Disclaimer: No! I will not say I don't own Full Metal Panic! or the characters! Never! Oh, crap, I did!
Well, anyway... RangerH talked about the 'suspense' in the last chapter, but this chappie has the real stuff. Sorta.
"...and the young couple was never seen again."
The class is gathered around a blazing fire. On student is just finishing up telling a ghost story. Kyoko is clung onto Shinji, and he holds her in comfort. Kaname had clawed her hand into Sousuke's leg early in the story, and Sousuke doesn't understand things in the story.
"Why would a person that died while lost attack innocent people?"
Kaname shakes her head. "It's just part of the story, don't worry about it."
Sousuke looks like he wants to argue, but that look soon disappears. The class disperses and goes to bed. The night is cloudy and dark. Kaname and Kyoko talk about the boys as they try to sleep.
"What's going on between you and Shinji?" Kaname asks her friend.
"We keep getting closer and closer," the petite girl responds. "What about you and Sousuke?"
Kaname blushes. "He...last night...he kissed me."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah, he really surprised me."
"You liked it, didn't you?"
"Well..Oh, hell! I did, so what?"
Kyoko only giggled a little.
"What about you and Shinji? You kiss yet?"
"No...he barely admitted he likes me."
"Oh..."
"I did get to see him in his underwear, though. Even got a picture!"
The girls laugh at the thought of Shinji in just a shirt and underpants.
In their own tent, Sousuke and Shinji have a conversation about relationships. Sousuke has suggestions for Shinji.
""You should find the right time, and kiss her."
"I can't! She hasn't even said if she has those feelings about me!"
"Kaname never told me, but I still knew. I took my opportunity."
"You kissed her?"
"Affirmative. And we are closer because of it. It would seem Kyoko likes you. You should show her how you feel."
Shinji ponders the idea. Sousuke waits for a response.
"I just might do that..."
The girls have quieted down and are both now on the verge of sleeping. Something brushes up against the side of the tent, and a moan echoes on the wind. The girls jump up, fearing the worst.
"What was that?" Kyoko whimpers.
"I dunno." Kaname is still groggy from being half asleep. She sure isn't too good at waking up...
There's a howl from far away, and the ground begins to shake. The doors to the tent burst open, flailing in the wind. A strange glow spreads over the ground, and the girls scream for help.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!"
Sousuke is startled from relaxing on his bed, and quickly rises and grabs his gun. He rushes out of the tent. Outside there is a odd light coming from the woods, and the wind is stronger than earlier. He runs for his charge's dwelling, to find the doors are open and flapping in the strong gusts of air.
Shinji runs behind his friend,a gun in his hand. Just in case...He doesn't want to use the fire arm, but will if he needs to. The duo looks inside the tent to see...no one. The tent is empty!
Shinji hears a rustling sound in the nearby bushes, so he runs for it. Sousuke tries to stop him, but fails. In the bushes, Shinji knocks a man hiding there down hard. He grunts and passes out. Another speaks up.
"Man, Kazama, you can't take a joke."
"Where's Kyoko?" Shinji's tone is harsh.
Sousuke enters the brush. He sees Shinji at a person's throat, and another on the ground.
"What have you done with Chidori and Tokiwa?"
"Sagara! They're not in their tent? We didn't see any one come out, I swear!"
Shinji let him go. He left, going into the empty tent, looking for any clues as to where the girls are. There is nothing. He leaves, bumping into Sousuke.
"They're not here..." Shinji whispers.
"It was a practical joke. They shouldn't be in danger. They will likely come back soon. We should get some rest."
The two guys sulk back to their tent, missing the girls they cared about. They got inside and turned on a light. The moment they did...
Two girls jumped out, shouting "Surprise!" It's Kaname and Kyoko! Sousuke and Shinji jump back in shock, and almost bring down the tent!
"Man!" Kaname teases the boys, "Your faces are pure white!"
"We got you good!" Kyoko can't hold it in anymore. She drops to the floor, her abdomen hurting from the hard laughter.
The guys begin to recover from the prank. Sousuke scolds them not to alert him like that. Shinji pouts in annoyance.
A crack of thunder sounds in the distance, and raindrops begin to fall, making a light pattering sound on the tent.
The girls moan, as they don't want to go back in the rain. Sousuke offers them shelter with him and Shinji, who supports his idea. The girls hesitate, but ultimately decide it's better than getting their hair wet.
They all lay down to bed. Kaname bunks in with Sousuke on his cot, and Kyoko cuddles close to Shinji. He wraps his arm around her and holds her close.
The night is a peaceful one. Everyone feels a special warm glow inside.
Well, I'll update as soon as I can. I have the end of the story written already, I just have to avoid procrastinating and get it all typed. I only have two chapters left! Oh no! But here's the good news: I may be coming up with a sequel. And there are going to be some definite plot twists, especially for those who've seen the end of the series. It'll be another romantic comedy, kinda like a monday night sitcom.
Well, wish me luck on updating!(Crosses every finger imaginable)
