Hey! It has been a while since I posted but I have been crazy busy with school. I have a huge project that spans two semesters and is my last project before I can graduate and be a real life engineer. The job hunt has been taking my time so writing has been a nice break. I want to give a big thanks to Mika-Kuruyame for looking over my story. She is a talented writer and I encourage everyone to read her stories. I don't own FMP or MG I do own Michael, enjoy!
Mao and Mei Ling stood outside Michael's office. No sooner after seeing Sousuke walk in had Mao followed him, determined to knock some real sense into him. He was on the war path and dangerously close to losing his SRT status.
And if he lost his position, than there was a possibility Sousuke would be excluded from further operations.
The victory on the island came at a high cost, but it was a victory both FOXHOUND and Mithril desperately needed. Months of running and hiding were taking a heavy toll on both man and machine.
Now both organizations might be back at square one if those two started beating on each other.
Mao looked down at the quiet girl next to her. She just sat there looking at the door waiting for something to happen.
Whether it would be good or bad Mao had no idea.
"Any word?" Mao asked pulling out her cigarettes.
Mei Ling shook her head, "No, I don't expect them to listen to each other. They seem to be unnaturally stupid despite their experience."
Mao laughed at that one and took a drag from a cigarette, "Men can be stupid. Take a look at the blonde one that follows me around all the time. They try and mean well but it can blow up in their faces quickly." She exhaled a puff of smoke, looking idly at the odd formations as they danced in front of her. "I must say though, he is pretty good in the sack." She smiled watching Mei Ling's face turn red.
"When did-"
"Some time after the Merida attack," Mao snickered, thinking back to that memory. "Not sure how, it just happened."
Mei Ling looked away embarrassed to ask anything else. She shook her head when Mao offered her a cigarette. "I don't smoke."
"Your boyfriend does." She said, "Or at least he did until now. I wonder if you had anything to do with that."
Mei Ling cracked a small smile, "Maybe a little. I may have had something to do with his packs disappearing."
Mao laughed and tapped the end of her cigarette, "How long have you known him?"
Mei Ling sighed, "About-" She never finished her sentence when the door swung open throwing a body to the floor in front of them.
Just as the body hit the floor, Weber turned the corner and saw it was Michael. His face was a little bloody, no doubt from taking a few to face. Weber looked up and saw Sousuke marching over and grabbing Michael by the shirt. He pulled him up and punched him again and again.
Mao threw her cigarette away quickly and got Mei Ling out of the way. She was about to break them apart until Weber stopped her.
"What are you doing?!" She hissed.
Weber grabbed her arm, and then Mei Ling, pulling them away from them as the two continued. "They need this!"
"But-"
"They need this now!" Weber said closing the argument. The three watched as the brothers beat and kicked each other around.
Michael kneed Sousuke in the ribs and got Sousuke off of him. Recovering quickly, Michael rose to his feet, as did Sousuke.
Michael slammed his elbow against Sousuke's throat pinning him against the wall. He then punched him across the face several times.
Sousuke moved his head and Michael's fist hit the wall. Cursing in pain as Sousuke pushed him back and tackled him against the wall; Sousuke brought his head up and head butted Michael as hard as he could.
After the painful attack, both of them slumped back, giving the growing crowd a better look their faces. Michael's cheek was full of blood as was his forehead. He would have a black eye later, and judging by the way he was holding his hand, his finger was broken again.
Sousuke spat out some blood as his lips pumped the red liquid all over the floor. He had a gash across his face, and his nose dripped more blood.
Each looked bloody with no signs of giving up.
Tessa broke her way through the crowd and saw the two standing up. Both looked at each other bitterly, both staring at the other as if seeing a powerful enemy before them. She gulped realizing the harsh world they use to live in.
Now, all the stress and hate was reverting them back to their primal nature. Lives of kill or be killed if anyone dared to cross or wrong them. Tessa was forced to re-evaluate the way she fitted on the battle field.
Sousuke struck first with a knee on the chin, pinning Michael with his arm and slamming his fists across face and body. No clear target, it didn't matter as long as it hurt Michael.
