Act XII: Relationships Naitsuu wakes up early again. Like with Keiji and Aritsune, Naitsuu and Akari had to share the same bed for the night. They did not escalate though. Naitsuu thinks of how the night went. He slept little. Halfway through the night, Akari attempted a little cuddling, but he was cold to her not willing to push further. Sitting up in bed, with his feet on the floor, he turns to see how Akari is doing. She is sleeping in her usual concentrated sleep. He does not want to think about relationships at this time. Before he jumps out of bed and gets his jacket on, he wakes Akari up. "Come on. I want to see how the ship is doing," says Naitsuu while shaking Akari awake by the shoulder. "But I don't want to let you walk down these streets yourself." She sits up and stretches her arms while yawning. She grabs her pack and slings it over her shoulders as she walks halfway through the doorway as Naitsuu opens the door for her. She turns and pins him by the shoulders against the doorway opposite her. "Come on! I want to go," says Naitsuu angrily and coldly. "Hold on," Akari says sternly and serious. "What is wrong? Why are you acting strangely now?" "Now?" Naitsuu questions. "I was always like this. So I warmed up to you a little while. So what?" "So what!?" Akari half shouts, but is choked by the tears forming in her eyes. She hastily leaves him and heads out of the building. Naitsuu chases after her. Finally, Naitsuu catches up with her. "It's not safe for you to walk these streets alone," Naitsuu says. "I can protect myself," Akari retorts. "You forget this!" She furiously rips out her the itsue tsurai gijouhei barely missing Naitsuu's face and then storms down the street alone. Naitsuu shouts, "Fine! I won't worry about you!" She turns and gives him a harsh glare shortly before turning back around and continuing off. Naitsuu stops feeling a little down. He clearly saw the exasperation in her eyes. Meanwhile, Keiji and Aritsune are waking up. Keiji has his arm around Aritsune. Aritsune wakes first and turns to her lover and gives him a kiss that wakes him up. He lovingly returns it holding her a little tighter. "I am so...happy," Aritsune faintly says. "It has not been for long that I knew you were who I wanted to be with," he admits. "It was not for me either," she replies. He acknowledges the confidence in her voice by giving her another kiss on the forehead. Aritsune says under her breath, "Never leave me," Keiji answers, "I won't." They both get up and help dress each other. Then side by side they exit the building with gazes locked. They run into Naitsuu still standing by the side of the street contemplating what just happened between himself and Akari. "You two look happy together," Naitsuu comments. "Oh! Hi Naitsuu-sama," Aritsune greets. "What happened last night?" he asks. Keiji and Aritsune just look back into each other's eyes as he answers, "Oh, a lot, but nothing that is any of your business." Annoyed Naitsuu remarks, "Great for you." Naitsuu starts to speedily walk away. Aritsune and Keiji senses his hostility towards them and hurriedly catch up to him. "What's wrong with you?" Keiji asks as Naitsuu just ignores him. Keiji steps in front of him and starts walking backwards while saying, "Well?" Naitsuu continues to ignore him by turning his head down as he walks. Keiji stops and holds Naitsuu by the shoulder, "Talk to me." "Get out of my way!" Naitsuu exclaims. When Keiji does not, Naitsuu speaks again, "Do not make me do something I do not want to do." "Come on," Keiji continues holding Naitsuu back. "Tell me." Fire seemingly builds up in Naitsuu's eyes as his annoyance level has just been pushed over the top. He grabs Keiji by the arm and thrusts his own into his throat knocking Keiji on his back. "I told you to back off!" he growls. Naitsuu storms off again as Aritsune crouches next to Keiji's side concerned. She turns his head towards Naitsuu who's back is turned towards them. She hollers to him who has already put great distance between them, "What is wrong with you? We're friends!" Still no response from Naitsuu who has turned a corner going down another road. Aritsune helps Keiji up as he rubs his throat that is turning red. "That will leave a bruise," he comments. "What is up with him?" Aritsune asks. "I have no clue. He is not one to attack, especially a friend." "Well, we will have to ask him once he calms down," Aritsune suggests. "Let's just get back to the ship." "Yeah." Later that morning they have all arrived to the