[FIC] Higher Education (pt 15)
Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2004 1:08 am
The air was crisp and invigorating.
Taking a deep breath and holding, Kaname was certain that the air must be better than ever before.
Sunlight poured through a great opening in the grey and blanketing clouds, like a celestial stairway to a better world.
Brushing her hair aside, Kaname smiled, knowing that she had found her own ray of light in what she hadn’t realized was dreary and routine life.
Even the sounds of the world around her had a sharper and more exciting character.
Looking down at the pair of boxes tied together, she had no doubt that the bento lunches she had prepared for herself and Sousuke would taste wonderful.
As long as he was there by the fountain with her.
It was getting close to lunchtime. Sousuke should be finished with his class, and would meet her at the spot they had agreed upon. Without realizing it, her steps had increased with speed ever since she came in view of the campus. She had to stop a moment to catch her breath, wondering why her calf muscles were sore.
As she took a moment to rest, she thought back over her day.
Her shower that morning was long and luxurious. Her low blood pressure was not the reason for its lengthy duration. She had lathered up numerous times, reliving the choice moments from the night before. At one point she had been startled to realize that she had been standing there for a good while thinking about her first kiss with Souske… without ever turning the water on.
Yes, it had been quite a kiss. She had felt as if she were in control, pulling Sousuke to her and starting things to her liking. But she, not that no good otaku, had been the first one to come up for air. The kiss had been a quick summary of everything that Sousuke was. At times tender and patient, it had grown fierce and unyielding when the moment called for it.
And most miraculous of all, it had been more about giving than taking.
Kaname smiled, thinking about that last point. For someone so strong, and who was bereft of love in his formative years, Sousuke was surprisingly more concerned about Kaname’s needs and feelings than his own. She had once worried that he did not have feelings and emotions.
There was no doubt that he did.
She had no such doubts about his having needs. They were there. She could sense them.
But they were tightly reined in.
“You have to be selfish sometimes, you big idiot. I like giving too.”
Kaname might need to take things into her own hands when it came to Sousuke. She wanted a partner, not a guardian or a servant. As much as she had been craving acceptance throughout her life, Kaname wanted more than Sousuke’s adoration and admiration. She wanted to take risks in their relationship, trying to reach the highest heights they could, without worrying about how far she might fall.
There was no way to do that if he were to be too concerned about her feelings.
“There is such a thing as being too safe.”
Not just with feelings!
At one point during their kissing, Sousuke’s embrace had grown so strong that it had become painful. When he realized that, he pulled away and was afraid to hold her again until she scolded him. She had used some choice language, shocking them both.
“Moron!”
Kaname sighed, then smiled again. Sousuke was going to be a project, alright. But, anything good was worth working hard for, wasn’t it? Especially when it’s the one thing you want above all else….
Yes, it would be worth it. He showed a lot of promise.
When she had reached the bottom of her stairs that morning, ready to head off for her morning class, she found Sousuke there waiting for her. It was a rather pleasant surprise, as she had expected to see him on campus. He had walked out of his way just to see her.
That had made her very happy.
He had been holding a single bedraggled flower behind his back. The sight of it caused her to laugh at first. Seeing the hurt look in his eyes, she had told him that it was the thought that counts , not how beautiful the flower was.
After that, he had walked her to her classroom, then proceeded to make certain that her seat and writing table were sturdy, properly aligned, and in good working order. When he gave her a brief report of its status, she had shocked her teacher and classmates by giving him a big kiss right there and then.
She knew that she shouldn’t encourage any otaku behavior at all, but she just couldn’t help herself.
Too bad those other annoying girls weren’t in that class. But, that was OK. She had plenty of kisses to spare. An opportunity would present itself. Yes. Sousuke was very fortunate to have such an affectionate girlfriend.
When a number of Kaname’s friends walked up, she chatted happily with them and joined them on their way to the University.
They all noticed some change in her.
She was only too glad to tell them what it was.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Sousuke sat in class, trying his best to pay attention.
He had five reasons to be distracted. Two of them sat in the seats to the left of him. Two of them sat in seats to the right. The one he wished he could see sat in a different classroom altogether.
Running his hand though his hair, he sighed.
Three times he had gotten up and changed his seats. Each time the girls followed him. The third time, a girl who hadn’t noticed him earlier joined the procession. He knew he should just come out and tell them that he was interested in Kaname, but he couldn’t bring himself to hurt their feelings.
The lecture topic certainly did not help his state of mind.
The class was in the middle of a lecture series on the Ottoman Empire. They had touched on basic history; campaigns and the army; and Art & Culture. Today’s topic was The Harem and Ottoman Women. Normally, it would have been a fascinating topic. In the Ottoman society, the harem was actually the locus of power, not the lascivious sexual playground that was most often conceived by Western minds. Royal women were custodians of sovereign power, training their sons in its use and excersing it directly as regents when necessary.
“Sousuke, don’t you wish YOU had a harem?” One of the girls was staring at him with big eyes. He dared not even glance in her direction, given the cut of her blouse.
“I think he already has one, don’t you girls?” Another girl chuckled. Sousuke couldn’t understand why they would think such a thing when he gave them no encouragement whatsoever.
Gritting his teeth, Sousuke focused on the screen at the front of the room, looking at artwork from across the centuries, each masterpiece depicting some aspect of harem life. The professors voice droned on:
“The harem was defined to be the women's quarter in a Muslim household. The Imperial harem…… sometimes referred to as the Seraglio harem…… contained the combined households of the Valide Sultan or Queen Mother…… the Sultan's favourites the hasekis…… and the rest of his concubines…… the women whose main function was to entertain the Sultan in the bedchamber.”
One of the girls made a rather bawdy suggestion after hearing that. At first it had Sousuke blushing. Soon, however, he began sweating. Not because of the girl, but because his thoughts had turned to Kaname.
His imagine began to wander.
No. He had no business wondering about certain things.
At least not in class.
“The harem also contained all the households of the Sultanas, the daughters of the Sultan. Many of the harem women would never see the Sultan and became the servants necessary for the daily functioning of the harem. The reasons for harem existence can be seen from Ottoman cultural history. Ottoman tradition relied on slave concubinage along with legal marriage for reproduction. Slave concubines, unlike wives, had no recognized lineage. Wives were feared to have vested interests in their own family's affairs, which would interfere with their loyalty to their husband, hence, concubines were preferred, if one could afford them. This led to the evolution of slave concubinage as an equal form of reproduction that did not carry the risks of marriage, mainly that of the potential betrayal of a wife.”
“I bet he could afford a lot of concubines,” one girl said to the others. There was no doubt who 'he' was.
Sousuke just closed his eyes and shook his head. When he thought about Kaname this time, it was to picture what she might have done if she saw him sitting amongst the girls while someone spoke about slave concubines.
There might have be four new admissions to University Hospital. Or, one order for a pine box.
“All slaves that entered the harem were termed odalisques or "women of the court,’ the general servants in the harem. Odalisques were not usually presented to the Sultan. Those that were of extraordinary beauty and talent, were seen as potential concubines, and trained accordingly. They learned to dance, recite poetry, play musical instruments, and master the erotic arts. Only the most gifted odalisques were presented to the Sultan as his personal maids-in-waiting.”
“I like dancing, Sousuke. How about you? You’re probably a great dancer….” One of the girls sighed, causing the other three to laugh at her.
“I’m pretty good at art.” Another girl said. She dropped her book when her friend told her what word she had left out.
Sousuke cursed his new mature existence and the much stricter rules at college. He could not get away with a flash bang or smoke bomb, and there would be no way to justify using a taser on a group of chatterboxes.
Youth is wasted on the young.
“Kadin's were the Sultan's favourite women. Tradition allowed only four principal Kadins but unlimited number of concubines. Kadins were equivalent in rank to that of a legal wife, and were given apartments, slaves, and eunuchs.”
Sousuke sat uneasily in his seat.
He had started off thinking about Kaname as his favourite woman. Before he knew it, he was wondering what it would be like to have four beautiful women around. Would there be four times the pleasure, or four times the worry? Looking at the four girls flanking him, he swallowed hard.
If Kaname could actually read minds, Sosusuke might very well end up a eunuch.
It didn’t help that those girls were each very attractive, or that they were in the habit of wearing very nice perfume.
Sousuke’s thoughts always returned to Kaname of their own accord.
He ran through the events of the evening before in his mind. There had been some very emotional moments. There had also been a lot of playful moments. There had been moments when he had begun to feel things he had never felt before.
There had also been moments where his desires had threatened to take on a life of there own. Those times when his body had begun thinking for him had left him frightened and confused, but also intrigued and excited.
Kaname was no longer his assignment. There were no moral and ethical reasons to contain his feelings for her. He just wished he knew what he should do.
He knew what he wanted to do.
Were the two things one in the same?
“Concubines could be considered an equivalent to the modern version of a "one night stand". They were odalisques that were presented to the Sultan and after that one night, they might never see the Sultan again unless the girl became pregnant with a male child. If she was successful in birthing a male child, then she would become an ikbal…… a favourite…… to the Sultan. The female hierarchy followed the pattern of odalisques, or virgins….. Concubines, or "one night stands"…… ikbals, or favorites…… and kadins, the favourite 'wives'."
