Sword and Shield
Chapter 16: Set to Simmer
Full House 1. n. In the card game of poker, a hand that consists of three of a kind and a pair. 2. n. A situation in which the maximum capacity of a place is filled with people.
27 March 2000, 20:50 hrs
Chofu, Suburbs of Tokyo, Japan
Room 404, Mansion K Apartments
Sarah Miller spun through the living area barefoot clad in her new nightclothes, humming in time with the classical music that filled the room. From the top of the Karaoke machine Al watched her, analyzing the motions of the Arm Slave designer.
Perhaps motion capture analysis of this could be applied to my next chassis… if I get another humanoid chassis.
The music continued on, and Sarah reached up to the ceiling as she spun like a dervish. Snacks were set out on the kitchenette, both western and local examples including popcorn, wasabi peas, various crackers, pocky, and chips. Beside the snacks bottles of soda and juice sat alongside a huge thermos of coffee that Sarah had made for herself. On the other side of the snacks was a selection of pizzas and party trays. DVDs and VHS tapes sat stacked beside the entertainment center. Everything was ready.
The musical crescendo passed and Sarah bowed to the empty room and smiled to herself. Glancing over at the Karaoke machine she grinned. "How was that Al?"
"I am continually impressed by the flexibility and grace of the organic form and must view that at the moment at least Arm Slaves are merely a crude imitation." Al stated.
The door opened with a groan and Kaname walked into the room and kicked her shoes off. "Hi Sarah, anyone arrive while we were picking up the little captain?"
"Not yet, everyone ran home to get their stuff… of course you were the only ones with an actual vehicle." Sarah sat down cross legged on the blankets and grinned while Kaname, Sousuke, Ono-D, and Tessa stepped inside.
"There was no trouble on the pickup." Sousuke observed.
"For once." Ono-D muttered under his breath.
It seems that the civilian Ono-D has some feeling of resentment toward Sousuke Sagara. Perhaps I will watch him to see if any reason for this reaction exists. Al thought to himself.
Tessa glanced around the apartment and smiled. "It's much larger than the safe house was, isn't it Kaname?"
"Not really… it's just properly furnished." Kaname said with a smirk.
Sousuke set his Glock 17 on the table beside the couch and sat down. Frowning slightly he picked up his rucksack and pulled out some plain white button up pajamas and padded over to the bathroom. The longer Kaname could keep Tessa distracted, the better.
I really don't want to hurt her, but she's always going to be my commander… I just can't see her the way she wishes I did. Sousuke sighed and shook his head as he pulled off his clothes and began to change. I did break the rules before though… a bodyguard isn't supposed to become attached to their charge. I've gone way beyond 'attached'. He smiled faintly at that. Best mistake of my life.
Pulling the pants on over his boxers he pursed his lips in thought. I hope Melissa and Kurz bring a full load out, relying on just a couple pistols, my grenades, and a stun gun sounds like a truly absurd position to take. We're talking about Delta Force operators, one of the organizations on which the Mithril SRT was modeled. He pulled on the shirt top and began to button it up as he glanced in the mirror. If I only had some explosives… Kaname would kill me if I rigged a grenade trip line at the door, and it probably wouldn't be that effective… I need command detonated and shaped blast gear like claymores or SLAMs.
"Sousuke! Will you hurry up?" Kaname asked from outside the door. "Tessa wants to change."
"Almost finished." Sousuke said as he finished with the buttons and picked up his clothes then pulled open the door. Tessa stared back at him from the opposite side holding her luggage case. "Uhh…"
"Tessa, let him slip past you!" Kaname yelled and Tessa tried to jump out of the way. Unfortunately her foot caught on a blanket and she went down with a thud.
At least the sleeping mats and blankets cushioned her landing. Sousuke thought as he sidestepped past her prone form and ran over to the rucksack and began removing his gear from the pants in his hands.
Darn… I was hoping he wouldn't have a nightshirt. Tessa thought to herself as she rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. Why do I have to always be this clumsy? She sighed and pulled herself upright then hobbled through the door into the bathroom with her suitcase. Taking a deep breath she shut it behind her and stared at the mirror.
Dark circles hung beneath both of her eyes and she sighed and shook her head, the composed and loved figure of Captain Testarossa fading slightly as she looked away from the mirror. The last few days had been rough, filled with constant travel, mission prep, and work the likes of which she hadn't done before. She'd known intellectually how to check the equipment in a mission package and how to assemble a load out, but until a few days ago she'd never done it before. Taking a deep breath she shook her head and began undressing.
Sousuke sighed as he sat back on the couch in his pajamas and closed his eyes. This will be a very strange night, of that I am certain. He glanced over at the table, which held his Glock pistol and combat knife along with a pair of flash bangs. It'll be a trick to keep them in easy reach.
Kaname's bedroom door opened and she stepped inside clad in her blue and white striped pajamas. After she closed it behind her, she ran a hand through her long hair and smiled faintly at him before strutting over to the table filled with food opposite the couch.
"You want anything Sousuke? I'm sure we'll be plenty busy when the others arrive."
"Anything will be fine Kaname." Sousuke answered as he ran a hand through his hair nervously.
Kaname nodded and picked up a plate and began to load food onto it. "I'll just get you a 'variety pack' then." She glanced over her shoulder and gave him a smile.
"That is more than sufficient Kaname." Sousuke said. Before he could further explain the doorbell rang and he stiffened. Automatic responses coursed through his veins as he swiped the Glock from the table and headed for the door, chambering a round as he moved.
A slight smile played across his face as he saw Kaname shake her head slightly and grin at his actions. "I doubt it's the Americans Sousuke."
