AN: Last scene contains citrus content towards the end, once again I state, skip if you no likey. ^_^ Enjoy.
Aruiteku Together Forever – Chapter Eight
Ayame leaned against her sister on the couch, idly flipping through the stations. Kaname had a book on her lap and was trying to read it, but she kept getting distracted. Finally, she gave up and closed the book, placing it on the ground by her feet. She sighed and stretched, then turned to look at her sister. "Hey, Ayame? How long are you and Dad here for, anyways?"
"You mean Daddy never told you?" Ayame was surprised by the question, and was staring at her sister in shock.
Kaname shook her head slowly, "No? Told me what?"
"We're moving back! We've actually been looking at houses while you're at school. Don't worry, though. Daddy said you can keep living on your own here, once he saw how much Sousuke was paying towards your rent," she wondered why Shunya had never told Kaname, but decided not to worry about it. He never said that she couldn't. He was probably planning on making a big deal of it later and would fight on the issue just to see what her big sister could come up with in defense.
"Oh. That makes sense, entrance ceremonies are six weeks away, and you're the right age to start junior high," Kaname looked thoughtful. She was wondering the same thing as Ayame. Why had Shunya not told her? Perhaps he had been considering what to do about her once he found out about Sousuke, and it had just taken time? "What school are you going to?"
"Musashino, I didn't really get to choose, I just had to find a school close to Chofu," she sighed and glared down at her feet.
Kaname hugged her close, "Cheer up, Ayame. I know it's rough. Just try not to speak your mind like the Americans, and you should be fine. You're nice and friendly and cute, you'll make friends, promise!"
She smiled up at her older sister and hugged her. "Yeah, I know. I'm just afraid everyone will call me 'gaijin' and hate me, like what happened to you."
Nodding, she squeezed the younger girl tight, "If it does, you come to me, okay? I went through it, so if anyone will understand you, it's me, right?"
"Right!"
They sat like that on the couch for awhile, Kaname breaking the silence only to voice one concern. "I hope Sousuke hasn't broken Dad."
The sisters shuddered in fear.
Shunya sighed and glanced over at Sousuke, who was walking in his usual straight-backed serious manner, taking everything in. He shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose, something he had found himself doing often since returning to Tokyo. "You're telling me there's a firing range in the middle of Tokyo?"
"Yes sir. Of course, it is disguised as a building of a different sort, and only people with certain affiliations will ever hear of it being there," he spoke crisp and clear, as though reporting to one of his superior officers. Shunya found the boy's stoicism almost unnerving, but Kaname had assured him it was his way of dealing with anyone he viewed as an authority figure.
He shook his head again, "What kind of affiliations?"
"The man who brought me to this place was formerly a first lieutenant of the Imperial Navy. He will be meeting us there today," Sousuke glanced at him to see if what he said sparked some recognition in Shunya. There was none. Very well, it would be a surprise then.
Shujiro had called Kaname the day after her family had shown up, and asked how it went. The biggest hurdle was Shunya not accepting the firearms. They had explained that Sousuke had spent his entire life with them, knew all the safety protocols, and was an excellent shot. They continued on saying that Sousuke had never shot anyone that he had not meant to shoot, and that he did know when to use lethal fire and when not to.
He was still skeptical, though, of course, so Shujiro offered this as an idea. It would give Shunya the chance to see Sousuke's skill with a weapon, and while under the careful eye of a military man. Shunya and Shujiro may not get along, but he would not be able to refute the old man's expert opinion. They would also make sure Shunya got some time with the weapons, so that he could understand the difficulty and hopefully have greater respect for the skill Sousuke possessed.
"Here we are," Sousuke turned into a small looking café that seemed to cater mainly to the older generation. That was simply because of its alternate business and that most retired soldiers that might miss their days of action were older.
"Sagara! Over here," Shujiro sat at a table in the corner with a few of his fellow retired solders. Shunya choked when he saw who it was, squeezed his eyes shut and reopened them as though the man's identity would change from that simple gesture.
