CH 14

Going back to class, Kanae's first class was an introduction to the year. Diseases and ailments was going to be their first topic. Yippee, that was going to be fun. Kanae and Randy bought their books at the 'book swap' and had their schedules. The nice thing about buying used books was others had already highlighted things and added notes along the sides of important things.

On their way to lunch, Nancy found them. Coming up to them she firmly said, "Kanae, I need to talk to you. Alone."

Kanae nodded. "Randy, hon, go on, I'll catch up."

He nodded and went on his way. Nancy led Kanae over in between a couple buildings, out of sight. She paced back and forth, then said, "No one's bothering me. What has me upset is something I learned."

"I take it what ya learned hit ya hard?" Kanae guessed.

Nancy let out a snort. "It did. I mean I never, in my wildest dreams thought you were involved in that convention massacre." Only after she got it out did she realize what she just said.

Firmly, Kanae asked, "Where' ya hear that?"

Nervously, Nancy shrugged "I can't say, but…"

"No!" Kanae snapped. "Nancy, tell me where you heard that from."

Nancy gapped at her. "It's just I had a hard time finding that out. I'm sorry." She went to leave and found herself pinned to the wall.

Casting her a hard look, Kanae said, "Nancy, this is important. Where'd ya hear that? I ain't letting ya go till ya tell me."

Nancy swallowed hard. She felt something holding her in place. She just knew Kanae was doing it. Tears brimmed in her eyes. "I, won't tell anyone, I swear!"

"I ain't playin round wit this. Where did you hear that Nancy," Kanae asked, staring at her. "I gotta know, now."

Nancy swallowed. A tear dripped from her eye.

Slowly, Kanae said, "You're one of the last people I'd ever wanna hurt. But yer gonna tell me where ya heard that. I'm askin ya not ta make me force it outta ya."

Shuddering in fear, Nancy said, "This guy had some events he said happened. He showed them to me. One read about this watcher guy, MH, saw you and your mother leave the convention center. Inside everyone was dead, blood all over the place."

"What guy?" Kanae asked sternly.

"I don't know his name! He didn't tell me."

"What did he look like? Where'd he show you these things?"

"Tall, dark hair trimmed up nice, he took me into his apartment. I was following him and he somehow got behind me."

Kanae rubbed her forehead. "OK, where's his apartment?"

"1008 College Drive, third floor, first on the left, left side of the stairs. I don't remember the number," Nancy said weakly. "Please don't hurt me."

Kanae sighed. Nancy looked terrified. She let Nancy go and hugged her. "I ain't gonna hurt ya. He was trying ta recruit ya, wasn't he?"

"He said someone has to record history." Nancy explained. "I …"

"I doan think yer cut out fer doin that," Kanae said. She let Nancy go and cupped her cheeks. "Yer way too emotional. Not that that's a bad thing, but it takes someone who's much tougher ta be a watcher. Aye, I know bout'em. I'm sure I kin tell ya who MH is. Just know, there are bad people out there that cause pain and injury, even death to others that the law can't stop. That's when we're called to stop'em. Doan git involved nay more, promise me."

Nancy sniffled. "I promise. What I read, was that true?"

Kanae offered her a smile. "Nay matters. What does matter is ya can't handle it. I'll go explain it to'em. He'll nay bother ya again."

"You aren't going to kill him, are you?"

Kanae snorted out a chuckle. "We'll see. Just ferget the whole thing, OK?"

Nancy nodded. "I'll try," she said weakly. "I was just shocked you can kill people."

Kanae patted her shoulder. "Only the bad ones. Sorry ya got involved." Kanae turned to leave.

"Kanae," Nancy said quickly, "Doesn't it bother you … what you do?"

Kanae offered her a brief grin. "Aye, but no one else kin do it. Someone has ta protect the innocents."

Nancy watched her go. She wandered off to her swim practice. Anne met her on the way, grinning. "Hey Nancy, I saw someone hugging in between buildings. Sure you and Kanae aren't getting close?"

Nancy noted the smirk on her face. "I feel sorry for Kanae. She's such a nice person, but she has to do horrible things to help others. I wish she could just be the good doctor she wants to be."

"What does she have to do?"

Nancy replied, "You really don't want to know."

.

After school, Kanae found the apartment. She slipped the lock and went in. No one was home. Seeing that she settled down on the couch to wait. She was there long enough to get sleepy and start to drift off. Hearing the door open, she perked up. She saw who came in.

"So, it's you Adam," Kanae said.

