some crap things happen in my regular life that's thrown me for a spin.
Still been writing, but not as much as I was before.
Anyways, this is what's written so far for this chap (~50%). The remainder
is Sousuke & Kaname's journey through NY night life, with Corwin &
Ayume in tow... expect hilarity and explosions to follow!
AN: ignore the blank spots for now. I'm looking for a name for
Sousuke's new CO, so...
Special thanks to RussianFox, who found me a particular
Russian word I was looking for. If it's not right, blame him
Enjoy all and regards!
--------------------------------------
17 A NIGHT ON THE TOWN
// Two Days Later
Ayume Chidori had been finally cleared to be released. She had been uninjured when she was brough in, but the doctors wanted to keep her under observation.
Ayume... my sweet little sister... I hope you've been alright...
Kaname had taken her time in preparing to see her younger sister and making herself... presentable. She'd washed out most of the dye left in her hair, somewhat to her father's unspoken satisfaction. There was nothing she could do about the short length it was, but still...
Sousuke...
Two whole days and Sousuke still hadn't seen fit to show his face around her or her father. What's up with that?! she wondered. When I see him, I'm gonna...
"Hi, Ayume Chidori, please?"
"Room 321, down the hall..."
"Thanks."
Her father was downstairs looking for a parking spot -- after his time at the UN, it was nice there was still something of a regular father in him -- so Kaname was going to take the few extra minutes to talk privately with her sister and ESPECIALLY find out what had happened.
"Ayume?"
The room was fairly neat, with one side set up as the collection point for all the 'Get Well' wishes, flowers, cards, balloons and stuffed animals that her school friends, homeroom class and the NYPD had kindly donated. Ayume herself was lying in bed, idly staring off into the window.
"Kaname... Onee-sama..." Ayume gingerly turned her head to face her older sister. "You're... you're here... how..."
Kaname set down her bunch of flowers in the pile and gave her younger sister a hug. "Hey, how you doing, sis?"
"Alright, I guess... and you? How'd..."
"It's a long story. Father's down parking the car."
"He didn't let his bodyguard drive you guys today?"
"No, he said something about wanting to be a regular father for once..." The two giggled about that, lightening the mood somewhat.
"I... I suppose you heard what happened..."
"Yeah, I did. I was there even. Are you..."
"I miss Miss Wright... the whole class does..." Ayume was beginning to feel dejected. "Why did they have to..."
Kaname silenced her sister with another tender hug. "It's alright, Ayume. Don't think about it right now."
"By the way, I keep asking the New York police... umm, the guy..."
"Which guy?"
"The... the one that saved me..." Ayume couldn't help but blush slightly at that particular memory.
"Oh... my little sister has a crush? On an older man, no less? Oooh, NAUGHTY!!"
"Siiiiis!!" Ayume whined, not liking the implication Kaname had made. "It's... it's not an older man...well, not that old, anyways."
"Huh?"
"He's... he's about your age... tall, scruffy looking, has a scar on his left cheek..."
"EUH!!" Kaname felt like someone had just punched her in the stomach.
"I keep asking the New York police about him... so I can thank him properly. He... he..."
"He... what..." Kaname's voice dropped down low. Ayume thought it was so she'd let her in on the little secret.
"He came to rescue me... dressed in a Bonta-kun costume..."
"...Bonta... kun..."
"Uh-huh... He was so dashing, sis!" Kaname watched as Ayume brightened up at the recollection, the stars growing brighter in her eyes. "Like... like some fearless hunk out of an action movie, you know! Oh, he was just so... so..."
"So...?"
"Dreamy...!" Ayume exclaimed breathlessly.
Sousuke... you BASTARD!!...
* * *
"Ah-choo!" Sousuke sniffled. It wasn't that cold, yet he had just felt the need to sneeze at that moment.
"What's the matter, kid? Too cold for ya?" The voice laughed.
"I neither find it too hot or too cold, thank you."
"Suit yourself, kid!" The voice slid in a simple meal and a bundle of newspapers before turning around and leaving him to his relative privacy. "Eat hearty!" The laugh echoed off the concrete walls, but Sousuke paid it no attention.
At least they feed me here and keep me informed Sousuke thought to himself. Here was Mithril Atlantic Command HQ, so he'd been told when they put him in this four-by-four cell, 'for his own protection.' Protection? Protection from what? I am not in danger. Kaname is in more danger than me he thought. I must get back to her ASAP... whoever was trying to kidnap her before will surely try again.
He took the tray of food and newspapers. I must keep my strength up... for when they let me out of here. Chewing on a hardened chunk of bread, he quickly scanned the headlines, largely taken up by two stories: the hostage-taking and rescue at Ayume's school, and Senator Hincks' Presidential campaign; he paid more attention to the latter story.
There was some mention of a minor irregularity in allowing the Senator into the Presidential race so late after the Primaries, yet this was glossed over with the focus on the Senator's attack on the White House for quote, 'a demonstrable lack of determination and effort to protect US interests.' The Senator also pointed to a 'mounting body of evidence' of a 'systemic penetration of the US' by 'hostile foreign powers,' a sideways comment on developments in the recent shooting of the Consul the paper speculated, yet neither the Senator nor the article elaborated any further on specifically who those foreign powers were. Sousuke's eyebrow arched at that omission.
"Senator J. R. Hincks. The certain ambitious man I was talking about, and the reason why Mr Sagara here was sent on vacation to Tokyo..."