Michael punched Sousuke's side with both of his fist. Sousuke cursed, but still would not let go, managing to hold on despite the pain. Michael punched him a second and third time hearing a small crack.
Sousuke cursed loudly and stepped back. Snaking out behind him, Michael got Sousuke in a classic sleeper hold. He held tightly, making sure Sousuke would pass out before he could escape.
Sousuke fought to escape the grip but the harder he fought, the tighter Michael held on. He saw his vision going dark as he saw Tessa and the others looking at him a short distance away. The crowd seemed divided, with either side cheering for Michael or Sousuke.
Sousuke was losing!
He roared out loud and pulled his legs out, slamming Michael on the hard floor with his full weight on top of him.
Finally free, Sousuke turned around and punched Michael across the face. He was losing strength fast with each hit, but he would not stop. He refused to.
He was going to win!
The last time he lost, Kaname had been taken from his world, and he vowed would never lose again.
Not to Snake. Not to Liquid, and never again to that prick Leonard.
Michael, in a quick attempt, elbowed him across the face. It stunned Sousuke for a few scant moments, allowing Michael to push him off.
Both limped away and started to try and stand. Though this time, it was harder with the floor covered with their blood and sweat.
Each panted trying to keep from passing out. Neither would give until the other one did. This was the Iron rule in the mercenary world.
"That is enough!" Tessa yelled stunning the crowd. She'd had enough of their barbaric display of power. This needed to be stopped right now! "You two will stand down right now!!"
Both looked over and disregard her before turning their attention to each other.
"You heard your superior," Snake made his way through the crowd, looking down coolly at the bloodied pair. "You are already being confined to the brig for a week, don't be stupid and make it a month. Stand down right now."
Michael and Sousuke looked at each other, almost as though they were communicating through eye contact only. Now they turned their attention to Snake, and once he was out of the way, they could continue with their 'business'.
"Don't try it." Snake warned. He ducked underneath Sousuke going straight for Michael. He hit him across the face with his full fist. Snake grabbed his arm and threw him to the ground. It was so hard his back made a sickening smack that made everyone flinch.
Mei Ling looked away, almost unable to watch the fighting any further. She felt a hand on her shoulder, Weber's encouraging whispers breaking through the sounds of the battle. "You need to watch this. You will have your chance to put him in his place."
Sousuke turned and saw Michael on the ground wheezing. The wind was completely knocked out of him in just a few seconds. From the looks of things, he would not be getting up anytime soon on his own.
Sousuke tried to keep his fear in control. Right now he was facing Snake, and this time he was not going to hold back. This was no spar, this was a real fight.
Sousuke attacked first, trying with a kick.
Snake stopped Sousuke's leg and stepped forward, hitting him in the stomach. As Sousuke hunched forward, Snake finished him with a knee on the chin.
Sousuke fell back on the floor, only to be able to stare at the ceiling. His brain trying desperately to register everything that had happened in the last couple of seconds.
Tessa nodded at Snake, "Take them to the brig. Both of them, and inform Colonel Campbell that I want to speak with him immediately. Lt. Mei Ling, please come with me." She turned to Mei Ling, and then to Snake. "Can you mop up here Snake?"
Snake nodded as he watched Mao, Weber and several other people drag the two up and put them in handcuffs, "When they can register words, tell them they are locked up for one week."
Tessa sighed sadly watching Sousuke and Michael be dragged away like common criminals, "I am really disappointed with them."
Mei Ling nodded in agreement with her, "Men; they could be so selfish."
Sousuke reached one-hundred and stopped to catch his breath. His cell was a standard 8x8 with a cot, toilet and sink.
A standard sized cell for any prisoner in a military prison. Sousuke leaned against his cot stared at the ceiling for the umpteenth time since he was thrown in.
After the fight, a medic had treated his wounds before leaving, telling him that he had a week in the brig for his actions. It was no surprise that his little fight would get him in trouble, but he did not expect to be thrown in prison.
The time alone forced him to examine himself in silence and without distraction. The only break he had was doing push-ups or reading the fishing magazine slipped to him after the medic arrived.
