Wow, that was a really fast update! Well, I was inspired by your lovely reviews! Thank you all! And I was also inspired by xXredEMPTionXx's wonderful story. Now responses to the reviewers!
Sakuramiko: Heh, I don't really like Kurogane/Fai stories…although they are friends but more than that……..seemed weird to me…I'm glad that you read this story. Arigatou!
Silver soulless: Lol, Kurogane is definitely rude and cool! Because of your review, I updated fast but it might be rushed.
Dust-in: I will answer your questions right after this chapter at the bottom. And I won't give up on this story unlike my other story sadly. Thanks for saying that my story is cool!
Anna Gray: Like an anime show? Gosh, you make me blush. I don't deserve such compliment. Thank you anyway. About the Clamp School Detectives, I don't think I will add them because I don't know anything about those three guys and never read their manga before. I never read all CLAMP works; sorry about that but I will still add more CLAMP characters!
Midnightfirestar: Well, you finally got your question answered. The design of Tomoyo's Soukikai will be revealed in this chapter!
Asga: Well here it is! AN UPDATE! Thanks for reading!
xXredEMPTionxX: Hey, your story also gave me ideas too and I love how you displayed Kurogane's character. I hope his character in this chapter is not out of character. And I'm glad that you like the length of the story.
Disclaimer: Oh come on people, you know I won't own these awesome works of CLAMP because it's their.
Now the next chapter! Please read and review! Hope you enjoy it!
:Operation 03: The Fated Encounter
The Soukikais pilot had won the battle but it wasn't a complete victory. The Brain was still alive after the MCA explosion but it was in no condition to move around or controlled the Ghouls. Once the Brain was fatally injured, the Frog Ghouls immediately died. The Brain could never be killed in battles but in order to deliver the final blow, the Brain must be immobile or nearly dead and a shrine maiden was required. A shrine maiden appeared at the end of the battle to chant an ancient banishment spell to send the mother Brain to another dimension where mankind will never see it again.
Celes and Rayearth were helping Tomoyo's Soukikai back to the Griffin that had landed near them. Windom already made it back and the mysterious black Soukikai was right behind them. Tomoyo was clearly exhausted but didn't dare to show her weakness. The raven-haired girl couldn't help but glanced back at the Black Soukikai through the eyes of her fighting machine. She remembered what that man said to her.
"You suck." The man just dropped her roughly and left her Soukikai's dimension. Those two words had a painful impact on her but she would never show it. Tomoyo just stay there and gaped. Sure, his personality seemed rude and he was really handsome but what struck Tomoyo were his eyes. His cold blood red eyes that could pierce through the windows of human souls. His eyes that was very similar to the Ghouls but yet different in certain aspects. Tomoyo wanted to see those eyes again.
"Tomoyo-san, are you okay?" Hikaru's face appeared on the Inuki screen and her voice filled with sincere concern.
"That bastard didn't do anything to you, does he! HE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING PERVERTED TO YOU, DID HE!" Umi's face appeared on another screen next to Hikaru, along with Fuu's face at the same time. She was over exaggerating things but Tomoyo knew that she was obviously talking about that man.
Fuu sweat-dropped, "Umi, Kurogane is not that kind of person."
"Kurogane." Tomoyo mumbled his name quietly and closed her eyes momentarily, 'the man with red eyes. His name is Kurogane." His very name sounded exotic in her mind.
Hikaru questioned worriedly, "Tomoyo-san?"
Tomoyo snapped out of her thoughts of that man and looked at Hikaru with a sweet smile, "Don't worry, Hikaru-chan, I'm alright."
Hikaru sighed with relief and smiled cheerfully, "That's a relief!"
"Yes, we don't want our new recruit died on her first day, do we?" Fuu chuckled.
Umi groaned, "What a day. When I go back, I'm going to go relax in the hot tub and forget all this crap!"
Tomoyo giggled as her newfound friends bickered but his words still remained in her head. She quickly heard loud hovering sounds above them. She looked up and saw five military helicopters that were lifting a huge paper with ancient Chinese writing on it. Tomoyo recognized them as talisman used by the maiden to vanquish the Brain once and for all.
Tomoyo looked back at where the helicopters resumed a special position over the petrified Brain. She knew that a shrine maiden was there because the talisman suddenly glowed brightly and created a five-point star below the Brain. Few seconds later, a black orb appeared on the center of the star and sucked the Brain with the force of a black hole. As the Brain vanished, the black orb dissolved afterwards.
Now, the United Alliance had a complete victory but in Tomoyo's mind, it was not. She remained looking at where the Brain was and saw that the coastal areas had become bleak wastelands due to the Ghouls and their miasma.
The Soukikais returned to the Griffin with the exhaust fans blowing the stench of the miasma away. The pilots got off their Soukikais and took off their stuffy helmet. Tomoyo was immediately tackled by a taller woman and suddenly pulled into a bone-crushing hug.
Tomoyo panted, "Um…Presea-san?..." recognizing the tall woman, "Could you please let me go?"
Presea quickly let her go and had eyes with flowing rivers of tears on her face. "I'm so glad that you're alright!" she sniffed and blew on her handkerchief, "I shouldn't sent you out there without any practices."
Tomoyo sweat-dropped, "Um Presea-san, I'm really fine. Please don't cry."
"There is no need to cry," Fuu said, "We should be grateful that we all come back alive."
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Zazu screamed with eyes big as dinner plates, "YOU RUINED THE SOUKIKAIS! DO YOU KNOW HOW TIRING IT IS TO REPAIR THEM!"
