Chapter 4:

The Boy Behind the Armor

Note: My sincere apologies for the super late post! I've been bogged down with exams, illness, festivities and general laziness of late Anyhoo on with the last part of the story!

"We're continuing on with revision today for your exams-" Kagurazaka-sensei was beginning the maths lesson. Chidori sat mindlessly in her seat staring out into the Monday afternoon sun. They had finally reached port on Saturday and on Sunday she was bundled back into the plane minus Sousuke back to Tokyo. She hadn't seen him, she hadn't spoke to him, she knew nothing. Chidori could feel the tears well up again. The desk behind her was empty and no-one knew why except her. She could not tell anyone because they wouldn't believe her. She was alone.

"Kaname-chan are you alright? Feeling unwell?" Kagurazaka-sensei asked crouched beside her desk.

"I-uh-I..." Chidori trailed off. She hadn't the energy to brush it off.

"You should go to sick bay, you look exhausted. Tokiwa-chan will you please accompany her?"

"Hai sensei!"

"If this is over the exams, talk to me after class. You've nothing to be stressing about, your scores are consistent and you're a hard worker." Kaurazaka-sensei tried to reassure Chidori.

Chidori smiled weakly, exams were the last thing on her mind.

"Kana-chan?" Tokiwa asked gathering Chidori's bag.

"Aa, I'm okay honestly!"

"...Kana-chan..."

Monday became Tuesday, Tuesday became Wednesday. Sousuke's apartment remained in darkness, his desk remained empty.

"Quiet down! I'm going to make the announcements now!" Kagurazaka-sensei shouted trying to regain order after the roll call. "Exams will start on the ninth of June and will run for two weeks. You are to wear full uniform. Next, students were enquiring if they could use Phys. Ed for extra study classes, that's been denied, anyone caught mitching will be put on detention. And finally I've some sad news for you."

The class that had been moaning about the exams quietened down. Chidori was still lost in thought, staring across out the window, like usual.

"I got a call last night" Kagurazaka-senesi started, "from Sagara Sousuke's father..."

Chidori sat up tall in her chair hearing Sousuke's name.

"...he told me that during the long weekend just gone, Sousuke was involved in a bad motor accident. He is at the moment in serious condition in hospital. His father felt, given the situation, to remove Sousuke from school here. Should, if and when Sousuke recovers, his father wishes to send him to a school close to where he works. He wished to send on to you all his gratitude for welcoming and taking care of Sousuke during his time here in Jindai High."

An air of concern and astonishment fell upon the class. Chidori stood upon hearing the news. Mithril were covering it up. It was only Wednesday and yet the were pulling Sousuke from his mission to protect her.

'Why? What's his situation? Why have they not made any contact with me!?'

"Kaname-chan?"

"Sensei! I want to talk with him!"

"E-excuse me!?"

"I need to talk with him!"

"Chidori that is not possible, I'm sorry."

"Did his father specify which hospital he was in?"

'Of course he didn't, he's in a military hospital no doubt.'

Kagurazaka-sensei shook her head. Chidori slapped her two hands down on her desk hard in frustration, her head hung low. Her pencil rolled from the desk and fell to the floor breaking her concentration. Chidori's head snapped up.

"As class president, I think the class should make Sousuke a get well/farewell card. We'll need and address to send it to him but..." Chidori smiled at her own quick thinking as the class loudly agreed.

"Alright, alright!!! Settle! I'll get you an address. It's very thoughtful of you all but it will have to be done in your own time as we have exams to prepare for!"

As classes continued, Chidori had an increasingly unsettled feeling at the sudden abruptness of Mithril. Unable to shake it she headed home at lunch time only to witness what she dreaded, people packing up Sousuke's apartment. Having spotted the removal van, Chidori set off with out a seconds hesitation up the stairs to Sousuke's floor. Rounding the corner she spotted a familiar head of blond hair stuffed under a uniform hat coming out of Sousuke's apartment carrying a cardboard box. Without stopping she ran up to the individual. Before he had time to open his mouth Chidori had him pushed against the wall.

