MOM! Nathans hitting me again! I complained from the back seat of our small transport.
Nathan! NATHAN! Knock it off; youre irritating your sister. her mother replied from the front seat.
The little boy giggled and spit his tongue out at his me. I responded by smacking him in the back of the head. He started to screech.
Kasumi! Youre only instigating him!
The little rodent wouldnt stop hitting me; Im trying to watch a movie on the Neural Net.
Kasumi DeJesus Masuyo! my step-father bellowed from the ships controls. You will not hit your brother.
Oh shut up Ronald. I replied. I told you I didnt want to come on this stupid trip anyway. Im 19 years old and youre sending me out on some stupid explorer-
-you shut your trap right now young lady. he replied with another bellow.
Ronald I heard my mom say.
Bastard I mumbled under my breath. Nathan began hitting me again and I closed my eyes and tried to focus on the moviehopefully this trip would be over soon.
The transport stopped and Ronald climbed back into the rear compartment where Nathan and I sat. He rubbed his sons head and made straight for me. He put his stubby finger in my face and got very close.
Youre not my daughter. You are your mothers daughter, and I dont appreciate you hitting MY son.
Why not drop me where ever then if you dont like me so much. I replied and spit in his face, the result was his fist. My mother screamed and I bashed him in the head with my neural player, he stumbled into the side of the transport and it rocked slightly. Hit me will you? Ill f***ng kill you.
Nathan started screaming just as my mother held me back from beating the fat bastard senseless.
Not such a scrawny little b**** now am I? You want to get up again fat a**? Go ahead, get up and hit me again, see how badly I f*** you up. Go ahead. Get up
Kasstop. my mother said in my ear and hugged me tightly. Just stop
Youre lucky my mother loves you, for what I dont knowif she wasnt here youd be a f***ing bloody pulp by nowIm going to pilot the transport Mom. Make sure the prick here doesnt suffer any long term damage. I didnt want my first kill to be a worthless one.
I stomped to the front and targeted the nearest station and flew towards it.
Transport vessel. Halt and state your intentions for being in Blood Dragon Airspace. said a womans voice over the comm. system. I looked back and stared at him.
Are you a f***ing retard? Blood Dragon space? Youre f***ing crazy.
Kas, watch your mouth. Mother said. I shook my head and replied.
Passing through, we had a bit of a situation onboard and I didnt realize my dumba** stepfather was taking us through a terrorists territory.
The comm. was silent for a second and then a reply.
I dont like your tone, or your insults. Were not terrorists.
Blood Dragons? Yeah, youre terrorists.
Want to die b****?
Not today.
I saw the Ravens Talon powering its weapons.
Wait a second. I heard another voice Shan, back down.
What? Ava-
-Shan, back down.
Very welldont see a reason for it.
Dad?
Causing trouble as usual o daughter of mine?
I laughed and giggled.
Kasumi, you mouthy little... I heard Shan say and laugh ...you had me powering up my weapons for nothingI even cranked up my music expecting a fight.
In a transport Shan, come on now, your skills could be put to much better use.
So anyway my father interrupted What brings you to Chugoku?
I turned around to look at my step-father and then my mother taking care of him, I snarled slightly and turned back to the comm.
Ill tell you once Im on board Kyoto. Im getting off there. We need medical attention. Ronald got a neural player lodged in his head a few minutes ago. Hes going in and out of consciousness.
No doubt by your hand. I heard Shan mumble and laugh over the comm.
I docked on Kyoto and climbed out, giving my father a hug as soon as I saw him. Shan was walking up behind him with a smile. I gave her a big hug too and laughed as I saw her rank.
SIC? I asked.
SIC. Youll be taking orders from me Kasumi. she said laughing
I do anyway, you scare the s*** out of me.
Kasumi my mother said again. Language dear.
Shan stared at my mother and rolled her eyes and then gave her a dirty look.
Jean. she said with a glare.
