Kyosuke
-------
Kyosuke scratched his left arm as he strolled back to Hinata Sou from school. It seemed that his uniform was just about the most uncomfortable thing you could wear. Of course he could have a quality one tailored for him, but it would take time... he wished he had though of this before.
"Crap, this thing's making me itch like crazy." he complained to himself as he sopped at a curb to let a car pass. "I hope this is only temporary."
When he finally got home without ripping his clothes off and running around in his boxers, he ran for room 308 and shut the door.
"Phew. I gotta get out of these." he said, removing his shirt first and inspecting his arms.
"*Sigh* Note to Self: Please remember to wear a long-sleeved shirt before putting on very itchy, flea-infested school uniform." he jokingly said to himself as he began to remove his pants. Just then, Kitsune entered wearing her trademark smile. At this intrusion, Kyosuke tried to quickly put his pants back on but was stopped by one of Kitsunes hands.
"Now what you doin' tha' fo'? We can' have deese on now can wee?" she slurred, completely drunk.
"Uh, Kitsune right?" Kyosuke said, a bit nervous. "Look, I don't think you want to be in here now, you see, I'm-"
"Aaawwwww, the lil' cutie juss 'membered my name. Now ain' tha' cute?" she interrupted, pulling his head to her chest in a bear-hug.
Kyosuke couldn't help it, he tried to hold it in but couldn't, Kitsune was too busy hugging him until she heard a muffled sneeze and the force of a hurricane hit her in the chest at full force, blowing her into the wall and knocking her unconscious.
"I told you," he said, walking up to her unconscious body and sighing, "I'm *sniff* allergic to alcohol, *sniff* especially sake."
***
Kyosuke sighed as he set about the task of dragging Kitsune quietly to the next-door empty room and hiding her in there. He then went back to his room and picked up all the things that were thrown about the room by the gust that had shot out of his nose at a hundred miles per hour. Just after he was finished, Naru popped in.
"Hey, new guy, Shinobu says dinner's gonna be ready in an hour." she then left but came back and poked her head around the edge of the sliding door, "And put on a shirt Tarzan, you look like a hippie." she ended with a huff and went back down stairs.
"I have a name you know!" he yelled after her and was met by a shoe that had flown all they way up from downstairs and into his face which knocked him into the window, leaving him shirt-less and hanging at least a floor up, out of the side of the building.
***
Back in empty room 307, Kitsune was coming around. Surprisingly, she was not drunk in the slightest -- she was just very surprised. She had been sure that all she needed to do would be to pull Kyosuke into her ample bosom, and the resulting confusion and nosebleed the teenager would suffer would be enough to ensure a quick donation to the "Kitsune Sake Sanctuary" fund.
However, the last thing she remembered was grabbing him and a big explosion of some sort. She rubbed her head, and looked down at her biggest assets. Was she losing her touch?
Standing up, she started to make new plans. Dinner was probably already starting so she'd head down first... but after that, a night of planning. If her 'assets' couldnt result in a few yen, then maybe she could get ole' Kyosuke drunk? She shook her head sadly. All those yen were just wasted on someone too young to spend it on alcohol!
***
The next day, Kyosuke remembered to contact his uncle's tailor in the morning and arrange for some far more comfortable versions of the unpleasant uniform he found himself wearing. After school he could go for some fitting and measuring, and in a day or two it should be ready for collection. This all cost money, but that was the one thing he was not lacking in, luckily.
Another unconfortable day in school beckoned, so after a surprisingly tasty breakfast -- apparently prepared by his shy classmate -- he left for school. Since he wanted to drop by the tailor's first, he left earlier than the others, and was soon out of sight.
***
Sam's Move
----------
[GM Notes: I had to change the time on this since Motoko will not be around at midday]
Sam walk cheerfully into the living room, as Motoko sat fuming on the sofa. She had prepared with adequate time in order to leave and catch the train; however, Kaolla was now insisting on waiting for that damn American with the weasel. This delay was not putting her in the best of moods, and it wouldn't take much to trigger her anger.
"Hiya folks how ya doing?" asked Sam as he drifted in. Motoko only gave him a baleful glance.
"fine, " replied Keitaro. "Oh, by the way, do you have the other 49,000 Yen for the rent?"
"um... here, its all I've got at the moment" replied Sam nervously, giving Keitaro 25,000 yen in small grubby bills.
Motoko rose from her seat, ready to draw her sword "And why do you not have suffient funds to live here?" she demanded angrily. "Urashima, how can you permit this vagrant to remain under this roof if he does not pay his way honourably and promptly?"
"Hey, calm down Motoko," replied Sam quickly, "it's just a little hard to get cash here and the ship was expensive..."
"... and he has paid for the first two weeks, now!" added Keitaro, "so he isn't behind, at all. Do you think I'd let him stay otherwise?" Keitaro silently prayed that Motoko wouldn't learn of the situation with Al and Lance.
Motoko grunted her tacit approval. "But, I must warn you -- one false move, and you're dead."
"Sure, I'm off to try and get a job..." answered Sam, and walked off towards the stairs of Hinata Sou.
"I'm off to get that boy," growled Motoko, following him. "I still have more questions for him."
***
Outside, Sam was considering his predicament. "Hhhhhmmm, I wonder who would want to hire somebody who can use a sword and speaks perfect English?" Turning around, he saw Motoko behind him. "What do you want?" he asked irritably.
"Tell me..." she replied, "why do you where that hakama, but carry that European sword?"
"Um, 'cause my pants have got curry stains on them?"
Motoko's face darkened at this attempt at humour. "Why do I not believe you?" she responded. "This outfit is a uniform of honour, and you seem to not be taking it very seriously... and I have yet to see you display any proficiency with that weapon you carry. Are you possibly making fun of me?"
"Fine..." replied Sam. "I am practicing to be a kendoist, but I prefer my homeland's weapons. Good enough for you?"
"If you wish to become skilled then it will require great dedication and effort. You cannot allow yourself to be distracted by other things. Maybe, " - here she gave a dark grin - "you would want to guage your proficiency by sparring together this evening?"
"Err..."
Motoko sniffed the air. "Do I smell /rum/ on your clothes?" she asked in disbelief.
Sam sweatdropped, and ran.
"Damn, I've got to be more careful next time. Well back to buisness..." he said to himself, as Motoko was forced to give up her chase and return to the inn.
***
Lance's Move
------------
"Myuh! Myuh!"
Lance turned in his futon, throwing a pillow over his head.
"Myuh!"
"Turtle..." Lance moaned. He turned again.
"Myuh!"
"Fine! I'm up..." he sat up and stretched his arms, stifling a big yawn. He looked at Tama-chan, levitating in front of him and a smear of red covering half of her small face.
"How did..."
Tama blushed, now red on both sides. "Myuh....muh myuh myuh."
