Chapter Twenty
The War Back Home
Mid April, 1945
It had only been four days since Ami and her team had left the horrors of the war, and the memories of things they'd seen and done were still fresh in their minds.
"I feel so sea sick right now." Rei groaned, as she hung her head over the side of the ship while Miniko supported her.
"You should sit down Rei, Setsuna said your supposed to keep your leg elevated." Miniko reminded as she gently rubbed Reis back.
"I don't think Admiral Chiba would be happy with me puking on the deck of his ship." Rei replied as she threw up.
"I told you I'd get you a bucket. But you said, no Minna, I'll be fine you said, it'll go away you said. I don't know why you're so stubborn." Miniko nagged as Rei stopped throwing up and she carefully helped Rei back to a chair.
"You're not fooling anyone Minna, that stubbornness is my most attractive feature, and you know it." Rei replied with a big grin.
"Hey lieutenant, how are you feeling today ma'am?" Mako asked as she walked up to Rei and Miniko.
"I'm fine corporal other than a little sea sickness, how are you doing?" Rei replied with an emphasis on corporal.
"That still sounds weird to me ma'am, I still can't believe we got promoted. Honestly, it almost feels like a pity promotion on account of what saw in that camp." Mako glumly replied.
"I've never seen anything so fucked up in all my life, and I pray I never do again. How's Ami doing by the way?" Miniko quietly asked as she stared out at the open sea.
"Not well, she can't sleep on account of all her nightmares, she's in constant pain, and to top it all off, I'm pretty sure she's sea sick." Mako sadly informed her teammates.
"Maybe some sunlight will do her some good. Why don't you wait here with Rei while I go get her." Miniko suggested as she started to head below deck.
"Good luck ma'am, you're gonna need it." Mako quietly said as Miniko disappeared through a door on the deck of the ship.
"Ami." Miniko quietly said as she walked into their room. Ami was sitting in a wheelchair facing the wall and didn't respond. "Ami?" Miniko quietly asked as she slowly approached Ami.
"Agh!" Ami yelled and jumped as Miniko gently rested a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry Ami, I didn't mean to scare you. I just thought I'd bring you outside so you could get some fresh air and sunlight, Mako and Rei are waiting for you." Miniko said with a smile. Ami lightly nodded and let Miniko wheel her outside.
"There she is, our favorite little medic. How are you doing today Ami?" Rei asked as Miniko wheeled Ami up next to her.
"I don't know ma'am, I hurt all over, and I'm scared about what mother's gonna say when she sees me. What if she's mad about the things I did?! What if she won't accept me back?! Oh god Rei, I'm so scared!" Ami cried into her hands.
"Shh, it's okay Ami. She'll accept you back, I know she will." Rei quietly said as she held Amis hand.
"How do you know?!" Ami yelled in reply.
"Because she raised you Ami, you're a reflection of her, and if she's even half as caring as you are; she'll accept you back with open arms and the same love she sent you off with." Rei answered with a warm smile.
"You really think so?" Ami quietly asked with a sniffle.
"I know so, and if you don't believe me, then I'm writing you up for a lack of faith in your superior." Rei joked with a light giggle.
"I believe you ma'am." Ami replied with a smile.
"Which part?" Miniko joked.
"Shut up Minna, you shouldn't pick on me, I'm broken." Rei said with a grin.
"You're so right, forgive me you're majesty. Is there anything I can get you my lady?" Miniko sarcastically asked.
"As a matter of fact you can, I would like an ice water please, to help with my sea sickness." Rei said in a jokingly snobby tone.
"As you wish." Miniko replied with a bow as she left to grab an Ice water.
"I'm sure the captains got something up her sleeve." Mako whispered to Ami.
"Yep." Ami quietly replied. Miniko came back with a glass of water and handed it to Rei.
"Here you are your majesty." Miniko said as she handed the water to Rei.
"Thank you Minna, I appreciate it." Rei replied as she took a sip of her water.
"Oops, I almost forgot the ice cubes." Miniko said as she stuffed several ice cubes down the back of Reis shirt.
"AGH! That's cold!" Rei screamed as she jumped up and started hoping around on her one good foot, trying to shake the ice cubes out of her shirt.
"Don't worry Rei, with that hot head of yours they'll melt pretty fast." Miniko laughed.
"You're so mean Minna, you're lucky I only have one good leg, or I might kick your butt." Rei grumbled in response. Ami and Mako felt a little bad, but couldn't help but laugh at Reis expense.
"Sorry Lieutenant, we don't mean to laugh, but you look like a one legged kangaroo! Right Ami?" Mako asked as she continued laughing at Reis expense.
"Ami what's wrong?!" Miniko yelled when she noticed Ami had stopped laughing and began violently coughing. Ami spit out a small puddle of blood in response.
"AMI!" Mako yelled in a panic, as she quickly took Amis hand.
"I'll get Setsuna!" Miniko yelled as she started to runaway.
"It's okay ma'am, Setsuna said this might happen if I get a little worked up. It'll stop soon, I just aggravated that internal injury a bit." Ami replied with an encouraging smile.
"Are you sure Ami?" Mako asked in a worried tone.
