Buttercup's POV
I don't know who this girl was or why she looks...so familiar. I don't even know if this could be a trap...I mean...that Mina seems fine with her...right? Oh great, I'm losing it...trusting a damn teddy bear but she does have a belt.
I looked back from the corner of my eyes, the girl was holding Mina, who turned its head and waved its little paw right at me. I turned my head back and walked forwards. This girl was powerful...I could tell...I walked a little faster to get a little bit farther from her.
Ding Dong
I could smell her energy...I stopped in front of the bus sign.
"Why are we stopping here?" She asked with serious glare on her face as she crossed her arms.
"This is the fastest way home, so shut it. Can't be late for my curfew." I pulled out 'my' flip phone...well it was my parents' emergency phone. It just had a couple of numbers, but already it was full with missed calls from Home. If only I could just fly...but I don't know about this girl...
"Curfew?" She lifted her brow but looked around at the city in amazement, "This is bigger than the Daimyo's castle. When this is all over. I hope to explore this large castle."
"She thinks this is a Castle!" My brain shouted inside my head.
"This isn't a castle genius!" I yelled out loud, "This is the City of New Townsville! Darn, what's the matter with you?" I covered my mouth as people were staring at me.
Before she could say anything back, she covered her look with one hand, and looking downwards when cops walked by, "You better be glad these Samurais are around. Why are we still standing here?"
That's when the bus finally arrives, she jumped back and fell on her butt...she was totally taken back by this. I really picked up a weirdo here...she kinda reminds me of Beast. Maybe...she really is my a different time.
"What is this...this...large thing? It's loud and growls...*gasp* Could this be a dragon?" She just stood beside it, her ear pressed against it, listening to the engine. I pulled her back.
"You're embarrassing me. It's a bus..."
"Bus? ...Ah...Bus...like the moving magic box said...For transportation? Like a Carriage? Where are the horses? I'm curious how it moves without Horses." She looked around as people started walking passed us to get on. I pulled her up and pushed her onto the bus.
"C'mon, I ain't get time for this." I made it just in time as the door closed behind me.
She just looked around at the people, " Such a large and crowded carriage... A lot has changed since the back in my day. Fascinating..." She was about to walk on but the bus driver stopped her.
He said, "You've gotta pay the toll if you wanna a ride doll."
"Excuse me...Who are you calling a Troll and a Doll! I don't appreciate this treatment...I'm the House Maid of the Hikari Clan...show some-"
"No stupid. Toll. Geez." I was finally able to pull enough change out for the both of us and placed it in the meter, "C'mon, before you embarrass me some more."
"Payment, why didn't he simply say that, " She pouted as I pushed her towards a seat, "Whatever, such complications but yet such splendor. Too bad there is not much time to marvel at this New Period of time. Maybe...if we're lucky...afterwards..."
She talks funny...it was hard to explain...like a serious grown up. I stood up, grabbing a pole...trying my best not to get too close to her. Her energy...it was...was so strong...It was almost...hard to breathe...so...I could smell it...It smelled old...an old musty powerful scent...but...but...it smells so delicious. WHY?
The Bus stopped again...almost home. Suddenly, the wind just started blowing hard...it was really strong and the sky just seemed to darken with the clouds...My whole body just...pulsed...something was coming...
Ding Dong
I felt something pulsing in me...it was so sudden and intense that my body felt frozen and weak. I had to lean against the pole just so I wouldn't fall.
"So hungry..."The smell of her energy, this energy made me feel so...so...hungry...so intoxicating. This sudden...sudden intense...hunger..., "Why?"
Ding Dong
What's that Ding dong sound? Who's saying that?
"Get down." She grabbed my hand and pulled me down sitting right next to her.
"What?" I asked, breathless...I was too close to her, I was about to slid back...
"Don't move." She snapped, as she pushed me further back into the chair and pushed back herself like...trying her best to hide beside the sleeping guy she was sitting next to.
"What?" I whispered, I was so close to her...I could even see the veins in her neck...that energy coursing through her veins. I felt that intense hunger...the urge...it was so powerful...I could barely breathe, but...but...I was breathing so hard...I was starting to wheeze softly.
"That?" She whispered, she tilted her head past the guy. I looked past her, that good delicious musty smell of her energy...why was this so overwhelming?
