Disclaimer: Uh…um… Is this a trick question?
Chapter 4: Remodeling and a stolen credit card
Rina slowly opened one eye, and then looked over to her clock on her bed stand. Another Monday. Another Monday… At 6:49 in the morning. She groaned as she remembered her blouse was ruined at the restaurant opening last night, and that today's a Monday. "Stupid spawn of Andy Bogard…"
Suddenly her digital alarm clock roared to life as music began to play.
Can you teach me how to fly?
You see I'm scared to die
And I've only just begun to learn to crawl
Can you teach me how to fight?
Will you keep me up all night?
Will you be on the ground if I should fall?
Fall for you…
It was cut short as Rina smashed it with her fist. "Stupid machine." She got up and went straight to the bedroom. Her hair was a mess and there was a slight drool stain on her pajama top. "Stupid Monday." Then something didn't seem to click. Monday… 6:49… Monday… 6:50…
"Holy monkey anus! I'm late!" she quickly brushed her teeth while she began to look for her books. "Stupid school."
Iori could hear the ruckus coming from the next room. "Stupid brat." He growled. Reflexively Kasumi snuggled closer to Iori's chest and his grumbling ceased.
Another normal weekday at the Yagami Household…
Rina quickly gather her things and threw whatever books she could find into her bag. She looked over her shoulder. "Kuso! I got 9 minutes!" she quickly dashed out the front door, got down the stairs by leaping most of them and landed right into a pair of shoes placed there before she went to sleep and finally she ran out the door.
When Rina arrived she was semi amazed to see that the front entrance was blocked. However her anger broke through and she began to toss people aside.
Never let it be said she that she discriminates her victims. It's all about equal opportunity with her as she shoved the younger kids, mowed down the older jocks, and smashed her fist into other girls and pushed the elderly aside.
"What the…" Rina gaped as she finally reached the front. Her old school of Takamura High was… different…
Before the weekend, safety wise, it was the worse school in Japan, period. Now, it actually looked respectable! And a bit frightening since there were actually Dobermans near by and the gates looked like it was forged in Hell itself.
Perhaps the most disturbing thing was that instead of the old tattered sign saying Takamura High, it now was replaced with a brand new plate that read "Chizuru's Academy of Higher Learning."
"…Chizuru? Where have I heard that name before…?" Rina thought to herself. Suddenly, a very insane and familiar laugh echoed from above.
"Welcome Students! How do you like the remodeling?!" Rugal Bernstein yelled from above with his arms crossed. The wind blew in his hair, making it float a bit and giving him a pure demonic look.
"Don't scare them like that!" a voice was heard. And then a loud THWAP followed soon after. Behind the wincing Rugal, stood a woman in her late forties. She wore a dark navy blue business suit and her long hair was braided and reached a ponytail at the small of her back. And in her hand she carried a metal fan. Half of the student body gulped at either the fan or the evil yet cold and calculating look behind her glasses.
"Good Morning Students. I'm Chizuru. Your new Headmaster." She quickly jumped off the roof and landed on the roof of a nearby van, and then hopped off so that she can land feet first into the concrete. "Your last principle 'retired' and offered to sell it to me. So here I am, folks. Any questions?"
"Our last principal had a clean bill of health. Why would he retire?" one student asked.
Rugal, that had just landed right after Chizuru, only smirked. "Well, you see, he needed some convincing that school is harmful to him…" he trailed off as he cracked his knuckles.
"He means stress, right Dean Bernstein?" she asked sharply at her colleague as she held her metal fan threateningly.
"DEAN?!" the entire student body echoed. Rugal glared at them all and all was silent. "Yea, stress… whatever. Anyways, it's already 7:02, and you're all late! Detonation, er—I mean, detention for all!" Rugal shouted. Some of the students look at each other in confusion.
"Trust me, detention is A LOT better than the other option." Chizuru said. However some students definitely groaned, and most tried to retaliate.
"They can take away our Takamura High, but they can never take away our freedom!" yelled one 7-foot jock. He sped at Rugal at full speed…
…Until Rugal performed his Gigantic Pressure attack, and rammed the empty headed athlete into oblivion.
"Anyone else wanna be a hero?" Rugal snarled as he looked around the crowd as he stood victoriously and viciously over the fallen student. "Excellent. Now, single file, and no pushing!" Rugal said as he waved them in as well as to the nurses that carried the battered body of the jock into the infirmary.
"This is way weird you guys…" Rock muttered as he looked around the cafeteria. Takashi and Kenji sat next to him and the 2 looked just as wary of their surroundings. Everything was extremely quiet and even the lunch ladies with their brash attitude seem nervous as Hell.
"Great. 1 prison for another." Kenji muttered as he poked at the School's new special, gruel and slop. "I can't take this anymore! I have to bust outta here! I'm going insane I tell yas!" he yelled as he held Rock by the collar. "I can't last any longer in here!"
"Quiet you 2!" a guard dressed in all black warned as he readied his taser rifle.
Kenji relaxed a bit. Rock glared at his friend and creased the wrinkles in his jacket. "You really need to learn how to eat a good breakfast. Those sodas are really getting to you. After all, it's only been a day!"
"Exactly!" Takashi interrupted. "Soon it'll be a week, then a month, then an entire year! When will the madness end?!"
Rock only sighed. "Just my luck I'm stuck with 2 overdramatic idiots." He rested his head as Kenji and Takashi wept over their fates. As his eyes wandered his line of sight just happened upon a girl that seemed out of place. After all, he would know since he knows every single person in this school, personally or no.
She's kinda cute. A transfer student maybe? he thought. He tried to move his entire body and head at an angle to get a better view of the girl, but ended up falling to the floor. This attracted the attention of the girl, who now directly faced Rock.
"Rock? Is that you?" the girl asked. It was none other than Jenny Bogard!
"What the--?! Jenny! Why aren't you in school?!" he yelped. He looked around and was glad no one had heard him.
She only smiled proudly as she grabbed a piece of paper and shoved it into Rock's face.
"WHAT?! You skipped a grade? How? Why did they let you in now? It's almost the end of the year!" Rock stated.
"Well, I proved myself to them, plus I had my mom talk to the principal so now I'm here." she smiled. She quickly plopped herself in between Kenji and Takashi. "Why, fancy meeting you here, Kenji!"