Lance blinked. "You're telling me that after that scene at dinner last night when you stole Kitsune's makeup so you could impress that overgrown gerbil, later that night you tried to seduce him? And you want me to help?"
"Myuh!" Tama-chan blushed.
Lance turned pale. Had he... talked with a turtle?
"I GOTTA GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!!!"
Tama-chan drifted away sadly... who else could she find to help her?
***
One hour later, Lance walked down the town street towards his school with his new uniform on. It was uncomfortable, but he suffered through it and ignored the thought of putting his regular clothes on.
As he entered the school campus, he saw many kids in groups talking and laughing. He noticed a group of boys by the lunch tables circled together, then suddenly laughing. He saw a group of girls eying them with interest. A small group of boys crowded around a girl who was typing on her laptop....with her toes.
"That must be..." He avoided wasting his time to think about it and walked straight up to her.
As he got closer, he could tell the small crowd of boys around her were getting tense. Could it be because they knew he was coming?
When he got there, he was correct in knowing the girl was Kaolla Su, a tenant from Hinata Sou. He thought of her as...weird...but a computer whiz?
"Wow, she's good.." said one of the boys.
"But they're trying to trace her! If they find out where she is, we're all done for!"
Lance raised a curious eyebrow and looked closer. Many windows were popping up on the screen, he couldn't tell what exactly she was doing because she was typing so fast and going through things so quickly.
Wait a minute, wasn't there always another girl who hanged around with Su? What was her name...
"Kaolla! I'm back!"
Lance was the only one who turned to see the source of the voice. He saw Shinobu pacing toward him. When she noticed Lance, she stopped. He smiled.
"Hi, er..I didn't know you went to this school." Shinobu blushed slightly.
"Me neither.." she said softly. "I hope Kaolla isn't disturbing you...?"
"Oh no, of course not, I..."
As they talked their small chit-chat, a teacher from across the part of the campus kept a steady watch on the new student. He lowered his glasses, seeing if he could get a better look at the boy.
"What looks so interesting, Professor Yamasugawa?"
The teacher turned to the source of the voice, Principal Lee. He put his glasses back over his eyes, regaining his professional look.
"It's just a new student I haven't seen yet." Lee smiled.
"Ah, do you mean the American over there? We seem to be getting more by the day." He inclined his head toward Lance. "His name is Lance, and he's a student of Mei-sensei. He enrolled last week, and I heard his Japanese and his writing skills are above average for an American like him."
Yamasugawa glanced back to Lance again. "Really....do you happen to know what lunch he has?"
"Second, I think. Why?"
"I just like to hear about how things in America are," he answered, "they are fascinating people, no doubt."
***
Lunch bell rang, and the halls were filled with students. Lost in the crowd, Lance tried to pry his way through a group of girls while trying to find the right way to the cafeteria.
"Where's a school map when you need one..." he muttered.
"Maybe I can help you, young sir." said a deep voice behind him.
Confused, Lance turned and saw a grown man, a teacher probably, smiling down on him. He had on a dark tinted glasses, which was halfway down his nose, giving a look of cleverness.
"Follow me." he said.
He was still confused, but Lance followed anyway. After a few turns down hallways, he was out of the bustling crowd and found himself in an empty classroom, occupied only by the teacher. On the chalkboard behind him was a name, Yamasugawa-sensei.
The teacher gave him another friendly smile, "I am Yamasugawa-sensei. I have seen you before around the campus, are you new?"
Lance nodded. "Yes, I'm a student from America."
Yamasugawa pretended to look surprised. "Really, now? America is such a fascinating country, how goes it?"
"Fine...I guess." Lance slowly sat down on an empty chair near the desk in front of the teacher.
"You know, new students from foreign countries are usually given a survey at this school," said Yamasugawa, "just to see how things have been so far since you enrolled, and what you think would help you go farther on your quest for education."
Lance nodded, "I'm listening.."
"Well, since you're obviously new here, why don't you take it? It will take an hour at least, but you will be paid for your generous time."
Lance's heart skipped a beat. "Paid?"
"Yes," answered Yamsugawa, "This is a long survey, and we wouldn't want you to go back without getting something in return for using your valuable time after school. I will arrange for a bento tobe delivered here as you work. What do you say?"
Lance smiled, "I say, count me in!"
***
It was an hour and a half later, and Lance skipped happily back on his way to the Hinata. It was getting a little late, he did get himself tied up back in school, and Keitaro would definetly make him work double by the time he got home. But at least he was a few double-digits richer -- so paying rent in the future was becoming more of an option.
He should just get back in time for the evening meal.
***
A Snapshot of Life - Cody's Move
--------------------------------
Shinobu's "Take care!" was slightly muffled by the door of the Hinata Sou as Cody stepped out. It was a beautiful day; sunlight filtered through the trees and cast dancing shadows.
"Well, what to do today?" Cody thought to himself. He didn't want to just sit around the Hinata Sou everyday. "I could get a job... that would help me get spending cash and keep me from spending my rent money on Anime. At least it'll give me an exuse to see the town." Cody said to himself as he walked down the stairs towards the tram stop. A few minutes later, the tram pulled up. He steped on board, paid his fare and sat down.
The conductor's voice came over the tram's PA system, "Next stop, Hina City Shopping district!"
"Sounds like as good a place to start as any." Cody said cheerfully. The tram only took a few minutes to reach the shopping district. Cody walked off the tram into the busy shopping area. He walked around, looking at the many different shops. That's when he saw one that looked promising, a bookstore. He walked in through the plate glass door, with the name Ototoi(Day before Yesterday) Used Books in green Kanji painted on it. He was greeted by the young woman behind the counter.
"Ohayo gozaimasu!" ,he clerk said happily, "How can I help you?"
"Ohayo gozaimasu.", Cody replied, "I was wondering if you were hiring?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, we're not right now." The young clerk said a little sadly.
"Thank you for your time," Cody said as he bowed slightly and left the bookstore.
He tried four more shops and had similar bad luck in his search for a job. That's when he happened upon it... a fairly large comic/game shop. Its large sign read,"MegaPixel: Game and Comic".
"I hope these guys are hiring." Cody said, a little disheartened as he walked into the store. The counter was empty. "Umm...Hello?!" he heard his voice echo through the large store, and was answered by a loud crash.
"Yaii!!" A started yelp was heard from the back. Cody walked in that direction, and found a girl in her late teens -- about 18 or 19 -- who was crashed out on the floor. Spilled out next to her was a large box of manga.
"You ok, miss?" Cody asked with consceren in his voice - he didn't like seeing people hurt. He stuck his hand out to help her up.
"Oh... Yes, thank you. Sorry about not being up front, we're a little short handed. Is there anything I can help you with?" She asked while taking Cody's hand.