Stopping upon seeing her, Methos smiled. "Ah, Kanae. Since you're sleeping on my couch, I take it there's something you want to speak to me about?"

"There is," she said and got up. "Heard you're tryin ta recruit a transgender named Nancy inta the watchers. Doan know why yer doin it, but I kin tell ya, she can't handle it. She's been havin a tough time lately cause of ya. Leave her alone."

Methos sat down, eyeing her. "And you know this how?" he asked.

"That doan matter. If she breaks down again cause of ya, I'll be back an it woan be a social visit." Kanae stated. "Ya got me?"

Methos nodded. "I do. Apparently I misjudged her."

"Apparently," Kanae agreed then left. She had to get home, she was sure Randy was wondering where she was.

Going back down the stairs to leave, she saw Nancy coming up. She waved to her. "Wasted trip lass," Kanae said.

Nancy stopped and looked up. "Kanae? You didn't … hurt him did you?"

"Nay, he got the message," Kanae assured her. "He woan be wantin ya fer nothing else."

Meeting on the landing, Nancy whispered, "There is one thing I found out you need to know. There is this very old immortal who's a real brute! He's killed countless people and enjoys killing."

"Who's this?"

"His name is Methos. I looked up the Four Horsemen, I think that refers to the Four Horsemen in the Bible. He is very dangerous," Nancy stated.

Kanae raised an eyebrow. "He told you that?"

"He has an encounter listed about when Duncan met Methos." Nancy said firmly.

Kanae suppressed a grin. "Wow. I'm surprised he showed you that."

"He was trying to warn me."

Kanae snorted out a chuckle. "More like I think he was testing you. You don't want to get involved with him, trust me on this."

"A JD wrote about the encounter," Nancy stated.

Kanae nodded. "Joe Dawson. I know him. And this guy up there never told you who he was, did he?"

"No."

Kanae chuckled. She asked, "Do you know why Methos became involved with the watchers?"

"He did?"

"Yes, to make sure no one ever finds him," Kanae said and giggled. "He took on another name and became a good watcher to ensure very few people know anything at all about him. He's spent years looking for himself."

The way she was giggling, Nancy said, "You know him."

"Aye, and if ya wanna git back at him fer putting ya though a bad time, start recording his life. I know a watcher who'd be very glad to git some information on him."

"You want me to record Methos? That could be very dangerous!" Nancy cried.

Hearing someone at the top of the stairs, they turned to look. Kanae waved, "Hey Adam, If ya want Nancy here ta record someone, how bout if she records the life of Methos? Wouldn't that be fun?"

Adam looked to the sides. He glowered at Kanae briefly. "I was coming to see Nancy there and let her know she's not suitable for the task I had for her."

Kanae put on a big smile. "Aww, darn! Hokay, Nancy, it appears Adam doesn't want you any more. See ya round, Adam."

Nancy began putting the pieces of the conversation together. Her jaw dropped. She looked up at 'Adam' and said, "Sorry I can't be of help," then fled after Kanae.

Catching up the Kanae out the door, Nancy walked beside her on the street. "By what you said, was THAT Methos?"

Kanae shrugged. "Could be. Ya do have ta know lass, people change when they git older. Think about someone who's lived and seen everytin since the Bronze age. Maybe Methos has changed so much that he's nothing like he was way back then?"

"Yeah, but was that Methos?" Nancy asked.

Kanae grinned. "That was Adam Pierson. Had ta prod'im with something since he got ya all upset. I don't think he'll bother wit ya nay more. Probably will move on fore the week's out."

"You're not going to tell me."

"Ya doan need ta know lass."

They walked back to Kanae's house together. Coming towards them, Anne and a few of her friends were coming and saw them. Anne beamed, "Hey Nancy, Kanae. Having a good time?"

Nancy replied. "Hi, Anne, we were just out for a bit."

"Had ta see a friend, but he wasn't very sociable," Kanae explained.

"A man?" Anne prodded.

"Aye, I'm sure he is," Kanae said as they passed. She didn't know why they giggled at that.

The house was coming along fine. The outside was done. Bill and Randy were down in the cellar, putting up walls for rooms. Tracy had finished the last touchups on the new paint. The house was looking much better now. Kanae and Nancy went downstairs to help the boys put up the paneling sheets. Nancy left before dinnertime and did let Bill know the place was looking much better.

