[FIC] The Other Woman
Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2005 4:14 pm
A/N:
For those who don’t like spoilers, don’t read this. Happenings from ‘End of Day By Day’ and ‘Dancing Very Merry Christmas’ are alluded to.
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The market was very crowded.
It was the first sunny day after a week of rain, so Kaname wasn’t surprised in the least.
Lifting up and examining cabbages, she took noticed when an aged woman in a voluminous dress siddled up beside her, beginning her own perusal of the large leafy vegetables.
“Miss, I fear that my ailments are acting up again. When I leave here, will you be so kind as to carry my bag for me?” The voice was strained and brittle. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
“Hmmmpppfff!” Kaname tossed her hair and frowned. “I might have, if you had shown up the day before yesterday, as I had asked.”
“Yes….” There was a sigh. “Let me make it up to you. I’ll treat you to a cup of tea at your favorite café.”
“Well, at least you remembered the password…… old lady.” Kaname dropped a cabbage into her basket. “But you seem a bit spritely for one your age.”
“No one is paying attention that closely,” the woman grumped. “The password has long since grown stale. You certainly could have chosen a better place to meet.”
“Really? I guess I’m not very good at that type of thing, huh? I guess I could ask your superiors at the Intelligence Department for some better ideas.” Kaname smirked, knowing that she still held the upper hand.
“That kind of thing has also grown rather old.” The old woman shook her head, and then moved over to look at turnips.
The ‘old woman’ was presumably a man. Code named ‘Wraith,’ he was a master of disguise and an agent in Mithril’s Information Bureau. He had told Kaname that he was assigned to observe her and protect her, but she had never seen any evidence of the latter in any of the life or death situations she had found herself in.
His talent for disguise was so great, and his ability to modify his voice so remarkable, that Kaname couldn’t even be certain that he was indeed a he. Sometimes he appeared as a man, and other times as a woman. His apparent age always varied, as did his apparent vocation.
“Huh? You don‘t say!” Kaname moved over to the onion bin. “When I head off to college, what will you do then? Maybe, if the school has a sister institution for acting students, you can get a job there.” She knew that she was walking on tender toes at the moment. The spy was never happy to be told that he should become an actor instead of an agent.
The old woman remained silent.
“I’m just joking, you know.” Kaname looked apologetic. She didn’t know why she kept harping on that subject. It obviously bothered the agent. Maybe it was because he was from Mithril, and she had a habit of riding Sousuke so mercilessly at times.
Wraith didn’t answer. His fingernails left small indentations in the turnip he was holding. This arrangement was less than satisfactory, but Kaname knew things about him that he couldn’t afford having his superiors find out about. Consequently, when the girl had something she wanted to know…… or even had personal problems she wanted to discuss…… she called him.
“Well, thank you for coming, anyway.” Kaname’s voice was showing signs of irritation. “Did you look into it?”
“Yes…… as best I could….” Wraith answered. “It was difficult getting any information on the topic, as the Department of Operations does not keep that kind of information written down anywhere.” He rolled the turnip around the palm of his hand before replacing it. “It looks as if Sergeant Sagara will be allowed to attend college, and to stay near you, given the fear that Amalgam may still have designs for you….. despite the grievous blow dealt that organization.”
“That’s great!” The onions that Kaname dropped missed her basket. “I mean, he certainly could benefit from a proper education. I just hope that his superiors explain things in detail to the university that accepts him.” She hid a smile. It would have to be whatever institution that took her on as a student.
Wraith remained silent.
“Are you guys going to limit the places I can get into?” Kaname asked, her eyebrow raised. She had begun wondering about that, busy as she had been with applications. “Or, will you work some magic so that I get accepted where you guys want me to be?”
The agent didn’t answer. Kaname wasn’t entirely surprised, since he usually clammed up whenever she spoke about her degree of freedom.
“Hmmmpppfff! I guess I really don’t want to think about that. It really bothers me, thinking how limited my life is in reality. I hate that. I really really hate that.” Kaname’s hands clenched into fists, and then relaxed. “But, that’s good news about Sousuke….”
Wraith shook his head, but still didn’t say anything. He was certain that Kaname would catch note of that, and be driven to ask the appropriate question.
“What’s wrong? I know you don’t like Sousuke…… and the two of you will never actually meet face to face if you can help it….” Kaname pursed her lips, and then began tapping her fingernail against the wooden crate in front of her. “So, what is it this time?”
“I have noticed something. It has occurred on a number of occasions. I cannot be certain of its significance, as he has come close to being aware of my presence from time to time. And….” The agent’s voice grew somewhat angry. “He still doesn’t trust my abilities, and has doubts about the Intelligence Bureau. On the last occasion he called out to me…… when…… he…… was…… standing…… in the open…… in an alley….” Wraith was clearly perturbed by the memory, especially since it wasn’t the first such occurrence. “He suggested that he might tell his superiors about my presence, if I interfered with him.”
“Do you think he would?” Kaname wondered what might happen. It sounded like various departments within Mithril were sometimes at odds with one another.
“He might!” Wraith struck his hand against a metal post. “But, he’s already on unsteady ground with the highest ranking officials. After that affair in China, he faced down the rather frightening President of the Intelligence Department, threatening to pay his separation penalty and leave Mithril.” He fought the urge to curse. “But, he and that machine of his are very important to a lot of people.”
“I see,” Sousuke had never spoken to her about any of that, even though she had been the one who had found him in China with Wraith’s help, and had turned his spirit around just in the nick of time, when the Venom-type Arm Slaves were about to kill Mao, Webber, and the other SRT members. Her mind latched onto something else. “What…… ummm…… what did you notice?”
Kaname began to shiver a bit for some reason. She hadn’t liked the sound of the agent’s voice, or the way he seemed to be dancing around the subject. That wasn’t his usual approach.
“He has secretly been meeting with a young woman,” the spy said, coming right out with it. “It has taken place on two occasions that I am aware of. According to my sources within the organization, there are no female Mithril agents assigned to Tokyo at the moment.”
The basket slipped from Kaname’s fingers. When it hit the floor, the cabbage joined the onions in their attempt at escape.
“But…… you know…… there must be some reason….”
“I have made no efforts to identify the woman. I also have been unable to determine the manner of business they have with one another. However, he had made great efforts to remain unseen, and has clearly been on the look out for any possible observers.” Wraiths’ voice was dry and clinical. He made certain that a glimmer of hope didn’t enter his voice. He was not pleased by the randomness of events that the SRT soldier often brought about into his routine. It would be nice if that ended.
“He wouldn’t be…… you know….”
Kaname brought her hand to her mouth, her face looking vulnerable. She and Sousuke had admitted their feelings to one another, during that mess with Amagam. They had begun dating, and she was convinced that he really cared for her.
“This much I know,” Wraith said. “They meet in secret. They have disappeared into a building that contains residences, not business establishments. The curtains on the room are always drawn shut. Deliverymen have brought food to her room in that building.”
“I…… he…… has he…… you know…… spent the night…..”
Kaname’s mind whirled. She tried to think of any night during which she hadn’t seen Sousuke, or talked with him on the phone. There were no times when he ever behaved in a suspicious fashion, or tried to postpone anything they did together.
“Not on those two evenings. His stay with her lasted about thirty minutes each time.” The agent scratched his arm. “He was smiling, each time he left her company. That is not always a commonplace thing with him.”
Kaname bit her lip. Her eyes narrowed. Anger began to well up within her. Thirty minutes. Drawn curtains. A young woman. Sousuke smiling. She kicked at one of the crates under the large sloping counter, grimacing when she struck a protruding nail head. She almost asked Wraith why he had been following Sousuke on that occasion, instead of keeping watch on her. At the moment, that question was of little importance to her.
“Do you wish for me to probe more deeply?” Wraith asked, kicking Kaname’s cabbage over to her. “If I make it a point to remain undiscovered, I doubt that he will detect me. But, before I take that risk….”
Kaname thought for a moment. She found herself on pins and needles. Did she trust Sousuke? Wasn’t that what everything boiled down to? He had left her before, when she needed him near her. But, that had been due to orders. When else had he ever done something to let her down?
“No…… not now….” She bent over and began retrieving her wayward vegetables. “I…… I guess I’m not really worried, or anything….” She bumped her head, standing up too quickly when she was still under the counter. “Ow-w-w-w…. this is that idiot’s fault!”
Wraith smiled ever so briefly, making certain that he was turned away from the blue-haired girl when he did so.
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Everything seemed as it should be.
The weatherman had called for a beautiful day, and it seemed that his word was good.
Garbage trucks had showed up at their usual time, the loud clatter of metal cans and the roar of the engines waking Kaname before she had wanted to get up. She was particularly irritable, since after a night of tossing and turning, she had fallen asleep shortly after 4 A.M.