"Actually, I could help you. I'm looking for a job. I am willing to do anything, too. So what do you say. Can I get a job here?" Cody asked with his best "Can I..Please?" smile.
"Really?! Thank you so much! Just come into the office and we'll fill out some forms to make it all legal." The two went into the office and did just that. The assistant introduced herself as Mina.
"Thank you very much for the job, Mina-san! It's geting late now, but I'll be here in the morning at 9 a.m. sharp! Goodbye till tomorrow!" Cody said as he looked at his watch. It was almost 5pm, so he walked out the door and to the tram stop to head back to the Hinata Sou. The tram ride only took a few minutes just like the one that morning.
"I'm Home!" Cody called out as he walked into the Hinata Sou. He was greeted by Shinobu as she walked by heading to the kitchen.
"Welcome back, Cody-san. Dinner will be ready in a little while." Shinobu said smiling.
"Thank you Shinobu-chan. I'm sure it will be great." Cody said also with a smile as he headed to his room. He was glad he now had something to do, so he couldn't wait to tell the others at dinner.
***
Al's Day
--------
Al laughed happily as the beautiful anime girls surrounded him, handing him drinks, giggling, and talking about how sexy he was. One even leaned in and kissed his hand....or um...nibbled it?
What?
"OW!"
Al shot up clutching his bitten hand and he looked accusingly at the blurry gray object which he assumed was his weasel.
"Why did you do that!?!"
Dizzy responded with the usual "Grr!" and handed Al his watch.
Al lifted the watch close enough that he could see it...
(zoom out to a view of the hinata house)
"WHAAAAAAA!"
Al dashed around his room, grabbing whatever clothing came to reach.
"I'm late, I'm late! I can't believe it, I'm late for my first day!"
Al performed an akward bunnyhop in order to get his socks on, just as the door burst open.
"What's going on in here!?!" Demanded a very irritated Motoko.
Al froze as he was standing on one foot, wearing nothing but a pair of boxers with a picture of Garfield on them, and his socks.
Motoko blushed hotly, before her embarassment became replaced by anger. Dizzy covered his eyes.
CRASH!!!!
***
Al hit the cement in front of Hinata house, fully dressed and bleeding from his forehead.
"Is it alive?" asked Su as she poked the mangled body lying smoking on the pavement in front of her.
"I think I am." Al whimpered as he sat up and stuck a bandaid on the bleeding spot.
"Not for long..." a stranger remarked, as she took a long drag on her ciggarette and looked towards the door of the house.
"DIE!" Motoko burst out through the doors, with her sword raised.
"Uh...Errr...Gotta go!!!" Al dove out of the way just avoiding a very close shave and ran screaming back towards the house.
"Ididn'tmeanforyoutoseethatIwasjustscreamingbecauseI'mlateformyfirstdayofschool!!!" Al yelled so fast his words stuck together... much like his oatmeal had the day before.
"Liar!" Motoko accused as she took another strike at him and missed, simply because he tripped and fell. Before she could stop herself she had tripped on him and the two rolled down the hall, coming to a stop with her on top of him looking down, a little surprised and out of breath.
"What do you mean, liar? You're late too, aren't you? It isn't a holiday, is it?"
"N...no, it's not time for school to start... it's time for us to get on the train that takes us into town." Motoko froze. "The train!" She moaned.
Before Al could ask what was wrong, the sound of approaching footsteps interrupted them, and there stood a snickering Kitsune and a glowing with rage Naru.
"I - uh - eee...this isn't what it looks like!" Al whimpered.
BAM!
***
Al found himself back in the exact same spot where he had landed when he had first been attacked by Motoko, but this time Dizzy was there with his bag.
"T..thanks little buddy." Al stood up shakily, and picked up his bag.
"You're silly, Al-chan, just like Keitaro!" Su giggled, glomping onto Al's back.
"Uh...thanks but isn't '-chan' usually reserved for people younger then you?"
Su answered with a shrug and pointed, "Lookie, here comes Motoko! I think she want's to play with you, too!"
Al turned and almost cried as he saw Motoko charging at him.
"You bastard, you've made us late! And what are you doing with Suu? Pervert!"
"But, I thought you said we just have to catch the train!" Al cried as he dropped to the ground avoiding a "Motoko slash."
"If you hadn't slept in, Su and I could be on the train by now!" She explained as she chased him around - no longer sure if beating him would help, but pretty sure it would make her feel better.
"Why are you waiting around for me!?!" He dove behind Su, who jumped on his head and stood in a akward pose.
"I wanted to ride with you to school!" su said happily as the force of her jumping on Al's head caused him to fall to the ground again. "Shinobu went on the train, but I told her I'd be waiting for you. Did you know you missed breakfast? It was yummy!"
"What?" Al asked, now not only very abused but annoyed.
"You can drive us to school on your scooter!" Su said excitedly.
"I...I can?" Al asked, a little unsure. It would be somewhat crowded.
"You have to - you've caused us to miss the train, so now you must give us a ride." Motoko put her sword away but her eyes clearly gave the additional message, "or else."
***
Al drove his scooter along the roads of Hinata more nervously then usual. Su was sitting in front of him and Motoko behind him, the wind whipping around them as he sped through the morning commuting traffic.
"Wheeeeee!" Su cheered and pumped her fist into the air, "This is fun, we should do this everyday!"
"I think not!" Motoko screamed from the back, trying to be heard over the noise of the engine and the wind. She tightend her grip on Al's midsection as he sharply turned a corner. She did NOT like traveling like this!
***
Dizzy watched Al speed out of the Hinata house garage, and smiled softly - Al was getting almost as much abuse here as he had suffered at his old school, Diablo High. Once Al was out of sight, he then made his way down to the hotsprings, deciding that even a furry animal needs a good soak every now and then.
He slipped into the hot water and sighed happily, sipping a tea he had grabbed from the kitchen on the way and placing a cooling miniature towel onto his forehead. This he could get used to.
"Myuh?"
Dizzy looked around for the turtle, not seeing her anywhere.
From somewhere, the Jaws theme music faded in...
Dizzy looked around, nothing but steam and rock.
"Myuh!" Tama-chan burst out of the water, wrapping her flippers around Dizzy and pulling down.
"GRRR! (glug)" he cried out, as he went under.
After a few moments of bubbling he rose to the surface with several lipstick kiss marks on his face. He gasped for air, but before he could make it back to dry land a large yellow flipper pulled him back ...
***
Al had managed to reach the school with no major problems - no one had died, he had dropped Suu off at her school on the way, and after he had prised Motoko's arms free from around his waist with the help of a crowbar, she had shown him to the class the two of them shared. 1st hour math... his worst subject.
"Ugh." his face hit the desk with a dull thud as his ears smoked from trying to wrap his brain around the problems.
