Chapter 24
Troublesome People
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy and the name Mifune came from Noacat. All OC's are mine.
A/N: I can't believe I cut myself with my own blasted sword…again. I have two and wouldn't it be my luck that the one with the sheath isn't the sharp one. I'm willing to bet my sharpened sword could probably take off a finger or two if one weren't careful. And these stinking Gobstoppers won't quit falling onto my keyboard…haha I'll eat them and Gobstoppers to all my readers! Anyways, on with the story.
Note: If anyone has any suggestions on how to put together Sephiroth and Daitona's relationship I'd be grateful for any help. I don't normal write about such things, but…I kind of got led there. Anyways…I could really use the help in that area because for some reason ever time I write something it sounds corny and I would never bring myself to post something I felt so self-conscious about.
Troublesome People:
Daitona slowly woke from the few hours she had slept since getting back to camp with Sephiroth. She rubbed at her eyes sleepily then noticed how warm it had gotten. 'I couldn't have slept that late, could have I? Surely someone would have...'
She slowly turned her head to see behind her and for a moment she couldn't think of any retinal explanations for what she saw.
Sephiroth opened one green blue eye then the other. "Good morning," he said softly. He chuckled at Daitona's facial expression and knew exactly what she was thinking. "As I said last night, no worries. You were half asleep by the time we neared camp so I pick you up and laid you down next to me. It's a change to wake up warm, isn't it?"
"Yeah…I guess so. I thought we were suppose to leave at dawn though?" Daitona looked around and the camp was as still as it had been during the night hours.
Sephiroth scanned the area then shrugged. "Oh well, we're in no hurry as of yet. Why rush into something that we already know will result in a battle?"
"And to think, you let one of them join us." Daitona wrinkled her nose and Sephiroth laughed. "Really, it's not funny."
"No," Sephiroth laughed, "It's what you told him when you threatened him yesterday."
Daitona frowned and crossed her arms somewhat. "And I meant ever word of it. If he so much as looks at me the wrong way…"
Sephiroth shuttered then laughed as her put his arm around her waist bring her close again. "I glad I'm not in his shoes, because I know it not wise to take a threat from you as a bluff."
"You might just end up in that position if you don't let go of me right now," Daitona warned; Sephiroth flinched as if he'd been smacked then Daitona laughed. "I'm just kidding, I'd never do something like that to you…we'll not now anyways, but you better watch yourself."
While she smiled in amusement, Sephiroth was looking a bit wary. "You…you really wouldn't do that…would you?"
Daitona grinned. "Have I scared the 'Great' Sephiroth?"
"Great Sephiroth? Where did you get that from?"
"Why not? You are a great fighter and I know we'll become know around the world because of this war," she said.
"You're are disturbing person sometimes. You say that so childishly that it wouldn't normally be taken seriously, yet what you said probably isn't too far from the truth. All the military leaders, and officers alike will be know. What rank will we hold by the end of this war?" He sighed and relaxed, gaining he was safe for the moment.
"Who know, it all depends who gets killed and who is the better to replace the position. We have the second highest military officer with up; if something happens to him…you'll probably get his position. I have no doubt about that," Daitona stated firmly.
"Why do you say that? Why couldn't you get the higher ranking?" Sephiroth questioned and rested his chin on her shoulder.
"A few reasons…one, you're the better swordsmen; two, you're older than me; and three…I'm a girl. You know how people are; no matter how truly good I am I will not be treated as equal to higher officers. That I know because you are already a rank higher than me and we have been together the entire time we've been in Wutai. You have done nothing in battle that I haven't." She sighed and let her head thump back to the blanket underneath them.
"That does seem kind of unfair doesn't it," Sephiroth murmured. "Don't worry about it, out here…rank means nothing unless you are below officer. You don't see me or Otto ordering you around do you?"
"You did order me to stay on the wall at that last battle," she grumbled.
"And you didn't listen either, did you? Did you get in trouble? No, because frankly, I didn't care because I think you are better off fighting directly. It'd just what I see of you combat nature."
"Combat nature, huh? I think you're full of it," Daitona teased. "But you're right, it doesn't matter especially if one doesn't care."
Sephiroth stared at her till he became aware that someone had been standing there next to them; both Daitona and him looked up at the same time and found questioning brown eyes staring back at them.
"I'm not going to ask…but you two do know Shinra doesn't like these things going on between the SOLDIER's, right?" Otto said slowly.
"There's nothing going on," Sephiroth assured. "It was cold last night."
