[FIC] Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? (pt 3)
Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 5:32 pm
The drone of the large jet engines didn’t bother Sousuke. Neither did the low level vibrations present throughout the crowded cargo bay. He didn’t miss the opportunity to look out of a window or to push a button and get a softer fluffier pillow. He was a soldier. This flight was better than any number he had been through in the past.
He looked down at Kaname, stretched out on a full length sofa, a smile on her sleeping face. So far, the flight did not appear to inconvenience her too much. Sousuke didn’t have a ready explanation, but the fact that the two of them had been holed up in the back of a cargo aircraft... alone... with many of the comforts of home, had set the two of them to talking about things they hadn’t touched on before.
Head in his lap...big eyes looking up at him... she had shared cherished moments from her childhood, along with much starker and more painful memories. With Sousuke holding her, no memory frightened her too much to revisit. She spent a lot of time speaking about her mother and father and the time the had spent in America.
Sousuke, for his part, shared anecdotes from his past, with Kaname hanging on his every word. Emabarrassing moments made her smile or laugh. Frightful moments had her clutching his arm, almost painfully so. Darker, even terrible moments had her biting her lip, sometimes with tears dripping off of her chin. He spoke about things he had never wanted to think about again. Somehow, the past didn’t seem as bad as it once had.
Kaname made a small inarticulate noise and turned over in her sleep. Sousuke looked down at her... stared, then blushed... then looked away. He couldn’t help himself. He peaked again. He could see a short ways down her blouse and the view captivated him. He closed his eyes and held them shut for a few minutes, measuring his breathing.
Standing, he stretched his legs. He went over and pulled Kaname’s blanket up to her neck, then gently tucked it around her. He bent over and gave her a soft kiss on the forehead, surprised once more by the tenderness inside him. With some effort, he tore his eyes away from her face and began a slow walk around the huge cargo pallets.
Sousuke hadn’t been given a list of Mithril equipment carried on the flight, but he had enough familiarity with the codes to figure out some of the items. There was furniture. There was communications equipment. There were standard security systems. There were even crates filled with personal belongings. It would seem likely that the materials were destined for a new safe house somewhere. Maybe even more than one site, given the number of crates.
He rubbed his hands slowly over some of the crates, lost in thought. Somehow, being on this aircraft, isolated as he and Kaname were, it felt as if they were both in some new and unsullied world. For some reason, his thoughts went back to Paradise Lost. He thought about the Garden of Eden. He thought about Adam and Eve.
"DO NOT EAT OF THIS TREE, OR YOU'LL DIE." Sousuke wasn’t certain if the story of Adam and Eve was supposed to be true, a parable, or ancient religious propaganda. At the moment, it did not matter to him. Gods warning had carried with it a note of finality. Once the first two humans had crossed the line, they were thrown out of paradise.
Paradise. Sousuke’s newfound relationship with Kaname was the closest he had ever come to anything he would call paradise. It hadn’t been easy, but good things seldom are. They had their share of disagreements, but never held any grudges. He worked hard at trying to civilize himself. He worked even harder at trying to understand her. That he had any success at all was a tribute to his perseverance and her gentle guidance. Kaname made efforts to be more open-minded and patient. They both benefited from their efforts.
“Temptation.” Sousuke realized it was only normal to have certain feelings. Still, they were not necessarily normal for him. No. That was not entirely true. He had made an effort to ignore such feelings in the past. They confused him. At times, they even frightened him. But, there was no way he could ignore certain things any more.
The way Kaname looked.
The way she moved.
The feel of her body.
Her smell.
Her voice.
Her lips on his lips.
Everything.
He wondered if girls were affected the same way. He wondered what Kaname felt and what she wanted. Would he disappoint her by being to shy and too reticent? If he explored his own desires too soon, would he chase her away? The apple was clearly at the center of Sousuke’s thoughts. The forbidden fruit. Eat it, and be cast out from paradise.
Sousuke took out his combat knife and carved idly on one of the crates. This was hardly a subject to be contemplating while he was on his way to visit Kaname’s father! What would Kaname think if she could read his mind? He shivered. It was good to explore his feelings, rather than hide from them or try to brush them away. He had explored enough for one day.
