FullMetal*Panic!

“Oooooh!!!” Kaname kicked the garbage can as hard as she could. It was the nearest thing she could take her fury out on.

The can didn’t go flying as it might have. Instead, Kaname’s shoe got wedged into the metal grillwork that formed the outer shell.

“Perfect!!!” Tugging as hard as she could, the irate blue-haired girl couldn’t free her foot. Slipping out of her shoe, she tugged with all her might.

The shoe came free. She somersaulted backward, her skirt ending up over her head. The gathering crowd of amused passersby all laughed, chuckled, or made snide comments. To make matters worse, her shoe was terribly scuffed and scratched.

“Damn him!!!” It was all Sousuke’s fault. That jerk.

When he had let her go, Sousuke had run off.

“I must treat this wound. I should not be late for class. My apologies, I did not wish to disturb you.”

That had been all that he said before disappearing again.

They hadn’t seen each other in years, and that was all he could say and do. Mistake her for a terrorist. Hold a gun against her. Say a few words. Then go away.

It wasn’t supposed to happen that way. She had been thinking about him again. She even put his pictures in the album. Didn’t that count for something?

“It shouldn’t matter....” Kaname kicked the garbage can again. Her shoe got caught again. “Ahhhhh....”

It shouldn’t matter that she never wrote back?

Well. She had every right to hang up the telephone those times that he called to talk to her, didn’t she? What else could she have done? A clean break heals better than a mangled wound.

Yes.

She had done the right thing.

Picking herself off of the ground a second time, she clenched her fists with renewed rage.

She had thought she must be dreaming, seeing him standing there. She hadn’t known whether to hug him or slug him. Then, as if he had simply bumped into a stranger, he spat out a few hurried words and left her standing there.

Shivering, still trying to catch her breath.

Her books scattered across the wet ground.

Her anger slowly fizzled out. She shouldn’t be surprised if Sousuke didn’t want anything to do with her. He had grown more handsome, was taller and broader built. No doubt he had a girlfriend somewhere, and didn’t feel comfortable talking to other women.

That would be just like him.

“It doesn’t matter....” No. It shouldn’t matter. But, it did. Why? Was she thinking that she could simply turn back the clock... step right in where things had left off... and see what could come of it?

“With my luck? Right!”

Kaname checked her watch. She sighed. Time to head off for her next class.

Everywhere she walked, she kept looking around, hoping to catch a glimpse of Sousuke.

He was nowhere to be seen. The campus was big. She had never crossed paths with him before.

No doubt he had seen her coming at times, and managed to stay out of sight.

“Big idiot.” Kaname wasn’t certain who she was talking about.


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Looking out the window, Kaname regretted not having her umbrella.

The skies had opened up with a vengeance this time, sending a torrent of rain down, forming huge puddles and rivers of water soon after it began.

She watched as groups of individuals braved the deluge, their umbrella buffeted by strong cross-drafts.

At least her classes had gone well. There had been no ambushes by her bevy of unwanted pursuers. One boy had finally worked up the courage to approach her, but he had run off white as a sheet when he saw her face.

Her stomach rumbled.

She hadn’t been hungry at lunch, but felt her appetite returning in spades. If the rain ever let up, she’d head out for a bite to eat.

A group of excited voices grew louder as one door opened.

“You could join our study group, it would be so-o-o-o-o-o-o wonderful.” The girl sounded breathless.

“Yes, we could take turns cooking you meals. I’m a really good cook!” Another girl almost sounded like she was begging.

“We could take turns doing your laundry. We could even do it as a group, if you like.” A third girl sounded just as besotted as the other two.

“You don’t already have a girlfriend, do you? Is that it?” the voices all stopped.

“Negative.” It was a young man’s voice.

Sousuke.

Kaname turned around fast, almost knocking a teacher down the stairs.

Sousuke was standing with a somewhat frantic look on his face, surrounded by a group of girls.

Her hands clenched into fists, Kaname set her jaw. No matter how Sousuke might feel about her, she was going to get him to speak to her for more than two seconds! He owed her that much, whether he knew it or not. She smiled a devilish smile.

“Soooo-uuuusssss-kaaaaaaay.....” She ran up to the startled young soldier and pushed her way through the crowd. She grabbed him by the hand. “I’ve been waiting for you all-l-l-l-l-l-l day....” This ought to work.

