FullMetal*Panic!

Jorgen was smiling.

It was crunch time.

He couldn’t lose.

Maybe Kim would kill Kaname. That would add yet another layer of pain on the girl before he finished her off.

Perhaps Kaname would wrest the knife a way from Kim, killing the other girl in self defense. It would be exciting, watching the blue-haired girl’s eyes and face as she realized a chance.... came to a terrible conclusion.... then took her betrayer’s life.

Sheer art.

Worth the price of admission.

It could be that Kim would blindly rush him with the knife, some pent up part of her wanting to take down the one who had made a mockery of her life. He could shoot her in the leg to stop her, then proceed in any direction he chose.

Should he call in his hirelings? Gang rape might dull the girls’ senses some, making their final moments less dramatic and satisfying. But, the fear, helplessness, and humiliation would be unparalleled.

No matter.

Nothing he did could possibly recapture the terror Franz felt prior to the moment he was turned into a lifeless liquid. Nothing could surpass the utter terror of that giant dagger probing the earth, or the moments he spent buried alive.

A man can only do so much.

The building shook. A muffled noise came from next door. Could that have been an explosion?

What were those fools doing up there? The whole idea was to lay low.

He could think of no level of compromise that would justify calling so much attention to their location.

Could it be that someone could be attempting a rescue? Who? There were a number of groups harvesting Whispered. Was there one dedicated to their protection?

Should he pack up the girls and move his entertainment elsewhere?

No.

If there was a group of professionals involved, he would need to evacuate now.

His work was too important.

“Well girls, I’m afraid play time is up. Miss Chidori, seeing that I haven’t done much to punish you for your crimes, I think I will take you out first. I’ll try to make things as painful as possible in the moments we still have.” He brought his pistol up.

Kaname closed her eyes.

“Sousuke....” she whispered.

Bam bam bam

A little whisp of smoke undulated upward from the tip of Jorgen’s gun.

“Shit. Stupid little bitch. I should keep you alive just so I can spend as much time as possible making you suffer!”

Kim had stepped in front of Kaname, taking the shots intended for her.

Kaname opened her eyes, surprised to still be unharmed.

Slumping to the ground, Kim looked up at her.

“I’m s-s-sorry, Kaname. Thank you for what you did. Please tell Sousuke good---” Kim passed out.

Kaname opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She stared at Kim's slumped form.

Jorgen ran over and kicked Kim as hard as he could. A maniacal look in his eye, he turned towards Kaname, gun in hand. “Time to make a medicine of my great revenge, once more trying to cure my deadly grief!” His laughter made it clear that he was moving further and further away from rational thought. He was living on and breathing in vengeance, like a rarified air.

Gunfire could be heard out in the hallway. A great explosion threw parts of the two unseen bodyguards into the room. Smoke and dust hung in the air, making everything blurry and dark.

Jorgen’s instinct for preservation took over. He sprinted out the door and jumped out of an open window at the end of the hall way.

Kaname had no idea who was out there. For all she knew, it could be a group of angry Yakusa or a rivalgroup of men hunting the Whispered. But, how could she be much worse off than she was moments ago? She would call for help.

Kim was in desperate straights. Kaname looked at her still form, the blood slowly spreading over her shirt.

“Help. I’m in here. I said help. Can anyone hear me? We need help.”

A form walking into the room. When it was entirely visible, Kaname began to run forward.

The moment was real, but felt almost as if it were a dream.

“Sooooo-uuuuuuusssssssuuuuu-kaaaaaaaaaay”

“There is no time for greetings Kaname. I cannot let him get away. Take these. Do your best. I am counting on you.” Sousuke reached into his bag, tossed a First Aid Kit to Kaname, then slid the Glock and a spare clip across the floor.

“You may strike me later, if you wish. I have work to do.” With that, Sousuke was hot on Jorgen’s trail.

“SOUSUKE SAGARA! WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG?!!!” Kaname didn’t know whether or not he heard her, but saying that made her feel better.

Sousuke HAD come.

Just in the nick of time.

How did he keep doing that? Not that she minded, actually. She just wished she didn’t have so many opportunities to find out!!!

No more time for nonsense thoughts. Kim lay dying before her very eyes. Kaname wasn’t a doctor, but had been some things that she had learned from Sousuke against her will. Time to do her best. She knew what was inevitable if she did nothing.

As she used a pair of scissors to cut away Kim’s shirt, she felt conflicting emotions looking down at the helpless girl.

Kim had acted like a friend, then betrayed her, nearly costing Kaname her life after who knows what types of torment. But, she had been conditioned to be that way, and had been terribly used. When the point of action came, she took a number of bullets meant for her.

An irreverent though crept into her mind: ‘Well, maybe this means that I don’t have to suffer through ‘Pulgasari.’ She gritted her teeth. She would gladly watch that film if she. Kim, and Sousuke all made it through this alive.

Hands covered with blood, she put pressure on Kim’s wounds, calling out for help.

---------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------

Jorgen ran as if he were being chased by one of the hounds of Hell.

He should be so fortunate.

Sousuke had sprung headfirst through the window, rolling as he came to ground. He was just in time to see Jorgen vanish around a small group of shops.

If the kidnapper made it into the crowd, he would find it easy to hide as one man in the multitude. Should he have time to alter his appearance, the game would likely be over.

The young Mithril operative knew he was already in for a good tongue- lashing.... at best. If Jorgen Wagner eluded his grasp, Sousuke would be in serious trouble.... VERY serious trouble.

Still, if Kaname came through this alive and unharmed, he would do it all again.

It was time to gamble. Instead of following in his quarry’s footsteps, Sousuke sprinted towards the middle of the next area, hoping to then pin Jorgen against the waters of the bay. He ran like he had never run before, the bag on his back thumping up and down painfully.

There was no time for apologies. Sousuke bounced off of women.... knocked over children.... and threw elderly men out of his way. Baskets of food and kitchenware went flying. Bentos fell down to the dirt. A number of helium balloons rushed skyward. Gasps, shouts, and cries followed him as he ran to the center, eyes vigilant.

There!

Slipping into a pilfered jacket and cap.

Jorgen.

Sousuke made his way along the fronts of stands and stores, his eyes on his prey. Then, it was time to be seen, time to drive Jorgen the way he wanted him to go.

Witnesses or not, Sousuke planned on shooting the man as soon as he had a clear shot away from innocents. He would need to be cautious, however. It was likely that the mercenary was armed as well, given Kim Jun’s condition.

He did not spare the young Korean girl a single thought. He had no time to deal with traitors at the moment. The fact that she had been acting on her loyalty to another person, with whom she had already pledged her allegiance, was of no matter to Sousuke.

There was no time to mourn the dying.

There was the living to contend with, and to fight for.

Yes! He saw me. Run, rabbit. Run.

Jorgen took his pistol out, but couldn’t keep a clear view of a swiftly dodging Sousuke. He knew he was up against someone skilled. Possibly even more skilled then himself. There was only one chance. He had to try and find some position where he had the edge.

The kidnapper ran between a number of large tool sheds. He had not perused the map this far out. Everything rested on chance now. That was fine. He was doing Heaven's work. God would provide.

