[FIC]Whispered Reign (pt. 2)

[Sgt. Sagara Sousuke]

Sorry for the delay. Had an intensive course this week. From 9 - 5. Can you believe it??

Had a major writer's block while doing this one. It might come as a disappointment for some. I promise the next will be better.

Whispered Reign: Part 2

November 4th, 0650 Hours (Japan Standard Time)
Choufu-Shi, Tokyo, Japan

At the horizon, the sun was already showing its full glory at this hour of the morning. The chicken-shaped clock that sits on Kaname’s bedside table was calling away at her name.

“Kaname. Kaname. Kaname.” The name kept echoing for a couple of time before the clock added “You’re going to be late!!”

Kaname lazily tried to reach for the clock so she could stop the alarm. She sat in bed for a while longer, reluctant to come out of bed and prepare for school. She never was very good at waking up early in the morning. Slowly, she fell right back into her slumber, hugging the clock.

She was still in bed 5 minutes later and the clock, as if getting impatient, sounded its alarm again. This time, she set the clock on table after silencing the clock for the second time. Sleepily, she staggered to the bathroom to take her morning shower.

Sousuke, on the other hand, was already awake, paying close attention to the earphones checking up on the situation in Kaname’s house. He was already up since 5.30 in the morning after being rudely awaken by an incoming transmission. Police have found a dead man floating in Osaka Bay. Mithril believes this man to be a general reported missing by his bodyguards since last night. The police believed it was a robbery but Mithril personnel discovered his wallet in the trash a few blocks away. The sergeant is ordered to be on full guard.

There didn’t seem to be an immediate danger to Kaname at the moment. He took off the earphones and hurriedly began to pack his bag. He meant to escort Kaname right from her doorstep to school. The last few items to be stuffed into the bag were his Steyr S.P.P. and a couple of flash grenades. Did he have time to use the elevator? He didn’t think so. He decided to rappel down instead.

Kaname opened her door and was surprised to see a panting Sousuke at her door. She wasn’t sure why but she was imagining Sousuke as little puppy waiting for her at the door.

“What’s the matter, Sousuke?”

“I… just wanted to walk you to school,” Sousuke uttered, pausing a short while to catch his breath.

“That’s…” Kaname said but faltered. “Erm… Thank you?”

“No problem.”

“Did you rush here?”

“Yes. I had to rappel down from my apartment and run up the stairs.”

“Is something bothering you?”

“It’s just that- I’m worried about you.”

She was speechless. She realized that she was blushing and looked away. Was Sousuke trying to hint something? From this otaku? How unexpected.

“Chidori? Are you alright?”

“Um… yes. Let’s go.”

As they walked to the train station together, Kaname was unusually quiet. Sousuke kept eying her, wondering what was troubling her. He was not oblivious to his surrounding, however. He inspected everything, sometimes slowing down to check the corners. His experience constantly reminds him that a clever enemy attacks when least expected. But he was not performing at his peak; Kaname was not her usual self and that worries him.

Had he done something wrong? No, that wasn’t it. She did not have the halisen at hand. At least, that was a good sign.

Wait. Has the enemy already gotten to her and threatened her? That is a possibility. But that would not explain the smile that she’s wearing. Unless, she is putting on a façade so as not to burden him.

“Chidori? Is something the matter?”

“Huh? Err. No. Nothing is wrong.”

“It’s just that you’ve been acting strange…”

“Strange? Uwa… HA HA HA,” Kaname laughed.

None of them spoke anymore after that.

Once they boarded the train, Sousuke took out a newspaper and began reading. Of course, he wasn’t really reading. He was trying to keep a low profile but still made sure he could stay vigilant. He had cut a hole in the newspaper from which he could see from, his eyes darting at the slightest movement. His hand was ready to reach for his Glock 26 at the instant he might need it.

Chidori meanwhile, was getting impatient. What was this otaku trying to do? First, he came to pick her up right from her apartment and expressed more concern about her than normal. Then, he keeps quiet and reads the newspaper as if none of that ever took place. Maybe she just had the wrong idea. She wanted an explanation but she wasn’t about to ask him straight out.

“Do you always have to do that?”

“What do you mean, Chidori?”

“Pretend to read the newspaper when you’re not.”

“I will be more inconspicuous to the enemy.”

“Stop thinking enemies are everywhere! It’s peaceful here in Tokyo!” Chidori was getting agitated. She clenched her fists.

“Terrorists can strike anywhere. Not just war-torn countries. We should not let our guard down. That is when the enemy will strike.”

“Enough. I don’t want to hear anymore of your war theories. Besides, there are no terrorists here in Tokyo!!” Kaname nearly shouted. She knew she might be wrong after several personal experiences like when she nearly got killed by Fei Hung. But she was so worked up and she was angry at Sousuke; she just blurted out the words.

“I am inclined to disagree. Anyway, your safety is my utmost priority.”

That calmed Kaname down a little and saved Sousuke from any bruises he might sustain from Kaname today. She didn’t know what to say. Sousuke was just looking out for her safety.

The train door opened and they both stepped out. Kaname decided that she owes Sousuke an apology and worked up the courage to say it.

“Sousuke, I’m sorry. I don’t know what came ov-”

“Ahh, Miss Chidori.” A man’s voice greeted Chidori from behind.

