Almost there!

I do not own Megaman Battle


Nice to Meet You -7-

"Once again, Sharo is indebted to you net-saviors. From now on, I will make sure my colleague Ivankov gets the punishment he deserves." Malenkov said as Netto, Enzan, Laika and Yori stood in front of him. Nina, who stood at the Commisioner's side, had her eyes locked on the floor, unable to look at everyone in the eyes before Malenkov turned his body and frowned at her.

"2nd Lieutenant Nina… do you know what you have done for the past few days? All of us had almost gave up our hopes of finding you, and now…" Right now, Nina wished for nothing than to hide her face as well as holding back the tears that are threatening to spill out. You're a soldier, Nina chastised herself, and no one can see pain and tears coming from a soldier.

"I have done something terrible, I know… and I apologise for everything. I should have known better… than to trust Commissioner Ivankov…" Nina said, her voice now quivering as Laika then frowned.

"You should." Malenkov said before Yori took a step forward, gaining the man's attention. Yori stood straight in front of Malenkov, saluting the man like she had seen Nina did to her superiors before. The older twin then kept her silence when Malenkov took a look at her and opened her mouth when she thinks it is time to.

"Sir, if I could interrupt… I wanted to say something concerning 2nd Lieutenant Nina." Yori said before Enzan could stop her. Malenkov and Yori then both stared into each other's eyes, unrelenting before Malenkov opened his mouth.

"You are Hikari Yori, 2nd Lieutenant Nina's twin sister, correct?" At Yori's nod, Malenkov then turned his eyes back towards Nina who had lifted her head and shook her head vigorously to her twin, trying to stop her from doing anything before lowering her head once again when she noticed Malenkov's eyes on her.

"What is it that you wanted to say, young miss?" Malenkov said, his voice boomed with authority.

"I know Nina deserves punishment because she had aided Commissioner Ivankov in his plans, but please… can you please let her go home?" Yori pleaded to Malenkov who had not responded, but kept on looking towards Yori with stern eyes.

"Nee-chan…" Nina said as the twins shared a look with one another before Yori turned her face back towards the listening Malenkov before continuing with her reason.

"Nina needed time to recuperate from the shock, no matter how much she tries to hide it. There had been an incident between a certain lieutenant and Nina that had left her rather… confused about what she should do." Yori said, letting her eyes stop on Laika who had straightened up his posture before turning back towards Malenkov who had one of his brows up at his nephew who didn't meet his eyes. It had gained Malenkov's attention, certainly he had seen the rather uncomfortable mood between his nephew and the 2nd lieutenant, he would certainly want to know about what happened sooner or later.

"Is that all you wanted to say, for 2nd Lieutenant Nina to be sent home to recuperate?" Malenkov said, certainly surprised at the simple request his 2nd lieutenant's twin had asked. But Malenkov understood, as Nina's twin, Yori must have known what the soldier is thinking and knew that her request would do very much if was fulfilled.

"Yes, Sir. That is all I want to say." Yori said, stepping back to stand between her brother and Enzan after sending one last glare to Laika, at which the soldier didn't respond as he tried to keep from shivering under the glare.

"Now then 2nd Lieutenant Nina, for not reporting back to me for days and helping Commissioner Ivankov with his plan… you shall be dismissed from Sharo." Malenkov said, making Nina bit into her lower lip as tears started building at the corner of his eyes. Everyone, who had heard Malenkov said it all loud and clear, could only stare in shock, especially Laika.

"What?" Malenkov then gave his nephew a look for his outburst, at which Laika responded by lowering his head, before the older man shook his head and continued to gave his sentence to the youngest Hikari.

"… For two months, you will be sent home to your family. And In those two months, I want you to recuperate and recover before going back to your duty here in Sharo." Malenkov said, finally smiling at the speechless Nina whose tears had fell from her eyes down to her cheeks.

"And I don't want you to forget to give your progress report there, I want to you tell me anything worth mentioning in your two months dismissal. If there was an emergency with the Net Police, I give you my permission to help them. Show them, show your family, what you have been doing in Sharo before this."

"Commissioner Malenkov… Yes, Sir!" Nina said as she saluted Malenkov who returned her salute before Nina fell into her twin's arms, both girls now drowning in each other's tears while everyone watched.

"You didn't do anything wrong, 2nd Lieutenant. It was Ivankov that was wrong; you did nothing sort of evil. Rest assure, soldier, you were doing your duty very well. You deserve some rest and time with your family." Nina pulled back from Yori's arms and smiled at Malenkov before both twins gave the older man a hug, which Malenkov returned as he laughed at their enthusiasm. Yori then pulled back first as Nina kept her grip around the older man's waist, thanking the man over and over again.

"Thank you, Sir! I promise I'd report everything when I got home!" Nina said, pulling back from Malenkov before standing next to her twin, both girls holding each other's hand, smiling. Malenkov smiled at both twin's joy, before lifted his head to look at the net-saviors.

"There is one thing, I wanted to ask. When we picked up Ivankov earlier, his face was quite swollen. It's not that I look down to all of you, but Ivankov had got quiet a sturdy body as well as prominent strength. How did you get to hit him like that?" The man's brows then went up in surprise when Netto, Enzan and Laika turned towards the flushed Yori while Nina stood confused, not knowing since she had been unconscious at that time. Manabe, who stood next to Malenkov, had cleared her throat while Yori's face turns even redder and Nina feared that her twin could collapse any second.