ship. Munenori seems all energized and ready to go. Yamaneko rests in Naitsuu's lap while he sits back turned to Akari who does the same. Naitsuu's facial expression is clearly angry, but Akari's remains empty. Chuuwa sits next to the captain's chair wagging his tail. In the captain's chair sits Keiji. Aritsune sits in her chair, occasionally turning to give a quick smile or blow a kiss to Keiji who happily accepts. Meanwhile, both Aritsune and Keiji are paying a lot of attention to the actions of Naitsuu and Akari, wondering what is happening between them. "Alright everyone. Let's get ready. Set coordinates for Deimos. See how things have changed the past six months." Aritsune takes the order while bring up a map on the screen. The computer speaks, "Course set. Deimos, moon of Mars, settlement of military and science." The takeoff goes off as usual. The ship climbs slowly before turning in the direction it is heading and then starts to increase speed. It speeds off rapidly and most of the crew except for Munenori are not ready for it. Munenori comments, "Oh and by the way. We would save only a little fuel by slowing down. So, I reset the engines back to their original settings. Sorry, captain." Keiji replies half angry, but accepting, "It's okay." It takes a little longer getting near Deimos than going from the Earth to the moon, but it is relatively fast. They are soon near the moon of Mars. "Expect the security to be tighter," mentions Keiji. "The military community is a bit stricter." "Attention incoming ship," a security voice comes on over the speakers as usual. "Change course if your business does not involve the military and/or the science community." Keiji speaks, "We are the ship Bikutori-Kyou. Registration number 356-4927-361. We are here on our own confidential business." "Identify your business." "Confidential." "Access declined. No personal business." "What!?" is Keiji's response. "Deimos must allow personal business." The com link closes. "What was that about?" Aritsune asks. "I am not quite sure," is Keiji's answer. "Well, hail them again," suggests Munenori. "Naw, they will just ignore us. If we continue to try, we will be stopped by some kind of military enforcers," answers Keiji again. "What do you suggest, Naitsuu?" In an angry tone he answers, "Phobos." "Ah, okay," is Keiji's dismayed response. "Aritsune?" "Yes, honey?" she answers with Munenori and Akari wondering at hearing her speak that way. "Set course for Phobos." Aritsune once again brings up the map and punches in the coordinates. The computer speaks, "Course set. Phobos, moon of Mars, settlement of science and trade." "I think am getting better at this," comments Aritsune. "This should do," Keiji mentions. "The Stickney crater on Phobos has a major city housed within it. We will head for that." The ship's engines kick in again and they soon arrive at the nearby moon. Security comes on again, "Attention incoming ship. You may land on pad 237. "Yes," says Keiji startled at the lack of procedures. "Thank you." "Well, that went fast," Munenori speaks. "Must be loose security on Phobos. I have never been here before. Quite a contrast to Deimos where we could not have even landed on," comments Keiji. "Be extra careful to watch your backs here, the loose security may allow many bad people to live here." The crew nods in agreement. The ship lands where directed and the crew exits. Akari up front with Keiji and Aritsune, followed by the haburi kedemonos and Munenori. Staying behind the group is Naitsuu. The group up front has a conversation. "Um, Aritsune?" Akari asks. "Yes?" "We really have not spent much time together, but," Akari pauses. "Could we spend a little, you know, girl-to-girl time today sometime?" "Of course," Aritsune answers. "Hey, Keiji, do you think we can stop somewhere to eat before searching for our friends. Maybe you can ask around for them." "Yeah, okay." "Do us a favor and take the others with you." "Okay." Keiji slows his pace to talk with the others. "Hey, Munenori, Naitsuu. Let's go off and search for someone who knows where we can find my friends out here. Okay?" "Yeah!" responds Munenori. "But are the they coming?" "No, Akari and Aritsune are going to get something to eat." "Okay, whatever." Keiji slows a little to fall back to where Naitsuu is. "And we need to talk," Keiji says to Naitsuu. Naitsuu gives no response and Keiji heads back to the front as the girls head off to a nearby diner after taking some money from him. In the diner, Akari and Aritsune grab