"Your safety is my greatest priority." Sousuke answered as he glanced out the peephole and arched an eyebrow before stepping back. "Miss Miller, did you order additional pizzas and drinks from another establishment?"
"Yep!" The redhead called from beside the karaoke machine. "I was really hungry!"
His shoulders slumped and he shook his head. "Very well." Then he quickly unlocked the door, opened it, and peeked out, checking both ways down the hallway before turning his attention to the delivery boy, staggering under the load of goodies.
"Three thousand yen." The delivery boy asked, his voice muffled from the load of pizza boxes.
Sousuke sighed and glanced over his shoulder and said in English. "Miss Miller, could you bring me my wallet, it's on the table."
"Sure." She answered.
As Sarah moved, Sousuke stared at the pile of pizza boxes, his mind going back to a story he'd heard in training. Pizza boxes, oh right a New York SWAT team used a… He felt sweat begin to bead on his brow. …a flash-bang inside a pizza box to disorient a number of terrorists before assaulting the hide out. This could be a similar situation.
"Sousuke, here." Sarah said beside him as she held out her wallet. She took a moment to breath in the aromas from the boxes. "Oh… smells good."
Not good, if this is another false alarm… Sousuke took a deep breath and took the wallet, pulled two, two-thousand yen notes from the folds and handed them to the delivery boy. Slowly he took the small mountain of boxes from the delivery boy and stepped back into the room, kicking the door shut behind him.
Sarah stepped in front of him and grinned, closing her eyes as she breathed deep through her nostrils. Laden down with the boxes he couldn't stop her as suddenly she reached out to the top box and flung it open.
Sousuke flinched, squeezed his eyes shut, and looked away from the boxes expecting a bang and flash from a concealed bomb or stun grenade. When nothing happened, he slowly opened one eye and stared at Sarah Miller standing before him with a greasy slice of pizza in her hands and a long string of cheese running from her mouth to the slice. "What?"
"Nothing." Sousuke said, releasing a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding and pushed his way past her. Sarah just shook her head as he passed.
I guess there's nothing in these Pizza boxes then. Sousuke thought with a shake of his head before setting them atop the tabletop. Can't be too careful though.
Kaname scowled slightly as Sousuke set the pizza boxes on the table. "More?"
"Sarah ordered them." Sousuke said as he glanced at her carrying the plate full of food.
"Not a problem then…" Kaname said and gave him a smile. "Though by the time the others get here it might be cold."
"Cold food does not bother me." Sousuke stated.
Kaname just rolled her eyes. Of course, cold food doesn't bug the sergeant. She set the plate down on the table before the couch and grabbed a strawberry pocky stick from the pile of goodies before turning to him. "It might not bother you Sousuke, but not everyone has the same iron constitution you do."
"Affirmative." He shrugged. "Then we will simply have to warm it with the microwave."
Kaname slipped the pocky stick between her lips and rolled it like a cigarette to the side of her mouth. "Ugh, it makes pizza soft though…"
Another knock came from the door and Sousuke scrambled for his gun again, nearly tripping over a bedroll. Unable to help herself Kaname burst into a fit of giggles as she watched him stumble toward the door, just as Tessa stepped from the bedroom clad in a pair of boxers and a t-shirt.
The two collided, and Sousuke tripped over her landing in the entryway with a thud and sliding to the door on his face. A dull groan slipped from him as Kaname bent over laughing, forgetting about her pocky stick as it tumbled to the floor.
Just outside the door Kyoko frowned and glanced at Shinji who was grinning slightly at the noise coming from the other side of the door. "Sounds like the party is starting without us?"
"I hope Kana-chan isn't beating up on Sousuke again." Kyoko said as she lifted her hand to knock again. "She can be really hard on him sometimes."
"No harder than a drill sergeant, maybe that's why they're together?" Shinji chuckled.
The door clicked and Sousuke leaned out, glancing both ways before looking at the two of them, rubbing an already rapidly forming bruise on his cheek. "Please do not discuss me behind my back. It is not polite."
The laughter from inside the room continued as Kyoko leaned past Sousuke and bit her lip to stop from laughing as she saw Tessa sprawled out, her face alight with a blush while Kaname rolled on the floor continuing to laugh. When Sousuke's cheeks brightened into a blush as well Kyoko started snickering. "What happened in here?"
"Nothing, it's not a problem." Sousuke answered automatically and Shinji snorted.
"Uh huh." Kyoko said and shook her head. "Can we come in Sousuke?"
"Yes, I apologize." He answered stiffly before shuffling off to the side and allowing the two of them inside. Kyoko pushed past him and glanced around the living area noting the bed rolls spread out across the floor and the buffet table loaded with food and drinks for the night.
Shinji followed her into the room and slipped his backpack off and set it beside the door before bending down to remove his shoes.
Kyoko took the opportunity to reach into the backpack and pull out a pair of thick books from inside. "Well Sousuke, Kaname… I wanted to give you these for graduation but…"
Kaname rolled into a crouched position and stood up with surprising agility as Sousuke closed the door and turned to Kyoko, an eyebrow arched curiously at her.
She smiled back at him as she handed him one of the books. "I thought they'd make good gifts… our class has had so many memories, some good some… not so good."
Sousuke nodded slowly as he took the book and ran his hand along the cover before flipping it open. A gasp echoed in the foyer as Sousuke stared at the first page.
"Sousuke?" Kaname asked, stepping beside Kyoko. The two of them watched his eyes seem to quiver and turn glossy before he fell against the wall and slid to the floor, his eyes glued to the pages.
