Agents of HIME
Guns
Natsuki Kuga wanted to think of herself as a normal, twenty something young woman.
A gun in each hand Natsuki blazed away, running through each clip in moments, She lowered them as her spotter yelled out, "Guns down!"
"Ugh," Natsuki sighed as she put the safeties on then sat the guns on the table.
The spotter collected the targets and blinked. "Holy crap," she muttered.
"What?" Natsuki asked, though she suspected the answer.
"Not perfect bullseyes," the spotter muttered, "but all in the center circles. How...?"
Natsuki sighed. "I have a knack..." she shrugged.
Yes, Natsuki wanted to be 'normal.' Sadly, she had a talent with guns. Especially hand guns. Put a pistol in her hand, she could hit a target, even with a unfamiliar weapon.
And HIME, of course, was interested.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"So, Miss Saeko. How is your new position working out?" Shizuru asked mildly as they met in her office.
Saeko Kuga gave her a look that could be best described as wary. "Quite well," she admitted, "now that First District aren't trying to steal my work."
"Your 'universal cure.' I hadn't thought such a thing was possible," Shizuru noted. "Is it true you tested it on your daughter?" she asked disapprovingly.
Saeko gave her a flat look. "They injured my daughter, quite seriously. The only option I had at the time was the serum," she said.
"Yet after that she was stuck in cryogenic suspension," Shizuru said. "Why?" she asked.
"The serum, basically, encourages much faster healing and cell growth," Saeko said with a sigh. "What else has rapid, uncontrolled cell growth?"
"What?" Shizuru asked.
"Cancer," Saeko said flatly.
Shizuru paled. "Oh dear," she said quietly. "Is that why you asked us to keep her here under observation?" she asked.
"So far, there's been no complications. But I was rushed trying the serum on a human being, and we don't KNOW what could happen," Saeko admitted. "It should have been tested ten years from now... if not longer."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"Hiii!" the tall, somewhat gangly woman waved.
"Uh, hi. This is where the unarmed combat test is...?" Natsuki had to ask.
The taller black haired woman with spikey hair smiled, "Yes, I'm your tester, Mikoto. Nice to meet you." Cheerfully she continued, "Now, you have no unarmed training, right?"
"Other than a self defense class when I was younger," Natsuki admitted.
"And you're awful with knives, apparently," Mikoto added teasingly.
Natsuki rolled her eyes. She had tested both in attacking and defending with mock, rubber knives and apparently she was awful at it. She couldn't attack or parry worth a damn. Tho weirdly she could throw them really accurately...
"Okay," Mikoto said as she put on padded gloves and made Natsuki don safety gear, "I want you to try to attack me."
"Do I HAVE to?" Natsuki sighed.
"Or I could attack you if you want," Mikoto shrugged.
Deciding THAT was a bad idea, Natsuki kicked out at Mikoto.
Now, Mikoto Minagi was used to having a huge advantage in a fight. Being raised by your crazy Grandfather in combat since you could walk tends to DO that. But she was still faintly surprised by how FAST Natsuki could move. Mind you she telegraphed the kick and Midori could dodge easily, but she was fast...
Natsuki, on the other hand, was ALSO marvelling at how fast Mikoto was. Her punches and kicks weren't even coming close to landing.
Finally Mikoto stepped back, "Okay, we're done."
"Well that sucked," Natsuki panted.
"Actually you have a lot of potential," Mikoto congratulated her.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Shizuru watched Saeko go, then returned to her desk.
Her next apointment arrived in just a few minutes later, the attractive young woman pushed in in her wheelchair.
"Welcome, Mashiro-san," Shizuru nodded to HIME's financial sponsor.
Mashiro Kazahana nodded politely. Behind her came Fumi, her bodyguard and manservant. Shizuru always felt vaguely nervous around Fumi... while she was confident in her own skills, she knew Fumi could probably kill her with ease.
"How did your meeting with Kuga-san go?" Mashiro asked.
"Fairly well. She is, obviously, unwilling to immediately start testing her serum on humans," Shizuru informed her.
"I see," Mashiro nodded. "Are the test results THAT bad?" she asked.
"So far, all the animal test subjects have died of pseudo-cancer other than Natsuki heself," Shixuu told her.
"Ugh," Mashiro made a face. "I need that serum," she gestured to her useless legs.
"You also need to be cancer free, mistress," Fumi noted mildly.
Mashiro nodded reluctantly. "What does she think of Natsuki joining HIME as a agent?" she changed the subject a bit.
"She's not thrilled, but Natsuki clearly can't just try to return to a normal life, now," Shizuru noted. "And she IS skilled," she added.
