Neisseria meningitidis

U-1146 and AE 3803 walked together through a blood vessel along an optic nerve, both happy, her cheeks still featuring an adorable pink. After their kiss the two had lingered a little at the retina, simply taking in the beautiful sight before them, enjoying each other's company. But they still had their duties and so had somewhat reluctantly left the capillary again some time ago. By now 3803 had finished her delivery, her oxygen box now replaced for one with carbon dioxide.

Despite her having to return it to the lungs, she had decided to take a deliberate detour, joining 1146 on his patrol for a bit longer. Something he was very delighted by. They had little time together as it was and he was grateful for every moment more.

He watched her look around, as they walked ever closer to the brain, even though there wasn't much to see, until they came closer to the optic chiasm.

Optic Chiasm

Also the known as the Chiasma opticum is the part in the brain where the optic nerves from both eyes, responsible for transmitting the sensory information for vision, cross. It is located at the bottom of the brain just below (inferior) the hypothalamus.

The ceiling and walls of the blood vessel became see-through, showing them the massive cable bundle that was the right optic nerve below them to their left, as the buildings flanking their path were replaced by balustrades. They had stepped onto a bridge, granting them a good view on a net of blood vessels all around them. Just like their own, those vessels led from and to the brain ahead, which was yet hidden behind the buildings of the bone at the other side.

"Wow; amazing." He heard 3803 exclaim. "How high up are we?"

"I'm not sure, but we should be a few floors above the next blood vessel." 1146 replied looking to the arteries and venules surrounding the optic nerve.

"Have you ever wondered what the outside looks like?" She asked after a while, gazing to the nerve itself.

"Hm?"

She turned to him, her amber eyes glowing with excitement. "I mean we know that our world, this body, is in shape like ours, but what about the world it inhabits?"

"I don't know." He confessed, though it was a rather fascinating thought, even if he'd never really entertained it before. "Some have tried to find out, usually by looking from the blood vessels in places such as sclera and iris, but anything larger than a mosquito turns into a blurry mass. Other times the outside light is simply too bright to make anything out."

3803 seemed somewhat disappointed by his response. "So no one knows?"

He shrugged. "Not necessarily. The information gathered by the eyes is processed in the brain by the neurons. It is possible that some of them know."

"I suppose there isn't a way to ask them." She noted, but there was a flicker of hope in her eyes again.

"The blood-brain barrier makes it difficult." 1146 explained. "If you ever have a delivery to the brain, you'll be giving the oxygen and nutrients to an astrocyte. They along with the pericytes and endothelial cells separate the brain from the rest of us, protecting and providing for it, making sure the neurons can function undisturbed, even when conditions in the circulatory system should change."

Despite this information however 3803 smiled. "Well, it won't hurt to ask."

1146 chuckled, adoring her positive attitude. "I suppose."

They continued to cross the bridge and the neutrophil couldn't help but notice that the pair of them attracted a bit of attention and so did she. "There have been quite a few cells staring at us."

"We might not exactly be subtle." He admitted; how often did you see a red and white blood cell walk so closely together. "Do they bother you?"

3803 shook her head. "No; I actually much prefer it to them making fun of me behind my back."

Worried he raised an eyebrow. "Do they still?" He'd heard some other erythrocytes talk behind her back, or even laughing at her, much to his dismay. It reminded him a little of how Eosinophil had been treated before she'd killed the Anisakis; neither of them had ever deserved such treatment.

"Not as much anymore, now that I'm getting better at my job."

1146 mustered a smile, even though he wished it would stop entirely. "Glad to hear it." But then another thought occurred to him. What would they say about her, when they saw her being in a relationship with a neutrophil? Being friends was unusual enough, but now. There would certainly be some vicious gossip and they wouldn't be able to do anything about it. He was used to bias against him and immune cells in general, but how would she handle it? And what if something happened to him now? He knew too well how badly he'd handled her near-death. "Sekkekkyū?"

"Hm?" Given her puzzled look she'd noticed his troubled expression.

"You've said you worry…about me. Wouldn't that be worse if we truly were together?"