Shan. my mother replied.
No one said anything for a while and then I spoke up.
So, where am I bunking at?
Er my father started. Youre in your mothers custody. Not mine.
Im 19 dad, I can choose, I said staring at Ronald who was getting treated, where I liveand I choose not to live with a manipulative psycho bastard.
F*** off Kasumi. Ronald said staring at me. This got an outburst from my father.
Shut the f*** up you piece of s***. You call my daughter anything but Kasumi ever again and Ill have you personally killed. My dad speaking up and advancing on him.
Joshua- my mother started.
You too b****. he said pointing. What we had wasnt even a marriage. It was a fling, a spur of the moment. Ive already got one daughter, and now I have two. Kasumi, youre bunking with Shan. he looked back at my mother. "Now get the f*** off my landing pad and off my station."
Weeee! I screamed and Shan winced.
What about Gwen? Shan asked.
Gwen? I replied.
A friends daughter
How old? I asked with a glance to my father.
Shes 11.
I have a little sister! I screamed and ran off towards Shans quarters. Everyone looked at each other with strange glances. I saw Ronald get up and get back in the ship, my mother followed with one last glance towards where I ran, and left the station. As I reached Shans quarters, I heard the transport lift off and depart. But I didnt care, all I wanted to do was get situated on Kyoto
Gwen. This is Kasumi. Dont mind her dirty mouth; shes her fathers daughter
Whats that supposed to mean? I said with a look at Shan who only replied with rolling her eyes.
I dont know, what do you think?
Hi Kasumi. Thats a pretty name the girl said. She had stunning blue eyes, almost unnatural.
So whos your dad? I asked hunching down to her height.
His name was Leo Uzamaki, he died a few years ago
Oh, I said growing quiet. Im sorry, I didnt mean to-
-its ok, Shan and I have both moved on. We miss him, but theres nothing more we can do but hope for his salvation. Hey Shan, Im going to go on my patrol, Ill be back around dinner.
Ok sweetie. Shan replied as Gwen closed the door.
Surrogate mother hmm? I asked.
Yeah, kind ofSo, tell me, what are your plans. she said getting out of her flight suit and into her normal clothes.
I dont knowI kind of want to join the Blood Dragons fighter squad, but Im sucky at piloting anything
Well guess what? Shan said putting on her new shirt and beginning to look for new pants. Thats everything that a fighter squad does. Sorry sweetheart.
I figured as much. I said lying down on the bed and placing my hands behind my head. I thought back to the past growing up with my mother in South Liberty in Texas. Most of the time I stayed on Houston, exploring the streets with my friends and going to school, I only just graduated, but was happy to be out of there. I missed my friends.
So, how old are you now? Last time I saw you, you were only around 9 years old. Shan said now fully dressed and combing her long black hair in-front of a mirror.
Im nineteen now. Going to be twenty soon. I replied sitting up on the bed. How old are you Shan?
Hmm? Oh Im 23 now. Not too much older than you.
You were a pretty young pilot then.
I was the youngest to ever fly a fighter until Gwen became a pilot here.
Gwens a pilot?
She is. Good one I might addso what do you want to dooh wait, youve got a nasty bruise on your face.
Ronald. I said plainly
That bastard.
Dont worry about it; Ill cover it up with some makeup later.
You sure?
Yeah, Im sure.
Alrightheylets go to New Tokyo. Im sure theres something there youd be interested in. Boys mainly, correct?
Shan flew the Ravens Talon down with precision on to the pad and walked out into the New Tokyo air. I smelt the air. Rain was coming.
I smell rain. I said.
You looked at the banner dummy. Shan said looking at me sideways with a smile. Its right there. 20% chance of rain today.
I looked at the sign and laughed.
So it doesso what first?
How does lunch sound? I know a nice restaurant here in the mall.
Awesome, Im game!
