Resolution
I don't own Full Metal Panic or any of its characters.
Signs and symbols:
"Speech"
"Thoughts"
SOUNDS/YELLING
Scene changeAN: (DO READ) In this chapter there'll be a few scenes where the characters "use" the Persian language while talking. Since it would be plain ridicule to actually use Persian, for one, most of you probably don't speak the language, and more importantly neither do I, so I'll be using the following symbol -Persian-.
Another note on my long absence: Let's just say that I had some girl trouble. Try to write about a couple with a broken heart. Not the best thing that someone can do. I know many of you want to know how the story continues, but I didn't want to bring out any rubbish, so I thought it's for the best if I wait till I calm down a bit, and get over with all the exams. Hopefully, this time there won't be any problems. I haven't said this in a long time, but I do appreciate all the reviews I get, but saying thanks after every single chapter can easily become monotone. I want everyone to know that I'm grateful from heart for every single one. Now my fingers are sufficiently warmed up so let's get this thing going.
Chapter 24: A friend of old times
The desert was merciless to the two wanderers. It was showing them its worst, and most cruel side. Yet they refused to give up. The figures were walking alongside each other, their eyes scanning the horizon, their side arms ready for battle just in case. The sun was slowly reaching its zenith. It was in its most powerful time of the day, turning the landscape into a natural oven. The two figures went on in the blazing heat, across the dried out landscape.
They were marching across the rocky desert, over hills, and mountains, dangerous cliffs, and deep valleys. Their water reserves were running low, and both of them were thirsty. This made them perform even higher feats. However, at the same time they were also getting tired.
"Sousuke! It's been five days! Are you sure we're headed in the right direction?" asked the voice of the young woman.
"I told you Kaname I grew up here. This land is like my back yard."
"I know! You already told me, but I really need to drink something!" she whined.
"We'll be there soon. The town is just behind the mountain ridge," answered Sousuke. He grabbed his water-bottle and handed it to her. "Here! You can have mine. You're not used to this climate."
Kaname smiled and grabbed her own bottle. She brought it to her lips and took a long gulp out of the empty case. Sousuke mentally shook his head. He knew well that hers has been empty for some time. He knew that there's no reason to argue. As long as she acts like this there's no problem. The girl smiled at him and the two continued their journey.
After a few minutes he noticed that her steps are becoming uneasy, some of the usual colour disappeared from her cheeks. He knew the symptom too well. Now he was a bit angry with her. Wit a swift move he pulled out his bottle and handed it to her. "I want that bottle empty!" he ordered.
Kaname blushed a bit. It was rare that Sousuke stroke such a tone with her, and this time she accepted the case. "Are you sure you don't need any?" she asked.
"I'm fine, your body still has to get used to the heat."
"You're telling me? I need a long soak! I must be reeking!" she answered before taking a long gulp. She handed the container back to Sousuke. The boy noticed that there was still some water left. When he turned to Kaname she smiled at him. "You need to keep up your strength. Or how will you protect me?"
Sousuke blushed. He accepted the offer and finished off the rest of the water reserves. Kaname smiled and embraced his arm. "Now let's go! There's not much left till we get there." The boy nodded agreeing and he continued his way, pulling her close to him. The two were silent once more. There was not much left for them to discuss. They had weeks to get everything out of their system, now they were glad just to be together.
Kaname tightened her grip on her bag. It was containing all the material that she needed to be rid of all the problems in her life, with the exception of a certain guy. She was still a bit sad, her father really turned out to be one of those criminals responsible for her wacky life. The fact, that he didn't know a thing about her being the target didn't really make it any better. She respected her father, despite her hatred aimed at him. Right now, she would simply greet him with a fist in the face. The fact that he'd be still in that little group if she wasn't a whispered made her even more angry.
"I have to hand it to him, at least he knows when to hit the road," she thought. It was only a small comfort. "And at least he managed to get Ayame into safety!" she thought with satisfaction. "There are only a few people who would be crazy enough to go one-on-one with the De Danaan. Plus to do that they have to find the sub first."
While Kaname was busy thinking Sousuke was musing on different problems. Since water was one of the main issues when he and Kaname jumped, he had only limited resources to use. Although, he could easily blend in, and he had no real problems with ending up in this part of the world. Except for all the memories. He knew that he'll have to move on quickly unless he wants her to go mad. He'll also have to make sure to be extra careful and considerate. She doesn't speak any of the local languages and he knew that pretty soon she'll feel like dead weight if they can't move on, towards the border.
Once the two of them return to civilization he'll only have to find one office of a Mithril associated company and get the hell out of the country before the Russians find out that their target is just next door, and they put an extraordinary sum on their heads.