Walking over to where he had left his luggage in a frayed but sturdy stretch of webbing, the young soldier removed his largest bag and set it at his feet. There was no need to go through it again. But, it was part of his nature to do so, and it would help distract him. He made certain that Kaname was still asleep.
“FN F2000 with computerized fire control and sight module, 40mm grenade launcher, and NATO standard cartridges.”
Check.
“Five extra clips of 5.56 x 45.”
Check.
“Franchi SPAS-15 semi-automatic 12 gauge shotgun with folding stock.”
Check.
“10 extra clips of shells.”
Check.
“HK MP-7 PDW with special holster and 4.6mm high velocity ammunition.”
Check.
“Five extra clips.”
Check.
“Glock 17 and 26 pistols.”
Check and check.
“Six---“
“Sooo-uuu-sssssss-kaaaayyy....” Kaname’s voice was faint at that distance. “Sousuke, where are you?”
Sousuke began to sweat. He felt like a boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Crouched down low, he began throwing weapons and clips back into his bag. Glancing behind him, he could see Kaname stretching. When she turned and gave him a full side on view, he dropped the shotgun full on his toe.
“Ouch. Shit!” he grimaced. It was a mistake to allow Kaname to dissuade him from wearing steel-tipped boots. He was glad that he had sneaked them into his luggage after she had given everything a once over. That didn’t do him much good now, he realized, as his large toe throbbed.
She was up walking now. Damn. He had to hurry. Sousuke was reminded of earlier days, when he had been planting charges right under the noses of enemy sentries. ‘Finished! But, I can’t let her see where I was sitting. She might get suspicious.’
Sousuke slid along the floor, sitting on a piece of plastic he had torn off of a nearby container. Rolling, he made his way underneath an over-sized pallet. Crawling, he made his way behind the nearest couch. Diving, he cleared the obstacle, doing a quick handspring to end up back on his feet.
“Kaname.”
She turned and smiled. “Sousuke. There you are. For a moment, I was tempted to check the parachutes. I worried that you might have bailed out instead of meeting Daddy.” Kaname yawned and stretched like a cat, arching her back. Sousuke closed his eyes. “Sousuke, what are you doing?”
“Uh... closing my eyes... I am tired too.” Sousuke did a poor job of faking a yawn.
Kaname smiled. She wasn’t fooled. He was just too sweet for his own good sometimes.
“It’s OK, Sousuke. You can open your eyes. I’ve stopped stretching.” She hadn’t.
“I...uh... but you said...” Sousuke blushed. He couldn’t think about a single apple. There was no choice but to think about two apples.
“It’s alright, Sousuke. It’s not as if I haven’t caught you peaking before, you know. Think of it as scouting the territory before a mission. There’s some time before you will enter combat, but it doesn’t hurt to memorize the terrain, right?” Kaname smiled. He was priceless. She wouldn’t have him any other way.
Sousuke knew that she was playing with him. He wouldn’t change a thing, either. But, again, she needed to be shown the danger of toying with a Specialist.
“I see. That makes sense. It is often wise to go over mission parameters with a more seasoned veteran. Should I show the mission map to your father?” He kept a straight face. Once again, he marveled at how much fun banter could be. He understood Kurz’ and Melissa’s addiction to it. He wasn’t proficient himself, but would do his best.
Kaname’s mouth fell open.
“Sousuke!” Kaname hadn’t expected that. Catching her breath, she didn’t mind the fact that he was returning serve. No, she didn’t like the fact that he had juxtaposed the subject matter with the mention of her father. What if his repetitive Sousuke mind said something like that at the dinner table, without thinking? Moron! “You shouldn’t….”
“No doubt he will agree with Sun-Tzu. To cross mountains, follow the valleys, search out tenable ground, and occupy the heights. If the enemy holds the heights, do not climb up to engage them in battle.” Sousuke prayed that he wouldn’t blush. Blushing was a useless trait in a soldier. He knew how inexperienced he was. Kaname did too. But, he wanted to at least be able to bluff convincingly.
