Disclaimer: I own no part of Love Hina, but Sean is me.
Oh my. It seems I've knocked everyone senseless. You didn't expect something like that from me, did ya?
Anyway, after giving that matter a bit of thought, I think I've discovered why I like Shinobu so much (me, not my character); it's the blue hair. It would also explain why I've had some feelings for Ami from Sailor Moon in the past. I've always loved the color (if my wardrobe is any indication), so it makes a bit of sense.
Alright, back to the story. This one has some suggestive themes like the last one, but it won't be nearly as explicit. Enjoy!
* * * Chapter XIV: Mind Games * * *
"Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Shinobu asked, obviously nervous.
"I have an obligation; I don't have a choice." Sean said.
"Alright, then." Shinobu said, she stopped walking and let Sean go on his way unhindered. "Good luck. You're going to need it."
Sean stopped in his tracks. He turned around to look at her; a look of confusion on his face. "O…kay. Thank you?" Sure, this was a bit of a unique situation, but he didn't think it was that much of a cause for concern… wasn't it?
--- Tuesday, 8/7 8:04 AM (About ten minutes ago)
Shinobu and Sean served breakfast together. The two have become almost inseparable as of late.
"Here you go everyone," Sean said. "Enjoy!" He sat down at the table next to Shinobu even though there was no plate in front of him; he liked spending time with his friends, and during meals was probably the only time to get them all together with any regularity.
All of the girls seemed to have something to occupy their lives. Sean had Shinobu as a girlfriend and Kitsune as a semi-part-time-lover (if that makes any sense), not to mention taking care of the building and those therein. Naru and Keitaro had each other in a love/pain relationship. Motoko had her kendo training; it seemed she had no need for a relationship at this time.
Suu on the other hand, was a mystery. All they knew (or at least all Sean knew) was that she had a large appetite, especially for bananas, and makes petty--though sometimes dangerous--machines seemingly from scratch. Usually, she was a happy, hyper girl, just bursting with creative energy. In recent days however, she was usually found deep in thought; it started to make the others concerned and just a bit nervous as to what she could be thinking about.
While eating, most of the residents were involved in uncomfortable conversations; Suu's change in personality had sucked out all the energy from the room. Eventually, the talking died down and everyone turned their gaze on the foreigner, who didn't seem to notice one bit.
"What could she be thinking about?" Sean thought. "I'm starting to worry; too much thinking can be hard on the mind."
"Sean?" Suu said, much to the shock of everyone present.
"Uh, yeah?" He said, snapping out of his thoughts.
"Could you come to my room after breakfast?" The other girls' eyes grew wide.
"Um, sure thing, Suu."
"Thanks." Suu got up, bowed to everyone and left, her breakfast only half-eaten.
Sean looked around at the strange stares he was getting. "What? Was it something I said?"
The girls continued to give him looks that seemed to say "Dead man walking."
"Um, I think I'll be going now." Sean stood up and walked toward the stairs.
"Wait up, Sean!" Shinobu said, rushing to his side. The others gave each other worried glances.
--- (Present time)
"That was certainly strange," Sean thought as he neared Suu's door. It had a sense of foreboding around it. She had never asked him to visit her there before and the other girls made it a point to tell him to avoid Suu's inner sanctum at all costs, but now he didn't have much choice right now. He told her he would before he could think of anything else; she did spring the request rather suddenly, after all.
"Oh, come on," he said, trying to reassure himself. "They're probably just overreacting. How bad could her room actually be?"
Sean opened the door and stuck his head in cautiously. He was just able to see the mallet before it made impact.
---
Sean woke up some time later. He was immediately aware that he was strapped to some sort of table. Needless to say, he was pretty worried. "What's going on?!" He yelled.
A figure walked up to him. Sean noticed the white lab coat. The face above the outfit sent shivers down Sean's spine. "So you're finally awake," Suu said, a sinister smile on her face. "It's about time. Now we can begin."
"What are you going to do to me?"
"Oh, nothing. I'm just going to perform some experiments on you."
"What kinds of 'experiments?'"
"Oh, I'm just going to find out how the human body can produce magical energies like you can."
"And how are you going to do that?"
"I'm going to remove your brain," Suu said as she lifted up a nasty looking chainsaw and started it up. "Hold still."
"NO! I like my brain right where it is!" Sean knew it was pointless to reason with a mad scientist and he closed his eyes in readiness for his demise. Suu's maniacal laughter was barely heard over the roaring chainsaw. "AAAAHHHH!!!!"
---
The scream echoed in Sean's mind as he jarred himself out of his daydream. He found himself right outside Suu's door. "Nah, she wouldn't do something like that." He said without any conviction whatsoever. He held out a shaky hand to open the door. "Here goes nothing," Sean said as he slowly opened the portal to his fate, whatever it might be.
Only darkness greeted him as he took a few steps into the eerie room. "Suu?" He asked nervously. "Where are you?" A slight chuckle answered him; it seemed to come from everywhere around him.
Suddenly there was a flick of a switch and bright light appeared all around the room, blinding Sean for a moment. When he could see clearly again, he looked at his surroundings; his eyes grew wide in amazement. From the look of things he could have sworn he just walked into the Amazon; there were tropical trees and vines everywhere.
"Do you like it?" Sean looked back to find Suu standing at the door, closing it.
"How did you--" Sean was still in shock at the environment around him.
"You haven't seen anything yet."
"What more could there possibly be?!" Sean thought. "She turned her room into a jungle, for goodness sake!"
"The others must have told you about this place before." Suu said, approaching Sean.
"Just that I should steer clear of it."
Suu nodded. "I see. They don't really know all that goes on in here, and for good reason. If they ever knew, who knows what could happen."
"I felt the same way about my magical abilities--" Sean shuddered when he remembered what Suu did to him in his daydream.
Suu noticed Sean flinch. "What was that for?"
"Oh, nothing." Sean waved his hand a bit, passing his thought off as nothing.
