LAPIS :Chapter 7:

B-Bmp . . . B-Bmp . . . B-Bmp . . .

"How is she doing today?" Kasami asks as he walks into the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

I blink, turning towards him as he walks over to my side. I must look unhappy, as he shows me a bitter sweet grin. "S-She's good . . . her vitals have stabilized and it looks like she may wake up soon," I reply, before looking back to where I had been prior.

I hear Kasami sigh, and soon after, I feel pressure on my shoulder. "Isugoro . . . you should go get some rest, you've been here with the girl since she was brought in four days ago, and you've barely slept at all. I mean, have you even moved from that chair?" Kasami says.

"I was ordered to keep an eye on her," I answer.

"Within reason, Jintez," Kasami comments, "Really, go get some sleep."

"I'm fine Sir."

"I'll be sure to send for you if she wakes up while you're away Jintez. Please, go to your room and get some sleep; that is your new order."

I sit there for a moment, debating whether or not to move. Though, my common sense wins overall. I slowly stand, and without saying anything else to Kasami, I walk out. Closing the door behind me, I look around, seeing that the hall is empty. Makes sense, it is about 1 a.m. now. As I walk, I look into a few of the room windows. One is the room of the 17 year old, who somehow survived Maggie's brutal attack, and is at the moment in a coma. I've been told he'll probably be transferred to a hospital on the other side of the mountains to recover, but I'm not sure about any of the others yet. I'm sure they'll probably send the girl, and maybe one of the lieutenants, who knows. As I look into his dark room, I can make out a few machines, a tube down his throat.

Poor kid.

Continuing, my brain relays the past few days. Once Maggie broke down in my arms, I think we sat there like that for about an half hour before she finally passed out, still crying to make it worse. Officers entered the Power Processor soon after, along with Kasami and Cent, who just looked relieved to see I was fine, well, for the most part. Turns out during my fall, my bandages had been ripped, and had fallen from where they had been. I had been so focused on trying to get Maggie to become sane again that I never noticed that it had come off, so I must of looked just awesome with a big red, bloody spot on the back of my head.

Anyway, so to get her to medical attention, one of the guards tried to take her away, but I wouldn't have it. I just got up with her cradled in my arms, pushed past him, and asked Kasami to lead the way to the medical center. Fortunately, I did carry her up here, though I'm not saying that it was easy. Hell, I got into an argument with that same bastard that was trying to shoot at her before. The nerve he had, telling me I didn't know anything, after I had proved him wrong! I think I would have punched him if the guy that I previously ignored hadn't come over and stuck a gun at my side.

Suddenly, I stop in my tracks.

. . . Those guys . . . were human. . . . Why were they in the Power Processor? . . .

I remember now that Kasami had said only Jeweloids could go into the Power Processor, something about safety and all that shit. Those soldiers shouldn't have been there. . . .

With a groan, I rub my head, turning the corner. I'm getting way too involved in this. I mean, it's week two, and I haven't done anything accept deal with Maggie. Hell, I haven't even gone through training with Kasami yet. I need to stop over thinking everything. I would have a much easier time if I did that.

Then again, I'm glad I got to stay with Maggie. It seems she likes to be around me. I mean, she said so herself (along with other things), so I guess being there was comforting to her. That is, if she knows whether or not I'm there. I'm not sure.

When I first brought her up, she was babbling in my head, kept saying things over and over. Most of it didn't make sense, as her quality was horrible due to her horrified tone. Though, that just made it worse, knowing that she felt so bad even being unconscious. It was another three hours before her voice went silent in my mind. And then, it was just weird, being in a room alone with her, asleep, nothing making a noise, the only sound being our breathing. In a way, it was almost eerie. After she went silent, it was then that I fully grasped what had happened to her, to me, to both of us, for the first time. I've never been an easy scare, or one to be shaken by anything . . . but this was different. It was then I realized that I missed her voice, it kept me from thinking too far into the situation at hand. Her voice kept me relaxed and focused.

"God damn, that Jeweloid is making me lose my mind-" I start.

Without warning I feel myself run right into something, or in this situation, someone. As I fall flat on my ass, I hear a small gasp in front of me, and then I sense vibrations of another thud. I look up, and my eyes widen.

The Jeweloid from my first day . . . the one that had caught Cent's eye. . . .

QUARTZ.

