Well, here goes the next Chapter of the series! This is based
heavily on events and situations from the previous stories,
and the previous Chapters, which are finally available on
my Web Site. And for those of you who wondered, no, this
is *not* going to be a fifty part series... fourty-eight maybe.
*KIDDING!*
As always, C&C is anticipated, accepted, and appreciated.
"Miyabi and "Masao" appear courtesy of Kunoichi, whose
"Ranma Nibun no ichi" Lemon Series inspired my Ranma works.
All original Ranma1/2 Characters and Backstory Copyright
Rumiko Takahashi, and are used without permission.
Coutuva.
Mysteries of the Mind - Part 8
Revelations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A gentle breeze wafted through the immaculately landscaped walled
garden, bearing with it a soft, lilting voice. At the far end of a large
grassy clearing within the garden, a red-haired Chinese girl, dressed in
silken finery, sat before a gathering of attentive children happily
reciting a story.
"...Her comrades are all amazed and perplexed. Traveling together
for twelve years, they didn't know Mu-Lan was a girl. 'The he-hare's
feet go hop and skip, the she-hare's eyes are muddled and fuddled. Two
hares running side by side close to the ground, how can they tell if I
am he or she?'" she concluded, bowing and smiling brightly at her audience.
The children, although dismayed that the story was complete, rose and
bowed respectfully to the girl, then began to file away.
From behind them, a tall, powerful-looking figure clad in ancient
armor approached. The girl looked up, then smiled happily.
"Father!" she greeted excitedly, rising to hug him.
"My precious daughter... how I have missed your sweet face! How
fared you in my absence?" the large man asked, his question punctuated
by booming laughter.
"I fared well, Father. How went the campaign?" the girl smiled,
stepping back and gesturing toward a large, ornate bench.
"The battles go well, but there are other problems afoot... There
are those who seek to sully the name of Mu..." he began, his voice
indicating his displeasure.
"You must tell me of it all!" the girl prodded excitedly, taking
her father's arm and leading him toward the bench.
Abruptly, the girl stopped in her tracks. "Hold, Father" she
said, sharply. "Someone watches..." she added, eyes narrowing as she
looked upward to face...
Hitomi's big blue eyes flew open in shock. "Huh...? What?"
Kuso..." she muttered as her eyes focused on the bedroom window.
"A dream... it was only a dream." she thought to herself, sighing
with relief. It was then that she noticed she was shaking, drenched in
sweat, and her heart was pounding like a hammer.
"Ano... more like a nightmare..." she added, swinging her legs
off the bed and sitting up, wiping her face with her forearm. Shaking her
head, she tugged at her normally loose tank-t, peeling it from her damp
skin.
"Eeuuuww!" she commented disdainfully, then rose from the bed,
having decided she needed a quick shower.
Once in the bathroom, she immediately stripped off her shirt and
underwear, then quickly jumped into the shower, hoping to get done without
disturbing Kikyo.
Just at that moment however, the half-open bathroom door swung wide,
and a drowsy Kikyo stepped through it, dressed almost exactly as Hitomi
had been.
"Anata?" she asked, sleepily.
"Gomen nasai, Kiko-chan... I didn't mean to wake you." the now
male Hitomi responded, apologetically.
"Diajo... " Kikyo began, seeing the black-haired man in her shower
for the first time.
"Eeeeyaaahhh!" she screamed, and dove out the door with a slam.
Otoko-Hitomi burst out laughing, despite his ringing ears. A
second later, the bathroom door flew open again, admitting a very upset
Kikyo.
"Kuso! You *had* to do that to me, didn't you!" she blurted, still
white as a sheet and holding her heaving chest.
Hitomi, still laughing uncontrollably, couldn't look her in the
face without laughing harder.
"Chikusho... I'm going to get you for this one day, Hitomi... You
wait!" Kikyo threatened, despite the smile creeping across her face.
Watching a naked man kill himself laughing in her shower was not something s
he could do for long, and still keep a straight face. "I don't think I'll
ever get used to that..." she finally gasped, feeling her heart rate
slowing down.
Otoko-Hitomi, wiping the tears from his eyes, tried to stammer an
apology. "G..Gomen... I wasn't expecting you..." he replied between
snickers.
"Baka... change back, already... you're giving me the creeps."
"H...Hai. I will..." otoko-Hitomi chuckled, covering his mouth to
hide it. "Just let me finish my shower first."
"Okay... I'll be in the kitchen, so you can tell me why you're
having a shower at four am. Don't think I could sleep now, anyway" she
grumbled, exiting the room and closing the door behind her. Otoko-Hitomi
broke out laughing all over again.
A little while later, Hitomi sat with Kikyo in the kitchen, a
towel turbaned around her head, sipping at a warm milk as she finished
relating her unnerving dream.
"Hai... I see why it scared you... That's really eerie." Kikyo
commented, feeling a shudder run her spine. "Anything else?"
"No... that's when I woke up, soaked in sweat and shaking like a
leaf." Hitomi indicated, closing her eyes. "I don't understand any of it.
The whole thing was just... weird." she added, shaking her head at the
thought.
"Ano... What did the story go like again?" Kikyo responded, then
listened intently as Hitomi recited what she could remember of it.
"The Ballad of Mu-Lan..." Kikyo breathed, suddenly making the
connection. "That's what it is..."