a booth and two menus. The waitress takes their beverage orders and leaves. "So, what is it you want to talk about?" Aritsune asks. "Well, mostly about Naitsuu," she pauses and takes a breath. "But first, what has happened between you and Keiji? I thought you two barely survive as friends, much less as...well, I don't know what." Aritsune laughs a little and answers, "Well, Keiji and I worked out are troubles quickly and suddenly. We sort of came together in a hurry. We, well, we know we are going to spend the rest of our lives together." "Really?" Akari asks. "Yes, now what is it you want to know about Naitsuu?" "Well, I had a little trouble with him last night and today." "He was in a bad mood when Keiji and I met him on the street," Aritsune cuts in. "Yeah. We had a fight." "Really?" "Well, our room had one bed so we had to sleep in it together." Aritsune cuts in again, "Yeah, so did Keiji and I." "Anyway, he could not sleep. I woke up about midway through the night and tried to get, you know, a little close to him. But he just pushed me away. Then, in the morning, he woke me up. But he did not do so warmly. I stopped him in the doorway to see what was wrong. He responded harshly and said, ‘So I warmed up to you a little while. So what?'" "Really?" Aritsune asks concerned. "At that point, I did not know what to do so I quickly left. He chased me out the door and told me I needed to be protected. I told him I can protect myself while pulling out my itsue tsurai gijouhei." "Oh you rock!" "Yeah, not like I wanted to pull it out on him," Akari says sadly. "We have been friends from an early age. I was starting to think we might be meant for each other also, but he keeps pulling away. He does not seem to want to have a relationship." "I am not quite sure how to help you," Aritsune comments. "Keiji was very receptive of me when I made my move. Um, best I can suggest is see what makes him tick. Get inside his head." "But every time I try he pushes me away! I should know him inside out by this time for how long we have been together, but I don't." "Well, keep trying. Naitsuu seems to be a good one. A little on the harsh side at times, but a good heart beneath." "I know, but I do not need to be taming the man I want." "Do you want him?" Aritsune questions. "Yes! I mean, I think so," Akari responds. "Maybe you should think a little about what you want first." "Yes, I suppose so." The girls finish their drinks and order their lunch. Meanwhile, the guys have been hitting the Phobos bars. The first one they entered seem to be of a little better class, probably of the science community. They walk up to the bartender and Keiji asks a question, "Do you know where I might find Shougo Sakki?" "Get out!" shouts the bartender at the mention of the name. He points to the door. "Okay," Keiji says in an alarmed voice. "We are going." As they leave the bar Munenori speaks, "My guess is that your friend is not well liked." "He seemed pretty likable when I saw him last." The group sees a bar a little shabby looking. They decide they might have better luck there. They walk in and it looks like a tough crowd. The guys are a bit bigger than the ones on the moon settlement. Keiji walks up to the bartender, "Do you know where I might find Shougo Sakki?" A couple men stir slightly at the mention of the name as the bartender answers, "No, haven't seen him." "Sure?" "Yes." "Positive?" "Don't push me, kid." Keiji backs off and glances around at the crowd. A lanky man walks over to them and whispers in a raspy voice, "Here's a hint, kid. Big game like that no longer plays in the minors of the moon. You'd have better luck trying a ‘real' city. Like the red planet." Keiji nods and takes his crew out. Once outside they head back to where the girls are. Keiji lets Munenori watch the haburi kedemonos as he moves to talk to Naitsuu alone. "Hey bud, I think we seriously need to talk," Keiji starts. "About what?" asks Naitsuu. "Well for starters, why did you attack me this morning?" "You were pushing past my level." "What? I did nothing more than try to help you," he comments. "Guess what, you did not," Naitsuu walks past Keiji and he moves to catch up. "Well, you didn't give me a chance." "Why should I?" "Because I want you to feel as if you can talk to me. We're friends. We do have some kind of a relationship." Naitsuu stops and stares Keiji directly in the eyes and says, "What if I do not want a relationship? Huh!? What if?" Naitsuu marches past Keiji and again Keiji has to catch up while