Chapter. 4: A day of tension and relaxation
~*~Juuban, Hino Shrine~*~
The Sailor Senshi are having a meeting. Usagi is stealing manga from Rei, Ami is doing homework, Makoto and Minako are talking about the hot guys from Furinkan, Hotaru is taking a nap, and Haruka and Michiru are grumbling because of their injuries. "Give me back my manga, meatball head!" yells Rei.
"Wahhhh! Rei is being mean!" whines Usagi. Yep, this is a typical meeting.
"Ahem," says a voice behind them. Usagi jumps up.
"Wahhh! Setsuna! Don't do that!"
Setsuna's poker face betrays nothing. "Shall we begin?" The senshi quiet down and listen. "Ami, please show us the data you scanned from the people involved in yesterday's incident." Ami pulls out the mercury computer. They crowd around her. Setsuna sighs. "Can you project it onto a screen so we call see?"
Ami checks. "Does anyone have an a/c adapter?" The senshi (minus Setsuna) all facefault. Five minutes later, Makoto is acting as a power conductor, while holding some wire.
"Alright, show us the monsters." The valkyrie sisters appear on the screen.
"This is fairly odd, these monsters are stronger than they should be. They also seem to be copies of the ones used by Beryl." says Ami.
"Next" Zu appears, human form next to golem form.
"Despite his appearance, he is actually human. He has usual energy, but it is not demonic or negaverse in origin. He seems to be able to use earth as a weapon, in addition to wards."
Rei snorts. "Big deal, I can use wards. It just proves he's no demon."
Ami raises an eyebrow. "His wards are at least six times stronger than yours."
"Get on with it, Ami" grumbles Makoto. Ryouga appears.
"I couldn't get a good scan, due to the interference from Rei and Minako's attacks." The two senshi look downcast. Ranma is next up on the projection. "This one was odd. I couldn't lock onto him at all. Setsuna?"
"I tried using the Ginzuisou (Silver millenium crystal) on him. I have the feeling I know him. Artemis, Luna, is he a member of the imperial court?"
The cats shake their heads. "I know he was not a member of the court, but I get the feeling he was important." says Artemis.
Luna nods. "I do not trust him, but I do not believe that he is evil. I sense power within him."
"Of course he's not evil and neither is the bandanna boy!" yells Minako. They all look at her. "Anyone that gorgeous can't be evil!" Another facefault occurs.
The screen shifts to Malachite. "This didn't make any sense. It looks and probably acted like Malachite, but he seemed to be off. His power also was much higher than Malachite's last levels."
"Show them the last picture." Kayin appears, his face covered by his hat and mask.
"He seemed to know I was scanning him. I got readings indicating that my scan was being bounced off him. Setsuna, do you know him?"
Setsuna sighs. "I think I did know him, but one thing is for sure. He is far too powerful for us to defeat one on one."
"Bullshit!" yells Haruka, "I could knock him down easy!"
"Ami, play the recording of the fight that my garnet orb recorded from the time gates" The fight is shown on the screen, from the point of Kayin's arrival. Haruka winces as the footage shows her and Michiru getting tossed aside. Finally the footage ends after Malachite's head falls off. The senshi are eerily silent.
"Setsuna mama?" asks Hotaru.
"Yes, Hotaru?"
"What is Selene?"
"It was the name of the capitol city of the moon kingdom, the palace of selene was at the center of the city."
Minako blinks. "Wasn't that the place that Beryl and Metallia sacked?"
Setsuna's eyes widen. "My god, I was the only one to survive that battle. If he knows about that, he must be an agent of Beryl or someone from the moon kingdom who was revived. Also, how did he know that Usagi was the Princess?"
Minako blinks, then looks at Setsuna. "Oh yeah, he said for you to call him if you wanted answers. He seemed to know your name too."
Rei looks at the blond. "You mean he said that yesterday and you just told us today?" Minako nods, in the ignorant way that only blonds can do.
Just before Rei can put the smackdown on Minako, a midi version of Real Emotion by Kumi Koda is heard. Setsuna answers her cell. "Hello. Meioh Setsuna speaking." "Ahh, miss Meiou, or do you prefer Sailor Pluto?" Setsuna tenses up. "I would have guessed that you were going to call me, until I realized that I forgot to give my number. My apologies."
Setsuna's look turns cold. "What do you want?"
"The very thing that I said I wanted to begin with." Setsuna hooks up her phone to the speaker on the mercury computer. "To get you in bed." Setsuna pulls out her time staff and starts preparing an attack. "Just kidding. Seriously, I want to talk to you. I merely offer to buy you lunch and talk. No weapons, no monsters, just you and me, Ok?"
Setsuna creases her brow for a moment. "Agreed. Where and when shall we meet?"
"Hmm, it's about 10:30am, shall we say, 3:00?"
"Agreed."
"I just called the club Sesshouku in Shibuya. A table was reserved for us. I will be there as promised." The other line hangs up.
Haruka snickers. "I never thought I'd see the day when someone would get under your skin, Setsuna."
~*~A random rooftop in Nerima~*~
Kayin hangs up his cell phone and puts it away in a sleeve of his hakama. "Still don't have a sense of humor? For an old lady, you should lighten up." He jumps off the side of the building, only to float down slowly the last few feet. He starts whistling the theme to Yojimbo. He walks through a marketplace. After spotting a outdoor grill, he buys some yakitori. *Sniff* "Hmmm?" He hastily finishes his lunch, walks to a nearby park, and disappears from view. "Alright, if you have a death wish, then I'll be glad to oblige you." Ketsurui walks out by the side of the lake. "You. Why are you following me?" says Kayin, after exiting the tree he was hiding in.
"I need to see something for myself. Please take off your hat." Kayin shrugs and undoes cord on his chin. The straw hat falls to the ground. His face is completely covered on the left side by his fox mask. The uncovered side reveals a pale, thin face, with silver hair. She looks at him with shock written on her face. Kayin's eye goes wide as she run up to him and grips him in a tight hug. He shrugs and hugs her back. "I never believed I'd actually find you."
Kayin blinks. "Wait a moment, you remember me? And why are you crying?" She nods with tears in her eyes. "I'm so glad to have found you. You saved my life several times." Kayin closes his eye.
(Flashback, San Francisco, 10 years ago)
A lime-haired girl, about 9 years old, is skipping along in Golden Gate park. Two men are watching her with smiles on their faces. "Yuki," says a tall black haired man to his platinum blonde companion.
"Yes, Genko?"
"I'm glad our daughter is having fun now. It's good for a child to get time to be themselves." Yuki smiles and leans into Genko. "Anything you say, anata."
"By the way, isn't this Lord Kayin supposed to arrive today?"
Genko nods, while stroking his companion's hair. "Yes, he's an old friend of our Ichigami clan. I don't know much about him. He's supposed to recoqnizable by a fox mask." Suddenly a group of thugs with masks on run out and snatch the girl up.
"Daddy!" she screams.
"Ketsurui!!" yells Genko rushing at her. One of the thug notices him and does a roundhouse kick taking him down. Yuki draws a knife and nails one of the thugs in the arm. "You base thugs! How dare you steal our daughter!"
"A present from Mr. Takamiya for interfering with our business." A gun shot rings out and nails Yuki in the knee. One of the thugs blackjacks him from behind.
~*~An abandoned warehouse in a seedy part of town~*~
Ketsurui blinks as she regains consciousness. An old man with a fading hairline and a lecherous grin is looking at her in a strange way. "Where are my daddys?" she asks.
The old man grins in a sadistic way. "They left you all alone with me. They didn't want to help me do my business, so I decided to have you suffer for their bad judgement." The rest of the guys in business suits and various thug outfits are crowded around her.
"You're that bad man Mr. Takamiya!" The old man grins again and the crowd chuckles a bit.
"Correct, little girl. What did your parents tell you about the big bad Mr. Takamiya?"
"They said you were a bad man, and that you hurt little kids! Daddy Genko and daddy Yuki will come save me and you'll be sorry!" The old man motions to the men beside her. They hold her arms and legs down.
"Now then, my pretty little thing, I'm going to show you a new game for grownups, and show you how much fun it can be." He starts tearing her sundress apart.
"No! Leave me alone! Daddy! Help me!" He hit her on the side of the head and she starts to go unconscious. A enraged howl is heard. A whirlwind bursts the door apart and snatches up the girl. Ketsurui blinks a bit and barely manages to see a hakama and haori clad silver haired figure putting her down.
"Rest here, little one. This is not for your eyes." The figure walks to the room. "You are a disgusting and sick creature with no right to exist. I sentence to death in the name of the shadow, the chaos, and the infinite." He draws his blade. The others draw their guns. The samurai smirks. He slashes 3 times and each time, strange kanji appear. He picks up his scabbard. He puts the sword in slowly. Just before he puts the last bit in, he looks up. "Zantetsuken." He clicks the blade in. At that instant the eyes of the boss go wide as a horizontal cut appears under his nose. It lenghtens until the top half of his head falls down. The rest of his men start seeing cuts appear on them. 1 minute later, all of them are lying in pieces on the floor, their collective blood forming a large pool. "May you die as many deaths as the lives you ruined." He walks over to the girl. "Wait a moment...." He pulls out a letter, and scans it rapidly. He then looks at her and compares her to a picture of Genko, Yuki and her. "Megami...., It can't be." He grabs a large trench coat from a closet and wraps her in it. "Thank god I got here in time. Well, little Ketsu-chan, this is a most unusual way to meet. Hopefully, your parents can explain it."
~*~Ichigami estate~*~
Genko is pacing frantically. "What are our men doing?! Our daughter is god knows where, and worse in the hands of the most notorious pedophiliac in San Francisco!!"
Yuki walks up and slaps him. "Genko! I'm just as upset! She's my daughter too! I want to go out and start scouring the streets myself, and I have to sit here!" He starts crying and Genko holds him. "I'll never forgive myself if he hurts her."
Genko nods grimly. "I know, anata, I know." The doorbell sounds. Genko walks to it. A silver haired samurai with a fox mask is standing with a large bundle cradled in his arms. He lifts a part of the coat, and reveals a sleeping Ketsurui. Genko runs and pulls Yuki to the door. "My baby!" crys out Yuki who takes the offered girl and carries her upstairs.
"Genko Ichigami?" says the samurai.
"Yes? How can I repay you for saving my daughter? Did anyone touch her?!"
The samurai puts a hand up. "Rest assured, I arrived before anyone did anything more than rip her dress. As to why, part of my promise. I am Lord Kayin."
Genko bows deeply. "My family once more owes you a great debt."
Kayin removes his hat. "Let's talk more over some tea. I ran most of the way here." Genko nods and ushers him in.
Yuki comes down. "So, who is our mystery savior?"
Genko pours 3 cups of tea. "The old friend of the family I mentioned. It seems that he saved her and found out her identity afterwards."
Yuki sighs. "I cannot begin to tell you how worried we were about her."
"The pig got what he deserved. I received your letter and made my way here. When I arrived, I got a message from my subordinates. They informed me about Mr. Takamiya and his operations."
Genko gives him a cold look. "How do you know about Mr. Takamiya?"
Kayin takes a sip before answering. "I have numeous underworld connections. Through them, I seek to keep certain aspects of their business under control. I may not touch firearms and most contraband, but I do not tolerate prostitution and drugs." He sets the cup down. "Takamiya was a rogue. He was due to be eliminated soon. The oyabuns, with my nudging, decided that a sick pedophile like him, should be destroyed. I rescued your daughter, because I heard someone in danger. Afterwards, I figured out her identity and that of her attackers. They will never harm you again. My associates will see to it."
Yuki leans into Genko's shoulder. "How can we ever repay you?"
Kayin looks up. "Just answer a few questions, and listen to one favor. First, who is or perhaps was her mother?"
Yuki looks at Genko with a sad look. "Do you want to tell him, or should I?" The black haired man nods.
"I'll let you tell it."
"Ketsurui's mother was my sister Dina. She was married to Genko for 5 years."
"I'm actually bi, as is Yuki." says Genko.
"Anyway" continues Yuki. "She was never in great health. She had complications during the delivery and died. Genko was heart broken." Genko looks at Yuki with affection.
"A few days later, Yuki came in and said that in honor of his sister, he would try and help raise her. I told him that I was grateful." Yuki blushes a bit. "Well things got interesting, and shortly after that, we set up a domestic partnership. Ketsurui's life was great, until today." They both look down.
