"Kiyone's Tale"
A Tenchimuyo fan-fiction, and sequel / side-story to
"Written in Blood"- a Tenchimuyo-Sailormoon crossover,
written by my co-writer, SuperMoonBrat, and myself.
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PART 1:
I look out at the morning sun, just peeking up the other side of the hills, and I realize how incredably lucky I am! I have a home, and I have a family, and an aneue who loves me for just being me!
And I shudder when I remember this time last year, of how I thought none of that mattered, of how much of an impossibly arregant baka I was!
Who am I? People used to call me Makibi Kiyone. But, "Makibi Kiyone" died sometime this past year. I buried her myself.
Maybe, I should explain myself better. I, Kiyone, was once a Galaxy Police officer. An incredably-vain Galaxy Police officer! I was one of the best and brightest, and - like any other pet-enforcer - eager to please the boss! Unfortunately, I was giving a partner that- fortunately-
was not my match. I was partnered with the Marshall's grand-daughter, Kuramitsu Mihoshi.. just to, I thought, babysit her.
Actually, although I hated to admit it, we made a good team! Mihoshi-aneue was the more-observant of us.. really good with details.. and she turned out to be better at talking with people than I was. Demo.. she didn't seem to have the drive and reflexes that GP seemed to need and demand! That where I came in! Hai! We made a good team.. demo.. we were an *expensive!* team. Hehee..!
Anyway.. and I hate myself for this now.. I started to see my chances in the Police growing farther and farther away as more and more property got broken! Pretty soon.. over half of our pay was going to pay for damages! It was then that I received a 'reprieve'- a second-change, I thought, when me and Mihoshi-aneue were given seperate assignments!
Then, Mihoshi-aneue turned up missing.
As her last assigned-partner, I was "asked" to find her. I cringed. The last thing I wanted to find was Mihoshi-aneue alive! Demo.. that was my assignment, so...
I was able to track Mihoshi-aneue down- along with two runaway-princesses, a wanted space-pirate, and a renegade-scientist! And.. they were all friends!! I always thought Mihoshi- aneue was blessed with luck.. and that luck always got me into trouble! I could just see my career and sanity flying away from me at that moment!
Anyway, after that- and because of the princesses- we got stationed here in the Sol system..
a backwater, frontier piece of space if there ever was one!! I felt imprisoned for life. Demo..
Mihoshi-aneue LOVED it!! I never understood why- at the time.
Then, we became ensnared in the Galaxy Police' and Juraian Empire's intrigue's with the Juraian Prince Kagato- the "False Yosho". Somehow, in becoming *fugitives* from the GP in helping the Princesses Ayeka and Sasami, we became *heroes* in the GP! And, were given promotions!
Of course, this ment going back to headquarters.. and Mihoshi-aneue becomes more of a klutz than usual! FORTUNATELY, nothing got broken this time! But, that's when I first I noticed how nervous Mihoshi got at HQ! I asked her about it. Demo.. she never answered me...
Well.. I guess.. I started getting concerned for Mihoshi-aneue. Because, when a need came up for resident-officers on Earth, again, I took it- along with my partner!
Then came the affair with Yuugi. And once again, my partner and I were part of that mess! Poor kid. Yuugi's a nice enough girl.. but her life was totally screwed-around by the Juraians!
The GP and the Juraians certainly have the touch- turn everything they touch to shit.
Anyway, after the dust settled from that fight, Mihoshi-aneue and I went back to our jobs of being resident-officers.. along with trying to find jobs to pay for our room and board.. and we became known as two of the Galaxy's better cops! Hai! Demo.. I let my love of the job- the aura, the excitement- blind me, again! And, I started berating Mihoshi-aneue again. I am *surprised* she put up with me that long! Fortunately, something changed that. Or, someone.
It all started 18 months ago when Hakubi Washuu, for reasons unknown still, started to look for distant-relatives! Mihoshi-aneue says she might have felt lonely and powerless. Hmmm... Lonely? In the Masaki-household? Tokyo Airport in less-crowded! If Washuu-hibiki felt lonely, it was probably her own.. IYAA! That's not necessarily true. I know that, myself! Demo.. POWERLESS?? Well.. with Tokimi and Tsunami as sisters.. and the Juraian-need to trap and manipulate their "Goddesses".. maybe, Mihoshi-aneue knows what she talks about, here. Demo.. the thought.. KOWAII!!
Well.. at that time, Ayeka and Ryo-oko were having one of their "wars", which they absolutely
REFUSED to take outside! They really love each other as sisters, Mihoshi-aneue says, demo.. there are just some things they each do that aggrevates the other! Well? I can understand that.. I think.
Anyway, Ayeka suddenly pulled out her royal-whip and starts popping it. And, Mihoshi started LOSING it! I swear.. if I EVER see that baka with another whip.. I will STRANGLE HER with it!! Demo.. at the time, I was more angry at Mihoshi than her Highness! And, I stayed angry.. and condescending.. of Mihoshi-aneue. I was refusing to see my aneue for who she was.. beautiful, sweet, and intelligent! Fortunately, my itoko- Washuu-hibiki's other distant-relative- knew what to do!
