S2 EP-1

Yuka had been taking pains to be cheerful after the night Nyu never came home. Kouta had returned first, sullen and downcast, blood stains spotting his clothes. She had asked what happened, but he refused to talk about it. Later as Yuka prepared a late dinner for him, Nana wandered in. Not only was she sad, her dirty and swollen face was tracked with tears and all she had on was some man's jacket. Nana too kept quiet about what had gone on that night, but Yuka knew something horrible had happened.

Yuka didn't press either of them. In the morning, she let Kouta sleep late. At breakfast, Nana wasn't her cheery self. When Nana realized Kouta wasn't coming, she asked Yuka where he was. Yuka assured her he was just being a sleepy head, then tried to get Nana to eat. This by itself was strange, Nana usually gulped food, happily praising the cook between bites. Mayu also took note of Nana's state, and did her best to cheer Nana up.

Mid-morning Yuka went to see if Kouta was ever going to get up, and found him sitting in his room staring at the music box she'd kept for him. He was still in last night's clothes, his eyes were blood-shot, and his futon had never been laid out. The box played it's haunting melody while Kouta gazed at it hollow-eyed. Apparently he hadn't slept at all.

?Kouta, I'm making breakfast. Come out and eat,? Yuka said sternly to hide her worry.

Kouta looked up blankly to focus on her as if seeing her for the first time. ?Hi Yuka. What did you say??

Yuka thrust her hand down to help him up. ?I said you need to eat something. Now come on, get up!?

Kouta returned his gaze to the music box. ?I'm sorry, I'm not hungry right now,? he said vacantly.

Her heart going out to him, Yuka sat down in front of him. Taking his hands, she asked softly, ?What happened yesterday??

Still staring at the music box, Kouta whispered, ?I remembered ... everything.?

?The festival?? Yuka asked hopefully.

Kouta nodded, ?Yes, and the beach, going into the mountains to draw, the zoo, the train, everything,? he said softly. He sniffed and a tear rolled down his cheek.

Holding his hands that held the music box, Yuka said, ?You remember your family getting killed? I'm so sorry, Kouta! What can I do to make it better??

?Nothing,? Kouta said, choking on his words. ?I just need to be alone for a while.?

?Kouta, did you see who killed your family?? Yuka asked. Maybe if he could identify the murderer, it would help him put the events into the past.

?I saw.?

?Kouta, you have to go to the police!?

The music box wound down. Kouta wound it back up. ?No police,? he said firmly.

?But why not? You want them to get away with it?? she cried, flinging an arm in the air.

Kouta cast her a hurt look, then returned his gaze to the music box. ?Please, I need to be alone for a while.?

Words were not going to help, so Yuka put her arms around him and hugged him tenderly. Five second later, Kouta burst into tears.

Kouta cried for a while. Once he settled down into sniffles, he kissed Yuka's cheek and said, ?Thank you. I'll be out for lunch, I promise. I just need a little bit longer.?

Petting his cheek, Yuka said, ?I'll come get you.? She got up and went to the door. Turning back, she saw Kouta still gazing at the music box. Noting a smear of blood on his shirt, she thought about why Kouta didn't want to go to the police if he knew who the killer was. He hadn't taken revenge on his own, had he? Yuka didn't think Kouta was that kind of guy. If he had, then it would make sense that he didn't want to police to know.

Walking to the kitchen as she pondered this question, Yuka heard Nana and Mayu talking outside as they fed Wanta. She didn't listen on purpose, but perked up when she heard Nana say with a whine, ?Papa got blown up.?

Yuka stopped short. Quietly, she went to the window and listened.

?.. and that girl who wanted to kill you, she's dead too?? Mayu asked.

?Yes, she was Papa's real daughter. She beat up Lucy, Papa picked her up and walked away with her,? Nana said in a sob, ?Papa walked down the road, then they blew up. The man from the facility did it. He was going to shoot me too, but Lucy killed him.?

?You mean Nyu? Where did she go?? Mayu asked.