"You are hopeless." Motoko said, smiling slightly as she was glad to see she at least knew more about math then he did.
The tables turned once they reached English though.
*Crack* The teacher cracked her whip into the air.
"Write faster, whelps, finish those storys!" She snapped a whip over the back of one unfortunate student.
Al smiled as he reread his writing. It wasn't great, but it would do - a three page creative writing assignment, a piece of cake for him. He turned and looked at Motoko... she had a look of frustration on her face as she chewed on her pencil. Al leaned over and read the story over her shoulder.
"It's good, but you should mention what happens to the villain in the end."
She shot him a dirty look,
"I would if I could figure out what happens to him. Of course he merits suitable chastisement, but I have difficulty deciding on a fitting fate. Maybe decapitation..."
Al thought for a moment.
"Whats the one thing the villain fears?"
"Being alone - he wants everyone to watch him, he's a egomanic."
"Okay, so how about we strand him on a desert island?"
Motoko thought it over for a moment and had decided it might just work.
"I guess he would suffer more than if he was just killed off. But, I would have enjoyed a decapitation scene, I had a great metaphor... 'The blood sprayed like a drinking fountain...'. What do you think?"
Al sweatdropped.
***
They didn't see each other again until lunch that day, when they sat at the same table as a few of Motoko's coterie of sycophants. Al almost didn't even sit near them, but Su called him over and she was next to Motoko.
"who's this loser?" whispered one of the girls to Motoko.
"No-one, just a friend of Su's."
"Oh, that's cold! You don't wanna introduce your friends to the guy whom you wrapped your arms around as he drove you to school today?" Al joked.
"WHAT!?! It's not like that!" Motoko denied, blushing furiously and waving her arms like Shinobu.
"Ooo! Is he your new boyfriend Motoko? why'd you settle for so little?" chorused the onlookers curiously.
Al facefaulted as motoko explained rapidly.
"Nonono! He's just living at the same dorm I live at and he made us late to school so he drove Su and I today it's nothing more, I swear!"
"Sharing a roof with him? A male? Motoko, have you lost your sense of judgement? It was bad enough when we found that you were living with that Urashima pervert, but now another... and you seem to be beet red! What can be the matter? Motoko-sempai??"
The coterie were speaking to thin air, though, because Motoko has already run off. With a scornful look at Al, they quickly departed to follow her. Su just giggled, and started to eat their abandoned lunches in addition to her own.
***
The three of them walked up the steps to Hinata house after a long and painful day at school... well, Al and Motoko walked, Su skipped.
"Sorry about teasing you back at lunch today." Al apologized for the tenth time. Motoko hadn't spoken to him since the incident.
She simply turned up her nose and walked a step faster. Al could practically see the frost forming on her back.
"Boy, are you bad at making friends." Su remarked as she climbed onto Al's shoulders, "Let's go, ride 'em cowgirl, Sarah's gonna be a waiting for us to come and play!"
Al trotted up the stairs, wondering if he would ever get Motoko not to hate him.
***
Kaolla's Move
-------------
After Kaolla bounced back into her room, ready to have some fun after a long day at school, she was met with a surprisingly tasty sight.
Tama-chan nervously hovered over by the corner.
Kaolla wasted no time in whipping out a knife and fork. "Looks like room service for dinner!" she chortled. "Now, just stay still, and I'll get you boiled..."
Tama-chan quickly dodged. This wasn't going too well! "Myu!" she called. "Myu-myu! Myu, myu myu..."
Kaolla hesitated. "Well, you gots a point..." she responded to the turtle, putting the cutlery away for the time being. "I had a good idea last night, too... I've played with physics and stuff, but never genetics. If I help you like you ask, then maybe I can realise my dream -- to find out what a ferret-turtle hybrid looks like!"
Kaolla grabbed a bannana from a nearby pile and started writing in a notebook.
"Yes! This is great -- you get your furry boyfriend, and I get furry turtle offspring, much softer on the throat when you eat 'em!"
Next, she pulled a strange machine from a corner. It has lots of arms, and on the side was a dial with positions marked "Tama-chan", "Keitaro", and "Bannanas".
"This is Hunter-kun!" she announced excitedly. "Just make the setting, and off he goes to catch his target. Now all I have to do is..."
She pasted a label saying "Weezle" over the "Bannanas" label, and got to work on the machine's innards.
***
An hour later, Shinobu called everyone for the evening meal. However, three of the inhabitants seemed to be missing...
"I can't find Kaolla!" announced Shinobu, worridly as she cal in to see the other members of Hinata-sou sat at the table. Al also looked up.
"I haven't seen Dizzy recently either..." he commented. "It's not like him to miss a meal..."
Motoko also raised her head. "Although I for one am pleased by it's absence, I have to note that that disgusting... t..turtle is also absent from the table." She paused, "Although, I did spot that weasel earlier being chased down the corridor by one of Kaolla's contraptions -- with Tama-chan riding on top and Kaolla running behind...."
Al leapt up with worry on his face. "Maybe we should go to Kaolla's room and check? He's my best buddy, maybe she's changed her mind about cooking him!"
As Al leapt up and ran from the room, Naru started to follow.
"Can't let a male into her room unaccompanied!" she shouted. "The pervert's probably looking for an excuse to go through her underwear drawer...." She ran out, followed by the rest of the people.
***
Kaolla's room was, however, empty -- or at least, as empty as her room ever gets. No sign of turtle or weasel. A strange many-armed machine sat in the corner, which Motoko identified as the device she had previously seen chasing Dizzy.
"What's this?" asked Al, picking up an old book. It was written in Japanese, and all he could make out was the word 'Hinata' on the cover.
"Oh -- its an old log book of the Hinata-sou!" said Keitaro, reading it. He looked inside to a page that was marked by a bannana peel bookmark. "Hmm... according to this, it's about the old annexe over to the west. It says something about a 'strange and magical power that can bind two lovers together, even if unwilling, after spending a night together....'". Keitaro cast a sideways glance at Naru, who studiously ignored him. "There's also a note in the margin.... I can't read it too well, but it says something about a genetic hybrid, whatever that is...."
***
Over in the abandoned annexe, Dizzy was not having a good time. He had been chased around the building by an odd contraption before it had caught and hog-tied him. Then, he had been dragged to this remote building, and tied to a support pillar in the main hall, and left. What was going on??
"Grrr" he growled, angrily.
"Myu!" came a voice from out of the darkness.
Out of nowhere, soft organ music started to play.
"Myu, myu myu-myu; myu myu myu-myu... " sang Tama-chan to the tune of Handel's wedding march, as she floated up the main hall. As she came closer, it became apparent to Dizzy that she was wearing a bridal veil.
"grrr.." growled Dizzy in panic. This was getting out of hand! WHERE WAS AL?
