Thanks to his injuries Mark had spent more time in the hospital and during that time this little kiddie group that he formed, the Broken Horn, had spent their time playing around the hospital.
And during that time he learned three interesting things about Gaige Shinomori. First, he's the son of Theon Shinomori who incidentally is the Chief Executive Officer of Hashira Enterprise within the Loria Region essentially opening more opportunities for Mark to exploit once they are older. Second, Miriam has developed an attraction towards Gaige almost like puppy love but this leads to. Third, Gaige appears to prefer boys as he appears to be more drawn towards Gray though he can't fault him as Gray could easily pass on as a girl. A rather pathetic love triangle that Mark would rather not get involved with in the future.
Regardless as the days went on Mark would slowly begin to appreciate their presence not only because of their value as potential puppets to rely on in the future but also as companions. Mark liked to believe himself to be above the concept of companionship because by the end of the day, he would end up being alone as everyone around him would just end up betraying him as with the case of his friends in his first life but as the days went on he would find that himself being strongly attached to the three of them despite his reservations.
Interesting, Mark thought to himself as he sat by the ground as watched Gaige and Miriam play. Well, try to since Gaige was trying to catch up with Miriam but due to his frailty he ended up constantly trying to catch his breath as he did so. Perhaps my soul has parts of the child that are meant to take my place which is why I'm so drawn to it. Mark continued to ponder this new sensation he'd get. In the last few years he had developed a handful of theories as to why he had ended up being reincarnated:
Theory Number One, a greater entity that was tasked with handling the souls of the deceased made an oversight causing him to be reincarnated into the body of a child.
Theory Number Two, he wasn't supposed to remember everything but due to a rare one-in-a-million event, he did end up remembering everything.
Finally, Theory Number three, is he isn't a reincarnation of Marchosias but rather a copy of the original, though that one is more or less the craziest even in Mark's case.
Well thinking about it too much will just give me a headache. Mark concluded as he stood up and brushed himself off and turned to Miriam and Gray taking turns making fun of Gaige who is in the middle of complaining that he was trying his best to keep up with the two of them.
"You sure it's fine you can keep up?" Mark said walking towards them and crossing his arms. They were playing a game of Tag something disadvantageous for someone frail as him, especially considering out of the four of them Gaige looked so skinny that he could easily be seen as an underfed child. On a side note, Miriam is the pudgiest between them something that Mark and Gray occasionally poke fun off.
"I can...keep up," Gaige said between breaths his face was filled with sweat and he was trying his best to look good in front of Gray.
I don't think Gray swings that way Gaige. Mark thought to himself as he explained that he can keep up and that he was not slow as Gray and Miriam were accusing him of such. You'd have better prospects with Miriam, plus if you and Miriam end up being together then the Shinomori-Dirus Family would have ties to the Hashira Enterprises.
Mark offered his hand and gave a rather confident smirk towards Gray and Miriam who immediately turned pale. If Gaige is the slowest within the Broken Horn, then Mark is the fastest due to his training in his spare time. Not even the injuries that he had sustained from trying to take down the Behemoth could affect it. However, Gaige knew little about all that and is instead more interested in the offer that Mark was handing so he accepted it and slapped his hand in a hopeful manner. Upon seeing all this the two ended up running away from Mark who immediately smiled as he started sprinting full pelt towards the two children as they started running away in fear of getting caught.
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[The Second Advent]
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Joshua and Owen, both of which had their arms crossed as they watched it all unfold with a smile on their faces. They were initially surprised that the child, Mark, Miriam and Gray was the heirs of the Shinomori Clan but from the way things are going forward, their worries have disappeared.
"So I heard your wife is the daughter of that old fart that got in the way of the Behemoth hunt," Owen spoke turning towards him. Unlike Mark who had to be hospitalized due to severe injuries, the two of them alongside many others got off with light wounds the only reason they stuck around due to they have to keep an eye on several other Soldiers and Militiamen who were injured.
"I wouldn't call him that way after everything he did to help." Joshua frowned at his backhanded comment, he couldn't help but wonder what happened in the past that led the two to develop such animosity. "She's currently trying to patch things up between them."
"Well, then good luck trying to get along with your new in-law." Owen smiled with a teasing smile.
"The same can be said for you now that Ein knows about your past with Aina." Joshua teased but he immediately began to regret what he said as Owen crossed his arms and let out a sigh.
"As far as we're keeping track of things, it was Aina who broke it off not me so I have nothing to do with her," Owen said as his frown turned to a scowl and began walking away. "I'm only working for her brother due to the fact he pays well compared to our time in the Blood Parade."
"Anything is better compared to our time in the Blood Parade," Joshua commented as he watched Owen walk away but a question entered his mind as he did so. Come to think of it, does he even know about Gray? While it was no secret that he had a history with Aina. Joshua couldn't help but wonder if Ein knows about the history between the two of them, even more so considering he's the father of Gray essentially making Gray Mark's half-cousin.
