Apart
Disclaimer: I. Own. Nothing. Thanks for reminding me.
A/N: oops…
p.s. VERY-unedited/rushed the story flies by...sorry...
Apart
The weary team didn't even realize that they had arrived at the base. The walked on like zombies on a march, not even bothering to avoid those who were busily running around, attempting to get something done before the large reception was due to begin later that night.
As the main commanding officer stopped and began to drone on and on about bunking, assignments, the duration of their stay, and meetings they were expected to attend, Everything went in through one ear, and out the other. Nobody was in the right sense of mind to be listening to what an old army coot had to say after three long days on car, boat, and then plane. Their location was not disclosed to them, and honestly, no one really cared.
Soon, Haruka's tired little army made their way into their assigned bunks and each unceremoniously dropped onto their beds. All except for Haruka of course, who chose to set her things down slowly, and take a weary seat on the dusty bed she had been given for her stay. The metal creaked as her weight slowly descended upon it.
The only sound that could be heard was the jingling of Haruka's dog tags as she continuously ran both of her hands through her hair. Her mind still guilt stricken about the decision she had made. The greasy and sweaty hair easily molded in whichever direction she weaved it, up, down, left, right, the possibilities were numerous, and seemingly endless.
Tired of thinking, she sighed quietly and left the small portable building and went outside. She was tired. That much she knew. But she also knew that sleep wouldn't come to her. It didn't come to her on the way there, and it most likely wouldn't come to her now. The cool morning breeze greeted her as she continued forward, her steps leaving heavy footprints on the gravel beneath her.
She didn't notice the people walking around her. She didn't notice the guy who she had run into, and was now currently shouting some rather crude words at her, and she didn't notice the woman who was currently making a rude gesture with her one hand, while the other picked up the scattered papers which littered the ground.
That's why she was so startled when she felt the palm of a warm hand on her shoulder. It was a familiar hand. She immediately turned around, only to be met with the melancholy face of her dear captain. Without a word, he walked past her.
Haruka stared at his back for a long while before catching his hint and following him. They continued to walk aimlessly through the base, the hangars, ammunition storage, people, guns, and sweaty recruits invisible to them.
Without stopping or turning back, the captain spoke, "Rather chilly this morning isn't it?"
"Yeah…"
"Hopefully it won't be so bad tonight. Standing outside for a meeting when it's cold will make it that much more unpleasant, don't you agree?"
"Yeah."
"Hmm. How are you feeling?"
"I don't know…how's a heartbroken, car-sick, sea-sick, and jet lagged soldier of America supposed to feel?"
"Depressed." The answer was quick and said in a tone of amusement.
"Well I'm on the right track."
"That's healthy."
"I'm sure it is."
"Not the depression, but the fact that you're still feeling. It's not good to hide emotions you know."
"I suppose not."
The gravel crunched under their boots, and Haruka felt small bumps on her bare arms as the wind blew by, the jingle of her dog tags once again heard. The captain stopped abruptly and turned to face the young soldier. Haruka stopped as well, watching the man closely.
The man watched her equally, as if scrutinizing her. He rubbed his badly shaved goatee in contemplation and turned around once more, beginning his walk again as he did so. Haruka only sighed and continued to follow the odd man known as her captain.
"How are the men holding out?"
"Their tired, but their fine."
"Did you know…if a troop is close enough…their feelings of their leader may pass on to them, no matter where they are, or how long its been since they've seen each other."
"…"
"Like a true team, they share the pain, love, happiness, regret, guilt, or whatever emotion their leader is feeling. Through this, they can truly work together as a team."
The blonde scoffed, "Sounds like something Confucius would have said to me. If soldier spend enough time with soldier, then there is not two soldier, but one." Haruka laughed bitterly at her poor joke.
Instead of laughing, the captain kept on walking, and with a calm tone said, "Exactly."
"Where are you taking me anyways. At this rate, I'll never make it back to the bunk."
"Maybe you don't have to." Was the mysterious reply.
Soon enough, a striped helicopter came into view, and a few men were already present, and ready to fly. Haruka stared at her captain as he walked up to one of the men and spoke with him. They exchanged a few words, and the captain pointed in her direction once or twice. The man speaking to him nodded, a knowing smile on his face.
The captain left the scene after that, leaving a suspicious Haruka, and a still smiling attendant in his wake. After a while, the man walked up to Haruka, his slow smile still in place. He extended a hand toward her and spoke, his shrill voice matching his lanky body, "Carl Griffin. Nice to meet you."
