So, I've been having quite a few anonymous reviewers lately. Since I can't directly reply to you, I'll say it here then - thank you so much for being so supportive! The same goes for anyone who I might've forgotten to reply, or have put this story on their alerts/favs. :)

Confusion

It had been raining back then.

Feldt knelt in front of the two gravestones, feeling her knees sting when they came in contact with rough granite. The words on them were obscured by bouquets in all shapes and sizes, but Feldt already knew what they said. They were phrases and dedications – all in remembrance of her mama and papa.

Mama and papa, who were no longer around.

Mama and papa, who had loved her.

Mama and papa, who had died in a war…

Someone must have killed them. But who? Who could it be? Who would harm her mama and papa? They were kind. They never hurt anyone. They didn't deserve it.

Feldt could no longer cry. She had cried enough throughout the service, especially when the caskets were lowered into the ground. No one had dared to approach her. Everyone had left when the service was over, knowing that Feldt wanted to be alone.

And alone she was, drenched in the downpour, anguishing over death and the happiness it had taken away.

"Feldt Grace, correct? We are sorry for your loss."

Hadn't everyone left already? She turned around, only to see two men in military uniform. One had shaggy blond hair and green eyes, whereas the other had sandy-colored hair that was pulled back into a ponytail. Feldt stood up, unsure of what to say.

"I am Graham Aker, and this is Billy Katagiri. We have…a proposition for you."

"If it's about working in the military, then I refuse."

"Why," Graham asked, "Do you assume that it has to be military-related?"

"…Because of what you wear. You two are high ranking military officers," she whispered. "It's no question that people like you make others die during wars."

"It's true that war isn't pleasant, Feldt, but we have no interest in discussing something that would upset you any further. Please, will you hear us out?"

Feldt really didn't feel like talking, but she supposed it would be rude to refuse them. What harm would it be just to listen to them for a minute or two?

"…Alright. What is it?"

"We'll get right to the point, then. Feldt, we're offering you a chance to study robotics engineering in the Earth Sphere Federation University."

Feldt had heard of that university. It was only for the brightest students around, and to be offered a place…well, it was something that she would be proud of under normal circumstances. However…

"Thank you for the offer, but I'm afraid I'll be facing some funding difficulties since my parents are no longer around."

"Your education will be fully funded," Graham said gently. "There will be no complications involved."

It was suspicious, and Feldt knew that a deal like this was definitely too good to be true. There definitely had to be some sort of ulterior motive. Wait, if they were from the military, then that would mean…

"You all are planning to use me in some way for the military's benefit, aren't you?"

"She's smart," Graham muttered. "Ouch, Billy! Don't poke me!"

Billy made his way towards the young pink-haired girl, knowing he had to be the one to handle the conversation. "Feldt, it is true that the military needs you. However, we promise that we will never make you work within military headquarters itself. What we require is support from the side lines, and that is where you come in. Please understand that we will never ask you for more than what you can do." He shook her shoulders gently before continuing, "The military wants to end this war, Feldt. We want to ensure that people can be at peace again. Without you, we cannot do that."

Feldt remained silent for a very long time. For a moment, Billy thought that she would turn and leave. If she did that, then Ribbons would never forgive him –

"Alright." Her voice was soft, but Billy heard it despite the pounding rain. "I accept your offer."

Beep.

Beep.

Beep-beep-beep.

Feldt gave a small groan of annoyance. The series of beeps were killing her – it was shooting waves of pain throughout her skull, making it throb and ache at two-second intervals. Eyes still closed, Feldt attempted to use an arm to turn it off, only to realize that she couldn't move.

And then the voices began.

"Was it just me, or did I see a twitch?"

"You're imagining things, Marie."

"Am not!"

"Quiet, all of you. I'm trying to work here."

"Calm down, Tieria."

"You do realize that it's been three days, right?"

"With an injury like that, I wouldn't be surprised if it took longer…"

Feldt could barely make out what they were saying – everything seemed so fuzzy. The beeping was still continuing and she wanted to make it stop and her head just seemed to hurthurthurthurt –

Feldt opened her eyes, blinking once, twice – everything seemed so bright here. There were some distinct shapes not too far away – blobs of silver, purple and brown – blobs that seemed to move and speak. It seemed funny to her. Everything seemed to be funny. She giggled a little and tried to speak, but all that came out was a raw cough.

Instantly all the blobs swivelled around to look at her, and Feldt realized that they weren't merely talking blobs after all.

Marie stood up so quickly that her chair tipped backwards and Allelujah rushed over, catching the chair before it crashed onto the floor. Tieria looked over and merely gave Feldt a nod of acknowledgement before returning to his laptop. Neil was leaning against the table, a wide grin on his face.

Feldt tried her best to manage a weak smile back at them, but there was one person she wanted to see the most. Where was he…? Ah, there he was. Setsuna wasn't smiling, but he visibly relaxed when he saw that she was awake.

"Feldt! How are you feeling? Are you okay? Do you hurt anywhere? Wait, I'll pour you a glass of water. That should help." Marie did just that, fumbling around with cups and jugs while Neil helped Feldt into a sitting position. "Here you go. Drink up. Do you want me to call the nurse?"

Feldt took a gulp of water, relishing the feel of it soothing her aching throat. "Marie, you're babbling."

"But I – oh, God. Geez, Feldt!" Marie buried her face in Feldt's shoulder. "You scared us all back there. Seriously, never do that again!"

"Marie, you're crying."

"I was so worried! I thought you were dead!"