"Absolutely, see for yourself." Ami answered as she lifted her shirt just above her stomach.
"If I was bleeding internally, there'd be a large bruise like the first time it happened. But I'm still pretty white down there, right ma'am?" Ami asked with a smile.
"I think you're actually kind of tanned compared to what you normally are." Mako answered with a grin.
"You think so?" Ami asked as she looked at her stomach.
"I'd agree, what do you think Rei?" Miniko asked as she looked at Rei.
"She's definitely a little darker than normal." Rei answered with a grin. Everyone started laughing about the fun they were poking at Ami.
"It sounds like you four are having a good time." Usagi said as she walked up to the small group.
"Ma'am!" All four women simultaneously yelled with a salute.
"At ease everyone, I just wanted to let you all know we'd be pulling into port soon." Usagi informed the group.
"Oh thank goodness, I can't wait to get off this boat." Rei said with a smile.
"I know how you feel ma'am, I'm starting to feel sick as well." Ami said as she slowly wheeled over to the side of the ship.
"You..." Usagi started saying something, but stopped when Ami pulled herself out of chair, hung her head over the side of the ship, and threw up.
"Do you want a bucket like the lieutenant?" Mamoru asked as he walked over to Ami.
"Yes please sir." Ami answered, as she threw up again.
"You can use this sir." Mako said as she gave Mamoru her helmet.
"Thank you Corporal." Mamoru replied as he helped Ami back into her wheelchair and handed her the helmet.
"Thank you sir, you too Mako." Ami quietly said as she threw up a third time.
"I think I have something that might help." Usagi said as she walked away. A few minutes later Usagi returned with a small tray. "Try these corporal, a little bit of rice and some tea, complements of the chef." Usagi said with a smile, as she gently placed the tray into Amis lap.
"Thank you ma'am, I really appreciate this." Ami replied as she slowly began eating some rice.
"Why rice and tea ma'am?" Miniko asked as she watched Ami nibble at her rice and sip her tea.
"Because those foods are proven to help with nausea." Mamoru answered for his wife.
"Hey, why does she get fancy tea and rice for her nausea and I only got ice water?" Rei asked as she looked at Miniko.
"Because her majesty specifically asked for ice water." Miniko answered with an evil grin.
"Would you like some rice as well lieutenant?" Usagi asked in a sweet and compassionate voice.
"No thank you ma'am, I was just teasing my girlfriend, it's my favorite pastime." Rei answered with a smile.
"Are you sure you're okay Ami? That nausea came out of nowhere and I'm a little concerned about it." Mako said as she gently placed her forearm over Amis forehead and checked her temperature.
"I think I'm okay Mako, but thanks for checking on me, you're so sweet to me." Ami replied as she took Makos hand in her own.
"Still, I think it would be best if I took you to the med bay and gave you a quick check up." A woman said as she came up behind Ami.
"Agh! Oh, Setsuna. You startled me ma'am." Ami replied with a smile.
"Sorry about that, and you don't have to call me ma'am, we're the same rank now, remember." Setsuna reminded with a smile, as she placed a hand on Amis shoulder.
"I know ma'am, but after everything you've done for me and taught me, you deserve that kind of respect. Plus just calling you Setsuna or even Ms. Meiou makes me feel a little uncomfortable and rude." Ami replied as she tilted her head back to look up behind her at Setsuna.
"What ever makes you feel comfortable Ami, now let's go get you checked out." Setsuna said in a sweet tone as she began wheeling Ami to the med bay. After a few minutes Setsuna rolled Ami back onto the main deck next to Mako.
"How is everything ma'am?" Mako nervously asked.
"She's fine Mako, nothing to be concerned about, she just needs some rest and time to heal." Setsuna happily answered.
"Glad to hear ma'am, you know I worry about my little blueberry." Mako said as she tousled Amis hair. Ami giggled in response.
"I love it when you do that Mako, it always makes me smile." Ami replied with a sweet little smile.
"LOOK EVERYONE! Look look look!" Miniko began squealing and jumping with joy.
"What is it Captain?!" Mako yelled at Miniko.
"I can see the port! We're home! We're home!" Miniko cheered.
"We're finally home Ami, can you believe it!" Mako yelled with delight.
"I hope mother's waiting for us, I've missed her so much!" Ami yelled.
"I think I see my grandpa!" Rei yelled as she waved to a short elderly man in the crowd. The ship docked in the port and people started exiting the boat before it was even fully tethered down. "GRANDPA!" Rei yelled as Miniko helped her hobble over to her grandfather and hug him.
"I've missed you Rei, what happened to your leg?" Her grandfather asked as he looked at her bandaged leg.
"Damn kraut ran her over with a truck." Miniko answered for Rei.
"Oh my! Are you alright?" Her grandfather asked with concern.
"I'm fine grandpa, I'm much better off than some people." Rei answered as she looked over to Ami who was being wheeled off the boat by Mako.
"Do you know her?" Reis grandfather asked as he watched Mako roll Ami towards them.
"I do. Allow me to introduce you to Ami Mizuno, our teams medic and Makoto Kinno, the toughest soldier I've ever had under me." Rei answered as she pointed each member of her team out.
"Hey, what about me?" Miniko pouted.
