Dark shock CH2
Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma 1/2, only myself and my brother... I think the dimensional PDA belongs to my dad's company, though I'm not to sure. ;P
The final two days past without much trouble… Daniel seemed nice enough and he actually hung out with me, just to talk… Hideki was still babysitting everyday but I let him suffer alone for a while. It was on the last day that all hell broke loose… Everyone's jewelry and allot of money turned up missing… Hideki had all the stolen goods stored in a government marked crate which had express instructions to not be opened… the crate was lined with lead to fend off the x-ray machines. As we got off the ship, every passenger was searched, including their luggage… They were only allowed to leave once their ID's checked out. I had no choice but to 'frost' them, in order to leave the ship.
I met Daniel and Hideki outside the terminal… They'd offered to have me stay with Hideki's family in Nerima… It was the best option I had and since I had no real identification I had little choice but to accept. The train trip to Nerima was long and before I knew it I'd fallen asleep again. When I awoke I was startled to find myself being carried by Daniel. I looked up at him through my bangs and he lightly placed me down on my feet. "Sorry.", commented Hideki innocently, "You were sleeping so peacefully, we didn't want to wake you." It was quite surprised at his face… Instead of that sharp, intelligent look he'd worn for most of the trip, he had a boyishly innocent look on his face… He looked completely normal. "Thanks Daniel… You get going now… I'll see you this weekend.", said Hideki as he waved the large man away… When Daniel was gone he walked over to the front door and knocked loudly… A normal brown-haired woman opened the door.
"Hideki!!", she cried out as she embraced him lovingly… "Welcome home, son. Did you're sister go off with your father again?" "Hiya mom… and yeah… She's probably gone over to his house now." "That bastard of a man doesn't deserve to be with her, I don't understand why she likes him so much." The woman continued to fuss over him until she finally noticed me where I was standing uncomfortably. "Well now, who is this young lady… You pick up a girlfriend?" "BlushHaha, no no… This is, um, Arima… We met on the cruise… she's actually looking for a place to stay while she's in Nerima and well… I offered to let her stay with us." "Of course dear!", cried his mother, "So, when are you getting married?" "I said she's not my girlfriend!!!", cried Hideki… He looked at me and gave a light nervous laugh… which I returned… "Sorry… my mom's a bit… eccentric…. Come on, I'll show you the guest room." As we walked past I gave a quick bow to his mother and dashed up the stairs after him. The guest room almost felt like it was separate from the house… it was tucked away in a corner where it wouldn't bother anybody… I don't think they came into the room very often but it was pretty nice, even though the only thing outside the window was the neighbor's house, a tree and a little bit of blue sky. I dropped my pack on the floor and opened the windows to let some fresh air in. 'I've found a place to stay…', I thought, smiling to myself… 'This isn't so bad at all.'
Hideki suddenly came into my room and said, "Come on Arima-chan, let me show you around the house…" He grabbed my wrist and dragged me out of the room. I got a quick tour of the whole place, bathroom, living room, kitchen and dojo… Yup, they had a dojo in the back though it seemed a bit smaller than a normal dojo. "You'll be starting your training tomorrow.", stated Hideki. "Training?!", I asked, startled, "What do you mean training?!" "What? You didn't think I'd let you join the team without having a little fighting skill, did you?" I hesitated… Hideki looked at me questioningly, "Our family-style is a form of ninjitsu. Our ninja line goes way back to the Tokagawa era… The style basically consists of speed, agility and stealth… First lesson is how to move silently and then we'll move on to some speed training and accuracy training with some kunai." I nodded numbly, resigning myself to my fate… 'I'm gonna have to learn some form of fighting if I want to survive in Nerima anyway… So why not…' I shrugged to myself and sat down as Hideki started lecturing me on the history of his family style and the basics it followed.
It was late at night when I finally got to take a bath and go to bed. But I have to admit that right then, sleeping in a bed was pure heaven… I'd had to sleep in tents and on the ground for so long that I'd missed out… The softness was more than I could stand and I was asleep in seconds.
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Early the next morning I was grabbed by the scuff of my neck and dragged roughly down the stairs into the dojo. By the time we got there I was pretty much awake… I looked at Hideki with the intent of glaring at him but his expression startled me… He was serious… his steel gaze returned and he the same man I met in the cargo hold of that ship. I shivered a bit but and paid rapt attention as he started training me. He showed me exactly how to walk and how to extend my senses… Then he proceeded to put my through hell to build up my stamina and endurance… Days passed and then weeks and all the time I was getting even more excited as the beginning of the second semester approached… 'This time you're gonna be more outgoing! You're going to make friends.', I told myself while clenching my fist. I pretty much didn't leave the house during that time, except for shopping trips. Most of my days were spent training and I have to admit that I picked it up pretty fast. Near the end I was able to spear a can with the kunai from forty meters away and move without a sound. Hideki also started me on basic hand to hand combat training and I was already quite adequate in dodging and defense, though my attack strength still needed a lot of work.
Hideki's little sis, which by now I knew was named Kazuko, was finally coming home since she had to start attending school again. Hideki's parents were divorced… and Hideki didn't seem to get along with his father at all… I didn't ask why though… it's impolite, right? Apparently the two parents had made an agreement that Mr Muzino would have his children over during the vacation breaks… if they, the children, agreed to it of course… I just think Kazuko liked being spoilt rotten.
I didn't spend much time with her though… I was too busy getting ready for school, books, catching up on the work I'd missed(Not that I really needed to since I already knew most of it… it was just review) and training with Hideki.
On the first day of school I was dressed in the Furinkan girl's uniform that Hideki's mom had modified especially for me… It seemed a bit more form fitting than those normal uniforms of Furinkan. "Are you really sure I'll blend in?", I asked Hideki while indicating my uniform and plucking it here and there. During the time I've spent with him, I've gotten to know him quite well… his eccentric side, like his mother, his kind side, his harsh side and his brutal and cruel side. It took me a while to integrate all these different images into one person but I managed in the end. Sometimes he can switch between them so fast that it can freak me out like nothing. I mean, going from stupidly funny to deadly serious in a split second, would freak anybody, right?
(AN: If you're really curious, Mrs… or should that be Ms. Muzino takes Kazuko to school, that's why she's not with us.)
"Don't worry so much about it…", he said good-naturedly, "Nobody'll even notice you." "I hope I don't stand out… I don't really like attention." "Would you stop worrying already… You'll fit in just fine, A-ko-chan." "Snarl I told you not to call me that! I'm not a kid, you're only a year older than me!" (Lies! I was three years older than him… not that I looked it at the moment, though.) We continued walking towards school in basic silence, me with a huge pout on my face, until Hideki spoke up… "Listen… Um… I don't know how to say this but, you need to keep away from me at school…" "Huh? Why?" "Well… I'm playing the wimpy, somewhat perverted photographer and if you started hanging around me suddenly people would get suspicious…", stated Hideki… I sighed and nodded… I'd actually grown quite fond of him in the last few weeks since most of my waking moments had been spent with him. Pretending not to know him, hurt a bit. "Hey, wait, what if I play the nerdy and intelligent girl?", I asked him, "It's still early, if I could find some thin glasses with a thick frame it'll make me seem even more dull…" "Fine… but I'll approach you at school, okay… For now, we don't know each other…" He handed me some money and sent me on a detour to a spectacles shop… The shop owner was quite understanding… "I was thinking of buying something that would make me seem plain and stand out less…" "Why would you want to do that?", asked the man in surprise… "If I stand out a bit less I can get to know the people in my new school for who they really are, instead of being dragged in with the 'snooty beauty queens'…", I said shyly… "I see… Mmm… well, I think I have something that would suit your purposes… besides, a customer is a customer.", smiled the man.
