FullMetal*Panic!

There was little light.

There was no sound except for his rough and rasping breath.

Still, he knew he was in great danger.

He was anxious. Afraid.

There were no smells other than his acrid sweat and the scent of dried blood.

There was only one possible way out of the chasm.

Something might be waiting for him there. Something definitely approached from behind.

The sense of despair wore heavily on him.

His mouth was dry. He could still taste the morning’s meager rations… not what he would have chosen for his last meal.

The hairs on his skin stood up. The cold air stung his face. He fought hard not to cough. His breath looked like trails of smoke spiraling up from a cigarette.

His lungs cried out for more air. His body needed water. Somehow, he needed to gain control of his situation. This was his territory. He had fought hard for it. There was no way he was going to surrender his independence. He would have vengeance on anything that sought to take away all that he had worked for.

Hate began building up within him. His pride threw out its chest. Consternation was a near palpable thing.

There was a sound. Something had stepped on a stick. No movement was seen on the wet clay slopes around him. The fog rose swiftly, almost malevolently. The ground began to tremble. Why?

A great mass of shambling forms appeared at the crest of the surrounding hills. They sighted him. Horrid undulating cries filled the air as they descended like a living avalanche, knocking each other down in their need to reach him first. Mud flew off of their feet. Arms were outstretched, hands held like claws.

Run.

He had to run. If he stood still, the ravenous pack would take him to ground, covering him within moments. It would be the end.

They must not reach him!

If he could reach safety, he could keep it all.

He ran. His legs pumped fiercely as he jumped over obstacles and dodged around dangers that seemed to come out of nowhere. Fear ran in his veins. Panic beat in time with his heart. They were closing in. There were too many of them to avoid.

His doubt clung to him like a second skin. He tried to shake off the feeling of shame. This was not a matter of courage. It was a matter of survival.

Why?

Why were they doing this? Why did they single him out?

"Stop asking questions. Run!"

The loping shapes cut off his route of escape. Their numbers grew as they formed a ring around him. They walked forward, slowly, step by step. They wanted him. He could taste their eagerness. He could smell their killing lust.

"Back! All of you get back! Go away! Just leave me alone…."

Faces.

He could make out faces.

Somehow, they seemed familiar…. a rugged face with a beard…. a laughing face framed by long blonde hair…. a scowling face with a hawk like nose…. a fresh soft face flanked by a thick braid…. a pert young face framed by ponytails…. a brazen face with a cigarette…. so many different faces… and that last one… that last one… the hungriest looking one…. the one hidden by the swaying blue hair….

"NOOOOOO-O-O-O-O-O-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o…."


---------------------------------------------


"Sergeant, are you OK? Sergeant Sagara, please wake up. You’re in the medical area. It was just a nightmare." Tony Damaio shook Sousuke gently. He disconnected some wires and removed the hood-like device from the younger man’s head.

"What?" Sousuke was disoriented. He tried to move his arms. He couldn’t. They must be holding him down. His throat was exposed. "Let… me… go…."

The technician pushed a button on his intercom. "Sorry to disturb you again Dr. Schacher, but he’s going through another episode. This one is worse than before."

"I’ll be right over. Turn the dial down to 1200 until I decide otherwise."

Tony looked down at Sousuke, feeling pity for the writing form. The young man was having a rough time acclimating to the process. He couldn’t imagine what he must be thinking or feeling.

"Any idea what this one is centered on, Tony?" Dr. Schacher walked in the room, putting on his white coat. Walking over to a monitor, he ran through Sousuke’s vital signs. "Draw some venous blood, if you please. Run the same panel as last time."

"Yes, doctor. I think he sounded afraid. I would bet this one is centered around fear." The medical technician drew some blood from a port in Sousuke’s left antecubital fossa, making certain to swab it with alcohol first.

"No… please….just stay away…." Sousuke opened his eyes. He looked uncertain of his surroundings at first, but slowly began to settle down.

"Sousuke. Can you hear me Sousuke?" Dr. Schacher shined a light in the young soldier’s eyes. He took the stethoscope out of his coat pocket and auscultator the shivering boy’s chest. "Sousuke, it was just another dream. It’s OK. We won’t let anything happen to you."

"I… I…" Sousuke let out a long sigh, then clenched his teeth. "I… I am back, Sir." He looked around the room as much as his position allowed. The surroundings were familiar. There was nothing out of the ordinary. The last vestiges of his night terrors ebbed away, without leaving a single trace or residue.

"Neurotransmitter levels are elevated, doctor. They are appropriate for the third stage." There was a definite hint of concern in Tony’s voice. The process was only in its second phase.

"OK. Dial it down to 1000 and leave it there." Dr. Schacher looked down at Sousuke after passing along his instructions. "You’ve got some awfully strong walls up, young man. We’re doing our damnedest to tear them down, but your defense mechanisms keep trying to build them back up again."

"It… it is not a problem." Sousuke’s voice sounded worn and subdued.

"I wish we could give you something to ease your distress, but you reactions are all part of the process. Hopefully that was the worst of it. You should sleep like a baby when the sequence is finished." Dr. Schacher’s voice would have sounded reassuring to anyone other than Sousuke.

The young sergeant’s hearing seemed abnormally keen. There was a slight sibilance. The doctor was concerned… he smelled of sweat… a small vein in his neck pulsed.

"Affirmative." Sousuke closed his eyes, hoping to fall back to sleep.

"When his EEG shows slow waves again, trigger the next program Tony. I’ll be on call for the next hour. Contact Dr. Cannon-Bard after that if you need someone. This is has been difficult for all of us."


-------------------------------------------

The prey thought it was safe.

He could tell by the way its ears flickered about. The drooping tail was another clue.

The prey sniffed the air. Reassured, its soft muzzle dipped back down into the tender long grasses. The subtle sound of its contented grazing thundered in his ears.

The scent was tugging at him, enticing him.

He could not resist.

Hunger. Need. Uncontrollable urges.

"Now!" He sprang out from his concealed position, mind running as quickly as his body. His every sense was screaming for attention.

"It… will… break… that way!" He was correct. The prey wheeled to the right, churning up the soft ground with its frantic feet. This way and that way it darted, unable to gain any distance. Froth bubbled at the corner of its mouth.

A song of great joy rang in his ears. This was the proof of his existence. Even nature could not doubt his prowess. He was in awe of his own abilities. He was grateful to be at the apex of the natural hierarchy. He felt no compassion or sympathy for the one he chased.

