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Interlude: Jiro, Kluke and Andropov ~Part I~

She's looking out the window when she decides. She doesn't mind the hospital work, and living at the Rosenkreuz base hasn't been so bad. But gazing out at the white buildings that dot the city, she knows this place and this life are not meant for her. Kluke clears her throat before speaking. "Andropov?"

"Yes?" Without turning around, she can hear him shut the book he'd been reading. "What is it, Kluke?"

"…I want to go back to our village."

"Oh…" She hears the reluctance in Andropov's voice; she knows it's because he's missed Rogi during their time apart, and has been overjoyed to be with him again in Nirvana. And now you're trying to take them away from each other.

It occurs to her that she could go without Andropov. When she'd imagined going back and rebuilding, he had always been there, with his warm laugh and gentle smile, the ones that he only seems to show her. But maybe that's just a wistful dream. "If you'd rather stay…" She begins slowly, only partially aware that she's chewing her lip. "…Then I understand. It's fine. I-" There's a pressure on her chest. "I'll try to visit when I can-"

"Kluke." A hand is suddenly on her arm. Her eyes dart to the glove-covered fingers, following the arm all the way up until she finds herself looking into crystal blue eyes. "I go where you go. Besides," he smiles lopsidedly, and she can't help but find it endearing, "we're supposed to have that peaceful life together, right?" There's teasing in his voice, but it's tinged with something else she can't quite put her finger on. Eagerness? Hopefulness? Or… is it desperation?

She's overtaken with a sudden plunging feeling that comes out of nowhere, as if she'd been walking along contently and then her foot had stepped on nothing but thin air. It's a feeling that's something like falling. Kluke thinks it may be shock. But it also feels a little like a slightly subdued panic.

For the first time, she realizes that she's never considered those words and what they mean, what they can imply. Even though it had been said under duress, Kluke wanted a peaceful life with him then, and she wants it now. But what exactly does Andropov mean when he says those words? What does she mean?

Distress hits her without warning. It's a familiar distress; she's felt this way on occasion before, though it's been quite a while, when thinking of Shu. And, at a few points, sometimes Jiro as well. Kluke pushes it from her mind quickly; she does not want to think about it. She doesn't want to figure out what she is feeling and what it means. And she doesn't want to let thoughts of Andropov and Shu and Jiro mingle together in her mind too much – they don't sit well together in her head, and the more she tries, the more upsetting it gets.

She forces a smile. "Right." But it's with sincerity that Kluke places her hand over his and says, "Let's go home."


"I'm back!" He calls out as he enters the building. It's much warmer inside than out; today and yesterday have both been chilly. Pushing his hood back, he pushes a hand through his slightly rumpled hair. "You around, Xi?"

"…Yes, I'm here." Jiro furrows his eyebrows at the sound of her voice. He can't quite place what it is, but something is off. She sounds… hesitant, maybe?

He walks further inside, and a quick glance confirms that Xi is sitting at her desk. Her hand is near the keyboard of her computer, but she isn't typing anything, or even looking at the screen. Instead she's simply staring at the table, a pensive look on her face. "Everything alright?" He asks, curiosity mixing with concern. She never acts this way (or, at least, he's never seen her like this before).

"Not… exactly." She lifts her head; her eyes are searching as she looks him over. Jiro can't help but wonder what she's trying to find. "I have something I need to tell you."

"Okay." He fidgets, feeling restless. All of this secrecy and mystery is agitating him; he knows what she's trying to do. But why is she going to such extents to put off telling him?

Her fingers tap out a nervous rhythm on the wooden desk. "I only found this out a little while ago." She sighs then, her shoulders slumping. It's like she's giving in to something. "Kluke and Andropov are leaving Nirvana."

"…Oh." Jiro is surprised his voice sounds that normal when it feels like he's just taken a hard punch to the stomach.

Something must register on his face unchecked, though, because Xi's expression suddenly turns sympathetic. "I'm sorry, Jiro."

He fakes a laugh, and it's obvious it isn't genuine, too uneven and much too happy. "No need to be sorry. I mean… It's not like it has anything to do with me, right? It's good. I've never been to the place, but I think Kluke liked it there. She'll probably be happier if she goes back." It has nothing to do with you. Nothing. Kluke can do as she likes. You don't mind. You don't mind at all. If he keeps telling himself that, maybe some of it will sink in.

