Chapter 5 - Confidence and Trust

Sousuke wasted no time getting ready for the day. There was much to do before 1500. Checking the weather report, he contacted Kurz and Melissa to make transportation arrangements for him - flatly refusing to let them know what he was up to, even though Kurz begged. The sergeant had groceries to buy, supper to pack, charts to check, gear to get ready, and his stuff to pack.

...

Kaname was still trying to decide what to wear, when the phone interrupted her decision process. Sousuke direct as ever stated, "Kaname, I need you to bring a change of clothes."

"Um...why? What are you thinking?" she asked full of suspicion. If he would be here in front of her, she'd be readying her halisen. No turning into a Kurz now that she'd admitted her feelings for him.

"You'll want something to change into if you get wet. That's all I can reveal. See you in half an hour," was all he said before hanging up. It made her suspicious, which made the time pass even more slowly.

When the buzzer rang, she was still trying to figure out what he could be up to. Two minutes early. She wished her apartment had a security camera – so she could at least see what he was wearing. Hearing his knock, she decided to take her time to answer – so she wouldn't appear too anxious to see him.

When she opened the door, his gaze lingered - taking her in. The little sundress she wore really showed off her figure. Snapping his thoughts back to his purpose, he nudged her along, "We should get going to get the most if it. It will take awhile to get there. Where's your bag?"

She gave him a suspicious look, "No bombs, grenades or Kurz and Melissa plans involved? If so I'll leave the halisen at home..."

He nodded, "Affirmative. Perfectly safe."

"Do I get to find out where we're going yet?"

"Not yet. When we're on our way..."

His light colored T-shirt and shorts contrasting with his tan skin said that he must have seen some sun on those missions last school year. The wind had tousled his hair a bit and it suited him perfectly. Her breath caught.

"If I can't trust him – I shouldn't go," she questioned herself. Deciding, and grabbing her bag, she took his hand. They stepped out of the building to a small SUV already running, with Kurz getting out of it. Melissa was in an identical one behind.

Giving a low sweeping bow as they approached, Kurz flashed his GQ cover grin. "Transportation for you and the lady as requested," he flaunted, lady-killer mode in full force. Maybe Melissa would notice and she'd buy him a beer tonight?

Kaname was about ready to go back for her halisen, when Kurz opened the passenger door for her, then raced around to open the driver's door for Sousuke. Sitting down, she asked a little surprised, "When did you get your license, Sousuke?"

"When I turned 18." He shrugged it off as Kurz shut the door, "I've been driving for years though." Resisting the temptation to tell Kurz not to follow them, Sousuke knew better. It would only encourage those two to really follow him. The pair had sworn up and down that they already had plans for the night. If they were bluffing, Sousuke would be ready. Though, knowing those two they'd probably hit the bars until the wee hours of the morning. When he pulled out, Sousuke told Kaname they were headed for the bay. Traffic wasn't as heavy as he had anticipated and they arrived at the marina ahead of schedule. Kaname looked in wonder at all the sailboats. So he had rented one of these? Nice. She loved the sea – he'd chosen well, and this explained the change of clothes.

To Kaname's surprise, Sousuke didn't go to the marina shop to get the keys for the boat. He pulled right up to the floating dock and headed for a sailboat, motioning for her to follow. "I'll load the boat in a bit – Come see it first," he called. Looking completely at home here, he hopped on and helped her up. She'd never thought about him as a sailor – but he WAS assigned to a submarine. Maybe it shouldn't have been a surprise. As she was being helped up – she noticed the name on the side of the boat, "AL 2". Sousuke ran his fingers through his hair, not used to showing off. "I bought this Sydney 32 after I went fishing with you that first time. Now, I sail and fish whenever I can. I've wanted to bring you out here to fish with me for a while, but..."

She looked around, eyes flashing as she noted the fishing rods in the cabin below. Cutting him off, she cornered, "Fishing? That's what we're going to do with our next two days?" Leaving the halisen behind may have been a bad idea. She counted to 10. Fishing? Ugh – not very romantic at all! That's what they did last time before he had to go. Sousuke may have a long way to go yet. She sighed. At least they would have the time together.

"Negative. I thought I'd teach you how to sail," he saw her eyes brighten as he explained. Hopping off the boat, he called "Wait there!" as he went to retrieve her bag and park the vehicle. Looking around with new eyes, she sat down and bit her lip. How much had she'd underestimated him?

After tossing her bag and a basket on deck, he untied the mooring rope and jumped back aboard, raised the anchor, and started the engine. The cool breeze was refreshing. To keep her hair from blowing around too much in the wind, she quickly braided it.

Turning off the engines when they'd gone far enough to raise the sails, he gently tugged her hand, encouraging her to get up. The wind was perfect for sailing today. Stepping up behind her, he put his chin just over her shoulder so he didn't have to raise his voice as he pointed out the different parts of the boat. Though his hair tossing in the wind tickled her face.