She stopped and stared at him, obviously surprised by his question. "I care for you." 3803 told him without a trace of incertitude in her voice, despite her reddened cheeks. She'd even placed a hand on her chest. "Whether we're together or not, that doesn't change what I'm feeling."

"I could perish any day in battle." 1146 reminded her, his head lowering.

3803 stepped closer, right in front of him so she could see his face again. "And I could get sucked out through a wound or get slaughtered by any number of bacteria." She pointed out softly, but her smile vanished, replaced with something resembling fear. "Don't you want to be…?"

Alarmed his eyes widened, hastily he raised his hands. "No, no that's not what I'm trying to say. I just…" He sighed, readjusted his cap, his voice quietening. "I do not want you to regret this…us. I don't want to cause you any grief." Ruining her life one way or another was the last thing he wanted to do.

Her fingers reached for his chin, gently guiding his head so their eyes could meet. "That's kind of too late already, don't you think? I mean we already worry about each other, a lot. I think." With her free hand she brushed some of her red hair behind her ear, her cheeks flushing to a darker shade. "I think I'd regret it more if I, well we, didn't make the most of the time we do have."

"Sekkekkyū."

Her voice started to shake a little. "I don't care if it's a day, a week or a year. I…I just to be with you." And standing on her toes she placed a loving kiss at his jawline, making his mitochondria leap in his chest.

3803 stepped back, regaining her balance, both silently smiling shyly at each other. To hear her say something like this; he would make sure to cherish every moment they had. 1146 leaned down, softly kissing her temple, the back of his fingers brushing gently against her flushed cheek.

She grasped his wrist with one hand, with the other the handle of her cart and together they continued on, 1146 for his part feeling even more reassured that they could make this work, pushing aside his worries for now.

About halfway across the bridge however, he noticed something was…different. There seemed to be cords stretched between the balustrades and the ceiling far above, strange given that this was no suspension-bridge. They shimmered white, almost looking silken.

"Hakkekkyū-san? Is something wrong?"

"I'm not sure." He slowly replied.

Around them were only a few other erythrocytes, everything seemed calm. Perhaps it was nothing after all. Then two things happened at once.

A woman screamed somewhere behind them, 1146 whirling around, his receptor going off at the same time. He drew his blade, pushing 3803 behind him and was just in time to see a red blood cell get dragged over the balustrade.

"Sekkekkyū, stay behind me!"

"What was that?"

"A bacterium." He told her, eyes roaming, though he found no trace of the invader. "As long as we don't know where it is, you have to stay close." Otherwise she might run straight into its arms; he would never forgive himself if that happened. The other erythrocytes were already running, trying to get off the bridge as quickly as possible. Hopefully they wouldn't lure the germ away, but he couldn't stop them, not when they were panicking.

Meanwhile 3803 nodded frightened, leaving her cart behind for the moment, looking around same as him. Carefully they approached the place where the other erythrocyte had been attacked. And then something moved above the abyss just to their left. He swiftly turned around and found himself eye in eye with a creature, balancing on some of the silken cords.

A devious grin revealed sharp fangs and a pair of little tusks. "Ah, a neutrophil." Its dark grey body was reminiscent of a spider, its back covered by silky fur, by the looks of it identical to the cords it stood on. Attached to the segmented body were eight limbs, only two of them ending in clawed hands, the others pointy legs. And it was holding something. "Careful now. You wouldn't want me to drop her, now would you?" From another cord, which it now held up, hung something cocoon-like, but within it the neutrophil could see the contours of a body. The erythrocyte!

"Neisseria." 1146 growled, bringing his body between the bacterium and 3803 again, shifting into a combat ready stance.

Neisseria meningitides

Also known as Meningococcus, is bacterium fond worldwide with large-scale epidemics occurring every 5-12 years, most commonly in the 'meningitis belt' in sub-Saharan Africa. About 5-15% of adults carry it in their nasopharynx without getting sick; those most at risk are children and adolescents. It causes meningitis, the inflammation of the protective membranes (meninges) covering both brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include fatigue, fever, and headache, which in 10% of cases can progress to neck stiffness, coma and death. Vaccinations against various types of N. meningitides are available.

The germ chuckled. "You know me; perhaps I should be flattered." It bowed theatrically.

