Chapter 3:
...
This is a restricted area. Eve, this isn't a place for one such as yourself. Return home.
...You know of me? What is your name?
My name is...
"Luka, wake-y wake-y. We've got some more training to do." Hyuuga nudged the Begleiter with his booted foot.
"-VE," Luka mumbled. Hyuuga nudged him again and watched as he rolled to his side and rub the sleep from his eyes. They had been training for almost 6 hours straight with no rest or breaks. Of course Luka would be exhausted, Hyuuga thought. He was surprised that Luka had held out this long and how much he had improved from a couple hours of practice. He was surely a fast learner and at this rate, he might even become as good as Kuroyuri or himself in a matter of months. Maybe now's the time to stop. Luka's movements were becoming sluggish now, his reflexes and reaction time much slower than before.
Picking himself up from the rubble he had caused, he wobbled from the sore muscles and sleep clouding his mind. Luka shook his head, clearing up it up. "Alright, what's next Lt. Commander?" He vaguely remembered what he had dreamt about during the time that he was knocked out. Something about ...Eve?
Hyuuga cleared his throat gaining back the attention of the new recruit who was staring out into space. "Never mind. You can go and take a break. Seems like you've also got lots of things on your mind. Go wash up."
Luka nodded, silently. Eve... the name sounded familiar but he'd never met anyone named Eve before. Maybe there was something about her in the Recorder's eyes.
The train was fairly empty this time of day. In the current train car, there were only 5 people. As the train stopped at the next station, a male wearing a dark blue cap to match the work suit that he wore stepped on with a gray and worn out duffel bag slung over his shoulders. Mikage stiffened as he recognized the face and tried to make himself as inconspicuous as possible. Unfortunately for him, the four other passengers in the train car stepped off, leaving him alone with the newcomer. He prayed that he wouldn't recognize him.
To his dismay, the newcomer initiated a conversation with him. "So, where're you heading to?"
Mikage deepened his voice just so. It wasn't like he had talked with Luka often at the Academy, but just to be on the safe side he didn't want Luka to know that he was here. "To the 7th district," he mumbled.
"Wow, what a coincidence, so am I," Luka said.
Yeah, coincidence my ass. Ayanami probably sent him to keep a watch on me, he scoffed. Luka, having finished with putting his duffel bag in the top shelf, turned to face Mikage, sitting across from him. Wait... That's not Luka...The person he had mistaken for Luka had the slim build, the height, the maroon colored hair and the exact gray eyes, er, eye but the person sitting in front of him wasn't Luka. Last time he checked, Luka wasn't this outgoing and he didn't smile so easily. Not to mention, have long hair or a blue green eye.
"You're not Luka.." He spluttered. The look alike's eyes lit up.
"You know my brother?" Mikage nodded. "Do we really look alike?"
"N-not really, just at first glance."
"I'm Altair, by the way," she introduced hand reaching out.
"Um, Mikage." He took her hand and shook it, feeling the soft callouses on her hands. Working hands, he thought. She sat back in her seat and smiled broadly. Yup, this was definitely not Luka. Luka never smiled like that.
"Judging from your military uniform, you were in the same class as Luka?"
"Yeah, but we never really talked much. He was pretty much a loner."
"A loner, huh? I can't imagine that, it's probably 'cause he's always tired at school is all."
"Uh, sure," replied Mikage, not knowing what else to say. "Um, so why are you heading to the 7th district? Don't you live in the 1st district to stay close to Luka?"
Altair nodded, taking her cap off and setting it on the seat beside her. "A hawkzile crashed there and I was sent to take a look at it."
That must've been Teito. I wonder how he's doing. I hope he's safe, worried Mikage. I can't trust Altair. She might not be part of the military but her brother is...
"...But man, I can't wait to get my hands on it. Should I vamp up the engines or should I focus on the wendi skyrunners? I don't know what I should start with first. Being in the military, you've probably already rode a hawkzile before, right Mikage? Mikage? Are you listening to me?"
Altair got out of her seat and sat beside Mikage who was so deep in thought he didn't notice. Waiting for a few more seconds, she tapped him on the shoulder, making him jump in surprise.
