A/N: Busy, Busy, and I haven't even done Christmas shopping yet...my poor little plan to have this done before Chrstimas is going right out the window! (Cries dramaticly) Oh well, new date: have it finished before January...and hope I till have some sanity left by then...lol
Appologies (ack! Can't spell) For the delay folks!
Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING! Except Mayuka Yukiko Kusanagi...and all the others who aren't from GitS:SAC
Inner Universe
Chapter 6: Christmas
Motoko slowly arose from her bed, lazily hitting the alarm clock.
'Damn it…that's the time already!'
She thought to herself as she hulled herself out of bed, and towards the bathroom. She paused for a second as she stood in front of the sink. All was silent…or, she thought it was initially. Now when she really paid attention, she could hear sharp shrill moans.
Motoko dismissed it as merely her imagination as she turned the sink on and splashed water on her face. That's when she realized it: She wasn't here alone. Mayuka had come in here with her last night. The dawn of this realization setting it, she wiped her face with the towel, dropping it on the ground as she walked back to her room, pulling on a long shirt before venturing into the living room.
There sitting on the couch was Mayuka. Mayuka sat there with her knees to her chest, breathing heavily. She was covered in cold sweat, and seemed a little pale. But her face seemed eerily calm. Turning so that her left arm rested against the couch, and that both feet touched the ground; Mayuka began staring at her right arm, as though it was something from another world.
Motoko watched quietly as Mayuka tried to close her hand into a fist. But the nimble fingers refused to close. The thought of that continuously dawning on her mind began to agitate her. Rather than noticing the figure watching her, she rose to her feet quickly, punching the couch with her left arm, sending it skidding about three feet.
"Damn it all!"
She yelled.
"Hey, how long are you going to take your frustrations out on my couch?"
Mayuka signed. How could she have not noticed Motoko standing right there? She was thinking too deeply.
"For God's sake Motoko, what time is it?"
"About five after five. What's eating you?"
"Nothing…"
Mayuka muttered as she sat down heavily on the couch again.
"I heard you moaning in your sleep. Never a good sign from what I know."
"Wow, I have a little nightmare, and now everyone worries."
Mayuka replied airily. She stifled a yawn, with her left hand.
"I hoped it was you who woke me up, and not the other way around, or that would give you a viable excuse to be bugging me like this."
Motoko shrugged.
"Knowing you, it was my alarm that woke you. So, what was that nightmare about?"
"Nothing, ok?"
She was getting nowhere. And Mayuka knew it. She wanted it that way.
"Funny, I find 'nothing' hard to believe."
"Why must you bug me about this, especially this early in the morning? I'd rather sleep."
"Cause you hardly got any sleep, right?"
Mayuka gritted her teeth before answering.
"You may be my sister and all, but now, you're just plain annoying. And it's starting to piss me off. My problems are my problems. NOT YOURS."
"Well last time I checked, you weren't exactly the most stable person I knew."
"Stable? What the hell do you mean by I'm not stable?"
"I don't think having a 'Multiple Personality Disorder' makes you stable."
An angered sigh. Teeth being clenched. Silence filled the room before Mayuka spoke again.
" You're right. Something about that dream was bugging me. But don't expect me to tell you."
Her reply was simple, and short. Yet, it had this acidic bite to it. Motoko sighed. At least Mayuka admitted it. It was far to early in the day to have her pissed off. Not any more than she ought to be for now at least.
"Well, how's you're arm?"
"Pffft. That's Bull."
A murmured response as Mayuka looked away, her eyes staring off.
"Well, you're not used to it. It takes time."
"Easy to say, coming from someone who's been a full body cyborg for most her life. Up until thirty days ago, I happened to have been right handed you know."
Motoko smiled.
"Funny, when we were little you always wrote with your left."
"Ambidextrous. I can write with both. But I commonly used my right."
"Why's that?"
Mayuka gritted her teeth.
"I injured my left arm back in the army, and wasn't able to write with it for months."
Motoko notice as Mayuka bit down on her tongue, scolding herself for saying anything.
"How-"
"And no more 'when we were little' moments, or stuff like that. I hate thinking about the past."
Mayuka said, cutting Motoko off. She wasn't in a particularly good mood to be discussing what happened so many years ago. It was far too vivid just thinking about it. And discussing it would only make her think of it more.
Motoko frowned for a moment, before looking up to watch her sister again. Mayuka looked down at her hand again, trying desperately to learn how to control it. But gave up after a moment.
"You're getting too into it. Rather than seeing it as a prosthetic, think of it as your real arm."
"Humph!"
Motoko shook her head. Then smiled, Mayuka managed to clench her hand into a fist, even for a split moment. But she lost it, and once more found herself frustrated.
"Look, I could show you more but there's a catch."
"What's the catch?"
Motoko giggled. Something very uncommon for her to do.
"Oh…you'll see."
"Where the hell is Motoko!"
Mayuka yelled. She got her…and if there was one thing Mayuka Yukiko Kusanagi hated other than failure, it was when someone outsmarted her. It bugs her to know she let her guard down. She was the genius. It should be her who does the outsmarting.
