"LINE UP!" I said to my squads
I saw all of them jog over to me, I tapped my foot impatiently, I drew in a breath and was stopped by a sharp pain in my chest, I coughed it off.
When the squads got here I looked at all of them, my eyes passing each person.
"I will be going on leave," I said to the squads, I looked at them again and walked the other way, I only got a few steps then
"Why Captain," A voice from behind me said
"Cause," I paused and looked at my star duellist "Yukata… I- I have to go, I'm gettin' old,"
"How old even are you?" She asked tilting her head
"Too old,"
I started to walk back again footsteps behind me got faster.
"Cap, who's gonna run the troops?" She asked
"That's two, and I was thinking about maybe you and Ryan… yall seem to get along splendidly,"
"Ryan isn't a fire though he's a Cancer," She said with a confused face
"But, he is a water… waters' are the strongest," I said pumping out my chest
"It's not always about who's strong though," She looked over at the incoming troops of Cancer, "It's sometimes about skill, and intuition," She looked back at me
"You'll do fine, they like you, bye now," I said as I walked away, I took a few steps and turned around to see her looking back at all the squads, I took a slightly bent cigarette out of my upper pocket and popped it into my mouth, I saw Katana a distance away and I walked to her in a slow fashion.
"Ms. Katana," I said sliding next to her looking into the distance.
"Captain Graham," She said and sighed
I pulled out another cigarette from my pocket and shoulder nudged Katana, "Cigarette?" I asked, she faced me and held out her hand without hesitation.
"You are gonna be my down-fall, Luis," She said
"Here," I pulled out my box of matches and lit the flame, we both stood there about a kilometer away from anybody else in happy silence.
"So… who looking to be the one this time?" Katana asked, puffing her cigarette and still looking out.
"I think it's my time to turn in for good," I said looking at her
She turned to me with a straight face and drew a long breath. "Who's gonna take your place?" She asked raising her eyebrows.
"I'm between a Cancer and a Leo," I said looking at the dirt
"Cancer?"
"I've been getting recommendations from all- well most of the other generals that the Cancer is the obvious choice, and shouldn't be denied," I said taking a long puff
"Do you like this said Cancer?" She asked facing at me
"No, not really, too cocky for me, he needs discipline and respect," I said
"And the Leo?" She asked shifting her weight
"I love that girl, I see her as my daughter in a sense, I feel she's really learned from me and would benefit from the promotion, since she is so looked down upon," I said taking another long puff.
"Well I see we have an answer," She said
"See, if I pick the Leo, god knows what hell the other generals will do to her, I don't wanna put her through that, she's already been through enough," I said kicking the dirt.
"Still kicks dirt when you're undecided for 15 years," She said smiling
"Shut up,"
She faced me and raised both eyebrows, "I think you should go with the Leo, if she is strong enough as you say she is, she will be just fine,"
"Alright… I set up this task for them to do, and if one of them's does the better choice, I'll pick that person," I said
"There any bets so far?" She asked taking a long puff
"5 generals betted 500 each for Cancer," I said stepping in front of Katana
"Chia-Wei?" She asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Nope,"
"Mmm… put me for 800 on the Leo,"
I laughed a gutted laugh, "That's my Yeonkkoch," I said patting her shoulder.
I stood by her side and stared at the dirt, grass, and trees that stemmed for miles.
"Luis, you should hurry and retire," She said
"Why?"
"Cause your husband prolly banging another man," She said taking the last puff and throwing the cigarette to the ground crushing it with her black boots.
"He's too old, my age… nobodies gonna wanna "bang" I put up air quotes "A saggy ass," I said.
"You'd be surprised about how many inexperienced twinks there are waiting for a daddy," She said with a big grin on her face, putting her hands into her pants, she looked good as ever, a dark camouflage tank top with dark green jeans.
"Those twinks are gonna be looking at a grandpa," I said and chuckled
She giggled, I haven't heard that sound in a while
"I best be going now," I backed up slowly, "Lovely to catch up," I said walking backward.
she did a slight nod and turned away.
I walked on the rugged, unbalanced dirt road while looking at the squads I was next to the plane when the pilot said "No cigarettes on the plane,"
I grumbled at him in his white suit then he added "however contraband is allowed to a specific extent, make do with that what you will,"
I looked at him and drew a gutted laugh that turned into a coughing fit while I walked closer to the plane, he walked beside me.
"Captain!" I heard a voice yell from behind me, "Wait!"
I turned slowly and saw the Cancer I smiled drew a fake smile and turned around to walk faster.
By the time I was almost at the steps had reached me, I slowly swerved my body around and looked up at this six-foot man.
"What can I do for you, Mr. Koude of Cancer," I said
"Who is in charge of this assignment, because there's a Leo that thinks she's in charge with me and I know that this is mine," He said pointing his hands behind him.
I looked over his shoulder for a split second and back at him.
"Yes, you both are running this assignment, and you both will get along," I said and looked into his eyes "Have a good day Mr. Koude," I added heading up the steps to the plane.
On the plane, I saw the captain close the door and take off his hat, "How can I be of service, Mr. Graham,"
"You don't have to call me that when we're alone," I said sitting in a seat
The captain sat across from me our feet touching, he leaned in and touched my thigh.
"I think we should get you home don't u think?" Said the Captian
"You just wanna rush to New York don't you," I said looking outside the window.
"Yes, of course," He said
I lightly chuckled...
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