or yours. Nothing else matters to them but their own little selves!

- So what?

- So I already made this mistake once ! Underestimating the danger. This kind of people must be eliminated so as not to harm!

- I am not hurt!

- HE HURT YOU! I FAILED TO PROTECT 18 AND SHE GOT HURT BECAUSE OF ME! I WILL NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE TWICE!

- YOU DON'T MAKE THE SAME ONE AGAIN, YOU ARE MAKING ANOTHER ONE!

17 didn't answer, but Ruri could see in his eyes that he was obviously torn between two opposing feelings that he couldn't contain.

She stepped forward, gently, resting her forehead on his.

The voice broken by pain, she nevertheless resumed speaking, determined not to abandon the man she loved to the fury of his torments.

- You're confusing everything. You want to deal with the past, but this is the present. Killing this man won't bring back 16 and it won't erase anything that happened to you and your sister. What's done is done, and now you have to live with it. But you are not alone. You will never be alone again. 17, you are the kindest person I know. Deep down you are a good person. That's what 16 saw in you, and me too. I love you, 17. I love you! You are not and never have been a murderer, so stop it. Just stop. Please, please, please, please.

She then saw 17's hand quiver.

Slowly, little by little, he was loosening the strength of his hold.

- I... couldn't protect you... he finally said, a heartbreaking pain in his voice. I always lose everything I care about ...

- You haven't lost me, Ruri whispered, kissing him gently. Release him. I beg you. Don't look at him, look at me.

17 looked into the young woman's eyes.

In her large green eyes, he read concern and fear, but also an incredible benevolence.

Ruri was everything he was not. She was everything he could never have imagined having in his wildest dreams, everything he had never even conceived as possible since his very first awakening.

She was his chance.

The thought of her suffering was unbearable for him. The love he felt for her was greater than anything he had ever experienced. Near her he felt strong again. She had given him back his pride and his will to live.

She was his strength.

Small tears were running down Ruri's rosy cheeks, which he had always been completely helpless against.

He stroked her face to wipe them off, moving his hand up to the bloody wound that now adorned his forehead, and let out a long sigh.

- Ruri ...

- It's nothing. Just a scratch. And if you want to help me, take me to the village doctor instead, and let the rangers take care of these guys. What I want you to do is to take care of me. And I warn you: when I'm sick I'm even more capricious than usual.

Her beautiful smile extinguished the flame of anger that was devouring 17 from within.

In a second, all his rage was gone, swept away.

He released the poacher, who immediately rolled onto his side, uttering long snorts and gradually catching his breath, drooling.

- You're wrong, you know, 17 said.

- In what way?

- These people don't deserve your pity. They won't stop because you've been nice to them. They will do it again.

- You'll just have to arrest them again then. No ?

- You really have an answer for everything, don't you?

- Yes.

A smile appeared on 17's face. He knew that it was useless to argue. With Ruri he had no chance anyway. But she was alive.

He had not lost her.

Seized by an imperious need to feel her, he took her in his arms and brought her back towards him to kiss her. A kiss in which he put all his relief, all his love and his pain that the softness of this caress finished evaporating.

Owen and the other rangers arrived at that moment, and it was only then that Ruri realized that the other 3 poachers she had seen were lying on the ground, unconscious. 17's lightning speed was such that he had had time to knock them out before going after the one who was threatening her, without her even being able to see him.

"You are truly amazing..." she thought, so much 17's abilities were beyond what all of humanity could conceive.

But she didn't say anything. She ended up laughing at this surreal situation as 17 picked her up and took her to the village doctor.

Although he initially refused to leave her, 17 eventually agreed to temporarily join the ranger leader who called him on the way to ask for his help in getting the anesthetized eagles to safety. He then hurried back and found Ruri lying on a bed while the female doctor finished applying bandages. When she saw him coming, the doctor smiled at him and slipped away, making sure to close the door, not without whispering a "She's fine" before leaving.

Reassured, 17 responded to Ruri's invitation to come and lie down next to her.

As soon as he was settled, she grabbed a piece of cake and handed it to him.

- Here, it's dark chocolate flavor. A delight!

- Where did you find it?

- Martha brought it to me.

- Who is it?

- Owen's wife! Oh no, don't tell me that when you talk to this adorable and respectable grandma you also say "hey"?

- ...

- Oh my God!

- ...

- Okay. The next task will be to start your education from the beginning. Are the eagles okay?

- Yes. They are sleeping. I settled them in their nest and put the eggs back in their place too.

- And the poachers?

- The police came for them. Owen told me that their boss is not going to press charges against me. I don't know what that means, but it sounds like good news?