This was his chance! The neutrophil leaped forth, one foot now on the balustrade. "Die!"

With none of its other cords close enough for a quick escape, the Neisseria jumped over him and down to the bridge, dodging the blade, tossing the cocoon aside. Looking over his shoulder 1146 saw that diabolic smile again, but its red eyes were not on him.

Sekkekkyū!

Using his body as a shield he quickly brought himself between them, and not a second too late. He blocked the first clawed hand, but it took hold of his knife, allowing it to strike with the other unopposed. 1146 tried to draw another weapon, angling his upper body sideways at the same time, before a searing pain ran through his shoulder. The ebony claws had slashed across it, but it was still preferable to his chest…or 3803.

Fuelled with rage and pain, he delivered a kick against the germs currently unprotected chest, pushing it away from him, forcing it to release his blade. The pointy legs scratched across the floor, creating sparks. The neutrophil quickly followed up with a handful of throwing knives, not really aiming, only hoping to inflict some kind of injury. And they simply glanced off.

But 1146 was already advancing again, slashing at the chest, aiming for the spot he had kicked. He had to do something, but it was like scratching across stone. More sparks flew, their light revealing a honeycombed pattern covering the bacterium. Dammit; not this again.

In that moment a strike, aiming at his face came straight at him. He swiftly dodged, crouching, but felt how his cap was knocked off his head. 1146 jumped back, trying to get some distance between himself and the germ. Dammit.

The Neisseria however didn't pursue, despite its advantage, merely wagged one of its clawed fingers, the neutrophil's cytoplasm dripping from it. "I don't think so. If you think that little blade of yours can cut through my capsule, I'm afraid you are sorely mistaken." 1146 said nothing, only started to circle it. "Now, sadly I cannot allow you to tell anyone about me, but if you hold still I promise to make this quick."

The neutrophil's eyes narrowed; that was not going to happen. However there was only one way to end this battle and keep 3803 safe.

With as much speed as possible 1146 ran and threw himself against the germ, ignoring the searing pain in his shoulder, or the claws digging into his arm and back. The Neisseria stumbled backwards, the balustrade behind it broke…and they both fell.

No! "Hakkekkyū-san!" AE 3803 screamed from the top of her lungs, running to the now destroyed part of the balustrade, a sudden wind dragging at her. "Hakkekkyū-san!" No, no, no!

Frantically she searched the area beneath, hair billowing before her eyes, but only saw the blood vessels and nerves. No sight of 1146 or the germ. This…this just couldn't be true, not him. Any semblance of strength left her body, she felt so numb inside, and 3803 slowly sank to her knees with a vacant expression.

The wind died away. It was absolutely silent around her, there was only a little breeze tugging at her hair and jacket now.

AE 3803 didn't know how long she sat there, staring down, mind frozen. At some point however her eyes wandered, until the found the torn, white cap on the ground, just beside her. The receptor was silent now, the germ had cut through the cable anyway, but she looked directly at his number. 1146.

Her hand moved in slow motion, trembling, finally grasping it by the peak. She pulled it close, almost cradling it in her hands, fingers running across the fabric. Was that all what remained? Would she never see him again? Her vision became blurry.

She clutched his cap, crushing it against her chest. He was gone, just gone…it felt like something was wrenching her chest apart. Tears streamed down her face as she began to sob. This just couldn't be true. The one she loved; gone. On the day she'd admitted her feelings, the day she'd found out he returned them. Why hadn't she told him sooner? Why had she been so afraid? If only…For what felt like a terribly lonely eternity, 3803 simply cowered alone at the edge of the abyss and cried, with no thought giving solace.

"Sekkekkyū."

She jumped when she suddenly heard a voice right behind her. Slowly she managed to turn her head, her vision not entirely clear yet.

"Ha...Hakkekkyū-san?" How? Yet there he was, breathing heavily, cytoplasm all over him, but she couldn't care less as she got back on her feet, despite her shaking legs. "I thought…I thought…" A few more tears ran across her cheeks, her voice was hoarse from crying, as unsteady as the rest of her. With one hand she tentatively touched his chest, as if to make sure he was real.

