More than meets the eye (15/7/2007)
Author's note
Who's up for some Close Encounters of the Third Kind? Without further ado:
Updated 15/7/2007 – Made some minor amendments to grammar. Sorry guys.
Chapter 6: Keeping secrets
Eventually Kasumi, Ranma and Akane released each other from their group hug. As they were drying their tears, Nabiki repeated her earlier query.
"OK Kasumi, spill it. There's another guy out there you've got the hots for and rescued you tonight. You didn't escape Happosai alone nor did you beat those two up. So what really happened?" Nabiki asked quietly.
Ranma's brain caught up with Nabiki's as well. "Yeah Onee-chan, who's your saviour? We have to thank him."
Kasumi put on her sweet smile. "Do you really want to know who he is?"
"Yes!" the Tendo family and the Saotomes cried.
"Well you can't."
Massive face vaults happened and Kasumi winced at the floor damage she would have to look at later.
"What are you talking about sis? We have to know the whole story tonight. You're going to have to tell it straight if you want to make a police report," Nabiki said.
Kasumi sighed. "This is one secret that I must keep. And all he did was show up and hit Tofu, Gosunkugi and Happosai with his car, then help me return to Nerima."
"Oh come on sis, why the big secret?" Nabiki pressed.
This time Kasumi glared at Nabiki. Really hard. As in 'Batman intimidating criminals' hard. And it made Nabiki gulp at her big sister.
"As I've said, nobody has the right to know him. He has not given me leave to tell you all. He was a kind and brave stranger that rescued me and wants nothing in return. Is the concept so alien to you Nabiki?" Kasumi asked in an icy voice.
"…… but Kasumi, how can you not tell the police ….," Nabiki stuttered.
"Don't be selfish sister. You merely want to satiate your curiosity, you are not concerned about the police report. Well you do not have the right to know his secret and I expect the rest of you to be silent about him. And no, he is not my secret lover either. We have everything we need to incriminate Happosai, including two accomplices who will confess their crimes."
This brought their attention to somebody who had been momentarily forgotten, Hikaru Gosunkugi. The pale and skinny boy was now making strange noises.
"Ummm, Akane… not there… Oh it feels so good….. suck it ….. Kasumi ….. whos your daddy…." He muttered.
Ranma's battle aura was back. Cracking with his knuckles, he looked at Kasumi and asked politely, "Onee-chan, may I give our dear guest a wake up call?" he winked at
Akane and made a motion with his mouth and his ear. The blue haired girl mirrored his evil grin and got up as well.
Kasumi's sweet smile sent a chill down Nabiki's, Genma's and Soun's spine. "By all means, it is getting a little late." In truth, it was a little more than 8 a.m.
Both of the two sat on either side of Gosunkugi. They put their heads near either side of Gosunkugi's sleeping head.
"HIKARU GOSUNKUGI WAKE UP!" they roared into both ears.
This cause the boy to wake up screaming, and then screaming again as the broken bones announced themselves to him. "ARRRRGGGHHHH" he cried. As soon as the pain subsided, the first thing he noticed was Kasumi's smiling face. The smile mirrored in him as he thought the Happosai's plan had worked, Kasumi was now their sex slave.
"So my dear Kasumi, perhaps an early morning service…." He suddenly realised where he was. In the Tendo dojo. And Kasumi was smiling. His eyes moved and he saw he was surrounded by all the Tendo family. And at both of his sides, were the last two people he wanted to meet, Ranma and Akane, both of them grinning maliciously.
"Onee-chan, can you excuse us to have a little talk with Gosunkugi here? We need to make sure he will give the correct story to the police," Gosunkugi's blood ran cold, not at the word police but at the friendly tone of Akane's voice.
Kasumi's smile did not falter. "Of course. But remember, it doesn't take much to cause him excruciating pain now. All you have to do is press here and there. Like this," and with that, she reached out her hand and squeezed his broken toe."
"AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!" he screamed. "Please, spare me, it's all Ranma's fault, he's the cause as always …." he started blaming Ranma for everything that had happened to him as usual.
Ranma looked slightly disappointed that it there was no longer any need to pummel Gosunkugi into a pulp as he was already a pulp. Oh well, be happy with what you have, he thought. And with that he grabbed Gosunkugi by his hair and proceeded to drag him, kicking and screaming due to his broken bones to the Dojo to talk. Akane followed him.