"Don't worry Minna, I was saving the best for last." Rei replied as she took Minikos hand in her own. "This young woman is our team leader, Captain Miniko Aino!" Rei introduced Miniko to her grandfather.
"Pleasure to meet you Mr. Hinno sir." Miniko said as she shook Reis grandpas hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, you sure are pretty." Reis grandpa replied with a smile.
"Hey, hands off my woman grandpa!" Rei jokingly yelled, as she wrapped her arm around Miniko and pulled her closer.
"Well I'll be darned! I didn't think you had it in you to find such a gorgeous woman, especially one who would put up with that hot head of yours." Reis grandpa laughed.
"Don't be silly sir, that hot head of hers is her most attractive feature." Miniko said as she gave Rei a kiss on the cheek.
"I'm glad someone thinks so, and what about you two, how'd you like serving under my granddaughter?" Reis grandpa asked as he looked back and forth between Ami and Mako.
"Her and the captain are the best leaders ever, right Ami?" Mako asked as she looked down at Ami.
"What?" Ami replied after a moment.
"You okay Ami, you normally don't space out like that?" Rei asked as she looked at Ami with some concern.
"Sorry ma'am, I was trying to find mother, but I don't see her anywhere." Ami answered with a frown.
"I'm sure she's here somewhere Ami." Mako said with an encouraging smile.
"I hope she..." Ami stopped mid sentence as a car came to a screeching halt on the road across from the dock. A tall blonde exited the car and quickly ran to the passenger side and opened the door.
"This way ma'am." The driver said as they gestured to the dock and a woman stepped out of the car.
"Could it be?" Ami asked in a hopeful voice as the woman turned to face them. "Mother!" Ami yelled as her mother exited the car.
"Haruka!" Mako yelled as the other person closed the door and turned around.
"Ami? Ami!" Saeko yelled as she ran to her daughter. "Oh my god Ami, what happened to you?!" Saeko yelled as she looked at her beaten and broken daughter.
"I'm so sorry mama Mizuno, I was supposed to protect her, but I wasn't there when she needed me and and..." Mako couldn't finish as she collapsed to her knees and cried. "I'm so sorry mama Mizuno, it's all my fault! I let you down!" Mako cried. Saeko quickly kneeled down by Mako and held her in a protective hug.
"Shh, it's okay Mako it's okay. I don't blame you, I know you would never let any harm come to Ami unless it was absolutely impossible for you to prevent it. I love you so much Mako, you could never let me down baby." Saeko cooed as she comforted her adopted daughter.
"See Mako, I told you mother could never hate you." Ami said as she placed a gentle hand on Makos shoulder.
"Oh my god Private, what happened to you?!" Haruka yelled at the sight of Ami.
"It's Corporal now, and we'll tell you later Sergeant." Miniko answered with a grin.
"Yes ma'am." Haruka replied with a salute to Miniko.
"Where's Michiru?" Setsuna asked as she walked up next to everyone.
"She's on her way, she had to pick up some special guests first." Haruka answered with a suspicious grin.
"Who would these special guests be I wonder." Setsuna replied with a grin of her own.
"You'll know right about...now." Haruka said as another car pulled up behind hers and came to a much quieter stop. "Sorry if I'm interrupting ma'am, but we have some guests who would like to see these two as well." Haruka informed Saeko.
"They got here fast." Saeko replied with a smirk.
"They just couldn't wait to see those two amazing girls of yours." Haruka said as two more women came running towards them.
"Ami! Mako!" They both happily yelled as they ran up to each of them.
"Hotaru! Mikasa!" Ami yelled back as she began wheeling over to them.
"What happened to you?!" They simultaneously yelled when they caught sight of Ami.
"It's a long story, we can all talk over lunch. As much as I loved the rice and tea the general gave me, it wasn't a super filling meal." Ami answered with a smile.
"That's Good it wasn't filling, or you probably would've thrown it up." Miniko giggled as she, Rei, and her grandfather walked up to the group.
"Ma'am!" Hotaru yelled as she stood at attention and waited to see what Rei and Miniko would have to say to her.
"Relax corporal, we're not mad at you anymore. Besides, if it wasn't for that incident we wouldn't have had anyone to drive that tank during the operation." Rei said with a smile.
"I still feel guilty about it ma'am, I thank you for your forgiveness ma'am." Hotaru replied as she took a more relaxed stance.
"How about we all go get some lunch everyone, on us!" Haruka yelled.
"We'd love to ma'am!" Ami and her group cheered.
"Then what are we all waiting for, let's get going!" Michiru exclaimed as everyone started getting into their cars.
"There you go Rei." Miniko said as she helped Rei into her grandfathers car.
"Thanks Mina." Rei replied with a light grunt.
"I'll be right back Rei, I'm gonna see if Ami needs any extra help." Miniko said as she ran up to Haruka and Michirus car.
"Up you go corporal." Haruka said as she leaned down to pick Ami up.
"I mean no disrespect when I say this ma'am, but that's my girl you're about to pick up." Mako quickly informed as she walked up to Ami and went to scoop her into her arms.
"Maybe I wanted to pick her up, she is adorable after all." Haruka said with a flirtatious wink.
