A/N: Did I ever tell you how much I hate school? I HATE it!!! I should have left… I am so sorry this took so long to get out. There's only eight or nine weeks this term and two weeks of that is exams/moratorium. Starting today!!! That leaves us with six weeks to get everything done… that's including like sixty "quality" drawings for my art folio as WELL AS THE STINKING FINAL PIECE!!! WHICH WE HAVEN'T EVEN GOT THE CANVASES FOR YET!! The only time I can really write this stuff is on Friday night, so that's why it takes so damn long. I won't be able to write for like the next two weeks either, 'cos of exams, obviously….o.0 please don't yell at me. Which one do you think I would rather be doing? Studying, or writing fanfic?
I'm going to introduce a new character, and include some more of Rebecca in this one. This new character is… well…hm… er… let's just say Roudy thinks his lectures are very informative (sweatdrop). There isn't much of that in this chapter though.
Obento: boxed lunches, usually involving something like prawns, tempura or octopus and always rice. You know that already, right?
Chapter Eight
The Physic Bishounen
Rebecca peeped around the corner, trying to catch her breath.
There was no one she knew running down the footpath, frantic with worry.
And she'd run away in anguish! Her makeup was streaked with her tears and no one had come after her! Not even Master Val, when their love was true!
Pulling out her compact, the princess began fixing up her makeup, sniffling occasionally as she remembered what had led to this tragic state of negligence.
'What have you three been doing?' Rebecca asked, when they appeared behind her. 'I was so worried, Master Val!'
'Oh… out.' Val said, brushing some soot of his arm and unbuttoning his shirt as he walked the way to the bathroom. 'I'm having a shower.'
'Don't use up the hot water.' L'risia said absently, looking over Rei's shoulder as the boy yanked open the fridge. Rebecca pouted. The three of them had been like this for the last two weeks. Every now and then, they would all just disappear, sometimes coming back like nothing had happened, other times slightly singed or in really bad moods. All L'risia had told her was that the power of love could do that to people sometimes.
They wouldn't tell her what was going on! It wasn't FAIR! And Master Val paid far more attention to L'risia than he did to her! Sure, he let her hug him and hold his arm when they walked to school and he talked to her… but he didn't seem to care about it. It was like he was… humouring her, or only paying half-attention.
Or even worse, he was really not listening at all but just saying the appropriate things in the right places! Rebecca stared at the TV screen, unseeing. Her hands trembled in her lap.
And he and L'risia were always talking! Well, not talking… but Rebecca had got a… a.. feeling, around those two lately. Like… there was some kind of invisible link. They didn't have to talk. The link was… well… they didn't seem to know it was there. Rebecca had been paying very close attention these last few days. They didn't know it was there, but Rebecca could feel it. A kind of warm tingly feeling, but it made her go cold inside, and she felt like attacking L'risia with the wrath of Zoamelgustar!
Which, admittedly… didn't actually, in fact, seem to be working. Not only was Master Val ignoring her for THAT WOMAN who had NO style whatsoever and no Breeding, but her family's MAZOKU LORD had deserted her in this time of need! And Rei made fun of her, calling her love unrequited!
Rebecca flung the remote from her hands, bursting into tears.
'Er… 'becca?' L'risia asked. Rebecca bawled, pushing past the girl and racing out of the door, slamming it behind her. There was a small silence. Val, who had come out of the shower and had been raiding the fridge, pulled the cap of a bottle of beer with his fingers.
'What was that about?' he said eventually.
'No idea.'
Rebecca sniffled some more, and tucked her tissue back into her bag. She checked her eyes. They were slightly puffy and red. Well, she'd hang around here until Master Val realised he couldn't live for another second without her- a warm hand touched her shoulder.
'Miss?'
Rebecca turned around, and rose petals skittered past on the wind. The young man behind her smiled beautifully, sympathetic. His white dress shirt blew gently in the warm breeze. More rose petals drifted past. He slowly extended a hand.
'Come on. I'll buy you a drink to help you cheer up. I can't let a beautiful lady such as yourself cry a river of tears in a cold street, can I?'
