Kiyoatsu sat in the cave, scribbling on the floor. So little Kiyosuke made some friends, huh? How wonderful…it would be so nice to…play with them. He’d play with the big man first…then maybe the machine? Or the girl from the village? He’d need to separate them first but he was a shinobi! Shinobis are really good at separating things!

He giggled to himself.

And then pain shot through his skull. He held his head and grimaced before forcing his mouth into a smile.

Nonono, happy thoughts, fun times.

And then he felt something buzz at the edge of his perception. He crouched down and shuffled to the edge of the cave, keeping to the shadows.

 

A red barrier surrounded the cave.

 

And then a purple bolt shot into it.

 

A purple shockwave blasted from the bolt, launching Kiyoatsu out from the cave and into the air.

And then the red barrier began to shrink.

Kiyoatsu glanced around. There must be a hole in the barrier if they launched an attack through it. And he found it. The machine girl stood at the one hole in the barrier. He flickered down to the ground and launched himself at her.

A net of blue chakra launched straight at him, knocking him to the ground.

But his phantom clone simply vanished from under the net. He himself was already hidden behind the girl, ready to strike. He lifted his knife…

Kiyosuke appeared before him, and deflected the strike. Kiyoatsu grinned.

 

“Hello, little brother, here to play?”

 

Kiyosuke simply swung his blade, a storm of slashes striking every which way.

But Kiyoatsu was already behind him, standing in between Kiyosuke and the machine girl, aiming for a gap in her armor…

A cloud of green smoke puffed out of Kiyosuke.

 

Kiyoatsu coughed and dropped to the ground.

 

Bob smiled as he stepped out towards the group. Works every time. He shook his head. Shinobi and their need to appear behind you. So annoying.

Kiyosuke simply stared at his brother as Elise, Saydaa, and Nana worked to tie him down with all possible means. Bob tapped his shoulder.

 

“I told you, killing someone is easy if you have a good plan.”

 

Kiyosuke silently nodded.

 

“...what now?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

Kiyosuke shuffled a bit, fidgeting with the handle of his blade.

 

“You, um, don’t really like killing, right? Are you...fine with this?”

 

“I don’t like pointless, impulsive killing. This guy? He might be broken, a victim of that hell the shinobi villages have created. But he’s also going around and killing people for fun now. He tried to kill my people. So if you want my opinion, we put him in the ground now and be done with it. But you have a lot more riding on this than I do. So, Amano Kiyosuke, what do you want to do with your brother?”

 

Kiyosuke went silent for a moment then took a deep breath.

 

“...you were right. It wasn't just about killing him. Not really. I wanted to overcome him. If I became more powerful than him…then maybe I could prove something. Reverse what he did. But I see now…that’s impossible. Our parents, our family, are gone. As is my brother. In the end…I was just running away from that pain. I was afraid of him…afraid if I cared about anyone he would come and take them away. The sight of him...still fills me with rage. But now that he's sleeping before me like this...it also...makes me feel empty and alone inside.”

 

Bob waited for the boy to continue.

 

“...it needs to be done. He killed my parents and I want to avenge them. He will kill others. And he will try to kill everyone around me. So…”

 

Kiyosuke held his blade up and took a step forward. He took one final look at his brother’s sleeping face.

 

Memories of a happy family flashed before his eyes.

 

Memories of a loving brother.

 

He took a deep breath.

 

“...goodbye.”

 

He brought his blade down as the tears filled his eyes.

 

---

 

Nemesis was silent as they returned to base, Kiyosuke and Saydaa both looking at their feet. But, the atmosphere seemed slightly more relaxed. Once they landed Bob heaved a sigh and looked up and around at the group.

 

“Take a rest, you’ve all earned it. You won’t have any more missions for a while.”

 

Saydaa slowly lifted her head.

 

“We can’t. We need to stop what’s going on. We need to fix it.”

 

Bob looked at her.

 

“You already have. I have some plans in the works to reduce the pressure, you’ve bought me time for that. You all can take a well-deserved break now.”

 

Saydaa opened her mouth again, paused for a bit, then looked down and sighed. She got up and shuffled out of the jet without another word. The rest of Nemesis followed after her. Bob let out a sigh as Cikizwa walked up to him.

 

“...they aren’t doing well, are they?”

 

“Obviously, Bob. They’re a bunch of kids who have been fighting continuously for a while now. Kiyosuke’s brother is a bit of a lesson on what can happen in that sort of situation.”

 

“You’re supposed to be watching them.”

 

“I’m a handler, Bob. I set up missions, and then handle the assets as they complete those missions. I am not a babysitter or a counselor.”

 

“Doesn’t mean you can’t talk to them.”

 

“I’m not the one who brought them in, or the one they look up to. And I’m a handler, I don’t really care about how the assets feel. Not as much as you do, at least.”

 

Bob heaved a sigh.

 

“Fine, I’ll talk with them before I go.”

 

---

 

The next morning Bob knocked on Kiyosuke’s door. To his slight surprise, the boy opened the door and let him in. The two stood in silence for a second.

 

“How are you feeling?”

 

Kiyosuke let out a sigh.

 

And then…he smiled of all things. A sad smile, but still an expression that Bob had never seen on the boy before.

 

“I...need to be alone for a bit. But...I think I'll be all right.”

 

Bob nodded and pat the boy’s shoulder.

 

“Grief is important. Give it as long as it needs.”

 

Kiyosuke nodded.

 

“And…you’re not alone, not if you don’t want to be.”