"AH HAH HAH HA hah hahahahaha haaaaaaaaaa…."

His every bounding step felt as if it were in slow motion. Every breath of the clean crisp air encouraged him, spurring him on. The closer he came to the prey, the further he moved from conscious thought.

Kill.

He had to kill.

The acquisition of food was paramount.

Eat.

He would feast, before his prey was even dead.

Nothing would take his kill from him. He would protect it at all cost.

Live on.

He would continue onward, well served by his unchallenged supremacy.

Perpetuation. Independence. Physical need. Power. They all called to him. They pushed his eagerness to new heights.

He struck. A fierce blow to a leg tripped the prey, bringing it hard to the ground. He sank his long sharp claws deep into its flesh, holding it with no chance for escape. Remorseless, he clamped his jaws over its trembling neck and shook, breaking the spine.

Dragging the prey to a more suitable spot, he caught a glance of its lifeless face.

It was familiar.

It should be.

It was his own.

"No no no no no no no nooooooooooooooo…."


---------------------------------------------


The cold water felt good going down his throat. The cool towel on his forehead helped draw his attention away from the throbbing at his temples.

Sousuke’s vision had cleared, and his ragged breathing had returned to normal. He looked up into the concerned face of Dr. Cannon-bard.

"It exhausted me just watching you, Sergeant. You certain are a bundle of energy. The monitors had quite a workout too." Sophia smiled, but her eyes gave hint of her concern.

"Can I turn the alarms back on, doctor? He’s dropped far below the threshold again." Tony looked at a long strip of paper, noting the trend of Sousuke’s more crucial parameters.

"Yes. It looks like he’s over this hurdle." Sophia smiled down at Sousuke, amused by his exaggerated response to her proximity. She stepped back, not wanting him to trigger any adverse conscious response.

"I saw…. Doctor, I saw…."

"Shhhhhhh. Let the memory go. Don’t hold on. Don’t try to think. Just let it slip away. It was only a dream." Sophia smiled. She almost had the urge to sing the troubled young man a lullaby.

"I… I… as you command."

"You’re doing fine. You have nothing to worry about. Just close your eyes and relax. Drift back to sleep. I know you must be exhausted."

Sousuke closed his eyes. Dr. Cannon-Bard waved her hand, and held up seven fingers. Tony dialed the one machine down to 700. He bushed a number of toggles, switching amplitude and mode.

"The next stretch is critical. I’ll sit here and watch, if you want to grab some coffee or a bite to eat." Sophia took a novel out of her lab coat and pulled up a chair. "I could use a latte if they have anything like that on board."

"I won’t be long." Tony left in a hurry. Slowly spinning his way down to sleep, Sousuke could smell the man’s relief. His footsteps seemed to stretch on forever.


----------------------------------------------


The images were more specific. They were identifiable. He just couldn’t place them.

No.

He couldn’t be bothered.

His entire body literally trembled with need and anticipation.

That smell. It drew him. It excited him.

He took a step closer.

How had he held back this long.

Where had he seen those images before. It was something he had been given. But how could he be in the scene?

It didn’t matter!

The warmth spread throughout him. His nostrils flared. His feet pawed at the ground.

The need was there. The drive urged him forward, but he still had some control.

Lust.

Uncontrollable lust.

He was still able to reason. Somewhat.

Something seemed out of place. Why was he down on all fours? Was it him? How? Why?

There was a nebulous memory of droning words, continuing on and on. Descriptions. Explanations.

The low rumbling in his throat drowned them out.

The timid bleating ahead of him set his brain on fire. He began walking forward, slowly.

Suddenly, he couldn’t hold back any longer. There was no way to resist the biological imperative. He was a mindless animal with only one primal need.

Mounting the object of his attention, he thrust over and over again, a layer of sweat forming on his woolen coat. Snorting, he slid his hooves further up, forcing his full weight down as his rear legs pushed him along.

Woolen coat?

Hooves? Why would he have hooves?

Just what had he been doing?

Oh. It had to have been a ram, not him. He would never… no not at all… not with a sheep! He hadn’t been feeling the movement. No, he had merely been watching.

Why would he want to do that?

Uh.

That movie. The movie Kurz gave him. The one about the sheep breeding program. Why did he think about that?

"Kaname."

What? Why was he thinking about her now? She wasn’t in that movie!

No. No need to see a vision of her now. Not after that! No. I don’t know that she looks like that. I haven’t seen her naked. Well, not actually. That white bikini did leave little to be imagined, though. The projected image of her during the hijack attempt was only minimally censored.

"Stop!"

It was too much.

He hadn’t even grown comfortable thinking about the possibility of love. How could he deal with thoughts of physical pleasure? There was no way he could give into lust. How could he even be feeling such a thing?


------------------------------------------------


Sousuke startled himself awake. A quick look around the room reassured him that Kaname wasn’t present. There were no sheep to be seen. His breath caught in his throat. His eyes widened.

A part of his anatomy was still under involuntary control. His hospital gown formed a tent over his groin area. How long was that erection going to last?

Hopefully no one would be paying close attention to him. The machines were all quiet. Mr. Damasio was busy leafing through a magazine, facing in the other direction.

"That must have been some dream." Sophia’s words caused Sousuke to flinch. They did not cause a decrease in elevation.

"Uh….I…"

Turning his head, he saw Dr, Cannon-Bard seated in a chair, a book on her lap. She made it a point to keep her eyes on his face. For now.

"It’s nothing to be ashamed of. If anything, you should be quite pleased. Are you an overachiever n everything?" She tried not to laugh. The look on the young soldier’s face was classic. "If it goes on much longer, we might need to worry about priapism."

"Uh…what…"

Watching Sousuke’s face turn dark red, Sophia couldn’t resist a moment of mischief. "Tony, put that magazine down for a moment. There are some measurements you need to make."

Tony turned around, then swore. "That’s just not right. Lucky bastard." He quickly turned away. There are some things men are not supposed to look at. There are unwritten rules.

"Uh…"

Sousuke tried his best to fall immediately back to sleep. His mind would have nothing to do with it.

"Was she pretty?" The doctor hid a smile behind her hand. The young man’s innocence was so charming. And, she wasn’t being unkind. He needed to be distracted while the next stage of the process began.

"Uh… it wasn’t really about her…uh… it was from a movie I saw." Sousuke swallowed. He was glad Kurz wasn’t there. No doubt his considerate squad mate would have happily run down to Sousuke’s quarters and looked for that tape. Why hadn’t he thrown the thing away?

