I hope you all have enjoyed the prologue. Here are the first two chapters of Sailor Eclipse Moon's Story. As the stories go along, she will gain more fellow Senshi. I hope you enjoy this story as well, and please be patient with me. The plot and the secrets will unfold as the stories go along.
I forgot to mention one thing before my last story, and it was a
DISCLAIMER: Some characters that were mentioned in story do not belong to me. They were created by Naoko Takeuchi. Those characters were: Naruru, Lady Serenity, Queen Serenity, Neo-Queen Serenity, Sailor Pluto, and Diana. The other characters (Osaka, Dr. Masanori, Charon, the baby in the basket, and the little green men) were created by me and belong to me, as well as the characters in these chapters. Please do not steal those characters or try to copy them without my permission. Thank you.
©Naoko Takeuchi: Naruru, Queen Serenity, Neo-Queen Serenity, Sailor Pluto, Diana
©Karen Lawrence: Osaka, Dr. Masanori, Charon, baby, green men, and all characters in this chapter
Peachesncre14373@aol.com-e-mail
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~One~
IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL FALL MORNING IN JAPAN'S TWIN CITIES, Yangukijo and Taitou. Patches of blue peeked out through several crevices in the white, cloudy blanket of sky. The blinding white sun hung high in the sky shedding little warmth on all that it covered while frigid breezes swept over buildings, cars, and people, chilling them all. While Taitou's business-crammed streets crawled with large throngs of crowds, cars, trucks and busses starting the daily activities of hustle and bustle, the city of Yangukijo took on a more serene, fantasy appeal of some picturesque fall wonderland. Tall oak and redwood trees lined the quiet residential streets, the colors of their leaves making them look like wild, beautiful fires on thick match sticks. Bright orange, red, and yellow leaves gently wafted from the trees and to the ground like colorful flakes of snow. The melodic songs of birds blended with the orchestrated sounds of feet crunching down on fallen leaves. Every so often a flying V of birds could be spotted in the sky. The laughter and chatter of students as they walked to their bus stops filled the air and added to the chorus of birds and crunching leaves. It was the first day of school and it couldn't have started on a better note. Only one soul was not content with the early morning activity.
A teenaged girl with hair of the deep blue sea slowly trudged to her bus stop. Her stomach knotted as she neared with each dreaded step. She was in a new city and would be going to a new school. She was very nervous and was not ready to make any kind of social contact with anybody. When she finally arrived to the bus stop, six other teenagers were there. She awkwardly stood off to the side and watched a group of four girls giggle and gossip. A tall, pretty girl with tanned skin and golden blonde hair that ended in curls at her shoulders emerged from the group. She said something that made the group of girls laugh and walked towards the blue haired girl. She straightened her poise and braced herself in case the girl was going to say something mean to her.
"Excuse me, but do you happen to have the time?"
The blue haired girl blinked, then shook her head. "Uh, sorry, I don't."
"Oh, okay." The blonde girl turned to leave.
"Wait!" The blue haired girl cried out, then wished she hadn't. She scanned her mind for something to say as the blonde girl's face patiently waited. "Uh…d-do you happen to know if this bus goes to the town of Taito?"
The expression on the blonde girl's face reflected what the other girl felt about her question. It was a stupid one. She knew that all buses that came to this small town went to the city. Yangukijo was too small of a town to have schools, so the young civilians of that town went to Taito, which was much bigger.
The blonde girl's funny expression changed to a warm smile. "Yes, of course it does. This town is small and doesn't really have schools. All it has is a couple of elementary schools and a few training schools. Are you new here or something?"
"Yeah," the blue-haired girl answered. "I moved here with my mom during the end of summer."
