“Kaname, are you awake yet?”
The blue-haired girl grumbled, then turned over. She pulled a pillow over her head.
“Kaname. Dear sister. Are you awake?”
She opened one eye, then the other. She nudged the pillow aside. She looked at the clock. 7:00am, EST.
“Ka….. Naaaaaa…. Maaaaay….”
Laying on her back, Kaname looked at the ceiling in disbelief. Was Ayame still doing that?
“Pleaaaaaaaaase, Kanameeeeeeeeeee.”
Yes. She certainly was.
“Sheesh!” Kaname sat up and swung her feet over the edge of the bed. They hung there, unwilling to move another inch. Her eyes slowly closed. Inch by inch, she listed to the side like a sail boat on ever growing ocean swells. Before she knew it, she was snoring again.
“Kaname, If you please. If you won’t do it for your sister, do it out of consideration for your father. She’s driving me crazy!” Shunya’s voice woke Kaname like a bucket of ice water.
“I’m up father. I’ll need a few minutes.” Kaname put on her robe and slid into a pair of furry slippers.
“Good. After presents, I’ll make you a big breakfast. Then, I’d better get started on the turkey.”
Kaname stretched lazily, smiling when she realized that she wouldn’t have to go to school today. She thought back to earlier Christmas holidays spent in this country. Her mother had wanted them to try the local customs. Ayame had taken to it big time. She loved presents.
Presents.
Kaname’s spirits sank some. She understood why her father called her and brought her to America so unexpectedly. But, she hadn’t had any time to shop for presents. She had a few things that she had gotten ahead of time for her father’s birthday. That was simple enough. For Ayame, she wrapped some things of her own that her sister always begged for. It would be hard parting with them. She couldn’t just come empty handed.
Her arms full with her packages, Kaname padded slowly into the living room, wanting to savor the moment, trying to remember walking out to the tree and seeing her mother and father waiting there. Her mother would always have such a big smile. In those days, her father smiled too.
The tree.
There WAS a tree. She had been so caught up last night, she hadn’t taken notice.
It was a huge Douglas Fir, branches filled with ornaments and strings of blinking Christmas lights. There was a silly lopsided star on top. She had made that herself, for her parents, years ago. A number of the ornaments were familiar, almost painfully so.
The smell of evergreen tickled her nose. She loved that. There was also the smell of hot chocolate. Ayame was sipping from her cup, whipped cream on her nose. Kaname had to fight to keep from laughing. Her father held a cup of coffee, a pitcher of cream by his hand.
“Come on, sleepy head!” Ayame was full of energy. “It’s Christmas morning, and you’re here with us this year!” Kaname smiled. Her sister looked so happy. She was often sad this time of year, missing her mother.
Shunya looked at Ayame… shook his head… then looked at Kaname and shrugged his shoulders in a ‘What can I do?’ type of way.
“OK… OK… I’m here, sprout. I don’t want you to explode or anything. Daddy would probably make me clean up the mess!” Kaname placed her presents under the tree.
Her own choice of words hit hard. She tried not to let anything show. Was Sousuke in battle somewhere? Should she feel guilty, enjoying herself now? No. He wouldn’t want that. She knew just what he’d say.
‘It’s not a problem.’
Stupid scruffy big idiot jerk! At least he should have the courtesy to get mad, or pout…. maybe even scowl a little.
No. It would be ‘Not a problem’ and that same Sousuke look.
That cute-because-he-is-so-clueless-and-handsome-even-though-I-never-really-noticed-it look.
Damn him!
“Here. I want to see you open this one first.” Ayame was too bubbly for Kaname’s likeing. She was eager, and had a mischievous look in her eyes.
“Uh huh. I’ll save this one for last, then!” Kaname set the gift aside, thinking it felt like a book or something similar.
“Ka….naaaaaa….meeeee…..”
Kanamae looked over at her father. He took a sip of coffee and nodded his head meaningfully. He didn’t want Ayame worked up.
“OK, already. Geez. You haven’t changed a bit!” Kaname unwrapped the present and stood staring slack jawed She was going to kill Ayame!
It was a book alright. A book with a key and a lock. Not to mention the title ‘My Personal Diary.’
Kaname blushed. She couldn’t help herself. Her father was watching her.
Ayame had gotten her good, the little weasel.
“Oh, and this goes with it. Let me undo it for you!” Ayame took the paper off of a roll of lipstick. “It’s for when you want to kiss the extra-special pages…..” The triumph in her eyes was unbearable.
I am Kaname Chidori. I have handled terrorists, kidnappers, and Sousuke. Gangsters, karate clubs, rugby players, and Sousuke. Crazy police women, stalkers, flirtatious stuck-up guys, and Sousuke. I can handle my little sister!
“What about a pen? You must have gotten me a pen?”
Ayame smiled and handed Kaname another gift. Naturally, it WAS a pen.
Kaname scribbled away. She then closed the diary, locked it, and dropped the key within her robe.
“Well……. what did you write?” Ayame stood up, looking down at the diary.
“It’s a secret,” Kaname said, keeping a straight face.
“No way. You HAVE to tell me. I gave you the present after all. Pleaaassseee.”
“It was a riddle. Want to know how to keep a moron in suspense?” Kaname looked down at her hand, nonchalant.
“OK. How?” Ayame didn’t realize she fell for one of the oldest tricks in the book. Kaname made a sidewise glance at her father. His one eyelid crinkled slightly.
Kaname stayed quiet, picking up each of her remaining presents, trying to guess what they were.