Sousuke slowed a bit, swinging his bag forward. Reaching in, he felt until his hand found what he wanted. His Colt M-1911.

He saw Jorgen run out into an open area, sparsely populated. Longshoremen and trash collectors ambled about, but the huge teeming mass of humanity that frequented the shops and auction were nowhere to be seen.

Perfect.

Bang bang bang bang

Dirt kicked up where the .45 caliber bullets hit the ground near Jorgen’s feet. One bullet grazed the blonde man's leg, causing him to stumble. Turning awkwardly, he pulled out his own weapon, and fired a number of shots in Sousuke’s direction.

One bullet whizzed just by Sousuke’s ear.

Close.

Much too close.

Bang bang bang bang

Jorgen had headed between stacks of metal containers. Bullets ricocheted in all directions, as Sousuke continued to pressure the other soldier. A worker stepped out of nowhere, bumping into the running madman. Rolling to his feet, Jorgen was forced to head for the nearest place of concealment.

Sousuke hurdled the boatsman who had jostled Jorgen, firing twice while he was airborne.

Bang bang

A metal fragment tore through Jorgen’s right earlobe, as another struck him painfully in the neck.

As he ran, he didn’t think of his own survival. He thought of Franz. He obsessed about work undone. There was no way that he was going to let anyone prevent him from doing that which was preordained.

Ah!

That might just do the trick.

Bang bang bang bang

Bullets ricocheted off of a covered ramp way heading up to one of the wharf’s huge mobile cranes. Not as large as the mammoth stationary lifters visible further down the way, the 14-wheeled behemoths still possessed a maze of metal base work...a veritable jungle of cables and small structural components... an enclosed cab.... and a huge boom reaching upward, positioned above a container ship.

“Once more into the breach!” Jorgen began his climb up the crane.

As Sousuke reached the ramp, he threw himself roughly against one side, injuring his shoulder. A number of bullets lefts graze marks just where he had been running. There was little time to pay attention to anything but his opponent, but out of the corner of his eye, he could see that the gunplay was attracting a crowd.

Sousuke steadied himself. Jorgen had turned and resume his climbing.

The young sergeant held his breath.

There was one shot left in the clip.

Bang

Jorgen stumbled forward, held himself with one hand, then continued. It was obviously not a good hit.

“Urzu 7, come in. This is Urzu 2, do you copy?” The communicator in Sousuke’s pocket activated. Obviously, Sgt. Major Mao and the other team members were in the vicinity now.

Sousuke rested a moment. He may not need to do this alone.

“Urzu 2, this is Urzu 7. Kaname is in a barracks like building in a cluster of three similar structures, near the west corner of the auction hall. There is a wounded girl with her. I am ascending a large blue crane near a container ship. It is the third ship west of Miss Chidori’s position.”

“Sousuke. What is your situation. Are you in combat?” Mao’s voice was momentarily drowned out by the noise of helicopters flying over head. There were no aircraft to be seen. The ECS was functioning perfectly.

“Affirmative. Jorgen Wagner is climbing above me. It is possible he could reach the zenith, descend along a lift cable, and make his way to the ship’s hold, or to any number of nearby small water craft.” Sousuke took a moment to describe how Jorgen was clothed. “Is Sgt. Weber a member of the team. Could he be in place for a kill shot within five minutes time?”

“That’s a negative, Urzu 7. Kurz is here, but we are just preparing to disembark. It may take longer for him to find a vantage point. Contain the enemy if you can. If he looks about to escape, take him down. Urzu 2 out.”

Sousuke continued upward.

Like two hyperactive children at a playground, the two soldiers strove to out do one another climbing. When Sousuke reached the pathway to the boom, he forced Jorgen’s hand again, keeping the other man heading up that airy structure.

Jorgen fired back at the younger soldier, finishing off one his sole remaining clip. Sousuke managed to avoid being hit. The operator of the crane was not so fortunate. One of the bullets pierced the front window of the cab, then embedded itself in the skull of the unlucky man. Slumping over the control panel, he knocked two levers.

Slowly but surely, the crane began to move forward, climbing over the insufficient number of chucks placed in front of its wheels. If no one stopped its progress, the transporter would drive off the end of the wharf.

The crane swung violently to the side, beginning a continuous circular movement. Sousuke just barely managed to keep from plummeting to his death. His bag slid off of his shoulder and fell, catching its strap on a large piece of framework.

There was no way that Sousuke could climb down and retrieve his weapons. Not with the machine moving this wildly.

Mad laughter caused him to look upward. Jorgen was holding on with one hand, screaming at the top of his lungs, amused by the whole situation.

Jorgen was getting close to the top. There was a chance he could make his escape. Sousuke couldn’t take that chance.

It would be risky.

He had to try it.

The operator’s lifeless body had also set the crane’s cables in motion. Wrapping his shirt around his hand, Sousuke made a grab for the slowest moving one that moved in the upward direction. Taking hold, his body bounced along as he was dragged towards Jorgen. He rolled off just before being crushed under a low hanging spar.

Bracing his feet, he looked at his adversary, only thirty feet above him.

Sousuke still had his knife.

And, if necessary, he would try to kick Jorgen off of his perch.

He’d better do it soon, in any case. The front wheels would be at the edge of the wharf in a few minute’s time.

“Isn’t this fun, my new young friend?” A weaponless Jorgen laughed, looking down at Sousuke. “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp---or, what’s a heaven for?”

Sousuke's normal instinct was to be silent. There was often nothing to be gained from talking during a conflict. He might distract himself, too busy with words. However, Jorgen might be a special case. If he could instead occupy his adversary's thoughts, that might provide an opening.

“tI is not fun. It is merely something that needs to be done. You are a kidnapper and a killer. Both end today.”

“O, so serious! You are right.... something DOES need to be done. My work! Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death, can erase my good deeds.” Jorgen took a few more careful steps up the metalwork.

A megalomaniac? An obsessive? Perhaps even a madman? Sousuke had faced all of those types before. He had been perilously close to those things himself at one time.

“There is nothing more frightening than ignorance in action.” Sosuke grunted, pulling himself up some, then locking his legs tightly when he slipped. “I doubt you have done one thing that an unbiased man would can good.”

Would that prick the man's pride?

Jorgen stopped, made certain he was braced securely, then pulled down a zipper. He began to urinate, trying to hit Sousuke. “Don’t mistake madness with mistakes. If God had wanted me otherwise, he would have created me otherwise. And, no one needs to visit a madhouse to find disordered minds--- our planet is the mental institution of the universe. If my madness is God's tool, who am I to complain?”

Fixing his fly, Jorgen began moving sideways along a long metal girder.

Sousuke had Jorgen pegged. He was deluded. His mind had snapped. For whatever reason he may have once started his association with the Whispered, he thought himself an acolyte or disciple now. He would see if he could goad the man into an urge to become a martyr.

“It is better to be defeated on principle than to win on lies. You are a killer. A kidnapper. A despoiler of innocents. God would have no use for you, or for the false goals you have set forth in his name.” For some reason, Sousuke thought of what Kaname mighty say. “Loser. Moron. Jerk!”