Sousuke pondered that comment from the Consul a moment. Why was it so important he be sent away from such a man?
"If people like Senator Hincks gets his way, this will be made public."
Sousuke recalled his response, word for word. "Are you saying the United States proposes such a blatant disregard for human rights in regards to these people? That is arrogant assumption on your part."
The Consul seemed to give Sousuke the answer to his own question in a round-about way. Throughout history, he recalled many instances of men spinning webs of lies and deceit, of nations making mountains out of a molehill, in order to get what they wanted. Was the Consul saying Hincks was such a man? Sousuke reread the article, finding no clear evidence for or against that possibility. His gut instinct...
A knock at the door brought Sousuke out of his analysis. "Ah, how are we doing today, Sergeant?" Lieutenant K. Vladimirov, his Mithril 'handler' now, stood at the door with a sheaf of papers in his hands.
"I have no complaints."
Vladimirov walked in, setting the papers on the table before pulling himself a seat. Sousuke remained where he was, waiting for whatever game he had in store this time. It wasn't that hard to figure the man out really, even by Sousuke's standards. Thought competent and able in his own right, Vladimirov was the kind of officer loathed by enlisted men universally: subtly arrogant, full of himself, thinking himself superior to those subordinate to him... but Sousuke had to work with the man, and for now, that was all he could do.
He mentally reviewed what information he'd been given on Vladimirov's background. Ex-KGB field operative, until his disillusionment and later public criticism of the Communist Party led to his falling out and eventual defection to the Mithril ranks. Considered exceptionally gifted in administrative matters and command, but had long ago buried what little humanity and social grace he may have possessed prior.
"I trust you've had plenty of time to think, Sergeant?" Vladimirov didn't look up from his papers.
"Yes."
"What have you been thinking about?"
"Many things. Most important is Ka... Miss Chidori's condition."
"Oh, you call her Kaname now? Not Miss Chidori, or just simply Chidori..."
Sousuke was silent a moment, caught in his own words. "All of them, in fact." he glossed over as best he could.
Vladimirov continued to write, not even looking up at Sousuke.
"May I..."
"You may not."
Sousuke fell silent. It was Vladimirov's game, and he could only play by the man's rules. Vladimirov continued to write.
Finally, he said, "Have you given any thought to how much trouble you're in, Sergeant?"
"I have."
"And...?"
"If the situation were to repeat itself, Sir, I would act as I had before."
Vladimirov finally looked up at Sousuke, hands folded. "You would act as you had before."
"Yes, sir."
"You're reputation preceeds you, Sergeant Sousuke."
"Which reputation would that be, Sir?"
"Rash... impulsive... prone to causing unnecessary collateral damage... never thinking things through before acting... never mind what it costs in monetary terms to clean up your... little messes..."
Sousuke stood still. If he was being baited, he would not respond to the man.
"...More often than not though, it's not a monetary cost attached to cleaning up after you, but the trouble of keeping people happy and quiet. And not just for Mithril, Sergeant." Vladimirov stood up and started walking over slowly. "Do you realize the number of civillian authorities and their respective departments that have to be dealt with whenever you, ah... perform your duty?"
"No, Sir."
"I've been reviewing your file, Sergeant. Your ENTIRE file..."
Sousuke had to swallow.
"Your... ah, devotion to protecting Miss Chidori while you were stationed in Tokyo was... admirable, I'll grant you that. However, the number of people that Mithril had to... clear things up with to keep you there, well..." Vladimirov picked up a thick file and opened it to a random spot. "The Japanese Civil Administration, Tokyo Police Department, Traffic Division, Tokyo Police Department, Explosive Ordinance Disposal Division, Narita Airport Authority, Tokyo Public Schools Administration, the Neighborhood Block Association... the list goes on Sergeant. Are you aware of any of this?"
Sousuke drew himself up sharply. If he was to be damned, damned if he was going to flinch or crumble inside. I know what I have done, and no one will take that from me. "I make no excuses for the execution of my duties... Sir."
Vladimirov finally lost it and slammed the folder onto the table. "NO EXCUSES?! DAMN IT, SERGEANT! THE MINUTE YOU OPENED YOUR MOUTH WAS AN EXCUSE!!"
Sousuke willed himself not to crumble.
"YOU ARE A GRADE-A SCREWUP, SERGEANT!! DON'T YOU EVER FORGET THAT!!"
"Is that your professional opinion...?" Sousuke asked quietly.
"YOU ARE TOEING THE LINE TO INSUBORDINATION!!"
Satisfied Sousuke had understood that, Vladimirov returned to his seat and collected himself. "I don't have time to nitpick with you Sergeant, so I'm going to make this simple for you. Sign this form," and he slid over a piece of paper, "and you'll be released into Mithril's authority."
"Sir, I need..."
"Sign it, Sergeant, or I swear to God I'll throw you to the dogs!"
Sousuke picked up the form and rapidly scanned the text. A lot of legal jargon and double-speak came up. "Before I sign my name, I must know exactly what it is that I am signing."
"It's a release form, stating that as of 1900 tonight, you are officially transferred from MithrilPacCom to MithrilLantCom, under my command..."
"And my assignment as Miss Chidori's bodyguard..."