The blonde girl slightly crinkled her nose. "Why'd you choose to live here out of all the other places in the world? This town is so dead; thank God Taito is next door. If it wasn't, I'd die of boredom. This so-called city has no malls. The only shopping stores here sell clothes for grannies. There's only one cinema, and that's the cheap one which receives movies late, and there are no cute boys here at all." She flipped a piece of golden hair off of her shoulder. The blue haired girl slightly smiled. She was starting to feel sociable. "My name is Puritiotome Hanano, by the way, but everyone calls me Hana."
"Wow, that's a beautiful name."
"Yeah, but too long. My great-grandmother was, like, so into flowers and everything, so my mom and grandma were named after flowers. My mother broke the tradition, though, but it still ties in with the flower theme. She just wanted to be creative."
The blue haired girl felt a small spark of envy towards Hana. Her name was beautiful and elegant and had a good meaning, whereas her own name sounded strange and made no sense at all.
"What's your name?"
The blue haired girl blushed and cleared her throat. "Well, it's not that pretty and doesn't really mean anything special…Shukumei Mikadzuki."
"What's that? You said it so low that I couldn't hear."
Shukumei cleared her throat and spoke louder. "Shukumei Mikadzuki."
Hana's expression remained blank, then brightened. "It sounds unique. I bet it has some kind of special meaning behind it. Everyone's name does."
Shukumei smiled at Hana. She admired her eyes. They were a greenish-blue and reminded her of the water on those beaches with white sand she had seen on television commercials.
"Hana!" A tall, cute boy with chestnut hair waved her over.
"Oh, that's my boyfriend, Mabuikun. He probably needs me over there to help him with something. Even though he doesn't admit it, he uses me for his brains, since he doesn't have any." She laughed a light, airy laugh that reminded Shukumei of a nice, warm place with the crystal sound of small bells. "It was nice meeting you."
"I'll see you at Tsukimiyori, then."
"What?"
"Tsukimiyori. You know, the high school?"
"Oh!" Hana laughed that twinkling laugh again. "I don't go to that school; I go to the other one, Kyuushutsu High."
Shukumei's face fell like a ton of bricks. She thought she had made a friend and that she would know at least one person. "Oh, I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Hana said, sensing Shukumei's disappointment. "Our schools aren't that far away—we could probably walk to the student food court for lunch sometimes. It's a bunch of restaurants that's not far from our schools. And we'll probably see each other on field trips."
"Field trips?"
"Yeah. We go to the Tokyo Tower every year. What year are you, anyway?"
"First."
"A freshman! That's usually the best year since it's your first and everything is new to you. I'm third year, a junior. Next year will be my other best year, since it's the last."
"Hana!" Mabuikun yelled louder this time with an impatient look on his face.
"Will you wait, you pesky child? Gosh! He can so be the complete opposite of …oh, never mind! Well, Shukumei, it was nice talking to you. I'll see you on the bus later today."
Shukumei's smile changed back into a look of regret and disappointment as Hana's yellow curls bounced to her boyfriend's outstretched arms. She had everything Shukumei was hoping to attain at a new school—beauty, popularity, a boyfriend, and an aura that made you want to be around her and be her friend. Shukumei had a sinking feeling that she would never get those things, not even friends.
The city bus pulled up to the bus stop and the students eagerly boarded. The feeling of dread Shukumei had had returned, and worsened as she climbed each step inside of the bus.
The loud sound of heels clicking against the hard crystal floor bounced off the walls and echoed throughout the east wing of the large palace. A young man dressed in fine, royal clothes made his way down the long corridor and stopped outside of a large wooden double door with intricate designs carved in. He stopped and straightened his clothes, put an expression of dignity on his face, took a deep breath, and pushed them open. He stepped into a dimly lit room that smelled of mildew and musk. It was very hot and humid, and every time his silver tipped alligator shoes pressed down on the soft, thick carpet he could feel the secreted water weigh his shoes. The walls looked like the inside of trees with the several rings decorating the rough, jagged surfaces. Large portraits of stone faced kings with cold, black eyes glowered down from the west wall. Their eyes seemed to follow and scrutinize one's every move, and the corners of their mouths seemed to pull tug further down than they already were. On the east wall hung massive heads of game animals. Their lifelike snarls glared down making them look as if they were ready to attack anyone who crossed their paths.