Her eyes are squeezed shut, her expression that of slight discomfort. She rubs her bottom, now sitting on her knees. Her hair is down, not up in the side ponytail it was previously, the orange locks waving at the ends. She's also not wearing the same uniform, this one having no padding, covering her stomach, and looking more like regular clothing, though the colors are the same as the uniform before. Slowly, she lets out a small groan, looking more irritated as her eyes open, revealing the bright orange. I can see why Cent has the eyes for her, she is rather stunning, but as I look over her, I begin to feel a bit uncomfortable.

Maybe I should go back to Maggie. . . .

I blink, shaking my head. Now I'm just randomly thinking about her? This is getting out of hand.

"Ow . . . Damn, man, don't you know to look where you’re going?" she comments, pouting at me, a bit aggravated.

"I-I, uh . . . S-Sorry-" I stutter, my head still stuck on Maggie.

"Damn it, don't stutter like you got taffy stuck in your gums! Be a soldier!" she says, gritting her teeth in annoyance, "You whiny little boy, man up!"

"H-Hey! You don't have to yell at me! Besides that, I'm like four inches taller than you!" I answer, irritated a bit myself, "I'm sorry, alright?"

"You don't mean that! God, you're not even looking at me! You're letting your mind wander, aren't you?!" she replies, her burning eyes digging into me, "You pervert!"

"Whoa, whoa, wait! When did I do anything to give you that idea?!” I react, immediately trying to save myself, “I didn't mean to run into you, I swear! I'm just . . . thinking."

"About what?" she asks, her tone still a bit harsh.

Before I let myself think out what to say, I blurt out the first thing that comes to my mind, "The new Jeweloid I'm worried about.”

QUARTZ's eyes widen in surprise, not ready to hear a Human like myself talking like I am about a Jeweloid. It seems she's been in the program for a while, as her reaction after is even more surprising. She gets very close, looking over me like I'm a gun that she has to resemble. Then, the weirdest part of all.

She hits me with the bottom of her palm right smack dab in the forehead.

Why does Cent like this chick again?

"Wh-Why the hell?-" I start.

"Should’ve had a V8, dumbass!" QUARTZ snaps, her expression now furious, "How dare you even try to act like you care for one of us, you arrogant cracker!"

I blink. Cracker? What the heck does that mean?

"QUARTZ, please-" I try to begin again.

"And these stupid code names, I didn't ask for it y'know!" she interrupts, "I have my own name, my own life, I am a human being God dammit!"

"I never said you weren't-"

"But your Commander did, your civilization did! Hell, the only reason I haven't killed any of you people yet is because my own ass is on the line here."

I raise an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

"Like you don't know," she spits, "If a Jeweloid tries to get out of this, they're killed on spot, no question! We have to support your people, fight your fucking war, we have no say on anything!"

My eyes widen. Now that's just . . . wrong. . . .

No wonder not much information about the Jeweloids have gotten out. Gelus and the Vesperian government don't want people to know that these new soldiers are being forced to fight. Being based on the ancient United States of America, Vesperian people are rooted in the belief of freedom for all. So, to know that something like this is happening within one of the highest respected bases, and is being supported . . . it could turn bad quickly.

I look over her. Her orange eyes are burning with passion and anger, her entire countenance showing frustration. It seems she is also a firm believer in freedom for all, not that I can blame her. She must be from somewhere in the U.S., her accent reminding me of someone from somewhere in the west corners of Stellos. Her body language reads defensive, but also . . . depressive.

I sigh. "QUARTZ, what's your real name?" I ask.

QUARTZ blinks, taken back by my question. "What? Why?" she replies, a bit of attitude in her voice.

"Because . . . I don't think you're different than anyone else," I say truthfully, looking her straight in the eye.

Her eyes widen, though, this time, something clicks in her mind. Her expression relaxes some, and soon after, she pulls away from my gaze. I watch her, seeing the gears in her head turning, taking in my words. Then, she finally sighs, looking back at me with something other than anger in her eyes. ". . . My name is Sammy," she answers cautiously.

"Alright, Sammy . . . I'm new to Gelus. I only started here about two weeks ago, and since I've spent my time only doing one thing-" I begin.

"What?" Sammy interrupts.

Wow, she's just like Cent when it comes to interrupting. Maybe that's something he sensed that they have in common. Though, that's not important, I need to explain to her about what I've been doing . . . what I've experienced in only the first two weeks.

I look away. ". . . Have you heard about the newest Jeweloid?" I ask.

