My but what a big post this was for hotmail... Anyway, here's the rest
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Makoto gave me another skeptical glance. " You sure you don't
want to wait?"
" Can't, I'm pushing it as is. Her classes stopped twenty
minutes ago."
" Sounds like she means a lot to you."
I looked at her wryly. " Hey, she's my sist� whoa boy." The
world did three quick revolutions, then ended with me looking at
Makoto's face. I suppressed the nausea, and looked very sheepish. "
Oops."
" Feeling better?" she asked sarcastically.
" You know if you were Ryu, I'd bow you for that." I commented
between breaths.
" Don't feel too bad, I went through the same thing once." A
flashed of uncertainty passed her face. I decided not to press that
matter further. I gathered my bearings, and continued down the street.
We got through another block before she spoke again, " Thank you."
" Nani?"
" Thank you. It was brave of you to do what you did back
there."
I felt the heat rising in my cheeks. " Um� sure, your
welcome."
" Don't get me wrong Kenji, I can handle myself. It's just
that something got the better of me back there. I don't like my
friends in danger like that, and."
" You don't have to explain yourself," I said, " it's what a
martial artist does, ne?"
The confused expressions on her face told me to elaborate. "
Your stance with that broom, it's a basic technique isn't it?"
She nodded. " I guess I didn't notice. I'm not good enough to
be called a martial artist though. How'd you guess?"
" My father taught me a little when I was younger. I use it to
keep in shape, though I'm no master myself." I winced as I finished.
That was the second time I noticed that cloud blow past her face, and
it wasn't very encouraging to know I was the reason for it. " Is
something wrong?" I asked.
She looked at me, then hid the expression with a smile. " No,
nothing really."
I frowned. " Are you sure?"
" Yeah," she replied, looking like she had just touched a sore
wound.
Unsure how to react, I grabbed her hand and gave it a
reassuring squeeze. She blushed, then smiled at me. Feeling on better
ground, I led her across the street into a courtyard. We cut across to
the main building and entered. There was a secretary at the front
desk. She looked up as we approached, and grew a look of displeasure
and discomfort on her face. " Can I help you?" she asked warily.
" I'm here to pick up my sister, Murasaki Himeko."
She glanced at me suspiciously. " Do you have any proof of
identification?"
I fished for my card, then remembered where it was. I almost
swore out loud, the card was still in the locker, back at school. "
I'm sorry miss, I left it in a rush to get here." I knew she would
even bite at it, let alone swallow.
" I'm afraid I can't let you through then. You have to have
some proof of relation or identification to pass."
" I'm her brother," I said somewhat crossly.
" The fact remains, I can't let you through without�"
" Is there something wrong Kenji?" a new voice interrupted.
" Ayanami-sensei! I just came to pick up Hime-chan."
The teacher turned to the secretary. " It's okay Ruth, he can
pass."
" But he�"
" He was with Murasaki's guardian when she enrolled. He is her
brother. " The secretary looked to object again, but thought better of
it. She typed something on her computer, and studied it before
talking. " She was already helped home by her assigned partner."
I did my best to check my temper. Assault and battery was not
something I wanted on any of my records " What do you mean?!"
" Relax Kenji," Ayanami-sensei spoke, " Rex signed her up with
an after school program to save you time and freedom on any
extracurricular you might have. He already has the address, and you
can pick her up there."
She handed me a slip of paper with the address on it, then
looked troubled. " Kenji, what happened to your shoulder?"
" There was an attack at the school today."
" Are you okay?" she asked.
" Yeah. Makoto and I, " I pointed to my traveling companion, "
fought it off, though I got the short end of the stick in that deal."
She regarded me for a second, then smiled wanly. " That's my
Kenji, you never know when to leave a situation."
" What can I say? I'm stubborn." I turned to go. " See you
later sensei."
She waved, " Take care of yourself, and get some rest for that
shoulder. I'll be calling later to check up."
Makoto finally broke through her wall of utter silence when we
exited. " What was that all about back there?"
