[FIC] Shot Through the Heart (part 2 of 2) {Chapter 24}

[dd]

They were at Sousuke's apartment. He had said that he needed to get something for the date.

Sousuke's apartment was a mess...Kaname had never seen it that way before. It was not that it was filthy, or that there was dirty laundry or food everywhere. It was...cluttered, for want of a better word.

A large pad of paper was sitting in the room, with notes written on it. She understood why it was there when she looked closer. His desk was covered with small boxes...many small boxes: so many types of breath mints!!! New clothes, some still on hangers, were drapped over furniture.
A number of different cotton balls smelled of different colognes. The box the bouquet of flowers came in was sitting on the floor. DATING FOR DUMMIES partially covered up papers that Kaname recognized as Sousuke's 'homework.' Seeing that Sousuke was not looking, she lifted up the book to see if he had written anything yet. He hadn't. She didn't know whether to feel relieved or disappointed.

Looking around the room, Kaname was hit by the full weight of realization: Sousuke had REALLY gone to a lot of work and an awful amount of trouble trying to get ready for this date. For a moment, Kaname TRULY felt humbled. Almost unworthy.

"OK, Kaname. All set...ready to go?" Sousuke said, a bit of good cheer in his voice.

"You bet!!! But before we go...it's tradition you know..." Kaname was smiling, and she winked.

"Nothing weird" Sousuke said, knowing the routine. "And, nothing dangerous..."

"...if done properly!" Kaname finished. They both grinned.

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

They walked down the street slowly, drinking in the sight, sound, and smell of everything. Kaname stopped briefly to put an offering in a church collection basket. Sousuke stopped to buy them warm iced-buns and cold tea.

Sousuke carried a large and long case, hard plastic and doubly locked. It was a bit scuffed, but gave no outward clues to what size or shape objects were inside. Given the nature of her gift, Kaname had a good idea what was inside. When Sousuke said "Almost there...," she knew it would not be long before she would have her suspicions confirmed. She looked at Sousuke's and her reflections in the large mirror-like windows of a tall glass-tiled building as they walked by. They looked like a happy couple...like a couple of college students heading to or from class, with one carrying a musical instrument case.

She thought about college...and about Sousuke. If she went to college...would Sousuke follow? How long would they allow him to follow? Would Sousuke ever be forced to choose between his profession and his heart. Were they one in the same?

"Easy, Kaname" she said to herself. You are putting the cart before the horse. Let's even wait to see how this date goes before you make Sousuke and yourself an 'item.'

Kaname had spoken outloud unknowingly. "Kaname? Is there something wrong?"

"No, Sousuke...nothing is wrong, not even with me carrying a gun and ammo in my purse and you carrying that battleship there."

"Kaname, this is not a battleship. This is a heavy cruiser. Believe me, I have bigger..." He was not bragging...just stating facts.

"I believe you. I certainly believe you." Kaname said.

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

Being an athlete, Kaname wasn't winded after their long and peaceful stroll. Even though he carried the heavy case, Sousuke showed no signs of strain. Kaname thought he must be even stronger and more fit than she had imagined. Somehow, that thought made her proud.

"There it is," Sousuke said, pointing across the avenue. "Sureshot Joe's shooting range. Best I could find in this area."

Kaname couldn't help herself...she sighed. She felt her face crumble, even though she had long ago made an accurate guess what they would be doing.

Sousuke heard her sigh and correctly interpreted her face. "Yes, Kaname...I know this may not be what you wanted to do today, but I had called ahead yesterday and said we would come...I do not want to be dishonest. And, I had read that a date should be some thing that both the man and the woman should like. I would be happy if you could enjoy this part of the date...but I will understand if you do not. I want to assure you, I have done good research, and I am certain you will enjoy the second half. I was not certain I could find something we might both like together, so I chose something for each of us. Can you trust me, Kaname?"

Those words, or something very similar, echoed in Kaname's ears and within her head. She had flashbacks of her standing in the forest of a foreign land, scared of Sousuke, scared of everything. He'd asked her to trust him. She did. They both came home alive. "Yes, Sousuke...I trust you."

