A/N: I still got a lot to go as far as improvements are concerned . . . and I am planning to edit all the other chapters, especially 1,2, and 3 where I found the plots sorely lacking together with half baked grammar; not to mention character development and stuff like that. And I also apologize for the slow updates, for requirements sure take some time to accomplish; and now that the Philippines has a new president in power, I am looking forward at being commissioned into the ranks this October.

You know what they say round here: Service for the nation doesn't always come first; it is the paycheck and self advancement that counts, not to mention the perks of being a man of arms.

Alrighty then, till next week? Cheerio!

Known as the backbone of an Empire whose stars shone high above their heads, the Imperial Japanese Army or Dai Nippon Teikoku Rikugun was considered as the premier fighting force in the Asian realm; which started out as a conglomerate of clans loyal only to Emperor Meiji himself. With the dawn of the 19th Century and the era of Sengoku drawing to a close; Europeans set about colonizing the orient either by commerce, false diplomacy or brute force, eventually finding their way to the land of the Rising Sun that had just opened its doors after centuries of bitter seclusion.

Seeing the potential of an army united under a common cause, the French whose Napoleonic lineage was legendary the world over; trained and equipped these ragtag bunch of plebes along their doctrinal lines, up until they bitterly lost their prestige against the ruthless Germans during the Franco-Prussian war of 1879. Now with draconic advisers moulding the army as the venerated British were with its navy, the once pitiable force became in par with its western counterparts in number, strength and equipment; including the scope of their imperial ambitions and zealous nationalism.

Setting their sights on the land of the morning calm, the juvenile conqueror sought to seize it from its long time adversary whose massive armies were lauded as only the best there is; slugging it out on its hallowed ground on a conflict known as its first true baptism of fire: The Sino Japanese War of 1899. Deemed as an underdog by the west in comparison to the Qing which ruled over the continent for centuries, the Japanese shattered their assumptions by dishing out a beating against its larger nemesis; culminating on a resounding victory which had won them a nation and much craved acclaim, with the loser mercilessly torn apart by the ravenous monarchs of France, Britain, and the German Empire.

But it seemed that the curse of strife didn't leave as it supposed to, and during the year of 1904; Tsar Nicolas sent his men to seize the cape of Liaodong, eager to take Port Arthur which will serve as their gateway to the warm waters of the Pacific. Insulted by such a blatant underestimation of their military prowess, the sons of Nippon took their blades once more and fought tooth and nail against the overconfident bear; taking the attention of the world which still looked down at them with a frown, doubtful if they could even succeed against the Russian's sheer resolve.

Then like a sudden twist of fate, on the seaborne battle of Tsushima and the decisive blow at Mukden; the once proud tsarists knelt in shame before the rising star of the orient, further fanning the flames of nationalism which could one day serve their downfall.

Yet sadly, even if the corps had a colourful past and noteworthy achievements; the IJA was severely underappreciated than its sea borne counterpart and had since became a breeding ground for radical ideas and rogue officials who employed the concept of gekkokujo to a higher extent. Mutinies and insubordination were prevalent during the 1930's; creating political divisions within its ranks, notably the rise of the Kodoha and Toseiha factions which procured a rift that had almost ripped the fabric which the organization stood by all these years.

But among this cesspool of rotting ideals and distorted pride are two young generals who were born worlds apart; with one who had already learned to embrace their long standing tradition for the sake of honour, and the other being used only as a pawn to fulfill her mother's blind ambitions.

Chapter 9: Faded Stars

A maiden dressed in collared tees with khaki shorts lay at the comfort of her leather lined couch, listening to the fervent taps of a knife which resembled a machinegun cluttering about; bringing back the memories of a war where her career was forged in iron and blood. The radiant rays of the rising sun poked through the porthole's lens, illuminating the room that was adorned with furniture only a member of the elite could ever afford. Taking pride on the ochre patches sewn onto the collar's end, the poet general had never forgotten about the price she paid to earn the triad of stars crossed with thin red stripes; remembering the faces of those who sacrificed their lives on foreign soil, all for a cause they thought was right.

It felt only like yesterday when I left home, bringing with me a sea of doubt and regret. But these men who accompanied me through it all, they are the ones who taught me to appreciate whatever the gods had lain upon us; including the inevitable fate which every soldier knew and embraced since time immemorial.

Born on the time when spring's alluring waltz came to a subtle end, the child who would one day inherit a destined path got her name from the serenity which Homura experienced the day before she was born; giving her the epithet of "Honoka" which meant harmony in the midst of fall. She grew up to be an outgoing little tot who dreamed of nothing more than being a star, drawing inspiration from the life of Tsuru Aoki whom she first saw on a flickering black and white film her mother bought at a bargain during Christmas Eve. But her father, an active serviceman on the navy saw the child's ambition as a sign of weakness; so instead of letting the young lass play like normal kids did, he trained her in the rigours of combat and self defence, just like his father had years ago. Training was the word which Honoka dreaded the most, and it's not that surprising as he would give her harsh reprimands for any trivial mistake she would make; and spend almost the entire weekend learning the art of kendo and marksmanship, aside from physical conditioning which had put quite a strain on her feeble frame.

He explained to me why he did this in the first place, muttering only these words in the most laconic manner he could: "For honour, and family."

How could I even understand that? All those times you were beating me with that bamboo sword . . . For once I had never felt a sense of honour and love for what you've done~ and ever will.

Then one day, she was asked to buy some soya curd for their sweets as her father busied himself in preparation for being called back to service; Honoka decided to tarry and wander around Chiyoda, eventually finding herself at the edge of a playground where kids gathered from all around. Being the mischievous and curious cat she was, the ginger decided to join a game of tag; and that is where she met her first true friend, a naiveté who possessed such a pitched voice and fair ashen strands.

There's something about Kotori which had me glued to her all these years, and if I could remember correctly; she's the one who first held her hand out said hi, can we be friends?

Soon, the two became very close and would always come by their shop to buy some sweets; particularly their red bean buns which the fledgling bird loved so much, coupled with the fact that Homura was Tomoko's childhood friend. Days turned into months which then matured into years, with Honoka stealing a few hours after class just to hang out with her best friend; while her father went to serve as an aviator at the height of World War One, the conflict which placed Japan in the pedestal of victors.

