Click to Enter - Chapter Four
Coded File Document # 143859-ab5 Coded Date: 12-5-2024 Decode Date: TBA
Final summary and report on Otsu incident 11-25-2024.
Please be informed that the following report is for agents with a class 4 authorization and higher. If you are reading without such license or without knowledge of one with said license then you are breaking the law.
Summarized Subject: Detailed happenings of and leading up to the accidental death of Special Agent #5216YT.
************************************
Kaoru could only stare in disbelief as she watched the boy's sword crack the exterior of her tank with one good hit. Her eyes continued to widen as her mind went blank until she shook her head furiously and held out her hands again. The circling images blinked out and became one long surrounding keyboard. The one security image from her computer room camera remained to show her how she was affecting her intruder. With a grin her fingers began flying over the keyboard as billowing clouds of gas began to fill the room.
She peered once more at the security image and cursed. She couldn't see her assailant due to all the smoke. Several more clicks changed the image to infrared. Kaoru gasped as she saw an oddly shaped mass emerge where the assassin should have been. It looked like half a human, maybe not even that. Nearly all the torso was cold except for where the left arm and leg joined it. She could just barely make out the image of the boy's head, but his entire right side was invisible to her sight.
Another warning screen popped up surrounded by red as her tank's security program attempted to tell her that something was breaking through. Just to her left that screen showed her the exact pattern of strikes and cracks that he had already caused. As she watched another appeared and sent more running cracks through the material.
Kaoru felt a chill run up her spine as she began to hear a dull roar in her ears. She set her jaw as she entered one last code into the defense system. She refused to go down without a fight. The tank would require 45 seconds to do an emergency eject. Meanwhile the pressure of the liquid within would grow as she clogged the pumps. This would make it a bit easier for the assassin to break through, but when he did the gel would erupt out giving her a few seconds to run. Her mind began planning as soon as the eject phase began. The tank would eject her upwards using the pressure of the liquid as it rushed to be released, but she would lose that pressure if he broke through before that; not to forget that as she unplugged there would be several seconds of disorientation as she began to use her body.
She watched helpless now as the emergency clock ticked down. The cracks grew as the pressure within the tank did also. She began to see black spots as the pressure began affecting her physical body. She watched the countdown strike 30 and closed her mental eyes in preparation. She was unable to see the image of a car pulling up just before the emergency program removed her plugin. Kaoru now hung suspended in the gel in a state of waking waiting for the end.
**************************************
Misao wasn't able to laugh at Sano's curse as Kenshin's silver car abruptly stopped in front of the house she had pointed out. Not that it needed much pointing out. The windows were all brightly lit and the front porch light was flashing warningly. Kenshin was out of the car before the engine had even stopped running, Misao close behind him. Sano followed after working the front seat forward so he could unfold himself from the back.
As the burst through the front door Misao screeched for them to stop. She knew the pungent smell that had just then entered her nose. With a practiced hand she reached to the left and opened a hidden compartment underneath the coat rack. She tossed two small masks to Kenshin and Sano and kept the last for her. "Just stick them over your nose and mouth. They're designed to attach and conform."
Kenshin was already running with sword drawn when he felt the small mask heat up slightly as the chemical reaction between his skin and the purifying material began. He easily navigated towards the computer room following the trail of ever thickening smoke. He passed through a flashing doorway to find near invisibility and the familiar sounds of a striking sword. He stopped abruptly then lashed out as he pinpointed the next sound he heard. He felt his blade land and be turned away. Quick thinking forced him to jump back before whatever was attacking inside the room began attacking him. He ducked to the left and remained still as he listened for the next swing of the attacker's sword.
Misao took several steps after Kenshin until she noticed the lights above the entrance to the computer room. The blue signal was flashing meaning that Kaoru was still in the tank and about to be released. With a quick pivot she found the stairs to the second floor and dashed up them and into the room directly above Kaoru's computer room. As soon as she entered the room her eyes noticed a clock running down. She immediately knew that there were just ten seconds left before Kaoru was forcefully ejected from the tank. She grabbed a nearby towel and knelt down prepared to drag her friend up and out if she needed to.
