{(Chapter 13- Seiku)}
The Teen Titans and Sayuri continued driving down the road for quite a while. Most of the Titans were all happily chatting away, and informing each other of the latest news. Robin was leaning out the side of the convertible, confused since he couldn't follow a sentence of the conversation. Too many foreign names.
"Robin?"
Robin was surprised to hear Sayuri's voice. He'd noticed that the girl didn't address him very often. No one else really did, either. Maybe they considered him an invalid… since he couldn't remember things.
"Yeah?"
Sayuri glanced back at Robin through her rear view mirror, careful to keep an eye on the road.
"Robin, I was wondering… do you remember how to use the things on your utility belt?"
"Yes. I remember how to fight."
"That's good. I have a gift for you. Think of it as an apology… for having to force all these problems on you guys."
Is she just talking about my memory loss? "….Okay."
The rest of the titans were still talking loudly. Sayuri found the background noise annoying, but was thankful for their preoccupation. It was, after all, a private conversation. She reached into her shorts' back pocket, and pulled out a small orange marble-like ball. She reached back and handed it to Robin.
"That… is an energy trap."
"Energy trap?" It sounded familiar, but he couldn't quite place the name.
"Yes. My trick… the energy trap… is actually quite simple. It's not even a spirit wave technique…"
"So, anyone can use it?"
"Well, you'd have to have some experience with gadgets to use it correctly, but yes… everyone can use it."
"…How do I use it?"
"All you need to do is squeeze the little ball, then quickly throw it, at whomever you want trapped."
Robin stared at the tiny marble in wonder. "How's that work?"
"Well… it's an energy leeching device – my mom's own invention. When you squeeze the marble, it activates thousands of tiny sensors hidden inside it, which then focus their electromagnetic energy out to collect a tiny bit of your spirit energy. That tiny bit of energy is enough to make the marble expand. The material it's made out of is special, and when it's expanded, it turns into a trap – sucking in everything around it."
That sounded familiar, like it had happened to him before. But, again, Robin couldn't quite remember. "…. Oh."
Sayuri smiled. "Just remember not to use it unless it's really important, alright? My mom only left me with 5 of those things, and that's my last one. Emergencies only, 'kay?"
Robin, who was just packing the ball away in a spare pocket of his utility belt, paused. "Does that make this a family heirloom? I couldn't take it if…"
Sayuri shook her head. "Not an heirloom. A weapon. Use it when you've run out of options. My mom would be honored if her invention saved the life of a super hero. And I'll be highly offended if you don't use it."
Of course, Sayuri probably wouldn't be all that offended, and was just trying to reassure Robin. But it was exactly what he needed to hear. He tucked the orange little marble away into his belt. "Thank you, then."
"You're wel—"
Sayuri cut herself off as she made a sharp turn into the apartment complex' entrance.
"We're here." She said, making all the chatting Titans fall silent.
"That old guy lives here?" Cyborg asked, remembering the shocked look on that woman's face when Raven told her off.
"Yes."
"Then I'm not going in."
Sayuri grinned, getting out of the car. "Oh, no… you can't get off that easy… Everyone's coming in."
"Why do you need me? I don't want to see those old people again… they're gonna be ticked off."
"What if we're attacked? You'll miss out on all the action if you stay."
Cyborg grumbled. "Eh… fine."
The Titans climbed out of Sayuri's convertible, and she pulled the top up before locking it. Then… the six of them walked into the apartment building. Sayuri stepped up to the front desk.
"Hello. I'm here to see Seiku Arai. You don't know what his apartment number is… do you?"
The man behind the counter looked in his information log, and nodded. "Seiku Arai – Room 314. Should I buzz him, and let him know you're coming?"
"Please do. Tell him it's Sayuri, and I've brought some friends."
"Fine."
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Up in room 314…
Seiku Arai had just finished convincing his wife to get some rest in their bedroom. He quietly shut the door behind him, and walked into the kitchen. His papers were strung out on the kitchen table, where he planned to finish his research work at home. He was about to sit down and do just that, when his telephone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hello. This is the Front Desk. You have a visitor coming up to see you. She says her name's Sayuri, and she's bringing friends."
"Mrs.Kenohe is coming up? Okay. Thank you."
"Hey, that's what I'm getting paid for."
Seiku hung up the phone, and quickly went through the house, straitening up the "house" for his guests. I love having the front desk up there… If they didn't warn me every time someone came to visit, then everyone would know what a slob I am around the house.
