Chapter 4
The Horrible Woman

Later that afternoon, Miranda, dressed in her casual garb, was on her way to the café and held a sword in her hand.

"I cannot be safe," she thought, "Whoever I run into, we should see danger in action. And I live for it."

She then turned around and found a suspicious looking man in a brown overcoat and hat. She then chased after him.

"HEY, WAIT! I wanna ask you something!" She called out as she chased him.

Meanwhile, at El Cado, Bruce, dressed in a black shirt and pants, sat by the window seat and called to the waitress. He sat down and looked around the café, noticing that many of the employees are dressed in adventurer costumes.

"Well, I'll be dipped," Bruce thought, "I must be back in Argos, eh?"

Just then, Yakumo, who was dressed as Miranda Maynard, gave him the menu. He started to stare at her in concern.

"Um, here's your menu," Yakumo said, "I'll return to you shortly."

He started to look at her clearly.

"It seems that the Maynard urchin has changed herself," he thought, "I mean besides the bigger chest and shiny skin; but did she just dye her hair black?"

He then placed his order.

"Um, miss, may I some of your lager?" He bellowed.

"Um, sir, please don't shout that loud," Yakumo whispered, "Also, we never sell liquor here."

"No lager? What the hell are you running 'ere, a Family Diner?" He shouted.

"Sir, if you don't calm down, I suggest that you leave."

"Okay, fine! Gimme a coffee, all black, in a giant mug."

"I'll see what I can do."

Yakumo then went to give him the order.

XXXXX

Miranda returned out of breath.

"Geez! I cannot believe I was fooled!" She growled.

She then saw a burly guy in black attire by the café window.

"Huh? Who's he?" She thought.

Meanwhile, at the café, Yakumo gave a cup of coffee to Bruce. She then bowed to Bruce and gave a smile, as the crowd began to cheer a bit. Bruce couldn't take it anymore. He got up and grabbed Yakumo by the arms.

"All right, you little urchin! What kind of fool do you take me for?" He shouted, "Maris gave me strict orders to capture you!"

"Huh? Wha- What are you doing?" Yakumo yelped.

"Don't play games with me, Miranda Maynard!"

"But I'm not-!"

Bruce stormed off, carrying Yakumo by his shoulder, and shouted, "Put it on me tab!"

He went past Miranda, while carrying Yakumo away. She heard her cries for help and went after him.

"HELP!"

"GASP! Yakumo!" She cried, "I better save her!"

She stopped and thought, "Wait… maybe, I can help save her with Harima's help. I'm beginning to think that she needs help. Yakumo isn't a great fighter like me… though, I don't mind her dressed as me, once in a… while…"

She screeched and sprinted after Bruce.

"Damn that little bugger! Steal Yakumo, will you? I'll nail that blighter from here to the River Thames!"

But as she was running, she went past a girl with short brown hair.

"Miranda Maynard, I presume?" She said.

Miranda halted. She turned around and saw the girl, dressed in her casual attire.

"Huh? How do you know my name?" She asked.

"I have been to Argos before," she replied.

Miranda then thought, "Could she be?"

"Sorry. My name is Akira," she introduced herself.

"Oh… so, she's not a witch," Miranda chuckled, "So, how did you know me?"

Akira told her story:

"Back when Harima was in England, I was called away for a job. I traveled to Argos, to pick up some supplies, since the area was close by. When I overheard about what you and him did, by saving your homeland, I wanted to learn about it firsthand. Then after I heard about you and Harima defeating that rogue, I learned about you on Wikipedia. Your Wiki said all: Miranda Maynard, Hero of Argos, age 28; born June 17th, 1981, in Somerset, England, raised in Argos, England; blood type: B. I also read that you are the daughter of the fabled Hanemore Maynard, who disappeared when you were a child."

Miranda was trembling… she asked her in much concern, "Uh… who told you about me?"

Akira then replied, "Easy. I heard it from Yakumo."

Mira smiled and thought, "That little scamp, and I don't mean my daughter."

