"It has to be this way." She told herself, clutching tight her knees in mock bravery. "This is better for everyone."
With each excuse the darkness sought only to encroach upon her, and soon enough Uzume was left in a state of sightlessness. Anything would have been better than the manipulatively stale silence of the void, and yet she would see not a single change. Her eyes shot about, in a vain need to see, even though there was nothing to see. Her limbs and body remained intact, however the blank dark of nothingness had the tears slipping through her gated face of courage.
Fear began to growl.
"It's fine. Histoire's still out there, and she'll take care of everyone. It's okay, it's okay, it's okay..." Uzume continued on like this for over an hour, doing her damnedest to take her decision with some pride, but for just who she wore this mask none could tell.
Her iris's flickered about, and with a mindset to try and let go of her reality she looked around the darkness. There was solid ground below her, meaning that while she could not see, there was indeed footing and land. Standing, Uzume took a few cautious steps forth, reaching out for anything to grab hold of.
Cold metal fell into her grip, and based on it's shape she assumed it was a lamp post. A small semblance of comfort overcame her as she felt the familiar obstruction, and with a small hope she prayed that her eyesight was merely lying to her in terms of the shadows. Maybe, just maybe, the world was only sleeping, and would awake with sights to keep her company.
Slowly and cautiously Uzume continued on, now on her hands and knees, feeling about the ground for any sense of familiarity. As her soft purple bangs lit up in comparison to the dark, she felt something. Concrete, with a few lines indented, and a rough series of pebbles all pressed into the exposed skin of her fingertips. She shut her eyes, and begged towards any forces that may be listening out there, that when she opened them the world would end it's game of hide and seek.
Her wish was granted, and the nostalgic view of the city returned to her.
Uzume wanted to hope that everything had all been a dream, but she knew better. While the land may have appeared to be barren of life, the hopeful girl took this as a good thing. Here, in this empty world...
She would never hurt anyone else.
.
.
Kurome awoke to the sharp pain on her cheeks, and slapping at the spot she noticed Warechu pull his paw thing back.
"Awake, chu? Good."
"Wha?" Still half asleep, and now with a sore cheek, the groggy young woman stirred herself awake. Right as her eyes finally began to clear did reality slap her across the face.
Oh yeah, these scrubs. She was stuck with Linda and Warechu, and while the former was an unknown - something she didn't feel too strongly against - the latter was a different matter completely. Warechu had once been her pawn, and while he didn't seem to recognise her now, there was an inkling in the back of her mind that she should be careful around him.
"Wait..." She questioned as she faced Warechu. "Linda's driving?"
"Yeah, what of it, chu?"
"I thought I was driving." Kurome said, only to realise that such a notion was ridiculous a moment afterwards; something Warechu took advantage of immediately.
"While off in dreamland, chu?" He scoffed and turned away. "You're mad, woman, or just downright crazy, chu."
Despite the half-asleep slip up, Kurome recovered enough to recall what happened earlier. Right after Warechu was done with the tires she had been so sick of everything that she changed her mind on driving and handed the wheel back to the incompetent Linda to try and rest in the back seats; content in the idea that if they died, they died. Sleep, she figured, would be a welcome escape from her current living state - something she now lambasted herself over.
What did she expect really? Her life before the reunification of her soul was scarcely what one would refer to as 'nice', and unlike her time in the back of their fused mind, Kurome had been in a constant state of stress even before taking her nap. The fact that she was only haunted by the very start of what was her decades spanning solitude was a mercy, compared to what the isolation did to her soon after.
"Alright." Linda called, clicking off her seat belt and pushing open her door. "Everybody out."
"You heard the girl, chu." Warechu opened his side, and - with a little more slogginess than she'd like to admit - Kurome followed after.
"What's happening?" The still waking girl questioned, and Linda cast a quick wave as she wrapped around to the back of the truck. Kurome followed and watched as the girl opened the gate, making way for Warechu to hop on back and start pushing one of the boxes to the edge.
"Work time, now help me with this." Scampering to the other side Kurome took hold, and the two were quickly on their way to lower the crate down some distance back. The crate wasn't all that heavy, at least according to Kurome, but Linda appeared to be struggling a little.
Over the course of the work the midnight shaded woman observed their surroundings. From what she could tell they were parked around the backend of a stage or something, and while it was mostly filled with other workers moving things about, Kurome noticed they were all garbed in robes, very similar robes as a matter of fact.
"Hey." She started to Warechu as he moved another wooden container towards them. "Are the other guys all Basilicom staff?"
