The Mellow Corridor(Violence/Language/Blood)

Chapter 1

Four Months Later

Leticia smiled slightly as she ran her final checks on the android, she was going to make sure that Yoshiro was born before she finally succumbed to her illness. She heard a noise at the door and looked to see a young kitsune woman walk in, "I assume that you're Aiko." Aiko nodded slightly, "Balthoron brought me here." Leticia sighed, "Oh great, out of the three kids on Verbana, it has to be Balthoron..." Balthoron walked into the lab with a frown, "Come on Professor, I didn't bang up your lab too much." Leticia looked at him and raised her voice, "It's Doctor Slinde! How would you like if I called you Mr. Miyamae?" Leticia started coughing and Balthoron frowned, "That smell... blood... how long have you been like this?" Leticia sighed, "A couple of months now, Dr. Miyamae..." Balthoron shook his head, "You could've called me, I would've tried to treat your condition."

Leticia smiled softly and stood up from the chair, Balthoron rushed over and tried to restrain her, but she fought against him, "Let me at least see my work activated before I die, Balthoron." Balthoron sighed and let her go, "My father was a roboticist and I'll never understand you people." Leticia sighed, "It's not for you to understand. Now please, Balthoron, what are you here for?" Balthoron sighed, "My oldest sister is on this planet, I need your help to find her." Leticia shook her head, "I promised her that I wouldn't give away her location. Your mother hates the fact that you kids are all scattered and don't really like each other anymore. But she also respects Harumi's decision. You're not getting any intel, you'll have to find her on your own if you really want to see her that badly." Balthoron sighed, "Fine, but are you sure you don't want anything to help with the... you know..."

Leticia shook her head as she hit a switch, which finally powered on the android's reactor, "Balthoron, go on ahead and leave here. Ask around other places, I have one last promise to fulfill." Balthoron shrugged and walked out of the lab as Yoshiro opened his eyes for the first time. Yoshiro looked around the tube he was in, "I'm... awake. How long has it been since I slipped into a coma, mother?" Leticia smiled, "Several months." Yoshiro placed his hand on the glass and remarked, "It is cold in here. I would like to come out." Aiko looked at him, "So what did Balthoron mean by Roboticist?" Leticia smirked, "I build robots to help people, it's not really an amazing thing. Those cargo loaders you saw when you first landed on the planet were a design by me."

Aiko nodded and looked at Yoshiro, "I was told that you would be my companion for a while." Yoshiro looked at her as the tube finally opened, "I wasn't aware of such a thing, but if that's what you want, then sure. I'd be more than happy to show you around Eltirana, it really is a beautiful world." Aiko nodded and Leticia pulled her aside, "Aiko, I need to talk to you for a few moments in private, alright?" Aiko nodded, "I'm going to go talk with your mother for a bit, alright, I'll be back." Yoshiro nodded, "Okay." Leticia walked to a room and laid on the bed as Aiko followed her in and closed the door. Leticia looked at her, "Yoshiro is a new type of android... he's... the most advanced..." Leticia started coughing, this time blood came up and she sighed.

Leticia looked Aiko in the eyes, "Please, Aiko, do not tell him that he's a machine. He truly believes that he's a living creature, he can eat, drink and do everything that a living creature can, aside from go to the bathroom." Aiko nodded, "Why did you make him this way?" Leticia frowned, "At first, for scientific purpose. But... I'm barren, I was never able to have kids, so I figured this would be my chance to be a mom. I'm glad to see my son come into the world, before I died." Aiko looked at her, "Wait, you mean that stuff you told Balthoron?" Leticia sighed, "If it for the life support implants that I installed, I'd be dead already. Please, go out there and bring my son to me, before I close my eyes for good..." Aiko nodded slightly and walked out of the room, "Excuse me, but your mother would like to talk to you."

Yoshiro walked into the room and saw Leticia on the bed, she looked even weaker than before, "Mother..." Leticia smiled and motioned towards the bed, Yoshiro walked over to it and Aiko frowned slightly as Leticia stroked the fur on Yoshiro's face, "I'm sorry that I wasn't able to revive you under better circumstances. However, I'm glad to see you finally awake from your coma." Yoshiro looked at her, "Mother, are you going to... die?" Leticia smiled softly as she heard sadness in his voice, she was happy that her scientific research had paid off in the end, even if it was the end of her own life, "Yes, my son. But..." She took off her bracelet and placed it around Yoshiro's left wrist, "I will always be with you, my son. No matter what happens. I love you..." Yoshiro closed his eyes, "Mother, please don't go!"

Leticia frowned, "Don't cry, my son... this way, I won't be in any more..." Aiko looked away as Yoshiro started to cry, "Mother..." He placed his hand on Leticia's shoulder and gently shook her, "Mother!?" There wasn't any response and Yoshiro started to cry even harder, "Mother, please, wake up!" Aiko placed her hand on Yoshiro's shoulder, "She'll live on forever in your heart, much like my mentor will. I know what you're going through." Yoshiro looked up at her, "You do?" Aiko nodded, "Yeah... I used to be trained by a clone of the legendary hero... and she was like a second mother to me. She passed away recently, it still hurts, but I promise to do what I can to make your heart hurt less." Yoshiro nodded, "Thank you, but I never got your name... my name is Yoshiro." Aiko offered him her hand, "Aiko Sano." Yoshiro took the hand and smiled softly, "Thank you, Aiko."

Chapter 3

Yoshiro looked out of the window at the sunset, it was almost a perfect metaphor, he had just awakened and his mother had already died. Aiko called out from the kitchen, "Yoshiro, I made some dinner for us." Yoshiro sighed and ignored her, but Aiko walked out and placed her hand on his shoulder, "I know what you're going through, you just lost your mother and you're very depressed." Yoshiro looked at her, "What would you know, I've spent the last few years in a coma... and upon waking up, my mother, who spent all this time trying to revive me, just dies before my very eyes." Aiko nodded and leaned against the wall, she adjusted her hair into a ponytail as she looked out the window, "Look, I'm not going to lie to you, Yoshiro, losing someone is always going to be hard, especially when the timing is like this..."

