Red lights flashed around dizzily and the whining emergency signal blared from the speakers. Booted feet clomped rapidly along the hallways as the officers ran to their duty stations assigned for this particular situation.

"This is a code red. All pilots proceed to sector four," the contradictory calm announcement came above the blaring signal.

Everyone was dispatched to assist, including the lowly viewed but highly qualified unit of the Kanagawa Tactical Training Squadron of Japan. Two fighter planes flown by Sargeants Rukawa and Sendoh from the unit took off into the air to join the others in eliminating the danger that has come upon their beloved country.

The danger that has shook the city of Tokyo took in the form of a horrid beast with purple skin, bulging eyes and a yellow fang protruding from it's lizard-like mouth. The ground army were helpless against it as shells upon shells were uselessly fired over and over but no harm came upon the beast. Not even a scratch can be made to its leather-like skin.
The beast kept on stomping the buildings in a furious mind of destruction, when it heard a keening sound in the air. Looking up, it saw to its anger another source of disruption - the Airbats from the Kanagawa Training Tactical Squadron.

The beast targeted the closest jet coming torwards it and took aim. Without warning one of it's bulging eyes popped out of its socket in a 'boing'ing sound and hit Sendoh's plane, destroying the aircraft into flames.

"Sendoh!" cried Rukawa in distraught. With a roar he flew head on towards the creature and started shooting but it only enraged the creature further. The eye popped out again and Rukawa was not fast enough to swerve away. The humourous globe smashed into his cockpit and fire erupted within. Ignoring the blood from his forhead covering his left eye, his fingers scrambled for the ejection button but before he could escape the plane exploded in the air.

"Sargeant Rukawa also dies in the battle?"

"Of course!" answered the redhead in glee, "He is Fiorgara! The most powerful giant monster in all the- HUH?!"

Hanamichi spun around to see the fox-eyed pilot looking at him boredly from beneath the threshold of his open door. When the redhead was busy daydreaming aloud about the bloody battle between the make-believe monster and the Kanagawa TTS, Rukawa has opened the door to private's room when the redhead did not answer to his knocking.

"So," said Rukawa crossing his arms, "good doesn't always win."

"Iie! It does!" cried the redhead placing his hands on his hips as a sign of greatness, "I haven't gotten to the part where I, the Tensai, comes to the rescue!"

"Do'aho," sighed the raven-haired pilot turning away, "It's briefing time, private."

"Don't call me that," the redhead warned, jogging up to the brunette who was already out the hallway. When Rukawa didn't answer, Hanamichi scowled and glared at his back. The redhead has heard a lot of the fox-eyed man from his academy, that the man was a superb pilot and also in hand-to-hand combat - like Sendoh.
So why can't he be more like Sendoh?

A snort came from the raven-haired man, "So you like that pervert?"

"What?" the redhead blinked and then cursed himself for not realising that he has spoken out loud.

"You suit each other," scoffed Rukawa, "A pervert for a pervert."

"Yamero!" protested Hanamichi angrily, "Stop calling me that! And what are you?! You're the guy with the attitude!"

"That's what they all say," said Rukawa stopping to give the redhead an 'I-don't-care' look, "So leave me be."

When Rukawa resumed his steps, Hanamichi was left wondering at the pilot's real agenda but still that gave the raven-haired man no right to say how he, Sakuragi Hanamichi, mechanic-and-soon-to-be-fighter-pilot extraordinaire, should think about other people. Gritting his teeth in annoyance, the redhead strode quickly to catch up to Rukawa again to burst out, "So what you hear other people say to you, you're just gonna take it? When you know you're an awesome pilot and a good person with a strong heart-"

"What would you know about me?" Rukawa asked sarcastically and Hanamichi could hear the note of irritation in the man's voice.
Not liking the raven-haired man since he first met him, the mechanic did not want to say it but since it was what he strongly believed in he did so anyway, "Because you're a pilot. And to me that's something special. You fight for what you want and you have to be pure hearted too." And then after a thought the redhead said jokingly, "You may not be a great person to be with but you like airplanes so that's cool."

