Gendarmerie
by Twisted Eternal Wolvetta
and Harmonium-Kruger
Harmonium-Kruger: Gendarmerie is an almost alternate universe of Otome in which the otome and meisters are far more volatile and involved. The instructors are now referred to as captains, and there are three which have their own specializations.
Twisted Eternal Wolvetta: For the uniforms we haven't used the cringeworthy Garderobe ones. Instead we've directly taken the designs which WoWo (Maya Sawamura Anderson) created. You can find URLs for her artwork from either my profile, or Harmonium's.
Captains/Colours/Branches
Worst - Best student.
Sara (Yellow) X Aquamarine (Stealth/Espionage)
Gigi, Miya, Yayoi, Arika, Nao
Natsuki (Blue) X Crystal | Keisatsuchou (Intelligence/Tactics)
Irina, Erstin, Akane, Aoi
Shizuru (Purple) X Amethyst (Riot/Defence)
Tomoe, Nobue, Chie, Nina
Twisted Eternal Wolvetta: Unlike Renascence, we're using Guadeloupe instead of Garderobe. In the manga, Guadeloupe is used instead of its mistranslation. We felt that this would suit Gendarmerie, since it has a dark setting. Besides, Guadeloupe is a real place which I am more than sure Sunrise took inspiration from.
Gendarmerie
Viper's Sting
by Twisted Eternal Wolvetta
and Harmonium-Kruger
Running trimmed nails along the spine of a worn novel, a woman commanding attention in the room spoke softly. "On authority from the Keisatsuchou, it has become under my duty to initiate a bit of… groundskeeping." She spoke to the students surrounding her, their desks aligned perfectly in neat rows.
Striding to the front to better address them, crimson raked between each student. "This, however, is not a light duty by any means. The forest of Guadeloupe is quite treacherous, and not to be trifled with by naive or novice girls."
Turning on her heel towards the wall, the woman leaned back against her desk. "As such, I will only be taking the top student of this class; Hinagiku Tomoe."
She needn't look, for she already knew Tomoe's interest had been piqued. Picking up the book she had touched moments before, the teacher opened it. Scanning along the ink of the pages, she paused. Perhaps it would be an understatement if she admitted her frustration with the other students?
It wasn't that she disliked them in general. But once these students fell behind, there wasn't much she could do. Giving them a gentle push, of course. But other than that…
One of the students rose a hand, waiting to be called on as the instructor pulled from her thoughts. "Wang?"
"Captain Viola, is the forest really so dangerous?" Ocher eyes darted down to her desk as a few other girls glanced her way.
Lips curling faintly, Shizuru crossed her arms over her chest loosely. She tapped the book, still open, and hummed softly. "Yes, it is. Students are not allowed outside of the campus grounds; The forest is rife with exotic animals and… unsavory circumstances."
An odd sensation welled within Shizuru's stomach. The advantage for training within the forest was indeed an advantage. But this didn't mean she still had to like the place. It was such an unpredictable location, and being stranded brought consequences.
A student with very little experience wouldn't have a chance.
"Next week, we shall do a class-wide training exercise. For now, Hinagiku, if you would stay after class so we might prepare and set off?" Shizuru unfolded her arms, raising the book to view once more.
"Now then, our lesson…"
Red slacks and a white-collared matching shirt; these were iconic to their uniform. A thin white tie was tied around her neck, tucked under the collar. A violet jewel was crowned to cover the knot, indicating the student's branch. In this case, as her captain was Shizuru Viola, the jewel was violet.
A tie matched the waistcoat in colour, this fabric covering the shirt. The lapels of the waistcoat were smoothed down, with the shirt collar tucked under.
This uniform was for student, and column alike within Guadeloupe. The only difference which consisted was the colour, rank, and ensigns.
For her captain, the only difference between their uniforms were the rank and ensign patch on the elder's shoulders. Shizuru was a column, and naturally the rank mirrored that fact. They wore slacks; As this would surely become physical. Skirts were for the academia side of things…
Tawny hair was loose, as opposed to tied up when she was teaching. Why wasn't it the other way around, actually? Tomoe's brows furrowed as she shook the thought away, approaching the captain on the edge of the campus.
"Hinagiku." Shizuru inclined her head to acknowledge her, left wrist raised. She gently touched a fingertip to the inside of it, activating a holographic display. The computer relayed information back to her with its interface; A map being drawn out between them.
"Did Hinagiku bring her pistol?"
"Of course." The student replied easily. Tomoe surveyed Shizuru silently, and then brought the weapon from her holster. Looking around the forest instead, she found nothing off in particular. There were just trees and shrubs surrounding them, and animals sounded out naturally.
This wasn't a place they would want to get caught inside, however. As the captain had said earlier, the Spirits' Forest was a dangerous zone.
"I have twenty bullets." Tomoe uttered, sliding out the magazine from the grip. Taking five of these bullets from the holster pouch, she proceeded with loading the pistol.
"Good." Shizuru layered the map down so it was flat between them, raising her thumbs in a quick flick. The map became three-dimensional; Details raising from the map. There was an indicator mark for where they stood, and the holographic trees of the map were just as thick as the real ones.
Tomoe's only weapon was her pistol; Of course, the girl's own close quarters combat skills were admirable. Shizuru herself had a thicker pistol, along with a dagger she always kept close.
