Of Missions and Flowers

Elena stormed down the hall, her face burning with anger. -I can't believe Tseng! That wutaiian marlboro kisser! I can't believe I ever had feelings for him! Six years! Six years I've been showering him with love, only to be coldly and heartlessly cast aside!-

"Ugh!" She punched the nearest wall as hard as she could, and made a small indention. It would have hurt, had she not been so angry and her adrenaline hadn't been pumping.

-Well...- She sat down on a nearby bench and pulled out a scrap of paper. Her insides filled with sorrow and her stomach churned. -I guess...he's out of the picture...-

A few tears fell down her face before she wiped them away on her sleeve and sniffed. "No, there's no time for this now. I have to go collect Rude for the mission. Oh, I hope he's not hanging around with Reno...freakin' asshole. I swear...ugh!" She shuddered, then stood straight up and calmly walked down the hall. Rude was most likely in the lounge, so she headed down to the third floor.

Upon arrival, she heard Reno say something. -Ooohh...I guess I'll jus...- Then she heard something interesting. "Hey, Rude, who do you like?" This could be her one chance to get an insight into the mostly quiet giant. -Should I...? Well, why not.-

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Rude was sitting there, most peaceful, listening to the rambles of his longtime friend and partner, Reno. He usually didn't pay attention during these things, just sort of sat there and meditated. But, he heard something that broke his train of thought.

"Hey, Rude, who do you like?" Rude rolled his eyes behind his glasses. "Reno, you've asked me this question at least once a year since we started working together, and the answer has only changed once. You should know it by now."

"Well, as times change, tastes change, and I wanna make sure my little buddy doesnt get himself hurt over someone." Reno said, chuckling a bit as he gave Rude a noogey.

"Hey, knock it off!" He pulled his head free from Reno's arm, but his glasses didnt quite make it through, and they fell to the floor. As he reached down to grab them, they were snatched up by Reno's amazing speed.

"Hey, give those back!"

"Ah ah ah!" Reno said, waggling his finger at Rude. "You'll get these babies back when I get my answer." He smirked.

"Oh...fine." Rude picked himself off his one knee and wiped his pant leg of dust. "I still like Tifa." He said as he stole his glasses back. "Surprised?"

Reno flipped his ponytail behind his back and did a turn. "Nope, not at all." He laughed as he saw Rude's facial expression, and could only imagine his squinting eyes.

Rude just heaved a little sigh and watched Reno head off to the cafeteria. Probably to harrass those little old lunch ladies again. -Ah well...he'll learn sooner or later that they're the one's who control the rations around here.-

He smirked, and turned on his heel to find Elena walking towards him, her eyes kind of clouded.

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"I still like Tifa." -Well, there's a shocker.- Elena kept almost completely still, regulating her breathing. She may not be the strongest or the fastest, but she could sure be stealthy when she needed to be.

Truth be told, she had never heard Rude openly say that he liked Tifa...well, this wasn't exactly open. She was kinda eavesdropping. Although, she was a bit disappointed in Rude. -He's been fawning over that bartender for...how long was it now? Seven...maybe eight years? Poor guy...I wish Tseng would say that to someone...'I like Elena.'...it'd be nice...-

Her eyes began to puff up, but she quickly tossed the thought when she saw Reno walking away. She took the chance and started walking, her eyes still reflecting her thoughts of just moments ago.

"Rude, I'm glad I found you." Her voice just a bit shakey.

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"Rude, I'm glad I found you." Something told Rude that she wasn't, but he wasn't about to push his luck. Elena may be small, but she certainly wasn't delicate. Hell, there was a time she drank Reno under the table. Rude nodded.

"We have a mission. We're to meet up with President Shinra himself this time." Rude's eyebrows came together.

"What about Tseng?"

Elena burned a bit, but kept it from showing. "I met with him earlier, and he said we were to meet with Rufus as soon as I found you. So let's go."

Rude knew not to keep Rufus waiting. He controlled the gil flow, and was a stingy bastard, at the least. Rude made the gesture for her to go back down the corridor she came from first, and he followed. Her blonde hair bounced as she about faced, and started down the hallway..

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It was a short elevator ride up to the Rufus' office and it was only mere moments til the stepped onto his floor. "President, Sir!" Elena barked and stood at attention, followed mere nano seconds by Rude.