 

Kiyosuke nodded once more and Bob left the room. Boy was still partially broken…but he had started on the path to healing at least. That made one…

 

---

 

Bob sat with Arvid as the two ate breakfast.

 

“How are you feeling?”

 

Arvid shrugged.

 

“This is not my first campaign…in this life or those prior. I am more concerned for the others.”

 

Bob nodded.

 

“I’m talking with them, any concerns of your own?”

 

Arvid grimaced.

 

“We’ve done a lot of…ILS-type work lately, have we not? And friend Kiyosuke’s brother managed to track him down as a result. I fear should something similar occur, my family may get the wrong idea as to my intentions.”

 

Bob nodded.

 

“...is there anything we can do?”

 

Arvid shrugged again.

 

“‘Tis not nearly so dramatic as Kiyosuke’s family. I simply do not wish to see them at the moment.”

 

Bob nodded.

 

“We can run interference if they manage to find you.”

 

Arvid nodded back as he took a bite of a breakfast burrito.

 

“Much appreciated. Now let us focus on our vittles!”

 

Bob nodded and got to eating.

 

---

 

Bob stood with Elise, motionless as ever.

 

“How are you feeling, Elise?”

 

“...Careful Response: This unit is fully-operational, Commander Bob?”

 

“...careful response? Did something happen, Elise?”

 

“Negative.”

 

“...then why does your response need to be careful?”

 

“Response: There is no particular reason, Commander Bob.”

 

Bob held back a sigh.

 

“...well, if there’s anything you need or want from me, I’m here, Elise. I know it’s been a while since we had a chance to talk, so please don’t hold back.”

 

Elise stood still for a moment before quietly whispering under her breath.

 

“...100.”

 

“What was that?”

 

“Observation: It has been 100 days, 7 hours, 38 minutes, and 23 seconds since this unit’s last refueling.”

 

“...you’re not referring to food in general, are you?”

 

“Sarcastic Response: Obviously not, Commander Bob.”

 

“When did you learn sarcasm?”

 

“...”

 

“Right, do you mean…ice cream?”

 

Elise slowly nodded. This time Bob did heave a sigh.

 

“Elise…you know there’s ice cream in the freezer, right?”

 

“...Hesitant Clarification: Organic components report…refueling with Commander Bob is under separate categorization than standard refueling. Elise decided to wait for Commander Bob’s next rest cycle.”

 

Bob froze.

 

Of course. That’s what this was about. It was true he hadn't been able to spend time with her recently. He just didn’t expect her to be sulking about it.

 

He couldn't help but smile slightly. Looks like she had grown more human than he thought.

 

“I’m sorry, Elise. I know we’ve both been busy lately. Why don’t we go out to the park today?”

 

“...Reluctant Affirmation: If Commander Bob requires guarding, Elise is able to acquiesce.”

 

Bob nodded.

 

“Thank you, Elise. I will enjoy having you with me.”

 

“...Acknowledged.”

 

---

 

Bob took a deep breath as he approached Nana. Normal, please be normal, Nana. He dreaded what might occur if she was also breaking.

 

“B-Bob-sama, what can I do for you?”

 

“Nothing today, Miss Ueno. Just here to check in.”

 

“Y-You’re checking in…on me?”

 

“Yes. How are you feeling?”

 

“OH! Um, great! Just great!”

 

“That’s good, is there anything you need or want while I’m here?”

 

“Oh, um n-nothing, Bob-sama! I am perfectly happy the way things are!”

 

“Are you sure? It’s no problem, really.”

 

“Well…”

 

“Yes?”

 

“I…overheard Elise. It seems…you are…refueling together? Um…well…”

 

“...do you want to get ice cream?”

 

“YES! I mean…um…as you wish, Bob-sama.”

 

Whew. Normal.

 

And then Bob stopped as he realized…

 

…is wanting nothing more than ice cream with your boss after months of continuous combat normal?

 

…he decided not to think about it.

 

---

 

Bob took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

 

“Saydaa, are you in there?”

 

No response.

 

“Saydaa? Can I come in?”

 

Still nothing. Bob took another deep breath.

 

“Saydaa, I’m coming in. Let me know if you don’t want me to.”

 

With that, Bob slowly turned the nob and opened the door. Saydaa stumbled over to him, bags under her eyes.

 

“Oh, hey boss-man, what’s up?”

 

“...just checking in. How are you feeling, Saydaa?”

 

“All well and good, as you can see. A-ok here, everything’s just great. Now that that’s settled, did you need anything else?”

 

Bob shook his head.

 

“Is there anything you want or need?”

 

“...nope. I’m all good here, boss-man. Well, if that’s it, then thanks for checking in and all. See you later.”

 

She tried to step back and close the door but Bob stood his ground for a moment.

 

“Saydaa.”

 

“Yea, boss-man?”

 

“It wasn’t your fault.”

 

“...”

 

“You were just trying to help, the mistake was mine. I over-compartmentalized and didn’t tell you something that in hindsight you should have known. That’s on me. And you’ve done well. I’m completely happy with your performance thus far. Just so you know.”

 

Saydaa stood quietly for a moment.

 

“...I see. Well…thanks for that? If there’s nothing else…”

 

Bob shook his head.

 

“Get some rest, Saydaa. And don’t hesitate to let us know if you need anything.”

 

“...I don’t need anything, from anyone at the moment. I’m all good…on my own…see you later, boss-man.”

 

With that, Bob stepped back and she closed the door. Bob heaved a sigh. He really wished he had found a competent therapist. Counseling teenagers…is so annoying.