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Devil Seed

By

Gemma the Ice-Wolf

9

Northridge Hospital District

Friday 2:07pm

Cain's muscles tensed. His katana gripped firmly in his paws. The opponent he faced was a hyena mercenary with an unknown employer. He held a broadsword in his paws and stood with his feet firmly planted. He grinned evilly as Cain took a step forward and disappeared, reappearing in a blur two feet from the hyena. He swung the katana in a horizontal swipe and the hyena parried, then pushed Cain back while dragging his own sword across the ground causing sparks to fly in all directions. Cain parried the vertical attack and countered with another horizontal cut. The hyena jumped back and continued to grin. He started chuckling.

"You missed." said the hyena.

Cain then gave a grin of his own.

"Did I?" he asked.

The hyena quickly looked himself over, noticing a large cut on the armored vest he wore. He looked back at Cain with the same grin.

"Very good." he taunted. "Perhaps this won't be as boring as I thought."

Cain held up his sword.

"Let's just see how cocky a prick like you can be when I've cut you down to size."

The hyena charged, the same way Cain had not moments ago. He disappeared after one step and then reappeared in a blur. But unlike Cain, the hyena reappeared behind him. Cain hunched over and laid his katana across his back to block just as the hyena's sword came down. He then brought the katana around front and turned to face the hyena, making another attack as he did. The hyena parried again which caused the mercenary to lose his balance and stagger back. He parried three more attacks by Cain and fell back into a series of flips. Cain charged again. The hyena saw this and swung his sword upward when Cain got too close. Cain leapt back feeling the blade cut through the right arm of his suit. Blood slowly started running down his arm as he clutched where the sword had struck. The hyena mercenary grinned and charged. Cain brought up his katana and parried another vertical slash. The two held their ground now, pressing all their weight into the swords. Cain suddenly stepped back and to the side. The hyena realized what was happening and immediately kicked off of the ground and away from the wolf. It was all too late. Cain's katana cut through the side of the armored vest and into the soft flesh and fur. The hyena clutched his side feeling the blood seeping out of the wound. He looked over to Cain, glaring at him with clenched teeth. Cain smirked.

"I'll admit, you have power and speed," he said. "But I'm afraid that's all you have."

The mercenary straightened himself and raised his sword again.

"Don't go claiming victory just yet pup. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve."

Cain's smirk turned into a full smile now.

"Makes me laugh. Just give up. I've already studied your moves. From here on out I'll be able to second guess every one of your next attacks."

The hyena charged. Cain kept his feet planted firmly and raised his katana. He parried two more horizontal attacks followed up by another vertical. On the third attack while Cain held the hyena at bay, he freed one hand from the hilt of his katana and punched the hyena square in the face. The hyena staggered back and Cain moved in performing a downward slash which was blocked. Cain twirled once and performed a roundhouse kick that struck the hyena on the right side of his muzzle. The hyena collapsed. Cain twirled his katana and slid it back into the sheath on his back.

"Like I said, just give up."

The hyena slowly started to pick himself up. He looked up at Cain gritting his teeth, then suddenly started grinning again. Before Cain could react the mercenary reached for a device on his belt and in the blink of an eye he disappeared. The sound of maniacal laughter echoed through the street.

"I told you I still had a few tricks. Now it's my turn."

Cain's eyes shifted left and right. He turned around suddenly, nothing was there. His breathing quickened. His ears started twitching. Quickly he reached for his katana and took it out again. He turned to his left and held it up in a defensive stance. Something metallic collided with it. He jumped back.

"Interesting." came the hyena's voice. "You were able to detect me even now."

Cain kept his focus up ahead of him.

"Just because I can't see you coming doesn't mean I can't hear you." he said.

