Journey to Insanity and Romance p 4

Disclaimer: I do not own Full Metal Panic! Wish I did though.

Chidori House and Briefing

The drive to the Chidori's house is quiet for the most part, considering that Shunya's still out like a light. When they get near the house, Shunya finally stirs.

He looks around confusedly and asks, "How'd I get in here? Was I dreaming? Did I really see a boy throw a knife into a mugger's leg? And was there even discussion of using a fragmentation grenade inside the Terminal?"

Kaname replies, "In that order, Sousuke loaded you into the car after our luggage, you weren't dreaming and Sousuke did throw a dagger into a mugger's leg. Along with talk of a fragmentation grenade. We'll give you the full details about Sousuke when we get inside."

Shunya sarcastically says, "I can hardly wait, Kaname. Just one thing. How did he learn to do all that he does?"

Sousuke clears his throat and replies, "Like I said earlier, Mr. Chidori, the school of survival." He looks over at Kaname and gets a nod from her.

He then adds, "I can tell you this much, sir. I am highly skilled in all aspects of warfare. From hand-to-hand combat all the way to piloting Arm Slaves. I am quite proficient with the RK-92 Savage and the JSDF Type 96. Along with the M6, M9 and the ARX-7."

Shunya grins and says, "Now I know you're lying. The M9 is not scheduled to be deployed until next year and the 'ARX-7' does not even exist."

Kaname then says, "Oh, yes it does, Father. I even saw it several times, with Sousuke in the pilot's seat and I even helped him with it. It's also known as Arbalest and the A.I.'s call sign is 'Al'. In any case, it looks like we're here, Sergeant Sousuke Sagara." Sousuke grins at Kaname's use of his rank toward Shunya and nods his assent to her testimony of him.

Shunya sighs exasperatedly and says, "I get the feeling I'll be needing a very stiff drink when I'm briefed on the details. Sousuke, you'll be sleeping in the guest room. Kaname, I already got your room set up. Just out of curiosity, Sousuke. Do you have any other weapons on you?"

"Affirmative, sir. A bodyguard is always armed, sir."

"BODYGUARD?" He turns to Kaname and says, "Please tell me he's joking, Kaname. Either that or his sense of humor needs work."

Kaname smiles warmly and replies, "He's quite serious, Father. He may be a teen still, but he's all business and really quite serious."

She then grins and says, "He could certainly do with a sense of humor, especially since the things he says at times are outlandish. Of course, that was when I first met him." She smiles dreamily and blows a kiss at Sousuke, causing him to blush and her to laugh at his reaction.

Sighing, she adds, "He's like a fish out of water, having seen so much war and fighting the good fight wherever he goes. But, I don't mind it. Because he makes me feel safe when he's nearby or on duty. As long as he's fighting the good fight, it means the world still has a chance. I can only hope that we have a proper chance for happiness. Sousuke in particular. He certainly deserves some, with his life having taken the turn it has in the past."

When the house comes into view, Sousuke and Kaname see a house that is pretty big, even for American standards. With vinyl siding and a brick chimney. In seconds, Sousuke sees spots of the house that can be considered to be weak points, yet easily corrected with the right kind of 'hardware'. Kaname sees Sousuke's appraisal of the house and sighs, clearly frustrated.

"Sousuke, don't be thinking what I think you're thinking. Please, don't think about how to increase the house's defensive capabilities." After a minute of silence from Sousuke, she slumps her head forward and softly says, "You are."

"Affirmative, Kaname. With Phalanx Gatling guns on the window sills on the upper levels, the house can withstand any attack. Along with a battery of Javelin missiles on the roof." Kaname can only shake her head and giggle as she thinks about Sousuke as a Home Security expert.

"Sousuke, when we get back to Japan, let's see Masatami Hyuga. I'm sure you can find ways to improve his Home Security." Her memory of hearing about Sousuke scaling the cliff bolsters her opinion that Sousuke would make an excellent Home Security expert. She even remembers the look of shock on Masatami's face when he had heard about Sousuke scaling the cliff, where the Security was weakest.

She then looks over at Shunya and sees his jaw dropped down to the floor of the limo. She could even swear that his hair had just gotten a little grayer in the last five minutes upon awakening. When she looks at Ayame, she can see that Ayame's hair is still reddish-blond and that Ayame is trying to stifle her giggles.

