Plura Ater Nox

Chapter 19

How do matters stand now? Taking it all in all, are our chances of survival better or worse than in August, 1941? How is it with the British Empire, or Commonwealth of Nations-are we up or down? What has happened to the principles of freedom and decent civilization for which we are fighting? Are they making headway or are they in greater peril?…

Listening to the broadcast that was playing over allied radio waves, all cross the allied nations and bases, many were tuned in, one of the listeners being Chelsea, sighed. She was realising the complexity of the situation and how the small plan devised to free a few POWs wasn't going to be enough to push back German forces, unless there was some small miracle that was going to grace the English.

She looked up from the daily copy of the London Chronicle that she had picked up from the newsstand from the young lad calling out the headlines of the day. She carefully folded the paper as she turned her attention completely to Prime Minister Churchill's broadcast.

She listened every week, no matter what. She felt it was important, especially being a secretary in the military. She had a job requiring a lot of her. She wanted to fulfil that and more. So, she tried to stay-on top of all recent events and up to the minute breaking news. She wanted to do her job to the fullest.

Turning in her chair, daintily crossing her legs and smoothing her kilt so it was pristinely over her knees, she attentively listened. She didn't want to miss any important information. Even the smallest insignificant fact was key to how the events of the war unfolded, writing history for the generations to come.

A gentle pair of hands jolted out of her reverie. She turned, gazing up into the deep, soulful eyes of Brennan. She smiled sweetly, placing a hand over his. "Well, hi stranger! How nice of you to come and see a lady in the workplace while you enjoy sitting around on your foolish arse."

"Don't talk to me like that! I ain't foolish, nor do I sit around on my arse all day!" Brennan retorted, his hands gently massaging her shoulders, his fingers toying with the top button of her collar, prying it apart.

She reached up, playfully smacking it. "Now stop that. This isn't the place for such behaviour! Now really, don't, wait until we're alone."

"We're alone?! I really like the sounds of that." Brennan smirked. "So it means you don't like my friend as more than a way of making me jealous?!"

"Well, I do like him because he's such a gentleman and you were being nothing more than a went blanket." Chelsea giggled. She pulled her shoulders from his hands. "But really now, I'm trying to listen to The Prime Minister's address."

"Can't ya just read about it in the rag?" He pressed.

"No, I'd much rather hear the breaking news and information on the allied forces first-hand than rely upon some gossip injected rag for my war information, unless it comes from the front and Prime Minister Churchill hadn't said anything on it."

"Fine, if you insist."

"Oh, I do!"

Gleefully grinning, Brennan bent over, sweeping Chelsea out of her chair, swinging her up into his arms. "I think you've been working too long!" He grinned, his fangs exposed.

"I hate it when you act cute because then I can't be mad at you." Chelsea groused, pouting, staring into his eyes. She sighed. "Oh pity, fine, you win!"

"Good. Now, I think you need to be in a more suitable setting. The office setting it far too demanding on your beauty." He purred softly.

She just blinked.

A stern, bold and confident voice with a tone saying: I'm Commander Shove-It-Up-Your-Ass-'Cause-I'm-Superior, broke the romance of the moment. A thin smirk rode on those lips. He stood in the door, his arms folded over his chest, as he spoke. "Need I remind you, Miss Llwellyn that such behaviour in his place isn't acceptable?!"

"Uh…I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to overstep what I can and cannot do. I didn't wish for Brennan to be here right now and do such things." Chelsea gingerly climbed out of her boyfriend's arms, lowering herself to the floor.

She gazed at the floor. "I didn't mean anything by it sir!"

"I'll let it slip since you are more aware of your world than most of my men and you are Chiriko, with a redeeming asset of intelligence found only in a select few geniuses." Captain Andreas coldly replied, his eyes slipping over to where Brennan was.

"Ah, Tasuki." He smirked.

"Aw crap, not you!" The former Suzaku Seishi, Tasuki groaned, exchanging glances with the blonde shogun, the former Seiryuu Seishi, Nakago. He hated this man more than he had hated Suboshi.

