Battlefield: BAD COMPANY: Birds of Prey

Episode 4: laying low (not!)

A/N: I'm narrowing down the thinking to universal. Meaning that when it comes to thoughts, language doesn't matter.

'Thinking/Preston's view'

"Talking English"

"Talking Japanese"

'We had just escaped from some of the scariest women alive on this earth, tensions were running high in our Humvee. Haggard wanted to storm the tower but, the rest of us disagreed. We found a warehouse to sleep in for the night and parked the Humvee inside. The general consensus was that we would sleep on what our next move would be and think it over in the morning. We didn't have the element of surprise anymore, if we even had it at all, now we were back to square one.'

The boys all found places to sleep among the junk and made their own areas to sleep in. Preston decided to sleep in the Humvee, eventually the boys all decided to sleep in the Humvee. They all felt safer to sleep behind armor plating. It was a habit they picked up from their time out in field. They remembered that they stopped Kirilenko, who just as bad if not worse than Hiroto.

They'd see it through, they were in tougher situations before, it wasn't the first time they were cut off from command after all. If anything, they weren't so good at stealth, so the alternative was risking moving around on the streets during the day. They'd almost forgotten about the suit's cloak ability but Sweetwater reminded the others that cloak would only get them so far. Sarge had decided that tomorrow they'd get out and start causing MBI a few headaches.

THAT MORNING

Minato Sahashi is a smart kid but he couldn't take the pressure of his big entrance exam to college and failed for the second time. It made him feel like a loser, big time. He was walking down the street talking to his mom on his cellphone and told her about his big failure. She tried to be supportive and Minato just decided to say he'd figure something out. After he hung up the call he got on a train and headed for his place. After he left the station platform he heard a girl screaming and looked up to see her fall from the sky and land on him.

The girl landed in an awkward position for Minato and he was kinda freaking out. She apologized for her landing on him, and he was stunned by how cute she was. Then from a building rooftop nearby two twin girls in skimpy outfits shot a lightning bolt at the Minato and the girl. The twins tried coaxing the girl into a fight, she refused and proclaimed that she wouldn't until she finds her ashikabi. She suddenly grabs Minato's hand and takes off running. The two of them escaped the twins and made it to the riverside.

Musubi took Minato home and he woke up the next morning to find her in his pajamas. She explained who she is Musubi No.88, and what a sekirei is to Minato. She undressed and Minato went outside in a hurry, leaving Musubi confused. After clearing things up and Minato getting a warning from his landlord, they went out to eat. After that they were attacked by the twins again. Minato bravely defended musubi from their electric attackers. Then as the next bolt was about to hit, a tan Humvee appeared and an armored figure leapt from the gunner's seat and grabbed Minato and Musubi.

The both of them were surprised by their savior and were loaded into the vehicle. Once they were all inside, the Humvee took off and they were in the clear. Musubi felt hot and her body kept telling her that Minato is the one. On instinct, she kissed him and there was a bright flash in the vehicle and pink angelic wings of light burst from Musubi's back, then they faded away. The twins saw the flash and Homura appeared nearby. The boys of bad company were really weirded out by what just happened and the vehicle spun out from their little surprise. Marlowe brought the Humvee to a stop and they emptied out opening their visors and puked from the dizziness. The boys all stared at the people they saved and they stared back.

"What the heck was that?!" Haggard was the first to break the ice.

"I don't know, but whoever they are, they have some explaining to do!" Sweetwater said pointing to the couple.

"Hey sweets cut those two some slack, I will admit that was weird. But the two chicks in S&M outfits shooting lightning at them, was even weirder." Preston said defending the couple who appeared to be only slightly younger than him.

"Hey how would you know that's what they were wearing?" Haggard said eyeing his comrade with a raised eyebrow.

"My cousin was a pervert, my aunt caught him and it didn't end well. Everyone in the family heard about it." Marlowe answered truthfully.

"Oh, well uh, ok." Haggard said dumbstruck.

"Guys, back to current events. These two kids are pretty much the same age as Marlowe over here, and one is wearing an outfit that's a little too revealing right now." Sarge said dryly.

'Who are these guys and why did they save me and Musubi. And what just happened a minute ago.' Minato thought while staring at the mystery men.

"Thank you for saving us." Musubi said after pulling minato of the Humvee with her.

