Chapter 22
"Oh, man, Rip, this isn't working," Zane pointed out.
"Oh, c'mon I'm at least 4 cup sizes smaller," I said.
"With two to go until you're male," he replied.
I looked at myself in the mirror. He was certainly right. "Wait, I have an idea! Go get some duct tape."
"What?"
"This is the size of myself when I was 12," I pointed out. "Duct tape did the trick! Made me flat as boy! Not fetch!"
He went from the room and came back out. "Now wrap me up."
"Ummm…"he blushed.
"Oh please it's just like a man to think like that," I sneered. I snatched the tape from him and wrapped myself up. "You're such a wuss, Zane."
He folded his arm across his chest. "Well, I don't think I would be trying to touch anything that's Ookami's property. What kind of friend would I be if I did?"
I turned and glared at him. "I'm not that damn wolf's property."
He shook his head. "It's not good in the back." He smacks some more on me. "How are you going to do this all by yourself? Are you gonna tell Copper?"
"No," I replied. "It's best that no one else knows about this. And, I'll manage somehow, don't worry."
"Your hair certainly does look boyish," he pointed out. "Now here." He hand me the contact lenses. "Put these on and your ready to go, Bash Girl."
I took them from him and put them in my eyes. I then looked up at myself. I blinked a few times in awe. I still looked like me with the short hair and flat chest, but when there was no blue in my eyes I truly looked like a different person.
"Whoa, it does make a difference."
"That it does," I said. "Thanks Zane, for everything. I really owe you on this one."
"No, problem," he smiled. "Just do me a favor and don't get caught."
"So, what's my name again?"
"Ryu."
"Ryu Raptor," I sounded it out. "Sounds fine. And how am I related to Rip Raptor?"
"You're her father's half sister's son."
"Sounds good to me." I sighed. "I'm off then. Thank you again."
I signed into the camp. I made it past registration. That was a good sign. Now I entered a camp. I entered a camp full of smelly, hardy, burly men. What had a gotten myself into? I was really hoping Cray wouldn't show his arse here. I was hoping more that I wouldn't bump into Copper. I don't know how I would be able to present myself in front of someone I knew so well.
I went inside my bunk and threw my bag on the bed.
"Hello!"
"Eh?!"
"Oops sorry if I scared you," he laughed. "I must've really gotten you. You yell like a girl."
I deepened my voice. "Well, I'm just getting over a cold."
"I know how that can be," he chuckled. "The name's Keensan. Keensan Tora."
"I'm Ryu, Ryu Raptor."
"Nice to meet cha," he said. This boy was young. Tora…?
"So, what's your reason being here?" he questioned. "I mean other then being forced into it."
"Taking my cousin's place," I replayed. "He's still a kid and needs to finish his schooling. So, his sisters called me up and told me to come."
"Oh, are you a space outlaw or something."
"That's right, that's why I wasn't on the list."
"I'm here to look for my sister."
"Girls aren't fighting here."
"I know that," he said. "But she joined when she was 12 or so and I haven't seen her sense. I was hoping to get some information on her whereabouts here."
"What was her name?"
"Jessie Tora."
I nearly felt my heart sink. Her family never knew what happened to her. Oh, Jess. If it wouldn't risk myself right now, I would tell him. I would tell him how brave you were. When this is over, I'll tell him for you. Until then, I'll watch over him for you."
"Sorry," I said. "Never heard of her."
"Oh, too bad," he frowned.
I sat down on my bed. He still looked at me from his above mine. I glared at him.
"Oh, sorry," he said. "I didn't man to pry."
"How old are you kid?" I asked.
"Fifteen," he replied.
The door suddenly swung open. "Okay, first head count."
Oh, no…
"Keensan Tora."
"Here."
"Ryu Raptor."
"Here."
He looked up with is big golden eyes. "I didn't know Rip had a cousin."
"Yea, well, I was a space outlaw," I said. "She rang me up and said if I didn't take Streaks place she'd kill me."
"That sounds like her."
"So you must be," I pretended to think. "Copper, right? I think she's mentioned you before."
"Oh has she?" he questioned. "That's interesting. She didn't even come visit me before I left. I guess she was all busy tracking you down."
"Yea I guess." I'm sorry, Copper.
He looked up at Keensan. "Tora? Any relations to a Jessie Tora."
I lowered my head.
"Yea, my sister," Keensan replied with childlike glee. "Do you know her? Oh, please tell me that you do. I've been looking for her for a long time now. I was hoping I would find some information on where she was at here."
I looked over at Copper. His eyes were saddened. Was he going to tell her? Keensan was looking at him with innocent eyes. He wanted to find his sister. Copper didn't have the heart, I could see it.
"Jessie Tora," I sounded it out. "Say, that names does actually ring a bell. Rip mentioned her. Yea, she's the one that was killed during the final battle on Earth, right?"
Copper shot me an evil look. I look Copper would never give to Sindel Rip Raptor.
"That's not even funny, Ryu," Keensan said.
"No it's not," Copper confirmed. "Death is not funny and nothing casual. Jessie died with honor and she should be treated with respect."
"She's really dead?" Keensan questioned. Hurt filled his face.
"Sorry, Keensan," Copper said. "She is. I'm sorry it had to get to you so rudely."
"Excuse me," I said, standing up. "I think I still have some business up front." I walked past the wolf. I wasn't 15 steps down the hall when he caught up to me and slammed me against the wall.
"You crap, who do you think you are?!" he demanded. "If you were going to tell that kid his sister was dead you could at least done it with some integrity."