1146 stepped closer, his hands framed her face, his fingers brushing her tears away and he leaned his forehead against hers. When he spoke the neutrophil was still panting, still catching his breath. "I'm not leaving you."

AE 3803 didn't know which one of them closed the gap, she only knew that the next thing her mind registered were his lips crushing against her own. Perhaps it was because of the aftereffects of battle and her own emotional turmoil, but this kiss was deeper and more intense than either before and the pain in her chest was suddenly replaced with warmth. She shivered, feeling his tongue brush over her lips, and her shaky legs started to feel limp.

Thankfully his arms had wrapped themselves tightly around her, one hand cradling and supporting her head, fingers delving into her hair. Meanwhile her own arms were trapped between them; with one hand she was still clutching his cap, while the other all but clawed into his jacket.

She didn't care that he was dripping cytoplasm, or that her own clothes got soaked as well now. He was here. He was alive. Nothing else mattered.

When the kiss ended both of them were left breathless, but he kept holding her, their faces still mere inches apart. She could feel his breath washing over her lips. 3803 felt overwhelmed; her mind was still trying to grasp the fact that he was even standing here. "You're alive." Was all she managed to say, her voice but a whisper. "You're alive."

1146 didn't reply, only smiled softly and leaned his forehead against hers again, allowing them both time to calm down. She had to admit, just standing here like this, with him, it was incredibly comforting; she could have stayed like this forever.

After what had to have been a few minutes they, somewhat reluctantly, separated. She was however confused at his expression. "Hakkekkyū-san?"

"I'm sorry I worried you back there." He apologized, actually looking guilty.

But the erythrocyte quickly shook her head. "Don't be, it's alright." She assured him, her smile of relief probably contrasting with her reddened eyes. "I'm just glad…"

But a faraway shout interrupted her, catching their attention. In the distance 3803 saw three neutrophils, all of them bloodied and having their weapons drawn. As if on cue, both she and 1146 took each a small step back to create a bit of distance between them, while she also handed him his cap, which she'd been holding all this time. It really was quite rumpled now, though frankly he needed a new one anyway.

When the other neutrophils came closer, the red blood cell realized that she knew them; 1146's closest friends since childhood, U-4989 in front. "Hey, guys!" The fluffy haired neutrophil shouted, waving at them.

"What are you three doing here?" 1146 asked once they arrived, putting his cap back on.

"We were called in after a group of Neisseria meningitides got in. One escaped us though." U-2048 explained.

"Guess you found it then." 2626 noted regarding his friend's bloodied appearance. "Where is it?"

"Lymphatic vessel." 1146 told them, pointing at the whole in the balustrade. "I had the lymphocytes help me out. It's been dealt with."

His friends put their weapons away, all three visibly relaxing. "Well, that accounts for all of them."

4989 turned around. "What about that cocoon?" He asked; frankly 3803 had actually forgotten all about it. The other red blood cell…

1146 thankfully however hadn't. "An erythrocyte. I've already opened it; she's alive but still unconscious." 3803 was briefly confused, but concluded that he must have done it before coming to her.

"Had a few of those at the nasopharynx as well; we can take her with us so she can get treated too." U-2048 offered.

1146 merely nodded in agreement.

"Are you two alright?" 4989 then asked, examining especially 3803 with a worried expression, probably because of all the cytoplasm on her.

AE however was quick to put on a smile, her eyes closed. Hopefully they couldn't tell that she had cried earlier. "I didn't get hurt, this isn't my blood." She told them, but then she glanced over to 1146, who actually had been injured. "Hakkekkyū-san…?"

"Scratches, I'm fine." He assured them, though his gaze only met hers, as if to make sure she believed him.

One of his friends nodded and picked up his transceiver. "U-2001? U-2048 here; last Neisseria was eliminated. Heading back to the nasopharynx with another injured red blood cell."

"Roger." A distorted voice answered right away.

2626 and 4989 lifted up the unconscious erythrocyte, still cushioned by the cocoon. "Well, see you guys later." The former told them and the three got going again, heading back the way they had come.

3803 waved. "Bye, take care."

But only 2048 with his hands free was able to return the gesture, while 4989 shouted. "Stay safe! Don't get into trouble again!"

