Lost Memories/Amnesia Girl Chapter 30

Time elapse will be about two to three months, because there's nothing to write about besides boring stuff.

"We're getting a new pilot, today," a male soldier gossiped to a female one. He didn't even try to keep it quiet. Everyone knew about it. She was one of the few lucky ones.

"Yeah, she's going to be Shiho's roommate once she gets here," the female responded. Floating down a near-by hall Yzak listened closely to the news. A new pilot huh? I wonder if she graduated at the same time as Shiho, Yzak thought. She was probably making her way out of the hangar and into the ship by now so Yzak would head her off. She was going to be a part of the newly formed Joule Team so it was best to make a good impression on the girl. Going down a few hallways he eventually reached the hangar. Just as he was about to open the door, it swooshed open revealing Amarante of all people.

"YZAK!" Amarante cried out releasing her bag and hugging the boy. It had been so long since she had seen any of them…Yzak, Dearka, Athrun, Nicol. The bag gently floated to a wall before bouncing off of it.

"Amarante?" Yzak replied astonished to see the girl hug him, after the way he treated her, and he was shocked to see that she was his new pilot. Since she was a part of Z.A.F.T. longer than him he thought that she would become a commander first. Then again she did have an OBSESSIVE amount of down time.

"How are you? It's been awhile since Carpentaria AND Banadiya," Amarante replied with a chuckle. He released Amarante looking into her eyes surprised to see that she remembered. She laughed at his surprised stature. Amarante was so happy that she was remembering everything.

"So you remember everything now? That's great!" Yzak replied enthusiastically, yet the girl frowned. Taking her bag Yzak escorted Amarante down the hall. Yzak really didn't like the fact that she frowned and he was on pins and needles about what she would say next.

"Not everything. I remember you and Dearka from Banadiya but I don't really remember the base nor do I remember family and other friends," Amarante began with a sigh, "but I'm just glad that I'm remembering some things!"

"So how was the testing?" Yzak asked curiously. Amarante drew her shoulders up in a shrug before looking up at her friend. He was smiling at her but there was something sad in his eyes. Amarante disregarded it for the time but it kept urging her to look into his eyes even more deeply.

"It was okay. That's how I remembered some things," Amarante replied. By the way she was acting, she probably didn't know that Nicol was dead. Yzak sighed quietly before looking down in thought.

Flashback

"Hey guys…I was thinking," Nicol piped up. He was looking over his sheet music but he could barely concentrate on it because he was thinking of his favorite and only girlfriend. He was always thinking about her to the point where it could be called obsession. His love for music could barely quell his new love for Amarante. Every time he heard his music in his head, or pretended to play the music on a piano made of air she crept into his mind…dancing in the background, making his music more lyrical and passionate.

"What do you want?" Yzak snapped. Nicol just chuckled at Yzak angered response. He looked at all his friends making sure that he had their attention.

"Do you think we'll ever see Amarante again?" Nicol asked. Dearka sighed, Nicol was always thinking about Amarante, to the point where he almost never spoke about music. Athrun just smiled and Yzak rolled his eyes.

"I hope so. I think I can speak for all of us but we all want to see her recover," Athrun replied. The other two nodded and Nicol let out a gentle sigh. He closed his eyes for a few seconds before thinking over how and what he was going to say next.

"If anything happens to me…can you guys keep her safe and out of trouble?" Nicol asked after a moment of silence. The room was quiet and shocked over what Nicol had said. Why would he say something like that? Was he expecting to die or something?

"What are you talking about?" Dearka asked, finally clearing his throat. Yzak and Athrun looked at Dearka before looking at Nicol.

"Well…I don't know…I was just thinking about her lately," Nicol said with a shrug. He looked down and away from them trying to brush it off his shoulder. He then went back to looking at his sheet music as everyone continues to stare at him.

End Flashback

"Hey Yzak…Yzak!" Amarante said waving her hand in front of his face. Yzak snapped out of his trance looking at the happy girl. For a quick moment he thought that she was actually Nicol. They had always been so similar. He wanted to call out his name but he quickly stopped himself.

"What?" Yzak muttered, becoming back into the real world. Amarante giggled at the way his face looked. He looked so weird in this odd trance. She suddenly became serious as she took a sheet of paper out of her pocket.