- Yes! That means you won't get in trouble after you attack him.

- Why should I have any?

- I don't know if you are aware of this but it's forbidden to kill people, even poachers. But I still think that you must have given him quite a fright, in my opinion he is not going to come back here any time soon!

- That's good. And you, how are you? asked 17, touching her scar with a worried look.

- I'm fine, stop worrying for a moment. I'm not a cyborg, but I'm not sugar made!

- Sorry I couldn't protect you...

- But you have protected me, tin can!

17 smiled, amused. But Ruri's eyes darkened a little, and she resumed, a little saddened:

- I should be the one who apoligized in fact ...

- Why do you say that?

- Because you feel obliged to protect me. I mean... I'm not like 18. With her, you were a real team. She's powerful, tough, tireless. But me ...

- But that has absolutely nothing to do with it? answers the 17, raising his eyebrows in disbelief.

- Why?

- Because she is my sister!

- I knowthat, idiot ! I'm not talking about the nature of our relationship! I'm just saying that you didn't have to worry about protecting her all the time. I get tired, I get hurt, I cry, and then you suffer. I hate to see you suffer 17. I wish I could be stronger for you...

- Do you know how cute you are when you do that? murmured 17 as he took her in his arms.

- When I do what?

- When you sulk.

- I don't sulk!

- It's true that 18 and I are the same. She is almost as strong as I am, and even though we have chosen to live our lives separately, she will always be my sister and my fighting partner. We've been through a lot together.

- I know...

- But you are different. You are not like me. You are a normal human, but you are wrong when you say you are weak.

- Why?

- I've already told you that I have no merit in facing poachers or giant animals. I hold back so as not to kill them, but they are no threat to me, I could blow up this planet if I wanted to. But you, you are as fragile as a sheet of paper...

- Hey!

- ... and yet you never let fear stop you. You weren't impressed by that poacher, you stood up and confronted him while he had a gun pointed at you. You had the good sense to keep him talking long enough for me to get there. You're incredibly strong. If I had a tenth of your courage and intelligence, I would never have been absorbed by Cell.

- Do you really think so?

- Yes.

- It's true that you don't often think of making a plan, Ruri answered with malice.

- I can't deny it.

- I'm sure you could have kicked that cicada's ass.

- No. He was much more powerful than me. I just don't want it to happen again. I don't want to be like this again, feeling so weak, and losing everything again. When 18 was...

17 did not continue his sentence. Ruri couldn't imagine how he felt when he saw his sister being assimilated right after him, and probably a little because of him.

He had to overcome this blockage.

- If you don't want it to happen again, then get stronger, she said, placing a tender kiss on his lips.

- What?

- You are not a robot, you are a biological being. You can become stronger, you saw it on the boat: you were able to improve your barrier by training. So get stronger. Strong enough so that nothing ever happens to what you care about.

Ruri was right. She was terribly right.

17 understood this, and smiled wider as he thought back to the long months he had spent alone moping about his fate and that of the people he cared about.

As if reading his mind, the young woman continued:

- And as for 16, I know you feel bad about his death. And I understand that. But there's nothing you can do for him now. The only thing you can do is live in a way that would make him proud. When you help me protect the animals, don't you think that would make him happy?

- Yes ... by the way, Owen made me an offer that I wanted to tell you about.

- Which one?

- He offered me to stay here. To become a real ranger in fact.

- Really?

- Yes, and I have to admit that I want to say yes. I really like this place. This quietness. The life near the animals, with you. I don't want to leave. I thought about what you asked me last time: if you have to go back home every now and then to go to your university I can take you there in a few minutes so ... it should be possible, right?

- It sounds like you've been thinking a lot about this.

- It's not a requirement. If you refuse, I...

Ruri jumped towards him and gave him a tap on the forehead to make him shut up, but she ran up against the implacable solidity of his body which almost broke her fingers.

- OUCH ! Raaah it's not possible to be so solid !

- I told you not to hit me.

- Yes, I forgot. And as for you, don't keep talking nonsense. Of course I agree. If you were a normal human, I'd think about it, but you can drop me off at my place in a few minutes, so don't worry, we can set up here perfectly. I only need three things to function.

- Which ones?

- A good internet connection, a bathtub, and you. In that order.

- Ah.

- Besides, it will allow me to stay as a part-time zoologist and make some money. The rangers could use a thinking head like me. Do you think we could stay in the cabin?

- It's already taken care of.

- What does that mean?

- Owen agreed to offer it to me as my first salary once I became a real ranger.

Ruri straightened up, leaning on her elbow. She twisted her lips slightly, and 17 knew that was a very bad sign.

