Christmas Cake (part nine)

[dd]

It was an awkward moment.

Both Sousuke and Kaname had done a lot of thinking.

They had spent time searching every nook and cranny of their souls.

Each had come to what they felt were significant conclusions.

The objects of their thoughts stood before them, one holding a broom, the other holding her tongue.

?It?s OK. Take your time.? The Shoulder Angel offered encouragement. ?The next words may be important.?

?Have they taken their clothes off yet? Great way to break the ice?? The Shoulder Devil had a bucket of popcorn and a pair of opera glasses.

Kaname flinched, but she still didn?t say anything. She swallowed. It was a good time to check out the progress of Sousuke?s work. Everything was so clean. The desks and chairs were in neat rows. He would make a wonderful janitor.

Sousuke stared at Kaname. It was late. She shouldn?t be wandering around a dark school, alone. Why had she come looking for him? Did she want the card back that badly, or was he correct about the likelihood of her regretting her actions. Her posture and silence favored the latter.

?Sousuke, I?.?

?Kaname, I?.?

Both had started speaking at the exact same time.

Each went silent again, waiting for the other to start.

?I figure THAT counts as foreplay!? The Shoulder Devil put on a dominatrix costume.

?Give it a rest.? The Shoulder Angel said, pulling a never-ending cord. A shower head appeared over the devil and discharged gallon after gallon of icy cold water.

Kaname looked at Sousuke?s eyes, trying to get an idea of his mood. Was he angry at her? Did he despise her? Was he confused? Did her presence here bother him? Her one hand began to twitch involuntarily. She looked him up and down, as if preparing to memorize his appearance for the last time. She gulped when her eyes touched upon certain areas.

?It?s OK. That?s probably just a concealed weapon,? she murmured to herself.

The Shoulder Devil tried to comment, but its teeth were chattering too much. The Shoulder Angel swiped the opera glasses.

Sousuke felt torn. His head was telling him to ask Kaname if she wanted him gone from her life. His heart wanted him to find out whether she wanted him in her life. His eyes didn?t help that debate. He remembered his earlier thoughts. Even in a school uniform, she was beautiful. Part of him was afraid he?d turn into a pillar of salt because he looked.

?Make a decision, soldier! The mission can?t get started without you.? Sousuke?s thought had part of him saluting and another part slapping its forehead. Wouldn?t Kaname love to hear that he had thought of this as a mission.

?I apologize?.? Sousuke blurted out with conviction.

?I?m sorr-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e?.? Kaname said with a large burst of emotion.

They had both spoken at the same time again. Sousuke relaxed some, wondering what the probability for something like that was. Kaname smiled, feeling a little more at ease.

?You may proceed?.? Sousuke figured it was her duty to follow-up the final words spoken between them.

?Go right ahead?.? Kaname didn?t want to speak at that moment. For some reason, she just wanted to hear Sousuke?s vice.

The silence stretched on, both students standing completely still. The analytical part of Sousuke?s mind tried to determine the significance of the phenomenon. The urge to speak began building within Kaname, too much water for the dam to hold---but, she was now even more determined that Sousuke should go first.

Sousuke thought back to one of his earlier thinking sessions. Maybe he SHOULD use sign language.

Kaname was beginning to feel the telltale tightening of her jaw that heralded the arrival of her anger.

?Uh?.? Sousuke ventured, despite all of the mental preparation he had done.

?Well-l-l-l-l-l?? Kaname said at the same time.

?I?.? Sousuke was trying, but he couldn?t find the right words. There were too many possible choices. He would have traded his eye teeth for an instruction manual.

?And?? Kaname began tapping her feet. Her prior thoughts took second stage now. She was on automatic, back in familiar territory.

?If?.? Sousuke was sweating now, in part from the mental exertion, and in part from nervousness. He kept looking at Kaname to judge her body language, but all he could see was the curves in that body. This was not the time.

Kaname stood quietly, her arms crossed over her chest. Her eyes had narrowed.

