Aish*teru (I Love You) Aki LVIII: KoushiishinFollow

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Wrote this instead of studying for my exams...damn my muse...

I don’t own anything FFXI related...so SE don’t sue!

Read, review, and the like.

Previous chapters, aki, and Interludes

Part I - Connection (Enishi)

Kasho II - Kodoku (Solitude)

Part III - Reunion (Saikai)

Kasho IV- Suriyoru (Closer)

Part V- Secrets (Hiou)

Kasho VI- Hanarebanare (Apart)

Part VII- Longing (Akogare)

Kasho VIII- Takatobi (Escape)

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(Chapter LVII)
http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/forum.html?forum=35;mid=1158658394285452028;num=8;page=1

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Bonus Story: Rainfall Memories


For my Hitomi.

*****

The seas were turbulent, and over a week passed before we made it to the straits on either side of the Grand Duchy. More than once I was positive that the ocean’s blue-green salty waves would claim our ship as it’s own and would end up killing us all, but I was somewhat unfortunately wrong.

I began to push her away from my memory...

After all...

We had only been together again for a few brief hours...

***
Aki LVIII: Koushiishin
***

"Land Ahoy!"

The shout from one of the hands up on deck stirred me out of a confusing dream that I was having, involving a giant winged demon that was somewhere deep within the ruins of Pso’xja. Rubbing the last bits of the dream out of my eyes, I found that my ears were greeted with the faint sounds of mooring being secured, as the boat started to slow down and eventually stop.

The soldier who had not left my side at all during this trip offered me a hand to get me back upon my feet, and I accepted it with abit of sarcastic gratitude. I was not pleased in the least of having to spend the past eight days upon a bed, having only the conversation of what I quickly found out to be a dim-witted soldier and my own memories to keep me company.

Mounting the wooden railing and steps two at a time, I finally emerged into the morning Jueno air. The crisp scent of fresh sea air filled my nostrils, and I found that I couldn't help but let a small slant of a smile cross my lips.

It’s good to be back home...

"Commander!"

I looked to my left, and saw what must have been the captain of this vessel standing ramrod straight, his hand perfectly angled in a salute against his gray C.O.’s hat. I only nodded in return to him to indicate that he may go at ease as the old protocols of the Jeuno military started to flood back to my mind. Holding my head up at a thirty degree angle, I clasped my hands together behind my back as I headed towards the ramp that would carry me off of this ship and into the city proper.

Strong and deliberate motions, one after another, gliding rather than stepping.

Midway down the ramp, I could see the entire force of the Ducal Guard lining either side of the small stone walkway that led out to what small slivers of the wider main streets beyond that I could see. Suddenly, as soon as my left foot hit Jueno soil, all of the troops went suddenly to military attention, their salutes welcoming me back into the motherland. Not bothering to look or acknowledge them, I instead strolled straight through their ranks until I reached the last of them. Then executing a perfect two-step sharp twirl, I found myself facing back down the path which I had just taken.

"Men and Women of the Ducal Guard of the Grand Duchy of Jeuno...let me bid you greetings. Although I deeply regret not having met you sooner, let me extend my hand out to you that I will do my best to lead you through these darkest of times for the land of Vana'diel, in the defense of the Archduke and of the Grand Duchy itself. To that end, know that my door is always open for those of you who wish to speak to me about anything that may improve the security of our homeland."

I scanned all of their faces one by one, only seeing the emotionless gaze of a soldier as they stared straight ahead, their salute for me never wavering.

Nice to know that whoever had replaced me here for awhile did a good job on keeping the troops in line.

After a few moments, I returned the salute and then motioned for them to be dismissed with a slight nod. Watching them file silently past me to filter and then back to the main street, I became even more impressed than I already was with the efficiency and training that had been drilled into them. Once the soldiers had all dispersed, I started to walk down the pathway to the main streetway myself. Taking the corner to start to go towards my mog house in the Lower district of Jueno, I saw Satmanda rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet waiting for me.

"Sir! I'm having your things moved back to your place as we speak!"

He was still as short and fast talking as ever, despite me not having seen him in several months. It was a small comfort to see him again, and I slowed down my pace somewhat so that he could keep up with me.

"Tebeal is helping out too, I assume?," making reference to my long-time moogle.

"Yes sir! Now tell me, how was your time in the former Marquisate? Shame that that had to happen to such a beautiful pla-"

As Satmanda continued to talk non-stop about various things relating to the recent world events, I started to take in all the various changes that had happened to Jueno since I had last been here, to meet with Gilgamesh and before I started that damn quest for the Code. As we crossed into the Lower distrct, I could tell that the town had started to fall apart, the once immaculate cleanliness was starting to become covered with dirt and ashes being tracked in from the outside. In the distance, I could make out that Hiptaru's Casino was closed down and boarded up, only with an extremely large sign that had half-faded block letters saying 'Out of Business' upon it to give any indication what had happened to the formerly booming place.

"Satmanda..." I finally said, interrupting him talking about how there was still a lack of food for the people. "Satmanda...Where is everyone?..."

He gave a soft sigh, and I could tell that he was shaking his head slightly back and forth.

"Sir...the Grand Duchy has been under a curfew for the past two months...the civilian populace is strongly discouraged from going outside, save for trips to get food or other essential supplies. The Archduke has turned this town more or less into a military state, in a desperate attempt to strengthen up the defenses of Jueno. Ever since the fall of the Marquisate, things have been very tense around here, with both the people and the military wondering if they will be next."

"Things are that bad Satmanda?" I said, a tone of real concern slipping into my voice.

"Yes sir..."

Gliding my fingertips along the smooth surface of the guidestone out of old habit as my mule and I took a right at it to go back to my moghouse, I noticed that even the woman who was always dressed in a vermillion cloak and turning that hourglass over and over was missing from her place at the stone’s foot...

Everything had changed, and I found myself disliking it more and more by the moment.

-fin Aki LVIII: Koushiishin

Edited, Oct 10th 2006 at 1:06am PDT by Nightsintdreams

Yey! New chapter! ^^