AN: Sorry for taking so long to do this. Between business and school, things have been pretty hectic. Not to mention everytime i tried to upload this, i got a timeout error. Oh well. Not the best, not the worst, but a chapter none the less.
He didn't want her to leave just yet. He didn't want to accept that he was a dead man. He didn't want to be separated from her again so soon. Those thoughts would kill him, knowing that she could leave the confines of her room unprotected while he was shackled to the same walls that brought him everlasting comfort. The irony did not fail to reach him.
Kaname did not have the heart to leave him in such a condition. Missing another day of class was acceptable for her and she would make it acceptable for the University. When she goes back to class tomorrow she would be swamped with work, but that just meant she would be 'forced' to stay in with Sousuke longer which was just fine with her.
Their world suddenly came crashing down when Sousuke had been erased from society. Kaname's computer held windows filled with possible destinations for the two to leave for. They could run away together, far outside the reach of Mithril. While they were a prominent force in the Pacific Rim, their grasp was far less needed in Europe and the U.S.
They could escape to the paradise known as the British Virgin Isles where they could live the rest of their lives in eternal well financed retirement with neither a worry nor care. Their best company would be the swaying palm trees and white sandy beaches. It would give Kaname plenty of opportunities to show off a variety of bikinis until one specific military dunderhead took notice!
Sousuke never told Kaname how desirable he found her that day they had escaped to the beach with her friends back in high school. He had to keep a few secrets from her. Besides, he certainly didn't want her to stop trying.
The Virgin Isles was rejected when the topic of bikinis were brought up. Wouldn't it have been ironic if after all of Kaname's efforts, Sousuke ended up noticing yet another scantly clad woman?
And then there was Paris, city for lovers. The two could sit idly by enjoying an espresso at a streetside café in the middle of the afternoon while they lovingly gazed into each other's eyes. He would reach over and touch her hand gently which would send shivers down her body before embracing her in a soft kiss.
Sousuke who refused to wear a beret not designated by any military organization rejected Paris. The political instability and lack of allies offhand was another downfall for the security nut. Not to mention it had positioned itself to be the target of various potential terrorist attacks which was unacceptable to Sousuke, whether or not they were directed at Kaname in particular.
And then there was the obvious choice.
Sousuke had never been to the United States despite all his travels. The country was able to defend itself with its own technological developments, only partially purchased from Mithril. There they could live quite lives safe from the scope of terrorists as few attempted such hostilities against the gifted in that region. Not to mention Kaname was absolutely sure Sousuke would be turned off by the typical American woman.
There was no doubt that Kaname's father would be pleased to see his eldest daughter finally accept his offer and complete her studies in one of the finest schools in the states. He held significant power as he worked on several committees for the U.N so finding a suitable placement for his daughter would have been a simple task.
Though there was also no doubt her father would be far less pleased with the appearance of Sousuke and her determination to stay with him, always. Day and night. Those were thoughts no father wanted to think of their little princess. Even under the best circumstances, there was a good chance her father would do little more than tolerate the soldier.
He had great respect for military men, but Sousuke was a mercenary who was not supposed to exist. A Machine born and bred for the taking of human life that merely developed a conscience many years too late. Sousuke was a threat to the Chidori Family no matter how his daughter felt about him.
Kaname's sister would have been another story altogether. Kaname knew one thing for certain, and that was the complete jealousy she would have felt towards Kaname for having that kind of boyfriend. Though his opinion of himself was low during high school, the college years had a tremendous affect on the man.
The soldier had discovered things like fashion. Well truth be told it was more like it was shoved down his throat rather than found. He merely returned from a mission to have found his entire standard issue military based wardrobe to be replaced by a more 'hip' selection of clothes, courtesy of Kaname. The fact that many outfits matched Ms. Chidori's was a detail lost unto the otaku.
As he was allowed to mature, he had developed even further to better fit into society. Though he had always sported a well-built and lean body, the years had added both fullness and firmness that captured the eye of many fellow students. The creation of the unofficial Sousuke Sagara fan club had irked the girl who was so used to being the center of Sousuke's universe despite the fact she still was.
It was true, now he was the type of man many women dreamed of. His disinterest in pursuing a more physical relationship blended with his hero like nature well and made him seem like a dashing young rogue with a heart of gold from a fairy tail brought to life.
He was constantly hounded by screeching harpies who acted in a rather indecent manner around Kaname's bodyguard. It seemed each passing day rotted off a few more inches of clothing in hopes a certain someone would take notice. The Sgt. only noted that the women should report the vendor that sold them their clothing for they seemed to be defective.
The mention of a possible clothes eating bacteria virus had sent Sousuke Sagara flying across campus courtesy of Halisen airlines. He had accumulated a fair amount of frequent flyer miles.
He had however taken great notice of Kaname's only slightly conservative dress. Though she was never overly risqué, she certainly knew how to attract a man using sensible style. That left the Sgt. to defend her honor from various suitors that also sought Kaname's attention. While she constantly scolded Sousuke for doing so, she truly had never wanted him to stop.
A man who believed in chivalry, honor, and respect with an incredible physique and a desire to protect. Yes, Kaname's sister would definitely develop a serious crush on Sousuke if the two would ever meet.
