Tears of a Dove

XIII: North vs. South (Part 2)

North Division, at dusk
November 14, 1884 (10 days after the battle)

Miku sat in Raymond's desk chair, spinning around a bayonet in her hands to satisfy her boredom. Her pain was gone and her wounds have healed for the most part. She passed out directly after she was laid down in the infirmary. Many thought she was going to die, but Miku knew she was going to wake up just fine. A few hard beatings weren't enough to kill her.

Raymond entered the room. "How are you holding up, Lieutenant?"

"Just fine," Miku replied, continuing to toss the knife in her hand. She didn't say anything after, only to realize that Raymond wasn't leaving. "Something wrong, General?"

"We need to talk about your reckless behavior." Raymond wanted to make sure that Miku would stay as powerful as she already is. In all honesty, she is the only reason the North Division has a good chance of winning.

"What are you on about now?"

"You almost died during that battle. You do know that, right?"

"Yeah, almost."

"Watch your tone!"

Miku slammed the knife right into Raymond's desk and stood up in anger as she began speaking in a direct and serious tone. "All I want to do is make things right. I wouldn't have run in there by myself if I knew it was suicide. Morrison had my back the whole time. If anything, you shouldn't be yelling at me, you should go commend him for his brave work."

Raymond stood still for a good ten seconds. "Very well then. If your statement holds true, I will take that into consideration." He turned around and left the room.

"Damn right, you will," Miku mumbled to herself. She sat down and sighed, pulling the knife out of the desk, and continued to spin it around.

"Private Morrison!" Raymond shouted, startling Zamari.

"Eh, yes, sir?" he responded.

"I would like to thank you for your hard work in our most recent battle."

Zamari froze, surprised that General Raymond was actually pointing out something other than his mistakes. "Oh! Right... Thanks."

"You really saved Lieutenant Sachar back there. You know, without people like you and her, we'd be doomed."

Zamari grinned. "Heh. I guess so."

"On that note, I have decided to promote you to Private First Class."

Zamari shot up in excitement. "Wait, what? Really?"

Raymond nodded.

"I thought I was useless to you. You even told me so."

"Well, uh..." General Raymond scratched his head. "The past is in the past, I guess."

"I appreciate it, General."

Raymond never liked Zamari Morrison, not even from the start. He always viewed him as irresponsible and unintelligent. At this point, whoever protected Miku in the slightest would get a promotion from Raymond. After all, the war would be over already if Zamari hadn't found Miku in the woods that day.