Family

Two: Complications

Nao Yuuki looked at the stuffed black bunny with a knife sticking out of it's guts with an expression of mild disbelief. "You have got to be fucking kidding me," she muttered, the redhead shaking her head.

"Hey, unplug your ears!" Seppuku Kuro Usagi shot back, the bunny glaring at her, "I don't have to be telling you any of this! I'm just talking to you as a favor to Akane."

"Don't give me lip," Nao picked up the swearing bunny by it's ears and shook it, "or I'll rip your stuffing out."

"I'm sorry about his bad attitude," Akane Mishima sighed, back to her more normal, meek self. They were both in her overly pink bedroom, getting a briefing from the bunny. "Now please, put him down," she begged.

"Okay, let me see if I got this straight," Nao said with a grim smile as she put the toy down. "You and your friends are magical girls called Kampfer, and originally you fought among yourselves based on the color of your bracelets."

"Right," the rabbit nodded.

"Which has to be the dumbest reason to fight ever," Nao muttered.

"No editorial comments, dumbass," the bunny growled but shut up when Nao gave it a threatening look.

"Then you found out that your buddy Kaede was really with the Moderators controlling the fighting, and that she wanted Natsuru's girl form," Nao said dubiously.

"Yes," Akane said with a blush.

"So when you guys refused to keep fighting each other Kaede created a third group of White Kampfer, and is now trying to kick your asses and take Natsuru away for some reason," Nao finished a bit dubiously.

"Though she's more interested in bedding girl Natsuru for whatever reason," the rabbit added. It actually seemed to leer as it added, "She's got it as bad for Natsuru as our Akane does."

"I do not!" Akane yelped. "I mean, I like boy Natsuru not...," she paused, "not that there's anything wrong with that."

"Uh huh," Nao looked at her little sister thoughtfully, "and how does that explain your erotic dojin collection?"

Akane went beet red, "How did you know?"

A grinning Nao reached out and gently poked the girl's blushing cheek as she said, "You just confirmed it."

Akane's mouth dropped open as the rabbit chuckled. "I like you," the black rabbit said with a grin, "you're sharp."

"Meanie," Akane sighed, blushing.

"Heh," Nao grinned. She looked over at her little sister thoughtfully, "So, have you told Natsuru how you feel about him?"

Akane flushed, looking away. "No," she admitted softly, "you see, he seems to think we're just friends, so..."

"Well, we'll have to figure out something then," Nao said, nodding. Not that she really cared that her sister was chasing that dweeb, but she figured helping out might be fun. "So is there anyone else after him other than Kaede?" she asked.

"Uhm," Akane hesitated then added, "Shizuku Sango also likes him."

"The Student Council president?" Nao raised her eyebrows, "You don't think small when you pick your rivals, do ya?"

"It's not intentional," Akane sighed weakly.

One might wonder why a seemingly self absorbed girl like Nao Yuuki would be trying to hep her half sister. Part of it was that Nao was stuck with the Mishima family for the time being, as her father was her only living relative. She could maybe fight to be a emancipated minor, but it was a load of trouble to apply for it. Also, from her perspective she only had to put up with this until she was legally an adult.

And, to be honest, Nao kind of liked Akane. Yes the kid was a bit dopey but she was nice, and it was fun teasing her about her not-so-hidden perverted side. She reminded her a bit of Mai Tokhia, though thankfully not as annoying. Hell, Nao even sorta liked her new stepmother, which should be against the law or something.

"Nao, time to get up!" her step-mom called the next morning as Nao fell out of her bed onto the floor.

"Oww," Nao winced, wondering what the hell she had been dreaming about. Shaking her head she got up, stretching, then stalked out of her room in just her bra and panties to go to the bathroom. Her sister was entertainingly scandalized, again.

"You really need to stop doing that," Akane complained as they hurried out of their house and down the street.

Nao walked along calmly, smiling as she said, "You'd think you and your mother never saw a girl in lingerie before."

Akane blushed furiously, "Where did you get such racy...?"

"Going away gift from my classmate, Natsuki Kuga," Nao answered. Thoughtfully she added, "I was actually a bit surprised she was into stuff like that."

"I see," Akane nodded.

"Hey, Akane! Nao!" Natsuru called, the blue haired young man waiting at their usual spot.