Ascot rushed up to Umi and his face was full of relief, "I'm glad you're back, Umi."
"Thanks, Ascot," Umi responded, "I told you I'll make it back without any scratches." She boasted.
Zazu just gave Umi the suspicious look, "SURE, no scratches and I wonder how many parts of this Soukikai are damaged?"
Umi just glared at Zazu and threatened with a clenched fist, "Shut your mouth, gaki or I'll break it!"
"I'm happy that Tomoyo-san made it alive, we should thank Kurogane!" Hikaru grinned happily.
"PU!" Mokona agreed with Hikaru.
Umi groaned at her friend's naivety, "Why do we need to thank him? He just shrugged us off as WE'RE NOTHING!" Umi's eyes became red, "I'll show him who's nothing."
Hikaru blinked at Umi's reaction but smiled with cat ears and tail, "I'm sure he's just shy!"
Umi smacked her head, "Why do I even bother?"
Fuu giggled, "But that's Hikaru, alright."
They heard a latch opened and Kurogane, the man with red eyes, stood on the edge of the black Soukikai's chest area. He gave everyone down below the look of annoyance and jumped down all the way from his Soukikai.
Hikaru gaped with cat ears in amazement.
Umi scoffed, "Show off."
"Kurogane." Tomoyo whispered his name again. She quickly noticed that Kurogane held a long black katana-shaped scabbed on his side with the sword handle beautifully carved as the silver dragon with red tiny jewels as eyes.
Tomoyo realized that the atmosphere was very tense. She analyzed that some people must be uncomfortable around this man.
Zazu finally broke the tension, "Jeeze, where were you!" He gave Kurogane a look of rage, "You suddenly disappeared with the Soukikai days ago!" he glanced at the black Soukikai, "You even messed up the paintwork again!"
Kurogane just glared with his red eyes that quickly sent Zazu shivers. He really hated kids especially when they're much younger than him. He growled, "I was in training until you annoying distractions came over."
Tomoyo sweat-drop as she remembered how far it is from here and the Tokyo Gauken Academy just by taking the Griffin. So if this man took the Soukikai and gone to this place, it must clearly take days.
"Oh jeeze, if you were in the same area, how come you never help us?" Umi pointed accursedly.
Kurogane just crossed his arms, "I don't need to waste my energy on those weaklings."
A shadow suddenly fell over Umi.
Fuu sweat-dropped, "Oh dear." She obviously knew the danger.
"Are you implying that we're weak?" Umi asked nicely in somewhat demonic tone that would send shivers through little children.
"Isn't that obvious?" Kurogane smirked evilly as he pressed Umi's button.
Umi's vein was really popping and made a thumping noise, "YOU!" Her face had white angry eyes and fanged mouth but she was immediately tackled down by her two friends, Fuu and Hikaru.
"Come on, Umi, you have to calm down!" Hikaru cried.
"Yes, Umi, violence is not the answer." Said Fuu.
"ARGHHHHHHHHHH! LET ME GO! THAT BASTARD IS CALLING US WEAKLINGS! I'LL SHOW HIM WHO'S THE REAL WEAKLING!" Umi tried to break away from her friends' strong hold. Ascot also pitched in to prevent Umi from erupting like a volcano.
Kurogane was amused by the snobbish girl's reaction and started to walk away, wanting to leave this annoying place.
Before Kurogane left the hanger, Presea stopped him, "As much as you like to train yourself, please try not to bring the Soukikai with you." Presea's vein was twitching while she was smiling like a graceful lady. Presea hated when the Soukikais were taken out of the hangar without her permission, after all the Soukikais are her precious children.
Kurogane just brushed her aside, "I do whatever I want." With that message, he was about to leave until he noticed the raven-haired girl was standing in front of him, 'This girl…so she's the new pilot…what a weakling…' Even if he said so, there's something about her eyes, '…yet those eyes…seemed so familiar.' But this girl was blocking his way, he scowled, "Move out of the way, weakling!"
Tomoyo took no heed to his threat and just smiled with her eyes closed.
Kurogane was taken back by her action, 'what's with this weirdo?'
"I thank you." Tomoyo bowed gracefully, "For saving my life."
Kurogane just looked at Tomoyo as she was weird with his right eye twitching, 'This girl is definitely a weirdo.' Kurogane just closed his eyes and walked past her, not saying any response.
"By the way," The raven-haired girl's voice reached him.
Kurogane stopped and glanced at Tomoyo, "Hmm?"
Tomoyo turned around and faced him with strong will in her onyx eyes, "A weakling who can fight is better than a lazy buffoon who wouldn't even fight."
At that moment, nearly everyone gasped because no one would dare insulted Kurogane.
Kurogane was surprised by this new girl's action and his red eyes glared at Tomoyo, "Who're you calling a lazy buffoon?"
Tomoyo just smirked, "Isn't that obvious?" Using the same line as Kurogane.
He narrowed his eyes, "You b…"
Suddenly a large shrill voice echoed throughout the Griffin.
"ALRIGHT GANG!" Nakuru shouted, "LET'S GO HOME!" The Griffin suddenly blasted off in top speed which made all unsuspecting people flied off.
Umi and Zazu screamed as they bounced off the walls again, "NOT AGAIN!"
Presea quickly caught on to the Soukikai and shrieked, "I'M GOING TO TORTURE NAKURU WHEN WE COME BACK!"
Tomoyo and Fuu were smart enough to grab on to their seats in time. Tomoyo looked back at where she saw Kurogane and noticed that he disappeared, 'wonder where he goes.'
