She'd been running so long, she'd forgotten what it was like to be still—if she'd ever known in the first place. She was tired—her feet were sore—and she needed to eat—but she couldn't stop. They would catch her if she stopped. She knew that.

Even if she didn't know who they were.

-----

"And I say," noted Hikaru, "the 'brain in a tank method' of immortality is severely lacking in appeal."

"Oh come on!" said Inu-Yasha. "Ya get ta live forever. That's a hell of a better deal than ya mortals usually get!"

"Ahh, yes, an eternity as an immobile organ that has to be hooked up to machines in order to use even rudimentary versions of the senses," said Hikaru dryly. "Sounds marvelous on reflection. Sign me up immediately."

Inu-Yasha crossed his arms. "Well, you don't have to be so sarcastic…"

The waitress brought them their order. "That sounds like my uncle," she noted. "They've got him hooked up to ten different machines in order to live."

"How's he holding up?" said Hikaru.

"Aside from trying to smother himself with his pillow, not bad," she stated.

Hikaru sipped his coffee. "You know, I never thought I'd say this, but the dry spell is getting to me." He gave his head a rueful shake.

Inu-Yasha glanced at him. "When's the next—?"

"Still three days, Inu-Yasha," sighed Hikaru. "Just like the last time you asked."

Inu-Yasha grumbled to himself.

Hikaru glanced at Miroku. "Still no word on the Masters of Evil?"

"They're lying low," replied Miroku. "However, I have found something out about the Crimson Cowl."

Hikaru's eyes perked up, his interest obvious. "What?"

"He has no criminal record. Nor does he even have an extensive reputation in the criminal underworld. On the contrary, he seems to have popped up out of the blue, and begun gathering supervillains around him."

"So in fact, what you've discovered is nothing," muttered Hikaru snarkily.

"Some kinds of nothing are a form of something," replied Miroku. "An enigmatic supervillain arriving to gather Shinken shards at precisely this time is highly suspicious, you'll agree…"

"You're thinking it's that Naraku fellow," said Hikaru. "I don't think that works. Someone as powerful as that guy is—if even half of what you say is true—wouldn't waste time trading fisticuffs with me—not if he had the advantage. He'd just kill me and be done with it." Hikaru took a very long swallow of coffee. "And then there were all the gizmos. Demons and technology generally don't mix. They really lack the patience to learn how to program a VCR, much less outfit themselves with the latest in combat equipment."

"So you're saying there's no connection," sighed Miroku.

"I'm saying we don't know enough to be sure about anything," said Hikaru. "And definitely not enough to follow theories that may send us after red herrings because we want them to be true."

Miroku glanced at Kagome. "What about you, Kagome? What do you think?"

Kagome fixed Hikaru with an icy stare. "I think the Kid Commandos is a brilliant name, no matter what certain people think about it."

"Not having that conversation, Kagome," said Hikaru in a singsong voice. "Just not going to happen."

Kagome mumbled something that sounded like her equivalent to swear words.

"Pardon me," came a voice, "do you have some salt?"

Hikaru groaned. "Yes." He picked up the shaker.

"Hey, I know you!"

Hikaru turned. Sayuri stood there. He gulped. Sayuri was a classmate who'd seen him as Dr. Strange, and despite the Crimson Cowl's revelation that Hikaru was subconsciously using some sort of hypnosis to protect his identity, he was still worried about it not taking.

"You're Hikaru Gosunkugi! The weirdest kid in school! And I was—talking to you!" Sayuri's eyes widened in horror. "And—this—this must be—your infamous manga club! A collection of the most socially undesirable freaks in Tokyo! And I've been—exposed!" Her face blanched. "Okay, Sayuri—take a deep breath, and back away slowly…"

"Sorry for disturbing your placid existence," muttered Hikaru.

Sayuri burst out screaming and ran from the café.

"You forgot your salt, miss…" shouted Kagome after her.

Hikaru slouched back in his seat. "I don't know what's more depressing—the fact that I've saved her life several times, or the fact that since I became a superhero, my reputation has declined—something I didn't even think was possible."

"Cheer up, Hikaru!" said Kagome. "We may have our different opinions about my brilliant ideas for names, but I would never insult you the way she just did." She gave a cheerful nod. "I'm much too scared of you."

"Likewise," noted Miroku.

"I'm more kinda nervous 'bout ya, myself," said Inu-Yasha.

Hikaru sighed. "Thanks for the sentiments." He grimaced. "The concept that I move you to absolute terror is such a joy to me that I am lost for words."

A pair of policewomen entered.

"And I'm telling you, Kei, he was checking me out."

"He's gay, Yuri. He doesn't check women out, except maybe every now and then for makeup tips."

"Hmmph," muttered Yuri.

The pair sat down at the counter. The waitress glanced at them. "Let me guess—two donuts."

Yuri glared at her. "That is a rude and unfounded stereotype. I'd like a garden salad, with a light vinaigrette dressing."

Kei smiled. "I'd like a donut." Yuri's glare shifted to her. "What?" said Kei defensively. "I like donuts."

The pairs' walkie-talkie blared on. "Attention all units. We have reports of a monster rampage in Kanda district. Repeat—a monster rampage in…"

Yuri blinked. "Sounds serious."

"Probably a kook or a crank," said Kei. "And if it isn't, we're just going to go through the usual 'monster call' routine."

"There's a usual routine?" asked the waitress.

"Yep," said Kei. "We go in and wind up firing at the usually bulletproof monster. When we run out of bullets, Yuri usually winds up throwing her gun at it, apparently under the impression that if a large number of accurate speedy projectiles don't do the job, one clumsily thrown slow projectile will."

"I might luck out," grumbled Yuri.

"At that point, either a superhero, or a SWAT team comes to save our sorry asses." Kei shook her head. "So, I'm really in no hurry to go there."

Inu-Yasha glanced at Hikaru. "Interested?"

