Chapter 24

Edward waded his way from the War Room, his eyes red and the bags he grew long. Edward had not slept for what felt like several weeks, though it had only been two days. There was so much work to be done that he couldn't afford to sleep. The majority of Hoja City's defensive population would be, or are already, going on important excursions and with the lack of manpower Edward needed to reorganize the defensive structure of the City. Kuromorimine was the school to have the largest population still in the city. Half of both Uncle Sam and Pravda are preparing to leave for the rendezvous with the Association farces in the north. Saunders, St. Gloriana, Virginia, and Montana all left to deal with the Gustav Cannon yesterday. If they still haven't run into each other Edward would call it luck. He had set the four schools on a little goose chase to specifically make the four schools meet up. He didn't lie to them, not exponentially at least. Sergeant Gary Ramirez gave actual intel on the Federation defensive line that cut the association off from the rest of the northern sectors. Plus the heavy foot traffic around certain parts of the sector gave off a great deal of information. Edward knew the location of the Cannon already but opted to let the four schools find out themselves. This would give them a sense of accomplishment and something they all achieved together, and that's what Saunders and Montana needed right now. The start of a bond.

Now Edward was exhausted. He had finished all his work he assigned himself to be done today and decided that now would be the best time to catch up on sleep. But unfortunately he would be cut short as he noticed Samuel walking away from a section of the base he had started to attend to normally. Logic gave way to curiosity and Edward walked over to Samuel with questions.

"Sam. How's she doing?" Edward asked.

"She's, quiet. She seems to be taking the news of her condition rather well, but I really think that she needs closer support." Samuel said.

"Meaning what?" Edward asked.

"I think a visit from a friend would be the next best course of action. If you aren't to busy you could stop by and see her yourself. I know from one glance you need sleep and I wont stop you if that's what you need more, I could always get Erika away from patrol for a few hours." Samuel said.

Edward knew what Samuel was doing. Erika was just as rigorously focused on the new defensive plans as he was. Possibly even more. Samuel saying he'll get her to check on Maho would be saying that Edward himself gave Samuel permission to get her off patrol. Erika would go to Maho no doubts there, but then she would immediately complain to Edward about how she needed to be out there while the rest of the Joint High School Force was away. Edward saw through the non-visible sly grin on Samuels face and chose to fall for his game.

"I still go another hour or two in me before I pass out. Might as well." Edward said patting Samuel on the back as he started his way towards the girls quarters.

Maho's room was not far from the entrance. She was only forty yards or so away. Edward made his way through the building passing a pair of Kuromorimine girls as he made the final turn. The girls paid him no mind. They knew why he was here, and no one would really have a need to question why.

Edward reached Maho's door, raised his hand, and nocked three times. He waited for some seconds before a response came.

"It's open." Maho said through the door.

Edward opened the door and walked inside shutting the door closed afterwards. He glanced at Maho laying down facing the wall, her back towards him. Edward took a chair by the table to his left and placed it down by Maho's bed. There he just sat waiting for her to speak.

After a while Maho grew inpatient. Everyone who had come to see her so far wanted to talk to her or ask if she was ok. Samuel said that her mind is still fragile with what Akari had said to her. Now someone had entered her room and was just sitting there not talking. Why? When she turned around and saw Edward sitting there she eyes grew soft. He was one of the people she both wanted and didn't want to see.

Maho had no desire for Edward to see her like this. So distraught and down. Full of nothing but fear and anguish. Yet at the same time it was that fear and anguish that made want to jump into his arms and cry. She was so scared. Imagining the look of disappointment on her mothers face eventually turned to imagining a face of disgust. Maho's heart was weakening from all the fear of facing her mother. The fear of learning that she was no longer loved because she wanted to help people who needed it. She was so confused.

"Why are you here Edward?" Maho asked.

"I came to see you. That's it." Edward said.

"You didn't come to talk, or ask if I'm ok? You just came to see me?" Maho asked.

Edward only nodded.

"Why?" She said.

"Why not? You're my friend, and you're hurt. I would not just leave you fend for yourself. If you want to talk I will listen. If you need help I will assist. If you need comfort I will care for you, it's as simple as that." Edward said.

Maho blinked. She then giggled and turned away again. "Then just sit there and wait for when I need something." Maho said.

"As long as it takes." Edward said. Though he hopped it would be soon so he could sleep, he would stay up all night again if need be.

For several minutes they sat silent. No talking or moving, just silence. Maho thinking about herself, her mother and sister, her team, Edward, everything. And Edward just sat still watching her. Guarding her. He knew she would talk to him eventually, so he just need to be patient. Minutes turned to a whole hour. One whole hour between the two and ne'er a word was spoken. The two only watched their respective views. Maho looking at the wall, and Edward gazing at her.

"You are without a doubt the most persistent person I have ever met." Maho said breaking the silence.

"Why is that?" Edward asked.

"You just come in and sit there and wait for me to start talking when it is quite obvious that I don't want to talk." Maho said.