For a while she and 1146 watched them depart, until she felt him tug at her sleeve. "This way." He said, nodding towards the brain and the other side of the bridge. "We should be able to find a wash station there. Sorry about the cytoplasm."

"It's fine." She assured him, but quickly grabbed his wrist, squeezing it gently. "Are you really alright? You fell all that way…"

He mustered a smile, though he still looked a little pained. "Luckily the germ broke my fall. Though my shoulder is probably going to be a bit stiff for a while."

"Shouldn't someone take a look at that?" 3803 replied, pointing at his wounds.

"In due time, I'm just going to clean them first." Still seeing the doubt in her eyes, he softly stroked her cheek with the back of a finger. "Don't worry; I've learned how to deal with injuries."

It was strange how comforting that simple gesture was, how pleasant, yet she couldn't deny that it in combination with his words worked. "Alright." Besides, he had point; he sadly got wounded all the time and she would trust his judgment.

As she took her cart, 3803 couldn't help but think back to their conversation earlier, his concerns about how she would handle his regular brushes with death. This would happen again, sooner or later.

No that didn't matter. AE 3803 was determined, adhering to what she'd told him. Even if it was for just a day, she wanted to be with him, make the most of what time they did have, no matter how little.

1146 led her through the blood vessels along the borders of the brain, and they finally found themselves among other erythrocytes again. Admittedly there just always seemed to be something off about empty roads. The downside this time around however was that they got a fair number of startled, even appalled looks. 3803 had a feeling that it was in great part due to her own bloodied appearance, something commonplace with neutrophils, but not a cell like her.

Fortunately they eventually reached the wash station and escaped the prying eyes. This one was considerably smaller than the one they had visited back in the intestine a few days ago, but still offered a bit of privacy. It was basically just a shower room, with showerheads, taps and hoses along one wall.

"Having a bit of déjà vu." She noted, looking around the wash station and at her own bloodied clothes; she'd left her cart at the entry again.

"I'll try to be more careful in the future."1146 promised a little bashfully, handing her one of the bottles from the shelves opposite to the showers.

3803 however just smiled as she took the shampoo. "I don't mind." In a way, it did mean more time spent with him after all.

"Give it a moment." And he handed her one of the showerheads as well.

"Ah!" She shivered as soon as the water touched her, suddenly wishing she could simply change clothes instead. "I think it's even colder than last time. Next time I go to the nasal cavities instead, get some warm water there."

"Some of my fellow neutrophils would probably like that idea." 1146 noted as he picked out a few towels.

Curious the red blood cell inclined her head. "Not you?"

He shrugged, turning on his own shower and actually taking off his cap for the moment; now that she thought about it, it was strange seeing him without headgear. "As I've said, I'm used to the cold. Besides, I wouldn't want to run halfway across the body every other time just to clean up."

"Why is it so cold anyway?" It just seemed ridiculous; would a few degrees more really be that bad?

"Well it would use up energy to heat the water. If it were for only a handful of wash stations it probably would be fine, but there are hundreds all across the body." He paused for a moment to wash the cytoplasm from his face and to rinse his hair, but continued as soon as he was done, water dripping from his chin. "Perhaps more importantly however, if the water were too hot, it could actually harm us, denaturise our proteins, not to mention that a constant supply of hot water could also heat up the entire body like a fever. So it stays at around or slightly below body core temperature."

Denaturation

The process through which proteins and nucleic acids lose their structure, due to external stress such as heat or pH-value, and therefor can no longer function properly. For a cell this can mean impairment or death.

Confused 3803 arched an eyebrow and turned off her water, having just finished. "But it's fine in the nose?"

"Actually the water is only a little warmer there; the area is just colder compared to most of the body so it seems hot in comparison." He explained.

"Because of the outside air?" She knew that a function of the nose was to warm up the air before it entered the lungs, but she'd never wondered just how great the temperature difference between their world and the outside was.

Meanwhile 1146 merely nodded. "Yes; without the steam baths you would probably be freezing there most of the time."