"OK. It must have been some movie? What was it called? I might want to get a copy of it…."

"Uh…."

A series of alarms went off.

"Doctor, his pulse is high and his blood pressure is rising at an alarming rate. There is increased muscle contractility in all leads. It looks like he’s going into respiratory alkalosis." Tony gave Sophia one of his disapproving looks.

"OK. I get the message. At ease soldier." She hadn’t meant it as a joke. She had to laugh when Sousuke stared down at the sheet.

"It’s time you settled down some. Emotionally. We’re moving into the home stretch. You might dream a little more, but should ease into a refreshing sleep after that. We’ll add some medication to your I.V. to help things along."

Sousuke was still red in the face when he fell back to sleep.


----------------------------------------------


"Sousuke, please don’t go. I want you to stay with me. Let someone else go on this mission." Kaname was wearing her white bikini. That didn’t make much sense, as she wasn’t standing out in the cold rain watching him walk away.

"You know I can’t do that. This is too important." For some reason, he no longer had his weapon’s bag in hand. Night had changed to day. He was standing with guys from a number of clubs, preparing for the girl hunt.

He felt driven by a sense of honor. He needed to behave in accordance with the warrior’s code of conduct, no matter what temptations he was faced with.

"You have to come back, you big jerk! Do you hear me…." Kaname, dressed in her mother’s kimono, held the picture he had given her, gasping as she saw the patrol car start chasing their bicycle.

"I will do my best to come back, Kaname. I would never want anyone else to protect you!" Dressed inside of a biological protection suit, he stared down into Kaname’s eyes. Holding a large carp in her arms, she smiled back at him, ignoring the crazed man with a chain saw.

He felt a strong urge for her company. He didn’t want to be alone. He was also curious. What might to the two of them share together if he did come back to her?

"You better not. Moron!" Putting down her sketch pad from art class, Kaname stepped within the circle of Sousuke’s arms, looking for another kiss.

Silent, Sousuke leaned over to put his lips on hers, prevented from doing so by the Bonta-Kun suit he wore. Stepping out of the small mechanized craft, he handed Kaname the assignment book he had borrowed. The water trickling into the Onken was the only sound louder than the beat of his heart.

He realized how much he wanted positive attention. Kaname seemed drawn to him. She wasn’t likely to reject him if he let himself care.

A giant hand reached down from the sky, grabbing Kaname and lifting her away from him just as he was about to pull her close again.

It was Codarl.

"Hmmm." The amused utterance was followed by satisfied laughter. "This is a nice surprise, Kashim. How’s Kalinin. What’s that old chicken doing these days?"

It was Gauron! He had Kaname….

"It’s fantastic to see you. It’s fabulous, really great. I’ve got this new job, where I get to play around in the young girl’s brain. It’s like a treasure hunt."

Why did he have to take Kaname now?

Pain and anxiety flooded him. He couldn’t just ignore those feelings now. What could he do?

"Treasure hunt?" Sousuke asked.

Looking at the towering Arm Slave, he saw that it was not alone. There were three men standing near it. One was dressed as a gardener. He carries a crossbow. Another was dressed like a chef. He brandished a wicked looking knife. The third looked like a fancy butler. He had a strange bolle-type hat.

"Is that news to you?" Gauron chuckled. "I’ll let that be my parting gift." Codarl turned and began to walk away. Kaname sat surrounded by its fingers.

"Kaname!" Sousuke ran after the retreating Arm Slave. His path was impeded by a group of Yakusa.

"I’m not scared," Kaname called down to him. "I’ll be alright on my own."

She did look frightened.

A ftying pan fell to the ground near Sosusuke.

He ran, ignoring the nearby man with a pony head. He didn’t want to lose Kaname. He had finally realized that he had feelings for her.

"You’re not a burden, Kaname. I’m here because you’ve been here for me." He reached out his hand. She reached out her. Then she was gone.

No! Why? He wanted to be with her. What was wrong with that? Things began to fade to black.

"Did I wake you?" It was Gauron’s voice again.

Safe inside of Arbalest, Souske looked with growing anger and hatred at the waiting form of Venom. Kaname was nowhere in sight.

"I’ve had enough….." Sousuke growled.

The need for vengeance boiled within him. He felt a great urge to move and to act. He could not afford to be powerless, now.

"I’m so delighted, my Kashim." That maniac sounded ecstatic.

Shit head!

"Look Gauron, I’m sending you straight to Hell!!!"

"What are you going to do, honey? Do you think that I will let you finish me off in one blow like some mythical hero?" The arms of Venom were wrapped tightly around the ARX-7.

Enraged, and running out of time, Sousuke used his Arm Slave to repeatedly punch at Venom. Kaname activated the TDD-1’s steam catapult system. He could see her spectral form. It was naked. But again, certain areas were blurred.

Damn!

Feelings churned inside of him. He was embarrassed. Looking down, he saw the hospital gown tent up. He began to fantasize about Kaname, until that despicable voice drew his attention again.

"My child, you have come to me my son. For who is your father if it is not me?" Gauron was dressed in an intricately carven metal breastplate. Long dark hair fell down across his shoulders. He looked a great deal like Thulsa Doom in ‘Conan the Barbarian.’

Sousuke tried to think about his real father. It was too hard. He couldn’t push aside the current image.

"Who gave you the will to live? I am the wellspring from which you flow. When I am gone, you will have never been. What would your world be without me?" The voice was hypnotic, soothing.

The sword almost dropped from Sousuke’s hand. He had almost given in. Instead, remembering the deaths of people he cared about, he grabbed Gauron’s hair and was about to chop off his head at the neck.

He drew his sword arm back.

Something distracted him. He saw the spectral form of Kaname fade away.

"Kaname. Come back. Please!"

The flooring tilted beneath his feet. Great splashes of water came crashing over the open flight doors. It was up to him and Arbalest. Everyone was depending on him.

He felt a need to restore order. There had to be organization in his life. He grew weary of uncertainty and chaos. He also felt a need for independence. When would he have a chance to make his own decisions?

"Twenty seconds left… oopsie, I meant to say fifteen." Gauron laughed again, happy to take Sousuke and the others down with him. "It’s sad. Just five seconds. I love you Kashim."

That bastard. If anyone were to say that to him, it should be Kaname.

"Uh…."

What was he thinking about? Love? He didn’t even know what love was. He was simply a soldier. His job would always take him away. What business did he have thinking about love? He had only begun exploring his feelings for her.

