Episode Thirty Two - Bonds That Bind

Chapter Song Suggestion "Genshi by Susumu Yokota"

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THE PAST | Koga

Stars exploded in his eyes when a fist slammed into his right cheek, sending him crashing to the ground. He groaned, rolling over only to be hauled up and punched in the other cheek.

"All that talk about you being a yakuza's son was bullshit," his bully laughed. "You're nothing but a wimp who enjoys giving some lip. Hit him, boys. We'll show him who the real mafia family is."

After they had broken a few ribs and thrashed his body black and blue, they left him in a crippled heap behind the dumpster.

"You might want to ice that." A large shadow fell over his fallen form.

"What the fuck do you want?" Koga spat the blood out from his mouth.

"Why didn't you fight back?" the man asked. "I know you can fight. Better than them."

"It's none of your business. Have you been stalking me?"

The man nonchalantly lit a cigarette, staring at him with intense golden eyes. "A man like you isn't worthy of your katana and you taint the bushido spirit. What are you even doing here in Ataxia?"

He blinked in surprise, but it quickly turned into resentment. "Don't talk like you know jack shit about bushido."

"It's definitely not what I just saw," the man bluntly remarked. "I'm Captain Lars Verhelst and I'm going to form my own unit. I need a man like you on my team. What do you say, are you interested?"

"Fuck off. I'm not interested in joining anybody's unit, and definitely not from a creep who has been watching me." He picked himself up and started limping off.

"Don't be hasty to reject my invitation, Koga Akabashi," Lars halted him. "Fujita Hiroto. I know he's the reason why you're here. If you believe getting thrashed everyday by those bullies is your way to atone for his death, then let's make a deal. Use me instead. I'll punch the daylights out of you until you're ready to let go of the past and make a man out of yourself."

Koga snorted rudely. "Are you crazy? Who the hell would agree to such a stupid deal?"

Amber eyes hardened, and Lars stomped out his cigarette. "Because this is no way for you to live. I hate to break it to you but you're not the only sad boy who has seen death or a tragic past. Everyone in Ataxia is mired with death and regrets. Instead of wasting your life away, you should live for Hiroto's sake — live for the life he would have had."

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PRESENT DAY

"— and if I didn't kill the clawtail, I would have been stuck in the past forever," Eira concluded her story.

Silence engulfed the room.

"I'm sorry about your tragic past, Eira." Koga was the first to speak. "I would have done the same if I were in your shoes. In fact, I wished I had your guts. Did you know, I was the first member who joined this unit?"

"You were?" Interest sparked Eira's eyes. Despite their adventures, unit six's history was still a mystery to her.

"Yes. My past used to torment me before I joined our unit. You see, my ancestors were yakuzas during the old era and I grew up listening to stories about their wild days, even frightening ones. It seems our reputation followed us into the new world, and it affected a lot of my relationships. So, when I met a boy who was willing to become my friend, I was overjoyed."

Eira had never seen Koga with anything but a smile or a scowl. To see him upset, it made her heart ache.

"He was a minister's son. Looking back, Hiroto was a troubled teen. He tried everything to escape his father's thumb and he enjoyed hanging with delinquents just to flip the proverbial middle finger at his old man. He admitted he approached me because of my family history. One day, he roped us into a heist, claiming it would be fun. I went along reluctantly, mostly to keep an eye out for him. That was the last time I saw him – alive." Koga tapped his forehead. "He died from a headshot. It had been a setup to assassinate Hiroto because people wanted revenge against his father."

"And what did you do? Seek retribution on his behalf?" Anaelle threw out the million-dollar question, though she didn't sound unkind, merely curious.

"No," he guffawed grievously. "I didn't have the guts and I couldn't even if I wanted to. You see, I became the scapegoat and was charged for my best friend's murder." Koga's body shook with forgotten rage, remembering his fear and dread of his future. "My father pulled strings and enrolled me into the military to avoid charges. And that's how I ended up here."

"I had no idea." Florian was completely floored. "You're always so carefree. What happened to your friend and you was unfair and you deserve justice."

Eira's gaze settled on Florian, knowing how deeply he felt about being betrayed.

