Disclaimer: I don't own the storyline or the characters. Some lines are taken directly out of a TSR episode.

A/N: Sorry for the long time since updating. I'm in my last semester of college, I have 20 credit hours, and two on-campus jobs. Suffice to say, I'm a very busy person. But I wanted to get this last chapter out to you all. This is the last chapter, unless I get *cough*reviews*cough* with some helpful ideas on what you guys would like to see continue! This is by far my most popular story I've put on this site, and I'd like to thank all of you that have read and favorited. I'd really like to thank those that have left the lovely reviews. Without you lot, I wouldn't have kept writing. I now have more confidence in my smut-writing ability! So without further ado, I present you: The last chapter of Discharge and Punishment.

He was warm. He was comfortable. He'd never felt this at ease before in his life, always half-poised for a nocturnal attack. What had changed? He felt different all over. More complete. More confident. A little... looser in the loins.

Something was running over his chest. A feather-light touch. Yet he still wasn't concerned. Had he been drugged?

Slowly he cracked open his eyes, looking down at the swath of blue hair that greeted him. Kaname was curled up at his side. Her finger was lightly tracing one of many of the scars that crossed his chest and arms.

Without saying anything to her, he wrapped his arm tightly around her, rolling so that they were face to face. "What are you doing, Kaname?"

"I never realized..." She blinked up into his face, but her eyes were quick to fall back to the expanse of his chest. "I guess I never thought about what happened while you were away from me."

Confused as to what she was talking about, he followed her eyes down. "Not a problem, Kaname. There are no recent scars. Many of them are as old as ten years ago, before I gained the proper training and skill level. I came out relatively unscathed, compared to many of my comrades."

Her eyes shot back up to his, alarm in them. "This is getting off easy?" She wiggled out of his arms, sitting up just out of his reach.

He followed her up, but let her keep her distance. His brow furrowed in confusion. "The life of a soldier is not a safe one. I thought even civilians knew that. The suit I have to battle in much of the time protects me from many injuries as of late, but I understood when I signed on with the team that my life could be forfeit every time I leave for a mission."

She covered her ears and shook her head. "Sousuke, stop! I don't need to hear this! Not now. I just..." She lowered her shaking hands, looking at him for a brief moment. "I need to go to the bathroom."

She slipped off the bed and out of the room, hurrying away from him. He watched her go, feeling completely confused and concerned. Had she really thought the life of a soldier was easier than that? Not every corner of the world was blessed with the relative peace that Japan had.

After a time, he heard the shower start in the bathroom. She wouldn't be out in a while. He crawled out of bed, heading for the kitchen. Perhaps he could make them some breakfast. After last night's physical exertion, he was quite hungry. She had all the ingredients to make a basic meal, and he set to work, keeping his ear tuned to the bathroom.

She was completely silent as far as he could tell beneath the running water of the shower. She was taking an awfully long time in there. The meal would be ready soon, and he would hate for it to get cold before she could have some. While he was contemplating knocking on the door, he heard the water turn off. He was putting the last of the meal on the counter as she opened the door.

She came out in nothing but a towel wrapped around her middle. He watched her carefully. Her eyes went to him, then the scars on his chest again, and finally down to the food in his hand. She trained her eyes away from him and ducked into the bedroom, the door clicking shut behind her.

He sighed, hanging his head. He plopped down on a chair, digging his hands into his messy hair. What had he done wrong this time? What was he supposed to do now? He'd been running on instinct and confused actions the past day. He was running out of ideas.

But it wasn't long until she came back out, some simple clothes on her supple figure. He raised his head, watching her cautiously. She came over and sat next to him, pulling her plate towards her. She still wouldn't look at him. He sighed in resignation and picked at his own meal.

He almost jumped when she put her hand on his. He turned to meet her golden eyes that were still filled with sorrow. "Sousuke, look... I—"

"Kaname, what is going on?"

She held her hand up to his face now, putting her fingers over his lips gently. "I need to work this out. Just... give me a minute. Don't interrupt."

She moved her hand, ducking her head again. "You've been a soldier your whole life, haven't you? It's not a recent development." He nodded in agreement. "You've been fighting for others' sakes this whole time. Then you came here, to fight for me."

Tears started brimming in her eyes. He sat still, watching her, wondering what could be causing her to cry. "Your whole purpose here was to protect and help me. And how do I repay you? I hurt you even more. How many times have I hit you over the head? Have I ever caused any of these scars?"

Her fingers traced over his chest and arms. The tears slid heavily down her cheeks now. "I'm so sorry, Sousuke. You've done nothing to get this sort of treatment. Not from me."

He stopped her with a finger under her chin, drawing her eyes up to look at his own. "Kaname, it's... Well, it's not okay, but it's not a problem. I know the risk of physical injury every time I respond to a mission call.

"For once in my life, I don't have to worry about getting hurt. I know it's a possibility, but I do not worry about it anymore. If anything happened to me, it would be protecting you. As long as you are safe, it does not matter what happens to me."

"Sousuke, don't..." She pushed out of her chair, climbing into his lap and wrapping her arms around his neck. "Don't say things like that! It does matter what happens to you. I need you to be here, with me. Please. Stay with me."

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her to his chest. "I'm here, Kaname."

Kaname had finally, after a few more rounds of sex, gone to sleep. Making sure she was tucked into bed, he slipped into his clothes and padded out the door. He needed to grab his weapons, some changes of clothes, and his school work. They had class tomorrow, and he hadn't done any of it over the weekend—for obvious reasons.

The door clicked open and he slipped into the dark apartment. Nothing had changed. After he had gathered everything he thought he would need, he set it on the bed. Might as well check his computer while he was here. It had been a while since he had received any orders from them.

He clicked the screen on, stretching in the chair as it loaded. He heard a ping, letting him know there was a message. He moved closer to the screen, reading the black words on a white screen.

TOP PRIORITY COMMAND 05J005 – 3128, 191121z

From the headquarters of the Western Pacific Ocean Battle Group

The total strategy headquarters determined to lift the present priority command 05E001 – 3128 at 1500 today.

URUZ 7 must withdraw from the present safe house, and return to the Merida Island base immediately by Root 3b.

Code name Wraith will take over the guard of Kaname Chidori from here on out.

Henceforth, any contact with Kaname Chidori is forbidden.