-------
Kyosuke scratched his left arm as he strolled back to Hinata Sou from school. It seemed that his uniform was just about the most uncomfortable thing you could wear. Of course he could have a quality one tailored for him, but it would take time... he wished he had though of this before.
"Crap, this thing's making me itch like crazy." he complained to himself as he sopped at a curb to let a car pass. "I hope this is only temporary."
When he finally got home without ripping his clothes off and running around in his boxers, he ran for room 308 and shut the door.
"Phew. I gotta get out of these." he said, removing his shirt first and inspecting his arms.
"*Sigh* Note to Self: Please remember to wear a long-sleeved shirt before putting on very itchy, flea-infested school uniform." he jokingly said to himself as he began to remove his pants. Just then, Kitsune entered wearing her trademark smile. At this intrusion, Kyosuke tried to quickly put his pants back on but was stopped by one of Kitsunes hands.
"Now what you doin' tha' fo'? We can' have deese on now can wee?" she slurred, completely drunk.
"Uh, Kitsune right?" Kyosuke said, a bit nervous. "Look, I don't think you want to be in here now, you see, I'm-"
"Aaawwwww, the lil' cutie juss 'membered my name. Now ain' tha' cute?" she interrupted, pulling his head to her chest in a bear-hug.
Kyosuke couldn't help it, he tried to hold it in but couldn't, Kitsune was too busy hugging him until she heard a muffled sneeze and the force of a hurricane hit her in the chest at full force, blowing her into the wall and knocking her unconscious.
"I told you," he said, walking up to her unconscious body and sighing, "I'm *sniff* allergic to alcohol, *sniff* especially sake."
***
Kyosuke sighed as he set about the task of dragging Kitsune quietly to the next-door empty room and hiding her in there. He then went back to his room and picked up all the things that were thrown about the room by the gust that had shot out of his nose at a hundred miles per hour. Just after he was finished, Naru popped in.
"Hey, new guy, Shinobu says dinner's gonna be ready in an hour." she then left but came back and poked her head around the edge of the sliding door, "And put on a shirt Tarzan, you look like a hippie." she ended with a huff and went back down stairs.
"I have a name you know!" he yelled after her and was met by a shoe that had flown all they way up from downstairs and into his face which knocked him into the window, leaving him shirt-less and hanging at least a floor up, out of the side of the building.
***
Back in empty room 307, Kitsune was coming around. Surprisingly, she was not drunk in the slightest -- she was just very surprised. She had been sure that all she needed to do would be to pull Kyosuke into her ample bosom, and the resulting confusion and nosebleed the teenager would suffer would be enough to ensure a quick donation to the "Kitsune Sake Sanctuary" fund.
However, the last thing she remembered was grabbing him and a big explosion of some sort. She rubbed her head, and looked down at her biggest assets. Was she losing her touch?
Standing up, she started to make new plans. Dinner was probably already starting so she'd head down first... but after that, a night of planning. If her 'assets' couldnt result in a few yen, then maybe she could get ole' Kyosuke drunk? She shook her head sadly. All those yen were just wasted on someone too young to spend it on alcohol!
***
The next day, Kyosuke remembered to contact his uncle's tailor in the morning and arrange for some far more comfortable versions of the unpleasant uniform he found himself wearing. After school he could go for some fitting and measuring, and in a day or two it should be ready for collection. This all cost money, but that was the one thing he was not lacking in, luckily.
Another unconfortable day in school beckoned, so after a surprisingly tasty breakfast -- apparently prepared by his shy classmate -- he left for school. Since he wanted to drop by the tailor's first, he left earlier than the others, and was soon out of sight.
***
Sam's Move
----------
[GM Notes: I had to change the time on this since Motoko will not be around at midday]
Sam walk cheerfully into the living room, as Motoko sat fuming on the sofa. She had prepared with adequate time in order to leave and catch the train; however, Kaolla was now insisting on waiting for that damn American with the weasel. This delay was not putting her in the best of moods, and it wouldn't take much to trigger her anger.
"Hiya folks how ya doing?" asked Sam as he drifted in. Motoko only gave him a baleful glance.
"fine, " replied Keitaro. "Oh, by the way, do you have the other 49,000 Yen for the rent?"
"um... here, its all I've got at the moment" replied Sam nervously, giving Keitaro 25,000 yen in small grubby bills.
Motoko rose from her seat, ready to draw her sword "And why do you not have suffient funds to live here?" she demanded angrily. "Urashima, how can you permit this vagrant to remain under this roof if he does not pay his way honourably and promptly?"
"Hey, calm down Motoko," replied Sam quickly, "it's just a little hard to get cash here and the ship was expensive..."
"... and he has paid for the first two weeks, now!" added Keitaro, "so he isn't behind, at all. Do you think I'd let him stay otherwise?" Keitaro silently prayed that Motoko wouldn't learn of the situation with Al and Lance.
Motoko grunted her tacit approval. "But, I must warn you -- one false move, and you're dead."
"Sure, I'm off to try and get a job..." answered Sam, and walked off towards the stairs of Hinata Sou.
"I'm off to get that boy," growled Motoko, following him. "I still have more questions for him."
***
Outside, Sam was considering his predicament. "Hhhhhmmm, I wonder who would want to hire somebody who can use a sword and speaks perfect English?" Turning around, he saw Motoko behind him. "What do you want?" he asked irritably.
"Tell me..." she replied, "why do you where that hakama, but carry that European sword?"
"Um, 'cause my pants have got curry stains on them?"
Motoko's face darkened at this attempt at humour. "Why do I not believe you?" she responded. "This outfit is a uniform of honour, and you seem to not be taking it very seriously... and I have yet to see you display any proficiency with that weapon you carry. Are you possibly making fun of me?"
"Fine..." replied Sam. "I am practicing to be a kendoist, but I prefer my homeland's weapons. Good enough for you?"
"If you wish to become skilled then it will require great dedication and effort. You cannot allow yourself to be distracted by other things. Maybe, " - here she gave a dark grin - "you would want to guage your proficiency by sparring together this evening?"
"Err..."
Motoko sniffed the air. "Do I smell /rum/ on your clothes?" she asked in disbelief.
Sam sweatdropped, and ran.
"Damn, I've got to be more careful next time. Well back to buisness..." he said to himself, as Motoko was forced to give up her chase and return to the inn.
***
Lance's Move
------------
"Myuh! Myuh!"
Lance turned in his futon, throwing a pillow over his head.
"Myuh!"
"Turtle..." Lance moaned. He turned again.
"Myuh!"
"Fine! I'm up..." he sat up and stretched his arms, stifling a big yawn. He looked at Tama-chan, levitating in front of him and a smear of red covering half of her small face.
"How did..."
Tama blushed, now red on both sides. "Myuh....muh myuh myuh."