"My past is water under the bridge but, it didn't end there." Koga perked up like a flower under the sun. "The Captain, he saved my life. After enrolling into the military, I wasted away consumed by the guilt of never trying to talk Hiroto out of his bad habits. If I had done something, maybe he would be alive. I kept convincing myself over and over again. It became so bad that I allowed myself to be bullied, believing it was my penance. That was how the Captain found me. Or rather, he knew who I was but chose that moment to walk into my life."

"What did he do?" Eira asked enthusiastically.

"He asked why I never fight back, and I told him to fuck off. He then insulted me and said, 'A man like you isn't worthy of your katana and you taint the bushido spirit.' Honestly, I was just surprised he knew about the samurai's code of honour. The Captain didn't hold back on me, and he didn't treat me with kid gloves."

Eira understood why Lars had said those words. Koga was what people called a simple-minded idiot with a good heart.

"I bet you fell for it right away," Anaelle snorted.

"You're absolutely right!" Koga laughed excitedly. "You understand me so well, Anaelle. I'm touched."

"Don't flatter yourself," she retorted. "You're the most transparent person in this unit and we can all read you like a book."

"You don't have to deny it, Anaelle. We've already hugged."

Eira and Florian exchanged thrilled glances while Anaelle turned beetroot red. Her gaze lowered and suddenly all traces of embarrassment evaporated from her voice. She shot up to her feet. "I can't believe it! This is…impossible...,"

"What's wrong?" Florian demanded anxiously.

Everyone gathered around the Captain's bed, witnessing his flesh knitting by the second.

"Fuck me." Koga stumbled back, his mind spinning. "This is some crazy shit. Eira you are some crazy shit."

"At the rate he is healing, I presume one bag of your blood is enough per day," Anaelle said breathlessly, her gaze glued onto Lars's healing back.

"Am I the only one getting chills?" Koga wrapped his arms around himself. "This is some top-secret shit."

"And this means that you are forbidden to drink outside the dormitory in the future," Florian uttered in a severe tone.

"Why the hell not?" Koga scowled fiercely. "Alcohol is part of who I am."

"Your mouth tends to run away when you are drunk," Florian retorted deadpanned.

Koga's expression fell. "Fuck, you got me there."

"Everyone calm down," Eira interjected. "We'll just wait until Lars recovers and hear what he has to say."

"I second that," Anaelle agreed. She only trusted the Captain's decision.

"I'll keep watch over Lars tonight," Florian volunteered. "Eira, as promised, you must return to your hideaway."

Eira inclined her head grudgingly. "Don't worry, I won't show myself until Lars says the coast is clear. Besides," — she picked up the clawtail cub from the bag — "we need to figure out what this little one has done to me."

Koga stabbed his hair with his fingers, his jaw hanging. "Holy—is that the legendary clawtail?"

"Yes, but it's still a cub."

"It's unfair how you always pick up the coolest predators," Koga groused sourly.

Eira's cheeks rounded with a smile.

"Koga, you'll take the morning shift." Florian returned to business mode, his command brisk and straightforward. "Anaelle, I'll contact you if the Captain's condition declines."

"I'll keep my messenger active," she declared.

"Alright then, I'll see everyone in the morning."

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He had the strangest, longest dream in forever – a happy dream. Long – because he hadn't seen his parents' faces clearly for years – and strange because Eira had been with them. And he had introduced her to his family, and they were all happy.

"Welcome back to the world of the living, Captain."

He blinked against the harsh sunlight, his body feeling like it had gone through the grinder. When he tried to shift his arms, a grunt escaped him. His muscles were dead weight.

"Move slowly, Captain. You've been lying in this position for days." Koga helped him to sit up. "How are you feeling? Any cramps? Twinges? Pain?"

"Water," he croaked. The sound of a water bottle being opened reached his ears before it was shoved into his face – complete with a yellow straw.

"Anaelle said it would be easier for you to drink through a straw."

Lars frowned at the yellow abomination, tossing it aside before he chugged like a man just returned from the desert.

"Slow down, Captain," Koga panicked. "The women will have my head if something happens to you."

"Did you misplace your balls while I was out?" Lars cut him a dry stare.

