Chapter Eight:
"Planned Encounters?"
Tokyo: Hikawa Shrine
After receiving a vast variety of information in an e-mail from Elayne, and printing out the most important, Ami had called up Serena asking her to gather the others, so that they could meet at the Shrine.
The Sailor of Mercury had known about Elayne's fetish for mythology and legends, and had approached the girl to ask if she could find out anything about the demons they had encountered.
Ordinarily, Ami wouldn't have gone to someone outside the Senshi, but she had tried to come up with information on her own, and had no luck at all. After approaching Elayne, the girl had explained to the Inner Scout about a project she was working on with a friend. She seemed to believe that this friend had the information Ami was looking for, as Elayne only had half of it.
Well, it seemed Elayne had been right, because the data and description on the Raikken fit perfectly with the odd-samurai demons they had been fighting.
Ami put down the last of the paper she had printed up, having now finished reading it all aloud. So they were fighting minions that worked under some sort of demon that didn't have a listed name? That was just so helpful; about as helpful as finding out a store was having a sale, the day after the sale.
At least they had a name for the minions now, and a general understanding of how they worked…Other than that, they had nothing…Aside from the interesting myth of the 'Yorioden Samurai Troopers,' or 'Ronin Warriors' as they were called by an American mythologist.
Mercury looked up, and sighed knowing the others weren't thinking about their enemy at all, undoubtedly more focused on these 'Ronin.'
"Wow," Lita murmured, "So, these guys are warriors like us?"
"Mhm, except their powers are based on the elements," Ami was close to rolling her eyes just like she had suspected. The only reason the Sailor of Jupiter was interested, was because the word 'guy' had been spoken.
"Wouldn't it be awesome to meet them?" Mina sighed dreamily.
Rei and Serena seemed to be in another world as well.
The blue-haired girl gave a long miserable sigh, why did she get stuck with friends that could never take anything seriously?
"Oh, are we going to the Lounge tonight?" The Fire Senshi suddenly inquired, "I heard that the WannaBe's are playing."
"They are?" Mina came out of her daze in an instant.
Ami's brows pricked into a frown, trying to figure out what on earth her friends were talking about this time.
"The girls we met at the Estate, Ames," Serena brought in, having caught the confused look.
"Oh, that's right," the blue-haired teen mumbled, "Count me in, I enrolled, but the University says they can't find my papers."
"Great!" The brunette chimed in now, then quickly said, "Uh not so great about you missing out on a semester, but great as in: when do they start?"
"Eight," Rei calmly replied, barely resisting the urge to roll her eyes.
Tokyo City
The Outer Senshi were going through similar paces as that of the Inner at this moment, having also been sent the information. Having been unable to come up with anything on their own, they too had ended up turning to the girl. Michelle was aware that Nakahara-san had been interested in mythology and uncommon legends, so if anyone would have the information it would've been him.
In the end it turned out the man had been working on something with a friend of his, who was also now deceased, so Elayne only had half of what they needed. However, she had explained she was friends with the professor's granddaughter, and that they were working on piecing everything together. She had promised to send them the information as soon as she got it, and the girl had come through.
Now, whether the Outer Senshi knew the Inner had also gone to the girl to get the data they were now piling over was doubtful, Elayne kept things like that to herself and she was also a very big fan of the 'blind carbon copy' feature.
Michelle frowned as she paused to listen to Amara, she tilted her head to study the blonde.
"So, these Ronin Warriors are also stuck in this mess?" She asked raising a golden eyebrow.
"If what Michelle is reading is correct at least," came Lindsay's response, "Otherwise, who knows?"
"You're not being very helpful," the Senshi of Saturn muttered in annoyance, "Just for once, can't you take anything seriously and at face value?"
The woman seemed to think it over, replying with, "Nope."
Trista gave a mere roll of her eyes, it was easy for her to ignore Lindsay she knew how to tune the woman out, "At least we know for certain what we are dealing with now. I think it's time we tried to meet up with the Inner Senshi."
"Oh?" The Scout of the Galaxy perked up, "Pray tell, exactly how do you plan to track them down?"
"Why Lindsay," The Senshi of Neptune offered a sarcastic smile, "One would have thought, you'd remember when the WannaBe's last and final gig was. After all, didn't you help that Callista girl as band manager?"
Silver eyes widened in complete shock, "Heavens! I completely forgot what month it was. But hey," A smirk crept across her face, "That means little cousin will be there."
Amara let out a groan, shooting to Michelle across the mind link, 'You just had to say something, didn't you?'
The Scout merely tipped up her head, and offered a 'hmph' in response.
