*yawns* Okay, note to self, next time B calls after midnight, hang up
on him. *rubs her eyes* My oh-so-nice friend decided to call me the
moment he finished watching his dvd box set of G-Gundam. And then we
talked for two hours about it.
Considering I've never seen G-Gundam, I don't know how we managed to
talk about it for two hours without him giving any spoilers. This is B!
He _always_ lets something slip-- and yet he didn't. And now I want to
see G-Gundam, jsut to see if it's as great as he proclaims it, but Kris
has the first disc, so I'll have to wait. Joys.
I have been writting fanatically lately; I know exactly where I'm going
with True Identity, so I wanted to get it out of my head. I've already
sent chatpers 17 and 18 off to my prereader, but Mei's a bit busy, so
it might be a bit before they come back.
True Identity
Chapter Sixteen - Dreaming
Li Xiang
Rache flew into the House, half panicked. After Horus had left, Moon
had crumpled to the ground in tears, barely being held up by Mars and
Venus, while Neptune and Uranus played guard. And Rache had turned tail
and run, eventually finding herself hiding in the shadows of the Koneko
no Sumi Ie. There she curled up, shuddering and sobbing at her once
friend's actions. Why had Usagi done that?
Rache was positive that Usagi was only crying because she hadn't been
able to finish whatever the hell she had been doing to Bastet. After
she'd managed to calm down, she'd gone immediately to the House.
This brings us back to the flurry of redhair and grey seifuku that
dashed into the House, worrying over what had happened to her friend.
Her eyes searched out her housemates, and spotted Yohji sprawled in the
main living room of the House, "Yohji!"
"Rache...?" the man looked up from his reading, just in time to be hit
with a crying redhead, "Shh... shh... it's alright..."
"...Ranma...?" she managed to ask between her sobs. A light hand landed
on her shoulder.
"I'm fine," came the oh-so-familiar voice of Ranma's male form, "A
little shaken, and a little confused, but I'm fine."
Rache turned tear filled green eyes to her friend, and sniffled.
Loudly, she managed to say, "You're ok!"
He cracked a grin, "I am. So... no more cryin', okay?"
She gave a hesitant nod, before burrowing herself into Yohji's embrace.
Ranma gave the older man a distinct look-- 'hurt her, I kill you'--
that Yohji nodded his acceptance of. No hesitation, just full
agreement. The martial artist smirked, and then glided away.
With footsteps so soft that they were unheard, and fluid movements that
didn't even rustle his clothing, the gender-bending martial artist
slipped up behind the newest additions to their home. The four members
of the Shitennou were watching the battle that had just happened on
some of the House's monitors.
"Looks painful," Zoicite muttered, watching Bastet 'get fried'.
"It is," Ranma look extreme glee from the fact that all four jumped in
surprise, "So, have you four chosen your sides?"
The men looked between themselves, apparently reaching some decision.
Zoicite, Nephrite and Jadaeite stepped away from kunzite. The brunnette
motioned to the trio, "We're going neutral, Saotome."
"How 'bout you, Ei'lorosha?"
Kunzite crossed his arms, "I'm offering my services to Crawford."
"Braddy-kins has a use for you?" the martial artist wondered with an
amused look. Of course Crawford would have 'a use' for Kunzite. The
future-seer _never_ did anything without a reason. The Shitennou would
have remained spirits locked in stone if he didn't have a reason.
Kunzite nodded, "I've already spoken with him."
"So whatcha gunna be doing?"
"That," Kunzite smirked, "is a secret!"
---
Aya-chan had a bit of trouble walking-- months in a coma would do
that-- but she'd recovered remarkably quickly. Then again, with Yuki's
"special" way for helping, anyone would.
So the pair-- one sixteen, one nineteen-- was drifting down the road in
the direction of a certain pet shop. Yuki could not care less that she
was wanted by Kritiker; they would never attack her in broad daylight,
on a busy street. And seeing as they were trying to find Fujimiya Ran,
Aya-chan's hobbling stride down the road would only bring his attention
faster, right?
Ran would be ecstatic to find Aya up and about, now wouldn't he?
At least, that was what Yuki's logic was thinking.
Eventually, they came to the entrance of the pet shop. The bells over
the door jangled as they entered, and Yuki carelessly caroled, "Jiisan!