3803 quickly shook her head, water spraying from her hair and she wrapped herself in one of the towels he'd laid out. "No thank you; the fingers and toes are bad enough at times." Suddenly she realized something, while he chuckled about her comment and turned off his water as well, his wounds thankfully no longer bleeding. Then she stepped up to him and removed her gloves.

"Sekkekkyū?" He sounded a little confused.

"It's just I never…we never…you know, we're always wearing the gloves." She tried to explain sheepishly; though after kissing this probably shouldn't be such a big deal. But it sure felt like it was.

After a moment 1146's puzzled expression was exchanged for a warm smile and he proceeded to put his showerhead aside and take off his own gloves. He offered her his bare hand and tentatively she took it, her cheeks warming, before he tenderly brushed his thumb across the back of her hand.

His was cooler than hers, but not by much. It was of course larger and she could see a few barely visible scars, looking like they'd been left by blade or claw, perhaps even teeth. His fingers where perhaps a little rougher than hers, but nonetheless pleasant on her membrane; she actually found herself shivering a little at the contact. This was the first time they really touched.

Neither of them spoke, they were simply holding hands. 3803 felt herself blushing; for some reason this felt almost as intimate as a kiss to her. She looked up to him and saw that he was still smiling. And it made her want to dare just a bit more. Timidly she reached out with her other hand.

First her fingers felt over his jaw, slowly up to his cheek, until she was gently framing his face. This was so much better than with gloves. And he seemed to have no objections.

But the beautiful moment ended abruptly, when they heard approaching footsteps and a few voices. Other neutrophils were coming! Still, the two of them remained as they were for a few more moments, for as long as they were out of view.

"I have to finish my patrol." There was the same reluctance she felt lingering in his voice, though his smile stayed as he looked at her. "And re-equip."

Slowly 3803 nodded. "I guess I should really get back to the lungs." But, when would they meet again? It could be days.

1146 took the hand still framing his face and tilted his head just a little. She felt her face heat up even more when he planted a kiss on her bare palm. "Then I'll catch up with you later at the heart."

And at this the erythrocyte beamed with joy; despite the emotional roller-coaster she'd been through, today felt like the best day of her life.


AA 5100 was walking towards the heart later that day, a basket of nutrients swinging from her arm, accompanied today by two of her oldest friends, red blood cells she'd graduated with. The two male erythrocytes currently talked about the work done in the kidneys, trying to make sense of their many filters, but frankly AA was only half listening. It had been a long day and she was really in the mood for some glucose and a small break, though it would have to wait until she'd finished her delivery. Thankfully her destination, the left part of the ribcage, wasn't far from her current location.

Rubbing her somewhat stiff feeling neck she looked around and to her surprise spotted an unusual, yet familiar pair in the distance. Just off the road on a lawn were her kohai AE 3803 and her neutrophil friend, sitting side by side, tea next to them, enjoying what was probably their dinner.

Her kohai was currently talking, undoubtedly cheery, with that bright smile and those blushed cheeks AA 5100 had come to associate her with. Meanwhile the neutrophil U-1146 listened attentively as he always did, displaying a much more subtle, rather serene smile.

5100 inclined her head, frowning a little. Was it just her, or was he looking almost fondly at 3803? Maybe it was because of the distance; he was still a neutrophil after all, even with AE deeply caring for him.

Regardless, AA 5100 couldn't help but smile. Even if she didn't understand her kohai's affection for a white blood cell, one sided or not, it warmed her haemoglobin to see them both so happy together. And she was glad that AE had pulled herself together in the end.

Then a voice tore from her musings "Hey, 5100!" PO 1076 shouted.

Only now did the erythrocyte notice that her friends had continued on, while she'd stopped to watch and she hurried to catch up again, not wanting to draw attention to the strange couple on the lawn. AA didn't want to accidently start some gossip about her kohai. "Coming." Besides, in a way things had only gotten back to normal now.


With newly cleaned uniforms the three neutrophils returned to the torso, following the superior vena cava. All felt pretty satisfied with how things had worked out today, even with the bacterial interventions. Still.

"Seriously, the moment we leave he runs into a Neisseria?" U-2626 noted, shaking his head somewhat disbelievingly.