Yoshiro nodded slightly, "I'm sorry for lashing out at you like that, just... I'm feeling so very upset right now." Aiko nodded slightly, "It's alright, I'll tell you what, you come with me to eat dinner, and I'll go with you out on the town, I'd like to explore Eltirana and get to know the people and culture better." Yoshiro nodded, "We could go to the park, they have a statue of the greatest King of Eltirana there." Aiko nodded, she hid her amazement at the fact that the android before her was showing emotions like an actual flesh and blood person and was remembering things like a flesh and blood person. She couldn't believe that something like this could exist, but she smiled softly, "Alright then, you have a deal. We'll go have dinner and then we'll go to the park, does that sound good to you?"

Yoshiro nodded slightly and followed Aiko into the dining room, where there was a sizable meal prepared before them. Aiko chuckled slightly, "I apologize, just, I'm used to cooking for myself and I don't know how much you eat, so I made all of this." Yoshiro sat down in a chair and made a plate of food for himself. As the two of them ate their food, Yoshiro looked up at the ceiling, "I wonder what kind of man Stephanus was." Aiko spoke up, "He was a very good man, very generous and kind to his people. He always cared for his family and kept begging Erasmus to come back and be part of the family. Ever since his death, Erasmus has been in self-exile, having failed to protect his older brother when the day to do so had come. When training with Yoshiko, Erasmus would tell me stories of this planet, of its people."

Yoshiro nodded slightly, "So that's why you decided to come here to visit?" Aiko nodded slightly, "Yes. I wanted to see it all with my own eyes. But upon getting here, I've come to realize that... I don't know anything about this world or where to go. And you must be lonely, being the only other Verbanan that lives on Eltirana." Yoshiro shook his head, "There are thousands of Verbanans that choose to live here. Most of them are in Verbanan families, but I was an orphan, taken in by an Eltiranan scientist and a renown roboticist who couldn't have any children of her own. I made her happy, and she loved me for being me. I guess... I just feel alone, because I didn't have a family of Verbanans to be with." Aiko nodded slightly, "I understand how you feel... more than you could possibly know."

Yoshiro tilted his head, "How?" Aiko sighed and looked down and she wiped her mouth with a napkin, "My mother is Amaterasu and my father is Raiden." Yoshiro looked at her in disbelief, "You're kidding!?" Aiko shook her head, "My siblings are deities, and I'm the only mortal in my family... there are times that despite all the love that they give me, I can't help but feel like I'm alone out there. I can just imagine this is how my late sister, Minako felt." Aiko looked out of the window and sighed, "Now here I am, on an unfamiliar world, I don't know what's going on or where I'm going. But... I'm making my own choices in life and I've got to live with the consequences of those choices." Yoshiro nodded slightly, "You're the child of two deities from a family of deities, so this makes you feel lonely and being here doesn't help."

Aiko nodded with a slight smile, "That's about the gist of it." Yoshiro nodded, "So you do know how I feel, just, in a different way than I do." Aiko looked out the window, "Looks like the sun went down, I hear that Verbana is in the sky tonight, you still wish to go to the park?" Yoshiro stood up and smiled, "Yes, I do. I would like to get to see your homeworld." Aiko stood up and smiled as the two of them left the dining room and then the house. As the two walked down the sidewalk, Yoshiro pointed at places and explained to Aiko what each of them were and Aiko listened in amazement of the memories that Leticia had put into her android's memory banks. As the two of them finally reached the park, Aiko laid eyes on a statue of a dragon, "So this is Stephanus..."

Yoshiro nodded, "Yes, this is him. He was considered our greatest king and I respect everything that he did for us. Aiko, will you show me where Verbana is?" Aiko laid down in the grass and Yoshiro did the same, "The stars are in slightly different positions than on my homeworld, but that blue dot over there, that's Verbana." Yoshiro nodded slightly as he looked at it, "Verbana is a very pretty shade of blue." Aiko nodded, "You should see it up close, it really is a very beautiful planet and I rather enjoy living there. Though it's a fair bit colder than Eltirana." Yoshiro nodded, "I read that both Verbana and Eltirana exist within the habitable zone of our binary star system. However, the planets are close to the two extremes." Aiko nodded and closed her eyes, "Yeah, this seems like a good place to sleep." Yoshiro nodded, "I'll look at the skies all night, I've slept enough already."

Chapter 5

The sun shined on Aiko's face and she opened her eyes, she saw Yoshiro standing over next to a tree, "Don't stare at the sun for very long, you'll hurt your eyes, especially with the proximity to our binary stars that Eltirana has." Yoshiro turned back and nodded, "The Red Dwarf is especially beautiful as it rises first. Our solar system is an eclipsing binary star system where a M class star revolves around a G class, correct?" Aiko nodded slightly, "It's why there are periods of the year the Red Dwarf doesn't appear in our skies. The winter on Verbana, especially where I live is a great example of this. Come on, we need to get back home, there's a lot we have to get done before..." A voice spoke up behind her, "A lot before what, Kitsune?" Aiko turned around to see a blond haired, blue eyed Ram Tribe Eltiranan standing behind her in regal attire and with guards surrounding her.

Aiko looked towards Yoshiro, "Um... you're the Eltiranan here, can you help me with this?" The Ram Tribe Eltiranan narrowed her eyes and a guard walked over to Aiko, raising his hand, "You do not treat the queen with such disrespect." As the man swung his hand at him, Aiko grabbed it, "Violence isn't necessary." Yoshiro turned to look at the guard, "I would advise against using your other hand against her." Another guard looked at him, "You want to go?" Yoshiro shook his head, "I don't wish to fight at all, I've done too much fighting in my life." The guard that Aiko had blocked decided to ignore Aiko's suggestion and she used the extra momentum to toss him to the ground, "Please, stop this. What is going on?" The Ram Tribe Eltiranan spoke up, "You came with Balthoron, you should know that he brings nothing but trouble where he goes."