“Is this your girlfriend?” One of the girl’s looked shocked. “Tell me you don’t like someone like her....”

“You’re too nice for someone like that. We’ve heard about this girl.” Another girl looked worried.

“Who is she to you?” A third girl was pulling on Sousuke’s sleeve.

Sousuke looked at Kaname. “We were acquainted once. Miss Chidori did not wish for the acquaintance to continue.” He didn’t look at Kaname.

“But... Sousuke....” Kaname was brushed aside by the group of girls as they followed after. “Please....” She hated the sound of her voice. It wasn’t as if she were desperate or anything. But, she was not about to be brushed aside like yesterday’s crumbs.

He kept walking.

Kaname was struck by an idea. It might work. But, it was despicable.

So what?

“Sousuke, I need your help....” As Kaname watched, Sousuke slowed down. She swallowed, deciding to go all the way. “I’m in danger.”

Sousuke stopped. He looked at the girls who swarmed around him. “I must decline your kind offer. It is true that I need assistance with my studies. But, I am determined to give it my best shot first.”

“He’s so-o-o-o dedicated.” One girl said. The bunch of them started talking among themselves.

Kaname stood tall as she watched Sousuke. There was no reason for her to feel uneasy. It was only Sousuke after all.

“Kaname, you said you were in danger. Specify!” Sousuke’s face was grim. “Is it urgent and imminent?”

“We shouldn’t talk here.” Kaname looked around that part of the building. “I haven’t been able to eat since breakfast. Would you come with me when I go out to dinner?”

Sousuke stood quietly for a moment as he ran his hand through his hair.

Kaname stood looking at him. It was Sousuke, but it wasn’t Sousuke. Where was his camouflage and khakis? His hair was tidy and well groomed. He was pleasantly tanned, suggesting he had been on a mission somewhere in the sun. And that cologne...when did he start wearing cologne?

“It is not a problem,” he answered. Those words had Kaname weak in the knees. She chided herself.

“Let us proceed, then.” His voice sounded cold and impersonal.

“We’ll need to wait until the rain stops, Sousuke. I don’t have an umbrella.” Kaname pointed out the window. She wished there had been a hint of kindness in Sousuke’s voice. Either that or shyness, uncertainty, anything. Even anger.

“Here, you may use this.” He handed her his umbrella. “I am used to being wet. You will recall that I am a Specialist.”

After walking down the stairs, Sousuke held the door for Kaname.

“You know, we can share the umbrella, Sousuke. It will be easier to talk that way” She smiled, trying to lighten the mood. She could only guess what he must be thinking.

“Negative. You will walk a number of yards ahead of me. It will allow me a better view of the surroundings, and an opportunity to look for any suspicious activity. We will also not be seen as associates.” He waited for Kaname to start walking.

“But….”

“Danger is nothing to be taken lightly, Kaname. I should think you would remember that. Walk at whatever pace you like. I will follow.”

Kaname fumed. The big stupid head! This was certainly nostalgic. No one could get her to feel this way but Sousuke.

Fine.

She would give him something to think about then.

“Sousuke, would you like it if I wiggle a lot when I walk. I mean, seeing that you’ll be behind me and all….” Kaname fought hard to keep from smiling.

She should be ashamed of herself, lying and now flirting. She promised herself she would feel bad later.

“Uh….”

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Kaname headed out into the rain.

Suddenly, for some reason, it seemed like a beautiful day.

“Sooooouuuuussss-kaaaaaay…”

Kaname turned around.

It was those girls again.

They ran over to Sousuke. “Here, we can put all of our umbrellas together. You shouldn’t be getting all wet like that.” One of the girls leaned against Sousuke as she held up her umbrella.

“I’ve got a washer and drier back at my place,” another girl said.

“Are you hungry?” A third girl stared up at him with hopeful eyes.

Kaname started grumbling. She wished she had a halisen with her. Those girls were getting on her nerves.

As she walked, she kept looking over her shoulder. Sousuke was following, but the girls were still hovering around him. He could just be keeping a low profile as he followed her. No one would suspect he was trailing her if he stayed back with that gang of leeches. Then again, he just might be drinking in all the attention.

Big jerk!