Sousuke had a good idea who it was since it was addressed to a stupid knuckle head. He read it through a few times, but it provided a nice break from the silence and workout.
Sousuke stood up and lay on the cot, continuing to stare at the ceiling for lack of anything else to do. He had the same clothes he had on in the fight, and only had one shower since he was thrown in here.
He had another five days before he would be released, after that he was not sure. Sousuke had a good guess that Tessa and the others would chew him out for his actions. They had been less than presentable for a soldier of his rank and experience, but his 'frustrations' seemed to be building.
Sousuke sighed and turned away staring at the wall now. His mind drifted back to the memories of Outer Heaven, Japan and all the people he met. Sometimes he wished that Wolf was with him in Japan.
He could have used her advice in explaining Kaname's 'behavior'. Sousuke's mind drifted to her and every question that popped into his head.
Was she okay?
Did she sleep enough?
Was she unharmed?
Did she manage to keep away from Leonard, Ocelot and the other enemies that held her?
The door creaked open and the light shined into the dim cell. Sousuke turned around and was surprised to see Tessa staring at him.
"Stand up." She ordered harshly. The steel in her voice could have been used to sharpen a knife.
Sousuke stood at attention as Tessa walked up to him. He stood silent and-
Tessa slapped him hard across the face. The cell's small space echoed with the amount of force she had used.
Sousuke did not look back; the shear shock of what she did holding him in place. Tessa never struck anyone, even if they deserved it.
"Does it take a hit to get your attention Sousuke!?" She yelled holding her bruised hand. Tessa held back the pain to make sure Sousuke listened, "Do I have to hit you again to make you listen? After all it appears that threats do nothing!"
Sousuke did not look at her, almost ashamed to even look at his friend and superior.
"Look at me!" Tessa ordered.
Sousuke slowly turned to face her, his guilt growing as their eyes met. Tessa looked ready to cry and yell at the same time. It was only a matter of what came first, the tears or the yelling.
"Can you explain your actions Sousuke?" Tessa stepped back, "Think very carefully on your answer Sgt." The steel in her voice came back, "Choose your words very carefully Sousuke because depending on the answer, I may or may not revoke your SRT status and privileges. That means the ARX-8 is off limits with armed guards posted all day and night."
For the first he could recall in his life, Sousuke began to feel very nervous. The next words he chose would affect his involvement in future operations. He had to tread softly.
"Speak." She ordered, almost like she had been talking to a dog. Tessa already hated herself for what she did and knew it. However, it ensured total honesty from Sousuke.
Sousuke paused and took a deep breath, "I have no excuse for my actions. I struck first against Mich-"He corrected himself, "Major Kanzuki."
"What was the cause of the fight Sgt.?" Tessa asked curious to get to the truth.
Sousuke paused, looking away for a second. After thinking a moment, he turned and stared back at Tessa. "He said I was afraid that Kaname would look at me like I was Gauron."
Tessa's stoic face cracked hearing that, "And you said something similar to hurt him as well."
Sousuke nodded, "Yes Cap-" He corrected himself, "Yes Tessa. I said he was afraid that he was similar to Ocelot."
Tessa looked at him, feeling her pity for his situation with the other man. The connection between Sousuke and Gauron was long and ran deep. They had encountered each other so many times, that they seemed fated to do it forever. "What happened in Hong Kong Sousuke? In the report you said that Gauron was killed in an explosion. A sort of last ditch effort to kill you. I did not believe that, so tell me what happened."
Sousuke took a deep breath, "You may want to sit Captain."
Tessa knocked on the door and had a chair brought to her. Once it was in place they both took a seat and Sousuke recalled the tale.
When it was over Tessa's heart almost broke in two. Gauron sending an assassin to kill Kaname, just to bring him back into his blood soaked world. The twisted smile and look on his face as Sousuke pumped Gauron with so many bullets, spraying the drab apartment's walls with his blood.
Everything Gauron did was to just pull Sousuke back into a world of death and murder. The only light he seemed to have emitted from Kaname, and again, Tessa was hurt. Jealous that he still would follow her to hell itself to get her back. All Tessa seemed to be was just a friend and nothing more.