I see you have seen the collar! You like it? This was our itoko's answer to my blindness to Mihoshi-aneue! *HeeheeHAA!* Best thing to happen to me! Demo.. I did not know it, then. Demo,
I learn.
Itoko said I have to re-learn everything I was taught. That was understatement of fact! Demo,
Mihoshi-aneue good teacher.. kind and gentle and patient.. more patient than me, back then! Still
more patient than me! Iyaa! Patience not a virtue of mine!
At first, the re-training was rocky.. Mihoshi-aneue was always my friend, although I did not admit it, demo.. I wanted to do things *my* way. Demo.. thing became as smoothe and calm as a lake! For a while. But, then, things started happening.
"Things" like the Galaxy Police! May they burn in hell!
We learned a few months back that some GP-Agent had been spying on us! It was natural, I guess. I had not reported in to Headquarters in a while. Dano, neither had Mihoshi-aneue! Marshall Kuramitsu was "worried" about his grand-daughter. HAH! More like worried about Kuramitsu-reputation!
However, as soon as we learned of the GP spy's entry into our lives, Mihoshi-aneue began to change! She began a sudden retreat into the shell of her old self! Gone was the confidence.. and in its place once again came the clumsiness, the self-doubt, and the fear. It was amazing to see
how quickly the change accured.. and amazingly sad.
What was sadder - crueler - was the way I reacted! I did not want to be mean! I did not start out to be mean! Demo.. Kami-Sama..!! When Mihoshi reverted to her old self.. losing sleep and becoming ccoordination.. well, so did I! Become my old-self.
As the weeks went by.. the worse Mihoshi got.. the worse I got.
Until.. after a month went by..
I still remember.. like it was yesterday..:
"Mihoshi-aneue? Nani-yo?" I asked. "What is wrong, ane?"
Mihoshi had been faltering since we had learned we had been spied on,
and was becoming jumpier than usual.. to the point of breaking quite a few
items in the Masaki-House! Fortunately, nothing broken couldn't be replaced..
demo, I was still getting unnerved!
Unfortunately... I am the one who snapped first:
"What is WRONG with you, Mihoshi?!?! Are you purposely TRYING to get BACK
to being what you were?"
"Gomen nissai.. Kiyone-Sama..", Mihoshi fearfully-replied. "It shall not
happen again."
There was something.. "dead", for lack of a better word.. in Mihoshi's
voice! I HEARD it! Gone was the bubbly, lively lilt. Gone was the song that
had been her tone. And I gasped! Did I do that?
I wanted to run to her! I wanted to throw myself into Mihoshi's arms and
tell her I was sorry! I wanted to BEG for her to laugh again! And.. if I
failed in doing that.. I wanted to crawl away somewhere and DIE, for
hurting my best-friend!
As if turned out, my second wish came closer to being granted before
the first! For, as I turned to chase after Mihoshi-aneue, I ran into Ayeka-hime
and Ryo-ohko-San!
"Why are you trying to hurt Mihoshi-san, Makibi-Sama?" Ayeka stated
the question with all the tense-effectiveness of an Internal-Affairs
investigator. I suddenly felt like the ground beneath my feet had given
way and I was plunging straight to Hell!
"Nani-yo, Ayeka-hime?" I asked reflexively.
"I believe you know what the Hime is talking about.. Lieutinant Mabiki",
Ryo-ohko said with a certain laziness in her tone.
I jumped! That voice, plus the relaxed-way in which she held her body,
were sure signs.. to anyone who knew her.. that the Space-Pirate was
getting ready to strike, if she felt she had to! And. Ryo-ohko could be
as deadly as umihebi when she strikes!!
"I.. I didn't want to hurt her.." I started to stutter.
"Hai. That's what all the Galaxy Police say.. Before they stab you
in the back!" Ryo-ohko said. "I've worked with former-GP, before! They
said that they knew where they stood with me more times than they knew
where they stood with the Police."
"Rather like the Juraian Royal-Family, actually." Ayeka muttered.
I felt Ayeka's and Ryo-ohko's stares bore through me, and I wanted
to do nothing more than charge right into them! Thinking of what I had
done to Mihoshi.... If I was lucky, maybe the princess or the pirate
would kill me!
It looked as if we would all taste blood when Washu-Obaasan suddenly
spoke up:
"There is no need for bloodshed! Ayeka-chan! Ryo-ohko-chan! Heal!
Kiyone-chan? Mihoshi is down in my lab, trying to rest. Go to her!
I will join you later."
The world.. stopped.. douyara.. when Washu-oba spoke. With a calm
voice, she took everything over!
"Is.. she..?" I stuttered through a heavy breath. "Is.. Mihoshi..?"
"Go to her." Washu-oba repeated. "She needs you."
Not as much as I needed her!
"Yosho!" Washu-oba then called into the house. "Come! I need to put
something up on the shrine-grounds!" She then turned back to me. "Go!
Shoo-shoo! Iyaa! Do not stay!"
I raced down the Washu-oba's laboratory, my breath heaving and my
heart pounding, afraid of what I might find once I got to Mihoshi-ane!
When I reached the back of Washuu's lab, I found Mihoshi laying on the
floor, in a fetal-positon, wrapped in a blanket and crying!