At that, the car stops and the group exits the car. Sousuke and Kaname get their luggage out while Ayame unlocks the door. When the door's unlocked, Shunya bursts into the house and goes right to the liquor cabinet. Finding a bottle of Scotch, he removes the top and starts drinking right from the bottle.

The others see this and Kaname says, "Daddy, it's not that bad. I don't mind having Sousuke as my protector. And we just realized our feelings for each other."

Shunya, remembering what had been said, asks, "Why do you need a bodyguard, Kaname? Are you in trouble with a gang at school or the Yakuza?" That other portion has him shuddering as he ponders the happenings in Japan of late.

Kaname shakes her head no and says, "It'll be best if we all sit down. First, I'll allow Sousuke to fully introduce himself."

Sousuke nods and says, "I am Sergeant Sousuke Sagara. I am with an organization dedicated to stopping conflicts and protecting special people with exceptional talents. My call sign is Urzu 7, ID number is B-3128. The organization's name is Mithril. Here's my Identification of Branch Division and patch to verify." He brings his IBD and patch out of his fatigue pocket and hands both items to Shunya.

Shunya examines both of them and chuckles weakly as Sousuke goes on.

"I was assigned to infiltrate Kaname's school in order to protect her. It was supposed to be without her knowledge or the Japanese Government's. During the school trip, our flight was hijacked by a terrorist known as Gauron. This guy was the worst scum on the planet. He had the co-pilot land the plane at Khanka, in the old Soviet Blok. Kaname, you're up."

Kaname nods gratefully and says, "After the plane landed, I was taken out to a mobile laboratory. Before I was removed from the plane, our teacher, Miss Kagurazaka, got up into Gauron's face and chewed him out. Gauron pulled out a gun and got ready to shoot her. Sousuke saved her life by dropping his tray onto the floor. Once I got to the lab that was set up, this mad scientist wannabe was in there and she started doing experiments on me. After an hour or so, I told her I didn't want to do any more sleep-learning. She then told me that I know things from before I was even born."

Her face gets even more serious as she says, "As I was trying to make a break for it, that crazy quack pulled out a gun and shot at me. Two goons came inside and one held me down against the table while that lunatic woman brought up a needle with some kind of chemical to make me submissive. I then felt the pressure on my back ease and I saw Sousuke come up behind me. He interrogated her and we found out what the purpose of the lab was."

Kaname then frowns as she says, "I'm 'Whispered', Father. My mind contains secrets to Black Technology. Sousuke got me out of there and to safety. He had me get into another truck and drove like heck away from there. He briefed me as to his true purpose, but I didn't believe him. When he crashed us into a hangar door, I was convinced we were going to die. At least until I saw him open the cockpit of an RK-92 Savage. He powered it up and trounced the soldier's equipment. At that moment, I knew that he would change my life, forever. Of course, it had already been changed since I first met him. In any case, he had me get into the Savage's hand and he then proceeded to carry me to safety. I was worried about the others, but he then told me that Mithril's sending a Rescue Squad."

Shunya nods and says, "I remember that report about the incident. But, I thought it was the U.N.'s Rescue Unit that did the rescue. And you were found in the Hospital two days later, where you claimed you don't remember anything past them giving you an injection."

He then looks at Sousuke and adds, "I suppose that's where you come into the picture again."

Sousuke nods and replies, "Affirmative, sir. I'm Kaname's Life Insurance Agent and Policy."

Kaname suddenly bursts out into laughter as she pictures Sousuke dressed as a Life Insurance Agent. Along with a card that says 'Sagara Life Insurance. We protect your life and your body. Your mind is your end because it's already been lost'.

She's rolling on the floor in peals of laughter until she calms down. She's still chuckling lightly as she gets up from the floor and passionately kisses her beau. At Sousuke's blush, she knows that he's still an innocent in some ways and realizes that she can still mold him.

She then sees her Father, an eyebrow arched in concern, and says, "My apologies, Father. I was just picturing Sousuke as a Life Insurance Agent. With a gun, no less. If not several."

Shunya merely grins and chuckles at the mental picture. He then sighs and scratches his head before looking back at his daughter and her boyfriend.

"Okay, let me see if I'm following you around the room here. You have technical knowledge that exceeds regular people's. Your new boyfriend is a highly skilled soldier with an organization dedicated to keeping the peace. He's also your bodyguard and a fellow classmate. Am I on track so far?" Kaname nods and Shunya sighs.