The word ‘virgin’ had Sousuke’s face burning. Unlike other males his age, Sousuke was not embarrassed by his lack of experience or expertise. No. It was something he was untrained in, and he hated to be unskilled. But that wasn’t shame. It was something he knew nothing about, and he did not like ignorance. But most of all, for some reason, the thought of sexual relations had him feeling nervous and afraid.
Why?
A Specialist had no business fearing anything.
Wrong.
A good soldier did not let his fear control him.
“Well, I guess that makes me the kadin…..” One of the girls spoke up, too loudly for Sousuke’s liking. “….And you the ikbal….” She pointed to another girl. “….You can be the one night stand; that’s not so bad….” The third girl blushed, but still looked over at Sousuke. “….And we all know that you’re the virgin….”
That last remark had been directed at the fourth girl, but had Sousuke checking to see if the girl who had been speaking was looking at him.
If Kurz was here, he would be laughing up a storm. If Melissa were here, she’d be asking him which of the four types of harem girls he would prefer. If Captain Testarossa were here, she might ask him the same question for a different reason.
If Kaname were there….
“According to Muslim tradition, no man could lay his eyes on another man's harem, thus someone less than a man was required for the role of watchful guardianship over the harem women. Eunuchs tended to be male prisoners of war or slaves, castrated before puberty and condemned to a life of servitude. White eunuchs were first provided from the conquered Christian areas of Circassia, Georgia, and Armenia. They were also culled from Hungarian, Slavonian, and German prisoners of war. These white eunuchs were captured during the conflicts that arouse between the Ottoman Empire and the Balkan countries. Black eunuchs were captured from Egypt, Abyssinia and the Sudan. Black slaves were captured from the upper Nile and transported to markets on the Mediterranean Sea - Mecca, Medina, Beirut, Izmir and Istanbul. All eunuchs were castrated enroute to the markets by Egyptian Christians or Jews, as Islam prohibited the practice of castration but not the usage of castrated slaves.”
Some of his fellow soldiers over the years had remarked about Sousuke’s apparent lack of interest in women. A number had jokingly referred to him as a eunuch, while others had used less complimentary or derogative terms.
He had not been offended, because those men did not have opinions that mattered to him. In the ways that mattered to him, they were less of a man than he was.
Although he had been raised in part by prostitutes, Sousuke saw women as something more than an object to be lusted after. Because he had been beaten anytime he was found around any of the young girls in the mujahideen camp, he had in part come to view them as something forbidden and unattainable. He also had a strong urge to protect women. Did that come from his inability to save his mother and sister? He did not know.
In any case, he did not suffer from a lack of interest. Laying on the couch with Kaname late last night, he had learned that if nothing else.
There were things that were more important than his own selfish desires.
Was that why part of him still wanted to keep some distance between himself and the only woman who had touched his heart?
For her benefit?
“There were several different varieties of eunuchs. For the Sandali, or clean-shaven, the parts were swept off by a single cut of a razor. After that, a tin or wooden tube was set in the urethra………. the wound is cauterized with boiling oil………. and the patient is planted in a fresh dung-hill………. his diet is milk, and if under puberty he often survives. This was considered less barbaric than the methods used by other cultures, who chose to knot a thin cord tightly around the genitals…….. amputate the organs with a sharp razor………. cauterize the wound with a red hot poker or molten tar……… deprive the individual of water for several days to prevent urination and infection……… then force him to drink enormous amounts of water so that the pressure would puncture a hole in the scar tissue.”
A concerted groan grew in volume as the male half of the classroom pictured the procedures all too vividly. Sousuke respected his teacher's level of erudition, but wasn’t that a little more knowledge than was necessary?
Sousuke looked at his watch. Class would be over before too long. He smiled, anticipating another chance to see Kaname.
His thoughts wandered again, thinking about the events in Kaname's apartment.
“The excessive interference of the harem women in state politics was instrumental in the decline and fall of the Ottoman empire. Ironically , such meddling began during the reign of Suleyman the Magnifıcent, the most powerful period in the empire's history. After his death, the sultans no longer led their armies in campaign or in battle, retiring instead to the womb of the harem. They detached themselves from world affairs and spent most of their time in the company of women. This royal seclusion greatly diminished their ability to govern, and in varying degrees, sultanas began wielding influence over state officials, with bribery and patronage supplanting promotion on the basis of merit. A succession of child sultans and mentally deranged ones after Mehmed III's death in 1603 made women the power behind the throne.”
Sousuke sat straighter up for a moment.
Was he worried that sharing a new and very personal relationship with Kaname might emasculate him just the way that castration might? Could he be concerned that becoming too attached to her might pull him away from where his duty and obligation lay?
Maybe.
Those were certainly areas that deserved some thought.
He sighed. Relationships with women were so complicated. It was far simpler to field strip an Arm Slave… jury-rig an alternate hydraulic system or power regulator… or bypass a faulty subsystem in the control panel!
“During one of his debauches, the mad Sultan lbrahim ordered all of his women seized during the night, stuffed in sacks, and thrown into the Bosphorus. One was saved by French sailors and taken to Paris, where she must have had some stories to tell.”
Sousuke grinned at a particularly wicked thought. Those bothersome girls had come close to driving him to complete distraction. He could picture them all wrapped in burlap, ready for their big splash.
He would have to tell that one to Kaname.
Maybe that would earn him a kiss.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Kaname watched as the strong breeze lofted the yellow ginko leaves hither and you, much like a great cluster of amber and lemon butterflies coming to light.
As she strolled along the tree-lined avenue, the tranquil environment was broken by groups of students leaving various buildings, all intent on enjoying their lunch break or heading for their next class. She smiled as she watched couples walk hand in hand, or stop beneath the rustling trees to share a quiet word, a smile, or a tender touch.
How many times had she watched just such a scene, and felt lonely and unwanted?
It didn’t matter how many guys asked her out or scurried to seek her attention---they were all after something they saw, not who she really was. All of the kind and eager words her suitors had spoken meant nothing compared to a simple smile or glance from Sousuke. No score of caresses had done what a simple concerned touch of his hand could do. Nothing filled her with hope and yearning the way that their first kiss had.
Still, when she thought of him when he was not in her sight, she couldn’t help but wonder how many days she had left before he was gone. In the past, that thought would have caused her to be sad and to pull away from him.
Not any longer.
Something he had said to her had her smiling and crying at the same time.
In their quiet time together, she had asked him if it was foolish of her to care for him again. He had said that was for her to decide. But, as for himself, he would enjoy her…… breath by breath…… heartbeat to heartbeat……. a miracle in everything she said and did.
“Big idiot,” She whispered.
She had teased him, saying he should be a poet instead of a soldier. In turn, he told her that a number of samurai had been poets.
A miracle in everything she did.
She wiped away a tear. Now was not the time to get all emotional. They were going to be able to spend some time together. If she had asked herself a month ago whether she believed that she would see Sosuske again… forgive him and be forgiven… and begin to fall in love… she would have said that would be a miracle.
Nearing Sousuke’s building, she thought she caught sight of him. She couldn’t be certain, because he was surrounded by other students.
No.
Not just other students.
Those girls.
Anger flared up inside of her. Her warm feelings had been about to crescendo, just in time to be with Sousuke. Instead, she felt as if she had been doused with a bucket of ice cold water.
Why were those hussies still hanging all over Sousuke? Hadn’t they realized That Sousuke was hers? Couldn’t Sousuke have simply brushed them away like so many flies? He didn’t want their attention, did he? No, that wouldn’t make any sense, not after the time they had shared together last night.
Unless he was more like other guys than she had realized.
Moving quickly, she positioned herself behind the trunk of an old and stately oak. She could no longer see Sousuke and those harpies, but she could hear them. This was nothing about jealousy. It was merely observation. If Sousuke was having trouble finding a way to quench their ardor, she might be able to reason out some answers for him.
Yes.
That made perfect sense.
“I liked the part where the teacher noted that the Ottoman Sultans had at the fewest two and at the most four or five wives at any one time.” One girl sounded rather excited. “By the way, I have a pair of movie tickets for tonight....”
Hearing that, Kaname grimaced. What had their class been about? She would have Sousuke go over it in pain-staking detail with her later. There was no way that he was going to accept that offer to go to the movies.
Right?
She hadn’t made plans with him for the night, but....
“Sousuke, you should have like the fact that the Sultans who took the Fifth Kadýnefendi as wife were not exceeding the limit of four that was stipulated by Islam. A majority of these ‘wives’ were slave-concubines with whom no marriage contract had been concluded, and the restriction to four wives refers to women with whom the contract was concluded.” The second unseen girl sounded like she was trying to build a logical argument for something.
“That’s right! You could let that blue-haired girl think she has a contract on you, but still keep as many slave concubines as you like. How many guys get a better offer than that?” The third girl was congratulated by the others for making an excellent suggestion.
Kaname began fuming. Sousuke still hadn’t said a word. Knowing him, he was just ignoring those tramps. Still, he should have spoken up and put a stop to all that nonsense.
Was he starved for attention?
Couldn’t he get enough attention from her?
Big idiot!
