The wrapping around the bouquet of roses in Midnight's Shadow's hands crinkled noisily as she shifted them in her grasp. She felt an apprehension grip her heart as she looked at their destination after exiting their rental car. She heard the sound of car doors slamming shut as the others exited behind her. Their footsteps approached her and paused just behind her. Midnight's Shadow didn't turn around, keeping her bright blue eyes directed forward, feeling rather nervous about what was to come. Her grasp on the bouquet of roses tightened even further, the protective plastic crinkling loudly in protest.
Kate felt the light pressure of a hand on her shoulder. She turned her head to the side, looking over her shoulder to see the face of Scarlett just behind her, her face warm and gentle. "Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked. "We can always come back if you're not ready yet."
The dark haired woman shook her head, her ponytail swinging back and forth. "No. I want to do this now." Scarlett nodded, her hand releasing her shoulder. Midnight's Shadow's head turned forward once again. With that, she began to walk forward and entered the graveyard, the rest of the Alpha Team following close behind.
They walked along the path, passing row after row of gravestones, each one marking the place where a loved one was buried. Trees and flowers were scattered around the large graveyard, a light breeze causing them to sway back and forth. Some of the graves bore flowers or other assortments of sentimental items placed before their polished surfaces. Each one possessed a carved name into the stone-saying things like beloved father, brother, son, husband, wife, daughter, sister, or…
Midnight's Shadow stopped before one grave in particular, just off of the main path under a great oak tree. Or mother, she mentally added. She stared down at the stone, the name Lenore Elysia Moon engraved upon the smooth, polished surface of the black granite. Below the name it read: beloved wife, daughter, and mother. Rest in peace.
Kate stared at the stone, cradling the bouquet of roses to her chest like it was a small baby. She looked at the grave of her mother, wondering what she should do next. Lay down the flowers and leave? Say something to her? But nothing came. Her mind was just blank as she looked at it with an indecisive and, perhaps, even a little detached demeanor, her expression blank. From behind her, Midnight's Shadow could feel the others watching her, waiting for what she would do next. She knew they were there to be supportive but their gazes were making her feel rather uncomfortable, to be perfectly honest.
The dark haired woman turned halfway around to look at them. "Do you think I could have some time alone, please?" she asked, her voice oddly quiet.
Heavy Duty nodded, placing his large hands into his pockets. But Scarlett was the one to answer. "Sure. Take as much time as you need." With that, the four members of the Alpha Team turned and began to head up the path a ways before stopping just far away enough so that they were out of earshot but could still keep an eye on her, just in case.
Midnight's Shadow turned her attention back to her mother's grave once more. Her blue eyes were riveted upon the words, reading them over and over in her mind as if it would help her memories return. Or maybe so that the words would have any meaning whatsoever. She knew that Breaker said this woman was her mother, but she felt nothing when looking at the name or title of mother. This grave held no more attachment for her than any of the other ones in the cemetery.
Slowly, Kate Moon kneeled down, her knees pressing into the soft grass, her bright blue eyes never straying from the grave before her. She glanced down briefly at the bouquet in her arms, the movement causing the protective plastic to crinkle noisily once again, as if the sound reminded her that she still even had it. Her hand wrapping around the base of the bouquet of roses, Midnight's Shadow gently drew them from her arms and set them carefully down in front of the gravestone. Releasing her grip around the stems, she slowly drew her hands back and set them in her lap.
She sat there, staring at the stone, as if reading her supposed mother's name over and over would bring back memories of the short time they had together. But it wouldn't come. She felt frustration welling up inside her-seemingly the only emotion that she could express in front of the grave of her mother. Kate crossed her arms over her chest, hugging herself as a cool breeze blew across the cemetery.
Still torn and undecided about what she should do next, Midnight's Shadow continued to sit before the grave as time continued on around her.
Heavy Duty, Breaker, Scarlet, and Snake Eyes stood together in a small group just a little ways down the path. They each seemed to take turns watching Shadow, casting glances in her direction. Snake Eyes couldn't seem to tear his gaze away from her though. He continued to watch her carefully while the others discussed what to do.
"So what do we do now? Do we go over there?" Scarlet asked, her voice clearly expressing worry for their teammate.
Heavy Duty instantly shook his head. "No. She asked us to give her some time. So that's what we should do."
"But," the red head cast another look at Midnight's Shadow kneeling before her mother's grave, "maybe it's not best to leave her alone. I mean, she just found out she lost her mother. That's a lot to deal with."
"Yeah, but she lost her when she was very young. She may not even have any memories of her mother," Breaker reminded them.
Scarlet's brows narrowed. "That doesn't make it easier." She sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. "I feel like we should go over there and say something to her but I don't know what."
"Well, don't look at me. I'm not going over there. She asked for some time alone, so that's what I plan on giving her," the British man said firmly. "Besides, if you plan on going over there, what are you going to say?"
Scarlet shrugged. "I don't know. Something."
"Well, I think until we find something suitable to say, we should probably not go over there. Unless you want to risk saying something wrong," Breaker cautioned.
