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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2011 16:59:41 GMT -5
Mitsuko ran back and hugged Zero once again. She was happy that Zero heard her and listened to her words as he always did, instead of dismissing them. She wasn't expecting him to keep his anger in check right away, all she asked was for him to try.
"Good. And don't worry I will tell you everything you want to know and need to know without any hesitation. If you have any questions just ask me. I'll answer you to the best of my ability. I need to talk to you but first... I have to run back to the inn for a few minutes there is something else I have for you. I'll be right back. Eve please keep watch over these two okay?"
With that said the angel exited the HQ building and flew back to the Alamo Inn in which she ran up the stairs once she was inside, and in her room, she found a big shoe box that was hidden away in her closet. On top of the box there was a note that she had written years ago saying: For Zero.
Since the day Zero had left/ disappeared Mitsuko had gathered all of his toys, stuffed animals, and even the blanket that he had slept in when he was recovering (she washed it though) was all packed nicely. The angel had spent the time maintaining all of his things since she knew she would see him again.
Other things that were included were various finger paintings that Mitsuko and Zero did together since she felt that it was good for the 8 year old to develop his fine motor skills and to also just have fun, and to realize what having fun meant. All the 8 year old child knew was his pain and the mistreatment that he had been through. All of these child hood memories was proof to him that there was a good side to life. Part of being a child is just that: to enjoy your child hood.
When Zero disappeared so suddenly Mitsuko felt like he didn't want to be with her anymore and to stay with her any longer. But she soon realized that wasn't the case. She knew that he had made a promise to himself. She was his guardian angel and his best friend, even if he didn't mention it to her in the present she knew.
She was however glad that they found each other as grown adults. Now they can enjoy their lives as best friends for an even longer time. And that was the greatest gift of all.
Afterward Mitsuko carried the box back to HQ and placed it on the lone table, and went to make some tea, and a few cookies just as she said before Zero and her had heart to heart about all the things that Mitsuko wanted him to know, in addition to what he needed to know.
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Post by NPC: Male on Jun 28, 2011 18:25:58 GMT -5
Jean shook his head but smiled at Zero's apology.
"No don't worry about it Zero, I know you broke down that door since you knew your best friend was in peril, I really don't mind covering the cost of it, because you had REASON. As for your other explosions well... I'm thinking we should get you your own recreational room so whenever your angry you can channel it in such a way that the poor furniture and other things don't have to suffer. Once we get some more funds that is."
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Post by NPC: Female on Jun 28, 2011 18:31:32 GMT -5
Eve turned her attention to Hunter after Mitsuko left the room to go back to the Alamo Inn for a moment.
"We don't trust you in that department since look at that angel. She's so tiny, pretty, innocent, kind, and I know you got taken in by her sweet scent. But know that she always smells nice since she has proper hygiene and is a girl, so one day you will have to withstand it. I mean don't you have some sort of manliness somewhere?"
Eve chuckled.
"Anyway chief I am going to go read a good book, I have this wonderful story that I am reading, and I haven't gotten a chance to finish it because of all the craziness that has taken place during these last few weeks."
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Post by NPC: Male on Jul 2, 2011 4:02:44 GMT -5
Hunter glared at Eve's piercing comments, "..What..on Earth are you talking about??" He swore, no matter how much of a ladies man he declared himself to be, he can never understand women and their babblings.
Not getting Eve's point, or chosing to be stupid, Hunter replied, "Well, of course I have my manliness, I'm a MAN, if you don't noticed?" He pointed to his flat chest. Whether he gets it or he chose to be clueless is a mystery.
"Yeah, well. I'm gonna take a nap, my arm's still feeling sore..." They did just came back from a bounty hunt, so Hunter went to his bed and shortly fell asleep from fatigue.
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Zero
Citizen
Frosty on the outside, that is.
Posts: 354
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Post by Zero on Jul 2, 2011 4:04:55 GMT -5
And there she goes off again after that last hug. Zero scratched his head and wondered, what exactly is important enough for Miki to literally leave him alone and so confused like this...and when the topic of her father actually came to notice.
At the thought of that old man, Zero's eyes twitched again. He can feel his anger surging up fast, and the urge to destroy returns with a rush. In quick thought, the young bounty hunter grabbed his thin comforter, wrapped it around his right fist, and forcefully punched his pillow while grinding his teeth.
It doesn't feel as satisfying as punching a solid object and seeing it break, but he really doesn't want to trouble the chief. If only trees would grow inside his room, then he has no trouble at all letting out all that rage.