Jiisan, I'm home~!"
"You live here?" wondered Aya, but Yuki shook her head negative.
"Nope. Jiisan! Oi Kojiro, where are you hiiiiiiiding~?"
"I'm right here, Yuki," the man stated, making her jump in surprise,
"What are you doing back?"
"We're looking for Aya-chan's 'niisan," Yuki grinned, already over her
shock. Kojiro eyed her suspiciously.
"And your brother, as well, no doubt."
"Well, _that_ one is obvious!" Yuki flashed a grin. Kojiro shook his
head, exasperated.
"Go to No-chan, Yuki, I'm sure she knows."
"She's here?" if anything, Yuki had began to bounce in place, she was
so excited, "Yay! Aya-chan, you can meet my mom!"
---
Naru grit her teeth angrily.
The redhead was seated at a table, picking at her bento. Emerald eyes
were fixated on a specific blonde, that she could feel a slow, creeping
hate build within her for. It had been two years now. Two years since
she and Usagi had been so close.
She felt so distant now. Usagi never called any more, her own few calls
had not been returned and the blonde rarely came by the Osa-P. When
Naru saw her friend at the arcade, she was always surrounded by her
little clique of girls. Naru would begin to approach, and then they'd
all get up and leave.
It hurt to be excluded like that. She'd known they'd begun to drift way
back when Mizuno Ami had first come to Juuban Middle School.
Following that, Usagi had seemingly befriended every new student. And
once someone had found themselves friends with the energetic blonde,
they didn't want to be friends with anyone else. Naru could remember
that feeling well.
Naru could also remember the jealousy that would spring up whenever
someone else "basked" in Usagi's favor. You were at the top of the
world when you were Usagi's best friend.
When you were the least of her friends, you did everything to regain
her attention, her favor. Naru remembered her own desperation to get
back to being Usagi's best friend, as it had only been a few months
since she had been like that.
Bitterly, she recalled the lengths Usagi went to ignore her. She felt
like a toy, used and abused. Had Usagi planned it this way? The redhead
honestly didn't know either way. As it was, she glowered sulkily,
countenance driving off all who could possibly want to offer the
sixteen year old friendship, as it was, Usagi took the attention of
every new member of the school-- and that included the new transfer
students.
The Three Lights.
Taiki Kou, Seiya Kou, and Yaten Kou[1]
She narrowed jade eyes upon the trio that bore the same name, as they
joined Usagi's clique to eat lunch. Abruptly, she stood, snapping her
obento shut. With long strides, she returned to the school building,
headed for the computer labs. She had work to do.
As she stalked through the halls, she muttered obscenities in German.
It was her first language, after all, and she never forgot it. She did
not want to-- she didn't want to lose her only connection of her
beloved elder brother.
So involved was she in bitter thoughts, that she stalked right past one
white haired, lavender-eyed 'reporter', dressed like a 1950s American
Mafia member, without batting an eye. Koshin had told her that he could
be found in the lab.
She was about to take up the fifteen year old's offer to train her in
the art of the blade.
---
Tomoe Hotaru jerked awake, violet eyes wide and unseeing. For several
long moments, the disguised senshi lay in her bed, taking in deep,
shuddering breaths. What... what had just happened?
She'd been dreaming, she knew, but she hadn't dreamt that she was
herself. In fact, she'd been dreaming that she'd been... Naru? It had
been happened for a few weeks now, too. It was so confusing!
Carefully, the girl wriggled out of her comforter, padding softly
across the floor. She had to talk to the redhead-- these dreams she
had... were they Naru's memories? She picked up her communicator,
clicking it on and focusing on Charon. The magic of the Silver
Millennium was truly impressive. Just by thinking of a person,
communication could be achieved.
She was startled by a male voice muttered, "Rache? Rache, your
communication thingy is glowing." It was vaguely familiar...
The Naru appeared on screen, eyes puffy and red from crying,
"...Hotaru?"
"Naru...? Could I talk to you?" the dark haired girl quickly threw in,
"...in person?" when the redhead looked about to speak. After a moment
the older female gave a hesitant nod.
"Sure, when do you want to meet?"