Batou looked over to see her, raising a questionable eyebrow.
"You're looking for the Major?"
He said in a more of a 'matter of factuality' way. His eyes seemed to be searching for something. Anything that could give her away. He couldn't trust her…no; she was just too mysterious, too conniving for one not to keep an eye on. Of course she noticed.
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
Mayuka asked icily. Batou blinked.
"Err…."
"Out with it already!"
Mayuka barked. She was sick and tired of this whole 'staring' thing. Sure, to many she was 'attractive' it was a family thing. But staring at her like that? Could anyone say 'future stalker'?
Batou smiled.
"Why wouldn't I? You think I trust the likes of you? Of course not! I have no intention of letting you poke around my head!"
Batou watched. He didn't expect what he saw though. A hurt expression flashed across her features for a split moment, quickly replaced by anger.
"If I wanted to hack your brain fool, I would have already done it, but I didn't did I?"
"Yeah but-"
"Besides, hacking an idiot like you? You're not worth the time for that."
Mayuka replied coldly. Batou growled. How dare she call him inferior?
"You may be saying that now, but I know better than to trust the likes of you."
"If that's the way you feel dumb ass, go ahead! Not like I care anyways!"
"Wait…"
"Shut up. You said more than enough."
Batou blinked.
"So why are you looking for Motoko, anyways?"
"Cause she gave me all this stupid paperwork to do!"
"So…why did you bring me here? I thought I didn't start until the seventeenth."
Motoko smiled.
"This is my office right here."
She said as she opened the door. Mayuka looked around. A high stack of papers sat on the desk.
"You've got lots of work to do…maybe I should just go home…"
Motoko shook her head.
"It's been kind of slow until your case showed up…it's ok. Aramaki needs me to do him a favour actually."
"Motoko…I'm not doing your paper work…"
Motoko smiled.
"But you promised. If I help you use your arm, you said you'd do something for me."
"Black-mailing, conniving little…"
Motoko's smile became a smirk.
"Oh, you don't need to. But your registration forms are somewhere in there, and if they don't get filed…"
"…Bitch."
Mayuka muttered, completing her previous thought.
"Oh, would you look at the time! See you later May!"
Motoko said, running out the door.
'Oh, you better run.'
Mayuka thought gritting her teeth.
"Damned conniving!"
She screamed. A dent in the wall appeared where her left hand was mere seconds ago.
Metal.
Her hand hit metal.
Metal hurts like hell.
Note to self: if one doesn't like broken hands, one
SHOULD NOT PUNCH METAL.
Despite, how angry one might be.
Mayuka gritted her teeth, and sighed. Motoko would pay. Oh-so dearly. But as of right now?
"Where the hell is a pen when you need one."
She muttered angrily.
Now,
She needed a pen to get all this crap out of the way.
"She got you to do her work? Aren't you gullible?"
Batou teased. Mayuka's face became red.
"Shut up."
Batou began laughing.
"I SAID SHUT UP!"
Batou only laughed harder, only to be groaning lying on the ground seconds later with Mayuka standing over him, cracking her knuckles.
"Damn, you hit hard! Too hard."
"That's right, and I even broke this hand punching metal earlier. But you're so much softer than a metal wall."
Mayuka teased, before waving her now throbbing hand.
"Guh…serves you right…"
Mayuka sighed angrily and left the room.
Yukimura frowned. He hated computer work. He preferred to be out there running around. But when one has talent in hacking, one could only suspect he'd be sent to Ishikawa to refine that talent.
But that wasn't what bugged him now, was the thought off all that happened. Mayuka was sick, and he was stuck sniffing for Mehiji's ass to drag him out of the rock he crawled under.
Unfortunately, his beginner's luck ran out. He never found Takemura. And that bugged him more and more with each passing day…today was no different. Or so he thought.
Ayame watched from the room across, as Mayuka walked inside the room.
"Yukimura…didn't expect to see you here."
Yukimura turned around and smiled.
"Hey, how you feeling."
"I'll be fine…really."
Yukimura shrugged.
"Do take a seat."
He asked, pointing behind her. Mayuka grabbed the seat and sat down.
"And what do I owe this meeting?"
"Nothing, really."
Mayuka crossed her legs, smiling as she looked up.
"Well, I heard about the whole multiple personality thing…"
Mayuka frowned.
"A stupid second ghost that only gets in the way."
"What does she look like?"
"Ugh… Like my nine-year-old self..."
Yukimura blinked.
"That's odd…have any ideas?"
Mayuka stood up abruptly.
"Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to pry…"
"When one gives up their childhood to become an adult, often the subconscious tends to try and cling on to the childhood it should have."
Yukimura blinked, but remained silent. Though looking off to the side, Mayuka noticed this, and sighed.
"Nine years old…or more importantly a few days before I turned ten. 'Yukiko' is the entity. Me before I was given the final push and gave up on childhood."
Yukimura nodded. Realization striking through him. Though he was sure Mayuka would explain in greater detail come time. But until that time came, there was no need in badgering the info out of her. Mayuka sensed the sudden silence, and left.
