Resolution

I don't own Full Metal Panic or any of its characters.

Signs and symbols:

"Speech"

"Thoughts"

SOUNDS/YELLING

Scene change

Chapter 20: One tight spot!

Most of the Marseille night was already over by the time Kaname and Sousuke finally arrived at the place where they were to spend the night. The girl was really surprised to find out that that the hotel was part of the Mithril mega-corporation.

She knew about the group's involvement in weapon factories, research facilities, and some other things, but she would have never thought about the fact, just how powerful organization was.

The hotel's outside clearly gave it away that the five stars were well deserved. The inside of the old aristocratic building only proved this further. However, the next shock for the girl was from a completely different nature. Because of security reasons, she and Sousuke were signed in as Mr. and Mrs. Nohara. Of course, for this very reason, the two of them received a room with a single queen sized bed. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem for her, but in the light of her boyfriend's latest declaration she felt somewhat uneasy to spend the night alone with him, in the same room.

"You can sleep on the bed," declared Sousuke flatly as the two of them entered. Kaname didn't like at all. She knew that she just wouldn't be able to sleep on the comfortable bed while he's stuck on the ground.

She was surprised at her own thoughts. Normally she didn't care where Sousuke slept at night, but now she was anxious, just because he wanted to spend the night on the floor. Then her scowl turned into soft smile, as it came to her that the boy was only looking out for her. He didn't want to embarrass her any further by spending the night in bed with her. In some way he was really stupid, but also really nice.

Sousuke ventured deeper into the room, carefully examining it for any sign of danger, he only relaxed when he was finally sure that there was no enemy around. Kaname shook her head with an amused smile. This habit of his will take some time to get rid of. She snuck behind him ready to jump on her unsuspecting target. Despite her care Sousuke noticed her advance, but he didn't do anything to stop her. Until, she pulled him into her hold and didn't let go.

At first, he tried to break away, but the soft, yet determined hold refused to loosen. With every attempt to get free of her hold, the embrace became more possessive as the girl pulled him more, and more into the hug. "Sousuke," she pleaded. " Please, don't pull away! You don't have to worry. I love you, and if you want to wait, then I will."

The girl slowly lifted her right arm to sow him her promise ring. "You see this?" she asked, Sousuke nodded "You know what it stands for. Our relationship. We're one serious couple." The boy in her embrace nodded. He was about to open his mouth, but Kaname's finger was faster, in finding a way to his lips. "Sousuke, I trust you. You always told me the truth, and I only want to see you happy. You can trust me to be a lady about this... I don't want you to sleep on the floor!"

"But I have no problem..." begun Sousuke. Only to be stopped by Kaname's finger once more. "No 'buts' boyfriend! If you sleep on the floor I'll do the same! Now... let's end this stupid fight! I want to have someone to cuddle with!" she finished in her sweetest voice.

The stern expression on the boy's face melted away during her speech, and by the end his face bore a happy grin. Kaname leaned against Sousuke's back, resting her head on his shoulder, she was completely content; she was also a little shocked at her own actions. She never would have thought that she would ever act like this. For the first time, she used other ways instead of arguing, or fighting to solve a misunderstanding. She found it strange, but... in fact... she liked this approach.

"So? Are we settled now?" she asked cutely.

"I believe so!" came the answer.

"But don't you forget it! Once we're married you're mine!" remarked Kaname with a predator's look.

"Isn't that supposed to be the other way around?" asked Sousuke with a serious face.

Kaname chuckled and jumped onto him bringing both of them down onto the bed. She quickly took hold of his lips with her own. It took them quite some time to finally separate. "So? Do you still think that?" asked the girl with a huge grin.

Sousuke stared up as her happy face, not really knowing how to act. After a few seconds the edge of his mouth curved upwards. Kaname knew well what that expression meant. She braced herself and tried to find a way to keep Sousuke at bay. She never had a chance. Her boyfriend quickly took hold of her waist and lifted her into the air. She could only scream and kick around with her hands and feet, as he flipped her around. Kaname tried to get up, but she simply didn't have time. Not even second after she landed on the bed Sousuke was atop of her. Despite all this she kept on fighting.