"Where is he? How is he? I want to see him!!"

"Ara ara!!!" the individual pulled the peak of his cap down further. Frustrated Chidori smacked his hand causing the cap to fall off.

"I know it's you Kurz! Take me to him, take me to Sousuke!"

Kurz sighed, scratching his head.

"Listen Kana-chan, you weren't meant to see this, or know abut this-"

"But I do! I've been totally cut off, I don't...I don't know..." she started to cry realizing she didn't even know if Sousuke was alive or not.

"Chidori. I can't."

"I want to see him, I want to know!"

"He's alive, Chidori, in a bad way but alive. You need to focus on you now. Forget him-"

"I CAN"T!!! I WANT-"

"What you want and what you can have are-huh?" Kurz was distracted by his phone going off. "Hai?"

"Bring her in."

"Hai." Kurz closed the phone and looked at Chidori. "What you want and what you can have aren't always the same kiddo." he gave a small sad smile. Chidori took a double take, relief washing over her, she was getting what she wanted so she didn't care.

Chidori cringed as her footsteps echoed along the silent corridor. They were back on Meridan Island. Chidori had brought nothing, still in her school uniform. As she drew nearer to the ward that Sousuke was in, her stomach was filled with fluttering butterflies. She rubbed her hands nervously on the sides of her skirt. She didn't know what she was going to say or how she was going to act for she didn't know what to expect. Kurz had brought her straight here. He told her Tessa wanted to speak with her later. She stood in front of the door, her hand lingering inches away from the door handle. Swallowing hard she grasped the handle and turned it. It clicked loudly and it finally opened.

It was a small ward with eight beds, only one of which was occupied. It was dim and cool. The same monotone colours that ran through out the compound, a pale cream. Sousuke's bed was the one beside the window. Regular bleeps echoed through the room. As Chidori drew closer she could see it was a heart machine. She swallowed hard a second time before gingerly pushing the curtain back slightly. She drew in a quick breath.

Sousuke lay motionless, expressionless in the bed. Wires ran from his chest to the heart machine. IV drips were inserted into his right arm and hand. Tubes ran from under the blankets to bags and a tub that were at the side of the bed collecting excess fluid. Sousuke was on a ventilator, with another tube running up his nose as well as down his throat. His head and chest were heavily bandage from what Chidori could see. She could feel her hands clasp over her mouth. Yes, she had know since Kurz said, that Sousuke was in a bad way, but seeing it for real made it harder.

"He hasn't woken up yet."

Chidori jumped at the sudden voice. Spinning around, there stood Dr. Carter looking at charts. Looking up she smiled. "Talk to him, he won't bite."

This made Chidori feel worse for she remember how badly she had treated him of late. Dr. Carter beckoned her to the chair. Chidori watched as she made a few changes of bags and fluids. Questions were racing through her head but she couldn't find her voice to ask them. She waited for Dr. Carter to leave before drawing closer to Sousuke. She could feel the tears well up again. She slowly reached out, touching his arm with her fingertips, cautiously incase he woke up. Seeing no movement she gently encased her hand around his. It was warm.

This isn't how it was meant to be. He was Sagara Sousuke after all. He was the military fan-boy who loved guns and jumping out of trains. He was the boy that would never hesitate no matter the danger. He was not...he was not the boy who looked so vulnerable lying in a hospital bed, fighting for his life. He was not the boy who's only visitor was a very poor friend. Chidori sunk into the chair, head hung low, her hair hiding her saddened features. Chidori's hand tightening slightly around Sousuke's. And that is how she sat until Mao came a while later to take her to Tessa. She didn't want to leave him but she did have a few bones to pick with the teicho.

"We are a military unit."