There was some hushed talking and a bit of wicked laughter, prompting the fourth girl to speak up. “B-But the gross misrepresentations of what the female slaves did in the apartments known as the Harem.... y-you know, bathing naked and taking part in orgies....are complete fabrications.”
The others girls laughed even louder. “I have nothing against fabrications! Do you, Sousuke?” One girl had stepped in front of Sousuke to make him come to a stop. Kaname could see her by peeking around the side of the tree. “By the way.... last week.... I bought some new lingerie. I’ve been dying to try it on....”
“Uh….”
That simple utterance had been like a drop of blood falling into the water amongst a group of circling sharks.
All of the girls were soon asking what Sousuke would have them try on…everything from classy dresses to leather and chains.
Kaname heard the sound of a snapping stick behind her, just as she had begun to growl deep in her throat. Turning, she saw her friend Aki standing there, a bemused look on her face. “Hi Kaname. What are you up to? Spying?”
“A-A-Aki....” Kaname was torn. She couldn’t speak to her friend and listen to those girls at the same time. If she tried to listen in any more, Aki would know that she had been correct in her guess. But, if she didn’t, she might miss something important. For Sousuke’s sake, that was. “N-N-No-o-o-o-o-o-o. Why would I be spying?”
Aki stepped around the tree and watched Sousuek and the ‘harem’ walk by. “Oh, no reason I guess.” She looked at the boxes dangling from their knotted cord. “Headed to lunch with Sousuke?”
“Yes.” Kaname could say that much comfortably.
“Bring enough for six?” Aki tried not to laugh. Kaname had a tendency to take jokes personally now and then.
Kaname just stared, her mouth hanging open.
“It probably doesn’t matter. It looks like they have already chosen something off of the menu....” Aki couldn’t help but grin.
“AKI!!!” Kaname bit her lip, hoping that Sousuke hadn’t heard her. She should be at the fountain, not hiding behind some tree. Under her breath, she groused. “That’s right… the item is OFF of the menu….”
“It’s OK, girl. Hurry and catch up with them. I’ll talk with you later. You can give me all of the choice details.” Aki gave Kaname a big smile and headed on her way.
After her friend left, Kaname started walking slowly. She was NOT in a hurry or anything. Then again, she didn’t want all of the choice seats near the fountain to be taken.
She needed to be pragmatic!
Slipping through the crowd like a wire-guided missile, she soon acquired visual and heat signatures and switched modalities. Walking behind a wall of chatting graduate students, Kaname continued to listen in.
“So Sousuke, we have yet to hear you speak this afternoon. It’s time to fess up. Who do you really want to go out with? Somebody like that aggressive girl, or someone more subtle like one of us?” Through the seems in the migrating mass of humanity, Kaname saw one girl sit down by the fountain and pat the concrete next to her.
Kaname held her breath. She just knew what the answer HAD to be. The only question was whether or not that mobbed military moron would seize hold of the golden opportunity he was just given.
“Kaname is my girlfriend.” Four simple words. They had Kaname swooning like she had just finished the best romance novel. That ought to put those shameless flirts in their place!
“Uh huh. Probably because she told you she is. We’d never resort to anything that low....” Another girl chose a spot and pointed to the area next to her.
“Just because she’s easy or something doesn’t mean that she’s the best choice, you know.” The third girl sat down and patted her lap.
“My hair color is natural....” The fourth girl added timidly. “But if you like blue....” She remained standing, next to Sousuke.
Kaname was tempted to step out from concealment and push all of those girls into the water. Couldn’t they take rejection with a little bit of pride and dignity?
“It is my choice.” Sousuke’s voice was firm and level. Kaname was filled with pride. Thee years ago he would have been tongue-tied, sweating up a storm. That kind of thing was now reserved for his time with her.
“You can always change you mind....” One girl offered.
“More than once....” Another added.
“As... many... times... as... you... like....” The third chimed in, leaning backwards to strike a particularly provocative pose.
“I won’t.” Sousuke began to sound as if he was growing annoyed. Kaname smiled. No doubt he was thinking something along the lines of ‘no one should doubt the word of a Specialist.’
The big jerk!
Yes, she wouldn’t swap him for anything in the world.
“Souuusssuuukkkaaayyy.....” One girl stood back up again and took hold of Sousuke’s arm.
“How are you going to know what’s right for you if you don’t sample different things?” A second girl crossed her legs, giving Sousuke a very pointed stare.
“That girl is probably very needy, right? She probably won’t mind if you date around.” Another girl had taken hold of his other arm.
“I would, though.” There had been a spark in Sousuke’s voice, flint against steel. Kaname smiled, feeling very warm inside. He had done what he could.
It was time for her to help him.
She walked up nonchalantly, the boxes held behind her back.
“Sousuke. There you are. I’ve been anxious to see you. Did you miss me?” Kaname acted as if the other girls were not even there.
“Affirmative.” Sousuke smiled. He blushed when Kaname walked over and gave him a quick kiss.
“Uh oh. Looks like I might have some competition.” She winked, with only Sousuke being able to see. “Should I be worried?” Those words had the other girls looking hopeful.
“Not when you’re watching, Kaname.” Sousuke straightened up his shoulders. Kaname scowled at first. That was too damn close to posing as far as she was concerned. But, she anticipated what kind of effect his newfound wit might have on someone else other than herself.
“I see. I guess I should just try harder, right? Speaking of watching…… would you like me to dress like they do…… or continue to show some dignity?” Kaname fought to keep a grin off of her face.
Sousuke looked at the other girls. Much too long for Kaname’s liking. She’d give him three more seconds.
Why was he still looking?
Moron!
“Dignity is good too, Kaname.” Sousuke grinned.
Kaname bit her lip. So, he thought he was going to play with her, too?
Oooooooh….
“How about fashion sense? I thought that was important to you?” Kaname came very close to smiling.
The other girls all gave Kaname dark looks before turning their attention back to Sousuke.
“Only when the lights are on, Kaname.” Sousuke had said that like he was some kind of stud. Kaname knew differently, and would be sure to remind him later.
One of the girls turned bright red. The other three looked at each other and smiled. They obviously thought that they held some kind of advantage.
“But don’t you at least want a girl with some tread left on her tires?” Kaname waved her arm at the trio of less primly attired girls.
The young ladies took offense at that. Soon, a rather noisy argument arose, and threatened to grow ugly. Sousuke clapped his hands loudly.
Kaname noticed the look in his eyes. He was up to something.
What?
“This is growing rather disquieting. I suppose we should settle this once and for all.” Sousuke sounded very stern and authoritative. The girls looked at him with big eyes.
Kaname was certain that he was going to be serious… tell the girls how he felt about her… and ask them to respect his wishes.
You go Sousuke!
“I propose a contest.” Sousuke rubbed his hands together.
Kaname froze.
The ‘harem’ was very excited. Once it became a clear competition, a majority of the girls thought they would have things sewn up.
“What kind of competition?” The most restrained girl asked.
Sousuke looked over at Kaname. He didn’t wink. She was expecting him to wink and he didn’t. That was going to spell trouble later.
“Let me see….” Sousuke rubbed his chin, a faraway look in his eyes. “We could do kissing.” He actually smiled when he saw Kaname’s face go pale. It was nice to know she cared. “No. Kaname would win that easily.”
The others girls all spoke up in protest. Kaname removed one demerit from her mental list.
“We could also try cooking.” That had all of the girls offering to cook Sousuke dinner. “But, Kaname would probably win that too.” The harem complained loudly. The judge sounded biased.
“Hey dude… you could try mud wrestling… if you sold tickets, a lot of guys would come!” One young man and his friends had obviously been listening in.
“That does have possibilities…..” Sousuke swallowed when he saw the look on Kaname’s face. He shouldn’t be giving her any ideas. Those other girls would end up in intensive care.
“But I could beat each and every one of them. It WOULD be quite pleasant, however.” That time Sousuke did wink at Kaname. He saved himself a lot of grief. “Oh, but you probably meant a competition between girls….”
“I’d do it!” One of the girls exclaimed rather loudly. “Well, I would.”
“How about scholastics?” Sousuke looked eager, then made his face fall. “No. None of you are in Kaname’s league.” Kaname decided that this was all going wonderfully. Sousuke could pay for his demerits in kisses. He had a lot of demerits.
“Who needs smart when you have pretty?” One girl asked.
“I do,” Sousuke said plainly. “Why settle for one, when you can have both?” Kaname would have to think of something especially nice to do for Sousuke in response to that one. “Ah, but I have just the thing.”
“What?” All of the girls asked at once, including Kaname. She scolded herself, having gotten too caught up in things. Even in the middle of a rigged contest, her competitive side was getting the better of her.
She stopped and narrowed her eyes.
It better be a rigged contest!
Sousuke looked at his watch. “The first one who brings me lunch will be mine.” He made certain that the other girls didn’t have anything like a lunch bag or anything like that. They certainly couldn’t conceal any food on themselves with the outfits they were wearing.
The four ‘harem’ girls looked at each other… started walking slowly… then broke into a run.
“You win,” Sousuke said to Kaname, who brought the bentos out from behind her back.
“What makes you think that one of these is for you?” Kaname asked. She couldn’t keep it up. Dropping the boxes, she leaped on Sousuke and gave him a big kiss. “That was wonderful Sousuke. We make a pretty good team, don’t we?”