"Ahh, Tank and Rookie, you're late." Elena didn't exactly like her nickname that the president had given her when she joined. All the others had cool nicknames. Rude was Tank, Reno was Monkey, and Tseng was SuperComputer, or S.C. for short. She got pegged with Rookie...and it stuck since. Nothing she ever did ever changed her title, and it upset her on numerous occasions.

"What's our mission, sir?" Rude asked in his calm tone.

"I'm glad you asked. See, we've had a bit of trouble with a Mr. Roth." Rufus clicked a button on his desk and a screen slid down behind him.

-Bah...showoff.- Elena thought. Rude merely rolled his eyes behind his glasses and stifiled a chuckle. Rufus always did like to show off his money.

"Now, you two are to infiltrate his still active mako compound and shut it down." Rufus leaned back in his chair. "His numbers have beaten ours over the past three quarters, and I wouldn't mind if he was doing it fairly, but he's cheating. Mako refining and production has been outlawed since the incident. That compound must be deactivated...destroyed even."

-Oh, sir. You just want to be back on top of the market.- Rude let out a breath that lowered his shoulders a bit.

"So, have yourselves ready for pickup and mission initiation in one hour."

"Sir!" "Sir!" They both barked in unison, then did an about face to the elevator. Elena caught the traces of Rufus' voice as the doors began to close.

"Hey...Reno? Yeah, they're leaving now...ok, I'll seeya then." Elena had to put her hand in front of her mouth to hide her chuckle, then fake sneezed.

"Shamaida" Rude said, quite quickly.

Elena looked at him quite puzzled. "Sham...wha?"

Rude looked over to her. "Oh, that's an old family saying that we said to anyone who sneezes. Since sneezing is usually found as a symptom among illness or allergy" He looked back ahead. "It is supposed to mean 'Good Health' to help you get over it."

Elena kind of blushed. No one had ever wished her such a thing. Never, ever. She looked down, thankful that Rude was looking forward.

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The doors slid open and the two parted ways for the hour. Elena returned to her quarters for the duration of the hour, making sure she had everything. "Pistol...check. All Purpose C-4 Detonator...check. Extra Ammo...Check. Materia...check, check, check!"

Elena secretly loved the materia she had recieved. It made her feel special, even if it did make her the healer of the four. All she had was a Cure, an Esuna, and a Life. She didn't have access to the cooler ones like Firaga or Power Swing. All the offensive ones were given to Reno and Rude. SOLDIER had only donated a very few materia, so each member was to get two. Originally, they were one short, and Elena was only going to get one, a measly Cure. But Tseng gave up his two because he wouldn't need them. So, Elena ended up getting three, one more than Reno and Rude.

After she was finished double checking her supplies, she layed down on her bed and just stared at the ceiling. She didn't get the pre-mission jitters anymore...but she still got a bit nervous. These missions were dangerous...

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Rude had hoped to talk with Reno before the mission, but he caught a glimpse of him entering the other elevator as soon as the pair stepped out. So, he walked over to his room. He only needed a few things: his EMR for emergencies, some quick ethers, and other such items. He then moved back to the lounge.

He flopped onto the couch and rested his head on one of the arms, facing the ceiling. -Sorry for lying to ya, buddy, but I'm pretty much over Tifa by now. I don't really have a thing for taken girls. But Elena...she's pretty cute. I see her alot, but she seemed a bit different today...kinda preoccupied.-

His thoughts drifted from one topic to the next. Mako...Reno's high score in training...his thoughts even went back to that remnant incident two years ago, and how he and Reno couldn't even take down those two guys. He remembered that he felt ashamed, like he failed. That's why he has spent the past two years really conditioning himself, making himself as good as he can...hell, he'd go so far to say he was the best...but his thoughts kept returning to what might have been on Elena's mind.

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The hour flew by on both ends, and then they were both quickly climbing into the chopper. Rude was the pilot, naturally, and Elena squeezed herself into the copilot seat. This chopper was the fifth one since Reno started piloting.

Elena looked around, slightly entranced by the lights and buttons and gauges. -Wow...this is so pretty...kinda like a clear night sky...OW!- She shifted as she noticed something had jabbed her in the left thigh. "Geez...all this tech, and they can't seem to make a decent seat."