We walked to a small diner and sat down inside. We ordered our meals, Shan ordered a Traditional Breakfast and I ordered some Pancakes. We sat for a while in silence looking around the diner before Shan spoke up again.
So, I never heard the story about how your mother and father met.
I grew quiet and looked away for a second before looking back at Shan.
They met on a summer holiday 20 years ago. My father was a rookie in the Dragons then I think, he fell in love with my mother at first sight. The two dated for a few months while he was on holiday, when he finally got up the nerve to marry her, he proposed. She said yes of course and what my dad calls Woohoo is what they had. After that I was conceived. But my father was called back to Kyoto, and never called my mother again.
Why? Shan asked.
She cheated on him when he went back. Once he found out he never talked to her againuntil earlier that is.
Oh wow. He never told me about that.
Sensitive subject for him. Ive kept in contact with him regardless though, much to the dislike of my step-father.
Screw him.
Yeahscrew him
I grew quiet and looked around the outside of the mall. People rushed around buying things, going into debt and being stupid people. I laughed at the thought.
Stupid people I said aloud.
Yeah, buying things they dont need. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened to me had I not joined the Dragons
We eventually made it back to Kyoto and I slept for what felt like days. When I woke up Shan was asleep in her bed as well. I sighed and looked out the window she had in her room. All I saw was dust and ships passing by. Obviously she loved the view, or else she wouldnt have the room. Shan was a beautiful woman, close to my age, but she was so much more matureI was still a kid.
I let my hair out of the ponytail at the back and started to comb it. It was all knotted up and I couldnt get the knots out of it. Itd been a while since I had a real shower and I decided to wash up a bit. As I stepped into the shower and started to let the water run down my body, I leaned against the wall and fell asleep again. I woke up to a knocking on the shower door and looked over the top. Shan stood with her towel around her body and glaring at me.
Wasting my water? she said and a smile slowly lit up her face.
Oh, sorry Kat, I just needed some time to myself, a shower was nice. I said getting out. Shan took off her towel and handed it to me to dry off with. I dried off my hair and started combing it.
My god your hair is long. Shan said from the shower.
Yeah, I havent cut it in a whilewas thinking I might cut off the ponytail part and leave the short sections around my bangs and stuff.
Why?
Its getting too longmy mom liked it longbut now that Im here I might cut it.
Its your hair
That it isIm going to go explore Kyoto, you have anything you need done around here? I asked putting on my bra.
Nah, nothing right nowwell the room could use some cleaning if you dont mind.
I dont. Ill get it taken care of. I said getting dressed the rest of the way.
Thanks Kasumi, youre a lifesaver.
Shan got out of the shower, combed her hair, and got dressed herself. We both waved at each other and parted ways agreeing to meet up at the deli in Kyotos bar after her shift. I decided it was finally time to talk to my father, I hadnt talked to him since yesterday, and he probably wanted to talk to me
From looking at me, you wouldnt think me and my father were related. I was dark skinned like my mother, but I had his eyes which was unusual. My skin was more tan than dark, and my eyes were stark blue, a striking contrast. As I walked past the Blood Dragon boys, many stopped and stared, I only laughed. My shirt said Make me Purr and a few men made purring noises and I only giggled, blushing as I walkedthe shirt was way too small for me
I approached my fathers office and knocked twice.
Yeah *mumble* I heard him say.
Daddy? I said.
Oh, Kasumi, its youwhat the hell are you wearing? he said.
A shirt? Would you prefer me not wear it? I said trying to take it off.
No, no, noleave it on. I dont need a topless teenager walking around Kyoto to further distract the people from their jobs. Whats up? You need something dear?
I just wanted to talk to you aboutyou knowMom.
Oh.
And your other daughter
I see.
Whyd you never forgive Mom?
Would you forgive someone who cheated on you? he asked with seriousness in his voice.
I already have before, were friends to this day. Were human Dad, we give in to weakness.