He heard something coming from his right and raised his katana again. Something hard struck him in the jaw. He staggered back. Something hit him in the stomach, then the chest, and across his muzzle. Cain fell back and quickly recovered, stepping back with his katana raised. His eyes shifted to his right side. There was a sound like the shuffling of boots on blacktop. He dashed left just as a metallic clang struck the ground where he had just been. He leaped at the sound with a hard left hook. He hit something soft. He grinned as he saw dust kicking up some feet away.

"Ha, there you are."

Cain charged again bringing up his katana. He stopped abruptly and performed a downward vertical slash, followed by an upward and then a horizontal cut. None of his attacks hit anything. He was just about to move away when he was struck on the left side of his muzzle followed by his right, then something grabbed his arm. He was swung around once and then flung into a nearby SUV, smashing a door in the process. The blow had nearly knocked the wind out of him. He could hear footsteps fast approaching. Pulling himself away from the SUV he dove to the side just as something metallic struck the vehicle leaving a large puncture in the door. Cain was nearly out of breath. He knew that at any moment the hyena would move in for the final strike. He wouldn't be able to defend himself. The hyena had worn him out with the thrashing he'd given him. There was only one chance. He had to strike before the mercenary. Straightening himself out, he held his katana out with both paws on the hilt. First he concentrated on his breathing, slowly calming himself. He closed his eyes and relaxed. He could hear the hyena moving around, but without a clear picture of him it was hard to determine where he would strike from. Footsteps and metal echoed through the street. There was something he had to listen for. There was only one sound that would give away the hyena's position. It was the one flaw he had that only Cain knew about. Every person he had ever encountered had that specific weakness. Even Cain had this weakness, this flaw. Multiple sounds clashed together in the street. Cain's ears twitched. He could almost hear it now. It was rhythmic, and kept at a steady pace. The hyena was probably upon him now. He exhaled one last time. There was a sound. It canceled out all others. It was like a low thumping noise that beat twice and stopped. Cain heard it again. It was louder this time. The sound of the hyena's heartbeat. Cain's eyes shot open fully shaded in red. He made a one hundred and eighty degree spin and swung his katana in a horizontal cut. The blade struck something and cut clear through it. Electrical sparks surged around him as the hyena came back into visibility. His teeth were clenched as he held his broadsword over his head. Blood was slowly seeping out of his mouth, his eyes were dilated and there was a huge cut across his midsection. He started falling backward and split apart on the ground. A pool of blood started forming underneath the now dead hyena's body. Cain's eye's slowly faded back to normal and he blinked. Looking at the dead mercenary he simply sneered and turned to walk away. His feet dragging and his tail drooping as he slowly headed to the street corner to meet up with Aaron and Terry. It seemed like it took forever when he finally came around the corner and saw his two friends. Terry sat up against the wall of a building and Aaron stood leaning against a street light. When they saw Cain neither of them could believe how bad a shape he was in. His legs started to give out and as he was falling Aaron rushed over to catch him and holding him up with one arm for support.

"Sweet Jesus Cain!" said Terry. "What the hell happened to you? You look like you got hit by a wrecking ball!"

Cain coughed and looked over to him.

"If you think I look bad," he started. "you should see the other guy."

Aaron shook his head.

"I don't think I want to."

It was ten minutes later that the clean up crew arrived with four medics and a slew of men and women, both human and fur, clearing the debris, airlifting the robot spiders, and containing the dead hyena mercenary. Cain had been asked to identify the body before it was removed. Aaron stood by him.

"I couldn't get much out of him. Just make sure you get that device of his over to our boys in the tech labs. I have a feeling they'll want to take a look at it."

The two of them headed over to one of the cleaner trucks and leaned up against it.

"Our unknown enemy is getting bolder." said Cain. "This time it was a mercenary. A nasty one at that."

Aaron sighed.

"They'll probably send more. In which case we'd better be on our guard."

