Silence In Numbers: File One (33 page)

Ayane met Katsumi’s eyes. “Too much like him and not enough like him at the same time,” she stated sadly.

Hitomi looked between them. “If he’s not human, what is he?”

“Something different,” Katsumi said with obvious disgust. “More than human, or maybe less. He was human at one point, at least I think so. Whatever he is now, his view of humans is very low. He basically doesn’t think of humans as sentient creatures – they’re just trash to him, like insects.”

“I don’t know if I should ask about him,” Hitomi said quietly, “but it’s really… curious. When you two came out of that building and Ayane said your father did that to you, I was shocked. Is it…” She trailed off having noticed Ayane’s hands were shaking slightly, curled into tight fists.

Katsumi noticed as well and reached up to catch one of her hands. Ayane opened it, clasping her sister’s hand and letting out a breath as she looked back at Hitomi. “There isn’t a worse subject for either of us, so asking about him is… discouraged. But you deserve to know something, just like everyone else here. What you have to know is that there is nothing we hate more in the world, no one we want to kill more.”

Hitomi’s voice was even softer as she spoke, as if she almost didn’t want her words heard, but still she said, “I’m not naïve enough to think no child ever hated a parent, but your feelings seem like so much more.”

Ayane’s blue eyes were hard, while Katsumi seemed a bit more distant. For Ayane it was rather hard discussing her father as she stood beside her sister who was still suffering a lot of pain that had been inflicted by the man just a day before. It made the subject a lot more fresh and real. “He
used
us. He spent our childhoods turning us into weapons for his own uses. Then he killed our mother and forced us to run in fear for years, and now he…” She looked at the floor, aware that directing her glare at the other girl was making her uncomfortable.

“He thinks we’re worthless,” Katsumi finished for her, looking at Hitomi with a depression that tore into Ayane even more because it was put there by that man. “Normally I wouldn’t give a damn what he thinks, but after all that he put us through in the name of making us ‘useful’, to hear him say it wasn’t even worth it…”

“You feel like the pain was even more pointless,” Hitomi quietly guessed, receiving a nod. “So what you went through is even more senseless. He might as well have left you alone.”

“We’re failures to him,” Ayane said with emotion. “At least if-“

“You can’t think like that,” Hitomi cut her off. “You only failed his purpose. Despite what he did you escaped and made your own lives outside of his influence. If anything he’s probably angry that the most promising thing he’s ever done slipped through his hands and did better without him.”

Katsumi smiled sadly. “We can pretend that’s true.”

Hitomi sighed. “Now I understand why the others wanted to kill him, too. If there’s ever a way I can help…”

“You are,” Ayane said, shifting to a smile as Katsumi pulled her back to her seat and whispered to her, repeating that she was fine and healing and reminding her of her promise the night before. Ayane closed her eyes, letting out a deep sigh as she let go of her anger for now. She laid her head on Katsumi’s shoulder, opening her eyes to look at Hitomi again. “Just be our friend. We spent so long with just the two of us, it’s really nice to have additional support.”

Hitomi smiled at her. “I can do that. I’m a good friend, and you deserve the support. My life’s been pretty easy,” she said a little guiltily.

“That’s good,” Katsumi replied honestly.

“Well, it’s just… I feel like it makes it harder for me to understand, help, or relate to people like you. People that have actually been through the intense things you have.”

Ayane smiled. “You shouldn’t be worrying about that with us, Hitomi. No one will ever relate to the two of us on more than one or two things; no one will ever really understand us. Sumi and I figured that out a long time ago.”

Katsumi nodded. “And honestly that’s for the best. Neither of us would be happier if you’d gone through anything like that. Personally I’m glad you haven’t because you don’t deserve it.”

“Neither of
you
deserve it.”

“
No one
deserves a bad childhood, because children are innocent. So I’m happy when I meet anyone who had a good one. And I enjoy seeing people who have had happy lives. I am beyond grateful to have a sister who understands everything, down to the tiniest detail, about me and my life,” Katsumi said as her arm hugged Ayane, who gave her a smile. “But do you honestly think I wouldn’t give anything to have spared her from it?”