"What?" Hitomi blinked, regarding Kikyo questioningly.
"That story... my mother used to tell me it when I was little.
It's "The Ballad of Mu-Lan". A fourth-century Chinese story about a girl
who went to war disguised as her father, and twelve years later shocked
everyone she fought alongside by revealing her identity. It's still told
today by mothers to their girl children, to show them that they can do
anything they set their minds to... sort of an inspirational anecdote."
Kikyo explained, happily.
"Sugoi... this is too creepy. Why would I dream about sitting in
a garden telling Chinese stories? And why all dressed up?" Hitomi
countered, regarding her girlfriend questioningly.
"Hitomi-chan... I don't think it was you in the garden. You said
that she looked right at you, remember?"
"Hai... right at me... like I was there." she repeated,
thoughtfully. "Kikyo... I'm getting a bit worried... first, there's that
stuff that happened during the fight a few days ago, and now this dream...
think they're related?" she asked, concern etching her face.
"I don't know but... it seems like it, ne?"
"Kuso; this is driving me nuts. I hope I'm not flipping out or
something..." she stated, taking a sip of her milk.
"Ya... probably just coincidence, Anata... the fight might have
made you dream it, even..." Kikyo suggested, calmly. Inwardly though,
she was worried that there was a significance to the two events, and even
more afraid of what it might be.
"Hai... maybe. Well, I'm going to try to get back to sleep...
coming?" Hitomi announced, rising from her chair with a big yawn.
"Sounds good... we have to work in the morning." Kikyo agreed,
starting to follow Hitomi back to the bedroom. Abruptly, she stopped,
looking at the table.
"Hitooomiiii! You didn't rinse your glass!" she admonished,
huffing disgustedly.
"Gomen... I forgot." called Hitomi, already entering the bedroom.
"Hai, hai... you always forget." Kikyo muttered, looking after it.
"It was incredible... my head still hurts. Whatever that thing was,
it wasn't Ranma. That girl form he's taken now is totally different...
I had trouble recognizing her - him... whatever." Nabiki related, rubbing
her forehead.
"Did you meet...?" Kasumi began hesitantly, not wanting to say
the words.
"Hai... You want to talk about ironic; I found out why I couldn't
get any information. The girlfriend is one of my operatives... or, she
used to be. I fired the little hentai."
"So, you're saying she didn't know you? At all?" Shampoo piped
in from her side of the table.
"That's it, kiddo... had no idea. Didn't recognize poor Hinako,
either. If you ask me, anyone who goes after him now could very well end
up dead... he - she's way too powerful, and doesn't seem to have Ranma's
thing about not killing... and on top of that, she seems very determined
to stay with the bimbo. We're just lucky to have made it back alive...
Hinako will be in hospital for at least another month, and I'm still
getting headaches."
"Oh, Dear... Akane isn't going to take this well." Kasumi
fretted, wondering how she would break the news.
"How are the kids holding up?" Ukyou asked, noticing that
neither child was within sight.
"Miyabi is worrying about her okaasan, and misses her Papa
terribly... Masao knows something's wrong, but he's still too young to
know what it is. I've been staying with them to help keep them busy."
"Good plan... That "thing" I met up with was not her husband, by
any stretch of the imagination. And when Akane hears that..."
"Hai... I know." Kasumi added, lowering her eyes sadly.
As Hitomi slid into her mini and adjusted the bodice, she noticed
Kikyo sitting on the edge of the bed, trying to put on her pantyhose.
She also noted that she didn't seem to have her mind on the job, however,
as she kept missing her foot.
"Ne, Kikyo... where are you?" the redhead asked, walking up to
the woman as she put in her earrings.
"Ano... what, Hitomi?" Kikyo replied, snapping out of her daze.
"What were you thinking about so hard? You couldn't even find your
own foot." Hitomi smirked, sitting beside her girlfriend on the bed.
"Gomen... I was thinking about your dream, Hitomi-chan. I keep
getting the idea that it was trying to tell you something."
"What makes you so sure...? It was probably just like you said
last night; the fight made me dream it."
"Hai... but my mother used to tell me that dreams are almost always
prophetic. You just have to figure out the messages."
"Ano... I don't really want to talk about this." Hitomi indicated,
rising from the bed to retrieve her arm bracelet.
"Gomen... That part about the father saying something was happening
just stuck in my head... I won't mention it again, anata."
"Arigato... besides, I'm sure Father will tell me all about it when
we're alone." Hitomi smiled, checking herself in the mirror.
"Hai, hai... most likely..." she replied, then suddenly erked as
she noted what Hitomi had actually said. "Hitomi?!? What did you just say?"
she blurted, grabbing at the Chinese girl's arm.
"Ano... I said I'm sure it's just nothing." Hitomi replied,
regarding Kikyo like she was from another planet.
Kikyo looked back at her wide-eyed for a few seconds, then her face
softened. "Gomen, gomen... I thought you said something else." she
explained, releasing Hitomi's arm.
"Okay, but you better get ready, we have to get going soon. So,
am I gorgeous enough for you?" Hitomi asked, modeling herself before the
still shocked Kikyo.
"Hai, I'll say.. too gorgeous. You'll make me look bad." Kikyo
finally replied, covering her concern with a smile.
"Huh... I doubt that. I could never outdo you, Kiko-chan." Hitomi
winked, blushing at the compliment.
