Author Note: GOMEN! I DID NOT THINK THIS STORY WOULD TAKE SO LONG TO WRITE! TT^TT Thanks to my patient followers and readers of this story. As amends, this update is somewhat longer than the others. I welcome reviews as they are ever so helpful. I had some fun writing this part of the story, and the next chapter will be updated quicker.
Note: Google Stargate Project afterwards.
CHAPTER THREE
The 177th Branch Office of Judgment was still, save for occasional clicks on a keyboard, phone rings, and the scratch of pen on paper. The only thing constant was the small voice humming a jaunty tune. It would begin softly then transform into a loud yet happy tone. One could even dance to it.
"Hmm, Hmm, Hm, Hm!"
Swish of a skirt. Rustle of a vest. And the click of shoes on tile.
"…Kuroko-San?"
"What is it, Uiharu?"
"Are you sure you're supposed to be away from your chair?"
"Ahh, the uplifting joy that is requited love is enough to make me walk, nay, dance unfettered!"
At that the twin-tailed girl danced about some more, until, CRACK!
"AH! I suppose, I was, ahem, mistaken. Ouch."
"Do you need help?"
"I'm fine, Uiharu. Thank you though."
The gentle girl smiled and turned back to her work. It wasn't often that Kuroko sported a silly smile and talked to her for the sake of talking. Instead, the teleporter insisted on activities that would lead to further events: as worthy of her proclamation of living in the future.
"Kuroko is very happy today. Has something happened?"
Silence enveloped the room.
"Er, I mean, not that you have to answer!"
A sigh escaped from Kuroko's lips. It wasn't a "My goodness Uiharu can be so inconsistent sometimes" or even a "That Konori will kill me one day."
It was an "Onee-Sama" sigh.
"Oh, if only you knew, Uiharu, if only you knew. However, such memories are reserved for those that participated in the event."
"…alright. Just wondering."
Uiharu shook her head and went back to monitoring her computers. Sometimes normalcy would creep into the otherwise strange office but most of the time it changed like the weather. Actually, more like a hurricane's pattern of movement.
"How are we on the case?"
"Which case?"
"The case involving—"
A whirry of wheels and Kuroko was by her side.
"There's more than one?!"
"That's usually how it goes, Shirai-san…"
"Uiharu you're being unusually sassy today."
"Eh?! I mean, erm, I—"
"This calls for some JUDGMENT—"
"What are you two up to now?"
Kuroko stopped, although she still grasped Uiharu's collar forcibly. The sudden movement made her wince and she withdrew. "Saten." Uiharu gulped nervously. "Saten-san! Wha-Wha-What are you doing here?"
Saten moved through the corrider and smiled wickedly. "To see your underwear as usual, Ui—ha—ruuu~~~!" Then she sighed. "…is what I would like to do, but that Konori told me to have you guys meet her later on in the day."
"Eh? That's strange, she would've contacted me or Uiharu…are you sure she said that, specifically, Saten?" Kuroko was perplexed. Why on earth would Konori go in such a roundabout way for such a menial matter? Saten shrugged and flipped Uiharu's skirt in one smooth movement. "Beats me. She just told me and took off." Ignoring the two's comedy routine, Kuroko bit her thumb.
Could it be?
"Ah. Would any of you know where Misaka is?" Saten had stopped molesting Uiharu. "Huh? Well she has classes today…" The flower-adorned girl whirled in her chair and faced her computers. With a flick of her fingers security moniters appeared on each screen. Scanning them quickly, she uttered a small noise. "What is it Uiharu?"
"Misaka-chan…is not in any of her classes. No, she's not even in the school!"
"What? But, hey, this is normal, right? Sometimes she skips…"
Before the two girls could start fussing, Kuroko interrupted them with a forceful cough. "Ahem!" Uiharu and Saten whirled to face her. "I think…we have a situation on our hands. Saten-san, did Konori-sempai state the time and place for our 'meeting'?"
"Ah! She said 1:30 in the Library!"
"…this is not good. Uiharu!"
"H-H-Hai, Kuroko-chan?"
"I hope you're ready."
"F-F-For what?"
"The Queen."
