Chapter 19: Dinner with Dad

The following morning, Sousuke packed his belongings to head to Kaname’s father’s residence. She had set up a dinner meeting at the house so he could properly meet her father and sister and the idea made him extremely tense and nervous. After the previous morning’s fiasco he wasn't quite sure if he could face the man with dignity. He felt similar whenever he were in the presence of Commander Mardukas... not himself at all. It was hard to explain.

And with Mithril Intelligence fully on top of the attack on Las Vegas, it was a race against time as they scurried to gather as much information as they could about what happened and who they suspected was responsible. Sousuke knew but would not speak up until he had sufficient evidence implicating the man who he now considered a wolf in sheep’s clothing...very expensive fancy clothing.

If Leonard did have anything to do with it, why target Las Vegas and not New Jersey where they were actually hiding? But there was something in their last words that just didn’t sit well with him. Out of no where he shows up, tells him that he needs to get Kaname out of there and into hiding, only to discover they don’t even want Kaname but him instead. It was a lot to think about and he needed to consider everything before taking any course of action against the man.

“Sergeant Sagara?” he heard a familiar soft voice say from the doorway. “I came to check up on you.”

He looked over and Tessa stood there with a concerned expression on her face. “Captain,” he said about to straighten his stance.

“At ease,” she replied with a smile walking inside. “May I come in?”

“Of course,” he said folding his hands behind his back.

She walked in slowly keeping her eyes averted from his in fear he may see what truly laid beneath them: fear, longing and need. “I was very worried about you, Sergeant,” she said sweetly. “The way you just ran off with Miss Chidori-”

“I did what I had to,” he said with confidence.

“I know,” she said staring down at her folded hands.

Her fidgeting became more intense and he swore she looked like she wanted to say something. “Captain, is something bothering you?”

Tessa slammed her eyes shut and shook her head. She was not going to let her emotions get the best of her again. This man was her subordinate and she had no right to impose her personal feelings upon him. But she had felt near to tears since the moment Leonard contacted her about his location and the trouble he was in.

“I’m glad you’re okay!” she blurted out with a smile.

“Thank you, ma’am,” he replied casually.

She stood there for a few seconds hating the way silence was always present in their conversations, even friendly ones. All she ever wanted was to get closer to him, to make him understand how she longed to be with him. But every time they were close, he would stiffen up and become the soldier and not the man. “You have been assigned, alongside Sergeant Major Mao and Sergeant Weber, for a recon mission in New York City,” she added breaking her distant thoughts.

“Recon mission?” he asked with skepticism.

“Intelligence has discovered and located an American connection to Amalgam,” she explained. “A woman, Serena Blau, frequents a night club there called Club Nouveau and I need you to go in and find out anything you can. All the necessary information will be in the brief.” She paused for a second and looked away, he eyes glassing over in thought. “I’m telling you this now because I was informed of your later meeting with Miss Chidori’s father.”

“Yes ma’am,” he said keeping his eyes focused on the wall above her head.

She fumbled with the hem of her shirt for a few seconds the said, “That is all for now, Sergeant. Please take the time you need to recuperate. I’ll just-oh!” she exclaimed when she tripped slightly in the doorway grabbing the frame to steady herself.

Sousuke immediately jumped to help her pulling her back up to her feet. But what she did next shocked him down to his toes as she swung around and kissed him full on the lips. At first Sousuke didn’t know what to do his mind just went blank and all he could think was that his Captain was kissing him.

When his sense returned he gently pushed her away his eyes wide in shock. “Ca..Captain?”

“I’m sorry!” she screamed running off down the corridor. He knew that Tessa had feelings for him but up until now he never dreamed she would act upon them. It took a few minutes before the shock finally wore off.

Tessa came flying around the corner her face flushed with embarrassment. What had possessed her to do that? she thought holding her face in her hands. It was like someone else had taken over her body! How would she ever be able to look him in the eye again and not feel utterly and completely embarrassed.

.o.o.o.o.

Sousuke parked the rental car at the end of the driveway and just sat there staring at the large white house in front of him. He couldn’t lose his cool this time. It was his only chance to prove to her father that he was a respectable dependable man worthy of Kaname’s affections. But after the little scene in the hospital the previous day, he wasn’t sure if there was anything he could do to make amends.