The fluffy haired neutrophil chuckled and shrugged amused. "Yeah; wonder if it's because of his or her bad luck."

"Maybe it's the combination." 2048 suggested, before smiling. "At least they're both fine and finally together."

The other two nodded. "True. Guess we're pretty good at this." 4989 pointed out merrily; a part of him just wanted to hug the two lovebirds and congratulate them, but the three had decided on their way here that they would wait for 1146 and 3803 to address the issue of their new relationship first. 4989 had the feeling that he would really have to force himself to keep quiet.

"Excuse me?" A tentative voice suddenly piped up.

"Huh?" All three neutrophil turned around to see that an erythrocyte had approached them, shifting her weight nervously from one foot to the other.

"You're U-4989, right?" She addressed the fluffy haired leucocyte.

"Yes?" Then it hit him. "Wait aren't you one of the erythrocytes that got attacked by the Plasmodium?" He recognized her dark auburn hair, which she'd braided into a long plait, though there were several shorter, wild strands sticking out and framing her face as well.

"I am." The erythrocyte confirmed a bit nervously. "That day I didn't get the chance to thank you."

Flabbergasted 4989 stared at her, blinking confused. "But I couldn't do a thing." Despite having tried both knife and bare hands, he had been unable to remove the bracelet-shaped parasite from her wrist.

With a hand she started rubbing her arm as if she was trying to soothe herself, looking sideways to avoid meeting his eyes. "When the NK cell wanted to eliminate me, you and your fellow neutrophil stepped in and stopped her. Killing me would probably have been the saver option, but you defended me nonetheless. "And she bowed. "Thank you."

Until today AE 3803 had been the only erythrocyte to ever truly thank him at all. "Um, you're welcome." He replied unsure, though her gesture gladdened him. It was so rare that white blood cells got any recognition for their work.

There was an awkward silence for a moment, U-2048 and 2626 watching them curiously, before she nodded and lifted her hand for a tentative little wave. "Well…have a good day." And she simply ran off.

"Wait! Hold up!" But she had already disappeared back into the crowd.

2048 raised a brow questioningly. "What for?"

4989 didn't answer immediately, pouting a little instead. "I didn't even catch her number. AC something…"

"You want to meet her again?" His friend asked surprised.

The fluffy haired neutrophil nodded and smiled. "Hey, I'm glad for any erythrocyte that's not afraid of us." He lifted a single finger. "Don't know about you, but I'd like to raise that number above '1'."

"Good luck with that." 2626 chuckled, patting him on the back; it was admittedly a bit of wishful thinking. Still, 4989 was nothing if not stubborn and he could at least try. For now however the three simply continued on their way. A project for another day; now it was time to go back to work.


Author's Note:

And with this we end Realisations.

I really hope you've enjoyed it and I'm grateful for every review; this was the final chapter, so tell me your thoughts on it and perhaps the story as a whole. Also to everyone who followed and favoured the story, thank you so much for your support and the motivation it provided me with.

You are also welcome to make requests; if you have a disease you'd like to see, don't hesitate to share. Perhaps I can include it in an upcoming story, though I can't make promises.

I actually have a few in planning, all of which take place after "Realisation" and in a way continue it. Among them are a few one-shots focused on U-1146 and AE 3803, now that they are in a romantic relationship. The first is going to be "Well Known Secret", in which the two try to keep their relationship a secret, much to the amusement of the neutrophil squad.

But there will also be a story around U-4989 trying to befriend that erythrocyte, who thanked him in this chapter, called "Hearts & Minds". Lastly we have a story where our favourite cells have to deal with a mycosis, a fungal infection of the body. All titles and a few more details on my profile.

Until then, stay healthy ^^

And we'll end with "Song #3" by Stone Sour:

No one else has ever loved me
No one else has ever tried
I never understood
How much I could take

Then I saw the worst was over
When I laid my eyes on you
It was all that I could do to know my place

Out of all the vast illusions
Out of all the dreams come true
I was gone until
I finally saw your face

If you cried out for more
If you reached out for me
I would run into the storm
Just to keep you here with me

I have gone beyond my years
I've wasted half my life
But I found it all in you
Did I save you?
'Cause I know you saved me too