“Sousuke Sagara!!!” That boy was getting too wound up. She hadn’t brought an umbrella---there was no way she wanted to get caught out in an otaku storm. Without thinking, she put her hand over her breasts. “You better not…”
Kaname’s exclamation didn’t slow Sousuke. If anything, it spurred him on. He ran his fingers through his short hair. The top of his head was still sore. ‘Paybacks are Hell,’ Kaname was wont to say.
“Your willingness to learn is admirable, Kaname. Your father will be proud. On level plains, one should deploy on easy terrain with the right flank positioned with the high ground to the rear, fatal terrain to the fore, and tenable terrain to the rear.” Sousuke gulped. He had to keep his mind focused.
“I… uh… you… Sousuke!” If he kept this up any longer, he was going to pay. Jerk. Stupid head. “Listen, mister….”
“Please, Kaname. I understand that you may have things to add. If you could kindly wait until I am finished. I wish to use this opportunity to prepare for man to man discussions with your father. There are also many things that Kurz and Melissa have told me in the past. I will wish to check the veracity of those truths as well.” Sousuke had begin to pick up another thing from Kaname: a competitive spirit. She had started on this topic. He was going to finish.
Kaname started choking.
“When you cross marshes or wetlands….” Sousuke wasn’t able to finish what he was saying. Kaname put her hand firmly over his mouth.
“You will NOT discuss wetlands with my father. You will NOT discuss mountains or plains either, is that understood?” Kaname stomped on both of Sousuke’s feet. There was more than one reason why she had insisted that he not wear boots.
“Affirmative.” Sousuke winced. That one particular toe was having a bad day.
“Well then. We should….”
“Kaname, neither you nor your father should be concerned. Being unconquerable lies within yourself; being conquerable lies within the enemy.” Sousuke was being serious.
“What…oh… yes… whatever.” Kaname stopped short and blushed. She frowned. Why did that big idiot sound so clever when he said something like that. She wished that she had some big words to quote. She looked at her watch. “There isn’t too much time left before we land. There are some things we should go over. Please stand at attention.”
“I am not finished, Kaname. I am not good enough with my own words. Therefore, I will borrow from the five Tao to know victory.” Sousuke felt compelled to speak on the subject they had been skirting around. He knew that if he didn’t his mind would get too obsessed with the subject.
“Sousuke, I think you have said more than enough already….” Kaname stopped when she saw the look in Sousuke’s eyes. He wasn’t playing. There was something he wanted to tell her, but didn’t know how to say. “OK, Sousuke. Keep it short.”
“One who knows when he can fight, and when he cannot fight, will be victorious.” Sousuke bowed his head. “I do not know when to fight.”
Kaname stared. Then, she hid a smile. Only Sousuke….
“One who, fully prepared, awaits the unprepared will be victorious.” He couldn’t bring himself to look at Kaname. “I am unprepared.”
Kaname nodded her head. She shouldn’t be quick to dismiss any militaristic thing he said. It was time to realize that he was wiser than he admitted to himself, and much smarter than his test scores might suggest.
Sousuke opened his mouth, then closed it. He began to sweat visibly. That might as well have been a red flag waved right under a bull’s nose.
“Sousuke?”
“Uh…”
“Is there more, Sousuke? If there is, please continue. You might as well get everything out of your system now.” That was an understatement.
“Um…yes… I…” Sousuke stopped. He squared his shoulders and started again. “One whose upper and lower ranks have the same desires will be victorious.”
Kaname and Sousuke stared at each other, unspeaking. Both blushed.
“I think that is enough Tao for now.” Kaname spoke quicker than she wanted to.
“Affirmative!” Sousuke’s response was louder than he had intended.
They looked at each other again, then smiled. One thing was certain. They were on the same wavelength. It was good to know that.
Kaname felt her heart beating strong and fast. She took a moment to reflect on how lucky she was to have someone who took her feelings into consideration. Too many boys seemed to have a hidden agenda, or quite obviously had only one thing in mind. Sousuke wasn’t like that. If anything, he didn’t think about himself or his own needs enough. She would help him with that, one step at a time.
Sousuke remembered something he had said about his assignment to Tokyo. He had said that nothing had seemed right after he was sent to that school… got assimilated to Arbalest… and was obligated to guard Kaname. Now, he wondered if anything had ever really been right before all that.
Both thought about the coming introductions with some bit of trepidation.