Hitomi shook her head. “No, I guess you would. I see your point, I just assumed… Well, misery loves company, you know?”

“Sometimes. But seeing someone else miserable doesn’t make you feel any better about it. Seeing someone happy does. For me, anyway. I’ve met a lot of people who tried not to talk about happy memories or good times with their parents around me because they thought I’d just be jealous and angry.” Katsumi smirked. “If I’m honest, yes… Maybe I’m a little jealous sometimes. How can I not be? But hearing the stories of others’ happiness is what makes me want to protect them.”

Hitomi studied her. “You’re good people. The rare kind.”

Katsumi smiled. “It feels good to hear that. It’s Ayane’s fault.”

Ayane looked at her. “Fault? I prefer the term ‘achievement’.”

“However you wanna say it.” Katsumi looked from her to Hitomi. “Not everything was bad, you know. Our mother was amazing. I sometimes wonder how she would’ve felt had she known what he did, but I’m glad she didn’t. And even after all of that I have a lot of good memories. If I’d lost Ayane as well…” Katsumi shook her head. “Then, I can guarantee, even if I did somehow survive, I wouldn’t be this person. I’d be gone, really; no positive emotions or good feelings. No sense of justice or moral code. No happiness. Just a lot of hate and chaos.”

Ayane hugged her, bringing back her older sister’s smile. She met it with one of her own, speaking in a voice that suggested she was thinking back on fond memories. “We had a lot of happiness. It wasn’t just survival.” She looked at Hitomi. “I know it sounds bad sometimes because we can get kind of negative, but honestly I wouldn’t trade my memories with Sumi for anything. We played in snow, we took trips, we celebrated holidays. And it’s hard not to feel good when I think about how we still do all of those things, and we always will.”

Hitomi sighed. “I’m glad you had each other for all of that. I’m glad you still do. And I’m glad I got to meet both of you.” She smiled, shaking her head. “I don’t care what your father says. You’re both so worthwhile, so… worth knowing. I feel blessed just to be able to know you.”

Katsumi smiled. “And you said you’d have a hard time helping.”

Ayane nodded. “I know, it’s like she doesn’t know how much words like that mean to us.”

“I’m glad they mean something,” Hitomi said with a soft laugh. “I doubt I can do anything to help you fight, at least not yet. But I swear I’ll do everything I can to help you keep your reasons for fighting.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Victoria moved to her computer as it announced someone was contacting her. She smiled as she saw the name, taking a seat and pressing a button under her desk that activated a device M had made for her, one that switched all surveillance and bugs to a loop, giving her privacy. She then tapped the screen on the wall, which showed the two women she’d been hoping to hear from. “Hello, girls,” she said with a fond smile.

Katsumi and Ayane were standing and both snapped off a salute. “General,” they said in unison. “We were told you hoped to hear from us,” Katsumi added.

Victoria grinned. “I appreciate the formalities, but none of us are in uniform. And take a seat, weren’t you injured?”

Katsumi looked a bit sheepish as she and Ayane both sat on her couch. “Unfortunately. It’s rather minor though-“

Ayane snorted. “Relatively, but still something to be in bed over.” The blue-haired girl grinned and looked at Victoria. “Oh, General,” she said in a sing-song voice, “Could you order my sister to get bed rest?”

The dark-haired woman leaned forward, steepling her fingers. “Captain Samakura, are you ignoring your health again?”

The older sister sighed. “Not ignoring, General Gray, just… I’m just busy, that’s all.”

“You’d be a lot less busy in the grave.”

“…I get your point,” Katsumi said, “But you know how much I hate that.”

“You aren’t as effective injured. You should take that into account.” Victoria leaned back, her expression growing serious. “I heard what happened. I can’t believe he’s still causing me trouble.”

Ayane sighed. “It’s just our luck he’s mixed up in all of this. He’s made everything more complicated, again.”