The day had once been sunny, not a cloud in the sky, with a comfortable temperature and a breeze in case things got too hot. Unfortunately, even the weather could not help ease the cold feeling Uiharu and Kuroko possessed. They had left the office and Saten with strict orders to contact Judgment, and, in case, Anti-Skills should the "meeting" go awry.
Away from outside, the building had turned cold, dark, and gloomy. The Academy boasted many rooms and the Library was one of the most opulent. With books collected from far and wide, mainly informative books on anything you can imagine, it had a stately, calm mood. Mostly ojou-sama's and their cohorts lurked in the various reading rooms. No surprise, as one certain sector and its leader made the place their stomping grounds.
"Kuroko-chan, wah, I'm scared…"
"Do not worry, Uiharu, I'm here for you."
"But-But…you're injured!"
"No feeble injuries can bring down my spirit! Nonetheless, we must tread carefully. We are in shark-infested waters, after all."
"Who are you calling a shark?"
Startled by the sudden voice, Kuroko's hands flew to her hands, her mind already instantly calculating the location for the steel spikes. "Who is there?"
"Hey, don't answer a question with a question."
The two breathed quietly.
"Mi-Mi-Misaka-chan! What are you doing here?"
"Hmm? Oh, well, I was called out to go the library to get some reference materials. I've never been here before so it took me a while. Are you guys going over there?" Misaka walked out of the corridor towards the two. In an unexpected manner, Kuroko kept her hands on her thighs.
"Onee-Sama…"
"What is it Kuroko?"
"!"
With surprising speed, Kuroko whirled the wheelchair about and planted herself firmly beside Uiharu. "Kuroko-chan! What are you doing?"
"Uiharu! That is not Misaka!"
"What?"
Misaka, meanwhile, was walking ever so close. "What do you mean, Kuroko? Can't you tell its me?" Kuroko shook her head. "No. Ever since last night, I was thinking you were acting strange. I liked it, but, for some reason, I had a gut feeling that it was all too good to be true."
Misaka stopped and sighed. After that, she grinned. It wasn't like her usual grin. It was diabolical. "What are you talking about? Oh well, I guess the jig is up." With a snap of her fingers, Misaka disappeared. In her place, a girl with shoulder-length black hair and a Tokiwada uniform stood in her place.
Kuroko narrowed her eyes.
"I knew it."
"Hate to burst your bubble, but I made the switch this morning. I have no recollection or care for last night and whatever you and your dear Onee-Sama did." The girl replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Who are you?" Kuroko shot back, although her voice was tinged with relief. The special time last night was real~! Onee-Sama! But not now.
The girl snickered. "Oh yes I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Tsukino Miyabo. I am a first-year, just like you Kuroko-chan, at this illustrious academy. Any more dumb questions?"
Kuroko kept herself from slapping the god awful grin off of the Tsukino girl. "Why were you posing as my Onee-Sama? And with a horrible impersonation to boot. Are you really a shape-shifter? Methinks you should study more."
Tsukino's eyebrow twitched slightly. "Hmph. I told them that an impersonation of the Railgun would go horribly if YOU were around. If I am to study more, perhaps you should brush up on your arrogance! Big words from a mummy girl!" She flipped her hair. "…then again, my charitable words will go unheard, no doubt. You really are stubborn, just like everyone else says."
Kuroko chuckled. "Am I? Well, I am also a Judgment member in case you have heard. No doubt you've had—judging by the way you're covering your ears, they must be as big as an elephant's! Also, should I remind you that it is against school rules to use your powers on campus?"
Tsukino's face had turned red, for a moment, but retained to its former hue. "Shut it, ratgirl! And who really monitors the use of powers on and off campus?"
Another voice had entered the conversation.
"I do."
For once in her life, Kuroko was relieved at the sight of the Dorm Mother.
The tatic had worked against Tsukino and the Judgment pair continued their journey to the Library. "That was a close call, wasn't it? I was expecting that Miyabo girl to attack us!" Kuroko chortled. "Yes, but if she had more patience she would've done so! Unfortuanetly she was too hot and bothered about the words I said. What a crass girl!" While the twin-tailed girl laughed, Uiharu briefly thought, You are too.