At the far end of the room stood a large tortoise shell that served as a chair. The interior was lined with silk cushions and large, burgundy pillows rested in the chair. The man could see a masculine figure sitting in the chair, but he could not see his features because of the dim light. He already knew who the person was and didn't have to ponder on his looks.
The figure rose from the chair and approached the man. As it came closer, the man could see that the figure was a young man like himself, with smooth, cream-colored skin. His long locks of jet black hair cascaded from the tight, dark green cap that was on his head and rested on the long, burgundy cape flowing behind him. His amber eyes matched the color of the design on his black suit and greatly accented him. He stopped before the visitor and smiled callously. "General Sawakame."
"King Kameousama," the young man bowed slightly. "I received word that you requested to see me, and I came as soon as the words escaped the messenger's mouth."
"That's good; we don't have any time to waste." The king walked over to a grand oak table in the middle of the room that was covered with several wine bottles set up in an intricate design. He pulled two crystal wine glassed from a holder on the table. "While you're here, why won't you join me for a drink? It will be a while, and a nice drink should help wash down the news that I'm going to tell you."
Sawakame shook his head. "No thank you, sire. I'm not in the mood for anything in my mouth right now."
King Kameousama chuckled. "Well, you're rather anxious, aren't you? You just can't wait to find out why the king has called you in for a talk. I bet you're shaking in your boots right now out of apprehension. There's nothing to worry about; you can trust me—no, let me rephrase that: You aren't in any kind of trouble. What you should be worried about has nothing to do with your status."
Sawakame smiled nervously, resenting the king's flippant attitude.
"So tell me, Sawakame, why do you think I called you here?"
"That's what I'm trying to figure out," Sawakame laughed nervously.
"Seriously. What business could I possibly have with the likes of you?"
"I'm sorry, sire, but I am the most perplexed."
"Oh, come now, Sawakame! You're smart; I'm sure you could at least have a guess."
"Forgive me, sire, but I don't."
The king's eyes shone with the pleasure of toying with his general's anxiety. He sighed. "Fine. I suppose I'll have to give you some kind of hint." He cleared his throat. "You are a general."
"And?"
"And? Come on, general, you're supposed to be smart. Did I make a mistake and hire a dunce?"
Sawakame stared blankly at the king.
"Fine," Kameousama sighed. "You are my general. What is your occupation? Define it."
"I am your general, the head of…your militia," the young general said slowly as a dawning look spread across his face. "Is something going on? Are those of the Usagi empire trying to start something? I'll be more than happy to quiet them down."
"No, no, general," the king waved a hand. "Those people are fine. Besides, they're too timid to try and rise up against me. You are nowhere near the right track, but I see that I have woken some kind of intellect in that empty space you call a mind."
"Is it anything serious?"
"Sawakame, do you remember that night that was about fourteen years ago?" Kameousama said nonchalantly as he poured himself a glass of wine.
"Yes, sire, that's something that is impossible to forget. You had an affair with the—"
"Yes," Kameousama interrupted, clearing his throat. "I managed to successfully plant the seed."
"And it died a few hours after it was born."
"Which was what we thought," Kameousama finished as he took a sip of his drink.
"Excuse me?"
The king set his glass down on the table and turned to Sawakame. He had a grave look on his face. "I have gotten word from a highly reliable source that the seed wasn't killed that night. It is living and breathing as of this moment, and isn't far from here."
"But that's preposterous!" Sawakame exclaimed in disbelief. "How can that be? We witness its burial. We even had strong proof that it died."
"The proof turned out to be faux."
"It just can't be alive. If it was, we would know it by now. The prophecy stated that fourteen years subsequent to the seed's birth it would come to its full power. I'm pretty sure there would be news reports and newspaper articles about a terrifying creature reeking havoc in a city."
