Chapter 3

A/N: Thank you so much for reviewing! It gives me something to work for, and I'm glad to know that I'm doing a good job. Tell me if you have any suggestions; and don't worry, our favorite characters will be in the plot pretty soon.

Almost two weeks later, and the routine still hadn't changed.

Waking up well before dawn, staying out all day, not eating dinner until late night; the almost constant screaming caused Anna to develop a raspy voice the first week until her vocal cords became used to the stress. Somehow Anna was now able to keep a quiet tone at night; and if she rested well for the few hours of sleep, then her voice would be as normal and smooth as it usually would. Until that night, when her throat was sore and she wasn't able to speak much. And yet the cycle continued.

Anna had become used to Grant and his blunt ways. She found him entertaining, and he kept her busy during the day. He was also one of the only things that kept her from going mad. He was crazy, and reminded her of her father years back. Back when he didn't mind actually having fun with Anna. She could have been dealt a hard childhood if he hadn't had his personality; which gradually trickled away over the years. Being around Grant's quick mouth made her comfortable although she was in the face of training an army.

Captain Algren surprisingly understood Anna. She had no clue how, or even if he did it for everyone, but above anyone else she trusted him. It was this and the mystery about him that intrigued her. She was yet to find out what happened that first night she was at the camp. A time or two she considered telling him some of her secrets; some that she would ponder at night and wondered what someone else would think. She would always stop at the last second. Besides, she knew nothing of his past, and doubted that anyone else besides himself did either. Sometimes his reactions to things were unpredictable… But Anna was sure that if she knew even a fraction of what had happened to him before she came to know him that it would all make sense.

Anna had met this Omura man and the Colonel Bagley two or three times since she had arrived. Omura was a slightly short man, dressed in an English looking suit and talked matter-of-factly. He seemed to be thinking behind the scenes of what was truly going on. Anna had only been face to face with Bagley once; and even then it was as if she was invisible. He wouldn't speak to her, which gave Anna enough time to observe the strong distaste that Algren seemed to have for the man.

"Fire!" Anna commanded as Grant did so, the army responding pitifully. Grant groaned so loudly and fiercely that one soldier looked over to him fearfully. He reminded Anna of a lion. She was about to open her mouth in a silent laugh when she noticed two figures just at the end of the trail that led up the side of the small valley. Omura stood beside Bagley, who promptly called Algren's name.

"Captain Algren! General; Sergeant! A word!" He called, as Grant looked warily to Algren. Algren only returned with a tightening of his jaw; then walking to the two men beside Grant and Hasegawa. Anna decided to tag along.

"Hello gentlemen." Bagley greeted them. Anna noticed that he said nothing of a female. "We have some important news."

Omura cleared his throat and began to speak. "Katsumoto has attacked one of the new additions to the railroad… If this continues, it will seriously risk Japan's chance of modernization." Anna didn't understand much of the rest that the man said, as she began to let her mind wander. Katsumoto… This was the name of the Samurai leader. Algren had been learning of him for some time, considering that this was the man they would be fighting.

"We have decided to place an attack on Katsumoto and the Samurai army." Bagley informed them, receiving a surprised expression from each of the commanders besides General Hasegawa. Algren's face began to become tighter into a glare.

"These men aren't ready." Algren protested, standing his ground. Bagley looked at him as if he were about to laugh. Apparently Algren would have no say in this matter.

"The Samurai won't wait for us to be ready, Captain." Bagley said nonchalantly, looking over the four people in front of him. Anna felt it was the first time he saw her, although she was just about completely hidden behind Grant and Algren. "You should go pack your things; all of you."

Algren stood his ground. "This is suicide."

"Pack your things Captain."

"Miss Harper," Algren spoke to Anna without taking his eyes off of Bagley. "You're not needed anymore."

A smirk crossed Bagley's face, like his next 'move' would guarantee him his victory. "On the contrary. Your services are required now that combat is being placed."

