Disclaimer: I don't own any Sakura Wars characters. This is just a fanfic and please don't take it seriously. However, if you want to, I can't and I won't stop you.

Author's notes: Two months have passed since I last posted this fic. Chapter 3 has been reposted for mistakes in the Russian transliteration. Ah, yes, thank you for you support. I'll work hard for Maria's sake!

I especially thank the ones who have been encouraging me by telling me that I should not lose my confidence because of competition. Thank you so much!

Words in bold: Russian transliteration

(Words in brackets: English meaning)


Chapter 4 Freedom

"Maria.. Maria.. budit' (wake up)."

"Khto vy? (Who are you?) Kapitan? (Captain?)"

"Maria, Maria, I'm here.."

"Where are you? I can't see you"

"Why? Why must you torture yourself? It hurts me."

"Where are you? Kapitan! (Captain!)"

"Maria, face the fact.."

"So where are you?"

"I'm here.."

"Let me follow you. Kapitan, don't leave me alone! Wait for me!"

"Live on with bravery, Maria."

"How can I live without you?"

"You can.."

Maria spun round. She saw the man, the one whom she missed so much. "Kapitan.." She took a step towards him. "Bang!" The man was shot from behind. The scene, the very much familiar scene, which marked her fate..

"Net (No)!!! Kapitan!!!!" Maria screamed. She woke up. Another nightmare. Taichou.. Why? Why didn't you wait for me? If only I have the courage to follow you..

It was only half past five in the morning. Since she came here, she had never managed to sleep more than five hours. She put her locket in her hand and took out her revolver under the pillow. Those two were the only things that can recall her memories with him. She opened the locket. It was his picture, the smiling face of her beloved captain. She kissed it gently.

Farewell, my love. Good-bye, my happiness. Farewell, my agony. Taichou, I won't cry anymore. Yes, crying is just a sign of weakness. I will be strong. I will live on, at least to wait for death, to wait for the time when I can be with you again.

She got dressed and picked up her gloves. Gloves had been an essence for her in Russia, but not really an essence in New York. She wore the gloves only in memories of him. She knew her tears were going to fall but she would not let them this time. She would be fine! Fine? Fine.. At least she thought so..

During those days after his death, she had been trying her best to make herself miserable. As miserable as she can, she deserved it.. or at least she believed that.. "Let bygones be bygones." That was what her comrades always told her. However, how could she? It was her error, her mistake, her fault.. It was all because of her.. she had thought of committing suicide but at that moment, she had promised him to live on, hadn't she? I won't die.. (in my own hands..)

The bare kind act of a stranger made her uncomfortable. She shouldn't get that merit. The best way to do is coating herself with a layer of ice, making herself an iceberg so that no one would go near her. Nobody.. except him maybe..

KNOCK! KNOCK! He again? Wasn't he scared last night? KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! Is he really in such a hurry? "What the h.." she groaned as she reluctantly opened the door. She swallowed the words that followed when she saw the visitor. "Ah, good morning, Major."

"Won't you be quicker next time?" The man threw the cigarette end onto the floor. "Come on," he grasped Maria's arm and started to run. She nearly fell down because of that.

"What makes you in such a hurry? At least, let me lock the door first!" Maria struggled to get free.

"Shut up!" the man snapped her. He seized her arm even harder. They entered a dark alley where he threw her against the wall. He looked around to make sure that there was no one around. "What have you done?" he pressed her hard on her shoulder. She bit her lips. "Answer me! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?"

"I don't really understand, Major," she mumbled, turning her head sideways in order to avoid his brutal eyes. He held her by her collar, not allowing her to breathe, "I ask you 'WHAT HAVE YOU DONE'!"

"Major.." she gasped, "I don't know.." Short of breath, she coughed.

Outraged, he threw her on the ground. "Don't pretend," he said fiercely. He put his hand in his shirt, taking out his..

"Valentinov!"

He stopped. "Where have you gone? It's like hell without you there." His stony face turned into a smile in less than a second.

"In a while, sir," he said. He spun round and stared at the figure panting on the ground. "I'll deal with you later," he hissed. She raised her head. He bent down, holding her chin. "Don't you dare to go back! Wait here!" he growled.

Maria sat there and panted until she could breathe normally again. She had decided she would wait for him but would he come back? She would just wait and wait until he went back.