If anything came at them, she would be ready.
"There are only three positions this time?" Tomoe asked her, putting her gun back into the holster.
It was the early afternoon, and it was the middle of summer. Under the shade of the canopy was fine, but being caught out in the sun? That would be a bad idea.
Flickering her eyes between the three locations, Tomoe took another momentary glance around them. Her ears twitched upon the invasion of insects. It was a constant piercing noise, unlike the chirping of birds.
"Survey the map so there is no chance of getting lost. If we become separated, I will be able to find her. Stay in the first safe place, and do not touch any ruins found." Shizuru spoke, slow and deliberate. This forest was dangerous, but it was their job to tame it.
"There will be odd creatures, try not to disturb them as well."
Nodding, Tomoe did so.
Of course there was the occasional animal which sometimes found itself within the grounds. An orange fox was a daily occurrence, but a venomous snake? Sure those appeared, but they needed to manage their numbers.
Becoming an otome wasn't just about keeping the law. It was about the safety of others and the environment. If a nano-machine empowered soldier harmed the wildlife, it was their responsibility. This was so, whether or not it was their fault.
Studying the map quickly and deftly, Tomoe noticed there were many clearings. The Spirits' Forest was an intense forest which wrapped around Guadeloupe completely. It stretched on for miles, hitting both the desert and the cliffs.
"Unfortunately, we need to control the more… Dangerous creatures. Such as the snakes." Shizuru located one within the map, though whether it truly was there or just an image was to be found. She seemed repulsed, almost recoiling from the image when it struck out to display itself and colors.
The student took notice of this, but didn't comment upon it.
Her captain was… afraid of snakes?
Tomoe knew Guadeloupe had a snake problem, but she wondered why Shizuru was afraid. Did something happen once? Looking from the snake, she discreetly watched Shizuru through the transparent screen.
Strange… Tomoe frowned, flicking her gaze to the overgrown floor in thought.
"They are tricky. Sometimes hiding in the trees themselves. It is not all just extermination, mind." Shizuru lowered the map to speak directly to Tomoe.
"This is also an opportunity for great training. One on one, against the harsh nature of this forest." The elder's lips curled, as if her statement was instead a secret.
Jolting her focus upon the grassy ground, Tomoe shifted slightly. One on one? Only glancing at the captain for a few moments, Tomoe wet her lips. "So we're here all day?"
They had only brought a few supplies, so surely…?
"All day. Our drink shall be the streams we come across, our food the same with any animals deemed suitable." Shizuru nodded, saving the map before doing away with it. She pulled out a device; Touching a clasp to make the maw of its mouth open. "With this I can check the water and soil for any… oddities."
Showing it to the younger woman, she tapped the end of it. It was a clear capsule with a reader on the side, no doubt what was used to snuff out the right stuff.
"To think the Bewitching Amethyst is afraid of snakes." Tomoe mumbled under her breath. Having been handed the device, she looked it over. Turning away from the elder woman only slightly, Tomoe bit her lip. Silently, she awaited the captain's response.
Cocking a brow, Shizuru eyed the student before her. She had heard that comment… The elder stayed quiet, crimson raking over teal hair as she pondered what was on the younger's mind. "It is not… a fear." She spoke with a hard edge, usually reserved for speaking of wars within the academia lessons.
"It is only a wicked respect and vast amount of knowledge of what these creatures can do."
Then what was with the disgust? Tomoe glanced at Shizuru suspiciously. Unsurprisingly, there was a mask hiding Shizuru's true intentions. Taking no mind to this, Tomoe regarded her closely.
The more you knew of something, the less likely you were afraid of it. Just because you had a respect for something, doesn't mean you can't fear it. This new mask of her captain's… it felt strange to Tomoe. Misplaced, almost.
"Now then… What say we start?"
"Get it." The order was almost whispered, but mostly barked. It offset the current mood, not to mention the way she looked at her captain. Shizuru was staring up to a tree, crimson narrowed in a hateful glare that would make anyone regret having those eyes upon them.
The snake, however, only flickered its tongue and stared straight back.
Tomoe was tempted to just shoot the thing down at this point. The tree was tall, and the branches which led to tougher ones appeared quite weak. But who would climb a tree with a venomous snake taking residence?
They couldn't waste bullets on something such as this. What if they needed them for real?
"Hinagiku? Is she hesitating?" Shizuru spoke in an almost bored tone. The elder was now a few steps further than she had been, forcing the younger to do a double take when she directed her gaze over.
It was not as though she could demand that her captain do it… Though, she could ask for a tool in which to complete this, no?
"May I borrow the dagger you have?"
It was passed along, the blade barely half the length of Tomoe's forearm. It was the perfect shape for slicing, and with such a tool, Tomoe had an idea. Gripping the weapon in her dominant right hand, she carefully strode to the tree.
Feeling crimsons burn into her back, Tomoe at least tried to push it from her mind. She stared back at the snake instead, frowning as it flicked its tongue out at her.
She didn't quite like the idea of dying from venom. Let alone in front of her captain. It would be humiliating. Along with… whichever other feeling. Shaking her head, the student paused at the trunk of the tree.
Tomoe would wait for it to lose its attention.
