Chapter 2: Vices and Virtues

"Just let me know when you're finished sis, I'll keep watch out here..." Carl said as his sister, soaked from her fluidic prison, made her way into the back room. Before completely shutting the door, she gave Carl a warm smile, giving him a nod.

"Of course Carl, I will try to make this as brief as a I can," she said cheerfully, Carl returning her words with an affirmative nod and a smile.

"Take all the time you need sis...I'm sure it's strange being back in a human body..." Carl replied, his eyes gazing over the cold, empty shell that was Nirvana. Upon losing Ada as its soul, it crumbled to the floor in pieces, as if everything holding it together had simply been vaporized. Leaning up against the panel he had already damaged with his fists, he then closed his eyes, thinking about what horrible things he would possibly have to prevent or deal with. Even with the terrible things he had learned, he wasn't about to let that stop him from enjoying the return of his beloved sister. Taking a deep breath, it was if all the weight that had him pinned to the ground had finally been lifted, allowing him to truly breathe for the first time in quite a while. He still couldn't fathom as to why his father would do this for him, nor did he honestly want to know deep down. The bad blood between them wasn't about to fixed by one act of genuine humanity. The soft patter of steps slowly approached him, the vast amounts of fabric woven throughout Ada's outfit fluttering with each step.

"I'm ready Carl," her gentle voice was like velvet and silk, smooth and satisfying to the touch. Carl turned his eyes to her, his cheeks turning a dim shade of red as he was blessed with the angelic vision of his sister that he had imagined everyday ever since he had found her in the form of Nirvana.

"Ada...you look absolutely beautiful," Carl said, his blue eyes glistening with the residue of joyous tears as Ada returned his words with a giggle, giving him a proper curtesy and a bow.

"You've become a very handsome young man as well Carl, I'm happy that I can finally tell you that clearly instead of through thought," Ada said with a big smile, holding out her hand for Carl to take. Carl let out a satisfying sigh of relief, gently taking her hand as they left out the door of the infernal lab. Upon stepping out, they found themselves in the 13th Hierarchical City of Kagutsuchi, clearly a last farewell bestowed up them by his father.

"I can't say I'll ever really forgive you father...but...thank you..." Carl said quietly to himself as he wiped away his joyous tears so that he could see straight.

"So, what are we to do now Carl?" Ada asked, Carl shrugging his shoulders as he looked up at her.

"I suppose we do whatever we please sis. Now that you're human we can actually go back and do all kinds of things together. Like, I don't know, eat food," Carl scratched his cheek nervously, as her heavenly eyes fluttered, more joy being cast upon him by her smile.

"Food sounds lovely, please, lead the way," Ada replied, the both of them taking a step forward in the right direction. As Carl led her to a restaurant that he remembered eating at, he began to wonder how much Ada actually remembered from being within Nirvana. Did she remember all of the fightings? The sacrifices he had to make? All of this swam around in his head until he finally couldn't stand it any further.

"So sis...how much do you remember from when you were one with Nirvana?" Carl asked, his eyes turning to his sister's who were looking around the area like a tourist. As Nirvana she had been here a countless number of times, but if one were to judge by how she was acting, it was if she'd never been here before.

"It's not a matter of what I remember...when I was one with Nirvana, the world looked completely different. All I saw were balls of light moving around and vaguely their shapes. I remember your words, but I don't remember how I acted or where exactly we were when you would chat with me or command me in combat...the only thing I remember clearly is you and not much else," Ada replied, Carl smiling once again before facing forward.

"It doesn't really matter anymore, I just thought I would ask," Carl said, Ada gently squeezing his hand as they continued on.

"Nothing seems to be too out of the ordinary so far, perhaps I'm being too on edge about the whole thing..." Carl thought to himself as he finally came to their first destination. A sign outside of the small building read "Ki Fang Yu" clearly designating it as an oriental style restaurant. Upon entering the establishment, Carl noticed the eyes of just about every gentleman in the room locking onto his sister, gazing her over like she was some sort of exotic animal. He slowly led her over to a two person booth, helping her seat herself before sitting across from her. Removing his hat, he placed it on the table a server immediately stepping to them.

"Ah I remember you young man, it has been some time since you've been back," the attractive waitress commented, Carl thinking for a moment before realizing that she had served him last time.

"I remember you as well, it is nice to see a familiar face. May we have a few menus please?" Carl inquired, the server turning to a table with them laid out and placing them onto the table.

"Just let me know when you're ready to order, I have some other customers to tend to," she replied with a smile, giving him a small, polite bow before moving to the next table. Carl immediately noticed Ada blushing as her eyes danced from person to person throughout the establishment, their gazes upon her like spotlights during a stage performance.

