The Whisperer

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Chapter 47

The sun dimmed the room as it peaked through the corners of the shades. A lone figure lied motionless in bed, a blue cascade pouring peaking out from beyond the rim of the covers. She stirred slightly making low noises as she began to awake.

"Mmm." She opened her eyes slowly letting them adjust to the dim room. Still incoherent in her drowsy state she felt around searching for something.

"Figures…" She mumbled as she removed the sheet and rolled off the bed with a thump. She lay upon her stomach on the floor. She stretched like a cat after a peaceful slumber. Scratching her head she rose onto all fours. She stared at the window, noticing the light she looked at the clock.

"Eight o'clock that's too early." She stood up rubbing her eyes. She walked out into the apartment starting to remove her clothing. She stepped into the bathroom almost unconsciously executing her morning routine. The warm water was helping to wake her up but her recent experiences weren't completely washed away.

"I wonder…what day it…is." She whispered as the water danced upon her body. She stood just taking in the heat and feel for about five minutes before reaching for the soap. The rest of her shower was silent except for the sound of the water. She felt refreshed finally. She dried herself off mostly before wrapping the towel around herself. She opened the door stepping outside immediately. She didn't notice as she bumped into something and fell back. She slowly opened her eyes realizing there was no impact with herself and the floor. "Huh?"

Looking up she saw Sousuke, holding her with his head turned to the side in a panicked manner. "What's gotten into you?"

She looked down at herself and realized her lack of dress. "Kyaaa!" She brought her hand back into a fist. She noticed Sousuke braced for the hit and withdrew her attack. She stared at him while he held her, watching his face as his eyes clenched closed, and his mouth held tight. She really wanted to hit him but knew it was not his fault. Although if he hadn't caught her he would be flying across the room. Realizing she was still wet and dripping she gripped his shoulders and pulled herself up. Sousuke still bent forward slightly holding her, his hands unconsciously following her body up making sure to keep her from falling.

"You know this is kind of cute." She said as she tried to get him to stand straight. His eyes popped open, his face turning to meet hers. He stared at her, still a little panicked and now confused by her words. "Chidori?"

She frowned at him for using her last name. She took some of his hair and twirled it around one finger. "How long are you going to hold me like this?" He stood up and stepped back immediately. "I apologize. I did not mean to."

"Attention!" She shouted and he instantly took up the position. She marched in front of him from left to right, looking him up and down inspecting him. He had a bag slung over his shoulder. He was dirty, oily, and smelled of gun powder. She didn't like the thought that she knew that smell. Returning to her inspection she wondered what he was doing.

She held out her hand. Sousuke followed it with his eyes not sure what she meant.

"Your bag, give it here." Her voice was stern. Sousuke hesitantly reached for the bag and handed it to her. Kaname's hands fell with the bag.

"What's in this thing? Empty it out." She ordered. He reached for the bag and began freeing its contents. Kaname's expression changed with each item he pulled out. All of it was guns or equipment for guns. She was surprised that there were no explosives in the group.

"What could you need so many guns for in the morning?" She looked up at him and finally noticed mixed in with the smears of dirt, gun powder and oil, there was blood.

"Oh my god what happened?" She began peeling into his clothes checking for any injuries.

"Chi-Chidori please wait!" She ignored him as she searched. When she found nothing she thought elsewhere. "You-you didn't kill anybody, did you?"

"Negative. It is my blood. I was merely practicing. I was out for only 5 hours 43 minutes and 31 seconds before returning to the apartment."

She sighed annoyed by the exactness, as well as the fact that he had gone so early.

"You only left for practice? How did you bleed I didn't see any injuries." She stared hard at him. Sousuke cleared his throat then looked towards his balcony. "That is not important."

When she didn't respond he looked to find out why. He looked uneasy when he saw her staring daggers at him. "Please calm down Chidori. I am fine."

"Good then go clean up…fast." Kaname rubbed him with a finger testing the amount of filth on him.

"Roger but why do I need to hurry?"

"Well only wash up your face and stuff. You can shower later. Since my hair is still soaked you can dry it and brush it for me." She held up a tendril to show him the water dripping off the end.

"Uhhh." He stood stiff at her suggestion. She slowly swiped the hair under his nose as she walked into the room. "Hurry up."

Sousuke's expression soured as he headed into the bathroom. Today is going to be a seemingly strange day.

"Okay ready?" Kaname said standing in nothing but a towel. Sousuke had changed his clothes after a quick washing. Sousuke stood at attention uncomfortable with the activity about to take place.

