Alright Chapter 10. Forgive the 1-2 week periods it takes before I can update but I get busy, I vow though that no matter how long it take I will finish this story! I haven't forgotten it. On with the show!

Chapter 10 – Star Of Shibusen!

Black Star snuggled deeper into his blanket, trying his hardest to disappear into the hunter green fabric. He was vaguely aware of the loud blaring of the 5AM wake up call. He paid no heed too the sudden sounds of rustling clothes and the tired grunts of his comrades in the surrounding bunks.

A few minutes seemed to pass and he'd begun too lull back into slumber. When a hand gently shook his shoulder.

"Get up Black Star." He tried too slap the hand away and pulled the blanket tighter over his head.

"Get your ass out of that bed!" A loud growling voice pierced the barrier of his blanket. A large, rough hand started to shake his shoulder. Black Star groaned.

"Go away, Soul." he grumbled. The hand disappeared, but a second later his blanket was whipped off with a quick snap.

"Get up now!" Soul roared from the ladder at the end of the bunk.

"GAH!" Black Star screamed rolling off the bunk and hitting the concrete floor.'Thump'Soul simply grinned as he hopped off the ladder, throwing the blanket in his hands back onto the top bunk.

"You fuckin' suck'" Black Star rasped, getting too his feet too get dressed.

"I don't enjoy being your alarm clock. You should be glad I come and get you every morning, I need too get back and help Liz serve breakfast." Soul drawled watching as Black Star wrestled with his pants. Black Star waved him off.

"Yea yea, go. Save me something good, lunch lady." Black Star smirked at him. Soul sneered and flipped him off as he jogged out of the barracks and back to the mess hall.

Black Star hobbled into his boots and shirt, he flipped open the lid of his footlocker and pulled out the shiny black leather holster his parents had given him at his graduation and synched it around his waist, holstering his gun after making sure the safety was on.

He yawned, arms behind his head as strolled out of the barracks toward the noisy mess hall. He stopped in front of the doors and cracked his knuckles. It was time to start the day.

With a wide grin he burst through the mess hall doors. "The Great Black Star has arrived!"

Black Star woofed down his breakfast. Almost swallowing his spoon. Twice.

He glanced back over too the line and spotted Soul, Talking too Colonel Albarn. He seemed to talk to her a lot, where as he had really only had one personal encounter with her, and that had been while she was chewing him out for the accident on the mountain. He shrugged too himself, a big smile on his face. It wasn't his fault such a puny mountain couldn't handle the weight of his greatness!

He watched wordlessly as Soul gave a shaky smile as he talked too there CO, Liz watching stealthily with a small smirk.

What was going on there? He didn't have time to contemplate it though at the alarm sounded over head telling everyone still in the hall that breakfast was over and it was time too get going. Jumping up Black Star threw his tray onto the pile and dashed out of the hall toward the edge of camp.

Kidd, accompanied by Ragnarok and most of the others in the arms group were there waiting when he got there. Kidd nodded too him, looking wearily at him.

"Don't worry Lieutenant Colonel, the great me is here, so now we can start!" Kidd frowned suppressing the urge too roll his eyes. It was the same thing every morning. Ragnarok grunted his annoyance.

"Dully noted, Star, but I think we'll wait for the others as well." Black Star snorted indignantly. Who did these punks think they were, keeping him waiting?

Only a minute later after a few others had joined them did Kidd begin.

"OK, everyone, we're not going to be shooting today. 88 laps around the field."

"88?" Black Star shouted. Kidd nodded. "88 is a perfectly symmetrical number." He smiled dreamily. Black Star stared slack jawed at the officer. "GO."

Kidd and Ragnarok watched silently as everyone sped past them to begin there laps around the field. Black Star rushed out too the front, determined too not let anyone finish a single lap before him.

It took over four hours for everyone to complete the run. Everyone was panting and guzzling water as they collapsed back at there starting point. After about half an hour and everyone had regained there breath Kidd spoke up.