His pondering had eventually led him to Aina who was in the middle of a talk with Mary who was busy reading various reports. Because of the damage the Behemoth had done to the Dahlia Settlement, they were forced to relocate forcing many of the inhabitants to be sent off to different Settlements under the Mastership of the Archimans. According to Ein, he and Aina would have to spend their days in Ophel until they are given a new settlement to stay on.
Not to mention there's a special clause in their agreement that makes him less of a soldier under her command like Owen is to Ein but more like a bodyguard of sorts, this gave their family a plethora of benefits such as housing and education for them to use on.
"What's up?" Joshua asked Aina who was busy reading reports on a spare table.
"Nothing's chance, we'll still be relocating to Ophel while the others will remain here or in other settlements," Aina said with a visible look of sadness in her eyes as she put down the papers. Joshua can feel the guilt emanating from her, and why wouldn't she feel guilty? The settlement that she was in charge of protecting and keeping an eye on had been demolished, her people are going to be scattered, and the object of her child's affection got injured trying to help.
"Have you and Owen talked?" He asked glancing at her as he crossed his arms and leaned by the wall. This caused Aina to be silent as she immediately paused from what she had been doing and looked down.
"I figured much," Joshua commented under his breath. "Wouldn't it be better for Gray to have a father figure?"
"I'm raising Gray as best as I can Joshua," She said as she regained her composure and returned to her original job of reading through the reports but it was clear she was visibly rattled from the question he had given her. "He has his own life and I have mine, therefore I have nothing to do with him."
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That's almost what he said as well, it's honestly kind of amusing. Joshua thought as he silently let out a sigh. "Well I have my own family to deal with, just make sure your issues with him don't resurface while they're here."
"Just so you know, I'm telling you this as a friend; You two both need to settle this, not only for your sake but for Gray's sake since he's the father after all," Joshua said straightening himself up to look Aina in the eye. And with that Joshua walked away and left the room to go for a walk as he spotted Gray and Miriam walking the hallway opposite of he is, a wave of worry came over him as he feared that Gray had learned the truth but he decided not to think about that for now as he continued to walk.
Eventually, his long walk led him to the ramparts of the greater settlement where he would stare out of the distance. What a hectic few days this had been. Joshua thought to himself.
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[The Second Advent]
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"So any particular flower in mind?" Mark asked as he and Gaige were outside near the garden observing the flowers. Gaige wanted to collect some flowers so he can give them to someone, not missing an opportunity to get on his good side, Mark decided to go along and explore the garden as for why Miriam and Gray aren't around the two were called by Aina to discuss something.
"What kind of flower do girls like?" Gaige asked sheepishly as he continued to look for the prettiest-looking flower. But as he was about to reach one flower, Mark quickly grabbed him by the hand stopping him and taking him by surprise.
"That one has thorns," Mark said walking towards the flower and wrapping his fingers around it causing the thorns to prick his fingers causing blood to trickle down.
"Oh, thanks but are you alright?" He asked looking at his hands.
"I'll be fine," Mark smiled as he decided to let the blood trickle down, both of them are wearing white so he wouldn't want to risk staining his clothes so he decided to just deal with it. "So who is this lucky girl you plan to give?"
"Uh, I can't exactly tell you who…" Gaige said slightly defensively, Mark smiled he was hiding it so that Mark wouldn't tease him or anything. "But I think she's strong and I like her for that and if we grow up I want her to be my bride!"
"Well, then I think if you want to win her over you need to be strong first." Mark smiled giving him a thumbs up, he wasn't sure who that girl he is referring to but if it meant getting to be on his good side then he might as well do his best to be supportive. Mark's eyes landed on a shrub of flowers that featured white flowers that had pink tips located at the very end of it, the colours of which reminded him very much of Gray's hair for some reason, this caused him to walk towards the brush and touch the flowers.
They look nice, but why did it remind me of him? Mark thought to himself as he touched the flower, immediately Gaige ran towards him and smiled as his eyes landed on the same shrub where the flowers contained it. These are Pink Amaryllis, right? They're the symbol of House Archiman.
"These are perfect!" Gaige said as he started collecting the flowers, Mark smiled in amusement as he began to pluck those flowers causing one to hit the ground causing Mark to pick it up subconsciously.
Yeah, I bet any girl would like these flowers as long as they're from someone they like. Mark thought to himself. The two end up making their way out of the garden and made their way to the hallway near the playground where Miriam and Gray were just sitting, with the former trying to comfort the latter who had a pensive look on his face.
They seem upset, Mark thought as he walked towards them all the while Gaige had a happy look on his face as though he was very much pleased with himself. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, I just need to do something," Gray said hopping off the bench as he left all the while Gaige had an upset look on his face, now it was him that Miriam was comforting due to the upset look on his face.