The room was soon filled with giggles and laughs, as the boy diverted most of her playful blows. Those that reached their mark had no real affect. After the first minute he decided to go into the offensive. He quickly took hold of her arms. Kaname refused to give up and kept on struggling. However, she was wide open, and Sousuke moved in for the kill. The immediate second his lips touched Kaname's, the girl's resistance started to disappear.

A few seconds later, she was openly responding, it was only when the boy started to fumble with the hem of her shirt that she came back to the real world. She freed one of her hands and placed it firmly on his to stop his actions. "I thought we decided to wait till later," she remarked bringing the boy back to reality.

Sousuke's face took on a reddish colour, as he backed away. "We better be a bit more careful," he remarked.

"But you're not getting away. I still want to snuggle tonight!" she declared. She used her chance and broke from his hold. She quickly grabbed the nearest pillow and attacked. The room was soon filled by joyous laughs and giggles.

It was rare when Sousuke felt at ease enough to act like this, but for that, Kaname appreciated moments like this much more. It took him a long time to completely open up to her. It was in these moments that he completely gave up his guard and acted completely free and happy. This was what really made her happy. To see him like this.

The morning came too soon for the two of them, it was somewhere around eight when Kaname woke up. She looked around with sleepy eyes, slowly taking in her surroundings.

The room was unfamiliar, but the boy she was resting on was pretty much known to her. She cast another sleepy look at the room, then she shrugged, and let her head fall back onto her pillow. As long Sousuke was there she didn't care.

An hour later Sousuke started to awake. His initial feel of time was yelling at him for sleeping till such a late hour. He should have woken up a long time ago. He opened his eyes to see the peaceful face of Kaname, who was still sound asleep. Her lips were curved into a small smile, and her hands were latched onto his left arm, keeping his hand in position under her cheek.

Sousuke also smiled. Then he turned his gaze towards the clock. He turned halfway away to go back to sleep, but in the last second he stopped. He looked at the clock again, this time more carefully. The joints of his sleepy brain started to turn once more, and he finally understood what was nagging at him. His smile disappeared. He wasn't sleepy anymore. "We slept in!" he yelled jumping up, and starting his preparations to leave.

Kaname was somewhat rudely brought out of her dreams. The source of warmth that she relished so much throughout the night disappeared. Instead her ears were invaded by disturbing sounds of someone hastily getting ready for the day.

She wasn't used to such sounds.

Finally having enough of all the noise she forced her head to rise. "What's wrong Sousuke?" she asked sleepily.

"We have approximately forty-five minutes to get to the airport and catch our ride!" came the response.

For a few seconds Kaname sat on the bed having trouble to take in all the information. Then, suddenly, it all clicked. Within seconds she was on her feet, and charging for the shower. "I'll go first! Peek if you want!"

Sousuke just stared dumbly.

A white taxi was parking in front of the hotel. Its driver was enjoying his well-deserved rest, and with that, his late morning breakfast. All in all, he liked the fact that he was chums with most of the local police force. It was a good insurance that he won't be bugged during one of his high-speed deliveries. The police long ago learned that he's too fast for them anyway. So they left him alone most of the time. Except if that crazy police chief was around, he would try to arrest a fire-breathing dragon, even if he only had a toothpick at his disposal. Though that guy was pretty much in his debt.

The local police force was a joke itself. While they did catch most of the criminals around, the police station was more like a wellness resort with everyone chilling all day, and a well-known weed-selling centre. Though, anyone, wanting to buy something stronger, would quickly find himself in one of the local cells, facing a questioning, assisted by a phonebook-wielding officer.

The man's break was interrupted by the sound of someone opening the back door of his car. When he turned around he saw that a couple was quickly scooting inside of his vehicle. "We need to be at the airport in twenty minutes! Go! Go! Go!" yelled the girl in English, hitting the car's roof several times as she entered. She threw a big bundle of money onto the passenger's seat as a little stimuli.

The man shook his head. "Chill miss! That's a lot of time! Just let me finish, you'll be there," he answered calmly.

"This isn't a joke! It's a matter of life and death!" hollered Kaname.

"Well, that's pretty important!" came the response. The man slowly started to open up covers that hid different kinds of consoles he continued by lazily pressing several buttons.

The two passengers in the back seat were somewhat frightened when the car suddenly rose a few inches, and by the sounds they could hear as parts of the vehicle shifted. Sousuke immediately reached after his gun, but Kaname signalled him to stop.