After I received a pair of round glasses that distorted my features enough to make me less noticeable… I arranged my hair so that my bangs hid my face partially and headed towards the school. I entered the gates, clutching my pack tightly to my chest as I took quick strides towards the school administration building. My eyes flitted around from one person to the next, taking in their features and what they were doing. The school grounds was relatively nice and there were quite a few trees dotting the place as well as some nicely greened grass that seemed quite well watered. I idly touched the large bruise on my rib cage that Hideki had given me in my training last night… 'I'd better skip PE if I want to stay behind the scenes, besides, there's no way I'm going into a girls locker room… I'm still a… guy…' I hesitated a bit at that… most of the past month was spent in my girl form and I was completely comfortable in it now, while my guy form was just out of place in this world.
The thing was that while I was in my girl form I'd actually started considering going out with girls as well as guys… I sort of developed a dual sexuality… I mean, guy on guy action still freaked me to infinity but I am a girl, so it's okay, right? I shook the thoughts from my head and waited at the front desk for the teacher to come pick me up and take me to class.
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I walked into the class behind Mrs. Kraken… Damn that woman is scary, I could swear she's the mother to some mass murderer or something. Anyway, that's besides the point… We walked into the class and I stopped, standing at her desk… "STAND! BOW! SIT!", cried the class rep, accordingly. "Welcome to the second semester. Now… we have a new student with us, her name is Arima Night. To me Please write your name on the board." I did as she asked, writing it in English and in Kanji. Damn I hated Kanji. "Would you like to say anything to the class, miss night?", she asked formally. I kept my eyes downcast and shook me head. Then please take a seat at the back, next to Minako. The girl in question raised her hand, indicating my seat. She was one of those supermodel people… the snooty bimbo types from what I could tell at first glance… she was only fifteen and she was wearing enough makeup to make a prostitute seem normal. Damn I hate those kinds of people… she didn't even look at me as I took my seat…
I like window seats… It makes me feel a little farther away from all the kids… like I'm less part of the collective and more a mind of my own… I could gaze at the green colliding with the blue sky for hours… Besides, I didn't really want to pay attention to English class anyway… Of course it couldn't stay that way for too long… "Miss Night! If you're not going to pay attention then feel free to leave my class!", called the teacher from the front… "Bu-but I am paying attention Ma'am.", I stuttered. "Well then translate this, 'Sam drank the cool water from the fountain.'" "Um, Sam drank the cool water from the fountain?", I replied reluctantly. The woman looked surprised and just settled for a sharp glare before continuing with class.
During break I kept my eyes on everybody as the split into the different groups and headed out of the class. Two girls stopped and turned to me, one of them catching my eye… She was cute beyond words… her brown shoulder length hair dancing around her face as she tucked a stray strand behind her ear. I cast my gaze to the floor, trying to conceal my blush. 'I guess I'm still more guy than I thought.', I thought to myself. I was startled at my reverie when their voices suddenly spoke up from right next to me. "You were pretty cool in the English class, uhh?" "J-just call me A-ko, that's what my friends call me." (AN: -ko is usually part of a name, that indicates child. While -chan is a suffix to indicate um… How do I put this? Small? petite? Sometimes child? I can't really put a single meaning on it, like most translated words used by the populace… –chan is used as a more familiar term for someone. It's hard to explain. But the –ko in Ranko means child and so on and so forth.)
"I can see why.", said the other girl smugly, "You've barely got a chest to speak of and you're the shortest in the class." My arms clamped over my meager assets… 'If I were to take off these glasses right now… bitch… You wouldn't be so smug in front of the cutest girl in the world…', I thought as I resisted the urge and just glared at her. (Okay… so maybe I developed a little ego. "Leiko! That's not nice. to me I'm sorry she's a bit crude, my name is Kohana but everyone calls me Hana, nice to meet you." "I smiled a bit hesitantly, "Nice to meet you too… My English… is pretty well developed since I was born in South Africa…", I said, my voice weighed by reluctance.
"Really?! What's it like over there?! I heard there are tons of different animals there like lions and things." "Well… yeah, I guess, but only in the wild-life reserves. The rest is covered mostly by different farms, a lot of them dried up and dead but quite a few good ones. Then there are the ocean-side cities and towns which are greener than you would believe. It's really beautiful… there's this one town where my family went for vacation when I was little… It's like walking through a jungle and suddenly coming across the ocean… It's beautiful." She smiled brightly at me, "Do you have any brothers or sisters?" "A-a brother… he's in China now though… It'll be about four and a half more months before he's coming to Nerima.", I said shyly. I forced myself to calm down and appear a little less obvious in my attention. "I wish I had a brother or sister… I'm an only child.", sighed Hana. "Um, I haven't really seen the school, would you, um, mind showing me around or something?" "Sure!", she cried as she grabbed my wrist and jerked my out of my seat… I was startled for a second as she dragged me towards the door and blushed a little as I looked at her excited face. I didn't even notice that we left a disgruntled Leiko behind.
She dragged me all over school, "If always wanted to do this!", she cried… "I've read these mangas, where the supporting character describes the layout of the school and everyone's 'places' to the main character…" She smiled at me, "You can be the main character." I smiled a bit nervously at her… She was starting to freak me a bit. "Anyway, look there…" I looked where she was pointing out the hall window. There you can see Akane and her friends… She's the most popular girl in school… There's barely a single guy here that's not hounding her every morning. She's also labeled the biggest tomboy in the school." I nodded… "Guys are weird, I swear, they like girls who act like boys more than they like real girls…", I said, though mostly to myself… "That is weird, isn't it?", said Hana, looking thoughtful for a second. "Anyway… Look behind those bushes…" I looked and saw Hideki and a few other boys with cameras and video cameras… "That's the video and photography club… They're pathetic, aren't they… And there's Nabiki, Akane's older sister. She basically runs this school, she's even got most of the delinquents under her thumb, which is quite useful to her if she needs some muscle as reinforcement. Round here we call her the 'ice queen'. If you want anything… information or a favor, you can go to her, though I don't recommend it… Once you go to her, you'll never escape her again… She tends to keep coming back to squeeze every last penny out of your pocket."
Bathroom… teacher's lounge… sport clubs… Basketball court: We walked around the outside of the building, sticking close to the wall… I was a bit hesitant at first but none the less, I followed after Hana. She paused and glanced around the corner. "Che… They got two of the Kendo club members guarding the entrance… We'll have look through the window around back." I nodded hesitantly and we doubled back, walking into the short alleyway between this building and the school building. "Come one…Quickly, get on my shoulders.", she said as she crouched and indicated the window. I took off my shoes and quickly clambered up and looked inside… "If thee wishith to date the fair Tendo Akane thou must first defeat her in combat!", came a familiar voice through the window and as I looked through, sure enough… there stood Kuno on the stage, "This is the decree of the shooting star of Furinkan high, Kuno Tatawaki!" The entire room filled with the cheers of various boys… Don't ask my why. 'No wonder the grounds seemed so empty…', I thought to myself… 'Looks like Hideki wasn't really interested in Kuno's 'announcement'.' "The one on the stage is Kuno, I think… the brown haired Kendo nut.", said Hana from below me. "Are you okay?", I asked. "Fine… You're actually pretty lightweight… Don't worry about it.", she said, sounding just a teeny bit strained… I turned my attention back to the ranting idiot on stage… He was actually very funny to look at… Prancing about on stage, looking like some over-exaggerated noble samurai. His movements were large and quite funny… Just being on stage was wasting away at his dignified image. I giggled a bit as he said something particularly stupid… something about him being the noble samurai which would win the heart of his beautiful flower with his prowess. Suddenly a familiar voice spoke from behind me… "Well, well… If it isn't Arima… Peeping on your first day?", he asked with a laugh.