"This is my room. At least I believe so," Amarante said looking at a slip of paper. Yzak was still slightly entranced which caused Amarante to smile on the inside. She found even Yzak could be cute at times.

"Yeah it is. I believe your roommate is here," Yzak replied knocking on the door. A girl with brown hair and purple eyes opened the door and she stood there stiffly and sternly. Amarante looked at the girl, she was either her age or older. Amarante thought it was odd that sometimes her rank was higher than soldiers that were older than her.

"Hello sir," she said sternly. She gave them a salute which Yzak and Amarante reciprocated. Shiho then stepped back to allow them into the room. Amarante continued to watch over Yzak's behavior with Shiho. It was odd to see Yzak in such a state and position.

"Hello Shiho. This is your roommate Amarante Takahashi. She's a great pilot. Even though she has limit space combat don't underestimate her abilities!" Yzak said sternly. Shiho seemed slightly shocked but Yzak wasn't able to notice it subtleness.

"Yes sir," Shiho replied. Yzak handed Amarante her bag as she entered the room with Shiho. Does Yzak already have a girlfriend? Who exactly is this person? Shiho thought. Yzak then left them alone, the door swooshing behind them. Amarante continued to observe the girl but Amarante only gently sighed with relief. She had been travelling for so long that it was good to finally relax.

"Which one is my bed?" Amarante asked kindly. She could see that the girl was uptight like DaCosta. At least that's what Amarante initially thought. Amarante thought she had already figured out who she was but she was soon proven wrong.

"This one," she replied in the same kind manner. Amarante was shocked at her kindness. Supposedly ALL soldiers of the Le Creuset Team were tough and abrasive. Then again, her lover…Nicol…wasn't anything like the average Le Creuset soldier. Shiho was still standing in front of her, as Amarante let her shoulders relax and Shiho slowly did as well.

"As Yzak…or should I say Commander Joule I'm Amarante Takahashi, I can't tell you my former team because of my amnesia," Amarante said holding her hand out to the girl. She shook her hand gently. Amarante had defiantly read her wrong.

"Shiho Hahnenfuss, Ma'am," Shiho replied. Amarante returned the salute before opening her bag. Amarante always hated it when someone called her Ma'am, especially when it was someone older than her.

"Don't call me Ma'am. I'm only 15," Amarante chuckled. Shiho was shocked to hear how young she was. And I thought I was too young to be in the military, she thought watching her younger comrade unpack her things.

"So how long have you known Commander Joule?" Shiho asked her face turned slightly pink but Amarante barely noticed it. Amarante stopped momentarily looking up in thought biting her lip.

"Oh gosh…Ever since about February," Amarante replied. Shiho chuckled slightly, she liked her new roommate. Amarante began to put things away in her new shared room. It has been awhile since she had had a roommate. Amarante liked having someone to talk to beside Pompom. Pompom didn't have any speech capability so it was a little boring.

"I don't think we'll be out fighting soon," Shiho said after a while. A moment of silence had taken the room while Amarante was placing things into drawers on her side of the room. She carefully thought over the statement before saying something.

"Huh? Why do you say that?" Amarante asked with a cock of the head. Shiho thought it was interesting that Amarante would always do that when she was curious. Amarante also seemed to be a very curious girl.

"I also have limited space experience," Shiho replied. Amarante smiled, she hated sitting on the sideline alone. Amarante felt that she was going to become very good friends with Shiho. Yet she was shocked that the girl kept her uniform coat off. Amarante was freezing! She preferred Banadiya over this cold ship.

"Oh really? I'm glad that I'm not the only one in the boat," Amarante chuckled. Shiho laughed heartily causing Amarante to laugh as well. Inside her bag she pulled out the crate that held Pompom. Taking her out Amarante turned the dog on.

"What's that?" Shiho asked, surprisingly she cocked her head just like Amarante. Shiho then noticed that she did Amarante's little gesture which caused her to blush. Amarante giggled before sitting down on her bed.

"This is Pompom. My friend made it for me so I won't be lonely. It has learning capabilities so eventually she'll have her space feet," Amarante began, "Say, wanna go grab something to eat?" Her stomach had been growling for a while and it was hard for her to continue sucking her stomach in so it wouldn't growl.