After tons of crazy stunts, they somehow miraculously survived and reached their home destination. In only few minutes, Presea was already chasing the poor Nakuru around with black scary aura and demonic angry red eyes with veins twitching in her forehead.
Umi sweat-dropped as she watched the chase, "Well, she deserved it."
Hikaru sweat-dropped, "But still, I felt sorry for her." She became teary eyed, "She only wanted to fly, is that so hard to ask?"
Umi just looked at Hikaru as she was nuts, "Chill with the drama, please." She waved her hand as she had the power to stop the conservations.
Mokona just recently decided to join in the chase because it looked so fun!
Umi sweat-dropped even more and just shrugged, "I'm not even going to ask."
Tomoyo glanced around the school hangers, "Wonder where's Kurogane?"
"Don't even bother," Umi waved her hand, showing that it's not important, "That guy is just a rude bastard! He kept looking at us pilots as we are nothing! Weaklings! He acted all tough but in the end, he's just a mean man."
"Well, you were bothering him." Fuu pointed out.
Umi argued, "I was only trying to make him talk! He was so cold! Hikaru said hello and he just ignored her and never said any greetings to her. I mean come on, how hard it is to say Good Morning!"
"Hmm…I just want to be friends with all the pilots…" Hikaru spoke naively.
"SEE!" Umi hugged Hikaru and had fake teary eyes, "How could that cold-hearted bastard hurt such an innocent child!"
Hikaru sweat-dropped as she turned into a cat-person, "I'm not a child. I'm just short."
Tomoyo quickly grabbed the cat-Hikaru and hugged her, "YOU'RE SO KAWAII!"
More beads of sweat appeared on Hikaru's forehead.
"Even though he's rude," Fuu explained, "But that man is one of the most powerful pilots."
Tomoyo was surprised, "He is?" she thought to herself, 'Maybe I should have not piss him off…nah, his attitude was rude anyway.'
"Ever since he came here, he was already ranked as one of the best pilots. His swordsmanship was incredible and easily beaten many soldiers." Presea interrupted their conservation with the face of seriousness.
Umi just fumed, "So what? Because of that fame, he got cocky."
Presea laughed, "True." But her eyes were the opposite of her face. She whispered sadly, "But…Kurogane is the most dangerous pilot."
Tomoyo noticed something in Presea's eyes and knew there was more than just Kurogane being one of the best. There was some deep secret and she intended to find out. She had gone into deep thoughts wondering what secret this red-eyed man possessed.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" shrilled Umi, her scream interrupted Tomoyo's line of thoughts abruptly.
Hikaru spoke concernedly, "What is it, Umi!"
"TODAY IS THE DAY THAT KOUMI KIMURA'S BRAND NEW CD CAME OUT!" Umi yelled with pride with her fist clenched and her eyes shining like the North Star.
Tomoyo cringed as she heard that name.
Fuu sighed, "I should have known. Honestly, Umi, you can be so passionate when it comes to teen singers."
"Hey, I can't help it!" Umi complimented, "Her songs are really beautiful!"
"Well, I like her songs too," Fuu smiled, "But I thought you hate "upper class" people since they never experienced wars, Hmm?"
"Yeah, I do but Koumi Kimura is different! Even though she never experienced the war, she took time to visit people like us. She never said crappy fake things about how war is good or depressing dark negative things about wars in her lyrics but rather it was a sweet cheerful music that could soothe the savage beast. She's the star among stars!" Umi pointed to the stars shining in the glittering background behind her. The background quickly disappeared as she pointed to Fuu and Hikaru, "Therefore, someone needs to go to the stores and buy the CD and of course, some sweet daily snacks! SO, PAPER, ROCK, AND SCISSOR!"
"EHHHH!" Hikaru gulped, "Do I have to do this?"
"We're all doing it!" Umi brought out her hand and so did Fuu and Hikaru.
"PAPER! ROCK! SCISSOR!"
Umi and Fuu got rock while Hikaru got a scissor.
"Hikaru lost again!" Umi laughed snobbish.
"Ohhh…I always lost…" Hikaru sighed.
"Not really," Fuu calculated, "There are few times that you actually win. Out of all the rounds we have, you just have more than ninety percent of losing."
Hikaru groaned, "I'll just go guys." She ran off to a nearby store in insane speed.
"DON'T FORGET TO BUY THE NEW CD!" Umi shouted.
Hikaru just waved her arm in response.
Presea just laughed, "You and your idols." She was about to walk back to the hangar until she noticed that Tomoyo was looking down, "What's wrong?"
"Huh?" Tomoyo quickly looked up.
"You seemed down." Presea replied, "Could it be the aftershock of the first battle?"
Tomoyo just smiled, "No, it's nothing like that. I'm just thinking of something. It's quite alright."
Yuzuriha was about to leave the hangar with her pet Inuki, a large handsome husky dog but noticed Tomoyo, "Hey Tomoyo-san!" She waved hello.
Tomoyo looked toward the high school girl and waved back.
Yuzuriha cupped her hands over her mouth and yelled, "I just got a message from Hiiragizawa-kun! You have to go meet him in his office!"
"Hiiragizawa?" Tomoyo questioned.
"He's charge of this Omega division. His office is right next to our classroom." Presea explained.
Tomoyo bowed, "Arigatou." She headed toward the office of Hiiragizawa.