Sousuke stared at the faces on the photograph, studying each in turn, remembering the names, the faces. Ahmad Shah Massoud, the Lion of Panjshir, had his head back with a huge smile plastered on his face. In the picture he was laughing. Across from him the clean shaven form of Zaied was wearing a knowing smirk. Sousuke shook his head and wiped away a set of tears that had run down his cheek. Turning the page he saw a picture of an old RK-92 Savage in the Cambodian jungle along with the rest of his old mercenary squad.
Feeling his heart begin to clench in his chest he glanced at the next page and felt a smile slip across his face as he saw a picture of himself from that first day at school. Kagazaki Sensei was staring confused at a Steyr SPP while he stood beside her, straight at military attention. Right below the picture was a second image showing Kaname, her eyebrow twitching in irritation.
Along the margin were a set of notes in Shinji's messy hand and Kyoko's pretty calligraphy.
You think it was love at first sight? - Shinji
Of course not! – Kyoko
P.S. – Or was it? : - )
A smile slowly spread across his features and he glanced up at Kyoko. "Thank you. How… how did you find that picture at the front?"
"I found it online, took a little while to confirm it was really you." Shinji said. "You never told me you knew Massoud."
Sousuke nodded. "I knew him… I knew him quite well in fact." He stood and walked toward the couch, still flipping through the book. "I'll tell you about it later Shinji."
Kaname watched him, biting her lip nervously. I've never seen him like that before… She glanced at Kyoko and arched an eyebrow. "What was that? I've never seen him like that before Ky."
"Just memories I guess." Kyoko answered with a faint smile as she pulled out the second scrap book. "You have lots too, you know."
"I guess, but not many as bad as his." Kaname answered before she glanced at the photo album. "Is that?"
"Yours? Yes." Kyoko smiled. "Why don't you go share it with Sousuke while we get changed into night clothes? Can I use your room?"
"Sure… sure…" Kaname smiled as she took the scrapbook and flipped it open. "Maybe everyone can sign it." She said as she watched Kyoko retreat into her room with the backpack.
When she turned back to the book her smile faded slightly as she glanced through the first few pictures from her first year at Jindai. There was the softball club, student government, and a dozen other club pictures coupled with snap shots of everyday living that Kyoko had caught in that first year. She slumped slightly at the sight of her, usually in the back standing half a head taller than the others. None of them seemed to have her smiling.
I didn't ever think about that… She slumped against the wall and sighed. Maybe my humdrum life wasn't all that great in the first place. She felt a tear run down her cheek as she flipped through the pages. She stopped as she noticed a set of notes along the margin of one of the pages in Kyoko's curving hand.
You really were driven that year Kana, but you were so serious! – Ky
"Yeah…" She wiped away a tear as the next year of pictures began. They started out much like the last with Kaname in school clubs, at the mall with Maya, Shiori, and Kyoko, and working at the corner café for a bit more spending money. She smiled in the pictures but it always seemed to be half-hearted, as if only offering it up to placate her friends.
Then she came to a page that made her eyes widen. It wasn't a picture, though there was one on it, but a color copy of a formal document.
Transfer notification…
A smile slipped across her face as she glanced at the document reading each bit of information, even ignoring the name she knew who it was instantly. There was only one transfer student to Jindai that would have such an immediate impact on her. A new set of tears ran down her face as she saw the name listed as his guardian, though an alias, she knew instantly who it was. It was another war wound for Sousuke now, another scar on his battered heart.
Smiling despite the tears she turned the page and laughed at the close up shot that Kyoko had captured that first day of her mouth hanging open in confusion and disbelief at the strange boy who had brought a 'toy gun' to school in his satchel.
Kaname's heart fluttered a bit at the recollection of the events those first few days and she pushed off the wall and walked over to the couch and sat down beside Sousuke, setting her scrapbook on the table.
Just as she was about to flip to the next page, the doorbell rang again and Sousuke scrambled to the door, trying to move to the door as stealthily as possible despite the bedrolls and blankets all over the floor. Kaname smirked as she watched him move up next to the door and peep out then relax slightly then opened the door. "Hello, Ono-D, Ren, Shiori, Maya… Mizuki."
27 March 2000, 22:04 hrs
Chofu, Suburbs of Tokyo, Japan
Room 509, Lions Mansion Apartments
The CIA agent behind the taps scowled as his fingers played across the keys, typing up the Romanized version of the names he heard as each one was announced. So far they just seemed to be ordinary civilian boys and girls, aside for the Shinji character… that one sounded like a bit of military person himself, but as he listened the CIA agent realized it wasn't professional knowledge the boy would spout on occasion but the sort of useless information that a nerd or military fan boy would possess.
After a moment the agent stopped and stared at the list of names.
Shinji ?Kazama?
Kyoko
Shiori
Mizuki
Maya
Onodera (Ono-D?)
Ren
"So what's going on?" His partner asked as the man set a small case of beer beside the receiving instruments. "Anything useful?"
"Not really… sounds like just a bunch of high school students, a bit juvenile at times but then I remember doing stuff like that in college." The agent shook his head and leaned back. "Though the whole thing the targets talked about this morning kind of shows they're not just ordinary kids… using their friends as human shields? That is a nasty move."
"Well, they can't stay there all the time… the delta guys will get their chance." His partner answered before setting into the chair beside him. "What they up to now?"
The CIA agent smirked. "Truth or Dare."
27 March 2000, 22:19 hrs
Chofu, Suburbs of Tokyo, Japan
Room 404, Mansion K Apartments
"So let me see if my understanding is correct." Sousuke said as he glanced around the room at the assembly of friends. "The objective is to make a group of people closer friends through the sharing of secrets and embarrassing moments?"