This year students were encouraged to take on more electives. Proper modern identifiers for people, Kanae decided against. Same with how to be politically correct, modern political studies, and race relations. None of them did anything to help her be a doctor. She knew Cameron like ballet, and thinking that would be fun, she took that course. Since she was taking Ballet, gymnastics also seemed to fit. She figure a couple more classes during the week wasn't going to hurt her schedule any. Meeting Randy, he winced at her electives and took history and Science electives. For her course selections, she did need to get a set of tights and a gym outfit.

Medical school began with sexually transmitted diseases. Even the decryptions and what they did if untreated were yucky, as were the stages of each disease, which mostly ended in death. Kanae felt she needed a shower just hearing about them. A second class showed picture of what each of these looked like in their different stages. Yup, that was worse.

After the last class, Randy and Kanae split up to go to their elective class for the day. Kanae's was in the Gym, sneakers, T-shirt and shorts. They did limbering exercises, then practice flips and hand stands. A few brave girls that did good handstands took on the cartwheels. By then that class was over. They had some free time in the Gym, but Kanae knew it was getting later so she headed out to see if Randy was done yet.

He came out of the building, also not the happiest. Frowning at Kanae, he said, "I got more studying to do."

Kanae grinned at him. Well I have to concentrate on me hand stands and do a good cartwheel. I was told I need to limber up."

Randy grew a grin. "Can I watch?"

"If you want."

Although Kanae wasn't eager about the floor exercises they did, she loved seeing the graceful ballet moves. The whole first session was again, stretching out and learning about 'dynamic tension'. She could drop forward and bend herself in half to grab her ankles and face plant into them. Bending back over backwards to look behind her upside down wasn't that easy though. She fell down the first time she tried it. Again, she'd have to practice.

Thursday she got a call from the hospital. They had a bad stroke patient in, time was critical. She rushed there and went in the emergency room. An older man had a paralyzing stroke and they had the X-rays. Kanae sat beside him and concentrating, slowly cleared his blood vessels. By the time she was done, she was exhausted. The man's wife and his son were there to shower their thanks on her. It was late by now. Kanae went home and plopped into bed. She stayed awake long enough to give Randy a kiss, then she was out.

In Medical school, more yucky diseases, and this time when she went to Gym, she did manage to do a few cartwheels and a spin in the air along a narrow strip of floor. Stretching out more, she did do a little better in ballet too. They even did a few simple moves. Yay, she was getting it.

Kanae was seeing a correlation between the Gymnastics and Ballet. Both required to be supple and the ability to move freely. While Gymnastics was more 'get it done', Ballet focused on grace of movement and a flowing form. She was really liking ballet. She did pick some pointers.

She learned not to show Randy how she could walk on her hands outside the Gym in her shirt and skirt. The same with a graceful spin that flung her skirt out in a disk. Don't do it in public, boys took notice. She got cheered, but felt embarrassed when she figured out why they were cheering. At least she had her undies on.

The next Wednesday she got another call from the hospital. Another older woman in dire need of help they couldn't operate on. Like the first one was, she had may ailments and was in danger of dying. She went that day, to find 'Mizz' Bower again had extensive cancer in her system and was dangerously thin.

Sitting by the woman, Kanae said, "You have to eat, you're being fed through an IV, but you need real food."

The white haired woman frowned at her. "My looks are everything. I can't get fat!"

"You're not fat, your very underweight," Kanae explained. "That is only doing harm with the cancer you have."

"How old are you?" the woman asked eyeing her. "Besides your strange looks I bet you're not even a doctor!"

Evenly, Kanae said, "Right, I'm not a doctor, but I can get your cancer out if you cooperate with me."

The woman scowled at the doctor at the foot of the bed. "Get this wanna be out of here! If she touches me, I'll sue!"

The doctor coughed. "Kanae, can I see you out here in the hall?"

Kanae let out a huff and got up. "Your funeral," she told the woman.

"GET OUT!"

Kanae went into the hallway. "If she doesn't want your help, the she doesn't. We can't make her do anything." he said sadly.

"I know. I'm really sorry," Kanae replied.

He cast her a brief smile. "We do what we can."

Kanae found out that by Sunday, the woman had died. Well, so much for stubborn people.

One thing Kanae was having a hard time with was staying, 'en pointe' on her tiptoes. She finally figured out to expand the tip of her foot with her mind, then she could stay en pointe as much as she wanted. The leaps were a bit easier also. She could even do a spin and not fall down when she landed. She began to look up other ballet moves.

In Gym, when they graduated to the balance beam with floor padding, she was fairly confident on that, just feeling where the beam was with her mind to be sure she was landing on it.