"Second question. How did you two get involved with Takamiya?"
Genko looks up with a hard look in his eyes. "We found out just what kind of business he was doing here. He was using his company buildings for smuggling child prostitutes and shipping other children to Asia." Kayin grips the hilt of his blade very hard. "We busted most of his operations, but he went underground and escaped Interpol. He decided to take revenge by trying to...., to...., oh god I can't even think of it." Yuki collapses into Genko's shoulder, crying.
Kayin sighs. "I'm sorry that we must meet under such trying circumstances. And now for my favor. I wish to request the services of your group and enlist a certain person later on." They both nod. "I want Ketsurui to help me with something when she is older."
Genko does a double take. "What the hell?"
"I saw something in her, that most people would do great evil to attain or control. Tell me, does she seem to be able to do things with water and have an affinity for it?"
Yuki looks at him in shock. "How did you know about that?"
Kayin smirks. "I can see things that most other people are blind to."
Genko stands up. "You look only about 30ish, but you have an aura about you that speaks of someone far older. You also have a voice of considerable experience with the darker side of people. How old are you?"
Kayin's eye glows. "I am many times your senior, that is all I will say. Believe me, you do not want to know the truth about me. As for Ketsurui, when she arrives in Japan, if I do not believe that she is ready, I will send her back to San Francisco."
Genko and Yuki look at each other. "Do we have your word on that?"
Kayin draws his blade and holds it up. "I swear in the name of my master who has since passed on, that I will send her back if I deem that she cannot help me or that she is unable to protect herself adequately." He sheathes the blade. "I thank you for this." He picks up his hat and goes to the door. "I have some business to deal with, so I may not see you again for a while. Don't let Ketsurui look for me. I fear that she would put herself in danger."
Yuki nods. "Can I at least tell her who saved her?"
"Tell her, that a guardian angel saved her, and that she will meet him one day, if she is strong enough. Goodbye for now." Kayin opens the door and starts walking.
Ketsurui walks out to the stairs, wrapped in pajamas and a blanket. "No, please wait!" She runs out to try and catch him. He turns around she catches a glimpse of his face. She runs after him, but when she turns the corner to catch him, he is nowhere to be seen. She starts crying.
Yuki picks her up and cradles her. "There there, He'll be back one day."
"Really, daddy?"
Genko walks out and smiles. "He's your guardian angel. He said that you have to be strong, and that if you are strong enough, you will meet him soon."
(End flashback, Back at the park)
Kayin opens his eye and smiles. "I see that you have grown up into a wonderful young woman. I told you I would keep my promise." She grips him tightly. "However, your fathers may not have told you something else." He puts his hands on her shoulders. "I'm going to test your skills. If you aren't strong enough, then I must send you away, to protect you."
She looks at him with sadness in her eyes. "How can you be so cruel?!"
Kayin lowers his head. "Your fathers made me promise it, and I did so gladly. I will not lose another friend or family." He jumps back and draws his blade assuming a jodan stance (A/n: overhead strike).
She pulls out her scythe. "One moment. Adjust your blade. Make it so the cutting edge is blunted, you should be able to do that." His blade shines and changes. "I have no desire to hurt you, and this will make it easier on you." Her scythe glows and she walks to her boombox and hooks up an ipod. She takes up a stance. Cosmic Dare (Pretty with a Pistol) starts playing. Ketsurui rushes him. Kayin seems to fade from sight. Several afterimages seem to move in a circle around her. On a hidden signal, they all rush her. She takes a guard stance and an aura surrounds her. They strike to within an inch, then suddenly are repeled. The afterimages fade, showing Kayin with a grin on his face. "Impressive. You reflected my ghost wind strike. What is that move?"
She smiles. "Mirror stance." She jumps up and spins her scythe. Kayin looks quizzically at it. A water scythe moves at him. He sidesteps.
"Ugh, what the hell?" The scythe had bashed hard into his side, turning to nail him. She slashes the scythe into the ground. A low rumble is heard.
"Geyser Strike!" He blinks. A geyser erupts underneath him. Kayin starts dodging aqua scythes like crazy. He quickly puts his blade up in a cross guard and holds off the real scythe. Ketsurui seizes the opportunity and kicks him in the arm. He loses the guard, and gets nailed in the collar bone. He falls into the pond. She jumps back, her scythe reattaching to the hilt.
"Heh heh heh. Impressive. I underestimated you. You passed the test. I will permit you to remain. Now, let us test your limits, so we can see how far you have to go." She advances to the water. Kayin puts his blade underwater.
"Geyser..Ahhh!" *slash!* A lightning quick strike hits her in the stomach. She tries to recover.
"10,000 lightning blades!" He starts striking at impossible speeds, sending vacuum blades and aqua blades at her.
She falls back. "Uhhh, what was that?"
"The first move was the Suo wave slicing stroke. The 2nd was the 10,000 lightning blades. Here is a spare kimono. Please put it on." She looks up and he is turned away. She then feels a draft, and notices that only her chest bindings and panties survived the attack.
She smiles. "You know you want to look, even if it's just a peek." She gets dressed.
"In answer to your suggestion, I do not have to open my eyes to see. However, I did not look in any way."
They walk along the street. "Ahhhh! Leave me alone!"
"Haha, look at the freak!" Kayin's face takes on a feral look.
"You can have a few of them, their leader is mine." He runs to the source of the screams. A purple haired girl is being shoved and pushed around by a couple of gang members. "What ya gonna do freak? Call your dike mommy and daddy?" Kayin's face takes on a maniacal grin.
"Nope. She's not going to do anything. But I believe I will."
"Who the fuck said that?!" Kayin steps out.
"You know, I'm feeling lucky. How about you punks? Do you feel lucky?" Ketsurui sashays up with her scythe draped on her shoulder.
"I don't know, Kayin. I'm feeling lucky myself." The gang draws knives.
"Knock out the samurai wanna be, and grab the girl, maybe we can have some fun later."
Ketsuri's expression turns cold. "Kayin?"
"Yes?"
"Save me some." Kayin sends a shockwave at the nearest thug. Ketsurui throws her scythe at another one. She jumps up and kicks at the head of the frightened thug, exposing her panties. Hotaru blushes at the brazenness of the attack. Kayin breaks the arm of the thug nearest Hotaru.
"Get back, and wait till we're done." Hotaru runs off behind a nearby dumpster. The thugs groan in pain. "I'm going to let you off easy this time. However, if you bother this girl again, then I'll glad remove whatever part of your body bothered her. If you insult her, I'll remove your tongue, if you hit her, your hand. Get the point?" They nod dumbly. "Trust me, my companion here," He gestures at Ketsurui. "Would be more than willing to castrate you, especially for your earlier comments. In fact, start running." They scramble to their feet and run in terror. "You can come out now." Hotaru walks out. "Are you ok, little girl?" She nods. "What is your name?"
"Hotaru Tomoe, Did you hurt them badly?" Kayin sheaths his blade.
"Not really, mostly scared them."
"You should have waited, I could have healed their injuries."
Kayin raises an eyebrow. (Where have I seen her before?) "You can heal people?"
She ducks her head down. "Yes...., that's why they call me freak. I'm not very strong, I get tired easily."
Ketsurui kneels down. "Don't ever believe them. You're a very nice girl, they're just morons. Besides, I have powers too." Hotaru looks a bit skeptically at her. Ketsurui gestures at a nearby pool. A bubble of water raises up and forms a square. It changes to a triangle, then a rectangle. "Wow." Ketsurui gestures again and the bubble pops.
"Come on, we're going to the club Sesshouku. You can rest there, and then I'll take you home. Hotaru nods and starts walking only to stumble and fall. Kayin drapes an arm over his shoulder. Ketsurui takes the other. They support her and walk down the street.
(Club Sesshouku, 15 minutes later)
Kayin and company walk in the front door. "Call Taishin for me." The waiter nods and walks off. Kazuro walks back in, this time in a blue suit.
"Yes, Sir Kayin?"
"Ahh, Taishin. I'm going to clean up a bit before my meeting with Meiou Setsuna. See that I'm not disturbed." He nods and walks off.
Hotaru blinks. "You're a friend of Setsuna mama's?"
Kayin looks quizzically at her. (Setsuna mama? Why would she say that.... wait a minute!) His eye closes for a second and he looks at her energy. (Damn it all! This kid is Saturn?! I was not expecting to deal with her.) "Hotaru, I have a shower and a bath upstairs, do you want to use them?" She shakes her head. "I'm going upstairs. If Setsuna comes in, tell her what happened and that I'll be down in a minute."
*splash* Kayin rinses off the soap and steps into the tub. There is a metallic click as he removes something from his face. (It's coming together. Once this stupid tournament is over, I can finally take a vacation.)
"Oh Kayin....." Kayin puts his mask back on as he turns around.
"Ummm, what are you doing?"
Ketsurui is standing at the edge of the tub, wearing nothing but a towel that barely seems to cover her body. "I just thought I'd give you a little show, since you didn't want to look earlier."
Kayin turns away. "I'm not going look, so you might as well just wash up and sit down." She shrugs and discards the towel. The sounds of splashing and scrubbing are heard. Kayin flexes his ears. "I'll ask you to wait a moment." he says. A loud splash sounds near him. Ketsurui looks at him through the steam. His hair is hanging limply over part of his mask. His body appears to be lithe, but flexible and strong.
Her eyes widen as she sees some scars on his torso. "How old are those?" Kayin looks up. For the first time, she sees his eye. It's a deep crimson color.
"Scars of time should not be questioned, merely granted respect. However, your question is alright. I will give you an answer later." Ketsurui moves toward him, sashaying all the way, which does wonders for her hips and chest.
She rubs his leg sensually. "Does this do anything for you?" she says while smiling. He glows for a moment. "Ouu, that tingled. What did you do?"
Kayin smirks. "You've been teasing me quite a bit. Here is my payback. I electrified the water abit. As the water knight, you seem to be immune to the charge. However, you'll begin experiencing an interesting sensation in a moment. Have fun. I'll be outside. When you are finished meet me at the table Kazuro points out." He climbs out of the tub, and start walking to the changing area.
"Woah, what a view." sighs Ketsurui. She sits back and relaxes. She opens her eyes. "Bastard. Oh well, he said have fun."
~*~5 minutes later~*~
Ketsurui comes out in a metallic black kimono with lime green dragon outlines. She looks around. She sees Kazuro and taps him on the shoulder. He nods and points to a table in the middle. She takes a seat next to Hotaru. "Setsuna mama!" Hotaru cries out.
"Hotaru?" Setsuna is there in a business woman's suit. "What are you doing here?"
"I helped her out of a situation. Some student gang members were bullying her." says Kayin.
Setsua nods. "I thank you for this. Hotaru, can you wait till I'm done? I'll take you home afterwards."
Kayin holds up a hand. "I was hoping we could eat lunch first. I assure you, this is on the house." They order lunch. After a few minutes, Kayin puts his fork down. "Now, Setsuna, or should I say Sailor Pluto, shall we get down to business?" Setsuna blanches. She motions to draw her henshin stick. "I know who you are, and this is under a flag of truce. I'm not going to break it. If you fight, I'll see that you pay for damages. I'll fight after if you want." She relaxes. "I'm also aware of Sailor Saturn here. You should not have mentioned Setsuna, I would not have guessed otherwise." Hotaru's eyes go wide, then she too sits back. "Setsuna, you still don't recoqnize me?" Kayin reaches behind his ear. A metallic click is heard. "Ketsurui, you and Hotaru might want to look away." He removes his mask. A face with a large scar and a closed eye is beheld. He leans down and puts something on his face. "Now do you recoqnize me? I've been told I bear a striking resemblanse to another member of my family. His left eye is covered by an eyepatch.
Setsuna gasps. "It can't be! You were exiled for treason! You should not be alive!"
Kayin smirks. "Now, seeing as how we are both older than most of the cities here, how about you tell me what the senshi are doing?"
Setsuna's expression hardens. "We beat Beryl and we can beat you."
Kayin raises an eyebrow. "Beryl is dead? I thought so. Your subordinate said Malachite was killed once. I presumed that Metallia has also met her end?" Setsuna nods. "One less problem. So, what is the goal of the senshi, seeing as how the moon kingdom no longer reigns?"