“Affirmative.” Sousuke stroked his hand slowly along Kaname’s hair, enjoying the look upon her face.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Kaname sat patiently, waiting for Sousuke.
She had forgotten to pack any drinks, and he was kind enough to run out and grab some. While he was gone, the first of the ‘harem’ girls had returned, unhappy to see Kaname sitting there with two box lunches.
“Does he know you have that waiting for him there?” The girl had a rather sour look on her face when she pointed at Sousuke’s bento.
Kaname put on an innocent look. “I doesn’t matter. I was first. I’m certain he will believe me. He had to run off to Building 102.” That was far across the campus. “But he’ll be back soon enough.”
“Oh... Building 102.... hmmm... I guess you win then....” The girl took off at a quick stride, no doubt headed in the direction of Building 102. Kaname did not feel in the least bit guilty.
She repeated the act when a second girl showed up. A third girl, seeing two others girls headed off on a tangent, quickly made effort to catch up.
A strong gust of wind came up, catching Kaname by surprise. Her stack of napkins took wing, headed in the direction the girls had gone. A boy jumped up and caught a number of them, The same boy who had snagged her homework paper the other day.
Great!
What was taking Sousuke so long?
“Kaname! It looks like I’ve done you another service.” The boy handed the napkins to her.
“Thank you.” Kaname felt obliged to at least be polite.
“That makes two you owe me. I don’t mind doing you favors, if you’ll show me your favor.” He tried the big smile and flexing muscles routine again. Kaname felt her temper rising. The boy looked down at her bento box. “How about I take you out for lunch for some real food.”
“I cooked these....” Kaname said with a dangerous voice.
“Oh. Then, they must be splendid, since you’re so wonderful. Now, was that an invitation I just heard?” The boy eyed the second bento box.
“Furthest..... thing..... from..... it.....” Kaname’s face should have dissuaded any further attempt.
It didn’t.
“Well, seeing that the fountain is a big circle... the furthest thing from one point would be the nearest thing in the other direction, right? Should I walk around it and sit on the other side of you?” He tossed his long locks. “I know you like to watch me walk.”
“Sure. You walk around it.” That ought to give her a few moments more. Maybe Sousuke would show up in the interim.
“Hmmm. Let’s not and say I did.” He boy chuckled. “So, what’s for lunch.”
“I wouldn’t eat that if I were you!” It was one of the boys from the soccer team. He was accompanied by a group of his buddies. “She might press charges or something. You’d probably end up in jail.” The look the boys gave Kaname was far from friendly.
Kaname bit her cheek.
Who lifted up the rock and let all these guys out?
“Yeh. Little miss popularity single-handedly screwed up our season. She didn’t have to do that. Nothing actually happened!” One of the boys spoke angrily. The others added their assent.
Kaname was fuming. For once, she wished that Sousuke still carried his weapons bag. If he had left it for her to watch, she would have put it to good use.
“So-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o....” The boy who stepped forward was the one who had taunted her before, until she wondered what would happen into him if he turned out to be a ‘good guy’ like those who were taken in by the police. “Are you going to threaten all of us with what might happen if your big bad hero shows up again?”
“No.” Kaname didn’t smile, but she had reason to.
“Didn’t think so. I knew that was a lot of hot air. Whore.” The boy accepted high fives all around.
“I’ll let him do that for himself.” Kaname stood up when Sousuke arrived with the drinks.
“Is there a problem here?” Sousuke’s voice and face suggested that he suspected there was. Taking one look at Kaname’s eyes, he nodded his head. “No. I should ask, what is the problem here?”
“We don’t have any problem, do we boys?” One of the players laughed.
“No. No problem here. She’s the one with the problem!” Another guy snickered.
The one boy was looking at Sousuke with worried eyes. “Are you the guy who beat up those guys in the park?” He swallowed hard when Kaname grabbed Sousuke’s arm and nodded her head.
“No. I did not beat them up.” Sousuke flexed one arm ever so slightly.
The one guy looked relieved. His buddies made a number of untoward and uncouth remarks about Kaname.
“I took them down,” Sousuke said. “With extreme prejudice. It was what the situation called for. But, it was far less than they deserved.” He looked at Kaname and nodded his head. “One must stay within the limits of the law and not simply indulge in his baser instincts.”
“Hey, plenty of other guys would have....” One soccer player stood up for his jailed teammates.
“I wasn’t talking about them. I was talking about myself.” Sousuke’s look would have frightened off anybody with a grain of sense. The one boy went on his way, chased by hoots of derision from the remaining guys. The others were emboldened by group dynamics.
The boy who had been pestering Kaname earlier had never seen his own attacker’s face. But, he did recognize Sousuke’s shoes all too well. He left the scene as quickly as he could.
“Talks pretty big, doesn’t he, fellas?” One guy bounced a soccer ball off of Sousuke’s head. “But that doesn’t show me much.”
“Yeh, you looking to start any trouble, tough guy?” Another guy corralled the ball with his foot... dribbled... then unleashed a strong shot towards Sousuke’s face.
Sousuke’s combat knife appeared in his hand so quickly, that some boys would have sworn it had been there all along. He speared the ball, then tossed the deflated item at one boy’s feet.
“I do not start problems. I remove them. You may do and say what you wish to me. However, if you do something that harms Miss Chidori....” The knife was back where it had been originally. “I will take it personally.”
“That bitch deserves---“ The boy who unwisely opened his mouth never had a chance to describe what Kaname deserved. In one swift series of movements, Sousuke had the young fool flipping end over end, sending him to bounce off the wrought iron fountain and slide into the water.
“You may wish to retrieve your friend before he drowns,” Sousuke said in a calm and controlled voice.
A number of the soccer players splashed into the basin of the fountain, rushing to retrieve their fallen friend.
“I will not be as lenient, next time.” Sousuke said. “The first lesson is free.” To further make his point, he turned and spoke to Kaname. “If one of them looks at you crossly, or says something in threat. Let me know.” After that he sat down and opened up his bento. “Excellent. I really liked all of these. Will you join me?”
He didn’t spare another glance for the other guys.
Kaname followed his lead. She sat next to him. “Well.... my box is stuff I cooked. Your box is stuff you cooked....” Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as the group of guys helped their groggy and soaked friend find his feet and head on his way.
Sousuke looked at her, then smiled. “You shouldn’t sacrifice on my behalf, Kaname.”
Kaname sat a moment, unmoving. She slowly put her box down. Throwing herself on Sousuke, she misjudged her own strength. The two of them tumbled into the fountain.
Both of them dripping water, Kaname had a serious look on her face for a moment as she removed her arms from Sousuke..
“Sousuke, could that boy get you in trouble now?” She wondered if the police or school authorities might take action.
“Negative. No doubt Mithril or the officials favoring the Advanced Reaserach Laboratory would handle matters judiciously.” Sousuke wasn’t worried about any of that. “There is one thing that might get me in trouble, however.”
“What?” Kaname looked somewhat concerned.
“This.” He dunked Kaname’s head under the water, much to the amusement of the onlookers.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Kaname sat in front of her mirror at home.
Slowly brushing her hair, she smiled. No, she wasn’t happy about missing her last class. But, she could get notes from Aki. The reason she had missed class had been fun.
After Sousuke had unceremoniously pushed her head under water, she had decided that he needed to be put properly in his place, spectators be damned. With both arms, she sent wave after shimmering wave of cold water airborne, splashing Sousuke with everything that she had.
The wet and bedraggled looking young soldier surprised her by returning the favor, using broad sweeps of his arm to lift up huge curtains of water.
He had been smiling.
It was so wonderful seeing him have fun, especially when he was doing something that his strict and rigid persona never would have allowed him to do three years ago.
He may have actually have gotten the better of her then. But, Kaname Chidori was not one to take things lying down. She found her own way to get back at him walking home.
The two of them had needed a fresh change in clothing. They could not possibly walk into the class room trailing great streams of water. Well, maybe he could have, but not her. It looked like someone had put a long wet blue mop on her head.
That look would never do.
Strolling hand in hand back the way she had come earlier, Kaname had shrugged her shoulders when she walked by an amused Aki and a group of her other friends. She knew that they would be calling sooner or later, wanting to know what had happened.
“We could stop by your place and pick up some dry clothes, Sousuke. You could change into them over at my place, with me.” She had caught him totally off guard with that one. Ha! “Unless you like the way I look now.” Her wet blouse clung to her like a second skin.
Sousuke came very close to walking into a street lamp. Kaname would have to find some use for the wet shirt look some time in the future.
Being quite the gentleman, Sousuke walked her all of the way back to her apartment, before heading off to his own. She had lead the conversation, and spent the whole time trying to get an idea of the things that Sousuke had liked to do in his spare time before the two of them had met up again.
She squirreled the information away for another day.
Putting the hair brush down, she got up and went to grab her book bag. She didn’t want to miss another class. Humming happily, she left her apartment and locked the door behind her.
She couldn’t wait until the school day was done.
They would be taking dinner back to Souske’s place.
Taking a deep breath and holding, Kaname was certain that the air must be better than ever before.
Sunlight poured through a great opening in the grey and blanketing clouds, like a celestial stairway to a better world.
