Author's Note:

Hi, just one thing before we get started: for all of you, who haven't read "Realisations" don't worry, you can still read this. Anything relevant from my other story will be mentioned here, but of course you are welcome to read it as well.

For all of you, who have read "Realisations", welcome back; this story picks up just a few days after the final chapter, so you could see this as a chapter 8 in a way, but with new protagonists now.

I hope to update every other week, due to this being a busy time at work, so I don't have as much time for writing as I would like to.

Enjoy.

Hearts & Minds

Prologue

It was a pretty normal day within the body. No major incidents, just a few germs at the common entry points of the body as usual, which were quickly disposed of by the immune system. It had been like this for some time now and U-4989 was frankly feeling a little bored. There wasn't much for a neutrophil like him to do, except to patrol the body again and again, so he'd opted to distract himself whenever he could, whether this meant playing with the platelets or testing out a new weapon.

His makeshift spears were getting better, as were his skills with the polearm. As it turned out, throwing them seemed to work much better than slashing. If only he had a decent place to practice; he would keep an eye open on his next patrol.

Today however he'd gone to the nasal cavities, a part of him hoping to encounter at least a stray Streptococcus. On the other hand this place had really good buns. After walking around for a bit 4989 sat down with some tea and his still steaming lunch, comfortably leaning against a tree by the side of the road. He watched the other cells doing their work as he enjoyed his meal, a far cry from the germs he mostly consumed. As a phagocyte he was used to the taste, but nothing could hope to beat fresh food made by local cells. Plus it was usually much sweeter.

He was eating his last bun, when he spotted a familiar face in the crowd. It wasn't AE 3803, but another erythrocyte, who he recognized thanks to her dark auburn hair, neatly braided with the exception of short, wild strands framing her face. During the Plasmodium invasion some weeks ago, she had been the first infected one U-1146, NK cell and he had encountered alive and the first, who had been saved.

Plasmodium falciparum

Unicellular parasites, causing Malaria, introduced to a host body by the bite of an insect, most commonly the Anopheles. At this stage they are called sporozoites and first infect liver-cells (hepatocytes), maturing into schizonts, and multiply, becoming merozoites, before getting released into the bloodstream, where they invade erythrocytes. There the parasites continue to multiply asexually and devour the haemoglobin (having reached the throphpziote-stage), destroying the host cell in the process and move on to new red blood cells. This circle continues in the bloodstream, while some turn into male and female gametocytes, which can be absorbed by a mosquito again, where they reproduce sexually, creating new sporozoites.

It could have gone very differently. At that point they had already found a dead erythrocyte and after seeing that she was victim to a parasite, NK had initially suggested simply killing her, the host. Both U-1146 and he had stepped in however, given that it hadn't been a virus, something that couldn't even infect an erythrocyte and prevented an execution. As a result the bracelet-like parasite had been successfully removed and the auburn haired erythrocyte, along with many others, among them 3803, had been able to recover. 4989 had only seen her once since then, when she'd approached him to timidly thank him for keeping her safe from NK. An unexpected gesture, but one he'd greatly appreciated.

It had caused 4989 to wonder if it was possible for him and his fellow white blood cells to befriend more erythrocytes. AE 3803 was currently the only one he knew of, her senpai AA 5100 maybe as well, something he found to be a shame and a bit ridiculous, given that there were millions of them. There had to be a few more exceptions.

He often saw other cells talking and laughing with each other, playing games and frankly it was something he would like to be a part of, especially on slow days like this. As it was, most none-immune cells, with the exception of platelets and a few others, kept away from leucocytes; he couldn't even approach most of the erythrocytes he was constantly surrounded by without making them uneasy. Some were even fearful, which frankly kinda stung. After all, they were here to protect.

Sure, white blood cells sometimes got a bit intense during battle, but none of them would ever harm the cells of this body. That was of course unless they were for example infected, but at that point they really weren't themselves anymore; frankly virus-infected cells were pretty much dead already, mere husks under the pathogen's control. Were those cells in pain? Probably, given that the viruses latched on with sharp appendages before taking over from the inside. Killing them could be seen as an act of mercy, an end to their suffering.

