[FIC] Whispered Reign (pt. 9)

[Sgt. Sagara Sousuke]

A/N: Sorry for the long wait. And it looks like between taking care of my dog, assignments and stuff, I still can find time to write. muahahah.
Anyways, Sousuke's a bit out of character so he can do what I want him to do. But just a lil bit. Don't kill me...

Whispered Reign: Part 9

November 5th, 1615 Hours (Japan Standard Time)
Choufu-shi, Tokyo, Japan
Sousuke’s apartment

A key was fitted into the keyhole and with a soft click, the front door was unlocked. Sousuke opened the doorknob to let himself into his apartment. The familiar smell of gunpowder and oil was in the air. He slipped out of his shoes and left them in the corner.

He let his canvas bag drop and looked around, like he was new to the place. The apartment was hardly furnished. There was a plain old wooden table and some chairs. The rest were just not worth mentioning. Decorations? Next to none.

It wasn’t so bad. At least he didn’t have to share a cabin with other crewmates like on the TDD-1.

An M16A2, AK74 and a HK G3 were leaning against a wall. On his table were a couple of handguns and his newly acquired XM8 rifle in compact configuration. He has been examining this weapon which was said to replace the M16 and M4 series.

He quietly got to work, pulling out all plugs from the sockets. Then, he got to checking all his surveillance and communication equipments. After that, he serviced the guns and locked them in a cupboard. Mithril would send someone over to collect these stuff… If needed.

Sousuke took his canvas bag into his room and began to pack some items that he might need on this mission. Night vision goggles, his Glock 26, some flash grenades, Steyr S.P.P and the photograph he took in Helmajistan. He saw a box on his bedside table and remembered that he got something for Kaname a while ago but did not give it to her. Perhaps now would be a good time as any. So, the box went into his bag too.

He locked his room door behind him as he came out. He saw some CD covers scattered next to his player.

Oh… That’s right. He should've return the CDs.

So, he walked over, put his bag down gently and arranged the CDs in a neat pile. When he tried to take the last CD cover on the player, he stopped suddenly. Then, slowly he took it and inspected the title.

Michael Learns To Rock

He opened it. It was empty. Obviously, the CD was still in the player. Kaname had come over the other day and it was this very CD that she was listening to. For no reason, Sousuke was curious.

What was that song she was listening to that day?

He switched on the CD player and pressed the ‘play’ button.

<Track 3 playing. MLTR: Take Me to Your Heart>

Ahh… An adaptation from Jacky Cheung’s song.

Hiding from the rain and snow
Trying to forget but I won't let go

He tried to forget but he still can remember that he disappointed Kaname by leaving her when she needed him most. And that nearly cost Kaname her life.

Looking at a crowded street
Listening to my own heart beat

So many people all around the world
Tell me where do I find someone like you girl

That’s right. Where else can he find another Kaname? There is only one. And that’s all he needed.

Take me to your heart take me to your soul
Give me your hand before I'm old
Show me what love is - haven't got a clue
Show me that wonders can be true

Love. A delicate word. He hadn’t felt love. He hadn’t known love. And he never had any use for this emotion. But now, his world which had never known love might just be opening it’s doors.

They say nothing lasts forever
We're only here today
Love is now or never
Bring me far away

Now or never. He should go to see Kaname. It’s now or never.

Sousuke hurriedly stopped the music and took the CD out. With his arm, he swept all the CDs over to the side of the table and into his bag.

He nearly burst out of the door and ran all the way to the train station before realized that first, he would need to change out of his military uniform. Maybe something casual but not too attracting. Dark colors would be good. Or maybe something nice for a change instead of going for practicality.

T-shirt and jeans? Too casual. In the end, he just put on a dark red long sleeve shirt and khakis. Then, he grabbed a jacket and put that on too. Yes, this looks nice… enough.

He looked at his watch. Nearly 1708. Kaname would have already finished her sports practice. He wouldn’t make it in time to fetch her from school. He could wait for her at the train station.

