Muv Luv: Provenance

The rhythmic beat of a heart monitor welcomed Takeru as his body stirred from a long slumber. It took longer than usual for him to lift his eyelids, which were heavy from disuse. The lights blinded him and forced his eyes shut again. When he tried to lift his body up, he felt surprisingly heavy.

His muscles screamed at him to rest as he struggled to rise. Over his chest, he could feel wires and other equipment he recognized as commonplace for hospital patients. What had happened to him? From the way his body felt, it was like he had not moved in years.

After a few minutes of jostling about on the bed, he decided to try a new tactic. Takeru felt around for the seat adjustment and quickly found purchase. It was an impressive feat considering his eyes still refused to adjust to the light. A low hum signaled the start of motors in the bed and his chest began to slowly elevate.

Laying here is really pissing me off.

Apart from not remembering how he came to be in a hospital, Takeru had no idea what date it was. Was he still dreaming of another world? The lack of memory and his apparent bodily weakness frustrated him to no end.

Determined to see what was in the room, Takeru opened his eyes. They quickly began to water up as pain assaulted his irises, but he soldiered on. As he thought, his body was laying on a hospital bed. Near his bedside was an array of equipment used to monitor a patient's health. There were more than a few extra tubes running into him, which he found confusing for a moment, until he looked at his bare arm.

It looked closer to the bone beneath in shape, fragile and thin. How long had he been cooped up in the hospital? A shot of adrenaline ran through his heart as he began to contemplate just what terrible thing had happened to him.

That must have meant he had been unconscious for a while. A coma? The thought was baffling and more than a little frightening to contemplate. He never thought something like that could happen to him.

That was all the more reason for him to find out where he was and what the hell was going on. The memories were slowly trickling back to him that, some time in the past, he had traveled to a world very different from his own. Yuuko and the others were there, but rather than be civilians, they were soldiers and scientists. How long had it been since he had been there with them? The memories of that time were fleeting, and he struggled to grab onto something concrete.

Then, a single word flashed through his mind like lightning. It sent a chill down his spine as a tide of emotions followed the memory.

Alternative V...

The plan that led to humanity's destruction; the escape of a few humans into the stars while the rest remained behind to die. He could feel the desperation, frustration, and hatred that had taken over his mind when he first heard of it. What role he played and how he had survived, or if he was even still in that world: he did not know.

"Ghe..." Takeru struggled to move, escape from that prison.

His mind felt restless, attached to such a foreign body. He could feel his hair hugging the low part of his neck, unkempt from time passed. The weakness he felt was unfitting of the soldier he had turned into. The instinct and stubbornness from Instructor Jinguuji's training remained as his mind raced for a way to escape.

With great effort, he was able to pull his legs over the edge of the bed. It was as if they were more than just asleep; it was like he had to remember how to use them all over again. To steady himself, Takeru grabbed his IV stand. To minimize the damage, he ripped out wires he did not need that still adorned his chest and arm. The steady beat of the monitor went dead and shifted into one monotone sound.

Good thing this has wheels, otherwise I wouldn't be going anywhere.

Takeru almost fell over when he shifted his weight onto the metal pole, but somehow he remained standing. The curtains that surrounded his bed prevented him from seeing the rest of the white tiled room, but he could tell he was alone.

A military hospital was rarely quiet unless a person were given a priority suite, though he found it odd. Considering the usual occupancy limits of a hospital, he wondered why someone like him in a coma would be given such an accommodation. They could have shifted him anywhere, but he was given the best service available? Another mystery to find the answer to, he supposed.

The curtains were edged out of the way to reveal he was indeed alone. Next to the exit that presumably led out into the rest of the hospital was another door he figured led to a private bathroom. Again, odd to give a coma patient such a furnishing when it would be wasted.

Whatever, I need to find a calendar or something.

When he considered the very different setting to what he was used to, he was somewhat apprehensive to seek out a nurse or doctor. First, he wanted to have some idea of where he was, and who he was. It was possible he was in a new loop or time period. Hell, the entire thing could have been setup by Yuuko as some sort of wild experiment in his old world.

The knot that was tightening in his stomach reminded him that none of that was particularly likely. The answer was probably a lot simpler, and uglier.

Takeru looked around to see if there was anything useful or indicative of what was going on. There did not appear to be any kind of the usual items found around a coma patient's bed. From the dramas he remembered watching, family and friends often left flowers and cards as a way to tell the person they still remembered. Apparently, no one cared enough to leave him any of that.