"Look, Sergeant. There are no two ways about this. You've broken enough regulations to hold you for the next two lifetimes! Never mind that the NYPD wants your ass hung to the wall for your Goddamned Bonta rescue stunt! Sign this and the whole matter will be dropped!"
Sousuke reread the document and looked over at Vladimirov . He had to buy some time, to think this through, to weigh his options. But he wasn't being given a choice in the matter. Transferred to MithrilLantCom? Reassigned from Kaname? To this man? What...what is going on here? I am the best equipped to guard her, yet...
"Am I getting through to you, liubovnichek?"
Sousuke knew exactly what Vladimirov was implying with that statement. Major Kalinin did well in keeping such rumors suppressed, or at least preventing them from reaching Sousuke's ears, but the grapevine had carried enough of the rumor for Sousuke to form a basic framework: that he and Major Kalinin were more than superior officer and subordinate, that they had shared much more than the bloodsoaked experience of Afghanistan before joining Mithril.
That the reason he and Major Kalinin were so close together was because they were intimately involved with each other.
His reaction was automatic.
"Temper, temper, Sergeant..."
"You take that back! NOW!" Sousuke had never killed for pleasure, but after hearing this... thing... talk of Major Kalinin that way...
Vladimirov straightened and brushed off his collar, staring the recalcitrant Sergeant in the eyes. "Consider it taken back. Now... the document."
Struggling to control himself, Sousuke took the proffered pen and signed his name. Vladimirov took the paper and folded it up, before offering his hand to Sousuke. "It will be... interesting to work with you, Sergeant."
Sousuke took the man's hand, struggling to keep himself from grimacing. "Likewise."
"You and your friend... Corwin, I think his name is, have leave for tonight. Report back here tomorrow at 0700 hours for briefing."
"Corwin? How..."
"My XO, Pete has made the same offer to him as I have with you. I imagine he's already signed on."
"You forced him to sign...?!"
"Sergeant, we NEVER force anyone to do anything they don't want to do. You would do well to remember that!"
You did not force him. You merely coerced him as you did me.
Vladimirov turned to leave, then mentioned over his shoulder. "One more thing before you two go galvanating around the Big Apple. Consider this is a direct order: stay away from the Chidori family... ESPECIALLY the Kaname girl. They are... no longer your concern. Do you read me, Sergeant?"
What?! Sousuke drew himself to attention and said sharply, "Yes, Sir!"
"Good. Dismissed."
* * *
Kaname felt like she was walking in a dream. More like a really bad nightmare!
Shunya and Ayume were warmly talking with one another... her father was still going on about how sorry he was he didn't come earlier to pick Ayume up from school, Ayume was still holding her father to the dinner promise...
...Kaname wanted desperately to join in on the conversation, but she couldn't. He's about your age? Check. Tall? Check. Scruffy looking? Check. Has a scar on his left cheek? Check. Dashing and dreamy when he's rescuing someone?
...Sousuke... of all the people Ayume had to get a crush on, WHY did it have to be Sousuke?!
...it's bad enough I've got to deal with Tessa... but AYUME now?!
She felt like burying herself in a hole and crying. Sousuke, why...
"Hey, Sis. Are you alright?"
"Huh? Oh... yeah. I'm fine."
"Are... are you sure? You look kinda... pale."
"I'm... I'm fine..."
She was until she walked into the front door.
"Kaname?" Her father walked over to rest his hand on her forehead. "You don't have a fever, do you?"
"No... I'm... I guess I'm just jetlagged."
"Are you sure...?"
"Hey, I'm hungry! I'll make us some lunch, okay?"
"Are you sure...?"
Kaname was off like a shot to the kitchen. "Okay, lunch... lunch..." She rifled around the fridge. Stress relief... stress relief. Grabbing a mallet and a slab of meat, she imagined they were her halisen and Sousuke respectively.
SOUSUKE!!!...
WHAM!!
"What the hell was that...?!"
* * *
Sousuke sat in silence in the jeep Vladimirov had thoughtfully 'loaned' him and Corwin for the evening. Stay away from the Chidori family, especially Kaname. They are no longer your concern.
No longer my concern?! NO LONGER MY CONCERN?! Sousuke had wanted to scream this in Vladimirov's face, to make him understand... Kaname is ESPECIALLY my concern, if not for the simple reason I am her bodyguard!
Sousuke wished his friends were here, to talk. Melissa would tell him to 'chill out,' Kurtz probably would go off on some tangent of him 'getting a room with Kaname.' All he had for company was Corwin -- the man was brilliant when it came to anything mechanical, but... Sousuke wasn't quite ready to take him into his confidence. Never mind Corwin was still getting the stars out of his eyes over the 'honor' bestowed upon him.
Deep down, Sousuke hoped that Corwin would take the shock of what joining Mithril entailed in stride.
"Hey, Sousuke. Isn't life great? I mean, we're both exonerated! This organization's gonna take care of everything with the NYPD... Let me tell you something, an inquiry is not high on a list of things to do in life..."
He is green, but he is perceptive.
"..They promised I'd be able to travel, and work and train on AS suits... and the pay! Whoah! I'd be DAMN lucky to see that much after working twenty years down in SWAT Maintenence..."
Did they only offer you money, or did they tell you the whole story...?
"...well, then there's the excitement of working with you... I mean, Wow! The rescue you pulled back at the school...!"
"I will thank you to not remind me about it, Corwin."
"Ho! A modest guy, too! Sousuke, the more I get to know about you, the more I like what I see!"