"Aww, Yuki-chan, why didn't you ask her out? You've got the hots for her!"
"He has the hots for who?"
Ayame was teaseling Yukimura about not asking Mayuka out. Though he didn't give his reason, it was obvious. He didn't want to impose on her, especially when it seemed she had other things on her mind.
Batou, walked in just as Ayame said that line. Both catching him off guard, and grabbing his attention. He turned towards Ayame, and looked at her, as he sipped some coffee.
"For Kusanagi."
Immediately after those two words left her mouth, Batou spat out the coffee, right into Ayame's face. Ayame growled, she never noticed Batou's chocking on it.
"What the hell was that for?"
"Which," Batou coughed hoarsely. "Kusanagi?"
He asked Her.
"Ooh! Batou's getting jealous!"
"That's non-sense. I just wanted to warn the poor guy."
"About what?" Yukimura retorted.
"That if you have a thing for the Major, you're not her type…trust me."
"And just how would you know?"
Batou paled. Just what he needed… The orange-haired Yakuza punk had a thing for Motoko too…it was going to be a long case this one…
Ayame watched his expression closely, her own glowing with glee.
"Ah-ha! I knew it! I knew it!"
"Knew what!"
"That you have a thing for May's sister, Batou!"
"What-Don't-shut-damn it…what the hell is your problem?"
Ayame smiled.
"You got all jealous…just like I tried the reverse on Yukimura earlier, and he got angry.
"What?"
"Mayuka, idiot. I like Mayuka, not Motoko."
Yukimura stated. Batou smiled.
"So you like the mental case."
"Hey! Well, at least she isn't a robot!"
Batou growled.
"What did you call her?"
"You hear me! If Mayuka's crazy, then Motoko's a robot!"
"Take that back!"
"No!"
"SHUT UP!"
Ayame yelled, knocking both over the head. She sighed heavily.
"Batou, before dismissing someone, do try to get to know them. I'm sure if you'd get to know her better, you'd see what a nice sister-in-law she would be."
Mayuka winked as she said this, a playful smile forming on her lips. Batou gritted his teeth, and obviously bit down on his own tongue. He didn't say anything…
Ayame had a point. Both Mayuka and Motoko were sisters, and they got along with each other…well sort of… But still, shouldn't the men that love them-love?-Like?-get along with each other.
"Fine. I'm sorry 'bout what I said kid. Just don't revert to Yakuza, okay?"
"Uh…sure…"
Mayuka sat in the apartment. Outside was already dark, as she held a small up of sake. She looked across to Motoko, whom was with her.
"Remind me, how did you convince me to a round of sake again?"
Mayuka muttered as she drained her cup. A faint blush appeared on her features. It was most likely, not her first. Motoko however, appeared to be completely sober. Cyborg brains processed faster anyways.
"You're twenty from what I remember, right?"
Motoko teased. Mayuka nodded.
"Then it's not like you're underage."
Mayuka frowned.
"Yeah, but I always strayed away from the stuff. Unlike you, I happen to get hangovers in the morning, or did you forget?"
Mayuka looked around her surroundings again. The bar. It wasn't a extremely fancy one, but it was clean…eerily reminded her of the T.V. set of that ancient T.V. show called "Cheers". Why she even knew that to begin with? She didn't know, most likely had to do with her former history classes.
Truthfully though, the bar looking like the set for "Cheers" was deliberate, it was a hologram after all. They were just sitting in the living room.
"Oh, I didn't forget. It's just that you'll have to use your digression so you don't end up looking like a drunkard."
"Pfft. You're nice."
Motoko smiled.
"So, what was this question you had to ask?"
Mayuka smiled as she poured herself another cup, taking a sip. Noting the change of scenery as she watched the hologram disappear. Her surroundings were once again the living room: gray carpet, a table, which she and Motoko were sitting at, and a kitchen to her left.
"What's up with you and Batou?"
"Wha…what?"
Mayuka nodded, and took another sip.
"The way you look at each other…"
She left her sentence upended. She didn't need to explain, Motoko figured it out.
"Personal life, and work shouldn't mix…"
"Well, I'm here."
Motoko frowned.
"Your different. You have ties to the Yakuza, and I don't intend on them getting you again."
"So…it's a safety thing then?"
Motoko nodded, as she downed another glass of sake. Mayuka smiled slightly, before putting her hand to her face.
"What is it?"
"Nothing…it's just…"
Motoko frowned.
"You better tell me…"
"The mind can come up with all possible scenarios of the universe…yet one cannot predict how another would react…the whole idea makes me feel guilty about it…"
"Guilty?"
Mayuka shook her head, silence ensued the both of them for what seemed like forever. Mayuka sighed.
"Um, Motoko, I have another question for you."
Motoko nodded, a sign that she should continue.
"It's a little more personal than the first. And a lot less trivial."
Motoko looked up at her, a questioning stare formulated as all attention was focused on Mayuka. Mayuka seemed uncharacteristically unnerved by this.
"If…"
She cut herself off, looking at the table, and began to draw light circles on the wood with her index.