I spent the rest of that day and a part of that night trying to calm
Mihoshi. Demo.. as much as she needed to rest, and as much as I caressed
and petted her, as could not get her to sleep! She fought it.. as if it
were a deadly enemy. If I had only known how close that enemy actually
was! There were even a few times, when she would wake up, that Mihoshi
even tried to push me away! At the time it happened it hurt. I did not
know at the time that my partner was just trying to protect me. All I
could think of was how much it hurt me. Demo.. what hurt more was the
thought that- somehow- I deserved this treatment!
Later that night, Washuu-hibiki came down into the lab with food for
me and Mihoshi.
"I told Sasami that I would bring your supper to you!" Washuu smiled.
"You will be alright, now! Yosho and I have set up a deflection-system
around the house! The Galaxy-Police will not be able to harm you here!"
"That is good!" I said, trying to trassure myself as much as Mihoshi.
"Isn't it, Mihoshi?"
Mihoshi gave a weak yelp in reply that just broke my heart! It was at
that time I decided to pay whoever caused this back for hurting my best
friend! Though, who exactly her enemy- MY enemy, now- was, I had no clue.
After a silent supper, Washuu turned om a monitor and some switches,
then helped give Mihoshi to bed. And, Mihoshi fought us all the way to the
pillow!
"Everything will be alright, Mihoshi!" I lied through my teeth, to calm
her, for I was more-scared than I had ever been.. even as a child!
"Iiede.. Iiede..", Mihoshi kept repeating softly. "Never be alright..
never again.."
"Mihoshi?" I asked as I caressed my fragile friend. "What is wrong?"
"Iyaa! Get away from me, Kiyone! Get away.. onegai? Or he'll take you away!
Away.. away... Hitoribocchi.. hitoribocchi..!"
'He'll take me away?' I looked up at Washuu-hibiki.
"Who's 'He'?"
"I donno!" Hibiki answered. "The only one who can answer that, I am
afraid, is Mihoshi! But if I were to hazard a bet.. 'He' has *something*
to do with the Galaxy-Police."
"Well.. this all started after we found the GP-Spy lurking around, so
that's probably a safe-bet." The GP were starting to leave a *real* bad taste
in my mouth.. and a nasty little headache! "Demo.. every time I would ask
Mihoshi if anything was wrong, she'd evade the question!" I continued petting
Mihoshi, hoping she would get some sleep.
"Maybe she does that to protect you, Kiyone!" Ryo-ohko said as she came
down the stairs.
That struck a chord!
"Pro.. tect.. me? Nani-yo?"
"The only way to answer that is to get inside Mihoshi's head!" Hibiki said.
"That may also be the reason she refuses to go to sleep."
Washuu-hibiki then placed a neural-communicator on my temple.
"I've modified these so you can view another's dreams." Washuu explained
as she, first, adjusted the deflection-field around the house and, then,
placed another neural-communicator on Mihoshi.
Mihoshi suddenly *jumped* as if snake-bit! She the backed-awau from
Washuu and me like a wounded animal. Dano.. the cry she uttered then still haunts
me:
"IYAA!! Iiede! Iied! Iiede! Do not mak me sleep!! Do not come into my dreams..
onegai??"
At that time, I wanted nothing more than ro take Mihoshi in my arms and tell her that everything would be alright. That I would let nothing scare her, anymore! Demo.. I could not.
Until I learned what was terrifying Mihoshi, I was lost.. and as scared as my partner!
I thought about asking Washuu-habiki for a sedative to get Mihoshi to sleep, demo...
IYAA! That's the Galaxy-Police way! That is NOT *my* way! Not any more! So.. I stayed with Mihoshi.. my fragile partner.. caressing her as she trembled and cried...
I do not know how many hours we sat like that, demo.. Mihoshi finally cried herself
to sleep. I laid her down, then- tremling- I turned on her Neural-Communicator. Then, near
my own point-of-exhaustion, I turned on mine! Then, I curled up close to Mihoshi, and..
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I found myself walking in what could only be described as a black void! I was walking..
towards something! Whatever it was, I had no idea. Demo.. I knew whatever it was, I had to be there. It needed me!
Soon, the sound of crying reached my ears. Crying? It was the most heart-wrenching wail
I had ever heard!! It was as if a soul was being flailed from a body! The crying sounded familiar, though I could not place it. It was female, though. Of that I was sure. And it sounded older than recorded time!
I continued homing-in on the cry.. compelled by a need to comfort the crier! Then, the thought struck me! Kami-Sama! What if the crier is Mihoshi? What would make my Mihoshi CRY
like that??
I am coming, Mihoshi! Just.. hang on! Onegai?"
Soon, I see her! It is Mihoshi. She is knealing, seemingly naked except for the cloth
wrapped loosing around her body. Coming closer, I see the cloth, more. Kami! It looks like burial-shroud! And I can hear her better. Through her tears, she is begging someone not to
leave her, again..
"Begging"? "Leave"? "Again"? What bakayarou would even THINK of doing that??
Besides me...
Soon- I saw the uniform in the distance with its back to Mihoshi.. and got sick to my
stomache!
It was Galaxy-Police uniform.. rather-high uniform!