District One was still out there, even though HIME had hit them hard in destroying their main headquarters. Their leaders wanted Saeko and her serum, and would obviously go after Natsuki too. Her returning to a un-guarded life was impossible, for now.
"So we'll use her as a agent and guard her. And if needed she can be leverage for us to push Saeko for results," Mashiro said, smiling coldly.
Shizuru restrained herself from commenting on THAT.
"How is the Suzushiro operation going?" Mashiro asked.
"Rena and Nao have hit three of the five locations. Should be done in a few days," Shizuru told her. "So far, no one has figured out they're not who they seem..."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"AAAAAAH!" the woman in the passenger's seat wailed.
Natsuki grinned as the battered jeep wove through the traffic cones. "Oh calm down, it's not THAT bad," she chided.
"Slow down a bit, at least," Aoi Senou complained.
"Yeah, yeah," Natsuki eased off the gas a bit.
The driver test course was a fairly standard route. You had to do various driving maneuvers between rows of cones, and if you knocked them down you lost points on your final score. All fairly simple and straight forward.
Aoi, however, hadn't expected that Natsuki would be so daring and just floor it through parts of the course. She also REALLY liked drifting through the corners.
"Eeeep!" Aoi clutched the dashboard as they went sideways through a turn.
"Heh," Natsuki grinned and floored it down another straightaway.
"Mommmmy..." Aoi wailed once more.
They pulled up to the finish line, where a visibly amused Chie Harada was waiting. "Nicely done," she said, checking the stopwatch, "50 seconds for three laps. That may be a new record."
"Don't compliment her!" Aoi complained. "That was terrifying."
Chie patted her girlfriend on the back. "There, there," she comforted her.
Aoi sighed and relaxed a bit. "How did she do on the cones?" she asked.
"Only knocked down five," Chie noted. "Not a record, but pretty good."
"I'd do better on a motorcycle," Natsuki noted mildly.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"So, what do you think? Can she be a effective agent?" Shizuru asked the group, somewhat later that day.
"I'll certify her for markmanship," Elliot Chandler, the spotter who worked with Natsuki noted. "Her pistol scores, especially, are remarkable."
"She sucks with blades," Kyouko Shimabuki, the trainer for knives and swords said, "but that isn't necessarily a hinderance for a agent."
Mikoto added, "She's completely untrained in hand-to-hand, but she is very fast and agile. Give me some time to work with her she should manage fine."
"She scared the piss out of Aoi," Chie noted cheerfully, "but she's a very good driver. She just needs to be drilled on evasion and combat driving."
"All right," Shizuru nodded, "we'll touch up her training, then discuss it next month."
To be continued...
Notes: Mashiro is much less nice than in anime canon. On the other hand, she IS running a mercenary group so. Heh.
Five
Nao Yuki vamped it up a bit as she strode across the office of a Suzushiro company. She knew that Rena was working on the computers, and wanted the various men paying attention to her instead. The 'business woman' outfit she was wearing was really pretty modest, but Nao was curvy, and knew how to strut.
There was a loud thump as one badly distracted worker literally walked into a support beam for the roof.
Nao just smiled as she carried the coffee cups over. "Your coffee, ma'am," she murmured to Rena Sayers.
"Bad, bad girl," Rena snickered softly.
Nao just looked innocent, as if she had no intention to cause a small riot. "Anything else I can get you' ma'am?" she asked mildly.
Rena smiled back faintly as she ordered, "Man the other station for now. We still need to upload the files."
They had been posing as efficiency experts, visiting various branches of Suzushiro Company's corporate empire. Covertly they had been planting trojan horse programs, to determine who in the company was responsible for the smuggling that Haruka had discovered.
Nao knew enough to upload the commands, and to LOOK capable. The fake glasses she wore also helped, giving her a 'sexy but nerdy' look. As most of the guys they were dealing with were thirty years old and up, they found both her and Rena fascinating.
"Miss Rena," Masashi Takeda smiled, the former jock having been assigned as a liason to them. "Is there anything we can do to assist?"
"We've nearly finished," Rena smiled back at him mildly.
Nao noticed him trying to look down her top, but pretended not to see. "Thank you for ALL your help," Nao purred, drawing his attention away from Rena's work.
"Uhm, yes...," Takeda blushed.
Nao got up, her long legs in stockings also drawing views. "I can't remember, where was the cafeteria again...?" she asked him.
"I'll take you there!" Takeda instantly volunteered.