Setsuna smirks. "We plan to create a crystal tokyo and cleanse the evil from the world."
Ketsurui raises an eyebrow. "How can you cleanse the evil from the world?" Kayin sips his tea.
"By removing all the evil from people using the ginzuisou."
Kayin spits out his tea. "Sorry about that. Did she just say ginzuisou?" Ketsurui nods. Kayin slams the cup down. "Damn you to hell Setsuna! You would create a future of mindless automatons!"
Setsuna stands up and glares. "It is for the good of the people!"
Kayin stares her down. "My brother would never have let you go through with this."
She slaps him across the face. "It's your fault he died, traitor! I'm doing this to protect the people." Kayin's aura flares. "I am one who protects people. I hereby swear to break my oath to Queen Serenity and fight against you. As long as the senshi are dedicated to Crystal Tokyo, I will seek your defeat." He snaps his fingers. Taishin enters with a blonde woman in a maroon suit and vest. "Who is she?"
"King, new head bouncer. She's a muay thai kickboxer, quite skilled too." The blonde takes a stance. "I suggest you leave now. I'd rather not mess the suit up."
Setsuna takes Hotaru's hand. "Come Hotaru, this man is an enemy of the moon kingdom. We should leave." Hotaru nods glumly and follows Setsuna out. After they leave, Kayin hits his fist into his palm. "Ketsurui, I know the timing is bad, but will you?"
She nods. "Kayin, even you had't saved me, you know I'd help you in a heartbeat."
~*~A hastily constructed stadium in the Nerima ward~*~
"Boy! I refuse to allow you to disgrace the Saotome name so!" says Genma in panda form with one of his signs.
"Then fight me. If you or Akane beat me, I'll give up and marry which ever daughter says ok. If I win, I get the right to desolve the engagement, including your engagement to Ucchan."
Genma snorts and turns the sign. "Deal, boy. If Soun beats you, then you also agree to the engagement."
Ranma turns to Soun. "Mr. Tendo, are you going to fight? I know you're getting back to your old levels."
Soun looks at Ranma. "No, Ranma, I'm not going to fight. I know I can't win. Why are you breaking the engagement? I thought you were going to teach Akane the Saotome branch?"
Ranma hits his palm with his fist. "Because, your lack of training has made that impossible. She won't listen to me. She gets too angry, she wastes energy, and she thinks that she is better than me."
Soun hangs his head. "I'm sorry Ranma. I wish I had trained her better. Why not teach her those moves that I saw you use?"
Ranma gets a cold look on his face. "I don't know that style well enough to teach it. And she is 1: too unskilled, and 2: has no control. She can't learn it, and even if I was able to teach it, she might seriously hurt someone or even kill them inadvertently."
Happosai walks up. "So, my boy, you think she is unworthy of the art?"
Ranma points at Soun. "Ask him, he's her dad. I'm going to sign up."
Soun and Happosai walk away from the angry Genma. "Master, I don't know what to do. I can't fight her, she's my daughter. But if she can't hold her temper..."
Happosai nods. "I can tell that she is not in a proper state of mind to be practicing the art. Perhaps she will recoqnize that she is not the best if she is humiliated publicly."
Soun gasps. "Master, no. She could not bear it."
Happosai blows a smoke ring. "Soun, before your wife died, you were the smarter of my two pupils. Afterwards, you just went along with Genma. You know that I am right. You just can't admit it, because you are her father."
Kayin walks up. "I have an idea. How about a day at the beach for everyone? People around here are way too tense." He moves close to Happosai. "I'd like you to test Ranma and see just how good he is. I would prefer to know that in advance." He whispers.
"Alright, but why?" Happi whispers back.
"Simple. 1: Odds. My bookies would like to know. I need to know how much to fake on that. 2: We have yet to see him really go all out. 3: Ranma is trying to break the agreements that Genma made. And I'm sure you want to see if he's worthy to be your heir." Happosai nods contemplatively. "Did I mention the beautiful women in bikinis?"
Happosai's eyes sparkle. "Pretty ladies, silky darlings! Don't worry my dears, Happosai is coming to save you!" He bounds off. Soun taps him on the shoulder.
"You seem to know the master. May I ask who you are?"
Kayin bows. "Kayin. Let's just say the midget and I go way back." Soun backs away. "Relax, he's out of earshot. Besides, he would just insult me back. A few insults will never break our friendship up."
~*~A few days later at the beach~*~
"So, Ketsu, having fun?" Ketsurui nods and glomps Kayin.
A hint of a blush appears on his face. "Errr..., No offense but could you not do that?" She smilies. "Why? Don't tell me you don't like it?"
"That's not it, I just have to keep an eye on everyone else. I'll do something with you, but no glomping, ok?"
She nods reluctantly. She smiles. "Alright, how about surfing?"
Kayin blanches. "Well, you can, but I have a little problem with water...."
She shakes her head. "That's alright, you just have to watch me." She blows a kiss and throws off the large t-shirt she was wearing. In a sultry fashion, she struts to her board, showing off her black string bikini, the metallic dragons on it moving with her. She breaks into a run toward the water. Ranma hears a large splash. He shrugs and goes back to griping about carrying everything.
"Stupid pops, makes me do all the work."
Genma holds up a sign. "Quiet boy! A true martial artist suffers for his art."
Ranma groans. "Hey, Ryouga, little help? Pops is acting like a slave driver."
Ryouga shrugs and takes a few of the items. "Ranma, you ever get the feeling that we're being watched and that something bad is about to happen?"
"Way too often, man, way too often. Usually pops does something first."
Over on a far side of the beach, behind an umbrella, the senshi sit watching them. "Tell me again why we have to watch this guy, cause the inners are complaining about not being able to go after guys." says Haruka with a shudder.
Setsuna leans over to her. "Because, he's creating a lot of chaos in the time gates. Also, I think I know him."
Usagi taps her on the shoulder. "Can we go have fun while you watch him?"
Setsuna sighs. "Alright, but be ready to change if something happens."
"Hey girls! Setsuna says party!" The inner senshi and Hotaru run off.
Setsuna turns and glares at Haruka and Michiru. "And where are you two going?"
They stop sneaking off. "We're going to umm...." mumbles Haruka.
"Get a better vantage point." says Michiru with an elbow to Haruka's ribs.
Zu and Happosai are lounging around at an outdoor beach cafe. "Ahh, this is the life. Waiter, another 3 rounds for my friend and I." The waiter nods and walks off. "Zu, take a look at this." Happosai pulls out a bag full of a pink powder.
"What's this stuff?"
"The Aphrodite powder. It causes the opposite sex to go nympho at the person who is hit by the powder."
Zu's eyes bug out. "How much of it is in that bag?"
Happosai grins. "More than enough. The effect time varies."
"Well, Happi, I'm afraid I can't let you use that." Happosai dodges a staff blow.
"Colgone chan, why are you denying an old man his last pleasures?"
Cologne presses her attack. "I'm not going to let you use that powder again. You humiliated the amazons once by using that powder on us. I'm going to destroy it once and for all!" Happosai jumps onto Zu's head. Cologne aims a strike at Happi. She misses and nails Zu.
"But Master, the women's panties are right here, why do we have to make them mad?" He passes out. Cologne gives chase to Happosai. Setsuna sits under the umbrella watching a game of beach volleyball. Ranma and Ryouga have turned it into a mostly two man contest. Ranma jumps high and spikes the ball. Ryouga dives and covers it. Soun jumps and.... Gently knocks over the net. Ranma facefaults as it hits the ground.
"Cheap shot."
Ryouga smiles. "We won. You have clean up now."
Ranma groans. "If the lazy panda would'a covered it, we would have beat you."
Genma holds up a sign. "Foolish boy! The way of the beach is fraught with peril!" Setsuna blinks at the sign. She then chuckles a bit at the sheer absurdity of that statement.
"You know, Setsuna, he's a fairly nice guy, once you get to know him." Setsuna spins around pointing her time staff, at a grinning Kayin. Kayin, clad in a hawaiian shirt and bermuda shorts, sips a fruit drink. "Hey, don't you know? This is a no-magic beach. I'm not here to fight anyway."
She retracts the staff. "Then why?"
"Well, I think that Ranma would be a good person for you to make friends with. The outers are a little crazy, not counting Saturn." Setsuna looks to the sea sadly.
"Why? Why did he have to die?"
Kayin sits down next to her. "Life is unpredictable, and none of us know what's going on half the time. Even the time gates aren't 100% sure. I will tell you this. He's not Vel, but he is a lot like him. I think that he needs some friends. If you want to start something else, wait till the tournament ends." Kayin gets up and starts to walk away. "It's easy to find something worth dying for, have you anything worth living for?"
Setsuna blinks. "He said that to me."
"It's a family motto. Have fun and stop worrying about things that haven't happened." Setsuna lies back and goes to sleep for awhile. *Bonk* "Ow" She sits up and finds a beach ball next to her and a bump on her forehead. (I'm gonna give the owner a piece of my mind.) She gets up, only to see Ranma approaching her with a hand behind his head.
"Have you seen a beach ball around here?" She stares at him for a second, then shakes her head abit while holding it. She then holds up the beach ball and points to her head.
(Uh oh. You're on your own here, kid.) says Vel.
Ranma puts a hand behind his head. "Sorry about that. Ryouga can't aim and we lost track of where it went."
Setsuna sighs. "It's alright. My usual luck seems to be in force today." Ranma blinks. "Is there anything I can do to make this up to you?" Setsuna sits down. "You can talk to me for a minute. I don't know why, but you remind me of someone."
Ranma sits down. He holds out a hand. "Ranma Saotome, of the Saotome school of Anything goes martial arts."
"Setsuna Meiou." They chat about trivial things.
(Why....? Why do I know her? She seems so familiar.... like a dream that fades in the morning but returns every night. I have to get the orb back. I must know why I did the things I did and who I was. ....What the hell is that?)
Ranma turns to the sound of a battle cry. Happosai is being chased by Cologne, Shampoo, Ukyo, Akane, the senshi and various female beach goers. Zu groggily stands up. "Feels like I got whacked by a boulder... ouch." *turns to the side* "Damn..., you got this many mad at you, old man? That's gotta be a record."
Ketsurui is carrying her board back. "Huh?" Kayin looks up from his drink. "Ketsu, it may be time to get out of the way." Ranma and Setsuna are sweatdropping.
"How the hell did this happen?" Setsuna squints and looks at the small figure of Happi. "Wait a sec, that's the panty thief who stole my bras and panties. Wait for me, I want a piece of him too!" She joins the chase.
Happi is sweating bullets. (Oh no. All the pretty ladies are angry. Some of them are quite strong too, I need a distraction... hey, that Ranma kid is there, I'll just use him.) He changes direction to Ranma.
Ranma blinks. (Vel, are they coming this way?)
(Looks like it. Start running, and don't get wet if you can help it.) Happosai jumps up in the air. Cologne grips her staff and throws it hard at him. *bonk* Happi is dazed for a moment. A small bag slips out of his grip. it falls into Ranma's hand. "Huh?"
Cologne stops in her tracks. "Boy, give me the bag. It has caused much harm to the amazon people."
"What is this powder?"
Shampoo looks at him. "Powder is aphrodite powder. Very good love potion. Supposed to only work on women."
Ranma shrugs. He holds the bag out. "Ok, here ya go."
Happosai's battle aura rages. "I will not let you ruin my chances to get all the silky darlings! Happo Daikarin!" (Happo Fire bomb) Happosai throws a bunch of miniature bombs. They start exploding with surprising power.
Ranma jumps up. (What's that in your other hand?) Ranma blinks and sees a bomb about to blow up in his other hand. *Boom!* Ranma flares a bit of his aura to protect himself from the blast. The powder starts crackling and it begins raining down on the people below.
Kayin looks up. "Oh crap. Ketsu, get down!" He runs over to her and pushes her down. He whirls his hands to create a breeze. The powder drifts away from her.
"Ahchoo! What the hell did Happi do this time?" Ketsu stands up. "Hey! Why did you push me?"
Kayin sniffs around him. "Ketsu stay back! I have something on me that you don't want!" She stops. Ranma gets up from the hole in the ground where he hit.
Zu is looking around nervously. "Man, we need to move. Happi's plan got torpedoed and we're in a tight spot."
Ryouga sneezes. "What kind of powder is this? Ranma, what the hell did you do?"
