Well, another chapter.  I'm sorry, but I got caught up in my FF7 race this weekend.  I'm most likely still loosing, since I'm not off the first disc yet.  But I won't give up!

Well, here's the next chapter!

Disclaimer:  See first chapter.

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"Good job you guys," said Risai.  She stood in front of her students.  "I can't believe how quickly you all learned this.  We'll probably get dragged into a ground battle soon, and I think you guys are ready."

"Um, I have a question," said Bit.

"What is it?"

"Why are there ground battles?  Why not just fight all battles in zoids?"

"Because sometimes we have to fight and our zoids are damaged.  That also goes for the other side."

"But if their zoids are damaged, why not just attack them with zoids during a ground battle.  All's fair in love and war, right?"

"True, that is the saying, but I was once told that even in war there are rules to be followed.  If one of the sides wants a ground battle, then the other side will fight it in the same manner.  Neither side would ever go against that rule."

"Oh, I get it, but don't you loose more people during ground battles than in zoid battles?"

"Yes.  I'm sad to say we do, but we're not about to break the rules and go against our honor."

"So will the next battle be a ground battle?" asked Leena.

"Most likely.  I want you guys to keep practicing, because we can't mess up.  Ground battles are hard, and not just by the off chance that you could die.  It's one thing to aim at a target, and another to aim at a real person.  None of you have ever had to kill before, and I wish you didn't, but never go easy on the enemy.  You have to understand that.  Now get back to practicing."

"Yes ma'am," they all answered.  Risai jumped down from the stage and then sat on the ground.  She still felt terrible.  She hated the empty feeling inside of her.  It felt like a part of her had died and it was eating her up inside as the vastness of her pain kept growing.  'I hate war.  Every time I fight in a war, I loose someone.  I can't take it.  I can't take it!  Why can't I end it now?  Maybe I'll die during the ground battle.  Then it'll look like an accident, but…'  She then looked towards Leon.  'I promised I wouldn't die.  Why did I say that?'  She then thought back to what Jamie had said.  'Maybe Taban really isn't gone.  Maybe Jamie was right, but…I hate not knowing.'  She stood up again and walked away from the training grounds, heading back towards the base.

******

It was mid afternoon and everyone was done with their training.  They had all gone to their rooms to rest up.  Leena was in her room, staring at the ceiling when there was a knock at her door.

"Come in."  The door slowly opened and Bit walked in.  Leena sat up and smiled to him.  "Hi Bit."

"Hi," he said in a less cheerful tone.

"What's wrong?"  He walked over and sat on her bed.

"You really wanna know?" he asked.

"Of course.  You can tell me anything, you know that."

"Yeah, I know."

"So then what is it?"

"It's about this ground battle.  I mean, what if…what if…"  He tightened his fists and looked down.  Leena knew what was wrong and she moved closer to him.

"Bit, none of us will die," she said.

"You don't know that.  I mean, in a zoid battle, it's hard to get yourself killed and you can take a ton of hits and live to tell about it, but with this kind of battle, one hit and you could loose your life."

"I know what you mean."

"Leena, I don't want to lose you."

"And I don't want to lose you either, but we have to fight, otherwise we all might die.  We have to defend this base.  We'll all be fine."

"You sure?"

"To be honest, no, but I can just sort of feel it.  We're not gonna die, cause we have too much to live for.  That will keep us going."  Bit smiled.

"I guess you're right," he said, "but something else still bothers me."

"It's about Taban, isn't it," she said in more of a statement than a question.

"Yeah.  Even thought they've gotten over it a little, both Miharu and Risai seem really shaken up about this."

"Well think about it.  Taban is Risai's brother and he's Miharu's best friend, if not more.  Miharu is strong enough to take it, but the way Risai acted kind of scared me."

"I know.  She doesn't seem to care if she dies or not."

"Well, we'll just have to keep an eye on her, won't we."

"Yeah."  They then heard something coming from outside the base.  A siren then sounded.  Both of them walked to the door and out into the hallway.  The soldiers ran through the base frantically.

"What's going on?" asked Bit.  Just then, everyone else ran by.  They stopped at the door.

"We're under attack," said Jamie.  "They want everyone to go to the weapons bay now."

"Is it a…?"

"Yeah, it's a ground battle," answered Naomi.

"Come on," said Rick.  "We don't have time to be messing around."

"Right," said Leena.  All of them began to run towards the weapons bay.  They all got there just as the cargo bay doors opened.  Miharu and Risai were handing weapons and armor to people.  They both looked towards the three teams.

"Here," said Risai.  She began to toss each one of them a rifle and a handgun.