"Um...sis? Are you OK?" Carl said, quickly gaining her attention. She cleared her throat as she loosened up her tight composure, her eyes immediately snapping back onto his.

"I'm fine Carl, really. I'm not used to so many people looking at me like this, its making me feel that I'm overdressed for such a place," Ada said with a nervous laugh, Carl placing his hands over top of hers as he shook his head.

"That's understandable, but don't think for a second that you are overdressed. You are beautiful, that's why they are all eyeing you so intently," Carl laughed, gently squeezing her hands affectionately. The red in her cheeks lightened up a bit as she kept her sights on Carl, her heart fluttering softly as she looked him over with a nostalgic bliss. Ada smiled warmly, placing another hand a top his, almost like a challenge. Carl then placed his other hand a top that one, both of them sharing a small laugh as they squeezed affectionately on one another. The meal was delightful with the tastes of the food matching the enjoyment of their time together. Carl knew that eyes would be on her, but he would be damned if he let them anywhere near her.

"Can I get you two anything else?" The waitress asked sweetly, Carl shaking his head and returning her words with a small smile.

"No thank you, that will be all. All we need is the bill," Carl replied, turning his eyes back to Ada, who was lightly blushing and averting her eyes from his to look out the window. As the waitress stepped away, the bell at the top of the door rung. Stepping in was a man. Tall, dark and handsome with a massive sword that barely fit with him him through the door. Carl immediately recognized him as Kagura Mutsuki of the NOL. As Kagura scoped out the joint, he saw Carl and a lovely thing sitting across from him. Several of the waitress working felt weak in the knees from his presence as he approached Carl and Ada slowly.

"Well if it isn't little Carl Clover, how are you?" Kagura kindly asked, Carl smiling to not spoil the mood that Kagura seemed to carry with him everywhere.

"You remembered my name ? I'm impressed. I'm doing quite well actually," Carl replied, his eyes suddenly glaring at Kagura as he began analyzing Ada with his very observant gaze.

"And...who might this true vision of beauty be...? Kagura's voice grew sensual as he took her hand gave it a small peck with his lips. Ada blushed more, her smile growing frazzled as she took in his gesture.

" , would you please refrain from trying to make a pass at my sister?" Carl's polite words caught Kagura's ears, causing him to do a double take of the situation. He looked at Carl's serious expression, then his eyes turned to Ada's which were kind and gentle. He continued this twice before taking a step back.

"But wait...wasn't your sister a...weapon?" Kagura asked, the tone in his voice trying not to be too rude. Ada giggled softly as she gazed up at Kagura. She then placed her hands upon it stomach, poking a would at his side with her fingers.

"Yes, I was. I even remember slashing into you right here," Ada replied, causing Carl to sigh in relief, quietly laughing at her gesture.

"I managed to finally fix her , just like I said I would," Carl said, placing his hands on Ada's that now rested on the table.

"Wow, that's incredible Carl, but I thought your dad was the only one who knew how," Kagura said, clearly ruffling some feathers with Carl. He tensed up, his eyes looking at Ada's hands as he replayed the disgusting footage his father had shown him. Ada noticed this and decided to take control of the conversation.

"Carl merely took what his father had left behind. It was Carl alone that put me back together again. Isn't he the greatest person?" Ada asked Kagura, who swiftly agreed, which calmed Carl's nerves a bit.

" , will you be dining in today?" The waitress snuck up behind Kagura who quickly turned to her, lifting up her chin and gazing deeply into her eyes.

"Only if you're the one serving me beautiful," he said a wink, the waitress turning into a blushing mess. Carl took the opportunity to leave her the amount he calculated plus tip for her services so that he and Ada could leave Kagura to his swooning. Giving the cashier a polite bow, they then stepped out into the street, Ada handing Carl his hat that he had forgotten.

"Thank you sis," Carl Saud with a smile, Ada returning it with her own, her eyes fixating on his. Carl found it strange how she was gazing at him; it was if underlying intentions were hidden behind them. Ada slowly leaned down, Carl's facing blushing as hers grew close to his. She then suddenly gave his lips a gentle kiss, causing him to freeze in place for a moment.

"Thank you for saving me once again, Carl," she said in a sensual whisper, standing up straight and taking his hand. Carl's heart was cold but pounding, confused by her affectionate gesture..

"I...um..." Carl tried to formulate a sentance but Ada's expression shut his words down.

"I'd like to show you my special place Carl, it's near our old house," Ada said, leading Carl onward with confusion spread across his face. He hadn't the slightest idea on where or what could be awaiting him, but if the video he saw was what it truly was, he knew he wouldnt let her go alone.

To Be Continued...