The End User Enjoyment Agreement detailed in the prologue is still in effect.
Kasumi the Vampire Slayer. Episode 1 part 1.
There are few immutable things in our world. The government will tax it's citizenry, everything dies, and the sun rises in the east. That this will never change did not comfort Nabiki Tendo in the slightest when she woke to her alarm clock that morning. To be fair it didn't help any other morning either. With a yawn and a stretch the slender brunette crawled out of bed and shuffled out in her pajamas on the way to the kitchen. Caffeine must be secured. Thank god for her sister Kasumi. She always had a pot of Coffee ready for her by this time, and was usually well along on breakfast. She would have to remember to do something nice...nice and anonymous...she had an image to maintain after all.
Truth be told she did at times wish she didn't have to put such a lock on her emotions, but after mother had died it had become so comfortable to not let herself feel. Then when father couldn't handle teaching without mother by his side she had to find a way to keep what was left afloat. Nobody else knew about what she did to keep the dojo running these days. If she had her way they never would find out.
Emerging from her thoughts in front of the coffee maker, Nabiki was momentarily puzzled to find that it was empty and off. Brain deciding it could start working at least until the coffee problem was fixed she blinked and took in the room. Stove? on. Kasumi? Standing in front of the counter with the vegetables partially chopped. Not moving. Upon closer inspection, as her sister stood there she was breathing with her eyes closed. Sleep-cooking?
Deciding that this could not be safe in any way, Nabiki moved to take the knife from her sister's hands when suddenly it had moved, arm and all, to her throat. Several things ran through Nabiki's mind at this point, words both demanding to know what was going on and begging the Kami to not let her die combined in her mind and forced themselves out as a very loud, "EEP!" The sound seemed to rouse her slumbering sister, who blinked twice before looking at the kitchen knife she was holding against her little sister's neck.
Eyes widening, The eldest sister dropped the knife hurriedly, "Oh, my! I am so sorry Nabiki, I don't know what happened. I was making breakfast and then you were there." A quick inspection showed no damage had been done. Thanking Tofu-sensei in her mind for loaning her all those medical books she picked up her knife and turned back to the chopping. Smooth motions completed her task with a calmness that was only given away as false by the bags under her eyes.
Nabiki was not reassured by the act her sister was putting on. There was Something Wrong. As this was Kasumi, she decided the direct approach would be best. Fumbling with the coffeemaker to lend an air of casualness, she arched an eyebrow towards her sister and asked, "Trouble sleeping?"
Crestfallen, Kasumi turned to the only other person in the house who seemed to notice these things and sighed, "Is it that obvious? I'm sorry, at this rate I'll be lucky to have lunches ready before you go to school." Seeing this obviously distressed her, Nabiki decided she could intimidate a lunch out of one of the boys. She did have new pictures to sell to Kuno-baby. She could probably get a lunch out of that in addition to her normal fee.
"Don't worry about it, I'm sure we can fend for ourselves for a day." A sly look drew her eyes into a sidelong glance at the eldest, "Perhaps you should go see Dr. Tofu?" The blush on Kasumi's face could have heated the house on a winter's day.
Doctor Tofu Ono had been the Tendo family physician for many years. Officially a chiropractor, he was a capable martial artist in his own right and was the first choice for many of the local dojos for non-emergency medicine. Embracing the concepts of so-called "Alternative" medicine he could often produce results a hospital could not for simple injuries. Bones still took time to mend, bruises would still hurt, and at times he would still have to bandage burns but everything healed faster with his ability to stimulate the bodies natural healing abilities.
He had also caught the eye of Kasumi Tendo a few years ago and while she would never initiate anything on her own, thinking it most improper, she wouldn't object in the slightest if he asked. He always seemed to start acting silly when she visited however. It was most frustrating to feel jealous of a skeleton when he would take "Betty" dancing through the clinic. And then there were the dreams where she was dancing with the Doctor, and they would get closer...and closer...and then she would, 'BAD THOUGHTS, BAD THOUGHTS! You don't have time for that now your family needs you!' Kasumi's blush continued to burn as she turned back to her kitchen tasks, "I think I will, although I don't want to be a bother I think I can spare some time before lunch."
Nabiki's grin spread wide as she finally got her morning coffee, hoping that her sister would be alright. She did so hate having to do this herself after all.
Doctor Tofu's clinic was a small office located at the edge of the residential zone of the Nerima ward. Having inherited the practice from his father when he died, it was well established in the community. Most of his regular patients were older, as they were most in need of chiropractic medicine. He was a fully licensed doctor and could perform the full range of medical services of course, but his father had never gone beyond the old remedies. His hybrid style of medicine appealed to the Nerimians, mixing the old and the new much like some of the odder martial arts schools.