"So what's this haste with guys? Are you missing your wedding or something?" asked the driver jokingly.

Kaname stared forward in complete shock. She never expected this question.

After a few seconds of complete silence the driver laughed. "That's typical for you Japanese people. You become speechless after the smallest jokes." All the time he kept on working on the consoles. Seconds later, the taxi fell back on its wheels.

"Do you mind if I turn on some music?" he asked.

"Who cares!? Just get going already!" begged Kaname on the verge of panic. The car shot forward with an incredible speed. The G-force literary pressed the two passengers into their seats. The car was above a hundred, and out on the road, before the first five seconds ended.

"Don't worry. This snail speed will only stay till we get out on the main road," remarked the driver, while dodging cars left and right. Compared to the taxi they were standing still.

Kaname glanced at the speed meter and thought she's seeing things. The car was easily doing hundred-eighty kilometres. In a fifty zone. "You call this slow?" she yelled in total desperation. "We're dead!" she mumbled to herself. Then came the next shock as she saw the lamp in front of the car turn red.

The driver didn't even think about slowing down, the taxi charged through the crossing before the traffic even had a chance to start. Kaname could only scream in horror as all this happened.

Some distance away, two policemen were sitting in their car. Both of them were half asleep. The day was promising to be one of those boring ones. Not far from the car, a cadet, fresh from school, was standing next to the speedometer that the two should be operating. The speedometer was in some sense strange. Well, not the device itself, but rather the way it was anchored to the ground. There was a smaller forest of chains keeping the thing standing.

The calm silence was brought to an end by the radio "Hey guys! We just saw a white taxi speeding by! It will be there in under a minute!" came the report from their communicator.

"It's probably "Comet" Daniel!" remarked one of the two.

"Who else would it be? The pope?" came the answer. "Wait a sec why don't we send the rookie on him! He still needs to be broken in."

The policeman sat pondering on this for a few seconds. Then with a nod he leaned out on the car's open window. "Sonny! Set the meter to "extra sensitive"," he yelled. The recruit didn't move. "Hey! Are you deaf?" yelled the police officer again.

The recruit turned to him. "With all due respect sir... Do you think I'm crazy!? I also heard the report! A white taxi! I know well who's behind the steering wheel!"

The two policemen in the car stared at the other and shrugged. "So even the cadets got word of this," they reasoned. A white flash passed in front of them. The anchors had to make a severe fight to keep the machine standing. The LCD screen in front of them read 356 km/h.

The nightmare for Kaname continued. Strangely Sousuke seemed mostly unaffected by the murderous speed. "Try to calm down Kaname, it's bad for your health," he remarked.

"Calm down? Are you crazy?" yelled the girl. "This crazy driver will be the end of us!" Kaname was about to continue when she got sight of a train. They were just overtaking it. It was a high-speed train, a TGV. She though she's seeing things. She turned to the driver with mouth wide open. "Isn't that a...?"

The man calmly turned to the vehicle that was slowly, but surely, falling behind the car. "Yeah! That's a great little train. It's really fast in the curves, but it has to be said that it's a bit slow in the long stretch."

Kaname didn't answer to this. There was no word she could use. In fact, a snowball had more chance to survive in the mid July sun than for Kaname to find a good answer. Though, there was a wordless answer. She was busy, making one cross sign after the other.

Finally! The horrific ride was over, and the taxi came to a swift halt in front of the airport terminal, which was on the other side of the city. "Nine minutes and twenty-eight seconds," reported the driver. "You still have time for a coffee and to buy something to read on the way."

"Thank you," responded Sousuke, helping the shaking Kaname out of the car.

"It's all right. You were the ones who asked for a fast delivery. In fact I have to compliment you two! There are only a few who don't throw up, after a high-speed ride. Though, you better look after your girlfriend. She looks a bit pale."

There was no time for any sweet words, because Kaname took of in a mad rush, looking for the nearest toilet. She didn't make it.

By now, members of Jidai Municipal High School's third B class were starting to get really worried about the weirdest couple of their school. The disappearance of the sweet and loving Kyouko only added more fuel to the situation. Shinji didn't get any closer to solving the problem. He had nothing in his hand. Ono-d, the "second-in-command" of the class, was completely horrified when he heard that Kyouko went missing. The one who was hit worst by all this was Ms. Kagurazaka. The poor woman was completely out of it.

