#kyoutei

In one time, they're warriors in ancient, warring tribes.

Not-yet-Kaede is struck in the shoulder by an arrow. She retreats to take it out, but the arrow's lodged deeply, and she's still a new soldier, "fresh meat" as the older girls call her, so she can't do much without crying out or wanting to faint.

Eventually, that's what she does.

When she comes to, there's not-yet-Kyoutei bandaging her shoulder. Both girls can see the clothing and the insignia of their respective tribes--they're clearly supposed to be enemies. But not-yet-Kyoutei doesn't like to fight, and she can't turn away someone who's injured. Perhaps she should have been a healer instead of a soldier.

She offers to help not-yet-Kaede home. The taller girl accepts, and the two declare they won't attack each other. They already like each other too much for that.

Unfortunately, they're seen by not-yet-Kyoutei's tribe. Not-yet-Kaede suddenly finds herself full of more arrows, and the last sound is not-yet-Kyoutei's screams.

------

Another time, not-quite Kyoutei is a princess and not-quite-Kaede is a servant. 

There's a rebellion stirring. It's not the princess's fault, she's an innocent victim of the mistakes her ancestors made one too many times. Still, the rebellion declares that all of the nobility must die. Including the gentle princess.

Not-quite-Kaede is tasked with this. She slips something into the princess's tea--something that will make her fall into an eternal, dreamless sleep. It's best if the princess doesn't suffer.

Not-quite-Kyoutei smiles at her, and not-quite-Kaede hastily prays for forgiveness as the girl takes a sip.

------

In a more recent time, there is no tragedy. Nothing like the previous ones.

This time, almost-Kaede and almost-Kyoutei go to rivals schools. They're at every sporting event, every school carnival, every fundraiser. And the other school is always just down the block, around the corner, across the street. 

Neither girl pays the other mind. Neither girl even looks at the other. The only times almost-Kyoutei and almost-Kaede interact is when they pass each other on the road or the time when almost-Kyoutei walked over to Kaede's fundraising booth to ask to borrow pencil.

No tragic death or wars this time. But there's still no chance.

------

Finally, Kyoutei and Kaede are senshi.

Except only Kyoutei is on the good side, while Kaede has been gifted with the darker fuku and is on the enemies' side.

But this time, fate is much kinder to them.

They see each other outside of their senshi forms. And again. And again. And again.

Kaede nods once. "Hey."

Kyoutei smiles nervously, nodding back. "Hi..."

Later they'll meet on the battlefield. They'll still recognize each other, but they won't care. Kaede will deliberately mis-aim her attacks, Kyoutei won't want to hurt her friend.

They'll talk about the battle afterwards, in their civilian forms, as they go out for a burger.

They do this a lot lately. They almost feel they have to.