The Red Hand Chapter 85 – Countdown To Disaster

Akagi sat at ho watching different news feeds, all of which were inundated with a discussion about the recent Christmas attacks and the death of one of the RRT mbers. There was a great deal of anger, fear and concern about the recent attacks, and debate raged among the public and the governnt about what to do, as it beca clear that Libra was winning. So argued for increased US military presence, while others called for an international peacekeeping force. Russia and China backed this, but with the threat of a US veto, it wasn't happening anyti soon. Things were slowly but surely moving in Libra's favor and their backer were very pleased with their progress.

The New Year ca and went without much fanfare as public events had been canceled, and people were reluctant to gather in large groups. A general sense of unease washed over Japan, as many people began to discuss either leaving the country or at least hunkering down until Libra was dealt with. Kana was still on winter break, and there was so speculation that schools may stay closed until the crisis passed. Sothing Akagi figured was likely given the fact that Libra was more than happy to hit students.

Yumi and Akagi were relaxing together as information flashed over the T.V.

"If nothing else, Libra's causing one hell of a panic. That's for sure." Akagi said as she took a sip of her drink. "I'll give them credit for being effective, if nothing else."

"I wonder what will happen now?" Yumi was sitting next to her with a drink of her own. "Perhaps now they will seek you out again? At this rate, I don't think the RRT can win on their own. Even the military help they've been getting isn't enough from the looks of it."

"While not impossible, under current conditions I'd say round two of negotiations is unlikely," Akagi shook her head. "They're going to try everything else before they co crawling to . You can bet on that."

{Though, if this keeps up. I suspect we might see a second Arican occupation of Japan.} Akagi thought to herself. {I should get Hikari to take the temperature in the White House and Congress and see if they're considering it.} Her agent in the US had been proving quite valuable for reading the Arican military and political winds.

"If Libra actually goes through with their plan, perhaps the Japanese governnt might have no choice but to accept my demands, though." Akagi chuckled. Her mole inside Libra ant she knew exactly what they were planning. If they actually attacked Nagoya and caused destruction, the governnt might have no choice but to relent. Akagi wasn't going to forewarn the RRT about this impending attack. So might see this as cruel and even so level of evil. After all, she was using innocent people's lives as a ans to get what she wanted. As she could easily stop the Nagoya attack or, at the very least, tip off the RRT. But doing so would compromise her mole's position, and Akagi was not above letting people die to get what she wanted, especially in this case. Her rules ant that she would not take lives without due cause, but nothing in them said she had to lift a finger to help people.

Kana had already figured out that Akagi was intentionally using the deteriorating situation to wring out concessions from the governnt. She initially voiced concerns, but backed off when Akagi asked for a logical explanation of why she should help for free. As smart as she was, Kana couldn't give a persuasive enough answer. Kana knew her sister was no hero of justice. Many would even call her a villain, and Akagi was ok with that. The Demon did not subscribe to the heroic notion of using one's powers to help others like so superhero. Just because she could help people did not an she had to, and she would not allow others to push their morality on her. If others wished to risk their lives for the greater good and play hero, that was fine. But Akagi was not such a person, and with her humanity dwindling, one would be hard-pressed to convince her otherwise.

"Does seeing this really not bother you, Yumi?" Akagi looked at her. "Unlike , you're still humanish. I can't imagine you don't feel sothing seeing all this." Akagi knew Yumi wasn't entirely ok with her actions at ti, but kept her opinions quiet out of loyalty and respect.

Yumi thought for a mont. "While it's true that I feel sympathy, I am prioritizing your decision and feelings. I know very well just what kind of person you are, and while I may personally wish to help, I would be overstepping my boundaries by attempting to push you to act against your own judgnt."

{This girl...} (Akagi)

"But you do want to help? You do wish that I would?" Akagi asked. "You don't need to lie to , so please be honest."

"If I have to answer, then yes. I would absolutely prefer that you go out and defeat Libra right this mont before more people die." Yumi reluctantly answered. "But as I said, my feelings are irrelevant. I do not have the right to persuade you on a matter where your core principles are at work. At the end of the day, this is your decision to make and I respect your judgent and how you ca to it. Even if I have my disagreents with the outco."

"You really are nice, you know that?" Akagi put her arm around her and hugged her. "Never feel like you can't voice your opinion to , though, ok? Even if you know my mind is made up. You have every right to voice your thoughts and never say your feelings are irrelevant again. Because that's not true." Akagi was happy to hear Yumi's answer. Part of her was glad that Yumi understood just how Akagi was. Though even if she understood why Yumi and the others stayed silent, she would prefer they at least voice their feelings. Even if Akagi's mind wouldn't be changed. "I don't like yes n and submissive people who are only capable of taking orders and doing as I say. You are my [Bonded Soul]. You have every right to speak to as an equal. Even if I am far more powerful than you."