"What has that got to do with pulling him from school before he even wakes up!" Chidori's voice was rising, Tessa was still in an odd distant mood.

"Who are you to dictate what we do and don't do? The only reason the gunso was in school was because of a mission."

"And what has change over the past few days that the mission no longer stands!"

"It does, Sagara has simply been replaced."

"What!? By whom? Why?"

"I would think that would be obvious. He has been replaced by another gunso of ours, Heero Yuy. He is currently moving into the previous vantage point."

"...Sousuke's apartment."

"Hai."

"This...Heero Yuy, he's temporary right?"

"Iie, he is Sagara's permanent replacement."

"You can't-"

"I can do whatever I damn well please! Sagara is needed for far more important things. This isn't some kind of television drama. He is a solider of Mithril first and foremost! He does what we tell him and that's it! Sousuke will be dealing with the Arabeslt and that final. This meeting is over!!"

"Heh in other words you tell him to jump and he is meant to ask how high?" Chidori answered, disgusted.

"Precisely. I wouldn't expect a civilian to understand."

"My oh my Tessa. You really do talk big for such a small girl. Just because you wear a uniform does not make you better or smarter than me! From a military point of view you may know Sousuke but you haven't spent every day of the last five months with him have you? If you ask me, what Gauron said really rattled your cage. You can't stand the thought of him caring for anyone but you."

"How dare you!!" Tessa screeched

"I thought a military person of your stature would know than romantic relationship between officers, especially with their subordinates is severely frowned upon. The uniform that you idol so much will never allow it."

Chidori's cheek stung as Tessa's hand connected with it.

"If you love him that much teicho, give him the choice. Let him decide if been a solider is what he really wants anymore. Let him decide if he wants to continue the way he has. Give him a choice!" Chidori continued.

Silence fell between the two girls. Each reeling in each others words. With nothing more to say Chidori left Tessa's office. Closing the door behind her, Chidori bumped in Kalinin. From the secretaries face, it was obvious that both men had heard the screaming match. Embarrassed Chidori coughed, taking her leave as quickly as possible. She carried with her the embarrassment and annoyance of the conversation down the corridor towards Sousuke's room, her hair swishing behind her. All such feelings melted away as she entered the near silent, cold atmosphere of the ward. Nothing had change in the half an hour she was gone. Chidori's shoulders sank as she took her seat at his bedside once again. She had hope he would have gotten miraculously better to tell Tessa the truth.

Time took on another meaning after seeing Sousuke. Instead of crawling at a painfully slow pace the days began to fly by. Thursday, the day after she had seen Sousuke, his replacement, Heero Yuy joined the class. Chidori knew at first sight she did not like him. His blue eyes were cold as steel, his unruly brown hair reflected how unlike, yet like Sousuke he was. Chidori couldn't help thinking how similar the were. 'A very limited gene pool.' He had taken Sousuke's seat and in passing Chidori for the very first time, warned her that he would kill her if she were to cause an inconvenience to Mithril. It would save the problem of dealing with the enemy apparently.The class had made and signed the card and 'sent' it to Sousuke. It had arrived back at Chidori's apartment three days later unopened. The exams had come and started. Mithril had not made contact in nearly two weeks.

After the last exam was finished, Chidori held a party in her apartment in celebration. As the girls fell asleep, Chidori found herself staring out across to Sousuke's apartment. She had been there since Heero had moved in, once, to threaten him. He had broken her harisan. Since then she avoided him but she could make out the spandex clad green vested individual moving around. Her cell lit up.

'Go to bed.'

"Baka." Chidori replied quietly to herself, pulling the curtains closed.

The phone lit up again, annoyed she threw the phone on the couch without reading the message. Looking at her friends, she had tried to follow Kurz advice, immersing herself in her friends and herself but when she was in crowds she never felt more alone. Chidori flipped the phone open, Heero again.

'Dispose of the others by 8.15 am sharp. Go to bed.'