"There's no need to talk. If you just want to lay there and sleep then I'll sit her till you're ready. If you want me to listen or anything else just tell me, I'm here for you right now, not for myself." Edward said.

"I'm starting to see why you Americans have made friends with most of your past enemies." Maho said.

Edward only chuckled. There was a modicum of truth to her words.

Maho gave off a loud sigh and began sitting up. She caved; Edward won. It was time to talk to him.

"What do you want me to say?" Maho asked.

"What ever you want. I'm just here to listen." Edward said.

Maho only looked at her hands, folded together on her lap. She really didn't want to talk and there for had nothing in mind to talk about. So she didn't. for another five minutes there was no talking. Just silence. Again Maho sighed and then finally spoke.

"I hate sitting in bed. I should out there working with everyone trying to get back a strong position so we can blow that heinous bag of trash Akari off this island. I should be coordinating in the War Room with the others and I should be referring to you when I have a theory or tactic or assumption about a possible target or battlefield. I shouldn't have to sit in this room for days just because of a few harsh words!" Maho's voice grew in volume the more she went on.

"Why?" Edward asked.

"Because I was voted to be Co-commander with you. I should be working like my stations tells me to. Not sitting in bed being waited on. I am the proud commander of Kuromorimine Girls Academy Sensha Do team. I am the heir of the Nishizumi style of Sensha Do and I should not let the names of my family and school be tarnished because of something I can overcome." Maho finished.

Edward just looked at her. "Say something. Please." Maho begged him, tears now coming from her eyes.

"You are not the Commander of Kuromorimine Girls Academy Sensha Do team, you are not the heir of the Nishizumi style, and you are not letting any names be that of a family or school be dragged through the mud. Right now you are Maho Nishizumi, an eighteen-year-old girl with anxiety who knows just how scared she is of what the future encounter with your mother may hold. You are not supposed to be someone important to an army right now. I know that may sound cold but right now you need to be just Maho. A scared girl and one of my best friends." Edward said.

Maho's tears came only faster as he finished. He was right and she knew it. She wasn't to be important in the aspects of leading an army or creating strategy. She was important in the fact that she was sick, and everyone worried about her. Her sister, her vice commander, her team, and her best friend.

Maho looked at Edward teary eyes and red face. he responded with a kind smile and his hand wiping away at her tears. His hand then lay on her cheek, his thumb slowing running itself back and forth in a soothing motion. Maho grabbed his arm and tugged him forward. Edward stood from the chair and sat besides her on the bed, never taking his eyes off her. For several minutes they sat in silence again, but this time it was far more enjoyable. It was comforting. It was lovely. It gave Maho such a wonderful feeling that she couldn't help herself. She slowly looked at Ed, raised her head towards his and kissed him right on the lips.

Edwards eyes widened. But he made no move to stop her. His own heart began thumping in his chest and a blush appeared on his face. Maho pulled back, a heavy blush on her face. she looked into Edwards eyes and in that instant poured her heart out to him.

"I love you Edward. I love you so much I can only feel safe when I'm with you. I can't face my mother; I can't do it. I'm to scared. I'm so pathetic that I would hide behind you and hope you would take the brunt of any pain or hurt for me. That's not something you could love back. I only want you to know so I have nothing holding me back anymore. I Love you." Maho then laid her head on Edwards chest. Her eyes bawling tears. She just admitted that she loved him, but also told him why he cant love her. Maho would be heart broken. Except for a non-known fact.

Edward placed both his hands on Maho's cheeks and raised her head again. This time he kissed her on the lips savoring her taste as she just sat there shocked. Once he ended the kiss he pressed his forehead to hers and gazed into her eyes.

"I love you to Maho. I would gladly take all that pain and hurt for you. I doubt there is anything in the world that could hurt me more then what Akari did to me, but even if there is, I would throw myself in front of you and safeguard your life every single time. You are the one who saved us from that dreaded prison Maho. My life has been yours long before today." Edward said.

Maho's teary eyes only wept more. She again put her head on Edwards chest and wrapped her arms around him, for fear of him leaving her. she wanted to stay this way for as long as she could. She wouldn't care for any consequence. In her eyes she finally found something good on this island, and she would have it no matter the cost.

"Stay with me tonight Ed. Don't leave me." Maho said.

"I won't." Edward said.

"Let me give myself to you. I don't care what happens I want to be close to you. I want you to be close to me. I just want to be loved again." Maho said.

"Maho, I know your mother still loves you. But if you are completely certain she doesn't then what ever you want I will give you." Edward.

"I don't believe she has completely no love for me. She just hasn't treated me like a daughter in so long. I miss her hugs and reassuring voice. Please Ed let me give myself to you." Maho said.

Edward thought about her words. Both her thoughts and her request. With a flutter in his heart he agreed to
Maho's request. She sat up again and the two locked eyes. They both leaned in and kissed each other, wrapping their arms around one another, falling back onto the bed for, what possibly, was the best night of their lives.