Brushing her hair aside, Kaname smiled, knowing that she had found her own ray of light in what she hadn’t realized was dreary and routine life.
Even the sounds of the world around her had a sharper and more exciting character.
Looking down at the pair of boxes tied together, she had no doubt that the bento lunches she had prepared for herself and Sousuke would taste wonderful.
As long as he was there by the fountain with her.
It was getting close to lunchtime. Sousuke should be finished with his class, and would meet her at the spot they had agreed upon. Without realizing it, her steps had increased with speed ever since she came in view of the campus. She had to stop a moment to catch her breath, wondering why her calf muscles were sore.
As she took a moment to rest, she thought back over her day.
Her shower that morning was long and luxurious. Her low blood pressure was not the reason for its lengthy duration. She had lathered up numerous times, reliving the choice moments from the night before. At one point she had been startled to realize that she had been standing there for a good while thinking about her first kiss with Souske… without ever turning the water on.
Yes, it had been quite a kiss. She had felt as if she were in control, pulling Sousuke to her and starting things to her liking. But she, not that no good otaku, had been the first one to come up for air. The kiss had been a quick summary of everything that Sousuke was. At times tender and patient, it had grown fierce and unyielding when the moment called for it.
And most miraculous of all, it had been more about giving than taking.
Kaname smiled, thinking about that last point. For someone so strong, and who was bereft of love in his formative years, Sousuke was surprisingly more concerned about Kaname’s needs and feelings than his own. She had once worried that he did not have feelings and emotions.
There was no doubt that he did.
She had no such doubts about his having needs. They were there. She could sense them.
But they were tightly reined in.
“You have to be selfish sometimes, you big idiot. I like giving too.”
Kaname might need to take things into her own hands when it came to Sousuke. She wanted a partner, not a guardian or a servant. As much as she had been craving acceptance throughout her life, Kaname wanted more than Sousuke’s adoration and admiration. She wanted to take risks in their relationship, trying to reach the highest heights they could, without worrying about how far she might fall.
There was no way to do that if he were to be too concerned about her feelings.
“There is such a thing as being too safe.”
Not just with feelings!
At one point during their kissing, Sousuke’s embrace had grown so strong that it had become painful. When he realized that, he pulled away and was afraid to hold her again until she scolded him. She had used some choice language, shocking them both.
“Moron!”
Kaname sighed, then smiled again. Sousuke was going to be a project, alright. But, anything good was worth working hard for, wasn’t it? Especially when it’s the one thing you want above all else….
Yes, it would be worth it. He showed a lot of promise.
When she had reached the bottom of her stairs that morning, ready to head off for her morning class, she found Sousuke there waiting for her. It was a rather pleasant surprise, as she had expected to see him on campus. He had walked out of his way just to see her.
That had made her very happy.
He had been holding a single bedraggled flower behind his back. The sight of it caused her to laugh at first. Seeing the hurt look in his eyes, she had told him that it was the thought that counts , not how beautiful the flower was.
After that, he had walked her to her classroom, then proceeded to make certain that her seat and writing table were sturdy, properly aligned, and in good working order. When he gave her a brief report of its status, she had shocked her teacher and classmates by giving him a big kiss right there and then.
She knew that she shouldn’t encourage any otaku behavior at all, but she just couldn’t help herself.
Too bad those other annoying girls weren’t in that class. But, that was OK. She had plenty of kisses to spare. An opportunity would present itself. Yes. Sousuke was very fortunate to have such an affectionate girlfriend.
When a number of Kaname’s friends walked up, she chatted happily with them and joined them on their way to the University.
They all noticed some change in her.
She was only too glad to tell them what it was.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Sousuke sat in class, trying his best to pay attention.
He had five reasons to be distracted. Two of them sat in the seats to the left of him. Two of them sat in seats to the right. The one he wished he could see sat in a different classroom altogether.
Running his hand though his hair, he sighed.
Three times he had gotten up and changed his seats. Each time the girls followed him. The third time, a girl who hadn’t noticed him earlier joined the procession. He knew he should just come out and tell them that he was interested in Kaname, but he couldn’t bring himself to hurt their feelings.
The lecture topic certainly did not help his state of mind.
The class was in the middle of a lecture series on the Ottoman Empire. They had touched on basic history; campaigns and the army; and Art & Culture. Today’s topic was The Harem and Ottoman Women. Normally, it would have been a fascinating topic. In the Ottoman society, the harem was actually the locus of power, not the lascivious sexual playground that was most often conceived by Western minds. Royal women were custodians of sovereign power, training their sons in its use and excersing it directly as regents when necessary.
“Sousuke, don’t you wish YOU had a harem?” One of the girls was staring at him with big eyes. He dared not even glance in her direction, given the cut of her blouse.
“I think he already has one, don’t you girls?” Another girl chuckled. Sousuke couldn’t understand why they would think such a thing when he gave them no encouragement whatsoever.
Gritting his teeth, Sousuke focused on the screen at the front of the room, looking at artwork from across the centuries, each masterpiece depicting some aspect of harem life. The professors voice droned on:
“The harem was defined to be the women's quarter in a Muslim household. The Imperial harem…… sometimes referred to as the Seraglio harem…… contained the combined households of the Valide Sultan or Queen Mother…… the Sultan's favourites the hasekis…… and the rest of his concubines…… the women whose main function was to entertain the Sultan in the bedchamber.”
One of the girls made a rather bawdy suggestion after hearing that. At first it had Sousuke blushing. Soon, however, he began sweating. Not because of the girl, but because his thoughts had turned to Kaname.
His imagine began to wander.
No. He had no business wondering about certain things.
At least not in class.
“The harem also contained all the households of the Sultanas, the daughters of the Sultan. Many of the harem women would never see the Sultan and became the servants necessary for the daily functioning of the harem. The reasons for harem existence can be seen from Ottoman cultural history. Ottoman tradition relied on slave concubinage along with legal marriage for reproduction. Slave concubines, unlike wives, had no recognized lineage. Wives were feared to have vested interests in their own family's affairs, which would interfere with their loyalty to their husband, hence, concubines were preferred, if one could afford them. This led to the evolution of slave concubinage as an equal form of reproduction that did not carry the risks of marriage, mainly that of the potential betrayal of a wife.”
“I bet he could afford a lot of concubines,” one girl said to the others. There was no doubt who 'he' was.
Sousuke just closed his eyes and shook his head. When he thought about Kaname this time, it was to picture what she might have done if she saw him sitting amongst the girls while someone spoke about slave concubines.
There might have be four new admissions to University Hospital. Or, one order for a pine box.
“All slaves that entered the harem were termed odalisques or "women of the court,’ the general servants in the harem. Odalisques were not usually presented to the Sultan. Those that were of extraordinary beauty and talent, were seen as potential concubines, and trained accordingly. They learned to dance, recite poetry, play musical instruments, and master the erotic arts. Only the most gifted odalisques were presented to the Sultan as his personal maids-in-waiting.”
“I like dancing, Sousuke. How about you? You’re probably a great dancer….” One of the girls sighed, causing the other three to laugh at her.
“I’m pretty good at art.” Another girl said. She dropped her book when her friend told her what word she had left out.
Sousuke cursed his new mature existence and the much stricter rules at college. He could not get away with a flash bang or smoke bomb, and there would be no way to justify using a taser on a group of chatterboxes.
Youth is wasted on the young.
“Kadin's were the Sultan's favourite women. Tradition allowed only four principal Kadins but unlimited number of concubines. Kadins were equivalent in rank to that of a legal wife, and were given apartments, slaves, and eunuchs.”
Sousuke sat uneasily in his seat.
He had started off thinking about Kaname as his favourite woman. Before he knew it, he was wondering what it would be like to have four beautiful women around. Would there be four times the pleasure, or four times the worry? Looking at the four girls flanking him, he swallowed hard.
If Kaname could actually read minds, Sosusuke might very well end up a eunuch.
It didn’t help that those girls were each very attractive, or that they were in the habit of wearing very nice perfume.
Sousuke’s thoughts always returned to Kaname of their own accord.
He ran through the events of the evening before in his mind. There had been some very emotional moments. There had also been a lot of playful moments. There had been moments when he had begun to feel things he had never felt before.
There had also been moments where his desires had threatened to take on a life of there own. Those times when his body had begun thinking for him had left him frightened and confused, but also intrigued and excited.
Kaname was no longer his assignment. There were no moral and ethical reasons to contain his feelings for her. He just wished he knew what he should do.
He knew what he wanted to do.
Were the two things one in the same?
“Concubines could be considered an equivalent to the modern version of a "one night stand". They were odalisques that were presented to the Sultan and after that one night, they might never see the Sultan again unless the girl became pregnant with a male child. If she was successful in birthing a male child, then she would become an ikbal…… a favourite…… to the Sultan. The female hierarchy followed the pattern of odalisques, or virgins….. Concubines, or "one night stands"…… ikbals, or favorites…… and kadins, the favourite 'wives'."
The word ‘virgin’ had Sousuke’s face burning. Unlike other males his age, Sousuke was not embarrassed by his lack of experience or expertise. No. It was something he was untrained in, and he hated to be unskilled. But that wasn’t shame. It was something he knew nothing about, and he did not like ignorance. But most of all, for some reason, the thought of sexual relations had him feeling nervous and afraid.