'O-Okay…' Rebecca said, her mind going fuzzy and warm and pink, a bit like the background.
Up on the roof, Rei sat down on the air with his legs and arms crossed. He scowled.
'Damn. Just when I was really hungry, she runs into a bishounen…'
'And- and that's the whole story.' Rebecca sniffled.
'I see,' her knight smiled, resting his chin on his interlocked fingers. 'You come from a different world? I'd like to see it… but you said you were stuck here, didn't you?'
Rebecca nodded, hiccuping.
'But your friends won't tell you what's really happening.'
Rebecca nodded again.
'Well… I'll talk to them, if you like.' He offered. Rebecca's eyes sparkled.
'Oh, would you? Thankyou so much!'
On the other side of the café, Rei sat- although perhaps even L'risia wouldn't have been able to tell it was him if she simply relied on her sight. His hair and eyes hadn't changed, but he'd grown to be Val's height and possessed a body and air that was probably quite capable of making women restless when he was sitting quietly in the next room. It as certainly affecting the waitresses, who were giggling randomly with flushed cheeks.
Rei found the form of a child rather useful, as Hellmaster had. That didn't mean he had to use it all the time.
That was Rebecca's fourth hot chocolate. Rei had cast a sleep spell on it, so she should pass out soon. It wasn't her he was interested in. The boy was… intriguing. He had a strong presence- but white magic as he knew it had never been developed in this world. Another for of physic power, perhaps? Or a strong medium?
Rei watched Rebecca giggle faintly, and slump forward on the table. The bishounen raised an eyebrow to himself, and signalled a waitress. While the human boy paid the bill, Rei got up and strolled over to the booth that they had been sitting at. He began picking up Rebecca.
'Excuse me-' Rei turned at the sound of the smooth voice. He nodded inwardly as the other boy's eyes widened slightly and he took a step back, pulling in a sharp breath.
'She's my friend… thankyou for looking after her.' Rei said. 'Would you like to come back home with us?'
'S-Sure.' The young man stammered, holding the door open for him.
'What's your name?' Rei asked. He could read the boy's mind, of course, but sometimes the human way was better.
'Shi-Shiro.'
'…uh-huh.' L'risia said finally. She glanced at the door of her and Rebecca's shared bedroom. She had put the girl to bed. She was still asleep when Rei and… Shiro had brought her home. She glanced at the newcomer. He had blonde hair that he tied back in a ponytail that reached his shoulder blades, green eyes, and was definitely of the bishounen variety. Hell, he was one of the model's they'd used to create the damn things.
'You're a psychic, aren't you?' she said. Unlike Rei, she had been to hundreds of different worlds in her life and had experienced almost all the kinds of humans there were in the world. Psychics were rather mundane, although… she narrowed her eyes a little. This one was very powerful. He might have even been able to sense the different worlds which, given his total and easy acceptance of Rebecca's story, was probably likely.
Rei's interest in the boy was getting her interest, though. She hadn't known Rei was suicidal. If Shiro took it into his head to hit Rei with some kind of blast that used his power…
'So you can change your appearance whenever you want?' Shiro asked Rei. Rei looked mildly surprised from where he was sprawled out in an armchair.
'I thought you could tell I wasn't human.'
'Well, I can but-' Shiro trailed off and shrugged. Rei raised an eyebrow, and then looked at L'risia.
'So, what's for dinner?'
'Don't look at me.' L'risia said, and winced as Rina rather pointedly took out the plates from the cupboard and put them on the bench with a thump.
'What did we do?' Val whispered, watching the little girl glance at the oven and then trot across the kitchen to get the glasses out.
'Well… turn up late, not do the shopping like we said we would, neglecting Rebecca and bringing home an extra for dinner without telling her.'
'…oh. Um… why is she acting like that cook Amelia has at the palace?'
'I think she's trying to be grown up.'
'Why?' Val asked. L'risia opened her mouth, but then shut it again. She shrugged, and Val went to help the girl. L'risia could hear Rei and Shiro talking about nothing in particular behind her, but didn't really hear what they were saying. Seeing Rei looking her age was a bit surprising- L'risia blinked.
