[FIC] Chapter 07/?? RUN, RUN'D, RUNNING
Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2003 6:44 am
Another scroller people. Better stock up on scrollwheels 
No AN yet, but I'll take whatever comes...
Regards
----
07 RUN, RUN'D, RUNNING
"Saddle up people, we got a schedule to keep!" The command only drew derision and scorn from the assemblage of people.
"Yeah, yeah, we know... you don't have to follow that military crap, you know."
He'd had enough of their insubordination, and it was time to make it clear. "Listen. I'm paying you all VERY well, so you damn well better go through the motions. Second, the client wants the 'item' retrieved intact, not even a scratch, YOU HEAR ME!! If it's damaged in any way, I'm responsible, in which case I'm taking it out on ALL of your asses... with interest." His voice dropped low for the last part, less for effect than to get it clear to the group. No screwups would be tolerated. They were the best operatives money could buy, but their unruliness came as part of the package. Life's not perfect.
He was rewarded not quite with consent, but it was enough.
"You know the plan. Team 1 stakes out the grounds and the 'item.' Team 2, you're backup. Anything gets in our way, it's a target. Now MOVE OUT!!"
* * *
Chidori had two things on her mind. One was keeping awake. The second was ignoring her three closest friends for the rest of the day. The problem was her brain was so out of gear she couldn't do much but avoid nodding off. Kagurazaka-sensei would never tolerate another infraction, considering what had happened yesterday. Got to stay awake she thought to herself, but it was a losing battle. Her eyelids felt like lead weights had been glued to them, while her head kept bobbing back and forth. If only she could get a few minutes to...
"CHIDORI-SAN!"
Her head shot straight up. "Y-yes!!"
"Late night again, Chidori-san?"
Uh-oh, here it comes. "Ahh... Kagurazaka-sensei, there's... there's actually a very good reason for..."
The sudden opening of the classroom door, and the person standing in the doorway, spared her from making an even bigger fool of herself. The classroom was evenly split between shocked silence and whispering to themselves over what was going on. Kagurazaka-sensei herself was anywhere but there. She collapsed onto the floor in shock.
"Sa...Sa...Sa...Sa...Sagara-kun!!" she finally got out.
Without even a response, he walked into the room heading straight for Chidori's desk, grabbed her by the arm and moved for the door. "He...HEY!! Sousuke!! What the hell..."
"Sensei, I'm sorry about the disturbance. I need to take Chidori with me. I also require the use of motor transportation... immediately."
"Wh...Wh...Wh...Wh...What do you mean..."
"Sensei. Chidori is coming with me. Now. I need a vehicle. Now. Why I do these things, you do not need to know." His voice was calm and level when he made his request but the way his eyes looked, everyone could tell NOT to get in his way.
"Sousuke..."
Trying to maintain her dignity, Kagurazaka-sensei handed over the keys to her car. "Th...Th...Th...Th...The white Corolla... in the lot..."
"Thank you for your cooperation." He disappeared with Chidori after that.
"Wh-what was that all about?"
Kagaurazaka-sensei could only faint.
* * *
"What the hell is the matter with you! Sousuke!"
He kept walking, totally possessed by... something. "We have no time. You must come with me now."
"Make time! Sousuke, I want some answers, now!" But none were forthcoming from him. Outside, he located the vehicle and dragged her to the passenger side of the car. Finding the right key, he unlocked the door and put her in the seat, despite her vehement protestations contrary-wise. He opened the driver's side and slid himself in.
"Okay, Sousuke. Your stupid otaku game stops RIGHT NOW!"
He located the ignition key and started the vehicle. Several teachers and now the principal were outside the door pointing and shouting, obviously at them. Base to -7. LZ is hot! Depart... NOW! Not bothering to face Chidori, he simply told her "Buckle up," before putting the car into reverse and spun out the parking lot at something better than 60kph.
Chidori, unfortunately, didn't have time to do that, Sousuke's... whatever... having caught her totally off guard. "Aaagh!! Sousuke!! What the hell's gotten into you?!?!" She glared hard at him, hoping it'd get a response out of him. Where was her halisen...
"Sousuke, you have two seconds to explain yourself or I'm..."
"Or you'll what?"
"Or...or... I'll throw myself off this car!"
"You would not, as you do not have any known tendencies towards committing suicide or deliberate self-injury." He delivered that assessment clinically, analytically, staring straight out the window, not even bothering to look her way.
"WHAT did you say?!?! Since when are YOU and expert on human psychology?!"
Dead silence.
"Sousuke...!"
"...Look back behind us 4 cars. There's a black-colored vehicle that has been struggling to keep up with us the last 2 kilometers."
"Who wouldn't, the way you're driving! Not to mention you kidnapped me from school!"
"I told Kagurazaka-sensei that I must take you, therefore, technically, I did not kidnap you."
"Oh, SHUT UP!! Now tell me..."
A sudden stream of bullets that shattered the entire driver's-side windows put her questions on hold. Sousuke ducked as he threw the wheel hard over in an attempt to prevent any bullets from hitting either of them. "Chidori! Hang on!"
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK I'VE BEEN DOING ALL ALONG?!?!"
* * *
"He's good," his driver admired. "Definately not an amateur."
"We've got no intelligence that any assets had been assigned to guard the 'item'."
"Maybe..."
"You're not paid to THINK! You're paid to DRIVE! Now do your damned job!"
The driver swallowed his rage... for now, as he slammed on the gas and maneuvered into position. His employer was busy calling out instructions over his radio. "Team 2! Get your ass up here! Pin them down!"
* * *
"Now is as good a time as any to explain what's going on!!" Chidori muttered as she ducked low, praying the next stream of bullets wouldn't be aimed anywhere critical... especially her.
"That black car has been tailing us since we left the school. Now they are shooting at us, but not to kill, only to shock."
"I ALREADY KNOW THAT!!"
"From their tactics, they're definately not amateurs. They're trained. And they probably have at least one unit in support or reserve..."
"IF I'M GOING TO DIE, AT LEAST GIVE ME A REASON WHY!!!" she screamed.
"You are not going to die, Chidori. I am here with you, and I will not allow that to happen."
Chidori couldn't help but fall silent and blush. "Sou..."
"DUCK!!" He threw the wheel hard over and her into his lap as the other car caught up and side-ended them hard. The Corolla slammed into a road barrier, a sickening sound of metal grinding against metal squealing throughout the car.
"I do not know how much more of this the car can take..."
* * *
"Do NOT!... INJURE!... the 'ITEM'!"
"Then where the hell are the rest of our guys?"
