Strange Circumstances


New Twists


Hidden in Plain Sight...

Charden was an orphan with a very handsome inheritance. He was one of those who were brought up with the belief that the world always needed young men who were willing to make a difference, when his parents were alive, and this was later drilled into him by his uncle, who had later died a year after he assumed control of his inheritance.

When Charden later was sent by the loyal butler to a boarding school for the elite, the boys made fun of his almost angelic appearance. It was a burden. No man ever looked as angelic or beautiful, and the other boys would make fun of his pretty boy looks. It wasn't his fault that he looked like his mother, who was one of the most beautiful women in the world. Later, girls would adore him, not only for his good looks, but also for the handsome fortune his deceased parents had left him.

It was for that reason why he had left the family manor, and disguised himself with dark clothing, a top hat, and sunglasses so large it covered half of his face, like a mask.

But he didn't want to be admired for that. He wanted to make a difference in the world. It was this desire that brought him to meet Creed.

He had met Creed Diskenth at one of the world conferences.

"We can change the world," Creed had said.

Charden was sold.

He was later paired up with Kyoko Kirisaki. He had found her a little annoying, but she had won him over in a loyalty assignment gone awry. He had been caught by one of the security robots, who had managed to trap Charden inside one of those human-containers, as Kyoko had dubbed them. They had been warned against it, but by some stroke of bad luck, he still managed to get stuck.

He was sure this would be the end of him, but suddenly the metal melt, and he found himself on the outside, gasping for air.

"Why did you do that?" Charden asked. He had never had real friends, except for his loyal butler, who had died several years ago.

Kyoko frowned, but then gave him a brilliant smile. "Because you're my team partner!" Kyoko exclaimed. "We look out for each other!" She extended a hand.

"You are the most generous-hearted girl in the world, Kyoko," he told her.

"Oh, I knew that," Kyoko said, airily, with a toss of her short hair.

They had been close friends ever since, and he loved that she was sunny and happy and willing to look past his chauvinistic behaviour.

He wondered when he started to fall in love with her.

--

What news?

"Indeed, Charden?" Kyoko's bright eyes were transfixed.

"Of course. I hear, there are several of the former, less well-known, Tao-power users."

"Indeed?" Kyoko said, her mouth forming a little 'o' of surprise. "But I thought the Tao elixir was disposed of when Creed was overthrown."

"It was," Charden said. "These Tao-power users have managed to replicate some to recruit new members to overthrow the government."

"I thought Creed learnt his lesson?" Kyoko said.

"Oh, that's the twist. See, Creed has nothing to do with this. Have you heard of Preta Ghoul?"

"I think so," Kyoko struggled to remember. "Did he have that weird power, corrosive wax or something?"

"The very one," Charden nodded. "Apparently, he's outraged that he could not murder a sweeper responsible for his downfall. She wasn't one of those who was involved in -"

"Oh. So this is because of revenge?"

"She caused him to get caught by the local authorities," Charden explained.

"Bummer," Kyoko said. "But, who is she?"

"See, I'm not sure, but there's something interesting you should know about his capture."

"What?" Kyoko asked, grabbing his hand, nails biting into his arm.

Charden leaned close. Kyoko felt shivers running up her spine.

"Train Heartnet was there."

--

Catrina, Sayuri and disguises. Don't ask.

"It's so nice to be a sweeper again," Saya said, twirling her gun and flexing some of her muscles, now sore after the capture of two villains, in one day too, which was her personal best. She had a hefty reward to go with her hard work.

Annette smiled. "So I take it you're going back to full-time sweeping."

"No," Saya shook her head. "No, my friend will be really freaked out. So I think I'll keep this on the side. But I felt so free, and invigorated. You miss the thrill."

"You are really weird, you know that," Annette said. Saya laughed.

"You know Annette. Thanks. I'd have never been able to do this without you or Kyoko," Saya smiled.

"Don't get all girly on me," Annette said to the younger girl. "But I agree with your friend Kyoko. You should do something safer. Why don't you continue your university education? You loved Physics."

Saya laughed. "I could. But I'm a free spirit, Annette, and it'll be easier for people to find me, too."

"Are you in danger, Saya?"

"I could be."

Annette groaned. "You're so reckless, Saya."

"I'm taking preventative measures."

"Like what?" Annette said, as both women began to clean up.

"Well, as from now, you're looking at Catrina Kirisaki."

"Indeed," Annette snorted.

"What's wrong?' Saya pouted.

"Saya, it's easy for people like me to forget your real identity. Why don't you try something closer to your real name. Like, Sayuri or something."

"You have a point, but I rather like Catrina."

Annette sighed. "Make it your middle name then. Sayuri Catrina Minatsuki."

"Kirisaki."

Another sigh. "Fine then, Sayuri Catrina Kirisaki."

"That's not so bad," Saya pondered.

"I know. So, have you thought of any disguises yet?"

"Disguises?" Saya was blank. "Annette, that's a brilliant idea!"

"I'm taking that as a no, then."

"Obviously," Saya smiled. "But I rather like my looks."

"You could always wear a wig and contacts."

"True. Do you happen to know anyone who has such a wig and contact lenses?"

"I know Rinslet Walker has one, a blonde one."

"Real blonde, I suppose," Saya smiled. "But if it rains -"

"True," Annette agreed. "But I do have some temporary hair colouring with me." Her face dropped. "It's my friend's though."

"That does pose a problem," Saya agreed.

"No, there's no problem there. It's just that the hair colouring is really pale. It would look lovely on you, though."

"Okay, why don't we give it a try? It's temporary, right?"

"Disappears after 5 washes."

"Then we should try it," Saya said.


Note to self: never dye my hair that colour.

"Oh my goodness!" Saya gasped when Annette showed her the mirror.

"It's pretty good on you, isn't it."

Saya's hair was dyed a platinum blond so light-cloured, it appeared almost white.

"It would look lovely with these contacts."

"Grey coloured?" Saya saw.

"Just put them on," Annette said.

Saya did so, like an obedient child.

"I look ethereal," Saya said, looking in the mirror. And she really did. Her black hair had contrasted with her beautiful green eyes and porcelain skin, but there was no contrast between her platinum blonde hair and her still porcelain skin.

"It's the perfect disguise, isn't it?" Annette asked, putting her hand on Saya's back.

"I still prefer the way I used to look," Saya said mournfully.

"Yes. There was a warmth to your expression. But now there's no choice," Annette agreed.

"I still look cute though!" Saya smiled, trying to make the best of a bad situation.

"Are you going to wash your hair when you get home?"

Saya smiled. "Would that be so bad?"

Annette sighed. "No, I was hoping you would, because you look unreal."

Saya gave the older woman a hug. "Thanks Annette!"

"But, of course, if you change your mind or are in need of another disguise, here's a crate of that hair colouring," Annette dumped the crate on Saya's small arms. Saya winced at the sudden weight, then jostled it about to make it more comfortable.

"That's better," Saya said. "My muscles have really atrophied in that coma thing. Thank goodness I was able to recover so quickly with exercise. I think, now I'm at peak performance."

"Don't exert yourself too much, Saya," Annette warned, as Saya made her way to the doors of Cait Sith to go home.

"I won't," Saya told her. She then frowned. "You sure your friend won't mind?"

Annette sighed. "I've been trying to get him to get rid of it for ages."


Author's Note:

Another update! Enjoy!