Hikaru stood up. "Are you kidding? Given my options right now, the only reason I didn't bolt out the door is I want to finish my coffee."

-----

She fell to the ground, her knees giving out beneath her. Her breath came in unsteady gasps—she felt miserable. She glanced at a small puddle. The face that stared back at her was a mask of desperation and exhaustion. Her eyes gazed at her reflection with the fury of a frantic animal.

A slight despairing moan escaped her lips, despite her best efforts to hold it back. Her hands reached out to the puddle on pure, base need, and splashed some water on her face. A feeling of relief came over her. Her tongue darted out, and licked some of the moisture off her cheeks.

That was when she heard the clatter of footsteps. They were coming.

She stood up and ran, determined to use what energy remained to her to get as far away as possible. As she ran, she whispered a prayer to gods whose names she could no longer recall. Send help, please I beg you!

-----

Hikaru glanced around the city neighborhood in distaste. "Oh, come on! This is a monster rampage? Some battered garbage cans! A few over-turned cars!" He shook his head. "Absolutely nothing that can't be explained by rowdy teenagers!" He raised his fist. "This is the result of overly-specialized hotlines! The average citizen is affected by a monster rampage perhaps once every seven years, and then only peripherally. But due to media saturation, everyone is convinced they're an imminent threat, and so we get a hotline that is promptly abused by elderly women to put the fear of God into teenagers who play their music too loud…"

Kagome blinked. "So you want there to be a monster attack?"

Hikaru gave a dismissive wave. "Oh, I don't know what I want. Let's go—it's clear we're not needed here."

There was a low rumble, the sound of many bricks smashing to the ground. Hikaru turned. "On second thought, our presence is clearly necessary."

The four ran towards the din. A dark, ragged figure was running towards them. "A-after me!" it shouted nervously. "P-please help!" Hikaru gestured for the others to stop, and then was nearly bowled over by the figure as it ran towards him, and more or less collapsed on him.

The figure was, Hikaru noted rather awkwardly, a girl.

Her skin was a dusky brown—her hair was a very dark shade of black. She was slender, but the feel of the muscles under the skin suggested she lacked nothing for strength. She seemed very faint at the moment—her eyes were fluttering weakly, and her head was tossing as if she was in a state of delirium.

She was quite possibly the most beautiful woman that Hikaru had ever seen.

He blinked. Second most beautiful. Definitely second.

He had no idea where that 'most beautiful' impulse had come from.

"Umm—miss…?" Hikaru cleared his throat. "Miss? What's wrong? Miss?"

She shook her head as if trying to clear it, and opened her eyes. Hikaru noted with some surprise that they were green. They seemed unfocused—he had the distinct impression she couldn't actually make his face out right now. That was probably a good thing.

"T-they're after me. Need—shelter. Please help…"

"Don't worry," Hikaru murmured in tones he hoped were comforting, but were probably just distressing and awkward. "You're among friends now, miss…" Hikaru blinked. "Umm, what's your name? If you don't mind—this is starting to get awkward…"

Her head shot up nervously. "N-name…?" She blinked as if trying to recall it. "N-Nadia. I—" An odd expression came over her face. "Why are there hands on my breasts?"

Hikaru gulped. He had been planning on moving those it had just—slipped his mind. As he lowered his hands, glancing around awkwardly, Nadia did him the great disservice of going limp as a rag doll. "Umm, a little help here?"

Miroku stepped forward. "Of course, sir, I'll just—"

"Step right back and let Kagome help," stated Hikaru evenly. Kagome nodded, rushed forward and took Nadia's left side. "There's a bench over there…" she noted. Hikaru nodded. They walked the unconscious girl over to it, and sat her down. Kagome began to look Nadia over as Hikaru glanced at Inu-Yasha and Miroku. "All right," he began, "it seems our 'monster'—which might be plural—is after Miss Nadia. We don't know why—"

"Umm, Dr. Strange…?" asked Kagome quietly.

"Where is the damn thing…?" muttered Inu-Yasha. "It smashed up a wall, and then—nothin'."

Miroku shrugged. "Maybe we spooked it."

"Or maybe it's playing a waiting game…" said Hikaru bleakly.

"Umm, Dr. Strange…?" asked Kagome quietly.

"Maybe I could check my sources," said Miroku. "A homeless gaijin with her… striking appearance would leave a pretty clear trail…"

"That's as much a problem as it is a help," noted Hikaru.

"Dr. Strange!" said Kagome loudly.

"Yes, Hellcat?" said Hikaru, his fingers starting to rub his temples. "What is your pressing concern?"

Kagome sputtered quietly. "It's—ahh—her feet," she finally got out. "She's barefoot, see…?"

Hikaru began to rub his temples. "That's because she's poor, Hellcat. When people are poor, sometimes they can't afford niceties the rest of us take for granted, like shoes, or regular meals…"

"Yeah, but—" Kagome gestured to Nadia's ankles. "They've got little wings on them. See?" She tugged lightly on a little green wing that rested perfectly on the heel of the foot.

Hikaru blinked. "Oh." This was definitely—unique.

-----

Defending

Chapter 5—"Never Met a Girl Like You Before"

An "Avenging" Universe Spinoff

David Dee

-----

"How is it you're allowed to feel her up, but I'm not?" asked Miroku.

"Once again, I didn't 'feel her up'!" snapped Hikaru. " 'Feeling up' both implies and requires a conscious effort on the part of the feeler that I lacked."

Miroku grinned slightly. "So your hands sought out her chest of their own violation. Understood."

Hikaru slapped his forehead. "No, it was an accident, like this conversation. A hideous, horrible accident we will all try to forget."

"I see." Miroku nodded. There was an awkward silence. "So—what were they like?"

Hikaru shuddered in rage. "I don't know why I even stay within a speaking distance of you sometimes!" He glanced at Inu-Yasha. "Picking up any scents?"

