A.N: Sorry this took so long. A lot has been happening recently, and it was hard to find motivation to continue at times, but here it is. It seems like someone wants me to continue Kyubee's lament, even after three years of no updates, so I will probably try to update that next.
A.N.2: Thanks for the review, Harmless Orange! Sorry if I missed a "chu" or two...or twenty...but I don't think he ends EVERY sentence with it. I was honestly afraid that if I put it in too much, it would get annoying. I'll try not to overlook it from now on.
~Talos Angel~
CHAPTER TEN: RE-SPITE
-Linda, Warechu, Rom, Ram, Bit, and Torrent had all been walking slowly, but peacefully through the bustling, umbrella-like tropical forest for a few hours. Aside from the occasional lone dogoo scavenging for rodents in their little burrows, or perhaps the occasional small flock of tropical penguins minding their own business, their only company aside from each other was the surprisingly cold wind that rustled and blew the treetops, making them flap and sway like loose fitting skirts upon brooms. Neither set of twins noticed the hours tick away as they chatted endlessly about art, toys, games...that sort of thing. Linda grinned slightly as she occasionally glanced over at them; a refreshing break from her heavy frown as she clasped her arms around her ribcage as she walked slower than usual. Warechu frowned as he looked at her.
"You okay, chu?" Warechu asked quietly, slowing his pace to match Linda's. She jumped slightly, as if spooked by a paper bag before she turned to Warechu.
"I think I broke a few ribs," Linda said quietly, "Hurts like a bitch...but it's nothing I can't just sleep off. That's how it works in these things, right?"
"Geez," Warechu sighed, "If life actually worked that way, what use would doctors and nurses be?"
"I guess you have a point there," Linda chuckled as she winced, "Still...we can't really afford to just loaf around in a lofty hospital bed, or we'll be in a morgue instead." Linda frowned as she stared down at the ground.
"Uhh...you SURE you're okay?" Warechu asked, "I don't remember you being this mopey, chu." Linda looked up, and pointed towards the pair of twins, still just as excited about their budding friendship as they were a few hours back.
"We're kidnapping those kids," Linda mumbled, "And they're treating it like they're on a camping trip. They're having such a nice time together...like a fun little adventure..."
"Kinda like us before...you know..." Warechu muttered, finishing the thought, "...but you know what we have to do, right, chu?"
"Yeah." Linda replied in a monotone voice, "THAT'S not gonna be a fun adventure for anybody...is it?"
"Well, we can go on a nice adventurous...vacation with the money we get from the job, right, chu?" Warechu asked snidely as he bumped Linda's shin with his elbow. Linda sighed as she looked away from Warechu, giggling.
"What? Isn't this already an exciting vacation?" Linda laughed, "The kids seem to think so." Warechu huffed as he shook his head. Linda leaned close to him.
"Just be glad you're not dressed like a little girl anymore, okay?" Linda whispered. Warechu grumbled as he rolled his eyes. Ram came skipping over, her smile bright and hopeful as it had been for a few hours.
"Hey, when are we gonna stop and eat?" Ram asked, "We're all kinda hungry." Linda looked up at the sky, the soft blue replaced with a radiant orange, streaking the fluffy white clouds with fluffs of pink.
"It is getting pretty late" Linda said, "I guess we can try to set up camp somewhere." She glanced over into the forest, noticing a large, jagged, gray rock protruding from the ground. There were several like it dotted throughout the forest, but this one stuck out from that point in the forest at that point in time. From that spot, a small cave could be seen, arching upwards into the higher area of the rock like a slide at a playground.
"Perfect." Linda said as she pointed towards the cave, "We can probably just use that thing for shelter." Rom frowned as she shook her head.
"It's really dark," Rom replied, "And Mina told us to not go into dark caves without Blanc."
"Yeah, there could be, like, a bear or something in there!" Ram stated.
"Or fly whale." Bit added.
"Big, nasty, angry fly whale." Torrent shuddered.