Sammy blinks, before her expression changes, now looking a bit saddened. "Yes I have . . . She's apparently very strong. It's been said that she took out about thirty soldiers, some high ranking," Sammy answers, "Then apparently she kissed a human soldier, started talking kinda coo-coo, before she started sobbing and then passed out in the same human's arms after about four hours."

Damn it, for once it had to be accurate. Sammy's eyebrow rises, apparently sensing my uneasiness. It's then that her jaw drops, and her eyes widen in enthusiastic shock. Not only is this chick a bit intimidating, she seems to be very smart. God, I am just not getting a break, am I? "No way-" Sammy starts with a small laugh.

"Don't-" I interrupt.

"You were the human?!" she chuckles, covering her mouth with her hand.

I roll my eyes, though it's the fact that I feel the heat coming back to my cheeks that actually aggravates me. I cover my face, though it's too late. Sammy begins snorting. Yes, snorting, full on pig-like snorting. "O-Oh dear Jesus!" she hollers, laughing hysterically, "You kissed that crazy bitch?"

"She's not a bitch," I say seriously, "She didn't understand what was happening. She was in her Insanity State."

Sammy’s expression turns to surprise. "Wow, you really are defending that chick,” Sammy comments, "That's a first, but hey, it's refreshing."

"Yeah . . . but the reason she clung to me, like you've heard, is because my entire time here, I've been keeping an eye on her," I explain.

"What, are you her partner or something?" Sammy asks, "I've never heard of a Jeweloid getting assigned or picking out one so early in the enrollment process."

"Pick a Partner?" I repeat.

"Damn, you are new," she comments, her accent sharp, though the connection of each word in each sentence has begun to flow together in a way that's more soothing to the ear, "Jeweloids only have one real say in anything, and that is our Partner. Partners are basically Human watch hounds that the Commander makes us pick out, they make sure that the Jeweloids aren't acting out of line, as well as back us up in training and in actual battles."

"Oh, I see. . . ." I answer, "Well, I'm not her Partner, at least I haven't been told that I am...I'm just a soldier that just happened to be there when she came to."

Sammy studies me, her eyes focused, deep in thought. "What's your name?" she asks.

I blink. Oh yeah, I had forgot to tell her my name. It seems that gash is still having an effect on me, even though it's almost fully healed. "I'm Isugoro. Isugoro Jintez," I say.

"Well, Isugoro, you're . . . different than many of the soldiers here," she comments, "I'm going to let you in on a little secret. You see, what you did in the Power Processor, well, it's never happened before."

I’m honestly taken back by the remark, replying, "Seriously?"

"Nope, usually, the goody goodies who praise the regular soldiers just let the newbie go nuts until they pass out from exhaustion and go back to normal,” Sammy says as her expression falls, “They don't try to contain them, or even attempt to help the soldiers sent into the test-"

"Test? What do you mean test?" I interrupt.

Sammy's expression becomes more serious. She mumbles to herself, "Wow, you're more clueless than a blind man walking on the beach."

Alright, that doesn't even make that much sense.

"Isugoro," Sammy says, grabbing my attention back, "What were you told that the Power Processor is for?"

"Uh, to make a Jeweloid safer and get their powers under control," I reply.

Sammy laughs harshly, putting me a bit on edge. "Oh, that's what they want you to think, but listen; If that's the reason, why do they continually send in more and more people to be slaughtered? Why not just send in one person that's very experienced, or hell, another Jeweloid, and let them spar with the newbie, while also making restraints to keep the Jeweloid from actually killing someone?" Sammy suggests, "And back to the Jeweloid thing . . . why do they send in humans?"

My eyes widen, my mind taking careful consideration of each word that crosses Sammy's lips. The thought I had had earlier about the human soldiers resurfaces, just making me question the idea all the more. Sammy watches me, her expression that I can see from my peripheral vision telling me that she seems to understand that I'm also contemplating the reasoning of the Power Processor. After a moment of letting me think on my own, she sighs. "It's a test to see how strong the Jeweloid is, and to see how much damage they can cause," she states bluntly.

I look up in shock, my eyes widening.

Sammy grins, chuckling. "Your face, I've never seen a soldier look as astonished as you do," Sammy comments, before her countenance becomes again serious, "Isugoro . . . there's also one other reason for the Power Processor."

I gulp silently, "What?"

She looks me straight in the eyes, speaking plainly, "Entertainment and Anti-Propaganda."

Now that hits me right in the gut, and Sammy can tell, her brows furrowing, looking more concerned than before. "Wh-What do you mean by entertainment and-" I start.