Kikyo tried her best to put the incidents in the back of her mind
for the rest of the day, but it turned out to be a struggle. They both
bothered her immensely, and the fact that Hitomi was taking them so
lightly also concerned her.
Discreetly, she kept an eye on her girlfriend all day, watching
for more unusual occurrances. At one point, Hitomi caught her looking,
and promptly winked and wiggled her rear, thinking Kikyo was checking her
out. At that point, Kikyo almost forgot why she was watching her...
Hitomi was sexy normally, but when she did things like that, it went up
about 20 notches.
Finally, then end of the day arrived, and Kikyo was glad nothing
else odd had happened. She even began to wonder if she hadn't been over
reacting to the whole thing.
As they walked home, animately chattering about the day's events,
Hitomi's acute senses picked up the sound of running feet behind her.
Instantly, she tensed, determining that the footfalls were too fast for
a jogger, but too slow for someone running late. The breathing indicated
that the runner had just started to move, which brought a wry smile to her
face.
The runner came right up behind the girls, abruptly veering to the
right and making a snatch at Hitomi's purse. Hitomi, expecting just such
a stupid move, shot her elbow straight back, the sickening snaps confirming
a direct hit. Spinning on the spot, she brought her leg up across his back,
sending him sliding face first up the sidewalk.
Face contorted in anger, she strode up to the prostrate, moaning
thug and grabbed him by the shirt. Lifting him up to face her, she raised
her left arm and lined her fingers up with the bridge of his nose.
"Hitomi, NO!" Kikyo shouted, recognizing the move... and it's usual
results. "He's not worth it!" she added, hoping Hitomi would listen.
Hitomi turned to see Kikyo in a crouch, .45 leveled on the thug.
Sneering, she looked back at the snatcher in disgust. "You're right about
that." she deadpanned, dropping him to the concrete. "Damned useless men."
she snarled, rising and walking toward Kikyo.
After turning the snatcher over to the police and swearing out a
complaint, the two women resumed their walk home, Hitomi chatting away as
if nothing had happened. Finally, Kikyo could stand it no longer.
"What got into you back there?" she asked, still surprised by the
sudden ferocity of Hitomi's reaction.
"Huh? What do you mean? I just gave him what he deserved."
Hitomi replied, nonchalantly.
"Ano... Hitomi-chan; You almost killed him. If I hadn't have
stopped you..."
"What? All I did was flip him." she replied, eyeing Kikyo
questioningly.
"Ya, ya... you did one of these." Kikyo insisted, imitating the
move for Hitomi.
Hitomi looked back at her with a worried look on her face. "Ano...
I don't remember it like that... He came up behind me, grabbed my purse,
and I flipped him to the ground. That's all I did..." she indicated,
voice trailing off as Kikyo shook her head negatively.
"No, Hitomi... you were about to kill him. And then you said
"Damned useless men"... like you hated them. You had me really scared for
a minute there."
Hitomi could only look back at Kikyo in disbelief, shaking her
head slowly. "Kiko-chan... you better take me home... fast."
At the Main Desk of the posh downtown hotel, a very attractive
young woman dressed in form-hugging silk stood in frustration, trying to
make the Manager understand her. Her looks didn't help matters, as his
gaze kept drifting around, adding to her already high anxiety.
"I sorry... I try new time. I do res - res-vay-shun. Yes.
Name Lin Shan Puu. You have?" she asked again, carefully. Although her
use of Japanese had improved markedly, English was another story.
"Oh.. sorry, Miss... I see it now. You're in room 1231, twelfth
floor. I'm terribly sorry about the confusion."
"Is no problem deal. Take to room please, now?" she asked,
smiling sweetly.
"Ahhh... oh, yes. Certainly. Hop!" the Manager called, waving
a young man over toward the desk. The teenage bellhop raced up to the
desk, stopping beside the Chinese woman's bags. Just as he was about to
pick them up, the woman turned toward him and smiled. He looked back at
her, his face flushed, and he promptly fainted.
"Aiyah... what he problem?" she asked, blinking.
"I'm sorry, Miss. I'll call another Hop." The Manager flustered,
looking around for a female bellhop.
Once in her room, Shampoo unpacked her bags and carefully set
aside a well-wrapped parcel on the corner of her bed. A few minutes later,
she unwrapped it and looked down at the object with a smile and a slightly
evil glint in her large eyes. Having said she was going back to China for
some "Tribal Business" had enabled her to obtain the item she now regarded,
and then catch a flight to Canada to put it to use. All that remained now
was to find this "Hitomi" and set her plan in motion. She had pumped all
of the information she could out of Nabiki, and had a fair idea where to
start, but expected it may take time none the less. She didn't mind that
however, as she was quite used to waiting - and her objective was well
worth it.
Hitomi sat in her usual cross-legged perch on the couch, absently
watching TV as Kikyo wandered up beside her, and gently placed a hand on
her shoulder.
"Feeling any better, anata?" the asked, smiling.
"Hai... much. You're here." Hitomi replied with a smile, taking
Kikyo's hand and kissing it. "Sit with me... I'd like the company." she
continued, uncrossing her legs and shifting over.
"Thought you'd never ask." Kikyo grinned, and settled in beside
the redhead. Hitomi promptly snuggled right up to her side, leaning her
head on her girlfriend's shoulder and smiling happily.