"They are kinda right about that, chu." Warechu sighed, "And honestly, I'd rather NOT get eaten by a wild fenrir or whatever." Linda shoved her foot lightly against Warechu, pushing him towards the cave.
"That's why you're gonna go explore it." Linda said with a smug grin.
"No way, chu!" Warechu protested. Linda chuckled as she patted Warechu on his fuzzy little head.
"I'm joking, genius." Linda laughed as she stepped ahead of the others, "I'll check it out." Linda stumbled over to the cave, still clenching her ribs. Bit and Torrent followed quickly behind, tugging at Linda's right arm as they looked up at her.
"You hurt," Bit said sadly and quietly.
"We look. Not you." Torrent muttered as she stepped towards the cave.
"But...you two are just kids," Linda protested, "You shouldn't be crawling around in dangerous places."
"Hurt people shouldn't be crawling around in dangerous places either," Rom said, tugging on Linda's sleeve, "You could get extra-hurt if you do that." Linda gazed down at the sad girl, who continued to tug at her sleeve and look into Linda's eyes as if they were portals leading to an infinite abyss of tears.
"Oh alright," Linda gulped, "Warechu, you go."
"Ugh...fine." Warechu groaned, "If it will make those kids shut up...chu..." Warechu scuttled across the forest grass over to the cave. He crawled up the tunnel leading into the cave, scratching the rocks as he clawed his way into the gaping rock's maw. Everything was quiet, save for the crickets that began to chirp, as the others slowly drew near the rocks.
"Well...so far, so good," Linda muttered as she reached into the crevice, "Hey Warechu! Are you okay in there?"
"Yeah yeah, it's good," Warechu said, his voice echoing out of the cave like a haunting spirit.
"All of you go ahead," Linda said, gesturing to the cave, "I need a moment." The children climbed one by one into the cave. Rom glanced at Linda one more time.
"Can you climb in, Miss Underling?" Rom asked quietly.
"Yeah...go on in," Linda sighed, "I'll let you know if I need help."
"Umm...okay." Rom said slowly as she crawled into the cave. Linda waited for several seconds, looking around at the gently bristling grasses and leaves. She slowly paced away from the cave, behind a tree, where she was out of sight and earshot. She slumped to the ground with a heavy sigh as she shook her head. She closed her eyes as she muttered nonsensical words to herself, feeling the cold dusk breeze tingle her skin not covered by her jacket as it brisked across the area like a flowing river.
A soft buzzing came from Linda's pocket...it was her phone. It was an oddly rectangular device, resembling a graphing calculator more than an actual phone. The scratches and chips all over it were evidence of many violent misadventures...or perhaps the fact that this was salvaged from the graveyard. Linda reached for the phone and pressed the talk button, bringing the device to her faced.
"Who is this?" Linda asked.
"I've been waiting all day, underling," The familiar, spine-chilling, inhuman voice of the machine creature only known as CFW Trick said, agitated and impatient from the other end, "Where the FUCK are those two adorable children?"
"Oh...that..." Linda replied sheepishly, "Look, we ran into a bite of trouble. We're a ways north of Lastation right now-"
"North of LASTATION?!" The beast roared immediately, "Have you never seen a map before?! Have you forgotten where LAN Castle is?!"
"N...no, I haven't gotten lost," Linda said, "Like I said, things didn't go according to plan, and now we have to go the long way around-"
"I don't have the patience for that shit, underling!" Trick snapped, "You are going back through Lowee. It's closer and faster that way."
"That's a joke, right?" Linda said, the exasperation in her voice evident, "Lowee is going to be on high fucking alert. They recognize their own CPUs, and if they find us at all, we're fucked."
"You're going to be 'fucked' if you take too much longer to get the kids over here, underling," Trick growled, "The gutter trash my new...'program' has been bringing in is only good for a night or two. I need true divine cuties to be satisfied."
"Look. I've already got the kids to trust me," Linda said, "All I need is time to go to Lastation's train station, and a train ride through Planeptune, and we'll be there without incident. It's safer."