Joe himself was behind the counter. A near elderly man, with a crewcut and a large number of tatoos--including an excellent rendering of an M60 tank with the word 'Mom' in the middle---Joe looked to be in excellent shape. The long wooden counter was heavily pitted. Locked cabinets line the walls, as did a bookshelf containing numerous weapons manuals, military books, and military history texts. A few framed ribbons were on the wall, as were photographs of a group of posing soldiers...Vietnam, Sousuke thought.

"Well, what can I do for you kids? Interested in buying some books...I'm willing to sell anything on the shelf if you make a good enough offer. Or have you come to ask me to sponsor a sports team or a school event?" Joe had a firm but friendly voice, with the slightest catch. Sousuke noted a scar on his throat and thought he might have slight laryngeal damage.

"My name is Sousuke Sagara, I called you yesterday, sir. I have come here to shoot, and to train my date to shoot." Kaname liked the sound of that. 'My date.'

"Oh...you sounded much older on the phone. I'm afraid I have rules about underage shooters. They need to be accompanied by an adult friend or relative." Joe sounded apologetic, but unyielding.

"Sir...I understand and I applaud you wisdom and responsibility. I am no novice. I offer a compromise. If I can convince you that I am a suitable instructor, will you allow us to fire here today?"

"I like the way you speak, son. And I like the way you think. Deal!" They shook hands.

"I will gladly use whatever you provide me. sir. Or I could use any or all of these." Sousuke hefted his case onto the counter, and opened it. Joe's eyes got very large very quickly.

"My, my, my, my, my, my. I suppose you could just be a collector, but I am almost convinced enough to let you in just seeing these. Yes, I'll let you describe range safety to me..and the art of proper gun handling...and I will watch you shoot. Not that I doubt you son...I'm just guessing it will be a pleasure. The heavy weapons will require the far range, and that will cost extra." Joe was smiling widely, and could be seen to be missing a number of upper and lower teeth. "We get too many people in here who think they are Rambo, Clint Eastwood, or something out of The Matrix. I'm guessing none of that describes you, eh son?"

"No sir...I'm a specialist!"

"I see...and you, little lady" Joe asked Kaname.

"I'm...I'm on a date with the specialist." She took out her pistol and clips and put them on the counter.

"Ah...Glock 26...a very apt choice! Your selection for her, son?" Joe asked

"Yes. It seemed appropriate."

"You're a lad after my own heart, son. A lad after my own heart! My own boy would have picked out something chrome-plated for her, or gotten her something engraved with flowers."

They all walked into the closest gallery. Sousuke removed one of the pistols in his case...checked it...loaded it...removed the safety...sighted at the target, and looked over at Joe, silently waiting for permission. Joe nodded his head. Sousuke emptied the clip quickly and smoothly. When the target was brought in, Joe asked if Sousuke would autograph it and let him keep it for framing. They would be allowed to shoot.

"Son, that was extremely fine shooting. When my son comes in to relieve me, would you mind if I came back to watch you work?"

"It would be an honor, sir." Sousuke paid the range fee up front. "Sir, a question if I may. I didn't want to start off with too many weapons today, but may want may want to return some day. Do you allow comat shotguns, and do you allow sabot rounds?"

"Yes, definitely to the first question. Same back room. Yes to the last question, with enough notice to prep the room. And, son, if you are as good as I think you are, you can come back any time you please."

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

Sousuke was very knowledgeable in his subject...Kaname was not surprised. When Sousuke took a certain object out of his case, she WAS very surprised. A halisen.

Seeing her reaction, Sousuke said "I have been very fortunate to have a fine student instructor at my school...she shall remain nameless, except to say that her first name starts with a 'K' and her second name is Chidori." Sousuke was enjoying things way TOO much, Kaname thought.

"This fine instructor has been an inspiration to me. Nowhere in my previous training have I found anything as formidable and as effective as the halisen. I have suggested to my superiors in Mithril that we arm all Arm Slaves and fighter aircraft with halisens. That will most certainly lead to world peace, and no one will think twice about the Whispered or Black Technology again!" Yes, DEFINITELY enjoying himself too much. Big mistake!