"Fucking robot, " Chidori mumbled bringing up Heero's number "Who the fuck does he is telling me what to-" the phone barely rang once when it was answered.

"Aa?"

"Fuck off." Chidori snapped the phone shut. She threw the phone away and went to bed.

Chidori was awoken by the door bell ringing constantly. She could hear the murmured voices of her friends that were already awake. Hiding deeper in her futon she prayed the door bell would stop.

"Heero-kun!?" Tokiwa's voice was muffled.

Chidori's eyes snapped open. 'He has some nerve!' Chidori arose effortlessly, crossed the living area where the girls had accumulated to gawk at their early morning guest. Bed hair, sleepy eyes and still in her pajama's Chidori came face to face with Heero.

"It is past 8.15-"

"Do you have death wish?"

"Iie."

"Then I suggest you leave now."

"Iie."

Behind her the girls gasped, some giggled. Chidori reached behind and her hand re-emerged with a new harisen. Her eyes darkened as she took her fighting stance. Heero stood still but Chidori could see his eyebrow flinch ever so slightly. The only way this harisen was going to break and that was over Heero's head was Chidori's thoughts as she brought it down with full force.

"Sagara wants to see you."

Chidori barely stopped millimeters above his head, frozen in her stance, her eyes wide open. Heero watched as a couple of strands of his hair fell to the ground. Their eyes met. Chidori's apartment was empty in under ten minutes. Accompanied by Heero, she once again headed back to Meridan Island.

It was three weeks since she had seen him last. Walking down the now familiar corridor the same feelings of uneasiness remained. She stopped in front of the ward. She was hoping to have a couple of seconds to gather herself but the door was already open. The room had more occupants than Sousuke. Two other men and a woman in their early twenties, most likely were from the same team. Chidori peeked around he curtain. She let out her breath that she was holding. He was asleep. He looked a lot better, colour had returned to his face. He was no longer hooked up to a heart machine, nor on a ventilator. There were still a number of tubes he was connected too and he was still heavily bandaged, which Chidori found surprising and worrying.

Chidori sat down and waited. She tried to plan out what she wanted to say but when his eyes opened and his head turned to look at her, her mind went blank. Sousuke returned to looking at the ceiling. Silence remained between them for a while.

"H-how are you feeling?"

"...heavy and tired" Sousuke's voice croaked from lack of use. He coughed trying to clear it, winching.

"I-I see..."

"You look tired."

"Ah, um, yeah..." Chidori cringed at her own reply. Why did she feel so uncomfortable? "Ano...the class made this for you. She took out the card and handed it over to Sousuke who was frowning. She watched him as he read through it slowly. She frowned when he put it on the side table and continued to stare at it.

"Sousuke?"

"What you said to the teicho is unacceptable."

"N-nani!?"

"I'm not a child, I'm a solider. A solider of Mithril."

"Sousuke!"Chidori was baffled.

He turned his head and look at her with stern eyes. "Why did you come here?"

"I -Iwas told to come here, that you had asked for me?" Chidori frowned

"By whom?" Sousuke asked equally confused.

"Heero. Your replacement."

"I specifically chose him should a situation like this arose, but why would he have brought you here without orders?"

"Huh, should've known, you're both like peas from the same pod." Chidori retorted, annoyed he wasn't happy to see her.

Silence resumed between the two. Both equally confused to whom had sent for her and why. Snapping out of her train of though Chidori looked up to see Sousuke was back asleep. She frowned, letting out a sigh of defeat when a hand landed on her shoulder causing her to yelp in fright.

"Gomen gomen! Didn't mean to scare you like that Kaname-san."

Chidori ,who had spun around in fright looked to the friendly features of Kalinin.

"I-uh didn't hear you come in."

"No, no I guess you didn't." He replied absent-mindly. "Could I have a word with you outside?"