"If someone you held dearly, were to betray you, what would you do? Would you forgive them?"
Motoko's glance hardened at first.
"What are you suggesting May?"
"Nothing…just please, answer my question."
Motoko sighed. She had a feeling she probably wouldn't like the answer she was about to give.
"No, I wouldn't forgive them."
"What would you do then?"
"Whatever is necessary…"
Mayuka's glance became saddened, but she smiled faintly, the hint of sadness evident within.
"Oh… 'Solider through and through' eh?"
Motoko nodded.
"Yes, and while were on this, mind telling me why you asked such a thing?"
Mayuka became quiet as she closed her eyes. Motoko would have mistaken her for being asleep if she didn't open her eyes.
"It's just that…"
Mayuka shook her head, a silent sign that she gave up. Motoko looked at her, her expression worried.
"Something was bothering me. But just ignore that…there were just a few things on my mind. I'm fine, really."
"If you say so…"
Motoko said, her eyes never leaving Mayuka. Mayuka yawned and got up, picking up the sake glass.
"Well, I guess I better get some rest."
"You sure you're feeling alright?"
"I'll be fine. It's just this lack of action that's getting to me…makes me think too much."
Motoko smirked, though her eyes still reflected with worrisome thoughts.
"With an I.Q of over two hundred, I'd expect thinking would be your flaw."
"Heh, let's not get into the personal attacks now. It's way too late at night for that."
Mayuka nodded as she finished putting the cup in the sink.
"Well, good night Motoko."
"Wait,"
Mayuka turned around for a brief second.
"What is it?"
"If you don't feel like it, you don't have to come to work with me tomorrow."
Mayuka smiled.
"I might have to grab that offer while I still have it. I wouldn't mind the sleep."
"Alright then, I'll have Kurutan visit."
Motoko concluded. Mayuka nodded.
"You know…tomorrow's the twenty-fourth. Maybe we should have a get together…just like the old days."
"Yeah, me, you and Kurutan. That sound's nice. I'll try to come home early then."
Mayuka's smile changed to a childish grin, as she gave thumbs up.
"Then it's a date!"
Motoko blinked.
"Um…"
She returned the gesture, in astonishment.
"Yeah…it's a date."
Nodding once more, Mayuka headed off for bed.
"Are you sure the Chief's letting us do this?"
Motoko raised a skeptical eyebrow at Togusa who had just suggested that they were having a Christmas party tomorrow.
"Um…not exactly…"
Togusa grinned. Good old Togusa. He was the only one of them without cybernetic implants, and it seemed to show at the oddest of moments. Right now, he seemed like a little child who was making an elaborate plan to disobey his parent without them figuring it out until it was too late.
"Explain?"
"Everyone needs some Christmas cheer!"
Motoko sighed.
"You don't know who idiotic you just sounded there."
"I thought you'd say something like that."
'Major' Motoko Kusanagi shook her head. She had two options. One: play Scrooge; destroy all hopes of this and rid the place of all childlike grins by telling Aramaki before hand. Or two: act like a present-day Kris Cringle; don't tell Aramaki and join in on the fun. Kusanagi sighed to herself. Decisions, decisions, there were far too many.
"What did the others say?"
Togusa smiled. She was actually giving the idea a chance.
"The others agreed…they were just doubting what you would say."
Motoko sighed for the umpteenth time.
"Go for it."
"Yeah!"
Togusa began to cheer when Motoko interrupted him as she cleared her throat.
"However, there's just one condition."
There was always a catch to these things.
"And that is?"
Togusa asked, really wishing not to know.
"If the Chief finds out about this, and wants to tan someone's hide, it'll be yours, not mine, got that?"
Togusa groaned. Motoko had a knack for planning in case of the worse possible scenarios…this was no different.
"Yes…I understand…"
"It definitely has changed since the last time."
Mayuka stated as she looked around. She and Kurutan were in the mall. The two of them had gone shopping.
"You've said that about a hundred times now…"
Kurutan smiled, as she shouldered several bags.
"Well…it's true…"
Kurutan shrugged.
"Well…consider this your Christmas gift though…"
"Fun!"
Mayuka grinned that same childlike grin, as she toggled with something in her hand.
"What's that anyways?"
"An eye scanner, and with those little screwdriver and parts you got me, I can finish it.
"You're doing that now?"
Mayuka raised an eyebrow for a moment.
"Yeah…why?"
Kurutan shook her head.
"You may have grown Mayu-chan but you're still as childish as ever."
"I'll pretend that was a compliment…"
Mayuka said dryly. Kurutan chuckled.
"You will, will you?"
"Yeah, that's right Kurutan."
Mayuka glared. She didn't like being the brunt of the joke.
"Hey, hey! No need to get angry!"
Kurutan said, trying to diffuse a problem before it turned to something major.
"Yeah, yeah…"
"Look, I think we should head back."
Mayuka nodded looking at her watch.
"Yeah, let's go."
"Tachikoma!"