"But how do you know they'll be there?" Lindsay inquired raising an eyebrow.
Trista let out a sigh through her nose, it should have been obvious, but she forgot how clueless the young woman could be; "If they aren't going already, we'll call them and ask to meet there."
"Oh," was all she could come up with in the form of a response.
Tokyo Outskirts
"Remind me again, we have to walk after having been on a train for so long, because?" The Hardrock Ronin grunted.
Sage gave a roll of his violet eyes, "We need the exercise."
"You maybe," the Strata Ronin shot, "But I could do without."
"Do the rest of us a favor, and save the banter for later," Cye grumbled in irritation, having already broken up three of these types of arguments so far.
The Wildfire Ronin gave a nod, "Ya, after all Cye's getting tired of stepping in."
The girl was oddly silent, having switched over to rollerblades the minute they'd left the station, and she had yet to speak a word.
"Elayne?" The Warrior of Wisdom inquired, as though he had suddenly realized who had yet to speak.
"Hn?" She mumbled in response.
"Are you okay?"
"Fine Sage, just trying to think up a viable excuse not to go to the Exchange Lounge tonight." Well that was just one of her many thoughts at this point in time. The other would be the valid question Kento had brought up; why were they walking? The sole reason for that was because Elayne hadn't felt like dealing with whoever came to pick them up. She had only been able to get brief word to a Board member that she was inviting people to stay for a bit.
She hadn't given full details, or anything of that sort...And Elayne was smart enough to know the minute any female laid eye on the five young men, word would get around twenty-miles in three-minutes. Meaning, she would not get a chance to properly talk with certain people, before they found out in a rather rude way. Plus, the only people who would be willing to pick her up, weren't at home anyway.
"What'cha mean?" Rowen asked in confusion, slowing his pace to study her.
The girl frowned, he had forgotten? "Remember the girls I ended up living with back in America?"
"Mhm," the Hardrock Ronin gave a slight nod.
"Remember, that I managed to 'tweak' the exchange program at their school to get them over here their senior year, since only one of them qualified?" She got a nod from Cye and continued, "Well, needless to say after much more 'Mogami' influence, they ended up becoming permanent residents of the Estate. I can't tell you how badly I wanted to torch any and all paperwork I saw from that day forth."
The Ronin of Strata let out a laugh, "I believe it; so, what about this lounge place?"
Elayne turned her head and looked over her shoulder, "They're musicians. They started a band after they left America, and are actually quite popular among the locals over here. The Exchange Lounge is not the club's real name, but it's what everyone calls it. Hang-out preferred by any and all exchange students in this country."
"Why don't you want to go?" Ryo asked, raising an eyebrow at her.
"Because I'm tired, and I have company, but," the girl looked over her shoulder again, "If you guys want to go, say the word and I'll take you."
She came to a halt outside the gates, and had to let out a groan when she heard the guys reaction to seeing the Estate.
"WOW!"
'This was not one of my better ideas,' Elayne moodily thought to herself, pausing, 'Then again, this wasn't my idea in the first place, it was the Elders.'
Rowen stood on the observation deck behind the apartment, looking out over the grounds in pure awe. The girl had left them to themselves, after giving them the keys to the top floor. The apartment itself was more like a mini-house with one floor.
Five bedrooms, a kitchen, a small den, two bathrooms…Here the Strata Ronin had to chuckle, that was one way to avoid Sage hogging it. No, his best friend was not that vain about his appearance…It's just that one day Sage tried to change the style of his hair. After two-and-a-half-hours in the bathroom, the man had given up his hair absolutely refusing to cooperate.
Needless to say, the other four had not forgotten about the incident and had a habit of bringing it up every now and again; much to the Halo Ronin's dismay.
Ryo shook his head in mirth, coming up behind his friend, "You thinking what I'm thinking?"
He laughed, "Yes. I'm wondering if she didn't have that added."
"On such short notice?" Kento snorted quirking an eye-brow at the blue-haired man.
"Knowing our dear Elayne…" Cye left the sentence hanging, each knowing full well the ending to the sentence.
"You four are talking about me, aren't you?" Sage accused deciding to join them.
"Nah, not a chance," the Ronin of Strata gave a smug grin.
"Rowen, I'm over half a room away and I know you're lying," Elayne's voice rang out.
"Back so soon?" Ryo pretended to be disappointed at her sudden return.
"Well, someone had to make sure Blaze got here all right," she gave him a look that said, 'which-should-have-been-you.' "I managed to get him past everyone without an issue though. Lucky for us, huh boy?"
White Blaze rubbed into her leg and gave a deep purr in agreement with her statement.