"Indeed it was. Well, it's really none of my business, but you've both been warned." With that Otto silently walked back into the camp and started to relight the fires so that a warm breakfast could be made.
"Well, I guess we really should get up now and get everything ready to go…" Daitona sighed; Sephiroth did as well and pulled back from her to get up.
****
Daitona tugged along thinking how terrible her feet felt in the over sized and now wet boots. The day had grown hot as they marched to the far South and the cold mountain water had felt good…at the time. Now Daitona's socks were soggy and her feet felt worse than ever.
'They're suppose to be water proof…when they fit properly!' she thought angrily. 'Now all there doing is holding in a pond full of water…that's it!' Daitona growled and stepped out of the path of everyone else and sat down.
Ignoring the strange looks she pulled the boots off and a fare about of water spilled from each. Her socks were thoroughly socked and she pealed them off then tossed them aside. Several nasty looking blisters had formed on both her feet in some very tender areas.
"You ok?" Otto asked when he was about to pass.
She sighed and glanced up at him. "Here," Daitona threw one of her boots at him, "carry these," she said and threw the other.
Otto barely managed to catch both and before he could object Daitona was on her feet and limping somewhat back to her ranks.
"Poor kid," he mumbled and tied the boots to his pack and continued on.
****
Sephiroth sat laughing at their camp for the night; Daitona was near him glaring all the while and Otto just looked amused.
Sephiroth wiped at his eyes as he tried to get his laughing under control. "She just…threw them at you and walked off?" He started to laugh again; Otto shook his head.
"Come on, it's not that funny," Daitona scolded.
"I know," Sephiroth laughed and brought in under control. "It's just you walked all day without shoes on and no one noticed you shrunk an inch. You know that everyone is…"
"You finish that sentence and you're going to regret it," she warned; Sephiroth promptly shut his mouth.
Otto chuckled and shook his head.
While Daitona was busy glaring at Sephiroth who looked on in amusement, all three failed to notice a certain Wutain boy approach them.
Unfortunately for Tseng, the young female commander took notice of him first and she looked anything but pleased.
"What do you want?" she demanded and her hands unconsciously going to where her swords would have been. She had forgot she had taken them off and had left them with her sleeping gear. 'If only he knew how lucky he is right now…'
Tseng smirked and bowed his head to the other two commanders. "I just thought to warn you…when you attacked Fort Dal'fa, my dad sent a runner out to get backup and that would be…four days ago now…"
"What are you saying?" Otto asked warily.
"I'm saying," Tseng stated irritably, "that trouble is on the way."
Daitona narrowed her eyes but Sephiroth spoke up before she could.
"What kind of trouble."
Daitona snorted at the amused look in Tseng's eyes. "He already told us, yesterday."
"Oh?" Tseng challenged, he didn't think any of these officers knew what kind of trouble they had blindly walked into.
Daitona cursed under her breath and shook her head.
"What is it?" Sephiroth asked watching Daitona closely.
"We're screw! That's what." Daitona glared at the surprised Tseng. "He told us out right that he KNEW Commander Mifune wasn't at Fort Natic, and you want to know how he knew that? I'll tell you, because he Commander Mifune IS the backup they requested. We're marching straight into them. We're as good as sitting ducks out here! Us, we've taken our sweet time, but what do you wanna bet that Mifune is one his way as we speak?"
'Ok, so I have to give her credit. She's smart and explained it a hell of a lot more thoroughly than even I could have,' Tseng thought and stood unmoving.
Sephiroth's eyes snapped to the dark haired Wutain. "Is she right?"
"Ahh, y-yes sir," Tseng stammered.
"Damn it all!" Otto growled. "Daitona, if you knew, why didn't you say something?"
"Huh?" she whined. "I didn't know…it just hit me a moment ago, maybe we ALL should pay a little more attention instead of just me! I'm the kid here, remember?"
"Kid?" Tseng questioned.
"Shut up!" three angry officers snapped as one.
"We need a plan…" Otto groaned.
"Besides tucking our tails and running?" Daitona asked sarcastically.
Sephiroth snickered. "Then tell us, 'oh wise one.' What shall we do?"
Daitona grinned. "Just leave it all up to me."
"I don't like the sound of that…" Otto warned.
****
-End Chapter 24-
A/N: Ok, so this chapter was a bit short but hey. Expect a battle in the next chapter…all planed out by Daitona no less. Is it just me or does that spell out trouble for everyone, friend and foe alike? Any ideas are welcomed, and I'm still lacking names…*sighs* Ah well, I'll have to make up my own or look through the dictionary again. You know…that's a good place to find stuff…