" Which part?" I asked.
" Start from the top."
" Okay," I took a breath. " My sister has a few disabilities,
so she's enrolled in that school, the teacher back there knew me since
fifth grade, the secretary was doing her job, and Rex didn't do his in
telling me that he signed her up in an after-school program."
She blinked a few times, gained a look of understanding, and
asked me something else. " What's the problem?"
" Paralysis in her leg, and a slight learning disability. The
first was a birth defect, but the second�" I trailed off as I noticed
what I was getting into. Not something I was going to talk about now.
" Is there something wrong?" she looked on with an even more
confused expression than before; this time laced with worry. It was a
face I could tell she didn't like making, and for good reason. Most
potential suicide victims have to look in a face like that. [She
worries too much,] I thought.
" Maybe I'll tell you about it later." After confirmation was
achieved on the disappearance of that look, I studied the paper in my
hands. The address was not in a place I was too familiar with. " Would
you recognize anything around this address?" I handed the slip to her.
" The only thing I know about that street is it's around a park."
Makoto scanned the paper, and chuckled. " I should, that's
Usagi's house."
I looked at her in disbelief. " Your joking." She shook her
head. " Wonderful, as if she hadn't caused me enough damage today."
" Hey!" Makoto rushed to her friend's defense. " She didn't
have anything to do with the attack. That thing was looking for her."
" I'm not talking about the attack," I shot back, " I'm
talking about this morning, gym, and anything she'll do in the near
future."
" Okay, so she's a klutz. She could have been�"
I cut her off. " She tripped me up three times, not counting
this morning, tangled me with a gymnastics ribbon, and spiked me with
the volleyball."
" But it's Volleyball, you're supposed to spike the other
team!"
" I was on her team." She shrugged. " I was also behind her
when she went for it."
She looked at me for a minute, then let out a low whistle. "
Wow, she's gotten worse."
" And now my sister's in her merciless clumsy graces."
Makoto shook her head. " She's probably with her brother,
Shingo."
I facefaulted. " There are more? We have to go get Hime-chan
right now. I don't think she can escape, and the thought of two of
them is making me extremely uneasy."
Makoto looked at me, then just laughed the rest of the way
there."
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
*****
The sun continued its afternoon decent as we walked on. I was
still a little nervous to see the slightly lame girl again, but not as
much knowing that at least she was out of traction. As we entered the
yard, we were surprised to find Ami, Minako, and another girl standing
at the front door.
" Mako-chan! Ken-kun!" She completely smothered me, attempting
to make me decide if my shoulder was in more pain, or my ribs.
Thankfully, the dark-haired girl broke it up. " Mina-chan, you're
choking him!"
" Oops," she squeaked as she released the vice on me. " Sorry
about that Ken-kun."
"No problem." I gasped. It suddenly hit me what she said, but
I let it go.
" I'm Rei, thanks for what you did with Usagi, I didn't think
humans could stop those things."
" Um� you're welcome." That stare of hers made me feel like a
germ colony under a pitri dish, so I found something to divert her
attention. " Why are you all standing outside?" A lame attempt of
course, but it worked.
" We just arrived." Ami said, at which point the door opened.
" Oh hello girls, how's your afternoon?" The lady asked
cheerfully.
" Were fine Mrs. Tsukino," Ami spoke up. " We just stopped by
to see how Usagi is doing."
" She's in her room right now doing her homework, go ahead
up." She then took notice of me. " Oh, a new boyfriend Makoto? Why
don't you introduce us?"
Makoto and I managed a full blush before I spoke up. " I'm
Murasaki Kenji ma'am." I bowed humbly to avoid eye contact. " I came
to pick up my sister."
All the girls, save for Makoto, looked at me. Mrs. Tsukino
just giggled.
" So you're Himeko's brother. She has been wondering about you all
afternoon."
I laughed nervously under the sudden examination. " Well I was
sorta caught up with some difficulties. I apologize for the lateness."