Each and every night, we heard the radio bursting with patriotic songs or 'gunka' as it was called; and I was fed up of its redundant lyrics which exalted the emperor for achievements done by common soldiers who bled on the frontlines . . .

He didn't fight the war, he just sat on his palace surrounded by his concubines; yet nonetheless, after the songs faded into obscurity and the names of the fallen read for the good of all . . . The only thing that crossed my mind was my father; even if his mere shadow meant a myriad of dread for me.

I didn't know what I was thinking back then, as all I did was visit kanda and pray that he should come home in one piece; so he could accompany my mother who always cried a river ever since he left.

Then on a cold stormy night, Honoka ventured into the metropolis to buy some oil for their lamps; passing by the moonlit playground where she saw a figure looming by the slide. She cowered behind a tree as fear gripped her heart, but when the damsel latched those ambers against her sapphire pairs; the ginger realized that it was Umi Sonoda, the smartest kid she had ever known.

I knew Umi long before that, but was afraid to approach her due to the fierce look she possessed . . . not to mention her father being a member of the guards. But during that fateful night, she was clothed in a pure white Yukata with visible stains of red on its skirt; and was vulnerable and on the verge of breaking down. So then I took the first step, and reached my hand out to lead her back home. And from then on, she never left my side and became a pillar of strength together with Kotori.

With the Great War over and the treaty of Versailles signed on a lowly railroad car, the rest of the Empire celebrated in earnest as their fathers and brothers went home from the frontlines; but for the ginger who was hurt by the way he treated her, she didn't bother to wait and give him a heartfelt hug, as it only meant the continuation of the nightmares she faced.

Fast forward her entry to Otonokizaka with the help of Kotori's mother, Honoka was known to her peers as the "koi" due to her below average intelligence and orange shade which mimicked that of the fish itself and was deliberately singled out from the rest due to the colour of her eyes and hair which didn't quite match that of the stereotypical Japanese; yet nobody dared to mess with Sonoda and Minami who also possessed such unique traits, fearful of the reputation the two ladies shared. But in the midst of the trials which befell upon the fated lass, she never gave up and graduated 10th in the class of 159 cadets; making her a recipient of the medal of academic excellence which landed her a coveted post on the Kwantung's 16th IJA; known to the rest as kaki heidan or wall division.

Now hailed as one of the ablest commanders of the Imperial Army, Lieutenant General Honoka Kousaka heads a corps sized group known as Dai Jyuyon Homen Gun or the 14th Area Army which bore the epithet "Shobu" that was eponymous with victory, and were tasked to seize the American stronghold of the Philippines and act as a wall just in case the United States decided fight back. Comprised of 47,000 infantrymen and engineers, it was a tad weaker compared to that of the 25th which numbered seventy thousand; not to mention the severe handicap of having a few crack infantry and artillery battalions which only belonged to the 16th Heidan. But what they lacked in experience, the group made up for the support that they had received; as the 5th Air group stationed in Tainan was conveniently placed at striking distance to Manila, plus the addition of naval infantries coming from Yokosuka, Maizuru, and Sasebo together with an assortment of battleships and cruisers under Vice Admiral Ise. And what sets this invasion force unique from the rest scattered throughout Southeast Asia was the fact that it possessed the highest number of engineers; a 7,000 strong brigade that was the result of a conflict with Gensui Minami from affiliating with the defunct movement known as Kodo-ha or Imperial way.

The 1930's was a time when Nationalism was at its peak, and the army wasn't spared from the radical ideals which brewed within its ranks; resulting in the formation of two groups that had different objectives, but ends up with the same motive: War.

Fiercely loyal to the emperor while vowing to crush the Soviet Union and the Republic of China, it proved to be a quick sell for junior officers who searched for glory and set ideals; including the ginger that signed together with Kotori who was clueless that her mother was a staunch supporter of Tojo's toseiha, a group whose allegiance lay with the parliament and opted to fight against America and Great Britain instead. Using the chaos of the great depression, the rivals fought one another in a war of shadows and propaganda; instigating mutinies and the assassinations of government officials which rocked the nation for half a decade. But the fanaticism of Araki and his followers crossed the line when they instigated the foiled 26th of February incident, where a detachment coming from the 1st Division marched into Tokyo and seized the city hall; with another group tasked to infiltrate the palace and kill off the ailing monarch to hasten the crown prince's rise to power.

It was the winter of 1936, and first Lieutenant Kousaka was on the middle of a training course at Mukden when news suddenly broke out that the mutiny was crushed by loyalist troops with the help of marines from Yokosuka; sparking concern for the welfare of her friend whom she knew was present during its fruition, as Kotori's name was announced to be one of those charged with high treason. In the weeks that followed, Sadao Araki's kodoha virtually ceased to exist as the government purged the military of its officers; while those who were directly involved with the mutiny were either imprisoned or hanged, except for her peer who was instead sent to the Kwantung due to her mother's influence within the Imperial court. Meanwhile those who were on the frontiers stayed true to their cause, but for the lieutenant; it was the end of her stint at radicalism, and diverted all her time and energy towards her studies.

Her two years of service in the Kwantung was an uneventful one, so in order to pass the time; Honoka enriched her knowledge and vocabulary by collecting books and magazines, filling her office with a plethora of literary works written by Lewis Carol and Jules Verne to name a few. She also studied tactics and world history, the latter being a rather unusual choice to be taken up by a junior officer. There, the once pitiful koi became a lady that was fascinated by the western world; and with it, the dream to at least set foot on English soil and see Big Ben. But the situation in China worsened on the early days of 1937, and with the thought of a full scale war became gruellingly apparent; Honoka was granted the promotion to Captain, while her division was shipped to Shanghai just in case their fears would come into fruition. Arriving at the Nationalist stronghold on the tenth of August, the 16th Division took positions on the northern banks of the Huangpu where the Japanese quarters once stood; there, they waited for the signal to cross Bazi bridge, the only causeway which separated them from the murky waters below and its metropolitan heart of Zhabei.

We were taught by our teachers that the Chinese are a bunch of unkempt men who wore triangular hats with dangling braids, carrying large swords while screaming some inaudible gibberish; but the ones we fought at Zhabei were different, as it felt like we were slugging it out against the might of the German army.