Koga chuckled. "It's good to have you back, Captain. Anaelle will be in shortly to give you another transfusion."

Lars glanced at the blood bag hanging on his left – almost depleted. He wasn't squeamish about blood but, he sure as hell didn't like the idea of someone else's blood in him. "What the fuck is that?"

Palms shooting out, Koga said, "Don't freak out, Captain. That's Eira's blood."

"What!"

"It's Eira's blood."

"I heard you the first time," he scowled darkly. "Why is Anaelle transfusing Eira's blood into me?"

"Because it has a crazy regenerating ability," Koga said a matter-of-factly. "You might want to take a look at this, Captain." He dragged the long mirror in front of Lars and gestured for him to turn around.

Driven by sheer curiosity, Lars turned, and his eyeballs nearly popped from their sockets. What the fuck? There was nothing there — not a single wound.

"Exactly what I was thinking, Captain." Koga grinned with satisfaction. "It seems Eira has developed a new ability and you are our first guinea pig. Congratulations on your recovery."

"Get Anaelle, right now," Lars commanded, still staring at his smooth, scar-free back. It was as if those traumatizing three hours he suffered never happened. He didn't know if he wanted to laugh or cry – or both.

A few minutes later, Anaelle arrived and paused on the steps. A tear glistened in her eye before she came over and hugged him. Lars froze, uncertain what to do. Anaelle was the least affectionate person in their unit.

"I'm glad that you're awake and alive, Captain. You had us all worried," she said, pulling back with a smile.

Lars was eager for answers. "I need an explanation right now, Anaelle."

"I take it you are referring to Eira's blood. Well, it was the only way to save your life and it worked. Miraculously. I've never seen or heard of anything like that before."

"And you decided to experiment on me?"

"I assure you; it was no experiment. Eira tested it herself before she called for my help."

That didn't sound any better to Lars's ears. "What was she doing here?"

"She insisted on seeing you, Captain. Short off drugging her, we couldn't have stopped her even if we wanted to." Her expression softened. "But I think you already know that."

He grimaced. Anaelle wasn't wrong on that point. "How is she?"

By the concern in his voice, Anaelle knew Lars was a hopeless case. "She's fine. You should be more worried about your own health and body."

"I'll live. Eira is important to me."

"My goodness, Captain." Anaelle proceeded to change the blood bag. "Has her blood altered your personality? Because you were never that vocal with your emotions."

Frown lines creased his forehead.

Anaelle's smile grew wider. "Relax, Captain. It was a joke. It's good that you're being more vocal about how you feel."

Lars refused to entertain her nonsense. "How long was I out?"

"Three days. But it only took one night for your back to heal."

He blinked in disbelief. "One night?"

"Yes, Captain. One night."

Lars shouldn't have been surprised. He had witnessed Eira's severed arm regenerate after a few days. "Have you examined the clawtail cub and Eira?"

"I'm working on it, and I'll have conclusive results soon."

"Good."

"Captain, may I ask why are we hiding Eira in the basement? It seems there is no need for it."

"Have you seen them glowing?"

She cocked her head to one side. "I beg your pardon. Glowing?"

He nodded. "When I found them, they were glowing. I'm afraid if it happens by accident, it will put Eira and our unit in danger."

"That is true." Anaelle contemplated his words. "Then, I'll be sure to look into what triggers the glow."

"Thank you, Anaelle."

"It's what I do, Captain." She started packing her things. "Oh, Eira's been asking about you. Would you like her to come visit you?"

"No." His abrupt answer astonished her.

"May I ask why not? She's worried about you."

"I need some…time." Was all he was willing to say.

Anaelle realized this was a problem between the couple. "Alright, then. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave. You are not permitted to move from this bed unless you need to use the facilities. Otherwise, until this new blood bag finishes you will stay put."

When he levelled her a hard stare, she braced her hands on her waist. "I am serious, Captain. The championship starts today, and you need to get back on your feet if you're going to show the Lieutenant General that you're unbeatable."