Well, there might be a good explanation for it.

If he really had been out of commission for a while, like his body suggested, then the people who had been attending him might have stopped coming. If it happened in dramas, he had reason to believe it could happen to him. After all, his life had been anything but ordinary.

The entire room itself was quite bare, but he figured that was common enough for a military hospital. Functionality came before aesthetics, after all. Then again, what proof was there he was a member of the military? Considering his condition, it was impossible to prove whether he had the body of a soldier previous to being interned there.

The only way to find out was to leave the room, since there was nothing of use there. Despite his situation, anxiety crept into his stomach at the thought of leaving that quiet sanctuary. What would he find on the opposite end of that door? Would it be just like his house after he left it in the previous world; wrecked and abandoned? How would he survive if he left the safety of that place in his condition?

I'm not going to just stand around and be weak anymore. I need answers, dammit.

Takeru heaved a sigh as he literally pushed against his body to reach the door. It was like climbing a mountain with only the muscles in your head: basically, it did not work. Without a clock to look at, he had no idea of the passage of time or how long it took him to reach the opposite end of the room, but it felt like an eternity.

With a shaky hand, he grasped the handle and pulled with all his strength. The door barely creaked an inch open, but Takeru refused to give up so easily. With a bit of work, he was able to wedge a wheel from the IV stand in the door frame, to prevent it from closing. Now with leverage, he worked the door open to the point he could squeeze through.

On the other side, he looked around to realize that the hospital was still functional and did not appear to be abandoned. Though there were no staff in plain sight, he could hear the faint echoes of conversations, clicks of shoes on the marble floor. As if moving around was not hard enough, the lights were even brighter out there than they were in his room and he struggled to keep his eyelids open. He spotted the nurse's station for the wing not far down the hall and decided it was the best place to go for information.

Getting there, he must have stumbled and paused more than a few times. Still no staff in sight, he was slightly worried. It was possible there was high traffic, but he could tell that particular wing was different than the others. All the rooms appeared to be private suites similar to his, which meant the floor was most likely for higher ranked officers, or even VIPs. If that were true, he had been expecting the staff to be more available.

The desk was kept relatively clean and nothing seemed particularly out of the ordinary. If anything, it was sparse in comparison to the usual decorations he remembered from the last hospital he visited in the old world. It only brought more credibility to his theory.

Jackpot!

On the wall, Takeru spotted a very generic calendar that was already flipped open to a certain month. Many red x's symbolized the days that had passed, but he struggled to read the numbers. From his distance, he could tell they were close to the end of the month, but which one and what day he could not say. It was decided he had to get closer, and so he began to make his way into the back.

Unfortunately, luck was not on his side as the IV stand got stuck on a wall edge and tripped him over. Takeru fell to the ground, just barely saving his face from pain by landing on his elbows. The pain was almost unbearable as his nerves lit on fire; his mouth let loose a silent scream as he struggled to steady himself on all fours.

Not..not yet. I can't stop now.

Ignoring the pain the best he could, Takeru picked himself up and used the wall as a guide and handhold. The thought of being so close to that information was enough fuel to push him forward. Closing the distance, he could start to make out the blurs into numbers and characters. His eyes focused on the current date, unmarked by red ink.

He could not help but gasp out loud at the revelation.

It was back to October 22nd, 2001. Had he really gone into another loop? What happened to him previous to that? Why did he not wake up in his room again? The thoughts made his head spin as Takeru struggled to try and keep up with himself.

An exclamation from behind made him quickly turn around. A female nurse had returned to her station and had found him on the floor, cut and bruised from the fall. His lack of decent clothing did not help the awkwardness Takeru felt as he returned her startled gaze with one of his own.

"Oh my goodness, Shirogane-sama! What are you doing out of-, this is a miracle!" He was stunned into inaction with her choice in dialogue.

Shirogane-sama? This must be a dream, right? Who would humor me that much?

"Please, we need to get you back to bed. Oh dear, the doctors need to see you. We have been waiting for so long; the Shogun has been waiting. I am sure she will be so pleased!"

The nurse knelt down and brought his arm around her shoulder. She must have figured if he had gotten that far, he could make it back to his room. Though he would have liked to do just that, his legs had lost all of their strength after the fall.

Luckily, the doctor in question seemed to pop around the corner at just the right moment. An older gentleman, he nonetheless paid Takeru the same respect as the nurse in how he addressed him. The two of them quickly got him back into bed and began to hook up the wires to his chest and arms. Complete with a new IV, it was almost as if he had not left the room after they finished tucking him in.