Corwin's last comment caused Sousuke to spin around, absolutely incredulous and angry. "The more you know me? The more you know me?! WHAT do you know about me, may I ask!"
Corwin shrunk back into his seat. "Ahh... err, well."
"I... I apologize for raising my voice like that, Corwin. I have... much on my mind right now."
"Okay. Sure."
They drove in silence for a ways down the road before Corwin opened his mouth again. "Hey, Sousuke..."
"Yes?"
"You... you ever been to New York?"
"Negative."
"Uh... care to go with me? I'll show you around, and we can..."
"We can...?"
"Uh, bond... get to know one another... pick up girls..."
"Pick... up... girls..."
"Err... okay, just, you know... do something together... so we can get over this stupid awkwardness you keep showing me here."
"I do not find myself feeling awkward when I am around you, Corwin."
"Well... I do. You're right, I don't know you at all Sousuke, so let's fix that. Okay? What kinda beer do you go for?"
"Beer?"
"Yeah, I know this great joint in New York! Let's drink a few brewskis, trade stories, eye the waitresses... Hell, ya wanna get laid...!"
"I cannot drink. I am underage... and on duty."
"WHAT?!?!" Corwin slammed on the brakes at THAT revelation, nearly causing the vehicle behind them to rear-end them. "YOU'RE...! You're...!"
"...and I want no part in this 'get laid' business, thank you. I am..." Sousuke turned away, not wanting to think about it.
"Wait... back up some. You said you were underage?!"
"How old did you think I was?"
"Well..." Corwin's mind was racing VERY fast now. What the HELL have I gotten myself into here?! They told me I was being recruited for something special, that it was just mechanical work I'd be doing... but I got a KID for a teammate?! Corwin thought back to his first meeting with Sousuke. He'd guessed Sousuke was just out of first year college or something and had been picked up by some hotshot mech company.
"You may want to keep driving. We are blocking the lane."
"Oh. Sorry." Corwin put the jeep back into gear, his mind reeling at the revelations. He sat silent for a long time, trying to organize his thoughts.
"Actually, there is something I would like to do. If you will help me, Corwin."
"Oh, what's that?"
* * *
Corwin wished he hadn't gotten involved. Here he was sitting in a jeep playing chauffer, while Sousuke was running around on private property 'looking for a friend.' True neither of them hadn't done anything illegal... yet. Looking for a friend? What the hell does he mean by that?! Just go up and ring the doorbell for crying out loud!
Outside, Sousuke moved silently and swiftly in the shadows. He felt in his natural element, though he wished he had better clothing for night infiltration. His mind also pondered whether he should even be doing this. Stay away from the Chidori family. They are no longer your concern. The soldier in him said he must obey, that he had been given a direct order by a superior officer. Yet that newly discovered part of him said otherwise, that he must be doing this, consequences be damned.
Crouching in the bushes, he evaluated the tactical situation. The property obviously was protected well enough, but no guards patrolling around; they were superfluous. For someone this important, you would think they would be better protected? his combat mind pondered. No matter. He had his objective, and he must see it through to the end.
Keeping to the shadows, he crept along the perimeter of the bushes. He wondered if perhaps there were infrared cameras in operation. His mind kept on the objective. Get inside uncaught, get to the objective, and... and... Had he even thought that far ahead?
There! A window that would suit his purpose. He was very still now, eyes scanning back and forth for anything. Nothing. Proceed with caution. Crossing the lawn, he senses were on maximum alert, in case he had missed anything.
He hadn't. Carefully, he scaled the wall to the slightly ajar window. It was almost too easy. A challenge not worth his time or skill... yet he had to... because... because...
Prying open the window, careful not to leave any fingerprints, he slid his form through and into the room. Allowing his eyes a few minutes to adjust to the dark, he carefully looked around his environment. Bedroom... stuffed animals around... many personal items... nothing to indicate I have chosen wrong...
A groaning sound caught him off guard. Where...? From the bed... He cursed himself for not taking that possibility into account. Female voice? 7 to Base... target aquired. He walked slowly over to the bed.
"Kaname?"
"Mm...."
"Kaname?" He gently sat on the side of the bed. The figure continued to sleep.
Sousuke realized he had to do something radical. Gently peeling back the blanket from the sleeping figure and brushing a loose strand of hair away, he leaned down to the sleeping figure and kissed it full on the lips.
"Mmmmmm...wuh...?"
"Kaname?"
The bedside lamp flared and a scream echoed throughout the house...
...but the voice screaming was Sousuke's.
* * *
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!?!?"
"WHAT I'M DOING?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!"
If there was one person in the universe Kaname could get into a yelling match with at the drop of a hat, it was with her sister Ayume, and two years away from her had not quelled either one of their inborn instincts for sibling rivalry. Sousuke could do little as they were paying him no attention; he had a growning welt on his forehead from where Kaname had flung the first heavy object she could get her hands on... namely Ayume's bedside lamp. He gently touched the bump, testing it.
It still hurt.
"Oh, does it hurt, Oji-sama? Here, I'll get you some ice..."
"OJI-SAMA?! Since WHEN is HE your Oji-sama?! This isn't some damned drama anime, Ayume!"
"He's MY Oji-sama, Kaname! Hands off!"
"You're only twelve! You're too young for a boyfriend!"
"Oh, and I supposed you're old enough yourself?! Dad even told you NOT to get involved while you were by yourself in Japan!"
