The Whisperer
Disclaimer:"…"
---
Chapter 6
-Tokyo, Japan-
5:00 am
Sousuke's apartment
Sousuke was cleaning his weapons again. He would make sure to be prepared for the first day back to school. He was sure nothing short of his mistakes would happen today. But that was better than a real problem. Like Kaname had suggested to him he went to bed early. Of course he in turn woke up early. He would make sure not to show his affection for Kaname in company of her friends. He had before in regular public, but they did not know those people. He figured Kaname would want to come back on the same note she left on.
"It is not a problem." Sousuke finished packing his items. Maybe he could get in another hour of rest. He began walking to his bed when his phone rang. Looking at the caller I.D he noticed it was Kurz. Sousuke, Kurz, and Melissa made sure to get phones connected to special satellite so they could always keep in touch. Sousuke flipped open the phone.
"Sagara speaking." His voice was flat.
"Sousuke ol' buddy! How you doing with Angel? Did you score yet?" Kurz was really enthusiastic for this early in the morning.
Sousuke was red and sweating. He hadn't scored with Kaname per say. No one even knew he had kissed Kaname. Even though he knew Kurz was playing around the question still got to him. He had learned a few words of slang while going around so he was not as confused about words being used strangely as he used to be. He thought back to Kurz asking him if he'd been laid. He did not understand it at the time.
"Uhh." Sousuke hadn't realized his verbal mistake. Kurz did.
"So how was it huh? Did you go too fast? Did Leonard already get to her?" Kurz voice was dripping with curiosity. Sousuke did not like the thought of Leonard doing anything to her but quickly disregarded it.
"Negative nothing has happened between me and Kaname. Your concerns are incorrect. It's not a problem." Sousuke was able to get that out like it was nothing. He heard Kurz sigh on the other end obviously disappointed.
"Yeah yeah buddy. You're so boring. Well I'll talk to ya later. Mao and I got a date if you know what I mean." Suddenly Sousuke heard what sounded like an 'oomph' and the phone dropping.
"Hi Sousuke." Melissa was on the other end now.
"Sis…gimme…back…my…phone!" Kurz was still groaning in pain. He hadn't fully recovered from Kaname's assault with the weight on his groin.
"Listen Sousuke I gotta go but I'll check on you later. Don't go blowing anything up remember Mithril doesn't cover you anymore. Oh and tell Kaname I said hi." With that the other line dropped.
Sousuke sighed. He was glad those two were the same. However he wasn't worried about getting covered. He had a new asset now. Of course no one knew about it. He told Kaname a name yesterday but didn't go into detail. She was pleased that he was able to tell her that. Maybe it wouldn't be too hard explaining the rest. He sighed He decided he'd take a shower and get dressed. After that call he wouldn't be able to sleep.
When he finished his shower, checked his equipment, got dressed, and ate breakfast. It was 6:30 am. Kaname would be getting up soon. Sousuke decided to get some unpacking done. He had only a mattress in his room. He was worried since currently he couldn't slept under his bed. So he slept in his closet. He just had to take time to work the kinks out of his body when he woke.
Sousuke looked at his clock. It was 7:30am Kaname would be getting up.
----
-Kaname's apartment-
7:30 am
"Kana-chan wake-up! You're going to be late! C'mon Kana-chan!" click Kaname turn off the noisy bird alarm. Tonight wasn't as peaceful or comfortable as when she slept with Sousuke but it was better then sleeping at Amalgam. Kaname went about her morning routine. She slid out of bed, removed her clothes and stepped into the bathroom.
"Mmm…" The water was helping to wake her up. She wondered what Sousuke was doing right now. "Probably something otaku." Kaname chuckled at the thought.
When she exited the bathroom she went into her room to get dressed. When she was finally done getting ready she checked her watch. It was 7:43 Sousuke would be here in two minutes. Kaname glanced down at the picture of her mother.
"Bye mom, I'll see you later." She grabbed a piece of toast, a glass of milk and ate her breakfast quickly. Just after brushing her teeth she heard a knocking at her door.
'Right on time. 'Kaname thought as she walked over to the door.
She opened the door and there was Sousuke. It was odd he was paler than he used to be. She didn't mind he still looked good. She also noticed his hair would need a trim soon.