"Shirogane-sama, forgive our excitement. It is just that we had begun to fear you would not awaken. It has been so long..." The doctor said, shaking with barely masked glee.

Nearby, the nurse readied him a glass of water. Perfect timing, considering he had just realized how dry his throat was when he went to respond. She helped him take a long drink, refreshing his vocal chords with a cold gush of liquid.

After a moment, he finally came up with something to say. More specifically, he had something to ask.

"Doctor...what happened to me?"

The excitement faded from their faces as their fears seemed to be realized. He still had no memories of the events prior to him being placed in the hospital, nor of how he came to restart the loop. The sooner he found out, the sooner he could work on finding Yuuko-sensei. She would have the rest of the answers he needed, like always.

"Ah, it seems your memory has been taken as well," the doctor scribbled something onto his clipboard, the one that was attached to Takeru's bed. "With luck, it will return over time. For now though, perhaps it is best to start at the beginning. You will have to forgive me, but I'm not actually a part of the military, so I have only minor details of the events that brought you here."

The nurse offered Takeru another drink which he took without pause. Their kindness was not lost on him, and so he was more than understanding. If anything, he just wanted to have just the smallest idea of what was going on.

"Please doctor, I want to know."

With an affirmative hum, the doctor took a moment to recollect the details. When he looked again to Takeru, his face was grim.

"You should know that you have been here for almost two years. It was shortly after the offensive in 1999 that you were a part of..." The doctor's voice began to trail off as Takeru's mind glazed over.

Two..two years? What the hell?!

That did not make any sense. If it was the same world as before, he as a person had not existed until October 22nd, 2001. Well, that was not entirely true. If he remembered correctly, Tsukuyomi had said something about him being dead.

A flash of the woman appeared in his head; her aquamarine hair contrasted heavily with her red overcoat and black gloves. Even with her hostility she showed him before, he wished she was there to snap some sense into him.

So, if he was really alive two years ago, that must have meant that Tsukuyomi was mistaken. Either that, he swallowed hard, or he really was in a new world much different than the last one.

"Shirogane-sama?" Takeru shook his head a bit to wake himself up.

The doctor had noticed that he had lost track of the conversation and had stopped talking. The nurse looked at Takeru with a mix of sympathy and pity for his situation. He wondered how many other soldiers she had seen run into a similar brick wall.

"Go on doctor, you said something about an offensive? That means I was a soldier, right?" The older man shifted uncomfortably.

"In some form, yes you were. From what I hear, you accompanied the Shogun into battle. Of course, it might just be rumors that have spawned since then," him, accompanying the Shogun?

He struggled to remember the old world, as to whether he ever figured out the politics. It seemed he was just as stumped back then as he was currently. No significant memory clung to him, outside of a certain person. Meiya, she had been related to the government in the old world, like Sakaki. Apparently, she was a big deal, but why he struggled to remember the reason.

Ah well. It might not relate, considering how different the world is.

"Somehow, during the battle, you suffered grievous wounds. They mostly centered around your cranial region, which we feared might cause lasting brain damage. You were lucky though," Considering the situation, the doctor quickly clarified the statement. "and by that I mean, lucky to survive with no lasting damage. Your amnesia may very well be a temporary side effect, so there is no need to worry yourself over it yet."

That was true enough. It was better than being dead, and he was not completely devoid of memories. Unfortunately, they were the wrong ones. The memories he had brought with him from the previous world had stayed, but that world's Takeru he must have to have joined with: their memories were indeed lost.

From what little he knew about amnesia, each case was suggested to work differently. Sometimes, the memories would come back fast. Other times, it would take weeks, months, even years; that was only after the person put all their effort into remembering. Rare cases had the person never fully recover.

"Doctor, is it..possible for me to recover my memories? Like through a trigger or something," Takeru asked, trying to get a handle on the situation the best he could.

With the forward thinking question, the doctor perked up a bit.

"Ah, yes. Almost anything could trigger a previous memory; familiar food, a place you often visited before the accident, even a conversation with a relative or friend. But, it will still only unlock bits and pieces. You may never remember the event that caused you to lose consciousness; our bodies often lock away the memories to prevent recurring trauma."

That sounded unfortunate, as he was genuinely curious about what he was doing at the time. Apparently, he had been a soldier, but who and what he was fighting with was a mystery. Only the faintest memories from the old world had any kind of aggressive connotation like fighting, and he doubted it was to the same scale as to what the doctor was describing.

