Sousuke quickly cleaned himself up as he listened to Chidori humming a sweet little tune behind him. She was exceptionally cheerful this morning and he secretly hoped it was because of the night before. He had to admit he was feeling rather chipper himself despite the slight confusion hanging over his head. It was strange how he reacted without thinking but that seemed to be the case where she was concerned. Since the first time she had been taken, he had responded to his emotions instead of protocol, and it still perplexed him. Why did he always feel like he was unraveling in her arms?
“Sousuke, are we leaving today?” she asked hoping to get him as far away from Ana as possible. That one was not to be trusted, she thought placing her hairbrush on the dresser.
“I would like to be on our way before sunset,” he stated calmly, almost wanting to smile he felt so chipper. “But there is a storm coming and I do not feel the travel will be safe enough until tomorrow. Is that a problem, Chidori?”
Yes!
“No, I was just curious,” she lied smoothing out her pant legs with her palms. “What’s the deal with you and that girl, anyway?”
“Anahita?” he asked swinging around slightly nervous. “I knew her when I was a child.”
“That’s it?” she asked crossing her arms over her chest impatiently tapping her foot.
“Her father, Rustam, was an Afghani soldier in the Cold War,” he said walking past her to grab his robes. “As you heard, I saved his life. One of the enemy had a gun to his head about to execute him and I stopped it.”
She stood there as a feeling of extreme pride swept over her. This was the man she loved and he forever impressed her with his tales of bravery and war, even if it did disgust in some ways. This was who he was and even though it may take some adjustment, she tried her best to accept his ways. “And that’s how you know her,” she remarked
“Ana used to follow me around; she was good with a rifle,” he added sitting on the side of the bed.
That made her arms drop to her sides in defeat. How could she compete with that? A military freak like him was just about the worse thing she could think of coming between them. Maybe she needed to step up her game a little, she thought with a grin. “Would you show me how to use a rifle?” she asked innocently.
His eyes widened in shock. “You want to learn how to fire a rifle?” Somehow, he just couldn’t imagine her firing a gun but the idea did excite him a little. She certainly had the spirit and drive and it could definitely come in handy.
“Yeah, sure,” she said nervously with a giggle. What am I getting myself into?
“I could show now,” he said with a small grin. “We have time.”
“Right now?” she asked aflutter.
“Rustam is bound to have some rifles stored somewhere,” he said opening the door walking out into the hallway.
“Wait, Sousuke!” she called running after him.
.o.o.o.o.o.
Ana paced back and fourth as she contemplated whether to go through with it or not. It was the only way, she thought arguing with herself. How else was she going to get enough time to convince Kashim to stay behind where he belonged. This was her only chance and she’d be damned if some loud-mouthed Japanese girl would ruin it for her. Now, all she needed to do was get Kaname to go into the food shed.
Sousuke stood before Kaname holding a large assault rifle in his hands, his stance rigid and uniform. “This is a United States standard issue, military grade M 16 assault rifle,” he said holding it firmly in his hands. “5.56 millimeter caliber, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed with a rotating bolt, actuated by direct impingement gas operation. It is constructed of steel, aluminum and composite plastics. It is a solid weapon capable of targeting effectively at ranges of less than 400-460 meters. Every soldier must be trained to handle an M 16.”
Kaname just stood there staring at it as if it were some kind of disease. It barely looked real! “You want me to shoot that? I thought maybe a small handgun or something light.” She chuckled sheepishly.
“Its not a good starter weapon but it will have to do,” he said walking up to her. “It is all Rustam had in his bunker. Here, I will show you how to hold it.”
“I don’t know,” she complained as he handed it to her. It wasn’t overly heavy but it had some weight to it. It did however have this strange oily smell to it that almost made her gag.
“Place the shoulder-stock here,” he said pressing it against her shoulder. “Now grip it like this,” he added placing one of her hands on the handle and the other underneath for support. He gently placed her finger on the trigger and she glanced back over her shoulder. He then leaned down and positioned her legs so that her left foot was out a little and her right foot was back. She closed her eyes as his hands grazed over her thighs and ankles and she swore if he didn’t stop she was going to collapse.
“It is not loaded. Pull the trigger, see how it feels,” he added now standing behind her again, this time with his hand holding her back.
She shot him a sideways glance then turned her full attention to the large beastly machine now resting firmly in her hands. It did kind of feel intense holding something so large and deadly within her grasp, almost made her want to laugh manically. She could almost imagine herself squeezing off rounds like in the movies on late at night back in Tokyo.
Slowly, she pulled the trigger back and the gun clicked. “I did it!”
“Affirmative,” he said with a little excitement. “Now, see this?” he asked pointing to a small piece that looked like a telescope...she nodded. “That’s your single point scope. Use that for long distance firing.”
She peered through it and took aim at the first thing she saw—a piece of old tire embedded in the sand. She imagined Ana’s face mocking her from a distance and growled inwardly. “Can I shoot some bullets?”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Chidori. This weapon has some recoil and someone of your size and stature may not be able-”
“Hey you!” she interrupted her face turning red with fury. “Women are more than capable of using guns!”