The Shoulder Devil reappeared, holding a small weather chart. ?Todays? forecast for Pompeii?. expect midday flames from the volcano and an immense black cloud covering the sun. For the next few days? there is a high likelihood of volcanic matter, fist-sized rocks, and red-hot cinders raining down on the city, making a blanket up to an estimated fifteen to twenty feet deep over the entire area. People should expect to be encased in the ash as it cools. The survivors who escape the eruption can expect to be killed by poisonous gas.

?But what about all of those things you were thinking about?? The Shoulder Angel was totally ignored.

Sousuke berated himself. He was a Specialist. He could do this. He HAD to do this. Now.

?Uh??

?SOUSUKE!!!? Kaname took just one step forward. Her hands were on her hips. There was a look of danger in her eyes.

Sousuke snapped to attention.

?Sir, yes sir!? His arm started upward, but he managed to abort the salute.

?At ease, Sousuke.? Kaname cringed. It had been the first thing on her lips. She was mortified. Still, she felt a smile beginning. Sousuke?s reaction had been cute. Her own reaction was puzzling. Normally she would have gotten even more angry, seeing him go all military at a time like this.

Sousuke spread his legs apart and put his arms behind his back.

Kaname just shook her head.

?Tell him to drop and give you twenty!? The Shoulder Devil wore a combat helmet and carried a riding crop.

Kaname smiled.

?Kaname?? Sousuke took note of her smile. Was she happy, or had he done something amusing again? Not for the first time that day, he marveled at the complexity of women.

There were a lot of things that Kaname wanted to know. Did Sousuke like getting the card. Was he going to say ?Yes.? Did he hope the invitation still stood? Would he still say ?Yes.? What had he been feeling after her unfortunate exclamation? Did he hate her? Was he considering leaving the school? Had he been thinking about her?

?Did he picture you naked?? The Shoulder Devil added helpfully.

?Ummm?so? you?ve been sweeping?? Kaname couldn?t believe herself! With all the things she could have asked or made it a point to say, she came up with THAT.

?Affirmative. That is what this broom is for, Kaname.? Sousuke?s voice was calm and controlled. There wasn?t the slightest hint that he was explaining the obvious. Nonetheless, his simple statement was just what Kaname needed to break past the barrier.

?I can SEE that, Sousuke. What do you think I am, some kind of idiot?? Kaname stamped her foot, hard.

Sousuke didn?t answer. For once, he treated the query as he should, as a rhetorical question.

Kaname---who in the past always smacked him with the halisen when he replied to that type of question---grew angrier. Angrier, and concerned. Did his silence mean ?Yes??

?WELL???? Kaname took a few more steps forward.

Sousuke stood his ground. He didn?t say anything. Kaname should know that he considered her very intelligent. This must be some kind of test. He would not fail.

Kaname bit her lip. Her eyes went soft. Her shoulders slumped ever so little.

?You don?t, do you Sousuke?? Her voice was uncertain, vulnerable. All of the steam had rushed out of her.

Sousuke thought about the change in Kaname. She was obviously not ill. She had looked fine a moment ago. It was no doubt an emotional thing. A female emotional thing. He wasn?t certain what to do, so he would offer reassurance.

?Negative.? Kaname still looked somewhat unconvinced, so Sousuke editorialized---more than he had intended. ?It should be as obvious to you as it is to me. You are the kindest, brightest, most beautiful girl in the school.?

Sousuke froze. He knew that feeling. It had come when he had been too aggressive in his fighting, doing collateral damage that should have been avoidable.

Kaname rocked back on her heals. Her body temperature rose almost immediately. She wasn?t certain what she just heard.

?I?m sorry, Sousuke. I missed part of that. Would you repeat it please??

?Uh?I? umm? said it should be as obvious to you as it is to me, that you are the kindest and brightest girl in the school.? Sousuke began to sweat. For some reason, he felt like running. But, part of him wanted to tell Kaname exactly what he had said.

?I see,? Kaname said, hiding a smile. She was not about to let Sousuke off the hook. ?That?s not what you said the first time, was it??

?Uh? I assure you, Kaname? I used those exact words.?

Kaname took a few more steps towards Sousuke. She saw his eyes follow her every move. He swallowed hard. Good!

?I know that, Sousuke! I just think you said something more. That?s the part I missed. Was it something important?? She took another step forward.

?Uh?.?