"If you say so. Come with me." Suu took him by the hand and led him to another part of the room.
"What's going to happen?" Sean was still a bit scared of the unknown.
"You'll see." Suu led Sean to a hidden lever behind some bushes. "Will you do the honors?"
Sean was a bit hesitant. "I… guess so." He nervously grabbed the lever and slowly pulled it. He heard quiet, but steady noises; he couldn't quite decipher what they were. "What's going on?"
"The transformation. Besides me, you will be the only one who has even seen what my room is really like."
Sean stared intently as the scene before him start to change. "So the whole jungle thing is just a disguise?"
"Yes. The others must know that I'm hiding something in here, but they don't press into it too deeply."
"Considering what they see you do out there, I'm not surprised. Also, a jungle for a bedroom can be quite intimidating." Sean looked on in awe as the room finished its conversion. It was something the likes of which he has never seen before.
"What do you think?" Suu asked, proud with herself. "Take a look around."
Sean wandered about the lab that was Suu's room. The walls were finely polished steel; blinking lights, dials, knobs and switches were everywhere. Contraptions in various states of repair were strewn about. "So, those little inventions I've seen in the past were just the tip of the iceberg. Some of the things in here would revolutionize modern science as we know it."
"So I take it you like what you see."
"That's an understatement. Why did you bring me here? Just showing me all this couldn't be the only reason."
"You're right. There's something that I need your help with."
"Well, I don't have much in the way of technical expertise, but I'll see what I can do."
"Trust me, your knowledge will not be necessary." Suu gave a strange smile that made Sean's worries begin anew. Momentarily, he forgot where he was and he almost tripped over his own feet.
Suu laughed a bit. "You and Keitaro can be so alike sometimes."
"I know," Sean said, regaining sure footing.
"Well, here we are," Suu said, gesturing toward a strange looking helmet. Wires connected it to one of the many control panels that lined the walls.
Sean looked it over quizzically. "What does it do?"
Suu explained the gadget proudly. "Well, this is one device I'm really proud of. It sort of a virtual reality generator, but it creates a very specific scene."
Sean raised an eyebrow. "And what might that be?"
"It delves into the mind of the wearer and recreates the person's deepest, darkest fantasy."
Sean grew quite nervous at what Suu had planned for him. "Uh, how real will this be, exactly?"
"You will feel every emotion and sensation, but your actual body will be completely unaffected."
"I suppose that would depend on the fantasy."
Suu scratched her head. "Maybe." She honestly had no idea what Sean was talking about. "Alright, put it on. You're going to be my test subject."
"You mean you haven't tried it yourself?"
"No. Someone has to work the controls."
"Is this what you were so focused about?"
"Yep. I was trying to figure out which of you would be worthy of being my guinea pig. I had to put my trust in one of you to keep my… secret hidden. You should be proud; you'll be experiencing your greatest desire first hand."
"Okay, then. Let's get this over with." Sean said. He wasn't sure what the helmet would show him, and for some strange reason, he didn't want to know what laid dormant in his mind. He took a seat in the chair that was conveniently placed near where the hat rested.
"Okay." Suu walked over to where Sean sat and proceeded to tie his arms and legs to the chair.
"What's with all this?" Sean asked.
"Just a precaution. You never know what might happen, and I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself." Sean nodded his understanding and followed Suu with his eyes as she picked up the helmet and placed it on Sean's head. A few seconds of silence later, Sean heard Suu's voice again, this time a bit more distant. "Are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be." Mild electric currents coursed through his head, making him shut his eyes instinctively. The discomfort came and went relatively quickly, so it was bearable.
---
Shinobu suddenly felt something in the back of her mind. She couldn't explain it, but she knew something was happening. She walked out of her room and started toward where her mind told her to go.
---
Sean opened his eyes to find himself in his room. He felt as though he had just woken up. He looked at the clock; it said 7:14 AM. He got up to get dressed. As he walked to the closet, he thought something was different about himself; it wasn't anything obvious like green skin or anything, but he knew it was something. He just couldn't put his finger on what it was, exactly.
After he changed, he looked at his watch out of curiosity; the date was November 15th. His mind was screaming that it was a very important day, but he just wasn't able to recall why. "This is weird. I should be remembering something, but I don't know what." He shook it off, figuring he would know soon enough.
"Hello, sweetie," a somewhat familiar voice said from the door. Sean looked to find Shinobu poking her head in.
"Hello, yourself."
"Do you know what day this is?"
Sean looked ashamed. "I'm sorry, but I don't."
"Don't worry about it. You always did have trouble remembering certain dates, especially those spaced so far apart. Uh, could you meet me in the changing room for a sec?"
"Alright." With the confirmation, Shinobu's head quickly disappeared.
"She looked different, somehow." Sean scratched the back of his head, trying to piece things together. He shrugged his shoulders and went where he was told.
As he passed through the halls, he kept thinking something was altered a bit, but he just couldn't figure out how. "This is getting very strange. First me, then Shinobu, and now everything else." He shook his head in confusion.
He finally made it to the changing room. When he opened the door, he was greeted by the sight of… Shinobu?! No, it couldn't be, could it? The familiar blue hair seemed to scream at him, telling him that she was his girlfriend, but still, this did not look like the Shinobu he knew; the last time Sean saw her, he could have sworn she wasn't six feet tall and not so… developed, but that's who was standing before him. Not that he was complaining about how she looked or anything; it just caught him by surprise, that's all.
Shinobu walked over to him, hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. "I love you." Pressing her towel-clad body against him.
Sean kept his composure, barely, and was able to respond in kind. "I love you too."
"Do you remember what day this is yet?" Sean shook his head slowly. "I see." She stepped back a bit and pointed a finger at him.
Sean felt something strange envelop him, but he couldn't see what it was. As quickly as the sensation came, it left, leaving him wearing in a towel like Shinobu. He started to wonder how she did that, but then realized she had been getting proficient with spells as of late.
Shinobu took him by the hand. "Come with me. There's something I want to show you." Sean nodded his approval to this as she led him out to the hot springs.