Why couldn’t he have just walked with her like a normal boy?

Her lie.

Who was the big jerk?

That’s OK. She would make it up to him. She’d treat him to dinner.

“Sousuke, that mean girl keeps looking back at you. Is she the annoying possessive type?” One girl asked with a laugh.

Kaname almost tripped, hearing a girl say that as she tried to push next to Sousuke.

“You don’t have a stalker, do you?” Another girl asked.

Kaname couldn’t believe it. That girl had the nerve to ask that when she was following Sousuke around.

“Wonder why she’s walking like that?” A different girl said loudly. “Is she clumsy or something?”

Kaname started to growl.

“Why are you watching her?” A demanding voice asked.

Kaname blushed, then began to smile.

“I am not. Why would I wish to do that?” Souske’s voice was flat and unwavering.

Kaname stopped and turned. She knew he might just be trying to divert attention away from his purpose.

It didn’t matter.

The rain. The lack of sleep. Those girls. That moron’s lack of any interest. The lie. Everything.

It was enough already!

“Never mind, Sousue.” Kaname took a few steps and threw the collapsed umbrella at him.

She stomped through the puddles on her way home.


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The salt shaker bounced off of the top of the refrigerator, joining a measuring cup, napkin holder, bottle of Soy Sauce, broken plate, sponge, set of tongs, and a number of oranges.

“Why would I wish to do that?” She spat, mimicking Sousuke.

Kaname slammed her hand down hard on the cooking bench, just missing her chopping knife.

Rain blew hard against her window, and a huge peel of thunder caused her to jump. The lights flickered a bit, but stabilized.

“Great, that’s all I need. To have the power go out.” Not two minutes after she had said that, the electricity went out.

Kaname cursed, trying to remember where she had put her candles. Every time she went shopping for household items she swore that she would by a flashlight.

She still didn’t have a flashlight.

“Hall closet!” She remembered putting the candles in there. Now all she had to do was get there, grab a candle, find a match, and voila… light.

Walking through the dark, hand held out in front of her, she stepped on the bottle of Soy Sauce. Her foot went out from under her and she hit the floor hard.

“Damn you Sousuke!”

She should still be at dinner with him. There, or possible walking around the campus catching up on each of their years apart. Somewhere.

Moron!

“Who’s the moron?” Kaname sighed, rubbing her sore buttock. Why did she always react that way to Sousuke? She remembered the day that he had brought her the jewelry she had made. All the girls were jealous. She couldn’t believe that Sousuke could have made an effort like that. Then she went ballistic when he told them there was a practical purpose for it all.

She had told him that he made it really easy to hate him.

Why would a guy show any interest in a girl who did things like that?

Well, she had brought the food over to his house as a peace offering. But, that damn girl was there, in a towel. The big idiot had then gotten her kidnapped by terrorists… again!

Of course, that wasn’t the end of the story. He had rescued her. She could remember how she felt when she saw he was safe, thinking that her stupid actions may have gotten him killed.

“No sense moping around on the floor in the dark, Kaname.” She picked herself up gingerly, stepping lightly so that she didn’t trip on anything else.

Slowly inching herself along the wall, she wondered where Sousuke was now. Maybe one or more of those girls had finally worn him down. She couldn’t figure out why those ditsy fools would be chasing after him. Hadn’t they figured out how clueless he was?

Maybe he wasn’t like that any more.

A lot can happen in three years.

“Well, if that big jerk likes that kind of girl, then he deserves what he gets! Hmmmpppfff!” She banged her head hard on the closet door, forgetting that she had opened it.

For a few moments, she saw stars. It was almost like being near an explosion again. She sighed. It had been a while since she had been so ‘privileged.’ There was a reason she always felt uncomfortable at fireworks displays.

Finally, she had a candle in her hand. She rummaged around the rest of the closet, wondering why she hadn’t put the matches near the candle. Of course, they were back in the kitchen. Why hadn’t she remembered that when she was in that room?

She was really tied up in knots. One useless idiot shows up back in her life, and she turns into a mindless klutz.

Maybe it was best that she stayed away from Sousuke after all!

It was spooky in the apartment. Boring too. There was no telling how long it would take work crews to bring the power back on. She might as well grab her umbrella and go some place where there was electricity.

Kaname sneezed.