Hotaru had no choice, so she replied, "Now." she had to get this done
right _now_, else she'd never remember to. If she went back to sleep,
she'd lose this feeling, this _need_. She had to know, had to
understand if this was just a dream, or if it was reality.
"_Now_?" Naru repeated, incredulously, "Hotaru, it's two am!"
"I _know_" Hotaru huffed, "But I have to talk to you. Is there
someplace... private where we can talk?"
"I..." Naru started, before her eyes glazed over. After a moment, where
Hotaru was beginning to panic, Naru snapped out of it, nodding to
someone off screen, "I'll come pick you up, Hotaru, since you don't
know where the House is."
"The House?"
A wry grin was pulled from the redhead, although it was oddly tinged
with sadness, "Oh, yes. The House. It's where I live."
"I thought you lived in Mako-chan's apartment block!" Hotaru was
confused. That's where she'd been a few months back, wasn't it?
"She kicked me out a long time ago," the other responded, not bothering
to add that she'd played a rather nasty prank to get herself kicked
out, "I've been living with my older brother and his friends."
"Oh..."
"Look, Hotaru? Get ready; I'll be coming to pick you up in a few
minutes, 'kay?"
"Okay," and Hotaru beamed, "I'll be ready. Bye!"
Naru cut the communication after saying goodbye, and Hotaru was left
with the task of getting ready.
And getting out of her house without Michiru-mama and Haruka-papa
finding out was rather difficult. As she slipped out of her pajamas and
into her clothing from the day before, the fourteen year old looked
over at her window.
Her room was on the ground floor.
---
Rache pulled Crawford's black Mercedes up to the curb in front of the
Outer's home. The older man had no idea that the psuedo-sneshi had
taken his car-- he'd been asleep-- so Rache was being extra careful in
her driving. She _dearly_ wanted to _keep_ her 'boss' from finding out
that she'd swiped his beloved imported vehicle.
Hotaru flitted out of the shadows once Rache had stepped out of the
Mercedes. For a moment, the redhead found herself comparing the young
violet-eyed girl to Aya. They were both surprisingly well adapted to
moving through the night.
"Get in, get in."
Once they were both into the car-- and safely on their way to the
House-- Hotaru offered up a shy smile, "Thanks."
"For what?" wondered the driver. Despite that it was night, it was
still Tokyo, and that meant traffic.
"For picking me up," Hotaru murmured, snuggling down into her arms.
With winter coming, the night was getting colder and colder.
It was almost three thirty when Rache pulled off the main road and into
the warehouse district.
"What are we doing here?"
Rache shot Hotaru an amused look, "My brother has a lot of friends. And
here we are!"
Hotaru eyed the depilated structure warily. It looked about to fall
over! But as one of the large truck doors creaked open, and Rache drove
in, the fourteen year old found herself in awe.
The broken down outer appearance made sure no one attempted to get into
it. Therefore, safely protecting what was within. Aside from the
Mercedes, there were three bikes-- one of which was a low-rider Harley
Davidson of all things!
There was a confusing pile of metal in one corner of the garage, but
Hotaru thought she was just seeing things. It looked almost like a
tin-cha before it was animated.
"You know," came out voice from the doorway to the rest of the House,
once the two had climbed out of the car, "If you're going to take
Crawford's car out for a spin, you should probably be a bit quieter
when you come back."
Hotaru turned to look at their guest, and she just barely held in a
squeal of delight. Just because Xue Shi had gone rouge, didn't mean she
stopped being a good singer. It did not stop her band from being one of
the youngest Senshi's favorites. And it certainly did not stop idol
worship of her band-mates.
"You're just over sensitive, Wolf-Boy," Rache half snapped at Oz,
glaring at him meaningfully. Hotaru ignored the exchange of looks as
she descended into full blown hero-worship. She clutched at Rache's
hand suddenly, surprising the redhead.
"Is... is that... is that Daniel Ozbourne!?"
---
End Chapter
[1] Taiki, Seiya and Yaten are the family names. Kou is actually their
first names. *shrugs* Naoko was being weird, I guess.
And next week, we pick up with the talk between Rache and Hotaru. And
things you'd never expect come to light...