"S-S-Sousuke, I thought this was to be a fun d-date. Are you saying you'd forget me? And...and would you really use the halisen on me?" Kaname made as dejected-looking face as she could.

Sousuke wasn't buying it. He looked very serious. "If you were no longer of any value, why would I stay around?" he asked, smiling inside when Kaname jumped and looked miffed. "And of course I will use the halisen. Let me explain it this way: Sousuke, algebra (smack)...Sousuke, history (smack)...Sousuke, social sciences (smack)...Sousuke, it's Tuesday (smack)...Sousuke, JUST BECAUSE (smack smack smack whack slammm!!!)."

"Oh," said Kaname, not certain whether or not Sousuke was kidding.

"And," Sousuke said without any sign of grinning, "the books I read on dating suggested other uses for a halisen." He wasn't even exactly sure what he was implying, but was pleased to see Kaname blush.

"Uh--" Kaname said.

"Uh--?" Sousuke said, "Uh--!!!" He shook his head. "Kaname, I am disappointed in you."

She smiled at him. He smiled back. "You had better stop that, Miss Chidori" Sousuke said in a very serious tone, "Someone might think you were having fun during MY part of the date!"

"It's not a problem" Kaname said with a straight face.

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

Sousuke spoke on range ediquette and firearm safety.

He spoke on having a proper respect for one's weapon and for one's environment.

Other topics were in a similar vein.

Without a weapon in hand, he helped her work on her stance...how she held her arms...how she should breath when firing. His closeness made Kaname uneasy, but also somewhat yearning. His arms were taut, strong. His body was warm, firm. His cologne was making her dizzy. His voice was comforting. She occasionally had to pinch herself...hard...to get herself to pay attention. This was a serious subject.

He then went to the weapons case, and she saw for the first time what he had brought. He took them out, one by one.

"We'll start with the Glock 17," Sousuke said, handing Kaname a pistol, similar to her pistol but larger. "Once we work briefly through everything I have here, we will spend considerable time firing your Glock 26. I want you to get used to it. We won't get too far today, but you should start to get a feel for some things."

"The Glock 17. The pistol is light, so don't underestimate the recoil. It weighs 2 ounces empty, 10 ounces fully loaded. I prefer it to the SIG-Sauer P226, Steyr GB, Beretta 92SB, and Colt 1911. It can digest many types of 9mm ammunition, just as could the 26. The magazine has a 17 round capacity. It has 33 parts, and can be broken down and cleaned easily. I will show you this another day, if you wish. This gun is very reliable, and fairly accurate. It is a gun I trust with my life. Literally."

Sousuke removed a semi-aautomatic pistol from the case. "This is one of my all time favorites, the Steyr TMP semi-automatic pistol. 900 rounds per minute. 9mm. 15 round clip. Three pounds, and little kick. It has stupendous reliability, good accuracy, and gets the job done!!!" Sousuke showed Kaname the cocking handle, safety and magazine catches, front and rear sights, and bolt catch. "The attractive black matte finish goes well with your hair and dress, Kaname" he added, catching her off guard and making her blush.

Sousuke set the TMP down gently and took out a rifle. "This is the Steyr AUG-A1 assault rifle, this version chambered for the NATO 5.56 round. It is of ambidextrous design, and I can configure the ejection port to either side. It is gas operated, and its 1.5x scope doubles as a handle. It can be operated semi-automatic, or in five shot mode as is standard with the Austrian armed forces. The clear magazine holds 30 rounds, and you can easily see how much ammunition remains. I have the 16 inch gun barrel in place...20 and 24 inch lengths are also available. It weighs eight pounds, and I consider this excellent design to solve many of the problems historically inherent to assault rifles."

"Some day, if you like, I will also show you the FN FAL rifle, HK MP5K sub-machine gun, and the IMI Desert Eagle pistol" Sousuke said, finsishing with his briefing.