Xi looks away for a moment, her mouth working. When she looks back at him, her turquoise eyes are thoughtful and a little sad. "Jiro… What do you want from life?"

"I…" Jiro is lost. He hasn't thought about it at all, has never even considered it. He's just been letting the days pass him by, working with Xi and not really thinking about what he's doing. Though things are not always easy between the two, he and Delphinium have pretty much put everything behind them; aside from staying in practice, he has no reason to train and get stronger. He no longer has a goal. It is two years ago again, with the enemy defeated and the lack of an opponent leaving him with no purpose. Last time he had tried to leave, but he hadn't in the end – and he isn't sure that it'd only been because Zola had returned, though that was definitely the deciding factor. The hurt expressions of Shu and Kluke had held him firmly in place, had trapped him utterly for the very same reason that he had to leave – he had cared about the two of them, about all of them, far too much; he'd decided that the only choice left was to leave, but the way they'd looked at him, like they were losing something important they'd never get back… Even if Zola hadn't walked through the door right at that moment, Jiro can't say what he would have done. What do I want…? "I don't know."


Holding tight to the red backpack on her shoulders, Kluke glances around the city. It hasn't been so bad in Nirvana. She'll miss it a little bit, but the fact that she's going back to the place she's come to call home has eased most of that. Besides, her emotional attachment to White Brigade's headquarter city is minimal at best; it won't be like leaving Talta Village.

Her hands tighten on the straps of her pack as she remembers the conversation she had near this spot three months ago. "Kluke… I know this is a lot to ask, but I want you to not go back home for a while. I have to get back to Talta and figure some things out… And I need to do it alone." If Shu hadn't told her that, she probably would've thought about going to Talta – it's her home, and there's still something deep inside her that longs to go back. But Shu has his reasons, and he wouldn't have told her that without a good one. She'll respect his wishes.

Then she comes back to herself as Marumaro says, "Where's Jiro, maro?" The Devee boy is looking around curiously. "I thought he'd come to say goodbye, maro."

Something twists in her chest. Yeah, Marumaro. I would've thought that, too. "It's okay. I'm sure he's just busy. He's still working with Xi, right?" She's been living in the same city as him for three months and she doesn't even know. Way to go, Kluke. Some friend you are.

"Last I heard, maro." She doesn't know why, but Marumaro seems slightly disappointed for some reason. Maybe he was looking forward to seeing Jiro as well. Marumaro's been stuck in the castle for most of his time here, so none of them get to see him much. He probably misses Jiro, too. "I guess it can't be helped, maro."

"Well, it's not like I won't come to visit." Kluke shifts her feet, glancing around the practically empty street, wishing that she could catch a glance of silver-brown hair or ocean blue eyes. "I'll try to catch up with him then."

Primula clears her throat and says, "You'll write, won't you?"

Kluke smiles at the young girl and nods. "As often as I can."

Rogi reaches out a hand, clasping Andropov's shoulder. The younger's eyes are shining. He looks up to Rogi so much… Not for the first time since her decision three days ago, Kluke feels tremendously guilty. "Take care of yourself, Andropov." The General's expression is far softer than usual; she suspects that Andropov is one of the few people that he graces that look with.

"I will, Rogi-sama." The adoration on his face is clear, and there's a little wistfulness in his voice. "And you do the same."

Rogi gives him one last pat on the arm before stepping back. "I'd appreciate a letter or two as well."

"O-of course, sir." His hand is already going up to salute the General before Andropov realizes what he's doing and starts blushing when everyone laughs. When the laughter's quieted down, Andropov plucks his rucksack off the ground. "Well, we'd better get going. Kluke wouldn't budge about teleporting us there, and I want her to get some rest when we make it."

"Kluke, don't overdo it, maro." Then, even though they haven't started leaving yet, Marumaro starts to wave broadly. "You guys be careful, maro!"

Andropov grins. "We will!" And he raises his hand in a wave.

Even as she says farewells of her own, the goodbye that means the most to Kluke is left unsaid.


"Aren't you going to say goodbye?"

"Goodbye! Goodbye!"

He can't help his gasp. Or the way that his hackles suddenly rise. It's easier to remember that he's on good terms with Delphinium when she isn't sneaking up behind him and sticking her nose where it doesn't belong. …Fine, maybe that's a little uncalled for. But really, what business is it of hers?