"I have the upmost respect for you ma'am, but if you try and pick up my little blueberry, there's gonna be hell to pay ma'am." Mako warned in a very authoritative voice.
"Better be careful Ruka, that kitten grew some fangs during her time away." Michiru laughed.
"Yeah she did, and her tongue's laced with venom." Haruka replied with a laugh.
"Come here Ami." Mako said as she carefully picked Ami up and carried her to the car.
"Everything alright over here?" Miniko asked as she approached the group.
"We're good ma'am, thank you for asking." Mako answered as she placed Ami in the car and got in next to her.
"Alright, should we just follow you guys then?" Miniko asked Haruka.
"Yeah, we'll lead the way." Haruka replied as she put Amis wheelchair in the trunk and waited for Saeko to get in the car.
"Alright, see you in a bit." Miniko said as she ran back to Reis grandfathers car.
"Alright! Let's punch it!" Haruka yelled as she hopped in the drivers seat and started the engine.
"Don't even think about it Haruka, we have precious and fragile cargo back there." Michiru scolded as she looked at the three women in the back seat.
"You never let me have any fun Michi." Haruka whined as she began carefully driving towards the restaurant they were going to eat at.
"Not with such precious and irreplaceable cargo in the back." Michiru said with a smile, as she glanced in the mirror at the others in the back. After a few minutes the car came to a gentle stop in the parking lot of a small diner. "We're here everyone." Michiru said with enthusiasm.
"The crown? I don't remember this place being here before." Mako replied as she looked at the small diner.
"It's only been here for about a month, but they have good food and a not to bad looking waiter. Motoki I think his name was." Saeko informed with a wink.
"He sounds nice, but I'm sure he's nowhere near as good looking as my Mako." Ami replied with a big grin.
"Aww! Thanks Ami." Mako said as she gave Ami a gentle hug.
"Look at that hunk in the window!" Miniko yelled as her and the others parked next Harukas car.
"Seriously Mina, I'm right here!" Rei grumped.
"Relax Rei, you'll always be my number one. Plus you gotta admit, he's not half bad looking." Miniko said as she patted Rei on the shoulder.
"I suppose I should give credit where it's due, he is pretty handsome." Rei replied with a smile. Everyone started getting out of their cars and slowly made their way inside.
"Welcome to the Crown, how many members are in your party?" Motoki asked as the large group made their way inside.
"Let's see here. One, two, three, eleven if I counted right." Haruka answered.
"Please follow me everyone." Motoki instructed as he lead everyone to a large booth in the back of the restaurant.
"Thank you sir." Everyone said as they all began climbing into the booth.
"Do you wanna sit with us Ami or stay in your chair?" Miniko asked as she sat down next to Rei.
"I'm okay in my chair ma'am, thank you for asking though." Ami answered.
"Let's look at the menu shall we." Hotaru said as she passed out some menus from the table.
"I've got some more here for you all as well." Motoki informed as he came back with an arm full of menus.
"Thank you sir." Ami said as she took the menus and passed them out to the people who didn't have one. After about an hour the food had been ordered and delivered to the table, and everyone was happily eating and talking.
"So which one of you got the most kills out there?" Haruka asked, quickly receiving a not so light slap upside the head from Michiru.
"That's not an appropriate question Haruka, especially during a meal." Michiru scolded.
"I didn't mind, I'm curious too, isn't anyone else?" Reis grandfather asked as he took a bite of his burger.
"You really wanna know grandpa?" Rei asked in a surprised tone.
"Yeah, I wanna know how many you got before they broke my poor granddaughter." Reis grandfather replied.
"More than I could count." Rei quietly replied.
"What about your teammates, I bet Ami didn't have to many kills, she's to sweet to do that." Reis grandfather said with a laugh, everything went silent as they waited to see how Ami would respond.
"I had more than I'd like to remember sir." Ami quietly replied as her hands began to shake.
"Ami?" Mako quietly asked as she placed a gentle hand on Amis arm.
"I'm okay Mako, I'm okay." Ami answered as she took Makos hand.
"You don't have to if you don't want to, but talking might help you guys feel better." Setsuna encouraged.
"I don't even know where to start ma'am." Ami replied with a nervous breath.
"We'll start at the beginning Ami." Mako said as she squeezed Amis hand.
"Okay. Our first mission was to storm a beach front on Normandy, it was terrifying. They were shooting at us with MG42s before we even reached the beach, the first thing I saw when the door of the landing craft dropped was the head of the man in front of me explode." Ami cried as Mako comforted her.
"I told her to move or she'd end up just like him, I grabbed her hand and ran her to the sea wall. We blew it up and everything's kind of fuzzy after that, it all happened so fast and so violently." Mako quietly finished explaining.
"That's awful! That was the first thing that happened to you guys!" Saeko gasped in horror.
"Yes ma'am." Miniko quietly replied.
"I don't even know if I want to know the rest." Saeko said in a shocked tone.
"Should we stop ma'am?" Rei quietly asked.
"Not unless you guys want to." Saeko answered.
"Then we'll keep going ma'am." Miniko said as they continued telling their stories to everyone.