"Kaname why do I need to do this. I have no skills in this area. I have been told my hair is a mess many times. I'm not sure it would be wise to let me attempt to brush yours."

"That's why this is going to be a teaching lesson."

"But I do not see a point in this. Up to this point you have always done it yourself without second thought."

"Well I decided if I can cut your hair you can return the favor in some way. There is no way I'm letting you come near mine with scissors."

"I used a sharpened combat knife for cutting my hair."

"You know what I meant."

"Yes but…"

"Enough of that. Come here."

He immediately followed her command and walked towards her. They were in the room keeping it well lit. Kaname signaled him to sit on the bed, and he did so. She could easily tell how uncomfortable he was. Truth was she didn't exactly trust it herself. She had thought it would be a great lesson for him but wondered at how her hair would hold up.

She brought a stool and placed it in front of him between his legs. She brought a small fold up table over. On it was various items for brushing hair. She picked up the first item.

"I'm sure you know what this is. This is used first to help straighten and spread the hairs into a neat line." She next picked up a comb. "This is used for getting small remainders, and more detailed straightening. Not ever recommended on long hair. You could use it if you wanted, but using a brush and doing multiple times works just as well. It only takes a hundred strokes or so if the hair is really bad."

Sousuke looked at the other items wondering exactly what they could do. He was already looking at different ways of using them as weapons and how effective they would be. The ones that had cords would have to be made portable but some still looked effective.

"That's all." She said suddenly not explaining anymore.

"Um, you have not explained the use of the rest of them. They could make…"

"Those aren't important. Those are for styling and that. You only need to brush my hair. The idea of having to learn them scared you though right."

Sousuke looked at her suspiciously. "I admit I was worried. Though in training it is not wise to make the trainee intimidated by the weapons he is learning to manipulate."

"They're not weapons Sousuke they accessories."

"Still."

Kaname grumped a moment before handing him the brush.

"Here. I know you know the basics at least seeing as your hair is at least presentable most of the time. But since you don't have really long hair."

"I did once. When I was in part of the resistance army against the soviets I had no time to cut my hair so it was long most of the time."

"And how was it?"

"I was rarely told it was a mess and if I would like someone to cut it for me. Of course that was a very rare occasion seeing as I was not liked or treated well by my allies. Many were upset that General Majhid took in a child to train. While it was cut for me the first time by another; the man was killed in combat by the time my hair returned to its extravagant length. I learned to cut it myself from that point on. Even in the Middle East after I separated from Kalinin in Cambodia I did not tend to it so much being in many Middle Eastern battles. But that as you can guess before that it was a long time later and I did not cut my hair again until a long time after that. When I escaped with Kalinin and he trained me is the point I made sure to trim it every now and then, though I would forget because it was not a priority. It did not become an activity that was mandatory regularly for me until I joined the Mithril camps. Once I was told to pull my hair back and have a small pony-tail at the bottom similar to Steven Seagal."

"I love his movies. He's into the oriental and monk stuff." Kaname placed her finger under her chin remembering something. "Melissa told me about how she met you and Kurz. Sousky Seagal is what they called you."

"Yes that was a play off of his name which is why they mentioned imitating his hairstyle."

"Did you do it?"

"Negative. There was no point, and as I said I cut my hair so it never grew properly to imitate. Of course once I was too busy and they successfully accomplished it after I was fatigued from no food for four weeks while on a trial mission. I accomplished the mission. When I was picked up they decided to do it. I did not agree with the look and quickly removed it."

"I would have loved to see that." Kaname imagined Sousuke with Steven Segal's hair and the man himself comparing the appearance.

"I guess that doesn't suit you. But I would still love to see it."

"Kaname shouldn't we continue the lesson."

"Oh right. Well you brush from the bottom up getting the tangles little by little. Doing it from the top can hurt yourself or in this case me. You can also pull out hair like that or damage it. Well that is the basics since all your doing in brushing. Let's try."

Kaname handed him the brush and sat on the stool between his legs. She was a little worried now that she was here. "It's wet so it should be easier." She said it to help him and reassure herself.

Sousuke looked at her blue mane still skeptical about the idea. He wondered how she could sit patiently and calm like that when this was endangering herself. Little did he know she was extremely worried, agitated, and distressed sitting here. She did not want to hurt his feelings but if it came to the point where she had to stop him she would.

'Was this really a good idea?' she thought sitting there. She sat counting seconds.