"What! She's a woman; the battlefield is not her place." Algren argued, as Anna looked to the ground silently. She had a feeling that a heated 'discussion' was about to happen.

"It will take too long to find another translator, and the attack must be placed as soon as possible… Besides, Miss Harper had the choice to accept or decline the offer." Bagley countered. "And if she does not attend, she will receive no pay." Anna's jaw slacked only slightly, now speechless. She needed that money; for things that her father wouldn't pay for. After a few moments of silence she spoke.

"I'll go." She answered, her eyes trailing from the ground at her feet to the field of soldiers below. What had she gotten herself into? She could feel Grant's look of disbelief on her; and she was still looking sheepish when she glanced up and noticed how Algren's features were tangled with anger and frustration. He stormed by them and headed towards the army.

It was now quiet, as Omura and Bagley seemed to be caught up in studying the fleet Algren had trained. Anna stared off into the gently swaying trees, unable to believe that she was being thrown into a battle with Samurai… Or any other kind of army. Maybe they wouldn't find the Samurai, there would be no battle, and she could just go home.

Anna's gaze slowly moved to Omura and Bagley. Then, suddenly, a gunshot rang over the valley. Anna had grown accustomed to the sound of guns; and had unsurprisingly become a part of her everyday routine. This shot, though, was different. Quickly she turned to see a somehow frightening sight. Algren; with his gun drawn, pointing it at a soldier. Graham was yelling at the man to shoot Algren, who every second or two of delay would shoot somewhere close to the man. A threat; but more of a test Anna realized as she continued to watch.

After somewhere around a minute the man finally shot; and came no where near his target. Algren dropped his aim and swept passed the group once more, muttering his point to Bagley. "They're not ready."

Anna watched him walk off, still in shock.

…

Each piece of clothing was like being pierced through the heart. Not that Anna knew what that felt like; just a pang of worry and fear shot through her each time she folded a dress or another garment and packed it into a case that would hold her absolute necessities. Of course some of hers didn't match the list… But she would make them fit.

It was getting later and later into the evening; and the sun had set a long time before Anna finally accepted the fact that she would be leaving. She had to open her curtains and operate by moonlight; but it just fit the atmosphere better. Thick streaks of silver fell on the hard wood floor.

At the bottom of the pile, Anna's fingertips brushed across a thin rough leather cover. A shiver ran up her arm and down her back. She really couldn't think about her diary at the moment; she had so much to do… Not to mention to at least try to mentally prepare herself for what she might go through in a few days. It was nauseating.

"Holding up ok?"

Anna jumped, jerking her head to the side to see her 'captain' in the doorway. Without response she turned back around, still silent. She hadn't seen him since earlier that day, when they had been informed of being 'sent out'. Gently she straightened out a few wrinkles in some of her packed clothes. "I'm fine."

Algren walked cLoser to her, what looked like his own clothes in his arms. "I don't believe it."

"I am."

"These are for your traveling… You know, we have to ride a horse and all." He set the clothes down carefully on the table. Algren's eyes grazed over the diary, noticing how old and worn it looked. Nothing that would match what little he knew about Anna so far. Just about the only words she spoke in were Japanese. "Is that an antique?" He had a feeling that she was devastated by the news… The least he could do was make conversation.

"No, it's mine." Anna explained, now slightly more upset. "My father bought it for me a few years back… I didn't start using it until a few months ago, though." Algren nodded slowly as if he understood.

"He didn't used to be so; withdrawn." She continued, studying the face of the diary. "He had so much personality; so much happiness. Like life was worth living." She shook her head, as Algren continued to silently listen. "He wanted to buy me an expensive diary; you know the kind with the stationary and gold lined pages and a lock and all." She laughed lightly. "But I'm so stubborn… I don't know what I saw in this old thing."

"He sounds like a respectable man." Algren finally spoke, glancing over at Anna. She nodded.

