AN: Hi everyone, here is the next chapter. Thank you to all the people who have reviewed the first chapter. Looks like I left people wondering way to much. I hope this next chapter provides some answers and information. Read well, it should provide a guideline for what is to happen in future installments. As always, please Read and Review.

Once inside the man had never let his grip upon the schoolgirl go, in fact it even tightened. She was now pressed on the other side of her door, mouth still covered with one of her captor's hand which was now dabbed with stray tears. The other hand strayed up and down her body checking each curve almost searching for something. The only thoughts offered to comfort her mind was 'just pretend its Sousuke, just pretend its Sousuke'.

She would not give him the satisfaction of crying, this much she could do. The man gruffly ripped off two of the buttons on her blouse, causing Kaname to cringe as he thrust the buttons on the ground.

The gravity of the situation was beginning to weigh down upon Kaname as the silence in her apartment was torn by the sounds of the man who held her captive whom stomped on the buttons that lay on the floor. The grasp her subjugator held on her was finally let go much to Kaname's surprise, and slowly she gained the courage to turn around and face him.

At first the only thing her eyes saw where the dark muddied boots her attacker wore. Her eyes wandered up, a fierce determination returned to her gaze. Kaname Chidori was not going to go down without a fight. She wasn't a helpless lamb unable to defend herself. She quickly thought of the mace and pistol Sousuke had kept in her apartment should the need ever arise. Oh she could kiss him now for putting those there!

Except now…she couldn't. Even after his death Sousuke managed to protect his charge from the watery grave that held him. As her pupils were replaced with glowing fire she continued to work her eyes up towards her attacker, awaiting the right moment to lunge for her only chance at safety. The fact part of her lacey bra now lay exposed was the least of her worries.

It was when she managed to raise her eyes to his abdominal area did the unsuspected happen, her attacker fainted. Before the 'thud' even had a chance to echo within her shadowed apartment she had made her way to the drawer and removed the glock and aimed it at her attacker who lay nearly unconscious on the floor.

The next sound heard was that of the weapon crashing to the floor, the safety still luckily locked in.

"Sousuke!" She shrieked and ran over to the combatant's side. She cradled his face within her arms and wiped away the dried blood that was strewn about his face unconcerned for his looks. She held his head firmly to her chest as the tears continued but was now comprised of her happiness instead of her sorrow. She then noticed the dampness of his clothing as the blood fought through the hurried bandages that were wrapped around his waist.

A storm of thoughts swirled through her mind but only one mattered right now. 'Keep Sousuke alive!' She took of his jacket and used shears to get through his shirt without causing him anymore discomfort. The bandages were old and ragged, almost falling off of their own volition. Upon removing them she was offered an impressive view of his physique, but little time to dwell on such impure thoughts. Finding a rather complete First Aid kit Sousuke insist she keep in the apartment, she tended to his wounds until she was thoroughly satisfied that he was well taken care of.

The voice she loved so much finally murmured, confirming her deepest hopes that this wasn't just another illusion that would tease her before vanishing into thin air. "Ka...Ka…Kaname…" falling unconscious, the warrior was unable to say anymore, but it was more than enough for the one nursing his wounds. It offered hope.

His breathing remained steady and soothing, along with the gentle rise and fall of his chest. Unable and unwilling to move the injured soldier from where he lay, she ran to her room and brought back some pillows and a blanket, a military issued pair left by Sousuke.

She gently shifted a pillow underneath Sousuke knowing he would normally decline such an offer, but Kaname Chidori would have her way concerning Sousuke's health, and every other topic for that matter!

Resting her head on that same pillow she snuggled up close to Sousuke, wearing the same clothes she had on earlier. She caressed the side of his face one more time just to make sure he was real, the touch of his gruff skin was enough to fill the void that had been in her heart just moments ago. She leaned over making sure not to touch his body lest she cause him more injuries and gave him the softest of kisses upon his forehead before cuddling up to him again, wrapping each other within the blanket and falling asleep, the horrors of the night long forgotten.

Just as she was falling asleep thoughts of tenderness, comfort, and love overwhelmed her very soul. However once again, one thought lay predominant on her mind. 'I'm going to kill that otaku for putting me through this once he gets better, hhmmmphh!' Her eyes wandered until she found the item she eagerly sought. It was an item representing everything Sousuke did, offering comfort when needed but was more often used as a weapon of mass destruction. She rested her eyes…on the halisen.

As the dawn came, light from the sun drove out the cowardly darkness from the confines of the room and offered its warmth as comfort. Exhausted from the events of the past few days Kaname remained sleeping; her cerulean hair flapped across her body and rounded all the curves they covered. She rolled over and stretched out her hand expecting to find another still at her side but instead crashed unceremoniously to the ground. She sprang up from her position and looked around frantically, for some sign that last night wasn't just a dream, a mere figment of her imagination. She found none.

There were no old bandages strewn about her apartment and no gun on the floor where it should have been. The tears swelled up in her eyes once more, her nose twitched like a little bunny's as a whimper escaped her lips. 'It really was a dream. But it all felt so real, am I going crazy? Sousuke, how could you continue to do this to me?'