?Well-l-l-l-l?.?

?I? it?ummm??

?I?m waiting?.?

?Uh?.?

Kaname tossed her hair and put on a mock frown. She turned around and began walking away. Over her shoulder she said ?Hmmppff! And I thought soldiers were supposed to be honorable?.?

?I said you were beautiful.? Sousuke?s words came out in a rush.

?I see. That?s the second time you?ve said that. You must really feel that way, then.? Kaname couldn?t help herself. She smiled. Her eyes went big. The feeling inside her was undeniable. For a brief moment, she had felt like kissing him.

?Ooooooh.? The Shoulder Devil was in such a hurry, she forgot to get dressed. ?Go for it, girl! While you?re at it, tell him you think he?s hot. You know?. he DOES have remarkable stamina?.?

Kaname brushed angrily at her shoulder, trying to dislodge the naked and scampering devil.

?Dandruff, Kaname?? Sousuke?s concerned inquiry was like a bucket of ice. The mood sizzled and went out.

?W-W-What?? Kaname couldn?t believe what she had heard. She had put the cart before the horse. After all, it WAS Sousuke she was dealing with.

?If your scalp is causing you discomfort, I wish to be of assistance.? Sousuke nodded his head, eager.

?N-N-Now?? He had gone from ?beautiful? to ?dandruff.? She didn?t know whether she should laugh, cry, scream, or smack him. Still, part of her thought it was cute.

?Yes. I do not like to see you in pain, Kaname. I will always do what I can to help you. No matter what.? His jaw tightened. There was an unreadable look in his eye.

?I see. Thank you, Sousuke.? It didn?t matter what he was talking about. Those words were from the heart. If she could extrapolate them further?.

?I would recommend one with coal tar; salicylic acid; or either selenium sulfide or pyrithione zinc. The first slows cell production and the latter two reduce cellular turnover. Salicylic acid causes dead cells to slump off before they clump.? Sousuke had suffered from flakey scalp before. He would use his experience for Kaname?s benefit.

?Sousuke?.? Kaname said, eyes beginning to narrow.

?If you are worried about lice as well, you would need to use a solution containing Pyrethin, Lindane, Piperonyl Butoxide, or similar agents. I must caution you, however: do not imbibe those agents, as they are very toxic.?

?SOUSUKE!!!? Kaname couldn?t help herself. She did what Sousuke had done earlier. She kicked over a desk. Her breathing was fast and ragged. She clenched both fists.

?Kaname??

?I?.. DO?.. NOT?.. HAVE?.. DANDRUFF?..? Kaname?s face was turning read.

?It is nothing to be ashamed of. I will not tell anyone else??

?Oooooooh!!!? Kaname was close to the point of no return. She intended to strike him, but not within an inch of his life. Yet. ?Give me the broom, Sousuke.?

Kaname??

?NOW, SOLDIER!?

Sousuke handed the broom to Kaname. ?I doubt the flakes will be noticeable. The floor is clean enough for now, Kaname.?

?AHHHH. BAKU!!!?

Kaname smacked Sousuke on top of the head with the broom. Straw caught in his hair. He grimaced.

?Ouwww. Kaname, that hurt.? Sousuke rubbed the sore spot, pulling out the straw.

?Good! How about this??

Kaname brought the broom handle hard across one of Sousuke?s knees. She had changed her target at the last possible moment. Sousuke didn?t know how lucky he was.

?Ahhhh. Yes.?

?And this??

Kaname whacked Sousuke?s hand resting on the nearest desk.

Sousuke didn?t say anything. His eyes went somewhat empty. Kaname immediately regretted going too far.

?I do not have dandruff, Sousuke.? Kaname dared Sousuke to contradict her, then continued. ?That is not why I was upset. When a boy is telling a girl she is beautiful, she doesn?t want him to stop and talk about dandruff!? She gave him the broom back.

Sousuke bowed his head. ?Yes. That makes sense. Like your beauty, your intelligence does not disappear when you get angry. It appears that I am deficient in such matters. Perhaps it would be best if I do not trouble you any more with personal talk. I am not proficient in that.?

Kaname never ceased being amazed by Sousuke. One moment he had him ready to strangle him? the next moment she wanted to hug him.