Yumi chuckled. "You say that, but I can never view myself as your equal, and you know that. Not just because of your power either." Yumi's complex past an trauma had warped her view of Akagi strangely and she understood that.

"I know, I'm just saying." Akagi smiled. "Just from now on, don't hide anything from . If I do sothing you don't like or disagree with, please tell . Who knows, you might just change my mind!"

"I doubt that. You are quite stubborn." Yumi rolled her eyes. "But I will keep that in mind." She didn't show it, but she was quite happy to hear Akagi say all that.

The two sat silent, snuggling, until Yumi recalled sothing important.

"Oh!" Yumi exclaid. "I forgot to ntion it, but Mizumi wanted to speak with you. She said it was important."

"Then, can you please go fetch her?" Akagi said. "If it's important, I should hear her out, and I've got nothing else scheduled at the mont."

Yumi hugged Akagi and walked out of the room. A few minutes later, she returned with the blue-haired spirit. Yumi took a seat next to Akagi and snuggled up to her, which caused Akagi to laugh and the spirit to turn slightly red in embarrassnt.

{Crazy how a millennia old spirit can still get all embarrassed about so minor skinship.} Akagi laughed in her mind.

"What did you want to speak to about?" Akagi said as she sipped her drink. "I assu it's important since you don't typically request to speak with like this."

"Yes, well. It's about that Demon tongue of yours," Mizumi said. "I think I recognize it."

"Oh?" Akagi's lazy expression snapped into a serious one. "Go on."

"There were Demons in my world. Though I've never t one like you." Mizumi continued. "I've studied countless historical records and have a comprehensive knowledge of all my world's languages, so I can say for certain your Demon tongue is different than what they use in my world. But, I feel like I've seen it sowhere in my library, sothing about it seems familiar. I just can't quite put my finger on it." She'd sworn it was sothing in one of the old legends or historical accounts from millennia ago, but the specifics were just not coming to her.

"Interesting." Akagi thought. "If others have used it, we might just learn a bit more about myself. If soone else used this language, it's reasonable to assu that we might be related in so way."

"Yes, those where my thoughts exactly," Mizumi nodded. "My library is in a state of chaos at the mont, so I would like your permission to retire to my ho for so ti to conduct research and sort through things. It will likely take several weeks until I have an answer if that's ok?"

"Do it," Akagi said. "Any information you can give will be useful. Take as much ti as you need and search your records, if you do find sothing, I want you to bring it to as soon as possible." She nodded. "Perhaps you might just blow this whole mystery of what I am wide open."

"Yes. Though, I have a bad feeling I am not going to like the answer to that mystery. That language was most likely not used by so peaceful being. I'm sure of that just from the sound of it." Mizumi sighed. "If you wouldn't mind, could you give a vocal and writing sample? That would help cross-reference things, and your technology makes doing both quite easy."

"Sure," Akagi took out a small recorder and spoke into it, then pulled out a pen and paper and wrote a few sentences for her. "Will that suffice?

"Yes, this is perfect!" Mizumi smiled. "Seeing this writing has convinced I've seen this in my library. I just can't rember where."

{Where have I seen this script before? I think it was in one of the old books given to by Elder Zanon.} (Mizumi)

"Alright, off you go." Akagi waved her off lazily.

Mizumi opened a portal, much like the one she appeared through originally. "Alright, I shall return when I have an answer." She said as she stepped through and disappeared along with the portal.

"I wonder if she really will find the answer," Yumi said. "I would certainly be interested in knowing more about you."

"Who knows, but she seed sure she would." Akagi shrugged. "And we lose nothing by having her look, so why not?"

The two sat on the couch watching the newsfeeds while snuggling together for a while until Kana entered the living room.

"Am I interrupting sothing?" She grinned as she walked over to the two of them.

"Jealous?" Akagi winked at her. "I can turn into Hishya and snuggle with you if you're lonely." Hishya was suppose to co over today before heading to so family for belated holiday visits.

"And I did that to myself, didn't I." Kana sat down. "I should know better than to try that stuff on you. I'll never win."

"Nope." Akagi smiled. "What's up? Did you need sothing?"

"I just ca to remind you that we're having your party tomorrow, that's all." Kana smiled. "So don't go off sowhere and miss it." She would be furious if Akagi missed her party.

"Trust , I won't." Akagi waved her off. "I tried talking you out of it, but once everyone else got invested in the idea, I gave up.”

{Plus I don't need Kana breathing down my neck if I ditched. She'd never let hear the end of it.} (Akagi)

"I think you'll like it." Yumi looked up at her. "We never got to celebrate your birthday before, and everyone is looking forward to it!" Yumi had gotten Akagi a special gift, and she was excited to present it to her. "Plus, it will be fun to have a nice celebration."

"If you guys are throwing it, I know I will." Akagi smiled. She'd never celebrated her birthday before, and while she wouldn't show it, she was happy that people cared enough about her to celebrate. "But even without a party, just knowing you all care enough to rember my birthday is more than enough for ."