"Natsuru, good morning," Akane smiled up at him just like a puppy.

"Morning," Nao smiled, the three walking to school together. "Natsuru, there's something I've been meaning to ask," she noted.

"Oh?" Natsuru answered, having already learned to be wary of Nao's sharp tongue.

"The first time you transformed," Nao quietly asked, "did you try feeling yourself up?"

"NAO?" Akane yelped, blushing furiously and looking scandalized. Interestingly Natsuru went red too, blushing red as a tomato.

"You DID didn't you?" Nao pressed, smirking.

"Just to see if they were real," Natsuru stammered as he tried to clarify, "it wasn't in a perverted way or anything."

"Really?" Nao drawled. She smirked as she dropped her voice a bit, "You should really try everything out, I understand women are more... responsive then men."

"Nao!" Akane peeped, even brighter red than before. "You are such a pervert," she growled.

"And proud of it," Nao said casually. She smiled at Natsuru, "You really need to get over your inhibitions, Natsuru. You're missing opportunities all over the place."

"Huh?" Natsuru answered, the boy clearly not getting that she was referring to the still fiercely blushing Akane.

They arrived at school a few minutes later, Akane mostly recovering from her blushes by then. A young woman was leaning against the gate waiting, her expression brightening as she saw them coming. "Natsuru!" she called, waving.

"Hey, Mikoto!" Natsuru waved to the brown haired, athletic girl who was looking at him adoringly. Thankfully, he seemed pretty much oblivious to it.

"Yet another rival?" Nao whispered to Akane, "what, did Natsuru get dumped in Axe when I wasn't looking?"

Akane giggled softly as they watched the two talk, "She's his childhood friend, but has been away following her father."

Nao shook her head ruefully. Didn't Akane read TV Tropes? A childhood friend was the worst sort of love rival! "Don't underestimate her," she warned her little sister seriously.

"So you're Nao Yuuki, right?" Mikoto asked brightly.

"Yeah, what's it to ya?" Nao shot back calmly.

Mikoto raised her hand defensively, "No, I was just asked to deliver a message." Seriously she added, "The Student Council President wants to see you."

Natsuru's eyes widened slightly then he patted Nao on her shoulder. "Good luck," he wished her seriously.

"We'll always remember you," Akane agreed.

"She's not THAT bad is she?" Nao had to ask, but no one would answer her.

Shizuku Sango sat in the office, her one leg crossed over the other as she projected a sexy, dominant aura. Her long purple hair shimmered faintly, and a slight smile teased her lips as she studied Nao calmly.

'Damn it, she HAS to be related to Fujino somehow,' Nao thought to herself, 'this many similarities can't be a coincidence.'

"Miss Yuuki, I'm sorry I didn't have the chance to talk to you earlier," Shizuku said smoothly, "and welcome to our school."

"Thanks," Nao said, trying hard not to be intimidated. "So, why did you want to see me?" she asked forcefully.

Shizuku smiled, completely unruffled as she said, "First, I wanted to thank you for assisting when Kaede and her White Kampfers attacked. I'm not sure if we would have won without you."

'And that and a few yen will get me a cup of coffee,' Nao thought. She also remembered a saying about bewaring the gratitude of princes, but she wasn't sure that applied. "You're welcome," Nao said dryly.

"As well, I have a favor to ask," Shizuku continued smoothly.

'I knew it!' Nao thought even as she answered, "Yes?"

"As head of the student council, I've done my best to keep the Kampfer battles a secret from the general student body," Shizuku revealed, "I'd appreciate your cooperation in this."

"As in, don't get into fights with my powers where I could get caught," Nao noted thoughtful.

"Crudely put, but yes," Shizuku nodded slightly.

"I don't wanna get carted off to a government lab and get dissected, so I have every reason to keep my head down," Nao conceded, "but what about Kaede? She don't seem so tightly wound, from what I've heard."

"I've made it clear to her not to be so obvious," Shizuku answered, "I have some... leverage on her."

Somehow, Shizuku sounded like some kind of gangster. Still, Nao was glad to avoid attacks be crazy ladies. "Well, I'll help out as much as I can," Nao offered politely.

"Thank you," Shizuku nodded regally, "you will find me... very appreciative."

To be continued...