FullMetal*Panic!

Kaname had lead the two of them to the shop that sold replacement school uniforms, in order to purchase a new blouse. She picked up a new skirt as well, just in case the stains wouldn’t come out of the one she was wearing. That had been the drudgery. Now it was time for the excitement.

“Well Kim, what style are you interested in? Are there any things you’ve been dreaming about getting some day? We don’t have to do just clothes. Make-up, shoes, accessories---you name it, we can do it. When Kaname Chidori is your tour guide, the sky’s the limit!” Kaname tossed her hair and put her free hand on her hip.

“Uh....”

“KIM!!!”

“Sorry....” Kim blushed. Then, she smiled and gave Kaname a challenging glance.

Kaname smiled. It was good to see some fire in the quiet girl.

“Just because you’re in Japan, doesn’t mean you have to follow the trends. Most kids do what everyone else does, since having a different kind of style is thought of as some kind of big risk. I don’t like to do what others do, being quite happy to follow my own heart.” Kaname had picked that attitude up while staying overseas. It looked as if it were a permanent addition.

“Well.... I.... someone else always picks out my clothes for me. It’s.... I wouldn’t know where to start.” Kim sounded both flustered and dejected at the same time.

“It’s not a problem!” Kaname said automatically. Soon thereafter, she looked as if she had just sucked on a lemon. Another Sousukeism.

Kim grinned, seeing Kaname’s look. That made Kaname laugh and hide her face behind her hand.

“There are so many things to choose from---and just like music, there’s only one way to find out what you like. If we move quickly enough, we can hit a lot of different stores. Punk.... cyber.... decora.... Gothic Lolita.... chic.... kawaii.... even anime character style.” Kaname looked sour again. The last thing she wanted was anything to do with anime. Her expression perked up when she pictured Kim dressing Sailor Moon style.

Of course, Sousuke might like Sailor Moon Style.

Would he?

Kaname shook that thought out of her mind.

“OK. But, I’m not certain my tastes will be any good. Maybe I should just buy something you like. Or, something Sousuke might find acceptable.” Kim’s eyes lit up.

“Ummm.... sure.... whatever. Let’s get going. There are clothes out there with our names on them.... we just have to find them!” Grabbing Kim’s hand again, Kaname headed off for the nearest shop.

Why did she suddenly have the mischievous impulse to dress Kim up like a fashion nightmare?

Kim quickly ruled-out hip-hop, kogal, and school girl fashion. Kaname had no desire to look in those stores either. Punk and Raver were no-go as well.

When Kim stood too long, gazing in the window of a Military Surplus store, Kaname nearly pulled the smaller girl’s arm out of her socket to get her moving again. She’d be damned if she let the Korean girl buy anything there!

Both girls blushed so bright that they almost caught on fire, when they mistakenly walked into a shop specializing in fetish and sex styles. The styles in the front window had been rather conservative. They hadn’t bothered to read the store name.

“Don’t be shy. Step right in. I’m certain we have just what you are looking for.” A tall thin man in a trench coal blocked the girl’s exit. “You can model as many things as you like. Alone, together, or with an audience. Some men will even pay....”

“That’s right. Smart girls like you could start saving up for your college tuition. I see you like CDs. We have friends at a number of shops. You can earn prizes.” A rotund man with sweaty hands kept twisting his shirt tale this way and that.

“We might even have someone who likes blue-haired girls,” an unctious and androgynous man in dark clothing put in. “Those men are rare, but we see all kinds here.”

“And, we have all of the most popular accessories,” a woman in a corsette added, holding up a large anatomically correct device that vibrated and played a number of the hot new tunes.

Kim looked like she was about to faint or melt into a puddle.

Kaname’s shock wore off, replaced by a burning sensation deep in her gut.

“Get... out... of... our... way... you... FREAKS!!!” She made to push her way between the sweaty man and his thin companion.