The couple continued its long journey. They finally reached the last mountain that they need to cross, there was still some to go. The terrain proved to be difficult, but thanks to Sousuke's pre knowledge of the area it wasn't too hard for them to advance, but thins were still not really bright. Despite their determination, the two youths were feeling the toil of the past weeks, their feet slowly got heavier. In the end they were supporting each other to be able to keep moving. They were dragging each other towards their mutual goal. Right now this was water.
Kaname took another tentative step, and once more it was Sousuke who kept her from falling. A mere moment later she did the same for him. "Sousuke..." called Kaname in a weak voice. The boy lifted his tired face to look at her. "If this is it... I just want to tell you that I'm happy as long I have you."
The boy's face darkened. "It isn't over till I say so!" he growled.
"It would have been long over if I did like you asked back then in North Korea," she answered with a weak laugh.
"Well now it's my turn to keep you alive!" came the answer.
Kaname smiled. The two kept on with their struggle. They kept this up for another hour; before the girl was finally ready to surrender. Just before that happened her ear heard something. It sounded suspiciously like water flowing. He head snapped up, searching for anything that could be the source. Then she saw it. Down the mountain path. There were camels. Lots of them. It could mean only one thing.
To make things better she had a couple of chances to experience the mirage. This one was too real to be one. Her body tensed. She shot off at full speed. Sousuke didn't even have time to react. He promptly landed in the dust, head first. He didn't curse. In fact he laughed. The girl was suddenly so energised, that she was threatening to break the world record in short distance running. Sousuke simply lifted his head and stared as she threw herself at the camel's waterhole.
The soldier laughed. The fresh, clean, water was just guzzling out on the opening on the side of a huge boulder, but she was so happy to have any water that she completely overlooked those few details. She didn't really care to begin with, and was gulping down half of the wooden container's content. Right next to her, a large male camel was taking a sip himself. He was staring at the girl not believing that she's human.
Sousuke quickly got on his feet and hurried after her. Finally after five minutes Kaname sat back up. She was finally satisfied, and full. It was only then that she finally noticed Sousuke standing next to her. He was also busy drinking. From his bottle.
"Kaname, do you know that you just drunk from the camel's water?" asked the soldier, happy that she's finally out of the trance.
The girl looked up at him, and saw a second wooden tank just above the one meant for animals. She looked down on the half empty one, then at the camel in front of her. The camel was staring at her as if wanting to ask why she drunk all the water. Luckily the water was quickly being refilled by the spring. She laughed and straightened up.
"I guess I was a bit too happy to get my hands on something to drink."
"I took notice of that!" answered Sousuke with a small smile. "Let's fill our reserves and head for town."
"Before you do the same with the first piece of food you see," joked Kaname.
"I assure you I won't do anything like that. Although, I'm happy that we decided to bring along a large quantity of weapons as well. They will be a most great trading good till we get out of this country, here there's always need for weaponry, we just have to make sure to keep enough of them on ourselves for protection, and we will, be okay."
Kaname groaned. "Okay, this evening you're getting another long lecture on civilian lifestyle."
"I don't understand Kaname. Right now I'm doing my job."
"As if you still count protecting me as a job. Try to talk normally! I'm your girlfriend for goodness sake!"
"That is true and..."
"Sousuke!?"
"I believe I'm doing something wrong."
"You bet you are! I'll tell you later. But first, where the hell can someone get a dip here?" Sousuke blushed at the girl's words. Kaname laughed. "Someone's got a pretty good imagination here!" she toyed. She leaned closer to him with a smirk on her face giving him a chaste kiss.
"You don't understand! You can't run around naked around here, and there are no real bathhouses for women in this country... so we'll have to find an inn first."
"But I really need that bath!" pouted Kaname, then a sly grin appeared in her face as she leaned cloer to him. "And to tell the truth, I wouldn't mind if you saw me like that!"
"You're not the only one, I must be also carrying a most hideous stench." answered Sousuke. He took her hand and turned to lead her towards the city. Now after being refreshed, and refilled with water the relatively short track was no longer of any threat. "I suggest we find someone who can help us in this predicament," added the boy. As soon as he said those words his gut warned him of immense danger. He only had time to reach for his weapon before the two of them were surrounded by a large number of males, who were obviously guarding the large numbers of camels around.
The faces of the men promised nothing good. To add, they were all armed with a ranged weapon of some kind. One of them even carried an old type bazooka, which is pretty much overkill in such a situation. Sousuke could only do one thing, namely to forget about any idea of resistance in the hope of getting away later on. "Don't do anything Kaname! I'll try to reason with them!" he whispered to the stunned girl next to him.