Her newspaper bounced off of her door at the usual time, and her toaster popper out perfectly browned bread just when it should have.
When she walked out of her building that morning, Sousuke was standing precisely where he did every morning, patiently waiting for her. Staring at him, Kaname couldn’t see anything different. There was nothing out of place. Annoyed, she forced herself not to look at his collar. There wouldn’t be any lipstick there.
Right?
Forcing a smile, she walked over to greet him, following her own routine. There must have been some strange look in her eyes, or a crook to her smile, because the young soldier immediate narrowed his eyes and looked carefully around the vicinity.
“Good morning, Kaname. Is there something wrong? You look…… somewhat troubled….”
“Morning, you big idiot!” Kaname swallowed hard, before kissing Sousuke on the cheek. “Why would anything be wrong? Geeeez. You’re always so paranoid.” She said a short prayer of thanks when her voice didn’t crack. She fought back the usual laugh she involuntarily laughed when something truly had her upset or shocked. “It’s too beautiful a morning for that kind of stuff!”
As the two of them walked towards school, Kaname began to feel worried. Sousuke hadn’t taken her hand. While he didn’t do that every morning, she couldn’t help but wonder if he didn’t want to any more. Feeling somewhat weak and needy, she slid her hand into his.
Without missing a step, Sousuke tightened his own grip, his face unchanging.
“Sousuke….” Kaname felt a compulsion to speak. There were things she wanted to find out, but didn’t know the best approach. She also found herself in desperate need of reassurance.
“Yes, Kaname?” Sousuke looked over at her, his eyes carefully monitoring his girlfriend’s face.
“Did you…… did you enjoy the supper I cooked you last night?” Kaname had a difficult time making that meal, cooked with the item she had bought while talking with Wraith. “It was a little rushed. It took me a while to get home from the market.”
“The meal was very good, Kaname.” Sousuke was puzzled. He had already complimented her before he left last evening. Not only that, he had made it a point to inform her how she had impacted his life, making things such as the taste of food more significant to him. “Rarely do you cook anything that tastes worse than an MRE.”
“Thank you, Souske.” Kaname wrinkled her nose. “Rarely? MRE?”
Sousuke remained silent. He was not in the mood for a kick to the shin that morning.
Kaname smiled, despite the uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. Sousuke was learning. In the past, he would have made some kind of comment that set her off.
“So…… will you join me for dinner again tonight?” She looked up at Sousuke’s face. The two of them ate together on a majority of nights. Unwelcome suspicions pestering her, she felt compelled to invite him to dinner every night from now on, essentially daring him to refuse. She knew that she was being silly, but….
“I am sorry. Tonight I must refuse.” Sousuke continued walking, his expression unchanging. His stride was even and forceful, the same as it always was. He didn’t make a single misstep. “Unless you can schedule the meal later in the evening.”
“Oh….” Kaname stepped somewhat awkwardly, but didn’t stumble. “I….. I see….. is it something for Mithril…” She didn’t even bother looking around her this time, when she asked that.
“Negative.” Sousuke didn’t offer any more than that.
As the two walked along in silence, Kaname’s felt as if she were about to fly off the handle. ‘Negative’? That’s all he was going to say? ‘Negative’!
“Is it something for school, Sousuke. A detention, or some of your extra classes?” Kaname swallowed hard. She didn’t want to sound concerned. Normally, he would have already told her if it was anything like that.
“No. None of those.” Again, Sousuke did not expand on things.
Again Kaname found herself distracted. She almost walked right into an elderly couple out for a morning stroll. Her heart was racing, and she had a great need to know what Sousuke was up to.
“Are….” Kaname tried to frame her next question. “You’re not in some kind of trouble, are you Sousuke?” She smoothed her clothing, and then continued. “I mean…… usually, you’re more…… ummm…… forthcoming than this….”
“I do not find myself in any kind of difficulty, Kaname.” Again, a terse and unenlightening answer. His jaw tightened ever so slightly, and there was the faintest hint of sweat at his brow.
Kaname had to do it. She had to ask one particular question. Sousuke’s reaction might mean a great deal more than his actual reply.
“Are you meeting with someone tonight?” There, she had said it without turning into a pillar of salt. “I mean…… ummm…… some kind of appointment, or something….”
Sousuke was quiet for a few yards. His gaze was focused straight ahead. His hand twitched a tiny bit. Kaname found herself holding her breath. Sousuke had never been untruthful to her once they had started going together. Even in the past, when it was Mithril business, he would remain silent or dissuade her from probing any further.
“No.”
Sousuke’s answer was firm. No one else on earth would have doubted his sincerity in the slightest. But, Kaname was heartbroken. She had no doubt whatsoever.
He had just lied to her.
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There was no moon that night.
Kaname didn’t know whether to be thankful or disappointed.
The lack of additional light meant that she had a better chance of moving unseen. But, she had already banged her shins or smacked her knees a number of times, in parts of the neighborhood that didn’t have any streetlamps or external illumination of other sorts.
Dressed in a pair of black slacks, a dark shirt and covering black sweater, as well as a pair of black sneakers, she moved from one point of concealment to another while trying to keep undetected.
At the moment, she was too angry to be sad. And, deep in her heart, she was too sad to be frightened. Still, she found her hands shaking now and again. It was crazy, her being out alone like this.
If Sousuke’s actions were truly innocent, then her lack of trust might hurt him if he found out. On the other hand, if there was something…… or someone…… that he was keeping hidden from her, then she would end up crushed and heartbroken.
No doubt that damn Wraith was cursing her at the moment. But, she didn’t care. He could earn his keep, or jump off of a building if it inconvenienced him too much. She had resisted the urge to ask him to carry out this mission.
It was something that she felt a need to do.
Taking out a heavy monocular device, she zoomed in on Sousuke. He was strolling along, like he hadn’t a care in the world. Occasionally he stopped to check his surroundings, as was his way.
The night vision device was functioning perfectly. Kaname thought back to the day that Sousuke had given it to her, wrapped in a big red ribbon. She had been rather perturbed, asking him just what kind of present that was for a girl’s birthday.
Kaname told herself that she would accept a lifetime of strange or otaku gifts, if only it meant that Sousuke hadn’t found himself another woman. He couldn’t have really done that, right? He was who he was, after all. Trustworthy. Dependable.
But, he had lied to her.
“Ouch!” She put a hand over her mouth, too late to stop the exclamation of pain. She had twisted her ankle, not paying attention to the sidewalk. The drop down into the small side road had come unexpectedly. Luckily, Sousuke gave no sign of having heard her.
Maybe he had found someone else. She had to admit that she wasn’t the easiest person to be around. And if he did have a paramour, he would still carry out his obligation to protect the Whispered girl that he was assigned to. To make it easier on her, no doubt he would keep his new love a secret.
There was a brief reflection of light on the roof of a nearby building. Kaname grimaced. That was probably Wraith. If it was, he would get a severe tongue-lashing from her. He ought to do better than that!
Men….
Block by block she made her way. Whenever necessary, she would run down a narrow and darkened alleyway, taking a shortcut and avoiding the brightly lit part of the street that Sousuke walked along.
She didn’t need to keep an eye on him every moment. The intelligence operative had given her the girl’s address, the one he had visited before. If he was headed for that building, she would have him in her sights at the necessary instant. She also knew the room number, so could be waiting when he came out, should she feel a need to confront him.
Here and there, rats or stray cats ran out of her way. When she was forced to walk along the shop fronts, passersby also hurried away from her, frightened by the look on her face. Keeping her fingers crossed, she hoped beyond all hope that she wouldn’t run into any of her friends or acquaintances.
Waiting in one dark alcove, as she watched Sousuke standing at a street corner, Kaname told herself that she was being reckless. What if someone other than Wraith was trailing her? This kind of nonsense would provide someone a wonderful chance to snatch her up.
When the street light changed, and Sousuke crossed the busy avenue, she hurried to keep her proscribed distance. Passing by one large store window, she tensed up, tears coming to her eyes. It was a travel agency. The display showed various romantic getaways for couples.
For a moment, she had images of Sousuke on the beach with some faceless woman. She imagined him leaning over to kiss her. His hands….
“Get a grip girl!”
She forced herself to stop. That kind of thing wouldn’t do her any good now. What was the sense of getting all worked up, before she even knew what was going on?
Finally, she reached the city block where the building was. Chest tight, and eyes stinging, she repeated a simple mantra to herself under her breath.
“Not that building. Not that building. Not that building. Walk on by. Walk on by.”
Sousuke walked through a small outdoor café that was set-up outside of the very building in question. Kaname’s anger began to flare, hotter than before.
