Welcome to the next episode!! This is, as with the
previous stories, based heavily on events and situations
from the preceeding ones, which are available on my
Web Site:
http://www.oocities.com/coutuva
As always, C&C is anticipated, accepted, and appreciated.
All original Ranma1/2 Characters and Backstory Copyright
Rumiko Takahashi, and are used without permission.
Please Enjoy!
Coutuva.
Hell Hath No Fury - Part 1
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Hitomi smiled at the sight of all the bright new faces
lined up in the common room, waiting for the start of the
pre-admissions meeting. Each stood with their mothers, dressed
in their new finery, some nervous, some excited, and most curious
about what this new place was.
"Nee, Anata.. This has to be the largest group so far..."
Kikyo observed, shaking her head at the gathering.
"Hai... we only have six spaces, but there are at least
fifteen kids out there. I hate this part of the job," Hitomi
sighed, reminded of her next duty.
Having to select only six faces from the small sea of
hopefuls before her posed a daunting task, as she wished she could
just take them all in. She hated the thought of having to
tell any of the moms the bad news, but she resigned herself to
the fact that in order to give the level of care she wanted,
she had to keep the numbers down.
Sighing, she straightened her surprisingly conservative
dress and prepared for the introductions.
"Well, Kiko-chan... I guess it's time. Ready?" she
asked, checking her hair in a nearby mirror.
"Hai, Anata... Let's go," Kikyo smiled, patting her
backside gently. "I'm right behind you," she smirked, then
quickly tucked in the label that was stuck out of Hitomi's collar.
"Arigato... " the redhead whispered over her shoulder,
and then stepped out into the main room. After a final check of
her own, Kikyo followed closely.
"Konnichiwa, minna-san!" Hitomi smiled, bowing deeply before
the Moms and preschoolers. "Welcome to Hiroshima Daycare! I am
Seirei Hitomi, the manager, and this is Okimiyaki Kikyo, my
lead assistant," she chimed, with a gesture toward her.
As she began her prepared address concerning admissions,
a smartly-dressed woman in the back of the crowd of hopeful
candidates gasped audibly. She lowered her designer sunglasses
in disbelief, and continued to stare at the totally enchanting
figure before her.
She sighed appreciatively as she felt her cheeks flush,
and had to steady herself against the wall behind her as she felt
herself becoming lightheaded.
Abruptly, she felt a tug at her sleeve, which snapped her
back to reality.
"Okaasan... Okaasan! Come on... it's the tour!" the young
girl beside her chided, trying to pull her along.
"H... Hai, Rei-chan. I'm coming," she breathed, forcing
her voice steady and waving a hand before her warming face.
Soon, the tour was completed, and the group of hopefuls
was led back to the common area, where Shampoo presided over a
prepared luncheon. Hitomi and Kikyo circulated amoung their
guests, chatting and answering questions, while the children
played together nearby.
As the girls made the rounds, the sharp-dressed woman sat
demurely with her daughter at her side, watching the object of her
affections intently through her sunglasses. She gasped again as
she watched her getting closer, and could feel her heart rate
increasing markedly.
Quickly, she sent her child off to join the others, and
zipped out her gold-rimmed compact case to check her face.
Satisfied, she slid it back in her purse and pulled off her
sunglasses, just in time to smile pleasantly.
"Konnichiwa. Watashi wa Okimiyaki Kikyo desu," Kikyo
bowed, smiling brightly. "I am pleased to welcome you to
Hiroshima Daycare."
"Ano... Ahh... Hajimemashite. I am Kazagaya Anita,"
the woman stammered, barely able to look Kikyo in the eyes as
she rose from her own bow.
"No need to be nervous. I'm just getting to know
everyone, in case your daughter comes to our Centre," Kikyo
assured, sensing the woman's anxiety. As she spoke, she
reached out and took the woman's hand in hers, patting it gently.
Anita felt her face flush instantly, and her knees
start to wobble. With a slight moan, she collapsed into her
chair heavily.
Kikyo, surprised by the swoon, motioned for Hitomi to
join her, and bring a glass of water.
"Ano... Are you okay?" Hitomi asked, upon handing the
now embarrassed woman the glass.