"I want you to patrol Sector Rigel C-8!" The voice- a familiar one- behind the uniform
spoke, "and I want thw reports as soon as possible!"
The voice kept ordering patrols and requesting updates.
"Ojiisan?" Mhoshi cried out, but barely.
Ojiisan?
"Ojiisan? Jiji? Don't leave me.. Onegai?"
"Where are the reports from Sector Sirius G-6?" The voice of Marshall Kuramitsu boomed.
"Ojiisan? OJIISAN?!?!" Mihoshi kept crying out plaintively. "Do not leave.. onegai?"
Marshall Kuramitsu just kept ignoring his grand-daughter.. and walking away into the threatening darkness...
"Ojiisan? Jiji?" Mihoshi kept whispering as she rolled her cold, naked body up into
a fetal-position. "Hitoribocchi.. hitoribocchi..."
At that point.. I did what I felt was needed!
I over-reacted! On purpose, this time.
"Marshall Kuramitsu!" I called out in my most-overenthusiastic tone. I wanted to cringe!
"I have those reports from the Sol-system you requested!"
"Read it to me!" Tha Marshall responded. Good.
"Everything seems well with the Juraian-refugees!" I said in a chipper-tone. "Demo.. there
IS a problem with Officer Kuramitsu Mihoshi, Sir!"
"Hai." The Marshall asked- without turning around. "What is the problem?"
I dropped the chipper-routine. "Mihoshi needs you, Sir." I said in a low, serious tone.
"I cannot believe that you *failed* me, Officer Mabiki." The Marshall answered.
*I* failed him? How?
"I gave you a simple task. Turn my grand-daughter into a top Galaxy-Police Officer.. And
you failed! Hmmph. You even failed to keep her out of trouble. At LEAST, develope ENOUGH of
a SPINE in her to put up with dome of the PITFALLS of being Galaxy-Police!"
"Develope my Grand-daughter into.." What in the *hell* is he talking about? Mihoshi's
the BEST Officer I knew of in the GP!!
"It is with PRIDE and HONOR that the Kuramitsu-clan has served the Juraians and the Galaxy-Police for GENERATIONS!"
What was this *ass-hole* trying to play at? The only connections between the GP and
Jurai has been as.. ut-oh.. !!
"And I will *NOT* see the GOOD NAME of KURAMITSU besmirched by a weak-willed little DOLL!!"
So THAT is what the Bastard was driving at! He's not concerned about Mihoshi's well-being!
He's just worried about his REPUTATION!! And as a LAP-DOG on the JURAI!! Kami!
"You take more pride in being Jurai's Pet-enjorcer than in your grand-daghter TRYING to
be an honest Officer? MY Mihoshi is meant for BETTER thing than GP!!"
MY Mihoshi?
"You are UNDER ARREST, Mabiki Kiyone!" The Marshall finally spun around! "This is IBSUBORDINATION! And, HIGH-TREASON against Jurai!!"
High-Treason, huh? Well.. I am in good company, then! Yosho.. Ayeka.. Sasami.. Tenchi..
maybe, Washuu...
The Marshall started to draw his blaster! But, he was too slow.
"I got him, Mihoshi." I smiled as I cradle my partner and pick her up. "He won't hurt you,
again!"
"Arigatou..", Mihoshi whispered. Then, she opened up her eyes- and screamed!
"Iiede! Iiede! Iiede!!"
I suddenly looked at Mihoshi- I screamed myself! My partner.. my friend.. my aneue.. was
flickering-out like a dying candle-flame!!
"Washuu-Hibiki!! Get us OUT OF HERE!!!!"
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I did not sleep well the rest of that night. Neither did Mihoshi. However, we were able to get *some* rest, demo... do not ask 'how?'! At least.. we were not walking-dead when Sasami annonced breakfast! Not exactly.
Later in the day.. again, do not ask 'how'!.. I was able to wake-up enough to focus my thoughts. And, those thoughts were focused on one thing:
How to get Marshall Kuramitsu out of Mihoshi's life!
The longer the day grew, the darker my plans got! The ideas I played with were *incredably*
long and painful.. for the Marshall! None of them, however, involved Homicide! Not yet, anyway.
I still remembered that Mihoshi needed me alive!
About mid-afternoon, I was ready to take Yagami to GP-Headquarters to confront the Marshall
when Mihoshi caught me.
"Imouto?" Miohoshi whimpered. "Do not go.. onegai? If you go.. I will NEVER see you, again!"
The fear in her voice only strengthened my resolve to right this wrong done to her!
"I *must* go, aneue!" I gently caressed Mihoshi as I spoke, trying to calm her. "Goshinpainaku, Mihoshi-ane! I will be back, safe."
"Iyaa!" She cried. "You will go into spider's web.. and they will take you FROM ME!!"
"Iiede! Iiede..", Mihoshe-ane sniffed. "They will.. take you away! I know them. Kowaii."
"Mihoshi is right." Washuu suddenly spoke. "You cannot leave! If you go, it is certain-
death!" She then turned to Roy-ohko and Nagi!" Musume? Scrub-up! We will prepare to operate!
I will remove the bugs! Hai!"
I felt myself growing weak and pale...