The two watched as the cleaners hoisted robot parts onto a nearby truck. Some were operating machinery while others had damages to evaluate and assess. Vehicles and debris had to be cleared out of the way for the rest of the cleaners. Aaron was about to say something when he and Cain heard a blood curdling shout from the other side of the truck they were leaning against. They looked at each other. Aaron smiled and started to laugh. Cain just rolled his eyes.

"For the love of God, just take the damn thing out!" a voice shouted. "Yeowww! This hurts worse than when I got it in there!"

Aaron started for the other side of the truck. Cain followed. On the other side Terry was lying on a gurney. One of the medics held is paw and stroked his head while the other pulled our a large piece of metal from his leg. The metal was at least nine inches across but, from the sound of Terry's screaming it sounded like he just had his leg amputated. The medic finally managed to pull the offending shrapnel from the wound and deposited it on a tray next to him. Aaron and Cain watched as he did this. Terry started to compose himself when Aaron spoke up.

"Jeeze Terry, one might think you were in labor back here." he said.

Terry looked at him mortified.

"This wasn't exactly fun you know. I had something the size of a dinner plate stuck in my leg."

Aaron looked at the tray where the bloody chunk of metal lay. He looked back to Terry.

"I beg to differ. It's more the size of a dessert plate."

Terry glared at him with a grin.

"Smartass."

"Honestly Terry," Cain started. "do you really have to be such a drama queen?"

To this, Terry laid back on the gurney with one arm on his forehead.

"Cain? Is that you? I can't see. Everything's gotten dark and cold. I'm not long for this world."

Aaron staggered backward laughing. Cain just rolled his eyes. This wasn't the first time something like this had happened. Terry managed to break his leg during the return mission to Paris and even then he acted like he was now. Aaron rested a hand on Cain's shoulder. The two of them watched as the medic started sewing up the wound. Terry was too busy putting on an act to notice.

"Take care of him would you?" asked Aaron.

Cain looked over to him and nodded. As Aaron started walking down the street he could still hear Terry giving the performance of his life.

"I see a light. It's warm." he said.

"Good. Go into it." Cain answered.

After walking two blocks down the street Aaron finally reached his car which had been left unscathed from the whole incident. It would be a while before all the backed up cars were cleared away. Lucky for him he was able to get a few of the cleaners to clear a path for him before they went on to the robots and debris. Unzipping the vest and suit he pulled out his car keys and unlocked the door on the drivers side. Opening it he pressed a small button behind the head rest of the seat and the seat fell forward. A small compartment opened up revealing an extra change of clothes for Aaron complete with black leather jacket and steel toed boots. He had to be prepared for anything in his line of work. After taking off the combat boots and suit and putting on his jacket and steel toed boots, he set the other clothes in the compartment and put the seat back in position. He climbed into the car and started the engine. He looked over to the passenger seat where the Chinese take out was still sitting. By now it was probably too cold to eat. He'd lost his appetite since the attack anyway. With a sigh he started back up the street to the hospital.

Northridge Hospital

Friday 3:24 pm

It didn't take Aaron long to park his car in the garage and get up to the floor where Mia and Cody were waiting for him. As he came to the door of Cody's room he was surprised to see two doctors. Both were red pandas like Mia and Cody. Both wore lab coats, the male wore a blue button up shirt with a red club tie, brown pants, and black shoes, while the female wore a light blue sweater with two buttons below the collar, a black knee high skirt, and red shoes. Aaron took a minute to observe them before coming to a conclusion.

"This must be Mia's parents." he thought.

Gently knocking on the door he stepped into the room with a less than bright smile on his face.

"How's everybody doing?" he said nonchalantly.

They all turned to focus on him. Mia rushed over immediately, wrapping her arms around him.

"Aaron, I was so worried about you." she said on the verged of tears.

He gently put his arms around her and gave her a squeeze. He let go and she stepped back.

"Well I figured I should stay in hiding until things cooled off. Wish I knew what the hell all the commotion was about. I darn near got stepped on by one of those robots."

"You saw them too?" Cody asked surprised.