"I'll be right back," Mark said as he sprinted off pretending to head in the opposite direction but as soon as he was no longer within their field of vision, he immediately ran in the opposite direction and made his way towards the direction where Gray had walked off. But by the time he had gotten away from all of them, he had then realized that he had run after him.
Good grief? I think my injuries had started making me impulsive. Mark thought to himself as he stopped in his tracks as saw Gray walking from afar but he has yet to notice him coming in from behind. But at the same time, I can use this to improve my friendship with him.
"Gray," Mark called out with a small smile as he waved at Gray taking him by surprise. "Are you alright?"
"It's nothing big don't worry," Gray answered burying his hands in his pockets as he glanced at the ground, Mark figured out that he was lying because he was avoiding his gaze but also because he's a lot less chatty when compared to his usual self.
Well, I can't force him into telling me the truth.
"If you have something on your mind, just let me know." He said patting him on the shoulder in a reassuring manner. For a moment he glanced to the side, Mark followed where he was looking and he realized the pink amaryllis that he had picked up earlier had fallen to the ground.
"Oh hey forgot about that," Mark said as Gray silently picked up the flower with a cute smile on his face.
"The flower reminds me of your hair," Mark pointed out as Gray gently held the flower in his hands. "Do you want to keep it?"
"Is it alright?" Gray asked as he perked up a little.
"If you want to then go ahead." Mark smiled as Gray just smiled as his mood suddenly changed as he proceeded to put it on his hair but immediately stopped midway and instead pocketed it. "There's something I want to talk about and I want you to listen."
That was surprisingly easy, then again Gray I was just a child. Mark thought to himself as Gray gestured him to follow after him as they made their way to a secluded spot within the hospital where they can talk quietly. The two sat there in silence with Mark just looking at Gray, who was more interested in just fiddling with the flower than bringing it up.
"Have you ever wondered why I don't have a father?" Gray asked in a low voice. Admittedly Mark thought about that a few times and he had expected that her father had died before he was conscious enough to realize it, that Gray's father doesn't know he exists.
"I thought about it, but I don't think it's that important," Mark answered as he observed his movements, there was no doubt that Gray had learned something about his father and a very unpleasant one at that. But he's too young to find out that his father decided to leave for Rations and never come back, so why on earth would Aunt Aina spring it on him? Mark thought to himself as Gray was still silent for a few moments until he said something that he was not prepared to hear.
"I think that Owen guy is my father," Gray said as Mark's eyes went wide. If he recalled from what Joshua had told him and his family earlier Owen is his father's brother, well brother is a rather loose term since they're not related by blood but rather they view each other as siblings. Either way by that logic this meant that he and Gray are cousins due to their fathers.
"How did you find out?" Mark asked wanting to know whether or not Aina decided to reveal the truth to a seven-year-old or not. "Did your mother tell you about this?"
"No, I only found out when my mother and Uncle Joshua were talking earlier and I overheard it," Gray explained further to him.
"Did you check if that is the case?" Mark asked considering this is essentially secondhand information therefore it may not even be as reliable as it seems.
"I didn't because before I can even learn more I heard Joshua making his way out of the room and I panicked so I had no other choice but to make a run for it," Gray said as his shoulders slumped and looked at the ground causing him to unintentionally let go of the pink amaryllis he was holding looking as though he was on the verge of tears.
"Then maybe it's not true? Maybe they're referring to someone else?" Mark commented trying his best to comfort him. "But what if it's true? What if he is my father? Why did he leave? Did he hate me?" Gray asked as his eyes began to tear up.
The sight of the usually strong-willed Gray Archiman looking distraught and on the verge of tears had affected Mark as well. Perhaps it's because the sight alone reminded Mark of Marchosias' early childhood, before meeting his adopted father, he had spent his early years wondering who or what happened to his parents and why they chose to abandon him. Eventually, that longing for a family to love him had been replaced by a desire to harm others, to make sure that he isn't the only one that would suffer. After all, if he suffered so why shouldn't they?
But even so, perhaps due to Mark growing attached to Gray who became his only friend back in Dahlia or due to other factors, the sight of seeing Gray going through the same anguish he had gone through leaves him at a loss for words. At the same time, he doesn't want him to suffer the same parental issues he had gone through knowing how it took a toll on him as the years went on.
"Does it matter?" Mark asked if it was the best thing he can think of as a response. "Don't let your family life define who you are."
"You think so?" Gray asked in a low voice.
"Yeah, so what your parents are separated? Does that dictate your life?" Mark said, trying his best to not sound too philosophical since this isn't the type of talk a pair of seven-year-olds would be having. For a moment, Gray was silent as though he was contemplating Mark's words. Eventually, he smiled and stood up and placed his hands on his hips confidently.
"You're right, I won't let this control me. I'll be better to the point where people won't realize my past." Gray smiled his usually boisterous side had returned.
"That's the spirit," Mark said walking towards him and the two exchanged hi-fives.