"Tied up. Wait one..." He pressed the radio headset closer to his ear. "Problem eliminated. They're ahead of us by 2 kilometers. They're waiting."
Police he knew. He also knew Team 2's response would've been to kill the officers without hesitation. Their instructions had said that directly enough; Anything gets in your way, it's a target.
"Damnit! Killing civilians isn't what I signed on to do!" he muttered to himself. "How can I convince this guy to give up without killing him?"
* * *
"Are you sure about this?"
"No." His voice was steady. "Ready?"
"Never, but we've got no other options, right?"
"Okay... here we go!" Sagara put the accelerator down as far as it would go, giving him a few meters headway, then threw the wheel over hard causing the Corolla to spin. He simultaneously rolled down Chidori's window, as if drawing a weapon. It was a dangerous move, but he had little choice. The other car was better armed, in a better position, and he had no doubt that they were expendable... Chidori was not. He would not allow that.
"Shit, he's got a gun!!"
"Duck!!" He hit the brakes and swerved hard left to avoid the expected stream of bullets.
Sagara slammed on the gas and maneuvered, realizing he had precious few seconds in which to open up the range. He'd timed it all perfectly, the other car had just barely avoided fishtailing and was struggling to catch up; he had the opening he was looking for... but not for long. The other car had the horsepower to outrun him no matter where he went.
Think, Sagara, Think!! he commanded himself. What other advantages do I have?
"Did it work?"
"Not for long... stay down!"
Chidori continued to huddle in the back seat where, hopefully, surrounded by the seats and car body, she'd have a somewhat better chance. "Well, I'll say this much, Sousuke. You may not know how to ask a girl on a date, but you always know how to make it exciting."
"A... a date?"
Chidori surprised even herself by managing a giggle even in such a tense moment. "You know, a date? You offer to take me out. I blindly accept, thinking you're going to take me to a normal place, like dinner and a movie. Then I end up being caught in the crossfire of some stupid...SOUSUKE!!"
Sagara was paying so much attention to Chidori's spiel he almost forgot to be checking for anything else. Dead in front of them was a vehicle, positioned perpendicular to them, blocking any further advance. He barely had time to yell to Chidori to "WATCH OUT!!" as he fishtailed the Corolla to collide with the other vehicle side-on. No mistake, they have backup! he thought to himself. He had to keep them guessing, reacting to his moves, not the other way around. Behind me... YES! Perfect!
Shifting into reverse as fast as he could, he slammed into the mall's main doors, spilling glass shards everywhere. Chidori screamed. He kept his mind focused. Keep thinking, keep one step ahead of them. Don't let them dictate the terms. "Stay down, we're going through!"
Spinning out, he slammed his foot down on the accelerator again, swerving to avoid the few shoppers that hadn't figured it out by now that a car had decided to use the mall as an impromptu throughfare.
"MOVE IT! MOVE IT! OTAKU COMING THROUGH!" Chidori yelled out her window, praying Sousuke knew what the hell he was doing. My life's in your hands now, Sousuke. I... I trust you... Suddenly, a large glass display stand came into their view. "SOUSUKE!!"
"We're going through." he calmly announced...
...and nearly four hundred kilograms of molded glass was no more...
"I do not think Kagurazaka-sensei's insurance will cover the damage."
"There isn't an insurance policy in the world big enough for the damage you cause, Sousuke." she dryly commented.
* * *
"SURROUND THEM! SURROUND THEM! NOW!!"
His employer was beginning to get rather nervous by the tone of his voice. But given the number of times they'd been eluded, the conclusion was evident; the 'item' had protection.
"DAMN IT!! I WANT A NET AROUND THEM!! TEAM 2, SHOOT OUT THEIR TIRES!!"
"You do realize you run the risk of damaging that precious 'item' we were not to harm, right?"
His employer could only glare in anger at him, then changed his mind and redirected his rage towards the radio. "STOP THAT CAR, BUT KEEP THE ITEM ALIVE, YOU HEAR ME?!" He threw down his headset in disgust. "fudgie!! fudgie' intel said there was no one covering her!! What the HELL?!?!"
"Her?"
"Just do your job!" It was a simple snatch-and-grab, that was what his client said. The 'item' was unprotected, no assets assigned. Quick and discreet was what the plan called for, then the plan was tossed out the window in a fraction of the time it took to put it together. Damnit!! Damnit!! Damnit!! he swore to himself. How the hell did the plan get screwed like this? he wondered.
Had some assets been secretly assigned to the item? Most definately he was sure, and professional ones too, but how and when he wondered. Had the client deliberately misled him and his men by providing faulty intelliegnece? Goddamnit!! he thought, if we've been set up by the client...
No way! That's a violation of the...
Yeah, right! What rules? It's about business and nothing else.
So what the hell was going on here he wondered.
"We're going into open ground," his driver finally said, breaking into his thoughts. "Things'll get alittle less troublesome now..."
"We may be out of range of the city cops, but the way this bastard drives...! We'll have a better chance against him in this open ground. His car doesn't have a good speed curve on it."
Something was tickling in the back of the driver's mind... a certain familiarity. What was... "Or would he have the advantage on open ground?" he thought out loud. It only earned him the ire of his employer.
"Just shut up and drive!"
* * *
"This is a really dumb idea, you know."
"It is a sound plan, and it is all we have right now."
"It's like something out of a movie, for crying out loud!"
"Well, Hollywood and other major studios do have Special Forces come in to consult and advise..."
"THAT is Hollywood, THIS is real life... this is MY life we're talking about here, and you're gambling it on some half-crazed plan that may just get me killed!!"
"I am here with you Chidori, and I will not let you die."
"You're really determined to do this, aren't you?"
Silence.
"Promise.... promise me that... that after this, if... we get through this you'll...you'll..."
"I will..."
"You'll... you'll take me on a date. A REAL date... not something wierd or dangerous like you always do."
"Now is not the time to be making promises..."
"PROMISE ME! Sousuke!"
Silence.
"I promise, Chidori."
"For real?"
"For real."
"Nothing wierd or dangerous?"
"As best as I can to my abilities."
There were many ways that could be taken, but it had to do for now.
* * *
"SHIT! What the hell is that?!"
He slowed down slightly, hoping it wasn't what it seemed but knew it was. Damn! Must've been going to fast around the corner and lost control. Poor bastard.
"Team 2! Circle and enclose, but keep your weapons safed, you hear me! If the item's still alive, I don't want it hurt!"