Weakness is irrelevant. I like to consider myself a strong man. Your mother was not, simple as that.
You knowI thought you were different than that Dad. I suppose I was wrong about you all along.
Look, Kasumi, I know you want explanations as to what happened between your mother and I, but thats not to discuss nor will it ever be.
Even if your daughter who youve talked to only across the expanse of Sirius for the past 19 years?
He sighed and looked up.
Listen, heres what happened. When she told me she was pregnant with you, I was overjoyed. We were getting married anyway and I was ready to be a father. She was going to come with me back to Kyoto at the end of that month, but they wanted me back then and there for an attack on a Nomad base. You remember the stories of Edison Trent I used to send you?
I do, and read about him in High School. I replied.
Right, well I was one of the people who helped in that. They needed me for that. Soon after I was commissioned to a higher rank for my services, but when I went back to Rhineland, your mother was with another man, and apologized to me for breaking my heart. I turned away and never returned. I didnt speak to her again until yesterdaythat Ronald prick was the guy whom she picked over me. Your step-father.
That bitch.
Indeed. Theres the story from my side, different from your mothers?
A lot different.
Go figure. Now, I hate to rush you out of here, but I have work to do, and dont let me see you wearing anything that skimpy around here ever again. It may be your style, but I dont need any Dragon pilots with broken necks, ok? he said with a weak smile.
Oh dadthanks
Youre welcome sweet thing. he said and went back to his work. I didnt see the tear rolling down his cheek thoughand I wish I would have.
I walked back to my room in silence, wondering why my father was so irritated at my mother. I couldn't figure it out. I decided to take a look see in the records on the station but was denied access at every turn. Eventually after the 100th time trying to get through, the console locked me out. I only sighed and walked back upstairs to the Deli where I was supposed to meet Kat. She showed up a few minutes later and sat down across from me.
"What's the matter?" she asked right away.
"It's dad."
"Oh?"
"He won't forgive my mother. He said he's already forgiven her for what she did to him with Ronald."
"And he wouldn't tell you what else?"
"Nuh uh."
"Lets do some digging then, grab your food and lets go."
We went back to her room and began searching through the database.
"So, what was your mothers last name, Masuyo?" Kat asked typing.
"Yes." I replied.
"Lets have a looksee at the roster for the Blood Dragon over...the last 25 years then."
A few names popped up on the screen, one was named "Leonardo Masuyo." Kat stopped and stared at the name for a few moments but went on, many times bad memories popped up when ever she saw that name. We started going through the list without any connections to my mother, when Kat got to the Leonardo member, she paused just before clicking it.
A man's picture was at the top. He had jet black hair, and golden eyes. Kat screamed slightly and fell back from the computer.
"What? Are you ok?"
"His last name was Uzamaki, not Masuyo..." she said shaking her head. "There's no way..."
At the bottom were the living relatives, and of those included my mother, "Jean Masuyo", as an older sister.
"How-"
"What's going on?" I asked again.
"You remember Gwen's father? The one who died?" she asked as I nodded. "Well him and I..."
"Were a package."
"Yeah...he lost his memory...but when he regained it, it must have still been broken, because he though his name was Uzamaki."
"Guess not..."
"This complicates things...Kas, come here." she said and I climbed off the bed. I walked over to her and I heard a strange beeping noise. Kat looked back at me and the outer ring of her iris was lit up blue. I gasped and as I did it went away. "Apparently the Masuyo bloodline is one of them..." she said to herself.
"What?" I replied. "Shan what's going on?"
"Sit. I will explain."
We sat on the ground for a few hours as Shan explained the entire story (OORP: See the Leo stories for more info). From Leo's memory loss, to the time when he sacraficed himself for her...twice. Gwen had implants, Leo had them, Shan had them, and even my "older brother" Takashi had them. That was the reason I wasn't allowed here for such a long time, because of the events unfolding concerning the Nomads.