The more answers he received, the less he could understand.

"Anyway, Shirogane-sama. For now, it is best that you continue to rest. We have already informed the necessary parties of your recovery, and with it came a quick response," the man's smile grew even wider. "The Shogun has said she will bless our presence by paying you a personal visit, tomorrow. Please, wait until then."

The Shogun was coming to see him? That took Takeru a moment to comprehend. Though he knew little of the government system of Japan in that world, he knew from history that the Shogun was an important figure in the military. For them to pay any attention to him must have meant he was a special case. That would explain why he was in that personal suite and being given such great care and respect.

All the same, why him? Takeru liked to joke around to boost his ego, but he really was not anyone special. It made no sense why he should receive that kind of attention.

Clearly, the Takeru from that world was someone that had done something important enough to get recognized by the government. Something like that should have made him smile, but his frown deepened in confusion.

Wait. If all relevant parties were informed, then...

"Excuse me, doctor. What about my parents?" In the previous world, they were long gone.

Considering the difference, perhaps there was a chance they were still alive. He could really use some advice from his father, and a bit of love from his mother could not hurt either. If anything, it would help him accept his new surroundings faster than if he were to remain alone.

To his discomfort, the doctor's smile disappeared after receiving the question. The man was clearly troubled, and it showed as he paused before his answer. His brows furrowed and he scratched the back of his neck nervously, a habit Takeru was intimately familiar with.

"Please, I need to know," clearly, he was not going to get the answer he hoped for.

"Yes. I am sorry to inform you that your father, Kageyuki Shirogane-sama, fell in the same battle that caused you to fall into a coma. Your mother, as I was told, was killed in the siege of Kyoto in 1998. My apologies, Shirogane-sama," both doctor and nurse bowed their heads in respect for his loss.

Though it hurt to hear directly, he had prepared himself for that. It was easier in the previous world, since he was thrust right into action after hearing his parents were gone. That time though, not only was he told they were dead, but he was told how. Despite himself, he could not help but imagine the scenarios that led to their demise.

He had to stop himself before tears came to his eyes. If he was really in a position of respect, then he probably should not show them his pain. That was something he would have to keep for himself.

"Th-thank you, doctor," Takeru croaked, suddenly drained of energy.

They quickly realized he was no longer in the mood to talk and dismissed themselves. The nurse informed him that there was a button he could press to summon them if he had any further needs. He merely nodded and stared at the end of his bed as they left quietly, talking between themselves about him, the Shogun, and what would come tomorrow.

With the blinds closed and his eyes adjusted to the light, he still had no idea what time of day it was. He could not help but want to close his eyes. If not to sleep and wait until tomorrow, to escape from his dreaded thoughts. Without anything better to do, his imagination would tear him apart with the unknown variables he was reeling from after talking to the doctor.

Tomorrow..tomorrow I'll get some answers. If I have to, I'll ask the Shogun themselves.

The next day progressed about as smoothly as he figured. The nurses were constantly checking up on him; both new and old faces had come to see the soldier that had woken from a two year coma. The mood seemed anxious as word had spread that the Shogun was coming, so everyone was trying to look their best. For a moment, he wondered if he could get some normal clothes to be presentable.

Even if they had some to spare, he doubted he would be able to get into them. It was not like he was going anywhere any time soon, anyway. Some of his strength had returned since yesterday, enough to lift his arms and legs on his own, but his stamina was gone. The doctor had already mentioned therapy to restore functionality in his limbs, and since he had already willed his body to move, the prospects were good for a quick recovery.

Since the nurses began to visit less frequently, he used it as a figure of time passed. The Shogun's arrival must have been fast approaching. When the sounds from outside began to quiet down, he knew things were about to kick off. As pitiful as it was, Takeru did his best to be ready for their arrival. The back of the bed was raised up so he could at least meet their eyes with some semblance of equality.

His heart shot into his throat as the door opened again. It was different that time, as it did not swing shut immediately. The click clack of many heels and boots could be heard as more than one person entered his domain. The curtains were closed, so he could not see what was going on, but a conversation was just tapering off as they approached.

"...keep in mind, Yuuhi-sama, that it is highly unlikely he will remember you."

That voice, it cut through him like a blade. It took him all he had to hold back from joining in the conversation.

Mana-san! Tsukuyomi is here!

If she was anything like the Tsukuyomi from the previous world, they probably were not on good terms. Even if he was lucky enough to be closer than that, it would look odd if he remembered her and forgot everyone else. He would have to be careful how he responded to their presence.