"Well I'm sure we can hear all about it right?" she ushered us
inside. " Why don't you all stay for dinner? I was planning on a
little feast anyway. My husband just got a raise."
" May I help?" Makoto asked.
" Sure dear, I'll show were to start in a minute." She sat us
in the living room, and glanced at us with a serious expression on her
face. " You can go see Usagi in a minute, but I wanted to ask about
how that happened exactly."
" I guess I can answer that." All eyes turned on me, and I was
once again under the spotlight, not a pleasant feeling. " There was a
monster running loose on campus today." Mrs. Tsukino worried look
increased, and she bade me to continue. " It was chasing Usagi for
awhile, but Makoto and I arrived and fought it off."
" You fought something that dangerous without a weapon?" Rei
asked.
" Well, I threw some chemicals on it and set it on fire, but
not before it got its licks in." I motioned to the bandaged shoulder.
" Needless to say, it 's not something I want to repeat."
" Well I for one would like to thank you for saving my
daughter," a new voice spoke up. I turned to see a lengthy man wearing
glasses, slacks, and a brown sweater. " It's not often that someone
sticks around to fight one of those things. That shows some
character."
" Thank you, I'm flattered." It was true; I had never in my
life received this much adult praise for anything, even high grades.
This all was filling my ego and making sure I would have a coronary
form all the blood flow to my face. Thankfully, Usagi had come
downstairs with her brother and Himeko at that time. My sister did her
best to run up to me, and gave me a hug worthy of Minako; her form
full of vitality.
" Kenji-chan! You're here!"
" Hi kid, good to see you made it somewhere I could find you."
She frowned a little. " It wasn't my fault, Uncle said he
would tell you where I was going." Her demeanor changed suddenly, and
she socked me in my wounded arm, putting me in a fit of pain. " It
took you long enough! How come you didn't show up when you were
supposed to?"
I talked past my wincing, and noted the look of sympathy that
Mako-chan gave me. " I ran into some problems on the way from school."
She looked genuinely confused, as if a scientist had worked
out a perfect theory, then told it wasn't correct in the slightest. "
Then how come Usagi made it home before you did?"
I ruffled her light blue hair, and told her simply, " From
what I hear, she has much more practice running back and forth to
school than I do."
" Hey, I am not that�" she started. I cut her off with a grin
of a trapper that had just caught his prey. " I had first hand
evidence of that this morning speedy. You and your friend here."
Recognition hit them in the same space of time. " That's why
you seemed so familiar�" she trailed off with an embarrassing look on
her face. " Uh, sorry about that."
I stifled a laugh. " I didn't think you could capture faces at
that velocity."
Her mother however, did not look so pleased. " Usagi-chan, you
were late for school this morning again?" She looked ready to dish out
some form of torture, but Usagi was quick to defend. " I wasn't late,
I just didn't wake up on time! I'm sorry mom," she pleaded, " I'll do
better from now on, honest!"
I fought hard against the laughter, and did my best to look
guilty, as if I never meant for her to get chewed out. I really
didn't, but it seemed that the girl had, despite a swollen and cut
ankle, got off way too easy for the things she did today. It was only
fair that she carry some of the load. Little did I know that the fun
was soon to come to an end.
" Well you won't have to worry about leaving the house late
any more Usagi." She turned to me. " Kenji, you live on Know Your Role
Blvd right?" I nodded. " Well do you think you can come over in the
mornings and get her?"
My heart smashed through the new hole under my foot. I'd have
to deal with her every morning? A small pass and a hello every now and
then was good and fine, but to walk with her every waking moment for
the rest of the semester?
" I'd like to, but�"
" Thank you Kenji!" It was hard to even think of dampening
that look on her face, it sang of pure joy and happiness. And all that
for someone to make it to school on time; it made me wonder exactly
how often she had been late. But this was still Usagi, so something
had to be done. I swallowed and hope that this last feeble try would
work. " Mrs. Tsukino, I didn't know where this place was the first
time and�
" I could show you!" Himeko spoke up. " I already know the way
here, it's easy!"