Kaname nodded. "Uh-huh!"
"And that to participate in the game one must answer truthfully when choosing a truth or take a dare and embarrass themselves." Sousuke frowned. "Captain… how—"
"Just Tessa, Sousuke." Tessa said from Sousuke's other side.
"Understood, Tessa… are you thinking it would be prudent to allow Kaname's friends to ask questions that may force us to reveal classified information?" Sousuke said, his tone clearly indicating a hesitancy to reveal anything.
Kaname squeezed his arm and sighed. "Sousuke, after you told them everything already when you left to find me… would not telling them stuff now help anything at all?"
"No." Sousuke said. "I suppose it would not."
Tessa sighed. "Command was quite angry with you, but then going AWOL to find her didn't help either. It would do no good to hide anything from them now."
Ren nodded slowly and glanced up at them as she folded her hands in her lap. "I am quite capable of keeping a secret if required, and able to ensure the information revealed here is not spread without… repercussions."
Ono-D blanched and a number of the other girls turned pale. Kaname's face twisted into a cruel smirk as Tessa glanced at Ren looking a bit confused. "I don't understand…"
Sousuke sighed. "I thought you read my reports Tessa-san. Ren-san is the daughter of one of the local Yakuza group bosses."
"Oh… the Bonta-kun incident." Tessa said, and then giggled. "Now I remember!"
Ren blushed and glanced back down at the table as Kyoko and a number of the other girls glanced at her looking confused before a feral grin appeared on Kyoko's lips. "Bonta-kun incident? Sousuke! Is this about that time in the park?"
"Kyoko!" Kaname growled. "You were there?"
"I invited Sousuke along, he… he was worried about you Kana." Kyoko's grin widened. "How does Ren know about Bonta-kun?"
Sousuke glanced around the group. "Are we beginning play?"
Suddenly Ren's eyes went wide and she glanced at Sousuke. "Wha…?"
"Yes, we are." Kaname said with a grin. "And Kyoko asked the first question… or do you want a dare Oren-san?"
"I… I will answer." Ren blush deepened. "My father runs the Mikihara group, a yakuza. The Sengawa district lies within Mikihara territory and a rival group was moving in. Chidori-san was with Sagara-kun and me when we witnessed one of our group's band of enforcers beaten in a street fight. After the fight one of the enforcers recognized Chidori-san, I sense there was another story behind that." Ren glanced at Kaname who blushed faintly but didn't seem to notice that Sousuke's cheeks had heated up as well. "He begged Kaname to contact a friend of hers he knew only as 'Bonta-kun'."
"He threatened me before I said I could summon him." Kaname nodded with a wicked grin and Sousuke's cheeks heated up even further and he saw that Ono-D was smirking.
"Yes, well you agreed to have him help train our enforcers." Ren said. "I do remember that he made quite an impression on my father."
"A sword is only as dangerous as its wielder. Your father was ill and not trained in combat techniques of the caliber… Kaname's friend had learned." Sousuke said.
"Yes well, once that happened he agreed to have 'her friend' train the enforcers. From what I saw it was rather brutal, but then he did teach them things that I had never considered." Ren sighed. "At the same time the enemy was escalating its pressure on my family, and then they decided to take me hostage in order to force my father to withdraw the group from the area. They managed to catch Chidori-san at the same time."
"They never learn, there's one person in Chofu you don't want to kidnap!" Kaname said with a bark of laughter.
"Bonta-kun organized a rescue mission that used a bunch of Bonta-kun mascot suits with body armor, guns, and some explosives. They blew through the headquarters of the rival group and got us out. The leader of the group tried to use Chidori-san as a human shield." Ren slowly shook her head. "He took a rubber bullet to the head and collapsed. It turned out the other bonta-kuns were the enforcers he'd trained. That, is I think what Tessa was referring to as the 'Bonta-kun incident'." Ren said before smiling faintly. "Miss Tokiwa, truth or dare?"
"Truth!" Kyoko said with a grin.
"How do you know Bonta-kun?" Ren asked.
"You know him too. You just don't know it yet." Kyoko smirked and leaned back in the chair. "Anyway, the whole story began like this. It was a nice day and Kana and I were talking at the Sengawa station, she'd been feeling a bit down because of a certain sergeant."
Sousuke's attention immediately riveted on Kyoko, he hadn't heard this bit before.
"I told her she always looked happy when he was around, but she said she was tired of all the trouble. She was really moping and feeling sorry for herself, I think the stress of having to tell the principal about three or four explosions a week was getting to her. Anyway, when we got on the train she saw a guy that was her senior in middle school… what was his name? Fuwa?"
Kaname nodded and sighed. "Yeah, it was Fuwa."
"Anyway, they sort of exchanged numbers on the train and later she agreed to go with him on a date to Fumo-Fumo Land." Kyoko glanced at Sousuke. "But… she started acting strange, kind of guilty I think."
Kaname's cheeks turned rosy as she looked down at the table.
"Sousuke noticed something was wrong and well… he asked her if something was wrong, but her reaction just made him more him more suspicious. You know Sousuke tends to go a bit overboard when he's suspicious… anyway, I knew about the date so I sort of suggested he come along with me on a 'stake out' at Fumo-Fumo Land." Kyoko snickered as he saw Kaname's brow furrow at her. "Anyway, we had an interesting day following them around… and I reigned Sousuke in a bit to keep him from interrogating Fuwa-senpai. Around lunch I think Sousuke figured out what was going on… he suddenly started sweating and mixing up his words, almost talking non-sense. I think it hurt him when he realized it was a date."