The snake stared at her before realizing she would not be moving. It recoiled into itself before loosely stretching. Head parallel to the trunk, it began to slither lazily. She heard her captain stiffen, and Tomoe glared at the snake. Throwing the dagger, the snake's skull was impaled to the trunk of the tree with a dull thunk.
Watching the snake hang limply, Tomoe cringed. It didn't move, and only dead-weighted. Staring at it for a few more moments, she heard the elder move uncomfortably.
Shizuru was scared of them. That much was definite.
Grabbing the snake just under the head, Tomoe blinked in surprise. The blade had gone through completely. It had gone exactly where she had aimed, even though the dagger was quite heavy.
Those eyes tore into her back still, and uncomfortably, Tomoe glanced over her shoulder to Shizuru.
The elder strode to meet her once eye contact had been made. "A good kill…" She complimented, taking the hilt of her dagger. Instead of wrenching it out, Shizuru made a point to gently extract the sharp steel from the snake's skull. To avoid blood, or to not make the snake move from the ministration?
There were going to be more, weren't they? "What do I do with this?" Tomoe asked her, still holding the creature's body. The gouged out head bled onto her slightly, and Tomoe quickly looked at it. She moved it away from herself, wishing not to stain her clothes.
"Drop it. Bury it if necessary, but it is dead." Shizuru brought out a handkerchief and wiped blood from her dagger before sheathing it. "It will not be the last to die out here."
It was strange. Tomoe couldn't quite understand what Shizuru was thinking. Especially during these situations. She almost never showed… emotion? Eyeing her captain, she looked to the serpent.
Turning around, the student then threw it into the bushes some way off.
For the other animals, right? What good would it do burying it? Lost in thought, she stared off to where she had thrown the snake.
"Now then… Come along, Hinagiku." Shizuru spoke, watching the girl stare off. What could she be thinking of? There was still so much to do, but perhaps it was time for a rest. "We shall find somewhere to sit."
Torn from her rail of thought, Tomoe quickly nodded.
Shizuru reactivated her computer, and stretched the holographic screen out. Zooming on their current position, the captain searched for a suitable location.
"There is a clearing by a nearby stream; We may drink and rest there." She spoke, highlighting the area and calculating the distance on the map. Dismissing the interface, she looked to Tomoe and nodded.
"It should take ten or so minutes to reach it." Shizuru added.
For the past couple of hours all they had been doing was patrolling around the forest. The snake Tomoe had just killed had been the first they had come across. Perhaps the population was decreasing?
However snakes tended to hide away. So a mere one-off patrol wouldn't be good enough. This was something which would take a good decade to clear up.
"Captain Viola…" Tomoe murmured from behind her, the two of them walking. "Why is it accepted for one student to do something, but others aren't, even captains?" Lost in thought once more, Tomoe stared at the small of Shizuru's back. Her expression twisted into confusion, wondering if the captain would understand.
Shizuru paused in her stride, seemingly struck by confusion as well. Turning to face the younger, a thin brow quirked as she surveyed Tomoe. "I am afraid I do not understand the question, Hinagiku." She spoke after a moment, a breeze catching on the lazy leaves of trees nearby.
"...Um" Following after the elder closely, the proper words popped within Tomoe's mind. "Privilege. Why do some students and otome have privilege?" Was it corruption? Or perhaps something far darker?
"Ah… The top students have more freedom than the rest. They do the best work, they get special… attention." Shizuru began to walk backwards from her; Slow paced steps somehow calculated around the terrain. "Hinagiku is my best student, so she is with me more often than not, yes?"
Wasn't it… strange though? Watching her mentor's oddly graceful movements, Tomoe tilted her head. Nao, Akane and herself were the top students, but even so…
"Being the best only ever seems to get you anywhere." Especially these days. Being average in Guadeloupe just didn't seem to work anymore. Being the best and rivalling the higher ranks was the only answer.
What would happen to the lower students? It was pushing it at fourth place, nevermind fifth.
"The lower students still get attention, of course. No one ever fails." Shizuru made sure to mention, turning to resume a normal stride. "If a student was to surpass Hinagiku, even for a day, they would spend that day at my side."
The captain paused, tilting her head. "Though, that is a rare occurrence. I dare say no one has ever surpassed my top student before. Keisatsuchou Kruger, however, has two always vying. However, Akane has always managed to secure her place as her top student."
There was always a stronger rivalry within tactics and intelligence. So in the Crystal branch it was expected. But for the Amethyst branch…? Tomoe wasn't really all that sure, to be honest.
"As for otome, the other captains and I have special privileges as well." Shizuru continued, tapping her lips with a few fingers. "Of course, the Keisatsuchou has a bit more than us."
But that was understandable. The Keisatsuchou was the head of Guadeloupe.
Yet for Tomoe it felt…? Not right, but… acceptable?
Ah, the clearing was in sight now. Shizuru glanced back to Tomoe, wondering if her student was still confused. "We can rest here, now." She spoke, eyes raking over the area. It seemed devoid of any creatures, though the birds still sang.
A stream was nearby, and in the distance she could hear the rushing of a waterfall. A small one, no doubt.
The Spirits' Forest had its oddities. But since it bordered with the Black Valley, this much was expected. Thankfully none of the… larger creatures seemed to ever drift here however. But if that was to be the case, what would she do, Shizuru wondered?
Turn tail and run?
"There's a two-tailed squirrel." She heard Tomoe mutter.
