"I must say, it certainly isn't what I was expecting." Joseph touched his chin, eyeing the metal door that stuck out obviously against the red brick. They were standing in the middle of an alleyway, four men lying at Takabi's feet while he gripped a fifth one by the throat. Blood was on his knuckles, but he paid it no mind. The man before him had given up long before this point, he just wanted to make sure they knew not to be here when things got started.
Nana and the girls came around the left corner. Takabi looked at her, then quickly turned his head to avoid eye contact. He dropped the man and stepped towards the metal frame, gripping the handle and pulling it open. A rush of cold air greeted him and the familiar scent of a rusted staircase rushed through his nostrils. He was hesitant to take the first step, so he stepped aside and gestured for Joseph to go first.
Nodding, Joseph descended the stairs. Jewel followed after him, as well as Shine and Frannie. Nana remained behind, her feet planted firmly to the ground. With a dry throat, she part her lips to speak.
"Let's hurry," Takabi said, cutting her off and moving down the steps.
She waited a moment. It was the first time in a long time she couldn't read what he was thinking at all, and that was what frightened her. She knew him, grew so close to him. Whatever he was thinking surely wasn't positive, in his or her name.
"Takabi," She finally called him as she closed the Bunker door tightly. Darkness gripped them quickly, replaced by a flickering bulb of thin light overhead. "Can we talk? Please?"
"Thought they'd fix that light by now." He said, slipping his hands in his pockets and stepping down the stairs.
"Takabi," She cried again with a bit more irritation in her tone.
He stopped, looking back at her. His violet eyes were glowing thinly, and the look on his face screamed anger and hostility. She couldn't approach him, no matter how bad she may have wanted to. "I can explain it.. Just listen to me."
"I heard it from God's mouth, didn't I?" He shut his eyes. "Maybe it is my fault. Maybe not. Regardless, it happened and I can't look at you right now." His words stung, but she understood where he was coming from. "Nana, I love you. I do, which is why this hurts and why I'm so pissed. Give me a little space. I'll talk when I'm ready."
"When will that be," She asked.
He shrugged. "Who knows?"
"Takabi, please don't leave me.." Her voice came out small. She reached out to him, tears clouding her sight once more. He looked back at her and sighed, pulling his hand from his pocket and locking fingers with her.
"I never could. I just need a little time to get my head together."
"Are you two coming," Joseph asked in a stern tone. "We have more important things to worry about."
"What's with this asshole," Takabi said, pulling his hand back and moving down the steps. Nana clenched her hand tightly, before reaching into her pocket and producing a fingerless black glove. She slipped it over her right, the very hand she just touched him with and exhaled.
"When he's ready…"
Shine widened her eyes, letting the retina scanner run over her violet orbs. Once a loud clicking filled their ears, the metal door slid open quickly. Shine gestured for Joseph to enter the Bunker. He did without hesitation, or even a simple thank you to Shine for opening the door. She glared hatefully at him, Frannie touching her shoulder and shaking her head.
They filed inside and quickly took note of the busy and bustling structure. Takabi seemed more than impressed. He had spent a lot of time away from the Bunker, and chose to avoid any updates or questions about what was happening down here. He could only imagine the look on his face after seeing that not only had it been remodeled and increased in size once more, but that there were hundreds, if not thousands, of unrecognizable faces.
His absence certainly had left him with curiosity, but nothing in his mind predicted this. To see many familiar faces grown older, and many fresh faces young and revealing of their true race, it was hard to swallow.
He stepped forward, placing his hands on the metal railing in front of them. "What happened to this place?"
"It grew," A feminine voice greeted them. All their heads turned to a creamy skin girl. Her hair was dyed blonde and hung in thick braids. She was wearing a thin spaghetti strap tank top that hugged her tightly. Her legs were exposed under a thin silk skirt, and flats on her feet. The tone she held when she spoke was one of anger. "Why are you here, Takabi?"
He didn't speak to her. Shine got between the two, and raising her palms in an attempt to quell Raia's obvious disapproval. "He's here to help us."
"Sure he won't run off again," She pressed.