"I'm sorry." Kaname whispered and grabbed Sousuke's arm squeezing it affectionately.
I really was a mess then, I'm not sure what I would have done if the Yakuza hadn't showed up.
"We were about to leave when these three yakuza walk up to Kana and Fuwa and start complaining about the two of them getting 'lubby-dubby' in the middle of the day. Well, one of them was drunk and Kaname just won't take anything from anybody so she stood up and told off the yakuza. Fuwa is sitting there trying to get her to back down and Sousuke is half in a panic seeing this, and he's getting ready to jump out and save them. I told him if he did Kana would know we followed her, and just that moment one of the Bonta-kun mascots walked past…"
"No…" Ren said, her soft voice suddenly breaking into a little giggle she tried to hide with her hand.
"Yep, Sousuke stole it from the guy and went running to the rescue, and the legend of Bonta-kun was born!" Kyoko laughed. "The park security people chased him all day after that!"
"I knew it was you!" Kaname said with a bark of laughter. "A Bonta-kun with a shotgun, rescuing me, come on!"
"It has served me well since then." Sousuke said and felt a faint smile slip across his face. "I believe we could fill the whole night talking about our adventures, but I believe its Kyoko's turn to ask someone truth or dare."
Kyoko grinned as she sat cross-legged on the sleeping mat. She tapped her chin and gave a predatory smirk. "Hmm…"
Shinji started sweating nervously as her gaze flicked to him and she ran a hand through her curly hair. It was one of the few times the group had seen her hair outside of its normal pigtails. Her gaze flicked across the others and her smile grew as she saw a few of the others glance nervously around the simple circle.
"Sousuke, truth or dare?"
Shinji let out a sigh of relief as Sousuke glanced at Kyoko a bit surprised. "I believe I will take a truth."
"Were all your absences due to going on missions?" Kyoko asked.
"Affirmative, aside for a few instances where I was ill." Sousuke shrugged as if it was no big deal. The other girls from the school glanced at him in surprise realizing that there'd been even more to their classmate then he'd told earlier. "I believe it is my turn now. Al… truth or dare?"
The circle glanced at each other as Sarah grinned. A moment later, a voice emerged from the Karaoke machine. "Truth, I am physically incapable of taking a dare at the present time."
"Do you enjoy driving me crazy in combat?" Sousuke said.
"I am an artificial intelligence so I am uncertain if I am capable of enjoying anything, however considering the actions I have witnessed when other organics engage in activities they enjoy, I must say… Yes. I do."
"Figures." Sousuke said.
"Your mental readouts suggest that you enjoyed our… banter as well." Al stated. "Miss Chidori, truth or dare?"
Kaname blinked for a moment then pursed her lips for a moment. "Truth I guess…"
"How long have you had feelings for Sergeant Sagara?" Al asked.
Kaname's face burned bright red as she glanced at Sousuke. "Umm…" She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I… I think, I really… Since… since… I'm not really sure… maybe the hijacking incident?"
Sousuke's mouth fell open and he looked at her. "Since then, but…"
"You were out of control Sousuke… I had to keep you from blowing up the school and my duty as class rep and… I was mad at myself for liking you and took it out on you." She closed her eyes and sighed. "I'm sorry Sousuke."
"It's not a problem. I would be unable to answer that question much differently." Sousuke smiled slightly. "I wasn't very good at understanding my feelings. Sun Tzu was right, it is best to know yourself."
"Now… it's my turn." Kaname grinned deviously and glanced amongst her friends. "Tessa."
The platinum haired girl swallowed back a lump in her throat as she saw all eyes turn on her. "Uh… Truth?"
"Could you explain to everyone here what your 'special relationship' with Sousuke really was about?" Kaname grinned as Tessa blushed.
"Uh… well… you see…" Tessa let out a sigh. "Sousuke was assigned to the Western Pacific Special Response Team aboard the submarine of the Tuatha De Danaan. I was Sousuke's commanding officer and our relationship never developed beyond friendship…"
"And an unrequited crush." Kaname added.
"Yes…" Tessa said quietly.
Mizuki snorted as Shiori and Maya swoon melodramatically and then let out a burst of giggles. Ono-D glanced at Sousuke. "You dog!"
"I fail to see what canines have to do with the situation." Sousuke stated. "Moreover… she was my commanding officer. I follow the rules when it comes to fraternization… usually."
"Usually?" Kaname asked, her eyebrow twitching.
Sousuke swallowed. "It's also against the rules to become attached to one you've been assigned to guard."
Kaname blushed brightly and put her hand to her mouth. "Oh…"
Ono-D and Shinji laughed as Tessa grinned. "Now… who should I pick?" She tapped her chin thoughtfully and grinned. "Hmm… such a hard choice." She set the empty bottle of pepsi down in the middle of the circle and spun it.
Kaname looked worriedly at the bottle. She knew of another party game that used them, and she really didn't want Tessa to bust open that can of worms.
The bottle slowed to a stop pointing square at Shinji who stared at it as if it was a loaded gun. Tessa giggled. "Shinji… truth or dare?"
"Uhh… I… I…" His gaze flicked over to Kyoko then back to Tessa. "I'll take a dare."
"Okay… that's a hard one." Tessa pursed her lips for a moment. "Suggestions?"
Kyoko shook a box of pocky and grinned. "Make him eat pocky with somebody."
"That's a good one… so long as the other agrees to it." Tessa grinned wickedly. "How shall we choose the recipient?"
Sousuke glanced at Kaname. "I don't understand… how is eating pocky a suitable dare?"