"Me? Happosai threw the bomb, don't push this one on me!" Ranma gets up from the hole in the ground.
"You wanna fight man, let's do this here." Ryouga takes a stance.
"Alright, let's rock this beach." A piercing whistle is heard. Ryouga covers his ears. "Ahhhhhhh!!!!"
"You have greater concerns than your private duel, look around you!" Kayin yells to them. They stop yelling and look at the girls. The senshi, Ukyo, Akane, Nabiki, Kasumi, and several beach going females are covered with the dust.
"Hey, what is this?" says Akane. She pulls out a mallet. "Ranma, what did you...?" She stares at Ranma. (God, he's cute, why did I never notice before?)
Minako and Rei sneeze. "Pluto, what is this stuff?" says Minako. (Mmmmm, that Ryouga looks like a nice hunk of beefcake, I'd love to see what he can do) She looks and sees Rei blushing. "Hey, let's not fight about this guy anymore. I'm sure he's studly enough for both of us," she says with a hentai grin.
Rei stops blushing, and looks at Minako. "You're ok with sharing?"
"Sure, if we fight, neither of us gets to enjoy him."
Ryouga looks around. "Yo, Ranma. I think we better go. Right now." Ranma nods, and starts to slink off.
"Hold it!" The senshi strike a pose. "Your manliness and virility has caught our attention, in the name of the moon, we shall take you for our pleasure!"
Kayin sweatdrops. "Good god, Serenity is probably facefaulting in her grave right now."
Ketsurui blinks. "Are they always like that?"
"No, Happosai used an aphrodisiac powder on them. That's why I told you to stay back. I'm gonna jump in the water and get this off me. Get the nearby people away for one sec." He throws off his hawaiian shirt. He then sprints to the water and swan dives in. The water glows, with electricity flowing on the top of it. Kayin leaps out in a spin, landing next to Ketsurui. "Much better, the water is partially electrified now, you might want to warn anyone who goes near."
Ketsurui has a slightly glazed expression on her face. He snaps his fingers near her. She blinks. "Did you say something?"
Kayin sighs. "Try not to do that. I know I probably look good with my hair matted from the water and it cascading down me, but try to remain semi-coherent." She is grinning widely and conked out again. He puts a finger on her arm. *Zzzzap* A small static jolt revives her. "I need you to watch my back while I try to help Ranma and the others. Can you do that without conking out?"
She nods. "Ok, but you have to model that suit for me later, deal?"
Kayin facefaults. "Ok, ok, deal. I'll model it for you, but after we deal with this. Until then, no spacing out." She grins happily. He reaches behind his back and pulls out his sword. "Time to show the pretty soldiers, the true meaning of my nickname."
"What nickname?"
Kayin charges electricity around him. "The name given to me by my father. Electric Nightmare." He moves forward slowly like a wolf stalking it's prey.
"Ranma, this is all your fault!"
"My fault!? You're the one who picked a fight with me, while these crazy women surrounded us!" (You know, if you can knock down their numbers a bit, then just take your pick from the litter. Most of them might be fun for a quickie.)
Ranma slaps his forehead hard. (Vel, If you don't tell me something useful, I'm going to start bashing my head on a rock repeatedly.)
"You know, most guys would kill to be in this postion." Kayin strides up with his sword over his shoulder. "Then again, if you are too afraid to fight horny women, I can take a few off your back." He starts whistling 'Whistle of the Warrior' and reaches behind his back. He pulls out a second sword from nowhere. He takes a stance, his swords glinting in the sunlight. "Shall we dance the endless waltz of war again?"
Ketsurui jumps next to him and draws her scythe. "Why should you get all the eye candy? I enjoy looking at some beefcake myself." She leers at Kayin. "Although, I wouldn't mind just looking at you."
Kayin sweatdrops. "Could we deal with the nymphos, and then look at the eye candy?" She nods whilst smiling. Kayin rushes Ukyo. Ukyo blocks his strike with her spatula. Ketsurui jump kicks Minako. Minako collides with Rei, knocking the two of them down.
Zu runs over to the group. "Ladies, prime beefcake right here! The great wall ain't the only big thing in China!" He flexes his muscles.
Happosai bounds over and latches onto Ketsurui's chest. "Pretty lady!"
Kayin starts chuckling. "Happi, you picked the wrong girl to glomp this time." He punches a heartstruck Akane into the ground. He shakes out his hand. "What the hell is her head made of?"
Ketsurui looks down and sees the little perv on her chest. "What the hell is this?"
"Pretty lady, can you give an old man one last thrill?" Happi grabs her nipples.
Her expression darkens. "Get off me right now, or I'm going to hurt you." She grabs Happi's head and bashes him with the stick end of her scythe, then swings the blade an inch from his face. "If you're going to glomp me, you better be Kayin or have a death wish." She then nicks his cheek with the blade. "I'm not easy, and I sure as hell don't give cheap thrills to dirty little perverts!" Happi falls over, fainted dead away.
Kayin whistles appreciatively. "Remind not to piss you anytime soon." He goes over to Happi and tosses him into the crowd of girls. "Have fun, lecher, and don't glomp her again, or next time she might castrate you." Happosai gives an involuntary shudder.
Ranma and Ryouga continue to evade the nerima girls. "Kayin, you cheap bastard! Help us out!" yells Ryouga.
Setsuna gets up from where she was hit to the side. "Ow, my head feels like a boulder is rolling around." She sees Zu enjoying the attentions of some of the senshi. *Sweatdrop* (Maybe, I should have stayed unconscious. I better help them, they'll thank me later.) Setsuna pull out her staff. "Dead scream." She shoots a blast at Zu. Zu jumps into the blast head on.
"Hey, come on, let a brother have a little fun."
Setsuna beans him on the head. "You're taking advantage of that powder's effect! You're as bad as that little letch!"
"Oh, Setsuna...?" Haruka and Michiru appear looking very zoned out. "We thought about it, and we want to give your ice cold body a little passion to warm you up." Setsuna hangs her head and buries her head in her hand. "You've got to be kidding me...." They try to jump her, only to have Zu spin his staff and block them.
"Ladies, care to make my pagoda rise?" he says with a lecherous grin.
"Sorry big boy, we only like girls."
Zu sighs. "This one said no. I can't let you force her."
He grabs her hand. "I can't really hurt them, we should run. My silver haired maniac friend over there, should be able to get off our backs." She nods and runs with him. Kayin kicks off Nabiki, none too fiercely. (I can't hurt some of them, they aren't all martial artists.)
"Hey, crazy fox! Help me out, man!" Zu says while running with Setsuna.
"What did you do now?"
Zu scratches his head. "These two lesbians wanted to jump her, I helped her out."
Kayin chuckles. "I'm surprised, I would have thought you would enjoy the show. And you Setsuna, I guess I lose that bet."
Setsuna glares. "What bet?"
"I bet you were a lesbo, or at least bi." While he is talking, the group is surrounded. "Get close and jump at my signal." They close in toward him. He circles his blades. He then makes a cross cut at an upward diagonal angle. "Wind tunnel!" A hollow column of wind appears. "Go through it and move quickly! I'm going to use one of my big attacks!" The unaffected people run up the slope.
Ketsurui shakes her head. "No way! I'm not letting you fight them yourself!"
Kayin slashes the ground in front of her. "This is child play for me. I promise not to kill anyone this time. I've been holding back because of you and the others." She nods, runs to the tunnel, looks back, then goes into it. Kayin starts laughing maniacally. "I'm starting to feel it again. This is great. I haven't felt the joy of battle since Sekigahara. Come on, you crazy bitches. I'll show you how a true knight of chaos fights. He holds his arms wide. "Witness my power." He starts spinning. There is a flash. Lightning strikes his spinning form. "Nightmare Revolution!" A huge tornado starts engulfing them. *Slash, slash, slash* the sounds of striking blades is heard. A shadow can be seen darting among the various forms in the heart of the tornado. The clouds part as the great energy splits the sky apart. The tornado dies down. The senshi, nerima girls and various people start falling to the ground. No one is dead, unbelievably. In the center of the destruction, Kayin stands, breathing slightly heavily. He stands up. "Heheheheh...., Ahahahaahahah!" He laughs insanely for a few minutes. Then he sheathes his blades, the second one disappearing. He whistles for the others. "I told you, I'm the Electric Nightmare. A bunch of girls in skirts, some crazy martial artists, and a few lesbians can't stop me." He then falls back with swirly eyes. "Although..., That move took a bit out of me."
Ketsurui walks over and pulls him onto her shoulder. "For once, I'm going to help you up." Zu grabs the other arm. He then lifts up Ranma with his other arm.
"Dude, help your bud, I think he fell in the sand." Ranma runs over to Ryouga.
"You ok?" *growl* Ranma turns white. "Ahhhhhh! Cat!!!" He then runs off. Ryouga, in were-tiger form, stands up and shakes off the sand.
Rei and Minako wake up. "Wow, kawaii kitty!" they both say. Ryouga's jaw drops. He then runs in the same direction Ranma went.
"Arghhhh! Leave me alone!! I hate catsssss!!!!" is heard in the distance.
"Haaa...." With a rush of air, Kayin stands up. "Phew, now that was fun. I haven't let loose like that in a while. I may have to stop holding back so much."
Ketsurui blinks. "You're kidding me, you're still holding back, after all that?"
Kayin chuckles. "I'm far stronger than most of the people here. Happosai, and Cologne might be a match for me, if I fought hand to hand only. Ranma, he's far stronger than he thinks. He could beat me, with the right kind of training." He walks over to Elder Cologne and picks her and brushes off the sand. "My apologies, but I had to neutralize the powder and my attackers." Shampoo groggily stands up. She moves over to Kayin, and puckers her lips. Kayin grabs her neck. "Don't. I have no interest in becoming a slave male. I serve no master, save Malduke, god of chaos." He squeezes. "Now, Elder, tell her to withdraw the kiss, or I crush her windpipe."
Cologne hesitates and then smiles. "You won't kill my grand-daughter, you're an honourable man and a samurai. She is no match for you."
Kayin smiles predatorialy. "I never said I was a samurai. I'm a ronin. I also do not possess a code of honor that you would understand. It says that someone who is going to get in my way later, should be removed. I will not be taken like some animal for breeding. If necessary, I'll see your village drenched with blood. But, I will not let you ruin centurys of planning. Now choose, the life of your grand-daughter, or the destruction of your tribe?" He starts slowly squeezing. "Choose quickly, her time is short."
Cologne slams her staff down. "Alright! I revoke the kiss. Just let her go." He releases her. She gasps for air.
"I do not wish to be troubled about this thing again, are we clear?" Cologne nods grimly. "I have a favor to ask you. In return, I will give you a few techniques." Cologne sits down. "I want you to act as a judge for the Kamikaze Budoukai. I have need of seasoned veterans for the judging section."
Cologne nods. "Alright, someone must look out for the young ones. Obviously if I act biased toward Shampoo, you will toss me out?"
Kayin nods. "You catch on quickly. Your youthful appearance belies a great cunning." He picks his shirt up. "I'll see you in a week, to give you the heads up on the battle grounds. Make sure that she registers as a combatent. Ketsu, Zu, let's go."
~*~????? ~*~
"Hheheheh. It seems that he has not lost his edge. The battle nears commencement. Prepare our entry. The time of my descent to earth nears." Velius nods as does a figure in a jacket with a fedora. "Genya, you are not to attack anyone until I give the order, is that clear?"
The fedora clad shadow bows. "Yes your highness." he says in a slippery voice.
"How goes the third of my generals?"
Velius steps forward, his cloak rippling around him. "He is nearly ready. I have left him on earth. He will awaken when the last seal on him is removed."
"Good. Chaos exists to create. To destroy that which is formless, power to destroy that which is existence is needed."
Author's Notes: Let me hear the cheers people! Or tomatoes, if you're mad at me for taking so long. This is a whopper, huh? I had no idea it would be this long. Anyway, after the next chapter, I'm finally bringing in the bad guys. Sorry it took so long, but trust me, I'm fairly sure they were worth it. Was anyone expecting Kayin to do that at the end? Stay tuned for the next chapter of Ranma: Legends: The tournament for Ranma's heart. Seriously, it will be that one this time. I just needed to write a set up and some past stuff. Mads props of course to my brilliant editor Ketsurui, who really helped out a lot on this chapter, Omega X, and Reiko. Read, review, flame, and say your piece.