“Let’s not be hasty, girls. After all, no one forced you in here. Don’t be embarrassed. You KNOW a part of you is intrigued. You should at least see what we have to offer.” The androgynous man looked at Kim. “Aren’t you just cute as a button. I bet you have a strapping young man waiting for you. Something here might be just the ticket to win his heart...and the more important parts.”

Kim started to shake. Momentarily, she had pictured a naked Sousuke grasping some large unidentifiable object in his hand. She almost bit clean through her lip.

“Hey. Leave her alone, loser!” Kaname stepped in front of Kim.

“O... ho ho ho... I see... the two of you... we have plenty of THAT here too. Don’t worry, we know how to keep secrets....” The woman in the corsette looked Kaname up and down, then frowned. She licked her lips when she took a good look at Kim.

Kim brought her hand up to her mouth.

Kaname took hold of Kim’s hand and bulled her way out of the shop. They both took off running. They were two blocks away and out of earshot when an explosion rocked the shop, blowing out the fancy front windows and tossing a number of the patrons out onto the sidewalk.

The sound of shots rang out, masked by the noise of the busy street. Naked, half-naked, and fully clothed men and women ran screaming out of the building, many holding sore areas tattooed by rubber bullets.

A small pocket-sized gas mask on, Sousuke walked out of the store just as a tear gas canister began discharging its contents. He would have to remember to speak to the Assistant Principal when he returned to school.

Sousuke had happened to look down at the Guest Book and recognized a name. He wondered if the Assistant Principal realize that someone had stolen his identity.

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Winded, Kaname and Kim leaned against the corner of a small roadside café. Looking at each other, they both broke out into laughter. That little episode would not be forgotten any time soon. It would make a grand tale.

“Maybe that is why no one ever let me shop for clothes before,” Kim quipped.

“Believe me, it is NOT usually like that” Kaname put in quickly. When she realized that Kim had made a joke, she grinned.

There next stop was somewhat tamer. Kim had not wanted to go inside the Goth shop---but, once inside, she found herself fascinated somehow. Not just by the people in the crowded boutique, but by the sheer outlandishness of some of the clothing.

‘I could see Jorgen’s face, If I walked in wearing something like that!’ Even given that thought, Kim was sorely tempted to try on a number of outfits. They were everything she was not allowed to be. Accordingly, they had a powerful attraction for her.

She made a bold decision.

She WAS going to try some clothes on.

Jorgen never visited her when she was deep into an assignment. How would he know what she wore at night or on weekends? Even if did, and challenged her, she could claim that it was merely a disguise---she could go places she might never see otherwise... she could get close to people who might otherwise look on her with distaste and disdain.

A good fisherman chooses the appropriate lures, doesn’t she?

While Kaname watched in surprise, Kim tried on a white shirt with pointy collars, a complimentary dark skirt, and a black Goth tie with a quote from Don Quixote.

The outfit made Kim feel wild and free. It felt like she was doing something dangerous and exciting. Without stopping to think, she bought the clothes, and added a fancy black parasol and a Panda hand puppet. She put pairs of stripy socks on the counter too, along with a pair of platform shoes.

“I wonder if Sousuke would like this?” Kim had blurted out, pirouetting. “I would certainly stand out in the crowd!”

“Uh....” Kaname didn’t know what else to say.

Normally, Kaname wouldn’t be caught dead dressing Goth.

But, it might be fun.

Just for special occasions.

It would be a great way to shock Kyouko and the girls.

But, it had absolutely nothing to do with Sousuke taking notice of her.

Soon enough, Kaname had her own ensemble selected.

After the girls had paid and left, Sousuke entered the shop. He was uncertain why Kaname had bought a style of clothing so different from her usually apparel. It was possible that the girls would head somewhere that required such disguises.

It was beyond his experience.

Far far beyond.

But, he should be prepared.

Announcing his intentions, he was mobbed by a number of young Lolitas only too eager to help fix him up. When he left, his clothes bag held a pair of black bondage pants; a form-fitting shirt made from a British flag; plaid wristbands; safety pin earrings; and a tin of eye-liner.