Turning her head, the elder saw the creature. Indeed, two tails. Shizuru chuckled softly, easing out the device from earlier. Scooping a bit of dirt into the chamber, she analyzed it. "Soil is safe, water is safe to drink." She spoke, emptying out the device to replace it.
"Come… Surely, Hinagiku is thirsty?"
Pulling her attention from the red squirrel, Tomoe drifted over to the elder woman.
Although she had been here numerous times before, it was still a strange place. Why did animals become mutated? Why did people get lost so easily here? Of course it wasn't much of a problem when they had GPS. But…
Shaking the thought from her mind, Tomoe sank beside the captain.
"Be sure to stick close to me." Shizuru softly reminded, lifting her gaze from the stream. "This place is very difficult to maneuver." Sat upon a smooth slab of rock, the elder leaned forward to fill a canteen with water.
Performing another cursory check just in case, Shizuru took a cautious sip. She did seem the type to triple check things…
"Mm. Good, the water is fine." She offered the canteen to Tomoe.
Glancing between the canteen and captain for a brief moment, Tomoe froze. Oh, come on. Seriously? Her mentor didn't seem to be bothered with it though…
Hesitantly, the student took the canteen.
"Does Hinagiku think I have cooties?" The elder immediately pounced on the opportunity to tease; Lips spreading into a predatory smirk.
"Wha-" Jumping, Tomoe stared at her stock-still. Crouching, with the canteen millimeters from her lips, Tomoe paled. "N-no."
How was she even supposed to react to this…?
Shizuru covered her mouth so as to not laugh too loudly at the reaction. "Forgive me." She obviously kept her smirk, however; her eyes gave it away though her mouth remained behind a hand.
"We shall keep at this for a few hours more, so Hinagiku should rest as best she can."
Blinking at Shizuru for a moment, Tomoe lifted from her crouching. "...Alright. Captain Cooties." Drinking from the canteen, Tomoe couldn't help but snicker, even when feeling sharp crimson stare.
"Only in this forest, Hinagiku." Shizuru relented her stare, lowering her hand and smirking to the stream. Her student was quite a little fireball… She liked that aspect about Tomoe, actually. None of her other students, nor the other captain's students, spoke to her in any sort of way close to that.
Now, was it her closeness to Tomoe which made the student comfortable enough to speak as such, or something more? Perhaps this was the girl's personality, though Shizuru had yet to see her student speak to any other captain the same way.
No, no… this brazen attitude, she had only seen it thrown at Tomoe's roommate.
"Of course." Shaking her head, Tomoe smoothed her longer hair behind her shoulder. It was getting longer, too much to be practical. Handing the canteen back to the captain, Tomoe pondered. Should she get it cut…?
Remembering the student's roommate, Shizuru smirked softly. "How is Zhang doing under Gallagher's tutelage? I always thought she was far too… brash for espionage." The elder took another sip of the canteen, fiddling with the sides of it.
"Messy. Loud." Tomoe huffed. "She insists to keep her books on the floor instead of just getting ebooks." At this point she was learning what the titles were of these books. But… Nao was fun.
"I think she is still at the top of her class." She added. "She never really speaks about it."
Shizuru smiled, glancing over to her. "Really? Good to see that someone's attitude does not affect how they do their duty." She spoke, humming lowly. Taking another sip, the elder offered the canteen back to her student.
Then again, some people were the complete opposite to this. Just because someone was well mannered, didn't mean they were suited to a job.
"I think captain Gallagher might've said something." Tomoe murmured, looking back into the treeline. She looked for the two-tailed squirrel, her fingers grazing the canteen. Reacting to this, she glanced down to it, taking the object from Shizuru again.
"Good." Shizuru repeated, brushing her fingers over her lips again. They seemed alone still, save for that squirrel. What an odd looking thing…
Curling her lip at it, the elder returned her gaze to the stream. "We shall start through the southern area in a few minutes."
So would they be clearing up more trees or killing snakes? Thinking on Shizuru's discomfort, Tomoe discreetly glanced at her. Truly what was the real reason? Whether a mask was fitted in place or not, it was obvious.
Shizuru feared snakes.
Staring down to the canteen, Tomoe studied the reflections which shone upon it.
But what did Tomoe fear? Failing?
The two of them listened to the stream for a while more. Eventually, Shizuru stood and rubbed her hands together to rid herself of imaginary dirt. "We shall scour for a few hours more, then make our way back to Guadeloupe. Is Hinagiku ready?"
Nodding soundlessly, Tomoe took one last sip from the canteen. So it wasn't going to take all day? Tomoe could've swore that it had taken much longer last time. But then again, the forest had been completely overgrown.
Gunshots flew around her in tore at her ears, and overwhelmed her senses in all directions. She was stuck in this position, and Tomoe had no idea how she'd pull through it. Why were these thugs attacking? Where abouts in the forest was she? Where was Sh-
-a bullet barely skimmed past her cheek and embedded harshly within the tree behind her. Cursing, she ducked into cover entirely, barely avoiding another volley.
The ringing in her ears was barely healed each time her hearing was blown out. She would definitely have trouble until Yohko got a hold of her… Whoever these attackers were, she would silence them soon.
Her cover wouldn't last here, but she dared not move when the bullets kept raging. When the ringing stopped, Tomoe darted up from cover and sprinted forward.