“Kaname…. how?”
Actually, Kaname had a lot of answers to the riddle:
‘Don’t tell Sousuke what grocery store you were going to.’
‘Purposely forget to tell him when you go out to lunch with your friends.’
‘Get on the train, the run off again just as it starts to go, leaving Sousuke on board… unless he does that stupid otaku jump out the window trick again.’
‘Tell him you saw something moving outside your window when there’s actually nothing there.’
And so forth and so on.
Sousuke. Please be OK.
“I just did….” Kaname’s smile had Ayame furious. Kaname laughed. She couldn’t remember the last time she had laughed that hard.
Her father’s look was inscrutable.
Was it about the diary?
Had that gotten him to thinking about her and boys?
Or was it because she seemed so happy sitting here?
Ayame was very happy, too.
“Can I open one now, Kaname?” Ayame picked up a large soft package.
“Sure. I think you’ll like that one.” You better. I might still sneak it into my suitcase.”
Ayame had pieces of paper flying through the air. One landed on her father’s lap.
“Oh! I can’t believe it. Thank you thank you thankyouthankyouthankyou.”
It was one of Kaname’s most cherished possessions. The Bonta-Kun doll.
Kaname had a bigger Bonta-Kun to hug these days. So she hoped.
The two sisters laughed, smiled, and even cried their way through all of their presents. Their father had been very generous… he didn’t often buy many gifts, hating excess more than anything. This year, his concern about Kaname had driven him to go shopping while her plane was in the air.
Still, Kaname knew the gift that she wanted most of all.
She wanted to be able to return to her life in Tokyo. She felt wonderful here, but Japan was where her school and friends were. Those, and a certain moody military misfit.
Except he wasn’t there.
“So, what did you put in the diary?” Ayame tried again. For the tenth time.
“I’m not going to tell you.”
“Tell me!”
“No.”
Tell me tell me tell me TELL ME!!!”
“NO!!!”
The presents all opened, Shunya made a retreat into the kitchen to make breakfast, clean the turkey, and start working on the stuffing. He stopped, turned around, and spoke to Kaname.
“Kaname. There’s a reason I let your sister get you out of bed so early after your long flight. Mr. Smith will be coming over at 10:00am this morning. He will want to meet you and ask you about your itinerary. You can trust him. He’s always done well for us.” Kaname sat quietly. Her face was a blank slate. That was enough of a signal for her father.
“Kaname. Listen to me. He may be a different body guard than the one you are used to. I think that may be a very good thing. Don’t embarrass the family by acting like a child. The man is a professional. Let him do his job.” Her father’s eyes narrowed. “He will also be a guest for dinner. This night especially, I would hope there is no unseemly behavior.”
“Yes, Father.” Her emotions all spun around her, wrapping themselves in a tight knot. As far as she was concerned, her father’s telling her that new body guard was a good thing for her was inconsiderate and in poor timing.
He knew where Sousuke was now.
When Shunya walked off into the kitchen, Kaname took the Bonta-Kun doll and flung it hard against the nearest wall, knocking down a framed ink drawing of a Shinto shrine.
“Hey-y-y-y-y-y-y.” Ayame dove to catch the doll before it hit the ground. She hugged it tightly to her. “It’s no big deal. Father had a body guard for me once, back when there were a number of kidnappings in the area.”
Kaname didn’t say anything.
“Ohhhhhh. I see. It’s Sousuke, isn’t it?” Miffed that Kaname didn’t answer, Ayame gave the Bonta-Kun a long kiss, then started singing.
“Kaname and Sousuke, sitting in a tree….. K…I…S…S… I… N… G-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e….”
Kaname still didn’t say anything. The thought of Sousuke and kissing had her thinking back to the other night. So much had happened since then. She felt worn out. But, there was more to come. She had to find the strength somewhere.
There was no doubt.
The way she carried herself over the next few days… especially today… would go a long way towards shaping her father’s decisions.
Ayame sat quietly too, now. Watching her older sister, her face fell. “Kaname? Are you OK? Are you thinking about him?”
Her older sister nodded her head, sighing.
“He really means a lot to you, doesn’t her?” Ayame’s look was filled with love and compassion for her sibling.
“Yes. I didn’t know just how much until recently. Then….” She bowed her head. Why had things happened this way? Hadn’t she been through enough in her life? Didn’t she deserve some happiness?
“Oh.” Ayame sat quietly a while, before patting Kaname’s hand. “Do you love him?”
Kaname looked Ayame in the eye. “I don’t know. Maybe. We’ve been through so much together. I miss him very much.”
“You’re lucky, then.” Ayame had been through her share of crushes at school. She was jealous for Kaname, and happy for her. She hoped some day to be so lucky. “Does he love you?”
Kaname put her head in her hands. She fought back the tears. “I don’t know. I hope so. Some day. I wanted to find out. I hope I still can.”
“I see. I was hoping that you might want to stay here with us.” It was Ayame’s turn to keep from crying.
“Silly, huh? I wouldn’t want that if it made you sad.” It was so great to see her sister. She wished it could last forever.
Kaname smiled, then reached out to muss up her sister’s hair. “It’s up to Daddy, I guess.” It was no guess. Kaname knew who had the final say.
“But… but if things go wrong, I may not want to go back.” Kaname hung her head again.
Ayame wanted to ask the question, but didn’t know how. She decided to stay quiet. Kaname volunteered the information any way, feeling like she needed to talk, and knowing that her sister was concerned.
