Midnight's Shadow sat upon one of the spare crates that littered the massive training area in the Pit. Her arms were crossed over her chest, her elbows resting on her knees as she leaned forward, her blue eyes watching two soldiers spar before her. But her attention was only half focused on them. The other half was riveted upon a certain black clad ninja sitting on the other side of the sparring soldiers.
The dark haired woman risked a quick glance in his direction. Snake Eyes seemed to be watching the fight similar to her. Perhaps he was watching them with scrutiny, observing how weak they were compared to him. Midnight's Shadow wondered if he helped other soldiers improve their fighting skill-for that, was why she was sitting here.
Her blue eyes shifted back to the two soldiers at hand. She had been sitting in this exact spot for the past twenty minutes, trying to work up the nerve to go over and talk to him-asking him for help with dulling her killing instinct. But yet, she couldn't seem to make herself do it. Something about him just felt so intimidating. She wasn't quite sure what it was. The mask? The katana strapped across his back? His skill at hand to hand combat? Or maybe it was just the simple fact that she wasn't good at meeting and talking to new people?
Midnight's Shadow shook her head. She was a stranger to herself. Losing her memory has made it so that she had to get to know herself all over again. But, like Heavy Duty had told her, the loss of her memory could prove to be a second chance for her. The dark haired woman scoffed and shook her head once more, a light smile playing on her lips. She had never taken Heavy to be the deep, inspirational speech type.
Her blue eyes shifted once more to look at Snake Eyes. Her mind grappled with something to say to him, trying to gather the courage needed. It seemed to be taking a long time, though, and she wasn't sure how long Snake Eyes stayed in the training area. If he left, she'd have to start this process all over tomorrow. Then again, if she put it off until tomorrow, she might be able to think of a way to talk to him. She mentally shook her head. No. She couldn't afford to put this off-even for a day.
Midnight's Shadow jumped as she felt the sudden pressure of a hand squeezing her shoulder. Her head quickly turned, searching for the source. She found it in the form of the same officer who had supervised the fight between her and Snake Eyes the other day.
A friendly smile was on the other's face. A gestured to the open seat beside her on the crate. "May I?" he asked politely.
"Go ahead," the young woman responded, gesturing for him to take a seat. Midnight's Shadow scooted a little to the side in order to give him more room.
"Thank you." The man came around the crate. Bending his knees, he took a seat. A contented sigh escaped his lips as he let his arms rest loosely on his legs. His blue eyes watched the sparring soldiers for a moment before shifting to the woman beside him, who kept her gaze directed forward. "Midnight's Shadow, right?" She nodded without turning. He brought up one hand and extended it towards her, wanting her to shake it. "We haven't been properly introduced. Sergeant Stone."
Midnight's Shadow looked sideways at him. Her blue eyes flicked from his face, to the extended hand, before returning to his face once more. Uncrossing her arms and straightening in her seat, Midnight's Shadow extended her own hand. Gripping his own hand, the dark haired woman shook it firmly. "A pleasure."
The sergeant released his grip on her hand, retracting it. Midnight's Shadow did the same. His blue eyes glanced over in the direction of the sparring soldiers for a brief moment before returning to her. "That was an impressive fight yesterday. It was one of the best ones that I've seen. You made Snake Eyes actually have to work to defend his title as GI Joe's best hand to hand fighter."
Midnight's Shadow scoffed. "Yeah, well, it came at a cost," she responded dryly.
Stone laughed. "Gave you a few bruises did he?" She nodded in response. He once again looked over to the two sparring soldiers. "Don't worry about it. They'll be gone in no time at all." He looked back at her. "So," he nodded sideways, in the direction of Snake Eyes, "are you sitting here trying to work up the nerve to talk to him?"
The dark haired woman let out a breathy laugh. "That obvious, is it?"
Sergeant Stone shrugged. "I've seen it before with other new Joes. The guy's kind of intimidating. Not to mention the fact that he doesn't speak sort of restricts your conversation."
"Scarlett told me that once you get to know him, you can sort of feel or sense what he means or wants to say."
The man nodded. "That's true."
Midnight's Shadow directed her gaze forward, looking past the soldiers to the black clad ninja. "But, I obviously don't know him. Then how do I get to that point? I can't 'feel' what he wants to say. So, how do I get to know him, when I don't even know how to talk to him?"
Sergeant Stone leaned in close to her. "Well, I'm going to let you in on something that isn't really a secret." Midnight's Shadow looked back at him, her interest piqued. "Snake may not be able to talk, but he can still nod yes or no."
With a jolt, an idea struck the dark haired woman like a bolt of lightning. A grateful smile spread across her face. "Thanks. I think I just got an idea," she told him.
Stone returned her smile. "Good. Now go and put it to use." He reached his hand behind her, pressed it against her back, and roughly shoved her to her feet.