"YOU KEEP OUT OF MY PERSONAL LIFE!!"
"AND YOU KEEP OUT OF MINE!!" Ayume flung her arms around Sousuke, inadvertently catching him somewhere where it still hurt.
"OW!... Ow! Ow!..."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Oji-sama!..."
"SOUSUKE! GET THE HELL OFF OF MY SISTER!!"
"Kaname..."
"NOW!!" She whipped a halisen out of thin air.
"Onee-sama, where... HOW did you...?"
Kaname ignored her sister, jabbing the halisen under Sousuke's nose. He got the hint.
"WAIT! OJI-SAMA!"
"YOU KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF HIM, AYUME!"
"YOU CAN'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO, KANAME!"
"If we could just..." But Sousuke's attempt to quell rising tempers and emotions was lost as Kaname and Ayume renewed their war of words.
"YOUKEEPYOURHANDSOFF...!!"
"YOUKEEPYOURHANDSOFF...!!"
"HESMYBOYFRIENDSOYOU...!!"
"YOURBOYFRIEND!!HE'SMYBOYFRIEND...!!"
"WHENISHEYOURBOYFRIEND?ALLHEDIDWAS...!!"
"HECAMETORESCUEME...ANDHEKISSEDMETOO...!!"
Ayume's room suddenly became very silent at that revelation.
"What...did...you...say...?"
"He kissed me, sis. On the lips."
Kaname stood very still, her head down low. A giggle escaped her quivering lips, then another, then another. The fingers on her right hand twitched nervously.
"Kaname..."
"Sis?"
...Kaname made a grab for Sousuke's neck.
...Ayume made to grab Sousuke from Kaname.
...Sousuke made to duck a VERY angry Kaname.
"Heeeeey! Daddy's Home! Hey! Where is everyone?"
"Oh jeez! Did he have to come home so soon!"
"Sousuke! Hide!"
"Huh?"
"HIDE!"
"Hey! Where is everyone? I brought food! Kaname? Ayume?"
"Kaname, come with me." Sousuke stated matter-of-factly.
"What?!" Not waiting for her response, Sousuke grabbed Kaname by the hand and lead her out the window.
"Hey! Wait for me!" Ayume exclaimed.
As they leapt out the open window, the last thing they heard was the door to Ayume's room opening. "Ayume? Kaname?"
* * *
"Oh man, this is crazy!"
"Shut up and drive."
"No, seriously! This is absolutely crazy!"
"If you wish to go no futher, I will drop you off at HQ. Your involvement will end there, and no charges will be brought against you."
Corwin was seriously getting a case of the nerves. He looked over at Sousuke, who seemed to be calm as a block of ice at what they were doing. He spared a quick glance to the back of the jeep. The two girls Sousuke had brought with him, Kaname and Ayume, were in the middle of renewing their war of words. Sousuke made no inclination to stop them.
"Uh, Sousuke... shouldn't you..."
"Shouldn't I...?"
"AYUME! YOU GET HOME RIGHT THIS INSTANT!"
"MAKE ME!!"
"SOUSUKE INVITED ME OUT, SO YOU STAY OUT OF THIS!"
"DAD SAID TO STAY HOME AND WAIT FOR HIM TO COME BACK!"
"YOU'RE ONE TO TALK! WHO THE HELL SAID YOU COULD TAG ALONG!"
"Nya Nya! Big Sister's all JEAAAALOUS!"
"YOU SHUT UP!!"
"MAKE ME!!"
"Forget I said anything, Sousuke..." Corwin turned his attention back to driving. This is absolutely NUTS!! "Err... to more important things... ahh... where are we going?"
"A quiet, out-of-the-way place... where my friend and I can talk... alone."
"Which ladyfriend would that be, Sousuke?" Corwin took one last look at the arguing pair of sisters in the back, before shaking his head and turning his attention back to the road. How good does blood come out of upholstery again? he idly wondered.
* * *
"Wait here, we will be back."
"Yeah, sure. Have fun, you two." Corwin leaned up against the side of the jeep and watched Sousuke and Kaname walk into the all-ages club. A quiet night on the town... that's all I'm asking for he silently prayed. He looked over at a fuming Ayume, fists balled in rage and muttering curses as to why she wasn't the one Sousuke wanted to take inside.
"What are you looking at?" She angrily asked.
"Forget it, kid. You're not even in my age group!"
"I am NOT a KID!"
"Oh? I'm sorry... young miss." He barely felt the kick to his shins.
I'll be glad when this night's over!
* * *
The music was deafening, the crowds pushed and jostled for room, the floor was dirty... Great... a nice, quiet place to talk Kaname thought to herself. She could barely hear herself think over the pounding music. Catchy though, maybe Sousuke will ask me to dance. Her head swan at that thought, remembering the beautifully brief time they danced in Los Angeles.
"Hi, can I get you two anything?" the waitress screamed.
"What?"
"Hi, can I get you two anything?"
"WHAT?"
"CAN I GET YOU ANYTHING?!" she finally screamed in Kaname's ear.
"TWO FRUIT JUICES, PLEASE!" Kaname screamed back. Nodding, the waitress left them alone. Turning to Sousuke, Kaname screamed "SO WHAT DID YOU WANT TO SAY TO ME?!"
"WHAT?"