?She said she wanted me to live here because she couldn't. She walked away, I came home ... to where everyone is,? Nana said sadly.

Yuka put a hand over her mouth and backed away from the window. People blowing up? Cute little Nyu killed someone? What had happened out there? Nana and Kouta looked like they had been through a war when they came home. She remembered all the police and special announcements. Had there indeed been a war going on that Kouta, Nyu and Nana had been caught in the middle of? The bits and pieces she was learning certainly made it look that way. Hearing that Nyu killed someone didn't sound right at all, Nyu was too sweet and innocent to do anything like that. Then again Kouta had come home with bloodstains on his clothes. Whatever it was they went through must have been horrible.

Yuka did the only thing she was able to. She acted as cheerful as possible. Setting the table for lunch, she got Nana to smile, and playfully scolded Kouta for not changing his clothes yet.

Siting by Kouta, Yuka looked right at him and said, ?And I'll get your bath ready. If you need me too, I'll stay with you so you don't fall asleep in the tub and accidentally drown yourself.?

Kouta's eyes went wide. ?Huh?? he asked in shock as he snapped his head to her.

?It would be bad if you fell asleep in the tub,? Mayu chimed in. ?And since it's Yuka, I guess it's OK for her to be in there with you.?

Kouta snapped his head to Mayu, ?But..? he said, as his mind went blank from trying to form a denial.

Yuka blushed so hard her ears turned red. Dropping her head, she mumbled, ?I didn't mean IN the bath.?

Shooting her hand in the air, Nana said, ?I'll do it then! I'll keep Kouta safe in the bath.?

?NO!? Kouta and Yuka cried in horror at the same time.

?I can take a bath by myself,? Kouta said quickly.

Casting Kouta a cute frown, Nana asked, ?Are you sure you won't drown??

?I won't drown,? Kouta said firmly.

?What I meant was, that I'll knock on the door to check on you,? Yuka explained quickly as she felt the heat in her face.

Finishing her lunch quickly, Yuka excused herself and went to get the bath ready. Checking the water temp, Yuka 's mind began wandering. She envisioned herself in the tub with Kouta lying against her, his head nestled between her breasts. Her arms around him, he tilts his head to look up and her, and she gives him a luxurious kiss....

?Yuka, Mayu and I cleaned up the dishes!? Nana announced.

Snapping out of her daydream, Yuka spun her head to see Nana in the doorway. She flushed again from the things she had been thinking. ?Thank you, Nana,? she said sheepishly.

?Yuka, are you ill? Your face has been very red today,? Nana noted as she tipped her head.

Collecting herself, Yuka got up and said, ?I'm fine, Nana. Go tell Kouta the bath is ready. I'm going to hang some laundry. I need some air.?

Yuka made sure she was out by the clothesline before Kouta went near the bath. She feared that if she seen him, she just may ask to bathe with him. She had always loved Kouta, and for how sad he was now, she desperately wanted to comfort him.

There was only one basket of clothes to be hung up, but Yuka took her time, trying to get her pulse to settle. One thing came to her mind, Nana has said that Nyu wasn't coming back. In a way, it was sad. She did like Nyu, but in another way, Nyu would no longer be hanging onto Kouta. That would clear the way for her to become closer to Kouta. It was a guilty feeling, but still, she could not be entirely sad that Nyu was gone. Kouta would be paying more attention to her. Her daydream of them bathing together just may come true.

Kouta's frantic cry of, ?What are you DOING!? rang from inside.

Yuka perked up at the sound of Kouta's voice. Another cry soon answered.

?Yuka was right, you fell asleep and almost drown!? Nana cried back.

?You didn't have to get naked!? Kouta wailed.

?I didn't want to get my clothes wet,? Nana explained loudly.

Yuka ran into the house. Leave it to Kouta to lure Nana into the bath with him!

>>>

Ex Director Kakuzawa looked out of the window of his safe-house. He didn't see anything out of the ordinary on the street, but that didn't mean anything. Any one of the innocent looking people walking along, or from any window of the many houses lining the street could be watching out for him.