"H-hai!" Chidori replied suddenly uncomfortable. She stood up placing her jumper on the chair and waited for Kalinin who stood close to the bed. He placed a hand on Sousuke's lower leg.

"And you, you can't continue to pretend your asleep everytime someone comes in. Face the teicho and Mardukas like a man already!" Kalinin whispered. Chidori's eyes widened seeing Sousuke's eyebrow twitch ever so slightly. "They're not going away."

Kalinin patted the blanket and left with Chidori. Sousuke cracked one eye open.

"He's right you know."

Sousuke flinched and looked to the foot of the bed to where Dr. Carter stood.

"I'm running out of excuses to keep you here." She smiled, clicking her pen and signing off on a chart.

"Why are we here?" Sousuke asked as they pulled up near his old apartment two days later. He had finally faced the wrath that was Tessa, Mardukas and Kalinin. Still not cleared for activity duty, he was a solider without a mission.

"You find out soon enough." Kalinin replied stepping out into the warmth of the late summer afternoon.

Heero emerged, silently from the apartment block.

"The bags in the boot."

"Hai."

Sousuke watched from the coolness of the air conditioned car. He didn't like not been in the know. Kalinin open the door to help him out. Three weeks after the incident on the de Danann, his injuries were healing slowly but surely. Heero had disappeared as quickly as he had appeared. He stood on the sidewalk beside Kalinin soaking up the warmth. In the doorway his eye caught an image. Turning his head, he made out Chidori who was walking towards them. Dressed in white cotton pants, a tight white tank top and her hair down. He looked to Kalinin who was smiling as he greeted her. Looking back at her she smiled to him warmly.

"Konnichiwa Sousuke."

"K-konnichiwa."

"Shall we?" Kalinin asked Chidori who nodded in reply. Kalinin gently pushed him in the direction of Chidori's apartment block as the three of them entered the cool building where Heero was leaving.

In Chidori's apartment, Sousuke shifted his weight from one foot to another in discomfort watching Kalinin and Chidori go about unpacking his stuff. He coughed to draw attention to himself but only Chidori looked up and smiled before helping Kalinin move his suitcase into the bedroom.

"A-ano..." Sousuke's voice trailed off as the two emerged seconds later.

"Sousuke you must be tired from all the traveling why don't you go and lie down in there?" Kalinin nodded towards the bedroom.

"I-Hai" Sousuke complied. Kalinin was a man not to be reckoned with...that and he was tired and uncomfortable. He closed the bedroom door behind him quietly feeling very out of place in Chidori's room. He tried to hear what they were talking about but there voices were been drowned out by the kettle boiling. Defeated he slowly and carefully lay down on the bed and listened to his heart beat slow down as he drifted off.

Sousuke awoke sometime later to the silence and the dusk of evening. He had to take a double take to figure out where he was. The sounds of cutlery and the appetizing smell of lemongrass chicken began to enrich the bedroom as he became more alert. Sitting up slowly on the bed he could see his camp bed set up in the closet. Scratching his head he was sure it wasn't there earlier. Lost in his thoughts he didn't hear Chidori enter.

"Hungry?"

"Aa."

"Good, dinner is just ready." Chidori smiled

He followed her out to the kitchen, looking for Kalinin who was suspiciously no-where to be found.

He took a seat at the table.

"Chidori, where is Kalinin?"

"Um he left you a letter there on the table. "Chidori replied busy filling out the rice and chicken into the different bowls.

Sousuke swallowed hard picking the official letter up, it read:

Sagara Souske-gunso

B-3128,

Social skills are vital for any solider in the field. Your mission is to acquire these skills over the next coming weeks. Failure to do so will result in consequences and possible demotion. We do not accept failure.

Yours sincerely,

Testarossa-teicho.

"Social skills?" Sousuke mumbled to himself "What have I been doing for the past five months!?"

"Daijoubu?" Chidori asked concerned by his mumbling.

"Aa...ano did Kalinin say anything else?"