"Yeah, chu, what of it?" The grey mouse questioned, his black little paws pushing another box into both Linda's and her arms.
"I thought they only worked under and for the CPU's." Kurome was once again accosted with the weight - doubly so as Linda was beginning to falter.
"Yeah, chu, well from what we know these guys are being leant out for the competition."
"Really?" With how heavy the crates were she began to wonder just what the competition was for. These boxes either held the items needed for setup, or the prize, and if it was the latter then Kurome questioned just what they were thinking, or how the victor could even carry such a thing.
"Hey guys." Linda coughed up, wheezing with every breath. "C-can we take... take a break. I'm dying here." With that she collapsed, and Kurome could hear Warechu sigh in annoyance.
"Really, chu? You're hopeless if this is too much for you, chu." He looked to her, and Kurome saw the small twitch of his brow. "You out of shape too, chu?"
"No." Kurome walked back, and reaching over she took the crate Warechu had prepared at the edge. With not even a grunt she held it high with both hands and started over to the spot they had been unpacking; next to the apparent back entrance now encased by boxes. "This is nothing."
"Damn, chu, you ain't playing." The gray puffball whistled as he crossed his arms. "Too bad they don't make women like they used to."
"Hey!" Linda coughed up taking a few more breaths. "What's that supposed to mean!?"
"It means you should lay off the cinnamon rolls, chu."
What followed hence was a curt back and forth of the two hurling insults at one another. The childish bickering of the two quickly gathered the attention of many others, who while still working at least threw a glance their way. Kurome felt a small tinge of satisfaction watching the idiots embarrass themselves. Linda would pick at Warechu's size and obsession with someone named 'Compa', along with his apparent habit of turning tail when things got hairy. Warechu, in turn, whined of Linda's lack of success in apparent past scuffles with the CPU's, along with her seeming habit to draw them out just by being around.
While Linda's whining was ultimately nothing to run home about, it was the supposed bout of CPU drawing luck she possessed that had Kurome scheming. If it was as potent as the rat was making it out to be, then there was a good chance that hanging around Linda would guarantee a meeting with her other half Uzume - and thus speed up their fusion once more.
"Alright enough." Kurome stepped between the two, and both parties froze and focused on her with wicked stares of ire. "While I would love to see you keep making fools of yourselves, I think it's best we just get the job done, hmm?"
This seemed to quell the anger a little.
"Fair enough, chu."
"Fine."
The two split off a bit, and with a roll of her eyes Kurome hopped right into the back of the truck, and with one great haul placed the last large crate with the others all on her lonesome.
"I said it before and I'll say it again, damn, chu."
"That isn't natural." Linda looked to her in exasperation. "Just what the heck have you done to get that type of strength?"
"Min-maxing." Kurome gave as she crossed her arms. "Now are we done?"
"Yep, chu." Warechu smiled and let loose a relaxed breath. "Now, we can either head back home, or stay for the party, it's your call, chu."
"Pass." Kurome was in no mood to deal with a crowd today; she just wanted to get settled into things.
"I'm calling it here too." Linda wandered over to the truck as she stretched. "I'm not pushing my luck today. Let's just get back so I can order some pizza."
Warechu smirked. "Sounds good, and hopefully the pizza girl won't be one of the CPU's."
"Shut it, rat."
"I said I ain't no rat!"
And here we go again. Kurome was clocking out for the day; she was done with this shit for now.
.
.
"Oh, hello Uzume." Nepgear greeted as she looked between the two. "And big Neptune too."
"Sup Gearsy, how are things?" Uzume hadn't seen either of the nep-sisters in a while, and to be perfectly honest she considered that a sin. Nepgear looked to be doing fine, well, as fine as one could be with your hands covered in dirt inside the broken hunk of some machine.
"Not much, just trying to get this here up and running again." Nepgear fell back into her work, all the while several people around the girl took notes. "The sound system for the competition kind of blew, at least according to the staff, so I'm trying to fix it."
"Okay, and the guys around you?"
"Students." Purple sister responded, and Uzume felt a small inkling of surprize.
"Huh, didn't know you were teaching Gearsy."
"Oh, I'm not. They're just students from the local college. They were going to try their hands before I arrived, and when I offered to fix it they asked if they could watch."
"And you said yes, huh?" Uzume saw the girl nod, and with a small hum of disappointment she continued. "Aw, I thought we were gonna celebrate."
"We are." Nepgear reassured while tinkering around with something, she reached back while calling 'screwdriver', and was quickly handed the item. "I'm just going to fix this up quickly and then I'll join you. You go on ahead and have some fun; I'll catch up later."