The catapult fired. Gauron was already gone. He was the only one flung far off into the darkness. Naked, he tumbled through the air, watching as the receding form of Kaname grew smaller and smaller.


-------------------------------------------------


Sousuke sat upward, grabbing for something to hold onto. The room was poorly lit, but his eyes still felt sensitive to the light. The restraints were off. His eyes looked down between his legs. There was no longer a reason to feel self-conscious.

A loud crunching noise filled his ears, like the sound of countless feet marking on a battlefield strewn with skulls. What was going on. Looking over towards the banks of monitors, he saw Tony Damasio spooning cereal into his mouth. For some reason, Sousuke found the noise offensive.

He was indignant. For a moment, he was filled with contempt.

"He’s awake, doctor." Tony spoke into an intercom, spilling a small amount of milk in the process. He turned to Sousuke, a shy smile on his face. "Welcome back to the land of the living!"

Sousuke didn’t answer. He was sniffing the air. It had been a while since the other man showered. There was a hint of perfume in the air. Dr. Cannon-Bard had been in the room not to long ago. One of the machines was running very hard. The smell of hot metal and heated plastic tickled his nose.

"If you like, you can get back into your clothes. We’ve done all we’re going to do here. As soon as you feel able, you’re free to go. I’ll call your Squad leader for you if you like." Tony pointed, showing Sousuke his neatly folded uniform.

The young soldier still did not reply. Goosebumps ran up and down his exposed skin. The examination table felt rather chill to his touch. His hospital gown hung loosely on him, but he was very aware of its weight and texture. The laundry personnel were apparently overly fond of start.

He looked around the room. He found himself strangely interested in all of the machines and medical equipment. His curiosity was rarely this strong.

"Mr. Damasio, could you hold off on your phone call, please. I would like to eat before I resume my briefings." Sousuke felt ravenous, as if he had just spent a week living off grubs and lichen. The urge to eat was strong, distracting him. He had heard the footsteps far away, but didn’t realize that Dr. Scacher was in the room until he spoke.

"Good morning, Sergeant. I hope you were able to get some rest. Your readings have all moved back into a normal range over the past couple of hours. If it wasn’t for your eye movements and the ECG, we wouldn’t have known you were dreaming again." Dr. Schacher began performing a repeat routine physical examination.

"Well, your reflexes are certainly hyperactive." The doctor narrowly escaped a foot to the groin after testing a deep tendon response.

"That’s not surprising. Things should stabilize over the next few hours." The ex-SEAL finished up the neurological portion of the exam.

"When you’re up to it, I want you to sit in your Arm Slave, getting a feel for it. Things may seem somewhat different to you, and it’s best to become acclimated before things get busy. Do not engage the Lambda Driver, however. That will have to wait until the hour before launch. We need to prolong the final linkage as long as possible."

"Yes, doctor." Sousuke looked like he wanted to say more.

"Is there a problem, Sergeant?" Dr. Schacher had a suspicion what it might be.

"My senses, doctor. They are magnified. It is not a good thing, as I find myself greatly distracted. That is not all, it seems. I find that my emotions are growing more intense as well. That, and certain bodily reactions." Sousuke looked more concerned than embarrassed.

Sousuke was greatly confused. He began to doubt himself. A profound sense of sadness began to envelope him.

"Ahhh. I heard about that last part. I do not think it will prevent you from performing your mission, soldier." The doctor smiled. "I told Dr. Cannon-Bard to leave that out of her report. Hopefully she will not mention it to that young Captain of yours."

Sousuke’s eyes went wild. He began to sweat.

"I’m certain she’ll be discrete, Sousuke. Patient confidentiality is a big thing in the medical field. That bit of information doesn’t qualify as ‘Need To Know.’ The young lady would have to find that out on her own." The doctor asked Tony to summon Sophia.

Souske began to tremble ever so slightly. The thought of CaptainTestarossa witnessing certain things left him feeling mortified. Worse, part of him felt as if it might be fun.

His anxiety was overbearing. It threatened to blank out all of his thoughts. But, part of him held it off, establishing its own beach head. Eagerness. Interest. Desire. Hope. Why was he beset by all these things?

What did any of that have to do with the Captain?

For an instance, lust raised its head again.

He had a vision of Cmdr. Mardukas with a large knife. He laughed as he fired one of the aft torpedo tubes. It had been loaded with something other than a torpedo.

"It is not a problem." Sousuke clenched his teeth. He wanted that to be true.

Dr. Schacher ran through the results of the night’s tests with him. When Dr. Cannon-Bard joined them, the two physicians talked to him about things he might expect to experience as a result of the procedure. They were hopeful, but couldn’t completely reassure him.

When he was released, Sousuke went straight to the mess area. There was no one there at the moment, which was fine by him. A large number of meals were lined up on the counter in preparation for the upcoming shift change.

The hungry young soldier stacked a number of trays on one another and took them over to a table. He chose a seat in the corner, making it easier to defend his food.

He put his pistol and knife on the table in front of him. He left a stun grenade sitting in his lap. If he had access to barbed wire or warning tape, he would have used it.

Sousuke was usually a slow and neat eater. Not today.

His fork, knife, and spoon only slowed him down. He tossed them side. His hands would do fine. He practically shoveled the food into his mouth, unconcerned by the fragments falling all over his shirt and the floor.

One tray.

Another tray.

A third tray.

One of the cooks looked out, startled by what he saw and heard. He had big dogs at home. They had nothing on the young sergeant!

Sousuke sat back after cleaning the fifth tray. He was sated. No, he was uncomfortable. Why had he eaten so much? What was going on with him?

Suddenly, without warning, he let go with a loud and prolonged belch. He looked around, embarrassed. He couldn’t recall the last time he had belched. He had never done one like that!

"Great. I can only imagine what would happen if I did that again in front of Sgt. Major Mao."

Or Cmdr. Kalinin? How would he react?

Captain Testarossa? At least it would be better than something else he could imagine.

Cmdr. Mardukas? Sousuke gulped. The queasiness in his stomach wasn’t the result of the food he ate.

He needed to get himself under control.


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

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

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


The house was not large by American standards, but it seemed like a palatial estate compared to what Kaname was used too. Two large bedrooms and a nice guestroom. Two full baths. Separate kitchen, dining room, and living room. Even a finished basement.

Ayame chattered away happily as they toured the house, wanting to know everything that happened in Kaname’s life since she saw her last. She stayed away from the subject that interested her the most, knowing that her sister would not want to talk about Sousuke right then. She was patient. If Kaname wanted to talk about it, she would.