Tiring of this stupid game, she grabbed his head and yelled directly into his ear "WHAT DID YOU WANT TO SAY TO ME?!"
"KANAME, I TOOK YOU OUT SO I COULD TALK TO YOU!"
"YEAH, RIGHT! WE CAN'T EVEN HEAR EACH OTHER OVER THIS NOISE!"
"IT WAS THE BEST OPTION. WE CANNOT BE SEEN TOGETHER!"
"CAN'T BE SEEN TOGETHER?!?!" Kaname furiously gestured to the crowds around them. "I'D SAY WE'VE BEEN SEEN TOGETHER ALREADY!!"
"NO, THAT IS NOT WHAT I MEANT, I..."
The conversation was interrupted when a male patron, obviously more than a little intoxicated, spilled his drink on Kaname. "Ooooh.... heh... sssorry abut that..."
Kaname retched as he got right to her face to make his apology. Whether it was the booze on his breath or a bad case of halitosis, the guy still stunk like a landfill. "Ewww! Get away from me!"
"Hhheeey... youuure pretty cute... *Urp* Wanna dance...?"
"GET AWAY FROM ME YOU DRUNKED-UP FREAK!!" She emphasized her disgust by pushing him away, inadvertendly bumping him into another patron.
"HEY, YA DUMB SHIT!!"
"..hhey... shheee pushed me...!"
"SHUT UP YA BOOZE HOUND!" He was immediately hauled up and helpfully tossed him against the wall.
Thank You! Kaname silently thought. She took it back as the latter came over with a less-than-complimentary look on his face.
"AS FOR YOU!! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING, THROWING YOUR BOYFRIEND ON ME?!?!"
"HE'S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!"
"I DON'T CARE WHAT THE HELL HE IS! HE RUINED THIS $75 DOLLAR SHIRT OF MINE! WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO ABOUT IT, MISSY!"
"$75 ONLY?! LOOKS LIKE YOU GOT RIPPED OFF!"
"WHAT... WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"
"KANAME..."
"OH, SO THIS IS THE BOYFRIEND." He eyed Sousuke up and down. "DOESN'T LOOK LIKE MUCH. WHAT'S THE MATTER? CAN'T KEEP YOUR WOMAN IN LINE? DON'T YOU WEAR THE PANTS IN THIS RELATIONSHIP!"
"I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR HER BEHAVIOR OR ACTIONS. WE ARE HERE TO ENJOY OURSELVES..."
Sousuke was immedately hoisted by his collar to a standing position. "LISTEN, YA LITTLE SHIT...!" he started warming up, but was suddenly cut off as Sousuke gripped him at a certain point near the wrists and began to squeeze.
"OW! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?!?!"
"WE ARE BOTH HERE TO ENJOY OURSELVES, NOT TO CAUSE TROUBLE. KANAME, PLEASE APOLOGIZE TO HIM AND TAKE CARE OF HIS CLOTHING."
"NOW WAIT A DAMN MINUTE, SOUSUKE! WHY THE HELL...?!"
"YOU DID THROW THAT MAN INTO HIM AND RUIN HIS SHIRT. YOU DO AT LEAST OWE HIM AN APOLOGY."
Kaname fumed. Sousuke's supposed to protect me! Why's he sticking up for the other guy?!
"YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO YOUR MAN, CHICKIE! UNLESS... YA WANT TO MAKE IT UP TO ME ANOTHER WAY..." A lecherous smile began crossing his face.
"GET LOST! AS FOR YOU, SOUSUKE...!"
"OOOH, I LIKE 'EM HOT AND FIREY! COME HERE YOU! WE'RE GONNA HAVE A HOT TIME!"
"BACK OFF!"
Kaname struggled with the boy, who tried to drag her onto the dance floor. "I SAID, BACK OFF!"
"YOU GOT SPIRT, GIRL! YEAH, WE'RE REALLY GONNA GET ALONG GOOD!" Kaname struggled to break the boy's grip but he wasn't giving up by a long shot. "YEAH, YOU AND ME ARE GONNA PAAAAARTY!" He began lewdly grinding his lower body against hers, holding her tight against him.
Ewww! Sick FREAK! Kaname thought.
"THE LADY SAID NO."
"AWWW, COME ON DUDE! SHARE THE GOODIES, YA KNOW! MY GIRL'S BUSY OVER THERE, SO..."
"MICKEY! WHAT THE fudgie DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!"
Kaname looked over to see a girl her age yelling at the boy.
"BABY! WHOA! DIDN'T SEE YA THERE..."
"SHUT UP YOU TWOTIMING FREAK!!"
"TWOTIMING? SHE CAME ON TO ME!"
"WHAT!" Kaname exclaimed. "NOW YOU GET ME YOU...!"
"WHY YOU LITTLE TRAMP!"
"CAAAAAAAAAAATFIGHT!!"
* * *
Corwin was getting nervous, but Ayume had little to do with it. He stuck out like a sore thumb... here... and Ayume's bratty behavior helped little in matters. A few patrons made various comments as to why a man his age would be hanging out with a girl like Ayume, or even around the all-ages bar at all.
"Hey, dude! She your daaaaate?!"
"Back off, punk!"
"Oooh, scary dude, ain't he?" The kid stared at him for a moment, daring Corwin to take him on, then turned and joined in on the laughter his friends were sharing at his expense.