Sano had watched both of his partners as they had disappeared in different directions and quickly chose to follow Kenshin. He jumped into the smoke filled doorway with a loud yell hoping to break the concentration of whoever was in the room. A quick sound to his left had him rolling to the right as he automatically ducked. He cursed as his unknown path stumbled him straight into a chair which he grabbed hold of and threw into the center of the room. A soft grunt told him it had hit something. He crouched down and hoped that the something hadn't been Kenshin. He heard nothing else until an odd hissing noise began and then a shattering sound as if glass had been broken. Sano assumed it was a window and that whoever had attacked was now trying to get away. He made his way out of the room still crouched over until he was away from the dense gas and able to see. He sprinted out the front door and to the right hoping to be able to stop the person from running away.
Bright aqua eyes watched the ten seconds slowly fall away until the clock read zero and several lights around the room began flashing. Misao stepped back as a large black circle placed in the middle of what looked to be a kiddie wading pool popped open and thick pink liquid began to bubble out along with strands of dark hair. Misao watched as Kaoru's entire body was pushed upwards by the erupting geyser and just barely caught hold of her senses to run up and grab at her.
She wrapped the towel around Kaoru's thinly clad body and pulled her away from the puddle of liquid. After making sure she was safe, Misao jumped up and ran to the door. She closed and locked it then turned off the lights. A bit of bright moonlight came in from the curtained window allowing her to easily find the just waking Kaoru and wrap the towel more securely around her to ward off any chills. She sighed in relief as she heard Kaoru muttering as she began to wake up.
Misao held her friend tighter as she moaned. "Don't worry, Kaoru," she whispered. "It's me, Misao. I'll keep you safe."
Kenshin had remained still as Sano had entered then left the room. He heard the glass breaking and the vents turn on. He knew the air would be clearing soon and braced himself for his first image of the enemy. His narrowed eyes blinked once as a form took shape among the swiftly disappearing smoke, that of a young male wearing gi and hakama. He stood up and sheathed his sword holding it behind him in preparation to draw it quickly.
As soon as direct eye contact was made the two swordsmen flew at each other. Both swords bounded off each other as the fighters made contact then jumped away. Kenshin watched as his opponent grinned, looked at his blade and shrugged. "It's nice to finally meet you, Himura-san," the boy told him. "It seems that what Shishio-sama told me about your abilities was true." With that said the boy began running towards the front door.
Kenshin automatically jumped after him stunned that the boy knew his name. As he stepped outside and looked around he saw no trace of the assassin except for a broken up trail of dirt running through the lawn towards the street. He ran out further into the street to see a dark van screech to a stop nearly a full block away and pick up a figure standing underneath the street lamp, a figure in a traditional swordsman's outfit and carrying a sword.
Kenshin frowned and looked back at the house. He held up his sword as someone began breaking through the bushes at the side of the house. As soon as he recognized Sano's cursing he laughed and walked forward after tearing the air filter off. "Sano," he called out "He got away."
"Out the window?" Sano's pants legs were finally released from the bush that had been grasping on to them. "I heard glass break."
Kenshin nodded. "I did too, but he was still in the room after you left."
Sano sighed. "Well, did you get a good look at him?"
With a nod Kenshin helped Sano tear his filter off. "He knew my name also."
The two agents headed back into the house and the room that was now cleared of smoke. The reason for the sound of broken glass was now very evident. At the far end stood what looked to have been a large circular tank that now had a large portion of it scattered in shards on the floor among a sticky puddle of thick pink liquid. Kenshin walked up to the tank and stuck his head through the hole to look up.
"Sano, there's an entrance above. Misao," he called up through the opening. "Misao, it's safe."
He barely heard her reply as he backed up and turned to Sano. "Do you hear sirens?"
The tall agent nodded as he cocked his head to the side. "Yup. She must've been able to alert the cops before her connection went dead."