"HIDEKI!!!???!!!",I cried out as I turned to look but my foot slipped and in a startled yelp I tumble down, landing flat on my back, legs in the air, with Hana under me. Dizzy, I lie there for a second, moaning, "Itaaaaiii…."… Little swirly patterns in my eyes. Suddenly I hear the distinct sound of a camera shutter and I immediately sat up, dragging my dress over my knees. Behind me Hana sits up, rubbing her head and moaning… My hand closed around one of my shoes as I glared darkly at Hideki where he stood with his camera… Another click sounded as Hideki took another picture… He looked frozen on the spot for a second and I could see a sweatdrop rolling down the side of his head… In a split second he was off and around the corner as my shoe flew from my hand, rebounding off the wall and landing on the ground… I quickly grabbed my other shoe and darted after him, "Come back here you pervert! You'd better get rid of that photo or I'll tell mom!" As I rounded the corner I could see him running full speed for the other side of the building, hoping to escape around the other corner… My shoe flew once more and this time it was right on target, striking him in the back of the head and sending him face first into the ground. I huffed angrily at him as I picked up my shoes and headed back to where Hana was standing, looking around the corner and holding my glasses.
"Wow… A-ko… you look really cute without your glasses… especially with your hair like that." I blushed as my hands went up to my hair… it was completely messed up, standing out in all directions… I looked down at the ground and shuffled my feet. "Kawaii…", breathed Hana, almost too low for me to hear… "P-promise you won't tell anyone…", I said, looking up at her, "It's just that… I thought if I looked a little more plain then the boys wouldn't bother me as much… I don't want to draw too much attention to myself… Even… the glasses are fake…" Hana looked surprised and looked down at the glasses in her hand, putting them on her eyes to test it… She nodded at me dumbly for a second before the final bell rang, signaling the end of break. "Shit!", I cried as I quickly pulled my shoes on and rushed, grabbing Hana's hand and dragging her into the nearest bathroom, to help fix my hair. We didn't even notice the small part of the wall that caved away, where my shoe had stuck, as we ran.
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We were barely on time for class and I quickly took my seat at the window again… 'I'm so gonna wring Hideki's neck when we get home…', I grumbled to myself… I felt somebody's eyes on me and I looked up to see Leiko's eyes on me… she looked unhappy for some reason but looked away. 'What's up with her?', I wondered but dismissed it and turned my gaze out the window.
The rest of the day passed quite quickly and my gaze kept flickering to Hana who was sitting in front of class… On the way to class after break I'd tried to explain to her why I wanted to stay out of the public eye but she'd just looked at me strangely and shrugged it off, saying, "You don't have to worry about being noticed here… I've tried everything… All the boys are interested in is their precious Akane." She seemed a bit upset at that but there wasn't anything I could do about it.
After school I dressed in the oversized t-shirt and shorts I'd packed, put my glasses in my bag and roughed my hair back to normal… As I walked towards the school gate, ignoring the stares I was getting, I spotted Hideki… My anger had stilled since I'd last seen him but I still had an overwhelming urge to do something to him.
"Hideki!!", I cried as I flung my bag at him… He caught it just before it hit his face… of course, this blocked his vision for a second and he didn't see me come flying in with a kick to his stomach. I flung him over my shoulder and dragged him off school grounds, "Come on, you're going to treat me to some ice-cream for that stunt you pulled this morning." I didn't even notice the hanging jaws as we left.
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"What happened to keeping a low profile at school… I told you not to come near me when you look like that!", snarled Hideki where he pressed me against the wall in a small alleyway. "So-sorry. I k-kinda forgot… Besides, where do you get off taking pictures of my underwear?", I tried sounding angry. I was startled when his fist suddenly connected with my stomach, making me double over. "Be back at the house in an hour. If you thought you're training was hell before, you've got a thing coming." "Can… I still get… my ice-cream…", I managed sadly between my gasps for breath. 'Damn… I messed up… I guess his really serious about this 'low profile' thing. But Nerima's filled with crazy things… It's not like anybody'd notice us anyway.
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That night, after the training, I was sitting against the dojo wall, bruised all over and feeling like I'd run at least ten marathons… I was gasped for breath, trying to sooth the aching in my muscles. "A-ko, this Friday the school is taking us on a field trip to the local museum. There's some sort of exhibit there. A treasure of the Kuno family that's supposed to be priceless. We scope out the place on the trip and the night after, we go in. Got that?" I was too weak to reply and just looked at him wearily, breathing hard. "Get ready. A-ko… I like you, we could use someone like you… So no messing this up, okay?" I nodded and coughed up a little blood. Hideki helped me up and started towards the furo-room to wash away some of my sweat and blood. "By the way… I hope you don't mind… I rushed home after school and had mom put you in the family register as my little sister, though you're name is officially now officially 'Akina Muzino'. I didn't want them to associate Arima Night with my family… … … I hope you got that friend of your under control… I don't want her being a problem later on." … I smiled to myself at his words, 'I'm family now? That… sounds nice actually. I wonder how he forged my identity.'… … I winched as I lowered myself into the hot water. 'Boy this is gonna hurt in the morning.', I thought to myself. After I'd managed to clean myself up… mostly… I dressed in silk pajamas and Hideki met me outside the door to help me to my room. Even though I still hurt, I felt a little better. Hideki seemed more caring towards me… I really felt like I was part of the family, with him around.
It actually felt nice to be able to think of him as an older brother… He had some of Hiro in him… 'Hiro… Where's that bastard now… I hope that training he's going through is worth it.' I sighed and closed my eyes, drifting off into a deep sleep.
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I was surprised that when morning came I didn't feel even a little pain. I was completely alright… and… well I actually felt more energetic than ever. Much to Hideki's annoyance. Hey, I just woke him up like any little sister would… I actually got Kazuko to join me… you gotta love family bonding smirk… Being loud and annoying is what being a younger sibling is all about. We had a short morning spar and then breakfast before heading off to school. The next day or two passed quite quickly and Hana and I became great friends. To my disappointment… she didn't seem to like girls 'that' way… …Since I was a fan of fantasy stories I made up all kinds of stories and things and since I learnt that Hana was quite good at sketching… Way ahead of me. In a few of the classes we had free, we spent our time drawing different characters and just laughing and talking… She's actually a really nice girl… I did feel a little something… like an itch in the back of my neck the whole time though… Insert Leiko in the background giving the two dark glare XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Nabiki-sempai… I need your help… I can pay.", said Leiko as she walked up to the older girl. "You said the magic word.", said Nabiki with an evil smirk, "Come on. We can talk in my office…" Said office was actually one of the old classrooms that was set aside for Nabiki's use… A little 'favor' from the principle… The 'office' was dark since Nabiki had placed the lighting just 'right'. It was like a scene out of some Yakuza movie. Nabiki took the seat at the window behind the desk and rotated the chair around, looking at Leiko. "So how can I help you?" Leiko was nervous but didn't hesitate to jump right in, "I need to get rid of someone. A girl… Her name is Arima Night and she's in my way. I need her to disappear out of my life… or at least move to the background." Nabiki had a thoughtful and somewhat disapproving frown on her face but money was money and she wasn't going to turn it down. "It's going to cost you…", she trailed off. Leiko pulled the money out of her pocket and slapped it down on the table. Nabiki paused and picked up the wad of cash. She thumbed through it and her eyes widened at the amount… It was enough to keep her family going for at least a month… She eyed the girl… 'I'd better keep a closer eye on you…', she thought to herself. "Fine… It'll be done… Anything specific you want done?" "I want her humiliated… I want her to hate herself so much that she'll never show her face here again…", said Leiko with a dark smirk on her face… Inwardly her heart was racing with excitement, 'Yes! Finally…' "How soon do you want it done?" "As soon as possible, if you can do something today then that'd be perfect." Nabiki nodded, "You may go.", she said with a dismissive wave.