Kenji only rolled his eyes as Takashi snickered. "Nice to see you to Jen. And hey, hands off!" he snapped as he snatched his candy bar away from Jenny's hands. "This is the only thing edible I have on me, it has to last me for the rest of the day!"
Jenny only pouted but resumed her cheerful manner. "So what's the deal with the school? I coulda sworn this was Takamura High."
The trio just shrugged. "We all arrived to find all of it under Rugal's control. The madman rules with an iron fist." Takashi muttered.
"Rugal? But it says---"
"Yea, Chizuru's Academy. Well, Rugal's just a Dean… That's bad enough as it is." Kenji said as he melted a corner of his lunch tray when no one else was looking. "I can't believe it's all been changed in a weekend. I suppose it could be worse anyways… I mean, imagine if one of our parents ended up working here?"
Everyone had a good laugh at that.
"Hah, imagine that!" Rock was wiping a tear from his eye when a familiar figure passed him.
"Hi son. How's your day?"
"Oh, it's goin' fine dad." And then Armani clad figure walked away.
3.25 seconds later…
"…Did anyone else…just see what I just saw?" Rock stuttered. Everyone nodded solemnly.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" Rock ran from his seat and caught up with his father before he went inside the more exclusive and better stocked teachers lounge "Dad?! What the F--- are you doin' here?!" Rock yelled.
Geese just looked at his son disdainfully. "Rock, we have rules here, no cursing! But between you and me, I don't like 'em either, but I do like to enforce the dumb rules."
"…Dad…What are YOU doing HERE?!" Rock said as he shook his father by his shoulders. Geese just broke out of his son's grasp.
"Hmph. Predictable. If me being here is a torture then take it like a Howard! I swear, that Bogard really has made you soft! Anyways, you could say I'm here on a business venture…" he said carefully.
"A business venture?" Rock asked. "Dad, what did I tell you! Don't force my friends into your protection rackets! Remember that time when you had that gambling ring at my birthday party last year?!" he asked sternly.
Geese raised a hand to cover his face. "Don't remind me. That was a disaster. Damn that Mary woman! Her and her stupid raid…" Rock only nodded.
"But really, it's a business venture that involves me doing a favor for an associate of mine. In fact, I'm working here as Vice Principal. Now I must get back to my lunch and then to work. And you better get your homework done before dinner tonight!" And with that Geese quickly entered into the teachers lounge. ::Sounds of locks being bolted and moved::
Rock could only stare at the door for a few seconds.
"He's hiding something. No wait… he's up to something. He wouldn't be my dad if he wasn't…" Rock turned around and headed back to the table. "And what's with him being concerned about homework?!"
"Where's my damn coffee?!" Rugal bellowed as he slammed his fist into the desk. Granted he never drank coffee, but being Dean of a High School, he had to keep up appearances and play the part.
"Right here boss." A silky voice came through the other side of the door. It opened to reveal Vice. She still wore her signature and revealing outfit, but her hair cascaded down her shoulder blades giving her an angelic look. That is, until you get on her bad side and nail bombs you through the floor.
"About time, what took you so long? Your lunch break was 20 minutes ago!" Rugal demanded an explanation.
"Well, you see… uh… it's all simple really…" Vice stammered a bit.
Rugal's eye widened fractionally as he then noticed the hair that was slightly out of place, the clothes a bit ruffled, and she seemed cheery, glowing, a bit nervous of her whereabouts...
"Oh… I see… Well, try not to get caught by Chizuru or any of the students." Vice only smiled weakly.
"Anyways… anything new?" Rugal asked as he drank the coffee. She was interrupted when Rugal spat it out the window. ::Cat yowls in the background::
"YE GODS! It's the most horrid thing I've ever tasted! Get rid of this and get me something from my stash at the hideout!"
"But sir, that's all the way across town!" Vice protested.
"Fine, get me some water then!" Rugal shouted. 5 minutes later, after Rugal washed his mouth out for the 16th time with soap, toothpaste and mouthwash, he sighed with relief. "Much better. Anyways, how are things?"
Vice quickly pulled out a giant folder and let it plop onto Rugal's desk with a loud thud that made the desk creek. "What…is this?" Rugal asked as he pointed at the paperwork. Vice only prodded him to look at it.
"Let's see here… According to this… There have been several riots already… Wow! And it's only a little past noon! These kids have initiative. …Teachers on strike… Eh so what? Let Chizuru handle that... We're out of French fries in the teachers lounge?! By god, Vice! Get someone on it quickly! …What else is there…'Our spies indicate a Doomsday Cult is planning an uprising to overthrow Chizuru and Various others…' Hah! Let's see they stand up to my power." Rugal laughed.
Vice interrupted his laughing by clearing her throat. "That's not our real problem sir. The rest are on Rina Yagami, our specified target! It seems this new change in surroundings has put her into a bad mood… So far, her attacks had put a quarter of the students of the school into the infirmary!"
"The infirmary? When did we get one of those?" Rugal asked.
"A few hours ago after the Nurse's office became overcrowded." Vice said as she shrugged. "Do you want any more updates on the others?" Rugal nodded.
Vice then took out a small remote control and clicked it at the ceiling. A giant television screen lowered. Kenji, Rina, Rock, Jenny, and Takashi in different monitors. All of them have the same look of boredom on their face. "Not only is it in color, it also comes in surround sound, instant replay, infrared sensors, and a recording device as a part of the package."
"Sounds expensive…" Rugal mentioned.
"Compliments of Geese Howard." Vice finished with a smirk as he waved a credit card in the air.
"Really now? So is there anything else we can add to it? Maybe a DVD player? A Playstation 9? Why be stingy?" Rugal asked as he rubbed his hands greedily.
Meanwhile…
Geese suddenly felt something was indeed wrong. His suspicion grew right after Vice had 'accidentally' shoulder charged into him and then threw him against the wall for 5 seconds. Worse yet, no apology!
I sense a disturbance in my bank accounts…
And strangely enough his wallet seemed a bit… lighter… He quickly drew it out and counted his money and credit cards.
"1000 dollars in small bills… Check… Let's see… wait a second! 28, 29, 30…" Geese began to count but then stopped short. "Damn it! Where's 31?! VICE!"