Rena hid a chuckle even as she finished uploading the trojan. God men could be stupid when a sexy woman shook her ass at them... With everyone distracted she finished up the 'covert' part of her job, then faked up a good looking system analyst report.
"Mr Ishigami, good work," Rena shook hands with the regional head as she added, "I was very impressed."
"Thank you," Wataru Ishigami said respectfully. Hopefully he added, "Are you staying nearby? We could do dinner."
Rena smiled warmly, "Sorry. We're on a tight schedule..."
With apologies she escaped the slightly oily businessman, then Rena headed downstairs to meet with Nao. The redhead was carrying her briefcase, and the two headed outside to where their BMW was waiting for them.
"Ladies," Erstin Ho smiled respectfully, the driver starting up the car as they climbed in.
"That's the last time I have to shake my ass as a distraction?" Nao asked as they drove away from the office tower.
"I did offer to just have you be my girl friday," Rena pointed out.
"What can I say, it's fun making guy's brains turn off," Nao admitted.
"Hotel, or...?" Erstin asked as she drove, along with keeping an eye out for anyone attempting to follow them.
"Hotel," Rena decided, "the trojan commands should be opening on Suzushiro's systems and our computer experts can find out who helped the smugglers."
The hotel was part of a chain, one owned through holding companies by Mashiro Kazahana of HIME. They checked in under assumed names, then went up to the suites they were booked into. Erstin had a single, Rena and Nao were in a double, and all the rooms had connecting doors if they needed to flee quickly.
"Ah, thank goodness," Nao immediately unsnapped her skirt, letting it drop to the floor, then shrugged out of her top.
"Eeep!" Erstin covered her eyes.
"Nao," Rena scolded as the other woman changed into sweats. She dialed up HIME, using a special secured phone.
"Hey," Chie Harada answered cheerfully. They exchanged codes, making sure the phone hadn't been stolen or Rena was being coerced.
"We've planted the programs at the required systems," Rena reported.
"All right!" Chie said eagerly, "We'll have our team sort the data and study the internal shipments. Once we match the criminal shipments, we can find out who ordered what."
"Keep me informed," Rena answered, then they hung up.
"I'm surprised they couldn't do it on their own," Nao mused, sitting in a chair.
Erstin tentatively offered, "I think they could, but doing so officially might alert whomever they're looking for."
"Pretty much that," Rena agreed. "Haruka and Yukino both suspected that whomever did this had high enough access to tell if they tried an official search."
"Well, either way we're done now. Anyone want to order room service?" Nao suggested.
They did indeed order room service, the three women ate then bedded down. The plan was to get up late, drive back to Fuka and report in. Sadly, plans rarely survive contact with the enemy...
The ringing of a phone awoke Nao first. She groaned, looking around blearily. She picked up the secure phone, pressed receive and asked, "What."
There was a beat of silence. "Could ah speak with Rena?" Shizuru drawled.
Nao realized she was talking to her boss. "I'll wake her, give me a moment," she quickly said, then shook Rena awake.
"Miss Fujino? What's gone wrong?" Rena asked, seeing that it was barely five am. Employers did not call that early unless something had gone wrong.
Nao, with a similar premonition something had gone wrong, quickly dressed. Then went over to wake poor Erstin up. If they were having to get up, EVERYONE was having to get up.
"The good news is, we were able to determine who was facilitating the smuggling," Shizuru said, "the bad news is, you're right on top of him."
Rena realized who she meant as she muttered, "Wataru Ishigami."
"Correct. Once we knew it was him we did a general search," Shizuru said, "he's got plane tickets to go tomorrow..."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
The car raced towards the office tower as they went over the plan. "Apparently having his co-conspirator shot spooked him," Rena explained to the others, "so Ishigami intends to flee the country in the next two days."
"I thought Haruka wanted him arrested?" Erstin asked. Unlike before when she had just been the driver, she was wearing a woman's business suit, one tight on the chest and with a low cut blouse.
"She does, but passing the info to the cops and getting charges laid will take too long," Nao observed. "So we've got to snatch him and keep him from bolting."
"Which is why we're bringing you along as backup," Rena added.
"But I'm just a driver!" Erstin protested. Everyone pretty much ignored that.
The pair's security passes got them inside again, then they hurried to the elevator. Ishigami's office was on the top floor, and Nao had used her cleavage to get the security guard to tell them he was in. They had told him they were surprising Ishigami which hopefully would keep him from calling ahead on them.
As the elevator went up Rena decided, "Erstin, you come into the office with me. Nao, can you be the distraction?"
"Why me? Erstin has bigger tits," Nao pointed.