The last few days have been the worst. The police finally gave up their search for the brown haired girl, seeing that it was pointless. The poor teacher was a nervous wreck ever since, and the lessons needed to be frequently stopped, so the class could ensure that she's all right. Actually the class also needed this. Three of them went missing in one week. This was more than frightening.

Lunch was mostly quiet. The reason was sleeping with her head resting on her arms, sitting behind the teacher's desk. Kagurazaka was completely exhausted, and the class decided to do some self-study so the woman can get some well-needed sleep.

The main theme of the discussions in the room was different from normal. Instead of the latest couples, fads, sport events, games the topics were of conspiracies, kidnappings, and secret organizations. Even Hayashimazu Jidai high's most influential student couldn't find a trace despite all his connections. The normally calm and collected Ren was also starting to get nervous. She used her ties with the Yakuza and there was no result. She of all people knew, if the criminals can't find someone, the authorities might as well give up.

The only thing they knew was that Sousuke and Kaname went missing after they left for New York, and that Kyouko disappeared from Kaname's apartment after a shootout took place in there. After this point there were no clues. Simply nothing. Not even the smallest trace that could be used. Well there was a clue. An unknown man and a little girl were seen leaving the apartment, not much after the shots were fired, but the two were never found. They simply disappeared.

The murmur of discussion across the classroom was soon brought to an end by the opening of the classroom's door. Everyone turned to the entrance in hope to see a familiar face, except for the teacher who was in a deep sleep.

A middle aged man and a little girl entered. Though the girl wasn't that little anymore. It was clear that she just entered the puberty. They both looked tired and worn. At first everyone moved to help, but then all of them came to a halt. The two newcomers were indeed familiar. This arose suspicion. And there was the evidence that they gathered. And now a man and a girl were standing in front of them.

Of course, after this ran across the minds of the teenagers their readiness to help turned into suspicion and the readiness to attack the two. Shunya felt it. He just received another lesson in true friendship. The diplomat knew it. These people were ready to take him apart. "I came to deliver a message from Kaname," he declared.

If possible the tension in the room increased even more, as several students stood up, ready to fight. Shunya decided that the best is to get it done as quickly as possible, or he'll be in for a world of pain. "I managed to call her on the phone, she told me that she's in Marseilles... with that, that boy," Shunya almost spat those last words.

He believed that with his actions he managed to cal the situation, but he achieved the opposite. Now the males of the class started to advance on him. Shunya quickly pushed Ayame behind himself ready to defend the little girl. He was expecting the worst. The people in the room were obviously not believing him.

"Just who the heck do you think we are?" asked Ono-d with rage in his eyes. Shunya pulled out his gun, but the class advancing on him didn't seem to be really scared by it. In fact they gained even more determination. Then a very angry teacher came to the equation.

During the entire commotion Eri Kagurazaka woke up feeling the danger, and the high level of hostile energy radiated by her class. It has to be said that while she was not one of the best teachers, she was one of the most determined ones, one of those who would sacrifice their lives for their pupils. Something that was, and still is, a rare virtue among the people working in this sector of life.

The young woman immediately moved forward, to shield her class from the intruders completely forgetting, that in fact one of the two is just a child. "Don't think you will get away with shooting at innocent children!" she yelled at Shunya. This alone was almost a joke in itself. The third B was everything but innocent.

The diplomat was somewhat surprised when the members of the class pushed her to the side. "Don't worry Miss if he shoots one of us he won't leave the city in one piece." reassured Ren. "One of my father's business partners will look after that!"

Everyone knew well what the girl meant.

"So, tell us where are Kyouko, Kaname and Sousuke!" demanded Ono-d. All the time the class kept on with it's menacing advance. Shunya could swear he was seeing their eyes glow in an eerie red colour. The entire situation was ridiculously strange in some sense. Usually a single man can easily keep a large number at bay with a single weapon. Here the weapon was of no use.

On the contrary! It practically fired the students to be even more determined. Shunya's world, a world, based on power and riches finally crumbled. These people were worried because of their friends and they wanted to help without any sign of personal gain. Basically he lost.