The End of the Day… (FINALLY!)
Kenji, Takashi, Jenny, and Rock all walked home and pondered about the strange turn of events. Rina was already ahead of them but was also wondering what on Kami's green earth is going on.
"Maybe my dad will know what's up." Rock announced. "He knows all, he sees all!" Everyone then looked at him, but he only shrugged. "Well, that's what he always kept telling me when I was little. Maybe he actually does."
Soon enough Takashi and Rock had parted ways, leaving Kenji, Rina and Jenny walking along together. "I'm gonna go pick up Hikari before she gets in trouble again." Kenji sighed. "See you two later." He turned the corner and left the Rina and Jenny alone.
Rina only smiled wickedly. This is my chance… "Say, what's up with you and wonder boy?" she asked seriously.
Jenny could only gulp but she stood her ground. "Nothing! It's nothing! If it were anything less, it'd be non-existent!"
"You like him?!" Rina yelled making sure everyone within a mile radius could hear her.
Half a mile away…
Kenji turned around. That sounded like Rina and Jenny shrieking at each other… "Just walk away Kenji… Just walk away…" he said to himself as he turned around and resumed his journey.
"Give up?" Rina asked.
"I don't like him!" Jenny said through gritted teeth. Rina only grinned, but once again, it was an actual genuine grin.
"DON'T YOU THINK YOU'RE A LITTLE YOUNG TO BE BEARING HIS CHILDREN?!"
3 feet and a half mile away…
"DON'T YOU THINK YOU'RE A LITTLE YOUNG TO BE BEARING HIS CHILDREN?!"
This time, Kenji eyes widened and he didn't bother to turn around. He quickly ran for his life! "Forget walking away, I need my damn bike!"
"OKAY OKAY! I give… I do, so what's it to ya?!" Jenny was now seething. Rina only gave a low chuckle and patted Jenny on the head. She only tried to bite Rina's hand but Rina was too quick.
"You have much potential for violence and mayhem… but there's another time for that. I just wanted to help you out with Kenji." Jenny's anger dissolved as she blinked in confusion.
"Really? How? Why? What's in it for you?" Jenny asked through rapid- fire mode. Rina only slowly walked around the younger girl like a predator assessing her prey.
"Hey, slow down. I just hate," she said as she rolled her eyes when Jenny didn't notice, "…To see such a vibrant young girl be enamored with the idiot—er, young man, and have her feelings shunned."
"So…"
"I'm basically doing this out of the goodness from my heart, you idiot!" she growled. She almost lunged for her throat until she remembered her mission. I need her alive! I can kick her rear from here to Cuernavaca later.
"Really now… I'm listening!" Jenny smirked.
Kenji chewed on his gum thoughtfully. Hikari should be out any moment, and usually things would be okay. She would come out, all smiles and hugs, they would go get something to eat, and talk about each other's day…
But ever since Hikari's been… having that monthly…thing… and the whole Yusuke development, she's been the total opposite.
If she had purple flames and blood red hair, some would say she was related to Rina. Speaking of which… Rina finally caught up with Jenny skipping happily right behind her.
"What are you two doing here?" he asked. His guard was up and his instincts told him something was way off.
"I'm here to 'talk' to Yusuke. See ya!" Rina said as she walked away quickly.
"Oooookay…" Kenji realized that Jenny was still there. "Um… also waiting for Yusuke?" he asked. Jenny shook her head.
"Actually, just thought we spend some quality time together! Just you and me!" she said merrily as she stood right next to Kenji. Feeling uncomfortable with the close contact, he moved a few inches to his left. She also moved a few inches to her left. This continued on for the next 6 minutes until Kenji finally fell sideways onto the sidewalk after running out wall to lean on.
"Kenji! Are you okay?" Jenny bent down to check on him but he waved her away.
"Yea, I'm fine. Don't worry about it."
"Sugoi! I knew you wouldn't so easily be hurt!" she cheered. ::Kenji sweatdrops::
"Listen, Jen… Ya gotta believe me when I say this…" Kenji held his breath. What would he say? Since day one, girls are always somehow touchy when he says he doesn't feel the same for them. Sure, they're cute and all, but just not THE ONE!
"Uh huh?" Jenny looked up at Kenji with wide eyes. He might say what she always wanted… or he might say he wants her to leave him alone. She's prepared to face the last part, but that doesn't mean it won't hurt.
"Believe me when I say… you're cute and all…"
"…Yea?"
Suddenly a gigantic explosion was heard and debris flew everywhere. Kenji leapt at Jenny and covered her as the smoking embers and heavier debris scorched him, but not enough to do serious damage. His clothes were fireproof after all.
"Bogard! Prepare to die!"
"Shi-ne!"
"Hey! This isn't fair!"
"Of course…" Kenji mumbled from his position. "Jenny, you okay?" he asked at the girl who was now underneath him, with her eyes shut tightly. She slowly opened them and blushed at her position.
Kenji only rolled his eyes. "Stay here, I'm gonna try and delay your cousin's untimely death for a few more hours." With that he quickly dashed off as Jenny lay on the ground. She blinked a couple of times. Jenny realized that he was about say something life altering and that explosion had to ruin it!
She also realized that he said she was cute! It's not much but it's a start, but she has her foot in the door, and she might just make it! Jenny stood up and dusted herself off and shouted triumphantly. She pumped her fist into the air as she threw her cap into the air...
"OKAY! Just you wait Kenji! I'll have you yet!"
"Stand still, ya mama's boy!" Rina shouted as she did two dark thrusts at once from both of her palms.
"Not my fault you're so slow, you old hag!" Yusuke yelled back as he dodged them all with the agility some martial artists can only dream of.
He jumped back right before Rina was about to do her Demon Scorcher, only to be mowed down by renegade flames from Hikari's Neo Serpent Wave.
It was basically the same as the original, but just like most of her moves, they are laced with psycho powers.
"Gotcha! Now let's finish this Bogard!" Hikari begun to charge up a pure Psycho Ball attack until Rina stepped in.
"Hey! Hands off my kill!" Rina shouted angrily.
"What?! He's mine! I got him fair and square!"
"HAH! A fluke, I assure you. Whaddya' say Yusuke? I can offer a quick death! After some torture of course but you get the idea!"