"It better be," Trick grumbled, "Or it's YOUR ass on the chopping block." A big BEEP came from the phone as Trick hung up. Linda winced as she slid the phone back into her pocket. She let out a long sigh as she closed her eyes.
"Yo, Linda, you sure you're okay, chu?" Warechu asked, his voice quiet and distant, but very clearly audible. Linda jumped as she shot her eyes open, and turned around.
"Oh geez! Warechu." Linda gasped, "Why did you come back out here?"
"I'm concerned about you, chu," Warechu said, "You seem upset about somethin'." Linda rolled her eyes as she chuckled a bit.
"Why?" Linda asked, "I can take care of myself."
"Because..." Warechu said softly, "You...called me your friend back at the mutant camp, chu. I guess we have been for a while...but hearing it every now and then..."
"Why are you being so sappy, Warechu?" Linda asked.
"Because..." Warechu began as he moved towards Linda, his eyes wet and cutesy like he was a puppy begging for food, "Because even the most lowly of villains believes in true friendship. " Linda grinned as she began to walk back to the cave.
"I'm glad you've been there with me, too." Linda said quietly.
"We'd better get back to the cave before the kids eat all the dried fruit I gave them for dinner, chu." Warechu said as he trailed in front of Linda.
"Oh, they can have it." Linda replied, "They are growing girls...I think."
"Two of them are, anyway, chu." Warechu muttered.
...
Blanc sat at the edge of the cave she had rapidly carved into the side of the cliff, looking down into the ravine at the still burning wrecked vehicles and bodies that littered the rocks. She tightened her fists as she growled.
"This is bullshit." Blanc spat, "We should be chasing after the kidnapper...not power napping in a cliff."
"Oh please, Blanc," Neptune cooed as she placed her gentle little hands on Blanc's tense shoulders, "It's getting super late, and we've all been flying around in HDD form all day. We need rest."
"My sister is right, Blanc," Nepgear chimed in, "The bad guy is going to get away if we're all tired and stuff."
"I don't know if you've been paying attention," Blanc grunted, "But something has been rushing off after my sisters ahead of us, and has been slaughtering everything in its wake. Even if the kidnapper moves slow, the murder robot will probably reach them first, and..."
"They're stronger than you think," Nepgear said, "I've seen them fend off invincible robots before."
"Then why can't they fend off a simple kidnapper?" Blanc countered.
"M...maybe this isn't some 'simple kidnapper,'" Nepgear retorted nervously, "In which case, that death robot is in even more trouble if he tries to cross with them."
"Yeah...THAT'S supposed to make me feel better," Blanc grumbled as she rolled her eyes.
"Aw C'mon, Blanc," Neptune said as she patted Blanc on her fussy head, "Nep Jr. is just trying her hardest to help you relax and get some shuteye."
"Maybe I don't want to relax," Blanc said, "Maybe I want to fucking save my sisters instead." Neptune gently poked the area below Blanc's left eye, which was somewhat dark and baggy.
"Do you really think you're going to save those adorable sisters of yours when you are longing for the comfy release of a gentle nap?" Neptune asked, "Cause trust me; I've tried to do things while tired as a sloth, and I can barely stamp papers with my eyes open, much less fight anything while tired."
"You barely do jack shit anyway." Blanc pointed out.
"Well, yeah," Neptune admitted, "But how tragic would it be if you got to the kidnapper, and then got shanked to death because you were too tired to dodge properly? You'd lose your sisters, and your life!" Blanc emitted a long sigh.
"If sleeping will get you off of my fucking ass, then I'll sleep." Blanc grumbled, "But I'm getting up early, and I expect both of you to as well."
"Sure thing." The Planeptune sisters both responded at once. Blanc huffed as she dropped to the ground, and rested her head on her hands.
"Good night you two." Blanc muttered, "Don't keep me up all night."
"'Night, Blanc." The sisters replied cheerfully. A few minutes of silence passed, the only noise being the gently whistling wind blowing against the cave entrance as the painted orange and pink dusk gave way to a bright and starry night. Nepgear sat at the edge of the cave, sighing to herself as she reached for something in her pocket. She caressed the unseen object like a gene lamp.