True to his word, Sousuke walked Kaname through each weapon, and helped her get used to firing. First the noise. Then the kick. Then he focused more on firing rates, sighting tricks, and the like. Then he put his instructions to the test.

Sousuke never struck Kaname...and would NEVER consider doing so...but he would strike the halisen against his leg or against a post if Kaname started to backslide. "This, by necessity is a special situation Miss Chidori: it is the lecture, the homework, the quiz, and the test all rolled into one. I have always done my best at school for you. Are you prepared to do your best here for me?"

"Yes, Sousuke?" Kaname said timidly.

"What? Louder!"

"Yes, Sergeant!" Kaname said, louder.

"This is NOT a Sunday social, Chidori!!!" Smack, the halisen came down, making Kanmae jump and pull the trigger inadvertently.

"S-s-sorry, Sousuke..." she sounded scared, and embarrassed.

"THAT is why we discussed safety. And THIS" he said making a loud noise with the halisen "is a way to teach you to NEVER let yourself take your weapon for granted. It most deinitely is NOT your friend...if provoked by misuse, it will bite you...or someone around you. Maybe a friend," and then Sousuke's voice got softer and more pleasant "And mayber your date. Please be careful, Kaname."

"Yes, sir."

"WHAT?!!

"YES, SERGEANT SAGARA, SIR!!!" Kaname shouted.

"Fine. I'm pleased with you soldier!" Sousuke didn't smile, but Kaname did.

Sousuke was serious when necessary...kind where appropriate...and used humor and Kaname's pride to his best advantage as a teacher. Kaname progressed well, considering it was her first day.

"Well, that wasn't too bad, Miss Chidori," he said, "You missed the terrorist, but only managed to kill the dog next door and the old woman down the block. The doctors have reasured you they can reattach the arm of the paperboy...although they doubt he will regain use of it!!!"

Kaname fumed, but kept quiet. She was determined to do well at this. She was determined not to give Sousuke the satisfaction of seeing her crack. Then she smiled. And smiled and smiled and smiled. This was for today, and this was Sousuke's domain. But, school would be for MUCH longer, and school was HER domain. Queen Kaname. Queen of the halisen.

Eventually, Kaname's arms grew too tired to continue.

"I'm proud of you, Kaname. You are doing very well. But when you are tired...that's when you need to try your best, work your hardest. I have just one more thing for you to do. Today's final exam. And there will be a prize, if you do well enough."

"Prize?" Kaname asked

"Yes. And it will be of your choosing. Both the weapon you use, and the prize you wish to contend for. You will have a chance at two targets, with the weapon of your choice. If you hit both within the innermost three rings, you win."

"OK, said Kaname...I will choose the AUG, it's got a sight." Kaname said, thinking.

"Very good, Kaname. And the prize?"

"A second date, if this goes well. My choices." She looked very determined.

"Agreed. I will go purchase two competition targets." When Sousuke returned, Joe was with him.

"I don't want to put you under any pressure, little lady, but I wanted to see what kind of instructor this young man is. And I will offer my services as an official referee. Will you both accept my word as God's word?" Both Kaname and Sousuke agree.

"Let's make this fun, shall we? Young lady, I want you to take this marker and write the name of your target here?" Joe said, and Kaname did as asked. Joe sent the target down the lane.

Kaname took her time, and verbally went through all the steps. The shop owner was rightfully impressed. She took her time, sighted, and checked again. She pulled the trigger, and the target jumped. Joe brought the target back.

"Well, it's just within that third ring. This 'Tessa' is in a lot of pain." Joe said with a big grin.

"Tessa? I see. That was a very good shot. It took Tessa a while to become this good." Sousuke said

Kaname was NOT pleased to hear that, OR what that implied. She quickly scribbled on the second target, put in place herself, and sent it down. This time, she was much more intense in he gaze. She waited until things were just where she wanted them. Again the shot. Again the jump.

"Well, missy, I'm afraid you are far off target!" Joe said, a bit disappointed.

"Actually, I'm directly ON target." She pointed to the name she had written: 'Sousuke.'

The shot went right through the target's groin area.