"And put those on," said Miharu as she pointed towards bulletproof vests.  "They'll give you some protection."  They all quickly prepared themselves and then put on the helmets that came with the vests.  (A/N you know, like army hats…I can't explain it any other way, okay?)  Once equipped, they quickly ran out, completely unprepared for what they saw before them.  The ZBC and BD forces were going at it.  The only sounds that were heard were painful cries and gunshots, along with the occasional orders that were given.  They all got out into the battlefield, not sure exactly what to do.  Risai and Miharu followed shortly after.  Neither of them wore the protection armor like the rest of the soldiers.

"Commander Kamosu, what should we do?" asked one of the soldiers.

"Spread out and attack the enemy in groups.  It'll be easier that way.  It's like a divide and conquer strategy.  And don't call me by my last name.  Just call me Risai."

"Yes ma'am."  The soldiers began to divide and conquer.  Members were continually lost from both sides, but the members of the ZBC were winning.  The BD began to retreat, slowly, but surely.

"They're retreating," said Miharu.  "We should most likely do the same.  All units, return to the base!"

"Finally," said a relieved Bit.  All of them had stuck together and had managed to stay alive.  They all began to walk back to the base.  It was Risai's job to make sure they all made it back, but she was suddenly distracted by a soldier of the BD that was hiding behind a rock.  He looked to her and then got scared.  He turned to run and that's when she noticed the name on the back of his military uniform.  It read Jarred.  She thought back to the day that Taban was taken from them and she remembered seeing that name on one of the soldiers.  She got angry once realizing it and began to chase after him.  This did not go unnoticed, but Leon was the only one paying attention.  Everyone else had gone back in, but he stayed out.

"Hey Risai, where are you going?" he asked.  She stopped and looked to him, a look of hate present on her face.

"He's one of the ones who took Taban from me, so I'm going after him."  She turned around and continued to run after the man.  Leon decided it would be best to follow her.  He was a good distance away though.  Risai was doing her best to keep up with the soldier, but they soon turned a corner.  Risai kept running, completely unaware that the man had hid behind some rocks and was now behind her.  She stopped and looked around a little, since she could no longer see where he was.  The man quietly came out from behind the rocks, preparing his gun.  He lifted it up and aimed for her.  Risai froze as she realized what was about to happen.  This scene was all too familiar for her.  She slowly turned around and saw the man, aiming his gun right at her.  She couldn't do much of anything as she watched the man's hand pull the trigger.  Nearby, Leon was watching, but he decided to take action.  He began to run towards her.

"Get out of the way!" he yelled at her, but she couldn't do anything about it.  The man pulled the trigger.  Risai kept her eyes open and watched what happened to her next.  Leon came from the side and shoved her out of the way.  The bullet hit him in his shoulder.  Leon grasped it and fell to his knees.  Risai was now on the ground.  She looked to Leon and then the man.  She quickly pulled out her gun and aimed for him.

"Hey!" she shouted, trying to draw his attention away from Leon.  It worked and he aimed for her again.  She quickly pulled the trigger and shot him in the chest.  The man pulled his gun trigger right after, but his aim was off and he only shot her in the leg.  It still hurt though.  The soldier fell not long after and he didn't show signs of getting back up.  Risai slowly got up and limped over towards Leon, wincing every time she took a step.  She stopped near Leon, who was still holding his shoulder.  She crouched down near him, but ended up sitting down instead.

"Why?" she asked.  He just looked at her, confusion written all over his face.  "Why did you save me?"  He just smiled.

"Because you promised me you wouldn't die, so there's no way I was going to let you."

"But…you could have…"

"Don't worry.  It's over now, right?"

"Yeah."  He stood up, still holding his arm.  Risai slowly stood up again.

"We should probably get back," said Leon.

"Miharu won't be happy with me.  I didn't follow orders."

"It's in the past, okay?  Don't worry about it."  He began to walk back to the base and so did Risai, but with much difficulty.  Not long after starting back, her pain became unbearable and she had to stop.  Leon stopped as well.  He looked back at her and then walked over.

"Come on," he said to her.  She looked up at him.  "I'll help you."  He bent down slightly and she put her arm around his shoulders.  He placed his arm around her waist and they slowly made their way back to the base.

******

It was late now and the sky outside was dark.  There weren't any stars or even the slight sign of the moons.  It was suppose to rain later on in the night.  Risai was lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling.  Her leg had been bandaged and she was supposed to stay off of it as often as possible, but she hated to sit still for too long.  'Poor Leon.  I never wanted to hurt him.'  She felt awful about what had happened.  'I forgot to thank him.'  She sat up and swung her legs over the edge of her bed and stood up.  It hurt to stand on her leg, but she decided that she could take it.  She slowly walked out of her room and down the hall, limping as little as possible.  She came to Leon's room and gently knocked on the door.

"Come in," said Leon.  Risai slowly opened the door and poked her head inside.  Leon was sitting on his bed, reading.  He looked up from his book and smiled.  "Hi Risai."