But Shunya knew that, ever since he was forced to ask his daughter for help. Once again he was forced to run. This was something he really learned to do the last few weeks. He grabbed Ayame and ran leaving his weapon behind. He headed directly towards the door. That was as far as he got. There, in the door, his path was blocked by the infamous leader of the school's student council. One glance from Hayashimazu was enough for him to freeze the diplomat.

The gaze told him everything. The boy in front of him surpassed him in many levels despite the fact that both of them had similar styles to deal with their problems. This boy was far more cunning than he was. And Shunya had no doubt that he would have no chance against him.

These few seconds of hesitation were fatal. When the teenagers saw that their target is running all of them moved forward in pursuit. Shunya's stop at the class door was enough for them to reach the middle-aged man and to catch him. The next second, the target was on the ground, and immobilised.

"Start singing!" came the demand from the side of the class. Shunya knew that he's in a hell of a trouble.

The problem was that there was nothing he could say except what has been already reported. The man was desperately searching for someone who would help him from his predicament. Then his gaze fell on Hayashimazu. The boy was simply too calm. The man immediately knew, he wouldn't be that lucky this time.

The proximity of Captain Theresa Testarossa's quarters was well known to be a quiet place because of many reasons. The biggest reason for this was Commander Richard Mardukas a.k.a. "the Duke", who promised that anyone disturbing the captain would quickly find himself leaving the sub through one of the torpedo tubes. Because of this very thing, the corridor before the captain's room was always the best place if someone is in the need of some quiet. Nowadays this wasn't true.

The silence was often interrupted by the warm chuckle of two teen-age girls. Tessa practically loved to have her friend on the ship. For the first time in years she really felt like a normal girl. She loved to spend her free time with something that is normal to others, except for her.

"You were sure bold!" remarked Tessa as she kept on chuckling. "But be careful! Kurz is a professional! If you temp him too much you can quickly make him go on the offensive!"

"Don't worry about it I know how to handle him!" came the happy answer.

"Just don't forget, I warned you! If you happen to wake up in his bunk tomorrow morning!"

"Tessa, don't worry about it! While I may not be the most bravest person, my mother did teach me how to use the weapons of a woman!" announced Kyouko with a grin.

The young captain laughed. "Kurz doesn't even know what he got himself into. Just be prepared to find a couple of drawings inside of his locker." At this both girls laughed.

"Hey, as my boyfriend he is entitled to look at me!"

"In your underwear?"

"He better do that only with me!" remarked Kyouko. At first, Tessa just stared forward, then she started to chuckle. She was soon fighting a huge laughing fit.

What the two girls didn't know was that the change has already took place. The drawings of an underdressed Tessa were by now replaced by drawings of an underdressed Kyouko. Much to the amusement of many.

The latest victim, who was trying to recover from the shock, and the horrid laugh that was ensured to follow, was just starting to get to her feet. Melissa just couldn't believe her eyes when she got sight of the changes.

"You're crazy!" she declared. "Do you know what will happen if Mardukas finds out that you're an item with her?"

"He already found out," replied Kurz.

"And then how come you're still here, and not in the torpedo tube...? Ready to be launched."

"He approved," was the simple answer.

Melissa stared. "You're kidding me!"

"Hard to believe huh? Looks like even the old goon has some soft part in his heart."

"But if you ask me he's just happy that you're off the captain. Or he and Tessa are pulling the old good boss-bad boss routine on us."

"And what in the world is that?" asked Kurz not being able to hide his puzzlement.

"Officer's tactic to get their people work better," came the plain answer.

"Do you really think Tessa would be able to pull such a thing off?"

"Her...? Not! Mardukas...? At any time! Now move it you twit! We still have a scumbag to gather in. I want to be back before dinner!"

"All right Miss boss I'll be in the hanger in five minutes!"

"I give you ten and you better be there!" responded the Melissa. "So try to keep it short!"

"Are you sure you won't get lonely in that time?" responded Kurz with a smirk. He barely made it to dodge the incoming shoe.

As for Shunya. He's hanging from a tree, upside down, facing questioning, in the hand of the most notorious group of teenagers in the History of Tokyo. They are mad! And ready to do anything to get what they want! He's praying. And if he isn't... He really should be!