BOUNDARIES

Chapter Three

...

I woke to the dark of our sleeping quarters (a few thin mattresses connected as bunk beds by non-sanded wooden posts) as usual. It's depressing around here 24/7. Cardboard is taped over the "windows" (holes in the walls more like) to avoid drawing any attention or looking habitable, as we were supposed to be here secretly and not look whatever the general thinks is "suspicious". A concrete slab of a building in a clearing on a previously deserted island isn't unusual at all, I thought sarcastically.

I sighed as I stared longingly at the pieces of brown cardboard covering the only source of light in the room besides the digital clock with "7:00" blaring on the screen.

I used to hate late morning sunlight and now I'd die for it, which I
technically will be.

I stopped myself right there before I got really into the thought of death and war. The mere thought of blood makes me nauseas and terrified. I shouldn't be here at all. Sixteen year old boys should be at school joking around in class and spending their weekends with their mothers and two little brothers, not in a place like this. "Think of it as you're answering the call of your country," my mother had said with tear streaked cheeks and a fake smile as she held on tightly to my little brothers as if they'd suddenly be forced the same fate as I. That moment will probably forever be etched into my memory. She was so, so strong. I felt relieved and disappointed at the same time because of this. Relieved she could act strong for my little brothers, who had no idea what was going on at the time, but disappointed that she could soeasily pretend to be alright when I'm forced into such a condition.

How are my brothers doing now?

I suddenly yawned and stretched my arms, popping a few joints from the long night of uncomfortable sleep and depressing thoughts. I swear those mattresses are just hay and canvas.

After a cold shower (our resources were limited) and a new change of clothes I left for the kitchen. I wasn't surprised in the least that I was the first and only one there. Everyone else somehow managed to be lazier than me. I yawned and began to prepare breakfast for everyone; despite it was Nero's week to
cook. A few minutes after the bacon was placed into the pan, they began to wake up and lazily stumble into the kitchen. I smiled to myself in accomplishment. Waking a tired, hung-over military squad within five minutes without the mentioning of nude women. Amazing.

We were all seated at the dining room table eating (Mikuo more like devouring) when the usual quiet, observant captain Ted spoke. "We have about three weeks left," he thought aloud, referring to how the mission was delayed several hours before we were to leave. The reasons were unclear but nearly everything was hazy in this war.

My mind began to drift off to Rin against my will.

"Are you all prepared?" He asked with an amused expression, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I knew he wasn't just wondering if his team was okay with it, it was directed towards Dell and I, the younger ones. Dell answered first with weary smile and I just gave a subtle nod. There was an uneasy silence that followed; everyone seemed to be thinking the same thing, it suddenly becoming more real. This is really going to happen.

It sunk in for a while until Nero fortunately interrupted everyone to ask for our dishes.

After breakfast I decided to wonder around Japan for a bit. I took a small ferry to the main island, Honshu, since it was so close and the only place that wouldn't bore me to death. Everyone seemed especially busy today, and I soon realized why when "MONDAY" was written in bold letters on one of the electric billboards.

I took a moment to sit at an unoccupied bench and watch everyone so busily running around. Nearly every man wore a business suit and had a professional looking suitcase while a lot of the women were either "geisha" I think the name is, or were in casual dresses with their market's logo and information on them.

One woman in particular, the one in a casual housewife outfit, reminded me of my mother. She had two small children around my brothers' ages on each hand and had a very mother like, comforting aura about her. I felt the urge to speak to her, but I knew it was stupid. She isn't your mother, I reminded myself. It was painfully bold.

A/N: As usual, thanks to Eukari-KIip (previously thefifthalice)!