It was therefore something of a surprise to find that there were no patients to be found that morning when Kasumi decided to visit. Still feeling off from the last two weeks of strange dreams she forced her face into her normal bright smile. Tired though she may be it was never an excuse to not be polite. Stepping inside the front office of the clinic she beamed widely at the receptionist. Maya Hono was only a few years older than Kasumi, but seemed to have a never-ending well of cheerful energy. The two had shared tea many times when Kasumi returned or borrowed texts from Doctor Tofu's personal library. While not so close as to have spent much time together outside of encounters at the clinic she thought of the receptionist as a good friend. "Welcome to the Tofu Clinic, how can we help you Kasumi?" The energy put out by Maya was almost palpable.
Feeling somewhat better just from the greeting, Kasumi glanced at the empty waiting are and replied, "Good morning Maya, I was hoping Dr. Tofu had some free time today. I need to ask him a few questions." Kasumi hoped that would be enough to get her some time without causing her friend to worry overmuch. She didn't want to be a bother after all.
"Actually it's been a light morning, I can have you wait here or would you like a room?" Gesturing at the waiting chairs and then to one of the rooms behind her Maya stood from her chair and came out from behind her desk. Heading for the tea service at the side table she poured Kasumi a cup and handed it to her.
Taking the tea gracefully, Kasumi nodded, "Oh thank you. I think I will just wait here. We haven't had a chance to visit recently. How have you been lately?" Sitting in one of the chairs provided for waiting patients, Kasumi blew softly on her tea while she watched Maya pour herself a cup and sit next to her.
Taking a moment to stare into her tea, the black haired woman's face took on a drawn look. In a soft voice she spoke, "They still haven't found Yoshiro. It's been three months since he disappeared." Looking over at Kasumi her eyes began to water, "Father is talking about holding a funeral. I don't want to believe he is dead, but there has been nothing to go on for so long." Silent tears begin to fall, looking out of place on the face that had been filled with joy for so many years.
Setting her tea to one side, Kasumi hugged the other woman closely, "Shh, Maya. It will be alright. Your brother is out there. The police will find him, I'm sure of it." Words of hope, delivered in all earnestness, seemed only to be ignored as the older woman sought comfort. A minute or two later, her control returns and she withdraws from the embrace. Returning to her cheerful demeanor, Maya sets her cup of tea to one side as well and wiped her eyes.
"Oh I'm sorry Kasumi, here I go troubling you when you needed to see the Doctor. Please wait in room three, you know the way. I need to freshen up." Maya headed in to the adjoining restroom. Kasumi took her tea with her into the exam room and sat patiently in the chair provided.
Not long after the tea was finished Dr. Tofu entered the room. His tall, lean frame was somewhat obscured by the lab coat he wore. Thin glasses on his face reflecting the white from the clipboard he was carrying. After a brief pause seeing who was in the chair he closed the door behind him and spoke. "K-Kasumi," he stammered, with obvious nervousness, "What brings y-you here?" He seemed to be fighting for control over his arms, twitching ever so slightly in the direction of the hanging skeleton in the corner of the room.
Standing to greet the doctor, Kasumi's soft tones seemed to raise his nerves higher as she spoke, "I'm afraid I have been having trouble sleeping at night. It has gotten so bad I fell asleep in the kitchen this morning."
Seeming to marshal his reserves of calm, Dr. Tofu motioned for Kasumi to sit on the examination table in the center of the room. As she did so he began to ask questions, "What exactly seems to be interrupting your sleep?"
Sitting on the exam table, Kasumi replied, "I have been having the strangest dreams. They are so disturbing I find it impossible to return to sleep most nights."
An expression of resignation takes over the doctor's face, "I know this might seem a little odd, but what exactly are you dreaming about Kasumi?"
Not wanting to be to detailed, not out of any need to spare the good doctor the details but more out of not wanting to think on it too much herself, Kasumi began to relay the outlines to her dreams. They all seemed to follow a familiar pattern, people in danger from creatures out of myths and legends. As she spoke Dr. Tofu's face continued to fall until at the end he appeared to be almost in mourning himself.
Finally he raised his head and looked into her eyes, "I had such hopes that this would pass you by Kasumi, I am so sorry. There is a reason you have been having these dreams. Last week I received word that the last Slayer was confirmed deceased. It seems the mantle has passed to you." Seeing the expression of complete incomprehension, Dr. Tofu began the time honored speech, "Into each generation is born the Slayer. One girl in all the world who is given the power to battle the forces of evil. It seems that you were chosen to replace the slayer that fell in Germany."
Kasumi was having a bit of trouble wrapping her head around this. For the last nine years, she had been keeping up her home in the absence of her mother. She had never taken to the Art as her sister had, but now she was supposed to be a mystical warrior...wait...she just became a Magical Girl! "Oh, my. I hope I don't have to wear one of those silly outfits from manga."
The conversation was a long one. The doctor had cleared his schedule for the afternoon and sent Maya home for the day. What followed was hours of explanations about what a Slayer was, what Watchers were, and how their battles were fought. It was a lot to take in. 'At least he gave me a handbook to read up on.' she mused. Following the path home without really seeing where she was going, she sighed.
It wasn't just her new role as a magical girl she had to think about either. Dr. Tofu was now her Watcher. She supposed a doctor, especially a handsome one like Tofu, was better than a talking animal. At least this way she could have a conversation without trying not to look like she was talking to herself. He still didn't seem to pick up on her hints however. Ahh well, since he would be training her in her new abilities she would be around him much more at least.