Anita shook her head. "Hai... I am fine. I'm sorry for
causing such a fuss... It has been a hectic week for me, and this
event had me a bit nervous," she stammered, searching for an excuse.
All the while, she had to fight an overwhelming urge to stare into
Kikyo's deep brown eyes.
Hitomi frowned. "Are you sure? We have a place in back
where you could lay down if you wish," she offered, worried about
the redness of the woman's face.
"Daijobu, daijobu..." she deflected, pulling herself
up in her chair. It is passing, thank you."
"As long as you're sure..." Hitomi probed, noting how
her eyes kept jumping toward Kikyo, who was now seated beside
her, still holding her hand.
"I'll stay with her for a few minutes, Sensei," Kikyo
indicated, patting the woman's hand again. "Though she seems to
be doing a lot better now."
"Okay. I think that's a good idea. Let me know if you
need anything... I'll be nearby," she finally smiled, rising
and excusing herself.
The woman only smiled again, then as soon as Hitomi was
across the room, turned toward Kikyo. Kikyo actually felt her own
cheeks flush as she recognized the look she was getting, and felt
Anita's hand gently squeeze hers.
"Well, if you're going to be all right, I should get back
to my duties..." she abruptly blurted, rising quickly and bowing
out of good form.
Anita's face fell momentarily, but she recovered almost
instantly.
"I... Feel fine. Thank you for all your help. If you
still wish to talk to me, I will be right here," she mentioned,
with a none-too-subtle wink.
"H... Hai. Arigato," Kikyo nodded numbly, turning to walk
away -- quickly.
Anita smiled, then issued a wistful sigh as she watched
Kikyo leave. She couldn't take her eyes off of the woman's sexy
walk and incredible body, and stared like a smitten schoolgirl for
as long as she could.
She could tell that Kikyo was at least five or six months
pregnant, but that didn't bother her at all. She too was a
mother, despite her preference. In fact, that observation did
nothing but endear Kikyo to her, indicating someone who was caring
and compassionate.
"She's absolutely beautiful..." she thought to herself,
hand rising to her face. "Okimiyaki Kikyo, I think I want to get
to know you better," she added, smiling inwardly. She hadn't felt
this way about anyone since she was a teenager, and the flood of
emotion was making it difficult for her to maintain her demure
exterior.
As the day drew to a close and the guests all filed out to
their cars, Anita looked back several times to try to catch a last
glimpse of Kikyo. She smiled as she saw Kikyo appear briefly in
a hallway, and waved quickly at her.
Kikyo, catching the motion out of the corner of her eye,
waved back politely. Inwardly, she was glad Anita had finally left.
She had felt the woman's eyes burning into her back all day, and
it was making her very uncomfortable.
She knew that the woman's interest in her was far more
than platonic, and she had to admit, had she not been so in love
with Hitomi, she would have gone on a date with her in a minute.
She was cultured, well to do, attractive, and seemed highly
intelligent, all of the things and more that she would have looked
for in a lover.
Sighing with relief, she turned and headed back to the
common room, where Hitomi and Shampoo were starting the cleanup.
Out in the parking lot, Anita and her daughter stood
patiently, waiting for their limousine to pick them up. Glancing
at her watch, she huffed indignantly, noting the driver was late.
Reaching into her purse, she withdrew her cell phone and dialed a
stored number.
"Yes... It's me. I want this driver replaced. He's late
again. The second time this year. And I want you to do a little
digging. Hai. Get whatever you can on one Kikyo Okimiyaki, and
have it on my desk by the time I get there. And call in my
beautician -- I need a makeover," she commanded in perfect
English, her voice level and even.
As she listened to the response from her phone, her face
darkened.
"I don't care about that. If he wants to keep his position,
he'll be there. My car is finally here -- have that information
ready when I arrive," she reminded, closing the small phone with an
indignant snap.
Huffing again, she waited quietly for the driver to scramble
around to open her door. As he reached for the handle, he looked
back at her fearfully.
"I am sorry, Ma'am... It will never happen again," he
flustered, feeling the sweat on his brow.
"You're right. It won't," she responded in mock sweetness,
flashing a quick grin.
