Marionette

Cosmos, Chapter Five - Omoi Kotoba [重い言葉]

Time was a construct to the mentally sound – The addled mind failed to even take note of the formless concept that formed the fundamental law of existence.

Even if she hadn't lost her hold of it, she likely wouldn't consciously acknowledge it right now.

Katsuragi Amaya had no clue how long it had really been since she'd been issued her exile from Japan.

A 22 hour flight had landed her and Samuel in Moscow, Russia, and according to one of the many papers Shigure had handed her, their movement following their arrival was to consult a brunette woman holding a rather obvious sign.

The obvious sign had just three words written on it: Little One, Japan.

If that wasn't a dead giveaway, then she would never know what would be.

That itself was proof enough that the nickname Shigure had been calling her all these years was a deliberate code he'd managed to subtly teach her without actually having to explain it to her.

The realization was like a bitter taste in the back of her mouth, and she found herself disliking the code-turned-nickname.

Samuel had been silent ever since they disembarked from the plane, clinging tightly to Amaya's side much the same as the twins used to when they first moved to Tokyo.

Understandably, she guessed. He probably adapted well enough to Shigure because the girl who'd stopped his torture back in Okinawa looked a lot like him.

A different world, with different people.

That in and of itself didn't bode well for Amaya, either.

The surprisingly burly, brunette woman introduced herself as Yana Petrov, appearing a close age to Shigure, and she was dressed in what looked to be a set of hospital scrubs. She'd made no display of a flamboyant greeting, instead keeping it simple by handing Amaya more papers similar to the ones Shigure had given her, before whisking them both into an awaiting vehicle.

The movements after being introduced were rather simple – the two were given a ride to a hotel a good hour away from the Moscow International Airport, where they were to stay until Shigure apparently got in contact with them.

That was about the most Amaya could decipher through the heavily accented English Yana spoke in, though there were a few words Samuel had actually translated for her, since English was his natural language.

They were deposited at the main door of the hotel, Yana apparently having needed to rush back to work.

The task of checking in was rather simple in spite of Amaya's expectations otherwise – The bundle of papers Shigure had given them provided all the identification needed, though the hotel administrator had practically guessed who they were before they'd even handed the papers over.

It was too easy – far too easy.

Amaya was more sure of it now than ever.

But there was nothing she could do in her current condition, and there was nobody she could call for help.

It was some time in the early hours of the morning by the time Amaya had brought Samuel with her up to their designated room. It was rather modest, adorned with a bed and a couch, a television and a telephone. There was a small bathroom with other amenities, but that was it - Nothing more, nothing less.

She nudged the sleep-struck boy towards the bed without really thinking about it, locking the door of the room tight before she discarded the luggage cases to the side of the room. He'd fallen asleep almost as soon as his head had hit the pillow, enough so where Amaya had to finish tucking him into bed before she turned off the lights.