"Nabiki, be a dear and go record Gosunkugi's statement on what happened tonight and make sure it corresponds with my story. Mrs. Ono, could you help Tofu to the Dojo where Nabiki can take down written statements from both of you?"
The two women could only nod and somehow dared not refuse or object to anything that Kasumi said. Mrs. Ono and Kasumi then untied the splints immobilising Tofu and then the elder Ono helped Tofu walk to the dojo, with Nabiki by her side.
The two fathers were dumbfounded by Kasumi's attitude now, which was downright disturbing. They both shivered when Kasumi's attention return to them.
"Breakfast will be ready soon," she said politely and then she stood up and left the living room.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
The rest of the day went by slowly. After Kasumi finished cooking breakfast, Ranma and Akane returned with a satisfied look on their faces. Nabiki also had three letters printed, each a signed confession and testimony from Dr. Tofu, his mother and Gosunkugi. The doctor and his mother were asked to stay for breakfast.
After that, Ranma, Akane, Nabiki and the two fathers escorted Kasumi, Tofu and his mother as well as Gosunkugi to the nearest police station. The kind hearted girl finally took pity on Gosunkugi and rather than drag him by his broken bones to the police station, Kasumi asked Ranma and Akane to construct a make shift stretcher to carry him. Kasumi had called one of the housewives she knew whose husband was a detective so when they reached the station, there was already a detective and two uniformed police officers waiting for them. She was still in her torn dress but covered up with a big coat borrowed from her father.
The police interrogation was difficult for Kasumi, especially when trying to keep Bumblebee's part a secret but she bore it with gritted teeth as she recounted the night's events. Prior discussion about their testimonies during breakfast ensured that each person's story correlated with each other and no loose ends left, save for the gap which Bumblebee showed up to save the day. She was even subject to a medical checkup with the police station's doctors. Finally, the detective gave up on trying making Kasumi reveal her saviour and release her and the rest of the family. Doctor Tofu and Gosunkugi were incarcerated as expected. When Kasumi offered Mrs. Ono lodging at her house, the elder woman declined, saying that Kasumi had already done too much rescuing her despite her son's dishonourable acts. The two parted ways amicably, with the doctor's mother saying that she would stay at her son's house for the time being.
When they left the police station, one of the police cars followed Kasumi. Kasumi noted it but upon seeing the same logo on the car's door along with the words "Serve and Protect", she gave no further notice.
Unknown to both Kasumi and the police car, another set of eyes watched Kasumi.
Despite warning the police of Happosai's attempted crimes, Kasumi was somewhat unconfident about the police abilities, as they never seemed to notice his underwear thefts in the first place, let alone kidnappings and rapes he probably committed in the past. She decided to inform the rest of Nerima's most potent martial artist about Happosai as well. To that end, she dispatched Ranma to Ukyo's restaurant and Akane to the Kuno's estate to inform them to meet with up at the cat café. She also asked Genma to fetch his wife again, who had left the same night when Kasumi went on her 'date'. P-Chan was found by Kasumi on her way to the cat café and she kindly managed to obtain hot water for him to change back to the Lost Boy. He was confused at the state of her torn dress and nearly had a nosebleed as well but Kasumi shed her smiling look and told Ryoga in an icy tone that she had nearly been raped the previous night. This shocked the Lost Boy into speechlessness and he could nothing but follow Kasumi to the Cat café.
By the time she reached the Cat Café, the restaurant had been closed and nearly the entire Nerima Wrecking Crew which consisted of Cologne, Shampoo, Mousse, Ranma, Akane, Nabiki, Ukyo, Kuno, Kodachi Soun, Genma and even Nodoka had been assembled. All listened in shock and growing fury of Kasumi's adventure and for once, Kuno's righteous fury was truly a righteous fury and he swore with great swagger to bring retribution to Happosai should he come back to Nerima again. The female martial artists were also enraged and tearful and swore to bring justice to Happosai. Once again Kasumi pleaded with them not to kill Happosai, even though she knew that only Cologne would most likely have that capability, but to bring word to one another so that they could corner him and make sure he didn't escape if he came back to Nerima.
For the fist time in history, all of Ranma's fiancées (and suitor) and rivals came to an agreement. Even Kasumi was surprised at how they easily agreed, especially when it happened to her, a person who rarely participated in Nerima's misadventures. In a way, she felt happy that despite being a background character in Ranma's chaotic life, all of them cared for her one way or another.
As the discussion drew to an end, Cologne spoke, "Kasumi, may I have a word with you in private?"
