5/22/04


Author Notes: It might be noted that while reading this, one might take into consideration things that are a little off from the original episode Denkou and Skunk stared in. This is basically my interpretation of what it would be like if Denkou lived with the three of them longer. Would their views on her change? Would she turn out to be more than just a robot to them? This story brings light into a very over-looked topic: change. After all, criminals aren't born criminals, are they?

Disclaimer: I do not own Astro Boy or any of its characters. I have, however, given names to two of Skunk's buddies, whom in the T.V show, seemed to lack them.

Waltz for a Green Haired Girl

Part 1

Oh yeah?!...well....well you're fat!
I can't believe it...this early in the morning and already you're acting like an idiot.
Alright! That does it! You and me asshole, right here! I'm gonna mop up this floor with your ugly face!

The sudden change from quite to unbearably loud startled Denkou right out of her sleep. She jumped in surprise as she fell out of her tiny, little bed onto the hard, wooden floor.
she rubbed her head as she stood up and looked at the clock on the bureau. 7:00 in the morning. Hmmm, if they were up this early, then they must be hungry.
She looked over across the room at the bed a lot bigger than hers. It was empty.
Well, she thought, Mr. Skunk is already up...must be why it's so loud.
I swear to God, I'll knock you into next Thursday!!!...or Wednsday...or...Shit! What the hell day is it?! DENKOU!
Denkou quickly rushed around the little room putting on her school uniform. she called out to Mr. Skunk. She dashed out into the kitchen where the three of them were located, Mr. Skunk, Mr. Nooj, and Mr. Raff.
She quickly tied an apron around her waist and set off to work. Luckily your yelling woke me up, Mr. Skunk, she said, with a cheerful chirp in her voice, otherwise you guys would have gone hungry!
She took out some eggs from the refrigerator and turned on the stove. She got out the milk, bread, and the sausage and then got to work.
Denkou liked having a somewhat positive affect on the three of them. None of them could cook or clean and weren't really good at anything, so that's where she would come in. She would cook breakfast for the three of them everyday before she went to school, and before bed she would make their lunch for tomorrow after they had finished dinner. After her home work was done she would do laundry and sweep up a little. She hardly had anytime to do something for herself, but she didn't care. Working and helping the people she cared about made her happy in itself. The fact that when she first came here the house was dirty, all the food was instant, and none of them had even heard of an ironing board before, that made her laugh.
When she first started cooking and doing laundry, she got a lot of surprised glances. Sometimes Nooj or Raff would just watch her from the doorway of the room as she did the dishes or ironed their clothes. No one ever said anything to her about it though. Getting their stunned reactions the first week of this new treatment was thanks enough for Denkou. She knew it didn't go unnoticed, though. One day she was ironing some of Skunk's clothes as he lay and rested on the bed. She smiled and hummed softly to herself, always happy. She thought he must have been asleep, so she was startled when she heard him speak to her.
You'd make a good mother.
Denkou turned to the side and looked at him. He was laying on his stomach, his face turned slightly so he was looking at her.
She looked back down at his clothes. His white dress shirt he wore under the black jacket, a pair of jeans, and a button T-shirt.
She smiled. You really think so?
She could hear him turn over on his bed. Probably onto his side. Well, that's what mothers do, right? Cook and clean stuff?
Denkou smiled even wider. She nodded.

She set down three plates with eggs, sausage, and toast on them. She poured some glasses of milk and orange juice, along with a plate of tomatoes and lettuce, she put them on the table. Her toast popped out of the toaster, and she carried it in her mouth as she ran around the house gathering her books, her bag, and her jacket. When she came back out, Skunk was holding a fork and yelling something about plucking Nooj's eyes right out of his head. She ignored this and instead opened the fridge and pulled out her lunch that she made the night before.
Lunch is in the fridge, she mumbled, the toast still in her mouth, just warm it up whenever you're hungry. I have a poetry meet today so I'll be home a little late, but I'll start dinner the second I get back. Oh, and there are clean clothes in the closet. Don't throw your underwear on the floor, put it in the laundry room and I'll get to it later, she added, finally taking into consideration that they were still wearing the t-shirts and boxers they wore to bed.
She shoved the last bit of toast into her mouth and slung her bag around her shoulder, okay, I'm off.
Hey, wait a second...
She heard Skunk's voice come from behind her. She turned, her huge, green eyes alive with question wondering what he wanted.
she asked.
he replied, with a smug tone to his voice, tell these two idiots how to use the stove so they don't burn the house down trying to warm up their lunch.
We aren't the ones who need help, Nooj spat back from across the table, referring to him and Raff, you're the one who can't use any of the electronic devises in this house without blowing something up! You're just using us as an escape!
Shut up! Skunk jumped up from the table, his fists clenched. I can take you on! I don't care if it's this early in the morning! C'mon, you an' me, outside!
Raff was still sitting at the table, just listening to insults being thrown back and forth between his two friends' as he continued eating his eggs with lettuce on them. Just the way he liked it.
Denkou's voice came from the door way, still staring at the two men insult each other. The argument stopped and Skunk turned his head to look at her.
Don't do what? he asked.
Don't use the stove. She replied.

Well, use the microwave, she said, pointing to the microwave oven in the corner of the kitchen, it's a lot easier.
She was met by two blank stares.
Ummmmm...do either of you even know how to use the microwave?
They were silent for a moment, but after a few seconds Skunk slowly moved his hand in the air. Nooj hit him with a tomato. The hand quickly went down.
Denkou sighed. She had a feeling she would be late for school again.

End Part 1