A few days later, with the situation largely forgotten,
Kikyo stood naked in the bedroom looking herself over in the
mirror. As she turned from side to side, she frowned slightly
at her expanding midsection, and sighed at how unattractive she
felt.
As she was approaching six months along, she was showing
fairly substantially, and her normally petite build only seemed
to enhance the situation. She had also noticed her breasts
starting to sag slightly, which served to darken her mood even
more.
She was proud to be carrying Hitomi's child, but she
certainly didn't like what it was doing to her normally firm,
trim physique. None of her favorite skirts fit any more, and
most of her blouses didn't either. Her feet were aching from
the extra weight, and her back had been sore for the last month.
Just at that moment, Hitomi returned from the bathroom,
a towel draped over her shoulders and nothing on but a pair of
underwear. Noticing Kikyo's dark expression, she headed
immediately for her girlfriend's side.
"Nee, Kiko-chan... You don't look too happy," she observed,
concerned. "Feeling pregnant?"
"Hai..." she pouted, lowering her head. "I look like a
sumo -- fat and ugly," she added, turning away. "Too ugly... For
you," she added, quietly.
Hitomi bit her lip and felt her heart melt. Reaching out,
she took Kikyo by the shoulders and turned her back around. Seeing
the embarrasment flaming Kikyo's lowered face, she sighed, then
lifted her girlfriend's chin and looked deep into her eyes.
"Kiko-chan... You're *not* ugly. In fact, you've never
been more beautiful," she assured, pulling her into a gentle,
loving hug. "I can't tell you... How much all of this means to
me. You've given me so much... And now, a baby too." she
continued, dropping to her knees and holding Kikyo's protruding
tummy. "I love you for it... All of it... And I can't thank you
enough," she added, kissing the baby gently, then resting her head
on the same spot.
Kikyo couldn't stop her cheeks from flushing as she
reached down and held Hitomi's head, gently running her fingers
through the red locks about her face.
"Anata... How do you always know exactly what I need to
hear?" she sniffed, a thick waver in her voice.
"Easy... It's exactly how I feel," the redhead replied
softly, a happy smile crossing her face.
"Baka..." she breathed, lifting Hitomi back to her feet
and hugging her as tightly as her tummy would allow. "Suki
da yo, Hitomi-chan," she whispered, blinking back tears.
A short while later, the smell of breakfast teased the two
girls mercilessly, as they were behind schedule from trying to
dress Kikyo. Finally, they wandered out to the diningroom, both
eager to sample Shampoo's wonderful-smelling food. Shampoo stood
as per usual before the stove, dressed only in her oversized shirt.
"It smells great, Lin-san... But you didn't need to make
such a big deal over it," Hitomi smiled, pouring herself and
Kikyo a coffee.
"Iie... I like to make a good breakfast. It gives me a
reason to get up in the morning," the Amazon deflected, smiling.
"That reminds me... Lin-san, Kikyo and I were talking about
your helping us out the other day at the Center. If you're
interested, we could use an extra pair of hands... Especially with
the potential of six new kids," Hitomi indicated, with a wink at
Kikyo.
Shampoo's face lit.
"Aiyah! You really want me to work with you?" she gasped,
stunned at how Hitomi had seemed to have just read her mind.
"Hai! I know how you love kids, and I also know how you've
been feeling lately. So? What do you think?"
"I am honored," she bowed, her large eyes dancing with
excitement.
Hitomi smiled contentedly, and signed a quick 'thumbs up'
to Kikyo.
"Okay, Lin-san... You can start today, if you want."
"Aiyah! I want! I just have to get dressed!" she giggled,
racing off to her room.
"See? I told you she really wanted to do it. I watched
her the other day, and she was in her glory," Kikyo grinned, nodding.
"Hai. I saw it too. And I've been worried about her...
I noticed how for a while there she was getting quieter and more
sullen, and that's definitely not her," Hitomi smirked, sipping
her coffee.
"No kidding..." Kikyo agreed, looking over the fully-laid
table before them. "Well, I'm starving, Anata... Let's eat before
it gets cold."
"You don't have to tell me twice!" she responded, snapping
her sticks apart.
All three women stood before the doors of the center,
looking at each other in surprise. Before them were about five
huge bouquets, all loaded with roses and expensive foods. Hitomi
was the first to move, walking up and removing a very ornate but
unaddressed card from the largest one.
