Disclaimer: Don't own anything, so don't bother me.
A/N 1: Yay! Happy New Year everyone:) Hopefully my bad luck will be gone… since my com died on me and poof… gone was my half completed chapter 3… Ahh!!! Cry But finally I got my new com and worked it all out again! Whoopee! Hope it is worth the long wait okay:) Story still has no beta, so feel free to point out my mistakes.
A/N 2: Great thanks for all your reviews! They make my day.
A/N 3: I reveal a little of Natsuki's history.
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AU / OOC and set in a time of strife and instability.
Thoughts are in italics as usual.
Chapter 3: Home / Base
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Part 1: Home
Shizuru was worried that she might be haunted by the horrid memories of the incident, but it was not the harrowing experience of being held hostage and almost raped that is keeping her awake. It was something else. Shizuru took stock of her surroundings. A secure house. A warm bath. A warm bed. Mom and Dad safe in the next room. Shizuru felt safe again at last, but strangely not as safe as she felt she had been when she was under the steady gaze of green eyes. She was tired, physically and mentally, but she couldn't find sleep. Green eyes, intense green eyes that radiated care and concern for me…
Shizuru decided that she will remain haunted by those green eyes if she didn't do anything about it. I have to see her again, no matter what. Yes, I will get Mom and Dad to throw a private party to thank them. I am sure that Dad can pull some strings. Shizuru has been well trained under her father and mother, she knows and understands the power of money and the things that she can get done with it depending on the methods used. Shizuru's father has told her many times before that she has the best traits from both her father and mother. The uncompromising attitude and business acumen from her Father combined with the subtlety and grace from her Mother. This makes for a deadly combination in this strife torn world, as so far, ever since she has been introduced to be working under her father, she has closed some of the toughest deals that even has her father stumped.
You interest me Natsuki, so you won't be able to get away from me just yet, no matter how hard you try. With that final thought and goal, Shizuru was finally able to slip into slumber.
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Part 2: Base
Though Natsuki didn't really like cold water, it is a welcomed relief from the stuffiness of her combat gear. She could feel her muscles relax and become languid as the sweat and grime were washed away from the steady patter of the shower water. It has only been 4 hours since she was activated till the time it was wrapped up and she is back at home base in the shower.
Squeak… The shower's off and Natsuki dried off and went back to her bunk for a good night's rest. It has been a hectic and tiring afternoon after all.
An hour and numerous flipping around on her bunk later, Natsuki groaned. Sleep, it eluded her like she was some kind of plague. She furrowed her brow. Why? Why? Why? I usually find sleep easily, though the amount of killing I do in my line of work has somewhat coarsened my nature, but I still sleep after a mission with a clear conscience knowing that it is to safeguard our way of life against terrorists. Natsuki patted on her pillow and tried again to find a comfy position to sleep however a vagrant thought entered her mind and instead of trying to fall asleep she became even more awake. She sat up, leaned against the wall and curled up hugging her knees to her chest in her classic "don't disturb me if you want to live" mode. Not that there is anyone who will bother her at the moment since one of the perks of being a captain is that at least she has her own bunk, while the rest of her team are holed up together in the next room.
Is it because of her? Red eyes, scratch that, mesmerizing red eyes. Natsuki shook her head to try to clear those thoughts. She let out a frustrated growl and spurred into action. She had a tried and tested method of banishing any form of strange disturbing thoughts. A small sliver of a smile worked its way onto her face. Alright, let's beat these strange disturbing thoughts into submission. She slipped on her boxing gloves and started to punch away at the punching bag dangling down from the ceiling. An hour of punching and kicking later, she dropped onto her bunk physically exhausted which of cause told her overactive brain it is time to sleep and sleep she did.
--The next day--
"Nani!!! I am not going to go. N…O… spells No. No, no, no, no, NO!!!" Natsuki spluttered indignantly.
"Now, now... Natsuki, it is just a small private party." Reito tried persuasion to calm the simmering captain.
"Reito, which part of NO do you not understand? No. Period." Fumed Natsuki, crossing her arms.
"Look Natsuki, I am trying to be reasonable here. It is as I said, a simple party. The Fujinos has requested you and your team's presence. I have at least told them that your identities are to remain secret and under no circumstances do they announce to the whole country that your team is responsible for their rescue. They just want to show their gratitude."