Damnit, ALWAYS about this mysterious item. What is so important about it... her... whatever[/i] it is?[/i] the driver pondered. Cautiously, he pulled behind the ruins of the white Corolla, obviously a victim of a high-speed wipe out and collision. Team 2 took up position about thirty metres ahead of the wreck... he didn't envy any of them passing by with their weapons on safe; there might still be surprises from this car they'd chased so far. Nothing seemed right.
Cautiously, the driver and his erstwhile employer approached the rear of the wreck, their AK-47s trained, fingers near the safe switch. Team 2 approached from the front. All of them kept their senses at maximum alert, wary of what other surprises were in store for them.
"Right about here. He lost control of his steering here and wiped out."
"Couldn't've. The way he was driving, and he just lost control?"
"Keep sharp people!" came the reply over the radio.
"I'm at the wreck. Looks genuine. Windshield's broken in and smashed." A momentary pause. "Tires are hot. Damn, we really ran him down."
"I don't care about the car, WHERE'S THE ITEM?!"
"Wait one.... Negative, negative on the item. Vehicle's empty. Shit! We've been had! They're alive!"
"Look around and keep sharp! I don't want any more surprises!"
The driver was getting more and more nervious. They were up against a real pro. One who could all that and quickly fake an auto accident on the fly to buy time to escape. Old trick he thought. Takes practice too, can't be done by just anyone, but like his employer would care to hear that theory. The niggling in the back of his mind was growing stronger. Can't be done by just anyone... takes time to practice...
"Ravine's pretty deep. Ya think...?"
"Go down and look."
"You're shitting me! That's like one hundred feet down at a near-vertical drop!"
"Right. Shouldn't take fine physical specimens like you more than an hour."
"We don't got any safety gear or anything... you're crazy!"
"Do it! This is critical!"
"It's nuts! You're nuts!"
"We're not getting paid to do shit like this!"
The in-fighting was beginning, he thought. Soon it'd be all-out rebellion, but it had to be done. He had to keep control. But the mission had to be accomplished, no matter the cost. "This isn't up for debate people. Just deal with it, because if we return empty handed, you're ALL joining me on the firing line."
One by one, the assemblage began to climb over the guard rail and down to something hopefully other than their doom, but that didn't stop the flow of verbal dissention from everyone.
"This is nuts! I'd rather be back in the Middle East. Least it's flatter than in Japan."
"Forget it, people there are nuttier than a fruit cake, and the place is hotter than hell most of the year."
"Ah, could be worse! Like the South American rainforests. Man, the mosquitoes alone'll drive you crazy!"
His driver, he could see, had at least some sense in not joining in on the complaining. Or was it something else? He paid no mind to it. So long as they did their jobs and got their money, they could be controlled. He gingerly put one leg over the guard rail and hopped down.
* * *
Be one with nature he kept thinking. That was what one teacher had told him, and it had worked... to a degree. Chidori and her classmates had made quite clear later on that he had taken everything too literally... again. But in this case, and with Chidori's life on the line, Sousuke knew he had it right. Be one with nature... and kill without hesitation. You are my enemy, and I will kill you without hesitation.
It was a great gamble he was taking, trying to divert Chidori's pursuers by faking a car accident, but there had been little choice. And it seems, he saw, it had succeeded. Obviously finding no one in the car, the pursuers were now spreading out to look, weakening their numbers. And the hunters were the hunted.
He had to play this carefully. One misstep and he'd lose his advantage. Standard tactics would have them come down the incline somewhat together, and begin to spread out as they hit more level ground. So somewhere he had to find a vulnerability, thin their defense, and take them out one by one.
He also had to be wary of his own vulnerabilities, the foremost being that he had no idea where Chidori was. That had been part of the plan: for her to exit the vehicle before he crashed it and run, don't look back, don't make any sound, and most definately don't get caught.
Here they come. They were ready for trouble, but so was he.
* * *
"Jump out of the car and run, it does not matter where. Run, do not look back, do not look for me, do not get caught or killed."
With that, Sousuke had esentially banished her from his sight for... how long had it been now? She figured she'd run a few hundred meters, then heard the awful screeching sound of Kagurazaka-sensei's car running headlong into the guardrail. She wanted to look back... needed to look back, to know he was alright. That he hadn't...
No, he can't... he WON'T die. He'll come back. I KNOW he'll come back... I WANT him to come back!
He'd always come back before. Even though she'd push him away in some way or another, he had always come back to her of his own violition.
She had to stop running now, catch her breath and get her bearings. But where the hell was here?! she wondered. She figured she was far away enough that whoever was after her would not think to look for her here, but what about Sousuke. How would he find her?
A shivering coursing through her body brought her back to other matters. It was getting cloudy and breezy. Rainstorm she knew. She didn't have any appropriate clothes either, only her school uniform. He dragged me out of class so fast... but he had a good reason, right? she asked herself. The tense moment of those bullets shattering the car's window glass answered that question. A growling from her stomach also had her attention. I missed lunch too...
Sousuke... come back to me. she whispered. Come back to me and keep your promise.
* * *
"Where the hell..."
"We lost someone..."
"What the fudgie?!"
The radio channel was alive with the team members. Someone's out here. What the hell?!
"There it is..." The sound of gunfire.
"In the trees, in the trees!!" Another burst.
"Damnit!! I want to know what the hell's out there! Who's out there! Who fired?!"
"Oh man, oh man, it ain't human! It took out... We're..."
"Calm down, you're losing it!"
Another loud burst of gunfire, then silence.
"Someone! Anyone! Answer me, Goddamnit!!"
No answer. He tried again.
"Anyone? Anyone out there?"
He heard a bloodcurdling scream echo out into his ears. "GODDAMNIT!!"
* * *
The driver stood tense. He'd heard the cries of fear from his former comrades. Someone was out there... and he had a pretty good idea who he was up against.
His gun pointed straight out, ready to face down anything in front of him. He would not be caught off guard. If it is him, I must...
"You must be from the group that is after the girl."
"How very perceptive of you. Do you have a name?"
"My name is of no consequence. You, on the other hand, are. Why are you after her?"
"Hmph. It is of no consequence. We are both the same, in a way. The lowest of the low, called to do the dirty work, but never able to know why."
A click of a hammer.
"Oh, have I touched a nerve? It's true is it not? You do not know why you must protect the girl, but you must protect her. Much as I must capture her, yet I do not know why nor was I told."
He paused a moment, then spoke again. "Did you kill all my comrades?"
"They earned their fates."
"I, for one, shall not be shedding any tears for them. They were not worth it." He started to shift his feet.
"Stand still!" He did.
"I still have questions to ask of you."
"An interrogation, is it? You do know that under the Geneva Accords, I cannot be questioned..."