"The Power Processor has cameras all around, at every angle. They aren't just there for security. Those camera feeds are also shown on every TV throughout Gelus, as an “entertainment feature” for you regular soldiers, and your superiors,” Sammy explains, “For the uneducated majority, it’s used to make them more scared of us and give them a reason to put themselves above us. It makes Jeweloids look like monsters that want nothing but to destroy. No one explains to them that it’s an Insanity State, which is why we’re deemed dangerous. As for the educated, it’s funny to them, to watch us look like animals. The higher-ups love to watch the feed, and that’s what’s truly sickening in this world. Hell, once I saw the Commander watching, smiling like a fool as he ate a sandwich and watched an innocent man be mutilated!”

I feel my face becoming paler with each second Sammy continues on. I can't even hold her stare now, as it makes her words impact even harder against my body. I watch the ground, noticing that my hand is trembling to an extent. To keep the weak emotions at bay, I clench my fists tight, trying to restrain the temptation to just fall apart physically too. Maggie keeps popping back into my mind, her frightened expression as she finally came to from her insanity state, and her depleted mental stability as she cried into my chest . . . her cries for her mother, such a simple . . . but utterly impossible request.

Sammy stops after a minute or so, and all goes quiet as she watches me. ". . . Damn, you just keep surprising me," Sammy comments quietly, "I swear, you look sicker than my Aunt when she got stung by that bee on our vacation in New York. And that's saying something, considering that she was allergic and swelled into a black melon."

"Thanks, I guess. . . ." I trail, my mind still traveling.

Her eyes are still focused on me as she asks, "Isugoro, why did you become a solider?"

My eyes widen, looking back up to meet her stare. They're so intense, but at the same time, warm. "Uh . . . I don't know," I reply truthfully, recalling the situation in which I joined the military, "I guess . . . I just-"

"Wait."

I blink, surprised as I feel her fingers press against my forehead. I feel my brain suddenly begin to slow, a softness creeping across my mind. At first, it really kinda freaks me out, but as I adjust, it actually becomes . . . comforting. My eyes blur a bit, taking me back. As they readjust, I find myself still looking into Sammy's eyes. Unlike before, the orange tint has morphed, becoming darker, almost gules-

Wait, what the hell is gules? I've never even heard that word before in my life, why is it even in my vocabulary?

Without warning, I hear laughing, pure, warm laughter. The previous thoughts disappear from my mind, as I'm far too intrigued by this action of happiness. Unlike before, there's no snorting, quite light and airy. For some reason, it's very calming, and I feel my heart beat slow a good deal. I even sense a smile creep across my face. I can tell by the tone that it isn't Sammy's . . . so who-

"Goro, I kept telling myself that I'd be out of here soon . . . that it'd all be over before I knew it . . . and then I'd get to see you again."

I recognize her voice instantly.

"You want to find something worth protecting."

I blink, finding that Sammy is staring at me, her eyes wide in surprise.

"What?" Sammy asks, “Did you hear someone?”

I nod, still taken by her first comment. She smiles in a way that looks relieved, but also pleasantly surprised. "Ah, I see," Sammy comments, “That would explain why your face lit up. Must have been a cute giggling.”

My eyes widen in shock, causing her to laugh. "H-How did you know that I heard her laughing?" I ask.

"Dude, isn't it obvious yet?" Sammy asks, "I have the Ability of Mind, stupid."

And that's when my face begins to blister with heat. She just looked through my brain?! It's at this point that she keels over laughing, so loud that it actually makes me nervous. I'd rather not get in trouble for waking up anyone; that would just make my current situation worse. As she sits back up, I see tears forming in the corners of her eyes, the sight making me feel even more uncomfortable. "You are so entertaining Isu-I mean, “Goro," she comments with a smirk, apparently picking up my nickname from my thoughts, "But to tell the truth, I didn’t actually hear her, or read any of your thoughts. Your intentions were simply written out for me to understand. As for her, I could more or less just sense it."

"R-Really?" I stutter.

"Yeah," she laughs, "But it appears that your goal is something that you didn't actually realize it was."

"I guess so . . . I've never thought that I was looking for something to protect," I admit.

"Well, it seems you have. Considering all the tension webbing in your head, it seems you've subconsciously taken the position of protecting the new Jeweloid."

I feel a lump taking form in my throat. That was something I wasn't expecting to hear. Before I know what's happening, I feel my head shutting down. "No . . . I'm not taking responsibility for her," I answer.