Then suddenly her thoughts were rejected as familiar footsteps entered and echoed throughout her apartment. Familiar cologne mixed with the subtle scent of gun oil once again tickled her nose and finally the feeling of being all alone that abandoned her as Sgt. Major Sousuke Sagara, KIA, walked into her apartment and her life once more.

Her depression was vanquished from her sulking form, joy the victor. Using gazelle like beauty and grace she pounced off the floor and into the arms of her protector. With the strength that remained she embraced him, almost squeezing the very life out of the weary soldier, but do such moments ever last between these two?

With a slap from the halisen Sousuke was flung clear across the room and crashed against the kitchen counter where a few pots felt it necessary to fall upon his head.

"Kaname, that hurt."

"Sousuke you moron! How could you do that to me you big insensitive otaku JERK!" she screamed halisen still in hand, conveniently forgetting his injuries from the previous night, until Sousuke didn't stand back up at attention as always. The concern returned to her eyes as she reached forward to help him back onto his feet but only managed to fall backwards bringing Sousuke on top of her. His lips lingered over hers, and though they were dry and cracked, Kaname had never seen anything so delectable in her life before. She brought her soft silky lips to meet his as she plundered from him their first kiss together.

Sousuke kissed back immediately almost as if he expected it. Kaname took quick note of that. 'He'll pay for that later, just what kind of girl does he think I am?' This thought was quickly saved to the back of her mind as she immersed herself into the kiss, lacing her hands around the back of his neck. She deepened her kiss with him curious just how far he would let her take things and was rewarded with a passionate return from Sousuke's side.

It was Kaname who came up for air first, Sousuke still being the specialist of the two. Her lips danced just below his and teased him for a second kiss to follow-up the heat that remained but now was not the time for too many things remained unanswered. What happened? Why wasn't he dead? Most importantly, what was his gun bag doing back in her apartment!

Her lips quivered as she asked the questions she was afraid to hear answered, but she needed to know. "Sousuke, what happened? Why-" However her query was interrupted when he rolled off her body and looked away from her. His voice was neutral, showing no emotion either way, but to Kaname it was the most soothing sound she had heard in her life.

"Kaname, please not now. Just promise me for now, you won't tell anyone I'm here, anyone."

Slowly the vixen sat upright and nodded to Sousuke who turned to face her again. His eyes wandered down from gazing into her own; reminding her she wore the same clothes she had on last night, reminding her of the buttons he had torn off that night, and yet reminded Sousuke that she certainly had much to reveal.

"Uhh" She wouldn't tell him how she felt about that word, not now at least.

"Sousuke, what are you looking at?" Kaname sounded almost too innocent

"Uhh"

"Sousuke!" she clenched her hands into a fist

"Uhh"

"SOUSUKE!" her knuckles were now a ghostly white

"You are beautiful Kaname." She rewarded him with a hug and a quick kiss on his cheek, just shy of his lips. After all these years he was finally learning.

She whispered seductively into his ears. "Enjoy the view soldier?"

"Uhh" He was cute when he was flustered. Kaname loved that she was the only one who could do that to him. Not even a certain submarine captain could anymore.

"Hmmph! Pervert. I'm going to change now ok Sousuke? I'll check on your injuries once I'm done."

She pulled herself to her feet and made her way towards her hallway which lead down to the bathroom. The young soldier laid down upon the sofa with a hint of a smile carved on his face. It grew ever so silently until he saw a flash of blue quickly peek her head out from the hallway, her shoulders now exposed. "Sousuke, I'm glad you're here, that you're still alive." Her face bore that look of worry once again "You'll be here when I get out right?" She couldn't handle being separated from him yet again; her heart could only take so much.

His face turned slightly from facing the ceiling to look her directly in the eyes, his stone cold determination hidden well within his own. "Affirmative. I will be waiting for you Kaname." Before he could even finish, the shower turned on as Kaname rushed to be back with him again. His injuries still placing a hefty fine upon his body his eyes closed and he fell asleep. A specialist learned to sleep whenever possible.

He awoke to the soft humming of an angelic voice along with the soft brushing of a hand against his rough hair. His head now lay on something tender yet comfortable to the touch, relaxing the pain away, Kaname's lap. He quickly surveyed the rooms, not moving his head fearing it would stop her gentle strokes of his hair or the hum of her melodious voice. He would have to remember to tell her he liked the sound of her voice. That should earn him some safe points.

He could feel yet another set of bandages wrapped around his abdomen much to his relief; he didn't want to burden Kaname with an infection. On a side table he noticed the steams twirling its way to the ceiling from a cup of herbal tea. He always liked Kaname's tea. It was rather efficient in its medicinal purposes. He recalled the last time he had such tea and thought Kaname would appreciate a detailed analysis of the use of each herb involved, but needless to say it left him with both a rather bruised head and not to mention bruised ego.