Kaname cleared her throat. “OK. Where was I? Yes, there are things we need to go over. Stand at attention please.”
“Kaname?”
“Just do it, Sousuke!!!” Kaname put her hands on her hips. “Be a little considerate. I don’t have anything to hit you with handy.”
Sousuke stood at attention. Kaname began walking around him, looking him up and down. The young soldier couldn’t help but think back to boot camp.
“Sousuke, why is there so much sawdust all over you?” Kaname checked herself, to make sure she didn’t have the same problem. She narrowed her eyes.
“Ummm… static electricity?” Sousuke swallowed, hard.
“Oooooo Kaaaaay. We’ll get back to that one, later.” Kaname knew that look. There were some things about Sousuke that would probably never change. Good!!!
Sousuke blinked. Then, he brushed himself clean.
“Hmmmmm… lipstick… better take care of that.” She licked her fingers and rubbed away the lipstick traces on Sousuke’s face. “Don’t worry. It’s a renewal resource.”
Sousuke looked down at his shoes.
“Let’s fix that collar. Good. Tighten up your belt. You’re going to meet my father, not some backwoods yokel or his hog.” Kaname smiled. It was good to have the power.
Sousuke sucked in his breath and grunted. There had been only one belt notch left.
“Breath out normally, Sousuke.” Kaname sniffed at the air. “Open up and say ‘Ahhhhh.’”
Sousuke did as he was instructed. He started coughing after Kaname sprayed half or a container of Binaca in his mouth.
“Better. Let’s take a look at those shoes. Well. That just won’t do. It looks like someone had been stepping all over them.” Kaname didn’t even bat an eye. Walking over to her purse, she took out a small cloth and a tiny tin. “Here, catch. I suggest you get started.”
Sousuke caught the tin. It was shoe polish. His admiration for Kaname’s completeness grew. So did his concern about her need to control things. He had his work cut out for him!
“Not bad. I can almost see myself.” Kaname patted Sousuke on the head when he finished his shoes. “Let’s see what watch you have on.”
Sousuke held up his wrist. He wore his usual combat watch. It wasn’t pretty, but it kept exceptional time. The tritium light source was also useful at times.
“Well, I know it’s a bit early. But, happy birthday, Sousuke.” Kaname took out a small box from her oversized purse. She handed it to Sousuke.
“Uh… thank you Kaname… it is very nice.” It was a dress watch. An expensive dress watch. He put it on, but didn’t put his other watch in Kaname’s outstretched palm. He dropped it in his pocket, then patted it. She would just have to deal with it.
She stared at him for a moment. She frowned. Then, she smiled.
Kaname wanted someone who was willing to give and take. She didn’t want to turn Sousuke into a doormat. Besides, she kept a running tally of his indiscretions.
In short order, she finished with her inspection. “Sousuke, how do I look?” Kaname did a slow pirouette.
“Wonderful,” Sousuke answered.
“Good. I’ll kiss you the next time I don’t have any lipstick on. It is not a problem.” Kaname tried to sound calm and collected. Sousuke knew better. He watched her legs. One had a slight twitch. So did her right eyelid. She was rapping her left forefinger against her purse.
Souske checked his new watch. They should be landing soon. He began arranging all of their things.
“Sosuske?” Kaname was biting her lip.
“Yes, Kaname?”
“Do I look wonderful?” Her eyes were big.
“You look perfect. Or, at least 98 per cent of perfect.”
“Oh. Good.” She began pacing about the cargo area, stopping ever so often to brush her hair or chew on a breath mint.
Sousuke had never seen Kaname quite like this. They had been under fire a number of times together, but this was the most nervous he had ever seen her. It made him start to feel tense. For some reason, he could feel the ghost of harness straps embracing his shoulders. It was almost as if he were preparing to parachute into a jungle teeming with dangerous wildlife and ruthless enemies. He could imagine the sound of a cockpit closing. The pressure began building. This was worse than facing Venom.
Was it really?
No!
He caught himself. He went through a number of mental exercises. Kaname’s father was only a man. Presumably, he put one pants leg on at a time like everyone else. He should not let Kaname’s mental state influence his own.