"Oh yes, indeed."

"You're the one behind the plan to invade France--"

"Using IRA rebels. Yes I am."

Brennan growled, his gaze icy. "I should've known!!"

"Also, your precious emperor is in on this. He joined with the idea to use the dissident rebels of the IRA, make them work and not act as shit disturbers."

Chelsea moved quickly, standing between the two parties. She immediately started to act as the mediator. "Stop it now! You're supposed to be allies! And Brennan, you already promised to help!"

"But you seduced me!!" He whined.

Captain Andreas smirked, not saying a thing. He decided to just let Brennan go ahead and whine. It was amusing to watch the unfolding stupidity of the average civilian.

~~~~

Having just his wife and one bag for them both, Taka led his pregnant wife through the dark of the streets, to the depot where they would catch the boat that would take them from Japan in the dead of the night, away from the war. He led her down a winding dirt path, going into Kyoto. In the far distance away, roaring sirens could be heard, as an air raid overhead commenced.

He didn't have time to turn back. Despite Miaka's protests, they couldn't turn back now. They had destroyed their house as to make it appear as though they were killed, so they could easily fool the Kempei-tai. If they were assumed dead, his theory was that they would not be pursued as fugitives and traitors. He didn't want them to be shot on blank point rage as traitors of the high crime of treason.

For that reason, Taka had explained to Miaka it was easy to set their small dwelling on fire than to leave it as is and have to worry about being trailed and followed and shot down. He believed it was the only solution as of yet. He couldn't think of anything else to do in order to solve this dilemma.

~~~~

They had been lucky that Theodor's impetuous act to go after the Gestapo for coming in the area hadn't cost them anything dear. Elisabet and Nickolaus considered the group lucky that they been spared any investigation because of any suspicious activity that may have been conducted behind closed doors.

The former Byakko Seishi, Subaru didn't know if she should've slapped her former husband, Tokaki, or kissed him because he was safe. She was torn. She loved him, but not because of whom he was in the past, but because of who he was now. She had her memories of him and she didn't want to let go of those. She also had her knowledge of him in the present. That was just as valuable.

She sighed, touching a hand to his face. "Please, don't do that again! You know as I do, that we're luck that we didn't get spotted in the crowd for our activities. If they had, who knows what could've happened."

"Sorry, but I can't stand them! They are only pawns and puppets of a foolish and racist regime that has to fall and fall hard!" He replied, leaning into her touch. It was like before, soft and gentle. He lifted a hand, clutching hers.

In a low whisper, he purred softly, "I still love you, Subaru…Elisabet."

He leaned in, his mouth covering hers in a gentle kiss.

In the background, Nickolaus sat, watching. His heart felt heavy as memories from his past life came back. Memories of Suzuno; her gentle, smiling face… He felt her soft hand press against his cheek as they gazed into each other's eyes, professing the forbidden love they couldn't deny for each other.

Watching Elisabet and Theodor interact like this, sadden Nickolaus. He didn't have Suzuno. He had been reunited with her at death, but then separated as they were reincarnated. He didn't know if she had been given a second chance. He wished she had… And that she was here, with him. He longed to be able to hold her, as Theodor held Elisabet.

He sighed morosely and stood up. He walked, sitting down at a chair, looking out the dirtied window, watching people pass by, walking the debris and rubble that littered the streets from the last allied raid on Berlin.

