It isn't long before the papers are signed and Sousuke is released from the hospital with a clean bill of health and a rather large medical bill to boot what with all the chaos he had wreaked since his 4 months of wakefulness. The ride down to the lobby irritates him because he has to be in a wheelchair for the duration. They open the door to the cab for him and he gets in with a joyful Kaname by his side.
-We're finally going home! She chirps.
-Affirmative.
It's not a long drive from the hospital to the Mansion K apartments where Kaname lives. It's 9 o'clock on Sunday morning and Kaname doesn't have a care in the world now that Sousuke is finally back to himself. The cab driver opens the door for the couple and pulls their few possessions from the trunk. Sousuke attempts to grab the bags but Kaname is there before him.
-You don't need to be doing stuff like this yet!
-I can assure you, while I may not be a peak physical condition yet, I am able to carry a bag.
He gently takes the bag from Kaname.
-Besides I have to check on the safe house Chidori, it's beentoo long.
-I'll come with you!
-Negative. I'll be at you're place in exactly 300 seconds.
-I've heard that one before Sousuke and this time there's no way I'll let you out of my sight.
She grabs his hand and intertwines their fingers, gently pulling him in the direction of his apartment. They wait patiently for the very slow elevator and Kaname hums a tune to herself quietly.
-Two years hu?
-Two years. I still find it hard to believe I was in a coma for a year though.
They make their way down the familiar corridor to Sousuke's room, he takes out his set of keys and puts it in the door. The lock won't turn.
-Stay back Chidori the safe house might have been compromised!
He immediately kicks the door in and pulls out his Glock 19, which Kaname had brought to him in the hospital, and aims it in the room. Kaname stands at the door, bewilderment written on her face as she sees two little girls playing with dolls and a tea set sitting in the middle of the floor. They begin to cry in sheer terror at the man who has burst into their home.
-SOU-SU-KE~ Kaname breathed. She pulled out her harisen and smacks him across the face and about the head several times shouting.
-WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT PULLING OUT YOUR GUN LIKE THAT! THIS IS A PEACEFUL COUNTRY SOUSUKE! THEY PROBABLY FIGURED YOU WEREN'T COMING BACK SO THEY RENTED IT OUT!
-But what about all my equipment?
-They probably have it in storage somewhere...either that... or the police have it as evidence.
-Hum. Where am I supposed to sleep then?
At this question it's Kaname's turn to blush.
-Well I figure you could stay at my place.
-I wouldn't want to be an inconvenience.
At this they turn to see a very angry woman standing in the front room.
-I'M CALLING THE POLICE!
-Heheh well you see ma'am my friend here used to live in this apartment and...
-HE PULLED A GUN ON MY DAUGHTERS!
-I'm very sorry ma'am, that was a miscalculation, I'm willing to receive any reprimand you deem necessary. He stands at attention.
-Well, oh my you're a very interesting boy... I suppose I can let it go just this once.
Kaname lets out a sigh of relief not wanting to have another disaster before they got to spend a quiet evening together at home. With one more apology they set back on their way to Kaname's apartment to have an oh-so-important night alone. She cracks her knuckles over her head and blows air at her bangs.
-I'm glad that's over with!
She puts the key in the lock opens the door and turns on the light.
-Tadaima! She calls. Come on Sousuke you too!
-Tadaima. He mumbles, the words being unaccustomed.
-O-kaeri nasai! Kaname responds, afterwards turing around and giving him a sweet welcome home kiss.
He blushed as Kaname pressed her lips harder against his. He dropped the bags and cupped the back of her head, fingers tangling in her hair. A moment passes and she gently pushes back from him to look him in the eye.
-I could get used to this.
-Yes. I can't explain this feeling, but yes I could too.
They look deeply into each other's eyes both blushing heavily.
~Gurrrr
Sousuke's stomach growls. Kaname pushes him away and says with a humph
-Way to ruin the mood Sousuke!
And almost as if in response:
~Gurrrr
Her stomach growls too, putting a cocky smirk on Sousuke's face.
-Uh.. why don't I cook something? Is curry rice okay with you? She knew it was Sousuke's favorite.
-That sounds delightful. He says with his usual deadpan expression.
She almosts bursts her seams when she heard it.
-S-s-since whe-when do you use w-w-words like...DELIGHTFUL!? HA! HA!
He looked down at his now slippered feet.
-I just wanted to you know how pleased that would make me...
Kaname finishes laughing it up and wipes a few tears from her eyes. She puts a hand to Sousuke's shoulder.
-Sousuke you really have changed!
He places a slightly trembling hand against hers.
-I would not have changed had I not met you.