"The.. bugs?"
A Tenchimuyo fan-fiction, and sequel / side-story to
"Written in Blood"- a Tenchimuyo-Sailormoon crossover,
written by my co-writer, SuperMoonBrat, and myself.
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PART 1:
I look out at the morning sun, just peeking up the other side of the hills, and I realize how incredably lucky I am! I have a home, and I have a family, and an aneue who loves me for just being me!
And I shudder when I remember this time last year, of how I thought none of that mattered, of how much of an impossibly arregant baka I was!
Who am I? People used to call me Makibi Kiyone. But, "Makibi Kiyone" died sometime this past year. I buried her myself.
Maybe, I should explain myself better. I, Kiyone, was once a Galaxy Police officer. An incredably-vain Galaxy Police officer! I was one of the best and brightest, and - like any other pet-enforcer - eager to please the boss! Unfortunately, I was giving a partner that- fortunately-
was not my match. I was partnered with the Marshall's grand-daughter, Kuramitsu Mihoshi.. just to, I thought, babysit her.
Actually, although I hated to admit it, we made a good team! Mihoshi-aneue was the more-observant of us.. really good with details.. and she turned out to be better at talking with people than I was. Demo.. she didn't seem to have the drive and reflexes that GP seemed to need and demand! That where I came in! Hai! We made a good team.. demo.. we were an *expensive!* team. Hehee..!
Anyway.. and I hate myself for this now.. I started to see my chances in the Police growing farther and farther away as more and more property got broken! Pretty soon.. over half of our pay was going to pay for damages! It was then that I received a 'reprieve'- a second-change, I thought, when me and Mihoshi-aneue were given seperate assignments!
Then, Mihoshi-aneue turned up missing.
As her last assigned-partner, I was "asked" to find her. I cringed. The last thing I wanted to find was Mihoshi-aneue alive! Demo.. that was my assignment, so...
I was able to track Mihoshi-aneue down- along with two runaway-princesses, a wanted space-pirate, and a renegade-scientist! And.. they were all friends!! I always thought Mihoshi- aneue was blessed with luck.. and that luck always got me into trouble! I could just see my career and sanity flying away from me at that moment!
Anyway, after that- and because of the princesses- we got stationed here in the Sol system..
a backwater, frontier piece of space if there ever was one!! I felt imprisoned for life. Demo..
Mihoshi-aneue LOVED it!! I never understood why- at the time.
Then, we became ensnared in the Galaxy Police' and Juraian Empire's intrigue's with the Juraian Prince Kagato- the "False Yosho". Somehow, in becoming *fugitives* from the GP in helping the Princesses Ayeka and Sasami, we became *heroes* in the GP! And, were given promotions!
Of course, this ment going back to headquarters.. and Mihoshi-aneue becomes more of a klutz than usual! FORTUNATELY, nothing got broken this time! But, that's when I first I noticed how nervous Mihoshi got at HQ! I asked her about it. Demo.. she never answered me...
Well.. I guess.. I started getting concerned for Mihoshi-aneue. Because, when a need came up for resident-officers on Earth, again, I took it- along with my partner!
Then came the affair with Yuugi. And once again, my partner and I were part of that mess! Poor kid. Yuugi's a nice enough girl.. but her life was totally screwed-around by the Juraians!
The GP and the Juraians certainly have the touch- turn everything they touch to shit.
Anyway, after the dust settled from that fight, Mihoshi-aneue and I went back to our jobs of being resident-officers.. along with trying to find jobs to pay for our room and board.. and we became known as two of the Galaxy's better cops! Hai! Demo.. I let my love of the job- the aura, the excitement- blind me, again! And, I started berating Mihoshi-aneue again. I am *surprised* she put up with me that long! Fortunately, something changed that. Or, someone.
It all started 18 months ago when Hakubi Washuu, for reasons unknown still, started to look for distant-relatives! Mihoshi-aneue says she might have felt lonely and powerless. Hmmm... Lonely? In the Masaki-household? Tokyo Airport in less-crowded! If Washuu-hibiki felt lonely, it was probably her own.. IYAA! That's not necessarily true. I know that, myself! Demo.. POWERLESS?? Well.. with Tokimi and Tsunami as sisters.. and the Juraian-need to trap and manipulate their "Goddesses".. maybe, Mihoshi-aneue knows what she talks about, here. Demo.. the thought.. KOWAII!!
Well.. at that time, Ayeka and Ryo-oko were having one of their "wars", which they absolutely
REFUSED to take outside! They really love each other as sisters, Mihoshi-aneue says, demo.. there are just some things they each do that aggrevates the other! Well? I can understand that.. I think.
Anyway, Ayeka suddenly pulled out her royal-whip and starts popping it. And, Mihoshi started LOSING it! I swear.. if I EVER see that baka with another whip.. I will STRANGLE HER with it!! Demo.. at the time, I was more angry at Mihoshi than her Highness! And, I stayed angry.. and condescending.. of Mihoshi-aneue. I was refusing to see my aneue for who she was.. beautiful, sweet, and intelligent! Fortunately, my itoko- Washuu-hibiki's other distant-relative- knew what to do!