This drew some concern from Ranma but Kasumi asked him to kindly wait outside while she conversed with Cologne.
When the others had exited the restaurant. Cologne sat next to Kasumi and put a shrivelled hand on Kasumi's.
"Child, you were very lucky tonight. It amazes me that you still have the strength to not only endure it but to take the trouble to warn all of us, especially when we have done so much ill to your family in the past," Cologne said kindly.
Kasumi sighed. "Praise God that I wasn't truly raped. But the fate that could have befallen me last night shook me to the core of my soul, making me wonder if he has not done this before."
"He has," Cologne quietly answered.
Kasumi looked at Cologne who was now staring at the table intently. "You were his victim before weren't you? Happosai mentioned that you were one of his conquests before."
The grip on her staff tightened until her knuckles became white. "Yes I was. I was young, foolish and thought I was the best in the world. I was wrong. Fortunately for me, my enslavement only lasted ten years but what a decade it was."
"Why didn't you tell us if he had done this before?" Kasumi asked.
Cologne sighed. "That is a mistake I regret greatly now. While he was in China, he was a hunted fugitive for our tribe but when he escaped to Japan, we decided not to pursue him and mainly made sure that he would never enter China again. Moreover when I came to … persuade Ranma to become Shampoo's wife, I was keeping a close eye on his activities. Unfortunately, it appears I didn't pay enough attention if he was able to plan and kidnap you like that."
Kasumi shivered at the thought of Cologne enduring ten years of rape and instinctively hugged her. The Elder Amazon was surprised by the reaction but eventually relaxed and patted Kasumi's hand.
"Kasumi, I am still to blame for not warning you all the extent of his perversity. Especially when you were all living under the same roof. I put all of you in danger because of my pride and shame," Cologne said.
Kasumi shook her head. "Enough is enough Elder, the past is gone and beneath us. In this matter, I will forgive you easily. With two martial artists powerful enough to defeat Happosai, nobody expected him to do something like this. And if you had truly gone through ten years of what Happosai intended to do to me, I can also understand your shame for not revealing your weakness. It would not have helped your standing with Ranma if he had known how you were caught at your moment of weakness, especially with that inflated male chauvinistic attitude of his."
Cologne was touched by Kasumi's kindness and wondered how she could have missed such a sweet-tempered girl in the past. In the end, she decided that it was probably for the best. Otherwise, she would have determined that instead of Akane being the main obstacle for killing, Kasumi would be the prime target due to the girl's beauty and sweet nature, the perfect model of a Japanese housewife.
This made her go through the next part of the conversation with more reluctance, as she was already more aware of some part of Kasumi's story than Kasumi herself realised.
"It was fortunate for you that you were saved immediately. I can only thank the love of my mother who was then the Matriarch of the Amazon tribe who persistently tracked Happosai across China before finally managing to find me. It must have been a powerful martial artist to have saved you from the lights of Happosai."
Kasumi then became more guarded as she realised that she was being steered towards discussing Bumblebee. "Yes elder," she said carefully.
"You haven't yet mentioned anything about the dashing gentleman who rescued you," Cologne asked. Somehow during the discussion with the Nerima Wrecking Crew, the question had not been asked due to everyone being enraged by Happosai's deeds.
"Elder, my saviour requested anonymity and I swore to keep his secret. Please don't ask me Elder as I would hate to lie to anyone. He was a kind stranger whom I only helped a bit yet he risked his life and even identity to save me," she said.
Cologne sighed and turned to face Kasumi. "My dear girl, a single car hit does not kill or incapacitate one such as Happosai. That your friend defeated him even after hitting with his car indicates an extremely powerful martial artist. Or even some other being. As one of the most powerful martial artist in Japan and China, it concerns me that a completely unknown person has, in a single encounter, defeated the Grandmaster of Anything Goes Martial Arts. The security of my tribe here and even at home is compromised by a completely unknown martial artists. Therefore I implore you to let me speak to this person. I would most certainly not hurt him, not after you told us how he rescued you."
"I'm sorry Elder. I can say no more about him. All I can say is that he is no threat to your tribe, or to anyone of us," Kasumi said.
"How can you be so sure Kasumi? By your account, he seems to be a very recent friend since you referred to him as a kind stranger in several parts of your story. He may have rescued you but it doesn't mean he doesn't have any secrets," Cologne challenged Kasumi.
