*Saffron*
[Earlier]
"Hey, Cuz!" Milo said as he looked up from the table. He was munching on some cereal.
I rubbed my head. How strange. Usually I was the one up with the chickens. Had I overslept?
"What time is it?" I asked, getting up.
"Breakfast time! Want a burrito? I got two!" he said, holding one toward me.
My stomach grumbled. Right, I hadn't eaten all day. That was probably why my head hurt.
Milo sighed as I took the burrito and sat in the sofa opposite of his. "Ya must've been more tired out than I was. When I returned, ya were asleep like a log. Had to eat the food I got ya. Not that I minded. It was delish!"
"Seems like it."
He leaned forward slightly. "Have other things on your mind, don'tcha?"
I bit into my burrito. It had chicken and spicy sauce. Could Rose handle such food?
"Ya missing the misses, aren'tcha?" Milo asked, smiling slightly.
I closed my eyes and sighed. "I'm fine. Worry more about the mission."
My cousin sighed. "Although, if ya stay like this, the mission might be impacted."
I opened my eyes and took another bite of the burrito. He had a point there. I had to take better care of myself.
"Pass me a drink," I said, holding a hand out.
Milo smiled and passed the orange sports drink over to me. "Here you go!"
I wolfed the burrito and drink down.
"Hey, slow down. You're eating worse than Gael!" Milo said.
I hit my chest a little. "I'm fine."
He furrowed his brow. "Liar."
I stood up. "I'm going to train."
Milo sighed. "Ya going to avoid the subject?"
"What subject?"
My cousin crossed his arms. "Rosemary!"
I sighed. "It's best that I don't think too much of her."
He stood up and followed me. "Say, why did you want the king to marry her off to you?"
I reached for the doorknob and stopped. "Her father, King Kouji, was verbally abusive toward her. Think that's what pushed her toward attempting to take her life."
Milo gasped. "Princess Rosemary tried to kill herself?"
I lowered my head. This is why I didn't want to talk about it.
Taking a deep breath, I turned toward him. "Unfortunately. Although, I managed to save her in time. Thankfully, I saw her after she jumped." I glared at him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Now, promise me that ya won't tell anyone about this."
Milo snickered. "Promise, Cuz. Ya secret's safe with me!"
I let go. "Thanks."
My cousin rubbed his shoulder. "That said, did ya really only marry her to save her from that situation?"
I shook my head. "Stop asking so many questions."
He gave me a cat-like smile and giggled. "Oh? Hiding something? Come on, Saf. Ya can tell your favorite cousin!"
I crossed my arms. Milo always was rather inquisitive. He wouldn't stop until I gave in.
Taking a deep breath, I said, "Rose is beautiful, okay?"
Milo gasped. "Wow, Saf admitting a girl is pretty! I knew ya would grow up at some point."
I narrowed my eyes some more. "Oh? Ya thought I was childish? Funny, coming from ya."
He raised his hands. "Uh, your accent is showing."
I smirked. "And ya know what that means, right?"
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make fun of ya!"
I turned around. "Let's get going."
Milo lowered his arms. "Wait, ya not mad at me anymore?"
I glanced at him. "Who says I'm not? If ya train well, I'll forgive ya."
"Alright." My cousin rubbed his head and followed me out. "Although, I don't think ya told me the whole story. Ya ain't a shallow guy, Saf."
My cheeks warmed up a little. "Ya pushing ya luck again, Private."
Milo snickered. "Sorry."
I sped up. "Now, less talking, more training. Or ya will be Private forever."
"Aye aye, captain!" my cousin said, rushing after me. "So where are we off to? A gym?"
I laughed. "Outside."
He gulped. "O-outside? In this weather?"
I shrugged. "It's rather cool compared to the afternoon."
Milo groaned. "Ya insane."
I snickered. Maybe a little. Wonder if Rose enjoyed the sun. It was autumn now, so it probably wasn't too harsh on her.
"Race ya!" Milo said, running ahead.
I laughed slightly and caught up with him. Like I would lose to him.
***
"Hey, Captain, Milo," Koyuki said, waving as soon as we arrived at the lobby. She held a bag of bread.
Milo gravitated her and took a deep whiff. "Smells good! Is it fresh?"
She nodded and took a small loaf out. "Want one?"
"Sure do! Running worked up my appetite."
My lieutenant smiled as she took another another loaf. "Here you go."
He beamed as he took it. He nibbled on it like a squirrel, a very fast one.
I crossed my arms. "You sure can eat, Private."
Koyuki smiled slightly. "Captain, ya want one?"
I shook my head. "No thanks."
Milo nudged me.
I sighed and held out my hand. "On second thought, alright."
She chuckled and handed me a loaf. "Didn't eat a thing last night, huh?"
I took a bite. Hmm, it was pretty good. Although, the texture was a tad rough. Ma's was better.
Milo grinned and patted his stomach. "That sure hit the spot!"
The clown. He was acting as if he was the one who hadn't eaten last night.
Milo rubbed his head. "Although, I am kind of hungry again."
Koyuki giggled. "Captain's right, you sure love eating."