As Erstin was blushing Rena pointed out, "No offence, but Erstin is a big, strong girl too. If we have to just grab him, I may need the muscle."
"Point," Nao sighed.
Once they emerged on the top floor, there were thankfully only a few staffers. "I'm SO sorry," Rena declared dramatically, "my assistant screwed up. We are do sorry."
Nao hurried towards the staffers, looking just like a distressed secretary. "I lost several critical files," she explained, "please, PLEASE could you help me recover them while my boss calms down your boss?"
The men instantly fell for the damsel in distress routine, freeing Erstin and Rena to head into the president's office. Wataru Ishigami looked up in confusion, "Ladies, you're back?"
This time Rena could tell his nervousness wasn't due to efficiency experts, but a more primal fear. "Mr. Ishigami, something's gone terribly wrong," Rena lied dramatically.
Wataru's first instinct was to hop to his feet, and Rena gestured Erstin to grab him. She got one arm behind him in a restraint hold as she muttered, "Sorry!"
"What are...," Wataru started before Rena closed with him.
"Hush," Rena ordered. "We know what part you played in the weapons and drug smuggling," she whispered to him, and the shocked man went limp. "You have two choices: come with us quietly, get turned over to the cops. You could plea deal, sell out your associates, get only a few years."
"Or?" Wataru asked flatly.
Rena moved her coat to reveal a pistol, hidden in the lining. "We sanction you here and now," she said to him flatly.
"You wouldn't dare," Wataru said weakly.
"Try me," Rena said to him calmly.
Wataru met her eyes and saw just calm readiness. He slumped in Erstin's grip as he sighed, "Fuck. I nearly got away..."
The two women got the man to the elevators before anyone realized he was restrained. Nao slipped away from her adoring fans, and the three got him down to the car and escaped.
About four days later, the national organized crime squad managed to get charges laid against Wataru Ishigami, and HIME dropped him into the hands of the police. As he was fairly certain HIME killed his partner, Wataru kept quiet to make sure they didn't sanction him, too.
To be Continued...
Six: Christmas Party?!
One of Rena Sayers few flaws was that she sometimes drank a bit TOO much. She was an adult, she could do that. And she never did it on the job...
With a groan, Rena woke up. She could certainly feel a hangover coming on, though she vaguely remembered someone giving her water and asprin. She shifted in bed, then blinked as she bumped into something. 'What?' she thought sleepily. Rena sat up, then realized that she was naked... and there was another naked woman in her bed.
"Hmm," Nao Yuki made a soft noise, apparently still asleep.
'WHAT HAPPENED?' Rena thought frantically.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Christmas was a few weeks after the Suzushiro Industries operation. Mind you, HIME was almost always busy with various jobs, any time of year. Internationally they did various private military jobs, while in Japan they mostly did security/bodyguarding. But most of the 'elite' members of the staff were there.
Over at one corner of the party, a conversation began. "Good work," Shizuru congradulated her, the tall, elegant woman sipping her drink.
"Thanks," Rena Sayers answered, the slightly older woman carrying a half empty glass. "Though I hope Nao and Erstin got credit too. Both women were very good."
"Indeed," Shizuru nodded, "Nao has been my protege, somewhat."
"I wouldn't mind working with Nao again," Rena admitted. She added admiringly, "She's quite on the ball."
"I'll keep it in mind," Shizuru acknowledged.
Shizuru moved on to mingle, while looking for a certain agent. 'There,' she thought, seeing her with her mother, Saeko Kuga.
Natsuki Kuga was a striking figure, with long black hair, a nice figure and, sadly, a constant scowl. Not that Shizuru could blame her... while Natsuki had been okay about joining HIME, she was less pleased about having to cut ties with her past.
(As a test subject for dodgy biological experiments, getting back in tough with her friends might put them at risk too. So, for the time being, she had to just associate with HIME.)
"Doctor Kuga, Miss Kuga," Shizuru nodded to them formally.
"Ms Fujino, just call me Natsuki, please," she sighed before adding wryly, "Miss Kuga makes me feel old."
"Please, call me Shizuru, then," Shizuru smiled.
Saeko looked on, amused.
Shizuru blushed a little but forged on, "Are you settling in well in the new home?"
Saeko smiled, "Your employer has been quite generous, actually. It's very nice."
"The people are friendly too," Natsuki added. "Mai and her friends are very welcoming."
Shizuru felt a sudden but inexplicable spasm of jealousy against Mai.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Meanwhile, Mashiro was being rolled up to make a short speech. This was, functionally, the end of year for their company, so she couldn't really avoid it.