"They have thanked us already, profusely so I don't really see the point."
Reito heaved an audible sigh, mostly for Natsuki's benefit. "Alright Natsuki, it's about politics, alright? Politics and funding, so top brass wants us to make su-"
"You, Top brass meant you, not us."
"Yes, yes, top brass wants ME... to make sure that the Fujinos are happy. I intend to do that but I need your help."
"Reito, read my lips. NO!!!"
Anger flashed across Reito's eyes for just an instant before it was replaced with burning determination. "Natsuki Kuga, you are to go to the party with your team and that is an order."
Natsuki snapped into attention, her dark green eyes trying its best to burn holes into Reito and she replied in the most biting tone she could muster: "By your command, General. I will comply, if there is nothing else, I would like to be dismissed."
Another sigh... "Natsuki, I hate to pull rank for this, but you are being stubborn and what we are doing is very necessary. We are on the side of light, the enemy is in the dark. They move in ways that we cannot and will not. We need the Fujino's support… okay, putting it bluntly, we need their funding to keep our Country's military strong so that the vultures in our neighbouring countries at bay. The Fujinos are business people so they can move elsewhere if the want to, especially now there appears to be many other countries interested in their specialized talents in the business of money making. So always remember, it is for the greater good, and yes, you can go now." Reito leaned back into his chair and closed his eyes, weariness seemed to creep up into Reito's face, but as usual it was quickly absorbed back to his classic diplomatic facade.
Natsuki's fierce eyes softened for an instant, before reverting back to its icy demeanor. With a final curt salute, she left Reito's office and walked back to the living quarters. Thoughts swirled within Natsuki's mind. The greater good. Sigh, it is just a private party I guess, no harm in that right? The greater good. That was Reito's father's vision, something that he has told Natsuki many times before, his dreams and ideals all to change the world and make it a better place for all. Oh my god! I am going to see her again, what am I going to do? Her eyes, so beautiful and mesmerizing, oh, she is really pretty too and…Natsuki was so lost in those thoughts that she wasn't even aware that she has reached her destination, and is now standing staring blankly in front of her squadmates bunk door.
"Oooh… Whatcha thinking of, my oh-so-glorious Leader?"
Shit! I have got to stop thinking about her, I have lost count of the number of times my thoughts keep drifting to her. Natsuki chastised herself and shook herself back to reality.
"Shut it, Nao." Natsuki turned and glared at her squadmate. However the effect was somewhat amusing given that Natsuki has a fresh layer of pink on her cheeks, obviously she has been embarrassed to be caught thinking about Shizuru. Mirth twinkling in Nao's eyes told Natsuki that she is going to say something about it, so she quickly straightened herself and cut in before Nao could talk.
"Orders, I have orders for you ladies, where's Chie and Nina?" Natsuki spoke in a tone that signaled Nao that she will not tolerate deviation of the topic.
"Well, Chie's at the mess hall and Nina's at the gym. What? I thought our winding down period is the typical 48 hrs. Emergency?" Nao raised one of her eyebrows questioningly.
"No, no emergency, just an invite to a party that we can't say no to. Orders from higher ups, party's at 1400 hours tomorrow. It is a high tea invite."
"Oh, cool. Handsome men around? I haven't got the chance to cool off yet." Nao licked her lips.
"We are going there on Military capacity, so we have to uphold the Military poise and manner. We are going there in our formal uniforms. No fun and games, Nao. Just pass the message to Chie and Nina. That's all I have to say" Natsuki narrowed her eyes as if daring Nao to continue.
"Alright, alright… but hey Natsuki, loosen up a bit yah? You have been tensed since you got back." Nao knew Natsuki wasn't in the mood for banter, so she tried to calm things off.
Natsuki didn't say anything, but sighed, waved Nao off and turned to go back to her own bunk. Crap. Tomorrow's gonna be a long long day. Natsuki had no idea how true that thought was going to be.
TBC
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A/N: I am thinking of injecting some more suspense / danger into the next chap, but I think my fic so far has been pretty serious so maybe I should put on some fluff, but then again I want to make the developing relationship a bit more realistic. Maybe, I'll have both for everyone! That's a challenge for me.
RnR pls and pls don't flame me…