She looked at Sousuke and saw the strain of recalling that day. He looked exhausted both physically and mentally by just thinking about it.
Tessa noticed and stood up to leave, "You have five more days in here Sgt., use them to think about everything, but I want you to keep something in mind."
Sousuke looked at her as he walked up to him. She took his hands into hers and stared at him closely, "You have friends that will help you and are here for you. You are not alone in all this. You have others besides Kaname and Michael. I'm your friend too, no matter what."
Sousuke felt the squeeze from her hands. He felt he needed to say something, and did the only thing he thought he could do. "I know, and I am sorry for earlier," he replied, hugging her tightly.
Tessa had dreamed of his moment all her life. She had often had daydreams of Sousuke taking her in his arms and holding her close. Tessa only wished it could end the way she always dreamed, but it was only a dream. And that's all it would ever be.
Tessa stepped back and only looked at Sousuke. She looked ready to cry but only smiled almost happy, "I know you're sorry Sousuke. That is the thing I love about you. You know what people feel and try to make them feel better."
Sousuke was left breathless at Tessa's confession, "Tessa..."
"I know you love her, and I try to understand why, but it is your choice to make Sousuke not mine." Tessa knocked the door, "I just don't want to lose your or Kaname's friendship."
"That is impossible to lose Captain." Sousuke admitted.
Tessa smiled, "Its Tessa Sgt. It's always been Tessa." The door opened and she picked up the chair.
"Tessa wait!" Sousuke stopped her.
Tessa turned around not sure what he was going to ask.
"Michael?" Sousuke asked, "How is he?"
Tessa smiled, "He is fine. Michael will have to tell you what Mei Ling did to him when she saw him."
"What did she do?"
Tessa only smiled and the door closed leaving Sousuke alone in the cell again.
Sousuke stood up from the cot and got back to doing push-ups. The weight about Tessa seemed to ease a little, but knew it was only the start.
"Okay Kaname just take a deep breath."
Kaname hated hearing that voice as she sat in the cockpit of this monstrosity. She held the controls and took a deep breath letting her thoughts drift into the whispered trance.
The beeping and sounds in the cockpit slowly hummed up as the Lambda Driver came online.
After a few moments she heard Dr. Hunter's voice, "Okay that is enough. The test is complete."
"Finally." She hastened wanting to get out of this thing, "Can I get out?" Kaname demanded.
The cockpit slid open and Kaname quickly stood out. Kaname hated the fact that she had to wear this skin tight suit but it was needed to get accurate test results. She flinched when the cockpit closed and turned around looking at the monster known as Rex.
Project R stood for Project Resurrection. It was the revival of the Metal Gear project and the expansion of nuclear testing with Black Technology.
Kaname gripped the rail looking at the monster Amalgam was constructing. The hook shape face and long legs made it look like a metallic dinosaur straight from hell.
Kaname bit her lip knowing she had a role in helping this monster. The Lambda Driver installation was near completion, and its systems would be fully functional as soon as the A.I system was complete. The interface still needed some work, and that was the point of her getting in Metal Gear.
The test would show if the Driver would come online without having to use Kaname or Leonard's whispered abilities.
"Miss Chidori."
Kaname looked and saw one of the guards hand her a coat. She hated walking around having to wear this and the soldiers were kind enough to give her a coat when they escorted her back to her prison.
It had a bed and everything, but the fact still remained that she was in a prison. Even if she could escape the surveillance, guards and everything that protected the base the wilderness and cold would kill her.
After the island attack she was taken to a remote region somewhere in the coldest parts of the world. Winter in Japan she could bear, but the cold here was too much for her.
The guards walked her out of the hanger following her closely. Kaname was thankful that the guards were polite around her. Though they were from the Ocelot unit they treated her with the same courtesy she would expect around Sousuke.
The way the soldiers followed her was similar to how Sousuke did at school. She wiped a tear away, missing the little things she had taken for granted.
Kaname finally reached her room and the soldiers opened the door for her, "Thank you." She answered in Russian. It was one of the little things Kaname picked up around here.