Sousuke obediently walked over to the table and saluted the men respectfully. "Good afternoon, sir. How are you?"
"Well enough, boy, sit down," he turned to look past Sousuke and waved his hand impatiently, "you too, Chidori! Get over here." Shunya found himself rushing to follow by the simple command in the man's voice. They had not gotten along before, but Shizu had always spoken well of her father, so he had to give the man at least some chance before judging him.
His entire world was swiftly changing, though, since deciding to return to Japan. First he finds his older daughter living with her boyfriend. Then he discovers that said boyfriend has been killing people since he was an age Shunya never would have let his daughters out his sight. Now he finds that the same young man is good friends with his late wife's father.
"How is Kaname doing, Sagara?" The question was another shock to Shunya. Shujiro seemed to know about Sousuke and Kaname's relationship. And if he was relaxing like this, it could only mean he approved!
"She is doing well, sir. Kaname is a little sad about the upcoming school year, since her friends will be too busy studying to have much fun, but she is trying to find other things to do so she will not be so lonely," even though he was speaking the same way with Shujiro as Shunya, there was a notable degree of warmth now that was not there when talking to Kaname's father.
Shujiro nodded, "Yes, she is a very smart girl, isn't she? No need for extra study sessions and cram schools. What of you, though, Sagara?"
"I intend on joining the JSDF after graduating," this was the lie he was using. It kept his teachers off of him for his grades, though in some ways it made them sterner with his attendance, saying that the military would certainly frown on that.
As if he did not know.
The men at the table laughed and clapped his back, raising their glasses of tea and coffee in cheer. They had seen him shoot, they knew he kept in very good shape, and so they all figured he would be an asset to the military. They had fierce pride in their nation, too, so any young man willing to go into the service was a good man to them.
Shunya looked at him with a raised brow, "You want to go into the military after your life? Haven't you had enough of war?"
Sousuke just shrugged, "It is what I know. It is what I am good at. My academics are poor, despite my best efforts. Why should I pretend to be something I am not?" He sipped an ice water that Shujiro had ordered before their arrival. The way he spoke completely casually about the situation, made Shunya feel somehow sorry for him. Did the boy truly have no greater hopes for himself?
"Well! Enough of this idle chatter, men, we came here to do something, did we not?" Shujiro led the group to a back room, disguised as a quiet room that patrons could rent out. Once there, a second door was opened, and they descended the steps to a basement. The place was large, and the sound proofing was extensive. There was a special air filtration system as well, to keep the air clean without letting the noise out.
Shunya felt distinctly out of place there. The old war veterans joked around with each other and Sousuke in ways they could not even apply to him. It was odd that he was between these two generations, yet could not find himself relating to either one.
Although, when Sousuke and the others began pulling out an assortment of weapons that they could not have possibly been hiding on their persons, Shunya decided that not being able to relate was a definite good thing.
Kaname hummed happily as she stirred the contents of the frying pan in front of her. Ayame stood beside her, peering in while trying to learn how to cook. Each time Kaname did something, she explained what it was and why it was done the way it was to her sister. She had found out that the girl had never been taught to cook and that their father had not improved much at all.
It was her duty, in place of their mother, to teach Ayame to cook. Never mind that Japanese home economic classes taught cooking, it was Kaname's hobby, so the girl would learn different things from her than in school. Ayame was happily taking it all in and helping out with her sister directing her. The past week had been nearly heavenly, her sister's cooking an immense relief from their father's.
The front door opened and Shunya raced by the kitchen to the bathroom, the shower turning on immediately. The girls stared at the doorway, wondering just what that had been all about. Sousuke calmly walked in, some dirt on his clothes and face, but they saw nothing that should have had their father running like that. "Sousuke?" Kaname handed her spoon to Ayame and walked up to him.
He saw the question in her eyes and shrugged. "When we finished at the range, one of Komura's friends suggested we go play paintball at an outdoor facility. Your father never stood a chance," he leaned down and gave her the kiss he knew she would be demanding soon. "I did try to help, we were on the same team. He would make a terrible sniper."