Uzume wasn't all that pleased, however Big Nep was.
"Thanks Nepgear." The larger nep said. "We'll meet up with you later."
And with that the two found themselves surfing the crowds as they took in the sights. The larger Neptune was in awe at all the various stands filled with games, prizes, and all manner of collectables. However Uzume was in no such mood, as while everything appeared friendly and joyful there was still that ache in her chest; that feeling of sublime emptiness, which had now lowered in her gut, leaving only a hollow blip in the place of origin.
Her partner quickly attempted to rectify this.
"Come on Uzume, it's just for a little bit." She began with a small pat on the back. "I'm sure Nepgear will be fast, this is her we're talking about, and nobody does tech like she does."
"I know that..."
"Let me guess, it's the feeling again?" Uzume nodded shamefully, and Big Nep sighed. "Okay, I know things aren't quite going to plan with Nepgear being occupied, but I'm certain we'll run into some of the others soon; just try to hold out hope for a little longer."
"I know." Uzume began as she faced the nep. "And I'm not trying to be a downer, but I just can't get rid of this... thing, this pit in my gut."
"Well, why don't we get some food." Big Nep offered as she pointed towards a nearby candy stand. "Sweets always perk me up."
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to try..." Anything to distract from the utter wrongness within.
.
.
"Ah, home sweet home, chu."
"Got to say, it's good to be back." Linda followed up Warechu's relief as the trio hopped from the truck.
Giving it a good look Kurome didn't really understand.
"You... live here?" It looked like some sort of shop, with an irritatingly long name.
"Nah, chu. We just have to report in for the day, and then we get to leave."
"Correction." Linda started with a smirk. "Kurome and I get to leave, you still have some work left."
"Yeah yeah, chu. Rub it in why don't ya." With a cross face their little gray commander started off, taking the first step inside with both Linda and her to follow.
The inside wasn't quite as... dense as the blue one expected, but even so looks could be deceiving; she herself was a testament to that. Like the rest of the city it was pseudo-futuristic, with holograms of games and various game related wares scattered about in large tube-like displays. Along the walls were many, many games, all of which looked strangely enough from her own generation.
Wait... I recognise this one. Picking a solitary case from the shelf, Kurome allowed her eyes to slither all over the object, and flipping it over she took in the small description written on back. It was a simple party game, staring a series of colorful animal characters using cards to play. While she recognised the popular blue mascot in his low poly form, she also recalled just how excited she'd been when the developers first released the game. Unlike many others who looked to her console with caution, these folks were adamant on taking advantage of what her design offered.
Unfortunately many others were too fearful of her power to care.
"Ah, Sinko Mixed; nice choice." The voice did not spook Kurome; she was merely guarded in her response, and being ready to leap was a good thing - which she totally didn't do. The mopey gal noticed what appeared to be another mouse similar to Warechu, however this one was white, soft looking, and very clearly female if her tone and general air was anything to go off of. "It's a good one; too bad it didn't sell well in it's prime."
"You know of it's sales?"
"Of course!" The creature wore a proud face. "Unlike other retailers or traders I do extensive amounts of research into the games I sell to ensure you're getting a fair deal."
"I see." Kurome was just a tad bit impressed. Last she remembered her own history was buried over the years, so to find someone who apparently knew of such a thing was intriguing. "If I may, how was it you came across such information?"
This question visually stuttered the girl - or woman, it was hard to tell the age of these things.
"W-well, I'm sorry to say but I promised to keep my sources under wraps. I cannot risk allowing competitors to take advantage and try to undercut my customers or I." You see Uzume would have been ready to believe this, however Kurome wasn't quite so trusting, and in an ironically appropriate fashion she could silently declare, without any hesitation...
She smelled a rat.
"I'm headed to stock up the back." Warechu began, and Kurome held her silence for the scant few seconds he was there. "Don't wait up on me. Oh, and big blue-"
"Never say that again." While she was willing to apparently keep up with the obvious nonsense the white mouse was feeding her, she didn't want to alert anyone else to the conversation; however she wasn't above kicking scrubs while they were down though.
"Whatever, Linda's out front waiting, so when you're done with whatever it is you do head on out. She'll show you to the hideout." Warechu left after saying his peace, and the white mouse let out a sigh of relief.
"He has just the worst timing I swear."
"Yeah." Kurome crossed her arms. "So I suppose this source of yours will remain hidden."
"Yes. Again I'm sorry I can't answer your question."