The soldiers smiled, "Call us if you need anything."
Kaname nodded and closed the door. It was hard for her to understand that the same soldiers who kidnapped her could be polite at the same time. She threw the coat on her bed and walked into the bathroom, turning the light on.
She ran a hot shower and took her time. The hot water seemed to give her tired muscles some much needed rest, but like everything else it was temporary.
If Metal Gear went into mass production she had no idea how she would repent once it reached the first battle.
The lives it could extinguish was a weight she could not bear. She banged against the wall and was thankful for the hot water.
Finally running out of hot water, Kaname turned off the faucet and grabbed a towel, drying herself as she looked in the mirror. She looked so different from several months ago, "Funny how things can change," She muttered as she wrapped the towel around her.
Kaname walked out, heading to the dresser to look for whatever she could wear.
"You always looked beautiful with water running down your body."
Kaname turned around seeing Leonard sitting in a chair on the opposite side of the room, "Guards!"
Leonard raised his hand, "New shift, so we have some time to talk my dear."
"Get out!" She hissed, "How dare you enter this room without my permission!" Kaname rushed to get some clothes and rushed back to the bathroom.
Leonard smiled, "Would you like to know where I have been? Were you worried about me?"
"You're not dead!" Kaname yelled, "That is all I know!"
Leonard chuckled, "I see you do care. The work on Metal Gear is coming along nicely. The help you have given has shortened the timeline, for that I am personally grateful."
"Up yours!" She yelled, "I don't want to talk to you. I want nothing to do with you so get out! I have work to do!"
Leonard smiled as she walked out the bathroom. She rushed to a desk and started pulling out files from the paperwork Liquid had given her.
"I guess I'll take my leave then."
"Yes, good," Kaname pointed to the door, "Get out!"
Leonard smiled and reached for the door, "Oh I did see your father by the way."
Kaname froze turning to him, "Excuse me? You said that he was not-"
"I did, but your friends did not." Leonard leaned against the door, "Getting them somewhere safe was part of our deal but they had other ideas."
Kaname dropped the files, "You bastard what did you-"
"Me?" Leonard looked at her offended, "I was going to keep my word. It was your friends that did it, not me."
"You lying piece of shit!" Kaname spat, "I can see the filth coming out of you as easily as the dirt in the ground. What did you do!?"
Leonard smiled, "I shot him. He knew too much, and we have strict policy on-"
Kaname rushed at him punching him as hard as she could. He slumped against the door and Kaname dragged him up, "I should kill you for what you did."
Leonard smiled, "Being killed by you is something I would enjoy."
Kaname slammed him against the wall trying to control her fury. "I hope you rot in hell."
Leonard smiled and laughed, "It's funny really, and who knew someone like him could scream like that."
Kaname froze, her blood running cold at what she was hearing.
Leonard stood up rubbing his face, "An animal like him still pretending to be human can scream like a child crying for his mother." He looked at the frozen face almost delighting in the memory, "It was funny."
Kaname looked at him stone cold, "If anyone is an animal it's you. Parading around like a man who likes looking down on people, taking and gloating as if you were better than anyone else."
Leonard's face twitched hearing that, "An animal? I am not as-"
"You have designed weapons that have killed and hurt more people than you care to admit!" Kaname pointed out and smiled, "At least with Sousuke he stops people like you. I love him and-"
"How can you love-"
"He has a heart!" Kaname yelled, "More of a heart than you will ever have you beast!"
Leonard was silent and looked at her in contempt. He walked forward and saw no fear with each step he took. In the past, she was nervous whenever he got close to her, but now that resolve was back. Months of isolation should have forced her to break, but she didn't. Seeing him alive gave her the strength to fight back and lash out against him. His hate for Sousuke only grew more.
"Get out." She spoke with resolve in her voice, "right now."
Leonard only smiled, "It's interesting that you still fight," he laughed. "Still, why keep our meeting a secret from him?"
"It is something I wish to forget." Kaname admitted.
Leonard smiled as he touched his lips. "I can't, and I am sure he will not either."