Victoria’s expression grew dark. “I’ve always tried to be a professional, but if I was ever able to get my hands on that man, I’d take my time making him die.”

Katsumi smirked. “It’s not like you to harbor personal vendettas, General.”

“I have a few weaknesses,” she replied with a smile. “Do you need any help down there?”

“Keep an ear open,” Katsumi stated firmly.

“Understood. So how are the others? How is Lawrence?”

“Tall,” Ayane answered. “Really, very tall, and big.”

Victoria grinned. “That’s exactly what I was asking about, Ayane, thank you.”

The girl beamed. “Not a problem!”

“I suppose that means nothing has changed since he was under my command with you two.”

“Not a lot,” Katsumi said, and then smirked. “Well, he’s a lot quicker about following my orders these days.”

Victoria chuckled. “Of course. I remember the complaints I got when I sent you to Central America; ‘a twenty-year-old officer, are you insane?!’” She smiled at Ayane. “It didn’t get any better when her seventeen-year-old sister showed up at the same time as the new medic.”

Ayane grinned. “I wasn’t trying to help
you
.”

“That much was obvious. My word, the arguments I got from you two when I tried to split you up…”

Katsumi smirked and folded her arms. “Well you should’ve known better.”

“I know now, believe me. M was wiser than I was, he didn’t even try.”

“It was part of the deal,” Katsumi reminded her. “Though… I do miss being under your command,” she admitted.

“Both of us do,” Ayane added with a nod.

Victoria smiled softly. “And I miss having you. You’d think seven years would be long enough, but sometimes you just don’t want to let someone go.”

“If it helps, ma’am, we’re still under you in all but title,” Katsumi said. “We’d follow any order you gave without hesitation.”

“I value that, but my only order is to contact me more. Maybe even visit.”

Ayane tilted her head with a smile. “We can do that. Both of those. Maybe we should visit after this demon thing is over?”

“I would love that,” she replied with a smile. “Keep yourselves safe so it may come to pass. I don’t like the dangerous situation you’re in; it feels wrong.”

“As does yours,” Katsumi responded. “M said he’s suspicious about what’s going on up there.”

“As he should be,” Victoria sighed. “I don’t know what they’re planning but I don’t trust it.”  She held up a hand. “Don’t worry, I’m being careful. I know how to play the politics, even if I hate it.”

“It’s always better when it’s a straight fight, isn’t it, General?”

Victoria smiled. “At least it’s easier that way. Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s the way things are going… Whatever is happening, it’s happening in the shadows. We can only hope it comes to light and doesn’t simply stab us in the back.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tonight was not a good night for Katsumi. Oh, it started perfectly – Ayane was in bed at home, still feeling well enough to not go back to the hospital. The talk with Victoria continued for two hours with the three reminiscing about good times. She was even feeling better, able to stand and walk around on her own. However, she slept fitfully despite Ayane’s presence, disjointed dreams overtaking her consciousness.

She awoke an hour and a half past midnight with cold sweat and clammy hands. The nightmares were odd as she couldn’t quite make sense of them. She glanced at Ayane and sighed, thankful that at least she hadn’t woken her up. She carefully slipped out of the bed and got up, making her way into the bathroom. She ran the sink quietly, splashing water on her face to wake herself up a bit. A flicker of movement caught her attention from the corner of her eye; something she saw in the mirror. There was nothing there, though; a trick on her eyes by her mind, paranoia caused by her nightmares.

Still, Katsumi hadn’t lived as long as she did by waving anything off as paranoia. She grew more alert and cautious, examining the mirror and turning to examine the bathroom behind her. She always checked these things out even if it was most likely nothing, especially with her sister in the house. A sudden noise of pots or pans clanking together in the kitchen – just a small one – jerked her attention in that direction. She exited the bathroom but found Ayane still asleep. She considered waking her in case there was someone in the place, but if it was just her imagination then waking her would only cause her to worry. She picked her pistol up off the nightstand; it was always kept loaded and with a round chambered when she slept.