Val heard a soft curse, and turned around. L'risia had been sitting on the table. She wasn't anymore. He looked around the apartment, and caught Rei's eye. The dark lord shrugged.
Death sat down on a branch. She had finished her work, but now watched the Sailor Scouts in front of the wreckage. Sailor Moon was crying for the lost people once again. Death thought that was rather stupid of her- but then again, Death quite obviously took life for granted. Perhaps there was something in it, but this had been a regular occurrence. The girl would get a lot more done if she stopped bawling for once, getting depressed, swearing revenge and all of that crap and went and found a decent medium. Death was rather disappointed in Ami; she could see the readings on the girl's little computer thingy. The girl should at least be able to see the force was acting from another plane of existence.
She'd actually mentioned it, for crying out loud! It couldn't be that she was afraid to admit there were other dimensions, which had happened to other heroes before. Perhaps it was because of the inane conviction everything evil came from the negaverse. Death was also rather disappointed in Raye, who hadn't actually said anything. She too probably felt it was the negaverse. The spiritual world in itself was not something the Sailor Scouts had dealt with.
Death knew she probably shouldn't do this, but the Scouts were overdue the help that always came. She disappeared, and reappeared behind Raye.
And then, just because she couldn't resist, she ran her hand through the girl's back. Raye screamed, and turned around.
'Raye! What is it!'
'I- I sense a terrible presence!'
Death twitched. Death was death. It wasn't good or evil. It just was. Bloody stupid arrogant ignorant humans!
'Oh no! Where!?'
Here.
Death made herself visible, and waved a gloved hand as the Scouts shot back. They slammed into an invisible barrier.
'Who are you?!' Rei shouted, her eyes blazing.
Calm yourself, you ignorant little child, Death said sharply. It had been a long day. The scouts recoiled and gasped a little.
'How dare you-' Sailor Moon started. Death pointed a finger, and Sailor Moon scrabbled at her mouth as it slammed shut and wouldn't open again.
Shut. Up. It's been a long day. As for who I am, I have many names.
'Which one are you using at present?' Mercury asked. Death waved a hand, and caught the girl's computer in her hand. She clicked the cover shut.
I wouldn't try that on me. You could very well overload it. You can call me Death. Oh yes- Death's finger swung around to point at Raye. And get your facts right. You are a shrine maiden; learn to tell the difference between good, evil, and that which simply exists in neutrality.
'What?' The others asked, but Raye, aka Mars, swallowed and nodded.
'What do you want with us?' Mina, Venus, asked. 'If you're Death, then do you know who does this?'
Not who. What. Death corrected, and yes, I do.
'Then tell us!' Jupiter said, taking a step forward. She stopped when Death turned her hood in her direction.
There are some things with which I cannot interfere. I am sick of watching you idiotic little girls wail about how the negaverse is behind all evil.
'But who else-'
For the love of… Death managed to get a hold of herself. I can only tell you one thing. Go and talk to a medium.
'A medium?' Ami asked. 'You mean a fortune teller?'
Don't be ridiculous. I said a medium, as in physic not money-grabber.
'Er… what?'
This is stupid. I'm leaving.
'Hey! Wait!' Jupiter yelled.
Raye should be able to find one, Death muttered.
'WAIT!'
Death stopped. 'Why can't you tell us-'
I am Death. Imagine what would happen if I began to tell humans how to do things. Living creatures must manage their own.
'Why you-' Jupiter snarled. Death held out a finger, and slammed the girl back into the shield. She screamed as electricity crackled over her body.
'HEY!' Raye yelled.
I have nothing more to say to you children. Death muttered, disappearing. The shield flickered and vanished. While Venus helped Jupiter to her feet, Sailor Moon looked at Mars.
'So… do you think she… it… was angry? She sounded really annoyed!'
Raye rolled her eyes.
'I'll try and find a real physic in the morning. Let's all go home and get some sleep.'
'A psychic?' Rei's eyebrows shot up. L'risia must have finally snapped. He wondered if there was some kind of punishment for that, but then decided that there probably wasn't. If some mysterious figure didn't help the heroes- or heroines, in this case- how would the heroes get anywhere?