Aiko blinked, she wasn't aware that Balthoron had such a reputation on Eltirana, "I mean sure, he's a mercenary and all and he's called the Red Reaper for a reason that I'm not quite sure of..." The woman narrowed her eyes further and her tone became cold, "Balthoron is responsible for the death of my sister. She was killed this morning." Aiko looked at the woman, "That's not possible, Balthoron isn't the kind of person that kills civilians!" The woman looked at her, "Do you even listen to yourself, you admit the man is called the Red Reaper, even if he doesn't directly cause death, it follows him wherever he goes. He cannot run from the legacy he has created during the Galactic War, he cannot even hide from the legacy of his own late father. You're willing to believe that he's a peace loving person? Pathetic."

Yoshiro looked at her, "Your eyes say that you have a heart full of hatred for Balthoron, what else has he done to you?" The woman looked at the android, and spat on the ground, "My parents were killed during the Galactic War because of him." Aiko looked at her, "That's no reason to hate him." The woman looked at Aiko and motioned towards the guards, "Perhaps, but you just assaulted one of my guards. You will be arrested." Aiko looked at her, "He attacked me first." Yoshiro looked at the queen, "You're being highly illogical here, your highness. Just because this woman came with Balthoron, you and your guards are treating her like she's has less worth than the dirt you're standing on right now." The Queen looked at the android, "And what would a Kitsune without any identification know of what this person is worth?"

Aiko took the glove off her right hand and raised her hand into the air, the back of her hand facing the suns. As the rays of light from the two suns reached her hand, the mark started to glow brightly. She then lowered her hand and showed it for the Eltiranans to see, "Enough of this, I am the daughter of Amaterasu Sano, Deity of the Sun. I will not be treated like I'm some animal, if you are willing to have a civil discourse, I will be happy to talk with you." The queen's eyes widened as she knew what her actions would mean, "Very well, you're free to go, but he isn't." Aiko lowered her tone, "You will let him go as well, he did nothing to you or your guards." The Queen was disgusted at this and didn't bother to hide it, "Fine."

Aiko watched as the guards walked away with their queen, Yoshiro sighing slightly, "Hopefully our trip back home won't have people like her." Aiko started to walk away, she was reminded of Xander and she tried to hide her anger at this. Yoshiro took notice, "Aiko, what's wrong?" Aiko looked back, "I'm not in the mood to talk about the asshole she reminds me of." Yoshiro nodded slightly, "Okay, but... is it an ex-boyfriend?" Aiko turned around and glared at Yoshiro, "Never tell me that Xander is my ex-boyfriend, ever again!" Yoshiro nodded slightly, "Very well then, I apologize that I spoke incorrectly about the person's relationship to you." Aiko sighed, "It's fine, I'm sorry for snapping at you like that." Yoshiro nodded, "It was I that was in error. I shouldn't have assumed that you and he were, you know..." Aiko turned around, "Come on."

Yoshiro followed Aiko towards the house, and as Aiko walked, she wondered what Balthoron's legacy was. She knew that he was a mercenary and she knew that he was involved in the Galactic War, but was he truly as evil as that Eltiranan told her? She shook her head slightly, she couldn't believe that Balthoron would target civilians. She had no idea where she'd find him, but she knew she had to. However, she couldn't leave the android behind, she had to take him as well. Aiko sighed a bit as they came to the front door of the house and Yoshiro looked at her, "Is everything alright?" Aiko shook her head, "No." Yoshiro nodded, "It is natural to have doubts when someone challenges everything you know about someone, but don't let it interfere with your work, okay?" Aiko nodded, "Alright, let's get some breakfast and then we can go start exploring Verbana."

Chapter 7

Balthoron sighed as he climbed back into his car, he had been questioned for hours and had to keep himself in check when the media came as he wanted to punch one of the reporters. He started up the car and checked his mirror as he pulled out into the road. He took a road towards a mountain that had a biker bar on it and he sighed as he drove, the better half of the day had already been spent. Suddenly Balthoron saw a shadow go over him, a shadow that he recognized, "Is that Julius? No, it can't be... Aiko stated clearly that she left him behind on Verbana." Balthoron sighed slightly as he continued driving. He wondered how Harumi would treat him, and what Harumi would look like after all of these years. The war didn't hit Eltirana as hard as it had hit Verbana, but it still hit here.

It was evening when he finally reached the mountain and he pulled into a biker bar. He noticed one of the bikers looking at his car as he pulled up. Balthoron took off his seat belt when he watched the biker smash a club into the hood of his car. Balthoron sighed and reached into his glove compartment. As the biker walked around towards his window, he grabbed the gun and deftly switched the safety off. He grabbed the handle with the other hand and as he pulled the gun out, he shoved the door open and pointed it at the man's face, who he noticed was a monkey tribe Eltiranan. The Eltiranan laughed, "That thing isn't loaded, old man." Balthoron pointed it over the Eltiranan's shoulder and fired before centering it back on the man's head, "Loaded, safety's off and believe me, I'm prepared to fire this thing. You wouldn't be the first person I've killed."

The Eltiranan backed off when Balthoron heard Harumi's voice, "Bartolomeo, what did I tell you about starting trouble at my bar." Bartolomeo looked at Harumi, "He started it!" Balthoron switched his safety back on and Bartolomeo decided to try to take this as his advantage. Balthoron snapped his fingers and his hand crackled with electricity, "Touch me, and I'll stop your damn heart. You owe me for damages to my car." Harumi walked over and grabbed Balthoron's shoulder, "Let him go. The authorities will be here to arre... Balthoron!?" Balthoron turned to look at Harumi, "Yeah, it's me." Harumi lowered her sunglasses, "Why are you here!?" Bartolomeo thought this would be a great idea to rush Balthoron, but Balthoron raised his hand in his direction and shocked him until he lost consciousness, "I'm here to see you, big sister."