In any case, 4989 really wanted none-immune cells to be more comfortable around them, at least comfortable enough to have a normal conversation with. And this erythrocyte seemed like his best bet to get started. She'd met him, he'd helped save her life; that was better than nothing.

Only question was, how should he approach her? Just walking up to her didn't seem like a good idea, might only make her nervous same as with all the others; she certainly had been when she'd sought him out. Could she perhaps even feel threatened, especially considering her experience with NK? That was the last thing he wanted.

4989 watched her pass by a while longer, seeing the CO2 box in her arms, and as he wondered which route she might take, he suddenly had an idea. It was worth a shot.

...

On this calm day AC found herself very much enjoying her trip though the nasal cavities. It had been a great idea to stop for a nice break with buns and a relaxing, warm footbath, which frankly after hours of nonstop walking she'd ached for even more than the glucose. She really needed to come here more often; it frankly had become one of her favourite spots in the body, despite occasional germ invasions, though once you had made it past the first immune cell those things took care of themselves. Now feeling refreshed and back to a hundred percent, the young erythrocyte was on her way back to the lungs, humming contently to herself.

Fleet of foot she walked down the road, before deciding to take a shortcut through one of the smaller vessels, not a capillary, though it would be tight if two cells were to walk side by side. But it also meant that there was very little traffic; most erythrocytes preferred the main road along the shops, where they could comfortably catch up with friends. Besides, AC had a feeling that she would only be tempted to take another break at one of those shops. While she wasn't in a hurry yet, she knew she would be if she were to make another stop there.

This whole place just tempted you with so many ways of procrastination. Not that she necessarily minded; just doing delivers could be a bit dull after all.

She hadn't made it too far down the slim road, when unexpectedly a voice addressed her from the side. "Uhm miss, could you help me out?"

Confused AC turned around and in the little gap between two buildings saw one of the neutrophils. She needed a moment, but then realized that she knew him, or at least she had met and talked to him before. "U-4989?" He was the one who had helped save her life, something she'd thank him for only a short time ago. It had taken her days to convince herself to seek him out and just as many to find him. Not to mention that she'd hesitated and ducked out twice, before finally mustering the courage to do actually approach him and just the other day his partner as well.

With a surprisingly friendly smile for a leucocyte he greeted her. "Yep. Sorry to bother you, but I well...," he chuckled embarrassed. "I kinda got stuck."

Stuck? For a moment she simply stared at him, admittedly dumbfounded, but yeah, there he was with basically only his head and arms sticking out. "Oh, I…" was all AC was able to mumble nervously; he was still a white blood cell after all. Every instinct told her to keep a distance.

"If you could just pull at my arm a little," the neutrophil requested a pleading look in his grey eyes. "Please?"

Back in the day she'd never paid much attention to the leucocytes. They were of course a constant presence in the blood stream, but always somewhere at the side, almost invisible. Only when things went wrong you could not help but notice them, yelling for blood, eyes wide with murderous intent. But things had changed a little since the parasite, besides she owed him; big time. "Alright."

The erythrocyte put her box aside and slowly, carefully, took hold of his wrist and lower arm. Placing one foot against a wall next to him, she began to pull. Her first attempt was a little hesitant and didn't accomplish anything. She took a deep breath and this time pulled with far more strength, tightening her grip.

"Almost," he encouraged her.

"Ugh."

And suddenly he was free. The erythrocyte stumbled backwards, until her back hit the wall of the building behind her, staring at the neutrophil, who was still being propelled towards her. Suddenly panicking her eyes widened; was he going to crash into her!

Tripping from one foot to the other, same as she had, he fought to regain his balance and she quickly closed her eyes, raised her arms, bracing herself for the impact. But it never came. When she looked again, the erythrocyte saw that he'd managed to stop himself just in front of her, a hand on the wall she had stumbled against and his smile from earlier had made a return.

"Ah, thank you miss," he said and his eyes darted to her beret. "AC 4293."

"You're welcome, Kōchūkyū-san," she told him, yet pressed herself against the wall away from him. This was damn close.