Sean almost fainted when he saw the other girls, also in towels. They all seemed somewhat older than he remembered.
---
Suu watched this fantasy unfold on the monitor in the control panel. She was recording this, mostly to play it back later for laughs, but things were getting a bit too serious for it too be of any comical value.
The thing that focused her attention the most was seeing herself in his dream, not to mention how he envisioned her grown up. She was flattered at how radiant she looked. She switched glances between the her own body, Sean, and her gorgeous figure on the screen.
---
"You felt it too?" Shinobu asked.
"Yeah," Naru said when the two met outside Suu's room. "Something's going on in there, and I want to know what."
"But Suu never lets us go in there. We should respect her wishes. Besides, we know she wouldn't hurt him or anything."
"I suppose you're right, but still, I wonder what's happening…"
---
"What's all this?" Sean asked after he mentally calmed down a bit.
"This is sort of a present for you for all you've done," Shinobu said.
"Uh, thanks. I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything. Just enjoy yourself." Shinobu said as she removed the towel from around her and showed Sean her full-figured goodness. The others soon followed suit and beckoned Sean to do the same.
"Hold it, what's going on?" Sean was still confused.
"You have given us so much pleasure over the years, but still managed to remain a virgin for me. I realize how hard it must have been for you."
After scanning over what the girls looked like now, he knew it would have been difficult indeed. "Yes, it has."
"You have done so much for us and asked for so little in return, I figured that on this day, my 18th birthday…
"Oh, that's right," Sean thought, mentally kicking himself. "November 15th is Shinobu's birthday." He was about to kick himself again when something clicked. "Wait a second… 18?! Shinobu's 18 now?! The slight differences, the full grown Shinobu and Suu, it all makes sense now; time has gone forward by about six years!"
…you should finally get what you truly deserve from us," Shinobu continued. "Beginning with me." She embraced Sean and gave him a passionate kiss.
Sean returned the embrace and ran his hand through Shinobu's long hair. "I'm sorry I didn't get you anything; if I had only remembered--"
Shinobu separated and placed a finger to Sean's lips. "Don't be sorry. Just being here with you makes me happier than any gift ever could." She ran a finger down Sean's chest. "However, there is something you could give me." She started to tug at Sean's towel. "Something we could give each other."
"Are you sure about this? This is a big step."
"I've never been more sure of anything in my life."
"Alright, but do you mind if we get in the water first? It is a bit cold out here, after all." Not waiting for a response, Sean picked Shinobu up and carried her to the spring.
Shinobu giggled. "It's been a while since you've carried me like this. I like it."
Sean smiled. "Maybe I should do this more often, then." He stepped into the water and gently set her down. In the process, Shinobu grabbed Sean's towel and yanked it off him, making him gasp.
"I don't think you'll be needing that," she said as she tossed it to the side. "I see you're ready to get started."
Sean looked down and blushed a bit. "I guess I am." He started to lean over to kiss Shinobu when a thought popped in his head. "What about the others? Won't they feel a bit… left out?"
"Don't worry about us," Kitsune assured. "After you're finished with her, it will be our turn."
"And if I won't be… finished for quite a while, what will you do?"
"I guess we'll just have to satisfy ourselves until then."
Sean nodded. "You've thought this out well."
"Well," Shinobu said, "we've had a long time to prepare."
"Apparently." Sean finally met his lips with his love's. After a few glorious moments, he backed off. "Was it worth the wait?"
"More than you'll ever know." Shinobu pulled Sean close to her. "More than you'll ever know."
"Isn't love wonderful?" Naru asked.
Kitsune eyed her lustfully. "Yes, it is." She grabbed Naru's hand and led her to the water.
Suu looked at Motoko in a similar way and gestured towards to the spring. "Shall we?"
"I suppose," Motoko answered. She knew that on this day of celebration, inhibitions would only get in the way.
---
Suu continued to watch as things got quite steamy until her attention was broken by a knock on the door. Instinctively, she shut off the lights before she opened the door a bit and stuck her head through. "Hello?"
"What's going on in there?" Shinobu asked, obviously worried.
"Nothing to be concerned about." Suu said calmly.
"Are you sure?" Naru asked, raising an eyebrow.
Suu frowned a bit. "Yes, I'm sure." Something could be heard faintly in the background. Suu checked to see what it was before she spoke again. "In fact, I'm almost done with Sean; just a minute." Suu shut the door and turned the lights back on and went over to where Sean sat; he had just woken up from his fantasy, a wide smile on his face.
"Wow. That sure was something," Sean said.
"It sure was. I saw the whole thing," Suu said, pointing to the monitor, which now just showed static.
Sean blushed. "Um, er…"
"Don't bother trying to explain it. You probably didn't know that fantasy was there until you saw it just now."
"Great," Sean said semi-sarcastically, "I'll probably never get those images out of my head."
"I think that might be the least of your worries," Suu said, releasing Sean from the chair.
"What do you mean?" Sean asked. Suu completely ignored him as she went over to the console, pressed a button and grabbed something that came out of a slot. "Hey what's that?" Sean asked. Still, Suu blew him off and walked to the Transformation lever and pulled it, making the jungle reappear in the room.
Finally, Suu spoke. "First, I want to say that you're welcome here at any time if you feel like helping me with some of my creations. Second, do you see this?" Suu held up what looked like a CD in her hand… no, a DVD.
"Uh, yeah. What's that for?"
Suu grinned evilly. "This contains everything you just experienced. Guess what I'm going to do."
Sean's eyes grew wide. "Oh no."
"Oh yes." Suu and Sean stood silently for a few moments before Suu broke off in a run for the door.
"Get back here!" Sean said as he chased Suu out the door, past a shocked Shinobu and Naru.
"What was that all about?" Shinobu asked.
"I don't know. Let's find out." Naru said as they followed the two downstairs.
"Suu, please don't do this!" Sean pleaded as they made their way to the living room, where Kitsune was lounging, slightly drunk.