Aaron nodded.

"I ended up close to one. The weird part is that they just popped out of nowhere and just started wreaking havoc on the street."

"I'm just glad you're okay and you're safe." said Mia wrapping her arms around one of his and standing by him.

The two doctors looked at each other and nodded.

"So this is the young man you were telling us about Mia?" asked the male red panda.

Mia nodded.

"Aaron, these are my parents. Dr.'s Fuse and Kyoko Kusanagi."

Her father approached them with his paw out. Aaron reached out with his free hand and shook it.

"Pleasure to finally meet you both. Mia's told me a lot about you."

"Likewise." said her father. "She also tells us you're quite a hero."

Aaron looked to Mia. She smiled at him.

"Oh really? What has she been telling you?"

"Well for starters," her mother began. "you caught that purse snatcher in the mall. Did you really break the man's leg?"

Aaron nodded.

"Yes ma'am. Snapped his knee backward. He'd need some surgery on that."

"I also understand," Mia's father continued. "that you are the one who finally got that jerk Bruce to leave our girl alone."

Aaron felt like shying away a bit. Receiving such compliments was something he was never used to. It almost made him blush.

"Well," he started. "not only that but, I don't think he'll be bothering anyone else in the school for that matter. He's been laying pretty low since our initial encounter. I can't help but think he's up to something though."

Mia's father nodded.

"People like him usually are. Best to keep an eye out."

"Oh I'm not too worried sir. I've tangled with creeps twice his size."

"All the same," Mia's mother started. "you should be careful. That goes for you too Mia."

Mia grinned and nodded. Her mother continued.

"Now if you'll excuse us we should get back to our patients. We have quite a bit to do before our break time. Why don't you two join us in the cafeteria for dinner? We can get better acquainted then."

Aaron smiled and nodded.

"That sounds like a great idea."

"Can I come too?" asked Cody.

Mia's mother turned to him with a smile.

"Of course you can sweetie."

The two doctors gave Aaron and Mia a nod as they left the room and headed on back to their respective jobs. Aaron gave a slight chuckle as he walked over to one of he chairs in the room and sat down.

"I think they've already taken a liking to me." he said.

Mia sat down next to Cody.

"I'm actually surprised myself. I can remember a time when they didn't trust humans very well."

Aaron leaned back in his seat.

"Really? What caused the change of heart?"

Mia sighed.

"It happened when I was four. There was a mishap at the mall and I got lost. I called for my parents but, no matter where I looked I just couldn't find them. Then one of the security guards and a shopper, both human, saw me standing there in the crowd just crying and so they came over and tried to help me. It took two hours but, we finally found them frantically searching for me. They've never had anything ill to say about humans since then."

Aaron nodded to this with a smile.

"A good deed does not go unrecognized."

"Yes you could say that."

For the next two hours the three of them discussed their accounts of what had happened earlier that afternoon. Cody was especially interested in Aaron's side of the story because he had encountered the attackers face to face. He explained that when he saw the robots that he almost thought it could be an alien invasion. He stayed at a distance and managed to get a couple of badly taken pictures on his cell phone. It was almost six o'clock when Mia's phone picked up a text message from her mother. After calling for one of the nurses to bring a wheelchair for Cody they all got in the elevator and went down to the first floor where they met with Mia's parents again. From there they headed down a hallway and past the receptionists desk to the cafeteria. At this time it was rather quiet. Only a few people were sitting at tables, mainly just doctors coming by for their evening coffee intake. The cafeteria itself was about the average size of about one hundred feet by one hundred feet, the tables could seat at least six people, and one section looked out to the atrium where there was a fountain.

After gathering their meals and finding a table the group sat down. They ate, and while Mia and Cody were talking, Mia's parents asked Aaron about his interests.

"Well, right now I want to finish high school, tour some parts of the world, and heck, maybe get into that career in photography for National Geographic I used to talk about."

Mia's father nodded.