"You are right about that, but wrong about two things. The prophecy did not state that the seed would come to its full powers fourteen years after its birth, but it would almost reach them. The resource also stated that the seed has light in its system. That's why it has been dormant for so long. Because of that it will take some time before it reaches its full power level, but it should start coming on to its powers right about now. That is why I've called you here, Sawakame. I want you to find the seed before it can reach its full power. I want you to bring it to me so we can put it under our influence."
"Why should we do that? We wouldn't have had to do that if it was alive today. It was even created by us."
"Yes, but once the seed was taken from us and light got into its system, the programming was erased. When it gets fully powered up, it will destroy any and everything that it sees. If we capture it before then, we will be able to control it and prevent it from destroying the world."
"I see now," Sawakame nodded. "But sire, how am I supposed to find it? Where shall I look? We don't even know what gender it turned out to be. It could be anywhere."
"You poor fool, do you honestly think that I would actually send you out to the sea without a boat? I am not that cold hearted; I'd at least have a canoe for you." The king turned to the table and refilled his glass. "We are going to visit with the Kenjanonuma. He will give you the necessary supplies for the mission and bits of advice as well." Kameousama guzzled the rest of the wine from his glass. "Meet me at the wetlands within an hour. You may go."
"Yes, Sire. Thank you for depending on me for this mission." Sawakame bowed and turned to leave the room. As the sounds of his heels clicking against the crystal floor bounced off the corridor walls once more, a smile burst across his face. He felt like jumping in the air and clicking his heels together, but he managed to maintain himself. Finally, after all those years of waiting, the time had finally come to prove his power. He had been dormant for so long, but now he could show himself to the world. And maybe—just maybe—the king would be so pleased with his work that he would put him on a higher position. Sawakame grinned. Yes. This was going to be a good mission.
Shukumei wanted to jump for joy when the final bell to end school rung. It was like sweet music to her ears. She was finally free and could return home! The day at school had not gone well at well. Most of the students in her classes gave her funny looks, and the girls whispered and giggled behind her back. The boys would snicker and call her mean names such as "sundae head," or "triple scoop atama." She was too shy to make friends and thought that they would make fun of her hair or accent, anyway, so she kept herself subdued and tried to keep herself hidden from the class by sitting in a seat at the very back of the room. By the way things were going, she knew her dreams of being popular and having a boyfriend had no chance of coming true.
"Hey, watch yourself, sundae head!" A fat, smelly boy with freckles and messy brown hair shoved Shukumei into a tall red headed girl.
"Ew! Watch where you're going, you freak of cream!" the red head said in disgust. She brushed past Shukumei and tripped her. Her books and papers flew in front of her as her knee and elbow slammed to the hard marble floors. She gave a small whimper of pain and quickly shuffled her papers and books together, trying to keep from crying. She heard cackling behind her and turned to find he red head with some other girls from her classes laughing at her. Shukumei's eyes snapped and she suddenly felt a strong anger bubbling in her stomach. She had the strongest urge to shove her books down their throats. Not knowing what came over her, she grabbed up a book that was lying beside her and prepared to slam it in their faces when the smoothest, most captivating voice she had ever heard in her life spoke above her.
"Excuse me, Miss, but I believe that is my book that you have in your hands."
Shukumei found herself looking up into the most mesmerizing purple eyes she had seen in her life. She managed to look past them and at the deeply tanned face of an extremely handsome young man that they belonged to.
"Um, hello? Tu hablas espanol?"
"What? Oh! I—I'm sorry. I was just…ah…"
The boy slightly smirked, tilting his head in such a way that seemed to make his white hair move gently around his face. "Here. You might need this," he handed her a large textbook. "I'd treat this book right, if I were you; it seemed to come flying at me in the middle of nowhere. When I saw you scrambling for your books I guessed that it must've belonged to you."