"Huh?" Kitsune mumbled.
Suu rushed to the television, stopped and turned to face her aggressor and the two girls following him. "Naru, hold him back!"
Before Sean could prevent it, Naru wrapped her arms around him and forced him onto the couch, which Kitsune had vacated just moments before.
"Naru, please," Sean said, struggling unsuccessfully to get free. "I need to get something from Suu before she--"
"Before I do this?" Suu said, grinning as she put the disk in the DVD player.
"No, please don't!!" Sean screamed, but to no avail.
"What's going on?" Shinobu asked.
"I'll explain in a bit, but first, get Motoko and Keitaro in here; I want them here to see this." Shinobu nodded and ran off.
"Why do you have to do this?!" Sean ranted.
"I think they deserve to know," Suu said.
"Sean, what is all this? Know what?" Naru asked, worried about what might have happened.
Just then, Shinobu came back with Motoko and Keitaro in tow. "Ah, everyone's here," Suu said. "Now I can begin."
"What's this all about?" Keitaro asked.
"Good question. The reason why I asked Sean to my room was so that I could try out one of my latest innovations: a virtual reality fantasy simulator."
"A what?" Shinobu asked, a bit confused.
"Basically," Sean added, "it goes deep into the person's mind and uncovers their deepest, darkest desires and allows them to experience it first-hand."
"But why were you chasing her just now?" Naru asked, still holding Sean in place.
"Well," Sean glared at Suu. "she recorded my experience on a DVD and plans to show it to us. Frankly, I'm not too thrilled at the idea."
"Ooh." That got Kitsune's attention. "What kind of fantasy was it?"
"You'll find out soon enough," Suu said.
"C'mon, does everyone have to see this?" Sean whined.
"Yes, they do. They might find it as interesting as I did."
"You've seen it already?" Motoko raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. And now, so will you."
"Wait a sec!" Sean yelled.
"You can't stop me from doing this."
"That's not what I meant. If Keitaro's going to see this, he's going to need something." Sean concentrated a bit and a box of tissues appeared in Keitaro's hand. "There. That should be enough."
"What?" Keitaro was a bit puzzled by the action.
"Trust me. You're going to need every last one."
"Ahem," Suu cleared her throat, getting everyone attention back on her. "Without further delay, I bring to you, Sean's greatest fantasy." She pressed Play and took a seat next to Sean.
"Do I need to be here?" Sean asked.
"Your unique perspective might serve useful."
After everyone saw (or re-saw) Sean's fantasy in its entirety, they gave him some weird looks.
"Wow," Naru said, amazed at what she witnessed. "Is that how you see us in 6 years? I'm flattered." Sean blushed deeply.
Shinobu blushed as well. "Will I really look that attractive when I grow up?"
"Don't ever think you won't," Sean affirmed.
Shinobu smiled and hugged him. "You always know how to cheer up a girl."
Sean blushed again. "This is so embarrassing."
Kitsune raised an eyebrow. "Why should you be so humiliated? Everyone has fantasies."
"I'm sure you one to know about fantasies," Sean said smugly. "Anyway, I never knew about that one until today; or at least not consciously. And even if I did, I wouldn't want it displayed on a television screen for everyone to see!"
"I think it's cute that you think about us," Kitsune said.
"Is sex all guys ever fantasize about?" Motoko asked.
"Are you saying you don't?" Sean responded, raising an eyebrow.
Motoko blushed a bit. "I don't have such perverted thoughts!"
"I don't believe you." Sean turned his gaze to Suu. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
Suu looked confused for a bit until she realized what he meant. "Yes, I think so." She looked at Motoko with an evil grin on her face. "I think it's someone else's turn to try out the fantasy helmet."
Motoko's eyes grew wide in horror. "What?! NO!!"
"And why not? You've seen my fantasy. I think I deserve to see yours."
"And what makes you think I'll let you do that?"
"What makes you think you have a choice?" Sean raised a couple fingers.
"HEY! I can't move!"
"Exactly. And since your so adamant against me seeing what lurks in that brain of yours, I think I'll just go ahead and let everyone see it." Sean walked over to Motoko's frozen form.
"Oh, you will be so dead when I'm able to move again, I swear!"
"Yeah, yeah. If it's as good for you as it was for me, you'll change your tune. Suu, let's do this." Suu bounded off the couch and landed on Sean's shoulders.
"Hold on," Kitsune said. "Where will we be seeing this?"
"I'll transmit the picture straight to the TV here in the living room. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have to get ready." The three soon vanished without a trace.
"This is going to be interesting," Kitsune said, grinning.
---
"Why do you have to do this?" A blindfolded Motoko pleaded as she was strapped to the chair next to the simulator helmet.
"You have to relax," Sean said. "Go with the flow. This is supposed to be a very enjoyable experience. I was also afraid at first, but as you saw, I went along for the ride and had a good time doing it."
"But why me?"
"You conceal your emotions too much. You need to express yourself in a way that isn't potentially life-threatening."
"My emotions are just fine the way they are!"
"I disagree." Sean walked over to Suu, who was working at the controls.
"Is everything ready?" Suu asked.
"Yes, the preparations are complete," Sean said, trying to make it sound like some mad scientist movie.
"Good," Suu said, barely able to hold back laughter. "Let's get started."
--- (A few minutes later,)
"Wow," Naru said as she watched Motoko's fantasy displayed on the television screen.
"Alright, Motoko!" Kitsune cheered. "You go, girl!"
"Oh my," Shinobu muttered, blushing brightly. "I didn't think a person could do that."
While the three girls were fascinated by what they were seeing, they paid no attention to Keitaro, who laid passed out on the floor. There were about a dozen tissues clutched in his hand, all of them soaked with blood.
* * * End of Chapter XIV * * *
Ha! You thought I was going to show you Motoko's fantasy, didn't you? You'll just have to use your imaginations. I wonder if I'll be able to turn this story in a direction not so... well, you know. Oh well. Please review!