He then mutters, "My daughter's in love with a warrior that's old enough to start shaving. I can only hope that Ayame is spared the same fate."

Ayame hears this and says, "I think it'd be kind of cool. Smarter than everyone else, have a cute and rugged boyfriend and be a potential life-mate for that guy." Shunya automatically takes another drink while Kaname smiles sadly at Ayame.

"Ayame, being 'Whispered' is no picnic, at all. You'd constantly be in danger, both of disappearing and dying after they're done with you. The only reason I'm still alive and away from those that seek that knowledge is Sousuke. Without him and Mithril, people like me would always be at risk of exploitation of our minds." She then shudders and looks at Sousuke with a question in her eyes.

Sousuke nods and brings out his communicator. "This is Urzu 7. In country. Get me SRT Lead or the Captain, please. High priority situation."

"This is the Captain. Go ahead Urzu 7."

"Madam Captain, what are the chances of siblings being the same way as those we protect?"

"There are cases in which siblings are the same way. Am I to understand you may have come across another?"

"Affirmative, ma'am."

"Are you secure, Sergeant? Are you in private with the party in question?"

"As secure as possible, Madam Captain."

"Understood. Myself, SRT Lead, Urzus 2 and 6 will arrive tomorrow at 1100 hours."

"Urzu 7, roger." Sousuke ends communication and sees Kaname sitting with Shunya and Ayame, all of them looking worried.

Deciding to be as calm as he can, he asks, "Uh, just how bad can it be? If Gauron's alive, along with Venom, it'd be very bad."

Curious, Shunya asks, "What do you mean by if, Sousuke?"

Kaname replies, "Sousuke once told me that Gauron's harder to kill than a ninja cockroach. I have yet to see a cockroach like that, but I get his meaning. We both sent Gauron and Venom off of the TDD-1 using the sub's catapult system. Gauron activated his mecha's self-destruct and was intending to destroy the sub. Sousuke latched him onto the catapult. When it launched, Gauron went flying right into the water and Venom exploded under the waves. If he survived the explosion, that description just might prove apt in his case."

Shunya takes another swig, swallows and asks, "The sub has a catapult system? The technology, let alone the vessel, must be impressive. I would like to see it sometime."

Kaname chuckles and says, "That is an understatement, Father. The biggest one yet. I even saw the TDD-1 while underwater." She calms herself down enough to tell him all about it.

When she gets done, he looks at Sousuke, takes another drink, swallows and asks, "You actually linked her up with your harness and jumped out of an airplane with her? Why couldn't the plane have landed? Are you out of your mind, Sousuke?"

"In that order, yes, I did, the plane couldn't land because it was flying too fast and I am quite sane, sir."

Kaname giggles, thinking, 'It's all a matter of perspective.'

Shunya then chuckles and says, "That remains to be seen. Let me see your weapons, Sousuke. I pray you have no grenades or land mines with you."

"Actually, I have those as well, Mr. Chidori. Kaname has a pair of grenades as well. They are disguised as earrings."

"You gave my daughter grenades the size of earrings? Can this night get any nuttier?"

Kaname smiles and says, "It's only just begun, Daddy. Sousuke, tell him what kind of hardware we have here today, if you please."

"M-16A2 rifle with 40mm M-203 grenade launcher, five 30 round magazines with 5.56mm, seven 40mm grenades, Steyr SPP, five 30 round magazines of 9mm parabellum, Glock 17, seven 17 round 9mm parabellum magazines, Franchi SPAS 15 Assault 12 gauge Shotgun, one hundred 12 gauge shells, 10 concussion grenades, 10 fragmentation grenades, 10 Claymore mines, 5 blocks of C-4, 15 blasting caps with detonation cord spool, one trigger-switch for the mines and C-4, one bottle of nitroglycerin and five sticks of TNT. Everyday items, at least for me. All magazines are fully loaded, so it's not a problem."

He looks over at Kaname and adds, "The smallest Howitzer would still be too big for me to carry in my bag. Perhaps it's time a much smaller Howitzer was made."

Kaname smiles and says, "If anyone that knows weaponry can design it, you certainly can, Sousuke. Why don't you give it a try?"

Sousuke grins savagely and says, "I love a challenge."

Shunya can only hold his head in his hands as he says, "I can't believe I'm hearing talk of explosives along with a portable Howitzer. Chances are, the Howitzer would have to be a rifle with a powerful kick."

Sousuke remembers something he was designing and brings out his communicator again. "Urzu 7 again. Please connect me to the Captain. Medium priority."