Sousuke pulled himself up more, avoiding the areas slick with urine.

“God is not nice. God is not an uncle. God is an earthquake.” Jorgen laughed. “Success is the sole earthly judge of right and wrong. And I have been very successful.”

“Yes. At killing innocents. By a coward’s means. Deeds are everything. Glory is nothing. Your deeds are that of a weak and hurt child. Your glory is that of a drunkard, proud of his ability to drink.” Sousuke had no idea what might have driven the other man to such a life, but he had no room for pity or understanding. He himself had passed through the fire and eventually came out stronger.

Jorgen stopped. His face purpled in rage. “What do you know. It is YOU who are mistaken---you work for the good of those monsters. If you knew what those witches had hidden inside them---and what was done with that knowledge---you would NOT be so smug then!!!” Shaking his fist at Sousuke, he almost slipped to his death. Regaining his grip, he crowed. “I found the truth. I had the courage to act on it. I have made the world a safer place. I never asked for the glory I deserve.”

“When ideas fail, words come in handy. Same thing goes for ideals.” Sosuske pulled himself up over a long reach, handing precariously as the metal edges pressed painfully into his fingers.

Jorgen had kindly given him a path to follow with this taxing conversation.

“I DO know some of what the Whispered hold within them. I work with Black Technology everyday. It is invaluable in my fight against usurpers, drug manufacturers, crime lords, and power-crazed madmen who put the world at risk.”

“WHAT???” Jorgen’s eyes bulged.

Sousuke nodded in satisfaction.

“You admit that you work with the toys of Satan? You are proud that you are a puppet for those bloodthirsty witches?” Instead of heading over towards the cable down, Jorgen began sliding along a diagonal spar oriented towards Sousuke.

“Affirmative. You seek to kidnap those who are truly innocent, victims of a science that they have no knowledge of---a condition they are faced with since birth. Who are you to try and separate out the wicked from the just? They stand together before the face of the sun even as the black thread and white thread are woven together. How many have gone to fates they do not deserve, simply because you judge yourself more clever than everyone else?” Sousuke began maneuvering his position, looking for a place of advantage should Jorgen descend any further.

“Fool!” Jorgen stopped. “If I were clever, I never would have been caught unawares. My brother would still be alive. He would never have been crushed to a bloody pulp by that very technology you trumpet. Those metal monsters were the spawn of that evil knowledge. How can you dare challenge what I do?”

“I see.” Sousuke said, his mind working swiftly.

Brother.

Crushed.

Metal monsters.

“You have faced a tragedy, embraced an obsession, and descended past the boundaries of sane thought. That, in your mind, justifies your actions. You are very much wrong.” Sousuke put a sound of authority in his voice.

“Blasphemer! Devil’s pawn. What can you know of the pain I felt?” Jorgen began moving downward again.

“I was a child in Afghanistan, when the Russian’s killed my mother, father, brother, and sister---before my very eyes. I too became an avatar of death, never satisfied by the numbers of men I tortured or killed. I was balanced on the knife edge of madness, but made my way back. One errs as long as he strives; the one who always strives, can be redeemed.” Sousuke pulled his combat knife out of his ankle sheath.

The man's rage might be his undoing. But, he would need to be cautious. Madmen can possess a terrible strength.

And, time was running out. Perhaps that was all Sousuke needed to do. Delay his enemy. Then place his own survival in the hands of Fate.

No.

Fate might not protect Kaname. That was his job.

Jorgen was quiet, but he was not still. He was obviously wrestling with Sousuke’s statement, looking for some way to turn things his way. Now, when he was off balance, Sosuske would bait him further. He would test his supposition.

“I went on to work for men who give their lives to right true wrongs. The Black Technology is not our master, but rather our servant. The Arm Slave that I pilot has saved more innocent lives than any many can count.” If his guess was correct, the monster that crushed Jorgen’s brother was a mecha of some type---possibly even an Arm Slave.

“Arm Slave?” Jorgen’s question was deceptively mild. He shook his head, as if to clear away some cobwebs. “Arm Slave.” He stood up, not holding on to anything, teetering back and forth as the crane’s turret spun. Just as the front wheels of the crane bumped over the edge of the wharf, he threw his head and arms downward, plunging like a diver towards Sousuke.

The suddenness of the move shocked Sousuke. One eye on the falling maniac, he noted that the huge transporter was about to tumble into the waves far below him.

Jorgen slammed into Sousuke, knocking him free. “MONSTER-R-R-R-urghhhhh” the blonde-haired man yelled, his shout interrupted by the deep stab of Sousuke’s knife up under his ribcage.

Both men sped downward, the sea seeming to rush up eagerly to claim them.

Sousuke saw a chance.... reached out.... and grabbed his weapons bag. The strap held. He was secure.

Jorgen disappeared into the frothy waves below.

"I have done it, Kaname." Sousuke said.

Then, only a heartbeat or two later, the transporter tilted, bumped along a number of huge wooden moorings, then slid into the water, crane and all.

---------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------

“Kaname, are you OK?” Melissa held Kaname’s pistol in one hand. She had been forced to disarm the blue-haired girlwhen she raised the weapon on her entrance.

“Yes. Now. Where’s Sousuke?” Kaname tried to look composed, but her voice cracked.

Melissa raised an eyebrow and smiled.

“Ahhh.... young love....” Kurz walked in, escorting a corpsman over to Kim‘s prone form..

“Just like me and Melissa.... Sweeeeeeeeet!!!” He slung his rifle over his shoulder.

“Gotta go save that reckless boy. Either of you foxy ladies want to give me a kiss for good luck? Or a rain check for something more appreciative?”

“Jerk!” Kaname yelled, lashing out with a kick born of fear, anger, and uncertainty. It connected solidly with Kurz’ groin.

“Asshole.” Melissa’s backward chop smacked him in the side of the head. The blow was perfectly swung---hard enough to cause maximum pain, but not so savage as to render him inactive.

“If your delay gets Sousuke hurt, or lets the target escape, you may consider that a small down payment. Very small.”

“Mine too!!!” Kaname said fiercely. She blushed, then returned Sgt. Major Mao’s thumbs up sign.

The corpsman had immediately begun evaluating Kim, applying whatever field dressings he could. “The girl is near death. She needs to reach emergency facilities soon, or there is nothing that can be done for her.”

Melissa called in a number of soldiers, giving them orders to carry the stricken girl outside, to be taken above one of the helicopters.

“They will change into street clothes.... drop her off at a hospital.... then vanish. Who is that girl? Is she worth saving? What was here role in all this?” Melissa’s gaze was intense and business-like.

Kaname’s heart was mixed in its opinion. Compassion held the better hand.

“Should we just let her die? Or, is she someone who will require a guard if she lives---either to prevent an escape, or keep out intruders?” Mao’s look demanded an assessment.

Kaname gave the Mithril Sgt. Major a quick history, at least as much as she had pieced together from Kim’s actions and Jorgen’s words..

“I see. At the very least, she will be worth questioning. She may very well be worth recovering and rehabilitating. We’ve had successes in that type of thing before.” She winked at Kaname.