He pulls her close and wraps his arms around her lithe body. She was the part of him that made him human again. She was a bright light in his dark world of horrors. She accepted him for everything he was good, bad, or otherwise. He gently caresses her cheek. There were things that needed to be said, unspoken things between them. Nami, of course being the most untouched subject. He knew she had read the letter, the one in which he bared his soul. He told her of his crimes against humanity, how he had killed women and children when he was in Afghanistan fighting as a guerrilla. He had killed to survive and he was good at it, for that he had no remorse, especially when it came to protecting her. After holding her for several minutes he placed his hands on her shoulders, pushed her slightly away and let out a sigh.
-What's wrong Sousuke?
-Chidori there are some matters we need to address. He stated nervously.
-What kind of matters?
-Um.. well, I'd like to talk to you about that document.
-Oh. She looks down to her pink sneakers. That.
She dips her head down so her bangs hide her face, fisting her hands into Sousuke's shirt.
-Yeah I guess there are some things we should talk about... but first let's eat. She smiles up at him.
There is quiet in the apartment as Kaname goes about preparing the ingredients for her famous curry. Sousuke just wanders about the living room listlessly, there are so many things to say, where should he begin?
-I suppose I start at the beginning and go to the end. It's just like a debriefing.
After about an hour she's done and serves out two heaping helpings to herself and Sousuke. Sitting down to his plate she can tell that he is deep in thought. Not much is said during the meal except for:
-Thank you Kaname, it's delicious.
After the meal is done Kaname goes to pick up the dishes to wash them whenhe suddenly picks her up and takes her into the bedroom to sit on her bed, this is an intimate place, maybe he could talk openly here. She folds her hands in her lap and looks seriously at Sousuke.
-I'm ready to listen if you're ready to talk.
-I don't really know where to begin. First I would like to say no matter how you feel after I've said what I need to say it's still my mission to protect you, to be by your side, is my number one priority. I'm not good with words or feelings Chidori and so I hope you will try to hear me out.
As he takes a breath she raises her hand.
-Can I ask questions?
-Affirmative. I will probably be asking you some questions as well Chidori.
-Ok I'm ready, and Sousuke?
-Yes?
-No matter what... I still love you.
He smiles at her sincerity, a small smile passing across her features as she takes his hand in hers. At least she is willing to listen and I don't think she'll get angry. After everything that had happened Kaname was rarely getting mad at Sousuke anymore. She was showing her gentler side since he had been hurt. She in turn was trying to be more honest with herself and her feelings, now that she knew how he felt, there was no reason to be jealous anymore, no need to worry he wasn't looking at her.
-Well then I guess I'll debrief you. He felt his palms growing sweaty not knowing where to begin. When I was 4 years old, Kalinin saved me from an airplane crash in which both of my parents died. I was taken into Nozh by the age of 5 and by 6 I had killed my first man.
Kaname winced at that, she looked into his eyes and saw the shadows of the past playing across them. She knew it hurt him to talk of his past, she knew he had no fond childhood memories only war, fighting, killing, surviving. She shuddered at what he had to do.
- I was 6 years old, I had disrespected my superior and was forced to stand outside in a blizzard for many hours with little clothes on. I finally had had enough, I was a small child and didn't know how to train my body, and went in to warm up. My superior saw me and said that if I couldn't follow simple orders I was a waste of flesh. He gave me a knife and said If you want to live then you'll have to kill me first. He came at me and stabbed me in the side. While he was trying to get his knife out of my body, I pushed my way into the hilt so I could slit his throat. This was a man not a boy, at least 3 times my age. I had no remorse for killing him, though I do remember being frightened for my life as a child. It was when I was 7 that I knew I had a knack for killing and the games of war.
She couldn't believe what she was hearing but she knew if it was Sousuke it had to be true. He told her many stories of the things he was forced to do as a child to survive.
-In Afghanistan I was forced to steal children from their beds to become child soldiers or kill them if they refused. Children older than me, younger than me, boys, girls, it didn't matter. I was forced to do unspeakable things in order to live Chidori, I don't know if you'll ever be able to understand the nature or extent of my crimes against humanity, but I hope you can forgive me for them.
The tears were streaming down her face, she couldn't hold them back. The descriptions made her sick she had seen people killed by Sousuke's hand, but she had known they were bad people, not innocent children. He told her of how he and Kalinin met and were enemies for a while, then when Sousuke was defeated, he took the boy in and trained him. He told her of how they were separated in Cambodia and how he became a mercenary after that. He told her of how he came to be at Mithril and the things that took place before she met him. She didn't ask questions, only listened.
-And that's when I was assigned to you Chidori. He takes a deep breath after letting everything out. Do you have any questions thus far?
-Did you enjoy killing those people at that time?
-I did not enjoy it as much as it was a sense of duty.
-Were you proud of yourself after killing them?
-I felt a certain pride in completing my mission, yes.
-Do you regret killing those children?
-No. I had to do it to survive.
-I see.
She didn't know what to think, yes she had read the letter but it was more an overview of his life rather than down to the details. She looked at him as if she had never seen him before, never knew this man. She felt bitter tears well up in her chest at the thought of those innocent children. He knew it would be hard on her to hear the details straight from him, but he didn't know it would be this hard. She looked as if she expected him to treat her brutally, to maim her in some way. He took his hand to cup her cheek and she flinched away.