I saw it, I see it...a figure...wearing a long, wide dark purple dress with this darkish brown hair that hung down like she was looking downwards...sitting up with both hands on the sides, gripping the seat. She wore a jacket, that draped off her left shoulder, revealing her sleeveless strapped dress with detached black fishnet arm sleeves...at least on her left side.
She was so pale...was she another monster? Another monster stalking me...just like at the bathroom in the Police Station or in the apartment...Can anyone else see her?
What was that around her neck?
"Don't look too closely." She sat back and I just followed her lead.
I felt this sudden pain in my chest, my heart was beating so fast...and I could feel each beating like a jack hammer that was digging into the concrete. My face...was dripping in sweat...I'm not hot...
I know you can hear me
"Who said that?" I looked around, the voice sounded way way way too familiar. I felt like I could hear everything inside the bus, everyone's breathing, the clicking, clanking and snuffling of shoes as people enter and exit the bus, the whispers of people..but the loudest was this crunching sound.
I looked over the girl and down towards the front of the bus...where that creature was sitting. Resting in its or hers lap was a small bag...she was eating...cookies maybe...but each crunch was agony itself...at the same time, that sick twisted pit of hungry was almost overwhelming...
Open up the door
I only want to play a little
"Who is singing, it's really annoying."
My fangs...I could feel them coming out, it was so painfully. My nails were growing and sharpening like...like claws...
That memory flashed right back into my head...Boomer standing at the dock with the sun turning red...(Remember it was in PPGZ: Bushido, where Boomer was attacked and nearly killed)
The Sky turned blood red...I...I was sitting under a tree...
Boomer...Boomer was standing on the dock...
"Buttercup...what's Up? Don't worry...I haven't done anything yet...just waitin- You ok? You look a little sick," Boomer asked...he flashed into my head...I shook my head like crazy to get that image out...and it was almost in slow motion...I was just reaching out.
"No...No...No." I can't think about that.
The heat from this red sky...I felt like I could melt...
"No...No..NO...NO!" I shook my head faster and faster, "I don't want to remember!"
There was this intense chill in my spine that made me opened my eyes, and a strong force that made my head turn back...to the window. I could see an image...my...my reflection...I saw this older figure...was that me...it was wearing the same collar and top part of the shirt I'm wearing. The white part of the eyes...the corneas...were black with a red circle...eye color...it must have been a second but it felt like hours...as it just looked back at me...
It just roared at me, with her mouth stretched out long and long fang sticking out!
"NNNNOOOOOO!" I can't stand it, I covered my ears and placed my head on my knees, "I don't want to ever attack anyone ever again...I don't want to be that thing again!" I was wheezing...I've never been so scared...not like this...not of myself. I don't want to hurt Butch.
"Listen to me, you must never give in...to that hungry...it hastens the transformation, you must never use the Leech's abilities either."
Beast's warning repeated over and over in my head until finally...
"Hey...hey! What's wrong?" The girl nudged me, "Hey, answer me."
"I just feel a little sick." I gasped, refusing to sit up. I couldn't risk it, what if I sat back up and just bit her.
"I understand..."
My heart felt like it was going to drop into my stomach...did she know?
"I'm surprise that you can sense it this intensely...You don't look like you're a descendent of the Aisu Clan. They were always so sensitive to such energies...your appearance of that of the Mighty Chikyū clan."
"Wha?" Maybe she doesn't know, "What's this whole Aisu and Chiku?"
She ignored my question,"This energy is sickening, we must flee from the Giant Carriage...quickly. This kind of energy can draw monsters to us...and unfortunately in my current state, I don't have complete control of my powers...not to take them on at night."
"Yes...we can get off here." I stood up, staggering a little bit. It was so painfully. Just think happy thought...good thoughts...
One step...
"My dad."
Second step
"My mom."
Third Step
"Baseball...Baseball." We were almost passing her.
Fourth step
"Socc-." Just trying to pass her felt like the world...just went slow and...and...the bus shook and I fell...right onto someone's lap. I just looked up into a dark purple eye, "Sorr-"
Ding Dong
I have found you
That eye...just widened...It felt so intense...I've never felt so sick but I just can't bring myself to move. My heart was pounding so fast and hard that I could feel beating in my ears.
Suddenly, I was pulled away and off the bus, where I could finally breathe.
"Are you crazy, you can't look a monster like that in the eyes. It's dangerous!" The girl yelled at me, people stopped to stare at us, "DO YOU PEOPLE MIND?"