"I suppose it doesn't matter anyhow." Really it didn't. Whether this woman knew of her game's history fully, or if she simply stumbled across the sales info didn't really matter. However there was one thing that did need to get finished up. "So who are you, from what I gathered you're their boss."
"Chuko, I'm the manager of my shop here." She reached out her paw, and Kurome took the shake. "And you?"
"Kurome. I'm with the other two for now, so I suppose that means I'm with you to an extent."
"So that's what Warechu meant when he said another girl was 'rolling' with them."
"Rolling?" Kurome... didn't know what to thing of that. Chuko merely waved it off and rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, I know it sounds weird. Both of those ones are ex-convicts, and apparently Linda is the worse off. From what I've gathered working with her she practically breaths trouble. Warechu has settled down a bit with my help, but to be honest I'm worried about Linda."
"Why?" To Kurome, Linda seemed to be the most stable of the two, even if a bit expressive.
"I've caught her at times talking with some of the more... unsavory locals outside the shop on her break times. Part of me wants to say it's nothing, but another part can't help but wonder if she's with one of the local gangs."
"I see..." And respectively she didn't particularly care; what was Linda's business to her anyway? However the gaze of wanting Chuko sent her had Kurome reluctantly admit defeat, as she knew exactly what was coming next. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Oh, do you truly wish to help?"
Do I even have a choice? "Well, you didn't tell me to leave when I said I was with the others, and I'm assuming your silence means you'll accept me, and potentially look out for me, am I right."
"Yes, was it that obvious?" The tiny grin hidden on her cheeks had Kurome fight back a small pinch of irritation; bitch had her by the backside. "I was more than willing to make you an official employee, after all it's not fair for you to be the only one not paid for working."
"Well then, I guess I owe you." Kurome fully admitted defeat now; at least it was nice knowing she would be paid for this extensive mountain of dogshit she was seemingly destined to face. "What do you want me to do?"
"Nothing dangerous; let's get that out of the way right quick. I just want you to keep an eye on the girl. If she really is getting into trouble then I simply want to know."
"Uh huh..." Kurome quirked her head sideways. "And what do you plan to do with that information?"
"Honestly, I'm not sure." Chuko crossed her arms in thought. "I could forward it to the authorities, but I don't want to see the girl just tossed in the slammer; she's a hard worker darn it!" Chuko hummed for a while, before looking up to Kurome. "I suppose something will come to me eventually. Kurome, I know we just met, and I told you not to run into trouble just a second ago, but if Linda gets herself into danger... would you mind pulling her out if you can?"
Huh... well damn. She's actually looks worried about Linda. Usually most employers she recalled from her days would just stick to business, Kurome felt once more impressed by Chuko's conviction to her wage-slave's well-being.
"Fine." Kurome relaxed herself a bit to give off an easier air. "I guess I can keep a hold on her. The rat and her are housing me, so it's the least I can do."
"Thank you Kurome, you are most kind." No, she wasn't, but Chuko didn't need to know that. With any luck the manager might even see fit to reward her if she did well; Kurome didn't count on it, but she didn't mind allowing that small bit of hope to fester in the back of her head.
Linda was, as foretold by the ancient and all powerful force that was Warechu, just outside, sitting on the sidewalk without a seeming care in the world. Walking over Kurome gave a slight tap to the pavement with her boots, drawing Linda from whatever daydream she'd been stuck in.
"What's good; buy that game you wanted or whatever?" Linda stood, dusting herself off.
"No, I was just... browsing."
"Took your sweet time then, well, it doesn't matter. Come on, I'll show you to the crib."
Kurome wandered alongside Linda, all the while her grass-topped partner strutted around like she owned the place. They drew a few eyes, mostly set on Linda, but the girl didn't look to mind, rather she seemed to enjoy the eyeing they got as she carried a devious smirk. The confused split of a woman watched as the wannabe gangster sent a grin back to her.
"Look at 'em, they know we're both the stuff." With that she kept her bashful stride.
Kurome could have very well informed her new partner that her undergarments were peeking through the top of her shorts waistband - which had just so happened to slip a little low for her own personal tastes. However she changed her mind on that.
Why ruin the girl's fun?
Author's note
...
Classic Underling, always finding some trouble in her life. Accidental flashing of undies aside, Kurome has been taken in by the rough gang that is Chuko's employ. Surely this can only lead to long-term success for the dark girl.
Uzume however isn't doing so hot, but hopefully the sweets and future chat with friends will ease up the pressure bestowed upon her. Will they find the truth of the matter, or is she doomed to mild irritation to her insides?
Find out next time. Catch you later.
Edit: Added a single sentence to fit better with the change from last chapter.