Before the fall break, the ballet class was going to have a recital. If they felt good enough to do it, each girl could make a routine, a song and make up their dance to it, that would be videoed so they could share it with their parents.

Kanae agreed to do a routine, paid her ten bucks for the video and began planning.

That night, after their medical studies, Randy studied his history and Kanae worked at making her dance routine. So as not to disturb Randy, she listened to music with her headphones on. What was suggested was Mozart era classical music. She wanted to do something a little more modern and upbeat.

Looking up songs to dance to, she perked up at one. It was upbeat, kinda told a story and it was a good solid beat. Listening to the music, she tried to visualize moves to match the music. It started slower and mellow, then burst into a frenzy of music. She loved it. Now she just had to match the moves to the music. Going step by step she began to build her routine.

Passing their tests on those yucky diseases, they learned more and medicines used to combat those diseases and how they worked. Kanae was also getting her routine down and going over it for any flaws to ensure the dance matched the song. On one ballet afternoon, she stayed late just to practice it with their instructor watching to see if she was doing anything wrong. Her instructor called and yelled, "Bravo, Miss Kimukura, bravo! That was wonderful!"

Kanae smiled and gave a ballet bow, arms curved out and back. "So is there anything I did wrong? Did a miss the beat somewhere?"

Grinning happily, she woman said, "Not that I saw. Your perform that well at the recital, and I'm going to recommend you to a real Ballet troupe! I did notice one little thing. Instead of a hat, use red ribbons in your hair and on your wrists, I think that would make your dance perfect."

OK ribbons. She was sure she could figure that out.

The recital was on a Saturday. Kanae was a bit nervous, but beside Randy, Tracy, Bill and maybe Nancy coming to see her, she wasn't that nervous.

What she didn't know was Nancy told the whole swim team, Randy and Tracy had told all their friends and those friends told other that that girl that showed off her great legs by doing a handstand outside and those spins, was dancing.

That night, Two other girls did their dances and got some applause before it was her turn on stage.

.

Randy heard the announcement, "Next up is Kanae Kikumura." He perked up.

The music started slower as Kanae came on stage with the fluffy ribbons they had taped to her horns to hide them and tied to her wrists. The two foot ribbon ends trailed lazily behind her

First there nothing but a slow glowing dream
That your fear seems to hide deep inside your mind
All alone I have cried silent tears full of pride
In a world made of steel. Made of stone

Kanae's flowing movements picked up the pace some.

Well I hear the music, close my eyes' feel the rhythm
Wrap around it takes hold of my heart

Kanae the exploded into motion in faster, smooth dance moves.

What a feelin, being's believing
I can have it all, now I'm dancing for my life
Take your passion, make it happen!
Pictures come alive you can dance right through your life

Moving across the stage spinning on the tips of her toes, making those ribbons fly out with her every move. Randy sat in awe of the beautiful scene before him. Kanae was moving fast in her dance, but also maintaining the graceful movements as well.

Now I hear the music, close my eyes, I am rhythm
In a flash it take hold of my heart

What a feelin! Being's believin'
I can have it all, now I'm dancing for my life
Take your passion, make it happen!
Pictures come alive I can dance right through my life

"Damn," a guy next to him breathed. When the instrumental came up, Kanae leaped and spun with the heavy drum beats in perfect unison. All Randy could do was stare at Kanae in her dance. Her perfect moves, those flowing ribbons, she was beauty in motion. At the end when the music stopped, she dropped to kneel one leg under her on her toes, chest on her knee, her other leg stretched out behind her, her arms back and curved.

Randy stood up cheered and clapped hard as the audience exploded in applause, all rising with him. Hoots and yells of joy. It kept going as an instructor came out. Kanae got up and bowed to the audience twice during the applause.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Kanae Kikumura and her rendition of Flash Dance!"

The applause roared on a little longer. Kanae fairy danced off stage, giving a final wave and a cartwheel out of sight. That even kept the applause up and screams of "ENCORE!"

Kanae wanted to go out there, but she was exhausted from her dance. At least they liked it. She was also just realizing now that the seats all looked full. She had danced to a full house.

.

After the recital, Kanae expected to see Randy waiting for her at the side door. With normal shoes on and a light rain coat over her dance uniform, she went out to see Randy and three others waiting with him.

Randy gave a fist with a thumbs up. "Great Job Kanae!" he beamed.

"Very well done indeed!" a brown haired woman with glasses said with a smile. "That was a high energy dance and your timing looked perfect!"

The smaller slim blonde beside her said, "Couldn't have done better myself."