It seemed that she was assuming the worse.
“How could he do this? The stupid ungrateful jerk! After he left me without any word to go to China! After I found him, and turned him around! After he came back to school, and knocked the teacher to the ground, talking about laser light from some scope.” She was oblivious to the stares that the people gave her as she wove between the tables, heading for the front door of the main building. “After all that nonsense on the cruise ship, when he wasn’t even going to join me in the first place. After I saved his life from Tessa’s bastard brother!”
Images from the past flashed before her eyes.
“Ooooooooo-o-o-o-o-o-h….”
Shaking with rage, she was unaware of the tears that began to run down her cheeks. She almost turned around and ran back home, then and there. Almost. Instead, she moved from one darkened area of the café to another, watching as Sousuke stood outside of the building, waiting on a large flight of marble stairs.
Her worst fears came to light. Sousuke raised one arm, and then signaled, catching someone’s attention. Coming down the stairs, a smile on her face, was a rather attractive young woman.
Hand on a blazing Tiki torch, Kaname squeezed. The smooth bamboo shaft threatened to snap in two. One of the waiters walked over to see if she would like to be seated, but quickly left when he heard her growl.
The woman had on a tasteful pastel blouse, and a nice patterned skirt. Even from that distance, it was easy to see that she was wearing a lot of jewelry. Kaname wondered if Sousuke had bought it for her. Long dark hair fell over her shoulders and hung down past the middle of her back. Bowing, she walked back into the building, with Sousuke close behind.
Kaname had to fight the urge to run up and clobber Sousuke right then and there, in front of the hussy. But, he might try to deny knowing her that way. She wanted to catch him in a situation where he couldn’t make such an obvious lie.
“Damn you.” She sniffed. “Sousuke….”
There was no need to hurry now. She had the room number. There was no way that she would listen at the door….. there were things that she didn’t want to hear. No. A secluded spot in the hallway ought to suffice.
After she confronted him…… and brought him a world of pain…… she would call Wraith and ask him to pass along word to Mithril.
Kaname Chidori would no longer want Sergeant Sousuke Sagara anywhere near her. If they didn’t pull him away, she would take whatever steps were necessary. It didn’t matter, whether or not someone else took his place.
She’d had enough.
No.
She had had far more than that.
For a moment, a wild thought crossed her mind. She wondered if her hidden observer would shoot a certain treacherous young man if she requested. She shook her head. She shouldn’t fantasize about such things.
Besides, if he would shoot anyone that she asked him too…… Kaname would ask Wraith to shoot her.
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The sound of voices grew stronger.
Kaname snapped out of her trance, disgusted with the self-pity she had been wallowing in.
She was Kaname Chidori, someone of merit! She had been that person before a certain jerk, and would remain that way afterwards.
It was possible to make out some of the words. The woman’s voice was soft, and did not carry well. But, Sousuke’s voice was simple enough to make out, especially for Kaname, who knew every possible inflection of it.
‘Beautiful.’
She heard Sousuke repeat that word a number of times. That moron had no idea that she was in earshot, more than capable of hearing his disloyal and traitorous flattery.
‘I am so happy that I found you.’
That one really hurt! What did that say about her? Was she some useless piece of clothing, easy to cast off as soon as something better caught his eye? How she could hate him!
‘How could anyone not be satisfied with your services? The price may be somewhat steep, but you are worth every bit.’
Kaname trembled, putting her head against the cool surface of the stairwell wall. That bastard. That…… that…… that….
He had never made any advances on her, probably because he knew that she wasn’t ready to take that step in their relationship yet. She had never thought that he would be like the cliché mercenary soldiers that people talk or write about. The woman wasn’t his girlfriend…… she was a prostitute!
Too stricken to cry, she stood with her mouth open. The shock was overwhelming. It would have been difficult enough to accept the fact that he had found a girl who touched his heart better than she did.
But this!
‘No. I’m not going to tell her tonight. I still have a lot of thinking to do. I will need to keep things a secret for as long as I can.’
“Yeh, right!” Kaname’s eyes narrowed. She clenched her hands into a fist, feeling an urge to strike something. Hard. “I have a surprise for you, Mister. I trusted you.” She wiped away her tears. “I loved you….”
The door handle turned, but the door didn’t open right away. Kaname’s imagination ran wild. She could picture what they might be doing. She wondered if that slut was even dressed.
“I will be certain to tell as many people about you as I can. It is the least that I can do. You far exceeded my expectations, and I will be certain to visit again if I have similar needs in the future.”
Sousuke’s voice came loud and clear through the partially open door. Watching through the slight opening in the heavy fire door she hid behind, Kaname saw red. Her feelings were indescribable, hearing the young soldier mention his needs.
His needs!
When she was done with him, he would never have those needs again. As soon as he had exited the room, and the door was closed behind him, she stepped out into the hallway. She walked behind Sousuke, daring him to turn and notice her sooner rather than later.
Kaname didn’t care if that tramp overheard every word that she had to say.
Sousuke stopped. He listened, his shoulders slumping somewhat. He sniffed the air.
“Kaname?”
He spoke without turning. The sound of her footsteps. The scent of her perfume. It had to be her.
“Yes. Kaname! You know. The girl who was stupid enough to believe that you loved her.”
“But….”
“It’s not ‘but’, Sousuke.” Kaname slapped him hard across the cheek, the sound echoing down the deserted corridor like a muffled gunshot. “How could you do that? How could you lie to me….”
“I…… what….”
“No. It’s not ‘I…what’, you heartless jerk!” Kaname raised her arm again, but didn’t have the strength to swing. She collapsed, leaning against the wall.
“Kaname…… this….”
“This? This what, Sousuke? Did you think I wouldn’t find out?” Kaname began to get enraged again, but was too caught up in the current of her onrushing depression. “Why couldn’t you have waited? Didn’t you think you could ask me to do this someday?”
“I just thought….”
“You thought? What did you think? That I would be OK with this?” Kaname began sobbing. She struck one fist against the wall softly, again and again. “I hate you Sousuke. I can never forgive you for this. Never. It’s so stupid. Stupid stupid stupid….”
“Kaname…… this was supposed to be a surprise…. you know….”
Kaname began to laugh inappropriately, tears coursing down her cheeks. She banged her head against the wall, and then turned a stricken face to stare at Sousuke.
“It’s not ‘you know’, Sousuke. It’s not anything, actually. She stood up, her eyes narrowing. She held her hands like claws. “Do you know what bothers me the most? You lied to me….”
“Yes…… but….”
“It’s not ‘yes…but’, you moron. There is no ‘but’, you know? How can there be? After all that we shared together.” Kaname closed her eyes, as if she could will herself away from there, to some different place and some different time.
“You always tell me to accomplish things on my own, Kaname. This was something I wanted to do for you. I wanted to show you what I was capable of, because you mean so much to me.”
Sousuke’s face was a mixture of emotions. He couldn’t have been more confused than he was at that moment.
“WHAT?”
Kaname slapped him again. “How can you say you were doing that for me?” Her mind rushed ahead, trying to think as Sousuke might have thought.
Could that big dufus have doubted his ability regarding sexual relations, and wanted to gain some experience before approaching her? It sounded just like something the moron would do. But, this time, his stupidity was inexcusable. His lack of judgment was just too severe.
“That really hurt, Kaname….”
Sousuke wiped the corner of his mouth, seeing a small bloody streak on one finger.
“How much did you pay her, Sousuke?” Kaname felt her violent urges flow out of her body. Her voice sounded hollow, detached. “I hope it was worth your while.” She leaned her head against the wall, and then closed her eyes, feeling dizzy.
“I do not think…… that is not the kind of question one should ask in this situation….”
Kaname began chuckling, knowing that she had no reason to do so.
“AH HAH.”
Her chuckling gave way to laughter.
“AH HAH HAH HAH.”
It grew successively louder.
“AH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH….”
She shook her head, trying to regain control. “What’s wrong? Worried that I will think less of you, if you spent too much on your damn hooker?”
“Kaname…… hooker…… I do not understand….”
“Right!” Kaname rubbed both of her eyes. “You’re not that naïve, Sousuke. You’re a mercenary soldier. You’ve seen everything…… or so you have told me….” She sighed. Just how much of what he had told her in the past had been lies? “I’m pretty certain you know what a prostitute is.”
“Affirmative,” Sousuke answered, even more perplexed than before. “But what does that have to do with me? Why would you think I have seen a woman of that sort? Especially since I love you….”
Kaname stiffened momentarily, angry that he would lie to her when he had been caught red-handed. But, a small part of her began to have doubt. Why had she rushed so far ahead, ready to believe something bad about him? Might this be another misunderstanding, despite everything that she had heard?