“Sousuke is in my class, the big jerk. He’s assigned to protect me, and he does… when he’s not too busy getting me in trouble in the first place. But, like I told Daddy, he’s a soldier first. It’s so hard to believe. Even after all that time….” Kaname’s voice ran down.
Why did the first boy who really touched her heart be a soldier?
Why did the moron have to be so damned good at what he did?
Big stupid head!
Ayame looked over on one of the bookshelves in the living room. It was a picture of their father in uniform, surrounded by men he had served with in the Japanese armed forces. She was glad that her father never had to fight in a war.
“He is an Arm Slave pilot, the crazy otaku fool. Boys his age should be building models of them or getting all geeky-eyed over seeing one…… not fighting in one. They don’t send those things to fancy holiday parades or good will tours. He’s always in danger. It’s better when he’s with me.”
“He’ll be back then, won’t he? He’s come back before, right?” Ayame wanted Kaname to be happy even more than she hoped for her own happiness.
“I hope so, Sis. I hope so.”
----------------------------------------------
The doorbell rang.
Kaname cursed. If she had been on her toes, she would have disconnected the thing. And changed the number over the door and on the mailbox. Maybe even painted the house.
Her first difficult introduction of the day was here. Admittedly, it should be by far the less emotional… but that didn’t make it insignificant.
She didn’t want another body guard. Somehow, that felt like being unfaithful to Sousuke. Of course, they didn’t even have a relationship where that could be possible yet, but she knew what she meant.
Maybe she should just relax and think things through.
If no one was looking for her, and no secret agency knew where she was, she wouldn’t even need some clown trailing after her.
But, on the other hand, if she was in danger, could anyone else take care of her as well as Sousuke?
Well, she doubted anyone else would blow so many things up…. tackle as many innocent people…. or find so many constructive and socially acceptable ways to use weapons. She laughed, watching as her father walked towards the front door. Her laughter stopped.
What if she found that professional body guards were safer and less annoying than a certain young sergeant?
She knew her temper. If Sousuke was officially a screw up… not just an accident waiting to happen in her eyes…. would she start disrespecting him?
Nah!
She was getting ahead of herself. It might just turn out that he was a hard act to follow.
“Come in, Max. Merry Christmas. Thank you for arranging things in such short order. Here I’ll put the wine in the refrigerator, if I may. Let me introduce you to my daughter.” Shunya took his guest’s coat and led him into the living room. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“I’m happy to help, Mr. C. You’ve always treated me right. Always happy to return the favor. A beer or some wine would be fine. Not too much, it‘s still morning.” Kaname stood at the archway into the room. She still hadn’t seen the guy yet, but already she didn’t like him. It wasn’t Mr. Smith’s fault. Her father was being so kind to him…… but couldn’t spare a single kind word for Sousuke.
Two hands pushed against the small of Kaname’s back. It was Ayame. “Don’t be shy, Sis. Just get it over with. He’s r-e-a-l-l-y cute….” Kaname couldn’t see her sister’s smile.
Kaname stumbled into the room.
“My oh my. You’ve sure grown, Ayame.” Mr. Smith rose to greet Kaname. “You’ve gotten so cute, your father should probably get you a guard.”
Kaname almost cursed. She hated that smarmy kind of talk. And, if this clueless nincompoop thought she was Ayame, his powers of observation must be exceptional…Not!!!
“I’m Kaname, Sir. I believe you were hired to keep an eye on me.” Kaname looked the man up and down. Oh sure, Ayame. He’s really cute. Fourties. Balding. Bushy mustache. Beer belly. Gorgeous.
“Really?” The man winked at Ayame… cocked his finger like a gun… then smiled. Ayame smiled in return.
Better yet. He’s a comedian. Kaname had always been on Souske’s case, trying to make him more outgoing and jovial. ‘Memo to myself: let him stay as his is!’
“So, I take it you are Kaname. I’m Maximilian Smith. You can call me Max if you like.” The man held out his hand. Kaname shook it.
“I’ve worked with your father before. He’s a fine man. We should probably get down to business now while there’s time. I’d hate to spoil the mood later. Your old man is a splendid cook.”
“Yes.” Kaname wondered if he was going to ask her a lot of questions about her habits and such. He would probably want to know why she needed a guard. There was no way she would tell him about Mithril! Hopefully, her father had been discrete.
Maybe she should ask her questions first.
“Mr. Smith, could you tell me where you did your training?” Kaname didn’t know enough about various academies or training centers, but she had learned to spy a liar or exaggerator from miles away.
“It’s Max. I was a member of the NYPD for ten years. That was all the training I need. Retired with a distinguished record. Have a spotless records as a body guard ever since.” He held out his hand and accepted a glass of dark ale from Kaname’s father.
“Yes, Kaname. Max has a fine reputation around the city.” Her father had a glass of ice water.
“Any combat training?” Kaname snapped off her question like she was looking to put together an assault squad. Damn that Sousuke! He was definitely rubbing off too much on her.
“I like to think of the streets as its own kind of combat, little lady. Unlike those guys who spend all of their time marching and making up their bunks, I used to put my life on the line every week. Sometimes, it was mostly every day.” Mr. Smith raised his beer in an answering salute. Shunya had nodded his head in his direction.
Kaname fought to keep from snarling. It felt as if the man had belittled Sousuke. Now was not the right time for that.
“I see. No actual combat experience or special training. Mr. Smith, how many times have you come under fire? Do you have any experience with terrorists?” Kaname was not in the mood to walk wary. Her dander was up. She ignored her father’s sour look.