Hmmm, if anyone wants to host True/False Identity, all you gotta do is
ask. I've been sending it off to people, but I don't know _every_ site
online. Ask away-- in reviews or in an email. Doesn't matter to me!
on him. *rubs her eyes* My oh-so-nice friend decided to call me the
moment he finished watching his dvd box set of G-Gundam. And then we
talked for two hours about it.
Considering I've never seen G-Gundam, I don't know how we managed to
talk about it for two hours without him giving any spoilers. This is B!
He _always_ lets something slip-- and yet he didn't. And now I want to
see G-Gundam, jsut to see if it's as great as he proclaims it, but Kris
has the first disc, so I'll have to wait. Joys.
I have been writting fanatically lately; I know exactly where I'm going
with True Identity, so I wanted to get it out of my head. I've already
sent chatpers 17 and 18 off to my prereader, but Mei's a bit busy, so
it might be a bit before they come back.
True Identity
Chapter Sixteen - Dreaming
Li Xiang
Rache flew into the House, half panicked. After Horus had left, Moon
had crumpled to the ground in tears, barely being held up by Mars and
Venus, while Neptune and Uranus played guard. And Rache had turned tail
and run, eventually finding herself hiding in the shadows of the Koneko
no Sumi Ie. There she curled up, shuddering and sobbing at her once
friend's actions. Why had Usagi done that?
Rache was positive that Usagi was only crying because she hadn't been
able to finish whatever the hell she had been doing to Bastet. After
she'd managed to calm down, she'd gone immediately to the House.
This brings us back to the flurry of redhair and grey seifuku that
dashed into the House, worrying over what had happened to her friend.
Her eyes searched out her housemates, and spotted Yohji sprawled in the
main living room of the House, "Yohji!"
"Rache...?" the man looked up from his reading, just in time to be hit
with a crying redhead, "Shh... shh... it's alright..."
"...Ranma...?" she managed to ask between her sobs. A light hand landed
on her shoulder.
"I'm fine," came the oh-so-familiar voice of Ranma's male form, "A
little shaken, and a little confused, but I'm fine."
Rache turned tear filled green eyes to her friend, and sniffled.
Loudly, she managed to say, "You're ok!"
He cracked a grin, "I am. So... no more cryin', okay?"
She gave a hesitant nod, before burrowing herself into Yohji's embrace.
Ranma gave the older man a distinct look-- 'hurt her, I kill you'--
that Yohji nodded his acceptance of. No hesitation, just full
agreement. The martial artist smirked, and then glided away.
With footsteps so soft that they were unheard, and fluid movements that
didn't even rustle his clothing, the gender-bending martial artist
slipped up behind the newest additions to their home. The four members
of the Shitennou were watching the battle that had just happened on
some of the House's monitors.
"Looks painful," Zoicite muttered, watching Bastet 'get fried'.
"It is," Ranma look extreme glee from the fact that all four jumped in
surprise, "So, have you four chosen your sides?"
The men looked between themselves, apparently reaching some decision.
Zoicite, Nephrite and Jadaeite stepped away from kunzite. The brunnette
motioned to the trio, "We're going neutral, Saotome."
"How 'bout you, Ei'lorosha?"
Kunzite crossed his arms, "I'm offering my services to Crawford."
"Braddy-kins has a use for you?" the martial artist wondered with an
amused look. Of course Crawford would have 'a use' for Kunzite. The
future-seer _never_ did anything without a reason. The Shitennou would
have remained spirits locked in stone if he didn't have a reason.
Kunzite nodded, "I've already spoken with him."
"So whatcha gunna be doing?"
"That," Kunzite smirked, "is a secret!"
---
Aya-chan had a bit of trouble walking-- months in a coma would do
that-- but she'd recovered remarkably quickly. Then again, with Yuki's
"special" way for helping, anyone would.
So the pair-- one sixteen, one nineteen-- was drifting down the road in
the direction of a certain pet shop. Yuki could not care less that she
was wanted by Kritiker; they would never attack her in broad daylight,
on a busy street. And seeing as they were trying to find Fujimiya Ran,
Aya-chan's hobbling stride down the road would only bring his attention
faster, right?
Ran would be ecstatic to find Aya up and about, now wouldn't he?
At least, that was what Yuki's logic was thinking.
Eventually, they came to the entrance of the pet shop. The bells over
the door jangled as they entered, and Yuki carelessly caroled, "Jiisan!