The others continued to debate amongst themselves about the best course of action to take. Snake Eyes shook his head. They didn't get it. She didn't need them to say anything. She just needed them to be there. So, without so much as a warning to the others, the black clad ninja turned away from his teammates and began to walk down the path towards Midnight's Shadow. He could hear the other's murmurs of surprise but they made no move to follow or stop him. The dark ninja strode down the path, his long strides easily consuming the distance between him and Midnight's Shadow. The dark haired woman gave no inclination that she detected his approach, but Snake Eyes knew better. She knew he- or at least someone- was coming towards her. He had spared with her-seen her abilities. Someone as well trained as she would be able to pick up on the approach of another person rather easily. It would become second nature-like it had for him.
Snake Eyes proceeded off the path, his feet touching the green grass for the first time. His masked face never left the woman in front of him. When he was standing just behind her, Snake Eyes stopped. He did nothing, simply waiting for a response from her. For the longest time, there was none. Kate kneeled before the grave of her mother. Even though Snake Eyes couldn't see her face, he knew that she was staring intensely at the grave.
After a few long moments, there was movement. Snake Eyes glanced down to see Midnight's Shadow ball her hand into a fist and rest it in her lap. Her other hand joined it, covering it-as if, she was ashamed by the action and seeking to hide it.
"I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do," she said finally, her voice oddly quiet. The black clad ninja's eyes locked onto the back of her head, listening intently. "Am I supposed to talk to the grave? Cry? Get angry? Look for some form of resolution?" She paused for a long moment. "But there's nothing. I feel nothing. This woman was my mother and I feel nothing at the sight of her grave. There is no connection." She turned halfway around, her head turning upwards to look right at the dark ninja with bright blue eyes. "Do you think that makes me a bad person?"
Without hesitation, Snake Eyes shook his head. How could she even think such a thing? She had lost her memory. Just because she didn't remember her mother now, doesn't mean that she won't later. Except…
His thoughts were interrupted, as a sad smile appeared on her face. Kate turned back to looking at the grave. "I wish I could believe that myself." She sighed then, long and slow. "You know, I've been thinking. Maybe I don't want to remember her." This caught Snake Eyes attention as his eyes became riveted upon her. "If I remember her, then I will remember everything. The good times and the bad. I will remember her favorite color, games we used to play together, her favorite book, birthdays, holidays…the day she died. Everything. If I remember that, then it will make it that much more painful because then I would know what I have lost-what life could have been like if she was still alive. I…don't know if I can bear it…"
Midnight's Shadow's voice was filled with emotion. He could see the tension in her body, her muscles tightening and her fist tightening in her lap. He knew that she was frustrated and possibly even a little scared-though, he knew she would never admit it.
So, attempting to comfort her, Snake Eyes extended a gloved hand and rested it supportively on her shoulder. He felt her jump as he made contact, her muscles tightening even further, but slowly they began to relax. There was a silence between them as he waiting for her to regain her composure. He didn't have to wait long.
Kate Moon let out a small laugh. "Thanks, Snake." Swiftly, she rose to her feet, Snake Eyes releasing his hand from her shoulder as she did so, letting it return to his side. Her eyes quickly scanned her clothing, brushing off any bits of grass or dirt that had accumulated upon them. She turned to face the dark ninja, a light smile on her face. "Sorry for putting you on the spot like that," she apologized with a smile.
Snake Eyes waved it off-implying "it was nothing. Don't worry about it."
"Still….thanks," Midnight's Shadow said with the utmost sincerity. The black clad ninja nodded in response. The dark haired woman awkwardly tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and glanced down the path to where the other members of the Alpha Team were gathered. "Wow. They look stressed out," she observed with a light laugh. "I hope I didn't worry you guys."
Snake Eyes shook his head.
Her response was a simple headshake of her own. "Oh, well. Better go over there and calm their nerves. Let them know I'm not suicidal." Without another word, she began to stride down the path towards the small group. Snake Eyes watched her for a moment, his head cocked slightly to the side in curiosity, before he followed her.
Midnight's Shadow reached the group before he did. Scarlet was already checking to make sure she was truly alright. The dark haired woman waved it off. "Yes, yes. I'm fine. I'm just sorry for keeping you guys out past your bedtime," she laughed as she observed a stifled yawn from Breaker.
All eyes automatically looked at the Moroccan. His brown eyes shifted to each of their faces. "What? I didn't get any sleep on the plane."
Heavy Duty simply rolled his eyes. "Are you ready to go then?" The dark haired woman nodded. "Alright then. Let's go."
He turned and began to walk down the path towards the parking lot where their rental car waited. The others followed close behind. Scarlet fell into step beside Kate, Snake Eyes close behind. "So you're sure you're okay?" she inquired.
Instantly, a smile was on the other woman's face. She nodded. "Yep. I'm perfectly fine."
The red head's brows narrowed but she said nothing-apparently satisfied with her answer. Snake Eyes knew better though. She was anything but fine.
A/N: Once again, I dropped the ball! So sorry for the long wait. I've been really lacking in motivation with writing lately. But a very nice reminder from Dragon's Maiden Girl. So thanks for that. It actually seemed to help, A LOT! So, if I start slacking, sending me reviews or PMs to get on task. It seems to work. Haha.
Anyways, hope you enjoy this chapter. Please review.