“Please. Call me Max. Little Miss, the whole idea is to be good enough that your charge never comes under fire. Anyone who tells you something else is handing you a load of bull. Pardon my French.” Max sat back in the chair, placing his hands on his ample girth.
“We’ve only had one episode with terrorists around these parts. That was a shock to us all. Nothing any one man could have done about that.”
“Kaname. Please give Max the courtesy of getting to know you the way I do. I hardly think you are leaving much of an impression on him. Besides, he’s here to protect you. There are things he needs to know.” Shunya’s words sounded to the world like a request. Kaname knew otherwise.
She was not about to back down.
“Yes, Father. I only have a few more questions.” Kaname bowed slightly to her father. She turned and looked at Mr. Smith again. “Do you have any of your weapons on you, Mr. Smith? I would be interested in seeing them.”
“Oh hoh hoh hoh. Looks like you have a real spitfire here, Mr. C.” Mr. Smith laughed. Kaname’s father did not seem amused.
“Well, darlin’…. I have the only weapon I ever need right here. There an old hunting shotgun in my trunk, but I haven’t used that in years.”
The man put a hand gun on a nearby coffee table.
“Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum. Served me well on the force. I won’t ever need another pistol.” He smiled. “You can touch it if you like. I don’t keep it loaded.”
“A revolver?” Kaname was incredulous. She couldn’t disguise her shock and disdain.
“Good handguns are simple to acquire. As I have been told, the New York City police force switched over to Glock 17s a number of years ago. Those are light weight, easy to conceal, and can carry ten, seventeen, nineteen, or thirty-one round clips.” I’m sounding like that stupid otaku again!
“I’m actually glad that I never used any of those plastic toys, young lady. Nothing is as dependable or hard hitting as a good old five round piece of iron. It’s not fussy about ammunition, and five shots will always be four more than I will ever need.” Mr. Smith smiled... picked up his pistol... spun it... and put it away.
“They’re hardly toys,” Kanme retorted. “There are plenty of good semi-automatics available with acceptable reliability... Sig Sauer, Beretta, HK... and if you want something tried and true, the Colt M1911.” Kaname had heard the spiel before. On more occasions than she had ever wanted.
Now, more than anything, she wished that she could hear it again.
“Someone’s been watching too many action films, I think.” Mr. Smith chuckled and looked over at Shunya. Kaname’s father had a completely blank face, a very bad sign.
“No. I haven’t. I can’t stand them. I LIVE them, from time to time. Revolvers are ideal for home defense, with owners who know little or nothing about handguns. They are bulky, heavy, carry little ammo, and are slow to reload. They were unable to meet the growing needs of a modern police force. I am not at liberty to say why I need protection.... but it is NOT from irate drivers, street punks, and the occasional purse snatcher. This is not a game to me. It’s my life.”
Kaname did not say that she didn’t see the sense of going from the penthouse to the outhouse, but she was thinking it. She knew her words were an invitation for trouble, but she was damn sure going to stand up for herself.
“Kaname, I need help with something in the kitchen. Max, there is breakfast left over if you’re hungry. Ask Ayame for anything you need.” Shunya headed off to the kitchen without even sparing Kaname a glance.
She knew that things were about to hit the fan. Her father had only been trying to help her, and had done the best he could in the time available. But, in Kaname’s mind, it was almost worse than doing nothing.
“Please peel those potatoes for me and place them in the pot of cold water. The carrots could use skinning and the bread could use more kneading.” Her father put on his apron and started in on other culinary tasks.
Kaname began with the potatoes. She remained silent. When she had started on the carrots, her father finally spoke again.
“Mr. Smith is a guest in this house for dinner. At the very least, that should have earned him the right for courtesy and good manners.” He didn’t say anything more than that for fifteen minutes.
Kaname continued on with her work with the peeler, placing the carrots in a large pot filled with water and brown sugar.
“You interrogated Mr. Smith like he was a criminal. He is here on a holiday, not only for dinner, but to protect you from danger. Your questions were insulting. The topic of discussion was inappropriate for a young woman your age.” Again, her father stopped and went back to work.
Kaname began working on the bread. She was angry, and just a touch sad. Her father had no idea just what she had been through. She felt like a stranger in this house suddenly. But, she wasn’t certain if it was because of her father’s inflexibility or her own impatience and independence.
He hadn’t changed. She had. Without realizing it, she was brutalizing the bread in a relative sense. It was the only way she had to vent her frustrations.
“I know how you must be feeling about certain things, Kaname. I have been walking on eggshells, despite having things that should be discussed.” Shunya cracked a number of eggs one-handed, dropping the white and yolk into a small bowl. “But, after that little show in the parlor, I find I can no longer hold my tongue. It is obvious that you have been exposed to some bad influences. That needs to stop. There may be time to correct matters.”
Kaname froze. Here it was. The moment she had dreaded. She might be faced with a major decision, and her temper could end up being her undoing. She pulled the dough off of her hand then cleaned off the residue with a towel.
“Father, I wish it were that simple. If someone could perform an operation that stopped me from being Whispered, I would gladly go under the knife. I don’t think you can ever know what if feels like.” She picked up an orange.
“To some people, I exist only to be squeezed dry and thrown away. When you have something on your shopping list that you absolutely must have for a recipe, you don’t stop until you get it. If the cost is too high, you shop somewhere else.”
“I’m sorry if my inquiry seemed rude, but this is not a game of honor to me. It’s my life. Worse, it’s Ayame’s and your lives, too. You don’t understand the type of people who hunt the Whispered. You have no idea what they are willing to do to meet their needs.”