He chuckled, imagining what some of his colleges would say if they found out their respected professor didn't even clean up after himself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A few minutes later…
Sayuri and the rest were standing right outside room 314. Sayuri stepped up to the door and knocked.
Once.
Twice.
She paused, and then knocked three more times. Twice was to signify importance, and three was for secrecy. The code knocking system was Seiku Arai's own invention. Takeshi had liked it. Sayuri liked it too. It was dead useful.
Inside the apartment, it sounded like Seiku was rummaging through his belongings. He abruptly stopped when Sayuri finished knocking, and hurried over to open the door. When he did, Sayuri couldn't help but smile. Seiku looked the same as she'd always seen him. He wore a white and brown plaid shirt, tucked tightly into his over-starched brown slacks. His colorless, white hair was combed neatly down the middle.
However, Raven, Beast Boy and Cyborg's reaction to the man was just about the opposite of Sayuri's. This was definitely the same man they'd seen before. Now it was confirmed. They desperately hoped he wouldn't remember them.
"Mrs. Kenohe! It's splendid to see you again. Please come in."
Sayuri nodded, very glad that he was being so nonchalant. She stepped inside, motioning for the Titans to follow her. They did.
"You know…" Sayuri said. "My name isn't Kenohe yet. It's still Iotanke."
"But you are engaged, no?" He voice was its usual kind, quiet whisper, as he shut the door behind his guests. "In my day, engagement was just as good as marriage…" he locked the door, then turned back to look at Sayuri. "What is the important issue you came here for?"
Sayuri chuckled. "You're very careful, you know… I suppose you were making sure no one could hear or walk in on us?"
"Yes. These walls are pretty soundproof. And I'm protective of secrets. Especially ones that aren't mine."
Sayuri gave a small bow. "It's appreciated."
Seiku shrugged. "So, what do you need to tell me?"
Sayuri straitened, frowning. "I don't know how to tell you this and not get you mad at me."
Seiku's cheerful eyes dulled ever so slightly. "What is it?"
"She erased Robin's memory using your small computer chip." Starfire said. Sayuri gave her a brief frown.
"You did what?!"
Sayuri winced, displeased at making the man upset. "I know you told me not to try it on anyone, but it was very important……"
Seiku shook his head, sighing. "That device is dangerous! What could have been so important?"
"It helped me save Takeshi."
Seiku hesitated. "Well… I guess your reason is good enough… for now. But when Mr. Kenohe returns from the hospital, you, him and I are going to sit down and have a long talk about why you should listen to old Mr. Arai's advice."
Sayuri nodded, a little amused at the suggestion.
"What do you need my help with?"
Sayuri sighed, realizing how stupid she was going to sound. "I… need your help in fixing the guy's memory back…"
"… you risked using my chip… and now you want me to undo what you did?"
"Yes…"
"I'm not sure if I can, Mrs. Kenohe… It was difficult building the chip in the first place… It would be much harder to build one that's the exact opposite…"
Starfire gasped. He cannot do it?! She stepped up to face Seiku, eye to eye, then suddenly dropped to her knees, clasping her hands together in a classic begging position. "Oh, please, sir!"
Everyone looked at her a little strangely.
"Yo, Star… what are you doing?"
"I am… pleading for his help. This is how it is done… is it not? It's how they did it on the show of the Tom and the Jerry…"
The Titans stared on in horror. If she wanted to gain this man's sympathy, telling him she imitated a cartoon show was not going to cut the cake. Sayuri seemed to be thinking along the same lines, and paled considerably. Everyone was surprised when Seiku burst out into laughter.
"M… Mr. Arai?"
Seiku now threw his head back and laughed openly.
"Mr. Arai! I've never seen you so… loud before!"
Seiku didn't seem to hear Sayuri. Tears of laughter rolled down his weathered cheeks.
The Titans and Sayuri now just stood and stared, rather confused. Eventually, Seiku calmed down from his laughing fit. He wiped the tears from his eyes, and looked down at Starfire, who was still on her knees.
"Thank you, young girl. Your… innocence brings me much joy and amusement in my old age. It seems to me that these days, all you young ones like to act smart-alecky, and better then the rest… it's very good to meet someone who acts just the opposite."
Starfire beamed.
Seiku turned back to Sayuri. "So… which one of these kids' minds have you ruined?"
Sayuri frowned and pointed at Robin.
Seiku smiled. "Oh? It's a boy?" He glanced at Starfire, his eyes twinkling. "I think I see why this girl is so anxious to get him back."
Beast Boy shook his head a little, and then turned to whisper to Raven. "What's he mean by that?"