She left Nabiki with a feeling of elation in her gut… Nabiki turned to one of her lackeys. "Find out everything you can about this Arima girl. I want you to give this job to priority." Two of her lackeys bowed and quickly left…… XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Friday… Get dressed in some casual clothes, and head off to school so the whole class can walk together to the museum down the road. The museum was quite impressive… It seemed more like a place to show off history than a place where they kept records. As we walked into the huge halls I immediately left the group and headed over to the Meiji restoration era section… one thing that interested me quite a bit since it was the time from which Kenshin came. I'd never really studied it fully.
The museum had a really impressive collection… Shogun suits of armor and weapons… some of which defied rational explanation. Seems that some of the warriors were pretty creative in those times… What really caught my attention thought was at the end of the hall… A royal suit of armor, golden and inlaid with ruby. At it's base was the most beautiful sword I'd ever seen…It's entire sheath was ruby red but at it's tip was a copper tip with small black orbs. The handle itself was a work of art. Two dragons entwined tightly with each other to form a perfect fit for the hand… I reached out and touched the glass as I stared at the sword… entranced in it's power… I wanted it… I needed it… I- "ARIMA! Come on! The tour's gonna leave without us!", came Hana's voice… I almost jumped out of my skin but quickly recovered and rushed after her.
The tour was boring as hell but I noticed that Arima took quite a few pictures of the surrounding area. After the initial tour of the area the classes split up, each with a guide of their own. I was a but freaked that this was the entire two grades of furinkan… there was less than two hundred kids… Must be a really small school.
Finally after a few grueling hours of sheer boredom… well the exhibit displays were pretty neat… it was really only the tour guide that was boring the shit out of us, we stopped for lunch in the court-yard. I spotted Hideki sitting on a bench with some of the other members of the photo club… They were sitting in a strategic position so they could take photos of Akane, where she was sitting next to the water fountain with her two friends, Sayuri and Yuka. 'I wonder how much they pay to have Nabiki allow them to do that…', I pondered for a second. Hideki looked up and acknowledged me with slight nod of his head, unnoticed by all but me. I took a seat at the water fountain, opposite Akane… Just to annoy Hideki really… It was funny to see him scowl and not be able to do anything about it.
I quietly ate my lunch, making small talk with Hana. Suddenly out of the corner of my eye I saw someone lurch towards me… Instinct told me to move but Hideki's words flashed through my mind, 'No messing this up, okay?… low profile.' I paused long enough for my moment of escape to pass… and a firm hand fell on my chest I jerked backwards at the slight groping motion and into the cold water of the fountain with a large splash… I looked between my feet to see the face of a young boy with a mysterious look on his face. I moved the glasses back into position and looked again… Now his face was apologetic. "Uh, sorry about that… I guess I wasn't looking where I was going.", he said in Akane's direction, indicating that he had been looking at her, as he got up and walked away… not even bothering to help me out of the water. Hana grabbed my hand and pulled my out with a worried frown on her face. "Are you okay?" "Yeah-", I hear a round of laughter from the direction the boy had just gone… I just knew they were laughing at my 'misfortune'. 'Great… another bunch of perverts and jerks…', I thought to myself.
"I'm going to the bathroom to dry off...", I said to Hana, "Enjoy the rest of the tour." Hana reached towards me, as if to say something but the words never came as I turned and left… 'Well at least she enjoys that guide's boring lectures… To me, it's almost like I'm back in my accounting class in high school.'
I took off some of my clothes and wrung it out over the sink, getting the excess water off, hanging the shirt, sports-bra and shorts over the hand-dryer. Snapping the elastic band of my boxers, which I'd chosen to wear that morning since I'd be wearing pants, I walked over to one of the stalls… I looked down at the hole in the ground… "Aug! Bloody squatting toilets!", I cried… lucky for me Hideki's house was American style so I didn't have too much trouble with this crap.
I finished and walked out of the stall, washing my hands and walking over to the hand dryer before freezing in my tracks… my clothes… they were gone… and there was a distinctive watery trail leading out of the restroom door. I crouched down, clutching my legs… "Aw, come on! This just isn't happening…" With a sigh I stood and turned on the heat at the sink, reforming into my original form. 'Whoever's doing this is looking for trouble…', I thought to myself… 'When I find out who… I'll… …'
I felt like completely out of place original form… I haven't even changed back in over a month so it felt strange and unreal to me… it was like being the only jelly-tot in a box of smarties… okay, bad comparison. But the point is that I felt like I didn't belong here at all and I had this distinct feeling that I wanted to get rid of myself… I shook it off and walked out of the restroom… Actions ceased in my wake and resumed without missing a beat as I walked out of range. I walked down the streets in my boxer-shorts, sighing deeply to myself… "I hate my life."
Finally, after a twenty minute walk, feeling like I was about to lash out at the nearest idiot who said a word to me, I was back home… 'Home… that has a nice ring to it.', I thought to myself as I entered and headed towards the furo to take a bath… Finally I was done and I headed towards the dojo to work off some of my frustrations. I took up some kunai and flung them into a practice dummy with unerring accuracy and strength. I then proceeded to attack the wooden dummy and finally decapitating it with a singly spin kick. Trying to calm down I started through a kata that Hideki had taught me… It was supposed to relax your mind and help you enter a zen-like trance. When I was finished I did feel much calmer… I plopped down on the dojo steps and stared up into the blue sky… 'I wonder how long it'll be before Ranma shows up… Maybe we could be friends… we do have the same curse after all. Or… if he messes with me, I'll just hook him…no, her… up with Ryoga… they do make a cute couple… evil smile'
That night when Hideki returned home and developed the photos, he called the whole gang together. The last time I'd seen them was on the ship… Daniel and Drake. I stuck close to Daniel's side, the colossal man actually made me feel a little safer around that 'snake'. 'Drake the snake… heh.' Anyway, that's besides the point. We basically started forming a plan of attack. He lay the blueprints for the Museum out on the table. "Okay… I think we should split up and approach from all sides… that would seem the best choice. First we have to disable the guards in the security room… According to the information I found, their last shift change is at twelve and then there isn't another one for the next six to seven hours… We'll strike at exactly twelve thirty. Drake… you're the fastest and you have the most stealth… You go and disable the guards… Don't kill them… we don't want to be held accountable for murder as well. Arima and I will go in and disable any of the patrolling guards while Daniel… I want you handy as backup… so you wait on the roof and keep an eye out for trouble." Hideki proceeded to indicate the exact paths we were to travel and I memorized an image in my head from the photos… Hideki also pointed out places we should avoid… those that included sensors and security cameras.
After a full briefing I was promptly sent to bed… Saturday's still half-day school, after all.
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CHAPTER END!!!
Okay... this took me a while to complete so don't expect another chapter too soon, maybe three weeks to a month... I'm not sure, we'll see...
Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma 1/2, only myself and my brother... I think the dimensional PDA belongs to my dad's company, though I'm not to sure. ;P
The final two days past without much trouble… Daniel seemed nice enough and he actually hung out with me, just to talk… Hideki was still babysitting everyday but I let him suffer alone for a while. It was on the last day that all hell broke loose… Everyone's jewelry and allot of money turned up missing… Hideki had all the stolen goods stored in a government marked crate which had express instructions to not be opened… the crate was lined with lead to fend off the x-ray machines. As we got off the ship, every passenger was searched, including their luggage… They were only allowed to leave once their ID's checked out. I had no choice but to 'frost' them, in order to leave the ship.
I met Daniel and Hideki outside the terminal… They'd offered to have me stay with Hideki's family in Nerima… It was the best option I had and since I had no real identification I had little choice but to accept. The train trip to Nerima was long and before I knew it I'd fallen asleep again. When I awoke I was startled to find myself being carried by Daniel. I looked up at him through my bangs and he lightly placed me down on my feet. "Sorry.", commented Hideki innocently, "You were sleeping so peacefully, we didn't want to wake you." It was quite surprised at his face… Instead of that sharp, intelligent look he'd worn for most of the trip, he had a boyishly innocent look on his face… He looked completely normal. "Thanks Daniel… You get going now… I'll see you this weekend.", said Hideki as he waved the large man away… When Daniel was gone he walked over to the front door and knocked loudly… A normal brown-haired woman opened the door.
"Hideki!!", she cried out as she embraced him lovingly… "Welcome home, son. Did you're sister go off with your father again?" "Hiya mom… and yeah… She's probably gone over to his house now." "That bastard of a man doesn't deserve to be with her, I don't understand why she likes him so much." The woman continued to fuss over him until she finally noticed me where I was standing uncomfortably. "Well now, who is this young lady… You pick up a girlfriend?" "BlushHaha, no no… This is, um, Arima… We met on the cruise… she's actually looking for a place to stay while she's in Nerima and well… I offered to let her stay with us." "Of course dear!", cried his mother, "So, when are you getting married?" "I said she's not my girlfriend!!!", cried Hideki… He looked at me and gave a light nervous laugh… which I returned… "Sorry… my mom's a bit… eccentric…. Come on, I'll show you the guest room." As we walked past I gave a quick bow to his mother and dashed up the stairs after him. The guest room almost felt like it was separate from the house… it was tucked away in a corner where it wouldn't bother anybody… I don't think they came into the room very often but it was pretty nice, even though the only thing outside the window was the neighbor's house, a tree and a little bit of blue sky. I dropped my pack on the floor and opened the windows to let some fresh air in. 'I've found a place to stay…', I thought, smiling to myself… 'This isn't so bad at all.'
Hideki suddenly came into my room and said, "Come on Arima-chan, let me show you around the house…" He grabbed my wrist and dragged me out of the room. I got a quick tour of the whole place, bathroom, living room, kitchen and dojo… Yup, they had a dojo in the back though it seemed a bit smaller than a normal dojo. "You'll be starting your training tomorrow.", stated Hideki. "Training?!", I asked, startled, "What do you mean training?!" "What? You didn't think I'd let you join the team without having a little fighting skill, did you?" I hesitated… Hideki looked at me questioningly, "Our family-style is a form of ninjitsu. Our ninja line goes way back to the Tokagawa era… The style basically consists of speed, agility and stealth… First lesson is how to move silently and then we'll move on to some speed training and accuracy training with some kunai." I nodded numbly, resigning myself to my fate… 'I'm gonna have to learn some form of fighting if I want to survive in Nerima anyway… So why not…' I shrugged to myself and sat down as Hideki started lecturing me on the history of his family style and the basics it followed.
It was late at night when I finally got to take a bath and go to bed. But I have to admit that right then, sleeping in a bed was pure heaven… I'd had to sleep in tents and on the ground for so long that I'd missed out… The softness was more than I could stand and I was asleep in seconds.
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Early the next morning I was grabbed by the scuff of my neck and dragged roughly down the stairs into the dojo. By the time we got there I was pretty much awake… I looked at Hideki with the intent of glaring at him but his expression startled me… He was serious… his steel gaze returned and he the same man I met in the cargo hold of that ship. I shivered a bit but and paid rapt attention as he started training me. He showed me exactly how to walk and how to extend my senses… Then he proceeded to put my through hell to build up my stamina and endurance… Days passed and then weeks and all the time I was getting even more excited as the beginning of the second semester approached… 'This time you're gonna be more outgoing! You're going to make friends.', I told myself while clenching my fist. I pretty much didn't leave the house during that time, except for shopping trips. Most of my days were spent training and I have to admit that I picked it up pretty fast. Near the end I was able to spear a can with the kunai from forty meters away and move without a sound. Hideki also started me on basic hand to hand combat training and I was already quite adequate in dodging and defense, though my attack strength still needed a lot of work.
Hideki's little sis, which by now I knew was named Kazuko, was finally coming home since she had to start attending school again. Hideki's parents were divorced… and Hideki didn't seem to get along with his father at all… I didn't ask why though… it's impolite, right? Apparently the two parents had made an agreement that Mr Muzino would have his children over during the vacation breaks… if they, the children, agreed to it of course… I just think Kazuko liked being spoilt rotten.
I didn't spend much time with her though… I was too busy getting ready for school, books, catching up on the work I'd missed(Not that I really needed to since I already knew most of it… it was just review) and training with Hideki.
On the first day of school I was dressed in the Furinkan girl's uniform that Hideki's mom had modified especially for me… It seemed a bit more form fitting than those normal uniforms of Furinkan. "Are you really sure I'll blend in?", I asked Hideki while indicating my uniform and plucking it here and there. During the time I've spent with him, I've gotten to know him quite well… his eccentric side, like his mother, his kind side, his harsh side and his brutal and cruel side. It took me a while to integrate all these different images into one person but I managed in the end. Sometimes he can switch between them so fast that it can freak me out like nothing. I mean, going from stupidly funny to deadly serious in a split second, would freak anybody, right?
(AN: If you're really curious, Mrs… or should that be Ms. Muzino takes Kazuko to school, that's why she's not with us.)
"Don't worry so much about it…", he said good-naturedly, "Nobody'll even notice you." "I hope I don't stand out… I don't really like attention." "Would you stop worrying already… You'll fit in just fine, A-ko-chan." "Snarl I told you not to call me that! I'm not a kid, you're only a year older than me!" (Lies! I was three years older than him… not that I looked it at the moment, though.) We continued walking towards school in basic silence, me with a huge pout on my face, until Hideki spoke up… "Listen… Um… I don't know how to say this but, you need to keep away from me at school…" "Huh? Why?" "Well… I'm playing the wimpy, somewhat perverted photographer and if you started hanging around me suddenly people would get suspicious…", stated Hideki… I sighed and nodded… I'd actually grown quite fond of him in the last few weeks since most of my waking moments had been spent with him. Pretending not to know him, hurt a bit. "Hey, wait, what if I play the nerdy and intelligent girl?", I asked him, "It's still early, if I could find some thin glasses with a thick frame it'll make me seem even more dull…" "Fine… but I'll approach you at school, okay… For now, we don't know each other…" He handed me some money and sent me on a detour to a spectacles shop… The shop owner was quite understanding… "I was thinking of buying something that would make me seem plain and stand out less…" "Why would you want to do that?", asked the man in surprise… "If I stand out a bit less I can get to know the people in my new school for who they really are, instead of being dragged in with the 'snooty beauty queens'…", I said shyly… "I see… Mmm… well, I think I have something that would suit your purposes… besides, a customer is a customer.", smiled the man.