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

Sports practice was over for Kaname. She has already changed into a clean set of clothes. She was just about ready to leave. As soon as she packs all her things. Kyouko was waiting outside for her friend.

“Come on. Let’s go or we’ll miss the train.” Kyouko beckoned for Kaname to hurry up.

Kaname jogged over to Kyouko. “Alright, alright.”

On the way to the train station, Kyouko looked at the sky. It was dark and gloomy, a reflection of things to come. But of course, she didn’t know about Mithril or Amalgam or the vicious attacks.

“Look, Kana-chan. I think it’s going to rain soon.”

Kaname just nodded in agreement. It was normal for this time of year to rain heavily.

They reached the train right on time. The train arrived before they even got a chance to sit down.
As the train reached Kyouko’s stop, Kyouko decided to have a last word with her friend.

“Say, Kana-chan. Sagara-kun has been away due to family emergency, right? Is everything alright?” Kyouko was genuinely concerned.

“I don’t really know. He hasn’t contacted me since.”

“Well, he’s always away, so I hope this time it isn’t anything too serious,” said Kyouko smiling.

“Yeah.” Kaname smiled back at Kyouko but despite her sweet outer appearance, she knew that the situation was serious, more or less. It was always something big when he had to be called away.

The train slowed to a stop and the doors slid open. It was time for them to part. Kaname’s stop was the next station. Kyouko got up to leave.

“Bye. I’ll call you tonight.”

“Yes, yes.”

A thunder cracked deafeningly, sounding almost like artillery fire. Kyouko was startled and very nearly jumped out of her skin. Kaname giggled seeing the funny scene although she was just as shock herself.

“It’s going to rain heavily. Take care.” Kyouko reminded her friend.

“Alright. If you don’t get out soon, the door will close and then, you’ll just have to come home with me.”

“That’s an idea. I’ll sleepover at your place.”

The girls giggled and Kyouko hopped out just before the door closed. She waved as the train started moving again and Kaname waved back.

Now, she was left alone with the man who was eying her suspiciously since they got on the train. Kyouko hadn’t noticed but Kaname certainly did. After all, she had Sousuke “stalking” her for a long time. But the problem is, this man was definitely NOT Sousuke.

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

The sky was getting to be very very dark. It was already raining lightly and will only get heavier. Sousuke wondered that if he should’ve brought along an umbrella. He stood patiently by the side waiting for the train to arrive. Looking at the electronic clock, he surmised that the train would arrive in approximately two minutes.

Canvas bag slung over his shoulder, people would have mistaken him for someone who was about the board the train and leave for somewhere far away. But there was no one there to judge his appearance. No one was there except him and a few guards patrolling to make sure no juvenile would run across the railways.

The awaited train halted and as before the door slid open. Sousuke stood at the side where he could observe everyone who came out and to make sure he wasn’t in the way of the crowd of people walking out.

Where is Kaname? Wait. There she is.

Kaname walked out of the train with pride in her stride. Strange.

“Chidori!” Sousuke called out to her raising his hand so she could locate him in the crowd.

Kaname stopped in her track. Did someone just called her name? And it sounded like Sousuke, too. She looked around to trace the source of the voice.

“Chidori.” The voice was directly in front of her.

She took a step back, surprised by the suddenness. Sousuke was right in front of her. How’d he appear here?

“Sousuke! You’re back! Wha- What are you doing here?”

“Yes, I’m back. And I’m here to walk you home.”

“You waited here just because you wanted to walk me home?”

“Affirmative. Is err… everything alright?” Sousuke looked past Kaname’s shoulders and saw a thin man lying flat on the ground.

Kaname knew what he was looking at and simply answered, “Oh, nothing. Just a pervert. Nothing I couldn’t handle.”

“I can see that. Do you want me to give him a warning?” Sousuke took out his Glock and unlocked the safety.

She caught his hand and pushed it downwards. “No. I think he’s learnt his lesson.”

“Are you sure? I could spare a round or two…” Sousuke was only half joking but Kaname glared fiercely at him.

Kaname tightened her grip on the halisen. Sousuke noticed and quickly added, “Affirmative. I suppose he’d know better next time.”