"Jesus Ami, how many times did you die?" Setsuna quietly asked.
"Legally? Two, once when we helped Bella secure the train and once from internal bleeding." Ami quietly answered.
"Even Mako died once?" Saeko asked in a shocked tone. "Yes, on Christmas Day actually, I heard my parents tell me to go back when I saw the light." Mako quietly answered.
"I'm so sorry Mako, but I'm so happy you came home." Saeko said with a smile and a few tears.
"I'm glad I came home to mama Mizuno." Mako replied as she hugged Saeko.
"So what happened after the battle on Christmas?" Mikasa asked, not caring who answered.
"We crossed one of the last bridges across the Rhine and pushed deeper into Germany, we where ambushed by a sniper who damn near took my head off." Miniko answered with a frown.
"I grabbed Minna and dragged her to cover while Ami ran into a building to try and get a clear shot of the bastard." Rei continued.
"I climbed the stairs, lined up my sights and killed him." Ami explained.
"Then we hear the most terrifying sound, a freaking mortar round comes out of no where and levels the building Ami's in. I thought I lost her when I saw that building come down." Mako said with a frown.
"Next thing we knew we were being thrown off a truck and forced onto a train to a POW camp, we didn't even know if Ami was alive or not." Rei continued the story.
"I wouldn't have been if it hadn't been for a kind civilian named Anna. She brought me back to her house and took care of me until I was somewhat well enough to search for the others." Ami replied to Reis last comment.
"Here we all are in this camp for three days, and on the third day this soldier grabs me, drags me into a random room, and my first instinct is to kill them. So I grabbed the soldier and started strangling the life out of them, and instead of fighting back, they throw their hat on the ground. The soldier turns out to be Ami in a kraut uniform, I felt so bad and so relieved at the same time." Mako said with a laugh.
"How'd you get an enemy uniform?" Haruka asked with an intrigued look.
"Two of them came into Annas house looking for enemies of the state were his exact words. So I hid in a closet and waited till one of them got close, then I slammed the door into his head, stabbed him a few times, and threw my knife into the other guys eye. Then I put on one of their uniforms and infiltrated the camp." Ami quietly answered.
"Where'd you guys go after you escaped?" Michiru asked. "Back to Annas for a day or two so Ami could recover a little. Then we started randomly walking down the road until we found a dirt trail that broke off from the main road." Mako answered with a shiver.
"Where'd the trail go?" Mikasa asked.
"We'd rather not talk about that, if that's okay with everyone." Miniko quietly answered with obvious fear in her voice. Mikasa nodded in response.
"Where did you guys go after that?" Reis grandfather asked.
"We started walking away from the nightmare we found at the end of the trail, Mako had to carry Ami because she was savagely beaten by a soldier at the camp, but after a while it became obvious something was wrong with her." Rei answered her grandfather with a frown.
"Her head slumped over my shoulder and her arms dropped to her side, she wouldn't answer any of us when we tried to talk to her. Turned out she had been bleeding internally and was starting to go into hemorrhagic shock, thankfully there was a doctor with us who was able to perform an emergency surgery to save her life." Mako continued explaining.
"Where were the rest of you when Ami was at that camp getting beat up?" Saeko asked in a slightly upset tone.
"Due to some of the horrific sights at the camp, Rei went into shock, leaving only Miniko and I to go after the prisoners who were being marched down a trail. Before you ask why we didn't just carry Ami and Rei along with us, it was because there was a civilian child at the camp who needed medical attention. So Ami stayed to take care of her while we went to hopefully find some other survivors." Mako answered.
"Why was there a civilian at a POW camp, and what could have made someone as tuff as Rei go into shock?" Haruka asked in a surprised tone.
"I'd rather not talk about that Haruka, or anything more about that nightmare place." Rei answered as she started to cry.
"I think we've asked enough questions for today everyone, let's all get some ice cream and talk about something else." Saeko suggested as she watched Rei cry into Minikos chest.
"Agreed, they need a break. Hey Mr. what is your name again?!" Haruka yelled to their waiter.
"His name's Motoki Haruka." Michiru answered with a playful roll of her eyes.
"Right, thanks Michi. Can we get a desert menu please Mr. Motoki?" Haruka asked.
"Right away ma'am." Motoki replied as he turned around, accidentally knocking a large tray to the ground as he did. The tray hit the ground with a loud bang.
"Son of bitch!" Miniko screamed as she grabbed Rei and flipped the table on its side.
"Find cover!" Mako yelled as she grabbed Ami and jumped behind the bar counter.
"Someone get eyes on that sniper!" Rei yelled from behind the flipped table. Everyone in the restaurant stared at the young women like they'd gone insane.
"What are you people doing?!" Motoki yelled at the four women as he looked at the flipped table.
"Sir we need you to step back please and let us handle this." Haruka ordered as she carefully approached the counter Ami and Mako were behind, while Michiru stayed by Rei and Miniko.
"Haruka, what are you doing?! Get your head down ma'am!" Mako yelled at Haruka.
"It's okay Mako, it's okay. You're all safe, there're no more snipers, no more ambushes or explosions. Nothing here is gonna hurt any of you, you're both safe." Haruka quietly spoke as she went behind the counter and knelt down by Ami and Mako. Makos eyes began to fill with tears as she stared at Haruka.