Rude chuckled a bit. "Think about how I feel." Rude was a pretty big dude, all those muscles and such. Elena looked him up and down. He did look kinda cramped in the pilot seat...even if it was the bigger of the two. In fact...he looked quite handsome. Rude was almost always hanging around with Reno, so she never got to spend any one on one time with him. But, now in this almost silence of the cockpit, she noticed his sharp features, his well groomed goatee, and the faint shape of his muscles through his suit sleeve.

-Wow...- She turned away just in time. Her cheeks were beginning to heat up...again. -Why am I getting so bothered? He's Rude, the Tank! He has poor choice in friends, a bad drinking problem since he always goes out with his poor choice friend, and...and...he's quiet...and...oooh, he's kind as well...and...-

She shook her head, which Rude took notice to. "Are you cold?"

Elena blurted a "No," that was amplified by the microphone. She heard it herself over the speakers, and it hurt her ears enough to make her flinch a bit. But Rude, it didn't even phase him. -So...firm...so resiliant...it's like he could never fall...he'd always win...always.- The chopper took off, and that's when the cogs of fate began to turn.

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It wasn't long until Rude set the chopper down near the target area. But the choppers were always so loud, so he had to land out of earshot of the compund. -You'd think they'd have invented a stealth chopper by now...-

Rude allowed Elena out of the cockpit first since she was obviously the more uncomfortable of the two. She clamored out and started stretching. Rude calmly made his way out the door and followed suit. He looked over at Elena. -Well, the ride over seemed to have cleared her mind.- He shrugged, but kept peeking over at her while she stretched.

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-Oh, thank lifestream! We're finally here!- Elena hurried out of the cockpit and started doing her normal after flight stretches. She wanted to get her joints and muscles ready for the mission, which should be an easy sneak in and blow the place sky high. She heard Rude get out and start stretching as well.

It only took the both of them a few minutes to finish up, and she walked over to grab her things out of the chopper. Everything she brought fit in her pockets. Elena looked over at Rude. "Do you have the C-4?"

He nodded as he grabbed a black satchel. "Ok, let's go." They started their trek to the mission location, blissfully unaware of what would happen.

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It took close to an hour before the pair arrived. They mostly stayed silent, mentally prepping themselves. Well, Elena was anyway. She looked over at Rude a few times, wondering just what he was thinking about. He never seemed to get anxious before missions, and always stayed so stoic. Rude glanced over, and she looked the other way nonchalantly, making it look like she was staying alert. Rude shrugged.

Once they arrived, they stuck to the bushes and went over the plan of attack. "Ok, Elena, you are to sneak in and place the charges throughout the complex, focusing a bit more on the main reactor room and this room here." He pointed to an unmarked room on the map.

"Right, that room is centrally located and holds most of the complex's weight. And what're you going to be doing?"

Rude sat back on his behind. "I'll be charging the main door, taking most of the attention. You'll meet a relatively small amount of the guards, making your job easier." Rude picked himself up and offered a hand to Elena. She accepted, and was hauled off the ground. Rude quietly chuckled as he looked at her face.

After she reoriented herself, she looked back at Rude. "Thanks." She turned to pick up the pack and the supplies. Rude noticed she had a black barrette in. It went well with her suit. She took off down the treeline while Rude headed to the main gate. The mission... was a go.

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Elena made her way to a quiet corner of the complex and climbed up and over the wall. She heard a bit of shouting from the front gate, so Rude must have already started his end of the mission. Now it was up to her. She looked for the nearest door and snuck inside.

She drew her pistol, keeping it at the ready. -I need to be careful. Most of the guards may have gone to give Rude a welcome, but there has to still be a few around here...- She took care to keep her footsteps light and to pause no less than a full second at each corner to ensure it was safe to proceed.

She placed some explosives around key stress points in the compund, but always kept on the move. There were a few guards here and there, but they were no match for her stealth.  -Man, these guys are armed and loaded! They got some pretty high tech weapons. I hope Rude is alright...-

She made her way down the gray corridors to the main reactor. She stuck a few charges around the room, and headed to her other target. It wasn't far away, though something in her stomach told her not to go there. -It's my mission, I have to.-

She quickly and quietly dispatched the few guards at the door, and made her way in. What was already in there, however, did not like humans. It lashed out at her before she could see what it was and threw her over to the wall. As she regained her senses, she saw that it was a Marlboro...but it had been modified. -Mr. Roth must use the mako for more than power...-

This genetically altered marlboro had blades sticking out of most of it's tentacles, and the natural slime that covered it's body was absent. -It must have an internal hydration system now.- Elena dodged out of the way of a blade slam, which broke through the wall easily...but she jumped straight into an awaiting tentacle. It started to squeeze her hard...the pressure was too great. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a blade tentacle rise up and she screamed. "AAAAIIIIIIEEEEE!! RUUUDEE!!!!!"