After I received a pair of round glasses that distorted my features enough to make me less noticeable… I arranged my hair so that my bangs hid my face partially and headed towards the school. I entered the gates, clutching my pack tightly to my chest as I took quick strides towards the school administration building. My eyes flitted around from one person to the next, taking in their features and what they were doing. The school grounds was relatively nice and there were quite a few trees dotting the place as well as some nicely greened grass that seemed quite well watered. I idly touched the large bruise on my rib cage that Hideki had given me in my training last night… 'I'd better skip PE if I want to stay behind the scenes, besides, there's no way I'm going into a girls locker room… I'm still a… guy…' I hesitated a bit at that… most of the past month was spent in my girl form and I was completely comfortable in it now, while my guy form was just out of place in this world.
The thing was that while I was in my girl form I'd actually started considering going out with girls as well as guys… I sort of developed a dual sexuality… I mean, guy on guy action still freaked me to infinity but I am a girl, so it's okay, right? I shook the thoughts from my head and waited at the front desk for the teacher to come pick me up and take me to class.
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I walked into the class behind Mrs. Kraken… Damn that woman is scary, I could swear she's the mother to some mass murderer or something. Anyway, that's besides the point… We walked into the class and I stopped, standing at her desk… "STAND! BOW! SIT!", cried the class rep, accordingly. "Welcome to the second semester. Now… we have a new student with us, her name is Arima Night. To me Please write your name on the board." I did as she asked, writing it in English and in Kanji. Damn I hated Kanji. "Would you like to say anything to the class, miss night?", she asked formally. I kept my eyes downcast and shook me head. Then please take a seat at the back, next to Minako. The girl in question raised her hand, indicating my seat. She was one of those supermodel people… the snooty bimbo types from what I could tell at first glance… she was only fifteen and she was wearing enough makeup to make a prostitute seem normal. Damn I hate those kinds of people… she didn't even look at me as I took my seat…
I like window seats… It makes me feel a little farther away from all the kids… like I'm less part of the collective and more a mind of my own… I could gaze at the green colliding with the blue sky for hours… Besides, I didn't really want to pay attention to English class anyway… Of course it couldn't stay that way for too long… "Miss Night! If you're not going to pay attention then feel free to leave my class!", called the teacher from the front… "Bu-but I am paying attention Ma'am.", I stuttered. "Well then translate this, 'Sam drank the cool water from the fountain.'" "Um, Sam drank the cool water from the fountain?", I replied reluctantly. The woman looked surprised and just settled for a sharp glare before continuing with class.
During break I kept my eyes on everybody as the split into the different groups and headed out of the class. Two girls stopped and turned to me, one of them catching my eye… She was cute beyond words… her brown shoulder length hair dancing around her face as she tucked a stray strand behind her ear. I cast my gaze to the floor, trying to conceal my blush. 'I guess I'm still more guy than I thought.', I thought to myself. I was startled at my reverie when their voices suddenly spoke up from right next to me. "You were pretty cool in the English class, uhh?" "J-just call me A-ko, that's what my friends call me." (AN: -ko is usually part of a name, that indicates child. While -chan is a suffix to indicate um… How do I put this? Small? petite? Sometimes child? I can't really put a single meaning on it, like most translated words used by the populace… –chan is used as a more familiar term for someone. It's hard to explain. But the –ko in Ranko means child and so on and so forth.)
"I can see why.", said the other girl smugly, "You've barely got a chest to speak of and you're the shortest in the class." My arms clamped over my meager assets… 'If I were to take off these glasses right now… bitch… You wouldn't be so smug in front of the cutest girl in the world…', I thought as I resisted the urge and just glared at her. (Okay… so maybe I developed a little ego. "Leiko! That's not nice. to me I'm sorry she's a bit crude, my name is Kohana but everyone calls me Hana, nice to meet you." "I smiled a bit hesitantly, "Nice to meet you too… My English… is pretty well developed since I was born in South Africa…", I said, my voice weighed by reluctance.
"Really?! What's it like over there?! I heard there are tons of different animals there like lions and things." "Well… yeah, I guess, but only in the wild-life reserves. The rest is covered mostly by different farms, a lot of them dried up and dead but quite a few good ones. Then there are the ocean-side cities and towns which are greener than you would believe. It's really beautiful… there's this one town where my family went for vacation when I was little… It's like walking through a jungle and suddenly coming across the ocean… It's beautiful." She smiled brightly at me, "Do you have any brothers or sisters?" "A-a brother… he's in China now though… It'll be about four and a half more months before he's coming to Nerima.", I said shyly. I forced myself to calm down and appear a little less obvious in my attention. "I wish I had a brother or sister… I'm an only child.", sighed Hana. "Um, I haven't really seen the school, would you, um, mind showing me around or something?" "Sure!", she cried as she grabbed my wrist and jerked my out of my seat… I was startled for a second as she dragged me towards the door and blushed a little as I looked at her excited face. I didn't even notice that we left a disgruntled Leiko behind.
She dragged me all over school, "If always wanted to do this!", she cried… "I've read these mangas, where the supporting character describes the layout of the school and everyone's 'places' to the main character…" She smiled at me, "You can be the main character." I smiled a bit nervously at her… She was starting to freak me a bit. "Anyway, look there…" I looked where she was pointing out the hall window. There you can see Akane and her friends… She's the most popular girl in school… There's barely a single guy here that's not hounding her every morning. She's also labeled the biggest tomboy in the school." I nodded… "Guys are weird, I swear, they like girls who act like boys more than they like real girls…", I said, though mostly to myself… "That is weird, isn't it?", said Hana, looking thoughtful for a second. "Anyway… Look behind those bushes…" I looked and saw Hideki and a few other boys with cameras and video cameras… "That's the video and photography club… They're pathetic, aren't they… And there's Nabiki, Akane's older sister. She basically runs this school, she's even got most of the delinquents under her thumb, which is quite useful to her if she needs some muscle as reinforcement. Round here we call her the 'ice queen'. If you want anything… information or a favor, you can go to her, though I don't recommend it… Once you go to her, you'll never escape her again… She tends to keep coming back to squeeze every last penny out of your pocket."
Bathroom… teacher's lounge… sport clubs… Basketball court: We walked around the outside of the building, sticking close to the wall… I was a bit hesitant at first but none the less, I followed after Hana. She paused and glanced around the corner. "Che… They got two of the Kendo club members guarding the entrance… We'll have look through the window around back." I nodded hesitantly and we doubled back, walking into the short alleyway between this building and the school building. "Come one…Quickly, get on my shoulders.", she said as she crouched and indicated the window. I took off my shoes and quickly clambered up and looked inside… "If thee wishith to date the fair Tendo Akane thou must first defeat her in combat!", came a familiar voice through the window and as I looked through, sure enough… there stood Kuno on the stage, "This is the decree of the shooting star of Furinkan high, Kuno Tatawaki!" The entire room filled with the cheers of various boys… Don't ask my why. 'No wonder the grounds seemed so empty…', I thought to myself… 'Looks like Hideki wasn't really interested in Kuno's 'announcement'.' "The one on the stage is Kuno, I think… the brown haired Kendo nut.", said Hana from below me. "Are you okay?", I asked. "Fine… You're actually pretty lightweight… Don't worry about it.", she said, sounding just a teeny bit strained… I turned my attention back to the ranting idiot on stage… He was actually very funny to look at… Prancing about on stage, looking like some over-exaggerated noble samurai. His movements were large and quite funny… Just being on stage was wasting away at his dignified image. I giggled a bit as he said something particularly stupid… something about him being the noble samurai which would win the heart of his beautiful flower with his prowess. Suddenly a familiar voice spoke from behind me… "Well, well… If it isn't Arima… Peeping on your first day?", he asked with a laugh.