Lance blinked. "You're telling me that after that scene at dinner last night when you stole Kitsune's makeup so you could impress that overgrown gerbil, later that night you tried to seduce him? And you want me to help?"
"Myuh!" Tama-chan blushed.
Lance turned pale. Had he... talked with a turtle?
"I GOTTA GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!!!"
Tama-chan drifted away sadly... who else could she find to help her?
***
One hour later, Lance walked down the town street towards his school with his new uniform on. It was uncomfortable, but he suffered through it and ignored the thought of putting his regular clothes on.
As he entered the school campus, he saw many kids in groups talking and laughing. He noticed a group of boys by the lunch tables circled together, then suddenly laughing. He saw a group of girls eying them with interest. A small group of boys crowded around a girl who was typing on her laptop....with her toes.
"That must be..." He avoided wasting his time to think about it and walked straight up to her.
As he got closer, he could tell the small crowd of boys around her were getting tense. Could it be because they knew he was coming?
When he got there, he was correct in knowing the girl was Kaolla Su, a tenant from Hinata Sou. He thought of her as...weird...but a computer whiz?
"Wow, she's good.." said one of the boys.
"But they're trying to trace her! If they find out where she is, we're all done for!"
Lance raised a curious eyebrow and looked closer. Many windows were popping up on the screen, he couldn't tell what exactly she was doing because she was typing so fast and going through things so quickly.
Wait a minute, wasn't there always another girl who hanged around with Su? What was her name...
"Kaolla! I'm back!"
Lance was the only one who turned to see the source of the voice. He saw Shinobu pacing toward him. When she noticed Lance, she stopped. He smiled.
"Hi, er..I didn't know you went to this school." Shinobu blushed slightly.
"Me neither.." she said softly. "I hope Kaolla isn't disturbing you...?"
"Oh no, of course not, I..."
As they talked their small chit-chat, a teacher from across the part of the campus kept a steady watch on the new student. He lowered his glasses, seeing if he could get a better look at the boy.
"What looks so interesting, Professor Yamasugawa?"
The teacher turned to the source of the voice, Principal Lee. He put his glasses back over his eyes, regaining his professional look.
"It's just a new student I haven't seen yet." Lee smiled.
"Ah, do you mean the American over there? We seem to be getting more by the day." He inclined his head toward Lance. "His name is Lance, and he's a student of Mei-sensei. He enrolled last week, and I heard his Japanese and his writing skills are above average for an American like him."
Yamasugawa glanced back to Lance again. "Really....do you happen to know what lunch he has?"
"Second, I think. Why?"
"I just like to hear about how things in America are," he answered, "they are fascinating people, no doubt."
***
Lunch bell rang, and the halls were filled with students. Lost in the crowd, Lance tried to pry his way through a group of girls while trying to find the right way to the cafeteria.
"Where's a school map when you need one..." he muttered.
"Maybe I can help you, young sir." said a deep voice behind him.
Confused, Lance turned and saw a grown man, a teacher probably, smiling down on him. He had on a dark tinted glasses, which was halfway down his nose, giving a look of cleverness.
"Follow me." he said.
He was still confused, but Lance followed anyway. After a few turns down hallways, he was out of the bustling crowd and found himself in an empty classroom, occupied only by the teacher. On the chalkboard behind him was a name, Yamasugawa-sensei.
The teacher gave him another friendly smile, "I am Yamasugawa-sensei. I have seen you before around the campus, are you new?"
Lance nodded. "Yes, I'm a student from America."
Yamasugawa pretended to look surprised. "Really, now? America is such a fascinating country, how goes it?"
"Fine...I guess." Lance slowly sat down on an empty chair near the desk in front of the teacher.
"You know, new students from foreign countries are usually given a survey at this school," said Yamasugawa, "just to see how things have been so far since you enrolled, and what you think would help you go farther on your quest for education."
Lance nodded, "I'm listening.."
"Well, since you're obviously new here, why don't you take it? It will take an hour at least, but you will be paid for your generous time."
Lance's heart skipped a beat. "Paid?"
"Yes," answered Yamsugawa, "This is a long survey, and we wouldn't want you to go back without getting something in return for using your valuable time after school. I will arrange for a bento tobe delivered here as you work. What do you say?"
Lance smiled, "I say, count me in!"
***
It was an hour and a half later, and Lance skipped happily back on his way to the Hinata. It was getting a little late, he did get himself tied up back in school, and Keitaro would definetly make him work double by the time he got home. But at least he was a few double-digits richer -- so paying rent in the future was becoming more of an option.
He should just get back in time for the evening meal.
***
A Snapshot of Life - Cody's Move
--------------------------------
Shinobu's "Take care!" was slightly muffled by the door of the Hinata Sou as Cody stepped out. It was a beautiful day; sunlight filtered through the trees and cast dancing shadows.
"Well, what to do today?" Cody thought to himself. He didn't want to just sit around the Hinata Sou everyday. "I could get a job... that would help me get spending cash and keep me from spending my rent money on Anime. At least it'll give me an exuse to see the town." Cody said to himself as he walked down the stairs towards the tram stop. A few minutes later, the tram pulled up. He steped on board, paid his fare and sat down.
The conductor's voice came over the tram's PA system, "Next stop, Hina City Shopping district!"
"Sounds like as good a place to start as any." Cody said cheerfully. The tram only took a few minutes to reach the shopping district. Cody walked off the tram into the busy shopping area. He walked around, looking at the many different shops. That's when he saw one that looked promising, a bookstore. He walked in through the plate glass door, with the name Ototoi(Day before Yesterday) Used Books in green Kanji painted on it. He was greeted by the young woman behind the counter.
"Ohayo gozaimasu!" ,he clerk said happily, "How can I help you?"
"Ohayo gozaimasu.", Cody replied, "I was wondering if you were hiring?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, we're not right now." The young clerk said a little sadly.
"Thank you for your time," Cody said as he bowed slightly and left the bookstore.
He tried four more shops and had similar bad luck in his search for a job. That's when he happened upon it... a fairly large comic/game shop. Its large sign read,"MegaPixel: Game and Comic".
"I hope these guys are hiring." Cody said, a little disheartened as he walked into the store. The counter was empty. "Umm...Hello?!" he heard his voice echo through the large store, and was answered by a loud crash.
"Yaii!!" A started yelp was heard from the back. Cody walked in that direction, and found a girl in her late teens -- about 18 or 19 -- who was crashed out on the floor. Spilled out next to her was a large box of manga.
"You ok, miss?" Cody asked with consceren in his voice - he didn't like seeing people hurt. He stuck his hand out to help her up.
"Oh... Yes, thank you. Sorry about not being up front, we're a little short handed. Is there anything I can help you with?" She asked while taking Cody's hand.