The suspense was killing her. He could not see her face but she was going crazy waiting for the first stroke. Finally she felt his hand lightly take up some of her hair.

Sousuke sweat violently as he examined her hair. He wasn't even this stressed when diffusing a bomb with seconds left. Of course as he knew Chidori Kaname was similar to a bomb and could go off at any time. He let her hair fall back down. Kaname grew annoyed and felt her anxiety rising.

Finally he moved the brush forward and brushed the bottom. It was not so bad but both knew it was no major accomplishment.

"It's okay Sousuke you can do more than that. Try going for about half a foot this time." She decided she could give him pointers while here. After all she was the test subject.

"Roger." He brushed more, a bit more confident this time. It fought back with a little force so he brushed the spot multiple times until he felt it was right. He felt there was a problem because he brushed against the towel whenever he brushed her hair.

"Try grabbing the hair at the bottom. Get the ends and hold them in one hand. From there you can brush up. You get more and you don't have to worry about brushing my back."

He did as she said grabbing the bottom making a wad in his hand. He brushed it once with no success. He pulled the hair tight.

"Ow!" Kaname shouted reaching behind her head. Sousuke quickly dropped the hair.

"I apologize I did not mean to."

"It's alright Sousuke. Don't pull so hard. Remember I'm a girl. Hold it so it's straight then stop, don't yank it out of my head. Here let me start you off." She collected her whole hair and held the end between two fingers. "Try holding it like this. You can brush it and you don't disturb the hair so much. Remember hold it straight but don't yank it."

"Roger." He pulled the hair back so it was straight. He pulled Kaname's head back a bit. She told him to loosen it then hold it. A few minutes later he finally got the hang of holding it properly. He started brushing her hair. IT was not so bad at the bottom. As he moved up it became a little worse. He met another hard tangle as an opponent. He could not get the brush to go and tugged hard on it.

"Hey! That hurt what did I tell you?" she placed her hand the spot where her hair was pulled.

"I apologize. It was a difficult opponent. I could not do it softly so I used more force."

"Well you hurt me. What did I say about repeating the action until it worked?"

"Oh yes. I apologize I had forgotten." Luckily he did not release her hair this time so he still had it set up. He brushed over and over again. Kaname instructed him to do it a bit softer still using too much force when brushing. He tried doing it softer. He was lucky she brushed her hair most of the time because the tangles were limited. He did notice she moved around a lot last night though. She probably tangled her hair like that. He wondered what was bothering her so much. Of course because of that she had a few serious tangles. He brushed higher meeting little resistance as he brushed each spot multiple times.

"You can break on that Sousuke. Let's try the front. It's easier maybe I should have started you there first. She turned around to face him.

"Okay be careful when brushing here as well. Stop when you reach neck length for there hairs here. My bangs brush lightly and I will take car of them myself after." Kaname pointed to each spot telling him how to brush it.

"Roger." Sousuke gulped sitting like that. The slightly high angle he had gave him a perfect view of her cleavage. He forced himself to look at her face. She was smiling slyly. His face further deepened in color.

"You seem to like taking every chance you can to look at me." She was slightly angry but knew he did not do it on purpose. Or at least he wouldn't normally. Even slightly Sousuke was getting to be a little more human as time went on. She would not let her temper ruin his lesson. At least not this time.

"You better not start taking advantage of this."

"Affirmative. I have no intention of taking advantage of you."

"That's not what your face says. Neither does umm…" Kaname pointed towards a private area for Sousuke. Sousuke looked down. His expression turned worried, and surprised.

While higher Kaname's body was in very easily obtainable view of the bulge in his pants. Her face was almost as red as his. Her eyes looked elsewhere trying to avoid visual contact.

"Kaname I'm sorry I did not realize. Perhaps we should end the session." She grabbed his hands when he tried to remove them. It's okay if I can bear it so can you. I'll close my eyes. You need to get yourself under control. Of course you owe me for this. I don't offer free peep shows." He blushed more, moving back. Kaname opened one eye to peek at him. She stuck out her tongue teasing him. Sousuke swallowed. His body's reactions at this moment were less than desirable. He was just glad he wasn't taking damage. Kaname was being an unusually patient teacher. She was patient when she tried to teach him to cook once but she really did not seem like the kind of person to be patient.

He brushed the front of her hair. Working around her head he found it easier up here. Of course she had a lot of hair on to of her head he found it easier to brush. Every time he accidentally gained view of her cleavage he turned stiff locking on her head. Kaname was peeking occasionally catching this. She smiled a little while giggling inside at how innocently cute he could be.