Thankfully he seemed to notice her uncomfortableness and finally stepped back. "Sorry for the inconvenience. I swear this doesn't happen often," he hastily added, sounding a little flustered.

"I take your word for it," the erythrocyte mumbled as a reply, relaxing a little.

There was an awkward pause and to her surprise, she saw him rub his lower arm, almost as if he too was nervous. "I wanted to ask the other day; how have you been recovering? I mean after the parasite…?" So, he'd recognized her as well.

AC looked up, finally meeting his grey eyes, oddly enough being greeted by a soft gaze with what seemed to be honest concern. "Oh, well I've been doing fine," she answered somewhat perplexed, feeling a little disarmed by his friendly attitude. "I guess I was lucky it got removed so early on. Actually I was allowed to go back to work again within a week. Still have that scar though." She lifted her right arm, showing the red dots that made up the small bite-mark just beneath her glove. "I tried to cover it up, but couldn't find anything suitable; seeing it is a bit unnerving." Wait, why was she telling him all this? Sure he had been nothing but friendly, but still.

"I suppose longer gloves aren't an option?" he suggested.

That was actually something she had considered. "If there are any, I haven't found them." She shrugged, her shoulders scraping the wall she was still leaning against. "Who knows; maybe I get used to it."

"Maybe it will disappear yet," the neutrophil reckoned optimistically.

"Maybe." Frankly AC didn't believe that, but it was probably possible. She looked past him and spotted her box, still sitting innocently on the ground. "I…I should really get going. The carbon dioxide...," she began to explain, hoping to be able to excuse herself without being too rude. This all was too weird for her.

His eyes widened. "Oh, right." He pulled at his cap and made a quick bow. "Sorry, I didn't mean to keep you. Thanks again, for me helping out."

Somehow AC 4293 managed to muster a shy smile. "Sure." She picked up her box, and gave him a last nod before departing. "Bye."

Displaying a much wider smile than her, he waved. "Bye! Take care!"

With a few steps a much relieved AC exited the alley and stepped onto a main road again. She took a deep breath. Okay, what had just happened? Or better yet, what in general was happening?

Usually, back in the day, when she took notice of neutrophils, or white blood cells in general, they never failed to manage to make her cytoplasm freeze. Sure, they protected the body, but it was difficult to feel safe around them, when they only seemed to be interested in killing things. The only exception to this rule seemed to be the macrophages, but their constant cheeriness, even in the midst of battle could sometimes be unsettling in its own right.

Now however things seemed a little more…complex? When she'd been infected with the Plasmodium, she'd turned to the white blood cells in pure desperation after seeing her friend killed by the very same bracelet-like parasite, her haemoglobin devoured by that monster. But, with the exception of the NK cell, every leucocyte had been nothing but obliging towards her, doing their best to help her.

AC vividly remembered the neutrophil U-4989, how he'd tried to remove the parasite with his knife, careful not to cut her. Did she really have a wrong picture of them all this time? Or at least a distorted one?

But her line of thoughts was interrupted when she spotted a familiar group not far off, three of her closest friends she'd grown up with. Putting on a smile and pushing those thoughts aside, AC 4293 joined them.

"Hi everyone."

"Hey AC, are you alright?" another young woman with short black hair asked, looking strangely enough somewhat concerned.

"I'm fine CT 2980," she assured her, assuming that they had seen her engrossed in her thoughts moments earlier. AC had been told that she could sometimes look troubled whenever she was, even if nothing was wrong. Or walked into things; rarely, but it had happened.

Another of her friends, AD 5022, didn't seem quite convinced however, narrowing his eyes, which were of the same dark brown as his hair. "You're sure? We thought that neutrophil might have bothered you."

"What?" AC turned around and saw U-4989, who had probably left the alley right after her, walk down the road away from them. Oh. Quickly she placated her friends. "No, he just wanted to know how I've recovered." Even to herself it sounded peculiar, but it was true. So weird. "He's actually one of the white blood cells that helped me with the parasite."

"I thought they wanted to kill you," 5022 replied with a deep frown.