Kaname's stomach dropped and raised a hand to strike him but Leonard caught it and pinned her against the wall.
Leonard held her tight and pinned his arm against her stomach to stop her from squirming. He looked at her and kissed her.
Kaname struggled feeling him press against her. She tried to push him back but his strength was more than she expected.
Leonard enjoyed it a little but stopped, feeling something cold on his neck.
Kaname stared at an angry Wolf pressing a knife against his neck.
"Give me one good reason as to why I should not slit your throat." Wolf said keeping the knife as he slowly stepped back from her.
Leonard merely stepped back and turned with the blade pressed against his throat. "Last I recall, you have many."
Wolf stared at him and walked near Kaname keeping a barrier between Leonard and her. "You will get out."
Leonard merely smiled and made his way to the door. "If he should ever come to hate you, you can always cry on my shoulder."
"Go to hell." Kaname spat out.
Leonard opened the door, "And he will join me." The door closed and Kaname collapsed to the ground. She had no idea how Sousuke could even look at her now that this was revealed. All she wanted to do was curl into the ground and disappear.
Wolf hugged the crying girl trying to find some comfort for Kaname. When she heard that the guards had changed shifts and Leonard disappeared she rushed to Kaname's room to see if she was okay.
It appeared she was too late.
Wolf tried to calm her down, whispering to her softly. "He will not hate you. He is not capable of truly hating someone he loves as much as you."
Kaname wished she could believe her but she was not sure. She was not sure of anything.
The cell door opened and the guards told him to get out. Sousuke stood up unshaven and slightly dirty from his time.
The guards did not give him a second glance as he walked into the hall. Sousuke threw his coat on and did not bother to button it up. He heard a door open and saw Michael walking out in the same state; the only key difference was his broken finger in the cast.
They looked at each not sure what or even how to talk to each other. Their behavior was disgraceful, and both were surprised that they had not been stripped of their rank or privileges after the fight.
The guard pushed him, "Get going, someone wants to see you both."
The guards walked behind them as they walked shoulder to shoulder without a word to each other.
Sousuke decided to talk first, "How's the finger?"
Michael snorted, "Broken. How's the nose?"
Sousuke touched it still a little sore despite it being a week, "I guess you cheated on that one."
Michael stopped and looked at him but the guard pushed him with his rifle.
"I said move. The person waiting for you does not like to wait." Both complied and walked down the hall and into an elevator.
After the ride they were taken to an observation room where the Bering Sea could be seen. Both had never seen it, but it looked vast and cruel. They heard the stories of the Bering Sea, and knew that it was as merciless and vicious as any enemy on the battlefield.
The guards instructed them to keep walking and were alone.
Neither was sure what to expect, or the plan, but both had little choice as they continued their walk. Finally, they saw the gray smoke and knew who it wanted to see them.
Snake sat looking at the sea in complete silence. It made Sousuke wonder if he even knew they were here.
Snake blew a puff and dropped the cigarette. He stepped on it and looked at them.
Both took a seat at his side without having to be told anything and just waited.
Snake continued to stare at the sea, "Do you have any idea what you two have done?"
Sousuke was about to speak when Snake looked at him. His words were lost and just stopped.
"Were you going to say that you have no excuse?" He turned to Michael, "That it all seemed to happen at once? If I wanted excuses I would listen to a lawyer."
Snake stood up and kept his gaze at the sea in front of him, "If you want to kill each other, do it on your own time. Here, it is the last thing on your minds."
Michael and Sousuke nodded with their attention at Snake.
"I had high opinions of you both," Snake turned now looking at them directly, "That stunt though makes you both look like first rate amateurs. The only difference is you two parade yourselves as second rate. To me, both of you are still rookies!"
Sousuke stood up, "I am no rookie!"
Snake got in his face, "Than how come you let Silver yank your chain like that?"
Sousuke looked away, "He said..."
"Of course he said that," Snake pointed out, "He knew it would make you angry and that is why you lost to him. You lost to him in Japan, and he lost to him again. Both of you!"
Michael stood up, "They were better prepared for-"
"You both are trained to know when to run. Both of you should have known to just run and get away. Evade and survive if your enemy is stronger." Snake pointed out.