Keshin nodded in agreement. "Misao must be upstairs. I'll go find her while you wait outside. Tell the officers that we're taking over this case and that their help will not be needed." The two of them walked out of the room and separated at the stairs. Sano grinned and cracked his knuckles as the first officer came through the door.
Misao had just gotten Kaoru standing up when she heard the doorknob rattle. "We're in here Kenshin," she called out as she helped Kaoru to a nearby bench. "I'll unlock the door for you." She saw Kaoru seated and went to the door. The red haired agent nodded at her as she opened it and stepped away. "Kaoru's alright," she told him. "Or at least she is as far as I can tell."
Kenshin looked over to the dark haired girl huddled on the bench. She was shivering while softly muttering. "Is there anyone we should contact? Her parents maybe? Or a friend?"
"I'm her friend," Misao bit out as she grabbed more towels to wrap around Kaoru. "But there aren't any parents we can call. Hers are dead. Unfortunately I don't know how to get hold of Megumi. We'll have to wait until Kaoru is able to talk coherently again."
"I can talk." A soft whisper emerged from the huddled figure. "Misao, Megumi's cell number is posted down below, in the kitchen."
"I'll go call her. Himura, watch her for a bit. I'll be right back."
Kenshin nodded and watched Misao breeze past him, her braid flying out behind her. He smiled as he turned towards Kaoru ready to make sure she was feeling alright when he saw something he was sure he was not supposed to see.
"Oro?"
Kaoru looked up through barely open eyes as the man Misao had left her with emitted an odd sound. "I need to change," she said as the last towel dropped from around her. She stood wavering slightly in just a brief one piece swimsuit.
Kenshin was unable to do anything but follow as she stumbled out of the room and down a short hallway. He was able to catch her just before she tripped and began falling towards the floor. "Careful please, Miss. You really shouldn't be walking."
Kaoru shrugged and leaned against him oblivious to the wet mark her hair was leaving on his shirt. "I need to shower." She closed her eyes feeling content to be held in his arms even though she was a bit sticky.
Kenshin sighed as he felt her go limp against him. He maneuvered her around a bit in his arms until he was able to lift her easily. With her now cradled in his arms he began peering into the open doors of the rooms along the hallway. He entered the first one he found with a bed and hoped it was hers. Softly he laid her down on the flowered comforter and called out to Misao as he heard her coming up the stairs.
"You shouldn't have moved her," she cried as she walked into the room.
"Miss Kaoru is certainly stubborn." He smiled as Misao rolled her eyes. Obviously Kaoru's stubbornness was a commonly seen trait.
"Well, I talked to Megumi. She's on her way here. It will take her thirty to forty minutes to get here. The accountants office is farther west than HQ. I told her what know about what happened and she explained Kaoru's reaction. She said that Kaoru probably initiated an emergency eject and helped it along by running the lower pumps of the tank while turning the upper pumps off. That would have built up a good bit of pressure inside the tank so that when the emergency eject did pop the unplug her and pop the opening she came flying out as I saw her. Megumi explained that the tank pressure combined with her Online status, prolonged tank exposure, and sudden ejection would have been too much. She'll probably be out of it for a while. We're supposed to watch her and make sure she doesn't begin spasming."
Kenshin nodded. He looked down at the still figure on the bed and blushed. "Maybe we should cover her up?"
Misao giggled. "It's a swimsuit, Himura, but that's actually not a bad idea." She stood up and walked over to a sliding door to reveal a closet. She tossed a folded blanket at Kenshin. "Here, use this. I'm going to go make some coffee." She left the room.
After blinking after her Misao's retreating form Kenshin sighed. He unfolded te blanket and laid it over the prone form on the bed. As he tucked it under the girl's shoulders he finally got a good look at her face. "Oro? Shihandai?" Kenshin peered a bit closer and smiled. His problems of finding his mysterious Online girl were solved. His grin grew as he studied her face. She really was as perfect in real life as she had been in the game, except in the game she didn't have a slightly chemical stink to her. He stood up and nodded. "You were right," he told her sleeping form. "You do need a shower."