I see you have seen the collar! You like it? This was our itoko's answer to my blindness to Mihoshi-aneue! *HeeheeHAA!* Best thing to happen to me! Demo.. I did not know it, then. Demo,
I learn.
Itoko said I have to re-learn everything I was taught. That was understatement of fact! Demo,
Mihoshi-aneue good teacher.. kind and gentle and patient.. more patient than me, back then! Still
more patient than me! Iyaa! Patience not a virtue of mine!
At first, the re-training was rocky.. Mihoshi-aneue was always my friend, although I did not admit it, demo.. I wanted to do things *my* way. Demo.. thing became as smoothe and calm as a lake! For a while. But, then, things started happening.
"Things" like the Galaxy Police! May they burn in hell!
We learned a few months back that some GP-Agent had been spying on us! It was natural, I guess. I had not reported in to Headquarters in a while. Dano, neither had Mihoshi-aneue! Marshall Kuramitsu was "worried" about his grand-daughter. HAH! More like worried about Kuramitsu-reputation!
However, as soon as we learned of the GP spy's entry into our lives, Mihoshi-aneue began to change! She began a sudden retreat into the shell of her old self! Gone was the confidence.. and in its place once again came the clumsiness, the self-doubt, and the fear. It was amazing to see
how quickly the change accured.. and amazingly sad.
What was sadder - crueler - was the way I reacted! I did not want to be mean! I did not start out to be mean! Demo.. Kami-Sama..!! When Mihoshi reverted to her old self.. losing sleep and becoming ccoordination.. well, so did I! Become my old-self.
As the weeks went by.. the worse Mihoshi got.. the worse I got.
Until.. after a month went by..
I still remember.. like it was yesterday..:
"Mihoshi-aneue? Nani-yo?" I asked. "What is wrong, ane?"
Mihoshi had been faltering since we had learned we had been spied on,
and was becoming jumpier than usual.. to the point of breaking quite a few
items in the Masaki-House! Fortunately, nothing broken couldn't be replaced..
demo, I was still getting unnerved!
Unfortunately... I am the one who snapped first:
"What is WRONG with you, Mihoshi?!?! Are you purposely TRYING to get BACK
to being what you were?"
"Gomen nissai.. Kiyone-Sama..", Mihoshi fearfully-replied. "It shall not
happen again."
There was something.. "dead", for lack of a better word.. in Mihoshi's
voice! I HEARD it! Gone was the bubbly, lively lilt. Gone was the song that
had been her tone. And I gasped! Did I do that?
I wanted to run to her! I wanted to throw myself into Mihoshi's arms and
tell her I was sorry! I wanted to BEG for her to laugh again! And.. if I
failed in doing that.. I wanted to crawl away somewhere and DIE, for
hurting my best-friend!
As if turned out, my second wish came closer to being granted before
the first! For, as I turned to chase after Mihoshi-aneue, I ran into Ayeka-hime
and Ryo-ohko-San!
"Why are you trying to hurt Mihoshi-san, Makibi-Sama?" Ayeka stated
the question with all the tense-effectiveness of an Internal-Affairs
investigator. I suddenly felt like the ground beneath my feet had given
way and I was plunging straight to Hell!
"Nani-yo, Ayeka-hime?" I asked reflexively.
"I believe you know what the Hime is talking about.. Lieutinant Mabiki",
Ryo-ohko said with a certain laziness in her tone.
I jumped! That voice, plus the relaxed-way in which she held her body,
were sure signs.. to anyone who knew her.. that the Space-Pirate was
getting ready to strike, if she felt she had to! And. Ryo-ohko could be
as deadly as umihebi when she strikes!!
"I.. I didn't want to hurt her.." I started to stutter.
"Hai. That's what all the Galaxy Police say.. Before they stab you
in the back!" Ryo-ohko said. "I've worked with former-GP, before! They
said that they knew where they stood with me more times than they knew
where they stood with the Police."
"Rather like the Juraian Royal-Family, actually." Ayeka muttered.
I felt Ayeka's and Ryo-ohko's stares bore through me, and I wanted
to do nothing more than charge right into them! Thinking of what I had
done to Mihoshi.... If I was lucky, maybe the princess or the pirate
would kill me!
It looked as if we would all taste blood when Washu-Obaasan suddenly
spoke up:
"There is no need for bloodshed! Ayeka-chan! Ryo-ohko-chan! Heal!
Kiyone-chan? Mihoshi is down in my lab, trying to rest. Go to her!
I will join you later."
The world.. stopped.. douyara.. when Washu-oba spoke. With a calm
voice, she took everything over!
"Is.. she..?" I stuttered through a heavy breath. "Is.. Mihoshi..?"
"Go to her." Washu-oba repeated. "She needs you."
Not as much as I needed her!
"Yosho!" Washu-oba then called into the house. "Come! I need to put
something up on the shrine-grounds!" She then turned back to me. "Go!
Shoo-shoo! Iyaa! Do not stay!"
I raced down the Washu-oba's laboratory, my breath heaving and my
heart pounding, afraid of what I might find once I got to Mihoshi-ane!
When I reached the back of Washuu's lab, I found Mihoshi laying on the
floor, in a fetal-positon, wrapped in a blanket and crying!