Inu-Yasha glanced up at them, and shrugged. "Just hers." He frowned. "Actually, it's pretty weird. Human but—saltier…"

Miroku glanced at Hikaru. "Any idea where she's from?"

Hikaru sighed. "India? Africa? Brazil? The Caribbean? Idaho?" He shook his head. "The world's a lot smaller than you two remember—the best I could do is take a guess at her ethnicity and even that would be a wild stab." He walked over to the edge of the alleyway. The brick wall that stood at the end of it had a huge gaping hole in it. "Maybe she can tell us when she comes to." He kneeled, and placed his hands on the bricks.

Inu-Yasha glanced at him. "Musta been pretty big ta do this, eh?"

Hikaru shut his eyes. "Hard to tell. If you hit anything just hard enough and in the right spot, it'll shatter…" He took a deep breath. "Hmm…"

Miroku blinked. "What are you doing?"

"Psychometry," replied Hikaru. "Inu-Yasha tried to pick up as scent—now I am…"

"Eh?" muttered Inu-Yasha uncomprehendingly.

"I'm scanning the area for psychic residue. I might find something—and the Ancient One has been suggesting I practice my mental powers."

"Sorta like when Kagome and Miroku pick up evil spirits…"

"More or less. Think of it this way—they're using their naked eyes, I'm going over things with a magnifying lens."

Miroku stared at him. "What are you getting?"

"Not much," answered Hikaru. "Fear—that's probably hers—pain—a great deal of hostility, and—" He shuddered. "Eww."

"What?" asked Inu-Yasha mystified.

"Let's just say a lesson not to probe to deeply into the past of old alleyways and leave it at that," said Hikaru uncomfortably.

Inu-Yasha gave a puzzled nod.

Hikaru shook his head. "Well, that's that—I lost the thread." He sighed. "Whatever our 'monster' is, I can't find out anything about it…" He stood up, and walked away, Inu-Yasha and Miroku followed him.

A pair of eyes were following him in the distance. "Why, look, sister! It's that old meanie, Son of Satan! I hate him, don't you?"

"Waah!" cried her kneeling sister. "That nasty tramp bruised my hand when she broke free…"

"Oh, we'll get back at her. Just like we'll get back at Son of Satan and that nasty Hellcat woman." She giggled. "Come on! The boss will want to know about this."

-----

The first thing Nadia heard when she came to was, "Well, this is new! Usually I'm the comatose one…"

Her eyes shot open. She found herself staring at the gaunt, pale face of Hikaru Gosunkugi. This was not a comforting sight, a fact that Hikaru was aware of through years of experience. Thus he didn't blame her for narrowing her eyes in suspicion. "Who are you?" she aksed commandingly. "And where am I?"

Hikaru gave a polite cough. "I'm Hikaru Gosunkugi. You are in my house." He smiled in what he hoped was a charmingly disarming manner. "We've—met earlier."

Nadia's eyebrow shot up slightly. Her eyes remained very narrow. "I think I vaguely remember that. Are you the one who felt me up?"

"Oh, for the last time, you weren't felt up!" snapped Hikaru.

This answer was in many respects unfortunate, as it caused Nadia's eyebrows to arch higher. "What do you mean, 'for the last time'?"

Hikaru's eyes widened in stark terror. "Something that has nothing to do with the subject at hand?" he suggested hopefully.

Hikaru was something of an expert in withering glances, due to a combination of natural disposition, and extensive training. He was quite capable of making a brave man whimper, then wet himself with one screwfaced glance. And with such expertise, he could say that Nadia's gaze was the visual equivalent of thumbscrews, being fully capable of making an utter sociopath break down and confess to years old crimes.

Hikaru gulped, and managed a soft laugh. "I really think we should leave vague uncertain happenings in the vague uncertain past, where they will continue to be vague, uncertain, and never spoken of again. Ever!" He smiled broadly, then glanced nervously away.

Nadia took a deep breath. "Listen, I can sympathize with your—difficulties, but realize this is not a situation that engenders trust."

"Oh, come on!" said Hikaru, annoyed. "Do I look like the kind of man who preys on helpless young women he finds on the street?" He winced, "Don't answer that."

Nadia screwed up her mouth. "Actually the fact you asked had me looking for a blunt object."

"You've given that up?" asked Hikaru with a note of hope.

"You don't look that formidable," replied Nadia. "I think I can take you."

Hikaru blinked. "How courteous of you to tell me that."

"Please step back. I don't want to have to hurt you."

Hikaru looked at her. She had an odd way of speaking, actually—a slight accent, which was to be expected, though Hikaru couldn't for the life of him place it, and a very formal tendency in her diction that was very—off-putting.

He had no idea why he'd thought she was so amazingly attractive. It had clearly been a momentary lapse of reason.

Especially comparing her to Akane.

Not that he had done that.

He had no idea why he suddenly felt so guilty.

Nadia stared at him. "Are you always so fidgety?"

Hikaru fidgeted awkwardly. "What are you talking about?"

"That would be a yes," murmured Nadia.

Hikaru blinked, then glared at her. "You know, I face a lot of trouble, and a lot of annoyance, so you'd think I'd be used to it, but in fact all that happens is I get more and more irritated," stated Hikaru, gesturing emphatically. "And now you come along, ask me for help, and then start picking me apart like a freaking game of Jenga, and it's all I can do to not lose my temper—"

"What was that?" asked Nadia, startled. "Before the part about you losing your temper?"

"Jenga," said Hikaru. "It's a game where you stack these blocks, and you start picking them out of the stack, and putting them on top of it—"

"No, before that. I asked you for help?"

"Yes, and I felt pity, and gave it to you, an action for which the universe has seen fit to mock me once again," said Hikaru.

Nadia stared at him for a moment, then glanced away. "I see. My apologies, My remarks were—unfair."

"Also catty, sarcastic, and cruel," noted Hikaru. "But thanks for the apology."