Assigned at the 7th Infantry Regiment's 4th Company, Captain Kousaka led her men through a hailstorm of mortar and lead; and being part of the Japanese vanguard, the casualty figures horrified the ginger who had spent years being fed with martial propaganda.

Move forward for the sake of the empire, do not bring shame to your family's honour . . . those were the words which escaped my lips during those darkest hours, panning my eyes through a scene of flashing lights and flickering fires; with the clutter of our boots becoming heavier as fear crept into our hearts.

They said soldiers should exhort praise for the emperor before parting ways with this world, but all I heard were moans and harried shrieks; together with the names of their dearly beloved and such.

And in a week of bitter fighting amongst the buildings and cobbled streets, her company had lost three fourths of its strength; and the ginger felt depressed to see men whom she got accustomed with a day before, were being reduced to smouldering ashes in the next. Traumatized by this, she swore to never make friends with anyone else; saving her from spiralling down into the depths of insanity which spread to the rest of its officer corps.

The notion of rank and seniority were washed out as we sat by the fire, sharing a meal of cabbage, soup, and a cup full of rice. We talked for hours on end about our lives on the mainland, and I was astonished to find out that for most of them; being in the army was a dream come true, a far cry from my own which I considered it as nothing more than tough pill to swallow for the sake of honour. . . But fate had never been too merciful for aspirants like them, for once the smoke cleared after a skirmish; I saw them staring at the sky with a faded smile upon their lips, as if they were trying to tell me something right before they passed.

It was a fact that was too hard for me to accept, so instead of knowing the replacement's names; I spent the moment to tell them: If you're here to make friends, go home and tend to your farms; then tell the emperor that I don't need people like you around here.

Disheartened and faced with stiff opposition, the budding officer became irritated at the way the Chinese fought; as positions they seized after a hard won fight were abandoned and retaken five times during the night, resulting to severe loss of lives and degradation of morale. For unlike the guards and marines whose unit cohesion ran high amongst their ranks, the average Japanese unit was prone to being routed and crushed; but in Honoka's case, her crack squads are almost depleted and were constituted by greenhorns and plebes. The situation continued on for another three months without any hope of being relieved, and when the siege was lifted after the final skirmish at Suzhou creek; the 4th Rifles, except a handful of veterans from the Kwantung, was complemented by replacements that were barely out of senior high.

I was happy when the battle is over, thinking that Chiang Kai-shek would sit on the negotiation table with high command; but it was an assumption I would later regret, as a single victory was never enough to satiate their visions of grandeur.

A couple of weeks after Shanghai, the ginger found herself marching towards the republic's capital of Nanjing; this time under the aegis of the 6th Infantry Regiment's 3rd Company as a replacement for their slain officer, with the remainder of her seasoned men absorbed into its ranks. Engaging the remnants of once proud divisions along the way, Honoka realized that the possibility of the war ending before Christmas was nigh; bolstering her resolve to carry on amidst the losses up until they had finally reached its towering walls.

I wonder how Yukiho is doing with her studies?

That was the question which rang like a never ending mantra as I imagined my little sister waiting for me by Homura's door, carrying with her a piece of paper where a portrait of mine was sketched by crayons and ink.

As a sister, I missed her so much. . . But as a soldier, I must carry on and keep on fighting up until this war ends with either my death or resounding victory.

It was the 1st of December, 1937 when Imperial forces laid siege to the eternal capital; laying waste to everything behind its impenetrable barrier by bombs and shells. For ten days, the Captain weren't able to gain some rest; as the ear shattering roar of artillery kept them at edge all night long. And when a section of wall fell after a furious bombardment, the sleep deprived yet enthusiastic troops poured into the city like a pack of ravenous wolves; with Honoka's unit tasked to assault the southern gate, together with a regiment of Imperial guards. But much to their surprise, taking the capital was way easier than seizing Shanghai; and three days since the fateful breach, Nanjing fell under their martial strides. And due to the bravery she demonstrated on both pivotal battles, General Matsui awarded the ginger a field promotion to Major; together with the privilege to serve as his aide, a chance she took without hesitation or doubt.

The sounds of war still echoed from a distance, but there I was; enthralled at the sight of a willow casting its whip like leaves over the still waters of a pond. It was my first time seeing such a majestic tree up close, feeling its knobbly bark while giggling innocently like a child. It was beautiful beyond compare, and an evidence of a miracle set in the middle of a devastated city.

I could still remember my mother telling me that wherever a willow grows; ghosts will appear and so is bad luck . . . But with such carnage happening all around, I thought that I would rather spend a night underneath its shade than settle on my tent with a heavy heart. . .

And so I did, much to my superior's chagrin.

But the fighting didn't stop as the ginger thought, and a day after the flag was raised; she had hit the streets once more, carrying out the orders made by Prince Asaka who had arrived at the 5th day of the siege. She knew deep within her heart that Matsui would never consent such a morbid feat, but there's nothing the ginger could do but follow; or bring shame to her family name. Tasked to arrest anyone suspected of being a member of the Kuomintang, Major Kousaka rounded up more than a thousand men and lined them up by the riverside to be shot; while the rest of the Japanese army engaged in random acts of arson, murder, theft, and rape. Six weeks had passed and the massacres were finally brought to an end by the old general who entered the city, and Honoka couldn't help but feel a little bit of relief; disturbed by the acts she had committed in the name of the Empire she loved, which became the underlying cause of nightmares which had haunted her since then.

We made no distinction of whom we killed on broad daylight; as long as they wore those piercing stares, a posture like that of a soldier, unusual sores on their shoulders and the soles of their feet . . . Young or old, I didn't care at all; knowing that my conscience is clean, while following orders from an emperor's kin.

Besides, they were the enemy; so it's either me, or them.

With the episode known as the Rape of Nanjing publicized the world over, Honoka became ridden with guilt and regret; for it was through her own command that a person's life be snuffed or spared. Ever since then, she swore to never harm another civilian; pouring all her time and effort towards rebuilding the shattered capital and helping the refugees, even if it costs more than her own salary. But it did little to atone for her sins, and when the 16th Division was once more organized to march into the Chinese hinterland; the lass visited the willow tree for one last time and etched a phrase which became her motto.