Oh my. It seems I've knocked everyone senseless. You didn't expect something like that from me, did ya?
Anyway, after giving that matter a bit of thought, I think I've discovered why I like Shinobu so much (me, not my character); it's the blue hair. It would also explain why I've had some feelings for Ami from Sailor Moon in the past. I've always loved the color (if my wardrobe is any indication), so it makes a bit of sense.
Alright, back to the story. This one has some suggestive themes like the last one, but it won't be nearly as explicit. Enjoy!
* * * Chapter XIV: Mind Games * * *
"Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Shinobu asked, obviously nervous.
"I have an obligation; I don't have a choice." Sean said.
"Alright, then." Shinobu said, she stopped walking and let Sean go on his way unhindered. "Good luck. You're going to need it."
Sean stopped in his tracks. He turned around to look at her; a look of confusion on his face. "O…kay. Thank you?" Sure, this was a bit of a unique situation, but he didn't think it was that much of a cause for concern… wasn't it?
--- Tuesday, 8/7 8:04 AM (About ten minutes ago)
Shinobu and Sean served breakfast together. The two have become almost inseparable as of late.
"Here you go everyone," Sean said. "Enjoy!" He sat down at the table next to Shinobu even though there was no plate in front of him; he liked spending time with his friends, and during meals was probably the only time to get them all together with any regularity.
All of the girls seemed to have something to occupy their lives. Sean had Shinobu as a girlfriend and Kitsune as a semi-part-time-lover (if that makes any sense), not to mention taking care of the building and those therein. Naru and Keitaro had each other in a love/pain relationship. Motoko had her kendo training; it seemed she had no need for a relationship at this time.
Suu on the other hand, was a mystery. All they knew (or at least all Sean knew) was that she had a large appetite, especially for bananas, and makes petty--though sometimes dangerous--machines seemingly from scratch. Usually, she was a happy, hyper girl, just bursting with creative energy. In recent days however, she was usually found deep in thought; it started to make the others concerned and just a bit nervous as to what she could be thinking about.
While eating, most of the residents were involved in uncomfortable conversations; Suu's change in personality had sucked out all the energy from the room. Eventually, the talking died down and everyone turned their gaze on the foreigner, who didn't seem to notice one bit.
"What could she be thinking about?" Sean thought. "I'm starting to worry; too much thinking can be hard on the mind."
"Sean?" Suu said, much to the shock of everyone present.
"Uh, yeah?" He said, snapping out of his thoughts.
"Could you come to my room after breakfast?" The other girls' eyes grew wide.
"Um, sure thing, Suu."
"Thanks." Suu got up, bowed to everyone and left, her breakfast only half-eaten.
Sean looked around at the strange stares he was getting. "What? Was it something I said?"
The girls continued to give him looks that seemed to say "Dead man walking."
"Um, I think I'll be going now." Sean stood up and walked toward the stairs.
"Wait up, Sean!" Shinobu said, rushing to his side. The others gave each other worried glances.
--- (Present time)
"That was certainly strange," Sean thought as he neared Suu's door. It had a sense of foreboding around it. She had never asked him to visit her there before and the other girls made it a point to tell him to avoid Suu's inner sanctum at all costs, but now he didn't have much choice right now. He told her he would before he could think of anything else; she did spring the request rather suddenly, after all.
"Oh, come on," he said, trying to reassure himself. "They're probably just overreacting. How bad could her room actually be?"
Sean opened the door and stuck his head in cautiously. He was just able to see the mallet before it made impact.
---
Sean woke up some time later. He was immediately aware that he was strapped to some sort of table. Needless to say, he was pretty worried. "What's going on?!" He yelled.
A figure walked up to him. Sean noticed the white lab coat. The face above the outfit sent shivers down Sean's spine. "So you're finally awake," Suu said, a sinister smile on her face. "It's about time. Now we can begin."
"What are you going to do to me?"
"Oh, nothing. I'm just going to perform some experiments on you."
"What kinds of 'experiments?'"
"Oh, I'm just going to find out how the human body can produce magical energies like you can."
"And how are you going to do that?"
"I'm going to remove your brain," Suu said as she lifted up a nasty looking chainsaw and started it up. "Hold still."
"NO! I like my brain right where it is!" Sean knew it was pointless to reason with a mad scientist and he closed his eyes in readiness for his demise. Suu's maniacal laughter was barely heard over the roaring chainsaw. "AAAAHHHH!!!!"
---
The scream echoed in Sean's mind as he jarred himself out of his daydream. He found himself right outside Suu's door. "Nah, she wouldn't do something like that." He said without any conviction whatsoever. He held out a shaky hand to open the door. "Here goes nothing," Sean said as he slowly opened the portal to his fate, whatever it might be.
Only darkness greeted him as he took a few steps into the eerie room. "Suu?" He asked nervously. "Where are you?" A slight chuckle answered him; it seemed to come from everywhere around him.
Suddenly there was a flick of a switch and bright light appeared all around the room, blinding Sean for a moment. When he could see clearly again, he looked at his surroundings; his eyes grew wide in amazement. From the look of things he could have sworn he just walked into the Amazon; there were tropical trees and vines everywhere.
"Do you like it?" Sean looked back to find Suu standing at the door, closing it.
"How did you--" Sean was still in shock at the environment around him.
"You haven't seen anything yet."
"What more could there possibly be?!" Sean thought. "She turned her room into a jungle, for goodness sake!"
"The others must have told you about this place before." Suu said, approaching Sean.
"Just that I should steer clear of it."
Suu nodded. "I see. They don't really know all that goes on in here, and for good reason. If they ever knew, who knows what could happen."
"I felt the same way about my magical abilities--" Sean shuddered when he remembered what Suu did to him in his daydream.
Suu noticed Sean flinch. "What was that for?"
"Oh, nothing." Sean waved his hand a bit, passing his thought off as nothing.
"If you say so. Come with me." Suu took him by the hand and led him to another part of the room.