A chime sounded. A red light began flashing. The pilot was passing along a signal---the plane had been cleared for approach. They would be landing soon.
“Sousuke, how do I look?” Kaname walked up in front of him.
“Beautiful.”
He looked down at Kaname, stretched out on a full length sofa, a smile on her sleeping face. So far, the flight did not appear to inconvenience her too much. Sousuke didn’t have a ready explanation, but the fact that the two of them had been holed up in the back of a cargo aircraft... alone... with many of the comforts of home, had set the two of them to talking about things they hadn’t touched on before.
Head in his lap...big eyes looking up at him... she had shared cherished moments from her childhood, along with much starker and more painful memories. With Sousuke holding her, no memory frightened her too much to revisit. She spent a lot of time speaking about her mother and father and the time the had spent in America.
Sousuke, for his part, shared anecdotes from his past, with Kaname hanging on his every word. Emabarrassing moments made her smile or laugh. Frightful moments had her clutching his arm, almost painfully so. Darker, even terrible moments had her biting her lip, sometimes with tears dripping off of her chin. He spoke about things he had never wanted to think about again. Somehow, the past didn’t seem as bad as it once had.
Kaname made a small inarticulate noise and turned over in her sleep. Sousuke looked down at her... stared, then blushed... then looked away. He couldn’t help himself. He peaked again. He could see a short ways down her blouse and the view captivated him. He closed his eyes and held them shut for a few minutes, measuring his breathing.
Standing, he stretched his legs. He went over and pulled Kaname’s blanket up to her neck, then gently tucked it around her. He bent over and gave her a soft kiss on the forehead, surprised once more by the tenderness inside him. With some effort, he tore his eyes away from her face and began a slow walk around the huge cargo pallets.
Sousuke hadn’t been given a list of Mithril equipment carried on the flight, but he had enough familiarity with the codes to figure out some of the items. There was furniture. There was communications equipment. There were standard security systems. There were even crates filled with personal belongings. It would seem likely that the materials were destined for a new safe house somewhere. Maybe even more than one site, given the number of crates.
He rubbed his hands slowly over some of the crates, lost in thought. Somehow, being on this aircraft, isolated as he and Kaname were, it felt as if they were both in some new and unsullied world. For some reason, his thoughts went back to Paradise Lost. He thought about the Garden of Eden. He thought about Adam and Eve.
"DO NOT EAT OF THIS TREE, OR YOU'LL DIE." Sousuke wasn’t certain if the story of Adam and Eve was supposed to be true, a parable, or ancient religious propaganda. At the moment, it did not matter to him. Gods warning had carried with it a note of finality. Once the first two humans had crossed the line, they were thrown out of paradise.
Paradise. Sousuke’s newfound relationship with Kaname was the closest he had ever come to anything he would call paradise. It hadn’t been easy, but good things seldom are. They had their share of disagreements, but never held any grudges. He worked hard at trying to civilize himself. He worked even harder at trying to understand her. That he had any success at all was a tribute to his perseverance and her gentle guidance. Kaname made efforts to be more open-minded and patient. They both benefited from their efforts.
“Temptation.” Sousuke realized it was only normal to have certain feelings. Still, they were not necessarily normal for him. No. That was not entirely true. He had made an effort to ignore such feelings in the past. They confused him. At times, they even frightened him. But, there was no way he could ignore certain things any more.
The way Kaname looked.
The way she moved.
The feel of her body.
Her smell.
Her voice.
Her lips on his lips.
Everything.
He wondered if girls were affected the same way. He wondered what Kaname felt and what she wanted. Would he disappoint her by being to shy and too reticent? If he explored his own desires too soon, would he chase her away? The apple was clearly at the center of Sousuke’s thoughts. The forbidden fruit. Eat it, and be cast out from paradise.
Sousuke took out his combat knife and carved idly on one of the crates. This was hardly a subject to be contemplating while he was on his way to visit Kaname’s father! What would Kaname think if she could read his mind? He shivered. It was good to explore his feelings, rather than hide from them or try to brush them away. He had explored enough for one day.
Walking over to where he had left his luggage in a frayed but sturdy stretch of webbing, the young soldier removed his largest bag and set it at his feet. There was no need to go through it again. But, it was part of his nature to do so, and it would help distract him. He made certain that Kaname was still asleep.