She was not so obedient before. Since when had she become so observant? She was almost submissive in front of him. When? Perhaps it started long time ago...

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

"Major, this is the girl I talked about," said a twenty-year-old man. He pulled the girl who kept staying at his back. "Come on, Maria," he muttered to her, "You aren't so timid, I know."

The shy girl emerged from his behind, wearing her usual cold mask. The major sitting in front of the desk blew out a cloud of smoke. He leaned forward and frowned. "Your other sister?" he asked, pointing the cigarette towards the girl.

"No, major," answered the captain, loudly and clearly.

The major nodded. Having finished the cigarette, he pressed the stub into the ash tray. "Come here," said he, beckoning the girl forward. She made no move. He frowned, evidently displeased by her aggressive stare. She did not know why at the first sight, she hated him. Not only hatred but also mingled with scare.

As if for revenge, he looked daggers at her. "I don't like your expression," he hissed scornfully.

"Maria," the captain nudged her who was still having the same stares. "Maria!" he raised his voice. "I'm sorry, major. There's something wrong with her today," he caught Maria by her shoulder.

"It's okay," the major waved his hand; "I'll deal with her myself. Go out now."

"Yes sir," the captain nodded. He nodded not because he was willing to go but he knew he could not defy the major. He turned round to go but was held by the thirteen-year-old girl. "Be a good girl," he said softly. Her eyes begged him to stay but he could not. He gently pushed away her hand, went out of the room and shut the door.

He went out. At first, he leaned against the wall. After a minute, he did not hear any noise from inside. He stood outside the door patiently. Two more minutes passed. Still there seemed to be no movement inside. He started to pace up and down outside the room, trying hard to convince himself that nothing went wrong inside. Five more minutes passed. Still there was no noise. Maria did not come out. What happened? He felt urged to open the door but he knew what the consequence was. Hesitating whether to open it, he did not notice that someone has come up to him. She touched his shoulder. He nearly jumped at that.

"What are you doing here, Yuri?" she asked, pushing Yuri aside. "If you want to get in, turn the knob and.." she opened the door.

When the two of them saw the scene inside, they became speechless. Maria was lying on the ground with Valentinov on top. He was pointing his revolver at her forehead while Maria was holding hers against his chin. The two of them seemed to have had a fight. Valnetinov was clenching his fist while Maria was panting.

"What.. what the hell are you two doing?" Lumilla broke the awkward silence. The two on the floor still refused to withdraw their revolver.

"Maria, take it off," ordered Yuri. Realizing that the others were there, Maria withdrew her revolver and slid off. Valentinov stood up, patting his jacket. She went back beside Yuri.

Lumilla staggered towards Valentinov and touched his face. "What happened, dear?" said she, massaging his shoulder.

He flung himself into the chair and took out a cigarette. Lumilla helped to ignite it. He started to smoke. "Major, is it okay.." Yuri opened his mouth.

"Get out!" said Valentinov with disgust.

"Major.." Yuri insisted for an answer.

"Kapitan, I would like to leave now," said Maria.

"She's now under our command, Yuri," said Lumilla, hinting Yuri to leave before Valentinov exploded.

"Thank you, sistra (sister)" Yuri gestured to Lumilla and left with Maria.

A few minutes later, they were on the way back home. "Are you alright? You look so pale.."

"I'm okay," said she, smiling at him.

"Really," asked he with concern. He touched her shoulder.

"Ugh.."

"You're hurt, aren't you?" he stopped.

"I'm alright," she assured him.

"What happened?" he inquired.

"Nothing really," she smiled faintly, "Let's go home."

However, as they walked further, Maria felt as if she was getting heavier and heavier. Soon, the world seemed to whirl around and shortly, she fainted on the snowy land of Siberia.


Author's notes: One of the scenes here is inspired by the cover of a game called "Phantom of Inferno". The same coldness.. I like it.

In response to Dillian : I must say I don't like Oogami.. As the author, there is a kind of negative inductive effect on the characters..(esp. those that are created by the author) As a result, well, you know what I mean..

In response to Haru Natsu : In fact, when I later on checked the episode 3 of ST1 again, Maria wears nothing when sleeping.. I'm sorry that I made such a mistake.. It's hard to say what kind of underwear she wears coz she's either naked or wearing her outer clothing in her CGs. (though I'm also a bit curious what she wear for her underwear..)(How dare I think of such things..)