"Sorry but I already ate anything, but I'll go with you," Shiho replied. Grabbing her uniform jacket Shiho put it on along with her belt. She looked at Shiho as if her body was saying, "Does everything look alright?" Amarante gave her nod before floating to the door with Shiho. Pompom barked hopping off the bed and into space. It was surprised as it made circles in space. Eventually she reached her paws towards the bed and was able to get back on to the bed.

"Stay Pompom," Amarante ordered. The dog's tail stopped wagging as it plopped its body on Amarante's bed. It whined trying to make Amarante take Pompom with her. Amarante smiled at the little robot but allowed the door to close behind them. The two girls left the room heading down the hall. Both were smiling cheerfully enjoying each other's company.

"Commander Joule told me that you were really good at programming, and that you helped on the TMF/A-803 LaGOWE. Maybe you could help me with the new CGUE DEEP Arms," Shiho asked bashfully. Amarante looked Shiho in the eye seeing that her face was slightly red. She turned away from her swarthy friend trying to make sure she didn't see her blush.

"Huh? Oh sure. What does the DEEP stand for?" Amarante asked twirling a loch of her hair. She's so inquisitive…well I guess that's a good thing. Maybe she thinks more than the average soldier, Shiho thought.

"It stands for Directional Energy Emission exPerimental. Why do you ask?" Shiho asked raising an eye brow. Almost no one asks about that silly stuff. Amarante then knew what she was dealing with. Beam weaponry and technology. That was some pretty technical stuff even for her.

"Oh…I just know Z.A.F.T. likes to make things stand for stuff…You know: Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty, People Liberation Acting Nation of Technology…but I guess the Naturals do it more than we do," Amarante giggled hiding the real reason why she asked. Eventually they reached the mess hall. The door automatically opened revealing that it was bustling with soldiers, even Yzak was in there. Getting her food Amarante sat at Yzak's empty table with Shiho. Amarante let out a slight chuckle since everyone was afraid of Yzak Joule. Yet, something was missing…or should she say someone. After eating and chatting for a while Amarante finally noticed what was wrong with the picture. Dearka, Yzak's best friend, wasn't with them. The mess hall's crowd was dying down and Amarante worked up the courage to ask. They were about to head back and Amarante had stood up with Shiho and the others.

"Yzak…Where's Nicol, Dearka and Athrun? You guys are a part of the Zala team right?" Amarante asked. Yzak felt his stomach drop, he knew she'd ask eventually.

"Amarante," Yzak began. "First sit back down."

"Okay?" Amarante asked cocking her head. Sitting back down Amarante awaited the news that Yzak was going to tell her. She smiled at him gently but frowned when she saw his face. Surprisingly, Yzak took her hands to make sure she was calm but he was shaking. What's up with Yzak? Why is he shaking? Amarante thought.

"Amarante, Nicol died in battle," Yzak said quietly. Amarante couldn't believe her ears. Shiho just look back and forth between them confused. Who was Nicol and what was he to her? She felt horrible about the fact that someone died and Shiho really wanted to know what happen.

"NNOOO!" Amarante cried out. The other conversations in the mess hall stopped and all eyes were on her. Amarante began to breath loudly as she glared at Yzak. Yzak just frowned at her looking gently into her eyes.

"I'm not lying to you. Nicol is dead. Dearka is MIA but we believe he is also dead," Yzak replied. Amarante just shook her head before looking down at the table. She was trying to figure everything out.

"YOU'RE WRONG! NICOL…HE PROMISED!" Amarante hollered back. She tried to hold back tears but they were flowing out of her eyes. Pulling her hands away from his Amarante slapped Yzak across the face. How could he lie to her like that? He couldn't possibly be telling the truth.

"I was there! Amarante, I wouldn't joke about this," Yzak replied. He was a changed person. Although he was still a hot-head he was much wiser now. He didn't poke fun at others as much and he was beginning to understand the horrors of war, which Commander Le Creuset did not teach them. Commander Waltfeld had taught his soldiers that from day one which made Amarante way more mature.