"Hi," she said quietly.  She walked in and closed the door.  "Hey Leon, how's your arm?"  His injury had been bandaged up as well, but since the bullet had hit the joint, he had to put it in a sling, except when he was sleeping.  He had painkillers for that.

"It's fine," he said.

"I'm sorry."

"About what?"

"About what happened.  I'm so sorry; I never wanted you to get hurt."

"It's alright, really, I'm fine."

"I also wanted to say thank you.  You really saved me out there."

"You're welcome, but Risai, should you be walking around with your leg injured like that?"

"Well, no, but I don't want to go lay on my bed."

"Why?"

"Because I might fall asleep."

"Why's that a bad thing?"

"Because I don't want to sleep…I'm afraid."

"Of what?"

"Of going back to that…place.  I don't want to dream anymore.  I hate that feeling…it feels like I'm being devoured.  I hate it.  That's why I can't sleep, because I'll go back there.  I don't want to ever go back to sleep."

"You have to sleep sometime."

"I know, but I'm…scared."  It was quiet for a while.  Risai just stared towards the ground.

"Well," started Leon, "you could stay here for the night, if it'll make you feel better."  'I can't believe I just said that.'  Risai looked up instantly, a small blush appeared on her face.

"S-stay here?  With…you?" she asked, a little nervous.

"Yeah," said Leon.  He just smiled, remaining calm.

"You sure it's okay?  I'm not intruding?"

"Of course not."  She had to think about this.  'I guess I really don't want to walk back to my room and I…I don't want to be alone.'

"Okay."  Leon smiled at her reply.  He put his book down and moved over so that she could sit.  She slowly walked over and sat down.  She really was tired, even though she didn't want to show it.  She sunk into the bed and moved from sitting to lying down.  She was trying to keep her eyes open, but it didn't work and they slowly shut.  Leon was reading when he glanced over and noticed that she was asleep.  She was now on her side, her hands folded under her head as she slept soundly.  'Hard to tell she's a soldier,' thought Leon.

******

It was dark again and empty.  Risai was falling, but she didn't feel like she was being consumed.  Not yet anyway.  The only sound she could hear was her own rhythmic breathing.

"Oh no.  I must have fallen asleep."  She then felt a pull inside of her, as if something was drawing her further into the darkness.

"Stop it!" she yelled as the pull became worse.  "I don't want to!  Leave me alone!"  Are you sure?  Risai looked around and found no one there.

"Who are you?  What do you want with me?"

To deliver you from your suffering

"What?"

You feel empty inside.  I'm here to fill that gap, or perhaps eliminate the problem all together

"You can do that?"

Yes, I can.  I only wish to help, so just give in and let me fill your emptiness  Risai thought for a while before saying anything.

"No."

What?

"I said no.  Let me go!  I don't want to go with you!"

You can't resist me.  I'll take you whether you want me to or not.  There's no way out

"No!  I don't want to go with you!  I want to stay here, with my friends!  I want to live!"

It doesn't matter anymore.  I don't need your approval  Risai could feel herself losing control and she began to slip into unconsciousness.  'I don't want to feel this way anymore,' she thought to herself.  'I hate this.'  Suddenly, she felt the pulling stop.  She opened her eyes and realized that she was no longer falling.  The feeling was slowly disappearing from her mind and she felt as if she was coming back to life after dying.  It scared her at first, but she then realized what it felt like.  It felt as if someone was holding her, pulling her away from the darkness.  She smiled at this new feeling, not wanting it to ever go away.  She closed her eyes and just accepted it as the painful feeling of dying soon disappeared completely.

******

Leon was reading his book.  It was getting late, so he put it down on the nightstand near the bed.  He then looked to Risai.  He smiled, but it soon faded.  Risai was breathing quickly and her face displayed pain.  'No wonder she didn't wanna go to sleep.'  He lied down on the bed and turned to his side.  He watched her for a while.  She curled up tighter, as if trying to disappear from wherever she was, trying to hide from something.  A single tear slid down the side of her face.  Leon wasn't sure what he should do.  He lifted his injured arm, trying not to hurt himself further.  He placed his hand on her shoulder.  Risai was still crying and now she quivered slightly, the pain still present on her face.  Her arms were now crossed over her chest.  It was almost as if she was trying to keep warm.  He used his other arm and slid it under her.  He then brought her carefully into a hug.  It was all he could do for her.  She stopped shaking eventually and her breathing returned to normal.  A small smile was present on her face.  Leon fell asleep, still hugging her.  They both just slept soundly as the sound of a gentle rainfall could be heard outside.

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I hope you guys liked this.  I'm doing the best I can to add in all the characters as often as possible, but there's so many!  I'm doing the best I can!  I'm only human, but according to my friends, I'm on the brink of insanity.  Well, I'm off to go plot revenge on my guy friends.  I want 5 more reviews please!  Then I'll write more.

Audi^.^