"Haruka!" Mako cried, as Haruka gently wrapped her arms around Ami and Mako.
"It's okay girls, you're both safe, I'm here. How are those two doing Michiru?" Haruka asked from behind the counter.
"It's okay, nothing's gonna happen to you two, we're here, you're both safe. I've got you girls, I've got you." Michiru quietly cooed as she held Rei and Miniko.
"They'll be okay Haruka, how are they doing over there?" Michiru asked in reply.
"They're calming down, I think everything's gonna be okay." Haruka replied as she continued to hold Ami and Mako.
"Can somebody please tell me what just happened?! As well as how blondie flipped my table like that, which by the way, was bolted to the floor!" Motoki yelled in anger.
"These four women just returned home from the war, and that tray you knocked off the counter sounded like a gunshot when it hit the floor, which sent them all into a panic. As for how the captain flipped your table, it could have been the adrenaline burst gave her a strength boost or the workers screwed you with cheap bolts." Setsuna answered.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you all, I didn't know you just got back from the war. I just thought you all went crazy or something." Motoki apologized with a bit of guilt for yelling like he had.
"It's okay sir, I'm sorry I broke your table by the way. I'll pay to have it fixed for you." Miniko quietly apologized as she slowly stood up.
"Don't worry about it ma'am, it probably just needs to be re-bolted and glued, It'll be fine. Are you all okay?" Motoki asked as he looked down by his feet at Ami and Mako.
"No." Miniko quietly answered as she fell to her knees and cried. "I'm a terrible leader! I bring my team home and half of them are physically broken, one of whom was beat to hell, all four of our brains are beyond fucked up! I let my whole team down, I failed to protect them, now they have to pay the price for my bad judgment calls!" Miniko yelled as she continued to cry.
"Don't say that Mina, none of this is your fault." Rei cried as she crawled over to Miniko.
"Not my fault?! Look at your leg Rei, you got hit by a truck because I didn't react fast enough! Ami got the hell beat out of her because I left both you and her defenseless in that camp!" Miniko screamed at Rei.
"I got hit by that truck because I chose to push you out of the way, it had nothing to do with how fast you did or did not react Mina. That was my choice Mina, and if I had to do it over again, I would do the exact same thing without even thinking about it. Do you want to know why?" Rei asked somewhat angrily.
"Why?!" Miniko bit back.
"Because I love you, and I know you would've done the same for me had our positions been reversed." Rei answered much quieter and sweeter than her last response.
"I love you too Rei!" Miniko yelled as she grabbed Rei and hugged her with all her strength.
"Don't blame yourself for what happened to Ami either, if anything, it's my fault that happened to her." Rei said as she continued holding Miniko.
"It wasn't you fault what happened to me ma'am, you were in shock. All that matters is we all made it home alive, which is more than I can say for others." Ami quietly replied.
"Amis right, we're all together, and that's all that matters." Mako quietly said as she took Ami in her arms and stood up from behind the counter. "We're sorry again about all the commotion sir, we'll do what we have to in order to repay you for the damage." Mako said as she walked over to her group and set Ami in her wheelchair.
"Don't worry about it, like I said, it probably just needs to be re-bolted and glued. I have to admit that was pretty awesome though; the way you flipped that table over like it was nothing, despite the fact it was bolted to the ground." Motoki laughed.
"Thanks." Miniko replied as she helped Rei off the floor and sat her in the booth.
"You sure you're all okay?" Michiru asked in a sweet and gentle tone.
"I think so ma'am, but I just wanna go home." Ami answered with a few tears.
"It's okay baby, we'll go home now." Saeko said as she hugged Ami and Mako. Everyone hugged each other goodbye and started to get into their cars to go back to their houses.
"Where do you live Minna, I just realized that your parents never showed up." Rei said as Miniko and her grandpa helped her into the car.
"They don't wanna see me Rei, they practically threw me out. The last time I had leave I tried to visit them, and it turned out they sold the house and moved. They never sent me any letters or even told me where they were, they could be dead for all I know." Miniko sadly answered.
"I'm so sorry Mina, but don't worry. We're gonna get you home, wether you like it or not." Rei replied with a smile.
"I told you Rei, I don't even know where home is anymore." Miniko glumly replied.
"You may not know, but grandpa and I do." Rei said with a wink.
"You mean..." Miniko trailed off in a hopeful tone.
"That's right Mina, you're home is our home. Right grandpa?" Rei asked with a smile.
"It sure is, anyone who's tuff enough to put up with my granddaughter is more than welcome to live with us!" Reis grandfather yelled from the front seat.
"Oh thank you! Thank you so much Mr. Hinno, I love you!" Miniko yelled as she hugged Reis grandpa.
"Please Miniko, you're family now. Just call me grandpa." Reis grandfather said with a big grin.
"Okay grandpa." Miniko replied with a smile.
"Now let's go home girls." Reis grandfather said as he started to drive away.
"Wait a minute!" Ami yelled at the slowly departing car. The car came to a stop and Ami wheeled over to one of the back windows.
"Everything okay Ami?" Rei asked.
