Plura Ater Nox

Chapter 24

Sighing softly, pushing long strands of dirty blonde hair from his face, Séamus took the government issued ration book from the pocket of his jacket as he stood in line with the rank and file housewives who chittered and cackled like the hens they were.  He shuddered.  This was hell.

He fingered the book's cover before he flipped through it, gazing at the ration stamps.  There was an array of ration stamps in the book.  This one was for food products.  He had another one for gas, but had traded it for a carton of fags1 that he had stashed under his bed at home.  So, he just his food ration book.  It was starting to get near empty.  He guessed that he had maybe a few days left in before he would have to head over to the local office to get another one.

That was of course, if he wasn't called in for service.   He was still on the waiting list for a secret mission asking for able-bodied men who were up for a challenge.  He knew that it was a mission the armed forces weren't about to touch with a ten foot pole, or so he gathered from how Captain Andreas spoke.

He was surprised that his twin had been reluctant despite accepting the offer from Captain Stonewall.  It was the same offer, no difference.  Of course it could be that Jeremiah hated the blonde captain…  But still, old hatred shouldn't have such an affect when the lives of millions were at stake because of a blood-thirsty authoritarian dictator.

Staring at the book, a small smile fell over his lips.  He thought about that for a moment.  It did seem ironic that he, Séamus Kennedy, a strong loyal supporter and fighter for the IRA, an outright supporter of the Nazis were now turning against the Nazi regime, despite that it meant siding with the other enemy, the British and the Protestants.  It could be of course that this pairing was possibly the lesser of the two evils.

Also striking him as ironic was that his twin brother, Jeremiah didn't seem so willing to go along with this mission, despite that it was an attack on the enemy, using the resources of the allies, the ones fighting for the ideals of pacifism.

Maybe then again, Séamus reasoned, it was possible that the way that Jeremiah was raised reflected his slightly cynical and bitter outlook.  Further that the upbringing that his brother had also eroded the passion for pacifism and likewise that had resided in the heart and soul of the young man.

It did seem very ironic, just like the twists of the ever-quirky testy entity called "fate".

This little side-kick to life called fate had decided that at this very moment, it wanted to screw Séamus over royally by putting him in a less than pleasant situation by having him unintentionally crash into a young woman, carrying a small bad of goods as she turned to leave the shop.

The pair crashed into each other head on.

"Oh, sorry miss!" Séamus exclaimed, immediately dropping to his knees to gather up her package, as it was the proper thing for him to do, even if she had bumped into him and he wasn't at fault.

The young lady, a blonde damsel, namely Yui, who had encountered the mirror image of Séamus at an earlier time, watched the young man scurry to quickly ensure that her packages weren't damaged and that they were in proper order.

There was something decisively different about this young man.  He did indeed look like Jeremiah, but his aura was very different and he was much more courteous to her.

Was it possible that the one she had encountered earlier was Amiboshi…?  Did this mean that?

"Suboshi…" she whispered to herself in astonishment at the realisation that there were indeed two of them, that both of the twins had been reincarnated.

It seemed that he didn't hear her whisper, as he finished the quick gathering of her packages, and stood back up, handing them out to with a sweet smile.  "Sorry about that, miss.  I must've not been watching my step when I bumped into you."

"Thank you; you are most kind, sir." Yui replied, giving a nod of the head, careful to not let her background show through her actions.  She had a fairly good grip on her accent.  She seemed to just be an English speaker from the west.

"I'm not kind, I did bump into you, and so I hardly consider it kind.  I did what was expected of me and nothing less, miss." Séamus kept his eyes on the ground as he spoke.

"Would you be kid as you share your name, sir?"  Yui asked, hoping to every god and demi-god that this was indeed not Jeremiah.

"Aye, sorry miss, how rude of me."  Reaching out, Séamus took Yui's hand in his, kissing the top of it, as he brought her hand to his lips.  "I'm Séamus Kennedy.  And your name is…"

A slight blush crept over her cheeks at his actions.  This definitely wasn't Jeremiah by a long shot.  Even if he hadn't given her his name, she could assume from his actions that he wasn't the boy she had encountered earlier.

Clearing her throat, Yui replied, trying to control her voice, "I'm Yui…  Yui Hongou."  She made sure to give her name in the western style.  She didn't; no, she couldn't afford to make any enemies.

'Yui…'  The name seemed familiar to Séamus; it triggered something in his memory, but what?  Why was this name so familiar to him?  It seemed important, otherwise, why would he try and search his memory for something almost so insignificant?

Bringing his gaze up, he got a chance to study her up close for the first time, developing a mental picture of the beauty that stood before him.  The image before him seemed to have an image superimposed over it.  The two morphed together to form the one of the girl standing there…

Could it be?

"Yui…" He whispered in stunned shock.  It seemed almost too real to be true.  It was like out of his dreams, except set in the current time period as oppose to an Ancient Chinese setting.