“Sousuke…… what are you saying…..”
“I have never engaged a woman for sexual purposes…… for pay, or otherwise….” Sousuke swallowed hard. “I have been made fun of by other soldiers for just that reason.”
“Oh,” Kaname ran a hand through her hair. “So…… she’s not a whore…… just your new girlfriend, I guess….”
“Kaname? Who?”
“AHHH!”
Kaname pressed her hands hard against her temples. “I can’t take this. It’s not ‘Kaname? Who?’ you big jerk!” Her eyes lit up. “You just left her room! You met her downstairs. Wraith says that you have met her before….”
“Wraith?” Sousuke’s look soured. He truly did not like or trust the mysterious Mithril agent. “You have him following me?” It was Sousuke’s turn to feel unhappy. “That is misuse of a professional…… and…… and it does not speak well of trust….”
“Trust!” Kaname almost broke out in her inappropriate laughter again. This couldn’t possibly be real. Not even with Sousuke involved. “You lied to me, Sousuke. You told me you weren’t going to meet anyone. And when you did, it’s another girl….” She felt no need to tell him that Wraith had not been following him at her request.
“I see,” Sousuke said. “But…… I do not see where her gender matters in this situation…… I did not judge you to be chauvinistic, Kaname….”
“What…..I….”
Kaname shook her head, as if trying to clear out some cobwebs. Sousuke was doing it again. Now she was completely turned around.
Sousuke remained silent.
“If…… if you weren’t coming to …… you know…… see her….” Kaname swallowed hard. “Then why did you keep her a secret from me? Why did you lie?”
“You will not let things go back to the way they were earlier today, if I do not tell you?” Sousuke looked somewhat disheartened.
“No…… no, I really don’t think so, Sousuke….” Kaname bit her lip. “It just opens too many questions.”
Sousuke nodded. He reached into his pocket and removed something that Kaname couldn’t see.
“I had hoped for this to be a surprise. I am not…… I am not ready to ask you yet….” He looked down at his hand. “It would not have been too much longer, though…… since we have a drastic change in our futures approaching….”
“What? Sousuke….”
“You had shown me artistic patterns that you liked in the past. I had gotten pictures of them, hoping a craftsman could duplicate them. I also took time to approach gem merchants that I have rescued in the past, looking for just the right stone.”
Sousuke’s words had Kaname’s eyes going wide.
He couldn’t mean….
“The woman is a skilled jeweler. She came highly recommended, and promised to be discrete. It took some time…… and it was more costly than I had expected…… but the results were more than I could have hoped for.”
Kaname’s heart felt as if it were spinning faster and faster, intent on drilling its way out of her chest. Jeweler. Oh no! Not only was she mistaken…… and had treated Sousuke horribly…… the big idiot had….
“Wait, Sousuke….” She nearly shouted. “It’s OK. Please. Put it away. You don’t need to show it to me.”
Sousuke held a small box in his hand. He looked down at it, then up at Kaname again.
“It could be empty, Kaname. I could be lying to you. If you believe that I have been seeing the woman for other reasons….” He looked deep in thought for a moment. “Perhaps I should also be certain that you liked it. There is….. uhhh…… time for me to find another….”
He opened the box and held it out to Kaname.
She held her hand out, and then pulled it back. She turned away.
“I…… I don’t deserve to look at it, Sousuke…” Kaname’s voice sounded even more anguished than before. “I’m so sorry…… I’m so very sorry.” She hung her head. “Sorry.”
Sousuke stood quietly, not certain what he should say or do. But, he merely followed his heart, being the honest and forthright person that he was.
“Kaname. I do not understand your behavior tonight. But….” He walked over and touched her arm very lightly. “If you were that upset because you thought that I betrayed you…… it must mean that you care for me a great deal….”
Kaname nodded. Her voice stuck in her throat. Turning, she teared-up. Reaching her hand up, she wiped a small bead of blood off of Sousuke’s lip. She stared at her hand.
“I have had worse.” Sousuke sounded unconcerned.
“You…… you deserve better.”
“Do I?” Sousuke put his hands on Kaname’s shoulders. He looked into her eyes. “I have also done far worse….”
“N-N-Not to me….” Kaname whispered. “Never to me….”
“I left you once. I did not expect to return to Tokyo. And yet, I couldn’t bring myself to tell you that I was going.” Sousuke let go. He suddenly sounded very tired.
“Yes,” Kaname flinched, remembering how she had once felt. “But you came back here. You came back to me.”
Sousuke stood silently for a while, thinking back to Hong Kong and China, as well as the dangers he, Kaname and their class had faced at sea. He then recalled the series of events that followed later on. An Arm Slave battle in the streets of Tokyo. His defeat at the hands of Leonard. Kaname’s voluntary abduction, saving his life.
So much. So very much. More than any two people should face together in a single lifetime.
For a moment, he stared down at the item in the box, wondering if it truly made sense after all.
Kaname watched his gaze. She wondered what he must be thinking.
“Are you having second thoughts, Sousuke?” Her one hand fluttered like a wounded bird, while the other tried to keep it still. “Am I too…… do you think that I’m….” Her heart was in her eyes. “Do you doubt me? I think…… after tonight, I think that might be fair.”
Sousuke shook his head. He looked over at her.
“I doubt myself. I doubt the life that I would bring you. Wraith may have been correct, when he implied that I was more danger to you than protection.” He held the box up at an angle, catching the light from an overhead fixture. The brief sparkling made him blink.
“No.” Kaname looked certain. She had thought on that subject many a long night. “Maybe we’re just a couple of big idiots, huh?”
Sousuke looked at her for a moment, and then nodded his head.
“Who’s the biggest idiot?” Sousuke asked, a bit of life returning to his eyes.
“I am,” Kaname admitted, the corner of her lips turning up in a smile. “But only for tonight.” She straightened her shoulders. “After that, it’s you again.”
“I see.”
Sousuke closed the box, and then placed it back in his pocket.
“Hey-y-y-y-y-y-y….”
Kaname looked somewhat peeved.
“Kaname…… what?”
“It’s not ‘what’, Sousuke.” She tossed her hair, then stuck out her lip. “It’s ‘Kaname, do you want to see it’, right?”
Sousuke wiped some drying blood off of his mouth.
“You told me to put it away.”
“I know that Sousuke! I’m not stupid, you know.” She shook a fist at him. “You…… that’s an entirely different story.” She held her nose up. “Hmmppff!”
Sousuke handed her the box. The feeling was not too different than one he had felt in the past, testing the ground for landmines with a long slender dagger.
Kaname’s hand caressed the box for a few seconds, smoothing the dark velvet in one direction, and then another. Slowly, she opened the tightly sprung lid, finding it hard to breath.
When she looked inside, her eyes went very wide, and then looked unbelievably vulnerable. Her lips quivered, and her throat tightened up. She had been correct. It was a diamond ring. The band was carved gold, decorated with an intricate pattern she had seen in one of the city museums.
There was no doubt whatsoever what that ring was intended for. Still wanting to look at the wondrous jewelry, she closed the box, and then closed her eyes. It would have to wait.
“Yes,” she said, smiling.
“Kaname?” Sousuke froze. He hadn’t asked her anything.
“I accept, Sousuke.” Kaname handed the box back to him.
“I…… uhhh….” He wondered if he were now committed, if he had never actually proposed. “But I didn’t ask….”
“Duh! I know that!” Kaname gave him a superior look. “But, you will. Sooner or later.”
“But…… “
“I’m just making things easy for you, you big idiot!” Kaname shrugged. “Now you don’t have to worry about my answer. Hmmppff. Mithril obviously didn’t hire you for your brains.”
“What if you change your mind?”
“There’s no danger of that,” Kaname said. “Unlike someone I know, I always keep my word.” She tossed her hair again, hitting Sousuke full in the face with it. “Of course, since you didn’t say anything, you can’t be certain what I accepted.”
Sousuke stood silently for a moment. He was certain that Kaname thought that she had gotten the better of him. That would never do. Without saying a word, he marched down the stairs to the bottom floor. When he stepped outside, he walked behind the café area and looked up at a tall row of apartment buildings.
“What are you doing now, Sousuke.” Kaname asked.
Sousuke unbuttoned his shirt, and then pointed at his heart. Kaname looked on, frowning.
“I’m giving Wraith a clear shot,” he stated. “It would be easier that way. Call him and give him permission to fire.”
Kaname scowled. Then, she tenderly touched Sousuke’s face.
“Did I…… did I hurt you badly…..”
“No. It’s not that bad.” Sousuke answered.
“Then why aren’t you kissing me!” Kaname stomped on his foot, hard.