"Uh--I see, Unfortunately, I have to say you have lost..." Sousuke started.

"Nope. It's my word here. The lady has clearly won. She hit EXACTLY what she was aiming for. NICE shooting gal. And good teaching, castrato." All three grinned.

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

They talked a brief bit with Joe, and Sousuke had started to pack things up in preparation to leave. Before he could do so, Joe's son opened the door, and a group of six men of all shapes, sizes, ages, and dress entered carrying cases, bags, guns, and a cooler. They all wore clothing with macho logos, sayings, or pictures. There was a swagger about them...a cockiness.

"Hey Joe..." one started...

And another finished "...what you doin' with that gun in your hand." Obviously, an old joke there.

"Yeh, I see you...I see you. Back to spend your weeks pay in ammo?" Joe asked amiably.

"You bet, time for some REAL shooting. Give you something to tell your war buddies about. Give them a reason to stop by and learn something, some day." One of the rowdies said.

"So you say. So you say. It's always easier in a back room somewhere, when there's nothing shooting back." Joe said from true experience.

"Uh, huh. I'm sure" another one of the cocky gun enthusiasts said. "Maybe that little boy and that cute little piece of fluff there might be convinced by that kind of talk, but WE know better. Right boys?"

Busy setting things up, the others all joined in with a loud "HELL YEH!!!"

Sousuke, not looking for trouble, spoke up "Joe is entirely correct. There is a lot more to learn about a man and his talent when he is under pressure and under fire. The biggest men, and the loudest mouths, often end up in the smallest pieces, in the quickest amount of time."

The largest of the men made it a point to swagger as he walked over to look down on Sousuke, literally and figuratively. He looked at Kaname, winked, and said. "Bull crap." He grabbed his crotch and said "I'm sure I don't need to get this cutie in the sack for her to be sure which of us is a real man. Right sweetie?" He fondled Kaname briefly, and turned to walk back to his friends, all of whom were whooping it up.

"You are correct, " Sousuke said, "Even from a distance she can tell that you talk big pretending to be a man, because what you carry between your legs would be small even on a woman."

Kaname gasped, shocked that Sousuke would take that approach, but satisfied that he had stood up for her honor.

The insulted man turned and asked "Are you ready to back up those words, LITTLE man?"

"Yes. It is not a problem."

"Well, then, let me think a bit." The man walked over to his friends, and conferred a bit. Raucous laughter signalled their decision. The man continued. "Here's the contest. Six lanes. Six profile targets. We shoot six at once. You shoot anyway you please. First side to hit head, heart, and both arms on each target...wins." He paused, letting that sink in. He didn't see Sousuke slowly close his case, leaving only his pistol on the gun shelf. The prize will be very big for you, since you are at a disadvantage, and since you have NO chance to win." The man looked very much in control. For Sousuke's potential winnings, he mentioned a substantial amount of money put up by each contestant. He collected that money and gave it to Joe to hold, as referee. "And for our prize...we want a long deep kiss from the little lady. For each of us. That will give us a chance to show you how it's done. Of course, she might not want you much after THAT!" More loud laughter.

"Kaname?" He asked, and the men teased him about having to ask his girlfriend.

Kaname just looked at him and raised her eyebrows.

Sousuke nodded.

Kaname smiled.

"Under one condition. May I see what I am up against?" Sousuke asked in a reasonable tone.

The loudmouthed man looked at the gun Sousuke had showing, and said "Hell yeh, why not. Let's show him the weapons of kings, boys. This is men's stuff, boy...not sissy toys."

Sousuke did a quick inventory of his opponents' weapons. Hammerli and Strayer-Voight target pistols. A Smith & Wesson Model 66 .357 magnum. Some World War II vintage pistols. An AHR hunting rifle based on the Czech CZ series. A Glock 22. A Benelli shotgun. A SIG P210 pistol. A Lazzeroni rifle. And a SIG SSG high performance rifle.

"Adequate" Sousuke said. "I accept. Your team shoots first. No shotgun."