They finally reached the library.
"Ah. Here it is. Uiharu, no matter what happens, remember that we have Saten on standby. I hate to go into anything reckless but for now we must do it." Uiharu began to say something but Kuroko began to mutter. "…but, you don't have to go in. It will be dangerous and I hate to put you in that type of situation."
Uiharu smiled and patted Kuroko's head affectionately. "Kuroko-chan, that would mean abandoning you! Don't worry! We'll finish whatever it is we have to do in here and go with Saten-chan and Misaka-chan to have some delicious parfaits! Okay? And maybe it won't be bad at all!"
Kuroko blushed. "Idiot! You don't know that for sure!"
She sighed. "Then again, your optimism is reassuring. Let's go in."
Uiharu nodded and began to open the door.
Light shone through the door. As expected, thought Kuroko, as the Queen would require proper lighting for her precious followers to read or whatever the hell they did in here. The air smelled musty. The smell of various perfumes combined with paper made for a nauseous experience. How could any of these girls study in such an indomitable place?!
"Kuroko-san. Uiharu-san. How nice of you to arrive."
Konori had turned from talking to a seated girl at a desk. She smiled but Kuroko quickly noticed the lack of light in her eyes. Here we go… "Konori-sempai! We've arrived a bit early, if that is alright!" Uiharu, in her way, smoothed the mood. I wonder if it has something to do with her powers, Kuroko speculated…
"Ah. It is fine, Uiharu. Punctuality is a strong point. Now that we are here, let us continue with our meeting. We also have a guest today…" Konori had stepped to the side so as to let the seated girl stand up. There was no mistaking her.
"Shokuhou Misaki."
"Nice to meet you, Kuroko-san, Uiharu-san."
The smirking blonde girl swept her hair back as she gave the underclassman condescending looks. She then turned to Konori. "Hey. Start the meeting." The Judgment member simply nodded and began to speak.
"It is under the recommendation of Shokuhou-san that the 177th Branch of Judgment turn their Jurisdiction and all, if any, research done upon the "Gemstone" incident last year."
"…Eh?"
"…um, Konori-sempai, there have been no leads or further research done upon that. And besides, isn't it over and done with? Everyone knows about the whole Gemstone theory and…"
"Wrong, flower-girl."
Uiharu startled, looked up in growing terror as Shokuhou walked towards her. The soft lace glove touched her chin, and Uiharu's head tipped upwards as the blonde girl made her look into her eyes. "Uiharu, was it?"
"H-H-Hai…"
"I've heard from Konori that you're quite the adept researcher and computer person, correct? What is it that you can do, exactly?"
"Oh, uh…"
Kuroko looked on, her anger growing more than ever. That damn cow! "Shokuhou…" The blonde girl narrowed her eyes and turned them towards Kuroko. "Please do not interrupt me." The golden eyes, despite their warm brightness, harnessed a terrifying power. Kuroko knew that Shokuhou's power effectively gave her control of anyone she happened to take a fancy to. Her power was called "Mental Out" and involved manipulating the human mind. Such as reading other people's memories, changing a person's personality by means of brainwashing, memory elimination, amplification of will, institution of illusions, and transplantation of emotions. In fact, Kuroko wasn't sure herself if she was thinking her own thoughts. But, compared to Uiharu, now, who was directly in front of the woman…
"Shokuhou-sempai, I'm not sure if you would call it research, but umm, I've read about different theories and speculations on the Web…I could summarize them in reports and send those in…if that's alright."
It took all of Kuroko's might not to put a metal spike through that annoying blonde's head. While Uiharu's helpful suggestion was very much in character, Kuroko could glimpse stars in her eyes. To manipulate such a well-meaning girl…she would've given you the research without having to do that!
"What a sweet girl. Konori, take her out for sweets sometime."
And with that the Queen released her hold and Uiharu returned. She gulped and looked about. "Wha-What just happened?"
"Nothing. I believe that was all that was needed of us."
"Who says we're finished?"
Shokuhou had taken a sickening, sweet expression and was smiling at Kuroko. "Kuroko, you wouldn't happen to know about the 'Stargate Project, now would you?" The twin-tailed girl grinned.
