[Mushball Universe, Dark!Shinkengers plot]

[interpolate]

After my up-close-and-personal encounter with Messiah's lieutenant, I found myself waking up in a world of pain, back at base, and sure of exactly one thing: I have to save him.

I let Takosawa mother-hen at me for three days, which is three whole days more than I want to put up with that kind of behavior, and is about six months less than Takosawa bargained for. It'll be a while before the octopus in question forgives me for undermining his authority by going directly to the commander and requesting to be placed back on active duty as soon as possible, which, considering there's only four of us equipped to do this job, is basically guaranteed as soon as I'm capable of standing.

Of course, I'm still not combat ready, what with this limp, and the semi-frequent headaches, and the still healing bruises. But I'm well enough to return to deep cover at the High School, which is precisely what I want anyway.

Comments

[red_pleather]

I've been notified that Etienne's coming back to school today. I was ordered back here once we were sure he wasn't dead. I fought, but had to go eventually.

I stand by the entrance. Then pace. Then stand again. Then keep pacing. He can't be ready. He can't be.

I can't let him get hurt again.

[interpolate]

I think I'm doing pretty well to make it to school at all. I'm not sure how I'm going to survive the entire day with this limp, but at least I haven't been struck with a headache, yet.

I was told the official story is that I was in a traffic accident. I suppose that does a reasonable job of explaining the injuries I've sustained.

I know it's wrong to hope that Takeru will show up again today, maybe with his team. But I do anyway. I have to save him.

Hiromu is at the main entrance to the school when I arrive, and I imagine he's been waiting for me, so I turn my steps to meet him half way. "Salut, Hiromu."

[red_pleather]

I can't help but smile when I see him, but it's tinged with worry. Can't let the other students see just how much worry. I grip his shoulder lightly. "Etienne. How are you?"

[interpolate]

I lean into his grip slightly, it lets me take my weight off my bad leg for however short a time.

"Very well, thank you." It's not even a lie. I'm feeling pretty well, all things considered. "And... and you?"

[red_pleather]

"Better than you," I answer with a rueful smile. He looks better than the last time I saw him, but still not *well*. "I'm sticking close by you, by the way."

[interpolate]

"You sound like Takosawa," I mutter softly, glancing around to judge the probability of our conversation being overheard. "I'm fine."

I can pretend. To prove it, I take a step away from him, and manage not to limp. "What, are you going to crash all my classes?"

[red_pleather]

"Sometimes Takosawa's right," I grin at him, forcing some of the worry down. He was *so* hurt.

My face falls. "Okay, so maybe I could've thought that through better."

[interpolate]

That's the last thing I want to hear. "Did he put you up to this?" I demand quietly, frowning and hoping Hiromu's trademark bluntness will come through in a pinch and reveal Takosawa's obsessive mothering for what it is.

"That's what I thought. Don't worry so much. I'm older than you, don't forget. And I'm not helpless."

[red_pleather]

"A little," I admit. "But you..." I sigh, and pull him aside gently, mindful of his leg, out of the crush. "I agree you shouldn't be coddled forever. But it's okay to take more than a few days when you were that hurt." My voice cracks, and I bite my lower lip nearly hard enough to draw blood.

"I know you're not helpless." I sigh. "If EMC says you're ready, and you want to be back, it's your decision."

[interpolate]

He pulls me out of the flow of students so he can speak to me somewhat approaching privately, and I sigh at his admitted guilt. "I'm fine. So I'm a little sore." I can't be mad at him, though, because his voice has a waver in it and he looks so worried. He shouldn't be, but that's his business, not mine.

"I'm not cleared for combat." I tell him, in what I hope is a reassuring tone. "This is strictly reconnaissance."

[red_pleather]

"Psychologically, though?" I push, because I've read the literature. I don't claim to understand it all. But there has to be some effect from what happened to him, and I'm concerned both as a, um, friend and as a teammate.

He says he's only doing recon, and I sigh. "Okay. Thanks for telling me."

[interpolate]

He's been reading too much. I blame Takosawa, I really do. I'll have to have a talk with Nick about letting my BuddyRoid do all of his mothering. Hiromu gets that enough from his sister, I'm sure. "I'm fine." I insist, reaching to grab his wrist and give it a little squeeze. "I need to be here."

[red_pleather]

"...you want to save him, don't you," I say, watching his face intently. I sigh, shoulders slumping. "So do I."

[interpolate]

"It's more than that." I grumble, meeting his eyes so he'll know I'm serious. "I have to save him. We have to save him, that's our job."

[red_pleather]

I give him an extremely wry smile, arms folded. "I surrender," I tell him. "Your logic is impeccable."

Yes, I can admit when I'm wrong.

I can hear Nick laughing at me even though he's nowhere around.

[interpolate]

I can't tell whether he's being serious or not. Hiromu's not really the type to joke. He's not very good at it either. But why would he tease me over something so important.

"That's right." I say, shaking my head and taking a limping step away from him. "So, we'll save him. And his team too."

[red_pleather]

I nod, and start moving after him, hating that he's limping, but class is about to start. "I have intel for you but it might have to wait."

[interpolate]

I hang back when he mentions intel, waiting for him to catch up to me before continuing towards my first class, him right beside me. I can tell he's still overly worried about me. Oh well. "How about lunch?"

[red_pleather]

"Lunch sounds good," I give him a smile, wishing I could force him into bed right now.

[interpolate]

"Stop looking so worried." I grumble at him. "I'm fine." I stop outside of my classroom and grab his shoulder again. "I promise. I'll see you at lunch."

[red_pleather]

I peer into his classroom and relax when I see Gentarou's there. He's an idiot, no doubt about it, but at least he can help Etienne if there's an attack.

I pat his hand on my shoulder. "Looking forward to it."