"Speak for yourself," a voice said from the doorway. Kenshin jumped and turned to find Sano standing there. "Have you taken a look at your shirt? It's got that sticky pink stuff all over it, probably the same as what she's covered with."
Kenshin looked down in surprise. He hadn't even noticed it when he'd carried her in, but the gel was all over his arms and shirt with a bit on his neck. "I guess I do."
"The cops are gone," Sano mentioned. "I gave them a couple of badge flashes and they got scared off." He grinned as he heard Misao coming up the stairs. "Did you bring our coffee like a good little office girl?"
"Stuff it, Tori-Atama. Is she still sleeping?"
Kenshin nodded. "Misao, do you think she would understand if I used the shower?"
Misao blinked and looked at Kenshin. "Umm, yes. Actually, I think Kaoru would require that you take one before touching anything else in her house. It's right through that door. The girls share a connected bathroom."
Kenshin nodded and cautiously entered the very feminine bathroom. A purple and cream color scheme cried out female as he made sure both doors were closed. He turned the shower water on and began undressing.
"Come on downstairs, Sano. I've got coffee boiling and Kaoru has a cake set out for us. Himura will be fine on his own." Misao grinned as she heard the water turn on. "Or maybe I should stay up here."
Sano shrugged. "Suit yourself. I'll eat cake."
Misao giggled and followed him towards the kitchen.
To be Continued...............................
*.*
Author's Notes WOW!! An update this quick? And the next one already in the works? Yeah.. I think some waff is in store for next chapter, definite waff. Please look forward to it.
List of Online names, the originally chosen name will be listed first, the one that it has been changed to or that they are referred to as will be listed second
Kenshin - Rurouni
Kaoru - Shihandai
Misao - Okashira , Itcahi-Musume
Sano - Zanza , Tori-Atama
Aoshi - ? , Ice-Eyes
Soujiro - ? , Smiley boy
More Expanations: OK!! Here we go, an actual explanation of some parts of my story that might be confusing.. specifically, The tank that held such a big part in this story.
Now listen up, the Online came about and people started getting on for hours at a time.. several people were hospitalized due to malnutrition or something serious because they were ignoring their physical bodies for their Online personalities and lives and therefore the government made a ruling that all plugin devices had an automatic three hour block. After being plugged in for three hours the junkie would be automatically kicked off and unable to plug in again for fifteen minutes, enough time to grab a sandwich, brush your hair.. do stuff.
Well, the law said nothing about plug ins of you were sustained so Kaoru and got together with some people and they devised a tank of liquid that I imagine is something like the plug liquid (LCL) from Evangelion (oxygenized stuff). This liquid sent on a pumped course would sustain the body while the body's owner went Mind traveling wherever they really felt like.
Imagine a clear tube and then a person just kinda hanging in the center with a wire or two coming from the back of their neck.. That's kinda how I imagine it. The tank has two pumps, one to send the LCL directly up form the person's feet, this is what supports them and gives that really cool wavy effect to their hair. The other pump is at the top of the tank and to the side, it pulls the LCL in and pushes it through a regenerizer, therefore renewing the liquid and sending it back down to the support pump. Imagine the tank as a great big circle with an exit coming off the top of the one side and you got the idea. God, I wish I could draw this for you.
So that's it about the tank.. it really does take a lot of space for right now, but I'm sure as soon as Aoshi gets his hand on some newfangled tank tech he can switch it around to work much better. Now,.. back to the reason for the tank.. since it supports the body you don't need to worry about stuff.. like dying. A simple IV of the proper proteins and minerals that are easily assimilated without need for waste can be made and therefore the person is without need for concern and can surf the Online until they turn old and grey.
HEY!! Quick poll.. How many of you spell Grey with an A like the color gray/grey??
OK! SO that's' the end of Vesca's explanation corner # 1.
Disclaimer.. I am unable to own Kenshin at this time due to an unnatural dispensation to sleep with my DVDs and the resulting pointy bruises that occur the next morning. The court has issued a restraining order due to abuse.