Midnight's Shadow stumbled a few faces forward before straightening up. She threw an irritated look over her soldier at the man. She was reminded all too well of how Scarlett had similarly shoved her through the crowd the other day, initiating her spar with Snake Eyes. Now, Stone felt the need to shove her towards the black ninja once more when she was just going to talk to him. Why did everyone feel the need to literally push her towards him? But, when her eyes swung around to look at the sergeant, he was already rising from his seat with his back turned as he began to head back the way he originally came. So, with her attempted glare failed, Midnight's Shadow turned back around. She instantly felt her gaze lock upon the dark ninja sitting a little ways away.
Taking a deep breath to calm her growing anxiety, Midnight's Shadow steeled herself and began to walk around the sparring mat to where Snake Eyes sat. As she walked, the dark haired woman looked to her side, keeping her gaze focused upon the two soldiers that were continuing to spar, as if she was riveted with the match. She was sure that Snake Eyes knew she was coming towards him. What she didn't know was whether or not he was looking at her yet.
Tearing her gaze away from the soldiers, Midnight's Shadow risked a quick glance in the direction of the black ninja. Snake Eyes didn't seem to notice her quite yet, for his gaze was still directed at the match before him. She spoke too soon. Just as she finished that thought, Snake Eyes turned his head in her direction, the visor of his mask pointed straight at her.
Midnight's Shadow's breath caught in her throat. Well, there was no turning back now. She walked straight up to the masked man, taking a seat beside him on a spare crate. Snake Eyes' gaze remained riveted on her as he watched her take her seat. Midnight's Shadow adjusted awkwardly in her seat, angling herself so that she faced him, her blue eyes locked upon his face-or rather, his mask.
She took a deep breath, trying to release some of the captive anxiety and growing uncomfortable feeling welling up inside her. It didn't help. "Okay," she began, "now that I'm technically a part of GI Joe, and the Alpha Team, I expect that we are going to be seeing a lot more of each other for the foreseeable future. Due to that, both Scarlett and Heavy Duty have been suggesting that I get to know everyone on the team, which includes you. But, to be perfectly honest, I wasn't entirely sure how to do it. I mean, as if you haven't noticed, you're not the chattiest person I've ever met. But, I think I have discovered a way to get to know you that can get around that obstacle."
Snake Eyes shifted in his seat upon the great, angling himself that he faced her more directly, his intense gaze still locked on her face. That was a good sign, right? That appeared to mean that he was interested.
"Alright. Well, even though you can't talk, you can still answer 'yes' or 'no' questions. So, I will ask you questions and then all you will have to do is answer yes or no. Sound good?"
The black clad ninja nodded in agreement. Instantly, a portion of the anxiety within Midnight's Shadow vanished. She didn't know what she would have done if he had "said" no.
She cleared her throat, a little more energetic now that she knew Snake Eyes was willing to let her attempt to get to know him. "Okay. Let's start with an easy one." A mischievous smile played upon her lips. "Are you a ninja?"
Midnight's Shadow almost laughed at his response. Snake Eyes' shoulders slumped forward as his head tilted to the side. From what she could guess, it was almost like he was saying "are you serious?" After a brief moment of staring at her with what she discerned to be disbelief, he slowly nodded his head yes.
Her smile widened. She had just been able to tell what he wanted to say-sort of. Then again, his movements were rather exaggerated. Maybe he had done it for her benefit so that she could tell what he wanted to say. But yet, at the same time, that sort of reaction dictated exaggerated movements. Midnight's Shadow mentally shook her head. She needed to stop over analyzing everything. For now, she could be happy that she was getting to know Snake Eyes-not to mention the fact that she had successfully read his body movements, meaning that there was hope for her yet to eventually be able to 'feel' what he wants to say like Scarlett said she would.
"Okay, good. That's the answer I was looking for," she answered. "Now…" Midnight's Shadow paused as she thought of another question. "Ninja's are from Japan, right?"
Snake Eyes nodded. Yes.
Midnight's Shadow paused for the briefest moment. She knew where ninja's originated from? Was that a sign that her memory was returning or was it just a fact that was sitting in her head this entire time and had never been forgotten in the first place? She mentally shook her head once again. She really needed to stop getting side tracked by every little thing.
"Alright. So does that mean that you were born in Japan?" she inquired.
The black clad ninja shook his head. No.
Not born in Japan? "Did you grow up there, though?" she asked, making the question more specific.
Snake Eyes nodded. Yes.
Okay. So he grew up in Japan-probably being raised as a ninja or some such. They did that right? Lifelong training and all. With how skilled Snake Eyes was, she wouldn't be surprised if he had been training his entire life to achieve the level he was at now.
"Okay," Midnight's Shadow began, "you became a ninja in Japan, then?"
Once again, Snake Eyes nodded. Yes.
"So then, you learned how to fight there?"
The masked man visibly hesitated. He raised his hand and tilted it from side to side before letting it fall back into his lap.
Sort of? Was that what that meant? "You knew how to fight before you got there…?" she asked, venturing a guess.
She saw Snake Eyes straighten in his seat slightly. A sign of surprise. Perhaps he hadn't thought she would guess it. He nodded. Yes.
"Oh!" she breathed slowly. "So, you knew how to fight before Japan. But once you started training to become a ninja, your fighting skill improved?"
