[Fanfic] Sousuke's last stand - ch 8 (Pg-13*)

[Avlor]

Chapter 8 - The Gift of Love
Sousuke’s first morning as a civilian arrived. He hadn’t slept a wink and was incredibly apprehensive. He’d said his good byes to his comrades and left a forwarding address with anyone who asked. Finally it was time to board the plane for home. Home – had he ever really had one? No…Tokyo was his first.

He stepped into the hangar carrying his duffel. He wore his blue jeans, T-shirt and flight jacket with the Arbalest’s patch on it. He was much more comfortable in fatigues.

**As Sousuke entered the quarterdeck of the de Daanan, he looked out and saw most of the crew on the dock. What caught him off guard was that everyone one wore their dress uniforms – standing in parade formation, arranged by department and divisions. Then he saw the Officer of the Deck motion him on to the gangplank. He stepped forward, unsure of what was about to happen. The bell rang out with two strikes, then two more, and then two more. Then the familiar call of the boatswain whistle sounded and the words "Sergeant Sagara Sousuke departing" .**

A lump formed in his throat. He walked toward the plane past each of his crewmen. Kurz and Melissa had conspiratorial smiles plastered on their faces. Kalinin and Tessa were the last in the line. Tessa whispered to Kalinin. He said with a twinkle in his eye, “Good luck, my boy,” and then barked, “A-bout face!”

The whole crew turned around. Tessa threw her arms around Sousuke, as he stiffened and turned crimson. She spoke quietly in his ear, “Thank you for the confidence you’ve always had in me. Good luck.” He self-consciously hugged her in return. Just as Tessa let go of Sousuke, Kalinin gave the ok to turn around. The crew whooped and hollered as they saw their Captain stepping back from the blushing ex-sergeant boarding the plane

…

Sousuke had never been so jittery before - he had always been able to remain calm. Yet, now he couldn’t sit still. He had no gun and was unsure what lay ahead of him. He had to wait, but he wanted to get out and give the plane a push to go even a little faster. Two hours left. He tried to tell him self that wasn’t very long he’d waited much longer for things before. But looking at his watch every few minutes was driving him crazy.

…

Kaname waited on the runway impatiently and scanned the sky. A small speck in the sky appeared and grew larger, until it formed into the shape of a plane and then grew large enough to touch down. “Oh, finally!” she thought, “I hate waiting!” The plane seemed want to torment her and crawled as it taxied, then stopped farther away than she thought it would. She resisted putting her hand on her hip and pouting, because she was here for Sousuke.

He stepped out of the plane, duffel over his shoulder, and had meant to say thanks to the pilot. But there SHE was – waiting for HIM. As soon as he reached the last step his duffel hit the ground, Kaname was sprinting for him and he’d be knocked over if he didn’t drop it. Her arms flew around his neck and she kissed him. This was worth all he’d endured. He didn’t want to let go of her.

They were absorbed in each other, oblivious to everything else, including the pilot pinned against the window taking a picture.

As they walked back to the car she rented for him, he looked uneasy, she teased, “Hey, you look hot in civilian clothes, Sousuke. You might even become, well … civilized.”

“I still prefer fatigues. Probably always will.”

“Do you need to stop by the Army surplus store on the way to your apartment?” she pressed with a sly grin.

“Uhh, no. I’m going to wear these clothes for a while, to get used to the feeling of being a civilian.”

“How long will you be able to stand it ‘till you have wear cammo again?”

“I feel more naked with out my Glock. I don’t have a single weapon on me.”

She smiled at him, trying to present an understanding look.

…

The door shut at his old apartment. There was no furniture except the couch, table and chairs that the landlord hadn’t bothered to move out. Candles were on the meticulously set table. Soft music was playing. Kaname stepped over to Sousuke and put her arms around his waist pulling him to her. “There’s something that needs to be done before I start dinner for you.” She kissed him deeply. “I’ve been planning this for quite a while and waiting for the day that you came back. First we need to take this off.” She slid his jacket over his shoulders and down off his arms. She gave him another kiss and caressed the back of his neck. She knew she had his attention.

A whimper escaped before he could smother it. His eyes were wide with innocence and surprise. This wasn’t how she ever acted before and this was so sudden. “Uhm… Kaname is this the right thing to do right now?” – his voice went up 3 notches in the course of the sentence.

“Yes, Sousuke it is. It’s the perfect thing to do right now. You’ll have a little more confidence after this.”

He began to kiss her in return.

“Ah – ah – ah!” she chided putting her finger to his lips, “Stay still.”

She reached over and pulled a cover off something on the table and snatched it, and slipped it up over his arm and reached around carefully supporting the strap. He looked down at her utterly confused. She whispered, “Sousuke, now let me put your other arm through.” He did as he was told, and realization dawned, when he felt a familiar weight by his side under his arm.

She reached up and whispered again into his ear, “I wanted to tell you I loved you. I couldn’t think of a better way. This is my gift to you, so you don’t have to feel so naked and lost. You have time to look at it before supper.”

He gulped. He’d been duped and confessed to all at the same time. She giggled as she meandered over to the kitchen. “What were you thinking it was going to be, Sousuke?”

“Uhm…I’d rather not say. That’s classified,” he said sheepishly.

She burst into uncontrollable laughter.

Meekly, he looked down and pulled out the gun, it felt familiar in his hands – a Glock 26. He was dumbfounded. “But… how did you know?”

“I’ve only been watching you for two years, you know. I should know a few things about you.”

He put the gun back in the holster, ran over and swung her around and kissed her. “I love you too. Thank you,” it was all he could say as he laughed. He was a fool – but he was a fool in love.