Coded File Document # 143859-ab5 Coded Date: 12-5-2024 Decode Date: TBA
Final summary and report on Otsu incident 11-25-2024.
Please be informed that the following report is for agents with a class 4 authorization and higher. If you are reading without such license or without knowledge of one with said license then you are breaking the law.
Summarized Subject: Detailed happenings of and leading up to the accidental death of Special Agent #5216YT.
************************************
Kaoru could only stare in disbelief as she watched the boy's sword crack the exterior of her tank with one good hit. Her eyes continued to widen as her mind went blank until she shook her head furiously and held out her hands again. The circling images blinked out and became one long surrounding keyboard. The one security image from her computer room camera remained to show her how she was affecting her intruder. With a grin her fingers began flying over the keyboard as billowing clouds of gas began to fill the room.
She peered once more at the security image and cursed. She couldn't see her assailant due to all the smoke. Several more clicks changed the image to infrared. Kaoru gasped as she saw an oddly shaped mass emerge where the assassin should have been. It looked like half a human, maybe not even that. Nearly all the torso was cold except for where the left arm and leg joined it. She could just barely make out the image of the boy's head, but his entire right side was invisible to her sight.
Another warning screen popped up surrounded by red as her tank's security program attempted to tell her that something was breaking through. Just to her left that screen showed her the exact pattern of strikes and cracks that he had already caused. As she watched another appeared and sent more running cracks through the material.
Kaoru felt a chill run up her spine as she began to hear a dull roar in her ears. She set her jaw as she entered one last code into the defense system. She refused to go down without a fight. The tank would require 45 seconds to do an emergency eject. Meanwhile the pressure of the liquid within would grow as she clogged the pumps. This would make it a bit easier for the assassin to break through, but when he did the gel would erupt out giving her a few seconds to run. Her mind began planning as soon as the eject phase began. The tank would eject her upwards using the pressure of the liquid as it rushed to be released, but she would lose that pressure if he broke through before that; not to forget that as she unplugged there would be several seconds of disorientation as she began to use her body.
She watched helpless now as the emergency clock ticked down. The cracks grew as the pressure within the tank did also. She began to see black spots as the pressure began affecting her physical body. She watched the countdown strike 30 and closed her mental eyes in preparation. She was unable to see the image of a car pulling up just before the emergency program removed her plugin. Kaoru now hung suspended in the gel in a state of waking waiting for the end.
**************************************
Misao wasn't able to laugh at Sano's curse as Kenshin's silver car abruptly stopped in front of the house she had pointed out. Not that it needed much pointing out. The windows were all brightly lit and the front porch light was flashing warningly. Kenshin was out of the car before the engine had even stopped running, Misao close behind him. Sano followed after working the front seat forward so he could unfold himself from the back.
As the burst through the front door Misao screeched for them to stop. She knew the pungent smell that had just then entered her nose. With a practiced hand she reached to the left and opened a hidden compartment underneath the coat rack. She tossed two small masks to Kenshin and Sano and kept the last for her. "Just stick them over your nose and mouth. They're designed to attach and conform."
Kenshin was already running with sword drawn when he felt the small mask heat up slightly as the chemical reaction between his skin and the purifying material began. He easily navigated towards the computer room following the trail of ever thickening smoke. He passed through a flashing doorway to find near invisibility and the familiar sounds of a striking sword. He stopped abruptly then lashed out as he pinpointed the next sound he heard. He felt his blade land and be turned away. Quick thinking forced him to jump back before whatever was attacking inside the room began attacking him. He ducked to the left and remained still as he listened for the next swing of the attacker's sword.
Misao took several steps after Kenshin until she noticed the lights above the entrance to the computer room. The blue signal was flashing meaning that Kaoru was still in the tank and about to be released. With a quick pivot she found the stairs to the second floor and dashed up them and into the room directly above Kaoru's computer room. As soon as she entered the room her eyes noticed a clock running down. She immediately knew that there were just ten seconds left before Kaoru was forcefully ejected from the tank. She grabbed a nearby towel and knelt down prepared to drag her friend up and out if she needed to.