"Ohayo Sousuke." Kaname greeted him before she finished exiting her apartment and locked it.
"Good morning Kaname." Sousuke greeted her without almost using her surname this time. Kaname gave him a quick peck on the cheek before they went off to school. She had already agreed with Sousuke to put things on hold at school. At least for now.
Kaname became fidgety as they approached the school. Of course she wasn't exactly perfect on the train ride over. Suddenly she stopped.
"Sousuke." Kaname was obviously worried. "Do you think we could wait until everyone goes in? Maybe we could be a little late. I don't think anyone would mind."
Sousuke only partially understood why she was worried. But she wasn't the one who left on bad terms so she shouldn't be. She wasn't to blame for any of it.
"Roger. We may as well get a good breakfast while we wait." Sousuke nodded then him and Kaname began walking down the street. A small café was only a few blocks away.
Kaname was worriedly sipping on a small hot chocolate. She had needed something to get her going but she didn't want coffee. A lot people became dependant on the stuff. She had finished eating her noodles, and fish. She was still worried about going back to see her friends. She was guilty.
"Kaname if you want to hold off it's alright. No one is aware of our presence." Sousuke kept his eye on Kaname. She was really worried. He had kept telling her it was not her fault. She wouldn't believe him. He wouldn't give her a reason to. She didn't choose to be whispered but she blamed herself. Sousuke knew otherwise.
"No no, we have to go I just need a little more time. When I'm finished we'll head out." Kaname looked anther almost empty cup, then at her watch. It was 8:12. She knew they had to go soon. She decided to quickly finish her drink.
"Sousuke you wouldn't happen to have a case of toothpaste, and brush? I wouldn't want to go back with morning breakfast breath." She hadn't expected to eat again after her meager breakfast earlier that morning.
To her surprise Sousuke pulled out fresh paste and a closed toothbrush.
He read the look on her face. "Uhh, I expected this." He quickly passed her the hygiene based items and she went off to the bathroom.
When she returned Sousuke had paid the bill and was ready to leave. She returned the items to Sousuke. "I will properly dispose of these. I do not wish to leave a trace of your DNA anywhere." Kaname simply waved her hand and walked out the door.
"Let's go Sousuke." Sousuke was still standing by the café making sure as to dispose of the paste, and brush. He quickly followed after her the brush disintegrated, the paste returned to his pocket.
---
-Outside of Jindai High School-
8:25 am.
"Are you sure you're ready." Sousuke kept his gaze on Kaname. She now looked to be completely determined and confident. Kaname felt slightly otherwise. But she walked in anyway. Finally with Sousuke right beside her they were outside their class. She looked at the small sign above. 'Year 2 Class 4' it read. She placed her hand on the handle.
'Now or never Kaname.' She thought as she took one last breath. She slid the door open. The class quickly turned and stared surprise clear on their faces. No one said anything.
Suddenly Kyouko ran up and hugged Kaname. Her speed was amazing.
"Kana-chan you're back!" Kaname placed her hand on Kyouko's head.
"Hi Kyouko." She smiled sweetly at her almost sobbing friend. The class stood up. They bowed and warmly welcomed her.
"Welcome back Kaname." Kaname bowed in return.
Suddenly the class ran over to her flooding her with questions. Obviously that hello was hard for everyone to do before they rushed her. The racket could be heard throughout the hall way.
"Kaname how are you?" "Are you ok?" "Did they do anything?" "Tell us about it?" Kaname smiled as she looked at everyone. "I'm fine."
Sousuke who was still standing outside out of view smiled. They had indeed welcomed her back warmly.
"Where's Sousuke?" Shinji's question stopped everyone cold. Suddenly a chill ran up Kaname's spine. He had told her how they treated him before he left but she didn't expect this.
Sousuke wasn't worried. Whether they accepted him or not it was his responsibility to go to school and watch Kaname. He suddenly appeared in the doorway.
He didn't look at anybody. He kept his face stern, and straight. Kaname was worried. She was wondering how Sousuke looked so calm considering the stares he was getting. Suddenly Shinji burst from the group.
"Sagara-kun! Did you pilot that AS again? I found a magazine that showed a pilot in an arm-slave tournament. He looked a lot like you but they didn't get his name. Was it you huh? " Shinji was obviously happier to see him than anyone else. Sousuke looked at him.