"Sugoi... are you ever cuddly tonight." Kikyo observed happily,
wrapping her arm around the redhead's shoulders.
"MMMMmmm, Hai... I just feel like I need to be held... all this
stuff that's happening has got me spooked. And I've been feeling funny,
too... it's hard to explain, but I feel sorta anxious and tense... have
all day." Hitomi explained, nestling in a bit closer to Kikyo.
"Well, I'm here for you, anata... any time you want me." Kikyo
assured softly, her heart going out to her lover's plight.
"Hai... that's one of the things I love about you. You know how
to take care of me." the redhead answered, opening her eyes to look up at
Kikyo's soft face. As she did, however, she couldn't help but notice her
proximity to her girlfriend's perky chest, and also noticed how her
nipples were poking insistently at the fabric of her top.
Wordlessly, she reached up and took one between her fingers,
giving it a gentle squeeze. The unexpected sensation made Kikyo jump.
"Hey...! What are you up to, girl?" Kikyo blurted, regarding
Hitomi suspiciously.
"Gomen... I couldn't help it. It just looked so good..." Hitomi
breathed, taking the entire breast in her hand and caressing it gently.
"Mmm... I thought you just wanted to be held..." Kikyo protested
weakly, eyes closing and voice becoming husky.
"I changed my mind... You're too sexy to just hold..." the
redhead replied, removing her hand and dragging her finger down Kikyo's
stomach, then beginning to trace ever widening circles on her inner thigh.
"Unless you plan on finishing what you've just started, you better
quit now..." Kikyo warned, moaning softly at her girlfriend's
electrifying touch.
"I have no intention of quitting..." Hitomi sighed, starting to
unbutton Kikyo's shorts as she grinned lecherously. Kikyo smiled
appreciatively as she lifted her rear off the couch.
"I was hoping you'd say that..."
Akane sat stone-faced as she listened to Kasumi's sad tale, little
Miyabi draped around her neck. Kasumi knew the expression well.. she had
seen it only once before, but it had left a permanent impression.
As the elder sister finished her tale, she braced herself for what
she knew was about to happen.
Akane sighed, lowered her head and dropped her shoulders.
Kasumi's heart sank as she recognized the sign... of utter defeat.
"So that's it... he's never coming back." Akane stated, slowly.
"He's not a guy anymore... he's living with someone else... Fine. If he's
so damned determined to stay there, then let him!" she screamed, jumping
to her feet. "He can go to *hell* as far as I'm concerned!!" she added
tearfully, sweeping up the now crying Miyabi and starting to head from the
room.
"But, Akane... " Kasumi began, rising to catch her distraught
sister before she stormed off..
"NO! It's obvious he doesn't want us anymore... he's too happy
with his little *bimbo*!" Akane bellowed, reaching for the door. Just
as she was about to slide it back, Kasumi reached her and caught her arm.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!!" Akane shrieked in pure rage, heading a huge
mallet at her sister.
Kasumi simply reached up and caught the large weapon by the handle,
shocking Akane back to reality. Stunned, Akane staggered back a step,
mouth gaping as she shook her head numbly. "Oh, my god... Kasumi.. I
almost..." she stammered, the color draining from her face.
Kasumi only regarded her pitiably. "Akane... you should know
better." she said evenly, tossing the mallet aside.
"Gomen nasai, Kasumi-sama... can you ever forgive me?" Akane
begged fearfully, tears running down her now flushed face.
"Akane... I understand your pain... I feel your loss... but
lashing out at those who love you will only hurt you in the end. It's
time to move on, Akane-chan... as difficult as it's going to be, you
know it has to be done. Ranma is the victim of things we don't
understand... and until we know different, we have to consider him gone.
Your children only have you now, Akane... you must be strong for them."
Kasumi advised, face softening.
Akane simply lowered her eyes and slowly stepped toward her older
sister. Kasumi smiled one of her patented "I'll make it better" smiles,
and opened her arms, welcoming Akane to her bosom.
Once within the caring embrace of Kasumi's arms, Akane began to
cry, her heart breaking for what she knew would be the last time.
"Don't be afraid to cry for him, Akane... he too is suffering a
great loss. You know how much he loved you... and how much he loved
Miaybi and Masao. That alone should tell you he's also a victim here...
and I know that despite your anger, you believe it too." Kasumi
indicated, hugging her sister supportively.
"Hai, Oneechan... You're right;" Akane sobbed into Kasumi's
blouse. "It's just that... I love him...and I miss him so much!" she
wailed, tears flowing freely.
"And you always will. But you can't afford to let that interfere
with your responsibilities." Kasumi admonished, gently. Stepping back
from Akane, she looked deep into her younger sister's moist, reddened eyes.
"It's time for you to take over, Akane-chan. If Ranma is ever going to
come back to us, he'll do it. But you can't wait for him any
longer... ne?" she indicated, pointing to a very frightened and confused
Miyabi-ko, standing in the doorway watching her okaasan worriedly.
"But... I don't know if I have the strength, neechan..." Akane
protested, voice still wavering.
"I have faith in you, Akane-chan... if anyone does, it's you."
Kasumi replied, smiling and hugging her sister once more.