"Unless I've been mistaken, I had thought you were rather fond of that girl."

"Girl! Girl!"

Jiro whirls around and hisses at her, "Do you mind?"

Tossing her head, lavender locks waving, Delphinium spreads out her hands to the side. The gesture is more teasing than anything else; the smirk on her face is far from innocent. "I'm simply making an observation, Jiro."

Deathroy waves his thin little arms. "Jiro! Jiro!"

His eyebrow twitches. With a gusty sigh, he pushes down his irritation and reigns in his emotions. If he and Delphinium are going to be okay with each other from now on, he has to learn not to take everything she says and does so personally, if for no other reason than to keep the peace. "This doesn't concern you, Delphinium." He forces out the words with tightly controlled patience. Without giving her a chance to respond, he turns back around to the scene near to them. Jiro spots Marumaro looking around, seeming somewhat disappointed for some reason – and then Jiro feels guilty when he hears the other boy saying his name. Oh.

"But clearly this concerns you, or else you wouldn't be here. Am I right?"

"Right?! Right?!"

He makes a noise in the back of his throat, but offers no verbal comment. As Marumaro talks with Kluke, she almost seems to be looking for something…

Delphinium murmurs something too quiet for him to hear. Is she talking to Deathroy? He doesn't have time to consider it as she says, "You know, Jiro, I'd bet that girl would really like to see you."

"See you! See you!"

Something twinges in his chest. Jiro ignores it. "What do you know about it, anyway?" He mutters, thoroughly annoyed with the older woman. "It's not like you know Kluke all that well."

"Perhaps," is all that she has to say about it. But then Delphinium adds, "I do know you, though. Far better than you think."

"Know you! Know you!"

Jiro doesn't have any response to that, really. It distracts him, though, and next thing he knows the assembled group is laughing at something Andropov has apparently done. He watches the way the laughter lights up Kluke's entire face, and he feels an almost magnetic pull in his chest, a fierce desire to be closer to her. It's been a while since he's felt that.

Delphinium sighs. "You've had an awful lot of fighting in your life, Jiro. Maybe it's time to consider setting down some roots." There's movement, and then she's settled herself beside him. "Have you ever thought about going with her?"

"With her! With her!"

The words go through him like a bolt of lightning. Going to live with Kluke… Would she even accept his presence? Would he be able to adjust to living that way? It… would probably be peaceful. Could it be anything like Mafe? Though he's never once considered trying to replicate his old life, the idea of living like that with Kluke nearby makes the thought appealing the instant it crosses his mind. It wouldn't be easy at first; he's been fighting for a long time. But he could get used to it again; it would be worth it, for her-

Andropov. His thoughts go quiet. All he has to do is think of Andropov, and all of it becomes implausible. Even if he didn't live in the same house as Kluke, and even if he never gave any hint about how he actually feels toward her, there's a good chance that Andropov would not accept Jiro's presence. Could Jiro accept Andropov if their positions were reversed? And he realizes that he doesn't know, because to be completely honest, he has no idea what the other boy is like. Jiro knows that Andropov is a powerful Shadow User regardless of his Shadow being artificial, and despite the fact that injury has made him less adept with Alfheim; he's also an exceedingly skilled tactician. But Jiro has no clue about his interests and opinions, his likes and dislikes. He only knows that Andropov cares deeply for Kluke.

Aloud, he says, "It probably wouldn't work out."

"How would you know if you haven't tried? I'm sure she'd love to spend some time with you." The way she says it, Jiro honestly can't tell if she's teasing him or mocking him, or maybe some combination of both.

"With you! With you!"

"I doubt that." Jiro disregards the ache in his chest as he says it. "Besides, she already has Andropov with her. I'm sure she'll have plenty of company."

"Company, hm?" Out of the corner of his eye, he spots Delphinium twirling hair around her finger. "I rather thought that you'd like to be the one giving Kluke that kind of company."

"Company! Company!"

"I…" Turning towards her fully, Jiro can feel his face heat up. He isn't sure he wants to know what she means by "that kind". Unless… She couldn't have… "I'm sure I don't know what you're…"

"Honestly, Jiro. You're not going to play dumb, are you?" She leans closer to him. "I wouldn't be as good at what I do if I hadn't picked up on the way you look at her."

He swears mentally. Figured me out. "You don't know what you're talking about. It's not that simple."