Harumi sighed, "You and Tsuyoshi fight all the damn time and yet you find the time to track me down... you really are something else, Balthoron. The thing is, I'm here, because I don't want to be found. I'm done with all the drama, ever since Hiromi died..." Balthoron nodded, "Tsuyoshi and I have been at each others throats. But that's going to change... I told him the truth about what happened, fifty years ago." Harumi sighed and folded her arms, "Balthoron, you're my baby brother and that will never change. I love you and I always will. But, things as they are, I'm happy here. But I'll tell you what, I'll be part of the family again on one condition." Balthoron looked at her, "Sure thing, sis." Harumi looked at him, "Tsuyoshi and Misaki decide to be part of the family as well." Balthoron shrugged, "I'm already halfway there, how hard can convincing Tsuyoshi be?"

Harumi sighed, "Balthoron, kiddo. You just tempted fate, don't ever do that. Plus you forget who our father was. Mom's plenty stubborn as well, but Dad... Dad was a special kind of stubborn." Balthoron nodded, "So you believe that Tsuyoshi is as well?" Harumi shrugged, "The man's my twin brother. I want you to think on that one for a second." Balthorn sighed, "Stupid question, I know... but seriously, Harumi, why are you making me jump through these hoops?" Harumi looked away, "Out of all of us, who do you think Hiromi was closest to?" Balthoron looked down, and Harumi nodded, "Yes... you. Do you not think that she'd want you to try to repair the family, to do what she always did." Balthoron looked at his hands and tears welled up in his eyes, "I don't think Hiromi would approve of me anymore... I've done things that I regret."

Harumi nodded, "Both you and Tsuyoshi walked down the same path that our father did. The two of you ignored his warnings and look at where it got the both of you. My twin is blind courtesy of you and has a bionic hand, courtesy of you as well. The two of you have spent the last few hundred years hating each other, but at the same time in an uneasy truce. I love the both of you, Misaki loves the both of you, but Balthoron, you and Tsuyoshi honestly need to cut the crap and start thinking about what you're doing. What Dad did, he honestly did fight to protect people, even after Uncle Rogelio died. He fought to protect, not just out of a sense of revenge." Balthoron looked away, "So what are you saying?" Harumi folded her arms, "Look up, Balthoron, stop hiding the fact that you're crying."

Balthoron looked up and tears streamed down his face, Harumi walked over and hugged him, "Baby brother, you use your ideals as an excuse to do what you want. I don't care if you follow down Dad's path, but at least follow down his path in the same way that he walked it. Both you and Tsuyoshi need to realize this." Harumi broke the hug, "Baby brother, you can't hide from your past and what you did during the Galactic War forever, you know. Eventually that past is going to catch up with you, but the question is, are you ready for it?" Balthoron looked towards the horizon, "No... I... I guess I need to be alone for a while. Harumi, can you watch over Aiko for me while I spend time out of our star system?" Harumi nodded, "Dad's reincarnation? Sure, I can do that. Beats being at the bar every day." Balthoron nodded, "Thanks, sis." Harumi smiled, "Any time, baby brother."

Chapter 9

Aiko looked out the window as Yoshiro sat down on a couch. She sighed as the wind picked up, "Looks like a horrible storm, we might be in this for a while." Before Aiko could turn to see how Yoshiro was doing, she heard her door get kicked in. Before she knew it, two people rushed into the house and she reached for her sword, but one of the people pointed a gun at her, "Put the weapon down, we're here for the Slinde..." Yoshiro stood up, "Leave her alone." The other person laughed, "You think we'll lower our guard around a Kensei, you're dumber than you look." The person aiming their gun at Aiko growled, "Get on the ground, NOW!" Aiko got on her knees and got onto the ground. The other person spoke up, "Just shoot her, man, we can't have any witnesses." Aiko heard the sound of a gun be discharged and she felt a pain rip through her torso.

That was when Yoshiro became angry and punched the person that was standing in front of him. He heard a sickening cracking sound as his fist connected with the skull of the Eltiranan, "I said that you could take me! Not that you could hurt her! Aiko did nothing to you!" Yoshiro growled at the remaining member who drew a sword with an energy blade affixed to it, "I'll do what I did to your friend!" Yoshiro rushed the person and punched him in the head at the same time as the person swung the blade. The blade effortlessly cut through his arm, severing it at the elbow, but the hand had enough momentum behind it to hit the person, killing them instantly. Aiko looked up as the man slumped down and hit the ground, "You... killed them..."

Yoshiro closed his eyes, "I didn't mean to, I'm sorry..." Yoshiro opened them and looked at his severed arm, "I'm... a cyborg?" Aiko felt bad and shook her head, "No... you're not. Look can you help me up, I don't think their shot hit anything vital, but it came out of my leg and I can't stand up." Yoshiro picked Aiko up with his left hand with a frown and placed her on the couch, "What do you mean that I'm not a cyborg?" Aiko sighed, "I was told not to tell you the truth, but I can't bear it anymore, you're an android." Yoshiro frowned, "So what everyone's been saying about me is true, I'm just... a machine... unless you're also lying!" Aiko shook her head and frowned, "I have no reason to lie to someone that makes me feel like I'm not alone..." Yoshiro grabbed the sword that was on the ground and used it to cut off part of his face, when he raised it to his eyes, he noticed there wasn't any blood.

Yoshiro threw it down, "No... no... I'm a Kitsune, I served in the war... I'm a life form! I'm not a mere machine!" Aiko stood up and tried to take a step before falling to the ground because of her leg injury. Yoshiro looked at the arm that had been severed, "All this time, I was someone else... my memories are fake and I'm just a thing!" Aiko crawled towards him, thankful that the shot also cauterized her wound. A loud clap of thunder was heard and she looked at the door, "Yoshiro, that storm sounds rough." Yoshiro looked at her, "What's my real name!?" Aiko looked at him, "Your mother, Leticia called you Yoshiro, that is your real name. Just because you're a..." She grabbed an end table and used it to pick herself off the ground, "Unh... just because you're an android, doesn't mean that you're a lifeform of some sort."