"I have prepared for that contingency, Mana-san. Thank you for your concern."

The person named "Yuuhi" responded. The name did not ring any bells, but that voice; he would recognize that dignified, royal speech from anywhere.

Meiya.

"Doctor, are you certain he is awake? I do not wish to disturb his slumber," The usual Meiya: always thinking of everyone else before herself.

His doctor somehow stumbled out a reply after a short pause. It must have been difficult for him in the presence of royalty to speak.

"Yes, your Highness. The nurses have been checking on him often. They have said his strength has returned after resting last night."

Ironic he would gain his strength back from ten hours of sleep after finishing up two years of the same treatment. He could not deny he was feeling better though. That strength was something he would need, he figured, to keep up a conversation with the Shogun herself. If it really was Meiya, it might not be so uncomfortable.

"Allow us, Yuuhi-sama," together, a trio of voices called out as a shadow approached his curtain.

The three idiots are still trailing behind Mana-san.

Somehow, their presence made him feel more comfortable. Perhaps things were not so different after all.

"There is no need. I can do this much on my own," Meiya as always did things her own way.

In the previous world, she would never accept Mana's help, though she rarely refused her requests. It made sense that they would go that far though, as her bodyguards.

The pale green cloth was pulled away and not but a few feet from him was a familiar face. Meiya stood there, her ocean blue eyes gazing upon his lithe figure with immediate concern. Seeing her like that warmed his chest; someone familiar, someone he knew was alive and well. It was like he was finally anchored to something.

"Mei-" Takeru paused before he could finish calling out to her.

He was not worried about revealing his memories. If anything, the people around him would be fooled into relief if he started to recognize them. No, he was concerned about how to speak to his old friend. In the old world, he was scolded for being so overly familiar after meeting them for the "first" time. Since Meiya was apparently the Shogun, it would turn out badly if he called out to her with such a familiar tone.

Not only that, but Meiya's appearance was different than what he was used to. As someone in her high position, she was in an (appropriate) formal business attire; a leather brown colored blouse with a matching knee skirt and pantyhose. It was her hair and other small details that had changed from the last time he had seen her. Her hair had been dyed a deep purple and styled with sharper bangs; her bun style and ponytail had been done up differently, in a more intricate fashion.

If he did not know better, she would pass off as a familiar, yet distinctly different person. It would explain why she was not referred to as Meiya, but rather 'Yuuhi'. From the old world, he did not know of any person by that name, so he could only guess that that person was somehow related to Meiya. That might have had something to do with why she was the Shogun in that world, in comparison to the previous one where she was merely a relative.

Takeru soon realized that his pause had made her uncomfortable, and he tried to get his thoughts together.

"Take..ru..." She mumbled out, her hands wringing each other in apprehension. She was unsure, nervous from his lack of response.

He was taken aback by how she referred to him so closely. So, they must have known each other in that world after all. It made sense, and it also made his response easier.

"Yu-Yuuhi-sama," He finally got it out.

Her expression shifted between many emotions within the span of a few moments. From her initial worry, she was overjoyed to hear his response and smiled. After a moment, that smile faltered for some reason. Perhaps he had been too formal?

It did not matter as she took another step forward, bringing them even closer. Her arms wrapped around his frail neck, and he could feel wetness in her eyes. Hidden from the others, she could let her emotions free for a moment. She made no sound to reveal her sobs, but it was not hard to tell with the way her body heaved that she was barely holding back.

The doctor quietly excused himself as the door opened and shut. Takeru could not see past Meiya, but he knew only the honor guard remained. With that privacy, Meiya's cries became louder as she tried to steady herself to no avail. It seemed his absence for two years had been harsh on her. It sort of made him happy to know she thought of him so much.

"Yuuhi-sama, please sit down. You may smother him at this rate," Tsukuyomi said quietly, not wishing to overstep her bounds.

Jolted by that possibility, Meiya quickly pulled herself from him and backed away. They seemed to be underestimating his body; he would not die that easily. Still, it was hard for him to react when she threw herself on him like that. He still had no idea how to behave in front of her.

"My apologies, Takeru. I did not mean to...it has simply been a long while since I have seen you. Awake, that is," Meiya stumbled out an apology, which felt very odd considering her position of power.

It was endearing though, and he had to bite back a smirk. With the chair brought over by Tsukuyomi, Meiya sat down next to his bedside.

"No, don't concern yourself with it, your Highness," it was awkward for him to speak so formally, and it seemed to show.