"No problem little lady, just doing what we do best." Sarge replied in a fatherly tone.

"Um, excuse me. Th-thank you for saving us. Can you give us a ride back to my apartment?" Minato asked the boys nervously.

"Sure kid, no problem. Now where is it you two need a lift to, it's no trouble at all." Sarge said to a grateful Minato.

"Uh Sarge, are you sure that's a good idea?" Sweetwater asked unsure of Sarge's decision to help the boy and girl.

"Yeah, I'm sure, besides she needs a change of clothes." Sarge said pointing to Musubi's scorched top.

"Thank you, sir. I'll tell you where it is. If you want, Musubi was going to cook something for dinner, you can eat with us." Minato offered to the boys whose stomachs all growled. They all looked to Sarge who agreed.

"Thanks kid we'll take you up on that offer." "Everybody load up!" Sarge replied and ordered everyone into the vehicle.

After everyone buckled up, Musubi had to sit on Minato's lap. Haggard and Sweetwater snickered and Sarge told them to stop picking on Minato. Minato pointed them in the right direction and Marlowe drove on to Minato's place. They pulled up outside and filed in to the apartment. Minato apologized for his place being so small, but the boys didn't find it a problem at all. In fact, to them, it was kind of cozy.

Musubi began to cook and the boys stated to pal around with Minato after he called his sister to ask for some new clothes for Musubi. Preston stepped up and defended Minato from his sister's teasing by changing the subject. Minato's sister Yukari, was happy to talk to Preston, who lied that he was a foreign student whose cousin was staying with him and dating Minato. And she had run out of things to wear since her suitcase was stolen. Yukari was more than happy to help out, and promised to send them some of her clothes. She said that she thought Preston sounded cute before hanging up.

"So, what are your names? I'm Minato Sahashi and that's my friend Musubi." Minato said in a friendly tone.

"I'm Sergeant Samuel Clarence Redford, you already know Preston Marlowe, that's George Haggard, and Terrence Sweetwater." Sarge said as boys all said their hellos.

"Nice to meet you guys." Minato said happily

"I must say, that is one fine lookin' lady friend you got there." Haggard said gesturing to Musubi.

"Well thanks George." Minato said to his new friend.

"You can call me Haggard, or Hags for short little buddy." Haggard said while giving Minato a hearty handshake.

Just then the TV in the corner room sprang to life and the soldiers all used their suits' cloak mode to disappear. Minato went over to investigate but then the man on the screen asked him not to shut off the TV. The man congratulated Minato for his winging of Musubi and she came into the corner room and greeted the man warmly.

The man then informed Minato of his identity, Minaka Hiroto, and Minato was a little surprised. He was then informed of how he knew of who Minato is and how he knew Minato failed the exam. He then proceeded to inform him of the game he was now a participant of. He warned minato of the consequences should he tell anyone about the game. Minato was really freaked out by the thought of what would happen.

Minaka also explained that if his new friends attempted to report in to their superiors they'd share his fate. Minaka then revealed that he knew their identities and made an offer of amnesty to the boys of bad company should they choose to participate and either aid Minato or wing sekirei for themselves, otherwise Minato and Bad Company would face the same consequences as stated before. Minato gave his summary of what the mad genius had said to him, he was impressed by Minato's ability to learn fast. Minaka said goodbye to musubi and the TV switched off.

There was a sudden knock at the door. Minato answered it, a box was shoved in his face by a courier, who slammed the door shut and left just as quick as he arrived. Minato wondered what it was and a minute later they all found out as Minato opened it to reveal Musubi's new clothes. Musubi began to change into her new clothing and all the boys filed out.

Except for Minato who musubi asked to wait, she declared to him that she'd fight for him and they'd win together. Just then Minato's landlord walked up the stairs and gave Minato the boot and 2 days to move out, for breaking the rules. Minato went home hunting in the morning. He was rejected by the clerk at the apartment listing place for the 15th time, for lacking all of the prerequisites.

Minato shuddered at the thought of moving back in with his mother, and resumed the search until nightfall. The two of them, Minato and Musubi sat on a park bench and it began to rain. Musubi and Minato had a heart to heart moment, to her Minato is the most special person in the world. Haggard and Sweetwater were watching from nearby marveling at the prospect of love between their friends. After Minato and Musubi were done talking, Musubi created a whirlwind and the two of them took to the sky. That surprised the hell out of Haggard and Sweetwater, who both promised to never speak about what they just saw, ever.

