InuYasha Fan Fiction / Gundam SEED Fan Fiction / S-CRY-ed Fan Fiction ❯ The Enigma Called Love ❯ Encounters & Secrets ( Chapter 4 )

The Enigma Called Love

Part 4 - Encounters & Secrets

 

By Robster80

 

 

“Zetsui, strike!”

 

“Get `em, Victory Dragon!”

 

This wasn't exactly how Cherise wanted to see Kazuma and company again. She, Ryuhou, Kari and Davis had been sent by the Commander to deliver medical supplies to one of the medical camps out in the Lost Ground, mainly because the last time Straight Cougar had been sent and the supplies barely got to their destination in one piece. It was either good luck or misfortune that they had run into Kazuma, Kimishima and Dearka along the way, and a battle ensued.

 

Cherise checked the situation out quickly: Ryuhou and Zetsui were fighting Kazuma in his alter form, Davis was using his giant, blue lizard-alter Victory Dragon against Dearka who had summoned what looked like a cross between a broadsword and a gun, and Kimishima had hidden himself and his buggy while she and Kari were watching from the transport's roof. Kari, of course, was cheering Davis on, which annoyed Cherise greatly.

 

“That's it, Davis! That puny gunsword or whatever's a toothpick compared to your dragon! Show him whose boss!”

 

Cherise rolled her eyes in disgust. I'd pay good money if she would shut the fuck up!

 

Suddenly, Cherise saw Kimishima emerging from behind a rock, a gun in each of his hands. It looked like he was getting ready to backup his friends. Kari didn't seem to notice this, her eyes fixated mainly on her boyfriend. This allowed Cherise to slip away unnoticed as he made her way to Kimishima's hiding place.

 

Kimishima watched from behind the large rock, trying to decide whom to help out, Dearka or Kazuma. One the one hand, Kazuma was his best friend, and this Ryuhou guy was getting the upper hand. On the other hand, Dearka's opponent was much larger and far uglier than Zetsui. He also considered Kazuma might be sore at him for interfering with his fight, and also possibly Dearka as well. “To help or not help? Therein lies the rub.”

 

“So we meet again.”

 

Startled by the voice, Kimishima spun to aim his guns at the source. Seeing who it was, he pulled his guns back. “Jeez, Cherise! I almost shot you-.”

 

“Keep your voice down, or somebody will see us and then we'll have to fight! I'll make this quick.” Cherise pulled out a piece of paper from within her uniform and handed it to Kimishima. “This has the time and place I'll be at the border between here and the city. I trust you'll be there to pick me up so I don't have to walk all the way to Kazuma's place?”

 

Kimishima blinked in shock. “You're coming back?”

 

“It's part of my new assignment, off the records. My team doesn't know about it, and it's going to stay that way under pain of death. Are we clear?”

 

Kimishima nodded, taking the paper and quickly stuffing it in his jacket pocket while still holding his guns. “Just one thing, though: what else have you got stuffed down your uniform?” His reply was a good slap across the face. “Sorry, couldn't resist-.”

 

“CHERISE, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!”

 

Realizing the jig was up, Kimishima quickly pointed his guns at Cherise. “Kick me,” he hissed to her.

 

“Wha-?”

 

“Kick me!”

 

Responding instantly, Cherise's leg shot forward and made contact between Kimishima's legs, hard. “That'll do it,” he said in a high-pitched voice while dropping to his knees in pain.

 

“Sorry,” Cherise whispered before running off back towards the transport.

 

Seeing her running back to the vehicle, Kazuma decided it was time to bolt. “Sorry to fight and run, Ryuhou, but I'm late for work!” He'd better stop this, and I hope Cherise will forgive me! “EXTERMINATING LAST BULLET!” Swinging his arm forward in an overhand arc, Kazuma's altered fist slammed into the ground, hard, in the direction of Cherise and the transport, and then took off. “Your choice, Ryuhou: me, or the girl and your ride! Dearka, let's blow!”

 

“Right behind ya, Partner!”

 

“THIS ISN'T OVER, TREASONER,” Ryuhou shouted as he mentally commanded Zetsui to use its antennae to pick Cherise off the ground while, at the same time, Victory Dragon used its strength to lift the transport off the ground. The resulting fissure form Kazuma's attack passed underneath the transport harmlessly, missing its targets completely.

 

“TTFN, suckers,” Dearka shouted, “BLAZING FLARE!”