Shukumei blushed. "Oh, I'm sorry. I seemed to have lost my balance and tripped." She started to cast an evil glare at the girls behind her but was surprised to find them gawking at her and the boy intensely. She turned back to the boy and took her book. A chill of delight ran down her spine as her fingers lightly brushed against him. She handed him his book and their fingers touched once more, setting off a stronger feeling inside of her, a feeling of desire. She turned away so the boy wouldn't see her reddening cheeks.
"I'm Aisachinotenba Tsukino, by the way," the boy said, "but seeing how long my name is, you can just call me Tenba."
"Wow, that sounds like a pretty name. For a boy, I mean."
"Yeah, a pretty name for a pretty boy," Tenba chuckled. "I can tell by your accent that you aren't from here. Tell me, do they have chairs where you come from, or is it common to sit wherever you're standing when you're tired?"
"Huh?" It took Shukumei a second to realize she was still sitting on the floor. She blushed and tried to lift herself up, but a sharp pain in her knees and elbow prevented her from doing so and caused a small whimper to escape from her lips.
"Are you alright?" Tenba asked, his purple eyes lined with concern.
Shukumei bared a painful smile. "Yeah, I'm okay. My hinges are just a little rusty, that's all." She tried to lift herself again but the pain worsened. She groaned and tried to tolerate the pain.
"You don't look fine," Tenba said. "Let me help you up before you hurt yourself."
Butterflies danced in Shukumei's stomach as Tenba gently held her hand and helped her to her feet. That strong feeling she had before returned to her and became even stronger and lingered longer. Time seemed to stop and it felt like it was just herself and Tenba, the only beings in existence as she gazed into his beautiful eyes and he softly held her hand.
"Tenba-chan? Tenba-chan!" The loud, high-pitched whining shattered Shukumei's daydream and brought her back to the school where the halls throbbed with several students.
"Uh-oh," Tenba muttered under his breath. He snatched his hand from Shukumei's and backed away. "It was nice meeting you. If you see a clumsy rabbit girl running by here, get out of here as soon as you can. And please don't tell her that you saw me." With that Tenba turned and zipped down the hallway and out the door, making a rather lumbering exodus from her life.
Shukumei stared after him for a while, then sighed and gathered her books. I didn't even give him my name, she thought wistfully. Just as she turned to leave she ran smack dab into a strange looking girl who was running towards her at full speed. Her books and papers fell from her hands and met with the ground once more. A couple managed to prevent the encounter by landing safely on the girl's head.
"Owowowow!" the girl screamed, rubbing the spot where the books had ruthlessly bashed her. Shukumei immediately noted her beauty. She had the same tanned skin like Tenba's, and her silvery, lilac colored hair was gathered up into two heart shaped buns on each side of her head with thick ponytails cascading to her shoulders.
"I'm sorry," Shukumei apologized. "Would you like me to—"
"Sorry, but I can't talk. I'm looking for somebody." She dashed down the hall in the same direction Tenba had gone, her long ponytails flowing behind her.
"Weird, ain't she?"
"Huh?" Shukumei turned to see a short, chubby, brown haired girl standing behind her, shaking her head as she stared in the direction the lilac-haired girl had flown.
"She's quite a character," the girl chuckled. Her expression changed into one of scrutiny as she studied Shukumei. "I see that boy has left you sprung."
"Excuse me?"
"Sprung. As in hooked, fallen for," she smirked as she smoothed her brown bob-style hair against her cheeks. "I saw the way you were looking at him when he helped you up and when he left. It was pitiful."
Shukumei slightly blushed. "He was just courteous, that's all. It seemed kind of nice, seeing as how the boys in this school have no manners at all."
"Sure, believe what you want," the girl shrugged. "but I feel like it is my place to warn you not to get too comfortable with him. It can easily turn into an obsession. Believe me, I'd know."
"You've had a crush on him?"