Jiisan, I'm home~!"
"You live here?" wondered Aya, but Yuki shook her head negative.
"Nope. Jiisan! Oi Kojiro, where are you hiiiiiiiding~?"
"I'm right here, Yuki," the man stated, making her jump in surprise,
"What are you doing back?"
"We're looking for Aya-chan's 'niisan," Yuki grinned, already over her
shock. Kojiro eyed her suspiciously.
"And your brother, as well, no doubt."
"Well, _that_ one is obvious!" Yuki flashed a grin. Kojiro shook his
head, exasperated.
"Go to No-chan, Yuki, I'm sure she knows."
"She's here?" if anything, Yuki had began to bounce in place, she was
so excited, "Yay! Aya-chan, you can meet my mom!"
---
Naru grit her teeth angrily.
The redhead was seated at a table, picking at her bento. Emerald eyes
were fixated on a specific blonde, that she could feel a slow, creeping
hate build within her for. It had been two years now. Two years since
she and Usagi had been so close.
She felt so distant now. Usagi never called any more, her own few calls
had not been returned and the blonde rarely came by the Osa-P. When
Naru saw her friend at the arcade, she was always surrounded by her
little clique of girls. Naru would begin to approach, and then they'd
all get up and leave.
It hurt to be excluded like that. She'd known they'd begun to drift way
back when Mizuno Ami had first come to Juuban Middle School.
Following that, Usagi had seemingly befriended every new student. And
once someone had found themselves friends with the energetic blonde,
they didn't want to be friends with anyone else. Naru could remember
that feeling well.
Naru could also remember the jealousy that would spring up whenever
someone else "basked" in Usagi's favor. You were at the top of the
world when you were Usagi's best friend.
When you were the least of her friends, you did everything to regain
her attention, her favor. Naru remembered her own desperation to get
back to being Usagi's best friend, as it had only been a few months
since she had been like that.
Bitterly, she recalled the lengths Usagi went to ignore her. She felt
like a toy, used and abused. Had Usagi planned it this way? The redhead
honestly didn't know either way. As it was, she glowered sulkily,
countenance driving off all who could possibly want to offer the
sixteen year old friendship, as it was, Usagi took the attention of
every new member of the school-- and that included the new transfer
students.
The Three Lights.
Taiki Kou, Seiya Kou, and Yaten Kou[1]
She narrowed jade eyes upon the trio that bore the same name, as they
joined Usagi's clique to eat lunch. Abruptly, she stood, snapping her
obento shut. With long strides, she returned to the school building,
headed for the computer labs. She had work to do.
As she stalked through the halls, she muttered obscenities in German.
It was her first language, after all, and she never forgot it. She did
not want to-- she didn't want to lose her only connection of her
beloved elder brother.
So involved was she in bitter thoughts, that she stalked right past one
white haired, lavender-eyed 'reporter', dressed like a 1950s American
Mafia member, without batting an eye. Koshin had told her that he could
be found in the lab.
She was about to take up the fifteen year old's offer to train her in
the art of the blade.
---
Tomoe Hotaru jerked awake, violet eyes wide and unseeing. For several
long moments, the disguised senshi lay in her bed, taking in deep,
shuddering breaths. What... what had just happened?
She'd been dreaming, she knew, but she hadn't dreamt that she was
herself. In fact, she'd been dreaming that she'd been... Naru? It had
been happened for a few weeks now, too. It was so confusing!
Carefully, the girl wriggled out of her comforter, padding softly
across the floor. She had to talk to the redhead-- these dreams she
had... were they Naru's memories? She picked up her communicator,
clicking it on and focusing on Charon. The magic of the Silver
Millennium was truly impressive. Just by thinking of a person,
communication could be achieved.
She was startled by a male voice muttered, "Rache? Rache, your
communication thingy is glowing." It was vaguely familiar...
The Naru appeared on screen, eyes puffy and red from crying,
"...Hotaru?"
"Naru...? Could I talk to you?" the dark haired girl quickly threw in,
"...in person?" when the redhead looked about to speak. After a moment
the older female gave a hesitant nod.
"Sure, when do you want to meet?"
Hotaru had no choice, so she replied, "Now." she had to get this done
right _now_, else she'd never remember to. If she went back to sleep,
she'd lose this feeling, this _need_. She had to know, had to
understand if this was just a dream, or if it was reality.