 

A loud gunshot was heard just before there was a blinding flash that the HOLY members were unable to shield their eyes from in time. They cried out in pain, hands over their tightly shut eyes while they heard some shouting and the sounds of a vehicle driving away. However, the pain in their eyes was too much for them to be able to determine exactly which direction the vehicle was speeding away to.

 

Well, that's one way to make a clean getaway, Cherise thought, but next time I see him, I'm giving Dearka a good kick! That HURT!

 

It took them a few minutes before their sight returned. Davis's alter let out a loud roar of rage that their enemies had escaped, as did Davis. “YOU SONS OF BITCHES, I'LL KILL YOU!!!”

 

“Not now, you won't, Davis. We got medical supplies to deliver and we're already behind schedule. So let's just get going.”

”As much as I'd like to disagree with her on this,” Ryuhou said to Davis, “Cherise is right. Unless we want to get in more trouble with the Commander, we'll put off our hunt for Kazuma and his gang until later. Kari, go make sure none of the supplies were damaged when Victory Dragon lifted the transport out of danger! Victory Dragon, Zetsui, stand down!”

 

 

***************

 

 

Mimori took a case of test tubes from TK and set them on her desk. “Thanks for coming out here today, TK. You and Kanami are a big help.”

 

TK just shrugged. “Well Kanami wanted me to get out of the house for a while, so it worked out for both you and her. How soon will the supplies get here?”

Checking her watch, Mimori frowned. “They should have been here by now. What could they have been doing to hold them up? I have sick people here that need treatment.”

 

“Odds are Kazuma might be involved.”

 

“He'd better not be; I told him about the delivery and he swore he'd avoid a fight.”

 

TK couldn't help but laugh at this. “Kazuma, avoiding a fight? …Then again, he did only lead that one transport away from our house when it was getting too close.”

 

Just then, Kanami came running into Mimori's office. “Mimori-san,” she said, “I was told to come get you; there's a HOLY officer here who rode ahead of the transport bringing the medicine.”

 

“Good, lead the way. I'm going to give this officer a piece of my mind.” Mimori followed Kanami, with TK behind them, out of the office and out into the encampment. To say the least, Mimori was not happy about the tardiness of the supplies. HOLY was supposed to be helping make the Lost Ground an easier place to live, but lately they only seemed interested in arresting outlaw alters (like her boyfriend) and not even caring about property damages. Of course, Kazuma was not so much better because he liked to fight, but at least he put in effort to limit his battles and the damage he would cause.

 

As if he was reading her mind, TK suddenly asked, “I've been meaning to ask you this, Mimori-san… what do you see in Kazuma? You're opposed to fighting and he loves it. I know of the saying that opposites attract, but I really don't buy into that.”

 

Her answer made Mimori smile a bit. “Well, that is true… but he does have a cute butt.” She laughed aloud as she heard TK trip over his feet from her response and at Kanami's scowl as the girl looked right at her. “I'm just kidding! It's his face that's cute.”

 

“Only I'M allowed to call anything on Kaze-kun `cute.'” Kanami snapped, picking up her pace as they neared the scene where the HOLY officer was waiting for them. As they drew nearer, however, Kanami and TK overheard a voice they recognized right away. Up ahead, sure enough, was Cherise talking to another of the medical staff at the camp. “Cherise-san!”

 

Turning just in time to see Kanami glomp her waist, Cherise smiled warmly and returned the hug as best she could. “Kanami, what a surprise! What brings you here?”

 

“I'm helping out here for the day. Take-kun's here, too.”

 

Suddenly, Cherise paled. “TK's here, too?!” Looking up to see him, she began sweating bullets. OH SHIT! If Ryuhou and the others find him… “Come on!” Dragging Kanami with her, she grabbed TK and also began dragging him away, with Mimori chasing after them. As she ran, she looked about for a good hiding place while ignoring the protests of TK, Kanami, and Mimori.

 

Finally, they came to Mimori's office, where Cherise dragged Kanami and TK inside and released them. Suddenly, she whirled around and punched TK hard in the stomach, with a little help from her alter. “But… why…” he said as he began to pass out.

 

“Forgive me,” Cherise said before giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, “but you'll be safe here.”

 

TK never acknowledge her or her kiss. His vision went dark and he quickly fell to the floor, unconscious.

 

“Why did you do that-?” Kanami began to ask, but Cherise whirled to look her in the eye.

 

“Just keep quiet and don't let anyone in here until after my team and I leave! And whatever happens, don't let them find TK! I'm counting on you, Kanami.”