"No I did not pilot the Arbalest again. Yes I was in those tournaments." Sousuke answered his questions with ease. He had no emotion in his voice though.
Shinji suddenly realized the stares Sousuke was getting. He stepped to the side. "Ah, Sousuke I think you should run." Suddenly Ono-D burst from the group. He stood in front of Sousuke. His fist clenched, his head lowered.
"So you came back too. After what you did. After what Tokiwa went through." Sousuke took a moment to look at Kyouko. She flinched when he did. She was afraid; he knew it would be like this.
"I understand that you are angry. But unless the school expels me I will stay here." Sousuke continued to look at Ono-D. He was now glaring at Sousuke. Sousuke stopped a moment realizing something.
"Actually if my presence is too much of an inconvenience to Kaname's returning I will go. I can keep an eye on her from a distance." All Sousuke could see was the white of Kaname's fan as it collided with his face. Flinging him against the wall between the windows.
"Don't you dare!" Kaname was getting angry. He had agreed to stay.
"You know better. Hmmphf!" Kaname turned her head in annoyance. Obviously she was over her fear. Kaname was still looking at Sousuke out the side of her eye. This wasn't looking too good.
Hayashimizu and Ren walked up out of nowhere. "Hello Mr. Sagara. It's good to see you and Miss Chidori have finally returned." Sousuke instantly saluted.
"Greetings Mr.Pres, I mean Sir!" Sousuke had almost forgotten Hayashimizu was no longer student president.
"Actually Sagara the former was correct. Due to some issues I have been reinstated until my graduation." Sousuke put his hand down. He looked at Hayashimizu with an understanding look.
"Roger Mr. President." Sousuke noticed Kaname was greeting Ren.
Atsunobu raised an eyebrow.
"May I ask what the point of this gathering." Hayashimizu was able to look like he really didn't know.
"We were just saying hi." Ono-D waved his hand.
"Nothings going on." Ono-D still hadn't gotten over how Sousuke dismissed what happened so easily when he returned to the school before he left months ago.
Suddenly Sousuke heard a noise coming from behind him. Sousuke put a well-placed bullet into Kurz groin.
"He…Hey buddy… How ya doin?'" Kurz was holding himself. His groin was not having a good week. Kurz was dressed in a strange outfit. He was wearing the gym teacher uniform. Despite the pain he was glad to be away from his bathroom duties.
"Kurz!" Sousuke and Kaname had spoken at the same time.
"That's Mr. Weber and you better not call me Melissa!" Mao was standing next to the disheveled sniper.
"We're replacements for some teachers. At least for a little bit." Melissa walked up and whispered in Sousuke's ear. "Tessa wanted to come too but she's on trial probation." Sousuke began to sweat. He remembered how it was with Tessa around.
"I'll be the nurse." Melissa was wearing the nurse outfit she wore when she first met Kaname. She noticed some of the boys ogling her. She wanted to hit them but settled for stepping on Kurz foot.
"He's a new assistant coach. Don't worry he won't have any major duties." Kurz was jumping around on one foot. He didn't care though. Soon he would be able to gaze upon the pretty girls.
"Welcome to our school Mr. Weber and Ms…" Hayashimizu was looking at Melissa." Ms. Mao." Melissa had finished for him. He simply nodded.
They threw quick waves at Shinji, Kyouko and the rest of the students they had already met.
"Kaname!" Suddenly Ms. Kagurazaka appeared in front of Kaname.
"Welcome back, I'm sorry for what you went through!" Ms. Kagurazaka was shaking Kaname's hands violently. Tears welled in her eyes.
She quickly regained her composure.
"Well we should first take this inside. You're ability for disruption has not depleted in the least." She eyed Sousuke. He immediately noticed and put away his gun.
"Sagara I will need to speak to you and Miss Chidori after school." And with that Hayashimizu and Ren left.
The class had finally walked back in and taken their seats. Lunch was going to be hectic Kaname realized. She glanced over at Sousuke. He had a cold look on his face. It was empty.
"Sousuke are you alright." Kaname was worried that what occurred may be worse at lunch.
Sousuke kept his gaze empty. "Affirmative."