Kaname would have laughed if the situation didn't look so bad. "Like I would try anything! I'm not crazy you know!" she answered.
Sousuke stepped forward with his hands up while quickly gathering his thoughts. It has been a few years since he last spoke Persian, and despite the fact that he preferred to think in that language, he was quite a bit rusty. -I'm sorry, but may I know the reason for your assault on us?-
-You should know well! Camel-thief!- yelled one of the men at him.
Sousuke almost groaned. This wasn't the best of starts. -I assure you that I wasn't planning to steal anything. I was merely searching for water. I do believe that Allah wouldn't like it if you taxed people for drinking from a spring.-
-That may be right, but we still don't believe you, yelled that same man as before. Were are my five camels you stole?-
Sousuke was trying to think of anything that can help him. The people were obviously not believing him despite the fact that he really had nothing to do with the thefts. Then his eyes focused on a familiar face in the group. The man was around his forties, he bore a beard, and a small scar on his neck. His face spoke of the things he saw, but he seemed to be content.
The face was older than Sousuke remembered, but it was definitely the one of an old friend of his. The man's eyes were also filled by the light of recognition. A huge smile formed on the face of the two. -Kashim you bastard! How the hell did you get here!- yelled the man with joy.
-Rashid! You're a real saviour! I swear these guys are ready to cook us alive!- answered Sousuke. The two shot forward and met in a bone-crushing hug. -What the hell are you doing here? I thought you were killed years ago!- yelled Sousuke with joy.
-It's a long story,- answered the boy. -One thing I can assure you! I'm quite alive!-
-That I can see!- laughed the man, pointing at Kaname.
All the time Kaname stood there not really knowing what to do. She didn't understand a thing of what was being said. Though she was relieved. Apparently there was someone in the group who was a good friend. "Sousuke?" she asked still a bit nervous. "Who is this?"
-So, for real, what are you doing around here?- asked the man.
-We're just passing through. The engine of our airplane malfunctioned. We were forced to jump.-
-Still living the life of a daredevil, are you? Well, if you are in the need you're welcome to stay at my house for a few days... And who is this girl?- he asked with a grin. -You two were acting very familiar! Is she your wife?-
Sousuke flushed in embarrassment. -Well not exactly, he responded, quickly trying to search for the right word.- The actual problem was more of the linguistic matter, after a few seconds of thinking he did respond -She's... my fiancé.- he answered with embarrassment.
Finally Kaname had enough and grabbed Sousuke's arm to make him turn to her. "Could you just tell me what's going on?" she asked.
-I'm sorry, but I have to tend to her needs. She doesn't speak the local language and she must be a bit anxious because of it,- apologised Sousuke before he fully gave his attention to the girl.
The man nodded and turned to the mob to inform them that it was not the thief who they caught.
"Looks like we're lucky," explained the boy. "He's an old friend from my rebel days."
"So why are you so nervous? If things are that okay."
"You see the problem is more of a question of the language. In the Persian there is no term for the relationship we have," explained the boy.
"So what did you tell him?"
Sousuke blushed again. "I told him that you are my fiancé. I thought it's more appropriate since we're much closer to that than just friends. I hope you don't have a problem with this."
Kaname smiled, and pulled him into a gentle embrace. "I don't think there's anything wrong with that. The things were re talking when we're together anyone would think that we are really engaged!"
The crowd slowly started to move away. Many of them were disappointed that the ones they caught weren't the thieves. They all returned to their posts to keep lookout for their targets. Although, if the ones they were looking were anywhere around, this most probably scared them away for some time. Kaname and Sousuke couldn't care less they busy were enjoying a hell of a relief.
Kaname pulled Sousuke closer for a kiss, but the boy quickly stopped her. "In the evening when we're alone, all right?" Kaname nodded not really understanding, she knew that Sousuke had a good reason if he made her stop. Besides he did promise her to make it up later.
-So care to introduce the young lady?- asked the man with a happy grin.
Sousuke blushed and let go of Kaname in a blink of an eye. The girl laughed. "Now really Sousuke! Being embarrassed over such a little thing!" she taunted.
The man also laughed. -No need to be embarrassed. I don't see what's wrong with sharing time with your future wife. Just keep your clothes on!- as an answer to this a set of laughs could be heard from the people around them.
Sousuke nodded, his blush intensifying. Rashid also laughed, While Kaname joined Sousuke with her face also becoming red. Somehow she knew that they were talking about her. "I really need to give him a few more lessons!" she mumled.