Kaname laughed, shaking her head as she imagined her father in a ghillie suit like the one Sousuke wore when Ena Saeki sent him a love letter. It was just a little far-fetched, but at least now she had an idea why her somewhat uptight father had been in a rush to be clean. "What did you suggest he do, Sousuke?"
"I had him lie in the brush and aim his rifle without moving from his spot. I was the lure to bring our opponents into his sights. No matter how much I told him not to move the rifle, and to let them move into the line of fire, he did not have the necessary patience. He alerted them to his position early on and was taken out," the way Sousuke described it made it sound like it was a real battle.
"My poor father."
"It is a valid strategy, Kaname. In fact, it is the one that Kalinin and I implemented against Gauron, although today I played the role that he had in the Panjshir Valley."
She patted his arm and smiled up at him. "I'm sure, Sousuke. I just meant that my dad is not made for that stuff, he was probably miserable," she giggled as she spoke, trying to be sympathetic for him but finding the situation humorous all the same.
Sousuke nodded solemnly, "Yes, I had noted he was not cut out for it. A sour mood would also explain his lack of patience."
Shunya came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel and scowled as he made his way to the spare room he was in. Kaname heard the timer and turned to take care of dinner, showing Ayame the next steps. Sousuke leaned against the doorframe and watched, something about the way Kaname gently walked the younger girl through how to cook stirring something in him that he could not name.
A few minutes later, Shunya came back out and stood beside him, looking at him curiously. Kaname turned around when she heard her father come up and she smiled at him. She was about to say something, but when she looked at Sousuke she paused, blushed bright red, and nervously turned to Ayame and spoke the directions in an unnaturally loud voice.
Sousuke smiled softly and moved from his spot. He nodded politely to Shunya before turning to take a shower of his own. When he came out cleaned and changed, the girls were setting dinner out on the table. Kaname looked at him shyly, wondering what had been with his odd mood earlier, and motioned for him to take his seat. Shunya was already seated.
Dinner started calmly enough, but when Ayame mischievously asked her father how his day had been that quickly changed. He growled and turned his glare on Sousuke, who had the seeming nerve to continue eating as though nothing had happened, his conditioning from Kaname making him nearly immune. "I was made to hide in bushes, twigs, leaves, and snow for two whole hours as part of a game!"
Kaname choked on her food, "Two hours? Sousuke, you didn't tell me that part!"
He blinked slowly, wondering what the problem was. "Two hours is not a long time. I do not understand the issue."
She burrowed her face in her hands, Ayame tried to stifle giggles, and Shunya hoped his glare would have some effect sometime soon. "It was a game. I don't get why you had me do such a ridiculous thing!"
"It was a military simulation game. You were the only person of all of us with no military experience, so I gave you what should have been the safest task. It was a strategically sound decision," Sousuke seemed to be a little offended, being taken to task for something he excelled at.
"It was still a game!"
"I do not like to lose."
Kaname and Ayame dissolved into a fit of giggles at the spat. The argument was all but inane and was going nowhere fast. The two could go on forever and all that would come from them would be that it was just a game, but it was a game of a specific type requiring specific methods.
Shunya tried to ward off another headache while Sousuke at least had the grace to look sheepish. "Well! Let's just have you boys agree to disagree, since you both obviously view the situation differently," Kaname stood up and yanked at both men's arms to slap their hands together as her way of telling them to shake and make-up.
"The day my daughter calls me a boy…," he heaved a great sigh and then grinned ruefully at Sousuke, who was returning the expression. They shook hands to please Kaname and then sat back in their chairs to resume dinner. "By the way, Kaname, I mentioned this to Sousuke but I believe I had forgotten to tell you. Your sister and I are moving back, this is not just a visit."
Kaname nodded and smiled, "Ayame told me."
"Very good. As long as you keep up your grades and Sousuke continues to pay your rent, I will allow you to remain here with him," he turned a stern expression on the couple. "I am putting faith in your senses of responsibility, and I trust that you will take all proper precautions with each other?"