Once again, he nodded in agreement.
"I get it now," she said with a smile, pleased that she was able to guess it. "Alright. Next question. Do you have any family?"
Midnight's Shadow thought she saw Snake Eyes hesitate. But it happened so fast that she thought she imagined it, perhaps reading into every movement more than she should. Slowly, he shook his head. No.
The dark haired woman winced. No family. Why did she have to ask that question when that was a possible outcome? It was stupid move. Still continuing to mentally kick herself, Midnight's Shadow decided to quickly move on. "Okay. What about GI Joe? Have you been with them for long?"
Yes.
"More than five years?"
No.
"Exactly five years?"
No.
"Four years?"
Yes.
"Okay then. Four years," Midnight's Shadow repeated. "Have you been with Alpha Team for that entire time?" she asked, already believing she knew the answer.
As expected, Snake Eyes nodded. Yes.
"Alright then. Let's move onto another topic." A light smile appeared on Midnight's Shadow's face. "What's your favorite color?"
Snake Eyes visibly paused. He cocked his head to the side as he looked at her. She saw him briefly glance in the direction of the two soldiers who were still busy sparring before returning his gaze to her. Finally, he simply shrugged.
"You don't know?" she asked, trying to make sure that she was discerning his response correctly.
The black clad ninja nodded in agreement.
"Oh, come on. Everyone has a favorite color," she told him.
Once again, the dark ninja shrugged. He raised his hand and gestured to Midnight's Shadow.
The dark haired raised her own hand, pointing to herself. "Do I have a favorite color?"
Snake Eyes nodded.
It was her turn to shrug. "I don't know. I've never thought about it. I've been so focused on what type of person I was before I lost my memory that I haven't been entirely focused on the little things about myself. Things like my favorite color. So, for now, I have no idea what my favorite color is," she answered honestly. She nervously tucked a stray lock of dark hair behind her ear. Her blue eyes shifted downward, to her hands clasped in her lap. "Part of the reason I came over here was to ask if you could help me with something." Midnight's Shadow looked back up into the masked face of Snake Eyes. "I was hoping that you could help me with my fighting skills. I mean, I know how to fight and defend myself, but there is some sort of defensive, killer instinct that kicks in. I…I hurt and even kill people. Sometimes people I don't mean any harm to." Her thoughts briefly strayed to Breaker. "I was hoping that you could help me….well, control it. I can't seem to stop it on my own. So, will you help me?"
Snake Eyes looked at her for a long few moments. It was as if he was trying to gauge something, but Midnight's Shadow wasn't entirely sure what. She held her breath as she awaited his answer. Finally, it came. Yes.
Instantly, a grateful smile spread across her face. "Thank you," she breathed, releasing her captive breath. "You have no idea how much it means to hear that you will help me." She paused, her brows furrowing. "You can help me, can't you?"
The masked man seemed to consider it for a moment before nodding. Yes.
"Good," she responded rather quietly. Her gaze looked downward, to her hands clasped in her lap. She found herself running her fingers over the smooth pads of the fingers on her other hand, the place where a fingerprint should have been. After a moment of silence, Midnight's Shadow found herself asking, "Snake, do you think that I was a criminal before I lost my memory?" She looked at him sideways for his answer.
Without even a hint of hesitation, Snake Eyes shook his head no. So firm was the gesture that Midnight's Shadow was momentarily taken aback. He seemed so sure that she wasn't.
"You seem so sure," she said, voicing her thought.
Snake Eyes nodded, using the same firmness that he had before.
Midnight's Shadow looked back to her hands, her blue eyes downcast and her expression doubtful. "But look at the facts. I don't have fingerprints, which Scarlett said criminals use when they don't want to be found. I can fight and kill people with ease. I even know how to use a gun. And you are still so sure that I am not a criminal?"
Instantly, Snake Eyes nodded confidently.
Midnight's Shadow let out a scoffing laugh. "I'm glad one of us is so sure," she replied dryly.
She turned her blue gaze directly ahead, choosing to focus on the sparring soldiers on the mat in front of her. She found herself realizing that she no longer felt anxiety or awkward when she was around or attempting to interact with Snake Eyes. It had all simply vanished. Midnight's Shadow actually felt strangely at ease in his presence. She briefly glanced at him out of the corner of her eyes before looking back to the match. She had her first conversation with him. It wasn't awkward or strained as she had thought it would be. It was actually very nice and easy. It was almost like a normal conversation. And, as she thought back to how sure Snake Eyes had been that she wasn't a criminal, Midnight's Shadow couldn't help wonder if she had just found herself a new friend and ally.
A/N: Yay! First conversation between Midnight's Shadow and Snake Eyes. Hope you all liked it. Sorry about not posting on Friday like I said I would. Actually ended up getting called into work both Thursday and Friday. So, I was understandably tired and sore-sore to the point where it feels like I have arthritis. Not fun. So, as you can guess, I wasn't in the mood to write. But I quickly wrote this chapter today and posted it as an apology! Hope it makes up for it!
Please continue to give me reviews!