"Would you have us abandon everyone who could be a target?" Sousuke challenged, "They went after them, and she would-"
Snake pointed at him, "Exactly, Amalgam knew you would stay. Both of you."
Michael and Sousuke sat down digesting what Snake had said. It made sense that Amalgam would play to their one weakness.
Loyalty.
Sousuke's loyalty to Kaname was his weakness. He would do whatever it took to protect her and follow her wishes. If she asked him to save the school, than he would do it without hesitation.
Michael would follow right behind him.
"Your loyalty and anger are your downfalls, and they know that. Leonard plays to your anger as does Ocelot." Snake continued, "Michael you went after Ocelot at the school hoping to settle things."
Michael held his anger and said, "He said that-"
"That if you went to him that he would release the school and he did. The cost was you with a bullet in your leg and almost useless." Snake turned to Sousuke, "Silver played to your guilt and fear making you strike first, and what was the result?"
Sousuke looked away not able to answer.
"Answer the questions Sgt." Snake ordered.
It was Sousuke's turn to hold his anger, "The Arbalest was destroyed, and Kaname was taken."
"And both of you were left humiliated." Snake finished, "You were played like puppets on strings, and you are still doing it now. The only difference is that Liquid is building Metal Gear."
Snake looked at them. Both were in deep thought trying to sort out their feelings. Snake continued his conversation. "Now you two are beating each other up like convicts in jail. Be glad it was only one week, we almost considered a month."
The wind howled at the window and Michael spoke, "What are we supposed to do now?"
Snake shook his head, "That's for you to decide." He threw the last of his cigarettes between them and walked out, "And one more thing."
Michael and Sousuke turned to him wondering what else he was going to say.
"If either of you pull stunt like this again, I'll kill you."
Sousuke shivered knowing the threat was as real as the legend. He would have no second thoughts in regards to ending their lives.
"I suggest you two talk." Snake left them alone.
Sousuke slumped into the chair and looked at Michael. They both looked at each other for a second before turning to stare at the sea.
Michael spoke first, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry about keeping Strip Mine away from you."
Sousuke sighed, "You had your reasons. If you had told me, there could be no telling what I would have done."
"Yeah." Michael picked up the cigarettes and threw them across the hall.
"Thought you smoked?" Sousuke inquired.
"Bad habit." Michael answered.
Sousuke looked at the cigarettes spilled all over the floor, "They do increase the chance of lung cancer and other dangerous illness that can be crippling."
Michael shook his head, "You are right on that."
"I'm sorry for what I said in the office." Sousuke said.
"I am too."
Sousuke sighed again, "I just don't know who else is keeping secrets from me. First you, then Kaname, then the Captain." He shook his head in frustration, "How am I suppose to trust to those that say to trust them?"
Michael sighed, "You can trust me."
Sousuke stood up and leaned against the glass window. The cold glass felt good against his forehead. It allowed him to think for a moment.
Sousuke's final goal was a mountain that seemed impossible. Getting to the top required getting past Wolf, Fox and the other mercenaries Liquid and Silver hired.
He could not do this alone.
Sousuke turned to Michael, "I need you on this."
Michael looked at him stunned. They had never said anything like that to each other. Throughout countless battles, enemies and fights they never needed words like that. They just watched each other's backs. That had always been more than enough.
"I need to get her back," Sousuke admitted. "What do I have if she is not with me?"
Michael stood up, "Whatever you need. I'll help you. I promise I'll help bring her home."
Sousuke smiled, "Thank you."
They hugged and patted each other for a few seconds and stepped back. There were still unresolved issues, but that was irrelevant.
A brother needed help and that was more important.
This was something I had been wanting to write since I started working on R. I even rewrote this chapter two times until I got it right. Thank god for Sons of Anarchy for helping me write this chapter. I have my last final tomorrow so over break I'll be working on the story. I'm hoping to get three chapters in before I go back to school making up for my absense. thanks to all who continue to read, review and favorite this story. Thanks all for the support and thanks again Mika for all your help! BW