~*~Juuban, Hino Shrine~*~
The Sailor Senshi are having a meeting. Usagi is stealing manga from Rei, Ami is doing homework, Makoto and Minako are talking about the hot guys from Furinkan, Hotaru is taking a nap, and Haruka and Michiru are grumbling because of their injuries. "Give me back my manga, meatball head!" yells Rei.
"Wahhhh! Rei is being mean!" whines Usagi. Yep, this is a typical meeting.
"Ahem," says a voice behind them. Usagi jumps up.
"Wahhh! Setsuna! Don't do that!"
Setsuna's poker face betrays nothing. "Shall we begin?" The senshi quiet down and listen. "Ami, please show us the data you scanned from the people involved in yesterday's incident." Ami pulls out the mercury computer. They crowd around her. Setsuna sighs. "Can you project it onto a screen so we call see?"
Ami checks. "Does anyone have an a/c adapter?" The senshi (minus Setsuna) all facefault. Five minutes later, Makoto is acting as a power conductor, while holding some wire.
"Alright, show us the monsters." The valkyrie sisters appear on the screen.
"This is fairly odd, these monsters are stronger than they should be. They also seem to be copies of the ones used by Beryl." says Ami.
"Next" Zu appears, human form next to golem form.
"Despite his appearance, he is actually human. He has usual energy, but it is not demonic or negaverse in origin. He seems to be able to use earth as a weapon, in addition to wards."
Rei snorts. "Big deal, I can use wards. It just proves he's no demon."
Ami raises an eyebrow. "His wards are at least six times stronger than yours."
"Get on with it, Ami" grumbles Makoto. Ryouga appears.
"I couldn't get a good scan, due to the interference from Rei and Minako's attacks." The two senshi look downcast. Ranma is next up on the projection. "This one was odd. I couldn't lock onto him at all. Setsuna?"
"I tried using the Ginzuisou (Silver millenium crystal) on him. I have the feeling I know him. Artemis, Luna, is he a member of the imperial court?"
The cats shake their heads. "I know he was not a member of the court, but I get the feeling he was important." says Artemis.
Luna nods. "I do not trust him, but I do not believe that he is evil. I sense power within him."
"Of course he's not evil and neither is the bandanna boy!" yells Minako. They all look at her. "Anyone that gorgeous can't be evil!" Another facefault occurs.
The screen shifts to Malachite. "This didn't make any sense. It looks and probably acted like Malachite, but he seemed to be off. His power also was much higher than Malachite's last levels."
"Show them the last picture." Kayin appears, his face covered by his hat and mask.
"He seemed to know I was scanning him. I got readings indicating that my scan was being bounced off him. Setsuna, do you know him?"
Setsuna sighs. "I think I did know him, but one thing is for sure. He is far too powerful for us to defeat one on one."
"Bullshit!" yells Haruka, "I could knock him down easy!"
"Ami, play the recording of the fight that my garnet orb recorded from the time gates" The fight is shown on the screen, from the point of Kayin's arrival. Haruka winces as the footage shows her and Michiru getting tossed aside. Finally the footage ends after Malachite's head falls off. The senshi are eerily silent.
"Setsuna mama?" asks Hotaru.
"Yes, Hotaru?"
"What is Selene?"
"It was the name of the capitol city of the moon kingdom, the palace of selene was at the center of the city."
Minako blinks. "Wasn't that the place that Beryl and Metallia sacked?"
Setsuna's eyes widen. "My god, I was the only one to survive that battle. If he knows about that, he must be an agent of Beryl or someone from the moon kingdom who was revived. Also, how did he know that Usagi was the Princess?"
Minako blinks, then looks at Setsuna. "Oh yeah, he said for you to call him if you wanted answers. He seemed to know your name too."
Rei looks at the blond. "You mean he said that yesterday and you just told us today?" Minako nods, in the ignorant way that only blonds can do.
Just before Rei can put the smackdown on Minako, a midi version of Real Emotion by Kumi Koda is heard. Setsuna answers her cell. "Hello. Meioh Setsuna speaking." "Ahh, miss Meiou, or do you prefer Sailor Pluto?" Setsuna tenses up. "I would have guessed that you were going to call me, until I realized that I forgot to give my number. My apologies."
Setsuna's look turns cold. "What do you want?"
"The very thing that I said I wanted to begin with." Setsuna hooks up her phone to the speaker on the mercury computer. "To get you in bed." Setsuna pulls out her time staff and starts preparing an attack. "Just kidding. Seriously, I want to talk to you. I merely offer to buy you lunch and talk. No weapons, no monsters, just you and me, Ok?"
Setsuna creases her brow for a moment. "Agreed. Where and when shall we meet?"
"Hmm, it's about 10:30am, shall we say, 3:00?"
"Agreed."
"I just called the club Sesshouku in Shibuya. A table was reserved for us. I will be there as promised." The other line hangs up.
Haruka snickers. "I never thought I'd see the day when someone would get under your skin, Setsuna."
~*~A random rooftop in Nerima~*~
Kayin hangs up his cell phone and puts it away in a sleeve of his hakama. "Still don't have a sense of humor? For an old lady, you should lighten up." He jumps off the side of the building, only to float down slowly the last few feet. He starts whistling the theme to Yojimbo. He walks through a marketplace. After spotting a outdoor grill, he buys some yakitori. *Sniff* "Hmmm?" He hastily finishes his lunch, walks to a nearby park, and disappears from view. "Alright, if you have a death wish, then I'll be glad to oblige you." Ketsurui walks out by the side of the lake. "You. Why are you following me?" says Kayin, after exiting the tree he was hiding in.
"I need to see something for myself. Please take off your hat." Kayin shrugs and undoes cord on his chin. The straw hat falls to the ground. His face is completely covered on the left side by his fox mask. The uncovered side reveals a pale, thin face, with silver hair. She looks at him with shock written on her face. Kayin's eye goes wide as she run up to him and grips him in a tight hug. He shrugs and hugs her back. "I never believed I'd actually find you."
Kayin blinks. "Wait a moment, you remember me? And why are you crying?" She nods with tears in her eyes. "I'm so glad to have found you. You saved my life several times." Kayin closes his eye.
(Flashback, San Francisco, 10 years ago)
A lime-haired girl, about 9 years old, is skipping along in Golden Gate park. Two men are watching her with smiles on their faces. "Yuki," says a tall black haired man to his platinum blonde companion.
"Yes, Genko?"
"I'm glad our daughter is having fun now. It's good for a child to get time to be themselves." Yuki smiles and leans into Genko. "Anything you say, anata."
"By the way, isn't this Lord Kayin supposed to arrive today?"
Genko nods, while stroking his companion's hair. "Yes, he's an old friend of our Ichigami clan. I don't know much about him. He's supposed to recoqnizable by a fox mask." Suddenly a group of thugs with masks on run out and snatch the girl up.
"Daddy!" she screams.
"Ketsurui!!" yells Genko rushing at her. One of the thug notices him and does a roundhouse kick taking him down. Yuki draws a knife and nails one of the thugs in the arm. "You base thugs! How dare you steal our daughter!"
"A present from Mr. Takamiya for interfering with our business." A gun shot rings out and nails Yuki in the knee. One of the thugs blackjacks him from behind.
~*~An abandoned warehouse in a seedy part of town~*~
Ketsurui blinks as she regains consciousness. An old man with a fading hairline and a lecherous grin is looking at her in a strange way. "Where are my daddys?" she asks.
The old man grins in a sadistic way. "They left you all alone with me. They didn't want to help me do my business, so I decided to have you suffer for their bad judgement." The rest of the guys in business suits and various thug outfits are crowded around her.
"You're that bad man Mr. Takamiya!" The old man grins again and the crowd chuckles a bit.
"Correct, little girl. What did your parents tell you about the big bad Mr. Takamiya?"
"They said you were a bad man, and that you hurt little kids! Daddy Genko and daddy Yuki will come save me and you'll be sorry!" The old man motions to the men beside her. They hold her arms and legs down.
"Now then, my pretty little thing, I'm going to show you a new game for grownups, and show you how much fun it can be." He starts tearing her sundress apart.
"No! Leave me alone! Daddy! Help me!" He hit her on the side of the head and she starts to go unconscious. A enraged howl is heard. A whirlwind bursts the door apart and snatches up the girl. Ketsurui blinks a bit and barely manages to see a hakama and haori clad silver haired figure putting her down.
"Rest here, little one. This is not for your eyes." The figure walks to the room. "You are a disgusting and sick creature with no right to exist. I sentence to death in the name of the shadow, the chaos, and the infinite." He draws his blade. The others draw their guns. The samurai smirks. He slashes 3 times and each time, strange kanji appear. He picks up his scabbard. He puts the sword in slowly. Just before he puts the last bit in, he looks up. "Zantetsuken." He clicks the blade in. At that instant the eyes of the boss go wide as a horizontal cut appears under his nose. It lenghtens until the top half of his head falls down. The rest of his men start seeing cuts appear on them. 1 minute later, all of them are lying in pieces on the floor, their collective blood forming a large pool. "May you die as many deaths as the lives you ruined." He walks over to the girl. "Wait a moment...." He pulls out a letter, and scans it rapidly. He then looks at her and compares her to a picture of Genko, Yuki and her. "Megami...., It can't be." He grabs a large trench coat from a closet and wraps her in it. "Thank god I got here in time. Well, little Ketsu-chan, this is a most unusual way to meet. Hopefully, your parents can explain it."
~*~Ichigami estate~*~
Genko is pacing frantically. "What are our men doing?! Our daughter is god knows where, and worse in the hands of the most notorious pedophiliac in San Francisco!!"
Yuki walks up and slaps him. "Genko! I'm just as upset! She's my daughter too! I want to go out and start scouring the streets myself, and I have to sit here!" He starts crying and Genko holds him. "I'll never forgive myself if he hurts her."
Genko nods grimly. "I know, anata, I know." The doorbell sounds. Genko walks to it. A silver haired samurai with a fox mask is standing with a large bundle cradled in his arms. He lifts a part of the coat, and reveals a sleeping Ketsurui. Genko runs and pulls Yuki to the door. "My baby!" crys out Yuki who takes the offered girl and carries her upstairs.
"Genko Ichigami?" says the samurai.
"Yes? How can I repay you for saving my daughter? Did anyone touch her?!"
The samurai puts a hand up. "Rest assured, I arrived before anyone did anything more than rip her dress. As to why, part of my promise. I am Lord Kayin."
Genko bows deeply. "My family once more owes you a great debt."
Kayin removes his hat. "Let's talk more over some tea. I ran most of the way here." Genko nods and ushers him in.
Yuki comes down. "So, who is our mystery savior?"
Genko pours 3 cups of tea. "The old friend of the family I mentioned. It seems that he saved her and found out her identity afterwards."
Yuki sighs. "I cannot begin to tell you how worried we were about her."
"The pig got what he deserved. I received your letter and made my way here. When I arrived, I got a message from my subordinates. They informed me about Mr. Takamiya and his operations."
Genko gives him a cold look. "How do you know about Mr. Takamiya?"
Kayin takes a sip before answering. "I have numeous underworld connections. Through them, I seek to keep certain aspects of their business under control. I may not touch firearms and most contraband, but I do not tolerate prostitution and drugs." He sets the cup down. "Takamiya was a rogue. He was due to be eliminated soon. The oyabuns, with my nudging, decided that a sick pedophile like him, should be destroyed. I rescued your daughter, because I heard someone in danger. Afterwards, I figured out her identity and that of her attackers. They will never harm you again. My associates will see to it."
Yuki leans into Genko's shoulder. "How can we ever repay you?"
Kayin looks up. "Just answer a few questions, and listen to one favor. First, who is or perhaps was her mother?"
Yuki looks at Genko with a sad look. "Do you want to tell him, or should I?" The black haired man nods.
"I'll let you tell it."
"Ketsurui's mother was my sister Dina. She was married to Genko for 5 years."
"I'm actually bi, as is Yuki." says Genko.
"Anyway" continues Yuki. "She was never in great health. She had complications during the delivery and died. Genko was heart broken." Genko looks at Yuki with affection.
"A few days later, Yuki came in and said that in honor of his sister, he would try and help raise her. I told him that I was grateful." Yuki blushes a bit. "Well things got interesting, and shortly after that, we set up a domestic partnership. Ketsurui's life was great, until today." They both look down.