"Can you repeat that performance?" A dark haired man in a suit asked.

Kanae stopped and eyed them, "And who are you?" she asked.

"Name's Ben Wakefield," the man said, "I own the local ballet troupe, This women here is Marsha Keller, the manager and choreographer. and the dancer here is Tammy Jenkins, she's our top performer. We came to this recital to see if there was anyone worth paying attention to. You, Miss Kikumura demanded our attention."

"Um, thanks," Kanae replied as she stepped up to grasp Randy's hand.

Marsha asked, "Did you use a pre made routine for that dance?"

"Made it up myself," Kanae replied. "I just listened to the music and figured out what moves to use where. By the sound of the crowd, I don't think I did too badly."

"It was damn near perfect," Tammy told her. "It also must have been hard to keep up that frantic pace you set."

Kanae grinned, "Wasn't easy, our instructor told me to add the ribbons. She said it would make the routine look a little better."

"You instructor was right," Marsha agreed. She then studied Kanae's head. "How are those held on? You're not wearing a head band."

"They're taped on. Randy did that for me."

"Taped on? To what?" Tammy asked, eyeing her.

"You didn't tape them into your hair, did you?" Marsha asked.

Standing behind them, Nancy beamed, "You taped them to your horns, didn't you!"

The three in front of Kanae turned to glare at Nancy. "Not funny!" Tammy said firmly.

"Umm, actually, I did." Kanae said sheepishly.

"What?" Marsha asked as the all turned back to eye her.

Tammy eyed her head closer and raised an eyebrow. "You got horns?"

Kanae bent her head down and pointed to a horn. "Go ahead."

Tammy reached up and felt the ribbon, she wiggled it, Kanae's head moved with the motion. Tammy then pulled the ribbon up enough to see the bone underneath. "My God, she does have horns on her head!"

"At least they aren't down by her ears," Randy said, then shrugged when everyone looked at him.

"Kanae is really special," Nancy said. "But she has to keep her horns covered up so people don't pick on her."

Ben asked, "Can't you see a doctor about having them removed?"

"Nay!" Kanae said, surprised at the suggestion. "There's brain matter up in there. They ain't a DNA malfunction, I'm an elf. Elves have horns."

"You're an elf?" Marsha asked, not believing it. "Is your mother an elf too?"

"She is."

"Her mother is the most famous Elf on the planet," Randy said firmly. "Ever heard of Kaede Kikumura?"

"The Witch is your mother?" Marsha asked.

Kanae nodded. "Aye. So, you liked me dancin?" she asked, hoping to get off the subject of her heritage.

Ben chuckled. "We do. Would you be interested on joining our troupe?"

Kanae winced. "I'm kinda real busy tween college, helpin out at the hospital and doin … other jobs."

"It is a paid position to be a dancer in our troupe, we are a professional company," Ben explained. "What do you do at the hospital?"

"I'm an on-call surgeon at a couple hospitals now. They call me if they have a case they can't deal with," Kanae explained.

"She's saved three people's lives so far," Randy added.

"Wait, if you're a surgeon, are you going back to college?" Marsha asked.

"Nay, being an elf, I can naturally, umm, fix people doctors can't." Kanae said with a shrug.

"Kanae took an inoperable brain tumor out of a guy's head in the classroom," Randy told them. "That was something to see. She made it run out of his ear. I also know that old woman who was filled with cancer, she got the hardest cancer out of her and found more the doctors didn't know about. Kanae saved her life."

"That is more important than dancing," Tammy said.

"I dance 'cause it's fun," Kanae said. "I nay thought bout doin it professional like. Or have the time to do so."

Nancy said, "Kanae is the fastest swimmer I know, but she can't join the swim team, she's already too busy to commit to it."

"I am. Sorry guys, but I really can't," Kanae said with a wince.

"Damn shame," Ben said.

"Agreed," Marsha echoed. "How's this, I'll give you our schedule, and if you can make a performance, call me."

"I kin nay promise nothin," Kanae told her.

"That's fine, just call me if you can." Marsha dug a paper out of her purse and handed it over.

Kanae took it with a, "Thank ya lass. I gotta git goin."

"Then have a good day, and don't forget about us!" Marsha said.

Kanae and Randy waved to them and headed up the end isle to leave. Standing at the end of a row of seats, a young Japanese woman was watching them come towards her. Her eyes widened and she stepped back as they got closer. Figuring she was in school here like everyone else, Kanae waved to her as she and Randy passed by. The woman just watched her.