Nadia placed her hands on her hips. "I'm starting to regret it." As Hikaru opened his mouth, she gestured that she wasn't finished. "But please—I have been on the run for some time now and it has damaged my courtesy. Also, you're appearance doesn't exactly inspire trust."

"Oh, thank you," muttered Hikaru. "People are just bowling me over with compliments today…"

Nadia took a deep flustered breath. "Look, let's just this out on different footing." "Sounds reasonable." Hikaru shut his eyes. "So, Nadia—"

"How do you know my name?" she snapped.

"You told me earlier," he stated calmly. "Now, where do you come from?"

"I'd rather not say," Nadia answered curtly.

"What's your full name?"

"That's really not important."

"Is there someone I should contact?"

"I really don't know."

Hikaru frowned severely. "Well aren't you a kettlepot of useful information? I already feel my hostility dissolving in the face of your open nature and exceptional trust."

Nadia shut her eyes. "I couldn't tell you even if I wanted to," she said quietly. "The truth is, I don't remember."

Hikaru blinked. "Amnesia?"

Nadia stared at him. "You seem skeptical."

"It's greatly overrated," noted Hikaru, "People forget things for awhile, but rarely the vast tracks that tradition grants to amnesiacs." Hikaru thought that over. "Except the senile, and they lose most of their faculties. It's not a pretty sight." He glanced back at her. "So, what do you remember?"

Nadia thought that over. "I know my first name but not my last. I know a great deal about your culture, but I don't know how I learned it, and I don't recall my own. I know your language, and though it sounds idiotic, I know it isn't my language, but I don't know how I know that, and I don't know mine." She blinked. "The only thing I can recall about my family is that I had an uncle who died before I was born…" She glanced at Hikaru. "Does the name 'Namor' ring a bell?"

"It doesn't even register as a name," said Hikaru, "though since the sixties, anything is possible."

"Hikaru! We're back!" came Kagome's voice.

Nadia glanced at Hikaru. "Who—?"

Hikaru sighed. "My associates. You can trust them." He shook his head. "Though if you're going to jump at everything, I can just check you into a nearby asylum..."

Nadia shut her eyes. "I was being chased by people!"

Hikaru nodded. "You mentioned that when I picked you up." He glanced at her. "Any idea who they are? Or has that also been conveniently blanked from your mind?"

"They haven't introduced themselves," stated Nadia flatly.

Hikaru seemed to be about to reply to that when Kagome burst in holding a platter. "Ta da!" She placed the platter in front of Nadia. "Your dinner is served!" She yamked off the cover.

"Well, that certainly took you long enough," groused Hikaru. "Hey, wait is that—"

Kagome beamingly displayed the meal. "Your very own sushi platter!"

"You blew the money I gave you on sushi?!!" screamed Hikaru.

Kagome recoiled nervously. "You said to get food…"

"I was thinking ramen! Soba! Something cheap, and noodle-based! Not a very expensive sushi platter!" He looked the platter over. "You even got fatty salmon…"

"Hikaru?" asked Kagome quietly.

"That was my food money for the next two weeks…" muttered Hikaru. "If I want to eat, I'm going to have to dip into my personal savings, which are not in the best shape right now."

"Um, we'll help…" offered Kagome.

Hikaru stared at her in disbelief. "No you won't. You guys don't have any money. That's why you leech off me."

"I can't eat this," announced Nadia.

"What?" said Hikaru suddenly.

Nadia glanced at him awkwardly, then glanced down at the platter. "I can't eat this. I'm a vegetarian."

Hikaru blinked. "Even for fish?"

Nadia's jaw clenched. "Especially for fish." She looked Hikaru. "I'm a pacifist, Mr. Gosunkugi, who holds all life sacred."

"Oh, come on!" yelled Hikaru. "They're just fish! They don't feel pain! I know—I've been fishing! I hooked the same fish five times! And had to keep throwing it back!"

Nadia scowled "They do too feel pain! They just lack long-term memory! Can you imagine what that's like? To be in horrific pain, and have no idea why?"

"Very easily," muttered Hikaru. He rubbed his temples. "Look, you claim that you can't remember where you come from and what happened to you, but you do recall you're a pacifistic vegetarian who's inordinately fond of FISH!"

The pair glared at each other for awhile. Finally, Nadia turned away. "I'm going to take bath. I need one. And I'm not going to eat that fish. That is the end of our discussion." She walked out of the room. Hikaru watched her leave, then sat down and helped himself to the platter.

Kagome blinked. "Hikaru?!"

"She doesn't want it, I paid for it—I will eat it then." He scowled. "I am going to get some enjoyment out of this, because frankly, I've had enough trouble."

Kagome nodded slowly. "Oh." She coughed. "Can I have some?"

"No."

-----

"So," said the silky, accented voice, "she is being sheltered by Hellcat and Son of Satan."

"That's right, boss!"

"Give us candy!"

Grandis moaned. "Come on grandfather! Don't spoil them!"

Maynard Gravna Tiboldt turned towards his granddaughter imposingly. "Granddaughter, Lin Lin and Ran Ran were promised candy by me if they did as I asked, and CANDY THEY SHALL HAVE!" He handed the twins two suckers.

"That's right! Candy!" shouted Lin Lin.

"Meanie lady!" shouted Ran Ran. The twins darted around Grandis, wrapping her legs up in silken scarves.

"You little—OOF!" cried Grandis as she toppled over. "I'LL PUT YOU IN THE BOX!!"

"Now, now, granddaughter, the twins are merely following their villainous shtick." A dashing smile touched Tiboldt's face. "Indeed, we of the Gravna and Tiboldt families have always prided ourselves on the gimmickry of our underlings, who traditionally come in matched sets of two." He stood up to his full height. "And using those underlings we have created—THE CIRCUS OF CRIME!" He struck his chest and immediately started coughing.

Grandis scowled as he hacked up a large bit of mucus. "Honestly, grandfather, that is disgusting."

"What?" asked Tiboldt. "I'm old. I've got loads of phlegm. When you get to be my age, granddaughter, it will probably be what's holding you together."