Hitomi stood in the window of the bedroom, hand on her chin as she
stared at the streets below. Kikyo rolled over in the bed, reaching over
to snuggle up, but when her arm couldn't find her companion, she woke up
and searched the room for her.
"Hitomi?" she asked groggily, raising herself to look around.
"Hai, Kiko-chan... I'm right here." Hitomi replied, sighing.
"Did you have another dream?"
"Hai... and it was even stranger than the last one. This time, it
felt like I was there... and something really big had happened. Everybody,
including myself was really mad about it, too. I felt like I had to do
something about it, but I woke up before I could find out what it was all
about."
"Did you see the red-haired girl again... or her father?" Kikyo
asked, sitting up in the bed and rubbing her eyes.
"No... because I think I was in her place. And I didn't see Father
at all." she responded, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Don't you mean 'her father'?"
"Ano... Hai, I guess I do..." she noted, biting her lip.
"Anata..." Kikyo responded, sympathy in her voice. "Come here..."
she beckoned, opening her arms. Hiomi smiled happily and slid back into
the bed, gratefully accepting the hug.
"Kiko-chan... something else is bugging me, too... before the
fight with those two women, the one said something about other
children... do you think...?" Hitomi began, looking up at Kikyo worriedly.
"I... don't know what she meant, Hitomi-chan... I thought it was
just a way of trying to get you to go with her. she stammered, nervously.
"Hai... maybe... but, I have this scar... and I don't remember
anything from before my accident. What if... what if I have children
somewhere? What if they're without their Mom?" she asked, becoming
increasingly upset. "I couldn't bear the thought that ... OWWWW!" she
blurted, grabbing at her temples.
"Hitomi! What's wrong?"
"My head... hurts really bad... can't stand it...!" she breathed
through clenched teeth. "Arrrgh! Kikyo, help me..!" she cried, then
abruptly passed out.
"Hitomi-chan! Hitomi!" Kikyo panicked as Hitomi's unconscious
form fell to the pillow. Gasping in fear, Kikyo jumped from the bed and
snapped on the light as she ran to Hitomi's side. Just as she was about
to touch the passed out redhead, she was startled again as her girlfriend's
eyes slowly opened.
Stunned, it took Kikyo a second to realize what had happened.
"Hitomi? Are you okay?" she finally asked, reaching out to touch the
redhead's shoulder.
"Fear not child... I am unharmed." Hitomi replied, but Kikyo knew
instantly it wasn't the Hitomi she knew; There was no blue aura, but the
voice and the glazed eyes told her who it really was.
"You... you're not Hitomi..." Kikyo breathed, backing away from
the bed.
"I am, yet I am not..." Hitomi smiled, regarding Kikyo knowingly.
"You have nothing to fear from me. As this mortal cares for you, so too
do I."
"Who... are you? And what are you doing to Hitomi?"
"For the present, I am Hitomi. This mortal body carries within it
two life forces... I am but one. The other is becoming part of me so that
we may function as one, and soon I will be able to complete my destiny.
The mortal you know as Hitomi is in fact a blending of our two forces,
brought about by the fates while I prepare for that which must come."
"Ano... then what will happen to..."
"She will live on. Although be forewarned... all will not be as
it once was. Fear not, my child... all is for the greater good. You shall
see." Hitomi smiled reassuringly, then closed her eyes.
"Wait! Why are you doing this...?" Kikyo blurted, but too late.
With a soft moan, Hitomi's head dropped to the side, and Kikyo knew the
"other Hitomi" had gone.
Kikyo stared at her lover's unmoving form for several seconds,
uncertain of what to make of this new development. A whirlwind of emotions
ran though her, ranging from fear to anger to panic. Finally, unable to
withstand it any longer, the tears came to her eyes.
"Hitoomiii... why you?!?" she cried, collapsing across her
lover's body in tears.
Waking up to the sun as she always did, Shampoo threw the covers
off her nude form and stretched cat-like on the large mattress. Rising to
a sit, she caught a glimpse of herself in the wall mirror and tsked at her
totaled hair.
Thinking to herself that she must have tossed quite a bit during
the night, she padded softly to the bathroom, pulling the sleeping ribbon
from her lilac locks.
A few minutes later, she strode back into the main room, toweling
out her hair and yawning widely. From the closet, she selected her normal
drab dayclothes, saving the 'good stuff' for when she really needed it.
Next on the agenda, she called down for Room Service, and after
yet another exasperating session over her English, had her breakfast on
it's way. As she waited, she hauled out the Metro directory and began to
flip through it, looking for anything to do with children and childcare.
All she knew for certain was that "Hitomi" did something to do
with children... Nabiki remembered that much of their short conversation,
but never did find out what or where.
Continuing to scan the huge book, she at first had a hard time
with the words in it, but began to pick out enough that she could narrow
the search a bit. She found the 'left to right' layout confusing still,
but determination finally won out, and she managed to get used to it.
At length, she composed a list of potential locations, noting
addresses as carefully as possible. She had opted to visit each location
in person, rather than alert Hitomi by trying to call the various
establishments ahead of time. The element of surprise was crucial to
her plan's success, and if she lost it, she knew she could very well end
up like Hinako... or worse.
Later that afternoon, Hitomi was engaged in rowdy game of tag with
a group of children, laughing and squealing right along with them. Kikyo
played along as well, although her heart wasn't really in it. The events
of the previous night, although not remembered by Hitomi, were still
foremost in her mind.