Yoshiro looked up at her, "You... mean that?" Aiko started to drag her leg as she moved towards him, "Yeah, look, I'm the reincarnation of the legendary hero, Yoshiro. When I found that out, I thought that was all I'd ever be, just the reincarnation of some hero from the past. I had to be taught that I was my own individual, I had to learn that I was my own person." Yoshiro nodded slightly, "And you are a person, I'm just a..." Aiko slumped down and hugged him, "You're an artificial life form called Yoshiro Slinde, your mother is Leticia Slinde. Just because your birth wasn't like mine, doesn't mean that you're any less of a person. Your mother took great love in making you alive, you have emotions, you eat, you drink, you laugh... and you might even love."

Yoshiro looked at her, "I loved my mom... or at least that's what my memories say I did... the memories she gave me to lie about how I'm a living creature." Aiko sighed, "Your memories up until recently are fake, yes, but look... she did that out of love for you. She loved you, you are her son. Whether you want to believe this or not, she made you a person. She made you an individual separate from the person she named you after... from my first life." Yoshiro looked down at her, "You're hurt, badly... and yet you are trying to be here to comfort me?" Aiko shrugged, "Balthoron taught me about medicine and anatomy. Despite the shot having pierced my body hasn't hit anything major. I'll live, even if it is painful."

Yoshiro frowned, "Tell me, why are you so fixated on calling me a life form?" Aiko looked into the eyes of the android, "Because, you are one. You may not have a soul, but she gave you a heart. You might not admit it, but you have shown that you care for me..." Yoshiro nodded, "You're my friend. I just hope you don't mind that..." Aiko interrupted him, "You're not a bucket of bolts. And yes, I'm glad to be your friend. Originally, I didn't know what to think of you, but the last two days have been... interesting to say the least. You're a very good person at heart, Yoshiro." A new voice spoke, "Looks like we're late..." Yoshiro watched as a Dog Tribe Eltiranan rushed over to them, "Looks like you were damaged and Aiko got shot. Hmmm... you must be the Slinde android."

Yoshiro nodded slightly as Aiko was pulled off of him as a Rabbit Tribe Eltiranan came over to him and picked up the severed arm that was on the ground, "We'll be able to repair you. Doug, how's the Kitsune?" The Dog Tribe Eltiranan from before spoke up, "She's injured, but it's not serious. Hmm... ma'am, this is going to hurt." Aiko nodded and gritted her teeth, but as Doug pressed on the wound from both sides, she yelled out in pain. The Rabbit Tribe Eltiranan spoke up, "My name is Elise. Doug and I are personal guards for Tiamat. we help around when we can, especially when she has non-draconic visitors. We would've been here earlier, but the story was impeding our progress." Aiko nodded, "That's alright, thanks for being here." Yoshiro looked up at the ceiling, "So what am I... really?" Both Doug and Elise spoke at once, "An artificial life form."

Chapter 11

Julius walked out of the the castle in his Verbanan form and regrouped with Aiko in front of the archives, "Come on, let's go inside, but first, what are you trying to find?" Aiko looked away, "Answers." Julius sighed slightly, "Going to have to be more specific so I know what to ask the administrative AI program in there." Aiko looked away, "I wish to keep what I want to find private, if that's alright with you." Julius nodded slightly, "That's alright. I'll go first, do not be alarmed, the AI looks like any other Dog Tribe Eltiranan, but it's not a physical being." Aiko nodded as the two of them walked into the building. Julius held out his arm to stop Aiko, "Biometric scanner, it will only accept one person inside of it at one time." Julius walked into the scanner and the AI popped up for him, "Julius, you have the highest form of clearance."

Julius walked out and Aiko walked in. The AI spoke up, "Registering new Biometric scan, what is your name?" Aiko spoke up, "Aiko Sano." The AI nodded and spoke up, "You have basic clearance, you may enter." Aiko nodded and walked out of the scanner. The AI looked at Julius, "What are you looking for?" Julius sighed, "Information about my nephew, Balthoron. Specifically anything pertaining to incidents within or near Eltiranan colonies." The AI nodded, "Scanning, you will find the information in the section of the archives dedicated to War, specifically in the subsection for the Galactic War." Julius nodded, "Thank you." Julius turned to Aiko, "You must be curious about something, do not be afraid to ask the AI to send a copy to accompany you." Aiko nodded, "Thank you, Julius." Julius sighed sightly, "By the way, how's Yoshiro?" Aiko shook her head, "We were attacked last night..."

Julius nodded, "That's all I need to know for now." Aiko frowned and Julius walked away to go find the answers that he sought. He didn't know what he would find in the archives, but he felt curious. His hand grabbed at the pendant that he was given by Yoshiro over a thousand years ago. Though he couldn't figure out a way to make it bigger, he wore it around his neck in this form, "Your son did something, and I don't know if you'll approve of what he did." Julius had a flash in his mind as he walked into the war section of the archives. Memories of a life that was long since past. All of the engagements that he had gone into with Yoshiro at his side or on his back, all of their travels and trials together. Despite being with the reincarnation of Yoshiro ever since she was found, to him, it wasn't the same.

For old time sake and a bit of nostalgia he spoke up, "Excuse me, AI. Can I access the hologram projector to project any hologram I wish?" The AI spoke up, "Yes, you may." Julius walked over to the projector and spoke up, "I wish to see Yoshiro Tayasui Miyamae, age seven hundred in civilian clothing." The hologram flickered to life. Julius saw Yoshiro standing there at the age he had finally retired completely and settled down as a civilian. Three hundred and twenty-five years would pass before he died. Julius heard a voice behind him, "Julius, sia isthasy, vinxa ihk drekim tenpiswo ihk ve. Sia hianag loreatir tepohaic jivntirvi ezoukea sia kornari." Julius turned to look behind him, but nothing was there, "Yoshiro... is that you?" There was nothing but silence. Julius sighed, "I guess I'm remembering things again..."