Grandis wrinkled her nose. "Grandfather, that is the most repulsive thing I've ever heard."

"What? You will be old one day. I'm to blame for this?" He frowned at her. "Also, it was unsuitable of you to threaten them with the Box. That is the Tiboldt family punishment, to be given by the Tiboldt family head, which you are not." Tiboldt stared at her imperiously. "Instead I am, and I shall remain so until you do as I have long wanted you to do…"

"I'm not killing you, Grandpa," sighed Grandis.

"Oh, come on—I'm an old man. All it would take his a pillow and a few minutes!" He crossed his arms. "I killed my grandfather when I was half your age!"

"We're not talking about this, grandfather," said Grandis tiredly.

"Hmmph," grumbled Tiboldt. "What a miserable protégé you've turned out to be. I blame your father. His coddling ruined you. Instead of a sadistic maniac, you are merely a slightly vicious neurotic."

"Grandfather—don't we have a target to seize?"

Tiboldt nodded. "You are right. We cannot waste time in petty arguments. Gather our forces—we strike immediately!"

"What forces? All we have right now is the twins. Everyone else is either in prison or going solo." She looked at the walls of their tent. "Hell, I hear the Clown is recruiting for some other organization." She shook her head. "I think we should wait, and get some more help. I mean, Hellcat and Son of Satan took us down at full strength by themselves."

"A Tiboldt never waits child! We strike at once! Like lightning!" Tiboldt raised his fist and started to cough.

"But this time they've got friends! And little Miss Marked-for-Death!"

Tiboldt stared at her. "Huh?"

"Our target," groaned Grandis, "I was trying to be witty. You do recommend that as a supervillain trait."

Tiboldt nodded awkwardly. "Yes—well—I prefer less obscure quips…"

"Right," muttered Grandis, teeth clenched.

"For example, 'Pardon me for dropping in' after one has entered by smashing a hole in the ceiling." Tiboldt gave a deep satisfied chuckle. "That one is always a classic."

Grandis took a deep breath. "I think our client would want us to get the job done…"

"Of course," smiled Tiboldt. "Granddaughter, I think we can handle these 'superheroes'. Or rather the Ringmaster and Princess Python can!"

Grandis groaned. "You want me to get the snake, don't you?"

-----

Nadia leaned back in the tub, allowing the water to stream over her skin in calming rivulets. This had most certainly been what she'd needed. Plenty of rest, relaxation and water, with no irritating distractions.

There was an angry knock on the door. "Nadia?" came the shrill croak of Hikaru's voice. "Are you finished with your bath yet? Or reasonably close to being finished?"

"No," answered Nadia. "Why should I be?"

"Maybe because you've been in there for three hours." There was a sharp cough. "No—my mistake. Four hours."

Nadia's eyes opened nervously. "Oh." She laughed apologetically. "Umm, perhaps I will be getting out of here soon."

"Take your time," said Hikaru wearily. "Mostly I was making sure you hadn't drowned."

"I don't drown," said Nadia with surprising quickness and assurance.

"Well, most of us do," noted Hikaru snarkily, his voice fading away, "so don't blame me for checking."

Nadia blinked. Why had she been so sure she couldn't drown? It was, when you thought it over, not a very reasonable thing to assume. Dear Gods, was she going mad? Or even already there? She nodded quickly to herself. She had to check this. Nadia knelt forward, and stuck her head in the water. She took a deep breath. As she'd expected, she breathed perfectly well under water. Sitting up, she shrugged. It was unusual, but, she noted with a glance at her winged feet, she was an unusual girl.

-----

"Her Royal Majesty will probably be joining us shortly," muttered Hikaru.

"Wow!" exclaimed Kagome. "She's royalty?"

Hikaru blinked. "Ahh—no. I was joking."

"Oh," said Kagome. "You were being 'sarcastic' again." She squinted thoughtfully. "You do that an awful lot."

Inu-Yasha glanced at him. "Where are yer folks?"

"They're attending a reunion tour of some old metal band called 'Black Heaven'. They'll be back in a couple of weeks." Hikaru shrugged. "I notified them that the manga club is hosting a—visitor from a foreign branch…"

Miroku shook his head. "I still can't believe your parents trust you with the house."

"My parents trust me with weapons-grade plutonium," said Hikaru ruefully. "It's rather unnerving, actually…"

"I never figured your parents for metal fans," said Kagome.

"Their inner hippies require nurturing every now and then. Dad's firm tends to humor him—he's the one banker who's not under indictment at the moment…" Hikaru shrugged. "It gives him a surprising amount of leeway."

Miroku glanced up. "I think I have an idea about Miss Nadia's amnesia. You—"

"No, Miroku," stated Hikaru.

"You didn't even—"

"I'm not going to read her mind to verify her story."

Miroku stared at him. "Did you just—"

"I didn't have to," said Hikaru. "You really are that predictable."

At that moment, Nadia glided silently around the staircase. "So, what was that bit about reading minds?"

Hikaru could actually feel the breeze being produced by the mutual gasps. "It's—nothing…"

"Right!" said Kagome. "We're not superheroes!"

Hikaru glared at her.

Nadia gave the group a puzzled look. "So—your superheroes?"

Hikaru glanced away. "Yes."

Nadia stared at them for a moment then burst out laughing.

Hikaru's eyes narrowed. "I'm glad you find us amusing. It warms my heart that we lift your spirits."

Nadia stifled a chuckle and then did her best to put on a more serious face. "I'm sorry. It's just that—I always saw superheroes as more—formidable."

"Hey!" shouted Kagome. "We're a darn formidable team of superheroes!"

Nadia, despite herself, started laughing again.

Hikaru glanced at Kagome. "We're not a team…"

Nadia recovered, and looked. "So what exactly are you?"

Hikaru thought that over. "More a loose corresponding circle."

"And you can read minds?" stated Nadia.