'Why do you want to waste your money on those frauds?'
'Not frauds,' Ami said, ignoring Usagi's red face. 'A real one. Do you know any?'
'Funny you should mention that, actually.' Rei laughed, sprawling into his chair at his desk. 'I- well, 'becca- ran into one yesterday. Name of Kamigawa Shiro. Ever met him?'
The girls looked at each other, and Ami began to go red. This earned the instant interest of everyone around her.
'Ami?'
'Come on girl, spill!'
'Well, actually, there was this one time-' Ami babbled, and got a grip on herself. 'I was late to cram school and I bumped into this young man, he was about Mamoru-san's age… he said his name was Shiro.'
'What did he look like?'
'Well he was… totally gorgeous.' Ami admitted. 'He had long blonde hair and green eyes-'
'That's him.' Rei said. 'Well, I have his address. Why don't I take you around to his place after school?'
'All right, but how do you know he's a real physic?' Ami asked in some surprise. Rei hadn't struck her as the type to believe in what most of the world classed as superstitions. Rei's eyes glinted, and he grinned widely.
'Trust me, you won't find a better guy around.'
It wasn't really an answer, but everyone accepted it fully as one until about five minutes later, by which time Rei had excused himself for some reason.
'Where's Rei-niichan?' Roudy asked from his position on Val's shoulders. L'risia passed him his ice cream and Val's to said boy before turning around and taking the money from the lady behind the counter.
'He took some girls in his class to meet Shiro. He said he'll turn up whenever.'
Rina made a displeased sound in the back of her throat.
'Rina?' L'risia blinked, beginning to get a feeling about the girl's current attitude problem that she wasn't entirely sure she was in the right state of mind to deal with at the present time.
'How am I supposed to prepare dinner?' Rina asked.
'Oh, that's all right.' L'risia shrugged. 'I'll run down to the Seven-Eleven had buy some obento for us all. That way we won't have to worry about Rei's food getting cold or anyth-' she trailed off. Rina's expression reminded her of a mother hen, insofar as a mother hen could have an expression. It was that same look of puffed-up irritation and potential death in the form of a feathery torpedo.
'No?' she said. Rina huffed, turned on her heel, and stalked away. Large sweatdrops slid down the back of even Rebecca's head.
'So… what's with her?' the (former) princess asked.
'Rina?' Val yelled. Rina stopped and turned around. 'Don't run off, okay? Come back here!'
Rina walked slowly back, her head bowed a bit and a red blush covering what could be seen of her face.
'What's wrong?' Val asked.
'I just wanted to cook something…' Rina mumbled, her eyes covered by her red bangs as she stood before him. Rebecca swapped a look of dawning understanding with L'risia.
'Well, I have an idea,' the princess said. 'Why don't L'risia and I teach you how to make obento yourself, Rina? That way you can cook and at the same time we won't have to worry about Rei.'
'…you two can cook?'
'That was uncalled for.' L'risia said, folding her arms. 'I happen to be quite a good cook.'
'And… you let me do it?'
'Of course,' Rebecca grinned. 'Why should I lower myself to a servant's work?'
Roudy held his melting ice cream out over the girl's head, and laughed insanely as the sweet liquid hit the girl's hair.
'ROUDY!' Rebecca screamed. Val hurriedly put the boy down and watching Rebecca chase the little boy down the street before turning his attention back to the remaining girls.
'-I specialise more in sweets and desserts anyway.' L'risia shrugged.
'…you don't mind me cooking?' Rina asked, remembering how much Val ate and how he seemed to have a strange little smile just for L'risia.
'No. Why should I?' L'risia asked, with such a perfect look of bemusement Val suspected she knew exactly why she should mind. He wondered if he had missed something.
The door opened.
'Hello!' Rei grinned at the middle-aged woman behind the door. She stared at the group of teenagers.
'I'm sorry for the intrusion,' said Rei, who had never been sorry in his life, '-but we're here to see Shiro-kun. Is he home?'
'Um… yes? Are you his friends?'
'I met him yesterday.' Rei said, breezing past the poor woman and trailing the dazed girls behind him. Rei tended to have that effect on people; his blunt approach wasn't what they were expecting so they seemed to become numb.