The couple spent a moment in the air before falling back down to earth, Haggard and Sweetwater ran to catch them, instead a tree mysteriously broke their fall. Haggard and Sweetwater were relieved to find that their friends were okay. The moment was interrupted when, the lady whose back yard they were in, offered to help them out. She was a little suspicious of the men in advanced armored combat suits but Minato said they were friends from the military who had come to visit. The lady relaxed after Minato explained their reason for the attire they wore.

They went inside and received first aid, from the woman and her tenant. Miya is the name of lady who owns the property, the guy who applied first aid to Minato asked what they were up to in the yard and why the two guys with him wore armor, and Minato remained evasive, remembering the stern warning of MBI's CEO. He made up a quick story about the wind and told him the same thing that he told Miya, that satisfied the guy's curiosity. Musubi had borrowed a kimono from Miya and she looked good in it. Miya was very pleasant about the whole thing being reminded of her husband who had passed on. she formally introduced herself as Miya Asama, and the guy introduced himself as Kagari and the gang introduced themselves respectively. Miya offered them dinner to which they all accepted.

After having some food, which haggard had a hard time eating from being used to using forks, a young woman dressed in nothing but her lingerie, slid the door open and caused the men in the room to go wide eyed and nearly spit their food out at her beauty. Her name is Uzume as confirmed by Kagari, Minato asked Miya what exactly her place is, and she replied that it is a boarding house. haggard and Sweetwater stared at Uzume's assets with drool running from their mouths, she was hotter to them than miss July.

Uzume noticed this and wasn't shy about her good looks, when the two soldiers were done gawking Haggard started hitting on her, she turned him down. Uzume explained how things were at the inn and that they were looking for some more normal tenants, Miya glared at her with a terrifying invisible purple aura surrounding her. Sweetwater and Haggard shivered at Miya, they did not want to get on her bad side, she was worse than Sarge. Minato asked if Miya wanted some new residents and she accepted, Sweetwater asked if the rest of their unit could stay and Miya said yes. Sweetwater called Sarge and Marlowe over the radio and told them they'd found a more comfortable living space.

Sarge was skeptical at first, but decided to move in since it was better than the old warehouse they used for a hideout. Preston fired up the Humvee, Sarge rode shotgun, they drove to Maison Izumo and parked out front. Sarge went inside, greeted Miya, and thanked her for her hospitality. To her it was no trouble at all and they'd discuss terms and conditions in the morning. Haggard went to see Minato in his new room, and stumbled in on Minato and Musubi having an awkward moment, he laughed with a sweat drop on the back of his head and went to hang out with the boys instead.

Preston had gone out for a walk that night, after reaching Maison Izumo, he told Sarge he'd be back after he cleared his head. Sarge understood and let Preston be, he'd inform the others so no one would worry about where he was. Preston had reached the park and was wondering to himself with all kinds of things on his mind.

'What the hell have we gotten ourselves into? We're super soldiers, who have a friend whose life is on the line now. I remember the old days, the adventure, the freedom, the gold and the fact that we were damn cannon fodder to those, fucking four-star jackasses. It was just a simple search and destroy mission, I should have learned by now, nothing's ever that simple. I won't let Minato end up like Flynn, it wasn't our fault, I know that but I can't help feeling that he'd still be alive if we just let sleeping dogs lie. It's no use thinking about what I should've done, I can only focus on what I do in the here and now.'

As Preston walked on he saw a girl, in nothing but a lab coat with a strange symbol on her forehead, sitting on a bench. Preston had a funny feeling about her, almost like a tortured kindred spirit of sorts. As he approached her, the feeling he had, began to grow stronger like something was calling him to her. She looked at him with the eyes of someone who was broken, as if she were thrown away, useless. He knew the feeling well; his squad had been left out to dry by their own government in Serdaristan. He felt some contempt for them, but he was just an expendable asset and he knew it. But at least he had Bad Company with him, they are and will be a true band of brothers until the end of the line for all of them.