"Don't be concerned. I will get you out as quickly as possible," her servant and bodyguard Fumi noted blandly.
"Wish I could get drunk like everyone else," Mashiro muttered. Sadly, her injuries and medications made THAT a very bad idea. Damn it.
Fumi patted her on the shoulder as they reached the spot on the elevated stage, then they hooked up a microphone.
"Merry Christmas, all!" Mashiro smiled warmly. "I would like to personally thank you all for you hard work this year, the usual bonuses at end of year will be doubled."
There was a loud cheer.
"In addition, bar is free along with the buffet! Enjoy the party!" Mashiro added.
Louder cheers followed, and Mashiro waved as she was rolled away.
"Well done, ma'am," Fumi murmured.
"God I hate these people," Mashiro quietly said as she kept a sweet smile on her face.
"Yes, ma'am," Fumi answered as she wheeled her out of the building.
Out in the crowd, Mai and Mikoto were standing together. Mikoto was scarfing down food from a plate as she asked, "Does Mishiro-sama never stay for the party?"
"No," Mai said regretfully. "I can't really blame her, though."
"Oh?" Mikoto blinked.
Mai thought about explaining Mashiro's various injuries, but decided it wasn't worth the effort. "She just doesn't like events," she summarized.
"Oh," Mikoto accepted that. "Mai, can we dance later?"
"Sure," Mai agreed. She dropped her voice, "Want to come home with me later too?"
Mikoto grinned, "Sure!"
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Haruka Suzushiro danced with her wife, Yukino, both swaying close.
"Hmm," Yukino sighed happily. "When did you want to make the announcement?" she asked her softly.
"I'd like to break it to Suzushiro Industries first," Haruka smiled wryly.
On a impulse, along with the timing being right, the two women had gotten married in one of the Japanese districts allowing it. A civil ceremony (of course) but it was something they both had wanted. Of course, now they were figuring out how to tell everyone.
"We could always leak it to Chie," Yukino mentioned the top gossip they knew, "it would be all over HIME by tomorrow."
"Ha," Haruka smiled, "I'm tempted to do that."
"No," Yukino poked her, "we HAVE to do a announcement."
"You're no fun," Haruka sighed.
Yukino let Haruka twirl her around, then they swayed close together. "Did you thank Rena Sayers and her team for helping us?" she asked.
"Yes dear," Haruka smiled, "I gave them a few bottles of very expensive booze."
"Hmm. What say we sneak away, have some of our own exoensive liquor, and do what comes naturally?" Yukino purred.
"Lead the way," Haruka agreed.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"To a great year!" Rena toasted the group.
"Cheers!" Nao and Erstin tapped glasses with her.
"That bonus is going to buy me a nice gift this year," Erstin added.
"Hmm," Nao murmured. She was a bit conservative with her money,,, it was going into her savings. She wanted a nice nest egg for when she quit the HIME, eventually.
Rena nodded, "I'll probably save most of it."
Mai and Mikoto swung around to say hi, then Erstin left with Arika and their girlfriend, Nina.
"Wait a minute," Rena noted, "they're a trio?"
"Arika likes Nina, as does Erstin," Nao noted. "As neither Erstin or Arika is jealous, they kind of schedule Nina-time."
"Huh," Rena blinked. "I don't know if I could do that. I'm too possessive."
"Yeah, me too," Nao agreed. She sipped her drink, "You know, we have a surprising amount of things in common."
"Thanks," Rena smiled.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
'And that's all I remember,' Rena thought frantically.
"Morning," Nao said a bit sleepily, sitting up and stretching.
"Ah, morning," Rena replied as she frantically tried to remember how they got there.
Nao actually looked amused, "You don't remember, do you?" Dramatically she pouted, "I'm hurt."
Rena felt a bit relieved, knowing she wouldn't be teasing if it was that bad. "Just tell me what happened, please?" she asked plaintively.
Nao sighed, "Spoil sport."
"NAO...," Rena sighed.
"You drank a bit too much at the party, so I volunteered to walk you home," Nao said, "and once we got here, you got.. uhm, frisky."
"Oh god," Rena moaned.
"Not that I minded," Nao added, grinning. "But once we got undressed... you passed out." Nao added. "So I decided just to put us both to bed."
"Oh god," Rena groaned, covering her face with her hands. She paused, "You didn't mind?"
Nao winked, "You are kind of hot... for a old lady. Why don't we treat our hangovers, then we can talk about it?"
Rena smiled, "Please."
To be continued...
Notes: Before I get yelled at, this is a alternate universe to Mai Hime. All characters are at least in their twenties.