"No, I just know some people who have. As a matter of fact, I'd suggest you not really talk to him at all; he'll act nice towards you and string you along, and before you know it, he'll cut you lose, just like that," the girl snapped her short fingers. "He'll drop the big bombshell that he's not interested in anyone, and you'll be left with salt on your biscuits."
"Oh," Shukumei said, not knowing what to think.
"Yep, that's our Tenba. He especially seems to like toying with the emotions of girls like us. He leaves us so vulnerable we're ready to give up all we have."
Shukumei wanted to ask the girl what she meant by that little comment, "especially girls like us," but decided to hold her tongue.
"I don't know why he does it. Maybe it's a sickness," the girl shrugged again and turned to Shukumei. "I'll tell you something else, too—if you think you have a chance with that boy, forget it. He is the cutest and most popular boy in school who has just broken up with his girlfriend, and there is a waiting list a million miles long. The girls will hate on you like it ain't nothin'. If they see you do the slightest thing as to smile at him, they'll be ready to meet you outside for a fight. You'd better hope you'll get home safely, 'cause I saw the way those girls were looking at you, and they looked as if they wanted to tear you open and roast you like a hot dog."
"Yeah, I kind of saw that," Shukumei said as she and the girl began walking out the door. "Was that one girl his last girlfriend?"
"Who, old girl with the heart-shaped odango? No! That was his sister, Usako Tsukino. As the sister of the most popular and cutest boy in the school, you know she has to get up in that piece. She's the most popular girl in the school and one of the prettiest. Her waiting list is about as long as Tenba's. I just don't understand it," she shook her brown head, a confusing frown contorting her face. "That boy has been single for the longest and there are millions of pretty girls just waiting to sink their claws into him, and he hasn't given any one of them a second look. Humph. To tell the truth, I honestly think he's gay. I hope he gets beaten badly. I hate him with all my heart."
"But you just said he was cute," Shukumei reminded, surprised at the girl's bitterness towards such a beautiful person.
"Yeah, I know," the girl admitted. "You can like peanut butter and despise peanuts. I just can't stand him because his game is so weak. I've seen him bruise the emotions of so many vulnerable girls…they ended up doing desperate things." Her fists tightened in anger and her eyes gave off a heated yet sad expression.
"What did they do?" Shukumei asked softly. She had an idea and thought it to be too ridiculous to contemplate but decided to ask anyway. "Commit suicide?"
The look in the girl's eyes deepened, then saddened. She closed her eyes and sighed, then waved a hand. "Don't worry about it. They just did stupid things over a stupid boy."
The girls walked on in an awkward silence. The short girl sighed and spoke up. "I'm Chikaiguu, by the way, but call me Chikai."
Shukumei smiled. "I'm Shukumei Mikadzuki. It's nice meeting you," she stuck her hand out to Chikai, but pulled it back to her side when she started erupting into a fit of laughter. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing," Chikai giggled. "No, I'm lying. Your name! It sounds so funny! Whoo, your mama must've been on some serious stuff when she named you!"
Shukumei frowned and felt her cheeks grow hot. "My name is not funny; it's elegant and holds great honor," she knew she was lying through her teeth.
"Whatever! It's ugly!" Chikai roared.
"Really? My word, I can't believe someone who looks like the butt of an old, dried up horse is trying to say that my name is ugly."
Chikai stopped laughing. "Okay, I was lying about the name; your face is ugly. It looks like the genitals of a barren cow."
"What?! How dare you—"
"Yes, how dare I, you ugly little dick."
Shukumei stopped and faced Chikai, who wasn't looking too happy herself. A hot anger took over her body and she thought about beating this munchkin to a useless pulp. She raised her fist.
"Ooh, well who do we have here? Hmm, I can smell the aroma of a slut puppy on the premises."
The thick, feminine voice stopped Shukumei's fist from smacking into Chikai's face. She suddenly realized that they had wandered into a dark ally. She put her fist down and turned in the direction from which she had heard the voice. "Who's there?"