It was too bad she couldn't use the Dojo to practice however. It would be ever so much more convenient to practice at home, but true to tradition, being a Magical Girl was supposed to be a secret. It was strange though. She had thought Magical Girls were supposed to have more...magic to them. What she had was more like a magical boost to a Martial Artist. 'Maybe I should try to get father to teach me again. It would be ever so helpful.' the thought then popped into her head about asking her youngest sister Akane for help, 'She does fight with all those boys before school. She could probably help me. Oh, if only I could tell her!'
Pushing her own desires aside, simple after long years of practice, Kasumi made the turn for the local market. Talking with Dr. Tofu had taken longer than she had ever thought it would and she was going to be late with dinner as it was. She had to finish the shopping, her family needed her.
Dinner that evening was a simple Yakisoba stir-fry with chicken. It was, of course, very good. Nobody noticed that it was a tad rushed, or that it wasn't quite up to Kasumi's usual standards. Everyone seemed to be wrapped up in their own problems that evening.
Kasumi was fine with a quiet meal, to her it simply meant that the meal was enjoyed and that no problems had arisen over the course of the day that needed to be discussed. Of course, her news couldn't be discussed at all. It suddenly occurred to her to wonder what things happened to her family that couldn't be talked about like that. Chewing slowly, she turned to look at her sisters in turn. Nabiki had a neutral expression on her face, looking like the world as a whole did not impress her in any way. She had gotten very good at this look over the years. 'I wish she didn't do that at home, I miss spending time with her.' Akane, the youngest of the three sisters, was a shorter, leaner, and stronger version of their mother. There was even time for her to grow the rest of the way, although the blue hair had come completely out of nowhere. Her face was currently a rigid calmed expression that poorly hid the anger, shame, and depression that lurked beneath.
Kasumi really didn't know how to help her baby sister. That kind of pain was not healthy for her, but all of Dr. Tofu's books couldn't help when Akane didn't ask for it. Fiercely independent, she believed that she could handle anything. It seemed that one thing she couldn't handle was how to make rude boys understand that "No" meant NO. From what Nabiki had said there were a large number of boys that were after her sister's company. It was a shame none of them tried to be her friend first. That Kunou boy was just plain trouble. 'While I'm sure Akane appreciates the practice, I think the situation is getting out of hand. I really must remember to ask Nabiki to help stop all that nonsense.'
Turning her attention to her father, she saw that he had a contemplative look on his face as he regarded his meal. After a minute or so of him not eating Kasumi began to worry that she had done something wrong with the meal. Finishing her bite, she decided to break the silence, "Father, is everything alright? You are not eating." Stirring from his distracted state, he seemed to notice that all eyes were now on him.
"I'm sorry Kasumi, it is wonderful as always. I'm just concerned by something I overheard at the Council meeting last night. It's nothing you need to worry about." His face schooled into a weak smile as he tried, very unsuccessfully, to hide his thoughts from his daughters, "Just some young punks making trouble downtown. I'm sure the police will sort it out." Kasumi was oddly torn by what she had just heard. Was this the sort of thing she should be paying attention to now that she was a Magical Girl? She supposed that she had no evidence that it was vampires, so she really didn't think she was supposed to do anything about it. Besides, father had just said the police were taking care of it. Satisfied with her decision, she turned back to her own dinner and continued to eat. She would check with Dr. Tofu during her first training session.
Later that evening, after the household chores had been completed of course, Kasumi sat in her room and read the Slayer handbook.
The Vampire tends to hunt alone when young. Trust between equals is rare, with most groupings following the master-servant relationship. If you do encounter a large nest, slaying the leader first will usually cause the lesser vampires to lose effectiveness in combat/ some will rum, and others will turn on each other looking to remove opposition to becoming a leader themselves.
The master vampire will tend to be the most powerful, but on occasion it has been known to be the most intelligent. This is by far the least frequent situation as vampires are prone to power struggles within the ranks and strength is usually the deciding factor here.
'Oh, dear. This does sound more dangerous than it seems on Television.' Kasumi closed the book and placed it on her desk, 'I wonder why they seem so taken with the idea that I have to fight alone. I bet Akane would be better at this than I would.' A small sigh escaped her at this thought, saddened that she could not share this exciting new part of her life with those she loved. On the brighter side, she had a very good reason to spend time with Dr. Tofu. Now all she needed was a reason to tell the rest of the family. It would be so much simpler to tell them the truth. Well Nabiki at least, and probably Akane could handle it. Father might not react so well to the idea of her fighting...well anything really.
'That's another thing, this book seems very focused on Vampires, but Dr. Tofu said there are so many things that would be attracted to this "Hell-mouth" thing. I'm surprised we have not seen it before. You'd think these sorts of creatures would be noticed.' Thoughts interrupted by a yawn, Kasumi decided to save her thoughts for the next conversation with Dr. Tofu. Changing into her nightgown, she hummed a tune as she settled in for the night.