saying, "Don't start asking ‘what if?'" Keiji starts again. "I know you are using it in a slightly different sense, but..." Naitsuu mumbles while continuing to walk face forward, "But what?" "But ‘what if' you lose someone close to you through your own ignorance?" Naitsuu stops and stares Keiji in the eyes again, "And what if I let one of them get too close and they die on me? Or what if I die on them? Or what if I die and then they die because they were on my mind?" Keiji just stares, locked in Naitsuu's suddenly icy gaze, speechless. Naitsuu turns and walks. Keiji stays where he is until Munenori and their animals catch up. "Come on, Munenori. Let's get those girls." Naitsuu walks straight past the diner and heads back to the ship. Keiji and the others get Aritsune and Akari from the diner and also head back to the ship. While the others pick up the girls, Naitsuu is back in the ship, pacing and talking to himself in his chamber. "What if? What if? What if!?" Naitsuu repeats the question out loud as he slams himself in the head with the palm of his hand repeatedly. "What is the use of my existence with all of these questions!?" Naitsuu slams the wall, leaving a slight dent in the thin inner metal of the ship. He strikes the wall again and continues pacing. "And why can I not just tune her out of my thoughts. Why is Akari always there? Do I really care for her? Do I want to care for her?" Naitsuu sits and folds his legs on the floor while breathing deeply. "What would I feel right now if something happened to her?" Deep in thought he thinks to himself, a vision comes to him. At first everything is black, then he sees colors and he slowly starts to focus on the picture. It seems as if it took place in the past, before he is born. A house similar to his in the village is what he makes out. A man walks out, looking like he is going on a journey. He carries a couple of relatively small weapons on his body, and a staff that he also is using as a walking stick. The man appears to be in his late twenties or early thirties. Naitsuu can not make out his face. Then, a woman appears at the door. She waves and smiles at the man. The woman Naitsuu sees is in her early twenties. He notices she looks similar to his mother. Naitsuu focuses harder on her face and sees that it is her mother, pregnant, probably with him. At this point his view is close up on his mother, he turns around to look for the man. At this point, the man is walking away. Naitsuu forces his vision to bring him in front of the man. Naitsuu quickly identifies his father from the previous visions. The man has a slight sadness in his face. The scene suddenly shifts and he is back at a similar scene, the first one he saw that was a sword fight between his father and the other young man. The fight gets to a point where the two are staring at each other, sweaty, but no damage done thus far. Naitsuu feels his body lifted and ‘dropped' inside the other man's. He sees through the eyes of the other man's body, but does not control it's actions. He feels ‘his' body move forward to strike. He watches as his father blocks the strike and drives the sword to the ground. Upon seeing ‘his' sword stuck in the ground momentarily, he sees his father bring his sword up and then strike ‘him' in the side of the neck, and then down diagonally on the chest before the sword leaves ‘his' body. The sword that was stuck in the ground swiftly moves up and slashes through Naitsuu's father's throat as blood sprays out from the wound. Naitsuu watches his father go sprawling backwards and landing face down, in his own blood. Naitsuu feels ‘his' own body go to one knee, and ‘his' breathing get heavy. He can then hear his father's last words. "My loves, I thought of you last, I could not...would not...have lived life without you." Then a group of men come over and help ‘him' get up. Naitsuu then snaps out of his vision as he hears a knock on his door. "Who is it?" Naitsuu calls out. "Akari." "Please, I do not want to be disturbed right now." "We need to talk." "Yes, we do. But not right now. Notify me if I am needed in the cockpit. Will you?" "Yes." Naitsuu hears Akari's light footfall along the metal floors and he hears her open and close the cockpit doors. "Poor Akari," Naitsuu says to himself. "You do not need to go through this with me. You are too good for that." Naitsuu thinks to himself, Akari is too good, but she wants me. I am not good enough for her. I must let her know that, so she can find someone more willing to be with her.