“Sousuke!” Kaname knew exactly who Melissa was referring to. She realized that Sousuke was still out there somewhere, possibly in harms way.

She ran outside, not knowing where she was headed. She would listen for explosions. She would search for crowds of spectators. Police cars, JSDF troops, or ambulances would also be a good clue.

“Kaname! Stop! You have no idea what might lay ahead. You’re headed in the wrong direction.” Melissa couldn’t keep up with the younger girl, but didn’t have to. Her last words brought Kaname to a halt.

“Please! Melissa. I need to know what happened to him. He may need our help!” Kaname wrung her hands, covered as they were with Kim Jun’s blood.

“WE?” Melissa asked in her squad leader voice. The look she turned on Kaname had the high school student holding her breath and flinching.

“OK. You’re right. But help him. Please. HURRY!!!” Kaname watched as Melissa ran off, coordinating the further movement of her team by means of a small communicator.

Kaname smiled.

Melissa would lead the way.

It was tough being beautiful AND smart.

Yes, it was a dirty job, but someone had to do it.

After the Mithril soldier led her to the scene, she noticed that everyone was very excited, talking about what they had just seen.

“Yeh. Gunshots. Bang, zing! Bullets everywhere. Then that crane operator went nuts!”

“Crazy like a loon!”

“You can say that again. With two guys climbing and shooting, the guy starts the crane moving towards the water, spinning the thing around like a wobbly top!”

“It was like a scene in a movie. Unreal. Then the one guy jumped down at the other one. Unbelievable.”

“You got that right. I wish there was a ‘rewind’ button or something.”

“No cops or security to be seen anywhere. What does THAT say about things, huh?”

“Who cares about that?”

“The one guy fell on the other and knocked him off. But, he grabbed on to something.”

“Didn’t matter, thought. Right? Just made everything more exciting. When he thought he was safe, the whole thing fell into the sea.”

“Yup. Nothing left to see. Everything sinking down to the bottom.”

“Saves the city the cost of burial.”

“Somebody’s going to be REALLY pissed off about that machinery, though.”

Kaname stood stunned.

She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“Excuse me, Sir. Did you say two men were fighting? Did they both fall in?” Kaname was afraid to hear the answer.

“Yes, little lady. The one fell in after he jumped at the other one. The second one went down with the crane. The operator went with them.”

“That’s right. A good man died today. We don’t know nothin’ about those two punks.”

Kaname would never remember the faces or the clothing of the men who spoke. It was as if she were surrounded by a thick cold fog. Her hearing was muffled. Her vision was blurred.

‘A good man had died today.’

Sousuke?

It took her a while for Kaname to realize that there was a hand on her shoulder.

It was Melissa’s.

“He’s been through tougher spots,” the older woman claimed.

“Really?” Kaname asked, numb.

“Yes. Definitely.” Melissa’s voice sounded supremely confident. But, her eyes held nothing but fear and pain.



**************

**************

**************


The sound of shouting woke her.

She was groggy, uncertain of where she was.

The voices were somehow familiar.

“Moron! Big idiot.” That voice. A girl’s voice. She should know that.

“I apologize. It was not my intentions to set off the device. It was purely accidental.” A boy’s voice. It stirred something in her. Why couldn’t she figure out who it was?

“I’m tired of your lame excuses. You shouldn’t have brought it in the first place. Not to a hospital. Jerk!” The girl sounded angry.

Anger was an emotion.

She felt as if she were floating.

She had no emotions of her own.

Did she before?

“Now children.... if you are not going to play nice, Sis and I will have to ask you to leave the room. That would have the extra special benefit of allowing Sgt. Major Babe and I some time alone together.” A man’s voice. Unfamiliar. Should she know that person?

“Kurz, do I have to tell you why there’s an extra benefit for your being in a hospital now?” A woman’s voice. Unfamiliar. She mentioned ‘Kurz.’ That name did not register. She had also mentioned hospital.

Hospital.

The blackness enveloped her again.

There was no awareness of sound, sight or touch.



----------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------


Kim lay in bed.

A bed with railings.

Railings that her hands were strapped to.

There was noise.

A low level repetitive noise.

An IV pump.

She was in a hospital.

It was dark, but not overly so. The shades were pulled.

She could see shadows on a nearby table.

Flowers.

Someone was talking out in the hallway---probably doctors or nurses.

She could smell the flowers. There was a less pleasant odor. A tray lay on the nearest table.

Food?

She had no appetite.

There was also the smell of antiseptics, and hospital soap. Yes. They couldn’t always cure you, but they’s make certain you were clean.

Kim moved her arms. She couldn’t free her hands. Was she a prisoner? Or, were the restraints for her own safety?

It was a wise precaution.

Her thoughts were returning more and more, as she shook off the last vestiges of her clinging sleep.

Jorgen.

Jorgen had lied to her.

He had conquered every part of her being, before judging her worthless and throwing her away.

No.

Not worthless.

That was too neutral an assessment. Too kind. Censored.

He had detested her. He had wanted her to die. He had wanted to bring her nothing but pain.

She wondered why she was still alive.

She doubted that she wanted to go on living.

Pain. Pain in her body, despite the medication. Pain in her heart and mind that no medicine could blunt.

Pain in her body?

She had been shot!

The memory came flooding back into her mind. She had been trying to protect someone.

Kaname.

What had happened to Kaname? Was she dead? Injured?

Thoughts of Kaname brought tears to her eyes. Hands bound, she couldn’t wipe them away.

For some reason, more than anything else, she wanted to brush away those tears.

God had dropped an unsuspected bounty in her lap---a potential friend. She had been too blind to see. Jorgen had been God’s voice to her. Maybe he had even taken God’s place in her heart and head.

She tensed.

Did Jorgen know she was here?

Would he try to hurt her more? Kill her?

Did it even matter?

She was the victim of her own success. She had been the consummate fisherwoman. She brought in one catch too many. Too late she came to realize that she was less than bait, and that Kaname and those like her were more than just fish.

She thought about the all encompassing tragedy of her existence. Was she dying?

Was that why every chapter in her life seemed to be passing in front of her eyes now?

Or, was that her guilt operating?

Thinking of tragedy led to thoughts of Sousuke. As a child, he had seen so many tragedies of his own.

Tears came to her eyes again, in greater volume, racing down her cheeks as if they were waterfalls.

Yet another opportunity lost. Another awakening that came too late, and failed to open her eyes in time. Another gift she had left unwrapped and thrown into the trash.

Sousuke.

Her silent tears gave way to sobbing.

The kaleidoscope of remembrances spun on.

She saw her mother’s face.

She saw her brother.

She felt so alone.

“The girl’s awake now.” A woman’s voice came out of the shadows.

Kim could barely make out a humanoid outline in the darkest corner of the room.


-----------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------



“Well, welcome back to the land of the living.” A dark-haired woman of medium height had just turned the room lights on.

Kim looked at her, not knowing who she was or what the woman expected from her. She remained silent.

“You’re in Tokyo General Hospital. The trauma surgeons had to perform emergency surgery. But, you should have a full recovery.”

Kim frowned. Her body might recover. But there was no way that she would ever have a full recovery.

Was she in police custody?