"Can't exactly blame him," Jewel spoke up. "If Mom died, I wouldn't want to be around what might've caused it either. Everyone copes differently."
Raia opened her mouth to take another shot at Takabi, but stopped when she noticed Joseph. Her eyes scanned the man in great detail, from his scruffy beard to the way his clothes contrast his smell and teeth. "Who is this?"
"You're Raia, the Succubus I presume?" He reached into his jacket, rummaging around in one of his pockets. "I have heard stories about creatures unholy, but you seem to be special."
"Oh?"
"Raia," Jewel started. "This is Joseph. He's… Well…"
"Let's keep my title a secret, Dear. For now. Bad enough that these two know," He said, gesturing to Takabi and Shine. "Anyway, I wish to speak to the one in charge."
Raia scrunched her face in disgust. "Follow me." She moved up the stairs that lead to the second floor. As the group followed, Takabi flicked his eyes to the side, locking gazes with a young girl.
Her long blue hair reached the bottom of her back, and blue eyes sparkled with an aquatic like nature. Her eyes were as wide as dinner plates that quickly swelled with tears. She reached out, her small voice a tiny bit deeper than when Takabi last saw her.
"You're back… Big Bro…"
"Aqua… You've gotten big-." She connected a swift kick to his cheek, knocking him flat on his back and sitting on his chest. "Can't… Breathe…"
"You had that coming. I'm glad you're back though." She sat criss-cross and held her shins. "I missed you. A lot." Her eyes went from him to the others in the group. "You guys finally convinced him to come back?"
"Not exactly," Nana said. Aqua quickly picked up the sadness in her voice and stood up, helping Takabi to his feet. "It's a long story. I'll tell you about it later."
"Aqua. Ah, Yes. I remember when you were just a child running for her life." Joseph walked around her. His eyes scanned over how she developed as a fifteen year old. Abs that could shed cheese, muscles that weren't extremely defined, but would scream in size if she flexed. Her chest was smaller and hips grew wide. What was most impressive was her pool of Mana.
She looked young and innocent on the service, but the two years of peace did something to her. She was strong, stronger than many of the other children her age in the Bunker. "I take it you've gained some more control over your Gem, Aqua. I can see how much you've grown."
"I had to," She said. "I couldn't rely on Takabi and Kairas forever. Which reminds me, Kai was going to see you when he got a chance."
"Where is he now," Takabi asked.
"Work," She sighed. "Won't be back until after five."
"I'll call him," He said, walking past her. Drawing his phone from his pocket, he dialed Kairas' number and stepped into an all too familiar room. His room hadn't been touched since he left. For better or worse, it was trashed with papers and clothes that he left lying around, moments after their deaths.
The outburst he had that night was the worst. Noone could calm him down, and the resulting fights he broke into one after another left a few of the Bunker members in full body casts. Raia was one of those people.
He hadn't apologized yet, but he made a mental note to do so if he was going to be around again.
The line picked up. There was chatter in the background, before Kairas spoke and said, "What's up?"
"Hey," Takabi said softly. "So… I'm at the Bunker."
"YOU'RE WHAT!?" His voice was so loud Takabi moved the phone from his ear and put it on speaker, dropping the device on the table by the window and sitting down. "Why?! What happened?!"
"A lot…" He sighed. "I'll tell you about it when you get back."
"That won't be for a few hours. What are you going to do until I get back?"
"Look around, I guess. See what's changed."
Kairas spoke away from the mic for a moment, then said, "Alright. I gotta go."
Takabi nodded and ended the call. Standing, his eyes fell on the large Canyon beyond the window. Memories that were long suppressed flooded his mind. His first time down there nearly killed him, and it's been two years since he considered setting foot within its grounds.
Could I still handle the pressure?
A knock.
Turning, he spotted a face he hadn't expected. Still sporting a Brown Jumpsuit and massive sword on his back, the only thing that changed about him was how long his hair was. Short before, now it reached the middle of his back. Bandages were wrapped over his mouth, and his eyes were gentle.
"Been a bit, Taki." Zaku said, greeting him with a hand wave. "I know you just got back, but can I talk to you? It's kind of important."