Holstering his gun, Sousuke knew that he had made the right decision. He wouldn’t want to end up like the man in the train lying face down on the floor.

“I guess we should get going then, before it rains even more heavily.” Kaname was glad that at least Sousuke was learning something.

“Uuh… Kaname, it looks like it will pouring very soon. Are you sure it’s alright with you?” Sousuke didn’t mind the rain having braved storm and snow, but he was worried for Kaname’s sake.

“Yep, it’s just raining very lightly now. We can just walk faster.”

They left the station together, walking side by side.

“It’s very sweet of you to wait here for me to walk me home,” Kaname voiced her thoughts out loud.

“No problem. It is my duty to resume my mission to protect you as soon as I have completed my previous assignment.”

Kaname sighed. She just knew that Sousuke would say something otaku like that.

“Well, at least you made it back on time to get your results.”

“Uhhh…”

“What is it now, Sousuke…” Kaname eyed Sousuke suspiciously.

“Well… I have to leave on another mission tomorrow morning. I’m only here for one night.” Sousuke hung his head low.

“Again!? You need to stop letting Mithril push you around…” She wasn’t expecting this especially after he had only just returned and was slightly upset but she’d learnt to deal with it. It was Sousuke’s job after all.

There was a long silence as they continued to walk home. It was Kaname who decided to break the silence.

“So, what is this new assignment about?” She knew very well that he’d probably not answer, being a protocol freak and all.

Sousuke would have begun sweating if it weren’t for the cool atmosphere and the rain. What was he supposed to say?

Highly confidential? She probably wouldn’t be satisfied by that answer.

I’m going to a high-profile mission and you might not see me again… but don’t worry about it. That sounds all wrong… Or maybe he could come up with some excuse. But then, that would be lying and he wasn’t good at that.

“Uhh… It’s nothing much.” Here goes nothing… “I’ll be attending black ops training with selected U.S. candidates who have shown much potential in their respective fields.” The words came out in a rush, stringed together like one word.

“Okay, okay. That’s enough. I don’t want to hear anymore details about how the training will commence and those things.” Kaname quickly ended the discussion on his assignment.

Sousuke felt guilty. He lied to her. But what other choice did he have. He had not realized it yet, but he was beginning to care more and more about her feelings.

The raindrops became larger all of a sudden. As if heaven was crying at Sousuke’s dilemma.

Before they knew it, it was already raining cats and dogs. Kaname’s house was just a block away. They chose to jog back, being careful not to slip and fall, rather than take shelter till the rain stops.

Sousuke removed his jacket and used it as a temporary umbrella to shield them both from the rain. The jacket was only big enough to cover one of them from the rain and Sousuke decided that it would be Kaname. So, he moved the jacket over to Kaname’s side so that she wouldn’t get wet while he endured the cold shower.

If this was to be the last day that he’d ever spent time with Kaname, he’d make sure that he would do his best to protect her.

[Rhysande]

Anyways, Sousuke's a bit out of character so he can do what I want him to do. But just a lil bit. Don't kill me...

Just my opinion, but a fan fic in which the main characters stay static and show no growth or change becomes uninteresting if the fic is longer that a one shot (provided the author can demonstrate a reason or trigger for change, as you have done in previous chapters). And one of the reasons Kalinin wanted Sousuke to remain at Jindai was because he wanted Sousuke to grow, so all you are doing is taking things a step farther.

But so far as not killing you...if you want to keep chumming the waters with the possibility of a romantic scene, you had better be wary of the circling lemon sharks. Teasing the sharks is very dangerous - do so at your own peril.

Glad you were able to find the time to keep writing. Hope you can write more soon. I'll be waiting. *circle circle*

[Sgt. Sagara Sousuke]

Hmmm....
lemon sharks are supposed to be on vacation in the absence of dd...

[terran empire]

thankies for tossing in the XM8 and love the story

[Rhysande]

Do lemon sharks ever vacation?
I would think they are starved without their normal food source.
Better keep your fingers and toes out of the water.