Sousuke replied the way a wise man would.
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THE END
For those who don’t like spoilers, don’t read this. Happenings from ‘End of Day By Day’ and ‘Dancing Very Merry Christmas’ are alluded to.
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The market was very crowded.
It was the first sunny day after a week of rain, so Kaname wasn’t surprised in the least.
Lifting up and examining cabbages, she took noticed when an aged woman in a voluminous dress siddled up beside her, beginning her own perusal of the large leafy vegetables.
“Miss, I fear that my ailments are acting up again. When I leave here, will you be so kind as to carry my bag for me?” The voice was strained and brittle. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
“Hmmmpppfff!” Kaname tossed her hair and frowned. “I might have, if you had shown up the day before yesterday, as I had asked.”
“Yes….” There was a sigh. “Let me make it up to you. I’ll treat you to a cup of tea at your favorite café.”
“Well, at least you remembered the password…… old lady.” Kaname dropped a cabbage into her basket. “But you seem a bit spritely for one your age.”
“No one is paying attention that closely,” the woman grumped. “The password has long since grown stale. You certainly could have chosen a better place to meet.”
“Really? I guess I’m not very good at that type of thing, huh? I guess I could ask your superiors at the Intelligence Department for some better ideas.” Kaname smirked, knowing that she still held the upper hand.
“That kind of thing has also grown rather old.” The old woman shook her head, and then moved over to look at turnips.
The ‘old woman’ was presumably a man. Code named ‘Wraith,’ he was a master of disguise and an agent in Mithril’s Information Bureau. He had told Kaname that he was assigned to observe her and protect her, but she had never seen any evidence of the latter in any of the life or death situations she had found herself in.
His talent for disguise was so great, and his ability to modify his voice so remarkable, that Kaname couldn’t even be certain that he was indeed a he. Sometimes he appeared as a man, and other times as a woman. His apparent age always varied, as did his apparent vocation.
“Huh? You don‘t say!” Kaname moved over to the onion bin. “When I head off to college, what will you do then? Maybe, if the school has a sister institution for acting students, you can get a job there.” She knew that she was walking on tender toes at the moment. The spy was never happy to be told that he should become an actor instead of an agent.
The old woman remained silent.
“I’m just joking, you know.” Kaname looked apologetic. She didn’t know why she kept harping on that subject. It obviously bothered the agent. Maybe it was because he was from Mithril, and she had a habit of riding Sousuke so mercilessly at times.
Wraith didn’t answer. His fingernails left small indentations in the turnip he was holding. This arrangement was less than satisfactory, but Kaname knew things about him that he couldn’t afford having his superiors find out about. Consequently, when the girl had something she wanted to know…… or even had personal problems she wanted to discuss…… she called him.
“Well, thank you for coming, anyway.” Kaname’s voice was showing signs of irritation. “Did you look into it?”
“Yes…… as best I could….” Wraith answered. “It was difficult getting any information on the topic, as the Department of Operations does not keep that kind of information written down anywhere.” He rolled the turnip around the palm of his hand before replacing it. “It looks as if Sergeant Sagara will be allowed to attend college, and to stay near you, given the fear that Amalgam may still have designs for you….. despite the grievous blow dealt that organization.”
“That’s great!” The onions that Kaname dropped missed her basket. “I mean, he certainly could benefit from a proper education. I just hope that his superiors explain things in detail to the university that accepts him.” She hid a smile. It would have to be whatever institution that took her on as a student.
Wraith remained silent.
“Are you guys going to limit the places I can get into?” Kaname asked, her eyebrow raised. She had begun wondering about that, busy as she had been with applications. “Or, will you work some magic so that I get accepted where you guys want me to be?”
The agent didn’t answer. Kaname wasn’t entirely surprised, since he usually clammed up whenever she spoke about her degree of freedom.
“Hmmmpppfff! I guess I really don’t want to think about that. It really bothers me, thinking how limited my life is in reality. I hate that. I really really hate that.” Kaname’s hands clenched into fists, and then relaxed. “But, that’s good news about Sousuke….”
Wraith shook his head, but still didn’t say anything. He was certain that Kaname would catch note of that, and be driven to ask the appropriate question.
“What’s wrong? I know you don’t like Sousuke…… and the two of you will never actually meet face to face if you can help it….” Kaname pursed her lips, and then began tapping her fingernail against the wooden crate in front of her. “So, what is it this time?”
“I have noticed something. It has occurred on a number of occasions. I cannot be certain of its significance, as he has come close to being aware of my presence from time to time. And….” The agent’s voice grew somewhat angry. “He still doesn’t trust my abilities, and has doubts about the Intelligence Bureau. On the last occasion he called out to me…… when…… he…… was…… standing…… in the open…… in an alley….” Wraith was clearly perturbed by the memory, especially since it wasn’t the first such occurrence. “He suggested that he might tell his superiors about my presence, if I interfered with him.”
“Do you think he would?” Kaname wondered what might happen. It sounded like various departments within Mithril were sometimes at odds with one another.
“He might!” Wraith struck his hand against a metal post. “But, he’s already on unsteady ground with the highest ranking officials. After that affair in China, he faced down the rather frightening President of the Intelligence Department, threatening to pay his separation penalty and leave Mithril.” He fought the urge to curse. “But, he and that machine of his are very important to a lot of people.”
“I see,” Sousuke had never spoken to her about any of that, even though she had been the one who had found him in China with Wraith’s help, and had turned his spirit around just in the nick of time, when the Venom-type Arm Slaves were about to kill Mao, Webber, and the other SRT members. Her mind latched onto something else. “What…… ummm…… what did you notice?”
Kaname began to shiver a bit for some reason. She hadn’t liked the sound of the agent’s voice, or the way he seemed to be dancing around the subject. That wasn’t his usual approach.
“He has secretly been meeting with a young woman,” the spy said, coming right out with it. “It has taken place on two occasions that I am aware of. According to my sources within the organization, there are no female Mithril agents assigned to Tokyo at the moment.”
The basket slipped from Kaname’s fingers. When it hit the floor, the cabbage joined the onions in their attempt at escape.
“But…… you know…… there must be some reason….”
“I have made no efforts to identify the woman. I also have been unable to determine the manner of business they have with one another. However, he had made great efforts to remain unseen, and has clearly been on the look out for any possible observers.” Wraiths’ voice was dry and clinical. He made certain that a glimmer of hope didn’t enter his voice. He was not pleased by the randomness of events that the SRT soldier often brought about into his routine. It would be nice if that ended.
“He wouldn’t be…… you know….”
Kaname brought her hand to her mouth, her face looking vulnerable. She and Sousuke had admitted their feelings to one another, during that mess with Amagam. They had begun dating, and she was convinced that he really cared for her.
“This much I know,” Wraith said. “They meet in secret. They have disappeared into a building that contains residences, not business establishments. The curtains on the room are always drawn shut. Deliverymen have brought food to her room in that building.”
“I…… he…… has he…… you know…… spent the night…..”
Kaname’s mind whirled. She tried to think of any night during which she hadn’t seen Sousuke, or talked with him on the phone. There were no times when he ever behaved in a suspicious fashion, or tried to postpone anything they did together.
“Not on those two evenings. His stay with her lasted about thirty minutes each time.” The agent scratched his arm. “He was smiling, each time he left her company. That is not always a commonplace thing with him.”
Kaname bit her lip. Her eyes narrowed. Anger began to well up within her. Thirty minutes. Drawn curtains. A young woman. Sousuke smiling. She kicked at one of the crates under the large sloping counter, grimacing when she struck a protruding nail head. She almost asked Wraith why he had been following Sousuke on that occasion, instead of keeping watch on her. At the moment, that question was of little importance to her.
“Do you wish for me to probe more deeply?” Wraith asked, kicking Kaname’s cabbage over to her. “If I make it a point to remain undiscovered, I doubt that he will detect me. But, before I take that risk….”
Kaname thought for a moment. She found herself on pins and needles. Did she trust Sousuke? Wasn’t that what everything boiled down to? He had left her before, when she needed him near her. But, that had been due to orders. When else had he ever done something to let her down?
“No…… not now….” She bent over and began retrieving her wayward vegetables. “I…… I guess I’m not really worried, or anything….” She bumped her head, standing up too quickly when she was still under the counter. “Ow-w-w-w…. this is that idiot’s fault!”
Wraith smiled ever so briefly, making certain that he was turned away from the blue-haired girl when he did so.
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Everything seemed as it should be.
The weatherman had called for a beautiful day, and it seemed that his word was good.
Garbage trucks had showed up at their usual time, the loud clatter of metal cans and the roar of the engines waking Kaname before she had wanted to get up. She was particularly irritable, since after a night of tossing and turning, she had fallen asleep shortly after 4 A.M.