Twenty minutes early, he thought as he looked at his watch. That had to stand for something, being punctual. Would the man even notice? Should he leave his weapons in the car? No, he had to be prepared if the house was attacked or ambushed. Maybe he should just carry his knife. A knife would not work if the attackers were long range. He needed the necessary equipment to handle any situation that might arise.

Just a few then. His KA-BAR knife for short rang assault, a few flash grenades, some trip mines and wire which he would strategically position around the perimeter before entering, some plastique and wire in case they get trapped anywhere, his GPS tracking equipment in case they needed to flee the scene quickly, and finally, his M9 semi-automatic double-action handgun and three additional magazines.

Fully prepared without weighing him down, he thought as he scanned the area before walking up the driveway. After successfully laying all the trip mines and checking all suspicious corners, he finally reached the front door and knocked. Hopefully his cautionary measures did not delay him too much.

The door swung open and a young girl slightly resembling Kaname stood there with a devious grin. “Well, you must be him then, the pervert,” Ayame, Kaname’s younger sister exclaimed leaning against the doorframe casually.

“Sousuke, you’re here!” Kaname screamed grabbing Sousuke and yanking him in past the young girl’s prying eyes.

“That’s my younger brat sister, Ayame,” Kaname explained to him giving the girl an evil glare. “Ayame, this is Sousuke Sagara, the boy from school I told you about.”

Ayame stood there with devilish smirk on her face. “You know what Kaname, you’re right. He does have a cute butt,” the girl said with a giggle.

Sousuke’s eyes flew to Kaname as she stood there speechless and blushing.

Kaname laughed nervously and started yanking him down the hallway. “Father is waiting for us in the study,” she added quickly.

Sousuke could really feel his nerves take a severe incline as they neared the room. This was either going to go very smoothly or turn out to be the worst day of his life. But he endured it because it made Kaname happy and kept her safe at the same time.

“Kaname, I’m not sure your father is going to be pleased to see me,” he said low trying to keep Ayame from eavesdropping.

“Nonsense,” she replied twining her arm through his in an unexpected possessive fashion. “I explained everything to him and he totally understands. Just try not to do anything stupid or militant. Got it?”

“Roger,” he said with a quick nod.

It took every ounce of restraint for Sousuke to hold out through dinner. The conversation was light for the most part while Kaname and Ayame told stories from their youth and Shunya just chuckled along with them. It was evident that they were a very close family and Sousuke wondered what that was like. The only family he ever knew was cold and calculating, teaching him the ways of weaponry and assassination. The closest thing to a father he ever knew was Commander Kalinin.

“So, Sousuke,” Ayame began. “Kaname tells me that you’re this military nut.”

He physically tensed straightening in his chair as all eyes turned to him. It’s just a question, he thought. No need to get defensive. “That is what she calls me, yes,” he replied stiffly.

Ayame giggled. “Do you come from a military family then?”

Sousuke paused glancing over at Kaname who was chewing politely. “You could say that,” he replied calmly.

“That’s pretty cool,” Ayame said with a smile. “So, you’re Japanese right?”

Kaname froze mid-chew. Oh God, she hadn’t thought of a question like that.

“Yes,” Sousuke replied with confidence. “I was born in Niigata, Japan where I lived with my parents until I was eight years old. Tragically, my parents died in a terrible accident and I was sent to live with my uncle in Russia. When I turned 16, I decided to return to Japan to finish my studies.”

Kaname stared blankly at him wondering where he had cooked that up from.

Shunya smiled for the first at Sousuke. “And that is how you met my daughter,” he stated calmly.

For reasons unknown to Kaname or even the universe itself, Sousuke bolted up straight in his seat. “Sir, I swear I have not laid a hand on your daughter, we were merely-“

“I’M GOING TO GET DESERT!” Kaname screamed standing up so fast the chair flew backwards. “Would you like some father?!”

“I would never dream of touching your daughter that way!” Sousuke said shooting out of his chair.

He was doing it again, Kaname thought. It seemed every time he was near her father he offered entirely too much information and wound up making himself look extremely guilty. Where was this coming from? He was always so level headed and rational.

“It was just a kiss!” Sousuke blurted out. “Your daughter is still pure. In fact, I make it my mission to keep her innocence intact.”

Ayame just sat there giggling and laughing so hard she almost fell out of her chair. “This is better than primetime television!”

“Young man, what are talking about?” Shunya asked eyeing him angrily.

“There was that one time I touched her breast, but it was a complete accident, sir!” Sousuke said his mind screaming for him to shut up.

