Authors Note: Thank you readers for taking the time to support my writing and comment on my story. It is greatly appreciated and I hope you enjoy the next chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Mai-Hime, Sailor Moon, Kannazuki no Miko, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Dead or Alive. Any other characters are of my own making.
Chapter 2
Intricately blended shades of purple, orange, and red line the sky; announcing morning's arrival. The sun, barely on the horizon, leisurely begins illuminating the small territory. Like a ghost town, there are little signs of life: the sky the only source of light, no sounds, no movement. The eerily peaceful morning was soon to be disturbed.
Footsteps softly thudded towards it destination then "BAM BAM BAM" An annoyingly cheerful voice soon followed chirping "Its time to get up!"
"Go away," a grumpy voice responded with a groaned.
"But Nao-chan you have to get up and do your job or bad things will happen," the formerly cheerful voice recoiled and replied in a fearful tone.
"Shut up! I know my job," Nao growled back.
Nao regretted her harsh words upon hearing the tearful utterance of sorry followed by the rapid scurrying of footsteps. 'It's not her fault she was chosen to wake me up. I know Himeko is easily frightened, but I can't help the fact that I'm not a morning person. I'm not apologizing,' Nao thought.
Slowly the red head sat up in bed and threw off the bed sheets that once encased her body in warmth. She longed for the chance to sleep in again, but luxuries like that could no longer be afforded. Despite having few opportunities to be carefree in her childhood she sometimes still wished she could return to those days. Displeased with what she considers a pathetic line of thinking Nao yawned, ruffled her bed hair, and went to take a shower.
Once refreshed and dressed Nao decided to get to work. Since no one was around she grumbled while walking "Stupid morning had to come, stupid job protecting useless people, psychotic bitch leader that has everyone fooled with her fake charm and perfectionist ways, everything so pointless, the only thing that matter is me yet these phony people don't realize it yet, how'd I end up in this town of Barbie and Ken dolls."
On Nao's way out the door she passed a blushing Himeko and the cause of said blushing, her irritating leader. 'It's possibly a sign that my day would be no better than the yesterday or the previous day,' Nao thought. As she walked through the courtyard earlier thoughts of doomed boredom fled as she saw a woman with aquamarine hair headed toward the main gate. She rushed to catch up to said woman and stepped in front of her, abruptly halting her movement.
"Good morning Nao-chan," said the aquamarine haired woman, not bothered in the least by her path being obstructed.
"Hello Michi-chan," Nao responded, despite the fact that the other woman was several years older than her. "I see you're as beautiful as ever," she continued to address the aquamarine haired beauty.
Michiru Kaioh, also known as 'Michi-chan,' to Nao is the true epitome of beauty and elegance. For some reason, unknown to even herself, Nao was attracted to the sea goddess. This being a rare opportunity to catch the gorgeous woman without her lover, Nao did not let it pass.
"Will you allow me to escort you to your destination?" Nao continued with a rare smile as she extended her hand to Michiru.
Michiru giggled at Nao's actions. She was among the few to witness Nao's playful side. Michiru's giggles subsided and were replaced with a warm radiant smile. Nao knew that could only mean one thing. Without looking behind her she dropped her once extended hand and casually said "Even if you won't say it to me I'll say it to you. Hi Ru-ka-chaaan."
In response Haruka growled. Nao's constant pursuit of her girlfriend did not make her feel threatened, it only irritated her. Haruka walked around Nao, grasped Michiru's waist, and lightly kissed her before leading her away from Nao.
"Bye Nao-chan," Michiru said as she waved and walked past Nao.
"Michi please stop encouraging her," Haruka responded with a pout.
"Jealous love?" Michiru asked, raising one finely arched eyebrow at her lover.
"Always," Haruka automatically responded with a hint of teasing.
Nao watched them go, a little pissed off by the fact that Haruka yet again intruded on her private time with her Michi-chan. Having to get to work, she shrugged and headed the same direction as the 'perfect' couple.
At the gate Nao got to work. The city, being designed like a fort, gave Nao the ability to travel around it without the fear of danger. The leader saw fit to use Nao, despite her young age, as the top intel gatherer. In short, Nao monitors the surroundings from the wall and takes not only real pictures, but also mental pictures. Nao's work is vital to the groups' safety. By observing and noting as much detail as possible Nao can best predict whether resulting hazards of the outbreak are near. For example, the presence of less diseased birds means the infected have found a different food source or have moved on in search of one and more means their starving and it is not safe to send a party to look for useful supplies.
After surveying the entire perimeter, which took four hours, she sat to relax her weary legs. Once seated, she gazed at the sky through the clear barrier that protected the city from the contaminated rain as well as from attacks from diseased animals and people. For a moment she wondered whose bright idea it was to use the thick clear material used for windows (as opposed to glass) to shield the city. Then, she internally laughed at how truly bored she must be to waste time thinking about something so stupid. Picking herself up from the ground after resting, she headed back 'home' to report her findings.
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After a meeting that seemed to take an eternity drew to a close Nao became restless. Having to listen for so long, being hungry, and tired was making her even more irritated than usual. Therefore sharing it with others was the only logical cure to ease some of her annoyance, or so Nao thought.
"Since we are all agree that, based upon Nao-chan's report, we will send out a search party to acquire more supplies this meeting is adjourned. Unless there is anything else," a brown haired woman with glasses said looking to the leader for confirmation.
Upon receiving a small nod in response she continued "If there is anything further we will send…"
"What did we decide again Yukino-chan?" Nao asked in a sickeningly sweet way, interrupting the brown haired speaker.
"If you had paid more attention instead of filing your nails you'd know," snapped an average height woman dressed like a ninja.
Nao knew exactly what they were talking about, but wanted to agitate them. So she smirked, said "whatever," and resumed filing her nails.
Sighing in exasperation the group ignored the comment and went to help pack up supplies for the group that was to leave. All of them were unaware that while searching for supplies major changes were about to occur.