"Wait a minute...I have a say in this matter too!" Kaname interjected. "I want a prize as well." She looked at Sousuke. "Since my virtue is at stake, I want something in return. You win Sousuke...and I get a kiss later, when the moment is right!"

"Uh--"

"Sousuke!!!"

"Yes...I accept." Sousuke wondered what he had gotten himself into.

"Not that it will matter, in any case, little boy." the bully said to Sousuke. He turned next to Kaname and said "Pucker up sweetie...and don't forget the breath mint!!!"

Kaname looked her question to Sousuke when he came back. "They have some reasonable weapons. I am not concerned. Shouldn't be a problem" he said.

The six men chose their weapons. One said "Like taking candy from a baby...." At Joe's signal they all advanced and took aim. At his mark, they all fired until they had met match terms.

"A good performance," Sousuke said. "But I was right, not to be concerned." The others laughed at him, but uneasily this time.

Joe reset the targets.

Sousuke picked up his pistol, and heard the men start to snicker. Things went dead quiet when Sousuke took the TMP out of his case. He walked over to the third lane, took a good look at all targets, put the pistol on the shelf, and readied the TMP. He nodded to Joe.

"Oh...Shiiiittt!!!" He heard one of the men say.

At Joe's signal, Sousuke emptied the TMP, dropped it, picked up the Glock 17, and finished off the full clip just to be on the safe side.

The bullies were quiet. Joe laughed loud, then louder, then louder still. "Hot damn. Doesn't that just take the cake. A story to tell my poor feeble military pals. How a young man shot the cajones off of six grown-up blowhards."

Joe handed Sousuke the money after the latter had finsished packing his gun case. Kaname quickly grabbed the money from his hands.

"Kaname?"

"Yes, Sousuke. I am holding THIS in surety until the repair bill is paid in full!!! And, after that, it will go in the Date Jar!" She was very serious.

"Date Jar?"

"Yes, a good way to fund more dates." Kaname looked calculating.

"Uh--"

"More dates, Sousuke!!! I won at least one more, right?! Who knows, you might learn to like it..." She smiled triumphantly. "And, Sousuke...you did that so quickly...you must REALLY want that kiss!"

Joe laughed loudly again. "Well, son. You are one hell of a marksman...but a man needs to know when he is beat. You won the contest, my boy...but I think the young lady here has won the battle."

"Uh--" Sousuke said, almost sounding dejected. He felt something strike him from behind. The halisen! When had Kaname grabbed that?!

"Cheer up, soldier. Or I will take charge of THIS date, too!!!"

Joe chuckled. Sousuke almost smiled.

They thanked Joe profusely, and he thanked them in return. On the way out, Kaname rammed the halisen into the groin of the loudest bully. "Don't call me sweetie!" she growled.

Kaname found herself smiling. She had actually enjoyed that whole episode. She looked up at Sousuke, who had caught sight of her reaction.

"Did I do something right for once?" he asked.

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

After they left the shooting range, they took a taxi to the lake area. As they drove, Kaname saw an increasing number of signs advertising a carnival.

"A carnival, Sosuke? What a Wonderful idea!"

"Thank you, Kaname."

They strolled around the carnival, seeing the sights, riding the rides, eating the food, and trying their hand at games of chance and contests of skill.

Of course, lead by Sousuke, they hit the shooting rink first. "More shooting, Souske?" Kaname asked, a touch disappointed,

"Yes. To get it out of the way. And to gain confidence. I want to be certain to win you at least one prize!"

Kaname smiled. "It's OK, Sousuke, I've had plenty of prizes today, already."

Sousuke had Kaname shoot first, to see what she had taken from their session. After only a few attempts, she had won Sousuke a Bonta-Kun doll. "And I will NEVER let you forget who won the first prize."

Sousuke grinned. He thought that Kaname might perhaps need a comeupence. He walked up to the firing line and picked up the gun. "Rather small, isn't it?" he asked the attendant. "All we got" was the answer he got in return.

Sousuke turned slowly and stared deliberately at Kaname. He looked intent. He kicked his gun case, and raised his eye brows.