He would occasionally tug too hard or do something improperly. Kaname would take his hand and guide him as how to do it properly. Sousuke enjoyed the slight contact. He didn't understand why but he enjoyed even the slightest contact of her skin. Kaname would smile slightly when she helped him. Eventually he could hold on his own doing what he could. He took much longer than anyone she knew but it was to be expected. Kaname loosened the hem of her towel feeling it was too tight. This did not go unnoticed by her pupil. He hastened his pace. Finally he was satisfied with the front; he looked away as she turned around. She walked up and looked in a mirror she placed on the dresser. It was not perfect but it was… a little less than average for a first time. She knew part of it was probably because she drew his attention away but even so it shouldn't have been like this. She spotted Sousuke in the mirror sitting patiently, and worriedly waiting her decision. She could lie but he could take it.

"Well I'm only reviewing the front but you didn't do so great. In fact you did horrible. Don't worry you're a guy. We'll try again another time I think you've had enough free peeping today." She could see the tint in his face. "I should go while you prepare. I will go take an actual shower now." He immediately stood up and walked towards the door.

Kaname amusedly watched him walk out in over-exaggerated military fashion.

The shower was definitely what he needed. He used a cold one first finding the myth didn't work so well. He was still not used to such reactions, finding them very unpleasant. His shower was slightly longer while he waited for himself to calm down.

When he exited he entered his room. Searching through drawers he looked for suitable clothing. He pulled out a strange object he could not recognize at first.

"Ugh…" He stretched the object to examine it. "Why is this in here?" he said annoyed.

"Why are you looking at them?" He turned around to find Kaname behind him.

"It was a mistake. Why are your um…undergarments in a drawer I did not specify?"

"Because those three drawers aren't enough to hold on my clothes. I cleared out some extras of yours. I told you this."

"I do not recall…"

"Yesterday just before you left the room. You sure you didn't just not hear me?"

"Affirmative. I would have remembered. I doubt that I would not be able to hear you at that proximity."

"I said when you left the room. Now give me those." Kaname snatched the panties from his hand.

"Roger. I need to dress could you please exit the room."

"No. I said you owe me a peep show."

"Ugh…" He stayed crouched once again stiff. Kaname patted his head. "I was just kidding. Hurry up breakfast is ready."

Sousuke sighed as she exited the room. This was just a taste he wondered how living with her would seem. He usually spent his time alone even when in the resistance army against the soviets. His only experience living with someone was with Nami. And that was different circumstances. He quickly ate breakfast. Now he and Kaname would be heading over to her apartment to do some of the cleaning themselves first, getting rid of incriminating articles. While they were walking over Kaname remembered she would have to tell the land lord about the damages. She didn't need details but she would want to know why people were fixing an apartment.

"Sousuke you go up I need to speak to the land lady."

"Roger." They separated at the elevator. On the way up to the apartment he reviewed on how strange Chidori was acting today. He let it go for now though having more important things to focus on.

When he reached the apartment he noted the damage. He was lucky they hadn't damaged the front the door. Walking in he noted everything that needed to be replaced. The whole in the kitchen reminded him of his injured knee. Luckily he was fine already. He ran his hand through his hair knowing how strange that was.

First he would work on the obvious. He pulled out a magnet, a store sized bag, and a small pick. He began removing the shrapnel of grenade from the wall. When he heard the front door open he pulled his gun and pointed. From across the room he saw a shocked, and then angered Chidori.

"Why the hell are you pointing a gun at me?"

"I thought…"

"I told you I was coming in a little bit. Jeez use some common sense."

Sousuke said nothing as she walked into her room. "You didn't even lock the door so it's even more you fault." She said as she walked in.

"I am currently removing objects. Your room should be okay but please do not touch any items out here without informing me."

"Yes sir." She said sarcastically from the room. Sousuke continued picking until he felt a tap on his shoulder. "Why don't you let me help? This is a lot for one person."

"Of course. Look in the supply case over there for a pick and magnet. You should get a bag from the kitchen." Kaname nodded then did as instructed. She began working on the floor. About half an hour later they cleared most if not all the pieces. Next they moved to cleaning up the glass and splinters of word. They removed the pieces of broken furniture.

Finally except for holes in the wall and stationary parts of the apartment it was cleaned. Sousuke looked at his watch. It had only taken about three hours.

"Mission complete. I will call someone and have them set up an appointment to look at it. Of course we should have the landlord look at it. Official repair jobs for buildings are done much quicker than in houses. If the owner calls it would be completed faster."