She didn't even have the time to think of the consequence. Dashing as quickly as she could, the carnage chased after her. Dodging amongst trees, her adrenaline rush was far too intense. Whether she had been shot, Tomoe had absolutely no clue.
There was a stream nearby… Too bad dogs weren't chasing her. Tomoe took cover behind a boulder, the ground wet beneath her. Bullets ricocheted closeby, not as close as before. Her ears granted a reprieve, and she massaged at them briefly.
What was she going to do…?
Getting into the water was an exceptionally bad idea. If she got caught up in that, she'd be dead in seconds. Gasping for breath, she leant against the boulder. Tomoe's adrenaline was still sky-high, but slowly, she felt a sting swarm her cheek.
Swapping her pistol into her left hand, she hesitantly brought her hand to her cheek. The warmth of heat and liquid greeted her fingers and palm, and she froze.
Shit… Tenderly exploring the wound with fingertips, Tomoe let out a muted sigh. Just a graze, but it was deep; The blood meeting her palm quickly as she tried to put more pressure into the wound.
She couldn't afford to be hurt, not with these… freaks following her! Holding her gun tight, she cocked it quietly.
Where was everyone…?
The pistol smudging once swapping it back into her right hand, Tomoe grit her teeth. Shooting her gaze back to where she had come from, an unsettling dread invaded her. Abruptly, everything was far too silent.
Steel-violet eyes switched from side to side, feeling a bit paranoid. Why was it so quiet?! The blood sluggishly trailed down her cheek, gathering a puddle onto her thigh. Releasing a slow breath, Tomoe froze.
There was a noise above her, and she reeled back from the boulder in time to avoid her throat being cut. The knife-wielder growled, throwing themselves down upon her. It all happened so fast; Fractions within seconds of the man pouncing her and Tomoe pulling the trigger.
Blood splattered along her face as she forced the now deceased attacker to the side. She tried to scramble up, but a fierce pain in her leg forced her back down.
Agony tore from her upper thigh and scaled upwards. It pressed her down with a furious weight, and she clamped her teeth harshly. The bandits, those that had caught the scene fled in cowardice. But Tomoe didn't feel anything for this feat.
The pain didn't relent, only attacked at her nerves. It was difficult to breathe, speak, let alone scream. Steel-violet skittered down, and her expression tightened if not further. "A-au."
She felt sick… light-headed. Tomoe was far too aware of the hot liquid beginning to dampen her trousers. She needed…
Ah.
There was a knife… embedded in her thigh. She hadn't even noticed! Was that due to her training, or the adrenaline from killing someone? She returned to the boulder, having scooted back as she dragged herself by her hands. Leaves crunched underway, her leg shaking and rustling those that remained.
Reaching for the hilt, Tomoe froze. No… She couldn't take the knife out; she could bleed to death even faster. Leaning back into the boulder, teeth found purchase into her bottom lip. Lifting her pistol, Tomoe cautiously counted the bullets left.
She had more in a satchel on her belt, but… Reaching forward caused her legs to strain, and caused the pain to rocket. Blood bubbled at the opening from the action, and Tomoe laid her back against the boulder.
"...Shit."
Her sleeve… she needed to… a tourniquet, that was it. Ignoring the blistering pain, and crimson liquid was unsurprisingly impossible. Tomoe quickly, although in reality, slowly gripped at her left sleeve.
Damn, the material was very thick. She didn't have a knife of her own, and a bullet through the sleeve would be a terrible idea. Tomoe holstered her pistol, gritting her teeth as she gripped the shoulder of the sleeve to tug. A few stitches of fabric tore, but it wasn't enough.
Desperate, she lifted the shoulder of crimson to bite; She needed to rip it off!
The struggling continued for a few brief moments. It was however futile, and Tomoe's strength waned. She felt cold. Her attention slipped from what she had been doing, and for just a moment, she wondered.
What was she even trying to achieve…?
The blood along her cheek was cold now, drying. Eyes half-lidded, Tomoe began to slip to the side; Leaves her expected resting spot. She was surprised when they did not become her bed, or grave; Body stopped from collapsing to the side.
"W-what…?" There was warmth, an arm under her own and gently leading her back against the boulder.
Through blurring eyes, Tomoe barely caught sight of Shizuru. Her brain didn't believe her, and she stared through the captain."S-Shi…" It was strange… Tomoe was sure Shizuru was saying something, but what?
Suddenly, the captain drifted her hands to the plunged knife.
"You seem to have killed one." She finally registered her voice, blinking back sweat from her eyes. Shizuru was staring into her eyes, forcing Tomoe to meet her gaze in lieu of telling the elder she was fine.
"Argh-!" Tomoe bit back a grunt when the captain implemented pressure along either side of the wound. Shizuru didn't break eye-contact, seeming to explore the amount of pain she was feeling.
She nodded, unable to trust her voice now. There was still… that air around the captain, yet it seemed intensified just now. Shizuru spoke again, repeating herself thrice before Tomoe caught onto her words.
"I will pull the knife out now."
Those violet eyes widened, Tomoe's pupils contorting. She was unsure of her reaction, and she was sure Shizuru was confused. Shakily, with barely any added weight, Tomoe pressed her hand against Shizuru's.
"What is it?" Shizuru sought out her gaze even still, giving Tomoe her hand.