Rukawa's blue eyes stared at him for a moment before the pilot turned away but Hanamichi thought he could see a blush on man's pale cheeks. When the fox-eyed pilot spoke, the monotone voice was gruff, "Sendoh forgot to talk about himself."

"Huh?"

"I'm not the only one sent here for causing trouble," said Rukawa descending the stairs, leaving the redhead scratching his chin in thought.

"Hmmm....Hey, fox!" called Hanamichi, rushing down the staircase before the pilot could disappear from his sight, "Whaddya mean?"

"Hey, c'mon! Tell me!" demanded Hanamichi as Rukawa entered a room and refused to answer his question. The redhead quickly followed but before he could pester the man further, he saw that all of the team-members in the unit were present including the unit commander Taoka and an umfamiliar woman with hair tied up in a neat bun who seemed to be the highest officer in the room with her medals and by the way she held herself.

"You're late," barked Captain Akagi giving the unsuspected mechanic a bash on the head.

"Itee!" winced the redhead.
"Dumb Gori," he then muttered.

"What was that?" demanded the tall man lowly.

"Nothin'," Hanamichi sniffed, taking the empty seat beside Rukawa across Sendoh. The spikey-haired pilot gave him a grin.
Then the captain cleared his throat and said, "Team, I have an important announcement so listen up. Tomorrow at 1300 hours the Kanagawa TTS will have a flight evaluation."

"Nani?!" cried Hikoichi, "I have to take a test?"
Sendoh patted the young man's back consolingly. The short officer who was the best in researching and administration work was their least able pilot. Sure, Hikoichi could fly a plane but his skill and technique was left to be desired and being thrust into an acrobatic aerial display team... well, let's just say that the unit's reputation did not improve any except to acquire themselves the best snooper around.

"Settle down," ordered Akagi before he continued, "The judge will be Colonel Yumiyoka of Airshow Command."

At that signal, the lady officer stepped forward and looked at each of the officers one by one until her green eyes settled onto Sendoh a bit longer than the rest. The spikey-haired pilot returned the smug look coldly. Hanamichi who was aware of the quick and wordless interaction, looked at Sendoh in curiosity.

When the colonel spoke, her tilting but stern voice carried clearly across the room, "Let's be very clear. An acrobatic unit is nothing more than a budget drain. Many in the defence force shares this opinion and I happen to agree."

The Airbats sitting at the table in front of her felt something bad coming up on this speech and they were right on their suspicions when she continued, "Depending on the outcome of tomorrow's test, this unit may be disbanded."

"Nani?!" came Hikoichi's cry again.
The redhead stared at the colonel in disbelief while Rukawa clenched his fist in anger, letting a low growl escape his throat. Mitsui refrained himself from shooting out of his seat in protest as Hikoichi started muttering on the fate of the team. Sitting silently in his seat, Sendoh gritted his teeth, trying to control his temper. The lady officer's smile was sly as the unit commander next to her nodded solemnly.

"Sendoh, Rukawa," said Akagi after he let his officers digest the information, "You two are in the cockpits."

Sendoh and Rukawa stood up, "Yes sir!"

"This is for the squadron," Akagi told them, "Show me what you've got!"


~~~~

That night Sendoh stood out under the sky, ignoring the chill of the wind as he gazed up at the openness which was to be the battle ground where the fate of the squadron would be decided. Unbeknowest to him, he was being watched by the new mechanic from the windows of the first floor hallway who was also wondering about the fate of the unit he has just joined and also about the spikey-haired pilot standing alone outside in the open field.

"Colonel Yumiyoka."

The redhead turned around and saw Rukawa walking up to him with his arms crossed.

"What? Her?" Hanamichi blinked in puzzlement as the fox-eyed pilot stood beside him to look out to where Sendoh was standing.

"Something went on between them..." guessed the redhead houghtfully, "Sendoh looked kinda... I dunno... upset..."

Rukawa shrugged, "Maybe. People talk. They were based together."

"So?"

"A young pilot and a beautiful female senior officer... . Even you're not that stupid not to guess..." Rukawa let his voice trail away.
Hanamichi stared at him cluelessly before the meaning sunk in and his brown eyes widened in surprise.
"Eh?!" gasped the redhead, "For real?!"