She chuckles softly. "If you like somebody in that way, it doesn't get much simpler than that." Jiro's face is burning. He didn't think she'd come out and say it. "Except… Maybe someone else has caught your eye?" And she drops her head towards his, her eyelashes low-

"Delphinium!" He splutters and flails, smacking her arm while Deathroy chortles without restraint.

"Goodness, I was just teasing." She tucks some hair behind her ear, laughing lightly. "You're going to give me ideas if you react like that, Jiro."

"Jiro! Jiro!"

Jiro growls in annoyance. "Quit fooling around." He feels utterly humiliated. Only Delphinium, it seems, can get under his skin so thoroughly. "If you supposedly 'know so much', the least you can do is be serious about it." He stares down at his hands; it's probably an odd thing to think at the moment, but he can't help noticing that they're different from how they used to be. He wonders if anyone else has picked up on it.

"I am being serious. You're the one that's not." Her words make him bristle, and Jiro lifts his head to make a sharp retort – but the words stick in his throat as he sees the soft look in her eyes. The thing that gives him pauses, though, is the sympathy. "What do you want to do with your life, Jiro?"

"Your life! Your life!"

"What do you want from life?"

"What do you want to do with your life?"

"I…" He glances behind him. The group is waving and saying their farewells. However, Kluke seems a little absentminded; it still appears that she's searching for something. She tilts her head up, her expression a mix of hope and disappointment, as the sun reflects brightly in her emerald green eyes…

What do I want?

"Sometimes," he hears Delphinium whisper in his ear, so quiet that he almost wonders if he's imagining it, "you have to take a chance on something before you can find out if it's what you really want." The fact that Deathroy does not mimic her encourages the fact that it could be his imagination.

But he knows, with an inexplicable certainty, that it isn't. The words feel realer than anything else that's happened so far.

Jiro stands abruptly. He has come to a decision. Where it will lead him remains to be seen.

Delphinium lets out another chuckle. "So, you have it all figured out now?"

"Figured out! Figured out!"

"Not even close." Hearing Delphinium's noise of surprise, he turns to the side and smirks. "But finding out should be pretty interesting."


Kluke closes her eyes as the wind brushes across her face. The air is crisp and clean, carrying with it the faintest scent of grass. Andropov's hand is warm in her own, and she feels his fingers squeeze hers ever so slightly; she answers the gesture with returning pressure.

Opening her eyes, she takes in the sight of the grass waving in the breeze, the blue of the mountains that tower over all. And she is exhausted from teleporting, but the peace that fills her makes it more than worth it.

It's good to be back.


Jiro has never actually unpacked his bag since he started living in the information gathering shop with Xi, so it's a simple matter of looping the strap over his shoulder and making sure that he hasn't forgotten any necessities. It takes less than two minutes. He wonders if some part of him already knew that he wouldn't be here forever.

The only thing he leaves behind is a note, lying on the desk a few inches away from the computer. He doesn't sign it; the recipient will know who it is.

Just because I'm gone doesn't mean I won't be available to work with you anymore. If you need anything, you'll know where to find me. Take care of yourself, Xi. And thank you. For everything.

He pulls his hood up and exits out into Nirvana's nearly empty streets. Almost no one is around; dawn has only just begun, and many are still asleep. There's a slight chill in the air, but Jiro finds that it's a good feeling. It feels like a beginning. Now I just have to find out what the middle and the end will be like.

With the sun on the horizon, Jiro sets off for what he hopes is something better.

When I was writing, this was the one I looked forward to – this was supposed to be the one I had all planned out, the easy one that would give me a nice word count with little trouble. Instead, it took five agonizing days where I only went above a thousand words twice (and the second time was only because I had finally moved on to the next chapter). Though I'm not holding this against it per se, most of the blame for me not achieving my 50,000 word goal can probably be blamed on this interlude right here. And I'm still not even sure it came out very good.

Despite my misgivings about this beginning, the interlude arc of Jiro, Kluke and Andropov may hold some promise. (And I'm saying that about my stuff. I never say anything good about my stuff. Or… almost never.) Keep watch for this side story; things are going to get very interesting as it progresses, and I'm fairly sure that almost no one will see the few twists that are coming. :)

12/30/2012 - Minor edits have been made. Some things in desperate need of polishing have been straightened out, and a few words have been added and/or taken away as needed.