"I-If you take it out, how will you stop…?" The blood, the pain? Shizuru seemed to fill the gap herself, crimson sweeping around them briefly.
"I am fast." The captain gained a soft smirk, clearly not about to do anything without Tomoe's full permission.
Shizuru watched the student's face carefully. Underneath that pain, confusion, and exhaustion, there was consideration. What was Tomoe thinking? Why was she… hesitating…?
"A-" Swallowing tensely, Tomoe nodded quickly but weakly. She tried to keep her gaze steady upon Shizuru's crimsons, yet…
"Ah-!" As soon as she had nodded, the elder had cleanly tore the knife from her thigh. Blood spurting, it was quickly subdued by the captain; Bandages wrapped tight around with a tourniquet quickly knotted above the wound.
Tomoe's vision was on the sky; Her head having been jerked back to hit the boulder. The pain didn't register, only that of her leg… Throbbing with a heat behind it.
She still felt lightheaded, and her senses had dampened. The clouds, she could barely see them. The canopy overhead had two blurred edges, the imagery distorted, even Shizuru's voice was so cloudy.
Tomoe only sensed the elder move towards her when she was almost towering over her. Just as securely, the captain locked their gaze.
"Tomoe…" Shizuru spoke loud enough to combat the ringing in her ears. It had returned, not from gunshots, but from the pain. "I'll get you back."
The way she said that… Was there another implication? Tomoe blinked, sweat being brushed from her eyes by the captain's clean sleeve. The mischief in crimson eyes led her to believe it might have been something said during private lessons.
This woman…
Behaving in such a way when she had almost… "Somebody seems happy, at least…" Tomoe murmured silently, her voice rough, and low.
"I am happy." Shizuru confirmed, drawing a hand down over the bandages to test. Blood blotted the surface of sterile cloth, no more than that. Tomoe tensed, relaxing with a sigh when the captain's hand let up.
"Tomoe is fine, so I am happy." The elder finished, lips twitching into a faint smile. "As well… Tomoe killed him." Shizuru leaned back, glancing languidly over a shoulder to the corpse. "I am very proud of that fact."
Him? Tomoe's brows furrowed in confusion. Following ruby irises, her expression lit with realisation. Oh… right. She had shot him through the skull. Somehow she had forgotten. "But he caught me off guard." Tomoe spoke, almost as if defending the corpse which lay so close.
Gaze back on Shizuru, Tomoe tensed; The captain had gotten closer in her study. "There is only one dead body." She felt Shizuru's breath against her ear, forcing a shiver down. A flash of white at the corner of her eye made her realize that the elder was simply bandaging her cheek.
Easing back from being so close, crimson raked over the injured student. Visibly, she could not see anything else of interest in line with injuries, but… Further inspection was needed. Slowly, Shizuru stood and surveyed the space around them. "The Aswad are gone."
"Hm…" Tomoe closed her eyes, then slowly opened them again. "Turns out they don't like seeing their teammates shot in the face." Refocusing her eyes, Tomoe brought them to the captain. Her sight cleared, but only a little. Frowning upon it, she cautiously tilted her head forwards.
Her form sagging slightly, she brought her gaze to Shizuru again. "...I want to get out of here."
"Understood, but… I have to document this." For herself, and others. Shizuru took a step back, touching a finger to both wrists momentarily. Lifting them, a shared hologram took hold between her palms; The display being switched to mirror the scene before her.
What was she-? A snapshot? The sound was recognizable, and Tomoe stared as another was taken. "You're… taking a picture of this?"
"Documenting it for my records, Tomoe." Shizuru's lips twitched into a grin; The elder dismissing the interface after another picture. She approached once more, kneeling with a chuckle. "Brace yourself."
Still staring at Shizuru, Tomoe shook out of it. Opening her mouth, she glanced down to her injured leg worriedly. Closing her mouth in response, she mutely nodded.
How had the captain got here? Had she fought any of the Aswad? Shizuru looked completely fine, maybe she had slipped past them? Realising she was staring, Tomoe lowered her eyes to Shizuru's throat instead.
"If her brows furrow any more, the bandage on her cheek may wrinkle." Shizuru spoke, using it as a distraction as she lifted her student into her arms. The weight was… stabilizing; Forcing her to be reminded that it was Tomoe. She had to be careful.
She could wield the strength of an army, but treated her student delicately.
"I'm sorry but…" Off from the floor, held close against the elder's body, and the knife forgotten, Tomoe froze. It was like being hit by a brick wall for how sudden it was. Her left side uninjured and against Shizuru, her head hit the woman's arm.
At that moment, Tomoe felt useless.
Shizuru paused; No doubt to check on her and readjust. The captain's left arm braced under her legs, careful of the bandages. Lifting Tomoe a bit higher in her arms, she let the student's head nestle against the crook of her throat.
Now the elder seemed to be cradling her…
But given the circumstances…
This student. What was she going to do about her? Tomoe always managed to get herself into trouble somehow. Even when not searching for it. This… concerned her.
Those Aswad would not be troubling them for now, however. Shizuru held Tomoe close to herself, striding from the area with an air of extreme confidence. "No one will come to harm under my watch again."
But… what exactly was she doing? Looking down to Tomoe, Shizuru's eyes traced every detail. Tomoe's hair was rustled, and the longer strands were stuck together; more than likely due to the graze upon her cheek. The locks sprawled around her shoulder messily, yet it still…
Oddly suited Tomoe.