Kaname couldn’t help herself. She shivered slightly. She never realized just how safe Sousuke had made her feel. His talents were obvious. Even his misadventures served as a way to distract her. The full weight of her situation hit her. The people she loved were in danger because of her.
“If no one has tracked my movement, then we would be safe without any guard. But, if I have been followed, hiring that man would be the same as hanging out a sign that says ‘Attention shoppers, special on aisle three. Delicious oranges. Take them home and juice them”
Shunya wiped his hands and turned to look at his daughter. He looked troubled.
“I’ve done what I can, Kaname. I’ve done it for you. Mr. Smith is a professional. We are better off with him here than we would be without him. Given that... and given the inevitability of your situation... you could have handled things with grace and delicacy---the way your mother would have. We all have to make the best of a difficult situation.”
He paused a moment.
“I think it might be best if you came back to the States………. permanently. I can’t help but notice an alarming change in your attitude and self control. There are worse things than being in harm’s way, daughter. What is the value of life, if you become someone you should not be? You have too much potential, Kaname.”
Kaname wanted to be angry. She wanted to shout, just to try and make her father understand. His disappointment hit her harder than she thought it could. For all her show of independence, she was still a girl who wanted her father’s approval.
“I honor and thank you for your intentions, Father. I am sorry that I am such a disappointment to you. I have always done the best I could.” Kaname teared up.
“I don’t know what else to say or do. I believe I have found the best thing for me. I have been working hard to reach my potential. I will never be my mother. No matter where I live.” The look she turned on her father took his breath a way momentarily.
“You are correct though, Father. There are worse things than dying. I found that out before. I once hoped that I had put such days behind me. You seem intent on moving on with your new life. I wish I knew what I had to do to earn the same privilege.” She pulled the hair away from her eyes.
“The bread is ready for baking.”
Kaname bowed and walked out of the kitchen, locking herself away in the guest room.
----------------------------------------------
Picking up the picture of Sousuke and his old squad, Kaname lay down on her back on the bed. She held the picture up, her eyes glued to Sousuke’s face. He looked so small. It was almost as if he were fading out of her life.
“Nothing’s blown up lately. I haven’t had to hit anyone for two whole days. No one has said any crazy otaku stuff.” She shook her head, trying to keep from crying.
“I miss you. I don’t know if I’ll ever see you again. I hope you’re OK.”
She rested the framed photo on her chest, hands folded over it. She closed her eyes. Tears spilled down both sides of her face.
There was a soft knock on the door. The door handle jiggled.
“Kaname?” It was her father’s voice. She didn’t answer. Eventually, footsteps could be heard moving away from the door.
Opening her eyes, Kaname stared up at the ceiling. Her friends were in danger. She might never see them again, even if the crisis passed without any terrible tragedy. No doubt her father would hire someone to pack up and ship all of her things.
She thought back to when she was young. She had run away at an early age, brought home by the police the next day. There was nothing to stop her from doing that again, but where would she go? How would she get by? It would be hard working a job and going to school, but she could try. There was also Mithril. Could she find a position there?
No.
As hard as this was, she would never abandon her ties with Ayame and her father. They both loved her very much. She realized that her father cared deeply for her, but didn’t understand who she was or what she needed. There simply was no way for him to know any of that. His actions were based on the world he knew. Maybe if he grew to trust her over time, he would let her make her own choice again.
“Rescue me, Sousuke.” She smiled at her impromptu words. It did almost feel as if she had been kidnapped and held captive. For a while, she daydreamed about a certain young troublemaker. Tired, she fell asleep.
A sound startled her awake. Disoriented, she tried to figure out why it was so familiar. It was her cellular phone!
Where had she left it? In her purse. Almost falling out of bed, she went to find it. Did she really want to answer it?
It could be Kyouko, or one of her other friends, wanting to see how she was doing or find out when she might be coming home. That might be a very difficult conversation.
It could be someone from Mithril, calling with bad news about Sousuke. She definitely didn’t want to hear the words ‘I’m sorry, but….’ or ‘He was a hero, and….’
It could be Sousuke. Maybe he wanted to speak to her before leaving on his mission. They wouldn’t permit him to do that, but if he really cared about her he might risk it.
“Hello?” It struck her as she answered, that the caller could be from a group looking for her for all the wrong reasons. If so, they may very well have pinpointed her location. Too late now.
It was a man’s voice. It asked if she was alone and able to speak. Uncertain what she should do, Kaname decided to proceed as if the speaker was not an enemy. If he did mean her harm, the damage likely was already done.
“Yes.”
The man identified himself as a Mithril operative based in New Jersey, based relatively close to New York City. He patched through a call. There was a familiar voice on the other end…. an operative staying at the Tokyo safe house.
“I haven’t seen any signs of being followed. Am I in danger?”
The operative had asked her how she was, and if she had seen or hear anything that made her suspicious. After hearing her answer, he said that he would pass along that information to his superiors as a matter of completeness. He vouched for the man in New Jersey, saying he would leave her in his capable hands. That agent would answer any and all questions she had.
The other man came back on the line.
“I’m not certain, Sir. My father may want to make my stay a permanent one. I don’t mean to interrupt. Is it OK to ask? Have you heard anything about… uh… certain goings on in Asia?”
The man was very well informed. He told her in no specific terms that things would be underway. He said that there would be no word through his office concerning specific people. She understood what he was saying. He could not tell her anything about Sousuke.