“A gun like this isn’t exactly suitable for beginners,” he explained keeping his voice calm so not to upset her further.
“I can fire this thing, you big idiot,” she said angrily.
“If you insist,” he said pulling some ammunition from his pocket. He loaded the magazine then handed it back to her. “Let me help you at least.”
“Fine,” she said rolling her eyes.
Sousuke reached around and placed one hand on the barrel to give her extra support when the gun went off. “Take aim,” he said moving his head to the side a little to avoid the recoil.
Kaname took a deep breath and steadied herself. How hard could this be? Sousuke shot a gun like it was second nature. All she had to do was hold the gun firmly, concentrate on her target, and not be distracted by Sousuke standing so close his warm breath fanning across the side of her neck. Oh, wow that feels amazing, she thought then shook her head trying to focus. She prayed that she wouldn’t make herself look like an idiot in front of him.
Quickly, she pulled the trigger lightly, slamming her eyes shut when a loud bang burst from the gun making her ears ring. Her head started ringing and she swore she could see stars in front of her eyes. I’m dead! It backfired and killed me!
“Kaname! You hit it!” Sousuke exclaimed with excitement.
Her eyes flew open wide in shock and she stared out at the piece of tire which now had a hole through the top of it. How did she manage that? Her first time firing a rifle and she hit the mark.
“I’m curious,” Sousuke said scratching his chin. “Would you be able to hit a moving target as easily?”
“How about some rolling fruit?” she said with excitement. “I saw in this movie one time, a guy practiced shooting by having a buddy of his roll fruit on the ground past him.”
Rolling fruit, eh? “I will return,” he said walking off.
Maybe some melons, he thought as he crossed the yard to the food shed. Kaname was a natural. He had never seen someone shoot a gun with such grace, especially not a first-timer. It made him feel good to share this with her; it made him feel even closer to her. He would have to get her her own handgun next chance he got. The idea made him feel better about leaving her alone at those necessary times.
Opening the shed door, he stepped inside and swerved to avoid the basket hanging from the ceiling. But suddenly he lost his footing, something was yanking his feet out fromm underneath him. All he could feel was a tangle around his ankles then the hard dirt smashing into the side of his face. When he opened his eyes it took every pinpoint reflex he had to cover his face as one of the beams from above came crashing down on top of him. After that...blackness.
Kaname looked up at the sound then rolled her eyes. Sousuke being paranoid again, she thought. Wonder what he thought he saw this time? Probably a rat he thought was a terrorist. When will he ever learn?
She turned back to the rifle and practiced aiming it at a small tumbleweed that blew past. But as the seconds ticked by and no word from Sousuke, she looked back this time concern knitting her brow. What if he had actually managed to hurt himself this time? No way! she countered herself. That idiot may be overprotective but he was certainly able to handle himself. But if—she looked back at the shed and something told her it was not right. Something told her to go investigate and she dropped the rifle walking slowly toward the shed.
“Sousuke?” she yelled searching for any movement at all from the tiny building. Her feet quickly picked up speed as she raced toward the shed yanking open the door.
“Sousuke!” she screamed rushing to his fallen body. The large beam was laying heavily over the lower half of his body and his face was pale and sweaty. “Sousuke, please wake up,” she said as tears began to form in her eyes. “Come on!”
His eyes fluttered open halfway and he let out a groan. “Chidori, are you alright?” He winced lightly as he tried to move out from under the beam. “I can’t move my leg, I think its broken.”
“I’ll get Rustam or Ana,” Kaname cried running from the building.
She returned a few minutes later with both of them and the second Ana saw Sousuke lying there she gasped horrifically. This wasn't supposed to happen! It was only supposed to cause a person to fall over and bump their head. A minor head wound! And it wasn't supposed to be Kashim!
“Quickly, Ana, help me with this beam!” Rustam cried grabbing a hold of one side as Ana grabbed the other. They both managed to pull it off and Sousuke let out a hellish scream as pain rippled through his leg.
“Sousuke!” Kaname cried dropping to the floor to comfort him. This was not something she had ever hoped to see...Sousuke taken down. It was impossible! There was no way that this could happen! He was her invincible Sousuke, she thought as fresh tears sprang to her eyes.
“If it is broken, he will need medical attention,” Rustam said about to leave to call an ambulance.
“No!” Sousuke screamed knowing that if he were tended at a hospital it could give away their location. “No hospital, no doctors.”
“Kashim-
“No! It’s too risky. Ana can reset the bone, I know she can do it.” He winced again as a new wave of pain shot through his upper leg. Kaname looked over at Ana her eyes searching.
“Yes, I can do it,” Ana replied nodding. “We need to get him inside.”
Rustam and Kaname carried him in to their room and laid him on the bed. He let out a huge groan as broken bone grinded painfully against itself. He had to control himself! Showing pain only meant weakness and he knew better.