With a faint amount of concentration, Shizuru was able to open a communication line back to Guadeloupe. "Connect me to Yohko in the infirmary." She spoke softly, cradling Tomoe closer against her neck. She came across where the Aswad had ambushed the student, not diverting her path as she stepped over and onto corpses.
The small earpiece buzzed softly, declaring the line had gone through. It only took a few moments until she was linked to the infirmary.
"Shizuru? Is something wrong?" She heard the voice of the doctor ring through. There was a faint tapping, the woman's fingertips more than likely typing away. "No one has managed to contact you for so long.
"My, so concerned…" Shizuru chuckled softly, leaving the dead group behind. "I am unharmed, but I have located Hinagiku Tomoe. She felled a member of the Aswad, but needs medical attention." The captain informed, glancing down to Tomoe once more."
Tomoe was out like a light, if not uncomfortably.
"It will however take me a while to return." They were in the middle of the forest. How far from Guadeloupe, Shizuru wasn't entirely sure. A good hour or so at least. "I may require backup if the Aswad - although incredibly unlikely - are to return."
More tapping sounded before the sound utterly stopped. "Shizuru… How incredibly unlikely is it for the Aswad to return?" The captain chuckled softly to the question, a mischievous grin taking place.
"Mm… Unless the department can raise the dead, impossible." Something clattered to the ground on Yohko's side, a scramble following.
"Ah… Well… I suppose it would be prudent to take them off of the international list, then?"
"Quite right, Yohko. We will return shortly."
Shizuru imagined the doctor would be quite surprised with this new installment. A non-user of nano-machines would never be able to comprehend the power. Killing, surviving; it was all part of an otome's daily to-do list.
She was just thankful she managed to find Tomoe quickly. The student didn't have nano-machines, after all. They couldn't sustain their injuries like graduates. Especially not veterans.
Though, Tomoe had done well. From the sight she came across when first finding her, Shizuru assumed the student had been trying to make a tourniquet. She would bring up the importance of a thigh-dagger at the next meeting.
Every student should have one; Even if only to make ripping a sleeve easier.
Numbness. This was the first feeling Tomoe experienced. Her eyelids twitched, her consciousness slowly fading back into existence. Opening her eyes cautiously, she instantly regretted it.
The lights of the infirmary clashed against her, forcing her to squeeze her eyes back shut. She would've shielded her eyes, but failed to do so. Feeling a sharp tug against the crook of her elbow, Tomoe froze.
"Don't." She heard someone speak, opening her eyes to see them hover over her; momentarily blocking the lights from her eyes with their own body. It was Yohko, the scientist looking her over for signs of… something.
"Are you aware?" Yohko spoke once more, backing off and letting the bright lights shock Tomoe's eyes again. Perhaps as a means to get an answer, or for her own amusement.
"Aware… aware of what?" The student furrowed her brows to a chuckle, though it did not come from the scientist.
"Aware of surroundings, of self." Her captain spoke to define the meaning, stepping in from a shadowed corner. Perhaps it was in normal light, actually; Tomoe's eyes had yet to adjust.
"I am…" Tomoe murmured. Thinking back to earlier - or was it much longer? - that day, Tomoe blanked. She had been cut off in the forest, there had been the thugs. Wincing upon the fresh memory,Tomoe stared at Shizuru.
Her thigh felt numb. She could only assume the IV was passing her morphine. Yet…
"Good." Yohko returned to a small monitor; Surely one of many used to control items in the room, and dimmed the lights just so. They were not overly bright now, just enough to light the room without blinding her.
She supposed the blinding effect was just in case… More violent patients had no doubt led to that.
Shizuru strode close, replacing the scientist as she loomed over Tomoe. She seemed proud; Her expression hard to read but the glint in her eyes said at least that much. "Does Hinagiku remember the incident, then?"
"Um… I do." Pausing to think further into the memory, she documented its events. "...They had cut me off. I had barely managed to get away from them, but… one caught me off guard."
The captain was leaning her weight slightly against the bed she lay upon. Glancing down to Shizuru's hands, she continued. "It had all happened so fast. One moment he was jumping at me, the next I had shot him. I hadn't even realised he had stabbed me in the leg till afterwards."
"Very good." Shizuru nodded, perhaps not noting the gaze upon her hands. Whether she did or not, she clasped them together loosely as she spoke next. "Full cognitive retention." A glance over her shoulder to Yohko, the captain settled a hand over a wrist.
Tomoe kept her gaze on the elder's hands, knowing that she was trying to convey something. One hand interlocked with the other, thumb sliding the length of her wrist to the other thumb. There was something suggestive about it.
Perhaps she was looking into this far too deeply? Surely? Focusing her eyes back to ruby irises, Tomoe was given no clue. The captain's expression was smooth; there was no hint of discomfort upon Shizuru's features.
But Tomoe couldn't help but…
...What?
Why was it so difficult to read Shizuru?
"Yohko, may I have the room?" The captain turned to look over her shoulder again, the scientist nodding sharply. With a shared glance, they were left alone. Crimson wandered back towards Tomoe, hovering over the cleanly bandaged thigh.
She would confide privately in her student, surely?