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Rude was making as big a commotion as he could, but there seemed to be no end in sight to these guards. -I'm supposed to make it inside as soon as I can...but I may not make it inside at all!- All of these guards had highly advanced rifles. Rude had to be careful. He may be the Tank, but he still got hurt like everyone else.

He pulled out his EMR to ready for the next wave. He got himself set...and as soon as they ran out, he jumped into the air. "GRAND SPARK!" He punched the ground with an astounding force, creating a shockwave that took out many of the guards in a single shot. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he dashed forward, taking out each guard with his EMR. Cries of pain filled the night air as he reached the door.

As he made his way through the building, it seemed rather quiet, though he saw the fingerprints of Elena's handiwork all the way through. There were a few splotches of blood here and there, but she otherwise kept the work fairly well hidden. There was no way a frightened guard would notice this. -This is quite excellent.-

He kept going, taking out any guards he met until; "AAAAIIIIIIEEEEE!! RUUUDEE!!!!!" It came out of the door a few hallways away, and he took off. -Crap! Elena's in trouble!-

He bust through the door, saw the creature, and like a well oiled machine, grabbed a tentacle and ripped it away from the body, blood spurting out of the stump. He used the creature as a stepping stone, grabbed the tentacle holding Elena, and ripped that one off as well. "rude..." she breathed as he put her in the corner. She coughed, and a little blood came out.

Rude's face tightened as he charged the creature. He had analyzed that it was a marlboro, but it was different. It didn't matter much to him, it was going to die anyway. He leapt up to the eye stalks and took out three of them in a single rip while Elena wrestled the twitching appendage from around her body. She took in a deep breath, and it hurt like a bitch. She reached over for her gun, but it wasn't there. -Oh no, I must've dropped it!!- She quickly scanned the room while the bloody battle ensued. The gun was lying on the far side of the room, near the entrance. She managed to pull herself up and used the wall as a stable crutch.

Rude was a bit preoccupied with the monster. -This thing's much faster than any other marlboro I've fought...Mr. Roth must've enhanced it to be a personal guard.- The monster was a flurry of appendages, and Rude was doing his best to keep his guard up, but it seemed that he wasn't going to get a clear attack in any time soon...he was gonna have to risk it. He was about to go in for a Grand Spark, when he heard a gunshot. The creature writhed as its eyes turned to Elena. It threw Rude off, and charged the still wounded and weak Elena. Rude managed to rebound himself off the wall and flew through the room. "ELLLEEENNNNAAAA!!!" The marlboro raised a massive sword tentacle and swung...but Rude managed to get himself inbetween her and it in time. His face became distorted as the blade slashed through his tendons and back acrossed his left bicep. He held back a yell...though his eyes rolled back into his head. Elena could only look in absolute horror. The Tank...had been taken down. He fell limply on her and his shades fell to the floor, revealing the white globes beneath.

She looked up, her eyes focused as she brought the gun around. Time seemed to slow as she unloaded her clip into the marlboro, switched out mags, and kept shooting until she ran out of ammo. By the time she was done, the monster was nothing more than a bloody mass of flesh lying on the ground.

She dropped the gun and looked down at Rude. He was in bad shape. His legs were sliced almost clean through, and his arm was in no better condition. She grabbed some cloth bandages from his supply pack and wrapped them up in an attempt to try and stop the bleeding. She pulled out her Cure and cast it, hoping it would save him. The bleeding did indeed stop, but Rude didn't come to. -I need to get you out of here...fast-

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She Cured herself and wracked her brain trying to come up with a way to transport this hulking man back to the chopper. -Ooo...cmon...there's got to be something around here...this is a dangerous compund...there has to be some sort of hospital like area around here...like a medical wing!- She snapped her head up. "I passed a med. wing on the way here!"