"Among other things. I'm exceedingly versatile." Hikaru shrugged. "Actually I'm practically omnipotent, given ideal time and circumstances."

"So your God on a shoestring budget?" commented Nadia amusedly.

"Good analogy," stated Hikaru.

"So you could check my memories," she noted. "Including the ones I don't—remember…"

"If you want me to," answered Hikaru gravely.

Nadia nodded, her eyes shut. Hikaru stepped forward, and clutched her face loosely in his hands. Nadia's eyes snapped open. "What are you doing?"

"Physical contact makes mental scans much easier," replied Hikaru.

"Do you expect me to belie—" Nadia's face went slack midsentence.

"What'd you do to her?" asked Kagome.

"They also work better when the subject is under a trance," answered Hikaru.

Inu-Yasha glanced at Hikaru suspiciously. "That so?"

"Yes. It minimizes distraction, though I won't deny quieting her down as a certain satisfaction all it's own." Hikaru's eyes shut in concentration. "Now, quiet. She asked me to do this, and I've no intention of giving her a cut-rate job."

Hikaru sent his psyche deeper into Nadia's mind. Hunger… Fear… They are after me… The jumbled impressions shot through Hikaru's consciousness, making him almost wince in pain. He was surprised by the wave of pity that went through him. The confused, panicked thoughts that were most of Nadia's immediate were strong, but carried little actual information. Steeling himself, Hikaru plunged deeper into her mind.

What he saw surprised him.

It also knocked him unconscious.

-----

"Are you certain this is the place?"

"Yes, boss!"

"That's it!"

Tiboldt shook his head, "Curious. Superheroes traditionally have more—impressive abodes."

"Grandfather," said Grandis in choked tones, "the damn snake's trying to strangle me."

"Do not call him a 'damn snake'," said Tiboldt curtly. "Mr. Scales is a valuable member of this family."

Grandis's eyes began to twitch. "More valuable then your granddaughter and heir?"

Tiboldt stroked his chin speculatively. Grandis screamed. "Don't be so impatient, child!" he said. "I'm thinking about it!"

"No grandfather," intoned Grandis slowly. "Mr. Scales is trying to ingest my foot."

Tiboldt sighed. "Is that how a supervillain acts? You are Princess Python! You dominate the snake!"

"Princess Python may dominate snakes—Grandis Gravna Tiboldt gets the ever-lasting shit scared out of her by them."

"Honestly, sometimes I don't know why I chose you to take over the Gravna Tiboldt criminal empire."

"Because you've killed off every other member after tricking them into trying to kill you!" screamed Grandis.

Tiboldt scratched his head. "I think there maybe a few distant cousins in Carnelia."

Grandis narrowed her eyes. "Nothing I say particularly sinks in, does it?"

"Of course, they are tailors a profession not exactly known for flamboyant evil," muttered Tiboldt.

"I thought so," said Grandis sadly.

"Still, I hear one of them has gone into public relations, so per haps there is hope."

"Any orders, boss?" asked Lin Lin.

"We really want to break things!" said Ran Ran eagerly.

"Do just that—but leave the target to us!"

"Gotcha boss!" said the twins together, rushing off.

"Now that is how a minion should act, granddaughter," said Tiboldt satisfiedly. "Did you not note the obedient inclining of their heads?"

"Snake's getting frisky, grandpa…"

-----

Hikaru came to groggily. "I've got to stop this—it's getting to be a habit." He glanced at Kagome. "How's Nadia?"

"She passed out the same time you did," Kagome replied. "Miroku went to help her."

Hikaru blinked. "That was a bad idea."

"That's what I told them," said Nadia, leaning against the wall.

Hikaru nodded. "And Miroku?"

Nadia shut her eyes. "He's mildly concussed."

"Good," said Hikaru. "Very good."

"Where are the bells?" said Miroku dazedly. "I hear them, but I don't see them…"

Hikaru looked at him meditatively. "In fact, excellent." He looked at Nadia. "All right—someone has apparently sealed off most of your personal memories. Neither you nor I can get to them."

"I see," said Nadia quietly. "Can't you just—unseal them?"

"Only if you don't mind being a vegetable," answered Hikaru. "Whoever put them up had a lot of power and skill. Only they can lower them at will. Anyone else is going to have to put a lot of effort into getting them open, and I'm afraid I lack the finesse to do so without damaging you."

"I thought you were 'practically omnipotent'," snapped Nadia.

"Sister, it's a big 'practically'!" shot back Hikaru. "The human mind is very delicate. You can't just go charging in at will. I don't care if you can breathe underwater—some things still aren't going to go your way."

"Stop being so patronizing," said Nadia.

"I can't help my nature," replied Hikaru. "Though the fact you used the word 'patronizing' will cut down on my condescending."

"What if I use the word 'hemorrhage'?" asked Nadia.

"It almost vanishes."

Nadia glanced at Kagome and Inu-Yasha. "Is he always like this?"

"Sometimes he's worse," answered Inu-Yasha.

"You breathe underwater?" asked Kagome.

Two brightly colored figures crashed into the room. "Give it up!" shouted one at Nadia.

"You'll never escape us!" shouted the second, who was nearly identical to the first.

"The Chinese Twins!" gasped Kagome.

"Damn," muttered Hikaru. "Now I have to fix that window."

Nadia stood very still for a moment, then screamed. "LEAVE ME ALONE!!!" She charged forward.

Through the wall.

"After her!" cried the twins, somersaulting in pursuit.

Hikaru stared at the gaping hole Nadia had left behind her, then coughed. "Say… Inu-Yasha—remember how I said that a huge hole isn't proof of a huge monster?"

"Yep," said Inu-Yasha.

"I'm just saying this because it appears we're going to have to abandon the whole 'monster pursuing Nadia' theory…"

-----

Nadia raced out onto the street, mentally cursing. She should have known. Safety was an illusion—one she could ill afford. A grim smile rose to her lips. They could try to catch her! She was recovered—back to full strength!