シンプル申し訳ありませんが死者をなだめるのに十分なことはありません、どちらも取り残されている人のためのパンのバスケットです。

A simple sorry is never enough to appease the dead, neither is a basket of bread for those who are left.

Merged under the aegis of the notorious 11th Army, the ginger was then given the rank of a full-fledged Colonel by Yasuji Okamura; a general whose penchant for using gas as a premier tool of subjugation became a subject for anti Japanese propaganda. With a new level of responsibility and a regiment to lead into battle, the ginger turned to the lessons which Shanghai wished to impart; taking into consideration the lives of her men which she prioritized above all. Within the olive canvas of her tent, the hesitant Taisa spent the daybreak hours reviewing the battlefield; placing great emphasis on the geography and layout of troop movements and defences. With the battle about to begin as the Japanese Air Force bombarded the city's industrial sector of Hanyang, the colonel went right into the general's quarters to ask his permission to be sent back in the frontlines; a request which garnered the adoration of the superior whom she later found out to be her father's childhood friend.

It requires a certain type of stupidity for a colonel to fight tooth and nail with its troops . . . But I guess I was the type who couldn't bear sitting down while their men bled out front.

And on the dawn of August the 13th, a month after the battle begun and the anniversary of her baptism of fire; Colonel Kousaka's 20th Regiment ascended the Dabie Mountains found on Wuhan's northeast, taking only a battalion of cavalrymen as a substitute for tanks which could severely hamper their progress through its densely forested peaks and jagged cliffs. While on the hunt for Nationalists within a maze of towering poplars and oak, the demoralized officer was treated to a sight of natural splendour; as the bamboo topped cliffs melded like an endless sea of green, while its limestone bellies reflected the sun's luminescent beam like a wall of glass.

The world is filled with wonders and such, and I bet it will continue to flourish long after we're gone; a quaint reminder that the world doesn't revolve around man.

Then after two weeks of marching near the boundary of Hubei and Anhui, they were able to meet the defences set up by the 77th Army group; and in the battle which ensued on the mist ridden forest, the colonel successfully pulled off her plan of distracting them as her cavalry swerved right into their flank like a pincer's edge. With her unit's morale bolstered by the seemingly insignificant victory, they descended the ranges on the eve of September the 14th; capturing the outlying city of Shang two days later, and Ma on the month that followed. And on October 27, 1938, Wuhan fell under the rays of the rising sun; marking it as the largest battle to be ever fought, as it spanned five provinces and the mobilization of more than a million Nationalist troops against four hundred thousand Japanese. It was a pyrrhic victory for the latter, even if the Chinese lost at least four times more as opposed to the one hundred seventy thousand of the empire's dead. Yet nonetheless, the lady who would someday become one of Yamato's most brilliant generals celebrated this momentous occasion together with her men; grateful that they had survived for another year on the battlefield.

And from that point on, I didn't care wherever they will throw me off; as long as my men are following right behind. Que sera, sera an old saying goes, so whatever comes; will come indeed, and I'll be waiting for it with open arms.

Impressed by the performance given by his friend's daughter, General Okamura gave the ginger a chance to be assigned on Formosa; together with the recommendation to be appointed as a Major General and commander of the 16th kaki heidan, the unit where her career was made. And on October of 1940, with Fumimaro Konoe giving way to Hideki Tojo as Japan's prime minister; he gave the ginger a meritorious promotion to Rikugun Chusa, therefore ensuring that toseiha will have little influence over the southern expeditionary group.

Nobody knew that the dumb koi were capable of achievements which far outshined her contemporaries, yet Honoka proved that with a little bit of patience, perseverance, and dedication; nothing can stand on her way, a fitting tribute to a baker's daughter born on the outskirts of Chiyoda.

"I've come a long way since then, I may have had regrets; but I have to move forward and prepare for perhaps, my final mission."

She then closed her eyes and drank all the goblet's wine, feeling quite refreshed as the bittersweet tang brushed against her throat; and with a satisfied grin, wiped off with a sleeve and reclined to bide her time.

"I wonder if I could ever have kids?" the general wondered as she fixed those lustrous sapphires onto the ceiling fan which precariously spun on its axis. Taking a moment to think about something naughty, she then gave off a hearty burst of chuckles; pursing her lips as she remembered that nobody wants to have an old maid like her as a bride.

"Before, I craved for attention and respect. Now, all I want is someone to at least settle down with."

Letting out a very loud yawn, Honoka stood up and reached for the woollen overcoat hung at a corner; determined to skip breakfast and sleep to continue her duties as a commander.

I'm bored . . . Maybe a stroll by the decks could ease my doubts.

Standing by the mirror with a grimaced visage, she slides the vivid green drab over her tees; then stopped after a succinct glint was caught on the corner of her eye, coming from the cabinet where she displayed all her awards and family photographs. Then like a spectre of a bygone age, Honoka saw her younger self which wore a grey double breasted tunic with its sleeves embroidered with four golden bands; tucked within a white cotton trouser that had a thin red line running at its seam, and were held in place by a leather belt that had the army's star etched at the buckle's face.

Speechless as her eyes became clouded with tears, the general didn't dare to mutter a single word; soliciting a radiant smile from the naïve cadet who then opened its case and took the first medal she had ever received.

"I remember being afraid of the future that the gods had in store for us, embittered by the past we shared and the present where we felt hopeless and such. . . But look at you now, a well loved general who had done great things for our land."

Wrapping an arm around the lass' shoulder, the doppelganger then leaned in and whispered:

"Faito daiyo, those were the words you used to cheer someone up; even if you yourself suffered from a society fond of stereotypes."

And with a quick slip to her chest, Honoka found the blue ribboned medal pinned next to the order of the golden kite; an award reserved only to soldiers who demonstrated bravery and exemplary leadership in the field of battle, and can be distinguished by its light green ribbon bordered with white.

"Yet you never gave up and kept on believing those very same words . . . proving to them once and for all that they could never put a good man down."

With that said, a gust of wind blew across her nape; and in the blink of an eye, the cadet disappeared without a trace. Left without a clue of what just happened, the ginger looked down held the decoration that had most of its gold lacquer scratched due to age.

But, why?

Curious and bewildered at the same time, she turned it over and saw a phrase etched against its faded hind.