 

Not staying to explain herself, Cherise pulled Mimori out of the office and shut the door. Then, she grabbed Mimori by the shirt. “I'm only going to say this once,” she spoke in a stern voice while pointing at the door, “Until my team and I leave, that door does not open; they don't come out, and nobody goes in. Are we clear?”

 

While she really had no idea what was going on, Mimori nodded in agreement. “Will you at least explain it to me when you have a chance?”

 

Suddenly, there came a loud engine noise, signaling to Cherise that the transport with Ryuhou and the others had arrived. Sighing heavily, she let go of Mimori. “IF I get a chance. Just don't say anything, keep them away from your office, and put on your best happy face.” With this, she turned away, clapped her face a bit with her hands, and suddenly smiled before walking away. “Oh yeah, you'd better lock that door.”

 

“Oh! Yes, of course.” Quickly pulling out her key, Mimiori used it to lock her office before calling out through the door. “Kanami, there's a mini-fridge by my desk if you and-or TK get thirsty. I'll come let you out soon.” With that, she rushed to catch up with Cherise. “By the way, why was your team late?”

 

“My team ran across some native alters and our captain made us stop and fight. However, said natives managed to escape when they almost destroyed our transport and the supplies within as a diversion. Luckily, none of the supplies were damaged. I was sent ahead to explain why we were late.”

 

Together they walked until they found several workers helping Davis and Kari unload the vehicle. Ryuhou was talking to one of the other doctors, when he spotted Cherise and Mimori. It was upon seeing Mimori that he gasped, while she froze in her tracks.

 

“Ryu…hou?”

 

“Mimori?”

 

Cherise watched in shock as Ryuhou suddenly rushed up and hugged Mimori right there. A part of her wanted her to suddenly scream in outrage, but another part of her kept her form doing it. It wasn't her conscience, though; it was something else that she wasn't sure what to call it. “I, er, take it you two have met before?” she asked calmly.

 

Mimori, regaining her composure, pulled herself away from Ryuhou. “Er, yes. We were friends since childhood. Though, I am surprised to find you working with HOLY.”

 

“You're surprised?! What are you doing out here of all places? You should have stayed in the Mainland, or at least come to the city-.”

 

At this, Mimori frowned at Ryuhou. “There aren't as many wounded in either place. As a medic, my place is where treatment is needed the most, and that's out here. And HOLY isn't making my job any easier with the constant fighting.”

 

Before Ryuhou said anything else, he looked right at Cherise. “Go help with the supplies,” he said a bit too coldly to her.

 

With a loud “Hmph,” Cherise tilted her head up at Ryuhou and walked away, though slow enough to overhear Ryuhou trying to talk to Mimori. When she joined those helping unload the supplies, Kari had a nasty grin on her face.

 

“So,” she said to Cherise, “looks like you got some competition.”

 

“Maybe, maybe not. They are old friends after all, and some friends don't end up dating each other.”

 

Kari raised an eyebrow. Cherise's comment made her wonder if her cousin knew about TK's past relationship with her. “What's that supposed to mean?”

 

But Cherise just ignored her while carrying a box of tongue depressors away. Maybe that was risky to say that, but then again, Kari never was a bright one. All beauty and barely any brains.

 

It didn't take very long for the supplies to be unloaded and placed in the warehouses. By the time everything was put away, Ryuhou was nowhere to be found near the transport, and neither Kari nor Davis had seen him since their arrival. Unsure if they were hiding the truth from her or not, Cherise decided to go looking for Ryuhou. Also, this gave her the chance to go check on TK and Kanami back at Mimori's office.

 

I really hated to hit TK, but I had no other choice. There was no telling what would have happened if Kari and-or Davis found him, and Kanami would have lost her temper if she saw Kari. …But why did I kiss him? I think after we get back to base, I'm going to ask for a check-up or something. I must be sick.

 

Suddenly, as she approached Mimori's office, she heard a loud smacking noise and quietly crept over to hear Mimori say aloud, “Don't ever kiss me again!”

 

“But Mimori-.”

 

Cherise froze where she was around the corner of a building. That was Ryuhou's voice, and he had just kissed Mimori. Also, judging from how loud the slap she had heard, Mimori didn't appreciate it.

 

“Listen to me, Ryuhou, things have changed since we last parted years ago; I've changed. Our feelings for each other aren't what they were.”

 

“Mimori, my feelings for you never changed-.”

 

“But I have a boyfriend. Yes, he has his faults, but what person doesn't? In the end, he's the one I choose to love, and not you. Besides, what about that girl you're always with when you're at HOLY? The one who came here ahead of you?”

 

“Cherise? Well, we have been working together ever since she joined HOLY after I rescued her-.”