"Hey, leave him out of this already! I said he's mine!" Hikari yelled. "Yusuke, get outta here! You're hide is mine to do with as I please!"
Rina only scoffed. "Wow, nice vocabulary. Been watching Sesame Street long?"
"RRRAAAAAGGHHH!" Hikari leapt at Rina and they began to roll around on the ground. All their techniques, special attacks, and even ultimate attacks went straight out the window. It's all down to nitty gritty, hair pulling, scratch and bite, catfight.
Yusuke only watched on, confused. "If my life weren't in peril I would actually sit back and enjoy this…" Suddenly he saw a figure moving from the corner and it was Hikari's brother, Kenji!
"Oh thank you! I—"
"Save it! What in the name of Kusanagi did you do?!" Kenji whispered hoarsely as he burned against the fence so that he can pull Yusuke through the hole.
"I just accidentally bumped into her during the party so Rina's mad I messed up her blouse. Funny… happened again today with Hikari during lunch…" Yusuke muttered. Kenji finally grabbed Yusuke and begun to run away, FAR away.
"Won't they be following us?" Yusuke asked worriedly. Kenji only shook his head. "They'll be fighting until someone wins or some poor fool decides to step in to end it. I'll get you back to your cousin and I'll go back and deal with the two."
"You're good Yagami! But not good enough!" Hikari yelled from across the schoolyard. She began to gather more power so that she can unleash her ultimate attack. Well, a variation of it.
She had tried to do the Raging Storm but it was impossible. The Neo Deadly Rave was much easier once she adapted to it. But the Raging Storm was the hardest to accomplish until she decided to use her own magatama abilities and turn it into the Phoenix Storm, which has a certain range.
"PHOENIX STORM!" The raging inferno grew to several stories and spread out as fast as any forest fire. Rina just barely blocked it off in time. When it ended, her clothing was singed but she was only smirking.
"Hmph. You aren't so bad yourself brat. But you lack the endurance. I can still go on for hours while you're barely standing upright!" Rina rushed towards her with her Crescent Burst.
She sliced downwards at Hikari with her right hand and then her left. Then she would bring her hands together to bring the talons together upwards, then downwards and finally finished with an explosion of purple flames that erupted from Rina's hands. All 4 times, she connected, and she had sent Hikari flying into the pavement. She rolled along the ground for a few times before skidding to a stop, several feet away.
Rina only smirked. "You've lost. I'll spare you before I actually stain the ground with your entrails." She walked away until she heard something.
"Stop!" Hikari wheezed out. "Come…back here!"
Rina fully turned around. "Nasakenai. You can't touch me in your condition. Give it up princess!"
"IIE!" Hikari leapt at Rina with all her might and slammed her shoulder into Rina's gut. She was stunned for a moment, which allowed to Hikari complete a wicked chew, knocking Rina into a fence.
Before she can even recover, Hikari quickly let loose a 182 slasher, sending Rina straight through the fence. She sighed when Rina landed against the side of the car and slumped to the floor.
Hikari almost grinned until Rina stood up again as if she wasn't hurt at all. "Oooh… now you're gonna get it! You messed up my hair!" Rina ran forward to finish off Hikari. Both knew she wouldn't be able to defend against it and this might just be the end…
That is, if Kenji had anything to say about it. He grabbed Rina's hand right before it came near Hikari. Using Rina's momentum, she flipped Rina onto her back while still holding her fist in his hand. He looked at the shocked Rina with a smile.
"Not nice picking on little kiddies. If you want a challenge, try me on for size!" Kenji gave his best 'happy' grin. He knew what it would do, and that's to drive Rina up the wall.
"Grrr… GLADLY!" Before she could get up, Kenji grabbed her and held her up to the fence by her neck but only enough to keep her still.
"Hikari, you okay? Can you walk?" She only grunted since she can barely move let alone nod her head. "Get outta here. Jenny's nearby so she can get you back safely." Hikari walked away but at a pretty good pace. Soon she was out of sight.
Rina in the meantime was struggling against Kenji. Mom was right when she said he has gotten stronger! "So, been eating your vegetables I see…" Rina bit out.
"Actually that, and mostly junk food. Fast metabolism and all that, you can thank my dad for that!" Kenji said with a grin. After he was sure Hikari was gone, he dropped Rina to the ground. "Don't make me have to restrain you again. I don't have anything against you, but no one touches my family, and I won't be so merciful next time."
Rina looked up at Kenji, who for once, actually looked deadly serious. "Heh. Look at the little boy, thinkin' he's a big tough man…"
With speed even Kenji has trouble matching up to, she struck him right in the groin. Kenji grimaced but remained steady although he looked slightly pale. Rina gritted her teeth in response.
"Chikuso! I won't underestimate you next time!" Rina shouted as she quickly ran the opposite way. When she was gone from sight, Kenji let out the breath he was holding and leaned against the fence.
"Gah, that really hurts! I'm lucky she doesn't wear heels…" Kenji breathed out.
Rina was now in a foul mood. No matter how many times she went over it in her head, it just didn't make any sense! How the hell did he get so strong? It's not like she has been slacking off in her own training…
"Maybe he's taking industrial strength steroids?" She mentally crossed that out. Kenji had too much honor to cheat. So it all comes down to one thing, he's just that strong…
"If I don't do something soon, I'll be trapped by my own promise…"
When her mother demanded to know when grandchildren will be on Rina's to do list, Rina replied simply:
"When I actually get beaten by someone stronger than me. Since more than enough of them are weaklings and fools, I guess grandchildren will have to wait!"
She sighed and started walking. "Well, if I can't get him a girlfriend, I can always kill him!" Rina said to herself brightly. Her mood lightened as she walked home, thinking about the wondrous ways of killing Kenji.
"But that's only if plan A goes down the drain…" she said quietly to herself.
TBC
Athena and Kasumi's plan is going at full speed (after all, Chizuru and Rugal are working together in a High School) and it looks like nothing's gonna stop them! Except if maybe Rina arranges an 'accident' for Kenji… Hikari's still out for Yusuke as well as Rina and Jenny's even more determined to get Kenji to notice her! Will the madness end?! Hopefully not. Will Geese reclaim his credit card? ( number alpha-241541-2351-*31 ) Maybe… Stay tuned!