She blinked at him.  Something twinkled in her eyes.  Was it fear?  Hope?  What was it?  Séamus couldn't place his finger on it as he continued to stare, his heart skipping a beat as he stared into those temptress eyes, gently seducing him.

He swallowed.  Reaching out, he took the packages from her.  "Miss Hongou, shall I escort you to where you're living or staying, as circumstances permit?"  He wanted to stay with her, hopefully solve what he was feeling and place the images that lanced through his mind, stunning his senses.

Yui was slightly taken aback when he removed the packages from her arms.  She found herself no longer in such a state as he proposed his offer.  She smiled and nodded, with a reply of yes.  She then linked her arm through his, resting her hand on his arm.

The pair walked along in silence, saying nothing.  Yet, it wasn't an awkward silence; it was fitting for them both.  It didn't bother either.

A few blocks later, Séamus veered off, guiding Yui over to a small fish and chips place.  "I'm hungry, would you like to join me dinner?"

"I've love to, sound divine!" Yui smiled up at the one she believed to be the boy who was once the Seiryuu Seishi Suboshi.  If she was so lucky, she had found the one she had believed she had forever lost to the claw grip of death.

Escorting her in, Séamus gave the packages and his coat over to the coat-room boy and accepted the tag, before he walked Yui over to the table they had been assigned to.  Pulling out a chair, he nodded, as she smiled up at him, sitting down.  As she sat, he pushed the chair in for her then took the spot across from her.

Clearing his throat, Séamus leaned forward.  "Miss Hongou, we haven't had much chance to speak yet, so how's before we order, we get to know each other?"  He gave a lopsided boyish grin.  'If you are who I think you are, we know each other…'

"It does seem appropriate Mr Kennedy." Yui replied, leaning forward, her hands clasped in front of her, resting against the edge of the table, her legs crossed one over the other in a ladylike fashion under the table.

His expression grew serious and he leaned in.  He whispered softly.  "Don't; think me mad as a hatter, Miss Hongou, but I believe we have met before, but not in this life."

Yui blinked.  Did he really think this?  It no longer seemed too good to be true that this young man was the former Seiryuu Seishi Suboshi.  A small knowing smile befell her lips as she listened to him.  Her heart leapt in secret joy.  The painful encountered with Jeremiah had been worth it to be able to have this one fateful meeting with the one she had been longing for since she had learned of his death, and when she had realised that she did indeed care deeply for the boy and loved him with every inch of her being, as he had with her.

She swallowed.  "You think so?  You believe so?  I know so."

Séamus blinked, staring hard at her.  "You don't think I'm mad?  You truly believe me, Miss Hongou?"

"Please, just call me Yui."

"Yui."

Smiling, she nodded.  She felt a warm feeling at the sound of his voice softly uttering her name, without any honorific.

There was now an awkward moment of silence before she decided to break it, with her own response of, "I do believe you when you say that we have met in another time.  I do remember it clear as day.  That time is most vivid in my mind."

She paused, inhaling thoughtfully.  She closed her eyes as she made her reply, "I remember you most clearly…  Forgive me if I'm wrong…  Suboshi…" she gazed up at him, her eyes meeting his.

Séamus stared at her in shock.  This girl…  "Priestess of Seiryuu…" he breathed out.  She did have the same appearance as the girl that he had fallen into a deep love with in his last life.  The pieces suddenly seemed to be falling into place.

He swallowed, continuing to stare at her, waiting for her response, that is, if she had hear him utter the title he had known her as.

'Like Taka, Suboshi also has his memories back!' Yui thought happily, tears stinging her eyes in sheer glee at the thought that she might have her warrior back.

"Yui, what's wrong?" Séamus asked concernedly as he gazed at her, wondering if he had done or said something that had caused her to cry.  He wondered if it was his fault.  Whether it was or not, didn't matter to the guilt he felt.

"No, there's nothing wrong.  All is right…"