Damnit! What's a guy like me doing here, stuck babysitting a bratty kid?! I wasn't trained for this kind of stuff! I'm more used to dealing with machines! Corwin spared one glance up towards the all-ages club. If only...
Screw that idea! It's nuts!
"You're worried about them, aren't you?" Ayume half-innocently, half-smugly inquired.
"What?!"
"You're worried about my Oji-sama and my older sister, aren't you?"
"What are you talking about!"
"Hey! I'm not as dumb as you think, mister!"
"I never said you were...!"
"But you were thinking it, weren't you!"
Why is it everyone has a direct line to what I'm thinking except me?
Ayume grabbed Corwin by the hand and led him to the club's main doors.
"Hey... HEY! Wha...?"
"Come on then!"
"Ooh! Check THAT out!"
"Heeeey, Lover Boy!"
"Heeeey, Cutie-Pie! Dump that old geezer and I'll show ya a good time!"
The bouncer held up his hand at Corwin's attempt to enter the club. "Sorry pal, but all-ages doesn't include your age." He looked down at Ayume, a growing look of disgust as his mind contemplated that possibility. "Never mind about your... tastes..."
"I... Err..."
"...Now get out of here before I call the cops!"
"I..."
"NOW, BUDDY!"
"Yee-ha!"
"Heeey, cutie-pie!"
* * *
The blaring music and flashing lights played havoc with Kaname's senses, but that was the least of her concerns. First was this girl, Karen she thought she heard her called over the background din. As far as she could tell, Mickey was her boyfriend... or at least pretend boyfriend. Something to show off to your girlfriends and brag you had found the love of your life. Been there, Seen that.
Get a clue, girl! You're deluding yourself! she wanted to say to her.. after calming her down first. Right now, Karen was running on pure feminine rage, trying to land a punch on Kaname unsucessfully. Thank God for Sousuke's self-defence lessons she thought. And I thought they'd never come in handy...
"STAY STILL, YOU BITCH TRAMP!" An ineffectual punch swung wide. "COME ON TO MY BOYFRIEND, WILL YOU!" Another ineffectual punch. "DON'T YOU HAVE ANY PRIDE, BITCH!"
Catching her punch, Kaname locked eyes with Karen and asked "DON'T YOU?!" For a moment, she had the girl's full attention.
"CATFIGHT! CATFIGHT! CATFIGHT!"
Rsponding to the egging on from the largely male crowd, Karen broke free of Kaname's grip and launched another attack. "YOU BITCH!"
No! DON'T listen to them! Kaname wanted to scream. Sousuke, make yourself useful and shut these inconsiderate, hormonally charged... Kaname's vision suddenly exploded as Karen landed a punch in her stomach. Heaving for breath, Karen took advantage of the opening to leap onto Kaname's back and bring her to the floor.
"CATFIGHT! CATFIGHT! CATFIGHT! CATFIGHT! WHOOOOOOOH!" the males in the crowd screamed ever louder.
Feeling the wave of the crowds' incessant chanting, and that of her shattered pride, Karen began pulling as hard as she could on Kaname's hair.
* * *
Sousuke himself was occupied largely with Mickey. How he got into this situation completely befuddled him. He believed the solution to the impasse between Kaname and Mickey was simple enough: Kaname apologizes to Mickey for the damage to his clothing, Mickey accepts that and the cost of cleaning or replacement.There was no reason for any trouble. Somehow, neither of them thought it was proper to follow that course of action. Strange.
Then there was Mickey's female companion, and suddenly Mickey's attention was ANYWHERE but his shirt.
"YEAH!! YOU GO, GIRL!!" Mickey screamed. "KICK HER ASS! YEAH!"
"Excuse me..."
"OOOOH! GOOD ONE! YEAH! GET HER GOOD, KAREN!!"
Sousuke spared a glance over to Kaname and Karen's scuffle on the dance floor right when Karen landed her punch in Kaname's stomach. Kaname keeled over as Karen jumped on her back.
"YEAH! KICK THAT BLUE-HAIRED SLUT'S ASS!! YOU GO..." Mickey didn't complete his sentence as Sousuke's left fist conencted with his cheek. Dazed and struggling to keep on his feet, Sousuke walked the two steps to Mickey and landed another punch on him, knocking him out cold.
Shaken and standing there, Sousuke stared at his hand. What... What was that...? Why... why did I...
A piercing pain in his right shoulder brought him out of his confusion. His close-combat instincts taking over, he ducked and rolled out of the way.
"...zhere...zhere hee ish..!" It was the drunk patron that had spilled his drink on Kaname, now joined by two equally inebriated companions. Backup Sousuke thought. No doubt back to settle the score. Kaname's screams of pain momentarily pulled Sousuke back to what mattered, but this was broken by a flash of metal barely two inches from stabbing him in the eye.
KA1218 KaBar. Marine Corps standard-issue combat knife he immediately recalled. 30.5 cm total length, 17.7cm blade made of stainless steel with serrations along the cutting edge. No doubt the boy had bought it, thinking it would make him look tougher within his social circle. He wasn't standing in the proper stance to use it effectively, Sousuke noticed. If Mao were here, she would've torn such a strip off the boy for that failing..
"...hurt ouuur frien', willya... I'll cut ya!"
He knew he had to help Kaname, yet his own life was in danger. Corwin... Corwin...
"...DIIIIIE...!"