“FN F2000 with computerized fire control and sight module, 40mm grenade launcher, and NATO standard cartridges.”
Check.
“Five extra clips of 5.56 x 45.”
Check.
“Franchi SPAS-15 semi-automatic 12 gauge shotgun with folding stock.”
Check.
“10 extra clips of shells.”
Check.
“HK MP-7 PDW with special holster and 4.6mm high velocity ammunition.”
Check.
“Five extra clips.”
Check.
“Glock 17 and 26 pistols.”
Check and check.
“Six---“
“Sooo-uuu-sssssss-kaaaayyy....” Kaname’s voice was faint at that distance. “Sousuke, where are you?”
Sousuke began to sweat. He felt like a boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Crouched down low, he began throwing weapons and clips back into his bag. Glancing behind him, he could see Kaname stretching. When she turned and gave him a full side on view, he dropped the shotgun full on his toe.
“Ouch. Shit!” he grimaced. It was a mistake to allow Kaname to dissuade him from wearing steel-tipped boots. He was glad that he had sneaked them into his luggage after she had given everything a once over. That didn’t do him much good now, he realized, as his large toe throbbed.
She was up walking now. Damn. He had to hurry. Sousuke was reminded of earlier days, when he had been planting charges right under the noses of enemy sentries. ‘Finished! But, I can’t let her see where I was sitting. She might get suspicious.’
Sousuke slid along the floor, sitting on a piece of plastic he had torn off of a nearby container. Rolling, he made his way underneath an over-sized pallet. Crawling, he made his way behind the nearest couch. Diving, he cleared the obstacle, doing a quick handspring to end up back on his feet.
“Kaname.”
She turned and smiled. “Sousuke. There you are. For a moment, I was tempted to check the parachutes. I worried that you might have bailed out instead of meeting Daddy.” Kaname yawned and stretched like a cat, arching her back. Sousuke closed his eyes. “Sousuke, what are you doing?”
“Uh... closing my eyes... I am tired too.” Sousuke did a poor job of faking a yawn.
Kaname smiled. She wasn’t fooled. He was just too sweet for his own good sometimes.
“It’s OK, Sousuke. You can open your eyes. I’ve stopped stretching.” She hadn’t.
“I...uh... but you said...” Sousuke blushed. He couldn’t think about a single apple. There was no choice but to think about two apples.
“It’s alright, Sousuke. It’s not as if I haven’t caught you peaking before, you know. Think of it as scouting the territory before a mission. There’s some time before you will enter combat, but it doesn’t hurt to memorize the terrain, right?” Kaname smiled. He was priceless. She wouldn’t have him any other way.
Sousuke knew that she was playing with him. He wouldn’t change a thing, either. But, again, she needed to be shown the danger of toying with a Specialist.
“I see. That makes sense. It is often wise to go over mission parameters with a more seasoned veteran. Should I show the mission map to your father?” He kept a straight face. Once again, he marveled at how much fun banter could be. He understood Kurz’ and Melissa’s addiction to it. He wasn’t proficient himself, but would do his best.
Kaname’s mouth fell open.
“Sousuke!” Kaname hadn’t expected that. Catching her breath, she didn’t mind the fact that he was returning serve. No, she didn’t like the fact that he had juxtaposed the subject matter with the mention of her father. What if his repetitive Sousuke mind said something like that at the dinner table, without thinking? Moron! “You shouldn’t….”
“No doubt he will agree with Sun-Tzu. To cross mountains, follow the valleys, search out tenable ground, and occupy the heights. If the enemy holds the heights, do not climb up to engage them in battle.” Sousuke prayed that he wouldn’t blush. Blushing was a useless trait in a soldier. He knew how inexperienced he was. Kaname did too. But, he wanted to at least be able to bluff convincingly.
“Sousuke Sagara!!!” That boy was getting too wound up. She hadn’t brought an umbrella---there was no way she wanted to get caught out in an otaku storm. Without thinking, she put her hand over her breasts. “You better not…”
Kaname’s exclamation didn’t slow Sousuke. If anything, it spurred him on. He ran his fingers through his short hair. The top of his head was still sore. ‘Paybacks are Hell,’ Kaname was wont to say.