That was the last thing she said, as she gazed at him for a short moment before a shot rang out.  The sniper had fired a single bullet, which penetrated Yui's back, hitting a vital organ.  She lurched forward, a surprised look on her face as her mouth stayed open, no sound coming out.

~~~~

There was a gentle rap of the knuckles on the door to the hovel that was shared by the small Stern family.  The mother head of the family dosed through the nose, while her youngest born, her son, Achan was jolted out of his rest by it.

Trotting to the door, his bare feet flying over the cold cement floor, he stopped at the door, pulling it open slightly.  "Yes?"  He gazed out through the crack into the darkness of the night.

"Achan Stern?"

"Oh?  Officer Kepler?"

"Yes."

Parting the door, Achan let the officer into the small place.  He knew he could trust the man, despite the fact that the man was adorned in the garments of the dreaded SS rank and file.  If it had been another officer, the young man would have been reluctant to part the door, but it was Albretchet Kepler, the reincarnation of friend and ally, Genbu Seishi Hikitsu.

Achan, the former Genbu Seishi Tomite, sensed the presence in the officer, hence his heightened sense of overall trust for someone who would otherwise under normal permitting circumstance be considered an enemy.  That was his one and foremost reason for letting the man in.  It had nothing to do with the fact that the man could come in regardless.

Taking a seat at the small table, Officer Kepler removed his hat, and turned a gaze on the young man.  As he turned his face to Achan, the hazy-yellow light of the moon filtering in through the yellowed frayed goosy curtains fell over his face, silhouetting him, giving him a gentle shadow.

"Achan, get Arielle, I will speak to you both of plans to remove you and your family from the ghetto, but I require full cooperation."

"I'll get her."

Turning, Achan ran from the room to the small and cramped sleeping quarters.  Entering, he knelt next to his older sister, who turned to face him and in a whisper asked, "Who's calling at this ungodly hour of the night?"

"It's your lover…" Achan joked, winking at his sister, only to earn a dirty look from her as she took her pillow and threw it at him.

Giving her brother a dirty look, Arielle pushed her bangs out of her face; her hair was held back by a couple of ribbons.  Sitting up, she sighed.  "What does Mr Kepler want?"

"Something about helping us leave the ghetto."

"He found a way?" she gasped out, staring incredulously at her brother.  At that, she stood up.  "You are serious?  You swear it's the honest to god's truth?"

"It should be.  I don't know if he isn't lying and if this is a rouse because we're going to end up at one of those death camps."

Pulling on a simple housecoat, Arielle wandered out.  Peering out into the small area that made up the kitchen, she caught sight of the officer.

"Mr Kepler?"  She edged, as she walked over to him.

"Miss Stern." The SS officer stood up, taking her hand, kissing it.  "Or shall I say, Iname.  You're still beautiful even if in a state of rumpled imperfection."

She felt a slight blush creep over her cheeks at his praise.  "If you do say so, Mr Kepler, but I hardly am worth such praise."

"But I do.  And please, call me Albretchet…  Or if you must, Hikitsu." he whispered, brushing his hand over her face, moving loose bangs back from her pale face.

She nodded numbly.  "Yes…Albretchet."

Saying nothing, he brought his lips to hers, his hand cupping her chin gently.  He pulled away after a lingering moment, staring deeply into her eyes.  "Arielle, gather what you can fit into a small bag.  Help Achan pack.  I'll come for your mother in the morning."

"You want me to leave mother behind?  But how she will fret!" Arielle remarked, staring into the eyes of her former lover.

"I know.  Leave her a note.  But it's more discrete if I escort you two out then come for her.  It's best that way.  And your mother is already on a reserved list.  She's worker of Herr Schindler2, and he's sent a request for a batch of his workers to be spared.  She was listed.  You two weren't, so you two shall do as I say."

"Yes, sir." Achan nodded.

From his jacket, the officer produced a folder.  "In here is what you need for freedom.   It contains passports that show you to have pure German blood, and that there is no trace of Judeo blood in your ancestry.

"Further, I advise you both to remove the Star of David from your clothes promptly before you leave the ghetto so that I may escort you both and no have problems arise."

"I do have a kit for that.  I'll fetch it.  Achan, get whatever outfit you wish to wear and I'll remove the star." Arielle stood up walking over to the small box in the kitchen and pulled out a sewing kit.

~~~~

From her chair she fell.  On the ground she lay on her side, blood seeping from the gaping wound in her chest on her back.  Around her on the floor formed a puddle of sticky red blood.  It was putrid in smell, causing many patrons to take a handkerchief and cover their faces to try and allow for them to keep their meal down.

Lying on the floor, Yui gasped for breath.  She was short of it.  Her vision was going hazy, her eyes seeing stars and not much else.  Her mind swirling in the numbing intoxication of pain.  Is this was dying truly felt like?

"Yui!" Séamus jumped from his seat, moving to her side to pick her up and cradle her.  He didn't know what else to do.  He lifted her into his arms and held her for a minute.

Opening her eyes, she tried to focus on him.  "Suboshi…" she whispered, trying to raise a hand to his face, to feel his face against her hand.

Grasping what she was attempting to do, he took her hand in his, clutching it.  "Yes, Lady Yui?"

"I'm sorry for what I did to you.  I wish I had got to be with you more in the last life." She whispered a soft serene smile over her lips.  "I love you…"

"Yui…" he blinked in shock at her words.  He didn't know what else to say to her.  But now, it was too late to say anything, as she shut her eyes, her body going limp in his arms.

His mouth went dry.   She had just died in his arms, professing of her love for him.  That was the last thing she had told him.  Just as it was the last thing he had told her before he had died following saving her from the wrath of an evil being in the last life.