"It… I might be at fault for hitting Commissioner Ivankov. I was… quite agitated at that time and I didn't know what has gotten into me…" Yori said, her voice so soft you wouldn't hear it if you hadn't strained your ears. Enzan, Netto and Laika's faces were where people would say that they looked as if they had seen a ghost and was quite in disbelieve that it had been Yori who had done such a thing.

[FLASHBACK]

Manabe and the net-police had finally caught Ivankov thanks to the net-saviors and had cuffed his hands behind his back while the net-saviors and Yori stood in front of the man.

"If it weren't for all of you, I would have been able to clean the world!" Ivankov yelled before Netto stepped up.

"Well, you were using my sister and you were wrong if I would let you get away with it!" Ivankov then scoffed at him and smirked before he started to mock Nina, whom he had tricked into working for him.

"She might have been a promising strategist, but she has long to go before she knew what it means being a soldier. Just because I was being nice to her doesn't mean I wanted the best for her, I had only wanted to use her from the start! Foolish girl!" Laika was about to step up and silence the man before Yori walked forward until she stood right in front of Ivankov, who sneered at her.

"You are her twin, are you not? What kind of a twin sister are you if you don't know what she has been doing all this time?" Ivankov then felt his throat clogged up when he saw Yori's blank dark eyes looking at him, her face emotionless before she started to talk while her voice dripped with venom with every word that had made everyone who heard wince at the intensity.

"Nina trusted you, Nina thought you were doing the right thing, Nina believed you. You hurt Nina… you hurt my twin sister…"

"And what are you going to do about it, girl? Slap me silly? Y-…!" Ivankov was then knocked down when Yori indeed slapped him on the face with her hand. Yori then took another step forward while Ivankov scooted backwards, trying to have as much distance as he could with the girl. The boys were about to stop Yori before all three of them stood frozen on their feet when Yori glared at them to stay where they are. Manabe, who had been watching and keeping the net-police back from pulling the girl away, watched as Yori lessen the distance she had with Ivankov before turning towards the still unconscious Nina on the stretcher.

"And who says I cannot? You should know, that everyone has limits with their patience, and mine had run out ever since I saw your face. People say I have patience as vast as the sea, but with you, who had dare to use someone's twin, the sea had shrunk into a puddle and you should know the consequences." Yori said, raising her hand once again before a scream could be heard throughout the warehouse while Netto hid behind Enzan who stared at Yori with his mouth agape before looking at Laika who had cold sweat running through the back of his head. Not far from the boys, Manabe and the net-police were watching in silence while some watched with fear before Manabe ordered them to get Nina to the paramedics as soon as possible if they want this to stop.

"I guess it's true when people say the quietest people had the most terrifying temper when they're angry…"

[END OF FLASHBACK]

"I am very sorry… I didn't know what had gotten into me…" Yori said as Malenkov shook his head in disbelieve. Malenkov then turned his eyes towards Nina before calling out to the girl.

"You might need to pack your things now. I expect to see your quarters empty of your personal belongings after you board the plane." Nina then turned towards Yori before she started whispering to her twin and both girls then started giggling as they rushed out from the command room.

"Now then, there is one more thing…" Malenkov said, turning towards Laika who let out a weary sigh before walking with his uncle, ready to tell the story about 'the incident' as Yori put it.

"Good luck, 2nd Lieutenant Nina." Malenkov said as he bid Nina goodbye when he notices the girl looking at the plane with longing, missing her home dearly. Nina then turned around to face him and saluted him before giving him a hug.

"Thank you, Sir. You don't know how much this means to me…" Nina said as Malenkov nodded, urging her to go towards Yori and Netto who is waiting for her in front of the gate. Nina then turned towards Laika who is looking at her and grinned.

"Don't think about slacking off when I'm not here, Lieutenant. You better stay on your toes if you don't want me to take your rank from you." Nina said, sticking her tongue out at Laika who blinked in surprise since she's still speaking to him.

"Look, Nina… I…"

"Well, this is a lesson for me, I don't know if you're happy since I got what I deserved. But hey, it already happened, no use of telling me about it again." Nina said, shrugging her shoulders. Laika then sighed and shook his head.

"… Look, I'm sorry, alright? I was wrong…" Laika said.

"Who said I haven't forgiven you? I still don't like you, but that doesn't mean I have a grudge against you. You might need to realize what the difference is, lieutenant." Nina said, feeling strangely satisfied when Laika looked rather insulted by what she said. Nina then took a deep breath and went over to wrap her arms around Laika as the other went rigid from the gesture.

"But thank you." Nina said before she lets Laika go and saluted Malenkov once more before rushing towards her twin and her brother, yelling for them to wait for her. Malenkov then turned towards his nephew who is still frozen on his feet before placing a hand on his shoulder.

"I think the 'pulling pigtails' theory will not work in this time of the century, don't you think?" Malenkov said, taking Laika in surprise after both uncle and nephew watched as the plane took off. Laika, whom at first was confused by what his uncle had said, suddenly flushed bright red when he understood what Malenkov meant. Laika had wanted to say something about what he had said, but seeing his nephew who couldn't find his voice to talk, Malenkov chuckles before leaving after giving Laika's hard pats on the shoulder.


Epilogue is up next!

R n R