"Moving on, today were gonna be assembling and disassembling these." Kidd held up a standard army rifle. Everyone watched with tired, drooping eyes.

"The objective is to know your weapon; you'll be competing for the fastest time your gun is assembled correctly. Once you finish, yell 'done'. Everyone but you will then run one lap around the field." Kidd nodded too the field behind them. Everyone stiffed there groans and cry's.

"While everyone except you runs I will inspect your gun, if it is incorrect you will run 3 laps while the rest of us watch." His hard gold eyes roamed over the assembled soldiers. "We will disassemble the rifles and do it again, and again, until the lot of you know every spring, pin and latch in this gun, understood?"

A chorus of:"Sir Yes sir!"answered him. Everyone lined up in front of a pile of parts, they were supposed too turn into a rifle, there legs screaming, but they had been studying for this.

"Alright, begin." Ragnarok hit the button on the stop watch and the clock began to tick.

Black Star scrambled, eyes racing over the parts in front of him. He grabbed up the handle and quickly began latching on pieces and slipping pens through holes.

"Done!" Black Stars head shot up at the call too his left. A nerdy looking man with big glasses. "Ox Ford." Black Star glared.

"Get running you maggots!" Ragnarok roared at them and everyone dropped the guns they had been working and set off, slowly. Black Star scowled as he raced too the front of the pack, watching Kidd look over Ox's rifle. He nodded too Ragnarok who took the clip board out from under his arm and marked something.

Everyone stopped when they were back too there spots, again huffing. "Alright, now finish putting them together, this won't be timed, but you will be timed on your ability too disassemble them." Once they were done Kidd nodded. "Go." Black Star rushed to pull pins out and unscrew the barrel. His hands raced.

Just a few pieces from complete disassemble Ox yelled again. "Done." Kidd nodded and everyone took off again. Black Star snarled.

No one was going too out do him!

They got back and Kidd gave a quick nod. Again parts were moving in a flash. Hands a blur and his brain barely registering. One more piece, he went too grab it when again Ox called out. Without a thought Black Star took off running, gnashing his teeth as he did his lap, legs crying out and his fury burning.

He wouldn't let that nerdy four eyed bastard take this from him! Guns were all he had. It was the only talent he really had to speak of. He couldn't play an instrument like the two Evans brothers he had grown up with, he wasn't smart, and he wasn't really well liked like they were, but he could do something the two of them couldn't. He could shoot.

Stopping at his gun he screwed on the last piece and waited for everyone else. He looked over and Ox met his gaze, and then gave a haughty smirk. Black Star in turn snarled.

After another minute everyone was ready and Kidd gave sharp nod. Black Stars hands flew over his gun, the pieces practically falling apart in his hands. He slammed down the last piece. "Done!"

Ox's head whipped up too look at him. He frowned and took off after the rest as Kidd inspected his work.

"Very good, Star" He nodded too Ragnarok who jotted on the clip board. Black Star puffed his chest out with a triumphant grin. As the rest of them came back around and finished taking there guns apart Black Star flexed his fingers, ready.

"GO." He screwed and slammed pieces together, leaving small cuts and bruises from the force. "Done!" He held the completed rifle in his hand. Kidd looked it over as the others ran. "12 seconds, impressive, Star." He commented almost offhandedly, but Black Star could tell he was impressed.

Everyone was back in place. "Alright, one more time for the day." Black Star glared down at the rifle.

"GO!" His hands were a blur as the gun fell apart in his hands. Almost there.

"Done!" Black Star suppressed a snarl as Ox slammed down the last piece of his rifle. Fists clenched he took off with everyone else. They quickly made there way around. When they got back however Ox was looking dejectedly at the ground. Kidd held up the rifle, the trigger still attached when it shouldn't be.

Kidd cocked his head toward the track and Ox took off running. Black Star watched with a smirk as Ox ran three laps around the huge field. "Alright, were done for the day." Ragnarok told them shooing the others back toward camp.