"Just wait…" Kaname said, trying to decide if she should allow this.
"Spin the bottle!" Maya said gesturing to the plastic bottle in the middle of the group.
Tessa giggled again and glanced mischievously at Shinji who had rapidly turned a sickly shade of white. "That sounds like a good idea." She spun the bottle again and watched it.
"If it lands on you Sousuke, refuse to do it." Kaname whispered in his ear.
All eyes followed the spinning piece of plastic as it slowed and stopped. Another burst of laugher echoed in the room as Kyoko stared at the bottle cap, her eyebrow twitching. "Typical…"
Kaname snorted and couldn't help but take advantage of the situation. "Go on Kyoko… you suggested it!" Kaname said as Maya and Shiori nodded their agreement. Tessa giggled at the mischief her round had already caused while Sousuke watched the color drain from both of their faces.
Ren smiled serenely at the two. "They are correct. One should not dole out such suggestions unless they are willing to do them as well."
"Okay…" Kyoko said, her voice barely a whisper as she scooted over toward where Shinji sat, still shocked.
Eyeing Shinji for a moment Ono-D smirked. "We may need a bucket of water or something. He looks like he's about to faint."
Chuckles echoed around the room as Kyoko sighed and pulled a chocolate pocky stick from the box. "Sorry Shinji."
"It's okay…" He swallowed his voice cracking and barely a whisper. "Let's… let's just get this over with."
Shinji felt his body shake as he put the pocky between his teeth. Sweat began to run down his brow. This is bad, I didn't think… I thought Tessa was nice! He swallowed another lump in his throat as Kyoko bit the opposite end, her gaze locking on his. It had to be Kyoko…
He blinked as a bead of sweat ran down into his eye and stung. His pale face suddenly burned as Kyoko smirk slightly with the pocky in her mouth. Was she hoping…? I don't understand… now I know what Sagara-kun feels like most of the time. She blushed as she noticed the bright pink on his cheeks.
Don't cry… don't cry… His mind repeated as Kyoko nibbled on her end of the pocky stick. Around them the group watched and Kaname gave an evil little smile. The embarrassment is going to kill me.
"Shinji, you're supposed to eat it with her, if you don't we'll just have to do it again!" Kaname said.
But… Shinji closed his eyes and took a bite. His taste buds had turned off and he felt his hands grow clammy. He could hear the pokkin of the stick each time Kyoko nibbled off a little bit. Opening his eyes he almost jumped seeing Kyoko's face mere centimeters from his own, a pair of sweat beads of her own running down her forehead. The crowd was leaning forward anxiously watching the pair. Uhhh… His mind went blank as her eyes focused on his and he felt her breath through her nose against his face. This is almost as bad as…
He felt her lips on his in that moment and froze, his eyes widening and body stiffening as if a shot of electricity ran through him. Then the world around him went dark.
Kyoko opened her eyes and blinked as Shinji fell backwards. Blushing brightly she looked down at him and suddenly felt a flash of panic. "Shinji!"
Sousuke stood and stepped over beside his friend before leaning down and checking his vitals. After a moment he shook his head and glanced at the girl with glasses. "He's fine Kyoko, he just fainted."
A burst of laughter came from the girls as Ono-D shook his head and clucked his tongue. "Wow Kyoko, I didn't know you were that good a kisser."
Kyoko put her hand over her mouth and felt her cheeks burn scarlet from embarrassment. She glanced down at the prone form of her friend. I'm sorry Shinji.
"I'll go get some smelling salts." Kaname said as she stood up and headed for the bathroom, stepping over her friends. "He's it when he wakes up, so you better be ready Kyoko!"
Shinji twitched on the floor and his eyes fluttered open. "Sugoi…" He shook his head and looked up at Kyoko who was now blushing furiously.
"Are you okay Shinji?" Kyoko asked.
"I… I think so. What happened?" He said glancing around the group. A bark of laughter echoed amongst the group.
Mizuki grinned. "So Kyoko kisses good enough to cause memory loss?" That statement only stirred up the laughter further as Kaname stepped out of the bathroom with the smelling salts and set them on a table.
Shinji was now beet red once again and Tessa grinned. "If you don't remember maybe you should do it again…"
"No!" Shinji and Kyoko called out at the same time. Kyoko glanced over at Shinji's panicked face.
"Well, this means it's his turn." Ono-D leaned down and whispered in Shinji's ear. The military otaku froze and seemed to shiver for a moment before glancing over at his friend.
"Are you sure…?" Shinji asked and Ono-D just nodded. "Okay, Kyoko…" Shinji flushed brightly and refused to meet her gaze. "Truth or dare?"
"Truth I think…" She said with a sigh of relief.
Shinji swallowed and asked his question in a whisper that sounded almost like the squeak of a mouse. "You were hoping that would happen, weren't you?"
"What? No!" Kyoko's bright red face told a different story and the girls all grinned at her. "No… I…" Kyoko's voice turned desperate before dropping to a mere whisper. As she gazed down at the blankets she admitted the truth as a whisper. "Yes…"
"I got a dare for Shinji now…" Mizuki said. Maya and Shiori nodded as if they had just been given a huge birthday present.
Ren smiled sweetly. "Yes… I can see many doors opening with that information."
Oh no…
27 March 2000, 23:19 hrs.
Chofu, Suburbs of Tokyo, Japan
Roof, Tiger Maison Apartments
Wraith popped open a can of iced coffee as she leaned against the air conditioning unit. Hidden beside it was a microwave receiver for some of the bugs and listening devices that Mithril had installed ages ago. She smirked slightly as she listened in on the conversation. We didn't have slumber parties in North Korea, hell we didn't have enough food to go around till we started working for the party. She ran a hand through her hair and sighed, despite the hell that Kaname had gone through and the continuing threat of kidnapping that hung over her like a sword of Damocles she felt pangs of jealousy for her upbringing and lifestyle run through her as she sunk beside the air conditioner and adjusted the plastic cover around her rifle.