"Sorry, Urzu 7. Captain and the others have already departed. The Commander is in charge until the Captain returns. TDD-1 out."

"Urzu 7, roger." He closes the communicator and says, "They're already on their way. In my quarters on the sub, I have a rough design sketch for a new rifle I've been pondering making."

Kaname grins and says, "You've been working on a new type of Howitzer, haven't you, Sousuke?"

Sousuke returns the grin and replies, "Affirmative. I've been thinking about it. Using 25mm rounds with explosive tips, it could be considered to be a small scale Howitzer."

Kaname rubs her hands gleefully as she adds, "It would be so impressive, Sousuke. But, wouldn't something like that be heavy, even for someone in good shape?"

Sousuke nods and replies, "It would require two people to carry it, be mounted on a tripod to help with the weight and also destroy anything one of the rounds would hit."

He then sighs and adds, "Right now, the smallest version is mounted on a Bradley Fighting Vehicle. I examined the chain gun version of it and had some ideas. Semi-auto firing, vents along the barrel to disperse the toxic fumes and a muzzle brake to aid in reducing the recoil."

Kaname nods, whistles and says, "I guess you were working on it on the TDD-1 in between missions, weren't you?"

Sousuke replies, smiling, "Affirmative." He then looks over at Ayame and Shunya, elects to tell them some of their adventures together and asks Kaname with his eyes.

Kaname sighs and replies, "Better stick with the better ones, Sousuke. Those memories are worth having." She then slams her fist into her palm and says, "Let's tell them about the time we went to the hot springs with Melissa and Tessa. I'm surprised you guys didn't even peek."

"Uh."

"Sousuke, was there something screwy going on at the hot springs during our trip?"

Sousuke nods and tells them all about what had happened. When he gets done, Shunya gets up from his chair, gets another bottle of Scotch and two glasses. He then returns to the chair and pours the Scotch into the glasses.

"Let me see if I got this straight. Three perverted males, a lone, serious-about-his-duty soldier, five young ladies, one of them being your superior Officer. Add in a female Soldier, your superior NCO no less, sentry guns, military-grade armor plating inside a wall. Include land mines along the pathway with you right in the hot spring when the Kazama boy arrived, Sousuke. Did anything untoward happen?"

"Merely a very awkward situation, Mr. Chidori. Very awkward."

"I see. Say no more. Here, have a drink, Sousuke." Sousuke accepts the drink and swallows it down. Once he's done, he goes unconscious. "Let me guess. He's not much of a drinker."

"Judging from his reaction, probably not. But, at least I know not to buy him booze for when he gets older. Otherwise his capability will sorely diminish." Kaname giggles as she hoists Sousuke onto her shoulder, with Shunya taking the other side. At that, they both take Sousuke to the guest bedroom.

As they lug him into the bed, Kaname chuckles as she recalls the first time Sousuke did something really nutty. Nutty to her, that is. "Father, he once jumped out a window on a train moving at high speed. I'm amazed he didn't get hurt or killed when he did that stunt."

"He jumped? Why didn't he walk out the door like you normally do?"

"He said it was coincidence that he was there and I thought he was a pervert. Always looking at me like he was watching me for some twisted reason. I got off the train as the doors were closing. Next thing I know, he opened a window and leaped right out, knocking down benches as he tumbled along the pathway. I never saw a braver or more deranged sight in my life."

"Did he explain it?"

Kaname nods and replies, "He said that he just felt the need to get off the train. Then when we sat together, we had a nice conversation. I learned that he didn't even have a girlfriend."

"Are you kidding me? A nice-looking, rugged young man like that without a girlfriend? Any girl that wouldn't appreciate a soldier to be in their life doesn't know what they are missing."

Kaname sighs and replies, "He told me that a friend of his said that no girl would ever consider him to be relationship material. Not even on the frozen tundra. At first, I agreed with his friend. After all, when I first met him, he was a bit of an odd bird. You might even say extremely odd. But, now that I know, I understand that he only concentrates on his duty as much as possible. After all, he's the best soldier I ever met."

Shunya nods softly as he leaves Kaname and Sousuke be in the guest bedroom. As he walks out, he says, "Kaname, I hope you're not planning anything naughty with him. After all, like you said, you just realized your feelings for each other." Kaname assures him that she'll let Sousuke sleep in his clothes. At that, Shunya leaves the two alone.