I spent the rest of that day and a part of that night trying to calm
Mihoshi. Demo.. as much as she needed to rest, and as much as I caressed
and petted her, as could not get her to sleep! She fought it.. as if it
were a deadly enemy. If I had only known how close that enemy actually
was! There were even a few times, when she would wake up, that Mihoshi
even tried to push me away! At the time it happened it hurt. I did not
know at the time that my partner was just trying to protect me. All I
could think of was how much it hurt me. Demo.. what hurt more was the
thought that- somehow- I deserved this treatment!
Later that night, Washuu-hibiki came down into the lab with food for
me and Mihoshi.
"I told Sasami that I would bring your supper to you!" Washuu smiled.
"You will be alright, now! Yosho and I have set up a deflection-system
around the house! The Galaxy-Police will not be able to harm you here!"
"That is good!" I said, trying to trassure myself as much as Mihoshi.
"Isn't it, Mihoshi?"
Mihoshi gave a weak yelp in reply that just broke my heart! It was at
that time I decided to pay whoever caused this back for hurting my best
friend! Though, who exactly her enemy- MY enemy, now- was, I had no clue.
After a silent supper, Washuu turned om a monitor and some switches,
then helped give Mihoshi to bed. And, Mihoshi fought us all the way to the
pillow!
"Everything will be alright, Mihoshi!" I lied through my teeth, to calm
her, for I was more-scared than I had ever been.. even as a child!
"Iiede.. Iiede..", Mihoshi kept repeating softly. "Never be alright..
never again.."
"Mihoshi?" I asked as I caressed my fragile friend. "What is wrong?"
"Iyaa! Get away from me, Kiyone! Get away.. onegai? Or he'll take you away!
Away.. away... Hitoribocchi.. hitoribocchi..!"
'He'll take me away?' I looked up at Washuu-hibiki.
"Who's 'He'?"
"I donno!" Hibiki answered. "The only one who can answer that, I am
afraid, is Mihoshi! But if I were to hazard a bet.. 'He' has *something*
to do with the Galaxy-Police."
"Well.. this all started after we found the GP-Spy lurking around, so
that's probably a safe-bet." The GP were starting to leave a *real* bad taste
in my mouth.. and a nasty little headache! "Demo.. every time I would ask
Mihoshi if anything was wrong, she'd evade the question!" I continued petting
Mihoshi, hoping she would get some sleep.
"Maybe she does that to protect you, Kiyone!" Ryo-ohko said as she came
down the stairs.
That struck a chord!
"Pro.. tect.. me? Nani-yo?"
"The only way to answer that is to get inside Mihoshi's head!" Hibiki said.
"That may also be the reason she refuses to go to sleep."
Washuu-hibiki then placed a neural-communicator on my temple.
"I've modified these so you can view another's dreams." Washuu explained
as she, first, adjusted the deflection-field around the house and, then,
placed another neural-communicator on Mihoshi.
Mihoshi suddenly *jumped* as if snake-bit! She the backed-awau from
Washuu and me like a wounded animal. Dano.. the cry she uttered then still haunts
me:
"IYAA!! Iiede! Iied! Iiede! Do not mak me sleep!! Do not come into my dreams..
onegai??"
At that time, I wanted nothing more than ro take Mihoshi in my arms and tell her that everything would be alright. That I would let nothing scare her, anymore! Demo.. I could not.
Until I learned what was terrifying Mihoshi, I was lost.. and as scared as my partner!
I thought about asking Washuu-habiki for a sedative to get Mihoshi to sleep, demo...
IYAA! That's the Galaxy-Police way! That is NOT *my* way! Not any more! So.. I stayed with Mihoshi.. my fragile partner.. caressing her as she trembled and cried...
I do not know how many hours we sat like that, demo.. Mihoshi finally cried herself
to sleep. I laid her down, then- tremling- I turned on her Neural-Communicator. Then, near
my own point-of-exhaustion, I turned on mine! Then, I curled up close to Mihoshi, and..
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I found myself walking in what could only be described as a black void! I was walking..
towards something! Whatever it was, I had no idea. Demo.. I knew whatever it was, I had to be there. It needed me!
Soon, the sound of crying reached my ears. Crying? It was the most heart-wrenching wail
I had ever heard!! It was as if a soul was being flailed from a body! The crying sounded familiar, though I could not place it. It was female, though. Of that I was sure. And it sounded older than recorded time!
I continued homing-in on the cry.. compelled by a need to comfort the crier! Then, the thought struck me! Kami-Sama! What if the crier is Mihoshi? What would make my Mihoshi CRY
like that??
I am coming, Mihoshi! Just.. hang on! Onegai?"
Soon, I see her! It is Mihoshi. She is knealing, seemingly naked except for the cloth
wrapped loosing around her body. Coming closer, I see the cloth, more. Kami! It looks like burial-shroud! And I can hear her better. Through her tears, she is begging someone not to
leave her, again..
"Begging"? "Leave"? "Again"? What bakayarou would even THINK of doing that??
Besides me...
Soon- I saw the uniform in the distance with its back to Mihoshi.. and got sick to my
stomache!
It was Galaxy-Police uniform.. rather-high uniform!