"You are a terrorist operating on foreign soil. You are not subject to the provisions of the Geneva Accords."
"And you are? I may be a terrorist, but I am not stupid. I suspect you would not be subject to the same accords either. I suspect you aren't even here legally, are you? What is the Western term for it, a shadow, for the girl perhaps?"
He started to shift his feet again.
"Stand still!"
"My feet aren't what they once were. Age, you see, has not been kind to me."
"Neither has life..."
"May I have the pleasure of seeing the face of the one who will be the instrument of my release from this world?" He started to turn around.
"I said STAND STILL!!"
Could it be?! "Kashim? Kashim, is it really you?"
"STAND STILL!!"
"Kashim, it's me! Ismael! We fought together in..."
...Sousuke pulled the trigger.
...A loud report of a single shot echoed throughout the ravine.
...Ismael fell to the ground.
Why... What is this... What is wrong with me? His breathing was coming in gasps. His chest was on fire. Why did his head feel like it was going to split apart?
The gun fell from his arm as he collapsed onto his knees. His arms provided little support, while his throat felt dry and scorched.
Sousuke looked up, trying to focus on the tree that lay beyond Ismael's prone form, but it wouldn't work. He felt sick to his stomach, like he had to throw up. It took all of his self-control to stop from screaming out. What is... what is...
He struggled with his breathing as he fought to control his conscious mind. Breathe... Relax... he repeated to himself over and over.
"Kashim is dead.... SHITHEAD!!" he finally said after a long period of regaining his composure.
He collapsed onto the ground, surrendering to the darkness that enveloped him.
* * *
Cheap love hotel. Love the decor. Chidori sarcastically thought to herself. Perfect place to start a date with Sousuke.
"You're hurting my arm, you know."
He didn't answer.
"You know, Sousuke, that silent act of yours is REALLY..."
He brought them both to the front desk, where a chubby slob was working. "Ahh... two young lovers, I see. May I recommend..."
Sousuke threw a credit card onto the desk. "That should be enough to cover a night here. Excuse us."
"Hey, what the..." as he watched the two teenagers walk off.
"What the hell is the matter with you?!" Chidori was on the verge of a major breakdown. Sousuke was so closed off to her now, so possessed by... something. But what?
"Sousuke... what..."
He threw his duffel on the bed and undid the drawstring. Unable to loosen it, he cursed loudly before attacking it with his teeth. It still refused to come loose.
"Sousuke..."
"SHUT UP!"
She leaped back in fright. He'd never yelled or even raised his voice once at her before. What the hell... "Sousuke!"
"Why won't this stupid..." as he tugged and tugged at the retictent knot in the drawstring. In frustration, he started pulling on it with all his might.
"Here, let me..."
"STAY OUT OF THIS!" He leapt up at her with superhuman speed, catching her arms above her head and pinning her against the wall.
"SOUSUKE!"
"I SAID...!!"
A loud slap sounded just as a crack of lightning boomed and temporarily shut down the hotel's main power. She was alone and very afraid in the dark with... whoever it was that was with her. It's Sousuke. But not the Sousuke who's protected me before. Somehow, he's colder, no longer human, no longer cares about anyone or anything... Why...?
Sousuke lay kneeling on the floor, his hand gingerly covering the spot where Chidori had slapped him. It hurts he thought.
"It's supposed to, idiot!"
His vision began to return to normal. "Chi... Chidori." She knelt down beside him.
"You were really beginning to hurt me, you know that?! And before..."
"Wh... what did I... Where am...?"
"SOUSUKE!!" His head snapped around to look at her. "You are REALLY creeping me out, you know!! What the HELL is the matter with you?! And don't give me any of your lame excuses. I want the truth, NOW!!"
He felt his breathing returning to normal again. The pain in his head was no longer there. What had just happen to him anyways. The last thing he remembered...
"I... I..."
"Go on!"
"I... can't... remember..."
"Oh, that is SO original!" She huffed. "I found you lying next to a body. A DEAD body, Sousuke. You... did you..."
"I..."
She shivered. "And I'm soaked to the skin! You think it was easy dragging your carcass up a vertical shear, in rain no less, then have you wake up half-way up from whatever La-La-Land you went off to, throw me back in a car and take me to this DUMP!! Did I leave anything out, oh great Super-Sergeant?!"
He was struggling with something mentally. She could see it. What was with him, anyways? Why can't he just tell me straight up?
"Chidori... your life is in danger."
"Oh GOD!!"
"I am deadly serious, Chidori. I was ordered to protect you..."
"Oh, THAT story again! That story of the Whispered and how everyone from my next door neighbor to Santa Claus is after me because I possess Black Technology..."
"Do NOT mention that word! Especially in public!"
"SOUSUKE! You DARE pass judgement on me on what I talk about?! You're even more clueless than I thought! How the HELL do you think I feel about all this, huh?! You drag me out of class, totalling Kagurazaka-sensei's car in the process, nearly get me KILLED, go psycho on, which you've NEVER done before... Just HOW the HELL am I supposed to feel after all this?! I THOUGHT you were supposed to be on vacation! Is THIS how members of Mithril spend their vaca...MMMPH!"
"Do NOT mention that word either. Many of us have paid a high price so that you may continue to live your life normally. For their sakes, and for your own..."
"This is NOT normal!! Can't you get that into your thick skull, Sergeant?!?!"
Sousuke sighed and went to sit on the bed. Chidori remained where she was. "Tell me the truth, Sagara. The whole truth this time. Why are you here?"
"I was ordered here... to protect you."
"And what happened to your supposed vacation, Mr. Macho? You told me before that..."
"Cancelled. By Major Kalinin's orders."
"Kalinin cancelled your vacation? How the hell...?!"
"I cannot say, but I must obey. I'm to take you with me and leave Japan immediately."
"Oh, so I'm supposed to put my life on hold because your little club has a crisis..."
"Chidori..."
"...and take a little trip to God-knows-where with a certain clueless Sergeant..."
"Chidori..."
"...who happens to be known for his perverted tendencies and extreme stupidity in normal etiquette..."
"Chidori..."
"...who seems to get off on this 'protect me' shit alot as if it feeds some stupid ego thing or macho feeling..."
"Chidori..."
"I don't know about you Sergeant Sagara, but I think I'm just fine with this. Aren't you?" She stood up. "Oh by the way, did I mention this certain macho ASSHOLE just HAPPENED to break my heart along the way by FORGETTING a certain PROMISE me made to me?!"
The silence between them could not be any thicker after she said that. Everything depended on what he said next.
"Get ready. We leave in the morning."