"I just realized that none of us ever exchanged phone numbers or anything, but I wanna stay in touch with everyone." Ami answered with a smile.
"How could we all be so careless, thank goodness we have you, our little genius to keep us all connected." Rei replied with a grin as she wrote a number down on a napkin from the restaurant.
"Thank you ma'am, what about your number captain?" Ami asked with a smile. Rei and Miniko smiled at each other.
"That is my number corporal, my new home number." Miniko answered as she leaned her head on Rei's shoulder.
"What about yours and Makos?" Rei asked.
"Here ma'am, we're both at the same number as well." Ami answered as she handed Rei a piece of paper with her home phone number on it.
"Thanks corporal, now you go get some rest. That's an order." Rei said with a smile.
"Gladly ma'am." Ami replied as she wheeled back over by Mako and her mother.
"Alright! Let's go grandpa!" Miniko cheered as she pointed her finger forward.
"Yes ma'am!" Grandpa Hinno yelled as he drove off towards home.
"You get their number?" Mako asked as Ami wheeled up next to her and Saeko.
"Yep, now let's go home Mako, I'm exhausted." Ami answered as she closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair.
"Sounds like a plan, up you go." Mako said as she gently picked Ami up and carefully set her in the back seat.
"You girls ready?" Saeko asked as she got in the drivers seat and started the car.
"Yes." Ami and Mako replied in unison. Saeko pulled out of the parking lot and drove back home in silence, occasionally looking in the rear view mirror to find that both her girls had fallen asleep.
"We're home girls." Saeko quietly said as she turned off the car.
"Thank you mama." Mako quietly answered in her sleep. Saeko smiled at her girls and got out off the car.
'I don't wanna wake them up, but I don't think I'll be able to carry Mako.' Saeko thought to herself. Then she got an Idea as she remembered Amis wheelchair. She got out of the car, picked Ami up without waking her, and brought her inside. Then she came back out, got Amis wheelchair and placed it outside the door on Makos side. "Okay sweetie, let's get you to bed." Saeko quietly said as she somewhat dragged Mako into Amis wheelchair without waking her. Saeko rolled Mako into the house and used all her strength to move Mako from the chair to the couch. 'Wow, that girl is all muscle. She weighs a ton.' Saeko thought to herself as she sat next to the couch in Amis wheelchair.
"Mako." Ami quietly mumbled in her sleep as she curled around Mako.
"Ami." Mako mumbled in reply as she curled around Ami.
"Good night girls. I'm so glad you're back home." Saeko whispered as she kissed each of them goodnight and went upstairs to bed. Everyone had been sleeping soundly for a few hours until someone let out a blood curdling scream. "Ami!" Saeko yelled as she ran down stairs to see what had happened. When Saeko arrived in the living room she found Ami clinging to Mako like her life depended on never letting go.
"She's okay mama Mizuno, it was just a dream. A really bad dream." Mako quietly explained as she held Ami and gently rocked her.
"Oh baby." Saeko whispered as she sat down next to Ami and Mako.
"Mama." Ami quietly cried as Mako handed Ami over to her mother.
"It's okay, mama's here sweetie, I've got you." Saeko cooed as she held Ami and continued rocking her. "Are you okay Mako?" Saeko asked as she looked up at Mako.
"I think so." Mako quietly answered as she took Amis hand and lightly held it.
"Come on, let's get you two upstairs to bed. You'll get a neck and back ache on this couch." Saeko said as she stood up and began carrying Ami up the stairs.
"Okay mama Mizuno." Mako replied as she followed Saeko up the stairs. Saeko carefully carried Ami into her bedroom and gently laid her on the bed.
"There you go sweetie, now I'm right down the hall if you need me. Good night baby, I love you." Saeko quietly said as she gave Ami a kiss goodnight and waited for Mako to get in bed next to Ami. Mako crawled into bed next to Ami and pulled the covers over both of them. "Goodnight Mako, I love you. See you two in the morning, and remember, if either of you need anything, I'm right down the hall; just yell for me." Saeko instructed as she gave Mako a kiss goodnight.
"I love you too mama Mizuno, we'll holler if we need anything." Mako replied as she gave Saeko a hug.
"Goodnight girls." Saeko said as she turned off the light and left the room.
"Goodnight Ami." Mako whispered as she gently pulled Ami close to her.
"Goodnight Mako." Ami whispered back as she tried to fall back asleep.
"You're still awake?" Miniko asked as she walked into one of the rooms at Reis grandfathers house.
"I couldn't sleep, sorry if I woke you Mina." Rei quietly answered.
"It's okay. What are doing in here, all by yourself with this huge fire place?" Miniko quietly asked as she sat down next to Rei.
"Praying, repenting, I don't really know. I just couldn't sleep." Rei quietly answered.
"Is it helping?" Miniko asked as she scooted a little closer to Rei.
"Not really, I could spend the rest of my life trying to make up for the things I did out there, and never come close to repaying the debt I owe for my actions." Rei sadly answered.
"I know it's hard Rei, but if we hadn't done the things we did, we probably wouldn't have made it home." Miniko said as she gently pulled Rei into her lap. "How's your leg Rei?" Miniko asked as she gently stroked her fingers through Reis hair.