- Wait ... you mean you accepted that old pile of rotting boards as payment?

- This cabin is very pleasant.

- We're talking about the one that leaks at the slightest drop of rain and whose electrical system is so old that I burned out the fuses while using my hair dryer?

- There are repairs to be made, but once finished it will be perfect. And also...

- Also what?

- I've never owned anything. Everything I have is from Gero. I really want to have my own house actually.

- Raaaaah 17, you are so cute! exclaimed Ruri shaking her head. I can't refuse anything when you make those cocker spaniel eyes!

- Those what ?

- No, forget it. Well, that's okay. But we're just going to make a new rule in our relationship if you don't mind.

- Which one?

- I forbid you to negotiate your future salaries without me. You may be super strong, but you're so naive that you're going to be plucked like a turkey at Christmas.

- Money doesn't matter to me, I've already told you that, replied 17, who didn't really understand the comparison.

- And that's PRECISELY why I'm handling your finances from now on.

- Okay. I validate this rule. I don't care either way.

- Perfect!

Ruri then came to snuggle against his chest, and 17 immediately wrapped his arms around her to hold her close to him. Instinctively, he began to caress her long hair, placing a kiss on her forehead at the same time.

They stayed like that for a while, enjoying the silence and the calm that reigned in the room, until 17 spoke again:

- Are you really comparing yourself to 18?

- No, I'm not « comparing » to her. It's just that I think you must be a little tired of dealing with a burden like me. You always have to take care of me, it must be tiring.

- I never get tired.

- You understand very well what I meant.

- Not really. It's just something else, but you and I are a team too. Different from the one I formed with 18, because you're not like her.

17 paused, seemed to think, and then laughed.

- What? asks Ruri intrigued.

- I'll tell you something, he replied. The trip with you was actually a thousand times more fun than the one I had with her and 16.

- Seriously?

- Yes. You see, my sister and I are very similar in many ways. But in some ways we are quite opposite. In fact, I've always found her to be, how shall I put it... a bit of a killjoy.

- A killjoy?

- Every time I wanted to do something fun, and this was even before we escaped, she spent her time telling me no, that it was childish, useless, that I was immature, stupid ...

- Really?

- Yes. But I wanted to have fun. Driving away was my idea, not hers. She never really liked my "childishness", as she put it.

- It really looks like a big sister's attitude.

- To tell you the truth, that's what she is, replied 17 with a smile.

- REALLY?

- Yes. I don't remember much, but we always knew we were brother and sister, and she's been convinced from the beginning that she's the older of the two of us. I don't know about that, but when 18 has an idea in her head, it's impossible to change her mind anyway. On this point, you are quite similar.

- Unbelievable! But wait ... what sort of "childishness" are you actually talking about?

- Plenty. You wouldn't believe what we did on that little trip. We played video games, we stole stuff, we lost cops and even a bunch of crazy human bikers.

- That's crazy! Why aren't you like this anymore then?

- What do you mean?

- Every now and then you do a few crazy things, but most of the time you're so serious you look like you're 1500 years old. What happened to the rebellious little brother? I would have liked to meet him, he seemed nice.

- I don't know if "nice" is the word that best characterized me Ruri. But I made a lot of efforts to, let's say, correct that aspect of me. I was an idiot, 18 was right to say so. I didn't think about the consequences, I thought I was invincible, and my mistakes cost us dearly.

- I understand that. But now you got a little too...

- Reasonable?

- I would say rather boring actually.

17 almost choked on the piece of cake he had started to eat. He coughed for a long time, while Ruri looked on in amusement. He only resumed with difficulty, once he had managed to swallow his share and drank some water.

- Boring ?

- Are you mad at me? asked Ruri, teasing.

- Do you really find me boring?

- Let's just say you could loosen up a bit now and then, it wouldn't kill you.

17 lay back, arms crossed, staring warily at the ceiling.

"Boring ..."

That word was running around in his head and he couldn't do anything to stop thinking about it. He didn't regret trying for years not to be as reckless as he had been before. His defeat against Cell and the horrible experience of his absorption had changed him profoundly anyway. He even felt as if he had aged ten years in those few days.

But he didn't feel like he had changed that much.

"Serious ..."

The idea that someone might find him "too" reasonable surprised him as much as it made him laugh.

"I wonder what 18 would think...hahaha! She would never believe me!"

He turned and looked at his companion, who was patiently waiting for him to decide to continue the discussion. She was so young and lively that he was almost a little offended that he looked so boring to her.

He began to smile again, before making a small sign of the finger to Ruri. Delighted by this invitation, the young woman approached and 17 took hold of her chin and held it between two of his fingers. He kissed her tenderly, feeling Ruri's body relax as if to better abandon herself to him.