Opening it, she read it aloud to the others.
"To the only ray of light in my heart...
a token of my affections. I can't stop
thinking about you, Kikyo-chan...
Love, Anita."
she recited, then froze in her place from a combination of shock
and anger. The card drifted to the ground silently, coming to
rest at Kikyo's feet. Shampoo gulped audibly, and Kikyo groaned
aloud.
"Anata... There's something I have to tell you," Kikyo
finally stated, hanging her head.
Hitomi sat quietly in her chair, hands folded demurely
in her lap as she listened to Kikyo's nervous explanation of who
'Anita' was. When Kikyo finished, she sighed heavily.
"I thought I picked up on something that day, but wrote
it off to her fainting spell. Well, I guess we know what made
her faint, ne?" she finally said, looking up at the nervous Kikyo.
"Anata, I..." Kikyo stammered, not sure what to say. In
her mind, she pictured scenes from when Mu Lin had dealt with
threats, and feared Hitomi would do something similar.
"Daijobu, Kiko-chan. I trust you completely," she smiled,
reaching for her girlfriend's hand. "It's just what to do about
this 'Anita'. She's got it pretty bad by the looks of things."
Kikyo puffed a heavy sigh, both from relief and resignation.
"I guess I'll have to call her and tell her I'm taken...
I hate to do it to her, but it's the only way."
"Aiyah... I'm glad I'm not you," Shampoo abruptly chimed
in, shaking her head.
"Feh... Suddenly, I'm not too happy to be me, either,"
she moaned, rolling her eyes.
Hitomi had to smirk at the lamentation, then placed a
supportive hand on her shoulder.
"I dunno, Kiko-chan... It's reminded me how good I have it,
and it could be considered flattering," she smiled, winking.
"Well, flattering or not, I'm not impressed with being put
in this position... If you were the jealous type, this could have
been a major problem," she complained, bitterly.
"You're a lucky girl, all right. Well, I have to get the
kitchen prepared. What should I have ready?" Shampoo redirected,
turning to head out the door of the office.
"Just milk, juice and the granola bars, Lin-san... They're
not supposed to get a full breakfast, just an appetizer," Hitomi
advised, following the Amazon out.
"Hitomi-chan... I'll call her right now, ne?" Kikyo stated,
rising to move behind the desk.
"Hai... Just come to the common room when you're done,"
Hitomi called back, casting a sympathetic glance over her
shoulder. "Good luck..." she added, smiling.
Kikyo could only sigh, then moved to a heavy landing in the
chair at Hitomi's desk. Starting up the Admissions Database program
on the computer, she slowly typed in the name. As it came up on
the screen a heartbeat later, she had the computer dial it and
waited for someone to answer.
"Good Morning," an elegant sounding gentleman with a rich
English accent answered. "Kazagaya residence, to whom may I
direct your call?" it continued, making Kikyo smile despite her
feelings.
"Hello. I am looking for Kazagaya Anita, please to get
for me?" she opened, in careful English.
"Certainly. And whom shall I say is calling?"
"It is Okimiyaki Kikyo calling, please."
"One moment, Ma'am," the voice responded, after a quiet
gasp. As Kikyo tried to figure out why, the silence of the 'hold'
broke gruffly.
"Kikyo-chan...?" a soft, yet excited voice asked.
"Hai. Kazagaya Anita?" Kikyo responded, ignoring the
honorific.
"Hai! I'm so glad you called me... I haven't been able
to stop thinking about you since we met," Anita breathed, the
happiness in her voice wrenching Kikyo's heart. Gritting her
teeth, she fought hard to wrench up her courage.
"Kazagaya-san, I am flattered that you think so highly
of me, but I have to tell you that I am seeing someone already.
I... Didn't want to lead you on, so I thought it best to tell
you right away," she finally explained, keeping her voice as
steady as she could.
On the other end, there was only silence.
After what seemed like an eternity, Kikyo heard a ragged
breath, and then Anita finally spoke.
"Arigato... Kikyo-chan. I... Am glad you told me," she
began, the catch in her subdued voice tearing at Kikyo's
heartstrings.