As she reached there, she couldn't help but stared at the old run-down classroom building, which is nothing compared to the tall beautiful state-of-art high school structure. She thought, 'I should at least appreciate that I get to go to this school.' With that in mind, she climbed the stairs and walked past the classroom. When she walked past, she glimpsed through the windows and saw that the materials inside the classroom were old and overused. It was full of simple desks without any special features and uncomfortable school wooden chairs of the past. Instead of electronic or white board, it was a dusty chalkboard. All these made Tomoyo wondered if the Academy was really running out of money or they just didn't want to pay for them.
Tomoyo walked further down the hallway to a door located in the corner. She clasped the door handle and opened it. It was small compared the classroom but then, it only contained two large desks that were set next to each other and few drawers. Inside the office, she saw a young teenage boy who was doing the paper-works in his desk. Tomoyo's eyes widened when she saw him, 'This man is in charge of the Omega division? But he seemed like my age.'
The boy dropped his pen gently and turned around. Tomoyo was suddenly entranced as the boy greeted her with a knowing smile instead of surprise. He greeted her, as he knew that Tomoyo was coming. He was embedded with straight smooth midnight blue hair with a handsome teenage face that showed signs of maturity of a full grown adult along with the youthful body of a proper gentleman. He had glasses decorated with stainless steel handles over his eyes. Instead of a high school uniform, he wore a dark blue business suit with golden yellow tie over his white buttoned-shirt. His eyes shone clear as the blackest night with the brightest full moon shining upon the dark curtain. His clear blue eyes seemed so ominous as his gaze could look through everything. Through this boy's eyes, Tomoyo felt that he had seen through her entire soul.
"Welcome Miss Tomoyo," The boy greeted with a gentle tone and a suave smile.
Normally, a person would be surprised when someone said his/her name when that person never met that someone. Tomoyo, on the other hand, expected that person to know her name because obviously he must have known about the "new recruit."
She clarified, "Are you Hiiragizawa?"
"That I am." Hiiragizawa spoke politely, "My name is Eriol Hiiragizawa."
"Umm, may I call you Eriol instead?" Tomoyo asked, feeling uncomfortable saying his long surname. (Also his surname is so hard to memorize and type)
"Sure, please feel free." He smiled calmly, "Would you like a cup of tea?" He lifted a fine china teapot and poured hot tea into two cups, "Please sit, Miss Tomoyo." He offered her a chair nearby, "After all, a cup of tea is best during conservations."
Tomoyo smiled as she accepted his invitation, "Yes, I must agree. Arigatou." She took one cup, "So you're the one whose charge of this entire division?"
Eriol added blocks of sugar to his cup, "Yes. Is it surprising to see someone around your age in command?" He offered sugar to Tomoyo but she refused it politely.
"Not really," Tomoyo responded honestly, "You seemed very mature for your age."
Eriol chuckled, "You have a keen sense, didn't you?" he stirred his tea, "I just heard of your participation in the recent mission. Normally, we don't sent beginners without any practices otherwise, there will be risky results. Hmm, I should tell Touya-san about that."
"Please don't blame him," Tomoyo said, "It was my own decision that I go out to the battlefield."
"Your decision, you say?" Eriol's eyes became serious and strong as he gazed through her, "Just like your decision to volunteer for the military, Miss Koumi Kimura?"
Tomoyo winced as she heard that name and almost dropped her tea cup, "You know?" She mused, 'this man…is no regular teenager.'
"Of course, it is rare that a teen idol like you to be serving here as well as volunteering for war, Miss Tomoyo, if that is your real name." Eriol drank his tea with no anger or disappointment in his tone.
Tomoyo stared down and held her tea cup uncomfortably, "Tomoyo Daidouji is my real name. Koumi Kimura is just my show name." She looked up to Eriol, "Are you going to tell on me?"
"Depends," Eriol set his tea cup down, "your fans would be extremely worried if you fall in battle especially your mother which I assumed you haven't told her.
Tomoyo's eyes widened in shock, 'he barely met me and yet he already knew about my situation…who is this man?' Since he already knew about her, she might as well as told him everything, "I told my mother that I applied for a regular school but she never knew that I volunteered for the service at Tokyo Gauken Academy. As for my reason for being here," She closed her eyes momentarily, "I just feel like it, that's all."
"I see." Eriol sipped the last remains of his tea and resumed his paper-works.
Tomoyo was not sure of his action but she assumed that she should leave, "…I guess I'll take my leave now, thank you for everything." She stood up and bowed out of manners and then headed toward the door.
"You will stay." Eriol wrote something on important papers, "And not to worry, I will keep your other identity a secret."
Tomoyo looked back in surprise, "Really?" She wanted to make sure.
"Do I look like I'm the type to lie?" Eriol glanced at her with his charming smile, "As for your room, the school is still in the process of that, so for now, you should bunk with Miss Yuzuriha."
The raven-haired girl was surprised at his answer but smiled brightly, "Arigatou, Eriol-san."
Eriol smirked, "I expected good work in the future, Miss Tomoyo."
"Hai!" Tomoyo left the office.
Eriol poured himself another cup of tea, "I wondered if she would help me with my cute descendant." He drank it and smiled, "Of course she will."
Within the campus of the Academy, near the school was stories-tall apartment complexes provided for students and military personals. Like the rest of the buildings, it was designed by a famous architect with beautiful designs that made these apartment complex four stars. Not only that the bedrooms were built with five-star luxury that were rewarded to the students for their services to their country. Not only that, there's also gym, an arcade, and a large Olympic-sized hot springs and fun water parks inside the apartments. Living there would be like a fantasy.