She then remembered Yakumo, and asked Akira if she would accompany her. Akira declined.

"Sorry, but I have bigger plans. I'll take a rain check, though. When we meet again, I promise I'll help you. By the way, what's the rush?" she bowed.

"Oh… no reason…" she chuckled.

"I see. Speaking of Yakumo earlier, I saw her being carried away by a dark skinned man with cornrows. He's carrying her away, due east."

"Huh? You knew where they were going?"

"Yes. They whizzed past me. Of course, Yakumo was wearing your attire. She must've worn it for El Cado. It's okay. It's not Harima, but a big burly man in mesh. To be honest, I think when you're the hero of Argos, you have so many followers; and also, many enemies."

"Bollocks! She's like a mystic! I wonder if she knew Yakumo well." Miranda thought, who was a bit amazed and frightened.

She then dashed off. She called to Akira, "Thank you! I'll give my congratulations to you, when Yakumo is rescued!"

She disappeared in the distance. Akira held up her phone and dialed her number. She walked away, calling her friends… in Italian.

As she left, someone was following Miranda; a boy with glasses and black hair.

"Yakumo… she's kidnapped…" he muttered, "And this is Miranda Maynard?"

Who was he? I think we know who.

XXXXX

Hours later, Miranda arrived at a small abandoned warehouse, where Yakumo is hidden in. She was very exhausted that she sat down and slept. As she slept, she had a dream about her past with Harima:

Harima & Miranda were walking together, as they arrived at the café in Argos.

"One more round for the two heroes!" The bartender cried in joy.

They were served with pints of non-alcoholic drinks, since Harima is underage.

"Miranda, I must say, you have been a great hero, don't you think?"

"Thank you; I've always loved being a hero. But it is hard to master BOTH being a hero and a parent."

"I see," Harima smiled, "Wait'll Tenma hears about this."

"Hey, speaking of this Tenma bloke," Miranda asked, "Do you have anything about her?"

Harima gasped, "Uh… what do you mean?"

"I mean, I peered through your manuscript, and I think you & her really are one in the same. The girl in the pigtails, she couldn't be-."

Harima stammered a bit as Miranda was confused.

"Okay… never mind. (I'll ask him some other time)."

XXXXX

Miranda woke up and found that it is night. She was very concerned. Just then, she was visited by the same boy she was stalked by.

"Why, those bastards! How dare they kidnap Yakumo?" He shouted, "I will not allow it!"

"Huh?" Miranda called out and asked, "Who are you?"

"Oh! You came here, too? What are you, friend or foe?" He shouted.

"I am Miranda Maynard! I am a friend of Kenji Harima; and I am a hero in Argos!"

"Harima? You mean… you're…"

"Who the devil are you?"

"I am Haruki Hanai, I used to be class rep for Yagami High; but I graduated with the others."

"Do you know Yakumo?"

"Know her? I am in love with her! I happened to be on a crush with Yakumo Tsukamoto, but she wouldn't look at me the right way!"

"Oh? I didn't know. And here I thought Yakumo & Harima were in love."

"WHAT? YOU KNOW HIM?"

"Listen, as much as I want to chat with you, we have to save Yakumo!"

"Oh! Right! You lead the way! I, Haruki Hanai, am honored to team with the great Miranda Maynard from England!"

Miranda blushed, as she and Hanai went to the front of the warehouse.

"Get Harima! We need lots of help for this battle." Miranda called out to Hanai.

Hanai called Harima and told him what happened.

XXXXX

Later, Yakumo was tied up by Runt & Bruce. She was very frightened, as Maris approached her.

"Mister, please! You have got me all wrong!" She shouted.

"Shut up, Maynard!" Maris snapped, "You think you can come here to Japan and ruin our fun? Why do you think we captured you in the request of Isabella666?"

"Isabella666?" Miranda thought, as she listened in.

"But… you got it all wrong! I'm not Miranda Maynard!" She pleaded, "I wore this as a request from my boss, in celebration of Miranda's arrival."

"She did what?" Hanai whispered to Miranda, "She idolizes you, right?"