The two flushed red and looked down at their plates in embarrassment. Slowly, they lifted their gazes to meet each others, turned even brighter, and quickly glanced away. After several moments more of awkward glances, they realized that Shunya was still giving them that look. They both swallowed past lumps in their throats and nodded. "Yes sir," "Of course, Dad," they said at once.
Satisfied, Shunya nodded and began eating again. "Hey Daddy, when I get a boyfriend can I-."
"No."
"Aw, but Daddy!"
"No. Not a chance. Never. Don't even think of it."
Ayame pouted and crossed her arms over her chest and huffed the way she saw Kaname do. "That's not fair! You didn't even let me ask my question."
"That's because you mentioned boyfriend. There are no questions where boyfriends are concerned for you, because there will be no boyfriends. Not for a long time," Shunya turned his glare on his youngest now.
Kaname and Sousuke both relaxed the moment Shunya's attention was completely stolen away from them. They smiled shyly at each other and finished off their meals while the other two continued to argue. It was as pointless an argument as the one between Sousuke and Shunya a few minutes earlier.
The two snuck out of the kitchen while Shunya and Ayame kept at it. They stepped out onto the balcony to enjoy some quiet and privacy, as it certainly was not the view that drove them out there. Sousuke quickly wrapped her up in his arms before she could start shivering in the cold. He nuzzled her neck and planted a soft kiss where her neck met her shoulder line.
Kaname leaned back against him, letting him support all of her weight. She watched her breath on the air thoughtfully, "Sousuke?"
"Hm?" He sounded almost sleepy, the sound just a small vibration against her skin.
She paused, wondering just which thought it was that she wanted to voice, having a couple on her mind. She decided on the one that sounded safer, not sure if she was ready to talk about the other one just yet. "Dad said you were paying the rent. Not part of the rent."
Sousuke was silent for a few moments, the slight tightening of his grip the only clue that he had heard her. Just as she was losing her patience, he spoke up. "We had a conversation about it. Moving expenses and the cost of living in Japan, particularly Tokyo, being so much higher than America, he would not have much extra money. You would have had to move in with him no matter what his opinion on us, he would not be able to afford it.
"The money is no problem for me. I am paid very well and have meager needs. I know how much you value your independence," he paused, and considered his next words. "Even if you were to decide you wanted to go back to living alone, I would continue to pay your living expenses in your father's stead."
Kaname stayed quiet for a long while, taking in his words. Finally, she let out a breath she had not realized she was holding and nodded slowly. "Thank you, Sousuke," the words were quiet, barely even a whisper, but he heard her all the same.
He pulled a small ways back to turn her in his arms. He cupped her face gently in his hands and leaned down for a long, tender kiss. When he finally pulled away, breathless, he had to grip her elbows to steady her. She had gone completely weak in the knees and had a hard time standing on her own.
The door slid open behind them and Ayame stuck her head out. "Aw, you guys are no fun. I was hoping you were up to no good out here," she pouted.
Kaname sighed and looked up at Sousuke who just shrugged. She turned back to her little sister, "What is it, Ayame?"
"Oh, I needed to steal Sousuke for dishes."
"I'll be right there," Sousuke's voice was quiet and low pitched. Ayame blinked in surprised, then just nodded and went back inside, closing the door. Kaname raised her brow at him, wondering what that was. For his part, he just hugged her tight against him, "Is it bad that I find myself excited they'll be out of the apartment soon, when it has only been a week?"
She giggled and tilted her head up, stretching to kiss him on the corner of the mouth. "Not at all. I miss the privacy we used to have," she turned slightly pink and glanced away.
Smiling, he leaned down for another gentle kiss, though shorter than the last one. "I better go back before Chidori comes looking for us," it was still odd to the both of them for Sousuke to be calling her father 'Chidori.' There had been several times where Kaname answered out of habit. She nodded reluctantly and followed him back inside.
