Soldier Amidst the Wolves

Chapter 2: Training and Nickname Origins

It had been around 2 weeks later and Genzui had been able to get a grip around where everything was. The base as thankfully not as big as he figured when he heard the word 'base'. It was surprisingly convenient for someone who can't see.

Flower: "Soldier, sorry, please remember to set it for only 5...unless you-"

Gen: "It's...okay, really. You...don't need to say sorry."

Yeah, everything's totally easy and normal here. Like Genzui was part of their crazy family as a brother or something. But...

Flower: "Sword still isn't back, yet."

Gen: "Yeah...I noticed."

Flower: "Soldier, we're looking for her. She isn't the type to get lost."

Gen: "Though, she is the type to die for her beliefs."

Claw: "Huh, you're still here?"

Flower: "Claw..."

Claw still didn't like Genzui. She was still wary of him and refused to accept him even though the rest was either light on the subject or totally devoted.

Claw: "No, seriously, Flower, just think for a moment."

Flower: "Claw, you are to contain yourself."

Claw: "I'M NOT KOWTOWING TO A HUMAN MALE!"

Genzui didn't face her direction but could hear her stomping away into the bedroom corridor (or so they call it; it's a really short hallway with one turn and 8 rooms connected to it and the passage way to the backyard).

Flower: "Soldier..."

Gen: "I'm good, but...she has a point.."

Flower: "No, not you, too-"

Gen: "No, Flower, I mean it. If I hadn't escaped then Sword...she..."

He started mentally cursing the mask, for it forbade his tears to spill out easily. They ended up squeezing down near his temples where the mask was still solid but had a 5-piece's width of space. Genzui hadn't really cried ever. Soon after he started crying more and cursing aloud.

Gen: "Urgh...who even put this on me to begin with...?!"

Flower: "...would it calm you down if I said-"

Gen: "DON'T YOU HAVE COOKING DUTY?!"

Claw: "AW WOULD YA JUST ZIP IT YA WORTHLESS HUMAN?!"

(all): "...."

Gen: "Sorry...I...just can't stop..."

He felt a satin cloth wipe his face and some smooth skin on the side. He never felt this touch before, though then heard Flower's sad voice tear past his ears.

Flower: "No, I'm sorry. We never expected you to grow so close to her over this short period of time."

Gen: "Neither...neither did I."

*****

Pretty soon a month and week had past and no sign of Sword. Gen was itching to go out and look for her. But after his first encounter with Sakera, he's scared that he might get himself killed.

Snowy: "Soldier?"

Gen: "Oh? Uh, hi. Can...I ask you something. I don't want you to tell anyone, though."

Genzui  brings Snowy to his room and sits across her with his back still far away from his window. He even moved his futon to the opposite wall.

Snowy: "So...how's your familiarity to the base?"