"HIDEKI!!!???!!!",I cried out as I turned to look but my foot slipped and in a startled yelp I tumble down, landing flat on my back, legs in the air, with Hana under me. Dizzy, I lie there for a second, moaning, "Itaaaaiii…."… Little swirly patterns in my eyes. Suddenly I hear the distinct sound of a camera shutter and I immediately sat up, dragging my dress over my knees. Behind me Hana sits up, rubbing her head and moaning… My hand closed around one of my shoes as I glared darkly at Hideki where he stood with his camera… Another click sounded as Hideki took another picture… He looked frozen on the spot for a second and I could see a sweatdrop rolling down the side of his head… In a split second he was off and around the corner as my shoe flew from my hand, rebounding off the wall and landing on the ground… I quickly grabbed my other shoe and darted after him, "Come back here you pervert! You'd better get rid of that photo or I'll tell mom!" As I rounded the corner I could see him running full speed for the other side of the building, hoping to escape around the other corner… My shoe flew once more and this time it was right on target, striking him in the back of the head and sending him face first into the ground. I huffed angrily at him as I picked up my shoes and headed back to where Hana was standing, looking around the corner and holding my glasses.
"Wow… A-ko… you look really cute without your glasses… especially with your hair like that." I blushed as my hands went up to my hair… it was completely messed up, standing out in all directions… I looked down at the ground and shuffled my feet. "Kawaii…", breathed Hana, almost too low for me to hear… "P-promise you won't tell anyone…", I said, looking up at her, "It's just that… I thought if I looked a little more plain then the boys wouldn't bother me as much… I don't want to draw too much attention to myself… Even… the glasses are fake…" Hana looked surprised and looked down at the glasses in her hand, putting them on her eyes to test it… She nodded at me dumbly for a second before the final bell rang, signaling the end of break. "Shit!", I cried as I quickly pulled my shoes on and rushed, grabbing Hana's hand and dragging her into the nearest bathroom, to help fix my hair. We didn't even notice the small part of the wall that caved away, where my shoe had stuck, as we ran.
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We were barely on time for class and I quickly took my seat at the window again… 'I'm so gonna wring Hideki's neck when we get home…', I grumbled to myself… I felt somebody's eyes on me and I looked up to see Leiko's eyes on me… she looked unhappy for some reason but looked away. 'What's up with her?', I wondered but dismissed it and turned my gaze out the window.
The rest of the day passed quite quickly and my gaze kept flickering to Hana who was sitting in front of class… On the way to class after break I'd tried to explain to her why I wanted to stay out of the public eye but she'd just looked at me strangely and shrugged it off, saying, "You don't have to worry about being noticed here… I've tried everything… All the boys are interested in is their precious Akane." She seemed a bit upset at that but there wasn't anything I could do about it.
After school I dressed in the oversized t-shirt and shorts I'd packed, put my glasses in my bag and roughed my hair back to normal… As I walked towards the school gate, ignoring the stares I was getting, I spotted Hideki… My anger had stilled since I'd last seen him but I still had an overwhelming urge to do something to him.
"Hideki!!", I cried as I flung my bag at him… He caught it just before it hit his face… of course, this blocked his vision for a second and he didn't see me come flying in with a kick to his stomach. I flung him over my shoulder and dragged him off school grounds, "Come on, you're going to treat me to some ice-cream for that stunt you pulled this morning." I didn't even notice the hanging jaws as we left.
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"What happened to keeping a low profile at school… I told you not to come near me when you look like that!", snarled Hideki where he pressed me against the wall in a small alleyway. "So-sorry. I k-kinda forgot… Besides, where do you get off taking pictures of my underwear?", I tried sounding angry. I was startled when his fist suddenly connected with my stomach, making me double over. "Be back at the house in an hour. If you thought you're training was hell before, you've got a thing coming." "Can… I still get… my ice-cream…", I managed sadly between my gasps for breath. 'Damn… I messed up… I guess his really serious about this 'low profile' thing. But Nerima's filled with crazy things… It's not like anybody'd notice us anyway.
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That night, after the training, I was sitting against the dojo wall, bruised all over and feeling like I'd run at least ten marathons… I was gasped for breath, trying to sooth the aching in my muscles. "A-ko, this Friday the school is taking us on a field trip to the local museum. There's some sort of exhibit there. A treasure of the Kuno family that's supposed to be priceless. We scope out the place on the trip and the night after, we go in. Got that?" I was too weak to reply and just looked at him wearily, breathing hard. "Get ready. A-ko… I like you, we could use someone like you… So no messing this up, okay?" I nodded and coughed up a little blood. Hideki helped me up and started towards the furo-room to wash away some of my sweat and blood. "By the way… I hope you don't mind… I rushed home after school and had mom put you in the family register as my little sister, though you're name is officially now officially 'Akina Muzino'. I didn't want them to associate Arima Night with my family… … … I hope you got that friend of your under control… I don't want her being a problem later on." … I smiled to myself at his words, 'I'm family now? That… sounds nice actually. I wonder how he forged my identity.'… … I winched as I lowered myself into the hot water. 'Boy this is gonna hurt in the morning.', I thought to myself. After I'd managed to clean myself up… mostly… I dressed in silk pajamas and Hideki met me outside the door to help me to my room. Even though I still hurt, I felt a little better. Hideki seemed more caring towards me… I really felt like I was part of the family, with him around.
It actually felt nice to be able to think of him as an older brother… He had some of Hiro in him… 'Hiro… Where's that bastard now… I hope that training he's going through is worth it.' I sighed and closed my eyes, drifting off into a deep sleep.
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I was surprised that when morning came I didn't feel even a little pain. I was completely alright… and… well I actually felt more energetic than ever. Much to Hideki's annoyance. Hey, I just woke him up like any little sister would… I actually got Kazuko to join me… you gotta love family bonding smirk… Being loud and annoying is what being a younger sibling is all about. We had a short morning spar and then breakfast before heading off to school. The next day or two passed quite quickly and Hana and I became great friends. To my disappointment… she didn't seem to like girls 'that' way… …Since I was a fan of fantasy stories I made up all kinds of stories and things and since I learnt that Hana was quite good at sketching… Way ahead of me. In a few of the classes we had free, we spent our time drawing different characters and just laughing and talking… She's actually a really nice girl… I did feel a little something… like an itch in the back of my neck the whole time though… Insert Leiko in the background giving the two dark glare XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Nabiki-sempai… I need your help… I can pay.", said Leiko as she walked up to the older girl. "You said the magic word.", said Nabiki with an evil smirk, "Come on. We can talk in my office…" Said office was actually one of the old classrooms that was set aside for Nabiki's use… A little 'favor' from the principle… The 'office' was dark since Nabiki had placed the lighting just 'right'. It was like a scene out of some Yakuza movie. Nabiki took the seat at the window behind the desk and rotated the chair around, looking at Leiko. "So how can I help you?" Leiko was nervous but didn't hesitate to jump right in, "I need to get rid of someone. A girl… Her name is Arima Night and she's in my way. I need her to disappear out of my life… or at least move to the background." Nabiki had a thoughtful and somewhat disapproving frown on her face but money was money and she wasn't going to turn it down. "It's going to cost you…", she trailed off. Leiko pulled the money out of her pocket and slapped it down on the table. Nabiki paused and picked up the wad of cash. She thumbed through it and her eyes widened at the amount… It was enough to keep her family going for at least a month… She eyed the girl… 'I'd better keep a closer eye on you…', she thought to herself. "Fine… It'll be done… Anything specific you want done?" "I want her humiliated… I want her to hate herself so much that she'll never show her face here again…", said Leiko with a dark smirk on her face… Inwardly her heart was racing with excitement, 'Yes! Finally…' "How soon do you want it done?" "As soon as possible, if you can do something today then that'd be perfect." Nabiki nodded, "You may go.", she said with a dismissive wave.