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

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

Kaname and Kim spent most of their time at a trendy shop. Kaname had originally thought about buying a more sophisticated style of clothing, but quickly changed her mind when she saw how Kim looked decked out in kawaii clothes.

Sophisticated outfits would NOT compete well with that!

Not that she was competing with anyone.

Especially not Kim. She was here to help Kim out. Most definitely!

The two young ladies brought a big smile to the shop owner’s face as they emptied a rack of leg warmers---tight knit 80s style; knit ones resembling loose socks; and pnes tight just below the knee, but flaring after that.

When Kim put something in her basket, Kaname did the same.

If Kaname picked something out, Kim quickly followed suit.

But, they were not involved in any form of contest..

No way.

No how.

Each bought a pair of mule sandals. The two of them both grabbed popular style sandals. Neither could walk past the shelf with knee-high pointy- toed boots without getting a pair. Kim’s had charm-type bracelets sewed on. Kaname’s had a stylized Bonta-Kun logo.

When Kim wasn’t looking, Kaname grabbed a turquoise-colored pair of patent- leather flats with little patent bows. Those required a number of pairs of pastel half-socks. Trying on the shoes, Kaname grabbed her head and tumbled backwards off of the bench. She was glad that no one had seen that.

There had been a terrible probing pressure right between her eyes. She still felt somewhat dizzy. For some reason, she found herself thinking about low slung hip belts.

Glad that Kaname couldn’t see what she was doing, Kim picked out a long dangly pair or earrings and a number of plaid scarves. She stared long and hard at a rack of hip belts, wondering what type of outfit they would go with.

When Kaname walked out from behind a rack of purses, the dance began again.

Shapeless baggy shirts, knit cotton with diagonal stripes. A strange halter- type neckline for Kaname, and a scoop-neck shirt with halter ties for Kim. Short-sleeved black-fitted sweaters. Straight-cut black and white wool skirts. Cargo Capri pants with scrunched lacing on the side. Fishnet stockings. Fancy cell-phone holsters. Louis Vuitton and Burberry handbags.

Breathless again, the two girls stopped and looked at each other, their eyes just barely above their armful of clothing. Kaname started to giggle. Kim joined in. Kaname’s laugh echoed throughout the store, scaring a group of small children. Kim laughed, quietly.

“Well, I guess this ought to last us a while, right?” Kaname was having fun. She hoped that Kim was too.

“Yes,” Kim agreed. Her mind was all awhirl. She was so caught up in the newness of it all... the shear joy of shopping for nice clothes... that she forgot to worry about what Jorgen might think. “O, but I see one more thing.”

As Kaname went off to the fitting room, Kim reached up to grab a fuzzy angora Kangol bucket hat. Just as her fingers touched it, she fell to her knees, putting her hands to her temples instead.

It must be the excitement. She needed to slow down. The pressure in her head had brought her close to blacking out. For some reason, she was wondering whether or not Sousuke would like the way she looked in light blue colored shoes.

But, she didn’t have a pair like that.

Was her subconscious trying to tell her what Sousuke might think she would look cute in?

No no no no no no no no.

Besides, when Sousuke had been staring at her, it hadn’t been at her feet.

Kim blushed.

She soon forgot about the pain she had just felt.

“Well, that was the fun part.” Kaname smiled at Kim when they began putting their things up on the counter. “Now comes the not so fun part.” Kaname took out her credit card.

“Yes!” Kim decided to only put about one-third of her purchase on plastic. The remainder would use up most of her ready cash, but she could eat very light for the next couple of days. Besides, the other girls always tried to offer her food at lunch time.

That thought made Kim look away and smile. Those girls acted towards here like friends must act.

Looking at the counter, she froze. Kaname had picked out a pair of light blue shoes. That was a startling coincidence.

Wasn’t it?

What else could it mean?

“Kim, let’s go rent a couple of large-sized lockers across the street at the train station. We don’t want to carry this stuff with us everywhere we go. It can wait safely for us over there until it’s time to head home.”