Why?
A Specialist had no business fearing anything.
Wrong.
A good soldier did not let his fear control him.
“Well, I guess that makes me the kadin…..” One of the girls spoke up, too loudly for Sousuke’s liking. “….And you the ikbal….” She pointed to another girl. “….You can be the one night stand; that’s not so bad….” The third girl blushed, but still looked over at Sousuke. “….And we all know that you’re the virgin….”
That last remark had been directed at the fourth girl, but had Sousuke checking to see if the girl who had been speaking was looking at him.
If Kurz was here, he would be laughing up a storm. If Melissa were here, she’d be asking him which of the four types of harem girls he would prefer. If Captain Testarossa were here, she might ask him the same question for a different reason.
If Kaname were there….
“According to Muslim tradition, no man could lay his eyes on another man's harem, thus someone less than a man was required for the role of watchful guardianship over the harem women. Eunuchs tended to be male prisoners of war or slaves, castrated before puberty and condemned to a life of servitude. White eunuchs were first provided from the conquered Christian areas of Circassia, Georgia, and Armenia. They were also culled from Hungarian, Slavonian, and German prisoners of war. These white eunuchs were captured during the conflicts that arouse between the Ottoman Empire and the Balkan countries. Black eunuchs were captured from Egypt, Abyssinia and the Sudan. Black slaves were captured from the upper Nile and transported to markets on the Mediterranean Sea - Mecca, Medina, Beirut, Izmir and Istanbul. All eunuchs were castrated enroute to the markets by Egyptian Christians or Jews, as Islam prohibited the practice of castration but not the usage of castrated slaves.”
Some of his fellow soldiers over the years had remarked about Sousuke’s apparent lack of interest in women. A number had jokingly referred to him as a eunuch, while others had used less complimentary or derogative terms.
He had not been offended, because those men did not have opinions that mattered to him. In the ways that mattered to him, they were less of a man than he was.
Although he had been raised in part by prostitutes, Sousuke saw women as something more than an object to be lusted after. Because he had been beaten anytime he was found around any of the young girls in the mujahideen camp, he had in part come to view them as something forbidden and unattainable. He also had a strong urge to protect women. Did that come from his inability to save his mother and sister? He did not know.
In any case, he did not suffer from a lack of interest. Laying on the couch with Kaname late last night, he had learned that if nothing else.
There were things that were more important than his own selfish desires.
Was that why part of him still wanted to keep some distance between himself and the only woman who had touched his heart?
For her benefit?
“There were several different varieties of eunuchs. For the Sandali, or clean-shaven, the parts were swept off by a single cut of a razor. After that, a tin or wooden tube was set in the urethra………. the wound is cauterized with boiling oil………. and the patient is planted in a fresh dung-hill………. his diet is milk, and if under puberty he often survives. This was considered less barbaric than the methods used by other cultures, who chose to knot a thin cord tightly around the genitals…….. amputate the organs with a sharp razor………. cauterize the wound with a red hot poker or molten tar……… deprive the individual of water for several days to prevent urination and infection……… then force him to drink enormous amounts of water so that the pressure would puncture a hole in the scar tissue.”
A concerted groan grew in volume as the male half of the classroom pictured the procedures all too vividly. Sousuke respected his teacher's level of erudition, but wasn’t that a little more knowledge than was necessary?
Sousuke looked at his watch. Class would be over before too long. He smiled, anticipating another chance to see Kaname.
His thoughts wandered again, thinking about the events in Kaname's apartment.
“The excessive interference of the harem women in state politics was instrumental in the decline and fall of the Ottoman empire. Ironically , such meddling began during the reign of Suleyman the Magnifıcent, the most powerful period in the empire's history. After his death, the sultans no longer led their armies in campaign or in battle, retiring instead to the womb of the harem. They detached themselves from world affairs and spent most of their time in the company of women. This royal seclusion greatly diminished their ability to govern, and in varying degrees, sultanas began wielding influence over state officials, with bribery and patronage supplanting promotion on the basis of merit. A succession of child sultans and mentally deranged ones after Mehmed III's death in 1603 made women the power behind the throne.”
Sousuke sat straighter up for a moment.
Was he worried that sharing a new and very personal relationship with Kaname might emasculate him just the way that castration might? Could he be concerned that becoming too attached to her might pull him away from where his duty and obligation lay?
Maybe.
Those were certainly areas that deserved some thought.
He sighed. Relationships with women were so complicated. It was far simpler to field strip an Arm Slave… jury-rig an alternate hydraulic system or power regulator… or bypass a faulty subsystem in the control panel!
“During one of his debauches, the mad Sultan lbrahim ordered all of his women seized during the night, stuffed in sacks, and thrown into the Bosphorus. One was saved by French sailors and taken to Paris, where she must have had some stories to tell.”
Sousuke grinned at a particularly wicked thought. Those bothersome girls had come close to driving him to complete distraction. He could picture them all wrapped in burlap, ready for their big splash.
He would have to tell that one to Kaname.
Maybe that would earn him a kiss.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Kaname watched as the strong breeze lofted the yellow ginko leaves hither and you, much like a great cluster of amber and lemon butterflies coming to light.
As she strolled along the tree-lined avenue, the tranquil environment was broken by groups of students leaving various buildings, all intent on enjoying their lunch break or heading for their next class. She smiled as she watched couples walk hand in hand, or stop beneath the rustling trees to share a quiet word, a smile, or a tender touch.
How many times had she watched just such a scene, and felt lonely and unwanted?
It didn’t matter how many guys asked her out or scurried to seek her attention---they were all after something they saw, not who she really was. All of the kind and eager words her suitors had spoken meant nothing compared to a simple smile or glance from Sousuke. No score of caresses had done what a simple concerned touch of his hand could do. Nothing filled her with hope and yearning the way that their first kiss had.
Still, when she thought of him when he was not in her sight, she couldn’t help but wonder how many days she had left before he was gone. In the past, that thought would have caused her to be sad and to pull away from him.
Not any longer.
Something he had said to her had her smiling and crying at the same time.
In their quiet time together, she had asked him if it was foolish of her to care for him again. He had said that was for her to decide. But, as for himself, he would enjoy her…… breath by breath…… heartbeat to heartbeat……. a miracle in everything she said and did.
“Big idiot,” She whispered.
She had teased him, saying he should be a poet instead of a soldier. In turn, he told her that a number of samurai had been poets.
A miracle in everything she did.
She wiped away a tear. Now was not the time to get all emotional. They were going to be able to spend some time together. If she had asked herself a month ago whether she believed that she would see Sosuske again… forgive him and be forgiven… and begin to fall in love… she would have said that would be a miracle.
Nearing Sousuke’s building, she thought she caught sight of him. She couldn’t be certain, because he was surrounded by other students.
No.
Not just other students.
Those girls.
Anger flared up inside of her. Her warm feelings had been about to crescendo, just in time to be with Sousuke. Instead, she felt as if she had been doused with a bucket of ice cold water.
Why were those hussies still hanging all over Sousuke? Hadn’t they realized That Sousuke was hers? Couldn’t Sousuke have simply brushed them away like so many flies? He didn’t want their attention, did he? No, that wouldn’t make any sense, not after the time they had shared together last night.
Unless he was more like other guys than she had realized.
Moving quickly, she positioned herself behind the trunk of an old and stately oak. She could no longer see Sousuke and those harpies, but she could hear them. This was nothing about jealousy. It was merely observation. If Sousuke was having trouble finding a way to quench their ardor, she might be able to reason out some answers for him.
Yes.
That made perfect sense.
“I liked the part where the teacher noted that the Ottoman Sultans had at the fewest two and at the most four or five wives at any one time.” One girl sounded rather excited. “By the way, I have a pair of movie tickets for tonight....”
Hearing that, Kaname grimaced. What had their class been about? She would have Sousuke go over it in pain-staking detail with her later. There was no way that he was going to accept that offer to go to the movies.
Right?
She hadn’t made plans with him for the night, but....
“Sousuke, you should have like the fact that the Sultans who took the Fifth Kadýnefendi as wife were not exceeding the limit of four that was stipulated by Islam. A majority of these ‘wives’ were slave-concubines with whom no marriage contract had been concluded, and the restriction to four wives refers to women with whom the contract was concluded.” The second unseen girl sounded like she was trying to build a logical argument for something.
“That’s right! You could let that blue-haired girl think she has a contract on you, but still keep as many slave concubines as you like. How many guys get a better offer than that?” The third girl was congratulated by the others for making an excellent suggestion.
Kaname began fuming. Sousuke still hadn’t said a word. Knowing him, he was just ignoring those tramps. Still, he should have spoken up and put a stop to all that nonsense.
Was he starved for attention?
Couldn’t he get enough attention from her?
Big idiot!
There was some hushed talking and a bit of wicked laughter, prompting the fourth girl to speak up. “B-But the gross misrepresentations of what the female slaves did in the apartments known as the Harem.... y-you know, bathing naked and taking part in orgies....are complete fabrications.”