"Second question. How did you two get involved with Takamiya?"
Genko looks up with a hard look in his eyes. "We found out just what kind of business he was doing here. He was using his company buildings for smuggling child prostitutes and shipping other children to Asia." Kayin grips the hilt of his blade very hard. "We busted most of his operations, but he went underground and escaped Interpol. He decided to take revenge by trying to...., to...., oh god I can't even think of it." Yuki collapses into Genko's shoulder, crying.
Kayin sighs. "I'm sorry that we must meet under such trying circumstances. And now for my favor. I wish to request the services of your group and enlist a certain person later on." They both nod. "I want Ketsurui to help me with something when she is older."
Genko does a double take. "What the hell?"
"I saw something in her, that most people would do great evil to attain or control. Tell me, does she seem to be able to do things with water and have an affinity for it?"
Yuki looks at him in shock. "How did you know about that?"
Kayin smirks. "I can see things that most other people are blind to."
Genko stands up. "You look only about 30ish, but you have an aura about you that speaks of someone far older. You also have a voice of considerable experience with the darker side of people. How old are you?"
Kayin's eye glows. "I am many times your senior, that is all I will say. Believe me, you do not want to know the truth about me. As for Ketsurui, when she arrives in Japan, if I do not believe that she is ready, I will send her back to San Francisco."
Genko and Yuki look at each other. "Do we have your word on that?"
Kayin draws his blade and holds it up. "I swear in the name of my master who has since passed on, that I will send her back if I deem that she cannot help me or that she is unable to protect herself adequately." He sheathes the blade. "I thank you for this." He picks up his hat and goes to the door. "I have some business to deal with, so I may not see you again for a while. Don't let Ketsurui look for me. I fear that she would put herself in danger."
Yuki nods. "Can I at least tell her who saved her?"
"Tell her, that a guardian angel saved her, and that she will meet him one day, if she is strong enough. Goodbye for now." Kayin opens the door and starts walking.
Ketsurui walks out to the stairs, wrapped in pajamas and a blanket. "No, please wait!" She runs out to try and catch him. He turns around she catches a glimpse of his face. She runs after him, but when she turns the corner to catch him, he is nowhere to be seen. She starts crying.
Yuki picks her up and cradles her. "There there, He'll be back one day."
"Really, daddy?"
Genko walks out and smiles. "He's your guardian angel. He said that you have to be strong, and that if you are strong enough, you will meet him soon."
(End flashback, Back at the park)
Kayin opens his eye and smiles. "I see that you have grown up into a wonderful young woman. I told you I would keep my promise." She grips him tightly. "However, your fathers may not have told you something else." He puts his hands on her shoulders. "I'm going to test your skills. If you aren't strong enough, then I must send you away, to protect you."
She looks at him with sadness in her eyes. "How can you be so cruel?!"
Kayin lowers his head. "Your fathers made me promise it, and I did so gladly. I will not lose another friend or family." He jumps back and draws his blade assuming a jodan stance (A/n: overhead strike).
She pulls out her scythe. "One moment. Adjust your blade. Make it so the cutting edge is blunted, you should be able to do that." His blade shines and changes. "I have no desire to hurt you, and this will make it easier on you." Her scythe glows and she walks to her boombox and hooks up an ipod. She takes up a stance. Cosmic Dare (Pretty with a Pistol) starts playing. Ketsurui rushes him. Kayin seems to fade from sight. Several afterimages seem to move in a circle around her. On a hidden signal, they all rush her. She takes a guard stance and an aura surrounds her. They strike to within an inch, then suddenly are repeled. The afterimages fade, showing Kayin with a grin on his face. "Impressive. You reflected my ghost wind strike. What is that move?"
She smiles. "Mirror stance." She jumps up and spins her scythe. Kayin looks quizzically at it. A water scythe moves at him. He sidesteps.
"Ugh, what the hell?" The scythe had bashed hard into his side, turning to nail him. She slashes the scythe into the ground. A low rumble is heard.
"Geyser Strike!" He blinks. A geyser erupts underneath him. Kayin starts dodging aqua scythes like crazy. He quickly puts his blade up in a cross guard and holds off the real scythe. Ketsurui seizes the opportunity and kicks him in the arm. He loses the guard, and gets nailed in the collar bone. He falls into the pond. She jumps back, her scythe reattaching to the hilt.
"Heh heh heh. Impressive. I underestimated you. You passed the test. I will permit you to remain. Now, let us test your limits, so we can see how far you have to go." She advances to the water. Kayin puts his blade underwater.
"Geyser..Ahhh!" *slash!* A lightning quick strike hits her in the stomach. She tries to recover.
"10,000 lightning blades!" He starts striking at impossible speeds, sending vacuum blades and aqua blades at her.
She falls back. "Uhhh, what was that?"
"The first move was the Suo wave slicing stroke. The 2nd was the 10,000 lightning blades. Here is a spare kimono. Please put it on." She looks up and he is turned away. She then feels a draft, and notices that only her chest bindings and panties survived the attack.
She smiles. "You know you want to look, even if it's just a peek." She gets dressed.
"In answer to your suggestion, I do not have to open my eyes to see. However, I did not look in any way."
They walk along the street. "Ahhhh! Leave me alone!"
"Haha, look at the freak!" Kayin's face takes on a feral look.
"You can have a few of them, their leader is mine." He runs to the source of the screams. A purple haired girl is being shoved and pushed around by a couple of gang members. "What ya gonna do freak? Call your dike mommy and daddy?" Kayin's face takes on a maniacal grin.
"Nope. She's not going to do anything. But I believe I will."
"Who the fuck said that?!" Kayin steps out.
"You know, I'm feeling lucky. How about you punks? Do you feel lucky?" Ketsurui sashays up with her scythe draped on her shoulder.
"I don't know, Kayin. I'm feeling lucky myself." The gang draws knives.
"Knock out the samurai wanna be, and grab the girl, maybe we can have some fun later."
Ketsuri's expression turns cold. "Kayin?"
"Yes?"
"Save me some." Kayin sends a shockwave at the nearest thug. Ketsurui throws her scythe at another one. She jumps up and kicks at the head of the frightened thug, exposing her panties. Hotaru blushes at the brazenness of the attack. Kayin breaks the arm of the thug nearest Hotaru.
"Get back, and wait till we're done." Hotaru runs off behind a nearby dumpster. The thugs groan in pain. "I'm going to let you off easy this time. However, if you bother this girl again, then I'll glad remove whatever part of your body bothered her. If you insult her, I'll remove your tongue, if you hit her, your hand. Get the point?" They nod dumbly. "Trust me, my companion here," He gestures at Ketsurui. "Would be more than willing to castrate you, especially for your earlier comments. In fact, start running." They scramble to their feet and run in terror. "You can come out now." Hotaru walks out. "Are you ok, little girl?" She nods. "What is your name?"
"Hotaru Tomoe, Did you hurt them badly?" Kayin sheaths his blade.
"Not really, mostly scared them."
"You should have waited, I could have healed their injuries."
Kayin raises an eyebrow. (Where have I seen her before?) "You can heal people?"
She ducks her head down. "Yes...., that's why they call me freak. I'm not very strong, I get tired easily."
Ketsurui kneels down. "Don't ever believe them. You're a very nice girl, they're just morons. Besides, I have powers too." Hotaru looks a bit skeptically at her. Ketsurui gestures at a nearby pool. A bubble of water raises up and forms a square. It changes to a triangle, then a rectangle. "Wow." Ketsurui gestures again and the bubble pops.
"Come on, we're going to the club Sesshouku. You can rest there, and then I'll take you home. Hotaru nods and starts walking only to stumble and fall. Kayin drapes an arm over his shoulder. Ketsurui takes the other. They support her and walk down the street.
(Club Sesshouku, 15 minutes later)
Kayin and company walk in the front door. "Call Taishin for me." The waiter nods and walks off. Kazuro walks back in, this time in a blue suit.
"Yes, Sir Kayin?"
"Ahh, Taishin. I'm going to clean up a bit before my meeting with Meiou Setsuna. See that I'm not disturbed." He nods and walks off.
Hotaru blinks. "You're a friend of Setsuna mama's?"
Kayin looks quizzically at her. (Setsuna mama? Why would she say that.... wait a minute!) His eye closes for a second and he looks at her energy. (Damn it all! This kid is Saturn?! I was not expecting to deal with her.) "Hotaru, I have a shower and a bath upstairs, do you want to use them?" She shakes her head. "I'm going upstairs. If Setsuna comes in, tell her what happened and that I'll be down in a minute."
*splash* Kayin rinses off the soap and steps into the tub. There is a metallic click as he removes something from his face. (It's coming together. Once this stupid tournament is over, I can finally take a vacation.)
"Oh Kayin....." Kayin puts his mask back on as he turns around.
"Ummm, what are you doing?"
Ketsurui is standing at the edge of the tub, wearing nothing but a towel that barely seems to cover her body. "I just thought I'd give you a little show, since you didn't want to look earlier."
Kayin turns away. "I'm not going look, so you might as well just wash up and sit down." She shrugs and discards the towel. The sounds of splashing and scrubbing are heard. Kayin flexes his ears. "I'll ask you to wait a moment." he says. A loud splash sounds near him. Ketsurui looks at him through the steam. His hair is hanging limply over part of his mask. His body appears to be lithe, but flexible and strong.
Her eyes widen as she sees some scars on his torso. "How old are those?" Kayin looks up. For the first time, she sees his eye. It's a deep crimson color.
"Scars of time should not be questioned, merely granted respect. However, your question is alright. I will give you an answer later." Ketsurui moves toward him, sashaying all the way, which does wonders for her hips and chest.
She rubs his leg sensually. "Does this do anything for you?" she says while smiling. He glows for a moment. "Ouu, that tingled. What did you do?"
Kayin smirks. "You've been teasing me quite a bit. Here is my payback. I electrified the water abit. As the water knight, you seem to be immune to the charge. However, you'll begin experiencing an interesting sensation in a moment. Have fun. I'll be outside. When you are finished meet me at the table Kazuro points out." He climbs out of the tub, and start walking to the changing area.
"Woah, what a view." sighs Ketsurui. She sits back and relaxes. She opens her eyes. "Bastard. Oh well, he said have fun."
~*~5 minutes later~*~
Ketsurui comes out in a metallic black kimono with lime green dragon outlines. She looks around. She sees Kazuro and taps him on the shoulder. He nods and points to a table in the middle. She takes a seat next to Hotaru. "Setsuna mama!" Hotaru cries out.
"Hotaru?" Setsuna is there in a business woman's suit. "What are you doing here?"
"I helped her out of a situation. Some student gang members were bullying her." says Kayin.
Setsua nods. "I thank you for this. Hotaru, can you wait till I'm done? I'll take you home afterwards."
Kayin holds up a hand. "I was hoping we could eat lunch first. I assure you, this is on the house." They order lunch. After a few minutes, Kayin puts his fork down. "Now, Setsuna, or should I say Sailor Pluto, shall we get down to business?" Setsuna blanches. She motions to draw her henshin stick. "I know who you are, and this is under a flag of truce. I'm not going to break it. If you fight, I'll see that you pay for damages. I'll fight after if you want." She relaxes. "I'm also aware of Sailor Saturn here. You should not have mentioned Setsuna, I would not have guessed otherwise." Hotaru's eyes go wide, then she too sits back. "Setsuna, you still don't recoqnize me?" Kayin reaches behind his ear. A metallic click is heard. "Ketsurui, you and Hotaru might want to look away." He removes his mask. A face with a large scar and a closed eye is beheld. He leans down and puts something on his face. "Now do you recoqnize me? I've been told I bear a striking resemblanse to another member of my family. His left eye is covered by an eyepatch.
Setsuna gasps. "It can't be! You were exiled for treason! You should not be alive!"
Kayin smirks. "Now, seeing as how we are both older than most of the cities here, how about you tell me what the senshi are doing?"
Setsuna's expression hardens. "We beat Beryl and we can beat you."
Kayin raises an eyebrow. "Beryl is dead? I thought so. Your subordinate said Malachite was killed once. I presumed that Metallia has also met her end?" Setsuna nods. "One less problem. So, what is the goal of the senshi, seeing as how the moon kingdom no longer reigns?"
Setsuna smirks. "We plan to create a crystal tokyo and cleanse the evil from the world."