-I'm sorry Chidori, I'm sorry I'm the man in front of you.
She knew she was not so innocent herself, but she could never imagine having to do the things he did, much less understand them.
-I'm sorry Sousuke, I just can't...
-It's not a problem.
Those words, like a soothing salve to her burning ears. She let the dam break and let the sobs wrack her body. She felt sorry for him and his miserable life. Hers by comparison was dull and full of happiness, excluding the death of her mother. She never knew someone could be so abused, tormented, as vile as what those people did to Sousuke. And there was more, more he had to tell her, more he had yet to say.
-After you left with Leonard. He continued. I spent 5 days wondering listlessly around my apartment. I finally got the courage to go to school on the 6th day. To be honest with you, I felt like you had betrayed me. Betrayed what we had, the fact that we could do anything together. I wanted to tell you to throw it all away and run away with me, but it was too late by then. I was going to do anything to get you back and I had to tell everyone that I would bring you back. From that day on I looked for leads to Amalgam eventually tracing down an old friend of mine named Rick, he was an AS pilot for an arena sport where ASes fight. It was a place called Namusaku in south east Asia where I met the team of the Crossbow, Michael Lemon, and Nami.
Nami. She had read that name. She knew the sound before it left his lips, it was one of lost love.
-She was the captain of an AS team, her machine was called the Crossbow. Nothing compared to Arbalest or Leviathan, it was an RK-91 but still a good machine.
-Did you love her? She looks away from his face afraid to read the answers written there.
-I can't lie to you Chidori, I suppose in a way I did. I thought about giving up on you, after a few months I couldn't remember things about you, what color was the ribbon in your hair? What wrist did you wear your watch on? Those were distant memories by then. I thought that I might be able to live happily with her, she reminded me a lot of you in ways. She was stubborn and kind. I knew her feelings for me, but never acted on them. But then I let her die. I let her die because I couldn't give up on you Chidori, if I had given up then, I would have never been able to save you. If I would have come out one second earlier I might have saved her, but I would have died in return. He stopped there, a strange lump in his throat.
-Sousuke? It's okay, you don't have to make yourself...
-I do. I want you to know everything, and then after that, you can decide what you want.
-Then I have something to confess to as well. That night, the first night we held hands, that was not the first time that I had met Leonard. When you were recalled, I knew that someone was following me, but I didn't know who. I had to ask a man to a sleazy hotel and pretend like I was going to do things with him... I've never felt so disgusting in my life.
His eyes were wide, he had never heard anything of this side of the story. He knew that Gauron had sent an assassin but he never knew how Kaname had gotten out of that situation.
-I used the stun gun you left me to subdue the man then I handcuffed him to the bathtub. I had to strip down to make sure there were no transmitters on my clothes. I had to wear a ratty hotel bathrobe. I didn't know where you were, I didn't know who was following me, I was so scared Sousuke! She starts to lightly beat on his chest. You weren't there! I ended up finding Wraith thinking she was the one following me, but no it wasn't her. The disguise threw me off, but then out of no where a shot rang out and Wraith was shot,.and I was face to face with a girl and a gun. She tried to shoot me but the chamber jammed so I ran away as fast as I could. I was able to take off my robe and stick it in an obvious hiding place. I then hid out of sight in range of the stun gun and waited for my chance. She did exactly what I predicted and aimed for the robe. Thats when I shocked her. As she lay passed out on the ground, that's when he came. Leonard with two of his Alastors. He killed that girl in cold blood, he had the Alastor strangle her until her eyes literally burst. It was the most horrific scene I have ever seen. He stole something from me that night.
She looked down after that, afraid of Sousuke's rejection. She inadvertently wiped her lips. He knew then what he had taken. A kiss. Probably her first. The rage that welled inside of him was great, if Leonard wasn't already dead he would have killed him. He looked down to the girl in front of him, softly crying and wrapped her in his arms.
-I promise that something of that nature will never happen again as long as I'm alive Chidori.
He softly tilts her head up and looks into her eyes.
-You don't find me disgusting?
-Never. If you can still love me for the things I have done, nothing that you could do could ever compare.
They look into each other's eyes for a long moment. The passion in between them is palpable. Slowly Sousuke leans into Kaname's quivering lips and the feeling between them is electric. Things turn down a sliding slope and they were quickly loosing control. Hands touching, fingers feeling, bodies intertwining, souls connecting.
-Not here.
He sweeps her off her feet, makes it down the hallway in just a few breathless moments, and kicks the door to her bedroom open. He tosses her on the bed hungrily. He closes the door, locks it and turns around and looks down on his prey laying on the bed with open arms. He had never felt so feeling in all his life. Not only senses that could be used for war, killing, surviving,and the most important feeling he had ever felt...love.