"Fine but I want to take the personal stuff. Remember I need to be here when they do it so nothing is destroyed or stolen."

"You know you could move to a new apartment."

"No thanks. The landlady already said she was coming up to see it. All I have to do is tell her and she'll be here."

"Roger. I will pay for it but as I said she should call for repair."

"Got it."

The next half hour went by quickly as they explained everything as well as showed the landlady who almost had a heart attack. She wondered what could cause such damage. The noise made in here was called about but no one was there when she came to look so she did not go inside. Finally preparations were made the appointment to be the next day lucky for them.

"Come on I need to clean up. I told the girls we would be seeing them today."

"There is no need for me to accompany you."

Kaname pouted and gave him a puppy dog look. "You don't like spending time with me." Sousuke raised his hands in defense. "Negative it's just. I don't see a reason I should go."

"How about if we invite some of the guys would you feel comfortable then?"

"Negative that has nothing to do with it."

"Then what is it?"

"I…"

"I knew it. Listen Sousuke if you want some alone time its okay. All you have to do is tell me. I'm not some psycho clingy girl who keeps track of everything you do."

"Uhh… While not psychotic I wonder about some of your mannerisms."

"What?" She crushed the water bottle in her hand. She knew his lingo and knew what he meant, compared to before when she would need a second part of the comment.

"It just seems that sometimes you act a bit rash compared to normal actions of others."

"Who are you to say I act rash?"

"I am your boyfriend. Therefore adding to the point that it is for those reasons that I enjoy being with you. As I've stated your actions during stressful and dangerous situations are excellent compared to others."

"Well I've been through enough. And you saved yourself with that last part, otaku. Hmmpfh!" She turned and walked off towards his apartment. Sousuke followed after her a little worried with how he would turn out after this. He could not see her grin as she walked ahead of him. Yes he was lucky for the last part.

Kaname made sure Sousuke had her number and was okay while she was gone. She pecked him on the cheek as she headed out of the door. Sousuke closed the door and walked back into his living room. He grabbed the bag he had been forced to show Kaname before. He opened it up and pulled out a gun cocking it.

"I still need to practice." He grabbed some equipment and his cell-phone and left the apartment.

--

-Tuatha de Danaan-

"Captain we have completed searching the area. We have located 13 survivors. Of them nine are seriously injured. No signs of any further enemies were located. We do have reports of strange activity in Northern Europe. In another note we have not located any signs by our satellites of any activity in space. We have no been able to locate the enemy ships." Mardukas read off the information. Tessa sat rotating her hair as she usually did when she was worried or stressed.

"Thank you Commander."

"Actually Captain one of the survivors is Sir William McNeil." Mardukas cleared his throat after saying it. Tessa sat upright.

"I will return shortly. Inform immediately if anything happens.

--

"Konnichi wa Kana-chan." Kyouko said as Kaname walked up to them. They were meeting at Burger Shop where Sousuke had saved her from being hit by a truck. She took a moment to think about how he saved her in regular situations as well as serious ones.

"Hi guys. How have you been?" Kaname took her seat. Currently here were Kyouko, Mizuki, Shiori, and Maya.

"Where's Sousuke?" Kyouko said as she took a picture.

"He wanted some alone time so I left him alone. Before we really talk let's order." Two of them collected the order and walked up to the counter to make it. They returned in five minutes carrying two trays.

"So where were we?" Shiori asked as she sat down.

"Eating." Kaname quickly grabbed her food. She knew where the conversation would probably turn.

"Jeez Kaname has quite an appetite. I wonder how her sexual appetite is." Kaname barely force down her bite when she heard the question.

"Well it looks like she has trouble swallowing."

"Oh c'mon not this time. That's not something we should be talking about." Kaname took a drink of her soda to help get the food down.

"You're right. So why don't you tell us why you left." Maya said as she ate her owns food.

"I didn't leave. Why don't you guess why I was gone?" Kaname said rather harshly. With how much trouble she got into just the mention of the subject was grinding on her nerves.

"What again?" Shiori almost slammed the table.

"Didn't Kyouko tell you about it she knew?" Kaname looked at her best friend.

"I was told by Sagara-kun to keep quiet." Kyouko said in her defense.

"Well don't worry it was just a boring mess."

They continued their conversations altering the topics every now and then.

Elsewhere away from any civilization in complete solitude gunshots rang out. If anyone was actually watching they would have been able to see iridescent light flashing around in the darkness.

--