After he feels slightly better, he walks up to Jean and heard his suggestion of building a recreational room, "No, chief, it's fine. I just... I just have to get out fast enough when I'm angry and find myself a tree or something..." His eyes traveled to the window, wondering if he might use it to jump out when he's enraged, and immediately get to a tree.
Since he's only slightly calmed down, he decided to take a short nap for when Miki returned. He laid down on his bed for a while and slumbered for a good 20 minutes or more.
After he woke up, he went straight to the bathroom, washes his face, slides down the stairs and headed to the kitchen to get some water. Surprisingly, he spotted Miki there, baking cookies. He spotted a shoe box on the small dinner table there.
"......Uh.. Hi again..? Wait, when did you get here?"
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2011 9:01:25 GMT -5
She smiled as she put the cookies finally in the oven, and cleaned up her mess, and then shortly after Zero speaking to her in a surprised tone. Mitsuko turned around facing him and responded.
"hahaha! I flew. So it only takes me a few minutes to get to Alamo Inn and back here by flight. If I walked I wouldn't have been back here so fast. Considering that I really need to talk to you and to give you something which I'm sure you'll enjoy very much, I knew I had to fly and come back as soon as possible. Not to mention.... There are some.... you know people that are rude and crude, I didn't want to be walking and then all of a sudden I get attacked, especially since I haven't started training yet. So I took all precautions possible and decided to fly instead high in the sky, where it is a bit safer."
She then put water in a kettle for it to boil for the tea and set it on the stove. When it starts whistling she will attend to it, and will finish making the tea. Mitsuko sat down at the dinner table patiently collecting all of her thoughts and when she felt ready to at least begin part of her story to Zero, while she was waiting for the kettle.
Mitsuko decided that she would give Zero his box once he had heard her story that way he can process the information, but also have a child hood memory. She cared for her best friend very much, so calming him down was the best way for him to keep in check, especially after she tells him everything, about her powers, her dad, and what he can do to her.
She gently pulled out a chair for Zero to sit next to her and when he did, and began looking at her with those serious eyes of his, that was her cue to start talking.
She didn't know how to begin, so she did it in a creative way.
"Once upon a time, in a lone wooden house lived a beautiful little girl and her older brother, father and mother. The little girl had thought that she had a good child hood because of her mother. Her mother showered her with great love an affection as did her brother Jake. It was so grand that she didn't even notice her dad not paying any attention to her, or the way he looked at her like a bug that must be squashed quickly..."
Before she could continue the kettle started whistling but one of the other bounty hunters noticed that Zero and Mitsuko were having an important conversation, and they knew that each conversation that he has with his best friend is very important to Zero , so he wouldn't let Miki out of his sight for two seconds so the other bounty hunter took the kettle off the stove for them.
"Unfortunately this was no fairy tale..."
"Amongst the happiness that the little girl had shared with her Brother and mother there was a darkness that loomed over this house. But that darkness only made itself apparent at night. The little girl's father was an alcoholic and with alcoholism comes abuse. And a lot of it took place behind closed doors. Along with the abuse there was infidelity which means cheating on your spouse. That's how Kankorou was conceived and how we have different mom's but same dad."
"Though the children's mother decided that it was finally time to leave their father for the sake of two innocent children. Mother knew there would be a moment where dad wouldn't be watching. So she took that chance and escaped. We started a new life and it was happy until one rainy evening... he found us and attacked us. My brother defended my mom, while she held me. My dad went on about the angel's power and that it can be used to heal or destroy others.... he was leaning towards the destructive use of the power. "
"My mom in saving me used up her life to save me when she gave me her power. Seeing what happened My father kidnapped me.And you know the rest."
"If my father finds me, I will be in deep trouble. I have another form. but that only happened when my soul was stuck between worlds. Heaven and life. In this form I have new powers, a sword user being one. if he finds me and plays on my heart for his own gain such as feeding me lies.... and me losing myself and who I love.... My heart will stop beating, and my powers.... will be in his hands. My powers are to help people not destroy them. It is to heal... Help people become stronger."
"I know he's cooking up something... But I want you to know this.. I promise you I will fight I shall over come this. With your help. With your protection and your belief in me. That;s how I am able to get through just about anything. I always wished for someone that I could have a close friendship with. Heaven gave me you."
"I know to him I am just a mistake that happened so he considers me a tool... But to you and the rest I am a friend that is there for them."