 

“Ryuhou, respectfully, I think you should leave. We have our supplies and we're grateful, but I really need to get back to work.”

 

There was a long pause before Cherise heard Ryuhou ask, “Could I at least get the name of this boyfriend of yours?”

 

Mimori gave a fake laugh. “Like I'd actually be dumb enough to tell you anything concrete about him.”

 

Better stop this before Ryuhou makes things worse. “CAPTAIN!” Cherise paused for a brief moment before casually, but not too casually, walking around the corner. “Oh, sorry! We're all set to leave whenever you are, sir.” She gave a salute to further mask her deception.

 

While annoyed at this interruption, Ryuhou realized it was best if he did leave for now. “Very well,” he said to Cherise before facing Mimori once more. “We'll discuss this at a later time, Dr. Kiryu.”

 

You'd like that, wouldn't you? Mimori mentally fumed, but bowed in respect towards him. “I thank you for all you and your team have done for us today.”

 

“Let's go, Officer Adjani,” Ryuhou said stiffly. However, Cherise quickly moved to take Mimori by the arm.

 

“Actually, you go on ahead. I need to ask the doc here something. Medical girl talk, you see.”

”Understood, but don't dawdle.” With that, Ryuhou walked away. As he did he overheard Cherise ask if they could talk in her office, but heard no more after that as he moved farther and farther away from them.

 

“WHEW! Man, was I worried we wouldn't pull this off,” Cherise exclaimed from within the locked office where TK, Kanami and Mimori joined her. “I kept thinking somehow they'd find you, TK.”

 

“Well, it seems you've kept me safe from Kari and Davis this time. Yes, Cherise,” TK said looking right at her with his arms crossed. “I figured out why you threw me in here.”

”Look, TK, you're not Kari's only victim. She gives me hell because I can't get Ryuhou to see that I want to be more than his coworker, and she loves it. I can at least put up with it, but no way in hell will I allow her to do the same to anyone else.”

 

“And now it seems Ryuhou may be interested in me,” Mimori added to the conversation. “How long were you standing around the corner, Officer Adjani?”

 

“Oh I got there right about when you slapped him for kissing you. And I'll reserve judgment on him for another day since you seem to be loyal to your boyfriend. But, out of curiosity-.”

 

“You won't believe it,” TK said, cutting her off. It was as if he knew what she was about to ask. “Mimori here is dating Kazuma.”

 

After pausing shortly at this revelation, Cherise burst into hysterical laughter. Her arms went to her abdomen and she doubled over as her stomach began hurting from her laughing. “K-Kazuma? Bwa-ha-ha-ha! Ohh, that's… that's rich! Hoo-hoo-hooo! S-s-sorry, but now I-I'm glad you d-didn't tell Ry-Ryuhou. He'd have… have really blown h-his top!”

 

“Why is that?” wondered a clueless Mimori.

 

Trying very hard to stop herself from laughing, Cherise explained, “Be-because Ryuhou… Ryuhou hates Kazuma's guts. They've crossed swords so many times lately… we were late today because we accidentally ran across Kazuma, Dearka and Kimishima on the way here. Ryuhou immediately ordered us to attack them and just charged right in. Oh, but we… I mean they… they got away.”

 

It was then Cherise remembered the others were waiting for her. Breathing heavily from all her laughter, she opened the door leading outside. “Well, I'd better hurry before they come looking for me. Nice to meet you, Dr. Kiryu. Kanami, TK, be seeing ya real soon!” With a quick wink, she exited the office, giggling as she went.

 

“Strange girl,” was all Mimori could say.

 

“You should meet one of the girls I knew growing up; Mimi is just something else.” TK suddenly registered what Cherise had told him in parting. “And what did she mean by she'll us again soon?”

 

“Maybe it has to do with her kissing you, Take-kun.”

 

TK blinked in disbelief. He hadn't remembered the peck on the cheek Cherise gave him just before he lost consciousness earlier. “Say wha??”

 

Kanami just smiled and turned away, eyes closed. “Oh, nothing. Tee-hee!”

 

Meanwhile, driving back towards the city, Davis asked Cherise why she was smiling and giggling so much.

 

“Just thinking of something funny, that's all.” Kazuma's got a girlfriend; and Ryuhou's childhood friend at that. If I wasn't afraid of the outcome, I'd pay good money to see what would happen if Ryuhou found out.

 

Elsewhere, back at the former clinic, Kazuma sneezed violently for the fifth time that day. “Okay, somebody's talking smack about me. I just know it!”

 

 

 

To be continued…