The only warning he got about the raid was from listening to the radio coms, waiting to hear word of Lucy's demise. There was talk of helicopters arriving, then silence. Fearing the worst, which he found was the correct thing to do until he knew otherwise, he checked the cameras to find armed soldiers flooding into his facility. Luckily, he beat the attackers to the dock where his personal boat lay tethered. His speed boat carried him away before they realized he'd escaped.

The question was, who were those people? By the uniforms, they were not SAT, nor Japanese military. He had tried to use his credit card to call the Prime Minister's office when he got ashore, but his card didn't work. He called the bank, they seemed very vague on the status of his account. Noticing a police car slowly rolling down the street checking phone booths, he slipped away. The next couple hours he'd spend evading not only police, but black American style cars that looked very out of place. He also noted that the black helicopter that flew overhead wasn't bearing any markings. Very strange for a helicopter gunship.

Kakuzawa needed to contact one of his loyal supporters in the city. By what happened so far, he didn't dare try to call. He'd have to disguise himself, and go there during the afternoon rush hour so he blended in with the crowd. He had to find out if 'they' had gotten to that place also.

He had suffered a major setback to his plans. He would not fail, however, he had many more resources than that one island facility.

>>>

At the kitchen table, Yuka tried to explain to Nana what she had done wrong. Unfortunately, Kouta had locked himself in the bath , so Yuka couldn't give him his well-deserved slap.

?Nana, boys and girls don't bath together,? Yuka said firmly.

?But it was like you said, Kouta was sleeping, and slipping down. I just went in to hold him up so he wouldn't drown,? Nana explained.

?He shouldn't be seeing you naked, not to mention touching you,? Mayu said in a worried tone. Her face also wore the shock of Nana's utter lack of modesty.

Nana frowned and said, ?He already has, so what's wrong with helping him in the bath??

?WHAT!? Yuka cried as her eyes flew wide.

?On the bridge, when ...? leaving that sentence unfinished, Nana said, ?Well, Kouta came and tried to save me. I'd lost all my clothes by then and it was dangerous, but Kouta came anyway.? Sheepishly, she added, ?I just wanted to save Kouta from drowning like he came to save me.?

?Nana, what happened?? Yuka asked softly. Had some pervert, or a gang of perverts attacked her? If Kouta had fought with then, that would explain the blood on his clothes. It was also a more comfortable explanation that she could deal with.

Wincing, Nana shrugged and said, ?I don't know if it's OK to talk about it. But, if I can't be in the bath with Kouta, then you should be. We'd all be really sad if Kouta drowned, wouldn't we??

Yuka's face turned hot again. Looking down, she said, ?I ... I'm sure it's because Kouta is really tired. I shouldn't have pressured him.?

?Nana, I'm sure it was all right that Kouta came to save you when you were naked,? Mayu said timidly, ?But you're not suppose to get naked and get into the bath with him. Let's let Yuka do that.?

Yuka decide to go check on Kouta. She found the bath empty. Kouta was in his room. After she assured him she wasn't going to hit him, he came out. He still looked worn, but with clean clothes and some of the normal craziness that went on from time to time, he seemed more like himself. Letting the bath indecent slide, Yuka returned to her chores. Kouta ended up settling into a chair and gazing out at the trees.

?You set one too many places,? Kouta noted as he watched Yuka set the table.

Casting him a smile, Yuka said, ?She would want to eat too, right?? Even though Nyu wasn't coming back, she wanted to set a place for their absent friend. She somehow felt Kouta would like that also.

?You're right,? Kouta said, returning her smile.

During dinner, Yuka felt like things were getting back to normal. Nana became very happy -to tears- about all of them being together. Knowing something horrible had gone on, Yuka had to agree with her. She was sure if things had been worse, Nana, and maybe Kouta too, would never have come back. At the moment, she happily noted Nana was wolfing food with her usual vigor.