Eventually, even Hitomi's legendary stamina gave out, and she sat
down with Kikyo to grab a tea and catch her breath.
"Hooo... they are just wound right up today, ne Kikyo?" she
observed, breathlessly.
"Hai... but they're not the only ones. You seem to have all kinds
of energy today, too..." Kikyo noted, shaking her head.
"Hai... I can't seem to calm down, either. I just feel absolutely
hyper... like I have to go places and do things... but I have no idea what."
"I see that..." Kikyo indicated, pointing to Hitomi's twitching
leg.
"See..? Kuso.. I wonder if I was always like this..." she stated,
looking up at Kikyo again. Abruptly, her hand shot to her temple and
she grimaced horribly. "Aarrgh! My head... Kuso, it hurts... just
like last night."
"Ano... Just like last night...?" Kikyo repeated, fearfully.
"Almost... in the same place, anyway. Oohhh... seems like any
time I think about my past, it makes my head hurt. Kuso..." she groaned,
rubbing her head as the pain slowly faded. "Got any Tylenol??" she begged,
looking sideways at Kikyo.
"Hai, hai... in my purse. Chotto mattei." Kikyo replied, quickly
heading for the locker room.
Running the pills back as fast as her heels would let her, she
handed them to Hitomi, who seemed to be faring a bit better.
"You look better... is it going away?" Kikyo gasped, breathing
rapidly.
"Hai... a bit... still hurts though." Hitomi replied, taking the
pills gratefully.
"Okay... stay here and rest, Hitomi-chan... Don't want you
overdoing it." Kikyo cautioned, although for much different reasons than
she let on.
Sighing sadly, Kikyo wondered to herself how much more of this she
was going to be able to take.
Thankfully, the rest of the day progressed without incident, even
though Hitomi continued to exhibit the 'anxious' state she found herself
in.
Kikyo kept a wary eye on her all day, and when they finally arrived
home, she made every effort to keep things calm and quiet, not wanting to
set the 'other Hitomi' off again.
When bedtime arived, Kikyo noticed that Hitomi fell asleep
instantly, which was unusual... most often, she would be the one
to doze first, as Hitomi always wanted to talk herself to sleep.
Carefully, she slid into the bed beside the redhead, and gently
settled into her pillow. Just as she was about to breathe a sigh of
relief, Hitomi spoke, scaring her half out of her wits.
"Geetings, my little one." the familiar but dreaded voice said,
pleasantly.
Rolling to face Hitomi, and trying her best to hide her fear,
Kikyo replied as calmly as possible. "You're back..." she said, cautiously.
"I am, child... As each day passes, I become stronger." Hitomi
answered, smiling.
"I have to know... why are you doing this to Hitomi? She has a
life, too..." Kikyo blurted, suddenly angry at the 'thing' before her.
"I do not do so out of malice, little one... I do so because
unlike my kin, I walk among the living. This mortal body and it's rightful
life force shall be the vehicle of my family's vengeance and exoneration."
"Ano.. I don't understand..." Kikyo sobbed, tears forming as she
began to fear for the loss of the Hitomi she loved.
"You need not cry, child. Your sacrifice and that of the woman
known as Hitomi shall be recompensed. Brood no fear of loss. As I have
before stated, it is all for the greater good."
"What greater good can be served by destroying two... no, *three*
lives?!? Hitomi was such a beautiful person... and now you're taking that
away from her... from me... and whoever she used to be." Kikyo protested
angrily, tears running down her face.
"You shall see, my child. It will all come to fruition soon, and
your trials will end." Hitomi smiled, closing her eyes.
Kikyo watched as Hitomi's eyes closed and her head settled back
on the pillow gently. As soon as it came to rest, she sniffed back her
tears, and leaned over to kiss her lover's unmoving lips affectionately.
"Sayonara, Hitomi-chan... I'm going to... miss... you." she
whispered, voice wavering heavily. Lifting her face back away, she felt
her bottom lip tremble as she regarded the peaceful, red-framed face
beside her. Sniffing, she laid her head on Hitomi's chest, snaked her
arms around the redhead's body and cried herself to sleep.
Shampoo strode up the sidewalk purposefully, headed for yet
another daycare. She felt particularly confident about this one, since it
was named after a Japanese city. As her destination came into sight, she
stopped for a moment to pull out her compact and check herself over. She
had taken special care to look as sexy as possible for this operation, and
wanted to be sure that she would get maximum effect.
She wore a brilliant multi-hued China mini, specially chosen to
compliment her hair and eyes, accompanied by her usual matching heels and
purse. She had chosen to forego a bra, since the design of the mini
emphasized her best features without the help.
Noticing that her bodice was a bit off-center with her cleavage,
she stuck a finger in the opening and pulled it over so it would show
better, and was startled to hear a passerby on a bicycle collide with a
mailbox a few feet behind her.
"I'm ready." she thought to herself, smirking.
Looking up at the clock, Kikyo noticed that it was almost lunchtime,
and went to inform Hitomi, who was out in the rear playground with the
entire enrollment. Kikyo was still reeling from the 'conversation' she
had been in with the 'other Hitomi', and despite the fact that all seemed
normal, was still inwardly depressed and angry.
