(no subject)
Title: Hidden Moon: Africa (Part 5 - )
Author: Raya
Theme: Original Characters / Desperate
Genre: Drama
Version: Manga (post StarS / pre Crystal Tokyo, Raya's Koi no Senshi 'verse)
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: ~613
Disclaimer: Nana (ChibiUsa), the guiding spirit (Queen Serenity), and Sailor Saturn were created by Takeuchi Naoko and belong solely to her. I lay claim only to Souichi, Halifu (partially), and the bad guys.
Halifu and Nana were introduced in this story snippet Hidden Moon: Africa (Part II ) which partially sets the background for this.
Hidden Moon: Africa (Part 5 - )
Souichi stood protectively in front of the children, arms spread slightly, as he studied the lanky stranger in front of him. The man's fair skin was deeply creased and tanned, indicating that he had spent many years in the blistering African sun. Sandy brown hair peaked out from under his bush cap, pale, but not completely sunbleached. Pale eyes looked him up and down, and then dismissed him contemptuously. One lean hand caressed the butt of the rifle that was slung in his arms.
“Move before you get hurt,” the man drawled in heavily accented English.
“This is neutral territory,” Souichi replied as he held his ground. “A hospital. If one of your men is wounded, we will help you. If you are here for someone, you will have to wait until they leave.”
The man's lip curled as he snorted derisively and glanced over his shoulder at the group of armed men and women behind him. “Looks more like an orphanage or an unsanctioned refugee camp to me,” he drawled sarcastically.
Souichi just shrugged. “There are many refugees in need of medical assistance.” He fought down a shiver as the man's cold eyes bored into his own and then glanced over the children watching them from the yard. “But I repeat, this is a hospital. There is no one here for you.”
“Well, now, that's the thing, isn't it?” the tall man drawled as he rubbed his chin. The people behind him grinned, snorted, and snickered at each other. “I won't know that until I look.” A movement behind the tent caught his attention, and he stared at the racing child for a moment with narrowed eyes. The shape was not quite right to be the one he sought, but it seemed familiar for some reason. He jerked his head, and two of his men separated from the group to chase after it.
Souichi risked a glance over his shoulder, and then frowned worriedly. There was nothing he could do, though. The child was too far away for him to protect.
As he turned his attention back to the man in front of him, he saw a blurry movement, and then the butt of the rifle hit him in the chin. Souichi's head snapped to the side and he fell to the hard, dusty ground. He struggled to catch his breath and clear his head as children began to scream in fear all around him.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Halifu risked a glance over his shoulder, and felt his heart race with fear. Jimbo and Hans were practically on his heels. The scrawny boy increased his speed, and then ducked around a small tree and changed his direction. He wondered desperately how they had found him.
'The nurse-lady.' Memories of the small woman with the short purple skirt, long white gloves, and sweet, solemn smile flashed through his head. 'I have to find the nurse-lady! She will help me!' With her quick movements and long, spear-like weapon, he was sure the nurse-lady could protect him from anything and anyone. Besides, there was something about her that reminded him of Nana.
A ghostly looking gazelle bounded in front of the racing boy, causing him to stumble and change direction once more. The creature ran around in a small circle and headed the child off again. The third time the semi-transparent gazelle ran in front of him, Halifu finally recognized it as the spirit that had led him to the refugee orphanage and hospital. It was the spirit that Nana had said would guide him to safety. Quickly, he turned to follow it with Jimbo and Hans just a few strides behind him.
Continued in Hidden Moon - Africa (Part 6 - )
Author: Raya
Theme: Original Characters / Desperate
Genre: Drama
Version: Manga (post StarS / pre Crystal Tokyo, Raya's Koi no Senshi 'verse)
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: ~613
Disclaimer: Nana (ChibiUsa), the guiding spirit (Queen Serenity), and Sailor Saturn were created by Takeuchi Naoko and belong solely to her. I lay claim only to Souichi, Halifu (partially), and the bad guys.
Halifu and Nana were introduced in this story snippet Hidden Moon: Africa (Part II ) which partially sets the background for this.
Hidden Moon: Africa (Part 5 - )
Souichi stood protectively in front of the children, arms spread slightly, as he studied the lanky stranger in front of him. The man's fair skin was deeply creased and tanned, indicating that he had spent many years in the blistering African sun. Sandy brown hair peaked out from under his bush cap, pale, but not completely sunbleached. Pale eyes looked him up and down, and then dismissed him contemptuously. One lean hand caressed the butt of the rifle that was slung in his arms.
“Move before you get hurt,” the man drawled in heavily accented English.
“This is neutral territory,” Souichi replied as he held his ground. “A hospital. If one of your men is wounded, we will help you. If you are here for someone, you will have to wait until they leave.”
The man's lip curled as he snorted derisively and glanced over his shoulder at the group of armed men and women behind him. “Looks more like an orphanage or an unsanctioned refugee camp to me,” he drawled sarcastically.
Souichi just shrugged. “There are many refugees in need of medical assistance.” He fought down a shiver as the man's cold eyes bored into his own and then glanced over the children watching them from the yard. “But I repeat, this is a hospital. There is no one here for you.”
“Well, now, that's the thing, isn't it?” the tall man drawled as he rubbed his chin. The people behind him grinned, snorted, and snickered at each other. “I won't know that until I look.” A movement behind the tent caught his attention, and he stared at the racing child for a moment with narrowed eyes. The shape was not quite right to be the one he sought, but it seemed familiar for some reason. He jerked his head, and two of his men separated from the group to chase after it.
Souichi risked a glance over his shoulder, and then frowned worriedly. There was nothing he could do, though. The child was too far away for him to protect.
As he turned his attention back to the man in front of him, he saw a blurry movement, and then the butt of the rifle hit him in the chin. Souichi's head snapped to the side and he fell to the hard, dusty ground. He struggled to catch his breath and clear his head as children began to scream in fear all around him.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Halifu risked a glance over his shoulder, and felt his heart race with fear. Jimbo and Hans were practically on his heels. The scrawny boy increased his speed, and then ducked around a small tree and changed his direction. He wondered desperately how they had found him.
'The nurse-lady.' Memories of the small woman with the short purple skirt, long white gloves, and sweet, solemn smile flashed through his head. 'I have to find the nurse-lady! She will help me!' With her quick movements and long, spear-like weapon, he was sure the nurse-lady could protect him from anything and anyone. Besides, there was something about her that reminded him of Nana.
A ghostly looking gazelle bounded in front of the racing boy, causing him to stumble and change direction once more. The creature ran around in a small circle and headed the child off again. The third time the semi-transparent gazelle ran in front of him, Halifu finally recognized it as the spirit that had led him to the refugee orphanage and hospital. It was the spirit that Nana had said would guide him to safety. Quickly, he turned to follow it with Jimbo and Hans just a few strides behind him.
Continued in Hidden Moon - Africa (Part 6 - )