"Actually, I could help you. I'm looking for a job. I am willing to do anything, too. So what do you say. Can I get a job here?" Cody asked with his best "Can I..Please?" smile.
"Really?! Thank you so much! Just come into the office and we'll fill out some forms to make it all legal." The two went into the office and did just that. The assistant introduced herself as Mina.
"Thank you very much for the job, Mina-san! It's geting late now, but I'll be here in the morning at 9 a.m. sharp! Goodbye till tomorrow!" Cody said as he looked at his watch. It was almost 5pm, so he walked out the door and to the tram stop to head back to the Hinata Sou. The tram ride only took a few minutes just like the one that morning.
"I'm Home!" Cody called out as he walked into the Hinata Sou. He was greeted by Shinobu as she walked by heading to the kitchen.
"Welcome back, Cody-san. Dinner will be ready in a little while." Shinobu said smiling.
"Thank you Shinobu-chan. I'm sure it will be great." Cody said also with a smile as he headed to his room. He was glad he now had something to do, so he couldn't wait to tell the others at dinner.
***
Al's Day
--------
Al laughed happily as the beautiful anime girls surrounded him, handing him drinks, giggling, and talking about how sexy he was. One even leaned in and kissed his hand....or um...nibbled it?
What?
"OW!"
Al shot up clutching his bitten hand and he looked accusingly at the blurry gray object which he assumed was his weasel.
"Why did you do that!?!"
Dizzy responded with the usual "Grr!" and handed Al his watch.
Al lifted the watch close enough that he could see it...
(zoom out to a view of the hinata house)
"WHAAAAAAA!"
Al dashed around his room, grabbing whatever clothing came to reach.
"I'm late, I'm late! I can't believe it, I'm late for my first day!"
Al performed an akward bunnyhop in order to get his socks on, just as the door burst open.
"What's going on in here!?!" Demanded a very irritated Motoko.
Al froze as he was standing on one foot, wearing nothing but a pair of boxers with a picture of Garfield on them, and his socks.
Motoko blushed hotly, before her embarassment became replaced by anger. Dizzy covered his eyes.
CRASH!!!!
***
Al hit the cement in front of Hinata house, fully dressed and bleeding from his forehead.
"Is it alive?" asked Su as she poked the mangled body lying smoking on the pavement in front of her.
"I think I am." Al whimpered as he sat up and stuck a bandaid on the bleeding spot.
"Not for long..." a stranger remarked, as she took a long drag on her ciggarette and looked towards the door of the house.
"DIE!" Motoko burst out through the doors, with her sword raised.
"Uh...Errr...Gotta go!!!" Al dove out of the way just avoiding a very close shave and ran screaming back towards the house.
"Ididn'tmeanforyoutoseethatIwasjustscreamingbecauseI'mlateformyfirstdayofschool!!!" Al yelled so fast his words stuck together... much like his oatmeal had the day before.
"Liar!" Motoko accused as she took another strike at him and missed, simply because he tripped and fell. Before she could stop herself she had tripped on him and the two rolled down the hall, coming to a stop with her on top of him looking down, a little surprised and out of breath.
"What do you mean, liar? You're late too, aren't you? It isn't a holiday, is it?"
"N...no, it's not time for school to start... it's time for us to get on the train that takes us into town." Motoko froze. "The train!" She moaned.
Before Al could ask what was wrong, the sound of approaching footsteps interrupted them, and there stood a snickering Kitsune and a glowing with rage Naru.
"I - uh - eee...this isn't what it looks like!" Al whimpered.
BAM!
***
Al found himself back in the exact same spot where he had landed when he had first been attacked by Motoko, but this time Dizzy was there with his bag.
"T..thanks little buddy." Al stood up shakily, and picked up his bag.
"You're silly, Al-chan, just like Keitaro!" Su giggled, glomping onto Al's back.
"Uh...thanks but isn't '-chan' usually reserved for people younger then you?"
Su answered with a shrug and pointed, "Lookie, here comes Motoko! I think she want's to play with you, too!"
Al turned and almost cried as he saw Motoko charging at him.
"You bastard, you've made us late! And what are you doing with Suu? Pervert!"
"But, I thought you said we just have to catch the train!" Al cried as he dropped to the ground avoiding a "Motoko slash."
"If you hadn't slept in, Su and I could be on the train by now!" She explained as she chased him around - no longer sure if beating him would help, but pretty sure it would make her feel better.
"Why are you waiting around for me!?!" He dove behind Su, who jumped on his head and stood in a akward pose.
"I wanted to ride with you to school!" su said happily as the force of her jumping on Al's head caused him to fall to the ground again. "Shinobu went on the train, but I told her I'd be waiting for you. Did you know you missed breakfast? It was yummy!"
"What?" Al asked, now not only very abused but annoyed.
"You can drive us to school on your scooter!" Su said excitedly.
"I...I can?" Al asked, a little unsure. It would be somewhat crowded.
"You have to - you've caused us to miss the train, so now you must give us a ride." Motoko put her sword away but her eyes clearly gave the additional message, "or else."
***
Al drove his scooter along the roads of Hinata more nervously then usual. Su was sitting in front of him and Motoko behind him, the wind whipping around them as he sped through the morning commuting traffic.
"Wheeeeee!" Su cheered and pumped her fist into the air, "This is fun, we should do this everyday!"
"I think not!" Motoko screamed from the back, trying to be heard over the noise of the engine and the wind. She tightend her grip on Al's midsection as he sharply turned a corner. She did NOT like traveling like this!
***
Dizzy watched Al speed out of the Hinata house garage, and smiled softly - Al was getting almost as much abuse here as he had suffered at his old school, Diablo High. Once Al was out of sight, he then made his way down to the hotsprings, deciding that even a furry animal needs a good soak every now and then.
He slipped into the hot water and sighed happily, sipping a tea he had grabbed from the kitchen on the way and placing a cooling miniature towel onto his forehead. This he could get used to.
"Myuh?"
Dizzy looked around for the turtle, not seeing her anywhere.
From somewhere, the Jaws theme music faded in...
Dizzy looked around, nothing but steam and rock.
"Myuh!" Tama-chan burst out of the water, wrapping her flippers around Dizzy and pulling down.
"GRRR! (glug)" he cried out, as he went under.
After a few moments of bubbling he rose to the surface with several lipstick kiss marks on his face. He gasped for air, but before he could make it back to dry land a large yellow flipper pulled him back ...
***
Al had managed to reach the school with no major problems - no one had died, he had dropped Suu off at her school on the way, and after he had prised Motoko's arms free from around his waist with the help of a crowbar, she had shown him to the class the two of them shared. 1st hour math... his worst subject.
"Ugh." his face hit the desk with a dull thud as his ears smoked from trying to wrap his brain around the problems.