She knelt down to Rude. "I'm gonna sit you up...ok? That should keep the blood from pumping to hard and keep the pain to the minimum. Just stay alive...ok?" She sat him up against the wall and reached for her gun.

Elena looked around for some rounds, but then remembered -Oh wait...I'm out of ammo. Well, I'm sure those soldiers outside wouldn't mind if I took their armaments...- She stumbled out the door and found the locker where she stuffed two of her kills and took the guns and ammo. The gun was lighter than it looked. -Hey, this is probably made of an advanced alloy mixture.- She looked down at the bullets she grabbed. -Hmm...these rounds seem odd...the surface is coated in some kind of liquid mixture...seems about as light as oil, but obviously something different...- She rubbed her finger along the bullet and smelled it. Her face twisted in disgust. "Ew, gross!" She rubbed her hand on her suit. -I don't know what this is, but its freakin' stinky!-

She loaded the gun and took off down the hall. She tried to keep her footsteps quiet, but the empty hollow hallways echoed her sounds over ten times their normal volume. It wasn't long before she showed up at the doors to the medical wing. It was so quiet. The doors were quite locked, though the windows were still susceptible to being broken. She reached in and unlocked the door. It only took a small amount of searching to procure a wheelchair and only a short time later to get back to Rude.

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She wheeled the unconcious man out of the complex. The The entire mission had become so awry that she forgot about the C-4. While she was escorting Rude out, she distributed the rest of the explosives throughout the complex. -Man...I hope he can hold out until we get back to Midgar...-

As she exited the building, she had to move the numerous bodies of the guards out of the way
of the wheelchair. -I'm sure Rude won't appreciate it if I jostle him to much.-

It took a good ten minutes to open a proper path, and another fifteen to get back to the chopper. After much groaning and stumbling, she hefted Rude into a back seat and buckled him in. He let out a small groan as she finally sat in the pilot chair. "Geez...when did you get so fat?" She knew he wasn't fat, it was all that muscle.

It took her a minute or so to rest after such an ordeal, but she quickly got herself back on track. She reached into her jacket and pulled out the detonator. -...nah, I wanna see this myself.- She smirked as she put the detonator in the co-pilot chair and buckled herself in. -Ahh...much more comfortable.- She smiled and wiggled in the chair...until she realized that she's only in this chair because Rude couldn't be in it himself. This definately sobered her up. She looked back at him, then straightened up as she adjusted the seat and put on the headset. -I am gonna enjoy seeing this place sent back to hell.-

She started up the rotor and climbed to a safe altitude, then pushed the button. The air shook with the explosion as the dust and debris flew into the air. Satisfied after watching the blaze for several minutes, she took off toward the ShinRa building. Upon landing on the pad, Rude was whisked away to the medical floor.

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Rude was in agony as the wheels underneath him sped him along to his room. The nurses quickly took his suit off as well as his bandages. The bleeding stopped, sure, but low level white magic can only do so much. The wounds were still open, and the damage was still severe. He was thrust into one of the gowns and the doctors proceeded to prod him, poke him with needles, and hook him up to the many machines around the room. These were to monitor his many vitals, and dispense the pain killers that he thanked whoever was up above for.

They took a while to start working, since Rude's pain was so great, but his body eventually numbed, and he fell into a disturbed sleep. He had nightmares about that monster...and what almost happened. When he finally came to, the doctors had finished his operation, and he was officially recovering. He would be bedridden for two months to let the body heal properly, and undertake physical therapy when it did. -Im going to be here for a long time...-

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Elena was also whisked away by the medical team, though her injuries amounted to only a few broken ribs which were easily taken care of. She constantly kept asking to go see Rude, wanted to see how he was, if he would live. It was her fault. She froze in the moment...and Rude paid the price.

She wasn't allowed to go see him for two whole weeks. In that time, she'd reduced herself to a worried mess, staying up days on end, becoming so aggravated that even Reno didn't want to make fun of her in concern for his life. When she finally could see him, it was the first thing she did.

She found him lying in the bed, unconcious, hooked up to all these machines. And his shades...his shades were gone. It struck her then. The Tank wasnt invincible...he was just a normal human being. He got injuries just like everyone else. Though these injuries were sustained...for her.

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Elena had spent the last week constantly visiting the park. Sure, it may be kinda polluted, but to her, it was still the most beautiful and peaceful part of Midgar. The trees stood and the grass grew. It was a simple beauty...like Rude...He had always been the one who was nice to her. Reno always made fun of her, and Tseng always ignored her.