The barrier seperating the two could not be any higher after he said that.
* * *
No AN yet, but I'll take whatever comes...
Regards
----
07 RUN, RUN'D, RUNNING
"Saddle up people, we got a schedule to keep!" The command only drew derision and scorn from the assemblage of people.
"Yeah, yeah, we know... you don't have to follow that military crap, you know."
He'd had enough of their insubordination, and it was time to make it clear. "Listen. I'm paying you all VERY well, so you damn well better go through the motions. Second, the client wants the 'item' retrieved intact, not even a scratch, YOU HEAR ME!! If it's damaged in any way, I'm responsible, in which case I'm taking it out on ALL of your asses... with interest." His voice dropped low for the last part, less for effect than to get it clear to the group. No screwups would be tolerated. They were the best operatives money could buy, but their unruliness came as part of the package. Life's not perfect.
He was rewarded not quite with consent, but it was enough.
"You know the plan. Team 1 stakes out the grounds and the 'item.' Team 2, you're backup. Anything gets in our way, it's a target. Now MOVE OUT!!"
* * *
Chidori had two things on her mind. One was keeping awake. The second was ignoring her three closest friends for the rest of the day. The problem was her brain was so out of gear she couldn't do much but avoid nodding off. Kagurazaka-sensei would never tolerate another infraction, considering what had happened yesterday. Got to stay awake she thought to herself, but it was a losing battle. Her eyelids felt like lead weights had been glued to them, while her head kept bobbing back and forth. If only she could get a few minutes to...
"CHIDORI-SAN!"
Her head shot straight up. "Y-yes!!"
"Late night again, Chidori-san?"
Uh-oh, here it comes. "Ahh... Kagurazaka-sensei, there's... there's actually a very good reason for..."
The sudden opening of the classroom door, and the person standing in the doorway, spared her from making an even bigger fool of herself. The classroom was evenly split between shocked silence and whispering to themselves over what was going on. Kagurazaka-sensei herself was anywhere but there. She collapsed onto the floor in shock.
"Sa...Sa...Sa...Sa...Sagara-kun!!" she finally got out.
Without even a response, he walked into the room heading straight for Chidori's desk, grabbed her by the arm and moved for the door. "He...HEY!! Sousuke!! What the hell..."
"Sensei, I'm sorry about the disturbance. I need to take Chidori with me. I also require the use of motor transportation... immediately."
"Wh...Wh...Wh...Wh...What do you mean..."
"Sensei. Chidori is coming with me. Now. I need a vehicle. Now. Why I do these things, you do not need to know." His voice was calm and level when he made his request but the way his eyes looked, everyone could tell NOT to get in his way.
"Sousuke..."
Trying to maintain her dignity, Kagurazaka-sensei handed over the keys to her car. "Th...Th...Th...Th...The white Corolla... in the lot..."
"Thank you for your cooperation." He disappeared with Chidori after that.
"Wh-what was that all about?"
Kagaurazaka-sensei could only faint.
* * *
"What the hell is the matter with you! Sousuke!"
He kept walking, totally possessed by... something. "We have no time. You must come with me now."
"Make time! Sousuke, I want some answers, now!" But none were forthcoming from him. Outside, he located the vehicle and dragged her to the passenger side of the car. Finding the right key, he unlocked the door and put her in the seat, despite her vehement protestations contrary-wise. He opened the driver's side and slid himself in.
"Okay, Sousuke. Your stupid otaku game stops RIGHT NOW!"
He located the ignition key and started the vehicle. Several teachers and now the principal were outside the door pointing and shouting, obviously at them. Base to -7. LZ is hot! Depart... NOW! Not bothering to face Chidori, he simply told her "Buckle up," before putting the car into reverse and spun out the parking lot at something better than 60kph.
Chidori, unfortunately, didn't have time to do that, Sousuke's... whatever... having caught her totally off guard. "Aaagh!! Sousuke!! What the hell's gotten into you?!?!" She glared hard at him, hoping it'd get a response out of him. Where was her halisen...
"Sousuke, you have two seconds to explain yourself or I'm..."
"Or you'll what?"
"Or...or... I'll throw myself off this car!"
"You would not, as you do not have any known tendencies towards committing suicide or deliberate self-injury." He delivered that assessment clinically, analytically, staring straight out the window, not even bothering to look her way.
"WHAT did you say?!?! Since when are YOU and expert on human psychology?!"
Dead silence.
"Sousuke...!"
"...Look back behind us 4 cars. There's a black-colored vehicle that has been struggling to keep up with us the last 2 kilometers."
"Who wouldn't, the way you're driving! Not to mention you kidnapped me from school!"
"I told Kagurazaka-sensei that I must take you, therefore, technically, I did not kidnap you."
"Oh, SHUT UP!! Now tell me..."
A sudden stream of bullets that shattered the entire driver's-side windows put her questions on hold. Sousuke ducked as he threw the wheel hard over in an attempt to prevent any bullets from hitting either of them. "Chidori! Hang on!"
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK I'VE BEEN DOING ALL ALONG?!?!"
* * *
"He's good," his driver admired. "Definately not an amateur."
"We've got no intelligence that any assets had been assigned to guard the 'item'."
"Maybe..."
"You're not paid to THINK! You're paid to DRIVE! Now do your damned job!"
The driver swallowed his rage... for now, as he slammed on the gas and maneuvered into position. His employer was busy calling out instructions over his radio. "Team 2! Get your ass up here! Pin them down!"
* * *
"Now is as good a time as any to explain what's going on!!" Chidori muttered as she ducked low, praying the next stream of bullets wouldn't be aimed anywhere critical... especially her.
"That black car has been tailing us since we left the school. Now they are shooting at us, but not to kill, only to shock."
"I ALREADY KNOW THAT!!"
"From their tactics, they're definately not amateurs. They're trained. And they probably have at least one unit in support or reserve..."
"IF I'M GOING TO DIE, AT LEAST GIVE ME A REASON WHY!!!" she screamed.
"You are not going to die, Chidori. I am here with you, and I will not allow that to happen."
Chidori couldn't help but fall silent and blush. "Sou..."
"DUCK!!" He threw the wheel hard over and her into his lap as the other car caught up and side-ended them hard. The Corolla slammed into a road barrier, a sickening sound of metal grinding against metal squealing throughout the car.
"I do not know how much more of this the car can take..."
* * *
"Do NOT!... INJURE!... the 'ITEM'!"
"Then where the hell are the rest of our guys?"
"Tied up. Wait one..." He pressed the radio headset closer to his ear. "Problem eliminated. They're ahead of us by 2 kilometers. They're waiting."