While Sousuke and Shunya tackled the dishes, Kaname yawned and announced she would be going to bed early. Sousuke agreed, citing a tiring day much to Shunya's aggravation. Ayame just spent her time watching music shows on the television, trying to find out which pop stars were popular so she wouldn't be completely alienated when she started at school.
School entrance ceremonies were only two weeks away now. Shunya and Ayame had moved into a house in Musashino, to be closer to Ayame's school, and Kaname was reveling in the emptiness of her apartment. Five weeks had been far more than she ever wanted to handle, and felt her gratitude to Sousuke for paying the rent return full force.
Kaname and Sousuke were lying down on the bed, door to the bedroom open and shirtless, taking complete advantage of their regained freedom. For the moment, they just held each other, trying to keep their baser instincts at bay for a time. "Hey, Sousuke?"
"Hm?"
"Do you think we'll be in the same class this year?"
"You and I? Of course. The school is paid well to assure we stick together," he rolled onto his side and rested his hand on her flat stomach, rubbing her lightly. His calluses tickled her skin and she squirmed under his gentle teasing.
She rested her hand on his to stop him, trying to glare at him but failing. "Oh. I should have known. I wonder if we'll be with the others, you know, Kyouko, Ono-D, and them?"
Sousuke shrugged and took his hand off her belly, shifting onto his back and propping his head up with his arms. "I don't know. Don't they try to keep the classes mostly the same, anyways?"
"Yeah. You're right," she sighed and snuggled against him. "I suppose it doesn't really matter, anyways. It's third year so our free times will be cut short and most of our classmates will study during them. You and I are the only ones not really concerned about the tests."
He nodded, turning his head to the side so he could burrow his face in her hair. She smiled at his actions and pressed herself closer to him. "What are you going to do when I'm in college, Sousuke?" He winced and she could feel his whole body tense when she asked that question.
"Uh, well, Mithril will probably buy my way into whatever school you choose," he waited for the expected abuse. Instead, she just sighed, her breath tickling his chest.
"I kind of figured," she answered the unspoken question. "I just had hoped that maybe you were hoping for better for yourself, Sousuke."
He freed one of his hands and combed it through her hair. The cool silky feeling against his skin always helped to calm him. "I know," he spoke softly, "but all I really want is to be by your side. I don't care what I have to do to accomplish that."
What could she say to that? Instead of depressing them further, especially when they had finally gotten their much needed alone time, she decided to reward him. He could be so sweet without even realizing it, just by speaking the truth, plain and simple. Kaname rolled onto her back and reached over to him. When she scored his chest with her pink nails, he knew what she was asking for.
Sousuke moved to pin her down with his body, shifting his knee between her thighs in a way he knew drove her crazy. It had been awhile since they had given in to any of their desires, too afraid of what might happen with Kaname's family in earshot and able to walk in at any notice. Now, though, their pent up passion could be eased. And there was a lot of ardor to soothe.
He captured her mouth with his and nipped her lip when she did not immediately let his tongue in. She scratched his back rougher than usual and he moaned in her mouth, pressing his knee harder against her. The jolt of electricity that action sent through her body made her arch into him, and he quickly grabbed her hip to keep her against him.
Sousuke trailed kisses down her throat while slowly pressing their lower bodies back down on the bed. Once satisfied with their position, he ground his hips against hers and she cried out at the pleasure. She nearly screamed when he pinched a taut nipple, and finally did, shouting his name when he latched onto the other breast and scraped his teeth against the sensitive tip.
Her satisfied sounds making him bold, he reached down to unbutton her skirt. He kept it slow, eyes locked on her while he continued his ministrations and slid her skirt off her legs, lifting them so he would not have to move too much. The smell of her arousal hit him hard, and he nearly tore his own pants off right at that moment. She looked down at him, cheeks tinged red but complete trust and acceptance in her eyes.
He swallowed thickly and nodded. Sousuke bent his body so he could trail gentle kisses down her abdomen. He spared a moment to slip his tongue into her bellybutton curiously. When she bucked her hips and pressed on the top of his head with her hands, he decided he would not be doing that again. He paused when he reached the top of her panty line, and cautiously began removing her dainty pick underwear.