"Star." Black Star looked up at Kidd who stood over him, hands behind his back.

"Go see the Major; you have some deep cuts on your palms there." Black Star looked down, his palms were oozing blood.

"Something like this is nothing for the great me!" He grinned, chest stuck out. Kidd just glared and Black Star took the hint, heading too the infirmary.

He peaked through the infirmary doors. Tsubaki stood with her back too him, looking at something in a jar. He grinned as he snuck across the infirmary until he was standing right behind her.

"Hey Tsubaki!" She screamed, whipping around, the jar flung into the air. A quick hand reached out and grabbed it. Black Star handed it back too her, a huge grin plastered on his face. She sighed in relief, and then smiled.

"Good evening, Black Star. I thought you would have been here earlier." Black Star smiled sheepishly.

"Yea, well, we weren't actually shooting today so..." He held up his bloody hands. She nodded for him too sit down. "Your usual chair is open." She patted a stool next to the counter. Black Star plopped himself onto his chair as Tsubaki pulled bandages and rubbing alcohol out of one of the cabinets.

He held his palms out and Tsubaki started cleaning them. "You need too be more careful Black Star." He shrugged. "It's not a big deal." Tsubaki sighed. "You're going too get really hurt one day if you aren't more careful, Black Star." She finished wrapping his hands and stood back too look at him.

He hopped off the stool, his now mended hands on his hips, and smiled. "Yea, but so what? If that happens I know you'll fix me right up like always, right Tsubaki?" pink dusted her cheeks and she gave a quick nod, a small smile on her face.

He gave a small wave as he started for the door. "Black Star?" He regarded her over his shoulder. "Did you hear the announcement this morning about the Armed forces annual Ball?" He stood and thought.

"Yea, I think so. There bussing everyone over too Vegas for it right?" She nodded. "Yes, it's an annual fundraiser event. Soldiers and there spouses get in for free, others can buy tickets and all the proceeds benefit us as well as the navy and air-force."

"What about it?" He cocked his head curiously. "Oh, well, I'm going, and was just wondering...if you were going...is all. It's not mandatory but we get the chance too be off base, go out too eat and just have a good time." He thought about it before shrugging.

"I guess I could grace all those people with my amazing presence!" He grinned. Pointing to himself with his thumb. She smiled. With that he gave a lazy wave before leaving the infirmary with a last shout.

"See you tomorrow!" Tsubaki cradled her forehead in her hand. What in the world was she going to do with that one? He wondered with a small giggle.

Dinner would be served soon, he could go bug Soul for a little bit and sit down. His legs were burning, though it didn't show on his face, he knew if he stopped walking he may not be able to start again.

He walked slowly too the mess hall. He waltzed inside. It was quiet and empty save for the trays stacked up next too the counter where the food was served.

"HEY SOUL!"He bellowed.

A loud metal crash came from behind the double doors that lead too the kitchen. The door burst open and Liz stood there scowling.

"What the hell do you want, Star?" Before he could answer Soul came out of the back. "I got it Liz." She nodded, disappearing back from where she came.

"What do ya want Black Star?" He asked, slinging a towel over his shoulder. Black Star shrugged.

"Done for the day, just thought I'd come see what's up with you. The barracks are empty." Soul scratched the back of his head.

"Alright, you can sit with us while we cook, I guess." He looked over his shoulder for Liz. She would be less then thrilled. "Yahoo!" Black Star cheered.

Soul glared. "One more crack about lunch ladies and I'll fling another ladle of something boiling in your face like last week!" He growled. Black Star held his hands up in defence, trying to look innocent. Soul just shrugged his head toward the kitchen.

Pushing through the double doors Liz looked up from the stove with a frown. Before she could say anything Soul beat her too it.

"He's just gonna hang with us for a while till dinner. Liz looked skeptical but nodded. "Alright, but don't touch anything." She warned with a glare. Black Star smiled. She and Soul went back to there cooking while Black Star looked around curiously. It didn't take long for him to get bored.