Her newspaper bounced off of her door at the usual time, and her toaster popper out perfectly browned bread just when it should have.
When she walked out of her building that morning, Sousuke was standing precisely where he did every morning, patiently waiting for her. Staring at him, Kaname couldn’t see anything different. There was nothing out of place. Annoyed, she forced herself not to look at his collar. There wouldn’t be any lipstick there.
Right?
Forcing a smile, she walked over to greet him, following her own routine. There must have been some strange look in her eyes, or a crook to her smile, because the young soldier immediate narrowed his eyes and looked carefully around the vicinity.
“Good morning, Kaname. Is there something wrong? You look…… somewhat troubled….”
“Morning, you big idiot!” Kaname swallowed hard, before kissing Sousuke on the cheek. “Why would anything be wrong? Geeeez. You’re always so paranoid.” She said a short prayer of thanks when her voice didn’t crack. She fought back the usual laugh she involuntarily laughed when something truly had her upset or shocked. “It’s too beautiful a morning for that kind of stuff!”
As the two of them walked towards school, Kaname began to feel worried. Sousuke hadn’t taken her hand. While he didn’t do that every morning, she couldn’t help but wonder if he didn’t want to any more. Feeling somewhat weak and needy, she slid her hand into his.
Without missing a step, Sousuke tightened his own grip, his face unchanging.
“Sousuke….” Kaname felt a compulsion to speak. There were things she wanted to find out, but didn’t know the best approach. She also found herself in desperate need of reassurance.
“Yes, Kaname?” Sousuke looked over at her, his eyes carefully monitoring his girlfriend’s face.
“Did you…… did you enjoy the supper I cooked you last night?” Kaname had a difficult time making that meal, cooked with the item she had bought while talking with Wraith. “It was a little rushed. It took me a while to get home from the market.”
“The meal was very good, Kaname.” Sousuke was puzzled. He had already complimented her before he left last evening. Not only that, he had made it a point to inform her how she had impacted his life, making things such as the taste of food more significant to him. “Rarely do you cook anything that tastes worse than an MRE.”
“Thank you, Souske.” Kaname wrinkled her nose. “Rarely? MRE?”
Sousuke remained silent. He was not in the mood for a kick to the shin that morning.
Kaname smiled, despite the uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. Sousuke was learning. In the past, he would have made some kind of comment that set her off.
“So…… will you join me for dinner again tonight?” She looked up at Sousuke’s face. The two of them ate together on a majority of nights. Unwelcome suspicions pestering her, she felt compelled to invite him to dinner every night from now on, essentially daring him to refuse. She knew that she was being silly, but….
“I am sorry. Tonight I must refuse.” Sousuke continued walking, his expression unchanging. His stride was even and forceful, the same as it always was. He didn’t make a single misstep. “Unless you can schedule the meal later in the evening.”
“Oh….” Kaname stepped somewhat awkwardly, but didn’t stumble. “I….. I see….. is it something for Mithril…” She didn’t even bother looking around her this time, when she asked that.
“Negative.” Sousuke didn’t offer any more than that.
As the two walked along in silence, Kaname’s felt as if she were about to fly off the handle. ‘Negative’? That’s all he was going to say? ‘Negative’!
“Is it something for school, Sousuke. A detention, or some of your extra classes?” Kaname swallowed hard. She didn’t want to sound concerned. Normally, he would have already told her if it was anything like that.
“No. None of those.” Again, Sousuke did not expand on things.
Again Kaname found herself distracted. She almost walked right into an elderly couple out for a morning stroll. Her heart was racing, and she had a great need to know what Sousuke was up to.
“Are….” Kaname tried to frame her next question. “You’re not in some kind of trouble, are you Sousuke?” She smoothed her clothing, and then continued. “I mean…… usually, you’re more…… ummm…… forthcoming than this….”
“I do not find myself in any kind of difficulty, Kaname.” Again, a terse and unenlightening answer. His jaw tightened ever so slightly, and there was the faintest hint of sweat at his brow.
Kaname had to do it. She had to ask one particular question. Sousuke’s reaction might mean a great deal more than his actual reply.
“Are you meeting with someone tonight?” There, she had said it without turning into a pillar of salt. “I mean…… ummm…… some kind of appointment, or something….”
Sousuke was quiet for a few yards. His gaze was focused straight ahead. His hand twitched a tiny bit. Kaname found herself holding her breath. Sousuke had never been untruthful to her once they had started going together. Even in the past, when it was Mithril business, he would remain silent or dissuade her from probing any further.
“No.”
Sousuke’s answer was firm. No one else on earth would have doubted his sincerity in the slightest. But, Kaname was heartbroken. She had no doubt whatsoever.
He had just lied to her.
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There was no moon that night.
Kaname didn’t know whether to be thankful or disappointed.
The lack of additional light meant that she had a better chance of moving unseen. But, she had already banged her shins or smacked her knees a number of times, in parts of the neighborhood that didn’t have any streetlamps or external illumination of other sorts.
Dressed in a pair of black slacks, a dark shirt and covering black sweater, as well as a pair of black sneakers, she moved from one point of concealment to another while trying to keep undetected.
At the moment, she was too angry to be sad. And, deep in her heart, she was too sad to be frightened. Still, she found her hands shaking now and again. It was crazy, her being out alone like this.
If Sousuke’s actions were truly innocent, then her lack of trust might hurt him if he found out. On the other hand, if there was something…… or someone…… that he was keeping hidden from her, then she would end up crushed and heartbroken.
No doubt that damn Wraith was cursing her at the moment. But, she didn’t care. He could earn his keep, or jump off of a building if it inconvenienced him too much. She had resisted the urge to ask him to carry out this mission.
It was something that she felt a need to do.
Taking out a heavy monocular device, she zoomed in on Sousuke. He was strolling along, like he hadn’t a care in the world. Occasionally he stopped to check his surroundings, as was his way.
The night vision device was functioning perfectly. Kaname thought back to the day that Sousuke had given it to her, wrapped in a big red ribbon. She had been rather perturbed, asking him just what kind of present that was for a girl’s birthday.
Kaname told herself that she would accept a lifetime of strange or otaku gifts, if only it meant that Sousuke hadn’t found himself another woman. He couldn’t have really done that, right? He was who he was, after all. Trustworthy. Dependable.
But, he had lied to her.
“Ouch!” She put a hand over her mouth, too late to stop the exclamation of pain. She had twisted her ankle, not paying attention to the sidewalk. The drop down into the small side road had come unexpectedly. Luckily, Sousuke gave no sign of having heard her.
Maybe he had found someone else. She had to admit that she wasn’t the easiest person to be around. And if he did have a paramour, he would still carry out his obligation to protect the Whispered girl that he was assigned to. To make it easier on her, no doubt he would keep his new love a secret.
There was a brief reflection of light on the roof of a nearby building. Kaname grimaced. That was probably Wraith. If it was, he would get a severe tongue-lashing from her. He ought to do better than that!
Men….
Block by block she made her way. Whenever necessary, she would run down a narrow and darkened alleyway, taking a shortcut and avoiding the brightly lit part of the street that Sousuke walked along.
She didn’t need to keep an eye on him every moment. The intelligence operative had given her the girl’s address, the one he had visited before. If he was headed for that building, she would have him in her sights at the necessary instant. She also knew the room number, so could be waiting when he came out, should she feel a need to confront him.
Here and there, rats or stray cats ran out of her way. When she was forced to walk along the shop fronts, passersby also hurried away from her, frightened by the look on her face. Keeping her fingers crossed, she hoped beyond all hope that she wouldn’t run into any of her friends or acquaintances.
Waiting in one dark alcove, as she watched Sousuke standing at a street corner, Kaname told herself that she was being reckless. What if someone other than Wraith was trailing her? This kind of nonsense would provide someone a wonderful chance to snatch her up.
When the street light changed, and Sousuke crossed the busy avenue, she hurried to keep her proscribed distance. Passing by one large store window, she tensed up, tears coming to her eyes. It was a travel agency. The display showed various romantic getaways for couples.
For a moment, she had images of Sousuke on the beach with some faceless woman. She imagined him leaning over to kiss her. His hands….
“Get a grip girl!”
She forced herself to stop. That kind of thing wouldn’t do her any good now. What was the sense of getting all worked up, before she even knew what was going on?
Finally, she reached the city block where the building was. Chest tight, and eyes stinging, she repeated a simple mantra to herself under her breath.
“Not that building. Not that building. Not that building. Walk on by. Walk on by.”
Sousuke walked through a small outdoor café that was set-up outside of the very building in question. Kaname’s anger began to flare, hotter than before.