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Post by NPC: Male on Jul 2, 2011 9:34:45 GMT -5
"So that's why you show a lot of affection because you have been through so much pain Mitsuko. I hope you don't mind but I eavesdropped since you all are my children in a sense, since we are one big bounty hunter family it's important for me to know what each bounty hunter goes through so I can expand my knowledge and find ways to help them in any way possible. I understand why Hunter said that you should focus on fixing the family issues before you train with him. He doesn't want you to be distracted while training."
"But since you told Zero the beginning part of the story since he only knew why you had god parents when he met you, but he never knew from the beginning. You just told him bits and pieces since you were focusing on his recovery as a child. How I know this... is because you are easy to read Miki. You couldn't bring such a dark past story to an 8 year old child... You knew that it would be a burden to him, so you waited until now to tell him where he is now 18 years old and has a lot more sense."
"It's like a movie. in order to understand it you must watch it from the beginning straight through. Don't worry Miki now that Zero knows and I know we will assist you, even though you will most likely tell Zero to not put himself in danger because of you, he will anyway, that's how much he cares for you he'll instantly leap to your aid."
"We have got your back Miki.. Don't worry. You have a lot of love for others and that is a special gift you can give to anyone. One would think that because of your pain you would go into a deep depression but instead it did the complete opposite. It allowed you to provide love for others who didn't recive any or lacked it. Because you know what it's like to feel what they feel. Zero son, you are her twin."
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Zero
Citizen
Frosty on the outside, that is.
Posts: 354
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Post by Zero on Jul 7, 2011 7:48:20 GMT -5
'So, this is it, huh?' Zero mentally asked himself while stuffing his hands in his pockets. The moment when he could finally understand the whole truth behind Mitsuko's past. It slightly bothered him that he knew nothing of her background, he could just make up theories and guesses, but never the truth.
Since it's such a sensitive topic, he didn't know how to ask properly.
He watched her attending the kettle, before inviting him to sit with her. Zero held a blank face, basically because he's preparing his mind to accept whatever's coming. He might get angry, he might get more worried, he might just explode, Zero can never control what he feels.
Then again, he has to accept whatever Miki's about to tell, and whatever he feels is just an automatic response. There's nothing really wrong about it, so Zero strides his way to the chair and sat beside her. He's ready for anything, anyway.
Finally, she started.
Zero listened intently, eyes as serious as he is determined to know what happened. It hadn't even reached 5 minutes that the kettle disrupted his focus. If he has his gun now, he would've shot the kettle out of pure shock and reflex. Thankfully, one of Hunter's buddies was in the area and was nice enough to take care of the screaming kettle.
As Miki continued, Zero's eyebrows started to twitch. Abused, he should've known. One of his earliest mission when he first became a bounty hunter was to accompany a woman inside a safehouse. The woman noticed how young Zero was, and constantly kept asking him to take care of himself. Later on, Zero learns that her only child died of the father's abusive tendencies.
Zero closed his eyes, that's the only way Zero can listen to Miki without her detecting a sudden malicious aura from the gaze of his eyes. Just listening of children being abused is like pouring oil on an already blazing flame of Zero's restrained wrath. He truly despises those who takes advantage on the weaker souls.
'How can an angel could possibly be destructive?' Was the first question popping out in Zero's mind. 'And how can a simple human being such as that bastard knows such a thing?' Internally, his inquisitive nature takes it place, but Zero remained silent until Miki completely finishes her story.
The bounty hunter opened his eyes when a new piece of information was delivered to him; of Mitsuko's 'other form'. He stared at her unbelievably, this is a side of the story he never really knows until now.
"Why didn't you tell me about these earlier..? When I was at your house, 10 years ago? I would never leave you alone if I knew the real situation, I could even help--" Zero didn't get the chance to finish when Jean suddenly made himself apparent at the kitchen door.
So the bounty hunter silenced himself down, staring at the kettle in the distance with a frown. He listened though, especially when the chief commented that Miki didn't bring up the topic when he was a child because he was so young.
Slowly, he looked back at Miki, frown still present on his face, but a lot less angry now. Even if he wished he could do more for her back then, he can't deny that he was too small and helpless. Perhaps those thieves who abducted him before did a good thing.
"Miki.... ..I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you," Zero avoided to look straight at her as he said so, "..But maybe I wasn't meant to be there at that time." Slowly, he began to accept what happened, and tries to stop himself from blaming others and himself for it.
Another step up for his self-esteem.
"Chief," Zero then turned to Jean at the kitchen door, "If... If you got a call from him, please tell him I said thanks." He was sure Jean knows what he meant. By 'him', Zero meant the man who kidnapped him, who shot his arm, who gave him his first pistol, and the one who gave him the red necktie he's wearing now.
