Chapter 13

I folded up some of the new stuff I had bought and packed them in a suit case. I did so along with a few other new belongings I had bought. Manly books there were. I had bought a lot of books. I wanted to read. I needed away to escape the life I was going to go back to tomorrow.

I picked up my gown. He smelled like him. I held it close to my chest before I folded it and packed it.

"So you're really leaving tomorrow?"

I turned around. His golden eyes were locked on me.

"Yea," I replied, looking away. "I have no choice."

"You know, it's going to be hard for me to keep that promise with you not being able to come back," he pointed out.

"Gee, what do you expect me to do?" I questioned him. "It's not like I can stay."

"Why not?"

I snapped around and glared at him. "Do you have any idea what you are asking me to do?"

He looked at me deep into my eyes, and for once I did not feel his chill. "Stay."

I closed my bag. "I'm sorry," I said. "I can't. As much as I would love to I can't. For one thing he'd out there and I will not rest until I kill him for the humiliation he has caused me. The best way for me to get close enough to do that, is to stay with the service."

"And what if he out does you again Rip?" he questioned. "Yes, you are stronger than him, but his mind is so evil and devious that he out smarts you."

"And you don't think that's I'm not evil and devious enough to get the upper hand on him?!" I demanded. "Some faith you have in me!"

His face was suddenly too close for comfort. "You are not evil," he whispered hoarsely. He was starting to come out again, but for me to stay? No, I had to kill the Visser. I would not rest until I did so. If it was the last thing I did before I died or if I died trying then so be it.

"I'm sorry, Copper," I said in my own whisper. "I have to leave tomorrow. My pride was shattered, twice. My heart is set on one thing right now. If ....I'm alive after his death, then I will come back. That I promise."

"You can't promise to stay alive," he pointed out to me.

"Copper, you're too close...stop..."

He back up.

"As much as playing games with you is enjoyable.....it's going to hurt me later on," I said. "I missed you enough as it was." I defensively held myself. "It's just hurt twice as much. So, I'm going to say good bye to you now, Copper Ookami."

He shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't let you."

"It's your loss then," I said. "If you please then, I'd like to get some sleep."

He smiled. He was started to understand. "Sure, BG. Good night then."

"Good night Copper," I said without looking at him. He turned my face and gave a light kiss to my lips. I didn't resist, but I didn't reply.

"Just...uh...I....it was...."

He was stuttering.

I then leaned up and kissed him myself. "Just once more right? Good night."

He smiled. "Good night."

"Well, it was fun awhile it lasted," Jessi sighed. "Most of it, anyway."

I sighed as we walked the halls of the base. "Yea," I said.

She looked at me thoughtfully and smiled. "I know, I didn't want to come back either, but I had nothing to stay to over those walls. You did though."

I looked up at her. I knew what she was talking about. She knew that I knew. "It's strange....who knew I was capable of these types of feelings."

"You two were best friends right?" she pointed out. "It's only naturally after not seeing each other for so long something more would spark, right? I mean, you two already had a bond before, it just grew deeper. Even the universe's perfect weapon can fall in love."

"Nobody said I fell in love with him!" I snapped.

"Nobody had to," she snapped back with a snort. "It was a given thing. You both looked like you would burst into tears this mourning. Besides, you have that pretty little gown don't you?"

"You asked you to be so nosey anyway?" I gruffed. "It's none of your damn business anyway. Why don't you just stay out of it!" I dropped my suit case on my old bed. "I'm going talk with Leo." I walked out of there and to Leo's office.

"Now, son, are you sure, you want to do this?" I heard Leo question. "I mean, you are one of them, but not. You haven't been in training or battle. You have no experience."

"I'm pretty sure, sir," he replied. "Besides, I have a promise I gotta keep."

"Well, I can't hate on that," Leo chuckled. "Welcome aboard."

"Thank you, sir."

The door swung open!

"Whoa!" I fell forward. I was caught.

"Whoa, BG," he chuckled. "You need to be more graceful than that."

"Cops? What are you doing here?"

"I told you it was going to be hard keeping a promise with you here and me not," he smiled. "I signed up for the job here."

"Oh Rip, good, just the person I'm looking for," Leo said. "This is our new guy, Copper. Do me a favor and show him around and all the ropes. You guys have a huge mission coming up in a few and I need you all to be ready."

"Ummm, sure thing."

He gave us a look. "And don't do that in the halls."

Copper let go of me fast and Leo laughed as he went back into his office.

We each gave a small chuckle to each to each other. I could not have expressed the joy I had that moment. I didn't have to miss him after all.

"So, are you going to show me around?" He grinned down at me.

"Um, well sure," I said. "I mean it's kinda boring here to tell you the truth. Just a bunch of sweaty young men and women trying to be the best they can be."

"Hey sweaty women? Can't be too bad, right?"

I mad fat lip, glaring at him and then gave him a punch to his shoulder.

"Oww! Hey, I was kidding, girl," he laughed, rubbing his shoulder. "Don't get mad. I can't hold out your punched forever, you know."

I laughed. "Of course, I was going easy on you," I said. "If I would use my full strength you would be dead."

"Yea, but you'd have to catch me first."

"Nani?" a questioned.

"So c'mon show me to my room, I have to get all my stuff unpacked."

"How sure, no problem," I replied. "You'll be bunking with Silverbolt. He dun have a partner."

"Who do you bunk with."

"Well, I used to bunk with Jessi," I replied. "But she and Sabra became all buddy buddy and decided they chill with each other. You know how felines are. The tend to stick together."

"Funny, and here I though we wolves were the social creatures around." He stuck his hands in his pockets. "So, you're all by yourself? You don't get lonely?"

"I prefer it," I replied. "I don't have to worry about hearing Jessi whining, or her snoring."

He chuckled. "You snore too."

"I do...." I was about to give him one of those "I can't believe you said that punches."

"Oh cool! Copper!"

"Speaking of the devil."

"Wow," Jessi gleed. "I can't believe it. You actually listened to me!"

I could see Copper trying to hush her.

"Copper, what does she mean about that?" I questioned, glaring at him.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA! Nothing! She's just some crazy kitty!" He grabbed my arm. "C'mon Rip, come show me to my room...or better yet the base."

He pulled me down the hall.

"Copper, we just can't go roaming around the base," I said. "We're not allowed out of this hall unless called for, or if we have business we need to talk about with Leo."

He suddenly stopped. "What does that mean?"

"Exactly what it means," I told him. "We aren't allowed to leave this hall. We have our rooms, our own gym, our own showers, and we're called to the mess hall when we have meals."

"Not much freedom you have, do you?" he questioned.

"Compared to the outside world, it's slavery," I replied. "But we keep each other company." I smiled. "Here you go. Silvy has that top bunk. Don't crowd his space okay?"

"Okay," he replied. "So, I'll catch you later, right?"

"Sure, around supper I suppose," I replied.

"When's that?"

"In a few hours," I replied. "I'll see you then."

A small look of disappointment came across his face. Yes, my Copper had changes.