Her Most Beautiful Smile

The Ageless spread all across the globe, some taking roots in the Americas, some taking a liking to the Asian continent, and a few of them enjoy the freedom of wandering. They would search for a temporary resting place, any shelter that would teach them more about the quality of the life, which they were never a part of before. Although their journeys were different, and the lessons learnt equally so, they all rediscovered the beauty of the world they have sworn to protect.


"What's your favorite food?"

"Agedashi Tofu."

"Favorite band?"

"Bread and the Beatles."

"Favorite Singer?"

"Gackt."

"Favorite Color?"

"Blue."

"Favorite Season?"

"Autumn."

"Favorite Animal?"

"Unicorn."

"Unicorn??" Surprise crept into Shinji's voice. "They've never existed before!"

A simple cool gaze and I smoothly replied.

"That's what you think."

We've been playing this game for the whole of this morning. After the handshake and pledge to be as amicable to each other as possible, Shinji stoutly insisted that I be put through third degree so that he can learn as much about me that I was willing to reveal. And though I may seem reticent and disinterested, I must say that Shinji can be an interesting companion to have around, I only wish we did not have to meet under these circumstances.

"Alright, you've been asking me enough questions already, it's my turn!" I grinned impishly, ready to give him a taste of his own (poking and prodding) medicine.

"What's your favorite...." Oh dear, it was only then that I realized I had no idea what kind of a question I could pose to make him squirm so I just settled for the customary "... song?"

His eyes alight; Shinji seemed to be only too happy to answer my pathetic query.

"Her most beautiful smile by Taro Iwashiro." Without a pause, he continued. "Listening to the music, the simple piano just makes me melt. You cannot imagine the power of imagery or great beauty that a simple piano piece can do to me. Listening to it makes me wish so hard to find a girl whose smile can bring such calm and peace to me, who can make me want to sing out loud every time I'm with her, if only..."

His gaze upon me was too strong and too deep to mistake for anything else. Looking away, I willed for the magic of his glance to disperse. I needed no such distraction from my duty. I'm sorry Shinji, I'm not the one... I can't be.

Coughing uncomfortably, he tugged at my hand to get my attention.

"Kaoru? Would you like some ice cream? I have some in the fridge if you like..."

Forcing a smile on my face, I turned to him and softly assented. He promised and is trying his best to be my friend, and being without a companion for so many years, I, too, only wish the same. Maybe if we just kept on track and did not stray from our objectives of friendship, we would not have to find disillusion in disappointment.

Shinji's return broke my train of thought as he thrust the tub of ice cream in my waiting hands. If there was anything that could make me feel better, ice cream was the answer. Of my many years on land, this was by far one of the best culinary creations ever since it was discovered that melting sugar could give toffee!

Looking down at the tub in my hands, I mused. Coffee. My favorite flavor. It's rather surprising to see that Shinji has a stock of coffee flavored ice cream hiding somewhere in his fridge, considering that he abstained from that flavor.

'The caffeine makes me do crazy things. You do not want to see how many ways I can take my pants off!'

That thought in itself made me wary of him every time coffee is handed out during our mission briefings. Thankfully, he had enough foresight and prudence to reject every single cup that comes his way, although my glaring at him could have some effect on his decision as well. Who knows?

"How's the ice cream? I figured you're the 'coffee' person, so I bought a tub and as tempted as I am, you can finish it."


Raising the tub at him, I bowed my head in mock gratitude.

"So kind of you to give up your bout of insanity for my sake. It is truly heart-felt when I say 'a thousand thanks', my lord."

Sadly, my sarcasm was lost in the laughter that erupted from Shinji's lips. Feeling affronted at the treatment he was giving my well thought out speech, I released a frustrated 'mou!' and chucked a cushion straight at his head. No one gets away with insulting the great Kamiya Kaoru!... not even if he's a hunky, delicious piece of male specimen!

Obviously, that started the great Pillow War of 2003 in Tokyo.



Orange. If anyone were to ask me what my favorite color is, I believe orange would only be second to my hot favorite, blue. Lilac would then come a close third.

"Kamiya!"

"Huh? Yes, Commander?" I turned away from my assessment of Shinji's hair color and stared straight into the Commander's dark, angry orbs.

Opps.

"What can I do for you sir?" My cool, indifferent mask slipped into place even before I realized it. It was my defense mechanism, so deeply ingrained in me that I did not even notice when I applied it.

"Himura is going on the next mission alone, I want you to go through the procedure and the weapons inspection with him before that."

"But sir..."

The Commander gave me a strict look which really should be insufficient to shut me up, but I did anyway. I knew that it was upon my request that Shinji was found as my replacement, and though all the time I spent with him showed me that he was a more than capable substitute, I was reluctant to let him fly. In more ways than one. My smug mind just had to quip. After all, it's been a while since lo-…



"What do you suppose love is? How can you say that you love him?"

She smiled at my simple question as her eyes took a dreamy cast, thinking about her beau. It's strange to think that she is a countess, so dignified, so refined, but when faced with love, she turns into a child, a little girl who has just been given a present on Christmas night.

"I know I love him because a voice in my heart cries out to him, and his heart responds to it. It's a melody waiting for the right person, and when I've found him, my entire being just... sang."



So here I was, housesitting for Shinji while he's off on a mission, skulking in the darkness while Kaijis where roaming around. Nasty buggers they were, hardy too.