"BUT…BUT NICOL SAID…HE SAID HE'D COME BACK TO ME!" Amarante cried out. Placing her head down on the table sobbing loudly. Yzak placed a hand on her back as she continued to cry.

"Shiho…take her back to her room," Yzak said softly. He hated that he had to break the news to her AND on her first day. Amarante was sobbing and everyone was staring at them. Amarante placed a hand at her mouth trying to stop herself from weeping.

"Yes sir," Shiho replied. She whispered a few comforting words to Amarante before helping her out of the room. Unfortunate for them, they encountered several soldiers on their way back. Opening the door to their room Shiho sat Amarante down on her bed. Pompom had discovered that Shiho's pillow was a comfy spot and went into sleep mode on top of it.

"Nicol…he can't…" Amarante mumbled. She continued to cry as Shiho sat next to her wrapping her arms around the girl in a comforting embrace. Amarante was so sad and confused. He was her last and only hope, she didn't have anyone. She couldn't remember any family so what was the point.

"I'm so sorry," Shiho began. Amarante looked so hurt and confused. Shiho didn't mind that she was showing her inner feelings. Yzak had told her about a friend who had lost all of their memories. This had to have been that friend. Shiho gently rubbed her head trying to console her friend.

"Please…I'm fine," Amarante said between her sobs. She hated crying, and she had the feeling that she had been crying a lot over this whole bloody war.

"I really don't know what to say," Shiho said softly. What could she say? This was the first time Shiho had encountered death in the battlefield. Shiho could not believe that she would encounter it this quickly. Was this what war was truly about?

"I'm…I'm fine," Amarante tried to say. Shiho just hugged her tightly but now she had to be strong for her. Amarante was jello in her hands and the more Shiho wasn't able to comfort her…the more Amarante just melted away.

"No you're not," Shiho argued. She wanted to keep Amarante stable and strong. Yet Amarante just shook her head as she inhaled deeply with another sob.

"Nicol…he was my boyfriend," Amarante mumbled. Shiho was surprised that she was talking. "I can't believe he's gone." Shiho looked down sadly before looking into the eyes of Amarante.

"I bet he was a wonderful guy," Shiho said soothingly. Amarante tried to dry her tears but they kept coming. Shiho wanted to cry herself but she never knew the guy but seeing how kind Amarante was…he had to have been the same.

"Yes he was, and very kind to me," Amarante replied. Shiho tightened her hug once again wanting to give Amarante more support, before something hit her. Amarante probably had to report to Commander Le Creuset.

"Not to get off subject but have you reported to Commander Le Creuset?" Shiho asked. Amarante flinched slightly before calming down. Her tears began to decrease as Shiho loosened her grip.

"No, not yet," Amarante gasped. Now she had to stop crying. Amarante began to dry her eyes on her sleeve causing her eyes to become even more red.

"Don't do that. Here take this," Shiho scolded giving her a tissue before getting another one to also pat her eyes.

"Thanks," Amarante muttered. She couldn't believe that Nicol was gone, but right now she had to show her new commander that there was nothing wrong. She straightened her uniform and her skirt. Shiho helped as well before Amarante left the room.

"Amarante, I'm surprised to see that you were assigned to my team," Commander Le Creuset said looking over her papers. He was wearing a smirk behind the papers but it turned to a stoic line when he cast the papers down on the table.

"I'm sorry sir, but I do not know you sir," Amarante said apologetically. Amarante had goose bumps on her neck, arms and back. This guys was so creepy but she felt some type of connection to him as well.

"Yzak did tell me that you have amnesia. All in due time you'll remember," he said in a creepy manner. Amarante wanted to gulp but she just tightened her grip and stiffened her attention.

"Yes sir," Amarante replied in a normal assertive voice.

"Are you alright Amarante? Your eyes are bloodshot," Le Creuset replied trying to sound concerned.

"Yes sir, I will be fine," Amarante replied. She was surprised to see a young lady in his office. She disregarded the red haired girl mustering an excuse me before making an about face and leaving.

Commander Le Creuset chuckled, "Oh Takahashi. Did you believe that your daughters would end up on opposite sides of the battlefield? If I remember correctly…they were supposed to be on the same side." The young red head just stared at him