He flexed his arms. "I have to if I'm to keep these beauties!"
I snickered. Milo sure was confident. Although, he had the muscles to back it up.
Koyuki walked up to him and touched his right bicep. "They are nice and firm."
Milo grinned. "Want me to flex them more?"
I crossed my arms. Don't tell me he was trying to woo Koyuki with his muscles?
Koyuki giggled and pulled her hand away. "Maybe later." She turned to me. "Captain, ready to train?"
I nodded.
Milo's shoulders slumped. "Aw."
I elbowed his stomach. "Ya complaining?"
Milo shook his head. "N-no!"
Koyuki giggled as she took out a loaf of bread and began eating it. Seemed she'd bought four.
"Say, where is Lt. Uneri?" Milo asked.
Koyuki lowered her bread. "He said he was off to the lake, but didn't say why."
Milo rubbed his chin. "Lake, huh? Wonder if he's fishing."
I sighed. That didn't sound like Uneri. Knowing him, he likely went to investigate some more. Or maybe the ship had already arrived.
"Well, we're heading there anyway," I said.
Milo tilted his head. "Lake?"
I nodded. Training outdoors was best. Plus, Milo needed to improve his endurance. Swimming a couple of laps should've done the trick.
"Yay!" Milo cheered.
Koyuki finished her loaf and curled up the bag to keep it fresh for Uneri. "Lead the way, Captain."
I nodded and headed to the door. Milo and Koyuki followed me. We walked outside and took the path leading to the lake.
Milo gasped as he saw a couple of merchants. "Food stalls! Wanna get something else to eat?"
"Ya gonna get cramps," I said, shaking my head.
Koyuki gasped. "You okay, Captain? You're talking in your accent."
I covered my mouth. Right, needed to speak proper. "Sorry. Milo will suffer cramps if he keeps stuffing his face."
Milo crossed his arms. "Captain, ya making me sound like a pig!"
I snickered. He certainly ate like one.
Milo grumbled. "Although, ya right." He patted his stomach. "I'm feeling a little bloated."
I smirked. Served him right. Milo always was gluttonous. One would think he descended from the Mizu no Kin rather than the Kuroriku and Kasai no Ki.
"Maybe I should lay off the bread a little if I want to keep my figure.
I laughed slightly. Milo sure was self absorbed. Wonder what Rose thought about guys like him.
Milo pumped his fists. "Although, bread sure is delicious!"
He reminded me of little Sal. Sal loved bread too, almost as much as he loved cars. Which was a good thing, as all he had to eat when he was a toddler was bread, and sometimes squash. Alli was sadly, much pickier.
We continued walking until we reached the lakefront beach.
Milo jumped and began unbuttoning his shirt. "Swimming time!"
I sighed. "Warm up first, dummy."
Koyuki blushed a little as she stared at Milo's half shirtless body. Hmm, wonder if Milo had caught her eye after all.
Milo snickered. Seems he noticed her gaze. "Y-ya checking me out, Koyu?"
My lieutenant quickly turned around and rubbed her red cheeks. "I-I am going to go stretch, over there. Away from you."
My cousin frowned. "Did I scare her off?"
I patted Milo's shoulder. "Ya definitely scared her off."
He sighed. "Captain, help a bro out here!"
I crossed my arms. "Focus on the mission. You can hold off on getting yourself a girlfriend later. Also, don't forget she's of higher rank than you."
Milo groaned. "Captain, ya such a stickler."
I smirked. Stickler or not, Milo still had much to improve upon. Especially his stamina. That body his was big, but it also burned a lot of energy.
Milo watched as Koyuki stretched. He drooled a little as he stared at her back
I bonked his head. "Focus."
Milo rubbed his head. "Alright, alright! I understand! No need to get violent!" He found a nice spot and sat down, stretching.
I sat down beside him and stretched as well.
"It's not enough," I said, pushing down on his back with one hand.
"Ahh! That hurts! Why ya gotta be strict so often?"
I snickered. Better to be strict than lazy. Especially with a cousin like Milo.
After warming up, we stripped down to our trunks and went into the lake. Koyuki joined us as well.
Milo sighed as we swarm back and forth pallerel to the beach. "Captain, ya such a slave driver!"
I smirked. Milo was the one who joined the marines. He should've known what he was getting into.
I rubbed the back of my head. Although, maybe I was being a little harsh. Milo did seem worn out.
"Hungry," he mumbled.
"Ya always hungry," I said, swimming next to him.
Milo sighed. "I burn it too quick."
True. He was a hyper guy, so it was to be expected. Although, most hyper people tended to have vast reserves. Like Sal, who was a little ball of energy. That clearly wasn't the case for Milo.
Milo sighed as we swam back to the beach and put our pants back on.
Koyuki turned away and put hers back on as well.
"Where is Uneri?" I asked, looking around. There was no boat here. And he wasn't alongside the edge of the beach either. Unless he went to find a better fishing spot, assuming he came to do that.
Milo yawned as he sat down.
"Get up. We're not done yet. Ya need to sprint."