'Oh… okay…'
Kamigawa Shiro lived in a huge Japanese-style house on the outskirts of the town; his grandfather, it appeared, was much like Rei's and worked at the shrine. According to what Shiro had told Rei, Shiro's mother was a housewife. His father had been killed in a plane crash when he was seven years old. Shiro was an assistant on-call to a manga artist who lived not far away, but otherwise didn't work while he went to college, where he was studying to be a graphic artist.
'…how do you know all of this?' Usagi gaped.
'He told me.' Rei said, his voice making it clear it was a stupid question.
'But you said you only met him yesterday!'
'I did.'
The girls swapped looks, and simultaneously shrugged.
'So how do you know where he is?' Makoto asked.
'Call it intuition,' said Rei, who'd known that Shiro was reading a book on the window seat of his bedroom as soon as he'd taken the corner two blocks away. Rei knocked on the bedroom door.
'Shiro-kun?' he said, adding the suffix out of necessity. The door flew open.
'Rei…san?' Shiro stared. 'What are you-' he got a grip on himself and smiled beautifully at the girls, standing aside. 'I am so sorry. It's just that you didn't call, you see. Why don't you all come in?'
'I have a boyfriend, I have a boyfriend…' Usagi mumbled to herself, somehow, like the other girls, to get their weak legs to carry them into the bedroom. Once settled, Shiro sat down at his desk.
'So, what did you want to talk to me about, ladies?'
'Um… are you a physic?' Raye asked. Shiro glanced at her, and Rei grinned as the ripple of power the boy sent out caused a shiver right through his body. Raye gasped, pressing herself against the wall. A trickle of sweat ran down her face.
'I believe that answers your question,' Shiro said. 'You want something to do with that?'
'Yes… could you tell us- oh, Rei, could you… leave the room for a moment?'
'Hm? Oh, sure.' Rei grinned, strolling out of the room. The door shut, and Shiro looked back at the girls.
'Hm?'
'Tell us about the evil power attacking the city. As in who- I mean, what, it is and where it comes from, if you can. As much as you can.' Ami said firmly. Shiro didn't look at all surprised by the request.
He wasn't. The girls sent off waves of supernatural power like electricity.
'All right,' he said, standing up and walking to the window as he thought. 'I already know what you ask, since it's been keeping me awake lately. The evil power you're talking about comes from some kind of astral plane… like a fragment of the spirit world. I don't know which fragment, and it wouldn't do you any good if I did. It is, as such, very powerful. It seems to have some kind of grudge. It takes pleasure in toying with minds and causing tremendous pain and anguish; it feeds off the people it kills and their mourning families.'
'Their bodies?'
'No. Their feelings of hatred, anger, despair.' Shiro said. 'It likes hurting and being hurt. And it is loose.'
'Loos?' Raye asked. 'What do you mean?'
'Loose.' Shiro said, his look darkening. 'I think it was… cut free, or something. From a master, perhaps. With no one to command it, the thing can do whatever if pleases; indulging in it's needs and pleasures.'
Rei, outside the door, frowned in thought.
'Hm… cut loose? With that kind of power? How strange… unwise of it's master… I wonder where it's from…'
L'risia answered the phone.
'Oh, hi Rei.' She said, licking rice off her fingers. She stopped. 'Oh… right. You're going clubbing with- yes, I see. Sure. I was being sincere! You're not taking the girls with you are you? Good… I didn't want to know that. That was too much information.'
Val and Rebecca swapped looks from where they were pretending not to listen to the conversation.
'Really. That's nice. Good for you. I am not being sarcastic! No, that's right, I'm not really interested. Just don't scare the guy off, he might be useful.' There was a small pause. 'I thought he might have.'
Another pause.
'Will you learn the difference between telling people enough so they don't worry and giving them WAY TOO MUCH INFO?! Thankyou! When you come home there's an obento in the- no we did not make one for Shiro-kun! Yes. Goodbye, Rei.'
She hung up and looked at the expressions on the faces of the apartment's other occupants.
'Rei thinks Shiro is his new accessory.'