?No, Sousuke. I want you to trouble me with personal talk.? Kaname blushed. It had been her turn to speak without thinking. ?I mean?I?.?

?Kaname??

?You?ll do just fine, Sousuke. You don?t have to be proficient?. you just have to be yourself.? That was all true, but it wasn?t what Kaname had wanted to say. She bit her lip, disappointed in her cowardice. Then again, with Sousuke, maybe it was best to take baby steps.

?I see?.?

The silence became awkward and drawn out again. Sousuke didn?t know what to say. Kaname was afraid to say exactly what she was feeling. There was something in the back of her mind shouting for attention. What was it? There had been something she was very curious about and wanted to know?

It came to her.

?Sousuke.?

?Yes, Kaname??

?Give me the broom back.?

?But?.?

?NOW!!!?

?Here?.?

Kaname paused a moment. She saw the look in Sousuke?s eyes. He expected to be struck again. For some reason, that brought her close to tears.

?I?m going to sweep for you. You have worked hard enough already.?

?But Kaname, that is my assignment. What should I do?? Sousuke took his responsibilities very seriously, no matter what the source. It was his job to clean up the class rooms, not Kaname?s.

?Did you leave the card in my desk?? Kaname looked Sousuke square in the eyes.

?Uh??

?I?ll take that as a yes.? She wouldn?t let Sousuke look away. ?Did you also leave me a note??

?Uh??

?Another ?Yes.? I would like you to read me the note.? Kaname began sweeping. When she looked up, Sousuke hadn?t moved.

?Uh??

?We?re going to work on that problem someday, mister!? Kaname stopped in mid sweep. ?Sousuke, could you please get the note for me. It would mean a lot to me.? She batted her eyes. It was just an impulse. She wanted to see if that kind of thing would work on him.

?Yes, Kaname.? Sousuke walked over to the desk. Kaname began sweeping with more vigor, smiling. She squirreled her discovery away.

When Sousuke returned, he put the card on a desk top and unfolded the note. He handed it towards Kaname, his eyes looking down at her feet. She put her hand on his, squeezed it briefly, then pushed it away.

?No, Sousuke. I want to hear you read it. Please.? She didn?t bat her eyes that time. She wasn?t playing.

?Uh??

?Is it something weird, Souske?? Kaname raised an eyebrow.

?Negative.?

?Something dangerous?? She kept a straight face.

?No.?

?Then it is not a problem.? She couldn?t help but smile.

Kaname was glad she hadn?t blinked or looked away. She would have missed it. Ever so briefly, Sousuke smiled. His eyes lit up---not much, but for him it was amazing. He stiffened immediately thereafter, assailed by some thought. He looked worried. Kaname began to worry some herself.

Had he arranged to go away?

Forever?

Her heart began pounding again. Her vision blurred for just a moment. She let go of the broom, but caught it before it hit the ground.

Sousuke read the note: ??Kaname. Thank you for the invitation. I will not burden you with my answer. Whether or not you hate me, I will continue to do my best to protect you. If you wish a replacement bodyguard, I will champion your cause. My apologies for being deficient. I do not wish to be a problem. Sousuke Sagara. Student, Jindai High School??

When he finished, Sousuke looked at Kaname intensely. If she didn?t want him there any more, he wanted to know the truth. He did not want to torture her any more.

Tears came to Kaname?s eyes. She couldn?t help it. Hearing his voice as he spoke did more than reading the note ever could. At least the first time. She was going to keep that note! But, there had been something in his voice. She had never heard him sound exactly like that before. Just how much did he care about her? She wanted to know, but she didn?t want to know.

Again, they were both at a loss for words. There heads were filled with too many thoughts and their hearts were unable to take control.

?Kaname?.?

?Sousuke?.?

Despite their uncertainty. They both smiled at that. That made two times Sousuke?s had smiled. Kaname felt like a kid in a candy store.

Kaname instinctively knew she would have to take the lead in this.

?Sousuke Sagara, student at Jindai High School, you are the only one I want protecting me! Do you understand that? Should I use the broom to pound that into your otaku head?? Kaname winked.

?No.? Sousuke looked as if a heavy weight had just been removed from his shoulders.