Raven rolled her eyes. "I love you, but you're so ignorant sometimes…. He meant he could tell Starfire's in love with Robin."
Beast Boy's mouth dropped open. "No way!! We just met him!! Is it really that obvious to everyone but me?!"
Raven and Cyborg both nodded. Beast Boy face-faulted, but said nothing more.
"Well…" Seiku said, his voice suddenly restored to its kind, happy tone. "It looks as if you'll all have to stay with me for the night."
Starfire faltered. "I-It will take that long?"
"At least. I'm not sure how long it will take. But don't worry! You'll enjoy staying with me. There are some extra pillows and blankets in the closet. Sayuri, would you bring them down? You can sleep wherever you like, but I'd appreciate it if you would stay out of mine and Azuka's room. She's still… a little drunk, and feeling none too loving towards you three." He pointed at Cyborg, Raven and Beast Boy. They paled. Old people have AMAZING memories!
Sayuri gave him one last grateful bow, then slipped around the hall corner, and into the closet. When she came back out, she had five pillows and blankets stacked up in her arms. She handed a blanket and pillow to each of the Titans.
"Aren't you going to take one for yourself?" Seiku asked.
"No… this is all my fault. I'll stay up and keep you company while you work tonight. Maybe I can even help out some."
Seiku smiled. "That'd be appreciated. Thank you."
Sayuri dropped into another bow. "I should be thanking you… for cleaning up after my mess of things…" She straitened, putting on a cheerful smile. "I'll go fix some coffee for the two of us, if you don't mind."
"Not at all. Black, please."
"Okay." She left for the kitchen. Having visited this man's apartment twice before with Takeshi, she was fairly familiar with the home's layout.
Seiku shrugged when he saw the five Titans standing still, pillows and blankets in hand. "You can go ahead and find a place to sleep. Like I said, I don't care where."
They nodded, and spread out into the small living quarters. Eventually, Cyborg laid out his things on the dinning room's shaggy carpet. Beast Boy and Raven decided to settle down on the living room couch. Starfire was just choosing a spot in the middle of the hallway, when Robin came out from the bathroom. He seemed a little uncomfortable.
"Excuse me… do you mind if I stay with you here? This is the only place left with a good amount of room, save for the bathroom… and I've already determined that that isn't an option."
Starfire smiled and nodded. "I do not mind. Go ahead."
(A/N- Yeah… this wasn't really a cliffhanger at all… ^^ That's not very typical of me. But, I'm sure you guys don't miss the cliffys.
So… why'd I cut it off there? I'm having a small bought of writer's block over how I'm going to word the upcoming scene… and I figured that you guys were being way to patient with me already, and deserved an update. So… here's your chapter.
What do you think? Please let me know? PLEASE. I know every time I beg for reviews, you're all like "Ugh… can she be any more desperate?"… But, now I have a whole new reason for begging. I recently starting paying for the ff.net support services, and can see the hit numbers for my stories. Sad thing is… since last night; Boundless Love has gotten 154 new hits. How many new reviews? 3. It's strange to know so many people click on my story, yet don't read and/or review it… Ignorance is indeed bliss.
But… WHO CARES, ANYWAY?! I got 200 reveiws!!! YIPPE!!! *hands out candy to all her reveiwers* I love you guys! Please keep sticking with me! Maybe one day I'll buy you all nice shiny new cars for your amazing support. So - cherry red or pearl white? You pick the color.
Oh… review responses, I guess-
Trudi Frost: ^^; I very much appreciate the review support. Thank you very much.
Toast: ROFL! Thank you very much for the info! It's very nice of you to post it up on my review board. I must tell you, though… I already know very much about Tara Strong. I had to look her up when I was putting together my shrine for Rikku of FFX (Tara does Rikku's voice). Off the top of my head, I can tell you she also does the voice of Hello Kitty and Ariel. You're very right. She has a lot of talent.
Weirdo coffee high girl: oo; I'm sorry! The Japanese word thing has become a habit for me. I had to learn to type in words like "hai" and "gomen" and "arigatou", because it's expected when you write fics for shows like Rurouni Kenshin (which I mostly do). But, if it really bugs you, I'll try my best to edit out all the Japanese phrases when I'm typing for this fic. After all, it probably makes a lot more peoples' heads' spin as well.
That's all for now, people. Please, please, please keep reviewing.
^^ It's not very hard, you know. I'm not sure why I have to continually beg at the end of all my chapters, for reviews. But… it seems to work.
So, please – Review!)