" Traitor�" I mumbled under my breath.
" Well we can arrange that later Himeko-chan." Mrs. Tsukino
said. " But for now, let's have some dinner."
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
*****
I sat in my bed back at home that evening pondering the current events
of life. The dinner was excellent, if you didn't count Usagi's drink
winding up in my lap. Makoto kept looking at me and blushing, and that
only increased when I complemented hers and Mrs. Tsukino's cooking.
Minako made big eyes at me, while Rei and Ami just sat and pretended
that they didn't know anybody.
Afterwards, most of the girls talked in their room while I
played with my sister. It's good to have that outlet for all you
worries. Despite any trouble she would cause me, that look in her eye
or her smile would just make it seem all right; something I feel very
fortunate for.
And then there's Makoto and the others. Nice group of girls,
if a little� something. Unique in their own way, but still nice. I
found myself actually looking forward to what might occur next. This,
despite the constant line of bad things jumping in front of me to make
me suffer, was an exciting day.
Still, I wonder what that attack was about on Usagi. Humans
have been known to sprout monsters, not singled out and attacked by
them. I wished I could also say that was the end of it as well, but
that was the first confirmed attack in a while, which just meant that
more were on the way like the other times. I silently prayed that
night that everything would be okay, though I knew, deep down, that
there were going to be some major changes in my mundane existence.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
*****
He sat high in his corner office silently watching the dimly lit night
seep on, his brow curled in thought. That human may have interfered,
but it was definitely confirmed; Princess Serenity was here, and in
hiding, though that didn't matter. With his abilities, finding her
aura was simple, or so he had thought. It seemed someone had put a
cloak around her, no doubt one of her guardians.
He smiled. If they thought that simple run-and-hide tactics
were enough to lose him, they were in for a rude awakening. He
fingered a dial. " Crystis, come in here."
There was a flicker of air in front of him. The wavering
became fur, and then flesh; soft to the eye as well as the touch. She
was lying boldly on his desk, her short skirt barely covering her
thighs. Her hands were gloved, with open fingers on the end, and
drawing circles in the top of the desk. Everything about her was
beauty in its deadliest form. And every part of her, save for her
copper skin, was as black as night: From the pumps on her stocking
covered feet; to the skirt, shirt, and jacket she wore; to her dark
pools swimming in the pearls that were her eyes; both crackling with
an energy both seductive and deadly.
" Yes my lord." Her voice was like silk in the wind, and did
much to tempt him, but he had brought her here for a reason.
His brow twitched as he grabbed her by the wrist. " I tell you
for the last time: never use the magic given to you unless on a
mission. The power is not replaceable," he let the death drip in his
voice, " but you are."
She cringed back in fear, and possibly excitement, and stood
straight in font of the desk. " What do you wish of me my lord?"
" We have a problem. The Sailor Senshi may still be alive
after all. Someone has masked her aura from my sight." She nodded her
understanding, and her continued. " I want them out of the way. Find a
way to draw them out, and eliminate them. Even if they survive, I want
them permanently out of their profession."
She smiled wickedly. " I'll get on it as soon as possible my
lord." With a wink, she turned and left through the door.
He sat back in his chair, back in the thick of his thoughts
again. This time however, there was a smile on his face. [Yes, there
will be nothing you can hide behind then, and that is when you will be
forced to face me.] The man snickered. [And that, my dear Serenity, is
when I will take great enjoyment in watching your face as you are
thrown from this mortal coil.]
Ja ne!!!^_^
-Kenji Murasaki
"Damn morning people, annoying, cheerful, energetic morning people.
People
better off dead. Shoot them just on principle. Blaster,
near. Shoot. No.
Stay. In bed. Forever. My place, my bed. Mine, mine."
"Stuff" by Gheorghe2
Brought to you by:
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ICQ: 36417150 (KMurasaki@Hotmail.com)
Get sucked into the Nexus!
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