- Human, he whispered to her after a few seconds.

- Yes?

The door suddenly opened, revealing the female doctor who indicated that she had to finalize Ruri's examination. 17 immediately got up from the bed to let her work calmly and allow the young woman to heal herself, and he preferred to slip away.

The wound on Ruri's forehead was really superficial and the shock she received did not cause any particular trauma, so she was allowed to go home at the end of the day. She quickly gathered her things and went out to the main square.

To his great surprise, 17 was waiting for her, installed on his quad that he had spent the afternoon finishing to repair.

- Are you coming up? he said as soon as he saw her, nodding.

- With pleasure!

Ruri didn't wait a single second and ran to join and sit behind him. She grabbed his shirt so as not to fall down while he started to rush through the streets of the village to reach the forest as soon as possible. They crossed almost the entire territory of the park, the quad allowing them to go through wooded paths inaccessible to any other vehicle.

Comfortably installed, Ruri felt 17's strength running through his muscular back on which she eventually dozed off under the effect of the accumulated fatigue and the painkillers she had taken.

17 let her sleep for a while, until they reached the top of a hill that overlooked their cabin. It was about 20 meters high and led to a slope where a small dirt path zigzagged between the trees to the entrance of their house.

Smiling, 17 tapped lightly on Ruri's forehead to wake her up.

- We've arrived, snorer.

- Mmmm? Already? Did I sleep?

- For someone who wanted a thrill I'm a little disappointed.

- Damn! It's those damn drugs!

- Don't worry. I still have a little surprise for you. But first, I have to ask you a little question.

- Which one?

- How much do you trust me?

- To the point of following you to the depths of the ocean.

- Perfect.

And without saying another word, he kicked the ground, propelling the quad in the air. The engine of the vehicle roared with force, covering Ruri's scream of surprise that was lost in the distance. 17 then slalomed down the slope between the trees, sometimes leaning on his left leg, sometimes on his right, but in any case at full speed.

- WATCH OUT! cried Ruri as she saw huge rocks approaching them.

- Don't worry, I can handle it.

- YOU CAN HANDLE WHAT?

- The descent. We are almost there and OUPS! Get down!

Ruri obeyed immediately, along with 17 who practically laid down to avoid a tree branch lower than the others.

- You're going to kill us! exclaimed Ruri.

- Hahaha I LOVE this thing!

- Not me !

Ruri's ordeal ended quickly, however, because after a few more meters they reached their destination. It took her a few moments to catch her breath and she remained motionless, her hair in a mess. 17 turned around in his seat to face her.

- I told you it would function.

- You are completely crazy 17.

- I thought I was boring?

- There is a middle ground in everything! Can you avoid going from one extreme to the other?

- Didn't you like the ballad?

- Pfffff I don't even know where to start.

- Kiss me then. When I don't know what to say to you, that's what I do.

- Haha you're really impossible !

Ruri was however very happy to see 17 so cheerful, and after pretending to be angry for a while longer, she finally came to him to give him the kiss he was waiting for.

- You are really unbearable, cyborg, she says to him afterwards.

- Ranger cyborg, I prefer.

- You're not a ranger yet, tin can. You still have the entrance exam to take.

- The what?

- Didn't Owen tell you? You don't just wake up one morning and decide you're a park ranger to become one. You have to pass an exam and there are 3 manuals to learn: the classification of species with the state of danger of extinction, animals' caring and the legislation governing the natural parks.

- ... seriously?

- Don't worry about it. Revision is my specialty. I'll make you a series of flashcards with weekly MCQs and surprise quizzes. I CAN'T WAIT!

- 17 stammered, looking a little scared.

- What?

- I can't tell you why, but the words "exams", "revisions" and "tests" give me a very unpleasant feeling.

- Say, were you a bad student in your old life? Veeeery surprising !

- Great ...

- Roooh stop complaining. Why don't we get to work and think about what equipment we're going to buy to make this place a little better? Because if I'm going to live here, I need a lot of furniture. And I need to bring back clothes. A lot of clothes.

- Really, great ...

- Haha! Admit that you already regret to have proposed me to settle here with you?

17 looked at her and smiled. He had a strong urge to joke, but he didn't.

He actually had better things to do.

Seizing her again by the waist, he brought her back to him with a sudden gesture and kissed her.

Ruri immediately kissed him back, and they stayed like that for several delightful minutes, until 17 ended it and whispered back in her ear:

- I have never wanted anything more than to spend my life with you.

18's words finally made sense.

After years of wandering, 17 had finally found his way.