Police he knew. He also knew Team 2's response would've been to kill the officers without hesitation. Their instructions had said that directly enough; Anything gets in your way, it's a target.
"Damnit! Killing civilians isn't what I signed on to do!" he muttered to himself. "How can I convince this guy to give up without killing him?"
* * *
"Are you sure about this?"
"No." His voice was steady. "Ready?"
"Never, but we've got no other options, right?"
"Okay... here we go!" Sagara put the accelerator down as far as it would go, giving him a few meters headway, then threw the wheel over hard causing the Corolla to spin. He simultaneously rolled down Chidori's window, as if drawing a weapon. It was a dangerous move, but he had little choice. The other car was better armed, in a better position, and he had no doubt that they were expendable... Chidori was not. He would not allow that.
"Shit, he's got a gun!!"
"Duck!!" He hit the brakes and swerved hard left to avoid the expected stream of bullets.
Sagara slammed on the gas and maneuvered, realizing he had precious few seconds in which to open up the range. He'd timed it all perfectly, the other car had just barely avoided fishtailing and was struggling to catch up; he had the opening he was looking for... but not for long. The other car had the horsepower to outrun him no matter where he went.
Think, Sagara, Think!! he commanded himself. What other advantages do I have?
"Did it work?"
"Not for long... stay down!"
Chidori continued to huddle in the back seat where, hopefully, surrounded by the seats and car body, she'd have a somewhat better chance. "Well, I'll say this much, Sousuke. You may not know how to ask a girl on a date, but you always know how to make it exciting."
"A... a date?"
Chidori surprised even herself by managing a giggle even in such a tense moment. "You know, a date? You offer to take me out. I blindly accept, thinking you're going to take me to a normal place, like dinner and a movie. Then I end up being caught in the crossfire of some stupid...SOUSUKE!!"
Sagara was paying so much attention to Chidori's spiel he almost forgot to be checking for anything else. Dead in front of them was a vehicle, positioned perpendicular to them, blocking any further advance. He barely had time to yell to Chidori to "WATCH OUT!!" as he fishtailed the Corolla to collide with the other vehicle side-on. No mistake, they have backup! he thought to himself. He had to keep them guessing, reacting to his moves, not the other way around. Behind me... YES! Perfect!
Shifting into reverse as fast as he could, he slammed into the mall's main doors, spilling glass shards everywhere. Chidori screamed. He kept his mind focused. Keep thinking, keep one step ahead of them. Don't let them dictate the terms. "Stay down, we're going through!"
Spinning out, he slammed his foot down on the accelerator again, swerving to avoid the few shoppers that hadn't figured it out by now that a car had decided to use the mall as an impromptu throughfare.
"MOVE IT! MOVE IT! OTAKU COMING THROUGH!" Chidori yelled out her window, praying Sousuke knew what the hell he was doing. My life's in your hands now, Sousuke. I... I trust you... Suddenly, a large glass display stand came into their view. "SOUSUKE!!"
"We're going through." he calmly announced...
...and nearly four hundred kilograms of molded glass was no more...
"I do not think Kagurazaka-sensei's insurance will cover the damage."
"There isn't an insurance policy in the world big enough for the damage you cause, Sousuke." she dryly commented.
* * *
"SURROUND THEM! SURROUND THEM! NOW!!"
His employer was beginning to get rather nervous by the tone of his voice. But given the number of times they'd been eluded, the conclusion was evident; the 'item' had protection.
"DAMN IT!! I WANT A NET AROUND THEM!! TEAM 2, SHOOT OUT THEIR TIRES!!"
"You do realize you run the risk of damaging that precious 'item' we were not to harm, right?"
His employer could only glare in anger at him, then changed his mind and redirected his rage towards the radio. "STOP THAT CAR, BUT KEEP THE ITEM ALIVE, YOU HEAR ME?!" He threw down his headset in disgust. "fudgie!! fudgie' intel said there was no one covering her!! What the HELL?!?!"
"Her?"
"Just do your job!" It was a simple snatch-and-grab, that was what his client said. The 'item' was unprotected, no assets assigned. Quick and discreet was what the plan called for, then the plan was tossed out the window in a fraction of the time it took to put it together. Damnit!! Damnit!! Damnit!! he swore to himself. How the hell did the plan get screwed like this? he wondered.
Had some assets been secretly assigned to the item? Most definately he was sure, and professional ones too, but how and when he wondered. Had the client deliberately misled him and his men by providing faulty intelliegnece? Goddamnit!! he thought, if we've been set up by the client...
No way! That's a violation of the...
Yeah, right! What rules? It's about business and nothing else.
So what the hell was going on here he wondered.
"We're going into open ground," his driver finally said, breaking into his thoughts. "Things'll get alittle less troublesome now..."
"We may be out of range of the city cops, but the way this bastard drives...! We'll have a better chance against him in this open ground. His car doesn't have a good speed curve on it."
Something was tickling in the back of the driver's mind... a certain familiarity. What was... "Or would he have the advantage on open ground?" he thought out loud. It only earned him the ire of his employer.
"Just shut up and drive!"
* * *
"This is a really dumb idea, you know."
"It is a sound plan, and it is all we have right now."
"It's like something out of a movie, for crying out loud!"
"Well, Hollywood and other major studios do have Special Forces come in to consult and advise..."
"THAT is Hollywood, THIS is real life... this is MY life we're talking about here, and you're gambling it on some half-crazed plan that may just get me killed!!"
"I am here with you Chidori, and I will not let you die."
"You're really determined to do this, aren't you?"
Silence.
"Promise.... promise me that... that after this, if... we get through this you'll...you'll..."
"I will..."
"You'll... you'll take me on a date. A REAL date... not something wierd or dangerous like you always do."
"Now is not the time to be making promises..."
"PROMISE ME! Sousuke!"
Silence.
"I promise, Chidori."
"For real?"
"For real."
"Nothing wierd or dangerous?"
"As best as I can to my abilities."
There were many ways that could be taken, but it had to do for now.
* * *
"SHIT! What the hell is that?!"
He slowed down slightly, hoping it wasn't what it seemed but knew it was. Damn! Must've been going to fast around the corner and lost control. Poor bastard.
"Team 2! Circle and enclose, but keep your weapons safed, you hear me! If the item's still alive, I don't want it hurt!"
Damnit, ALWAYS about this mysterious item. What is so important about it... her... whatever[/i] it is?[/i] the driver pondered. Cautiously, he pulled behind the ruins of the white Corolla, obviously a victim of a high-speed wipe out and collision. Team 2 took up position about thirty metres ahead of the wreck... he didn't envy any of them passing by with their weapons on safe; there might still be surprises from this car they'd chased so far. Nothing seemed right.