Speaking, Kaname did not see the eyes of one of the apparent manikins turn to look across the street.

Deep in thought, Kim answered quietly. “Yes. That is a good idea.”

As the two girls headed out, an unseen small child bumped a manikin dressed in a dark rain coat. It began to fall towards Kaname.

Neither Kaname nor Kim saw what happened behind them. One manikin flashed into view.... chopped the other manikin in the neck.... and send its plastic head flying halfway across the shop.

“O, you are not alive. My apologies then.”

The surviving manikin took off his disguise, picked up the bag with his clothes and CDs, and headed off to the train station.


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

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Kaname was focused on finishing up their shopping.

Kim was busy wrestling with a worrisome suspicion.

Sousuke hung back, out of sight.

“Well, now that we’re done with make-up, I think it’s time to check out some perfume! Let me know if you’re getting too tired.” Kaname slowed her pace a little. Kim had grown somewhat more quiet.

“Yes, that’s a good idea. It’s almost as if you’ve read my mind.” Kim’s fingernails dug into her palms.

She knew what she had to do.

But, she didn’t want to do it.

Maybe her concerns would amount to nothing.

In any case, she would put all of her attention towards her task.

“No, just shopping instinct. Perfume, then some fun. After that, it will be time to eat!” Kaname had worked up a big appetite. There was a restaurant she had always wanted to try, and it would be fun to do it with someone new.

She smiled.

They were both perfectly safe.

There was no need to have Sousuke around.

She wouldn’t have to worry about a fine eating establishment ending up a pile of rubble.

“Fun?” Kim was distracted from her concentration. She was curious what Kaname had in mind.

“Yes, Kim. Fun. You do know what fun is, don’t you? Geez, you’re sounding a lot like Sousuke again. Sometimes I think he doesn’t know how to have any fun!” Kaname laughed.

Kim was silent.

She really DIDN’T know much about fun.

There had never been much time.

It wasn’t something she was allowed to pursue.

But, today, she HAD been having fun.

Thanks to Kaname.

And now she had to pay very close attention to Kaname, wondering if she was one of the people Jorgen was after.

She understood the saying, ‘Caught between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.’

“Kim? I didn’t mean that as an insult or criticism. It was just a joke.” Kaname looked concerned. “Is there something bothering you?”

“No.” Kim lied.

“OK,” Kaname said, chipper again.

There was a long silence.

“Yes,” Kim said. She hung her head.

Kaname stopped walking, and looked back at the other girl. She remained quiet, allowing Kim to speak further if she chose to.

Kim found it hard to find the words she wanted.

She kept thinking about friendship.

It was like perfection, something she might wish form but knew she could never reach.

And, Kaname was treating her like a friend.

But, Jorgen came first. It had to be that way. There were debts she had to pay. There were dreams she had dreamed.

Were those dreams relevant any more?

What should she do?

“Did you ever have things that you knew you had to do, but really didn’t want to do?” Kim’s voice was flat, tinged with a slight touch of pain and hopelessness.

Kaname thought a moment, curious where Kim was headed with her question.

“Yes,” Kaname finally answered. She didn’t think Kim wanted her to elaborate.

“Did you ever have choices to make, that forced you to choose between people who mattered to you?” Kim asked the question because she desperately wanted to hear someone else’s answer. She also knew it was the type of question that would potentially dredge up strong memories and feelings.

If Kaname were Whispered, it would be a good chance to find out.

“Yes,” Kaname responded. She thought a moment. Her own suspicion came to mind. Was Kim talking about Sousuke? Did she like Sousuke, and think that Kaname did as well. Was she afraid she might be chasing after someone else’s guy?

“How did you deal with it?” Kim’s eyes were intense. Her mind reached out with all of its might.

“I followed my heart. I did what I thought was right. I chose the thing I clearly saw as my responsibility. I acted out of the utmost compassion and consideration for those around me, and I didn’t let my wishes of the moment make me do something that would compromise who I was for the rest of my life.”