From up at a balcony in the tavern stood a lone figure wielding an army issued gun.  He watched the unfolding scene with a satisfied smirk over his lips.  The ensuing chaos was too delicious for words.  It was interesting to see these dumb people try and save a pathetic girl who was nothing more than enemy.

He fired a shot up, catching the attention of many.  He then declared loudly for all to hear: "do not waste your time, for she was an enemy of the state!  She is like the serpent in the Garden of Eden.  She earned trust in the guise of deceit!"

With that, the sniper vanished.

~~~~

The common understanding which we have here reached guarantees that victory will be ours. 3

Chelsea sighed as she listened to the current broadcast from the United Kingdom's Prime Minister's office, following a previous announcement of a conference between the United States of American, the USSR and the United Kingdom in the kingdom of Iran.

This broadcast was merely a report of the events that had traversed at the conference.

Reassuring words they were, but as to if they were a reality was another story.  They weren't to Chelsea.  The mere idea that the victory for the allies was any where near was as good as a dream.  It was only a fantasy.

How could anyone guarantee such a victory in the face of sweeping German attacks that were impossible for the mainland European nations to fend off?  Did the United Kingdom really deem itself that capable?  It was possible, but Chelsea wanted to see results before she believed.

Clasping her hands in front of her, she changed her position in her chair as she sat behind the secretarial desk outside of General Marshall's office.

With our Diplomatic advisors we have surveyed the problems of the future. We shall seek the cooperation and active participation of all nations, large and small, whose peoples in heart and mind are dedicated, as are our own peoples, to the elimination of tyranny and slavery, oppression and intolerance. We will welcome them, as they may choose to come, into a world family of Democratic Nations.

No power on earth can prevent our destroying the German armies by land, their U Boats by sea, and their war plants from the air.

Our attack will be relentless and increasing.

Taking off his hat, Marcus stopped in front of the desk and faced the young girl that sat their.  His eyes narrowed.  She did seem familiar to him somehow, but he didn't want to say.

Gazing up when she heard the man come in, Chelsea diverted her attention from the broadcast long enough to serve the man who stood before her.

"Good afternoon sir, what is your business with General Marshall?"

"I have come to talk to him about military strategy pertaining to the war.  It was discussed in a recent batch of telegrams that we have exchanged."

"So you'd be Marcus Faulkner?"

"Yes ma'am." The man nodded.

"Go right on in, he isn't busy."

Nodding once more, Marcus wandered past the desk.  As he did, he turned a gaze back to the young girl sitting there.   'Chiriko.'  He smiled to himself, noting that the child was once again on the same side as him and one other of his friends.

He watched her for a minute, wondering if the girl did have her memories back.  It seemed to him that she did, for her chi wasn't weak.  Forgoing his talk with his old friend for a brief moment, Marcus kept his hat under arm and walked back over to face the girl.

"You do look familiar to me."  That seemed to be the best way to begin.

"I could say the very same to you, Mr Faulkner." Chelsea replied, checking some papers on her desk.  They were death certificates to me mailed out to the families, as well as the notices.

Marcus arched an eyebrow.  The girl did seem to have wit, but a gentle one.  "What makes you say that, ma'am?"

"Simple, you do resemble an old friend of mine, just as General Marshall does, as well as my escort, and his friend.  This also goes for the two captains that are heading a small but highly classified military campaign to do a reconnaissance over on main land."

"Who do they look like?"

"Like people I knew from a previous life, as you do."

"Chiriko."

"Yes, that is who I was, which makes you Chichiri."

"And Dwight is Mitsukake."

"My escort, Brennan, is Tasuki.  His good friend is former Seiryuu Seishi Suboshi.  The two captains are former enemies; Lord Hotohori and Nakago."

Marcus seemed slightly surprised by that.  Two of their former enemies were now on their side?  Did this mean that it was possible that former allies would be enemies?

To be con't in chapter 24

~~~~

1 – carton of fags: this is just another way of saying carton of cigarettes; slang.

2 – Schindler: Oskar Schindler a German businessman born in 1908.  Schindler set up his factory in Brinnlitz, a small town on the Polish-Czechoslovakian border. He was allowed to draw up a list of "essential" Jewish workers — those from Emalia and others with special talents he deemed useful — whom he could take with him.   (Schindler's List)

3 – from the Tehran conference held by the United Kingdom, United States and the USSR; the peace agreement, December 1, 1943

Author's Note: Hey!  Look!  I'm very good, I got out two new chapters in less than a week!  Anyway, aside from that, I'm writing this note this time, to point out that, for anyone who is asking for a list of the character cast to know who is who, check the end of chapter 12, I put the list there because if I put it sooner, there would be too many spoilers.  Thank you to everyone who is still reading this!  Don't worry, I will finish this, no matter how long it takes!  Don't forget to review!  Tell me what you think!