Yuuri didn't know what compelled him to make the decision he did. All he truly knew is that he was in a military style truck, being transported from his safe haven right back to front lines.
He was terrified for a lack of a better word. He did not know when or if he would ever see his family or Viktor ever again. Hell, he would even settle for Yuri. The teenager didn't truly hate him. If he did, Yuuri would've been taken away much sooner. Yuuri just wanted to see a familiar face.
Yuuri had always deemed himself mentally prepared for this situation, but now that it was there, he didn't know what to do. He loved Viktor and the reality of leaving him was painful. He wished he could wrap Viktor tightly in his arms, give him a kiss and tell him that everything was going to be okay. All he had managed to do before he left was write a short and rushed letter telling his lover how much he cared about him and that he would try his best to see him again.
When he arrived at the temporary camp, he saw a small group of other punitive soldiers. There were only about eight and they were all saluting outside of the old tent that looked more like a tarp on some sticks more than anything. Yuuri didn't find it odd that they were saluting. He figured it was respect or death, and he'd choose respect if that were him.
Yuuri allowed himself to be brought out of the truck without a struggle. He wanted to better his chances of survival and fighting them wouldn't help him in achieving that. He was told to stand in front of the line as the Commander, who was thankfully not the one who had taken him away, told them what was happening. Yuuri caught his name tag before it was out of view, but he couldn't make out what it said. He still couldn't read Russian.
"Listen up, you've got a new one coming in. He's Japanese," the Commander said sternly. He saw the soldier with an old and tattered uniform's eye twitch. His uniform was American and Yuuri bit back a groan. The Americans hated the Japanese and Yuuri wasn't too fond of the Americans either.
"You will take him into your measly group," The Commander continued. "He's your problem now. He's an abandoned Superior Private with what seems like little combat experience."
After that, the Commander left and Yuuri was alone with soldiers whom he didn't know and didn't trust. He squirmed a little as he watched the soldiers divide into their own groups and begin talking. He had no clue what to do. He took a gulp of air in and walked over to where the American from earlier was sitting with what looked like an Italian.
"Uh, where do you want me to go?" Yuuri asked shyly. The American groaned, getting up from his seat, saying things in a mix of different languages, making it so that Yuuri couldn't understand. He is certain he heard a few slurs that he knew were said so that he could hear them though. Maybe Americans truly were dogs with no care for how they treated others. That is what the posters and leaflets in his hometown said after all.
"Sorry about Leo. He's been on-edge for a while now. He's honestly a lot nicer usually." The Italian soldier said. "My name's Michele, what about you?"
"Oh, I'm Yuuri." Yuuri replied. Michele laughed softly, but didn't seem to be mocking him.
"A shy one, hm? Don't worry, we'll all get used to each other eventually. Anyways, there's a spot over there for you. We don't have enough supplies for you at the moment, but you can just take my coat for now." Michele said. Yuuri nodded, heading over to the spot he was directed to.
Night fell quickly and just before everyone was about to settle down, a blonde man in what looked like an old German uniform stood in the middle of the group.
"Okay, since we have an unexpected member joining us," the man started. Yuuri looked down. "We'll be heading to a nearby village to see what we can get ahold of for supplies. So, get some rest."
"You look ashamed of something." Yuuri heard a voice next to him say. He looked up and saw that Michele was sitting next to him. He offered Yuuri a flask and Yuuri, who was nervous and just wanted to forget that he was there at all, took it, swallowing a mouthful before handing it back. It was whiskey, bitter but effective.
"I guess I feel like extra baggage." Yuuri confided.
"All of us probably feel that way, don't worry. Emil didn't mean to shame you, he's way nicer than Leo, even when Leo isn't being an asshole. He used to be Commander before all of this, so he's used to saying things bluntly." Michele explained, taking a sip from the flask.
The alcohol was shared between the two of them until it was gone. Yuuri didn't really feel tipsy, he just felt warm. He still couldn't sleep. He had been hoping the alcohol would help. He just kept thinking about how much he missed Viktor. Yuuri was thinking of worst case scenarios again. This was bad for him and he knew it.
He slid out of the tent sometime in the night, ignoring the soldier left on guard but almost going back in once he saw Leo there. He didn't want to confront the other, especially not after the events earlier that day. But, despite all of this, he still went up there with a mix of defiance and liquid courage in his gut. He sat down next to the American silently, and Leo barely spared him a glance before going back to his cigarette.
"So, you were deserted, huh?" Leo spoke up. He blew smoke out of his mouth gently as he said it. Yuuri nodded, humming just a little.
"I ran away. I was scared and couldn't just suck it up long enough to at least wait for death to come for me. I was just forced back into it anyways." Leo mumbled, putting the cigarette in his mouth again.
"Well, of course you were scared. We all are. It's war, there's nothing we can learn to expect." Yuuri said, trying to sympathise with the other. Leo just scoffed.
"I don't need your wisdom. In fact, you're the last person I need it from." Leo grumbled. Yuuri felt anger start to seep into him when he heard that.