Kaname flew across the room grabbing Sousuke by the arm dragging him out of the room. Her enraged words could be heard as she yanked him down the hallway and shoved him up against the wall. “What are you doing?”

“I don’t know, Chidori,” he said his head feeling light.

“Well, cut it out, you idiot,” she snapped. “You’re going to make my father think you’re some kind of lunatic.”

“I don’t understand what is wrong with me,” he honestly replied shaking his head.

“We’re going to go back in there and I want you to start acting like a normal person, okay Sousuke? Can you manage that for at least another hour, you war-driven freak?” Kaname snarled.

“I will do my best,” he said giving her a sound nod.

They walked back in and Kaname’s father watched them both with a suspicious eye as they sat back down.

“Everything alright?” Ayame asked innocently.

Kaname just nervously giggled and took a sip of her drink. “Sousuke is just tired from his ordeal.”

Shunya cleared his throat and laid his teacup back down. “I received a phone call today from a Lieutenant Amy Miller at Fort Dix. She said Mister Sagara injured himself protecting you, that if he had not been there you would have been the one to break your leg.”

Kaname sat there in silence wanting to cry out in sheer relief but she just cranked her head slowly to the side and smiled sweetly at her father. She was going to have to personally thank Amy for helping her and Sousuke out.

“So, I guess I have you to thank for keeping my daughter from bodily injury, Sagara,” Shunya said stabbing at the last piece of food on his plate. “From what the Lieutenant told me it was a rather eventful day for everyone. I’m just glad you were not injured more than just a broken leg.”

“Thank you, Sir, it is my honor and duty to insure Kaname’s safety,” Sousuke said finally relaxing a little.

“Oh my God, that is so sweet,” Ayame sighed.

Kaname rolled her eyes.

“Now,” Shunya exclaimed standing up. “It is getting late and you two must be on your way to the airport to catch your flight back to Tokyo. I have booked the flights myself.” He smiled at them both and gave Sousuke a hearty slap on the back.

Kaname hugged her father tightly as they bid their goodbyes and promised she would come to visit again very soon. Sousuke, for the first time since he met her father, shook his hand with pride. What Lieutenant Miller had said wasn't a complete lie; he had actually prevented her from going into that shed in Tajikistan. Taking the impact of that beam would have surely caused her more damage than him.

As they drove down the highway she stared out the window with a sigh. “That went a little better than I thought,” she said closing her eyes. “Except for your ridiculous outburst. What the heck got into you? You were handling it fine and suddenly you just snapped like a twig!”

“I’m sorry,” he said giving her a quick sideways glance. “Your father makes me very nervous.”

“I can see that,” she groaned inwardly.

Several seconds of silence passed and he knew he had to tell her about his next mission. “I have a mission in New York City tomorrow evening,” he said looking back at the road.

“It’s always going to be something with you, isn’t it Sousuke?” she added her face annoyed.

“I’m sorry, Chidori,” he said with remorse. “I know how much you want to go back to Tokyo. I can send you back if that’s what you want.”

She turned quickly to stare at the side of his face wondering how he could say something like that. It made her want to reach out and punch him in the face for being so insensitive but she knew he was just trying to please her.

“I want to stay with you,” she said her eyes round and sad.

He glanced over holding her saddened expression. “I want you to stay with me but I fear for your safety. Amalgam wants me for whatever reasons and they won’t hesitate to take you as well. I couldn’t forgive myself if something happened to you.”

“I’m not going back to Tokyo without you, Sousuke,” she said crossing her arms defiantly over her chest. “And that’s final.”

“Chidori, this may not be my last mission here,” he argued.

“Then I guess we better find a hotel for the night so we can discuss our game plan.”

Sousuke just shook his head in defeat. Once Kaname made up her mind there was really nothing anyone could do to change it. He would have to call in a few favors and have her watched over while he was in New York City. The last thing he needed was to be distracted on this mission and worrying about her sitting in some hotel room alone was beyond a distraction.

“So...what’s in New York City?” she asked innocently.

“Trouble,” he replied keeping his eyes on the road.

A lot more trouble than he cared for.

To Be Continued

A/N: Sorry for the massive delay there...school and stuff. I wasn't too happy with this one, I felt seriously rushed, but I didn’t want to keep people waiting for much longer. Hope everyone is liking it so far! Thanks for reading!