He groaned. "Captain, ya killing me."
Why was he always so overdramatic?
"Hey! I see Uneri!" Koyuki said. She pointed at the blond man. He appeared to be talking to a Taahid official. Could it be that he was discovered?
Milo stood up and rushed over. "Lt. Uneri!"
I facepalmed. That guy. He was going to get all of us found out.
Uneri turned around. "Oh, Milo and Captain. What are ya two doing here?"
I crossed my arms. Mostly teaching Milo a lesson.
The official looked us up and down.
"Is there an issue, officer?" Milo asked.
"I'll like to see your visas," he said, holding his hand out.
Uneri glanced at me and made several signs. He wanted us to run.
Milo tilted his head. Luckily, he couldn't read sign language.
I grabbed my cousin by the wrist and began to slowly step back. "I think I might've forgotten it in the apartment," I said.
"I think I got mine," Milo said, searching his pants pockets.
"Show it," the official said, crossing his arms.
Milo frantically searched.
I sighed. This idiot. We were caught. Lt. Uneri signed to run again.
"Here's mine," Uneri said, holding out.
The official reached out to grab it, only to get shocked. He fell back into the sand. Several onlookers screamed.
Milo gasped. Lt. Uneri had rigged his visa with electricity.
Uneri rushed toward us. "To the water!"
The three of us followed him.
Milo tripped a little, but Uneri helped him up. I needed to get my cousin some food as soon as I could.
We dove into the lake and swam several meters.
"Let's hide there," Koyuki said, pointing a rock jutting out of the water.
The official got up and rubbed his head. He glared as he looked around.
Uneri signed us to swim further.
Koyuki nodded while Milo sighed.
"Hold on to me," I said, grabbing his left arm.
He smiled weakly. "Thanks, Cuz."
"Hmm? You four need some help?" a voice called out.
I glanced up and saw a white haired youth dressed in raider clothing.
"G-Gael?" Koyuki said, eyes wide.
Rose's cousin grinned as he held a hand toward us. "In the flesh!"
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Were you doing stuff on your own again?"
Gael snickered. "Perhaps. Well, not entirely alone. The old man's with me. Although, he's back at the raiders' place."
Uneri swam up and climbed onto Gael's rowboat.
Milo and Koyuki followed.
Gael smirked. "So, what trouble did you four get yourselves into?"
I glanced at Lt. Uneri. "Why did you shock that official? Was there an issue with your visa?"
"He was planning on running it through a machine to verify it."
"And what's the issue with that?" Milo asked.
"The card might be able to fool people at a glance, but it lacks the security features expected of a real visa."
I sighed. Lt. Uneri sure was prepared. His snooping around likely got the official's attention. He went ahead and did what he told us not to do last night.
Milo blinked. "So ya shocked him instead? Isn't that worse?"
Uneri looked down. "True. But taking him down before he can let others know about our presence here is better than waiting."
Gael snickered. "Can't argue with that." He pointed his finger at the water. "Although, I wouldn't mind." He made shooting noises and laughed.
I sighed. "Ever the blood knight, aren't you?" This was why I wasn't fond of going on missions with him. His wife was the same.
"Say, how can you be dressed like that? Doesn't it draw attention?" Koyuki said, pointing at Gael's raider attire.
He lowered his fingers. "That's what I expected too, but thus far, the officials haven't lifted a finger. In fact, the old man and I suspect they might be in on the scheme."
Uneri furrowed his brow. "So, the possibility the Taahids are working with the raiders is there."
I crossed my arms. While it wasn't confirmed, it was worrisome. That changed the raiders from being a group of thieves into being terrorists.
Milo gulped. "If that's true, then Lt. Uneri shocking that official might've only prolonged the inevitable."
Uneri sighed.
"What's with the long faces, boys, Koyuki?" a voice called out.
"Major Kisara!" Uneri stood up and smiled as the Major flew overhead. Not too far behind was a large ship.
"I brought what you asked for!"
I furrowed my brow. Would it work out? Could we stop the raiders and prevent the Taahid officials from getting involved? Surely, they would demand we extradite the ones we end up capturing back to their country. Then they'll be released once more.
Milo nudged me. "Captain, ya worrying too much."
I sighed. True. It was best not to dwell on such things. We had a mission to focus on.
Major Kisara landed and stared southward. "I will say, our efforts to stop a war might prove fruitless."
"What do you mean, Major?" Koyuki asked.
She crossed her arms. "The nobles are pushing for war. They believe the Taahids are harboring the raiders."
"That could be the case, but can't we resolve that issue another way?"
"I hope so. But in truth, I believe that's only a pretext. What they truly want are rest of Taahid's riches for themselves."
That's the answer I feared the most. Greed was a powerful motivator.
Uneri clenched his fists. "Then, we must nip their excuse on the bud."
Kisara nodded. "Although, that's easier said than done. The leadership of both countries want a rematch. Not caring if they prolong the suffering of the people."
I looked at the sparkling lake. Its pristine waters could soon be dyed crimson again. Was this all for naught? Had I only joined the marines to end up as a pawn for greed?