Rude was really the only one that would give her the time of day. In his own way...he was there for her. He almost gave his life for her. She looked around. -He actually cares about me...how could I be so blind?-

She walked over to a small patch of flowers. They were yellow and white...so delicate and pretty. She picked one and headed back to the hospital. Rude was still there...lying there. She still couldn't believe this all happened. It almost seemed like a dream.

She left the flower and a small card with 'Shamaida' written on it. "Thank you..." as a tear fell down her face. He was always there for her, and now she was gonna be there for him.

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Rude's stay in the hospital was quite a boring and nerve testing one. He'd fought many battles, done many things...but none of that matched the absolute test of will that was lying in bed all day, every day. He wanted to get up, to go to the bar, the training room, something! -Ugh...I want to leave!- But everytime he shifted, a jolt of pain reminded him that he was not going anywhere. His injuries anchored him to this bed.

At least someone was leaving him flowers, but none of the nurses ever saw who left them. He had a feeling, though. There was only one person he knew who actually went to the park.

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Elena came in again near the end of Rude's two month recovery to leave another flower.

"So...I was right."

Elena kinda jumped back as the silence was pierced by his deep voice. Elena looked at him. "Right about...what?"

Rude looked up at her and smiled. "Right about you being the one leaving me flowers."

-Heh...- Elena thought. -He's strong AND smart.- She sat down in one of the chairs. "How are you doing?"

Rude straightend his head back up. "I've been doing fine. Let me say, pain meds are a blessing." He chuckled, but it only ended up hurting. "How about you, Rookie?" She growled lowly as he said that. "What...you don't like your nickname?"

Elena looked at him. -HELL NO!!!- "No...not really."

"Well, why not? Everyone has a nickname." Rude looked at her quizzically.

"Yeah, but everyone has cool nicknames...and I get Rookie. I've been Rookie for six years now!" She was getting pretty loud, so she calmed down.  

Rude was kinda shocked. "So...what do you want your nickname to be?"

Elena thought for a moment. "I dont know...something cool. Like your's is Tank cuz you hit hard and can take it hard."

Rude looked up. "Maybe...Ninja?"

Elena looked over. "Ninja...?"

Rude brought his head back down, wishing he had his shades. "Well, yeah. You sneak around and strike at the oportune moment, like a Ninja."

Elena smiled. "Yeah! Perfect!" She got up. "Well, I need to get going. Visiting hours have been over for a long time." She walked past the bed.

"Will you still bring the flowers?"

Elena caught herself on the door frame with her hand and leaned back into the room. "Of course."

Rude smiled as she left.

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Elena stayed true to her word, and every day, she brought one of those beautiful yellow and white flowers. And, whenever Rude was awake, she stayed for awhile, talking with him. They learned a lot about eachother. Elena finally got the answer to the 'When did Rude and Reno meet?' question, and Rude got his answer to the 'Why is she here?' question.

This continued into the physical therapy stage, where he stayed at a different building. Though, it was just as easy for Elena to sneak into.

Finally, on his last night of rehab, Elena came as she always did, only to find him missing. She snuck into the office and located his record. He had been discharged early this morning. It didn't say who picked him up. She looked down at the flower in her hand and walked back to his room. -Well, at least I can keep my promise.- She put the flower down on the bed and walked out.

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The next day, Elena was sitting next to an empty bed of soil that once housed the beautiful yellow and white flowers. -I swear there was one left here...where did it go?- She looked around for it, but she didn't find it anywhere. -Oh well...it's not like I need them for anything anymore.- She let out a sigh and leaned back on the bench. The sun was shining today...and it felt warm.

"Hey, Ninja."

She turned around, a bit startled to find Rude standing behind her. She smiled. "I uhh...brought you something," Rude continued. He sat down and pulled a flower out of his jacket. It was the last yellow and white one.

She took it and stared at it...eyes half open. "It's so beautiful...thank you." Rude looked ahead.

"Beautiful like you." Elena blushed, but she didn't mind if Rude saw this time. She leaned over and gave him a small peck on the cheek, the warmth of his face spreading to her lips. She whispered "Happy Valentines Day" and rested her head on his shoulder. The sun had begun to set...and the sky seemed ablaze.