'鯉のためにいつか素敵な白鳥になる人。 'Koi no tame ni itsuka sutekina hakuchō ni naru hito.' or for the koi who would someday become a lovely swan.

"Papa . . ." Tears started to fall as Honoka didn't realize that it was there all along; knowing that her patriarch worked part time as an engraver long before he met Homura. For years she bore a grudge against the former marine whom she felt didn't had an inkling of love towards her at all; evidenced by her childhood spent only to train for her destined path, which indivertibly left a myriad of scars upon her tell tale heart.

I knew him as stern and unrelenting like a quartermaster, but this . . . this phrase . . . I can't even . . . And when she was about to sulk, the ginger heard some heavy steps cluttering from behind; by which she turned and saw Nico staring at her with narrowed brows while carrying a plate filled with rice and bowl on the other.

"It sure is early to cry, eh?"

"Oh . . ." Honoka felt rather embarrassed and immediately wiped those harried tears.

"It's alright, there's nothing wrong with that . . . you're just human after all." She deadpanned while setting up her breakfast on the lacquered desk.

With her interest piqued at the corporal whose reputation of being a killing machine was legendary amongst imperial forces, Honoka crossed her arms and watched as the raven took great care at organizing the scattered reports and photographs; arranging it to a stack which she then hid underneath. Impressed by the work Nico had done towards a total stranger, the general settled down and beckoned the lass to sit by her side; never minding the horrid rumours she heard from the frontlines.

Maybe she's misunderstood . . . Just like me.

"What is it?" the corporal inquired as she loosened her collar, by which Honoka narrowed her eyes upon the former's throat which revealed a callous slit which ran from the bottom of her ear; shedding a hint of truth behind the stories spread across her army.

I need to clarify this with Umi . . . there's something really unusual about this girl.

Gossip had always been a soldier's form of entertainment, due to the scarcity of legitimate sources of information like newspapers and transistor radios on the front; sometimes resulting in blatant exaggerations and epic alterations whom she rendered a lot more worthless than dirt. But the ones concerned about the entity called "Himeko" or "Akame" sent chills down her spine, as it told a story of a girl who made a pact with the devil to grant her another shot at life. It had been circulating since her fourth year at Otonoki, but it's only during the pivotal battle of Wuhan where she gave some interest to its authenticity when prisoners spoke of a terror prowling under the light of the full moon; described to bear the mask of a child and the eyes of the devil himself, even giving it the name "riben jiangxi" because it continued on its murderous rampage even if they shot and wounded it several times.

They were the enemy who might've shot at me a while back, but those soulless stares they gave and pale lips which shook as inaudible moans escaped made me feel that they should be protected from the demon at all costs. Maybe this is the reason why we never encountered Nationalists at night ever since Shanghai . . . but whatever the case, I still need to learn more about this certain Corporal who sort of fits the description.

"Nani?"(What) Nico vexed with a twitch on her left eye. Realizing that she had been giving out a malicious glare towards her guest for quite some time; the general tried to act cool by clearing her throat in hopes that the marine would just shrug it off.

"Oye, I'm talking to you." The latter peeved with a deeper voice. Hearing such a stern transition on the girl's childlike tone, Honoka stooped for a bit and tried to think of an excuse; when Nico opened a bottle of whiskey with a quick snap of its cap, chugging it down her throat like it was nothing more than a canteen full of water.

What are you, Nico?

A moment of eerie silence ensued as the lady halved her meal, determined to give a hearty share to the unwanted guest who was now her newfound friend; while the rowdy seaman lets out a satisfied sigh, then faced her host who mused "Here, have some of this" paired with a radiant smile beset upon those sun kissed lips.

"I can't accept that. I cooked it just for you." She retorted with a smug, soliciting a grimace from the general who said "You're my guest, and I can't stand indulging myself on such a hearty meal while you just watch."

"Look, just don't mind me okay?" Nico snarled then crossed her arms, prompting Honoka to eat with a bit of concern riddling the depths of her mind; pertaining to an old friend whose dreamy guise and innocent facade reflected a shattered soul lying within its immaculate husk.

We may be a sea apart, but our souls are forever linked by an ethereal bond. Kotori, I wish you the best. . . And may the gods light your path.

It was all silent on the shores of Kota Bharu, except for the gentle hums of the ocean which brushed against its powdered sands. Nine hours had passed since the first marine set foot upon its hallowed soil, and nine hours ago; everyone else thought that their world will remain in peace and harmony, only to be dashed by a rude awakening from the rays of the rising sun. With each successive thrust onto its white smeared dirt, the sea slowly erased the faint traces of footsteps and tracks created by the loathed machines of man; vying to return it as it is, the day before. Meanwhile, on a tree trunk washed ashore by a storm long ago; a maiden with ashen locks and dark green garb sat with sword rested at her lap, with its woollen cap reflecting a tarnished star lying on a wreath of laurels.

The lady was a guardsman, the cream of the crop of an entire army whose wreathed stars inspire both fear and awe to their enemies; while inspiring courage and fanatical zeal to everyone else who saw their tasselled banner flashing its crimson rays out of defiance. She is Lieutenant General Kotori Minami, supreme commander of the 25th Area Army which bore the moniker "Tomi shudan" or prosperous; assigned to seize the oil reserves of British Malaya and its crown jewel Singapore, which planners viewed to be the symbol of England's sovereignty over the Asian realm. 70,000 strong with full air support from French Indo-China and Vice Admiral Ozawa's formidable 3rd Fleet; it was poised to challenge the might of a monarchy whose numbers were twice as theirs, and with deeper knowledge of its realm. Composed only of seasoned troops which Tomoko personally handpicked from the Kwantung, they were well equipped for the task at hand; together with officers that possessed hell bent dedication and unyielding fanaticism towards their ideals. It seemed that everything had gone well for the daughter of a family whose names soared high within the Imperial court, but it seemed that the lass was distraught and stooped like a tree about to fall; perhaps delving into the depths of worry as the burden of such a monumental task was too much for her to bear. And like her peer who witnessed the horrors of war firsthand, this general whose eyes reflected the dying sun couldn't help but lament the loss of those who were coaxed to fight for their land; leaving those they love to suffer in mere silence, while they bled for a cause only the elites understood all too well.