Zero never knew his real name, everyone basically called him Faun. He rarely appears in the HQ though, he's quite a mysterious man, so to say. All these while, Zero has hated that man, but now...well, let's just say Zero has found another man to hate even more; Miki's father.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2011 10:03:38 GMT -5
Jean hit the nail on the head. That is exactly why Mitsuko didn't tell Zero the whole story when he was a little boy. A little child deserves lots of happiness not more burden. Mitsuko wanted Zero to only know good things and the good side to life, not pain and despair. if he knew all of her story way too soon, Mitsuko knew that he wouldn't be able to heal properly, since he would constantly be worried for her, and worried about her.
The angel didn't blame Zero for leaving her or was angry about it. She could never be angry or disappointed in Zero. If he didn't make that silent promise, he wouldn't have experienced things to make himself stronger, even if his past is just as bad as Miki's he got stronger because of it, and when he was strong enough he came back and he found her.
When Zero turned to Jean and said his thank you even she knew what he meant. Even though Zero was mistreated, he learned to use a gun, and defend himself. And because of that skill, Zero used it to become a bounty hunter and protect those that are innocent. Mitsuko was proud of the man Zero was becoming.
"Now you are meant to be here for me. Now that you are older I know you have much more understanding and while it was hard for me to tell you the beginning of my story but now I feel so much better that I told you now. I know I will be just fine. Because I have my best friend back."
"You did make that silent promise to leave after some time, but I made a promise too. To continue in taking care of you, to be your best friend forever. Whether physically or with my own spirit, I'll always protect you."
With that said Mitsuko hugged Zero gently and just held him. It was hard for her to tell her story but she was glad that he listened.
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Post by NPC: Male on Jul 7, 2011 10:38:19 GMT -5
"I will deliver that message Zero. Even though you wished you could have stayed with Miki those people that did hurt you did you a favor, look at all the things you learned, you should never dismiss those things. We can't turn back time, but we can continue in going forward. Miki is going to get through this because she has someone very special. You. This WHOLE HQ is your family now Miki. We will never turn our backs on you."
Jean then took Mitsuko's hand, and then he took Zero's hand and put their hands in each others, so they were now holding onto the hands that both took care of the other at some point.
"You see how your hands are almost a perfect fit? Even though Zero's hands are a little biggest than Miki's it just means growth, it's a symbol that even though things are so seemingly perfect, its not, and there is always room for change, growth, and learning."
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Zero
Citizen
Frosty on the outside, that is.
Posts: 354
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Post by Zero on Jul 7, 2011 22:38:10 GMT -5
Zero simply nodded at her with a small smile on his face, "Thank you for telling me this." He really has nothing else to say, there was a complicated mix of emotions within him now, so the only thing he thought would be appropriate to say is to thank her for going through this talk. He can tell how difficult it is to really do so.
At the mentioning of his earlier promise, Zero winced a bit. Every time he thought of that, he would automatically blame himself, but just a few moments ago, he learns to accept everything that has happened, so Zero just let the blame go. In fact, he was happy to hear Miki's version of the promise.
So when the angel hugged him, Zero complied and raised his good arm, the one that isn't weak, and patted Miki from behind. "I appreciate that. I appreciate everything you ever did to me. For that, I owe you my all," zero released Miki just to look at her in the eyes and say that.
After that, the chief came by to take a hold of both of their hands, and linked them together. Zero could see how much he's grown by the difference in size of his palm and Miki's, so he took Jean's advice to heart.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2011 23:33:48 GMT -5
It was indeed a hard talk, it wasn't easy but sooner or later she would have to tell Zero exactly of what was going on with her. Because if he didn't know her past how can he properly support her? She knew everything about Zero, but due to circumstances at the time 10 years ago she couldn't say anything, it wouldn't be fair to him.
She knew what he was feeling on the inside. As she hugged him, and as their palms connected with each others because of Jean's inside look on their friendship and bond, she just felt his emotions. Anger, sadness. despair, the feeling of wanting to turn back the clock and just change things and be with her for a long long time, and protect her even though he was so little.
When he was little she used to read him stories, and when she read to him the book Cinderella, she remembered his blue eyes look at the large pumpkin in amazement, how something such as that can become magical and become someone's carriage. She knew that Zero couldn't read the words on the page so she helped him sound out the word since he was so intrigued by it. And when he finally got the word perfectly, from that day forward she nicknamed him as pumpkin.