Please review and feel free to drop me a line at my email in my profile!
Chapter 4: Remodeling and a stolen credit card
Rina slowly opened one eye, and then looked over to her clock on her bed stand. Another Monday. Another Monday… At 6:49 in the morning. She groaned as she remembered her blouse was ruined at the restaurant opening last night, and that today's a Monday. "Stupid spawn of Andy Bogard…"
Suddenly her digital alarm clock roared to life as music began to play.
Can you teach me how to fly?
You see I'm scared to die
And I've only just begun to learn to crawl
Can you teach me how to fight?
Will you keep me up all night?
Will you be on the ground if I should fall?
Fall for you…
It was cut short as Rina smashed it with her fist. "Stupid machine." She got up and went straight to the bedroom. Her hair was a mess and there was a slight drool stain on her pajama top. "Stupid Monday." Then something didn't seem to click. Monday… 6:49… Monday… 6:50…
"Holy monkey anus! I'm late!" she quickly brushed her teeth while she began to look for her books. "Stupid school."
Iori could hear the ruckus coming from the next room. "Stupid brat." He growled. Reflexively Kasumi snuggled closer to Iori's chest and his grumbling ceased.
Another normal weekday at the Yagami Household…
Rina quickly gather her things and threw whatever books she could find into her bag. She looked over her shoulder. "Kuso! I got 9 minutes!" she quickly dashed out the front door, got down the stairs by leaping most of them and landed right into a pair of shoes placed there before she went to sleep and finally she ran out the door.
When Rina arrived she was semi amazed to see that the front entrance was blocked. However her anger broke through and she began to toss people aside.
Never let it be said she that she discriminates her victims. It's all about equal opportunity with her as she shoved the younger kids, mowed down the older jocks, and smashed her fist into other girls and pushed the elderly aside.
"What the…" Rina gaped as she finally reached the front. Her old school of Takamura High was… different…
Before the weekend, safety wise, it was the worse school in Japan, period. Now, it actually looked respectable! And a bit frightening since there were actually Dobermans near by and the gates looked like it was forged in Hell itself.
Perhaps the most disturbing thing was that instead of the old tattered sign saying Takamura High, it now was replaced with a brand new plate that read "Chizuru's Academy of Higher Learning."
"…Chizuru? Where have I heard that name before…?" Rina thought to herself. Suddenly, a very insane and familiar laugh echoed from above.
"Welcome Students! How do you like the remodeling?!" Rugal Bernstein yelled from above with his arms crossed. The wind blew in his hair, making it float a bit and giving him a pure demonic look.
"Don't scare them like that!" a voice was heard. And then a loud THWAP followed soon after. Behind the wincing Rugal, stood a woman in her late forties. She wore a dark navy blue business suit and her long hair was braided and reached a ponytail at the small of her back. And in her hand she carried a metal fan. Half of the student body gulped at either the fan or the evil yet cold and calculating look behind her glasses.
"Good Morning Students. I'm Chizuru. Your new Headmaster." She quickly jumped off the roof and landed on the roof of a nearby van, and then hopped off so that she can land feet first into the concrete. "Your last principle 'retired' and offered to sell it to me. So here I am, folks. Any questions?"
"Our last principal had a clean bill of health. Why would he retire?" one student asked.
Rugal, that had just landed right after Chizuru, only smirked. "Well, you see, he needed some convincing that school is harmful to him…" he trailed off as he cracked his knuckles.
"He means stress, right Dean Bernstein?" she asked sharply at her colleague as she held her metal fan threateningly.
"DEAN?!" the entire student body echoed. Rugal glared at them all and all was silent. "Yea, stress… whatever. Anyways, it's already 7:02, and you're all late! Detonation, er—I mean, detention for all!" Rugal shouted. Some of the students look at each other in confusion.
"Trust me, detention is A LOT better than the other option." Chizuru said. However some students definitely groaned, and most tried to retaliate.
"They can take away our Takamura High, but they can never take away our freedom!" yelled one 7-foot jock. He sped at Rugal at full speed…
…Until Rugal performed his Gigantic Pressure attack, and rammed the empty headed athlete into oblivion.
"Anyone else wanna be a hero?" Rugal snarled as he looked around the crowd as he stood victoriously and viciously over the fallen student. "Excellent. Now, single file, and no pushing!" Rugal said as he waved them in as well as to the nurses that carried the battered body of the jock into the infirmary.
"This is way weird you guys…" Rock muttered as he looked around the cafeteria. Takashi and Kenji sat next to him and the 2 looked just as wary of their surroundings. Everything was extremely quiet and even the lunch ladies with their brash attitude seem nervous as Hell.
"Great. 1 prison for another." Kenji muttered as he poked at the School's new special, gruel and slop. "I can't take this anymore! I have to bust outta here! I'm going insane I tell yas!" he yelled as he held Rock by the collar. "I can't last any longer in here!"
"Quiet you 2!" a guard dressed in all black warned as he readied his taser rifle.
Kenji relaxed a bit. Rock glared at his friend and creased the wrinkles in his jacket. "You really need to learn how to eat a good breakfast. Those sodas are really getting to you. After all, it's only been a day!"
"Exactly!" Takashi interrupted. "Soon it'll be a week, then a month, then an entire year! When will the madness end?!"
Rock only sighed. "Just my luck I'm stuck with 2 overdramatic idiots." He rested his head as Kenji and Takashi wept over their fates. As his eyes wandered his line of sight just happened upon a girl that seemed out of place. After all, he would know since he knows every single person in this school, personally or no.
She's kinda cute. A transfer student maybe? he thought. He tried to move his entire body and head at an angle to get a better view of the girl, but ended up falling to the floor. This attracted the attention of the girl, who now directly faced Rock.
"Rock? Is that you?" the girl asked. It was none other than Jenny Bogard!
"What the--?! Jenny! Why aren't you in school?!" he yelped. He looked around and was glad no one had heard him.
She only smiled proudly as she grabbed a piece of paper and shoved it into Rock's face.
"WHAT?! You skipped a grade? How? Why did they let you in now? It's almost the end of the year!" Rock stated.
"Well, I proved myself to them, plus I had my mom talk to the principal so now I'm here." she smiled. She quickly plopped herself in between Kenji and Takashi. "Why, fancy meeting you here, Kenji!"