If she actually lived there, it would be an actual fantasy but for now it's a dream, Tomoyo sighed. Unfortunately for the Omega division, there's no room in those apartments for them. So they lived in a one-story run-down Japanese-style inn that had been in this campus area for years before the Tokyo Gauken Academy was even built. The inn building was shaped like a "U" with each long side reserved for each gender. The bottom part of "U" was used as lobby and dining room. Between the sides of "U" was a large outside hot springs separated by a large bamboo wall in the middle for privacy.
Tomoyo just stood in front of it with winds of discomfort and rolling dry desert bushes behind her. She sighed, 'Once again, it's not the state of the art design,' she looked back at the inn, 'might as well make the best out of it.'
She entered the Omega Division's dorm and managed to find Yuzuriha's room. 'This is it, my first night here instead of home. …that's really exciting!' Tomoyo knocked first and soon she heard barks from the other side.
There were a few minutes of silence until she heard loud barks again.
"Ouch! Why do you bit me for, Inuki! Huh? Someone's at the door! Why didn't you tell me earlier!" Tomoyo heard some crashes and some curses. Yuzuriha finally opened the sliding door and was panting, "Sorry about that!" She had headphones around her neck, "I was too busy listening to music until Inuki bit me."
"It's alright." Said Tomoyo as she brought in her luggage.
"Here, let me do it!" Yuzuriha grabbed Tomoyo's luggage and brought it in, "It's the least I can do!" She let Tomoyo in the room.
There were two rooms in this unit. The first room that Tomoyo had entered was the living room filled with table desks, book selves, and a small T.V. Past the living room lead to a bedroom with two beds on the opposite side and closets.
Yuzuriha put Tomoyo's luggage in the bed room and walked back to the living room, "Sorry about the mess," she rubbed the back of her head out of embarrassment, "I have a roommate but she's currently out so, you can have her bed for now. Hiiragizawa said you're going to live here temporarily before you get your own room." She noticed that Tomoyo was looking around, "It's not good, huh?"
Tomoyo just swayed her head, "No, it's perfect."
Yuzuriha cheered, "Good, you'll get used to it in no time! Down the hallway is the washroom and the hot springs is right outside! Wanna go take a dip now?"
"Hmm, no, thank you." Tomoyo replied, "Right now, I'm feeling tired."
"Oh that's right, you just came back from your first mission, stupid me." Yuzuriha stick her tongue out as she smacked her head softly, "Sorry, it looked messy now, I didn't get a chance to clean up because I was busy listening to this new Koumi CD."
"Really?" Tomoyo chuckled as she sweat-dropped when she mentioned her other name.
"Yeah!" Yuzuriha took out her CD player out of her pocket, "Wanna listen to it? She's an awesome singer!"
Tomoyo smiled while more bead of sweats appeared on her head, "That's okay, I'll listen to it later."
"Okay, your loss." She put her headphones back on her ears, "Make yourself at home and ask me if there's anything you need!"
"Arigatou." Tomoyo smiled.
"No problemo!" Yuzuriha grinned before she turned on her CD player and danced.
'Even though I been away from home and this place was different, for some reason, I feel like I belong here…' Tomoyo closed her eyes in content until something pink caught her eyes, 'a book?' She inched closer toward someone's desk and saw a large pink-colored book on it with a beautiful design of a star upon the cover, 'Whoever own this book have such a kawaii taste.' Brimmed with curiosity, Tomoyo opened the book and her eyes widened when she saw that the book does not have pages but rather contained cards. She looked upon the first pink card that displayed a woman cloaked with winds around her, 'Windy? There's only one person I know would own this card…but the colors are different…maybe there's two of them?'
Somewhere in the hospital wing, a thin lone girl was resting on a hospital bed. She had short brown hair straight down but did not reached her shoulders and with adorable bangs that defied gravity. Her face was so young, full of naïve and childish nature. The winds gently blew through the opened windows of her room, swaying her hair. The winds were calling her and she had heeded their call. She slowly opened her eyes, revealing her pure innocent emerald eyes. All the brightest jewels were nothing compared to her precious eyes.
She muttered in a soft tone, "Windy."
The next morning arrived with the sun rising from the ground, indicating a brand new day. The girls had wake up early and headed to the washing room for their daily tasks.
Luckily for the girls, there were enough sinks for all of them and the bathtub was extremely large and could contained them all and more people could still join in.
Umi just recently walked, actually trudged, into the washroom as a dead zombie with her eyes drooping and her hair was all sticking out in every directions. She groaned, "Why did it have to be so early?" She dumped her box filled with necessary materials on the top of the sink, "I just want to sleep some more!"
Fuu dried her wet face with a towel and then put on her glasses, "We can't oversleep, you might never know, we could have a mission right now."
Umi just groaned, "Oh just send that cold-hearted bastard to do it." She turned on the faucet.
"You mean, Kurogane?" Hikaru asked naively before she plunged her face into the sink full of water. Chi, who was right next to Hikaru, was not really sure what to do with a toothbrush, hairbrush, toothpaste, and a towel. Everything seemed so confusing to this poor girl. So Chi decided to mimic Hikaru and dipped her face into the cold water.
"Yeah, him," Umi washed her face and then dried herself. Her eyes were not drooping anymore and her blue orbs clearly shown that this women was now fully awake, "Yeah, him! I mean he always wakes up early in the morning before all of us and went off to who knows where to do training!"
Fuu squirted the toothpaste to her toothbrush, "Maybe, we should wake up early too to make ourselves stronger."