I still can't complain though, as rough as it is guarding her and sergeant sabotage… At least I'm not the one being hunted down for stuff in my brain. She yawned as the light rain continued to dribble down around her and she sipped at the coffee again. Plus, her life makes for a great reality show… except this one is real. She snickered at that thought and finished off the coffee can. With a sigh she set it down beside the air conditioner to catch the rain.
27 March 2000, 23:34 hrs
Chofu, Suburbs of Tokyo, Japan
Room 404, Mansion K Apartments
Kaname grinned as Kyoko called on Sarah. So far, the girl hadn't been brought into the game much being the newcomer and a relatively quiet person to boot.
"Okay Sarah, truth or dare…"
The redheaded girl with curly hair pursed her lips for a moment. "Umm… truth."
Kyoko tapped her chin for a moment and pursed her lips. "Well, umm… since we don't know much about you… how did you meet Sousuke?"
Sarah blinked then nodded. "Okay, well… it was two years ago, around mid-march of 1998. I had been taken by the soviets to a research center in Siberia. I…" She glanced down at her hands. "I don't remember much of anything before that, just flashes. They said the drugs the Soviets used caused long-term memory loss… I… I couldn't even remember my name by the time Mithril found me. I was whisked out of the center and the Russians gave chase, sending out attack helicopters. We were in a UAZ, basically a Russian jeep, and a Hind hit the road in front of us with a missile. The jeep rolled and I was ejected into the snow in nothing but a medical gown. The operative that had gotten me out was killed, the jeep's cabin smashed in crushing him."
She glanced at Sousuke. "Then the hind came around for another pass and an anti-tank dagger smashed into the side of the monster. It started falling toward me and an M-9 rushed up and grabbed hold of it, rolling it over its shoulder and tossed it into the snowfield." She swallowed. "Then the M9 turned toward me and the canopy opened. The pilot stepped out with a briefcase while other M9s showed up. He had a tranquilizer and I asked him his name…" She smiled slightly and glanced at Sousuke. "It was Sousuke."
"Kurz bragged to the whole submarine about me taking down that Hind." Sousuke shook his head and smirked. "I've destroyed many more since then."
"He gave me the tranquilizer and I woke up in Mithril hands." She closed her eyes. "The records their agent had gotten out of the base gave me a name… it's not one I've used much since I remember so little of my life before." She smiled slightly. "Sarah Miller is really an alias that Mithril provided, but I've grown rather fond of it. My real name is Mira Kudan."
Sousuke blinked. "An ironic name for a designer of Arm Slaves."
"Sousuke?" Kaname asked.
"Mira is the Russian diminutive for Mir… it means peace." He said running a hand through his hair. "I am more than proficient in the Russian language."
Sarah smiled. "You can call me either name. They are both as much me."
"Who wants more food?" Mizuki called out as she scrambled upright and headed for the counter. Ono-D scrambled to beat her to the servings as the others laughed before following suite.
As the food and drinks began to disappear the group returned to the floor and resumed the circle. Kaname sat with a pocky stick hanging from her mouth as she glanced around the group and felt a swelling of affection for those here, her friends who had stuck with her through the maddening year with Sousuke in class, and then there was Sousuke… He'd come after her, going through a hell she had only heard hints of.
"I think it's my turn to call someone." Sara said as she glanced around the group. "Uh… Mizuki right?"
Mizuki blinked once then nodded, glancing nervously around the circle.
"Truth or dare?" Sara said, a smirk playing across her face.
"Please…" Mizuki seemed to be delighted. "I'll take a dare!"
"Okay… turn your clothes inside out." Sara said and shrugged as she glanced around the circle. There were a few snorts of amusement but nothing really major.
Mizuki scampered to the bathroom for a moment and then returned with her button up pajamas clearly reversed. She made a face as she sat down. "Buttons feel funny…" Then she brightened. "Oh… it's my turn now. Kazama, truth or dare?"
Kaname caught Kyoko giving Shinji a warning look as the bespectacled glanced between Mizuki and Kyoko like a cornered animal. "Uh… uh… dare!"
Why is he doing dare again, is there some embarrassing secret Kyoko knows? Kaname thought as she glanced at Kyoko rolling her eyes.
The snicker and cackle that slipped from Mizuki as she rocked back and forth on bed rolls turned Shinji white. Seeing his expression Maya and Shiori immediately spoke up. "Don't worry Shinji, I'm sure Kaname will keep it from being too bad."
"That's right!" Kaname agreed immediately.
"Oh, she'll let me ask this… it'll probably do Shinji some good." Mizuki said with an impish grin. "Shinji, I dare you to ask Kyoko out."
Kaname fell sideways and hit the floor with a thud before beginning to snicker. She felt Sousuke's worried eyes on her as the rest of the group began snickering and goading Shinji and Kyoko. "Kaname?" Sousuke asked quietly.
"I'm fine!" Kaname said still shaking with mirth. "Do it Shinji!"
Shinji's face was as red as it had ever been in Kaname's presence. He took a deep breath and glanced at Kyoko, his body beginning to shake with fear. "Ky… Ky… Kyoko, wi… will you go out with me!"
"Do you honestly want me to or is it just because of a dare?" Kyoko asked as she shot a glare over at Mizuki.