"I want you to patrol Sector Rigel C-8!" The voice- a familiar one- behind the uniform
spoke, "and I want thw reports as soon as possible!"
The voice kept ordering patrols and requesting updates.
"Ojiisan?" Mhoshi cried out, but barely.
Ojiisan?
"Ojiisan? Jiji? Don't leave me.. Onegai?"
"Where are the reports from Sector Sirius G-6?" The voice of Marshall Kuramitsu boomed.
"Ojiisan? OJIISAN?!?!" Mihoshi kept crying out plaintively. "Do not leave.. onegai?"
Marshall Kuramitsu just kept ignoring his grand-daughter.. and walking away into the threatening darkness...
"Ojiisan? Jiji?" Mihoshi kept whispering as she rolled her cold, naked body up into
a fetal-position. "Hitoribocchi.. hitoribocchi..."
At that point.. I did what I felt was needed!
I over-reacted! On purpose, this time.
"Marshall Kuramitsu!" I called out in my most-overenthusiastic tone. I wanted to cringe!
"I have those reports from the Sol-system you requested!"
"Read it to me!" Tha Marshall responded. Good.
"Everything seems well with the Juraian-refugees!" I said in a chipper-tone. "Demo.. there
IS a problem with Officer Kuramitsu Mihoshi, Sir!"
"Hai." The Marshall asked- without turning around. "What is the problem?"
I dropped the chipper-routine. "Mihoshi needs you, Sir." I said in a low, serious tone.
"I cannot believe that you *failed* me, Officer Mabiki." The Marshall answered.
*I* failed him? How?
"I gave you a simple task. Turn my grand-daughter into a top Galaxy-Police Officer.. And
you failed! Hmmph. You even failed to keep her out of trouble. At LEAST, develope ENOUGH of
a SPINE in her to put up with dome of the PITFALLS of being Galaxy-Police!"
"Develope my Grand-daughter into.." What in the *hell* is he talking about? Mihoshi's
the BEST Officer I knew of in the GP!!
"It is with PRIDE and HONOR that the Kuramitsu-clan has served the Juraians and the Galaxy-Police for GENERATIONS!"
What was this *ass-hole* trying to play at? The only connections between the GP and
Jurai has been as.. ut-oh.. !!
"And I will *NOT* see the GOOD NAME of KURAMITSU besmirched by a weak-willed little DOLL!!"
So THAT is what the Bastard was driving at! He's not concerned about Mihoshi's well-being!
He's just worried about his REPUTATION!! And as a LAP-DOG on the JURAI!! Kami!
"You take more pride in being Jurai's Pet-enjorcer than in your grand-daghter TRYING to
be an honest Officer? MY Mihoshi is meant for BETTER thing than GP!!"
MY Mihoshi?
"You are UNDER ARREST, Mabiki Kiyone!" The Marshall finally spun around! "This is IBSUBORDINATION! And, HIGH-TREASON against Jurai!!"
High-Treason, huh? Well.. I am in good company, then! Yosho.. Ayeka.. Sasami.. Tenchi..
maybe, Washuu...
The Marshall started to draw his blaster! But, he was too slow.
"I got him, Mihoshi." I smiled as I cradle my partner and pick her up. "He won't hurt you,
again!"
"Arigatou..", Mihoshi whispered. Then, she opened up her eyes- and screamed!
"Iiede! Iiede! Iiede!!"
I suddenly looked at Mihoshi- I screamed myself! My partner.. my friend.. my aneue.. was
flickering-out like a dying candle-flame!!
"Washuu-Hibiki!! Get us OUT OF HERE!!!!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I did not sleep well the rest of that night. Neither did Mihoshi. However, we were able to get *some* rest, demo... do not ask 'how?'! At least.. we were not walking-dead when Sasami annonced breakfast! Not exactly.
Later in the day.. again, do not ask 'how'!.. I was able to wake-up enough to focus my thoughts. And, those thoughts were focused on one thing:
How to get Marshall Kuramitsu out of Mihoshi's life!
The longer the day grew, the darker my plans got! The ideas I played with were *incredably*
long and painful.. for the Marshall! None of them, however, involved Homicide! Not yet, anyway.
I still remembered that Mihoshi needed me alive!
About mid-afternoon, I was ready to take Yagami to GP-Headquarters to confront the Marshall
when Mihoshi caught me.
"Imouto?" Miohoshi whimpered. "Do not go.. onegai? If you go.. I will NEVER see you, again!"
The fear in her voice only strengthened my resolve to right this wrong done to her!
"I *must* go, aneue!" I gently caressed Mihoshi as I spoke, trying to calm her. "Goshinpainaku, Mihoshi-ane! I will be back, safe."
"Iyaa!" She cried. "You will go into spider's web.. and they will take you FROM ME!!"
"Iiede! Iiede..", Mihoshe-ane sniffed. "They will.. take you away! I know them. Kowaii."
"Mihoshi is right." Washuu suddenly spoke. "You cannot leave! If you go, it is certain-
death!" She then turned to Roy-ohko and Nagi!" Musume? Scrub-up! We will prepare to operate!
I will remove the bugs! Hai!"
I felt myself growing weak and pale...
"The.. bugs?"