"Hmmm?" Chidori sat down, "Well yes, he said, uh, don't fuck it up this time." She told him embarrassed.

"Sou...Itadakimasu..." Sousuke started eating, deep in thought, knowing well that Kalinin had to pull in a few favors for him to be sitting here.

Chidori ate silently, everything that Kalinin had asked her to do in taking care of Sousuke was running through her head. His meds, what to do if he gets ill, if his wounds get infected, how and when to change his bandages, baths, excersise. It was a lot and a lot of responsibility. She had accepted it to make up for all the wrong she had done. It was her last chance as Heero was now in Sousuke's former position. She had been trying hard all day to be bright, cheerful and positive. However self-doubt loomed just at the back of her mind. What if rejected her honest attempts to be a better friend? What if he left to stay with Heero? What would Kalinin do with her then?

It was hard for the two of them over the first few days. Sousuke had to get used to the fact that he was not able to do a lot of things, as well as Chidori seeing him at his most vulnerable. Chidori had to get over the nervousness of caring for him as well as seen him in situations that had only crossed her mind during her daydreams. The first night, Chidori slept in the camp bed, giving Sousuke hers. Having had a very uncomfortable night she swore never again. Not having the heart to kick him out of her very comfortable bed, she got in with him. However Sousuke who was asleep when she decided this got a fright the next morning when he found his hand on a very soft but inappropriate place. Fearing his own life he tried to remove his wandering hand from Chidori's chest but she just snuggled into him making him more uncomfortable.

Then there was the issue of his wounds. Sousuke had to take an antiseptic baths everyday to help them heal. Except exaggerate movement such as bending or twisting was still excruciatingly painfully. Therefore getting in and out of a japanese bath and having one was difficult as they are rather deep and small compared to those on the base. Sousuke who nearly fell trying to get out had made Chidori very nervous as a result. She insisted she would help, so once the towel was secure he would call for her, a stab to his independence and pride as a man. What also made Chidori nervous was the bandaging of the wounds. The wound to the gut was extremely tender so she was always afraid she would hurt Sousuke. That and the fact the wound went well below the belly button, not that she got to see anything! Sousuke's chest wound was far more straight forward but she did have to watch for the healing ribs.

Sousuke's meds were powerful and rightly so. So much so he spent a lot of his time sleeping. They went as far as the local supermarket but Chidori wouldn't risk going into the town center as he tired so easily. She did like the fact how domesticated he was. No longer did she have to do the hateful laundry. All she did was load and unload the washing machine. Sousuke was content to iron and fold with military precision after seeing Chidori's dismal attempt. His ability to cook was improved upon with the venturing out of the military meals of rice, rice and more rice. True he burnt a lot of pots and pans but the smug look of achievement on his face was worth it. Chidori had learnt quickly that even if it looks good, it may not taste so. That's where Heero came in. If he didn't heel over, Chidori knew it was somewhat safe to eat.

The summer was passing by quickly and Chidori was aware of the fact that her time was running out. Living with Sousuke through the many ups and downs just emphasized the fact how lonely she was without him. He had chosen his path with Mithril and she had to respect that even if it hurt her. As she sat on the edge of the bed looking out to the stars she selfishly she wished the summer would never end. Behind her Sousuke stirred in his sleep. He looked so peaceful. Chidori reached over to sweep his bangs from his sleeping face, tears welling up. She didn't want to let him go.

Like the saying goes all good things must come to an end and so they did. The last weekend before school started back Sousuke received his orders to return to base. He genuinely looked disappointed when the letter came. Chidori hadn't the courage to tell him how she felt and like a true solider Sousuke never asked. It was his disappointment that raised the last glimmer of hope in Chidori.