Sammy's eyes widen in shock. In actuality, I think I hear her breath catch. Is what I said really that astonishing? I look again, and I'm the one now taken back as I watch her brow furrow in anger. "Don't start giving me bullchitna," she says, surprising me.

"I'm being honest, I'm not going to be protective of-"

"You can't let her die."

My eyes widen.

"Let me go!"

My voice? . . .

"Oh, Hell no, you are to go nowhere near that Jeweloid, not in your condition, you'd be dead as soon as she saw you."

"She needs me."

The strength in my voice . . . it's overwhelming. I sound desperate and rushed, the need to leave showing greatly in my tone.

"Do you have any idea how that will affect her when she comes to?!"

My brow furrows.

No . . . I can't get protective, I can't connect, I can't start caring, it's against the law. . . . A human and a Jeweloid are not allowed to do such a thing. I can't, I can't-

DAMN MORAN!

Sammy's tough tone startles me, especially considering that she's in my mind! My head whips up, just to be met with a hard slap to the face. The stinging sensation jolts up my upper jaw, shocking my brain with an intense pain. As I come to realize what just happened, my head doesn't move from the state it came to when I was hit. I blink many times, trying to gain back some feeling in my face. Finally, I look back, and what I see is far from happy.

Sammy is pissed. So pissed, that she is actually shaking with anger. My hand comes to my cheek, and off the tip of my finger, I feel something I wasn't expecting.

My nose is bleeding.

She slapped me so hard that she got my nose bleeding? Damn, this chick is dangerous.

"How could you think such things?!" Sammy snaps, her voice sharp as a blade, "You said that you don't see us as different, yet you're still allowing this shit hole to effect how you perceive this girl?!"

I can't respond, my voice has left me.

"I can't believe this . . ." Sammy trails on, her voice cracking some as her eyes slowly begin to become glossy, "You . . . you are probably the most realistic guy I've met in this place. And still . . . this Hell . . . it's already begun to brainwash you too."

It's at this moment that whatever was closing off my thoughts cracks. My eyes widen in alarm. Though . . . I'm also confused. So many things are racing through my mind right now, all fighting each other for the spot of being the all-powerful law of my morality. The Gelus Law, Vesperia, the Jeweloids, the Power Processor. . . .

Maggie. . . .

I shake my head in aggravation, and before Sammy can react, I'm back up on my feet, and walking briskly back towards where I just came. A nurse walks by me, and her expression is that of shock once she meets mine. I understand the response as I pass a mirror. Yeah, Sammy got me good, blood has stained some of my face as it bled from my nose. I try to wipe it off, but as I get to the door of the room, it becomes apparent that my attempt is futile. Irritated, I sigh a drawn out groan, resting my head against the cool steel door. It distracts me from the current jumbling that has taken over my brain, the smooth texture easing my brain as I close my eyes.

I can't wait till I get some leave time. I'll definitely need it considering all that's happened in only two weeks. Mom will be fretting over my condition, saying that I need to pull out while I still have a brain and some sturdy legs. Dad will go to the other extreme and will try to get every ounce of information about what has happened and how I’ve been treated out of my mouth to use in his campaign. Once they’ve both had their fill of crazy, Dad will make everything better with one of his amazing steak burgers. Food, always a solace for a weary guy like me.

I chuckle at the thought. I feel like I'm my own age again.

"Isugoro?"

My eyes turn as I stand straight up, finding Kasami staring at me, his expression that of surprise and shock. As soon as he sees my bloody nose, he chuckles, rubbing his forehead. "It's only been a half hour Jintez . . . not to mention it's 1:30 a.m. . . . Yet, somehow you still got an injury," Kasami comments, a small smiling creeping across his face.

I grin halfheartedly.

"Yeah, seems I'm not getting a good start," I reply.

Kasami grins bitter-sweetly, putting a hand on my shoulder, an action I've noticed that he uses a lot in consoling someone. Well, me, at least. I hear him sigh, grabbing my attention. I watch him, seeing that he's contemplating something, before he sighs again, meeting my eyes. "Hey, how about you go back in and sit with her for a bit longer. I'll go find a nurse who can clean you up," Kasami suggests.

