"It's worse than you think," Eiji said quietly, poking out into his bowl of instant noodles.

Ash sat at the table across from him, his arms folded across his chest. "How so?"

"Banana Fish."

"Gesundheit."

Eiji rolled his eyes. "It's what Griffin was after."

"I thought he was looking for a person."

Eiji shook his head. "No. Banana Fish… it's a weapon. Or a drug or something. I don't know. It makes people crazy. Violent. Savage." Eiji shook his head. "It was supposed to make the perfect, disposable soldier. Someone who can be so thoroughly controlled that they'd kill friends and loved ones. But- it's unstable. It can't be controlled."

Ash was watching him carefully. "How do you know this?"

Eiji hesitated.

Ash sighed heavily. "What are you waiting for? You said you needed me, so why aren't you telling me everything?"

"I don't know if I can trust you."

Ash frowned and looked away. "What am I supposed to say to that? 'Trust me' is about the most untrustworthy thing a person can say."

Eiji spoke slowly. "There was a man. Thompson. I thought he worked for Golzine but he said he was an intelligence officer. He said he and Griffin were going to get me out but that they needed my help. He gave me a sample, said it was Banana Fish. But then they… he-" Eiji's teeth grit down suddenly and he suppressed a shudder. He shook his head.

"What happened to the sample?" Ash asked.

Eiji looked away quietly. "Dino has it."

Ash leaned back and shook his head.

"Thompson said I had to get it to Griffin. But I don't know what he wanted him to do with it."

"So my brother died for nothing."

Eiji looked hurt but didn't argue.

"And what about you?" Ash said. "What was Griff supposed to do with you?"

Eiji frowned. "I- I don't know."

"Do you have any family left?"

Eiji winced and Ash suddenly wished he had chosen his words more carefully.

"I'm sorry," Ash said. "That was- I could have put that a little more gently."

Eiji nodded quietly. "My dad lives in Japan, but- I don't know his name. He was always just my Otou-san." Eiji looked up at Ash apologetically. "I was a kid. And… it was a long time ago."

Ash shook his head. "Any other family?"

"I had- have a sister. She's younger than me but she'd nearly be an adult now. Her name is Imouto."

It was Ash's turn to wince. "Eiji, that's just the Japanese word for 'sister'. But still-" he said quickly as Eiji's face fell, "I'm sure there's not that many Okumuras in Japan. I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you." Eiji looked up at Ash, "What will you do with me in the meantime?"

"Well, I had a room all made up for you, but it wasn't to your liking."

"Hey! That wasn't a room, it was a cell," Eiji huffed.

"Still technically a room," Ash said.

Eiji laughed. Ash blinked and then smiled and shook his head. "Anyways, we've got a place. You'll be safe from Golzine there. I've got an extra bed in my room."

"You would share your room with me?"

"Sure," Ash shrugged. "Besides, it's not like we haven't already slept together."

Eiji went red. "What?"

Ash smiled. "In prison, remember? We shared a cell. Or am I so boring that you've already forgotten me?"

Eiji laughed, "I could never forget you."

He looked up and met Ash's eyes. They looked away, awkwardly.

Ash stood. "Come on. It's time you meet the guys, anyways."