"There's good money in photography. You could make quite a reputation for yourself with magazines and newspapers."

Aaron chuckled.

"Yeah, of course I think I'd stay away from the tabloids. They make people look bad as it is without me working for them. Nothing but a bunch of vultures those guys."

"How about undersea life?" Mia's mother asked trying to change the subject.

Aaron thought for a minute.

"Well I've never had any scuba lessons. That might be an interesting idea. Thing is before I do any of this I'll have to get myself a new camera. All I have is an old Polaroid and cameras are very expensive these days."

Her mother nodded.

"That can be a big setback."

"Mia said you had been in Hong Kong for a while." said her father.

Aaron leaned back in his chair.

"That's right. My mom works for a pharmaceutical company and I had to go with her. It was actually an interesting experience. In a short time I managed to learn three different dialects which I am not fluent in mind you but, I can at least give a halfway decent conversation if need be."

"Three dialects?"

Aaron nodded.

"That's right, Szechwan, Cantonese, and Mandarin. It was more self taught than anything."

"I see."

"So is this new position of your mother's only temporary?" asked Mia's mother.

"No, it's permanent. She saw personally to that before we even landed at the airport."

"What does she do exactly?"

"She experiments with certain kinds of drugs to see how different microorganisms react to them. It sounds tedious to me but, that's her passion."

"Cody, are you alright?" Mia asked.

The others turned their attention to Cody and Mia. Cody's breathing had quickened and he was clutching his chest.

"Cody?" Mia's voice trembled.

Her mother rushed over to him.

"Sweetheart, look at me. You have to control your breathing."

Cody looked terrified.

"It hurts Aunt Kyoko. It hurts."

She looked up at her husband. He nodded.

"Let's get him to ER."

The two doctors pulled Cody away from the table and carted him out of the cafeteria and down the hall. Aaron and Mia followed close behind till they reached the emergency room. They stopped just short of the doors while Cody was rushed in. Mia put her paws over her face and started to sob. Aaron reached over and pulled her to him, draping his arms around her. He started rocking her from side to side.

"It's gonna be okay Mia. He'll be alright."

"He's dying Aaron. Cody's dying and there's nothing I can do."

She looked up at him with tears in her eyes.

"He has a weak heart and he needs an operation, but we can't find a compatible donor for him."

Aaron hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek. All he could do right now was try to comfort her and hope that things would be alright.

An hour later Cody was sent back to his room. Aaron and Mia just stood by him as he slept. The little red panda was hooked up to an I.V. and was wearing an oxygen mask.

"I worry so much about him Aaron. After my aunt and uncle were killed in an accident he's all we have left. I'm afraid that someday I'm going to get a phone call telling me that he's gone. I just wish there was something I could do."

She rested her head on his shoulder.

"How 'bout I take you home? Your parents said they would have one of the nurses watching him tonight. We can come back in the morning and see how he's doing."

Reluctantly, Mia nodded. The two headed back out of the room and to the elevator.

They pulled into Mia's driveway forty minutes later. Aaron looked next to him. Mia hung her head, looking down at her lap. He reached over and gently stroked her shoulder. She looked up at him and smiled weakly.

"I have a few things to do." said Aaron. "I'll come over in a little while."

She nodded, climbed out of the car, and slowly walked up to her porch. When she was inside Aaron backed out of the driveway. He pulled the car up to his house and turned off the engine. Getting out he headed inside and dashed up the stairs. Going down the hall he walked into the computer room where Terry, Cain, and Lisa were sitting in a circle, talking about the days incident.

"Hey guys. Lisa can you do me a favor?"

Lisa nodded.

"I need you to get into the hospital files for a Cody Kusanagi."

"I'll take care of it right now."

Aaron sat down in one of the vacant chairs and leaned back.

"So what's going on?" asked Terry.

Aaron smiled.

"Let's just say that I'm playing the part of a guardian angel right now."