Motoko yelled to the A.I. as she took a free fall. Just in time, she landed on it. This was all she needed: A bunch of Yakuza punks after some meat because they were missing a certain kidnapped hacker, she just 'happened' to know the whereabouts of. Not like she cared anyways. They could complain about how Mayuka was their 'property' all they liked. But obviously, they never knew it wasn't wise idea to piss off 'Major' Motoko Kusanagi.
'Ignorance is bliss' as they say.
(Major, are you all right?)
(What the hell do you think!)
Motoko growled through the link. Batou, always looking out for her needs, as usual. She couldn't blame him, but now really wasn't the time for it.
(Major, you've got a bogey at six o'clock, packing some major heat. My guess is a rocket launcher.)
(A rocket launcher? Where the hell did they get that?)
Motoko replied to Yukimura. For a newbie, he wasn't bad.
(It's called the black-market. Yakuza has their ways of utilizing it for such needs, merely by getting someone inside the military and playing thief.)
Motoko rolled her eyes. Leave it to the former Yakuza himself to state that as-matter-of-faculty, and in the cockiest of ways ever.
"Tachikoma!"
"Major!"
"Get ready to fire on my mark!"
"Roger!"
(Saito!)
(Target locked, Major, it's a 'turtle' type tank.)
(Turtle?)
(Its weakness is its underside; I'll need a clear shot of that in order for this to work.)
(And the others)
(We just cleared them out Major!)Yelled Batou over the link, (They escaped.)
(Damn it!)
Batou nodded.
(Batou, have your, and the other Tachikomas shoot a web at it and pull it up.)
(Got that?)
(Roger Mr.Batou!)
Suddenly the 'turtle' tank was surrounded by several ropes latching onto it, it was almost hoisted up into the air by the blue think tanks before a shot went off, and the tank stopped moving, falling to the ground with a thud.
(Got it!)
(Good…let's get the hell out of here)
"Kurutan…what time is it?"
Kurutan sighed. Mayuka had asked her that question - only God knows how many times - for what she thought was the millionth time.
"It's nearly eleven thirty. Keep that head of yours on your shoulders. It'd be a great benefit to all."
"She said she'd be here."
The 'she' in question here happened to be Motoko. Kurutan scowled. Motoko had a mean streak of always getting stuck at work or something coming up. Motoko tend to dive into whatever she's doing too deep, and forget all sense of time. In Kurutan's opinion, it was quite annoying. But then again, they didn't nick name Motoko Kusanagi 'Major' for nothing: The woman was practically married to her job.
Mayuka's impatient pacing and fidgeting didn't help the matter. In fact, it was beginning to get on Kurutan's nerves. But out of the two of them, one had to be the calm cool collected one…and Mayuka beat her in being the angry one, so that left that role to her…unfortunately, she felt as though she'd rather be the one pacing up and down like some maniac…
Strangely, such a description fitted Mayuka better. She was better suited for it. Then again, she always had mood swings at the oddest of times. It supposedly had something to do with the fact that because the brain was developing faster the body was too in order to keep up, so she hit puberty early…or something incredibly strange as that.
Kurutan shook her head free of thoughts and looked at her watch. It was quarter to twelve.
"She's here."
Mayuka muttered angrily.
"How do you know?"
Moments later Motoko walked through the door, her hair a slight mess, and she looked worn out.
"I heard the key in the door."
Mayuka stated simply before turning around. Kurutan gulped. Anytime now, Mayuka would yell…she had a bad temper, and chances were adult hood didn't rid her of it. Mayuka looked at Motoko and sighed.
"Let me guess…it was 'work' again wasn't it?"
"Look, May, I'm sorry I-"
"I'll see you in the morning."
Mayuka cut her off before even giving her time to explain. She was tired of waiting, and would rather sleep right now anyways. Motoko sighed sadly as she sat at the table beside Kurutan.
"Are you sure-"
"Completely."
"If you insist…"
"I'll only do so if necessary."
Mayuka said, as she turned away, walking towards the spare room with the couch in it.
"Good night."
Motoko growled as she hit the alarm clock again. She would have hit the snooze button, but the last time she hit it she must of broke it with what force she used.
"Damned piece of…"
She muttered to herself, as she looked to her left. Kurutan was sleeping beside her. She said she would stick around anyways cause she had today off as well. Motoko shrugged and climbed out of bed, to put some clothes on. Kurutan stirred, her warm ember eyes opening.
"What time is it?"
"Five forty-five…why?"
"You wake up too early…"
Kurutan stated as she sat up. Motoko smiled, throwing a pillow at her head, but Kurutan ducked beneath it.
"So, what do you think Mayuka is up to?"
A grin spreadded on her face.
"Would you believe me if I were to say breakfast?"
Motoko blinked. Then realization dawned on her. The small apartment did smell of miso soup.
"Well, I guess we should check it out."
"Sleepy-heads."
Mayuka stated as she sat on the cushion at the table, a cup of green tea in hand, as she over looked the newspaper. Her bowl of miso soup was empty. She was wearing a pair of dark emerald green eyeglasses that contrasted with her sapphire eyes.
"Well, good morning to ya too."