Umi glared at Fuu, "Don't even think about it." She whipped her hair backward, "A girl gotta need her beauty sleep."
"Hoi hoi!" Yuzuriha greeted them with a bright attitude as she entered the washroom with Tomoyo following behind.
"Good morning, everyone." Tomoyo greeted too.
"Good morning, Yuzuriha-chan and Tomoyo-san." Fuu replied.
Hikaru finally got her face out of the water and gasped for air. She smiled happily, "Morning, Yuzuriha-chan! Morning, Tomoyo-san!" Hikaru looked back at Chi and sweat-dropped as the blonde still had her face in water. She poked her to grab Chi's attention.
Chi immediately rise up from the sink with her face dripping water, "Chi?"
"Here, Chi, dry yourself," Hikaru handed Chi a towel and then dried her face. Chi did the same as Hikaru.
"Hey, Yuzuriha, do you get to listen to that new CD last night!" Umi hollered.
Yuzuriha nodded numerous times, "Yep, her new CD rocks!"
Tomoyo sweat-dropped as she washed her face, 'My songs must be really popular here.'
"Which tracks do you like the most, guys!" Yuzuriha asked.
"I like track one!" Hikaru was brushing her teeth.
Chi just looked at Hikaru and then started to brush her teeth, "Chi."
"Ew, Hikaru. Say it, don't spray it." Umi wiped off Hikaru's spit off her arms, "It's so like you Hikaru to like track one. It had a very nice upbeat but as for me, I especially love her track five. It was so tear-jerking especially with that beautiful classic instrumental music combined with it."
Fuu smiled at her friend's comments, "I particularly like track eight." She glanced at Tomoyo, "What about you, Tomoyo-san?"
Tomoyo was washing her mouth after brushing her teeth. She nearly choked on her own mouthwash but quickly spat it and a bead of sweat appeared on her head, "Well um…I don't really listen much to her songs."
"Well, you should! Her songs are really good and that's coming from me." Umi boasted.
Hikaru spat her mouthwash out and glanced at Chi, "Chi, you can stop washing your mouth and spit it out."
Chi blinked and gurgled, "Spit it out?" As Chi spoke, she accidentally swallowed her mouthwash.
Hikaru panicked, "Chi? Are you alright!"
Chi just blinked at Hikaru and gave a bright smile, "Vanilla flavored!"
Many bead of sweats appeared on the girls' head as they thought of her as a strange person.
Inside the dorm's dining room with the installed kitchen and filled with rows of tables. Kurogane was sitting in the far corner of the table that was far away from the cafeteria but right close to the windows. He was eating his typical Japanese style breakfast because he refused to eat any "foreign poisons" he said. As he ate his meal, he couldn't stop thinking about what that raven-haired girl said to him. He growled under his breath, "That bitch!" He loathed that creepy girl who always seemed calm and dared to call him lazy. Normally, he doesn't want to waste his energy on weaklings but no matter how many times he tried to forget, he kept thinking of that certain girl.
As he was thinking about the girl, he didn't notice till the last minute that Fai, the blond sorcerer, had sat at the same table as him.
Kurogane frowned with his vein on his forehead twitching, "What?" he was already annoyed with his smiling and sadistic presence.
"Oh nothing," Fai smiled slyly, "I just like to admire the beautiful view." He started to eat his breakfast.
Kurogane looked at him suspiciously and knew that Fai is definitely up to something. He glanced at the blond sorcerer's breakfast, which was French style. The samurai looked at the food with pure disgust and just went back to his breakfast. He just wanted to finish it as soon as possible, so he could leave this annoying place.
As both men ate their meals in complete quietness, Fai finally broke the silence, "Isn't this so romantic, Kuro-chan?"
Kurogane immediately spurted out his miso soup toward Fai but the sorcerer just gracefully avoided every drop of hot soup.
The samurai glared with twitching vein, "I TOLD YOU TO STOP CALLING ME THAT! DAMNIT!"
Fai just grinned and closed his eyes sadistically, "Okay, how about Kuro-tan?"
Kurogane tossed his soup bowl at Fai but again, he avoided it but the wall was unfortunate, as the thrown bowl had made a large crack on it.
He glared even more with his white angry eyes, "WILL YOU STOP THAT! YOU MAKE IT SOUND SO…GAY THAT IT'S DISGUSTING!" he shuddered.
Fai just put his hand under his chin, "Whatever do you mean, dear Kuro-koi?" He winked.
Kurogane just tossed his entire food tray at the sickening sorcerer.
"Wahhhh," Fai feigned a pained face, "Kuro-sama is so mean!"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Kurogane shouted his rage, "STOP CALLING ME WEIRD NAMES!"
"Oh fine." Fai finally stopped his cruel act.
Kurogane sighed out of relief and drank his green tea to soothe his rage.
Fai smirked wickedly, "How about a "lazy buffoon"?"
Kurogane clenched his fist that shattered the teacup he just held in his hand. Ignoring the broken remains, he whispered in a tone so deadly that people would run away for their lives, "Where do you hear that?"
"It was becoming famous," Fai answered with cool calmness, "how Miss Daidouji stood up to you."
"Daidouji?" Kurogane growled her name with distaste.
"Are you going to ignore her like you ignored others?" Fai asked innocently.
"This time, I won't." Kurogane crossed his arms.
Fai was little surprised, "You won't?"
Kurogane smirked with an evil glint in his eyes, "Oh no. This time, I'm going to get my revenge on that bitch, Daidouji."