Eventually lunch rolled around. Kaname was swarmed. Except for Shinji Sousuke was avoided. Sousuke made sure to give Kaname her space. He didn't want her welcoming back hindered by him.
"Sagara-kun why don't you say something? Explain to everyone so they aren't mad at you." Sousuke was about to reply when Kurz walked in.
"So Sousuke old buddy. How did you're welcome back party go?" Kurz felt a chill go down his spine he quickly looked around then went back to Sousuke.
"Not good huh…" Kurz was still smiling. He was trying to resist the pain in his lower regions. Mao had caught him peeping again.
"It's not a problem…" Sousuke crossed his arms and kept his face straight.
Kurz sighed. "Jeez buddy, why don't you show some emotion once and a while." Kurz patted Sousuke once on the back.
"Kurz!" Hey come over here!" Ono-D was signaling Kurz over. He was holding a strange magazine. Kurz zipped over in a second. "See ya Sousuke."
"Sagara-kun can you tell me about the tournament." Shinji looked a bit anxious. Memories of the tournament flooded into his head. So did the death of Nami.
"Kazama, I'd prefer not to talk about it." If he wouldn't tell Kaname about some things, why should he tell Shinji something when he asks?
"But…" Sousuke glared at Shinji. That quickly stopped his probing. In fact he got up, and went to see what Ono-D and Kurz were snickering about.
Kaname took advantage of this. "Girls can I have a second?" Kaname stood up and walked over to Sousuke. She placed an unopened bento in front of him.
"How you doing?" Kaname's voice quickly called Sousuke from his trance. "You hungry?" She pushed the bento closer to him. Sousuke finally acknowledged the offering. Sousuke looked up at her. He noticed the glares he was receiving. And the ones she was receiving for her actions. Some of the girls and even guys began to whisper.
"It's not a problem." Sousuke took the food, and thanked her. She quietly returned to Kyouko, and the others. He quickly emptied the box of its contents wrapped it than placed it in his bag to return to Kaname later. Suddenly a flash appeared in the room. Why a flash when it was this bright. Kyouko had left Kaname and was taking pictures of Sousuke. Sousuke looked at her a surprised look on his face. Kyouko made sure to get that.
"But…" Kyouko passed Sousuke a note. Luckily no one noticed. Sousuke looked around then quickly unfolded the letter.
'Thank you for bringing Kaname back…' Sousuke nodded then crumpled the paper and tossed it in the trash can.
BOOM!
The trash can had smoke coming out of it as well as a few dents. Kaname ran up hit Sousuke over the head. Everyone was staring even Kurz. The explosion had obviously surprised them.
"Why Sousuke?" Kaname was tapping her leg with the harisen.
"Uhh." He began sweating he couldn't say Kyouko had given him a letter and that he was making sure to dispose of it.
"Sousuke." She was tapping the fan harder.
"Uhh…" He was sweating even more now. He had to quickly make up an excuse.
"Sousuke…" She was staring daggers at him now.
"Uhh…I was disposing of an incriminating article."
"Oh." Kaname simply patted his cheek and went back to her seat.
Sousuke could get used to her letting him slide. Suddenly his phone rang.
"Sagara speaking."
"I got bad news Sousuke!" The voice on the other line was Travis's.
Everyone was ignoring him. Uninterested in his personal time either.
"You got 3 bogies headed your way via jetpacks. They're TF-20 Raptors!"
Sousuke's face grew dark. "Send Al to…" Sousuke thought a moment. "Send it to the harbor. I'll pick him up. Tell him to keep quiet until I get there. Unless I tell him otherwise!"
"You got it." Luckily Travis knew about the nearest harbor. The transaction should be quick. "Be there in 10 minutes. The Raptors will be at there destination in 30 minutes."
"Do you know why…?" Sousuke's voice was still flat.
"No idea… But they aren't going to Japan directly. They're heading for a factory on the Southern end. I'll leave the coordinates with Al. They're coming from the East."
Travis was spilling out the information as quick as possible.
"Roger I'll be there. I won't let them reach land. You on the other hand try to figure something out."
"You got it!" With that they each hung up the phone.
"Chidori I have to go. Be careful." He didn't even use the door he jumped out the window.
"Wait a minute Sousuke!" She cried. But he was gone.
"Figures…"
---