Cautiously, the driver and his erstwhile employer approached the rear of the wreck, their AK-47s trained, fingers near the safe switch. Team 2 approached from the front. All of them kept their senses at maximum alert, wary of what other surprises were in store for them.
"Right about here. He lost control of his steering here and wiped out."
"Couldn't've. The way he was driving, and he just lost control?"
"Keep sharp people!" came the reply over the radio.
"I'm at the wreck. Looks genuine. Windshield's broken in and smashed." A momentary pause. "Tires are hot. Damn, we really ran him down."
"I don't care about the car, WHERE'S THE ITEM?!"
"Wait one.... Negative, negative on the item. Vehicle's empty. Shit! We've been had! They're alive!"
"Look around and keep sharp! I don't want any more surprises!"
The driver was getting more and more nervious. They were up against a real pro. One who could all that and quickly fake an auto accident on the fly to buy time to escape. Old trick he thought. Takes practice too, can't be done by just anyone, but like his employer would care to hear that theory. The niggling in the back of his mind was growing stronger. Can't be done by just anyone... takes time to practice...
"Ravine's pretty deep. Ya think...?"
"Go down and look."
"You're shitting me! That's like one hundred feet down at a near-vertical drop!"
"Right. Shouldn't take fine physical specimens like you more than an hour."
"We don't got any safety gear or anything... you're crazy!"
"Do it! This is critical!"
"It's nuts! You're nuts!"
"We're not getting paid to do shit like this!"
The in-fighting was beginning, he thought. Soon it'd be all-out rebellion, but it had to be done. He had to keep control. But the mission had to be accomplished, no matter the cost. "This isn't up for debate people. Just deal with it, because if we return empty handed, you're ALL joining me on the firing line."
One by one, the assemblage began to climb over the guard rail and down to something hopefully other than their doom, but that didn't stop the flow of verbal dissention from everyone.
"This is nuts! I'd rather be back in the Middle East. Least it's flatter than in Japan."
"Forget it, people there are nuttier than a fruit cake, and the place is hotter than hell most of the year."
"Ah, could be worse! Like the South American rainforests. Man, the mosquitoes alone'll drive you crazy!"
His driver, he could see, had at least some sense in not joining in on the complaining. Or was it something else? He paid no mind to it. So long as they did their jobs and got their money, they could be controlled. He gingerly put one leg over the guard rail and hopped down.
* * *
Be one with nature he kept thinking. That was what one teacher had told him, and it had worked... to a degree. Chidori and her classmates had made quite clear later on that he had taken everything too literally... again. But in this case, and with Chidori's life on the line, Sousuke knew he had it right. Be one with nature... and kill without hesitation. You are my enemy, and I will kill you without hesitation.
It was a great gamble he was taking, trying to divert Chidori's pursuers by faking a car accident, but there had been little choice. And it seems, he saw, it had succeeded. Obviously finding no one in the car, the pursuers were now spreading out to look, weakening their numbers. And the hunters were the hunted.
He had to play this carefully. One misstep and he'd lose his advantage. Standard tactics would have them come down the incline somewhat together, and begin to spread out as they hit more level ground. So somewhere he had to find a vulnerability, thin their defense, and take them out one by one.
He also had to be wary of his own vulnerabilities, the foremost being that he had no idea where Chidori was. That had been part of the plan: for her to exit the vehicle before he crashed it and run, don't look back, don't make any sound, and most definately don't get caught.
Here they come. They were ready for trouble, but so was he.
* * *
"Jump out of the car and run, it does not matter where. Run, do not look back, do not look for me, do not get caught or killed."
With that, Sousuke had esentially banished her from his sight for... how long had it been now? She figured she'd run a few hundred meters, then heard the awful screeching sound of Kagurazaka-sensei's car running headlong into the guardrail. She wanted to look back... needed to look back, to know he was alright. That he hadn't...
No, he can't... he WON'T die. He'll come back. I KNOW he'll come back... I WANT him to come back!
He'd always come back before. Even though she'd push him away in some way or another, he had always come back to her of his own violition.
She had to stop running now, catch her breath and get her bearings. But where the hell was here?! she wondered. She figured she was far away enough that whoever was after her would not think to look for her here, but what about Sousuke. How would he find her?
A shivering coursing through her body brought her back to other matters. It was getting cloudy and breezy. Rainstorm she knew. She didn't have any appropriate clothes either, only her school uniform. He dragged me out of class so fast... but he had a good reason, right? she asked herself. The tense moment of those bullets shattering the car's window glass answered that question. A growling from her stomach also had her attention. I missed lunch too...
Sousuke... come back to me. she whispered. Come back to me and keep your promise.
* * *
"Where the hell..."
"We lost someone..."
"What the fudgie?!"
The radio channel was alive with the team members. Someone's out here. What the hell?!
"There it is..." The sound of gunfire.
"In the trees, in the trees!!" Another burst.
"Damnit!! I want to know what the hell's out there! Who's out there! Who fired?!"
"Oh man, oh man, it ain't human! It took out... We're..."
"Calm down, you're losing it!"
Another loud burst of gunfire, then silence.
"Someone! Anyone! Answer me, Goddamnit!!"
No answer. He tried again.
"Anyone? Anyone out there?"
He heard a bloodcurdling scream echo out into his ears. "GODDAMNIT!!"
* * *
The driver stood tense. He'd heard the cries of fear from his former comrades. Someone was out there... and he had a pretty good idea who he was up against.
His gun pointed straight out, ready to face down anything in front of him. He would not be caught off guard. If it is him, I must...
"You must be from the group that is after the girl."
"How very perceptive of you. Do you have a name?"
"My name is of no consequence. You, on the other hand, are. Why are you after her?"
"Hmph. It is of no consequence. We are both the same, in a way. The lowest of the low, called to do the dirty work, but never able to know why."
A click of a hammer.
"Oh, have I touched a nerve? It's true is it not? You do not know why you must protect the girl, but you must protect her. Much as I must capture her, yet I do not know why nor was I told."
He paused a moment, then spoke again. "Did you kill all my comrades?"
"They earned their fates."
"I, for one, shall not be shedding any tears for them. They were not worth it." He started to shift his feet.
"Stand still!" He did.
"I still have questions to ask of you."
"An interrogation, is it? You do know that under the Geneva Accords, I cannot be questioned..."
"You are a terrorist operating on foreign soil. You are not subject to the provisions of the Geneva Accords."