"Wow, she must be really special." Fai just heard the sliding door opened and turned around to see whom it is, "Speak of the devil. Daidouji is here along with Chi!"
Kurogane narrowed his blood red eyes and glared intensely at Tomoyo's back.
Tomoyo sweat-dropped as she felt a heated glare behind her.
Fuu patted Tomoyo's shoulder and reassured her, "Don't worry, if you don't look back at him, he'll go away soon."
"Yeah, you're not the only one. He always glared at us when we came here at first." Umi picked up her tray, "Hey chef, what's today's breakfast special?"
A middle-aged man, who wore a white apron and a hat, replied, "Well laddie, today's special is Japanese or French."
"Japanese again?" Umi whined, "You always have Japanese meal as one of your specials."
"Ah, sorry, laddie." The chef wiped his hands, "That lab over there is too stubborn to try different food."
"Hmph," Umi scoffed, "Stupid bastard. I'll take French breakfast then!"
As soon as they get their breakfast, the girls sat down in another table. Tomoyo's eyes couldn't help but drifted to Kurogane's red eyes. There was something about his eyes that seemed to interest Tomoyo greatly. Kurogane took notice of her and glared directly that made Tomoyo quickly looked away.
Tomoyo frowned slightly, 'I wonder if there's more than meet the eyes.' Then she heard a youthful voice full of purity, a familiar voice."
"Good morning, chef-san!"
"Ah, it's good to see you again, laddie!" His boisterous voice echoed.
"Arigatou, chef-san! It's good to see you too after so long." A young voice spoke.
"So, what can do I for you, laddie?"
"Hmm, we'll take two French specials."
"Alright! Just to welcome you back, I'm going to give you extra dessert!"
Tomoyo heard another familiar voice, the sound of a boastful child, "Really? Do I ever tell you that you're my favorite chef?"
"Ah young lad, you're making me blush."
Tomoyo turned around slowly and gasped as she saw a familiar brown-haired girl with emerald eyes. On the girl's shoulder was an orange stuffed animal that resembled a lion without the mane but with white wings on its back. The raven-haired girl was about to say her name but…
"SAKURA-CHAN!" Hikaru immediately rose up from her seat and rushed up to her with Mokona following behind.
"Sakura-chan? She's back from the hospital?" Umi asked then turned around to see Hikaru.
"It seemed like it." Fuu smiled as Hikaru immediately greeted Sakura in such kawaii ways and Mokona was chasing the poor flying stuffed animal, who kept shouting, "BACK, FOUL DEMON!"
"I'm glad she's alright." Yuzuriha grinned, "That last mission definitely took out of it her." She noticed that Tomoyo was shaking, "Tomoyo-san, what's wrong?"
Then the floor started to rumble with the tables shaking and the foods were falling off.
"What the hell!" Kurogane shouted.
Fai just sat there calmly, "Mine, it seemed to be an earthquake."
Of course, there's always an aftershock after an earthquake. So, the dreadful aftershock was coming soon.
Soon.
Very soon.
Very very soon.
Very very very soon…Anytime now!
"SAKURAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Tomoyo yelled so loud that the entire building just shook.
Sakura quickly braced herself, "That voice……Tomoyo-chan?" She was immediately tackled into a bone-crushing hug.
Tomoyo quickly let her go and had teary starry eyes, "Sakura-chan, it's been so long!"
Sakura's eyes widened when she saw Tomoyo, "TOMOYO-CHAN!" Sakura quickly hugged Tomoyo, "Where have you been? I missed you, Tomoyo-chan!"
"I missed you too, Sakura-chan! Life had been dull without you around!" Tomoyo cheered happily.
"What am I, invisible?" The flying stuffed animal flew in front of Tomoyo.
"Who could ever forget you, Kero?" Tomoyo also hugged the stuffed animal.
Kero flew away and shouted, "It's Keroberos! Not Kero! Jeeze, you girls always messed up my name."
Sakura and Tomoyo laughed as they were old best friends.
"Sakura-chan? Tomoyo-chan? You guys knew each other?" Hikaru asked.
Tomoyo smiled, "Yep, we met each other in elementary school."
Sakura continued, "And we became the best of friends."
Umi overheard them, "Wow, you guys know each other for so long."
Tomoyo said it proudly, "Of course, I would always follow Sakura-chan to the end of the world!"
"But we were forced to separate at the end of elementary school," Sakura said sadly but smiled, "But now we're reunited again. It'll be like old times, Tomoyo-chan."
"OF COURSE SAKURA-CHAN!" Tomoyo immediately brought out the "LEGENDARY CAMCORDER!" The item shone so bright as a holy item with holy music playing in the background. Tomoyo quickly put those crazy effects away and turned on her camcorder, "Smile for the film, Sakura-chan!"
Everyone sweat-dropped except Tomoyo.
Sakura rubbed her cheek with her finger as bead of sweat appeared on her head, "Yep, just like old times."
"So the legendary sleeping monster have awake from its eternal slumber." A cocky voice was heard.
"Ah, Lt. Kinomoto!" Hikaru saw Touya, who was dragged by Nakuru, and immediately saluted.
Sakura pouted, "Ni-chan, how could you be so cruel to me?"
"What do you expect?" Kero shrugged, "Your older brother is always cruel to you."
Tomoyo blinked in surprise, "Lt. Kinomoto is Sakura-chan's older brother?"
Nakuru, like Tomoyo, immediately hugged Sakura, "Sakura-chan! Welcome back! You're still kawaii as usual!"
Sakura sweat-dropped, "Um…thanks, Nakuru-san."