“Now go play. Out of the kitchen while I cook!” she commanded.

Grinning from ear to ear, he sat down in the living room. He’d never had a real child hood. This was the closest thing he’d ever had to experiencing Christmas or a birthday, and he was a boy checking out his present. He took the gun out of the holster, aimed it, and repeated this several times. Then he field stripped the gun and put it back together, repeating this several times. Kaname wished she had Kyouko’s camera right now – she’d have a blast seeing Sousuke. Noting him put it back in the holster and leaving it there for a while, she said, “There’s ammo on the table for it. After that runs out you’ll have to buy your own.” His crawling scramble made her stifle another giggle.

…

During dinner Kaname told him the story of how she got the gun. “After you called me from the de Daanan, I wanted to show you how much I loved you. When I realized they would take away all your weapons, I knew what to do. But I had to figure out what your gun was called first. So Kyouko and I searched through all her pictures to find a good one with your gun. Then I called my father and told him more about how you’d protected me the last few years and emailed him the picture. He and I both wanted to show our appreciation. So, he arranged the connection with Mr. Torokito. He’s one of Father’s childhood friends, who also happens the uncle of Mikihara, the school president’s attendant. You helped her father’s mob gang out last year. And I paid for the gun when Mikihara delivered it with lunch in the bottom of the basket. That was the most expensive food I’d ever bought. I think you owe me dinner out, mister.”

“Affirmative. I really owe you,” he conceded as he looked at her with wonder.

-----------

In my writing lately, I’ve been going by the theory that comedy anime characters exist simply to be tortured. I hope you don’t mind if they get tortured in both good and bad ways. 

*I also hope this chapter wasn’t too racy for PG-13. Once the idea popped in my head – I had to put it in. (Besides – it isn’t decent for Sousuke to go around naked! (with out his gun))

6/19/04
- corrected Glock number
- ** Thanks to Bel for helping me with the correct send off. I used most of his wording in this section – so I need to document my plagarism. (Big Hug for Bel for your help!)

[Belisarius]

Did she remember to put real bullets in the gun?



Intresting present, however, I think I would have ...............

As for the send off, I could suggest something.

hmmmmmmmmm

As Souske entered the quarterdeck of the de Danaan, he looked out and saw most of the crew on the dock. What surprised him even more was that everyone one of the was wearing thier dress uniforms. They were parade formation arranged by department and divisions. Then he saw the Officer of the Deck motion him on to the gangplank. Not knowing was going to happen he did. Then he heard two strikes hit the ship's bell, then two more, then two more. Then the fimialar call of the boatswain whistle. Then the words " Sergeant Souske Sagara departing" .

I think you could fill the rest, but this is the way those who made a impact abaord thier ship would do. After all, this means that the entire crew would miss you.

[Avlor]

(about the show of respect/we'll all miss you) - Oh IC. This is what reviews/comments are for - thanks! I will have to rework that. (so who would give the order to "about face"? Was I right in having Kalinin say that?)

(about the ..... ) That's what makes writing it so fun. Torture the reader make them think one thing and twist it just at it gets to the (censor! bleep bleep, bleepity bleep)

[Belisarius]

Kallinin could do it. Most of the time, the senoir enlisted/noncommisioned officer would do it in a Western style military.

To me, the 'about face' command could be done by any of his good friends, so it doesn't matter who.

[Avlor]

thanks!

[Belisarius]

(about the ..... ) That's what makes writing it so fun. Torture the reader make them think one thing and twist it just at it gets to the (censor! bleep bleep, bleepity bleep)

,

Just remember, some of the forum members have the keys to the WMD stockpile. While torturing the reader is permissible, excessive torture will not be tolerated. You have been warned. This is your final warning.

*Bel waves a small black box*

Keep writing, nothing gets my creative jucies flowing the a challenge.

BTW, at least you're not bashin Tessa like some other writers.

Keep writing

[Avlor]

@Bel

Avlor the hun, frumps and leans on her sword stuck in the sand, feeling the taunt. "You mean we can only have SO much fun? Aren't most people masochistic anyway? Why disappoint them?" SIGH.

She kicks some of the sand and wonders if squeeky toys fit in her bazooka. "'Scuuuze me, I hear my bazooki calling..." Stuff flies out of her closet as she digs...there's my baby.

Pack, squeek, aim, fire...

Fwap (in the head) - thump/squeek (on the ground). Thanks for being my test subject. They do work. Though - I may have to make them bouncier some how to get the best annoying effect.... Keep the squeeky - it's my "gift" to you. End of torture - or weren't you asking for it - just so you could push that button?

Av changes form to kitsune and runs to hide in some other forum for a while...

[Avlor]

Av - realized she did a no-no by fwapping Bel in head wiht squeeky toy - (after reading the firefights post in more detail). Eep! Sorry! Av goes to get an icepack and offers to buy him a Vodka at the barl. (Gomen nasai!)

[dd]

Just remember, some of the forum members have the keys to the WMD stockpile. While torturing the reader is permissible, excessive torture will not be tolerated. You have been warned. This is your final warning.

Balderdash.

It's FUN to torture readers. BWA HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH.

Besides, it's not torture.

It's merely a test of their patience and attention span. A community service, actually. A good thing.

Really....

[Avlor]

ooh thanks DD for sticking up for me! (cheey grin) Thou art one of the finest torturers (err I mean patience teachers) I have seen! (deep bow deep bow deep bow in thy presence) (wink)


Patience is a virtue and we shall exercise it in people till they drop. Ne?

[Avlor]

Biggest change/correction made to story. See 6/19 note...