Miranda shushed him.

"A likely story; I expect much more from a heroine of Argos rather than some freaks from Japan."

Runt asked Maris, "Maris, shall we do away with her now?"

"Runt's right; I grow tired of this game!"

"SILENCE!" A voice shouted.

A girl, with a black robe and hood covering her face, approached Maris and the others; she was concerned over Yakumo.

"Oh! Miss Master! What brings you here?" Maris gulped.

"Leave her alone! I'll do away with Miranda Maynard!" She bellowed.

"Wait! She's gonna kill Yakumo?" Hanai gasped.

Miranda said nothing, but thought, "Wait… I know that voice… but it's not ringing any bells."

Harima and Eri arrived by motorcycle.

"Maynard! How's Yakumo?" He shouted.

"It's worse than we thought!" Hanai shouted, "Yakumo is in trouble!"

"Aw, man! What are we gonna do?" Harima cried.

"Never mind! Did you get it?" Miranda cried.

Harima gave Miranda one of her suitcases. She grabbed it and dashed off behind the building. She quickly changed from her casual attire to her fighting attire, complete with olive green shirt and goggles.

"Whoa! Takano was right about her! She's like a warrior!" Hanai gasped.

"It's time we get seriously," she grinned.

She ordered the others to follow her. Harima went behind Miranda, worried about Yakumo.

"What's going on?" He asked.

Miranda shushed Harima and whispered, "Shut up!"

She listened in, as they all joined her.

The girl grabbed Yakumo by the chin and sneered, "What a pity, Miss Maynard; and here I am worried about you."

She took a glimpse at Yakumo's red eyes and turned to Maris.

"Oh, Maris…"

"Yes?"

She then struck him in the head with her cane and shouted, "You bloody twit! She's NOT Miranda Maynard!"

"But, Bruce told me that she was dressed in that new makeover look!" Maris cried.

"NO! I said she dyed her hair and had contacts!" Bruce responded.

"Same thing, Bruce! Now shut up and do away with that Miranda wannabe!"

"WANNABE!" Miranda shouted.

Harima, Eri, and Hanai covered her mouth and shushed her.

"Who was that?" Runt asked.

"You'll do no such thing! It's obvious that she is telling the truth," She bellowed, "I'll have you know that she was with Miranda the other day with two other people. She could be a witness to this."

"Wh-wh-what will you do to me?" Yakumo whimpered.

"Oh, I think I have a plan to take her out, by using you, my dear little girl."

"No… Yakumo," Hanai stuttered.

"Okay, that does it!" Miranda snapped.

She barged in, as she held her sword up.

"Okay, sunshine! I don't know who or what you blinking are, but no one dares to use this little bit as bait! I'll have you know that I run me world in Argos; and you cannot go meandering around scaring the knickers off of the townsfolk!"

Translation: "Okay, I don't know who the hell you are, but no one hurts Yakumo like that and gets away with it! I am a hero in Argos; and you cannot wander around terrifying the people in Japan!" Or something like that.

"Hey, Whiskers," Eri whispered, "Any idea what she said?"

"Hell if I know," Harima answered.

"Let Yakumo go, NOW!" She screamed, "Or face my blade!"

The girl dashed away, as Maris and his buddies go after her.

"HEY!" Miranda shouted, "GET BACK 'ERE!"

Maris blocked her way.

"Okay, you crum-kicker! I'll destroy you and that little urchin friend of yours!"

They all started to fight each other, as the girl escaped unharmed.

"Bugger this!" She thought, "I'll get her yet!"

She disappeared into the shadows.

XXXXX

Harima, Miranda, and Hanai all attacked Maris and his cronies. Harima let out a fierce punch at Bruce; Miranda slashed her sword at Runt; Hanai struck Maris in the jaw with a jab. Bruce grabbed Harima by the neck and punched him in the gut repetitively, but Hanai saved him with a kick to the back of the knee. He kneeled down in pain. Miranda then pointed her sword at a near-pained Runt, but Maris gave her a right hook.