*
Sawakame proudly swaggered down the corridor, his chest sticking out as far as it could go and a superior yet satisfied smirk plastered on his face. He glanced down at the small round tool in his hand that looked like a stopwatch in pearl lining. It was one of the many tools the Kenjanonuma had given him to help capture the seed. The one Sawakame was holding was called a tracker. It was something like a digital map that could sense a large amount of power exerted at one time. He was grateful that this tool was given to him; since the seed was the only powerful being, the tracker made the job much easier. Sawakame whistled a happy tune and took a few steps back in time as he recalled his visit with the Kenjanonuma.
An hour after his visit with the king, Sawakame returned to his chambers and they both took a trip to the wetlands which were a large, swampy area. They came upon a rather large tree which turned out to be the Kenjanonuma's home. He was an old, weary-looking man who was practically hidden under a hooded, rust colored cloak. King Kameousama explained the situation to the old man. After a moment of silence the old man finally spoke. He gave Sawakame tips and told him what to look out for. He even offered some strategies. He then gave Sawakame a large bag with several tools that would help him on his mission. After the visit Sawakame planned his strategies with the king and told him of his plans. He felt so important because he was doing a very vital job which would most definitely promote him and higher his royal status.
The shrill beeping and violent shaking of the tracker brought Sawakame's back to the present. He glanced down at the tool and saw a small yellow dot blinking on a narrow piece of land. He pressed a small button several times and stopped. His eyes widened at what the characters read. A source of power was sensed on an island in Japan, in a city near Tokyo. Sawakame looked up from the tracker and grinned sinisterly. It was time to rumble.
*
A soft chuckle wafted from the darkness. Shukumei clenched her fist. "Hello?"
The chuckle continued. Shukumei peered into the shadows and tried to find the source of the laugh. She could barely make out a feminine figure emerging from the darkness. When the person came into the light, she recognized the girl from a few of her classes. She was very pretty. She had smooth, cream colored skin, wavy, dull green hair that ended past her shoulders, and beautiful amber eyes.
"Oh, it's only Airashiikame," Chikai said, slightly relieved. "Hmm, I see you're hanging out in this dark ally, and I don't really need to ask why. Gee, Airashiikame, I knew you had no self-respect and all, but to actually have one of your numerous rendezvous in a dark ally? That's too classless, even for you."
Airashiikame's amber eyes snapped. "I don't have time to lower myself to your standards. I have something more important to tend to." She glared at Shukumei so ominously, she stepped back and slightly shivered.
"Lower yourself to my standards?" Chikai said in mock confusion. "Oh! You're talking about my height! Silly me, and I was just about to say that in order to level your standards with mine, you'd have to reach sky-high."
"Oh, shut up, you little dweeb!"
Chikai clutched her chest. "Oh my word! She called me a dweeb! Oh, I think I feel a slight tingling running up my arm and—Oh! It's traveling up to my chest! Oh! I think I'm having a—"
"Shut up!" Airashiikame snapped. "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful and because I am constantly satisfied and because I satisfy other people. Of course, you wouldn't know anything about that, now would you?"
"Well, if being constantly satisfied is the reason why I always smell fish when you walk by, then no, I don't."
Airashiikame clenched her fists so hard they started to turn pink. She lowered her head and scowled for a minute, then composed herself. "Well, I think I know why you're so cocky. Maybe you don't get any, but I'm sure you do something. Just look at your height. It's a big advantage for you; most other girls would have to actually get on their knees when they're with a boy. You're so lucky! Of course it is nothing but a momentary pleasure, right? That's what I assumed after what Kenji told me—you remember him, right? The guy you were so desperate for that you'd do anything?"