"W-what?"
She sighed. "So, you weren't listening to me."
"Er, sorry."
"It's fine. It seems like you've got a lot on your mind. If you feel like, you can talk to me about it. I'm all ears and no one else is here besides us."
Mikage felt his face heat up and he turned away so that she wouldn't see his red face. She was right, he'd just noticed it. It was only him and her alone in the train car. A boy and a girl alone in a train car with no supervision.
"You okay? Your ears are red, Mikage."
"I'm fine." He calmed himself down and turned back to face Altair. Her mismatched eyes stared at him expectantly like a child waiting to be praised. Her eyes were bright and clear, they were true and hid no motives behind them. Even if her brother was part of the military, maybe it was okay to tell her. She had no connection to the military other than her brother and definitely no connection to Teito. "I-I'm looking for a friend of mine," he made out. "I'm supposed to bring him back..." he couldn't go on anymore. There was an aching in his chest at the thought of what he had to do to Teito, his best friend.
He felt a warm hand patting his head and looked up to see Altair. She gave him a small smile. "He's one of your special people, isn't he?" Mikage didn't reply but Altair continued on. "He's an important person to you so you want to protect him, I can understand that. It's like me and Luka. Luka's my important person and as long as I have him, everything will be alright. I don't need anything else. As long as he's safe, I'm happy."
"What about friends? Don't you need friends too?" Mikage asked.
"Luka's my friend. I only need him. Besides, I've never had time for friends." She took her hand off Mikage's head as he shook it in disapproval.
"That's not right. You shouldn't depend on just one person. You should have friends too. Starting now, we're friends. Effective immediately."
Altair could only laugh at the serious expression on the blonde's face. "It's weird how I was trying to give you advice but you end up giving me some instead."
Mikage blushed and stuttered out, "Well, you seem to need it more than me. What kind of person doesn't have at least 2 or more friends at this age?"
"Hmmm, I guess. You know, about your friend, I'm sure things will turn out fine. You'll do what's best for him at the end so don't worry about it. Just enjoy the time you have with him and have fun. You young'uns need to have fun a little more."
"What? You're not much older than we are!"
"Silly, Mikage. You graduated from the 315th class, right? I'm 2 years your senior."
"But Lu-"
"He missed two years because of personal reasons."
"B-"
The conductor announced, cutting Mikage off mid sentence, "We've now reached the 7th district. We will be taking a 30 minute break at this time so passengers heading to the 7th district, you have now reached your destination. Passengers heading to the 8th district, please wait until 30 minutes later for the train to resume. Thank you and have a nice day, everyone!"
Altair headed towards her seat and grabbed her bag and cap, fixing it over her ponytail. "This is our stop, Mikage. I hope you find your friend. I'd like to meet him some time."
"Yeah. It was nice talking to you, Altair. Let's meet again."
"You got it, Mikage. Good luck."
They hurried off the train and split ways. Mikage had an idea of where Teito was. The information Ayanami had given him was that he was at the Church. He didn't want to have to obey Ayanami's orders but he really wanted to see Teito again. Just one more time.
"May God be with you," the young bishop said, handing a silver rose to Teito. Teito took it and headed out towards the gate to see more of the 7th district. He didn't know what it was but something made him turn and look up. It was him. Surprise struck Teito at first, but then happiness soon bubbled up in him.
Those emerald eyes, that cross shaped scar and the smile he always wore. "Teito... Thank goodness... You're alive."
Before he knew it Teito had his arms wrapped around his best friend. He was happy. So happy, that Mikage was alright. Thank goodness.
Watching from inside the church, the blonde bishop who went by the name of Frau asked, "His boyfriend?"
The brown haired one, Castor answered, "I believe that's his friend." He stared at the silver rose in his hands, face solemn. "The silver rose... Otherwise known as 'The Flower of Protection.' That's quite rare... For Labrador to bequeath that flower to anyone. I can only hope nothing drastic will befall him..."
A/N: So how was it? Finally it's moving along with the story, sort of. Please review!