Kenji only rolled his eyes as Takashi snickered. "Nice to see you to Jen. And hey, hands off!" he snapped as he snatched his candy bar away from Jenny's hands. "This is the only thing edible I have on me, it has to last me for the rest of the day!"
Jenny only pouted but resumed her cheerful manner. "So what's the deal with the school? I coulda sworn this was Takamura High."
The trio just shrugged. "We all arrived to find all of it under Rugal's control. The madman rules with an iron fist." Takashi muttered.
"Rugal? But it says---"
"Yea, Chizuru's Academy. Well, Rugal's just a Dean… That's bad enough as it is." Kenji said as he melted a corner of his lunch tray when no one else was looking. "I can't believe it's all been changed in a weekend. I suppose it could be worse anyways… I mean, imagine if one of our parents ended up working here?"
Everyone had a good laugh at that.
"Hah, imagine that!" Rock was wiping a tear from his eye when a familiar figure passed him.
"Hi son. How's your day?"
"Oh, it's goin' fine dad." And then Armani clad figure walked away.
3.25 seconds later…
"…Did anyone else…just see what I just saw?" Rock stuttered. Everyone nodded solemnly.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" Rock ran from his seat and caught up with his father before he went inside the more exclusive and better stocked teachers lounge "Dad?! What the F--- are you doin' here?!" Rock yelled.
Geese just looked at his son disdainfully. "Rock, we have rules here, no cursing! But between you and me, I don't like 'em either, but I do like to enforce the dumb rules."
"…Dad…What are YOU doing HERE?!" Rock said as he shook his father by his shoulders. Geese just broke out of his son's grasp.
"Hmph. Predictable. If me being here is a torture then take it like a Howard! I swear, that Bogard really has made you soft! Anyways, you could say I'm here on a business venture…" he said carefully.
"A business venture?" Rock asked. "Dad, what did I tell you! Don't force my friends into your protection rackets! Remember that time when you had that gambling ring at my birthday party last year?!" he asked sternly.
Geese raised a hand to cover his face. "Don't remind me. That was a disaster. Damn that Mary woman! Her and her stupid raid…" Rock only nodded.
"But really, it's a business venture that involves me doing a favor for an associate of mine. In fact, I'm working here as Vice Principal. Now I must get back to my lunch and then to work. And you better get your homework done before dinner tonight!" And with that Geese quickly entered into the teachers lounge. ::Sounds of locks being bolted and moved::
Rock could only stare at the door for a few seconds.
"He's hiding something. No wait… he's up to something. He wouldn't be my dad if he wasn't…" Rock turned around and headed back to the table. "And what's with him being concerned about homework?!"
"Where's my damn coffee?!" Rugal bellowed as he slammed his fist into the desk. Granted he never drank coffee, but being Dean of a High School, he had to keep up appearances and play the part.
"Right here boss." A silky voice came through the other side of the door. It opened to reveal Vice. She still wore her signature and revealing outfit, but her hair cascaded down her shoulder blades giving her an angelic look. That is, until you get on her bad side and nail bombs you through the floor.
"About time, what took you so long? Your lunch break was 20 minutes ago!" Rugal demanded an explanation.
"Well, you see… uh… it's all simple really…" Vice stammered a bit.
Rugal's eye widened fractionally as he then noticed the hair that was slightly out of place, the clothes a bit ruffled, and she seemed cheery, glowing, a bit nervous of her whereabouts...
"Oh… I see… Well, try not to get caught by Chizuru or any of the students." Vice only smiled weakly.
"Anyways… anything new?" Rugal asked as he drank the coffee. She was interrupted when Rugal spat it out the window. ::Cat yowls in the background::
"YE GODS! It's the most horrid thing I've ever tasted! Get rid of this and get me something from my stash at the hideout!"
"But sir, that's all the way across town!" Vice protested.
"Fine, get me some water then!" Rugal shouted. 5 minutes later, after Rugal washed his mouth out for the 16th time with soap, toothpaste and mouthwash, he sighed with relief. "Much better. Anyways, how are things?"
Vice quickly pulled out a giant folder and let it plop onto Rugal's desk with a loud thud that made the desk creek. "What…is this?" Rugal asked as he pointed at the paperwork. Vice only prodded him to look at it.
"Let's see here… According to this… There have been several riots already… Wow! And it's only a little past noon! These kids have initiative. …Teachers on strike… Eh so what? Let Chizuru handle that... We're out of French fries in the teachers lounge?! By god, Vice! Get someone on it quickly! …What else is there…'Our spies indicate a Doomsday Cult is planning an uprising to overthrow Chizuru and Various others…' Hah! Let's see they stand up to my power." Rugal laughed.
Vice interrupted his laughing by clearing her throat. "That's not our real problem sir. The rest are on Rina Yagami, our specified target! It seems this new change in surroundings has put her into a bad mood… So far, her attacks had put a quarter of the students of the school into the infirmary!"
"The infirmary? When did we get one of those?" Rugal asked.
"A few hours ago after the Nurse's office became overcrowded." Vice said as she shrugged. "Do you want any more updates on the others?" Rugal nodded.
Vice then took out a small remote control and clicked it at the ceiling. A giant television screen lowered. Kenji, Rina, Rock, Jenny, and Takashi in different monitors. All of them have the same look of boredom on their face. "Not only is it in color, it also comes in surround sound, instant replay, infrared sensors, and a recording device as a part of the package."
"Sounds expensive…" Rugal mentioned.
"Compliments of Geese Howard." Vice finished with a smirk as he waved a credit card in the air.
"Really now? So is there anything else we can add to it? Maybe a DVD player? A Playstation 9? Why be stingy?" Rugal asked as he rubbed his hands greedily.
Meanwhile…
Geese suddenly felt something was indeed wrong. His suspicion grew right after Vice had 'accidentally' shoulder charged into him and then threw him against the wall for 5 seconds. Worse yet, no apology!
I sense a disturbance in my bank accounts…
And strangely enough his wallet seemed a bit… lighter… He quickly drew it out and counted his money and credit cards.
"1000 dollars in small bills… Check… Let's see… wait a second! 28, 29, 30…" Geese began to count but then stopped short. "Damn it! Where's 31?! VICE!"