Hesitantly, Haruka took his hand, "Haruka Tenoh. May I ask…wh-…what was the Captain doing talking to you, and why was he pointing to me?"
"Straight to the point I see." The man sighed and re-adjusted his mechanic's cap, "Well, It's simple. I'm the guy who's gonna make you make the biggest decision you will ever have to make…again. Think of it as a second chance. A confirmation."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about a first class ticket straight back to your lovely lady, that's what."
The dog tags jingled.
--
Michiru sighed as she finished with the dishes. Since Haruka left, Hana and Hiro had stayed with her, after much insistence on her part. She dried her hands and made her way to the living room, where Hiro was currently playing with his stuffed animal.
She smiled at the young man and walked over to him, "Hey Hiro, how are you doing?"
"Mmm…sometimes my chest goes Doom Doom! really really hard…but other than that, Akurah and I are fine." He flashed her a grin.
She raised an eyebrow and said, curiosity lingering in her voice, "Akurah?"
"Yep." He hugged the stuffed dinosaur closer to him, giggling happily as he did so.
Michiru smiled at him once more and sat next to him, "Ah, I see, Akurah is the name of your Dinosaur isn't it?"
"Yeah."
"Where'd you come up with that name?"
"Well…since we can't Have Haruka-papa," Michiru visibly winced at hearing the name, "I figured we could have Akurah…"
Michiru failed to see the logic in the boy's words, but all thoughts of oddness disappeared as the thought formed, and a smiled crawled its way onto her lips, "Akurah…Haruka…" She giggled softly at how clever the boy was and began to tickle him.
The two were laughing and giggling on the couch as Hana walked in, a bag of groceries in her hands, "Well I see you two had fun without me." She smiled genuinely.
Michiru raised herself from the couch and helped Hana with the bags. The two women laughed and went into the kitchen. Once they were finished with putting things away, Hana stared worried at Michiru's back as she cut up vegetables for the day's lunch. Noticing that a pair of eyes was watching her, Michiru spoke, her eyes never leaving the task before her, "What is it Hana?"
"Michiru…san…it's not good…"
"What's not good?"
"What you are doing?"
Michiru looked up curiously, "Oh? Am I cutting these wrong? I didn't know there was a specific technique to amateurishly cutting up vegetables for lunch." Michiru smile, though Hana could tell easily that it was fake.
"I miss her too."
The smile immediately dropped as that was said, and Michiru continued cutting in silence.
"You can't keep doing this to yourself." The young girl's voice was but a whisper.
The sound of the knife on the cutting board steadily grew louder, as if the woman was trying to block out her thoughts with the sound of the knife on wood.
"You have to be strong. You can't just keep doing this."
The cutting kept growing louder, until it stopped altogether, and Michiru was sucking on her now bleeding finger. Hana sighed and walked over to the older woman, a wet towel in her hands. The aqua haired woman's lips trembled as Hana treated the 'wound', and Hana just looked at her with melancholy eyes.
Michiru met her gaze, and the two had a staring match, with Michiru slowly, but surely losing. Her vision was beginning to blur with the growth of tears in her eyes, and the ability to hold back her sobs was soon lost as well.
In seemingly one single rush, Michiru broke down, cried, and screamed into Hana's shoulder. She gripped the cloth tightly and wept. She wept as if someone had just torn her heart out and stomped on it. Hey, might as well.
Hana merely held her and rubbed her back as she whispered softly, "Good. Be strong. Cry."
Little Hiro knew all too well what was going on in the other room and was torn between rushing in there and hugging his Michiru-mama and older sister, rather than staying and playing with Akurah and pretending that nothing was happening.
As it turns out, Haruka did rub off on the boy, and his stubborn side was definitely showing. His mind told him to stay and keep out of it, but his compassionate little, and sick heart couldn't take the sobs that were coming out of someone he loved.
He understood the concept of sadness and crying. After all, it was his beloved Haruka-papa who had told him never to make girls cry. With his decision made, he stood up and timidly walked into the kitchen.
He took a few slow steps in as he noticed that the two women were still busy, and soon enough, Michiru caught sight of him. She smiled slowly at him and wiped at her eyes. Wiping her hands on her apron, Michiru knelt down and opened her arms out to the boy who immediately dashed at her.
She picked him up and rubbed his back slowly, "Michiru-mama…"
"Yes?"
"Don't cry. Haruka-papa will be mad at me…"
"Oh? And why is that?" She could feel fresh tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Haruka-papa told me to never make a girl cry…"
"But you didn't make me cry Hiro…you've been perfect…"
"Yeah…but still…" the boy buried himself into Michiru's soft hair and sighed.