"What's going to happen?" Sean was still a bit scared of the unknown.
"You'll see." Suu led Sean to a hidden lever behind some bushes. "Will you do the honors?"
Sean was a bit hesitant. "I… guess so." He nervously grabbed the lever and slowly pulled it. He heard quiet, but steady noises; he couldn't quite decipher what they were. "What's going on?"
"The transformation. Besides me, you will be the only one who has even seen what my room is really like."
Sean stared intently as the scene before him start to change. "So the whole jungle thing is just a disguise?"
"Yes. The others must know that I'm hiding something in here, but they don't press into it too deeply."
"Considering what they see you do out there, I'm not surprised. Also, a jungle for a bedroom can be quite intimidating." Sean looked on in awe as the room finished its conversion. It was something the likes of which he has never seen before.
"What do you think?" Suu asked, proud with herself. "Take a look around."
Sean wandered about the lab that was Suu's room. The walls were finely polished steel; blinking lights, dials, knobs and switches were everywhere. Contraptions in various states of repair were strewn about. "So, those little inventions I've seen in the past were just the tip of the iceberg. Some of the things in here would revolutionize modern science as we know it."
"So I take it you like what you see."
"That's an understatement. Why did you bring me here? Just showing me all this couldn't be the only reason."
"You're right. There's something that I need your help with."
"Well, I don't have much in the way of technical expertise, but I'll see what I can do."
"Trust me, your knowledge will not be necessary." Suu gave a strange smile that made Sean's worries begin anew. Momentarily, he forgot where he was and he almost tripped over his own feet.
Suu laughed a bit. "You and Keitaro can be so alike sometimes."
"I know," Sean said, regaining sure footing.
"Well, here we are," Suu said, gesturing toward a strange looking helmet. Wires connected it to one of the many control panels that lined the walls.
Sean looked it over quizzically. "What does it do?"
Suu explained the gadget proudly. "Well, this is one device I'm really proud of. It sort of a virtual reality generator, but it creates a very specific scene."
Sean raised an eyebrow. "And what might that be?"
"It delves into the mind of the wearer and recreates the person's deepest, darkest fantasy."
Sean grew quite nervous at what Suu had planned for him. "Uh, how real will this be, exactly?"
"You will feel every emotion and sensation, but your actual body will be completely unaffected."
"I suppose that would depend on the fantasy."
Suu scratched her head. "Maybe." She honestly had no idea what Sean was talking about. "Alright, put it on. You're going to be my test subject."
"You mean you haven't tried it yourself?"
"No. Someone has to work the controls."
"Is this what you were so focused about?"
"Yep. I was trying to figure out which of you would be worthy of being my guinea pig. I had to put my trust in one of you to keep my… secret hidden. You should be proud; you'll be experiencing your greatest desire first hand."
"Okay, then. Let's get this over with." Sean said. He wasn't sure what the helmet would show him, and for some strange reason, he didn't want to know what laid dormant in his mind. He took a seat in the chair that was conveniently placed near where the hat rested.
"Okay." Suu walked over to where Sean sat and proceeded to tie his arms and legs to the chair.
"What's with all this?" Sean asked.
"Just a precaution. You never know what might happen, and I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself." Sean nodded his understanding and followed Suu with his eyes as she picked up the helmet and placed it on Sean's head. A few seconds of silence later, Sean heard Suu's voice again, this time a bit more distant. "Are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be." Mild electric currents coursed through his head, making him shut his eyes instinctively. The discomfort came and went relatively quickly, so it was bearable.
---
Shinobu suddenly felt something in the back of her mind. She couldn't explain it, but she knew something was happening. She walked out of her room and started toward where her mind told her to go.
---
Sean opened his eyes to find himself in his room. He felt as though he had just woken up. He looked at the clock; it said 7:14 AM. He got up to get dressed. As he walked to the closet, he thought something was different about himself; it wasn't anything obvious like green skin or anything, but he knew it was something. He just couldn't put his finger on what it was, exactly.
After he changed, he looked at his watch out of curiosity; the date was November 15th. His mind was screaming that it was a very important day, but he just wasn't able to recall why. "This is weird. I should be remembering something, but I don't know what." He shook it off, figuring he would know soon enough.
"Hello, sweetie," a somewhat familiar voice said from the door. Sean looked to find Shinobu poking her head in.
"Hello, yourself."
"Do you know what day this is?"
Sean looked ashamed. "I'm sorry, but I don't."
"Don't worry about it. You always did have trouble remembering certain dates, especially those spaced so far apart. Uh, could you meet me in the changing room for a sec?"
"Alright." With the confirmation, Shinobu's head quickly disappeared.
"She looked different, somehow." Sean scratched the back of his head, trying to piece things together. He shrugged his shoulders and went where he was told.
As he passed through the halls, he kept thinking something was altered a bit, but he just couldn't figure out how. "This is getting very strange. First me, then Shinobu, and now everything else." He shook his head in confusion.
He finally made it to the changing room. When he opened the door, he was greeted by the sight of… Shinobu?! No, it couldn't be, could it? The familiar blue hair seemed to scream at him, telling him that she was his girlfriend, but still, this did not look like the Shinobu he knew; the last time Sean saw her, he could have sworn she wasn't six feet tall and not so… developed, but that's who was standing before him. Not that he was complaining about how she looked or anything; it just caught him by surprise, that's all.
Shinobu walked over to him, hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. "I love you." Pressing her towel-clad body against him.
Sean kept his composure, barely, and was able to respond in kind. "I love you too."
"Do you remember what day this is yet?" Sean shook his head slowly. "I see." She stepped back a bit and pointed a finger at him.
Sean felt something strange envelop him, but he couldn't see what it was. As quickly as the sensation came, it left, leaving him wearing in a towel like Shinobu. He started to wonder how she did that, but then realized she had been getting proficient with spells as of late.
Shinobu took him by the hand. "Come with me. There's something I want to show you." Sean nodded his approval to this as she led him out to the hot springs.