An industrial sized mixing bowl filled with white gooey liquid inside caught his attention. The big red Start button seemed to be gleaming.

"What do you guys use this for?"

Soul and Liz looked up just as his finger pressed the button.

"NO!"

"STOP!"

Black Star set the mop down, finally. The entire mess had been cleaned off the walls, floor and the kitchens two officers, who stood watching him irritably. Liz pointed too the door. "Go sit in the hall, Star." She growled.

He was about to protest when Soul sent a scathing look his way that had the soldier scurrying for the door.

Liz looked up at the clock. "Guess we'll just have to break out the MRE's for tonight." She sighed. Walking out of the kitchen. "Better go tell the Colonel." She groaned.

Black Star yawned as he and Soul made there way back to the barracks after dinner, which everyone had complained about, and Black Star had received another week of toilet cleaning for from the Colonel. "She's such a ball-buster." Black Star griped. Soul narrowed his eyes at his friend.

"If you didn't do stupid shit like that she wouldn't always be jumping down your throat." Soul snorted.

"Hey Soul?" Black Star asked. He received a grunt in response. "What's with you and the Colonel?" Soul immediately halted.

"I don't know what you're talking about..." He mumbled. Black Star looked at him curiously.

"Sure you do, your always talking too her, I heard she's your partner in hand too hand training and she nice to you." He listed things off on his fingers.

"She's our CO, She's teaching me, I ask her questions and don't do dumb shit like ruin the camps dinner, that's it." Soul insisted. Black Star didn't look convinced.

"Yeah but..." Soul cut him off. "That's it." They stared at each other for several moments. Black Stars for once serious face scrutinizing Souls. Then he shrugged. "If you say so." He shrugged resuming there walk to the barracks.

Making it too there bunks Black Star climbed the ladder groggily. He leaned over too peer at Soul who was getting comfortable. He reached under his mattress and pulled out an envelope.

"Whatcha got there, Soul?" He yawned. Soul grunted.

"Letter from Wes, came this morning, I haven't had a chance too read it yet." He pulled a package out from under his bed and handed it too Black Star. "Here I picked up your mail as well. Black Star grinned, tearing it open. Inside were two metal tins and a letter. He unfolded the letter and read aloud.

"Dear son,

Was baking the other day and I thought you and Soul might enjoy these, I know the food isn't that great."

"Hey!" Soul huffed. Feeling indignant for both him and Liz who wasn't there to be insulted. Black Star smirked at him then kept reading.

"Hope you enjoy the cookies,

Love, mom."

Black Star smiled handing Soul one of tins. He nodded setting it in his footlocker. Making a mental note too send a thanks you letter too Nygus.

"Read yours." Black Star bounced around excitedly as he stuffed some cookies into his mouth

Soul grumbled pulling a crisp folded piece of paper out of its envelope.

Black Star watched as Soul read. "So? What's he say?"

Soul glanced up before reading the letter out loud.

"Soul,

Congratulations on your promotion, I'm very proud of you. I wish I could have been there too see you graduate, but mother and father were adamant that I go away with them that weekend, and I couldn't get away.

Things are still very tense around here. Father becomes furious if you name is so much as mentioned. Mother on the other hand seems quite distraught.

I'm sure I won't be in there good graces for much longer either, I have something important too tell you, and I will when I see you. Stay well and see you soon.

Your brother,

Wes."

Soul stared stupidly at the letter.

"What do you think he meant by 'See you soon.'?" Black Star wondered aloud, still munching on his treats.

Soul wasn't sure exactly what his brother meant, but if he knew Wesley it was going to happen when he least expected it.

There we go. A slight detour detailing Black Stars army days, but the story didn't stop moving forward, if you'd be so kind as too turn your attention too the end of this chapter, but also the ball Tsubaki mentioned. Two very important parts of the plot.

Anyway I hope you enjoyed chapter 10! ~Malthazar LOS