"How did you—"

She wore a sheepish look. "Florian mentioned it along the lines, and I went to see First Lieutenant Strauss after we carried you back from the vault. Captain…you were in really bad shape. From a medical perspective, you would have died if Eira hadn't saved your life." She glanced into conflicted amber eyes. "I just thought you should know."

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Five days later…

"He's not coming, Anaelle." Eira sulked, absent-mindedly tugging on the clawtail's tiny, rounded ears. "He must still be mad at me."

"Don't worry, he'll come around," Anaelle reassured, feeling a twinge of guilt for hiding the fact that Lars always came to see Eira after she had fallen asleep. And Anaelle was the unwilling accomplice. Damn the Captain for thrusting her into this difficult position just when she had recently patched up with Eira. That morning after she left Lars's quarters, she found Eira bonding with the clawtail in the basement.

"Eira, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure, I'm listening."

"It's about what I said the other day. I want to apologize," Anaelle paused, fidgeting uncomfortably. "I meant every word but the last sentence."

Green eyes lifted to meet hers. "If you were willing to accept my apology, then I won't hesitate to accept yours. I won't lie, your words hurt me. I didn't realize that in your eyes, I was only worth that much."

"I am sorry," Anaelle repeated earnestly. "Making you feel insignificant was never my intent. I know better than anyone how that feels. I have lived with it my whole life before I enrolled into Ataxia. I come from a patriarchal family who only favours sons and male heirs. My parents are Eilerisian nobility, and I despise them to the very core of my bones. They made my life a living hell and once I even fantasized about murdering them in their sleep."

Eira was stunned. Oh, she believed that Anaelle came from good breeding, it was apparent in her mannerisms and attire – she practically screamed wealth.

No, Eira was more shocked that the doll-like Anaelle was capable of harbouring such dark thoughts. As a child who had received love from her parents, Eira was still swimming in guilt for inadvertently causing their deaths.

"One day, I overheard some men talking about Ataxia's existence and I decided to run away from home and enrolled into the kill hunter program. I joined the research and development division but, it wasn't easy. Politics had sunk its claws deep into the heart of Ataxia, and my beloved dream of being a scientist became a mockery when hard work could easily be bought, and the names of honourable researchers besmirched by petty rivalry." Anaelle shuddered at the awful memories. "The Captain found me when I accidentally blew up the training lab."

Eira smiled at the notion, wondering what kind of expression Lars had pulled.

"I was on the verge of depression and stupidly contemplated suicide instead of going back home with my tail tucked between my legs. All I ever want is to be recognized for my efforts, not as a woman but as a human being."

"And Lars offered you that chance?"

"Yes. He said that he's recruiting an in-unit researcher and he was willing to provide me with everything I need for my personal lab. I could do whatever I want on the side-line, as long as I never neglect a given task. Naturally, I grabbed onto the chance like a lifeline. It's no sob story but, I am grateful for the Captain's faith in me. I wouldn't be who I am today if it weren't for him."

Eira was beginning to understand how deeply this unit treasured Lars. Most of their members weren't here because they wanted to but because they had nowhere else to go. Unit six could be perceived as a gathering of outcasts but, it was also a home for individuals of varying backgrounds who were accepted for who they were.

"Thank you for confiding in me." Eira contemplated her words carefully. "I realize that I had placed unnecessary hopes on a friendship that was all too new. My unrealistic expectations would burden anyone, and I ended up disappointing myself." Green eyes locked with blue. "I want us to start over again and this time, I'll give you reasons never to doubt me again."

Anaelle's lips trembled, and she spun around, pretending to arrange her shelves. "You're too nice, Eira."

Eira's laughter echoed in the small space. "Qakk. Well, I don't like it when we fight and I'd rather we talk out our issues than to let it fester inside. I've never had a true girlfriend, and I'd like it very much for you to be mine."

"You're also too bold."

Anaelle startled when Eira popped up beside her with sparkling determination in her eyes. "But it's true, isn't it? I wasn't the only one who felt the same way?"

A blush crept onto Anaelle's face. "N-no, I feel…the same way."

"Ha-ha!" Eira exclaimed, throwing her arms around Anaelle's frigid shoulders. "Loosen up, Anaelle. We're going to be doing more than this in the future. I hope you're ready."