He gasped suddenly, seeing the approaching Gestapo. It was far from over. They now had reinforcements!

~~~~

They needed to go to Tokyo. Kyoto wasn't the place to launch from, unless one was going to be with the marines and navy. That was quickly learnt by Taka, after he spoke with a man operating the boats in the area. The only ones suited for voyage were now converted to military use. There was no room for civilians to now use those boats.

This had been grudgingly accepted. Now they would have to move quickly, but there was a greater risk to going to Tokyo because of the repeated air raids that were being done by the allied and American forces. It was in response to the attack on Pearl Harbour of December 7th, 1941, a day that had grown to be known as one that would live in infamy, when the United States of America was suddenly and unexpectantly attacked by the Empire of Japan.

The civilians of Japan only knew that they suddenly had a new enemy and many sought to flee, as Taka was doing. They didn't want to be around for the air raids and the eventual concluding attacks that would end the war. Such an end was many years away. The people were forced to get used to the sound of raining fire over their city, night after night.

Stopping on a path, in the countryside, staring ahead, Taka, released Miaka's wrist, staring at the flaring lights on the horizon. He swallowed, knowing it could only be an air raid being initiated by the United States of America. He didn't want to go any further. He just wanted the danger to subside.

Staring at the night sky, he couldn't see, but heard the fighter jets flying over head. They sounded much like overgrown mosquitoes with an attitude problem. He could only see the flashes from when they dropped bombs into the city of Tokyo. Soon the fighter jets vanished, leaving nothing more than chaos and destruction in their path.

Reaching for his wife, he pulled Miaka into his arms, holding her against his body, resting his chin on her head. He didn't say a thing. He didn't know what to say at a time like this. Words were meaningless and had no purpose. Only such a gesture could speak volumes that his words couldn't.

She sighed, her hand clutching the fabric of his tunic, holding him close. She nuzzled her face against his chest, only just wanting to be in his arms. She couldn't ask for more than she had right now. This was all she had wished for as Suzaku no Miko - to have her love as his, for now and all eternity.

She didn't want to be separated from him again. Even if it meant dying by his side, she would. She had been separated from him once already. The reunion had been slow because he didn't have his memories. It had taken a while to get him to even know that they were forever sworn to each other.

They pulled apart, looking into the other's eyes, before their mouths moved to meet in a gentle, passionate kiss. He pressed his mouth against hers, only giving what she gave. The kiss was expressive of their deep respect and love for each other.

Pulling apart after a pregnant moment, they stared into each other's eyes. Tears glistened in Miaka's. She was happy and sad all at once. She was leaving her homeland, but she had the one she loved. She missed her best friend, but she had something special that was going to be filling that gap.

She sighed. She went to speak, but it was going to be too late. She wanted to express her love for him, but it was too late. She wanted to say something, but all she would be able to say was his name. That would be the only thing she would be able to say.

They were lucky to have got this far. If they had been able to launch from Kyoto and leave Japan, they wouldn't be on the path, in the darkest hour of night, now facing the loathsome and fearsome men of the Kempei-tai. Now, they stood, in the dead of night, the wind blowing around them, as they faced their enemy, not knowing their fate and not knowing if they were going to be luck enough to get away.

Taka pulled Miaka into his arms, his eyes sending a warning gaze to the group of men, dressed in the identical uniforms. The uniformity of the group was conformity. It was dangerous for those who didn't preach such things.

"Sukanami Taka, you are to come with us." The first of the men began. He appeared to be the leader of the group. His men held guns. In a few exceptions, a couple held rifles. They were trained in marksmanship and rested the rifles skilfully on their shoulders, waiting for commands.

"And if I don't?" He moved away from his wife.

A single shot was fired. The bullet whizzed through the air. There was a moment of silence before the sound of the bullet penetrated, eating through flesh echoed through the night air, riding on the wind, as did the sound of a body hitting the ground…

"TAAAAAAAKKKKKKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!"

* * * * * *

Author's Notes: impressive, ne?! Two chapters in one day! I scare myself. Anyway, I guess you can expect from this point and on that things take a slightly nasty turn before I cool off with the Titus Andronicus style killings. I know, it is a nasty cliff-hanger, but we're at the part when we need to skip on having conclusive endings. Besides, how else am I going to make sure you finish reading *wink* I hope you haven't grown tired of this yet because there is still more to come. Stand tune, chapter 20 will be out soon! Yes, there will be more character killings…