"Gomen ne, Kazagaya-san..." she began, but wasn't able to
finish.
"It is all right, Kikyo-chan... I understand," Anita
interrupted, her devastation evident.
"I hope so... I don't want to hurt your feelings."
"Hai... I knew that, Kikyo-chan. Well, I must go... I
have a meeting in half an hour. Thank you again for calling...
It was wonderful to hear from you. Ja." Anita concluded, and
hung up the phone slowly.
"Ja..." she echoed sadly, and clicked the release button.
Despite having no romantic interest in Anita, it hurt
her deeply to have to blow the porr woman off. Having been on the
receiving end of such calls, she knew all too well how it felt.
Sighing once more, she shook her head slowly and exited
the program, all the while trying to remind herself that what she
had done was ultimately for the best.
Anita sat beside the phone, utterly stunned that Kikyo
had spurned her. She couldn't fathom anyone turning her down...
Especially considering who she was. As heiress to the third
largest industrial fortune in Japan, she was worth more than
most people could conceive of.
Silently, she rose from her chair and walked toward her
massive bed, her face still drained and expressionless. As she
moved, the household staff, who had previously breathed a sigh
of relief over her announcement that she had a new love in her
life, noticed her state and slowly began to disappear.
Anita, meantime, sat on the edge of her bed and stared
into space, not moving a muscle. However, as soon as the last
of the staff had left, she clenched her fists... And screamed.
Hitomi couldn't help but notice Kikyo's depression, and
assumed that she must have made the call. Biting her lip, she
went immediately to her, wrapping a supportive arm around her
slumping shoulders.
"Is it over?" she asked, hopefully.
"Hai, Anata... I told her. It devastated her to hear it,
which really shocked me... I didn't think someone could fall that
hard that fast," she responded, shaking her head.
"Baka... That's how it was for me. When I saw you standing
with Minako that day, I was a goner. I spent the whole morning
looking for excuses to get near you, and then worked up the nerve
to ask you to have lunch with me. I was in love before our first
date," Hitomi smiled, hugging her tightly.
"Ano... You were? So was I, but I was... Too shy to tell
you."
"I hate to interrupt you two loving birds, but your kids
are starting to arrive now," Shampoo chimed in, winking at the
other two women.
"Ay... Duty calls, Anata," Kikyo noted, quickly kissing
the redhead's cheek.
"It do... Hi-ho, hi-ho!" she responded, grinning.
"Baka... Both of you," Shampoo chided, shaking her head
as she walked away.
The rest of the day passed largely uneventfully, and Hitomi
noticed with great satisfaction that Shampoo took to her new job
very well. She had been worried that the Amazon was feeling like
a fifth wheel, and knew from experience that she wouldn't accept
such an existence. It was important to the Amazon to be able to
contribute, even though it wasn't necessary.
She noted that Kikyo, while still bothered by the phone
call, felt better as the day progressed. She still made a point of
staying close to her, just to assure her that all was well. In
fact, as the day drew to a close, she decided to make sure of it.
"Ne, Kiko-chan... Feel like doing a little shopping?"
Kikyo stood up from filling a toybox and grinned.
"Feel like doing a little shopping? You need to ask?"
she smirked, wringing her hands happily. "How soon do we leave?"
"Soon as we're done. I want to get you some new clothes...
it's about time," she smiled, walking up and placing her hands on
Kikyo's tummy.
"Hai... I'm getting to the point where I haven't got
anything that fits. Even my wrap skirt is stretched to it's
limit," the girl agreed, shaking her head.
"Well, let's go get you some real maternity clothes.
They have some sharp styles in downtown."
"Oho... Been doing a little reconnaissance, have we?"
"Hai! I have to keep an eye out for these things, ne?
Need to keep you comfortable... Especially at this stage."
Kikyo smiled. "You're too good for me... And I
mean that," she sighed, reaching up and placing her hand on the
side of Hitomi's face.
Hitomi smiled wryly. "And you know how I feel about
that..." she winked, placing her own hand over Kikyo's.
====================================================================
END - Hell Hath No Fury - Part 1 A Ranma1/2 Fanfic by Coutuva.
Comments Welcomed - Flames Extinguished!
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