He approached the girl, and she was slightly afraid of the mysterious soldier in front of her, but Preston showed her he meant no harm. He pulled off his Nano-suit helmet slowly and clipped it to his hip. He extended his hand to her. She hesitated at first but, she took it and looked into his eyes, she could feel the pain he shared with her. A man approached, with a bright haired teenager next to him. Preston's instincts kicked in, he put the girl's hand down and spun around 180 degrees. Putting his Nano-Suit helmet back on, he drew his pistol and pointed it at the pair of men in front of him.

He put his left arm behind him, as If trying to shield the girl. She had never felt this from anyone, she was guarded before yes, but only because she was a piece of property to MBI. This armored young man who found her, this kindred spirit was trying to protect her out of kindness, not any other motive at all. Her heart fluttered from the experience, she felt something she had never known before, what it was exactly, she couldn't tell at all.

(Play the song: God's gonna cut you down [Battlefield 1 Remix] by Johnny Cash)

"Leave us alone, now!" Preston snarled angrily.

"I'd step away from her if I were you. I'll take her off of your hands for you. We can do this the easy way or…." The younger man started to say but was cut off by Preston, firing his pistol at the ground in front of them.

"Oh well, the hard way is more entertaining anyway. Mutsu, dispose of him." The young man ordered to the sword wielding adult standing next to him. The sword wielding sekirei charged at Preston, who responded by clapping his hands onto to the sword, just like his previous battle with a sword wielding opponent. Mutsu was shocked to see the armored warrior do what even a very few sekirei could even try to attempt. Whoever he was, Mutsu knew that he was an experienced fighter and wouldn't hesitate to fight until the end for the sekirei he was bravely defending. Preston wrapped one hand around the sword and brought the other back for an extremely furious punch.

"I told you to go away!" Preston shouted as he brought his fist forward and sent his opponent flying straight backwards into a large tree splintering it into large pieces. Mutsu picked himself up slowly and brushed off the dust. Preston resumed his defensive stance and stood his ground in front of the girl.

"I am warning you, do what you will, I will not be defeated!" Preston shouted once more stomping his foot down and leaving cracks in the concrete, and a plume of dust swirling around him and the girl. Mutsu steeled himself, his opponent was equal to or stronger than a sekirei. The soldier before him showed strength and honor, appearing to be truly unafraid of the lethal sekirei standing before him.

"I'm really getting annoyed now. Fine, you can keep her. Mutsu, let's go." The teenager ordered to his sekirei. Mutsu sheathed his sword and bowed to his opponent, Preston relaxed his stance and nodded his head. The boy and his sekirei left, Preston relaxed, took off his helmet and looked to the girl. She felt that feeling even more so now, it was as if fate called her to him.

Though she had already winged herself, she felt her body heat up and it was begging her to kiss him. She fell to her instincts and smashed her lips against Preston's own, caressing him tightly as she felt true happiness from his presence. Preston was greatly surprised by this and stood there wide eyed, as he was passionately kissed by the woman he had protected, unaware of what his helmet was saying.

"DNA damage detected. Beginning repair procedure, please stand by. Error, unknown DNA variant detected, compiling. Please stand by. DNA variant analyzed, running assessment procedure. Please stand by. DNA assessment complete, finalizing procedure. DNA assessment finalized, reset complete, repair sequence complete."

Suddenly the girl's body began to glow brightly, and then a bright flash occurred, with large beautiful white angelic wings sprouting from her back, and snow fell around them, all while she wailed happily. Preston hugged her on instinct and deepened the kiss between the two of them. Preston, looked into her eyes and he could feel the strong emotions of pure happiness resonating with his own. For the briefest moment, the two of them shared one mind and soul, both of them connected forever by love, and the link an ashikabi has to their sekirei.

"I am Akitsu, sekirei NO.7, this is the ice of my pledge. Shatter the misfortunes of my ashikabi!" Akitsu proclaimed as she held her new ashikabi tightly. Preston was stunned at this revelation, now he had an even greater obligation to protect her, and no other choice at all than to play Hiroto's game. Sarge was not going to be happy about this to say the least, but even though he'd be angry for Preston's indiscretion, sergeant Redford at his core is a good man, and would understand Marlowe's situation.

"I'm Marlowe, I love you snow angel." Preston proclaimed to Akitsu and they kissed once more, with the frost in the air giving the appearance of an angelic halo over the two lovers. The snow angel Akitsu, had found her true knight in shining armor at last.

-END CHAPTER-