It seemed that she was assuming the worse.
“How could he do this? The stupid ungrateful jerk! After he left me without any word to go to China! After I found him, and turned him around! After he came back to school, and knocked the teacher to the ground, talking about laser light from some scope.” She was oblivious to the stares that the people gave her as she wove between the tables, heading for the front door of the main building. “After all that nonsense on the cruise ship, when he wasn’t even going to join me in the first place. After I saved his life from Tessa’s bastard brother!”
Images from the past flashed before her eyes.
“Ooooooooo-o-o-o-o-o-h….”
Shaking with rage, she was unaware of the tears that began to run down her cheeks. She almost turned around and ran back home, then and there. Almost. Instead, she moved from one darkened area of the café to another, watching as Sousuke stood outside of the building, waiting on a large flight of marble stairs.
Her worst fears came to light. Sousuke raised one arm, and then signaled, catching someone’s attention. Coming down the stairs, a smile on her face, was a rather attractive young woman.
Hand on a blazing Tiki torch, Kaname squeezed. The smooth bamboo shaft threatened to snap in two. One of the waiters walked over to see if she would like to be seated, but quickly left when he heard her growl.
The woman had on a tasteful pastel blouse, and a nice patterned skirt. Even from that distance, it was easy to see that she was wearing a lot of jewelry. Kaname wondered if Sousuke had bought it for her. Long dark hair fell over her shoulders and hung down past the middle of her back. Bowing, she walked back into the building, with Sousuke close behind.
Kaname had to fight the urge to run up and clobber Sousuke right then and there, in front of the hussy. But, he might try to deny knowing her that way. She wanted to catch him in a situation where he couldn’t make such an obvious lie.
“Damn you.” She sniffed. “Sousuke….”
There was no need to hurry now. She had the room number. There was no way that she would listen at the door….. there were things that she didn’t want to hear. No. A secluded spot in the hallway ought to suffice.
After she confronted him…… and brought him a world of pain…… she would call Wraith and ask him to pass along word to Mithril.
Kaname Chidori would no longer want Sergeant Sousuke Sagara anywhere near her. If they didn’t pull him away, she would take whatever steps were necessary. It didn’t matter, whether or not someone else took his place.
She’d had enough.
No.
She had had far more than that.
For a moment, a wild thought crossed her mind. She wondered if her hidden observer would shoot a certain treacherous young man if she requested. She shook her head. She shouldn’t fantasize about such things.
Besides, if he would shoot anyone that she asked him too…… Kaname would ask Wraith to shoot her.
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The sound of voices grew stronger.
Kaname snapped out of her trance, disgusted with the self-pity she had been wallowing in.
She was Kaname Chidori, someone of merit! She had been that person before a certain jerk, and would remain that way afterwards.
It was possible to make out some of the words. The woman’s voice was soft, and did not carry well. But, Sousuke’s voice was simple enough to make out, especially for Kaname, who knew every possible inflection of it.
‘Beautiful.’
She heard Sousuke repeat that word a number of times. That moron had no idea that she was in earshot, more than capable of hearing his disloyal and traitorous flattery.
‘I am so happy that I found you.’
That one really hurt! What did that say about her? Was she some useless piece of clothing, easy to cast off as soon as something better caught his eye? How she could hate him!
‘How could anyone not be satisfied with your services? The price may be somewhat steep, but you are worth every bit.’
Kaname trembled, putting her head against the cool surface of the stairwell wall. That bastard. That…… that…… that….
He had never made any advances on her, probably because he knew that she wasn’t ready to take that step in their relationship yet. She had never thought that he would be like the cliché mercenary soldiers that people talk or write about. The woman wasn’t his girlfriend…… she was a prostitute!
Too stricken to cry, she stood with her mouth open. The shock was overwhelming. It would have been difficult enough to accept the fact that he had found a girl who touched his heart better than she did.
But this!
‘No. I’m not going to tell her tonight. I still have a lot of thinking to do. I will need to keep things a secret for as long as I can.’
“Yeh, right!” Kaname’s eyes narrowed. She clenched her hands into a fist, feeling an urge to strike something. Hard. “I have a surprise for you, Mister. I trusted you.” She wiped away her tears. “I loved you….”
The door handle turned, but the door didn’t open right away. Kaname’s imagination ran wild. She could picture what they might be doing. She wondered if that slut was even dressed.
“I will be certain to tell as many people about you as I can. It is the least that I can do. You far exceeded my expectations, and I will be certain to visit again if I have similar needs in the future.”
Sousuke’s voice came loud and clear through the partially open door. Watching through the slight opening in the heavy fire door she hid behind, Kaname saw red. Her feelings were indescribable, hearing the young soldier mention his needs.
His needs!
When she was done with him, he would never have those needs again. As soon as he had exited the room, and the door was closed behind him, she stepped out into the hallway. She walked behind Sousuke, daring him to turn and notice her sooner rather than later.
Kaname didn’t care if that tramp overheard every word that she had to say.
Sousuke stopped. He listened, his shoulders slumping somewhat. He sniffed the air.
“Kaname?”
He spoke without turning. The sound of her footsteps. The scent of her perfume. It had to be her.
“Yes. Kaname! You know. The girl who was stupid enough to believe that you loved her.”
“But….”
“It’s not ‘but’, Sousuke.” Kaname slapped him hard across the cheek, the sound echoing down the deserted corridor like a muffled gunshot. “How could you do that? How could you lie to me….”
“I…… what….”
“No. It’s not ‘I…what’, you heartless jerk!” Kaname raised her arm again, but didn’t have the strength to swing. She collapsed, leaning against the wall.
“Kaname…… this….”
“This? This what, Sousuke? Did you think I wouldn’t find out?” Kaname began to get enraged again, but was too caught up in the current of her onrushing depression. “Why couldn’t you have waited? Didn’t you think you could ask me to do this someday?”
“I just thought….”
“You thought? What did you think? That I would be OK with this?” Kaname began sobbing. She struck one fist against the wall softly, again and again. “I hate you Sousuke. I can never forgive you for this. Never. It’s so stupid. Stupid stupid stupid….”
“Kaname…… this was supposed to be a surprise…. you know….”
Kaname began to laugh inappropriately, tears coursing down her cheeks. She banged her head against the wall, and then turned a stricken face to stare at Sousuke.
“It’s not ‘you know’, Sousuke. It’s not anything, actually. She stood up, her eyes narrowing. She held her hands like claws. “Do you know what bothers me the most? You lied to me….”
“Yes…… but….”
“It’s not ‘yes…but’, you moron. There is no ‘but’, you know? How can there be? After all that we shared together.” Kaname closed her eyes, as if she could will herself away from there, to some different place and some different time.
“You always tell me to accomplish things on my own, Kaname. This was something I wanted to do for you. I wanted to show you what I was capable of, because you mean so much to me.”
Sousuke’s face was a mixture of emotions. He couldn’t have been more confused than he was at that moment.
“WHAT?”
Kaname slapped him again. “How can you say you were doing that for me?” Her mind rushed ahead, trying to think as Sousuke might have thought.
Could that big dufus have doubted his ability regarding sexual relations, and wanted to gain some experience before approaching her? It sounded just like something the moron would do. But, this time, his stupidity was inexcusable. His lack of judgment was just too severe.
“That really hurt, Kaname….”
Sousuke wiped the corner of his mouth, seeing a small bloody streak on one finger.
“How much did you pay her, Sousuke?” Kaname felt her violent urges flow out of her body. Her voice sounded hollow, detached. “I hope it was worth your while.” She leaned her head against the wall, and then closed her eyes, feeling dizzy.
“I do not think…… that is not the kind of question one should ask in this situation….”
Kaname began chuckling, knowing that she had no reason to do so.
“AH HAH.”
Her chuckling gave way to laughter.
“AH HAH HAH HAH.”
It grew successively louder.
“AH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH….”
She shook her head, trying to regain control. “What’s wrong? Worried that I will think less of you, if you spent too much on your damn hooker?”
“Kaname…… hooker…… I do not understand….”
“Right!” Kaname rubbed both of her eyes. “You’re not that naïve, Sousuke. You’re a mercenary soldier. You’ve seen everything…… or so you have told me….” She sighed. Just how much of what he had told her in the past had been lies? “I’m pretty certain you know what a prostitute is.”
“Affirmative,” Sousuke answered, even more perplexed than before. “But what does that have to do with me? Why would you think I have seen a woman of that sort? Especially since I love you….”
Kaname stiffened momentarily, angry that he would lie to her when he had been caught red-handed. But, a small part of her began to have doubt. Why had she rushed so far ahead, ready to believe something bad about him? Might this be another misunderstanding, despite everything that she had heard?