Sano had watched both of his partners as they had disappeared in different directions and quickly chose to follow Kenshin. He jumped into the smoke filled doorway with a loud yell hoping to break the concentration of whoever was in the room. A quick sound to his left had him rolling to the right as he automatically ducked. He cursed as his unknown path stumbled him straight into a chair which he grabbed hold of and threw into the center of the room. A soft grunt told him it had hit something. He crouched down and hoped that the something hadn't been Kenshin. He heard nothing else until an odd hissing noise began and then a shattering sound as if glass had been broken. Sano assumed it was a window and that whoever had attacked was now trying to get away. He made his way out of the room still crouched over until he was away from the dense gas and able to see. He sprinted out the front door and to the right hoping to be able to stop the person from running away.
Bright aqua eyes watched the ten seconds slowly fall away until the clock read zero and several lights around the room began flashing. Misao stepped back as a large black circle placed in the middle of what looked to be a kiddie wading pool popped open and thick pink liquid began to bubble out along with strands of dark hair. Misao watched as Kaoru's entire body was pushed upwards by the erupting geyser and just barely caught hold of her senses to run up and grab at her.
She wrapped the towel around Kaoru's thinly clad body and pulled her away from the puddle of liquid. After making sure she was safe, Misao jumped up and ran to the door. She closed and locked it then turned off the lights. A bit of bright moonlight came in from the curtained window allowing her to easily find the just waking Kaoru and wrap the towel more securely around her to ward off any chills. She sighed in relief as she heard Kaoru muttering as she began to wake up.
Misao held her friend tighter as she moaned. "Don't worry, Kaoru," she whispered. "It's me, Misao. I'll keep you safe."
Kenshin had remained still as Sano had entered then left the room. He heard the glass breaking and the vents turn on. He knew the air would be clearing soon and braced himself for his first image of the enemy. His narrowed eyes blinked once as a form took shape among the swiftly disappearing smoke, that of a young male wearing gi and hakama. He stood up and sheathed his sword holding it behind him in preparation to draw it quickly.
As soon as direct eye contact was made the two swordsmen flew at each other. Both swords bounded off each other as the fighters made contact then jumped away. Kenshin watched as his opponent grinned, looked at his blade and shrugged. "It's nice to finally meet you, Himura-san," the boy told him. "It seems that what Shishio-sama told me about your abilities was true." With that said the boy began running towards the front door.
Kenshin automatically jumped after him stunned that the boy knew his name. As he stepped outside and looked around he saw no trace of the assassin except for a broken up trail of dirt running through the lawn towards the street. He ran out further into the street to see a dark van screech to a stop nearly a full block away and pick up a figure standing underneath the street lamp, a figure in a traditional swordsman's outfit and carrying a sword.
Kenshin frowned and looked back at the house. He held up his sword as someone began breaking through the bushes at the side of the house. As soon as he recognized Sano's cursing he laughed and walked forward after tearing the air filter off. "Sano," he called out "He got away."
"Out the window?" Sano's pants legs were finally released from the bush that had been grasping on to them. "I heard glass break."
Kenshin nodded. "I did too, but he was still in the room after you left."
Sano sighed. "Well, did you get a good look at him?"
With a nod Kenshin helped Sano tear his filter off. "He knew my name also."
The two agents headed back into the house and the room that was now cleared of smoke. The reason for the sound of broken glass was now very evident. At the far end stood what looked to have been a large circular tank that now had a large portion of it scattered in shards on the floor among a sticky puddle of thick pink liquid. Kenshin walked up to the tank and stuck his head through the hole to look up.
"Sano, there's an entrance above. Misao," he called up through the opening. "Misao, it's safe."
He barely heard her reply as he backed up and turned to Sano. "Do you hear sirens?"
The tall agent nodded as he cocked his head to the side. "Yup. She must've been able to alert the cops before her connection went dead."