Wanta began barking. Kouta was beginning to learn Wanta's barks, this one meant someone was here. ?We have visitors?? he asked, and got up to go see.

A moment later, the old grandfather clock in the hallway chimed.

?That's strange, did Kouta fix the clock?? Yuka asked absently as she looked toward the sound.
She looked back to see Nana turn the spare bowl right side up, and put the chopsticks beside it. Gulping down another mouthful of food, Nana got up and said, ?I'll go get another cup.?

?Why? Sit and eat,? Yuka said, wondering about Nana's behavior.

Nana stated, ?Lucy's home,? and ran out to get a cup.

Yuka stared at Nana's retreating form. How could Nana know who it was? ?Lucy?? she asked.

?Lucy is Nyu, or something like that,? Mayu explained. Frowning, she added, ?I hope she's not in a bad mood.?

Nana returned with a cup to complete the extra table setting, when Kouta's voice rang out, ?Guess who's back!?

Yuka turned and her jaw dropped. It was Nyu, but somehow she looked different. It wasn't just her now ragged clothes, but something in her face. It was also not lost on her that Kouta had a tight grip on her hand. They weren't just holding hands, their fingers were tightly interlocked. The hair on back of Yuka's neck rose up.

?Welcome home!? Mayu and Nana cried at the same time.

?You have to try the Soumen noodles, they're really good!? Nana added happily.

?Welcome home,? Yuka said, managing not to choke on her words. To avoid a scene, she looked down at her plate.

Yuka noted Kouta sit back down beside her, and felt Lucy take her seat at the end of the table. Yes, there was something different about her.

?What happened to your horns?? Mayu asked.

?I lost them in a fight,? Lucy told her. She nodded to Yuka, saying, ?Thank you for the food.? then began eating.

?The other one too?? Nana asked.

?Soldiers shot it off,? Lucy said matter of factly between bites.

Yuka snapped her head up to gape at Lucy. ?Soldiers, again!??

?They won't be bothering us any longer,? Lucy said. Seeing Kouta eyeing her questioningly, she added, ?I didn't kill anyone else. Some people came and made them go away. It's a long story.?

?That's good,? Kouta said with a sigh of relief.

?You killed someone?? Yuka asked. Nana had mentioned it earlier, but somehow she had a difficult time believing it until Lucy said it herself. She also noted the soft, warm look was gone from her eyes, replaced by what Yuka took as hard eyes that were capable of killing.

?Leave it be,? Kouta said, placing a hand on her arm.

Yuka dropped her hands on the table, balling her hands into fists. In a cry of frustration she asked, ?Will someone please tell me what happened to you all!?

?Yuka, let's just be glad we're all back together,? Kouta said.

?This time, it's over. Let it go,? Lucy added.

?Yeah, so let's eat Soumen!? Nana piped up.

?Won't anyone tell me something?? Yuka pleaded.

Lucy eyed her then said, ?All right. Tomorrow or the next day, Yuma Nayoko is coming by to talk to Nana about when she was held in the facility. She is also going to bring papers for Kouta, so he can have ...? forgetting exactly what Nayoko said, she simply said, ?So Nana and I will belong to Kouta.?

?Like when Kouta adopted me?? Mayu asked.

?She didn't say 'adopted', but yes, I think that is close.?

Maybe the way she said it or the look in her eye, but Yuka didn't like the idea of Lucy 'belonging' to Kouta. ?Was it a guardianship, maybe?? she asked.

?That's right, a guardianship,? Lucy agreed.

Mayu grabbed Nana's arm and said, ?Kouta will be your new father. We're going to be sisters!?

?Hurray!? Nana cried. ?I always thought of you as a sister, Mayu.?

Yuka ate, listening to how happy Nana and Mayu were to officially become sisters. With Kouta on one side of her, and the girl now called Lucy on the other side, she felt like she was a wedge in between them. In her mind, she saw their tightly clasped hands. Something horrible had happened yesterday. Whatever it was had driven them together in a way she might never understand, or be able to compete with.