Hana smiled at the two and continued with preparing lunch. Michiru set the boy down on the free counter and asked him if he would like to help. Eagerly, he placed Akurah down carefully on the empty space behind him and went straight to his task of setting the table. With a small hop, he was off.
Hana smiled and spoke slowly, "Don't you feel better now?"
Michiru sniffled a little, a forced smile upon her face, "A little…but…after lunch…I'd like to go lay down. Please tell my appointments for today that I won't be able to see them. I don't think anyone has an emergency, just checkups today."
"I'll do that."
Hiro was soon finished with setting the table, and he bounded back to his older sister and self-proclaimed mama beaming, "So…when's the food gonna be ready?"
The two women laughed, "Soon Hiro…Soon."
Michiru looked down at the adorable little boy with curious green eyes. Michiru was startled for a second. She never realized how much the little boy reminded her of Haruka. His now short golden hair, the curious, but determined green eyes, and even the oh so adorable grin he wore. But, instead of making her legs turn into jelly, or her stomach do back flips, it made her want to giggle like a school girl.
God…those two will be the death of me one day…
So…back to that oops I gave you guys at the beginning. See…funny story…(gulp) ok…not so funny…so I won't tell, xD you'd all hate me if I told you…so I won't. It just explains how incredibly lazy I am, and how much of a procrastinator with a short attention span I am. Anyways, This is short, I realize that, but I got my point across. And what's this? Haruka's given a choice? Again?! Oh my, what will she do? Will I take the lazy road down, or will I actually do my work? Find out next time on this story that probably will be left in the dust for a reeaaally long time. xD just kidding, I'll try to be better, but with track and all, it's hard. Blah blah blah, GARGH I need to shut up, so , Author's Notes! Here I go!
P.S. ALL OF YOU NEED TO THANK KNIGHTLIGHT. NOW. Without the late review and reminder, this chapter might not have been out…ever…LOL of course, I have all of you to thank as well, so here goes the thanking and useless blathering!
Starscream – Yeah…(cough cough) can't really say much…can I? I know you'll hate me for how unrealistic this is…but it's okay…I can live with the hate…I'm sorry (runs away)
Dreaded Demon of Night – Somehow…I doubt any sane person would shoot their foot…but I fully agree anyways xD
Knightlight - EY! Thanks! You really reminded me that I need to get on my arse and start writing! Your two reviews really knocked some H/M into my brain xD I am forever grateful. :)
Vanessa Riverton – Thanks, and to answer your question…and probably everybody else who doesn't voice it, I have no idea how many chapters are left! Woot! I'm just gonna keep writing until I get a straight ending in my head…lol get it? Straight ending…lol…ok…I'm gonna shut up now. OH and you have to go update now mkay? Cuz I HAVE GOT to know what happens next in 'Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps'…perhaps…now? Lol good luck! And update when you feel like it, xD
Haruka127 – YES, it is a dance…yes it is a tango…but it is also a song…and actually, I might not write that one because now that I think about it, too much drama and angst already! I want to write a funny fic next! Down with Drama!
Monica1990m – Everyone seems to want me to hurt Haruka so she can't leave…but it's too late, but I've done something else! And there's more to it…more surprises next chapter…shhhhh…xD
Petiyaka – Yes…who knows? I do! :D
Reusch17 – I'm sorry last chapter made you sad…this one probably didn't help any…but I was just trying to get my point across! They miss each other! :( and they aren't doing so well D: it makes me sad…but I love your 'Life' Series :) when I read the first two, and then the first couple chapters of three, I felt really…fuzzy xD so thanks for that
Asakure/Krol-chan – yes…war sux…
Nomi - xD I'm sorry, I seem to have made people terribly depressed with last chapter eh? xD I'm sorry and with all those questions…they will be answered in time ;)
BluexSavior – Hmm…It could've been from the song "Love me when I'm gone" by…err…something or other band xD, Idk, I remember the song, but not the band lol
Haruka's Knight - As much as it pained me, that was the whole point :( I had to make Haruka abandon Michiru…I'm so bad…but maybe not so bad after all…LOL xD thanks for the support
Harucino – lol, thanks! Short and sweet :)
Well that's it guys and gals. I tried getting this out before spring break was over and before I take a trip down to vegas! Woot! :) Enjoy what you can, and hate what you will, I'm happy you even read…but when you review…that's where I die and go to heaven.
Later Days! xD
p.s. WHY DOES THE HORIZONAL RULER NOT WORK N/EMORES??