"It hurts." Rei answered as she moved her leg a little.
"Do you want a pill or anything?" Miniko asked.
"Yes please." Rei answered as she shifted herself out of Minikos lap.
"I'll be right back." Miniko quietly said, as she gave Rei a quick kiss and went to go get a bottle of pills from a cabinet.
"Here Rei." Miniko said as she handed the bottle of pills and a glass of water to Rei.
"Thanks Mina, do you remember how many I'm supposed to take?" Rei asked as she opened the bottle.
"I don't, but I know someone who does." Miniko answered as she picked up the phone.
'Now it's my turn to get to bed, I get the feeling the girls won't sleep long.' Saeko thought to herself as she was about to get back into bed, but she stopped when she heard the phone ring.
"Who the heck could be calling at almost midnight?" Saeko said to herself as she went downstairs to answer the phone. "Hello. May I ask who this is?" Saeko asked the person on the other end of the line.
"Hi Dr. Mizuno, it's Miniko, you're daughters team captain." Miniko quietly spoke into the phone.
"Miniko, it's nice to hear from you, is everything okay?" Saeko asked in response.
"Yeah, Reis just in some pain. We got some pills on the way home that should help, but the pharmacist didn't really specify how many she was supposed to take." Miniko quietly answered.
"What kind of pills are they?" Saeko asked as she sat down at her kitchen table.
"Tramadol?" Miniko questioned as she tried to pronounce the weird name on the bottle.
"How much does she weigh?" Saeko asked in reply.
"How much do you weigh Rei?" Miniko asked as she cupped her hand over the mouth piece of the phone.
"A little over a hundred pounds, a hundred and ten at the most." Rei quietly replied.
"She weighs somewhere between a hundred and hundred and ten pounds." Miniko quietly answered into the phone.
"Have her take one for now, if she doesn't start to feel better in a few hours then give her another one. If you remember to, please write down how long it was between each pill if she does end up needing a second one." Saeko instructed.
"Yes ma'am and thank you for your help Dr. Mizuno, we're sorry again for waking you." Miniko said with a light yawn.
"You didn't wake me, I hadn't even gotten into bed when you..." Saeko stopped talking when someone screamed upstairs.
"Is everything okay Dr. Mizuno?!" Miniko yelled into the phone, having heard the scream on her end of the line.
"I think someone had another nightmare, I've gotta go!" Saeko quickly answered as she hung up the phone and ran up the stairs.
"AMI!" Saeko yelled as she barged into the bedroom.
"Not this time mother." Ami quietly answered as she held Mako in her arms.
"Mako." Saeko quietly said as she sat next to Mako on the bed and put an arm around her.
"There so disappointed in me." Mako cried into Saekos shoulder.
"Who's disappointed in you Mako?" Saeko quietly asked as she cuddled Mako.
"Mama and papa." Mako quietly cried.
"Why would you think that?" Saeko asked as she pulled Mako a little closer to her.
"Because they told me in my dream, they said they raised me to be stronger than this, and that I failed to protect Ami; and what's worse is that they're right! I couldn't protect her, now she's beaten, broken, and traumatized; and it's all my fault! I'm so sorry Ami, I'm sorry mama and papa, I'm sorry mama Mizuno! I failed all of you!" Mako yelled and cried.
"Stop that right now Mako! You never failed any of us, you should know none of us would think that for a second! I never knew your parents, but I know they would never say that about you. Those weren't your parents, those were just your own fears manifesting themselves into a form that would cause you the most pain. None of it's true though Mako, you didn't fail me." Ami said as she gently wiped the tears from Makos cheeks.
"I didn't?" Mako quietly asked as she looked into Amis eyes.
"No Mako, you protected me like my own personal angel. You carried me through hell, sometimes literally, and you were willing to show mercy to the people you hated more than anyone or anything, just to give me some piece of mind. You couldn't fail me if you tried." Ami quietly answered as she held Mako in a loving hug.
"Thank you Ami, thank you so much!" Mako cried into Amis shoulder.
"Now turn around, I have a surprise for you." Ami instructed with a smile.
"Okay." Mako replied with a sniffle.
"Do you remember that conversation we had at the end of the battle on hill 493?" Ami asked as she scooted up behind Mako.
"I vaguely recall it." Mako replied.
"Well, I'm about to jog your memory." Ami whispered as she began to pull Makos shirt up.
"Well, I should probably get back to bed, see you two in the morning." Saeko quickly said as she stumbled out of the room.
"Good night mother." Ami said as she pulled Makos shirt off.
"I can't believe you still remember after all these months." Mako said with a giggle as she felt Amis hand gently glide across her back.
"I told you I'd give you a massage when we got back, and I don't break my promises." Ami whispered as she gently began to massage Makos neck and work her way down to her back.
"I love you Ami." Mako said with a content sigh as Ami continued gently massaging Makos aching muscles.
"I love you too Mako." Ami quietly replied as she gave Mako a kiss in the center of her back.
"When do you want your turn?" Mako asked with a small grin.
"In a little while, but I'm having too much fun right now." Ami giggled.
"Me too Ami, me too." Mako sighed back.