"So when do we head over to the Lounge?" Rowen was just a tiny bit curious to see what the deal was about these girls.
Having made their way into the Estate like they had, he had caught bits of excited conversation about the all-girl band. It seemed that Elayne was right, the 'WannaBe's' were quite popular.
The girl smirked at him, "Not even here a day and you are already going girl shopping, geez Rowie."
"HEY! Do not call me that!" He snapped at her, quickly adding, "And I am not!"
"Liar," Kento and Cye teased the archer, noting the slight blush on his face.
"Come on Rowen, you hang out with Sage," the Wildfire Ronin pointed out, enjoying the chance to join in on the banter.
"For your information, I am not…"
Elayne quickly clamped her hands over Sage's mouth, so he couldn't finish.
"Sage, dear," the girl gave a sympathetic sigh, "You are trying to explain something to a deaf man. Don't waste your breath."
"Why you little brat!" Ryo growled at her, more than tempted to launch himself at the girl.
Elayne gave a triumphant smile, releasing Sage she said, "I'll see you downstairs gentlemen, I have to change. People hate having me go out in public looking like this."
The girl rolled her eyes, and without waiting for an acknowledgement left.
Instead of walking, this time they took a car, more notably the extra van the WannaBe's kept. The men had been a little surprised when Elayne had climbed into the driver's seat, the girl ended up having to point out the fact that she was eighteen.
Needless to say after that announcement, and having their jaws drop to the floor, the drive was done in silence. Possibly due to the Ronins embarrassment of having forgotten her age, and more likely due to the girl's annoyance that they thought she was still a little kid.
She parked around the back, and muttered, "We're here."
Without another word she got out of the car, and locked her door, letting it slam shut, causing each Ronin to wince at the sound.
Elayne shot one glance over her shoulder, quirking an eyebrow at them, silently inquiring as to what was keeping them.
The five Ronins exchanged looks, then exited the vehicle and followed after her.
'Hmm, someone's watching us,' Sage frowned, and looked around the room. It was dark in here, much darker than to his tastes, and granted they had only entered a mere five minutes before…But, he couldn't help but feel eyes on him.
Elayne tilted her head at him confused as to why he stopped, then shrugged and sat down in a bar stool.
After several minutes had passed the Ronin of Halo could see clearly, and his violet-eyes darted around the room, coming to rest on four young women.
He raised his eyebrows in questioning at the red-head who had been watching him.
She gave a small smile in return, and then whispered something to her companion, who had azure blue and cerulean streaked hair.
This woman looked up, a thoughtful frown on her face, and she then elbowed the platinum blonde sitting next to her.
The woman whirled, a playful smile quickly lighting up her features, she said something, but what he couldn't catch. He was too far away to read her lip movements clearly.
The woman sitting next to her had midnight blue hair, with sky blue streaks; and her reaction was more amusing, when she turned around, her jaw nearly hit the floor.
Kirstin recovered and then grinned, 'Layne, wow you brought back cute guys after all!'
Elayne snorted inwardly, stirring the lime water she had ordered, 'I always keep my promises, don't I?'
'Cute? What planet are you from, they are way hott!' That was undoubtedly Vanessa.
The girl made a gagging sound in her mental voice, 'Them? Cut me a break, Ness! They are nothing to drool over.'
'Says you Layne, you are thinking of them as older brothers,' Aurora shot, continuing to size up the five men.
'Please say at least one of them is single?' Callista murmured hopefully.
Elayne gave a roll of her hazel-violet eyes, 'Last time I checked, they all were.'
'YES!' The four women chorused loudly.
'Girls,' she thought to herself irritably, 'They act more like high-school teenagers than I do, and they're older than me!'
Sage frowned, as he tapped Elayne on the shoulder, "We're being watched."
"I know," She grimaced a tiny bit, "That'd be the girls."
"Introduce us already," Kento elbowed her with a wink.
"I don't have to, they are coming over here," Elayne swiveled around to face the four approaching women.
Vanessa had the reputation for being the most out-going of the four-girl band, she put on her trade-mark smile that she used back in high-school. It was the one that made raging mad teachers turn into tame kittens, heavens knew she had gotten out of enough detentions with that smile; "Hi there! Eytinge Vanessa. I play the piano for our rag-tag band here."
She surveyed the five young men, letting her eyes linger on Cye for a moment as something about him felt oddly familiar; before turning to Elayne, "Girlie, you didn't say you were going shopping."
Elayne smirked at her friend, picking up her usual line when introducing the four young women to any of her 'oniichans', "I didn't go shopping, I just 'found' them."
Aurora laughed a little, "You always do find the good ones. I'm Wimund Aurora, lead singer and main guitarist."
