shiratorijun

I was one. For a very long time.

If I had a dad, and I don't, never did, but if I had a dad, I think he'd agree with me that it's okay being used because it means you're actually worth something. I've been used but that's okay. I don't know why people are alive anyway besides helping one another out. For me, that meant killing bad guys (while doing my best to minimize collateral damage). Ultimately, it was about taking care of my family and directing it in ways that brought out the best in us.

My family is four other people in my life: Ryu, my fisherman; Ken a pilot; Joe who used to garden and should never be challenged in games that involve throwing things, especially die or darts. My baby is Jinpei, only, he's real big now...big hearted. He gets smarter and stubborner by the minute. He doesn't need me nearly as much as he used to, but he's not moving out until he's at least sixteen. The man who raised us? He's a user. And being a user has enabled him to help a lot of people through me and my family.

I moved out before I was fifteen and it sucked. But when I finally figured out how to deal with my family and the man who raised me in terms acceptable to me?

I flew like a swan.

All the things I learned while I was in training to be a secret weapon, and then the actual fieldwork? That is, like, the best education ever. Practical experience is where it's at. For now, I run the Snack, invent drinks, hang out with my friends, sing kereoke, restore bikes, get to know myself, make other acquaintances and contribute to rebuilding my part of the world (Utoland City got the hell kicked out of it during the Galactor battles).

The world's a bad place for a kid that's alone. I'm not a kid anymore. But there are lots of them out there, without food or shelter, let alone love. I grew up with food and shelter. It took me moving out to realize that with Ken, Joe, Ryu and Jinpei, I also grew up with love.

I think loving each other is what made us such a great weapon. We would do anything to stay together. Anything. And we would do anything to protect each other - not just each other's bodies but our spirits. Take it from me, we went through hell for Everybody. And we were so young then, we didn't really know what it was we were getting into. But all knowledge is power and love is one hell of a secret weapon.

I don't understand how someone who didn't love me knew enough about that to make my potential as a soldier and a sister benefit the whole planet.