We live under a clear blue sky, provided by a bounty of food and material wealth; yet all we did was engage in constant bickering which slowly drained our souls of humanity.

Compared to Honoka who was a pauper by birth, Kotori was an aristocrat by lineage; with her roots originating from a daimyo's household which ruled during the sengoku, together with the Sonoda's who served as their closest bodyguards. As a child, Kotori was known to be an honour student who devoted almost the entire day to study; determined to ace all tests no matter what, in order to gain her mother's affection.

Whenever I came home with an incomplete mark on my paper, she would tell me that I didn't pay for them to tutor a worthless little brat . . . and even if I was hurt by those words, she's still my mother; and I love her so much. So I decided to sacrifice a bit of my time with Honoka and Umi just to win her approval and much craved affection.

Then on the year of 1925, when the first snows of winter fell on Tokyo's metropolitan skyline; Kotori received news that her father perished at sea during a storm near the island of Peleliu, dashing her hopes of seeing the man after fifteen years of living a solitary life with her mom. And unlike the ginger who was hardened by years of her father's cruel upbringing, the Minami's sole heiress lived a sheltered life; developing a weak personality that was prone to buckling at the slightest trial, further worsened by her father's untimely demise. Because of this, her manipulative mother took advantage of the girl's inability to decide on her own; giving her a false sense of security from all the pain which may ever come in her life. And even though Kotori knew that she was just being used as a pawn for her mother's ambition, the kid didn't care anymore; and left herself to be controlled by the puppeteer in exchange of love.

Father was devoted to his work as a businessman on the states, so during those years; I only have my mother as my pillar and shield . . . And when he died, that was the time when I appreciated Mother's sweet embrace which filled the void in my heart.

Besides . . . taking off one of her black leather gloves, the general scooped some sand and let it slip through the spaces between her fingers; saddened by the twist of fate which left her emotionally scarred for life.

I was never able to see him in person . . . with only his faded photograph acting as a grim reminder of a family I once had, and will never be.

Faced with a possibility of reverting to her mother's maiden name of Yamashita and leave the Minami's household, Tomoko remarried her uncle; securing their claim to all the man's estate and his accounts, together with her husband's own. Being a former general of the Imperial Army, he urged the lass to enroll in Otonokizaka where her mother worked as a supervisor; by which Kotori obeyed like a meek little lamb, a decision that she will never regret for the rest of her life.

It was first day of class, and we were sitting on a broad circle by the polished floor . . . and what do you know? The moment I saw those familiar hues of blue and orange, the first thing I yelled was Honoka-chan . . . Umi-chan . . . It's me, Kotori~

Then as she was looking at the sands which had spilt on her boots, a peculiar creature surfaced at its midst; making the girl smile as it focused its beady eyes against hers, while strutting sideways, back and forth against her toes. Entertained by such a whimsical denizen of the sands, Kotori decided to forget all her woes for the time being; and picked a silver fountain pen from her coat's waist pocket.

"Anata wa kawaidesu yo!" (You're so cute) She tittered like a tot while poking the crab with it, amused by the way it shielded the foreign object with its greyish claws. But as she spent the time horsing around with a hermit crab, a low toned female voice interrupted the general with a very numb mention of her rank.

"Taisho."

Startled yet determined to keep her composure, Minami returned the implement to its pocket and turned; raising her brows when she saw a girl with vivid orange locks, wearing a tanned coat and black banded peaked cap which was rather familiar for the taupe. Puzzled, the commander stood up and tried to solicit further information from the rude officer; only to be shocked when she saw a black armband wrapped on her right arm, the distinguishing mark of the savage kempeitai.

W-wait . . . I didn't request any of these dogs to join my group!

Steering away from the lady's lilac glare, the general couldn't believe that her mother allowed a cancerous organization within her army; knowing all too well how Tojo used this godforsaken force to quell insurrections within the conquered lands.

You still haven't moved on from your toseiha roots, huh Mother?

Then out of the palm tree's gloomy shade, two more figures dressed in the same regalia appeared; this time, a Colonel with light brown hair and a Sub-Lieutenant with purplish locks.

A regiment of Tojo's lapdogs had arrived, I think I should play along for a while.

"They said it's good to bask under the heat of the summer sun once for a while." The green eyed Taisa then extended her hand for a shake, a gesture which the commander grudgingly accepted with a piercing stare. With their leather gloves screeching from the bitterness which brewed within the lass' heart, the kempei then duly introduced herself with a grin.

"I am Kira Tsubasa, commander of the 13th Division; on the ready to enforce our emperor's will to the heathens."

Emperor? Blasphemy, you never serve anyone except your own interests.

"Kotori Minami, 25th Army group." She responded with a shallow smile, adamant to never let go of the officer unless it decided to pull it out which she did; much to the taupe's utter amusement. Taking a brief moment to feel her knuckles which seemed to be crushed by the general's iron grip, Tsubasa then pursed her lips and looked at the Major who stood close by. Stepping up to take her place, the ginger then placed a hand over her chest and bowed to the superior whom she had disturbed in the first place.

"My apologies for ruining your time to reflect, dear taisho. . ."

There's something with this girl's pitch which brings an eerie chill down my spine.

Surfacing from the gesture of respect, the aide defiantly latched those soulless eyes against the latter's own; giving a glimpse to the sadistic nature of this gal which made her hairs stand on end.

"I am Yuuki Anjuu, head of operations."

Unable to hold her doubts at bay, Kotori scanned the mischievous kempei and found a dead giveaway of her nationality; a gold lapel pin shaped like a snowflake, the symbol of soldiers drawn from the puppet state of Manchukuo.

"What part of Manchuria were you from?" She asked without a hint of fear.

"Jinzhou." Yuuki answered with a slant set upon her lips, then returned in line to let a pale faced subordinate take the roll.

Eyeing the minor officer whose eyes were pretty much hidden on its visor, the general took the pleasure of finding some distinguishing marks on its apparel; and found a lapel pin that resembled a magnolia under springtime's bliss, the endearing insignia of Chōsen or Korea.

Two colonials and a mainlander . . . this is one interesting batch of kempeis I have here.

She then returned and narrowed those amber pair of hers, by which the tall oriental beauty stammered with a timid yet mature tone.

"Erena Todou, chief propagandist."