?You are not a problem Sousuke?. well, you are but that?s OK.? Kaname was compelled to tell the truth. ?And, you are not deficient?. you are just different?. and it?s alright to be different. Most of the time!? She smiled.

?I see.? Sousuke nodded.

?But?.? Kaname paused for dramatic effect. She walked over to Sousuke and stood nose to nose. ?But, I will get on the phone?. call Mithril?. and have them take you away for ever? if you fail to do one thing.? Her look was serious.

Sousuke gulped. ?What??

?There is something you need to do. Figure it out yourself! If you don?t?.? Kaname pulled up a chair and sat down.

?You are beautiful?.? Sousuke would try that first. It was the correct answer the last time Kaname had challenged him, dressed in that kimono.

?Thank you. Wrong answer.?

?Uh?.?

?Is that your final answer?? Kaname glared. It was all show. This was fun.

?NO!!! I apologize?.?

?For what? Idiot!?

?I will not write you any more notes?.?

?WHAT?!!! Big jerk. You better!? Kaname had stood up. Sheepishly she sat back down again.

?I will not make a request to be added to next week?s mission.?

?Huh? Mission? You better not be going on any mission, moron!? Kaname was standing again. It was her turn to swallow hard again. He really had been considering going away for a while. Not because he was just a soldier? but because he had a heart after all.

Sousuke?s eye caught sight of the card. He knew what Kaname wanted. It was his time to take control. It might be the last chance he had to make such a claim. He didn?t know what he was getting himself into. There was only one way to find out.

He walked over to a desk, pulled up a chair, and sat down. He picked up the card and smelled it. He put it back down again. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kaname lean forward, hands gripping the sides of her desk.

?It is getting late, Kaname. I should finish up. Can we continue this conversation tomorrow??

?NO!!!? Kaname held onto the sides of the desk. As she began to stand, the desk went with her. It fell to the floor with a loud noise.

?I see.? Sousuke began to rub his chin, twirling the card around on top of his desk with one finger. Just as he saw Kaname open her mouth, he picked up the card again. He opened it, and made as if he were reading it. He didn?t have to. The words were emblazoned across his mind, blinking like a neon light.

His body aching from where Kaname struck him with the broom, Sousuke leaned back in his hair. He closed his eyes. Paybacks are Hell.

?Sousuke!?

Sousuke opened his eyes, then stood up. He walked over to where Kaname sat. She looked up at him, her eyes glistening.

?Do you wish to know my answer, Kaname??

?Yes!? Kaname cursed herself for sounding so desperate.

?Exactly?.? Sousuke said.

Kaname smiled. Sousuke meant ?Yes.? But, wait a minute. That damn otaku. He didn?t actually say ?Yes.? He OWED her a ?Yes!?

?Is that the answer you wanted to give me, Sousuke?? Kaname?s eyes flashed. She stood up slowly.

?Exactly?.? Sousuke said again.

?GRRRRRR?. Sousuke, if you couldn?t say ?exactly,? what would you say?? Kaname growled. That big idiot better know that she was not playing around. She wanted that ?Yes.?

?Precisely?.? He deserved some kind of medal for keeping a straight face. It was a challenging task in the face of great danger.

?AHHHHH?.?

?Yes.? The word brought Kaname up short.

Kaname felt as if she were about to burst and fly about in every possible direction. She walked over to Sousuke and kicked him in the knee. ?That?s for making me wait!? She followed that up with a quick kiss the cheek. ?That?s for getting the right answer!?

?Kaname?.? Sousuke put his hand to his cheek.

The girl in question picked up the broom and tossed it to Sousuke.

?Kaname??

?You have work to do. I?m going home. Later!? She literally ran out of the room. She was excited and relieved at the same time. She had gotten what she wanted. And, she was not about to stay in that room a minute longer---who knows what that otaku might say to spoil that memory!

The big idiot!

?But just maybe he?s MY big idiot.?

Kaname ran all of the way home.

[Perfect Soldier]

Well, with Kaname and Sousuke nothing can ever be a story book romance but this is turning out real nice. I'm loving every second of it, dd. Keep the good stuff coming!

Zero