Keshin nodded in agreement. "Misao must be upstairs. I'll go find her while you wait outside. Tell the officers that we're taking over this case and that their help will not be needed." The two of them walked out of the room and separated at the stairs. Sano grinned and cracked his knuckles as the first officer came through the door.
Misao had just gotten Kaoru standing up when she heard the doorknob rattle. "We're in here Kenshin," she called out as she helped Kaoru to a nearby bench. "I'll unlock the door for you." She saw Kaoru seated and went to the door. The red haired agent nodded at her as she opened it and stepped away. "Kaoru's alright," she told him. "Or at least she is as far as I can tell."
Kenshin looked over to the dark haired girl huddled on the bench. She was shivering while softly muttering. "Is there anyone we should contact? Her parents maybe? Or a friend?"
"I'm her friend," Misao bit out as she grabbed more towels to wrap around Kaoru. "But there aren't any parents we can call. Hers are dead. Unfortunately I don't know how to get hold of Megumi. We'll have to wait until Kaoru is able to talk coherently again."
"I can talk." A soft whisper emerged from the huddled figure. "Misao, Megumi's cell number is posted down below, in the kitchen."
"I'll go call her. Himura, watch her for a bit. I'll be right back."
Kenshin nodded and watched Misao breeze past him, her braid flying out behind her. He smiled as he turned towards Kaoru ready to make sure she was feeling alright when he saw something he was sure he was not supposed to see.
"Oro?"
Kaoru looked up through barely open eyes as the man Misao had left her with emitted an odd sound. "I need to change," she said as the last towel dropped from around her. She stood wavering slightly in just a brief one piece swimsuit.
Kenshin was unable to do anything but follow as she stumbled out of the room and down a short hallway. He was able to catch her just before she tripped and began falling towards the floor. "Careful please, Miss. You really shouldn't be walking."
Kaoru shrugged and leaned against him oblivious to the wet mark her hair was leaving on his shirt. "I need to shower." She closed her eyes feeling content to be held in his arms even though she was a bit sticky.
Kenshin sighed as he felt her go limp against him. He maneuvered her around a bit in his arms until he was able to lift her easily. With her now cradled in his arms he began peering into the open doors of the rooms along the hallway. He entered the first one he found with a bed and hoped it was hers. Softly he laid her down on the flowered comforter and called out to Misao as he heard her coming up the stairs.
"You shouldn't have moved her," she cried as she walked into the room.
"Miss Kaoru is certainly stubborn." He smiled as Misao rolled her eyes. Obviously Kaoru's stubbornness was a commonly seen trait.
"Well, I talked to Megumi. She's on her way here. It will take her thirty to forty minutes to get here. The accountants office is farther west than HQ. I told her what know about what happened and she explained Kaoru's reaction. She said that Kaoru probably initiated an emergency eject and helped it along by running the lower pumps of the tank while turning the upper pumps off. That would have built up a good bit of pressure inside the tank so that when the emergency eject did pop the unplug her and pop the opening she came flying out as I saw her. Megumi explained that the tank pressure combined with her Online status, prolonged tank exposure, and sudden ejection would have been too much. She'll probably be out of it for a while. We're supposed to watch her and make sure she doesn't begin spasming."
Kenshin nodded. He looked down at the still figure on the bed and blushed. "Maybe we should cover her up?"
Misao giggled. "It's a swimsuit, Himura, but that's actually not a bad idea." She stood up and walked over to a sliding door to reveal a closet. She tossed a folded blanket at Kenshin. "Here, use this. I'm going to go make some coffee." She left the room.
After blinking after her Misao's retreating form Kenshin sighed. He unfolded te blanket and laid it over the prone form on the bed. As he tucked it under the girl's shoulders he finally got a good look at her face. "Oro? Shihandai?" Kenshin peered a bit closer and smiled. His problems of finding his mysterious Online girl were solved. His grin grew as he studied her face. She really was as perfect in real life as she had been in the game, except in the game she didn't have a slightly chemical stink to her. He stood up and nodded. "You were right," he told her sleeping form. "You do need a shower."