The others girls laughed even louder. “I have nothing against fabrications! Do you, Sousuke?” One girl had stepped in front of Sousuke to make him come to a stop. Kaname could see her by peeking around the side of the tree. “By the way.... last week.... I bought some new lingerie. I’ve been dying to try it on....”
“Uh….”
That simple utterance had been like a drop of blood falling into the water amongst a group of circling sharks.
All of the girls were soon asking what Sousuke would have them try on…everything from classy dresses to leather and chains.
Kaname heard the sound of a snapping stick behind her, just as she had begun to growl deep in her throat. Turning, she saw her friend Aki standing there, a bemused look on her face. “Hi Kaname. What are you up to? Spying?”
“A-A-Aki....” Kaname was torn. She couldn’t speak to her friend and listen to those girls at the same time. If she tried to listen in any more, Aki would know that she had been correct in her guess. But, if she didn’t, she might miss something important. For Sousuke’s sake, that was. “N-N-No-o-o-o-o-o-o. Why would I be spying?”
Aki stepped around the tree and watched Sousuek and the ‘harem’ walk by. “Oh, no reason I guess.” She looked at the boxes dangling from their knotted cord. “Headed to lunch with Sousuke?”
“Yes.” Kaname could say that much comfortably.
“Bring enough for six?” Aki tried not to laugh. Kaname had a tendency to take jokes personally now and then.
Kaname just stared, her mouth hanging open.
“It probably doesn’t matter. It looks like they have already chosen something off of the menu....” Aki couldn’t help but grin.
“AKI!!!” Kaname bit her lip, hoping that Sousuke hadn’t heard her. She should be at the fountain, not hiding behind some tree. Under her breath, she groused. “That’s right… the item is OFF of the menu….”
“It’s OK, girl. Hurry and catch up with them. I’ll talk with you later. You can give me all of the choice details.” Aki gave Kaname a big smile and headed on her way.
After her friend left, Kaname started walking slowly. She was NOT in a hurry or anything. Then again, she didn’t want all of the choice seats near the fountain to be taken.
She needed to be pragmatic!
Slipping through the crowd like a wire-guided missile, she soon acquired visual and heat signatures and switched modalities. Walking behind a wall of chatting graduate students, Kaname continued to listen in.
“So Sousuke, we have yet to hear you speak this afternoon. It’s time to fess up. Who do you really want to go out with? Somebody like that aggressive girl, or someone more subtle like one of us?” Through the seems in the migrating mass of humanity, Kaname saw one girl sit down by the fountain and pat the concrete next to her.
Kaname held her breath. She just knew what the answer HAD to be. The only question was whether or not that mobbed military moron would seize hold of the golden opportunity he was just given.
“Kaname is my girlfriend.” Four simple words. They had Kaname swooning like she had just finished the best romance novel. That ought to put those shameless flirts in their place!
“Uh huh. Probably because she told you she is. We’d never resort to anything that low....” Another girl chose a spot and pointed to the area next to her.
“Just because she’s easy or something doesn’t mean that she’s the best choice, you know.” The third girl sat down and patted her lap.
“My hair color is natural....” The fourth girl added timidly. “But if you like blue....” She remained standing, next to Sousuke.
Kaname was tempted to step out from concealment and push all of those girls into the water. Couldn’t they take rejection with a little bit of pride and dignity?
“It is my choice.” Sousuke’s voice was firm and level. Kaname was filled with pride. Thee years ago he would have been tongue-tied, sweating up a storm. That kind of thing was now reserved for his time with her.
“You can always change you mind....” One girl offered.
“More than once....” Another added.
“As... many... times... as... you... like....” The third chimed in, leaning backwards to strike a particularly provocative pose.
“I won’t.” Sousuke began to sound as if he was growing annoyed. Kaname smiled. No doubt he was thinking something along the lines of ‘no one should doubt the word of a Specialist.’
The big jerk!
Yes, she wouldn’t swap him for anything in the world.
“Souuusssuuukkkaaayyy.....” One girl stood back up again and took hold of Sousuke’s arm.
“How are you going to know what’s right for you if you don’t sample different things?” A second girl crossed her legs, giving Sousuke a very pointed stare.
“That girl is probably very needy, right? She probably won’t mind if you date around.” Another girl had taken hold of his other arm.
“I would, though.” There had been a spark in Sousuke’s voice, flint against steel. Kaname smiled, feeling very warm inside. He had done what he could.
It was time for her to help him.
She walked up nonchalantly, the boxes held behind her back.
“Sousuke. There you are. I’ve been anxious to see you. Did you miss me?” Kaname acted as if the other girls were not even there.
“Affirmative.” Sousuke smiled. He blushed when Kaname walked over and gave him a quick kiss.
“Uh oh. Looks like I might have some competition.” She winked, with only Sousuke being able to see. “Should I be worried?” Those words had the other girls looking hopeful.
“Not when you’re watching, Kaname.” Sousuke straightened up his shoulders. Kaname scowled at first. That was too damn close to posing as far as she was concerned. But, she anticipated what kind of effect his newfound wit might have on someone else other than herself.
“I see. I guess I should just try harder, right? Speaking of watching…… would you like me to dress like they do…… or continue to show some dignity?” Kaname fought to keep a grin off of her face.
Sousuke looked at the other girls. Much too long for Kaname’s liking. She’d give him three more seconds.
Why was he still looking?
Moron!
“Dignity is good too, Kaname.” Sousuke grinned.
Kaname bit her lip. So, he thought he was going to play with her, too?
Oooooooh….
“How about fashion sense? I thought that was important to you?” Kaname came very close to smiling.
The other girls all gave Kaname dark looks before turning their attention back to Sousuke.
“Only when the lights are on, Kaname.” Sousuke had said that like he was some kind of stud. Kaname knew differently, and would be sure to remind him later.
One of the girls turned bright red. The other three looked at each other and smiled. They obviously thought that they held some kind of advantage.
“But don’t you at least want a girl with some tread left on her tires?” Kaname waved her arm at the trio of less primly attired girls.
The young ladies took offense at that. Soon, a rather noisy argument arose, and threatened to grow ugly. Sousuke clapped his hands loudly.
Kaname noticed the look in his eyes. He was up to something.
What?
“This is growing rather disquieting. I suppose we should settle this once and for all.” Sousuke sounded very stern and authoritative. The girls looked at him with big eyes.
Kaname was certain that he was going to be serious… tell the girls how he felt about her… and ask them to respect his wishes.
You go Sousuke!
“I propose a contest.” Sousuke rubbed his hands together.
Kaname froze.
The ‘harem’ was very excited. Once it became a clear competition, a majority of the girls thought they would have things sewn up.
“What kind of competition?” The most restrained girl asked.
Sousuke looked over at Kaname. He didn’t wink. She was expecting him to wink and he didn’t. That was going to spell trouble later.
“Let me see….” Sousuke rubbed his chin, a faraway look in his eyes. “We could do kissing.” He actually smiled when he saw Kaname’s face go pale. It was nice to know she cared. “No. Kaname would win that easily.”
The others girls all spoke up in protest. Kaname removed one demerit from her mental list.
“We could also try cooking.” That had all of the girls offering to cook Sousuke dinner. “But, Kaname would probably win that too.” The harem complained loudly. The judge sounded biased.
“Hey dude… you could try mud wrestling… if you sold tickets, a lot of guys would come!” One young man and his friends had obviously been listening in.
“That does have possibilities…..” Sousuke swallowed when he saw the look on Kaname’s face. He shouldn’t be giving her any ideas. Those other girls would end up in intensive care.
“But I could beat each and every one of them. It WOULD be quite pleasant, however.” That time Sousuke did wink at Kaname. He saved himself a lot of grief. “Oh, but you probably meant a competition between girls….”
“I’d do it!” One of the girls exclaimed rather loudly. “Well, I would.”
“How about scholastics?” Sousuke looked eager, then made his face fall. “No. None of you are in Kaname’s league.” Kaname decided that this was all going wonderfully. Sousuke could pay for his demerits in kisses. He had a lot of demerits.
“Who needs smart when you have pretty?” One girl asked.
“I do,” Sousuke said plainly. “Why settle for one, when you can have both?” Kaname would have to think of something especially nice to do for Sousuke in response to that one. “Ah, but I have just the thing.”
“What?” All of the girls asked at once, including Kaname. She scolded herself, having gotten too caught up in things. Even in the middle of a rigged contest, her competitive side was getting the better of her.
She stopped and narrowed her eyes.
It better be a rigged contest!
Sousuke looked at his watch. “The first one who brings me lunch will be mine.” He made certain that the other girls didn’t have anything like a lunch bag or anything like that. They certainly couldn’t conceal any food on themselves with the outfits they were wearing.
The four ‘harem’ girls looked at each other… started walking slowly… then broke into a run.
“You win,” Sousuke said to Kaname, who brought the bentos out from behind her back.
“What makes you think that one of these is for you?” Kaname asked. She couldn’t keep it up. Dropping the boxes, she leaped on Sousuke and gave him a big kiss. “That was wonderful Sousuke. We make a pretty good team, don’t we?”
“Affirmative.” Sousuke stroked his hand slowly along Kaname’s hair, enjoying the look upon her face.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Kaname sat patiently, waiting for Sousuke.