Ketsurui raises an eyebrow. "How can you cleanse the evil from the world?" Kayin sips his tea.
"By removing all the evil from people using the ginzuisou."
Kayin spits out his tea. "Sorry about that. Did she just say ginzuisou?" Ketsurui nods. Kayin slams the cup down. "Damn you to hell Setsuna! You would create a future of mindless automatons!"
Setsuna stands up and glares. "It is for the good of the people!"
Kayin stares her down. "My brother would never have let you go through with this."
She slaps him across the face. "It's your fault he died, traitor! I'm doing this to protect the people." Kayin's aura flares. "I am one who protects people. I hereby swear to break my oath to Queen Serenity and fight against you. As long as the senshi are dedicated to Crystal Tokyo, I will seek your defeat." He snaps his fingers. Taishin enters with a blonde woman in a maroon suit and vest. "Who is she?"
"King, new head bouncer. She's a muay thai kickboxer, quite skilled too." The blonde takes a stance. "I suggest you leave now. I'd rather not mess the suit up."
Setsuna takes Hotaru's hand. "Come Hotaru, this man is an enemy of the moon kingdom. We should leave." Hotaru nods glumly and follows Setsuna out. After they leave, Kayin hits his fist into his palm. "Ketsurui, I know the timing is bad, but will you?"
She nods. "Kayin, even you had't saved me, you know I'd help you in a heartbeat."
~*~A hastily constructed stadium in the Nerima ward~*~
"Boy! I refuse to allow you to disgrace the Saotome name so!" says Genma in panda form with one of his signs.
"Then fight me. If you or Akane beat me, I'll give up and marry which ever daughter says ok. If I win, I get the right to desolve the engagement, including your engagement to Ucchan."
Genma snorts and turns the sign. "Deal, boy. If Soun beats you, then you also agree to the engagement."
Ranma turns to Soun. "Mr. Tendo, are you going to fight? I know you're getting back to your old levels."
Soun looks at Ranma. "No, Ranma, I'm not going to fight. I know I can't win. Why are you breaking the engagement? I thought you were going to teach Akane the Saotome branch?"
Ranma hits his palm with his fist. "Because, your lack of training has made that impossible. She won't listen to me. She gets too angry, she wastes energy, and she thinks that she is better than me."
Soun hangs his head. "I'm sorry Ranma. I wish I had trained her better. Why not teach her those moves that I saw you use?"
Ranma gets a cold look on his face. "I don't know that style well enough to teach it. And she is 1: too unskilled, and 2: has no control. She can't learn it, and even if I was able to teach it, she might seriously hurt someone or even kill them inadvertently."
Happosai walks up. "So, my boy, you think she is unworthy of the art?"
Ranma points at Soun. "Ask him, he's her dad. I'm going to sign up."
Soun and Happosai walk away from the angry Genma. "Master, I don't know what to do. I can't fight her, she's my daughter. But if she can't hold her temper..."
Happosai nods. "I can tell that she is not in a proper state of mind to be practicing the art. Perhaps she will recoqnize that she is not the best if she is humiliated publicly."
Soun gasps. "Master, no. She could not bear it."
Happosai blows a smoke ring. "Soun, before your wife died, you were the smarter of my two pupils. Afterwards, you just went along with Genma. You know that I am right. You just can't admit it, because you are her father."
Kayin walks up. "I have an idea. How about a day at the beach for everyone? People around here are way too tense." He moves close to Happosai. "I'd like you to test Ranma and see just how good he is. I would prefer to know that in advance." He whispers.
"Alright, but why?" Happi whispers back.
"Simple. 1: Odds. My bookies would like to know. I need to know how much to fake on that. 2: We have yet to see him really go all out. 3: Ranma is trying to break the agreements that Genma made. And I'm sure you want to see if he's worthy to be your heir." Happosai nods contemplatively. "Did I mention the beautiful women in bikinis?"
Happosai's eyes sparkle. "Pretty ladies, silky darlings! Don't worry my dears, Happosai is coming to save you!" He bounds off. Soun taps him on the shoulder.
"You seem to know the master. May I ask who you are?"
Kayin bows. "Kayin. Let's just say the midget and I go way back." Soun backs away. "Relax, he's out of earshot. Besides, he would just insult me back. A few insults will never break our friendship up."
~*~A few days later at the beach~*~
"So, Ketsu, having fun?" Ketsurui nods and glomps Kayin.
A hint of a blush appears on his face. "Errr..., No offense but could you not do that?" She smilies. "Why? Don't tell me you don't like it?"
"That's not it, I just have to keep an eye on everyone else. I'll do something with you, but no glomping, ok?"
She nods reluctantly. She smiles. "Alright, how about surfing?"
Kayin blanches. "Well, you can, but I have a little problem with water...."
She shakes her head. "That's alright, you just have to watch me." She blows a kiss and throws off the large t-shirt she was wearing. In a sultry fashion, she struts to her board, showing off her black string bikini, the metallic dragons on it moving with her. She breaks into a run toward the water. Ranma hears a large splash. He shrugs and goes back to griping about carrying everything.
"Stupid pops, makes me do all the work."
Genma holds up a sign. "Quiet boy! A true martial artist suffers for his art."
Ranma groans. "Hey, Ryouga, little help? Pops is acting like a slave driver."
Ryouga shrugs and takes a few of the items. "Ranma, you ever get the feeling that we're being watched and that something bad is about to happen?"
"Way too often, man, way too often. Usually pops does something first."
Over on a far side of the beach, behind an umbrella, the senshi sit watching them. "Tell me again why we have to watch this guy, cause the inners are complaining about not being able to go after guys." says Haruka with a shudder.
Setsuna leans over to her. "Because, he's creating a lot of chaos in the time gates. Also, I think I know him."
Usagi taps her on the shoulder. "Can we go have fun while you watch him?"
Setsuna sighs. "Alright, but be ready to change if something happens."
"Hey girls! Setsuna says party!" The inner senshi and Hotaru run off.
Setsuna turns and glares at Haruka and Michiru. "And where are you two going?"
They stop sneaking off. "We're going to umm...." mumbles Haruka.
"Get a better vantage point." says Michiru with an elbow to Haruka's ribs.
Zu and Happosai are lounging around at an outdoor beach cafe. "Ahh, this is the life. Waiter, another 3 rounds for my friend and I." The waiter nods and walks off. "Zu, take a look at this." Happosai pulls out a bag full of a pink powder.
"What's this stuff?"
"The Aphrodite powder. It causes the opposite sex to go nympho at the person who is hit by the powder."
Zu's eyes bug out. "How much of it is in that bag?"
Happosai grins. "More than enough. The effect time varies."
"Well, Happi, I'm afraid I can't let you use that." Happosai dodges a staff blow.
"Colgone chan, why are you denying an old man his last pleasures?"
Cologne presses her attack. "I'm not going to let you use that powder again. You humiliated the amazons once by using that powder on us. I'm going to destroy it once and for all!" Happosai jumps onto Zu's head. Cologne aims a strike at Happi. She misses and nails Zu.
"But Master, the women's panties are right here, why do we have to make them mad?" He passes out. Cologne gives chase to Happosai. Setsuna sits under the umbrella watching a game of beach volleyball. Ranma and Ryouga have turned it into a mostly two man contest. Ranma jumps high and spikes the ball. Ryouga dives and covers it. Soun jumps and.... Gently knocks over the net. Ranma facefaults as it hits the ground.
"Cheap shot."
Ryouga smiles. "We won. You have clean up now."
Ranma groans. "If the lazy panda would'a covered it, we would have beat you."
Genma holds up a sign. "Foolish boy! The way of the beach is fraught with peril!" Setsuna blinks at the sign. She then chuckles a bit at the sheer absurdity of that statement.
"You know, Setsuna, he's a fairly nice guy, once you get to know him." Setsuna spins around pointing her time staff, at a grinning Kayin. Kayin, clad in a hawaiian shirt and bermuda shorts, sips a fruit drink. "Hey, don't you know? This is a no-magic beach. I'm not here to fight anyway."
She retracts the staff. "Then why?"
"Well, I think that Ranma would be a good person for you to make friends with. The outers are a little crazy, not counting Saturn." Setsuna looks to the sea sadly.
"Why? Why did he have to die?"
Kayin sits down next to her. "Life is unpredictable, and none of us know what's going on half the time. Even the time gates aren't 100% sure. I will tell you this. He's not Vel, but he is a lot like him. I think that he needs some friends. If you want to start something else, wait till the tournament ends." Kayin gets up and starts to walk away. "It's easy to find something worth dying for, have you anything worth living for?"
Setsuna blinks. "He said that to me."
"It's a family motto. Have fun and stop worrying about things that haven't happened." Setsuna lies back and goes to sleep for awhile. *Bonk* "Ow" She sits up and finds a beach ball next to her and a bump on her forehead. (I'm gonna give the owner a piece of my mind.) She gets up, only to see Ranma approaching her with a hand behind his head.
"Have you seen a beach ball around here?" She stares at him for a second, then shakes her head abit while holding it. She then holds up the beach ball and points to her head.
(Uh oh. You're on your own here, kid.) says Vel.
Ranma puts a hand behind his head. "Sorry about that. Ryouga can't aim and we lost track of where it went."
Setsuna sighs. "It's alright. My usual luck seems to be in force today." Ranma blinks. "Is there anything I can do to make this up to you?" Setsuna sits down. "You can talk to me for a minute. I don't know why, but you remind me of someone."
Ranma sits down. He holds out a hand. "Ranma Saotome, of the Saotome school of Anything goes martial arts."
"Setsuna Meiou." They chat about trivial things.
(Why....? Why do I know her? She seems so familiar.... like a dream that fades in the morning but returns every night. I have to get the orb back. I must know why I did the things I did and who I was. ....What the hell is that?)
Ranma turns to the sound of a battle cry. Happosai is being chased by Cologne, Shampoo, Ukyo, Akane, the senshi and various female beach goers. Zu groggily stands up. "Feels like I got whacked by a boulder... ouch." *turns to the side* "Damn..., you got this many mad at you, old man? That's gotta be a record."
Ketsurui is carrying her board back. "Huh?" Kayin looks up from his drink. "Ketsu, it may be time to get out of the way." Ranma and Setsuna are sweatdropping.
"How the hell did this happen?" Setsuna squints and looks at the small figure of Happi. "Wait a sec, that's the panty thief who stole my bras and panties. Wait for me, I want a piece of him too!" She joins the chase.
Happi is sweating bullets. (Oh no. All the pretty ladies are angry. Some of them are quite strong too, I need a distraction... hey, that Ranma kid is there, I'll just use him.) He changes direction to Ranma.
Ranma blinks. (Vel, are they coming this way?)
(Looks like it. Start running, and don't get wet if you can help it.) Happosai jumps up in the air. Cologne grips her staff and throws it hard at him. *bonk* Happi is dazed for a moment. A small bag slips out of his grip. it falls into Ranma's hand. "Huh?"
Cologne stops in her tracks. "Boy, give me the bag. It has caused much harm to the amazon people."
"What is this powder?"
Shampoo looks at him. "Powder is aphrodite powder. Very good love potion. Supposed to only work on women."
Ranma shrugs. He holds the bag out. "Ok, here ya go."
Happosai's battle aura rages. "I will not let you ruin my chances to get all the silky darlings! Happo Daikarin!" (Happo Fire bomb) Happosai throws a bunch of miniature bombs. They start exploding with surprising power.
Ranma jumps up. (What's that in your other hand?) Ranma blinks and sees a bomb about to blow up in his other hand. *Boom!* Ranma flares a bit of his aura to protect himself from the blast. The powder starts crackling and it begins raining down on the people below.
Kayin looks up. "Oh crap. Ketsu, get down!" He runs over to her and pushes her down. He whirls his hands to create a breeze. The powder drifts away from her.
"Ahchoo! What the hell did Happi do this time?" Ketsu stands up. "Hey! Why did you push me?"
Kayin sniffs around him. "Ketsu stay back! I have something on me that you don't want!" She stops. Ranma gets up from the hole in the ground where he hit.
Zu is looking around nervously. "Man, we need to move. Happi's plan got torpedoed and we're in a tight spot."
Ryouga sneezes. "What kind of powder is this? Ranma, what the hell did you do?"
"Me? Happosai threw the bomb, don't push this one on me!" Ranma gets up from the hole in the ground.