Kaname grabbed Kim’s hand and pulled her along again. “Just be yourself. Do what you know how to do. Things have a way of taking care of themselves in the end. Don‘t try to force things that might not happen on their own. Try not to throw away the things that matter, chasing after some new fad.”

Kim nodded her head.

The words rang true.

She knew what she had to do then.

She would keep her fingers crossed.

“O, and remember to stay away from otakus! They can stunt your growth!” Kaname laughed. She had meant it as a joke. Deep inside, part of her thought of it as a warning.

Kim thought about Sousuke.

The feelings she felt for him were misplaced.

He was not what was right for her.

Her dreams overstepped the bounds of her responsibility.

She couldn’t let the wishes of a lonely teenage girl with a purpose take precedent over that purpose.

Her choices there were easy too.

But, if she could steal a moment or two that didn’t compromise her mission, she would take whatever risk she could.

School was about learning.

She owed herself that much.

“That’s OK, I don’t mind being small. It certainly made shopping for clothes easier.” Kim challenged Kaname with a sly smile. That ought to get her riled up. If she thought intensely about Sousuke, she might pick up some form of signal. “Maybe I just have a thing for otakus. Or, one specific otaku.”

Kaname stumbled.

“Uh....”

Kim couldn’t help herself. Despite the seriousness of the situation, she giggled. “One rather unique otaku.”

“Uh...”

Kim’s giggle turned into a chuckle. “A handsome unique otaku.”

“Uh...”

The giggle grew up to be a laugh. “A handsome unique otaku with a rather dashing scar.”

“What?”

Kim smiled. Yes indeed. Kaname didn’t care a whit for Sousuke Sagara. “A handsome unique otaku with a dashing scar that I should ask to the dance.”

“WHAT??!!”

Kim relaxed her mind as best she could.

Nothing.

No picked up thoughts.

No mental echoes.

No form of overt resonance.

She smiled. She began to have some hope again. Her suspicions might be totally unfounded.

“Maybe I could borrow those blue shoes you bought for this otaku....” Kim had put her best bait on the hook.

Kaname willed herself to a state of inner peace. “Well, if there WAS an otaku worth asking to the dance.... and if he DID happen to like those blue shoes.... I WOULD let you borrow them, because I couldn’t possibly care about that otaku myself. The shoes just happen to match my hair. Nothing more. Hmmppfff!!!”

“So.......... if I asked a certain boy to the dance.......... you wouldn’t care?” Kim felt dirty playing this game. But, she was also walking the razor’s edge. The more she dissembled, the more she thought about Sousuke. She had never been to a dance. It was something she wished she could do.

“Of course not! AH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HAH!!!” People walking on their side of the street quickly ran to the other side, despite rather brisk traffic.

“Good..........no, great.......... I don’t have to feel guilty if I can get him to kiss me for real this time....” If there was a fish out there, how could it possibly ignore this lure?

“K-K-K---” Kaname’s eyes bulged. She ran into the man in front of her.

“On the lips.” Kim smiled.

“K-K-K---”

“To start with.” Kim winked.

This felt fun. Kim had never baited someone quite like this before. She felt a sense of power. Kaname was being played like a fiddle. Kim's mood threatened to burst---she once again realized the seriousness of the situation.

“Start..... with.....”

“You know....” Kim winked again.

Kaname might indeed know. Kim didn’t, but still found the game to be exhilarating. Even more, she felt her heart beating faster and faster. She knew it was wrong, but she couldn’t help but fantasize for a moment.

“No..... it wouldn’t matter..... not in the slightest bit.....” Kaname began to reign in her emotions.

“Great. I believe you mentioned perfumes. I’m fortunate to have you for my tour guide. Maybe you can help me find something se-duc-tive....” Kim licked her lips.

“Uh...”

“Something s-e-x-y....” Kim ran her hand through her hair.

“Uh...”