"I’ve even got a television in my room, Sis. And a bunk bed. Dad let’s me have friends over for sleep-overs when my grades are good. Hmmmpppfff!!! You never got to do that, I bet." Ayame’s crooked smile was intended to get Kaname riled up.

"You’re right. But Daddy always looked the other way when I had good reason to beat on some annoying little brat!" Kaname began tickling Ayame, making her drop her suitcase and cry out for mercy. "Just so you remember who the real master is."

Ayame took the bag into the guest room and placed it near a double bed with a nice comforter deciorated with a Japanese crane motif. "This room’s pretty neat, you know? Almost as nice as mine. It would make a great bedroom, you know." She gave her sister a loaded glance, her desires not too far below the surface.

"Well, it’s not bad I suppose." Kaname walked around looking at the things lining the various shelves, book cases, and end tables. Many of the books were familiar. She could probably find the pages she scribbled on, or the secret messages, feathers, or leaves she had pressed in some. That was something for later.

The room was almost like a shrine for her mother. One of her favorite kimonos had been placed in a frame and hung on the wall. A heartfelt letter she had written them all sat inside a glass top table. Pictures of her with Shunya, Kaname, and Ayame had a prominent place, as did some of her favorite pottery, keepsakes, and nick-nacks. Kaname felt a strange mix of joy and sadness as she ran through her memories.

I wish you were here, Mom. You would know what it’s like being a teenage girl. Someone would listen to my side of things.

"The bed’s all made up, if you want to take a nap. You must be exhausted."

"Yes, I am." Kaname knew there was more than one reason for her weariness. She was worried about Sousuke. She almost felt guilty being here with people she loved, while he was heading into the face of great danger. Her father said he wanted to meet him. She would take him at his word.

That big idiot better survive.

"But not yet, Kaname! I saw Dad put on his apron. He’ll be calling for you soon, wanting to know whether you want to eat American or Japanese. His Japanese cooking is still much better. But don’t let him know that!" Ayame grinned a devilish grin.

"She won’t have too." Shunya Chidori walked down the hallway behind his youngest daughter. "If Kaname wants burgers and fries, I’ll have you cook. I’m really happy to see her, so I won’t subject her to your Nipponese cuisine." The look on his face was bleak.

Kaname had to fight hard to keep from laughing. The look on Ayame’s face went from shock to embarrassment to righteous indignation, without stopping.

"Well, we could just order a pizza with everything on it…." Ayame looked hopeful. Her eyes were pleading. "Kaname?"

Their father just shook his head, frowning. His youngest daughter could stand to go at least one day without pizza.

"I think I’d like to taste something familiar tonight, Daddy. We’re having turkey and the fixings tomorrow, aren’t we?" Kaname looked hopeful. She had come to love holiday meals when she was younger.

"Good. I’ll whip something up. I just went shopping yesterday, so you shouldn’t be disappointed. You go on chatting with my less appreciative daughter, and I will call you when everything is ready." He smiled, turned, and walked back down the hallway towards the kitchen.

Ayame stuck out her tongue at him when he couldn’t see.

Kaname smiled. It was good to be back with her family, despite the fact that things had gotten off on the wrong foot. She didn’t blame her father for the way he felt. After all, he hadn’t changed. He was still looking out for his baby. She just hoped that it wouldn’t be impossible for him to see that his little girl was growing up.

The thought of food made her stomach growl. The fare on the airplane hadn’t been fit for prison food. Flavorful? No! Edible? Just barely. Suitable for an interrogation tool? Definitely! Then again, to be fair, nothing would have tasted good to her that night. She had been looking forward to Fujimama’s. That, and other things as well.

Sousuke.

How she hoped hat he would be OK. Wherever he was.

The land of the free and the home of the brave. How could Kaname have ever guessed that she would be here today? Now that she was back, she needed to be pragmatic. She had to make the most of her opportunity, not just feel sorry for herself and mope around. She was Kaname Chidori, after all. She still felt somewhat trapped, but that feeling ought to pass, at least physically. If her father eventually turned out to be her advocate, the trip could turn out to be a wonderful gift.

She hoped that when the day came, she would find it hard to leave the ones she loved.

In every room she explored, her mind made the inevitable comparisons. How did this place compare to the home they had lived in before? Kaname had to admit that this house was much nicer, but it didn’t have any memories for her yet. She had been through so much at the other place.

There were things here that honored her mother’s memories; but, her mother had never lived in this place.

Kaname still had no idea how long her stay would last. Taking a page out of Sousuke’s book, she would do some mission planning. On the one hand, she would want to use her time to think up cogent arguments, trying to convince her father that she should be able to finish out high school back in Tokyo. On the other hand, she would try to make the most of her visit.

What did she want to do? How much did she want to see? Where did she want to go?

For some reason, she thought about soft pretzels and mustard. Her father and mother had always gotten her one of those when the visited the big city. She also thought of pigeons… so many pigeons… maybe they ought to be the national bird. Other than a stuffed one in the Museum of Natural History, Kaname had never seen a bald eagle. And the taxi cabs! Sometimes the street looked like a sea of yellow. By the way her father spoke in the limo, it sounded as if things had gotten even worse.

She might want to see that large Christmas tree again. Or go iceskating at that giant outdoor rink. The art museum? Maybe. So many memories began flooding back into her. She would need time to sort them out.

There was one place she wanted to visit. Not because it would be fun. It wouldn’t. But, it would be something that Sousuke would want to see. It would be a place that would help her honor him and the job that he did. She would make it a point to visit the site where the World Trade Center once stood, if she had the chance.

A touch of melancholy filled Kaname. That was only a step or two away from nostalgia. Before she knew it, her thoughts had jumped back to her old school. Would her old teachers still be around? It hadn’t been all that long. It might be nice to see some of them, or her old coaches. What about some of the people she went to school with? She might want to track some of them down as well.

She remembered good times and bad, the memories passing by in fast forward mode. One memory stayed a while longer than the others, since it had a timely parallel. Richard Thomas. That boy had tormented her. But, she wore him down. He was the first boy she ever kissed in that innocent way that young girls do. Naturally, that made her think about Sousuke again.

She sighed. Then she realized that someone was tugging on her sleeve.

"You need to come see my trophies. Now, you’re not the only star athlete in the family." Ayame led her sister into her father’s den. One bookcase held a couple of small awards and medals that Ayame had won at local track meets. They sat next to other trophies that brought back memories for Kaname.