Ana knelt down beside the bed and leaned down close to Sousuke’s ear. “Kashim, you know this will hurt a great deal.”
“Do it,” he whispered raggedly.
“Kaname, hold his hand,” Ana said motioning her over. Rustam held his body down as Ana grabbed Sousuke’s leg and said a silent prayer. This was her fault, she thought as guilt rose up in her chest. She was going to make it right. “Forgive me, Allah.”
Sousuke screamed louder than Kaname had ever heard him before as Ana jerked his leg setting the bone back into place in one quick motion. Kaname slammed her eyes shut as tears she didn’t even know had formed started falling down her face. She didn’t like seeing him this way. She wanted back her strong Sousuke, the one who protected her at all costs. Stop being so selfish! The man you love is lying here for once in need of my help and all I can do is think about myself.
Ana and Rustam worked together wrapping his leg in a homemade splint, all the while Ana muttering low words of prayer. Rustam kept nervously glancing at Sousuke, his empathy evident on his face.
Kaname growled inwardly and looked down at him, his face pale and pain-ridden. “Sousuke, look at me,” she whispered. When he didn’t open his eyes she used every ounce of determination she had. “Look at me soldier!” she screamed.
His eyes fluttered open and he grimaced against the pain. He had felt this intensity of pain before but for some reason it bothered him to show it front of Kaname. He was supposed to be the strong one here! How could he protect her like this?
“Kaname,” he rasped out. “It isn’t safe anymore. Someone set that trap and they could be still be around.”
“Shut up, you idiot,” she snapped between cries. “It was an accident.”
He closed his eyes trying to fight the blackness trying to succumb him but it was futile as his mind drifted off into the bleak darkness calling to him. I failed. His mind echoed that until he saw nothing.
Kaname sighed laying her head down on his shoulder. The worst of it was over, she thought taking a deep breath. She didn’t know what she would have done if anything life-threatening had happened to him. It no longer meant her protection and had everything to do with the fact that she couldn’t live without him now. Everything he felt right now, she felt too. And it broke her heart not being able to help him more in his time of need.
Finishing up, Ana glanced over at Kaname her head snuggled close to Sousuke. The sight made her want to cry and she quickly ran from the room before anyone could see her eyes filling up with tears. How could she be so selfish to put someone’s life in danger like that? He could have been killed! She had lost sight of what was real and what was fantasy. All these years she had always imagined him standing there with his hand out for her, beckoning her to come with him. But now those memories were tainted and ugly because she wanted him all for herself. And in that need she found something impure and greedy. “I’d be lucky if Allah struck me dead right now!”
“Ana?” Kaname asked watching the girl sitting on the ground sobbing into her arms.
Ana’s head jerked up and she quickly wiped the tears from her face. “You scared me!” she snapped trying to hide her crying.
“I’m sorry,” Kaname replied placing her hands on her hips defiantly. “I came to thank you!”
“I didn’t do it for you,” Ana sneered standing up about to walk away but Kaname’s words stopped her.
“You know, if you haven’t noticed, he’s with me. I realize you have a past with him and that’s just great, but I have a present with him.” She felt her face redden slightly with anger. “And you got a problem with that I’ll be more than willing to settle this right here, right now.” Kaname started rolling up her sleeves in a threatening gesture.
“You can’t be serious!” Ana griped. “I’m a trained soldier. I could take you down in one blow.”
“You wanna try?” Kaname said with malice.
“Stop it!” Rustam cried throwing himself between them. “I will not have this behavior in my hotel or my home!”
“She’s the one with a chip on her shoulder,” Kaname snapped pointing at Ana.
He had to get them away from each other. “Miss Chidori, please go see to Kashim, he needs you,” he told Kaname and she walked off in a huff. “Ana, go to the market and get some herbs so I may make old home remedy for pain. Go!” He walked off muttering something in Arabic and Ana grumbled to herself.
The nerve of that girl! She aught to just put her in her place. Kashim did not need a woman like her! He needed strong Islamic woman who could stand next to him and fight! She thought about it the whole way to town and every second made her blood boil even hotter.
.o.o.o.o.o.
In a darkened alleyway, two men stood within the shadows their voices hushed. “You are for certain he is with Rustam?” the first man asked seemingly nervous.
“I saw him with my own eyes,” the second man said with certainty.
“I must alert the master,” the first man said taking out a mobile phone. “He will want to know that Sagara has been spotted.”
The second man walked off as the first made the phone call. “Sagara is here,” he whispered.
“Watch him and if he moves, take him,” the man on the phone stated. “Do not harm him or the girl, especially the girl.”
“If he resists?”
“He will resist, you idiot! Now go! And don’t lose him again!” the man shouted cutting off the call.
The man watched as a young girl made her way hastily through the crowds carrying a bag clutched tightly in her hands. Ana had only been gone for half an hour and she managed to calm herself enough to return. The man followed a small distance behind her his eyes never leaving her form as she weaved in and out of the crowd.
Such a pretty young thing. I would hate to see something happen to her, he snickered to himself.
To Be Continued...
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