Kasumi looked at Cologne in the eye. "I may not be three hundred years old respected Elder. But I believe in my own judgement when I say he is of noble character who has done so much good for me in return for a little help for fixing his car. I can only ask that you trust me Elder. Forgive me but my lips are sealed unless you provide me evidence beyond reasonable doubt that he is evil," she said.
Cologne saw the steel in Kasumi's eye and knew that the girl believed everything that she said with all of her heart. Unknown to Kasumi, Cologne had picked up the emphasis Kasumi seemed to have made when she said the word 'car' and now had a burning suspicion which she had to consult with her Council back in China. But for now, she would accept Kasumi's word, which was worth all the diamonds in the world.
"You truly are a good friend to keep secret not only from your family but the police and myself. I pray that I myself would have the honour of meeting your friend one day," she said. "Now please, I don't want you to cook lunch and dinner in your state. Please accept a free lunch and dinner from me Kasumi. And I won't take no for an answer," Cologne stayed sternly.
Kasumi smiled. "Very well Elder, I accept your offer."
"SHAMPOO, MOUSSE, RANMA, COME TO THE KITCHEN NOW!" Cologne shouted as she prepared to make a feast for her guest.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
It was seven p.m. when Kasumi heard Bumblebee's car engine from her room. She looked out of the window and saw the familiar black striped yellow car in front of her house. Quickly, she climbed out of room and walked across the roof to get to a ladder that she had earlier placed next to the wall quickly and stealthily, which was a big feat for her as she had gone back to wearing her dress, this time her usual shoulderless ones with her apron still worn over it. Her heart beat with excitement at Bumblebee's promise that he would reveal his true identity and intentions tonight.
She hated to do anything to manipulate her family but she truly wanted this to be a meaningful night without interference, especially from Nabiki and Uncle Genma which she felt would compromise Bumblebee's existence greatly. During dinner, she sprinkled a little sleeping powder into Nabiki's and Genma's rice portion. This resulted in both of them retiring to their rooms shortly after the meal finished. Kasumi even entered their rooms to make sure they were sound asleep. Ranma, Akane, Nodoka and Soun were in the living room watching television.
She hurriedly went out of the house and entered Bumblebee, briefly noticing the same police car as before behind Bumblebee. The two cars then proceed to drive into the heart of Tokyo.
"Are you….. well Kasumi? How ….did your …… day go"Bumblebee asked in the same croaking voice. Kasumi was saddened as she was once again reminded of the Bumblebee's difficulty in speaking
Kasumi smiled and recounted the day's events.
"I did it Bumblebee, I can't believe I actually got everyone to agree on something," she said ecstatically.
"People ….. tend to have ….more …. things in common than they ….. expect. We …… are all more alike …….. then we …… are different. …… You merely brought out …… the best in ……. them….. There is…. more ….. than….. meets the …… eye about ….. all of us."
"I couldn't have done it without you Bumblebee. You're the best friend a girl could have," she said, meaning every word of it.
"My …. understanding of …. Earth women indicates …. that jewelry……. are what …… girls like, not …… cars," Bumblebee remarked.
"Well, you most certainly aren't a car aren't you?" she smiled as she kissed the honker. Bumblebee's response was a burst of speed from sixty kilometres per hour to two hundred kilometres an hour in two seconds, throwing her back in her seat in shock but she eventually relaxed and enjoy the ride.
The police car in their rear could only wonder at Bumblebee's strange sudden change of speed and hurried to match it.
Twenty minutes later, the two cars were in Tokyo bay. Driving slowly and with dimly lit headlights, they eventually came to an abandoned steel factory. At Bumblebee's request, Kasumi exited the car and went to the gates. Somehow, the gates were unlocked and all she needed to do was push the gates open. It was a hard and dirty work but Kasumi didn't mind. The two cars went into the factory and Bumblebee beckoned to her to leave the gate open. Just as she entered the gate she heard the sound of other automobiles arriving at the gates.
By the time Bumblebee stopped the car and opened the door for her to exit under the cover of one of the steel factory's abandoned manufacturing plant, she found that a small fleet of cars had been assembled from behind her. Fortunately she had spent the rest of the remaining day shortly after lunch with the Chinese Amazons familiarising herself on as many car models as she could read and find out through surfing the web in Nabiki's computer.
She finally recognised Bumblebee as an old Prince R380-I, an old race car dating back to 1968. She next saw the police car following her, which she saw was a sleek Nissan Skyline GT-R. Like most Japanese police cars, it was painted in white and black colouring, the only thing which stood out was the small logo next to the words Serve and Protect.