The car sent by Mithril pulled up outside the apartment complex at the designated time. Sousuke and Chidori stood on the sidewalk with his bags in silence. Despite the sunny day Chidori felt miserable. Kurz emerged from the drivers side giving a big pervy smile and loaded the bags in the booth. Sousuke stepped forward and opened the rear passenger door. Not finding the words Chidori reached out but pulled her hand back. Kurz closed the booth and murmured something to Sousuke before going around the other side and getting back in the driver seat. Sousuke finally turn around to face Chidori looking everywhere but her.

"Sousuke...I-"

Sousuke caught a quick glance of her face. Taking a quick stride forward he pecked her on the cheek and caught her in a quick embrace. Stunned Chidori touched her cheek and stared dumbfounded at Sousuke who was now in the car.

"Thank you for everything Chidori. You are...a very good friend."

Chidori's eyebrows rose as the car drove off,

"A very good friend?...WHAT!!!? That's it!!? You gotta be kidding me!!!! Aaaaaah stupid stupid solider boy!!!" she shouted down the empty street annoyed, frustrated and upset.

But her antics went unanswered. She was once again the sole occupant of her apartment save for solider boy mark two across the street. Sagara had come and gone like a whirlwind and turned her life upside down. Monday morning arrived and was the final mark to show that everything was how it once was. Heero behind her with his cold empty stare, Tokiwa and her digital camera, Shinji drooling over his latest Armslave magazine, Mizuki drooling over yet another male and Kagurazaka-sensei trying to regain control on the class. Chidori let out a sigh, same old, same old.

...UWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!

Kagurazaka-sensei stopped in mid sentence. The class looked to the door in surprise at the scream from the corridor. The door flung open and flung close again. The class looked on in amazement as the door slid open again.

"Ohayo minnasan!!!!!

Chidori's jaw hit the desk in disbelief. Standing up she grabbed her harisen.

"What are YOU doing here!!!?" she half snarled, half asked in a super sickly sweet voice.

Tessa looked down at Chidori, an evil knowing smile crossing her face

"Eh!? Two week student exchange! Miss me much?" Tessa replied equally as sickly sweet.

"No not really" Chidori could feel the vein pulsing on her forehead.

The door slid open once again.

"Sumimensen."

"Sagara! I asked you to escort Tessa to the classroom! What kind of entrance is this!?" Kagurazaka-sensei yelled.

"Gomen, demo there was a suspicious looking item in the umbrella rack at the entrance...which looked like an umbrella but the sun is high in the sky and there is no clear sign of approaching rain so as a precaution..." Sousuke's voice trailed off as he look at the disapproving look of the captain but also his sensei.

"BAKA!!!!! That's a sun umbrella!" Chidori yelled as she stomped up the classroom towards him.

Sagara shrank a little "Sun...umbrella???"

The air cracked loudly as the harisen came whipping down upon the mop of unruly brown hair.

"She's going to kill me!"

Fin.

Yea...this chapter turned out to be bit aaah...well...hmmmm...crappy I think :(I lost my train of thought on this story after leaving it for so long, my apologies. I hate leaving a story unfinished and it was dragging out near the end :( Please r&r! They do come of use! I've got a few messages about my use of Japanese terms that not all can understand, so I know it's a tad late, been the end of the story and all but here's the terms used and meanings. Also in future I'll post a key at the start of each chapter for your own convenience. Till next time( the next one will be better I promise) minnasan, ja!

Key:

Gunso – sergeant

Teicho – Captain

Sensei – Teacher

Hai - Yes

Iie - No

Yoshi - Alright

Arigatou – Thank you

Daijoubu? - Are you alright?

Shocho - Commander

Wakarimashite – Understood

Sumimasen? - Excuse me?

Niisan - Sister

Ryo Kai - Roger

Nani? - What?

Ara ara – My oh my

Baka – Idiot

Gomen – Sorry

Konnichiwa – hello/Good afternoon

Itadakimasu – Thank you for the food

Sou – I see

Ohayo – Good morning

Minnasan - everyone

Demo – But