"Honest…" Shinji squeaked.
"Then the answer is yes." Kyoko grinned at Shinji. Instantly there was a smattering of applause and Ono-D clasped Shinji on the shoulder and grinned at him.
"Great job Kazama!" Ono-D said as he saw the boy beginning to wilt. "Get the smelling salts again, he looks peeked!"
"I'm okay…" Shinji said quietly before looking at Kyoko and grinned. "Actually, I'm more than okay."
"Finally." Kaname said as she sat up from the floor.
Shinji grinned, "Now… it's my turn… Maya…"
The game slowly petered out as its participants lost interest or fell victim to exhaustion. Kyoko guided Kaname to a sleeping bag close to the balcony and Kaname knew it was to keep her friends from knowing just how close she'd gotten to Sousuke in the last few days. As Kaname laid down she wrapped her fingers lightly round the pistol grip of her stun gun and sighed. The lights clicked off after a moment and slowly the group began to fall asleep.
28 March 2000, 02:05 hrs
100 km North of Okinawa, East China Sea, Pacific Ocean
Mithril MV-22 Osprey Seadancer
Melissa Mao starred out the back of the MV-22 Osprey looking down at the black ocean. The sky was filled with stars in a way that could only happen in the midst of the ocean, far from land. Sighing she glanced at her watch. "We'll have to land somewhere in Kyushu in a couple hours."
On the bench opposite her Kurz Weber nodded once. "It'll be nice to stretch our legs for a-while… damn plane is too loud for me to sleep much."
"I hate tilt-rotors… You'd think they'd have found a way to quiet them like the helicopters we use… but no." Melissa sighed. "I wish we could have gotten a commercial flight, but then we wouldn't be able to haul all this crap." She kicked the box between them filled with munitions and took another pull from her cigarette. "Any news from Tessa or Sousuke?"
"Nope, not that I expected any." Kurz shrugged. "We'll be able to give those two love birds a nice wakeup call."
Melissa chuckled. "That sounds like a plan."
28 March 2000, 03:11 hrs
Chofu, Suburbs of Tokyo, Japan
Room 404, Mansion K Apartments
Kaname woke with a jolt, sweat coating her back and running down from the brow. She blinked in the dark of the living room and sighed. Her hands shook lightly and she scowled at them. Letting out a growl of frustration she clenched her fist and let out a sigh of relief as the shaking stopped. She closed her eyes and sighed before slipping out of the bed roll.
Damn it, can't even sleep without him for a night… when did I get this pathetic? Grumbling to herself she stood and looked toward the kitchenette and glanced down at the maze of sleeping figures between her and a glass of water.
It was late and the food, drinks, and conversation had been completely exhausted. The guests were curled up in the sleeping bags that had been strewn about the room. Shinji and Kyoko had laid down in sleeping bags beside each other and had chatted quietly in whispers until they'd fallen asleep, but apparently both tossed and turned in their sleep. Now the two of them were practically snuggling against each other despite being in separate sleeping bags.
Kaname smirked to herself as she stepped clumsily over the two and struggled to keep quiet. She stopped as she saw Kyoko's camera clasped lightly in her sleeping hand between the two of them. A giggle slipped out as she leaned down and slipped the camera from her friend's grasp and stood over the two of them. She snapped a picture of the two's sleeping faces and smiled.
Night terrors I don't even remember waking me up… where'd Sousuke sleep anyway? He'd want to be in a… Oh… of course, the one closest to the door. She rolled her eyes as she stepped gingerly over Maya and glanced at Sousuke's sleeping form a few meters away. In the dim light she could make out both the Glock 26 and 17 lying beside the bag pointed toward the door, his hand just centimeters from being able to unleash a volley of death and destruction.
Kaname sighed as she stepped up to the sink and poured herself a drink of water. Still sweating from the nightmare, she ran the glass of cold water along her forehead and sighed. "Damn… I didn't have any trouble till he came back…" She closed her eyes and sighed. "Hell with it, it's not like I don't take flak for being a 'proper' Japanese girl already."
"Kaname?" Sousuke's voice echoed in the kitchenette and Kaname jumped, nearly gagging on her water.
Coughing to clear her throat she spun on her heel and sighed. "I thought you were asleep."
"I was, but I sleep very lightly." Sousuke said as he stepped to her, a pistol in his hand. "Why are you still awake?"
"Nightmare." Kaname said quietly hugging herself and turning away, embarrassed that something like that could keep her up.
"I understand, I have them quite often." Sousuke sighed. "You must sleep… you're safe here, I wouldn't let anyone hurt you."
"I know…" She sighed and set her water glass in the sink. Just say it… dancing around the issue is useless. "Sousuke… do you mind if I join you?"
"Uh… no Kaname, if you think it'd help." Sousuke glanced nervously at the cluster of bodies in the sleeping bags. "The bag is a bit small…"
"Thank you." Kaname whispered before kissing his chin. Sousuke straightened as if hit by a jolt of electricity for a moment then relaxed.
Sousuke padded back to his sleeping bag and pulled it fully open. Careful not to wake the others, Kaname laid down and Sousuke settled beside her and whispered. "Kaname, I have to face the door… you know the danger."
Kaname just nodded and wrapped her arms around his stomach and leaning against his back with her nose brushing against his wiry and wild hair. Breathing through her nose the smell of her shampoo mixed with the all too familiar smells of cordite and gun oil that seemed to permeate his very being. It was strange that it was that smell that made her relax and feel a comforting presence envelop her, and with that she slowly drifted off to sleep. Neither noticed the two grey eyes watching her snuggle up to Sousuke with a bit of jealousy.