Almost tenderly, she ran a hand along the contours of the 2nd place statuette she had won at the Orange County track & field tournament when she was twelve. She smiled looking at a 1st place junior swimming award she had won at Chofu, Tokyo, when she was three years younger than that.

"Not bad, Sis. But in my day, they usually had more than one person running the race. I just can’t understand how you still got 2nd place that way." That ought to put the little brat in her place. She ought to know better than to challenge *the* Kaname Chidori.

"Oh yeh, sure. You have me beat, big Sis. I haven’t had to stay for detention yet. But, I still have a few more years left to try and top that!" Ayame stood with her hands on her hips.

"Uh huh. I hear you. Sounds like someone needs to be put in her place. Let me get my sneakers on. Meet me out in the street, little miss hot shot." Kaname smiled, her competitive streak coming to a head. "That is,unless you are afraid." That ought to do it.

"But Kaname, it’s after eight o’clock!"

"Chicken?" Kaname’s smile would have infuriated anyone but a certain unobservant otaku.

"Well, I… you’re on. It looks like you put on some weight, any how. It shouldn’t prove too hard. I may even give you a head start." With that, Ayame skipped off to her room to get ready.

The race took place outside on a quiet stretch of street. A number of people were out and about, walking their dogs or relaxing on their front porches. They were all shocked to see two young girls pelting down the street as if they were being chased by demons. Why were they doing that? And at night, too! More than one person wondered if they were trying to escape the police.

"Ha! You’re winded after a short little race like that? Or are you choking on my dust?" Kaname nearly crowed. Winning was winning, after all.

Ayame stuck out her lower lip. "Jerk!" She frowned for a moment, then was all smiles. She threw her arms around her sister and gave her a big hug. "It’s so good to have you home, Kaname."

Kaname smiled. For a moment, she thought that it might not be so bad staying with her father and sister again. That idea brought her up short. She couldn’t let herself be swayed. She missed her friends. There was someone else she missed, too. It wouldn’t do her any good to start thinking that the consolation prize was pretty nice. She needed to stand up for what she wanted whole-heartedly.

"Need me to carry you back, Sis? Shouldn’t be too hard. Doesn’t look like you’ve grown an inch." Kaname pantomimed a pair of bosoms. She knew how sensitive Ayame was about that, even at her age. It was time to start running.

"Oooooh! You better run." Ayame took off right after her. Eventually, they both collapsed laughing on their father’s front lawn.

"I think I need a shower after that. It will be nice to feel fresh at dinner." Ayame had similar thoughts.

When Kaname went to unpack her suitcase, she had to stop a moment, tears coming to her eyes. She held the picture of Sousuke and his old squad. She touched his small face with her finger.

"I wish you were here too, Sousuke. It will be a while before I get to smack anyone again." Wiping away her tears, she placed the photo on one of the shelves. It seemed at home there.

The long warm shower was a revelation to Kaname. As best she could, she tried to wash away all her cares and worries along with the dirt and sweat. She didn’t know what lay ahead of her. Hopefully, her father would tell her something about world events. If she was lucky, maybe he would keep an open mind when they spoke more about Sousuke and her life in general.

She decided not lie about anything, no matter what the cost. She owed too much to her father, and she wanted to be able to respect herself when she was done. Sousuke fought hard, and even fought dirty if there was no other choice. But, even when their lives were at stake, he remained honorable, adhering to his own code of conduct. She never realized just how much she respected him for that, even though it got them in trouble sometimes.

He really was something special.

Yes, he was quite different than the norm!

Covered with a thick rich coating of lather, she chuckled. How she dreaded thinking that she might have to explain the reasoning behind exploding shoe boxes…. flying through the air on a bicycle, a cop car passing by above them…. exploding watermelons and giant balloons…. sentry guns defending naked girls at an Onken…. training a bunch of gangsters while interpreting for Bonta-kun…. cooked carp and crazed janitors…. clueless conversations with a dating simulator…. jumping out of a train because of coincedence…. clothes-eating bacteria.

Had she really experienced all that? Her life certainly wasn’t boring, was it?

Damn. She really missed that boy. Big jerk, leaving her that way!

Dinner was a pleasant affair, despite the fear and concerns bubbling just below Kaname’s surface. There were so many familiar turns of phrase. Mannerisms she missed without knowing it. A chance to speak about the pleasant things in her life without any pressure, evasion, or defiance. Ayame’s effervescent personality and need to explain the things she had had learned on her own. Her father’s steadfast duty to his native country and tales of different customs that made his job rewarding and trying at the same time.

The meal was nothing extravagant, but wonderful just the same. Kaname considered herself a very good cook---she had even won the rare compliment of her food being better than Sousuke’s protein bars. But, she could not hold a candle to her father. Even her mother had had to admit defeat.

The miso soup made her think of a small café she had eaten lunch at once, with Sousuke standing guard. The meal had been pleasant, but was cut short when Sousuke thought the waiter had a gun. It was a hand cranked cheese grater. Big stupid head!

Daikon simmered in sake followed, and was simple but satisfying. She smiled, remembering a time when she had beaten Sousuke with one of the giant white radishes. He had used his pistol to get a can of mushrooms down from a high shelf at the local grocery store. Crazy otaku fool!

Kaname clapped her hands when her father took the lid off of a traditional Japanese pot. She had fond memories of the type of stew her father made with oysters, cabbage, shitake, carrots, eggs, dashi, and chrysanthemum sprigs. She had dumped just such a concoction over Sousuke’s head once, when he had asked her why one boy had said she was un-datable. Clueless insensitive moron!

The deep fried pork cutlets on curry rice made Kaname shake her head. How had her father managed to put things together in so short a time? For a moment, her thoughts wandered away. She pictured her father standing in the kitchen, teaching Sousuke how to cook. Of course, her daydreaming veered way off course. She saw Sousuke showing her father how to use a grenade…. in the middle of the cooking area! He would pay for that one, even though it never happened. Jerk. Jerk. Jerk!!!

No one had any room for dessert.

"Ayame, would you be so kind as to put away the food, clean the table, and straighten out the kitchen?" It was not an unexpected request. She often did just that on nights her father was tired or particularly busy. Otherwise, Shunya felt a great deal of satisfaction completing things by his own hands.

Ayame was no dunce. She knew that her father must have things to discuss with Kaname that he wanted to remain only between them. She had no problem with that. She had long since learned that there are things going on in the world that she was better off not knowing about.

