"Three weeks? Are you sure it's been that long?" Mayaka retorted back to Suzie while propping her hand on her hip in response.

"Why would I lie to you about this?" she asked, almost offended.

"I didn't imply that—"

"I suppose we've intruded long enough," Eru interrupted with a kind smile. "You've done so much for us, staying any longer would be a burden to you." She bowed gracefully, "You've been very kind. How can we repay you for everything that you've done?"

Suzie raised her brows, apparently deciding whether or not to accept Eru's cordial thanks, or even to take it seriously. "Do not mention it. Hotarou-kun has told me that you all would be leaving shortly. He told me to inform you of this." With this comment, Suzie walked between the two girls. She hesitated for a moment then placed a hand on Eru's shoulder. "Blue doesn't suit you." Eru blushed and looked at her clothes self-consciously; Eru didn't think it made that big of a difference. "Stay with purple," Suzie added with finality then paced back down the hall.

Eru looked at Mayaka who frowned as the woman disappeared. "I still don't trust her," Mayaka muttered under her breath. "I can't help but think she's got some ulterior motive for helping us for so long."

Eru wondered, but didn't dwell on the comment. She followed Mayaka to begin gathering her things.

As the two passed a room, a door opened to have Branimir step out and the girls jump with surprise. "Oh! Sorry!" he said waving his hand to clear the mistake. "I did not mean to scare you…"

"That's alright," Eru replied catching her breath.

"Chitanda-san, right?" he said just as she was ready to step away. She turned at the sound of her name and nodded. His pretty eyes widened with happiness, proud of himself for recalling her name. "…Talk to you…please?"

Eru glanced back at Mayaka who gave her a worried glance. Branimir must have noticed the look and added, "Nothing is bad," he waved his hand back and forth to indicate his meaning. Eru glanced over her shoulder at Mayaka then followed Banimir down the hall.

He made a few turns that completely bewildered Eru, she had lost her sense of direction when they turned and before them was a wide window that opened into space just opposite of the hall. Below was the curve of the Earth, a heavenly glowing blue and green orb below them. The other didn't stop to admire the view but continued on with his long stride. Eru jogged to keep up with him and almost ran into him as he stopped abruptly in front of a curtain. On drawing back the thick velvet cloth the two entered the cockpit of the ship. Eru looked around in wonder at all the glowing lights, switches, and supplies that were continued inside this room while Branimir searched for something.

Eru heard a soft sound from him and she turned to see him holding a small, cylindrical object. There were a few buttons on it which, when pressed, made a small white-blue screen pop up with options. She could see him set it to Japanese then she understood. It was a personal translator, she had only seen a few people with them because most only associated with other speakers of their language. She wondered where he acquired it from.

He handed it to her and Eru took the small object gently in her hand. He pointed to a seat and she took it across from him.

"Now we can understand each other!" He announced in Croatian he smiled in such a way that Eru was put at ease. She leaned back in her chair, ready to listen balancing the small screen in her hand. As he began to speak the machine translated what he dictated at the bottom of the screen in Japanese. "Chitanda-san, I have been informed by Gülay…oh, pardon me, Suzie, that you do not want to learn how to defend yourself."

"I—" Eru attempted blushed deeply. She didn't know what to say, so he continued.

"Let me tell you something," he said gently, "I am the only person on this ship who has never, and will never, hold a weapon of any sort." Eru's eyes widened with surprise. As the husband of a woman such as Suzie, one would assume that you had to be able to use a weapon, in case of the worst.

"Why can't you?" she asked in wonder looking intently at him.

"As someone who once worked in the Organization," he continued steadily, "We are brainwashed just as much or more than the rich folk; it depends on your job. But everyone, from the top to the bottom worker in the Organization has been trained never to be able to even touch a weapon. Well, aside from a kitchen knife. It's an instilled fear as children. Many who have worked for the Organization have tried to abandon their posts and become free like the Dealers, but frequently it is the fact that they are helpless and can't protect themselves that draws them back. And unless the escape route they took is so beyond forgiveness, they are often taken rehired by the Organization to fulfill their jobs. And within the structure of the Organization, those who attempt to escape are said to have been on a 'learning vacation' because the see the galaxy for what it really is.

"The people in the Organization are intelligent; every official is checked by several others to make sure they are doing their civic duties. Even the top of the pack, I'm sure, is harnessed just as tightly as the others."

"Do you know who that person is?" Eru inquired cautiously.

"I was never in high enough confidence to meet that person. There are very few who do. It's said," Branimir pushed his glasses up thoughtfully, "that the only person who can meet the head of the Organization for long periods of time and live is the new head of the Organization so they can pass on information and records. Even amongst those in the Organization, there are legends of certain leaders, Deans, as we used to call them on Uranus. The strange habits they had, who they called on, their activities and such. I can recall one story that the Dean wasn't human at all, but rather a super intelligent monkey or even a robot."

"Or a money robot…" Eru whispered under her breath with conviction.

"But, these are rumors as I said. I'm getting off-subject," Branimir chortled. He reached across and placed a hand on Eru's which made her look up from the screen and into his gentle eyes. "What I mean to tell you is that even though you made Suzie pretty angry over the whole weapons idea, please understand that just because you can't or just don't want to use a weapon, it doesn't mean you're worthless. You can be useful in so many ways beyond being able to fight when the time comes. Many people are needed to keep a ship in order, but not as many are needed to fight to protect it. Fill in where your crew needs you, not necessarily where they want you, alright? Everyone is useful, from the Dean of the Organization all the way to the orphans filling in empty job positions—so that means you, also, are useful."

She reflected briefly on the story that Hotarou had told her about his life, but Eru's spirits were lifted with his words, Branimir is truly a life-giving person, she smiled to herself then thanked him for his kindness. "I'll miss being on this ship with you all," Eru said a little sadly, "but it's for the best if I can continue helping my friends."

Branimir gave one of his frequent, signature smiles to compliment hers then stood and looked out of the front window. "Space is big," he said in Japanese, "Do not get lost as you leave. Rather, do not be found."

Just a little more...hang on with me for a bit guys. I know this chapter is short...sorry...but please leave comments! They're very encouraging!