All creatures can be divided into the five elements – Fire, Water, Earth, Air and Metal. Some creatures are simply created from one element alone, but others are mixture of a few. Because humans have the ability to go through water, air, earth and metal unscathed, we are naturally a product of those elements. In this case, what makes the Kaijis more deadly than the average Morlocks is that they are made up of water, air and earth, unlike their genetically inferior brothers, the Morlocks, who were only created from air and earth.

Originating from Japan, they have the uncanny ability to sniff out a human from a hundred acres away. Theorists believe that they were descendants from the mating of werewolves, bloodhounds and Morlocks, but no one could be sure. Upon death, they disintegrated into dust, making further lab tests on their remains virtually impossible. Live ones are even harder to catch due to their great speed and strength. Thinking about my last harrowing escape from their jaws made me shiver in fear for what Shinji could be going through while I was safely tucked up in his couch eating the last scoops of his coffee ice cream.

"Please be safe."

Picking myself up, I threw the empty container away as I turned to clean up his sitting room. I took the piles of magazines and mangas, straightened them as I wiped the tabletop with the rag I found at the sink.



"Here are the keys." He handed me his house keys as though it was a normal everyday occurrence. As if he's not going off to fight the Kaijis but just for a trip around the corner to the mini-mart. "I hope you're the sight I first see when I come home."

And with that, he left without even turning back. I'm glad he didn't, so he can't see the apprehension standing in my eyes.



In all these years, I found cleaning to be the best remedy for frustration, irritation, and just about anything that makes you upset. It keeps the hands busy and the mind free for cursing and swearing at your object of aggravation, which was probably why I did not hear the door open.

"Whoa! I was only gone for two hours and you've managed to clean the place up so well... and whatever do those words mean?"

"It's Gaelic for 'you're an uneducated, uncouth moron who still doesn't know the right end of the stick to use'!"

His lips curved into a condescending grin as I started to realize how ridiculous I looked wearing plastic gloves, brandishing a dirty rag in my hand and raising that said hand in a fist at him.

Giving my successor a quick check, he seemed fine, save for a few cuts and bruises here and there. I was very impressed by his state, thinking back on how dangerous and deadly the creatures could be, he must have been quick on his feet and at his thinking to escape with only a few scraps.

"So I take it mission was accomplished?"

The grin on his face faded into a serious expression as he recounted his entire experience.

"Everything went fine until the Morlocks appeared. I attacked them, but they jumped into the pond behind the warehouse, so I just threw in a triple-Alpha into the water but…"

"They used to abhor water of any kind. It dissolves them, that's how the Anglican wars in 366 BC was won…"

Confusion mixed with morbid fascination as Shinji listened to my mutterings.

"Anglican wars? 366 BC? What???"

Obviously Shinji would not have heard about it. It was stuff that myths and legends were made of, not reality and everyday happenings. But this new piece of evidence brought a whole new aspect into the war between the creatures of Air and Earth. 

"Shinji, are you sure they jumped into the pond? Did they dissolve? Did they perish?"


Shaking his head adamantly, he affirmed.

"I'm very sure they dove in. I heard the splashes and saw them swimming!"

To be honest, this piece of information got me nervous.

"The old lady… she said…" …And the children of Earth would rise and fall to the water unlike before. Only in fire shall they perish…

Absently, I passed the rag to Shinji and grabbed the phone to call the Commander amidst Shinji's numerous questions. However, he was silenced with a look. I was not in the mood to baby-sit a twenty odd year old man who does not know the right time to ask questions.

"Commander Saitou? It's beginning."

AN: Ok, if you're confused, so am I! This chapter is decidedly longer as I'm slowly but surely entering PLOT. Are you surprised about the Commander's identity? Well, he's going to be popping up here and there, so I might as well make him useful.

Are any of the italicized parts confusing? If so, please let me know, I'm adding them in to spice up Kaoru's life. The part about the countess is there to show that her life doesn't start with meeting Shinji. And the part about the Anglican war? Heh, read up to find out how Kaoru knows about it, but I'm sure you've already more or less made intelligent guesses about it. I'm not going to say anything, just: Read on!

If you notice, the tone on this chapter is decidedly lighter than that of the previous chapters, because I was hoping to show a different side of Kaoru. Have I failed? Should I stick to serious Kaoru?

Kitsuni-1500: Yo man, I'm already doing my best! Don't sic animals on me! I'm allergic to fur! –sneezes- and your fics are great! Keep on writing, I'll be glad to help you out if you need any zany ideas!

CEEGEE: Oh boy, I really don't know what I'll do without you to encourage me along! Kaoru's emotions? Well, it's actually very closely tied to mine, heh, so we shall see! [ie. See whether I can resist that hunk of a character I have created! Muahaha come to mama!]

DragonMastersofShadows: oh boy, now you're giving me stress! Breathe, Haruko, breathe! –grinz- I'm trying my best, so let me know if there's anything you're unhappy with! Drop me an email and let me know what you think is going to happen, who knows? It might be better than what I'm coming up with, and I'll pick off your brains!

Darkhope: here's more, do let me know what you think about it, it's great hearing from everyone, so I can tailor my fic to sound better and smoother!

MissBehavin: What can I say? No fic would be complete without a review from you! Here are more clues as to what Kaoru is, although I'm pretty sure you guys have already formulated an idea of what she is and what her job requires. Her demeanor towards Shinji has evolved yet once more, and I'm probably as eager as you to see what's going to happen. I've already more or less gotten the plot, etc down, but of course my horrible characters never really listens to me. They just go do whatever they want to do. –whispers- especially Shinji, he just keeps hitting on Kaoru no matter how many times I tell him I want to keep this PG! Horny little monkey! -_-;;

~Haruko