Leaving out a silent sigh, Erena stepped right beside the Major and tucked her arms behind; prompting the Marshal's daughter to leave them a message on how the soldiers should behave under her command.

"Well, that took quite a while." She mused while fixing her gloves, and with a quick snap of her boot; the trio immediately stood at attention, with the shorter Tsubasa being the main focus of her disgusted stare.

"No one under my jurisdiction shall loot, burn, or kill any non-combatants; and if you are caught, expect quick judgement and being hanged on sight."

With that said, Lt. Todou took a quick gulp; a reflex which Kotori saw as a sign of a submission, unlike the others who kept their draconic stares.

"If you see an enemy raising a white flag, come to their assistance by giving them water, cigarettes, or whatever it is that could alleviate their suffering . . . after all, we're all brothers and sisters living under a clear blue sky; and when this war is over, we will resume our amicable relationships with them."

At the end of the statement, she puckered her lips as it felt rather dry from the heat of the summer sun. And after the moment of taking a re-breather, Kotori resumed on stating her rules to the people whom she didn't realize were the queen of diamonds, clubs, and aces; three of the most trusted henchmen under Hideki Tojo who sent to spy and destroy her reputation.

"I value discipline above all . . . And I know what kind of demonic deeds you and your organization had committed on China and the conquered lands. . ."

Standing closer to the Colonel who didn't budge with her antagonistic stare, General Minami leaned in and spoke with a tinge of anger on her whimsical tone.

"I warn you, Taisa . . . Once I hear reports of summary executions and maltreatment of my prisoners, I will personally take your head."

"Understood." She adamantly replied.

With the orientation done and the clock fast approaching the eleventh hour, Kotori dismissed the trio who then followed her through the jungle with an escort of Imperial guards; perhaps to discuss their course of action against the British and her allies on its makeshift headquarters situated in the village of Orong Solong.

I wonder what's Honoka doing right now? It'd been a while since I've seen her~

"Ittadakimasu!"

The ginger raised her arms and swayed like the innocent lass she was, thankful for the breakfast that was given to her by the grumpy marine who smoked an entire box of cigarettes while she ate; leaving some ashes and flickering embers scattered on its lacquered top.

"Oye, stand down will ya? It's not like I made you a twelve course meal or something~"

"But, my energy is back as it is!" Honoka exclaimed like a hyped up toddler, flexing her muscles which made the corporal smirk for a bit.

"Well, if that's the case . . ." Nico then stood up and gathered leftovers onto its plate, and left the general with a very lively "Good" before she proceeded to the kitchen to wash up. With the faint clutters of the latter's steps reverberating through her quarters; Honoka couldn't fathom how such a thoughtful soul like Corporal Yazawa was being called everyone else an abomination and a murderous psychopath.

But as she wasted her time pondering about the mysteries surrounding her guest, the door cautiously opened up with a creak; and in came a messenger whose sling bag was filled with letters from the mainland. Putting up a bow, he then took one from his pocket and duly presented it to the ginger who was quite perplexed at who could possibly send her a letter at this time of day.

"Taisho." The private meekly muttered without staring straight at those glaring pair of sapphires. Receiving it with a warm smile, the man excused himself by giving the same gesture of respect; then calmly walked away without saying another word.

I doubt if it came from my parents . . . they haven't even given me a reply since I left Korea five years ago.

She then flipped it and was shocked to see the navy's seal which consisted of a cherry blossom sitting right on the middle of an anchor. Ticked by such a sloppy service the courier imparts, Honoka gave out a disgusted look and thought:

If he still continues to relay these letters to the wrong addressees . . . He is so going to lose his job.

But then, being a curious little cat she was; the ginger decided to open it up, but made sure not to rip it off so Umi couldn't notice it at all.

She's not going to find out if nobody tells her~

Taking a letter opener from a drawer, she tediously unwound the adhesives which sealed it shut; and after a minute or so of sticking her tongue as it proved quite a bothersome task, Honoka managed to see its content which seemed to be a letter of transfer complete with accompanying birth certificate.

"Eh?"

I think this is supposed to be confidential . . . Not to mention this is meant only for the Rikusentai's commander.

She then cringed after an image of the furious colonel flashed from the depths of her mind, and when the ginger was about to give up; her eye caught a familiar surname written in reverse, typecast with a prefix "En" for its rank.

So a fresh graduate is going to transfer under Umi's command . . . Interesting.

Lifting it up for a bit, the ginger's azure pairs laid upon a picture of a female cadet whose eyes reflected the vivid gleam of emeralds; together with its name which sent shivers down her spine, due to its striking semblance to the kamisori Taisho whom she so despised.

W-wait . . . So this is~

And when she was about to mention his name, Nico returned with a pair of limes which she tucked neatly on her arms; holding it closer to her chest like a newborn child, soliciting some silent chuckles from the general who hid the letter on her coat's waist pocket.

"Nico, you should've taken all of it." She chimed, grateful that someone finally took interest at emptying her fridge of unwanted reserves.

"Eh? Are you sure about that?" the raven beamed out with a pale shade of pink strewn across her cheeks, earning a nod from the ginger who then supplemented the previous statement with the reason behind her light hearted approval.

"Call me an ingrate, but I tend to distribute it to my men because I hate the way it tastes. . . I guess my body isn't suited for such a fruit that sour."

"Hmm . . . Is that so?" She pondered, by which Honoka replied with a very swift "yes"; prompting Nico to dump it on her pack which cluttered as it was stuffed together with whiskey. Meanwhile, the ginger noticed something sticking out its mouth; an oddly shaped object which resembled a tip of a stuffed toy's ear, evidenced by a radiant tuft of faded pink fur that had some miniscule spatters of red.

It must be her only pillar of comfort for being far away from home.

"Well, I'll be right back." Nico chimed with a smug, before rushing to the kitchen's realm to haggle all the juicy limes she could possibly get.

There are a lot of things I want to clarify with Umi about this marine . . . Especially the place of origin and such, including files pertaining about her past, dental records and the like.

And a few minutes later with the day almost reaching its zenith, Nico surfaced with her arms full of the yellowish and chartreuse fruits which she then tried to stuff into her leather pack; but to no avail as it was already filled to the brim, presenting the lass no other option but to use her netted helm. Thinking that it was her chance to strike a conversation with a newfound friend, Honoka stepped forward and offered a hand to take off the former's tetsukabuto; a notion which the corporal vehemently refused with a very stark and bland "I can manage myself."