Touya's right eye twitched as this troublesome woman was hugging his precious little sister. Sure, he's cruel to his sister but he's also very overprotective. He ordered coldly, "Pilot Akizuki, please stay away from Kinomoto."
Nakuru frowned, "Ah come on, lighten up, Touya! It's not like kawaii Sakura-chan is going to die anytime soon!" She just hugged Sakura even more.
That just made Touya even more pissed.
Fai just laughed, "It's livelier than before."
Kurogane just closed his eyes and twitched. "It's more annoying than before."
Inuki suddenly barked loud that caught Yuzuriha's attention.
"Huh, what is it Inuki?" Yuzuriha asked the dog and then translated, "Hiiragizawa expected us at the briefing room at 0900."
"Nine o'clock?" Umi complained, "But that's only five minutes left!" She immediately wolfed down her breakfast, "Okay, I'm done!" Her mouth was still full.
The briefing room was actually the classroom itself. Everyone participated in the briefing including Kurogane since he had nothing to do. It was Tomoyo's first time inside the classroom. Even though, it may not be state-of-art, she admired its simple style.
Eriol opened the sliding door and smiled as he saw everyone here in the classroom, "Good morning to you all."
He went up to the teacher's stand and still smiled suavely, "It's good to see you back from the hospital, Sakura-chan."
Sakura smiled back, "Arigatou, Eriol-kun, it's good to be back."
Kero groaned, "Can we just get this over with? I still want to eat more sweets!"
Sakura quickly grabbed Kero and smacked his head, "Kero, don't be rude!"
Eriol chucked, "Alright, Keroberos, I'll be brief. I just recently have a call from the United Alliance and we are assigned to two missions." He called, "Sakura-chan."
"Hai." Sakura replied.
"This mission is for you. You are to go to Nikko and help Unit 4821 with land recovery." Eriol assigned.
"Hai!" Sakura responded more energetic.
"Wait a minute," Touya interrupted as he stood up from his seat, "This mission is unacceptable for pilot Kinomoto. What if the Nikko is still overridden with Ghouls?" Touya seemed business-like but deep inside he just wanted to protect his sister.
Eriol just grinned suavely, "I'm already aware of that, Lt. Kinomoto, that's why I'm assigning Daidouji to go with Sakura-chan for support aid. Plus, this is also a chance for them to catch up. Would you like that, Daidouji?"
Tomoyo nodded, "Hai."
Touya just grumbled and went back to his desk.
"The second mission is to help Division 3592 to investigate Mt. Otsuka for the Ghouls' nest." Eriol explained, "Pilots Shidou, Ryuuzaki, and Hououji will be assigned there."
"A scouting mission!" Umi whined.
Eriol just chuckled, "Lt. Kinomoto will be charge of this mission and pilot Akizuki will provided transportation."
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Umi screamed.
"That would be all. Please start the missions right away." Eriol ordered.
Tomoyo and Sakura were walking to the hangers. Tomoyo accused, "Sakura-chan, you never told me that you have an older brother and he's lieutenant too."
Sakura apologized, "Gomen, Tomoyo-chan. It was never brought up."
When they reached the hanger, they were immediately greeted by Presea.
Presea waved, "Welcome back, Sakura-chan and Tomoyo-san!"
"It's nice to be back, Presea-san!" Sakura smiled.
"We never saw you at breakfast, Presea-san." Said Tomoyo.
Presea answered, "Oh, that's because we, mechanics, stayed up all night, modifying your Soukikai, Tomoyo-san."
"You modified my Soukikai?" Tomoyo was surprised, "But I only had one battle, how would you know my style?"
Presea winked, "I just know. Now come on, I want to show you your new baby!" She led the girls to Tomoyo's hanger.
Tomoyo's Soukikai was majestic. It was beautiful and it was a state-of-art work. It was painted white as the purest snow, decorated with shining golden linens. Tomoyo's Soukikai was armed with a very large shield decorated with beautiful symbol in the middle, surrounded by silver lines and gold decorations. Attached to the back of the Soukikai was white mechanical wings shaped like the wings of an angel.
Presea explained, "You have a beam spear inside your right knee socket and a beam rifle with a beam saber inside the shield. Like it?"
Tomoyo just gaped, "I love it."
"Aren't you going to name it?" Kero asked, "I mean, you can't have a Soukikai without a name."
Tomoyo grinned, "I think I know the perfect name for it."
"What is it?" Sakura asked.
"Valkyire."
TBC
NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW
Fuu: It was fate that Tomoyo had met Kurogane. It was fate that she met Hiiragizawa. It was fate that she was reunited with Sakura. On their new mission, these two girls went to the wasteland, corrupted by the miasma left by the Ghouls. The land will be reborn with care but beware…an old hatred reside in it.
Next Operation: The Green Restoration
Fuu: I wonder what Keroberos is made out of?
Again, the usual apologizes and don't forget to review! Thank you!
About Syaron and Sakura, I'm going to use both of these characters in one person. If you don't get it, then keep reading to find out more lol!
Prologue: Tomoyo.
Chapter 1: Mokona, Hikaru, Umi, Fuu, Ascot, Zazu, Presea, Touya, Nakuru.
Chapter 2: Yuzuriha, Inuki, Chi, Fai, Kurogane (his name was not mentioned.)
Chapter 3: Kurogane (his name is officially mentioned), Eriol, Sakura, Kero.
P.S. PLEASE TELL ME ASCOT'S EYE COLOR!
THANK YOU ALL! TILL NEXT TIME!