Fortunately that would not come to pass just yet. In her room, Kaname sat on the bed with two other men with the curtain's closed. She leaned into one and allowed the figure to stroke her soft body while she offered the other appreciating glances with her deep warm eyes.
Lazarus would have been jealous at man's success in resurrecting the dead. With the rapid uncontrolled evolution of technology, a man was easily given birth to as well as brought back to the living. Though Sousuke would not allow himself to be referred to as Kaname's cute and cuddly little zombie. Line's had to be drawn somewhere.
"So all the details will be finalized tomorrow? Sousuke will walk among the living again?" The end was said in jest. Kaname almost said 'for the first time', but she too would make efforts to be more appreciative to Sousuke. He had been more than generous with her earlier.
An elder man with thick dark glasses and a well-groomed beer belly thoughtfully replied. "Yes. I have taken care of everything. It seems Merida Island has devoted all its assets to the Philippines for the moment. I would provide you with the details but I am not privy to such information."
"Thank you, for helping me." Sousuke had felt his list of allies was running sort, but one man remained ever faithful to him from the least likely department. Finance.
For reasons relating to his own safety, his name was not disclosed to Kaname. The smallest slip could undo all the work he had put into resurrecting Sousuke.
"Anything I could do for you young man. You sure kept everyone in the department on their toes. Without you to cause trouble, I wouldn't have had ½ as much creative inspiration at what I do best. Just take care of this little cutie here. No one could ever forget all she has invested into the organization." The man from finance definitely held a fondness for the young sergeant.
Never before had a member of the SRT personally made his way down to meet the financiers and thank them for all the hard work they did. While they received little to none of the glory, Mithril would be hard pressed to run any of its operations without any money. That little effort, the simplest gesture of appreciation had touched the elderly man and allowed him to offer up his services to help Sousuke manage his investments.
All the intuition and intel in the world would have been useless without someone to offer the guidance needed in matters related to money. He was a warrior ill equipped to handle the veterans of finance.
Using some contacts he had created in the Tokyo area, the man from finance had been able to convince many institutions of the S.N.A.F.U. of Sousuke's 'death' without alerting the occupied military mercenary force. He could live again in the city he had come to love with the one he loved. It was a fitting ending.
"Now all that remains is for me to return ownership of your funds back to you. I will just need you to sign these paper's here and the transaction should be completed."
He handed the forms over to the Sgt. who reluctantly accepted them. With heavyset steel gray eyes he looked over at the forms briefly before returning them to the Mithril financier. "Change it. Make it a joint account. I want Kaname's name added to it."
"Sousuke?" The young blue-haired woman had not expected that of all things. She thought that otaku would be thrilled to be able to purchase his tools, but apparently something else thrilled him.
"You are important to me Kaname. What's mine is yours. You own my heart and soul so you may as well own everything else as well. Everything. You deserve every advantage and more." She…Was…Filthy…Rich…
A shrill shriek echoed and bounced around the small room as Sousuke soon found himself being lovingly strangled by a blue blur. Her attention soon turned to a flurry of butterfly kisses that only stopped when the man from Mithril realized there was no end in sight for the two playful lovers.
"Ahem!" It was hard to see a young man you considered family to be taken physically advantage of right in front of him. A sly smile grew on his face as he realized just how these two were like him and his late wife. It took one who experienced true love to see it in others. He knew this young couple would find many years of happiness with each, provided they survive one another.
But Kaname was a launched rocket that could not be stopped. "Jealous?" The way she bated her long dark lashes had the man feeling red in the face. Kaname was certainly as beautiful as his late wife was right up until the day she passed on. A fiery temper with looks that could stop traffic. But the reason for her playfulness soon wrapped a secure arm around her as if to signal the other man to stay away. Despite his complete confidence in his own abilities, it was his insecurities with her that she had come to love.
"That should be a simple enough procedure. Now that you are alive again, you could take care of such matters yourself. I have contacted a good friend of mine. He would be able to help you out with your finances now. Take care of yourself young one. I would hate to see anything happen to you."
The man rose from the bed and made his way towards the exit, accompanied by the loving couple whose arms refused to separate. The offered brief good-byes before closing the door to the man who had helped them when tragedy struck.
Their relationship had been rapidly progressing ever since he had found his way back to her apartment. Their physical bond finally reached a place where their mental link had been. Now they had crossed the monetary bounds as well. While it hadn't been said before, Kaname was sure Sousuke had no intention of moving back into this apartment which was just one building over.
She could just imagine what lame excuse he would offer now. 'It would be more efficient in order to protect you better from terrorist attacks' or 'It would allow me to spend more time learning your commendable studying habits.'
It was hard to believe that just a fortnight ago, she had slapped the man with a halisen for not picking up on her little hints and once again reverting back to his otaku nature. None of that mattered anymore. She was here with him and nothing could change that. And so was the halisen…just in case.
"It's happened Kaname. Tomorrow I will be a real student and nothing more."
Of course leave it to Sousuke to get it all wrong yet again. "No Sousuke. Now you will get to see you are so much more." A brief kiss ensued. "Especially to me."
So do you guys think i should end this story here and write a sequel or just continue on with this story? What difference will it make? I am not really sure but i am certain there must be some diffrence. I will try to get updates out for this faster. things should esae up starting next week. As always, please Read and Review. I would appreciate it. Thank you.