Was the woman a law enforcement officer?

Did it really matter?

“My name is Melissa. Kaname has told me a lot about you. And, you have a habit of talking in your sleep. a lot.” The woman smiled.

Kim was aghast. What had she been talking about? Damn that Jorgen. His drugs hadn’t simply helped him extract the details he wanted from her.... they must have turned her into a chatterbox when she was under!

Wait!

She said ‘Kaname.’

“Is Kaname Chidori OK?” Kim found herself holding her breath.

“She’ll be fine. Though it may take a while for her to get back on an even keel, seeing what happened with Sousuke.” Kurz had just walked into the room, carrying a box of chocolates. He put them on the table, next to the untouched hospital food.

“So, Sleeping Beauty is finally awake. She’s even cuter that way.”

Kim turned a baleful eye on Kurz.

Just who was this man?

What did he want from her?

What did he mean ‘seeing what happened to Sousuke.’

“Sousuke.... what.... why....?” Kim’s heart rate sky-rocketed, causing an alarm to go off on her monitor. Melissa walked over to shut it off.

“The idiot with the big mouth is Kurz. It’s best to ignore him altogether. Sousuke....” Melissa was interrupted.

“Wellllll...first, you should hear about what happened at the harbor. You should have seen it!” Kurz put in.

“The two men, struggling against one another, climbing a huge crane as it crept towards the water. The evil maniac jumped the other man, trying to take the hero with him to a watery grave. The hero managed to grab on to something, moments before the huge machine fell into the unforgiving sea!”

Kurz spoke like the announcer of an old pulp film.

Kim would have brought her hand to her mouth if she could. Another monitor alarm sounded, when she went too long without taking a breath. Kurz reached over and turned it off, but not before Melissa gave him the finger.

“Kurz, you asshole. Tell her the other incident. She doesn’t need anything to worry about now. You know----“

“Sousuke. Did he...why was he on a crane... did he come to rescue us.... who did he fight.... Jorgen?” Kim blurted her question out, mind awhirl.

Had Sousuke somehow come to rescue her?

No. Why would he do that?

Had he been able to learn Kaname’s whereabouts?

What had happened?

Did he die?

“Actually, that DID happen, but I was actually referring to....” It was Kurz’ turn to be interrupted.

Kaname walked into the room, her hand holding the strings to a bunch of balloons.

“Kaname!” Kim’s eyes first registered shock, then relief. Soon, however, she closed those eyes. The tears began falling again.

“Hi Kim. It’s good to see you’re alright. I was really worried.” Those words made Kim feel miserable, not happy.

“I hope you already know better than to listen to the blonde-haired lecher there. Other than a few special skills, he’s entirely worthless!”

“Kaname.... babe... you wound me.” Kurz struck a model’s pose. Who he was trying to impress, no one could tell. It may have simply been himself.

“No. I have seniority. That’s MY job....” Melissa said glibly, before cursing under her breath again, pissed off over the hospital’s ‘No Smoking’ policy.

The nurse had even confiscated her beer.

Somebody would have to pay.

She had a very good candidate in mind.

“Kaname.” Kim found it hard to speak. But, there was something she needed to know. “Did Sousuke really fall into the ocean....”

“Yes... he---“

“You should have seen Miss Chidori’s face. You would have thought that the government had banned girl’s fashion, J-POP, or Pachinko!!!” Kurz’ loud laugh caused a nurse to look into the room and shush him.

He posed again for the nurse’s benefit.

Kaname began growling.

Kim couldn’t help herself. She came close to grinning.

“Yep! The face on the Titannic’s captain couldn’t have looked half so bleak. When Miss Chidori thought that her boyfriend was gone for good....ouwwww!!!”

Kurz grabbed his calf where Kaname had kicked him.

“He is not my boyfriend. OOOOOOH!!!” Kaname looked ready to chew through steel.

“That’s not what.... heyyyyy!!!” Kurz found Melissa’s arm painfully around his neck. She began dragging her fellow soldier out of the room.

“We’ll be back in a bit,” Melissa said pleasantly. “I’m going outside for a smoke. Kurz is going outside to bleed.” The door closed when they were both gone.

Kim didn’t know what made her feel more on edge----the thought of Sousuke falling into the water, or the word ‘boyfriend.’

“Who were they?” Kim managed to grunt out, finding it hard to go back to her original question.

“Kurz and Melissa? I’ll talk to you about that later. Back to what you asked before. Sousuke chased after Jorgen. Apparently they both climbed high up on a crane and fought. By the time I got there, the machine was already at the bottom of the bay.” Kaname paused, still troubled by her memory of that time.

Kim closed her eyes. “Why was that man speaking so joyfully then.... did Sousuke....”

“Yes? What is it that you wish, Miss Yun?” Sousuke walked into the room. He had a fresh bandage wrapped around his head.

“SOUSUKE!!!” Kim’s eyes opened as wide as possible.

She felt her heart skip a beat. The monitor alarm went off again. “You’re injured. Was that from your fight with J---“Kim found it difficult to say the name.

She tried again. “Jorgen.”

“Negative. My most recent injury came from Miss Chidori.”

Kim looked over at Kaname, then frowned.

“Hey! Don’t look at me that way. After all that I had been through.... after all the worrying we did for you.... this total dunce came in here and... and... and...” Kaname couldn’t find the words to describe the event. It sounded too ludicrous, even though it was totally Sousuke.

“What Kaname is trying to say is that I brought in a second grenade a lot like this one.” He held up an object, just beyond a jumping Kaname’s reach. “By accident, I....”

“GIVE ME THAT SOUSUKE!!!”

“By accident I did exactly what Miss Chidori just did.”

Kaname had unintentionally pulled the pin on the grenade.

Blue smoke began filling Kim’s hospital room.

“BAKU!!! IT’S....... ALL........ YOUR........ FAULT........ A-A-A-A- AGAIN!!!” Kaname took out her frustrations with her halisen.

“But Kaname, you were the one....” Sousuke winced, his vision blocked by the unraveling bandage.

“No excuses allowed!” Kaname smacked the young soldier a few more times. “And keep your voice down. This is a hospital! “

Kim sighed and closed her eyes. She opened them again. Nothing had changed.

She wasn’t dreaming.


--------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------


Sousuke opened a window to help get rid of the smoke.

Melissa---and a limping Kurz---arrived in time to keep Kaname from throwing Sousuke out that window.

“What’s the big deal,” Kaname griped, “It’s only seven stories to the ground?!”

Kurz and Melissa looked at one another and smiled.

“It is true. The fall would not have been what killed me.” Sousuke was unconcerned.

It would have been very difficult for Kaname to toss him out of a building.

She had done it once before.

He had memorized her moves.

“Hitting the ground would have done it.”

Everyone went silent. It was Kim who had spoken.

“Well, have you decided to rejoin the human race?” Kaname asked with a large smile. She had meant to cheer Kim up.

Kim looked away.

“Kim?” Kaname was getting agitated, even though she was concerned. She did not want the Korean girl to slip into a deep depression .

“Miss Jun, it is generally considered polite to respond when another individual is attempting to hold discourse with you. Kaname has instructed me on this point on a number of occasions. I hope she is not planning to use the same methods with you.”