Mayuka smiled, adjusting her glasses with the base of her wrist, as she looked up at Kurutan, then to Motoko.
"Speaking of mornings, Togusa said he wanted us to be there by eight. He said that Kurutan could come along too."
"Come along…?"
Mayuka chuckled.
"We're supposedly having a party."
Motoko blinked.
"Oh…yes, it was Togusa's idea…by the way, where did you get the glasses?"
"I've been wearing glasses for a while, if you haven't notice…anyways we picked these ones up yesterday."
"Eh, no need to be cold now."
Mayuka ignored the comment.
"Yes, well, I made some green tea, and some miso soup. If you don't like that, then you can go hungry, I really don't care."
"What are you reading?"
Mayuka gritted her teeth as she read over an article, before tearing it in half and tossing it on the table.
"Nothing."
She growled, as she got up from the table. Motoko waited for a moment till after she left before she looked at the paper. It was torn down the middle where it had two pictures. One of a businessman named "Hikaru Mehiji" and the other of Mayuka.
'Mehiji claims 'Sergeant Major' Mayuka Yukiko Kusanagi is responsible for several cyber crimes against him and his company under the jurisdiction of the Yakuza.'
"How the hell did the tabloids even get a hold of this?"
Kurutan frowned. Motoko didn't answer at first.
"Obviously, Mehijii knows a hell of a lot more than he's admitting to."
Motoko continued to read through the report; the crease in her brow from her frowning was evident.
"Well?"
"I can't say I blame her for being angry. The media knows too much."
"It's called they put their grubby noses where they don't belong, and decided to dish out all the dirt on me. Especially my old medical file that states that I had claustrophobia, and was hematophobic. Throw in the whole bit of recent events stating it's possible I have a Multiple Personality Disorder, and they've got a person who seems completely insane in the eyes of the media, and the people."
Mayuka growled; she was still standing by the doorway, leaning on it.
"Well, you're not crazy Mayuka, from what I tell."
"Yeah, well, I am not the most stable of people either. Look, an opinion from friends when he took it to this level doesn't matter anymore. The media will just dismiss it as babble."
"But a nurse-"
"Who's a friend of the said person, and by the way majors in medicine, and not human psychology's opinion probably wouldn't be favoured."
"She has a point."
Kurutan sighed. No way beating that.
"Well?"
"I don't like this one bit. This is one personal attack gone too far. Unfortunately, with such a count against my name, and ties to the Yakuza, going to the media isn't wise either."
Motoko nodded.
"No it wouldn't."
"Because…?"
"Because if they see me, it'll turn into an uproar. They'll be wondering why I haven't been in jail yet, they'll cause problems for Section Nine, and in the end, just to stay on good terms with the people, the Government might be forced to try a de-ghosting…no, we need a better plan."
"A plan?"
Motoko raised a skeptical eyebrow at her…a 'plan' didn't sound good.
"Don't worry about it. We'll just have to tell Aramaki when we come in this morning."
Motoko nodded.
"Yes, we'll have to defuse the problem before it gets out of hand."
Mayuka stood up straight.
"Yeah, well, we've got an hour and a half before we worry about that. So I'll try not to get too riled up about it before hand. I guess we should get ready to go. I'll be taking a shower."
Kurutan sighed as she sat down with a bowl of miso soup in hand, Motoko following her lead.
"Alright then, you do just that."
Mayuka turned around and headed down the hallway.
Ok, so one could admit the purpose for a Christmas party was to have fun. But then, tell that to Daisuke Aramaki. He was neck deep in his paper work again. Instead of complaining about the party, he merely ignored them, and dived right into work.
Mayuka wasn't much better though. She had gone into the office for a 'debriefing' probably to give her more details about the training. And Mayuka's extended absence was probably due in fact to her telling Aramaki about the newspaper.
Motoko shook her head. Some things just never change, and that included work-a-holics like Mayuka and Aramaki.
Motoko on the other hand was drinking a cocktail. Togusa's idea was a different one: he had the hologram set up, making the office look like a tropical paradise. Kurutan smiled as she watched the elder Kusanagi stretch on the long chair.
"Someone seems to be having a good time."
Kurutan peered down at her before jumping three feet into the air a second later. She turned around to face Mayuka who laughed at her.
"Someone sure scares easy."
"Hey, you were able to make it here!"
Stated Togusa, as he and Ishikawa, and Saito turned back to singing a badly off-tune carol.
"Uh…just how much did they have to drink?"
"Too much, I'm afraid."
Mayuka nodded.
"Well, they seem happy, don't they?"
"Like old drunken sailors."
Batou interrupted. Mayuka grinned.
"You're not a lightweight yourself, you know."
Batou chuckled.
"Good point."
"What are you all doing?"
At the sound of the gruff voice, several members jumped. Including Ayame, who had just walked in. Motoko smirked.
"S-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s…"
"Hey, Togusa, I think I smell something burning."
Mayuka said slyly, watching as the man changed several shades of scarlet.
"I-uh…"
Aramaki suddenly eyed him, his gaze intense.