"Respectable, yes… But he just faded. His color bled away." Anna sighed, at last able to pick up the small book and place it into her bag. "Now he's just worried with his work and his studies."

"So why didn't you just walk away today? It looked like the only reason you stayed was for the money; but you're already rich." Algren asked, now trying to figure out each piece of 'the puzzle'. Anna looked up at him uncomfortably.

"My father plans to just marry me off to the best eligible bachelor. But… I don't know, I guess it's my duty." Anna thought aloud, now wondering if Algren was either there or not. Then again, she was glad he wasn't asking too many questions and just letting her get her feelings out. "But I want to explore the world; maybe even move to America… He says I can go as long as I save enough money for myself. He doesn't think I can do it."

"Ah." This was the only response Algren gave, before fully comprehending what she had said. "You did seem a little old for an English girl…" Anna didn't even bother to look at him angrily. Tears continued to build in her eyes as she thought about it.

"But I'd rather be married to an old man than never see my father again." She managed, somehow able to keep herself from crying. Sure, she may actually be having a conversation with him; but Anna in no way could lose herself now. She would rather have the boring, busy father she had now than cause him even more pain by having herself killed. She was practically the only family he had left.

He had found it… The reason she had been so upset. That and the fact that she might face a horribly painful death in a few days. "Don't worry about it Miss Harper; Anna." He tried his best to use a soothing voice. The last time he had… Well, he couldn't exactly remember. He cleared his throat. Crying women weren't really his thing. "I promise you you'll get to see your father again."

…

It was just before dawn when the horses were starting to be loaded. The sky was a lovely lilac color; but the last time Anna had stopped to enjoy such things was when she was a child. She was nervously pacing back and forth, as soldiers geared the handful of horses that the higher rankings would ride.

"Oi, lass, fine mornin', eh?" Grant asked, reviewing the land and the soldiers whom were already awake. Every few minutes another group would arrive and help load the supplies; although they weren't any more skilled at this than they were at fighting a battle. "Well, besides all of the facts." Anna looked up at Grant, a weak smile appearing on her face.

…

Anna didn't know how Grant could walk so far.

She was already tired and even slightly sore after a few hours of riding; but he had been walking the entire time. Apparently Omura had forgotten her horse; or so that's what was said. Anna wasn't sure if she believed it or not. Grant, though, talked her into riding his. Well, actually, more like forcing her to ride it. The man wouldn't take no for an answer this time.

They reached 'camp' just on the break of nightfall.

"We'll set camp here," Bagley commanded, turning his horse and dismounting. The clearing was just large enough for almost the entire group to fit. They were surrounded by the forest, which made Anna slightly uneasy about the fact that the Samurai knew the land better than they did. She would have to force the thought out of her mind if she wanted to get enough sleep to function the next day.

Soldiers laid out their small sleeping-bags, those who had them, and the higher rankings set their tents. After a while it was obvious that no one would bother to help Anna with her accommodations. Slowly she dismounted and tried to comprehend how to make a tent out of all the random supplies she had been given.

"Oi, what're ye doin'?" Grant asked her roughly, but not in a negative tone. He sounded more amused with her dilemma than anything else. Without another word he had taken control and 'pushed' her out of the way.

"Ye have to string this just right; it goes around that branch there." Grant nodded his head towards a nearby tree as he demonstrated how it was supposed to be done. A complicated knot held one side of the tent up; until he could do the same to the opposite. "And then yer done." He surveyed his work, an entertained smirk on his face. "Ye know Bagley hadn't wanted such mess as tents; but I guess someone convinced him otherwise." Anna merely nodded, glancing over to the Colonel's tent. Gradually she was starting to understand why Algren despised him.

"If ye need anything, the Captain and I are just a few paces over." Grant informed her over his shoulder as he walked to their tent, tied to two trees a small distance away. "Probably won't sleep tonight; unless dreamin' about killin' a few samurai."

Anna only slept a few hours that night.