The End of the Day… (FINALLY!)
Kenji, Takashi, Jenny, and Rock all walked home and pondered about the strange turn of events. Rina was already ahead of them but was also wondering what on Kami's green earth is going on.
"Maybe my dad will know what's up." Rock announced. "He knows all, he sees all!" Everyone then looked at him, but he only shrugged. "Well, that's what he always kept telling me when I was little. Maybe he actually does."
Soon enough Takashi and Rock had parted ways, leaving Kenji, Rina and Jenny walking along together. "I'm gonna go pick up Hikari before she gets in trouble again." Kenji sighed. "See you two later." He turned the corner and left the Rina and Jenny alone.
Rina only smiled wickedly. This is my chance… "Say, what's up with you and wonder boy?" she asked seriously.
Jenny could only gulp but she stood her ground. "Nothing! It's nothing! If it were anything less, it'd be non-existent!"
"You like him?!" Rina yelled making sure everyone within a mile radius could hear her.
Half a mile away…
Kenji turned around. That sounded like Rina and Jenny shrieking at each other… "Just walk away Kenji… Just walk away…" he said to himself as he turned around and resumed his journey.
"Give up?" Rina asked.
"I don't like him!" Jenny said through gritted teeth. Rina only grinned, but once again, it was an actual genuine grin.
"DON'T YOU THINK YOU'RE A LITTLE YOUNG TO BE BEARING HIS CHILDREN?!"
3 feet and a half mile away…
"DON'T YOU THINK YOU'RE A LITTLE YOUNG TO BE BEARING HIS CHILDREN?!"
This time, Kenji eyes widened and he didn't bother to turn around. He quickly ran for his life! "Forget walking away, I need my damn bike!"
"OKAY OKAY! I give… I do, so what's it to ya?!" Jenny was now seething. Rina only gave a low chuckle and patted Jenny on the head. She only tried to bite Rina's hand but Rina was too quick.
"You have much potential for violence and mayhem… but there's another time for that. I just wanted to help you out with Kenji." Jenny's anger dissolved as she blinked in confusion.
"Really? How? Why? What's in it for you?" Jenny asked through rapid- fire mode. Rina only slowly walked around the younger girl like a predator assessing her prey.
"Hey, slow down. I just hate," she said as she rolled her eyes when Jenny didn't notice, "…To see such a vibrant young girl be enamored with the idiot—er, young man, and have her feelings shunned."
"So…"
"I'm basically doing this out of the goodness from my heart, you idiot!" she growled. She almost lunged for her throat until she remembered her mission. I need her alive! I can kick her rear from here to Cuernavaca later.
"Really now… I'm listening!" Jenny smirked.
Kenji chewed on his gum thoughtfully. Hikari should be out any moment, and usually things would be okay. She would come out, all smiles and hugs, they would go get something to eat, and talk about each other's day…
But ever since Hikari's been… having that monthly…thing… and the whole Yusuke development, she's been the total opposite.
If she had purple flames and blood red hair, some would say she was related to Rina. Speaking of which… Rina finally caught up with Jenny skipping happily right behind her.
"What are you two doing here?" he asked. His guard was up and his instincts told him something was way off.
"I'm here to 'talk' to Yusuke. See ya!" Rina said as she walked away quickly.
"Oooookay…" Kenji realized that Jenny was still there. "Um… also waiting for Yusuke?" he asked. Jenny shook her head.
"Actually, just thought we spend some quality time together! Just you and me!" she said merrily as she stood right next to Kenji. Feeling uncomfortable with the close contact, he moved a few inches to his left. She also moved a few inches to her left. This continued on for the next 6 minutes until Kenji finally fell sideways onto the sidewalk after running out wall to lean on.
"Kenji! Are you okay?" Jenny bent down to check on him but he waved her away.
"Yea, I'm fine. Don't worry about it."
"Sugoi! I knew you wouldn't so easily be hurt!" she cheered. ::Kenji sweatdrops::
"Listen, Jen… Ya gotta believe me when I say this…" Kenji held his breath. What would he say? Since day one, girls are always somehow touchy when he says he doesn't feel the same for them. Sure, they're cute and all, but just not THE ONE!
"Uh huh?" Jenny looked up at Kenji with wide eyes. He might say what she always wanted… or he might say he wants her to leave him alone. She's prepared to face the last part, but that doesn't mean it won't hurt.
"Believe me when I say… you're cute and all…"
"…Yea?"
Suddenly a gigantic explosion was heard and debris flew everywhere. Kenji leapt at Jenny and covered her as the smoking embers and heavier debris scorched him, but not enough to do serious damage. His clothes were fireproof after all.
"Bogard! Prepare to die!"
"Shi-ne!"
"Hey! This isn't fair!"
"Of course…" Kenji mumbled from his position. "Jenny, you okay?" he asked at the girl who was now underneath him, with her eyes shut tightly. She slowly opened them and blushed at her position.
Kenji only rolled his eyes. "Stay here, I'm gonna try and delay your cousin's untimely death for a few more hours." With that he quickly dashed off as Jenny lay on the ground. She blinked a couple of times. Jenny realized that he was about say something life altering and that explosion had to ruin it!
She also realized that he said she was cute! It's not much but it's a start, but she has her foot in the door, and she might just make it! Jenny stood up and dusted herself off and shouted triumphantly. She pumped her fist into the air as she threw her cap into the air...
"OKAY! Just you wait Kenji! I'll have you yet!"
"Stand still, ya mama's boy!" Rina shouted as she did two dark thrusts at once from both of her palms.
"Not my fault you're so slow, you old hag!" Yusuke yelled back as he dodged them all with the agility some martial artists can only dream of.
He jumped back right before Rina was about to do her Demon Scorcher, only to be mowed down by renegade flames from Hikari's Neo Serpent Wave.
It was basically the same as the original, but just like most of her moves, they are laced with psycho powers.
"Gotcha! Now let's finish this Bogard!" Hikari begun to charge up a pure Psycho Ball attack until Rina stepped in.
"Hey! Hands off my kill!" Rina shouted angrily.
"What?! He's mine! I got him fair and square!"
"HAH! A fluke, I assure you. Whaddya' say Yusuke? I can offer a quick death! After some torture of course but you get the idea!"