"Do you understand? We all can do that, but not you, because you don't have the implants...wait." she said looking at my neck. She felt the scar on my neck that I had since I remembered. "Don't worry about it, but I think we figured out why your father never forgave your mother.
"Leo vanished from the Blood Dragons when he was kidnapped by Tainted. He never gave a reason for why he left, but Takashi was taken as well, they considered it treason, and embarissed the NovaPG at the time. Leo went rogue, and was believed to have killed my brother. He never forgave your mother because of her brother's vanishing act."
"I see." I replied. "...so what now?"
"You...WE explain what happened...come on. We have some more research to do."
"I see." said my father organizing his papers. We explained to him what happened but he continued to pretend like he didn't hear us. My control finally snapped.
"How can you be so damned thickheaded?! I just explained what happened and you refuse to even give it thought?!"
My father lost his as well...
"You don't know thickheaded! You're the worst out of them all! Maybe it WASN'T a good idea to have you here after all!" he stopped at those last words and backed up.
"Well, I think you've proven your point there dad. If you don't want me here I'll leave." I said turning to the door and pausing at the door frame. "Maybe I'll help the KNF, you know they're in short number these days."
"Kasumi-" he said.
"No, no, because you know, when people want me gone, I usually leave, if you need me I'll be packing my things and signing up for the next transport out of Kyoto-"
"-STOP." he said with bold words. I looked back to him with angry overtones. "You want to really know the truth Kasumi? Because I'll tell you everything if you want to know, but remember that you asked for it. You asked for every word that I tell you, and you cannot hate me for it."
"Fine." I said standing at the doorway. "I'll give you a chance."
"I wasn't ready to be a father." he said.
"What?"
"I wasn't ready to be a father!" he said again. "I was up for promotion in the Blood Dragons at the time, I couldn't handle the pressure of a family and work at the same time."
"So you chose the Dragons over mother and I, caused me to be raised with that Ronald bastard?"
"If I left the Blood Dragons, they would have a bounty on my head faster than I could start cruise. You saw what happened to Leo-" he said stopping and looking at Shan who only looked down at the floor. "-soon as he left they had a bounty on his head. If he hadn't have vanished, someone would have killed him off for sure."
"So you left Mom for the Dragons...why not bring us here?"
"The Dragons is no place for a girl to grow up Kas, Shan knows that, I know that, and even your 'brother' Takashi knows that. If you were to grow up here, you'd have been a pilot, and could have been shot down at anytime."
"Save your 'honorable' reasons dad. I don't want to here them. Shan, I'll be on the landing pad looking at fighters." I said turning around and leaving...
I stayed on Kyoto, where else did I have the opprutunity to go? My father stopped doing his regular duties and pretty much so did everyone else. The NovaPG came back and suggested the two groups merge back together, it went over smoothly and everything went according to play. Shan didn't like the entire thing and left the Blood Dragons entirely. She said that there wasn't any real point to be in a group that she had worked so hard to secure, only to have it forcefully taken away. After Leo came back, he and her left Kyoto, as to where they are now, I have no idea.
My father remained on board Kyoto, but didn't fly near as much as he used to, he kept himself barracaded in his office, working on paperwork and whatever else he did behind those doors. We hadn't talked for a month or more, and it didn't show any signs of changing. Mother offered to take me back, but with Ronald and his demon child of a son, I turned her down and said I'd find my own way in Sirius...much to her dismay.
So there I was, staring out of the window in Shan's old room, my suitcase packed, and my fighter prepped on the pad and ready to launch...I debated on going and saying good-bye to my father, but I changed my mind when I got halfway to his office. I shook my head and drug my suitcase to my fighter, loaded the cargo hold and launched. Before long...I had exited Chugoku, and was well on my way to my own path in life...the life of a Freelancer.
![[Image: Zelliaind.gif]](https://sig.grumpybumpers.com/host/Zelliaind.gif)