"Who's idea was it," He spoke very low,"To hold a Christmas party?"
Immediately everyone turned around, and pointed to Togusa. Togusa felt that he would melt under his stare.
"Togusa, Togusa, Togusa…how much do you like you're job?"
"Err…"
Mayuka shook her head.
"Come on, it's Christmas, don't grill his hide now old man."
"What did you call me?"
"Um…chief, sir…"
Aramaki smiled.
"I thought I was mishearing things."
Mayuka nodded. When he scowled, Aramaki could actually look scary. The old man's features softened.
"Next time you have a Christmas party, just remember to invite your employer."
Laughter erupted throughout the room, including Yukimura who had just come from the near-by room.
Mayuka sighed as she slammed down another bottle of sake. Five…no, six, it was six by now, she was sure. Or she thought, she wasn't sure anymore. Everything seemed out of focus…then again, it was probably the sake.
Nearly three hours ago she had come here, and began searching for something. An old acquaintance of hers, a former doctor…though she didn't know why at first.
One doesn't become a genius simply by being born that way, but seem to exercise such capabilities. She was no different. Yakuza or no, this whole ordeal had an effect on her…though tell her to admit that to anyone, and she'd probably strangle you. She never showed it bugged her.
In the distance she heard footsteps, but paid them no mind, ignoring them just like she did the party in the room beside, simply reaching for another bottle of sake.
"Hey, did anyone see where Mayuka went?"
Yukimura asked.
"Well, I saw her head to one of the offices…"
Stated Togusa as he lay on his back. He seemed rather pale. Ayame though smiled.
"You took this party too extreme."
"You don't have to tell me that again."
Ayame nodded before watching Yukimura leave the room.
"Mayuka?"
"Well, well, Yukimura Takeda! Good to see you!"
Yukimura peered in. Mayuka sat in the computer-chair looking at the screen.
"I was about to have a drink, care to join me?"
Yukimura nodded as Mayuka reached for a second sake glass, pouring it out and handing it to him.
"You sure seem cheery."
"It's Christmas, Yuki-sama."
Yukimura blinked. Her tone of voice seemed only seductive for a moment. A tone he never heard her use, though he paid it no mind.
Looking up, he saw it. Mistletoe up above them. Mayuka seemed to have been paying much attention to him, as her gaze soon followed his. She gasped almost in awe.
"Mistletoe…I remember all the little jokes we made about it all those years back, when I was "Sergeant" Kusanagi."
Yukimura nodded.
"Yuki-sama…you know they say if a man and a woman are underneath it they have to kiss."
Mayuka stated in a dreamy like voice.
"Um…that's only if…"
"Go ahead, I won't complain."
Yukimura shook his head. He couldn't believe his ears. Then it dawned on him. Sake.
"How much were you drinking?"
"Not much, but if that's the way you feel then,"
She got up.
"I'll be on my way."
Yukimura grabbed her hand.
"No wait!"
He said, pulling her to him, tilting her chin as lips met. Mayuka fidgeted in surprise, but regained her composure.
Yukimura suddenly felt uneasy. Mayuka wasn't acting like herself because she was after all drunk. Despite the sweet taste of cinnamon on her lips, it was covered with a heavy dose of alcohol.
He was going to break it apart, when he felt Mayuka put her arms around his neck, and began playing with his hair. He gently responded by placing his arms around her waist. Satisfied that she didn't freak out, his tongue screamed for entrance.
He knew he should stop now. But his instincts wouldn't let him. He felt her open her mouth, allowing him entrance, as he searched around her mouth, exploring all corners of it, his tongue entangling with hers.
That's where it started to go wrong, as he leaned into her; he felt his hand guide itself slowly underneath the back of her simple white t-shirt. It caught her off guard, making her loose her balance, falling to the ground, with him on top of her. He saw the two sapphire orbs that were her eyes widen with uncertainty, as another set of feet made their way.
"Hey…Oh…my…"
It was Ayame, who looked down at the two of them, her face flushed. Yukimura suddenly jumped to his feet when Mayuka pushed him off of her. She got back to her feet again, with Yukimura's help.
He wouldn't forget the expression on her face. It was a sense of fear, yet at the same time, seemingly aroused. But the aroused expression was over laid by the fear. It had won.
"Mayuka…"
"Shit…"
She muttered under her breath, putting her hand to her head.
"Shit-shit-shit-shit-shit shit-shit SHIT!"
Mayuka shook her head in disarray; silence ensued for a moment, before May broke it.
"Oh my god… we almost-almost…"
She said, the shock setting in.
"Mayuka, I'm so sorry, I really didn't mean to-"
"I REALLY don't want to hear it right now!"
Mayuka screamed suddenly, cutting Yukimura off. She sighed in frustration, her hand covering her eyes.
"I can't believe how stupid I was…should have never gotten drunk like this…. stupid-stupid…."
"Look, don't blame yourself…"
Yukimura tried, but Mayuka didn't reply. Her face was ghostly white. Ayame looked over in concern.
"Hey, Mayu, are you going to be alright?"