"It took a long time to calm her down," Allelujah said, patting Marie's head. "She cares for you a lot, you know."

"W-wait," Feldt stuttered, feeling that something was a little out of place here. She glanced at Marie and Allelujah, then at Tieria, then back at the duo again. "Why are the two of you here? I remember…Ribbons…and then…the two of you were with me after that when we were escaping. Just how exactly...?"

"We told them the truth," Neil offered, his voice cheerful. "On who we were really were, and what we were capable of. They didn't take it too well in the beginning, but now everyone's just glad that you're back with us."

Feldt felt her eyes widen. To tell them the truth…to tell Marie…? She shot Neil a look of betrayal and he shrank back, stunned at the intensity of her glare. "You told them?" Feldt's voice increased in volume, the accusing tone in it apparent. "You told them, when I struggled to keep it as a secret for so long?"

"Hey, calm down. They deserve to know, don't you think?"

"I wanted them to avoid knowing this as much as possible! I didn't want any of my friends to be involved…"

"And so you think that I don't have a right to know?" Marie snapped. She didn't want to be angry at Feldt, not when the pink-haired girl had been so close to death a few days ago – but seeing Feldt speak in that manner irritated her. "How do you think I felt when I found out, Feldt? What do you think? I watched you nearly die without knowing what was going on!

"…It was only for your o-own good, Marie…"

"No, don't tell me what's good for me when you can't even understand how much pain you're putting yourself through! We're friends, Feldt. That's what friends are for. Friends don't keep secrets from each other!" When Feldt remained silent, Marie tossed her silver hair, huffing in frustration. "Fine. I get it. Continue being that way."

Feldt could only watch as Marie stomped out of the room, her temper flaring. Allelujah followed suit, sending Feldt one last apologetic look before he left. Tieria was the next to leave – he merely shut his laptop and walked out, not bothering to comment on the situation.

That left Neil and Setsuna with Feldt. Neil looked over to see Feldt's green eyes brimming with tears and wisely decided to leave as well, knowing that the young girl needed to speak with Setsuna the most.

Setsuna approached the pink-haired girl quietly. Feldt was gripping fistfuls of blankets and had an odd, scrunched-up expression on her face. He knew what that meant – she was trying her hardest not to cry.

"I screwed up," Feldt said dully. "Now even my closest friend hates me."

"No."

"Yes, she does. She hates me now."

"She was worried," Setsuna stated.

"I never wanted all of this to happen. Never." Feldt bowed her head low, staring at the sheets. "Then there was that man...I remember his name. It was Ribbons…"

"Do not think about him."

"I hate him, Setsuna." Suddenly Feldt's expression changed – she was gritting her teeth, and there was fiery anger in her emerald eyes. Behind that anger, Setsuna sensed something darker – something akin to fury and malice. "I hate him so much. It was him who killed my parents. He killed them, he told me he did. I hate him..."

"Don't," Setsuna said sharply, placing his own hand on top of Feldt's. "Do not give in to hatred." When she didn't respond, he gently tilted her face so that it was facing his. "It will only destroy you – do you understand?"

"B-but…"

"Hatred does not suit you, Feldt Grace."

"So," Feldt breathed in shakily, the anger momentarily fading away, "Are you just saying that I should do nothing? That man plans to destroy many things, Setsuna! He's evil! He laughs at everything – he laughs at us, at how helpless we are!" She gave him a stony glare, aware of how close his face was to hers.

Why? Why wasn't he moving away?

"No. We will stop him. However, hatred is not the answer. Our execution of him will be for justice, and not for revenge." Setsuna's dark eyes bore into hers, willing for Feldt to listen and understand. "Listen well. When I was a child soldier, I thought that if I carried out my revenge, I would be satisfied."

"…What changed your mind?" Feldt asked softly. Their voices had dropped to whispers, and both had to move even closer in order to hear each other.

"I killed a large number of enemies. Some of them, I tortured. I wanted them to feel the pain of them taking my happiness away." Setsuna paused, watching as Feldt's eyes widened in surprise and guilt. "…Day after day, month after month. After a while, I stopped remembering what my original motives were. I stopped caring. I only wanted to kill everyone who were against me. And that was when I realized that I was moving nowhere."

Moving nowhere. That was the state Feldt knew she had been for years, although she would never admit it. She would achieve, she would smile, she would laugh – but Feldt knew that deep inside, she had never truly moved on in life. She was stuck in a whirlpool of emotions – wild ones that hurt, dragged and tore her apart from the inside.

But...Setsuna must have gone through that too.

Setsuna, who had been a child soldier. Setsuna, who had pulled the trigger countless times. Setsuna, who had suffered in far worse conditions – who bore scars that were deeper than hers. Setsuna, who cared enough to jump into the crossfire to save her. Setsuna, who cared enough to be next to her, preventing her from drowning within those self-destructing emotions.

"I'm sorry…" Feldt whispered, this time allowing tears to spill freely. Instinctively, she laid her head against his chest, comforted by the warmth he brought. "I'm so sorry…"

"It wasn't your fault."

"I couldn't…I don't know…What do I do, Setsuna? I can't hate, but I can't forgive either. It's so messy, I – I can't... everything hurts…"

Setsuna didn't say anything. He allowed her to cry, ignoring the wetness that was seeping through his shirt. She needed this – and somehow, Setsuna had a feeling that he needed this too. He pulled her into an embrace, swearing to himself that he would protect this girl no matter what.

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Hope you enjoyed.

- Anne