Tsukuyomi, the three girls behind her, and even Meiya seemed to frown at his attempt. Perhaps his formal Japanese was that bad. For some reason, it felt like he was missing something.

"Takeru, do you remember anything? Do you recognize...any of us?" Perhaps the way he was acting was not as appropriate as he believed.

They thought his memory was still damaged. If he wanted to relieve them of worry, he had to at least be honest about what he knew.

"Yes, I do know you," He turned to Tsukuyomi and her subordinates. "Tsukuyomi-san, Ebisu, Tomoe, Kamiyo. That is you, right?"

The four of them lightened up significantly after he recounted their names perfectly. As if a weight had been lifted from their shoulders, they relaxed in his presence somewhat. Then, all four bowed their heads low.

"We are glad to see your memory of us has not been lost, Takeru-sama."

"Your humble servants welcome your return, Shirogane-sama!"

That was an unexpected response, but it only confirmed that he still had a lot to learn about the differences between worlds. Apparently, he held a place of respect with them he did not have previously. It made him feel nostalgic about the world he was originally from, where they were humble maids serving Meiya. Though a small comfort, and an awkward one that he could not immediately respond to, he was still pleased to hear it.

He turned to Meiya, whose shoulders sagged in relief with his response. Since he had already called out to her, she knew he at least remembered her. Takeru wondered if he should try to say something else to calm her nerves.

"To be honest, you look a little different than I remember. Your hair in particular..." Meiya's brow furrowed as she unconsciously stroked her purple bangs.

Mana frowned, but remained quiet. It seemed she understood his concern, to some capacity.

"Perhaps some memory of the past still remains in you after all, Takeru," Meiya smiled, though it felt hollow. "Unfortunately, that conversation will have to be at a later time. There are many unwelcome ears here."

Meiya held that information close to her chest. If there was an explanation as to why she was in that kind of position, he figured it was something classified. Not something a person started to talk about in an open place like that.

"I understand," he had no choice but to wait for later.

Something still bothered him though, and it must have showed. Meiya noticed his nervous tick as he scratched the back of his neck.

"Takeru, is there something wrong?"

Well, I did wait all this time for something.

"I have something to ask," He gripped his bed sheets, unsure of how to proceed. "There is a lot I don't remember, so bear with me."

Meiya instinctively leaned forward and took his hand into her own. The move was intimate and it made it even more difficult for him to speak.

"There is no need to hold back, Takeru. Please, if I may help, tell me what ails you," She pleaded, eager to answer his questions.

Takeru swallowed the lump in his throat and tried to formulate a question. There were so many he wanted to ask, but one in particular stood out. It would tell him the difference between worlds with certainty depending on how she answered.

"What happened to Yokohama?" As soon as he uttered the location, Meiya seized up in what he could only assume was sheer terror.

The grasp around his hand tightened to that of a vice grip, and he could not help but groan in pain. Her eyes had grown two sizes larger, with dilated pupils that danced about. Was she remembering something painful?

Mana stepped forward and quickly separated their hands. From the bodyguard's behavior, it suggested she had seen something similar happen before. An arm wrapped itself around the young girl's neck, bringing her to Tsukuyomi's bosom. Instinctively, the girl held onto her sleeve for dear life.

The older woman began to carefully pet the Shogun's head in a consistent, calming motion.

Takeru did not know what to say. He did not mean for her to be harmed by his question. Given her response, he could only guess that something terrible had happened that did not occur to the Meiya from the previous world. If those rumors were true, that in the battle he had fallen, and that the Shogun had been there...

Was Meiya remembering the way he suffered his wounds? It was unlikely, but given their close relationship, it was not a stretch to think she would be concerned about something like that.

"My apologies, Takeru-sama. I fear Yuuhi-sama has still not fully recovered from that day. It may go without saying, but do not speak of it with her further. For the sake of her Highness's health," Mana told him as she continued to comfort the distraught girl.

It was very humbling to see the Shogun revert into something very familiar, something very human. For her to show that weakness, it must have been tough to keep up a leader's facade. It was not so bad to show it in front of him, since they were close, but what if the same question had been asked by someone else? Meiya would not have been able to afford to respond the same way.

"Right..." He could not take his eyes off of her. It hurt to see her like that.

"I will answer you though, as I too was present in the battle. If you do not remember, it was referred to as Operation Lucifer by both the Japanese and UN military. Our objective was to capture Yokohama hive."

