A Moment's Rest

Relieved and feeling some disbelief at how easy the conversation went with Hitler, Chizuru and Shion finally made it back to Chizuru's apartment. Chizuru unlocked the door, half expecting assasins to be waiting for them, but instead the pair was greeted by a familiar bushy black tail. 

Shion scooted past Chizuru and picked up the happy kitty, giving him countless kisses. Alexander screamed at Shion and jumped out of her arms leading her to the kitchen, and began scratching on one of the lower cabinets. Shion opened it and found a bag of dry cat food inside. Alexander then ran to his little metal dish and began screaming louder. Shion poured a scooper full, and as if to say thank you, Alexander purred and rubbed his body on Shion's leg before starting to chow down on his kibble.

While Shion proceeded to fill Alexander's water and scoop his litter, Chizuru leaned against the doorframe, enchanted by her lover's gentleness and her care for animals. It was crazy to think that as gentle as Shion was, she was feared by many for her cruel interrogations and cold personality. Chizuru remembered the first time she had seen this gentle side of Shion. They were at OTS, Chizuru had seen Shion walk into the woods, and she followed to see what was going on. Shion pulled out a large dish full of seeds and some bread crumbs. She sat on a rotted out log and slowly, the creatures of the forest started to appear. Like some enchanted princess, the animals fed from atop her shoulders and made themselves comfy on her head. The part that appealed to Chizuru the most was Shion's soft and gentle smile. That was the first time she had ever seen Shion at ease with her normally thick walls collapsed. Chizuru would always cherish these moments with Shion, and hoped that one day they would be the norm. 

After Shion took care of Alexander, she turned to Chizuru and started making some small talk. "You know Chizuru, I really didn't think that was gonna be so easy. I guess I forgot how big of an idiot Hitler has become. The dude can write a speech for sure, but it's hard to believe all the stories about him from the 2nd World War. He is basically a glorified playboy at this point."

Chizuru nodded in total agreement. 

Shion continued, "Anyways,... can I move in here? I know it's small and everything but um... I want to be with you more. I mean we have a wedding to plan and all that. I know it's not conventional to live together before we get married, but..."

Chizuru walked up to Shion and put her finger to her lips. "Sweetheart, you're blabbing. You don't even have to ask me if you can move in. I've wanted you with me for ages." Chizuru stroked Shion's cheek with the back of her hand before leaning in for a long kiss.

Shion was enjoying the warmth that Chizuru was sharing with her when she spoke once again, "Chizuru, do you think we can get married next Saturday? I know that isn't far away, but I want you to know how much you mean to me and I want things to be official. I was also thinking, I want to call you by a different name, one to show how close we are. You know up until about 100 years ago, Japan used to use an honorific system."

"You mean like san or sama? That thing?"

"Yes, that. How about I call you Chi-chan from now on?" Shion's face was bright red.

Seeing Shion all flustered was new for her and it was doing wonders for Chizuru as she felt her body become hot. Chizuru replied playfully, "Hmm, Chi-chan... How about I call you Shi-Chan? No, that isn't quite right, it sounds too much like Chi, how about just Shion-chan?"

Shion smiled shyly, "I've never had a nickname before. Not even my parents had one for me. Thank you, ...Chi-chan. Not to kill the mood or anything, but I'm just realizing that we smell like smoke. Do you want to take a bath? With me?" Shion's face was becoming redder and redder with each passing second.

Rather than reply, Chizuru simply swept Shion off her feet and carried her to the bathroom. Shion started the water while Chizuru grabbed a bottle from the vanity next to the tub. She poured in the contents, and bubbles started to form on the surface of the water. Shion looked both confused and amazed at the same time, "Chi-chan what is that?"

Chizuru replied, "It's a bubble bath. You haven't seen it before?"

Shion shook her head rapidly with an innocent expression. 

Chizuru giggled, "It's ok. You can touch it."

Shion's eyes lit-up as she scooped up some bubbles. After a few seconds Shion noticed Chizuru looking at her and suddenly got embarrassed.

Chizuru giggled again, "You don't have to stop. I think it's cute Shion-chan."

The two's eyes suddenly met and it was almost as if they were drawn together by magnets not separating even as they got undressed and into the tub. 

After their hour of fun, the two got dressed and dried each other's hair, before putting on their civies. Shion put on a scarf to cover the mark on her neck which was a gift from Chizuru. The two had decided they would go visit Adam since the situation uptop was stable at the moment. Plus, Shion wanted Chizuru to really get to know her father while he was still here. No one knew enough about how he was made to know if he would be able to have anywhere near a normal life or if he would die tomorrow.

Shion said goodbye to Alexander before they two headed for the tunnels. 

When they arrived Sayaka was waiting near the gate. Wearing her characteristically sexy lingerie, she did a little dance while opening the gate. Then she blew a kiss to Shion. Chizuru scowled. 

Sayaka grinned widely, "Relax carrot-top, just showing Shion what she's missing." Sayaka took a look at the scarf and smirked, "Well, now I know what you two were "cleaning up uptop"'.

Chizuru's face turned red while Shion just gave Sayaka a sarcastic smile. Sayaka did one last whirl as she left them by the door to the Rebellion's physician's office.

Adam was sitting up on a metal table, the doctor looking at some images on a computer screen. Apparently he had done a CT and an MRI. The doctor explained that Adam had severe damage to the vertebrae in his back and would never walk again without drastic treatment. Nanites could potentially fix it, but they may also fix his implant which would not be safe at all. In other words, there wasn't anything they could do but provide him with a wheelchair.  

Adam wasn't upset at all. He was just grateful that he would get to spend some time with his daughter. Shion similarly was just glad that her father would get to see her get married. Shion brought Adam in his new wheelchair into the tunnels and back to the rebellion living quarters. Chizuru was impressed at how large and clean the space was as this was her first time ever being in this part of the tunnels.

Finally, the three of them were alone. Shion introduced Chizuru. "Papa, this is my fiance 2nd Lt. Chizuru Yamamoto. We've been together since before either of us knew about our involvement in the rebellion. I'm not asking for permission, but I would really love it if you would come to our wedding. We were thinking about Saturday. So...?"

Adam laughed heartily, "You don't even have to ask me. If you trust Chizuru, so do I. But I am curious how you girls wind up together?"

Chizuru jumped at the chance to talk to Adam and told him how they first met, how they competed against each other, exchanged letters, went on dates, and how clueless Shion was about the whole situation which made Adam laugh even harder. Chizuru ended the conversation earnestly, "Sir, I just wanted to thank you. You had such a huge impact on my life, and if I hadn't met you I wouldn't be who I am today. And I thank you for making Shion, she is the love of my life and I couldn't imagine life without her in it."

Adam smiled and turned to Shion, "I like her, she seems like a good kid. So where is the wedding going to be?"

Shion answered quickly, "It's a surprise for Chizuru," she whispered into Adam's ear. 

He smiled brightly, "That's a great choice. Why don't you let me work out the details for you kids and you just worry about the clothes?"

The women held hands and smiled at each other marking the end of their brief time away from work.