“That’s OK. I understand. Yes, I found it necessary to inform my father. He has since acquired the services of a bodyguard, a retired police officer. I cannot honestly say I feel in the least bit safe.”
Kaname’s eyes opened wide. The man had laughed, making a light-hearted comment. He still hadn’t mentioned any names, but the comment ‘at least you won’t need to worry about any explosions’ caught her by surprise. Sousuke must be a legend in his own time. She found herself smiling. Her smile deepened. The man went on to anonymously praise the efforts of her previous protector.
“Yes, Sir. ‘One of a kind’ is a very good description. The people you work for didn’t happen to clone him, did they?” Kaname smirked. She could only imagine what might happen if more than one Sousuke ever got together at one place at one time. By coincidence, the Mithril agent made a statement to that effect before continuing.
“Oh. But… does someone think they will be after me, too….”
The man had mentioned that a number of Whispered living in the northeastern United States had been kidnapped or had attempts made on them. One young woman had been taken from her suburban New York high school. It was thought that those had been plots that had been in the works for a long time. Nonetheless, Mithril was concerned about her safety.
“I certainly would appreciate that. No. I can’t say how my father would react to that.”
The operative promised to have an agent keep surveillance on her. He asked if her family would accept an agent into their home.
“Sure. I certainly wouldn’t object to that! If my father says ‘No,’ we haven’t lost anything. He might be a little put out with me… but he already is, as it happens. If he says ‘Yes,’ I’ll feel a lot better.”
The man said that he would send an operative over to speak with her. It was important to get an idea of what she might be going and where she might be headed. If possible, the agent would be able to stay for dinner, and even take up residence on site, situation permitting.
“Great! Thank you.”
Finally, things were looking up. The mischievous part of Kaname was glowing. This ought to ruffle her father’s feathers. It might even convince him to forget about Mr. Smith. At the very least, a discrete layer of protection would be added, and the portly ex-cop would be a fifth wheel without ever knowing about it.
She wasn’t going to mention anything to her father yet. He might just veto everything. It would be nice to see his face after he opened the door. Her father was concerned about her potential. She would show him her ability to shape her own destiny.
If he didn’t like it, too bad. He better get used to it!!!
She rubbed her hands together. What else could she do.
Oh!
That would be too nasty.
She would never go that route. It would only prove her father right about her attitude and behavior. Still, she had to smile thinking about what would happen if she decided to use her father’s girlfriend as the focus of her campaign. If she was nasty to her, maybe her father would want to get her out of the house. Likewise, if she was chummy but intrusive, she might earn herself a ticket home.
That wasn’t the type of person she was.
Yet.
It wasn’t a general topic she was prepared to think about now, in any case. Somehow, she was enraged by the notion of her father caring for someone other than her mother. Her head knew that it was only fair that he had a chance to find someone to care for, and who could care about him in return. Her heart was not so easily convinced.
Kaname looked over at some of the photographs of her mother. She picked up and handled some things that had belonged to her. Would these things all be pushed aside or hidden away altogether, if there was a new woman of the house
That just didn’t seem fair, somehow.
Was there anything else she could think about that might prove useful down the way? Her mind was in too much of an uproar to want to walk through things logically. One particularly scandalous thought came to mind.
She considered the possibility that her father would indeed try to keep her here. She also hoped that Sousuke would return home safely from his mission, insuring the safety of Japan in the process. What would happen if she called him… told him she was being held against her will… and wanted his help.
“Omigod!” Kaname didn’t know whether to fear for her family’s lives, or fall of the bed giggling. She could just picture it.
‘What gives you the right to come in my house that way?’ Her father would be angry.
‘This!’ Sousuke would hold up a grenade.
‘Daddy, meet Sousuke’ She’d be ever so nonchalant.
Or, maybe something a bit more dramatic.
‘Kaname, call the police!’ Her father would tell them all to get under the nearest furniture.
‘Why, Daddy? Do you have something against the police?’
‘Someone just blew a hole in our wall!’ It could just as easily be a door… a bank of windows… or a large opening in the ceiling.
‘Sousuke has a problem with knocking….’
No. With her luck, the big idiot would behave in a much different way.
‘I take it you are Sousuke, young man?’ Her father would be very stern.
‘Affirmative!’
‘And I assume you are here to see my daughter.’
‘Uh…… yes……” He’d be sweating. Jerk!
‘What exactly are your intentions?’
‘Uh….’ That’s right. There would have to be ‘Uhs.’
‘Are you planning on corrupting my daughter?’
“Uh…’
‘Well?!”
‘Uh…’
‘Speak up!’
‘Only if she orders me to, Sir!!!’ Stupid head!
At least those would be better than the alternative. A street full of fire engines, police cars, trucks from the media, and a coroner’s van. Bodies removed from the smoking remains of the house. Maybe from the houses on either side as well. Sousuke, of course, no worse for wear.
‘Sousuke, what happened?’
‘Kaname, you should have told me that the house was heated by propane.’
‘W-H-A-T ???”
‘It is no longer a problem.’
‘BAKA !!!”
No. Not even Sousuke would do something like that. No one could be that clueless.
Her mind offered up a rebuttal.
Kaname relieved the explosion of shoe boxes and lockers. A certain clueless moron brought a deadly biological agent into the school. There were traps set for an art class. Art class!!! A good bit of the school was damaged in a battle between teenagers and a janitor carrying a chainsaw. Someone thought that picking up girls meant trapping them in big metal cages. A particular genius decided that a school festival needed a security gate that cost more than the entire available budget. Unawares, a poor heartbroken girl had been kept in the gun sight of someone covered with swaths of grass and a camouflage uniform.