Chikai was irate now; her face had turned a tomato red and she had the most dangerous look on her face. "How did you—"
"How did I know?" Airashiikame interrupted, then burst into a shrill fit of laughter. "It was all over school. I must admit I felt sorry for you at first, but I got over it like everyone got over the news. After all, you aren't really that important. You mean to tell me that you didn't know the reason why everyone was looking at you funny that week? Oh, poor thing, that boy used you like a sanitary napkin made for heavy nights!" She laughed that eerie laugh again.
"Alright, Airashiikame!" Chikai raged. "You think you're so clever and superior don't you? Well, you know what they say—never talk a lot of stuff unless you can back it up. Let's go!"
"Let's go where?"
"To the penitentiary. Let's fight, biatch! I know I'm little but I can whip your butt any day!" Chikai raised her fists, ready to fight.
Airashiikame looked at the girl as if she tried to fly. "You honestly don't know how powerful I am, do you? If I really wanted to, you'd be dust in the wind."
"Do it, then. Nobody's stopping you."
Airashiikame looked at Shukumei, who was standing in the corner deciding what to do. "I plan to use my power otherwise." She snapped her fingers and two girls emerged from the shadows. Both of them had the same complexion, hair color, and eye color, but one was taller and had her hair in a stylish bob while the other had her hair in a high ponytail.
"Ooh, power?" Chikai mused sarcastically. "And exactly how do you plan to use this power? Ooh, let me guess: you are going to try and cut off her breathing by spreading your legs and letting the potent smell of fish waft in the air and choke her? No, that kind of 'power' would kill us all. Wait, I have it. You'll get one of your gigolos and—"
"Shut your mouth, blow girl, or I'll shut it for you!" the girl with the ponytail snapped.
"Kameko, did I tell you to speak?" Airashiikame snapped.
"Yeah," Chikai jeered. "Was that the best you could come up with? Blow girl? How can you shut my mouth for me when your 'massa' won't even let you speak without permission?"
"I've had enough of her, girls. Show her what we turtle girls are made of." Airashiikame snapped her fingers and the two girls flew at Chikai and tore into her. The taller girl kicked her high into the air, disappeared, then reappeared in the sky and rammed her elbow into her back, which sent her flying into the wall of a nearby building.
"Chikai!" Shukumei cried. She tried to run after her but Kameko had grabbed her shoulder and held her back. Airashiikame smiled sinisterly then turned to the tall girl who was about to finish Chikai off by flying at her. "Takenaga!"
The tall girl stopped and flew over to Airashiikame. "What? I was almost finished with her."
"Don't get impatient with me. I know how you love to throw the smack down and all, but this is not what we came here for," Airashiikame turned and glared at Shukumei.
"Who are you?" Shukumei whispered, who was watching the whole scene in a frozen fear. "Why are you doing this?"
"I'll tell you why," Airashiikame snapped. "We hadn't planned to do that to your little friend, but she was getting on my nerves. She brought this on herself. As for you," her eyes immediately snapped from a superior smirk to an evil glower. "I don't know who you think you are, slut, but I saw you all over my man."
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't play stupid with me. I saw you throw your dirty self all over him in the hallway today. I had him in my pocket and he was just about to pop the big question when you came and defiled his mind. I've worked to hard to get his attention, and I won't let you come between us!"
Shukumei stared at the girls and shook her head. "Nothing happened between us, I'm telling you! Even if the situation were like that, then he wouldn't want you anyway."
Airashiikame's features turned from pretty and angelic to evil and grotesque. "All right, girls, let's show this slut what a couple of turtles can do!" Airashiikame clamped her hands together and her body took on a strange glow. Her hands slowly separated as a sheer green light grew between them and formed a large ball of energy. The other girls followed in suit.
Shukumei gasped and stepped back. She desperately wanted to run, but her legs wouldn't move. She felt as if she had to stay there and fight the battle. The girls screamed as they hurled the balls of energy at Shukumei. Just as they were inches from her face, she felt a smothering heat envelop her body before she blacked out.