Tomoe had spaced out; Worried over when she would be able to walk again. Blinking back to the present situation when she felt the bed dip, she glanced up to Shizuru. The elder was sitting lightly beside her, facing towards the injured student.
Now what was she doing? Derailed from her train of thought, Tomoe stared up to her. The captain's expression was no different from those previous moments ago. There was just a hint of mischievousness highlighted within the woman's eyes.
"Thank you for, ah-" One of Shizuru's hands brushed against the bandage at her cheek, and Tomoe froze.
"Hinagiku need not thank me." The elder's smile matched the attitude in her eyes; Cheekiness clearly seen. "Aswad fell at my hand while I searched for her." She added after a moment, imparting her with the 'secret'.
Her captain, teacher, mentor. Shizuru had singlehandedly killed a whole army? An unsure thrown marred the student's face. Her mind trailed back to the memory, only just realising the weight of the situation. Staring through the captain almost, she pressed her palm to her bandaged thigh.
"Can she still feel the pain?" Shizuru asked softly, lowering her gaze to the wound. She lay a hand over Tomoe's, brushing her fingertips across the back of her wrist. It should have been innocent, but there was something lurking beneath every touch…
"Perhaps her morphine drip needs to be adjusted?"
"W-wha-" Drifting her gaze to their hands, Tomoe swallowed. "No…" Removing her gaze from the elder woman entirely, Tomoe locked her eyes upon the ceiling. Just slightly, she tilted her head away from the captain. "...You are acting… different." Tomoe commented. Her hand was completely still against Shizuru's.
She had no clue what to do. Shizuru was acting… strange. Much more so than usual.
"Is the way I am acting not reciprocated?" Shizuru slowly spoke, as if a misunderstanding was inevitable. Perhaps it was, as Tomoe first did not see the true meaning. The captain rose her hand, using the thumb to brush against the stiff bandage adorning the younger's cheek.
"I care for her a great deal, as both my student and something else. What the latter defines is entirely up to her to uncover herself."
The words flowed into her ears, and they were heard, but not registered. After the sentence echoed within her mind multiple times, Tomoe froze. Tensely, her heart leapt, flying into her throat. 'What the latter defines is entirely up to her to uncover herself.'
Tomoe didn't… she didn't know what to say.
"Of course, I would not be so rude to pressure her to decide this instant." Shizuru eased from the bed, the same look in her eyes. It was clear she wasn't offended; If anything, she looked more amused than she had before.
"If Tomoe needs anything, or desires my presence, Yohko will help with either." The elder smiled, adjusting her sleeves. It seemed the captain had changed; She was clean none of the younger's blood coating her anymore.
Right, her blood had been quite messy…
Hesitantly, Tomoe nodded. Never did she even notice the elder leave, nor did she react to Yohko's return. She simply laid there, thinking on those words which had leapt from the captain's mouth.
The scientist checked over the meter of the drip, adjusted it to be a bit lighter. "I don't want you to have weird dreams from this. If the pain starts to rise, call for me." Yohko advised, doing a manual check of her thigh as well.
"The knife avoided a major artery but did tear through quite a bit of muscle. Bedrest, and then crutches when you can walk again. You'll have a scar, but not for long. We can take care of the aesthetic imperfections." The elder spoke as she scribbled along a chart, filing it away into the small monitor in the room.
"How long…?" Tomoe asked worriedly. She didn't want to end up falling behind. Tomoe knew without even thinking this was going to make her feel ill. Either way she was going to push herself.
"Not very long, for bedrest that is. Crutches might be longer, it all depends on how fast you can heal. Unless… We could try to bond you, but it is much too early in your schooling." Yohko seemed to second guess herself, stroking her jaw.
Arching a brow, Tomoe watched her suspiciously. "I'm not becoming a test subject."
"Boo. Well, we can't do anything but wait and let you heal." Yohko smirked wryly, chuckling to herself. "When you graduate, the nanomachines will make you feel invincible, but, it is in this moment that you know the truth. Wounds will hurt, and they will take time to heal. Do not take this moment for granted."
"I know." There wasn't really much Tomoe could say to this. Of course it was true; she knew it was right. Yet even so the empowerment of nanomachines was terrifying. What would they evolve into in the future? Only women could use them, and in turn had helped form the otome.
"And this means no classes?" Tomoe questioned.
"No training. You may sit in with your regular academia once you are on crutches, and you may watch the others train. For now, I am sure your captain will bring by homework and such." Yohko nodded to her, tapping along by the monitor.
So she was stuck after all. Sighing, Tomoe gently itched beside the bandage on her cheek. What was she going to do about all of this? Shizuru was… whatever her feelings were. Tomoe herself, she was anxious.
Scraping her teeth lightly against her lower lip, Tomoe looked at nothing in particular. Her teacher liked her…? Her captain?
Her thoughts then trailed to the thug she had killed. Her eyebrows knitting with unease, she tried to pluck it from her mind. Perhaps… she should just try and sleep? It wasn't like she was going anywhere anytime soon.
The morphine dripped with subtle noise, and Tomoe laid her head back against the pillow. It was warm… Yohko noticed her started to drift off, leaving the injured girl alone. The whole affair melted from her mind as sleep took hold.
AN: We very much hope you enjoy Gendarmerie as much as Renascence; read and review to your leisure! Let us know how much you enjoy it!