Moron.
Big idiot.
Jerk.
So much for that idea.
Kaname stayed in her room, not wanting to face her father just yet. She sat at the edge of the bed, still dressed in her robe and slippers. She thought about her past, especially the times she had spent together as a complete family. There were a lot of good things to remember. Could she hope that any future memory of her family would be happy as well?
Her phone rang again.
“Hello?’
It was somebody from Mitrhril---the agent who had been assigned to the case.
“Yes, that is the correct address. How long do you think it will take you?”
Kaname smiled. By the sound of the agent’s voice, her father and Mr. Smith might be in for a bit of a shock.
“Sure, that would be fine. I can’t guarantee that my father will invite you in. But, that might make him feel obliged to do so. We should have plenty of food, regardless.”
The operative had offered to bring along some side dishes from a nearby gourmet Deli.
“No, I haven’t mentioned it to him yet. I didn’t want to give him time to come up with arguments against it. Yes, the other gentleman is here. Oh, I should have thought of that. I never finished with my questions.”
Kaname felt embarrassed. She had never asked to see any form of identification. She simply assumed that Mr. Smith was on the up and up, because her father knew him. Sousuke better not get wind of that!
“.357 police issue revolver, kept in a holster under his suit jacket. Situated at the base of his left arm. Kept unloaded inside the house.”
Kaname listened, feeling a sense of déjà vu as the agent expressed great disdain about the professional acumen of Mr. Smith. She grinned. Where did Mithril dig up these people?
After she finished with the conversation, Kaname went about getting dressed with renewed enthusiasm. Finished, she went out into the living room and apologized to Mr. Smith. She sat down in a chair opposite his and answered his questions while she waited. She wanted to see his reaction when a stranger showed up at the house.
“What’s so funny, Sis?” Ayame came and sat by her sister, hoping that things would turn out better than she feared.
“Nothing,” Kaname said, tweaking Ayame’s nose. That was the signal in sister language for ‘Don’t be so nosey.’
Ayame made a sour face. She knew her sister only too well. She was up to something. How dare she keep it a secret! But, if it was fun, she didn’t mind.
The doorbell rang. Ayame scampered off to see who it was.
Kaname scowled at Mr. Smith involuntarily. They weren’t expecting any guests at this hour---at least none that he had been informed about. He shouldn’t have let Ayame run off like that. He should be up off of his wide bottom making certain that things were OK!!!
“I‘m sure it‘s fine, sweetheart. Terrorists usually don’t ring doorbells, do they?” Mr. Smith obviously thought that he himself was clever, and that Kaname was over-reacting.
She bit her lip, not wanting to tell the man he was a fool.
“Who’s at the door, Ayame?” The sound of footsteps suggested that Shunya was heading for the front door.
“Hello, my name is Stacy Winston. Kaname asked me to come over.” It was a young girl’s voice. The agent had arrived.
“I must apologize. I wasn’t expecting anyone. My daughter didn’t make mention of you.” There was a moment of awkward silence. “Please. Come in. Ayame, take those bags from the young lady. They look heavy.”
“Thank you. I’ll keep hold of this one, if I may. The other has some side dishes. I didn’t want to come empty handed.” Stacy sounded about Kaname’s age. It was a good thing Sousuke wasn’t here. If the girl had a penchant for weapons, Kaname might never get him back.
Jerk!
Single-minded military-issue freak!
“Ah! That is very considerate of you. It’s good to see that some young ladies still value manners these days. Let me show you to the parlor.”
Kaname grumbled. Mr. Smith still sat back in his chair. He chuckled quietly.
When her father and Ayame accompanied Stacy into the room, Kaname had to do a double take. The young operative was dressed in a very nice sweater and skirt outfit with a fashionable vest, shoes, and handbag. She put a large shopping bag on the floor.
“I assume you already know Kaname,” Shunya said, giving his eldest daughter a blistering look. “The gentleman in the chair is Mr. Smith, one of our guests for the evening. Please, make yourself at home. Either of my children will be glad to get you a snack or some refreshments. Tea perhaps?”
“You are very kind, Sir. I’m fine just now.” That reply earned Stacy a smile from Kaname’s father. Kaname noticed, then scowled. Stacy noticed Kaname’s reaction and smiled herself. Ayame noticed everything, gleefully rubbing her hands together.
I can only hope that your polite behavior can rub off on someone,” Shunya sniped. “Kaname, in the future, I hope that you will do me the courtesy of informing me when you ask guests over.” The look he gave Kaname once again implied that it was an order, not a request.
Kaname smiled. She knew she was being petty, but she couldn’t help herself. “But Daddy… if you want me to stay here… can’t I have any friends… don’t you remember Stacy?”
“No, I don’t. My apologies. I’m not very good with names or faces. We’ll discuss this later, Kaname. I think you get my point, young lady!”
“Yes, Father.” Kaname turned to Mr. Smith.
“Mr. Smith, as a bodyguard, shouldn’t you check into the identity of anyone entering the house. You didn’t ask me a thing.” Kaname fought hard to keep from smiling. She was certain the man would make another self-satisfied and ridiculous remark. He might have some value after all
Looking at Stacy, Kaname saw that she was making an effort not to smile, herself. Stacy took a couple of steps closer to Mr. Smith.
“Please, darling. Leave professional business to the professionals. A pretty little thing like this could never be any danger.” The man gave Stacy a less than polite once over. Before he knew it, there was a gun at his temple.