Soususke believed in preventive maintenance and preventive medicine.

“Why thank you Sgt. Sensitivity.” Kaname stomped on Sousuke’s foot. “Why don’t you remember that when you are dealing with me???”

“It’s just that I don’t feel that I can rejoin the human race. I don‘t deserve to...”

Kim’s words stopped Kaname mid-stomp.

“Why?” Melissa asked. She had seen this type of response in people before.

“All that I did. All of those people who....” Kim put her hands to her eyes, wishing she could block out faces and names.

“OK....” Melissa pulled up a chair. “I guess that’s a good enough reason. What else.” Quick, accurate, and on target.

“I... I... I betrayed people who trusted me. Who could possibly trust me after that? How can I even trust myself?” Kim’s voice reverberated with pain. She stared at Sousuke’s face, and then turned her attention to Kaname.

“Do you have any understanding about grace and mercy?” Melissa asked.

“What?” Kim was confused. Where was this conversation headed?

“Grace is getting something you don’t deserve....”

“Yeh, like an ass kicking.” Kurz grumped. He started whistling when Melissa turned a steely-eyed look his way.

“Mercy is NOT getting something you DO deserve.”

“Like Melissa’s cute round ass.” Kurz ducked, lucky to dodge the bedpan that Melissa threw at full strength.

“I... I... I don’t understand.” Kim didn’t know whether to be grateful to Melissa, or to be afraid of her.

“You did some bad things. You deserve some form of punishment for that, but don’t have to be treated that way. That’s mercy. Other people can have mercy on you. So can you, towards yourself. Believe me, I’ve punished myself for things I’ve done---my own torture was worse than anything that anyone else could ever have done.” Melissa’s eyes took on a far away look.

“If you like that kind of thing, I can easily get some whips, chains, handcuffs, you name it. Oh yeh!!!” Kurz ducked behind a large chair. “Black leather rocks!!!”

“Kaname....” Melissa said, handing the blue-haired girl a vase full of water.

“This ought to cool you off a bit. Geez. Give it a rest already!” Kaname removed the flowers and powered the water on Kurz’ head.

“You might think that you never deserve forgiveness. That’s a tricky topic. But to assume you are beyond hope is foolish. Look at me. Look at Sousuke. We’ve gone things just as bad as some of the things that you’ve done."

The look on Kim's face suggested that it would take a while for her to believe that ANYTHING could be as bad as what she had done.

"We have justification of course, in our own eyes. But so do you, right? Someone tricked you. Someone used you. Your own guilt lies in not realizing the truth, or in following that bastard when you had your doubts.” Melissa turned and looked at Kurz, waiting for some kind of smart ass remark.

She grinned a self-satisfied grin when he stayed quiet.

“But, I don’t know how to forgive myself. I have no idea how to atone for my crimes.” Kim sounded completely despondent.

“Want to know the best way?” Melissa asked.

“Y-Y-Yes...” Kim said timidly.

“The best way to get on your feet is to get off your ass!!!” With that, Melissa walked over to the chair, slumped down, and hung her legs over one chair arm.

“Next!” Melissa looked over at Sousuke.

“Kim...” Sousuke began to speak, but was stopped by Kurz, who held up his hand.

“Sis spouted a lot of serious sounding stuff. I have more practical advice.” Kurz struck one of his poses.

The room was quiet.

One minute.

Two minutes.

Three minutes.

“Cut the shit, Weber. This isn’t a f@cking game!” Melissa’s words were a command, not a suggestion.

“I know, babe. I gave her the best advice I know---none. Really. The best advice I can give is to ignore advice. Life is too short to be distracted by the opinions of other. Even cuddly voluptuous others like Sgt. Major Babe.”

“Kurz, you....” Melissa looked for something to throw.

“I’m serious. If it’s free, it’s advice; it you pay for it, it’s counseling; if you can use it, it’s a miracle!” Kurz smiled and pushed aside his hair.

“I mean that, Kim. Don’t get too dependent on the opinions or suggestions of others. You above everyone else should understand that.”

Kaname was speechless. That advice had actually made sense---of course, Kurz had also said not to pay attention to advice.

Figures!

Kim nodded her head. That much DID make good sense.

“I have two other important points to make.” Kurz paused, waiting for some attention.

“Please. I would like to hear.”

“That’s a mistake....” Melissa mumbled.

“I used to be indecisive on the subject, but now I’m not so sure....” He smiled, waiting for Kim to get the joke.

“Hey, that was a joke....”

Kim looked at Kaname. Kaname mouthed ‘humor him.’

“I thank you, Sgt. Weber. I feel better now.” Kim didn’t, but it didn’t hurt to be polite.

“Well you should! One thing you should always try to remember: we are born into this world naked.... wet.... and hungry....” Kurz waited for the right moment to zing in his punch line.

“Then, things get worse!”

“Anything else Kurz, before you ruin all of the good you might have done?” Melissa knew she shouldn’t encourage him. But, this way he would at least stop him from dragging things out.

“Exactimundo. Whether or not they admit it, most people in this world are looking for love....”

Kaname blushed. She fought the urge to glance over at Sousuke. Was Kurz finished? He hadn’t explained his revelation, but there certainly was truth in what he said.

Kim bit her lip. She wasn’t certain she wanted to hear anything on THAT subject at the moment.

“...But I’ll settle for cheap sex.”

Melissa’s thrown steel-toed boot smacked Kurz in the back of the head.

Kaname’s halisen whacked him across the upper thigh.

For a moment, Kim looked on the verge of grinning. Instead, she simply bowed her head.

“I will speak now.” Souske actually sat on the bed next to Kim.

He didn’t hear the noise deep in Kaname’s throat.

Kim looked up, then blushed. Her eyes were more attentive, without a doubt.

“Sousuke? How can you want to help me? I tricked you. After you shared your pain with me....” Tears ran down Kim’s face.

“It is not good to waste water,” Sousuke said. He reached out a finger and touched one of Kim’s tears. He wasn’t certain why.

“But....”

“I am not good with words. It is not a problem. That does not keep me from doing my job well.” Sousuke’s look was serious.

“Wanna bet....” Kaname’s look was sour.

“It is the counselors and psychologists who will help you find the truths that might help. They did that for me. It is good that you have agreed to cooperate with Mithril, and to accept their assistance. That is what changed the course of my life. That, and my own spirit.”

Kaname sat down on the floor quietly.

She had a ring-side seat to Sousuke and his thoughts.

It was a rare event. She would have bought a ticket.

“I will speak things that I found helpful. It is not a problem if they do not sound right for you. It is for you to decide. Not me. Not Melissa. Not Kurz....”

“Especially not Kurz!” Melissa and Kaname had spoken the same words at precisely the same time.

Kurz had a pitiful hound dog expression on his face.

“He who in early days was unwise but later found wisdom, he sheds a light over the world like that of the moon when free from clouds.” Sousuke wasn’t through yet.

“Ah. I said ‘he.’ It is also possible for it to be ‘she.’ I do not want you to think that---”

“Sousuke!”

“Yes, Kaname?”