Mana's gaze drifted back to Meiya, who had barely improved. The buzz words embedded in the explanation probably were not helping her condition either, but there was little they could do. For some reason, Tsukuyomi felt it important enough for him to know the truth.

"Yuuhi-sama had been the Shogun for less than a year, and already she was put in the position to approve or deny the largest military counter attack in human history. Of course, she could not refuse. Not only that, but her fiery spirit to protect the people of Japan led her to take to the field herself. And so, we of the honor guard were duty bound to follow."

Takeru knew very little of the events that took place that led to the Yokohama base's construction, but it seemed as though the Shogun's presence was not something that had happened in the previous world. He had no proof, but he felt like something that extraordinary would have reached his usually daft ears.

"Though I won't go into needless detail, the battle did not go as we planned. The Americans broke their promise to the Japanese and UN forces and intervened, making use of experimental weaponry that inflicted untold destruction on the landscape. Yuuhi-sama and our unit were deep in the enemy line when the report came to retreat to safety, and few of us survived as a result."

That sounded incredibly harsh. From a certain perspective, the Americans were right to want to test and use such weapons against the BETA, but to use it where it would threaten allied forces? Had they gone mad? It sounded like such a waste of resources, a waste of life.

"You..." Mana hesitated, her grip around Meiya's neck unconsciously tightened. "were one of the casualties that day. Your Zuikaku barely held together long enough for you to escape the blast radius. Had it been a lesser machine, you would have surely..." She paused again, and refused to finish that sentence in a certain someone's presence.

Takeru understood it very clearly, though it only bothered him further. Zuikaku? He did not remember such a machine in the previous world. Obviously it was something employed by the Japanese military and not the UN, but it frustrated him not knowing. It might have given him a hint as to what kind of person he was in that world.

"Thank you for telling me, Tsukuyomi-san," He could tell it was hard even for her to recall those events.

"Do not concern yourself with me, Takeru-sama. It is Yuuhi-sama and you we must think of. Surely, though your memory is damaged, you would not want to recall a time where you lost so much."

That was true. If he had a better grasp on the situation, dredging up that time would not be something enjoyable for him. After all, it was thanks to Lucifer that he fell into a coma and his father died. It was not exactly a good day.

They remained silent for a short while. Takeru had to gather his thoughts, and Mana still tended to the reeling Meiya. Perhaps it was a good thing he could not recall all of that world's Takeru's memories, lest he react in a similar fashion as the Shogun. Though he was the one in the hospital bed, it felt more appropriate for him to try and support her rather than the other way around.

Finally, the young girl gently pushed Mana away and recovered herself. Despite her attempt to act as though she were fine, it was clear she was not. The strength she emanated in all the worlds he had met her was missing, void from her body. Clearly, something had to have broken inside to hurt her so badly.

Without that determination, Meiya simply was not Meiya.

"I apologize for such a shameful display, Takeru. It should have been me to answer you, it is just-"

"Don't worry. I understand," Takeru smiled, trying his best to relieve her concerns.

"No, for something like this I must explain," For Meiya, she could not leave a conversation unfinished; it was not in her nature to avoid problems.

"Yuuhi-sama, please-"

"Please be quiet!"

Tsukuyomi had stepped forward, only to be reproached with a hard tone. She quickly stepped back, reeling from the figurative slap. It was rare to see Meiya act like that.

"My apologies, your Highness."

After her outburst, Meiya quickly sank back into her seat. Regret enveloped her.

"No, the fault is mine. I should not have acted so childishly."

They seemed to still share their close relationship, and for that Takeru was glad. He was sure Meiya appreciated Mana's presence considering the pressures of her job. For better or worse, Mana's instructions had shaped Meiya's personality in his original world, and he figured it was the same there.

"Perhaps it is best to save it for another day. We will have plenty of time to talk in the future if things go well," Meiya said, a genuine grin adorned her face as she told him that.

"Your Highness, it is almost time for your next appointment," Kamiyo warned as their conversation seemed to draw to a close.

"It feels as though we have only begun," a small sigh came out as Meiya's shoulders slouched in defeat. "But, it appears I must leave you again so soon."

"Don't worry, I can handle myself," a little bit of his usual speech patterns came out as Takeru tried to respond casually.

Surprisingly, the Shogun sighed in relief. It was implied that his response was a favorable one.

"I am glad you have not forgotten how to speak informally when around me. It is quite...relieving," she stood from her chair and grasped his hand again.