"_Now_?" Naru repeated, incredulously, "Hotaru, it's two am!"
"I _know_" Hotaru huffed, "But I have to talk to you. Is there
someplace... private where we can talk?"
"I..." Naru started, before her eyes glazed over. After a moment, where
Hotaru was beginning to panic, Naru snapped out of it, nodding to
someone off screen, "I'll come pick you up, Hotaru, since you don't
know where the House is."
"The House?"
A wry grin was pulled from the redhead, although it was oddly tinged
with sadness, "Oh, yes. The House. It's where I live."
"I thought you lived in Mako-chan's apartment block!" Hotaru was
confused. That's where she'd been a few months back, wasn't it?
"She kicked me out a long time ago," the other responded, not bothering
to add that she'd played a rather nasty prank to get herself kicked
out, "I've been living with my older brother and his friends."
"Oh..."
"Look, Hotaru? Get ready; I'll be coming to pick you up in a few
minutes, 'kay?"
"Okay," and Hotaru beamed, "I'll be ready. Bye!"
Naru cut the communication after saying goodbye, and Hotaru was left
with the task of getting ready.
And getting out of her house without Michiru-mama and Haruka-papa
finding out was rather difficult. As she slipped out of her pajamas and
into her clothing from the day before, the fourteen year old looked
over at her window.
Her room was on the ground floor.
---
Rache pulled Crawford's black Mercedes up to the curb in front of the
Outer's home. The older man had no idea that the psuedo-sneshi had
taken his car-- he'd been asleep-- so Rache was being extra careful in
her driving. She _dearly_ wanted to _keep_ her 'boss' from finding out
that she'd swiped his beloved imported vehicle.
Hotaru flitted out of the shadows once Rache had stepped out of the
Mercedes. For a moment, the redhead found herself comparing the young
violet-eyed girl to Aya. They were both surprisingly well adapted to
moving through the night.
"Get in, get in."
Once they were both into the car-- and safely on their way to the
House-- Hotaru offered up a shy smile, "Thanks."
"For what?" wondered the driver. Despite that it was night, it was
still Tokyo, and that meant traffic.
"For picking me up," Hotaru murmured, snuggling down into her arms.
With winter coming, the night was getting colder and colder.
It was almost three thirty when Rache pulled off the main road and into
the warehouse district.
"What are we doing here?"
Rache shot Hotaru an amused look, "My brother has a lot of friends. And
here we are!"
Hotaru eyed the depilated structure warily. It looked about to fall
over! But as one of the large truck doors creaked open, and Rache drove
in, the fourteen year old found herself in awe.
The broken down outer appearance made sure no one attempted to get into
it. Therefore, safely protecting what was within. Aside from the
Mercedes, there were three bikes-- one of which was a low-rider Harley
Davidson of all things!
There was a confusing pile of metal in one corner of the garage, but
Hotaru thought she was just seeing things. It looked almost like a
tin-cha before it was animated.
"You know," came out voice from the doorway to the rest of the House,
once the two had climbed out of the car, "If you're going to take
Crawford's car out for a spin, you should probably be a bit quieter
when you come back."
Hotaru turned to look at their guest, and she just barely held in a
squeal of delight. Just because Xue Shi had gone rouge, didn't mean she
stopped being a good singer. It did not stop her band from being one of
the youngest Senshi's favorites. And it certainly did not stop idol
worship of her band-mates.
"You're just over sensitive, Wolf-Boy," Rache half snapped at Oz,
glaring at him meaningfully. Hotaru ignored the exchange of looks as
she descended into full blown hero-worship. She clutched at Rache's
hand suddenly, surprising the redhead.
"Is... is that... is that Daniel Ozbourne!?"
---
End Chapter
[1] Taiki, Seiya and Yaten are the family names. Kou is actually their
first names. *shrugs* Naoko was being weird, I guess.
And next week, we pick up with the talk between Rache and Hotaru. And
things you'd never expect come to light...
Hmmm, if anyone wants to host True/False Identity, all you gotta do is
ask. I've been sending it off to people, but I don't know _every_ site
online. Ask away-- in reviews or in an email. Doesn't matter to me!