“Glock 17. Very nice choice.” Kaname smiled. She purposefully did not look over at her father.
“Thank you.” Stacy said. “It serves me well. It’s not like I’m stupid enough to carry a revolver or something.” She put the gun away as quickly as it had appeared. Mr. Smith’s mouth was still open. He had topped his glass over without knowing it. Beer trickled down his pants leg.
Kaname wanted to clap her hands. It looked like she could get along well with the Mithril agent. “Do you mind if I’m the one who tells my family about you? Within limits, I mean.”
“Go right ahead.” Stacy looked over at a stunned Shunya.
“Don’t you mean ‘Not a problem?’ “ Kaname asked, laughing.
“Excuse me?” Stacy was obviously confused.
“Never mind. I’ll explain it to you later.” Kame’s look sobered considerably when she turned to speak to her father. “I’m truly sorry, Daddy. I understand that I shouldn’t act behind your back in your own home. But, I take my safety seriously. Your safety and Ayame’s is even more important to me.” She bowed.
“I see,” was all her father said.
“As you may have noticed, certain… agencies… do an exceptional job of training their personnel. An offer was made. I felt compelled to accept it. It is not bad manners, Daddy. I’m simply acting responsibly. I hope you will come to realize that.” Kaname’s voice broke. Her father took note of that. He nodded his head.
“We will discuss that later, Kaname. Mister Smith, if you do not mind wearing a kimono, I will have Ayame launder your trousers for you. Miss Winston… if that is your real name…”
Stacy nodded.
“May I have a word with you and my daughter in private, please.” Shunya waved his arm towards his den.
“Certainly, by any means. If you hadn’t offered, I would have insisted, actually.”
------------------------------------------
Shunya Chidori dropped down unceremoniously into his large easy chair. His breath exited him in a great whoosh, like air passing through a rent in an inner tube. He looked up at Kaname and Stacy, not knowing where to start.
This was not exactly what he had been planning for on Christmas.
“Miss Winston….”
“Please. Call me Stacy.”
“Stacy. May I ask how I can be sure you are who you say you are?” Kaname’s father looked skeptical and concerned. He also took note of how easily Kaname dealt with guns, secret agents, and the like. She actually seemed more at ease now that the gun-toting girl was in the house.
“Father, I can speak to that.” Kaname coughed, clearing her throat. “I received a call from a safe house in Japan. They were checking up on me. The person I spoke to is someone I have dealt with in the past. I trust him because…. someone else trusted him.”
She kept from saying ‘Sousuke’ at the last moment.
“I see. Well then, Stacy…. why exactly are you here?” Shunya was carrying on a spirited internal debate as he spoke. Part of him was relived that a Mithril agent was intent on guarding his daughter. Another part was suspicious. A third part was worried about saving face.
“I volunteered, Mr. Chidori. If that is what you mean. I would think the rest is self-evident.” Stacy’s look was calm and confident. Her answer did not sit entirely well with Kaname’s father. What was with teenage girls these days??? The answer had not been insolent… but it hadn’t exactly been respectful either.
“Why would a girl such as yourself volunteer? Wouldn’t you like to be at home with your family today?” Winstrom did not sound like a Jewish name. Shunya was suspicious. He felt he had to be… was obliged to be. His underlying question was actually ‘Why is a girl your age in Mithril and carrying a gun?’
Stacy knew the score. It wasn’t her first time on assignment.
“Yes Sir, I would. I spent time with my parents this morning. I volunteered in part because my age and appearance would allow me to fit in without drawing any undue attention or suspicion out in public.” She paused a moment, wondering how far she wanted to go. She turned to Kaname.
“My sister was Whispered. Back before they were called by that or any other name. She was one of the first ones abducted. She was overseas on Winter Break.” Stacy didn’t elaborate. No one asked her to. They didn’t need to. The emphasis on the word ‘was’ spoke volumes. So did the young girl’s eyes.
Kaname opened her mouth to say how sorry she was. She stopped. Stacy knew. She could see it in her eyes.
“I joined a certain organization because they wanted to keep an eye on me, concerned that I might be Whispered too. I’m not. I wanted to be able to defend myself, so I convince them to train me. I later decided that I wanted to make a difference.”
“I understand.” Shunya was obviously moved. Kaname grew somewhat angry, thinking her father showed the other girl more sympathy than he had shown his own daughter.
“It would appear that… the organization… must think that Kaname is in sufficient danger to make an effort to assign someone to her.”
“Yes, Sir. It is nothing definite. However, in this line of work, if you wait until something is certain, you’re too late.” She didn’t need to mention 9/11. Shunya Kaname would never forget that day. Neither would she. Her uncle was a firefighter.
“Well, at least they sent a girl.” Kaname’s father looked relieved. That made Stacy smirk. It made Kaname growl.
“Do you have something to say, Kaname?” Her father’s jaw tightened.
Kaname shook her head. Her father nodded.
“I’m glad to see that. You have more than enough to answer for as it is.” He scowled.
Kaname’s spirit made its reappearance. Good sense be damned. “If I’m too much trouble, Daddy…. you can always send me home….” She tried to put on a big innocent look.
Shunya closed his eyes and counted to ten. He looked over at Stacy, who quickly got rid of a grin.
“Stacy, do you treat your father this way?”
“No Sir.” Stacy kept a straight face. She made it a point not to look over at Kaname.
“Lucky man….”
[FIC] Christmas Cake (pt. 10)
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