AC 4293 shook her head, but what else did she expect from his occasionally selective hearing. "Only the NK cell. He and his colleague were the ones, who convinced her to try cutting the parasite off first, remember?"

"Hm." She wasn't exactly surprised. Generally speaking all red blood cells were at least somewhat afraid of the immune-cells, but 5022 was among those, who took it a step further. After seeing them wipe out hundreds, if not thousands of virus-infected cells on his very first day of work, he'd come to deeply mistrust them. Therefore AC couldn't exactly argue with him, there was no point really, as it was like running against a brick wall, even if she disagreed.

"You have to admit, they're still creepy," CT 2980 added, before shivering a little at her next thought. "Just the way their eyes change when they spot a germ, freaks me out every time." Now with that AC could agree with, despite feeling reluctant to voice that opinion. Right now she couldn't help but picture the neutrophil's kind smile from mere minutes ago.

Meanwhile AD 5022 nodded. "Don't want to know what would happen if you were ever caught in the crossfire or happened to be in the way during an incident. Probably would just cut you up as well; those guys get crazy."

FP 1564, who had stayed out of the conversation until now, started rolling his eyes behind the few strands of light brown hair crossing his face. "I've never heard of a white blood cell killing an healthy erythrocyte, even by accident," he pointed out calmly.

AD folded his arms. "Well, we are millions. Who knows if we would ever hear about it should it happen." That idea was horrifying, but AC just couldn't believe it.

"Now you're being a bit ridiculous," FP 1564 scolded him in her stead. "A white blood cell killing a healthy and functioning cell is a serious crime; the rest of the immune system would be after them."

AC nodded, glad there was at least one voice of reason around. "He's right. They might be crazy and a bit intense, but only because they take their duties so damn seriously. Yeah, it's scary, but I'm sure they wouldn't hurt us." Without reason anyway. Subconsciously her fingers brushed over the wrist-scar.

"Still, the less contact I have with them the better," CT 2980 declared decisively, putting a hand on FP's and AD's shoulders as a calming gesture, before this could turn into an argument. "No reason to risk it."

The two nodded, while AC 4293 only sighed. She really liked her friends, however this remained a topic better not discussed with them; well, with the exception of FP 1564 that was. It wasn't like she didn't have any reservations towards white blood cells, but CT, and AD especially, just always expected the worst from them.

She looked over her shoulder, to where the neutrophil had disappeared in the crowd. She suddenly recalled what his colleague U-1146 had said to the NK cell. We're supposed to keep the body safe, which includes the cells living in and providing for it. If we can save her, we will.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips. They were wrong in some respect, she herself had been, at least about some leucocytes.

But perhaps on the other hand they were right about better not risking anything regardless. Who knew how many thought just like that NK cell? Simply kill the host. The image of that female lymphocyte standing before her, sword drawn, looking down at her with a cold, pitiless expression, still send shivers down AC's spine. What if you came across someone like her again?

Yeah, perhaps better not risk it.

U-4989 continued his patrol, replaying his interactions with AC 4293 in his mind. It hadn't gone quite as he'd hoped, though at least he finally knew her designation. Still, she really had been afraid, or at least that had been his impression. He couldn't have been that scary, right?

Nonetheless 4989 smiled a little; after all, she had helped him despite her reservations and she hadn't run off, so on the other hand it also could have gone way worse. But it was obvious that he had to do something if this was to go anywhere.

Question was: what could he do?

There was really only one example he could take cues from. U-1146 had helped AE 3803 whenever he could; assisted her navigate the body, protected her from germs. But AC 4293 probably didn't get lost often enough for that to be a viable approach, 3803 was pretty unique in that regard after all, and the latter required him to just happen to be around whenever she was endanger, which wouldn't exactly be easy. How ever had 1146 managed that? Maybe he was luckier than the fluffy haired neutrophil gave him credit for.

No he needed to do something else to alleviate her fear. It was bad enough that her scar still haunted her every day; she didn't need a neutrophil scaring her as well. It really was a shame he couldn't do anything about that bite-mark, especially given how he'd been unable to remove the damn parasite in the first place.

Suddenly 4989 stopped dead in his tracks. He had an idea.