* * *
Corwin ran up the stairs of the club, automatic in hand. Damn! it was stupid forcing his way into the club like that, but... he had to admit watching the fear in the bouncer's eyes as he jabbed his gun into the man's face somewhat made it all worthwhile. Most of his other tormentors were equally fearful, not sure whether he intended to shoot anybody or not; some wisely made a break for it.
Damn! Now the cops are going to be all over us! Damn! Damn! Damn!
Ayume continued to follow him around like... like...
Screw it! I got in, didn't I? Now, let's find out what Sousuke...
The club was strangely silent of music, but the crowds were as rowdy as they came. He could hear the patrons cheering and yelling about something. What the hell...?!
"Excuse me... sir, but..." a waitress fearfully inquired, catching sight of a weapon out in the open. "...we have a 'no-weapons' policy..."
"City police, Ma'am. We've gotten complaints about the noise here." Corwin faked as best he could. "I'm here to deal with it before it gets out of hand."
"Noise complaints...?!"
Ignoring her obvious confusion, Corwin moved towards the center dance floor, the source of the noise. "Stay back, Ayume! Okay!"
"But...!"
"I said STAY BACK!" Forcing his way through the crowd as best he could, he saw... "Oh, SHIT!" Two girls were wrapped around each other on the floor tearing each other apart. He recognized the blue-haired one as the one Sousuke 'wanted to talk to alone' with earlier, the other... The crowd obviously was doing nothing to break up the fight, more interested in egging the girls on.
"Where the hell is Sousuke?! His girl's in trouble and he's..." A large mass of bodies suddenly came crashing onto him knocking him to the floor. His automatic flew from his hand, clattering across the floor out of sight. Damn! What the...
"Sousuke...?"
"...Corwin?"
Corwin got a solid punch straight to the mouth for his troubles as Sousuke's little fracas grew in size, swallowing up more and more participants. The club was now evenly split between those that were cheering on the Kaname / Karen catfight and those involved in the bare-fists brawl.
"I... suppose... this is... how... you... talk... to your friends?"
"No... it is... not!"
"Well... I'd... hate... to see... how... you... deal... with... your enemies!"
"You... would... indeed." Sousuke stated matter-of-factly. "Corwin, cover your eyes!"
"What?! WHAT?!" His attention distracted a moment, Corwin's attacker landed a punch striaght to his jaw as he caught Sousuke reaching into his jacket and tossing a cylindrical-shaped object into the air. What the... Suddenly his world got very bright, with a loud piercing scream in his ears. "AAAAAARGH!! AAA-AAAARGH!! Sousuke... what... what...?!"
"...I told you to cover your eyes."
"AAARGH! I... I can't see..."
"The effect will pass momentarily. We must go now... while we have the chance."
"...What... what was that?!"
"XM84 flash-bang grenade. Effective for disabling opponents without..."
"...YOU BROUGHT AND USED MILITARY-GRADE WEAPONS IN A CIVILIAN AREA?!"
"It did the job did it not...?"
"SSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUSSSSSKKKKKKEEEEE!!!"
If Corwin had any semblence of his vision left, he would have been privy to the sight of Kaname practically flying the ten feet or so from where she was to land a solid face-on punch on Sousuke, sending him reeling backwards into a table. Not yet finished venting at him, she landed consecutive hits with her elbow, knee and foot in various strategic locations all over his body till he was lying quite motionless on the floor.
"...fudgie...OFALLTHESTUPIDOTAKUTHINGSITOLDYOUNOTTODO!!"
"...Kaname..."
"SHUT UP!!" As if to emphasize her extreme anger, she stomped all over his repeatedly, calling him every unprintable foul name she could summon.
"...Onee-sama! Oji-sama!"
"YOU STAY OUT OF THIS, AYUME!!"
"...Kaname..."
Her remaining strength spent and panting heavily, Kaname glared down at Sousuke. "WHY!! OF ALL THE STUPID TIMES THIS HAS TO HAPPEN!! I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO TREAT ME TO A NIGHT ON THE TOWN!! YOU DON'T!! I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO BEHAVE YOURSELF. YOU DON'T!! I THOUGHT YOU'D BE THERE FOR ME. YOU AREN'T!!..."
"...Kaname..."
"DON'T YOU KANAME ME, SOUSUKE!! THIS HAS GOT TO BE THE WORST THING YOU'VE EVER DONE!! NOTHING...AND I DO MEAN NOTHING!! YOU EVER WILL SAY OR DO WILL EVER TOP IT!!"
"...Kaname..."
"I'M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET, SOUSUKE!! ON TOP OF THIS..."
"...Kaname...I came to say 'Farewell'."
What?!
"...I... I am not even supposed to be here..."
You're lying!
"...I...I do not know why I violated my orders to come see you, but..."
Sousuke...
"Kaname... I will be back. I promise. When I return... if you want me back..."
I do...
"Sousuke, I hate to cut in on your romantic soliloquy, but we'd better get going." Corwin gestured to the bar, and they could see everyone was regaining consciousness.
"Kaname..."
She could only stare mute. He came back for me... even though... and I... all I could do was...
No, I won't cry! I WON'T! I KNOW he'll be back... I WANT him back! Sousuke! I... I LOVE YOU! Yet those words never left her mouth as she watched the boy she loved disappear behind welling tears in her eyes.... tears she long ago cried once, and swore would cry no more.
"SOUSUKE!!"
* * *
!! Souske is so dead. 