The next car that caught her attention was the large red Toyota Hilux pickup truck, which was probably the biggest car in the lot. Next to it was a green Hummer, which came as a surprise to Kasumi as she thought that it was an American car, not often found in Japan.
A sudden vroom made her jump a little and to her delight, a sleek and beautiful Mazda RX-7 drove into the factor. It was silver in colour and was easily the most good-looking car among the group, save for Bumblebee for which she though was still the best due to his classic look. She could have sworn that she heard one of the cars whisper 'show off' under its breath. His entrance was then followed up by a red and white ambulance.
All of the cars parked in a semi-circle with Kasumi in the middle. Kasumi gulped as she swallowed the fact that there were five vehicles in the room that were of Bumblebee's kin.
Bright light came on from her back. 'Make that six', she thought to herself before turning to face the newest addition.
She thought the Toyota Hi-Lux would be the biggest car. She was wrong. Coming at her from another entrance into the steel plant, was a massive Peterbilt Carrier now rolling into the plant. Kasumi gulped as the massive vehicle drew nearer before it stopped two meters from her. And when it stopped, it transformed.
All of a sudden, it seemed to Kasumi that the entire steel factory had become operational again as the factory was filled with the sound of folding metal and mechanical whirring. It was then that Kasumi became witness to the mass transformation of all seven vehicles of the group.
Bumblebee was as cool as ever, his predominantly yellow scheme making him more striking than the others.
The Toyota Hilux transformed into a robot with massive arms, with what she surmised to be huge guns stored under its elbows. The face that accompanied its head looked slightly feline and gave the impression of an old grizzled warrior.
Like the Hilux, the ambulance's robot face was also old but had much more gentle features. It's robot form was fairly muscular but the red and white scheme coupled with the red cross on its shoulders gave it an almost non-threatening aesthetic, barring the fact that it was a giant robot.
The Humvee's robot form was the most humanoid of the group and its face was easily the most humanlike, almost handsome if Kasumi was anyone to judge. On his shoulder sat a small pointed object that looked like a massive telescope.
The Mazda's transformation into a humanoid form was like seeing a break-dancer suddenly leap out of the car without transforming. He was the smallest and most lean looking among the group, the front of the car forming its chest. The police car's robot form also resembled the Mazda save for its bigger size as well as the face features. Whereas the Mazda's face was youthful and even mischievous (after it transformed, it seemed to wink at Kasumi), the police car's face was sombre and mournful, as though it expected the world to end any minute.
But none of their transformations seem to rival the truck's which took the longest and Kasumi realised, towered above all the rest. Eventually the transformation was complete, revealing a humanoid form with mostly blue legs and red flame like patterns on his torso and arms. Despite it's huge size, the massive robot got down to one knee and brought it's head down to look at Kasumi as low as he could without kowtowing. Kasumi was struck not so much by its face but its eyes. Even though from the outside it looked like blue lights shining out of two circular constructs, when Kasumi looked straight into the shining blue orbs, it was as though she was looking at the robot's own soul. Looking into those eyes, it seemed like a bottomless ocean, full of life and wisdom beyond compare, as well as a terrible sadness that wrenched her heart.
To her surprise, the other pair of eyes seemed to have come to the same conclusion about her, if she could the way its facial expressions moved correctly. The being actually had a mouth which now spoke.
"You have my thanks and gratitude for giving aid to one of my comrades. My name is Optimus Prime. I and my fellow Autobots come in peace," a deep and baritone voice spoke from its lips. It then offered its right finger to Kasumi.
It took a while for Kasumi to break away from Optimus' eyes but eventually, she smiled shyly and reached out with her right hand to take the finger. To her surprise, despite the metallic feeling of its skin, the metal felt warm, almost like a living being. She chided herself for thinking like that knowing within the next few minutes, her definition of a living being would change drastically.
"Tendo Kasumi. Nice to meet you," she replied.
To be continued….
Author's notes
Yawwnnn, it's 4:30am from where I am and I've got church 4 hours from now. So I beg for your leave now and wish you all goodnight from whatever time zone you are. I'm too tired to say introduce the Autobots now. However, I'm adopting Optimus latest movie ook for my story.
And before anybody asks, yes, there are seven Autobots there. Where the seventh comes from, I've decided to take Galen's advice to make Bumblebee and Ratchet already on Earth before the new arrival of the five additional Autobots. My heart compelled me in the end to put Ratchet in even though I didn't plan for him.
Yaawwwwn, goodnight and God bless you all.