I gathered all the strength I could to stand up, " I'm...ok." My hands were shaking, so much energy, "We're almost to my place."
"Good, we must hurry...the sun is starting to set. That was one powerful monster, it may start to stalk us."
I nodded, just starting to walk...actually more like power walk, "Oh...good. We're here."
The other girl stood there with her jaw opened wide, "You live here, this is better than the Shogun's Palace."
"No...darn it. You can't be that slow, it's called an Apartment Complex. Cmon," I pulled her arm and walked into the building.
"What is so complex about it?" She asked. I just pulled her onto the elevator, with several other people and pushed nine.
"It's a place with lots of other homes in it..." I answered harshly. I hate being in this elevator...after what happened last time. My spine shivered at the thought, I crossed my arms, trying to hide my shaking hands.
"I don't understand, so there are homes...in this large building? Why? What's this strange magic thing, "She stumbled as the elevator stopped on the third floor.
"What is wrong with you? You can't be this stupid." I snapped under my breath.
"Hey! I'm about 518 years old! Show a little damn respect!" She yelled back. I was about to snap back but with a side glance, I could see the people behind us looking at us.
"Oh...hah...it's a play...hahahah..for school." I was relieved when the elevator stopped to my floor, "Laters." I waved at them, pulling the girl and rushing off of the elevator and down the hall, "Look, I'm not getting grounded because of you and wait...did you just say 518 years old?" I asked as I was just about to unlock my apartment door. That little Mina teddy bear nodded its head.
"Yes...according to that Nurse lady...it's 2000 something correct. I've been stuck in that damn bear for 500 years. It's only thanks to my mistress that my Spirit has been freed and just in time to."
"What? How? What the-"
Who the heck did I just bring to my place?
Before I could anything else, the door opened wide, with my Dad looking like he was ready to cry and pulling me into one of his famous bone crushing hugs.
"Buttercup, where have you been? IT WAS GETTING LATE!" Dad hugged tighter and shaking from side to side.
"Can't...breathe..." I gasped, struggling to pull out of his grip but his shaking made me feel so dizzy, "Pop..."
Fresh air rushed into my nostrils as he let me go.
"Buttercup...do you know what time it is? You were almost late...Your Mother was ready to call the cops."
"No I wasn't." Mom chimed in from behind, "Dear...she had at least 30 more minutes to get here. Oh..hello there..."
The girl nudged me with her elbow, clearing her throat, "Ahem."
"Oh...Mom...This is...My Friend...ahh..."
Oh crap...I never asked her name!
The girl sighed, bowing her head, "Hello...My name is Brianna. It is an honor to meet you, "Then she bowed to her knees to Dad, "It is a relief to see the Great Chikyū is still going strong. "
"Huh?" Mom and Dad tilted their heads.
I laughed nervously and pulled her up, "Isn't she just funny? C'mon Bree, I told ya...You can't keep...keep... showing off your acting skills." I pushed her through the door, passed Mom and Dad, "Drama Club. She's staying over. No questions asked please." I shouted out.
"Oh...okay Dear." Mom chuckled lightly, thank goodness she's so easy going.
"Oh...Drama Club...I remember when I was in Drama, back in Middle School...I was Tree #3." Dad chimed in, closing the door, "Well..as long as it isn't that trouble Maker 'Boy'." Dad seemed to hissed at the boy.
"Oh Dear, don't pick on Buttercup's Boyfriend." Mom chuckled and smiled when she said that.
I shot back, "H..HE'S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!"
Why did I fell so embarrassed and yet...kinda happy when she said that...Oh...so confusing.
"Oh...that's not what I heard..."Dave was sitting on the couch, he turned around with a smug look and made kissing sounds. I squeaked and threw a pillow at him, I forgot that I'm in high school...with Dave now. I bet...he knows..about...that...Kiss.
Even thinking about it...made me feel like my face could burn off.
Normal POV
Back in the Abyss, the girl from the bus floated back, transforming into Him.
"Well, how did it go?" Insidious asked.
Him bowed, "She...she resisted...but..but..you should've seen her...if she stayed longer I'm sure the Leech would have resurfaced. The Urges are there, Your...Your Darkness."
In The City of Cityville, next to New Townsville, a night guard was slipping his coffee as he was doing a crossword puzzle. He glanced at the Security screens and back to the puzzle. A portal appeared out of no where, four figures stepped out of the portal, the new girl was the last person to jump out, she lifted her hand up and the portal closed behind them.