Kaname sat patiently on a sofa, while her father perched at the edge of an easy chair. His face looked troubled, devoid of any sense of joy or humor he had shown at the dinner table. Both hands rested on his knees. He had trouble meeting Kaname’s gaze.

"I suppose it is time that I told you why you are here, Kaname." The words came out gruff, but thick with emotion.

"Thank you, Father." Kaname bowed her head. Her heart began beating faster and faster. She was afraid of what she might hear.

"As I said, I some times pick up on things that do not directly concern me. I do not approve of the loose tongue of others, especially my own countrymen. However, I am grateful to have learned what I did." He stared at something behind and to the left of Kaname. She didn’t dare look to see what it was. She didn’t have to. It was a picture of her father and her mother at a shrine outside of Tokyo.

Hands folded in her lap, Kaname waited for her father to continue.

"To be brief, there is trouble in North Korea. It will not be possible to keep the threat out of the media for much longer. For all I know, it could even be on the television tonight." Her father coughed, trying to loosen up his throat.

"Military men have seized control of a missile launch facility, Kaname. The placement of the smaller weapons makes Japan a likely target. There are longer range weapons as well, easily capable of hitting most Asian nations."

Kaname bit her lip. She had heard Sousuke talking about North Korea before, describing their military capabilities and national mind set. She shivered. The next part was obvious.

"Nuclear weapons, Father? Low to medium yield fissionables, or dirty weapons?"

Shunya’s eyebrows shot up. Where had his daughter picked up on that language? He was certain he knew.

"Yes. In the hands of men of little conscience. Waving a red flag at the mighty American bull."

Kaname found it hard to get her words out. She was too stunned to work through the ramifications of what she had heard.

"But why, Daddy? What could they hope to accomplish? Unless there is another force at work behind them."

"It seems they teach more at school than one might expect." Her father brought one hand up to his chin. "I can guess where you learned that kind of reasoning." He frowned, furrowing his brow. That was not the subject matter for traditional Japanese girls.

Kaname was not about to act all meek and receptive. She frowned right back. The last thing she wanted right now was to get back into a squabble over Sousuke. She was too tired. He would be in the middle of something of almost unfathomable importance.

She smiled inwardly. There was no one else she would rather have battling the enemy. Her heart threatened to explode. She just had to tell Sousuke how proud she was of him… how much she believed in him.

It wouldn’t be any good trying to call the TDD-1, though. Dispatch wouldn’t put her through and no one there would connect her with Sousuke. She also knew that Sousuke wouldn’t be able to get a message out, even if he knew where she was now.

Her father surprised her. He actually smiled. "That’s what I admire about you, daughter.---your fierce pride and your unwillingness to back down. So beautiful, so strong, so dedicated. Just like your mother." His smile turned into a frown, just like that.

"She was a gentle soul, despite all that… gentle and so very caring. I hope those qualities carried over to you." He gazed straight into her eyes. "Sometimes I have my doubts."

Kaname blushed. She wanted to be indignant. She felt the need to offer a rebuttal. But, her father had her pegged. Maybe it wasn’t such a great idea for Sousuke to meet him. If her father asked him about the way she treated him….

"In any case, you are correct, Kaname. There are wagging tongues that think this is all a shadow play, a way to gain respect and save face. They have little fear that anything will come of all this, other than some heated words passed back and forth between the North Koreans and the Americans."

Realizing that she had put her hand over her heart, Kaname offered a prayer to that effect. She knew, however, that there was probably more to it. Her father was frightened enough to bring her here. Sousuke was pulled from one mission and thrown into another.

"Sharper minds, and those that may in truth be a bit too suspicious, speak of the probability of some global terrorist group being the tail that wags the dog. Some even hinted at reports proving just such a thing. Perhaps you have heard a name, given your rather peculiar situation. It means little to me." Shunya knew his daughter wouldn’t say anything to someone outside of the family. He doubted that anyone would have bothered to bug his house.

"Grendel."

Kaname sat up straighter. She blinked repeatedly, her hands twitching. That name was indeed familiar. One night while walking back from the pharmacy, she had asked Sousuke what enemies Mithril feared the most.

He had gone on to name three things, the first being a general concern. Mithril feared WMD’s in the hands of fanatical and irresponsible groups. Such men were unpredictable and feared nothing. They lacked anything remotely resembling a conscience or a soul. The other two things had been names of terrorist organizations with access to Black Technology. Amalgam she knew all too well. The other name had been Grendel.

"I see. You need not go into any details. Your reaction is enough for now. It seems that my fears were justified." Her father sighed, putting his face in his hands.

"Daddy?"

"Some men, whose reasoning abilities I hold in high esteem, postulate that a group such as Grendel would have little to gain from petty regional power plays. Big players often play for big stakes. Clever and ruthless men with foresight and indifference to suffering could benefit from economic and political chaos. Korean missiles are by default aimed at South Korea and Japan. If launched, there would be little chance of stopping significant numbers. Unknown to most, the JSDF has taken delivery of Patriot 4 systems---but they are small in number, and the training is in its infancy.

"So they think that…." Kaname’s blood was ringing in her ears.

"Yes."

"And the likelihood is good…." Her heart was beating wildly, frightening her.

"Yes."

"I’m her because…." The palms of her hands were sweaty. She almost felt as if she were about to pass out.

"Yes."

"Oh God. Oh my God. And if Japan is a target, what better city than Tokyo?" Kaname bit down on her nails. No wonder her father had called her. No wonder he had given her no choice in the matter. "My friends…."

"I’m sorry. There is nothing to be done for them. We can only hope that this Mithril proves both resourceful and successful. If not, the consequences will be disastrous. If the Americans do nothing, the terrorists may launch. If the Americans attack, the North Koreans would certainly launch. Choosing between the teeth and the claws of the dragon is not much of a choice."

"But, you called and warned me, Daddy! Why can’t I call and warn them. It wouldn’t be too many. They might not even believe me. I have to try. I can’t just sit back, watch them die, and know that I could have saved them." Kaname was as close to demanding as she was to pleading.

"No. Absolutely not. I have overstepped my bounds as it is. You shall not do anything. The necessary officials in the government have been informed. If it is their decision to remain quiet, we must not question their wisdom or their authority." Shunya’s voice was stern and unyielding. There would be no compromise.

"I can’t believe that! You taught me the value of life. When I had thoughts about ending mine, your truths and your teachings pulled me away from the edge. Four people. It would tear out my heart, but I could call only four people. What would be the harm in that? Why shouldn’t I try?" Kaname’s voice was rising in pitch. She usually only got this worked up over some humungous mistake by Sousuke.