As true to his upbringing, the Ronin of Halo politely spoke up, "Date Sage, pleasure."
"Sometimes I wish I had your luck," the other woman told Elayne with a wink, then addressed the five young men, "My name is Griffith Callista. I'm the other singer, and guitarist. As well as band coordinator."
"Hashiba Rowen," The Strata Ronin stated after several minutes pause; he was impressed that the women were familiar with traditional Japanese custom.
'They've only been living here for about two years,' Elayne broke in over the mind link, 'But they've been studying the culture and customs for at least five. If they don't know most of it by now, they're hopeless. Actually, they already are hopeless.'
"Hmm, you either 'find' guys, or get them for free. You gotta tell me your secret one of these days," Kirstin commented to her friend, "Blair Nozomi. I tend to go by my middle name, 'Kirstin.' I'd be the drummer, since I can't carry a tune to save my soul."
"The extremely stunned ones…" Elayne pointed to the remainder in turn, "That's Mouri Cye, Rei Faun Kento and," Here her voice became filled with boredom, as she jerked her thumb at Ryo, "This guy is the biggest pain I've ever dealt with."
Ryo elbowed her sharply, giving her a warning glare, "Sanada Ryo."
Elayne shoved him for payback, stating coolly, "Do that again, and you'll end up on your rear end, buddy."
The women snickered, and Aurora spoke up, "Ah so you're the poor soul that had to deal with Elayne? We feel your pain."
"I'll give you four a one way ticket back to America if you keep it up," the girl teasingly warned.
"Come up with a better line, Laney," Vanessa commented in English and rolled her eyes; though she was amused with the statement.
"I would, but the comedy club is two blocks down," The girl remarked in-kind, sounding quite forlorn.
Cye chuckled a little, remarking in accented English, "They wouldn't let you in there. Your wise-cracks would prove to be too much for those poor fools."
'OH! So mine! He's got a British accent, I am in love!' Vanessa rang out cheerfully.
Elayne bit back the urge to laugh at her friend, and only shook her head in amusement, yup, still carried on like high-school teenagers.
'Wow,' Callista was surprised that Cye spoke with such an accent, and couldn't help but wonder, 'Hey are they all bilingual?'
'Mhm, except for Kento,' the girl answered, 'He's tri-lingual, his parents are Chinese.'
The Hardrock Ronin grinned stating, "Sometimes they prove to be too much for us."
"Agreed," The other four men stated at once.
Kirstin snickered, "Oh yeah, we hear ya. Uh-oh better scramble ladies. Otherwise we'll feel the wrath of Lindsay."
"Oh joy," the other three muttered, rolling their eyes; they bowed politely to the young men before walking away.
"Ack!" Elayne gasped, fear hitting her upon hearing the name.
She wrapped her hands around the arm of the closest Ronin to her, which unfortunately for him, happened to be Sage.
"What's the matter with you?" The blonde swordsman asked in complete confusion.
"Hide me!" The girl pitifully whimpered, "She's here; I didn't think she would be. Please, hide me?"
Wildfire's bearer tried very hard not to burst out laughing, knowing what was going through her head; he settled for chuckling instead, "Something the matter Elayne?"
"Shove it Ryo," She spat back in annoyance, then turned imploring eyes to Sage, "Don't let any woman with green-hair and silver-eyes within fifteen feet of me, please!"
"Oh grief," the Ronin of Trust muttered, recalling an occasion where he had seen someone like that, "Isn't that the girl that was basically parading you like a doll around during that social event?"
"I think you're in trouble mei mei," the Warrior of Strength commented, "Cause there's someone coming this way that fits your description."
"It's worse than that, Cye. That 'girl' is my cousin," Elayne groaned slumping in her seat, and muttered under her breath, "Someone up there completely hates me, I know it!"
All of a sudden the girl realized that it was going to be a very long night.
A/N: See, I didn't completely forget about the Senshi after all :D
Thanks a lot for reviewing the previous chapter. I'm glad to hear that Elayne is liked; and that some of you don't view her as being a MS. I still consider her one simply because she isn't part of the original cast of either show. I've just tried to make her as 'human' as possible, thus staying away from the MS's we all dread.
Elayne was sort of like Ryo's adopted sister. She was more or less shoved on the Sanada family because her legal guardian did not feel like being bothered with her (but that's another story). The two of them grew up together (for a while); however, they never really shared a brother-sister relationship.
Yeah, it's safe to say she was mad about that. Ryo tried to protect her, by not worrying her or involving her at ll...Instead, he made her worry twice as much and got hit for it. Poor guy, he just can't win.