Julius looked at the hologram, "Thank you for being there for me, Yoshiro. It was because of you that I got to explore the world outside of my own kingdom, and even though our lives weren't easy, nor were they great. You helped me in so many ways and I know that I helped you. I only wish I could know what was going through your head when you walked in there alone." Julius sighed, "However, that information will be lost to the ages. Klaartje's doing..." Another voice spoke behind him, "Klaartje's doing what?" Julius turned around to see the Eekhoorn behind him, "Klaartje! What are you doing here?" Klaartje shrugged, "Balthoron left, Aiko left, and you left. I was curious as to what was going on, that and I've not had a meaningful break from work since Yoshiro was alive. Speaking of which, why do you have his hologram there?"

Julius shook his head, "I wanted to see him again. Anyhow, computer, can you bring up what happened regarding Balthoron during the Galactic war in terms of attacks against Eltiranan colonies." The AI nodded and the holographic projector changed to show multiple reports and recorded evidence that Balthoron's flagship during the Galactic War attacking an Eltiranan colony. Julius was shocked and then asked the AI, "Do you have any recordings of what went on inside the ship?" The AI spoke sadly, "No, I do not. All records were deleted. However, records indicate that Balthoron was rescued and imprisoned on Stephanus' ship for questioning. The fact that he was released suggests that he did not order this attack to be carried out." Julius nodded and turned to Klaartje, "Do you have any more information about this?" Klaartje shook her head, "I dug as deep as I could, the only people who know the truth are Balthoron and the people that were on the ship at the time."

Julius nodded, "So all we have to do is find that shi..." The AI interrupted, "The vessel was destroyed in a conflict with the Thraxi-Neanderthal alliance. Everyone on the ship at the time was killed." Balthoron sighed, "Well, I was hoping to avoid bringing up painful memories with my nephew, but..." Klaartje nodded, "Let me do it, then." Julius looked at her, "Why, though?" Klaartje sighed, "Julius, I will never believe that he trusted me over you, you knew his deepest secrets. He would let you in when he'd let no one else. But Julius, I loved him and I never stopped loving him after what he did for me." Julius nodded, "Yeah, he was a good man. Not just anyone will assassinate an assassin for one of their friends." Klaartje nodded, "Which is why I feel like, deep inside my heart, Balthoron didn't do this." Julius nodded, "I hope you're right."

Chapter 13

Klaartje walked over to where Aiko was, "I heard what you said..." Aiko was startled and she turned around to look at Klaartje, "What are you doing here?" Klaartje shook her head, "I followed Julius, nothing more." Aiko nodded, feeling like there was something more to this, "It's Balthoron, isn't it?" Klaartje nodded slightly, "That's part of it, but there's more, Aiko... look, there's something you need to know, would you like to come with me?" Aiko nodded and looked at her cane, "I hope I won't slow you down with this." Klaartje shook her head and smiled softly, "It's alright." Aiko and Klaartje walked towards the exit of the archives when Aiko looked at her, "Neither he, nor I recall you ever smiling like that." Klaartje nodded, "I know, I was always too busy with being an assassin to really learn how to enjoy myself. I guess... it took losing him to teach me how to relax."

Aiko nodded as they left the building and she looked at Klaartje, blushing slightly under her fur. She never realized how beautiful she was, "Klaartje, can you tell me the real reason why you're here with me?" Klaartje sighed and closed her eyes, "Your mother may not approve, but I tried to think of you as your own person, but..." Aiko nodded, "Every time you see me, you think of him... of Yoshiro, is that right?" Klaartje nodded slightly, running a hand through her long black hair, "I fell in love with him and never fell out of love. The man did more for me than I could ever possibly repay and he just wanted to be my brother figure. He..." Aiko closed her eyes, "Took out an assassin for you and raised your children as your own, is that correct, Klaartje?"

Klaartje nodded, "You memorized his memoirs." She sighed and looked up at the sky, "Aiko... I just want..." Aiko looked at her, "You want me to fall in love with you?" Klaartje shook her head, "Though that would be nice, I was wondering, since you are his reincarnation, and you're you're own person... if you could... dammit, I'm not good at this." Aiko walked over to Klaartje, and her cane slipped on the ground, causing her to fall. Klaartje swiftly caught her and helped her back on her feet, "Are you alright, Aiko?" Aiko nodded slightly, "Thanks, Klaartje." Klaartje frowned, "I'm sorry if I'm making things awkward for us." Aiko shook her head, "I barely know you, but he knew you very well. He understood your feelings for him, Klaartje. He loved you back, but in a platonic way. He always felt bad that he couldn't reciprocate your feelings."

Klaartje nodded and looked into Aiko's green eyes, "Your eyes are different from his." Aiko nodded and looked into Klaartje's brown eyes, "I... I never noticed you..." Aiko tried to move away, "Ahem!" Klaartje giggled slightly, "You're adorable when you're embarrassed." Aiko blushed deeper, "I'm not embarrassed! I just... I don't know how to handle this situation." Klaartje laughed, "Under your fur, you're redder than a star apple. Look, uh... I know you want to be your own person and all, but um... do you think that we could go out sometime?" Aiko looked at Klaartje, she was stunned and she knew that even though Yoshiro couldn't convey it to her, he was stunned at this as well, "What?" Klaartje frowned, "It's just that we're in peaceful times now and you're well... the daughter of Amaterasu." Aiko sighed, "So was big sister." Klaartje nodded, "You remind me of a combination of Minako and Yoshiro..."