Sousuke turned to look in the direction of the voice. The man was a stranger to him. His instincts went into red alert. His body moved on its own accord. It was reflex. In the years he had spent in the battlefield, he had learned to attack by reflex.

He grabbed the man’s hand and twisted it to his back. But before he was able to, the man began to move backwards, holding one hand and letting one foot stay in place to tip Sousuke forward in his direction. This man was skilled in hand-to-hand combat.

Sousuke had only one chance left. He took out his gun from his back and shot the man in the knee while he was still falling forward. The gunshot echoed throughout the entire train station. Everybody was looking at the fight ready to panic at the sound of the second gunshot.

But the second gunshot did not come. Both men fell to the floor- the unknown man groaning in pain and Sousuke holding the gun to the stranger’s head. Chidori nearly had a heart attack. Sousuke had open fired on a man in full view of the public. There was no blood, though. Sousuke had used a stun bullet. He had live ammunitions for emergencies but by default, his gun was loaded with stun bullets.

“Chidori, stay back!!” Sousuke ordered Kaname before turning his attention back to the man and demanded his identity.

“Y… You shot him!!” Chidori was stunned.

“He nearly had me. But don’t worry, it was just a stun bullet.”

The man did not answer, still grimacing in pain and clutching the injured knee. Chidori takes a closer look at the man’s face. Perhaps he was someone they know.

She knew she had seen this man from somewhere. Then, she suddenly recalled that she had seen this man talking to the Principal. He was the substitute P.E. teacher. And Sousuke had shot him.

She hurriedly pulled Sousuke off the teacher. “He’s the substitute P.E. teacher!!!”

“Really?”

“Yes. I’m not kidding. What were you thinking attacking him in the first place!!?”

“Well, he should not have sneaked up on us.” His mind still in battle mode, he pointed his gun at the teacher and told him to get on his feet.

The next thing he saw was the ceiling. Chidori had finally taken out her secret weapon, the halisen, and slapped Sousuke under the jaw. He lifted off the ground, back flipped and landed hard on his face.

Sousuke managed to hear a “Hmph!” before his vision blurred after hitting the floor with such impact. When he finally stood up, Chidori put a hand behind his head and forced it down, and they both salaam the teacher in apology. The teacher was in still shock and he forgave them not wanting more trouble.

“Mr. Seki, I’m so sorry. Sousuke here is also very sorry. Aren’t you, Sousuke?” Kaname tried to apologize for the both of them.

“SORRY, SIR!” Sousuke stood at attention.

“Yes, yes. Just let me sit down and rub my sore knee…” Mr. Seki tried to brush them off and limped towards a bench.

They sat with him in case he needed any help. Also, they were really sorry, especially Sousuke, and it would be irresponsible to leave him there after Sousuke had injured him.

“I’m sorry I had to shoot you, sir. But you were quite good in combat. What was that move you used on me?” Sousuke was curious.

“Oh, that… That was aikido.”

“Ah, I see. Perhaps you can teach me someday.”

“Sousuke! First you shoot Mr. Seki and now you want him to teach you martial arts!?” Chidori screamed into Sousuke’s ears.

“It’s quite alright. I can teach you as long as you promise not to misuse it.”

“Certainly, sir.”

At that, Chidori could only sigh.

“Well, I’ll be going first.” Mr. Seki was only thinking about getting as far away from these two as possible.

“Do you need any help, sir?” Sousuke offered his assistance.

“NO!! Er… I mean no, thank you.”

“Very well.”

“Chidori, perhaps we should get moving, too?”

There was no answer.

“Chidori? What’s wrong?”

“I’m just… tired.”

Sousuke looked at his watch. There was time. And so he sat quietly beside Kaname. If something was bothering her, she would tell him sooner or later. There was no need to rush her.

“Sousuke, what is going on? Why did you pick me up from my apartment and why are you being so aggressive today?”

“There was a situation. I need to stay vigilant.”

“What happened?”

“I do not want to burden you with details.”

“Tell me, or else.” She tightened her grip on the halisen.

Sousuke breathed in long and deep. “A general was found murdered. Police believes that this is a robbery but Mithril has reasons to suspect that it was an assassination.”

“I see…”

Sousuke stood up slowly and stared at the moving trains, lost in his own thoughts. “I don’t want to lose you again…”

It was almost a whisper. But Kaname heard it. It must have taken a lot of courage for Sousuke to say that. It was all she needed to hear. She decided not to let Sousuke spoil the moment by saying anything else. Not feeling angry and depressed anymore, she stood quickly and said in a cheerful voice:

“Alright. Let’s go! We don’t want to be late for school.”

“Yes, Chidori. If I skip the reconnaissance on school, we might just make it.”

“Idiot.”

[Kelek]

Nice chappie, SSS. You made them interact better too.

[Avlor]

“Yes, Chidori. If I skip the reconnaissance on school, we might just make it.”

Would he really do that?

I agree with Kel. They are interacting well. I like how you are portraying Sousuke here alot.

/Av gives an anxious grin ... when do the baddies come back onto the scene?

More please!

[Sgt. Sagara Sousuke]

Thank you.

@Av
As per requested:
http://www.sphere-zero.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2373
The bad dude part was supposed to be short but got carried away and it consumed the whole part.