"Takeru, tomorrow I shall send someone to retrieve you. I have already spoken with the doctors, and we have come to the agreement it will be best for your health if the rest of your recovery is spent at home. You will surely enjoy the familiarity of the palace grounds over this place, though the hospital staff did an admirable job."

Return home? Did she mean where he lived in that world? That sounded a bit extravagant to describe it as a palace.

"That sounds..nice. I wouldn't mind getting some fresh air," Meiya's grip tightened before she let go.

She seemed quite relieved with his answer. It was as if she had been working herself up to that moment to hear his response.

"Then we are in agreement. I will eagerly await your return tomorrow. Until then, goodbye, Takeru," Meiya offered him one last glance before she exited the room with the guards following behind.

Tsukuyomi was the last one to leave, and Takeru could not help but call out to her. There was still one part of the puzzle that was not clicking in his mind. His relationship to Meiya, the respect everyone was giving him; it seemed to come from nowhere. Until he had an answer for that, he would continue to feel lost.

"Tsukuyomi-san! Wait a moment," Whether it be out of respect or something more, the woman immediately turned and waited patiently for his question.

"I'm sorry for not remembering much, but there is something important I still can't recall. I must have been in the military, right? What position was I in? How...is my relationship with the Shogun? I feel like we are closer than most."

Tsukuyomi seemed to consider his words for a moment. It was a loaded question, and perhaps it was overstepping her bounds to answer. Still, he had to know.

"You will understand if I do not indulge you considering your relationship to Yuuhi-sama, for that is something for her alone to answer. As for your position, it would be more accurate to describe your 'status'. You must have found it odd for commoners and soldiers alike to refer to you with such acknowledgement."

Mana nailed his concerns right on the head. Their attempts to show respect were difficult to reciprocate when he had never been in such a position before. Not only that, but without context he did not understand why they acted the way they did.

"To put it simply, you are a member of the Imperial Royal Guard. More specifically, your family are vassals to the Mitsurugi, the current ruling regent house of the Shogunate. That affords you a high position that few can claim to own, which is why you receive such respect."

That information overwhelmed Takeru as he struggled to comprehend it. Sure, he remembered excelling at the piloting simulators in the old world, and his performance inside a TSF was above average for a cadet. But to suddenly hear that he was a member of the same organization as Tsukuyomi, whose presence alone was enough to send chills down his spine, was too much to believe.

"So, you are telling me that you and I are the same rank?" If it were from anyone else, he would consider it a joke.

"Not at all, Takeru-sama," Mana shook her head, her face showing no signs of foul play. "Though we are both the same rank of first lieutenant, I am merely a member of her Highness's security unit. As a member of the 'fudai', you are a person of higher status."

The whole idea of being a member of the same group as Tsukuyomi, who in the other world had been ruthlessly hunting him, was overwhelming enough. To hear that he had already surpassed recruit and had gone onto become a commissioned officer? That was impossible to imagine.

But, it must have been true. It was probably a grave offense to lie to someone of his stature, as egotistical as it sounded. What would she have to gain from abusing that trust?

"My apologies Takeru-sama, but I must go," Mana turned to leave, but hesitated at the door. "Please remember this, Takeru-sama. Though it has been two years, Meiya-sama is still vulnerable. The recovery of your health and memories does not affect only you."

Takeru was not sure what Tsukuyomi meant by that, and so he continued to ponder it as she quietly excused herself. By mentioning Meiya's real name, she no doubt had hoped to spark a memory or relay some piece of information to him. Though the girl's title had changed since the last time they were together, her real name had not. That brought him some small comfort.

At least it confirmed that he could get away with calling Meiya by the name he was used to, when they were alone at least.

As for the rest of what Tsukuyomi said, he already knew that he had to get better and fast. Regardless of what world he was in, it was clear that they were still in danger. It was not just the BETA, but Alternative V was still a potential event that could happen if they were still in the start of the loop. That all compounded on the frustration of being thrust into another world, similar yet different to the one he was in last.

For his own sake and for the worlds that were relying on him, he could not just sit and do nothing. If he really was going to be stuck in that world, then he would have to give his all to try and save it. If what Tsukuyomi said was true, then he had a solid foundation to make a difference with. His rank and his position with the Shogun meant he could actually get something done, if he was smart about it.

This is all a little too much for one day.

Takeru's head felt like it was on a swivel trying to consider all the possibilities and future scenarios. It could wait another day, until he got more rest. Tomorrow, he would be headed home, and presumably he would see Meiya and Mana again.

When that happened, he would find an answer for how to survive in the new world.

Disclaimer: I do not own Muv Luv.