Her stomach growled at the same time as her knees buckled.

Except f or the niggling little fact of having not eaten anything.

"So. Miss il Karthon," came the accented voice. "I am pleased you could—drop in." Nadia glanced up to see a chuckling man in a gaudy green suit, topped by a purple top hat with some sort of medallion in it. Behind him stood a statuesque woman struggling with a snake. "See, granddaughter? That is a supervillain quip!"

The woman nodded while trying to brush the snake away. "Right, right!"

Nadia stood to her feet. "Careful," she said through clenched teeth. "I'm a lot tougher than I look."

"Such defiance," muttered the man. The large medallion began to spin. "It will not do…" Nadia began to stiffen. Stare into the nullatron. Let the circles carry you away. Let your will—become my will. The will of—THE RINGMASTER!"

-----

Hikaru soared through the air as Miroku, Kagome and Inu-Yasha rushed after him.

"I wish I'd brought the Hellcat-cycle," muttered Kagome.

"Ain't it got a flat?" scowled Inu-Yasha.

Kagome glanced at him. "I don't recall telling you that…"

Inu-Yasha gulped. "L-lucky guess…"

"Supervillain up ahead!" shouted Hikaru touching down.

"The Ringmaster!" gasped Kagome. "So the Circus of Crime is behind this!"

"Say what now?" asked Hikaru.

"The Circus of Crime!" intoned Kagome ostentatiously. "A circus where the clowns don't cause laughter, the animals don't amaze, and the acrobats don't fill the heart with wonder."

Hikaru frowned. "Kagome, that's every circus."

"They also steal stuff," she hastily added.

"Indeed we do, Hellcat," said the Ringmaster. "Indeed we do."

"Wow. Good hearing for a septuagenarian," noted Hikaru.

"I have no idea what that means, but thank you," said the Ringmaster silkily. "Welcome to the Circus of Crime! Our show-stopping acts are guaranteed to knock your socks off!" He chuckled to himself, and then gestured to a corner. "May I present—the Twin Chinese Acrobats!"

Lin Lin and Ran Ran tumbled into view.

"Princess Python!"

A woman walked into view waving a stick at a snake that was following her. "You want a piece of me?" she muttered threateningly. "Do you want a piece of me?"

"And our new star attraction—the Flying Fish Girl!"

Kagome's expression was troubled. "That's odd. I don't remember a Flying—"

Nadia dived at them from above. "Oh, wow," said Kagome.

"You're telling me," said Hikaru. "There's no way those tiny wings she has can support her weight."

Inu-Yasha stepped forward. "I'll handle her." Nadia collided with him.

Inu-Yasha tumbled backward, leaving several large craters in the pavement. "Wow again!"

Hikaru nodded. "I knew she was surprisingly muscular, but that borders on the impossible…"

Miroku rubbed his chin speculatively. "A hard body, eh?"

Hikaru gave him a quick jab to the side. "Down boy." He glanced at Kagome. "So—the Ringmaster's put a whammy on her?"

"Umm, yeah—how'd you guess?"

"I'm just lucky that way."

Nadia grasped Inu-Yasha's fist mid-swing and flung him backwards. "Guys, a little help here?"

Hikaru nodded and looked at Miroku and Kagome. "You help him—I'll take care of the Senior Citizen."

Miroku nodded and rushed at Nadia, hefting his staff. She ducked down and tripped him with a swing kick.

Kagome laughed. "Don't worry, Son o' Satan! Hellcat is on the case!" She drew her bow, and quickly fired.

She missed by a sizable margin.

"Ya know," shouted Inu-Yasha, "there's this guy, Hawkeye, who also does the arrow thing—only he hits!"

"Hey, I hit too!" whined Kagome. "Most of the time." She bit her lip. "It's over fifty percent!"

The arrow let loose a shockwave that knocked three of the four people near it to their feet.

Nadia was the exception.

The Ringmaster gave a dry chuckle. "Well, hero, it appears that I will soon be adding a dog-faced boy and several new clowns to my act."

"Right," noted Hikaru. "The awesome might of a woman under your mental thrall threatens to overwhelm us." He thought that over. "Unless I beat you, which as a young man in surprisingly good shape facing a gouty, arthritis-ridden old man with respiratory problems, I can probably manage."

The twins tumbled before him. "Oh, no you don't!" said Lin Lin.

"Nobody gets through us!" shouted Ran Ran.

They quickly wrapped Hikaru up in ribbons. Hikaru sighed. "Oh, now you've done in it." As the twins watched, the ribbons burst into flames and burned to cinders. "You annoyed me." He raised his hands. The pair went flying backwards.

The Ringmaster blinked as Hikaru strode forward majestically. His medallion began to twirl. "Very well, hero. Stare into the nullatron, and feel—"

Hikaru punched him. "You know, I'm officially against evil now," he stated. "I find it irritating."

"Owww!" cried the Ringmaster. "My brittle old man flesh!"

"My heart bleeds for you," said Hikaru calmly. "Still it was a bad idea to try and hypnotize me." He pointed to his head. "I'm such a master of the field that my mind is firmly locked and hermetically sealed." He glanced at the Ringmaster's hat. "While you are a silly old man using a spinning circle on your hat—and thanks for showing me just what I needed to break." He gave a quick jab, causing the nullatron to make a satisfying crunch, then rubbed his knuckles. "I'm obliged to you."

Nadia's eyes cleared. She glanced down at Inu-Yasha, who she had clutched by the kimono. "What am I doing?"

"Beatin' the crap outta me," answered Inu-Yasha.

"Ahh," said Nadia. "I shouldn't be doing that, should I?"

"Nope," gasped Inu-Yasha.

"Right," she said, releasing him.

Hikaru gestured at the Ringmaster. "If you should hit anybody it's this guy. He raped your free will with the casual aplomb of a practiced sociopath."