Aiko frowned, "I don't know what to say... I really don't, Klaartje." Klaartje placed her hand on Aiko's shoulder, "Think about it, you don't need to answer me, immediately. I mean I'm a demi-deity, I've got time." Aiko nodded, "Well, are you sure that Julius doesn't need you?" Klaartje shook her head, "Julius is a Dragon, he'll be entirely fine without me, Aiko." Aiko nodded, "Then would you like to accompany me to go pick up the android. I need to take him back to Leticia's lab, apparently she left some things for him there." Klaartje nodded slightly, "Of course I would." Aiko nodded, "Thank you. So why aren't you with Xander or Silvio?" Klaartje chuckled, "Your mother and I decided to go behind your grandmother's back and hand Xander off to Bruno. Bruno is an expert... well expert isn't the right word, more of a specialist when it comes to troublesome people."

Aiko didn't like the sound of that and wondered what it meant. Klaartje laughed, "Don't worry, Xander will be whipped into shape. Bruno's a close friend of mine. He's not going to hurt Xander... much. The point is, Xander will never have to see the inside of a hospital." Aiko blinked, "And you're sure that this is the right thing for Xander to go through?" Klaartje nodded slightly, "Xander needs to learn discipline, Bruno is the person that you go to in order to teach someone discipline." Aiko nodded slightly, "But what about Erasmus?" Klaartje shook her head, "As you've read in Yoshiro's memoirs, Erasmus teaches control, not discipline. Erasmus would be a great person for you to go to if you say... wanted to stop yourself from getting revenge. Not like that actually helped the last time someone did that..." Aiko looked at her, "What was that?"

Klaartje shrugged, "It's nothing, Aiko. As for Silvio, he went back to the Kani territory to get more training. It seems that he feels more comfortable there than anywhere else. He called it home, shortly before he left and got upset when I suggested that the Mofeta Kingdom would be his home." Aiko nodded slightly, "He's a Paladin, to him, that's his family as he never knew his father and his mother died shortly after he entered puberty." Klaartje nodded slightly, "I see, so that's why he reacted so harshly." Aiko nodded, "Yeah, I only know about all of this, because he and I dated." Klaartje nodded, "I know about that. Hey, you think we could talk while we walk? I think we might look a little suspicious standing around here." Aiko nodded slightly, and the two of them started to walk to the lab where Yoshiro was being held, the two of them talking as they did.

Chapter 15

Yoshiro looked around from his seat, he had come to grips with the fact that he was a machine. He looked at Elise, "Tell me, what does it mean to... to be alive?" Elise laughed, "The meaning of life? That question?" Elise looked up, "Life inherently lacks a meaning. However, we give it a meaning with our outlook and our decisions in life, because that is the way we are. Does that answer your question?" Yoshiro shook his head and looked up at the ceiling, "No, not at all." Elise sighed, "I'm sorry, little one." Yoshiro closed his eyes, "I'm an adult. Or at least... that's how my AI was programmed." Elise shrugged, "I apologize, Yoshiro, it's just something that I..." Yoshiro shook his head, "I want a different name." Elise nodded, "It'll be simple for you to rewrite that sector, what do you wish for your new name to be?"

Yoshiro looked at his good hand as he looked at her, "Can I be linked up to a database full of names?" Elise nodded, "Sure thing." Yoshiro closed his eyes and saw the data flash in his mind, within moments, he knew every single name that had ever existed and he quickly started going through the information. When he opened his eyes, he looked towards Elise, "The Kitsune name database seemed fitting for what I am. I have chosen my name. Hiroki, it means abundant joy or strength. Considering I'm an android, I got strength to spare." Elise chuckled at that, "Well hold still while I reinstall your arm, Hiroki." Hiroki nodded slightly, "So you're going to accept my new name, just like that?" Elise nodded as she worked on connecting the arm to the android, "You're permitted to change your name as many times as you want, so long as you submit the change to the records archive."

Hiroki nodded slightly, "So what you're saying is?" Elise shrugged, "You aren't registered, yet. But I'm in the process of doing so. Tell me, why do you wish to be like us?" Hiroki sighed, "Because that's honestly the life I lived before I found out that I'm... well... this." Elise finished hooking the arm back up, "Alright, try to move your arm." Hiroki moved his arm and flexed his fingers, "Thanks." Elise nodded slightly, "You're welcome, Aiko should be returning with Julius at any time now. But in the event that Julius doesn't come back, I'll drive you over to the lab myself, alright?" Hiroki nodded, "Alright." He stood up and looked around, "So did you know the doctor?" A voice spoke up, "That woman was your mother, Why-Zero." Hiroki shook his head, "I chose a new name, it's Hiroki now."

The source of the voice walked out from the shadows to reveal it to be Klaartje and Hiroki growled, "You're that assassin!" Klaartje bowed, "At your service." Hiroki folded his arms, "Do you think that you scare me?" Klaartje shook her head, "No, because I've not done any assassinations since the Galactic War came to a close. Tell me, Hiroki, why do you wish to pick a fight with me. I'm the reason you're not a carbon copy of the man I loved. Your mother was going to create Yoshiro as he was, to try to bring back a hero that never wanted to be a hero. The man was a weapon, the man learned that he was a weapon at one point in his life and he rejected that notion as he always had. He may not be a hero, but his courage was one of the traits I admired in him."

Hiroki nodded, "I know, I've been going over what files I could. I lack the clearance for most of his folder, but from what I know, Yoshiro was an amazing person and always protected his friends." Aiko walked in, "No... you see he... he never fought to protect. He fought because he was good at it." Klaartje nodded slightly, "That's right, but... how do you know that?" Aiko shrugged, "Fifth volume of his memoirs, was the quote on the front of it. 'I do not fight to protect those I care about, I could find some other way to do so if I were so inclined. I fight because I am good at it, I fight because ultimately it is what I was born to do. I just so happen to hate people hurting the innocent or people I care about. This doesn't make me a hero, it makes me a soldier."