"Oh my pumpkin.... you don't owe me anything. I do things from my heart. It isn't for my reputation, but because I wanted to take care of you. YOU were that part of me that was missing. That missing link. And even though my family is broken and have no parents anymore since my god parents passed, I'll never stop watching over you Zero."
Even when you can stand on your own, take what I taught you, and possibly make a family of your own if that is what you truly wish and you will.... Be that fatherly figure every child deserves. I know you will do anything to make your family happy. I know in your heart.. with all that pain you endured with the abuse it makes you angry, but start focusing on what makes you happy. You deserve your bliss too. No one has the right to take that away from you."
"The people that harmed you, abandoned you may have taken away a lot from you, but you know what they didn't take away from you Zero? Your beautiful soul. It maybe troubled a little bit still but... It's still beautiful. I'm going to be standing up to my dad, but I know things will be okay."
"I miss my mom very much, but she wouldn't want me to be sad she would want me to keep going. That is my greatest wish for you too. to always try and find your happiness when things get tough for you. Never underestimate yourself."
She gently cupped his face with her hands and just embraced him with her gentle touch once more. Then finally eve came... Well that's after she screamed that is.
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Post by NPC: Female on Jul 7, 2011 23:41:42 GMT -5
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! WHY didn't anyone tell me what time it is?! I have to run to the grocery store since it is my turn to cook for everybody, but.. Part of me wants to stay home and relax with Miki. I'm the only one that hasn't spent time with her yet! SEE this is what happens when a story grips you by the heart strings!"
Eve freaked out and ran down the stairs, and there he was, the errand boy Zero. Since Hunter was sleeping and she didn't want to go into his stinky room, she had to rely on Zero to fetch what she needed for today's meals.
"Hey Zero! You have to fetch a few things for me at the market. I would ask Hunter but he's sleeping right now.... And as usual the room stinks, and I don't have a mask available to me at the moment so you are my only hope boy. And besides Miki and I need to spend time together."
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Post by NPC: Male on Jul 7, 2011 23:49:31 GMT -5
"Wait just a moment. I believe Miki has something for Zero there in that box. I apologize for Eve's indiscretion for her entering in the middle of a touching moment. Miki you can give Zero the box if you like. It does have his name on it... I saw it, but don't worry I don't know what's in it."
"Didn't anyone ever tell you that you have such beautiful hand writing? It's calligraphy. I guess it's to be expected from an artist huh? If you don't mind can you be so kind to write out my christmas cards this year? You see my handwriting is considered chicken scratch, and messy, and un readable."
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Zero
Citizen
Frosty on the outside, that is.
Posts: 354
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Post by Zero on Jul 9, 2011 22:33:04 GMT -5
Zero felt a tickle when he heard that old nickname from her lips, he tries not to chuckle out since it kinds of sounds ridiculous and embarrassing for him to be called out like that even now, but there's a relieving feeling inside him also, for she remember that too.
"Peach, Peach, stop. You're going too fast again," he made a motion with his arms as if he's stopping a speeding car towards him, "Right now, marriage doesn't even cross my mind, let alone fathering some kid. ..And I'm working on my issues, don't be so concerned. At least try to."
Zero was literally smiling as he said that, he really missed this worried side of her, no matter how old he grows. He gets excited actually, from simply knowing that someone cares about him that much to even have time to be concerned about him.
"And about you dad, you're not frickin' standing alone, I won't let you. Even though it's none of my business, a promise is still a promise, and that's to take care of you and protect you," his eyes are back to that deathly determined gaze again, it's almost like there's a blue fire in his eyes.
He was silent when he was asked to never underestimate himself, and stayed like that when the angel cupped his face.
'That...is going to be harder, Miki..'
Then of course someone stumbled in creating a racket. This is the HQ after all, a moment of peace cannot stay for more than half an hour. The blaze in his eyes was the directed towards Eve with such intensity, it's as if he could melt Eve using sheer willpower.
"OH, it's your job and you're dumping 'em on others. What kind of wife would you be in the future, huh? Your poor poor POOR husband..." Zero mocked, seriously cannot stand that people kept pulling Miki away from him like this.
When chief mentioned the box, Zero directed his gaze back towards the table and stared at the item. Since he can't read his own name because usually Hunter handles all the paperwork so Zero never got the chance to even memorize how his name spelled like, it escaped his memory of what Miki said back then before she left, about a gift.
"Huh?" He pushed himself on his toes, glancing sideways at the lone box there. "Is it something important? Did I dropped something in your room a few weeks ago?"
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