"And you are? I may be a terrorist, but I am not stupid. I suspect you would not be subject to the same accords either. I suspect you aren't even here legally, are you? What is the Western term for it, a shadow, for the girl perhaps?"
He started to shift his feet again.
"Stand still!"
"My feet aren't what they once were. Age, you see, has not been kind to me."
"Neither has life..."
"May I have the pleasure of seeing the face of the one who will be the instrument of my release from this world?" He started to turn around.
"I said STAND STILL!!"
Could it be?! "Kashim? Kashim, is it really you?"
"STAND STILL!!"
"Kashim, it's me! Ismael! We fought together in..."
...Sousuke pulled the trigger.
...A loud report of a single shot echoed throughout the ravine.
...Ismael fell to the ground.
Why... What is this... What is wrong with me? His breathing was coming in gasps. His chest was on fire. Why did his head feel like it was going to split apart?
The gun fell from his arm as he collapsed onto his knees. His arms provided little support, while his throat felt dry and scorched.
Sousuke looked up, trying to focus on the tree that lay beyond Ismael's prone form, but it wouldn't work. He felt sick to his stomach, like he had to throw up. It took all of his self-control to stop from screaming out. What is... what is...
He struggled with his breathing as he fought to control his conscious mind. Breathe... Relax... he repeated to himself over and over.
"Kashim is dead.... SHITHEAD!!" he finally said after a long period of regaining his composure.
He collapsed onto the ground, surrendering to the darkness that enveloped him.
* * *
Cheap love hotel. Love the decor. Chidori sarcastically thought to herself. Perfect place to start a date with Sousuke.
"You're hurting my arm, you know."
He didn't answer.
"You know, Sousuke, that silent act of yours is REALLY..."
He brought them both to the front desk, where a chubby slob was working. "Ahh... two young lovers, I see. May I recommend..."
Sousuke threw a credit card onto the desk. "That should be enough to cover a night here. Excuse us."
"Hey, what the..." as he watched the two teenagers walk off.
"What the hell is the matter with you?!" Chidori was on the verge of a major breakdown. Sousuke was so closed off to her now, so possessed by... something. But what?
"Sousuke... what..."
He threw his duffel on the bed and undid the drawstring. Unable to loosen it, he cursed loudly before attacking it with his teeth. It still refused to come loose.
"Sousuke..."
"SHUT UP!"
She leaped back in fright. He'd never yelled or even raised his voice once at her before. What the hell... "Sousuke!"
"Why won't this stupid..." as he tugged and tugged at the retictent knot in the drawstring. In frustration, he started pulling on it with all his might.
"Here, let me..."
"STAY OUT OF THIS!" He leapt up at her with superhuman speed, catching her arms above her head and pinning her against the wall.
"SOUSUKE!"
"I SAID...!!"
A loud slap sounded just as a crack of lightning boomed and temporarily shut down the hotel's main power. She was alone and very afraid in the dark with... whoever it was that was with her. It's Sousuke. But not the Sousuke who's protected me before. Somehow, he's colder, no longer human, no longer cares about anyone or anything... Why...?
Sousuke lay kneeling on the floor, his hand gingerly covering the spot where Chidori had slapped him. It hurts he thought.
"It's supposed to, idiot!"
His vision began to return to normal. "Chi... Chidori." She knelt down beside him.
"You were really beginning to hurt me, you know that?! And before..."
"Wh... what did I... Where am...?"
"SOUSUKE!!" His head snapped around to look at her. "You are REALLY creeping me out, you know!! What the HELL is the matter with you?! And don't give me any of your lame excuses. I want the truth, NOW!!"
He felt his breathing returning to normal again. The pain in his head was no longer there. What had just happen to him anyways. The last thing he remembered...
"I... I..."
"Go on!"
"I... can't... remember..."
"Oh, that is SO original!" She huffed. "I found you lying next to a body. A DEAD body, Sousuke. You... did you..."
"I..."
She shivered. "And I'm soaked to the skin! You think it was easy dragging your carcass up a vertical shear, in rain no less, then have you wake up half-way up from whatever La-La-Land you went off to, throw me back in a car and take me to this DUMP!! Did I leave anything out, oh great Super-Sergeant?!"
He was struggling with something mentally. She could see it. What was with him, anyways? Why can't he just tell me straight up?
"Chidori... your life is in danger."
"Oh GOD!!"
"I am deadly serious, Chidori. I was ordered to protect you..."
"Oh, THAT story again! That story of the Whispered and how everyone from my next door neighbor to Santa Claus is after me because I possess Black Technology..."
"Do NOT mention that word! Especially in public!"
"SOUSUKE! You DARE pass judgement on me on what I talk about?! You're even more clueless than I thought! How the HELL do you think I feel about all this, huh?! You drag me out of class, totalling Kagurazaka-sensei's car in the process, nearly get me KILLED, go psycho on, which you've NEVER done before... Just HOW the HELL am I supposed to feel after all this?! I THOUGHT you were supposed to be on vacation! Is THIS how members of Mithril spend their vaca...MMMPH!"
"Do NOT mention that word either. Many of us have paid a high price so that you may continue to live your life normally. For their sakes, and for your own..."
"This is NOT normal!! Can't you get that into your thick skull, Sergeant?!?!"
Sousuke sighed and went to sit on the bed. Chidori remained where she was. "Tell me the truth, Sagara. The whole truth this time. Why are you here?"
"I was ordered here... to protect you."
"And what happened to your supposed vacation, Mr. Macho? You told me before that..."
"Cancelled. By Major Kalinin's orders."
"Kalinin cancelled your vacation? How the hell...?!"
"I cannot say, but I must obey. I'm to take you with me and leave Japan immediately."
"Oh, so I'm supposed to put my life on hold because your little club has a crisis..."
"Chidori..."
"...and take a little trip to God-knows-where with a certain clueless Sergeant..."
"Chidori..."
"...who happens to be known for his perverted tendencies and extreme stupidity in normal etiquette..."
"Chidori..."
"...who seems to get off on this 'protect me' shit alot as if it feeds some stupid ego thing or macho feeling..."
"Chidori..."
"I don't know about you Sergeant Sagara, but I think I'm just fine with this. Aren't you?" She stood up. "Oh by the way, did I mention this certain macho ASSHOLE just HAPPENED to break my heart along the way by FORGETTING a certain PROMISE me made to me?!"
The silence between them could not be any thicker after she said that. Everything depended on what he said next.
"Get ready. We leave in the morning."
The barrier seperating the two could not be any higher after he said that.
* * *
those ICBMs are either headed for Madam Dictator's Easy Chair
J/K J/K