"You wanna fight man, let's do this here." Ryouga takes a stance.
"Alright, let's rock this beach." A piercing whistle is heard. Ryouga covers his ears. "Ahhhhhhh!!!!"
"You have greater concerns than your private duel, look around you!" Kayin yells to them. They stop yelling and look at the girls. The senshi, Ukyo, Akane, Nabiki, Kasumi, and several beach going females are covered with the dust.
"Hey, what is this?" says Akane. She pulls out a mallet. "Ranma, what did you...?" She stares at Ranma. (God, he's cute, why did I never notice before?)
Minako and Rei sneeze. "Pluto, what is this stuff?" says Minako. (Mmmmm, that Ryouga looks like a nice hunk of beefcake, I'd love to see what he can do) She looks and sees Rei blushing. "Hey, let's not fight about this guy anymore. I'm sure he's studly enough for both of us," she says with a hentai grin.
Rei stops blushing, and looks at Minako. "You're ok with sharing?"
"Sure, if we fight, neither of us gets to enjoy him."
Ryouga looks around. "Yo, Ranma. I think we better go. Right now." Ranma nods, and starts to slink off.
"Hold it!" The senshi strike a pose. "Your manliness and virility has caught our attention, in the name of the moon, we shall take you for our pleasure!"
Kayin sweatdrops. "Good god, Serenity is probably facefaulting in her grave right now."
Ketsurui blinks. "Are they always like that?"
"No, Happosai used an aphrodisiac powder on them. That's why I told you to stay back. I'm gonna jump in the water and get this off me. Get the nearby people away for one sec." He throws off his hawaiian shirt. He then sprints to the water and swan dives in. The water glows, with electricity flowing on the top of it. Kayin leaps out in a spin, landing next to Ketsurui. "Much better, the water is partially electrified now, you might want to warn anyone who goes near."
Ketsurui has a slightly glazed expression on her face. He snaps his fingers near her. She blinks. "Did you say something?"
Kayin sighs. "Try not to do that. I know I probably look good with my hair matted from the water and it cascading down me, but try to remain semi-coherent." She is grinning widely and conked out again. He puts a finger on her arm. *Zzzzap* A small static jolt revives her. "I need you to watch my back while I try to help Ranma and the others. Can you do that without conking out?"
She nods. "Ok, but you have to model that suit for me later, deal?"
Kayin facefaults. "Ok, ok, deal. I'll model it for you, but after we deal with this. Until then, no spacing out." She grins happily. He reaches behind his back and pulls out his sword. "Time to show the pretty soldiers, the true meaning of my nickname."
"What nickname?"
Kayin charges electricity around him. "The name given to me by my father. Electric Nightmare." He moves forward slowly like a wolf stalking it's prey.
"Ranma, this is all your fault!"
"My fault!? You're the one who picked a fight with me, while these crazy women surrounded us!" (You know, if you can knock down their numbers a bit, then just take your pick from the litter. Most of them might be fun for a quickie.)
Ranma slaps his forehead hard. (Vel, If you don't tell me something useful, I'm going to start bashing my head on a rock repeatedly.)
"You know, most guys would kill to be in this postion." Kayin strides up with his sword over his shoulder. "Then again, if you are too afraid to fight horny women, I can take a few off your back." He starts whistling 'Whistle of the Warrior' and reaches behind his back. He pulls out a second sword from nowhere. He takes a stance, his swords glinting in the sunlight. "Shall we dance the endless waltz of war again?"
Ketsurui jumps next to him and draws her scythe. "Why should you get all the eye candy? I enjoy looking at some beefcake myself." She leers at Kayin. "Although, I wouldn't mind just looking at you."
Kayin sweatdrops. "Could we deal with the nymphos, and then look at the eye candy?" She nods whilst smiling. Kayin rushes Ukyo. Ukyo blocks his strike with her spatula. Ketsurui jump kicks Minako. Minako collides with Rei, knocking the two of them down.
Zu runs over to the group. "Ladies, prime beefcake right here! The great wall ain't the only big thing in China!" He flexes his muscles.
Happosai bounds over and latches onto Ketsurui's chest. "Pretty lady!"
Kayin starts chuckling. "Happi, you picked the wrong girl to glomp this time." He punches a heartstruck Akane into the ground. He shakes out his hand. "What the hell is her head made of?"
Ketsurui looks down and sees the little perv on her chest. "What the hell is this?"
"Pretty lady, can you give an old man one last thrill?" Happi grabs her nipples.
Her expression darkens. "Get off me right now, or I'm going to hurt you." She grabs Happi's head and bashes him with the stick end of her scythe, then swings the blade an inch from his face. "If you're going to glomp me, you better be Kayin or have a death wish." She then nicks his cheek with the blade. "I'm not easy, and I sure as hell don't give cheap thrills to dirty little perverts!" Happi falls over, fainted dead away.
Kayin whistles appreciatively. "Remind not to piss you anytime soon." He goes over to Happi and tosses him into the crowd of girls. "Have fun, lecher, and don't glomp her again, or next time she might castrate you." Happosai gives an involuntary shudder.
Ranma and Ryouga continue to evade the nerima girls. "Kayin, you cheap bastard! Help us out!" yells Ryouga.
Setsuna gets up from where she was hit to the side. "Ow, my head feels like a boulder is rolling around." She sees Zu enjoying the attentions of some of the senshi. *Sweatdrop* (Maybe, I should have stayed unconscious. I better help them, they'll thank me later.) Setsuna pull out her staff. "Dead scream." She shoots a blast at Zu. Zu jumps into the blast head on.
"Hey, come on, let a brother have a little fun."
Setsuna beans him on the head. "You're taking advantage of that powder's effect! You're as bad as that little letch!"
"Oh, Setsuna...?" Haruka and Michiru appear looking very zoned out. "We thought about it, and we want to give your ice cold body a little passion to warm you up." Setsuna hangs her head and buries her head in her hand. "You've got to be kidding me...." They try to jump her, only to have Zu spin his staff and block them.
"Ladies, care to make my pagoda rise?" he says with a lecherous grin.
"Sorry big boy, we only like girls."
Zu sighs. "This one said no. I can't let you force her."
He grabs her hand. "I can't really hurt them, we should run. My silver haired maniac friend over there, should be able to get off our backs." She nods and runs with him. Kayin kicks off Nabiki, none too fiercely. (I can't hurt some of them, they aren't all martial artists.)
"Hey, crazy fox! Help me out, man!" Zu says while running with Setsuna.
"What did you do now?"
Zu scratches his head. "These two lesbians wanted to jump her, I helped her out."
Kayin chuckles. "I'm surprised, I would have thought you would enjoy the show. And you Setsuna, I guess I lose that bet."
Setsuna glares. "What bet?"
"I bet you were a lesbo, or at least bi." While he is talking, the group is surrounded. "Get close and jump at my signal." They close in toward him. He circles his blades. He then makes a cross cut at an upward diagonal angle. "Wind tunnel!" A hollow column of wind appears. "Go through it and move quickly! I'm going to use one of my big attacks!" The unaffected people run up the slope.
Ketsurui shakes her head. "No way! I'm not letting you fight them yourself!"
Kayin slashes the ground in front of her. "This is child play for me. I promise not to kill anyone this time. I've been holding back because of you and the others." She nods, runs to the tunnel, looks back, then goes into it. Kayin starts laughing maniacally. "I'm starting to feel it again. This is great. I haven't felt the joy of battle since Sekigahara. Come on, you crazy bitches. I'll show you how a true knight of chaos fights. He holds his arms wide. "Witness my power." He starts spinning. There is a flash. Lightning strikes his spinning form. "Nightmare Revolution!" A huge tornado starts engulfing them. *Slash, slash, slash* the sounds of striking blades is heard. A shadow can be seen darting among the various forms in the heart of the tornado. The clouds part as the great energy splits the sky apart. The tornado dies down. The senshi, nerima girls and various people start falling to the ground. No one is dead, unbelievably. In the center of the destruction, Kayin stands, breathing slightly heavily. He stands up. "Heheheheh...., Ahahahaahahah!" He laughs insanely for a few minutes. Then he sheathes his blades, the second one disappearing. He whistles for the others. "I told you, I'm the Electric Nightmare. A bunch of girls in skirts, some crazy martial artists, and a few lesbians can't stop me." He then falls back with swirly eyes. "Although..., That move took a bit out of me."
Ketsurui walks over and pulls him onto her shoulder. "For once, I'm going to help you up." Zu grabs the other arm. He then lifts up Ranma with his other arm.
"Dude, help your bud, I think he fell in the sand." Ranma runs over to Ryouga.
"You ok?" *growl* Ranma turns white. "Ahhhhhh! Cat!!!" He then runs off. Ryouga, in were-tiger form, stands up and shakes off the sand.
Rei and Minako wake up. "Wow, kawaii kitty!" they both say. Ryouga's jaw drops. He then runs in the same direction Ranma went.
"Arghhhh! Leave me alone!! I hate catsssss!!!!" is heard in the distance.
"Haaa...." With a rush of air, Kayin stands up. "Phew, now that was fun. I haven't let loose like that in a while. I may have to stop holding back so much."
Ketsurui blinks. "You're kidding me, you're still holding back, after all that?"
Kayin chuckles. "I'm far stronger than most of the people here. Happosai, and Cologne might be a match for me, if I fought hand to hand only. Ranma, he's far stronger than he thinks. He could beat me, with the right kind of training." He walks over to Elder Cologne and picks her and brushes off the sand. "My apologies, but I had to neutralize the powder and my attackers." Shampoo groggily stands up. She moves over to Kayin, and puckers her lips. Kayin grabs her neck. "Don't. I have no interest in becoming a slave male. I serve no master, save Malduke, god of chaos." He squeezes. "Now, Elder, tell her to withdraw the kiss, or I crush her windpipe."
Cologne hesitates and then smiles. "You won't kill my grand-daughter, you're an honourable man and a samurai. She is no match for you."
Kayin smiles predatorialy. "I never said I was a samurai. I'm a ronin. I also do not possess a code of honor that you would understand. It says that someone who is going to get in my way later, should be removed. I will not be taken like some animal for breeding. If necessary, I'll see your village drenched with blood. But, I will not let you ruin centurys of planning. Now choose, the life of your grand-daughter, or the destruction of your tribe?" He starts slowly squeezing. "Choose quickly, her time is short."
Cologne slams her staff down. "Alright! I revoke the kiss. Just let her go." He releases her. She gasps for air.
"I do not wish to be troubled about this thing again, are we clear?" Cologne nods grimly. "I have a favor to ask you. In return, I will give you a few techniques." Cologne sits down. "I want you to act as a judge for the Kamikaze Budoukai. I have need of seasoned veterans for the judging section."
Cologne nods. "Alright, someone must look out for the young ones. Obviously if I act biased toward Shampoo, you will toss me out?"
Kayin nods. "You catch on quickly. Your youthful appearance belies a great cunning." He picks his shirt up. "I'll see you in a week, to give you the heads up on the battle grounds. Make sure that she registers as a combatent. Ketsu, Zu, let's go."
~*~????? ~*~
"Hheheheh. It seems that he has not lost his edge. The battle nears commencement. Prepare our entry. The time of my descent to earth nears." Velius nods as does a figure in a jacket with a fedora. "Genya, you are not to attack anyone until I give the order, is that clear?"
The fedora clad shadow bows. "Yes your highness." he says in a slippery voice.
"How goes the third of my generals?"
Velius steps forward, his cloak rippling around him. "He is nearly ready. I have left him on earth. He will awaken when the last seal on him is removed."
"Good. Chaos exists to create. To destroy that which is formless, power to destroy that which is existence is needed."
Author's Notes: Let me hear the cheers people! Or tomatoes, if you're mad at me for taking so long. This is a whopper, huh? I had no idea it would be this long. Anyway, after the next chapter, I'm finally bringing in the bad guys. Sorry it took so long, but trust me, I'm fairly sure they were worth it. Was anyone expecting Kayin to do that at the end? Stay tuned for the next chapter of Ranma: Legends: The tournament for Ranma's heart. Seriously, it will be that one this time. I just needed to write a set up and some past stuff. Mads props of course to my brilliant editor Ketsurui, who really helped out a lot on this chapter, Omega X, and Reiko. Read, review, flame, and say your piece.