"Speak for yourself," a voice said from the doorway. Kenshin jumped and turned to find Sano standing there. "Have you taken a look at your shirt? It's got that sticky pink stuff all over it, probably the same as what she's covered with."
Kenshin looked down in surprise. He hadn't even noticed it when he'd carried her in, but the gel was all over his arms and shirt with a bit on his neck. "I guess I do."
"The cops are gone," Sano mentioned. "I gave them a couple of badge flashes and they got scared off." He grinned as he heard Misao coming up the stairs. "Did you bring our coffee like a good little office girl?"
"Stuff it, Tori-Atama. Is she still sleeping?"
Kenshin nodded. "Misao, do you think she would understand if I used the shower?"
Misao blinked and looked at Kenshin. "Umm, yes. Actually, I think Kaoru would require that you take one before touching anything else in her house. It's right through that door. The girls share a connected bathroom."
Kenshin nodded and cautiously entered the very feminine bathroom. A purple and cream color scheme cried out female as he made sure both doors were closed. He turned the shower water on and began undressing.
"Come on downstairs, Sano. I've got coffee boiling and Kaoru has a cake set out for us. Himura will be fine on his own." Misao grinned as she heard the water turn on. "Or maybe I should stay up here."
Sano shrugged. "Suit yourself. I'll eat cake."
Misao giggled and followed him towards the kitchen.
To be Continued...............................
*.*
Author's Notes WOW!! An update this quick? And the next one already in the works? Yeah.. I think some waff is in store for next chapter, definite waff. Please look forward to it.
List of Online names, the originally chosen name will be listed first, the one that it has been changed to or that they are referred to as will be listed second
Kenshin - Rurouni
Kaoru - Shihandai
Misao - Okashira , Itcahi-Musume
Sano - Zanza , Tori-Atama
Aoshi - ? , Ice-Eyes
Soujiro - ? , Smiley boy
More Expanations: OK!! Here we go, an actual explanation of some parts of my story that might be confusing.. specifically, The tank that held such a big part in this story.
Now listen up, the Online came about and people started getting on for hours at a time.. several people were hospitalized due to malnutrition or something serious because they were ignoring their physical bodies for their Online personalities and lives and therefore the government made a ruling that all plugin devices had an automatic three hour block. After being plugged in for three hours the junkie would be automatically kicked off and unable to plug in again for fifteen minutes, enough time to grab a sandwich, brush your hair.. do stuff.
Well, the law said nothing about plug ins of you were sustained so Kaoru and got together with some people and they devised a tank of liquid that I imagine is something like the plug liquid (LCL) from Evangelion (oxygenized stuff). This liquid sent on a pumped course would sustain the body while the body's owner went Mind traveling wherever they really felt like.
Imagine a clear tube and then a person just kinda hanging in the center with a wire or two coming from the back of their neck.. That's kinda how I imagine it. The tank has two pumps, one to send the LCL directly up form the person's feet, this is what supports them and gives that really cool wavy effect to their hair. The other pump is at the top of the tank and to the side, it pulls the LCL in and pushes it through a regenerizer, therefore renewing the liquid and sending it back down to the support pump. Imagine the tank as a great big circle with an exit coming off the top of the one side and you got the idea. God, I wish I could draw this for you.
So that's it about the tank.. it really does take a lot of space for right now, but I'm sure as soon as Aoshi gets his hand on some newfangled tank tech he can switch it around to work much better. Now,.. back to the reason for the tank.. since it supports the body you don't need to worry about stuff.. like dying. A simple IV of the proper proteins and minerals that are easily assimilated without need for waste can be made and therefore the person is without need for concern and can surf the Online until they turn old and grey.
HEY!! Quick poll.. How many of you spell Grey with an A like the color gray/grey??
OK! SO that's' the end of Vesca's explanation corner # 1.
Disclaimer.. I am unable to own Kenshin at this time due to an unnatural dispensation to sleep with my DVDs and the resulting pointy bruises that occur the next morning. The court has issued a restraining order due to abuse.