He stirred while resting upon her lap and turned so he now lay completely on his back, allowing him to gaze into the serenity found within Kaname's smile. She didn't stop humming much to his relief but instead Kaname actually pulled him up towards her and cradled him against the softness of her chest, allowing the side of his head to rest there. He noticed she wore a sky blue dress similar to the one she wore aboard the TDD-1 that first time, causing him to perspire rather rapidly letting nothing but a stutter mingle in his mouth.

'Don't say uhh, don't say uhh, don't say uhh' raced through his mind

"Uhh…"

The humming stopped and yet was pursued by a happy giggle. "Don't worry Sousuke, I'll let it slide, this time." Her reassurances eased his hesitations which allowed him to wrap his arms around her body. She resumed her humming just happy to be held in his embrace like this, their fierce kiss still lingered in her mind. She always expected his displays of affection would have been cold and calculated only to be pleasantly surprised by the gentleness he hid within himself, a gentleness he had only shown just for her. He truly was her Sousuke.

The sun continued to peer in through her balcony to greet the happy couple and offers itself as a fond reminder that the sun will always rise after the darkest hour of the night. Just like how Sousuke will always return to Kaname when he is forced to leave her in the bleakest of moments. Sousuke always watched over Kaname from the remainder of her days in high schools to the University Sousuke had followed her to. Always performing above and beyond the call of duty, he watched and always truly cared for her though he never expressed himself in so many words. Now it was the sun who would help Kaname repay her debt to him, to offer the reassurance that everything would turn out ok.

"Sousuke wh-"He interrupted her knowing exactly what was on her mind. He owed her an explanation. No, that wasn't right. He wanted her to know, to know everything.

"Kaname I'm sorry for having done this to you. It was the only way, the only chance I had without putting you in harm's way."

She looked down upon the hero pressed against her body as the confusion and severity of the situation once again dawned on her.

"My resignation was denied. I was deemed to valuable an asset to simply let go." While Sousuke was no longer the sole pilot able to command the Lambda driver he was by far the most skilled. Not to mention the most effective operative all around. "The higher ups sent notice that my continued service was mandatory even at the expense of other possible assets." He was of course, referring to the asset currently embraced around him. Kaname Chidori was clearly expendable according to Mithril. There were other whispered, however there is only one Sousuke Sagara. An entire city could certainly attest to that.

"The last mission was my only chance. I was told my return back to Tokyo was not an option after the briefing. Oddly enough, Kurz would be the one to notice my distress first and I was tricked once again into confiding in him." That certainly wasn't hard to believe. Kurz did have a way with words and Sousuke did consider him a brother. She then realized that Sgt. Major Kurz Weber was the only one who hadn't shed any tears then that day, though he certainly remained somber throughout the ceremony. His eyes almost betrayed his actions, telling of a secret that for once even he would not share.

"Together we adopted a plan for me to become collateral damage on the mission, allowing me to escape via contacts I have gathered through my years of service outside of Mithril. It was lucky Lt. Mao was not assigned to this mission, as that would have complicated matters further."

Kaname couldn't help but think what an awkward scene this must be, a soldier giving a mission debriefing while resting against the more delicate parts of a lady. It was almost making light of the situation but that's something a strong woman like Kaname would never do.

"I'm sorry Kaname but I still cannot divulge the specifics of the mission to you." That was just fine with her. Truthfully sometimes she didn't want to know just what horrors Sousuke had to put up with on a consistent basis. A smile curled upon her lips as she realized she was reminded just how much honor and duty meant to the soldier.

"Once assured that the mission would be a success Kurz had led the remaining Mithril soldiers away. Once visual contact had been terminated between me and the squad, I engaged in a series of radio communications signaling that I had been ambushed by a series of Venom class A.S. and was being outnumbered. It was then a series of well placed charges that were arranged to look like a blast where ignited just as I escaped from the cockpit."

This certainly was a lot of otakuness for Kaname to tolerate. That's ok. This all was Sousuke's fault. He will pay for it later.

"However I engaged several technical problems upon my escape, resulting in the injuries you have tended to. I won't bore you with the details." Even this dense otaku could sense when he was pushing his luck.

"After applying emergency medical procedures, I contacted my sources and began my escape back into Japan. The reason for the secrecy and altered voice last night was to assure you weren't being followed. I assumed Mithril would have at least assured your safety home, and engaged any attackers you might have had. The buttons contained two bugs but they seemed to have been damaged when I pressed you up against the door. Such sensitive buttons were not meant for long term surveillance, and their destruction would not be noted as unusual."

Sousuke was now quite visibly blushing being pressed up against Kaname like that, and remembered his rather unruly behavior the other night. He undoubtedly would pay for that later.

AN: There? Happy? Wow, I am really glad I had already written the story the way I did or I may have had an unruly mob after me. The next chapter should come up within a few days, but a little longer than it took me to get up this chapter. I am still writing this story and editing the chapter's that i did manage to complete thus far. I hope you all have enjoyed it. Comments, rants, anything? I wanna hear em. Please Read and Review, I enjoy getting them.