Stepping through the back doors, she saw Hitomi sitting on a toybox,
telling the children a story, To a child, they all sat before her
listening intently to every word. Kikyo had to smile, impressed by how
the Chinese girl could so captivate a normally very active group of kids.
Just as Kikyo walked up beside Hitomi, Minako appeared in the
doorway, gesturing for Kikyo to come.
"Hai, Minako-Sensei?" Kikyo asked, walking back over to her.
"Hitomi-Sensei has a visitor... I think she may be a relative."
Minako stated, happily. "I have told her to wait until Hitomi is finished
her story." Minako added, smiling. "Would you tell her?"
"Hai, Minako-Sensei. I will." Kikyo confirmed, smiling. As
Minako walked back inside the building, Kikyo's face abruptly darkened.
She knew that If a relative had tracked Hitomi, then there was a very good
possibility that their relationship was even more doomed. As well, she
worried that this 'relative' may make Hitomi think about her past, which
could have dire consequences for Hitomi herself... or the 'relative',
depending on what transpired.
"Kiko-chan! How long have you been standing here? You could have
come and sat with us." Hitomi remarked from behind Kikyo.
"Ah..! Hitomi-chan... you startled me." Kikyo gasped, caught
totally by surprise.
"Baaka...!" Hitomi grinned, shaking her head. Well, we're all
finished now.. want to grab some lunch?"
"Ano... someone's here to see you. She's waiting inside." Kikyo
recovered, smiling. Inwardly, however, her heart sank.
"To see me? Hunh... I wonder who it could be?" Hitomi asked,
skritching her head. "Guess I better go find out, ne?" she decided, and
winked at Kikyo as she headed into the building. Kikyo sighed sadly, but
did not follow... immediately.
Near the main entry doors, Hitomi could see a shapely female
figure, dressed in a gorgeous China mini, standing demurely with purse in
hand. The light from the doors backlit the mystery woman enough that her
features were darkened, so it wasn't until she was almost right up to her
that the redhead could get a good look. When she did however, she felt
her cheeks flush and her heart rate double at the sight of the goddess
before her.
"Nihao, Hitomi-san." A sweet voice greeted with a cordial bow.
"It's been a long time." the woman stated in perfect Japanese, stepping
forward and hugging the totally awed Hitomi. "I am Lin Shan Puu... I
know you won't remember me, but when I heard you were here, I had to come
to see you." the Amazon explained, happily.
Hitomi was speechless. Not only was this Lin Shan Puu absolutely
drop-dead beautiful, but she had just hugged her. Hitomi's flush deepened
even more as she thought about it.
"You look wonderful, Hitomi-san... I think you've lost weight...
and I just love your hair! How have you been?" Shampoo continued,
smiling brightly as she noticed Hitomi's flush.
Finally, Hitomi managed to find her tongue and stuff it back
inside her mouth.
"Ano... Konnichiwa, Lin-san." she bowed, unable to rip her eyes
away. "Sorry for being so rude..." she stammered, embarrassed by her
gawking.
"Daijobu... do you like my dress? I wore it just for you, since
I know how much you used to like me in them." Shampoo responded,
modeling herself before Hitomi's hungry gaze. Inwardly, she wished it
was the *real* Ranma that was looking at her like that, but she reassured
herself that all she had to do was wait.
"Hai... I do. It looks... incredible on you." Hitomi breathed,
shaking her head to snap out of her trance.
"Aiyah! I knew you'd like it!" Shampoo gushed, glomping the
stunned redhead in a huge hug. "Airen... it's so good to see you again...
is there someplace we can talk for a few minutes..?"
"Hai... I'm on lunch, so we can sit out front..." Hitomi
indicated, breathlessly. She still couldn't figure out who this
incredible woman was, but was quite pleased that, by the sound of things,
they had been lovers. That observation, however, gave her cause to wonder
why they had apparently split. She couldn't fathom herself letting
someone this sexy and fun get away.
At the other end of the large main room, Kikyo stepped through
the doors just in time to see Hitomi gesture the other Chinese woman out
the main entry. Sadly, she noticed how good they looked together... and
how gorgeous the other woman was. Just as they were about to step out the
doors, Kikyo saw the other woman glare hard at her... like she knew who
she was.
"She knows... then she must be up to something!" Kikyo thought,
immediately heading for the locker room.
Emotions running near to panic, Kikyo grabbed at her purse and
pulled out her .45, checking the clip to see that it was ready. Slipping
it into the beltline of her skirt, she headed out the back of the building
and circled around to front playground.
As she approached the last corner, she ran into Minako talking to
a group of children.
"Minako-Sensei... You might want to bring the children around to
the back... things are going to get exciting out here in a minute." she
indicated, bowing to Minako respectfully.
Minako went to ask why, but when the elder woman saw the look in
Kikyo's eyes, she simply nodded her agreement.
"Arigato, Minkao-Sensei." Kikyo whispered, looking around the
corner for Hitomi and the other Chinese woman. Taking a few more cautious
steps, she finally sighted the two, sitting on the far side of a climbing
apparatus.
Watching them carefully, Kikyo noticed that the purple-haired
woman kept jiggling her ample chest in front of Hitomi's face, and crossing
and uncrossing her legs as she spoke... and the mini she wore left little
to the imagination as it was. Kikyo could feel the jealousy burning
within her, as she felt she didn't have the assets to compete.