"Heya Nep Jr," Neptune cooed, "What's that you've got?"
"Oh, this?" Nepgear asked, holding out a small box, which could easily fit inside her shirt's pockets. The box was open, and it had a ring inside of it. The ring was made of some kind of sparkling silver, as if it were snow in the midsummer's gleam on top of a tall mountain. it was adorned with two square-shaped cleanly cut gems; one of which was a light purple amethyst, and the other was a very dark grey, almost black gem of some sort. Neptune tilted her head at this piece of jewelry.
"It's something I got at the festival," Nepgear stated, "I...I was planning to give it to Uni after Blanc gave her speech...but..."
"Umm...Nep Jr?" Neptune said, "This looks an awful lot like an engagement ring."Nepgear blushed as she turned away.
"Well...it is." Nepgear admitted sheepishly as she averted her sister's gaze, "The Lowee winter festival is such a wonderful, happy time of year...I figured it would be the best time to...uhh..."
"Ask her to marry you?" Neptune inquired as she raised an eyebrow.
"W-well, yes," Nepgear said as her face turned more reddish, "I...I've known Uni for years now...and I love her."
"Does she even love you back?" Neptune asked suspiciously.
"Yes," Nepgear replied quickly, almost defensively, "I know she has trouble expressing it in words...but I know she loves me...from the way she looks at me when she thinks I'm not looking at her, from the way she talks to me when we go out...From the way she holds my hand..."
"Nep Jr...I don't think that's a good idea." Neptune said quietly. Nepgear stared wide eyed at Neptune as if she had just seen Uni die.
"N..Neptune," Nepgear said, "I...I don't understand."
"Nep Jr...She can't love you any more than your big sister can," Neptune replied sadly, "If you marry her...You won't be able to spend any time with me."
"That's not true, Neptune!" Nepgear shot back defensively, "I...I could still live in Planeptune."
"Where would Uni live?" Neptune asked.
"W...well...we could visit," Nepgear stuttered, "Please, Neptune...it will all work out, I promise."
"You know what every relationship that 'works' needs, Nep Jr?" Neptune said, her tone suddenly quiet and dark, "Honesty." Nepgear blinked awkwardly.
"Wh...what do you mean, Neptune?" Nepgear asked with shaky breath.
"I mean you need to tell Uni all the things you probably didn't tell her," Neptune continued, "Like...how you tend to snore...your weird robot fetish..."
"I don't understand." Nepgear whispered, her voice quivering, "I'm always honest with Uni."
"Oh?" Neptune asked, "Then you've already told her about how, after you saved me, you missed me soooooo much, and were sooooooo stressed that you went drinking with me..."
"Neptune, no." Nepgear gasped.
"...and went back to the basillicom with me," Neptune continued, "And got all nude with me in the hot and steamy baths..."
"Neptune, please stop!" Nepgear cried.
"And then," Neptune continued, "You made love to me, and nine months later..."
"Neptune! Stop!" Nepgear shrieked as she fell to the floor, crying. Neptune frowned as she looked at her sister, crumpled on the floor and weeping as if she had been thrown to the floor by some sort of beast...utterly broken and unable to compose herself. Neptune swallowed a gulp of air, and knelt down to Nepgear.
"Nep Jr, I'm sorry," Neptune whispered in a far more calm tone, "I...I'm still upset about Plutie...that's what that was about." Nepgear slowly lifted her head to meet Neptune's gaze.
"I'm sorry..." Nepgear said through tears, "But you know what Histy said...neither of us have the time or responsibility to be parents."
"Well...what if Histy was wrong?" Neptune asked, choking a tear out herself, "What if we could have been one big, happy family? What if I didn't have to give her to that...orphanage...?"
Blanc blinked, wide eyed with her head turned away from the sisters as they continued to sob.
"I had no idea..." Blanc whispered too quietly for anybody to hear...
...