"Yeah, I just need to-"
Mayuka's voice sounded hoarse, broken when she started. She cut herself off, shaking her head.
"I think I need to, go and sit down."
Ayame nodded and helped her out of the room. A moment later she came back.
"What the hell is wrong with you, ass hole?"
"Hey…I didn't mean to…"
"Oh, make sure you explain it to Motoko, I really don't care what shit you get in."
Ayame said, turning to leave.
Some people would have freaked, and then hours later find this situation hilarious.
Mayuka wasn't one of those people. She never had much of a high tolerance for such things. And it doesn't help when you have two contrasting views of everything.
Where Yukiko, the child, would find this situation damn funny, her usual persona was freaked out, and ready to kill.
Kill, of coarse is a much harder word then intended, but it was the first one that came to mind.
Mayuka sighed. It would be a long night. Then she remembered. She took out a cell phone and began to dial. The number, why had it seemed so familiar?
(Hello?)
Came a young woman's voice on the phone. Mayuka recognized it. Jun-kei Mori, a former field medic in the same army unit Mayuka was leading a few years ago.
"Hey Jun-kei."
The woman gasped.
(Well, if it isn't the tiny, little sergeant, how are things?)
"Good, look I would love to catch up now, but can we arrange that for later…"
(Yeah, you don't sound too good.)
Mayuka sighed. She'd explain later.
"Jun, look, I have an idea, and I'll explain tomorrow…have your medic supplies ready."
(A strange request Serge, but consider it granted.)
"You free tomorrow?"
(Yeah.)
"Is o-seven-hundred hours good for you or no?"
(It's perfect. Come over, I'll even take a look to see how your arm is fairing…do tell me you remember where I live.)
Mayuka gritted her teeth, absentmindedly rubbing where he left shoulder met her neck, wincing slightly, though more at a memory.
"I do, I do. See you then Jun."
(Okay, see you. Ja ne!)
And with that the phone hanged up. Mayuka sighed. It will all be fixed tomorrow.
Today, SUCKED. No better way to put it. I'm declared a psychopath by the media. All by the father of that bastard Takimura. I will never forget that, for long time now. But this isn't what bugs me the most. What bugs me the most is that Yukimura and I nearly "got it on" if you catch my drift... How could I have been so stupid as to allow myself to get drunk? That, I'll have to look into... But for now, the problem is that I did it.
To say I feel anything for Yukimura is a lie. So is saying I don't. I do like him, perhaps not in that way, but that's merely because I've been so focused on my agenda, plans I'm making. For Yakuza to fall, the Mehiji clan must cease to exist. To do this, I can't be too attached emotionally to anyone: all of these people could become pawns in the game of chest between Mehiji and myself. And I have no intention of feel more guilt then necessary.
It's as they say "Clean gloves hide dirty hands" and mine are perhaps so bloodstained one can only wonder about me. But it doesn't matter anymore. Gomen, sister, but Section Nine's going to have to take a fall for my plan to work. But the first order of business that I have is to get rid of the one thing that's holding me back.
Yukiko, my second ghost is becoming too cumbersome. That's why the partial de-ghosting will have to work. Then my plan can be set into motion. And the only person I'd trust to do something like that is none other than Jun-kei Mori. Of course, I'll hide the change. One would merely think the training session I went on triggered the change in personality, made me colder, toughened me up, and that would explain the change. No one will know, unless I want him or her to. But not in this lifetime that's for sure.
"And once again, the solider is a solider, and no longer the carefree boy that he was, staining his hands with the blood of others, hiding them within those black leather gloves of his."
Mayuka
A/N: Truthfully, I love that quote, as it probably must describe plenty of soliders after war, and their aristocratic families... but it is true when you think of it. But It's used here to describe Mayuka's current out look "Clean goves hide dirty hands" More than anyone, Mayuka is refering to herself. Basically, she's admitting that she's not as innocent as some would believe.
Reblaw: No, don't worry, I don't mind, as long as you don't get too hypocritical there :D You just reminded me of how annoying this stupid "auto formatting"is on my compurter, it tends to change things around before I get to revising my chapters, and I sometimes over look it.
Truthfully, I don't care, as it's a vivd reminder of how one of these days I have to badger my parents into getting me a Machintosh or something other than windows... Microsoft word after all, gets incredibly annoying when it comes to dialect differences, and I have yet to sit down and download a Canadian dictionary into it...which I must learn how to do first :D
As for the mental-illness. My conclusion came to one of two things: One, Mayuka's too tempermental, she seems to shift moods rather easily when pervoked...and considering she is still sane, they should get her consent first...Two, yes, mental illnesses do have biological roots, but in Mayuka's case, it seems to be more trama induced than anything else.
Well, that's my take on it anyways, and now,
Next chappy:
Chapter 7: Tactics: S. F. Stamina Rose
(S.F. Special forces...it'll all be explained why I put that later.)
Mayuka relishes in the past for a moment with Jun-kei before going off to training. But what made her so cold to the others when she returned to help them take down another assasin after Prime-misiter Kayabuki? And what is really on her mind, and what does it have to do with Section Nine?