“Your willingness to learn is admirable, Kaname. Your father will be proud. On level plains, one should deploy on easy terrain with the right flank positioned with the high ground to the rear, fatal terrain to the fore, and tenable terrain to the rear.” Sousuke gulped. He had to keep his mind focused.
“I… uh… you… Sousuke!” If he kept this up any longer, he was going to pay. Jerk. Stupid head. “Listen, mister….”
“Please, Kaname. I understand that you may have things to add. If you could kindly wait until I am finished. I wish to use this opportunity to prepare for man to man discussions with your father. There are also many things that Kurz and Melissa have told me in the past. I will wish to check the veracity of those truths as well.” Sousuke had begin to pick up another thing from Kaname: a competitive spirit. She had started on this topic. He was going to finish.
Kaname started choking.
“When you cross marshes or wetlands….” Sousuke wasn’t able to finish what he was saying. Kaname put her hand firmly over his mouth.
“You will NOT discuss wetlands with my father. You will NOT discuss mountains or plains either, is that understood?” Kaname stomped on both of Sousuke’s feet. There was more than one reason why she had insisted that he not wear boots.
“Affirmative.” Sousuke winced. That one particular toe was having a bad day.
“Well then. We should….”
“Kaname, neither you nor your father should be concerned. Being unconquerable lies within yourself; being conquerable lies within the enemy.” Sousuke was being serious.
“What…oh… yes… whatever.” Kaname stopped short and blushed. She frowned. Why did that big idiot sound so clever when he said something like that. She wished that she had some big words to quote. She looked at her watch. “There isn’t too much time left before we land. There are some things we should go over. Please stand at attention.”
“I am not finished, Kaname. I am not good enough with my own words. Therefore, I will borrow from the five Tao to know victory.” Sousuke felt compelled to speak on the subject they had been skirting around. He knew that if he didn’t his mind would get too obsessed with the subject.
“Sousuke, I think you have said more than enough already….” Kaname stopped when she saw the look in Sousuke’s eyes. He wasn’t playing. There was something he wanted to tell her, but didn’t know how to say. “OK, Sousuke. Keep it short.”
“One who knows when he can fight, and when he cannot fight, will be victorious.” Sousuke bowed his head. “I do not know when to fight.”
Kaname stared. Then, she hid a smile. Only Sousuke….
“One who, fully prepared, awaits the unprepared will be victorious.” He couldn’t bring himself to look at Kaname. “I am unprepared.”
Kaname nodded her head. She shouldn’t be quick to dismiss any militaristic thing he said. It was time to realize that he was wiser than he admitted to himself, and much smarter than his test scores might suggest.
Sousuke opened his mouth, then closed it. He began to sweat visibly. That might as well have been a red flag waved right under a bull’s nose.
“Sousuke?”
“Uh…”
“Is there more, Sousuke? If there is, please continue. You might as well get everything out of your system now.” That was an understatement.
“Um…yes… I…” Sousuke stopped. He squared his shoulders and started again. “One whose upper and lower ranks have the same desires will be victorious.”
Kaname and Sousuke stared at each other, unspeaking. Both blushed.
“I think that is enough Tao for now.” Kaname spoke quicker than she wanted to.
“Affirmative!” Sousuke’s response was louder than he had intended.
They looked at each other again, then smiled. One thing was certain. They were on the same wavelength. It was good to know that.
Kaname felt her heart beating strong and fast. She took a moment to reflect on how lucky she was to have someone who took her feelings into consideration. Too many boys seemed to have a hidden agenda, or quite obviously had only one thing in mind. Sousuke wasn’t like that. If anything, he didn’t think about himself or his own needs enough. She would help him with that, one step at a time.
Sousuke remembered something he had said about his assignment to Tokyo. He had said that nothing had seemed right after he was sent to that school… got assimilated to Arbalest… and was obligated to guard Kaname. Now, he wondered if anything had ever really been right before all that.
Both thought about the coming introductions with some bit of trepidation.
Kaname cleared her throat. “OK. Where was I? Yes, there are things we need to go over. Stand at attention please.”
“Kaname?”