Nadia's eyes narrowed. "I see." She rushed forward and lifted up the elderly supervillain. "I think I'll follow that advice."

Hikaru blinked. "I thought you were a pacifist who holds all life sacred?"

"I find my pacifism does not preclude self-defense, and reasonably justifiable ass-kicking," stated Nadia. "Does that offend you?"

Hikaru shrugged. "No, but I'm an ethical realist."

Nadia glared at the Ringmaster. "All right, I want answers…" A pistol cocked.

"Let my grandfather down," said Princess Python, leveling a Luger at Nadia. "Nobody gets to kill him but me!"

"Grandis!" said the Ringmaster. "A gun? That is so… tacky!"

"I'm saving your ass, old man!" screamed Princess Python. "Is a little gratitude too much to ask?" She fired.

The bullet bounced off Nadia's skin.

Wide-eyed, Grandis emptied the gun into the girl.

The bullets all ricocheted off her.

Grandis stared at the gun in disbelief.

"Don't bother throwing it," said Hikaru. "I have it on good authority that never works."

Grandis gulped as Nadia threw the Ringmaster at her. "All right you two—you will tell me what I want to know," she began. "What did you do to me? Why can't I remember anything?" She choked back a sob. "WHY?"

The pair blinked. "W-we don't know," said Grandis quietly. "We only know your named Nadia il Karthon, and that the person who hired us wanted you very badly. That's it."

"You—you're lying," seethed Nadia raising a fist.

"No," said Hikaru, grabbing her fist lightly. "They're not."

Nadia lowered her arm, and shut her eyes. "Who hired you?"

"We don't know," said Grandis. "We never met him in person, and he never gave us his name. He said he'd contact us after you were caught, and that he'd know when that happened."

"Which means it will never happen now," said Nadia quietly. She gulped. "Hell's bells. Another dead end." She bit her lip, and began to quietly weep.

Hikaru stared at her awkwardly. He took a deep breath, and patted her on the shoulder. "I'm sorry," he said softly. There was a shuffling behind him. "Miroku, if you take two more steps, I'll have you singing in the Vienna Boys' Choir."

"Umm, right," said Miroku. He glanced at Nadia. "You have my condolences."

Hikaru coughed. "You know we're—stopping a demonic invasion in two days. You could help—if you wanted to."

Nadia choked back a sob. "I don't—want to harm—living creatures at the moment."

"Technically, they aren't alive."

"Oh." Nadia bit her lip, and smiled slightly. "It's a date."

-----

In a small ship by the docks a man shut off a radio. "Damn," he muttered. He sighed and shook his head. "Well, just goes to show you—you can't subcontract."

He shook his head again, and went below to inform h is employers that there'd been an insignificant delay.

-----

Maynard Gravna Tiboldt watched as his granddaughter brewed his tea. "So neither you or the twins can remember what we've done for the last few weeks?"

Grandis nodded. "No idea."

Tiboldt gave a hearty chuckle. "Ahh—lost time—an eternal factor in supervillainy. Entire years of my life are missing, did you know that?" He coughed into his handkerchief, looked at the results, then tucked it back into his vest. "Of course," he noted candidly, "my hard-living gigolo days may have something to do with that."

Grandis tensed, then handed him a cup. "Your tea, grandfather."

"Thank you, my sweet," he said, then sipped it down. "Ahh, excellent. The arsenic adds just the right touch of piquancy. It makes me glad I developed a tolerance for it."

Grandis slapped her forehead.

-----

Nadia stared silently out the window. Someone cleared their throat behind her. "You want another blanket? Another pillow? A complimentary mint?"

"No. Thanks for asking, Hikaru."

Hikaru nodded, then started out. He paused, then glanced at her. "How was the yogurt?"

"It was fine."

"That's nice." He started to head out, then paused. "Look, do you want to talk? About anything?"

Nadia shut her eyes, "No, I—" She took a deep breath. "I don't know who I am, Hikaru. I have no idea about anything. You have no idea what that feels like. Nobody does."

Hikaru chuckled. "If you think that's true, you must have been living a sheltered life." He shook his head. "Don't worry. We'll find out what's happened—who you were. I'm pretty much a magnet for trouble and coincidence, and that way lies the answer." He started to leave.

Nadia turned. "I'm sorry about your house."

"Don't worry—it's fixed. 'Practically omnipotent with ideal time and circumstances', remember?" He smiled. "Actually, I consider myself amply rewarded by your mere presence."

Nadia blinked, startled.

"You're the first person I've met who's honestly more depressed than I am." He walked out. "I find that awfully reassuring."

Nadia, despite herself smiled. Things might not be so bad, after all.

-----

The spaceship stopped behind the moon.

"So this is the place?"

"Yes, Captain. Third planet in the Sol system. The inhabitants call it—Earth."

"It is strangely lovely, is it not? I wonder if it is ready for—THE HERALD OF GALACTUS?"

"Your chocolate milk, miss."

"Ooh, goody! Teeheeheehee-tcha!"

--NEXT CHAPTER--

NADIA: Well, now I join the cast as—well take a guess. And next chapter, seven ramshackle companions join forces to save the Earth from—CAPTAIN ONI! Guest-starring the big green dynamo—

-dinosaur growl-

NADIA: No not Godzilla.

HIKARU: Oh, thanks for giving away the twist…

NADIA: Hikaru, the twelve people who can figure it out knew who the villain was the moment the laugh ended…

MIROKU: Umm…

BOTH: Shut up, Miroku.

CRIMSON COWL: Just wanted to say, I'm not in this chapter either…

HIKARU: Join us next time for 'Third Stone From the Sun' people.

NADIA: Oooh, a Hendrix reference.

-----

Author's Notes:

Everyone remains not owned by me. Nadia is owned by Gainax, and if she seemed out of character, consider her the original's sort of descendent.

The title is a Kinks song. Damn fine band.

This one came out early, a fact for which I am glad. Don't expect that to become a habit.