Sean almost fainted when he saw the other girls, also in towels. They all seemed somewhat older than he remembered.
---
Suu watched this fantasy unfold on the monitor in the control panel. She was recording this, mostly to play it back later for laughs, but things were getting a bit too serious for it too be of any comical value.
The thing that focused her attention the most was seeing herself in his dream, not to mention how he envisioned her grown up. She was flattered at how radiant she looked. She switched glances between the her own body, Sean, and her gorgeous figure on the screen.
---
"You felt it too?" Shinobu asked.
"Yeah," Naru said when the two met outside Suu's room. "Something's going on in there, and I want to know what."
"But Suu never lets us go in there. We should respect her wishes. Besides, we know she wouldn't hurt him or anything."
"I suppose you're right, but still, I wonder what's happening…"
---
"What's all this?" Sean asked after he mentally calmed down a bit.
"This is sort of a present for you for all you've done," Shinobu said.
"Uh, thanks. I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything. Just enjoy yourself." Shinobu said as she removed the towel from around her and showed Sean her full-figured goodness. The others soon followed suit and beckoned Sean to do the same.
"Hold it, what's going on?" Sean was still confused.
"You have given us so much pleasure over the years, but still managed to remain a virgin for me. I realize how hard it must have been for you."
After scanning over what the girls looked like now, he knew it would have been difficult indeed. "Yes, it has."
"You have done so much for us and asked for so little in return, I figured that on this day, my 18th birthday…
"Oh, that's right," Sean thought, mentally kicking himself. "November 15th is Shinobu's birthday." He was about to kick himself again when something clicked. "Wait a second… 18?! Shinobu's 18 now?! The slight differences, the full grown Shinobu and Suu, it all makes sense now; time has gone forward by about six years!"
…you should finally get what you truly deserve from us," Shinobu continued. "Beginning with me." She embraced Sean and gave him a passionate kiss.
Sean returned the embrace and ran his hand through Shinobu's long hair. "I'm sorry I didn't get you anything; if I had only remembered--"
Shinobu separated and placed a finger to Sean's lips. "Don't be sorry. Just being here with you makes me happier than any gift ever could." She ran a finger down Sean's chest. "However, there is something you could give me." She started to tug at Sean's towel. "Something we could give each other."
"Are you sure about this? This is a big step."
"I've never been more sure of anything in my life."
"Alright, but do you mind if we get in the water first? It is a bit cold out here, after all." Not waiting for a response, Sean picked Shinobu up and carried her to the spring.
Shinobu giggled. "It's been a while since you've carried me like this. I like it."
Sean smiled. "Maybe I should do this more often, then." He stepped into the water and gently set her down. In the process, Shinobu grabbed Sean's towel and yanked it off him, making him gasp.
"I don't think you'll be needing that," she said as she tossed it to the side. "I see you're ready to get started."
Sean looked down and blushed a bit. "I guess I am." He started to lean over to kiss Shinobu when a thought popped in his head. "What about the others? Won't they feel a bit… left out?"
"Don't worry about us," Kitsune assured. "After you're finished with her, it will be our turn."
"And if I won't be… finished for quite a while, what will you do?"
"I guess we'll just have to satisfy ourselves until then."
Sean nodded. "You've thought this out well."
"Well," Shinobu said, "we've had a long time to prepare."
"Apparently." Sean finally met his lips with his love's. After a few glorious moments, he backed off. "Was it worth the wait?"
"More than you'll ever know." Shinobu pulled Sean close to her. "More than you'll ever know."
"Isn't love wonderful?" Naru asked.
Kitsune eyed her lustfully. "Yes, it is." She grabbed Naru's hand and led her to the water.
Suu looked at Motoko in a similar way and gestured towards to the spring. "Shall we?"
"I suppose," Motoko answered. She knew that on this day of celebration, inhibitions would only get in the way.
---
Suu continued to watch as things got quite steamy until her attention was broken by a knock on the door. Instinctively, she shut off the lights before she opened the door a bit and stuck her head through. "Hello?"
"What's going on in there?" Shinobu asked, obviously worried.
"Nothing to be concerned about." Suu said calmly.
"Are you sure?" Naru asked, raising an eyebrow.
Suu frowned a bit. "Yes, I'm sure." Something could be heard faintly in the background. Suu checked to see what it was before she spoke again. "In fact, I'm almost done with Sean; just a minute." Suu shut the door and turned the lights back on and went over to where Sean sat; he had just woken up from his fantasy, a wide smile on his face.
"Wow. That sure was something," Sean said.
"It sure was. I saw the whole thing," Suu said, pointing to the monitor, which now just showed static.
Sean blushed. "Um, er…"
"Don't bother trying to explain it. You probably didn't know that fantasy was there until you saw it just now."
"Great," Sean said semi-sarcastically, "I'll probably never get those images out of my head."
"I think that might be the least of your worries," Suu said, releasing Sean from the chair.
"What do you mean?" Sean asked. Suu completely ignored him as she went over to the console, pressed a button and grabbed something that came out of a slot. "Hey what's that?" Sean asked. Still, Suu blew him off and walked to the Transformation lever and pulled it, making the jungle reappear in the room.
Finally, Suu spoke. "First, I want to say that you're welcome here at any time if you feel like helping me with some of my creations. Second, do you see this?" Suu held up what looked like a CD in her hand… no, a DVD.
"Uh, yeah. What's that for?"
Suu grinned evilly. "This contains everything you just experienced. Guess what I'm going to do."
Sean's eyes grew wide. "Oh no."
"Oh yes." Suu and Sean stood silently for a few moments before Suu broke off in a run for the door.
"Get back here!" Sean said as he chased Suu out the door, past a shocked Shinobu and Naru.
"What was that all about?" Shinobu asked.
"I don't know. Let's find out." Naru said as they followed the two downstairs.
"Suu, please don't do this!" Sean pleaded as they made their way to the living room, where Kitsune was lounging, slightly drunk.