Britain was standing in awe at the many stores, while Blake walked over to this disheveled new girl who was looking down at the ground.
"Very well now ...ah...what was your name again?"
This girl had her hands in her mouth, her eyes darting from side to side, she chuckled a little but then just stopped and answered, "Ryoko...it..it's Ryoko."
Blake's eyes seemed to scanned this dishevelled figure, "She seemed a lot more fidgety than when we were in the Abyss like she was nervous of this world...but that's not the case. Her darting eyes and biting her finger. She's burtsing with an unstable joy...she's clearly unhinged...but has enough conscious thought to show...a harmless emotionless face...we must be careful not to stimulate her too much. Or she could turn on us...unless I lay the foundation..it should be easy...she lacks a trusting nature...but yet...wants to fit in. " Blake analyzed and nodded to herself.
"Ryoko? Eh...Well now, you're a talented one...you've opened a portal like it was nothing. I'm Blake...this is Britain...and of course..the one you jumped earlier is Bonnie."
"The arms...arms." Ryoko seemed to chuckle again. Her eyes darted to Bonnie who was looking at toys.
"As I thought...people...aren't people to her...they're things...until she puts a face or name on them...figuratively speaking." Blake put her hands on her hips and said, "Now...we call people by their names around here...But-"
Britain cut in, "Enough talking...time for shopping. I refuse to be dress like some tacky triplets. We must look fabulous..." Britain grabbed Bonnie, pulling her towards a shop, "Be a dear and break that." She pointed at the metallic bars that covered the entrance.
Blake was about to walk away, but she stopped and turned around to see this Ryoko looking through the pet store's window. She just walked over to this Ryoko who was licking the window...
"Like something you see?" Blake asked, her eyes were cold and calculating, even as she looked at this girl with a smile, there was no feeling in it...anazlying the many ways to manipulate this new ally.
"She's too far unhinged to obey like Bonnie and Britain...but...she can..be...persuaded...with the right tools."
Ryoko was drawing a circle on the window.
"Come...Follow me." Blake said as she walked in front of the Pet store, a blast of energy escaped from her hand, and they slided through the twisted bars.
Ryoko chuckled again as she followed. Blake walked towards the cages, every animal that was crying, barking, meowing, or hissing were instantly silenced by Blake...or possibly Ryoko.
Ryoko giggled madly as she ran past Blake and towards the Rabbits' cage. While all the others shuffled into a corner, except for one: a brown with a dark brown spot over its right eye, white on its stomach and floppy ears.
"Chihiro." Ryoko called breathless, grabbing this small rabbit and hugging it close to her body.
"Chihiro? That's a serious name for a pet." Blake said, she talked softly as she walked behind her, "Unless Chihiro is someone else?"
"Chhiro is my someone else...of course someone else. Look...the rabbit has the mark...here...Like Chihiro's. Do you want to know how I got this...how we got got this..." Ryoko turned around, petting the rabbit...her dark purple eyes...turned into a strange lighter color as she lifted the left side of her hair from her face, revealing a discoloration...
"Of course." Blake asked. Her eyes glanced back as she noticed someone was approaching them from behind.
"Daddy hurt me...*chuckled* Daddy hurt us...I was so..upset...seeing Chihiro cried...hurt me...*chuckled harder* But...what really hurt...was when Oka-san..just watched...Hahhahaha...She just watched...what a funny joke." Ryoko patted the rabbit, but Blake caught it and stood to the side. Ryoko just couldn't control her laughter. The animals cried out and crouched into their cages as the their shadows swirled and spiraled towards her. Ryoko had tears coming down her face as her head threw back in laughter. The shadows formed in front of her, transforming this strange puppet, her hands clenching her face and the shadow strings cast into the fingers of her left hand .
"Freeze!" The security guard had noticed some activity in the camera and the silent alarrm going off. He pointed his taser at this laughing girl.
"THE JOKE WAS ON HER! HEHHHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! WASN'T IT! I GOT THEM ALL!" Ryoko screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Don't m...m...make...me-" The security guard was slashed by the puppet in his shoulder.
"Interesting...interesting...so this is what happens when she's overstimulated." Blake had a sadistic smile on her face and a loving look and blush on her cheeks as the guard cried out in agony, "Oh...what a wonderful sound."