She had forgotten to pack any drinks, and he was kind enough to run out and grab some. While he was gone, the first of the ‘harem’ girls had returned, unhappy to see Kaname sitting there with two box lunches.
“Does he know you have that waiting for him there?” The girl had a rather sour look on her face when she pointed at Sousuke’s bento.
Kaname put on an innocent look. “I doesn’t matter. I was first. I’m certain he will believe me. He had to run off to Building 102.” That was far across the campus. “But he’ll be back soon enough.”
“Oh... Building 102.... hmmm... I guess you win then....” The girl took off at a quick stride, no doubt headed in the direction of Building 102. Kaname did not feel in the least bit guilty.
She repeated the act when a second girl showed up. A third girl, seeing two others girls headed off on a tangent, quickly made effort to catch up.
A strong gust of wind came up, catching Kaname by surprise. Her stack of napkins took wing, headed in the direction the girls had gone. A boy jumped up and caught a number of them, The same boy who had snagged her homework paper the other day.
Great!
What was taking Sousuke so long?
“Kaname! It looks like I’ve done you another service.” The boy handed the napkins to her.
“Thank you.” Kaname felt obliged to at least be polite.
“That makes two you owe me. I don’t mind doing you favors, if you’ll show me your favor.” He tried the big smile and flexing muscles routine again. Kaname felt her temper rising. The boy looked down at her bento box. “How about I take you out for lunch for some real food.”
“I cooked these....” Kaname said with a dangerous voice.
“Oh. Then, they must be splendid, since you’re so wonderful. Now, was that an invitation I just heard?” The boy eyed the second bento box.
“Furthest..... thing..... from..... it.....” Kaname’s face should have dissuaded any further attempt.
It didn’t.
“Well, seeing that the fountain is a big circle... the furthest thing from one point would be the nearest thing in the other direction, right? Should I walk around it and sit on the other side of you?” He tossed his long locks. “I know you like to watch me walk.”
“Sure. You walk around it.” That ought to give her a few moments more. Maybe Sousuke would show up in the interim.
“Hmmm. Let’s not and say I did.” He boy chuckled. “So, what’s for lunch.”
“I wouldn’t eat that if I were you!” It was one of the boys from the soccer team. He was accompanied by a group of his buddies. “She might press charges or something. You’d probably end up in jail.” The look the boys gave Kaname was far from friendly.
Kaname bit her cheek.
Who lifted up the rock and let all these guys out?
“Yeh. Little miss popularity single-handedly screwed up our season. She didn’t have to do that. Nothing actually happened!” One of the boys spoke angrily. The others added their assent.
Kaname was fuming. For once, she wished that Sousuke still carried his weapons bag. If he had left it for her to watch, she would have put it to good use.
“So-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o....” The boy who stepped forward was the one who had taunted her before, until she wondered what would happen into him if he turned out to be a ‘good guy’ like those who were taken in by the police. “Are you going to threaten all of us with what might happen if your big bad hero shows up again?”
“No.” Kaname didn’t smile, but she had reason to.
“Didn’t think so. I knew that was a lot of hot air. Whore.” The boy accepted high fives all around.
“I’ll let him do that for himself.” Kaname stood up when Sousuke arrived with the drinks.
“Is there a problem here?” Sousuke’s voice and face suggested that he suspected there was. Taking one look at Kaname’s eyes, he nodded his head. “No. I should ask, what is the problem here?”
“We don’t have any problem, do we boys?” One of the players laughed.
“No. No problem here. She’s the one with the problem!” Another guy snickered.
The one boy was looking at Sousuke with worried eyes. “Are you the guy who beat up those guys in the park?” He swallowed hard when Kaname grabbed Sousuke’s arm and nodded her head.
“No. I did not beat them up.” Sousuke flexed one arm ever so slightly.
The one guy looked relieved. His buddies made a number of untoward and uncouth remarks about Kaname.
“I took them down,” Sousuke said. “With extreme prejudice. It was what the situation called for. But, it was far less than they deserved.” He looked at Kaname and nodded his head. “One must stay within the limits of the law and not simply indulge in his baser instincts.”
“Hey, plenty of other guys would have....” One soccer player stood up for his jailed teammates.
“I wasn’t talking about them. I was talking about myself.” Sousuke’s look would have frightened off anybody with a grain of sense. The one boy went on his way, chased by hoots of derision from the remaining guys. The others were emboldened by group dynamics.
The boy who had been pestering Kaname earlier had never seen his own attacker’s face. But, he did recognize Sousuke’s shoes all too well. He left the scene as quickly as he could.
“Talks pretty big, doesn’t he, fellas?” One guy bounced a soccer ball off of Sousuke’s head. “But that doesn’t show me much.”
“Yeh, you looking to start any trouble, tough guy?” Another guy corralled the ball with his foot... dribbled... then unleashed a strong shot towards Sousuke’s face.
Sousuke’s combat knife appeared in his hand so quickly, that some boys would have sworn it had been there all along. He speared the ball, then tossed the deflated item at one boy’s feet.
“I do not start problems. I remove them. You may do and say what you wish to me. However, if you do something that harms Miss Chidori....” The knife was back where it had been originally. “I will take it personally.”
“That bitch deserves---“ The boy who unwisely opened his mouth never had a chance to describe what Kaname deserved. In one swift series of movements, Sousuke had the young fool flipping end over end, sending him to bounce off the wrought iron fountain and slide into the water.
“You may wish to retrieve your friend before he drowns,” Sousuke said in a calm and controlled voice.
A number of the soccer players splashed into the basin of the fountain, rushing to retrieve their fallen friend.
“I will not be as lenient, next time.” Sousuke said. “The first lesson is free.” To further make his point, he turned and spoke to Kaname. “If one of them looks at you crossly, or says something in threat. Let me know.” After that he sat down and opened up his bento. “Excellent. I really liked all of these. Will you join me?”
He didn’t spare another glance for the other guys.
Kaname followed his lead. She sat next to him. “Well.... my box is stuff I cooked. Your box is stuff you cooked....” Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as the group of guys helped their groggy and soaked friend find his feet and head on his way.
Sousuke looked at her, then smiled. “You shouldn’t sacrifice on my behalf, Kaname.”
Kaname sat a moment, unmoving. She slowly put her box down. Throwing herself on Sousuke, she misjudged her own strength. The two of them tumbled into the fountain.
Both of them dripping water, Kaname had a serious look on her face for a moment as she removed her arms from Sousuke..
“Sousuke, could that boy get you in trouble now?” She wondered if the police or school authorities might take action.
“Negative. No doubt Mithril or the officials favoring the Advanced Reaserach Laboratory would handle matters judiciously.” Sousuke wasn’t worried about any of that. “There is one thing that might get me in trouble, however.”
“What?” Kaname looked somewhat concerned.
“This.” He dunked Kaname’s head under the water, much to the amusement of the onlookers.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Kaname sat in front of her mirror at home.
Slowly brushing her hair, she smiled. No, she wasn’t happy about missing her last class. But, she could get notes from Aki. The reason she had missed class had been fun.
After Sousuke had unceremoniously pushed her head under water, she had decided that he needed to be put properly in his place, spectators be damned. With both arms, she sent wave after shimmering wave of cold water airborne, splashing Sousuke with everything that she had.
The wet and bedraggled looking young soldier surprised her by returning the favor, using broad sweeps of his arm to lift up huge curtains of water.
He had been smiling.
It was so wonderful seeing him have fun, especially when he was doing something that his strict and rigid persona never would have allowed him to do three years ago.
He may have actually have gotten the better of her then. But, Kaname Chidori was not one to take things lying down. She found her own way to get back at him walking home.
The two of them had needed a fresh change in clothing. They could not possibly walk into the class room trailing great streams of water. Well, maybe he could have, but not her. It looked like someone had put a long wet blue mop on her head.
That look would never do.
Strolling hand in hand back the way she had come earlier, Kaname had shrugged her shoulders when she walked by an amused Aki and a group of her other friends. She knew that they would be calling sooner or later, wanting to know what had happened.
“We could stop by your place and pick up some dry clothes, Sousuke. You could change into them over at my place, with me.” She had caught him totally off guard with that one. Ha! “Unless you like the way I look now.” Her wet blouse clung to her like a second skin.
Sousuke came very close to walking into a street lamp. Kaname would have to find some use for the wet shirt look some time in the future.
Being quite the gentleman, Sousuke walked her all of the way back to her apartment, before heading off to his own. She had lead the conversation, and spent the whole time trying to get an idea of the things that Sousuke had liked to do in his spare time before the two of them had met up again.
She squirreled the information away for another day.
Putting the hair brush down, she got up and went to grab her book bag. She didn’t want to miss another class. Humming happily, she left her apartment and locked the door behind her.
She couldn’t wait until the school day was done.
They would be taking dinner back to Souske’s place.
Oh I hope we get to see all the things you mentioned in the story, even if it's not this chapter.... we 
BTW, thank you so much for having Sousuke and Kaname pondering their kiss the previous night, it's just as mushy!!!! 
*sigh*
pic w/ DD-sama! I saved it... (for further evil purposes... 
My partner in crime is about to go on a trip, so any collaborations would have to wait a while... But it does sound like lots of fun!! LS2, you have a great sense of humor, we could come up with so many crazy drawings together....