Notes: Ah, isn't twisting the Megami Kouhosei universe around just shibby? This fic focuses on dear little Kazuhi Hikura, because I love her and she's ubershibby. As you read, you'll notice a few big differences in this universe. ^__^;; This fic starts just before Yu and Kazuhi become an official pilot/repairer team. And as a side note, is the Japanese term for change, alternate. Why did I use that? Because I didn't have a better idea for a title. Original, aren't I? *sarcasm drip*
Warnings: AU, possible OOC, as well as utter strangeness.
Couplings: Ernest x Garu hintings, Rio x Phil hintings, and Tune still loves Ernest. Basically, the same as the show.
Dedication: Kay Willow-san, for telling me that I should write this when I mentioned the idea. ^__^ *heartmark* You're such a nift person, Kay-san, and your fanfics are ubershibby. Thank you!
Disclaimer: Kazuhi is wonderful and fun to draw, but I'm afraid that I cannot claim the ownership of her.
Kawari
Prologue
I paused, listening. I couldn't hear anything except the wind, but I knew that she was there. Somewhere. Briefly, I thought I heard footsteps behind me, but that was impossible, because I was standing too close to the crevice for her to have been able to sneak around. Unless she had climbed up the side of the rock, in which case she would be right-
Swish!
-there.
I dodged, barely, as her arm came near my neck, attempting to disable my movements. I was more agile than she, though, so it wasn't that hard to move from underneath the attack and force her away. I jumped back a few feet, a bit nervous, and tried to locate the other fighters that I knew were nearby.
A bit of static sounded in my helmet. Yu's voice came in, 30 degrees left, closing fast.
I wanted to thank him, but my newest opponent came much too quickly for me to do anything of the sort. I spun around quickly to intercept her attack, catching her arm with my hand and flipping her over my shoulder. She hit the side of the mountain hard and fell limply, beaten. I barely had time to celebrate my victory before my original opponent came at me again, recovered from her initial failure. I squatted abruptly, confusing her, and came up with double intensity. She was likewise incapacitated.
I stood up, taking the free time I had gained to catch my breath. Darting my eyes from left to right, I quietly asked, Anyone else?
None near you, Yu replied, and I smiled as I pictured him assiduously watching the screen and adjusting the settings to fit my current status. There is someone past the left hill, near the cavern. She's looking around for you. Number 36.
Yumiko, I though, smiling. Is she the last?
I moved immediately, choosing to climb up the rocks and surprise Yumiko from the top. It would have made Yumiko's day to surprise me, especially now that I've made it to Top. She and I had been more or less competing for it in our earlier days, but I was quicker than she. Yumiko dislikes me for that, I believe.
In any case, I was closing in on her fast, and I quickly questioned Yu, Does she know I'm here?
was Yu's reply, as calm and confident as ever.
Good, I thought briefly, coming to the edge of the rocks. It would be over soon if I was able to time my attack correctly. If not, I'd most likely have to waste around five minutes or so trying to spar with her, and that would be much more difficult than a stealth attack. In terms of hand-to-hand combat, Yumiko would have the advantage. She had a greater endurance while I had speed and I doubt that I could hold out very long. No, it had to be a quick attack, or I was finished.
My eyes narrowed, crouching on the edge of the small cliff, and I waited until she had come nearly underneath me. I paused for a few seconds, barely breathing, as she closed off the distance between us. A few more degrees to the left and-
I leapt, cutting her neck with one quick swipe, and I kicked out a leg to bring her to the ground. Yumiko yelped in surprise, her arms flying out to catch me and bring me down with her, but I ducked away. My hand darted out quickly and pulled at her operating system, crippling her.
A bell rang out with cool confidence, and I smiled softly.
I won.
It only took a few minutes to exit the Pro-Ing, and I calmly walked to stand beside my brother. Yu glanced at me as I approached, but soon turned back to completing the session information. He quickly documented the data and saved it. He then turned to me. Nice job.
I smiled, and quietly replied,
One thing you should know about my brother and I: we don't need many words. He's been my repairer for about a year and a half now, and we've gone through all of the victories and defeats together. Not to mention that he has been my older brother for my entire life. Needless to say, he and I rarely suffered from any of the trials and tribulations that the other pilots and repairers experienced.
Nicely done, ladies. Rill-sensei stated sharply, calling all of the candidates in the room to her attention. A repairer in the back of the room (his name was Hirokazu, I believe) made a scoffing sound, and Rill-sensei glared at him, correcting, And men. That was good work out there. Number 37, especially. Nice sneak attack at the end.
I'm number 37, by the way.
Thank you, Rill-sensei, I replied, nodding my head. I wanted to bow, as it was how I was taught to do in front of my elders, but on the first day Rill-sensei had practically forbid it. She said that it wasted too much time and made her feel old. It had been hard for me to adjust to that, but I had succeeded.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Yumiko rolling her eyes and giving a derisive snort in my direction. My face blushed hotly and I ducked my head, embarrassed. It was hard to be the Top; friends that I had once had were now my enemies, apparently. At least, that's how it was with Yumiko. Aya and Hanae hadn't been any different towards me, and Chiaki was still overly friendly. I couldn't help but feel bad for my attack towards Yumiko; it was a bit cheap, I admit, but she was taking it much too seriously. I just couldn't-
A hand came down on my shoulder, and I looked up at Yu. His face was expressionless, but he murmured, Stop fretting.
My brother knows me way too well.
I responded. I stood at attention for a few more moments until Rill-sensei released us, saying that we were due back here after lunch. Yu and I hung back for a few moments as Yu finished his work, perfecting it to the finest detail. I waited patiently, though I couldn't help but note that he was being a perfectionist again. I didn't voice my thought, but I've told him that before.
The phone in the waiting area rang, and Rill-sensei went to answer it. I usually wasn't one to eavesdrop on other's conversations, but it was difficult not to hear her and my curiosity overcame me. Under the pretense of reading the data on the computer screen, I began to listen.
Rill here, she began. Uh-huh. Right. So she's finally decided to quit, has she? Oh, her EX? Okay. Right. I'll select someone right away, sir. The ceremony will start after lunch, if we're on time. All right. Goodbye. She hung up the phone, and I burrowed my eyebrows in confusion. I wondered who she had been talking about.
I was contemplating asking Yu for his opinion, though I doubted he had even listened, when I realized that Rill-sensei was nearing our position. I stood tall immediately and nodded. Yu, in contrast, barely seemed to notice that either of us were there.
Number 37? was her greeting, somehow sounding calm and excited at the same time. It was strange.
Yes, Rill-sensei? I responded in earnest. At that time, Yu finished what he had been working on and quit the program. He stared up at Rill-sensei with interest in his eyes; apparently, he had been listening.
Both of you, gather your things. Rill-sensei ordered, the corners of her lips edging upwards in a proud smile. You've been upgraded to Pilot.
***
Wow, isn't the suspense amazing? Yes, the basic idea of this story is that girls and boys have switched positions; all boys are repairers and girls are pilots now. ^__^ And yes, this story does have a plot beside that. In fact, it focuses on Yu and Kazuhi for that very reason. *suspenseful backround music* In any case, please review and tell me what you think. (it is my birthday today, after all. ^_^; Make my new 16-year-old self feel special.)