Being a stubborn and persistent sort of officer, the ginger grabbed hold of its chin strap and removed its buckle with much ease.

"Hey, I said I can do it alone~"

"No you can't." She sternly digressed, and with a gentle pull of the raven's helm; Honoka was then treated to a sight of scratches and deeply drawn scars on the little girl's nape, a sign that this soldier was a witness to many battles and terrible blows. Terrified by such a pitiable canvas of callous resolve, she took the chance to ask the Yamadon scourge whose head was already hung in bitter shame.

"Nico, can you tell me how long you had served here?"

"Why should I?" She blandly retorts without even staring into the general's eye, a reaction which made the ginger feel a tug of compassion towards the raven's fate.

She's just like me, pushed to do something we never loved in the first place.

Swallowing her pride, Honoka then gave her a succinct tap on her lustrous crown; an act which startled the corporal who glared at her with vivid red orbs.

"What do you think you're doing?" She snarled like a cornered cat that was about to strike back, but instead of being intimidated by her voice; the ginger wrapped her arms around the lost child, causing the latter to drop the citrus buds which scattered all around.

"W-why you . . ."

Closing her eyes, General Kousaka couldn't feel any hint of warmth on Nico's husk; proving once and for all that the one who cooked her meal was in fact the reviled demon of Wuhan.

This girl, she resembled my dear Yukiho the day I left for Korea.

"Let go of me! Damnit!" Pissed and surprised by such a deed uncalled for; she flailed in hopes of being set free from the ginger's grasp, but gave it all up when Honoka leaned in and whispered:

"You remind me of someone I knew."

Sapped of her strength for being subjugated by the girl's strong arms, Nico could do nothing more than turn her head for a bit and ask with a glint of light in the corner of her eye.

"What do you mean?"

Then like a whiff of ill wind, the ginger heard the door closing behind with a spine chilling creak; followed by solemn steps which resembled like a wraith's deafened knocks, making her release the petite footman who sat dumbfounded amidst the scattered fruits. She quivered at the sight of a looming figure standing by the doorway, and when it decided to take another stride; the rays struck its wreathed anchor on its cap, while the light blue tabs flaunted a trio of silver blossoms skewered by thick gray lines.

A kaigun daisa . . . If I could remember . . . Wait a minute, Umi?

"I've been searching far and wide . . . up to the point of crossing through a rope bridge which rocked as I went~"

With a pair of ambers glaring beneath its laurelled visor, the commander of Yokosuka's finest marines struts through its polished floor with knuckles clinched in rage; coupled with cheeks which harboured a vivid shade of red, revealing the gash on her left eye which earned her the army's sobriquet of Onigawara, or ogre.

Fearful of what could possibly happen once the bluenet lost her temper, Honoka tried to distract the walking time bomb by placing her hands over her shoulder while saying: "Hey Umi, I think you should chill out for a bit . . ." by which her aide snapped woke up from anger's destructive trance and stopped dead on her tracks; together with the blush which returned to its pinkish hue as rage was replaced by utter embarrassment. Unable to maintain eye contact with her friend and colleague, Colonel Sonoda tried to explain her side by stammering like a meek little lamb.

"G-gomenasai Kousaka Taisho . . . I-it's, it's just that . . ."

"Oh great, what's the old maid doing here?" The corporal deadpanned while dusting off her trousers, before proceeding to pick up all the citrus loot. Putting up a sigh as she heard the way Nico interacted with one of the most feared swordsmen of the land, the general then averted her gaze towards her aide who was enraged once more from the crass inquiry of its subordinate.

"You little shit! You are going to work on the latrines for the entirety of this campaign!"

"It's better than staying with you on the frontlines." The little girl retorted with a smirk, further agitating the marine which shocked the ginger who knew her as a very calm and composed sort of person.

These guys seriously need a time out.

"I mean it Nico!" Umi then paused for a moment when she saw the rowdy footman pouring the fruits to her helmet.

"W-wait, where the heck are you taking those?"

"I'm sure it's not in your fridge, idiot."

Then with a quick slide of the straps on her shoulder, Nico carried her loot and thanked the ginger for being amicable despite her inherent rudeness.

"Hey Honkey, thanks for letting me stay here for a bit."

"Anytime Nico . . . Please come visit me anytime."

"What the hell did you just call her?"

Ignoring the furious bluenet, Corporal Yazawa went her way with a grin attached underneath her pale visage; grateful for the friendship which Honoka shared without any doubt or question of seniority. Meanwhile, Umi was supremely ticked by the raven's disrespect for authority and was about to bolt out when Honoka held her hand and said with a voice which soothed the hot headed marine.

"Umi, please stay . . . we have a lot of things to discuss."

Meanwhile on the coast of Taiwan, a lone aircraft painted in the darkest shade of green buzzed about on its daily routine; relaying messages between the commander of the 5th Air group and general Kousaka herself. But this time, the lowly F1M2 Biplane would return to Kishin Maru with a precious cargo seated at its rear fuselage; a young officer bound to report on the elite 8th Yokosuka that was headed by one of her father's bitter enemies.

"Sir . . ." the lady exclaimed at the pilot whose face was almost covered by his scarf.

"Yeah?"

Latching her turquoise eyes on his rear view mirror that was hung under its topmost wing, the ensign who possessed those lustrous purple strands lets out an innocent smile and asked:

"Would they accept me even if they already knew who I really am?"

"Only the ogre knows what to do with you, so don't worry milady." He responded with a grin.

Miscellany:

Jisaburo Ozawa is known to his men as Onigawara due to his unearthly height of 6'7, and was considered to be one of the three ugliest Admirals of the navy; together with Chuichi Nagumo . . . (the latter being a wild guess. Lol) and the other admiral which I still need to research on. (Could be Isoroku Yamamoto)

The unit names of the Rikusentai came from the naval districts where they were raised, namely Yokosuka near Tokyo, Sasebo in Nagasaki, Maizuru in Kyoto, and Kure in Hiroshima. . . Not to mention the special regiments found at Shanghai, Ryojun (Port Arthur), Yangtze, Hankow, and Canton.

I guess that's it~