“Just do it, Sousuke!!!” Kaname put her hands on her hips. “Be a little considerate. I don’t have anything to hit you with handy.”
Sousuke stood at attention. Kaname began walking around him, looking him up and down. The young soldier couldn’t help but think back to boot camp.
“Sousuke, why is there so much sawdust all over you?” Kaname checked herself, to make sure she didn’t have the same problem. She narrowed her eyes.
“Ummm… static electricity?” Sousuke swallowed, hard.
“Oooooo Kaaaaay. We’ll get back to that one, later.” Kaname knew that look. There were some things about Sousuke that would probably never change. Good!!!
Sousuke blinked. Then, he brushed himself clean.
“Hmmmmm… lipstick… better take care of that.” She licked her fingers and rubbed away the lipstick traces on Sousuke’s face. “Don’t worry. It’s a renewal resource.”
Sousuke looked down at his shoes.
“Let’s fix that collar. Good. Tighten up your belt. You’re going to meet my father, not some backwoods yokel or his hog.” Kaname smiled. It was good to have the power.
Sousuke sucked in his breath and grunted. There had been only one belt notch left.
“Breath out normally, Sousuke.” Kaname sniffed at the air. “Open up and say ‘Ahhhhh.’”
Sousuke did as he was instructed. He started coughing after Kaname sprayed half or a container of Binaca in his mouth.
“Better. Let’s take a look at those shoes. Well. That just won’t do. It looks like someone had been stepping all over them.” Kaname didn’t even bat an eye. Walking over to her purse, she took out a small cloth and a tiny tin. “Here, catch. I suggest you get started.”
Sousuke caught the tin. It was shoe polish. His admiration for Kaname’s completeness grew. So did his concern about her need to control things. He had his work cut out for him!
“Not bad. I can almost see myself.” Kaname patted Sousuke on the head when he finished his shoes. “Let’s see what watch you have on.”
Sousuke held up his wrist. He wore his usual combat watch. It wasn’t pretty, but it kept exceptional time. The tritium light source was also useful at times.
“Well, I know it’s a bit early. But, happy birthday, Sousuke.” Kaname took out a small box from her oversized purse. She handed it to Sousuke.
“Uh… thank you Kaname… it is very nice.” It was a dress watch. An expensive dress watch. He put it on, but didn’t put his other watch in Kaname’s outstretched palm. He dropped it in his pocket, then patted it. She would just have to deal with it.
She stared at him for a moment. She frowned. Then, she smiled.
Kaname wanted someone who was willing to give and take. She didn’t want to turn Sousuke into a doormat. Besides, she kept a running tally of his indiscretions.
In short order, she finished with her inspection. “Sousuke, how do I look?” Kaname did a slow pirouette.
“Wonderful,” Sousuke answered.
“Good. I’ll kiss you the next time I don’t have any lipstick on. It is not a problem.” Kaname tried to sound calm and collected. Sousuke knew better. He watched her legs. One had a slight twitch. So did her right eyelid. She was rapping her left forefinger against her purse.
Souske checked his new watch. They should be landing soon. He began arranging all of their things.
“Sosuske?” Kaname was biting her lip.
“Yes, Kaname?”
“Do I look wonderful?” Her eyes were big.
“You look perfect. Or, at least 98 per cent of perfect.”
“Oh. Good.” She began pacing about the cargo area, stopping ever so often to brush her hair or chew on a breath mint.
Sousuke had never seen Kaname quite like this. They had been under fire a number of times together, but this was the most nervous he had ever seen her. It made him start to feel tense. For some reason, he could feel the ghost of harness straps embracing his shoulders. It was almost as if he were preparing to parachute into a jungle teeming with dangerous wildlife and ruthless enemies. He could imagine the sound of a cockpit closing. The pressure began building. This was worse than facing Venom.
Was it really?
No!
He caught himself. He went through a number of mental exercises. Kaname’s father was only a man. Presumably, he put one pants leg on at a time like everyone else. He should not let Kaname’s mental state influence his own.
A chime sounded. A red light began flashing. The pilot was passing along a signal---the plane had been cleared for approach. They would be landing soon.
“Sousuke, how do I look?” Kaname walked up in front of him.
“Beautiful.”
Tastefully done... 
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