Kaname looked frantic for a second, wildly shaking her head.

"Do I win more prizes if I knock them all down at once?" Sousuke asked, only to be told "Sure, why not, can't happen!"

Sousuke turned, faced Kaname, mouthed g-r-e-n-a-d-e and pantomined pulling a pin.

"No, Sousuke!!!" Kaname yelled.

"Yes, I will remember who won the first prize, Kaname!" After that, he won her a stuffed panda, a necklace, and a china tea cup.

It was Kaname's choice next, and Sousuke was surprised at first. Then it made all too much sense. Kaname chose a game where darts were thrown at balloons. She spent a LOT of money. Threw a LOT of darts. Popped a LOT of balloons. Sousuke said NOTHING.

After that, they tried more games, grabbed some more food, and stopped to watch jugglers, a trained bear, and a fire-eater. Things were going wonderfully...until the mime.

Kaname HATED mimes. When the mime was within earshot, Kaname said haughtily "Who would ever WANT to be a mime. Someone afraid to talk to people I guess. Simeone needing to hide their face. How big a failure at everything else does one need to become a mime?" Sousuke guessed that Kaname must have been frightened by a mime as a child.

The mime heard. The mime was not overjoyed. But this was the mime's show.

The mime walked over to Kaname and and got the crowd's attention. He pointed to Kaname, then he pretended to have long hair like her. He then made a really stupid face. The mime then pantomimed an exagerated hourglass figure, looked at Kaname, and brought his arms straight down. The crowd roared. Kaname blushed. The mime then held his hand out like he was a well-endowed woman. He then looked at Kaname and brought his hands against his chest. More laughter. After a few more mocking caricatures, the mime tried to convince the crowd that her posterior was the size of a carnival bus.

Kaname was getting upset, so Sousuke decided to take action.

"Please stop. I am certain this is a good time to cease in your actions." he asked the mime politely.

The mime looked at the crowd, made an 'x' with his fingers on his left cheek, and then made an exceedingly goofy face. Sousuke was not amused, even though the audience was.

Sousuke whispered to Kaname. He then stood up, briefly and stiffly acting like a mime himself. Kaname stood up, and started making the same exact motions the actual mime had made. Sousuke made his hand into a gun and mouthed bang. Kaname clutched her heart, and sprawled on the ground. Sousuke smiled, took the real Glock 26 from Kaname's purse, and pointed it at the mime.

"Oh, shit!!!" the mime yelled, taking off and running. That earned the loudest laughter of the day.

After that, Kaname wanted to get some pictures of the two of them together at a photography booth. She made certain she was hugging Sousuke in each picture. She wanted duplicates. She and Sousuke were having so much fun, she figured it was only reasonable to want to share the magic. She would send some copies to Tessa as soon as possible.

When they were a bit worn out, they got some cold drinks and sat under a nice shade tree.

"I don't want to break the mood, Sousuke, but seeing that we're just resting at the moment...have you heard anything about Kurz and Melissa yet?"

"No," Sousuke said sadly. "Not a word. Their effort truly was responsible for saving countless lives. It was a great success. But for me, even though I was not involved, it feels like a failure...because I could do nothing to help them, and because they have not returned."

Kaname patted Sousuke's shoulder. "Things may turn out well, Sosuske, don't lose hope."

"I won't, Kaname. I've faced failures before, and I have always gone on to fight my best when next I had opportunity."

"Failures, Sousuke? Have you, Kurz, and Melissa failed as a team?" Kaname asked, almost in disbelief.

"Everybody fails in battle sooner or later, Kaname, if they fight enough. It's just a matter of how much, and at how much cost. Good soldiers fail very little, and go on to try again. Bad soldiers fail too much, and often die."

Suddenly nostalgic, Sousuke described for Kaname some of their less than stellar missions. "There was one mission where the three of us were in a South American country, with the objective being a farm used as a drug laboratory by a group of international smugglers. We had out targets picked out by Intel, and we struck those successfully. Kurz thought he saw a suspicious truck outside of an additional large building. He attacked the building with missiles, obliterating it...but not before some survivors ran out...they were sheep. He had destroyed the sheep cartel." Kaname giggled, hearing that. "For the rest of the mission, Kurz sang about lambchops...leg of lamb...and about growing mutton chops to go with his flowing locks. Later, he recived a severe beating when he brought Melissa a gift: a skimpy bikini made from lambs's wool."