"Hey, leave him out of this already! I said he's mine!" Hikari yelled. "Yusuke, get outta here! You're hide is mine to do with as I please!"
Rina only scoffed. "Wow, nice vocabulary. Been watching Sesame Street long?"
"RRRAAAAAGGHHH!" Hikari leapt at Rina and they began to roll around on the ground. All their techniques, special attacks, and even ultimate attacks went straight out the window. It's all down to nitty gritty, hair pulling, scratch and bite, catfight.
Yusuke only watched on, confused. "If my life weren't in peril I would actually sit back and enjoy this…" Suddenly he saw a figure moving from the corner and it was Hikari's brother, Kenji!
"Oh thank you! I—"
"Save it! What in the name of Kusanagi did you do?!" Kenji whispered hoarsely as he burned against the fence so that he can pull Yusuke through the hole.
"I just accidentally bumped into her during the party so Rina's mad I messed up her blouse. Funny… happened again today with Hikari during lunch…" Yusuke muttered. Kenji finally grabbed Yusuke and begun to run away, FAR away.
"Won't they be following us?" Yusuke asked worriedly. Kenji only shook his head. "They'll be fighting until someone wins or some poor fool decides to step in to end it. I'll get you back to your cousin and I'll go back and deal with the two."
"You're good Yagami! But not good enough!" Hikari yelled from across the schoolyard. She began to gather more power so that she can unleash her ultimate attack. Well, a variation of it.
She had tried to do the Raging Storm but it was impossible. The Neo Deadly Rave was much easier once she adapted to it. But the Raging Storm was the hardest to accomplish until she decided to use her own magatama abilities and turn it into the Phoenix Storm, which has a certain range.
"PHOENIX STORM!" The raging inferno grew to several stories and spread out as fast as any forest fire. Rina just barely blocked it off in time. When it ended, her clothing was singed but she was only smirking.
"Hmph. You aren't so bad yourself brat. But you lack the endurance. I can still go on for hours while you're barely standing upright!" Rina rushed towards her with her Crescent Burst.
She sliced downwards at Hikari with her right hand and then her left. Then she would bring her hands together to bring the talons together upwards, then downwards and finally finished with an explosion of purple flames that erupted from Rina's hands. All 4 times, she connected, and she had sent Hikari flying into the pavement. She rolled along the ground for a few times before skidding to a stop, several feet away.
Rina only smirked. "You've lost. I'll spare you before I actually stain the ground with your entrails." She walked away until she heard something.
"Stop!" Hikari wheezed out. "Come…back here!"
Rina fully turned around. "Nasakenai. You can't touch me in your condition. Give it up princess!"
"IIE!" Hikari leapt at Rina with all her might and slammed her shoulder into Rina's gut. She was stunned for a moment, which allowed to Hikari complete a wicked chew, knocking Rina into a fence.
Before she can even recover, Hikari quickly let loose a 182 slasher, sending Rina straight through the fence. She sighed when Rina landed against the side of the car and slumped to the floor.
Hikari almost grinned until Rina stood up again as if she wasn't hurt at all. "Oooh… now you're gonna get it! You messed up my hair!" Rina ran forward to finish off Hikari. Both knew she wouldn't be able to defend against it and this might just be the end…
That is, if Kenji had anything to say about it. He grabbed Rina's hand right before it came near Hikari. Using Rina's momentum, she flipped Rina onto her back while still holding her fist in his hand. He looked at the shocked Rina with a smile.
"Not nice picking on little kiddies. If you want a challenge, try me on for size!" Kenji gave his best 'happy' grin. He knew what it would do, and that's to drive Rina up the wall.
"Grrr… GLADLY!" Before she could get up, Kenji grabbed her and held her up to the fence by her neck but only enough to keep her still.
"Hikari, you okay? Can you walk?" She only grunted since she can barely move let alone nod her head. "Get outta here. Jenny's nearby so she can get you back safely." Hikari walked away but at a pretty good pace. Soon she was out of sight.
Rina in the meantime was struggling against Kenji. Mom was right when she said he has gotten stronger! "So, been eating your vegetables I see…" Rina bit out.
"Actually that, and mostly junk food. Fast metabolism and all that, you can thank my dad for that!" Kenji said with a grin. After he was sure Hikari was gone, he dropped Rina to the ground. "Don't make me have to restrain you again. I don't have anything against you, but no one touches my family, and I won't be so merciful next time."
Rina looked up at Kenji, who for once, actually looked deadly serious. "Heh. Look at the little boy, thinkin' he's a big tough man…"
With speed even Kenji has trouble matching up to, she struck him right in the groin. Kenji grimaced but remained steady although he looked slightly pale. Rina gritted her teeth in response.
"Chikuso! I won't underestimate you next time!" Rina shouted as she quickly ran the opposite way. When she was gone from sight, Kenji let out the breath he was holding and leaned against the fence.
"Gah, that really hurts! I'm lucky she doesn't wear heels…" Kenji breathed out.
Rina was now in a foul mood. No matter how many times she went over it in her head, it just didn't make any sense! How the hell did he get so strong? It's not like she has been slacking off in her own training…
"Maybe he's taking industrial strength steroids?" She mentally crossed that out. Kenji had too much honor to cheat. So it all comes down to one thing, he's just that strong…
"If I don't do something soon, I'll be trapped by my own promise…"
When her mother demanded to know when grandchildren will be on Rina's to do list, Rina replied simply:
"When I actually get beaten by someone stronger than me. Since more than enough of them are weaklings and fools, I guess grandchildren will have to wait!"
She sighed and started walking. "Well, if I can't get him a girlfriend, I can always kill him!" Rina said to herself brightly. Her mood lightened as she walked home, thinking about the wondrous ways of killing Kenji.
"But that's only if plan A goes down the drain…" she said quietly to herself.
TBC
Athena and Kasumi's plan is going at full speed (after all, Chizuru and Rugal are working together in a High School) and it looks like nothing's gonna stop them! Except if maybe Rina arranges an 'accident' for Kenji… Hikari's still out for Yusuke as well as Rina and Jenny's even more determined to get Kenji to notice her! Will the madness end?! Hopefully not. Will Geese reclaim his credit card? ( number alpha-241541-2351-*31 ) Maybe… Stay tuned!
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