"Well, you weren't going to tell him at all now were you?"
"Don't mock me," he demanded. "You didn't even know who Jessie was. Her death was…."
"Not casual," I cut him off. "I know that no death is casual. Unless of course you're Rip Raptor." I smirked. "Death is just a silly game to her. I guarantee you that the skank would be the first one in line for this war if she could."
His fist met my face. It didn't hurt. Rip Raptor was stronger than that. However Ryu Raptor was, so pretended that it hurt a little. I was almost touched. Copper Ookami was defending my name.
"You talk about Rip Raptor like that ever again, and I'll make sure I will kill you."
"Awe, a little touchy are we?" I questioned. "It's almost as if you're in love with the girl."
"Eh?" He backed up and turned around. "None of the sort. She's a warrior and all warriors deserve respect."
Rip Raptor felt hurt. "Too bad," I replied. "Because she's crazy for you." Before he could turn around and look at me I was already going back down the hall.
"Would all entries please report to your camp's front to begin evaluation," the voice on the intercom said. "Please report to the evaluation."
"They're certainly doing things different now aren't they?" I said to myself. "They're picking anyone out. They're really going to go for a real army this time."
I made my way for the front and stood in line. I felt a nudge and looked to my side. Keensan gave me a wave. Poor kid.
"They're a little scrwouny aren't they Ookami?"
I felt my blood boil, but I left it to run. That bastard Cray. Just my luck he's be here. And why the hell was Copper acting all buddy buddy with him? Did Cray give the wolf some special spot up high because he's already fought in a war. How dare he. I could've done a much better job then Copper.
"Well, that's why you hired me isn't it?" Copper questioned.
"That it is." He turned to all of us. "Alright, kids, listen her. I'm your leader, Cray. That is all. I have specific guidelines that you all most follow, that will be enforced my training officer, Copper Ookami. The rules are all in your booklets you received upon entry. The one I however will not tolerate is this: absolutely no females."
I sweat dropped.
"I know for you that's no a problem," he commented. "But for the most of us it is. If I catch anyone with a female on these ground the punishment can be severe as death. We don't want our enemy sniffing us out. Understood."
We all replied, "Yes sir." Good he hasn't noticed me, neither has Copper. This was actually going to work. I was going to do this. I had to keep a low profile though. I couldn't let anyone know I was the most powerful Everstin ever to walk the planet. I had to play like I was learning.
"I trust you'll take it all from now."
"Yes, sir," Copper folded his arms across his chest. He must've been working out more this past few months. I haven't seen him in at least 4 months I know it. Not half bad he was. I shook my head. I could not be caught checking out any of the people. Bad reputation.
"Okay, kids," Copper said. "I'm sure none of you really wanted to be here, because I know I didn't. So let's make it easy on all of us and just do what we have to do. I'm not going to tolerate anything from anybody. I'm never in the mood. Tomorrow we start the training. You'll learn how to fly, fight, use weapons and all that other good stuff. Some of you may even be unfortunate enough to be taken for special treatment. Dismissed."
The crowd parted. "Hey, you little punk." I turned around. Was someone talking to me? They sure were. "You have some nerve coming here."
"Sorry, what was that?"
"You know what I mean," he snarled. "It's enough we got tough guys like Ookami around who think they're something when they're nothing. We don't need queers either."
"Tell me about it," I said. "I had one earlier checking me out, I nearly whacked him to the next world, but his boyfriend came and fussed at him for looking."
"I'm talking about you."
I rubbed my head. "Well, I think you got the wrong guy," I said. "Unless you were looking for queers on purpose. That would make someone wander about you."
His little crew shot him looks. "Hey, don't listen to this scwron and bones."
"Look, I had a long trip," I said. "I really don't feel like messing with a lot of punks." I walked passed them. "Have a nice day."
"I'm not through with you!" There was a swing and I moved. He stood there astounded.
"I told you I don't feel like it." I turned and narrowed my eyes at him. I glared at him with the cold glare I usually have. I didn't expect it to have effect like it would, they were green at the moment after all. However, he stepped back. I guess no disguise can hide the blood stained on my soul.
"Who…what do you think you are?" His fists closed together, quivering.
"I am Ryu Raptor," I said. "I'm just a meet space outlaw helping out a family member. I really don't want to fight you. I don't like attention."
"Then stop that pretty boy walk and look."
"I'll keep that in mind," I replied. "Ja, Molrikyi."
I supposed he was even more shocked that I knew his name. Men really do thing too load.
* * *
"You're too slow," I said.
"Uh?" Keensan looked up at me. "What do you mean? Ookami said I was doing fine."
"Yea, if you're fighting a four year old." I folded my arms across my chest. "You're form is weak. You think too much, kid." I tapped my temple. "You need to stop thinking and just act on your emotions. Just make sure you control your emotions. Too much anger could make you unable to judge."
"Is that experience Ryu?"
I snapped my head around and gave an aggravated sigh. "What do you want Ookami?"
"I want you to stop teaching my students," he replied. "You're not in the place to give advice on form. You're just as weak as he is. He's made progress sense he started. You haven't budged."
"Fine," I said. "If you're so good, teach me to improve."
"First off you fight like a girl."
"Gee thanks."
"It isn't always a bad thing, I know a few girls that could kick our arse pretty well," he pointed out. "But you need to use your head more when you fight."
"Give me a gun, a knife, and sword and I could master anyone with their fists."
"You're not always going to have a weapon at hand," he explained.
I hated acting ignorant. I stood there and pretended to listen.