Abruptly, the new woman stood up and moved toward Hitomi, then
bent over to do something to the redhead's hair... and in the process,
almost smothered Hitomi with her chest. Kikyo could stand no more,
starting to walk purposely toward them, hand seeking the grip of her
weapon. The other Chinese woman glanced up just then, seeing Kikyo
coming toward them with an angry look on her face. Kikyo noticed the
woman spot her, and quickened her pace.
As Kikyo watched, the woman grinned at her smugly, then reached
in her purse and produced a gold bracelet wrapped in a cloth, and started
talking to Hitomi about it.
At that point, Kikyo lost it. "Kuso...! Hitooomiii!" she
shouted, racing toward the two women. Just as she passed by the apparatus,
Shampoo was in the process of clasping the gold bracelet around a smiling
Hitomi's wrist.
"Hitomi! Get away from her!" Kikyo shouted, pulling her .45 out
of her skirt and snapping the slide back. Turning, Shampoo pulled out her
bonbori and leapt at Kikyo. "Stay out of this, agent-girl!" she snarled,
taking a huge swing. Kikyo dropped to one knee and got off a shot,
snapping the handle of the first bonbori. Unfortunately, before she could
get a bead on the second, Shampoo threw it at her, and it connected hard
with her midsection, knocking the wind out of her.
Huffing indignantly over Kikyo's unconscious form, Shampoo strode
back toward the stunned, blank-faced Hitomi smirking confidently. "You
belong to Shampoo now... that charm forces Spirits from the bodies they
have possessed... and then you will almost be yourself again. I will
have to teach you, but that's a small price to pay to have you for
myself... Ranma." she smiled, wickedly.
As Shampoo stood gloating over her victory, Hitomi suddenly
grimaced and began clawing at the bracelet. Her normally blue eyes
flashed red, and she slid off the box she had been sitting on, ending up
on her knees before it. Abruptly, her head snapped back, and her mouth
fell open, emitting a long. painful moan the likes of which Shampoo had
never heard in her life. Immediately, she knew something had gone
terribly wrong.
In the next instant, a blue aura began to build around Hitomi's
body, increasing in intensity by the second. Shampoo staggered back
gape-mouthed, the energy being emitted making the hair on her arms, neck
and legs all stand up straight.
Just as Shampoo was about to turn and run, Hitomi seemed to
explode in a ball of brilliant blue light, sending the stunned Amazon
sprawling across the playground.
As the brilliance faded, a solitary human form became visible at
it's core, dressed in the flowing raiment of an 18th century Chinese
Princess. As the air returned to normal, the figure stepped forward,
flipping her long red hair back over her shoulder.
"At last... It begins in earnest." the girl stated, smiling
confidently.
"Aiyah..." Shampoo breathed, suddenly very scared as she stared
in disbelief at the girl.
For the moment, the Princess ignored the petrified Amazon, instead
striding over to the fallen Kikyo, then kneeling bedside her and gently
touching her forehead. Kikyo's eyes flew open, and she gasped when she
saw the face looking down at her.
"Ano.. What... You!" was all she could manage.
The Princess smiled warmly. "Yes, my child.. it is I. At last,
thanks in part to the Amazon's foolishness, I am free to complete my
destiny."
"Destiny...? Oh, no... That means... Hitomi..." Kikyo
whispered wide-eyed, realizing the gravity of the statement.
"Little one... As I have said in the past, Hitomi will return to
you... when my destiny is met." The Princess soothed, stroking Kikyo's
hair.
"Will you tell me...? Who are you?" Kikyo asked, feeling tears
coming to her burning eyes.
"I am Mu Lin. Daughter of the Emperor, and the life force that
once shared this mortal shell with the one known as Ranma. I am here on
a mission of utmost import, the nature of which I shall relate to you...
in but a few moments. There is another matter that requires my attention."
she indicated, her voice becoming angry. Rising to her feet, she turned
and stared disdainfully at the shaken Shampoo.
"You! Amazon! I am disappointed in you. You represent your
people shamefully this day." she began, ripping the bracelet off. "Have
you not the honor of your heritage? When I knew of your people, they were
proud, strong warriors... not near the like of this base trickery." she
continued, tossing the bracelet back at Shampoo in disgust.
Tears running down her cheeks from the scathing insults, Shampoo
glared back at Mu Lin with all the indignance she could muster.
"I act from the Laws of our Tribe. Ranma defeated me in battle...
our laws say he is to be my husband!" she retorted, angrily.
"Then it is a shame you wasted your life so foolishly, Amazon...
for in bringing harm to the one I love..." Mu Lin began, raising her
arm to trace out the familiar symbol, "You have sealed your fate."
she added, glaring angrily at Shampoo through the completed symbol.
"Then kill me!" Shampoo shot back through angry tears, rising
to her feet. "I did what I had to do to satisfy the laws of my land, and
I make no apology. Amazons live by a code of honor... and if satisfying
that code costs me my life, then I accept death willingly." she stated,
salvaging her long-battered pride and looking Mu Lin directly in the eye.
"Wo de Ailen, Ranma..." she added quietly, a last tear glistening on her
cheek.
==========================================================================
END - Mysteries of the Mind - Part 8 A Ranma1/2 FanFic by V. Coutu
Comments Welcomed, Flames Extinguished!
coutuva@vecdev.com
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