"Huh?" Kitsune mumbled.
Suu rushed to the television, stopped and turned to face her aggressor and the two girls following him. "Naru, hold him back!"
Before Sean could prevent it, Naru wrapped her arms around him and forced him onto the couch, which Kitsune had vacated just moments before.
"Naru, please," Sean said, struggling unsuccessfully to get free. "I need to get something from Suu before she--"
"Before I do this?" Suu said, grinning as she put the disk in the DVD player.
"No, please don't!!" Sean screamed, but to no avail.
"What's going on?" Shinobu asked.
"I'll explain in a bit, but first, get Motoko and Keitaro in here; I want them here to see this." Shinobu nodded and ran off.
"Why do you have to do this?!" Sean ranted.
"I think they deserve to know," Suu said.
"Sean, what is all this? Know what?" Naru asked, worried about what might have happened.
Just then, Shinobu came back with Motoko and Keitaro in tow. "Ah, everyone's here," Suu said. "Now I can begin."
"What's this all about?" Keitaro asked.
"Good question. The reason why I asked Sean to my room was so that I could try out one of my latest innovations: a virtual reality fantasy simulator."
"A what?" Shinobu asked, a bit confused.
"Basically," Sean added, "it goes deep into the person's mind and uncovers their deepest, darkest desires and allows them to experience it first-hand."
"But why were you chasing her just now?" Naru asked, still holding Sean in place.
"Well," Sean glared at Suu. "she recorded my experience on a DVD and plans to show it to us. Frankly, I'm not too thrilled at the idea."
"Ooh." That got Kitsune's attention. "What kind of fantasy was it?"
"You'll find out soon enough," Suu said.
"C'mon, does everyone have to see this?" Sean whined.
"Yes, they do. They might find it as interesting as I did."
"You've seen it already?" Motoko raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. And now, so will you."
"Wait a sec!" Sean yelled.
"You can't stop me from doing this."
"That's not what I meant. If Keitaro's going to see this, he's going to need something." Sean concentrated a bit and a box of tissues appeared in Keitaro's hand. "There. That should be enough."
"What?" Keitaro was a bit puzzled by the action.
"Trust me. You're going to need every last one."
"Ahem," Suu cleared her throat, getting everyone attention back on her. "Without further delay, I bring to you, Sean's greatest fantasy." She pressed Play and took a seat next to Sean.
"Do I need to be here?" Sean asked.
"Your unique perspective might serve useful."
After everyone saw (or re-saw) Sean's fantasy in its entirety, they gave him some weird looks.
"Wow," Naru said, amazed at what she witnessed. "Is that how you see us in 6 years? I'm flattered." Sean blushed deeply.
Shinobu blushed as well. "Will I really look that attractive when I grow up?"
"Don't ever think you won't," Sean affirmed.
Shinobu smiled and hugged him. "You always know how to cheer up a girl."
Sean blushed again. "This is so embarrassing."
Kitsune raised an eyebrow. "Why should you be so humiliated? Everyone has fantasies."
"I'm sure you one to know about fantasies," Sean said smugly. "Anyway, I never knew about that one until today; or at least not consciously. And even if I did, I wouldn't want it displayed on a television screen for everyone to see!"
"I think it's cute that you think about us," Kitsune said.
"Is sex all guys ever fantasize about?" Motoko asked.
"Are you saying you don't?" Sean responded, raising an eyebrow.
Motoko blushed a bit. "I don't have such perverted thoughts!"
"I don't believe you." Sean turned his gaze to Suu. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
Suu looked confused for a bit until she realized what he meant. "Yes, I think so." She looked at Motoko with an evil grin on her face. "I think it's someone else's turn to try out the fantasy helmet."
Motoko's eyes grew wide in horror. "What?! NO!!"
"And why not? You've seen my fantasy. I think I deserve to see yours."
"And what makes you think I'll let you do that?"
"What makes you think you have a choice?" Sean raised a couple fingers.
"HEY! I can't move!"
"Exactly. And since your so adamant against me seeing what lurks in that brain of yours, I think I'll just go ahead and let everyone see it." Sean walked over to Motoko's frozen form.
"Oh, you will be so dead when I'm able to move again, I swear!"
"Yeah, yeah. If it's as good for you as it was for me, you'll change your tune. Suu, let's do this." Suu bounded off the couch and landed on Sean's shoulders.
"Hold on," Kitsune said. "Where will we be seeing this?"
"I'll transmit the picture straight to the TV here in the living room. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have to get ready." The three soon vanished without a trace.
"This is going to be interesting," Kitsune said, grinning.
---
"Why do you have to do this?" A blindfolded Motoko pleaded as she was strapped to the chair next to the simulator helmet.
"You have to relax," Sean said. "Go with the flow. This is supposed to be a very enjoyable experience. I was also afraid at first, but as you saw, I went along for the ride and had a good time doing it."
"But why me?"
"You conceal your emotions too much. You need to express yourself in a way that isn't potentially life-threatening."
"My emotions are just fine the way they are!"
"I disagree." Sean walked over to Suu, who was working at the controls.
"Is everything ready?" Suu asked.
"Yes, the preparations are complete," Sean said, trying to make it sound like some mad scientist movie.
"Good," Suu said, barely able to hold back laughter. "Let's get started."
--- (A few minutes later,)
"Wow," Naru said as she watched Motoko's fantasy displayed on the television screen.
"Alright, Motoko!" Kitsune cheered. "You go, girl!"
"Oh my," Shinobu muttered, blushing brightly. "I didn't think a person could do that."
While the three girls were fascinated by what they were seeing, they paid no attention to Keitaro, who laid passed out on the floor. There were about a dozen tissues clutched in his hand, all of them soaked with blood.
* * * End of Chapter XIV * * *
Ha! You thought I was going to show you Motoko's fantasy, didn't you? You'll just have to use your imaginations. I wonder if I'll be able to turn this story in a direction not so... well, you know. Oh well. Please review!