"Okay, you softy! No more mister nice guy!" He screamed, "This time, you're dead!"

"Listen, I'll fight you," Miranda shouted, "But only if you bloody tell me who you are?"

"ME? You 'aven't heard of me?" He laughed.

Eri went to Yakumo and tried to untie her, but Bruce grabbed her by the hair.

"OW! LET ME GO!"

"You ain't going anywhere, love!" Bruce shouted.

Harima kicked him in the chin with an aerial kick. Hanai caught Eri and held her down.

"Are you okay, Sawachika?" Hanai asked.

"I'm fine," Eri replied, holding her head.

"You… you wouldn't be that Maris bloke, right?" Miranda asked him.

"I am…"

"YOU? You mean you came here to get me?" She shouted.

"It was an order from Isabella666!" He retorted, "She gave us a job for this occasion!"

"Who's Isabella666? Is she some sort of… uh…" Miranda asked in confusion.

"Oh, you'll see her soon," he said, as he socked Miranda in the chest, "When you burn in hell!"

She stumbled down and began to grow angry.

"You smarmy little bastard!" She growled, "I'll teach you to hurt me like that and get away with it!"

Meanwhile, Yakumo was untied by Eri, who was saved earlier.

"Oh, thank you, Eri-senpai," she cried in joy.

"Save it!" Eri snapped, "We'll talk later!"

Maris, Runt, and Bruce regrouped and were angry; but then a faint siren was heard from afar.

"Damn! The police!" He growled.

They started to step back and tried to run off. Miranda got up and shouted, "Come back 'ere, you bastards! I ain't through with you yet!"

"You hurt Yakumo and now you'll pay!" Hanai cried out.

"HA! We cannot be easily defeated so easily, you little urchins!" Maris snickered, "We'll meet again soon… MAYNARD!"

He, Bruce, and Runt dashed off. As Harima helped Miranda up, the police sirens began to grow loud. The cops surrounded the warehouse and found Miranda and the others in there.

Luckily, no one was arrested. Yakumo explained the whole thing, from being abducted to being saved by Miranda and Hanai. All Hanai could do was go doey-eyed in glee; Miranda and Eri were unenthusiastically disgusted.

"Well, at least Tenma's sister is safe," Harima said.

Miranda was confused again; not only she tried to figure out who those three were and who "Isabella666" was, but she tried to figure out who "Tenma's sister" was.

"What an idiot," Eri grumbled.

XXXXX

It appeared on the news:

"Police reported that one Yakumo Tsukamoto, age 17, a 3rd year student from Yagami High, was a victim of a kidnapping. Luckily they were saved by four people: three high school grads and one adult. One of the people who saved Miss Tsukamoto was Miranda Maynard, age 28, a young woman born in-."

"DRAT! DOUBLE DRAT!" The girl, who was watching the TV in her room, shouted, "I cannot believe I caught the wrong Miranda Maynard!"

The television showed the artist renderings of Maris, Bruce, and Runt. She was so angry that she turned off the TV.

"Nothing good on the telly, anyways," she muttered, "But I must say that this heavenly body is beautiful, it doesn't need commercials."

She looked in the mirror and caressed her own body, with an ample bust.

"It's perfect! I cannot believe I chose this host body just for my revenge on Miranda Maynard! But this time, she's without those flea-ridden second-in-commands, Avery and that robot; just some weird teenage urchins from Japan."

She then brushed her blue hair and grinned evilly.

"I think I should bide my time for now… and we'll see what happens next," she sneered at herself, "Isn't that right? Tomorrow's another day, Mikoto Suo. Miranda Maynard is as good as dead."

You guessed it! Mikoto Suo has become an evil girl. But… who's controlling her? Is it someone Miranda knows?

"I am Yakumo Tsukamoto. I am the "Wannabe" that she aforementioned. I did dress as Miranda, but it was to celebrate. But now, we all know what's going on… Maynard, Sawachika-Senpai, Harima-Senpai, and the others… I wish Tenma was here again…"

Next Chapter: Yakumo's Protector