I watch him for a moment, taking him by surprise. Before that . . . discussion with Sammy, I probably would have just said “sure”, or even “thank you”, considering how I reacted to leaving previously. He seems to notice that something has happened, but being the person I've begun to learn he is, he doesn't ask, afraid to pry too far into my business, which I can respect him for doing. He just simply walks off, leaving the door open in front of me. In a way, he's indirectly giving me a choice; walk in, or turn and walk back to my room.

Without even thinking, my feet cross the threshold, and before I know what I've done, I'm standing in front of the chair I have come to know well. I look over it, and I can see a slight indention in the white leather, left by me considering how long I remained there. I sigh, turning, met with what I knew deeply that I was partially afraid to see.

Maggie is still sleeping, her face content and relaxed. I find my mind has begun to slow as I watch her, beginning to wonder off on debating what she may be dreaming about. The jumbled mess begins to dissipate as I pull the chair up closer to her bed than where I had had it before, sitting my elbows on the mattress, and resting my chin in my hand. Her sapphire hair has been cut so it no longer drags the ground, but it's still knee length, curling around her body with luster in its shine. The lights in the room have been turned down to the point that the moon is giving more light than the actual fixture on the other side of her bed. And that's saying something, considering it's almost a new moon.

Saying so, the soft light gives her an elegance I can't describe, as I've never seen anything like her before in my life. At least, not for a long time. Her pale face has begun to get back some of the pink tint in her cheeks, her blue curled tattoos even more apparent in this dank lighting. Her presence is relaxing, though it's not too long before my conversation with Sammy creeps back into my head.

I've subconsciously taken the role of protecting this girl, this female that was once human, but now exists as a completely different species. She is a Jeweloid.

I run my hand through my hair, careful as I feel the bandage around my head, trying to keep myself from ripping it once again. The doctor that did it last has used a thicker bandage since I've ripped through two of the other thinner ones before, so I'd rather not have to get yet another change. There's also the fact that these things get itchier every time the thickness changes, and that was just a pain in the butt.

Subconsciously, I look back to her, distracting my mind so to keep it from becoming as cluttered as it had before with random nonsense and other details. I look back to her face, and I blink in surprise, seeing that her eyes are moving under her lids. She's dreaming.

I grin without thinking. "I hope you're having a good dream Maggie . . ." I whisper, the sound of my voice against the silence staggering to my ears.

In response, her brow furrows, and for the first time, I see her hand move, searching the sheets for something. Her head shifts slightly, her lip beginning to tremble. In only thirty seconds time, her entire body language becomes much more uncomfortable and rigid, her other hand gripping the sheets as her other, the one beside my arm, still feels around. Now my brow furrows. It seems she isn't having a good dream after all.

I know, I'm speaking the obvious, it's almost two a.m., and I've lost some blood in my head, cut me some slack.

My brain cuts from my rambling as I notice her calm. Now I'm perplexed. Did her dream end? Did something happen that changed the events that she sees?

Then, I feel something. A pressure in my hand.

Looking over, my eyes widen as I see my hand clutching her hand, her hold tight in response. I look through my mind, realizing I never made a conscious decision to do anything. When the hell did I take her hand? Now I'm doing stuff without even realizing it; great.

I glance up, and to my surprise . . . she's grinning. A lump forms in my throat, a strange mix of emotions rising from my gut as I watch her relax, her head coming to rest facing me. Her breathing eases, though her hold stays strong on my hand. In response, I let out a sigh, but slowly grin. This girl is so much work, looks like I'm gonna have my hands full for a while. As I linger on the thought, my hold strengthens.

"You'd comfort me like you did before. . . ."

"Yeah, I'm right here. . . ." I chuckle quietly, "You're ok, and I'm ok. . . . We'll be fine."

Minutes later, Kasami returns, the door opening quietly. "Isugoro, I found a nurse who can . . ." Kasami trails off as he looks into the room.

A male nurse appears behind him, looking at him questioningly. "Major, what is it?" he asks.

A smile creeps across Kasami's face, and a soft chuckle escapes his lips. He moves slightly, allowing the nurse to see. He blinks in surprise. "Seems you'll have to wait til tomorrow," Kasami comments quietly, "He needs all the sleep he can get at this point. I'd rather not wake him."

A small, but crisp breeze blows into the room from one of the higher windows Kasami had left open before he left. It catches my bangs, though I don't respond too much, my mind far off in some dream of home . . . Dad's steak burgers . . . Mom's too tight hugs . . . old adventures Cent and I took in the stream on the outskirts of town . . . the past that is far gone.

But, even in this far off world . . . I still won't let go of now, her hand still safe and protected in mine.