She left Nabiki with a feeling of elation in her gut… Nabiki turned to one of her lackeys. "Find out everything you can about this Arima girl. I want you to give this job to priority." Two of her lackeys bowed and quickly left…… XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Friday… Get dressed in some casual clothes, and head off to school so the whole class can walk together to the museum down the road. The museum was quite impressive… It seemed more like a place to show off history than a place where they kept records. As we walked into the huge halls I immediately left the group and headed over to the Meiji restoration era section… one thing that interested me quite a bit since it was the time from which Kenshin came. I'd never really studied it fully.
The museum had a really impressive collection… Shogun suits of armor and weapons… some of which defied rational explanation. Seems that some of the warriors were pretty creative in those times… What really caught my attention thought was at the end of the hall… A royal suit of armor, golden and inlaid with ruby. At it's base was the most beautiful sword I'd ever seen…It's entire sheath was ruby red but at it's tip was a copper tip with small black orbs. The handle itself was a work of art. Two dragons entwined tightly with each other to form a perfect fit for the hand… I reached out and touched the glass as I stared at the sword… entranced in it's power… I wanted it… I needed it… I- "ARIMA! Come on! The tour's gonna leave without us!", came Hana's voice… I almost jumped out of my skin but quickly recovered and rushed after her.
The tour was boring as hell but I noticed that Arima took quite a few pictures of the surrounding area. After the initial tour of the area the classes split up, each with a guide of their own. I was a but freaked that this was the entire two grades of furinkan… there was less than two hundred kids… Must be a really small school.
Finally after a few grueling hours of sheer boredom… well the exhibit displays were pretty neat… it was really only the tour guide that was boring the shit out of us, we stopped for lunch in the court-yard. I spotted Hideki sitting on a bench with some of the other members of the photo club… They were sitting in a strategic position so they could take photos of Akane, where she was sitting next to the water fountain with her two friends, Sayuri and Yuka. 'I wonder how much they pay to have Nabiki allow them to do that…', I pondered for a second. Hideki looked up and acknowledged me with slight nod of his head, unnoticed by all but me. I took a seat at the water fountain, opposite Akane… Just to annoy Hideki really… It was funny to see him scowl and not be able to do anything about it.
I quietly ate my lunch, making small talk with Hana. Suddenly out of the corner of my eye I saw someone lurch towards me… Instinct told me to move but Hideki's words flashed through my mind, 'No messing this up, okay?… low profile.' I paused long enough for my moment of escape to pass… and a firm hand fell on my chest I jerked backwards at the slight groping motion and into the cold water of the fountain with a large splash… I looked between my feet to see the face of a young boy with a mysterious look on his face. I moved the glasses back into position and looked again… Now his face was apologetic. "Uh, sorry about that… I guess I wasn't looking where I was going.", he said in Akane's direction, indicating that he had been looking at her, as he got up and walked away… not even bothering to help me out of the water. Hana grabbed my hand and pulled my out with a worried frown on her face. "Are you okay?" "Yeah-", I hear a round of laughter from the direction the boy had just gone… I just knew they were laughing at my 'misfortune'. 'Great… another bunch of perverts and jerks…', I thought to myself.
"I'm going to the bathroom to dry off...", I said to Hana, "Enjoy the rest of the tour." Hana reached towards me, as if to say something but the words never came as I turned and left… 'Well at least she enjoys that guide's boring lectures… To me, it's almost like I'm back in my accounting class in high school.'
I took off some of my clothes and wrung it out over the sink, getting the excess water off, hanging the shirt, sports-bra and shorts over the hand-dryer. Snapping the elastic band of my boxers, which I'd chosen to wear that morning since I'd be wearing pants, I walked over to one of the stalls… I looked down at the hole in the ground… "Aug! Bloody squatting toilets!", I cried… lucky for me Hideki's house was American style so I didn't have too much trouble with this crap.
I finished and walked out of the stall, washing my hands and walking over to the hand dryer before freezing in my tracks… my clothes… they were gone… and there was a distinctive watery trail leading out of the restroom door. I crouched down, clutching my legs… "Aw, come on! This just isn't happening…" With a sigh I stood and turned on the heat at the sink, reforming into my original form. 'Whoever's doing this is looking for trouble…', I thought to myself… 'When I find out who… I'll… …'
I felt like completely out of place original form… I haven't even changed back in over a month so it felt strange and unreal to me… it was like being the only jelly-tot in a box of smarties… okay, bad comparison. But the point is that I felt like I didn't belong here at all and I had this distinct feeling that I wanted to get rid of myself… I shook it off and walked out of the restroom… Actions ceased in my wake and resumed without missing a beat as I walked out of range. I walked down the streets in my boxer-shorts, sighing deeply to myself… "I hate my life."
Finally, after a twenty minute walk, feeling like I was about to lash out at the nearest idiot who said a word to me, I was back home… 'Home… that has a nice ring to it.', I thought to myself as I entered and headed towards the furo to take a bath… Finally I was done and I headed towards the dojo to work off some of my frustrations. I took up some kunai and flung them into a practice dummy with unerring accuracy and strength. I then proceeded to attack the wooden dummy and finally decapitating it with a singly spin kick. Trying to calm down I started through a kata that Hideki had taught me… It was supposed to relax your mind and help you enter a zen-like trance. When I was finished I did feel much calmer… I plopped down on the dojo steps and stared up into the blue sky… 'I wonder how long it'll be before Ranma shows up… Maybe we could be friends… we do have the same curse after all. Or… if he messes with me, I'll just hook him…no, her… up with Ryoga… they do make a cute couple… evil smile'
That night when Hideki returned home and developed the photos, he called the whole gang together. The last time I'd seen them was on the ship… Daniel and Drake. I stuck close to Daniel's side, the colossal man actually made me feel a little safer around that 'snake'. 'Drake the snake… heh.' Anyway, that's besides the point. We basically started forming a plan of attack. He lay the blueprints for the Museum out on the table. "Okay… I think we should split up and approach from all sides… that would seem the best choice. First we have to disable the guards in the security room… According to the information I found, their last shift change is at twelve and then there isn't another one for the next six to seven hours… We'll strike at exactly twelve thirty. Drake… you're the fastest and you have the most stealth… You go and disable the guards… Don't kill them… we don't want to be held accountable for murder as well. Arima and I will go in and disable any of the patrolling guards while Daniel… I want you handy as backup… so you wait on the roof and keep an eye out for trouble." Hideki proceeded to indicate the exact paths we were to travel and I memorized an image in my head from the photos… Hideki also pointed out places we should avoid… those that included sensors and security cameras.
After a full briefing I was promptly sent to bed… Saturday's still half-day school, after all.
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CHAPTER END!!!
Okay... this took me a while to complete so don't expect another chapter too soon, maybe three weeks to a month... I'm not sure, we'll see...
