Father

The dome was empty, aside from Kaori and her father, whom she didn't even know the name of. 

In her lifetime, she was never interested in learning about him. 

After all, he was dead before she was born; she never knew who he was, and her mother didn't own a single picture of him. So, Kaori didn't think it was ever appropriate to talk about him. 

And when her mother died it flushed down all hopes of ever figuring out just who he was or how he died. 

But yet she felt a strange attachment to him; like she had somehow known him her entire life. 

The elderly man led her to the very edge of the dome, closes to Earth; She could hear him giggle at her as she hesitantly leaned upon the nearly invisible wall. 

Compared to the ship, the dome was small, but in reality, it was hundreds of feet in diameter, and many stories high; offering a magnificent view of space. 

She took a moment to take in the magical scene; planets with rings, shooting stars, prismatic galaxies, the sun, the moon, her home. Everything looked so noisy, but she couldn't hear a thing. 

The only direction she couldn't see was down, but she was okay with it. The thought of it made her sick to her stomach. 

Everything felt so fake, but she was beginning to believe the reality. 

"I always knew this day would come," the man somberly said, breaking the silence between them while looking down at the beautiful blue and green Earth with her; it had gotten more vibrant after all these years. The only good thing the apocalypse had brought upon it. 

She stepped back from the glass slightly, "your daughter dying?" She bluntly put it as she faced him. Kaori knew it wasn't her father's fault she didn't know who he was, let alone this universe's, but she couldn't shake the feeling of being angry with him like he abandoned her somehow. 

Despite her ill-mannered comment, the fragile man kept his smile; in fact he was smiling so big, his brown eyes were squinting. His wrinkled skin, and naturally gray, balding hair with a fluffy moustache made him appear sickly, but his black suit made him look dapper; small pieces of his bodysuit was poking out around the sleeves and neck area. 

"To put it frankly, I suppose," he walked up to her, grabbing her forearms with a firm but gentle grip, holding her at a slight distance while he examined her from head to toe. "But you look just like her, aside from your hair and eyes, but that's to be expected." 

"Aren't you mad? Sad?" She was confused by his reaction. 

"What's your name?" He asked Kaori, letting her arms go and taking a few steps back. 

She hesitantly answered, "Kaori..." 

He chuckled, "then mad? Of course not. My daughter died protecting her people, and it's no surprise she impressed Persephone. Sad?" The old man chuffed, "devastated. The years of memories we've had, all gone." He looked Kaori directly in her eyes; his were watery, and slightly red, "but, sadness won't bring my baby girl back. The only positive, is that you are another version of my daughter that I'll grow to love." He limped his way over to the glass to watch the Earth with her. "So, it seems that no matter what universe we may be in, I will always be your father." 

Kaori glared at him, "then I can trust you with anything?" 

He nodded at her. 

"You're not a terrorist?" 

"I'm a King." His face began to twist into a look of confused amusement. 

"Jesse told me to tell you that the Disease is most likely on board." 

The man's face softened, but he wasn't worried. "I figured I'd get the news soon; but ever since our sister ship was attacked, I've ordered a 24/7 watch aboard every sister community under our rule. I've also expended a few guards from the government ship to the communities with a weaker population. All orders must be given by a known official only until the man is caught." 

Despite his behind-the-scenes tactics, Kaori still didn't understand. If someone like this terrorist was on board, shouldn't alarms be sounding off? 

"Let me handle it from here, dear." He urged; it was obvious she wasn't a soul of combat. "You have done enough, you need rest." He leaned in towards her, to whisper, "and a shower." 

Kaori's face turned beet red when she realized what he meant. 

 She had entered the world in a bloodied, once dead body, and then bled from her head once safe. And hours later, she still hasn't at least taken a hobo bath. Even though she healed from her wounds, the blood doesn't disappear, and it certainly doesn't emit an odorless aroma. 

"I'm sorry!" She quickly apologized, her defenses immediately coming down from embarrassment. 

He shook his head while smiling, "go to floor 8, and look for the room with your name on it. Everything that needs to be done can wait; you can't make wise decisions if you're sleep deprived." 

"But the-" 

"Go," he smirked. "You have her spunk, but remember, I am our people's King, and I will not allow such an outbreak again." He then lowered his voice softly, "our biggest problem is probably telling Nikita that she will have to allow an unknown passenger to remain overnight. I'll handle her too." 

Kaori turned from the glass as she began to walk back towards the hatch, "what's your name?" she asked without stopping. 

"Enzo Amano." 

That's a start for me at least, she thought to herself, quickly making her way back into the dusty lobby and past the giant woman. 

"I have permission to leave from Enzo! My old man!" Kaori nervously screeched as she dashed for the elevators; running in place as she waited, her anxiety meter overflowing. 

But her statement did cause Nikita to stop, allowing her to get away. 

For a moment, she thought their princess was back. 

I missed out on so much in life not having the rich daddy card!