"Four people? You must have a better grasp of human nature than that, Kaname!" Her father sounded disappointed. He also began to grow red in the face. He was not accustomed to being challenged in his own home.

"You would call only four. What if each of them decided to call only four? And those after them? Where exactly would it end? Think!"

"You can’t be this callous, Father. You just can’t! Sousuke will be in the middle of danger, and I can’t do anything about it." Kaname was close to tears. "I can help my friends. People are more than just numbers. I don’t care if the government doesn’t want to do anything. I bet they all have planes standing by!"

"Kaname Chidori." Her father had stood up very slowly, his face a blank slate. "This conversation will now end. I will say one thing first, as I understand how distraught you are. Have you forgotten, the fact that one of my brothers and his family lives just outside of Tokyo? I have not called him. I have numerous cousins in and around the city. I have not called them. You may not realize how many old friends I have living in Japan. None of them have been informed. Do not talk to me of numbers."

He turned his back on her, making her close her mouth and go cold.

"I took a great risk by phoning my daughter. I did what I could to bring her to me as quickly as I could. While I might have expected thanks, I was prepared to accept your resistance. But, I never thought you would question my heart."

With that, her father walked out of the living room and into his bedroom. He closed the door behind him.

Kaname sat stunned, unable to get up or talk when Ayame came by to ask if she wanted some ice cream. Sensing something was very wrong, her sister sent off to her own room.

Exhausted, Kaname should have been ready for bed. She wasn’t. There was no way she could fall asleep now.

Deeply saddened and feeling very guilty, she went to kneel by her father’s door, bowing her head.

"Father, I was very wrong. I know I do not deserve it, but I ask for your forgiveness. I also offer sincere thanks for the love and concern you felt for me."

There was no answer. Tears slowly formed in her eyes, blurring her vision. She sat there unmoving for a number of hours. When the door opened, she lifted up her stricken eyes, wishing she could learn to hold her temper and her tongue.

She had gleefully made plans to train Sousuke to her liking. He migt be able to teach her more things than she had to teach him..

Her father looked down at her, silently. There was neither anger nor compassion on his face. Poised between the lightness of the hall and the darkness of his room, he looked like a carved stone gargoyle.

Kaname began crying again. She bowed her head and remained silent.

"We will not speak of this again, daughter. I was deeply saddened by your lack of respect and understanding. It may be that your independence has planted seeds that can bring nothing but weeds and poor crops. Yet, you are young, and you have been faced with something that many men and women would wilt under. I trust that you did not use the telephone."

"No, Father. I have been here by your door."

"I can forgive those words said in the grip of such great fear. I hope that you did not speak your true feelings." His voice was husky. He was a man who put great stock in honor, but he was also a father who cherished his daughter.

"Never, father. Never."

"You must learn to control your emotions, Kaname. People will judge you by your behavior. They may not see all that you are, or understand just how much you can be." Shunya’s gaze was very direct. He loved his daughter, and he knew what was best for her. He would say it, no matter what she might think of him. Seeing the look in her eyes, he judged that she had come to that very conclusion sometime in the past. That was a very big start.

"Yes, Father." She knew that her father was right.

Once again she thought of Sousuke. He never showed his emotions. He was so stiff and so sullen, that most people would suppose he didn’t even have any. She on the other hand, was too quick to take offense or be hurt. Her emotions were rampant and out of control much of the time. Could the two of them help one another, leading each other to some middle ground?

"You will come with me now. There are things I would like to tell you, and things I would like to see. One is that picture you mentioned earlier. You were quick to question my judgment, and should understand how much that has hurt and disappointed me." Her Father picked up a framed photograph of his late wife, staring at it for a while before putting it back down.

Kaname hung her head.

"Thinking about that, I realized that I too may have done a disservice. When you spoke of that young man… Sousuke… I was quick to judge him, and to judge you. I can imagine how that may have hurt and disappointed you." Her father wouldn’t come right out and apologize. Those words were his way of saying he was sorry.

"Daddy?" Kaname looked up at her father, her eyes wide and hopeful.

"I am not saying I approve, Kaname. There is still a lot for me to think through. But, I should say that I will keep an open mind. Families are about trust, are they not? Trust and understanding. I have to make certain that I do not end up loving rules and customs more than I love my own daughters." That was obviously very hard for him to say. He was not a man given to showing his deepest feelings.

Kaname bowed slowly, keeping a neutral face. She could hold it only so long. Smiling, she jumped and gave her father a big hug.

"Ahem!" Her father was somewhat disgruntled.

"Families are about love, Father. Is it alright for me to show my love?" Kaname had a stubborn look in her eye.

Her father stood silently for a moment. Almost sounding exasperated, he conceded. "Yes."

Kaname smiled. Too much for Shunya’s liking.

"To your family!!!"

Kaname knew exactly what he was talking about.

"What did you wish to speak to me about, Daddy?"

It better not be about local schools or anything like that! Not after what you just said….

"Two things, both very important in different ways. You shouldn’t have to first learn about them on Christmas Day when they stop by for dinner."

There was a curious look on her father’s face, a mix of anticipation and satisfaction. Just what was he talking about?

"They?"

"Yes, Kaname. One is a gentleman by the name of Maximilian Smith. He will serve as your body guard while you are in town. I was fortunate to be able to retain his services at such quick notice. I phoned while cooking. Members of our embassy, including myself, have made use of him in the past."

Kaname’s jaw fell open. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. That was a minor shock in comparison to what followed.

"But, what I really wanted to talk to you about was Oichi. Oichi Masako. She works in another of our offices in the U.N." Her father paused, looking at his daughter, somewhat concerned about how she might react.

Kaname swallowed. Part of her raced ahead, certain she knew what was coming. It just wasn’t possible, was it?

"We have grown very close, Kaname. We have seriously discussed getting married." Her father looked on, obviously hoping for her acceptance, if not her blessing.

"Uh…." Kaname was too stunned to say anything more.

"Kaname?" Her father was close to growing unhappy.

"It is not a problem." Kaname came close to smacking her forehead. Damn that Sousuke! Those were not the right words. "I look forward to meeting her, Daddy." She would show her father that she knew something about diplomacy herself. "I only hope she knows just how lucky she is."

That answer was just what her father was hoping for. His face remained stoic, but his eyes sparkled.

Kaname knew that she would get little sleep after that.

I'm glad to see Kaname behaving like Sousuke would here. Hope she can grow up enough to do the right thing...

More please!