“Stick to your points, Sousuke. Before you give the poor girl a headache.”

“I see. But we are in a hospital, they have a copious supply of analgesics....”

“SOUSUKE!!!”

“I shall resume. There is apparently a saying in the Talmud. ‘Not even angels stand higher than the man who took the wrong way then returned. It makes a similar point. Do you understand?”

“Y-Y-Yes...” Kim thought she saw Sousuke’s point. Part of her desperately wanted to hold on to it, but the other part still had its doubts.

“Then you are clever. On my own behalf, I once tried to make this point for Kaname. She merely struck me on the head and told me to ‘get real.’” Sousuke looked over at Kaname, who stuck out her tongue.

“Sooo-uuuuus-kaaaaay!” Kurz yelled. “Keep digging your own grave, man. Kip shoveling away.”

Sousuke looked confused.

Kim touched his hand shyly, breaking the spell.

“I apologize. I should focus on the task. Your need is great, and you are currently my priority.” Sousuke looked stern.

Kim blushed, then smiled a brief radiant smile---until she realized just what she had done.

Kaname did not look overly pleased.

“Do not go where the path may lead; instead, go where there is no path and leave a trail.” Sousuke looked at Kim’s face, trying to see if his point made sense to her. She nodded her head.

“Whoa! That one sounded really deep,” Kurz chuckled. “I can top that. Eagles may soar in the clouds, but weasels don’t get sucked into jet engines!”

He looked over at Melissa, daring her to do anything.

She took the meanest tact she knew.

She ignored him.

“There is a lot to learn about forgiveness, Kim. It was hard for me, even aftter good people took me in. I hope that it does not end up being as hard for you. Like me, I think you are someone worth saving. I saw it in you before. The Tiger has not gotten you. You may still end up being the Sun, some day.”

Kim looked into Sousuke’s eyes. She put her hand over her heart. “Thank you, Sousuke. Thank you.”

“Forgiveness does not change the past. Nothing does.” Sousuke let that point register.

“But, forgiveness does enlarge the future. I like to make a distinction. There is nothing that in the end cannot be forgiven. There do remain things that are inexcusable. I do not believe that you have done any of those, Kim.”

Kim began crying again. Her tears gave way to wracking sobs. Sousuke realized she needed comfort, but had no idea of what to do.

Kaname tenderly tapped him on the shoulder. “Good job, Sousuke, I’m proud of you.”

Kaname sat next to Kim and put an arm around the shivering girl’s shoulder.

“I have some experience with forgiveness too. I told you how I blamed my father for things that weren’t his fault, and how I had been treated terribly when I returned to Japan."

Kaname always felt good sharing that story. Her life had changed so much for the better in most ways. Her moind surpressed any thoughts about being Whispered.

"I found one thing out the hard way. Forgiveness takes a tremendous amount of strength. It’s something that can only be done by someone who doesn’t want to be consumed by hatred and revenge.”

Kim nodded her head. She smiled as best she could. She was grateful for everyone’s concern and caring.

“It is also hard to forgive one’s self,” Kaname continued. “That might be the hardest part of all. But don’t try to make your change a big thing. Life is really made up of little things. Take one thing at a time. One day at a time. It worked for me.”

“I understand the words with my head, but my heart won’t let go. I’m afraid it won’t ever let me forget.” Kim absentmindedly turned an empty water glass around in her hand.

“The stupid neither forgive nor forget. The naïve forgive and forget. The wise forgive and do not forget.” Sousuke’s point was blunt and to the point.

“You should remember what you did. It is a part of you. Keeping it somewhere in your heart will help prevent you from falling into the same kind of ambush again. It is like falling into a well-crafted trap of a type you have not seen on previous missions. If you----”

“Thank you Sousuke. Wonderful job. Really great!” Kaname put a hand over his mouth.

Kim smiled.

“Kaname? Was that touching a type of courtship action?. If so, is that what you wish to teach Miss Jun?”

Sousuke’s befuddlement had Melissa laughing, Kurz slapping her knee, Kim grinning, and Kaname pulling at her hair.

“I was not expecting such an action. You have never ordered me to have such a relationship. If you wish me to aid you in instructing Kim, you should appraise me of you intentions first.”

Kaname fell heavily to the floor, sighing.

“I’ll second one of Sousuke’s points. It bears remembering. The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. You must be pretty strong to have survived what you did. It looks like you still have some part of you looking for help. All I can say is never stop looking.” Melissa gave Kim a ‘V for victory’ hand sign.

“Yeh! Hate, revenge, self doubt...all that stuff is totally bogus! If we practice eye for and eye and tooth for a tooth, soon the whole world will be blind and toothless.” Kurz stood up and hooked a thumb through one belt loop.

“Of course, a toothless woman can be a really good thing....”

Kim ducked when Melissa jumped up.... grabbed Kurz by the scruff of the neck... and threw him over her head and out into the hallway.

Kurz lay flat on the hallway floor. He had an incentive not to move.

“EEEEEEEK!!! PERVERT!!!” A nurse standing over him screamed. “He was looking up my skirt!”

Kim looked at Melissa. She looked over at Kaname. Melissa looked at them both. They all smiled.

They could hear his voice grow quieter as he followed the nurse down the hallway. “But babe, men have feelings too!” There was a plaintive tone to his claim.

“Yes, but who really cares. Let go of my leg!”

“OUWWW!!!”

“Given that lighter side, I have one thing to clue you into. Seeing that you were wrapped up in knots by a manipulative man, remember this: Women and cats are the ones who get to do as they please.... men and dogs should just relax and get used to the idea. Not the other way around.” Melissa dared Sousuke to contradict her.

Kaname smiled. “Were you listening, Sousuke?”

“Always, Kaname. I will say that I do not view you as a dog, despite what was written on the restroom wall. You do have the admirable quality of loyalty, and upon occasion you do fetch things. Bento lunches, for example. However....” Sousuke’s incipient rambling was nipped in the bud.

“Sousuke! Relax. Get used to the idea. And BE QUIET!!!” Kaname’s voice cured the hiccups Kim had just begun being plagued by, having tried to eat some of the terrible hospital Jello.

Sousuke stood at ease, silent as a stone.

“Good boy.” Kaname whispered.

Kim took mental notes.

“Well, I think that we’ve bombarded you with enough for one night!” Melissa said amiably. She walked over and gently squeezed Kim’s shoulder.

“Remember, no matter where you are, if you want to talk, I’ll listen.”

“Me too, Kim. Just keep one thing in mind. Rome was not built in a day. And....” Kaname’s look went dark when Sousuke butted in.

“Miss Chidori is correct. Even for the movie ‘Gladiator,’ it took twenty weeks to recreate Rome.” Sousuke sat next to Kim again.

“For the city itself, it’s growth began in 753 B.C. when it was founded by Romulus. The city grew over centuries. By 509 B.C. it became a republic, and in 73 B.C. the slave revolt led by Spartacus took place. It took until the 500 A.D. era for outer forces and plagues to weaken the empire. During these 1000 years, the Roman powerhouse took over land from England to Africa, and built their infrastructure in each location. So, not only was Rome not built in a day, the Roman’s did not put all of their eggs in one city. It would be wise if...”