"Nope. Can't say I do."
Shokuhou's façade briefly dimmed but it returned to its false brilliance. "That's too bad. I guess someone like you wouldn't have the capabilities to understand such a project in the first place. If that's the case, perhaps I shall keep these two for myself while you alone can deal with the usual, petty cases."
"You-!"
"Calm down this is hardly the place to raise one's voice." Shokuhou sighed and kneeled before Kuroko. "Come now, isn't there something you want? All I want is some information and nothing more. If you raise such a fuss I may be forced to do…certain things."
"If you are to be some genius or something, I'm not seeing it. Its not that hard to find stuff for yourself, go on Google."
"…you really are a feisty girl."
Suddenly, Shokuhou's hand snaked towards Kuroko's leg, and begin to stroke it. "What are you doing?" Kuroko questioned, trying to maintain her composure.
"You love Misaka-chan don't you?"
"I'm not afraid of voicing my wants."
"Ah, well, that is true, but…"
Shokuhou was now playfully drumming her hands on her thighs. "…you have not had much success with Misaka-chan returning those feelings, correct?" Kuroko smirked. "Mmph. Being in Onee-Sama's presence is sufficient for me."
The lace-covered hands then extended towards Kuroko's shoulders with a cloying and uncomfortably soft touch. Shokuhou leaned towards Kuroko's face until her mouth was near her ear.
"I could give you all of her."
With that statement, Shokuhou moved backwards quickly and regained her position besides Konori. "Think about it." She then snapped her fingers and Konori blinked, her eyes returning to a normal hue. "Wha—the library? Uiharu, Kuroko—"
She stopped and composed herself. "C-C-Come, we must return to the office now." With that, the usually stern Konori wheeled the two girls out of the library with a quick desperation. Meanwhile Shokuhou stood there, her face the very picture of the cat that ate several canaries in quick succession.
"WAIT!"
The shout reverberated throughout the whole library and stopped the feeling Judgment members. "Kuroko, what are you—"
Konori stopped as the wheelchair was suddenly empty. The sound of something falling made her turn around. Kuroko had teleported out of her chair and was now in front of the Queen. Uiharu gasped. "Kuroko-!"
"What is it Kuroko?"
"You—you really are as stupid as I thought you were." The Queen stiffened. "Heh, no wonder you're so strong with your ability—it's the only thing you got going for you besides your vapid appearance. You're so confident in your ability you lack in others as well. You're not smart, just a cunning liar. You can't even provide for yourself so you command others. I could go on and on about your falling-outs but that's tiring in itself." Kuroko stamped her foot and Konori could glimpse slight blood bleeding through a bandage around her ankle.
"Are you finished?"
"Nope. I just want to say one more thing."
"I don't need any of your stupid tricks to 'have' Onee-Sama. And you are stupid for thinking I want to do that. Onee-Sama is her own person not some pawn to control! If you want to hurt her, you have to go through me first! And believe me, you will not be walking away without some injuries!" Kuroko huffed and teleported back into the wheelchair.
"That was a nice display. But if I am to be dumb, then you are—"
"I'm sorry did you say something?"
"!"
The Queen's face darkened. "You insolent girl! You have no idea who you're dealing with! Kuroko turned around. "I do know. I'm dealing with a Level 5 IDIOT."
All at once, the library was silent. Even the dropping of several books seemed quiet to the incredible insult. The Queen was quivering until she looked up. Her eyes, once warm with false promise, were burning with fury. "Kuroko Shirai…when I'm done with you, your only memory of this school will be the regret that you made that statement." With that she turned and disappeared into the depths of the library, followed by some of the students.
"…Kuroko-chan."
"Hmm, what is it?
"Do you have any idea what you've just SAID?!"
"I spoke Truth."
"Kuroko-san, you just snubbed the Queen!"
"She deserved it."
Konori, who had been quite up until now, barked an order. "Lets head up the office and talk further. To stay in the lion's den now would even be more foolish that taunting it!" With that, she hurriedly pushed the wheelchair towards the exit.
TO BE CONTINUED