I started this story back in 2010 and have had a lot of problems since then. The first few chapters, like this one, will be rewritten eventually so they make more sense. For first time readers, please enjoy. For all my older readers, thanks for sticking with me the past few years, despite how long it took me to update.
This was going to be a boring day I could already tell. I was currently sprawled out on my bed in my room, bored out of my mind. It had been dark and gloomy all day. The weather forecast predicted rain in Midgar. I was starting to think it wasn't going to rain. Weather men always blew things out of proportion.
I had come back from a mission in Wutai with my mentor hours ago. Since I got back I just got in my bed and stayed here. I could have taken a nap or something but my boredom was too strong. A small sound knocked me out of my thoughts. Kristof, a small wolf pup I had found on a previous mission wanted to be fed.
Well it gave me something to do. I got up and stretched before walking over to a mini kitchen I shared with two other girls. I was lucky enough to get into SOLDIER, and after I got in they started letting other girls in. Only two others made the cut. Opening the fridge I pulled out a small steak and set it in the microwave to thaw out a bit. The little pup followed me and waited patiently by my feet. He made it clear that he would not eat dog food, only meat. The little guy was pretty smart, I could tell that right off the bat. I was pretty sure he was mixed with something else, he was a little too smart for an ordinary wolf.
A clash of thunder sounded outside just as the microwave dinged. Guess it was going to rain after all. I took the steak out and let it cool on the counter for a minute before giving it to the pup. He carefully ate each bite like it was fine dining. Definitely more than just a wolf. My phone sounded twice as I walked back into the room. One was from SOLDIER, the other from a friend. I checked the SOLDIER one first.
Second class SOLDIER Mika Yuki-Hana has been granted a week long leave due to exemplary work in the field. Enjoy your time off.
That was unexpected. I was lucky to get two days in a row off let alone a week. Maybe my mentor bragged about me? Nah, that's way too out of character for him. Rain steadily started to fall as I checked the second message.
Want to meet me for hot chocolate out back?
I smiled and went back to the kitchen, like he needed to ask. Reaching into the cupboard I pulled out a teakettle. After filling it with water and setting it on the stove I dug around for the last few packs of hot chocolate I had. Kristof had finished eating and had jumped onto my bed to sleep. Within a few minutes the teakettle sounded. I pulled out a large thermos and mixed everything together inside it. Next I found another mug to take with me.
Rain had started to pelt the window as I pulled on my boots prepared to leave. I debated grabbing my coat and decided against it. One good thing about mako treatments, I didn't get sick and I didn't feel the cold or heat as much. Picking up the mug and thermos I headed for the door. I left as the other girls were coming in shouting for them to take care of Kristof while I was gone. Skirting around other SOLDIERS I made my way to the back of the building.
"Took you long enough Mika."
Zack was waiting for me already. He was seated under a bench with a small overhang above it. It looked more like a random bus stop that they threw here, except without the glass in front and the bench was made of wood. He was dressed in the usual SOLDIER uniform and his hair was wet from the rain. My own hair was soaked and plastered to my head and face.
"Oh hush up you. You'd be a while if you had to make the hot chocolate."
I sat down and handed him his mug. Unscrewing the lid to the thermos I poured both of us a cup. Silently we watched the rain fall. I always loved being out in the rain, it was always so peaceful. We watched as other SOLDIERS scrambled to get inside and out of the rain. The only other sound was the bus that brought in new requites from the train station. More people I could mess with, good. Zack was the first to break the silence.
"So you still crushing on that mystery guy?"
"He isn't a mystery, Zack." I poured more hot chocolate into the thermos lid and downed half of it in a few gulps.
"He is to me," he said as refilled his cup. "We tell each other everything but now that you finally have a crush on someone can't know about it?"
"No offense Zack but you might scare him off."
''Yea your right, my sexiness may be too strong for him to stand being in my presence." He stretched out and rested his arm along the back of the bench. We were both silent for a moment just watching the rain and sipping our hot chocolate like we were kids again.
It was something we used to do back home. Whenever it rained we would go outside and just watch. Our mothers would always bring us cup after cup of hot chocolate to help keep us warm. Zack had done every time it rained for years, we really were the best of friends. Despite having the warm drink in my hands I still felt cold and couldn't help the shiver that came with it. Odd. The next thing I knew, Zack had him arm around me shoulders and was pulling me closer to him on the bench.
"Are you cold?"
"I guess I am a little bit. Funny, I thought we didn't feel the cold as much now."
"Or, you know, you could just a freak."
I punched him in his side and grinned when he pretended to be badly hurt. The two of us spent the next hour or so sipping hot chocolate and watching the rain fall down around us. So the day wasn't as boring as I thought. Hanging out with your best friend since childhood had it's perks. If only I could tell him I loved him... and that he was the mystery guy.