Then pulling her over to the sails, he showed her how to hoist them. Doing some last minute checks, he scooted in behind her and showed her how to turn the boat with the tiller and how to use the wind to tack. They sat there together just enjoying the sun, the wind and the gentle rocking of the boat on the sea. Leaning back to rest her head on his shoulder, she felt truly at peace - wondering why he hadn't shown this to her before. Impulsively, she kissed his cheek.

Sousuke stood a little taller. Here in his boat, he could be free; he could relax – this was his domain and Kaname was here to share this time with him.

Starting to feel hungry, she inquired, "So what's in the basket?"

That popped his thought bubble. "Oh...," he fumbled as he refocused his thoughts, dousing the sails and letting down the anchor before starting toward the cabin. She followed and tried to get a peek at what he'd packed.

Meticulously, he set out deli made bento lunches with her favorite kind of bread, pop, and even Pocky. A twinge of guilt began to eat away at her. He had been watching her so carefully the last two years – he even knew what she liked to eat. Meekly she smiled and joined him at the table in the cabin. Did she ever pay attention enough to know what he really liked? "Sousuke..." she began and faltered. She wasn't quite sure how to say what she was thinking. He glanced up with his full attention. All she could manage was, "Thank you," and he nodded once in return.

Gleaning that the date must be acceptable so far, "We should hurry if we want to see the sunset," he urged as he looked out the cabin. Standing up, he grabbed a sweatshirt from the closet and held it in her direction.

Looking at him expectantly, she gingerly took it. Feeling he should say something at least, he brought up, "The temperature will drop – you'll want it."

She relaxed, thinking that he was sometimes a master of the obvious. Obediently she put it on, as he stared at her – hypnotized. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he began to head up out of the cabin when she cleared her throat expectantly, "A-hem". He turned and looked questioningly. What did she expect?

"I know this is new territory for you, Sousuke. But, I think it WOULD be appropriate for you to hold my hand. People who date usually have a little more contact," she softly chided.

He acquiesced and she intertwined her fingers with his.

Arriving on the deck, Sousuke let go of her hand, gazed out over the ocean and murmured, "How do you know what to do next on a date? Is there some behavioral code? I know how to teach you to sail, but...you were just there with me last night. Everything was easier then..." Looking particularly morose, he was a goldfish swimming in a saltwater tank when it came to dating. What NOT to do was evident from Kurz's stories, but that was about it. Maybe things weren't going so well anymore.

Taken back a bit, Kaname sensed he was feeling out of place. She always seemed to have expectations of him, yet she'd only had one date before this. Should she be so demanding? Considering, she answered softly, "The whole idea is just to be together. To learn more about each other, I think. I haven't dated much either you know. We do what we want, but there's not an overall plan in it. It's about learning and experiencing together, as far as I understand it. Hopefully we'll learn to read each other and know what to do next. Our date has been great so far." She let that sink in.

Expertise took trial and error...practice. The idea of not having a carefully laid out plan was perplexing. Relationships were so much more complicated than piloting an AS; there was even training and a manual for an AS. But not everything would be as natural for him and he was probably in the middle of training right now. Letting out a breath, he nodded – feeling a little confidence return. "So we do what we want and improvise?" he verified just to be sure.

"Yep."

Her mouth turned up as he stepped closer. Drawing her face to his, he tenderly placed his lips to hers. Her hands gravitated to the back of his neck, and he pulled her tight to his chest. Nope, he wouldn't mind more of this at all. No wonder Kurz talked about girls so much.

She had waited for that kiss for over a year, and finally it was hers. Relishing the whole experience, they were oblivious to the sun's shrinking rays coloring their faces.

...

Kaname stirred. The smell of breakfast invited her to continue waking. Dreamily she propped her head in her hands and smiled at her soldier, preparing an omlet.

Recalling last night as they cuddled on the couch in the cabin - when he nuzzled his head in her shoulder and whispered regretfully, "I should probably take you home..." He didn't move to get up - didn't want to. Emotions were clouding his head.

She didn't want to go home either – she wanted all of Sousuke's remaining time here. There wasn't anyone waiting at home for either of them. It would be ok, right? Granted, there had been some misunderstandings in the past. But he'd listen if she asked to go home.

Tenderly kissing his ear, she whispered back, "I'll stay. I trust you."

He was a perfect gentleman.

Since they only had 2 days – I had to put another moosh chapter in before he heads out. Couldn't pass that up. (Avlor hums...Shoujo gal, shoujo gal, yes I am a shoujo gal!) I don't know boating terms – had to look them up, so if you notice a mistake or have other suggestions – please let me know! (Oh and if you like the story so far – I'll write more for good sashimi... Just kidding! I'll keep writing more anyway – I'd only do this for fun.) I PROMISE – THERE WILL BE ACTION AND MAYHEM COMING UP! (My hubby and I had a blast planning it...EVIL GRIN) Please R&R!