“Wonderful. Now I’m coming down with a cold.” Holding the candle, she headed back towards her foyer, intending to grab her coat.

She sneezed again, blowing out the candle.

A moment later, a large flash of lightning lit things up. She caught her breath. The lightning hadn’t frightened her. A man’s figure had been outlined at her window, the one next to the door.

The shadow had been very tall.

She didn’t know anyone that tall. Was that just a trick of the light?

Her friends always scolded her about living alone. A number of them had gotten together to rent a house.

Why hadn’t Kaname joined them?

She was a private person. Right now she didn’t want to be alone! No, she DID want to be alone. She didn’t want somebody standing outside of her home.

There was a knock at the door.

What should she do?

One of her friends would have called first.

There was more knocking. Louder and more persistent this time.

Kaname began reaching for her phone, but realized that it wouldn’t be working now. There was no back way out of her apartment. She hadn’t bothered to attach the security chain when she came home.

The knocking repeated.

“Kaname?”

That was Sousuke’s voice! How did he know where she lived? Idiot. That otaku could find out anything, by himself or with the help of Mithril.

What should she do? Let him in? Tell him to go away and leave her alone? Stay quiet?

The third option wasn’t very good. She had told him she was in danger. He might have seen the candle before it went out. Any moment now, he might be kicking down the door or crashing through the window.

If he cared enough to do that, of course.

“Sousuke? Is that you?”

“Affirmative! Are you OK? Has something happened?” He sounded concerned.

Concerned? That’s a good thing, right.

“Wait a minute. I’ll open the door for you. The power’s out.” Kaname made her way to the front door and opened it.

The two of them stood face to face for a few moments before either spoke.

“I’m sorry, Sousuke. I shouldn’t have reacted like that earlier. Seeing you was a bit of a shock. It hasn’t been a very good week.” The words just flowed out of Kaname. “Were you surprised to see me?”

“No.”

“Why? Have you been following me around? Am I your assignment again? Your duty and obligation?” Anger crept into Kamame’voice again.

“Negative. I have a different assignment. You have crossed my path on a number of occasions. Respecting your desires, I stayed out of your way.”

The power came back on. Sousuke looked into the apartment, his attention drawn to the clutter on the kitchen floor. His eyes scanned Kaname as well.

“There is a red mark on your forehead. The way you stand suggests that you are injured. You were never that messy before. Have you been attacked, Kaname?” Sousuke’s voice had changed. His eyes were intense. He was furious, thinking that someone might have harmed her.

Furious was good too.

“No, Sousuke. I was angry earlier, and didn’t handle my temper very well. I fell in the dark, and banged my head on the closet door.” Kaname stiffened her shoulders and decided to come clean. “I’m not really in any danger. I lied to you.” She braced herself for his answer.

“I see. I suppose you had a reason for that.” His eyes took her measure, reading her every facial expression and postural change.

“Yes, Sousuke. I wanted to speak with you. But those girls….” Kaname blushed. Her actions sounded so immature when she spoke about them.

“Kaname?” Now he looked curious.

Curious was OK.

“I suppose I was impatient, Sousuke. I apologize.” Kaname bowed. “It’s… I… well, you show up out of the blue after three years, then just disappear.” Kaname’s anger flared up again. “Can you understand how that made me feel?” She put her hands on her hips.

“No, Kaname. I cannot. Not after you never once answered my letters or spoke to me on the phone.” Sousuke now looked stiff again.

Stiff was not good.

“But… you have to understand… it was hard….” Kaname felt like she was going to fly apart.

“Yes, it was. Especially for someone who had difficulty expressing his feelings. No doubt you wanted me gone. Perhaps that is understandable.” A tough of sadness entered Sousuke’s features.

Was sadness good or bad?

“Sousuke, I did NOT want you gone… you had to go… I was really…..” Kaname tried to maintain her composure. It wouldn’t do any good to break down into tears, or to kick Sousuke where a man should never be kicked.

A telephone rang. It was Sousuke’s. Taking it out of his pocket, Sousuke flipped it open.

“Sagara.”

He listened a while.

“Understood.”

He listened a while longer.

“Roger.”

He closed the phone and put it in his pocket. Looking over at Kaname, he said “I have to go.”

As quickly as that, he was gone.