“Sousuke…… what are you saying…..”
“I have never engaged a woman for sexual purposes…… for pay, or otherwise….” Sousuke swallowed hard. “I have been made fun of by other soldiers for just that reason.”
“Oh,” Kaname ran a hand through her hair. “So…… she’s not a whore…… just your new girlfriend, I guess….”
“Kaname? Who?”
“AHHH!”
Kaname pressed her hands hard against her temples. “I can’t take this. It’s not ‘Kaname? Who?’ you big jerk!” Her eyes lit up. “You just left her room! You met her downstairs. Wraith says that you have met her before….”
“Wraith?” Sousuke’s look soured. He truly did not like or trust the mysterious Mithril agent. “You have him following me?” It was Sousuke’s turn to feel unhappy. “That is misuse of a professional…… and…… and it does not speak well of trust….”
“Trust!” Kaname almost broke out in her inappropriate laughter again. This couldn’t possibly be real. Not even with Sousuke involved. “You lied to me, Sousuke. You told me you weren’t going to meet anyone. And when you did, it’s another girl….” She felt no need to tell him that Wraith had not been following him at her request.
“I see,” Sousuke said. “But…… I do not see where her gender matters in this situation…… I did not judge you to be chauvinistic, Kaname….”
“What…..I….”
Kaname shook her head, as if trying to clear out some cobwebs. Sousuke was doing it again. Now she was completely turned around.
Sousuke remained silent.
“If…… if you weren’t coming to …… you know…… see her….” Kaname swallowed hard. “Then why did you keep her a secret from me? Why did you lie?”
“You will not let things go back to the way they were earlier today, if I do not tell you?” Sousuke looked somewhat disheartened.
“No…… no, I really don’t think so, Sousuke….” Kaname bit her lip. “It just opens too many questions.”
Sousuke nodded. He reached into his pocket and removed something that Kaname couldn’t see.
“I had hoped for this to be a surprise. I am not…… I am not ready to ask you yet….” He looked down at his hand. “It would not have been too much longer, though…… since we have a drastic change in our futures approaching….”
“What? Sousuke….”
“You had shown me artistic patterns that you liked in the past. I had gotten pictures of them, hoping a craftsman could duplicate them. I also took time to approach gem merchants that I have rescued in the past, looking for just the right stone.”
Sousuke’s words had Kaname’s eyes going wide.
He couldn’t mean….
“The woman is a skilled jeweler. She came highly recommended, and promised to be discrete. It took some time…… and it was more costly than I had expected…… but the results were more than I could have hoped for.”
Kaname’s heart felt as if it were spinning faster and faster, intent on drilling its way out of her chest. Jeweler. Oh no! Not only was she mistaken…… and had treated Sousuke horribly…… the big idiot had….
“Wait, Sousuke….” She nearly shouted. “It’s OK. Please. Put it away. You don’t need to show it to me.”
Sousuke held a small box in his hand. He looked down at it, then up at Kaname again.
“It could be empty, Kaname. I could be lying to you. If you believe that I have been seeing the woman for other reasons….” He looked deep in thought for a moment. “Perhaps I should also be certain that you liked it. There is….. uhhh…… time for me to find another….”
He opened the box and held it out to Kaname.
She held her hand out, and then pulled it back. She turned away.
“I…… I don’t deserve to look at it, Sousuke…” Kaname’s voice sounded even more anguished than before. “I’m so sorry…… I’m so very sorry.” She hung her head. “Sorry.”
Sousuke stood quietly, not certain what he should say or do. But, he merely followed his heart, being the honest and forthright person that he was.
“Kaname. I do not understand your behavior tonight. But….” He walked over and touched her arm very lightly. “If you were that upset because you thought that I betrayed you…… it must mean that you care for me a great deal….”
Kaname nodded. Her voice stuck in her throat. Turning, she teared-up. Reaching her hand up, she wiped a small bead of blood off of Sousuke’s lip. She stared at her hand.
“I have had worse.” Sousuke sounded unconcerned.
“You…… you deserve better.”
“Do I?” Sousuke put his hands on Kaname’s shoulders. He looked into her eyes. “I have also done far worse….”
“N-N-Not to me….” Kaname whispered. “Never to me….”
“I left you once. I did not expect to return to Tokyo. And yet, I couldn’t bring myself to tell you that I was going.” Sousuke let go. He suddenly sounded very tired.
“Yes,” Kaname flinched, remembering how she had once felt. “But you came back here. You came back to me.”
Sousuke stood silently for a while, thinking back to Hong Kong and China, as well as the dangers he, Kaname and their class had faced at sea. He then recalled the series of events that followed later on. An Arm Slave battle in the streets of Tokyo. His defeat at the hands of Leonard. Kaname’s voluntary abduction, saving his life.
So much. So very much. More than any two people should face together in a single lifetime.
For a moment, he stared down at the item in the box, wondering if it truly made sense after all.
Kaname watched his gaze. She wondered what he must be thinking.
“Are you having second thoughts, Sousuke?” Her one hand fluttered like a wounded bird, while the other tried to keep it still. “Am I too…… do you think that I’m….” Her heart was in her eyes. “Do you doubt me? I think…… after tonight, I think that might be fair.”
Sousuke shook his head. He looked over at her.
“I doubt myself. I doubt the life that I would bring you. Wraith may have been correct, when he implied that I was more danger to you than protection.” He held the box up at an angle, catching the light from an overhead fixture. The brief sparkling made him blink.
“No.” Kaname looked certain. She had thought on that subject many a long night. “Maybe we’re just a couple of big idiots, huh?”
Sousuke looked at her for a moment, and then nodded his head.
“Who’s the biggest idiot?” Sousuke asked, a bit of life returning to his eyes.
“I am,” Kaname admitted, the corner of her lips turning up in a smile. “But only for tonight.” She straightened her shoulders. “After that, it’s you again.”
“I see.”
Sousuke closed the box, and then placed it back in his pocket.
“Hey-y-y-y-y-y-y….”
Kaname looked somewhat peeved.
“Kaname…… what?”
“It’s not ‘what’, Sousuke.” She tossed her hair, then stuck out her lip. “It’s ‘Kaname, do you want to see it’, right?”
Sousuke wiped some drying blood off of his mouth.
“You told me to put it away.”
“I know that Sousuke! I’m not stupid, you know.” She shook a fist at him. “You…… that’s an entirely different story.” She held her nose up. “Hmmppff!”
Sousuke handed her the box. The feeling was not too different than one he had felt in the past, testing the ground for landmines with a long slender dagger.
Kaname’s hand caressed the box for a few seconds, smoothing the dark velvet in one direction, and then another. Slowly, she opened the tightly sprung lid, finding it hard to breath.
When she looked inside, her eyes went very wide, and then looked unbelievably vulnerable. Her lips quivered, and her throat tightened up. She had been correct. It was a diamond ring. The band was carved gold, decorated with an intricate pattern she had seen in one of the city museums.
There was no doubt whatsoever what that ring was intended for. Still wanting to look at the wondrous jewelry, she closed the box, and then closed her eyes. It would have to wait.
“Yes,” she said, smiling.
“Kaname?” Sousuke froze. He hadn’t asked her anything.
“I accept, Sousuke.” Kaname handed the box back to him.
“I…… uhhh….” He wondered if he were now committed, if he had never actually proposed. “But I didn’t ask….”
“Duh! I know that!” Kaname gave him a superior look. “But, you will. Sooner or later.”
“But…… “
“I’m just making things easy for you, you big idiot!” Kaname shrugged. “Now you don’t have to worry about my answer. Hmmppff. Mithril obviously didn’t hire you for your brains.”
“What if you change your mind?”
“There’s no danger of that,” Kaname said. “Unlike someone I know, I always keep my word.” She tossed her hair again, hitting Sousuke full in the face with it. “Of course, since you didn’t say anything, you can’t be certain what I accepted.”
Sousuke stood silently for a moment. He was certain that Kaname thought that she had gotten the better of him. That would never do. Without saying a word, he marched down the stairs to the bottom floor. When he stepped outside, he walked behind the café area and looked up at a tall row of apartment buildings.
“What are you doing now, Sousuke.” Kaname asked.
Sousuke unbuttoned his shirt, and then pointed at his heart. Kaname looked on, frowning.
“I’m giving Wraith a clear shot,” he stated. “It would be easier that way. Call him and give him permission to fire.”
Kaname scowled. Then, she tenderly touched Sousuke’s face.
“Did I…… did I hurt you badly…..”
“No. It’s not that bad.” Sousuke answered.
“Then why aren’t you kissing me!” Kaname stomped on his foot, hard.
Sousuke replied the way a wise man would.
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THE END