"Is that true, Sousuke?"

"Completely, Kaname. There was another time as well. The Bruichladdich distillery at Islay was thought to have been taken over by terrorists, to be used as a chemical weapons facility that no one would suspect.

The distillery had installed webcams in their buildings to show the world that their whisky was distilled traditionally. Apparently, some U.S. agency had locked onto the images, and felt there was something suspicious going on. By some unlikely set of mishaps and miscommunications, and the fact that certain structural steps in the manufacture of whisky were not that dissimilar to those used to manufacture weapons of mass destruction, someone at the Defence Threat Reduction Agency started a memo that snowballed, eventually leading to Mithril being called in.
Kurz, Melissa, and I went in, and destroyed a large number of barrells that day. Melissa would not come out of her cabin all the next day, mortified by how much fine whisky we had saved the world from."

Kaname smiled, and then placed a hand on Sousuke's arm. "I miss them too." She said, and then she told Sousuke of her failures.

"Failures? You, Kaname?"

"Yes, Sousuke." She told him about troubles she had had adjusting to like in America, and troubles when she had returned. Sousuke put his hand on her arm, then.

After they had rested a bit, Sousuke led Kaname in a stroll around the lake. They watched people boating. They fed geese and ducks. Kaname took a few moments to play catch with a couple of young children. The light on the lake was surreal.

Kaname asked to sit on a park bench, and Sousuke sat with her. She leaned against him, closed her eyes and smiled, tired but content. Remembering something he had read, Sousuke made the bold gesture of taking Kaname's hand.

Kaname's eyes popped wide open. She blushed. Then she looked up at Sousuke, narrowed her eyes, and said "This would be a great time for that kiss, Sousuke." She tilted her head back, and opened her mouth in anticipation.

"Yes. Kaname. Should there be any tongue....?"

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

Finis

[darkbane]

After that, Kaname wanted to get some pictures of the two of them together at a photography booth. She made certain she was hugging Sousuke in each picture. She wanted duplicates. She and Sousuke were having so much fun, she figured it was only reasoanble to want to share the magic. She would send some copies to Tessa as soon as possible.

it would be unfair to single this out, as the whole story is excellent, but this paragraph really made my day

so, any future plans? clean up the homework stuff? clean up the issue of where kurz and melissa are?

cheers

[dd]

Don't know.

A stretch of time will come where there won't be anything. Then I have to see what stands out then. See if anything catches fire.

The date HAD to be done. That couldn't be left hanging.

K&M should be found, probably off screen. But, they'll need time when they get back. So, perhaps Sousuke will need to go something alone...or with a temporary crew. There's a rather serious mission Sousuke got involved in early in Mithril that almost got him kicked out, and in prison as well...I didn't add it to this tale as one of the failures because it's too dark...maybe a short piece on Sousuke reminiscing about K&M.

Tessa...especially if she gets those photos...will either get ramped up, or decide someone beat her to the punch. She might try something extreme or exotic to get Sousuke's attention, test his attachment to Kaname. The homework thing was a good vehicle, but doesn't have to be taken further. But, it may well show up somewhere...

If I knew how to work the polls here, I'd run one...always open for ideas...might get some wheels turning.

[darkbane]

the date definitely had to be done... i was ready to clobber you to death if you weren't gonna do it

well in that case, i think we should all congratulate you on a job well done, and in quite a short time, too ;-) i've thoroughly enjoyed reading your work

[dd]

BTW: The bit about the whisky distillery is taken in part from a true story someone told me about, found online at TheScotsman. No actions were taken though, and nothing destroyed...just miscommunications, etc.

[full_metal_sousuke]

i loved the part where sousuke pulled the glock out and pointed it at the mime. then the mime said oh shit and ran. LMAO