“Something no man---or otaku---could possibly resist....” Kim sighed, deep and long.

“Uh....”

“I wonder if they have a fragrance called ‘Green Light,’ or ‘Ravage me’....” Kim chewed on her fingertip.

Kaname managed to hold herself together.

Kim was impressed.

Furthermore, she began to rest easier.

It had been her surmise that Kaname’s thinking about Sousuke was what ramped her thoughts and emotions up to a level that she was able to pick up. If it had been Kaname’s thoughts, and not her own, that she had noticed before.

Kim was also rather surprised with her own behavior. She had no idea where any of that banter had come from. Watching too many soap operas, probably. But, she had strung Kaname along pretty well. And, it had been fun!

The two girls hit the perfume shop like a whirlwind, their spirits renewed.

Kaname started coughing when Kim actually asked the counter woman whether or not there was a perfume called ‘Green Light.’

She had to hide a smile when she saw the look on Kim’s face, when the woman said ‘With the right woman and the right man, any of these perfumes could turn the lights green.’

It was Kaname’s turn to play now. She herself was hardly a woman of the world. But, Kim didn’t know that.

“So Kim, I take it you are buying perfumes you think might catch the attention of a boy we both know, eh?” She tried to keep her expression neutral.

“Uh...” Kim couldn’t stop that word from leaving her mouth.

“But you want more than his attention, don’t you? You need his arms around you....” It was hard to keep from smiling.

“Ummm....” Kim wasn’t certain what she wanted. But, the question had her sweating.

“But you can get hugs from a friend. You must want a deep.... long.... wet.... k- i-s-s-s-s-....” She did smile, but Kim was looking away, her face aflame.

“But....”

“But that would just get things started. He’s an animal. A raging dynamo of desire. Like an avalanche, once he started, you would be entirely at his mercy if you didn’t get out of the way....”

“No.... I....”

“OH...YOU BEAST...DON’T STOP...DON’T EVER STOP... OH OH OHHHHHHH....” Kaname nearly outdid the orgasm scene from ‘When Harry met Sally.’

Kim flinched, knocking an entire tray of perfume samplers onto the floor. She immediately bent over to pick them up. She was quivering.

Kaname’s eyes rolled back in her head. It felt as if her mind were caught in a taffy machine. Conflicting thoughts, emotions, goals, and ideas pushed and pulled at her.

Kim, busy at her task, had no idea what had just transpired.

Feeling better, Kaname made use of her punch line. “Seriously Kim, would you like to know what scents might have a chance at turning a certain nameless otaku’s head?”

“I’m not really sure,” Kim admitted. “But just in case....”

Kaname smiled. “See if they have anything called ‘Gunpowder,’ ‘Gelignite,’ ‘Smell of Napalm in the Morning,’ ‘Hard Tack and Canned Beans,’ or ‘Parfum de Halisen.’

Kim stuck her tongue out at Kaname, then blushed, realizing what she had done.

Play time over, the two girls got down to the serious business of shopping. Kaname bought a bottle of ‘Nu’ by Yves Saint Laurent and a sprayer of ‘Aroma Parfum Vitalisant’ by Guerlain. Kim chose a small flask of ‘Flower’ by Kenzer and a bottle of Hanae Mori’s ‘Haute Couture.’

Sousuke, hiding out of view, pondered the meaning of the strange conversation he had heard. It had been near incoherent. Incoherent, and totally out of character. There could only be one conclusion. Mind altering substances. Someone must have placed them in the bottles of perfumes. Kaname and Kim were now probably susceptible to hypnosis and other forms of mind control.

After the girls had left, the lights in the store went out entirely, and the back-up lighting system failed to engage. There was a series of noises, glass banging against glass. Night vision goggles on, Sousuke went about his task swiftly and diligently.

When the lights came back on, every bottle of perfume in the store was gone. Refuse crews would latter find the empty bottles out in the alley, near the grates to the city sewer.

For weeks after that, strange tales of aromatic rats filled the conversation of winos and street people.