When Mao had mentioned something about using his mouth there, he had been completely embarrassed and a little unsure. Now, looking down at Kaname's naked body, seeing her wet and aroused, for him, and smelling that intoxicating scent, well, now he was determined to find out exactly what Mao had meant. He spared one more glance at Kaname's face to be sure it was all right, and then he tentatively began.
He leaned in and trailed the tip of his tongue along center and she moaned loudly. He shifted his grip to be more comfortable, slinging her legs over his shoulders and pulling her up to his face. She was going to protest the rough treatment, but a tongue teasing her sensitive clit convinced her everything was all right. She bit the back of her hand to hold back another scream, her other hand tangled in his hair to keep him where he was.
Sousuke tried not to grin, but it was hard. He was feeling quite self-satisfied. Kaname was making the most delicious noises in response to his action, mewling, moaning and groaning. She kept arching her back into him, desperate to intensify the contact in any way possible. She was a completely mindless puddle of pleasure, and it made him feel good. He decided to try to help her out, and freed one of his hands.
Remembering Mao's constant reminders about dry things, he risked pulling away from her long enough to stick his fingers in his mouth and get them wet. He bent down to kiss the bud of nerves as he pressed one finger against her entrance. She thrust her hips up and cried out when his finger buried itself in her. He carefully twisted it around and she moaned long and low when he brushed against a particularly sensitive spot.
"More," she panted, not sure exactly what she was asking for, and she squirmed, trying to get more from his finger than was possible. "Please, please Sousuke, more, please," she was rewarded with another finger slowly finding its way in and she gasped. "Yes, please, Sousuke," his name came out as a long pleading groan that made him strain against his pants painfully.
He scissored his fingers and twisted his hand, relishing every single sound he wrung from her. When she grew more insistent he slowly inserted a third finger. She let out a satisfied sigh when it found its way in, and moaned when they moved, thrusting in a gentle rhythm. Sousuke gently nipped at her clit and she came with a scream, tightening on his fingers and flooding his hand with moisture. The sight of her amazing body shaking with pleasure, the feel of her on his fingers and the scent and taste of her was enough to drive him over the edge.
They lay panting for several minutes before either of them could even begin to think. Sousuke lifted himself and grimaced at the stickiness in his pants. He leaned up and kissed Kaname on the cheek and rolled off the bed. "I, uh, have to clean up," he blushed and retreated to the bathroom.
When he came back, she was still naked, but now she was on her stomach, propped up on her elbows and watching him. She looked at him shyly, "Uh, Sousuke? What about you?"
"Wh-what about me?"
She looked away from him and fidgeted. Sousuke felt himself hardening again, Kaname rubbing her naked thighs together making for all too erotic of a sight. "Well, I thought, that is, I heard that it can be, uh, painful, for guys."
He gulped and stepped over to sit on the edge of the bed. "It's all right. I, uh, I'm all right," that was when she noticed he had changed pants when he left the room. Getting the hint, her face turned completely red and she coughed nervously.
"Oh, well, uh, in that case, I'm going to shower," she pushed her way off the bed. While she was in the shower, Sousuke idly wondered if he should change the sheets.
AN: Well, that was fun. I hope I'm not too evil for ending the chapter that way. XD I debated actually writing the range and paintball scenes, but decided they were more amusing this way, and that I would not be able to do the actual events particularly well. Please don't think less of me for not having the inspiration to do them justice in entirety.
I hope I have found the right balance of referring to characters by names and by descriptions. Writing scenes with even more than two characters has always been something I've struggled with. I also find I have to apologize for my abuse of ellipses and adverbs. I'm trying. ^_^
Thank you to all you wonderful reviewers, you let me know I'm doing something right at least, hah. And I'm glad that my mixing the anime, novels, and manga is going over well, I had worried if it would be bad, mixing several slightly varying storylines.
In short, thank you all. I've had the most fun writing this story of anything I've ever written in the past, so I'm glad it's doing well.