As dinner ended, Yuka absorbed herself in cleaning up to avoid thinking about it. Lucy followed Yuka into the kitchen, bringing the remaining dishes.

?I'll help you, if you show me what to do,? Lucy said.

?We'll help too!? Nana said as she and Mayu came in.

Lucy cast Nana a stern gaze. ?I want to talk to Yuka. By ourselves.?

The door swung open again, and Kouta came in holding a bag. ?I'll help,? he announced. He then looked at Nana and Mayu and said, ?Ummm, you girls go relax. We can handle it.?

Nana and Mayu left.

Yuka felt her heart drop out of her chest. Seeing their clasped hands in her mind, she had a very good idea of what they wanted to talk to her about. Gripping the edge of the sink, she forced herself not to cry. ?I'm no longer needed here, am I?? she asked quietly.

?Why do you say that?? Kouta asked, confused.

?Nonsense,? Lucy stated. ?Kouta, please go relax too.?

?Ummm, I won't be a bother,? Kouta said, scrunching up his face as he scrubbed his hair.

?Yuka will be fine, go relax,? Lucy said.

Kouta stumbled to the side clumsily as if someone was pushing him. He caught his balance. ?Yeah, OK, OK, call if you need me,? he said nervously. He left, making sure the door was shut.

Yuka shook her head at Kouta's clumsiness. ?This is about Kouta, isn't it?? she asked.

?It's about you and me,? Lucy corrected. Seeing Yuka fill the sink with water, Lucy moved over to stand by her. ?It is no secret we both like Kouta, ever since we were children.?

Yuka gave a non-commital nod. ?I've known Kouta my whole life. I do like him a lot. I guess you do also.? Here it comes, Yuka thought, Lucy was going to explain how in love she and Kouta were.

As if speaking to herself, Lucy said, ?The only good days I have ever had, have been with Kouta. I know he has been through hell, much of it is my fault. I wasn't sure about coming back, but Nayoko talked me into it. I like this family and I want to be part of it. I just wanted to make one thing clear between us. Kouta gets what Kouta wants.?

?Lucy..? Yuka said softly, surprised by her words.

Eyeing Yuka with her now stern look, Lucy said, ?He deserves to be happy. I would like you to help me make him happy. I am sorry about punching you on the stairs the day you and Kouta were out looking for me. I was jealous because you were with him, and I believed I couldn't be.?

Yuka remembered that day. ?You punched me? But ... how? You were nowhere near me.?

?What goes in the water first?? Lucy asked as she eyed the pile of dishes.

?Cups and bowls.?

?Watch.?

Yuka expected Lucy to do some fancy martial arts move. Lucy didn't move, but the cups did. They rose up and put themselves in the water, followed by the bowls.

?I don't have to touch things to move or hit them,? Lucy explained. ?When the soldiers shot at Kouta, I stopped their bullets ... then I made them pay with their lives.?

Yuka gapped at the girl she thought she knew.

Lucy went on. ?It was wrong of me to hurt someone in this family. Please forgive me.?

?Yes, of course,? Yuka said weakly. ?How many soldiers were there??

?I didn't bother to count them all,? Lucy said flatly.

?They shot your horns off,? Yuka concluded.

?One, the other I lost fighting a girl like myself,? Lucy said as she watched the last bowl go into the water. She then looked at Yuka. ?That is over now. What concerns me, is both of us working for Kouta's happiness.?

?You really do love him.?

?As do you. Or am I wrong about that??

Yuka didn't know what to make of this conversation, blatantly talking about how they felt about Kouta. ?I have always wanted Kouta to be happy. I'd do anything for him,? she admitted.

?As would I.?

?But ... we both can't have him,? Yuka said, exasperated.

?Kouta gets what Kouta wants,? Lucy said again, stressing 'Kouta'. ?Will that be all right with you??

?And if Kouta wants me?? Yuka asked, half fearing she would find out just how Lucy had killed those soldiers.

?Then Kouta gets what he wants,? Lucy said again. Looking down at the sink, she asked, ?What's next??