~~~~

The next day:

The sun was high up in the air and the sky clear of any sign of oncoming shower despite the presence of dark clouds seen last night. The wind must've blown it away, surmised the officers as they worked on to get the two planes ready.
In the waiting room stood Sendoh in his orange pilot uniform, gazing down at his plane parked on the tarmac below. He did not even turn around when Hanamichi walked in to tell him, "Sendoh. It's time. Sendoh?"

The spikey-haired pilot suddenly walked away without a word which was unlike him, not to mention rude in the redhead's point of view that Hanamichi had to call out, "Hey, Sendoh!"

The pilot stopped but did not look at him.

"Whatever happened between you and the colonel is in the past! Put it behind you and go on with your life!"

When Sendoh finally turned around, the pilot laugh bitterly, "It's not that easy, Sakuragi."

"Yes it is!" persisted Hanamichi, "Let it go! Forget what happened! Get out there and show them what you've got! For the sake of the squadron you do your best!"

Sendoh sighed and let his blue eyes meet the soft brown of Hanamichi's knowing that he could be lost by the pure emotion in them. "I guess you're right."

Then the pilot shook his head ruefully and smiled, "I was foolish and young. I knew it was wrong but my body wouldn't listen..."

"Err..." the redhead blushed, "You don't have to-"

But the brunette did not hear him as he went on. "Maybe it was the heat but my hand had a mind of it's own."

"Y-Your hand?" the redhead gulped, his face now as red as his hair.

"Yeah," shrugged Sendoh, "I nearly hit her when she kept on saying that I'd never be the best combat pilot as long as she was around. She was my equal in theory and practical skills since we were at the flying academy but because she was a female she missed out on flying her own plane as the army gives top priority to male pilots first. She was bitter and when she was promoted to a higher grade than I was her treatment towards me took to a level of distaste. That day when she laughed in my face saying that I only got picked because of my looks, it was the last straw. My hand nearly striked her but it was enough for her to file a complaint against me. I didn't know it was the opportunity she was looking for."

Hanamichi nearly keeled to the floor in surprise before he caught himself to stare at the pilot, "T-That's it? That's what happened?"

Sendoh stared at the redhead in puzzlement, "Yes, that's what happened. I nearly hit a superior officer. A woman at that. That was insubordination and against my belief in no violence against women. That was why I was put in the Kanagawa TTS."

Hanamichi scratched his head, "So he was wrong... You hardly touched her..."

"What?"

Outside, the defeaning whir of the jet engine filled the air as Rukawa climbed onto the ladder to reach his cockpit when a hard object hit him from behind.

"K'so!" growled the fox-eyed pilot, turning around to see the offender, "What are you doing?"

Sendoh picked up his hemlet from the ground and smiled calmly, "Been spreading lies to Sakuragi, Rukawa?"

Rukawa's brow furrowed in puzzlement, "What?"

"Now don't play coy," said Sendoh smoothly, "It's not your deal. You lied to Sakuragi about me and the colonel."

Rukawa finally understood what they were talking about and 'hmph'ed. "I can't help it if the do'aho has a big imagination."

"Don't blame this on him," said Sendoh lowly, knowing that Rukawa was at fault for influencing the naive redhead's thoughts.

Rukawa arched an eyebrow before he leaned down from the ladder to speak mockingly, "You like him, don't you? You two suit each other. A pervert and a do'aho."

Sendoh gave him a smile that was less than pleasant. "You want a piece of me?"

"One on one?" Rukawa's blue fox eyes glinted with challange. "You're on."

Standing in front of the hanger a few metres away from the planes were Captain Akagi, First Sargeant Mitsui and Sargeant Hikoichi.
The short officer nodded approvingly as he watched the two pilot engage in a conversation too far away from them to hear.
"I'm glad to see that they're carefully planning their strategy that I suggested to them last night."

Akagi sighed, letting his dark pilot glasses cover the concern in his eyes. "I'm afraid that's not it."

"No," agreed Mitsui as he could see from behind his sunglasses Rukawa's deceptively calm but challanging stance on the perch of the ladder. "Definitely not it."



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