Kaname stuck her arm out and knocked Sousuke off of the bed.

“Kaname, that hurt!”

“I’m sorry, Kim. You just can’t take him anywhere.” Kaname winked.

Kim laughed, shocked by her own reaction. She immediately began feeling guilty.

“Give it time. Be gentle with yourself.” Kaname brushed a lock of Kim’s hair out of her eyes.

“Hell, if I can forgive you, I figure you should be able to forgive yourself.”

Kim nodded her head, trying to hold back more tears.

“And, since all of our stuff is missing, we’re going to have to hit the town again. I know, it sucks, but we’ll have to force ourselves to shop....”

Kim looked up.

“And buy some music...”

Kim grinned.

“Not to mention perfume and clothes...”

Kim smiled. “But not blue shoes!” Kim explained why.

“Of course we will have to spend hours at Pachinko, then hit Cicadas.”

Sousuke rubbed his chin. He wondered if they would let him be a waiter there again. Then he remembered something.

“Kaname. It is not necessary to do any of those things. The Mithril troops found your items in one of the sheds. It is not a problem.”

The look on Kaname’s face showed that SOMETHING or SOMEONE was clearly a problem. She picked up her halsien. Kim stayed her hand.

“It’s Ok. A girl has the right to change her mind, doesn’t she? By the time they let me out on my own again, the styles will all have changed... right?” Kim winked.

“And any time is a good time for Pachinko. Isn’t that what you told me?”

“Kim. I think you and I are going to be good friends.” Kaname smiled.

That made Kim feel good for the first time since she realized Kaname was Whispered.

“Yes. That will be good. Social contacts are an important part of any mission. If I am not incorrect, I think that you and I will also be compatible acquaintances.” Souske spoke with utter conviction.

“I am certain that Kaname will welcome that. It may be hard work being a friend.”

Kaname scowled at Sousuke.

Just who had asked him?

“Kim, as a friend, let me teach you your first useful skill. Watch carefully.” Kaname walked over to Sousuke, turned her nose us, then said “HMMPPFF!!!”

She then looked at Kim and smiled. “You try it.”

Kim looked at Sousuke. “HMMPPFF!!!” She then looked over to Kaname.

“Not bad. A little more from the diaphragm. Say it like you mean it.”

“OK.” Kim loosened her shoulders a bit. She ran her hand through her hair. She turned her nose up. “HHMMPPFF!!!”

“Very good.” Kaname applauded. “Very good indeed. I think you may be a natural.”

“This is confusing. I do not understand.” Sousuke’s face looked totally clueless.

The two girls looked at each other, then burst out in laughter. Kim grabbed her side in pain, remembering too late that she had been through abdominal surgery. But, it was OK.

She felt good.

For a split second, she had felt wonderful.

Sousuke was searching for something to say.

“Ah. I see that the TV here has a built in VCR. That is most convenient. Let me show you why.” He walked over to his bag and rummaged around. He took out a tape. He showed it to the girls. It was ‘Pulgasari.’

Kaname’s face went red. She clenched her fists.

Kim noticed, and laughed again. It still hurt, but she felt good.

Kaname looked sheepish, and returned the smile.

“What? The movie is not supposed to be a comedy...” Sousuke was perplexed again.

Kaname and Kim couldn’t stop laughing.

A nurse walked in, and informed the two visitors that it was time to leave. The patient needed her rest.

Kaname gave Kim a thumbs up.

Sousuke placed the movie next to the chocolates.

Kim lay back on her pillow, able to contemplate her future with something other than complete resignment and dread.

It would be hard.

But she would have friends.


-------------------------------------

-------------------------------------



Kaname waved to Melissa, stationed outside Kim’s door as a guard.

Kurz could be seen down one of the wards, pestering every nurse in sight.

“Sousuke, you were amazing in there. I don’t know how anyone could ever take your place!” Kaname smiled at the taciturn sergeant. He had made her laugh. And he had offered surprising wise advice.

That, and earned a number of beatings.

“Kaname? You are mistaken, perhaps because all of that laugher has left you severely oxygen depleted.” Sousuke did not take heed of the tic in Kaname’s eye.

“As you should recall, in your more lucid moments, Mithril possesse an number of operatives who could keep watch on you. You should be more careful with your breathing.”

Kaname felt like smacking her forehead.

“That’s not what I meant, Sousuke. I was trying to say that you are truly unique. To me.” Kaname smiled.

“Each of us is unique, Kaname. It is the by-product of human genetics. The exceptions are twins, and so forth---even there, the environment may effect each sibling differently. You’re realization of my difference is not a problem. It is a sign of growing wisdom. I shall report that to Tessa. She was highly skeptical.”

“Sousuke!” Kaname stomped her foot, frightening a patient resting in a nearby chair. “I didn’t mean just ‘unique,’ when I said ‘unique.’ I also meant ‘special.’ You are special to me.”

She looked up at Sousuke, hoping he would return the sentiment.

“That is wonderful to know!” Sousuke’s response had Kaname up on her tiptoes.

“I should write that down. For Miss Chidori, ‘unique’ also means ‘special.’ I do not know that the words were intended to be linked that way, but that is clearly a sign of your own uniqueness. It might be easier however, if you were to say ‘unique’ when you mean ‘unique,’ and ‘special’ when you mean ‘special.’”

Kaname stood unmoving. She had OD’d on Sousukeisms.

“Listen up you misbegotten misinterpreting military muffin head! I am trying to tell you that you are something unique and something special. To me. Here!” She pointed to her heart.

“On your shirt?” Sousuke’s clueless rejoinder sent a bolt of ice through Kaname’s chest. She gave up. It was more than she could handle at the moment.

“Fine, sergeant. You take your notes on ‘unique’ and ‘special.’ Be totally clueless, for all that I care. Overlook the forest for the trees, and see a shirt when a girl points to her heart. It really does NOT matter to me....” Kaname tuned and headed off in a huff, not really certain why she was so upset, and why she had been talking to Sousuke the way that she had been.

“Who cares was some stupid otaku thinks??!!”

“O! I see. I do not entirely understand, however. My apologies if I have made a mistake again. I will not bother telling you that I find you special too.” Sousuke turned, intending to say his farewells to the other Mithril operatives.

“What?” Kaname spoke softly.

Her head was spinning.

For some reason, her heart was pounding.

“It is nothing. I do not wish to be a problem. Please walk home safely.”

“No. Sousuke. What were you going to say?” Kaname’s eyes were aglow.

“It is OK. You need not humor me. You are kind that way. Another reason you are special. I apologize. I should not have mentioned that again.”

“Sousuke!” Kaname was about to burst at the seams.

“See. I was correct. You are angry already. I shall remain quiet.”

“SOUSUKE SAGARA!!! TELL ME WHAT YOU WERE GOING TO SAY!!!”

A nurse walked up, wanting to see what the commotion was all about.

“Please. This is a recovery ward. The patients need their rest.” The nurse saw the bandages on Sousuke’s forehead. “Is this young man a patient here?”

“Not yet....” Kaname growled.

************************************

END