Klaartje nodded, "Yeah, that sounds like something he wrote down." Hiroki nodded and looked at Elise who sighed, "I was hoping that I wouldn't have to deal with Klaartje." Klaartje looked at Elise, "You do look... oh, right. Sorry for ruining that party a long time ago." Elise shook her head, "It's fine, just I know now that you're not the most graceful person in a dress." Hiroki shook his head, "I couldn't imagine her in a dress." Aiko blushed at the thought of Klaartje in a dress and Klaartje looked at Hiroki, "What's that supposed to mean!?" Hiroki stepped back, "Nothing, nothing! Just you don't seem to be the kind of person that would ever be caught dead in a dress is all." Elise nodded, "She was quite uncomfortable in it." Klaartje blushed, nervously, "It was somewhat restrictive and unfamiliar to me!"

Aiko giggled, "Klaartje, you seem to be a different person from the woman who asked me out." Elise looked at Aiko, "So then you're the reincarna—" Klaartje shot a glare towards Elise, "That information is to be kept private, am I clear?" Elise nodded, "Well, since Julius doesn't seem to be coming back, I'll have to drive you all to the lab. Oh well. Anyhow, can someone pick up Aiko and help her into my vehicle when we go?" Aiko looked at her leg, "I'm fine, really, I can get into a car, no problem." Elise shook her head, "It's not a car, it's a van, I carry equipment with me everywhere I go." Hiroki nodded, "I'll carry her, after all, she and I are supposed to be partners?" Klaartje looked at the two of them and Hiroki sighed, "Travel partners, I'm a machine, Klaartje." Klaartje blinked, "Oh, right. Anyhow, when can we leave?" Elise sighed, "Half an hour."

Chapter 17

Night had fallen and Aiko had fallen asleep on the shoulder of Klaartje while Hiroki looked out the window. A car exited the driveway of the lab and Hiroki noticed who it was, "Balthoron's leaving the place... hmm..." Elise pulled into the driveway, "Well, you're home, I'll stay here for the night if the three of you want." Klaartje shook Aiko awake, "We're at the lab, Aiko." Aiko blinked and groggily looked at the building, "We're here? Okay... can we go inside, I wanna go back to bed." Klaartje kissed her on the forehead, but Hiroki just left the car, he didn't bother to stay to help. He had one thing on his mind, finding answers, and he was going to find them, no matter what happened. As he walked in the door, the place looked exactly the same as it did before, but he shook his head and walked towards where he was created.

He saw something on the wall that he didn't notice before and placed his hand on it. The object pressed in and he detected a surge of energy as a door opened. He steeled himself for the possibility that he was going to be attacked, but no such attack came. Instead, Leticia's voice spoke up, "So you have arrived, Why-Zero." Hiroki shook his head, "I changed my name to Hiroki, mother... where are you, I thought you had passed away?" A hologram of Leticia appeared before him, "I am an AI program based off of Dr. Leticia Slinde, I was designed to assist you, but you and Aiko left. Do you have any questions for me?" Hiroki nodded slightly, "Yes, I want to know why I was based off of Yoshiro Miyamae, one of the three Verbanan Legendary heroes." The AI nodded and was replaced by a hologram of the real Dr. Slinde.

Leticia's hologram looked at him, "This is the fourth of my recordings. There will come a time where you realize that you were physically based off of one of the legendary heroes. I was originally going to create an android that was effectively a full copy of him as a tribute to the hero. It wasn't going to be used in combat, but as a way to bolster the morale of the people, however, as fate would have it, his family and friends stepped in and pulled the plug on that whole idea. I had already completed your physical shell and most of your design, the rest of the work was AI. Honestly, if I had to guess, you may be the only android based off a living person's appearance... well a dead one, but you get what I mean, right?"

Hiroki nodded slightly, "Alright then, why was I created?" Leticia's hologram flickered, "This will be the first of possibly many recordings. If you have found these, then I have succumbed to my condition and am not there to watch you as you grow as a person and answer questions you have in person. A commonly known fact about me is that I'm sterile, but I've always wanted a child of my own. So, I started building you, however, I wanted you to come into the world as a person instead of just a machine. The thing is, I needed to base you off someone in order to do that. That's why you have these memories that aren't yours, you may feel free to erase them if you want, but I put them in there to prevent you from just being a machine. To me, you're more than a machine, you're my son."

The hologram closed its eyes, "Your purpose is to learn how to be a person, your AI is what is known as a living AI. It is a type of AI that Dr. Yoshiro Miyamae created over a thousand years ago using a hypothesis of his own. I know, you will probably have looked into his records and noted that he was the most lethal sniper on his planet, but you must not overlook his contributions to society in the field of robotics. He was a brilliant scientist and his work paved the way to you. In a way, you could call him your grandfather. Your AI is designed to be able to learn and grow, as you wish and you're free to make your own decisions. No matter what they are. You can choose to go fight, like he did long ago, or you can go and live a peaceful life."

The Hologram opened its eyes, "Unlike organics like myself, you will be able to change your path in life no matter what you choose and no matter how old you get. Your purpose is to live, or more accurately live your life how you want to live it. Your destiny is in your hands alone, no one else can force you to do something you don't wish to do. I love you, my son and I always will, even if I am unable to be there for you." The Hologram disappeared and the AI from before appeared before him, "Do you have any more questions?" Hiroki nodded, "Can you please download these to my neural network?" The AI nodded, "Alright, transferring." Hiroki sighed, "What's your true purpose in all of this." The AI placed her hand on her chin, "Well I took this form because I figured it would be what you're most comfortable with, but I'm your assistant."

Hiroki shook his head, "Aiko and I assist each other." The AI sighed, "I am here to build what you need, when you need it. Your mother loved you, she designed you to be her own son, and she was happy to see you come into the world. She hoped that you'd never come back here to find these recordings or find out about your true nature." Hiroki nodded as he looked at his hand, "I was told that it doesn't matter if I'm flesh and blood or made of metal and wires. What matters is what's on the inside." The AI tilted its head, "That's unfamiliar wording to me, but if that's the definition you wish to use, then you may go ahead and do so." Hiroki nodded, "I honestly do not know what I wish to do with my existence, but... someday I'll find out and I'll be able to tell you." The AI nodded, "I look forward to that day, Hiroki."