"You are hopeless." Motoko said, smiling slightly as she was glad to see she at least knew more about math then he did.
The tables turned once they reached English though.
*Crack* The teacher cracked her whip into the air.
"Write faster, whelps, finish those storys!" She snapped a whip over the back of one unfortunate student.
Al smiled as he reread his writing. It wasn't great, but it would do - a three page creative writing assignment, a piece of cake for him. He turned and looked at Motoko... she had a look of frustration on her face as she chewed on her pencil. Al leaned over and read the story over her shoulder.
"It's good, but you should mention what happens to the villain in the end."
She shot him a dirty look,
"I would if I could figure out what happens to him. Of course he merits suitable chastisement, but I have difficulty deciding on a fitting fate. Maybe decapitation..."
Al thought for a moment.
"Whats the one thing the villain fears?"
"Being alone - he wants everyone to watch him, he's a egomanic."
"Okay, so how about we strand him on a desert island?"
Motoko thought it over for a moment and had decided it might just work.
"I guess he would suffer more than if he was just killed off. But, I would have enjoyed a decapitation scene, I had a great metaphor... 'The blood sprayed like a drinking fountain...'. What do you think?"
Al sweatdropped.
***
They didn't see each other again until lunch that day, when they sat at the same table as a few of Motoko's coterie of sycophants. Al almost didn't even sit near them, but Su called him over and she was next to Motoko.
"who's this loser?" whispered one of the girls to Motoko.
"No-one, just a friend of Su's."
"Oh, that's cold! You don't wanna introduce your friends to the guy whom you wrapped your arms around as he drove you to school today?" Al joked.
"WHAT!?! It's not like that!" Motoko denied, blushing furiously and waving her arms like Shinobu.
"Ooo! Is he your new boyfriend Motoko? why'd you settle for so little?" chorused the onlookers curiously.
Al facefaulted as motoko explained rapidly.
"Nonono! He's just living at the same dorm I live at and he made us late to school so he drove Su and I today it's nothing more, I swear!"
"Sharing a roof with him? A male? Motoko, have you lost your sense of judgement? It was bad enough when we found that you were living with that Urashima pervert, but now another... and you seem to be beet red! What can be the matter? Motoko-sempai??"
The coterie were speaking to thin air, though, because Motoko has already run off. With a scornful look at Al, they quickly departed to follow her. Su just giggled, and started to eat their abandoned lunches in addition to her own.
***
The three of them walked up the steps to Hinata house after a long and painful day at school... well, Al and Motoko walked, Su skipped.
"Sorry about teasing you back at lunch today." Al apologized for the tenth time. Motoko hadn't spoken to him since the incident.
She simply turned up her nose and walked a step faster. Al could practically see the frost forming on her back.
"Boy, are you bad at making friends." Su remarked as she climbed onto Al's shoulders, "Let's go, ride 'em cowgirl, Sarah's gonna be a waiting for us to come and play!"
Al trotted up the stairs, wondering if he would ever get Motoko not to hate him.
***
Kaolla's Move
-------------
After Kaolla bounced back into her room, ready to have some fun after a long day at school, she was met with a surprisingly tasty sight.
Tama-chan nervously hovered over by the corner.
Kaolla wasted no time in whipping out a knife and fork. "Looks like room service for dinner!" she chortled. "Now, just stay still, and I'll get you boiled..."
Tama-chan quickly dodged. This wasn't going too well! "Myu!" she called. "Myu-myu! Myu, myu myu..."
Kaolla hesitated. "Well, you gots a point..." she responded to the turtle, putting the cutlery away for the time being. "I had a good idea last night, too... I've played with physics and stuff, but never genetics. If I help you like you ask, then maybe I can realise my dream -- to find out what a ferret-turtle hybrid looks like!"
Kaolla grabbed a bannana from a nearby pile and started writing in a notebook.
"Yes! This is great -- you get your furry boyfriend, and I get furry turtle offspring, much softer on the throat when you eat 'em!"
Next, she pulled a strange machine from a corner. It has lots of arms, and on the side was a dial with positions marked "Tama-chan", "Keitaro", and "Bannanas".
"This is Hunter-kun!" she announced excitedly. "Just make the setting, and off he goes to catch his target. Now all I have to do is..."
She pasted a label saying "Weezle" over the "Bannanas" label, and got to work on the machine's innards.
***
An hour later, Shinobu called everyone for the evening meal. However, three of the inhabitants seemed to be missing...
"I can't find Kaolla!" announced Shinobu, worridly as she cal in to see the other members of Hinata-sou sat at the table. Al also looked up.
"I haven't seen Dizzy recently either..." he commented. "It's not like him to miss a meal..."
Motoko also raised her head. "Although I for one am pleased by it's absence, I have to note that that disgusting... t..turtle is also absent from the table." She paused, "Although, I did spot that weasel earlier being chased down the corridor by one of Kaolla's contraptions -- with Tama-chan riding on top and Kaolla running behind...."
Al leapt up with worry on his face. "Maybe we should go to Kaolla's room and check? He's my best buddy, maybe she's changed her mind about cooking him!"
As Al leapt up and ran from the room, Naru started to follow.
"Can't let a male into her room unaccompanied!" she shouted. "The pervert's probably looking for an excuse to go through her underwear drawer...." She ran out, followed by the rest of the people.
***
Kaolla's room was, however, empty -- or at least, as empty as her room ever gets. No sign of turtle or weasel. A strange many-armed machine sat in the corner, which Motoko identified as the device she had previously seen chasing Dizzy.
"What's this?" asked Al, picking up an old book. It was written in Japanese, and all he could make out was the word 'Hinata' on the cover.
"Oh -- its an old log book of the Hinata-sou!" said Keitaro, reading it. He looked inside to a page that was marked by a bannana peel bookmark. "Hmm... according to this, it's about the old annexe over to the west. It says something about a 'strange and magical power that can bind two lovers together, even if unwilling, after spending a night together....'". Keitaro cast a sideways glance at Naru, who studiously ignored him. "There's also a note in the margin.... I can't read it too well, but it says something about a genetic hybrid, whatever that is...."
***
Over in the abandoned annexe, Dizzy was not having a good time. He had been chased around the building by an odd contraption before it had caught and hog-tied him. Then, he had been dragged to this remote building, and tied to a support pillar in the main hall, and left. What was going on??
"Grrr" he growled, angrily.
"Myu!" came a voice from out of the darkness.
Out of nowhere, soft organ music started to play.
"Myu, myu myu-myu; myu myu myu-myu... " sang Tama-chan to the tune of Handel's wedding march, as she floated up the main hall. As she came closer, it became apparent to Dizzy that she was wearing a bridal veil.
"grrr.." growled Dizzy in panic. This was getting out of hand! WHERE WAS AL?