"Then why did you say anything?" Yuuri questioned, trying to keep his tone from sounding too angry, although he was.
"You're right. I don't know why I said anything to you of all people." Leo said, inhaling deeply before sighing. "Just stay out of my way."
Leo stubbed out his cigarette and headed back inside the tent. Yuuri exhaled heavily, leaning his head onto his knees. He couldn't figure out why Leo had disliked him so much. He had barely even begun talking to the man. He had never given him any reason to hate him that he knew of.
This was nothing like his his relationship with Yuri, which was more teenage moodiness than anything. Yuri was fifteen when Yuuri first became a part of the picture. He was bound to act the way he did, especially considering his short temper.
Yuuri started to think about Viktor as time dragged on. He missed him so badly that it felt like he was being stabbed in the heart a million times. He would settle for losing a few limbs if it meant he could see Viktor again.
Yuuri eventually felt tiredness creep up on him. He imagined that he was giving Viktor a goodnight kiss and whispered a single phrase, trying to articulate how much he loved the man before crawling back into the tent.
The next morning came too quickly for what Yuuri had gotten used to in the past few months. Still, he got a up without a single complaint. Complaining would get him nowhere. He just gathered up his share of cargo and began walking.
After what was certainly too short of an amount of time, Yuuri's legs began to ache. He didn't walk anymore. He kept going, definitely, but that didn't mean he had to enjoy it. Yuuri just kept his lips closed and his eyes ahead.
The sun quickly rose to the top of the sky, beating down on the group with unbearable heat. The weather was certainly warmer than when Yuuri had first arrived in Russia. It would've been nicer with a breeze or maybe to not have at least thirty pounds of supplies on his back. He envied the few on the sidelines of the group, holding only a small pack and a rifle. Yuuri doubted that there was anything dangerous near them or anyone that would consider them a target to attack. But, then again, Yuuri was never good with guns to
begin with.
The sun had begun to sink down by the time they made it to their destination. There was a large field surrounding a village, full of tall grass and a few trees here and there. The grass provided at least a little coverage for them. More trees would've been ideal, but none of them wanted to keep trekking, not even Emil, who had been enthusiastic about moving spots.
"Well, here it is. Set up camp." Emil said, pulling his own pack off. The rest of the soldiers pulled their own packs off, huffing once the weight was finally lifted for the first time the entire day.
"I'll ask people for supplies and see what happens." A soldier announced. He looked Russian, so Yuuri assumed that he was. The soldier set off towards the village as the rest of them continued setting everything up.
Leo continued with glaring at Yuuri and staying away from him whenever possible. Yuuri was irked by his behaviour, but what else could he honestly expect from him. Many in Japan, including Yuuri's own father, had said that Americans were rude and from what Yuuri could tell from Leo and the few American soldiers that visited the inn when the war first began, he was in no place to argue against that. They were loud, arrogant and rude.
He did, however, wish that Leo would give him a chance. They were all in this together, whether they liked it or not. It was best to befriend everyone he could. If they couldn't suck it up and get along, they would be dead.
The Russian soldier that had gone to the town came back not long after the sun had finally dropped behind the hills. He carried a few small bags and single blanket. Yuuri assumed that they would use the new blanket as a tarp. As far as he was concerned, cold skin was less important than reliable shelter.
"I was able to get enough food to last us all a few days and this blanket." He turned to Yuuri. "Here, new kid, take it. If we're going to make you fight with us, we might as well help you out first."
Yuuri graciously accepted the blanket, holding it in his lap once a fire was lit and they were handing food around. The Russian soldier from before settled down beside him, holding two shares and giving one to Yuuri.
"My name's Semenov, what about you?" He asked. Yuuri figured he'd want his last name, since he had probably given his last name. He just decided to say both because of his uncertainty.
"Yuuri Katsuki." Yuuri said simply. Semenov nodded.
"Katsuki it is then." He concluded, starting to eat. Yuuri did the same, not realising how hungry he was until the cold and slightly hard bread was bitten into. He tried to eat it slowly, but ended up taking bigger bites than he had planned. He couldn't totally blame himself, though. He hadn't eaten since the morning prior.
All of the food they had acquired was dry and could be carried as they travelled more. Yuuri was sure that this wasn't the best place and that they would probably try to look for a more wooded area the next morning, but not go on a full expedition as they had that day.
After that, most of the group settled down to sleep, aside from Semenov, who was put on guard duty outside. Yuuri was tired and aching, so he gladly curled up in his blanket, beginning to drift to sleep with ease.
Yuuri knew that this was only the beginning of a long and harsh servitude, and it was the most daunting thing he had ever encountered.
There it is! Yuuri's first day as a punitive soldier! Ft. Leo being an asshole. Also, this is where Yuuri becomes a little less innocent and his period-typical attitude comes in and he starts being a lil bit racist. But fear not, he is not a bad person as I'm sure most of you know.
Leo is being an b-hole right now but I'll let you draw your own conclusions about him as the story continues.
Hope you enjoyed and thank you for reading!
-MidnightQuestant